Hercules stood proudly as the stands erupted in cheers for the new graduates. Prince Adonis was beside him, smiling and waving grandly, as usual. All the gods of Olympus were above on a cloud, cheering at Hercules's and Triton's graduation from Prometheus Academy. There was going to be a huge party afterward, and the graduates were ecstatic to finally be done with high school. Their entire lives were ahead of them, and it was the most exciting thing that any of them had ever faced.

As Hercules turned with Cassandra, Icarus, and Triton to head off the stage, Adonis snagged his wrist. Hercules turned, his expression wary.

"Is Hermes here?" Adonis asked urgently.

Hercules nodded. "Need to talk to him?"

"I would like to," Adonis said. "Lead the way."

Hercules pushed through the crowd, his broad form cutting an easy path through the people that surrounded him, celebrating this momentous occasion in so many lives. Triton was holding one-year-old Eva, sticking his tongue out. Hercules waved at Vic and Evelyn, who were fawning over their oldest child. Cassandra was blushing, and Icarus laughed gaily beside her. He placed a hand on hers and squeezed. Their relationship was still one of only friendship, but Hercules had noticed more of their glances lingered. Whatever happened, he would support them, but he knew that they weren't sure what was happening any more than he did.

"Merc!" Hercules called.

The lean, tan figure of Hermes's human form turned and he beamed. He tilted his head when he saw Adonis trailing after his little brother, but he kept a polite smile on his face as they approached. Adonis pushed past Hercules and embraced Hermes, who started in shock even as he returned the gesture. Adonis stepped back, and Hercules was surprised to see tears in his eyes.

"You were right about my father," Adonis said quietly. "He had no idea."

"So you talked to him," Hermes said. "Was it okay?"

"We have some things to work through," Adonis said. "But we have plenty of time now that I'm not going to be in school for a while. I'm taking a gap year so we can spend more time together. Then I'm going to go and study business."

"Business?" Hercules asked, feeling as if he couldn't be any more surprised.

Adonis turned to appraise Hercules. In the two years since Hermes had scared Adonis into behaving, things between them had improved a little. They weren't friends, and they never were on the same level of popularity nor did they have the same interests. But to hear that Adonis, the prince who was heir to the throne of Thrace, wanted to study business was news to the demigod.

After a minute of strained silence, Adonis shrugged one shoulder and relaxed. "I want to start a business before I'm crowned. Father and Mother were against it for a long time. They didn't see any point in my making my own living. They were willing to support me with the royal treasuries. Believe it or not, having money without earning it makes you unable to see its value. I always wanted to prove to them that I have the brains and will to make my own way."

"But you're a prince," Hercules said slowly.

"True. But I want to work. It's boring having everything I want without an ounce of work. There's no satisfaction in it."

"When did you discover this?" Hercules asked.

Adonis's cheeks flushed, but he met Hercules's eyes without flinching. "After you came to school. You worked so hard at everything, even though you came from nothing. And as much as I tried to disdain your parents, they still loved you more than I thought my parents loved me. They had all your baby pictures. I rarely saw my parents until I was twelve. I was too much trouble until I was that age."

Hercules was shocked. "I'm so sorry, Adonis. I had no idea."

"Because I didn't want you to," Adonis said, shrugging. "My parents made it very clear that I had to be perfect because I was a prince. I'm not perfect, and I never will be. It took me a long time to realize that."

Hermes smiled. "Does your father?"

"Like I said, we're working on it," Adonis said.

"Is that what you wanted to talk to Hermes about a couple years ago?" Hercules asked.

Adonis nodded. "Yeah. He told me to talk to him. It took me a long time to work up the courage."

Hercules smiled. "Well, I hope you work things out."

The prince smiled back. "Yeah." He paused. "Maybe you and your friends would like to visit Thrace in the next year. I can show you the sights, and you can get the royal treatment."

"You're inviting us over?" Hercules asked.

Adonis's face was amused. "Let's call it repayment for the stuff I put you through during your first two years at ProAc."

Hercules studied Adonis. The prince sounded sincere, and he waited with raised eyebrows for the answer. A couple years before, Hercules would have been too suspicious to accept. But all the growing up both of them had done had changed their perspectives. So while Hermes watched with a smile, Hercules held out his hand and the two teens shook hands.

"I'll talk to them and send a message through Hermes, if you don't mind, Merc," Hercules added.

Hermes smiled. "I wouldn't mind."

"Hercules!" Zeus boomed, striding through the crowd. He was human-sized, though he was still in his godly form. Hera had her arm linked through her husband's. She smiled hesitantly at Hermes then beamed at her son.

"Congratulations, m'boy!" Zeus exclaimed, slapping his son's back.

"Thanks, Father!"

Hermes stepped back as Hercules's mortal parents hurried over, tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces.

"Atta boy!" Pops said, embracing Hercules. Hercules squeezed gently then turned to embrace his mortal mother.

"I'm proud of you, son," she sighed.

"We all are," Hermes said.

Hera turned to him. "May I speak with you?"

Hermes's face twisted into a cool expression, but he nodded. "Excuse us," he said politely, and the two gods hurried away to the edge of the crowd.

