Summary: What if Reginald adopted 8 children and not 7? What if number 8 could take on a monstrous form? What if she didn't age at the same rate as the others and still looked to be thirteen? And what if she left being a hero and became something else? This is based on the Netflix series.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC. I also want to remind everyone reading this, that while Five and Xylda may look thirteen they are actually 58 and 30 respectively.

"We Only See Each Other at Weddings and Funerals"

"On the 12th hour of the first day of October 1989, 43 women around the world gave birth. This was unusual only in the fact that none of these women had been pregnant when the day first began. Sir Reginald Hargreeves, eccentric billionaire and adventurer, resolved to locate and adopt as many of the children as possible."

He Got Eight Of Them

TODAY

Marvin smiled at the bail enforcement agent sitting across from him, Hargreeves was his best never failing to catch whatever skip he sent them after. Reaching into his desk he pulled out a check, "20 percent, just as agreed. You did good work, you were the fourth agent assigned that bounty, but you're the only one who found him. The others could stand to learn a thing or two from you." Marvin handed the check over and it was taken by a pale hand wrapped in black leather.

"I'd have nothing to teach them." The agent pocketed the check, "Thank you for the call Marvin, let me know when you've got another skip." They both stood up and shook hands, Marvin's larger hand engulfed the other, smaller one. "Have a nice night Marvin and give my regards to your wife and daughter Alice. I hope she's enjoying the gift I sent for her birthday."

Marvin laughed, the agent had given his four year old daughter a box of washable markers, "Alice loves it. She's constantly drawing, the only thing is, she isn't using paper as her canvas, she prefers the walls. My poor darling Abigail follows her around with a spray bottle and rag all day."

The agent chuckled, "That's why I got her the washable ones instead of the permanent. Say hello to them for me and get home safe, Marvin, it's getting pretty late."

"Isn't that supposed to be my line?" he teased.

The agent pulled down their glasses to meet his eyes, giving him a wicked grin, "I like my odds." The agent picked up their helmet from the other chair and winked before exiting the office, leaving the small bail bonds company, Marvin's Bonds.

The short figure proceeded down the empty sidewalk, listening to all the nightly sounds of the city, as they made their way to a motorbike parked in the alley next to the company. Their nose wrinkling at all the scents that filled it, trash, filth, waste, both human and animal, shivering in disgust at the smells the agent mounted the bike, and after securing their helmet started the engine to race out of the alley way. The rider zoomed down the night streets, weaving past cars and through traffic without a care in the world, until they stopped at the third light from their apartment, an electronics store with Tv's piled high inside the window front caught their attention and made them freeze, because on each one was a single headline, "Moments ago, police reported the death of the most eccentric and reclusive billionaire."

The figure sat frozen on the motorbike, even as the light turned green and people began honking for them to move. The car directly behind them was particularly angry and yelled out his window, "MOVE YOUR ASS ALREADY, ASSHOLE!" They never took their eyes off the various TV's, but a long black scaled tail slithered out from underneath their coat and slashed the front left tire of the car behind them. Revving the engine they took off just as the light changed from yellow to red, ignoring the angry cry of the driver whose tire they had slashed, and drove as fast as they could go; It seems I have a funeral to attend.

Time Jump

Taking a deep breath a hand wrapped in finger less leather gloves rapped on a pair of the double doors, each sporting stain glass windows with an umbrella sitting proudly in the center of each. After a moment it was opened by a tall Hispanic man with short cropped black hair, and a scar on the right side of his face, wearing a black turtleneck, black shoulder holsters filled with blades, a tactical belt, gloves, black jeans, military combat boots and a scowl. He looked them up and down, "You're just in time for a little family reunion." He left them standing in the doorway to go back to the front parlor. "Pull up a chair, it should be interesting." he called over his shoulder passing two women at the bottom of the stairs. Coming inside they removed their hood revealing pitch black hair, a sweetheart face, pale pink lips, brown eyes and ghoulishly white skin. They removed the black trench coat revealing a black zip up hoodie, a black tank top, tucked into black jeans tucked into military combat boots.

The two women eyed them with small smiles, "Hey, Xylda." said the shorter of the two. She was a pale skinned brunette, wearing several layers of black and standing next to her was a tall tea skinned woman dressed in a short blue blouse, black trousers and heels. Both were next to the center table of the foyer which sported a bouquet of flowers. Xylda smiled at the woman who addressed her,

"Hey, Vanya. It's nice to see you." walking over, Xylda pulled the brunette into a tight hug, apart from Xylda, Vanya was the shortest of the Hargreeves siblings, so hugging her was not as awkward for Xylda as it was when she hugged any of their brothers. "I haven't seen you since your last concert. How have you been?" The two pulled out of the hug smiling.

"I've been good, well until now that is." answered Vanya. The other woman cleared her throat, both Vanya and Xylda turned to her,

"Hello, Allison. It's been a while, how are you?" Xyldas voice wasn't nearly as warm addressing Allison as it was when she greeted Vanya.

Allison gave a strained smile, "I've been as good as I can be, all things considered."

Xylda nodded solemnly, "I heard about the divorce and custody hearing. I am sorry about Claire, Patrick not so much."

Allison winced at the reminder of her daughter, "Thanks. I guess." she looked at both her sisters, "I'm glad you're both here." Vanya and Xylda gave her small smiles, "I'm gonna go and look around. I'll see you later." Allison walked off in the direction of their Dad's study.

Xylda put her arm around Vanya's waist, "Come on we might as well wait in the living room. They're all bound to migrate there eventually." Vanya smiled and let Xylda lead her into the living room. Vanya walked along the book cases to peruse the titles, while Xylda sank down into one of the two couches, spreading herself across the length of it she looked up at the painting above the fireplace mantle and felt a great pang of loss. She closed her eyes and looked away from the painting above the fireplace, deciding to try to relax she closed her eyes and taking a deep breath focused on the scents she could detect in the house. She could smell Vanya, Allison, Diego, Klaus, Luther, Mom, and Pogo. She ignored the scent of their Dad, his scent would fade away in time, he had only been dead a day, so it was still relatively fresh.

She heard Vanya pull a book from the shelf and open it, she also heard Pogo's cane tapping on the tile as he entered the living room, she opened her eyes and sat up to greet him. "Welcome home, Miss. Vanya, Miss. Xylda." Both women smiled at the smartly dressed chimp.

"Pogo." Vanya left the shelf, book still in hand to hug him, Xylda followed her example and got off the couch to do the same.

"Hmmm." hummed Pogo as he received their hugs. "So good to see you two." Noticing the book Vanya was holding he said, "Ah, yes, your autobiography."

Vanya's voice was small as she asked, "Do you know, um… Did he ever read it?"

"Hmm… Not that I'm aware of." he answered honestly.

"I am sorry for your loss, Pogo."said Xylda placing a gloved hand on his right shoulder in comfort.

"Don't you mean 'our loss'?" he asked.

She shook her head, "No. You were closer to him than any of us, so his death means more to you than it does to us."

Pogo frowned, but accepted the condolences, "Thank you, Miss. Xylda."

Vanya looked to the painting above the fireplace, Pogo and Xylda following her gaze, "How long has it been since Five disappeared?"

"Too long." said Xylda gazing at the painting, Vanya glanced at her sister sadly at the sorrow in her voice.

"It's been 16 years, four months, and 14 days." Both women gave him a quizzical look, "Your father insisted I keep track."

"You wanna know something stupid?" asked Vanya, gaining Pogo's attention, "We always used to keep the light on for him." She explained.

Xylda smiled sadly at the memory, "So he would know that we were still here. That we didn't want him to leave again."

"And we'd make peanut butter and marshmallows sandwiches for him."

"Oh, I remember your snacks. I'm pretty sure I stepped in half of those sandwiches." Pogo chuckled, the two women joining him in his mirth. Pogo looked at the painting and became somber, "Your father always believed that Number Five was still out there, somewhere. He never lost hope."

