A.N.: I'm back! Cue the cheering! ... no? Fine. Once again I have returned with a new chapter of Time Stops. I looked, but didn't find anything that looked like the necklace I described in this chapter. Bah.

This chapter's shout-out goes to Demenior, an excellent writer who kicks my ass with her stories. Thanks for the reviews and never stop with your own writing.

Disclaimer: I own, well, nothing.

Time Stops

/

Archie collapsed into an armchair with a groan, letting his overworked muscles relax for the first time since what felt like forever. It had taken three hours, four immortals, and a powerful levitation spell from Persephone, but Archie had finally managed to get Herry's truck out of the fountain in the school ground, and onto the parking lot.

Herry had graciously let everyone grab their backpacks full of homework, then had driven the five of them home, leaving Neil and Atlanta at the school. As soon as the Brawn had parked his truck in the garage, he had ordered everyone out so he could check the condition of his baby. Archie made a mental note to avoid the larger youth for the next few days.

He grimaced as he sunk lower in his chair. If Archie had damaged Herry's truck, he could expect he would pay for it in spades. Rubbing his hand over his face with his right hand, he reached for his backpack with his left. Rummaging blindly, the Warrior grumbled as he tried to find... there! Sitting up in his chair, Archie let a grin flicker across his face.

Archie didn't even plan to bother with his homework. But the package now resting in his lap was definitely a priority. Turning it over, the youth examined the single word scribbled on the front of the brown paper. Archie. The lettering was curvy. Just like the writer is. Smirking, Archie tore open the package. Reaching inside, the first thing he found was an envelope. Frowning, he pulled it out and stared down at it.

A plain white envelope, with the same curvy word on the front. Archie. Raising an eyebrow, Archie open the envelope and pulled out the single sheet of paper inside.

Archie.

I was rather surprised when you contacted me. Since what happened, we haven't really had anything to do with each other. I don't mind lending you this, because I trust you to take care of it, but I do want it back at some point. If this has something to do with Cronus, then I hope it helps. Take care of yourself.

Medelia

Archie's relieved grin grew, and he carefully folded up the letter. Good. Now all we have to do is figure out were Equinox is hiding. Dropping the letter back into it's envelope, Archie reached into the package and pulled out a medallion.

Chained to a thick black cord, hung a small black dragon. It was curled around itself, front claws gripping the long tail. The head centered in the circle held pair of little red stones for eyes, which glimmered in the lights of the room. The dragon's wings glowed silver. Archie lifted the necklace up to his face, eying it carefully. It was this very necklace that had once been used by Cronus to let Medea possess Medelia. Of course, Hera had removed the curse on the necklace after they had beaten Medelia's amazon army, but that didn't mean Archie wasn't going to put it on without looking it over first.

Finally, with a glance around the room to confirm he was still alone, Archie lifted the cord and slipped it over his head. Clenching his eyes shut as he held his breath, he waited.

Nothing.

Cracking an eye open, he looked down to his hands. Nope. Nothing unusual there. Sighing in relief as he rolled his eyes to himself, Archie slipped the necklace down his sweater. I don't even know why I was so nervous. Quickly getting to his feet, the Warrior decided to was time to eat. He would worry about saving the world, about talking to Theresa, and about dealing with Jay, about everything and anything, after food.

I face Monsters everyday, but I'm scared to look you in the eye...

Archie was just finishing with his plate when Herry walked into the room. The Brawn went straight for the fridge, sparing him only a quick glance. As tempted as he was to leave the room, Archie hung around, watching Herry dig around in the fridge.

Finally, the Warrior cleared his throat. "How's the truck Herry?"

"Eh?" Herry's head came up, a piece of chicken half hanging out of his mouth. The Brawn grinned around his food. Pulling the food out of his mouth, he said, "There were a few scratches on the undercarriage, but that's about it. No permanent damage."

Sighing with relief, Archie grinned. Just as he was about to escape the kitchen, maybe track down Theresa, Herry's voice stopped him. "Archie."

