CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE: STUCK IN TIME

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"So what do you think the next timeline will be like?" Lila looked at Natasha, Five and Zach.

"Hopefully, this one will be it. I mean, how many timelines are there anyway? Do you think we'll visit every single one?" Lila asked.

"This is it" Natasha and Five said and Lila looked at them "What? What do you mean?" she asked.

Natasha and Five exhaled heavily, rubbing their temple as exhaustion threatens to consume them. They met Lila's gaze, their eyes filled with a mixture of fatigue and determination. "This is the last timeline, Lila. After this one, we're done. We're going back home. No more timelines" he said "I agree. I'm done too, I just want to go home" Natasha said.

Lila blinked in surprise, disbelief creeping into her expression "Wait, what? Are you two serious? We can't stop now, guys. There's still so much to do. We can't just---" "We can and we will" Five cut her off "We're done, I'm so done. This whole timeline exploration bullshit is pointless from the start" Five said "Yeah. This is a stupid idea that was never going to work. I thought we could make a difference, but we've had enough" Natasha said.

"They are right Lila, this plan failed. So we need to go back" Zach said.

Lila scoffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface "What the hell are you three talking about? If it's so stupid, then why did you three agree to do it in the first place? You agreed to this mission. You signed up for this. You can't just give up now cause you're tired---"

Five clenched his fists, his patience wearing him "Because you're family, Lila" he snapped "We did this because we care about you. You're Five's brother's wife. His sister-in-law. And you're my friend. My sister-in-law. Zach''s aunt" Natasha said

"Yeah, and we knew you needed space from him, from your life and we thought we could help. But this...this is too much. We can't keep doing it" Five said.

Lila's expression softened momentarily until her eyes flashed with anger, but there was something deeper there, something that made her voice tremble when she spoke "I don't need you guys' pity. I never did" she shot back.

Lila paced in front of Five, her frustration building up "I don't need your pity!" she snapped, her voice rising in the volume. She wasn't sure why she was so angry, perhaps it was the exhaustion or the weight of her own frustrations "I genuinely wanted to stop this fourth apocalypse. I'm trying to help" she said.

Five met her gaze without flinching "Pity?" he scoffed "We care about you, Lila. We do. But sometimes, you make it damn near impossible for me to not want to kill you" he said.

"Oh yeah?" Lila challenged "Then go ahead. Kill me now!" her words were sharp, cutting through the tension that filled the air.

Five glanced at Lila but didn't react. He stayed still instead. His silence only made Lila's anger grow. She marched over to him, grabbing the front of his collar and yanking him towards her "Go on" she spat, her eyes blazing "Finish me off, Five! I dare you!"

"Guys, stop" Natasha and Zach wanted to pull them away from each other but Five lifted his left hand to signal them to stop and they did.

For a moment, the tension between them was suffocating. Five's expression never wavered, but the storm brewing inside him was palpable. Yet, despite everything, he said nothing. He simply pushed her away from him.

Lila's breath came in ragged gasps, frustration and anger warring within her. Her hands shook as tears began to well up in her eyes, she hadn't realized how close she was to breaking until that moment.

Five finally decided to break the silence "You can't keep running from your problems, Lila. You have to talk to Diego. Natasha, Zach and I are not your therapist. We can't always be the one to listen to your problems, be the one who's here for you. Natasha, Zach and I have our own life too, I have someone I want to protect more than anything and I'm really trying here. I'm trying to fight for them, trying to get a second chance with her" he said which made Natasha look at Five.

A small chuckle came from Lila before taking a deep breath.

"You're right. I'm such a mess...I tried to change guys. For Diego. For the kids. But here I am, still running away. Still avoiding everything instead of facing it" she looked down before looking at him again.

"I'm so sorry for everything. For dragging you into this. I was used to you three being strong and handling things on your own, that...it slipped my mind. I was selfish, guys. And I'm sorry" Lila said.

Natasha and Five exhaled slowly, a tired but genuine smile appearing on their face. "Thank you for understanding, Lila" they said quiet.

---

The train finally stopped before, Natasha, Lila, Five and Zach stepped out as soon as the doors opened but it was not the right timeline, so they stepped into the train again before sitting down disappointed.

Natasha, Zach, Five and Lila had spend months that felt like years in the abandoned subway. The plan to divert Ben from going on the Moldovan mission had failed and the only thing on their minds was returning back home to their families. The four of them had been surviving on things they have collected over time, such as snacks and bottle water.

YEAR ONE

Natasha, Zach, Five and Lila was still sitting in the train as it was driving down the tunnel, hoping that it would stop at the right timeline.

Five stretched the map to the side towards Natasha who grab it while Zach stretched his map towards Lila who grab it.

The train stop and the four stepped out before looking around the station to see if it was the right timeline but no, so they got into the train again and it drove down the tunnel while they was sitting on the floor in the train.

Lila sat down on the floor while Five and Zach started working out while Natasha were hanging her head upside down.

