Author's note. A slightly bittersweet chapter.

Suggestions are welcome.

I don't own The Lion King or Transformers, they belong to their respective owners.

Enjoy and please review.

Optimus sighed heavily as he leaned back in his seat, having just ended his conversation with Megatron. That talk had drained a lot out of him and he found himself feeling even more sorry for poor little Sparkling. He couldn't believe anyone could abuse any Sparkling but specially Starscream who was so sweet and undemanding.

The little thing had never known his Sire and then his mother had become ill when he was still very young. He should have been safe in the arms of an 'old family friend' but that had not been the case. This Mech had instead abused a vulnerable Sparkling who had no means in which to fight back.

Optimus clenched his fists as rage threatened to overtake him. He swore, when he got his hands on that Mech, he would make him pay dearly. But for now, he had a Sparkling that needed him and he wasn't going to neglect that duty.

Jazz and First Aid were carefully watching over the sleeping Sparkling when he arrived in the Med Bay. They smiled at him as he reached them and checked that Starscream was okay. Starscream was sleeping soundly enough but his face was creased with pain and fear.

It physically hurt the Prime to see him like this.

"How's he been?"

"He's been fine Prime, he's slept the whole time you were gone," First Aid was quick to inform him.

"I think he's having bad dreams however, he keeps grimacing and shifting in his sleep."

"I reckon he needs his dad," Jazz said, looking at Optimus pointedly.

"I will take him to our quarters," Optimus said softly and he bent to gently scoop the little Sparkling into his arms.

"How did your talk with old Megs go?" Jazz asked quietly.

"Quite good, considering," Optimus said just as quietly. "Megatron was shocked about Starscream but has promised to help. He and Thundercracker gave me some good information."

And he told them all that he'd learned.

"Could you tell Prowl of this, I'd like to go to bed with Starscream," Optimus asked softly and Jazz nodded.

"I'll tell him Prime, maybe we can learn a few things."

"Don't lose recharge," Optimus quickly said but it was clear he was grateful.

Being a parent was a very important position, one that demanded full responsibility. And since Sparklings were so precious, Optimus took the business of looking after him very seriously. It was still early, for Optimus that is, but after the day he'd had he felt he needed an early night.

The journey back to his quarters was uneventful until, there weren't many bots about. Just as he was entering his room, Starscream shifted and woke up. His little bright optics blinked and looked around the place, taking in where he was. He instantly clung to Optimus and stared up at him.

"Hello Starscream," Optimus said with a smile, allowing the Sparkling to see his face.

"Daddy," Starscream said softly, his optics starting to water with tears.

"I-I'm sorry for causing so much trouble, I didn't mean..."

"Hush, sweetspark," Optimus said gently as he took Starscream over to the berth.

"You did nothing wrong, you were just scared. I'm really sorry for letting you out of my sight but those dogs needed to be dealt with," he said sadly.

"I tried to send Bumblebee for you but one of the dogs attacked him and he could not protect you."

Starscream nodded but still looked upset. Optimus cupped his head and held him closely.

"I know I've let you down Starscream but I promise I will do a better job from now on. I swear it."

"Okay daddy," Starscream said softly as Optimus mentally sighed.

"I think we'll stay in the base tomorrow, you've had enough excitement for a while," Optimus now said, trying to lighten the mood.

"We could always visit the Airelbots, you can give them some tips on flying."

Starscream brightened a bit at this.

"I could do that," he said as Optimus chuckled.

"Yes you can Starscream, I think they miss out not having any flyers teaching them. Powerglide sometimes helps but he's style if totally different to theirs. Same for Skyfire."

Starscream nodded in understanding.

"That sounds great daddy,"

"That's my Mechling," Optimus said as he kissed Starscream's cheek before getting up again.

"Look at your lovely new crib Starscream, built just for you," Optimus said, showing the Sparkling the brand new crib with a soft blue blanket decorated with stars.

Starscream stared down at it as though he'd never seen anything like it. It was beautifully craved and contrasted, blending wood and metal together. There was even some hydrographs woven into the side, bless the crib and child that resided within.

"This...is for me?"

"All for you Starscream," Optimus confirmed as he carefully lowered Starscream into it, standing up so he could examine his new berth.

"All for me," Starscream repeated softly, touching the sides, feeling the lovely blanket under his feet.

"Yes Starscream. Do you like it?"

Starscream turned to face the Autobot leader, tears streaming down his face.

"It's wonderful," he whispered, his voice cracking up.

"Oh Starscream," Optimus said, scooping the crying Sparkling back into his arms and hugging him tightly.

"You deserve this, my little Sparkling. All Sparklings need their own little crib, this belongs to you."

Starscream wasn't able to speak for several minutes as he cried softly. Finally Optimus was able to tuck Starscream into his berth and settle him down. He stayed with the Sparkling, stroking his little hand as he slipped into recharge.

