I had alternative ending to this chapter but this one feels better.

It is STRONGLY CONNECTED to the previous one, both havinng very important moments of the story. I hope you guys feel the same and see how two link.

Origin (Transformers)

Chapter 10. 'Imperfect crystal'

"That means Praxus, go on."

"P-praxus is...'popular'?"

"Almost. It says 'famous'."

"Famous for its cry-stal forest?"

WheelJack chuckled at his student's guess, "Gardens. Famous for its crystal gardens."

"Why do I need to know it again?" the red-opticed youngling asked sinking in his seat. WheelJack gave him a quick look, same amused smile on his face, and then continued tightening the bolt on some kind of a mechanism, which Jazz couldn't name. The mech had been putting it up during the whole lesson and at the same time managing to mentor Jazz, which was not quite hard considering Jazz's slow struggles to complete the tasks. He was not doing great in Iaconian Standard and was perfectly aware of it, that fact not helping his progress or enthusiasm.

"You are practicing your reading, I figured you could as well learn some interesting facts."

"About gardens?"

"About different things. I know it is boring but that's just because I am using the simplest sentence structures and symbols. Once you get better you will be able to practice by reading something you actually enjoy. Then it will be much more fun."

"Joy..."

"Come on, Jazz. There is just a bit more left."

"I'm bored and processor is melting. There's too much to learn. How is it even possible to memories so much rules?"

"Trust me you'll speed up once you get the basics."

"These are the 'basics'. Aren't basics supposed to be the easiest part?" The mechling complained and WheelJack amusingly shook his head at his student's stubbornness. Jazz's progress might have been slow but he was improving and that meant that their private lessons weren't for nothing. The mechling seemed to have become more open and willing to learn too, despite the complains he was now having. That all happened after the incident with the player, or, more accurately, after it was fixed and put back in one piece. WheelJack had been glad to help but quite amused when the mechling thanked him for his work. That was quite the sight. It was probably the first time Jazz did such a thing, the mech could imagine, so the awkwardness of the moment for the youngling was understandable. WheelJack had long decided he liked the kid and enjoyed the mechling's company. Jazz could be very creative with his comments and responses, especially once he was getting bored, and as had been proved, any moment a trait that would not be expected from a youngling could reveal itself. But now, as Jazz was finally starting to open up, he was slowly revealing the unique shades of his character that were more pleasing.

"Even 'Bee is better at that. That's embarrassing. Can't I learn something different?"

"We both know you have to learn Standard. Come on, Jazz, we've been there. Plus, you have already improved. Go on, what's the next one?"

Groaning Jazz moved his seat closer to the table and went on.

"Crystal city- Wait what? There is a crystal city? Or is it a word for Praxus?"

"No. Crystal City is a different place. But it is in some ways similar to Praxus."

"It's a city made of crystals or what?"

"Well, not exactly but crystals are indeed used to form some elements of the building structures."

"What's with all the crystals? Praxus has crystals. Another city has crystals. Prowl has a crystal."

"Prowl has a crystal?"

"Yeh. A piece this big hovering over the holder."

"It must be Praxian... Which colour?"

"Turquoise."

"Defiantly Praxian."

"So what? It's just a rock. Useless."

"Jazz, crystals are not rock and the ones on our planet are even more special. Besides, Prowl does not look like a mech that would own anything useless, does he?"

"Kidding? That room is shining with order. I'm surprised he lets me in."

"Crystals are a symbol of Praxus, Jazz, and Prowl is a Praxian. I would be a very nice reminder of home, I would guess."

"A piece of stone?"

"A crystal, Jazz. Praxian crystals are of a rare type. It is believed that they hold energy of their own. They can seek it from their surroundings as they grow and release it too and even respond to different energy fields. Praxian crystal are in group of the most responsive and active types. Why don't you ask Prowl? I'm sure he will be glad to explain it to you. He will know more than I."

"Okay... Sure, why not. Let's hear a story about shining rocks, crystals, whatever..."

"Now, back to reading."

"Agh... Crystal City has 'grand'?"

"It means 'big'."

"Grand gardens that... Shine at night."

"Mmhmm."

"Oh, I know this one. Metropolex. I heard it's huge. Metropolex is a... technological... center."

"Well done. See? You got that right."

