I couldn't have an Ironhide chapter without a Ratchet chapter! Plus, I know you're all dying to see Optimus take his very first steps.

Ratchet

"Be still you little pit-spawn," I muttered softly to myself trying my best to examine the sparkling mech who was being a little ball of energy at the moment.

Optimus had no intention of complying with me and in fact was making things as difficult as possible. Turning his head one way then the other. Trying to crawl away. Kicking his legs about. Pulling his arms from my grasp. Nearly falling off the exam table once when I turned for a mere astrosecond to grab a medical instrument.

"No, you can't have it," I insisted when Optimus reached for the instrument.

The sparkling squawked loudly at me for not letting him have what he wanted. His dissatisfaction apparent on his tiny faceplates. Again, he reached for the medical instrument.

"I said, no," I firmly said to him.

Tears formed instantly. His bottom lip stuck out.

My resolved stood firm.

"I'm sorry, but you can't have it, Optimus. It's not a toy."

He whimpered softly.

"Nope. No can do little mech."

"Ppleezz," he begged.

His young voice was so gently in his request. His tears slowly rolled down his faceplates.

My spark melted.

I let him have the instrument. My spark couldn't bear to see or hear him cry. And he did say please.

"Tank yo…Rratcch," he smiled, his optics focused on his prize.

"You're very welcome," I sighed, rubbing the top of his head.

Oh well, at least one good thing came out of it. Optimus sat still long enough for me to finish his physical exam.

For five orns he was a big sparkling. I still shake my head in wonder as he was so tiny when he was born. His language skills are ahead of schedule. Even his reasoning skills are ahead of other sparklings his age.

Optimus is one smart little sparkling. He actually has fun with the puzzles Prowl brings him. And he's so serious about them too. I've often watched the tiny mech sit there for a full breem and work on a puzzle.

However, because of his size he's still not strong enough to stand on his own like other sparklings his age. Not that it matters. Optimus was fast on all fours and can give the most seasoned mech wrecker, like Jazz, a good work out.

"Oops!" he gasped, his optics wide looking up at me.

"Oops, indeed," I chuckled bending down and picking up the instrument he dropped on the floor. I laid it aside then picked him up. "Come on, time for your feeding."

Like on other feeding occasions, Optimus got excited. His long legs started kicking about. All coherent words were useless as he didn't know any to express his excitement yet. So he chirped, beeped, warbled, whistled, did whatever noise he could to express himself when feeding time.

Regardless, it warmed my spark to see him so happy. Primus, I loved the little mech so much.

I plopped him gently on his aft on the floor. Then I made quick work of making his bottles and gave him one before he got upset. Because of his growth rate we've had to upgrade him to a more filling energon enriched nutrient ahead of time. But still, he drinks two bottles every feeding.

Sitting before him, I watched contently as he suckled down his meal. I've always noticed how his tiny blue optics were always so alert. He didn't want to miss anything. We all know his audio receptors didn't miss a thing. As a result we've had to be careful about what we say around the little sparkling.

"Finish that one first, Optimus," I chuckled, when he reached for the other bottle while still drinking the first one.

A few couple of klicks later he was done. To make certain the bottle was empty Optimus shook it.

"Morre ppleezz," he request, holding the empty bottle up for me to take.

"Here you go," I smiled, exchanging bottles with him.

"Tanks," he exhaled before shoving the bottle in his mouth.

"You're most welcome," I cooed, bending over and kissing the top of his head.

"TELL THAT FRAGGER, I'M GONNA RIP HIM A NEW SLAGGIN AFT FOR THAT!"

I instantly groaned, covering my optics upon hearing Ironhide's voice booming from the hallway into my Med Bay and straight into the young and innocent audio receptor's of little Optimus.

"Oh, slag it! Ratchet, I'm sorry! I had no idea the little fella was in here," Ironhide sputtered, coming to a halt just inside the Med Bay door upon seeing the little sparkling on the floor.

"It's too late to apologize now! I'm sure he heard every single word!"

"You didn't hear anything, did you Optimus?" Ironhide asked, coming in and kneeling before the sparkling.

Optimus grinned, giggled, and then drooled some of his drink down his chin. All while keeping the bottle in his mouth.

"We'll know when he's done eating!" I snapped at Ironhide.

"Rratcch! Here."

"Thank you Optimus," I said, taking the empty bottle from him.

"You gonna say my name today?" Ironhide asked the sparkling as I got to my feet and disposed of the bottles. "Come on, you can say it. Hide."

"You know he won't say anything until he feels like it," I reminded my friend.

"I know," Hide sighed. "But I'm the only one whose name he doesn't attempt to say yet. He says Jack, Jazz, Ratch, although he says Powl and not Prowl but its close."

