EMPATH | Five Hargreeves

XI •~-~• "It's Been A While"

Angel sighed and shared a glance at him.

"It'll help with the itching," Five deadpanned.

"Itching? What's itching? What the hell's going on here?" Luther glanced between Five and Angel as Five sprinkled the powder into his pants. Luther's jaw dropped to the floor, "You do have a plan."

Five exhaled sharply, "Well, it's a desperation move, but," Five grabbed his coat, "Since our brain-dead siblings are incapable of meeting a simple deadline, I got no choice."

Five now stood in the living room, looking back at Luther and Angel.

"No choice about what?" Luther shrugged.

Angel whined, "Why'd you ask?"

"I have to find myself," Five said, flicking open his watch and then shoving it back into his pocket, "I just arrived in Dallas 15 minutes ago."

"Should I be worried about you?" Luther questioned.

"Yes you should," Angel mumbled.

"Luther, if you recall, I was sent to 1963 on a job by the Commission," Five said while stretching down to touch his toes, "To make sure the president was assassinated."

"Oh! Wait, so your old self is out there," Luther said, finally piecing together what Five was saying.

"Precisely," Five exhaled.

"What, just walking around Dallas?" Luther shrugged.

"Walking around Dallas with a briefcase that can get us home," Five nodded, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"Five, do you know how crazy you sound?" Angel shook her head.

"Five you're a genius," Luther gawked.

Angel groaned as she threw her head back.

"However, there are two significant problems with this plan," Five continued, "Problem number one: I am a trained assassin, arguably the most dangerous assassin in the space-time continuum. If I know me, I'm not going to react kindly to bumping into myself."

Angel rolled her eyes and leaned on the pillar beside Luther, silently judging Five.

"Problem number two, and this is the real fly in the ointment here: you're not supposed to exist in close proximity to yourself in the same timeline. The side effects can be disastrous."

"Side effects? What sort of side effects?"

"Luther quit asking questions," Angel growled, nudging her brother in the ankle.

Five ignored her and continued, "Well, according to Commission Handbook Chapter 27, subsection three-B, the seven stages in paradox psychosis are... stage one: denial, two: itching, three: extreme thirst and urination, four: excessive gas, five: acute paranoia, six: uncontrolled perspiration, and seven: homicidal rage."

"Homicidal rage?" Luther repeated.

"Yeah," Five nodded.

"Jeez, I don't know," Luther shrugged, "This maybe isn't such a good idea."

Angel groaned, "Thank you!"

"It's a Hail Mary, but what choice do we got, guys?" Five shrugged.

"I don't know, you already seem a bit squirrely if I'm being honest," Luther said.

"Yeah, I think you skipped to stage five," Angel nodded.

"Look, guys," Five marched closer to them, "I'm gonna need you two to help me get through this one, all right? I... I need a spotter."