A/N: Hi all! The song for this chapter is "La Llorona", which is an old Mexican folk tune. (And parts of which are public domain, which is why some lyrics can appear in this chapter!) As always, I only own the original characters introduced in this story. :)

Chapter Twenty-One - La Llorona

April

The gloom of the clouds that blanketed New York matched the somber aura of the museum as Dara locked the front doors for the morning.

The past few weeks had been hard, to say the least. Ahkmenrah had become basically despondent. Dara had barely seen him at all since the night that they spoke with Marc and Khonshu. She would only catch a glimpse of him when he wandered the halls aimlessly, a haunted expression marring his usual good-natured presence.

And they'd had to tell everyone what they found out. Or a limited version, at least. While Dara had shared the full story with Nicky, Reginald, Teddy, and Sacagawea, they had ultimately decided to keep most information hidden from the other residents. Instead, they told a little white lie - that Ahkmenrah and the tablet might be moved at the end of summer, so they should all make use of the time they had left.

That would be less of a burden to them than the knowledge that Ahkmenrah would die on Dara's birthday.

The thought caused stinging tears to fill Dara's eyes as she made her way home. She wished, more than anything, that there was something she could do to change what would happen. But she also knew that Marc and Ahk had been right - she couldn't give her life for Ahk's. As much as that made her feel selfish, she knew that would only cause heartache for everyone she loved. Including the pharaoh himself.

So they just had to make the best of the time they had left. But it was so hard. Everything had felt different since they shared the news. Like someone had turned the lights on at a dimly-lit concert, and everyone was suddenly left in a place that felt totally unfamiliar.

And even Steven and Marc had been acting differently. They tended to hover over Dara. Afraid of something happening. No matter how many times she assured them that she was fine and that she had accepted what was to come, they still seemed on edge. Like they could lose her at any moment.

Which is why it was odd that neither of them walked with her today. They'd gotten in the habit of walking her to and from work since the attempted mugging a month prior. But she hadn't heard from either of them since the night before.

She pondered this as she stepped off the train in Queens and made her way down from the elevated platform. Her mind wandered to the boys as she made her way home. As always, she just hoped that they were alright.

And then she felt something. An unseen threat caused goose bumps to climb her arms. A chill crawled up her spine as she tried to identify the cause. But a quick glance showed that there was nothing around that should alarm her. No one following her, at least not that she could see.

A thought occurred to her then… An inkling, or a hope, even, of what might be the source of the ominous feeling. So she quickly ducked into the nearest alleyway and took a few hesitant steps in. The shadows of the looming buildings gave her pause, but she steeled herself and continued a few paces in anyway.

Until a caped figure dropped gracefully in front of her, blocking her from going further. "Dara." She smiled.

"Jake." She recognized his darker Moon Knight attire, but also his voice. He was more gruff, and sounded more like a native New Yorker than Marc did. (And certainly more than Steven did.)

"Where are you going?" He asked, voice hard.

"I thought you might be following me. I wanted to talk." The corner of her lip lifted triumphantly as she added, "I figured you might come down if I came into the alley."

"Mujer descuidada," Jake cursed under his breath. Dara didn't know what it meant, but she got the impression he was scolding her. "What were you thinking? Going to a place like this. It's dangerous."

Dara now recognized the light accent that Jake placed on some of his words. "Do you speak Spanish?"

Jake stared at her through the glowing eyes of the mask. She couldn't read his expression. "Sí," he confirmed simply.

Dara made a note to dig out her old Spanish textbooks when she got home. She'd never been great at it, but now seemed as good a time as any to learn. "So… Why are you following me?"

"…To protect you."

"I don't need your protection," she said automatically.

He gave a grunt of dissatisfaction. "That's not what it looked like when I pulled those guys off of you."

She grimaced. Fair point. She tried again, "What I mean is, I didn't ask for your protection. You don't owe me anything. If anything, I owe you."

He turned away. She wondered if she had upset him. "It's nothing. It's what I do."

Dara couldn't help the rebellious frustration that bubbled up in her chest. "I really appreciate you saving me, but I don't need someone watching over me. I don't want someone watching over me. I can handle myself."

Jake turned sharply back to her. "You could have died!" The accusation came with a surprising amount of passion. "And besides, you let Marc and Steven walk you home. This is just my way of doing the same."

Dara found it hard to hold on to her frustration. He just wants to help, she realized as he avoided her gaze again. In a way, he wasn't so different from his brothers. "That's true," she conceded. "But I know them. And they asked if they could walk with me." She let out a strained laugh as she added, "What you're doing is… Stalking, I think? I don't know. I'm new to the superhero rules."

