A coda to Talk the Walk; Prowl and Jazz have a discussion.

Jazz walked into Prowl's office a few minutes after leaving Starscream, and found his bondmate scrutinizing something on his monitor. Scooting around, Jazz saw that the monitor was displaying a direct feed to Starscream's quarters. The occupants were in the washrack getting the finger-paint off, and Optronix was telling Starscream all about his day and the people he met, and generally just being a sparkling. A livelier sparkling than Prowl or Jazz were used to seeing.

Starscream was listening closely, answering his questions without the sarcasm he was famous for. He was gentle, too, drying Optronix off and carrying him to the couch.

"Domestic," Jazz murmured, placing a hand on Prowl's shoulder and rubbing his thumb along his neck.

"It is," Prowl agreed, leaning into Jazz' caress. "This is an aspect of Starscream I had never suspected to exist."

"Me, neither." Jazz watched as Starscream shifted, arranging Optronix into a more comfortable position as he reclined onto the couch. He reached for one of the large datapads and began reading to Optronix in soft tones. "Think that's the Starscream Skyfire knew? 'Cause I really can't see him hanging with the one we know."

"Possibly." Prowl leaned back in his chair, optics on the monitor. "I admit, I'm curious about the subject of his family; the records of that time are spotty and contain nothing about Starscream's bonding notice. Skyfire has said nothing else - he avoids the question actually - and I doubt Starscream would be willing to share."

"That why you're watchin' him?"

"Partly. Red Alert has him under observation at all times of course but I am curious; he is not acting entirely as I expected."

"I noticed that too," Jazz mused. "And Prime didn't seem surprised during the meeting; think he knows something we don't?"

"Likely. Ratchet paid him a visit after the initial briefing, staying for several breems."

"And you think he told Rodimus something he left out of the medical report."

"I do." Prowl minimized the video, bringing up part of Ratchet's medical report. "I believe that Starscream's cumulative damage was worse than we were led to believe."

Leaning over Prowl's shoulder, Jazz reread the report. Tapping the screen, ignoring Prowl's frown as it wavered, Jazz told him, "You're right. Processor damage. Damn, must be getting old to miss that."

Prowl frowned, optics flickering over the indicated portion of text. "I don't see where that is stated."

"It isn't," Jazz told him quietly. "Not specifically, anyway. But you can infer from the damage."

"Ah." Prowl let the subject drop; Jazz was familiar with that kind of damage due to his frequent involvement in interrogations. A touchy subject at the best of times. "Given that Ratchet would repair those kinds of injuries, we are now dealing with a different Starscream."

"Uh-huh. One that's completely fixated on keeping his sparkling safe."

Prowl looked at his bondmate, fondness lightening his optics. "You are being romantic again."

Jazz grinned. "Possibly, but Starscream does want to keep him. He's afraid we'll take Optronix away, although he's trying hard not to show it."

Prowl made a noncommittal sound and started shutting down his computer. "It is difficult to believe that Starscream is capable of putting someone else's well-being before his own."

Jazz stepped back to let Prowl rise, then slid into place next to him as they headed towards their quarters. "As Sherlock Holmes said, 'Eliminate out the impossible, then whatever left, however improbable, is the truth.'"

"Occam's Razor," Prowl corrected. "What were you two discussing?"

Jazz slid a knowing grin his bondmate's way. "Asked him about backing; seems a great way to deal with a sparkling. Don't have to worry about energon purity, easy anti-viral updates, and both your hands are free while keeping the kid safe."

Pausing his hand over the doorpad, Prowl softly asked, "Are you thinking of creating?"

"I am." Jazz fit himself along Prowl's back, tracing a light finger across the top of a doorwing. "How about you?"

"I am-" Prowl shuddered at the pleasurable sensation. "I am willing to discuss it."

"By all means." Jazz gently pushed his bondmate through the now-open door, steering them both towards the berth. "Let's discuss."