chapter thirty-nine: re-tired

Manuela sat with her legs crossed on her meditation mat and cushion that Ben had gotten her a few years ago. Her brother had noticed how much time she had spent practicing her powers in the zen garden and figured she would be more comfortable sitting for hours at a time on something padded as opposed to concrete. Now Manuela held a bundle of golden azaleas in her hands with her eyes shut. She focused on the feeling of the soft silky petals beneath her fingertips. Manuela focused on finding the living energy within the flower before ripping it away.

"So, this is our zen garden," Sloane's voice cut through the peaceful silence in the zen garden. With a groan, Manuela's eyes fluttered open to see that her sister was giving Luther a tour of the garden. "We sometimes train out here. Things like tai chi and yoga. Mainly things that help us focus on our inner energy and manage our emotions and powers while on missions. But mostly Manu uses the zen garden to practice her powers."

"Whoa, did you just kill those flowers?" Luther asked and Manuela nodded her head slowly. "But your eyes didn't even turn black."

"My eyes?" Manuela asked in confusion.

"Yeah, uh... when Nova uses her powers all of her eyes turn black. Sometimes depending on how much power she uses at once her hands get this dark glow and a few times these black tears stain her face. It was kind of terrifying. She wouldn't let anyone near her after she killed a bunch of Commission soldiers that were coming after us in a bowling alley once," Luther rambled and Manuela narrowed her eyes in confusion.

The death part of her powers had always been something she struggled with. She was more practiced in giving energy without losing much of her own. Kind of like a battery for her brothers and sisters while on missions. Growing up Hargreeves let her practice her death powers but only in controlled environments. Even now she still wore the protective gloves so as not to hurt anyone.

"Hold on, how many people did she kill at once?" Manuela asked as she quickly revived the flowers she was holding and placed them back in their proper spot. She dusted the dirt off of her hands before slipping her gloves back on that had been in her pocket.

"Like twenty or thirty. But that wasn't even the most I've seen at once. Back in 1963, she ripped the souls out of more than a thousand Commission soldiers at once while under fire. It's honestly terrifying," Luther continued to explain.

As he spoke Sloane's uneasy eyes met Manuela's. Everything that Luther was telling them if it was true, gave them a reason to be worried. It seemed like Nova's powers were a lot more practiced and powerful than Manuela's. During the Sparrows debrief Manuela had warned her siblings not to underestimate Nova but now she realized that she herself may have underestimated her doppelganger.

"How's that possible? It's not like she can be in contact with thousands of people at once," Sloane asked and this time Luther gave them a confused look.

"Oh, Nova doesn't have to physically touch someone to kill them," Luther said and the girl's eyes widened. "Wait, Manuela, can you not do that?"

"Well, you see, growing up, Manu, practiced more on the life and energy side of her powers as opposed to the death. It comes in very handy during hard missions. Her powers help replenish our energy without losing any of her own," Sloane quickly jumped in as she talked up her sister's powers.

"See now that's cool. Nova can help heal people or give them energy but it has to come from her own energy and then it takes time for her to recharge," Luther jumped in when Sloane glared at him and he saw the uncomfortable look on Manuela's face. "But you know Nova is also like over fifty years old technically and she's a trained assassin who used to work for a time-traveling bureau."

"Wait, fifty years old? How is that even possible? She doesn't look like she could be more than eighteen or nineteen," Manuela asked.

The more she learns about Nova the more she feels like the Sparrows may be biting off more than they could chew. Hargreeves had said to all of them that Manuela was a version of Nova who had lived up to their full potential. But now it seemed more like the opposite.

"You know, I'm not entirely sure. She disappeared when we were fourteen or fifteen and we didn't see her again for like fifteen years or so. Then she and Five fell through this time portal thing during the first apocalypse and got stuck in the bodies that they are in now. But when Five opened the portal they were both in their fifties or sixties. I'm not entirely sure how old either of them is. Time travel is weird like that," Luther rambled nervously when he saw Manuela's face. A calculating look had crossed her features and she looked downright scary. Actually, it was the same look that Nova got when she was trying to figure out something serious. Or whenever she was plotting something.

"Um...so this has been fun but uh...Luther, maybe we should continue the tour and let Manuela get back to her meditation," Sloane said slowly before tugging on Luther's arm.

"Ok, well, it was good to see you, Manuela," Luther waved and Manuela returned it.

