Knowing Vanya was planning on visiting a guy she met the other day, Rhea chooses to go back to the Academy. Normally she'd never go there, but since the others were still in town, she wanted to see them before they all parted ways. Her green flash deposits her outside the house like it used to - since she knew how much it freaked the others out to just appear in the same room as them - to see Allison leaving.

"Hey sis, you ok?" the blonde asks.

"Yeah, fine. Just came to hang out with you guys," Rhea smiles, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"You sure? You look upset. Did Five threaten you again?"

"Something like that, but it doesn't matter. Where are you off to?"

"I was going to your place to fetch you and Vanya - Luther wants a family meeting over a video tape I found last night of Mom with Dad on his deathbed… The family drama continues."

"Yup," Rhea agrees, unsurprised. "Well you won't find Vanya at our place. She said she was thinking of seeing this guy she met a couple of days ago – Bernard - no - hmm… Oh, I can't really remember his name; I was so tired last night when she was telling me - but I do remember she said he had a place in Bricktown that he invited her to, so I'd try along there."

Allison's eyes light up from the gossip, "A guy, huh? That's very unlike Vanya."

"Hey, it can happen. Be happy for her."

"Well, we can see when we meet him." Allison begins to walk, but promptly stops after not hearing Rhea's pursuit. "Aren't you coming with?"

"Nah. It's ok; I wouldn't want to put Vanya in an awkward position when they just getting to know each other. My teenage self is a bit tricky to explain if she hasn't told him about the Academy yet. I'll just see you both later," Rhea says, so Allison nods in understanding before the two part ways.

Upon entering the house, Rhea spots Luther and Klaus lingering in the hallway.

"Oh, hey now-back-to-little sister. You and Five finished with your date already?" Klaus asks, beaming mischievously whilst looking at his wrist pretending to check the time.

"Klaus. It wasn't a date," Rhea huffs, and then mutters, "he's just decided he can work better without me distracting him - the little arse."

"Aw, you're first lover's tiff," Klaus sighs theatrically, to which Rhea just rolls her eyes.

Luther looks between his adoptive siblings, completely baffled, before he questions, "'Date', 'lovers' - what the hell is he talking about, Rhea?"

"Just Klaus being Klaus, Luth. He started drinking at 8:30 this morning. I'd just ignore him if I were you."

Klaus childishly sticks his tongue out at her.

"If you were just with Five, can you flash back to him and tell him we need a family meeting about Mom?" Luther's words are phased like a question, but Rhea can hear the 'authoritative' order in his tone.

"No can do, Number 1. No way in earth is that man-child leaving his post. It would be a complete waste of time. He'll just say he's got bigger fish to fry," she tells him, crossing her arms.

"Well, he will listen to me. I am the leader of this family…" Luther boldly states, raising his chin.

Clearly he's oblivious to how this statement is far from true in the minds of the rest of us… Rhea sighs before saying aloud, "Have at it. Klaus knows where to find him. If you'll excuse me, I need to pee." Rhea gives Luther a wide, fake smile before she brushes past Klaus to leave. She makes sure to knock into him on purpose for the ridiculous 'lovers' comment.

/

Rhea decides to do some work for a couple hours whilst she waits for the others; replying to clients on emails and following up with some case leads before finally calling Daniel back. Daniel knew all about the Academy and they had joint ownership of their PI business. He was her partner and she trusted him with her life.

She summarised to him how she needed more time off to be with her siblings due to the family drama. There was no point freaking him out by telling him about the upcoming apocalypse because she hoped they would stop it before it happened.

"So yeah, sorry about my MIA-ness. What with the funeral and my siblings' brother returning, it's been a tough few days."

"Yeah, no problem, Gem. Just, if you're going off radar, it would have been nice to have gotten a proper head's up rather than just a brief, 'going back home, talk soon' text."

Although there was humour in Daniel's voice and he was using the nickname he gave because of the unique colour of her eyes, she could tell he was slightly pissed off from his worry about her.