As the train kept driving, Five put his legs up while he was laying on his back on the seat with the map covered his face while Lila was sitting on top of some other seats while Natasha were laying on the floor as Zach had his legs cross and as he was sitting on one of the seat while his beanie covered his eyes. All four of them bored to death, just waiting for the train to stop at the right timeline.

"If we went two stops ago, we would be in the right station" Lila said as the four entered the train again after arrive at the wrong timeline.

"It's completely your fault. I said to go eastbound. This is your fault" Lila said "How do you think we're eastbound?" Five asked "This is westbound!" Lila said out loud as the two were arguing "Stop it guys okay!" Natasha shouted at them "Told you that this was not the right timeline and told you something will go wrong, we're stuck in time"

YEAR TWO

The four were in the train station in another timeline. Five and Natasha were preparing some blanket while Lila was sitting by the fireplace looking down at the food they were making while Zach was preparing the food.

Because of Natasha's and Five's survival skills and Five's pervious experience, they knew how to survive so that was not a problem for them. 

The four kept trying to find a way back to the right timeline, but it was like you were stuck.

The four was looking for food in the station and Natasha lifted chewing gum machine up from the ground before she shook it and she laughed as she could hear that something was in it.

They crouched down as Natasha handed Five, Zach and Lila some chewing gum before eating her chewing gum and she laughed while Five smiled as Lila and Zach chuckled, happy over they found some food.

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YEAR THREE

Natasha, Zach, Five and Lila were sitting in the train, just looking straight ahead, their hair messy and their clothes dirty. But they were still so desperate in coming home, but they were lost.

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While Lila and Zach was out searching for food, Natasha and Five were sitting in one of the train stations across each other playing a game with different small stuff they had found.

Five turned to cough and while he was looking away Natasha moved one of her pieces.

When he looked back she moved her pieces, taken two of Five's pieces which caused him to narrowed his eyes and she laughed which made him smile.

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YEAR FOUR.

Natasha were sitting on the floor with her right leg up as Five was slowly removing a piece of glass out of her foot "Ow! Ow!" she said as he took it out and Zach help clean it after while he smiled as he noticed that look his parents sent each other.

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While Natasha and Five was out looking for food. Lila was sitting on the floor with his left leg up as Zach was slowly removing a piece of glass out of his foot "Ow! Ow!" she said as he took it out. 

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Five was sitting on a chair as Natasha was shaving him. "Sit still or I might cut you" Natasha said as she kept shaving him "I'm trying" he said. He couldn't help but stare at her as their faces was inches apart.

He felt a weird but wonderful feeling at how close her face was to his. That was when he knew and realized that he still had feelings for her or more like, he was still in love with her. He still love her, he don't think he ever stop. Maybe Natasha and him should give it another chance.

But did she feel the same? 

Did she also wanted to give their relationship another chance? 

They both looked at each other before smiling and Natasha grab a rag before wiping his face.

At the same time Zach was sitting on a chair as Lila was shaving him. He couldn't help but stare at her as their faces was inches apart.

Lila both looked at each other before smiling and Lila grab a rag before wiping his face.

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YEAR FIVE

The four was sitting in the train as it was driving down the tunnel. Their face looks lost and they were. They were all covered in dirt marks and ash from a timeline they had just visited and had to try and survive in as they all sat in silently, that was until Natasha noticed how silent Five was, which was weird since he had always been the one to talk or start a conversation during these repetitive train rides they had grown to despair as Natasha looked over at Five quietly and what he was doing.

Five meanwhile was still staring ahead of him, seeming to find more interest in passing wall outside the train than the person next to him, except he wasn't interested in anything and was just staring ahead of him as if he was trying to keep himself awake. Natasha noticed how he seems to have lost that arrogant smirk he wore that was now replaced with dirt and ash, that neat hair he'd always spend a second of his free time sorting out which was now replaced with frizzy mess that he didn't bother to fix, he looked different to what you was originally graced by almost every day, so much more emptier looking than his cocky self like he had give up on trying to find his family again, like he was done, like he was just so tired. 

It was late at night, and the ride didn't seems close to its end yet. Natasha were tired and so was Five, but he forced hinself to stay awake, not wantes to miss the stop. Miss the chance of going home.

Slowly but surely tiredness took over and Natasha let out a yawn as ahe slowly slipped into her dreams. Her body leaned against his side as her head fell onto his shoulder before falling asleep, seeking for a comfortable position that provided warmth and a feeling of protection.  

Five noticed her umintentionel act.

He turned his head to look at her before smiling.

Then he rested his head on top of hers before also closing his eyes to fall asleep.

Next to Natasha sat Zach and next to him sat Lila who rested her head on Zach's right shoulder as she had falling asleep. Zach looked at her as her head was rested on his shoulder.  

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Natasha, Five, Zach and Lila was laying close to each other in train station to keep each other warm.

Natasha was laying in front of Five who was laying behind her while Zach was laying in front of Natasha while Lila was laying in front of Zach.

"Five?" Natasha suddenly asked "Yeah" Five nodded "Can we cuddle? I'm cold" he looked at her, he's expression was a mix of surprise and worry as well as something else she couldn't read.

"Umm...yeah...yeah. I supports there is no problem if I cuddle with you, 'cause you're cold, so come here" he indicated.

