Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ It�s Now or Never ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me. This has TF Slash.

Summery: (2007 Movie verse) After thousands or more Earth years, Jazz's bond mate had been missing, and many thought dead. It wasn't until after the battle of the All Spark, when Jazz's bond mate was found.

Parings: Prowl/BarricadeXJazz

“blah” - Normal human speak
“blah” - Cybertronian speak
blah - thinking

It's Now or Never
By Pharaoh-Yami

Chapter 4

Soon they arrived at the base. Ironhide reported in to Optimus to let him know Perceptor was there. `Good Ironhide, I'll meet you in the command room.'

`Alright, Ironhide out.' They pulled in and transformed, going straight to the command room.

Optimus wasn't the only one there; Ratchet and Wheeljack were there as well. "Grampa!" Wheeljack was almost knocked over.

"G-Gadget...!" Wheeljack said in surprise "When did you get here?" Ratchet was just smiling at this.

"...I came with Percie," she smiled. "Oh, I missed you the most," she almost whimpered. Wheeljack had found her abandoned when she was just a sparkling and had raised her ever since. Wheeljack smiled. Gadget smiled back before letting go. She turned to Ratchet and gave him a more respectable hug. "Of course I knew you'd be here, Teacher."

Ratchet smiled again. "Of course, someone has got to put Jack back together every time he blows up."

Gadget laughed. "He doesn't do it that often," she smiled. She looked at Optimus and bowed her head respectively. "Sir...it's good to serve under you again."

"It's nice to see you again Gadget." Optimus said. She lifted her head and smiled. She suppressed the urge to hug him and respectively held out her hand. Optimus smiled. "It's okay Gadget." he said.

"Oh..." she smiled, hugging him anyway. "It's just so good to see everyone."

Perceptor smiled. "It's great to see everyone," he agreed. He turned to Ratchet. "Ironhide has informed me that there is a virus in need of my decoding skills?"

"Oh, yes." said Ratchet.

Gadget looked up at Optimus, having since let go. "Is...Is Prowl okay...?" she asked worriedly.

"He's holding in there. Jazz is with him."

"That's good. He at least has his bonded to help ease some of the suffering," Perceptor smiled a bit.

"You can go see him if you want." Ratchet said "I think Bumblebee is already there."

Gadget nodded. "We should all go. Perceptor can start work on helping him." Optimus nods in agreement.

Ratchet agreed. "Then let's go. He needs some old friends and our medical know how," said Wheeljack. So, the four of them headed to Medical Bay.

- - -

When the four of them went into the Medical Bay, Jazz was trying to help Prowl drink some energon. Bumblebee saw Perceptor and Gadget. "Gadget!" he cried, running over to her.

"Hey, Bee!" They shared an enthusiastic hug. "Oh Primus it's so good to see you!" she smiled.

"You too."

"You've grown a little bit since I last saw you," she smiled, patting him on the head. He blushed in embarrassment.

"G-Gadget...n-not in front of the guys..." She gave him a mischievous wink and smirk and stopped. She was like a big sister to him growing up. She looked over were Jazz was still helping Prowl.

"Jazz man," she smiled. "How's the Cop doing?" she asked a bit more seriously. She sighed to see his weakened state and Decepticon armor he was too weak to change out of. She looked down sadly when she saw the Decepticon symbol and "to punish and enslave" etched on him.

"Oh, hey Gadget." Jazz said as he looked up at her.

"Hey..." she said solemnly. She came over and sat next to them. "...Prowl...Old friend?" she asked, concerned. She was worried for the tactician she loved as an older brother.

Very weak red optics slowly looked towards her. "...G-Gadget...?"

She smiled solemnly and took his hand into hers. "Yeah...it's me. You look worse than an outdated data pad of complex formulas."

"...S-Sorry..."

"I was expecting a laugh, you silly cop..." she smiled. Tears started to fall from her optics as she gently rested her head against him. "Oh Prowl...how could they do this to you...?" She carefully hugged him, her tears mixing with his leaking energon.

