CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO: SIX YEARS

----

In her undercover outfit Natasha stopped by a door to look at the sign.

THE KEEPERS

Close Meeting

12:00PM

Taken a deep breath she opened the door and everyone turned to look at her.

The group were all sitting in a circle in a room.

"Sorry I'm late" she walked in "Come in" the group leader which name was Larry said "We're about to begin" he said.

"Thank you" she walked in before sitting down on an empty seat.

"What are you doing here?" someone whispered and she looked to the left to see a familiar face.

The face of her ex-boyfriend but friend and partner in the CIA, Five Hargreeves.

He had a old pilot jacket, sunglass hanging on his white shirt, and he was wearing a fake mustache.

"I'm working just like you" she whispered back "This is my case, find your own" he said "Have you forgotten that we're kinda partners, which mean this is my case too, beside you might need my help for the report since the boss like me the most" she said "Well, you are late" Five whispered "I'm here now, stop complaining" she said and he rolled his eyes.

"But what are you doing here?" she asked "I'm working undercover" he said "Yeah, but do you have to take this case. This one is mine" she said "We are both on this case, beside it's best we work together" he said "Still" she said.

It has being six years since the universe was reset and five years since Natasha and Five ended their relationship.

One of the reasons for their relationship to end was because they were not communicating, and they were working against each other. They fought all the time. But it was also because after losing both their kids back at the hotel, they kept blaming themself. Even so they have gotten their son Zach back, they still blame each other and themself for losing their one-year-old toddler Luna.    

One day they were having a huge fights and they decided that it was best to break up. 

A year after their break up, Natasha and Five met again in the CIA and fun enough, they were actually partner up, working in the same department. Even they were not together anymore, they still decided to just be friends and work together and that is actually going okay, well sometimes they still fight.   

"My name is Gus" a guy said "Hi, Gus" the group said "I've been searching for the truth my whole life. Then I found this group. And it was like a lightbulb went off. For the first time, I heard people talking about what I was going through" Gus said "Exactly" a group member said.

"I realized there's nothing wrong with me. It's this timeline, man" Gus said "Yeah" another member said.

"It's screwed up!" Gus said and members murmurs of agreement "I know and I come here and say anything" Gus said "Yeah" another member said.

"I...I could say Sir Reginald Hargreeves is actually an alien who is secretly grooming a cabal of teenager super soldiers, and you guys actually know what I'm talking about" Gus said "Keep going" a group member said as some of the people nodded.

"And now" he grab a guy's that was sitting on his right hand "I have hope" he grab a woman's who was sitting on his left side hand.

"'Cause I know a cleanse is coming" Gus said "Yes" a member said "Amen" Gus said and the group clapped.

"Thank you, Gus. Thank you" Larry said before he looked at Five who was sitting next to him.

"How about you?" he asked and Five looked at him "Got anything you wanna share?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure" Five said as he glanced at the members around him.

"Hi, my name's Jerome" Five said "Hi, Jerome" they all said.

"I'm still new to all this, but I can tell you folks, what you're talking about is real" he sighed "You're not crazy, I know because I've been to other timelines. I don't look it, but I'm sixty-three. When I was 13, I spend twenty-five years lost in a future apocalypse. Spend nineteen years working as an assassin. Watch the woman I love almost died" Natasha glanced at Five.

"And I was involved in the Kennedy assassination" he explain with a sad voice.

"Speak your truth" a group member said "All that's unraveling now. I don't know what's real and what's not anymore. I feel like I can't trust anybody" Five sighed "All I know is I'm glad to have found all of you" he finished and group members mutter supportively.  

"That's it. That's all I got" Five looked at Larry "It's okay" he said and everyone clapped.

"Good share"

"How about you?" Larry looked at Natasha "Well, my name is Luna" Five glanced at Natasha before he let out a small scoff.

"I'm also new to all of this and I'm saying the same. What you guys are talking about is real. You're not crazy, and I know that because I have also been in other timelines. I don't look like it either but I'm sixty-two. I spend most of my life working as an assassin. I don't even what is real or not either. I feel lost and alone" Five glanced at Natasha.

"So therefore I'm glad that I have found all of you" she finished and group members mutter supportively.

"That's it. That's all I got" she looked at the Larry "It's okay" he said and everyone clapped.

Larry then looked at Natasha and Five "You wanna hear some real shit kids?" he whispered and the two looked at him "I'll take you to a real meeting" he said.

---

Zach was sitting in a bar over in the corner writing on his computer while drinking a milkshake when he noticed six guys bugging a young woman. She looks like she was 20 years old. 

"Just leave me alone" the woman said "Come baby, don't you want to party with us" one of guys said "No" the woman shook her head but they kept bugging her.