But he didn't laugh. She couldn't read his face through the mask. "I don't need your permission," he said eventually.

And her frustration boiled right up to the surface again. "Oh, is that how it is?" She asked him rhetorically. "Well shit, why didn't you just say so? I guess that makes it fine then." She crossed her arms as she sized him up. He was obviously more stubborn than Marc, which was saying something. And less concerned about her autonomy than Steven.

But most of all, he came across as… Protective. Like she was something he was determined to guard with his life. Even if it meant going against what she wanted. The thought was sweet, but misguided. They didn't even know each other.

But she did know his brothers. And she had a feeling that he cared a lot about them, too. So maybe some bluffing was in order.

"Well, I guess there's nothing to be done," she sighed dramatically. He eyed her skeptically, which she met with an innocent grin. "I'll have to let Steven and Marc know what you're doing, and how I feel about it. I wonder how they'll react?"

Jake grew tense. Bingo. Dara continued, "They would probably be worried." She didn't know that for sure, but it was probably true. "They would feel guilty for not being able to stop you." Again, probably true, although Dara would never want them to feel that way. In fact, she probably wouldn't tell them about Jake following her just so they didn't feel responsible. It wasn't their problem. She didn't need to tell Jake that, though. "But I don't want to lie to them-"

"Mierda. Tu ganas," Jake said with a defeated sigh. "What do you want?"

Dara smiled victoriously. "First, take off the mask."

Jake just stared at her as though she was a puzzle he was trying to figure out. "Why?"

She thought it would be obvious. "Because I want to see your face."

"You've seen it before. It's the same as Steven and Marc's."

Dara shook her head. "You're wrong. You may share the same body, but your faces are all different."

"…How?"

Dara took a step closer. "Take off your mask and I'll tell you."

He still hesitated, but eventually reached up and slowly pulled down the hood, then removed his mask.

Dara gave him a genuine smile and her eyes softened as she finally took him in. Jake, the last of the three brothers.

"For starters, you hold your jaw differently," Dara noted as she let her eyes drift over his jawline. Steven's was usually relaxed, as if it could fall at any moment to react to some new discovery. Marc's was usually closed and hard, like he was thinking deeply or ready to endure a hit. But Jake's was held slightly askew, and tense, as if he was ready to throw a punch of his own.

Her eyes drifted up to his hair. "Your hair is a bit messier," she said as she looked up at the untamed mop on his head. "In a good way, I mean. I like it," she promised with a grin. His eyes darted away under her scrutiny.

"And your eyes…" Jake brought his eyes reluctantly back to her. And there, behind his attempt at looking disinterested, she saw passion. Fiery passion. The kind of passion that could light a dark corner or burn a house down. "They're different, too."

"I took off the mask." Jake had sidestepped Dara's comments and now stood with arms crossed. "What else?"

"Two more things," she said, holding up two fingers as if it proved that she would go no further. He rolled his eyes but didn't argue. "The second thing is… Meet me at the park near our apartment at midnight tonight. In plain clothes, no Moon Knight."

Jake's eyes burned under his knitted brow, and Dara noticed a vein appear on his forehead that she had never seen on Steven or Marc before. "Why?"

"You already asked that," Dara pointed out. "But it's the same reason. You're different than they are, and if you're going to follow me around, I want to get to know you."

He didn't seem to like that answer. His jaw clenched and he balled his fists. Jake seemed to have a harder time hiding his emotions than his brothers. "Fine," he said through clenched teeth.

Dara nodded. She hoped he wasn't pushing him too far. But he was also stalking her, so it seemed fair. More than fair, actually. "And the last thing is… I want to know your name."

"You already know my name. It's Jake."

"But I want to know your full name. Y'know, Steven Grant, Marc Spector, and…" She raised an open palm toward him expectantly.

His eyes flicked up to meet hers. "… Jake Lockley," he admitted quietly.

A smile broke out on Dara's face. "Jake Lockley," she tested. He flinched when she said the words, but then he looked to her expectantly. As if waiting for her judgement. "It's a good name."

Jake just gave a non-committal grunt as response, but she caught the slight twitch of his lip.

"Well then, Jake Lockley. I'll see you tonight at midnight."

He returned to his guarded demeanor as he slipped the mask back on and raised his hood. "Try not to get in trouble until then," he joked. Or at least she thought he was joking. Was he joking?

