My Falling Star

by ScreamGurl

Ever since the incident in Egypt two years ago, Optimus Prime has had this unsettling feeling of an uncomprehendable feeling nawing at the back of his CPU...that was until he got a massive wake-up call in the form of a tiny silver pod.

3. Chapter 4

*I know it's benn a while since I updated last, and I apologize…it almost feels like I've been doing 50 billion other things that have got me running around in circles; but after keeping my eyes glued to the computer screen, I managed to get yet another chapter done. Enjoy! P.S. don't worry Jetfire4life, in this chapter, we find out the gender of the new sparkling! 3* (WolfPrime, this Chap. is JUST for you!) ^_^

….:::~CHAPTER 4~:::….

"He what?" Sideswipe stood motionless in awe. Behind him Jolt, Bumblebee the twins and the triplets stood with shock written on their faceplates.

Chromia rolled up and grabbed her spark mate's arm. "IronHide, is Prime alright? He isn't hurt is he?"

He shook his head and pointed toward the med bay hanger. "Ratchet is running some diagnostic scans on him now."

Flareup pulled up next to her sister taking her by one arm with her other sister Arcee in the other. "Come on, we just gotta see this for ourselves!"

Letting go of her mate's arm she nodded. "Oh absolutely!"

Arcee giggled at her young purple sister's enthusiasm. "What's got you so excited all of a sudden?"

Flareup giggled excitedly as she raced toward the med bay. "Like you don't know! It's not every day that there's a sparkling on the base!"

Eventually giggling to themselves, both Arcee and Chromia raced after their over excited sister. True it had been a long time since any one of the three had seen a sparkling since leaving Cybertron…but still…loved them all the same.

Looking at one another passing confused glances, the mechs present merely shrugged and walked in the opposite direction. The femmes were right about one thing…this was something they needed to see for themselves…but…that could come later.

….*****….

Slowly his optics came online but he soon shut them from bright florescent lights overhead. Optimus groaned and put a hand on his aching head. It almost felt like someone had hit him in the side of the head with an energon blaster.

Ratchet turned around and smiled. "Well, it's about time you come back…I was starting to think you were going to be offline for good."

Ratchet smiled as he walked up to Prime stopping beside him. Looking down at him and thus looking him over he chuckled. "How are you feeling?"

Groaning and with his hand still on his head he mumbled. "It feels like someone shot me in the side of the head with an energon blaster."

Ratchet then quickly whacked Prime upside the head with his most favorite tool. "THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR TOUCHING THE DAMN THING!"

Optimus flinched holding his head now with both hands. "Ratchet please my head aches enough as it is!"

Ratchet growled waving his wrench in the air. Too close to Optimus' head for comfort. "Honestly Prime, what were you thinking?"

Optimus dropped both hands to the berth and sat up, supporting his weight with his arms. The whole room seemed to shift and his tank churned uncontrollably. Dropping back to the berth, he groaned and covered his optics.

"Prime…"

Looking through his digits he saw Ratchet staring at him angrily and growling. "What the pit were you thinking when you touched the sparkling?"

Covering his optics again he moaned and laid still. Ratchet growled and violently shoved a pain sedative into Prime's muscle cables of his neck. Prime jumped yelling out in pain. Ratchet then again whacked the now upright mech again upside the head.

"Will you keep it down? The sparkling is trying to recharge for the All-Spark's sake!"

Optimus looked up rubbing the more recent battle wound. "Sparkling? What do you mean sparkling? It survived?"

Ratchet looked away huffing. "Oh yeah…it survived…barely"

Putting both massive silver pads on the floor he looked at the medic crossing the room. "Is it alright?"

Ratchet turned and looked at Prime as he leaned against a nearby wall. "Before I tell you the sparkling's condition, I want to know something first."

Prime nodded. "Yes?"

Leaning forward, he slowly approached Prime. "Why did you do that? Why did you open your chest plates and reach out for the sparkling?"

A long moment of silence passed until finally Optimus looked up at the CMO and shrugged. "I don't know why I did it. The only thing I remember was hearing a voice telling me to open my chest plates and touch the sparkling because that was the only way I could save it from dying."

Ratchet remained silent as Prime slowly rose to his full height and looked him in the optics.

"Its spark was failing Ratchet…and I could not just sit back and watch as it faded away into nothing."

Ratchet nodded as he looked away. That was typical for their Prime; he would do anything to keep a weak and helpless life force from dying out and fading away. To protect and serve was hardwired into his processer, probably more than any other bot he knew.

Clearing his mind he looked back to the towering red and blue flamed mech standing in front of him.

Rolling his shoulders, Prime looked at the medic with concern as well as curiosity written on his usually emotionless face plate. "Now about the sparkling…"

Ratchet chuckled as he slowly walked across the room to a small cement berth with raised edges. "She's fine Prime…weak… but stable."

Raising an optic he stood in awe. "She?"

