"It's alright. We all understand that this is all a lot to take in. You mean a lot to us. We're just happy to see you." She placed a hand on his knee.

He nodded a little, "When something this big happens, I usually go to the Jurassic era. There's a waterfall in a place that becomes part of the Sahara Desert" he closed his eyes, not that it made a difference but still. Breathing deeply it was almost like he could smell the purity of the water. "I think that, by now, I must have spent many years there if you add it all together. Of course, to anyone else it would be as though I dealt with these thing instantly and had a plan right away" he smiled a little, "but I would spend days or weeks there at a time. Figuring out every little detail for what needed to happen next"

Ceres smiled lightly, "Sounds like a wonderful place... So, have your powers come back at all?" She asked curiously.

"I don't think so" Horatio replied, "I actually haven't been trying, oddly enough." his fingers toyed with the arm rest of the sofa, "it's mostly these new... old..." he shook his head, "different memories that have me confused. I'm not really certain who I am, and I know Polly and Juno have trying to give me space but I still know that they're watching me."

Ceres couldn't help but smile, "Polly said you could always tell where we were when we played hide and seek... But yeah, It's a lot to sort out in your mind. Even now I still have to sometimes close my eyes and sort my memories out from this life and the life of being a celetrial being. It's a bit easier for me cause I was so young when we saved you." She looked down at her hands, "Juno hasn't approached you has she? She's always been the type to keep their distance unless invited to come over..." She explained.

"She's been keeping her distance more than Polly has. Hovering at the far end of hallways and whatnot" Horatio confirmed. Leaning forward he spoke with uncertainty, "I... I don't know what to say to them. We have spoken a bit before, it's a little less... awkward with you. Perhaps you can help. I don't know what they are expecting of me"

"They just want to get to know you, silly." She rubbed his shoulder, "Hear about your travels, your adventures, your sorrows. You're family, Horatio. And no matter what form you take on that will never change. How about we all have dinner together? You know, an ice breaker of sorts."

"... I have never actually had a family before" Horatio rubbed his arm awkwardly, "not in this life anyway... Logan and I gave the father son thing a try but that didn't really work out. I am not a social person."

"That's too bad it didn't work out... Well you have a family now and we're not going anywhere," She got up and kissed his forehead, "I don't think they'll let me off the helicarrier so we'll have to set up a table somewhere. Come on, let's go find a room to set up in." She said holding out her hand/brushing her hand against his so he'd know where to grab.

"A room?" Horatio blinked, obliviously, "What?" he stood, lightly holding her arm for her to guide him, "What are we doing?"

"Gonna have a family night, of course. We haven't probably welcomed you into the family after all." She said warmly.

"The youngest welcoming the oldest" Horatio noted with amusement, "but what do families do?" he questioned, still confused, "You have not told me what I am supposed to do in regard to the others. What stories could I possibly tell them that are appropriate?"

"You're thinking too much about it." She turned and placed her forehead on his, " Family is about being together. About talking to each other, sharing our lives together, teaching one another, share your worries and your struggles. Families pick each other up when we are down. We stick together during the good and bad times. We laugh, we cry, we joke and talk together. We encourage and challenge each other. Family is about being together, sharing and caring for one another.

It'll take a little time but it'll come naturally to you after awhile. Just speak your mind, speak about things as they come to mind. It's nothing to be nervous about. We're all connected. We may all have been born in different families on this earth but fate has brought us together. It may have taken much longer than expected but you're here now and we're here for you. "

It sounded nice but Horatio was still rather anxious about it. What could he tell them?
The world began to slow.
He had some secrets that were so hidden away he wasn't even sure if they had actually happened or not. What if, once they began to know him, they ended up changing their minds and not wanting to be around him at all?
Colour began to drain away from their surroundings.
If he did somehow move to another timeline, what then? Would this never have happened? How much could he possibly change?

His heart began to race, he was panicking. What if it was a disaster and he couldn't change it?
His eyes were churning from silver to gold.
What if he ended up trapped in a world where he finally got a family, only to have them turn on him? Would he actually miss having Polly sit next to him? To hear Juno's shy footsteps down the hall.

It was happening too fast, "C-ceres" he stammered as he began to hyperventilate, he didn't even notice what he was doing, "I-I can't... I need more time..." there was a fear creeping into his eyes. He had thought he was ready, it had been a few days and he didn't want to keep them waiting even longer. He didn't usually have to worry about keeping people waiting. He could picture it now, they were just staring at him, expecting something of him that he wouldn't be able to produce. Their long lost brother-and what if it spread beyond that? So quickly his sisters had come together and found out who he was, meanwhile he was still working on getting to know the first one he had met. So quickly one thing could lead to another. Wasn't Coulson part of the family now to? Would he be there? And did Rogue count since she now had the stone? What about Fury? Clearly he played a large part in what happened with the sisters, not to mention this was his ship.

By now the world had come to grinding stop and Horatio could barely breathe as he was overcome with the sudden panic attack.

Ceres was still holding his hand when they shifted between the planes. At first she thought she was seeing things but after he said her name, she turned and saw what was happening.

"Horatio! Hey, woah, woah. Deep breaths. It's ok. Here." She placed her hand on his chest sending her pink soothing magic over him. "It's ok, Horatio. What's wrong? Talk to me."

"I... I..." it was like his mouth had quit and gone on holiday. He couldn't explain, he just wanted everything to slow down, stop even. The pink light settled into his chest and he found himself breathing a little easier but it was still a few moments before he managed to form proper words.

"My apologies" he took several deep breaths, "I've been finding lately that it is easy for me to become a bit... overwhelmed." he sighed, then looked up, "... did I do this?" he squinted. His eyes were sore, it had been so long since their use but now he had hope again. If his powers had really returned then perhaps everything would be okay? He could finally take his well needed time again...

"No need to be sorry. We're get you some rescue remedy when we get back. It's rather good for panic attacks." Ceres looked around, "This.is.AMAZING. Horatio! Look at what you did. Your powers are coming back," She took hold of both his hands and jumped up and down excited for him. "Your eyes are a bit red though." She pointed out, getting a closer look at them. "Can you see through them?"

"Yeah" he rubbed his eyes, "I'm alright" he smiled at her and sighed. It was as though a large weight had been lifted, he hadn't realized before just how much he relied on his ability., "What a relief

"You're all better now!" She jump hugged him for a moment then let go, "Unless you can't get us back." She said looking around.

"uuhhh, give me a moment" he hugged her, just to be sure. A few seconds later the world went back to normal.

Ceres looked around in awe as the world changed back," That.Was.INCREDIBLE!" She gave him a bear hug before leading him off for some rescue remedy.

She sat him down on a chair, "Here, open up. And suck on it. It'll calm your nerves... Now, tell me what happened." She said kneeling in front of him, her hands on his knees.

Horatio blinked and popped the little pastel in his mouth. "umm... I don't know" he turned his face away from her.

She gently took hold of the side of his face and turned it back, "Hey, you know you can tell people are lying because the sound of their voice? Well I can tell when you look away like that." She pointed out softly, "It's ok. Tell me what's on your mind."

After a few moments the calming effect settled in and he finally sighed and nodded, "Okay... I just... I've never been very good with people. One on one is easy, but when there are several all together at once... especially if they are looking to me for anything. I have never been very good at handling that."

"Well, it would be you, me, Juno and Polly. Tell you what? How about we have Radio movie night instead? No talking, just listening to some classic radio dramas together?" She asked, "That way you can get use to at least being around us."