Author's note. With thanks for the suggestions I received regarding Starscream.

If anyone is wondering why Starscream didn't act like this at the Nemesis, it was because his mind was still reverting back to a Sparkling state. Physically the change is instant but the mental change is much slower. Just to clear that up.

If anyone has any other suggestions, don't hesitate to give them to me, I love getting new ideas.

Warning for Sparkling abuse in this chapter, you might need a tissue.

Sharpshooter belongs to me.

Enjoy and please review.

Optimus headed in the direction of his quarters, a half asleep Sparkling in his arms once again. They had just left the Med Bay and now it was time for recharge. As well as Starscream, Optimus also carried a bottle of readymade Energon formula ready for the morning.

Optimus now had the recipe for Starscream's Energon so that he would be able to make it himself. Somehow, he felt it was right that he was responsible for all aspect of Starscream's care. And care he would for Starscream, no matter of past grievances.

"Optimus, wait up."

Optimus paused as a voice suddenly called out and allowed the caller to catch up. It was Hoist and he was looking very eager about something. Optimus smiled as Hoist ran up to him, he had a feeling he knew what the architect wanted.

"Hoist, what can I do for you?" he greeted pleasantly.

"Well, I just heard that you've got a Sparkling now," Hoist said without preamble.

"And it occurred to me that you're going to need a few things."

"I certainly will," Optimus agreed.

"Do you have some things in mind?"

"I certainly do both me and Grapple," Hoist said excitedly. "The main thing being a crib, of course."

Optimus chuckled wryly.

"That is the main thing, however tonight, Starscream will just sleep with me. He should be alright for one night."

Hoist nodded.

"I should think so sir but don't worry, we'll have something by tomorrow night."

He rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"We were also thinking that a harness might be good, you know, so he can be carried around without having to constantly hold him."

"That sounds really good," Optimus said, surprised but pleased.

Starscream wasn't a normal Sparkling and would probably appreciate being included in stuff. And with a harness, he'd be able to do that.

"I'll be getting on to all of that first thing tomorrow," Hoist was now saying.

"Wheeljack might want to help, he's always got some, um, interesting ideas."

"That he does," Optimus agreed with a laugh.

"Yeah. Well anyway, I'd better go and catch him and Grapple. See you tomorrow sir,"

"See you tomorrow," Optimus said softly as Hoist rushed off again.

He shook his head with a hidden smile, Hoist and Grapple really got excited about new things to design and build. For the last while, their creative talents had been going to waste with no new projects but that was all changed.

"Are you really getting me a crib?" a small voice suddenly asked.

Optimus glanced down to see that Starscream was a little more awake than he had thought.

"Yes Starscream, of course. You need somewhere to sleep after all."

Starscream looked very thoughtful about this. Optimus noticed and asked softly.

"Is there something wrong Starscream?"

"Just...that I can't believe your really getting me a crib," the little Seeker replied softly.

Optimus wrinkled his brow in confusion.

"But why wouldn't I? Didn't Skywarp provide cribs?"

"Yeah but that's Skywarp," Starscream said with a wave of his hand.

"He wants to have everything you can have for his Sparklings. And since he already had cribs, he just popped me in with Skyfire and the other Mechlings. The Femmes had their own crib."

"You think Skywarp wouldn't have bothered with a cot if it had just been you?" Optimus questioned.

Starscream considered for a moment and then shook his head.

"No, he would have got me one. He'd have thought I'd look cute in it. And he thinks babies are meant to be in cots."

"But they are," Optimus thought but he didn't say this statement out loud.

Instead, he cuddled Starscream closed and said.

"You'll have your cot by tomorrow night Starscream, for now, you'll sleep with me."

"Hmm, okay, that'll be nice," Starscream said with a yawn and a stretch before settling back into Optimus's arms.

Soon, they had arrived at Optimus's quarters and entered them. As Commander, Optimus had a very spacious room with its own wash room attached. With a heavy sigh, Optimus observed his large empty berth which would once again be devoid of his beloved.

But this for this night at least, he would not be alone.

"Here we are Starscream," Optimus said softly, taking the sleepy Seeker over to the berth and getting onto it.

He carefully lay down with Starscream safely snuggled against his chest. After a thought, he reached he extracted a thermal blanket from sub space and draped it over the small form. Starscream immediately cuddled into the soft material, little red optics blinking up at Optimus.

"That should keep you nice and warm," Optimus said with another smile.

