All Die Young - Smith Westerns

We got back to the Academy and split up to search the entire house. Klaus and I searched the basement and main and Diego and Five took the upper levels. We met at the top of the grand staircase with no sign of Vanya being in the house.

"Well I'm out." Diego said, walking away.

"Vanya is still out there though. So are Hazel and Cha-Cha." Five said.

Diego turned back, "I know. I have some unfinished business with those two." He said then left.

"Diego, wait." I said and caught up.

We walked into his room so he could pack up his knives. I sat on his bed as I watched in silence. I tapped my foot on the floor as I started to get antsy. I wasn't upset that he still wanted to go after Hazel and Cha-Cha, he made his view clear on all that - Patch was a friend that deserved vengeance. I was antsy because the impending apocalypse is over and we can just 'be' now.

"Can you stop that?" He asked, referring to my foot.

"Sorry."

"Are you upset about Hazel and Ch-Cha again?" He asked.

"No."

He sighed and then sat beside me on the bed, "Then what is it?"

"It's just that, now that the world isn't ending anymore, we can go back to our own lives. After you kill the assassins of course." I said, "And I have my practice and you have your vigilante and boxing thing going on. It will be hard to make time to see each other."

Diego looked at me in confusion, "Are you saying you want to break up already? It's only been two days."

I giggled, "No, I'm not saying that."

"Then what ARE you saying?"

"I'm saying that... when you leave here... maybe you might... I don't know... want to unpack your stuff at my place?" I finished off quietly.

"You mean you want me to move in with you."

"Or just stay at mine every now and then... like every day." I said and wrinkled my nose at how lame I was being, "If you don't want to, don't feel pressured."

I was brought in for a heated kiss before I could be any lamer and I wrapped my arms around his neck to return it. There have been quite a few quick kisses amongst all the world ending stuff and not enough of the deep, knee-quaking, heart-hammering ones, so I was thoroughly enjoying this.

"I think I don't want to live anywhere else but with you." Diego said once he pulled away.

We heard the doorbell ring downstairs and we looked at each, confused. No one ever rings the doorbell here. Diego got up and stuck his head out the doorway before peering back at me.

"I'll be right back." He said and then left.

I know he said he'd be right back but I was curious too. It's not every day the Academy gets polite visitors... or any for that matter. I walked toward the front door and then heard a scuffle coming from the living room. I ran all the way down there just as I saw Five hit Diego over the head with a vase, shattering it. Diego slumped to the ground, out cold.

"Five! What did you do!"

"I draw the line at biting." He said exasperatedly, stepping off the sofa and limping back to the bar to get his margarita, "Hazel, whatever you have to say, I suggest you make it quick before he comes 'round."

He sat at the bar and looked at me, "Margarita?"

"I left my partner, quit the Commission and came to volunteer." Hazel explained.

Five and I looked at him and then each other, "Wait, I think I WILL have a margarita actually."

I came around the bar, got a glass and poured myself the slushie drink. I added a pink swirly straw, a cocktail umbrella, and hummed in appreciation as I took a sip. I motioned with my hand for the conversation to continue.

Five rolled his eyes at me and then turned to Hazel, "Volunteer for what?"

"To help stop the apocalypse. What else?" He said, brushing glass off his shoulders.

Five chuckled and I let out a giggle, taking another sip. Five does make a good margarita but it was strong. I really should pace myself because alcohol does tend to hit me fast but then again, there is nothing I need to be focused for anymore.

"What on earth could you two find so amusing?" Hazel asked.

"Before I tell you, why would you want to help us?" Five asked.

"Let's just say I have a vested interest in a donut shop." Hazel said.

"Wait! Do you have a thing for Agnes?" I asked, my facial expression now of complete shock.

"You know Agnes?" Hazel asked.

I nodded, "Not well but Agnes has worked there for as long as I can remember. We used to sneak out of the house to stuff ourselves with Griddy's pastries on the regular. She's a sweet lady." I then looked him up and down with a frown, "Are you good to her?"

"Why would you ask that?" He seemed offended.

I raised a brow, "You threw me into a wall and may or may not have been the one to shoot me in the arm."

"Fair enough." Hazel held up his hands, "Yes I treat her well. Now can I help stop the end up the world?"

"I hate to break it to you but you're a day late and a dollar short." Five said, "The fact that you're here right now tells me that the apocalypse is, indeed, over."

"Really? How do you know?"

Five took a sip from his margarita before answering, "The mark, is dead. Found him this morning. You were the last known unknown left in the equation."

Hazel smiled, "Shit! Really?"

