CHAPTER 57
Close Friend

"So Prowl, I hear you have a new pet project."

Prowl cringed a bit at the use of the word. It was the week that Gears, an Autobot engineer, came to take a look at the base and make sure everything was in tip-top shape. And though Prowl did normally enjoy talking to Gears and sharing old war stories, the mech knew little to nothing about the word or meaning of "subtlety". "I'm not quite certain what you mean. I have not tackled any projects or adopted any pets at the present time." He noted.

"So you didn't get it locked somewhere in your processor that it was a good idea..." Gears turned from his work "To take in a formal juvenile delinquent from literally off the streets?" Prowl quickly knew that Gears was talking about Jeff, but merely grimaced "I must say, Prowl, I commend you for giving further to charity, but I was a little floored at the news." He noted.

"Jeff isn't a charity case." Prowl noted as firmly as possible "He's a young human who needed a home, which I am giving to him." He turned around, his optics becoming cross at him "And he has faced enough prejudice for my decision. So I ask you politely to refrain from further comments such as calling him my "pet project"." He noted.

Gears quickly noted the fiery tone in Prowl's voice, recoiling a bit. Though Gears had not meant it in that notion, he made a mental note to refer to Jeff by his name, to avoid further confusion. "Apologies, you know I in no way meant it in a prejudice way. Your business and whom you chose to adopt is your business." He added "I was just curious as to when I might be able to meet the kid." He added.

Prowl nodded his head a bit, crossing his arms and leaning back. He did suppose he may have jumped to conclusions, Gears complained a lot, sure, but he was a kind natured Autobot otherwise. "He's at school, taking his finals, but he'll be back before three." He shook his head a bit "My apologies for being so cold. He really has had some cruel words said about him." He grunted "I do not like hearing anything that could even be taken that way, as I'm sure you understand." He admitted.

Gears nodded, knowing full well if he were in Prowl's situation he would have been worse in his own reaction. Lifting a piece of a cog that had gone loose, he placed it carefully inside. Turning to Prowl, his optics looked him over a bit. "You know, despite it all, I wonder why you're doing this." Gears shook his head "We used to complain about how frustrating humans could be together." He then added "So why him?" He questioned "I think it's great. But why the child that seems to be the most trouble?" He questioned.

Prowl could understand the reasoning for the question, it was something he asked himself day in and day out. He'd be lying if he said that it had been an easy decision, taking in a kid with emotional and trust issues. But the rewards outweighed the things that made it problematic, and that was no the least bit hard to admit. "Needed someone to whip him into shape didn't he?" Prowl grunted "Besides, the human race is not all that bad whatsoever, there is great potential within them." He added.

Gears, ever the complaining sort, snorted at the notion that Prowl gave him. "They're a young race with many issues. Primus, I swear, I can't even walk around on NEST without the fear of stepping on one of them." Gears grunted "I don't know how you can stand living with just one. Did I tell you what my human partners little punk did to me the other day?" Prowl shook his head "He spray painted "KICK ME" on my back." Prowl snorted "Little brat." He grumbled.

"Then leave the Barren's." Prowl snorted.

Gears shot Prowl a look, and shook his head, just as Prowl knew he would. "You kidding me? Just because they are an annoying race does not mean I don't take my duty to them seriously." Gears barked "If anything happened to them... Why I'd..." He paused quietly "Alright, I see your point, Prowl. But I still don't think I could "live" with them in the sense of taking care of one full-time."

"I always had the most patience between the two of us." Prowl pointed out.

It was true, and he had known Gears a long time, a very long time at that. They'd entered Autobot Academy together along with Jazz, and among the Autobots, Gears was whom he considered his best friend with Jazz gone. Some might question how he put up with the complaining, but to say the least, Prowl recognized that Gears meant well. "So, this kid, I do get to meet him right?" Gears noted impatiently "I want to make sure this isn't one of those sob story kids who wants to take advantage of ye." He added.

Prowl smirked, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. He knew that Gears had nothing to worry about, but he also did want Jeff to be acquainted with the mech that was his living friend. "You're going to love him, but you'll get to meet him anyway." Prowl smirked a bit "Just promise me you'll be gentle with him, I've told you... He's still a little ski dish around new people." He shook his head "Be the kinder side of your personality, and you'll see his good side." He added.

