Tirya's A/N: Ok, you smarty pants ; ) Most of you figured out who was who in the first chapter. Here's a new challenge. Me and Des, for the moment, each write half of a chapter. One writer, one character. We switch characters each chapter. Can you tell who writes for who in which chapter?

Chapter Two: Homecoming

"'ome sweet 'ome, eh lad?" Backfire breathed in the sooty air deeply, working his shoulder joints as he did so. The young one by his side found himself smiling again as he too took in a deep breath to mimic his creator.

Hex and Gunlock both pushed past them unceremoniously, nearly knocking the fledgling over as they did so. "Stop talking to it and get inside, Backfire. We gotta hide it for a while or the neighbors are gunna report it."

It? He was an it? The young one tilted his head to the side in confusion. He didn't think he was an it. He was a he. A mech. Maybe he didn't know much about this world but there were a few things he had been imbedded with and one of those things was he was most definitely a mech.

"Shut y' trap, Gunlock. I know wot I'm doin'." The orange and blue creator snarled back before giving the fledging a smack on the back. "Get y' aft inside, lad."

The fledgling did as ordered, staggering somewhat unsteadily into the small doomed building. He stopped as he reached the door, gently running his hands down the smooth metal of the door. The humble residency had rust spots in areas near the bottom and far too many dents scratches to even count but still… if this was his home than this was home. Who was he to judge differently?

"Move it!" A rough hand pushed him again, which one of the three he wasn't sure but again, did as he was told. Inside, it didn't look much better.

"So what do we name it?" Hex looked over to Backfire, as the great blue and orange mech joined them in the main room. "I say we name him something… I don't know, mysterious. Something with an edge to it."

Their leader nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Wot about Prowl?"

"Prowl?" Hex gave a shrug, looking over at the dingy gray mech. "Yeah, I guess that will work."

So that was his name then? The fledgling smiled at the sound of it. Prowl. His very own name.

"Wot d' ye think about it?" Backfire placed a hand on the newborn's shoulder. Prowl, just nodded, a slight smile still on his face. He couldn't seem to shake the grin away either.

Gunlock's face wrinkled into a frown. "Did they give the kid a voice? He hasn't said a word yet."

"No one's told him how to talk yet, 'Lock. Maybe we just need to teach him." The femme spoke up leaning against her bondmate while Backfire stood next to the youth.

Prowl cocked his head to the side. Talking? He could talk? No one had mentioned that before now. Why didn't they say he could do that? Then again… why hadn't he just tried on his own? Surely he was capable of talking. Furrowing his brow and concentrating sound came out of his mouth. Not intelligently at first, making a sound more like "aaaapp."

Backfire shook his head and squatted down slightly, coming level with his optics. "No, no lad. Try Prowl." He said the youth's name long and drawn out so he could hear each of the sounds.

His face wrinkled again as his mind mulled over each sound before they all tumbled out of his vocalizer in somewhat the right order. Prowl looked back to Backfire after doing as instructed, hoping for a praise.

He got none.

"Close 'nuff. Now, I want ye t' go with 'Lock. Ye got t' learn t' transform." The blue and orange mech shoved Prowl toward his other creator who looked much less pleased with him.

Gunlock looked at the youth with absolute disgust making him cringe as the bigger bot grabbed at his arm and dragged him outside. Prowl winced as his hand dug at his armor as he we tugged. Why was this one hurting him? Why did he look at him like that? He didn't think he did anything wrong but then, what more could he do than to follow this mech. Maybe he was just having a bad day. Maybe it had nothing to do with him.

"Alright, kid." Gunlock released his arm and took a step back. "You know what transforming is, you were programmed with it." The youth nodded. "Good. Now all you have to do is concentrate. Start the program and the rest of your body will follow."

Prowl looked down his body and then back to the mech in front of him. That sounded easy enough. Prowl shut off his optics and tried to access the program lodged deep inside his mind. Everything seems so jumbled, so out of order… how can he do this with no order! No logical way… It was making his head hurt.

"Snap out of it, idiot." The larger mech threw a piece of scrap metal at his head, smacking into his already aching head. "Just access the program. It's not hard for Primus sake!"

