First off, Thank you to everyone who has left reviews/comments!! Thank you Thank you!! It makes me really happy to know you guys are enjoying the story and a few of you have inspired ideas for future chapters! So, Thank you everyone again! And as always, please feel free to leave a comment/review!! J
And for everyone wondering about the Prowl/Ironhide thing….well, you'll just have to wait and see how that plays out….bawhahahahaaa! XD
Edited by the wonderful Taralynden
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Warning!! Contains some slash! Don't like slash or yaoi, please don't read. You've been warned! Thanks!
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Ok, "Vorn" = about 1 year, "Stellarcycle" = about 6 months, "Decacycle" = about 1 week, "Cycle" = about 1 day, "Orn" = about an hour, "Breem" = about a minute
"click" = bout a mile
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Chapter 4
The mission, the battle, none of it should have gone as bad as it did. The vorn and a half Prowl had been in his position as SIC...no, all of his time spent in the Autobot Army, had not prepared him for the slaughter they had just experienced, barely making it out of alive.
He didn't know what sparked the sudden attack on the neighboring city, Decepticons rarely needed reason to attack, but their Autobot base had answered the distress call and ran to give aid. It was all the more troubling since Jazz, Mirage, and Bumblebee had left two cycles ago to plant explosives in a reclusive Decepticon base, secreted away a few clicks from the city limits. Two cycles ago, and they hadn't heard a transmission since. The officers were fearing the worst. Jazz may be the best they had ever had, but he wasn't infallible: even the best could fall in unpredictable situations.
Prowl wasn't given much time to dwell on it as the alarms sounded and Autobots rushed to give aid to the city, a city now thick with Decepticon warriors. The city's protective walls had been brought down in large chunks. Prowl had scanned the skies carefully…no seekers. Just warriors sent to tear and render anything in their path; they rarely took prisoners.
The Autobots neared the city the two opposing sides caught sight of one another, an angry roar (from which side, Prowl couldn't be sure of) had lead the charge, a blur of forward movement as warriors rushed to meet their adversaries head on, then a hushed surreal moment right before the two sides collided bringing forth the loud resounding clang of metal bodies crashing into each other as enraged war cries and gunfire echoed off the surfaces of the fallen city.
There was no give on either side for several orns. A massive explosion in the distance distracted the Decepticons, sent a ripple of unease though them and provided the Autobots with a small window of opportunity. They took it. Autobot soldiers rushed forward, taking out any Decepticon who had been too distracted. It didn't last. For all Prowl's tactical moves, the Decepticons had superior numbers on their side. The Autobots could hold the ground they had but not advance.
Optimus ordered Prowl back. Prowl protested, he had taken hits, they all had, but he was more than capable of fighting alongside his Commander. Optimus ordered Prowl back again. Prowl was about to protest the order once more when a hand latched onto the armor by the back his neck and jerked him back, almost off his feet. When Prowl regained his balance he looked up at the angry face of Ironhide. Who proceeded to snarl at Prowl to not be stupid because if the Autobot tactician got shot and killed they could all end up getting slagged. Then he thrust Prowl behind a line of sharpshooters for safe keeping. Optimus had nodded at Ironhide's actions then instructed Prowl to direct the battle from his vantage point.
Two orns passed and Prowl could see a shift. It wasn't looking good for the Autobots. They were wearing down, they had lost numerous mechs, and now they were starting to lose ground. They had evacuated the city's residents to a safe base, not far from their own. Prowl informed Optimus of exactly where the fight was going...the Autobots were outnumbered and would eventually would lose this fight. Prowl was about to suggest a retreat when movement by the invaded wall caught his optic.
He stared, then motioned to the sharpshooter next to him, "Lend me your gun, I need the scope."
The sharpshooter quickly relinquished the weapon and Prowl lined up the scope with the movement by the wall. It was Bumblebee. Prowl scanned more with the scope and he caught sight of black and white. There was Jazz, half carrying half dragging a barely recognizable Mirage. All three looked like they'd been to the Pit and back, what had happened? Prowl commed Optimus with the news, then instructed Ironhide and his troops to draw attention away from the wall, lest the three Special Ops agents be heard or seen. Plan set into motion, Prowl commed the medics to intercept the three bots as soon as possible and get them back to base. Prowl commed Optimus again and informed him there was no winning this battle, they needed to fall back before even more Autobots were injured or killed. The city was lost. Optimus fell silent for a moment then put out the call for all Autobots to fall back.
