"And there's the kick! Goal!"

A cheer went up and Thea smiled, cheering with them in her mind as the soccer ball entered the net. Tonight was the Quarterfinals of the World Cup and the little pub of Saint Arlington was packed to the brim.

On any other night, Thea would be sitting by the bar, drinking and cheering with everyone else but Matt had been desperate for a waitress and Thea couldn't say no to him. He'd helped her out too many times to count and he didn't like to ask for favours. Collecting empties, she walked through the crowd back to the bar.

"How you going out there, Thea?: Matt took her order, pouring the drinks as Thea and Shae, the only other waitress working tonight, waited, glad for the small reprieve.

"Not too bad. No one's copped a feel tonight, so I can't complain." Thea searched through her apron to put her tips in the jar.

"They wouldn't want to either," Matt grinned, "half the department's here tonight, they wouldn't be game to."

Thea's eyes drifted to the largest table, surrounded by the off duty cops of the Saint Arlington Police Department. They had come here for every match, making Soccer Nights the safest nights she had ever worked. It didn't hurt that Josh Cooper, the detective she'd been crushing on for the last two months was off duty tonight and sitting in perfect eyesight.

His blond hair swept back from his face, small tendrils often falling in his eyes. Her hands itched to brush them away and he had a smile which made her weak at the knees. Matt pushed more drinks at her, interrupting her thoughts and Shae moved behind her, taking them.

"Hey!" Thea protested.

"It's okay, I got this," she winked. "Cutie detective has been sneaking glances at you all night so you should take their drinks."

"Really?" Thea turned around.

"Don't look!" Shae hissed. "He'll know we're talking about him!"

Thea rolled her eyes.

"Besides," Shae continued, "he's not the only one who's been giving you the eye."

"Why? Who else's staring at me?"

Shae nodded over her shoulder. "Check out the hottie in the corner with the black hair and smouldering gaze."

Trying to not appear too obvious, Thea glanced over Shae's shoulder and saw who she was talking about. He seemed to be a few years older than her, a five o'clock shadow around his jaw line adding to his appeal. He wore a black leather jacket with a white shirt visible, and Thea could see the outline of hard muscle beneath. He had dark and broody written all over him.

His eyes flickered and then his blue orbs were staring intently into her own, causing Thea to flush and a flash of pain to sear through her skull.

"He's alright," she muttered, touching her brow.

Shae snorted. "Of course you would say that, you're mind's too filled with cute Detective Cooper to see the other hotties in this place."

Shae watched Thea rub her head, concern flashing in her eyes. "Are you getting another headache again?"

Thea sighed. "I don't know. I hope not."

"Tell me if you are," Shae said kindly, "I'll cover for you."

"Thanks Shae, I think I should be alright."

For the last two months her headaches had been increasing. She couldn't figure out why they were happening but the headaches started the day of tsunami on the island of Crete, about three months ago now. She had also been having dreams of walking through a forest, waiting for someone but she didn't know who.

Thea remembered that day, watching the report on the news at work, when a blast of pain tore her head open and before her skull cracked open on the floor, Detective Josh Cooper caught her, like something from a fairytale and from the first gaze, she was in love.

It was the day she fell in love and the day her headaches began. Thea couldn't decide if that day was a blessing or a curse.

Shae sighed, still looking at the dark haired man. "I wish someone would send a smoulder like that my way."

Thea grinned, her headache already fading. "Just you wait, a hottie will walk in here and save you one day."

"Oh, I hope so! Now go and deliver your police cutie's scotch, before he forgets what you look like."

Matt laughed and Thea smiled, heart fluttering as she took the police their drinks. "Alright guys, make way for the girl with the drinks."

The table separated like the red sea as Thea placed the tray of drinks down.

"Ah, thanks, Thea. Have you caught any of the match yet?" Detective Jackson asked, grabbing a beer.

Thea shook her head. "Only bits and pieces but it looks like a nail biter."

"You can say that for sure. Brazil is definitely going to win though."

"They better, I placed fifty bucks on them!"

Jackson laughed. "Oh a gambler, a woman after my own heart! What about you Josh?"

Thea flushed, feeling Josh's eyes on her. "It's good to have a little risk in your life."

The men all catcalled and Thea quickly moved away. She'd been waiting for Josh to ask her out for the last few weeks. She thought he liked her but she couldn't be too sure. Thea was too afraid to ask him either in case he said no. Better to have a one sided love than to be rejected.