That cut down their mirth, "And look where that got him." stated Vanya.

Pogo sighed, "It's good to see you girls, but I'm not as young as I used to be. Let me know what you've decided to do for his funeral, I'll be in my room." Vanya looked at the book she had sent to their father.

"Did you really think he would read it?" asked Xylda. She, along with their siblings, had read the book once it was published. Each had been angry in their own right about what she did, even Xylda had been upset for a time, but she was the first, and only to her knowledge, to forgive Vanya for what she had said. Because once she pushed past her anger she understood why she had done it. None of them had a particularly happy childhood, but Vanya had always had it worse than any of them. Reginald Hargreeves never failed to remind Vanya that she was less than her siblings, due solely to the fact that she possessed no powers whatsoever. Vanya was a Hargreeves only in name, the rest of the world hadn't even known that she existed until she published her book.

Vanya shook her head, "No, I hoped that he would, but I knew he wouldn't." Vanya put her book back on the shelf and sat on the couch. Xylda joined her and placed her head on her lap, Vanya chuckled at the action, but didn't shove her off, so she made herself comfortable. Vanya stroked her hair with gentle hands, the action gaining a purr from Xylda who closed her eyes to enjoy the feeling, Vanay smiled at the noise. "I still think it's weird that you do that. You're not a cat."

Xylda scoffed, "No, but I definitely have a better personality."

Vanya chuckled, "Maybe." Xylda pouted and sat up, dislodging Vanya's fingers from her hair, Vanya laughed at her over exaggerated pout and sad eyes. "You're not fooling me, sis."

Xylda abandoned the pout and frowned, "Fine. You wanna drink? We're gonna need it when the others get here, especially since we're gonna have Diego and Luther in the same room." Xylda got up from the couch and went around it to the bar.

"Are you even allowed to drink?" teased Vanya.

Xylda gave her a deadpan look, "Ha, ha. Very funny. I may look like a kid, but we share the same birthday. Your thirty which makes me thirty. So there." Vanya snorted when Xylda stuck her tongue out at her. It was true, Xylda still looked like she was around 14 years old, maybe 15 depending on how she dressed. Their dad had hypothesized that it had something to do with her healing abilities, she did age, but not at the same rate as everyone else, it had irritated her to no end when they were younger. It took some time, but eventually she had gotten over it, she was stuck like this so she might as well use it. God knew it made her job immensely easier.

Vanya watched Xylda prepare two drinks, she decided to start a new conversation topic, "Why are you wearing contacts?"

Xylda paused in the action of pouring her sisters drink to look at her curious face. She sighed, "I know how much my eyes unnerve everyone…"

"They don't…"

"They do." said Xylda slamming another glass down onto the bar. "Just a little reminder that their sister isn't human like the rest of them."

"You are human, Xylda." protested Vanya.

She snorted, "That's not what dad said." Their father never allowed Xylda to look 'normal' whenever a photo was taken of the Umbrella Academy. The world only ever saw 'The Gargoyle', the monstrous creature that was kept under control by Sir Reginald Hargreeves. No one ever thanked The Gargoyle when they saved someone, they only screamed and begged her siblings to keep the monster from eating them. Sir Reginald never said otherwise when asked if she was safe, never said that his daughter was human, in fact he encouraged the belief that she was a creature under his control.

Vanya winced in sympathy, "Well, I don't, Klaus couldn't care less, Pogo doesn't mind and Mom never has." Seeing that her sister was still upset she decided to play dirty, "And I know that Five adored them, he once told me that they reminded him of rubies." Vanya felt triumphant seeing Xylda's grey blush, so she decided to push, "He also said that your scales were as smooth as satin."

Xylda scoffed to hide her embarrassment, but it didn't work, "Yeah, well, he could be sap when he wasn't being a prick." Xylda looked away from her sisters knowing gaze and stared at Number Five's portrait. He'd be thirty now. Like the rest of us. "I still light a birthday candle for him, you know. I put it on a peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich and leave it on the counter." Vanya gave her a smile,

"That's nice…"

"It's pathetic." Xylda clenched her fists, her fingers slowly becoming black talons and scrapping the wood of the bar, "It's been seventeen years, he's gone and not coming back. I need to accept that." A small tear slipped from her eye, "But I can't…"

Vanya placed her hands on her clenched and beast-like hands, "I've still got my therapists number if you want it. Talking really helped me through a lot of things, you should give it a try."

"I don't need a shrink. I need a drink." Xylda squeezed Vanya's hands to show that her suggestion was appreciated and finished pouring her glass only to gulp it all down, the familiar burning in her throat was soothing. Vanya picked up her own glass and took a sip, watching as Xylda poured another for herself.

It wasn't long before the rest of their siblings trickled in, Klaus quickly joining them at the bar, Xylda wordlessly poured him a glass and he beamed at her, "And that's why you're my favorite." Xylda rolled her eyes. Allison came over to get a drink without a word, once poured she took her glass to join Luther and Diego who had also come into the parlor. Going to take another sip of her drink Xylda found her glass empty, she looked at Klaus accusingly but he simply gave her a smile, she pouted at his antics before stalking to the group and taking a seat, joining Vanya on the couch yet again. Luther gave them a small smile from the other one, Vanya returned it with a shy smile, but Xylda didn't, making him frown.

An awkward silence filled the room, it was only interrupted by the clinking of glasses behind the bar and the crackle of the fire. Luther stood up, "Um… I guess we should get this started. So, I figured we could have a sort of memorial service in the courtyard at sundown. Say a few words, just at Dad's favorite spot."

"Dad had a favorite spot?" asked Allison from her seat in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, Diego sat parallel to her in an identical chair.

Luther turned to her with a furrowed brow, "You know, under the oak tree. We used to sit out there all the time. None of you ever did that?"

"Guess not. Seems the favorite spot was only shared with the favorite child." Xylda rolled her eyes at Luther's unimpressed look, Diego smirked at her comment.

"Will there be refreshments?" asked Klaus leaving the bar, glass and cigarette in hand, to join his siblings, "Tea? Scones? Cucumber sandwiches are always a winner." Xylda smiled at her brother, no one else did.

"What? No. And put that out. You know Dad didn't allow smoking in here." Klaus ignored the order,

"Is that my skirt?" asked Allison, eyeing the dark grey skirt Klaus was wearing.

"What? Oh, yeah, this. I found it in your room. It's a little dated, I know, but it's very breathy on the bits." said Klaus swaying in the skirt and gesturing to his crotch.

"I like it." said Xylda looking Klaus up and down, "It suits you, accents your hips nicely."

Klaus smiled, "Thank you. At least one of you is willing to recognize how beautiful I am." Xylda rolled her eyes.

"Listen up. There's still some important things that we need to discuss, all right?" said Luther trying to get them back on track.

Klaus rolled his eyes and flopped down onto the couch between Vanya and Xylda, both scooted to the side a little to make enough room, "Like what?" asked Diego.

"Like the way he died," said Luther

"And here we go." Diego sighed

"I don't understand. I thought they said it was a heart attack." said Vanya.

"Yeah according to the coroner." said Luther.

"Well, wouldn't they know?" she asked

"Theoretically."

"Theoretically?" parroted Allison

"I'm just saying, at the very least, something happened. The last time that I talked to Dad, he sounded strange." Luther insisted

"Oh, quelle surprise!" gurgled Klaus, with whiskey or some amber liquid in his mouth, Xylda leaned away to make sure none of it got on her clothes.

The others ignored Klaus, "Strange how?" asked Allison.

"He sounded on edge. Told me I should be careful who to trust." explained Luther.

"Luther, he was a paranoid, bitter old man who was starting to lose what was left of his marbles." said Diego getting out of his chair and moving to Luther who was shaking his head.

"No. He must have known something was going to happen." Luther turned away from Diego to face Klaus, "Look, I know you don't like to do it, but I need you to talk to dad." Allison scoffed.

"I can't just call Dad in the afterlife and be like, 'Dad, could you just stop playing tennis with Hitler for a moment and take a quick call?'" said Klaus.

