Phobos woke up the next morning to the sounds of Stef softly snoring as she once again slept with her head in his lap. Her presence warmed him to his very core.

He watched her sleep as he ran his fingers through her curls. He really liked the burgundy color that she chose for her hair. His mind wandered to their conversation in the dream during the night.

What she said made a lot of sense. It was not love that weakened him. He was falling in love with her more every minute that they were together. Yet, he felt stronger around her. But, the grief that he felt when he thought that she truly hated him enough to assume he could or would do those things. That had nearly destroyed him.

Now he understood why Deimos was so weakened five thousand years ago when some Amazon bitch betrayed him. And he understood why his mother and her sisters set the rule against the Dolophoni from having emotional relationships. How many people find one person that never leaves them?

The thought of ever losing Stef made him tremble. How does Deimos handle all of the intense emotions and fears that come with such love? He had gone through so much more grief with Jenna in the beginning. When Deimos and Jenna met, he was in her dreams, but she was being held captive as a prisoner of war. She was at the mercy of some truly vile men who raped and beat her so badly that she was on the verge of death from it. The only thing that saved her was her grandfather's blood. That is why she is now politically aligned with the Egyptian pantheon.

Deimos tried to save her, but Artemis had him trapped. The only way they could see each other was in their dreams. But, when Jenna had tried at one point to escape her hell, she failed and knew that she was dieing. Deimos knew that she was dieing. And he had no way to find her, to save her, or know if he would ever see her again. Phobos now understood just how much that must have shredded his brother apart.

Even Zeth, he had said that the grief of losing Lucy destroyed him and fueled his addiction.

Was he strong enough to face such a trauma himself? Could he take such a risk?

But, as he looked down at Stef, he knew that he no longer had a choice. Even if he was the one to try to leave her now, he would grieve for the loss of her. Despite the very short time frame, she had wormed her way into his soul. He could no longer live without her and not feel like he was missing half of himself. And even if she does decide to leave him, just having these moments with her will make the pain all worth it.

But, first, he needs to kill Skoll. That bastard hurt her in ways that could never be paid back in full. He pushed her down a life of horrors. And now, he wants to drag her back again. Phobos could not let him.

Stef started to stir. She hugged on to her pillow and nuzzled her face into the warmth of it.

"Careful love, unlike a normal pillow, I react to that kind of stuff."

Stef's eyes flew open wide as she realized that she had once again used Phobos's lap to sleep on and her head was pressed against his swollen anatomy. She jumped up and quickly started to apologize.

Phobos chuckled. "It's OK Stephanie." He leaned down to kiss her forehead before he got out of the bed to put a little distance between them while he tried to calm himself from her groggy caresses.

She stretched out across the bed and he enjoyed the view for a moment.

"How was your training?" He asked.

She relaxed and looked at him through her messy hair. "Good. Zeth is teaching me how to realize that I am dreaming on my own so that I can start to take control. It is kind of weird getting to know my father." She frowned a bit. "And to be honest, I would rather have you there to train me. Zeth said that you are strong in dreams."

Phobos smiled. "I am strong, yes. But, my skills are to hunt and stir fear. You need more of the broad basics and rules of the Oneroi. Besides, if I remain in your dreams, I am not sure how much training would actually get done."

"Fine." She pouted. Then she looked at Phobos with a smirk. "Do you always wear the same pajamas Phobos?"

Puzzled, he looked down. "What's wrong with these?"

Stef looked up with a wicked gleam in her eye as she raked him over to look at him in his grey cotton pajama pants and tight white shirt that showed of his arm tattoos very nicely. "Nothing. You look absolutely delicious in them. I was just curious, since it is the only time that I have seen you wear something other than black."

Phobos tilted his head and a wicked grin spread on his lips. "Honestly, I only wear these around you."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Don't tell me you normally wear ratty pajamas that are stained and full of holes."

Phobos leaned down to kiss her lips lightly and then walked toward the door. "No. Normally, I sleep naked." Then he left her room and returned to his to take a cold shower.

Stef's face lit up in a mix of desire, shock, and disappointment that he left. Damn him for dropping that bomb and leaving. He is such a tease! But, as much as she wanted to follow him and explore that topic, she knew that she really didn't want to cross that line with him. Not yet.