"Hey, just leave my daughter alone" the bartender said "Well, since you didn't pay and kept the deal, you can pay us another way" another guy said before slapping the woman's ass with his hand "Hey stop it" the woman said. 

"Leave her alone" the bartender said "Shut up!" one of the guys punch him right in the face causing him to let out a grunt before falling to the floor.

"Dad!" the woman rushed over to help her dad "Are you okay?" she asked while the six guys were laughing.

"See, your old man can't protect you" the leader of the group said "Why don't you come with us, we can protect you" he smiled.   

"Hey" someone poke him from behind which caused the six guys to turn around to see Zach.

"Just leave them alone" Zach said "Stay out of this kids, or you are next" the leader said "Listen, just walk out of here, before it get worse for yourself" Zach said and the group laughed.

"Does the little kid want to play hero?" one of the guys asked "Go home to mommy little guy" another one said.

(A/N: Play the song Sold Out by Hawk Nelson if you want) 

"Listen, walk away before it get worse, I'm asking nicely and I'm only asking one time" Zach said "Did you hear that Mark?" one of the guys looked at the leader "Yeah I heard" Mark nodded before he looked at Zach "Step away kid" he push to Zach causing him to stumble a bit backwards.

I ain't like no one you met before
I'm running for the front
When they're all running for the door

"Do you want a beatdown ?" Mark said and push a little bit to Zach again "Do you really think that a kid like you is going to take us down. We have all taken martial arts for years, and we are not going to hold back just because you are only one and a kid" Mark said "Yeah, six against one is not fair" Zach said "Then walk away" Mark said before he push Zach again, just a little harder this time.

And I won't sit down
Won't back out
You can't ever shut me up, 'cause
I'm on a mission and I won't quit now

"That is not what I mean" Zach stepped closer to him "Walk away right now, unless you want to end on your ass, I suggest you walk away, unless you want to know how many bones there actually is in a human body" he said. 

In a world full of followers, I'll be a leader
In a world full of doubters, I'll be a believer
I'm stepping out without a hesitation
Because the battle's already been won

"Listen kid, this fight wouldn't be fair" Mark said "Yeah you are rigt, it wouldn't be fair" Zach said.

Then Mark threw a punch at Zach but he grabbed Mark's arm and hold in a lock position "I meant it wouldn't be fair for you guys" Zach said before he punch him right in the face causing him to stumble back.

I'm sold out
I'm no longer living just for myself
Running after Jesus with my whole heart
And now I'm ready to show
I am sold out

Mark lifted his finger to his noise and he could feel that he was bleeding.

I'm sold out
With every single step that I take now
With every drop of blood left in my veins I'm
Gonna be making it count
I am sold out

Mark then ran towards Zach and he wrapped his arms around Zach's body before he lifted him up and threw him down on a table causing his beanie to fall off.

Mark lifted Zach up again and threw him at another table.

This ain't just some temporary phase
You can't face this kind of grace
And leave the way you came
This is permanent with intent
And there won't be no stoppin' it now
I'm on a mission and it's heaven-sent

Mark wrapped an arm around Zach's throat and pulled him with him. But then Zach gave him an elbow right in the waist causing Mark to let go before Zach grabbed his arm making him get free from Mark's grip. 

Zach then turned his arm around and punch him in the face before he spun around and kick him in the back causing Mark to fell down on the floor.

In a world full of followers, I'll be a leader
In a world full of doubters, I'll be a believer
I'm stepping out without a hesitation
'Cause my soul is like a stadium

Then one of the guys from the group charge towards Zach with a punch but Zach bent down and swung his legs under the guy's causing him to fell down on the floor.

Then another guy grabbed Zach from behind, but he punch him in the face before he kick another guy in the stomach that was charging towards him. 

Zach then spun around and kicked the guy he had just punch in the face. 

And I'm sold out
I'm no longer living just for myself
Running after Jesus with my whole heart
And now I'm ready to show
I am sold out

Zach then ran towards a table and jumped up on the table before he slid on the other side.

Two guys ran towards Zach and the woman grab a tray before sliding it towards Zach who grab it.

The two guys ran towards Zach, but he put his right leg on a chair before pushing it towards one of the guys making it hit his leg causing him to fall.

I'm sold out
With every single step that I take now
With every drop of blood left in my veins I'm
Gonna be making it count
I am sold out

Mark then grabbed Zach from behind but he turned around and hit him in the face with the tray.