"I won't," she promised with a lazy wave. "Goodbye, Jake-" But he had already jumped up onto a nearby fire escape and was scaling the building. "…Lockley." She watched his acrobatics with wonder for a moment before turning back out into the street.

Dara was hopeful that she could help Jake to connect with his brothers. And if she had the power to help him, maybe she could help the residents of the museum, too. So the gears in her mind began to turn determinedly as she made her way home.

Ahkmenrah gazed up at the stars of the planetarium, each of which seemed to shine back at him with sympathy.

Sopdet in particular had appeared before him. She cried silently as she watched the Pharaoh. His own tears refused to fall - he had none left to give.

The nights since he learned the terrible secret of the tablet had all blurred together. He had not spoken to many since then. One person he had spoken to was Edward Gracey, as he felt he owed the man an explanation for why Dara shared his lover's face.

Much to Ahk's surprise, the man had been pleased to hear the reason that Elizabeth had met her end. He had told Ahk with a forlorn smile, "It has plagued me endlessly, not knowing why. Although I still cannot find rest until I am with her again, my soul is more at ease knowing that it was not without purpose."

And Edward had been even more relaxed hearing the news that the sacrifices would end with Dara, and that soon the tablet would no longer bring the museum to life. He had said, "That is for the best. Besides, perhaps now I shall finally see her in the afterlife."

Ahk had not told him of the fate that had befallen Elizabeth. He had not mentioned that she would spend eternity in the Duat, never to see her love again.

Just like Takhara.

Ahk went numb at the thought. Takhara, the kindest person that was infinitely worthy of everlasting happiness, was trapped in the Duat. All because of him.

He noticed a tear falling from Sopdet's cheek.

"Why do you cry?" He wondered aloud. "For her dark fate? Or pity for me, now that I know what became of her?"

"Both, assuredly," Khonshu's soft voice came from behind Ahk, the wind gently lapping at the Pharaoh's robes.

Ahk's jaw tightened. He did not know what to say to the God. Khonshu had known all these years and had said nothing. "My father said all the tablet needed was moonlight," Ahk murmured as he watched Sopdet wipe futilely at the tears that stained her cheeks.

Khonshu hummed deeply. "He was not wrong. The tablet needs to see my light to retain its power."

Ahk nodded. Though the information didn't soothe the ache in his chest. "…Did he know?" About the sacrifices. About Takhara. About any of it.

"…He did."

"…Why did he keep it from me?"

"Because he loves you," Khonshu answered instantly. As if it was a fact rather than conjecture. "He did not want you to suffer under the weight of knowledge until you were ready."

Ahk released a humorless laugh. "I never would have been ready."

"…I know, little king." Khonshu hesitated, which was uncommon for him. "And for what it is worth, I regret what became of Takhara." Ahk felt an unwelcome lump form in his throat. He only managed to keep his composure due to his surprise at the Moon God admitting fault for something. It was a rare occasion. "If I had known that an innocent life would be taken… I would not have agreed to Isidorus' terms."

Ahkmenrah returned the sentiment with an unfeeling nod. "She did not deserve her fate." Ahk said this with the same finality that Khonshu had used to describe his father's love. Takhara's soul was pure and should not have been sentenced to eternity in the Duat; that was one of the unchangeable constants of the universe.

The pair sat in silence, both watching Sopdet. She gazed longingly back at them. Khonshu's voice eventually broke through the quiet. "Are you aware of Sopdet's tale?"

Ahkmenrah nodded wordlessly. But when Khonshu did not respond, the pharaoh summarized: "Her story mirrors that of Isis and Osiris. When her lover was killed by his power-craved brother, she went to great lengths to bring him back…" Ahkmenrah shivered at the similarities to his own past. "But in the end, her lover could not stay in the mortal realm. They were separated by the barrier between life and death."

Khonshu finally hummed an acknowledgment of Ahkmenrah's words. "Sounds familiar, does it not?" Ahkmenrah nodded numbly. "Perhaps that is why Sopdet was drawn to young Takhara." Khonshu paused thoughtfully - he seemed to be searching for something in the spectral Sopdet's visage. "She was… She is my most favored star. The brightest in the night sky. A guiding light for lost travelers."

Ahkmenrah had never heard Khonshu speak with such reverence about someone. The Pharaoh thought the God even seemed to mourn her absence. "You mentioned before that she is trapped… How long has she been gone?"

The God watched as Sopdet faded into stardust, pulled back toward the swirling kaleidoscope of the other stars in the planetarium. "Since the night Takhara died."

Ahkmenrah felt his heart clench. "Where is she trapped?"

