Jazz woke late the next morning and sat up with a groan. After refueling quickly, he jumped into the washracks to clean up. Once his armor was squeaky clean, he checked the time and found he had a couple joors before he was to meet Prowl in the Helix Gardens, so he decided to talk a walk around Praxus to help clear his processors. As he left his apartment, Jazz noticed that Blaster had already left his apartment judging by the silence coming from behind the mech's door. Jazz could only assume that Blaster was at Headquarters with Smokescreen and Stalker.

As he stepped outside, he glanced around before starting his walk. Jazz smirked faintly as he picked out all the undercover Enforcers that were tailing him and 'blending in' with the crowd along his walk. Immediately, he knew this was because his team had informed the Chief that they were close to catching Prowl and because the Chief knew Jazz wasn't just going to doing this the easy way. Faintly, he was glad he didn't tell Blaster what time he was meeting Prowl at the Helix Gardens, but since Smokescreen and Bluestreak knew where Prowl's favorite spot was, Prowl was still in danger. Jazz had to lose his tail and get to the Helix Gardens before Prowl so he can lead the Enforcers waiting there away from the Gardens.

Jazz knew he would get in big trouble with the Chief for this, but they hadn't consulted him when they made the decision to move in on Prowl. Jazz still didn't have the information they needed and because of their tail and their undercover Enforcers, Prowl would know something was up before he even got to the Gardens. If that happened, Prowl would keep in hiding and even make the connection that Jazz was an Enforcer as well. This whole situation was a disaster waiting to happen.

So, without further ado, he lost all the mechs tailing him. It took him a couple breems, but he managed it and got onto a street where there weren't any undercover Enforcers. Jazz faintly wondered if the entire force was out today as he ducked into an alley. Suddenly, his special com-link flared to life and Jazz flinched at the sudden static.

::Jazz, where the frag are you?:: snapped Blaster.

"Oh ya know, here and there, enjoyin' the sights," said Jazz, malice just barely hidden under the surface.

::Don't play games Jazz, this is important,:: said Blaster, irritation coloring his tone and Jazz felt a little triumphant at that, no matter how petty he knew it was.

"I'm not the one playin' games Blaster," said Jazz. "What the frag do ya think you're doin' sending a bunch of Enforcers ta tail me. I bet ya even have mechs waiting in the Gardens, don't ya?"

::Jazz, tell us where you are, now,:: said Blaster.

"Nah, I don't think I will. See, what ya guys are plannin' is just gonna make things worse. You're gonna ruin everythin'," said Jazz.

::Ruin your plan to tell Prowl who you are and go into hiding with him you mean?:: asked Blaster.

"What are ya talkin' about?" asked Jazz, genuinely confused. "I wasn't plannin' that. Prowl's probably gonna tell me what we need ta know ta put him away. If there are Enforcers everywhere, he'll know somethin's up and he'll disappear. Maybe he'll even make the connection that I'm an Enforcer too. If he does that, you'll never get close ta him again."

::Likely story,:: said Stalker suddenly. ::That information I got yesterday was about a new criminal organization that came into town recently. Incidentally, they're led by a silver mech and arrived the same day you did. That ring any bells Jazz?::

"No," said Jazz, confused. "Are ya sayin' I'm a crime lord or somethin'? Ya have gotta be kiddin' me."

::It makes sense Jazz. Though it's all circumstantial, there is evidence that you're the leader of this new crime organization,:: said Stalker.

"It makes no sense at all!" yelled Jazz. "I'm an Enforcer! I do work for the Autobots! Don't ya trust me at all?!"

::We're not sure that we can anymore Jazz, especially because of your friendship with Prowl," said Blaster.

"He may be my friend, but takin' him in is still ma duty! Ma feelin's don't matter," snapped Jazz. "That's what it means ta be Special Ops."

::Special Ops? But I thought you said you weren't an Autobot,:: said Stalker.

"Not yet, but I've gone through trainin'. They wouldn't let me infiltrate for them if I didn't," said Jazz. "And you should know the Special Ops' favorite sayin', 'Ops make their own rules'."

::Jazz, you don't make your own rules here, you follow the Enforcer's code to the letter,:: snapped Blaster.

"Ya guys are makin' a big mistake," muttered Jazz.

::You already made a big mistake,:: said Stalker.

"Don't remind me," mumbled Jazz.

"There he is!" yelled a nearby mech and Jazz cursed before dashing off.

