Author's note. Sorry for taking so long to update.

Hee, as you will see, Spike gets very embarrassed about something but what is it? Read on to find out.

With thanks to OrionPrime92 and AuroraFerreri for their suggestions.

Suggestions are very welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

Spike Mortified.

Spike giggled as Ironhide made up a cot berth for him. After an afternoon of being admired by all the Autobots, it had been decided that it was time he had a nap. Optimus had declared that Ironhide would take Spike this night and have him during tomorrow.

The little Sparkling would then spend the next night with somebody else although that hadn't been agreed upon yet. There would be a lot of wrangling over the next few hours as to who would have this honour.

"Orphelius, time for bed," Ironhide finally said as he stood up straight and cricked his back.

A name hadn't been chosen for Spike but it seemed Ironhide had decided to give the Sparkling his own name. Spike wasn't sure what to make of the name, it was much fancier than his real name. But he didn't dislike it, so he decided to accept it for now.

He blew a raspberry as Ironhide lifted him off his own berth and gently laid him inside the cot. Spike grumbled slightly as Ironhide carefully tucked a blanket around him, he couldn't believe he had to go to bed this early. It wasn't even dark.

"Now don't give me that look, young'un," Ironhide chuckled as Spike scowled up at him.

"Ya need yer rest, ya'all had a busy day today."

"Bah," Spike thought as he buried himself under the blankets, showing his displeasure by ignoring the red Mech.

Said Mech merely chuckled and lightly pinched Spike's cheek before moving away. Now that Spike was down for the night, he couldn't leave in case anything happened. But though he wasn't used to retiring so early, there was still plenty he could do.

He started by cleaning and polishing his various guns and weapons. He made sure he wasn't noisy and kept an audio out for any unusual sounds from Spike. But as time went on, the grumbles and squeaks from Spike became less and less until finally, when he looked over, the beautiful Sparkling was sound asleep.

Ironhide chuckled and tucked the blanket a bit more securely around him. He knew the little Sparkling, if he could understand him would be mad but he couldn't help but think he was the cutest thing he had ever seen.

The next day.

Amazingly, Spike slept throughout the night and well into the morning. Ironhide was mildly surprised, nearly all the Sparklings he'd known were prone to walking in the middle of the night at least once. But he wasn't complaining, he was glad to have a full cycles sleep.

He suspected this wouldn't last, the Sparkling had probably only slept so soundly because of the stress his body had been put through. But hey, he wasn't the one who'd have the Sparkling tonight so he didn't need to worry.

"Heh, wonder what poor slagger's gonna get ya tonight, Orphelius?"

Orphelius merely yawned wildly before rolling onto his back. Ironhide laughed before carefully scooping him into his arms and carrying him out of his room. Ratchet had declared that he would prepare the Sparkling's Energon each morning so that he could drink it with the other Autobots.

It was fairly quiet, most had already had their morning Energon and was going about their duties. Ironhide greeted those he did meet and paused to allow the Mechs to coo over the still sleeping Sparkling. It seemed they couldn't get enough of the little darling.

"How is he?" Bumblebee asked anxiously as Ironhide finally entered the Rec Room.

"He's doing fine?" Ironhide said proudly, pleased at how well everything was going.

"Slept through the night, no problem whatsoever."

"Ha, that will change," came a dry toned voice to one side.

Ironhide simply grinned over at Ratchet who was preparing the Sparkling formula, making sure it was the right temperature. Ironhide strolled over to the head Medic, Bumblebee at his heels.

"Heh, ah know, but it's nice ta enjoy it while it lasts."

Ratchet gave him a smirk just as Spike wriggled and woke up. He blinked large turquoise optics at the smiling faces before gurgling with delight. They awed at the sight before Ratchet turned serious.

"Think you can manage?" he asked dryly as Ironhide sat himself down, cradling the Sparkling in his arms.

"Ah managed the twins, didn't ah?" Ironhide retorted, as he held out a hand for the bottle.

Ratchet chuckled and handed it over as Spike raised clutching hands for it. Ironhide steered it towards his mouth and the Sparkling latched onto it and started sucking in earnest.

"Careful there," Ironhide warned as Spike gulped down the Energon in mere minutes.

"You'll get an ache in yer tanks if ya keep this up."

But Spike didn't listen and finished the bottle within moments. He then shoved the bottle away and started grousing for more. Ratchet sighed and prepared a second bottle and soon Spike was guzzling it down. Bumblebee stared in open astonishment as Spike carried on consuming the Energon formula.