It took another three orns before all the Autobots were safely behind the heavily barricaded walls of their base. The mechs who could, stood watch, picking off any Decepticon who dare show his face plate near the base. Inside medics hurried to deal with the damage to a vast amount of injured Autobots. Ratchet had instructed Prowl to stay in the Med Bay but with the influx of injured mechs, Prowl gladly gave up his berth to a mech in more need of it than him. He informed Ratchet his injuries were by far less severe than others and he would return the next cycle to be attended to after those more seriously injured had been seen. Ratchet had grudgingly agreed and Prowl walked out of the Med Bay. However, out of sight and with no bots around, Prowl used the wall to support himself as he limped back to his quarters. Once inside, he barely made it to his berth before falling almost immediately into recharge.
A loud THUD outside his door jerked Prowl online. He had barely left his berth and turned on the lights when the door to his quarters crashed open. Prowl could only stare in shock at the sight of Jazz. He was dented all over, dirty, dried energon stains from barely patched wounds dotted his frame, cracked armor all over, Prowl could even see where some of the cracks had been newly mended. Jazz swayed some even as he clung to the door frame. He looked around, he seemed unfocused, lost. Prowl wondered if he was looking for his own quarters, charging into Prowl's by mistake.
"Jazz?" Prowl spoke his name tentatively, softy, not wanting to startle him.
Jazz snapped his gaze to Prowl and took an unsteady step inside, allowing the door to slide shut behind him, his hands still bracing him using the frame. Prowl would have approached him to offer aid had Jazz's visor not darkened as he continued to gaze at Prowl. Prowl held himself back. Jazz looked...dangerous.
Jazz started towards Prowl with unsteady, weary steps. Despite his injuries he was crossing the room fairly fast, and Prowl backed up, hands raised some to show he had no weapon and meant no harm. Jazz backed him into the wall. Prowl feared that with all of Jazz's injuries and trauma he might be stuck in some kind of waking dream, reliving past events, mistaking Prowl for an enemy.
"Jazz, it's me. Prow-"
Jazz suddenly wrapped both arms around Prowl and pressed himself flush against Prowl, burying his face in the crook of Prowl's neck. Prowl stood motionless in shock. He had not expected this. Jazz released a loud shaky sigh through his vents and pressed his face further into Prowl's neck, almost nuzzling it. Prowl didn't know how to react. Jazz was seeking comfort from him and Prowl was unsure of how to give it. He raised a hand to each of Jazz's arms, attempting to gently pry him off, but Jazz would have none of it. He tightened his hold on Prowl a fraction, a small distressed sound escaped his vocalizer. The sound was sparkbreaking, and Prowl couldn't find it in himself to distress Jazz any further by trying to break free from the saboteur's grasp. Prowl shifted his hands to rest lightly on Jazz's shoulders in what he hoped would be a comforting gesture.
"Jazz, your injuries have not had nearly enough time to heal, you need to return to the Med Bay."
Jazz pressed in to Prowl more.
"Jazz, you need to recharge."
Jazz nodded some, his head resting fully on Prowl's shoulder.
"I can help you back to the Med -"
Jazz shook his head 'no'. Jazz didn't want to return to the Med Bay, that much Prowl was sure of. Prowl considered,
"Here, take my berth, I'll recharge in the chair -"
Jazz tighten his arm around Prowl's waist and shook his head 'no'. Prowl frowned, just where exactly did Jazz think Prowl should recharge? Oh.
Prowl sighed quietly, he was exhausted and didn't feel like fighting Jazz and if recharging with Prowl brought Jazz some comfort, so be it.
"Ok, Jazz, lets get some recharge."
