The Davenport family was standing in the room, silently complaining and glaring at each other. The lab of Donald Davenport had just become a battle ground. As he glared at the evil presence in the room, Douglas Davenport stood by his son, Chase's side, and announced the two of them were already on the same side. Taking back what was stolen from him when Leo Dooley walked into the room and was carrying Davenport's Cryoblaster. Donald gestured to Leo as he began speaking and the boy jumped back in surprise. How had he not seen that Douglas was standing there.
At that moment, when Douglas thought he and Chase were unstoppable, the kid immediately turned on him. Douglas Davenport couldn't believe that his kid, Chase off all people, had tricked him. He offered him a new source of power, and also, a chance to beat his own family and set on events of betrayal. Turned out they were the same in almost every aspect instead. So of course, he knew some of those traits were realized once it was made clear what Chase's intentions were. He had never felt so proud (and yet so betrayed) at the same time. Chase did betray his family but not in a way Douglas had expected. He is just alone in his brother's lab. This plan has definitely gone south.
"Did you really think I would turn on my own family?" Chase asked.
"Well, it always worked for me..." Douglas admitted.
"You can offer me all the bionics you want, but it won't ever matter, because I will always be on their side because we are a family and we never quit on each other."
Douglas saw Adam and Bree agreeing with their brother.
He realized this was the end of it all. Adam, Bree, Chase and Donald were glaring at him, ready to attack. But first he would try...
"Alright, you got me," Douglas said. "Let's start by mending our bonds in this broken family," Douglas smirked at them. "Am I right? People, let's hug it out." Only Adam seemed to go along with it until Donald held his son back. The evil scientist glared. He noticed that no one was going to follow with him on this reconciling thing with his family. When he looked over at Leo, who was just standing there...There was no other option.
"Well, you know what they say, if you can't beat 'em," Douglas began, taking out a pistol he apparently had hidden behind him. Before Chase could even take a step towards the Cryoblaster, Douglas looked at Leo and grabbed him by the back of his shirt.
"Hey, let me go!" Leo shouted.
"Leo!" Bree and Adam shouted, ready to attack.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, kids," Douglas said. They saw he was pointing the laser pistol to Leo's back and when Chase looked, he saw what his siblings and Donald were looking at, he looked like he was ready to fire.
"Ah, ah, ah," Douglas said. "Put that down, son! Unless you want your precious little brother to become a popsicle too."
Chase looked at Leo and he saw the terror in his eyes.
"Chase!" Leo cried in a dangerous whisper while annoyed by the hand at his neck and the pistol at his back. Chase had never felt so helpless in trying to save his younger brother. He has a look that said, "If you care about me, you will not shoot us"
"I am sorry," Chase said empathically as he looked into Leo's eyes. He should never have brought his biological father down there, So, he did as he was told and put the Cryoblaster down.
"Yeah, there's a good boy," Douglas said
"Douglas, let my son go," Donald snapped, looking at his stepson. "He's done nothing wrong."
Douglas pretended to think for a minute. "No, I don't think so. You already took my kids swim me, so Instead, it's time for me to connect with my dear nephew."
"Oh please," Leo snapped. "The only way I'd want to connect with you is if my fist met your face!"
Douglas ignored that.
"Come on, he's just a kid."
"Oh no, not THIS again, Donald," Douglas shouted, digging the pistol further into Leo's back. "Said the exact same thing you did when we last met."
"Get off of me," Leo said trying to get rid of his tormentor's grip on the scruff of his shirt and kicking Douglas on his shin, to no avail.
"Quit it you little-" Douglas snapped, and instead, pulling Leo right next to him while pointing the pistol into his chin. "Move!" he shouted and then looked back at his brother. "Now, if you know what's good for you Donald, you and the kids won't be following me."
"Go!" Douglas snapped. When he was sure his brother and kids weren't following, he pushed Leo through the door.
There was no going back now.
He had taken the kid to an abandoned warehouse that was in his name. Now it wasn't the best of places, but he had nowhere else to go but this was for the time being. He could have let Leo go but the boy was his insurance that Leo's family wouldn't attack him. It was classic Bad Guy 101.
"Nice place," Leo said, looking at the way everything in that abandoned warehouse.