Prowl gave himself a shake and tried again. Somewhere in the chaos he found the program, trying as hard as he could to wrap his mind around it and draw from it… Then, everything worked. Parts started moving without his command, his body twisting and turning. At first, he wanted to scream. Not because it hurt but it felt so strange! It felt… unnatural. His knees popped out of joint and twisted behind him, his arms folding and latching under his chest. Wires inside his chest turned as the rest spun 90 degrees around and his head disappearing under his chest.

Then as suddenly as it began, it stopped. The world looked like it had just grown or perhaps he had shrunk. From his position, Gunlock looked twice as big as he had before… and why did he feel like he was on his hands and knees? He had tires now. That's why the world grew from under him! He was on four tires now! Just like his creators… he could transform.

Gunlock gave no praise to the young mech at his feet but merely kicked his tires. "Good. Now change back and get inside. We're done for the day." The older mech spat, trudging back inside the rust ridden residency.

Prowl just sat there. No praise? He did good, didn't he? He did as he was told, he did it correctly. He had transformed. So why didn't anyone say anything to him? Prowl sighed and sat back on his tires. There was obviously something wrong with him, there just had to be. Something in his spark told him this wasn't right. This wasn't how other fledglings were supposed to be treated.

Inside, Gunlock sat down in a huff beside his mate, his arms crossed over his chest and fingers tapping rhythmically on his arm.

"Wot? Did ye give up?" Backfire jibed the older mech, taking a good long gulp of energon from his mug.

Gunlock narrowed his optics. "Slag you, 'Fire. I got the kid to transform."

"Then what's the look for, Love?" Hex cooed, wrapping an arm over his shoulder. "Seems to me, we have nothing to worry about. The plan's going perfectly. I'll admit the fledgling isn't perfect but he's functioning. With training he could do our work."

"How? His computer froze up just trying to transform." The mech growled back, bringing a hand up to his faceplate to rub at it, a habit he had picked up a few millennia ago. "Maybe we're pressing our luck here, 'Fire. He ain't even registered with the government and if someone finds out with built him without a permit…"

"Don' worry about it. Wot matters is it's done. We keep 'im 'idden f'r a cycle or two and no one will know the difference."

"But we're pushing our luck, 'Fire! He isn't supposed to be transforming yet, he isn't supposed to be doing half the things he is already. Patch put that thing together with slag. If his computer's already not able to cope with the stress, then how is he going to work the underground?"

"'e'll work!" The leader snarled, throwing the mug at the other. "Ye shut yo' mouth an' leave it t' me. 'e'll do wot we need."

OoOoOo

The moment he left the building that he'd woken up in, the young mech had been in awe of what he was seeing. Everywhere he looked was something new and different and absolutely amazing. The femme at his side, Vivance she said her name was, patiently explained each and every question. Sometimes he even asked a question just to hear her answer. His creator's voice was just as beautiful now as it was when he first heard it and he didn't think he'd ever tire of it. That room had not been kind to him, making him that much eager to use all of his senses to the fullest.

Vivance could not be more delighted. Her golden optics danced with pleasure and contentment now that her fledgling had finally been brought into the world. He would want for nothing, she would see to that. Curious once he got over his initial fear, the child had started talking and barely stopped for her to answer. She was so pleased with herself, not for the first time, that she had saved that money to afford a sparkling of her own. Life on her own was lonely and not even her considerable wealth or many friends could take that sting away. This child would be just what she needed to be happy. And in return, she vowed to make him just as happy with the life she planned to give him.

Nearly her own height, the young mech was a lovely shade of chrome blue and silver that nearly matched her own plating. His optics were the same shade of molten gold that she had and the symbol of Neutral proudly adorned his chest. Like many other creators, she had had the builder of his shell base the design off her own so that there would be a definite likeness. The femme could not ask for a more beautiful child.

He held onto her arm the whole way home, marveling at the world around him. They entered a very beautiful part of the city with tall spires and large buildings. His creator explained each one as they passed it, talking about that district's library or art museum or music hall. The last one she pointed out with a fond smile and promised to take him sometime soon. Music was wonderful, she told him. Especially for a young mind such as his. Her own creator had taken her to a concert when she was first created, even named her after a musical term.