I took a long sip from my margarita as Five said words of jubilation and Hazel came to sit beside him at the bar, across from me. He was elated as he picked up the blender and took a big swig of the left-over margarita mix.

"Do you want a glass?" I asked, eyeing him drink from it.

"No, I'm good." He put the blender back, "So now what?" Hazel asked.

"To be honest, I don't know." Five replied, "I've been chasing this thing for so long, I never really thought about the day after."

"I'd like for all of us to stay in touch and actually BE a family again. If that's alright?" I said quietly, swirling my straw around my green drink.

"I'd like that too." Five said, then turned to the tall bearded man, "And you?"

"I'm done with all this madness. It's time to start over."

"That's easier said than done." Five murmured, sipping his drink.

"It doesn't have to be hard. Think about it like this. If you never time travelled, never got caught up with The Handler, what would have happened?"

Five looked at me and then back at Diego, "I guess I would have grown up to be an emotionally stunted man-child like everyone else around here."

"I resent that." I frowned.

"I didn't mean you Malia." Five said sweetly but then gave Hazel a look as if he didn't mean it.

"Well, I guess you get to grow up now." Hazel said and stood up to leave.

"You mean he gets to grow up again." I threw in, finishing off my margarita.

Five looked at Delores who was on the bar beside him before turning around to Hazel, throwing a quick glance to me in the process. "Hazel, one more thing before you go. Which one of you was the trigger man for Detective Patch?" I leaned on the bar, curious to know as well.

"Trigger woman." Hazel said.

"Oh, that's too bad." Five said, "The gun could have cleared my brother's name."

"That do you mean? They let him go for not having enough evidence." I said in confusion.

"That's the story Diego told you. He actually escaped." Five explained.

"What?! You mean he's a fugitive?" I exclaimed, looking over the bar at Diego who was still on the ground.

"He didn't want you to worry."

"Now she doesn't have to worry." Hazel said as he pulled two guns from his pants and laid them on the counter, "Today's your lucky day. You can have both of these because I'm done with this life."

He then left and when the front door shut, I let out a long breath of defeat, "Why does Diego always have to lie to me?"

"He does it because he cares how you feel. Don't be too upset about that." Five said.

I sighed and took the blender from its base and dumped it down the sink. There was no way I was drinking the rest of that after Hazel's backwash touched it. I rinsed it out and then put it back on its base.

"How about I make us another beverage? I'm thinking a Pina Colada this time." I said as I put ice in the blender.

"I don't think we have any coconut rum."

"What?! There has to be some here somewhere!" I said loudly, not noticing it made Diego stir.

I bent behind the bar and started looking at all our alcohol on the bottom shelf. There has to be coconut rum here, no one here even drinks that stuff.

"Oh good, you're up." I heard Five say, "Want a drink now?"

"Where is he?" Diego said.

"I let him go."

"You what?" Diego said hoarsely.

I could hear him walk toward Five. I decided to stay hidden, wondering how this conversation would play out while I 'wasn't' in the room. If Five was as smart as he said he was, he would act like I wasn't here and ask the questions I needed him too. This could tell me for sure, where exactly I stand in Diego's life. It's not as if I don't trust him or believe him but people are usually more honest when they talk about someone who isn't present.

"Now that the apocalypse is over, it's time for the fighting to stop." I heard Diego pick up a knife, "He didn't kill Patch. His partner Cha-Cha did."

"So what! They were both there that night."

"Well this half of the partnership gave me both of their guns. Which will clear you because the ballistics will match Patch's crime scene. Hazel came here looking for a way out. He wanted a fresh start and he happened to have in his possession the one thing that could do this family a little good. So it's time to move on."

"No. Not a chance." Diego said quietly.

"Suit yourself but I am curious. What did you like about Detective Patch?"

"A lot of things. Cute butt, nice legs." Diego replied and it made my heart sting a little, especially what he said next, "She always saw the good in people no matter how much shit she's seen. She didn't deserve to die like that."

"Can I ask you another question?" At Diego's silence, Five continued, "What do you like about Malia?" My ears perked up but there was silence for a moment before Diego finally answered.

"I don't like Malia." Diego said and I could feel my heart begin to break before it nearly stopped beating altogether as he continued speaking, "I love her. I love everything about her and have since I was fifteen years old."

"Even when she makes fun of your ridiculous stutter?" Five asked.

I heard Diego chuckle, "Even then."

"Well, here is how I see it. You can honour your friend's memory by getting your revenge – which doesn't seem like something she would particularly approve of – or you can find the girl you love, tell her and move on."