So, instead, she got herself ready for the day. The weather had been so hot and humid that Stef decided to follow Jenna's current fashion trend and wear a summer dress. So much lighter and breathable. So, she dug out a blue dress from her boxes and dressed.

She could hear that Phobos was still in the shower, so she wandered down stairs. Stef ran into Jenna who was finishing up some breakfast and starting to pull out the ingredients to make more bread.

"Do you do this every day?" Stef asked.

Jenna smiled. "Not every day. I have had school and renovations and stuff going on for so long that I did not have very much time for a while. But, since my summer classes have wrapped up lectures and I finished all of my papers, I only have two exams left on Monday and Thursday this week. The house is done. That gives me a bit more free time. And, I am not used to it. So, I am filling it up with bread."

"Sounds fair to me. And you really do make some delicious bread."

"Thank you."

Stef sat down at the breakfast bar to chat with Jenna as she started. Jenna turned on the radio and music played around them.

"So, how did you handle entering into this world of gods and demons?" Stef asked while she made herself some breakfast.

Jenna laughed. "Well, I don't know. Deimos had been in my dreams for about a week and a half before I was free and awake enough to even know if he really was a living god. But, even in my dreams, I had demons after me. So, I thought that my mind was just fucking with me. Still, I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with him. Then, I absorbed his memories and he absorbed all of mine when he helped me unlock my powers. That helped us understand each other."

"How did he unlock your powers?"

Jenna grinned and looked down as she measured out her flour. "To unlock your powers, you have to let down all of your barriers and walls and open yourself to it. It is difficult to do consciously. It is possible, but difficult. Sometimes it happens when a person is close to death. In many cases, like for me, it happens during an intense and overwhelming orgasm. That moment when you completely let go and let your body releases everything."

Stef cleared her throat. "Yeah, OK. Sorry I got personal on you."

"It's OK. I don't mind being open and honest with people when they ask about me. I figure that I know all of their secrets, so, it is only fair. Besides, in this case, it is something that you have to experience at some point. So, I would rather prepare you."

"Thank you. I think. Can I ask something else that is personal?"

Jenna smiled as she started to mix her ingredients together. "We are family now, of course you can ask."

"How did you come to terms with Deimos being a, a- violent man?"

"I think the word you are looking for is assassin, enforcer, or killer, take your pick."

Stef scowled. "Yeah, those words."

Jenna paused and looked Stef straight in the eye. "It was easier for me. I was a Marine. I served in a combat unit. I took people into custody that I knew would be interrogated. I killed people that attacked my unit. How could I hold his job against him when I had a job that was similar?"

Stef thought about it. But, she had never been a soldier. She never killed anyone. Her passions were about helping to bring life into the world, not take it out.

"Stef, you will have to find your peace with it yourself. No one can tell you how to think or feel. But, please, don't lead Phobos on if you are not able to cope with all of him."

Stef understood what Jenna was saying. "I know. I really hurt him the other night. I didn't mean to. And I don't want to hurt him ever again. Everything is just happening so fast and from so many different directions. I don't know what to do. Honestly, he is the only thing keeping me from completely falling apart and I already love him for that. But, I don't want to move forward until I know what I want beyond this crisis."

Jenna walked around the counter to gently hug Stef. "Then you are doing the right thing. I hope that you both find your peace together."

"Could you help me understand him more?" Stef asked.

Jenna grinned. "What are you wanting to know?"

"Just how scary he could be." Stef glanced down.

"Stef. You have to understand that Phobos is different around you and I. Just like Deimos is. I know that my husband scares you and trust me, he scares most people more than he does you. But, really, there are very few differences between the two brothers when we are not around. You only see and feel the differences because you feel different for Phobos. You see his playfulness, his awkwardness, his protectiveness. Those are things that he does not show around many people, and never as openly as he does with you, his brother, or me."

Stef sighed. "I know that it should not matter how he is with others. It should only matter, how he is with me. But, I just don't want to be surprised later and learn that I can't handle it. I need to know now."

"Alright, maybe this will help." Jenna took Stef's hand. "I can show you someone else's memory of a battle they had a while ago. It will give you some perspective of him as a warrior, of dangers in their lives." Then Jenna allowed a memory of a recent battle against demons to flow into Stef's mind.

