A/N: Hello, everyone!
I'm afraid this'll be the last update until next Saturday. I'm going on a trip, and won't have internet. Sorry. :/
Thanks to my reviewers, Pink-Libra-Girl, and malfoyravenclaw555! I really do appreciate you guys more than I can say. :) Love ya!
Episode: Sort of Spike V. Spikette, but an AU set 2 months afterward where Kate's sonic scream nearly completely destroyed Chase's hearing.
Rating: K+, this chapter. A little less darkness this chapter.
Warnings: Templeton is rude and sleezy. That is all.
Be the reason someone smiles today! :)
Donald stared at the screen with strained, weary eyes. He had tried to follow his own advice and go to sleep, but found he couldn't drop off. After several uncomfortable hours, he made his way back down to command central, as quietly as possible. Just because he couldn't find his comfort in sleep didn't mean others shouldn't be able to. In the hours he'd worked in the stillness, he hadn't come up with any realistic way of tracking Chase, and getting him back, without turning up any red flags, or leaving a trail. The sun was rising, bouncing cheerfully off the water, just as Davenport was ready to give up. He groaned, leaned forward, and collapsed onto his keyboard, not caring that he was probably spewing nonsense all over his screen.
He couldn't think of anything but his son.
Chase, as an inquisitive, too smart for his own good four-year-old, trying to figure out why his siblings didn't like the things he did.
Chase, as a serious eight-year-old in his first, prototype mission suit, being charged with the job of mission leader. He'd solemnly accepted the duty, barely concealed excitement shining through his eyes. He would only come to realize what he'd accepted later.
Chase, age twelve, very nearly hacking his way out of the lab into the world above.
Chase, carefree and giddy after a good mission, miserable and withdrawn after a bad one, one where he couldn't save everyone.
Chase, who was so smart, Davenport knew that the boy would, one day, easily surpass him. Maybe he already had, and Donald simply hadn't recognized it yet.
And now, he may never get a chance.
A chiming alarm interrupted Donald's thoughts, and button mash. He took a deep breath, and pulled his head up, to blink tiredly at the screen. He squinted, trying to make out the words before him, staring mindlessly for several moments before he could actually make them out. Finally, though, he did.
Donald stood up so quickly, the chair shot out from behind him, spinning angrily off behind him. He didn't notice. He was already running for his children's room.
Nearly falling through the door, Donald shattered the soft, dawn peace. He yelled something, probably a standard 'Wake up!' or something, he wasn't really at his most articulate, and pounded on the capsule Adam and Bree were in. He wasn't really surprised to see them there. Ever since they had first been introduced to their capsules all those years ago, they'd had a tendency to pile in together for comfort, especially after long or hard days. The past days had definitely qualified. What had surprised him was finding Leo was Douglas both draped over the couch, sleeping soundly side-by-side. He was sorry to wake them, and hustle them down to command central, but he knew they would want to see what he had to show them.
Templeton had sent him a video.
It wasn't until everyone had followed him back to command central, and managed to crowd around the screen, that Donald wondered if he should have watched it first. Just- just to make sure there wasn't anything too bad in it. But it was too late for that, and besides, they were all in this thing together. Anything new, anything at all, they all had a right to see it. At the same time, Donald really wasn't sure he could watch the video by himself.
He swallowed, hard. "Everybody ready?" He asked, cursor hovering over the 'play' button.
All the sleepy chatter ceased, and everyone sat up, attentive and grim. Donald took a deep breath, and pressed 'play'.
A video clip popped up, and soon, a room appeared. It was a far cry from the plain, boxy, completely white room they'd seen previously. This room was richly furnished, sleek, a happy marriage between modern and medieval styles. Templeton walked onscreen, holding a delicate crystal glass of something dark red. Templeton grinned at the camera, as though it was an old friend, before taking a careful sip of his drink, and seating himself gracefully.
"Hello, brothers Davenport, and company. It's delightful to see you. Well, when I say see," Templeton paused, to laugh comfortably at his own joke. "I really am glad to be back in contact with you, if only to show you what wonderful progress Tancred is making."