Glancing back, the Warrior asked, "Yea man?"

"Nice job today. Not only did you save Neil, you took down Agnon." Herry's grin was sincere, and the surge of gratefulness in Archie's belly was welcoming. Good to know someone around here thinks I did well today.

Shrugging like it was no big deal, Archie said, "Just... doin' what I can."

"Well keep doing it, ya hear?" Herry sat down at the table, his usual mountain of food in front of him. Sending the Brawn a nod and a promise that he would, Archie escaped the kitchen.

Making a face at the T.V. Room, where at least an hours worth of homework awaited, Archie jogged up the stairs, intending to go to the roof. He was halfway down the hall, nervously eying Jay's open door, when there was a crash from inside the room.

Alarmed, the Warrior hurried down the hall, reaching the door in time to here "Jay, calm down! It's not that horrible!" Confused, Archie stepped up to the doorway.

There stood Theresa, her back to him, her hands clenched at her sides. Jay stood in front of her, nearly looming over her. He snarled in her face "Not that horrible?! Theresa, I froze back there. Neil was hurt and I just stood there! Archie had to take over." The Leader spat Archie's name as though it was something that angered him.

Clenching his own fists, Archie prepared to interrupted the conversation, ready to finally call Jay's bull. But Theresa spoke first, her voice heavy with disgust. "What so awful about that? Archie did fantastic today, you know it!"

Archie felt his jaw drop open. Wow. Theresa's defending me? Jay's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he snapped at the Fighter, "So now you're on his side? You two don't even get along!"

Theresa laughed in Jay's face. "Ha! Shows what you know! Archie has been looking out for me, not that you noticed." Theresa stepped back from the Leader, shoulders slumping as she looked away. "Archie is a good man Jay. What do you have against him?"

Jay looked shaken at the sudden change of mood from the woman before him. Shoving his hands into his pockets, the youth muttered, "I know Archie is a good man. He's an even better man than I am. I just..."

Somehow, both teens lifted their eyes at the same time, and as Archie watched, Jay gave Theresa a gentle, but bitter smile. "... I feel like I'm losing my friends, like I'm losing you when Archie takes charge and becomes leader."

Jealousy reined supreme in Archie's stomach as he watched Theresa move closer to the Leader. Before he could see anything more, the Warrior turned and walked away, back down the stairs. He calmly walked down the hall to his room, and when he entered it, he clicked the door shut. It was only then that he broke a little, his shoulders slumping as his eyes clenched shut. Damn it all.

Taking a long shuddering breath, the Warrior brought himself back under control, squaring his shoulders and reopening his eyes. Surrounded by a familiar setting help calm his nerves, and logic started working in his brain again. It doesn't matter what I saw. I just need to focus on Cronus, and the mission, and I'll be fine. A frown flit across his face. He muttered, "D-did I just...?"

Groaning, he ran his hands through his thick hair. I just sounded like Jay! GAH! Storming over to his bed, he gave it a vicious kick, for a brief moment forgetting his brace. Oh. Bad idea. Pain immediately flared in his toes, and Archie hissed in pain, hopping up and down on one foot. Still hopping, he tried making a break for his door. "I. Am. OW! Not. Turn – Gah! Turning. Into. JAY!"

When he finally reached his door, he wrenched it open with a snarl of anger. Then he blinked in shock. "Theresa?"

It was Theresa standing just outside his door, giving him a very amusing look. But his toes hurt too much for him to enjoy her expression, so he settled for limping past her as she stared at him. "Um, Archie? What did you do to your foot?"

Rolling his eyes as he continued to limp towards the bathroom, he called over his shoulder, "I stubbed my toe." Wait. What is she doing down here? Pausing, as he contemplated the question, he half turned back to her, raising an eyebrow. "Weren't you talking to Jay?"

The Fighter blinked. "Um, yea. How did you know that?" Shaking her head, she continued, "Whatever. And Jay and I got into an argument, so I left."

