She heard a baby cry. That was the moment she realized it was a dream. Because she had this dream - this nightmare - regularly for decades now. Still, she knew that trying to wake up on her own was useless. Because even fully knowing what was happening, this dream never let her do what she wanted. She had no control.
The baby cried and she knew that she would never reach it no matter how hard she tried and how desperately she was moving. But she did it anyway. She ran and ran, until her lungs felt like bursting and her legs burned with every step she took. Yet it was like she was rooted to the spot. The baby was hidden somewhere and she was unable to find it; to even get near.
The babies cries suddenly got louder and more desperate and she felt like her heart was ripped from her chest. This baby - *her* baby - needed her and she couldn't find it. "Five!" She cried out in desperation. Where was her husband? "Five! Please, get our baby!" She pleaded. But it was useless. He would not come. He never did in this dream. She fell to her knees and screamed.
Elizabeth woke with a start, breathing heavily and feeling tears roll down her cheeks. She moved her upper body forward, laying her forehead unto the cool dashboard. Her hand made its way to her belly, rubbing it slightly. She felt hot and sweaty. Her back and neck were hurting a bit from sleeping in a sitting position all night. But most of all her heart was racing and aching like it always did when she had this dream. She tried to calm herself down and looked around the inside of the van. She yearned for her husband; for Five to take her into his arms and comfort her. To make her sit on his lap and kiss her forehead. Telling her everything would be alright.
But he was not here. He had not returned; neither yesterday evening nor this morning. If he had been in this night, at least, she didn't know. She hadn't heard him. But his seat was cold.
When she had returned yesterday afternoon he had been away already. Obviously the guy they were stalking had come out while she had been away and Five had gone after him. Another explanation was highly unlikely. Elizabeth had been a bit upset about that revelation. She had almost made them miss their target by insisting to go with his brothers. And while she didn't regret doing so they had almost lost a whole day to stop the apocalypse if Five hadn't been so stubborn and decided to stay. She decided to apologize to him when he returned.
That had been yesterday, but still he was not here. And while she knew that he was probably okay - even though he tended to be overconfident, him being the best assassin The Commission had ever had was true - she was still getting a little worried. Because you didn't cross an organization like that and expected there to be no problems. Already that witch had sent 2 of the most dangerous people she had to offer after them. The blonde didn't want to even think about Five having to face Hazel and Cha Cha alone.
That thought, again, made her want to get out and search for her husband. But that was probably not a good idea. She didn't really know her way around the city anymore, what tended to happen after 45 years away from home. And even though they had just recently been in this city for a mission; that had been decades ago, time wise, and the city had more than likely changed a lot since then. Also, she had no idea where Five had followed that guy to.
But she couldn't sit in this car anymore. After that nightmare it felt stuffy and caging. She also craved a hot shower and something warm to eat. So she decided to go back to the Academy.
When Elizabeth felt like she finally had calmed down enough to put on a normal face again, she quickly wrote a note for Five and then got out.
Went back to the house. Come find me if you return first. I love you.
.
.
When she arrived at the entrance of the academy she immediately knew something was wrong. The main door was broken; it's lock shot out. The entrance hall was trashed, the chandelier on the floor. Concerned, she called out for someone to answer, but no one did. She worriedly made her way up the stairs when she heard voices coming from the corridor leading to the used bedrooms. She arrived at Fives room just as Luther angrily asked Diego "So what? Is he just an animal to you, too now, Diego, huh?" pointing at the Chimpanzee standing by the bed.
Elizabeth hesitated a moment, wondering what was meant by that, but then entered the room. All eyes landed on her. "Oh thank god." She sighed. "You guys are okay. What the hell happened?" Luther scoffed, now pointing his finger at her. "What happened?" He spat. "Someone broke into the academy tonight, trying to kill us while searching for you two."
