Train. Run. Observe. Calculate. Learn. That's all her mind could do at that moment. She had to gather all that she could to get where she needed to, to find those bastards and put an end to this ring. There wasn't time to waste, too many lives were at stake. But as she rounded the corner of the historical site of Lycabettus, she peered out over the land, awed by what she saw. There rose the sun, stretching its rays over the sleepy city below as she watched it. She had seen so many yet this one seemed to be...different.

Chatter filled her head as she willed it away, she didn't want those distractions. Hated it really. She knew what they were and what they would tell and show her, yet she didn't want it, just to work and get this all over with.

"Sit." a barking command came to her mind.

Oddly enough, she obliged as she plopped down on her bottom, eyes still looking over the capital.

"Relax." came another.

Feriah sighed, knowing that it was inevitable. Those strange dreams had just gotten worse since she set foot in the nation two weeks ago and now, it was just easier to let them speak. Closing her eyes, she felt herself calm and fall into a serenity that just made her soul become alive. With a gentle wind, she felt time slip away. She knew what this was and it still boggled her mind when she opened her eyes to the view.

The sweet scent of daffodils, hyacinths, and gladiolus came to her as the world seemed to stop moving. And there was only one person that had that flowery smell.

"Nice to see you again." her melodic voice called to her.

This was where she called herself insane, talking to a woman that doesn't even seem to exist was just killing her along with the fact of her dreams, she understood why Father Jabari asked if she was alright half the time, made perfect sense. Yet when Feriah opened her eyes, it wasn't the Greece she was just staring at.

Standing up, she turned to look behind her and sure enough, there stood the woman. Her cream chiton accented her body perfectly as the gold hues within seemed to just brighten her even more as those dazzling green eyes looked at her. Her hair was free this time, waving lightly in the breeze that was before them, lifting the scent back to Feriah.

"I'm glad you actually listened this time." she smiled.

"Still think I'm insane." Feriah replied, "People don't normally see this."

"Yet you are not, child." she smiled and began to walk away.

"Hey, I'm not a child." she snapped.

In truth, she used the women in her dreams, the dreams itself to escape the hell she lived and endured during those dark days. It was her only saving grace before wanting to just give up.

"I'm aware." she said as Feriah got to her side, "Yet in some ways you are."

Feriah followed the woman as they ventured the large stone buildings and listening to the men speak around them, great knowledge being gathered and shared as each one of them found something else or thought of a great idea. It was intriguing really, it was these little visions that gave her the idea of escaping, listening to these visions as they spoke of so many things.

"Want to tell me why I'm here again?" Feriah asked.

The woman smiled, "Why not?"

"I can think of many reasons why not to be honest. All this does is prove that I'm insane and-"

"What? Need to be locked away?" she smiled at her, "No, you're not insane. There are others like you."

Others? Well, yes in a way she was right there, there were others like her out there that were just like her but different stories, yet this half, well, if there were, they were mostly locked up or dead already.

"Stop dwelling Feriah, follow me before you are lost."

She shook her head, following the woman as they ventured passed shops and people, witnessing the days of historical Greece. It never failed, each time she would come to this place as a child, the woman would take her around the lands, showing her things that most would only dream of.

Feriah knew not to get too comfortable in one location, the woman was famous for sending her through multiple places at once, to understand and learn what was before her, well, her words more than her own.

"You are so stubborn, you know that?" she chided her.

"You now figured that out?"

"Oh, I knew, just let it slide by." the woman moved along the large stone buildings, "Yet that was then, this is now and you need to focus on what's before you."

"What's before me, you're kidding right?"

"No, why would I joke?"

Feriah shook her head as those sweet little giggles caught her ears, there was only one that made that sound. Her head whipped around, hoping to catch just a glimpse of him. Finally, on the large steps of the building, there he laid. His olive skin almost looked darker compared to the buildings creamy white structure and his eyes, oh those beautiful green eyes, how they grabbed her. His smile was bright as his mind seemed to wander as he listened to the philosophers within, almost like he was enjoying such adult talk.

"Cannot get enough of him?" the woman smiled.

