Coco: Hey, guys, sorry for the long wait. Here's the part 3 of episode one. Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long. Sorry again.

Rain fell steadily outside as the Hargreeves Siblings alongside Grace and Pogo went out into the courtyard to say their final goodbyes to Reginald. Noam held an umbrella over hers and Diego's head as the dark-haired man stayed close to hers and their mother's sides.

"Did something happen?" Grace asked as she noticed her children's somber expressions.

Noam frowned in confusion at Grace's question before she looked to Diego. He was frowning slightly as well, but Noam noticed it didn't appear to be in confusion. And for some reason his expression seemed tense.

"Dad died, remember?" Allison replied.

"Oh…yes, of course." Grace said as she looked down.

This seemed more peculiar as Grace never forgot anything. It had Noam wondering if something was wrong.

"Is Mom okay?" Allison asked Diego.

"Yeah, yeah, she's fine." Diego replied. "She just needs to rest. You know, recharge."

While the others seemed to take Diego's statement, Noam noticed his tone sounded forced. He was hiding something. Something she would address later for now wasn't the time. It was then that Luther, who carried their father's ashes, looked to Pogo as he stood in front of the others.

"Whenever you're ready, dear boy." Pogo said.

Luther nodded before lifting the lid off the urn. He turned the urn over to dump the ashes, which fell to the ground in one large clump. Noam had a feeling Luther meant for the ashes to be scattered in the wind…however, the only problem was the lack of said wind. Not to mention the rain didn't help matters.

"Probably would have been better with some wind." Luther said looking a tad embarrassed.

"Does anyone wish to speak?" Pogo asked.

Noam looked down at the ground as her hand tightened around her umbrella. She said all that she had wanted to say to their father when she left this house. And while it might be sad, she had nothing good or memorable she wanted to say about him now. It would seem the others felt the same as they all remained silent. Not even Luther stepped up to stay anything.

"Very well," Pogo said. "In all regards, Sir Reginald Hargreeves made me what I am today. For that alone, I shall forever be in his debt. He was my master and my friend…and I shall miss him very much. He leaves behind a complicated legacy—!"

"He was a monster." Diego interrupted as he couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "He was a bad person and worse father. The world's better off without him."

Noam and Allison looked at Diego with slightly wide eyes as he glared down at their father's ashes.

"Diego," Allison said in attempt to stop him.

"My name is Number Two." Diego continued persistently. "You know why? Because our father couldn't be bothered to give us actual names. He had Mom do it."

"Would anyone like something to eat?" Grace cut in suddenly.

Her children looked at her in confusion one more as she gave them a beaming smile. It was like Grace was completely disconnected from what was happening at the moment.

"No, it's okay, Mom." Vanya assured her.

Grace almost seemed put out by her words, but remained quiet as Diego continued.

"Look, you wanna pay your respects?" Diego asked as he stepped forward and turned to face everyone. "Go ahead. But at least be honest about the kind of man he was."

"You should stop talking now." Luther said.

As Diego turned to face Luther, Noam sighed knowing things were only going to get worse from here. She stepped closer to Allison to be more out of the way with the taller woman putting her arm around her sister.

"You know, you of all people should be on my side here, Number One." Diego said as he stepped closer to Luther.

"I am warning you," Luther warned as he stepped up as well.

"After everything he did to you?" Diego continued as if Luther hadn't spoken. "He had to ship you a million miles away."

"Diego, stop talking." Luther practically growled.

"That's how much he couldn't stand the sight of you!" Diego said as he poked Luther in the chest.

That seemed to be the last straw for Luther as he quickly shoved Diego's hand away before taking a swing at him. Diego dodged Luther's first two swings before he started throwing some of his own. Vanya led Grace back out of harm's way as Allison and Noam both frowned in exasperation.

"Boys, stop this at once!" Pogo ordered.

Of course, the old chimpanzee was ignored as Diego and Luther continued their fight.

"Come on, big boy." Diego taunted to draw Luther in.

As Luther came forward, Diego hit him in the gut to make him double over before delivering several punches to Luther's back.

"Stop it!" Vanya shouted.

"Hit him! Hit him!" Klaus cheered.

"Klaus!" Noam called in a chiding tone.

Klaus quietened down, but the grin didn't leave his face. Noam shook her head. The fighting continued with Pogo finally having enough as he shook his head then headed inside. Luther threw Diego to the ground causing Noam to tense, but Diego was quick to get back on his feet, which he used to kick Luther. The large blonde managed to get a fist full Diego's shirt to hold him in place, which didn't set well with Diego.

"Get off me!" Diego shouted as he tried to force Luther to let go.