"Yes, Hera?" Hermes asked, turning and crossing his arms.

"I would like to heal Daphne," she said. "I've been studying my powers to figure out how to reverse such damage. I believe I can do it now. I need you to call for her."

Hermes pursed his lips then nodded. He held out his hand. Hera hesitated. "I won't hurt you, Hera," Hermes said pointedly.

"I know," Hera said at once, and she placed her slim hand in his. "I just don't like speeding along with you. Makes me feel strange."

Hermes couldn't help but chuckle. "It takes some getting used to. I'll try and make it short. We don't have far to go."

Without another word, Hermes took off, skillfully flying along and dodging anything solid. The scenery changed from the white blur of Athenian architecture to the greens and browns of a forest. In less than a minute, Hermes stopped in the middle of a group of nymphs. The females froze at the sight of the goddess, and fear flashed through their faces. They shrank away warily, but they didn't run. Hera wasn't as much of a threat as any of the male gods, especially with Hermes there.

"Where's Daphne?" Hermes asked.

A purple nymph pointed in the direction of the river. Hermes thanked her then led Hera away from the crowd of nymphs. Hera glanced back at them.

"I thought nymphs avoided men," she said.

Hermes smiled. "They do. But I was raised by them. They know I will never hurt them. They're not afraid of me or my children."

"What about Hercules?" Hera asked.

"They know he's safe. And Icarus and Triton. They've never been afraid of Cassandra. They're still cautious around Phil, but he's a lot better than he was."

Hera nodded. "You're a good role model for Hercules."

Hermes blinked and glanced over then smiled a genuine smile. "Thank you, Hera. I try."

They broke through the trees to see Daphne bathing in the river. Hera expected Hermes to look away when he realized she was naked, but he flicked his hands at the water, which rose in a bubble and floated over to hover above her head. He grinned and popped it. The water cascaded over Daphne's bare form, and she spun to glare at him.

"Hermes!" she growled, but her eyes sparkled. Then she saw Hera, and she crossed her arms over her breasts. "What does she want?"

"To heal you. Get dressed."

Daphne stepped from the river and picked up her clothes and put them on. The pink dress hugged her form, and she smoothed it down for a moment then strode forward. She tossed her green hair defiantly as she stopped in front of Hera. Hera took a deep breath and placed her pink hand on Daphne's scar.

"I'm not sure how this will feel," she warned.

Neither Hermes nor Daphne moved. They stared at Hera expectantly, fire dancing in their eyes. Hera closed her eyes and focused her power into her hand. Daphne's face turned hot beneath her hand, and she let out a yelp, but she didn't move. Hermes watched as a bright golden light flashed across Daphne's face. He saw her body begin to fold and he dashed over and caught her, lowering her gently to the ground.

As the light cleared, Hermes sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes wide. He stared at Daphne as she opened her eyes, fear in them.

"Did she make it worse?" Daphne asked.

Hermes smiled and brought up another bubble of water. Morphing it into a smooth silver mirror, he held it up in front of Daphne, who froze. There, reflected in the mirror, was a face she had never expected to see again. Her own face, unblemished and smooth as a youthful young lady's. She reached up and brushed over the place where her scar had been. It was perfectly healed. Tears filled her eyes, and she gave a wild yell of happiness.

"Hermes! Look at me! I'm beautiful again!"

Hermes laughed, tears streaking down his face. "You were always beautiful, Daph."

Daphne stood up, still touching her face. Then she turned to see Hera wringing her hands as she stared at her.

"Thank you, Hera," she said. "I mean it."

Hera smiled at her and inclined her head. Then Daphne turned and ran as fast as she could back to the other nymphs. Hermes watched her go then spoke quietly, his face relaxed.

"Thank you, Hera," he sighed. "You just made her so happy. She never believed she was beautiful after you scarred her."

"Physical beauty is just skin deep," Hera said wisely.

Hermes nodded. "She was loyal to me and to Mother. That made her beautiful to me through all these years. I never thought the scars detracted from her."

Hera nodded. "I really am sorry, Hermes," she said. "I was young and jealous. Can you forgive me?"

There was a long pause as Hermes considered everything Hera had caused in his life. Then he turned and stared at her.

"I think I can. But you still have a lot of ground to make up. If you're willing to work through it, I'll make an effort, too."

Hera sighed, relief spreading through her heart. "I hope you come back to Olympus soon," she said as they began to walk back toward the nymphs, who were cheering and shouting with joy. "Of course, your children are welcome."

Hermes nodded. "I need to finish some things up in the mortal realm first. But then…" He shrugged. "Maybe I will come back. But I'm not just going to bow to everything everybody says anymore."

Hera laughed. "I think after everything we've been through, nobody would ever think that again."

They paused at the edge of the clearing and watched the nymphs celebrate. "We'd better get back for the graduation reception," Hermes said. "Herc will be wondering where we are."

Hera nodded and held out her hand. As Hermes took it, they smiled at each other before he took off. Things weren't perfect, but they were improving for the first time in four hundred years. It was a start, the beautiful, glorious start of a new chapter in the lives of all the Olympians. And for the first time in his life, Hermes felt like he might finally belong with the gods. It was a good feeling.