Author's note. Phew, I've finally updated. I'm really sorry for taking so long to update but I got so busy with other stories and then my exams that I just didn't manage to write anything.

But I'm back and I'll try not to wait so long to update again.

Remember, suggestions are very welcome and anyone who gives me one will be credited.

Enjoy and please review.

"Prime, what a pleasant surprise."

Optimus Prime was very thankful for his mask as it meant that he could hide his expression of annoyance from Megatron. The Decepticon tyrant was looking unbelievably smug and he basically sneered his greeting. But Optimus swallowed his irritation and greeted Megatron in his usual calm way.

"Megatron,"

"Now, what can I do for you Prime?"

Megatron smirked and answered his own question.

"Do you perhaps, want to know how your dear mate in getting along?"

"Yes, Megatron, that is why I'm calling," Optimus quickly said before Megatron could continue.

"I want to know how they all are."

Megatron's sneer widened.

"Oh, they're all doing fine Prime. They're really turning into proper Sparkings, why, they've even started to call Skywarp daddy."

"Hmm, that does sound nice," Optimus said mildly, at least that meant they were happy enough if they were doing that.

"It is, isn't?" Megatron replied as he lounged in his chair.

"Indeed," Optimus said, really wishing he could punch Megatron and wipe that smarmy expression off his face.

"Megatron," he began. "I, and my team, would like to be able to see them."

"Sure Prime," Megatron said lazily. "I'll get Skywarp to bring them along and you can see them."

"No Megatron, we want to actually see them. Face to face."

Megatron raised an optic brow.

"You want us to take them off the Nemesis? So you can see them?"

"Yes, Megatron," Optimus said, knowing that the next few minutes would be crucial.

Megatron's lip curled.

"And do you think I'm a fool Prime?"

It was Optimus's turn to raise an optic brow.

"The astro-second they're out the door, you'll pounce and take them away. So I'm afraid the answers no,"

"And why...?"

"Because Skywarp would be devastated," Megatron said, cutting across him before adding.

"And he would also be unbearable."

Megatron grimaced at this thought before reaching to break the connection.

"And what if we didn't try anything," Optimus quickly said before this could happen.

Megatron paused and then narrowed his optics.

"What?"

"If you let us see them, properly, then I swear we won't try and take them back," Optimus said earnestly.

"And you expect me to believe that?" Megatron demanded.

"If you know me, then yes," Optimus replied softly. "Because you know I'd never risk my team."

He paused and then said.

"And I'd never do anything that would risk my mate."

Megatron considered him for a long moment. Finally, he said.

"You swear it Prime? That you won't attempt to take them back."

"I swear it," Optimus said solemnly. "On my honour as a Prime and the Matrix Barer."

Megatron regarded him for a moment, clearly thinking it over.

"Alright, Prime," he said at last. "I will allow Skywarp to take them out, tomorrow. They've just had a bath and I'm not having them come back filthy and arguing about having another one."

"That sounds reasonable," Optimus agreed, and the two settled down to discuss where and when.

By the end of it, they had worked out everything and Megatron broke the connection. Optimus sat back with a heavy sigh but he was feeling much better. It was as though a weight had been lifted, he was going to see them again. He couldn't wait.

The next day, at the Nemesis.

Skywarp entered his Sparklings room quietly, not yet switching the light on. He took a moment to watch them as they slept, they were so sweet like this. Elita and Chromia were snuggled up together under their pink blanket. He reached down and gently stroked their cheeks, they shifted but didn't wake up. He lightly chuckled as Elita yawned before going over to the boys' cot.

Ironhide was lying sprawled, arms flung out and his mouth wide open. He was on the outside of the group of four and had kicked the blanket away. He was clearly a very active sleeper. Right next to him was Starscream who lay curled up, clutching his blanket tightly to his body. He had a really peaceful expression on his face surprised the purple Seeker. Normally, even in sleep, Starscream's face was slightly peaceful.

Snuggling up to the little Seeker was Skyfire who was sleeping very happily. He had wrapped his arms around his old friend and was holding him close. Though Skywarp had a feeling this had only happened after the Seeker had fallen asleep.

