*Bangs on pot with wooden spoon* Come and get it, fresh and hot! The next chapter of Tiny! :p

Most of you all got it right; Sparkling Prime did indeed meet Ms. Darby. If there was any confusion as to who I was initially talking about, I am very sorry. That was entirely my fault. Accidently left out a word.

I don't own TFP, but I do own this story.

Let's get on with this! :D

…Soundwave's POV: Datapad Journal Entry #42…

Needless to say, Lord Megatron was not pleased to find out that sparkling was now with the Autobots. Much to my surprise, he did not kill me on the spot, as I expected. He begrudgingly agreed with me that the little one was safer with the Autobots. Even though Starscream was adequately punished by the Autobot medic (I deployed Laserbeak and recorded the incident), I highly doubt the Seeker would have stopped until the little one was dead.

Starscream had been beaten many times before when he crossed Lord Megatron and yet he continues to betray him. The beating he received from the Autobot was more severe than most given to him by Lord Megatron, but, as we have seen in the past, the beatings seem to only encourage the Seeker to achieve his goal by any means necessary. After observing the Seeker for a time, I have concluded that morals are secondary to him.

If the sparkling stayed, he would have to be under constant surveillance. Stationing mechs around the little one to guard him would only provide a small amount of security. Starscream knows how to slip past our forces at the right moment and do what he pleases. The Seeker knows no bounds in reaching his own goals.

Also, I do not wish to take away from the little one's childhood. No sparkling should live under constant surveillance.

There are a number of logical reasons as to why the sparkling is safer with the Autobots, but, personal experience has driven me more so to make this decision.

Before I became a Decepticon, and before I was a gladiator in Kaon, I led a normal life in Tagan Heights. I was a different mech then, and I did not wear this mask. I was an ore factory worker processing metals for weapons, armor and other things in a lower caste to support myself, my sparkling, Wingspar, and for a time, my sparkmate.

Femmes were generally uncommon on Cybertron, but they were especially rare in the lower castes. Factory accidents claimed most femmes in our caste. It was a wonder a femme as small and dainty as my sparkmate, Halyard, happily lived the rough dangerous life of a lower caste bot. She was a strong sparked femme and couldn't stand being called by her full name, specifically by me. She preferred to be called 'Halli'. She also preferred to call me 'Kitten' because of her love of cybercats.

Even as I write this, I am wracked with memories of Halli. I do not wish to delve too deeply in them, but I can't help but remember her joking, light-sparked manner. I remember the solar cycle she found out she was carrying. I had never seen her so happy before. I couldn't help but share her happiness.

Halli was one of the many victims of the Cosmic Rust outbreaks. These epidemics tended to occur frequently among the bots of the lower castes, specifically the factory workers, whose workspaces were never always safe. My mate was unable to receive treatment in time and died three vorns after she had Wingspar, leaving me to care for our child. Her dying wish was for me to protect the sparkling we brought into the world. And I did so.

Though I grieved my sparkmate's death, I cherished Wingspar's company, despite the very close resemblance he bore to his carrier. The little one was the light of my life. While I cared for Parvolus, I was constantly reminded of Wingspar's quiet, curious demeanor. He was a shy little mech when we had leave for supplies, but once we returned home, he chirped and chattered to me to his spark's content. Wingspar loved to explore, much like Parvolus. On more than one occasion I had to get Wingspar down from the energon cabinets after he'd flown up there. His thrusters developed quickly and he enjoyed using them very much. Wingspar was adored by our neighbors much the same way my fellow Decepticons did for Parvolus. Parvolus seems to be almost a clone of Wingspar, aside from differing frames. Even their voices were somewhat similar. I could not help but feel protective of Parvolus.