"Well, it's because of your family," Douglas poked him harshly on Leo's shoulder with the weapon. "I HAVE no nice place! Now sit down!"
As Leo did so, Douglas handcuffed him to the nearby pole. "Now be a good boy and stay put," Douglas said rather foolishly.
"Where am I going to go!" Leo snapped. "I'm handcuffed to a beam pole."
"Quiet!" Douglas shouted, but Leo was not intimidated by his step-uncle as he glared at him. "And get it in your head. I hold all the cards, so what I say, you do, got it!"
"Okay, you're crazy," Leo commented. "I don't get it. What did I ever do to you besides give you a headache?"
"It's nothing personal, kid. You're just my insurance so your family doesn't attack me," he said as he poked at Leo in the air.
"Yeah, but not for long. My family will find me!"
"Yeah, go on and believe that, kid. It will take a while for him to find us. Now just stay there and don't make a sound, do you understand?!"
Leo was cut short and nodded.
"Good boy" Douglas said. As soon as Douglas walked away, Leo violently shook his shoulder and remained quiet for a bit, tugging his arm, but the handcuff wouldn't allow for it. Actually, he was somewhat relieved that Douglas kidnapped him because Leo would be avoiding a one on one with Janelle. Or worse, her mother on what the hell happened to her. Then he remembered he had frozen his mother too. Oh, he was going to be grounded for a very long time. Leo knew that for sure. It came to him that he was stuck in an abandoned warehouse with a madman! However, he had to get back home! He wanted to go home. Leo just hoped Adam, Bree, Chase and Donald were looking for him. He hoped they had finally unfrozen Janelle and Tasha then worried about him. He just couldn't believe he had screwed everything up with Janelle. Without having anything better to do Leo closed his eyes, hoping that by sleeping, time would go by faster.
This night just could not get any worse.
There was no doubt that Chase was feeling guilty right now. Why had he been so stupid in bringing Douglas down in the lair? He was getting so antsy because he wanted to help but his dad would not let him. Of course, Donald was looking at his cyberdesk, trying to figure out where Douglas could have possibly taken Leo. He sent Adam and Bree to every known location Douglas and Leo could possibly be hiding in, but they came back empty-handed. No Leo and no way were they finding Douglas. Donald didn't send Chase because the teenager was too emotional about the whole situation. There was no doubt Chase was feeling guilty because he couldn't do anything to save Leo.
Donald was also getting frustrated because he couldn't find his son. Actually, he had been shocked to see that Leo had frozen Janelle and Tasha. Luckily, they had unfrozen them before Janelle's mother had come to pick her daughter up. Actually, Donald had told Tasha that Leo had been kidnapped and she wanted to take it with the police. However, Donald convinced her that Bree and Adam could get it done and that they would call them as a last resort. However, he looked and he saw that Chase was no doubt, feeling what Donald suspected he was feeling: guilt.
Adam and Bree returned, but then again, they still had no Leo safe and sound and no Douglas in prison.
"Nothing," Bree said.
"Yeah, we checked all the ware houses you suspected Douglas was at and nothing!" Adam said. Bree turned her head and glared at her brother. She had literally just said that five seconds ago.
"See this is why you should let me help you find him," Chase said, because he could not let his guilty conscience keep him back. "This whole thing is my fault. I never should have brought Douglas down here."
"You think!" Adam snapped. "If you hadn't went on that dumb mission by yourself then Douglas wouldn't have taken our brother to who knows where! And "
"Adam!" Bree asked. She gave her brother a hard glare before looking to Chase. "Chase, I get you did what you did, and I'm sorry we made you feel so underappreciated. You had no way of knowing our brother would be kidnapped by a psycho maniac."
"Yeah but," Chase was not able to finish that sentence.
"Listen Chase," Donald said. This time it did not surprise them. "I understand you were playing double agent. So how were you supposed know that this was happen?"
Chase shrugged. "I don't know, I just want to save my brother."
"And you will, as soon as I find out where Douglas took Leo," Donald said before silently thinking Before Tasha kills me. There was no way he was going to lose his son to his evil ex-brother. No way.
Chase stood there for a moment and began to wonder, if Leo was alright. He just knew he was NOT safe with Douglas.
