Marcus

Marcus watches with narrowed, loathing eyes as Leo sits on the couch watching TV, a bowl full of popcorn in hand. Adam sits on the floor, watching the same program as Leo while Chase plays around on some high-tech gaming device.

All seems normal, and all is still mind-numbingly boring.

It's been like this for over a month now after befriending the lab rats. His father has given him the order to keep a close watch on the family, and knowing he only placed surveillance cameras in the lab, Marcus suddenly decided he should keep a close eye on them outside of the lab, as well. He crouches to stay out of sight from where he observes on the hill overlooking the Davenport residence.

Marcus adjusts his hearing range as he brushes his short, jet-black hair behind his ear. He tunes in late, hearing the end of some stupid remark from Adam, watching Chase roll his eyes heavenward. Leo simply ignores him, and continues watching the colorful, flickering screen in front of him. It's already nightfall; everything around Marcus is pitch-black, all except the lighting from the home.

Marcus then hears a light voice pipe up, calling for Chase. Marcus notices Bree sitting at the dining table, alone, late night homework spread out in front of her. How could he have not noticed her sitting there? Chase tells her to hold on as he continues pressing buttons, uttering lame threats to whoever or whatever he's trying to defeat in the game he holds in his hands.

Marcus then turns his full attention to Bree. Watching her with wondering eyes, he finds himself admiring the way her forehead creases and her lips twist in concentrated thought. Her graceful hand suddenly runs through her curled, light golden-brown hair, and then positions itself over her eye and forehead.

Marcus smiles to himself as he wonders for a brief moment how quickly he could pluck Bree Davenport from the arms of that eccentric, ungrateful boyfriend of hers, Owen. If that's even what Owen is. Because all he seems to care about is his terrible art.

Marcus then realizes how stupid he sounds. He would never need to pluck her away from her 'boyfriend' because he doesn't feel that way about Bree. But as he tries to realize this, it doesn't seem to feel…right. Like he's lying to himself, but how? He knows he shouldn't feel this way. Marcus firmly shakes his head as he tries to focus, trying to ignore his confusing thoughts.

"Chase, seriously, I need help. Like, now." Bree complains as her bionic brother rolls his eyes and pauses his game. Chase makes his way over to her, leaning over her shoulder and inspecting her work. Though he inspects longer than needed. Marcus disregards the thought as he continues to watch and listen. Chase then proceeds to explain and help her until he finally asks,

"Bree, why are you working on this so late?" Bree is about to explain when he suddenly shuts her up. "Wait, no. Don't tell me. You've been texting Owen all day, haven't you?" Marcus rolls his eyes along with Bree, but for an entirely different reason.

What the hell does this stunning girl see in that idiot, anyway?

Chase simply chuckles, but it's bitter, and Marcus wonders why. Protective brother, maybe? Yeah, that's it.

Though, as Chase saunters away from the table and back to the couch, Marcus can't disregard the look he gives Bree with her back turned to him. It's not the look of a protective brother, protective stepbrother, or even a protective friend. It's the look one would only give when they long for something, or someone, they can't have. And Marcus would know, because he's seen that look in his father's eyes as he watches the lab rats on his screen, but for a completely different reason.

Chase's look of longing strikes a chord in Marcus, and not a good one.

Marcus looks between Bree and Chase for a moment before he realizes something he never would have thought would bother him. Even though he's confused as to why Chase would feel this way for Bree, Marcus, for the first time, feels a pang of jealously and a sudden desire for a girl who he should never even think twice about. His eyes narrow as he takes a deep breath.

He watches Chase plop back onto the couch, and when Chase gives another glance Bree's way, it's enough to make Marcus shake. He speeds back home, his sight blurred by irritation. He makes it past his 'father' with a short, simple debriefing without giving any of his true thoughts away. He then makes his ways to his capsule. Marcus is going to need all the rest he can get for tomorrow.

Because starting tomorrow, Marcus is going to try with no surrender to make Bree his and only his, even if it means getting rid of Owen, or anyone else standing in his way.

Even Chase.

Especially Chase.