"Tomorrow, I'll see to it that you get a proper Sparkling blanket."

Again, Starscream looked amazed at the kind words but didn't say anything.

"Thank you daddy," he said softly as he buried his face against Optimus's armour.

"You're welcome," Optimsu replied softly.

Optimus watched as the little flyer's optics closed and he quickly drifted off to sleep. Optimus gently stroked his little charge, a tendril of unease beginning to creep into his Spark. Starscream's attitude to how he was being treated was distinctly odd.

It was almost as though he didn't expect to be treated this well, and not because he was an enemy Mech.

It was very ominous and Optimus was determined that he would get to the bottom of this mystery. But one thing was certain, Optimus would treat Starscream as his own, and that meant treating him well. With this thought in mind, Optimus slowly slipped into recharge himself, carefully holding the little body to his chest.

Dream/Flashback.

Starscream shivered as he clutched his threadbare blanket in his little corner. It was very late but he couldn't sleep. He was too scared and a bit hungry. But Sparklings only got Energon when they were good and even then it was usually only once a cycle. That was why he was hungry, it had been ages since he's last feed.

But the reason he was hungry was that Sharpshooter wasn't home yet. Starscream didn't like to sleep until he knew Sharpshooter was safely home and in bed. Otherwise, who knew what could happen if he was asleep and the large Mech returned.

But oh, how he wished he'd return, he really needed to sleep. If he was sleeping, his little tummy wouldn't be hurting. But he couldn't, he had to wait.

A few tears slid down his face, if only his mummy was here, she could protect him. He didn't need to worry when she was around, she was strong for a Seeker. But she wasn't, and there was nothing he could do about it, he was too small.

He still didn't understand where she had gone, all he knew was that he had to stay with Sharpshooter.

"Mama, please come back," he begged softly, staring through a crack in the wall at the night sky where the stars twinkled.

"I swear I'll be a good Sparkling and I'll do everything you want. I'm sorry for whining about that toy, I didn't mean it. Just come back mama, please."

He waited, praying that the stars would grant his wish. His mummy had always said when he was sad, he should wish upon a star and that if he was lucky, they'd grant it. But it wasn't to be that night.

"Brat, where are you?"

Starscream whimpered, Sharpshooter was home and he didn't sound happy. He wasn't sure whether he should hide or answer the large Mech's call. He decided he'd better answer.

"I-I'm here sir," he called out in a shaky voice.

He heard Sharpshooter stumbling around in the next room but then there was stillness. And then Sharpshooter barked out.

"Well, get on out here."

Starscream scrambled to his feet, still clutching his little blanket. He hurried through to the next room where the large silver and black Mech was leaning heavily against a storage cabinet. Starscream trembled as Sharpshooter's blood red optics fixed themselves onto him.

"S-sir?" Starscream began respectively. "Do you want me to get something?"

"Come closer Starscream," Sharpshooter growled quietly.

Starscream almost burst into tears, it was never good when Sharpshooter actually called him by his name. If he was in a good mood, he might refer to him as Screamer or Mechling, but never his name.

But Starscream couldn't disobey, he slowly came forward. Sharpshooter watched him, his optics never leaving the little Sparkling's face. He stumbled slightly as he stood there and Starscream flinched violently.

Sharpshooter laughed.

"What's the matter Starscream, you scared of me?"

"N-no sir, I mean yes sir, I-I...mean...," Starscream stammered, not knowing what the right answer was.

Sharpshooter laughed even harder and for a moment, Starscream relaxed, if Sharpshooter was in a good mood, he should be fine.

"AH," Starscream shrieked as a hand suddenly shot out and seized him by a delicate wing.

He whimpered as he was held up to optics level, his wing burning with the pain of being held thus. Sharpshooter sneered, his rancid breath making Starscream want to purge.

"You should be Starscream," Sharpshooter said quietly, his grip tight on the helpless Starscream.

"I don't make a good enemy."

"I-I don't want to be your enemy," Starscream protested weakly, the pain nearly overcoming him.

"Smart thought," Sharpshooter observed, nodding thoughtfully. "You a smart little Sparkling Starscream?"

"I try to be sir," Starscream bit out, trying not to cry as he felt the metal crumple under Sharpshooter's grasp.

"P-please sir."

Sharpshooter dropped him and he landed badly on the dirty floor.

"Ow," he cried out, he'd landed on his little bottom and now that hurt along with everything else.