At first, the Pharaoh thought that the God would remain as silent as before on the topic. But then he heaved a deep sigh as if acknowledging that the secrets he had been keeping were meant to be revealed. "She is trapped in the tablet. While the power of the moon brings you to life each night, it is she who ensures that Takhara's body is reborn to continue the cycle of sacrifice." Khonshu finally turned his eyeless sockets toward Ahkmenrah. "Without her influence, Dara would never have existed."

Ahkmenrah stared at the carved wooden beads of the bracelet on his wrist. He delicately caressed the carved star that was one of the last physical reminders he had of Takhara's existence. "…At least something good has come of all this… Dara, I mean." He knew it was a horrible thought. He should wallow in despair for Takhara's dark fate for the rest of time. But even so, for the first time in weeks he found himself smiling when he thought of Dara's electric presence and her generous soul. Takhara would have loved to meet her, he was sure of it.

"I agree, little king." Khonshu turned away from him to give his attention to the vast expanse of stars that stretched above them. "Even in the darkest sky, light can be found."

The two watched the graceful stars of the planetarium in companionable silence.

Jake Lockley took an irritable step onto the street of the local park. It was about ten minutes after midnight.

He didn't know why he was doing this. It was ridiculous. She couldn't tell him what to do. And so what if she complained to Marc and Steven? They could deal with it. Fuck whatever they thought of what he was doing.

But when he'd laid in bed as the clock struck midnight, he'd just imagined her sitting out in the park. Waiting for him. Probably cold. And alone. Vulnerable.

So he'd put on his flat cap, his coat, and had been out the door. And he'd sworn under his breath the whole time.

And his frustration only grew as he saw her sitting innocently on one of the swings, totally unaware of how stupid she was making him feel.

As he approached, she lifted her eyes to his and gave a relieved smile. "I was starting to think you wouldn't come."

He shrugged, trying to play himself off as nonchalant rather than annoyed.

But something told him he hadn't fooled her. She scrutinized him under a concerned brow. He hated the worry reflected in her eyes. "You're angry," she said matter-of-factly.

"No I'm not."

"Now you're lying."

"No, I'm not."

"Now you're angry and lying-"

"Enough!" Jake shouted in Spanish. It was the language that came naturally to him, the language of his mother. The language that hurt Marc so bad to remember, he had shoved it in Jake's head instead.

Dara didn't seem to understand the word, but she got his meaning. Her eyes fell as she said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't." Another lie that came easily to Jake. Dara didn't correct him this time, though.

"I just…" Dara nervously massaged one of her palms as she said, "I thought we could get to know each other. Our relationship doesn't have to be like what I have with Steven and Marc… Just, you know, I thought we could-"

"I don't want to get to know you." He needed to be blunt, direct. Even if it hurt him to say it. Judging by the way Dara flinched, it had hurt her, too.

"…Why not?"

Jake tensed. "You're dangerous."

Dara fixed him with a heated stare. "I would never hurt them." He knew what she meant. She'd never do something to harm Marc and Steven.

But she was wrong.

"You'd never mean to," he corrected coolly. When he didn't say anything else, Dara sighed.

"How am I going to hurt them?" But Jake couldn't explain. Not in a way that would make sense to her.

All these months, Jake had watched as Dara and Steven's relationship had bloomed, and then how she had accepted the kid's odd situation with Marc. And then she had grown close to Marc, too. The boys were completely head-over-heels for her, that much was certain. The few bright spots in Jake's days were when he would watch, undetected, as Dara listened intently while Steven regaled her with tales of some historical figure, or as she soothed Marc to sleep after a nightmare. And Jake was happy for them. And if he thought about it too much, he found himself longing for the same kind of life.

But Jake knew the reality of the situation. Dara Dooley would die on her birthday, just like Khonshu had said. Marc and Steven were blinded by love. But deep down they both knew the old man wouldn't lie about that.

"You are cursed," he said simply. It was true enough. Cursed to die. Cursed to burden the ones she loved with the pain of her passing. Anyone that grew attached to her would only know heartache, like Marc and Steven.

And Dara seemed to understand that as she nodded slowly. Which just made Jake angry. Was she accepting that she would die? That she would inevitably hurt those she loved?

"I think I get it," she said as she stood up from her seat on the swing. "People are bound to get hurt when they're in love." She took a tentative step toward him. He went rigid, but didn't step away. "But that doesn't mean they shouldn't love at all. Love is one of those things worth living for." She smiled fondly as she admitted, "I probably wouldn't have said something so cheesy a year ago. But your brothers," she didn't miss how the word made his jaw clench, "have made me think differently."