Once he was free, he delivered a punch to Luther's face. Five, who had enough of the nonsense himself, turned to leave.

"I don't have time for this," He mumbled.

He left just as Luther and Diego managed to break Ben's statue during their stupid tussle.

"And there goes Ben's statue." Allison said as she started to head inside the house.

Noam, who ready to head in herself at any moment, watched a second longer as Diego backed away. When he pulled out one of his knives, her eyes widened.

"Diego, no!" Vanya tried once more to stop them.

"Don't do it!" Noam added.

However, Diego didn't listen as he threw his knife. Of course, it was only meant as a graze, but as it cut Luther's arm, Noam could see the panic set in his eyes. She dropped her umbrella while hurrying over to her brother's side. Diego watched her in confusion as Noam put her hands on Luther's cut arm.

"Luther," She said getting his eyes on her. "It's okay. Let's go inside and I'll take care of it."

Luther, who seemed more upset than any of them suspected, didn't even fight as he let Noam guide him towards the doors. As they were passing him, Noam threw Diego a glare.

"What the hell were you thinking, Diego?" Noam hissed as she kept walking.

Diego watched her go as his jaw clenched in anger and even a bit of guilt.

"And there we go," Noam said as she finished patching Luther up. "All done."

Luther nodded his thanks as he remained sitting on his bed. Noam stood up to place the bandages she used away in the small medical kit she had borrowed. As she put it all away, Luther watched her.

"Does it really not bother you?" He asked as he stood to grab a new shirt to put on to hide away his secret once more.

"No, why would it?" Noam asked as she looked to Luther.

Luther gave her a look as it was obvious why it would bother anyone. Noam sighed.

"The only thing that bothers me is that Dad did that to you," Noam said. "He did something to you that makes you feel ashamed, which you shouldn't."

"He had a hard choice he had to make." Luther said. "If…if he hadn't done it, I would have died."

"He had other options," Noam said as she frowned. "He shouldn't have sent you on that mission alone. If he actually cared about us as his children, he wouldn't have. Or if he hadn't been too proud, he could have called for me. I would have left my classes to help you. But he didn't, and now you have to live with the consequences of his decision, not him."

Luther looked down not really wanting to fight about it with Noam. They already have before, and the fights usually don't ever end well or on mutual ground. Noam sighed once more.

"I'm sorry." Noam said as she got ready to leave Luther in peace. "Today isn't the day to have this argument."

Luther, who nodded in reply, could agree with that, but one other thing was bothering him.

"Hey, Noam." He said getting her to pause in the doorway. "I'm sorry about earlier. I...I shouldn't have insinuated...well, ya know, the thing about Dad's death. I was being an ass."

He knows he should trust his siblings. They were family after all...even if dysfunctional. But he also knew he couldn't let things go until he got rid of the nagging feeling in the back of his mind.

"I suppose I'll forgive you," Noam said. "Besides, I'm quite used to my lovely brothers making asses out of themselves, so I suppose there's no point in staying mad for long. Now, just get some rest. Doctor's orders."

Luther felt his lips turn up as a small chuckle left his mouth. He nodded once more as he sat back on his bed. Noam then left him alone to return the medical kit to the medical room. On her way, she met Diego coming up the stairs. Still feeling angry about earlier, she looked away from him and planned to walk on by. However, Diego stepped into her path.

"Noam, please, wait," He said. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier, okay?"

Noam lifted her head to look into Diego's eyes as he stared back at her. He seemed sincere enough, however…

"You don't need to apologize to me," Noam said. "You need to apologize to Luther and Pogo for how you acted."

She then sidestepped Diego to continue on her walk. Diego frowned before turning to follow her.

"I only spoke the truth out there, Noam." Diego said. "You know that."

Noam turned on heel, which brought Diego to a halt before he could run into her.

"Whether it's the truth or not, you shouldn't have said those things." Noam said. "I don't feel much if anything for Dad. I don't even feel angry anymore...at least not as much as I used to. I mostly feel indifference towards him even now that he's dead. But to Pogo…to Luther—hell, maybe even to Mom—Dad was someone important. They're hurting because he's gone and you only made things worse with how you acted. And don't even get me started about the fight. You took things too far."

She then left him in the foyer to stew in his thoughts. She reached the medical room and put away the kit back into the cabinets. After she put it away, she turned and leaned against the counter with her arms crossed. She looked around the room…the room where she and Reginald last ever spoke.

—FLASHBACK—

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Noam demanded as she was looking over brother who was laid out on the stretcher. "What did you do to Luther, Dad?"

Luther, who seemed to be too shell shocked by what was going on with his body, didn't even react as he touched his now very, very hair arm.

