Jazz entered the conference room and took a look around. He grinned when he realized he wasn't late for once. The only mechs present for the staff meeting were Wheeljack, Ironhide and Optimus Prime. Optimus was never late and since he was never without Ironhide by his side, it seemed, Ironhide was there. Why Wheeljack was there on time was a mystery.

In the grand scheme of things, though, it was unimportant to Jazz. What was important was his Halloween party.

"So," he said without preamble. "Who's coming to my costume party?"

Optimus winced. "Sorry, Jazz. I can't come. I don't have a costume."

Ironhide nodded in agreement. "Sorry, Jazz, same here. Ah just can't seem ta come up with a costume."

Wheeljack's "ears" flashed bright blue as he looked from Optimus to Ironhide then back at Jazz. He knew a good excuse when he heard one. "Nope, can't make it, sorry. I had a costume but I, uh, blew it up."

Jazz gave Wheeljack a long, disbelieving look, which lasted all of a microsecond before he smiled again. Far from being discouraged by this response, he said, "Would ya'll come to the party if ya had costumes?"

Since the party was that evening, all three mechs figured that this was safe. How could Jazz come up with three costumes in eight hours? It was impossible.

"Sure, Jazz," Wheeljack said. "I'll come if you get me a costume."

Optimus and Ironhide nodded in agreement.

Jazz grinned broadly. "Great, I'll see ya there."

The day passed quickly and busily for the three mech. They hardly gave a thought to Jazz's proposal and were definitely not planning on attending the party.

When no costumes were forthcoming by the end of the day shift, a mere two hours before the party, they all breathed a sigh of relief and started to make plans for a quiet evening.

One hour before the party, Wheeljack returned to his quarters cradling a can of mid-grade and a bunch of engineering datapads. He paused as he noticed the large box on his berth. i Aw, no, /i was his only thought approaching it carefully as if he was afraid it might explode. Without opening it, he picked up the box and dashed into the corridor where he nearly collided with Ironhide and Optimus who were holding identical boxes.

"Not you too?" he asked. "Have you looked?"

Ironhide shook his head sadly.

Optimus sighed deeply. "No," he said slowly.

"Guess we're going," Ironhide drawled unhappily.

"Yep," Wheeljack said.

"We promised," Optimus added.

"Yep," Wheeljack agreed.

They all looked at each other.

"You first," they all said together.

Wheeljack's ears flashed a pale blue. "Let's all change in our quarters and then meet back here. If they're really bad, at least we have strength in numbers."

"You think they're going to be that bad?" Optimus asked obviously hoping for a negative answer.

Ironhide just looked at him. "What do you think?"

Optimus hung his head.

Ten minutes later they gathered in the corridor again.

"It's all our fault, you know," Wheeljack moaned.

"Nothing to be done now. We did agree to the terms," Optimus reminded them.

"Right, then. To the party," Ironhide said half-heartedly.

When they arrived at the rec room, they all paused outside the door. They could hear music and laughter. It did sound like fun. And there'd be hi-grade. Maybe even some of Sideswipe's home brew, anything to take the sting away.

The door slid open and they stepped in. Heads turned and optics and eyes stared. There was stunned silence for a nanosecond. Just time enough for Wheeljack to adjust his blonde wig.

Then Jazz called out, "Carly, Spike, Sparkplug, you made it."

Optimus sighed and adjusted his yellow construction helmet and then did the same to Ironhide's. At least they got to dress as males, he thought as he glanced at Wheeljack's wig and leg warmers.