One evening, I had left to get more cubes of energon for us from the local storage unit next door. I was not worried about leaving Wingspar, since the bonded couple above us and the young femme next door keep an optic on my little one if I had to leave. Once I returned, I saw that Wingspar was gone. I assumed that the young femme, Clearout, had taken Wingspar to her residence and was taking safety precautions. Because I was a single parent and because she was the only one I truly trusted in all of Tagan Heights, I had given the kind, young femme the access code to my residence, should Wingspar needed to be relocated and cared for.

But I soon noticed that not all was right. The bonded couple that lived above us was down in front of my residence, having heard a strange noise. I was followed by the couple into my residence and I immediately looked at the front table. Clearout would not have left without leaving a datapad on that particular table stating that she had Wingspar. There was no datapad on the table. I felt a draft coming from the back room of my small residence. I never opened the back window, so I knew something was very wrong. I cautiously walked towards the back room, my neighbors close behind.

I will never forget the sight I saw in the back room.

Energon pooled on the floor as I looked at the scene before me. Clearout sat on the floor just below the shattered window, a long blade piercing her spark chamber, next to a shattered datapad. I could obviously tell that she had been… severely violated before she was killed. Energon ran from around the blade, so I knew that she had just been killed. She was leaned over, helm down, and appeared to be protecting something. I had moved closer to see what was in her servos. My sparkling sat still on her lap.

Two smoking holes were in Wingspar's helm.

I do not remember what I did as a reaction to the murders, nor do I want to remember. I only remember the anger and the guilt. Had I not left to get energon, they would not have been terminated. I took it upon myself to find out who killed my kindly neighbor and innocent sparkling. After much investigating, I figured out that it was a psychotic criminal named Faultline. The murders perfectly matched his signature method of operation. He had escaped custody a vorn before and had killed ten sparklings and violated the femmes caring for them.

The mech was never brought to justice. Even after I had become a Decepticon, I searched for the murderer, in hopes of avenging the deaths of two innocent bots that were close to me. Despite my best efforts, I could not track him. The local police had made little effort to assist me in my search, occupied with other matters in the higher castes.

I could not allow anyone to take a sparkling away from me again, regardless of who the little one truly was or what my leader said. I had failed once, and I would not fail again.

I know for a fact that the Autobot medic has a very close bond with the little one. His love for the little one was only reconfirmed when I saw the footage of him attacking Starscream for putting the sparkling in harm's way. Before Parvolus and I departed the Nemesis, I took him to visit the Decepticons he had formed bonds with. I did not allow him to see Lord Megatron, despite the elder brother relationship he had formed with Parvolus, since he would have kept me from giving the little one back to the Autobots. The little one did not know it at the time, but that would be the last time he sees these bots for a very long time.

While he played with the Vehicons, Tripwire and Shank, I looked at Rudder and he gazed back at me through his yellow optic band. I suspect that he knew what I planned on doing, but did not say a word. The old bot nodded once, as if to subtly approve of my course of action.

I had found the location of the Autobot base while I was caring for Parvolus, and chose not to notify Lord Megatron. I could not bring myself to destroy a sparkling's family. That would put me on the same level as Faultline. I am still withholding this information from our leader and will continue to do so.

With these coordinates I had sent an anonymous transmission to the Autobot base, requesting to only meet with the Autobot medic. I held the sparkling close and played a song I felt best expressed how I felt at the moment. I did not want to let go of the little one, but it must be done. The medic raced through their Ground Bridge alone, something I can conclude rarely happened. I gently handed him the little one and watched briefly as the medic embraced Parvolus. The memories of seeing my sparkmate holding Wingspar so lovingly flooded my processor when I saw them together. I had turned to leave the parent and child to one another when I heard Parvolus call after me. He said goodbye in the Decepticons' language. At that moment, pride swelled in my spark. He had learned well from my teachings. I lifted a servo in farewell and flew off towards the Nemesis, feeling conflicted between sadness and relief.

The medic was a more suitable guardian than I. Parvolus will not be a victim of senseless murder, like Wimgspar and Clearout were.

I failed my Halli once. I will not fail her again.