No trials coming against me
Can put a dent in my passion
They're just an opportunity
To put my faith into action

A guy threw a punch at Zach but he block it with the tray causing the guy to step back and Zach turned around before he quickly hit a fourth guy with the tray that was coming behind him. He grunted when he got hit by the tray but Zach then punch him in the face with it again

In a world full of followers, I'll be a leader
In a world full of doubters, I'll be a believer
I'm stepping out without a hesitation
I ain't got nothing left to be afraid of

The fifth guy threw a punch at Zach but he gave him a knee right in the stomach causing the guy to bent over and Zach then hit him with tray in the back causing him to fell down on the floor.

I'm sold out
I'm no longer living just for myself
Running after Jesus with my whole heart
And now I'm ready to show
I am sold out

Then Zach saw Mark getting up. So he turned around and ran towards a table, as Zach jump, he used one of the guys that was about to get up as stairs before he jumped up on the counter.

Zach landed on all four and as Mark ran towards him, Zach kicked him in the throat, before he got to his feet and punch him in the face with the tray causing Mark to fell to the floor.

I'm sold out
With every single step that I take now
With every drop of blood left in my veins I'm
Gonna be making it count
I am sold out

Zach looked around at all the guys grunting "Really, is that what you will call fighting? I'm not even doing my best" he said.

Then Mark and the others guys got up and they all pulled up a knife each "We're gonna cut you up, little shit" Mark hissed and Zach chuckled "I have knives like that too, but I promise I wouldn't use them, but I don't think it is fun if I don't use something" he looked around before he spotted a pencil and he grab it.

"This will be my weapon" Zach said and the other guys laughed "A pencil, is this a joke?" Mark chuckled "You can't hurt us with a pencil" Mark said "I wouldn't be so sure" Zach jump down from the counter.  

"I'm gonna cut you 100 times" Mark said "Cool. I'll help you keep count. Ready, set, go" Zach said and Mark swung the knife at Zach, but he dodged it.

I'm sold out
With every single
Step that I take now
With every drop of blood
Left in my veins
I'm gonna be making it count
I am sold out

"D'oh" Zach said and Mark swung the knife at him but he dodged it "Missed" he said and Mark tried again but Zach dodged "Zero" he said.

This ain't just some temporary phase
You can't face this kind of grace
And leave the way you came
This is permanent with intent
And there won't be no stopping it now
I'm on a mission and it's heaven sent

Every time Mark try to swing the knife at Zach, he dodged it every time "Zero. Missed. Still Zero" he said every time he dodged Mark.

Then Zach heard someone behind him and as the guy was about to swung the knife at him, Zach quickly turned around before stabbing the guy in the eye with the pencil causing him to scream in pain while Zach push the pencil more into the guy's eye causing him to fall to the floor while Zach was over him, pushing the pencil more into his eye and hitting his brain.

When the guy was dead Zach took the pencil out of the guy's eye again before he got up and turned to the other five "Who's next?" he asked. 

---

Natasha and Five hurriedly entered the CIA building after their underover mission to spy on the Keepers in their secret meeting. The Keepers are a support group know to experience some sort of thinking about their other lives in other timelines. Natasha and Five had to investigate it, as they needed to know how people started remembering their different lives in another timeline.

Attending these meeting also gave Natasha and Five some sort of twisted therapy. With the Keepers, they can vent out their feelings from their past adventure.

"Well, that went well" Natasha walked next to Five "Like always" Five said before looking at her "I can't believe that you use our dead daughter's name like that" Five said "Hey, at least I didn't spend five years forgetting about her" she said "I never forgot about her! I miss and think about her everyday, wishing it was me instead of her!" Five hissed. 

A young agent with shirt yellow hair and glasses approached Natasha and Five, breaking the fight that was about to start between them.

"You two are late" he said as he handed Five his black suit.

"I know" Five grab the suit "Thanks Derek" he said.

"Mustache" Derek said "Right" Five took off the fake mustache before giving it to Derek who gave Natasha a file as the three of them walked up some small stairs.

"He's waiting in his office" he said as they walked farther up the steps.

---

Five changed into his suit before Natasha, him and Derek walked into a office where the boss was which was a black bald guy in a suit.

He was CIA Deputy Director Lance Ribbons.

Natasha gave his boss the file before her, Five and Derek sat down.

"The Keepers function mainly as a support group, but with strong cul-like tendencies. Membership is rapidly growing across all metro areas in the US, as well as Europe. It's all there in Five's and mine report, sir" Natasha explain.

"What's the organizing principle?" Lance asked "They believe we're all somehow stuck in the wrong timeline" Five explain "Well...just a bunch of loony tunes, if you ask me" Lance closed the file before folding his hand "Drop this Keeper nonsense. Move on" he said as he looked at Natasha and Five "I think it's time you got back to your other cases. Ladybug, Panama, Chicken Wing" he said "Sir, we're making progress with this" Five said "Now, you listen to me" Lance got up.

