Thea hated three things in her life, brussel sprouts, Steven Segal movies and funerals.

She was currently at the latter, wishing she could be anywhere else.

Matt sat on one side of her, Josh the other. Matt held her hand, anchoring her to reality as she watched the priest finish his opening sermon and invite Shae's mother to the dais. She was a replica of her daughter, the laugh lines and grey streak to her hair the only noticeable differences.

She looked out at everyone, her eyes briefly resting on Thea. "I'd like to thank you all for being here today." Her voice trembled, knuckles white as they gripped the dais tightly. "It says how much Shae has touched all our lives, for you to all be here honouring her life..."

Thea felt herself drifting away, tears falling as Shae's mother told stories of her daughter's life. Small pattering noises sounded as it started to rain, the sound of drops hitting the small cathedral adding to Thea's grief.

Nearing the end of the eulogy, Shae's mother met Thea's eyes. "I'd also like to say a special thank you to Thea Gibson, Shae's workmate. She stayed with my daughter, giving her comfort in her final moments."

Josh reached out and took Thea's free hand, his large hand smothering hers.

"You've always been good to my Shae and though she's gone, I'm so thankful your life was spared." Her voice broke and she walked back to her seat.

Thea wished she could feel comforted by those words but she didn't. No one knew what truly happened three nights ago but herself and her saviour, Hermes. She hadn't seen him since he insulted her and vanished. Thea was beginning to feel like it had all been a dream; Hermes, her powers and her so called destiny involving this Cronos.

She'd looked up Cronos, discovering he was an old Greek Titan who ate his children, afraid they would steal his power. When Zeus was old enough he sent Cronos and the other Titans to Tartarus.

Obviously Hermes had her destiny wrong. It was Zeus he should be talking to. If any of this was real which Thea was trying not to believe.

Unfortunately, Shae's eyes reminded her it was real every night.

For three nights Thea had barely slept. Whenever she finally drifted off to sleep she was back in that forest, searching for someone. Instead, she always found Shae lying on the forest floor, eyes boring into the sky.

Last night as she had tried to force herself awake, Shae's head twisted up, whispering, "Don't let them win, Thea".

How was she meant to pretend it was a dream when Shae wouldn't let her?

Everyone stood as the service ended. It was a closed casket and the burial would be family only. The family had asked Thea to join them but she turned them down, feeling as though she didn't deserve to be near them. Their kindness only fed her guilt. Thea would rather they hate her.

"Thea," Matt squeezed her hand, "you alright, love?"

"I'm okay," Thea whispered.

"Come on." Matt patted her hand. "I'll take you to the bar."

The wake was being held at the bar. Matt had offered to host it and Shae's family were grateful. They weren't rich and Thea knew Matt was feeling guilty for leaving them alone that night. He looked as tired as Thea felt.

Matt's wife, Sharon stood up and pulled Thea with her. "Come on dear. Do you need a lift, Detective Cooper?"

Josh shook his head. "No ma'am, I've got my own car. I have to stop at the station first so I'll meet you there. Please take care of Thea."

"We will."

Josh squeezed Thea's hand gently before leaving. Thea wanted to cling to him and tell him to stay. Instead, feeling like a zombie, Thea let Matt and Sharon lead her outside and help her into their car.

Unaware of her surroundings, Thea didn't see the dark haired man watching her from the tree line, fading away with the wind as Matt and Sharon drove off.

* * * *

The bar was quiet, the most reserved Thea had ever seen it.

She knew it was a wake but it still felt strange to her. She was used to loud, boisterous men drinking and calling to her from across the bar for another beer.

Unconsciously, she started picking up empty cups before Sharon stopped her. "You're not working today dear." Her voice was gentle.

Thea sat the empties back on the table. "Sorry, I guess it's just a habit."

"It's alright, just sit down and rest. Have you eaten anything today, you're looking quite pale?"

"No, I'm not hungry".

"I'll bring you some sandwiches, you might find you feel a bit hungry."

Thea smiled as Sharon bustled off. She'd always been good to Thea and Shae. Sharon could never have children and so she often treated the girls as her own.

The bar was slowly filling up with mourners. Thea recognised some of Shae's family and friends she'd met when Shae dragged her to parties. There was no one there she really knew though. Thea didn't have many friends. She'd always been reserved, preferring solitude after working long hours in a bar full of people.

A photo of Shae sat atop the bar, smiling and eyes shining bright. Thea felt her eyes begin to sting and quietly slipped into the kitchen before she started crying.

Leaning against the preparation table she closed her eyes, breathing deep. Thea wished she had someone to hold her and tell her everything was going to be alright. More than anything she wished it was Josh's arms.

Tilting her head skyward, Thea felt dizzy. She knew she had to eat something but she wasn't in the mood. She felt thirsty though and wondered if it would be enough. Thea felt something wet hit her cheek and she opened her eyes.