"Since when? That's your thing." Luther was getting angry.

"I'm not in the right… frame of mind." Klaus tried to explain.

"Your high?" asked Allison

Klaus laughed, "Yeah! Yeah!" he looked to each of his siblings, "I mean, how are you not, listening to this nonsense.?"

"Well, sober up this is important." commanded Luther, "Then there's the issue of the missing monocle."

"Who gives a shit about a stupid monocle?" asked Diego tiredly.

"Exactly. It's worthless. So whoever took it, I think it was personal. Someone close to him. Someone with a grudge. Xylda I want you to see if you can get a scent from his room, see if someone else was in the room with him." Xylda's spine straightened at Luther's tone, He can't possibly think?

"Where are you going with this?" asked Klaus.

"Oh, isn't it obvious, Klaus." said Diego, "He thinks one of us killed Dad."

Another silence descended on the living room, each sibling staring at Luther in surprise, "You do?" asked Klaus, frowning at Luther.

"How could you think that?" asked Vanya, sounding heartbroken.

Diego leaned in close to Luther, "Great job, Luther. Way to lead." with that Diego left the room.

"That's not what I'm saying." tried Luther.

"You're crazy, man. You're crazy." Klaus got up off the couch and grabbed Dad's urn, "Crazy."

"I've not finished." stated Luther as Klaus began to leave with Diego.

"Okay, well. Sorry, I'm just gonna go murder Mom. Be right back." snarked Klaus as he left.

"That's not what I was saying," Vanya got up from the couch and followed Klaus, "I didn't -" Luther sighed as Allison left the room as well, "Allison. Jezz…"Once he saw that everyone but Xylda was gone he sighed, "That went well."

"Yeah, not your finest moment, Number One." said Xylda, leaning back into the couch and crossing her arms and legs.

"Shut up." Luther sat back down on the couch, "Why didn't you leave?"

"Well, for one thing, I figured it would hurt a little less if at least one of us stayed." Luther frowned, "And your theory has some merit. Apart from the whole, one of you did it, it is possible for someone to be poisoned and have it look like natural causes."

Luther leaned forward, "So you agree with me then, someone else was with him when he died and poisoned him?"

"No. I just agree that your theory has merit, not that it's true." denied Xylda, causing Luther to groan in frustration.

"Why would you tell me that if you don't believe me?" he asked in exasperation.

Xylda shrugged, "Just because I don't believe you doesn't mean it can't be true. Gather proof that Dad was murdered and show us that your right. That was always your problem Luther, you just expected us to follow you without question, but we can't follow a leader who doesn't think before he acts." With that Xylda left Luther alone with his thoughts and decided to journey upstairs, discovering Vanya on the steps in her way.

"Did you really have to tell him that? He thinks one of us killed Dad." she asked.

"Yes, I did. Luther won't be able to accept that Dad died of natural causes until he proves it. And can you blame him for thinking it was one of us. I certainly thought about taking a few shots at him from time to time." She walked to Vanya, still seated on the steps and placed a hand on her shoulder, "'We all grieve in our own way. You just need to figure out how you can move on'. You told me that and it's the best advice I have ever gotten. I'm gonna head upstairs, if you need me I'll be in Fives room." Xylda started up the steps.

"You sure you wanna do that?" asked Vanya, Xylda paused in her ascent.

"Yeah, I do." Xylda hadn't turned to look at Vanya, but she could still feel her sad stare as she started up again.

Xylda walked down the corridor slowly, she rolled her eyes at the little pictures Reginald had hung, the cartoons depicted take down moves and disarming techniques, what made it worse was the fact that they were made in the style of kindergarten flashcards. Coming to Fives door she passed Ben's closed door, she placed a hand on the door knob in passing, but didn't dare go in, none of them did, it was too painful, because they knew he was dead. In contrast they had each gone into Five's room from time to time, either to check if he had returned or to wipe away the dust. Opening the door she was relieved to note that Dad had left the room untouched, the only sign of anyone having been there was the lack of dust. It's nice to know Mom keeps busy. Xylda crossed the room to lie down on the bed, she had cleaned out her room of anything she couldn't leave behind when she moved out, as well as anything she couldn't risk being throw out of Fives room. So she chose to stay in Fives room until Luther's service.

Xylda didn't dare try and find a trace of Fives scent, she knew it was gone and trying to find it would only hurt her more. So she passed the time reading the faded writings on the chalkboard above and to the left of the bed, the theories he transcribed when he couldn't be bothered to find paper. It drove their Dad crazy, that he would rather write on the walls then the paper he provided, she knew that he did it on purpose when he realized how much it irritated the Great Sir Reginald Hargreeves. Five loved to challenge him, he wanted to prove that he was smarter and better than everyone else, believing that in doing so he would somehow prove that at least he was worth their Dad's time. Xylda let herself get lost in the last memory they had shared in this room.

Xylda laid on her stomach a top Five's bed, her tail swishing behind her, its black scales catching the light as she listened to him explain what it was he was writing, both were dressed in their uniforms. They had removed their jackets, shoes and socks, though Xylda removed the vest and tie as well. He stood on the bed to write on the chalkboard she had helped him affix to the wall, "I can do it Xylda." he said, turning away from his equations to face her, his eyes shining with determination, "I can travel through time, Dad's wrong I'm ready, and your going to come with me."

"Oh, will I?" Xylda's tone was teasing, they both knew she would follow him anywhere.

"Yes, you will. And we're going to travel anywhere and to any time we want, just you and me." he said it with such an assured tone, like he was going to make it happen no matter what.

"What about the others? Are we just going to leave them here?" she asked genuinely curious. She knew that he loved their siblings, would do anything for them, so it was hard for her to believe that he would so readily leave them.

Five frowned, sat down on the bed and coaxed her to come closer, she got up on her knees and crawled closer. Five moved to sit back against the headboard, she crawled between his legs and settled her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and took both her sharp talon hands into his own, he played with them, holding them up so that her black scales would catch the light, "We are so much better than them. We don't need to stay here." his tone brooked no argument, but she did anyway.

"Your better than them. Not me." Xylda sagged against his chest in sadness, her hair moving to hide her face when she ducked her head, "I'm nothing more than a pet with a leash." She waved her tail, and gestured to their clasped hands to indicate her grey, pale skin covered in fractured lines of black veins that emphasized the poisonous black blood coursing through her. Her lower arms and shins were covered in black scales, she tried to pull her talons out of Fives fragile human hands to keep from cutting him, but he held on tighter, the talons digging into his flesh. Thankfully they didn't break his skin.

"You are not less than them." When she didn't respond Five let go of one hand to turn her head to face him, but she resisted his coaxing hand, "Look at me." she still didn't turn her head, "I said. Look AT Me!" This time he grabbed the side of her face to force her eyes to meet his, brushing her hair out of her face he stared into her red eyes. "You are not less. You are better than them. You are amazing and strong. You can walk off bullets, you can rip a grown man in half, and you can heal us."

"But Dad says…" she tried quietly.

"Fuck what Dad says!" he rebutted, "You aren't a mindless monster. And when we leave you will never have to take someone calling you that, ever again."

"Promise?" Xylda's voice was small as she stared into Fives eyes.