How could she not? He was a handsome boy and she knew, he would grow to be one hell of a man one day. But the little dark cloud grew in her mind. This was years before her time, there was no way he was alive or even real for that matter.

"What use is it?" she said, moving away from the sight.

She could hear the woman laugh, knowing she was finding amusement in her plight of the boy. The wind whipped around her briefly, showing her the small garden space she knew too well within her dreams.

"Why are you doing this?" Feriah asked.

"I'm just simply showing you what you need to see." was the reply.

"And if I don't want to?"

"Oh, you do." the woman snickered as she moved to look over the land again.

Yet Feriah stood still, she knew this scene too well. The woman sat at a table, parchment in hand as her hand flew across the piece, her eyes never adverting from what she desired most. And that's when he came in. So much like the little boy from earlier, yet so aged and defined. He was a definition of a true man. There was strength written on him as he held himself high, yet kept himself low, almost to be with the people around him. She could hear the light Greek leave the two, understanding bits and pieces.

"O Venus, beauty of the skies, To whom a thousand temples rise, Gaily false in gentle smiles, Full of love-perplexing wiles; O goddess, from my heart remove. The wasting cares and pains of love." she heard him recite over her shoulder, that rich velvet voice. "Such beauty in words, Sappho."

Sappho, the Greek poet? That wasn't possible, she never gained names during these, yet he spoke it, clear as day and right before her too.

"See what I mean?" she felt the woman's hand entwine with hers, "Come on, more to see."

Before she could say a word, the world changed, this time of a regal state. People awing and fanning over the young Queen. She was beautiful and graceful as she smiled at her people, yet it seemed that her eyes were elsewhere. Looking over, Feriah saw him again, smiling down at her as the people gathered around in awe. Before she could see more, it changed again, and this time, the people gathered around the platform.

She saw the woman giving high words for the Greeks, a renowned hope seemed to fill the people of the area.

"I was born a Greek and I will die a Greek." she told them.

She saw him again, clapping with the crowd as his smile grew. She felt the woman stand beside her, her own smile was seen as Feriah looked over the sight before her once more.

"So, what do you see?" she asked her.

Feriah glanced around, wondering what was going on, just for her to shut down, "Nothing but my growing insanity."

A sigh left the woman beside her, one she knew all too well, "Please, leave me be Andromeda."

She watched as the woman gave a sad nod, waving her hand before her as a small smile crossed her face, "Be sure to take care of Hercules."

Before Feriah could ask, she found herself back at the hill, looking over the city as the sun went higher over the lands. How irritating that whole thing was, she knew it was her mind trying to push the past away, to heal her mind after...well, after all of that.

The vibrations of her pocket were the truth of how much time passed as she hurried out of the area. Damn those things, wasting her time and dragging her farther into a hell she pulled herself out of. She shook the sights and thoughts from her head, she didn't need this. She needed to focus on the mission at hand and find the ring, get the children out and then she was back home.

Yes, she enjoyed the sights and sounds of the land that plagued her mind. Yes, she wanted to venture off and see what she could find and see if her dreams were real or imaginary. And yes, she wanted to find him. Ever since she first saw him, she wanted to find a man like him, yet none could ever get his gentle olive skin or his beautiful green eyes. Not even close.

Finally in front of the building, she waited to hear the usuals, although she knew it would be a little quieter than normal.

"Took you long enough." She heard Zamir say.

"Seriously?" as usual, Ilir would pop up, "Let her be. "

"Thank you, Ilir." she strolled passed them as the large doors were her real calling.

There within was Father Jabari with the Greek president, discussing the actions she had taken so far.

"Hello again, Feriah." Father Jabari smiled at her as the president nodded.

"What's been found?"

"Straight to business as usual." the president smiled, "I like that with you."

Feriah nodded at the man as she approached the desk, looking over the papers and maps laid out before them. The two men spoke softly as they pointed out areas of active locations of kidnappings, she glanced over the spot, seeing how much she had gathered yet had to continue before all was said and done.