"And if we don't get along?"

Prowl took a few minutes to think that over. "Then I may need to lock you both in separate rooms before World War III begins."

...

Jeff had met Prowl's friends before, that wasn't what made this whole situation awkward. What made it awkward was that Prowl had told him about Gears, he knew a lot about the mech. But most of all, Jeff knew that he didn't want to cause any sort of rift between them, and knowing their closeness and his attitude, he felt as though he would be responsible for anything bad that may happen here. "Jeff." Prowl peered down at him "Relax your muscles, Gears doesn't bite."

Jeff didn't know if Prowl was being sarcastic, or attempting humor, but his grin didn't relax him at all. "All I'm saying is that you should think this through a little more." Jeff shook his head "I know you guys are close, and I'm still transitioning into all of this. I don't want to get him mad at you by mistake or anything." He put his hands in his pockets as a thoughtful look crossed his face "I mean, I practically embarrassed you in front of tactics once, and-" He began.

"You didn't embarrass me, and you don't embarrass me." Prowl gave him one of the "stop that" looks Jeff had become used to "I don't know how many times I have told you son, you are not an embarrassment. Do not let the pressures of my position get the better of you." He explained.

Jeff nodded his head a bit, but still felt that sting. It was hard not to now knowing that in a few weeks he would be Prowl's legal son. With that came Prowl's reputation, one which he would most definitely have to uphold. Yet Prowl still insisted he was a kid, and should remind himself of it, and as such he sucked in his gut and prepared to face his father's close friend. "Gears?" Jeff caught sight of a silver, red, and blue mech slowly "I'd like you to meet my son, Jeffrey Devlin."

And for the first time, Gears's blue optics were on him. Jeff swallowed, faltering a bit at the mech, he wasn't intimidating in stature, but the nerves still settled in. Gears placed his hands on his hips, and looked Jeff over for a moment. "He looks too nice to be a juvenile delinquent." Gears huffed, giving him an odd look "Tell me boy, what were you in it for?" He questioned.

"Stole my foster dad's Ferari for a joy ride."

Gears had to smirk at that, and snort a little bit. Prowl definitely did not approve, but knowing his friend was a troublemaker, Gears seemed to approve. It wasn't much of a surprise to Prowl, Gears had had his recklessness back in the day. "I bet you aren't pulling those stunts with my buddy here." Gears nodded to Prowl "You don't look like you've been whipped." Prowl shot him a glare as Jeff's eyes bugged out "Kidding." He noted.

Jeff turned to Prowl, who crossed his arms a bit at his friend. "That foster dad was a jerk." Jeff shook his head "Prowl deserves my respect, he earned it like I earned his." He then added "So if you're worried I'll cause trouble, then you should stop." He added "Not like I can take anything here for a joy ride, right?" He laughed "Worst I've done here is try to run a few times." He added.

Gears stroked his chin plate a little, a smirk forming on his face slowly. "Kid's got a bite on him." Gears pointed out as Jeff raised an eyebrow "I like him already." He explained "So, Jeffrey, was it?" Jeff nodded a little bit "You can call me Uncle Gears, as this guy." He pulled Prowl to the side "Is like my honorary brother, which makes me your honorary uncle." He noted.

"And just when I thought I had gotten rid of all of the bad influences in his life."

Jeff chuckled a little bit, he liked Gears already too. But it was to be expected, troublemakers did tend to get along well, and he could tell in some ways Gears was a troublemaker. "You know, dad. I think I don't have enough bad influences." Jeff smirked a bit "Maybe I could convince him to help me hot-wire a few cars, you know, it won't be THAT bad of publicity." He noted.

"It'd also mean you'd be grounded for the rest of your life."

Gears chuckled a bit, and smirked down at the kid, then at Prowl. "You did good, Prowler." Gears noted, patting his friend on the back "What do you say we go out somewhere and the pipsqueak and I can get to know each other a little better?" He questioned.

Prowl only hoped it wasn't anywhere Gears would have much to complain about. Or this would be one very long night.

...

A/N: I know, this friendship seems a little random. But I always imagined these two would be so, yeah. LOL Reviews make my day!