I heard Five leave the room but didn't hear any other footsteps which means Diego was still here. I took a deep breath and slowly stood up from behind the bar. He noticed me immediately and his eyes locked with mine. I watched silently as the emotions flit across his face in rapid succession. First there was surprise and then confusion. After that, his eyes widened when he realized I most definitely heard what he just told Five.

"Malia..."

"You love me..." It wasn't a question because I didn't need confirmation. I walked around the bar slowly until I stood in front of him, "You just told Five that you love me."

"W-w-w-why... I-I... a-a-a-are yo-you..." He stopped and clenched his fists at his side. He was clearly frustrated that he couldn't get his words out.

I grabbed one of his fists and unfurled it, "I really want to make fun of you right now but I don't think I should. Not this time at least." I smiled up at him, "Just take a deep breath and try again."

He did as I instructed and took a deep breath. He let it out slowly before speaking, without the stutter this time, "Why were you hiding?"

"I wasn't hiding. Not at first anyway. I was looking for liquor." I gestured to the margarita stuff scattered across the bar, "But then you and Five started talking and I... I wanted to know what was going on inside your brain."

"You could have just asked me."

"So you can tell me things like 'they had to let me go for lack of evidence'?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Shit. Five told you?" Diego asked.

I nodded and then held Diego's hand tighter as I brought him out of the room and up the stairs, "He also said you didn't tell me the truth so I wouldn't worry and that I shouldn't be angry because you care."

When we got to his room, I shut the door and locked it. I turned back to Diego and started to take his holsters off and then moved onto his gloves. When they were off, I looked back into Diego's eyes. He'd been silent the whole time.

"Now, are you going to do what Five suggested?" I asked. At his confusion, I elaborated, "Are you going to find your girl and tell her you love her? Or is that something only Five is privy too because I can just leave..."

I moved to walk toward the door but Diego reacted fast. His hands snaked around my waist, gripping my grey sweater in his fist as he pulled me into his chest. I was too close to see his face, since our noses were now brushing each other's and our breaths were mingling but I could feel his heart hammering in his chest where my hand was resting. Still, he didn't say anything though.

"Are you not saying it because you think you're going to stutter?" I asked quietly, curiously.

"You really want me to say it?" He asked, lips lightly brushing mine as he spoke.

"Yeah."

"Fine... I love you Malia." He said facetiously.

His lips went to capture mine completely but I pushed out of his embrace, "See, I don't think I quite believed you. I think I should go and you can try again another time." I said jokingly.

Diego sighed and pulled me back into him, "I love you." He said and then said it again between swift kisses, "I... love... you." His hands went to the hem of my sweater, "Now can I show you instead of saying it?"

I couldn't help the giggle that escaped as I lifted my arms above my head in invitation. He readily pulled my sweater off before discarding his own and then picked me up to drop me on his bed. He made quick work of the rest of our clothes before slowing down to a more sensual pace. We took our time with each other, expressing ourselves through touches.

When we were done, we laid on his bed enjoying the silence that was around us. The twin bed didn't leave much room to spread out so we were cuddled pretty close together. He was on his back and I was laying in the crook of his arm with a leg strewn across his hips. I was also drawing patterns on his chest and stomach with my finger.

"Guys." A knock came to his door, "There's something Luther wants to show us. Can you get decent and come out?" Klaus then walked away.

Diego grunted, "Why do they seem to only want us when we're alone?"

I sighed and sat up, grabbing my underwear, "Don't worry. Soon we'll be able to do this without someone interrupting us."

Diego kissed my shoulder as he got off the bed, "I can't wait."

I put my green skinny jeans and grey off shoulder sweat back on and stood up. I slipped on my Ugg's as I watched Diego slip on his leather pants and dark sweater before donning his knife holsters. When we were both situated, we met Luther in the foyer and he brought us to the basement.

We ended up walking down a long dreary hallway I'd never seen before and into a bunker. It was like it was made to withstand a nuclear holocaust. Mr. Hargreeves really was paranoid but I had no idea it was to this magnitude. We reached the end of the hallway and entered a room that had a single door. I was about to ask what we were doing down here when I saw Vanya appear through the window of the door. She looked to be shouting but the room she was in was apparently sound proof.

I brought my hand up to cover my open mouth as I ran forward to look at her and the room she was in, more closely. The room was void of any furniture. It was a prison cell and I couldn't understand why Luther locked her in there.

"What is she doing in there Luther! Let her out." I said, turning back to him angrily.

"I can't do that. She has powers guys and that is the only place that is safe for her and us." Luther explained.

"What?! That's ridiculous!"

"You locked up our sister because you think she has powers?" Diego asked, just as shocked but he was holding himself together better than I was.

"I don't think she has powers. I know she does."