"As of now, it seems there are two active spots." Father Jabari said as his nimble hands touched the map, "One in Patras and one right here in Athens."

She nodded at his words, thinking of the data and intel she had gathered of reports and more, everything led to an active slave-ring in the making, one she was going to close in a new record time.

"Right then," the president sighed, "With you finding the information like so, how long do you think it will take you to finish this and put an end to this?"

"If my calculations are correct, I would say less than a month. But I like to be completely precise about everything I do, so a month, give or take a day or two."

"Good, so what can you do if you have help with you?"

Now that was unexpected, "Well with the others, it can be sooner since we are all-"

"Óchi."

"Affedersiniz?" he didn't.

"Fine, then as you would say, hayır."

Ok, he did say that, "Why no?"

"It's nothing against your team, you all work well together, but in this case, we do not want to raise suspicion or alarm in the nation or cities. Not all are on the same side with us and we are still trying to figure out who is with us and who is not." the man stated as Father Jabari nodded, "Now with this, I do have one person that would work well with you. He is more than willing to help you and figure out what needs done-"

"You are telling me that I cannot work with my team and that I am to be saddled with a man that hasn't a clue of what I do for a living and what he is up against?" she snapped.

"Feriah please," Father Jabari begged, "Don't be so hasty to not allow it. I agree with him on this and since one of ours is out and the other two are working on another ring in Asia, it is all we can do."

This had to be a joke, there wasn't any way this was serious or that it would work in any sort, yet there the two men stood, looking at her as she felt herself straighten.

"Fine then, I'll need to have this person train under me for at least a week or more so this must start now. No waiting."

She saw Father Jabari smile, not his usual 'oh she finally agreed smile', no this was different. Much different and it wasn't sitting well with her. She let them speak a little more as the sensation of being watched crawled down her spine. In truth, that feeling had surrounded her since she entered the nation those days ago, and since then, it was constant. She knew she was being careful and checked her perimeters and more, yet she couldn't shake the nagging feeling.

"Right then, once he's done with the meeting of Genesis then I will have him sent to you, Feriah, and then you both can work together." the president stated.

"A man?" she sighed.

"Yes, is that an issue?"

"No." It wasn't an issue, but at times working with men only lead them to gawk at her than actually work.

"Do not worry about Hercules, he's a decent man."

Hercules? Why did that seem familiar to her? Shaking her head, Feriah noticed a flash of white from the far side of the room. Glancing over, she nearly gasped out loud as Andromeda stood there, smiling as if nothing was wrong. She had to be seeing this, there was no way. It was lack of sleep, her past catching up with her, the amounts of caffeine she inhaled with each cup she made; just had to be those.

Yet there the woman was, strolling around in the room as she attempted to lay a hand on the president, only for it to fall through him. Feriah felt a shudder roll through her body as Andromeda gave a weak smile.

"Be sure to take care of Hercules." she heard the woman say, just to disappear before her eyes.

"Yep, I'm truly insane." Feriah thought, "I'm seeing the dead while I'm awake and it's talking to me."

"Feriah, did you hear me?" she heard Father Jabari asked.

"Sorry Father, I was lost in thought." she said shaking her head.

"Looks more like you saw a ghost." the man smiled at her as the president left the room, "I said for you to be nice to the man. I know how you are."

Feriah smiled at him, "If he's good and behaves then I will. He get's handsy then I'll break his arm like the last guy."

"You put him in a hospital, you brute." she heard Zamir say as he and Ilir walked in.

"Told you I'd do the same to you if you started shit as well." she glared at him.

"No more rivalry you two." Father Jabari said, "Right now the lives of the children are at hand and must be cared for. We must hurry on all accounts. Understand?"

All three of them agreed as she saw Ilir give a small smile as he approached her, "Raja said to give you a hug from her."

A smile crept onto her face, knowing he was telling the truth of the sweet woman. She gathered the man in her arms, embracing him tightly, "Tell her thanks and to take it easy. No need to upset her now."

"Oh, I know." Ilir replied as a small dusting of pink covered his cheeks. "Never thought it would happen."