The blondes brown eyes went big from shock. "What- who?" She stuttered. It couldn't be. Could it? "Two guys with masks on their heads." Luther answered and Elizabeth put a hand on her mouth. How had they found out about the academy? Because, while they were dangerous, Hazel and Cha Cha were not known for being especially bright and she and Five had never told them anything to go on. She had clearly underestimated them. Touché, you guys. It will not happen again she silently promised herself.
"Is everyone okay? Did someone get hurt?" She asked with earnest concern. Luther scoffed again. "We're more or less okay. But you know who isn't? Grace." She stared up at him with huge eyes. "What do you mean? Is she-" she almost said damaged, "-hurt?" Luther glared at her. "No. Grace is dead." He aggressively tipped her shoulder. "And I kinda feel like this is your your fault, Elizabeth Hargreeves."
Diego roughly grabbed Luthers wrist. "Let her be." He demanded. "None of us is at fault here." Luther snatched his hand away from his brother. "And stop calling her Grace. She was our mom." The big man angrily shook his head. "Someone killed 'mom' and all you care about is how I'm calling her. A great 'son' you are." Diego grinned ironically. "That's rich, coming from you, Ape Boy. Because, as I remember it, just yesterday you have been hellbent on killing mom yourself."
Luther threw his brother a heated gaze and raised his fist. Elizabeth - who had been momentarily stuck on the strange insult "ape boy" - mentally prepared herself to go in between and de-escalate a seemingly commencing fight. By force, if necessary. Sure, both men were taller, heavier and stronger than her. They would be even if her physical appearance would still be true to her age. But this was a scenario Five had been especially attentive to in her training and now she was easily capable to take on men double her size. A skill that had come in handy more than enough, especially in their current profession.
But she didn't have to as, suddenly, Pogos voice was booming through the room. "Enough!" Both men froze in their actions and, slowly, let their gaze wander to the angry chimpanzee. "This house was attacked. It doesn't matter whose fault it was. We barely got out with our lives. And Grace..." His face fell into a sad expression and he looked down to the floor. "...she wasn't so lucky." His gaze returned to the men. "Your brother is missing and this is how you rise to the occasion? Fighting like little children and threatening a guest- no, a family member?" Pogo gave the blonde a sympathetic look, who was surprised to be considered by him. Both men looked down, seemingly ashamed. "Take your nonsense elsewhere." The ape then demanded. "Now."
Both men hesitated - then made their way out of the room, sheepishly muttering. "Sorry, Pogo."; "yeah, sorry, Pogo." Elizabeth watched them go, seeing the glare Luther gave her before he vanished from her sight. She heard a deep sigh behind her and turned around again. "I'm sorry, Miss Elizabeth." The chimpanzee suddenly apologized. "How shameful that you had to see the boys behave like that." The blonde, touched that the ape had remembered her name, raised her hands, hurriedly shaking them before her chest. "Oh no, it's nothing! Five already warned me about what probably awaited me if we ever made it back." She grinned slightly. "Also, I'm already kind of hardened thanks to my drama queen of a husband."
Pogo gently smiled at her and the girl sheepishly scratched her temple. "But... maybe you can answer me something?" She then asked and Pogo nodded. "Of course, Miss Elizabeth. I will help you as best as I can." The blonde sweat dropped. "First, could you maybe stop calling me 'miss'? I don't want to be rude or something, but just calling me 'Elizabeth' is more than enough." The ape chuckled mischievously. "I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable, Miss, but you will come to find that there are habits you will have your dear problems making an old boy like me give up." Elizabeth giggled. As an old lady herself she could relate to that. "Fair enough. Then I have a second question." Her expression got serious again, though also slightly sad. "Why does Luther hate me so much? He is the only one so openly distrustful towards me and I don't understand what I did to deserve it."