Being in such close proximity to her made him start to feel things that he shouldn't. Longing. Desire. Hope. So he stepped past her and leaned against one of the poles holding up the swing set.

"You are like La Llorona," Jake decided as his racing heart started to calm. "Do you know who that is?" Dara shook her head. But she was intrigued - her eyes were focused intently on him, like he was dispensing sage wisdom. Her gaze was unbearably addictive. Jake lowered his head so his cap blocked her from his view. "She is a legend from Mexican folklore. A cursed spirit. A bad omen to all who meet her."

Dara should have been offended, but her voice was gentle as she asked, "What happens to those who meet her?"

Jake shrugged. "Death. Despair. Sorrow. But all the dumb bastards that hear her call go to her anyway." Jake fought against angry tears as a sudden memory forced itself into his head. He ended up laughing instead. "My Mamá used to sing a song about her. La Llorona, the weeping woman."

Dara was quiet. Jake chanced a look from underneath the rim of his cap and immediately regretted it. Her angelic silhouette was highlighted by the glow of distant street lamps. Her dark skin eagerly captured the light while her eyes seemed to see through him. He wondered what she saw in his soul. If there was anything there worth saving.

Her voice pulled him from his romantic stupor. "Do you remember any of it?" Jake just stared at her, struggling to focus on what she was asking. "The song?"

A forlorn smile tugged at Jake's lips. He was probably the only one of his brothers that remembered their mother's sad lullaby. She would sing it right after she was done beating him, when she would lock herself away in her room to mourn her lost son. Jake would always front through the worst of it to save his brothers from the pain.

From the depths of his memory, Jake pulled the first verse that came to mind. Dara wouldn't understand the words since the song was all in Spanish, but he began to sing it in the language of his mother anyway.

"Don't think that because I sing, alas Llorona,

my heart is joyful.

Don't think that because I sing, alas Llorona,

my heart is joyful.

One also sings from pain, alas Llorona,

When one can not cry!

One also sings from pain, alas Llorona,

When one can not cry…"

Jake hadn't realized he'd closed his eyes to sing. He'd just been listening to the notes of his somber timbre float across the park. But when he opened them, Dara's attentive, sorrowful eyes met his. She didn't understand the words, but somehow she understood his heartache. He struggled through the depths of his memory to pull another verse. Anything to keep her enraptured gaze on him.

"They say that I don't mourn, Llorona,

Because they don't see me cry.

They say that I don't mourn, Llorona,

Because they don't see me cry.

There are dead that do not make noise, Llorona,

And their pain is much greater.

There are dead that do not make noise, Llorona,

And their pain is much greater…"

He was pretty sure he was singing the verses out of order, but he didn't care. Dara's eyes remained fixed on him. And she didn't see Steven, or Marc, or the murderous monster that Jake knew he was. The monster that needed to pay for all of the sins of his past. For the people he killed. For killing their little brother, Randall, all those years ago. For not saving the boy he was supposed to protect.

"Alas, Llorona, Llorona,

Llorona of a lily field,

Alas, Llorona, Llorona,

Llorona of a lily field,

He who doesn't know love, Llorona,

doesn't know what martyrdom is.

He who doesn't know love, Llorona,

doesn't know what martyrdom is…"

Dara's gaze remained fixed on him as Jake took a tentative step closer. He was drawn to her. She was the first person to see him. To acknowledge that he was real. Even his brothers had left him in that sarcophagus. Screaming. Alone. He didn't blame them for it. All he wanted was for them to be safe. And happy. But why did he have to be alone? Dara didn't want him to be. She had sought him out. His damned soul wasn't worthy of her kindness.

"If I could climb to the sky, Llorona,

I'd lower the stars to you,

If I could climb to the sky, Llorona,

I'd lower the stars to you.

The Moon at your feet I'd put, Llorona

With the sun I'd crown you.

The Moon at your feet I'd put, Llorona

With the sun I'd crown you…"

When had he gotten so close to her? His face was inches from hers, tracking her moonlit eyes as they traced his features. She was lovely. Intoxicating. No wonder his brothers had fallen for her. Jake felt himself doing the same.

"I carry two kisses in my soul, Llorona,

that will never leave me,

I carry two kisses in my soul, Llorona,

that will never leave me…"

Jake felt himself leaning in, willing his lips closer to hers. His body was aflame with the desire to be near her. It would never be close enough.

"The last one from my mother, Llorona,

and the first one I gave to you.