"Well, maybe it's because you made him cry when he was only a few days old. Little Optimus has a better than average memory recall for his age."

"Come on Optimus…say Hide."

Optimus stared intently at Ironhide.

"Say…Hide."

Those adorable optic covers blinked a few times. He was thinking about it, that much was certain.

"Hide," Ironhide repeated slowly.

Optimus smiled.

"Please?" Ironhide asked.

I covered a smile. I have never in my long vorns seen Ironhide beg for anything. Like me, Optimus has a special place in my friend's spark.

"Just once, Optimus. Just say Hide once and I'll never ask anything of you again."

Optimus sat calmly, staring up at the mech. His little mouth opened. I moved closer in anticipation, watching the sparkling, hoping he'll make my friend happy at least once to pacify him.

"Ffraggerr," Optimus said with a serious tone, his optics locked intently on Ironhide's.

Then the little pit spawn flash that sweet smile of his up at Ironhide. The one that made everyone's spark just melt into their spark casing.

"Well, I suppose I deserved that," Ironhide smiled. "I did call you a fragger first."

"Hide, don't encourage him!"

"Oh, quit being such a whiny nursemaid! I'm sure he doesn't have a clue as to what he's saying."

"Slagginn…aftt," Optimus giggled up at us much to my dismay.

"See what you did, Hide!"

"Don't hand me that load of slag! I'm not the only one saying such words around the sparkling! I've heard you call him a little pit-spawn on a number of occasions!"

"Slagginn..pit..spa…pawn!"

"Stop! He's getting worse!" I pleased with Ironhide.

"Fraggerr!" Optimus squealed and giggled.

"Perfect…just perfect! Sentinel is going to kills us both!" I moaned, rubbing my temples.

"Why would I kill either of you?"

"Papa!" cheered the little mech.

Ironhide and I stiffened upon hearing our soon to be irate friend's voice. We both turned slowly to see Sentinel was standing in doorway. Between us, the little sparkling was reaching for his papa.

"Oh, no reason," I quickly said.

"How did your exam go, Optimus?" Sentinel asked, heading towards his son.

"Slaggin…pit..sppawwn!"

Sentinel froze in his tracks. His face darkened as he looked at us both. I cringed, waiting for the laser fire to erupt from some where. Even Ironhide looked afraid and I've never known him to be afraid of anything.

"Where did my son hear those words?" Sentinel demanded.

I immediately pointed an accusing finger at Ironhide who in turn pointed one at me.

Optimus giggled up at us.

"I want an answer, now!" our friend growled. "Or I'm going to throw both of your A-F-T-Ss in the brig!"

"Well Ironhide…"

"Put a socket in it! It wasn't all my fault!" Ironhide interrupted.

"If you'd just let me explain!"

"And put me under the fraggin laser cannon to save your own aft!"

"For Primus sake, grow up! And stop talking like that in front of the sparkling! He's innocent processor's been corrupted enough by your vulgar language!"

"Oh and yours is so much better than mine! I've heard far worse spew from your vocal processor!"

"Enough!" Sentinel roared, silencing us both.

"Guys…look!" Thea's gentle voice suddenly sounded, startling me a little for I wasn't expecting her to drop by the Med Bay.

Her voice was filled with excitement and wonderment. And with good reason.

Optimus was no longer sitting on the floor between us. He was a few feet away and standing on his feet. His legs buckled and he fell onto his aft.

"Oops," he said to no one but himself.

The three of us mechs remained quiet and didn't interfere with Thea or the sparkling. Through her encouraging words, her son got back on his feet. He let out a nervous laugh.

"Come to me Optimus. Be a good little mech and walk to mama."

He was a determined little mech. That much was certain. I could see it in his face as he took one tiny, timid step. And then another. And another. And as he crossed the room slowly, each step became bolder and bolder.

Primus, I felt just excited as Sentinel and Thea did when Optimus finally reached his mother's expectant arms.

"There'll be no stopping him now!" I smiled as we gathered around Thea; each of us rubbing the sparkling's head.

"Let's see if he'll walk to you, Sentinel," she suggested, setting Optimus down on his feet before her.

This time we all encouraged Optimus. His long little legs lifted up high with each step. It was almost comical to watch him; he was still trying to work out how his legs were supposed to propel him forward. Yet, I did not laugh but felt proud and honored to be there to witness his very first steps.

No one was more proud than Sentinel. His pride literally radiated off him as he held his son up high above his head. The little mech giggle excitedly, basking in all the affection.

"In light of my son's achievement today," Sentinel began with a smile, cradling his son close against his chest. "I'll have no reprimand. But I'm begging you both, for my son's sake to please control your language around him."

"Of course, Sentinel," I replied. "We will. Right, Ironhide."

"You can count on us, Sentinel."