The day seemed to drag on and on.

The snow was persistent, and the fire was the only thing keeping the chill out of their bones. Hera stepped out a few times to watch the snowflakes settle around her, but the cold was painful, and she couldn't bear it for long. 

She realised by afternoon that if Joel failed to get help, they would likely die in that cabin or deep in the woods buried in snow. She had trust in him, but she feared the unknown. Azrail or his 'people' could be tracing all their locations right now. The thought caused her heart to drop. 

Hera fearfully sent out her energy through her body to find any foreign objects within her but was relieved only to see the Mod Jane placed. She trusted Jane was honest about it because of how much she loved her son. His mother would never hurt him, even if it meant losing her own life. 

Azrail had no such qualms. Hera's energy searched for Theo and found him flicking through the same vampire novel she had tried to read earlier, to no avail. Next, she searched his body and found nothing—no tracker or mod. 

"Thank god." She sighed. 

She did not know about Joel, but she assumed he would be fine as no one knew he was stashed on the ship the whole time. He's such a little weasel, she thought, with a slight smile playing on her lips. "What are you smiling about?" She jumped at Theo's voice as he joined her on the front porch. She was about to reply, 'nothing' when he spoke again.

"And why were you poking around in my head?" She blushed immediately and tried to explain as innocently as possible. 

"I just had a thought that we could have tracking devices or something. From the ship." He nodded with pursed lips. My god, they were so lush, and when he bit them she wanted her lips to be in their place. He smirked and licked his lips, and she realised with horror he probably heard that thought. 

She quickly brushed past him to gather more firewood as the sun began to set again. He followed her lead and helped heat some food for dinner. They sat in silence again, but this time Theo shuffled closer to Hera, and their shoulders touched. The contact brought small sparks, and her body tingled. 

"I wondered if that would still happen..." He murmured between mouthfuls. His self-assured voice and overt flirting made Hera's stomach flip. She was so responsive to his every word, especially considering how frugal he had been with them all day.

"Do you want to play a game?" She asked then, spontaneously. Theos brow raised in surprise, and his lips quirked up. "What kind of game?"

She shrugged, "I saw some playing cards by the book pile earlier, maybe last card, or... poker?"

"We don't have anything to bet with, though," she said, looking around. Her periphery caught a very attractive expression from the man opposite her. He had leaned back slightly and looked down suggestively. A laugh burst from Hera's lips as she realised his intention. 

"You want to strip?" 

He returned her humour with a chuckle of his own mixed with fake surprise at her boldness. "You said it, not me."

"Okay, but wait a minute." She got up and ran to the musty linen closet and draped four holey sheets over her shoulders before running back with the cards and sitting opposite him. 

"That is cheating!" He said, laughing even harder. The sound was music to Hera's ears. He was even more handsome when he smiled. 

"It is not cheating! These are to keep me warm... and give me more layers." She mock-whispered the last part as she dealt the cards. They couldn't stop grinning as they played the first few rounds. Both players were pretty well matched and took turns taking off layers. Theo opted to end the game when he was left shirtless and almost pant-less while Hera only had to take off her fleece jumper and shoes after all the sheets. 

She had to admit it was pretty cold to be stripping but took it as a win to add to her collection. They both were exhausted and lay down by the fire that night, keeping some space between them. Hera was too tired to feel nervous about being so close to Theo. It felt good to be on good terms again, but there were still so many things left unsaid that she needed to get off her chest before she could continue anything serious. She hoped he felt the same way as she fell deeply into sleep.

~

He watched her as she slept with mixed emotions, wanting nothing more than to pull her into his arms and never let go. But plagued with guilt, he knew he still needed to talk to her about their fight. He did the one thing he promised he would never do. He had hurt her badly, and he couldn't forgive himself until they had talked. 

She tossed in her sleep, and the floorboards creaked angrily beneath them. 

She was having a nightmare. 

He didn't remember the last time she had one and reached across the valley between them to stroke her cheek. She nuzzled into his hand and rolled towards him. He held his breath as she completely flipped, her back now pressed against his chest. He lowered his arm around her waist and breathed into her hair. The house settled instantly, as did Hera. 

The nightmare passed without incident, and Hera looked so peaceful in his arms. He wanted her so badly it was hard to breathe. He wished he hadn't been such an idiot earlier and mulled over his regrets as he, too, let sleep take him.

...

Birdsong woke them the following day, and they both looked rather sheepish as they untangled from one another. No matter how much distance she put between them, she would always end up right back in his arms. It was like fate, she mused before springing up to make breakfast. 

"I think it's my turn to cook." Theo piped up from the bed. She just waved him away with her hand and poured more canned goods into a pot. 

"You know what I miss?" She asked as she placed the pot on the grating. She turned to see his head tilted quizzically and smiled. 

"I miss the mess hall breakfasts. Fresh fruit, toast, and pancakes. Oh my god, I would murder you for pancakes right now." She finished the thought with a giggle which grew into a full-fledged laugh as she saw his expression. 

