It had been a full week since the high grade incident. Prowl buried himself in his work, not bothering to take care of himself. Jazz had begged him to stop and take a break. But he always brushed his friend off, ashamed and guilt ridden for even receiving such concern. Prowl was in his office practically 24/7. His fuel tanks dangerlously low and his systems kept popping up many warnings about his condition. The SIC ignored them all and worked endlessly.
It was on the eighth day when Prowl finally decided to call Smokescreen to his office, whether the gambler liked it or not.
Bzzzzzzzzz!
"Wha..?" Smokescreen slapped at his comm. He rolled over in his berth groggily, awakening from his wonderful nap that he didn't get to finish because of his stupid comm! Who was calling him anyway? The Datsun yawned and stretched then checked his call.
Prowl.
What's he want?[ Smokescreen groaned inwardly. He hadn't spoken to Prowl since that night..
He'd made good on his promise. Smokescreen didn't breathe a word to anyone about it. Prowl was safe. Jazz didn't know. They'd both managed to patch themselves up to prevent any unwanted inquiries…well, mostly. Smokescreen had just barricaded himself in his room for a few days until the bites healed. Good thing he kept a little extra paint in his washroom. He actually dreaded seeing Prowl and he could only imagine what the tactician would say. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to go to the office.
Prowl waited patiently for Smokescreen, feeling incredibly stressed. But he had to do this. He had to set things straight. A knock on the door indicated that the gambler had arrived. Prowl answered and motioned for Smokescreen to take a seat. He was completely emotionless, the only indication of him being nervous was the twich of his own door wings. He walked behind his desk once the colorful mech took a seat, a scowl on his face (he really didn't want to be here). The SIC cleared away his desk, stacking the reports on another table and finally took a seat. Prowl was really tired, he looked haggard and worn, irritated even. But he kept his optics on Smokescreen's, determined.
It was almost like nothing had ever happened. Smokescreen couldn't even count how many times he'd been called into Prowl's office. He sat cross legged, door wings held up high, waiting for whatever the tactician would dish out.
But something did happen.
Prowl could deny it all he wanted but Smokescreen remembered it, would for the rest of his life. He would remember it as the night Prowl took his mask off. Albeit intoxicated, but even that was a rare side to the tactician that Smokescreen felt few, if any, were privileged to see. "What do you want, Prowl?"
The SIC impassively stared at the mech before him, his head resting on his servos in a thoughtful position. He would've flinched away from the sound of Smokescreen's tone, but he kept his face blank. It wasn't like he could express his emotions much anyways, he was too tired to even sit up straight (not the thoughtful position). He continued to ignore all the warnings his processor flashed, and kept his optics on the gambler. Prowl would never forget that night - something that big could never be forgotten. No matter how much he wished it didn't happen, it did...And he had to fix his mistake. "I've called you here for one reason..."
Smokescreen dreaded to hear what it was. He'd done nothing wrong, at least not lately. He'd just been all cooped up in his room, smoking his stash, and waiting for his bite wounds to heal. Not that he minded running around the base sporting a brand new love mark. Smokescreen only remained in solitude for Prowl. Jazz might be suspicious, if he wasn't already, if he saw some rather intimate marks on both him AND Prowl. "What's there to talk about Prowl? I think you've made your point already…"
Ouch. Smokescreen's words were like knife wounds to his spark - Prowl was particularly sensitive, especially when he was exhausted. He brushed away the comments like they were dust on his shoulder (more like tiny shards of pointed glass).
Prowl leaned back in his chair, his mouth set in a grim line. "I believe you got what you wanted." Primus, that sounded horrible coming out of his mouth, but the tactician continued. "I've asked you to come here to inform you that I have decided to collect my reward from our little card game."
"I suppose I did…" Smokescreen said quietly. He wondered just what Prowl would ask of him. Eternal silence perhaps? That sounded reasonable. But what if Prowl was still angry over what had happened? Would he punish him? Smokescreen involuntarily bit his lower lip out of nervousness. When had he started wiggling his foot? Smokescreen immediately stilled himself. Would Prowl throw him in the brig, turn him into Optimus for unorthodox actions, force him on patrols to keep him away from base? No matter how bad it sounded…Smokescreen would keep his word. They made a deal. To Smokescreen, backing out of his word was worse than being a yellow bellied 'con. He may be a lot of things, but he wasn't a coward. "What would you like from me?"
Prowl took a deep breath. In. And out.
It's not like it was the end of the world. This was for the better, for him and for Smokescreen. Okay...Here goes...
"I've realized that simply putting you in the brig or making you spend more time on monitor duty will not stop you from getting into more trouble." The look on Smokescreen's face became confused. "So, I've decided that since you have no idea the trouble and work you cause for me or any other of your superiors..." Prowl's door wings twitched slightly. "You are going to work with me for a month and learn how hard it is to keep everyone and everything running smoothly."
Confusion spread over Smokescreen's face. Prowl wanted him to assist in his duties? That was…definitely unexpected. "Wait a minute. You want me, a low life scoundrel, to help you run the base?" Smokescreen scoffed; it was more like a giggle or squeak of disbelief. He expected something more along the lines of a slap in the face! …or another punch where Prowl was concerned. The Datsun wiggled his door wings slowly, thinking, rubbing his yellow chevron just to occupy his hands. "I mean sure, I'll do it. But you sure you want a mech like me helpin' ya out? Thought I was a bad influence."
Prowl sighed. "Yes...And I know, despite our circumstances, it doesn't seem to be very logical. But you have to find out how hard it is for us to even file a claim on a broken window."
Prowl knew what he was doing, that...night didn't make him stray any more from his plans. It was going to be awkward, but it was a way for them to possibly make up - and teach the gambler that life was not all fun and games. This bargain was originally going to be used not for Prowl, but for Jazz. Prowl hated sharing his work, and whenever Jazz got him away from the office to relax, the saboteur would sneak back in just to finish up the work to give the SIC some free time. He hated when Jazz did that, it made Prowl feel guilty. But this was a way for him to divide his work (which he still hated), and possibly become...friends with the other Datsun.
Smokescreen figured that Prowl wouldn't want another thing to do with him. They didn't exactly part ways on good terms. But all that was over now. In the past, buried along with the many other things Smokescreen had done. All the bots he'd cheated, tricked, all the underground business he was into. Was he proud of himself? Heh, who needed pride during a war. Smokescreen washed all that away the first time he pointed a gun at a 'con's spark and pulled the trigger. No, pride had nothing to do with Smokescreen anymore. He abandoned that a long time ago.
"An officer and a low life teaming up..Yeah, I can deal with that. So let's play, Prowl." Smokescreen smirked. The way he saw it..he was the one with the most to gain. Now he could really see how the system worked. And better yet…find even more ways to get around it. He'd be working from the inside.
Prowl gave the gambler a cold stare, not because he was angry, but he was just so tired he couldn't offer up a proper smile without feeling exhausted. "Good..." He held out his hand for a shake. "You start tomorrow."