The last one from my mother, Llorona,

and the first one I gave to you…"

Jake was so close that her trembling breath tickled his neck. But before he could satisfy his desire, she whispered, "Stop."

He paused, but he didn't move away. The urge to just lean in and kiss her was tempting. But he realized, with surprise, that he respected her more than that. So he glanced down to take in star-kissed features.

A soft smile broke out on her face. "Jake Lockley," she said as she brought a gentle hand to his face. As her skin touched his, he felt a shiver of excitement. If a touch could bring life, certainly it was hers. "I would like nothing more than to kiss you right now," she admitted, and Jake never knew that words could cause such a primal hunger within him, "and maybe I will one day. But you need to talk to Steven and Marc. Your brothers. They want to know you. They want to be there for you."

Jake was met with a whiplash of emotion as the painful sting of fear stabbed at his chest. He was a monster. Marc was just now recovering from his broken past, and Steven was too pure to ever know him. He didn't want to be a burden. He was supposed to protect them from all of their problems, not be one of them.

Dara brought him back by wiping an errant tear from his cheek. "You don't have to be the Protector all the time," she said as if she could read his thoughts as easily as a map. "You are worthy of love too, Jake."

Any hope that Jake had left of maintaining his distance from Dara Dooley shattered in that moment. He, like his brothers, would walk to the ends of the Earth to protect her.

Even though he knew their mission was doomed.

Dara removed her hand from his cheek and Jake was suddenly met with the cold night air. What he wouldn't give to be held by her again. "Talk to them," she said. "For me."

"I will," he promised. It would be the hardest thing he'd ever done, but it was easy compared to the thought of losing her.

She graced him with a grateful smile. "Thank you." After pausing for a moment to see if he would say anything else, she added, "I hope to see you soon."

Jake felt a rare smile on his face. "You will." The second promise came even easier than the first.

Dara grinned back at him. As she began to walk back toward her apartment, she said, "Goodnight, Jake Lockley."

He returned the farewell with a tilt of his head and a tip of his hat. "Goodnight, Dara Dooley."

And then the distance between them grew greater until she turned a corner. He decided to give her a moment before he left for his own apartment - she had mentioned that she didn't appreciate him following her. But maybe next time they met he'd ask if he could walk her home.

He smiled again and gave himself a little tsk-tsk. "What are you doing, Lockley?" He asked himself. "This will only end in disaster."

But that eventuality suddenly seemed a lifetime away as he thought of seeing Dara again. He would have to woo her, really woo her, in a way that his brothers had not. Jake had always been the most romantic and charming of the bunch, after all.

He chuckled to himself as another verse of his mother's song came to mind.

"They say that the first love, alas Llorona,

is great and true,

They say that the first love, alas Llorona,

is great and true,

but the last love is better, alas Llorona!

And greater than the first.

But the last love is better, alas Llorona!

And greater than the first…"

Steven was drawn to a stunning sapphire orb protected within a glass case. "Oh wow, what's this one?"

"Ah, you've a good eye, my boy," Teddy said from his side. "That is the Star of India, one of the largest and most flawless star sapphires in all the world." Steven could see how it got the name - milky white lines formed the pattern of a star on its face.

The Hall of Gems and Minerals was amazing, and he was glad that Dara had brought him with her on her rounds so that he could see it. They had met up with Teddy and Sacagawea, and the four were currently on an impromptu double date through the quiet exhibit. Steven could still hardly believe that he was walking alongside the Teddy Roosevelt and Sacagawea. (Well, at least their wax and polyurethane counterparts.)

"In fact," Teddy continued, "That gem was one of the pieces stolen during the nighttime raid by Jack 'Murph the Surf' Murphy and his cohorts in 1964."

Steven was impressed by Teddy's memory. Dara, on the other hand, let a teasing grin spread on her face. "Teddy, are you saying that you let something get stolen during your tenure here?" she said with mock surprise. "I'm shocked."

Teddy puffed up his chest in feigned indignation. "I'll have you know that most thefts have happened during the day shift, not at night." He sighed then, as if actually admitting his guilt. "But yes, it was a blunder. The thieves stole through the restroom window under cover of darkness, after having unlocked it during the day. And since few residents venture to this part of the museum, they were out before anyone realized they had been here." Teddy touched his temple with the tip of his finger in a show of a lesson learned. "That is why you night guards now make a point of including this area several times in your nightly routine. You can never be too careful."

