A/N:

I'm pretty sad, because Brandon's alarm was originally going to be "Bring me to Life" by Evanescence, but I realized it's not owned by the public domain (fanfiction site rules) so I can't use it. Bummer. I had the"waaaake mee uupp insiiiiiiiiiide" all typed out so well :/ Eh, I turned to the next best thing and added an annoying ringtone jingle. I worked hard to bring Brandon's cynicism out in this one, I hope I did not murder the death out of his character this time around. I really want to do him justice, he's one of my favorite characters in this series.

I enjoyed writing the second half of this fanfiction. All four boys goofing off until the moment calls and we see a more serious side of their friendships. Not to mention, letting their personalities bounce off each other, especially between Brandon and Wyatt, was fun. I tried to capture the THW feel here, let's hope I succeed. And of course, minor bits of foreshadowing to future chapters so keep an eye out.

Enjoy! Please let me know what you think of my writing in the review section? I'll admit, I've been a bit experimental in my writing style, trying not to make the narration sound redundant and lame. I've already written up to chapter twelve so far, but I do go through and edit a final time before uploading here, so it's never too late for improvement.

EDIT: I edited a massive part of this - the explanation of monkey's absence from the story. I changed it because story plans changed as I thought it over, he has a place here after all (later on) and my first explanation was extremely lazy. So yeah. Monkey's alive! Maybe...

Thank you!
~ Ashla

It was ironic, someone who took every health precaution deemed fit, did countless research, and lived a very decent lifestyle... still could not stop his own snoring.

The rather loud sound was like thunder in the room. It was a decent sized room, one closet in the corner was polished and neat. There was a desk at one of the walls, books and papers stacked in honest attempts at being neat. None the less, even a majority of pencils, pens, and markers listed by color and manufacturers were in need of some tidying amongst their messy perches in their holders. Several numbers two pencils, in desperate need of sharpening, were scattered on the cyan shaded desk. The zaffre, metal chair that went with it was only pulled halfway out from its desk. The snoring from the room's occupant continued until his Hamhung Universe Six's alarm hit six o'clock and -

- "BEEEEP! Dingyalingaling! BEEEEEEEP! Dingyalingaling!"

A hand grabbed the phone, resting on the small nightstand and plugged into the chord in the wall. The music stopped, and the phone slipped out of his hands, back onto the dark blue nightstand.

It always felt like being undead, waking up like this. A moan escaped poor Brandon as he pushed himself up, a pen and several notebooks falling into the heap of textbooks and school materials scattered across the bed. Even without the mess of educational supplies though, the bed was a mess of kicked and turned blankets, sheets, and pillows. Brandon could not recall the last time he had checked the time last night, but for some reason two o'clock a.m. sprang to mind.

"Ugh, I need to change my ringtone."

Silence encompassed the room as he looked around, still in the process of coming back to life. There were barely any pictures on the wall, save the one or two hung up on the wall over his desk. One picture, placed neatly in the frame, was not a photo but a paper. It was the diploma from when he graduated out of high school... at the age of twelve. Only just having turned fifteen this past month, Brandon was on his third year of college. He was working on his studies from home for flexibility - well with working a job as a part time car mechanic then full time law enforcement unit.

He sighed, pushing himself to his bedside. Hardly a morning person, but getting up anyways, he ran his fingers through his messy, blond hair. His blue, silk pajamas were even on crooked, further evidence of a long study night. Going for master degrees in multiple areas of science was pressuring, yet as always Brandon was not only on pace but ahead.

The night life of studying was over for now though, it was time for his day job.

All ready, hair done good enough and clothes on, Brandon swung his backpack on as he raced for the front door. Before he could go though...

"Lebay?"

Brandon screeched to a halt, like a computer program reaching an error in programming. Brandon hastily turned to the head of the house. As usual, she was looking professional and even scary, kind of like a lawyer. She was pushing her glasses up as she walked up to him holding one of her many science books in her free arm.

She nodded towards the direction of the house phone. "You received a call, I suggest you answer it back."

With that, she left the house. Brandon raised a confused and cynical eyebrow towards the direction of the house phone. He always used his personal, and very modern one could add, phone for any forms of communication. Why on earth would someone have tried to call from the crappy house phone?

None the less, it was his mother telling him this so it was no question he would answer anyways. With no mommy in the house to scold him for doing so, Brandon loudly sighed before he walked towards the phone. He lazily yanked the phone away from its perch and pressed the messages button.

An automated voice, bland and emotionless, was activated. "You have one new message from..."

The name struck him like lightning.

Rhett shoved his car keys into his pocket as he stepped into the garage and closed the door behind him. He had no time for his daily meditations this morning, and was planning on grabbing something from the lab's fridge. "I really need to wake up earlier..."

