chiv-id: Okay, here's another chapter with your favorite spicy Spanish girl and our silver smooth-talking bot, Natalya and Jazz!
Natalya: Girl, you haven't updated this story in at least a month. You got the other Transformer stories up, but not us? You even got the frickin' Halo one up before this one!
chiv-id: Yeah...sorry 'bout that, anyways, before anyone else comeplains-
Jazz: Yeah, what's up wit dat? Halo...damn, you want alien? I give you alien!
chiv-id: (sweatdrops) ...No Jazz...I don't want alien...so put the guns down.
Disclaimer: chiv-id doesn't own Transformers, that's Hasbro. But she does own Natalya. Read!
Driven To The Edge
Chapter 6: J.Z.
"You what?!" Sam yelled at Mikaela.
"I told you, I…accidentally switched Jazz for Nat's brother's car…" she trailed off on the last part and Sam started freaking out…bad…
"I trust Jazz will not reveal himself," Optimus tried to calm Sam, "But I do believe we should retrieve Jazz as soon as possible. Mikaela, you said that your friend...Natalya…put a 'tracking' unit on Jazz, am I right?"
"Yeah, I didn't know she did that for me, but when she told me after, like a few days after, I figured that it was all right," Mikaela mentioned, pulling out her phone which had the GPS locater built into it, "Made me this phone just for me." Mikaela punched in the Jazz's number and a small J popped up on the screen, moving at a normal speed out of Mission City.
"What's he doing there?" Mikaela wondered out loud.
"Doing where?" Sam asked, peering over her shoulder, "Mission City?! Oh god…"
"Let us intercept Jazz," Ratchet offered, "If he is on his own, then all the better. If he is being 'stolen', as you humans say, then we shall catch him."
"What?" Sam asked in a squeak, "If someone did take him, you're just going to go and transform? Oh, that's a brilliant plan, then we'll start this whole thing all over again. Sorry, but the government hates you guys already, people in other nations were totally freaked out, like-like China, and I don't think I could handle the stress!"
"Calm down, Sam," Optimus advised, "We promise that we will not give you any more 'stress'…I believe that we would not be able to handle your 'freaking out' either…"
"Yeah, so chill," Mikaela ordered, grabbing Sam's shoulders, "Besides, I'm pretty sure Nat's brother's gonna let anyone just take Jazz. Maybe…maybe they were in a street race or something. I know that Nat used to race so…"
"Fine, fine, let's just go get Jazz back, and, hopefully, I won't have a nervous breakdown in the middle of it," Sam said exasperated, climbing into Bumblebee. Mikaela joined him, rolling her eyes and planting a kiss on his cheek.
"You are the strangest boy I've ever met," Mikaela said, "You know that?"
"No, I'm the guy who's trying not to get everyone in trouble," he retorted, massaging his temples as Bumblebee took over, "Or killed, or discovered, or chased down by the entire world!!" The whole Autobot team moved out and they drove towards a small shop where Natalya and Greg decided to get a drink.
"Nat, you were awesome!" Greg complimented, tapping his glass bottle against hers, "You know, I thought you were gonna be a little out of it since you weren't racing for so long, but haven't lost your touch. Props to you sis."
"Tch," Natalya said, shrugging her shoulders, "You know how I do." She tapped her glass back onto his and drained it.
"Also, thought that speech was cool, too," Greg told her, Natalya putting the glass down and picking up a Coke, handing money over to the cashier.
"That's because I really believe it," Natalya replied, "You know it's been my dream to race in the Circuit…get that really cool trophy like Dad on his first try…prove that I…that I could be just as good as any of those professionals, you know? Ever since Dad came into the picture, they all said it was 'beginner's luck' or 'maybe that guy cheated', and I don't want Papi to be looked at like that. That's why…that's why I'm gonna get real good, and I'm gonna win a trophy just like Papi. No one will say that the Bona Vantez were cheaters, or anything like that…not after I win." Natalya opened the bottle and took a sip and mumbled one more 'no one…', Greg looking down at her in an understanding way. Wrapping his arm around her, he hugged her close and Natalya hugged back.