Prowl gently began to lead Jazz to his berth. Jazz blindly moved with him, never once relinquishing his hold on Prowl. It took Prowl several breems to situate the both of them on his berth. It left him on his back, arms at his sides, his shoulder and doorwing pressed firmly against the wall (his doorwings were going to ache for cycles after this), Jazz had curled himself onto one side and was pressed rather…intimately against Prowl, his arms had shifted so they now hugged Prowl around his waist, Jazz's knee joint rested on Prowl's thigh, his head lay on a doorwing with his face pressed into Prowl's shoulder. His visor was already dark and Prowl could hear Jazz's strained systems already humming in recharge. Exhausted himself, Prowl offlined his optics, relaxed, and sank into blissful recharge.
--
Prowl was roused from recharge by the ghosting of fingers down one side of his face. Content to leave his optics off, he lay on his back, doorwings relaxed, taking note of an unfamiliar yet comfortably warm weight settled across his hips. A hand gently cupped one side of his face, thumb caressing across his cheek, at the same time fingers traced along one side of his chevron, playing along the edges, caressing up to its point then down again. Prowl shivered slightly from the sensations earning him a hum of approval from somewhere close above him. Prowl decided he liked that sound, would like to hear it again.
Wait...there shouldn't be any sounds in his quarters when he onlined! Optics powered up quickly and Prowl found himself looking up at Jazz who was straddling his hips.
A small smile playing about he saboteur's mouth, "Mornin' love."
Prowl tensed at the purring tone. He moved to sit up, intending to get out from under Jazz but Jazz stopped him, placing his hands on Prowl's shoulders and pinning him back down to the berth.
"Relax, Prowlie. Its been a rough couple a' cycles, so ease back. Relax."
Jazzs hands went from pinning Prowl down to lightly massaging his shoulders, his fingers massaging in small soothing circles.
Prowl frowned, "Jazz -"
"Prowl, I want to thank you." Jazz interrupted him, going very serious, "An' I really mean thank you for last night. Ya really helped me out...in ways I know you don't even understand yet."
Prowl felt embarrassment at the spark felt words, he looked away,
"You're...welcome, Jazz."
He really didn't know what else to say to that.
Jazz suddenly slid his body flush against Prowl's. Prowl tensed, optics going wide at the contact and he jerked his gaze back to Jazz just as the saboteur placed a hand on either side of his helm, effectively trapping Prowl and preventing him from turning his face away. Prowl grabbed ahold of Jazz's forearms, trying to pull him off as Jazz dipped his head and brushed his lips against Prowl's.
"Thank you."
Jazz murmured the words just loud enough to hear, then closed his mouth over Prowl's. Jazz moaned into the kiss. Prowl struggled, his hands gripping at Jazz's arms and hands, trying to pull him off. Jazz didn't budge. He caressed Prowl's mouth with his own, running his glossa enticingly over Prowl's lips then between them, seeking entry, but Prowl refused. Taking another approach, Jazz began to gently suck and nibble on Prowl's lips, pleased as the struggling slowly subsided into clinging and shivering.
Prowl couldn't help the shivers that ran through him at the pleasant sensations of Jazz nibbling, licking, and kissing his lips and he found his hands clinging to Jazz's upper arms. Nor could he stop the moan that welled up in his throat as he began to slowly kiss back. He tentatively parted his lips and Jazz didn't hesitate; his glossa exploring Prowl's mouth, sweeping, caressing, encouraging. Prowl had no idea what came over him as he slid his hands up Jazz's arms, slid his arms around his neck and pulled Jazz tight against him, kissing Jazz back with equal fervor. It just felt so good. And Jazz tasted so good. So warm.
So when Jazz suddenly stopped and started to pull away, Prowl couldn't stifle his mewl of protest. His processor slowed with pleasure he tried to follow Jazz as he pulled away, not wanting to break the contact, wanting to continue. But Jazz gently pressed him to lay back down on the berth, his hands caressing over his face, running his thumb over Prowls lips. Jazz couldn't help but smile as he gazed down at one very dazed looking Prowl.
"Sorry to cut this short, Prowlie, but Ratchet commed me an' said if I don't get back to Med Bay right now, he promises ta come find me and drag me back there himself. An' I'd rather not start somethin' I won't have the time ta finish."
Jazz dipped in for a quick kiss, "Get some rest, Prowlie, you'll need it" then he slipped easily from Prowls grasp and was gone, door sliding shut behind him.
