A/N: Well, here's chapter 2. I think there will be one more. Thank you to all who reviewed for your positive remarks. I really needed that. So, thanks and enjoy!
Disclaimer: Transformers is the property of Hasbro, song lyrics from "Iridescent" be Linkin Park.

Let It Go

Chapter 2

Optimus headed for his office early the next morning with a frown hidden behind his mask. He was worried about his two commanders, good advisors and close friends. Red Alert reported that Prowl left his office late into the recharge cycle, barely online from exhaustion.

And there was still no word about Jazz – no sightings or demands from a triumphant Megatron to give up on any rescue plans for the Porsche; no distress signal received or his greyed frame found. Even Teletraan One couldn't find the Head of SpecOps, though Optimus suspected that Jazz had hacked their systems and masked his presence before he went off and disappeared.

He had Sideswipe and Red Alert combing through the programming code but didn't have high hopes of the faulty lines being found – their TIC was just too good. The only thing they were able to do was to confirm the death of their undercover agent at the hand of the furious Decepticon leader.

"Well, maybe no news is good news," Prime sighed as he entered the room. No sooner had that thought gone through his mind than his sight fell on an unexpected, but certainly welcome sight.

Jazz sat in the visitor's chair, paint scratched all over his body, mud and energon caked on in thick layers. That wouldn't be anything unusual as far as reporting after the more gruesome missions went if not for the fact that he came into the Autobot leader's office unseen after such a long absence.

"Jazz!" exclaimed the red and blue mech, happy to see his friend alive and relatively whole. "When did you get here? How? Why didn't you-" Optimus trailed off upon seeing the expression on Jazz's faceplates.

"Optimus, please close and lock the door. I do not want to be interrupted." The Prime did as requested then sat behind his desk. He gazed at the morose yet determined expression of his TIC, dread starting to pool in his tank.

Jazz stood up to his full height, straightened his back and snapped off a perfect military salute. "I, Jazz, Head of Special Operations and Third In Command of the Autobot Army, officially relinquish my position and request permission to leave the service." His features contorted into a look of deep pain. "I... I don't deserve to be called an Autobot anymore. Not after I hurt the mech closest to my spark like this."

"Tell me what happened, from the beginning." Optimus requested after a long tense moment.

"I don't think I can explain. Hurts too much, deep in here" the visored mech laid his servo on his chestplates, right over his spark. "Besides, it's a private matter concerning only me and Prowl." Jazz's visor flashed aggressively on the last sentence. His whole posture changed: body tensed, servos balled into fists and he rocked on his pedes as if reading himself to leave the office quickly.

However, the Prime could easily see that the anger was directed not at him, but at the speaker himself.

"I'm sorry but it's not negotiable, Jazz. I don't think you fully understand your situation. You disappeared for over two months with no word, neither on any official mission nor on sanctioned leave time. As the humans would say, you went AWOL. That alone is punishable by a long brig time and later confinement to the base." The sabouteur dropped into the visitor's seat at those words.

"In addition" Optimus continued, "right before you disappeared my Second in Command was punched in the faceplates and all reports state that you have seen him last. Therefore you can be charged with assault on a superior officer. And let's not forget tampering with Teletraan One's scanners. If you do not explain your actions, as Commander of the Autobots I will have no choice but to detain you. You will be given a trial and a chance to state your case."

Prime looked at his TIC with something akin to pity in his optics. "As it looks right now, you will probably get demoted and taken to prison for a long time."

As Jazz listened to the speech, he started to slump in his seat, visor dimming, until he laid his head on the desk, looking defeated. "No fair, Prime. Ya don't need t' take me on a guilt trip. I feel guilty 'nough as it is."

The red and blue mech stared at him steadily. "What happened, my friend?"

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure's all you've known.
Remember all the sadness and frustration,
And let it go,
Let it go.