Douglas was thinking back and starting to think kidnapping a kid was not a good idea. Not because of him feeling guilty. Because of course, it was more or less if Adam, Bree and Chase found a way to save Leo, then he was toast. Those trio of siblings really did care about their brother and that's why he was worried. Of course, deep down his guilt was genuine because in dragging Leo in his fighting with Donald was petty of him. However, he did get in his and Marcus' way in their planning. But now, Douglas really meant it when he told Leo it wasn't his fault, he got caught up in the Davenport drama. While he was busy thinking of ways to escape the country, he had fallen asleep and when he looked at the opposite corner of the room, he saw the kid had fallen asleep too. Douglas has half a mind to wake Leo up and another half to just leave him there. Of course, that all disappeared. He just let the kid sleep because it was the only thing that was keeping him quiet.
Douglas stood up and ready to think of ways to escape and the kid slept, as it was 4:20 in the morning. Hours later, this 8 he looked and saw Leo was still asleep. Whatever the kid was dreaming about, it must have been a good one because he hadn't woken up in hours. However, by Douglas' watch, it was around 6:15 a.m. So, it made sense that...then he heard Leo whimper and shiver. Leo was having a nightmare. Douglas shook his head. There was no way he was having any of that. He'd rather have the kid awake rather than screaming. He walked up to Leo.
"Hey kid wake up!" Douglas snapped, but when the boy didn't wake up, he shook Leo by the shoulder. However, this time, he did it in a gently manner. However, Leo still did not wake up. "Leo!" Douglas said louder. Leo shot awake in a panic at first but then the teenager saw a guilty look in his step-uncle's eyes. "You okay?"
Leo wasn't sure if he was hallucinating or not. But Douglas looked...concerned about him?
Leo shook that idea and looked up at his enemy in annoyance. Did Douglas really wake him up because he was having a nightmare or did, he just hate the fact that he was sleeping?
"What time is it?" Leo asked.
"Almost 6:45," Douglas answered. "You were having a bit of a nightmare."
"Are you starting to have a guilty conscience?" Leo mocked.
Douglas was shocked by Leo's question. Since when did he ever have a guilty conscience? The concept was not really sinking into his head. "Eh, maybe I am, maybe I'm not but you'll never know." Leo sighed.
"If you're not guilty, then why did you ask if I was alright?"
"Because I want to give you a chance to wake up in case we move soon. Can't have a cranky kid mad at me because I woke him up without giving him a chance to wake up."
Leo shook his head because what Douglas just said had made no sense whatsoever. The teen sighed to himself, because he just really wanted to go home. Why had Douglas even thought about taking him in the first place. At first, Leo guesses it was because Douglas was desperate in that time and place, he couldn't think of taking them out. Leo saw that when Douglas kidnapped him, he took him because he wasn't Bionic like Adam, Bree or Chase. Still, it took Leo to realize that Chase had brought Douglas to the lair in the first place. Why didn't he saw that coming when he came downstairs? Leo had wished he had frozen Douglas when he saw the Man was standing there next to him. However, he shrugged it off. Considering he is not as fast as Bree, strong as Adam and not nearly as strong-minded like Chase, how was he supposed to anticipate Douglas' attacks?
Douglas couldn't help but look at Leo after he had said something. He looked and saw that the kid was depressed about something. It really didn't make any sense because Leo was in an alarming mood when he had burst into the lab with that freeze ray. So why was Leo, who was in such a panicking mood and now, is just in denial? The kid probably didn't have anything to look forward to. So, what was with the sudden mood change?
"Why should I bother asking why I'm still here?" Leo asked. "Wouldn't matter anyways because I definitely screwed it up with Janelle."
There Douglas has his answer. Janelle must be the boy's girlfriend. However, what did the kid mean by that? Douglas couldn't help but wonder who this girl was.
"Janelle, huh? Is she your girlfriend?" Douglas said as he sat down next to Leo.
Leo stopped and looked at his step-uncle.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because I'm the adult here."
Leo rolled his eyes. "She's nothing, just drop it."
"Look kid, we've got nothing better to do," Douglas said, leaning back a little bit. "So just answer the question, who is Janelle?"
"She's no one. She's just my crush, who I accidentally froze with Big D's Cryoblaster.
"And why would you do that?" Douglas asked. He had no idea why he was just curious. Maybe it was just the boredom he was feeling because he was trapped in a room with Leo.
