Haven followed a familiar person into the elevator. She went in quickly and quietly, making sure not to let the other person notice her entrance before the elevator doors closed and the compartment began to ascend.

"Hello," she said softly. The male turned around quickly.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Dick growled. He was surprised to see Haven here, and this was certainly one of the last places he wanted to see her. How did she even find out where he lived?

"We need to talk," Haven replied.

"Like hell we do!" Dick began pressing buttons, trying to escape from the enclosed space as fast as he could. Suddenly, the lift stopped moving, but the doors didn't open.

"The elevator seems stuck," Haven commented.

"No shit, Sherlock!" Dick yelled.

"Since we're going nowhere anytime soon, let's talk," Haven suggested.


"Has anyone seen Haven recently?" Fia asked, concerned.

"Who cares?" Karma replied. He was met with a severe look from Fia. "No, I haven't seen her since this morning," he answered.

"Me neither," Nagisa shook his head. Suddenly, the tv screen turned on.

"If you are worrying about Haven, fret not," Wally said. "She is doing something of utmost importance right now and does not wish to be disturbed under any circumstances. If she does not return within 12 hours or if she is in imminent danger, I will then disclose her location. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them to the best of my ability." He began meandering around the screen.

Fia frowned. "12 hours? Well, as long as this is something she feels she really has to do and as long as she's alright, I guess it's okay…"

Wally's mod smiled. "I assure you that Haven believes that this is completely necessary. We thank you for your understanding and support. If you have any questions, do feel free to call and I will answer."

Nagisa and Fia exchanged worried expressions but they smiled reassuringly at the other and silently wished for Haven to come back in one piece.


"FUCK YOU!" Dick yelled at the girl. She just stood there quietly.

"HAVEN'T YOU CAUSED ENOUGH HAVOC IN MY LIFE ALREADY!"

"When you're ready to talk, I'll be here to listen," Haven said evenly as she sat down in a corner of the elevator. "Remember, no lies."

"WHY DID YOU HAVE TO EXIST?"


Fia circumambulated the couches in her nervousness. When she tasted the distinct tang of iron on her tongue, she realized that she had been chewing on her lip to the point that it was bleeding. Fia sighed. Where was Haven? It had been hours already and there wasn't a single word from her.

Karma sighed from his spot on the couch. "That's really distracting, you know. I'm trying to watch the Big Chief give a speech."

"S-sorry. I can't help it." Fia timidly took the spot on the couch next to Karma and began chewing the inside of her cheek. Her eyes flitted from the redhead to the tv screen. "The presidential debate…?" she asked.

"Yeah. Apparently, that idiot over there thinks it's okay to just recklessly invest in absolutely nothing," Karma said. He waved his hand dismissively. "If you ask me, the big guy would probably be happier if he just rolled up a wad of cash and stuck it up his ass."

Fia smiled slightly. "You really are serious about this stuff, aren't you?"

"Well, a lot of work needs to be put in to become an evil government official, right?" he smiled.

"What happened to being a bureaucrat?"

He laughed. "Same difference, right?"

Giggling at his joke, she nodded. "You're going to wreak havoc either way. Remind me not to live in whatever country you decide to govern."

"Oh, c'mon, Tsu-chan. I'd give you a special position as the national jester!"

"Ha-ha. You're so funny, maybe you should be the jester." Fia stuck her tongue out. "It's not like you're not already halfway there with your pranking habit."

"It's not a habit, it's a passion," Karma smirked. "Or did I not make that clear enough?" He chuckled when he saw her pouting 'of course you did' face. He smiled. "Glad to see that you're not biting your lip off anymore," Karma remarked casually.

Fia's cheeks turned red and she huffed, turning back towards the screen. "Karma…" Fia murmured after some time. "She's going to be okay, isn't she…?"

Karma sighed. "She can handle herself, and I mean that. So quit worrying already."

Fia nodded slowly before speaking up once again. "Karma? How do you do that…?"

"Do what?"

"M-move people with your w-words? Right now… You're distracting me so I won't worry, right? You're teasing me, but you're also - "

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said. Karma looked over at Fia, who was staring intently at him. He rubbed the back of his head. Damn, the girl was perceptive when she wanted to be. "You've got a voice. Use it, otherwise what's the point in having one?" He paused. "You like chemistry, right? Because it gives you a direct answer? But what you care about most is people. You're going to need to use that grating voice of yours if you want to be with the people you care about. Use your voice so you won't get pushed around, so you can nag them into staying out of trouble, so you can tell them about all your gushy little feelings. Use it or lose it, Fia."