"I know you'll win, Nat," Greg said, "'Cause you're one of those people who could out race half of those guys in the Circuit. I know it." Nat smiled back at him, glad that they had that this small moment.
"That's why I hated Trent and his driving," Nat growled a bit, "He actually did cheat and those guys who think that they can mess with other people's dreams and hopes like that have another thing comin'." Greg laughed and they shared a few more thoughts, laughing after each one good-heartedly. Meanwhile, the Transformers gang finally found Jazz and Nat's Celica abandoned outside of the shop.
"Jazz? Jazz, is that you?" asked Mikaela, walking over with Sam to Jazz.
"No," Jazz responded in an annoyed voice, "Jus' a regular car. Wait a breem, no, it's Jazz, the Autobot who saved all yo' lives and waz left with this fool!"
"Jeez, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Mikaela said, backing off with her hands raised, "We're going to get you out of here, okay? Just hang tight, I have to talk to Natalya." Sam stayed outside with Jazz, talking to the upset bot with little luck at cheering him up.
"Hey, Nat, there you are," Mikaela said, Natalya turning away from talking to the cashier who was trying to talk her into a date with him to get a free drink.
"Oh, Mikaela, hi!" the Latino was so glad she was there, "Sorry about taking your car, but it did great in the race today!" Mikaela blinked.
"You raced…with 'my car'?" Mikaela asked.
"Yeah, and we won! Sorry about the scratches. If you want, I'll repaint it and it'll be as good as new," Natalya apologized, taking a sip out of her drink after throwing the cashier money.
"No, it's okay, but I was just gonna say we were going to take it back," Mikaela told Natalya who stopped her slurping suddenly, "I mean, well…I hate to tell you this, but your brother's car blew up. Sorry, and I know that it's kind of unfair that I'm taking it back while your brother doesn't have a car, but…"
"Wait, Greg's car blew up? Oh that asqueroso…Trent must have rigged my brother's ride, I'm sorry girl," Natalya responded, "But, I was wondering if I…could trade you my ride for yours?" Mikaela's eyes widened at this and her arm collapsed, sending her into the counter which she was leaning on. Shakily getting up, she looked up at Natalya as if she were crazy.
"You…you want…wait, but…your Celica…?" This caused Nat took a quick glance over to her car and sighed as she stared at her baby. She loved that car, but the Pontiac was something else. It was different and Natalya liked it.
"As long as it's in the hands of someone I know and love, then I'll be okay with it," Nat said with a shrug and a bit of a pained smile, "I love my baby, but your car is something else, Mikay…" Mikaela was starting to panic a bit, but she quickly thought of a plan and smiled a bit sadly at Nat.
"I know you like it, but…I told you, it's not mine," Mikaela said, "It's my friend's."
"Okay, who's?" Natalya shot back curiously.
"Um…it's…um, hold on, I have to go call him…" Mikaela pulled out her phone and turned her back to Natalya, walking away to go outside. Natalya frowned and turned to her brother who only shrugged in return at Mikaela's behavior.
"Sam, guys…we have a problem," Mikaela said nervously, keeping the phone to her ear as if she were talking into it, "I told her that Jazz wasn't mine's and now she wants to meet the 'person who owns' Jazz…"
"Oh shit…" Sam said in a high-pitched voice, putting his hands on his face, "How are we going to pull this one off…wait a minute…" Sam turned to Jazz who didn't like the look Sam was giving him.
"You think you can make…you know…like, a guy or something?" Sam wasn't sure how to phrase it, but after having a run-in with Barricade those many months ago gave him the idea. He remembered the cop that wasn't really there and hoped that the Autobots would catch his drift.
"What?" they all said, Sam sighing and shaking his head.
"Wait, you mean this?" asked Jazz, a sudden flash of blue light flared on the inside of Jazz and, a few moments later, a person came out. It was a dark coffee-colored man, a bit muscular, wearing a grey T-shirt and a silver jacket. The T-shirt said "kickin' it" on it and he was also wearing kind of grey-blue jeans, black sneakers covering his feet. The man had a weave and had on black sunglasses, a thin moustache and beard on his face, the man's height being 5' 9". The man was pretty handsome, too, and his body language said 'come over here and give me something'.