"I know. I am sorry. It just all happened so fast. His death was so unexpected and it is tough being back here. While it's great to see my family, there is a lot of baggage that comes with it," she admits.

"I can tell. So you've got a long lost brother that's not your brother. How does that work?" Daniel asks, puzzled.

"Long story. He disappeared before I got here and has just come back after getting himself stuck in the future. He's a right cocky little shit though - all smirks and proper condescending most of the time. But it's strange because yesterday evening he really opened up to me... like, really opened up. He said things about himself that he hadn't told the any of the others - like he really trusted me, you know? But then this morning he was back to being all cold and closed off again… He's got something that he has to do though - very important - so I can kind of get why he is the way he is. He's so focused on his task, so it's no wonder he's pissed at me for distracting him from it, and, even though he tries to hide it, he just cares so much... I can see it in his eyes…" Realising she was rambling her thoughts aloud, Rhea awkwardly coughs and concludes "But, yeah, I dunno. I just can't keep up with him. Basically, he's an enigma."

"Ok, you're going to have to explain that a bit more because it sounds like the guy has really gotten under your skin - is there something I should be worried about?" he chuckles.

"Oh, god no! He's a man-child!" she tensely laughs, shocked by the implication. "Anyway, I just need to finish up with a few things here then I will be back to work properly, I promise. Essentially, I need to help get Klaus sober for good - he's been saying some really weird shit recently and I think his drug-induced delusions have gone too far into overdrive... I'm sure a few cases will come forward that require me to be in America anyway, they usually do – so I can just do those to make it up to you."

"They do, but you've been working non-stop ever since we started up together. You are entitled to a break and some time off, you know."

"How else are we supposed to run a successful business if I take time off, Dan? Someone has got to be around to actually do the work," she jokes.

The two share a laugh at this, before Daniel replies seriously, "Well, just remember – I do have some uses. Let me take care of things while you help your brother. I also have some interest and responsibility in our endeavours too, you know."

"Thanks, Dan. I owe you one…"

\

Rhea speaks to Daniel on the phone for some time before she spots Diego stood in the entrance leaning against the side of the arch with his arms folded. Nearly jumping out of her skin from his unannounced intrusion, she wraps up her conversation.

"Ok – Sorry, I've got to go now…" Diego watches avidly as Rhea talks down the phone. "Yes, I will stay in touch… Yeah, back at you... Bye!" She rushes before she hangs up.

"Who was that?" Diego questions suspiciously.

"None of your business. Stop lurking over there and just come in," Rhea orders, "how you manage to sneak up on people so silently – it's unnerving."

"Hargreeves' Rule Number 5…" Diego begins.

"- A loud predator is a dead predator. I know. But still…"

Diego stalks forward only to lean against the pillar nearest to the couch she's sat on. He doesn't say anything, so Rhea prompts him since it was very unlike him to stay this quiet.

"What's bugging you?"

"Just a case I'm working on. I can't work out what happened."

"Need any help?"

"Na, it's cool. I'll get there."

"Fair enough. Are you working on it with Eudora?"

He shrugs, his frown returning, "Kinda"

"Judging by that expression, do I have to even ask if you guys are on or off right now?"

"Off." He sighs heavily, before dropping his crossed arms to fiddle with one of the blades tucked into his utility-vest pocket.

"She thinks I need to give up my 'vigilante fantasy' and says I should get a real job, not to keep running around in a mask 'breaking the rules' anymore…". He gestures air quotes with his fingers as he speaks Dora's words.

"Ha. Well I guess she does have a point," Rhea giggles in relation to the domino mask he still wears. Witnessing Diego's brow creasing at this, she hurriedly continues, "-with the mask! She's probably just worried about you – not everyone grew up with dangerous intensely violent training and life threatening missions..."

"I get that, but since she got promoted to detective, it's all 'by the book Diego,' and 'I'll charge you for obstruction, Diego'. She wants me to change to be more professional like her. But paperwork doesn't solve the problems, just takes up more time giving leads more time to dry up."

