Disclaimer: I do not own Lab Rats.

Chase didn't call me that night. I had told him not to because we had spent all day together and we both needed time to think about the mishap at the lab. And boy, did I think about it.

I walked down the stairs the next morning to see Mom cooking pancakes for breakfast, and Leo and Adam sitting at the counter stuffing their faces with food. I rolled my eyes but sat between them anyway.

"How's the food?" I asked jokingly, bumping shoulders with Adam. He grinned, still chewing a mouthful of chocolate chip pancakes. Mom looked over her shoulder from the stove, awaiting Adam's verdict.

"Hmm," he said, taking an extra second to sniff a bite of pancake before devouring it. "Smells like a normal pancake, it's fluffy like one, and there's a perfect ratio of chocolate to batter. Well done."

Mom grinned happily and turned back to the stovetop. That's when Adam turned to me and whispered, "Between you and me, they're kinda raw and I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't follow the recipe."

I rolled my eyes again and grabbed a plate to pile with pancakes. I was glad Adam and I were able to break the ice. It was weird seeing him so serious last night. He would barely talk all throughout dinner, or at least that's what Leo told me. I skipped dinner last night. It would've been too awkward between us all.

I'd spent my night exploring my new phone and thinking about how to handle the intruders. Going back wasn't a good plan because they probably wouldn't be there again, and if they were there, there was a chance they could catch us. Like with the kidnapping incident, we couldn't go to the police or any authority for obvious reasons. The only reasonable plan I could conjure up was talking to someone who might have some useful information. I would have to wait until later to execute that one though. Breakfast held top priority at that moment.

"Mmm," I said, tasting the chocolatey pancakes. Adam was right; they were a little bit chewy, but I could get over that. Raw cookie dough never hurt me, and it's not like the eggs used in that are any different than the eggs in pancake mix.

"So glad you guys appreciate my food. I'm going to run a plate down to Dad. Would any of you mind helping with the dishes when I get back?"

"Sure, Mom," Leo said through a clump of half-chewed pancake in his mouth. I almost gagged at the sight of it. Mom didn't seem to notice, and headed to the elevator.

"Both of you need to learn how to eat like human beings."

"Cavemen were human beings. I'll bet they ate like this. Maybe even worse," Leo pointed out, pretending to be shocked.

"Yes, but they didn't have the mental capacity to invent any advanced technology, like forks or napkins," I deadpanned, handing Leo a paper towel. He had chocolate smeared all over his chin and a milk mustache which really stood out against his dark skin.

He took it reluctantly and rubbed it over his face. Adam said my name and I turned to him again. "I wanted to apologize for last night. I should've been a little bit more considerate."

"Adam," I said, smiling. "It's okay. I would've been mad at me if I was in your shoes. Heck, I'm mad at myself for forgetting something so important. I should be the one apologizing."

"Don't worry about it. Leo talked some sense into me last night and I realized you were already under a lot of pressure. I didn't mean to add fuel to the fire."

"That's right! You heard it straight from the man's mouth himself!" Leo exclaimed, gesturing to Adam. "I, Leo the Great, bring people together and mend broken bonds. I'll be here for the rest of your lives!"

I rolled my eyes for the third time that morning. It was like my signature move now. "Whatever. Can you guys do me a favor today?"

"Sure," Adam said.

"What is it?" Leo said skeptically.

"Cover for me today. Dad can't find out what I'm gonna do today, or he won't let me out of my room until I pass him in age."

"Ha, so you'd be like Rapunzel!" Adam cheered. I thought back to when I told Chase I already felt like Rapunzel and he had said he was my Prince Charming. I smiled at Adam's connection and the memory from the day before.

"Yeah. I just don't want him to worry."

"You know he's just trying to protect you, Bree," Leo said.

"I know!" I sighed exasperatedly. I was tired of hearing this. I knew Dad was just looking out for me, but he had to realize it wasn't likely that I would be kidnapped again. He also didn't realize Chase is able to protect me while he isn't around. "But he needs to understand that he's being overprotective. Smothering me with limits and boundaries makes me feel restricted, not protected."

"I get it," Leo said. "We'll do our best to keep him distracted."