Lastly, there was Ratchet who had the blanket clutched very tightly in one hand. Skywarp suspected that it might be a good idea to get Ratchet a teddy, he looked like he liked to have something in his hand when he slept. He was cuddling into Skyfire's back and was also sucking his thumb with the hand that was clutching the blanket.

Skywarp sighed happily, he did so love being a parent. Though at first it had been odd looking after his Trine leader in such a fashion but he had easily taken it in his stride.

But enough about that, he and his babies had a busy, active day ahead of them.

"Come on, wakey wakey, my darlings,"

They came awake with a lot of grumbles and yawns.

"Don't wanna get up," Ironhide grumbled, trying to hide under the blanket.

"Come on Hide," Skywarp said firmly, a very sleepy Chromia in his arms.

"Time for breakfast, come on, we've got a big day ahead of us."

"What's so special about today?" Starscream grumbled, shoving Skyfire off him.

Skywarp grinned wide.

"I've got a big surprise for you, but you have to drink your Energon first. I don't want you getting over excited before you've had it."

The Sparklings started to perk up with interest, Skywarp was being mysterious enough to excite them. In no time at all, they were up and letting their adoptive parent led them to his room. Soon, they were gulping down their morning Energon, which was a light purple colour, indicating that it was suitable for Sparklings.

Starscream mournfully stared at Skywarp, who was sipping his bright pink Energon. It brought home to the young Seeker that he was now a child, one that had to rely on an adult. Skyfire, who was used to being a Sparkling by now, snuggled up to his old friend and whispered.

"Are you excited Starscream?"

Starscream shrugged, with his Trine Mate, you never knew. It was likely to be either something he'd love or something he'd hate. The question was, which one.

"Finished," Chromia announced, having gulped down her drink as quickly as possible.

"What are we doing?"

Skywarp chuckled, setting down his drink and taking the excited blue Femme into his arms. Carefully, he paced her on his shoulder and started patting her back and a few breems later, she let out a loud burp.

"Too fast, Mia," he said, rubbing her back to make sure there were no air bubbles in her systems.

"Sorry," she said, she had felt a bit funny and would have probably have been sick if Skywarp hadn't acted.

"That's okay," Skywarp assured her as he rearranged her on his lap.

"I know you're excited, I am too. Now, shall I tell you what the big surprise is?"

"YES," they all instantly yelled making him laugh.

"Alright," he said as they all came close, eagerly waiting.

"Well, Megatron was talking to Optimus Prime yesterday."

He paused for effort as they all gasped.

"Ooh, what did they talk about?" Elita asked eagerly.

"They talk about...us all going out and meeting some of the Autobots," Skywarp announced with a wide grin.

"Weally?" Ratchet breathed, hardly able to believe what he was hearing.

"Really," Skywarp assured him.

"We're going to be meeting Prime at the beach along with a few of his men. Thundercracker's going to come with us and hang."

They all looked very excited, even Starscream, at the prospect of going out. Ironhide was actually bouncing up and down.

"Ah wanna go now, ah wanna go now," he was saying between bounces.

"Calm down, Hide," Skywarp said, but still grinning widely.

"We just need to get ready, I still need to find someone to help me and TC take you off the base."

They all groaned at this but Skywarp quickly assured them that he was on it. In fact, it only took a couple of comm. calls for him to find somebody, Ramjet was going out and had said yes.

So, in a surprisingly short amount of time, they were all ready. Thundercracker, as the best flyer out of the group, was carrying Skyfire and Elita. Ramjet was taking Ratchet and Starscream while Skywarp was taking Ironhide and Chromia.

"We all ready?" Skywarp asked, Ironhide and Chromia safely strapped in his arms.

"Yes," the other two Seekers answered.

"Then let's go," Skywarp yelled and activated his thrusters, taking off into blue sky.

Thundercracker and Ramjet followed, each holding tightly onto their charges. The Sparkling clung on, it was very thrilling. As the Seekers soared up and then started racing across the sea, the Sparklings gazed down in awe at the swirling blue water.