"I know that, you know that. But I suppose - being in the police - the admin crap comes with it. Maybe you should give her a break -"

"- She's getting her break. She ended it with me by saying she wants me to grow up. But you know what? I'm tired of her telling me what I can and can't do…" He shakes his head and releases a frustrated huff.

"Ha. I wonder what she used to think of me then," Rhea humourlessly chuckles at the 'grow up comment' and Diego's lip curls up slightly. "But you wouldn't be you if you didn't do what you do. Helping people is what you're good at Diego. You shouldn't have to change yourself to suit someone else. I'm sure you will find someone who accepts you for who you are."

He fully smiles at her now and she mirrors the action - Diego grateful from Rhea saying words he didn't know he needed to hear, and she pleased to have been the one to bring him out of his sour mood.

The moment is soon broken by the arrival of Numbers 1, 3, 4 and 7. Luther strolls straight to the TV he had stationed in the room before he left while the others congregate before it and exchange greetings.

Allison starts pouring herself a whisky which Rhea immediately spatial jumps to steal from her hand with a cheeky grin before flashing back to Vanya's side. Allison playfully scowls at her from across the room but doesn't mind at all so she begins to pour herself another drink.

"So Van, how was seeing your new guy? What was his name again?" Rhea politely enquires after downing the whisky in one gulp and setting the glass down on the bench-seat behind her.

"His name is Leonard – and it was nice. You really did zonk out last night didn't you?"

"Yup. Sorry about that - I was out for the count. So, do you think you will meet up with him again - outside lessons, that is?"

"I think so. It was nice to be with someone who actually listened and cared what I had to say for a change…"

"Hey – I listen and care - when I'm awake anyway!" Rhea nudges her sister with her shoulder and the two share small, matching smiles from Vanya's teasing.

"Alright everyone - watch this," Luther orders.

/

"I mean, do you really think Mom would hurt Dad?" Vanya asks Luther after he played them the video clip a few times.

"You haven't been home in a long time, Vanya. Maybe you don't know Grace anymore?" Number 1 replies.

'Grace,' really? – Rhea internally mocks as she rolls her eyes.

"If he was poisoned, it would have shown in the coroner's report…" Diego utters as if it was obvious.

"Well, I don't need a report to tell me what I can see with my own eyes."

"Maybe all that low gravity in space messed with your vision," Diego presses the reply button again, "Look closer. Dad has his monocle. Mon stands up. Monocle's gone."

"Oh yeah," Klaus breezes.

Diego slowly walks around Klaus to stand beside Rhea. "She wasn't poisoning him. She was… taking it. To clean it." he concludes.

"Most likely," Rhea agrees, "it was something she did for him…"

"Then where is it?" Number 1 demands, "No, I've searched the house, including all her things. She doesn't have it."

Rhea watches Diego looking down at his knife and immediately recognises from this action that he was hiding something. She knew him too well.

"Diego?" She quietly probes after a short silence.

His head turns to the side to regard Rhea before he looks up fully and confesses.

"That's because I took it from her… After the funeral."

Number 3 jumps in before any of the others have a chance to speak, " - You've had the monocle this while time? What the hell, Diego?" She looks at Luther perplexed.

"- Give it to me!" Luther commands.

"- I threw it away."

"You what?"

"Look, I knew that if you found it on Mom, you'd lose your shit, just like you're doing right now."

"- Diego, you son of a bitch," Luther threateningly starts towards him, so Diego throws his fists up ready to defend himself against the big brute.

Boys… Rhea's thoughts sigh as she steps forward and pushes Diego's fists back down to his sides.

Vanya moves between the men too, "Hey. No. Calm down."

"- Yes, pack it in - both of you," Rhea mediates as she releases Diego's fists, but stays in front of him to prevent the men from advancing on each other again.

"Look, I know Dad wasn't exactly an open book," Vanya says.

"Ha. Five gets it from him then…" Rhea mutters to herself.

