- Chapter Twenty-three-

You, the Davenport trio, and Leo were having breakfast as Perry strode into the cafeteria.

"What's up, meat bots?" Perry greeted, as she sat at a table and propped her feet up.

Just then Mr. Davenport walked in, causing you to smile as he saw Perry, "Excuse me."

Perry then threw her magazine as she sat upright.

"What do you think you're doing? This is the fourth time this week I've caught you blowing off your security rounds," Mr. Davenport informed.

"What do you expect?" Perry asked, "This job is too hard for one person. How am I supposed to patrol the grounds, monitor cyber security, and still find time to steal form you?"

"Look, you asked me for this job. If you can't handle it, than maybe I should find somebody else," Mr. Davenport stated.

"Good luck trying to find someone else who wants a high paying job on a tropical island," Perry stated, as the screen behind her became static.

"Hey, what's going on with the monitors?" Chase asked, standing up, as you all stood as well.

"Somebody probably hacked out signal because the sheriff wasn't doing her job," Mr. Davenport pointed at Perry, as you all walked towards the screen, seeing a face pop up.

"Hi!"

The Daveport trio and Leo screamed, seeing Eddy on screen. Now you knew who Eddy was, as the Davenport siblings and Leo told you many stories, and showed you all the things that Eddy had done.

"I've been trying to get in here for months. I had to go through all sorts of firewalls and security blocks. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you didn't want me here," Eddy spoke.

"We don't want you here!" Leo explained.

"Well, look who finally got a big-boy voice. Still waiting for the rest of your little-boy body to catch up, huh? And looky here, Chase finally got himself a girlfriend, congrats little man!" Eddy stated, as you, Leo, and Chase glared.

"Eddy, you're suppose to be in Mission Creek with Tasha," Mr. Davenport stated.

"Don't worry, she's fine. I triple-locked her in the closet. Even her man paws can't claw through that," Leo rolled his eyes as Eddy continued to speak, "Speaking of man paws, how are you, Bree?"

"That's it! Where's the hammer?" Bree asked, lunging at the screen as Leo held her back.

"Don't know about the hammer, but I'm definitely looking at a room full of tools," Eddy laughed, as Perry laughed also.

You kept a stone expression, not even fazed by Eddy's insults, but you knew that things were going to get a lot more interesting.

~~~~~

After that horrible reunion, you, Leo, Adam, and Bree walked into the living quarters, as Chase greeted you all.

"Hey, great news, everybody," Chase jogged up to your four.

"You scored a goal in your junior soccer league?" Adam asked.

"You finally fit into man's pants?" Bree questioned.

"You're going bald?" Leo asked hopefully, causing you to chuckle.

"Why would that be great news?" Chase asked.

"You already act like a boring old man. Might as well look the part," Leo said, making you laugh softly, as you all sat down.

"The president wants me to be on his environmental task force committee. It's a think tank of the world's smartest minds brought together to address major ecological issues," Chase explained.

"Sounds like something a boring old man would say," Leo pointed out.

"This is the biggest thing that ever happened to me. Committee member today, president tomorrow," Chase smiled.

"And revolution the day after," Bree added smiling.

"What about all your responsibilities here?" you asked.

"Yeah, without you, who's gonna bore all the students to death?" Adam asked.

"I already told Chase I would cover all of his classes," Mr. Davenport informed.

"Problem solved," Bree nodded.

"The president is coming here to interview me amd give his offical stamp of approval," Chase informed, "Then it's off to Washington, D.C., for good."

"Congratulations," Leo stood up from beside you and walked towards Chase, "We'll really miss you. I call dibs on his capsule!"

Leo ran over to Chase's capsule, causing you to roll your eyes as Adam stood up, "Washington, D.C.? That's like another country. This isn't fair why does Chase get to leave and we don't?"

"Well," Chase started, "For starters, because Chase knows that Washington, D.C. isn't a country."

Chase patted Adam's shoulder as you sighed.

~~~~~

After that, you all shifted into the Hydra-loop area. As you were talking to Adam, Bree, and Leo, Mr. Davenport walked in.