~Soundwave

…Wheeljack's POV: Autobot Outpost Omega One…

This is a total mess.

I moved back over to my invention. It had blown up again. All it seems to want to do is blow up. I'm probably giving too much energy to the restructure nanites…

The kid's been gone for some time now and Ratchet's on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I didn't realize just how important the little kid was to the Doc. I almost feel like I'm letting him down for not coming up with a cure soon enough. It doesn't make it any better that he was caught by the Decepticons.

I sat in the berthroom Arcee had given me and stared at the invention that had just exploded in my face. This isn't getting anywhere fast. I'd better go take a break before I fry my processor trying to figure this mess out. I stood up to leave right before Bumblebee threw my door open.

"Would ya mind knocking first?" The yellow youngling just shook his helm and had this excited look in his optics. His doorwings couldn't stop twitching and moving around. What's got him all happy?

"C'mon, Wheeljack! You've got to see this!" I just shrugged and followed him. Bee ran down the hall towards the main control room. I'm not running anywhere, so I'll just walk. As soon as I made it to the main room, I saw everybody in there. Huh. I thought everyone was recharging. It was after midnight.

"Jackie, come over here, quick!" Bulkhead said, just as excited as Bee was. Ratchet had his back to me, focusing all his attention on something. Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee all surrounded him. I walked over to see what was going on.

"Well, would ya look at that!" Doc Bot was holding sparkling Optimus in his arms! The little kid was all smiles and was chirping happy nonsense in sparkling talk. My question is how'd Doc Bot get him away from the 'Cons.

"Ratchet said Soundwave just gave him back! This is so GREAT!" Mind-reading Bee was practically bouncing on his pedes as he looked at emotionless 'Con gave him back? I smirked. Right.

"Bee's right, Jackie. Who knew the creep had a spark!" Bulkhead laughed. Sheesh, everyone's a mind-reader today.

"It he alright?" I asked. Couldn't come up with nothing else better to say. Ratchet turned and looked at me. He had this look in his eye, like he'd just been crying. I didn't say anything about it as he talked to me.

"He's fine. Soundwave has evidently been taking good care of him. He's not injured and has a full tank of energon." Doc Bot cradled the little kid close to his spark and stroked his little helm. The kid leaned into his servo and clicked happily when he heard Soundwave's name.

"H-He wuhz my gawdee-an!" Optimus stuttered cheerfully. My optics widened. That 'Con was his guardian? I wonder what else happened on the Nemesis.

"We can save the stories for the morning." Ratchet turned and looked at all of us. "He'll need his energy for tomorrow when the kids come."

After that we all headed back to our rooms without putting up much of a fight. Once I got back to mine, I sat down on my berth and stretched out, servo behind my helm. I might not be doing too hot with finding a cure, but at least we got the kid back.

I dimmed the lights and stared at the ceiling while I lay on my berth. I need to get some kind of processor protection. Everybody's a fragging mind-reader.

…

I stood in the main control room with Ratchet and little Optimus. Both of us were waiting on the other three to come with the kids. Bulkhead said it was a school day for them. Ratchet was holding the sleeping kid in his arms swaying from side to side. Ya know, ever since this morning I've been meaning to ask him something. Might as well ask him now while no one's around.

"Hey, Doc." He turned to look at me. Least I got his attention. "I've wanted to ask you something…"

"Well, what is it? And keep your voice down!" Ratchet snapped, glaring at me.

I glanced at the recharging kid and lowered my voicebox volume. "What happened to your face?"

I noticed it last night when the kid was back. It looked like it was fresh. I was in my room working on a cure for Optimus for most of the time in the past few days, so I haven't really been around to see much of anything happen around the base. His right optic had a nasty looking scratch over it. Ratchet looked at me for a second.

"My optic was slashed by Starscream."

I raised my optic ridges. Starscream? As far as I know, that coward does his best to avoid a fight, not get into them. He really only fights in self-defense. I casually crossed my arms over my chassis, faking disinterest.