"I just wanted to show I could be just as cool as Adam, Bree and Chase but Big D always cares what they do and not what I do. This was like our third, uh, date if you call it that. Now I know she's never going to ask me out again. I just want to slam my face in the door for turning her into a popsicle. I just wanted her to like me but now I screwed it up. Just wanted a chance to show someone else that I wasn't my siblings and I screwed up."
That actually surprised Douglas. Not the fact the kid could get a girl but because he had accidentally frozen her. He tried to ignore the kid. Leo was a bargaining chip to him so why was he feeling sympathy for him? Maybe it was because Douglas felt the same way about that girl he dated back in college before Giselle later broke his hearr. He screwed their relationship up when he fought with her order petty disagreements just because he wanted to differentiate himself from Donald p. Leo was surprised when he heard Douglas crying.
"Whoa, dude, are you crying?" Leo asked.
"No," Douglas said, wiping his tears so the kid couldn't see. However, it was too late because Leo was already looking at him. "Okay maybe I was."
Leo raised an eyebrow because, he never EVER had seen this side of Douglas before since the first five minutes of knowing him What could possibly make the evil, criminal mastermind cry? He looked at him expectantly but his step-uncle wasn't opening up to him. In fact, Leo was wondering why did he even share his romantic history with Janelle. It was true that he didn't think it through but Douglas didn't really care. Suddenly, Douglas finally got the courage to tell Leo because the kid opened up to him. (Well, he did force him to do, so, that did not help.)
"Okay, if you must know I liked a girl back in college." He remembered her dreamily but obviously to Leo rolling his eyes. "Giselle Vickers."
"I love her!" Leo shouted. "She makes the best movies! You dated her?"
"Yes, she was a good woman but um, we had petty arguments. I tried to be flashy for her with one of Donny's inventions. Ended up hitting her with a ray my brother created that made her speak only Spanish. Of course, Donald fixed her. Then my girlfriend dumped me and changed to do a movie career!" Douglas looked at Leo. "So, you see kid, were not so different after all.
"Wow," Leo said after a moment of silence. He looked over and saw Douglas was on the verge of crying some more. Douglas looked up at him.
"So, underneath all that insanity is from hurt and betrayal?" Leo asked. Douglas nodded.
"Clever kid. That wouldn't be the first time I've felt overshadowed by my brother Leo. It must be hard for you to live in a house with bionic siblings."
"Yeah, but Adam, Bree, Chase and me, we have our fights but we're not you and Big D."
Douglas thought back on his conversations with Chase back then. In fact, it was only yesterday. At first, he thought his youngest son were a lot alike: having a sibling who always steals the spotlight from them and that he would want revenge against those who had wronged him. Now, talking with Leo about it made Douglas realize that Chase and him were somewhat different. Neither Chase or Leo would betray their own families. The three children he created and Leo were siblings just like him and Donald. However, Douglas saw that Leo was right. They're not them but Leo will understand that some siblings really were like the two Davenport brothers.
"No kid, I suppose you're not," Douglas sighed. Leo looked up to his step-uncle, who pat him lightly on the shoulder. What in the world were they getting into?
Douglas went back to his desk while Leo remained seated at the beam pole. However, he looked over and saw a flash on his cheap laptop Krane had given him. It was terrible but it still has all up-to-date security system that can detect wherever someone was nearby. Douglas walked up to the screen and saw that Adam and Bree were there. Then, five seconds later, Chase appeared on screen. His kids found him. Of course, Douglas had a mind to flee with Leo in tow, and see how Donald liked it when someone stole their kids. However, he can't because for whatever strange reason, Douglas' conversation with Leo made him hesitate. Guess he did not realize that he was connecting with the kid like he said he would.
Douglas knew what he had to do. Silently, he walked up to Leo and he looked up in confusion. He began unlocking the cuff from around his step-nephew's wrist.
"What are you doing?" Leo asked.
"What does it look like kid?" Douglas said. He discarded the cuffs. "I'm letting you go."
Leo got up, quickly rubbing his wrists.
"You're letting me go? Why?"
The man shrugged. "Don't know. Maybe it's because your siblings came to rescue you."
"They did?!" Leo asked.
