RL is slowly returning back to normal. Thankfully. It's been an exhausting two weeks. Somehow I managed to write this chapter. LOL. I hope you enjoy it.

Jazz was the first to spot Optimus when the big mech walked in, his sparkly blue optics never missed a thing. The tiny mech screeched a loud 'Oppy' then literally zipped across the floor. Hide followed at his own pace, as usual, content to sludge along, never in a rush to get anywhere unless it was feeding time.

"Oppy? I haven't been called that since Bee was a sparkling," Optimus chuckled, bending down and lifting up Jazz.

Elita remained back a little, watching her sparkmate handle the tiny sparkling. She was both surprised and comforted by how experienced he appeared handling such a small mechanism in his large hands. She made note that Optimus didn't look the least bit uncomfortable holding Jazz, like it was a very natural thing to do. She smiled, seeing this as a glimpse of what she had to look forward to with a sparkling of their own.

It was also quite clear that Optimus' charm even snared the tiniest of mechanisms. For Jazz was quite comfortable in Optimus' large hands and arms. The little mech twittered and warbled on and on excitedly as if he was telling Optimus about all he missed. Small arms and hands moving about in concert with beeps, warbles and clicks.

"He's so tiny," Optimus grinned when Jazz stopped his sparkling talk. "Reminds me of Bumblebee when he was a sparkling. I was always so scared that I'd step on him when he was crawling around. We actually thought he was going to be a minibot because he was so small."

"What happened?" Elita asked.

"He had a growth spurt," he answered. "By the time you joined the base he had caught up with Sunny and Sides in size."

"So, you're finally all back?" Chromia smirked. "Too bad. You were cute Optimus."

"So I've heard," he said, rolling his optics. "Just so you know, I'm still Prime and I expect everyone to follow my orders."

"Of course you are," Elita chimed in, moving to his side. "It was just an…optic open experience for all of us. Only that rumor about you being spawned from Primus as a fully mature mech wrecker has been totally demolished."

Jazz warbled quizzically at Optimus.

"It's better that I don't answer that, Jazz," Prime responded in a gentle tone making the little mech laugh loudly.

"You…you didn't actually understand him did you?" Elita asked.

"When they're so young they don't know most of what you're saying," he answered. "But its how you say things that they respond to. Jazz was always good at having a conversation about nothing with a sparkling."

(beep?)

"Yes, you were," Optimus cooed, poking Jazz in the belly with one finger making him shriek and giggle hysterically.

Meanwhile, Ironhide had made it to Optimus but was tired of sitting on the floor and being ignored. So, he rammed his head as hard as he could against the towering mech's foot. Than sat on his aft with a heavy grunt.

"Another thing…" Optimus started, handing Jazz over to Elita and then bending down to pick up Ironhide. "They don't like to be ignored and will do anything to get your attention. Sunny used to bite Ironhide when he wanted attention…which was all the time it seemed."

"Bet that went over well," Chormia snorted sarcastically.

Optimus sighed internally as he noticed a brief flicker of sadness on her face. He knew Ironhide very well, probably better than most. Well, except for Ratchet. But on those days when Optimus had to help a drunken Ironhide back to his quarters during the dead of night so no one else saw, the weapon specialist often spoke his spark. Optimus knew what Ironhide wanted out of life and was frankly surprised that Chromia hadn't had a couple of sparklings by now. It was very obvious she wanted them as much as Ironhide.

With a knowing look from Optimus, Elita smiled and took Jazz with her to the other side of the room. She understood that her mech had a job to do. Being a leader didn't just mean going out and kicking Decepticon aft all the time. For Optimus, it also meant being there for his fellow Autobots in any way they needed him.

Although the femme commander was getting anxious. Now that he was back she really wanted to get working on a sparkling. And she wasn't sure how much longer she was going to be able to wait!

Chromia sat there with a heavy spark as her Prime sat down next to her, her sparkmate sitting contently in the big mech's lap. She felt foolish for clinging onto the belief of wanting a sparkling. But it still didn't change how she felt deep within her spark.

"What happens when you and Ironhide talk about having sparklings? Or have you talked about it?" Optimus asked.

"I've tried subtle hints over the years but they never worked. I was too afraid to ask him. We were always at war with the Decepticons and he never brought up the subject. We never actually discussed it until this whole incident with you getting turned into a sparkling. But even then it was me talking and him looking for a way to end the discussion. Then I'd get mad and we'd fight."