"Speaking of technology. 'Jack that thing you're holding won't blow up, will it?" Jazz asked suspiciously eyeing the scientist's work and WheelJack's optics flinched up at him and stared, his expression surprised from the statement Jazz made.

"How do you kn- No. It shouldn't... I am not working with anything that can trigger an explosion."

"Then why is there smoke coming from it?"

"Smoke? What smoke? Where- ow no... Nononono-"

Jazz saw his tutor jump from his seat while the smell of smoke just begun to fill the area as he carried the machine and bolted towards a small fire extinguished momently spraying its content on the smoke-revealing gap.

"Close call." He stated as a matter of fact and then looked at his student, "Not a word to anyone."

"That was kinda' fun. But I can't promise. Plus, if I tell, there's a chance I won't have any more private lessons..."

"Or we'll be forced to work in somewhere else and not in my lab. Do you want more hours in the classroom?"

"Not a chance."

"You have last sentences to go."

Jazz slammed his head on the desk.

---

Jazz was closely eyeing the shining stone, as it hovered lifted by the energy field from the holder. It was small enough to fit in Jazz's hand, small bright torques crystals covering the untreated and rough uncolored surface they grew from. Apart from Kaon city center neon lights Jazz used to see from distance, it was probably the most colour-rich thing Jazz had come across.

Jazz narrowed his optics, thinking that the crystal looked weird. He did not know anything about those rocks and so he was unaware that the one in front of him was untreated and in its natural form. The darker stone parts of it that were not coloured took his attention and he wondered if this one was with lower quality. Prowl seemed like a mech that would chose something more presentable...

Jazz smirked and drew his servo through the space between the crystal and the holder. It only slightly caused the crystal to move in the air yet it kept hovering. Jazz grinned now more interested and as his optics brightened, a playful curiosity revealed itself. He got even closer, his faceplate a short distance away from the crystal and drew his servo under the crystal once again. Then stone lighted up. It's colour brightened and then decreased and Jazz optics widened at the sudden response. WheelJack had mentioned energy fields... It must have responded to his systems, Jazz thought and curiously gazed at it, wondering what else it could do. His servo raised and slowly, carefully got closer to the crystal's surface.

"Do not touch it, please."

Jazz flinched back at his guardian's voice, taken aback as he had not heard the mech enter the room.

"I didn't. But why? Is it fragile?"

"Not too fragile but it can be damaged, which I would rather avoid." Prowl waved his helm indicating Jazz to move aside as he turned on the holomap and went to put the datapod on the shelf.

"It glowed." Jazz stated watching the mech.

"It did?"

"Yeh, that was weird. WheelJack told me about how it can react to energy field. Is it what it was?"

Prowl gave a look at the crystal.

"Most likely. The crystals can be quite responsive; it must have registered yours. May be even coded it into its memory."

"Memory? That thing can think?"

"Not exactly. It is not similar to us, think of it as a natural recording mechanism. Or something like your player. But instead of songs it has field and energy records."

"Wow... That's cool. I've never seen a crystal before, you know. Are they all like it?"

"They have different characteristics."

"Is this one from Praxus?"

"It is..."

"Why is it so stony? I thought crystals were supposed to be shiny..."

"This one is not completely treated, more natural. I prefer it this way."

"You do?"

"Yes. I need to go, what will you be doing?"

"I'll meet up with Aid. He wanted to show me some stuff he learned from 'Hatchet... We'll probably catch up with others after it."

"What about your homework?"

"Oww, come on, mech. I'll do it. Just later. I just came back."

"You'd better complete it. How was the lesson with WheelJack?"

"The boring group lessons, or the extra boring one-on-one ? Fine and fine. WheelJack almost blew up the mechine he was building."

"He did what?"

"Nothing too serious. A bit of smoke started coming out of it, he had a fire extinguisher, it's fine... Oh no, I know that look. Don't make me work in the classroom, mech. It is boring enough, I can't stay in there any longer and without FirstAid to answer the questions it'll feel like forever. What's wrong? It's not working?"

Jazz looked at the holomap that was still unlit, Prowl still waiting at its side, still waiting for it to work.

"I needed to start the loading process, so I can have the updates when I'm back... Strange."

He kneeled down to look under it and check the cables, as predicted they seemed fried.