The twin brothers fought in perfect synchronization. They were dressed alike. Their hair was the same style. The only differences were the shades of the colors and tattoos, as Deimos had strange lightning bolts running down his face. The fighting was bloody and violent. The demons feared them, but attacked in groups to gather strength. And the way that the brothers showed joy in cutting down their opponents, counting the numbers to fall in sibling competition… it all seemed like something out of a movie.

Stef's eyes were wide. She took a deep breath and gulped. This was the man that she was bound to as soulmates? She searched through the brief memory and processed what Jenna had said. The brothers were so much alike. And she feared Deimos still. How does that relate to Phobos? Jenna was right. They were different with her and Jenna. Even Deimos. He was rather charming with his wife. And toward Stef, he was intimidating. But, he was not aggressive, except for the one time. Yet, Phobos was so different. At least toward her. He was awkward, and sweet, even respectful and caring.

She nodded her head. "Thank you." It would take some time to come to terms with it all. But, at least, now she knew. And she was determined to try.

"There really are not many differences between them, are there?" Stef finally asked.

Jenna went back to working the dough with her hands as she chatted with Stef. "There are. But, it is the private stuff that most people don't see. For example, they both have a playfulness. But, they play differently. Deimos likes games, especially if he wins. Phobos likes to push buttons, especially with someone who pushes back. Things like that. Similar, yet different, and very private. So, not everyone sees it. But, you and I get to see it to the point that it is hard to realize just how much they really are alike sometimes." Jenna smiled.

"Did I hear my name?" Deimos asked.

Deimos walked into the room and stood behind Jenna to wrap his arms around her and kiss her neck while his hands caressed her distended stomach.

"Of course, you are my favorite topic of conversation." Jenna answered as she leaned backward into him.

Then the song on the radio changed to "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" by Meghan Trainor and John Legend.

A smile spread across Deimos's face as he started to sway with the song. Jenna followed every move and started to sing with the song. Deimos also sang when the male vocals started. They danced their way around the kitchen, singing together as Jenna was covered in flour and got it all over her husband and the kitchen. It was obviously a song that was special to them.

Stef smiled as she watched them. That is what she wanted. A marriage like that. Stef couldn't help but wonder if Phobos could dance and sing like Deimos could. And Jenna's words repeated in her head. The brothers really didn't show this side to everyone. And that just made the tenderness all the more special. Stef started to blush as she thought of how much Phobos had opened up to her.

But Stef jumped when Phobos snuck up behind her and spoke against her ear. "It's not nice to spy on people."

Stef shivered from the vibrations of his voice. She turned around and smacked his stomach as he laughed at her.

"Stef wasn't spying. She was here before Deimos and sitting out in the open." Jenna giggled as she returned to her dough.

Deimos kissed her cheek and then poured himself a cup of coffee. "You know Phobos, this stuff is pretty good." He offered the cup to his brother.

"No thanks." Phobos grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit on the counter and took a bite.

"You are still obsessing over apples? It's been a couple of weeks dude. Eat something else for a change." Deimos scowled at his brother.

Phobos just looked at Stef intensely while he took another bite. A small grin tugged at the right side of his lips. Stef caught on that her shampoo smelled like apples. Realizing that he has been craving apples since the day he first met her made her heart race and her face blush violently.

"Oh damn. I walked right into that one. I am leaving before I get sick." Deimos left the room and everyone else laughed.

Jenna finally sobered enough to talk to Phobos. "You boys need to be heading back to the Vanishing Isle for a few days. You can't stay another whole day. So, what is your plan?"

Phobos frowned. He had lost track of the time. He didn't want to leave Stef unprotected.

"You can't stay?" Stef asked.

He shook his head. "If I stay too long, I lose my immortality. I have to go back and eat the ambrosia, do my work, things like that. So, Deimos tries to be here most evenings and every weekend, assuming we don't get summoned for work. I tend to be on less of a schedule but do what I can. Of course, if you need us, we can come back for short periods of time in between."

Phobos looked over at Jenna. "What is your schedule for the week?"