Dara nodded, clearly just now realizing why she would patrol this exhibit several times nightly. She seemed grateful for the knowledge. "Speaking of my rounds," she said as she glanced at her watch. "I need to get going - Nicky and I are planning out the next soccer tournament." She eyed Steven playfully. "This one will be big."

Alarmed, Steven raised his hands to either side of his head. "Don't look at me! I want no part of it. Last time Attila nearly split me in half when he tackled me." Dara blessed him with a bubbling laugh.

"Fair enough. But still, I've got to go get planning. Lots of things to prepare." She started to walk away but hesitated, then turned to Steven. "Will you be alright on your own for a while?"

Steven smiled - Dara, always worrying needlessly about him. "I'm sure I'll manage," he offered.

"We'll be sure to keep him entertained," Teddy promised.

Satisfied that Steven would be taken care of, Dara stepped to his side and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Alright. I'll be at the front desk if you need me."

And then she was off while Steven held a hand to the place her lips had been, savoring the ghost of her kiss as it faded.

Sacagawea broke him from his daze. "She loves you dearly."

"I love her, too," he said with a dreamy sigh. "It's not just me and Marc she loves, though." He turned to the unorthodox historical couple. "She loves you all. The, uh… 'Residents?' Yeah, the residents. Especially you both. She's told me all sorts of stories about you."

The pair looked pleased with the news. Teddy said, "All stories filled with excitement and daring, I should hope."

"We would not have it any other way," Sacagawea added while leaning into Teddy fondly. He responded in kind with a kiss at the peak of her forehead.

"Of course," Steven confirmed. As he watched their shared bliss, his smile faltered. "Dara has been trying hard to make sure that… Just to create some memorable experiences in light of… Well, to prepare everyone for…"

"Yes." Sacagawea placed an understanding hand on Steven's elbow. "We know that she, Nicky, and Reginald will do everything they can to make our last few months together worthwhile."

Steven gulped past the lump forming in his throat. He found it difficult to think about that uncertain future. Especially all of the wonderful people he was just now getting to know that would never come to life again after Dara's birthday.

"Chin up, lad." Teddy's voice was soft but commanding. "We've all accepted our circumstances a long time ago. We've always known that the end would come eventually." The president turned a wistful smile toward Sacagawea. "We've all been blessed with a second chance at life here. There's nothing more we could've asked for than the time we have had with those dearest to us."

Steven smiled sadly. He was glad they were taking it so well. He'd have to make sure to spend as much time as he could with them before the end.

"Well, we must be off," Teddy declared as he gave Steven a friendly smack on his shoulder blade. "We have other matters to attend to tonight."

"Yeah, of course. I think I'll stay here a bit longer. Have a good one," Steven said.

Teddy tipped his wide-brimmed hat toward him, and Sacagawea gave him a peaceful wave. They began to walk away until Teddy turned suddenly. "And Steven?"

"Yeah?"

"Please give Marc our regards. And let him know that he's always welcome. We'd all love to get to know him more." Teddy's offer was genuine.

Steven nodded with a nervous smile. "I'll let him know." Most of the museum knew a little about Marc after Ahk had outed him in the lobby. A lot of the residents didn't quite understand, so Marc had been fairly shy about the whole ordeal. But Steven thought he'd love to meet Teddy and Sacagawea, and everyone really.

Teddy looked at Steven with a knowing twinkle in his eye, then he and Sacagawea left. Steven was alone in the expansively quiet Hall.

The place was brimming with reflective surfaces. Everywhere he turned there was a glass case or a mirror-like mineral. He saw many of his own reflections, as well as Marc's.

"They seem nice," Marc said from a display case that housed several natural formations of intricately shaped gems.

"They are. They'd love to meet you," Steven offered. But Marc ultimately didn't respond - he was more afraid than he would like to admit.

"What about me?" A gruff voice asked. Marc quickly took the reins and turned around wildly to identify the source of the voice. Was Steven in danger? But the voice just laughed roughly. "Relax. It's just me, hermano."

Marc finally turned to the reflection that had spoken. It wasn't Steven, or Marc. "Jake," Marc realized with surprise.

"The one and only," Jake confirmed with a sarcastic bow. "You're smarter than you look."

"Why are you…?"

"Suddenly showing myself?" Jake finished. "I'm still trying to figure that out. But one thing I do know is that you boys need help." Marc tensed. They'd both seen what Jake was capable of. His help often meant someone would end up bloody, if not worse. The alter could clearly see where Marc's mind was headed because he waved the worry away with, "Not that kind of help. I don't want to get my hands dirty. Well, for tonight, anyway."