"K-Karma…?" Fia recognized that he was harsh, but not wrong...

"You wanted an answer, so you got one." The people on the television began clapping. Karma jumped out of his seat and angrily waved the remote in front of the tv. "Aw, shit! Don't cheer for that idiot! Elect that one and he's going to bring this country to its knees! I swear, that Trump is stupider than Terasaka ever was!"

"That's not very nice," Nagisa said as he returned home from running errands. Nagisa shut the door behind him and took off his shoes before wandering into the living room. He peered at the screen and sweat-dropped. "Is that a squirrel on his head?"

Fia sighed. "No, that's his hair. Or, at least, that's what we hope it is."

"Any word from Haven?" Nagisa asked.

Fia shook her head. "No, Angel hasn't contacted me and Wally has been quiet so I'm guessing we have awhile before she gets back…" she trailed off.

Nagisa nodded in understanding. "Alright, well, I hope she comes back soon. Mr. Karasuma and Ms. Jelavic want to talk to you two about starting a training regimen.

The girl paled. "Assassins almighty, have mercy," Fia whimpered.


The elevator was quiet. Dick had stopped yelling, but the air was tense. Haven and Dick just sat in opposite corners of the elevator waiting for someone to break the silence. It had been about three hours and neither of them had even made an attempt to speak to the other.

Dick finally broke the silence.

"When I was about ten, Dad threw out a picture he had received from your mother. That was when I found out who you were. My mom did too. After that, they started fighting a lot. I hated seeing them like that and I didn't know what to do, so when I saw you at school, I took all of my frustration and anger out on you. I guess I have been ever since…"

"I understood why you hated me, but you didn't have to take it out on me," Haven replied.

"You're wrong. I didn't completely hate you," Dick glanced at her and sighed, "Why… Why were you born a girl? If you had been a boy, I could have hated you properly."

"What do you mean?" Haven asked.

"It's nothing…" he sighed.

"Don't be resistant," Haven said. "We're already talking."

Dick sighed as he relented. "As a kid, I had always wanted a little sister. I thought that if I had one, I'd be around to protect her and stuff," he explained slowly. "So as much as I wanted to despise you, your existence was almost a wish come true…"

"How did you find out I was a girl? I wore the boy's uniform at school so you wouldn't know. My mother told me Father thought it would prevent you from knowing who I was," Haven explained.

"The picture I found was of you before you started school. You know, when you still dressed like a girl," Dick gave a small smile. "You were really cute back then. Either way, the hair's a bit of a giveaway," he said, pointing at her usually-white bob. "It's the same color as dad's."

Silence clung to the air once more.


Nagisa and Fia laid next to each other on the floor of the living room. Karma was off doing his homework and the other two really didn't have much to do, so they were reading Shakespeare's "The Tempest," both to pass the time and help Fia practice for Jelavic's class.

"No, precious creature, I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, than you should such dishonor undergo while I sit lazy by," Nagisa read.

"I'm surprised by how fluidly you can read this," Fia admitted.

"My favorite subject was English," he smiled.

"I know, I know. It's just, I'm not making the most eloquent Miranda, am I?" Fia laughed. "It would become me as well as it does you; a-and I should do it with much more… ease; for my good will is to it, and y-yours is against it." Pouting, Fia dropped her script onto her face.

Karma walked into the room and laughed. "I could hear the sounds of your audience dying of boredom from my bedroom. Aren't Ferdinand and Miranda supposed to end up as lovers?" He snatched the book out of Nagisa's hands and skimmed through the pages. "Nagisa, you're acting is fine, but you're not really putting your heart into it. Fia… Can you at least try to act like you're interested in him?"

Her face reddened. "Huh?!"

"As Miranda."

"O-oh…"

Nagisa sighed. "Karma didn't you have your own work to do?"

"Finished, and besides - You know how much I love to help out my friends," his voice rang out with a sadistic sense of sarcasm. "I'm re-assigning the roles. Let's start from the top!"

"A-Alack, what t-trouble was I then t-to you!," Fia choked out.

