Hey, Lab Rats fans! I'm so excited to share this with you. Just a WARNING: as I go on with this, there will be a lot of ups and downs. It has some heavy topics, which might fall under abuse and depression, depending on the feedback I get. I don't want this to be triggering for anyone. The idea for this story came to me because I love writing about second chances. So although it'll include some dark subjects, it's about finding the bright side.

This chapter is dedicated to Precious, Amanda, Madison Tatum of youtube, and androidsareunderrated, michelle2403 and billyscookies of tumblr.

Enjoy!

I do not own Lab Rats

8/16-ish/13

Somewhere among the debris, a dark time was buried. Not far from the spot where the showdown occurred, a voice called out from under the brush. It didn't sound sore from yelling, and it hadn't lost the quality it was known for after crying out all night. It was still annoying, so if anyone was around to hear it, they'd most likely tune it out rather than investigate.

Leo knew that. In all the craziness, it was easy for him to leave Eddy behind. Out of all the personalities a smart home system could be programmed to have, he and his family got stuck with that one. Subconsciously, he knew they could use a break.

Though it wasn't much of a break for Leo. Eddy's voice wouldn't leave his head. After all his family had been through together on that day alone, that's what kept him up. Go figure.

He rolled over for what felt like the trillionth time, resulting in him nearly falling off the bed. Leo caught himself, and huffed quietly. He was unable to get comfortable, and knew there was no way he would fall asleep. So, he got up.

With the flick of a switch, the great room filled with light. Leo hoped that wouldn't bother anyone-because odds were no one else could sleep either-and he went to fix himself a midnight snack.

As he poured the milk for his cookies, he frowned at the memory that entered his mind. He saw a plate drop to the floor, thanks to the shock of a warning shot.

I was clueless then, too. He thought. It was scary to ponder how much even he hadn't known about what his family faced that day, and how much he still might not know. He shook off the nagging questions as best he could, and took a seat on the couch.

Surprisingly, he was a lot more comfortable there than he had been when trying to sleep. That feeling didn't last long, though.

A knot filled Leo's stomach before the cookies could, because of a sound at the door. It was an attempt at a knock, closer to a panicked scratch. Which would've been unnerving at any time of day. The fact that it came at this unholy hour just made things worse.

It also had Leo questioning his sanity, since he found himself on his feet and facing the door.

There seemed to be weights around his ankles as he walked. (Listening to the warped-sounding knock once again.) The door was only feet away, but it was a struggle to reach. That didn't help the case that answering the door was a bad idea.

But Leo did so anyway.

Metal. That was the taste that filled Leo's mouth when he saw who waited for him on the other side. Metal, like the hand that was used to knock on the door. One metal hand stood out among the dust. Among a few possibly broken bones. Among the bruised and bleeding flesh.

The energy needed to shut the door and run drained from Leo. As tough as it was for him to process, the anger in Leo's eyes wasn't directed at the person in front of him.

Leo's dropped jaw came up for a quick second. It set, holding something back. When he spoke, his own words surprised him. And the hoarse tone hid a quiver. "Why does it shock me that Douglas lied?"

Marcus tried to form words, but his mind failed him as much as his body. He stumbled forward, but Leo caught him.

That surprised them both. Leo, because he didn't think he had the strength. Marcus, because of everything he'd done.

In that moment, Leo didn't see all the things Marcus had done. He didn't see the lies and manipulation. He didn't see the targeting, the threatening, the capturing and the battling. All he saw was someone in desperate need of help, with the pleading eyes to showcase that. He made a decision. A rather drastic-and idiotic-one, that he hoped he wouldn't regret. "C'mon." He urged softly, leading Marcus inside.

The plan was to get him cleaned up first, and ask questions later.

Resting eyes opened to one seriously concerned-looking step-son. Donald got up immediately-despite how dizzy that made him-seeing that Leo's eyes kept darting back toward his bedroom door. Donald did more than wonder what unpleasant surprise awaited him outside. He asked. "Leo, what's wrong?"

Instead of explaining what the matter was, Leo begged, using words Marcus' eyes had spoken: "Please trust me."

For a whisper as calm as possible, it was jarring. After what had gone on that day, it was difficult to imagine what could be worse. Though Donald didn't have to, since Leo led him to the problem, as quickly as he could.

As Donald saw it, the problem was uncomfortably perched atop the counter. Looking as if he was unsure of how he got there. A trail of blood went from the front door to where one of the yellow stools had been before it was put off to the side.

Leo made it halfway back to the counter before he realized his step-father was no longer following. He looked over his shoulder just to glance at Donald. The look he gave wasn't helpless like before, but one that said there was no time for arguments.

That got them moving again.

"You can help, right?" Leo asked, as Donald took a moment to process the damage. The question was delivered in a tone casual enough that it made Leo sound like his normal self, but it shrouded a hint of fear and doubt. Which was expected, but still sad to hear. Donald then realized what Leo had to be unsure and afraid about.

He knew his step-father could help, but not if he'd be willing to. Donald had to clear that up. "Of course."

