Ok, I have a TON of little plot bunnies running around here. So I decided to feed a few of these plot bunnies and see what becomes of them. Most are just simply one shot stories that I couldn't stretch into a longer story or they just didn't fit into other stories I have. So please, enjoy! And thanks for reading!

Reviews, comments, concerns, shoot...even ideas, are always welcome! :)

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Warning!! Contains some slash! Don't like slash or yaoi, please don't read. You've been warned! Thanks!

This little plot bunny followed me home from the TF_Bunny_Farm over on Live Journal.

Jazz/Prowl/Surprise

Also a touch angsty.....

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"Vorn" = about a year, "Decacycle" = about 1 week, "Cycle" = about 1 day, "Orn" = about an hour, "Breem" = about a minute

"Hi."- normal talk

Hi - unspoken thoughts.

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SideLine

He had worked with Prowl for a long, long time. Maybe that's what made him think he knew Prowl better than most. Made him think he understood how the logic based bot functioned. Looking back over all the time they'd known one another, he couldn't think of a time when he didn't like Prowl. Not as anything more than a dependable colleague of course....at first... But many bots will tell how they seriously disliked the SIC when they first met him. He was too strict, too rigid, too uptight , too formal for many mechs to warm up to. And a lot of times, Prowl was all those things. But none of that had ever bothered him, he liked Prowl, just as he was.

They worked together often enough and yet, he found himself making excuses to seek Prowl out. To have him look something over or enquire Prowls opinion on an issue. A touch selfish on his part as he knew Prowl was a busy mech but he rarely indulged in selfishness, and as Prowl was often over looked by just about every other mech, then perhaps his interruptions were not really that intrusive to Prowl...maybe they were even a little welcomed.

Prowl was an attractive mech. He had a grace all his own. One needed only to watch him to see it in how he moved. The way he walked, the nod of his head, the subtle hand gestures his used when he was explaining tactical strategies, the way he'd bring up his hand and rest his chin on it or absently stroke a thumb over his bottom lip when he was in deep concentration, and his doorwings.....well, who couldn't appreciate those. He could admit he had fantasized about gently trapping one of those doorwings in his hands, soothing the captured panel with caresses and kisses before pulling Prowl into the waiting circle of his arms.... But that was just one of many late night pre-recharge fantasies. Something to be quietly indulged in, by himself, then safety tucked away in his processor.

He had heard the whispers. There were several versions of the rumor flying around but all versions contained one constant....after all this time, Prowl had acquired a lover. But he didn't know who. He wasn't devastated, just simply hurt. No ones fault but his own, and truly he shouldn't have been as surprised as he was. He found Prowl attractive and captivating, why wouldn't another mech? Somebot was bound to see what he saw and, unlike him, this mech made a move. He didn't want to site cowardice as the reason he hadn't approached Prowl. He wanted to site reasons like; they worked together too much or their ranks or job duties would get in the way. Really he'd been scared of Prowls flat out rejection. Because once Prowl knew the truth there was no taking it back. And most of all, he didn't want to ruin or lose a friendship he truly valued.

Prowl, being Prowl, had not breathed a word of his affair to anyone and his lover seemed to be following the same rule. Apparently, they were found out when Prowls lover had been sighted leaving Prowls quarters....far too early in the morning to be work related. He couldn't sound too interested in the rumors, so it ended up taking him all of two cycles to find out who Prowls lover was. He wasn't sure what to think when he did. He had nothing against the mech, he was a good bot. But he couldn't help but wonder if Prowl was simply lonely. Simply taking up an offer because an offer had been made. Prowl had been without any mates or lovers for many, many vorns now. The war and work had become his life, this new lover was most likely just an enjoyable break from it all.

It probably wouldn't last much longer now. Prowl, being the work obsessed mech he was, was bound to tire of the affair or drive the mech off with his work obsessed ways. And when Prowls current fling did come to an end, perhaps he would make his feelings known. Maybe it was time to bear his spark to Prowl and offer something more realistic, more permanent.

Cycles turned into decacycles and Prowl was still with his lover. They no longer hid it. That is to say Prowl would openly walk beside his lover and sit by his lover in the rec room....like they were now. Sitting across from one another, playing a game. During which, from time to time, Prowl would give his lover a soft subtle smile. One you'd miss if you didn't know to look for it. Before Prowls lover came along, he had been solely privy to those smiles, not that Prowl didn't still smile at him. It just didn't feel the same...or maybe he just didn't like sharing Prowl.

He watched them and felt a pang in his chest...or was that jealously? Jealous that tonight when he returned to his quarters he'd lay down on a cold berth, alone. Whereas Prowls lover got to warm Prowls berth, two passion warmed bodies that would lay together in comfortable entanglement. He'd be left to his fantasies, fantasies he knew could never compare to the reality of actually having Prowl. Prowls lover, on the other hand, could touch, stroke, caress, and kiss Prowl as he wished, no fantasies necessary.

He silently watched them, never letting on that he did so, from the doorway of the room as one prepared for a mission. Prowls lover nodding at Prowls many soft spoken warnings (if Prowl had spoken any softer he wouldn't have been able to hear a word of it from the doorway). Prowl wanted him to be safe, to pay attention to plans especially the resent details he had marked down, and if all pit broke loose he was to get out of there as quickly as possible, but most importantly, he was to come back alive. The mech simply grinned into Prowls stern face (so few would dare!) pulled the tactician into a hug then a short intense kiss before telling Prowl everything will be just fine and made his exit. He waited a few breems by the door frame before entering the room.

Prowl worked at the monitors, look over various scans of many areas. No doubt burying himself in work so worry had no chance to settle in his processor. Prowl paused for a moment as he entered the control room, his foot steps were no doubt familiar, so Prowl continued on working. As he checked over reports and signed off on this and that, he eventually made his way to stand by Prowl.

"Is everything in order?" he asked.

Prowl nodded, "Yes and if all goes according to plan they will be returning in 5 orns."

He sighed and nodded, "Good……good."

Prowl looked over at him, "Is everything alright?"

He paused for a moment before slowly starting, "Tell me. How does it feel-" he was looked down, mindlessly running finger tips over a monitors screen. He couldn't look at Prowl just yet, he knew his optics held emotions he didn't want Prowl to see, "-to be offered comfort? Not just being the protector but being the protector......and being assured that everything will turn out fine?"

Prowl stared at him for a few moments.

He risked a quick glance at Prowl, "I'm sorry. I overheard you and...and....and before he left he told you everything will be just fine. I don't get to hear that, it is more my place to say it and try to assure it. Its good you have someone to say it to you."

Prowl regarded him of a moment before speaking, "Optimus, do you disapprove of my relationship with Jazz?"

Yes. "No, Prowl. Not at all. If you want to be with Jazz, I see no wrong in it. I think you should do what makes you happy."

Prowl gave Optimus one of those rare smiles before turning back to his work. Optimus lingered, watching over him.

That way, Prowl, at least one of us will be.