Despise his slightly churned mood (and rumbling stomach) he smiled as he surveyed the room. Nobody else was in the room. Thus, he cupped his hands and, yes, shouted.

"Good morning, crummy garage and awesome people in it!"

His mom was particular on him using words like 'crap,' so crummy had to do.

Rhett took a seat on that horrifying couch, looking around in confusion. Gage usually at least shouted back from another room by now, what was wrong? He shrugged and looked at the pictures on the walls. Old and new pictures hung up featuring the team, Larry, vehicles, monkey...

Rhett stood up, walking over to an amusing picture Brandon caught of monkey snatching a cranky Wyatt's cap. A sad smile spread across Rhett's face, tears ever so slightly forming in hazel eyes. "Monkey.."

He closed his eyes, remembering that only several weeks ago, this garage was complete. Larry, the robots, monkey... Larry took the robots and monkey with him to the science convention. Monkey was needed as a "body guard" of sorts. Of course, like always, it was certain he was the right primate for the job. However, when Larry disappeared, all communications gone numb, the same story was with monkey. Were they okay? Worry after worry was piling up in Rhett's mind. What if his monkey best friend was- no, he could not think like that.

At the sudden sound of the door nob turning, the rough, wood door cracking in response, Rhett quickly dried his eyes and turned to it with a smile.

Wyatt stepped in, holding several bags of fast food. He was grinning cocky and bright, "Order up! Guess who's bringing home the bacon, literally!"

The smell of "Edgar's Eats" famed bacon breakfast sandwiches hit Rhett's nose, sending him to Edgar's Eats Heaven, "Wyatt, I've needed this more than you know... Got any waffle fries?"

Wyatt pulled out a large box of the literal waffles cut into fries and handed them to his team mate. Rhett ate them like a lawn mower devouring grass. Wyatt chuckled at the youngest member of his team and set the rest of the food out on the coffee table. He looked around, confused. Usually, Brandon and Gage are around here by now. And didn't Gage even stay the night here? Dude's working too hard...

Several silent minutes flew by, filled in only with Rhett's happy feasting. Edgar's Eats was Wyatt's favorite too, but the young teen was too preoccupied with worries flying through his mind to eat much. His bacon sandwich only had two bites taken out, and it was lying on the wrapper on the table. Wyatt slowly sipped his cappuccino, And Brandon's always about being on schedule. Where is he?

Rhett fished the bottom of the bags for fallen fries. At this point he had devoured everything else.

Wyatt was about to reach for his sandwich again, but the sound of the door opening caused both kids to dart their eyes towards the door. It was Brandon. He had his usual checkered, blue shirt on with shabby jeans. Brandon's face was looking shabby too, he was obviously exhausted.

He threw his bag off as he closed the door, then placed his back against it. The blond kid slid down, now seated on Larry's matted rug, "Hi."

An amused but sympathetic smile spread across Rhett's face. Wyatt shook his head, "Long morning for 'ya too?"

Brandon closed his eyes, leaning his head against the door, "Yeah..."

Wyatt reached and took Brandon's bacon sandwich, waving it softly in the air. He smirked, "Maybe this'll make 'ya feel restored 'en back to-"

Brandon stood up and walked up to Wyatt, "-Just give me the stupid sandwich."

Wyatt pulled the sandwich away, smirking, "Nuh-uh-uh, is that the correct way 'ta ask for 'yer food?"

Brandon just glared, his signature death stare threatening to pierce his soul. Only threatening. Wyatt's smile simply grew.

Rhett excitedly picked up from Wyatt's dialogue, jumping at the opportunity to tease Brandon, "Come on, Brandon, what's the magic word?"

Brandon only blinked for a moment, his scowl staying where it was, before he spoke, "Please."

Grinning approvingly, Wyatt handed him the sandwich as Rhett cheered, "Good job, Brandon!"

Brandon ignored them and tore open the wrapper. He was about to dig in, when-

-*WAM!*

A massive bang was heard from the other room. Gage stepped into the room a moment later, holding his head and moaning in pain.

Rhett's eyes widened in worry, "Gage!"

Brandon put his sandwich down and raced up to his teammate, "Let me see, Gage."

Gage was wincing like crazy as Brandon guided him over to the couch. They sat down and Brandon took a look. He instantly turned, wincing at the injury on Gage's head, "We need an ice pack."

"Got it!" Wyatt bolted from his seat to the mini fridge in the corner of the room, rummaging the small coolant system for an ice pack.

"Anything I can do?" Rhett questioned.

"Tylenol." Brandon replied. Rhett raced into the bathroom, where all medications were kept.

Wyatt ran over to the couch holding a shark ice pack in a wash cloth. Brandon helped Gage put it on well. Gage hissed at the chill, but kept holding onto it.

