CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR: TRYING TO GET A BRIEFCASE TO WORK

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"Discipline. That's what you need to learn" Diego said to Stan as they were walking through the hotel hallways "When I was your age, I was up at dawn, all right? I was training, honing my skills. The biggest thing" Diego said before he stopped in the middle of the hallway, turning Stan to him "I was becoming a real man" he said "Right. Is that why you wear those tight pants?" Stan asked.

Then the door to the bathroom opened and Lila stepped out "Lila" Diego said as he walked over to her "Hmm?" Lila asked "You need to take this kid with you" he said as he pointed back at Stan.

But then Five and you walked out of the bathroom, holding a briefcase each 

"The hell were you doing in there?" Diego asked him "Bathing" Lila answered "Together?" Diego asked before he looked at you and Five "Are you two trying a threesome now?" he asked "Oh, okay" Five said as he rolled his eyes "Diego, we don't have time for this. Lila, Y/n and I have got some important shit to do" he said before you and him walked passed Stan and Lila followed after the two of you "Wait. What's more important than family?" Diego asked as he walked after the two with Stan behind him "End of the world, genius" you said as you walked down the hall.

You and Five stopped in front of the elevator and Five sat the briefcases down for a moment to press the button "Lila?" Diego asked as he grabbed her arm "What's more important than us?" he asked "There is no us, Diego" she said before the sound of the elevator bell dinged and Five picked up the briefcases as the door to the elevator opened before you and him stepped into the elevator.

"Come here" Diego said dragging Lila closer to him "What do you mean?" Diego asked her "Look, for you, it's been a couple days. For me, it has been over a decade. I've moved on. I've slept with many, many people. Many. The only relationship we have left is the one with our child. So you better not screw that up" she said before she turned around and walked into the elevator where you and Five was waiting.

"Wait! What am I supposed to do with him, huh? I got important shit going on too!" Diego shouted "I doubt that. Figure it out, Diego. Be a dad" Lila said before the elevator's doors closed.

"How many is 'many people'?" Diego asked "Way more than you, Papi" Stan said and Diego glanced at Stan causing Stan to let out a gasp before he bolted off down the hallway as Diego chased after him.

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While Lila went to change clothes you and Five enter your bedroom.

"So what is the plan?" you asked "Lila and I have to work together to get one of the briefcase to work so we can go to The Commission, so I can talk to Herb" he said "Great then I'm coming with you" you said "No" he said "Why not?" you asked "It can be dangerous" he said "I don't care Five. It's you and me. We're in this together, so I'm going, beside you might need my help and also I don't trust leaving you with Lila alone after she tried to kill you" you said "She also tried to kill you too. She almost did" he said "Still I'm coming and you can't stop me" you said.

"Alright" he said and you both put down the briefcases.

"By the way, what is that?" you asked as he pointed on the black box on the bed.

"It's a present for you" you said with a smile "A present for me?" he asked and you nodded.

His eyes then widened "It's not our anniversary today, is it?" he asked "No" you said before you froze a bit "Wait?" you said as you thought for a bit.

"No. It depends what anniversary we're talking about" you said "That was what I was thinking, otherwise our memories is started to wear off, which it does when you are getting old" he said "Well, we are not like other old couple" you said "No, we aren't"  he looked back at the box.

"Go over and opened it" you said "Alright" you both walked over to the bed.

He put his hand by the box "Is not a prank, right?" he asked "No, it's not" you said "Alright" he opened the box.

His eyes widened when he saw that a beautiful new tailored black suit and a black wristwatch that was laying on the suit was laying inside.

The watch was an aluminum bezel 16610 Submariner on a rubber strap.

The watch's case was silver. The dial was black. The band of the watch was black and the hour and minute hands of the watch were white.

"I think it would suit you more" you said "Woah. Where did you get it?" he asked "The tailor in the lobby is a master craftsman" you said before you looked at the suit "And the watch?" he asked "I bought it in the store in the lobby, think it was time for you to have a new watch" you answered before you looked back at him "Do you like it?" you asked "I love it" he turned to you "Thank you, Love" he said as he put his hands on your waist "You're welcome Hon" you said.