"You need to watch your tone, Number Eight," Reginald said to the woman. "I did what was needed to keep Number One alive. If you had been here as you were supposed to have been, he would not have gone alone."

Noam gave her father a look of disbelief as Grace and Pogo watched from the sidelines with troubled expressions.

"Oh, you can take that bullshit and shove it up your ass. You could have called me," Noam pointed out. "You just couldn't be bothered, so don't pin this shit on me."

Noam has long gotten over her fear of her father. In her younger years, she wouldn't dream of raising her voice. But she's had enough. He's gone too far, and she couldn't take it anymore.

"Do you even care?" Noam asked. "What are we to you really? Because you obviously don't see us as your children. If you did, Luther wouldn't be like this."

She gestured to Luther who finally looked up. Reginald didn't reply to her inquires, and Noam shook her head. This wasn't getting anything anywhere.

"I just can't anymore…I can't deal with this anymore." Noam said as she started backing away. "I'm going to pack up my stuff and I'll be gone before the night's up."

Grace stepped forward as if to try and talk Noam out of it, but Noam waved her away. Grace looked saddened, but she did step back.

"You are going to leave like the others?" Reginald asked. "Give up as they did?"

"That's right," Noam said. "I don't want to be some kind of superhero nor do I want to be your little soldier anymore. I haven't wanted to be for a long time now. The only reason I've stayed so long is for Luther, Mom, and Pogo. But I can't stay here anymore."

As expected, Reginald's expression did not change—it remained as stern and unemotional as always. Noam rolled her eyes as she started leaving the room.

"See you when hell freezes over," Noam said over her should. "Might make exceptions for weddings or funerals, but don't get your hopes up. If you even have any."

—END OF FLASHBACK—

Noam shook her head. That all happened seven years ago, and Noam did exactly what she said she would. She left and didn't come back until there was funeral to attend.

"Hey,"

Noam looked up seeing Five leaning against the entry way into the room with his hands shoved inside his pockets.

"Hey," She replied.

"You okay there?" Five asked with a tilt of his head.

Noam was confused by his question at first until she realized something she hadn't before…her cheeks were wet. She frowned reaching up to wipe the liquid away as more tears pooled in her eyes.

"Um, not sure, honestly," Noam said with watery chuckle.

Five frowned as well as he stepped further into the room. He moved next to his sister while leaning against the counter as well while crossing his arms over his chest.

"Ya know, it's nice to see that even after all this time that some things haven't changed." Five said then grinned. "You still cry when you get angry."

His words brought a small, more genuine laugh from Noam who finished drying her eyes.

"Yeah, guess it's a habit I just can't break." Noam said. "You used to tease me so much for it."

"Glad to see I still can." Five said.

Noam elbowed him for his jab though wasn't too upset. In fact, she was feeling much better already.

"And to think I actually missed you." Noam said. "Now, what brought you down from your room?"

Usually, Five would seclude himself from everyone when they were younger. Only spending time with his siblings when he had to. There were those rare occasions he actually sought out their company. Like the times they'd sneak out of the house to either go eat donuts or maybe just wander the streets.

"I was about to head into the kitchen to make some coffee." Five replied.

"You do know that you're probably going to be out of luck, right?" Noam asked him. "Dad hated caffeine. More than he did smoking."

"Might have to head out then." Five said as he started leaving the room. "Don't wait up for me. I might be out late."

"Just don't go disappearing on us again," Noam called out while being half-serious-half-joking.

Five gave her a half-ass wave to show her that he heard her, which had her sighing. Because just because he heard didn't mean he would do as asked. Once he was gone, Noam took one more look around the room before leaving herself. She was ready to go back to her own apartment, but she'd probably stay tonight. Because for one, she would be waiting for Five to come back, and for the other thing, she didn't want to ride in a car with Diego back to her place. She'd call a cab in the morning or something. For now, she thinks a hot shower and a change into more comfortable clothes was in order.

Noam let out a hum as she walked into the kitchen after her shower. She had changed into an old sweatshirt with the academy logo on the front and some black leggings. She hadn't really packed a lot as she didn't expect to stay the night, so the shirt was actually Luther's from his teenage years. Even then it still fit her like a dress.

"Well, someone looks comfortable." Klaus commented. "Didn't think you were staying the night, Sis."

"Yeah, well, wasn't planning to." Noam said as she passed Allison on her way to the fridge. "But I want to hang around until Five gets back. Besides, gives Allison and I some time to catch up before she has to leave us for the big city of the stars."

Allison smiled liking the thought of spending time with Noam. Especially after today's disaster of a funeral. Noam opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. Noam untwisted the cap to take a sip as Diego walked into the room with his and her bags in hand.