"Perry, can I talk to you for a second?" Mr. Davenport asked.

"Sure thing, boss man," Perry saluted as she ran over to him.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I thought about what you said about being overworked, and I may have been a little harsh," Mr. Davenport apologized.

"So you're giving me a raise?" Perry asked, hope laced in her voice.

"I said I'm sorry, not crazy," Mr. Davenport smiled as Perry pouted, "What I'm gonna give you is better than a raise. Say hello to your new partner," Mr. Davenport announced, as a man walked in.

"Him?" Perry asked.

"Does this guy even know anything about bionics?" Chase asked.

"Actually, he knows a lot more about bionics than you think," Mr. Davenport stated, "Isn't that right?"

"That's ri-i-ight!"

The Davenport trio and Leo screamed, knowing that the man was Eddy. You, on the other hand, were unfazed but a little surprised.

"Eddy?" Leo asked, as Eddy nodded.

"That's the little guy in the wall?" Perry asked.

"In the flesh. Check me out," Eddy smiled, as he did this weird dance.

"Why would you give a body to the most vile computer program ever created?" Chase asked.

"Don't worry," Mr. Davenport assured, "Human Eddy isn't mean. When I put his artificial intelligence into this synthetic body, I altered his personality. I made him nice."

"I begged him not to do it, but now I'm glad," Eddy smiled.

"One little fix, and you expect us to believe that Eddy is nice?" Chase asked, "I'm not buying it."

"No, it's true. Earlier today, I caught Leo struggling to do a push up. The old me would've mocked him. But the new me is just sad," Eddy faked cried, "Poor Leo."

"I guess that's better," Leo commented, furrowing his brows a bit.

"Long story short, I still wanna kill you guys. With kindness," Eddy smiled.

"I don't get it," Bree stated, walking forward, "You could've designed any kind of body for him. Why does he look like that?"

"Yeah, why couldn't you make him super attractive?" you asked.

"The beard hides my gear. You wanna see?" Eddy asked, lifting his beard showing two USB ports.

"Yeah, besides, I couldn't make somebody better looking than me. I literally could not," Mr. Davenport chuckled, "This is once-in-a-lifetime stuff."

"That's my Donny," Eddy smiled, as you, Leo, and the Davenport trio left.

~~~~~

"Why do you need me to come with you? Aren't you a big boy?" you asked Chase, checking your clock locket, before stuffing it into your pocket as you held your book in the other.

"Yes, I'm a big boy. I want you to be there," Chase replied, trying to fix his tie.

"Why? Can't you ask Bree or Leo?" you asked, closing the book that you were reading.

"Leo just would leave me and Bree doesn't care for that type of stuff. Plus, I know you'll support me and I want you there, case closed," he stated.

You sighed as you stood up from the couch, walking over to Chase, fixing his tie.

"Mm, you're right," you spoke, straightening his tie, "Now, lets go kick some--"

"Language," Chase cut you off.

"I was going to say butts, but I like what you're thinking," you winked.

~~~~~

You followed Chase into the training area, leaning against the wall as Chase carried in his suitcases.

"Alright, Mr. President. I'm all packed and ready to go," Chase smiled, setting his cases down as he began to walk forward, "Where will I be staying? West wing, east wing? Pull-out sofa bed in the Oval Office?"

"Hold on now," the president held up his hands, "I can't just give you the job. I meant it when I said there was an interview first."

"Oh, yeah, of course you did. This one, so by the book," Chase smiled, "Alright, I'll play along. Go ahead, interview me."

"Why don't you just tell the committee a little about yourself?" the president stated, as he sat down.

"Well, for starters, I have so many scientific accomplishments, it would take me hours to list them all," Chase smiled.