"But now I feel bad and embarrassed" he said "Why?" you asked "'Cause I have not thinking about giving you something" he said "It's okay. I just think that this suit would look better on you and you would be able to move around more in it and I think the watch would match" you said "Well, I love it and I will put it on before we are gonna meet with Lila" he said before turning so he was facing you "You are the best wife ever" he said "And you are best husband ever" you said "And I promise, as soon as we have fix this. I'm gonna give you a present" he said "No stress" you said and he smiled.

While looking at each other, he smiled as he storke a piece of your Y/h/c hair behind your ear and you smiled as you stared into each other's eyes.

Oh, darling, all of the city lights
Never shine as bright as your eyes

"I love you" you said "I love you too" you said before you brought your lips together.

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Luther, Allison and Viktor was standing on the the second floor talking about the disappearing of people.

Viktor was standing by a pool ball table while Luther was sitting on another pool ball table.

"So, all the people on the street just disappeared?" Allison asked "Well, no, not all of them, just...half of them" Luther said "Five and Y/n did say animals were disappearing" Viktor said "Okay, well, now is definitely people" Luther said "Marcus was supposed to meet up with us earlier, but he never showed" Viktor said "What, you think this grandfather thing took Marcus?" Luther asked "It can't just be coincidence, right?" Viktor asked "Great" Allison said with a sigh "Now those Sparrow psychopaths think we took their Number one. We're never getting the briefcase back" she said "Okay, what if..." Viktor said before he took some steps forward "What if we just told the truth? Marcus is gone, and maybe we're partially responsible" he said "That'll go well. They'll throw us a party" Allison said sarcastically "I bet they throw fantastic parties" Luther said.

"Listen. Marcus was ready to give us back the briefcase. If the rest of his family are even half as open-minded, you know, maybe we can come to some kind of an agreement, get it back" Viktor said "Yeah, yeah. Okay" Luther said before he jumped down from the pool ball table "Well, if you guys are heading over there, I should probably come along. You know, uh, for protection" he said.

Viktor didn't say anything as he turned to look at Allison "Yeah" she said and took the last sip from her glass before she put it on the table "Nice try, Stockholm" she said before she walked towards him "Your ass is staying here" she said and patted him on the shoulder as she walked passed him.

"Wha--?" Luther asked confused "She's right" Viktor said "What? Who put you two in charge?" Luther asked "Look, Allison...She needs something to take her mind off Clarie. So, we'll handle this" Viktor said "Yeah. Copy. Hey, um...Thanks for looking out for her" Luther said and Viktor nodded before walking away.

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"Why is Y/n coming?" Lila asked as you, her and Five was walking towards the place you need to jumpstart the briefcase.

"Hey, I don't like you either, but you guys need me, I know just as much as you two do. I might hate The Commission, but if coming back meaning finding a way to fix this, then I'm doing it" you said.

"Just promise me that you two wouldn't do it while were are working together" Lila said and we looked at her "We all know that you two aren't as innocent as you make it out to be" she said and we rolled our eyes.

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A raven was cawing as Viktor and Allison met with Ben and Fei in the Academy's courtyard.

"You're one short" Ben said "Where's the rest of your pathetic family?" Fei asked "Aww. Is that the best you can do?" Allisok asked "Last warning" Fei warned "Yeah, you don't get to warn me about shit, Flock of She-Gulls" Allison said and Ben let out a laugh causing Fei to look at him and he stopped laughing before he cleared his throat.

"Whatever. Where the fuck is Marcus?" Ben asked "Marcus is, uh...Marcus, uh...Marcus is--" "Safe" Allison said, cutting Viktor off and Viktor looked at her as Allison looked at them.

"For now. But that'll change real quick if you don't do exactly as we say" Allison said "See? I told you they have him" Fei said as she looked at Ben.

"I warned Marcus, but no. He said we had to hear what you had to say" Ben said "Look, he wasn't wrong, okay?" Viktor said "Yeah, we want to make things right with you--" "By kidnapping our brother?" Ben said, cutting Viktor off "No, that's--" Viktor said but Allison cut him off "Yes" she said and Viktor looked at her as she sent him a signal, like he should play along and the two looked back at Fei and Ben.

"Look, there is a lot more going on here. The world is in trouble, and we need to work together. My brother and my other sister could explain it all a lot better than me, but...it's a time-traveling problem. We cause a paradox, and that paradox is swallowing things. Lots of cows, and a dog, a few lobester, but also people. Look, I know it sounds like--" but Allison cut him off again.

