Thea, try as she might, could not get back to sleep. After tossing and turning for seemingly eons, she finally gave up her struggles and took a shower. She was frustrated with the intrusive thoughts that plagued her mind.

How had the grapes gotten into bed? She was absolutely sure there were no green grapes in he bunch of grapes she had bought the other day. Furthermore, something Rose had pointed out in jest stuck out in her mind. The grapes hadn't tasted like any grape she had ever eaten. It was more juicy, bursting with a vibrant flavor. Comparatively, every green grape would now taste pathetic and sad in her mouth.

Rose was right, too. If, by some unhinged chance, those grapes were from her dream, well...They were unadulterated. They wouldn't have touched chemicals. Briefly an alarming thought crossed her mind; what if she ate something in her dream that her body wasn't used to? Uncured meat, unprocessed dairy products? She would have to try and remember to be careful.  

Water would be out of the question entirely; luckily she knew this wouldn't be much of a problem. Even the ancients knew how unreliable fresh water sources were. Ancient Egyptians were fond of drinking strictly beer, wine for special occasions. Unless it was filtered heavily through reeds, Thea couldn't really think of any instance in all her studies where Ancient Egyptians actually consumed water.

This is silly, Thea thought to herself after she had showered and was calling Rose back to hang out. It's just a dream, Thea. Eat whatever damn well pleases you.

Thea and Rose spent the day together. They did a bit of shopping. Afterward they returned to Thea's apartment, curled up on the couch together, and watched some movies. Thea had been thankful for the day's distractions. 

It wasn't until Thea stood in front of her bed, the covers pulled back, did Thea become apprehensive once again over what her dreams would hold. Sighing heavily she got into bed, turned off the light, and closed her eyes.

~

"I don't know how I got here," Thea lamented to Ankh, picking up right where they left off. 

Unsurprisingly to her, the grapes she had once held were gone.

"I think," Ankh continued, leaning forward. Thea's heart began to flutter within her chest, captivated by his intense, beautifully outlined eyes, "a God plucked you out of thin air and plopped you right into my lap."

Thea laughed, taking up a piece of meat. She hesitated only a moment before popping it into her mouth. "Which one? Perhaps Isis, sweet Goddess who helped poor Osiris after he was torn limb from limb?"

Ankh rose his eyebrows, which were now drawn on.

"Or perhaps Seth, God of Chaos, pulling me through time?" 

A slow smile formed on Ankh's lips. Without fully thinking through what she was doing, Thea grabbed Ankh's gauntlet-covered wrist in excitement. "Or maybe it's Horus himself, God of Vengeance, and he's thrust me here to avenge you once you're murdered."

Ankh laughed heartily at that, and Thea was happy at the light that shone in his eyes when he guffawed. He even threw his head back, his wig and hat nearly coming off. Knowing she had brought him such mirth, Thea grinned.

"My, for someone thousands of years old, you certainly know a lot about our culture."

"I'm what's called an Egyptologist," Thea replied, still beaming at his enjoyment. 

"What is that?"

"A person who studies Ancient Egypt."

"Ah," Ankh replied. "Convenient." 

Thea giggled. "It is though, isn't it?"

"Well, perhaps it is a dream, then." Thea's smile dropped away. Ankh cocked his head to the side. "What? What have I said that was wrong?" 

"I just..."

"Yes?"

Thea looked at her lap, feeling herself turn red. "I'm starting to hope it's not just a dream."

Thea was surprised when a gentle hand cupped her chin. She looked up at Ankh, who was smiling serenely at her. Meekly, Thea found she couldn't look away, once again captivated by his dark eyes. "As do I."

Ankh broke the spell, releasing her chin. He reached out for his cup of wine
and held it up. Thea quickly grabbed hers, with two hands as he did, and lifted it up. Ankh inclined his head, eyes never leaving her face.

"To our friendship, Thea."

Thea smiled. "To friendship."

~

Thea opened her eyes. She looked at the clock, surprised to see she had a good fifteen minutes left before her alarm went off. Normally she would have gone back to sleep for those extra few minutes; however, she currently found herself wide awake. 

Thea sat up and rubbed her eyes. Startled, she drew her hands away from her face, staring at her fingertips. They were wet. Sniffing, she wiped away more tears. 

Crying? Why was she crying?

"Jesus, pull yourself together, Thea," she admonished herself, throwing off the covers and getting up for the day.

"Morning!" Rose greeted her as always, coffee in hand. 

"I think," Thea replied, smiling at her friend and taking the offered coffee, "I'm developing a bit of a crush on this dream-Pharaoh."

"Good! Maybe you'll have a wet dream next."

Thea spit her coffee everywhere, and then busted out laughing.