A clip came on the screen, showing Chase in his new suit, focused and filled with purpose, practicing with his force field. It switched to a clip of Chase in a loose robe, exchanging fierce and complex moves with an opponent. They broke apart, bowing, the match seemingly a draw. The camera jumped to what looked to be security footage of Chase calmly making his way through a convoluted web of lasers. He reached the end, and Donald tried not to be hurt by the satisfied look on his face when he came out of it. Of course, he didn't want Chase to be hurting, but he knew how dangerous it would be if his son began to enjoy Templeton's dirty work.
Templeton came back up onto the screen, self-satisfaction simply oozing out of him. "Isn't he incredible?" He asked, almost fondly. "I had high hopes for him, and it looks like they're on their way to fruition." His expression shifted quickly, and everyone watching tensed. They knew how quickly he could move from frivolous to furious.
Templeton set his glass down with a gentle clink, and leaned forward, elbows on knees, fingertips touching on loosely splayed fingers. "I told you earlier," he said, with icy calm, "To stop looking for Tancred. That if I saw anything, and I mean, anything, that could be traced back to you, and I would take it out on him." He paused, heavily, eyes cold and deadly. A lump grew in Donald's throat. Please, please, let it be that none of his covert attempts to find his son had been discovered. He, and the rest of the room, awaited Templeton's next words with baited breath.
But Templeton once again surprised them. He pouted, almost comically. "But you've been boring," he whined. "You haven't done anything! Anything at all! Not one attempt to find your missing little lamb." Templeton leaned back, and crossed his arms petulantly. "You're really no fun, Donald."
"Right, I've never heard that one before," the man who'd raised three children, who'd grown into typically dramatic teenagers. He was surprised by a round of quiet snickers from behind him; he really hadn't realized he'd spoken aloud.
Templeton was evidently done with being a grouchy toddler, and was instantly all sunshine again. "So, I decided to make you be interesting! From now on, I'm taking it back: You can try to take Tancred back. You can try as hard as you want. I'm inviting you." Templeton beamed. "That'll be much more fun. Plus," A crafty look came into his eye. "I've always wanted to know which of us is the better inventor, haven't you?"
Templeton picked his glass back up and smiled again. "A word of advice," he said, conversationally, gesturing with his drink. "If you want the same Tancred I took from you back, then I would hurry if I were you. He's changing every day."
And with those ominous words, Templeton toasted them, and the screen blinked out.
Donald opened his mouth to ask how everyone was doing after that, but he was interrupted by the hydraloop doors opening. Five pairs of eyes immediately were fixed on the figure that stepped through the doors.
It was a young woman, with pale grey eyes, and wispy blond hair. She wore a dress that was a light floral print, and was pretty, in a brittle sort of way. But there was nothing on her person that explained why exactly she was there.
"Can I help-" Donald began, but Bree beat him to it.
"Annmarie!" She exclaimed, moving forward to meet the woman. "That's your name, right?"
The woman nodded, smiling nervously. "Yes," She said, quietly. "Julie asked me to come by. She had a family emergency, or she would have come herself. This was left by the library, and Julie said you needed to get it, so I made sure it got here safely." Her held out one hand, an envelope held in thin fingers.
Bree accepted it with a smile, and turned to her family. "This is Annmarie, as she said. I met her at the library when I was looking for Chase. And if I'm right-" She impatiently tore the envelope open. "-Then this is from him!"
Everyone gathered closely around Bree, somehow all managing to squeeze into a position to see the hastily scrawled words.
Dear-
Mr. Davenport
Douglas
Adam
Bree
Leo
-all,
I'm stealing a moment to tell you that I'm okay. It's been rough, but I can handle it. That's not why I'm writing, though. You have to know what I have to say. Templeton is tired of waiting for you to come after me. He's getting bored, and trust me, he's dangerous when he's bored. He's just as dangerous when he's having fun, though, and that's what he wants. He wants to play.
And that's why I'm telling you not to come after me. Please. You'll play right into his hands, and I guarantee, you will get hurt. All of you. I can't let that happen. So please, please, just let me get out of this myself. At least give me some time to try before you charge in all guns blazing, alright? Please trust me that much.
I have to stop this here; Templeton will be missing me soon. Stay safe, alright? Don't do anything stupid. Please.
Love,
Chase, NOT Tancred
