Author's note. Sorry for the wait, I was working on other stories.

To Tiedwithribbons, I am working on the next chapter of 'An AllSpark Wish' but it's taking longer than I hoped. I'll get I up as soon as I can.

Enjoy and please review.

"You better have a talk with that little brat," Starscream fumed as Thundercracker looked very seriously at Spike. "I cannot believe his nerve..."

"You really think he framed you?" Thundercracker with a sigh.

"Who else could it have been?" Starscream snarled angrily. "Or do you really think I did it?"

"No but as I said, there's no proof that Ricochet did anything," Thundercracker pointed out before saying. "I'm having a talk with him anyway; make sure he understands not to do anything like that."

"You'd better," Starscream said warningly. "If he does anything like this again and especially if he tries to frame me for it, he is going to be one sorry little Sparkling."

And with that he stalked out of the room, although not before grabbing the painted canon. Thundercracker sighed heavily in relief just as Soundwave said.

"Suggestion: Sparklings needs distraction."

"Hmm, what do you suggest?" Thundercracker said, now looking at Soundwave.

"A meeting with my own Creations," Soundwave said promptly. "They can play together and tire him out a bit."

Thundercracker considered this for a moment and then nodded. It sounded like a good plan and was probably just what his Sparkling needed. At least this was something he could give Ricochet that the Autobots couldn't, proper playmates.

"That sounds like a very good idea, thank you," Thundercracker said with a smile as Soundwave inclined his head.

"Now, I'm just going to have a little word with this young Mech here," the Seeker now said as Soundwave nodded and exited the room.

Thundercracker now walked over to a chair, sat down and placed Spike on his lap. The little Sparkling chirped curiously up at his guardian who regarded him sternly.

"Don't give me that look, Ricochet, I think you know why I want to talk to you," Thundercracker told the naughty little Sparkling. "You can't behave badly Ricochet because there will be consequences."

"Spoilsport," Spike said mulishly, it had just been a bit of fun.

"Do you remember what Megatron said?" the Seeker asked him sternly. "If you misbehave, you're going to get smacked, do you want that?"

"No," Spike yelped, coming out as a loud chirp.

"Because Megatron....and Starscream will smack you if you cause trouble," Thundercracker warned him seriously. "And you won't like that Ricochet, trust me."

"Just a joke," Spike said with a sigh but maybe Thundercracker was right. He'd been pretty lucky that no one could fully blame him for what happened but he might not be so lucky next time.

"You got me?" Thundercracker now asked and Spike chirped in a way that he hoped showed he understood.

"Good," the Seeker said with a sigh of relief. "Come on, let's get you some Energon, I think you'll be hungry now."

Spike clicked and chirped with excitement, he was starting to feel very hungry. Mischief making could really take it out of you. Thundercracker chuckled at his ward's enthusiasm, he certainly liked his Energon. Thundercracker carried him over to a table, carefully placing him on it before sub spacing some Sparkling grade Energon. Spike chirped in delight and made grabbing motions towards it.

"Take it nice and slow," Thundercracker told him firmly as he gave the bottle to Spike who eagerly grabbed it and started suckling.

"What did I say?" the blue Seeker asked, taking a hold of the end of the bottle.

"Bah!" the Sparkling answered before continuing to suck.

"You've certainly got a fire about you," Thundercracker chuckled fondly. "I think you'll do well here, as long as you can learn to pick your fights."

Spike thought about that as he fed. It was weird that a Seeker was telling him he could be a Decepticon. If Thundercracker knew who he actually was, he'd certainly change his mind in a click. At least none of them, not even Soundwave seemed to suspect who he really was. He wondered how long he'd have to remain here, how long until the Autobots rescued him. And how long did he have to remain in this body, he wanted his normal teenage, human body.

"Wonder how my dad is taking this?" he thought to himself as he happily sucked on the bottle.

The Ark

"Spike is with the Decepticons?"

Sparkplug stared in disbelief at the Autobots who looked very ashamed of themselves. He couldn't believe it, Spike had been kidnapped again by the Cons but this time, he was a helpless baby. How could they have allowed this to happen, they were supposed to protect him? He could barely think, what kind of danger was his boy in?

"I cannot apologise enough for what's happened," Optimus said gravely. "But the good news is the Decepticons don't mean him any harm."

"What do you mean?" Sparkplug demanded with narrowed eyes.

"Thundercracker wishes to adopt him," Optimus explained carefully as Sparkplug actually did a double take.

"The Seeker?"

As the Autobots nodded, he demanded.

"What the hell does that winged demon want with my boy?"

"He don't know he's yours," Ironhide piped up. "They all think he's a little Sparkling we're looking after because his Carrier off-lined."

"Carrier?" Sparkplug said, nonplussed.

"Mother," Prowl corrected. "We told the Decepticons that we were looking after the Sparkling because his Sire, you, is currently unable to take care of him. So far, they've accepted that story."

"So when are they going to return him?" Sparkplug asked although he had a bad feeling about the answer.

"I do not know," Optimus answered. "Thundercracker appears to have taken a shine to young Spike; he comes across as a very bubbly happy Sparkling. Seekers can be very parental and Thundercracker's instincts have been aroused. He feels he can be a better guardian than any of us."

"Why?" Sparkplug asked very confused, what had they gone to offend the Cons?

"Ah, their all a bunch of pansies," Ironhide said derisively. "Spike was having a great time playing in the sand and they took offence to that."