"I can tell you right now that Ironhide does want a sparkling," Optimus said softly, making her optics well up with tears. "He noticed all those subtle hints. Told me about them often."

"Then why?" she asked, tears streaming down her face.

"To be honest, I think he's afraid he wouldn't be a good enough father."

"That's absurd! He'd be a great father!"

"I know that, you know that," Optimus continued. "But when it comes to anything involving you Chromia, things have to be perfect. Ironhide wouldn't settle for anything less than perfection for the one he loves more than life itself. Primus, it took the mech several years before he finally asked you to bond with him because he kept waiting for that perfect moment! I finally ordered him to do it!"

"So that recon mission you sent us on…?"

"Was all a set up," Optimus smiled. "I figured it was the only way to get you two alone with no distractions. And no excuses for Ironhide. Plus, I told him he'd better not report back unless he asked. Ratchet even threatened to take Hide's weapons systems offline too."

Chromia laughed, staring at her sparkmate chewing on his fingers. He flashed a smile at her. Only he could look adorable with his fingers in his mouth doing that.

"So, as soon as Wheeljack and Skyfire figure out what happened to me I want Ironhide returned back to his mature self. Our numbers are too few to be short even one mech or femme on this base." He paused, glancing over at Elita. "And with the prospect of sparklings we need everyone we can get to defend this base and the little ones."

"I understand," she smiled. "Can I have…one day?"

Optimus nodded with a smiled.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Good now…"

(fart!)

"Oh Primus, I don't miss those!" Prime exclaimed quickly but gently dropping Hide on Chromia's lap. "I pray your sparkling's exhaust fumes aren't as…" Optimus coughed. "…potent."

Ironhide giggled and clapped. He thought it was funny that he could make the big mech run away. Even Mia laughed with him, holding him close.

"Yeah, you always found that funny, Hide," Optimus commented, from a safe distance.

"Optimus…"

"One moment," he smiled at Elita, taking Jazz back into his arms. "So, Grimlock. How do you like sparkling sitting?"

"Me Grimlock no sparkling sit. Me Grimlock love to play with sparklings."

"Is that true Jazz?"

The little silver mech nodded enthusiastically and spewed off a series of beeps and clicks. Optimus responded and Grimlock watched anxiously. The dinobot didn't understand sparkling talk but it seemed Optimus did. He wondered what the tiny Autobot was saying about him.

"Then it's settled," Optimus smiled at Grimlock. "Grimlock will be our official sparkling playmate. Would you like the job?"

Grimlock quickly nodded his big head up and down.

"I'm sorry about the other dinobots," Optimus spoke softly. "We'll have a special ceremony of remembrance for them. Ok?"

Grimlock bowed his head down.

"I know you think you're not strong enough," Optimus sighed, laying a reassuring hand on Grimlock's shoulder. "But you're wrong. You're one of the strongest, bravest mech's I know. And I know you did your best to save the others. In the end, that's what you must believe. Loss is a part of war, a part of being a leader…a part of life. As leaders we may not like it. But we must accept it and carry on. Life will always carry on one way or another. Understand?"

"Life will carry on…in sparklings?"

"Yes, it will. Elita and I will have a sparkling soon. The little mech or femme is going to need a playmate who can protect him or her too."

"Me Grimlock will protect Optimus and Elita's sparkling. Me Grimlock promise to never let anything happen to puny Autobot."

Optimus laughed, "That's good. Elita and I have every confidence in you my friend."

Grimlock raised his head proudly, feeling so much better now that Optimus was back.

"Now, let's see how…oh good," Optimus said. "I was just on my way to see you, Prowl."

Jazz flashed Prowl a smile as the black and white mech approached. Prowl couldn't help but smile back, feeling Jazz reach out to him expressing his love. But then quickly remembered Optimus was there and the smile was gone.

Of course, Optimus noticed it all but had the courtesy to not say anything. It was nice to see that kind of smile on Prowl's face though. It'd been a long time coming to the mech to be that happy.

"Jack and Skyfire feel they've corrected the problem," Prowl explained. "They'll download Jazz's memories at a much slower rate than they did yours."

"Jazz's?" Optimus questioned, raising an optic ridge.

"Yes, Sir. I told them to try it on Jazz before Ironhide. Hide is the more experienced of the two and therefore more valuable."

"That's bull slag. Every one of you are highly valuable to me." Optimus paused, moving closer so he could speak more privately with Prowl. "I understand how you feel, Prowl. This incident has changed us all. Even you."