"You two have makings of a fantastic spook. A suspicious mind. A love of complexity and detail. A certain maturity that most of my young agents lack. Play your cards right, you two might be running this place someday" he said "Thank you for saying that, sir" Five said "Thank you for believing in us sir" Natasha said.

---

"Well, that went well" Natasha said sarcastically as her and Five walked out of the office.

Five looked at Natasha "You are not gonna let this go, right?" he asked "Hell no, are you?" she looked at him "Have you met me?" he chuckled.

"So you're going to that meeting?" she asked "Of course I am" he nodded before looking at her "Are you?" he asked "Just try and stop me, beside I think it is a good idea. In case something happen and I have to babysit you" she said and he scoff.

"But first we have a birthday party to go to" she said "I actually don't want to go" he said "Five, it's Diego's and Lila's daughter Grace's six-year birthday party. Your niece's birthday party. You are a bad uncle and brother if you don't go" she said "Are you going?" he looked at her "Of course I am" she nodded "Then it wouldn't hurt going" Five said.

"Miss Natasha, Mr. Five" Derek rushed over to them "What is Derek?" Natasha asked "There has being a fight in a bar nearby, Lance want you to check it out" Derek said "We will" Natasha nodded.  

---

Both Natasha and Five arrived at the bar to see six dead guys laying around in the bar.

"What happen here?" Five asked as him and Natasha was looking around "The bar owner said that these guys came to take his daughter away but a young guy stop them, and saved his daughter, the group tried to kill the young guy, so this was self defend, beside we did backup check on these guys and they were not good people, all criminals" Derek explain while Natasha walked over to one of the guys. His head was laying on the counter with a pencil right in his left eye.

"Any fingerprints?" Natasha asked "No" Derek shook his head "Nothing. Whoever did this is really good, all these guys got a quick and efficient death" Derek said which caused Natasha and Five to glanced at each other. They only know one person other than themself that could do something like this.

"Is this person gonna get charges?" Derek asked "No" Natasha and Five shook their heads "It was self defend" Natasha said "What did this guy look like?" Five asked "Uh..." Derek looked at his notebook.

"Green eyes, short black hair, wearing black leather jacket and a gray beanie, around 5,11 feet" Derek said.

 "Close the case, we will take care of it" Natasha said as she glanced at Derek who nodded.

"Are you sure?" he asked and the two nodded "We're sure" they said and Derek nodded before leaving.

"He gets this from you" Natasha said "Come on, like you wouldn't have done this too" Five said "Well, working in the CIA  is the closest thing we can get to the Commission" Natasha said 

---

Flashback start....

FIVE YEARS AGO

After laying in a coma for a year Zach woke up with a gasp.

"Zach" a voice said and Zach turned his head to see his parents.

"Mom, dad" Natasha and Five nodded "My baby" Natasha and Five wrapped their arms around their son as happy tears fell from their eyes.

"What happen?" Zach asked "The universe was reset" Natasha said "So did we win?" Zach asked "Kinda. I mean there is no Commission or another end of world" Natasha said "And my siblings and I don't have powers anymore" Five said "But other than that, everything is normal" Natasha said "We're glad to have you back buddy" Five smiled.

  ---

Flashback ends....

"Why did you even attack them?" Five asked as her and Natasha was in Zach's apartment "They were bugging the bartender and his daughter, I was just trying to help, but they wouldn't let it go" Zach said "You are lucky that those people were criminals and the bartender and his daughter didn't press charges" Five said "I'm just only using my skills like you taught me" Zach said "Yeah, and we happy about that, that you never take advice of them, but only use them as self defend now" Five said "And I even asked them nicely first time" Zach said.

"Did they have a chance?" Natasha asked "I kicked their ass" Zach said "That's our boy" Five smiled.

Natasha and Five might not get along anymore but if there was one thing they could agree on and get along with, it was their love for their only child Zach.  

"By the way Zach, your dad and I are going undercover to a meeting about the Keepers to investigate more about them, do you want to come?" Natasha asked "You two are going together" Zach said and the two nodded.

"Zach, just because your dad and I aren't together anymore, doesn't mean that we can't still be partners" Natasha said and Zach smiled 

"Stop smiling like that, we're kinda partners in the CIA and it's part of our cases" Natasha said "Yeah, your mom and I are never going back together" Five said and Zach let out a sigh.

He hope that his parents would get back together, he know that they are happier with each other, even so they didn't wanted to admit it, they still love each other, and he just wish that something would happen that would give them another chance.

A/N: Vote or comment