His brows furrowed, and he shook his head at her, "tsk, tsk. I see how it is..." He remarked lowly, trying to seem serious. However, his cover was blown when he grabbed her arm and pulled her down on the bed to tickle her ribs. 

She screamed, "Watch out for breakfast," before more screams and uncontrollable laughter passed her lips. He was laughing now, too, as she panted out, "Stop, Stop... Please!"

He stilled, now poised above her, and searched her face. She was still panting as his head dipped to hers, and he stole a kiss. It was soft, cautious, and full of unbearable longing. Hera was left breathless for another reason as he lifted his lips away from hers. His eyes reflected her emotions back at her, and she drew her bottom lip between her teeth. 

 He cleared his throat and moved away to dress while she finished preparing her breakfast. She was so uncertain with him now. She knew a different side of him, and she was wary that a wrong step could bring out that version. Truthfully she would prefer never to see it again, but what if that was who he was. A necessary part. The true Theo.

That day and the next were a blur of the same. Stolen glances, small talk, and 'accidental' brushing against each other just to feel something. The energy still crackled between them like the first time they touched, but it only worsened the ache, the yearning for each other.

Hera started to worry as the snow piled higher around them, and the hours ticked away. They only had twelve more hours before they had to give up on Joel's plan and search for the safe houses themselves. There was still time, though, and she still had hope. Cooking dinner on the third night was tense. They used the last canned foods, and fear sunk in deep. They ate in silence side by side for a time before it became too much for Hera. There was too much distance between them, but she didn't even know how to mend the gap.

She contemplated what she should say as she finished her meal and started tentatively. "You know, I'm really sorry about Jane..."

He swallowed his food down painfully and stared into the fire thoughtfully. "You have nothing to be sorry about, Hera."

"But," she went to interrupt, but Theo quickly shut her down once more.

"No. No, I put everything on you, but I was just mad at myself." He threw another log onto the flames. "I betrayed my friends, my true family, and you for someone I hardly remembered. When she died, it was like I was grieving for myself and the things I missed out on, but not her. When I first saw her, I didn't feel that connection, you know. I thought I would have. I should've, But I didn't know her. And the things that she had done." His voice was barely a harsh whisper. 

 "Monstrous things to our people. I told everyone my parents were taken by Panacea, but they fucking are Panacea." He stoked the fire again and wiped his face across his shoulder. 

Hera's throat burned at the rawness of his words. "I'm sorry." She tried again, "If it's any help at all, I know she loved you a lot even if you were strangers. I guess I kind of felt the same way when I realised the Director was my dad. So much missed time, right?"

They sat in silence for a time, and she placed her hand next to his. Then, after a pause, he put his on top and squeezed lightly. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I was an idiot for blaming you even for a second. It was never your fault, and I am not sorry I met you." He turned and looked into her eyes then. She felt his warm breath fan her cheeks, and she wanted him so badly.

"I..." His following words were silenced by breaking branches outside. They both shot up and quietly made their way over to the windows, trying to peer out into the darkness without being seen. More loud sounds made Hera's heart race when three booming knocks rattled against the house. 

"The hound howls by night." A husky voice uttered through the busted door. 

Hera nearly burst out laughing, "No fucking way!" 

Much to Theo's shock, she ripped the door open and ran into Monroe's rigid torso. She squeezed him briefly in a hug and spun to face Theo with a grin. "He did it! Joel made it!" Relief washed through them both as realisation set in. 

They were saved. 

They could reunite with their family again. Sadness washed over Hera when she thought about Jackie and looked into Monroe's solemn face. 

"I'm sorry about Jackie." He nodded stiffly before clearing his throat to speak. 

"I can take you one at a time. It will take about thirty minutes to get you back to everyone, so the person who goes second will be about an hour and a half behind. Clear?" 

They both nodded. 

"I assume you have an explanation for everything." He gestured to Theo, who nodded slightly. Hera realised nervously that everyone would probably still believe Theo was a traitor. She worried about what Jean would do if she saw him. 

"Take her first," Theo said immediately. 

Hera felt uncomfortable leaving Theo for so long alone, but she nodded too. 

"Let's go." He stepped outside and unfurled his wings. They were truly glorious. White with smatterings of grey, blue, and black. 

"Can you give us a minute?" Hera asked nervously. He nodded and turned away, looking into the dark forest while she turned to Theo. 

"I better see you in an hour and a half, or I'm going to come straight back here even if I have to walk. Clear?" She mimicked Monroe's previous command with a slight smile. He nodded with a small smile of his own and kissed her forehead gently. 

"Put a good word in for me." He looked sad. Hera hated seeing that expression mar his beautiful face and wanted nothing more than to hug him until it was gone. Instead, she squeezed his hands three times and turned away, walking into Monroe's waiting arms. He held her in a crushing embrace as they catapulted into the air. The wind whipped around them in the snowy darkness. 

Hera was already bitterly cold and thought how ironic it was that she would yet again flirt with the effects of hypothermia despite her nearing safety.