"Well, I have my regular training sessions with Zarek and Samia on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Stef can join us for that. It would be good to start teaching her some self defense. I can cancel my lunch plans with Persephone on Tuesday. We don't have permission to take Stef to Tartarus, and I am not sure she is ready for that place yet anyway. Other than that, I just have my bread deliveries to Sanctuary and final exams on Monday and Thursday."

"Could Persephone come here?" He asked.

Jenna rolled her eyes at her brother-in-law. "Are you going to ask Hades if his beloved wife can leave him during his limited time with her? Bonus to explain that it is so she can hang out in the mortal world with a woman being hunted by Ice Giants?"

"No." He grumbled. "And, I don't want Stef going to the university with you. Sorry Stef, but we don't know how many Ice Giants are in town looking for you."

Stef stood up and put her hands on her hips. "What am I a child that is being grounded?"

"Though I don't doubt that Jenna could protect you if they show up at the school. The question is if Jenna should be the only one to protect you while she is pregnant. And Deimos and I won't be here."

"You are right. I am sorry that I didn't think that through."

Phobos chuckled. "I like that you flash to anger quickly. Still means that I have room to push those buttons of yours."

She glared at him indignantly.

Jenna laughed at them both. "OK, I can ask Ash if my father can come for a few days. That will give us someone else around at night. Perhaps we should reset the filters and let Zeth pop in to hang out with Stef while I am taking my exams? We won't get any babysitting help from Thorn, we are lucky to have the Hellchasers on alert. Maybe Maahes will be willing to come hang out for a bit. I will see what I can pull together."

Phobos hugged Jenna closely. "Thanks to Psyche that my brother married you. You are amazing." He kissed her cheek. "Thank you so much. For all of this. Even the screwed up blind date." He dropped his forehead to her and savored the love of having a sister who cares enough about him to give so generously of her time and effort, just to see him happy.

Jenna pulled back. "Now go spend your time together before you have to leave."

Stef was insulted that they talked like she was a child who couldn't defend herself. But, she knew the truth was that against the Ice Giants and Skoll, she really was defenseless.

Phobos scooped Stef up in his arms and flashed them both up to his room. Then he set her down on her feet once again. He stood up and reached to cup her face. He stared into her beautiful pale blue eyes.

"Have you really been craving apples because of me?" She asked.

He leaned down to inhale the smell of her hair. "Yes."

She giggled. The sound of it caused his body to stir in ways that it never had before. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay with her forever. He wanted to pick her up and lay her on the bed and ravage her. But, he couldn't cross that line. Not when he was still uncertain if she would leave him.

The feel of Phobos's breath on her neck was sending chills over Stef's skin. She had never wanted a man more than Phobos. But, she knew he could not stay. More importantly, she knew that he still had some walls up with her. She had to gain his trust first.

Shaking away his cravings, Phobos finally spoke. "I wish I could take you with me. But, it is forbidden for you to stay there until you have your powers and we petition for you to join the Oneroi."

"If I do become Oneroi, would I have to give up my work as a midwife?" Her sudden panic at the thought warmed him.

"I don't know. But, I will do anything I can to help you be both. I don't want you to change who you are, just to embrace the rest of who you are enough to be able to protect yourself. Nothing more." Then he pulled out a necklace from his pocket.

Stef's heart melted. "You found my dream catcher?"

"It seemed important to you for more than just the dream protection." He helped her put the necklace on again. "I wouldn't suggest wearing when you sleep any more. You need to train. But, at least you have it with you again." He kissed her forehead.

She smiled at him. "I will miss you."

He nodded. "I will miss you too." He lowered his head to capture her lips for a soft and sweet kiss. Then he left her there alone.

Stef's chest tightened. In the past day and a half, Phobos hadn't been more than a room or two away from her. Now he was in a whole other realm. Oh God, it hurt. Like he took all of her strength with him. She sat on his bed and cried.

Get a grip girl. He is coming back. And the look in his blue eyes said that he hurt leaving you too. So, this is not a rejection. It is not good-bye. It is just a few days.

But, she knew that he had been her only salvation the past couple of days. Now she had to face it all alone.

Pulling herself together, Stef dried her eyes and went back downstairs to find Jenna.