Mara sat silently by Jeeper's makeshift loft in the storage room. There was still time to kill before breaking and entering into one of the biggest and most secured building in the city. She was taught to protect such infrastructures, and yet here they are. She let out a small scoff, playing with Jesper's hand as he lay passed out in the cot from the exhaustion of the last few days.

"I guess I did need to check up on you after all if you're having a pissing contest with your brother's hand."

Mara flinched, letting of get brother's hand and stared at the intruder.

It was Diego. He leaned casually on the door frame with his arms crossed.

"I'm fine don't worry." Mara replied with a shrug. To say that she wasn't surprised would be a lie. She never saw Diego as a caring type towards people he barely knew or much less the enemy. However, Mara found his presence somewhat comforting.

"You sure? I don't think anybody can walk out just fine after what you've been through yesterday."

Leon's mangled corpse flashed through her mind. She remembered the sickening feeling of trying to get his blood out of her hands. Jesper and Ben would have been prepared too if she had arrived a minute later. Half of her home must be ashes now, and Matthew and Alvi are still missing.

Diego must have noticed her spacing out as he wordlessly sat beside her. Mara didn't even realize tears were already forming in her sockets. She tried blinking them away, but a few had already fallen.

"Everything's happening so suddenly." Mara wiped them away hastily. She hated people seeing her vulnerable. "I didn't even get to say goodbye."

Diego listened patiently, and Mara continued. "If I hadn't gotten myself injured yesterday, if I hadn't ran after Five . . . "

Tears fell continuously down her cheeks. Mara looked down, clenching her fists. "I should've been there and maybe-"

"Maybe you would have died along your brothers." Diego cut her off quietly as he faced her. "You're the reason Ben and Jesper are alive right now. If you weren't with us, we would have never found them in time."

"Its fucked up isn't it." Mara could only laugh incredulously, tears still cascading down her face. "Time is so fucked up. A minute could've made all the difference."

Mara closed her eyes and breathed, calming herself. She shouldn't even have let Diego in. She couldn't afford vulnerability especially in a time like this, especially not in front of someone she barely knew.

However, she was surprised to feel a large hand gently hold her shoulder. Mara was even more surprised to find that she didn't pull away.

"We can't save everyone, Mara." Diego said softly, as if he was almost crying himself. "That's just the gig we're in even if we didn't sign up for it."

Mara stayed quiet, breathing steadily and finally getting the courage to look at the man.

"I lost the woman I cared for a few months ago, and three days ago the woman I love ran away from me." Diego paused and gave a somewhat forced laugh. "You're right. It is fucked up."

"But that's just the gig we're in." Mara echoed and the man nodded.

There was a small, comforting silence between them. Mara would have never guessed she would find solace with the man who was the most eager to fight them.

"Maybe you're not so bad after all kid." Diego grinned slightly.

"We're mentally the same age." She deadpanned, but a second later her face softened. "But you're not so bad either."

Diego smiled fully, and Mara felt more relaxed with him even if she won't admit it or let it show on her face. He felt like a brother from another life with the way he managed to ease his way through her.

"Now that I think we're bonding, there's a question I gotta ask." Diego said, a smile growing on his face.

"What's that?"

"Did something happen between you and Five?"

Mara took it back. She hated his shit-eating grin and his wiggling eyebrows.

"You're disgusting." Mara hissed. "All we did was talk."

"Why'd you have his blazer then?"

"That was his fault!"

"Still doesn't explain it!"

"Because I don't know either!"

"Hey idiots!"

Mara and Diego simultaneously turned to the door. There, Five stood impatiently with an unreadable expression.

"Its almost time so quit yelling and come out here." He said and left promptly.

Diego turned back to her, his face almost unchanged.

"This conversation isn't over." He mouthed.

Mara scoffed, and stood up without saying anything in return. She could hear his dark chuckle behind her as she walked out the door and into the bar.

Last night meant nothing. She repeated in her head, even though her heart sped up every time she locked eyes with him and remembered the woodsmoke scent of his blazer. None of this will matter once I bring them home.

Mara situated herself between Ben and Vanya, across from Five. He was leaning back into the counter with his hands in his pockets. His blazer was back snugly on his shoulders and Mara suddenly recalled the soft feeling on her cheek. She fought the urge to touch her face.

Diego settled in beside Vanya. All traces of the previous light hearted conversation disappeared and was replaced with a tense yet worried expression.

"We all know the plan right?" Five said, his eyes looking at everyone for confirmation.

"Luther, Ben, and I check for any suspicious records that could related to ouroboros or the academy while you, Mara, and Diego check out the labs." Allison sighed.

"Sounds about right." Five nodded in approval.

In Mara's peripheral, she spotted Jesper lingering by the storage door as if he was unsure if he was meant to be part of the conversation.

Mara walked towards him and took Jesper's hand into her own. She squeezed comfortingly before letting go, "We'll be back before you know it."

"Please come back safe." Jesper glanced between her and Ben, who was now just behind her.

The three hugged each tight, communicating every emotion they felt without saying a word. Fear. Anxiety. Worry. They were all they have left of each other, and they were willing to go through anything to make sure it stays that way.

The Sparrows break apart and Klaus and Vanya step in their place.

"You don't have to worry." Vanya smiled shyly at the two. "He's safe with us."

"Yeah, she ended the world twice!" Klaus cheered but was ultimately met with Vanya's glare.

"I don't think that helps."

Mara stared at them blankly and shook her head. She could trust them. I hope.

She looked back at Ben, who gave her a knowing look. It was time to go, and they both didn't know what to expect. So many things could happen. So many ways it could go wrong.

The two Sparrows made their way near the entrance of the bar where the rest were waiting.

"How are we going there by the way." Luther asked.

"We can hotwire that van over there." Diego said, pointing at the white van across the street.

"Seriously? You want to steal?"

"Well, I don't hear you coming up with any ideas!"

Mara shook head and stared absentmindedly out the blinded windows, already tuning out the childish argument and letting her thoughts become louder.

The plan was simple.

The group would separate into two teams in order to cover more ground in searching for any information related to the Genesis Project or the case. Mara still has the keycard tucked away into her jean pocket and Genesis should be free from regular employees, leaving only security present.

It should be simple.

However, Mara couldn't help but feel that something is going to go wrong.

___________________________

A/N:

2k reads???? You guys are amazing wtf. Thank you guys so much for still being here even after two years (its been that long already??). It took me longer than it should to put out these chapters, but with the release of S3, I'm more than energized to start writing again. Till next time!

(Give my boy Five a break in the next season pls I beg)

PS. I'll try to incorporate Vanya's transition in the book soon!