"Stop snivelling," Sharpshooter ordered sharply and Starscream quickly repressed the urge to sob.

The Mech now loomed over Starscream, menacingly glaring down at him. Starscream involuntary curling up as Sharpshooter spoke in a low threatening voice.

"I don't want to hear anything from you tonight brat, no whining, weeping, nothing. Got it?"

"Yes sir," Starscream answered, trembling.

"If I do hear anything," Sharpshooter warned. "You'll get a smacking, right on your worthless aft, understand?"

"Yes sir, I'll be good," the small Sparkling assured him.

"Good," Sharpshooter said and without another word, he strode off to his bedroom, leaving a sniffing Starscream.

"Mama," Starscream whimpered as he started to noiselessly cry.

"Please come home."

End of dream/flashback.

Optimus woke with a start, sitting up in bed. For a moment, he didn't know what had woken him but then he felt the shaking form still held against his chest. He glanced down and was shocked to see Starscream trembling in his sleep, tears flowing down his face.

"Starscream," Optimus burst out, before modifying his tone and gently shaking the weeping Sparkling.

"Starscream, wake up, your having a nightmare. Please, wake up."

Starscream only thrashed about a bit more, and Optimus was worried he was going to injure himself. So he raised his voice slightly.

"Starscream, wake up!"

Starscream came alive with a start, his optics wild with fear and pain.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, please don't smack me," he immediately cried as he looked around frantically.

"Starscream," Optimus said in a gentle voice, bringing the Sparkling's attention to him.

"D-daddy?" Starscream questioned, his face stained blue with his tears.

"Yes, it's me Starscream," Optimus said kindly, rubbing the Seekerlet's back comfortingly.

"You were having a nightmare."

"I was?" Starscream whimpered, his little face crumpling.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."

"It's alright Starscream," Optimus said firmly, still rubbing his back.

"I'm not mad, I just wanted to wake you up so I could comfort you."

"You did?"

"Yes Starscream," Optimus said, bringing Starscream closer and giving him a hug.

Starscream flinched and then flung his arms tightly around Optimus's neck, sobbing loudly.

"Shh, it's alright Starscream," Optimus said soothingly, rocking slightly as he sat up more firmly.

"Everything's going to be alright, your safe here. And no one's going to hurt you."

Starscream cried for quite a while, clinging tightly to Optimus but the Autobot leader let him. He wanted Starscream to let it all out so he wouldn't suffer from further nightmares. Eventually, Starscream quietened and fell into an uneasy sleep.

Optimus settled back down on the berth, tucking the blanket back around Starscream. He cuddly the poor Sparkling to him, trying ease him into a better sleep. A long time later, he himself fell asleep.

"Sir, sir?"

Optimus came awake with a start as his comm. buzzed to life.

"W-what?" he said, sleep still fogging his mind.

"Sir, it's almost mid morning, where are you?"

Optimus realised it was Prowl calling him and that it was way past the time he normally got up. Checking that Starscream was still asleep, he softly replied to Prowl's question.

"I'm sorry Prowl, I slept in."

"Slept in sir?" Prowl repeated, sounding astonished. His Prime rarely, if ever slept in.

"Starscream had a nightmare in the middle of the night and it took me a while to calm," Optimus explained.

"Ah, alright sir," Prowl said softly.

"Are you going to take the morning off to recover?"

"No, I'm fine," Optimus said firmly, gathering up the small Seeker in his arms.

"I'm going to go to outside with Starscream to give him his morning Energon, hopefully the fresh air will revive him."

"Sounds like a good idea sir, sorry for disturbing you."

"That's alright Prowl, I needed to wake anyway."

Prowl chuckled and then broke the connection. Optimus wrapped the blanket around Starscream before getting to his feet. Pausing only to grab the filled Energon bottle he'd had prepared the previous evening, he set off out of his quarters.

"Hi Prime, where ya off ta?"

Optimus turned at the sound of Jazz's voice, his spirits lifting at the sight of his TIC's infectious grin.

"Outside with the little one," Optimus said softly and Jazz turned his attention onto the sleeping Sparkling.

"Aww, he's all tuckered out, late night?"

"Not exactly," Optimus said sadly as Jazz walked alongside him.

"He had a rather bad nightmare and was awake for a good portion of the night."

"Oh," Jazz said softly as he looked sympathetically at the sleeping Sparkling.

