Temerity

Part 34-Support

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

"Sometimes solutions aren't so simple,

Sometimes good bye's the only way."

--Shadow of the Day, Linkin Park

Temerity-Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness.

Jazz was well aware of two things currently going on at the base--Sam giving Sideswipe footage of Prowl's "sexy Prowl dance" from the night before and a fair amount of high grade being traded at the same time elsewhere. He knew about the Prowl footage because Springer commed him Sideswipe had it and the high grade because he'd seen Kup smuggling it from his office to the med bay. Ratchet needed an evening off, and Kup was going to provide it. Skywarp was somehow involved, too.

Optimus was at the lookout talking with Bumblebee and Ironhide was still sulking. Jazz was ready to have his own talk with the weapons specialist even though Lennox already had earlier that day. Hot Rod was involved. No doubt about that. Jazz knew Ironhide just couldn't put everything behind him anymore than Hot Rod had. A lot of bad blood existed between the two, and they could've been helping each other instead of making matters worse. Instead, they had Optimus standing between them now, both literally and figuratively, although Jazz knew Prime's threat about no longer standing in the way still held true. If Ironhide confronted Hot Rod again, he was on his own to face the consequences.

Jazz sighed. It wasn't fair, the position Prime was now in. His best friend, on one hand, still hurting over a loss and betrayal, unanswered questions; Hot Rod on the other--unable and unwilling to answer those questions, bound by loyalty to Prime and something else, something so new. . .

But things would work out. They had to.

-----

It was late. Past midnight. Ops was almost empty save for the few mechs on watch. Jazz was one of them, along with Sunstreaker and Smokescreen. Bluestreak was hanging around because he was bored, and having him around helped break up the monotony for the third in command. Except Jazz was about ready to cut his shift early and turn in because he couldn't take it anymore until the main screen in ops came to life with slightly unsteady footage accompanied by a now-familiar song by Justin Timberlake.

Footage of Prowl from the night before, dancing. Jazz grinned and Blue's jaw dropped. Somebody was going to get themselves a supply of high grade for this one.

-----

Optimus Prime was wrapped around Hot Rod, in the other mech's berth. Hot Rod was in recharge, while Optimus lay awake. Didn't matter if he was in his own berth, or with Hot Rod, the Autobot leader spent part of most nights awake, thinking, wondering, worrying, and the current night was no different, barring the fact he was now spending several nights a week bunking with Hot Rod. His relationship with the other mech had helped lessen a little of the burden of leadership, at the same time, added a complication he hadn't foreseen. The Autobot leader vented air, sighing.

He always had much on his mind, like now. Ironhide was brooding again, and Optimus knew he needed to sit down with his friend and have a very long talk. The Decepticons were quiet--always a daunting prospect. Quiet meant all hell could break loose at any moment, but they would deal with it if it did. Then there were the good things to ponder, like the fact the twins had finally made their intentions known to Springer, who happily reciprocated; Bluestreak was splitting his off-duty time between Prowl and Jazz, that was the time he wasn't spending in the brig or pulling pranks with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. Although Prime wondered how long it would take the second and third in command to realize Blue's attention to them wasn't just because of their long-standing friendship. No, that had evolved into something else. Prime just hoped it wouldn't take them a long time to realize what was happening. Another positive occurrence was that Prime was grateful Bumblebee was so accepting and understanding of his relationship with Hot Rod, unlike a certain other Autobot.

Of course his thinking would cycle back to Ironhide, but he pushed it aside when he felt Hot Rod stirring beside him.

"You should be recharging," Hot Rod said.

"I'm just thinking," Optimus said.

"It's the middle of the night," Hot Rod said. "Thinking about work should be done during the day, when you're actually working. And don't lecture me about the burdens of leadership. I know it's a never-ending job, but Optimus, sometimes you just have to let go for a little while. The world won't end if you're not thinking about supply requisitions for the science lab."

Optimus chuckled.

"If you think that's all I do, you're sorely mistaken," he said.

"I know it's not, but I'm just trying to make a point," Hot Rod said.

"Your point is well taken," Optimus said, nuzzling Hot Rod's neck. "And I thank you for thinking of my well-being. Sometimes I do forget to take time for myself."

"Like now," Hot Rod said.

"I can't stop thinking sometimes," Optimus admitted. "There is so much I have to deal with. . ."

"And you don't have to deal with it alone anymore," Hot Rod said. "How many times do I have to remind you? You're stubborn, you know that?"

"I am not stubborn," Optimus said.

"As an Earth mule," Hot Rod countered.

"You've compared me to a mule's hindquarters also," Optimus said. "You're not the only Autobot."

"And you still haven't gotten the point, so you are stubborn," Hot Rod said.

"So are you," Optimus said.

"At least I can admit it," Hot Rod said. "Unlike a certain Prime."

"There are certain advantages to being in charge," Optimus said lightly.

"My aft," Hot Rod said. "Get some rest."

Optimus smiled as he felt Hot Rod settle against him. Hot Rod was right. He didn't have to deal with everything alone anymore.

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