Author's note. Remember, I'm open to suggestions. Find out how the Sparklings are getting around and what Skyfire says when he sees them.

Enjoy and please review.

"Wheeeeee,"

This was the strange cry that could be heard along one formally deserted corridor in the Nemesis. There were no Decepticons around to hear it but if there had been, they would have gotten the surprise of their lives.

Four Sparklings were speeding along in makeshift rollerblades that they had made after Ratchet discovered a set of miniature wheels in the storage cupboard they had been hiding in, and in no time at all had constructed the rudimentary skates.

"This is so much fun," Chromia gasped as they skidded to a stop at the end of the corridor, next to the lift.

The journey time had literally been slashed as they whizzed through the corridors of the Nemesis, and they had loved every minute of it. And even better, they still hadn't been discovered by the Deceptions, making this ride even sweeter.

"Now I know why Spike and Carly love it," Ironhide gasped, he hadn't had this much fun since....well the bath they'd had the night before.

"I gotta show the Femmes back on Cybertron these great...what did you call them, skates?" Elita said with a huge grin on her face as Ratchet and Ironhide reached for the lift button, which was actually quite low down.

"Must be for those Cassettes," Ironhide muttered as he managed to press the button and the lift opened.

They all piled in and Ironhide pressed the button which would take them to the level that Starscream's lab was located. Humming, they waited for the lift to take them to their destination. At least it dinged and they all trooped out. Despite the fact they could hear activity coming from several rooms, there was still no one in the actual corridor so they started sneaking along.

"Which is Starscream's?" "Elita hissed to the others.

"I think it's the last one," Rathcet hissed back. "But we can't just go into his lab, he'll have it locked."

"So how are we going to get in?" Chromia asked in a quiet voice.

"How about the ventilation shaft?" Ratchet suggested. "That always works for Spike."

"Good idea," Ironhide said. "Come one."

Going into an empty room, they made their way over to a crate and climbed up to reach the grate, after leaving their skates. In no time at all they had made it inside and were crawling along, though trying not to make too much noise.

Finally, they reached the end and peered inside.

"Skyfire," they all gasped as they saw the little bot huddled under a blanket on what looked like a make shift berth.

"Hmmm?"

The little Shuttle sat up slightly as looked around in confusion. As Chromia hissed his name again, he looked up and gasped.

"Guys, what are you doing here?"

"We're here to make sure you're alright," Elita whispered down, mindful of the fact the white Seeker could appear at any minute.

"I'm fine," Skyfire mumbled, looking away.

"You don't sound fine," Ratchet said angrily, making a move to open the vent but Skyfire suddenly hissed.

"No, don't come down,"

"Why not?" asked Ironhide.

"Guys, I really, really appreciate you coming here, you're true friends," Skyfire said with a smile before he turned serious.

"I've got a virus, and it developed into something worse because of the Sparkling program. My systems are trying to destroy it but it's fighting back, but they can't be left alone, one needs to be fixed."

"Well, why can't we be with you?" Ironhide persisted.

"I'm contagious," Skyfire said simply. "As much as I'd love for you to be with me, you can't, forgive me for saying this, but you're antivirus systems aren't as strong as mine, the virus could have a devastating effect one you."

"What sort of effect?" Chromia whispered.

"You could be permanently damaged, and you might not be able to ever return properly to adult form," Skyfire said seriously. "You'd have to actually wait till time pasted and that's if you're lucky."

They all stared in horror at him before turning to Ratchet.

"Is that true Ratchet," Elita said in a whisper. "Could we be stuck like this forever?"

"There is a very high possibility," Ratchet said without pausing. "I'm afraid Skyfire's right, we can't go near him until he's cured."

There was silence for a long moment as the Sparklings digested this. But before any of them could then say anything, they heard a sudden noise coming from outside the room.

"That must be Starscream," Skyfire hissed up at them. "You need to go now, I'll be okay."

"Are you sure?" Chromia said worriedly.

"I'm sure," Skyfire smiled back but inside his Spark tightened with fear, he had no idea what was going to happen next with Starscream.

"Go, and thank you,"

"We'll see you soon," Rathcet hissed as the Sparklings started moving away. "Get well and don't stress yourself out, we'll make sure Skywarp checks to see how you are."

And with that, they were gone leaving Skyfire all alone. He huddled once again under his blanket as he heard the Seeker approached and prayed to Primus that he was in a good mood.

Some time later.

Amazingly, they made it back without incident. Their skates helped a lot as they made the journey quick so that in no time at all they were outside the Rec Room. Carefully getting on their hands and knees, they crawled into the room where the two Decepticons meant to watch them where still watching human telly.

Thankfully, they still weren't paying any attention to the play pen, so the Sparklings easily made it back and locked themselves in again. They all sat down with a sigh, and just remained like that for several minutes, that had been a tiring journey.

"Poor Skyfire," Elita said softly as she snuggled down with Ratchet, Chromia doing the same with Ironhide.

"He'll be okay," Chromia said. "Or I'll kick Screamer's aft."

"Now, now," Came a snide voice above them. "Itty bitty babies shouldn't be saying words like that."

The Sparklings looked up to see Rumble and Frenzy grinning down at them.

"Get lost," Ironhide said tiredly but this just made the two Cassettes laugh.

"Make me, Fragger," Frenzy sneered but none of the Sparklings could be bothered so they didn't say anything.

"What's the matter, you little Slagger all tired from playing with your baby toys," Rumble mocked as he and his brother laughed, not noticing the shadow that had fallen over them.

"Rumble, Frenzy,"

The two Cassettes jumped with shock as they heard their Creator's voice from right behind them. They spun around to see that he was indeed there, with his arms folded looking very stern.

"H, h, hi dad," Rumble said nervously as Frenzy tried to grin but failed.

"I have warned you about using such language," the dark blue Mech said ominously. "You will come here and receive punishment."

"But dad..."

"Immediately,"

Soundwave's tone booked no argument so very reluctantly the two Cassettes approached him. There was no point in running, they'd be in worse trouble if they did that. The Sparklings gaped as the dark blue Mech took one over his knee and spanked hard before doing the exact same thing to the other.

At the end of it, Rumble an Frenzy were rubbing sore backsides before Soundwave ordered them back into his chest which they did with only small grumbles. Once they were in, Soundwave turned to look at the Sparklings and said sternly.

"I do not tolerate bad language, remember that young ones,"

They all nodded rapidly, having no desire for that to happen to them. Soundwave regarded them for a moment, before saying.

"Query, what are those?"

And that's when the Sparklings realised their skated were still in plain sight in their play pen. And Soundwave was staring right at them.

Author's note. Skyfire becomes even more ill so Starscream has to work even harder to cure him with unexpected results.