Apollo's Reason

APOLLO'S POINT OF VIEW.

(Forest around coos bay Oregon)

The entire world was a load of Minotaur dung!Apollo thought as he walked through the forest. Not that this was new information he had known this for centuries, but now it was too much to handle.

All of his sons and daughters were either dead or fatally injured because they had laid their lives on the line for Olympus. He had specifically asked Percy Jackson and Jason Grace to look after his children and they had failed. Stupid demi-gods can't get anything right! Thought Apollo as he kicked a tree branch that had fallen.

No one but he cared for all those demi-gods who wouldn't make it through the of the gods even tried to help the demi-gods unless they were either their child or could help them in some way.

Gods thought they were all high and mighty but really they were just as low as the humans on earth. That's the reason he was here, he had felt the need to "take a break" from Olympus. Sometimes he felt as if he should fade, then he wouldn't have to deal with the crap of the world.

He thought about why he still lived, but he couldn't find a reason… so did that mean that he was fading at this moment? The more he thought about it the more he realized he had started fading recently… he had to find a way to stop himself from fading.

Maybe he should talk with one of the other gods but none of them would care, just like humans. I suppose I'm doomed then? As soon as he thought it he knew that if he found a reason soon he would be fine, but that was like saying I'm going to build a planet anyone wanna help me? He sat down and before he knew it he began to feel himself fade; it was like sand on a beach, each time a wave laps at the sand a little of it slips away. He kept thinking about it and he felt weak as if something was draining him of his energy.

Something rustled in the bushes and he saw a woman run from the right of his vision to the left, there was a bear fallowing her. She's being attacked. He thought as he stood up he saw her fall to the ground and he ran toward her.

THE WOMAN'S POINT OF VIEW

(The woods around coos bay Oregon)

Why did this stupid bear decide to attack her? There were plenty of other campers in the area; I mean I'm not as tasty as other people… am I?Cindy thought as she ran. Her brown hair was flapping in the wind and her dark blue eyes had worry written all over them. She was running toward the beach and the creek to her right, had sand on its banks. The trees were close together and she tripped on one of the roots. Her brown shorts and her green frilly sleeveless shirt became covered in wet sand.

So this is how I go out? Eaten alive by a bear; always did want to get eaten alive. She thought as she closed her eyes. Suddenly she heard a voice like honey say "BACK! BACK YOU BEAST!"

Cindy opened her eyes and there was a guy above her trying to scare the bear away. There's no way my luck is this good. She thought as she tried to get up. There was a pain in her ankle that made her stop trying to get up.

The guy got the bear to go away then he looked down at her. He was the most beautiful dude she had ever seen. He had golden blond hair, with gorgeous blue eyes, and a dazzling smile.

He squatted down and took at her face. "How did you get a bear that angry? If I may ask" he asked politely with that voice. She was speechless partly because of the pain and partly because of his hotness.

"Ummm, I have the worst luck ever" she asked as she smiled self consciously. He smiled in reply; his smile was like the sun.

"Let's get you up, shall we" he asked as he held out his hand to help her up. She took his hand but when he pulled the pain in her ankle increased tremendously.

APOLLO'S POINT OF VEIW.

(Forest around coos bay Oregon)

"STOP, STOP, STOP! Ow that kinda hurts" she said as she fell back to the ground. Apollo almost laughed because of the irony, the god of healing wouldn't be able to heal her like he could a demi-god 'cause she hadn't known about him being a Greek god.

"Here let me take a look" he said as he held up her ankle tenderly. He determined immediately that it was sprained, but nothing permanent.

"It's only a sprain. You'll be fine in a few days time. Do you have a car around here" he asked already knowing there weren't any cars for miles.

"Once again my luck is the worst, so no car. I was hiking. How bout you, do you have a car" she asked hopefully. Apollo had almost said 'yah I drove the sun chariot here.'

"No, I was taking a walk to think about things. I am actually lost…" he let the sentence fade knowing she would by it.

"Well looks like either we stay here until the sun fades, or you can help me stumble across the forest to the nearest road where we could, hopefully, catch a ride back to western civilization" she said lifting her eyebrows in hopeful kind of way.