"Little one, I want to show you something," she said, pointing to a street that led to a less beautiful section of the district. The buildings in the distance weren't as tall or glorious and the sidewalks were dirty. "Do you see that road?"

"Yeah," he answered, cocking his head curiously. "What's down there?"

"Many things. But I want you to promise me you'll never go down there, alright?" Her optics stared into his, betraying her worry. "It's dangerous over there for young mechs, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Why's it dangerous?"

"Bad people live there. Bad people who might hurt you if they get the chance. Don't give them that chance, little one. Stay here where it's safe, ok?"

"Ok," he nodded, pleased to see her smile in pleasure. He didn't want her to worry about him. She had been so kind to him, and besides, she was his creator. If she said not to go, then he wouldn't.

"Now come with me. I'm going to take you home." Vivance led the way to one of the large spires and got into a lift.

"Home?" the infant asked curiously.

"We live in one of the apartments in this building," she explained. "Room 2016 if you are ever without me and need to get in. I'll give you a key later after your inspection."

The newborn wasn't sure what 'inspection' was or why he would need one, but he nodded anyway. He would probably understand it later.

He enjoyed the ride on the lift and seeing out over the district. It seemed like a large beautiful city and he would love to see all of it someday. But not alone. He turned his golden optics on his creator and held on a little tighter to her arm. He wanted her with him always. To help him understand and fit in to this new world he'd been created into. He never wanted to be alone ever again if he could help it.

Vivance showed him around their apartment once the lift stopped. Showed him everything she could think of each room at a time. The former medic had a large amount of wealth from inheritance and personal savings, and it certainly showed.

"It's so big," the young one breathed, taking in his surroundings with wonder.

"It is," she nodded. Before today it had been too big. Too empty. The former medic hoped that with her fledgling living here too, it would seem much smaller.

"It's so pretty," he said as he explored the main living area, wanting to touch everything, but not allowing Vivance to leave his sight. He could see her reflection in the window when he looked out at the lit city below them. She was leaning against the wall, watching his enthusiasm.

She chuckled at her child's comments; his childlike wonder at everything was so refreshing after such a dull life. "I wouldn't let you live in squalor, little one. Now come on, don't you want to see your room?"

"My room?" the infant took the femme's offered hand as she led the way down a hallway.

"Yes. It's right across from mine if you need anything. I wasn't sure what you might like, so if you want anything changed about it, let me know." Palming open the door, Vivance led her sparkling into his room. It was nearly empty at the moment, containing a reading lamp, a set of shelves, and a recharge berth. Hopefully they would have time to go shopping before his inspection ten days from now.

Once his creator had turned on the lights, the fledgling wandered around this room in the same fashion of the others. Seeing the recharge berth so much like the one he woke up in, he quickly figured out that this was where he would rest. His own space to do with as he pleased, according to Vivance.

"You must be tired," she said seeing his steps drag as he explored. "You had a long day today, I'm not very surprised. I should leave you to rest."

A sudden panic rose in the young mech's throat as he saw his creator turn to leave him. He didn't want her to go! Why was she leaving him alone?

Vivance was about to shut the door to her child's room when she felt her hand being pulled back. The fledgling said nothing and stared at her feet, but the nervous expression on his face said it all for him. "What's wrong, little one?" she asked kindly. "You need to recharge or you won't have any energy left. Do you understand?"

He nodded his head but did not release her hand.

"You have to let me go," she gently said.

He shook his head vehemently and tightened his grip.

So that was it? He didn't want her to leave? Her free hand patted the top of his lowered head. "If I stay with you, will you recharge for me?"

The child considered the agreement and finally nodded his head. So long as he wasn't alone, it was ok.

He didn't let her go, but led her to his recharge berth, seeming afraid to let her go in case she changed her mind and left him. Scooting as far to the side of his berth as he could, the fledgling tried to make room for his creator. Vivance chuckled at her child's efforts, but shook her head.

