Author's note. Thanks for all the suggestions I've had, don't worry I'll be using them. Remember, if you have a suggestion, don't hesitate to tell me.

In this chapter, the Sparklings behave just like, well, Sparklings, all except one. Can you guess which one that is? Read on to find out.

Enjoy and please review.

"How could you lose them, I thought Red Alert was supposed to be a paranoid workaholic, and yet those Cassettes got right past him and....."

Wheeljack winced as he listened to his mate go on. She had a tendency to start yelling and jumping around when stuff went bad, but it was just her way.

Besides, he knew she was feeling guilty for not being there when her Commander and her SIC were kidnapped and turned into Sparklings. She'd been there when the Decepticons had attacked in the desert but she and the other Femmes had returned to Cybertron later in the day, before the transformation had taken place.

Eilta and Chromia were meant to be joining them in just a couple of cycles but that was unlikely to happen now. Poor Prime was going out of his mind with worry over his now vulnerable mate, at least Ironhide was there to look after Chromia.

"Listen Mooney..." Wheeljack but Moonracer overruled him.

"Don't you Mooney me, why weren't we told of this sooner and may I ask what you're doing about the situation?"

Wheeljack held up his hands in surrender.

"Mooney, we're doing everything we can but I know you can understand how delicate the situation is. They maybe our comrades but they're in Sparkling forms, whatever we do, we have to ensure they don't get hurt, even if that means leaving them with the Cons for the time being."

Moonracer's face suddenly crumpled and she said softly.

"You're right Jack, I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"That's okay," Wheeljack said with a smile, his face mask was off while he talked to his mate.

"After all, with Ratchet gone, it's not the same around here if I don't have someone to shout at me."

Moonracer chuckled, as he'd hoped she would, but then she grew serious.

"Do you think they're alright?"

"They'll be fine," Wheeljack assured her. "Even Prime admits that it's unlikely that the Cons' will hurt them, they just love torturing us with worry."

"And Skywarp maybe a little crazy," Wheeljack continued before grinning. "But hey, no crazier than me, right?"

This made his mate laughed and he felt much better. Chuckling himself, he said.

"Don't worry, Mooney, Prime's sent Mirage to check out the situation and report back. With any luck, we'll have them back before the week is out."

Back at the Decepticon Base.

Ironhide grumbled as his sticky face was washed with a cloth, he didn't like this, not at all. It wasn't that he loved being dirty per say, but there were only two bots who could bath him, himself and his mate.

He certainly wasn't enjoying being cleaned by Soundwave.

Unfortunately, there had been no escape, Soundwave had scooped him up before he could jump off the bench and hide and holding the protesting Sparkling to his chest, had slipped into the water. Ironhide was now forced to sit on his lap, as the much larger dark blue Mech poured soap over him and then scrubbed.

To his left, Ratchet and Chromia were splashing each other as they messed around in the large soap filled tub. Franly he was the only one with a grumpy expression, even Skyfire was looking happy as he cuddled next to Skywarp who had Elita in his lap and was carefully washing her.

"Why can't ah do that ma' self?" Ironhide demanded as Soundwave scooped up some warm water and tipped it over the little red Mech's head, to get rid of the bubbles.

"Answer: Sparkling Ironhide would not do it properly and would no doubt try to escape," the blue Mech answered, unperturbed by Ironhide's muttering.

"Frag it all," Ironhide cursed as Soundwave made him stand so that he could wash the lower part of his body.

But before he could protest, he felt a swat on his exposed rear and he instead gave a small yelp. Rubbing the offended postiror, he turned to glare at Soundwave who was looking stern.

"Watch you're language, young one or you will find yourself having your mouth washed out," Soundwave said ominously.

Ironhide paled slightly but he still stubbornly said.

"You wouldn't."

"Answer: yes I would," Soundwave said simply. "I do not allow my creations to use such language and I will not tolerate it from you."

Ironhide scowled but didn't Say anything, he didn't want his mouth washed, it was the only part of him that hadn't been manhandled and he wanted to keep it that way. As he sulked, Chromia splashed over.

"Hey Hide, isn't this fun?"

Ironhide just glowered, not trusting himself not to curse. Chromia just giggled at his expression and said.

"Poor Hide, I know you don't like getting washed but you should try and enjoy it."

"She's wight," Ratchet said, now splashing over as well. "I wish we have something like this at the Ark."

Ironhide opened his mouth to retort but received a face full of foam. As the wet substance slowly dripped down his face, all he could see through the popping bubbles was Chromia with her hands over her mouth, as Ratchet grinned evilly.

The miniature Medic hand suspiciously soapy hand. A very soapy hand.

"Why you," Ironhide yelled as he launched himself at Ratchet who simply jumped out of the way, laughing madly. Ironhide plunged head first into the water but was soon up and chasing Ratchet.

Soundwave calmly let him, instead grabbing a giggling Chromia and depositing her on his lap to start giving her a proper wash. Elita and Skyfire laughed as Ironhide finally tackled Ratchet and they started having a bubble war, each trying to cover the other in the most foam.

Kissing the top of Elita's head, Skywarp said happily.

"There now, I knew you love this,"

"Yes daddy," Elita giggled as she and Skyfire were cuddled close to the Seekers warm body.

"And after this," Skywarp continued. "You'll get some lovely Energon and then I'll tuck you up in your nice warm cots, how does that sound?"

"Great," sighed Elita as Skyfire asked.

"Will you read us a story?"

"I'd love to baby," Skywarp replied softly. "I'd love to."

Author's note. One of the Sparklings experiences some changes but what are they? Find out in the next chapter. Till then.

And now a note from a reviewer.

Haluwasa2: Aw...the babies are so cute.

Skyfire: I'm on the chair again.

Ratchet: For what?

Skyfire: For trying to kick her for calling me cute again.