"Poor little guy. Any idea why?"

"I have a suspicion," Optimus said grimly as they neared the Ark's exit.

"He woke up begging someone not to smack him. I think he may have been mistreated when he was young."

"Man, that's grim," Jazz declared, shaking his head.

"Indeed," Optimus said grimly. "And I mean to find out who hurt him."

"But what can ya do?" Jazz pointed out softly.

"Been a long time since he really was a Sparkling, whoever had him could be long gone."

"Or they could still be alive and with other Sparklings in their care," Optimus replied.

"Fair point," Jazz admitted. "And he isn't that old is he, so it could be possible."

"Exactly," Optimus said as they finally emerged out into the sunlight.

This had the effect of rousing Starscream who felt and sun and air on his little wings and started stirring. The two adults watched as he blinked sleepy optics and took in where he was.

"Huh?" he said in surprise as he realised he was outside.

"Good morning Starscream," Optimus greeted with a smile in his tone.

"Morning daddy," Starscream said automatically as his optics took in Jazz.

The saboteur grinned at him.

"Hi little flyer, Optimus thought you'd like breakfast in the great outdoors. What'cha think?"

"That's...that's really nice," Starscream said in mild surprise as he looked around at the sun kissed rocks.

He then looked up at Optimus.

"Thank you daddy."

"You're welcome Starscream, I thought you'd like it," Optimus replied, sounding very pleased.

"I do, I really do," Starscream said eagerly, slowly smiling, as though the night's events had never happened.

"Why don't we pull up a rock and have some Energon," Jazz suggested, indicating some suitable looking boulders.

Optimus nodded and they made their way over.

As Optimus sat down and rearranged Starscream so that he was on his lap, Jazz pulled out a large cube of Energon from subspace. As Optimus offered Starscream his bottle, Jazz said.

"When you're done Prime, I've got a cube here for you."

"How did you know?" Optimus said in surprise as Starscream started sucking hungrily.

"Heh, I didn't," Jazz chuckled.

"But I was going on long patrol later, so I thought I'd better have a back up cube with me in case anything went down. But I'll get a fresh cube before I go."

"Thank you Jazz," Optimus said warmly, gently rubbing Starscream's back.

"So, what are you to up too, today?" Jazz asked jovially.

"Hmm, I'm not sure," Optimus said thoughtfully. "What would you like to do today, Starscream?"

Starscream looked with wide optics as Optimus as he greedily gulped down his Energon. After a moment, he let go of the bottle neck and said.

"You want to know what I want to do."

"Yes, I do," Optimus said. "We're going to have a day together, tomorrow, I'll need to get back to work. Though of course, we'll still be doing stuff together and some of the others can watch you when I'm doing boring stuff."

"Okay," Starscream said thoughtfully. He glanced around the surrounding area.

"Can we stay out for a bit, in the sun?"

"Of course we can, we can even go somewhere if you like," Optimus said kindly.

"I believe its Bumblebee's day off, why don't we go somewhere with him?"

"As long as ya don't mind Spike tagging along," Jazz added.

"I don't mind, that would be really nice," Starscream said with a big grin.

He looked very happy now which warmed Optimus's Spark. Jazz chuckled and carefully laid the pink Energon cube next to Optimus, and then got up.

"I think I'd better get going, I've got to report to Prowl. Why don't I give Bee a buzz and ask him if he'd like to go on a little day trip?"

"Hee, buzz," Starscream giggled before going back to his bottle.

Optimus patted Starscream's head with a chuckle.

"That sounds like a good plan, thanks Jazz. I'll stay out here for a while."

"See ya around then," Jazz said with an airy wave and he set back into the Ark.

Optimus continued feeding Starscream and once he was finished, carefully burped him. As Starscream snuggled into his armour, Optimus made a start on his cube. The Seekerlet was feeling much happier, he had a nice guardian now. Unlike the one in his dreams.

Starscream gave a small shiver in remembrance, that hadn't been a nice dream at all. And what was worse was that it had actually happened. But now he was with Optimus and the big strong Autobot would protect him from nasty Mechs who smacked hard.

He was very thankful that he had made the decision to stay with the Autobots and in particular with Prime. And he was very grateful to the red and blue leader and resolved to be as good as gold for him.

He'd make his daddy proud of him.

To be continued.

Author's note. How well do things go for Optimus and Starscream? Also, what's happening on the Nemesis? Find out next time, until then.