In 2002, Sparkplug checked Spike out of Seattle Memorial Hospital and assigned him to help with assimilating the Autobots into Earth's culture. The work arrangement worked beyond the Joes' wildest beliefs. Spike struck up a natural friendship with the Autobots like no other human before him, and Spike's new sense of purpose led him to slowly wean himself off the bevy of psychiatric meds prescribed to him. Even with these strides, Spike is still painfully shy and withdrawn, opting to spend all of his time at work. Sparkplug routinely finds himself assuming a caregiver role for Spike, be it talking him through his many panic attacks, or kindly teaching him how to drive.