Ratchet nodded as he pointed down into the minni-berth. "Come and look for yourself."

Slowly Prime forced himself to approach the little berth. Ratchet slowly backed away as Optimus looked over the edge into the berth and froze in awe.

"She looks…"

Ratchet laughed as he walked over to the work bench. "Like you."

And boy DID she look like him! She was almost like a little femme version of Prime! Well, with the exception of a few things. She had hands like his, pads like his; shoot…she even had antennas just like his. Only instead of being colored red and blue, she was a reddish maroon and purplish blue, had a gentle and feminine curve to her face and body instead of a rough male mold like Optimus'.

Ratchet couldn't help but laugh as Optimus looked at him with an open mouth and hand pointing at the sparkling. Ratchet forced his laughter to quiet as he nodded.

"I know…I couldn't believe it myself when I saw it…so that lead me to do some… probing."

Looking back between the sparkling and Ratchet, Prime stuttered. "What do you mean you did some probing?"

Ratchet turned around with a smile that made Prime uneasy. "I did some scans of the sparkling in her current state now and then compared them to some more recent scans from your last monthly check-up…and you're not going to believe what I found."

Sitting back down on the berth, Optimus looked the medic up and down. "What?"

Ratchet smiled the same unsettling way as he leaned against the wall. "Her energy signature…is almost an EXACT match to yours…and if any other bot were to look at the results I got, they would swear that that sparkling…" Ratchet then pointed to the sparkling powering down on the other side of the room. "…would be your offspring."

Optimus looked between Ratchet and the little berth across the room several times before finally finding his voice. "But Ratchet I—."

"! OKAY! OKAY! WERE IS IT RATCHET? WERE IS IT? I WANT TO SEE THE SPARKLING!"

"Yeah Ratch' where's the little thing we want to see it!"

"Come on Ratchet where is it?"

Ratchet groaned as he put his hand to his face. Great, the triplets knew.

Looking up he growled. "Alright listen up you meddlesome, giddy femmes you can see her but you HAVE to be quiet…she's recharging!"

"Her?" Suddenly all three femmes put their hands over their mouths.

Chromia looked up smiling sheepishly and whispered. "Sorry Ratch' we didn't know."

Crossing his arms he hissed. "Well now you know so keep it down or I'll have to ask you three to leave."

All three quickly nodded when Flareup spotted the tiny berth on the other side of the room.

"EEEEE! IS THAT THE—!"

Suddenly she was hushed by multiple 'shhhh's from both her sisters and Ratchet. She flinched and looked down whispering.

"Sorry…I forgot."

Then the three moved across the room and looked down at the sleeping infant. And soft 'awe's suddenly filled the room.

Arcee looked up smiling. "Ratchet, she looks so cute."

Chromia looked up to Ratchet also smiling. "Finally…we're not the only femmes around here."

Just then all three laughed quietly as they marveled over the sleeping infant. Flareup then looked over the sparkling…and then at Prime…and then at Ratchet smiling. "She looks like the boss bot!"

Ratchet laughed and pointed to Prime. "And for good reason, the little one shares almost identical spark signatures with Prime."

Arcee, Chromia and Flareup looked up suddenly at Ratchet…then at a bewildered Prime…then back at Ratchet. Chromia looked at the sparkling and then turned back to Ratchet. "So…wouldn't that make Prime like a…sire?"

About having said no Ratchet suddenly stopped himself as an epiphany hit him. Looking at Chromia, he smiled. "Yes Chromia, I guess that in all technicality that would make Prime a sire."

Looking up Prime flinched. "What?"

Chuckling, Ratchet leaned against Prime. "Well, think about it Prime; other than the fact that she literally fell from the sky instead of coming from a femme, you and her are so closely bonded that logically it would make you her parental figure because of her spark's link to yours. It's a bond that only PARENTAL mechs and femmes have."

Prime looked across the room to the little berth that the three femmes were standing behind. Then looked back at Ratchet. "So are you saying that I am that sparkling's—?"

Just then a soft whimpering sound came from the little berth making the femmes look down. Ratchet looked to the sound and quickly but quietly went to the berth as Optimus watched from the other side of the room.

Ratchet looked up at the curious femmes and smiled. "Looks like someone is waking up."

Gently picking the sparkling up, he cradled her in his arms and slowly started for Prime. Standing up abruptly Prime stepped back slightly as Ratchet stopped in front of him.

"Prime, put your arms out."

Looking up he shook his head slightly. "Ratchet, I don't think I—."

Ratchet looked up scowling with the sleepy sparkling in his arms. "Prime, she's been offline since we brought both of you back to the base. She hasn't seen any other bot, and needs to see you first."

Optimus stepped back slightly. "Ratchet, why me?"

Forcefully putting the sparkling in Prime's arms and backing away he whispered. "Because as soon as she wakes and see's you, she'll recognize your spark and will imprint on you as being her male creator!"

