This is the setup chapter for Optimus and Ironhide sparkling antics and cuteness in the next chapter which will up in the next day or so. Sorry, I needed some kind of transition from them finding out that Ironhide was a sparkling to him and Optimus playing. It just didn't seem right to plop them on their afts and let them have at it. Not with the dialogue I wanted to get into the story.

So to make up for not having the baby mech wreckers showing their stuff, I've got some funny dialogue from the twins and Chromia threatening to blow of interface appliances if anyone messes with her mech.

Ratchet's assigned quarters now known as the Play Room

After the early morning frivolities, things quickly settled down. Wheeljack returned to his lab to work on some new ideas he had for undoing what's been done. Optimus and Ironhide finished their breakfast, a rather big breakfast for both - 3 bottles each. Both had fallen into an after meal recharge to digest.

For the others decisions had to be made and made quickly while the sparklings were quiet and smell free. While they had every confidence that Wheeljack would find a solution, work still had to get done around the base. When Optimus is returned back to normal he would be most displeased if his officers were negligent in their duties while he was out of commission.

So, it was Ratchet who came up with the idea to convert his originally assigned quarters into a play room. He never used them, opting for one of the smaller living quarters closest to the Med Bay. Besides, a play room was going to be necessary for the sparkling or sparklings Optimus and Elita were going to be sparking.

And since the room was uninhabited, it didn't take long for the mechs to remove the desk, recharge bed, and supply cabinets. One of the smaller couches from the recreation room was brought in. One of the two cribs Magnus found in storage was placed in a corner, the other taken to Chromia and Ironhide's room. Ironhide, the packrat, even had another bin of toys hiding in an unmarked container that Magnus found in the armory.

So in about an hour, a play room was ready for occupancy.

"It needs some pictures painted on the walls or something," Jazz commented as they stood back to inspect their handy work. "You know, bright colors, teddy bears, shapes…" he paused noticing all the raised optics ridges and optics staring at him like he was crazy. "What?"

"Later Jazz, it will work for now," Prowl insisted. "Ratchet, go ahead and let Elita and Chromia know the room is ready."

"No need, Prowl," Elita said from the doorway.

In her arms was Optimus staring at everything with alert and curious optics. Behind them was Ironhide yawning, rubbing an optic with a fist while leaning his head on Chromia's shoulder seemingly intent on heading back into recharge.

Oh wow!

Optimus trilled excitedly then start squirming and grunting hard. He wanted down now! Elita nearly dropped him with has much as he was wiggling in her arms.

"Better set him down," Ratchet chuckled.

"Hang on," she told her sparkmate, keeping a firm grip on him, she held him before her, feet dangling. "Patience, Optimus."

His legs grew still…for about an astrosecond then he start kicking and grunting again. He even let out a harsh beep at her. Elita relented and just set him on the floor. The toy bot was shoved into her hand before he sped towards the toy bins.

"You can't teach them everything," Magnus laughed. "Besides, patience doesn't exist for a sparkling or a youngling for that matter."

"Or some mature mechs," Chromia added, moving forward and setting Ironhide down on the floor near Optimus.

Everyone was quiet for a moment, watching as Ironhide crawled over to see what Optimus was doing. Optimus was clinging onto the storage bin as he stood on wobbly legs and looking at all the new toys.

Prowl took this quiet moment to speak up. Things had to get done they couldn't afford to be negligent any longer.

"This room is a safe and secure area to contain them while we get our work done," Prowl said, staring down at the peaceful sparklings. He knew all to well what was going to happen once they got going.

"Contain them? They're not Decepticons you throw in the brig, they're sparklings!" Elita snapped. She was ready to take his fraggin head off for saying such a thing about Optimus!

"Prowl is right," Magnus insisted, gently holding Elita back. "It was simpler with only one sparkling. Now there are two of them."

"Listen to them, Elita, you didn't see the mess Optimus caused all by himself!" Bumblebee exclaimed, flexing his hand. "I still have bite marks on my hand."

"Hopefully you learned your lesson, Bumblebee," Magnus seriously said.

Bumblebee nodded his head. Oh yeah, he learned his lesson alright!

"Good, you're on sparkling duty today," the City Commander continued. "Prowl is heading out to check on a possible Barricade sighting. Jazz and Elita will be with him as back up if he needs it. Remember to hang back. We want to draw Barricade out if possible before closing in on him. Chormia, I need you in the Command Center with me monitoring the situation. Ratchet…make sure Wheeljack stays alive so he can bring Optimus and Ironhide back to us."

"What about us?" Sides asked, pointing at him and his brother.

"You're on sparkling duty with Bumblebee."

"Frag that!" Sunny adamantly protested. "I'd rather deal with the Decepticon…at least him I can shoot at in self-defense!"

"Too bad," Magnus smirked. "What's that phrase, Jazz?"

"Payback! It's a bitch!" Jazz snickered. "Good luck! It was nice knowing ya!"

"Jazz, be nice," Prowl chided.

"You all have your orders, let's get to it," Magnus said.

"Wait! Wait!" Sunny requested as everyone started leaving. "Can we have something to…to you know stuff up Ironhide's tailpipe in case he has a gas attack again?"

The plasma rifle came from nowhere and was pointed right at his crotch. It was primed too. Sunny could feel its heat! It was not a pleasant feeling near such a sensitive area.

"If you so much as put a scratch or do anything near my sparkmate's aft I will blow it off where it counts!" Chromia growled her optics were tiny slits that glowed hot with femme fury.

"I was merely concerned for Bumblebee," Sunny nervously responded, hands up in the air, slowly inching away. "He's the responsible one. The one we can't afford to have passing out from nasty exhaust fumes."

The weapon's safety slowly clicked off.

Sparklings' laughter suddenly filled the room. Optimus and Ironhide had managed to both get inside the same toy bin. Apparently they figured it was easier to get the toys out this way rather than pulling them out.

"Chromia, live weapons near sparklings is never a good thing," Prowl said calmly, his hand gently replacing the weapon's safety back on.

"I promise Ironhide will be well cared for," Bumblebee spoke, pulling Sunny behind him. Then he looked to Elita. "As will Optimus."

"Of course, they will," Magnus said, deciding to take control. "We have our orders, move out everyone."

"Bee, here," Elita smiled, handing Bumblebee the toy bot. "He'll want it back once he's done playing with the other toys."

"I understand."

More giggles and shrieking sounded from the sparklings.

That was everyone's queue to head out, leaving Bee, Sunny, and Sides alone in the room with the sparklings.

"I wonder if Ironhide bites too," Sides muttered sitting on the couch.

"It's not his mouth I'm worried about," Sunny commented sitting next to his brother.

"Guys, they're sparklings. We're three agile mech wreckers who have taken down Decepticons. We've seen what Optimus can do. We can handle two little sparklings."

"I sure hope you're right, Bee," Sunny said watching Optimus and Ironhide. The little mech wreckers were chatting away about something in their sparkling talk.

"Trust me," Bee smiled, standing confidently with his arms folded across his chest.

Up next: The Ironhide, Optimus sparkling showdown. Will Bee and the twins handle the mini duo? Or will Optimus and Ironhide get the better of the three mech wreckers they had helped to raise?