Pogo sighed. "It's nothing about you personally, Miss; or at least I hope so. It's just, of all the children, Sir Reginalds death had hit him the hardest and he likely doesn't know what to do with his feelings. Master Luther had never been good in that regard. You are just the unfortunate recipient of the result, I'm fearing." He walked towards her, his walking stick clicking. "He will come around sooner or later, I'm sure." He told her confidently, putting a hand on her shoulder. It felt strange, but also kind of nice. "And for what it's worth, I am happy for another person joining the family." The chimpanzee lightly patted her shoulder and then slowly made his way out of the room, too. The girl whispered a heartfelt "thank you" after him.
.
.
After a quick hot shower, changing her clothes and a quick meal Elizabeth already felt much better. But while she had been doing that, two questions had floated around in her mind: 1. How had Hazel and Cha Cha found out about the academy and 2. Why the hell had they killed Grace? Like, it didn't make any sense; especially because she, seemingly, had been the only loss (thank god). Grace could be, probably, repaired. A human life could not. The girl sighed as she made her way back to the main entrance. Maybe she should just be thankful that nothing more had happened and instead focus on finding her husband, who she was still waiting for. Because after this revelation she now was more than a little worried about Five.
Surprisingly, Luther and Diego were waiting for her in the entrance hall. "We're coming with you." Diego firmly, but relatively friendly, stated. Elizabeth frowned. "Why?" Luther crossed his arms, making them seem even bigger. How were the arms of his coat not exploding with his huge muscles straining the material? "Because you and Five are hiding something." He growled. "And we finally want to know what it is."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him. But then she shrugged. After all, she shared his opinion of being told what exactly was going on. She was trying to convince Five telling them for days now and he didn't listen. But maybe he would listen to his brothers. "Sure." She then agreed.
The brothers were bickering the whole way, which was actually kind of fun to watch. It was hilarious how Luther wanted to show dominance because he was "number one" but clearly having no idea what that actually meant for him and what he should do.
Five was not by the car and when Diego asked her if she had any idea where else he could be several ideas popped into her head. But she went with the one that felt the most right: the Argyle Public library. Because she remembered something Five had quickly whispered to her in the department store, just before going out of their hiding spot to distract the two contract killers: "If we get separated, meeting at the library."
Going there by foot took some time and after they had searched through the first 3 floors Elizabeth noticed that it was already dark outside. A fresh flood of worry flooded her. She hadn't seen Five for a whole day now. It was the first time since she knew him that they were separated for so long with her having no idea where he had gone to. And that was really not a nice feeling. It was made even more difficult by the constant quibbling of Luther and Diego. The two brothers really started to get on her already strained nerves. When they met up on the highest floor they started again.
"You wanna know why I left?" Diego suddenly asked and the girl sighed. What a subtle conversation starter. Luther, who had been walking away from them again, turned around. "What?" He came nearer. "What are you talking about?" Diego turned to the big man. "Why I left the academy." Elizabeth put a hand on her hip. "Seriously guys, could you quit this for a moment and just search for Five? I'm really worried about him."
Both men simply ignored her. "Yeah, 'cause you couldn't handle me being Number One." Luther answered his brothers question, who was staring at the floor. "No. Because that's what you do when you're 17." He turned his head to the buff man, but didn't look at him. "You move out, become your own person, grow up." Luther interrupted him. "Oh yeah. You're a real grown-up." He mocked. Diego grinned wryly. "At least I make my own decisions." He looked at Luther. "You've never had to hold down a job. Pay bills."
Elizabeth crossed her arms. The girl just wanted to find her husband but these two didn't seem to get it. She wanted to scream at them to finally shut up and just search, but she swallowed her complaints. She was on a bad enough foot with Luther already and that they were in this situation in the first place was, basically, hers and Fives fault. But she drew the line at the next question Diego asked his brother. "You ever even been with a girl?"
The blonde huffed and wordlessly walked away. She would not hear them talk about their sex lives. Also, everyone with eyes in their heads could see that Luther was as virgin as you could be. That was nothing to be ashamed of in her opinion, but it still wasn't something she was comfortable talking about with her brothers-in-law; who she still barely knew.