"That won't be necessary--"

"So glad you asked," Chase cut off the president, "First up, perfecting cold fusion."

~~~~~

Chase just went on and on, talking for who knew how long. You fled a few times, getting away for a bit but always coming back to make sure that Chase wouldn't notice your absence. You did leave to go hang out with Leo for awhile.

"Leo, he just goes on and on. He went on forever reciting the digits for pi. Who does that?" you asked.

"What? Your dream boy is not what you expected?" he asked, quirking a brow, smirking a bit.

"Shut up. You wouldn't be able to sit through most of it," you stated, crossing your arms.

"Well, you're right on that. How do you do it?" he asked.

"Patience," you answered, "Which is slowly dissolving."

He laughed as you pulled out your clock locket, checking the time, "Well, it's time to go. Better go before he notices."

"We should so something later," Leo stated.

"Meaning..." you trailed off.

"Sneak off to the mainland, sneak into a museum or something," he answered, mischief gleaming in his eyes.

"I like what you're thinking. We're going to get into so much trouble if we get caught," you smiled.

"That's what makes it fun," he replied.

~~~~~

You brought a chair with you, sitting up by the wall as Chase continued to talk.

"Then I converted very recorded presidential address from analog to digital. Isn't that fun?" Chase asked smiling.

The committee were utterly bored. Most of the committe were dozing off until loud crashing was heard, startlingly the committe as Adam walked in, hitting two lubatons together.

"Adam!" Chase exclaimed, causing Adam to stop, "What are you doing?"

"Oh, my, I'm so sorry. Is this where you're having your little interview?" Adam asked Chase, "What a coincidence. It's also where I practice playing my...big, loud, shiny things."

He then countined to hit them together until Chase stopped him, "Get out."

Chase then pushed Adam away as the president spoke, "Does anyone else wanna sneak out the back and pretend all this never happened?"

"Sorry about that," Chase apologized walking back, "He's just jealous because I'm going to Washington and he's not. Now, where were we?"

Just then, Adam ran in with a box of pizza, shouting 'Pizza's here!' as he set the pizza box in front of the committee.

"Adam, I'm in the middle of my presentation," Chase informed.

"Middle?" the president jumped up startled, "Adam, sit down."

"Don't mind if I do," Adam replied as he sat down, "What are you guys talking about?"

"Well, I'd like to be talking about global warming. I don't suppose you have any thoughts?" the president asked.

"Let's see," Adam thought, "The globe is warm and round, much like my pizza. And when I cool it, I only blow on the parts I'm about to take a bite of."

"What about you young lady? Any thoughts?" the president asked you.

"No, just here to support a friend," you replied, as he nodded and turned back to Adam.

"So what I think you're saying is, instead of focusing on the entire planet, we zero in on the specific hot spots, right?" the president questioned.

"Uh, yeah," Adam nodded.

"You know what? You may be on to something," the president pointed out, "Maybe I underestimated you, Adam. Well, perhaps we'll find more answers with a simpler approach."

"What?" Chase asked.

"I think we have another candidate for the job," the president smiled, as you rose your brows in surprise.

"Him? No!" Chase exclaimed.

"Hear that, Chase," Adam asked, "I'm gonna be president."

Adam smiled as he spun around in the chair, causing your lips to twitch upwards slightly. Chase then dragged Adam to the side.

"What do you think you're doing?" Chase asked Adam, "That job was mine."

"Chase, I can't help it if I'm a genius," Adam shook his head.

"You are not a genius," Chase informed.

"The president thinks so, and he's a pretty smart dude. There's a reason that he's the king of America," Adam explained, as he turned and saluted the president as he walked over.

"Okay, here's how we'll decide who's the best candidate," the president stated, "We'll have a debate. Whoever wins gets the job. Fair?"

"Sounds good to me. Let's debate. I call skins," Adam stated, unzipping his sweater.

"Uh, this is gonna get ugly really fast," Chase shook his head.

"So you're gonna be skins?" Adam asked Chase, as you shook your head as Chase and Adam stepped up onto the platform.

"First question. Chase, what would you do to reduce greenhouse gases?" the president asked.

"Easy. Curtail our rampant consumption of fossil fuels, then overhaul our infrastructure, and switch to renewable energy sources," Chase explained

"Adam, you're up," the president smiled.