"..."

Jazz put an arm around her. "Hey Lil Red, it's gonna be cool. He'll get better now with Perceptor here."

She nodded weakly and slowly let go. "S...sorry Prowl..." she choked, slowly sitting up. Perceptor came over and looked at Jazz.

"Can you lie him back down? I'd like to start scanning and getting the code off the virus."

"Yeah sure." said Jazz.

Gadget helped him and they carefully helped Prowl lie down on the berth. "Hello Prowl," Perceptor smiled solemnly. "I'm going to do everything that I can possibly do to make that virus go away. You can bet my spark that I won't stop until I find a way." Prowl weakly stare up at him. "I'm sorry we had to meet each other like this. I'm sorry for what they did to you," he sighed, taking Prowl's hand.

"...-cough-..."

Perceptor sighed before letting go. "The sooner I start the sooner this will be over for everyone..."

"Yeah..." said Jazz, as he went to calm Prowl who was still coughing. Perceptor, with Ratchet's help carefully started his scans. Gadget helped Jazz get Prowl calm by aiding his breathing as Jazz used another cleaning cloth. "Easy baby."

Gadget slowly and gently helped him keep his head titled back. "Just take slow easy, intakes..." Weak red optics closed a bit in pain. "I'm sorry, Prowl..." Gadget sighed.

After a bit, Perceptor soon finished his scans. He sighed heavily. "Now the real work begins. This is a very rare code. I just hope I can decode it quickly enough."

"You can do it Perceptor." said Wheeljack.

"I know you can, you're smart, Percie," smiled Gadget.

"Yeah Perceptor, dude," said Jazz "if anyone can help Prowler it's you."

"Thank you all for your encouragement. I shall try. Could you show me to our new quarters?"

"Yeah, come on." Bumblebee said with a smile.

"It's good to see you doing well, Bee," Perceptor smiled as said youngling led him to his new room. Bumblebee just smiled again.

Prowl finally calmed down again. "Everything is going to be okay Prowler." Jazz said with a smile "Preceptor will whip up an anti-virus in no time.” Prowl weakly smiled back at him.

"My Percie can decode anything. You're going to get cured, I promise," Gadget whimpered as she hugged him.

"...T-Thanks...G-Gadget..."

"No problem, Prowl. I'm just glad you're alive...but..." She sighed heavily. "I wish you weren't like this..." She fiercely wiped at her optics. "Look at me...I'm so weak... Crying like a sparkling..."

"...N-No...I-I'm the one...t-that's weak..."

"What? Why say such a thing?" Gadget questioned.

"...C-Cause it's the truth...L-Look at me...A-At what I...h-have become..."

"You...You're just sick. Those creeps took advantage of you. What do you mean weak? Weak because you couldn't stop what happened? Stop being a psycho-bot! Get a grip!" Weak red optics looked at her in shock and surprise. She sighed heavily. "Prowl...you cannot blame yourself. You are being honorable in taking responsibility and being sorry for what you did... But it wasn't your fault. You couldn't fight back. You had no control over who you were as Barricade. Everything's going to be alright. Just let it go."

"She's right baby." Jazz said gently. He looked at them both for a moment, and then started to cry. "Prowler..."

"...I...I'm sorry...f-for all of it...I...I can't erase...the faces...of those innocent...innocent younglings...I can't forget..."

"Prowler, ya don't have to keep saying sorry. We know."

Gadget swallowed a sob and tried to keep calm. "Prowl...it will take time...but... You will heal. The memories will fade, you'll move on... You'll heal from it. You just need to forgive yourself...." she smiled, hugging him again.

She lay down on the other side of him, still hugging him. Jazz sighed. "Lil' Red speaks the truth, baby."

"...B-But..."

"...Would you have done the things you did on your own? Would the Prowl we know, kill innocents just because they were on the opposing side?" Gadget asked.

"..."

"Don't tell me ya hafta think on that one..." sighed Jazz.

"...N-No..."

"That's what I thought."