::You won't be able to hide from the Enforcers Jazz,:: said Blaster and Jazz immediately knew how they had found him; Blaster's communication device hooked up to his own com-link. Jazz dodged through the throng of bots in the street, losing the mechs following him long enough for him to duck into an alley and rip out the communications device from his audio. It hurt like the Pit, especially because of his sensitive audios, but he had to do it. He crushed it under his pede before dashing off again. He quickly lost all the Enforcers and headed for the Helix Gardens.

When he arrived, he spotted the undercover Enforcers easily and then searched through the whole gardens to find all of them. Once he did, he revealed himself in a strategic spot that would cause all the Enforcers to notice him. He looked around as if he was looking for Prowl and then cursed.

"He's not here," Jazz said loud enough for the Enforcers to hear him. "It's cause of all the slaggin' Enforcers. He's noticed'em and he's not comin'." Jazz acted disappointed and upset before storming out of the Helix Gardens forcing all the Enforcers to follow after him. He led them to the far side of the city before losing them and heading back to the Gardens. When he got there, he found Prowl walking up to his bench while looking around curiously.

"Oh Jazz, there you are. I'm a little late. I'm glad you didn't have to wait long," said Prowl as he noticed Jazz jogging up to him.

"Yeah sorry 'bout that, being late too," said Jazz with a light chuckle. "Hey, ya mind if we go somewhere private?"

"Jazz, is there something wrong?" asked Prowl.

"Yeah, the Enforcers are out in large numbers today," said Jazz worriedly. "I don't know what their deal is, but I think it'd be best if we went somewhere we won't run inta them. I don't want them ta catch ya before we get a chance ta sort things out." Prowl studied Jazz carefully for a breem.

"Alright, I know a place. Follow me," said Prowl as he led Jazz out of the Helix Gardens and down many side streets and alleys, avoiding all the Enforcers that crossed their path. Finally, Prowl ducked into a warehouse and walked swiftly over to a back wall. He felt along the wall for a short while and suddenly, a part of the wall slid to the side. "I made this place some time ago in case I needed a place to lie low. Hurry, inside." Jazz ducked inside and Prowl shut the door after he stepped inside. Jazz looked around the comfortable looking room and Prowl sat down on one of the chairs. Jazz sat down on the opposite couch and leaned back with a sigh.

"Nice place," said Jazz with a smirk. Prowl shook his head in exasperation before he stopped when he noticed something.

"Jazz, what happened to your audio?" asked Prowl worriedly as he got up to sit next to Jazz and get a closer look at the damage.

"Oh that? Just an accident while out walkin' in the city earlier. I was gonna get it checked, but I had ta meet ya first so ya didn't think I left ya," said Jazz with a smile. Prowl gave Jazz a tiny grateful smile before leaning closer to get a better look at the injury which was leaking a little bit of energon.

"But…it looks like…you clawed your own audio," said Prowl quietly in an incredulous tone. "Jazz, what is going on?"

"I told ya, it was an accident. I was talkin' ta Blaster on the com-link, askin' him about the Enforcers when someone bumped me hard from behind. I've got sharp claws ya know," said Jazz as he held up his clawed fingers and wiggled them slightly. Prowl looked like he didn't believe Jazz, but let it go.

"I'm also worried about the Enforcers movements," said Prowl when he noticed Jazz glance towards the door. "But they will not find us here." Jazz could only nod and hope to Primus that was true. "Look, Jazz, I wanted to talk to you."

"Yeah?" asked Jazz.

"About my…profession, as Smokescreen put it," said Prowl. "I…I trust you and I believe I can tell you this. Maybe you can even help me." Prowl had such a hopeful look that Jazz's spark twisted painfully in its casing. Prowl suddenly stood up and retrieved a repair kit from a nearby shelf. He sat back down next to Jazz and began doing what repairs he could. Jazz tried not to flinch or shudder when Prowl touched his audios, but they were so sensitive.

"Hey, careful, careful," said Jazz as he pulled away slightly.

"I'm not going to hurt you Jazz," said Prowl.

"I know, it's just…my audios are really sensitive," mumbled Jazz and Prowl chuckled lightly.

"Oh really?" asked Prowl and he trailed his fingers along Jazz's audio horns. Jazz shuddered at the wonderful feeling and Prowl chuckled. "They really are sensitive."

"Hey, come on Prowler," whined Jazz and Prowl laughed.

"Sorry," said Prowl as he continued repairs. "I can't fix it completely, but I can stop the leaking and do minor repairs so a medic will have an easier time of it later."

"Thanks," said Jazz. Prowl simply nodded as he worked.