"'Ey, t'sup y'all," the man spoke, a deep urban voice ringing from him.
"Jazz?" asked Mikaela, stunned.
"Yeah, okay, cool," Sam said, quickly grabbing the hologram that was Jazz and pushing him and Mikaela back in the store, "Hurry up and explain!" Jazz straightened his jacket, accompanying a dazed Mikaela who walked in just staring at Jazz. Jazz's hologram nudged her and cleared his throat, Mikaela shaking her head and smiling nervously at Natalya and Greg. Natalya had her back to them, Greg seeing them first and jerking his chin over to make her look at them. Natalya turned back, blinking as she looked at Jazz's hologram.
"Hey, you must be Mikaela's friend," Natalya said, crossing her hands over her chest and assessing him, then coming over and sticking out a hand, "I'm Natalya, and you are…?"
"Name's Jaz…" Jazz started, but then trailed off as he saw Sam out of the corner of his eye waving his hands crazily outside of the window.
"Jz? What's Jz?" asked Natalya, not quite catching what Jazz mumbled.
"Oh, uh," Mikaela knew that Sam actually didn't want Natalya knowing Jazz's real name, "It's J.Z. J.Z., Natalya, Natalya, J.Z., and he's the one who owns the car you want." Jazz's head snapped back over as he stared over in surprise at the small girl, a few inches smaller than his hologram was.
"Well, J.Z.," she began, "I know that it's your car and all, and…and I'm really sorry about the scratches…but I wanted to switch. It's an amazing car, I love it, and although I love my baby, if you take care of my car the way you took care of yours, I'll be satisfied. So, you wanna trade?" Natalya's green eyes were sparkling, captivating Jazz's. Jazz looked away for a moment, as if contemplating, but was thinking about those three words 'I love it'. He couldn't believe that she said that, but then mentally shook his head. She could have never meant it in that way and Jazz's spark seemed to drop then and there. 'J.Z.' took off his sunglasses and kept his eyes closed, turning his head back to Natalya. Opening them, he saw Natalya's startled eyes as she looked into his unusual baby blue holographic ones.
"One," he started, his deep voice making Natalya almost shudder, "The scratches are fine. Two, thanks for the compliment. And three…sorry, but I can't part with my car. Love it too much, it's like a part of me." Natalya was speechless as she stared at him with wide green eyes, Jazz blinking as she continued to stare.
"Um…oh…okay," she said somewhat dumbly, "Well, thanks for, um, not making me pay for damages or anything…"
"Hey, trust me," Jazz chuckled, "I get myself into a lot more worse things." Natalya blinked slowly, and just stared at Jazz. Smiling just as slowly as she blinked, Natalya grabbed Mikaela's arm, excusing herself for a moment with her girlfriend.
"Hey, Kae…" Natalya said staring at Jazz out of the corner of his eye.
"Yeah?" Mikaela responded, nervous.
"It's him…" Natalya breathed, her grasp on Mikaela's shoulders tightening a little, "It's him…" One of Mikaela's eyebrows rose as she moved her head to the side, Jazz talking to Greg.
"What do you mean 'it's him'?" Mikaela asked, confused.
"Those eyes…it's the same eyes…" Natalya whispered, now fully turning to look at Jazz. Surprisingly, when Jazz took off his sunglasses, Natalya caught the full gaze of the hologram's baby blue eyes, just as shining and bright as hers. After hearing his voice, coupled with those eyes staring at her, Natalya was convinced: it was her dream guy.
"Oh…oooohhhhh…" Mikaela at first she said it like she still didn't understand, then she realized what her friend meant after she saw the dreamy look in Natalya's eyes, "No, like you said, that was a dream guy, no way that can be him…right? Right?" Natalya only smiled and sighed as if she were in love…which she was…
"Oh crap…" Mikaela groaned, slapping a hand to her forehead, "Sam's gonna kill me…" Leaving her love-struck friend next to the door, Mikaela tapped Jazz's shoulder and brought him outside, Natalya quickly smiling at him and then rushing over to her brother.