CRAP! The sun chariot! I totally forgot, Zeus is gonna have my hide if the sun doesn't go down soon… but this girl needs my help, well maybe she isn't a girl… she is about 25 after all. Wait? Why am I thinking about this, this mortal? I guess a few minutes delay wouldn't make Zeus too mad… I mean she does need my help…Apollo's thoughts swirled and made his facial expression change from helpful to fearful. "Yah, I'll help you back, I just have to hurry I have an appointment I need to get to" he lied. As he lied he felt bad, what gave him the right to lie to her? She had been completely honest with him and yet he was pretending to be something he wasn't, mortal.

"Thanks. Hey is something wrong you don't look so good" she asked with a worried expression crossing her face. She noticed after one minute but none of the gods have noticed in over three weeks, thought Apollo. Apollo smiled kindly at her and she smiled back.

"Guess not" she whispered as he swooped her up into his arms and began to walk away from the ocean, "By the way I'm Cindy, Cindy Mcmann. What's your name?"

"I'm Fred, Fred Johnson" Apollo lied as he walked casually toward the road. Soon he could even see the black pavement that was the road. He found the sun chariot just where he had left it, on the road next to the tree that had fallen over.

The sun chariot was in sports car mode and looked like the bumble bee car from the transformers movie. Cindy's eyes went wide as she asked "This is yours?"

Apollo smiled and said happily "Yah, it is. Not too expensive for the area is it?"

"Um I have never seen one of these in Coos Bay… so maybe a little expensive" she said as he set her down gently in the black leather passenger seat. She mouthed wow as Apollo sat in the driver seat and started the car.

The sun chariot rumbled loudly before Apollo drove it toward the nearby town. After a few minutes of driving they came to a bridge and from the bridge he could see two dirt roads, one that led to some campsites and one that led up the nearby mountain.

"My house is over there, by the campsites" she said as she pointed toward the dirt road next to the dirt road that led to a bunch of campsites.

The sun chariot has never been dirty… I guess there's a first time for everything thought Apollo as he turned onto the dirt road she had specified. The road led up the mountain to a large house that overlooked the ocean and had a large black truck in front of the door. The house was Victorian looking with Greek style pillars in front of the door holding up an upstairs patio.

It looked like the kind of house a rich person or a god would live in. Once the car stopped instead of waiting for Apollo to help her out of the car Cindy opened the door and hopped on one foot to her truck, and from there she used the trucks side to keep her balanced as she hopped to the front door. The whole time Apollo tried not to laugh.

When she reached the door she took out a key from her pocket and opened the door. As she hopped inside she yelled to Apollo "Well if you are not in too big a hurry you can come in."

Apollo thought for a moment, he needed to get in the air but he didn't want her to hurt herself before he could make sure she was all right. So despite his better judgment he went inside. The inside was very beautiful but he never truly thought the house was as beautiful as the woman who lived there.

"Sorry it's a bit of a mess, I didn't have time to clean it earlier" Cindy said as she hobbled toward the refrigerator.

"That's quite alright, my place is way messier" he said as he watched her get out an ice pack and rap it in a towel.

"You're just saying that to be nice" she said as she sat a round table with four chairs. She gestured for him to sit down. He walked over and sat down.

"I really should leave…" he began

"But I haven't rewarded you yet! My mama always taught me to show my appreciation toward those who deserve it. I know; I could make you dinner; I have a recipe that only takes ten minutes to do. And I already have the doe made…" she pleaded as she reached for his hands that were on the table. She held them softly and he gave in.

"If you insist…" he said quietly. The gods are gonna have a fit! He sat there patiently as Cindy hobbled as quickly as she could around the kitchen, and after about five minutes she produced some kind of fried bread with chili and cheese on it.

He took a bite of the bread that he thought looked like bubbles and it was delicious. He smiled as he finished it and Cindy ate her own. They began to chat as if they had been friends for thousands of years. But after a while he saw that she was a little cautious of him.

"Ok what is on your mind, Cindy" he asked when the stares began to annoy him.

"You lied…" she said simply and Apollo felt as if his heart had stopped, well if he had an actual heart.

"Bout what?" He turned his head to the side as if he didn't understand.

"About being lost, the car, and probably your name too. I just want to know why; I mean thanks for saving me and all but…" she left the sentence unfinished as she took another bite.

"It's my job…" he said as he looked at the bread on his plate and swirled it around.