Rose, trying not to laugh (and failing), said, "That's disgusting! Okay, crush on you officially over."

"Dear Lord, Rose," Thea said, wiping off her mouth, "the shit that comes out of you sometimes."

"I gotta keep you on your toes, you know."

"I knew you'd be happy with the latest development of my dreams, but I was not expecting that response!"

"Maybe, just maybe," Rose replied, "this is a step in the right direction. Maybe you'll get a crush on someone in the flesh next!"

Thea smirked. "We can only hope, right?"

"Bye," Rose replied, waving over her shoulder as they split ways.

"Bye," Thea said.

When she turned around, she ran into someone. Yelping, she dropped her coffee and her arm full of papers, and nearly tumbled to the ground. Strong hands caught her though. Adjusting her glasses, face burning in shame, she tried to see if anything was on her blouse. "Oh my God, I am so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was goi--Ahmed?"

Ahmed smiled at her and quickly stooped down, frantically picking up her papers before they got covered in coffee. "I'm so sorry Thea, I wasn't expecting you to turn around so abruptly."

Thea squatted, picking up a few pages that were soaked. She held them out with her nails, frowning as the corners dripped onto the ground. "It's not your fault, really."

"When we get to the office--"

"Labs."

Ahmed briefly waved his hand. "Whatever. When we get there, we should put these somewhere to dry."

"I'll clip them in the photography room."

"Excellent idea," he agreed.

"Oh!" Thea said, jumping up. She spun back around, but Rose was nowhere to be seen.

Ahmed wasn't paying any mind. "Do these go in any sort of order? I am so sorry, everything is such a mess--"

"Forget it for now," Thea said, grabbing him by his thin upper arm and hoisting him to his feet. "Come on."

"What? Thea, where are you taking me? Thea, we can't just leave all of your things all over the floor--"

"It's fine," Thea replied, dragging him away hurriedly. "The museum isn't open for another ten minutes. If we hurry, I can be back in time to pick it all up."

Ahmed craned his head over his shoulder. "Shouldn't we at least alert a janitor so no one slips?"

"It's fine," Thea said, eyes narrowed in determination, practically jogging now.

"Um, Thea."

"Yes Ahmed?"

"Where are you dragging me to so urgently?"

"To meet a friend of mine."

Ahmed ripped his arm away from her. "Oh no, I couldn't."

Thea turned around, grabbing him again. She was going to put an end to this insanity once and for all. "Yes, you can."

Ahmed did his best to not be dragged along. "Um, I really, really rather would not."

"Why?" Thea snapped. "She doesn't bite. I think you'll like her."

"Thea, I have a horrible social anxiety--"

"It'll be two seconds."

"Thea--I don't want to make an ass out of myself--"

"Ahmed!" Thea snapped, stopping for just a moment. "As your boss I am ordering you to!"

Ahmed opened his mouth but then slammed it shut. Defeated, his shoulders slumped and he looked down. "Alright, I suppose."

Thea grinned. "Thank you!"

Thea lead Ahmed to Rose's post where she waited every day for her first group of visitors. She was chugging her coffee like she did every morning. Upon seeing Thea and Ahmed, she grinned broadly and waved vehemently over her head like a child. Thea beamed.

"Hiya," Rose said, looking Ahmed up and down for a moment. She then looked at Thea. "I can't shake you today, huh?"

"Rose," Thea said proudly, "this is my cohort, Ahmed. Ahmed, this is my best friend Rose."

"Ah, I've heard so much about you," Rose replied, sticking out her free hand. Ahmed, blushing, took it and shook it rather limply. "I'm happy I get to finally meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Rose," Ahmed said, inclining his head. He did look rather uncomfortable, and Thea suddenly felt guilty for literally dragging him over. When they disengaged their handshake, Ahmed looked at the floor shyly. "You, um, have a very lovely name."

"Thank you," Rose replied. Since Ahmed wasn't paying attention, Rose nudged her, winked, and fanned herself. Thea shook her head and rolled her eyes. 

"Alright Ahmed, we can go to the labs."

"Nice meting you," he mumbled before turning on his heel, practically fleeing. 

The walk back was in silence. As they picked up Thea's things and Thea contacted a janitor, they still were quiet. Thea continued to feel bad at her silliness. She had half expected Rose to not be able to see Ahmed or something. Instead, all that had happened was a painfully shy man was put in an uncomfortable position.

"Ahmed, I'm sorry," Thea said right before they got to the labs, walking down the long hall together. "That was selfish of me. I should have respected your boundaries."

Ahmed merely shrugged. Thea was thinking about the fact she had to make it up to him somehow. That is, until the thought fell right out of her head upon pushing open the double-doors. It fell out of her head because of the sight that greeted her eyes.

Sitting on the table were three fully intact vases.