"See? It's not your fault. You couldn't stop yourself. Please...just let it go... Forgive yourself...We all know you're sorry, okay?" Prowl cuddled into Jazz.

He smiled and decided to lie down next to him. Gadget smiled. Prowl cuddled into Jazz again, resting his head against him. "Yer surrounded by bots that love you. Don't think badly of yourself."

Prowl nods weakly. "...J-Jazz..."

"I second that," smiled Gadget, slowly sitting up. "You're Prowl, the great Autobot tactician. You're better than those Decepti-creeps!" she smiled. Prowl smiled weakly. "That's better," Gadget chuckled. "That's the Prowl I know."

- - -

Meanwhile, Bumblebee had long since left Perceptor's new lab. He sighed heavily looking at a mess of data pads and computer screens. He had a few surface tidbits of the virus code solved, but progressed seemed slow and difficult. But he was determined to find a cure. He rested his head on the desk, thinking through everything he knew. "That's it!" he smiled, finally figuring out the next stream to the code. He input the data and took a deep breath. "Now...if I could only do this at half the pace, then Prowl might have a chance. Those idiots... I hope they stay hidden... If I find them... They will be face to face with my laser fire..." He sighed and worked on trying to figure out the next parts.

- - -

Meanwhile, at the Decepticon base, Starscream had long forgotten about "Barricade". He hadn't even wondered why he suddenly disappeared after Megatron died. The others were still worried. It had been a week now and he still hadn't come back. Some of his close friends worried the most. "We should find Barricade," one spoke.

"Yes, but what about LORD Starscream?" he asked, annoyed at the traitor's leadership.

"We report to him, but we go anyway."

"Yeah..." sneered the other one.

"He won't even know." spoke another. The two friends of Barricade secretly left the base and went in search of him.

- - -

Meanwhile back at the Autobot base, Jazz was helping Prowl drink some energon. "That's it Prowler, baby." Jazz said gently.

“I-I'll...feel...better...once...th-this...virus...is gone...” he sighed between sips.

"I know, Perceptor is working on it.”

"Hey, Prowl," smiled Gadget as she came in. She held a syringe of blue liquid in her hand.

What ya got Gadget?" Jazz asked.

"Percie is still working hard, okay Prowl? This isn't much but..." She came over to him. "With my help, he was able to create a serum that will at least knock out some of the symptoms. This will take some of the discomfort away," she smiled.

"...R-Really...?"

"Really," she smiled. She waited for him to finish drinking before carefully injecting the syringe in his neck. "It should at least stop your leaking energon and some of the pain. I believe it's what the humans call medicine." Jazz smiled. Gadget smiled back to see Prowl breathing a lot easier. "That should last eight earth hours. I'll give you more each cycle until Percie gets done."

"..T-Thank you..." Prowl smiled weakly.

"You're welcome. It's the least I could do for you," she sighed solemnly "It hurts to see my 'big brother' in such pain." Prowl weakly sat up. Gadget smiled at him. "Makes you feel better huh?"

"...Y-Yeah..." She smiled. She looked sadly at his Barricade form. Then, she got an idea.

"You feel strong enough to wash up in the rack?"

Prowl looked confused. "A good wash to get rid of that energon ya been leaking baby." Jazz said as he smiled as well.

"Well, I was also thinking about getting that paint job off. We can at least try that since you're too weak to scan something else."

"What ya think Prowler?"

"...A...w-warm...wash....sounds great..."

Jazz smiled. "Come on baby. Let's get ya to the wash racks then."

Gadget smiled, "I'll go get the paint remover from the medical supply room and mix it up special."

"We'll meet ya there Gadget." Jazz said with his own smile as he helped Prowl off the berth. Prowl had a weak smile on his face, liking how good the "medicine" made him feel. "Wanna try and walk some Prowler?"

"...A-A little..." he said, trying to walk on his own.

Jazz smiled as he helped, guiding him towards the wash racks. They passed other Autobots on the way. They smiled, glad Prowl was doing better. There was a select few that still weren't sure.