"The planet of the earth and the fuels of fossil contain force that is clearly curtain energy from shoes, lighting cans, ozone climate candles. Yes," Adam nodded.

It was like watching a five year old trying to be smart. It was funny yet adorable to watch.

"Okay, this debate is over," the president clarified.

"Whoo! Did I win?" Adam asked, jumping off the platform.

"Ha ha. Let me put it into terms you can understand," Chase explained, walking towards the pizza box, "You see this pizza? This is you," he motioned to the pizza, "This is me."

Chase then took a big bite of the pizza, "Ha! I just ate you up," Chase muffled, throwing the pizza back into the box as you shook your head.

~~~~~

Once the debate was over, the president congratulated Chase about the job and also thanked Adam for the pizza. Once the president and the committee left, Chase turned around, looking at Adam smugly.

"Did you really think that you could steal that job away from me?" Chase asked Adam.

"Nope. I just didn't want you to get it," Adam shook his head as you watched the two.

"Yeah, 'cause you're jealous," Chase stated.

"Nah," Adam shook his head.

"Yes, you are," Chase nodded.

"No, I'm not," Adam disagreed.

"Yes, you are. Look at you. You're so jealous, and you can't even admit it," Chase snapped.

"Okay, you wanna know the real reason why I didn't want you to get the job?" Adam questioned.

"Go ahead. This should be real good," Chase stated.

"Guys..." you warned.

"Cause I didn't want you to leave," Adam replied.

"Wait. That's what this is all about?" Chase asked.

"Yeah," Adam replied, "But you know what? Doesn't matter anymore," Chase looked taken back as Axam continued, "Good luck, Chase."

Chase just stood there as Adam walked away. He sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"Look, Chase. Adam might not say he loves you a lot, or show any affection, but he does love you. He just has his own little way of showing it, that's just Adam. You have to read and look in between the lines to see that," you explained, "Even though you both get into agruements and fights, he does love and care for you. He might not show it often, but he does."

You then left Chase, taking off where Adam had left previously. After a little while, you ended up finding Adam in the living quarters, stacking a big pile of socks into Chase's capsule.

"What are you doing?" you asked.

"Using Chase's capsule as a sock drawer," Adam replied, adding a sock to the pile.

You gave a nod as Chase walked in, "What are you doing?"

"Since you're leaving, I'm using your capsule as my sock drawer," Adam replied, walking to add more socks.

"Well, you can stop," Chase stated.

"No, I can't. I already broke up with my old sock drawer. If I go back now, it's just gonna be awkward," Adam explained, as you sat on one of the couches, watching quietly.

"No, I mean, you can stop, because I already called the president, and told him I'm not gonna take the job," Chase explained.

"Why?" Adam asked, as you wondered the same thing.

"Look, I thought you were sabotaging me, so I acted like a jerk. But when you admitted that you just didn't want me to go, I felt terrible," Chase explained.

"Oh. Well, nothing makes me feel happier than knowing you feel terrible," Adam stated as Chase nodded, "But, you're really gonna stay?"

"Yeah. The more I thought about it, why would I go to Washington, D.C.? I already have my dream job right here," Chase motioned around.

Adam then stood, "As long as you're staying, so do I."

"What's that?" Chase asked.

"Throwing you," Adam stated.

Chase then yelled as Adam began to chase him around, making you smile faintly.

"Boys will be boys," you sighed

'The boys would be dead if you would've taken them out!'

'The boys don't need to die. It's wrong.'

You then quickly shook your head, getting rid of the thoughts as Chase stopped in front of you, "I heard a lot of commotion in the Hydra-loop area. C'mon, lets go check it out."

You quickly jumped up, as you, Adam, and Chase quickly ran down the hall towards the Hydra-loop area. When you three arrived, you saw Leo and Bree looking into the training area.