Feriah laid her hand on his cheek, "But it has, so treasure it Ilir, and congratulations."

"Shukraan lika." he smiled, "Take care of yourself."

She watched as they all left her in the room, letting her ponder her own mind as to what was coming and yet what needed her help, just for her new apprentice to come to mind. An aggravated sigh left her as she thought of having to train someone again, how time-consuming. There wasn't much time as it was and teaching someone was just going to put the children in more danger. Then she remembered what the president said about him.

"Meeting with Genesis?" she said aloud, "Maybe there is a little hope there."

"Hope for what?"

"Üzgünüm!" she nearly shouted, "I wasn't paying much attention and just thinking out loud..."

She trailed off as she turned to look behind her, shock and awe filled her mind as she looked at him. It couldn't be, no way in hell that it could be, there was no way he was freaking real. Yet there before her was the man in question, and her own dreams. Traveling so many places of the world, she had seen an array of men, yet this one man. One single man out of billions was just like the one in her dreams. She could hear Andromeda giggling in her head as she stared at him.

"You ok?" he asked, finally gaining her attention.

"Yes!" she replied, "I'm fine, just tired and a lot on my mind."

His green eyes glowed at her as he made his way over to the desk. How on earth was he real? She wanted to touch him, to make sure her mind wasn't messing with her but the thump of his jacket and hat hitting the wooden piece was all she needed to know he was real. She knew she was staring, it was hard not to. She glanced at him as he observed the maps and papers strewn across the desk. His olive skin was taut and smooth over his frame, his brown tresses falling forward as his eyes seemed to be learning everything that was before him, his clothing seemed to hide the rest of him as he leaned over the desk, and it was taking Feriah all she had not to gawk at him like a lovesick teenager over some boy band toy.

"So I am to guess the areas circled are the ones we are going to target and work on?" she heard him say.

"Yes, they are the main places of activity that I have found since landing here." she replied, approaching him lightly, having the sweet scent of the Mediterranean caress her, so many amble scents combined into one, it was just breathtaking.

"Alright then, when do we start?" he asked, those greens landing on her.

"As soon as I think you are fit to work with me." she stated.

He smiled lightly at her, "Guessing you are not a fan of someone not in your group?"

"Not that, more of how long it'll take to have you ready. Time is everything in this type of situation."

"Then you have nothing to worry about." he said looking at the maps again, "I'm a fast learner."

"We'll see about that." she said, "Might as well get acquainted with one another."

She straightened herself out before him, hoping that her features were still and unseen, "I'm Feriah."

He stood up, his hand reaching out for her's as it finally met her own, "Hercules."

She heard Andromeda talk again in her head as she looked up at the man, yet as much as she wanted to believe, she pushed it all aside. It wasn't possible. There was no way he was that same man. Not even in the slightest. And with it, she was going to keep thinking that.

"So, what is the new girl like?" he heard Dryas asked.

Hercules smiled at the young nation's enthusiasm over Feriah. After learning about her and digging all that he could about her, he was truly on his own mission to gain whatever he could about her. Didn't help that she was a routine person either and was easy to follow around his capital...well, soon to be herself really. He knew the moment she landed, what hotel she was in, her running paths, places she ate, everything. He had her down to a T when it came to that, and with it, he was learning everything he could about her.

"Best to put, she's very militarized." he said taking a sip of his ouzo, "Very quick and ready for battle. A no-nonsense type to be more of the fact."

"Seems you may have issues with that." he heard Gupta say.

"Why do you say that?"

"Have you seen yourself?" the Egyptian smirked at him.

"Just because I 'lay around' as you all say, doesn't mean that I am lazy."

"No, just makes you a loser." Sadiq stated as he sat with the rest of them.

"Why are you all being cruel to me?" he asked them.

"Honesty." the two men replied as Sadiq laughed, "Look, my friend, you aren't the most active out of all of us. Gupta here rides his horses around, Dryas swims, and I-"

"Fuck a lot." Hercules shot at him.

"Hey." the man pointed his finger at him, "That is true but not the case at the moment. I also have my own trails and such that I work on. Plus the bathhouses are nice too."