"He still looks like a 'Con." some whispered.

"But...Prime said..." others whispered.

"...J-Jazz... ...I-I'm not sure...I-I want...t-to do this...a-anymore..."

"Don't you listen to them... It's okay... For some, it will take time. Once you're better and you can scan something and change your symbol, they'll stop."

"...A-Are you sure...?"

"Don't worry, baby... Everything is going to be okay..." Jazz nuzzled against him, sending calming pulses to his spark. This seemed to calm Prowl down as they finally arrived at the wash racks. Gadget caught up to them, holding a big wash cloth and a spray bottle of liquid. "Got it Gadget?" Jazz asked.

"Yep," she smiled. "I mixed it up as a normal, but I added twice as much water to make it less harsh. It might be too much for his weak body at normal strength."

"Then let's get started." Gadget set her things down and turned on the water flow. She checked the temperature, knowing how sensitive Prowl was with his water. Jazz smiled as he helped keep Prowl standing. Once, warm enough, she motioned for Jazz to bring him under the water. "Okay, come on baby." Prowl tensed a bit at the sudden feel of water, but immediately relaxed as the warm water trickled down his frame. Gadget watched sadly as a pool of blue gathered at his feet as it went down the drain. Jazz watched as well, ready if Prowl needed him. His optics closed.

"Enjoying this aren't you?" smiled Gadget.

"It's been awhile with that nasty virus." said Jazz.

"You never even gave him a bath?" Gadget asked, surprised.

"It always bothered him when we tried."

"How come?" she asked, allowing for either one to answer.

"...I-It just...did..." Prowl answered softly and weakly.

"Hmmm, maybe it was the weakness of your protoform," she said.

"...M-Maybe..."

"No, I'd say definitely. Protoforms are delicate as it is, but with a virus making it weaker? Yeah." She turned to Jazz. "Why don't you start washing him? I'll try getting rid of this paint job." She picked up the spray bottle and wash cloth she had brought.

"Sure thing Gadget." said Jazz. She carefully stretched out his arm and sprayed the bottle on the car armor parts.

"You let me know if it starts to sting Prowl. It shouldn't."

"...O-Okay..." She smiled and started carefully scrubbing the paint off. It was slowly coming off. Prowl started to quiver a bit.

"What's wrong?"

"Prowler, ya okay?"

"...J-Jazz....t-that tickles there..." Gadget giggled.

"Oops, I forgot your wings are sensitive." Gadget smiled, slowly moving down his frame, leaving pure metal toned car armor in her wake.

"I'm sure this keep the others from still calling ya a 'Con, baby."

"...I-I...h-hope...so..."

"WHAT? What do you mean, 'others calling him a con'?" she asked in a dangerous tone.

"On our way here some of the other bots were calling Prowler a 'Con.” She squeezed the washcloth in her hand, dripping the paint remover onto her arm.

"How long has this been going on?" she growled.

"Not sure." said Jazz "I think Prime tried to explain it to them but I think some still didn't get the message."

"Who is it? I'll make sure they get the message," she growled. She became aware of some red tint to the water and a dripping sensation down her arm. "Slag it!" she yelled, throwing the washcloth down.

"Gadget, calm down."

She took a few intakes. "It just...just pissed me off is all..." she sighed.

"I know how ya feel." She nodded and took a deep breath.

"No one's tried to hurt you have they?"

"...N-No..."

"Good," she said, rinsing off her arm before picking up the wash cloth again. She wrung it out down the drain before going back to getting the paint off Prowl.

"Knowing the twins, they could try." said Jazz.

"Those two lambos better not or I'll give them a paint job and a beating they'll never forget." Jazz laughed. Gadget just smirked. "You know I would."

"Ratch would too. He'd do a worse job than you."

"Yep," she nodded. Prowl just weakly smiled. "Yikes Prowl, those teeth are scary," Gadget said sadly "Don't worry though. Ratchet and I will help you look more like you once you're strong enough."

