Author's note. Sorry for taking so long on updating this story, I got a bit of writer's block. But I finally got this chapter up and I hope you all like it.

Suggestions are welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

Megatron chilled

"What sort of complication?" Elita asked with a frown as the two Younglings looked rather anxious.

Optimus sighed again before saying gently.

"My dear, the Decepticons have him now. They have given him to the Seeker Thundercracker."

"How did that happen?" Boomer blurted out before flushing and looking down.

"Laserbeak spotted Spike and decided that we weren't suitable caretakers," Optimus said before saying sardonically. "I suppose her maternal instincts kicked in a little."

Elita's lips twitched before saying.

"Will he be safe with them? I know Seekers are generally very protective of Sparklings but..."

She trailed off helplessly, no doubt thinking of the likes of Megatron. Optimus knew what she meant but he hastened to reassure her.

"Thundercracker appeared to be taking his new role seriously, he even agreed to let see Spike's progress. But of course, we will still be trying to get him back."

"You will, especially if the effects wear off," Elita warned. "Even the Seekers may become enraged if their precious Sparkling turns into a teenage human boy."

Optimus winced, he hadn't thought of that. Most of the Decepticons highly disliked humans and even though they tended to ignore Spike, if they all found out he'd tricked them...

"We will get him back, don't worry Elita," he quickly assured his worried mate before saying to the two Younglings.

"I'm sorry kids but until we get Spike back, we'll need to postpone your visit. But even if Spike becomes a human again, I know he would love to meet you both...and Nightrunner."

They both grinned happily at this; they really wanted to visit Earth. Elita gave her mate a smile and said.

"I know you'll get him back Optimus but just remember that when you do, you're going to have some unhappy Seekers on your hands."

"I know but I'll deal with that when it comes," Optimus said with a chuckle.

"Stay safe my love."

"I will," she promised before breaking the connection.

Optimus sighed; he wished he hadn't been taken by surprise by Laserbeak. Ironhide was going crazy with worry; he wanted his little Orpheus back. And right now, Optimus had no idea how they were going to do that, he didn't even know what state Spike was in.

Spike's POV

Spike chirped as Thundercracker carried him along the corridor. He'd just had a short nap and a little Energon treat which Skywarp had sneakily given him. Now his new guardian was apparently taking him to the wash rooms to clean him up after all his adventures. He didn't think he was dirty at all but with the way the Seekers went on, you'd think he was up to his eyes in muck.

Or should that be optics?

"Which would you prefer?" Thundercracker asked his new Sparkling with a smile. "A bath or a wash?"

"Doesn't really matter," Spike chirped back but of course, the Seeker didn't understand him.

"Let's make it a bath, I haven't enjoyed one in a while. You've given me the perfect excuse, Ricochet."

This made Spike grin, he was feeling much more relaxed. At first, he'd been tense because they were after all Decepticons, robots who never missed an opportunity to make his life miserable. But since his cover hadn't been blown, he felt he could enjoy himself a bit. Who knows, maybe living with the Decepticons wouldn't be too bad.

"Here we are," Thundercracker said, placing Spike against his shoulder as he opened the door into a very steamy room.

Spike stared around interest; it was a very large room. In the centre, was a very large pool like bath which was sunk into the floor. At the opposite wall, were a series of shower heads, giving Mechs the option of either a quick shower or a wash. There were also some shelves containing different bottles and container which were probably used for washing. The place near the door had what looked like powerful dryers so that bots didn't leave the room sopping wet.

Spike gave a squeak of shock when he saw that Megatron of all Mechs was already in the large bath, head tipped back as steam rose in great volume. Spike buried his face against the Seeker's shoulder, if he felt nervous about any Mech, it was Megatron. Thundercracker noticed his distress and said soothingly.

"Shh, it's alright, you don't need to be scared. Megatron would never hurt an innocent Sparkling like you."

Spike gave him a rather disbelieving look but wasn't in a position to argue.

"Sir, may we join you?" Thundercracker asked respectfully as he approached Megatron.

"You may," Megatron replied, not bothering to move his head or even open his optics. "As long as you keep that Sparkling under control."

"I will my lord," Thundercracker assured him.

Before getting in the pool like bath, Thundercracker grabbed a sweet smelling bottle and a wash cloth before carefully stepping in opposite Megatron. The grey Mech didn't even react as Spike squealed as the very warm water touched his little feet. Thundercracker gently lowered both himself and Spike into the water before sitting down on the bench like seat running all the way around the pool, half way down.

"How's that?" Thundercracker asked kindly and Spike giggled and smashed his little fist down into the water.

"Hey, now," the Seeker chuckled; grabbing Spike's little hand before the splashing could disturb his leader.

Spike pouted, he wanted to splash and generally be naughty. Typical Cons being kill joys and stick in the muds'. The Autobots let him mess around and play, why wouldn't the Decepticons? As he pouted and huffed, Thuncercracker chuckled again.

"Come on Ricochet," Thuncercracker said mock sternly. "Let's get you clean and then you can play a bit."

With that, he poured some cleaner onto a wash cloth before starting to rub it onto the messy Sparkling. Spike squealed and wriggled away on the Seeker's lap, trying to dodge the sweet smelling cleaning cloth.

"Nah uh," Spike chirped stubbornly, making Thundercracker grin.

"You're worse than Warp, you know. He hates getting clean too," he explained as he gave Spike's tummy a little tickle.

Spike giggled, he was starting to really enjoy himself. He snuck a gaze at Megatron and saw that he was still relaxing making very naughty thoughts blossom in the little Sparkling's mind. He allowed Thundercracker to wash him but as soon as the Seeker was distracted by something else, he grabbed a nearby sponge and threw it right at Megatron. It hit the warlord's middle which was just above the water line. As Thundercracker gasped in shock, Megatron opened his optics and slowly lowered his head until his gaze was right on Spike.