"What did Starscream do?" Ratchet's optics grew brighter for a second as he scoffed.

"More like, 'What did I do to him?'."

"What happened?" I'm interested now. Doc Bot doesn't do too much fighting. He usually just stays in the base. But from Bulkhead what told me, he really knows how to put some hurt on the 'Cons.

"I had a violent conniption."

"A violent what?"

"A violent fit of anger."

"What did he do to make you that mad?" I asked. There wasn't anything unusual about Ratchet getting mad, but he doesn't get violent about it. I took a small step back when Ratchet's optics turned blood red for a second before going back to normal. Starscream must have really pissed him off. He growled his answer.

"He tried to kill Optimus." Wow. Why would anyone kill a sparkling? He can't defend himself and it doesn't help that he's the first sparkling in a very long time.

"How'd you find that out?"

"Megatron told us."

"And you believed him." Still holding the sparkling, he gave me a pointed look.

"Megatron would not have come with Starscream if the only thing he wanted to do was gloat. And Megatron does consider morals. Starscream is possibly the only 'Con aside from Shockwave willing to commit infanticide within his own species to get what he wants."

"I'm sure you beat the Pit outta him." He just smiled a little at me. Before I could asy anything else, the other bots came back into the base in their alt-modes. The humans all hopped out and said hi to me and Ratchet. As soon as they got a good look at Ratchet, they froze.

"Is that…?" Jack said, pointing at the kid in Ratchet's arms. Miko looked like she was on the verge of tears as she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

"It's Optimus!" Raf said, obviously excited. Doc Bot was smiling gently as the little kid slowly woke up. The entire room got quiet as he opened his huge optics. He chirped at Ratchet and looked down at the kids. An enormous smile spread across his shiny faceplates.

"Meeko! Raf! Jack!" Optimus squeaked, reaching down towards them. Ratchet crouched and let the little kid down. Optimus tried to stand, but fell back down on his backside. I smiled when I saw the frustrated look on his face. He didn't have to stand, though. The humans were coming towards him. Bulkhead and I glanced at each other as we all watched Optimus meet up with the kids.

He must've really missed the three of them.

…Optimus's POV…

I did not realize exactly how much I missed the children until I saw them below me. The child within at that point had no interest in being held and wished to be put down. Ratchet sensed what I wanted and placed me down on the floor. I attempted to stand, but fell back down on my behind, much to my frustration. Miko rushed over to me and gave me a hug, which I gladly returned. Ratchet growled at Miko as she hugged me, startling her into letting me go.

I suspect that Ratchet is upset at Miko for initially taking me out of the base. Though his emotions are understandable, I know that the young human meant no harm.

The children all surrounded me, asking many questions all and once. I could not understand them, but I was not bothered by that. I was happy to see the human children I have become so fond of.

I looked at Miko and saw the guilty and apologetic expression on her face. I know that she had taken me without Ratchet knowing, but had she not gone to play hide and seek with me, I would not have met Soundwave. I would not have seen the caring, protective nature of my silent guardian. I would not have been able to speak with Beakdown in sparkling talk, and play with Knockout and his tools. I would not have been able to see the individuality in the Vehicons, especially Tripwire, Shank, Rudder and Volk. I would not have seen the second, brotherly side of Megatron.

I should be thanking the young human.

"Miko, do not feel sorry for what you have done. I wish to thank you for providing a window for me to experience the Decepticon in a way that would not have been open given any other circumstances." I am aware of the glitch in my CPU keeping me from hearing the child English I was undoubtedly using. But, I do hope that she understood the general message I was sending.

What I said rendered her speechless. I am glad that she understood me. Raf spoke up after Miko let go of me.

"Uh, why are you white and gold?"

I was surprised that the question did not come sooner. "Knockout and Breakdown changed the colors for me." I crossed my legs as I sat on the floor.