"Just give us the briefcase, and we'll give you Marcus" she said "What briefcase?" Fei asked "The one we left in your house" Allison said and Fei was about to say something but Ben beat her to it "Deal. The briefcase for our brother" he said "Great. Hotel Obsidian, four o'clock sharp" Allison said before she put on her sunglasses "Or we'll send him back in pieces" she said.

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Five, Lila and you were in a small janitor's closet with wires as you were trying to hot-wire one of the briefcases.

You opened a circuit box and attached plugs to the cables "Alright, that is set" you turned around as the sound of electricity crackles was heard.

Both you and your husband wasn't sure if this would work, but it was better than nothing.

"Nice suit" Lila said as she looked at Five's new tailored black suit.

"Thanks. It's a present from Y/n" Five said "The tailor in the lobby is a master craftsman" you said "My wife has an amazing taste" he said "But not in picking guys" Lila said which cause you to chuckled "Very funny" Five said sarcastically before he rolled his eyes. 

"Still, I miss those pasty knees" Lila said "Yeah, well, we could all stand to be showing a little skin these days" he said and Lila let out a small smile before she lifted up another jump leads "For you" she said "Yeah" Five said before he grabbed them and Lila lifted up a jump-starter.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" you asked "It's fine" Five said "You are the one that is about to get electrocuted just to hotwire a briefcase" you said "It's the only way Y/n" he said "But what if there is another way to get to The Commission" you said as you were freaking out a bit.

"Hey" he said as he let go of the jump leads before putting his hands on your shoulders "We have to go to the Commission. They have the answers to stop this. You want to stop this right?" he asked and you nodded "Of course" you said "Then we have to go to the Commission and the only way to do this is to hot-wire the briefcase, okay" he stroke a finger down your cheek "I just don't like seeing you in pain" you said "It's only for a few seconds and also this is how far I'm ready to go for you. I'm doing this for you and for our family" he said before he put your face in his hands "So trust me" he said and you nodded.

He then smiled before you rested your foreheads against each other while your nose was touching.

"Eww, enough of that, I'm getting sick over here" Lila said, ruined the moment causing you and Five to pull away before looking at her. 

"I only agree that Y/n would come because I need her to handle you" she said as she pointed at Five "But please don't go all that cuteness, it makes me sick" she said "Are you jealous?" Five asked as he raised a brow "Gross" Lila said before doing a fake gag.

"Let's just get this things started" she said and Five pick up the jump leads again.

"I can't watch" you said "Then close your eyes or leave, just don't interrupt" Lila said.

"Ready to hot-wire this briefcase?" she asked and he nodded as he got ready to use his powers "Let's do this" he said with a exhale before he looked at you "Please, take a step back" he said "I don't know about this" you said as you took a step back "Don't worry, this wouldn't kill him. Nothing can kill the little cockroach. I've tried already" Lila said.

Lila turned on the jump-starter causing electronics sparks to set off "Ah shit" he said as his hands glow blue and he wailed in pain while Lila laughed.

"Shit! Lila!" he shouted as he stumbled backwards, almost falling to his knees while you let out a gaps.

Five let out a groan before he got to his feet as he could feel the electronics going through his body while Lila continue laughing.

"STOP, YOU CRAZY BITCH!" you shouted to Lila but she continued to laugh.

You then rushed over to Five to help him, but as soon as you touch him, an electric shock went through your whole body causing you to scream in pain before you stumble back, falling to the floor.

"LOVE!" Five said as he quickly powered down and he let go of the jump leads before rushing over to you, crouching down in front of you.

You could feel your heart pounding fast, your vision was a little blurry and your body was sore.

"Are you okay?" he asked worried and you lifted your head as you groan in pain "Why did you do that?" he asked "Cause I couldn't handle see you in pain" you said "Are you alright?" he asked "Yeah, it was just a small electric shock" you said "I really thought for a second that I lost you there" he said as he help you up "You are not gonna lose me dumbass, never" you said and he let out a sigh in relief.

"Five, the briefcase!" you suddenly said as you saw that the briefcase was on fire.

"Shit" Five said as you and him grabbed some rags and began hitting them on the briefcase to try and turn off the fire while Lila was still laughing as she opened the door before walking out of the room.

As soon as the fire was out, you pulled Five into an aggressive hug "No more experiments, okay?" you said.

You pushed him away after a moment and pointed your finger at him "No more. We should have know that this wouldn't work" you said.