Ratchet made the others stay where they were as he slowly backed up. Prime tried to object but became dead quiet when the sparkling started to squirm. Slowly, small sapphire blue optics opened and lazily stared up at Prime's towering mass. He was humungous compared to her and he was terrified to hold something so tiny and weak compared to him. Humans were one thing…but this? This was completely new.

The sparkling tiredly looked Prime over as the silent moments dragged on. That was until her optics opened wide and she started clicking, beeping and chirping happily up at the bewildered mech. She reached her tiny hands up and grabbed anxiously for Prime's face. Unsure of what to do, Prime looked up with pleading optics.

Ratchet merely chuckled and pointed to the sparkling. "Don't look at me sir, it's you she wants."

Looking at the triplets he looked at them the same way but might as well have mouthed the words 'HELP ME'. The girls merely giggled to themselves and shook their heads, their commander might have been able to go above and beyond the call of duty when it came to battle, but when it came to sparklings…boy was he lousy!

Looking even more pleading then before at the girls, he almost looked like he was going to hit his knees and start begging. "Girls?"

All three shook their heads simultaneously giggling hysterically. Arcee smiled folding her petite arms against her chest. "Sorry Prime, as much as we love sparklings, you're on your own with this one."

Chromia smiled rolling past him toward the door. "Yeah, besides you have to learn somehow. Come on girls; let's give Prime and his new baby girl a moment."

Just then they giggled as they passed the bewildered mech. It was soon after they had retreated that Ratchet smiled and started for the door.

"RATCHET WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"

Having already put her arms down and wining quietly at being rejected the tiny sparkling in Prime's arms jumped at his raised voice and soon began to whimper. Looking down at the sparkling in his arms he realized he had made a mistake…a terrible mistake.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

All at once the sparkling released an audio receptor shattering scream and started to cry uncontrollably. It was enough to make Optimus cringe and hold the screaming child as far away from his chassis as possible.

Trying to be heard over the bellowing child, Prime yelled. "RATCHET WHAT DO I DO?"

Having dealt with sparklings enough back on Cybertron, Ratchet just grinned and shook his head as he walked for the steel storage cabinet also trying to yell over the child. "TRY PULLING HER CLOSE TO YOUR FACE AND ROCKING HER, IT MIGHT HELP AND MAKE SURE YOU TALK TO HER…GENTLY!"

Prime nodded and pulled the child closer to his chest and face and rocked her gently in his massive arms talking slowly and quietly trying to calm the upset child down.

As she continued to wail, Prime looked up frustrated. "RATCHET IT'S NOT WORKING!"

Having his back turned Ratchet yelled over his shoulder. "KEEP TRYING, YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT!"

Letting his broad shoulders sink he looked down at the child in his arms that now was leaking from the optics. She was very upset and Prime knew that…he could somehow feel it in his spark.

Letting a large amount of air through his intakes, he pulled the child close and cooed.

"Hush little one, hush…it's alright…don't cry…don't cry."

Slowly he rocked her gently in his arms praying that she would stop. Then as if to answer his prayers, the audio piercing wails became soft whimpers as her optics continued to leak. He continued to coo thinking that she might start up again.

"It's alright little one…there's nothing to be afraid of…you are perfectly safe."

Using a steady digit, Prime wiped the tears away and held her close to his face. And then…as if to soften the moment, the sparkling clicked and chirped happily as she reached out and touched Prime's face. A little shocked at her actions, Prime pulled away slightly. Not being able to reach him now, the sparkling looked up at him with confused optics and slowly began to whimper. Not wanting another crying spell, Optimus immediately put his face back down making the femmling beep and giggle loudly. There was something about this big bot that she liked. She felt warm and safe around him and thought his face was the most fascinating thing ever.

Watching the whole display, Ratchet burst out laughing. "Looks like someone REALLY likes you sir."

Not moving his head he looked out of the corner of his optic and growled. "Do I have a choice?"

Looking up at him, the sparkling started to chirp and beep loudly. Prime looked down raising an optic.

"What?"

Again she chirped. Optimus looked at the sparkling more bewildered now than ever.

"Ratchet what is it she—?"

*GURGLE*

Suddenly all optics shifted to the sparkling that was in Prime's arms. She on the other hand stared blankly at her mid-section (Or stomach as they have become known in human culture). She then looked up at Prime looking at him with an almost 'what-the-spark-was-that?' look. Prime couldn't help but chuckle at the sight but soon enough it was no laughing matter as soon as she started to whimper.

Prime immediately turned to Ratchet. "Ratchet what do I—?"

Ratchet abruptly handed a steel cylinder with a rubber nozzle similar to that on a human baby bottle to Prime. "Here, she probably needs to be refueled."

Taking it he handed it to the sparkling who didn't take it but instead let it lay in her lap. Instead she just stared blankly at it and looked up at Prime. Prime being a little hesitant pushed the bottle closer.