But even then, he stayed there for a long time watching his precious Sparkling.

Meanwhile back at the Nemesis, Thundercracker had returned to the Rec Room where Skywarp was still busy with his Sparklings.

"Hi TC, how'd it go?" Skywarp asked as he lined up his Sparklings, ready to take them back to his quarters.

"Fine, Prime just wanted to ask a couple of things," Thundercracker asked casually.

No way was he telling Skywarp in front of the other Sparklings. And actually, he wasn't even that sure when he'd tell his Trine Mate about Starscream. Needless to say, it wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.

"Did you tell him everything he needed to know?" Skywarp asked as he took Elita and Ironhide's hands.

"More or less," Thundercracker said as he took Skyfire and Ratchet's hands, with Skyfire holding Chromia's.

"I bet Starscream's having a great time," the little Shuttle asked eagerly and Thundercracker smiled.

Despite what had happened, he had no doubt that Starscream was. So he gently told Skyfire that Starscream seemed to be having a good time, making all the Sparklings beam with happiness.

They made it to Skywarp's quarters without incident.

"Daddy, daddy, daddy," Chromia said, bouncing up and down excitedly.

"Remember what you promised."

As Thundercracker looked at his team mate, Skywarp laughed.

"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten and I've got a good selection from Soundwave."

"Cool," they all said, and went to clamber onto Skywarp's berth.

"What did you promise?" Thundercracker weakly asked as the purple Seeker grinned.

"We're having a movie night," he informed the blue Seeker cheerfully, revealing a selection of films.

"These are all Disney movies, apparently human Sparklings love them. I thought they'd be perfect for my babies, wanna watch them with us?"

Thundercracker hesitated but as all the Sparklings shot him pleading looks, he related and nodded. He sat down on the berth and was instantly surrounded by Sparklings who snuggled up to him. Skywarp was meanwhile setting up the movie but once he had, he turned off the lights and leapt onto the berth.

He was naturally also set upon by the Sparklings o that both Seekers had Sparklings on their laps.

The animated movie was nothing like he'd been expecting. For one thing, there were no humans in it at all, just talking wild organic animals. There was also a lot of musical accompaniment which he found he rather enjoyed.

The Sparklings all sung along with the songs, cheered the good guys and booed the villains. They all thought Scar was a real slimy character, especially his plot to kill the king and take over.

But there was a moment when everything went a bit wrong.

It was the scene when the Wildebeest stampede through this gorge, which poor Simba was trapped in. Luckily, his dad was able to save him but then he got trapped as well. Chromia and Elita were clutching at the two Seekers, muttering.

"He can't die, he can't die."

"Course he can't, he's the hero," Ironhide quickly assured them but he looked just as tense.

They were all relieved when he managed to jump out and start climbing the cliff. But then they saw he was heading towards Scar.

"No, don't go to him, he wants him dead," Skyfire cried out but his warning was too late.

"Long live the king,"

"Nooooo," nearly all Sparklings screamed along with Simba.

They were all tearing up so Skywarp quickly said.

"I-I'm sure he's okay, he might be a little bit hurt but he'll be alright."

But as it went on, it was clear this wasn't the case. Poor little Simba ran around, searching for his father. And then a lone Wildebeest ran past and that's when they all saw it.

"Dad?"

"Pwimus," Ratchet stuttered, starting to cry.

"Get up,"

Now Skyfire and the Femmes were crying as well.

"Please...somebody...anybody...help,"

"Wahhhhhh!"

All the Sparklings started wailing in misery, unable to believe that the brave king was dead. And it only got worse when Scar told Simba that he was to blame for his father's death. And then tried to have him killed.

It took the Seekers awhile to calm the hysterical Sparklings but luckily for them, the rest of the film was pretty light hearted. By the end, they merely found the action exciting rather than scary.

But it was a very exhausted Skywarp that finally got them off to bed and then collapsed beside his Trine mate.

"Well, I think that went pretty good," the purple and black Seeker said dryly.

Thundercracker chuckled softly before saying.

"Just one thing Warp. Maybe the next time you decide to show them a Disney movie, pick one that doesn't have a character dying. I really don't want to have to deal with that again."

"Don't worry, I won't," Skywarp assured him, examining the stack of movies he had, having borrowed them from Soundwave.

"Ah ha," he said triumphantly, picking up one and showing Thundercracker.

"This one shouldn't be a problem, it's full of cute little animals, nothing bad is going to happen in this film."

Thundercracker raised an optic brow,

"Oh, what's it called?"

Skywarp glanced at the title.

"Bambi."

Author's note. I hope you don't think it was strange Ratchet, Ironhide and Skyfire crying over the movie. After all, before puberty, boys are actually just as likely to cry over these things as boys.