"So, Mikaela, what is it?" he asked.
"You just had to have those eyes, didn't you?" she accused him, Sam coming over in question.
"She-she didn't find out anything, did she?" he asked, hands on hips and looking nervous.
"Remember the little…conversation me and Nat had while we were driving her back home this morning?" she asked, Jazz nodding a little after a while, "She said she fell in love with the guy in her dreams…and guess who looks exactly like him?" Jazz blinked and then played back the conversation, his blue eyes widening as he looked back at Mikaela. She nodded, crossing her arms over her chest in an 'I told you so' sort of way.
"What?" Sam asked, confused.
"Nat fell in love with Jazz," Mikaela simply put, "And now, I don't think she's going to drop 'J.Z.' so easy." Sam groaned and fell backwards, sitting his butt on the concrete sidewalk, head in his hands.
"What're we going to do?" Sam moaned.
"Okay, it's not the end of the world, Sam," Mikaela told him, "As long as Jazz plays along, then no problem right? We can say he moved away after a few days or something…"
"Yeah," Sam said, "And when she finds out that Jazz is still here, she'll be suspicious as always. What the hell are we going to do?!"
"'Ey, take it easy, chill," Jazz said, both teens turning to look at him, "No problem if I stay, I mean, s' long she don't find out about the 'real me', right?"
"And when she does, she's gonna freak!" Sam retorted, Jazz rolling his holographic eyes.
"She's ain't gonna know anything, trust me," Jazz said, "Just let 'J.Z.' do the talkin', aight?" Mikaela and Sam turned to each other, then sighed.
"Fine, whatever," Sam said, "But if this blows up in your face, it's your fault, not mine." Jazz nodded, understanding the situation, and walked back into the store, Natalya smiling at him pleasantly.
"Hey, J.Z.," Natalya greeted, J.Z. giving her a flash of his own smile.
"Yeah, so, turns out I'm gonna have to stay for a few days," Jazz said, Natalya's eyes lighting up immediately, "But I ain't in the mood for driving…and I'm short on cash. From what I heard, you pretty good at racing. I was wonderin' if you could do some racing with my car. I know it sounds like you're doin' all the work, but I never drove 'round here before and I'll probably lose all the money I have right now. So, whaddya say? Wanna help me with my problem?" Natalya smirked and held out her hand, standing up straight.
"Man, if I get to drive that sweet ride again, deal!" Natalya told him, 'J.Z.' taking her hand and shaking it, "By the way, the next race should be in Mission City again. All you have to do is come back here and I'll do the rest. Oh, and the money…how about I get about a fourth of it?"
"Nah, girl, 50-50'll be fine for me," J.Z. told her, "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Natalya said, "Oh, and I'm Natalya by the way." Jazz smiled in response and nodded.
"Natalya…I like that name," he said a bit slyly which made her blush and Greg frown. Mikaela smacked Jazz across the shoulders from behind and he stood up straight when he realized that he had been leaning towards her the whole time. Clearing his throat, Jazz smiled again and walked away, Natalya smiling back with Greg practically strangling his glass bottle.
"I don't like him," was all he said as he put the bottle in the trash bin. Natalya shrugged and rolled her eyes, knowing that her brother was simply being overprotective. She looked back at J.Z., exiting the store with a wave. Giving back that wave, she sighed and smiled again. He was her dream guy, but, like her brother, she was a bit wary. After all, nothing comes without a price. Still…Natalya sighed again, he sure was something…
chiv-id: Okay, so, officially, Natalya finally meets Jazz...or at least his human part...
Natalya: (sighs) Ooohhh, he was fine...
Jazz: (blushing in hologram mode and clears throat) Still here...
Natalya: (blushes) Uh...hey there...
chiv-id: Let's leave the two love birds to get more acquainted and leave me to brainstorm more ideas! Ciao for now, and please...GIVE ME REVIEWS!!