"Yes, like you told me they would," Douglas said. He grabbed onto Leo's bicep and dragged him onto his feet. He glanced at Leo for a bit and this was quite possibly an unexpected bond those two may have developed. "You know Leo, you don't have to go back of you don't want to if you're unhappy there. I could always have someone like you around."
Leo laughed at that before she shook his head. "Uh, no, I don't think so."
"No I'm serious, kid, come with me. Or if that whole 'Being Good' doesn't work out, I'll know where to find you."
"Na I'll take my chances. Maybe being good will help you make peace with your brother one day."
"Now, you're just dreaming, kid. Donny and I will always be at at each other's throats and I know you're loyal to your family"
Douglas thought for a moment before nodding.
"Guess you're right. Besides kid, what life would it be if you did? Nothing but life on the run, and you have a chance to fix your broken relationships with your siblings and parents before it's too late. Now go while you're ahead."
Leo nodded, quickly making his way through the door. However, he stopped and gave Douglas a serious look.
"Hey, uh thanks. I really needed that."
Douglas shrugged.
"Yeah, I know you did kid. Now, get out here!" Douglas said. He watched the kid go and Douglas was glad he was gone but not out of malice but out of relief. Of course, he stopped and looked back at Leo's retreating form before he escaped. In the short time he's been with Leo, Douglas has a newfound respect for that kid. Maybe, he and the kid really did connect after all, something he didn't want to happen. However, he didn't have time to reminisce. He had a trio of siblings to escape.
The warehouse was filled with twists and turns that Leo could not figure out. He went down one hallway and it was a dead end. He went down another and he had the same result. Why did Douglas have to make this place look like a maze? Now, Leo knew he should have TRIED to catch Douglas but because Adam, Bree and Chase appeared so suddenly, he just wanted to reunite with his family. Quickly, he ran to the main room again where he and Douglas were at. However, when he came to the room, he saw that everything Douglas had in his possession were gone, including an old laptop that Leo had previously seen Douglas view. It then hit him that his step-uncle saw Adam, Bree and Chase coming and that was why he let him go. Then Leo realized Douglas could have taken him with him but he had let him go.
Douglas had also let him go after they told each other about their past relationships that ended badly. Maybe his step-uncle wasn't so bad after all.
"Leo?" Chase asked from behind. Leo turned and saw his siblings all standing there.
"You're alright!" Bree said, coming over and hugging him. Leo hugged his older sister back.
"Yeah, we thought you were a goner, buddy," Adam said, lightly punching Leo in the shoulder as soon as Bree released their younger brother.
"Leo sorry about Douglas abducting you and everything," Chase said rather nervously. "You're not mad or anything, are you?"
"Kind of because you brought Douglas into the basement and nearly endangered my life!" Leo answered with a sarcastic smirk. Bree and Adam looked at Chase that clearly gave off an 'I told you so', probably based on them betting that Leo would have this kind of reaction. "But you were trying to capture him so I forgive you."
Chase smiled, patting Leo on his shoulder before giving him a side hug.
"But wait did you catch Douglas?" Leo asked. Bree shook her head.
"No, he must have taken off because I searched everywhere."Bree answered. Leo took some relief in that—he wasn't sure why but he has a feeling that it has something to do with the fact that Douglas spared his life or their both bonding with their bad luck with women.
"Yeah, and I checked him through my thermal scans but still couldn't find him," Chase answered. "But, why aren't you with him?"
"Oh, uh, he let me go," Leo answered and added his quick lie. "But I have no clue because."
He was glad his siblings accepted that answer. Leo and his siblings made their way towards the exit.
"Don't worry, bro, we'll get him next time," Adam said as they walked out the door.
"Yeah, I know you will," Leo agreed before yawning.
"Okay, grab on everyone," Bree said, making sure Leo grabbed onto her. "And Leo, since you're tired, you go first."
Leo nodded and held her arm, then Adam and Chase latched onto their sister and brother before Bree made a quick speed trail. Douglas watched the four siblings go, and looking forward to his next meeting towards the kids. Turning off the thermal detection interrupter, Douglas turned away, going to meet up with Krane and continue on from there. He knew for certain that his kids would be hunting him, but now he isn't sure where to go from there. He's just going to have to wait and see for himself.