Prowl looked down at the floor sadly. "...S-Sorry..."

"Don't be... I shouldn't have said anything..." she replied, looking down at the tinted water as well.

- - -

Soon, Prowl was done and Gadget and Jazz helped walk him over to the drying racks, making sure to grab some towels instead. "Okay baby, let's dry ya off." Gadget and Jazz took one towel each, gently rubbing off all the water.

"I bet you feel better now, huh?" Gadget smiled, discarding the dirty towel. Prowl nods weakly. Both mech and femme smiled at him. "Let's get you back to bed then," suggested Gadget. "You need rest."

- - -

Once back in Medical Bay, both helped Prowl lie down on the berth. "You get some sleep now. I'll get another dose of medicine ready for Jazz to give you later. Be right back okay?"

"...O-Okay..." Gadget smiled and left Medical Bay. Jazz smiled and sat next to Prowl on the berth. Little did they know, two Decepticons were headed their way.

"You sure he's in Medical Bay?"

"Yeah, that's where his signal is coming from. Don't know why the Auto-scum would help him."

"Unless they have Barricade captured."

"...Maybe... Be prepared to fight, but don't go in guns blazing. We need to be quiet about it."

"Yes we must rescue Barricade from the Autobots."

They turned the corner and went in quietly. They flashed their weapons, but sighed in relief to find Jazz fast asleep next to “Barricade”.

"Hey, they got rid of Barricade's paint job."

"Wonder why that is?" the other asked.

"We can ask later. Let's get him away from these Autobots."

"That puny scum next to him...what a lousy guard." The two started to near the berth.

"Okay, no sudden moves."

"Right," said the other as each carefully took an arm to lift him off the berth.

Prowl slowly awoke. "...H-Huh...?"

"Hey, Barricade. We're getting you out of here," said the first one.

Prowl looked shocked, trying to fight off their grip on him. "...L-Let go...o-of me... ...J-Jazz...!”

"What's up with you? Don't be crazy. These stupid Autobots have you captured. We're bringing you back to base," the second said. Both tightened their hold and pulled him into a sitting position.

"...I-I said...l-let go...!"

"We're already too late. Those stupid 'Scums have already brainwashed you," said the second "You've GOT to come with us now." Jazz slowly stirred, noticing the berth felt different.

"..I-I'm n-not going...! ...Y-You Decepticons get...o-off me..!"

"He's gone crazy, we have to get him back quickly," said the first as the two finally pulled him off the berth into a standing position.

"..Wha?" Jazz spoke sleepily.

"...J-Jazz...! ...H-Help me...!"

"PROWLER!" Gadget came into the room, the medicine in her hand.

"Okay Prowl..." she started, her smile quickly turning into a look of anger. "You slaggers get off of him!" Jazz jumped off the berth, taking out his weapon.

"C'mon! Pedal to the metal!" the first said. They quickly pulled him away, his weak body unable to struggle against them.

"We'll get you some nice help and your paint job back, Barricade," said the second.

"Leave him alone you 'Cons!" Jazz said. Gadget set the medicine down and fired at both Decepticons' legs.

"Ow! We got to get Barricade out of here!"

"What in the Slag is going on in my-...! HEY! You let my patient go!" cried Ratchet.

"Ratch! The 'Cons got Prowler!"

"Slag!" cried the first as Gadget shot at their legs again. Ratchet fired too.

"They're too many! Let's go!" cried the second. They dropped Prowl with a clang and scrambled out.

Jazz raced towards his mate. "Prowler! You okay baby?" he asked as he gently help him up.

"...N-no...-cough cough- D-don't...want to...go back..."

"Where do you hurt?" Gadget asked rushing over.

"And don't come back!" Ratchet shouted after the Decepticons.

"Yer not going back Prowler. We'll make sure of it." Gadget borrowed some things from a nearby tray and worked on Prowl's injuries from the two dropping him.

"Everyone alright?" Ratchet asked coming over.

"I think so." said Jazz as he looked over at Gadget fixing up Prowl.