"No, in this case, Sadiq, I agree with Hercules." Gupta stated.

"Oi, just because I'm ahead of you doesn't mean that I am getting laid all the time."

"Doctor says that women in the beginning stages of pregnancy have a higher set of hormones and such making her crave it more." the man smiled as his wife came over to him.

"Quit quoting me." she said, moving the keffiyeh on his head, "But we are all curious about the new capital joining us."

Sudden footsteps came to him as he saw Habibah throw her arms around Sadiq in excitement, "Yes! Tell us more about her. We need more girls here."

"Hey what about me?" Sadiq pouted at her.

"You get me all the time, it would be great to have another woman to talk with. Nothing against you Neema."

"None taken, I'm just as excited as you really."

"I said as much as I can think of as of now. She doesn't seem to realize that she has more about her than thought, very down to business that much I can see."

He could feel Neema narrow her eyes at him, "What are you hiding?"

"How can you tell that?" Dryas asked.

"Easy, you men all have that light chill and then rub the back of your necks when something is missing or you don't want to speak of something. Right, Gupta?"

He saw the man slightly shrink in his seat as Cairo nudged him, "Only did it that one time and I wanted to surprise you."

Hercules smiled at them, "Well, according to Father Jabari, she doesn't believe her dreams. Almost sees herself as insane in the case. Just trying to figure out what to do there."

"Ah, one of those then." Sadiq said, "Might want to call one of the others. Not all capitals took it well."

"Wasn't Oslo one of them?" Habibah asked.

"Yes, her and Vienna if I'm correct. Don't think Hanoi was too fond either." Dryas replied.

"There are a few in that number." Gupta added.

"Then it would be best to ask them what they did to help their capitals understand." Neema nodded at him, "Last I heard, Antonio is having a time keeping his from admitting herself."

"Least it's admitting and not committing." Sadiq said, gaining a thwack from Habibah, "Ow, it's true."

"Yes but not needed to be heard." she said moving around to sit in his lap.

Hercules watched as the rest of them conversed with one another, seeing what nations he should speak to about Feriah. But his eyes found themselves on Sadiq and Habibah, his hand resting protectively over her belly, knowing what was growing within. It was hard to see the once powerful empire he knew him to be, be smitten with a little woman and the treasure they created together.

"Oh, I know what I wanted to ask you." Gupta said, "Why were you asked to go to Asia yesterday, you didn't say anything about it?"

"Wait!" Dryas shouted, "I think I know why but I didn't hear if it was true or not."

"What was?" Hercules asked.

"Bejing was found." he replied.

Gasps and questions filled the air along with his own. The woman had gone missing nearly five months ago after the attack on all the capitals and cities, it was starting to look dim on ever finding her.

"Yes, Nora was found." a visible shudder rolled through Neema, "I was called with other doctors and nurses around to help out. She was a complete mess."

"How bad?" Habibah asked.

"She changed in Yao's arms and when they were bringing her back to the building, she was healing." she swallowed harshly, seeming to keep her stomach down, "We had to reset everything that was healing. That also meant breaking what healed too."

A groan left Sadiq as both Gupta and Dryas shuddered, he too felt goosebumps and the sickening feeling of fixing himself up after wars and such just claim his stomach. A hell he wouldn't wish on his enemy.

"That being said and now moving on. Bejing has been found and being cared for and now we have the truth of Athens." Neema said as she smiled at him, "So my question is when do we meet her and what does she look like?"

Hercules smiled as she crossed his mind. He was shocked to say how stunning she really was, but damn did she plague his mind, "Dark brown hair, cascades down her back in a ponytail or braid mostly that I've seen. Her skin is about yours, Sadiq, color-wise yet so soft when she does finally touch you. Her voice is low and mature, truth that she has seen things that most cannot fathom. "

Then his favorite piece of her came to him, only then did he close his eyes and lean his head back, "And she has the greenest of eyes that stand out against her. So bright and alluring of what I would call a spring green that it captures your very soul."

He dove into those eyes the moment he saw her, and in truth, he didn't want to get out of them either.