Decepticon TIC

Part VIII: Nightmare

(A/N: Well, I've been urged to update... So I'm beginning to do so. :) Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and, since the story is done, updates should be faster. Let me know what you think!)

It was subtle... The lightest brush of digits against each other, a small smile directed in one another's direction, a flush of faceplates when they caught each other looking. Little things that wouldn't garner a common mech's attentions... Jazz was no common mech.

Watching his Prime interact with the Decepticon femme, now heavy with sparklings, it was clear that there was attraction between them both. Attraction that both seemed to shy away from and too embarrassed to admit. That was when the silver mech decided to take matters into his own servos.

"Whatup OP?" Jazz grinned as he sat himself down directly next to his leader at a table, close enough to cause the bigger mech slight discomfort at the closeness of his third. Following his leader's gaze, the saboteur grinned when it led him directly to Soundwave, seated a little ways away with Firestar and Moonracer. "Like somethin' ya see? Or is it someone."

Startling at the question, Optimus regained his composure quickly and gave the silver mech seated at his side a serious expression. "I'm afraid I don't understand your question." He responded carefully before taking a drink from his cube, his third's grin widening.

"Awww c'mon boss bot, every bot here knows ya got th' hots for Sounders." Jazz responded in a cheerful tone. "An' she's got it for ya too." He added when his leader took a swig from his cube, an obvious sign he was trying to avoid questions. "So... When're ya gonna tell her?" He asked nonchalantly, feeling triumphant when Optimus jerked in his seat and nearly choked on his energon, something no one had ever seen from the massive Autobot.

Optimus turned a little to face Jazz now, optical ridges furrowed and the corners of his lips downturned. "Jazz. I would appreciate it if you would keep quiet and not announce your findings to the entire rec-room." The red and blue mech stated, the saboteur laughing. "Ain't new news ta any o' them." He responded with a shrug.

The Prime expelled air from his vents in a frustrated gesture, pushing his cube away as he watched Jazz, the saboteur looking much too smug to him. "Attraction is nothing new, Jazz. You're reaction is excessive." He stated in as calm a tone as he could, but locked optics with Soundwave at that moment, causing him to feel heat creep into his cheek plating as he remembered the night they had slept side by side such a short time ago.

Jazz smirked triumphantly and elbowed his leader. "Why donthca jus' tell her? Ask her if she'd wanna get aboard." He stated, a mischievous glint in his visor as he pushed his seat away and stood. "Ya gotta tell her at some point." He added before all but sauntering away from the stunned Prime.

\*/\*/\*/\

Optimus had had this all planned out. Rehersed over and over again, but now that he had Soundwave alone with him in his personal quarters, his voicebox failed and he couldn't find a single thing to say that sounded right.

Watching the Prime shift nervously, Soundwave cocked her helm, spark fluttering in her chassis at the thought that, perhaps, she was to be sent back to the Decepticons. Her fear was mirrored by two other sparks and she quickly smoothed out her feelings to pour reassurance and affection to the maturing sparks until they settled down from their frantic pulsing.

"Soundwave, I..." The femmed looked up when the Prime began to speak, but he fell silent again, shaking his helm and the denta worried at the inside of his lips, slightly amusing the former Decepticon. "Was it something I did?" Soundwave finally asked, hoping the question would spur the Prime into saying whatever it was he wanted to as soon as possible.