"It's your job to lie to people or… your boss won't let you have a life or what" Cindy asked as she leaned in toward him.

"I'm not allowed to tell you that. I can't explain because my job is supposed to be a secret, but a bunch of my kids were killed because of it and the rest won't survive the night and I'm dying because of that. None of my colleges don't give a damn about me or anyone else and it's just too much to take, I just can't do it anymore" he said sadly, and then he realized that he had given too much away to a mere mortal. He didn't dare look up at her.

"I should leave..." suddenly he felt her body against his and it felt… good. He hadn't ever really been hugged by a mortal because he had told all of his lovers who he had been. Everyone had either been too scared to hug him or too formal. It felt nice just to have a hug, and he hugged her back.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, but you can't just hide yourself away from the world. Sometimes the best thing to do is to do something new," she said as she hugged him. They just sat there for a few moments when Apollo looked at the clock behind her. It was ten o' clock and the sun still wasn't down. HOLY ZEUS! I'm LATE! "I'm sorry I have to go" he said as he pushed her away and ran toward the door.

"Wait here take this, that way we can keep in touch" she said as she followed him to the door. He turned and saw the card in her hand, he took it then ran out the door.

Once he was in the Chariot he flew the car right over the trees toward Olympus. I AM SO DEAD!

ZEUS' POINT OF VIEW.

(Olympus council chamber)

Apollo was never late, never. I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind when he gets here Zeus thought as the council sat there and bickered.

Suddenly Apollo appeared in his throne and all the gods stopped to look at him. "Yur gonna get it now, punk!" Ares whispered with a grin on his face. Apollo sat even straighter and that made Zeus even madder.

"Why were you so late, Apollo; especially to the solstice council" Zeus thundered as he stared down his son.

"I have been… you know what I'm not even gonna give you an excuse. You wouldn't give a damn anyway" said Apollo as he slumped. This made Zeus' anger peak but then Zeus noticed something, Apollo wasn't acting himself.

Apollo looked weak and frail compared to his normal self who was always bright and happy. "Apollo what is wrong? You seem different" Zeus said as his anger washed away.

"NOW YOU NOTICE? I have been like this for weeks and you chose now to notice? Either you are very unobservant or just plain stupid" Apollo yelled at Zeus. Zeus' eyes glowed with anger and the other gods stared at Apollo wondering what had gotten into him.

"You dare-"

"YES I DARE! Because you never dared to think of anyone but yourselves" Apollo was now addressing the entire council, "You know what? I think I'm going to leave for awhile, have a fun meeting."

Apollo then disappeared before anyone could say anything. "Find him." Was all Zeus said before he adjourned the meeting.

APOLLO'S POINT OF VIEW.

(Cindy's house)

Should he enter? It would be quite a shock, she could hurt herself… Apollo debated with himself as he stood in front of the door. He heard the shower going so he would have to wait either way. Suddenly the glass door on the patio above him opened and he heard "I know someone's out there, you're on the camera!"

He jumped at her voice and looked around for the camera; he found it in some flowers next to her welcome mat. "That's weird…" he said as he straightened up. Then the door opened up and Cindy was standing there in a gold fuzzy bath robe with her hair in a towel.

"Oh my… um come inside" she said as she led him through the hall to the living room which had a black projector hanging from the ceiling and black couches.

"I wasn't expecting company so… um I'll be back in a few minutes" she said as she walked back through the hall way and up the stairs. Her projector was on and it was playing Americas got talent. He sat on one of her couches and watched it. After a few minutes Cindy came back down the stairs in a small black dress and her hair down.

"A little fancy isn't it" Apollo asked as he looked at the dress.

Cindy scowled at the dress as she said "It was a gift from my mom and the only thing left in my closet since my washer is broken and I haven't gone into town for a few weeks. I normally don't even touch dresses."

Apollo chuckled and motioned for her to sit down. She sat then asked "So why are you here I thought you had a meeting."

"I... ah I kinda ticked off my boss… who is also my dad and I left" he said quietly.

"Your dad shouldn't have been such a jerk. I think you did the right thing; you weren't happy there, were you" she asked as she rubbed his back. Again he had never had any one do this for him and he immediately felt better.