"I promise." He vowed. Using the hand still gripping her face he pulled her into a soft kiss to seal his promise. Xylda sighed into the kiss, the sound signaling Five to deepen the kiss. She gasped when his tongue licked the seem of her lips and he quickly capitalized on the access she granted him Being mindful of her sharp teeth, his hand slid from her face into her hair to better angle her head for his exploration. Not wanting him to do all the work Xylda turned her body to face him, straddled his hips, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders for purchase. Five moaned when her tongue began to tangle with his, his other hand moved to grip her hip and move her to sit on him completely. They both groaned at the pressure…

Xylda quickly shut the memory down, it wasn't long after that that Xylda learned how to make herself look normal, she could now hide her scales and tail, but she couldn't change her eyes. Five had told her that he was happy she couldn't, they marked her as special, she hadn't agreed. Now she wore brown contacts to hide them whenever she needed to blend in, but only if she had to, like today, otherwise she would wear sunglasses. No matter how douchey it made her look when she was inside. She giggled when another memory came to mind, Vanya and Klaus had dragged her to a beauty store which had begun selling colored contacts. They carried normal eye colors and exotic ones, things like purple, yellow, and of course, red. Klaus made a show of buying a pair of bright neon pink ones, Vanya had bought a pair of white ones, and after Klaus had confiscated all her sunglasses, they spent the rest of the day wearing them. She had been touched at the gesture. She snorted remembering when Klaus had practically tackled her to stop her from buying the brown ones she was currently wearing, it hadn't worked, her brother was nothing more than a twig.

[I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany begins playing]

Seriously, thought Xylda as she heard the song beginning to pour from Luther's room.

"Children behave, that's what they say when we're together

And watch how you play

They don't understand

And so we're

Running just as fast as we can, holding on to one another hands"

Xylda sat up in the bed and bobbed her head to the beat,

"Trying to get away into the night and then you put your arms around me

And we tumble to the ground and then you say

I think we're alone now,

There doesn't seem to be anyone around

I think we're alone now,

The beating of our hearts is the only sound

Look at the way we gotta hide what we're doin'

'Cause what would they say

If they ever knew

And so we're"

Xylda giggled and got off the bed to begin swaying and twirling,

"Running just as fast as we can, holding on to one another hands

Trying to get away into the night and then you put your arms around me

And we tumble to the ground and then you say

I think we're alone now,

There doesn't seem to be anyone around

I think we're alone now,

The beating of our hearts is the only sound

I think we're alone now,

There doesn't seem to be anyone around

I think we're alone now,

The beating of our hearts is the only sound…"

A clap of thunder cut the song off and interrupted the siblings in their individual dances. The whole house shook, and each of the siblings went to find the source, the five of them met in the hall leading to the courtyard.

"What the hell is that?" yelled Diego when he joined Allison, Luther, Vanya and Xylda in the hallway, eyeing the blue light shining through the glass of the doors.

"I don't know. Stay here I'll go find out." commanded Luther, he started heading towards the doors only to be shoved aside by Diego.

Luther growled at his back, Vanya and Xylda just rolled their eyes and followed Diego, with Luther and Allison bringing up the rear.

"Oh!" exclaimed Diego, the wind was howling, kicking up dirt and dead leaves all around the courtyard. And in the center high above their heads was a blue swirling mass of energy, Xylda placed her hands over her ears to ease some of the pain at such loud sounds, she felt herself shift, feeling the scales grow on her forearms and on her shins, her tail extended from the bottom of her spine, and her teeth sharpened. She used her tail to pull Vanya close to her, if something bad happened she was the most vulnerable.

Vanya felt Xylda's tail wrap around her waist to pull her closer, she went willingly, not really sure what was going on, but not wanting to get hurt. "What is it?" asked Vanya above the sound of the wind.

"Don't get too close." warned Allison, making Xylda roll her eyes.

"Yeah, no shit." said Diego.

"Looks like some sort of temporal anomaly." said Luther, "Either that or a miniature black hole. One of the two."

"Pretty big difference there, Paul Bunyan." snarked Diego

"Out of the way!" yelled Klaus running into the courtyard with a fire extinguisher, pushing in between and past Luther and Diego.

"What are you -" started Luther, Klaus tried spraying the mass of energy, but when that did nothing he hurled the entire extinguisher into the mass. It disappeared.

"What is that gonna do?" asked Allison.

"I don't know. Do you have a better idea?" asked Klaus

After a beat of silence Xylda spoke, "Apparently not." Earning herself a glare from Allison.

The electricity crackled ominously, Klaus back peddled away from the mass and into Diego and Luther, who proceeded to shove him behind them. Xylda grabbed his arm and pulled him closer to herself and Vanya, "Woah, woah. Everybody get behind me." ordered Luther.

"Yeah, get behind us." said Diego stepping up beside Luther.

"That's not what he said." Diego glared at Xylda over his shoulder, she just shrugged.

"I vote for running, c'mon!" yelled Klaus, trying to pull everyone back. Luther and Diego shoved him off.

The electricity intensified and looking closer Xylda could see a person in the middle of the mass, a person who seemed to be getting younger, becoming more familiar, No… Impossible, it can't be him. He's dead. The energy picked up before disappearing with a pop, causing a body to fall to the ground. The wind and electricity dissipated, revealing a clear sky. Slowly the six moved towards the body that was beginning to stand up, Klaus clutched Xylda's arm tightly as they got closer and Xylda kept Vanya close to her.

When the person stood up Xylda gasped, Five!, her tail went lax, and fell from around Vanya's waist, "Does anyone else see little Number Five, or is that just me?" asked Klaus slowly.

Xylda clutched Klaus's arm tightly making him flinch in pain, "It's not just you." she said shakily, a smile breaking out onto her face. He was wearing a grey suit that was too large for his thirteen year old self, and he had the same haircut.

Registering what Klaus had said Number Five, looked down at himself and frowned, "Shit."

While the others gaped at him, Xylda rushed forward pushing past her siblings, her tail instinctively wrapping around Number Five's waist to pull him in for a tight hug. He was startled by the action, and so were the others, it took him a second to realize who it was hugging him, but when he did he slowly reciprocated. It didn't matter how long it took, to Xylda all that mattered was that he was back, Number Five pulled back from the hug to look at her, his smile was small and tired. Xylda smiled back, but was startled when he met her eyes and frowned, "What-" He was interrupted by Klaus.

"Oh, I want a hug too." Klaus swept both of his small siblings into a hug startling them. His long arms easily enveloping them both. Xylda giggled at Five's grumbles.

That seemed to snap the others out of their stupor and had them rushing to join the hug. Xylda and Five almost buckled under all the weight especially when Luther joined in. They all stayed like that for a few minutes, until Number Five's grumbling got louder, "Alright, enough hugs!" He tried to wiggle out from under them, but when they didn't pull away he spatial walked to the other end of the courtyard, surprisingly with Xylda in tow. The siblings realized they were hugging air and turned to their long lost sibling. "I'm starving. You got anything to eat?" Without another word Number Five walked into the Academy towing Xylda along by her tail to the kitchen and she gladly followed.

Kitchen

Five led Xylda to the kitchen in silence, she just reveled in the fact that he was back and let him have the silence. When they got to the kitchen Number Five began searching for something to eat, Xylda let her tail fall from his waist and took a seat at the table to watch him search. The others didn't say anything as they entered and took seats at the kitchen table, Klaus going so far as to sit cross legged in the center table. Diego leaned against it to the left of Klaus with Luther seated in front of him, and Allison stood on his right with Vanya seated in front of her. Xylda sat next to Vanya and all six stared at Five as he searched.

Finding a cutting board and grabbing a knife Number Five set them on the table, "What's the date? The exact date?" he asked as he went to grab the bread,

"The 24th." said Vanya

"Of what?"

"March." said Xylda, bringing his attention to her, they locked eyes.

"Good." he said, Xylda smiled.

"So are we going to talk about what just happened?" asked Luther, Five broke eye contact with Xylda and ignored him to set out two slices of bread.

"Marshmallows are in the cupboard," said Xylda knowing exactly what he was making, Five gave her a smile in thanks.

Luther stood up to be in his way, "It's been seventeen years."

Five looked up at Luther, That is going to drive him nuts, he scoffed, "It's been a lot longer than that." he said before spatial walking around him and to the cupboard, to grab the marshmallows.

"I haven't missed that." said Luther

"Peanut butters in the fridge." supplied Vanya.

"Where'd you go?" asked Diego.

"The future." he said, spatial walking back to the table, "It's shit by the way."

"Called it!" yelled Klaus triumphantly. His siblings ignored him, but Xylda smiled, Klaus had always said that the future wasn't worth much and that only the present was worth anything, 'That's why it's called the present.'