Being fast but thorough, Donald and Leo gathered everything needed to address the injuries Marcus had that could be taken care of where he sat. The first step was to stop the bleeding of anything that wasn't clotting on its own.

They were nearly finished with that part of the job when Marcus spoke up. He sounded as sore as he felt. "Sorry."

Donald and Leo exchanged confused glances while they waited for him to elaborate, but other than that their work didn't stop.

There was a lot to apologize for. So, Donald probed: "What about?"

"Making a mess of your counter." He clarified. The dismissive shrug he got in response told him not to worry.

"It's the easiest thing to clean." Donald reasoned, a bit taken aback by how nonchalant his voice was.

Leo's eyes briefly surveyed the towels, which had served their purpose (replacing gauze that had run out) and were bloodstained. "Speaking of clean," He said, "Mom just did laundry before she left." This implied how frustrated she would be arriving home the following day to find the towels dirty again. It was the least of their worries, but mentioned in attempt to cut the tension.

The joke was lost on Donald, but Marcus caught it. And to Leo's surprise, he chuckled.

Usually, that was nothing noteworthy. But this was-possibly-his former worst enemy. And it suddenly crossed Leo's mind that he couldn't remember hearing him laugh before. He hoped he remembered incorrectly, because that wasn't a comforting thought. None of his family's history with Marcus had been laughable.

He hoped the same wouldn't be said for their future. He hoped all the effort he and Donald put into this huge favor wouldn't be for naught.

The lab was a creepy kind of quiet, and Leo felt he didn't help that by neglecting to wake his siblings in a time of crisis. Instead-just for a second-he watched them sleep. Beyond baffled by how that was possible. They were the ones targeted. Douglas was their so-called father.

Leo paced the floor, conflicted. He wondered if letting them sleep was wrong. If they could manage, why disturb them? They would want to know what was going on upstairs. That Marcus was lying on the great room floor, bandaged and casted, with throw pillows under his ankle for elevation. But divulging that would bring on another battle. Not a physical one, but Leo figured enough of an emotional toll had been taken already.

The realness of it all hadn't sunk in yet. Even as he looked at the bionic chip in his hand. And the lone extractor left out on the edge of the table. Marcus' final request of the night echoed in his mind. Donald happily complied, but Marcus no longer being bionic didn't make him any less wary. And Leo couldn't blame him for thinking that way.

Douglas had not only controlled his bionic side, but his human one. Getting rid of the chip didn't mean getting rid of that influence.

Donald made sure Marcus was comfortable on the floor, where he had decided to stay. He found that Marcus hadn't been paying attention to him, but rather his own hands.

One was wrapped in a cast because of a broken wrist, and the other seemed to be twitching. Which either meant damage had been done to the machinery, or Marcus' nerves were really getting to him. "I'll... do something about that... soon." Even Donald didn't think that sounded reassuring. Though he could blame that on exhaustion. Marcus nodded, but said nothing. He'd hardly said more than three sentences since he showed up.

When the elevator door opened, Leo prepared himself for an earful. "Why would you open the door? Did you think you won the midnight lottery?"

Leo didn't take time to enjoy the irony and ridiculousness of that question. He sighed softly. "Big D, I know it was a stupid and crazy move, but it wasn't wrong." The look he received in response told him that Donald disagreed. "I couldn't just leave him-"

He cut himself off, not wanting to say what could've happened. What almost happened. It was enough to make Donald see Leo's side of things. For the time being.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow." Donald decided.

'We' didn't just include the two of them. 'We' included Adam, Bree and Chase, who hadn't believed Leo when he told them Marcus was evil. They were friends with him. They'd invited him to sleep over. They snuck out of the house and took Donald's self-driving car to hang out with him. And when they found out the truth, they didn't have time to be upset about it. Since they had a mission to save their father. And that was only the half of it. Finding out Douglas had planned to use Adam, Bree and Chase as weapons, and fighting with everything they had to make sure that didn't happen caused enough stress. Especially since Tasha was still in the dark about a lot of things.

Leo's choice to take Marcus in was noble. But the timing was terrible, and Marcus wouldn't have even been allowed near the house after what happened if he hadn't been in such bad shape.

The rescue was something Marcus needed. He didn't complain about having 'pathetic little Leo' help dress his wounds. He said something Leo and Donald were shocked to hear, having seen his true colors. And his mood lifted as the night went on. He didn't ask for much, and seemed content all things considered. But did that change anything? Or was he only being so nice because Leo and Donald were his last resort? And how would everyone else react?

A realization hit Leo so hard that it hurt. This night was not the rainbow after the storm.

It was the calm before it...

THANKS FOR READING, PLEASE review! Let me know if there are any mistakes, if there's anything you want me to elaborate on, and if you have any ideas. Anything you'd like to see in later chapters. Feel free to ask questions. I appreciate any feedback, but lengthy reviews make me especially happy. For those of you that read my other stories (House of Switch, The Proof is in the Fangs and I Dare You), rest assured that updates will be made for those soon, too. I'll update ASAP! =]