"There's no room for me, little one," she said. At his suddenly frightened face, she quickly amended her statement. "I'll stay here as long as you need me, but I can't fit on the berth. It wasn't made for two." The femme crouched on the ground and gently dislodged her hand to run it across his forehead. "Lay down, I'll be right here."

In the back of her mind, she wondered just why her child was so afraid to be alone. In her personality request for Vector Sigma, she asked for affectionate and sociable. But not dependent. She would never hurt an infant as to make him dependent on others. Why was he so scared of being alone? She had never been like this as a sparkling.

Such worries had to wait until later, however. Right now she was needed, and Vivance vowed to always put him first no matter the inconvenience. If he needed her comfort, then it was what he would receive. One thing her creator had instilled in her was respect and empathy for those weaker than herself. It was why she became a medic when she was young and why she wanted a child now.

Gradually the infant relaxed under her gentle touch and lay down. He even deactivated his optics at her request. But he still couldn't stop fidgeting. There was no way he could recharge, even with her next to him, calming him down with her cool touch.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly. "Why are you so upset?"

The young mech reactivated his optics for a moment to look at his creator. "Could you…" he wasn't sure how to word it. What if she got angry at him? What if she left him to the quiet night all by himself?

"Could I what?" She let her hand still itself on his arm, trying to look as comforting as possible. The last thing she wanted was her own sparkling afraid of her.

"Could you talk to me?" he asked so softly that at first she wasn't sure he'd even said it.

Ah, he wanted more than just her presence. Very well, her friends always said she could ramble on for hours about nothing and everything. Time to put that claim to the test. "Of course," she acquiesced. "What would you like me to talk about, little one?"

"Anything," was his reply, slightly louder with confidence that she was not going anywhere. "What are we doing tomorrow?"

"Well for the next ten days we have to get your ready for your inspection. An inspection," she explained without being asked. "Is when a person from the government comes to make sure that you are ok and you receive an identity number. Every mech and femme ever created has one of these numbers, even me. And on that day, once you are made a legal citizen, I will be able to name you."

"A name?" he yawned, systems starting to shut down into recharge.

"Yes. We can decide together if you want."

"How did you get your name?"

"My creator, Reboot, took me to a concert before my inspection." Her molten gold optics dimmed in fond memory. "I remember that I loved it all so much that he decided to name me after music. Would you like me to take you to the music hall sometime before your own inspection? If anything it will be a good break from the work we have to get done."

The child nodded absently. If his creator loved it, then he wanted to try it for himself. Maybe he too would come to love it as much as she.

Vivance talked on, filling the next hour with their plans and what she hoped he would see and do and like. Even after he fell completely into recharge, she remained for a few moments more, just staring at him. She had to stop herself from reaching out and touching him again, just to make sure he was real. After all these years and all her determination, she finally had a fledgling of her own.

Something would have to be done about this unexpected fear of his, but they had plenty of time for that. She would not do what so many of her peers did. She would not ruin this young life because of a noble's passing interest in something new. Not that the femme felt she would be bored of this sparkling any time soon anyway. No, something told her that now that she had him, life would hardly lack excitement of some form or another.

End Chapter Two

DesertCat's A/N: Hope you all liked the chapter! I know we had fun putting it together. Browie points to anyone who can figure out who wrote which piece. Thanks to everyone for the reviews. I live for reviews. No really. I'm pathetic I know… And on to the reviews! Oh and just so everyone knows, It's my turn to answer them.

Mariashadow: So glad you liked it! Me and Tirya both agreed it would be the best way to get that part of Jazz's personality. Poor baby, we're so mean to the guy. Hope you liked this chapter too!

Puffball: Hey! I know you from DA. Yeah as I said, we're mean to him, what can we say. Poor aint got it good either. Thanks for the review:D

Tiamat: huggles baby Jazz and Prowl I know… and they haven't gotten to the good part yet! Begs the question as to why Jazz and Prowl haven't run away from us yet… lol Thank you!

Truebornchaos: Ah ha! We managed to fool you. J/k Prowl is the first one, Jazz is the second. No worries, Jazz will get his accent later on. Thanks again!