"How can he eat so much?" the yellow Mech finally burst out, as the two older Mechs laughed.

"Sparklings go through periods of extensive eating, it helps them grow. This young Mech is going to grow fast," Ratchet said approvingly.

"Wow," Bumblebee said softly as Spike finished his third and started on a fourth.

"Did I drink that much when I was his age?"

"Ah think ya did," Ironhide chuckled as Spike attempted to inhale the Energon.

"Primus," was all Bumblebee could mutter.

But eventually, Spike had to finish with a slight hiccup. Ironhide placed him over his shoulder and helped Spike to burp. Spike made a funny noise and a small glob of indigested Energon spewed from his mouth as he let out a loud burp.

Ratchet was there in an instant, cleaning it up as Bumblebee looked slightly horrified.

"Heh not that pretty, is it?" Ironhide said, spotting the Youngling's expression.

"And it only gets worse," he added which made Bumblebee gulp.

Spike didn't hear this point as he was still attempting to control the funny feeling in his tank. Luckily for him, it soon settled down and he didn't sick up again. He now felt very sleepy and found himself cuddled in Ironhide's arms.

A part of him felt annoyed that he had to nap after only just waking up a mere hour or so ago. But the Sparkling part of him really wanted to have a good sleep while he digested his large meal. And the Sparkling part won out in the end.

He woke sometime later in glorious sunshine. Ironhide was outside and watching some Autobots at the shooting range, practising their aim. They were far enough away that the sound of blaster fire didn't bother the Sparkling, he just watched with great interest.

"Good watching, isn't it?" his red guardian said, noticing that his charge was awake.

Spike merely giggled in response.

"Guess who you'll be with tonight?" Ironhide now said, getting Spike to look at him.

"Jazz, ya lucky Sparkling. He'll take good care of ya."

Spike started to gurgle with pleasure but suddenly stopped to frown. His tank felt funny, very funny. He didn't know what was wrong but oddly enough it didn't feel like he was about to sick up.

"What's wrong with me?" he wondered as he started to moan slight and clutch at his abdomen.

Ironide quickly noticed his distress and scooped him up to take a look at him.

"Orphelius?" What's wrong?" he asked with concern as the Sparkling's tanks started to make a strange rumble like noise.

"Ah hell, ah know what this is," Ironhide said grimly as he jumped to his feet and carried Spike inside.

"What, what is it?" Spike tried to demand but it came out as a squeak.

"Ah nearly forgot what happens when Sparklings take in Energon," Ironhide said, more ot himself than to Spike.

"Sorry, Orphelius, this ain't gonna be pleasant," he said as he quickly ducked into an empty Wash Room.

Spike was now very alarmed, what the hell was happening? But before he could try to demand an answer, Ironhide had carefully set him down on a bench that rested under some shower heads.

And as the funny feeling in Spike's tanks reached an almost unbearable high, Ironhide started fiddling with Spike's lower body, pressing on some points in the armour. Spike squeaked as some armour feel away from his bottom area, leaving him very exposed.

"What's he doing?" he thought in alarm as Ironhide carefully placed a basin near to his bottom.

"Don't hold it in little fellow, just let it all out," Ironhide murmured softly, ready and waiting for what was to come.

And that's when it hit Spike and he nearly yelled in horror. No, no, no, no, no, this was not happening, he was not going...potty with Ironhide. Sadly for him, his body didn't give him a choice.

"Frag it," he howled as bi-waste was expelled from his body in a most undignified manner. Frankly, he'd rather had purged it all up than go through this humiliation.

He started to cry, even though his body felt much better for it. Ironhide didn't say a word, just methodically went at the task in hand, cleaning away the waste and the snivelling Sparkling. Finally, he scooped the unhappy Sparkling against his chest and cooed.

"It's alright, don't you worry none, happens to all of us when we was Sparklings."

He started to walk out of the Wash Room, still explaining.

"Sparklings can't process Energon like we can, we barely produce much waste unless it's slag quality stuff. Ya got nothing ta be ashamed of, little fellow."

"Easy for you to say," Spike thought as he cuddled into the warm armour.

Being a Sparkling was not as easy as it looked.

To be continued.

Author's note. Poor Spike didn't enjoy that, but what other things must he endure before he's turned back into a human? Find out next time, when he stays with Jazz, until then.