Prowl lay there for several breems until reality broke through his pleasure induced haze. Prowl sat up, staring at his empty quarters replaying the events from this morning, he was mortified at his actions and total loss of control.
What would have happened if Ratchet hadn't called Jazz to the Med Bay? How far would it have gone? Did he really care? It had been enjoyable after all. No, no no! He was Second in Command! He couldn't go around having affairs...or an affair for that matter! He had job duties to attend to. Mechs to command. This was war, not a dating service. But it had been enjoyable. And he could still taste Jazz... No, he had a job to do, he couldn't go around getting distracted. He had to stay firm in his resolutions.
Prowl rested his head in his hands. His head hurt, that all too familiar dull ache emanating from his logic center warning him his conflicting emotions and cold hard logic weren't matching up. If he kept this up his logic center would glitch, lock up, and he'd go into emergency shut down. Then he'd be taken to Med Bay...no doubt to an unhappy Ratchet who would have to unlock him and bring him back online, a lengthy process that Prowl would just rather avoid.
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Prowl was surprised later that same cycle when Ratchet showed up at his office, repair kit in hand, wanting to know what was damaged where. In truth Prowl had buried himself deep in his work and had forgotten about stopping at the Med Bay for repairs. It didn't take Ratchet long to finish patching up Prowl as a lot of the damage had been mended by his internal repair systems. Prowl had been inwardly nervous that Ratchet would bring up Jazz having left Med Bay in the dead of night to stumble to Prowl's door, but Ratchet never broached the subject.
It was three cycles before Jazz was allowed to leave the Med Bay. Which meant either, one - Jazz was more injured than he had appeared to be or, two - Jazz had seriously fragged Ratchet off by leaving Med Bay the way he did and that long, boring stay was Ratchet's form of punishment. If Prowl was honest with himself, he believed it was probably more of the latter than the former. In any case, Jazz was finally roaming free again.
That thought lurked in the back of Prowl's processor and he firmly ignored it. He had an overflow of work. Report after report from all areas and fields were rolling in after that attack on the city. And it fell on Prowl to sort things out. What he could take care of himself and what need to get passed on to other officers. What went to Optimus Prime, to Ironhide, to Jazz, to Smokescreen, to Red Alert. He had spent the past three cycles in his office sorting all this out and it didn't seem to have even made a dent in the stacks and stacks of data pads that now decorated his desk.
Prowl was hunched over a report, making yet more notes on a report when the door to his office slid open and familiar steps waltzed in. Prowl hesitated a moment before continuing on with his report. He didn't look up, couldn't. It would just bring to mind that morning three cycles ago and he couldn't think on it, not now.
Thankfully, he didn't have to. After a moment, Jazz walked over to his usual chair, sat down and started working on reports. And just like that, routine was restored. Prowl relaxed again…as much as Prowl allowed himself to. And for the next decacycle, Prowl and Jazz worked tirelessly on report after report till they gradually got Prowl's office to an orderly state again.
Jazz was frowning as he shifted through several reports,
"Hey Prowl, where's the warehouse inventory reports?"
Prowl didn't look up, "In the cabinet,"
Prowl tilted his head in the direction of the muti drawered cabinet behind him, "Second drawer, I believe."
Jazz stood to retreive it, "Thanks, Prowl!"
Prowl didn't even comment back as he focused his attention on the report in his hands. He vaguely heard Jazz behind him rifling through the drawer and closing it. Didn't pay any attention until the file was tossed over his head and landed with a loud SLAM! on his desk. Prowl looked up at the file...what -
Hands suddenly caressed down the panels of his doorwings. Any thoughts Prowl had had in his processor at the time became scrambled and meaningless as the hands stroked down to the base of his doorwings, trailed teasingly down the joints, then cupped the bottom of each doorwing and caressed outward. At the same time, light kisses were placed at the tip of one doorwing and trailed slowly down. Prowl's intakes hitched as splayed hands caressing over the broad side of his wings reaching the joints again and the kisses on his doorwings continued up to his shoulder then over to his neck.
Prowl shuddered as Jazz ran his hands from his doorwings up over his shoulders, caressed down his chest plate some and pulled him to lean back more in his chair. Jazz kissed up his neck to his jaw, stopped, pulled away, then reached up with one hand to tilt Prowl's head up and back. Jazz leaned down to kiss him, pausing when his lips were a breath away from Prowl's. Jazz waited a moment. A moment to give Prowl a chance to protest, so say 'no', to push him away.