"Go on little one, here is your fuel."

Ratchet watched and soon started laughing. "Prime, you can't expect her to refuel by herself the first time, she doesn't even know what it is…try holding it for her and putting it to her lip plates."

Not wanting to dispute with the CMO who's helped him so far, Optimus did what he was told. It took a few moments for the sparkling to become curious enough to drink whatever was in the cylinder but beeped happily and excitedly at finally trying it and soon laid happily in Prime's arms drinking away. Soon enough she put her tiny hands on Prime's hand that was holding the bottle and shut her optics as she continued to guzzle and slurp the strange but yummy new substance that was filling up her aching tank.

Having a happy and content sparkling in his arms, Prime looked up and smiled slightly. Ratchet laughed quietly taking into note that the sparkling was starting to fall into stasis.

"So Prime, still don't think you have what it takes to be a parent?"

Prime looked around the room and shrugged. "I'm not sure as that I have the patience required Ratchet."

Pointing to the sparkling that lay motionless in Prime's arms, he smiled. "Prime, in all honesty I think you're being modest…you have what it takes to be a good parent; you just need to give yourself a chance. Who knows, you may even come to like it."

Prime slowly looked down at the sleeping femmling in his arms and groaned as he looked back up at Ratchet. "You said that her energy signature is almost identical to that of mine, correct?"

Ratchet nodded. "Yes, why?"

Prime looked down to the bundle in his arms and spoke softly. "So…theoretically…that would make ME her sire, correct?"

Ratchet smiled as he again nodded. "Theoretically… yes."

Looking back to Ratchet, he straightened up and smiled slightly. "Then I guess I had better get used to the idea of having a daughter…shouldn't I?"

Ratchet smiled and nodded not saying a word. Prime too nodded in return before slowly walking over to the other side of the room and placing his new bundle of joy back in her mini-berth, giving the now empty bottle to Ratchet then turning to exit the room. Ratchet then looked at the sparkling quickly before passing an uneasy glance to Prime.

"And just where do you think you are going?"

Turning he smiled slightly. "To my quarters…"

Ratchet cocked his head. "Why?"

Optimus chuckled. "To clear a space in my living quarters for that berth, I can't have her sleeping in my berth with me; I may very well crush her in my sleep."

It was then that Prime slipped out the door.

Ratchet turned back to his work bench and chuckled. "They can't say that you've failed anymore Prime…"

….*****….

A half an hour later, both IronHide and Prime struggled to move a massive cement and steel desk to the other side of the room as to clear a space.

IronHide grunted as he set the heavy object down in a corner. "So let me see if I've got this straight big guy, you're telling me that after almost being put offline by this thing, you're going to take care of it as if it was your own offspring?"

Looking up Prime groaned. "Correction old friend, after touching the 'thing' as you put it, its spark became whole instead of half thanks to my spark. And because of my 'generous donation' she now shares almost an identical energy signature to mine…which to most bots would be considered as the exact same bond between parent and offspring."

Pushing the desk against the wall IronHide again looked up. "So, wait an astrosecond, you're telling me you gotta kid now?"

Prime passed a sideways glance to IronHide but eventually nodded. "Yes, it would indeed appear that way."

Throwing his hands in the air IronHide growled out loud. "Great, more ammunition for Mia to use!"

Optimus shook his head raising an optic ridge. "IronHide, what are you talking about?"

IronHide groaned loudly rubbing his optics. "Mia wants a sparkling."

Optimus looked away smiling slightly. "Oh, I see…"

He then looked back trying to hold back laughter. "…so…what's the problem?"

IronHide growled knowing Prime was trying not to laugh. "I would always use that fact that YOU didn't have a sparkling as an excuse for us not having one!"

Prime raised both optic ridges in surprise. "Why?"

IronHide groaned leaning against the desk. "I would always tell her that it wouldn't be right to have a kid before you, that we mechs should let you lead and we'd fallow."

Optimus burst out laughing. "Alright IronHide first of all that was an extremely poor excuse and second it's not going to work for you any longer."

IronHide growled at Prime's laughter getting up off the desk. "I know."

Prime turned around and slid the desk into place against the wall and stood back. Then turned to IronHide smiling. "So what do you plan on telling Chromia now?"

IronHide shrugged. Optimus shook his head chuckling quietly. "Why don't you just tell her the truth?"

IronHide looked up horrified. "Are you kidding? She'll blast my crotch plate and blow it into oblivion faster than you can say high-grade!"

Turning away to organize a few data pads Optimus chuckled. "IronHide, I thought you like sparklings; I mean after all you raised Bumblebee into quite a well trained mech."

IronHide shook his head holding up a hand. "Okay first of all the little tike was an orphan lying next to his creator's offline body when we found him, and second if I didn't take care of the runt no one would have!"