Sparks soaring, the little bots whooped with joy, they were free once again.

At black ridge beach.

Optimus waited with an almost anxious air. His mate had been gone for several days now and he was on fire to see her again. Though he knew she was now a Sparkling, that didn't change what he felt for her. She was his beloved, the one and only Femme who held his Spark.

"Sir?" Prowl said softly.

"I'm fine Prowl," Optimus assured his SIC. "Just...I don't know, nervous."

Prowl nodded his understanding.

"At least Megatron agreed to this."

"Indeed," Optimus said and he went back to watching the skies.

About five minutes later, there can a cry.

"Prime, their coming!"

Optimus's Spark did an odd back flip as he saw as well the approaching Seekers. All the assembled Autobots shifted excitedly, finally they were about to be reunited with their comrades.

The Seekers landed a few feet away and carefully undid their straps before allowing the Sparklings to the ground. An before anyone else could say anything, there was a cry.

"Optimus,"

Elita had immediately rushed forward on being freed. With a laugh, Optimus bent down on one knee and let his mate run into his arms. She laughed as he scooped her up before hugging her to his chest plate.

"Elita," he said softly as she hugged him. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, Optimus," she said softly, her little face looking up at him shyly.

She was so small, so delicate now. It was no bother for him to hold her, she seemed to weigh practically nothing.

The other Sparklings came forward now to be greeted by their friends, all except Starscream who hid behind Skywarp's leg. Ramjet was already moving away, he had things to do.

"You Ratchet very small now."

"Swoop," Ratchet cried out in surprise as the flying Dinobot came forward.

Megatron hadn't been keen on letting any Dinobots near his men but Optimus had eventually managed to persuade him. The deal was that only Swoop, as the calmest of the Dinobots, would be the one to come to the meeting place.

Swoop smiled down at his creator, he was very happy to see him again. He slowly bent down and carefully picked Ratchet up. The little white and red bot smiled nervously but then Swoop hugged him.

"Aww, ain't that sweet," Jazz said with a huge grin.

"Yeah," Trailblazer said with a laugh.

"Aren't you all just the cutest?"

"Yeah, yeah," Ironhide said, rolling his optics. "We get that."

Optimus chuckled.

"I have to admit, old friend, you do look very different."

"Yeah, he's young now," Sideswipe quipped and both he and his twin laughed.

"Why you..." Ironhide said and tried to lunge at them but was stopped by Chromia.

"Let's get them later," she whispered and her mate grinned evilly. He couldn't wait.

"It is great to see you again," Bumblebee now said to Skyfire, who had Skywarp at his back. The Seeker didn't want to let any of them go too far from him, just in case the Autobots did go back on their promise.

"It's good to see you again Bee," Skyfire replied with a gentle smile.

Prowl meanwhile, was gazing curiously at the small white figure still hiding.

"Who is that?" he finally asked, nodding at the peeping figure.

"Oh, that's just Starscream," Skywarp said causally, an arm wrapped around Skyfire.

The Autobots all stopped what they were doing and stared.

"How did that happen?" Bluestreak burst out, voicing what everyone was thinking.

Starscream didn't say anything, just hung his head. But Skyfire spoke.

"He did it to save me."

"Save you?" Prowl said slowly, raising an optic brow.

"Yeah," Skyfire said. "Cause I got ill and he found a cure but the only way to test it was to test it. On a Sparkling. So he turned himself into on so that he could then give it to me."

He freed himself from Skywarp's grasp and went over to Starscream. Taking his hand, he led him from Thundercracker's shadow before saying fiercely.

"He's my friend, so don't say anything mean about him."

There was a silence for a minute. And then.

"Well, any friend of yours, is a friend of ours," Jazz said with a huge grin.

He went over and scooped Starscream into his arms.

"Come here little guy, I got a treat for you,"

Starscream tried to remain aloof, but he did love treats. So a few breems later, he was happily sucking a bright blue treat which made everyone smile.

It looked like the meeting was going to go very well.

To be continued.

Author's note. Find out how the rest of the day goes in the next chapter. Until next time.