Prowl remained silent and still, and that was good enough for Jazz as he closed the distance and claimed Prowl's mouth. He met no resistance this time, Prowl opened to him willingly, kissing him back. One of Jazz's hands cupped Prowl's face, thumb caressing, the other traced finger tips lightly over the top of a doorwing. Prowl shuddered again. He reached a tentative hand up to ever so lightly rest fingertips against Jazz's black helm. Jazz moaned and kissed Prowl harder in encouragement, wanting Prowl to touch him more.
Prowl gently caressed his hand upward and met the base of an audio horn, his fingers traced lightly around the horn then up and over its angles and planes. Jazz clutched Prowl as a shudder tore through the sabotuer, intakes hitching in response to Prowl's light caresses. Jazz didn't care anymore: if Prowl kept up with those light touches, that sweet torment, he would drag the tactician back to his quarters whether Prowl was willing or not.
A loud knocking on Prowl's office door startled the two apart.
"Prowl? Are you in there?"
That was Optimus Prime!
Prowl scrambled, getting up he shoved his chair back into Jazz earning an "AH!" of surprise as the chair hit him. Prowl rushed to unlock the door and allow his commander entry but never made it. In his flurried attempt to get to the door he managed to slam his thigh into the corner of the desk and knock down at least a dozen data pads that had been sitting neatly on the edge. Cursing under his breath, Prowl pressed a hand to his thigh before dropping to one knee and started scooping up the data pads as quickly as possible. Jazz, on the other hand, lightly sauntered around the other side of the desk, walked calmly to the door and unlocked it.
"Prowl, I… Oh, hello, Jazz. Where's Prowl?"
Jazz motioned for Optimus to come in, "Right inside, Sir."
Optimus Prime walked in, stopped, and looked down at Prowl who was just finishing picking up the fallen data pads.
Prowl stood and set them on his desk, "Sorry about locking the door, Sir, its just that I -"
Optimus Prime held up a hand to silence him, "Don't worry about it Prowl, its perfectly fine. I can understand you not wanting to be disturbed. I know the workload that's been placed on you. I assume that's why Jazz is here? To help you?"
Prowl nodded, "Yes, Sir."
"You two must be fairly busy."
"Oh, we've been very busy, Optimus. Ain't that right, Prowl?"
Jazz locked his gaze with Prowl's and a big grin split across his face. Prowl could feel that familiar ache settling in his head. What had he been thinking!? This was his office! He'd been kissing Jazz, encouraging him! On duty!! What was next? Interfacing while they should be doing reports!? Some little part of his processor felt the need to speak up at this point…'Yes, that would be enjoyable'. No!! This was his office! He couldn't be doing things like that! The ache increased, it hurt. Prowl started to feel...dizzy. The other two mechs were completely oblivious to Prowl's situation as they talked to one another.
"What have you two been working on?"
"Warehouse inventory."
"Ah, it's a good thing you two are working together on that one, that's one long, detailed report. Have you two gotten far?"
"Oh…" Jazz chuckled, looking over at Prowl again as he grinned like mad, "We got farther than I thought we would."
Jazz was throughly enjoying himself. Optimus had picked up the warehouse report and was looking through it, Jazz was just grinning at Prowl.
Prowl was still battling with himself. He needed to get a handle on his self control when he was around Jazz. Of course, how does one do that when a saboteur comes out of nowhere and gropes your doorwings? You just sit back and enjoy it… No! Not while it was going on in HIS office. Maybe if they took it to his quarters then… No, no! Not there either! He had told Jazz he did not want the mech's advances. Period! So why was it every time Jazz laid hands on him, Prowl couldn't do anything but respond! Frag it, he was an officer and he needed to behave like one! But it always felt so good when Jazz touched him... No! He needed to…he…he…
Prowl felt it happen. His logic center came to a grinding halt, and locked. Then the emergency shutdowns began. Prowl wavered. He could see the smile on Jazz's face lessen.
"Prowl?"
His equilibrium and balance shut down and Prowl stumbled back into the wall.