Walking back to the bar, the front door opened and two men walked in. They appeared to be in their early thirties and could only be brothers. She guessed they were European, dark brown hair hung to their shoulders, their brown eyes scanning the room. Their skin had a slight olive tinge.

Shae grabbed Thea's arm. "I claim them. Don't even think about smiling at them."

"I wasn't." Thea watched them, a strange sensation forming her chest. Something was wrong about them. "I think you should stay away from them, Shae. I don't like them."

"Just because you don't like them doesn't mean I have to. Go ahead, hate them," she teased. "More hunky men for me."

Thea laughed, her eyes following the men as they sat near the bar. "Please be careful then."

Shae pouted. "You're no fun."

The night passed by in a blur of drinks and friendly conversation. Closing time was filled with celebration as Brazil passed through to the semi finals and Matt was reluctant in handing over Thea's winnings from their bet.

Josh gave Thea a smile and said goodbye as he was shoved out the by the men stumbling behind him, still cheering from Brazil's victory. The smile made her heart flutter but Thea was disappointed again at no date offer.

Shae closed the door on the final customers and twisted the lock. "Never mind, Thea. There's always tomorrow to try and get in his pants."

"Shut up, Shae."

Shae shrugged, trying to look innocent. "What? I mean in a normal situation, it's the guy trying to get into our pants but I guess we are living in modern times. You have to be more aggressive if you want to succeed."

"Shae!"

Shae giggled, poking her tongue out. "Lighten up! You know I'm cheering for you."

"I know, in your own weird way."

Matt walked over, keys jingling in his palm. "Do you girls mind closing up tonight? I have to pick up  Sharon from work."

"Sure, say hi for us." Thea held out her hand.

Matt tossed the keys to Thea who caught them easily. "Will do. Good night. Be safe."

"Yes, dad," both girls called out, teasing their boss.

Matt chuckled and walked out the door, locking it behind him. The girls quickly collected what empties they had missed and wiped down the chairs and tables.

"Did you have any luck with the two guys who came in?" Thea asked, still feeling nervous about them.

"No," Shae sighed, not seeing Thea's relief. "They seemed more interested in you than me. Just my luck."

"Sorry."

"Don't be sorry girl, it's not your fault the hotties are all attracted to you. Just lend me some of what your throwing out and I'll forgive you."

Thea laughed, "When I figure out what it is, I'll give you all of it."

"Deal."

"Smouldering hottie left early, not long after those guys arrived." Shae commented, grinning at Thea suggestively. "Maybe he was threatened by the competition?"

"Or perhaps," Thea shook her head in amusement, "He had other plans and had to leave?"

"Your reason sounds more logical but mine sounds more fun. I'm going to stick with mine."

Once all the tables were cleared and cleaned, the girls set the alarms and walked out the back door, putting on their jackets.

"What are your plans tonight?" Thea asked, searching through her bag for her phone.

"I got a party on the east side to go to. Michael asked me to go, I think he wants to get back together but I don't think that's going to happen. He's just too immature for me."

Thea snorted, thinking of Shae's own immaturity level. "He must be like a baby then."

"Hey!" Shae laughed, punching her arm. "Whatever. Do you need a lift home?"

"That would be awesome."

Two figures appeared at the end of the alley, before they reached Shae's car and Thea paused. It was the two men from the bar.

Shae however was not as wary. "Looks like I get a second chance!"

Thea grabbed her arm, holding her back. "No, Shae something feels wrong."

Shae shook her off. "Don't be a baby, lighten up and have some fun!"

Shae ran over to them, flicking her hair back seductively. "Hey boys. You didn't have to wait around for me."

The one on the right, slightly smaller than the other answered, sending fear down Thea's spine. "It's not you we were waiting for."

His accent was strange, a mix of American and European. Shae gasped as he grabbed her by the throat and Thea screamed, reaching for the mace she kept in her purse. "Let her go, you bastard!"

The larger one moved fast and grabbed Thea's arm before she could blink. His hand was at her throat and he slammed her into the wall, causing her to drop her mace.

"Well met, Lissandre." His voice sounded amused.

"Who?" Thea gasped. "I -"

"Shut up!" He gripped her throat tighter and Thea clawed at his wrist but he wouldn't budge. He turned to the smaller one. "Get rid of that one, she is not needed."