Sparkplug stared in confusion, what was wrong with that? All kids loved playing in the dirt, the filthier, the better.

"Seekers put a lot of emphasis on cleanliness," Prowl explained. "They believed we were neglecting him, allowing him to play outside on an organic planet. And I imagine they were curious, considering most of us have not seen Sparklings in a very long time."

"So what are they doing with him?" Sparkplug asked as he digested this new information.

"Probably close to what we were doing," Jazz said. "Feeding him, cleaning him, playing with him and just looking after him basically. Thundercracker might be a Decepticon but he's also the most honourable out of all of them, there's no way he'd harm an innocent Sparkling. The problem is convincing him to let Spike go before he becomes too attached."

Sparkplug felt a cold sensation travel down his spine. The idea of anyone, especially a Decepticon, becoming too attached to his son was almost more than he could bear. Then he felt anger, how dare that bloody Seeker think he could take Spike away from him. Damn it, if they were the same height and species, he'd give that Seeker a good punch on the jaw.

"What are you going to do about this?" he demanded of the Autobots.

"We're going to get him back," Optimus said firmly. "Somehow, we shall get him back and then find a way to return him to human form. Wheeljack is still working on that solution and he's very optimistic."

Sparkplug grimaced, as much as he liked the inventor; his inventions had a habit of going awry. But he couldn't bear to think of the possibility that Spike might not be returned to his normal form anytime soon. Banishing this thought, he asked softly.

"Will you be able to protect him?"

"We will," Optimus said solemnly. "The Decepticons took us by surprise once; they will not do so again."

Sparkplug nodded; there was no point in getting angry or arguing. Besides, it wasn't as if he could do anything, there was no way he could reach the Nemesis on his own and he definitely couldn't rescue Spike all by himself. All he could really do was wait for the Autobots to fix this and pray the Decepticons in the meantime, didn't discover who Spike really was.

The Nemesis

Spike chirped as he was carried along the corridor by Thundercracker. He was going to spend the rest of the afternoon with Soundwave's Cassettes in an effort to tire him out and prevent mischief. Spike wasn't sure about this idea, while Laserbeak and Ravage had been okay, past experience with Rumble and Frenzy hadn't been great. They had always acted rather mean to him but would they be nicer to him as a Sparkling?

He cuddled into his guardian, he really wasn't sure. Hopefully Ravage and Laserbeak would protect him; they'd certainly acted protective before. At least none of them knew who he was, he knew those mini menaces would never let him hear the end of it. He'd be subjected to a lot of taunting and teasing at the very least.

"You sure I'll be okay with them?" he questioned Thundercracker who just rubbed his shoulders.

"I hope you're going to behave for me?" his guardian told him. "It's very generous of Soundwave to offer this and it's all for your benefit."

"We'll see," mumbled Spike, feeling even more nervous.

"Look at it this way," Thundercracker continued. "You'd never find any proper playmates with the Autobots, would you?"

"Says you?" Spike retorted grumpily but Thundercracker thought he was agreeing.

He received a pat on the head which made him pout. Clinging onto Thundercracker, he mused that he'd be much happier when he was back in his own body and able to properly communicate with everyone. Although he had to admit it was interesting to be able to understand the likes of Ravage and co, he never thought he'd experience that.

"Here we are," Thundercracker said cheerfully, pressing a button on the panel next to the door.

It was opened by Soundwave who regarded Spike before looking at Thundercracker.

"Thank you for looking after him," Thundercracker said gratefully as he handed over Spike who chirped plaintively.

"You'll be okay, Ricochet," Thundercracker told him firmly. "Just be a good Sparkling and make me proud."

"Alright," Spike chirped very softly.

Thundercracker gave him a smile and stroked his head before allowing Soundwave to back into his room. The door closed and Spike was left held in the navy blue Mech's arms as he was carried over to a couch were overlooked the cassettes.

"He's looking well," Ravage purred, she was reclined on a plush pillow while Laserbeak and Buzzsaw were sitting on their own perches, made noises of agreement.

"Thundercracker makes a good Sire," Ravage continued as Spike peeped at her from over Soundwave's arm.

"He does," chirped Laserbeak approvingly as Soundwave placed Spike on the couch.

"He's not too bad," Spike thought to himself but he didn't say this out loud in case they understood him.

"Can we play with him?" Rumble suddenly asked loudly with a big grin, startling Spike who hid his face against Soundwave.

"What's the matter with him?" demanded Frenzy, he and his twin seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

"He's shy because you two are too loud," Ravage abolished as Soundwave said.

"Cassettes will play nicely with Sparkling, he is very young."

"Can he talk yet?" Frenzy asked curiously but Soundwave's response was.

"Negative."

"Huh, a real baby then," Rumble said thoughtfully as Spike glared at him.

"I'm not a baby," he almost said angrily but managed to contain himself.

"Don't be mean," Ravage said sternly before getting up with a stretch. Coming over to Spike, she gave him a small nuzzle and murmured.

"Remember me little one?"

With a chirp, he reached forward and placed his little hands on the Cybertron panther's face. After a careful exanimation that only a Sparkling could do, he suddenly beamed and squealed with delight. This made Ravage purr and lick the Sparkling's face, saying.

"Clever Sparkling."

This made Spike feel a lot better, all Sparklings loved to be complimented. Maybe this visit wouldn't be so bad after all.

Author's note. How does Spike's play date go? Does he get into any mischief? Find out next time, until then.