"The only one who's trouble here is Karma," Nagisa muttered. "I mean, O, a cherubin! Thou wast that did preserve me! Thou didst smile, infusèd with a fortitude from Haven - I m-mean, HEAVEN." Nagisa coughed loudly with a bright blush.

Fia looked up at him. "Sorry, did you say something? I was kind of spacing out…" Fia's worry and fatigue were finally showing through. "Should we go through the lines again?"

Karma laughed loudly. "Nah, let's skip ahead a little bit. Nagisa, take a break, will you? We can't have Prospero passing out on us. C'mon, Miranda."

Fia sighed. "Yes, slave-driver…" She picked up her script and returned to the scene she and Nagisa had been originally reading.

"Fia, try to make me feel something, okay?"

"Can it be a slug to the face?"

"You can try, but you punch like a pansy."

She pouted. "Fine!"

Karma laughed, clearly enjoying watching her squirm in discomfort. "Communication is key here. As an actress, your job is to guide the other person through the conversation, make them feel compelled to reciprocate."

"Since when are you into acting, Karma?" Nagisa asked skeptically.

"I'm not," the redhead said with a smirk, "but Ms. Bitch sure does rant a lot about it."

Shaking her head, Fia looked down at her page. Even if Karma's advice was more or less something he wasn't even taking seriously, it really struck her as being important. Taking a deep breath, Fia began to read softly. "I would not wish any companion in the world but you; nor can imagination form a shape, besides yourself, to like of…" Karma and Nagisa stared at the blushing girl. Fia clasped her hands together over her heart and smiled regretfully. "But I prattle something too wildly, and my father's precepts I therein do forget."

Karma smiled and read the next passage, curious to see where the girl would take it. He ran a few scenarios through his head, trying to figure out which buttons he could press to get the girl completely flustered once again.

"Do you love me?"

He snapped back to reality. "What did you say?"

Fia, Miranda rather, looked up into his eyes. "Do you love me, Ferdinand?"

Karma grinned and threw his arm around the girl's shoulders. In an exaggerated manner, Karma fell to his knees, bringing her with him. "O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound. And crown what I profess with kind event if I speak true! If hollowly, invert what best is boded me to mischief! I, beyond all limit of what else i' th' world, do love, prize, honor you!"

The girl immediately got flustered by his outrageous behavior. She knew that he was probably going for that reaction, judging by the stupid smile on his face, but she couldn't help it when he was so close. "I-I am a fool, to w-weep at what I-I am glad of… GET OFF OF ME!"

The redhead laughed. "But, Tsu-chan! We were doing so well, and we were on our way to our own happy ending!"

Nagisa sweat-dropped. "What kind of happy ending comes from jumping into the arms of a prince like you?"

"The fun kind, Nagisa!"


"It's too bad we didn't get closer," Dick sighed, "I had always hoped to show off my hockey skills to my younger siblings… if I had any."

"I remember staying at the ice rink late to watch your team practice," Haven reminisced, "You were good."

"You would watch?"

Haven nodded, "Surprisingly, you never got many penalties. I always thought you would be one to break the rules."

"Give me more credit than that! I don't like cheating," Dick protested.


Once Fia had succeeded in chasing Karma away, she shot Nagisa an apologetic smile. He shook his head and smiled back, showing that he understood that Karma would be Karma. She shuffled over to sit on the couch next to him and sighed.

"Prospero, Father, remind me why I keep humoring that idiot?" Fia asked.

"Dearest Miranda, it is because although the man doth scream trouble itself, he isn't a bad guy."

The two laughed and settled into a comfortable silence.

"Where do you think she is?" Fia asked Nagisa with a concerned expression.

"I'm really not sure," Nagisa replied. He honestly had a few ideas in mind, but none that he could confirm or wanted to share without Haven's consent. "You two are really close, huh?"

Fia blushed slightly and she giggled quietly to herself. "I guess so. We're both usually quiet, so we don't talk about ourselves a lot, but I still feel really close to her. She's my best friend, my extended family," she explained. "I actually don't really talk to anyone besides her and Benny."

"I guess things got a lot louder when we moved in," Nagisa chuckled.

Fia nodded but she smiled. "It's been fun for the most part. Though, I have to admit, I never thought I'd end up living with two assassins."