The others give her a confused look before Vanya swiftly continues, "But I do remember one thing he said. Mom was, well, designed to be a caretaker, but… also as a protector."

"What does that mean?" Allison asks for all of them.

"She was programmed to intervene if someone's life was in jeopardy…"

"Well, if her hardware is degrading, then…We need to turn her off," Luther decides.

"- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait," Diego protests the same time Rhea exclaims, "What?!"

"She's not just a vacuum cleaner you can just throw in a closet!"

"- Yes, she's our Mom, Luther. We can't do that!" Rhea agrees and Diego nods along with her.

"- She feels things, we've seen it!"

"She just stood there, guys, and watched our father die," Luther barks pointing to the TV screen.

"I'm with Luther," Allison chimes in, raising her whisky glass.

"- Surprise, surprise," Diego accuses at her, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"- Shut up," Allison bites back.

"I'm with Diego," Rhea declares also, despite Allison regarding her with a disappointed look.

"Surprise, surprise," Luther says, mimicking Diego's previous quip.

"- Back off, Luther!" Rhea snaps. "Look, it's only fair we all have a say in this. People are welcome to their own opinion, the same way you all have your opinions on whether you believe Five or not… Vanya, Klaus, what do you guys think we should do? Though, quite frankly, it shouldn't even be up for discussion." Rhea glares furiously at Luther before everyone turns to Vanya.

Vanya's eyes dart nervously from the intense looks from her arguing siblings and she stutters,

"-I—I don't'—"

"-Yeah, she shouldn't get a vote," Diego huffs.

"- Diego!" Rhea growls the same time Vanya speaks up, "- I was gonna say that I agree with you and Rhea."

"Okay. She should get a vote. What about you stoner boy? What do you got?" Diego points to Klaus after glaring at Rhea because she clipped him around the back of the head for the rudeness he displayed towards Vanya.

"Oh, so, what? You need my help now? Oh, 'Get out of the Van, Klaus!' Well, welcome back to the van."

"What van?" Allison asks.

Luther shakes his head at Allison with a 'don't ask' expression before he addresses the brunette, "What's it gonna be, Klaus?"

"I'm with those two, because screw you! And if Ben were here he'd agree with me."

"Well there you go – it's settled. Leave Mom alone and we can look into this further," Rhea says.

"- Vote's not final yet. Five's not here," Allison interrupts.

"It makes no difference. There are four of us against two of you. His vote won't matter," Diego counters.

Before Luther and Allison can argue with Diego further, Rhea speaks up to try stabilising the situation,

"No, she's right. It does matter. We each should have our say, regardless. Five gets a vote because Mom raised him as much as she did you guys."

"Exactly," Luther agrees, hoping Five's opinion can convince the others to change their minds so he was proved right. "Rhea, whatever problem you two have at the moment - fix it. Go to him and get his opinion - you'd get there faster than the rest of us," he commands.

They all nod in agreement before walking out so Rhea steps backwards into her green light.

/

Pissed off with Luther's forceful tone, Rhea instead reappears in the kitchen downstairs.

Bloody Luther, always with the orders… Christ sake, we're not kids anymore – all of us are done with his authoritative bull crap. Rhea continues to rant internally as she busies herself making some food after realising she hadn't eaten all day.

Never being one to forget her British roots, Rhea smiles happily when she bites into her completed Ploughman's sandwich.

Mom dreamily walks in humming a non-distinct tune just as Rhea swallows her second mouthful so she asks, "Hi Mom. What are you up to?"

"Oh. I've come to make cookies, you all seem upset," Grace replies, smiling brightly as she heads towards the cupboards next to where Rhea is stood.

"We're not upset. You don't have to -"

"- Rhea Hargreeves, that is not a substantial meal. What have I told you about eating properly? Let me make you some real dinner." Her smile falters into one of concern as she holds out her palm to take the plate from her.

"It's fine, Mom. Honestly, I need to be going soon so I don't have time for a full-on meal right now."