"This will need to be changed. Might be the cause of power surge during the storm. I will let the maintenance team know. And I will talk to WheelJack about the safety regulations."

"Mech-"

"I promise you no extra time in classroom. Just making sure that he truly works with nothing that can heat up."

---

"I can't believe Ironhide made us do maintenance!"

"That's all your fault."

"That was a cool prank and you thought so too!"

"Before you dragged me in and I ended up doing extra hours for maintenance team I am not even a part of."

"Why did 'Hide even think that making us fix stuff was a good idea?"

Sideswipe actually knew the answer as Ironhide himself had stated it clearly. 'May be fixing thing will teach you their value and respect the time that fixing requires!' That was unlikely...

"Because you, glitch, keep breaking everything around."

"As if you don't!"

"I never got to fix things till today though! Look at me, what is it? I am covered in oil and it's all your fault!"
"Stop complaining like a femme."

"I already have to rust during this monitor duty for both CliffJumper and Hoist just because we broke that stupid player. The only thing I want is to end this and go clean in the wash racks."

"Yeh, speaking of that player... Prowl's room next..."

The two started at the grey panel before exchanging unsure glances and opening the door.

"Look at this place... It's cleaner than a medbay. You think he ever comes here at all?"

"He might as well spend all his time in the office for all I care." Sideswipe's twin grumbled as they two kneeled down and retracted the panel from under the table to check and fix the damaged cabled of the holomap. It was quite a quick job and once done, waiting for his twin to put the panel back red armored mech's optics caught an interesting object.

"Hey, Sunny, look."

"Just a rock."

"Oh, don't be like that, you like shiny things. It must be from Praxus, these things are rare," the young mech vowed eyeing the crystal, too close for the owner's liking, if he had been present. "I love the holder, bro, crystal's hovering in the air, look."

"You're like a sparkling, Sides. Have you never seen shuttles, seekes, other flying thing? Come on, let's go."

"Look, it's not falling. Imagine if I had a big one like that. That would be sweet. I wonder how that works..." With that he touched the crystal with his digit.

Once. It rolled in the air. Twice. It moved again. Third time he touched the holder and the crystal left energy field, dropping on the table.

"Oups..." was all Sideswipe said as he stared at the crystal with wide optics, his spark jerked at the slight 'cling' but realizing that the crystal was not even scratched the twin gave a relieved sigh.

Yet, Sunstreaker was right to predict, "We're offline."

"Ow no."

"Exactly."

"Ow no, ow no, ow no. We're offline!"

Undamaged yet crystal was not flying in the air again, despite Sideswipe's frantic tries to turn the holder on.

"That's what I said."

"Why did you not tell me not to touch it?!"

"Would it have stopped you?"

"That's not the point! Sunny, if Prowl's sees- Why is it not working?!"

"'Cause you broke it."

"What do we do? He will know it was us. We were supposed to fix that map."

"What if he thinks the 'Con did it?"

"Yes! Hey! That can work!"

"Or? What if not? He might believe scraplet's word over ours?"

"You think he will? Well, he will defiantly see we're lying, if he asks us."

"If he asks you. You broke it."

"Traitor."

"I'm not losing my helm because you messed up. Again. Have you seen Prowl angry? I haven't but he looks intimidating enough when he just gives a lectures. I'm more worried for Ironhide. He will for sure snap you in half after Prowl blames his idiocy for letting us into his room."

"Knowing Ironhide, you'll be snapped in two too, bro."

"...Fine, why don't we ask WheelJack? We still got time till the end of Prowl's shift and he does always stay late, as far as I know."

"WheelJack. Yes. Good. Perfect. Let's go." Sideswipe grabbed the device and the precious Praxian crystal and rushed out in the direction of the lab followed by his brother.

---

After the meeting ended, Prowl found himself walking in the direction of his quarters and not back to his office in the tactical department. He was planning to check, if the holo-map in his quarters was functional and if yes, he would complete the job in his room. Jazz was too supposed to be back and already doing his homework or at least these were Prowl's hopes.