She came up beside him, looking down at his toes, wrinkling her nose in a way that, for some odd reason, made Archie want to smile. What did I miss? When I left they looked like their argument was over. He blinked when she poked him in the chest, "What?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Why are you smiling? What's so amusing?"

That's a good question. Why am I smiling? Clearing his throat, trying to ignore the blood trying to flow into his face, he limped past her, ducking in the bathroom. Still she followed him. She remained in the doorway as he knelt by the sink and pulled out the first aid kit. Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, he opened the metal box, and began digging through it.

Theresa was still in the doorway.

He found a few pieces of gauze and set them on the sink, trying not to glance at the girl. Pulling out a pair of scissors, he started mentally listing off his teammates. Atlanta is with Neil, back at the school. Ignoring his shaking hands, he placed the scissors in the sink, not noticing as he knocked the gauze to the ground. Herry is eating in the kitchen and Jay is in his room. He clicked the kit shut, and put it aside, trying not to register how fast his breathing was coming. Theresa is right there!

There was a sudden click. Archie's eyes snapped up. The door was now closed, and Theresa was standing not two feet away, still watching him with big green eyes. He gulped back (fear nervousness excitement alarm want anger need) and lifted his head to meet her eyes. His voice was low as he asked, "Terri. What are you doing?"

Her faced flushed in a way that made Archie's mouth go dry. She stammered, "I-I j-just want to help with your foot."

Studying her features, he nodded slowly. "Ok." A little smile appeared on her face, and she knelt down to pick up the gauze, giving him a brief glimpse of soft pink flesh. That's a sight I would love to see more of. Eyes widening, he leaned back, scowling to himself.

Theresa looked up in time to see his expression. Her face closed off and she looked away, stuttering, "I-If I'm b-bothering you Archie -"

"No, no. It's just me. Feeling weird." He cut her off, and when she lifted her face to look at him again, he gave her a gentle smile. The tentative smile she returned made his heart jump in his chest, but before he could explore the sensation, she was sitting down beside him, their knees brushing together.

"Ar-Archie?" She was very close.

"Yea?" For some reason, his voice was gruff, and he cleared his throat, trying again, "Yea?"

A small, warm hand slipped into his, and their fingers laced in a strangely comforting gesture. But his eyes widened at the gesture anyway, glancing from their linked hands to her too-close face. His heart was starting to hammer in his chest. "Thank you."

"Huh?"

She giggled at his confused expression, leaning against him slightly. "You saved my life today. I've never seen you move that fast before." She shrugged her shoulders a little. "So... thanks for saving my life."

Rolling back his shoulders as he puffed out his chest, Archie grinned his most arrogant grin. "Come on, Theresa. You didn't think I was gonna let Agnon flatten you, did you?"

She giggled. "I certainly hope not!"

Waving a dismissive hand Archie chuckled. "Nah. If Agnon had squashed you, the team would have probably made me clean up the mess."

Her jaw dropped open as her eyes widened. Smacking his shoulder, the Fighter yelped, "Ar-chie! You're horrible."

Laughing so hard he had to grip the bathtub with his free hand to keep from falling over, Archie ducked away from Theresa's hand. "I was kidding! I was kidding!" Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he said, "And Theresa? You're welcome."

Theresa smiled at him again, sending his heart galloping around his chest once again. Then, pulling her hand out of his, she slip down the edge of the tub until she was about half a foot away. "All right, Mr. Hero, put your foot up here." At Archie's blank expression, she rolled her eyes. "Come on Arch. Lets see your toes."

Blushing, the Warrior half-turned, lifting his leg to rest his foot gingerly on the edge of the porcelain tub, his brace gleaming by the light of the room. Theresa winced at his toes. "Damn Archie! What did you hit your foot with? You cracked a toenail!"

"I did?" He leaned forward awkwardly, nearly loosing his balance. Grimacing at the sight of his black and blue digits, he leaned back. Theresa started fumbling with the bandages, and Archie quietly watched her as she worked, a hint of a smile on his face.

"You know what's kind of weird?" She asked, nibbling her lip as she bent closer to his foot.

Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "What's that?"

She shrugged her shoulders, she said, "It just seems... strange. That Agnon won't be around anymore." She remained bent over his foot, slowly wrapping cloth around with toes. "I mean – I know Agnon was a bad guy, and evil, but it'll be weird not seeing him with Cronus anymore."

Archie cleared his throat. "Y-yea. Weird." Theresa finished with his foot and he set it back on the ground, bending to examine her handiwork. Chuckling, the youth sat up. "Glad I'm related to Achilles. This'll be healed in a day or so."

Theresa was staring at him, an unreadable expression on her face. Gulping, he asked, "What?"

"Archie, do you feel... bad about Agnon? About what you did?" The Warrior averted his eyes. The last thing he needed was for Theresa to think he was weak. But his silence seemed enough of an answer for her. "Archie. You must know that Agnon would have killed me without hesitation if you hadn't stepped in."

Shying away from the thought of Theresa being hurt, he said, "I know. But just because I am a Warrior doesn't mean I get used to killing."

"Oh, Archie." A hand was gently resting on his arm, and his nose was invaded with the scent of apples and honey as she leaned her head on his shoulder for a brief moment. "Archie, it's because death and killing is still hard for you that makes you a true Warrior."

"What?" He asked, his voice gruff. She lifted her eyes to meet his. Green eyes locked with dark brown orbs, and Archie's breath was caught in his throat.

"You are a Warrior, you know that Archie. But you haven't given up being human either. You still feel, and still have compassion and kindness. That makes you better than a Warrior." She sighed, finally breaking their gaze to look away. "Archie, you could be a Leader, if you tried."

Stunned with her announcement, Archie jumped to his feet. "We have a Leader Theresa! What are you trying to say?"

"I know we have a leader Archie. Jay is our Leader, and since this whole mess started, Jay has lead us." She clenched both her fists, staring hard at the floor. "But ... you've seen him Archie. He's destroying himself. Every time he makes a mistake, or someone gets hurt, or Cronus gets the upper hand, Jay goes over it again and again in his head." Archie nodded slowly, watching the Fighter carefully. She continued, her eyes still locked on the floor. "Jay has been our Leader, and I think we still need him, in a way. But the team needs you as well."

"Theresa, the way you talk, you sound as though the team has already made a decision." Archie said carefully, turning to look in the bathroom's mirror. Me, team Leader? The one they'll turn to for making decisions, the one who'll step forward first, the one who, in the end, may end up making a choice that could destroy their enemy, or his team, once and for all. Could I handle that? He studied himself in the mirror, staring hard at his reflection.

He wasn't all that impressive. Dark brown eyes, a bent nose, bright purple hair. Not exactly a description of a typical 'Leader of a band of Heroes'. Theresa gave a weak chuckle beside him. "We haven't made a decision like that."

Archie glanced at her, and carefully asked, "If you guys haven't, then what -"

"Not as a group we haven't." Theresa cut him off, shooting him a glance. Then, squaring her shoulders, she looked him in the eyes, determination blazing in her eyes. "But all of them have said at least once that you are a good leader."

"Hey, Archie? You in there?" Odie's voice made them both jump. They shared terrified looks as Odie started to knock on the door. "I need to ask you something!"

Theresa darted forward, her face flushing deep red as she brushed around Archie. Gripping the door handle, she glanced back at the Warrior, mouthing, 'talk later', before she pulled open the door. "Odie! Archie went for a run a little while..." Her voice faded as she lead the Brain away from the bathroom.

Archie stared at the closed door for a moment, a blank expression on his face. He glanced at the mirror again, staring into the eyes of his reflection. They want me to be leader?

He escaped the bathroom a few minutes later, and retreated into his room. When his head hit his pillow two minutes later, he immediately fell asleep. His last fuzzy thoughts were of green eyes watching him.

/

A.N. Apologies for the short chapter. I wanted to end Monday quickly, but I needed to finish off a few thing before I did so. Next chapter will be up soon.

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