Adam remained silent. He looked like he was torn in his decision. I was asking for a lot.

"I'll do it. On one condition."

"Anything," I said, relieved he was on my side for this one.

"Tell me exactly what it is you're doing."

I sighed, thinking of how to word this right. "Visiting an old rival."

____________________________________________________________________________

I walked up to the high-tech building, in awe of how detailed Dad designed it. Sure, everything he did had to be perfect, but why invest so much money and effort into an offshore facility where only a few people live and work?

I had envisioned a small brick building in the middle of a remote island. Instead, I was approaching a towering warehouse, still on a remote island. At least Douglas was still being detained. I knew for sure that wouldn't change.

I rounded the side of the building that lead to the entrance when I saw a man guarding the door. He wore a cheap uniform, probably standard for security guards in the Davenport business. He was holding a tablet and he had a comset in his ear, probably linked to people in the office. Wherever that was in the huge building.

"Hold on," the man called to me, taking a few strides to meet me. He squinted at me, trying to decide whether or not I was familiar. "Who are you, and how did you get here?"

I took in a deep breath. "My name is Bree Davenport. I have some unfinished business with my so-called uncle, Douglas Davenport."

"Ah, hello Bree. I should've recognized you. I'm Officer Reilly. Your father sure brags a lot about you and your brothers' abilities."

"I have no doubt," I grumbled. "Can you tell me where Douglas is being held?"

"Sure. His cell is on the south side of the building. I can escort you there, if you'd like."

"Thank you, Officer Reilly." I only agreed because I was sure I'd end up getting lost in here. That and in case things got violent with Douglas I would have some backup. I hoped Officer Reilly had some sort of taser on him. Then again, they probably didn't get a lot of intruders here.

"So," I said awkwardly, trying to set up a conversation to cut the tension. "Does my Dad keep a lot of prisoners here?"

Officer Reilly chuckled. "Not really. He doesn't even have cells. He had some of us guards renovate the closet of a research lab to serve as a holding cell."

"A closet? Isn't that kind of small?" I wasn't showing sympathy for Douglas. I just thought it wouldn't work for a prisoner cell.

"You have met your father, correct?"

"Um . . . Yes?"

"Then you'd know it is a fairly large closet."

"Right." I said. I forgot Dad's motto was "go big or go home".

"Here we are," he said, opening the door for me into a room with technology from the floor to the ceiling. In the back of the room was a bolted, shiney metal door. It had to be where Douglas was living. "I'll wait out here while you interrogate him."

"Thanks," I said before having him unbolt the door. I stood in the doorway with my arms crossed over my chest. Douglas sat on the tile floor of the closet, his eyes closed and jaw hanging open, snoring. He was wearing the same clothes I remembered him wearing from the day I was rescued, except now they were all ratty and dirty. I could see a gross looking stain on his chest.

I kicked the heavy door with the heel of my boot and he stirred, his eyes popping open and his body jerking. He yawned and looked me over, remembering who I was.

"Look who's here: Daddy's favorite princess!"

"Cut it out, Douglas." I was done being intimidated by this man. He had no more authority over me. This time he was the one at someone's mercy, not the one pulling all the strings. "I'm only here to ask you some questions."

He didn't oppose. Maybe because he noticed where the power resided, or maybe because he wanted to get this over with as soon as possible so he could get back to his nap. Either way, I was glad to see him cooperating.

"Is there anyone you know of who was trying to steal your technology? Or, should I say the technology you stole and claimed as yours?"

He glared at me. "Why do you care?"

I sighed. "Just answer the question, Douglas."

"As far as I know, nobody was interested in stealing anything from my lab. I made sure the boys were loyal to me from the start."

"Really?" I asked incredulously. "Even Chase?"

Douglas growled. "Don't you mention that traitor to me. He ruined everything--everything!--I had worked so hard to achieve. And all for a prissy, spoiled Davenport. At least Chase knew the real feeling of pain, something you and your family have grown immune to experiencing because of your wealth and standards. And now look what he's done. He's becoming one of you: pampered and accustomed to the luxury of a painless world."

"Shut up. You don't know Chase or his life. He is living in a shelter now because my father was too inconsiderate to offer him a place to stay."