Five went to the fridge to get the peanut butter, "I should've listened to the old man. You know, jumping through space is one thing, jumping through time is a toss of the dice." He brought the jar of peanut butter to the table and opened it, looking up he caught sight of Klaus's skirt, "Nice dress."

Klaus preened and picked up the long tassel, twirling it he said, "Oh, well, danke!"

"Wait, how did you get back?" questioned Vanya, trying to wrap her head around the idea that Five had time traveled.

"In the end I had to project my consciousness forward into a suspended quantum state version of myself that exists across every possible instance of time." he explained.

"Which explains why your only thirteen." said Xylda

Five smirked, "Exactly."

At the other's confused looks she explained, "He was thirteen when he was last here, so when he came back he reverted to what was last here. His thirteen year old self. That was the last consciousness that existed here."

"That makes no sense," said Diego.

"Well, it would if you were smarter." Fives dismissive tone angered Diego who rose from his seat intending to kick his brothers ass, but was stopped from advancing on Five when Luther's arm shot out to stop him.

"How long were you there?" asked Luther

"Forty-five years. Give or take." Five didn't even look up from his sandwich to answer. Both Diego and Luther sat back down, shocked at the news.

"So what are you saying? That you're 58?" asked Luther, Xylda had to stop herself from rolling her eyes, Five had no such compunction.

"No, my consciousness is 58." Five finished making his sandwich, "Apparently, my body is now 13 again."

"Hence the peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich." pointed out Xylda.

"Wait, how does that even work?" asked Vanya

"Delores kept saying the equations were off. Eh" He took a bite of the sandwich, "Bet she's laughing now."

"Whose Delores?" questioned Xylda, Five waved her off and picked up the newspaper,

"Guess I missed the funeral." he said reading the headline.

"How'd you know about that?" asked Luther, He's holding the paper, dumbass.

"What part of 'the future' do you not understand?" Five sneered, "Heart failure, huh?"

"Yeah." "No" The others rolled their eyes at both Luther and Diego who were glaring at each other, again.

"Hmm. Nice to see nothing's changed." Five said as he walked out of the kitchen.

"Uh, that's it? That's all you have to say?" questioned Allison as Xylda got up to follow Five out.

"What else is there to say? Circle of life." Was the deadpan reply.

Xylda gave her siblings a shrug as she left the kitchen and easily caught up to Number Five on the stairs. Her tail snaking around his waist again to pull him close, he didn't seem to mind, in fact he patted the smooth scales and the two walked in silence. He finished his sandwich by the time they reached his old room, he stopped in the open doorway, "Huh, and here I figured the old man would have cleaned all my stuff out." Walking inside, he went to his desk first, it was covered in neatly stacked papers, Xylda's tail reluctantly letting go of him, coming into the room she closed the door behind her and leaned against it.

"Pogo and I stopped him. And not everything is here, I was afraid he would start throwing things out when I left, so I took some things with me. They're in a trunk at my place." she explained.

Turning back to her, Five studied her closely, after a minute of looking her up and down he stalked towards her. Xylda inhaled sharply when he moved his face closer to hers, his scent held new accents, but she found traces of the scent she remembered. He braced one arm next to her head on the door, he lifted his other hand to caress her face. Feeling the skin of his palm on her cheek Xylda closed her eyes to enjoy the sensation, the hand moved from her face slowly down her neck, Xylda sighed as it reached her chest. He traced her bra through her tank top, Xylda's eyes snapped open when she felt his hand clench her shirt to pull her into his chest. His chapped lips slanted over hers, the hand by her head tangled itself in her hair and the one on her chest moved to her lower back to press her against him. She sighed, and relaxed into the chaste kiss, her arms coming up to wrap around his shoulders. Xylda pulled back for air, but Five didn't let up, he let her take a few gulps of air before slanting his lips over hers again. This time he immediately licked into her mouth, the grip of the hand in her hair tightened and tilted her hair to take control of the increasingly aggressive kiss.

Xylda didn't know how much time had passed when he finally pulled away and placed their foreheads together, all she did know was that if he wasn't holding her up she would have fallen to the floor of his room. "I've waited forty-five years to do that again." Xylda smiled shyly, the hand in her head tilted her head back to meet his eyes, staring into them Five frowned, the look causing Xylda to withdraw a little. She finally realized what he had spotted in the courtyard, feeling her pull away Five pushed her back into his chest, effectively plastering her against him completely, "What's wrong with your eyes?" he asked.

She quickly reassured him, "I'm wearing colored contacts. For the funeral. I know how much my eyes unnerve the others so I -"

"Take them out." he ordered. Xylda eyes widened at the intensity in his eyes. The hand in her hair began to trance her face, while the other kept her against his chest. His index finger traced her eyes, her cheek even her lips which had become darker from the kiss, "Brown doesn't suit you." he explained.

She blushed, feeling her cheeks turning grey, she shoved her face into the crook of his neck to hide the blush and to take a deep breath of his scent. "I'll take them out later." Lifting her face from his neck, she took the time to examine his face. Her right hand traced his cheek, his eyes, his nose and lips, "You're really back." Her voice was quiet and filled with awe, "You came back to me." A single tear slipped down her cheek which Five wiped away, vn

"You're not angry?"he asked tentatively.

Xylda shook her head, "No. All that matters is that you came back to me."

Five smiled, "It took some time, but yeah I did." Xylda and Five shared a content smile. Looking down Xylda giggled, Five raised an eyebrow at her reaction, but followed her eyes and remembered that he was still wearing his grey suit. That fit his forty-five year old body well, but was now too big on his short frame.

"I need to get out of this suit and into clothes that fit." He said taking off the suit jacket.

"Have fun with that." Five frowned, so she gestured for him to open his closet, Xylda took a seat on his bed.

Opening the closet and seeing what she meant he swore, "Ah, shit." he complained at the sight of his closet filled with nothing but his old Academy uniforms. Xylda giggled at his expression.

Five sent her an exasperated look, squaring his shoulders he pulled one out, and began to undress despite Xylda still being in the room. She didn't take her eyes off of him as he set about discarding the big suit, she pouted when he didn't change his underwear and undershirt. Seeing her reaction Five smirked smugly.

Xylda decided to fill the silence, "So 58, huh?" Five froze for a second his arms part way through the arms of the dress shirt.

"Yes." he answered hesitantly.

Xylda smiled teasingly at the weary expression he wore, she leaned back on her hands, the action pushing her breasts forward and she crossed her legs, "And I'm 30. So that makes you 28 years older than me. Which also makes you quite the cradle robber." Xylda smirked when she caught him staring at her breast, he shook his head, pulled his eyes away from her chest and gained a horrified expression on his face.

"I am not a cradle robber!" he yelled in outrage.

She gave her breasts a pointed look, "You sure about that?" he shuddered at the low timber of her voice.

"Don't start something we can't finish now." he ordered.

Xylda shrugged, "I've waited 17 years. What's a few more hours.'' She smiled at him, he smirked in return and finished getting dressed under her watchful gaze. When it came to his tie she got off the bed and pushed his hands away to tie it for him. Five smiled at the gesture and let her work, when she finished she fixed his collar and handed him the sweater vest.

"Go get those stupid contacts out and meet me downstairs." he ordered pulling the sweater vest on. Xylda swayed her hips as she walked to the door and smirked in triumph when she heard him groan behind her.

Time Jump Living Room

Vanya entered the living room to find Five starring at the portrait of himself above the fireplace and Xylda sitting on the couch watching him, Vanya was happy to notice that she had removed the brown contacts. "Nice to know Dad didn't forget about me." He turned to face Vanya, "Read your book, by the way. Found it in a library that was still standing. I thought it was pretty good, all things considered. Yeah, definitely ballsy, giving up the family secrets. Sure that went over well."

"They hate me." said Vanya.

"I don't." said Xylda, Vanya gave her a grateful smile.

