A/N: Chapter 2! I'm taking a break on Yin and Yang, so expect quick updates for this story. Also, there's a poll on my profile-once you're done reading, give your opinion!


Sideswipe had faced zealots, mad scientists, violent criminals—even the Fallen Prime himself. But he found his current opponent more challenging than any of them.

"C'mon, Roddy, go back to sleep! Please?" His pleas went unheeded by the sparkling in his arms. It was the middle of the night; Sideswipe was already exhausted from a day of work. And then Hot Rod had decided to start fussing. He showed no signs of stopping, though Sideswipe had done everything he could think of to pacify him. He was tempted to wake up Windblade and let her have a turn. But no—he'd told her he could handle the problem and he wasn't about to give up now.

"Calm down, Roddy. Daddy's here. You're fine." He cooed, bouncing the sparkling gently. Hot Rod responded by smacking him and letting out another wail. Sideswipe sighed. That was it; it was time for drastic measures. Reluctantly, he dialed his guardian's comm number.

After a full minute of ringing, Knockout picked up. "Sides…? Do you have any idea how late it is?" He asked groggily.

"I know, and I'm sorry. I just need some advice on getting Hot Rod to sleep. He woke up about an hour ago, and he's been crying ever since. I've tried lullabies, energon, toys—nothing works! What should I do?"

Sideswipe waited as Knockout let out a long, leisurely yawn. "…I have no idea."

"What?!" Sideswipe exclaimed. "Didn't you ever deal with this when I was a sparkling?"

"Nope. You'd already had your first upgrade when I adopted you. I wasn't there for your newspark stage."

Sideswipe groaned. "Great. What am I supposed to do now?"

"For starters, you should open the door."

"Huh?" Sideswipe jumped as someone rapped softly on the front door. He opened it, incredulous. A tired-looking Knockout stood on the doorstep. Hot Rod let out an excited burble as he saw him, while Sideswipe simply stood dumbfounded.

"Hand him here." Knockout ordered, reaching for Hot Rod. "If we can't figure this out between the two of us, we don't deserve to be guardians."

Sideswipe slumped in relief, though he tried to hide it. "You didn't have to come over," he murmured as he passed the eager sparkling to his grandfather.

"I know I didn't. Now, tell me again what you've tried so far."