A/N: Welcome to the first chapter in Future in the Present. The writing was put on hold momentarily, as I spent time with my newest family member – a malamute. I was excited to write this, but I have decided to make some changes. I have at least ten questions you might ask and I answer all of them. Some of these include, who is the girl Leo slept with six years? Why is this girl with Trent? What is the girl's relationship with Janelle? And so forth.
Here we go!
Disclaimer: I do not own Lab Rats or any characters associated with the show. I only own the couple OCs throughout the story.
She stands right outside Leo's hospital room to knock on the door and visit him. Six years ago, she made an erroneous mistake by succumbing to her emotions. When she woke up those six years ago, Leo was gone. She didn't know it then – she would figure it out later – but Leo now holds a piece of her life now. A little over five years ago, Jeanette Brown found out she was pregnant.
Unfortunately, she does not have the child with her to show Leo.
Trent does.
Trent is one problem that Jeanette has not learned the answer to. Jeanette could turn to the police, but she suspects that Trent has friends in shady places and will have the child killed if she alerts the police. If she tells someone else, Trent would find out and would kill her child. Jeanette's best hope is that someone figures it out for himself or herself. Jeanette hoped that someone would save her son from Trent, as she knew she could not save her son's life alone.
Upon the realization that she is crying, Jeanette wipes away her tears and opens the door. The hospital room was the same as Jeanette remembers it being all those years ago, never mind that she was in a different hospital at the time. The white walls are mocking and depressing. No wonder people hated to stay at the hospital, Jeanette muses. The only noticeable difference is Leo. Leo is lying on the hospital bed with his neck in a brace. As soon as her eyes face the abandoned husband, Leo's eyes widen. Jeanette knows that Leo recognizes her. Despite it being six years since their last encounter, Jeanette has not changed a lot. The only noticeable difference is that Jeanette has grown taller and her chocolate curls have grown longer so that they are similar to her deceased sister, Janelle.
"Hey, Leo. It's been a while."
Leo only nods.
"I wanted to stop by and tell you I'm on a honeymoon."
Bree's eyes widen as she realizes something. At first, Jeanette isn't sure what that might be, but then she remembers that Bree and Trent went to the same high school. Jeanette deduces that Bree ran into Trent earlier and Trent mentioned the honeymoon. "Congratulations," Bree says.
Jeanette can hardly believe her luck as she scans the room and spots no security cameras. Of course, she does not suspect there to be, but it is a relief nonetheless. However, what might happen if Trent is right behind her, out of sight? Even in the midst of a debate with herself, the words flew out of Jeanette's mouth. "Thanks. Hey, listen; I need you to do me a favor."
"Name it," Bree says without hesitation.
Right before Jeanette opens her mouth, the door to Leo's room opens once again and Trent marches in. Jeanette bites down a curse. She was so close to telling Bree!
"'Sup, Dooley. What happened to your neck? Did you get in a fight or something?" Trent greets.
Seeing as how Leo is in a neck brace and is making no indication to say anything, Bree answers, "He broke it during one of his dances. He'll be fine."
"Too bad."
Jeanette crosses her arms and glares at Trent. Trent, however, ignores the glares sent to him by Jeanette, Bree, and Leo. "Get better soon, Dooley." Trent turns to Jeanette and reminds her of the tour.
"Of course! I forgot," Jeanette apologizes. Of course, there is no tour the two need to get to. In fact, the two are not even on their honeymoon, let alone married. So long as Trent kept Jeanette close, Trent did not have to worry about his wife spilling the beans about her missing kid, John.
Trent grasps Jeanette's hand and starts to leave. On his way out of the hospital, Bree remembers that Jeanette needs her to do a favor so she chases after them. "Jeanette, what favor did you need?"
Jeanette wants to tell Bree about her missing son, but she decides against it with Trent being right next to her. Instead she says, "It's not important. Just watch over Leo and make sure he gets better."
Bree senses that there is something more to the story, but doesn't pressure Jeanette. Instead, Bree promises Jeanette she would and returns to the hospital room to be with Leo. Jeanette forces a smile as she exits the hospital with Trent, although she is drowning with guilt on the inside. Neither one of them says anything.
"So I saw Bree at the mall earlier. I didn't get to have much of a conversation with her, as she ran off to meet her publisher," Trent began.
Jeanette's mind reflects on the world publisher. Bree is an author. Does she have any books? It would be worth looking into. After all, Jeanette could email Bree about her missing son, John. Of course, Trent could hack into the email and dispose of the son, assuming Trent knew how to hack. Jeanette isn't one hundred percent certain that Trent can't hack, so she decides not to risk it. Jeanette could never forgive herself if she gambled on her son's life over a hunch.
"Does she have any books?" Jeanette finds herself asking.
"Yeah. It's uh… it's called Bigger Than Life," Trent announces. "I don't know what it's about, but I'm not going to read it. Why would I read something by Davenport?"
Jeanette nods. She is well aware of the relationship Trent had with the Davenports in High School. "You make a good point. I was just curious. So where are we headed, actually?"
"I thought we'd head to the library. I want to pick up a book and then head across the street for some coffee," Trent says, hiding the fact that his main reason for wanting to go to the library is to stop his wife from checking out Bree Davenport's book.
Jeanette tilts her head to look at Trent. "Reading, huh? I didn't peg you as a reader."
Trent chuckles and throws his arm across Jeanette's shoulder. "Well, Jeannie, let's just say that knowledge is power."
Jeanette smiles, pretending she likes Trent's arm across her shoulder. In reality, she hates it as much as she hates Trent for abducting her kid. However, Jeanette has a part to play, and if pretending she likes Trent is part of her plan, then she would play along.
Xxx
As soon as Trent and Jeanette arrive at the Florence Williams Public Library, Trent heads off in one direction and Jeanette heads off in the other. Coincidentally, they are both headed to the same book: Bigger Than Life by Bree Davenport. While Jeanette hopes to get there first, Trent arrives first and kneels down. Jeanette spots Trent in the same aisle as the book she wants and chooses to browse other books in the hopes that Trent leaves.
As soon as Trent left, Jeanette hurries over and her smile fades.
Bree Davenport's book, Bigger Than Life, is not there.
Jeanette refrains from flopping down on the ground. Instead, Jeanette thinks of her alternatives. She initially dismisses her initial idea, but decides there is no other option. Jeanette grabs a nearby book, grabs a pencil, and pretends to read. Upon flipping to the first chapter, Jeanette scribbles a message and includes her phone number. She finishes and turns to a random page. After a few minutes of pretending to read, Jeanette puts the book down and heads to the front, disappointed, but hopeful. All Jeanette can do now is wait and hope someone checks out the book.
Xxx
Jeanette and Trent stop by a coffee shop. The news is playing on the TV right above a row of chairs. On the opposite end of the chairs is a collection of orange leather seats and a sit-down couch. The color offers a homely feel to the residents. Her mind turns to the TV while Trent orders them some coffee.
Jeanette gasps, recognizing the scene to be that of her hometown in California. She reads the headline and her heart becomes caught in her throat. An earthquake just hit.
"Babe, are you okay?" Trent asks, a cup of coffee in each hand.
Jeanette points to the screen and Trent understands. They are going home to Mission Creek.
A/N: This concludes the first chapter in The Future in the Present. Chase has not yet made a physical appearance yet in the (Not So) Friendly Reunion series.