Optimus looked over his shoulder smiling. "I don't know IronHide; I can recall some times many stellar cycles ago that you and Bumblebee were quite the duo."

IronHide looked away huffing. "As the humans say…water under the bridge."

Optimus shook his head and turned away.

Wanting to change the subject slightly IronHide laughed slightly.

"You know Prime, with this whole 'sparkling' issue, I kind of feel sorry for you."

Optimus again looked over his shoulder raising an optic ridge. "Oh, and why is that?"

IronHide chuckled. "You're the only bot on this base that has to deal with a kicking, screaming, lubricating, and purging, all in all noisy sparkling."

Optimus shook his head trying to focus on more recent data pads.

IronHide grinned wider and stretched. "And on top of that, you didn't even get to do the FUN stuff to obtain the little runt!"

Raising an optic ridge Optimus passed a glance to IronHide.

IronHide just strolled to the other side of the room chuckling. "I mean it's a real shame for you that you didn't even get to find a femme, woo her, mount her and –."

Optimus wheeled around abruptly. "IronHide!"

IronHide laughed. "—and FRAG her till ya' couldn't no more!"

Turning away Optimus shook his head and groaned. "Do you not have any decency at all?"

IronHide laughed and waved a hand dismissively. "And then of course there's the whole spark merge thing afterwards but we don't need to go into details."

Optimus wheeled around again and growled. "IRONHIDE!"

Looking up the black mech grinned. "What?"

Shaking his head Optimus pointed to the door. "Just go to the med lab and wait for me."

With a dirty grin on his face plates IronHide turned away to leave. "You know, Mia and I—."

Just then Optimus kicked Hide in the aft pushing him out the door. "Just go!"

…

…

Later in the Med lab Chromia stood carefully holding the sparkling in her arms as both Optimus and IronHide lifted the tiny but heavy cement berth and proceeded toward the doors.

Watching the sleeping sparkling Chromia grinned. "You know Hide, Prime having a sparkling now doesn't give you any excuses."

Walking backwards IronHide groaned and mumbled a few choice words in Cybertronian. Optimus merely chuckled to himself shaking his head.

After going across the tarmac into the Autobot hanger, Lennox stood to the side and watched quietly. Then spotted a tiny reddish maroon and purple-ish blue object curled up in Chromia's arms. He didn't say a word, he merely watched. As the four passed, Epps walked up watching in awe.

"So that's the—?"

Lennox nodded. "Yep."

Epps cocked his head, not taking his eyes off the sight. "And Prime's the—?"

Again Lennox nodded also not looking away. "Yep."

Epps shook his head slightly and laughed. "That's 'F'-ed up."

Lennox passed a dismissive glance and nodded. "Yep."

…

…

…

"Gently IronHide, you wouldn't want to have brought the little sweet-spark's berth all this way and then wreck it!"

IronHide growled at his mate's 'back-seat-driving' (as the humans put it). "Mia, do you want to do this?"

Chromia growled smacking her mate in the back of the head. "No, I'm the one carrying the sparkling! Although I could probably do a better job!"

Optimus merely laughed out loud at the two and their bickering. It was often expected of them but he knew very well that they loved each other more than life itself.

Gently IronHide rounded the corner into Prime's room. The door was plenty big to fit a berth meant for a sparkling, considering the room belonged to the biggest mech on the base. Gently setting it down simultaneously with Optimus, IronHide wheeled around to Chromia and growled.

"Happy now?"

Chromia smiled and nodded. "Yes. Yes I am."

Optimus just smiled as he circled the two and looked at the sleeping femme in Chromia's arms that by now was starting to squirm.

Optimus chuckled and looked at the arguing duo. "Chromia?"

Both looked up with 'what?' expressions. Optimus smiled and pointed to the now waking sparkling.

Chromia looked down then back up suddenly. "Oh! I'm sorry Prime."

Gently she handed the sparkling over into Prime's massive arms and watched. Prime cradled the child again in his arms as he had done in the med lab earlier that day; against his chest and close to his face.

The child's optics slowly opened and looked up to see a now very familiar face smiling at her. Optimus couldn't help but laugh as a wide smile crept across the sparkling's face fallowed by a series of happy shrieks, clicks and beeps as she reached up and but both of her tiny hands on his nose plates.

Chromia couldn't help but laugh and awe at the same time. "Oh Prime she's so cute!"

Looking up from the tiny probing fingers on his face he smiled, not saying a word. Chromia nodded and pulled IronHide by the arm towards the door. "Come on 'Hide we need to go have a talk."

IronHide suddenly froze and glared coldly at Prime. "I blame you for this."

Optimus chuckled making the sparkling giggle loudly.

IronHide growled to Chromia closing the door behind him. "If we're gonna talk about having sparklings again then I'm gonna start running now!"

As the two's argument disappeared down the hallway, Prime turned back to the now fully charged sparkling in his arms. Today was definitely proving to be an interesting one.