"There, you're alright now." Prowl started to cry, scared out of his logic processors.

Jazz gently took Prowl into his arms. "Easy Prowler, it's okay now."

"...Th-they...th-they came back...for me... I-I don't WANT to go back!"

"You won't." Jazz said gently "It's going to be okay, baby." He took slow, deep intakes as Jazz took him over to the bed and laid him down. Gadget sighed in relief as she came over.

"You gonna be alright?" she asked him.

"...I-I don't...w-want to go back..."

"You won't. They're going to be in a lot of trouble when Starscream finds out. Besides, they won't be trying the same thing again.”

"I'm locking Medical Bay at night from now on," growled Ratchet “If anybody wants to come in, they'll have to talk to me."

"See Prowler, everything is going to be alright now." Jazz said with a smile.

"Gadget, I'm leaving you in charge for awhile. I'm going to tell Prime about the new security issue."

"Yes teacher," she nodded. With that Ratchet heads off to do just that. Gadget came and sat next to Prowl. She did a quick scan and nodded an okay. "You're alright now. I've got more medicine on the table there for later." She took his hand into hers. "Don't worry about anything. You just focus on getting better. I want my big brother tactician back," she smiled.

"That was some kickin' shooting Lil' Red."

"Thanks," she smiled.

Prowl smiled a bit, breathing a little more at ease. "Th-thank you...b-both of you... I-I'm...o-one lucky...bot..."

"Well of course you are Prowler." Jazz said with a smile.

"Can't forget-..."

"Prowl! Are you alright?"

"...Bumblebee..." Gadget smiled as said bot burst into the room.

"He's okay Bee," said Jazz.

"He was just about to get some sleep," Gadget said in a serious tone, smirking.

"Oh. I just wanted make sure he was okay." Gadget smiled at him.

"It's alright Bee. You can talk for a little bit." Bumblebee smiled as he headed over. Gadget smiled at him.

"Hey Prowl..." Bumblebee said.

"...B-Bee..." Prowl weakly smiled at him.

"You feeling better?"

"...A-A bit..."

"That's good," Bumblebee smiled. Jazz smiled too.

"Prowl...I'll help stand guard. I won't let them try to take you again," Bumblebee said seriously.

"...Y-You will...d-do that...?"

He nodded and took one of Prowl's hands into both of his. "I've always looked up to you. Of course I will."

"Now Bee..." warned Gadget "Don't get ahead of yourself. You can help, but I don't want you to put yourself in harms way either."

"She's right." said Jazz.

Bumblebee sighed. "You always did patronize me..."

Gadget laughed. "Because we care, Bumblebee. We wouldn't want Prowl to have anymore company. Besides, he doesn't want you to get hurt either." Bumblebee sighed, looking towards Prowl again.

"...D-don't...look at...me...like that...you know...w-we're right... We're just...looking out...for you..." Bumblebee sighed, knowing he couldn't win against the three older bots.

"Prowl needs his rest now Bee." said Gadget.

"Okay... Get better Prowl. It's good to have you back." Prowl weakly smiled at him again. Bumblebee smiled back. "Goodnight," he said as he left Medical Bay. He waved to Ratchet and Optimus coming in. The two smiled as he passed.

"So, I've accepted Ratchet's security terms. Gadget, you are to help install a special comm. link device so wounded Autobots can get help when they need it."

Gadget nodded. "Alright Prowl, time for YOU to get some sleep and Ratchet and I will make sure what happened tonight doesn't happen anymore."

"...O-Okay..." Gadget smiled and went over to talk with Optimus and Ratchet. Prowl watched sleepily.

"Go ahead, baby. You need rest so you can get better." Jazz smiled as he watched Prowl slowly going back into recharge. Prowl finally lost his battle with sleep and fell into recharge as Optimus left Medical Bay. Ratchet and Gadget worked on getting the comm. link system given to them installed in Ratchet's office. They tried to work quietly before going out of Medical Bay to finish connecting the system. Jazz tried to stay awake as well. His visor slowly dimmed as he watched Prowl sleep.