"Yeah, I was 99% sure that wouldn't work" Lila said with a smile as she jumped up to sit on a ice machine "Well, I'm glad my pain amuses you" Five said before he looked back the briefcase that was no longer on fire.

"You have no idea. It's like my therapy" she said and we walked out of the room before I closed the door.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND!" you shouted as Lila "Easy Love" Five said and you took a deep breath. He knew that he had to keep his wife on leash, or you would punch Lila for what happen at the farm or for just laughing instead of stopping when he was in pain before.

"Well, now we are down to one half-dead briefcase and my jumps are only accurate up to a couple minutes" he said "So, essentially, we're screwed" you said.

You then started pulling your hair which Five notice and he quickly pulled your hand away from your head, rubbing it softly. You were all stressed but even then, the sight of you pulling on your hair just made him ache. You leaned your head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around your shoulder.

"Maybe. Maybe not" Lila said before she let out a smile "Oh, I hate that smile" Five said as he was looking at her "Me too" you said.

"Listen, on your own, your little jumps are rather pathetic" Lila said and Five let out a scoff "But if we powered up together, you blinking, me mimicking that blink, I think we could create some kind of feedback loop and get enough juice to jump-start the case" she said "That could work. The briefcase work as a barrier between times and if you jump start it with both your powers, it would probably hurt like hell. But if you have a barrier, then you could jump more effectively and without any issues of landing in the correct time. And we have to made it work. We don't know when this thing is going to take people" you said "What kind of barrier are you talking about?" Five looked at you.

"I can make some kind of force shield around the three of us" you said "You can do that?" Five asked "Every since the theater, when I was draining Vanya to save you guys, I felt something inside me. It was like my powers evolve or something like that. So I can create a force shield around us" you said.      

"It is going to hurt on you?" he asked "If I do it while you guys using your powers, I think" you said "I don't want you to do this" he said "Five--" "Love--" "We have no time. We don't know when this thing is going to take more people, so save the protective husband act which I thank you for, and let's get to it" you said.

Five knew that he couldn't talk you out of this, so he sighed.

"Fine" he said and you smiled.

"We'd have to trust each other" Lila said and Five let out another scoff "And that's the hard part" you said.

"Lila, you just spent the better part of the last ten days trying to end my and my wife's life" Five said "You actually almost killed me" you said "You two killed my birth parents" Lila snapped at us "Fair enough" you and Five said before Lila jumped down from the ice machine and took a few steps passed us before turning to us again "And your entire family stood by while that greasy Swede put a cap in the woman who raised me" she said as she looked at Five.

"The Handler was going to kill you, Lila" you said "In fact, she did kill you. Then I rolled back in time and let the meatball do his work" Five put his hands together.

"Oh, and by the way if you're leading Diego on as payback for what happened in Texas, you're pissing up the wrong ladder there cause that idiot may actually love you. The Handler never did" Five turned around and began to walk away.

"What do you know? You spent decades shagging the little bitch who is also your sister" Lila said before she looked at you "And you spent decades shagging that little shit who is also your brother" Lila said and you snapped your head to her while Five stop in his track.

"So what do you two know about love?" she asked.

"Don't talk to my husband like that" Y/n snapped at her while he turned to Lila "Do not talk about my wife like that, Lila" he said angry as he walked up to her while he kept his eyes to her.

 "Beside, we know more about love than you do" you said and Lila looked at you "And also we are not related by blood, get that into your head 'cause if we see it like that, then you and Diego are biological brother and sister too" Diego said.

"This is insane. There is no way we're gonna get past this to make it to The Commission" Lila said "Okay, perhaps we can't get to trust, but there is a certain honesty in white-hot hated" Five said and Lila rolled her eyes before she walked passed you both and over to the door "Then come over here, you god-awful little shit" she said and opened the door before she opened her palm for him to take her hand "And hold my hand" she said and he let out a smile before he grabbed her hand and Lila then looked at you "You too" she said and you looked at him.

"We have to, Love. You said it yourself, it can work" he said "He is right Y/n, I know you don't trust me or like me. I don't like you either. You want to kill me for what happened at the farm and I want to kill you and Five for killing my birth parents, but we have to put that and the hates aside if this is gonna work" Lila said and you took a deep breath "Fine. But I need a drink. You guys get started, I will be back in a few minutes" you said before turning around and left.

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