I am so glad that everyone likes my story and that Jazz is back. Please take a minute to review. I love to read them and it makes my day. Enjoy!
Jazz looked in on the recharging femme. She was so sweet and beautiful and Jazz could see exactly why Prowl had been attracted to her. She had a natural grace and was very giving to those that she cared about. It had attracted Prowl who instantly wanted to protect and care for her. Jazz felt it too but he also saw a lot of similarities between her and himself. She sighed in her rest and Jazz left her to attend to Little Jazz.
"You know little mech, we are going to have confusion over our names." He said smiling at the little bot playing with his blocks on the floor. Jazz bent down and then folded himself into a sitting position. He smiled ruefully at himself as his new joints smoothly fell into place like a new sparked mechling. It amazed him how clean and shiny his chassis was compared to how it used to be. He guessed it was from the oracle that Prowl had shown him through their spark merge.
"I don't know if I will get used to this new world." Jazz told the little guy as he played oblivious to the older mech's ponderings. Jazz smiled tenderly at the little helm bobbing up and down as he made tiny clicking and chirring noises with his toys blocks pretending that they were cars or buildings or whatever the little spark could think of. Jazz couldn't quite figure out what Little Jazzy was building but the little guy was happy and secure which was a tribute to the femme that had sparked him.
"Jazz, you okay?" Prowl asked through the bond and Jazz felt Tia stir as well. He smiled at the concerned and thoughtful way Prowl asked about him and touched his hand to his chest as he felt his spark reach out to both his mates.
"I'm fine Prowler; just watching ma little mech play with his blocks." Jazz smiled as warmth and affection flooded the bond and even Little Jazz looked up and smiled suddenly as he felt his sire's presence in the family bond.
"Have Tia escort you to my office as soon as she wakes."
"Okay, will do."
"I heard that! I will have him to you as soon as I dress and get Little Jazz ready for preschool."
Jazz heard a noise and looked over his shoulder to see Tia stride quickly out from their berth room. Little Jazz dropped his blocks and chirped happily to see his mother up and reached for her as she scooped him up without breaking her stride.
"Jazz, has he had his morning breakfast?" Tia asked as she quickly poured her a cube of energon.
"Yes, Prowl gave it to him while getting ready for work. He also drank a little of the refined low grade that Knockout sent me this morning. It seems that he and Ratchet want to make sure that my systems can handle the easy stuff before letting me try anything stronger." Jazz sauntered over to Tia and sniffed at her hair. It was still damp from her morning bath and smelled earthy and wholesome; so different from their true forms, but Jazz liked the smell as he felt Tia lean against him a moment to savor the warmth from his plating. The moment quickly passed as Tia shifted the mechling to keep him from squirming out of her grasp.
"Jazz, can you hand me that tray in the cooler?" Tia asked as he watched her prepared small cubes with a sippy top for Little Jazz.
"What's in the tray?" Jazz asked as he smelt the sweet oily treat and smiled. Little Jazz also noticed the smell and started jumping up and down in Tia arms.
"Jazz, stop it. You are going to fall!" She snapped without stopping her morning ritual of packing Jazz's bag for preschool. Little Jazz pouted and started to cry but Jazz hid his laugh with a cough as Tia swatted Little jazz on the rear and told him, "Stop it now; I am not falling for your charms."
Little Jazz puffed his lower lip out and then snuck a look at Jazz. The little devil smirked at him before hiding his face back in his mother's shoulder. Jazz couldn't help but laugh at his antics. Prowl would have his hands tied with the little devil when he became a youngling.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Will Tia bring him here?" Allie asked and Optimus sighed. He closely watched his mate as she paced wearing the worn carpet even more from worry and excitement for her brother. He had noticed her careful movements earlier as she dressed, wearing one of her favorite long white and gold dresses that Optimus loved since her hair shone brilliantly against the virgin color, and gave her an air of royalty well suited as the Prime's consort and mate.
"Prowl has commed both of them and they are on their way. It just takes longer because they have to drop Little Jazzy off at preschool." Optimus patiently reminded her as she stopped to look at him though he did wonder if his answer would be processed or if she would ask again in a minute.