Jazz's smile vanished, "Prowl? Prowl, what's wrong?"
Jazz looked worried and even though he was in the same room, sounded distant to Prowl. Optimus Prime looked up from the report and looked at Prowl. All Prowl's motor functions shut down and Prowl slid down the wall to collapse on the floor.
"Prowl!" Jazz raced around the desk , kneeling down he grasped Prowl by his shoulders and shook him, "Prowl! Say something! Prowl!!"
Prowl couldn't speak, his vocalizer had already shut down, and now his audios, followed by his optics. 'Why now, why in front of Jazz…' was the last thought that crossed his mind before the yawning void of unconsciousness engulfed him.
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Jazz was nearly beside himself. He could feel panic starting to seize him. Prowl had been standing there looking a little dazed, then suddenly he stumbled into the wall and collapsed to the floor. Jazz had trying shaking him to get a response but Prowl was clearly unconscious.
"Optimus!! He's -"
"Calm down, Jazz, I've contacted Ratchet. He'll be in here in a moment."
Jazz looked up at Optimus. He didn't seem nearly as upset or worried as he should be since his Second in Command just suddenly offlined for no reason. Jazz was about to question him when Ratchet strode in.
Ratchet took one look at Prowl and heaved a sigh, "Alright. Jazz, help me get him to Med Bay." Ratchet bent and lifted one side of Prowl and Jazz lifted the other.
Optimus got out of their way as they headed out the door, "Keep me informed, Ratchet."
Ratchet nodded, "Of course."
Ratchet and Jazz made quick work of getting Prowl to the Med Bay. Ratchet directing Jazz where he wanted Prowl. Once Prowl was situated on the Med berth, Ratchet went to get equipment he'd need, leaving Jazz alone with Prowl.
Jazz stood by the berth, gazing down at Prowl. What the frag just happened? Everything had been going fine! What was wrong with Prowl? Jazz reached out and caressed his fingers down Prowl's face, up to his chevron, gently rubbing a thumb along the edge, then down again, caressing his fingers across Prowls lips-
WHACK!
A wrench came out of no where and smashed into Jazz's hand. Jazz hissed in pain and jerked his hand back, rubbing the newly dented area that stung. Ratchet walked around to the other side of the berth, wrench in hand.
Jazz glared, "Frag it all, Ratchet! That hurt!"
Ratchet gestured to Prowl laying on the berth, "Then don't go molesting my patients...unconscious or otherwise."
Jazz kept rubbing his hand, "I wasn't molesting him!"
Ratchet shook his head as he looked down at Prowl, "Oh Prowl, you really glitched big time, didn't you?"
Jazz stared at Ratchet, shocked, "Prowl has a glitch? That wasn't in his file!"
Ratchet shot Jazz a glare, "Have you been hacking into the personal files again!?"
"Well, I...no..yes...maybe...it was awhile ago-"
"So help me Jazz, if you've been hacking into medical files, I'll-"
"Obviously I haven't or I would have known about this!"
Ratchet grumbled as he went about hooking Prowl up to various monitors, "I don't suppose YOU had anything to do with Prowl's sudden glitching."
"I... I was just joking with him."
Ratchet began running scans. There was a long pause, neither spoke.
"I didn't mean to hurt him."
Jazz spoke with such somberness, Ratchet looked at him. He looked miserable, no trace of a grin anywhere on the normally cheerful mech. Ratchet was a bit surprised, Jazz was truly upset about this.
"You didn't hurt him, Jazz. He'll be fine."
Jazz didn't look all that convinced, "How did this happen, Ratch? What caused it?"
Ratchet played with various screens of information, "You know, I really shouldn't tell you."
"Come on, Ratchet, I'm his friend. At the very least, I'm Third in Command and if there are things that can lock him up and bring him crashing down like this, I need to know what they are."
"Eh, I guess you have a point." Ratchet nodded toward a berth off to his side as he made notes on some of the readings he was getting back. "Have a seat, Jazz, this will take some explaining."
----authors notes-----
And so, Jazz learns about Prowls glitchy logic center! You can take a wild guess at how happy Prowl will be that Jazz now knows.
As always, Reading and reviewing is very much enjoyed!