"Knockout must've gotten annoyed at how scratched your paint was." Arcee concluded. I nodded.

"So what else happened on the Nemesis?" Bumblebee asked, anticipation lacing his voice. I could not think of where I could start. Before I could begin to answer, the unmistakable tone of the proximity sensors sounded through the main room. Ratchet immediately picked me up from the floor and cradled me protectively to his spark. I instinctively leaned into him, enveloping myself in the warmth emanating from his frame.

"What is it?" Arcee said, frame tensing. Bumblebee accessed the silo perimeter security cameras from the green monitor and revealed a white car driving off the road and towards the entrance towards the base entrance.

Jack groaned. "Mom."

I blinked in Ratchet's arms and absently began to chew on my digits. The child within was wary of meeting Ms. Darby because I did not know her well. But the warrior within me was not worried, and was intrigued as to how she would react to me it this state.

…June Darby's POV…

I only wanted to visit the base to check on Jack and the Autobots. I haven't been there in a while. Jack hasn't been saying much about what's going on around the base lately, so I'll see for myself. I smiled a bit as I drove off the road and towards the silo entrance. Hopefully, Optimus is there. I haven't talked to him in a while.

I pulled up into the base and parked my car by the wall. I saw the 'Bots standing around like they were waiting for me. I'm guessing that's Wheeljack leaning against the wall near the hallway. I never met him before, but Jack told me about him. Ratchet had his back to me, occupied with something else. I saw Jack and the other kids standing by their guardians' feet. I waved at my son and said hi. I know how much he hates being hugged in public, so I usually just wave.

"H-Hey, Mom! What're you doing here?" Jack rubbed the back of his neck.

"Just wanted to see how you and the 'Bots were doing. Hello, Arcee." The blue motorcycle nodded once. I said hi to Bulkhead and Bumblebee and turned to Wheeljack.

"You're Wheeljack, right?"

He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at me. "The one and only. What of it?"

"Nothing. I just never met you until now. My name is June Darby, by the way."

He jerked his head in my son's direction. "You're Jack's carrier?"

I gave him a confused look. What was a 'carrier'? Before I could even ask about that, Arcee answered.

"'Carrier' means 'mother' in human terms." I looked back at Wheeljack.

"Yes, I'm his mother." He only grunted in response, still leaning against the wall. Ratchet was still occupied doing something on the other side of the room. He looked almost like he was holding something, but I can't be sure. I'll go and ask him.

"Doctor, what are you holding?" He stopped moving as soon as he heard my voice and turned around. He was holding a baby in his arms! My eyes widened in shock. I didn't expect to see anything like that! The baby was white and gold, and looked strangely familiar.

"Is he Optimus's son? He looks exactly like him." Bumblebee sounded embarrassed when he buzzed behind me. I saw Bulkhead begin to twiddle his thumbs as Jack walked up to me.

"Uh, Mom? That is Optimus." I was struck speechless. How did Optimus turn into a baby? His bright, blue eyes were huge as he looked back down at me. Ratchet was cradling him on the crook of one arm and had a handheld scanner in his free hand.

"Before you even ask, I'll start from the beginning." Arcee cut in. She told me that one of Wheeljack's inventions had blown up around a month ago and turned Optimus into a baby, or, sparkling. She said Optimus still has his memories from when he was grown and that he should recognize me. He stayed with the 'Bots for a while until the Decepticons took him. Arcee avoided exactly how the 'Cons got him, but I won't ask. The 'Bots had searched for him for a while until the 'Con named Soundwave gave him back. It makes me wonder why he gave him back to the Autobots. I thought it would be better for them if the 'Cons kept Optimus. But I won't question it. At least he's unhurt and back with the Autobots.

While Arcee explained this to me, Ratchet must've let little Optimus get down because I felt him tugging lightly on my pants leg. I looked down to see little Optimus on his hands and knees, staring up at me. I crouched down to his level and smiled sweetly at him.