"How could she possibly have powers and no one notice? This is ludicrous!" I snapped, looking back at Vanya with worry. If she didn't hate us before, she certainly would now.

"Pogo told me. He's always known and so did dad." Luther said.

"Why would they hide this from us?" Diego asked, coming up beside me to peer into the room as well, "I mean, am I the only one that didn't know this place existed?"

"He hid so much from us." Klaus whispered.

"I didn't know it existed either." I said, "And it shouldn't exist. I'm letting her out."

I went to open the door but Luther grabbed me and pulled me away before I could, "Stop. You can't let her out. Dad made this for Vanya because he was afraid of her." I tried to get out of his strong hold but it wasn't working.

"That's just ridiculous." Klaus said softly.

"Let me go!" I shouted, kicking my feet out in front of me. I was upset with Vanya for writing the book but I never wanted something like this to happen to her. "Diego! Get this big oaf off me!"

"Luther, just let her go. She won't open the door." Diego said with a sigh.

"The hell I won't! This isn't right!" I shouted, still trying to squirm out of Luther's arms.

"I'm trying to help you Malia." Diego said through his teeth, "Now calm down."

I squirmed and kicked a little more but it was futile so I went completely limp in Luther's arms, "Are you calm now?" When I nodded, Luther let me go and I huffed as I stood beside Diego with my arms crossed.

"Is it that surprising? He's lied about everything else."

"I know you're upset but it's not that farfetched that dad lied to us about this when he's lied about everything else too." Luther pleaded with me more than the others.

"If what you're saying IS true, then she could have been the one to kill Jenkins." Diego said.

"Wait, let's go back alright?" Klaus said, not being able to make sense of all this. He's not the only one, "This is Vanya we're talking about. OUR sister. The one who always cried when we stepped on ants!"

"I agree! Vanya is incapable of harming anyone." I said, "Now can we please let her out?"

"I know it's difficult to accept." Luther started.

"It's not difficult to accept! It's impossible!" Klaus shouted.

"They're both right." Diego said to Luther, "We can't keep her locked up without proof."

"Thank you! Someone who is making sense!" I exclaimed and went to unlock the door again but Luther pulled me back by the arm, nearly pulling it from its socket.

"Hey! Ow! Watch it before I lock you in there!"

"What more proof do you need?" Luther asked.

"Why don't we open the door and just ask her?" Klaus said, attempting to open it this time but Luther stopped him too.

"She's not going anywhere." Luther demanded.

Diego turned on him and pointed aggressively, "Even if you're right, she needs our help and we can't do that if she's locked up in a cage."

"And for all we know, she might be struggling with this new power. I mean, it must be scary... terrifying... to discover that you can do something that you never thought you could do."

"And why are you the one in charge of all this hmm? You've proved time and again that you're too narrow minded to see the whole picture!" I added.

"You want to see the whole picture?" Luther snapped, making me step back slightly, "If what Pogo told me is even only half true, she is not just a danger to us." Quiet footsteps could be heard and we all looked to see Allison, "What are you doing down here? You should be in bed." Luther said with concern.

Allision wrote something down on a piece of paper and turned it so we could all see. It said 'Let her go'.

"Well that's four against one. Majority rules." I said waspishly.

Luther glared at me but turned soft understanding eyes on Allison, "I can't do that. She hurt you." Allison wrote that it was her own fault and that it was an accident but Luther wasn't listening, "I'm sorry but she's staying put. Just until we know what we're dealing with."

Allison tried to get past him but Luther stopped her too, multiple times. I could get past him easily enough if I wanted too. All I had to do was use my power but I promised myself as a child that I would never use it on any of my siblings unless absolutely necessary. But that doesn't mean I didn't want too. I wanted to send Luther into dreamland so bad.

Diego took my hand and tried to tug me back down the hallway. I resisted at first but eventually let him lead me upstairs to the kitchen. Diego pulled out a stool for each of us and we sat down. I put my head in my hands, not knowing what to do about this whole situation. The emotional whiplash I've experienced the last few days has taken its toll. Just a half hour ago I was blissfully happy and now I'm worried and angry.

"Diego, Malia, you must be famished. I'll make you something to eat." Grace said, coming into the room with a smile.

"Thanks mom." Diego said before I could tell her I didn't want anything to eat.

"I'm not hungry." I mumbled through my hands.

"I know you're upset about Vanya, I am too, but you need to eat something. Just try, alright?" Diego said.

I nodded without removing my hands from my face. I would try to eat something but with the worry I was feeling for Vanya in the pit of stomach, I doubt I would keep anything down. After a few moments, I took my hands from my face and wrapped my arms around Diego's as I leaned on his shoulder. I laced my fingers with his as we sat there, not saying a word. There was nothing TO say.

