Ethan

Disclaimer:I don't own PJO, nor Ethan, but I do own his dad and his aunt.

It's never a good night in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tonight, it was just a regular dark April night, but somewhat there was an eerie aura on Avocado Street. A young, beautiful woman was holding a squirming baby in one arm, walking intently to the house at the corner. Her eyes would make you want to get revenge for every wrong deed done to you, cold and unforgiving black eyes. She was blond in contrast to her dark eyes, although there was a streak of black in her hair. The woman looked noble, as if she were some princess. If you were a regular demigod, a half-god and half-mortal person, you'd know immediately who she was:Nemesis, goddess of balance and divine retribution.

"Hold still,"she hissed to the baby. The baby kept squirming. His eyes were nearly exactly like his mother's, cold. The baby was obviously Japanese from the way he looked up at Nemesis, his hair. If only Nemesis never met his father."Ethan, hold still before I throw you down a mountain."

Ethan muttered something in baby talk as Nemesis reached the Nakamura residence. Shinji and Kiyoko Nakamura lived there, but right now they were out visiting their mother. Nemesis looked down at Ethan before placing him on the "Welcome" mat. She hesitantly stepped away, looking at her son, before turning into a pigeon and perching onto the roof as the Nakamuras pulled in on a seven-year old Saturn.

"Hey, Shinji,"said Kiyoko Nakamura, Shinji's younger sister, in a thick Asian accent,"what on the mat?"

"What's on the mat,"corrected Shinji. He'd been in America longer than his little sister, but he wasn't accustomed to the American ways yet. He and Kiyoko stepped out of the car and walked to the doormat for a closer look at the wriggling bundle. At first, Shinji thought he was seeing a doll, but then Kiyoko squealed "A baby!"

"Who would leave a baby on our doorstep?"Shinji wondered aloud. Nemesis nearly laughed at his expression because they'd had a one night stand only just a year ago. He rubbed his chin, thinking hard as Kiyoko picked up Ethan and cradled him in her arms.

"He's so cute!"she cooed."Who would abandon a cute little baby like this, er...."

"There's a name on his blanket,"Shinji muttered. Embroidered on the blanket was the name "Ethan" in large black letters. Kiyoko frowned, peering at her watch and then at the baby's eyes.

"It's late. Should we get inside?"

"Um, sure,"Shinji muttered, glancing at the roof. He saw a pigeon sitting on the gutter, glaring down at him with black eyes. He recognized them but couldn't put a name to them."You go ahead. I need to do something."

Kiyoko blinked, but nodded and brought little Ethan inside. The door shut with a slam as Shinji folded his arms, glaring back at the pigeon. He knew who it was.

"Nemesis, do you think this is some kind of joke? Leaving a child on my doorstep?"

The pigeon shrugged, transforming into the same blond woman some people swore they saw earlier. Shinji and Kiyoko looked the same, good-looking Japanese siblings who worked as casino dealers at Caesar's. They always squinted when they glared, something Nemesis found funny when Shinji did it. Nemesis rested her elbows on her knees, head in hands."I say that it's not a joke leaving Ethan on your doorstep."

"Why me?"Shinji demanded."You know Kiyoko and I both work morning shifts. Nobody will be here to take care of Ethan, much less our fern."

Nemesis shrugged."You can switch shifts, you know. Caesar's isn't too harsh on switching shifts. Ethan won't be much of a problem. He's quiet for a three month old."

"Three...."Shinji blinked and thought for a moment. An odd thought struck him, but he blurted it out before he could bite his tongue:"Is he mine?"

Nemesis frowned."Is he yours? Is he yours? Well, remember that night a year ago?..."

Shinji's face turned into an expression of horror and anger."What? I thought... I thought..."

"Say no more, Shinnie,"Nemesis said, grinning. She stood up, brushing off the back of her pants while saying,"You know, it'd be nice if you took him in. Monsters and all that crap."

"Monsters? Hey, wh--- wait!"Shinji cried. Nemesis clapped her hands together and disappeared(even though it wasn't necessary, but it looked cool). Shinji clenched his fists, scowling. He instantly regretted the moment Nemesis came to his table, how they'd flirted... Too late for that, he thought bitterly. Shinji turned to the door and slowly turned the knob, feeling like he should do something for revenge against Nemesis, but then again, revenge against the goddess of revenge? Not likely. Sighing, the new father walked into his home to a crying Ethan and a panicking Kiyoko.

"What do I do?"Kiyoko shouted. To Shinji, it felt like she never knew about anything. Babies were never going to be her thing.

Shinji sighed and muttered "To the store,"walking out of the house and back to the car. He jammed the keys into ignition, his mind on the baby matter, and slowly backed out of the driveway. Why me?

A/N:A tad short, I know, to Ethan's history. Constructive criticism, flames, and whatever are accepted. R&R, if you will.