CHAPTER 33
Breakdown

Prowl was having a rough day, a very rough one at that. The security breech had only been the first part of it, the second part had been the fact that he had been running rampant around town that evening. His only solace was in the fact that Jeff was waiting for him outside the base that afternoon. Prowl's holoform grinned as he pulled up to the sidewalk, popping open the passengers side door. "A kid like you shouldn't be out alone this time of night." Prowl jested "Why don't you hop in and I can give you a lecture over a root beer?"

"You're in a better mood than I expected."

Prowl scoffed, how he wished it was true at this point. He allowed Jeff to climb into his alternate form, he felt the young boy lean back into his leather seats and pulled out of the base's rough parking lot. "Hardly. Which is why I could use some quality time with you." Prowl replied honestly "It's just been hectic tonight, but luckily my duties are fulfilled for the evening." He turned his head towards Jeff "How was your day?"

"Boring." Jeff replied "I spent the last like, three hours doing homework." He took a deep breath "I could use the TLC too, honestly." He paused a moment "And I uh... I wanted to talk to you." Jeff commented.

"Oh? About what?"

Jeff was silent as they continued to drive down the streets of New Chicago. Though he didn't know how to say it, it would have been the most nerve-wracking, and fearful thing he'd ever had to do in his life. "I just... I.." Jeff chewed his lip, holding the sides of his head, and laying his head against the dashboard "Please adopt me."

Prowl stopped in the middle of the street, nearly crashing the car behind him that gave a loud honk. He could feel Jeff's body trembling as tears rolled down his cheeks. Quietly reaching a hand over, Prowl rubbed Jeff's back gently. "Jeff..."

"I know I'm not the best kid. I know I'm probably the last person you'd ever want as a kid." Jeff tried his best to control his body as it shook violently "But I'm so tired of being alone. I'm so tired of being the kid that doesn't have the mom or dad to brag about at school." He shook his head "I'm so tired of everyone looking at me like I'm lower than dirt and talking about how statistics show how screwed up I'm going to be because I didn't grow up with parents." He shook his head "I know I'm not the type of kid you want but please... I can't do this anymore."

"Jeff..." Prowl collected the young human into his arms "Jeffrey..."

The boy was breaking down from the strong and passive young man he'd seen into the frightened and lonely child he was. He sunk into the holoform's embrace, burying his face into his shirt, and digging into his sides. "I know, I know... You don't want kids. I don't even know what came over me." Jeff shook, continuing to break down "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"Jeff, you haven't even allowed me to give you my answer."

"Because I don't need it." Jeff pushed away, trying to compose himself "It's "no". You're way too important a mech, way too important a person, you don't have time to put up with me." He pushed the tears from his eyes "Even if you do love me, i'm never going to be the son you need. You need someone perfect, you need someone who's not going to possibly be in tabloid headlines." He choked "And I-"

"My answer is yes, I will adopt you."

Jeff's heart nearly stopped the moment the words left Prowl's mouth. Jeff's eyes lifted towards the mech's holoform, which gently reached over and pulled his young charge back into a tight hug. "No, you are not perfect. But by logic, no being is perfect, not even myself." Prowl explained gently "But do I not love you for all of your flaws? Do I not often express this?" He shook his head "If you truly wish for me to adopt you, I'll do it." He explained quietly.

"Why?"

"Because I have thought of it too, Jeff." Prowl stated quietly "Some things have come up recently. And I have not had time to speak to you of it or make any move towards taking you." He leaned forward, allowing Jeff to burry his face in the crook of his neck "But if adoption is truly what you want from me, I will make it so." he added quietly.

The crying didn't cease, Prowl could still feel the young human shaking, though he held him tighter. He did not know how, or even if, he could prevent his uncle from taking him even if he wanted him. But Prowl now knew for certain that going to live with this family was not what was ultimately best for Jeff, not with him breaking and honestly asking to be adopted. "I'm sorry..." Jeff sniffled quietly "You must think I'm a blubbering idiot." He muttered.

Prowl shook his head. "No, I think that you're a very lonely boy who needs what he's already found." Prowl whispered quietly.

"Get that through logic?" Jeff questioned.

Prowl could only smirk a little at the question, releasing the boy as he settled back into the seat. "An observation I made when I first met you: a lonely boy in need of a loving home." Prowl explained "I knew it was a matter of time before you broke, there was no question." He paused "I just never suspected it would be to me." He admitted.

"I'm sorry." Jeff muttered.

"Don't be." Prowl replied "You needed to say it, and I needed to hear it."

Now, if only Optimus would feel the same way on the subject.

...

"Prowl, he has living family."

"He broke down in my arms and begged me to adopt him Optimus." Prowl spoke quietly as he stood in the Autobot leader's office "He doesn't even know that uncle of his. But he's made a life with us here." He noted "No doubt, you realize, every mech and in Arcee's case, femme, on this base has come to enjoy his presence." He shook his head "He's made enormous strides since his time here." He noted.

Optimus nodded his head, standing to his feet slowly. He was, of course, well aware of how Jeff had come to fit in and even enjoy his life there. But at the same time, it was a tough sell if the uncle decided he wanted him. "Prowl, this uncle may very well want Jeff in his life." Optimus shook his head slowly "If he wants him, he'll get him. It's the way the human system works." He noted.

For once, Prowl wanted to say that the system was screwed. But at the same time, he couldn't say much, as there was no absolute say he had in the matter. Prowl slowly sat down in a chair, his optics hitting the ground. "I can't just not adopt this boy, Prime. He needs me." Prowl commented, clenching his knee slowly "I am asking you as my closest friend... Talk to this man, tell him the life he has here..." He shook his head "If the man has any heart at all, certainly, he would rather see Jeff happy." He added.

"And what if he does not see reason?"

Prowl was silent for a moment, uncertain of how to answer. But at the same time, he knew it as well, staring up at Optimus with a firm look of determination, he grimaced. "Then I will do everything in my power to get him back." Prowl stood slowly, his optics softening "You don't understand, Prime. You didn't see him when he broke... This boy needs us for much more than the protection we provide him." He noted "Taking him away from here permanently will destroy him." He added.

"You're willing to go up against this man in court due to this belief?"

"As the humans would say, "damn straight"."

Prowl knew that if it came down to it, Jeff might be taken to live with this man. But when he was determined about something, nothing stopped him, and he would do everything in his power to see that the boy's wishes to be adopted by him were met. A silence fell over Optimus, but slowly, he nodded his head, smiling. "Very well, then, Prowl." Optimus spoke honestly "If you can indeed get custody of Jeffrey, he will be allowed a full stay on-base."

Prowl gently vented out hot air, relief shooting over him in a giant wave of relaxation. "Thank you, Prime." Prowl nodded "I know a human in the base of your elite is quite a risk, but this means a lot to me." His door wings shifted down "Please know that you are not making a mistake." He added.

"I did not believe I was."

Prowl stepped towards the door, though he quickly found the optics of the Prime yet again baring down upon him. Turning his head slowly, he took in the look on his face. "Don't worry, I will be weary about how I do approach a custody fight if it comes to one." Prowl commented, his optics flashing "I'll go easy on the man, especially if he proves to be a good-hearted man." He noted.

As Prowl left, something in the deep thick of his processor did make him wonder just how right he would end up being.

...

A/N: Hope that was satisfying enough for the situation. :) Reviews make my day!