Yet, when he entered, just a quick glance at the room made him freeze. Doorwings raised and unmoving Prowl stared at the empty corner of the table. The feeling quite unpleasant appeared inside of him and the mech with a usually cool-facade tried hard to grab and stop this wave from spreading further. But his optics narrowed nevertheless, features darkening against his will. He walked closer, staring at the empty spot, posture tensed, one hand behind his back, hiding from his own optics the fist his digits have formed. He had to be able to control himself, continue diplomatically, yet sternly once it was time to talk and with the door opening behind him and Jazz entering the room, it was that time.

"Hey, Prowler." The mechling greeted his guardian not having time to notice the tension in the older mech's frame but when the Praxian turned to face him, Jazz's features flinched, his movements slowing as he captured the differences.

"Jazz. Return what you took." A calm voice asked but the mechling was able to read through the stern look.

"Took what?"

"The crystal, Jazz. Where is it?"

"What? It was here-" the mechling started confused but silenced noticing that indeed the torques piece was missing as well as the holder that held it up.

"I don-"

"Do not start. I saw your interest and I understand that you would want to learn more but I told you not to touch it. You should have asked my permission."

"But I didn't touch anything!"

"Then where is it?"

"I don't know!"

"Did you break it?"

"No, I didn't!"

"Then I would advise you to give it back. It is very delicate."

"I don't have it!"

"Then where-?!"

"How am I supposed to know?! It's your stupid crystal!"

Prowl felt the rare feeling of anger overtaking his frame, as his intakes gave an uneven sigh.

"It is a Praxian crystal from my home, Jazz. The only thing I have that survived the distraction of the area I lived in. The only thing I have told you not to touch, the only strict rule I gave you." His voice was deep, commanding, powerful and scary. It was not loud but when used by a mech so calm and collected, the contrast was intimidating. "The only strict rule, Jazz. I asked you to be careful with it and was willing to answer your questions. And right after we had that discussion I arrive to my quarters only to find that the crystal you were trying to play with is missing. So I ask you one last time."

He looked in deep red optics, in the stern look they had. Failing to realize what he was doing.

"Where is it? I will not punish you but you will give it back and tell me where you took it. And this situation will never happen again. Understood?"

Jazz stared at him. A grimace formed on his faceplate. Hurt and disappointed. He should have known better. Jazz wasn't sure why the accusations and angred look of his guardian cut so deep but they did and in that sudden turn of events the mechling found himself losing any respect that had formed for the mech. The contrast between their shouting and the sudden silence was deafening and the ringing filled the room as the two stared at each other in silence both disappointed, one with shattered trust, other blinded by a sudden fury that too had been born from betrayal. In that silent pause they heard the door open and glanced at the movement only to find a pair frozen in the doorframe and staring at them with wide optics.

Hit by the impaling silence and the failed attempt to avoid such a meeting Sideswipe was quick to guess what had just happened in that room. Worse was the fact that he was holding the crystal and its holder in his servos. He awkwardly tried to straighten his posture and gave a nervous laugh when Prowl's optics caught the site of his belonging in Sideswipe's grip. The Praxian's doorwings started raising up as he stared at it with more shock than Sideswipe expected, less anger than predicted, yet as intimidating as it could have been.

"Eh... Hi, Prowl. Em... Sir? We were fixing that map and... This, kinda' fell...- But it's undamaged! And holder is working again..."

The older mech's features gave a slight flinch, but not one like Sideswipe or his brother would have expected.

"So I'm the one to overreact, heh?"

That came from the mechling. The twins looked at the shorter form. Jazz did not look at his guardian but when he continued the sharp glare directed at the older mech could have blazed through the thickest armor.

"So much for not getting attach to thing."

With that he turned around and walked out of the room twins' figures parting to let him through.

Prowl found himself unable to find a word to say. 'Mistake' was not enough to describe what just happened. So he stood there, fearing to even start thinking of what his outburst had caused. His distant look caught the curious stares of the still present twins.

"Out."

Carefully placing the holder and the crystal on the table, Sideswipe uncomfortable shrugged with hesitance and decided to say something.

"Em- We fixed the map..."

"Now."

Twins flew from a snarl and dared not to look back. Left alone in the quarters Prowl shut his optics tight and slide a servo over his face. His doorwings dropped in defeat as he glanced at the torques crystal.

Shame was only one of a lot more things that were rising in him. There was disgust and anger at his own actions, at his stupidity, at his sudden temper. At himself. How could he permit himself such actions? This was not a typical reaction; he was never the one to lose control. Prowl's features reflected a mixture of all his thoughts and feelings while he tried hard to put them aside and think of what he could do to at least try and fix the damage that had been done.