"You can call me Manu if you want. It's what everyone else calls me," Manuela shrugged and Luther grinned.

"Alrighty, see you later, Manu," Luther nodded before following Sloane to the next location on their tour of the Sparrow Academy.

Warmth spread through Nova's body as she pulled Five closer to her by his hips. He was standing between her legs with his hands tangled in her hair. Their lips glided smoothly over each other smoothly. Five could taste the faint coconut and pineapple from her pina colada-flavored chapstick. His hands drifted from her hair to her waist feeling every dip and curve. Her body shivered under his touch. Instinctively her legs wrapped tightly around his hips as she leaned back while perched on the trunk of their car. Hot heavy breaths slipped past her lips as Five's own lips traveled across her jaw and down her neck tasting the sweetness of her skin.

"Mmm...I'm so glad we finally get to retire," Nova's words barely managed to slip out over her breathless moans.

"I know, I seriously can't believe we've finally caught a break," Five's raspy voice responded as he placed a soft kiss on her collarbone before pulling away.

There was an excited sparkle in his soft green eyes that Nova had never seen before. His wide toothy grin was pure and relaxed as if he was Atlas who had finally been freed from the weight of the world. Nova couldn't help but notice that Five looked like he was walking on air. The positive energy that he exhibited was infectious and a soft smile spread across her lips reaching from ear to ear.

"What are we ever going to do with all this time we have on our hands now?" Nova asked as she looked up at her boyfriend through her long lashes and mocha-colored eyes. Slowly she ran her fingers through his hair giggling as she messed up his normally tidy locks.

"I'm sure we'll figure out something," He chuckled while his hand that was resting on her exposed thigh began to use his thumb to draw patterns on her caramel skin. Another shiver violently shot through Nova and she let out a small moan as she bit her lip to try and silence the sound. Of course, she caught on to his suggestive words but Five continued to tease her by continuing the conversation, "But I was thinking we should start our travels in the States then spend travel out of the country."

"Y-you know, I hear the Koontz Coffee Pot... is only a few hours away from here. I-i read that it's eighteen feet tall and twenty-two feet wide." Nova managed to stutter out as Five's hands continued to roam across her body. Wherever his fingers trailed lightly over her skin goosebumps were left in his wake. Her body wriggled under his touch desperately seeking any sort of relief or friction.

"We can do that but we probably still have some time before Klaus comes back. We could look up other roadside attractions on the map or in that travel book we got at the gas station or..." Five began still with the same cheeky tone.

"Just shut up and kiss me again, asshole," Nova interrupted while rolling her eyes.

A smirk played across Five's lips but only momentarily because Nova had reached up her hand cupping the back of his neck as she pulled him in for another heated kiss. This time Nova dominated the kiss her tongue traced over his lips begging for entrance. Their kiss deepened and Five's hands continued to tease Nova as her body ground against his. It was Nova's turn to smirk when a sensual needy groan was pulled from her boyfriend's throat.

Before she could even make a teasing comment a wave of energy crashed over them. But this wasn't the normal excited energy that you would feel pulsing through your veins in this sort of situation. No this was something unusual and powerful. Nova's breath caught in her throat as she quickly pushed away from Five. She recognized this energy. She had felt it earlier that day in the hotel lobby before the power had gone out and the lobsters at the bar had disappeared.

"What, huh? Darling, is everything all right?" Five asked confused at Nova's sudden actions. Gently his hand raised to cradle the side of her face as his thumb caressed her cheek gently and he peered down at her with worried eyes.

"Where did all the cows go?" Nova asked her dark almond eyes searching the now empty fields. She also noticed that the radio in the car had suddenly shut off after the wave of energy. Death filled the area and Nova could feel it settling heavily on her chest.

"The cows?" Five asked still confused but he complied and allowed his green eyes to scan the fields. A frown tugged at the end of his lips as his mind started putting together the few pieces of the puzzle that they had. He groaned in frustration. His head tilted so that his forehead rested against Nova's and his eyes fluttered closed. "Shit, can't we get one freaking day off?"

"I'm sorry, amor de mi vida, but I think the universe has other plans," Nova sighed sadly before she placed one last soft kiss on her boyfriend's lips. He gave her a small nod before wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder. Her arms lifted to wrap around his body pulling him in for a tight hug.

"You know we're supposed to be retired but it feels more like I'm re-tired. I was tired yesterday and I'm tired again today," Five sighed quietly his voice barely over a whisper.

