Exorcism

In the inflexible grip, Jazz understood; he didn't stand a chance against the huge armored figure holding him. This frail form had as much power to call upon for escape as a fly in the sticky web of a spider.

Ironhide was occupied, and Ratchet wouldn't be able to free him right now without hurting Jace Hunt's organic frame. Besides that, Decepticons didn't have the same compulsion not to harm humans. It would be a dangerous game either way.

"Let him go!" A voice yelled over the gloating laughter and panicked roar that was rising in Jazz's own head. "Let my brother go, you overgrown... toaster!"

"Danielle?"

Jazz struggled to see where Danni– why was she even here?

"...Simmons is bringing the woman here tomorrow..."

If that hadn't been a hallucination, then–

"Stand back, Ms. Hunt," Simmons' voice, "Let them help. We're only getting in the way right now."

He struggled again, catching a glimpse of color before the metal grip threatened to dig too deeply into already tender flesh.

Yellow.

Bright, almost obnoxiously vivid yellow; Bumblebee.

He was forced to stop moving then, gaze settling back on the wreckage, where Jazz could now see Mikaela; the girl had resumed the struggle to aid the agents still trapped within. Another figure joined her– not Danielle– a boy, who paused to check on Mikaela– Sam.

That was Sam.

Streetlights were not really very bright, but they gave enough light for him to see the two humans standing very close to each other, without enhancing anything.

"What's crackin'" he said not really expecting the strange look from the humans...

The Sector Seven goons would be fine.

Jazz, however–

The hum of power changed within his captor's circuits, as though getting ready to flee. The massive grip tightened, and an involuntary gasp of pain escaped him.

"Stop." The tones he'd only remembered in dreams, that for a brief time thought he'd never hear again. Optimus. "Let the human go, Thunderwing. He has nothing to do with our fight."

"Does he, Prime?" Thunderwing's sarcasm dripped as he swung around, taking Jazz to face the Autobot leader. "Considering who he is, and what he knows– "

"He is just an ordinary human," Optimus told them quietly, "Who accidentally encountered my dying lieutenant. He was injured, then, in both body and mind."

Jazz froze, trying not to draw in the shuddering breath as the pronouncement hit him. He wasn't Jazz, Autobot Lieutenant. He was plain Jason Hunt.

"He has a scattering of memories from the Lieutenant, and part of his energy signature– A ghostly remnant, that fades faster with each passing day. It will do you no good to question him."

Why couldn't he remember being Jason Hunt? Why was that life not the one that kept flashing into mind?

"Because it's ordinary. Because you don't want to remember." The voice of doubt told him, taunting him, "The only thing special about Jace Hunt is his overactive imagination, and having been in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Jace slumped in his captor's grip, ignoring the way the edge of the finger dug into the bruises on his ribs.

Ordinary.

"I would suggest letting him go, Thunderwing, There are those who do not forgive the taking of human lives who have the power to take yours." Optimus was still speaking, but Jace couldn't find the strength to look at him again. "Take Swindle, and leave these humans in peace."

Grudgingly, carelessly, the hand lowered Jace to the ground, leaving him standing on legs that he could barely feel. He swayed in the sudden breeze of the moving Decepticon, as Thunderwing took off.

"Jace–" Danielle was suddenly there, supporting him, just as she'd always done.

Ordinary human.

Danni grinned as she waved the letter at him.

"Since you wouldn't send it in yourself, I mailed the manuscript for you. They want it, little bro. We're going to Mission City on Thursday to discuss the details. You're going to be famous. I know it..."

Dizzily, Jace looked at the concerned woman beside him. Bits and pieces of conversation floated at him. Danni. Donna. Friends. The editor at the publishing house–

Danni reached for him as he bolted back towards the street.

"Don't go! It's too dangerous out there"

"He j-j-just saved us, Danni. I-I c-can't just stay here– t-there might be s-something I can do." The stutter, as always, made him too slow. He couldn't take the time to explain, so he just ran.

"Look out!" The voice called Jace back.

Clarity returned, and Jace saw the edge of a wing vectoring towards himself and Danni. Thunderwing had decided, apparently, that if they couldn't have him, no one could. And they didn't mind hurting innocents as well–

It only took a moment to react, pulling Danni along, Jace rolled under the wing, and into the ditch once more– out of range of the Decepticon flier.

Jace thought he heard the sound of weapons fire, as the world turned into a swift blur of movement. The sudden starburst behind his eyes took everything away as his head connected with something solid.