Thanks to Riptide2 (correct on both counts!) and Starfire201 (they probably could get along under other circumstances) for reviewing the last chapter! I own nothing but Crystal (who, by the way, is now the cover picture unless I find a picture that suits her better). Call Me, Maybe is by Carly Rae Jepsen.

~Second Chance~

He had let her get to him. Jazz knew it the instant she smiled that smug little smile at him and went completely limp. He knew that she had won that round and he understood why. She had all but called him a Decepticon and he had lost it. She had played him and now she was basking in the victory, still smirking at him. "You're smarter than Ah thought," he admitted and her smirk faded some as if sensing a trap. "Ya noticed quick enough what bothered meh and jumped on it but ya didn't back off fast enough." Her head cocked to one side as she studied him. She was wary now which meant he had scared her. She was treading lightly now.

"Maybe," she responded, studying him as much as he was studying her. "Or maybe I just wanted a reaction."

"Ya got a reaction," Jazz admitted, grinning suddenly. "But was it real?" Her expression snapped closed but not before he could almost read what was in her eyes. Played again. "So," he continued blithely. "Since you're down comparing me to my greatest enemies maybe we can get somewhere. Why do you want your phone back so badly?"

"Because I need to make a call," she said almost absently. Then reality came crashing down. For a moment her face creased into fury. Then something changed and she looked as if she was torn between laughing and crying. "I'll admit it," she said after a moment. "You are better than I am." For a moment she looked as if she was going to say something else before shaking her head and burying it in her arms. She mumbled something that Jazz couldn't hear, shoulders tense. Jazz sensed some sort of fake but decided to play along anyway.

"I didn't quite catch that," he said, making his way over to her. She waited until he was within arm's reach before replying.

"I said now who is playing whom?" she said and lashed out, kicking his feet out from under him. Jazz hit the floor and rolled, actually somewhat impressed. That hadn't been exactly what he had expected. She was all but laughing now and hadn't moved from her position. Jazz raised an eyebrow at her and her grin widened.

"Not even goin' for the door?" Jazz questioned. "For shame." She rolled her eyes then.

"As if," she drawled easily. "There are eight people right outside the door at least. I counted shadows before I ended up slammed against a wall. A couple of them were probably debating on whether or not to come in and rescue me."

"Only six," Jazz corrected absently.

"Right," Crystal said brightly. "How long has it been since you've slept?"

Jazz shook his head, fighting off a rueful grin at the acknowledgement that she had him right where she needed him. "A while," he replied.

"Uh huh," she agreed with a smirk. "How about you get some rest and we try this again later?"

"Why?" Jazz asked, smirking at her. "Ya don't like winnin'?"

"Not when it's easy," she shot back. Then her expression twisted into a lazy smirk. "Come back when it's a challenge." Then she closed her eyes and proceeded to ignore him. Jazz shook his head with a slight smirk and headed for the door. She was up to something and Jazz had a good idea what but she was right, he needed sleep. She didn't so much as twitch when he headed out the door and that made him question if she was doing what he thought she had been. Two hours later he had his answer.