Slowly moving toward his massive chair in the corner and sitting, he couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen now. When he woke this morning, in human terms he was a bachelor and his only worry was wondering when the next attack from the Decepticons could be expected. Now, he was a sire of a newly sparked femmling that honestly could easily rank as being the cutest sparkling in the universe. Which was kind of a small competition considering she could be the ONLY sparkling in the universe. But…if from what he's seen today from Chromia's behavior…it could possibly become two sparklings instead of just one. Optimus chuckled to himself. That's unless old IronHide could stay out of her reach for a while.

Leaning back in his chair, he couldn't help but watch as the sparkling investigated her own digits and pads. Laughing at the new addition, Prime couldn't resist shaking his head. Little one's have always been the most amusing things. He could remember when Bumblebee was little, true he didn't raise him the same way IronHide did but he could recall a few times when Bumblebee was trusted with him…but…that was a long time ago. Looking down at the little one in his arms, he couldn't help but laugh at the fact that she was chewing her digits and cooing to herself. She was something different. Bumblebee often would rub his face with the same cooing sounds when he held him. But again that was eons ago, how did he know he still knew how to take care of sparklings?

Just then the sparkling stared up blankly and began to squirm and pull on Prime's chest armor. She pulled herself up and resting her head on his shoulders right in the crook of his neck and sighed tiredly. With her feet dangling freely and aft nestled in the crook of his arm she purred. Smiling to himself he couldn't but sigh out loud and coo.

"You really are a cute little thing."

Looking up tiredly from her spot by his neck she chirped and nestled herself back in closing her optics.

Laughing slightly he shook his head. "Is that all you do; recharge, refuel, play with my face plates, and then recharge again?"

Looking up tiredly and smiling she beeped and chirped quietly. Optimus shook his head smiling. "I believe that would count as a 'yes'."

Slowly standing up rocking her gently he chuckled. "Maybe being your parental figure will not be as difficult as I first anticipated."

Just then the sparkling sat up and started to beep and chirp wildly and almost jumped out of Prime's grasp. If not for astonishing lightning fast reflexes from Prime, the sparkling more than likely would have ended up on the floor.

Holding the sparkling up to his face he raised an optic. "What in the name of—?"

"Hey Prime?"

Turning around Prime flinched at the several pairs of optics watching him.

Sideswipe shook his head laughing. "Having some trouble are we?"

Looking at the sparkling that was still face plate to face plate with him, he could never have predicted that he'd get rasberried in the face. And then the sparkling responsible giggled and clapped happily.

Quiet laughs escaped several mechs who had been watching.

Wiping his face, he put the sparkling back by his chest and neck with her aft nestled comfortably in the crook of his arm.

"Can I assist you mechs in any way?"

Sideswipe laughed pointing to the sparkling in Prime's arm. "You could start with introductions Prime, tell us; who is that sweet little thing you've got there?"

Optimus looked down to have a small pair of optics watching him, and then looked up at the mechs in the doorway. "I trust you all know about my little…mishap."

Jolt laughed motioning toward the med bay. "Yeah, Ratchet already gave us the whole debriefing."

Sideswipe laughed crossing his arms. "Just couldn't keep your hands to yourself, could ya' Prime?"

Optimus rolled his optics and shook his head looking away as the other mechs laughed; only thing that was worse than having the majority of you soldiers laughing at you was having the sparkling in your arm laughing at you too.

Looking down and shaking his head he growled. "I'm glad you find this funny as well."

Just then out of nowhere, Bumblebee walked up to investigate the sparkling. She sat still and watched the strange yellow mech with wide cautious optics, then giggled hysterically as she turned away and nuzzled her face into Prime's armor.

Just then everyone, including Prime this time laughed.

Jolt shook his head chuckling. "Looks like someone is a little shy, Prime."

Looking down at the sparkling in his arms Prime nodded. "Yes, it appears she is."

The sparkling looked up and started chirping repeatedly. Optimus looked down and listened intently.

She continued to click and chirp wildly pulling on his chest armor.

Sideswipe shook his head laughing. "Can't understand sparkling talk, can you Prime?"

Putting a digit on the rambling child Prime shook his head. "No but if I did, it would be quite useful. She has been somewhat well behaved but that could soon change if I am not careful."

Suddenly both twins Skids and Mudflap shoved their way in. Skids shook his head and scoffed. "Aw man, its female? That sucks ass."

Mudflap shoved his brother slightly. "Femme is better than nothing bro."

As Prime continued to talk, he didn't realize he had a very uncomfortable and squirming sparkling in his arms. It was Bumblebee that caught the whimpering and squirming first, he knew something was up.

Pointing to the sparkling Bumblebee whistled to Prime.

Prime didn't even notice Bumblebee trying to get his attention as he scolded the twins, mainly Skids for cursing in front of the new sparkling, that she could pick up on words and say them and that if curse words were the first things she starts to say then it will be pit to pay.