"Now, about what I wanted to talk to you about," said Prowl as he finished working on Jazz's audio and set the repair kit on the table in front of them. Jazz turned to face Prowl and the black and white mech looked down at his clasped hands in his lap. "Jazz…I'm not a lawful mech. I'm…I'm a thief."

"A thief?" asked Jazz and Prowl nodded.

"I've been stealing things since I was a youngling, since I left my creators. At first, it was just to survive, but then it was a thrill. No one has ever caught me, no one's ever come close. But I still have to steal, not just because it's a thrill, but to keep this city safe," said Prowl.

"I…I don't understand the logic there, which is a little ironic," said Jazz and Prowl smirked.

"There are many criminals in this city Jazz, and many of them the Enforcers either can't get any evidence on them or they don't know about them. To them, I'm the unofficial crime lord of this city because they can't do anything without me knowing and if they get on my bad side, they'll find themselves in the Enforcers' hands. If I don't steal something now and again, they won't listen to me anymore, they'll think I'm weak and try to take over the city. I won't let that happen," said Prowl. "And recently, that new crime boss came into Praxus with his men. I've been trying to get him out, but…it's not working. So far, none of my plans have worked."

"So…is he tryin' ta take over or somethin'?" asked Jazz and Prowl nodded solemnly.

"He's already recruited many of the criminals in this city who didn't like me and my rules. If I don't move quickly, he'll take over and there will be nothing I can do about it," said Prowl.

"But…why do you think I can help you with that?" asked Jazz.

"Jazz, I know you've not been completely honest with me. You are much more talented than you let on," said Prowl with a smirk and Jazz's spark nearly stopped in shock. "You've had training, haven't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to follow me to the warehouse yesterday. Are you planning on joining the Autobots?" Jazz nearly collapsed in relief. Prowl only figured out part of his secrets.

"Heh, ya got me there," said Jazz with a faint chuckle while rubbing the back of his helm sheepishly. "I've actually already done some infiltratin' for them in Kaon, but I didn't want ta join quite yet, so I came here for a while."

"I see," said Prowl. "Those skills of yours can help get this crime boss out of Praxus. Maybe even into the Enforcers' hands." Jazz nodded thoughtfully. "Which brings us back to them and why they're out in force today." Jazz wanted to confess right then and there, if it would stop Prowl from giving him spark attacks every time he brought up the Enforcers.

"Well, Smokey knows I consider ya ma friend," said Jazz softly. "He had a bunch of Enforcers tailin' me earlier. I guess he assumed I would come and meet ya today or somethin'. I managed ta ditch'em and then draw them away from the Gardens before ya got there."

"Were they the ones that injured you?" asked Prowl quietly as he gently traced his own clawed fingertips around Jazz's audio. The silver mech shuddered before shaking his head.

"Nah, it was mostly just 'cause they surprised me when I was talkin' ta Blaster. Someone bumped inta me hard, and then ya know the rest," said Jazz with a shrug. He was grateful for his abilities to keep his lies straight, or he would be in a lot of trouble.

"But, how did you know they'd be in the Gardens?" asked Prowl.

"Smokescreen saw you there and I guess they know some of your favorite places ta go. I don't know for sure," said Jazz as he shook his head. "I wanted ta talk ta ya before anything happened ta ya." Prowl nodded in understanding.

"Well, I'm glad you have the skills you do, otherwise, I would have been caught today," said Prowl with a warm smile. "But you might get into trouble since you gave them the slip."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I can take care of myself, and I'm not unfamiliar with gettin' inta trouble," said Jazz with a grin.

"Jazz, I don't want anything to happen to you because of me," said Prowl and Jazz's grin faltered. "Your friendship means so much to me."

"Prowler, it'll be fine. Nothin' will happen ta me because of ya, I can promise ya that," said Jazz with a small smile. He rested his hands on the black and white mech's shoulders and turned so they were sitting facing each other on the couch. "There's just somethin' I want ta tell ya right now."

"Jazz?" asked Prowl curiously, his expression faintly worried as Jazz seemed to have a hard time speaking.

"Look Prowler, I just want ta be clear that I consider you my friend, no matter what happens. You're the best friend I could ever ask for, and our friendship means everythin' ta me. This is a subject I would never, ever lie about, ya understand?" asked Jazz earnestly.

"I do, but…what I don't understand is what brought this up," said Prowl worriedly.

"I just…with all the Enforcers about, it scares me. What if they catch ya? What if I can't ever talk ta ya again? What if you disappear and I never get the chance ta tell ya how much I cherish our friendship? Ya see where I'm goin' with this?"