Cheeky little Sparkling that he was, Spike just grinned back up at him, waving his little fists in the air.

"I'm so sorry, sir," Thundercracker said apologetically. "I think he's a little wound up, Warp gave him a treat earlier."

"Hmm," Megatron growled, giving Spike a very suspicious look. "I don't want another brat on my hands Thundercracker. You're Trine leader is enough to cope with."

"He won't be a brat," promised Thundcracker, rubbing Spike's captured little fists. "He's just come from the Autobots, give me some time to teach him to be a proper little bot."

Megatron considered this before nodding.

"Very well, I will allow you some time. But if he starts acting out, you will discipline him, understand?"

"I will, don't worry," Thundercracker said as Spike made a squeal of protest.

"Good, Sparklings and Younglings need discipline," Megatron stated as Spike scowled.

Thank goodness the Decepticon leader wasn't his guardian otherwise he'd be in a lot of trouble. His poor bottom would be left extremely sore because Megatron would probably always be whooping his ass for every little thing. With a little chirp, he buried his face against Thundercracker's shoulder as his back was washed.

"Are you going to be a good little Sparkling?" the Seeker now asked him but Spike just gave him another cheeky grin.

"Hmm, that's what I thought," Thundercracker said dryly as he scooped some water over the giggling Sparkling. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Let me go," Spike said ruefully but of course, it came out as a series of chirps and beeps.

"Right," laughed Thundercracker as Spike rolled his optics.

The Seeker paused before saying.

"Sir?"

"What is it?" Megatron replied, he had his optics closed again.

"What will we do if his Sire comes for him?"

Megatron made a scathing noise before saying.

"He left that Sparkling alone with the Autobots, I doubt he is coming back in a hurry. But even if he does, unless he's got something to offer, we won't release your brat."

"What Sire could leave him?" Thundercracker murmured as Spike looked indignant.

His dad hadn't left him; he just couldn't look after him while he was a Sparkling. Not that he really needed looking after, he was almost grown up. He could easily look after himself if he wanted to. It just so happened that he'd been indulging the Autobots and now the Decepticons.

"That is what Soundwave is going to find out," Megatron now said. "I want to know precisely how that Sparkling appeared on this miserable, Primus forsaken planet."

Spike scowled again, Earth was better than the scrap heap Cybertron currently was. He knew that was a mean thing to think but he couldn't help it when Megatron was around. He grabbed another sponge and tried to throw it at Megatron but this time, Thundercracker saw what he was up to.

"Ricochet," Thundercracker said warningly as he caught the little fist clutching a sopping sponge. "Stop being so naughty or you'll get a smack."

As Spike gave him a who, me? look, Thundercracker added.

"From him?"

And pointed right at Megatron who was still relaxing.

"CHIRP!" was Spike's response as he buried himself Thundercracker's armour again.

"That's what I thought," Thundercracker chuckled as he rubbed his back. "No more throwing, Ricochet."

"You're no fun," muttered Spike, dropping the sponge. Hopefully, he could cause some mischief later.

"There, you'll all clean now," Thndercracker now said with a smile as he proudly surveyed the Sparkling's gleaming body.

Spike just grinned up at him, this was so weird. The Seeker was normally so cold and stern, even the Autobots said so. But right now, he was being warm and friendly...and all because Spike was a Sparkling. He wouldn't have believed a Sparkling would make a huge difference but it obviously was. Even really tough bots like Ironhide were going all mushy over him and seemed almost desperate to spend time with him.

There probably wouldn't be as many Decepticons cooing over him as Autobots had been but to even find a few were surprising. Megatron was acting precisely as he normally did so at least some things never chance. It gave Spike an odd sense of comfort because the grey Mech wasn't acting out of character. Not that he wanted the others to be their usual mean selves, it just felt odd.

He looked up at his new guardian and saw that he was leaning back like Megatron, soaking up the warmth of the bath. Spike had to admit it was very soothing being in the lovely warm water, he was enjoying it a lot more than he normally would. Was it because of his Sparkling body? Maybe but it didn't really matter.

With a cute little yawn, Spike turned and cuddled into the Seeker's armour. He felt very drowsy now and found himself slipping off into recharge. As his body went limp, Thundercracker glanced down and carefully wrapped his arms around the sleeping Sparkling. He smiled; Ricochet was such a beautiful Sparkling even though he was a grounder.

Not that he was really biased against grounders, he just tended to find Seekerlings cuter. But his new Sparkling was indeed something special, especially with those beautiful optics of his. It set him apart from both the Autobots and the Decepticons and also made Thundercracker feel less guilty about the fact Ricochet wasn't actually his own.

He found he was experiencing emotions he'd never felt before, the desire to keep and raise this beautiful Sparkling. He wanted a proper cot for Ricochet, he wanted to give him Energon rich in minerals and supplements and he wanted to ensure that the little Sparkling never wanted for anything. He didn't know what he would do if and when Ricochet's Sire turned up but there was one thing he did know.

If said Sire wasn't capable of looking after Ricochet, then were was no way in the pit he was letting Ricochet go. He would willingly fight the entire Autobot army if they tried to take his new Sparkling away. Ricochet was now the Sparkling of a Seeker and Seeker did not give their Sparklings up easily if at all.

"All mine," Thundercracker murmured, bending down to kiss the sleeping Sparkling's head.

Author's note. Hope you all enjoyed that, I don't know when I can next update as I've got a lot of Uni work to get through. Until next time.