Thea watched in slow motion, as Shae was thrown against the brick wall like a doll, hitting with  a sickening crunch. Looking down, her blood ran cold.

Shae's lifeless eyes, stared up at the sky, fear still instilled in them.

A deep burning began in the pit of her stomach, rage unlike anything she had ever felt. The overwhelming urge to release it made her fingertips itch.

"Have you got Lissandre contained?" The one who killed Shae, asked.

"Aye, she is not going anywhere brother."

"You bastard!" Thea screamed, raising her hands, her rage desperate to be released and Thea watched in horror as fire spurted from her fingertips, setting her captor on fire.

Howling in rage, he released her, hands brushing at the flames encasing his body.

Thea watched numbly as he tried to put the flames out, her body going into shock. Had she just set him on fire?

" You little bitch!" He spat, patting the last of the fire out.

The fire burned out and Thea, whimpered. He wasn't dead. He didn't even look injured.

"What the hell?" She whispered.

"You're going to pay for that." His huge hand came up to strike her. Thea closed her eyes, knowing she couldn't move in time. They opened again though as an arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back against a firm chest.

A smack sounded and she looked up in surprise, recognising her saviour as the dark smouldering guy from the bar. He held the man's wrist, his eyes dark. The other man seemed surprised to see him.

"So they sent you," he sneered. "What a joke."

"It won't be a joke when I tear your arm from its socket," her saviour replied coldly. His voice held no emotion, his grip on Thea's waist tight. Thea continued to stare at him, still unsure of what was happening. Up close, Thea could see that he was quite attractive, the smell of his leather jacket filled her senses. His eyes glanced down at her, before returning to the men before him.

"I suggest you leave now," he continued. "You know I hold more power here than you. If you don't leave, then I'll be forced to make you."

Thea didn't think they were going to leave, they stared at her saviour for some time before the smaller one stepped forward. "You can't protect her forever, Hermes. Cronos will get what he wants, he always does."

"Not this time," the man called Hermes muttered, his hold on Thea's waist tightening again.

Quietly, the two men melted back into the darkness, until Thea was only left with her saviour and -

"Shae!"

Breaking free of Hermes grip, she rushed over to Shae, bending over her. "Shae..."

"She's dead, Lissandre."

"Shut up!" She snapped, tears falling. "My name is not Lissandre, it's Thea dammit! Why are you all calling me that?"

"All will be explained in time. For now, I need to get you out of here." Hermes tried to grab her but Thea moved away from him, putting herself between him and Shae.

"Just leave me alone, I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"Considering I just saved your life, I think you can assume I'm not here to kill you," he said coldly, "I don't think you're being very appreciative either."

The fight left Thea and her shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry, thank you for saving me."

"We need to leave."

"I can't," she whispered, looking back at Shae. "I can't leave her alone, I have to wait -"

She broke off with a sob and there was a slight softening around Hermes eyes. "I am sorry for your loss, Thea but we do not have time. You must come with me to begin your training."

Thea sniffed. "What? Training? What are you talking about?"

"You must rediscover your powers and help us defeat Cronos once more." Hermes said impatiently.

Thea was sure she must have misheard him. Either that or he was nuts.

"Are you insane?" She whispered, beginning to feel hysterical. "What the fuck are you talking about? Cronos and powers? You're out of your fucking mind!"

Hermes rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for your silly dramatics, Lissandre -"

"My name is Thea!" she screeched, the hysteria bubbling over.

Police sirens sounded and Hermes made a noise of annoyance. "They're quicker than before," He muttered.

Lights flashed in the distance and Hermes moved away from her, melting back into the darkness.

"This isn't over, Thea." He stressed her name.

"Where are you going?" Thea whispered, unsure why she even cared.

The last thing she saw was the smirk on his face. "Don't fear, you'll be seeing me again, real soon."

In an instant, he was gone and Thea was left standing alone in an alleyway, her friend lying dead on the ground as the police came bolting around the corner. 

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A/N: Here it is, my new story. I've been dying to post this so I hope you all like it! A HUGE thank you goes out to Aurevoir Simone who has been patiently helping me by pointing out my errors with grammar and sentence structure. The girl is amazing and I would have pulled my hair out in the last few weeks if it wasn't for her! Don't forget to comment if you like ^_^