"I know you don't Xylda."

"Oh, there are worse things that can happen." said Five.

"You mean like what happened to Ben?" Xylda physically flinched at the reminder of their dead brother.

"Was it bad?" he asked.

Vanya nodded, but it was Xylda who spoke, "Really bad." Five gave her a concerned look, but she made a gesture to indicate I'll tell you later, and he accepted it.

Time Jump Courtyard

It had begun to rain, so apart from Diego and Luther they all grabbed an umbrella, Klaus's umbrella was clear and had a bright pink trim, opposed to everyone else's solid black. "Did something happen?" asked Mom.

Everyone frowned, "Dad died. Remember?" answered Allison

"Oh. Yes, of course." Mom had a strange blank look on her face.

"Is Mom okay?" asked Allison

"Yeah, yeah, she's fine. She just needs to rest. You know, recharge." said Diego, but no one really believed him, but accepted it for the time being.

Pogo joined them with his cane, his own black suit and an umbrella, he addressed Luther, "Whenever you're ready, dear boy."

Luther took a moment before opening the urn and pouring it out, it was anticlimactic, shouldn't there be more of him, wondered Xylda until she saw Klaus's wince. No one else seemed to notice, "Probably would have been better with some wind." said Luther, and everyone winced that time.

"Does anyone wish to speak?" asked Pogo, when no one spoke he sighed, "Very well. In all regards, Sir Reginald Hargreeves made me what I am today. For that alone, I shall forever be in his debt. He was my master...and my friend, and I shall miss him very much." Hearing the sadness in his voice made a single tear slip from Xylda's eye, earning a concerned look from Five. "He leaves behind a complicated legacy-"

"He was a monster." said Diego, his voice was dead, Klaus laughed, "He was a bad person and a worse father. The world's better off without him."

"Diego." admonished Allison.

"My name is Number Two. You know why? Because our father couldn't be bothered to give us actual names. He had Mom do it." Diego glared at the pile of ash.

"Would anyone like something to eat?" asked Mom

"No, it's okay Mom." answered Vanya

"Oh, okay." Mom smiled at Vanya.

"Look you wanna pay your respects?" Diego walked out into the middle of their half circle, "Go ahead. But at least be honest about the kind of man he was"

"You should stop talking, now." said Luther.

Here we go

Diego looked at him, "You know, you of all people should be on my side here, Number One."

Luther took a step forward, "I am warning you."

"After everything he did to you?" Klaus, Five and Xylda exchanged a knowing glance. "He had to ship you a million miles away."

"Diego stop talking." anger began to coat Luther's tone,

"That's how much he couldn't stand the sight of you!" shouted Diego poking Luther in the chest. Luthor swung his right fist at Diego, but he ducked it and then Luther tried with his left, everyone backed away from the two,

"Boys, stop this at once!" commanded Pogo

Klaus herded Five and Xylda back, but both brushed his hands away.

"Ah, come on big boy." taunted Diego

"Stop it!" tried Vanya

Klaus encouraged the two, "Hit him! Hit him!" Xylda hit his arm to stop him, Five remained silent and watched his brothers with a look of boredom.

Pogo scoffed and turned away to go back inside.

Luther grabbed Diego by his shirt, "Get off me!"

"We don't have time for this." said Five heading back inside, "Come on." Five took her hand but Xylda shook her head.

Seeing his confusion she explained, "I need to make sure they don't kill each other." Five nodded and headed inside.

"Come here, big boy." Diego was now in front of Ben's statue, and when Luther took another swing Diego ducked away, causing the punch to hit the statue. Knocking it off the pedestal, the head broke away from the rest of him as it hit the ground hard.

"Oh..." exclaimed Klaus sadly.

"And there goes Ben's statue." stated Allison, absolutely done with Diego and Luther's measuring contest she went inside.

Diego pulled out one of his knives, "Diego, no!" shouted Vanya, but it was too late, Diego had already hurled the knife and it sliced Luther's left forearm. Luther was breathing hard as he clutched the wound for a moment, he eyed everyone before he left the courtyard, with his proverbial tail between his legs. Vanya walked over to Diego, "You never know when to stop, do you?" Vanya's question was rhetorical, but she got a reply.

Diego scoffed and leaned in close to her, "You got enough material for your sequel yet?" he asked with a sneer.

"He was my father too." Vanya left Diego standing in the rain.

Diego walked over to Mom and gently took her elbow, "Mom. Let's go inside." She gave him a blank smile. "Come on. Okay? Come on." They both left, leaving Klaus and Xylda sitting on a bench.

"Well, that was dramatic." deadpanned Xylda.

Klaus snorted, taking a drag of whatever he was smoking, he rose from the bench and approached their Dad's ashes, "I bet you're loving this. Hmm?" he crouched down to be closer to the ashes, "The team at its best. It's just like old times" taking another drag, he put it out in the ashes, walking away he looked to Xylda, "Best funeral ever." Xylda followed Klaus back into the house, both closed their umbrellas and dropped them in the stand, with the others. "Well, I don't know about you sis, but this has been a great day. Dad's dead and Five's back. What could possibly be better?"

"Having Ben come back." Klaus stared at Xylda, "I can't believe they broke his statue, all because they can't stop fighting over who's in charge. There is no team, so there is no leader."

"Ah, dear sister, we shall never know the hearts or minds of men." Klaus put an arm over Xylda's shoulders and led her into the house, "But we do know those two idiots. And they are always going to fight, they are two alpha males, butting horns to see who claims the title of top dog."

"Dogs don't have horns." she pointed out. Klaus waved his hand in a shooing motion,

"Don't dis my analogy. It's rude."

"So is stealing someone else's clothes." she snarked as he led them into the foyer.

"I will have you know that I look way better in this skirt than our dear Allison ever did." Xylda snorted,

"This is your home, and always will be." said Pogo, Klaus and Xylda came to a stop, Vanya was back in her coat's and talking with Pogo. "Should I get you a taxi?" he asked. Xylda frowned and lifted Klaus's arm off of her shoulders.

"You're leaving already?" she asked, Vanya and Pogo looked to her,

"Yeah, I called a taxi, but thanks for the offer Pogo." she said, Xylda crossed the foyer to hug her goodbye, a car horn sounded outside, "That's me." she said pulling out of the hug.

"Uh… I hope you know your father loved you very much. In his own way." Pogo tried,

"Yeah, well, that's kinda the problem isn't it? Take care of yourselves."

"You as well, Miss. Vanya." said Pogo.

"Bye sis." Xylda gave Vanya a wave as she exited the door. Turning back to where she left Klaus she saw that he was gone, sighing she went up the stairs to wash her face.

Time Skip

Xylda found Five and Klaus in the kitchen an hour later, it had stopped raining, the sun had set and Klaus had taken his shirt off completely, but left on the skirt and his coat. Five was searching around for something and Klaus was sitting with his bare feet on the table holding a guitar. "Hey, sis. Guess what?" asked Klaus

"What?" she asked eyeing his shoes that were sitting on the table,

"Our little Number Five here is a coffee addict." he announced in a stage whisper, she raised an eyebrow at the searching boys back.

"At least I'm not a real addict." was Five's terse reply.

Klaus sighed at Number Fives response and leaned close to Xylda as she took the seat next to him, "The first sign of addiction is denial." Xylda giggled at her brother who soon joined her.

"You would know." said Five as he continued his quest.

"Yes, I would and it's my job as a big brother to make sure you don't follow in my footsteps." Klaus's voice took on a mocking tone. Five turned away from his search to give him an unimpressed look.

"I'm 28 years older than you, Klaus."

"Might want to tell that to the rest of you then." Five rolled his eyes and returned to his search, but Xylda gave Klaus a fist bump to know that his jab was appreciated.

That's how Allison found them, Klaus and Xylda giggling away at Fives fruitless search, "Where's Vanya?" she asked

Klaus answered, "Oh, she's gone." Allison frowned,

Finding an empty box Five brought it to the table, "That's unfortunate." he said

"Yeah." Agreed Allison thinking he was talking about Vanya.

