I'm back! This chapter could be seen as a continuation of the last one, but it's actually an idea that I came up with completely separately.

Also, a huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed/favourited this story. It really makes my day! Hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Lab Rats.

"Why don't you come up here?"

Tasha heard her husband's voice as she was dragged into consciousness. Forcing her eyes open, she saw that it was still dark, the only light coming from the screen on the wall that Donald had just been speaking into.

"Is that Chase?" She murmured, still balancing on the edge of sleep.

"Yeah, his hearing's playing up. I'm gonna' see if I can find him some earplugs."

Her husband stumbled groggily into the en suite and hit the light switch. The light came as a shock to Tasha, hitting her with a sudden alertness that made her sit up in bed. Donald was rummaging through the bathroom cabinet, half asleep himself.

A few moments later, there was a knock on the bedroom door, which Donald opened before Tasha could force herself up. Chase emerged in the doorway, and made his way over to the bathroom, stopping at the entrance as Donald made his way inside again.

The inventor had his head buried deep inside the cabinet, but soon paused briefly to look up as though something had caught his attention.

"Posture, Chase."

His voice hadn't been harsh, and as soon as he'd spoken them he returned his attention back to the cabinet. Nevertheless, the words evoked an immediate reaction from Chase, who promptly adjusted himself: shoulders back, feet apart, and hands behind his back for good measure.

Tasha took a moment to study the boy. She'd only seen him for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Back then she'd been scared for these kids. She'd been so close to phoning the police- to packing up her things, grabbing Leo, and leaving. But then saw the way that they smiled at Donald- Chase especially- and it reminded her of the way that Leo used to smile at his father.

But other times, like now, it was painfully clear that these children hadn't had a normal upbringing, and it was almost enough to make Tasha question whether she'd made the wrong decision in staying. Almost. Only, she knew Donald well enough to know that he would never hurt them. She trusted her husband with her life. With Leo's life, even.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt Chase's eyes meet hers, and Tasha realised with sudden embarrassment that he must have seen her looking at him.

"Chase, honey. Do you want me to go get you some water?" She offered, praying that he wouldn't be able to see her cheeks flush in the dim light.

"Uh...No thanks, Mrs Davenport."

"Call me Tasha."

"Sorry, buddy, I can't find them." Donald grumbled, stepping out of the bathroom. "I'll go get something for your headache."

He left the room a returned a few minutes later with a small, white pill and half a glass of water, which Chase took gratefully with a mumbled "Thanks.", before placing the pill in his mouth and taking a gulp of the water.

"Should kick in soon." Donald called out to the boy as he drifted back downstairs, and soon enough, the husband and wife were back in bed in the darkness.

She felt his hand reach out for hers beneath the covers. She felt safe next Donald.

"The kids- your kids- what do they think of me?" Tasha asked after a moment of hesitation.

"You mean do they like you? Of course they do. Who wouldn't like you?" Donald replied, planting a kiss on her cheek.

"No, I mean, what am I to them? You're their dad-"

"Woah, I wouldn't call myself their dad."

"They look up to you." Tasha pointed out.

Donald snorted, suppressing a chuckle "Sometimes."

"You love them, Donald."

"Of course I do, I raised them."

It was at this point that he realised that this was the first time he'd admitted this to himself. He'd never wanted to grow attached to them, but he supposed that it had been inevitable that he would.

"But it's more complicated than that. I'm more like their...leader. They know that."

"Mmh."

"Look, okay, if I'm their...father," Donald began, the new title sitting better on his tongue than 'dad', "then, I guess that makes you their stepmom."

"Right."

After a minute, he could hear her breaths become deeper, and wondered if she might be asleep. But he had had more to say, and so he did.

"I do look after them, Tasha."

"I know."

"I'm doing my best."

"I know." She replied wearily, squeezing his hand a little tighter.

...and that's the chapter! Please review (I won't be offended by criticism- it's helpful!) and I hope you have a lovely day :)