"Shalon is dressing and will arrive shortly." Megatron talked as he walked in and sat down in the chair next to Primes' desk and Optimus sighed again. This was not going to be an easy meeting.
"Do you really need to be here, brother?" He asked tiredly. Optimus felt the stirrings of a processor ache beginning as anxiety and excitement flooded from his mate's side of the bond, and arrogance filtered from his brother's intimidating part.
"I understand your hesitations but Jazz has a strong personality that will not easily accept my command. It is better to get this out of the way than avoid it. His subordinates have accepted me and I will assure him that any former Decepticon officers and personnel will accept him as well. He and Soundwave are the best at what they do and with Soundwave leading communications it is only natural that we would want Jazz as our most experienced commanding special operations. His intel and ability to get in even the most difficult environments will prove valuable. I don't want him to be detoured by my extermination of him. It was war and if he had had the chance he would have done the same to me." Megatron huffed as he puffed his chest plates out in arrogance not backing down towards his brother. Allie's eyes narrowed aggressively as she took in her brother-in-law's demeanor.
"I will not let you ruin this for me or Jazz." She snarled suddenly and Optimus rolled his optics. The processor ache was definitely not going away. He quickly reached Allie's side but she turned away from him as he reached for her. "I am not in the mood to be placated, Optimus." Her eyes flashed brilliantly blue at him as she fiercely glared.
"You need to calm yourself now or I will have you escorted out." Optimus growled softly. "We discussed this last night." He reached for her again and Allie acquiesced to his touch as Optimus glided his arms around her to keep her at his side. "Megatron and I have talked this over. It is why I stated my opinion to you last night. This will not be easy for Jazz but Megatron has a point and I will not defer to you and Jazz over my brother. We will compromise now settle down."
"So Jazz's feelings about his death are to be glossed over?" Allie replied tartly to his statement though she kept her word low so that Megatron would not interfere.
"No, he has a right to be upset, but he also needs to realize the greater outcome for all of us." Optimus told her softly. "Jazz was my third in command, my closest confidant when things were bad. He and Prowl kept me from falling in a pit of despair when the war was so dark. I will not overlook his feelings, but I have to act in accordance to the greater good. We have families to protect and Megatron is more than able to do that with his infinite knowledge of war and tactics. He and Prowl are very well suited to handle military matters and with Jazz and Soundwave's output we will be successful in regaining our glory of the Golden Age. Your ability to handle scientific matters and Wheeljack's and Starscream's brilliance we may have a chance to eventually rebuild Cybertron." Optimus looked her straight in the eyes and Allie felt his reassurance through the bond. She settled herself and relaxed her body. Optimus let her arm go and turned back to Megatron.
"I do understand my mate's feelings in this brother." Optimus stated softly to Megatron as Allie finally sat down waiting anxiously for Jazz to enter. Optimus quietly strode to her side and took her slender hand in his massive grey one and Allie admired the vivid red of his arm armor.
"I have explained myself and will not do so again Optimus. Either Jazz accepts me for the good of the Cybertronian Alliance or he rejects me and we all lose an opportunity to work together as a team." Megatron huffed as he stood while talking and Optimus nodded his helm slightly in compliance to his brother's words. It all boiled down to Jazz's feelings and that could go either way. Optimus hoped that Jazz would be in a forgiving mood.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Hey Jazz!" Jazz looked over his shoulder to see Bumblebee running towards him.
"Hey my little mech! How are you doing?" Jazz instantly replied to his greeting excitedly. Tia steeped back to let the two mechs catch up from their time apart. She softly smiled at Jazz.
"I'll be standing next to Aura talking to her to give you time to talk." She said it so softly through the bond that Jazz almost didn't hear her. He turned and returned her soft smile with one of his own before turning back to hear Bumblebee's reply.
"I am doing great! It is wonderful to see you again." Bumblebee said as he slowed to a walk. Jazz's attention shifted to Bee's arms and Jazz gasped to glance a black and gold being nestled close to Bee's chassis and spark.
"Well I see that you have been busy. Who's this?" Jazz asked as he stepped forward to see the little sparkling. The shy little being peeked out from his sire's chassis and Jazz could see by the shape of its helm and little door wings that it was a mechling.
