Galem: Good to see you back, and yeah, school is a pain in the butt. :( I feel you there.

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CHAPTER 26
The Next Step

Jeff was silent as he leaned against the seat in Prowl's office. It had been a long day for him previously, mostly filled with homework to keep his mind and thoughts busy with something other than current events for a change. Prowl hadn't said a lot that morning either, rather going for the "I need a moment" approach before going off to talk with Optimus. He could only wonder silently what he had to speak to Optimus about, but figured none of it was his business. The sound of the door opening grabbed Jeff's attention quickly. "I thought I gave you the day off?" Prowl questioned, his optics hitting Jeff "What are you still doing here?"

"Bored." Jeff shrugged slightly "Besides, you looked like something was bugging you, so I thought I'd visit for a while." He admitted, Prowl simply made his way to the desk "So, what'd the boss bot have to say?" He questioned.

Prowl was silent, he didn't want to tell Jeff yet, not before knowing if anything was official. Yet he couldn't hide the smile that crept upon his face as subtly as possible. "We discussed the Decepticons, and a few other more private matters." Prowl explained "I'll discuss the latter with you if the situation arises, but for now, I'll simply tell you it is classified." He explained.

Jeff had a feeling that in some way, shape, or form, it had to do with him. "That's cool, I figured as much, most stuff between you two is." Jeff shrugged his shoulders, and stood from the chair "Hey Prowl, I've been wondering something." Prowl turned his head a bit "What happens if they do... You know, find my family?" There was a silence "No one's really told me what the plan would be from there." He explained.

Prowl almost wanted to ignore the question all-together, yet knew there was no way to do so. "Well, you'd go to live with them, with Autobot surveillance on the home, of course." Prowl explained "We couldn't be there twenty-four seven, but we'd still be protecting you, so if that's what you're worried about, don't be." There was a slight pause "I'd visit often as well."

Jeff could see that Prowl seemed as concerned about that option as he was. But he still kept himself from commenting further, knowing he was better off not prying into Prowl's emotions. "One of the reasons." Jeff shrugged his shoulders, and leaned back again "Prowl?" The mech looked down again "I want you to know something..." He spoke up, taking a deep breath, though he lost his words.

Prowl was silent a moment, and then, slowly, spoke up himself. "First, may I...?" He questioned, standing up slowly to stare Jeff down, the boy only nodded "Jeff, I wish to know... What you might think if I should..." He paused a bit, putting his hands on his hips, and thinking it over "If I were to ask Sideswipe and Arcee for their permission to move you into my apartment?" He questioned.

Prowl didn't want to ask if Jeff wanted him to adopt him, not yet anyway. If that relative decided he wanted Jeff, it would only hurt him further to ask him such a question. But in the mean time, he was almost certain that Optimus would allow Jeff to move in with him, and for him to become the boy's guardian. "What?" Jeff managed to stutter out "W-Why would you want to do that, Prowl? I mean-" He began.

"I like having you around, we get along well, and oftentimes my apartment gets lonely." Prowl shook his head a bit "We are often together, and I believe I already act enough as a guardian to you. So I figured, perhaps, you'd like to live under my care." He patted his chest a bit, and then shook his head "However, I understand that you enjoy the company of both Arcee and Sideswipe as well. So if your answer is no, I am in complete understanding of why." He explained.

Jeff couldn't find an answer in his brain, he wanted to shout "yes" and jump up and down however. Prowl was actually asking if he wanted him to be his guardian, the Autobot second-in-command of all people was asking him to be his charge. "W-Well yeah, I'd love that." Jeff finally breathed out "But I mean, do you think Sides and 'Cee would be okay with it? I don't want to hurt them or anything." He added "But, y-you'd really let me live with you?" He stuttered out.

Prowl smiled a bit, leaning forward, and crouching to Jeff's level. "Would I be asking you if I wouldn't?" Jeff blinked a bit "I'm sure Arcee and Sideswipe will both understand. After all, this is your life, we are just here to protect you." He added "All I need is Prime's permission, but I'll talk to him while you go to talk to both of them." He then added quietly "Now go on."