Nova's heart broke for the boy in her arms. He hadn't had a day of peace in what felt like forever. Even though Nova didn't have the best life when she was stuck in the 60s it was still a three-year break she got from the apocalypses. Poor Five has had to deal with one apocalypse after another without a break. Now it looked like they could possibly be facing another catastrophe.

"I know, and it sucks. Trust me I want nothing more than to retire with you and see the world together," Nova whispered before Five began to pull away from her.

"You know, it's been twenty days and I still haven't found a decent cup of coffee," Five pouted and Nova couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lips. He gave her that puppy dog face that he reserved solely for her and that she completely adored.

"I'm sure we can get you a decent cup of coffee on the way home. If not I promise we can go to the market as soon as we get back to the city and I'll attempt to make a cup of coffee that is up to your standards," Nova chuckled as she gently attempted to fix Five's hair that she had disheveled minutes before.

"Have I told you I loved you recently?" Five asked smiling down at her and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You tell me at least once a day but I wouldn't mind hearing you say it again," Nova shrugged trying to act indifferent but her whole body was filled with happiness. Well except for the nagging voice in the back of her mind warning her against the next possible world-ending catastrophe they were about to face.

"I love you, Nove. I love you so goddamn much," Five grinned and Nova leaned up to capture his lips with her own once more. This kiss wasn't hurried or rushed like before but it was slow and delicate.

"Te quiero con todo mi corazon, mi amorcito," Nova whispered against his soft lips as her hand gently cupped the side of his face.

Fiveseyes darkened with a mixture of love and lust at her words. He loved it when she spoke in Spanish especially when it was a profession of her love. It was just them in their own little bubble. The world around them had faded. That is until Klaus's panicked voice sliced through the air.

"Five! Nova! Guys! Start the car, would ya?" Klaus screamed as he came into view at the top of the hill.

"Oh my god, what has that idiot done now?" Nova groaned in annoyance as she saw Klaus sprinting towards them.

"Shit! Shit! Shit! Five! Novie! Someone start the car! Start the car!" Klaus continued to yell but now they could see that a mob of angry Amish men was chasing him with pitchforks and various garden tools/weapons.

"Is he being chased by a mob?" Five asked confused finally turning away from Nova to see what his brother was shouting about.

"Yep, we should probably go," Nova nodded as Five helped her off of the trunk and her feet steadied on the ground. "I'll drive."

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry!" Klaus yelled now only a few yards away from them as Nova slipped into the driver's seat and started the car.

"Why can't you just get along with people?" Nova heard Five ask his brother while he rounded the car to the passenger side.

"I tried. Really, I did. I tried!" Klaus yelled back.

"Wait, wait, wait!" An Amish woman exclaimed running up to them from some shortcut in the woods.

"Hold on a second!" Klaus called to Nova after he opened the back seat door behind her.

"Wait? Klaus, we can't wait! There's a mob chasing you!" Nova exclaimed but Klaus ignored her as he ran over to meet the woman. With a sigh, Nova couldn't help but roll her eyes as she turned to her boyfriend and said, "Geeze, the two most common elements in the world really are hydrogen in stupidity."

"You can say that again," Five nodded as he reached into the glove compartment in front of him and pulled out a hidden flask. He took a long swig before he rolled down his window and yelled, "Come on! Get in the car, Klaus!"

"Klaus, it's now or never and I swear to God if you get me killed by some fucking Amish men I will resurrect myself and personally kill you!" Nova yelled back. Reluctantly Klaus turned back and dove into the back seat of the car. He was still struggling to pull the door closed as Nova drove away.

"Whoa, this whole timeline's chock-full of riddles. Get this. My mom died here before I was even born!" Klaus exclaimed as he flipped through the notebook that the Amish woman had given him. Nova's eyes widened as she slammed on the brakes.

"What did you just say?" Both Nova and Five asked at the same time.

"My mother died here before I was born," Klaus said slowly confused by the teens' terrified looks. The couple glanced at each other. Both knew just how screwed they really were.

"Shit!" Nova and Five breathed at the same time. 

Nova's Spotify Playlist: Nova Perez's Epic Time Travel Jams

Manu's Spotify Playlist: Manuela Hargreeves' Post-Mission Jams

First Published: 07/19/2022

Edited: 09/29/2023

Aesthetic Change: 07/02/2024

Chapter Word Count: 2,777

Book Word Count: 93,319