"Jazz, this is Hornet. He is mine and Stargazer's sparkling." Bumblebee said softly. "He tends to be shy because Star is so protective. You're just lucky to see him because he and Star had a checkup today. They usually see Doc or Ratchet but since Doc went in early labor, Ratchet has been tied up with their sparklings and taking care of Doc. Knockout seems okay but Stargazer doesn't trust him with Hornet." Jazz blinked his optics a few times and Hornet giggled at the silver mech. Bumblebee stopped abruptly what he was saying to watch his commander charm the mechling into smiling.
"He is a charmer, Bee." Jazz cheerfully said reaching over to let Hornet grasp his finger, Jazz cooed and clicked at the black and gold sparkling. "How old are you?" Jazz asked as he leaned close so that his helm gently touched Hornet's. Hornet laughed while Bumblebee chuckled at his old commander's antics.
"You seem to charm everyone, Jazz. You always have." Bee said as he switched Hornet from one hip plate to the other. Hornet laughed and clicked at his sire and Jazz expressively.
"Well you know how it is; gotta be charming cause you never know who you might meet." Jazz stated and winked one optic at Bumblebee. Bee laughed.
"It's good seeing you. I need to rescue Stargazer from Shalon."
"Who's Shalon?" Jazz asked curiously. Bumblebee frowned and then hid it quickly worried that Jazz had seen it.
"Shalon is one of Star's trine. They used to fly together before Stargazer bonded with me and had Hornet." Bee said airily trying not to say too much. Jazz frowned.
"Is that bad?" He asked.
"No, just Shalon drives her crazy with all the family talk." Bee replied.
"Family's a good thing isn't it?" Jazz asked again wondering why all of a sudden Bee wasn't as talkative.
"It is but it is who Shalon is bonded to. Jazz, there have been changes and I don't think you are going to like them." Bee stated softly.
"This has to do with Megatron, doesn't it?" Jazz said softly and he looked at Tia who had not said a word nor offered any touching reassurances as she walked back to Jazz's side after leaving Aura to finish her morning duty on the tarmac. Jazz had noticed the soft swell of the other femme's abdomen and wondered who she was bonded to.
"Jazz, he has become a part of our lives in a good way and I hope that it doesn't upset you too much. I am so sorry that you were killed during the war but we are also thankful that you are back. I know that Optimus is happy about you being back but he is also thrilled to see the war end and with such positive results." Bumblebee looked away for a moment and then turned back to stare at Jazz. "Please don't let this ruin things for you. We love you and want you to be a part of this peace that we all have strived to work so hard for. Please Jazz; listen to Optimus and Megatron before jumping to any rash decision."
Jazz looked at Bee's optics pleading with him to keep an open mind about his upcoming meeting with Prime. "I will Bee, promise, and I won't jump to conclusions." Jazz stated softly and then sighed, "Besides, I had my surprise last night when I saw a picture of Prowl standing with Prime, Sounders, and Megs."
Tia and Bumblebee groaned together; "don't call him that!" was shouted at Jazz with a shudder from both.
0o0o00o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Who was that femme you were talking to?" Jazz asked Tia as they walked along the corridor to the offices.
"Oh that was Aura. She's our chief and presides over the tarmac as well as assisting with security for the troops when assembling for deployment." Tia said. She turned them toward the right of the hallway and pointed for Jazz to go through the doorway that led to another set of offices.
"She is carrying, right?" Jazz asked wondering about the red-haired femme.
"She is." Tia said smiling at him as they walked.
"Who is the sire?"
"Thundercracker is and they have another little seekerling besides the one they are expecting." Tia replied. Jazz thought a moment about this.
"She is very tall isn't she?" Jazz commented.
"She is. She was a shuttle before she was transformed into a human/mechanoid. She also has training in medicine and wet nursing." Tia calmly stated taking his hand in hers as they neared Prime's office. "Aura once told me that it was common for shuttles to court seekers in hope of attaining a higher status in Vos before the city fell to war."
"Hm, you are friends with Aura?" Jazz wondered thoughtfully.