She walked along the railing of the third floor. Just where was Five? She had been so very sure that they would find him here, but now the blonde started to doubt. What if he was actually somewhere else? Then she had lost them some precious hours. Again.
She was near the elevators now, when she heard them ding and a woman laughing. "Where are his parents?" The same woman then asked and Elizabeth quickened her pace, her heart pounding. Then she finally found him: passed out and clutching an empty whiskey bottle. Laying around him some notebooks and pens, the pillars full with scribbled equations. Somehow this looked eerily familiar, though she couldn't quite grasp why.
He groaned and the girl sighed. Slowly she approached him and crouched down. "Oh, Five." She whispered sadly.
.
.
After finally having found her lost husband she had quickly gotten his brothers and together they made their way out; Luther carrying his 'little' brother bridal style. It looked especially hilarious because the girl knew Five would fight tooth and nail against being treated like that under any normal circumstances, but he was plastered and unconscious. Normally he could drink quite a lot and while this much alcohol normally, of course, would affect him quite a bit, it wouldn't knock him out. That was probably attributed to his young-again body.
They were just talking about were to go now when Five belched and woke up with a sigh. Luther glared down at him in disgust. "If you vomit on me..." he threatened but Five just grinned. "You know what's funny?" He asked, laying his head back. "Aah! I'm going through puberty." He scoffed. "Huh. Twice." The girl sweat dropped, hurrying her steps to walk next to Luther. "Five, are you okay?" The boy stared at her. "Liz-" he then sighed. "I'm- I'm sorry. I screwed up. I can't prevent anything. And I..." He chuckled dryly. "I drank that whole bottle, didn't I?"
Elizabeth perked up at that. "What do you mean?" He looked at her like she had completely missed his point. "That's what you do when the world you love goes bye-bye." He clarified, stretching out an arm. "Poof, it's gone." She worriedly looked at her husband, trying to decipher if he really meant what she thought. Were they too late to change what was to come in a couple days?
Five looked between his brothers. "What are you guys talkin' about?" Luther sighed. "Two masked intruders attacked the Academy last night." "They came looking for you." Diego immediately followed. "So I need you to focus. What do they want?"
The men waited in tense silence and Elizabeth looked at the boy. He stubbornly remained silent. It seemed like he still didn't want to tell his siblings what was up. She clenched her hands into fists and spoke up instead, having made up her mind. "Hazel and Cha Cha." Everyone stared at her. "Who?" Diego asked and Luther angrily growled "You know, I hate code names. And why are you only telling us now when you knew the whole time?" She ignored Luthers comment and Fives disapproving gaze on her, instead focusing on answering Diegos question. They deserved to know and she was tired of constantly having to dance around the subject.
"They're the best of the best." Five scoffed and Elizabeth corrected herself. "Except for my inebriated husband, of course." The boy rolled his eyes at that jab, but his lips quirked up a bit. His wife was very obviously very angry and displeased with him. But in this state she was also sexy as hell. And he kind of wished that he would stop seeing everything double, were alone with her and could spend the remaining few days they still had before everything would go up in flames in bed; only focusing on each other.
Luther brought him back from his thoughts that had wandered to a naked Elizabeth lounging in his old single bed - a dream he had ever since he had understood that he was in love in her. "The best of what?" Still, he was focused on his pouting wife. "I'm sorry, Liz. I know you hate it when I drink." He mumbled and then chuckled. "You always say it makes me surly-" "Hey!" Diego interrupted him, staring between the two 'children'. "I need you to focus. What do this Hazel and Cha Cha want?" Five just grinned up at him and the assassin explained "We just wanna protect you two."
"Protect us?" The boy scoffed. "I don't need your protection, Diego. And my wife sure as hell not, too. She's more than capable of looking after herself and if not, she's got me." He declared and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Well, but it was true. "Do you have any idea how many people I've killed?" Five continued. "No. I'm the Four frickin' Horsemen." He made a dramatic pause. "The apocalypse is coming." Then he turned his head over Luthers arm and vomited.