Natasha crawled closer to him before she leaned on his chest slowly. She could feel his heart beat and she felt his chest rising with each breath. 

He got his arms around her, his touch made her shiver, his hands were soft and his whole body gave off heat.

He rubbed his hands on her arms in order to make her feel more warm. She slowly got more comfortable, not feeling so nervous and anxious. He wa also more relaxed. 

Her and Five lay close to each other to keep each other warm.

Five smiled at how close he was too Natasha, he have missed laying like this with her.

----

Natasha, Five, Zach and Lila was sitting at the subway. The four were sitting in the station with the train behind them as they were sitting looking down at the fire the four have made where some rat they have caught was being burned so they could eat them.

"I don't think I can eat another subway rat" Five said "If you add an orange peel to it, it kind of tastes like duck á l'orange" Lila said "Care to guess how long we've been down here?" Zach looked at the three "Long enough I found my first gray hair" Lila said as Zach eat a piece of meat.

"And it's not on my head" Lila looked at Zach who was sitting next to her and he exhales bemusedly while Five folded out a calendar he had made "Well, according to my calendar, it's been...five years, ten months, two days" he said "Yeah, well, we'll find a way home soon enough, right?" Lila looked at the three "Of course. If we don't get stabbed, shot, or blown up the next time we go topside" Natasha said and the three nodded.

Five then folded the calendar "You know in some of those timelines, we would've been lucky to get out alive" he put the calendar in his bag before looking at you "Yeah, well, we're still kicking, so we must be doing something right" Natasha smiled before looking at Five "She is right. As long as you are still breathing, there is still hope" Zach said "Yeah, we will get back. You will see your husband and your kids again" Natasha said as she looked at Lila .

"I think my marriage is over" Lila sighed "I don't think it is" she looked at Natasha "Diego love you Lila and you love him. You and him have something that most people would kill for. I would do anything to get what you guys have" she let out a sigh before looking at her while Five glanced at Natasha "Don't let go of him, it's rare to find someone that see all your flaws but still love you. So don't let go of that" Natasha said before looking at her.

"Listen, true love it is the art of seeing someone's flaws and thinking they are prefect anyway. Love doesn't blind you to imperfections, it lets you see them clearly and embrace them. It's knowing every crack in their armor, every fault in their character, and still thinking they are the most beautiful and most extraordinary person you've ever know, because to you, they are everything. And I know that you and Diego are each other's true love, so don't throw that away" Natasha said.

 "She's right. My brother loves you more than anything. You and home belong together.. I threw something like that away, and now I can't get it back. So don't do like I did" Five said "Thanks you two" Lila said "Of course"

"Hey, do you three remember that timeline we found the day? At the greenhouse?" Zach asked and the three looked at him "And the strawberries. What about it?" Lila asked "Seemed pleasant enough" Natasha said "Yeah. You two are right there's no feral hogs there. No secret police. I was thinking we could maybe set up there for a stretch" Five suggested.

"So you're giving up?" Lila asked "No, absolutely not, no one said give up, but...it's been almost six years, guys" Five said "Yeah. We deserve a break. You know, a bed. A shower" Natasha said "I would strangle a kitten for a hot bath" Lila said before looking at the two of three.

"I need a break, I'm tired of running" Five said "Yeah, we need to relax for a moment or else we will go crazy" Natasha said "Well, I need a break" Five said "Me too" Zach said.

"Just a few days, okay? This does not mean that we're giving up" Lila said "No, of course not" Natasha hook her head "Okay" Lila nodded.

---

The four of them left the subway and walked over to the house. Natasha, Zach and Lila walk side by side, Natsaha could tell Lila was happy in leaving the subway to finally find a place where they didn't have to be in constant alert the whole time.

Five on the other hand was walking behind them lost in his thoughts. Even if he wouldn't admit it, he was happy to leave the station as well.

The four were able to locate the greenhouse timeline again. Through the strawberry field was a little neglected, everything was mostly still there.

"Looks like no one found this place" Five said "I think we are the only ones here" Natasha said as Five places their belongings on the floor.

Natasha couldn't help but wonder if Five really meant it when he said this wasn't him giving up. He was settling in far too quickly for your liking. Regardless, you put those thought aside.

"I call dibs on the show" Lila rushed past Zach, Natasha and Five.

Soon after they arrived at the house. They explored it more together. They finally settled on the idea of staying, even if it was only for a few weeks. They found a village which was totally desert. there was not a single soul there, but weirdly all the shops and houses were still intact. It seemed like everyone had just disappeared. They really couldn't do anything about it so the four of them took the opportunity to grab the thing they needed. 

Natasha found herself imagining every possible outcome for what might happen when her, Zach and Five returned home. She didn't wanted to give up, but she did not want to give herself, Five or their son false hope. Especially since Five have being running around for ages trying to save his family from the end of the world. 

Natasha knew that Five have so busy trying to save the word, that he forgot to save himself too.

But it was a nice place to settle down and relax while trying to figure out a way to get home.

Beside it was just for a few days and they were going home as soon as they found out how.

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