"Yes, and before you ask, Thundercracker and his family have been guests of ours." Tia added for Jazz's benefit. She watched him mull over her words and smiled encouragingly at her newest mate. They stopped walking as Tia turned Jazz toward an entrance way where a femme sat at a desk motioning them forward to the door of Prime's office.
"Where's Blue?" Tia asked suddenly. She knew that Bluestreak had accepted being Prime's assistant and wondered why he wasn't at the desk.
"Prime set him up in an office of his own so I act as a go between for both of them." The young femme stated with confidence and Jazz smiled briefly at her. She smiled back. "They are waiting for you. Prowl's there as well and so is Soundwave and Megatron. I thought you might want to know." The femme said the last softly and Jazz flicked another smile to reassure her that he wasn't going to bolt away. Jazz looked around one more time gathering his strength to help assist him for what was to come. Tia watched him take in all the soft blues and grays of the office hallway with quiet support and Jazz was glad that he had her by his side as well as knowing that Prowl was on the other side of the door.
"Well there is no time like now; I guess we need to get this shindig on a roll." Jazz said with a dazzling smile before guiding Tia along with him.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Prowl could feel Jazz on the other side of the door and it made him nervous. Megatron and Soundwave had slipped in through the conference room, after leaving earlier to check on their mates, and were standing by the window looking out over the tarmac. Optimus made Allie sit down though he, himself, chose to stand for this particular confrontation. Prowl thought about what Colonel Lennox once said on earth about tension being cut with a knife in a room. That thought was very prudent to how they all felt as they waited for the door to open and Jazz walk in.
"Prowl?" Allie softly asked anxious about the encounter.
"He's here. They just haven't walked in yet. Tia is probably asking about Bluestreak." Prowl swiftly answered. He turned as they heard the clicks from the security codes on the door and watched as the door opened.
Jazz stood on the other side with Tia staring into the brightly lit office as his gaze fell upon Optimus and Allie first.
"Jazz!" Allie exclaimed and Jazz suddenly smiled when he looked at his sister for the first time in a long millennia.
"You're different!" He exclaimed and she laughed breaking the tension in the room as Tia ushered Jazz in while Allie stood up to hug her dearest brother.
"Better this than being terminated." Allie said softly not only referring to her change but to his condition as well.
"Well not many of us can say that we have been to the well and back." Jazz murmured into her ear and Allie coughed out a laugh and a sob in one breath.
"Jazz, it is so good to have you back." Optimus said reverently and Jazz let go of Allie to greet his commander and longtime friend.
"It is good to be back but I think I fell down the rabbit's hole." Jazz said laughing.
"Excuse me?" Prowl said from the corner frowning at Jazz's choice of words.
"It's an analogy between his experience and a book reference from earth." Allie told Prowl as she gazed lovingly at her brother.
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll by earth's calendar 1865." Soundwave informed everyone in his monotone voice and Tia laughed at the confused expressions.
"You too?" She asked.
"Three sparklings, and five younglings with one young adult that all love to hear stories from various species and planets." Soundwave intoned. "Mate loves sharing them as well." He added as an afterthought and everyone smiled at his attempt at humor.
"Now I know I am in that rabbit hole. Sounders has a sense of humor." Jazz stated dead panned and Prowl groaned at his choice for a nickname.
"Jazz is that necessary?" Prowl said lightly slapping his hand over his face in agitation.
"Of course Prowler; you know me. I have to find humor in every situation." Jazz airily replied and Allie laughed. Megatron smirked in amusement seeing that Jazz was one of the few bots that had not changed from the Golden Age of Cybertron. Megatron had always admired the saboteur for his light hearted spark knowing that under that humor lie a keen, loyal, and savage bot quick to strike with vengeance toward any who might inflict harm or damage to those he cared about. Jazz's ways were of stealth and subterfuge and had Megatron been able to convince and sway him to the Decepticon cause they might have had the upper hand sooner in the war.
Deciding to take the upper hand and force a confrontation Megatron straightened his stance away from the window and stepped closer to Prime.
"It is good to see you, Jazz." He said smooth and fluidly. Jazz immediately tensed as if bracing for some type of impact.