She jumped as the sink tap in front of her started running, water spraying from the basin. Thea rushed to turn it off, twisting the knob and felt her insides turn cold.

It was already off.

Water burst from the hand basin at the side of the room and Thea began to panic.

"Stop it! Turn off!" she cried.

Thea started hyperventilating as the fire sprinklers burst open and she was showered with water. Voices sounded from the bar as people panicked, shouting fire.

"Stop it," Thea whispered repeatedly, closing her eyes. She didn't know how but she knew it was her. Somehow she was doing this and she didn't know how to make it stop.

"Thea!"

She opened her eyes. Hermes stood in front of her, eyes serious as water poured down his face.

"Calm down. You need to be calm or it won't stop."

"I don't think I can -" she gasped.

Hermes stepped closer, wrapping an arm around her waist and placing her hand on his chest. "Match my breathing," he instructed.

Thea looked at the tap again but Hermes grabbed her chin and turned her back to him. "No, Thea. Don't look anywhere but at me. Now breathe, in and out."

Looking into his eyes, Thea lost herself in their blue depths, feeling the rise and fall of his chest beneath her palm. Thea tried to focus on matching her breathing to his. Still shaky, she felt herself beginning to calm as her breathing slowed down.

Hermes gripped her hand tight against his chest, his eyes never leaving hers. His hand on the small of her back moved softly in small circles.

"That's it," he murmured, water dripping from his eye lashes onto her nose.

Thea realised the fire sprinklers were off and she couldn't hear the taps anymore.

"It stopped," she whispered.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Hermes mouth. "Do you believe me now? This will keep happening if you don't learn to control it, Thea."

Before Thea could respond, the kitchen door banged open and Josh ran in, water dripping from his blonde hair. Thea was slightly fascinated by the fact that his hair went dark when wet, no longer bright blonde.

"Thea!" He froze, seeing Thea in Hermes arms.

Thea tried to move away but Hermes refused to let go, his hand pressing into her back. "Josh, is everyone alright?"

Thea continued to struggle against Hermes grip. Josh's eyes were glued to Hermes. "A little water logged but we're all alright. Who's this guy?"

Thea didn't know how to answer that. "He's a friend."

"We're actually in the middle of discussing something," Hermes smirked.

Josh moved, pulling Thea from Hermes arms. "You can talk to her from over there."

"Get rid of him, Thea." Hermes glared at Josh.

She felt thrilled that Josh had come to her rescue but she needed to talk to Hermes. She couldn't ignore this anymore. Thea could feel something strange rolling off Hermes and she didn't know what scared her more; the fact that she could feel it or that she knew it was something unearthly.

"I'm sorry, Josh," she turned to face him, "can you give us a minute?"

Josh glanced down at her, worried. "Are you sure? He doesn't seem like a friend of yours."

"He is...he's just a distant one. Please, Josh?"

Reluctantly, Josh let her go sending a final glare Hermes way. "I'll be just out here if you need me."

"Thanks, Josh."

As soon as the door closed, Thea grabbed Hermes by the arm and dragged him through the kitchen and into the staff room out the back.

"If you wanted to be alone, you only had to say so."

"What?" Thea snapped.

Grinning, Hermes looked down and Thea followed his gaze. Her white blouse was now see through, her pink bra clinging to the fabric.

"Tell me, does the underwear match?"

Thea wrapped her arms around chest. "You're a pig!" she hissed.

"No, with the thoughts running through my head right now I'm definitely a man. Don't think your Josh wasn't having a peek."

"Shut up!"

Hermes leaned against the table, his black shirt clinging to his chest. "Trust me, he'll be dreaming of you in that bra tonight."

Thea glared at him, finding it hard not to stare at his chest.

Hermes looked around the small staff room, lip curling with distaste. "So why was I dragged in here?"

Thea forced her eyes from his abs. "Because I don't want people to hear us. I still don't know if I fully believe all this."

Hermes raised an eyebrow."Not even after the water show back there?"

"It could have been a faulty line -"

"You know how it happened, Thea," Hermes growled. "Stop lying to yourself and accept the truth that's before you."

"You have to understand that this isn't something I can easily accept," Thea protested.

"Then I guess I'll have to show you more proof."

Hermes grabbed her before she could resist and Thea felt her stomach drop as his hands held her waist.

Shrieking, she wrapped her arms around his chest as the kitchen melted away and a gust of wind howled through her ears. A flash of light made her shut her eyes as everything went quiet.

"Open your eyes, Thea."

Opening them, she looked around. No longer was she in the kitchen but in a forest. Giant trees formed a circle around them, the scent of pine and mountain air filled her senses. Thea gazed at the small grove for some time, wondering why she felt so at home. She felt the air leave her lungs as she recognised where she was.

It was the forest from her dreams.