.
.
They were in Diego's room in that boxing training center, Five sleeping peacefully on the camp bed. Elizabeth kneeled beside him, carefully dabbing his face with a wet cloth. He had fallen asleep again almost immediately after vomiting and it was obvious that he gone through quite the ordeal in the time they had been apart. She wondered what it was and if everything really was lost. She hoped not.
"Funny." She heard Diego say behind her. "If I didn't know he was such a prick, I'd say he looks almost adorable in his sleep." Luther followed up with his own remark. "Well, don't worry. He'll sober up eventually. Be back to his normal, unpleasant self." Diego turned around and walked a few steps to a workbench. "Yeah, I can't wait that long." He looked at Elizabeth, who had stood up, watching them. "I need to find out what your connection is with these lunatics before someone else dies."
Elizabeth looked at the floor. Five would probably be livid if she said anymore than she already had before consulting with him. But she had made up her mind earlier. She had just opened her mouth when Diego held up his hand, motioning for her to stop. There were steps outside. Diego pulled out a knife and stealthily made his way to the door. He quickly opened it then, his knife raised and ready, when a voice could be heard yelling "you throw another one of those goddamn knives at me, I'm pressin' charges!"
Diego sighed and relaxed his body, opening his door wider. "What do you want, Al?" An old man, probably even older than Fives and Elizabeth's real age, entered the room, telling Diego about a friend that had called for him, asking for his help. Because she had 'found his brother'. Al left the room and everyone frowned. "Well, that didn't make sense." Diego remarked. Then both brothers looked at each other, muttering at the same time "Klaus." Diego immediately left the room and Elizabeth, who had sat down next to her husband on the camp bed, perked up.
Luther slowly turned around, mumbling "Go, I'll wait here with-" the door slammed shut. "-them." He sighed and sat down on a stool. The blonde girl looked at him, not sure if she should speak up first. But worry made her do it. "What's with Klaus? Where is he?" Luther shrugged his shoulders. "It's Klaus. And if a detective has found him, probably in jail by now." His serious, steely gaze landed on her. "But that doesn't matter right now. Because you will tell me everything you two have been hiding from us. Now."
AN:
Hey guys! Sorry this took so long. And as it turned out I will probably not be able to hold myself to a schedule concerning my stories. I just write when I have the time and desire for it. As I said the last time, I started university. And I now have to read and write a lot for it, so I often just don't have the desire to write anymore on that days. Still, I really, really want to continue the stories, so please bear with me, haha.
So, a lot happened since I released my last chapter. Ellen/Elliot Page came out as transgender and a third season for TUA was officially announced, yay! I'm so glad, because I was honestly fearing they would cancel it, as Netflix is notorious for dropping popular shows and instead focus on new ones. But at least the third season is, seemingly, safe. Also, I know that Elliot Page said he wants to be pronounced him/them, but in my story Vanya is still definitely a female character, so the pronounces I'm using will remain she/her etc. I don't know if it's important for anyone reading my story, but I saw on Facebook that some people are now demanding to change Vanyas gender/gender identity as well, even though Elliot himself said that there are no plans to change Vanya. So, just as a side note and I don't want anyone feeling that it's not important to me.
I'm really happy for Elliot, though, and anyone who has the courage to embrace themselves, no matter what anyone might say. I hope that someday we live in a world where it will be normal to be what- and however you want to be. And I love you all, my awesome readers, no matter your gender, gender identity or sexuality. I'm sorry if that sounded kinda lame and pretentious, haha.
As always, please leave a comment if you like my story or have some remarks. I thrive on comments because they help me gauging if I'm doing a good job or not.
Stay healthy my lovely readers! I hope you had a great Christmas (or some nice holidays, if you don't celebrate it).
Lulu 3