"Maybe I'll just...chill out next to him for a nano-sec." Jazz tried to fight it. Ratchet and Gadget soon finished and came back. Gadget laughed a bit to find Jazz fast asleep, cuddled up next to Prowl.

"I guess the both of them needed rest." Ratchet said with his own smile.

"Yep," Gadget agreed. "I'm going to go check on my bonded and see if he's gone to bed yet. See you tomorrow," Gadget smiled.

Ratchet laughed a bit. "Knowing Perceptor he's probably slaving away in that lab." he said.

"At least it's not one of his silly projects," she smiled "Goodnight."

"Goodnight.” She left Medical Bay locking the door behind her and switching the comm. link system on. Ratchet watched her leave for a bit before going back to bed.

- - -

Perceptor slowly awoke. He smiled at Gadget lying next to him. "I'm sorry Gadget..." he whispered to her "I just can't sleep until I finish that anti-virus for our friend, Prowl. I know you'll understand.”

"...Percie..." she smiled in her sleep. He just smiled and kissed her on her face plate before getting up and going back to the lab.

He quietly roamed the halls and locked his lab door behind him. He went over to the computers and data pads, getting straight to work. He sat there, inputting different codes and rearranging numbers. "Almost there. I just need a few more lines of the code," he said somewhat proudly.

- - -

Meanwhile, in Medical Bay, a certain bot was not sleeping well at all. More memories of the past were showing up in his dreams. Weak optics opened to bright lights and muffled voices."Are you sure you can do this Shockwave?”

"With Hook's help I can, mighty Megatron.I can lock the virus away but I'll need Hook's help for the rest."Megatron? So...that's who took him away from Jazz.

"Do what ever you can.I want the Autobot to work for us."

"Hook is a skilled craftsmech.I don't doubt his abilities."

"Let's hope I don't either..."Megatron left the room, Hook coming in after him.

"I'll get things ready, Shockwave. You suppress that virus."

"Don't boss me around.You do your job and I'll do mine.Keep his processors in tact.Megatron wants his mind calculating plans for our side."

"No problem."Prowl's weak optics widened.Not only was he captured by the Decepticons, but they were going to REFORMAT him?His spark started to callout to his mate, hoping Jazz would find him in time.

"...N-no...-cough-I...I don't...want to...w-work for...-cough-Y-You can't...J-Jazz...!"

"You don't have a choice," growled Shockwave.Hook laughed.

"No one will hear you scream except us," he smirked.His optics widened in fear.His spark called out more readily to Jazz.Shockwave made quick work of strapping him down and jamming in the upload cord to suppress the virus.Hook smirked as he prepared everythinghe needed and brought it over.

"Fine, he's all yours.Remember to leave his processor intact.Megatron wants his logic unharmed.

"I will.Just your normal reformatting."

"You better," Shockwave replied as he left the room.

"Now for the fun," smirked Hook.Prowl started to struggle against the restraints.

"...N-no...please...d-don't...” Prowl's cries slowly awoke Jazz.

"Prowler?"

Hook began his work, adding to the torture by not off lining Prowl first.He took him apart piece by piece, replacing plating and a few circuits.Prowl's cries of pain and fear were music to his ears.Prowl's spark keptcalling out for Jazz."STOP! Please stop! I-I...d-don't want to...Ahhh!! W-work...for...you...!" This fully awakes Jazz and started to get him to worry.

"Prowl? Yo Prowler!" he said, gently shaking the bot. Prowl just continued to cry out in his sleep. Hook laughed as more plating was removed and replaced.

"N-No...! Jazz!"

"Prowler! Wake up baby!" Prowl clawed and fought in his sleep. "Come on baby." Jazz called out to him worriedly "Wake up, Prowler." Optics shot open as Prowl gasped weakly. He noticed Jazz and grasped onto him tightly, a clawed hand digging into his arm. Jazz winced but let Prowl hold on for dear life. "Easy baby... it was just a bad dream..." Prowl shook his head weakly.