"He's not talking about Vanya." said Xylda confusing Allison

"What?"

"An entire square block. Forty-two bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, but no, not a single drop of coffee." Klaus and Xylda smiled at Fives scowl.

"Dad hated caffeine." stated Allison

"Well, he hated children, too, and he had plenty of us."Klaus laughed at his own joke still clutching the guitar.

"I'm taking the car." Fives statement surprised the three.

Klaus sat up from his scrunched up position, "Where are you going?"

"To get a decent cup of coffee."

"Do you even know how to drive?" questioned Allison.

"I know how to do everything."

"He's supposedly 58. Plenty of time to learn how to drive." Pointed out Xylda, knowing where this was going she had gotten up from her seat and moved to Fives side, quickly wrapping her tail around his waist just before he spatial walked to the alley with the car.

Appearing in the alley Five wasn't surprised that Xylda had hitched a ride, Xylda pointed to the parked car, "My bike would be faster."

"I told you I know how to do everything. Everything including how to hot wire a car. And I would like to drive." Five's remark was tired, he started to walk towards it but Xylda pulled him back to her,

"Hey. Are you alright?" she asked gently, "You've been tense ever since you got back." she took his hands in hers and waited for him to answer,

"No, I'm not. I'll explain later, but right now I really need a cup of coffee."

Xylda, smirked, "Wow. You are a seriously grumpy old man. You gonna borrow Pogo's cane so you can scream at kids to get off your lawn?"

Five chuckled, "We don't have a lawn."

"True. I guess you'll just have to settle for yelling at them to turn their music down." she giggled, she had eased a little of his tension, but not all of it. "Griddy's is still around, and it should still be open."

"It's still in business?" he asked incredulously

"Yep." She led them to her bike instead of the car, her tail receding as they went.

"I told you-"

"I know, your driving. Or is that something you don't know how to do?" she challenged. She had left her helmet with the bike attached to the security chain, she removed the chain and handed him the helmet, he looked at it oddly, "My chances of surviving a cracked skull are better than yours. Besides we don't want to damage that big brain of yours, do we brain boy?"

Five stared at the helmet for a moment before taking it, "Griddy's it is then." Smiling triumphantly, she let him take it, she lifted the seat to stow the chain and handed him the keys. Five mounted the bike and Xylda settled in behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, he revved the engine a few times, before kicking up the kickstand and pulling out of the alley.

When they arrived at Griddy's, Five opened the kickstand and turned the bike off, Xylda removed her arms from around his waist as he pulled off her helmet, "You know I could get used to getting around like this."

"Told you." Xylda dismounted the bike first and Five followed, she lifted the seat to get the chain and latched the bike to a telephone pole.

A tow truck and a taxi were parked out front, Five eyed the tow truck for a moment before the two went in. Five held the door open for Xylda.

Seeing the place empty they both took a seat at the counter and Five rung the bell for service. Hearing the bell over the front door jingle, Xylda took out a pair of sunglasses and placed them on her face, causing Five to frown. They were joined at the counter by an older gentleman, who took off his hat, placed it on the counter and took out a crossword puzzle.

"You don't need those, or the contacts." said Five, lifting his hand to take them off, but Xylda stopped his hand,

"No I don't. But they are necessary to blend in."

Five snorted, "I wouldn't call sunglasses inside at night blending in."

"Well someone told me to take out my contacts."

"You could have said no."

"You know that's not how that works." she pointed out. The older gentleman ignored the two kids.

An older waitress in a bright neon pink and white 1950's uniform and hat emerged from the back stopping their conversation, "Sorry, sink was clogged." She pulled out a notepad and pencil from her apron to take their orders, "So, what'll it be?" she asked the older gentleman.

"Uh, give me a chocolate eclair."

"Mh-hmm. Sure." she said writing it down. Glancing at Xylda and Five the waitress addressed the gentleman, "Can I get the kid's some milk or something?"

Five scoffed at the notion that he was not only a kid, but that man's kid. "The kids want coffee. Black."

The waitress gave the man a chuckle and said "Cute, kid."

The man didn't know how to reply, and when she turned back to Five he was giving her a ridiculous over the top smile.

"Okay." the waitress awkwardly left the topic to go to the coffee pot. Xylda nudged his side and gave him a scolding look.

"There's no need to be rude. It's an easy assumption to make, we look like teenagers."

"I still can't believe this happened. I'm gonna have to go through puberty again."

Xylda rolled her eyes at his melodramatics, she used her left hand to caress his face, "I don't know. I'm quite happy it happened." at his dry look she continued, "You look to be the same age as me. I was honestly worried that when you finally came back you would have aged like the others, and while I wouldn't have minded you being 30, there are some people who would object to the physical age gap."

"What would you have done if I had come back as my 58 year old self?" Xylda noticed his hesitance, so she smiled

"Then I would have tested one of Dad's theories." she said, "I'll tell you later." she said in reply to his curious gaze.

Five looked around Griddy's and sighed, "I don't remember this place being such a shithole. Remember all of us coming here as kids?"

Xylda smiled at the memory, "We used to sneak out and eat doughnuts til' we puked."

"Simpler times, huh?" the last part was directed to the older gentleman who stared at the two of them in confusion.

"Eh. I suppose." He stared at Five, seeing that the waitress had returned with two cups of coffee and his eclair, he pulled out his wallet.

"Here." she said as she placed the coffee cups in front of Xylda and Five. The waitress gave Xylda's sunglasses a second look, but didn't comment.

"I got theirs." he handed her a big bill, Probably thinks we're homeless, thought Xylda.

"Thanks." said Five eyeing the man, noticing the Ishmael's Towing company patch he asked, "You must know your way around the city?"

"I hope so. I've been driving it for 20 years." he said, not knowing where Five was going with this Xylda kept silent.

"Good. I need an address."

After giving the address Five wanted, the man quickly finished his eclair and left the pair. "I could have told you where it was." said Xylda.

"I know, dear."

"Dear?' she asked, he had never had a nickname for her before.

He smiled, "Indulge an old man."

Xylda rolled her eyes and took a few sips of her coffee, she stiffened feeling Fives hand going underneath the back of her sweatshirt and then her tank top. His hand quickly finding the patch of black scales that always remained at the bottom of her spine, the sensation of his hand there made her almost spill her coffee. Placing the cup down with a shaking hand Xylda turned to see Fives smirking face.

"Just wanted to see if you were still sensitive there." he said smugly.

His hand stayed there, "You could have just asked."

"Yeah, but this feels nicer doesn't it?" The finger nail of his index finger scratched the scales making Xylda gasp. Slapping a hand over her mouth she glared at Five, who just smiled smugly and kept his hand on her scales.

The bell jingled signaling another customer, but when Xylda glanced into the Donut case she saw four men in tactical gear entering the shop. She didn't recognize them, talons and scales began to grow on her hands underneath her fingerless gloves, which she promptly hid in her sleeves and her spine began to itch signalling the need to release her tail, but she held it back. She felt her muscles coil as the four spread out, ready to pounce, but her muscles went slack at Fives words.

He leaned in close to her ear, "Trust me?" he asked, all playfulness gone from his voice.

"Always." she answered instantly.

Five smiled at the quick reply even though she couldn't see it, "Then whatever happens, don't interfere. Just watch." Not understanding what he was talking about, but choosing to trust him Xylda nodded her head. Five leaned away from her and went back to his own cup, but left his hand on the scales on her back.

"Hmm. That was fast." he addressed the four men behind them, "I thought I'd have more time before they found me." Xylda looked to Five questionly from underneath her glasses, but he stared straight ahead. Five said to trust him and I will.

"Okay. So let's all be professional about this, yeah? On your feet and come with us. They want to talk." Xylda bristled at being ignored,

"I've got nothing to say." said Five.