Jeff was out the door faster than Prowl could turn around.

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"So, shortstack is really becoming your charge, huh?"

Prowl stared towards Sideswipe as he exited Jeff's room in his apartment. Prowl was there to pick up his charge, after gaining the proper permission from Optimus and knew right away that Sideswipe was skeptical. "That is the plan." Prowl spoke calmly, looking over his shoulder to make sure Jeff wasn't around "And if all goes well, very soon, he will be my ward." He added.

Sideswipe nearly fell over backwards, knowing full well what that mean. Rolling forward, he stared up at the second-in-command curiously, his optics looking him over. "That's a pretty big announcement, Prowl. Last I checked, you were only his mentor." Sideswipe tilted his head to the side "But from what I knew, Jeff hasn't approached you to tell you the the wanted that from you." He added.

"So he does want me to adopt him?"

Sideswipe bit his metal lip and nodded his head slowly. "Yeah, he told me about it the other night. He's too scared to tell you, though." Sideswipe replied honestly, crossing his arms "I have to ask, if that's your ultimate goal, why not just ask Jeff if he wants you to adopt him?" He questioned.

Prowl frowned, looking a bit uncertain how to phrase his next words. Inwardly, he was too busy beaming with joy at the thought that Jeff wanted to be his son as much as he wanted to be his father. But at the same time, he knew that neither of them could get ahead of themselves. "Prime has found a living relative. And until we know what will happen there... I can't legally adopt him." Prowl explained "According to Prime, he called. The man is out on business, so it may be a few weeks before I find out anything concrete." He added.

Sideswipe nodded his head slowly, keeping his optics lingering on him. "I don't get it though. I mean, I knew you were close to Jeff. But when I said he should try it was just encouragement." He tilted his head a bit "What logic got into your processor that told you it was time you became a dad?" He questioned.

Prowl didn't know how to answer that either. It wasn't logic, it was love, something that Prowl had come to understand, albeit slowly. Taking a deep breath, he thought over how to phrase his next words in a way that Sideswipe may believe him. "There is no sense of "logic" behind this, as hard as it may be to believe." Prowl spoke honestly "I have come to love Jeffrey as my own, and I simply wish to give him the home and family he deserves." He put his hands on his hips "But if that is something you and Arcee feel you can do, then I will back off." He noted.

Sideswipe eyed Prowl silently, looking for any hint of dishonesty. But as usual, Prowl looked as serious as possible, even smiling warmly and offering no signs of hostility. "Well, we're fond of Jeff as well, but I don't think we're quite ready to handle that." Sideswipe finally admitted "All the same, if you need anything, any help with him, or whatever... You can get a hold of us." He added.

"It's paining you to agree with me." Prowl stated, amused.

"What can I say? Vorns of being thrown in the brig and lectured?" Sideswipe snorted quietly "At some point, a guy starts to hold a grudge." He shook his head "But the kid likes you, he wants to be your son. So I'm going to do this for him." He took a deep breath "Just promise me you won't be half as tough of a parent as you are a commanding officer." He noted.

Prowl could have chuckled at the notion, but noting how serious he was, kept himself straight-faced. "You have my word, I will treat him like any other member of my family." Prowl replied honestly "And for the record? Your stunts did warrant the brig ninety-nine percent of the time." He patted the younger mech's shoulder "Just like every time I'm sure that will be coming up." He replied with a chuckle.

"Hey Prowl, you ready to go?"

Prowl turned to see Jeff just coming out of the room, his bags over his shoulders. Prowl smiled, the thought of Jeff coming to live with him in his home clearly making his spark warm up a bit. He knew they had a lot of work ahead of them, and that the uncle was still a problem, but ultimately, he hoped things would work out. "Sure kiddo, climb aboard." Prowl placed his hand down, and once Jeff had climbed on, yet again set him on his shoulder "Catch ye around, Sides."

"Good luck."

Prowl had a feeling he was going to need it.

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A/N: Yep, I shall make you wait to find out more about this mysterious uncle. :P Hope you all enjoyed, reviews make my day!