Prowl was not surprised at how perceptive Optimus was. It'd served the Autobot leader well. So there was no point in hiding what he felt.

"You're right Optimus. But I can't cling on to what I can never have. This must be done now. It'll only be much harder later."

"Very well, that is your choice," Optimus frowned handing Jazz over to Prowl. Prime looked over at Elita, hand extended. "We'll go together. I want to make sure everything turns out well."

Elita nodded, the warmth of her sparkmate's hand enveloping hers as the love he had for her spread within her spark. Together they followed Prowl and Jazz. The tiny sparkling was quiet and calm as if sensing something important was going to happen.

A smile spread across Optimus' face. He couldn't wait to hold a sparkling he and Elita produced. Hopefully, Ironhide and Chromia will be able to experience this joy that Optimus and Elita were looking forward too. Regardless, the base was going to have a new recruit and Optimus was going to make sure everyone would have the opportunity to sparkling sit.

"Just set him on the table," Wheeljack instructed after they all entered the lab.

Prowl nodded, moving towards the table. As much as it pained his spark, he set Jazz on the table. The little silver mech sensed something was wrong and immediately started crying.

"I was afraid of that," Ratchet said, rushing into the room. "I suggested you wait a short while first, Prowl, so I can give Jazz a mild sedative that will keep him out a few minutes."

"Sorry…I just want this over and done with," he said, lifting up Jazz, trying to console him.

Ratchet gave Prowl a sad smile. He understood what was bothering Prowl. The CMO had seen that look on a mech or femme's face many times when he was just a specialist doc bot, long before the war.

"Everything will work out," he said to the black and white mech while administering the mild sedative.

Prowl nodded and watched as Jazz drifted into recharge. Once he was situated on the table again, Ratchet and Prowl moved to stand with the others. Together they watched and waited.

Skyfire and Wheeljack did appear to have fixed the problem. No power surges. The entire process seemed to go by without any hitches. But the status of Jazz's CPU would be revealed once he awakened.

"His CPU has rebooted," Ratchet announced, much more calm this time around. After going over all the data with Skyfire and Wheeljack, he agreed they had downloaded Optimus' memories too fast and his CPU couldn't handle the intake. "And he's coming out of recharge as I had planned."

Since this was Prowl's sparkmate, it was his duty to be the first one that Jazz's optics would see. And he would be the first to know if Jazz was…himself.

"Oh…my aching processor," Jazz moaned, grabbing his head. Then he suddenly bolted up in a panic when he suddenly remembered. "Wheeljack!"

"Is ok," Prowl responded calmly, resting his hands on Jazz's shoulders to restrain him. "He's over there, see?" Jazz glanced over and indeed saw the white mech standing there grinning like the techno geek he was. "What's the last thing you remember?"

"An explosion. I had to get Jack to safety," the silver mech answered, his optics focusing more inwardly at the moment as the thought about his answer. He abruptly laughed. "Oh Primus does have a sense of humor! I can't believe I got turned into a sparkling!"

"You remember everything?" Ratchet asked.

"Oh yeah," Jazz smirked knowingly at Prowl. "Knew you would make a good father if given the chance."

"Nah, you were just a good sparkling," Prowl countered.

"Don't be so modest."

"Sound like Jazz is fine to me," Optimus stated. "Just…don't call me Oppy anymore, ok Jazz?"

"Got it boss bot."

"With that said, it's time we were going," Elita said, yanking Optimus hard towards the door. "Prowl, I assume you and Magnus can keep an optic on things for a while…again?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Prowl smiled as Optimus and Elita disappeared out the door.

"Oh boy, Jack, Skyfire…we've got work to do," Ratchet muttered.

"I was going to go through my destroyed lab…"

"Later, Jack. We've got sparkling protoforms to build."

"How many?" Skyfire asked.

"With those two over eager fraggers who knows!" Ratchet said, making them all laugh.

"Things will be different this time," Prowl smiled, looking at Jazz.

"That they will my good friend," Jazz agreed, patting Prowl on the shoulder. "That they will."

Up next: The final chapter. Sorry, no tears please! You'll get to meet Optimus and Elita's little sparkling. So there will be more sparkling cuteness. And you'll find out if Ironhide gave Chromia what she wanted.

One more thing there will be a poll up, after I post the next chapter, on whether to continue with a sequel or not. Please, don't give your opinions yet. Not until after you read the final chapter. Which should be coming soon, it's mostly written.