Author's note. Special mention of Darkrunner for my friend 'Stardust-uhh the twins did it' who the character of Nightrunner belongs to.

Warning for mention of goons.

Suggestions are welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

Darkrunner introducation

Spike suckled on his third bottle of Energon happily and with plenty of enthusiasm. He should have been fed already but thanks to the Dinobots, had had to wait. He still felt grumpy over that, the Dinobots knew he'd be taken away from them but had still taken him from Jazz. Meaning he'd had to wait even longer for his breakfast.

"It's definitely not as easy as I thought," Jazz admitted as he held Spike on his lap while feeding him.

Ratchet snorted while Ironhide chuckled.

"Ah, the joys of parenthood, never a dull moment, that's for sure."

"Indeed," Ratchet said dryly before adding.

"I don't think Spike was or is in any danger from the Dinobots but I'll make it clear their not to take him away from his carer again."

"They probably just wanted to help," Ironhide pointed out fairly.

Spike didn't know whether to believe that or not, they'd threatened to eat him. Well okay, not so much threatened as state they could eat him but still. But it was weird that they could understand him when he tried to speak but could only chirp. Was it because they were like Sparklings themselves in powerful bodies?

It didn't really matter but he wondered if he should tell the Autobots once he was back to normal. They'd sure be in for a shock, he'd been shocked when they'd answered him. He giggled at this thought and a little Energon dribbled down his chin.

"Whoa there, little man," Jazz laughed, quickly wiping the Energon away.

"Don't want to sick up all that lovely Energon, do we?"

Spike merely chirped in reply and started sucking again. Jazz chuckled.

"He sure does eat a lot, he'll be the size of a Minibot if he keeps this up."

"Hmm, it is likely he'll have some sort of growth spurt," Ratchet agreed with a small smile.

"Though I highly doubt he'll grow that big in so short amount of time. Nevertheless, he should probably get a nano transfusion so his systems can cope with his armour growing."

"Will he need anything else, doc?" Ironhide asked thoughtfully as he watched Spike.

"Ah mean, medically wise."

"A jab would probably be a good idea," Ratchet said, nodding. "This planet is so damp and full of microbes that it would be foolish not to. But I'll need a cycle or two to come up with the right formula, I'll ask Perceptor to help, he needs a new project."

"Better make sure ya got a few E-Treats on standby," Ironhide said with a laugh. "Ya know how much Sparklings hate jabs."

"True and they forever more mistrust me and other Medics," Ratchet said sardonically.

Spike couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Ratchet, it must be awful having Sparklings afraid of you just because you gave them a jab. He resolved not to act like this when he got his, he'd show them how brave he was.

He chirped plaintively as he discovered his bottle was empty and he still wanted a little more. Even though he knew what this would result in, he didn't care. He was hungry and he would eat.

"You're going to drink us dry," Jazz said cheerfully as he replaced Spike's bottle with a fresh one.

"He can drink all he likes," Ironhide declared as Spike gurgled with agreement.

"Ah'm so glad we got the resources ta support him like this, Sparklings should never go hungry."

"And it's thanks to the humans that we do," Ratchet said quietly. "They willingly allow us to produce Energy and live on their planet."

"Yeah, it's a shame the Cons don't see it that way," Jazz said sadly.

They all nodded sagely, yet another big difference between the two factions. Differences that prevented reconcile.

"Heh, don't worry Spike," the Saboteur said kindly to Spike.

"You don't have to worry about those mean ole Cons while you're a Sparkling. Cause we're not going to let them anywhere near you. What ya think of that little guy?"

Spike giggled and chirped happily, that was fine by him. He did not want to give Megatron and his goons another reason to mock him. Not that they needed any reasons, they tended to lecture him for the same things every time they caught him.

"Pathetic Earthling."

"idiotic child."

"How does it feel to be an Autobot mascot, fleshing?"

"In trouble again boy? Perhaps this time, Prime will give you the beating you so richly deserve."

"At least you get a good view of us trashing those worthless bots and their pathetic leader, Optimus Prime."

"Weak."

"A Sparkling is less helpless than you."

Spike grimaced he remember those mean words, Megatron and Starscream were never ones for mincing their words. And it didn't help when the other Decepticons joined in, especially those damn twins, Rumble and Frenzy. They liked to push him around, throw stuff at him, call him names, everything.

He grinned as an evil thought struck him.

Wouldn't it be great to spend some time with those Cons now, he could act like a total Sparkling and they'd never suspect a thing. They Autobots thought he couldn't remember who he was, and the Decepticons would probably be the same. He could be sick all over them and they'd never know he was doing it on purpose.

He started to giggle, his half empty bottle of Energon forgotten as he realised this thought.

The three Autobots all smiled down at him, it was good to hear a Sparkling laugh again. Ratchet carefully removed the bottle but Spike didn't protest, he was feeling very full. Ironhide reached over and patted Spike head as the Sparkling rocked in Jazz's arms, still giggling madly.

