The Beating of Our Hearts Is the Only Sound

Chapter 14: Finally Alone

It has been about three weeks. Three weeks since Klaus and Dave had returned. Three weeks since everyone had begun to find a new normal. Klaus and Vanya had been training, and Diego and Allison were teaching Dave both hand-to-hand combat and living-in-the-21st-century skills. They all wanted to be ready for the next attack, which Five said was imminent. But they were also hanging around each other, going out, watching movies, eating meals together like a normal family. At least, as normal of a family as a group of traumatized siblings with powers, a Vietnam War soldier, a robot, and a monkey could be.

     The sun had set and they had all eaten dinner, and were sitting around in the kitchen. Diego was helping Grace do the dishes, while Ben led an animated conversation between all of them.

     "Alright, guys, it's my last night here for a while," Allison said, looking at them all. "I'm leaving in the morning."

     "Wait, really?" Vanya asked, her face falling.

     Allison nodded. "If everything goes according to plan, I should be able to see Claire. Then I'll get to have her at my house for weekends." She was staying collected, but everyone could tell she was nearly exploding with excitement.

     "That's great!" Klaus said.

     "We'll miss you," added Luther.

     Allison sighed. "Okay, this is not the time to get misty-eyed. This is the time to party."

     "And what's that supposed to mean?" Diego said.

     With a grin, she stood up dramatically. "We're going out tonight. Drinks on me."

     "That's my kind of party." Diego stood up too.

     The others stood up as well, everyone walking out the door. Klaus lagged behind, and Dave stayed with him.

     "You okay?" He asked.

     As he shrugged, Diego popped his head in. "Come on, I'll drive you two."

     "I'm not sure that's a good idea." Klaus said slowly.

     "Why, what's wrong?"

     "I'm, uh... I'm just worried. Because I've been okay with drinking. But that just..." he trailed off, gesturing with his arms. Honestly, he was a little embarrassed.

     Diego looked at him, the smallest hint of pride on his face. "You're really taking this seriously, huh?"

     Klaus scoffed. "Obviously."

     Allison seemed to materialize behind him, her head sticking over Diego's shoulder. "Are you guys coming?"

     "I don't think so," Klaus said.

     Diego turned to their sister. "Our brother's actually being responsible, for once in his life."

     "Is that so?"

     Klaus groaned. "Shut up." He looked at Allison. "I think I could. I know this is a big deal for you."

     She opened her mouth for a second, then glanced at Dave. "Don't worry about it. I'll just force you to come with me and Vanya to the airport tomorrow."

     "I would have done it anyways."

     "At 7 in the morning?"

     Klaus hissed a little, making Allison laugh, and Diego turned around, walking away with a flip little wave.