Hello again! I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has reviewed, followed, and favorite(d) (Is that even a word?). To answer Labratslover's question, yes, this chapter is centering on Leo. Thank you all so much for sticking with this story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Lab Rats.

Leo Francis Davenport Dooley, sometimes known as L. Do—the lab rats' best friend and step-sibling, quirky, strange, weird—yes, he was all those, but he meant well. Outside, he acted somewhat modest, somewhat peculiarly. He was known for his odd, idiosyncratic habits and smart thinking in the long run. He couldn't always keep up the content yet bizarre façade forever. He had his own secrets that grew as fast as ivy vines, twisting and twining their way into his heart and darkest depths of his soul.

Childhood memories of being with Tasha and his late father were forgotten, as far back as he could remember, he had spent most of his life happily with Tasha. That was when he never had known who the lab rats were, when it was just Tasha and him in their happy little bubble.

But that was before everything—before he moved in with the Davenports, before he'd met Marcus and Douglas, before he nearly died from the lab explosion and then at the hands of his "Triton App siblings," before everything that had turned his life upside-down

Now what? It seemed as if everything had gone back to normal. But everything hadn't. After all of the family moments with his new step-siblings and stepfather, he still shielded his darkest thoughts. The thoughts of the truth.

He'd thought that his step-siblings had finally realized that, in his rare moments of helpfulness, he could be of use and help them as their mission specialist other than to be counted on for, well, nothing in particular. He'd thought that Big "D" would finally appreciate all the help that Leo had done for him—he'd crawled up the elevator shaft the save Big "D" and his lives, he'd risked his life to save the lab rats in the collider, and so much more. He'd warned them, over and over, about Marcus and his true intentions. He'd saved the lab rats lives again at the Bionic Showdown—he'd been trying to protect them! That was all he'd meant to do! But no, he was still the quirky one whom everyone looked down on him with a superior air.

"If only someone superior and suave had warned you against it!"

"But—they didn't! You did." Bree's seemingly innocent comment had stung like a bee sting, only dozens of times worse. It replayed itself, hour after hour, in his head.

Maybe today—today he'd show them that he wasn't just the unorthodox-like Davenport. Maybe today, he'd show them all that he could protect the lab rats, even if he was right about Marcus all along. Maybe today, he'd be recognized as part of the team, and not just the often-forgotten Mission Specialist.

He got out of bed and just sat on the edge of the mattress, thinking about, well, nothing at all, for once. Maybe today Trent would finally stop picking on him! No, it was hopeless. Trent would never stop—he was only nice to his hamster, after all. All thoughts of being discredited for his wacky ways melted as he thought about the pleasant vengeance feeling in his head when he'd finally freaked Trent out last Halloween…

Eddy appeared on his screen in Leo's room. "Oh, my! Call Donatella Versace!* We have a fashion EMERGENCY!"

Leo looked down at his gown—no, no, no—his pajamas. He said, angrily, "Eddy—they're pajamas. Not gowns, not dresses, not Scottish kilts!"

Eddy retorted in his nasally voice, "True! But they're still ugly all the same. Since they're really, really ugly, I'd better sound the Klaxon!"

Leo shouted, "No! No, no, no, no, no!"

Eddy paused. "Well, I won't if you'll do something for me!"

Leo considered this. Since he wasn't bionic, he couldn't take Eddy out the way Bree, Adam, or Chase would. He'd have to think carefully. Aha! Reverse psychology.

"You know, Eddy," he said slyly, "Mom said that she wanted you to be on all day long, because she absolutely ORDERS you to do so!"

Eddy frowned. "I hate it when anyone except Donnie orders me around!" Without further ado, Eddy disappeared, and Leo smiled. Safe for another day.

The smiled was extinguished too quickly. I'll show them, he thought. I will. He just had no idea at all how to. His rare moments of being appreciated came haphazardly, often at times where it was never, ever noticed. What was he going to do?

It was free period, and Leo was so happy he couldn't stop smiling. Janelle was actually talking to him! He figured, to make up for the missed movie date so far back when Future Leo a.k.a. Meo had visited, he had to win Janelle again as much as possible.

"So, Leo, I was thinking—even though the last time I was with you I got dumped with pudding and clumping kitty litter, you did save my life, so I don't think you really are bad luck. So would you like to meet me at, say, that new restaurant called Ha Long Bay? It's Vietnamese, I think.*

Leo was grinning almost grotesquely now.

"Um, Leo? Is that your version of a yes?"

Leo kept on grinning like an idiotic fool.

Janelle slapped Leo across the face, which broke Leo out of his trance.

Leo came to life. "Yes, Janelle! Of course! I'd love to!"

Janelle smiled and chuckled lightly. "See you then!" She tucked a strand of curly black-and-brown hair around her ear and walked away.

Unbeknownst to him, Adam, Bree, and Chase had walked up beside Leo. "You know, Leo," said Bree craftily, "if you're going to have a love life with Janelle, you can't be involved in missions with us."

Leo stared at her. Was she saying he'd have to drop out of the team if he wanted to go on a date with Janelle?

"But that's not fair! You like Owen!"

Bree blushed and looked at her toes. "Well, there's a difference!"

Leo folded his arms across his chest. "Is there, really?"

Chase had enough sense to take over from there. "Leo, we appreciate you trying to warn us about Marcus, but… well…" He let the sentence hang.

Leo felt like crying. "Are you dropping me from the team?"

Adam was uncharacteristically sympathetic and gentle. Well, there was a surprise! "Leo, we just think that if you multitask and dabble in a love life, you won't be there for us if we're on the most important mission of our lives. Like that space station! You and Davenport totally abandoned us."

Leo looked at his shoes and suddenly felt very, very small and unimportant.

Leo had hid in his comfort zone behind walls of quirkiness and oddness his entire life, but now, all he felt was penitence. Why couldn't he have a normal life and help the Rats? The answer, he decided, would be found out when he found his security—his true security, not a façade security. And how exactly was he going to find his security? That remained, in it of itself, a mystery with the answer yet to be provided.

How did you like this one? I was nervous since Leo's fear was never hinted in the show, so I really had to dig deep on his character. That included four hours of watching Season 1 on YouTube. Augh, my head's still spinning. Should I do Davenport next? Don't forget to R&R and check out my other stories, Bionic Ice Skating (one-shot) and Marcus' Childhood! (I apologize for repeating synonyms for weird. There aren't many of them.)

*First of all, Donatella Versace is a very famous clothes designer.
*Second of all, Ha Long Bay is a real Vietnamese restaurant in Tucson, AZ.

Okay, all done! Please R&R! :-)