"It doesn't have to go this way. You think I want to shoot two kids? Go home with that on my conscience?" Xylda's hackles rose at the notion of the four not only shooting Five, but herself as well, Like you'd ever get the chance. Five heard her growl and scratched the skin above the scales on her spine to calm her down, the four men hadn't seemed to have heard it.

"Well, I wouldn't worry about that." Five turned to look at the man who had spoken, "You won't be going home." Grabbing the butter knife off the counter he spatial walked behind the man who had been speaking and stabbed him in the throat, as soon as Five disappeared Xylda dived over the counter. Shots were fired blindly around Griddy's, by the remaining three men, what the hell are they doing, they're gonna hit each other. The lights began flickering, one of the bullets had nicked the wiring.

She watched the remaining three search for Five in the glass of the donut case, Xylda spotted him appearing on one of the tables laying on his side with his head propped up on his arm and one leg bent, "Hey, assholes!" he yelled smugly disappearing before they even raised their guns, the idiots proceeded to empty their clips where he had just been. Idiots. Five appeared behind the counter with Xylda briefly to peck her cheek surprising her, before disappearing again. Idiot, she blushed grey.

Xylda heard a knock on the glass door and peeking over the top of the counter she saw Five's smug face on the other side of the door's glass, he saluted to the man on the other side who proceeded to fire at the glass door. Xylda watched in awe as Five appeared next to the man who had shot at the glass door, breaking a mop handle he stabbed him and then disappeared again, she watched his tie appear around another's neck before he himself appeared, yanking the man onto the table behind him and using the tie to break his neck. He grabbed a pencil and stabbed another in the leg, threw a plate at a fifth guy and when the one he stabbed bent over, he shoved the pencil into his eye. The last two got up off the floor and took aim, not realizing that they were across from each other, but Five did and made it look like he was jumping over the counter, but he spatial walked, resulting in the two shooting each other. Appearing again Five retrieved his tie and made eye contact with Xylda as he put it on and tightened it, he winked at her with a smug smile, making her jaw drop.

She stood up, noticing that one of the guys was still alive, Five watched Xylda approached the downed man, she kneeled over him and snapped his neck. Walking back to the counter Five joined her. "I need you to do something for me." he said panting a little.

"After a display like that you could ask me for anything and I'd probably agree to it," Xylda's voice was a purr.

"I'll keep that in mind for later, but right now I need you to cut a tracker out of my arm." At her questioning look Five held up a box that had a little radar screen on it and was beeping. "It's how they found me."

Not needing to be told twice Xylda gestured for him to give her whatever arm it was in, he pulled up the sleeve of his right arm and placed it on the counter. "Right there." She placed the talon of her right index finger on the indicated spot, gently pressed down and pulled the finger towards herself until he told her not too, her talon easily slicing his flesh open. "Stop."

She's ashamed to admit that her inner creature licked its lips at the scent of Fives blood, Calm down. Surprisingly the command worked, she watched him dig into his arm and after a little ruminging around (and groans of pain) pulled out the beeping tracker. Xylda reached for the bleeding arm, but Five stopped her. "Later. Let's get out of here." He pulled down the sleeve and offered her his hand bloodied hand, unhappy he wasn't allowing tend to the cut, but knowing the waitress had most assuredly called the police she took his hand.

"We are going to my place so we can look at your arm." she ordered.

Five shook his head, "We need to make a pit stop first. Do you know where Vanya's place is?" She nodded, "We need to go there first and talk to her, then we can head to your place. It's important."

Hearing his earnest tone Xylda folded, "Fine. But once we are there I am tending to your arm, before whatever it is you need to talk to her about."

He smiled at her indulgently, "Yes, dear." He led her out of Griddy's, stopping briefly to drop the tracker, before continuing to the bike.

She stopped him from getting on first, "It will be faster if I drive. I know the way." reluctantly Five moved aside so she could climb on.

Time Jump

Surprisingly Vanya wasn't home yet, "Jacket off, sleeve up." commanded Xylda. They kept the lights off, so as not to startle Vanya into not coming up.

"Yes, dear."

"You're not going to stop doing that are you?"

"No, dear." Xylda growled and inspected his bloody arm,

"Vanya has some salve in her bathroom cabinet. I'll go get it and some bandages." she made to leave, but Five grabbed her arm with a bewildered look.

She sighed, "You and Klaus were really the only ones who didn't mind my method, it made the others uncomfortable so Dad made a recipe for a salve to use instead."

"Well, I don't want a salve. I want YOU to heal it." Five finished removing the jacket, rolled up his sleeve and held out his right arm to her. Xylda slowly took the offered arm and moved closer to him, she guided his right arm to rest on her left shoulder making the wound sit next to her face. She turned her head to the wound, concentrating on her mouth, she felt her tongue grow thinner, longer and become forked, meeting Fives eyes she opened her now black lips revealing the tongue and her now razor sharp teeth. Her tongue left her mouth to lick at the wound, Five felt a warm sensation surround the wound as the flesh knit back together. Xylda's tongue also cleaned away the blood from his arm revealing smooth flesh with no scar in sight.

Xylda retracted her tongue and licked her black lips, Five's pupil's grew bigger at the act bending his elbow he wrapped his right arm around her neck to pull her face to his in a deep kiss. Xylda groaned into the kiss, gripping his sweater vest tightly in both fists while Five's other hand went to her lower back to push her tank top up and scratch at the black scales at the bottom of her spine again. At the sensation Xylda's knees went a little weak, when she gasped Five licked into her mouth past her black lips, to explore, her long tongue tangling with his normal one and he moaned at the feeling. He could taste her and his own blood.

The kiss continued for a few minutes, Five moaning and Xylda purring. Neither wanting to let up, they eventually had to come up for air, both were panting hard and remained holding each other, Xyldas face reverted back to a more human look, but her cheeks were grey, as his left hand continued to rub her scales. He led her to an armchair, he sat down first and brought her into his lap, she was a purring mess in his arms, seeing his jacket on the floor he whispered in her ear, "Could you grab my jacket please?" Opening her eyes and spotting the article of clothing she extended her tail and used it to pick it up and bring it to the chair. "Thank you." It took some maneuvering on her part, but Five put his jacket back on, just as the two heard a key scrape into the lock.

Xylda tried to get off of Five's lap to greet her, but Five stopped her by reaching over and switching on a lamp, "Jesus!" exclaimed Vanya in fright.

Xylda gave her an apologetic smile, "Sorry."

"You should have locks on your windows." admonished Five.

"I live on the second floor." Vanya closed the door behind her and locked it.

"That is an awful excuse." said Xylda crossing her arms

"Rapists can climb." added Five.

"So can thieves, and murderers, and stalkers…"

"You two are so weird." Vanya and Xyda hugged briefly when Five let her rise from his lap, before moving to sit on the couch together, Vanya eyed the blood on Five's jacket, "Is that blood?"

"It's nothing."

When she made to push, Xylda placed a comforting hand on her arm, "I took care of it." she reassured.

Vanya nodded, and asked, "Why are you both here?"

"I've decided that you two are the only ones I can trust." he said

"Why us?' asked Vanya,

"Because your ordinary, and I don't keep secrets from Xylda. And because you'll listen." Vanya looked to Xylda questioningly, but she just shrugged.

"Let's hear him out. He was very adamant to come talk to you." said Xylda

Seeing that they were ready he started, "When I jumped forward and got stuck in the future, do you know what I found?" both shook their heads, "Nothing. Absolutely nothing. As far as I could tell, I was the last person alive. I never figured out what killed the human race, but I did find something else. The date it happens." Fives eyes became glassy, remembering himself standing in the middle of a destroyed world still on fire. "The world ends in eight days, and I have no idea how to stop it."

Vanya gaped at Five for a moment, before resigning herself and saying, "I'll put on a pot of coffee." She got up from the couch to head into the kitchen, while Xylda, seeing Five's forlorn face, got up from the couch and sat in Five's lap. Not saying anything, she simply curled into his lap and smiled when his arms locked around her tightly.

End of Chapter One