"Thanks." Gage shivered.

Wyatt was quick to the point, "How much did 'ya sleep last night?"

Gage didn't seem to be putting any thought into his answer, "Two dollars? Dunno."

Brandon lowered his eyes, his death glare returning, "Gage..."

Gage looked at him.

"Gage, you are fourteen," Brandon explained, "Teens need an average of nine hours a day, maybe even ten. You are way below the status quo."

Gage sighed, "This again? Brandon, as your leader I'm telling you, I'm fine."

"As the oldest and team scientist," Brandon retorted, "I'm telling you you need to rest."

"And as someone with great observational skills," Rhett cut in, "I'm telling you that Brandon is being a hypocrite because he got little sleep too."

As Rhett helped Gage take pain medicine and chug it down with water, Brandon scoffed, "I still got a lot more sleep compared to him."

Gage finished his pill and drink, "So I've been discombobulated..."

"Very." Brandon threw in.

"Okay, so I've been very discombobulated," Gage started, "It doesn't mean I'm incapable of doing anything with common sense, like pouring coffee into a cup." An overconfident smirk crossed his face, "I got this."

Wyatt rather dramatically and sarcastically cut in, "-Ooh, Granny Gram, tell me the one about that narcissistic, overconfident jerk who was a massive show off, left everything he had in the dust, acted upon his pride foolishly, got captured by road pirates, and ultimately put four thousand thirty two lives, including his best friends, in danger! Ooh, I love that story!"

Silence. Complete, total silence. They all just stared at the stunt man, Rhett slowly raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

Wyatt dropped his sarcastic smile, "Well, actually I hate it, but that's aside the point." The southerner sat on the couch, next to Gage. Genuine concern shone through his green eyes, "You're wearing yourself down, and you're eventually going to tear yourself down."

Gage shook his head, "Wyatt, I'm fine."

"No," Wyatt insisted, "You're not. You're putting this all on yourself. The all nighters, keeping the garage neatened up. Heck, you..." He revolted at this part, "Do everyone's laundry... everyone's... Eck!"

Rhett looked away, ever so slightly turning red.

Gage was silent as Wyatt continued, "I know what it's like, thinking help is unnecessary and denying when it is. Regardless of any form of reasoning or excuse, it's still no exception. Everybody's human, no one can go alone for long before it falls apart. Don't make that mistake, I know, I'm warning 'ya now."

For once, Gage seemed to be listening to something they were saying. If anyone here knew what it was like to fight alone, and the consequences of doing so, it was Wyatt. He pretty much ranked the "road pirate incident" from early in their careers as the worst day of his life. Even after that event was over, it was a lot of sleepless nights until his self esteem and morale as a whole to come back to a healthy stake. It had permanently changed him, and taught him more than ever that pride came before a fall.

The question was popping up in Gage's mind, was he headed for a fall?

It was in that moment a yawn escaped him. It pretty much confirmed it... he most likely was.

Yet still, he fought it, "Larry's gone, he took the robots with him. Who else is going to do this?"

Brandon cut in, "-I've also pulled successful all nighters. Not to mention, our only problem right now seems to just be the silver driver."

Gage was obviously fighting another yawn; it made him look as young as he actually was. Still, he fought on, "One problem too many. It's been two weeks..."

"Yeah, it's a problem," Rhett responded, "A problem that won't be solved if you're not even aware enough to focus."

Gage went silent for a moment, his team's words circling around his head. He rubbed his eyes, "Maybe you're right..."

Brandon smiled and placed his hand on his leader's shoulder, "I'll keep a lookout for Silver today, you better rest up."

Gage hardly seemed to be processing his words, half asleep and ready to fall on the couch. Brandon situated his ice pack as he leaned Gage against the couch. As the oldest, he still felt a sense of responsibility over the others, even Gage who was their leader. And as much as he was doing this as a favor for him, little did the others know of a more selfish agenda behind taking the role.

Even a longer car ride over could not clear his own mind.

His own thoughts swirled in chaos, rotating like an EF5 tornado. That phone call, that one phone call... Brandon needed time to think. Going over the cameras would allow him that needed time. At least he hoped it would.

As of now, Rhett was throwing a blanket over Gage, obviously happy that Gage finally was resting up. Wyatt walked up to Brandon, who had already walked over to the elevator, "We're goin' down 'ta the lab, then?"

Brandon nodded, "Yes."

"Wow, thought we'd never knock some sense into that guy, eh?" Wyatt smiled, crossing his arms.

A grin of amusement crossed Brandon's face, "Totally. You did a good job."

Wyatt eyed his bestie, "Well, it wasn't just me."

Rhett joined them, smiling, "He's out."

A much more business like expression crossed Brandon's face, he gave the remaining members of the team a curt nod, "Then let's get to it."