The episode referenced in this one-shot is Season 1, Episode 5: And the Apple of Discord.

Just a note, there are direct word quotes from this episode.

The legalities. I do not own any of the Librarians franchise (characters, places, and objects especially) and this is mostly au. Rated M just to be on the safe side.

Also, please don't be afraid to write reviews. I would love to hear from you all!

Hope you enjoy!

Prompt: "You have to listen to reason!"

"But reason is boring!"

"Have you truly thought this through, Jenkins?"

The Researcher sighed before glaring around the side of his station wagon at the Archivist, who was leaning back against the door. She had followed the man out there as he had brought a load of things out to pack into the trunk in preparation of leaving. "Would you rather that I go in there and face off with Dulaque? This is a no-win scenario, so this is the best option."

Before Ra could respond, Ezekiel Jones marched up to them, stopping just short of the trunk. "You know something? Every lecture you make everyone feel like idiots, but you slide just enough hints in there to point us in the right direction. You want to help us."

Ra sighed as Jenkins just continued packing. "Good luck in prison."

Jones was undeterred. "But at the same time, you act like you're better than everyone else. Complain about how we're in your way, invading your annex. You know, I could never figure out the real you until now. The real you is a coward."

"I am not a coward, not for leaving this situation. You do not know…"

"No." Both men looked over at the Archivist as she continued looking unamused and leaning against the vehicle. "You are just giving excuses to justify what you are doing."

Jenkins sneered at her. "You are not listening to reason!"

Jones scoffed. "First off, reason is boring! And secondly, you're not a coward for leaving, but for not choosing between the two."

Ra could tell that the thief's words struck a nerve as the Researcher spoke again. "An interesting lecture for a man who cant decide whether he's going to be a thief or a librarian."

"Yeah? Well, this librarian is going back in there to save this place. And this thief is going back in there to take Dulaque down a peg. Neither one's running away."

"I did choose." Ra furrowed her brow as Jenkins slammed the trunk before continuing. "Once. I chose a side in a very complicated…I chose. No good came of it. And over the years, I chose again and again. Each time with a little hope and a lot of blood. But nothing changed. I finally learned my lesson. And I came here just to do my work alone. Because why choose? Nothing ever changes."

Jones looked over at Ra before sighing and levelling the Researcher with a judgement-filled look. "You did." With that, the thief turned and walked back to the Annex.

"He's not wrong, old man." The Archivist leveled her own unamused look on the man. "You have changed every time that you've made a decision. And we both know that Jones is not going to get through this alone. But I am not allowed to help during a conclave unless I am called as co-counsel before the conclave is actually formed. So, here's some food for thought: are you going to let your past with Dulaque dictate your actions or are you going to help the Library?"

With a shrug, the Archivist left the Researcher to his thoughts. Hopefully, he would come to the right decision. Until then, she would help where she could. Dulaque would not get away with this.