"Young lady, you cannot keep going on like this. Not eating much isn't good for you…"

"Yes, you're right. I am sorry," Rhea relents, knowing it was easier to agree, rather than argue, "If you insist, please can I just have something to-go?"

Grace nods before humming in approval and returning to her daze. She begins to slowly glide around the kitchen in search of utensils and ingredients so Rhea continues to eat her sandwich but sits at the table to get out of the blonde's way.

Rhea had never really had an issue with eating itself, she just got so focused on whatever task she was doing - be that studying, training or working - that she just forgot. Back when she lived here, Mom would always bring her food whenever she had missed meal times, despite Hargreeves' rule that if you were not at the dining table, you didn't eat. This was one of the main reasons Rhea had accepted Graces' insistence to start calling her 'Mom' in the first place. At 13, she still had vague memories of her real parents, so, she decided to address Grace with the Americanisation, 'Mom'. The others called her that anyway and she did the same to distinguish to herself that she wasn't replacing her real Mum with the kind robot.

"Mom, why did you do all those kind things for us?"

"What do you mean, sweetheart?" Graces' musical voice replies.

"Why did you do all those things that Hargreeves couldn't have possibly programmed you to do? Like, when you fed me outside of his regulated meal times?"

Grace tilts her head at the girl, but her answer is soon interrupted by the loud and brash vocals of Klaus singing a terrible rendition of 'We're Through' by The Hollies as he waltzes into the room to sit beside Rhea,

"I told you time and time again

You told me he was just a friend

But I found out some way

I've seen him every day

With youuuu -

– But he's not with you now, so what gives little sister?" He leans into Rhea's side and rests his chin on the top of her dark mauve covered shoulder. She can see that his pupils are blown wide from the use of narcotics.

"Oh Klaus, that was wonderful – let me get you some ice cream," Grace applauds, vegetable peeling forgotten as she bends to look into the freezer.

"Thank you, Mommy," Klaus calls with a wide smile, forever loving praise and attention.

After swallowing her last mouthful of sandwich, Rhea groans, "Christ Klaus, don't you ever give it a rest?"

Ignoring what he considers is a rhetoric question, he asks her, "Did you go speak to little Five or not?"

"No," she shrugs.

The movement causes Klaus' head to fall from her shoulder, so he beams at Mom when she sets a bowl of strawberry ice cream and a spoon down in front of him.

"I never took kindly to being ordered by Luther and I especially don't now. So, I decided to eat first and I'll go find Five on my terms. Not that the brat will want me there anyway..."

Her attention strays to Mom as the robot wonders back out into the hall with a wistful expression marring her beautifully flawless face, then back to Klaus as he slurps from his spoon, oblivious to Mom's strangeness.

"Well you better go to kiss and make up. It's no good you two fighting and ending the apocalypse stuff you both are so clearly bonding over."

Now its Rhea's turn to ignore his comment, "What are you going to do tonight anyway, besides stuffing your face with ice cream?" she says to try change the subject.

"I'm going to have a bath. I've been plagued by a certain odour all day and going to the bathroom is the only time he leaves me alone. Clearly my impressive and sexy body is too intimidating for him." Klaus sniggers.

"Have fun with that, brother. I'm sure Ben is very intimidated by you," she sarcastically replies.

"- Hey, why are you back to being little again? Didn't you enjoy being your adult, sex-kitten self?"

"Ew - that comment couldn't be any further from the truth if you tried. But yeah, it wasn't too bad being 29. I actually felt more energised because my powers were not in constant use keeping me from aging… But I don't know."

"All the more reason to just let yourself grow up - it's been 13 years, lil' sis'…"

"I know. I'll think about it - if we actually stop the world from ending."

Author's Note: Hello! Apologies for spamming your inbox followers with my renewed chapters (didn't realise it would do this) and sorry for my absence. Life happened and I lost my muse for a bit! I hope you liked this last chapter with new content - please let me know your thoughts. Thank you for reading x