He chuckled. "You naive little girl. You think you know Chase more than me? Of course, with your three days or so worth of experience you're practically an expert on all things Chase, aren't you?"

I shuffled a bit. He had a point, but I wasn't going to let him win this.

"And I suppose you were just the best step-dad there ever was," I fired back. "Whipping, hitting, and abusing your wife's son until he lay bleeding on the floor, helpless. Oh yeah, I'm sure you understood everything there was to know about him."

"I made him strong. He is more durable than the others." Douglas paused. "The others . . . Where are they now?"

"Funny you should ask after so long."

"Just tell me, Bree." The way he said my name was like it left a disgusting aftertaste in his mouth. I was glad the feeling was mutual.

I spent no time beating around the bush. He didn't deserve a sugar-coated explanation of what happened to his followers. "Jake is dead. Shot by Marcus while he was on a rant. Marcus then ran away from the scene, into the woods. Haven't heard of him since. And from what I know, Trevor was missing before I even tried to escape."

Douglas muttered a curse, rubbing his hands over his cheeks. "Jake is dead?" I nodded, almost feeling the slightest bit of sympathy for his loss. Almost.

"We're way off topic. Are you sure there's nobody out there who would try to steal your files."

He shook his head. "No. Nobody should even know about the lab." Douglas suddenly got very suspicious. "Why are you asking me these things?"

"That's none of your concern. And I have all the information I need, thanks to you." I turned on my heel to leave. Douglas protested as I told Officer Reilly to bolt the door. After he did, Douglas's protests were muted. He wasn't actually all that helpful, but saying that would leave him tortured, trying to remember what exactly he said that helped his enemy.

____________________________________________________________________________

Dad's offshore facility wasn't the only stop on my agenda that day. I did a bit of research last night as to where the homeless shelter was, and I was on my way right after getting back to Mission Creek.

I looked at the short building that stood before me. It was only one story tall, but it was wide and it looked like it was about twice as long back as it was wide. There were two pay phones on the sidewalk next to the bus stop. So that's where Chase always called me from . . .

I stepped up to the building doors and walked in, half expecting to see Chase standing right there. Don't ask why I thought it'd be that easy; I had no idea why. Maybe because I didn't want to keep searching for everyone I had to talk to.

There was a little office next to two doors that probably led to the actual shelter part of the building. Inside the glass walls of the office was an old woman. She put down her book and glanced at me from behind glasses when she heard the door creak open. I smiled but she kept a straight face and slid a clipboard under the little slot in the window.

Somebody hates her job, I thought as I signed into the guest log. She pointed to the doors behind her and picked up her book again, obviously wishing I would just leave her so she could enjoy the peace and quiet again.

Behind the doors was a huge room full of tables and people. Their ages ranged from old people with canes to babies with pacifiers. At the back wall there was a line of people at a counter. The clock on the wall read 12:08. Figures it would be the busiest time of day when I chose to visit Chase.

I weaved in and out of the tables, searching for Chase. I couldn't find him anywhere sitting down, but I sure got a lot of weird looks from everyone else. Some people just looked plain disgusted to see me there. It made me really uneasy on top of the dancing butterflies in my stomach that seemed to migrate there whenever I talked to Chase since I met him.

"Looking for someone?" Someone put their arm around my shoulder and I turned my head to see them. I smiled, wrapping my arms sideways around his waist.

"Hey Chase," I said. "Where were you? I didn't see you--"

"I was in line for lunch. I just happened to catch a glimpse of you before picking up a tray. What do you say we go somewhere else to eat?"

"Why? Don't like the food they serve here?" I teased.

Chase rolled his eyes. "It's not bad, but it's bland. Like school cafeteria food."

"And you would know this because . . ." I knew for a fact Chase never went to school. How did he know school lunches were flavorless and inedible?

Chase tapped the side of his head. "You keep forgetting."

Then it was my turn to roll my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go, Einstein."

AN: So, this chapter is only being uploaded because I am going on an indefinite hiatus, and I don't know if I'll be returning, so I wanted to get everything I've written posted for you guys. I'm so sorry. There will be one more chapter, which I will post soon, maybe in an hour or so. Again, I'm sorry.