But Prime eventually got the message when he felt something warm trickling down his front. He quickly pulled the sparkling away but it was too late. She was finished and giggled and chirped happily, she felt much better now. All mechs other than Prime burst out in heavy laughter. The little femmling just lubricated on him! She actually lubricated on Prime!

Looking down at himself then at the smiling sparkling he scowled and groaned. "Perfect."

Having heard a commotion of laughter coming from Prime's quarters, IronHide's curiosity got the better of him and he entered the room passing the others.

"What going on in here?"

Jolt turned around still laughing. "The femmling just lubricated on Prime!"

Looking at Prime who had a look of disgust written on his face plates, IronHide just couldn't help but join in the laughter. "Don't say I didn't warn you boss bot."

Scowling Prime walked to IronHide handing the sparkling to him abruptly. "Take her for me; I'm going to the wash racks to clean this mess off before it dries and sticks."

And with that Prime stormed through the hanger hallways cursing in Cybertronian to himself. The sparkling watched dumbfounded as her big mech walked away and then started to whimper as soon as he was out of sight.

Sideswipe pointed to the fidgeting femmling. "Uh 'Hide she's starting to whine."

IronHide looked down at the whimpering femme and then lifted and turned her toward him so she was face plate to face plate with him. "Now listen here kid, you don't need to cry, he's coming right back."

She looked at him and shivered. This black mech was scary!

Tears slowly started to seep from her optics and whimpers got slightly louder.

Suddenly Bumblebee smacked IronHide in the back of the head and took the sparkling leaving the black mech as well as the others a little surprised. Bumblebee didn't even pay attention to the glares and threats that IronHide threw out, he just watched the cowering sparkling cradled in his arms. He then whistled and tried to coo but came out as soft hums instead. Bumblebee then gently rubbed his nose plate against hers and laughed quietly. Slowly a smile crept in across the femmling's face and she giggled excitedly and investigated the yellow mech's face. His was different from her other mech but still fun to touch. Just then Bumblebee crossed his optics. She froze. Optics wide and mouth open. She then burst out laughing and screaming with pure joy as she grabbed for his face whistling almost as if to be saying 'DO IT AGAIN! DO IT AGAIN!'

Sideswipe turned to IronHide who was growling. Sideswipe laughed and nudged him with a punch to the shoulder. "Hey what do ya' know…Bumblebee's a natural!"

….*****….

Standing motionless in the wash racks, Prime groaned wearily letting the warm cleaning supplement run over his armor, taking his time as to let the smell fade away. Turning it off and stepping out he grabbed at towel and mumbled. Walking down the hallway, whipping his chest armor and antennas the sudden sound of screaming and laughter filled the hallway.

Quickening his step, he walked into his quarters to find Bumblebee sitting on the floor with the sparkling in front of him sitting on her aft laughing extremely hard and falling over. Bumblebee leaned over and picked the giddy femme up off the floor and seating her back on her aft. Covering his optics the little femmling leaned forward to investigate only to have Bumblebee reveal his face and say 'peak-a-boo!'

The sparkling giggled and chirped loudly as she clapped and grabbed for Bumblebee with open hands.

Without hesitation Bumblebee scooped the femmling into his hands and held her close to his chest cooing and humming making a happy sparkling even happier.

Optimus stood quietly in the door way leaning against the frame smiling and laughing quietly to himself taking into account that other than Bumblebee and the sparkling, the room was empty.

"Bumblebee, where did the others go?"

Both Bumblebee and the sparkling looked up to see the towering red and blue flamed mech standing in the doorway. Bee just shrugged with a sparkling reaching and whistling, beeping and chirping for her sire. Chuckling he walked over and kneeled down beside the two on the floor. He gently caressed the child's cheek plate and teased.

"You better have enjoyed lubricating on me, because it is going to be your first as well as your last time doing it."

Grabbing on to the large silver digit caressing her cheek, the sparkling giggled and chirped wildly as if to say 'don't count on it buddy'.

Bumblebee laughed quietly to himself. But looked away and became quiet when Prime looked at him. Prime laughed and pointed to the sparkling. "Do you enjoy looking after her Bumblebee?"

Bumblebee shrugged and nodded slightly. Prime smiled and gently caressed the child's head as he looked up at Bumblebee. "Then perhaps you could become my personal spark sitter, when I need some bot to look after my little spark, can I count on you being the first to volunteer?"

Bumblebee immediately looked up and nodded. Chuckling, Prime looked down at the sparkling that was nuzzling into his hand and purring. "You know Bumblebee; there is no bot on this base that probably understands this little spark's position better than you…all things considered what with you having been the youngest of the group for so long."

Bumblebee looked down and shrugged, obviously embarrassed. Prime just laughed. "I think you'll probably be the one to make this sparkling feel like she's not completely alone."