"Hey, baby. How are you?" He smiled back at me and responded.

"Good, M-Miss Darbee!" I couldn't help but smile even more. His voice was so cute; it reminded me of how Jack sounded when he was a little boy. I was surprised he spoke in English. I figured that he would speak in whatever language they do on Cybertron… But Arcee said that he still had his memories, so it would make sense for him to remember how to speak English. He stutters a bit, though.

Little Optimus sounds so different from how he normally is. I know he's a sparkling, but he sounds so cheerful and carefree. Optimus is usually so serious and if you look carefully, he looks sad and weighed down. I'm glad to see that he doesn't look so sad now. I put my hands on my hips and looked up at Ratchet, the mom in me kicking in.

"Do you have formula for him?" We went on to discuss different things regarding childcare while the kids and the other 'Bots in the room went about their business. I never realized how remarkably similar human and Cybertronian childcare is. Even the ways to help get the baby to sleep are similar. Ratchet was talking about this as if he were little Optimus's parent. Well, maybe he's acting as an adoptive parent. I've never seen a side beyond his usual gruff demeanor. It's nice to see a caring side of him that any parent could recognize.

Suddenly, there was a loud clattering noise. I jolted and turned around. What was that? It gave me a good scare! Everyone turned around and looked at where the noise came from. A cloud of dust was growing near the wall. Arcee moved closer to it as Ratchet stepped over me. The look on the doctor's face told me he knew exactly what happened.

"Optimus Prime!" Ratchet's voice grew very stern as the room grew quiet. The baby must've did something he had no business doing. Ratchet used his full name.

The dust cloud lowered to reveal a very dirty sparkling. His body went from white to black. Next to him on the ground was a rusty air vent grill. He probably got a little curious, like all babies do. He coughed as he sat on the ground and rubbed the dirt off his face. I smiled and shook my head while Bulkhead and Bumblebee laughed.

"Ooh, somebody's in trouble." Miko snickered from the railing. The dust settled and Ratchet picked Optimus up, brushing some of the dust off his little body. The doctor complained and grumbled about the old air vent and all the dirty that came out of it. The irritated look on Ratchet's face told me what was coming next.

"Now I'm going to have to give you a bath!"

Hehe, bath time for Sparkling Prime! I know he's gonna love this!

Tagan Heights on Cybertron was once responsible for forty percent of all of the planet's industrial output, which is a lot. The factories were very dangerous and I'm sure the disease Cosmic Rust was an issue when working with sometimes contaminated metals.

I own Clearout, Wingspar, Faultline and Halyard. I'll tell you a bit about them. Clearout is a young femme who was wise for her age and close friends with Soundwave. She also liked being around Wingspar. Clearout was murdered after she was severely violated and with a long blade through the spark. Wingspar is the deceased sparkling of Soundwave and Halyard, who loved to explore but didn't like strangers. He was killed when his home was broken into and shot in the head twice.

Faultline is a psychotic serial killer who murdered ten sparklings, severely violated and killed countless femmes. There is no documentation on where he came from or who he really is. He escaped custody and disappeared, unable to be tracked down by Soundwave or the police. Halyard is the deceased sparkmate of Soundwave, who preferred to be called 'Halli'. She loved children, cybercats and was a very light-sparked femme, able to find something to smile about in even the worst of situations. She was a victim of one of the many Cosmic Rust outbreaks.

IBrokeThe4thWall, thank you for reminding me about Wheeljack. I kinda forgot about him. I credit his POV to you.

Sparklings, I credit the scene where Optimus thanks Miko to you.

KayleeChiara, I credit Soundwave's journal entry to you. I will be following the Cons through Soundwave's journal for the time being.

Optimus' girl, does Optimus get adopted by Ratchet? …Maybe, maybe not. ;)

Thank you all for the ideas! Ans speaking of ideas, if you have an idea, don't hesitate to tell me in a review.

Until next time and let me know what you think!