"I didn't think I would ever be able to sit down and have a casual conversation with a member of the mafia," Nagisa laughed.

"It's not like I ever went through the rites! We can go out for coffee and talk after I'm initiated."

"I have to wait until then?" Nagisa feigned shock.

"Si! And not a moment earlier, capiche?" Fia held her sides as she laughed. "I cannot believe I just said that!"

Nagisa smiled. "Fia, I know we're housemates and teammates now, but please think of me as one of your friends first." She nodded, smiling appreciatively. "Speaking of friends, would you know who Earnest is?"

Pausing to ponder for a few moments, Fia hummed and shook her head. "No, don't think so. I know Haven's mentioned his name a few times but she's never talked about him and I hadn't really thought to ask. Why do you ask?" she questioned curiously.

Nagisa smiled wryly. "No real reason… Didn't you say you wanted to get started on dinner soon?" he replied coyly, easily changing the subject.

"Oh, yeah! Look forward to a hearty bowl of borscht!" Fia chimed as she got to her feet and made her way into the kitchen.

The bluenette watched her bounce off for a few moments before sighing. So much for that plan.


"It's not too late to mend our relationship. I don't think I'd mind having an older brother like you looking out for me," Haven gave him a small smile.

"And I don't think I'd mind watching over a little sister like you," he gave her a similar smile.

"Well, then it's settled. We'll treat each other like siblings?" Haven put her hand out.

"It's a deal," Dick accepted the handshake. "But I expect you to call me Big Brother Richie," he smiled mischievously.

"As if," Haven gave him a playful shove. He shoved her back, causing her to lightly hit her head against the side of the elevator.

"You're lighter than you look, Haven," Dick said apologetically. Haven just waved it off with a small smile.


Karma leaned over Fia to see what was in the pot. "Freaky. What's that? It looks like you're boiling blood."

Fia's cheeks flushed. "It's tomato soup! Ms. Jelavic might have inspired me a little to try to make something Russian." She waved the ladle in his face. "If you're not going to help out, then the least you can do is give me some space!'

"Signs of possible danger have been detected! Haven is located in an apartment complex at the intersection of 27th and Main Street in the third elevator," Wally reported.

Karma and Fia looked at each other. Fia immediately tossed the ladle and began running out the door. "ANGEL, I'M COMING FOR YOU!" Karma caught the ladle easily.

Nagisa sweat-dropped. "Should we go after her? She doesn't have a car, and I don't even think she's wearing shoes or a jacket. Karma, isn't it only in the 40s or 50s?"

Karma nodded. "Probably, but you can handle it, right, Nagisa?"

"Karma."

"Alright, I'll help out too." Karma turned off the stove. "We might want to hurry," he sighed, "Fia is complete airhead when she panics."

The boys rushed out of the apartment and found the girl panting on the corner of a street intersection. She was yelling very angrily at a car that had almost run her over - although it was her who had ran into the street without a second thought. The car seemed to be an active arguer too as its driver incessantly honked its horn in response to every one of Fia's words. Karma picked the screaming girl off her feet and began pulling her down the street in the opposite direction. Nagisa followed closely behind, stopping only to bow at the angry car driver first.

"What about Haven?" she protested.

"You were running in the wrong direction," he responded flatly.

"Oh."

Nagisa slipped something into Fia's hands. "There are your shoes," he laughed warily.

"Oh…"


The elevator began to descend. A few moments later, the doors opened. The two exited the elevator and walked into the lobby.

"Haven," Dick began, "I know you don't like being mistaken for a guy, but the pastel pink hair isn't helping."

"That was a prank," Haven blushed, " You should have seen it a few days ago. It was neon."

Dick patted Haven's head and smirked, "It was that redhead, wasn't it?" Haven just blushed more.

"How did you know?"

"He seemed like a trouble maker. Watch out for those types," Dick smirked.

"Who ya callin' a troublemaker?" Karma asked, returning Dick's smirk. Dick cringed as the redhead sauntered up to him. He got into Dick's face and grinned sadistically. "You know, pal, you're the who's going to be in trouble - "

"AAANNNNGGEEELLLL!" Fia burst in through the lobby doors and threw herself around her best friend and roommate. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she rubbed her them against Haven's. For a brief moment, Fia truly did resemble her father. After a few more moments, however, she was definitely taking after her mother. Fia began shaking Haven by the shoulders in an angry fluster. "WHY DID YOU LEAVE LIKE THAT?!" Fia froze and began hugging her friend again, but quietly this time. "You're not hurt, are you?" fear crept in her voice.