"I can't say the same for you." Jazz replied lightly though Megatron was not fooled by the light hearted attempt. He returned the feral smile with a smirk of his own as both bots gazed and side the other up. "I do seem out of the loop for the moment." Jazz finally stated after both bots never once broke optic contact from the other.
"Then it is in your best interest to join us since peace has been established." Megatron quickly replied to the unspoken threat. Jazz never once let his gaze waiver as he stepped protectively towards Tia.
"Jazz, listen to Prime. He will explain everything." Prowl quietly stated as he fearfully watched the two former combatants square off.
"No, Jazz will be under my leadership seeing that Prime is now over Cybertronian affairs and I am Lord High Protector…" Megatron started.
"…but I was Jazz's commander and I should be the one to explain the changes, brother." Optimus's baritone voice chose to strike as he put Megatron in his place for the moment.
"Of course, Optimus, my apologies." Megatron nodded respectfully at Prime as he stood down but not out of the conversation. Jazz watched all this play out as if in a dream while Allie walked up and took his hand to reassure him.
"Jazz, much has changed with the biggest being that all of our mechs want families. With Megatron choosing to bond with Shalon we decided that it was in our best interest to lay aside our hatred and work toward peace. Allie's work here in the Realm laid the foundation for peace because she and the femmes here have protected the humans for the last four million years while we were still at war on Cybertron and later earth. The inhabitants of earth are too biased and quick for vengeance against the Decepticons which is why the Realm is a better place for us to be since we are still working towards adjustment ourselves." Optimus paused for a moment to let Jazz process his words and see if he had any questions. When none were asked he continued, "We are grateful to have you back and welcome you home Jazz, but we also need to know if you will abide by the standards we have set as well as help work with us to continue to protect these planets in the Realm; or will you harbor bitterness and regret that you were deactivated and not rise to your full potential during a chance of peace and prosperity?"
Jazz had to admit it to himself. Prime had a way of putting thoughts and words into perspective. In truth Jazz knew that it had been war and if given the chance he would have killed Megatron if the opportunity presented itself. In that moment Megatron had the upper hand and Jazz knew that he was buying time so that they could win the battle. Looking at Prime and then glancing at Megatron Jazz sighed. He knew that this meeting would not be easy, but last night he had glimpsed joy in Prowl for the first time ever. In all the years that they had been bonded Jazz had never felt joy in his mate. Prowl would give off feelings of happiness, but never joy because the war had taken so much out of all of them.
Jazz knew that it was because Prowl now had everything that he had ever wanted and even a third bond mate that accepted both of them. Little Jazz also played heavily into that joy that radiated from his loving mate and Jazz wanted it to stay with all of them. He decided there and then that he would forgive Megatron because it was the Autobot way and that it would please Prime as well as establish his own way into this new world. It would give his family support and love so that that joy would stay even when times might get rough. Jazz wanted stability after a lifetime of uncertainty and he could have that with his family and his sister's family. He would tolerate Megatron if it meant giving the world to his family.
Jazz stuck out his hand to shake Prime's and Optimus accepted it eagerly. "Prime I accept those terms if it means bringing stability and peace to my family." Jazz stated solemnly. Optimus nodded back as Megatron stepped next to Prime.
"I will not apologize for the war but I hope that we can work together peacefully." Megatron said gruffly. It was as close to an apology as Jazz would get and they both knew it.
"I can accept that, but don't expect any exemptions from pranks." Jazz replied smirking his usual arrogant smile and Megatron smiled back.
"I'll watch my back. It is bad enough with the twins, Skywarp, and Shalon's little tricks now I will have to contend with you." Megatron stated dryly and then laughed.
"Well better that than another war." Jazz quipped back. Both shared an amused moment though not long since feelings were still a little raw. Prowl sighed in relief that the meeting had gone well and Allie hugged Jazz again now that the tension was past.
I posted this in a hurry because I haven't posted in a month and I am going to be down with internet service for about a week. If I can write one more short chapter tonight I will but it may be another month before I can post again. Sorry, I am taking classes, home schooling a son, and doing my husband's bookkeeping right now.
