AN: Happy Belated V-day to all. [sigh] Real life events have spiraled out of my control again-thus the major lack of updating. I'm still looking for a job-still!- ah well. All I can offer is my apolgeies for the lack of updating.

My thanks to Violet for beting this chapter for me. ^^

Red Tape

Jazz considered himself a mech of many talents. After all, he wasn't head of Autobot Special Ops for nothing-and one of Optimus Prime's most trusted advisors. He'd certainly earned his position, and there hadn't been any job he couldn't handle…so far.

So when he had been approached about talking to Jetfire-to finally start getting some information out of him by Prowl, Jazz had accepted. After all, from what he'd seen of the Seeker so far-Jetfire seemed to be an overall decent mech. Granted that he'd certainly had a hard time of it lately-and was pretty much keeping to himself, but who wouldn't be?

So it was on one fine orn that Jazz set out in search of his quarry-in the hopes of getting some information. Anything would be better than nothing at this point-Jetfire had been with them for a while now, and Optimus was starting to feel some pressure. While Jazz was all up for leaving Jetfire alone, he also appreciated there being peace in the ranks…the Autobots didn't need any internal grumbling or possibly mutiny.

The silence in the Iacon library was a balm to Jetfire's mind. Spread out before him were maps-of star systems surrounding Cybertorn. The grayish white and red mech had started to warm to his earlier idea of working in space more and more. He'd already done a little personal recconssiance, there were several unused ships in the Icaon hanger that would fit his needs perfectly.

I just don't know how I'm going to ask Optimus Prime about this… Jetfire felt the energon in his tanks churn. He'd spent so long with the Autobots-not revealing what he knew about the Decepticons. And it seemed Cliffjumper and Brawn were gaining allies…he couldn't go in any of the places he was allowed in now without it turning completely quiet whenever he entered the room, 'bots talking in hushed whispers or behind hands.

I should…say something…but… Here then, was his dilemma. Optimus and the Autobots-Jetfire found that he personally agreed with what they believed in-and looking more and more at the Decepticons in disfavor. Granted there were many good 'bots among them…but just what Megatron was after, how he was doing it…

And then there was Shockwave. Jetfire closed his optics-that was a memory track that he did not want to review. Things had been unstable between him and his former mentor for a very long time-to the point where Jetfire wouldn't have put it past Shockwave to..well, do just about anything.

If the Autobots even knew half of what went on in his labs…Shockwave probably would be a dead mech on any sight, period. Jetfire sighed, looking down at his maps once more. He had to come up with something. It logically could be said that he didn't owe any loyalty to the Decepticons-it had been destroyed on the day of Evensoar's death and Starscream rejecting him-forbidding him to any other trine, to even fly again...

If he was an Autobot, he could fly again. He could study to his spark's content and not be sneered at. There would be a leader that actually listened-and no Shockwave-he'd honestly be fighting for something that he believed in. But the price…

What price? A small voice said in his processor. So what if you tell the Autobots what the Decepticons are up to? So what? The odds are high that they probably changed everything anyway, since the automatic assumption is that you're a traitor.

But do they even know what you've done? Another voice whispered. They probably think you're being held hostage-Megatron probably disciplined Starscream. You know he's the only one who can do such a thing… Jetfire swallowed, closing his optics. He honestly didn't know what to do…and he couldn't figure out why, oh whywas he thinking in this manner. It didn't make any sense! Nothing did!

I want…I just want…

"You want what?" The voice had Jetfire spinning around, and Jazz holding up his claws.

"Whoa there! Don't' get all jumpy on me now!" He said. "Jus' came in and heard you talking to yourself." With far more grace than Jetfire had imagined, the smaller mech slid onto the edge of the table, still keeping his claws in full view of the Seeker. In return, Jetfire relaxed…fractionally.

"You're Jazz." He said. "Head of the Autobot Special Operations division."

"Guilty as charged." The silver mech replied, making himself comfortable on a nearby table. Jetfire's optics narrowed.

"What do you want with me?" He asked. "There can be only one reason why you're here."

"Now now, can't a mech just come and say hi?" Jazz asked, mock-placing a hand on his chestplates.

"No." At this, Jazz snorted, and then gracefully jumped off the table.

"Glad to see you're as quick as they say you are." He tilted his head, now carefully watching every movement that the Seeker made.

He's suspicious. "You have information that could help us." Jazz began.

"I don't even know if it's of any use anymore." Jetfire countered.

"You have a point. It may not be useful. But there's a chance that it could be. And besides." Here Jazz lifted his head, his optics meeting the Seeker's own. "It's Shockwave." To this Jetfire was silent, looking down at the table.

"…I can't." He whispered. "I…I should…but I don't know…" He trailed off, struggling to find the words to express the emotions wracking his processor right now.

"Do you really owe that much loyalty to that one-opticed fragger?"

"No. Not to Shockwave." A bitter smile twisted Jetfire's lip plates. "There was a time I would have said yes. But now…no. I owe no loyalty to him."

"So what's the problem then?"

And to that, Jetfire had no ready answer.