"Of course, but you have nothing to worry about. I'm not going to let myself get caught when I have you worrying so much about me." Prowl gave Jazz a confident smile, but Jazz didn't feel any better. He knew Prowl was going to get caught and he was the one that was going to catch him.

"It's just…" Jazz started, but he couldn't form the right words without giving Prowl some hint as to what he was planning or who he really was. He shook his head and Prowl reached out to brush his fingers along Jazz's forearm, but Jazz pulled back.

"Don't…" said Prowl as he gripped Jazz's arm. "Don't pull away from me, please." Jazz merely looked up at Prowl and sighed.

"I'm sorry Prowler, but there's so many things I want ta say, but I can't," said Jazz, shaking his head.

"It's alright, you can tell me when you're ready," said Prowl softly. Jazz gave him a tiny grateful smile. Prowl didn't understand that Jazz couldn't tell him because he was an Enforcer. "For now, let us relax while we can. It will be some time before the Enforcers give up looking for you and then you should head home, that is, if you can make sure they won't notice you."

"Oh they won't notice if I don't want them too," said Jazz with a smirk. Prowl gave a light chuckle and got them both a cube of energon. As they sipped their energon, they sat in comfortable silence and Jazz allowed his processors to wander. His thoughts continued to turn to Prowl and Jazz was beginning to fully comprehend why. It wasn't just because he thought of Prowl as a friend, he was attracted to the mech. Really, Jazz found he wasn't that surprised. But even if he wasn't surprised, he felt his spark twist in agony. He would never get the chance to tell Prowl, or even see where it went. He just wondered if Prowl felt the same.

"Well, it's getting late. Are you going to the bar tonight?" asked Prowl.

"Probably best that I don't," said Jazz with a sigh. "I think I'm gonna do a little errand and then sneak home. Kinda sad that I have to sneak inta ma own apartment." Prowl gave Jazz a wry smile.

"Just be careful," said Prowl and Jazz nodded.

"Sure," said Jazz as Prowl led him out of the secret room and into the warehouse. Jazz silently jogged over to the door, ignoring Prowl who was watching him intently. The silver mech glanced out the doors carefully and didn't spot any Enforcers nearby. "Well, looks like the coast is clear."

"You really are a natural at sneaking around," said Prowl with a faint smirk. Jazz gave him a slightly embarrassed smile before glancing outside again.

"Well, I should be goin'," said Jazz. Prowl merely nodded with a faint sigh. "I'll see ya tomorrow, right?"

"Of course," said Prowl with a nod. "You should meet me here after midday, or as soon as you can. Then, hopefully, I can convince you to help me with that crime boss."

"Trust me, it won't be hard ta convince me," said Jazz with a smirk. "I'll see ya then Prowler. Just remember what I said earlier." Prowl nodded with a warm smile. Jazz ducked out into the street and stuck to the shadows as he headed for his first destination. Once he glanced over his shoulder and spotted Prowl's door-wings heading in the other direction. A few short breems later, Jazz arrived at his destination and knocked on the door. When it opened, Jazz ducked inside and closed the door behind him.

"Jazz? What are you doing here?" asked Bluestreak. He looked shocked and worried.

"I need ta talk ta Smokey. Is he here?" asked Jazz.

"No, not yet. He said he'd be working late tonight," said Bluestreak as he walked into the living room with Jazz following. "He also said something about you causing trouble or something."

"Yeah, well, it's not me that started all this," muttered Jazz.

"Jazz, what's going on?"

"Look, it started this mornin'. A bunch of Enforcers were tailin' me and they were out in force. Blaster contacted me after I gave some the slip and told me they were gonna tail me to catch Prowl, but they also had information about a new crime boss from Stalker. He accused me of bein' the crime boss because he arrived the same day I did and he's silver too. This just got way outta hand."

"Crime boss? What about Prowl?" Bluestreak was extremely worried and Jazz sighed.

"Prowl's fine. I managed ta lead the Enforcers away from the Gardens before he got there. He took me somewhere where we could talk and he…he told me he was a thief, so I have the evidence I need ta take him in."

"But Jazz! You two are friends!"

"I know Blue! Which is why it hurts so fraggin' much." Jazz turned away from the younger mech and sighed deeply. "But that's not the issue right now. This crime boss is trying to take over Praxus, and Prowl's tryin' ta prevent that, but there's only so much he can do. And Stalker thinks I'm the crime boss and that I'm plannin' ta work with Prowl. This is absolutely ridiculous!"

"So…Prowl isn't working with this crime boss?"

