(Get ready to gdb your tooth brushes, because this chapter is going to be so sweet it might fill your mouth with cavities. Also, I own the song I have made up just for this chapter.)

Lullaby

"I am so glad that we can return home," Chromia said as she and the rest of the femmes of their group were getting ready to return to earth. "I can hardly wait to get my feet back not that warm soil, and get some alone time with that big lug, Ironhide. He has finally agreed to become a Daddy just like your mate, Elita." She had turned to her best friend, but the pink femme was looking out to the stars, daydreaming.

"Hey, Elita 1, can you hear me?" Chromia said and waved her hand in Elita 1's face, catching the femme off guard. Elita 1 was startled until she saw that it was Chromia and sighed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I had my mind focussing on something else." she apologized. Chromia shook her head but understood the reason for Elita not responding to her.

"You're thinking about Optimus and your sparklings, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. I have been thinking about them ever since we left Earth for this meeting. I just can't help but worry about them even though Optimus gave me his word that he will keep them safe." Elita 1 said as she looked back at the sky again. "Why am I worrying so much?"

"Because it's normal for mothers," Chromia answered as she laid a hand on her friends shoulder. "Mothers worry because they love the ones who they consider to be the most important things of their life."

"But, if my children grow older they may think I will not always be there for them, being gone at these meetings all the time. I want to always be there for them," said Elita.

"And you will," said Chromia. "Just make sure the children now that you love them very much and your job is a bit demanding, but that you're always thinking about them and will always return home to them. Trust me, they'll understand."

The pink femme gave her friend a grateful smile. "Thanks, Chromia, I needed that little pep talk," she said.

"Anytime."

Jus then Arcee appeared. "Elita 1, the space bridge is ready and we are all ready for departure."

"Very good. Thank you, Arcee." Elita 1 spoke as she and the other femmes transformed and passed through the space bridge; their destination: Home.

It was night on the planet Earth, but the night wasn't peaceful as it tended to be. Already, storm clouds and high winds signaled the Autobots to return to base and stop their work; mainly patrols about their territory until the storm ended. However, the storm was still continuing; about three hours at least, but it was relatively weak during the first hour. It was until the storm reached the final hours, that its true, destructive potential evolved.

It was a good thing the rest of the Autobots had made it back inside, otherwise they would have been isolated in the storm or be electrocuted. Yet, despite being protected in their home, the Autobots could hear the raging chaos outside; the loud crashing and explosive impacts of the thunder could be heard as well as felt. This made Optimus very uneasy since he had put his sparklings to bed, and was worried the storm would wake them. It was a miracle that they hadn't...yet.

"Prime, sir," Prowl spoke as he observed Teletraan 1.

"Yes, Prowl?"

"The Space Bridge, just a few miles away, has activated. I have also signs that there is life being transported."

"It's Elita 1 and her female Autobots. I have already received word form her just a few hours ago." Optimus replied. "As soon as they come into view, we have to contact them and tell them to seek shelter and stay there until the storm ends."

"Yes, sir." Prowl nodded. As Prowl stayed by his post.

"Wheeljack, head to the power generator and make sure all systems are ready to handle a large surge of power."

"Yes, sir, Prime," said Wheeljack.

Just then, a bright lightning strike lit up the area outside the base, followed instantly by a very loud thunderclap that sounded like it had been right above them. The sound made them temporarily lose their hearing.

Just after that all the power went out, leaving the Ark in a abyss of darkness.

The loud crash of the thunder pulled the little Sparklings from their pleasant dreams and seeing that they were left in a black, for boding space, they began crying harshly, wanting their father. Optimus, feeling their distraught emotions, sent reassurance to them through his bond with them, but he was still a bit startled from the sudden noise, so the comfort he was sending wasn't doing much good as the sparklings began to cry harder and louder. He knew that he had to do more than sending them comfort from the bond. "Ironhide, keep watch for me. I must go to my children."

"Right away, Prime," Ironhide said as he took Primes possession as the Prime left the control room and came into the nursery, hearing the cries of his little ones growing louder and louder as he came. He entered the nursery and found his two Sparkling wailing and crying harshly, their faces covered in their frightened tears.

"Oh, no, no," Prime cooed as he reached down to pick them up and cradle them in his arms. "Hush, hush, do not cry. It's alright, I am right here. Shhhhh," He rocked them slowly from side to side, but the Sparklings were still crying from fear. The distant thunder and harsh patter of the rain outside was all that could keep Achilles and Sapphire from listening to their father's soft voice, and their bodies shivered with fear. Optimus had never seen his babies so terrified before, and he had to find a way to calm them down. But, how could he do it?

He then got an idea and decided to leave the nursery, while he still held the Sparklings in his arms, and went into his quarters and sat himself down the berth, and rearranged his little ones carefully so as the could watch his face while he rocked them to and fro again. It was then that Optimus Prime retracted his mask and began to sing softly.

"Hush, now, my shining stars

End your frightened tears,

Let the fear depart from you

For I am right here,

My arms wrap you close

They shall keep you warm,

Let my optics gaze upon yours

And my voice shall chase away this storm,

The dangers are far away from here

Fading away by the second as we,

Feel the tender warmth of love

For I am apart of you and you are a part of me,"

As Optimus continued to sing, Achilles and Sapphire could feel their fear starting to fade and their optics ceased to shed any tears. Their father's voice was so calm and soothing that they could hardly hear the storm from outside. Even if they could hear the storm, they could have heard the thunder fade away and the rain now pitter-pattering in a much softer way. It was then that Optimus saw his little ones smile and reach up to him, and he held them up closer to him.

"You are brave, my shining stars

For such small and young souls,

You shall overcome your troubles

In future time, who knows,

Peace shall always be with thee

For I am apart of you,

and you are apart of me."

Optimus then watched in awe as Achilles and Sapphire then begin to yawn and settle in close to his chest, grasping him there as they then closed their optics. He could soon hear there small breaths as they fell back to sleep. He sighed as his spark swelled with such joy that could only be described by many as fatherly-love. He then felt that it would be a shame to bring the Sparklings back to the nursery now that they were so comfortable, so he carefully laid himself down and allowed himself to fall into stasis.

Many long hours had passed, and Optimus and Achilles and Sapphire were still contentedly asleep; neither one of them stirred the moment that the doors to the room opened and a certain femme entered the room. It was Elita One, and the moment she saw her spark mate and children upon the berth she smiled happily, not only because she thought it was cute but because it showed an almost rare moment that she was lucky enough to witness. Her own mate, the Optimus Prime, asleep with their brood held close to him, protecting them.

Eltia One couldn't help but shed one small tear as she carefully came to the berth and softly kissed Optimus on the cheek before she laid down and placed an arm around him and her children, feeling so happy to be back home with her family.

*Authors Note*
(I cannot believe how much cuteness I have poured into this chapter; I think I nearly died. Anyway, I apologize for keeping you all waiting for a very long time. I hope you can forgive me with this chapter. Sparkling Lover out.)