"Alright, I guess I'll see you guys in ten years." Diego said. "When Pogo dies?"

"Unless you die first," Allison snarked.

Diego gave her a sarcastic smile before noticing Noam didn't look ready to go. He gave her a look of confusion.

"I didn't know we were staying." Diego said. "I thought you wanted out of here as fast as possible."

"I did," Noam said as she walked around to the other side of the table. "But I think I'll stay here. Feel free to leave on your own though."

She said this while taking her bag away from Diego who sighed when seeing her look.

"Are you still mad about earlier?" He asked.

"Have you apologized to Pogo and Luther yet?" Noam answered with her own question.

"Pogo, yes." Diego said. "Luther, hell no."

"Then I'm still mad." Noam said as she started walking away. "Have a nice night, Diego. Get home safe."

Diego watched her go while trying to ignore the anger trying to bubble up in his chest. He understood in a way why she was angry, but at the same time, he wanted her on his side. He didn't see what he did wrong. He spoke the truth.

"Someone's in the dog house." Klaus said in a singsong voice.

As Allison, who was following after Noam, chuckled in amusement, Diego gave them a look.

"Shut-up." Diego said.

"Lookie, what I have." Noam said as she walked into Allison's room with junk food and drinks in hand. "I made a run down to the convenience store since there's not much in the kitchen."

"Nice." Allison said with a chuckle. "I remember us sneaking out to that store a lot when we were younger."

Noam smiled remembering that as well. That store and Griddy's Doughnuts were their go to places when they all wanted away from this house. And away from their dad. She set what she bought down between her and Allison before climbing into the bed.

"Remember the time Ben and Klaus caused that mess at the store?" Noam asked. "There was raspberry Slurpee everywhere. Including all over them."

Allison laughed because she did remember that. The boys had been fighting over which flavor to get since they only had enough money for one to share between them. Klaus wanted something different while Ben wanted raspberry. The scuffle ended with the icy beverage going everywhere.

"And you and Five worked together to convince the employee that the machine malfunctioned and that one of us could have been hurt because of it." Allison said. "We all got a free one because the guy had been worried that we might bring Dad down there to deal with the situation."

Which they wouldn't have done, of course, considering they wouldn't have wanted to get in trouble. They had snuck out after all.

"We were just lucky the guy hadn't thought about going back to look at the cameras." Noam said with a smile. "Moments like that…those are the ones I loved the most. The moments where we actually got to act like kids."

Allison hummed in agreement as she grabbed one of the bags of chips from the pile of food.

"We certainly didn't get enough moments like that." Allison murmured. "But enough about our tragic childhood. What's new?"

"Nothing's new." Noam replied. "I've been on the same routine for the last four years. I work, I try to get enough sleep and remember to feed myself, and then rinse and repeat."

Allison, who popped some chips into her mouth, gave her shorter sister a look.

"Noam, you have got to do more than just work." Allison said. "Go out and make some friends—"

"I have friends," Noam tried to argue.

"Work friends and our siblings don't count." Allison retorted. "I don't count. And what about a boyfriend? Or a girlfriend? Anyone?"

Noam's silence was answer enough as she made sure not to make eye contact with Allison. Said woman sighed.

"It won't hurt to maybe look for someone special, Noam." Allison said. "Someone who can look after you cause we both know you're terrible at doing that."

Noam looked offended by Allison's comment, but Noam couldn't really deny her claim. Noam was terrible of taking care of herself.

"I don't need anyone." Noam said. "I have D—!"

Noam cut herself off as she realized what she was going to say. Even though she stopped talking before she could finish, Allison knew who she was talking about.

"So, you and Diego are together?" Allison asked.

"No," Noam said shaking her head. "I mean, he's been around more lately…and kind of touchy, but I don't know."

"But feelings are still there, obviously." Allison said. "You should go for it. You two have been dancing around each other for too long."

Noam sighed since she wasn't so sure about that. It wasn't the fact that they were adopted siblings that kept her from going forward with her feelings. It was just…complicated.

"I don't know." Noam said. "He did say he wanted to talk about something, but I did kind of brush him off earlier."

"Yeah, well, he deserved that." Allison said. "He was being an ass. But that's the norm for him, isn't it?"

Noam laughed at Allison's statement as the two moved off the topic of Noam's personal life. The rest of the night was spent with the two catching up and laughing at the silliest of things until both squeezed into Allison's bed for sleep. Noam missed having Allison around. She missed seeing all her siblings actually. Even Vanya.

Even if this house does hold many bad memories, it had a few good ones as well. Besides, she did suppose she had one good thing to say about her father…he did bring them all together and even if they were all very dysfunctional, she loved her family, and she was grateful to Reginald for bringing them together.