"You might be squishing me, Tsu-chan."

"O-oh, sorry." Fia released Haven quickly.

Nagisa ran in and surveyed the scene. He spotted Dick and glared coldly. "I swear, if you hurt Haven in any way - "

Both of the boys were forcing Dick into a corner.

"Guys, STOP!" Haven yelled. She waited for them to turn around. Once she had their full attention, she spoke again. "I want to introduce you to my half-brother, Richard Brown," Haven motioned to Dick.

"Wait, so that's not Dick?"

"It is, that's just his nickname… kind of." Haven explained.

"In the 12th and 13th centuries, Rick was very popular name for Richard. Rhyming nicknames, however, were exceedingly popular as well and Dick became a canonized nickname for Richard." Wally explained from his position inside Haven's phone, which was conveniently sticking out of one of her pockets.

"What about you getting hurt?" Fia asked with concern. "Wally said you were injured… That's why I ran here!"

"What? I'm perfectly fine! Wally?" Haven asked.

"I said possible danger. I was unsure of how hard one must hit one's head to cause damage," Wally protested.

"Tapping it against the wall was no reason to call them here! Even if I had been in there for eight hours."

Karma locked his hands behind his head, obviously bored. "Well then, I'm out."

"Karma?" Fia asked.

He shrugged. "I have no more reason to be here. It's obvious that Haven's fine." He began to leave but then paused to smile. "Don't worry about dinner, I'll take care of it." With that, he was gone.

Fia watched him go and sighed before turning back to Haven and Richard. "So… Half-siblings?" she asked questioningly.

"We share a father," Richard shrugged.

Nagisa eyed Haven and Richard. "So, we don't have to worry about any more tension?" he asked carefully.

"Hopefully, not. We're… trying to be good siblings to each other."

Fia smiled softly. "Di - Richard, with that mindset, you'll be a great big brother!" she said happily.

His eyes widened and his cheeks darkened. "I, er, um, Haven, I gotta go. See you around, m-maybe?" Richard rubbed the back of his head, looking embarrassed by the entirely new situation.

Haven waved as he left the lobby. "We'll hammer out the wrinkles later," she called.


Fia: (on the phone) Yes, I know. I'm glad you liked the pictures… Yes, Mami, Nagisa and Haven had to switch outfits… No, they fit fine but… (sighs) No, I don't know if I'll be home for Thanksgiving… Oh, Ciao! Yes, yes. I'm doing well, Papino. I have a few scrapes on my feet, but nothing too bad… Oh! I got to meet some of Haven's family today -

Karma: Hey, Fia. Dinner's ready. What'cha up to?

Fia: (covers phone) Sorry, I can't do the commentary today, I - (yelling from the phone. Brings it back to her ear) Yes, I'm still here.

Karma: Hey, Fia. (especially loudly) YOU SEEN THE VODKA?!

Fia: (deadpans) N-no, I told you I don't plan on drinking until I turn 21! … I know it's legal in Italy!

Karma: … I knew you were a chemist, but METH?!

Fia: (glares) Ha! Try something more believable, Karma!

Karma: Woah-ho! I know you asked me if I loved you, but don't you think doing THAT is going a little too far too fast?

Fia: (turns red) N-no! H-Hey! … I'm not - he's not- we aren't - GIO, I ALREADY TOLD YOU IT'S NOT LIKE THAT! (sighs as she leaves entirely to finish her call - but not before giving Karma her middle finger) It's not shameful that I've never had - YOU'RE ONE TO TALK!

Karma: (laughing)

Nagisa: (exhales) I'm just glad everyone is safe again.

Haven: I was never in trouble to begin with. Wally, please import data about the human body and how hardy it is.

Karma: I dunno. People are pretty easy to break -

Wally: Yes, Haven. Also, the elevator jamming program has been erased.

Haven: Wally! I said not to speak about that!

Nagisa: So that's what happened. (smiles) Well, at the very least, we're all together again. Narrator?

Narrator: Everyone took that extremely well… Next time, who wants a snow day? I do!