"There ya go little guy," Jazz said with a pleased grin, lifting Spike up and hugging him. "You never have two worry about anything, now while we'll here."

Optimus Prime's POV

While the trio of Autobots were tending to Spike, their leader was busy trying to contact Cybertron. Now that they had a little Sparkling on the base, he felt like he needed a little advice on the subject. Plus, it gave him a perfect excuse to call his beloved Elita.

It took him a bit of trying, but after a few failed attempts, he finally managed to patch through to Cybertron. There was quite a bit of static at first but after tweaking Teletran One a little, he managed to get rid of it.

And there in front of him, was his beautiful mate with her cute antennae.

"Optimus," she said with a warm smile as his face mask retracted.

"Elita, how are you Sweet Spark?" he asked softly, smiling right back at her.

"A little tired," she admitted. "We raided Shockwave during the night cycle, we managed to get a good supply but it took us rather a long time."

"As long as you're alright," Optimus said gently, pleased she hadn't been hurt.

He did wish they could be together where he could protect her but alas, it wasn't to be. His place was on Earth while hers was on Cybertron. But he could still dream about when they could be together, properly.

"Of course I am, Optimus," she now chuckled before asking.

"Now, what were you calling me about?"

"It about a little accident that happened with one of Wheeljack's inventions," Optimus began with a chuckle before explaining all about Spike.

Her optics steadily widened as he talked and when he was finished, she was looking quite shocked.

"A human boy is now one of us? As a little Sparkling?"

"Indeed," Optimus said with a small chuckle.

"He's an adorable little Sparkling with big turquoise optics. Ironhide has taken to calling him Orphelius."

"Orphelius, that's a nice name," Elita said, now smiling again.

"Yes, but I'm not sure if that's his official name yet," Optimus said quickly with a smile. "The others have been concocting some names for him, we may end up with quite a few."

"No doubt," she chuckled before saying briskly.

"So, the Prime himself needs advice on Sparklings, does he?"

"Guilty as charged," Optimus said mock meekly.

Elita laughed but before she could say anything else, there was a sound in the background and a voice said.

"Hi Elita, who are ya talking to?"

"My mate, Optimus," Elita said gently before catching Optimus's optic.

He nodded and Elita turned back to whoever had just entered.

"You want to say hello?"

"Yeah, sure,"

"Optimus, this is Nightrunner," Elita said as she moved aside for her mate to see the small Femme now standing in front of the screen.

She was a tiny looking Femme with a white protoform and oddly for a Transformer was wearing a cloth around her waist that still showed off her front but covered her sides and back. The cloth was black as was a piece of Chassis armour that covered her surprisingly large chest. The black armour had red swirl patterns on it, another unusual feature.

Her helm had a couple of 'ponytails' on either side and they were black as well. Her face was white and she had bright purple optics. She looked a bit like a cross between Jazz and Moonracer but there was something about her that reminded him of someone else.

"Hi Prime, I'm Nightrunner."

"Hello Nightrunner, I'm Optimus Prime," the blue and red Mech said kindly.

"Hi," she said before suddenly asking.

"What were you guys talking about?"

Optimus raised an optic brow at her abruptness but let it past. Since his face mask was back in place, she couldn't tell what he was thinking so he simply said.

"We have a Sparkling on our base, I was asking for some advice..."

"A Sparkling?" Nightrunner squealed.

"Ooh, ooh, I love Sparklings, can I come and look after it?"

"Uh," Optimus said uncertainly as Elita chuckled.

"We'll see my dear. Now, why don't you run along and get yourself some Energon, I'll see you later."

"Eh, okay," Nightrunner said with a shrug before saying.

"Tell Prowl I'll see him soon when I come to look after that Sparkling."

"Um," Optimus said dumbly but didn't get a chance to say anything else as the Femme had already run off.

"Who was that?" he asked as Elita laughed at his expression.

"Prowl's younger sister," she said as he looked shocked.

Prowl has a sister? That was certainly something the police car had kept to himself.

"She's had a difficult life," Elita explained softly. "Prowl was sent away when she was very young and they haven't spent that much time together but they still love each other very much."

"I'm sure they do," Optimus agreed with a small smile.

"Should she be allowed to come?"

"I think a visit would do her some good, get away from Cybertron and get to know her brother better," Elita said firmly before adding.

"She is good with Sparklings, she's just a little boisterous around adults, especially Mechs."

"Very well," Optimus said softly.

"If you can find out a time for her to use the Space Bridge, I'll have Skyfire pick her up and deliver her safely here."

"Thank you Optimus," Elita said with a wide smile that made his Spark leap.

He settled down to have a chat with his mate, thoughts of Spike and a young Femme temporarily driven from his mind.

Author's note. In the next chapter, its' Optimus's turn to look after Spike but how does that go? Find out next time, until then.