His feeling of lose made its way on his face. Once again squeezing his optics, Prowl grabbed his nose bridge and all but hissed at himself, "Idiot."

---

The feeling of pride and victory were boiling in him but Jazz could not understand why they hurt.

It was not easy to hurt Jazz' self-respect as he rarely cared for what accusations others threw at him. Mechs were of no importance. But this time, a scar was left and Jazz was not one to silently accept an assault. The oh-so clever tactician got humiliated right there and then, his stupidity and failure rubbed into his faceplate. It was too perfect and Jazz made a leave with what supposed to be a satisfying victory.

There was none of it. Instead he made his way trying to cool down and get rid of that burning feeling of wrong. Why was he feeling like scrap? He just could not understand. So he did the only thing that came to his mind. He retracted his knife and clicked a small panel in the wall open. Closing the gap from behind he continued moving now through the narrow, cable- filled spaces behind the walls, hiding from whatever happened outside.
—-

Jazz could be anywhere.

RedAlert had informed Prowl that his charge once again sneaked behind the walls and was not noticed on cameras again. It was getting late but Prowl knew that recharge would not be a reason for Jazz to return to their quarters. After what happened he would not be surprised for the mechling to prefer recharging in some least possible location for it. Jazz's comlink was not answering so he called Jazz's name once in a while when sure that the corridor was clear hoping that the mechling could hear him. Though Prowl truly doubted that it was of any use - Jazz was unlikely to respond. The mechling had stayed on his own longer than under anyone's care. One night he was undoubtingly able to survive but Prowl just could not find it in him to leave a youngling in whatever weird place he decided to hide in. It was Prowl's fault after all.

"Prowl?"

The named mech sighed.

"Mirage..."

"Why... are you staring at a wall?"

Situation somewhat familiar... The Praxian turned at the noble his exertion enough for Mirage to make the right guess.

"Jazz." The noble looked at the wall, "Is he behind it?"

"I wish..." Prowl admitted and decided to continue his search, walking in Mirage's direction.

"He ran off again?"

"Yes... RedAlert said that he must still be in there as they did not see Jazz on the monitors again..."

"And you are going to spend the whole night searching?"

"I don't think leaving him alone right now is a good choice. Besides... It was my fault."

"Prowl, the youngling you are in charge of has a... Difficult character and quite a story, do not forget that. I doubt-"

"I really messed up this time..."

"...Tell me."

---

"It was a misunderstanding."

"I snapped."

"You truly did. That makes things more complicated."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"You got emotional. That happens. Prowl, you deserve some credits, you've held it together for this long."

"I have never been angry at him... You should have seen his face..." Prowl grimaced and tiredly sled a servo over his faceplate, "I have ruined it all. I have to inform the Prime."

"Prime can wait. I am sure Jazz will understand once you talk to him. The crystal was something very important to you."

"If I have a chance to talk to Jazz. I need to find him first..."

"How about asking someone who knows him best? I was about to get Smokescreen and Arcee from Ratchet's place. They might know."

"I am not sure that including other sparklings in this conflict is reasonable..."

"I would not underestimate them. Have you talked to FirstAid? This mechling's smarter than some bots I know..."
—-
"You won't find him."

Answer was simple and clear.

"You sure you don't know where he might be?"

"No. If he wanted to, he would comm me."

That's how it went. From the look on FirstAid's face it was obvious that the mechling was not happy that his friend was upset till the point of leaving. Mirage had also noticed the mechling's consern. When they left it looked like FirstAid wanted to say more but he didn't and got closer to his guardian's field. Ratchet's gaze was enough to make him and Prowl hurriedly make their way out.

They did not find Jazz that night.

Prowl reported to Prime. What happened behind the closed doors Mirage didn't know but it seemed that the burdening title of Jazz's guardian still belonged to their tactician. Mirage decided then that their leader still saw the need in it and he was going to trust Prime with that choice. Prowl might have snapped but others would have failed long ago. Jazz was smart but revealed it through his attitude, sneakiness and double-sided comments which not every grown mech would tolerate.

The mechling was stubborn and too brave for his own good.

