Hey everyone! Quite a few people asked me to put up one more chapter, so here it is! I can honestly say I wanted to put up one more chapter already, since this covers an area where Jack is empathetic.

I sort of based his sense of empathy off my own, because I too am very empathetic (which is both a gift and a curse). Anyway, enjoy! Oh! Almost forgot, this happens after season 2 episode 19, 'The Human Factor'.

Everyone looked over as Arcee and Jack pulled into base. The ebony haired teen got off, removing his helmet as his partner shifted out of her alt mode.

Evyerone was surprised when Jack promptly crossed over to Smokescreen, grinning.

"Hey Smokescreen, how you doing today?" He asked, allowing the 'bot to lift him to face level.

The mech returned his grin.

"Doin' great! What about you?"

The teen shrugged.

"I've got lots of homework, but I'm good."

"Home...work?" Smokescreen echoed, head tilting slightly.

Jack blinked, slightly surprised. But he then burst out into laughter, realizing the term 'homework' was forign to the newest 'bot. He rubbed his hand against the warm metal of Smokescreen's palm, a friendly gesture.

"Sorry Smokescreen, forgot you're still learning about Earth. Don't worry about it, it's not something you have to know. So, what're you going to do today?"

The others all exchanged looks. None of them had known that Smokescreen and Jack were not only acquaintances, but friends.

"Eh, thought I'd maybe go for a drive. You game?"

Jack smiled. Not one of the half-hearted one's, or the small fake ones he always gave. It was a full blown smile.

"Sure! Unless..." The teen looked over to Optimus.

"Unless you'll need him for recon or something?"

Optimus slowly shook his head.

"No, so far nothing has arisen that needs immediate attention."

Jack smiled once again, nodding before looking back up at Smokescreen.

"Alright then! Let's go!" He said happily.

Smokescreen nodded, chuckling before setting the teen down on the ground and starting over towards the exit tunnel, shifting into his alt mode as he did.

"See you guys later!" He said quickly before climbing into Smokescreen. They both then took off, leaving the base in a shocked silence.

Bulkhead finally spoke up.

"Well...I wasn't expecting that."

Later, with Jack and Smokescreen

"That was amazing! And that turn you made when we were going 90 mph? Woo!" Jack laughed as he climbed out of Smokescreen. The mech was laughing as well as he shifted, following Jack to go sit at the edge of the mesa.

"Yeah, well, what can I say? I'm awesome like that."

"And modest too." Jack teased, staring up at the 'bot as he let his legs dangle over the edge.

A comfortable silence then came over them, both just enjoying the view from the mesa and the breeze that passed by now and again. It was a rare moment of calm, a treat in the midst of their hectic lives.

"I was worried." Jack suddenly stated.

Smokescreen looked at him in surprise.

"Worried? 'Bout what?"

Jack shrugged, pulling one knee to his chest and crossing his arms on his knee, placing his chin on top.

"About a lot of things, actually. I was scared for you and the others when Soundwave attacked you all with the satalite. Also when Bulkhead seemed to want nothing more than for you to leave."

The teen then chuckled, smiling softly.

"I'm glad everyone's safe and that you and Bulk are getting along. It seems like there have been so many close calls lately. I'm sick of asking myself everyday 'will I ever see them again?'...I'm so tired of being unsure..."

Smokescreen stared down at Jack. The realization was hard, when it struck him. This war now not only effected Cybertronians, but also Miko, Raf, Ms. Darby, Fowler and Jack.

"Hey Smokescreen, you ever heard of empathy?"

Smokescreen shook his head.

"No, I can't say I have."

Jack gave one short, soft laugh. He lifted his head to look at the sky, which was being painted with red, orange and golden hues.

"Empathy is when someone can recognize anothers feelings, and sometimes, even experience the feelings themself. I'm very empathetic myself, truthfully."

Jack paused for a moment, and Smokescreen could see the raven males eyes reflect an emotion of sadness and pain.

"So when I'm around people, even Cybertronians, I...I can just feel their emotions, even if they're hiding them..."

Jack licked his lips, throat suddenly feeling dry. He glanced up quickly at Smokescreen, before looking away again.

"And I...I start to experience the emotions like they're...like they're my own."

Smokescreen's optics, which had strayed away for a moment, immediately snapped back to Jack.

He could feel anothers emotions? No wonder he'd so easily seen the 'bots anger the other day.

"It's hard to feel Miko and Raf's fear...When Bulkhead was nearly offlined, I couldn't be anywhere close to...well...anyone. I had to stay away from base for a few days."

"Can't you just, I dunno, block the emotions out?" Smokescreen asked, brow furrowing. Jack gave a humorless laugh.

"I wish. I nearly threw-up my lunch when I got close to Miko."

Smokescreen grimaced. He'd had the 'pleasure' of seeing a little kid vomit a few days before when he was going for a drive.

Then the 'bot came to a realization and looked down at Jack almost increduosly.

"Wait, so when Bulk was all mad at me, you...?"

"Yeah, I felt hate...no, hate isn't the right word. I felt distrust. It was awful. Think about it, I trust you, but at the time, I also felt distrust because of Bulk. So I'm glad you both get along now."

Jack offered the mech a bright smile.

"Now no one is worried, not really, at least. So I'll be fine until the next time one of you guys goes on a mission. C'mon, don't make that face Smokey."

The 'bot blinked, surprised, then frowned.

"Aw c'mon! It took me forever just to lose that nickname back on Cybertron, now you?"

Jack laughed, patting Smokescreen's arm plating.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure not to call you that in front of the others, if it embarasses you that much."

Smokescreen shook his head, chuckling.

"Nah, it's alright. Anyway, I'm sorry you have to go through that all the time, feeling other's emotions. It must be hard...Do the others know?"

Jack looked down, then slowly shook his head.

"No...Only my mom knows and I've asked her to not say anything about it."

Another silence fell over the two of them. Jack pulled up his other knee and leaned into them, lower face hidden by his arms as he stared out at the ground bellow.

Smokescreen watched him quietly. This human...He was so different. He suffered when anyone else around him would suffer, yet he remained strong, and kept the others unknowing of the position he was always in.

Jack yelped when he was suddenly lifted in a gentle, metal hand.

He was surprised to find himself being held close to Smokescreen's chasis in a careful embrace.

"I'm proud to call you my friend, Jack...Just thought you should know."

The raven teen smiled slightly, pressing a warm hand to the mech's chasis.

"Thanks. That means a lot."

And there you have it! I need your guys' opinions. Should I write a seperate one-shot where Jack reveals his highly sensitive empathy to the others? Anyway, hope you enjoyed ^_^