Rhapsody in Blue

Chapter 7

"Ooooo…Oooooo…Ffffffffff," The mechlet kicked his feet in frustration. Why wouldn't his mouth make the same sounds? "B-b-b- eeeeeeeee t."

"Good job, Bro!" Rhapsody gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Now try Mom. Mmmoooommmm" He stretched out the letters so his little brother could better hear the sounds. It seemed to work when he did that.

Offbeat make a scrunched up face, concentrating on the words. "M-M-mmmmmm…Ooooo…M-mmm" Realizing he said the right thing he giggled and clapped his hands over his great victory.

"Good good!" Rhapsody clapped, "Now say Bro. Bbbbbrrrrroooo"

"B-bbbb oooooo?" He pucked his lips and looked to his brother. Some how that didn't sound the same.

Rhapsody shrugged his shoulder, something he saw Dad do when Mom pointed her finger at him. "Close 'nuff. How bout Dad. Daaaaad."

Offbeat tilted his head to the side. Who was that? He hadn't heard that name before. Was that someone he should know? Was that the one without optics?

"You no know who dat is? Dad! You know…" Rhapsody looked around the and picked up a scrap metal from one of his mom's art projects and put it over his optics. "See? Dad."

Oh. So that's what his name was.

"Daaaaadddd-d?"

"Yeah! You got it."

No other word could have made Jazz that happy. Leaning on the doorway just out of sight, the black and white saboteur watched with the biggest smile he's ever had. They were his boys, the ones he had waited so long for, saying his name, giggling and laughing without a worry in the world. They were beautiful. So wonderfully beautiful. With a sigh of contentment, he moved away from the door, not wanting to interrupt the moment.

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There were parts of his job that Prowl did not particularly like. This was one of them.

He knew he had to point it out to Prime, and the problem had to be addressed, no matter how highly unpopular his opinion would become as soon as the other Autobots got wind of it. Especially since the others had taken a liking to the small mechs.

Drawing himself up, Prowl knocked on his leader's door.

"Come in." The door whooshed opened reviling Optimus Prime, sitting behind his desk piled being a mountian worth of paperwork and data pads. The look on his face was the same as it always was, tired and exhausted, perhaps even frustrated.

Prime raised his head, "Ah good. I was about to go comm. you, Prowl. I need your advice on this-"

"In a moment, Prime." Prowl interrupted, "I need to speak to you about Rhapsody and Offbeat."

"What about them?"

"I believe," the tactician paused, looking down at the floor and then returning his gaze to Prime. "I believe we should rethink allowing them to stay."

Optimus nodded and stood to his feet, coming around his desk to stand in front of the second in command. "I see. Explain your reasoning." He had himself considered the option once before and it wasn't much of a shock that Prowl had come to the same conclusion. It fact it was more surprising he had waited this long to address it.

"All three of them are too exposed and vulnerable. Rhapsody and Offbeat especially can not defend themselves and could be a potential weakness if the Decepticons use them as bait or ransom." Prowl gave a deep sigh, "They are too much of a danger to remain here."

"You said three. I take it you are implying Jynx?"

"She was a liability before, Prime. She doesn't know how to fight and the Decepticons see her as a way to exploit us. They know by now that she is Jazz's mate and Jazz is one of the top officers. If they were to get a hold of her-"

Prime held up his hand and Prowl's words stopped dead on his 'tongue.' "You know, of course, that if we were to send them back to Cybertron that Jazz would follow. He's not about to leave his family."

"I had considered that," Prowl shook his head, "But maybe if we can reason with him- make him see the logic in it-"

"Prowl, don't think in logical terms with Jazz. He's illogical." Prime smiled behind his faceplate knowing of course that it bothered Prowl to no end that Jazz was so illogical. "He's not going to leave his family and I need him far too much to send him to Cybertron."

The Second looked as if he were about to say something but wisely shut his mouth. Prime had the final word and now wasn't the time to challenge it. Quietly he turned to make his exit.

"And for the record, Prowl, Jynx can defend herself. Her mouth is about the most dangerous weapon we may possess."

"That I am aware of."

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Rhapsody watched with attentive optics from around the corner. No one can see him! He's right there and no Autobot has even noticed him. Not Uncle Sideswipe, not Uncle Sunstreaker, not Uncle Hound…no one! He covered his mouth in a giggle. He would be just like Daddy, a sabo..saba… whatever it was he called it.

Quietly, picking his feet up high so as not to make a sound, he moved forward to get closer… inch by inch. He was too good at this! He'd be better than Daddy! Give him a few weeks and maybe some goodies and it could be done.

Until he tripped.

"Well, well. I was wondering where you boys ran off ta." Dad smiled and Rhapsody found himself smiling as well. Okay maybe a few more weeks practice but one day he'd beat Dad. Maybe.

"Hi Daddy. See, I'm a good sneaker-uper, huh? You no hear me, huh?"

Jazz chuckled, "No I didn' hear ya."

"Looks like they might give ya a run for your money, Jazz" Sideswipe cackled on the other couch.

Rhapsody tilted his head to one side, "what money?"

Hound chuckled, "Nevermind. Uncle Sideswipe was just being funny." Rhapsody shrugged again and crawled up into his dad's lap.

Offbeat trailed his brother, chomping on a little blue blanket Jazz had given him. Dad. That was the one Bro told him about, wasn't he? Bro likes him. Does that mean he likes him too? Is he supposed to do that?

Jazz looked over at the frozen black and white mech, who stood watching with his blanket in hand. Wheels were turning in that little head, Jazz realized. "Com'on over here, Offbeat."

The little mech looked up at his name being called, as if Jazz had stopped him in the middle of his thoughts. Rhapsody looked from Dad to brother and got down, pull his brother by his arm. "You come. This Dad. He no hurt. He fun. You like."

Offbeat looked absolutely terrified. He wanted to run, run away as fast as he can. But then… if his brother liked him, maybe… Offbeat gulped and gripped his blanket tighter.

"What him name? I telled it to you. Say him name."

Offbeat looked at him for a moment. Dad. His name was Dad. Squeezing his optics shut and concentrating on the words as hard as he can, the words emerged. "D-daaaad." He opened his optics and everyone was clapping for him. The red one was making some loud noise with his lips. Then…Dad reached down for him, picking him up off the ground and swung him around. This was fun! Offbeat giggled and screeched with excitement.

"That's my boy." Jazz gave the small mechlet a tight hug.

"Me your boy too, Dad." Rhapsody pouted, tugging at his shin-guard.

Jazz grinned and scooped him up with his other arm and gave them both a big hug, kissing each cheek.

"Eeeeeewwwwww!" They cried together, wiping off the kiss. "Yucky!"

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Author's Note: Well, I think this is the end for this one. Hope everyone liked it! I had way too much fun writing it. Babies are too cute, even robot ones! If anyone has any ideas for another chapter lettme know and I'll see what I can do. Maybe I'll add another chapter but I think this might be a good spot to stop. Next up, I think I'll finish up "More than Friends." Thanks again everyone for the reviews! 31 of them so far! Woot:D Thanks again!