"Guys, what's going on?" Chase asked.

"Eddy's bad again, and Perry is trying to destroy him," Bree answered as she and Leo walked towards you three.

"Tell her to watch the beard. My phone's charging in there," Adam stated, as Perry ran in panting.

"Used all my signature moves on him and nothing worked. Even the Perry throttle," Perry explained, as Eddy ran in.

"Hey, get back here and fight me like the she-beast you are," Eddy challenged.

"Oh, I will, you deranged drifter," Perry spat.

"Since you reprogrammed me to be mean again, I'm unstoppable," Eddy laughed.

"You reprogrammed him?" Leo asked Perry in disbelief.

"Not now, kids. I'm a little busy," Perry let out a battle cry as he ran at Eddy.

"Oh, Perry's getting her butt kicked," Chase smiled.

"If we don't take Eddy out, he's gonna terrorize this place forever," Bree explained.

"Not if my bionic leg has anything to say about it," Leo held up his leg.

You scoffed as Bree spoke, "That doesn't sound as macho as you think."

As Leo walked forward, you saw that Eddy had Perry in a leg lock as Leo spoke, "Release the beast, Eddy."

"Sit tight, Leo. You're next," Eddy smiled.

"No, you are," Leo stated, kicking Eddy's rear end, causing him to fly and hit the wall.

Just then, Eddy popped right back up, "Didn't feel a thing. Who else wants to not hurt me?"

"That's it. I'm going to get Mr. Davenport," Chase stated.

"Go ahead," Eddy stated, "I have him totally fooled. That has-been has no idea I'm back to my old self."

"You sure about that?" you asked.

"Yes, I do," Mr. Davenport replied, standing right behind Eddy.

"Ha ha, Donny. Hi!" Eddy exclaimed.

"You beard-dialed me on Adam's phone. Heard everything," Mr. Davenport informed, holding his phone.

"Everything?" Eddy asked, as Mr. Davenport nodded, "It was a show for the kids. I'm bad, I'm good, I'm bad, I'm good. I'm just a great big bag of emotions," he explained, expressing different emotions.

"It's over, Eddy. It's time for you to go back in the wall where you belong," Mr. Davenport pointed to the wall.

"No, please. I'll be good. Or how about just not bad in front of you, split the difference? What do you say, Don-Don, huh?" Eddy asked, seeing Mr. Davenport gaze at the tablet on the cyber desk.

They both reached for it at the same time, fighting over the tablet.

"Don't make me hurt you, Donny. I don't wann hurt you," Eddy stated.

"You already hurt me with your words," Mr. Davenport stated.

You just stood there, watching in amusement.

"Okay, I can't stomach much more of this," Bree stated shaking her head as Chase and Adam did the same.

Just then, Eddy ripped the tablet from Mr. Davenport's hands, causing him to hit the wall.

"Oh, Donny, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it!" Eddy apologized, just before getting blasted into millions if pieces.

You turned around to see Perry holding a gun.

"Bet he felt that," Perry laughed uncontrollably.

~~~~~

Once Eddy was back into the wall, you stood in between Bree and Leo as Mr. Davenport spoke, "Well, Eddy, you're finally back where you belong."

"Yeah, well, at least you let me keep the beard," Eddy stated.

"But I got to keep your hand," Leo smiled, holding up Eddy's hand.

"If you knew where that's been, you wouldn't be holding it," Eddy stated.

Your mind went straight into the gutter as Leo threw the hand to Mr. Davenport, which he tossed behind him in disgust.

"Hey, who tore me apart anyway?" Eddy asked.

"Your new wall mate," you and Bree answered in unison.

"Wall mate?" Eddy asked puzzled.

"Let me out! Get me outta here!" Perry exclaimed, "Oh, no, I got an itch. Scratch it, Eddy, scratch it."

"No. No! Get me outta here! Get me outta here!" Eddy exclaimed, as you all walked away.

"So, tonight I was thinking we can sneak out to the mainland to watch that new horror movie that came out, you up for it?" you asked Leo quietly, following Bree towards the living quarters, "I think we deserve it. Its been a long day."

"A long day indeed," Leo nodded in agreement, "But do you even have to ask? I'm always up for anything."

You just smiled as you both entered the living quarters.