"Energyenergyenergy…" Chase was saying, bouncing in place.
"Will you stop it?" Bree snapped in annoyance.
"Sorry Bree, but I have so much energyyyyyyy," Chase moaned, flopping backwards onto the couch. But no sooner had he hit the cushions than he started fidgeting, talking to himself underneath his breath.
"What is wrong with him?" Bree exclaimed, scooting further away from the smallest bionic.
"Little kids have a lot of energy, and Chase is a little kid," Leo explained matter-of-factly.
"Am not!" Chase argued with a pouty frown.
"Are too!" Adam fought back. Chase scowled, sticking his tongue out at the oldest. Adam responded likewise.
There was a pause of silence before Chase broke it, saying "I'm boooooored."
"Then go find something to do!" Bree burst out, quickly losing patience.
"But I don't know what to do," Chase complained, slowly sliding off the couch and onto the floor.
"I know what to do!" Adam said suddenly, and Chase perked up. "We should play bionic brother toss!"
Chase's eyes went wide, and he cried out "Nononononononono!" as he shot to his feet.
"Come here!" Adam said, taking a swipe at Chase, but the little boy dashed out of the room. "Aw man, I have to chase Chase again," Adam said, getting to his feet. And with that, he ran out of the room after his little brother.
Bree and Leo looked at each other as they heard Chase's piercing screams and Adam's raucous laughter. They watched as Chase ran through the room and bolted up the stairs, closely followed by Adam, who was practically three times Chase's size now. As Adam stomped up the stairs, the oldest let out a roar, which was accompanied by Chase's scream of terror, and the two were out of sight once more.
"How long do you think Chase will last?" Leo asked Bree nonchalantly.
"Mm, I'd say… until about… now," Bree replied, and as she said the last word, they heard another scream from Chase followed by Adam's triumphant shouting.
"I got 'im!" Adam yelled victoriously, bounding down the stairs as he carried a desperately struggling Chase with ease.
"No Adam, don't throw me!" Chase wailed, and to his sibling's incredulity, the youngest bionic actually began to cry.
Adam's laughter quickly turned to guilt and shame, and he immediately set his little brother down, saying quietly "It's okay, Chasey, I was only joking."
Chase vigorously rubbed his eyes, growling sourly "No you weren't, you can't fool me." His breathing hitched, and he hid his face further as more tears leaked from his eyes.
"Well, I'm not going to throw you, okay Chasey?" Adam said as soothingly as he could.
"Don't call me that, you know I don't like it," Chase snapped angrily, sniffling a little. "Just leave me alone." He ducked out of his brother's grasp and swiftly walked away, keeping his head down.
Adam, Bree, and Leo all looked at each other, stunned yet again.
"Did Chase just cry?" Leo asked in awe.
Before Adam or Bree could respond, Mr. Davenport came into the room, asking "What in the blazes is going on up here?"
"Adam wanted to play bionic brother toss, but Chase didn't like it," Leo explained quickly.
Mr. Davenport briefly looked over the room before asking "Where is Chase?"
"He's right here," Tasha said, coming into the room from where Chase had just gone, carrying the smallest bionic; Chase's face was buried in her shoulder.
Adam, Bree, Leo, and Mr. Davenport exchanged looks of shock, not saying a word as Tasha set Chase down on one of the dining room chairs. Chase only laid his arms on the table, putting his face down into them.
"Why is Chase so young?" Tasha demanded, looking at the others with disappointment.
"It's a long story," Bree said simply.
"Aren't you going to change him back?" Tasha asked.
"Yes, but the Transjuvenator broke, so I'm trying to fix it right now," Mr. Davenport answered.
"Good," Tasha said with a nod. She turned back to Chase, kneeling down to his level. "Why are you so upset, Chase?" she asked gently.
Chase mumbled something into his shirt sleeves, but no one was able to make out what he had said.
"Chase, can you sit up and look at me?" Tasha asked him, resting her hand on his shoulder.
Chase heaved a raggedy breath, slowly sitting up and turning to face her. He kept his puffy red eyes downcast.
"Okay, I'm going to ask you this again: why are you crying?"
"I don't know," Chase muttered.
"I think you do," Tasha said kindly.
Chase momentarily clenched his teeth before saying "I didn't want Adam to throw me." There was a small pause before he said in a barely audible voice "I was scared."
"Would a hug make you feel better?"
Chase's face screwed up as if he had just eaten a lemon, shaking his head quickly.
Tasha looked a little hurt, but she said "Well I'm going to give you one anyway." Before the little boy could protest, she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tightly.
Chase glanced at his siblings, aware that they were watching him, but he closed his eyes, sighing. What the heck, why not? he thought to himself. It wasn't like he had any pride left to speak of anymore. So he hugged Tasha back, drawing comfort from her motherly presence.
When Tasha pulled away, she sternly said to the others "I think I'll be taking care of Chase until he's turned back, alright?" They all nodded, astounded as they watched Tasha lead Chase back out of the main living area.
"Okay, that machine is faaauuulty," Leo said, his eyes wide. There were nods all around.
"I'd better get back to work on the Transjuvenator; the sooner Chase is turned back, the better," Mr. Davenport said, and with that the inventor left.
"You know, Chase was a really cute little kid – what happened?" Bree mused.