"Of course not. He's tryin' ta get him out of Praxus and he asked me ta help him do it. He knows I do work for the Autobots in Special Ops, so he knows I've got the skills."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"That's what I'd like to know," said Smokescreen from the entry and Jazz glared at him. Smokescreen crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Jazz expectantly. Jazz stalked over to him and poked him in the chest.

"Do ya have any idea how close we came ta losin' Prowl today?" growled Jazz.

"Enlighten me," said Smokescreen.

"If he had seen the Enforcers you stationed at the Gardens, he would have disappeared forever," snarled Jazz.

"Is that so? Because I hear that you gave nearly all of our Enforcers the slip, destroyed the special communications device, and went to meet with Prowl. Also, Stalker informs us of this new crime boss and all evidence points to you."

"Evidence? What slaggin' evidence?! All ya know is that the crime boss came into Praxus the same day I did and that he's silver. I spent most of ma time in my apartment or on assignment for ya guys. I had no time ta go and run a crime organization! And what happened ta trustin' me? Wasn't I the one that told ya I wouldn't tell the chief your relation ta Prowl so ya could stay on the case? The only reason ya started ta doubt me really was because of…" Jazz stopped and looked at Smokescreen with a shocked look.

"Because of what Jazz?" asked Smokescreen in irritation.

"Stalker," said Jazz softly and Smokescreen gave him a confused look.

"Stalker? What about him?" asked the blue and red mech. Jazz ignored him as he thought over what he had just realized. "Jazz, what are you talking about?"

"It's Stalker. He was the one that told you about the crime boss, he's the one that said I was the crime boss, it's him."

"Stalker is the crime boss?"

"No, that's not what I meant! Stalker works for him! When did Stalker come to Praxus?"

"A deca-orn before you, why?"

"I just said, Stalker works for the crime boss!"

"Jazz, I highly doubt Stalker works for the crime boss. He's an Enforcer."

"And you think I'm gonna betray the Enforcers to join Prowl." Jazz crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Smokescreen. The blue and red mech's optics widened. "Ya see? You're easily blamin' me 'cause Prowl's ma friend! 'Cause he cares 'bout me! You're lettin' you're grudge against him blind ya ta the facts that I'm your friend too. Now listen ta me, Stalker probably met the crime boss in the city he came from or someplace like that, and the crime boss planned ta come ta Praxus and somehow convinced Stalker ta work for him and come here to set things up for him. Once Prowl was outta the way, he could come in and take over without a problem. Then, he convinces everybody that I'm the crime boss so that the real one can take over without worrying about Enforcers looking out for him, and he gets rid of one mech that has training in Special Ops with the Autobots."

"This is all just conjecture," said Smokescreen.

"So was the idea that I'm the crime boss," said Jazz dryly.

"I'd have to agree with Jazz, Smokey. He never gave us any reason to doubt him, but Stalker is shifty. I mean, he does get most of his information from criminals, right?" asked Bluestreak and Smokescreen turned to Bluestreak.

"Well…I never really believed that Jazz was the crime boss, but Stalker working for the crime boss? I don't think I can believe that either," said Smokescreen.

"We're just gonna hafta find out, aren't we?" asked Jazz with a smirk.

"Jazz…I'm sorry," said Smokescreen quietly.

"Don't worry about it Smokey," said Jazz with a light grin.

"How's your audio?" asked Smokescreen and when Jazz gave him a curious look, he explained. "We found the communications device and there were pieces of your armor plating, so we figured you had ripped it out without much care."

"I'm fine, Prowl fixed it up as best he could, but I'll need ta get it looked at soon," said Jazz and Smokescreen nodded. "Well, I'm gonna get goin'. Ya two rest well."

"You too Jazz," said Bluestreak. "And be careful."

"Rest well Jazz," said Smokescreen and Jazz nodded to them both with a grin before leaving their house. He didn't worry too much as he walked down the street since the Enforcers would have long given up on finding him by then, but he still kept an optic out just in case. He was halfway home when he spotted a couple of suspicious mechs, but there wasn't much he could do about them at the moment. All he could do was commit their appearances to memory in case he ran into them again, that way he could figure out why they gave him a bad feeling.

Jazz walked for another block or so, relaxing a bit more as he neared his apartment building. Before he reached the building, he'd have to be on his guard so he could sneak inside without being noticed, but for right now, he was just glad he was close to home. Slipping into an alley, he paused at the other end to look out onto the street, studying everyone to see if they were Enforcers or not. Not seeing any, he was about to step out onto the street when pain exploded from the back of his head. He landed roughly on the ground with a groan and tried to get up to see who had attacked him. Another blow to the head knocked him unconscious. His last coherent thought was that he wasn't caught by Enforcers.