"N-no...it...it wasn't... I-it was...a m-memory..." he shuddered, gripping Jazz a bit tightly for a moment.

"Memory...?" Jazz asked curious and worried.

"...I-it was... I was...r-remembering... H-How I... H-how I became..." Prowl shuddered in fear, tears slowly starting to form.

Jazz figured out what he was going to say. "...Oh Prowl..." He moved out of the tight embrace and lay back down on top of his chest where his spark was. He hugged him tightly. "It's going to be alright, baby." Prowl was still crying. "It's okay baby. It's over," he spoke gently.

"...But..."

"Just go back to sleep, Prowler. I'm right here."

"...I-I can't..."

"That was a long time ago. Everything's alright now, baby. Jazz used his spark to try and calm Prowl down and get him to go back to sleep. “It's over and your safe now, Prowler. You aren't going back and no one will hurt you anymore,” he spoke softly. Prowl slowly closed his optics but couldn't fall back asleep. He started to cough again. Jazz did a quick scan and found Prowl's symptoms coming back. He tried to get up but Prowl wouldn't let him. Jazz sighed knowing he couldn't leave him. “Jazz to Gadget. Can you read me?”

`H-Huh? What time is it?' a sleepy voice came over the comm. link.

“It's nine A. M. Earth time. I need help with Prowl.”

- - -

“Oh…” Gadget yawned. “I'll be right there with some more medicine.” With that she terminated the comm. link and got out of bed. “Percie?” she asked as she noticed he was no longer in the berth. “Perceptor?” she asked more loudly. “Perceptor!” she yelled as she walked out of the room. She yelled his name in worry as she rushed down the hall. She ran to his lab and pounded on the door. “If you're in there, so help me! I'll blast you into a pile of scrap metal!” Inside, Perceptor jumped and recognized the rage in his mate's voice. He slowly and cautiously came to the door and opened it.

“M-morning…G-Gadget…” he stumbled, worried about the angry femme standing before him.

“YOU SLAGGER!” she lunged at him. He braced for the worst but was surprised that all she did was hug him. “Don't you EVER scare me like that again…” He sighed in relief and hugged her back.

“I'm sorry. I just couldn't sleep. I'm so close to solving the virus… I didn't want to wake you…”

“Please do next time,” she smiled up at him.

“I will. I'm sorry I worried you but I'd like to get back to work. The sooner I help Prowl the better.”

“Slag! I need to get him some more medicine! Thanks for reminding me. Don't work too hard, Percie,” she said kissing him.

“I'll try not to,” he smiled. He watched her race off back to the room before closing and locking his lab again.

- - -

Jazz was trying to help Prowl breath easy and get to sleep while he waited. He caressed Prowl's face plates and sent calming feelings through his spark. “Easy Prowler…”

“Sorry I took so long…” Gadget panted. “I got worried when Perceptor wasn't in the berth with me.” She took a few calming intakes and came over with some more medicine. “Easy Prowl, help is here,” she said as she grabbed a nearby cleaning cloth to get up the few bits of energon that started to leak again. With Jazz's help, she carefully got him into a sitting position to drink the medicine. “There we go. That should help.” She helped him lay back down. “You go back to sleep now. Doctor's orders.”

“I'll make sure he does.”

“I know you will,” Gadget smiled. “I'm going to go get some energon for Percie and me.”

“How's it coming anyway?”

“He says he's very close. Maybe we'll have a cure by the end of this Earth day.”

“I hope so.”

“You get some rest too, Jazz. Don't wear yourself un-functional taking care of him.”

“I won't.” Gadget smiled and left the medical bay to go help Perceptor. Prowl immediately fell asleep with his bonded resting close to his spark. Jazz looked at his arm, still leaking a bit. He had forgotten to mention it to Gadget. He sighed and got up just enough to grab some bandages. He wrapped them around his arm and made a note to tell her or the CMO himself later. He curled back up against Prowl and went back to sleep.