Bee looked up and nodded proudly, then shifted his venture to behind Prime. Turning around, Prime saw Lennox in the doorway with Epps standing behind him smiling broadly.

Prime shook his head chuckling. "Just couldn't resist the curiosity, could you major?"

Lennox pointed behind him to Epps. "It wasn't MY idea to come snooping, it was his!"

Epps turned abruptly scowling. "MY idea? You were the one that wanted to come and see what the new addition looked like!"

Optimus laughed and motioned toward the sparkling sitting in Bumblebee's lap. "Regardless as to whose idea it was, Major Lennox I am greatly pleased that you came. Please come in."

Wanting to see what was in Bumblebee's hands but not wanting to look desperate, Epps pushed Lennox into the massive room. Lennox turned around and growled quietly but then looked at the sparkling in Bumblebee's arms.

Epps looked it up and down in awe. "Holy cow, it's almost as big as me, and I'm an adult!"

Lennox glanced over and groaned. "Uh Epps, have you looked at the kid's daddy, he's not exactly the smallest Autobot on this base."

Epps glared back lightly hitting Lennox on the shoulder. "Well no duh, I thought he was the shortest!"

As the two humans fought with sarcasm and snappy comebacks over Prime's height, the sparkling crawled out of Bee's grip and swiftly crossed the floor stopping in front of the two looking them up and down. What were these things? Why were they so small? And why were they in different colors? Sitting on her aft, the sparkling looked both Epps up and down. Lennox froze in mid sentence and pointed to the small pair of optics watching them.

"Uh Will, she's not thinking what I think she's thinking?"

Will shrugged. "I don't know but I don't want to be an Autobot sized action figure."

Slowly the sparkling leaned forward and gently touched Will. Then shot back and clapped and chirped happily.

Bending down Prime gently took the child into his arms and stood to his full height. Will just stood in a daze confused as hell while Epps laughed his ass off.

Epps looked up still laughing. "She seems to be pretty curious."

Optimus nodded. "Yes when she doesn't feel like being shy."

Will looked up rubbing his stomach. "So…what's the kid's name?"

Optimus looked over cocking his head. "Her name? I guess I really haven't given it any thought."

Epps looked up laughing. "Not even any ideas?"

Prime shook his head, and then looked at the two. "Perhaps you two could be of some assistance."

Will pointed at both himself and Epps. "What? Us?"

Prime shrugged and nodded. "Perhaps you could help me come up with a more unique name for a unique sparkling."

Prime then looked down at the sparkling who was attempting to shove her entire fist in her mouth. Pulling her hand out of her mouth Optimus scoffed softly. She looked up with a wide grin and giggled as she fell over in Optimus' arms laughing and grabbing at her pads.

Both Will and Epps laughed shaking their heads. Epps smiled pointing to the sparkling. "Ya' know, she kind of reminds me of my niece Kayda, she always use to roll over in my lap and attempt to shove her entire fist in her mouth. And one time she even got it stuck! My sister was so worked up and insisted we take the poor kid to the emergency room! That was the funniest thing I've ever seen! Kayda was laughing and giggling away with her fist muffling her laughter as the doctors worked, and my sister was balling and praying!"

Prime remained quiet and then laughed quietly. "And this child's name was Kayda?"

Epps nodded grinning from ear to ear. "Oh yeah, you could always count on Kayda being full of surprises too."

Looking down at the sparkling in his arms, Prime nodded. "This one has defiantly proven to be 'full of SUPRISES'."

Looking down at Bumblebee Optimus raised and optic ridge. "What do you think Bumblebee?"

Bee just looked up and nodded.

Optimus chuckled softly looking back to the sparkling. "I like it."

Pulling the sparkling up closer to his face Prime whispered. "Kayda?"

With small digits in her mouth now instead of her whole fist, the sparkling looked up and smiled and then giggled. Optimus laughed setting the sparkling in a sitting position in the crook of his arm and letting her nuzzle into his neck beside his chin.

Epps laughed putting both hands behind his back. "If I didn't know any better, I would say that she liked that name."

Prime nodded looking out of the corner of his optic at the child. "Yes, I believe she does. So that leads to only one logical action."

Lennox looked up cocking his head. "And what would that be?"

Prime smiled pulling the child away from his chest and holding her out in front so his face was next to hers. "From this day forward, my femmling's name is Kayda."

Okay, I can explain the name "Kayda"! Just recently my brother got married to this really awesome girl and she has the most ADORABLE niece EVER! She's six years old and just a little ball of fun! I only thought it appropriate to dedicate Sparkling Kayda to my Kayda considering she was kind of my inspiration for this story. I LOVE YOU KAYDA! (P.S. She LOVES Bumblebee!) [I love my sister in law too! Luv ya Shelise!] By the way, throughout writing this chapter, the song: "Mr. Mom" by Lonestar was playing on the radio! XD