He could not hide forever though and so the next day Mirage saw him sitting far, on one of warehouses' roofs, legs stretched through railing and fearlessly hang from the edge. It did not take too long for the mech to find a way up and once there Mirage could too see the view Jazz was admiring. The mechling had not missed him on the ground and had most likely predicted Mirage's soon company.

"Here you are."

The noble called casually approaching the youngling who silently sipped energon from a half empty cube.

"One thing for sure, you are good in making yourself disappear."

"What do you want?"

"Aren't you aware that your guardian searched for you?"

Mechling only rolled his optics with annoyance.

"Prowl told me what happened."

"Oh, did he?", the youngling skeptically mumbled not meeting Mirage's optics.

"He did. While staring at the wall wondering where exactly you have wondered to."

The mech sat by youngling's side, patient and calm.

"You should talk to him, Jazz. You cannot keep on avoiding your own guardian."

"He can stop being my garden whenever he wants. I don't need him."

"Let him apologies at least. You might change your mind once you two have a proper talk."

"No."

"No mech is perfect. Prowl slipped this time-"

"And I hope he hit the ground hard. His own fault."

Mirage eyed the youngster thoughtfully. It was not too hard to read the young spark this mechling still had. Sometimes, unaware to themselves, they even wished to be read, understood.

"Tell me, Jazz, has Prowl not been fair to you all this time?"

He leaned back looking at the sky remembering the recent events, trying to make the talk simple, calm, "I once met him in the rec room crawling under the tables in search of the missing detail for a music player. By now you would know a bit about him, Jazz, and one thing is Prowl does not crawl."

Then he looked back at the mechling.

"He regrets what he said. Not because he failed in the High Command or Prime but because he know he made you upset and you did not deserve it ."

"He did not make meh upset."

Of course, Jazz was not going to admit it that easily...

"Remember how you felt when your player was broken? Why should Prowl be much different? A crystal it might be but for your guardian it was a reminder of his home. His district was destroyed soon after he left to assist the Autobots. The center of Praxus was not much different from ruins - the heart of Praxian origin and culture destroyed. I can imagine that the only existing piece of home he still has is the crystal."

Mirage then silenced, allowing the mechling to think.

"He said something about it... I didn't know much. I had wanted to ask him later."

Somehow, Jazz's posture changed, his head bowing just slightly and his young age even more revealed in the new form.

"It was not about the crystal then?"

"You are not as angry at him as you are trying to convince yourself, aren't you, mechling? You say he, I quote, 'hit the ground hard' but you do not seem happy about it."

There was a sudden blaze in the red optics. "After all his speeches about right choices and respect he did not even listen to me. He thought I was the one who took it."

"And it hurt, didn't it? May be that's because you do like your guardian? I do not make such statements easily, Jazz, but I am a guardian myself now and I can see that Prowl does care for you."

The audio antennas of the mechling gave a nervous flinch, just a slight one, so did his optics as he unsurely moved his gaze away, its blazing turning into a softer light.

"Something's telling me you've already forgave him but you don't know why and that is what brothers you... Don't get confused, if you aren't feeling angry. It's a good thing. Don't worry, you are not being week or naïve."

With that Mirage stood up.

"We all make mistakes. Do we learn the lessons – that's the other question? Your guardian learned his, Jazz, but do you wish to learn yours?"

---

Prowl was surprised to hear the sound of the opening doors but when the Praxian turned, he met a pair of red optics staring at him from the shorter height of their owner.

Jazz kept his gaze no longer than two clicks and proceeded towards his berth without saying a word.

The older mech did not move from his spot. "I must apologize."

His frame stood tall and had this posture of an officer, a confident yet somehow respectfully unintimidating stance, but Prowl had yet to meet the youngling's optics again.

"I was wrong."

Rare did a mech like this Praxinan apologized. Some others like him would mostly see the whole scene as a nonsense. A mech of such rank, one who was in charge of the whole Tactician Department, standing here with hope to receive an apology from some youngster barely old enough to be called a youngling. That would be considered intimidating to say the least.

"I should have never blamed you without a solid evidence and even if so did, exist the way I have acted was unacceptable."

Then he looked at his charge.

Jazz did not meet his sight but was quick to reply, "It was."

No accusation sounded there, just a blunt, solid statement.