"Then what kind of help?" Marc wondered. He was genuinely curious. And he wanted to keep Jake talking. Marc had never gotten to hear Jake speak, so every minute they got to spend together was invaluable.

Jake scrutinized Marc, sizing him up. But Marc wouldn't take the bait, wouldn't square up. He didn't want to fight. He just wanted Jake to stay. Jake seemed to find what he was looking for in Marc because he said, "Information. About the guys that beat Dara up."

Steven jumped in before Marc had the chance. "Really? You know something about them?"

"Of course I do. I pulled it out of them right before I…" Jake struggled to meet their eyes. "Well, you know." And they did know. The Third had always been the one with the most blood on his hands.

"What did they tell you?" Marc asked.

Jake gave him a crooked smile. "I have some… Conditions first."

Steven rolled his eyes. "Great. First we have to negotiate with Khonshu, and now him," he said while gesturing accusatorially at Jake.

"What are your conditions?" Marc was willing to negotiate.

"I have three," Jake said while holding up three fingers. "First, I want an equal cut of the screen time. Me, you, Steven… Three-way split for time spent controlling the body." Jake watched Marc like they were playing poker - Jake didn't reveal his hand too much, but he was obviously trying to get a read on Marc's thoughts.

And Marc hesitated. Letting Jake have equal control of the body all kind of depended on what he was planning to do with the body.

"And I'll keep you both in the loop," Jake added, seeming to decide that he needed to sweeten the deal. "I won't push you out anymore. Full disclosure on everything." His eyes flicked from Steven to Marc. "…Although I can't promise you'll like what you see."

Marc and Steven shared a look and held a non-verbal conversation. What do you think? Marc asked with no more than a tilt of his head.

Well, it's the best we're gonna get, Steven seemed to suggest with a shrug.

"Sure," Marc decided as he focused back on Jake. At least they'd know what was happening now. They could talk about anything that went too far when it came up. "What's next?"

"Great," Jake said. He seemed relieved to have that one over with. "Second, I…" He paused and looked down at his feet. Then he ground his jaw as his attention focused on Marc, then Steven, then literally anything else in the room. "…Quiero un pez dorado…"

Steven looked at Marc. "What'd he say?" But Marc just shrugged. He recognized that he was speaking Spanish, but… It had been a long time since he'd known how to speak it.

Jake cursed something under his breath as he glanced frustratedly between the pair. When it was obvious that they still didn't catch his meaning, he blurted out, "I want a goldfish!"

Neither Steven nor Marc were expecting that. "You mean like Gus Jr. and Frenchie?" Steven clarified. Jake nodded quickly while keeping his stare focused on the ceiling. Marc unsuccessfully fought back a smile.

"Yeah. Of course," Marc said. And in that moment Marc and Steven realized that everything with Jake would be alright. All he really wanted was a life, and now he wanted to share that life with them. As brothers. "We'll both go with you to get it, too," Marc promised, and Jake, though he attempted to appear uncaring about it, seemed pretty pleased.

"Right. What's left then?" Steven asked. There was one condition left.

And Marc felt a sudden uneasiness settle in his stomach as Jake got a wicked grin. "And third…" He said, then paused dramatically as he flicked a mischievous glance from Steven to Marc. "I'm going to kiss your girlfriend." This one wasn't a request. It was a certainty.

"You wha- Hang on now!" Steven sputtered as he tried to wrap his mind around the concept. "We've only just met! Don't you think it's a bit early to be so… So…"

"Romantic?" Jake finished with a smug smirk.

"Presumptuous! I was going to say presumptuous."

"Ah, tomato, to-mah-to," Jake said with a careless wave of the hand. "What is romance if not spontaneity?" He rolled his eyes. "Not that I'd expect you to understand that."

"What is that supposed to mean?!" Steven asked, appalled.

"I've watched you and Dara for a long time. Your love life is very, hmmm, how to say it…" He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Predictable."

Steven released a high, soft noise of offense. "How dare you!" He was clearly frustrated, but still looked nervously between Marc and Jake and asked, "What… What do you mean by that? What does he mean by that?"

"Ah-ah, trade secrets, kid. You'll find out after I've seduced your girlfriend."

"Stop saying that! We haven't agreed to anything yet!"

"You will," Jake said with a confident shrug.

Steven was turning redder by the second. "You are the most infuriating, cocky-"

"Don't forget charming."

"Charming?!"

The two continued to bicker while Marc just stood back and took it all in. He didn't care what Jake's conditions were. He was just happy to have both his brothers. It finally felt like the broken pieces of their unorthodox family were coming together.