I felt Diego kiss the top of my head and I pulled away from his shoulder to look at him. The amount of love I could see in his eyes, warmed the cold feeling that was set in my bones from seeing Vanya in that room. There was nothing I could do about that right now but I would soon. For now, I just wanted to be in this moment. I knew he liked me since we were teens but he told Five that he loved me since we were fifteen and I wondered how I could have been so blind.

Grace placed a plate of pancakes in front of each of us and I smiled as I saw the happy faces she created with fruit. I smiled up at her as she placed a hand on each of our shoulders.

"I'm so glad you two finally have each other. Please don't ever lose it." She said and then left the room to do some of her other duties.

"That's weird." I said as I grabbed us each a fork, "Did Grace know about your feelings for me too?"

"I told her everything. I think that's how dad found out." Diego said, taking a bite of his pancakes.

I moved around the berries with my fork, still not hungry, "I see."

"Can you at least take a bite?" Diego asked.

I popped a blueberry in my mouth, "Happy?"

"No." He said irately.

We jumped to our feet when we heard a crash echo through the house. Without missing a beat, we raced up the stairs and made it to the main hall on the second floor as everyone else came out of their room.

"What the hell is going on here?" Diego asked.

"Is someone attacking the house again?" I asked.

"Where are those explosions coming from?" Klaus asked.

"Vanya." Said Pogo in a frenzy, "We need to get to safety. Outside the Academy."

"This is Vanya?" I asked, looking around as the whole house shook.

"Get to safety now." Pogo said.

I turned and ran with Diego and Klaus, hearing Luther telling us to get mom out too. I tried to stay with them in search of mom but I had to dodge out of the way as a piece of ceiling fell and nearly crushed me. I dove into a room and when I came back out, Diego and Klaus were gone. There was a pause in the rumbling and I used this opportunity to continue searching the house but the quaking started again and it was worse than before. I tried looking for Diego, Klaus and Grace, dodging more and more debris as it fell but it was no use, I couldn't find anyone.

The whole house was coming down and if I didn't get out, I'd likely be crushed. I got to the grand staircase and just as I took the first step down, it started to crumble. I hurried down the stairs as they collapsed beneath my feet and tripped on a piece of concrete when I reached the bottom. I scraped my hands on the floor and I think a piece of concrete got my cheek too but I stumbled back to my feet as I continued running.

I tripped again once I got to the sidewalk and turned onto my back as I watched The Umbrella Academy cave in on itself. I coughed at the plumes of dust billowing in the air as I got to my feet and looked around for the others. I heard their voices and followed the sound until I found them standing in the rubble of the once prestigious home.

"Malia!" Diego shouted, shooting up from where he was sitting when he saw me. He ran and scooped me up into a tight hug before pulling back and placing a hand on each cheek, "Are you okay? Where were you?"

I hugged him tightly again, "I'm okay. I was so worried. I lost you and I couldn't find you. I kept looking but it's like everyone was gone." I pulled away this time and looked at the others, "Pogo? Grace?"

"Didn't make it. Vanya apparently killed Pogo." Klaus said, hands on his thighs as he bent over.

"Vanya did?" I asked quietly.

"I saw her do it." Luther said.

"Guys!" We turned and watched Five hurry over to us with a paper, "This is it. The apocalypse is still on. The world ends today!"

"I thought you said it was over." Luther said, stepping forward.

"I was wrong okay. This newspaper, I found it in the future the day I got stuck. The headline hasn't changed." Five said, holding the paper up.

"That doesn't mean anything. The timeline could have changed since that newspaper came out this morning." Diego said, not willing to accept it.

"You're not listening to me. When I found it, I assumed this place came down along with everything else but here we are. The moon is still shining and the earth is one piece but NOT the Academy." Klaus snatched the newspaper, "Listen to me! Vanya destroys the Academy before the apocalypse."

"You're saying Vanya is the cause? I thought you said Jenkins was?" I asked, trying to follow his line of thinking.

"I thought he was but he was the fuse. Vanya is bomb."

"We have to find her." Luther said.

Sirens started getting closer and a helicopter flew overhead, shining a light down on the rubble of the Academy. I looked up, covering my eyes, as I tried to see past the brightness. This wasn't good. None of us could be caught here if we wanted to find Vanya and end this - especially not Diego who hasn't been cleared of charges yet. Not that he would be anymore since Patch's murder weapon was now buried in this mess.

"We have to go! Now!" Luther shouted, "Regroup at the Superstar!"