"Will you forgive me?"

The slightest flinch of surprise caused by the question escaped through the optics. But what worried Prowl was the obvious doubt he could clearly read on the mechling's face who was trying hard to not move his optics from the direction of the window.

"I met Mirage... We talked."

Mirage... He had to thank this mech again.

"He told me some things about Praxus. And other stuff..."

Prowl was silent. So was Jazz. But he was the older, he was supposed to know what to say... Perhaps, for now though the silence was what's needed. It was not a comfortable atmosphere. Jazz looked somehow cornered but yet more or less relaxed sitting on his spot. Prowl felt tension when he decided to move but once he sat on the other berth this tension left both of them turning into this touchable silence in thickened air. But, Prowl felt relieved. As guilty as he still was, only slightly coming in terms with his failure, Jazz's return was a good sign. May be he could still correct what was broken. A least Prowl knew where the youngling was now and no longer needed to worry about his location.

They sat like this, the air calming down.

"Never do that again."

Prowl met the gaze and once again he saw it. It was quick as Jazz looked away again, but this betrayed look could not be forgotten. Jazz words were not a request. Prowl did not need to answer. He would never allow such incident again.

"Did you have energon?" The mech asked wondered, if he would receive an answer.

"Yes."

Prowl nodded.

"Where did you sleep?"

This time came no word.

It was fine.

Prowl leaned forward and slowly stood up, walking to where Jazz sat. Youngling turned to sit at the side of the berth his ped hanging down and Prowl allowed himself to sit by his side. From the corner of his optics he looked at his charge.

"I was worried. I am glad you are back."

Jazz did not move.

"I promise you this will never happen again."

He hesitated to ask the next question.

"...Will you forgive me?"

The response was not instant but Prowl did not expect it to be. Jazz nodded. And Praxian's spark shone with relief.

Then he stood up again, followed by Jazz's optics. Taking the holder, Prowl gently sled his servo under hovering crystal, receiving a pulsing light in response. Then, he walked towards Jazz. The youngling's optics moved from him to the extended servo that held a familiar untreated torques crystal hovering over the holder. Confused he met his guardian's optics again.

"It is yours now."

The posture of the younger changed. He looked at the mech questioningly, doubt and confusing revealed through his form.

Prowl nodded encouragingly with a hint of a warm smile.

"But Ah though... You said it's important..."

"It is and I am sure it will be safe in your care."

Jazz still looked unsure, "The crystal can remember fields, respond to surrounding and reveal their memories. One only needs to learn how to read. Who knows, they might be able to do other things too, it all depends of the one that tries to communicate with them. I am sure you will be good at it, if you try. May be one day, it will reveal for you things others can't see. Crystal reading is a nice skill to have."

He took Jazz's servo and put the holder in the mechling's hold.

"I want you to have it from now on. It is yours."

Then he walked back to the holomap, having done what he felt was right, no matter that the gift he made had still a link to his mind. He felt calmer, his spark still not fully relieved but slowly coming to realization of the corrected mistake. He saw the mechling's look - Jazz understood the gesture although he was taken back by it. But Prowl was his guardian above all while a crystal was just a memory, memory that would no longer cloud his mind, and that Prowl no longer held it, trusted it fully to Jazz was a proof to himself and the mechling.

But his charge learned a lesson of his own. A lesson he risked to learn. The imperfect crystal calmly hovered unchanged by the new presence, Mirage's words raced through Jazz's mind now mixing with his own thoughts. He looked at the Praxian mech and at the crystal of a mixed nature, a light and oddly calm grin lightening his features.

Prowl's door wings jerked at the unexpected movement and he looked at the side of the table where Jazz put the imperfect Praxian treasure.

"Nah..." his charge smirked fondly, "It's ours."

---

No one is perfect... And yes, while Prowl did tell Jazz not to touch the crystal, he never explained why. Yet again, some things can not be compared and for Jazz the broken player was a similar situation.

And hey look, Jazz is slowly connecting to Mirage too:)

The TWINS... Yeh... No comment needed on these two. Any ideas, how they can connect with Jazz? Because they ARE in some way similar (as you could see in Chapter 9.)...

Please review. I really want to hear your voices on these last two chapters...

Thank you everyone who is still reading! I see all your comments and they make me really glad.