"Not all the time, or even most of the time, but I had an important job. I hid my unhappiness with jokes and music and no one ever stopped to think that I was miserable… and now all my kids are dead and I have lost my reasons to live" he continued sadly as his eyes began to water.

He had never admitted that he was miserable even to himself, and this feeling was new to him, as was a lot of the things that had been happening since he found out he had been fading. He was glad at least one person was there for him.

"I never felt some of these emotions before. I was never really allowed to, but I recognize one feeling…" he said as he turned toward her. He saw sadness in her eyes and he decided he wasn't going to lie to her any more no matter what Zeus did.

"I have to tell you something, and I'm not sure how you will take it. Promise me you will listen and not do anything until you have heard the whole story" he pleaded as he took hold of her hands and held them softly.

"Fred, why would I not lis-"she was cut off by Apollo.

"Just, please…" he pleaded sadly.

"Alright I promise," she said quietly.

"I am the god Apollo. My demi-god children have all died and I have lost my reasons to live so I am dying. I do not think the other gods care about anyone other than themselves and I yelled at Zeus during the summer solstice council, which was the meeting I was late for. I didn't want to lie to you but Zeus has rules and regulations, and I don't care anymore. I don't care what Zeus does, I won't lie to you again" Apollo said as he watched her face. Her face didn't change as she listened quietly.

"Um… I don't know what to say. Why did you tell me all of this, Lord Apollo" she asked

"First of all you can call me whatever you want, second of all …because I think you are … my new reason" said Apollo as he blushed.

"Reason? For what" she asked cluelessly. She isn't going to make this easy on me, is she?

"To exist, to live, to be here… take your pick" Apollo said as he scooted a little closer.

"No pressure or anything" she whispered and looked into Apollo's eyes.

"No not really," he joked. Cindy looked away for a moment and for the first time he wondered, 'what if she doesn't love me'?

"So being your reasonwould mean what exactly" she asked as she looked back at him. There was a twinkle in her eyes.

"You're making fun of me aren't you?"

"I would never make fun of you oh shining lord of the sun" she said faking praise and trying not to laugh.

"You are too! I had to fall in love with a mortal that has a sense of humor. What was I thinking" he asked faking embarrassment.

"I wouldn't know I can't read minds…" Cindy whispered as she came a little closer.

"I know you can't, you're only a mortal. I on the other hand can tell that you are a very bad girl" he said coming even closer, they were so close that there was less than an inch between their faces.

"I never thought about that what you think I did, so it seems you are the naughty one" she countered as she closed her eyes.

"APOLLO!" a gruff voice yelled from outside. They pulled away from each other and through a window they could see a man with a grey beard and a large build standing just outside.

"Why would he be here?" Apollo yelped in surprise. He looked back at Cindy and saw her confused look.

"It's Zeus… I told you I ticked off my dad right" he explained as he stood. She nodded and began walking to the door.

"What are you doing" he asked as he fallowed.

"Well I built this place so I don't want Zeus to destroy it out of anger. I am inviting him in" as she said this Apollo stepped in front of her.

"No, don't do it" Apollo said as he put his arms around her.

"Why not…"she asked in confusion?

"He has taken too many of my lovers to let him come anywhere near you. I cannot lose you, Cindy" he said as he hugged her.

"Then promise me you will talk to him," she said as she hugged him back. He pulled away to arms length.

"Now" he asked slowly?

"Yes now, Apollo. You have to deal with this, you can't just let your feelings go unnoticed, and he should have noticed; he's your father for crying out loud" she said as she put her hands on her hips.

"Why don't we just let him in shall we," Apollo began walking to the door, but when he opened it Cindy pushed him outside and locked the door.

"Now you have to work it out, good luck" he heard her say through the door.

"It seems you were busy… with a mortal no less" Zeus said taking interest in Cindy.

"Don't do it father, I beg you not to…" Apollo said quietly as he stepped directly between his father and the door.

"Why not? She is a very interesting and beautiful… specimen" Zeus pondered out loud.

"Father, do you want me to fade? Is that your plan" Apollo yelled at his father.

"What do you mean, son. You have plenty of reasons not to fade" said Zeus as he took a step closer.

"Name One Reason" said Apollo knowing that his father wouldn't be able to.

"Your children," said Zeus confidently.

"THEY ARE DEAD! EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM IS DEAD! But you wouldn't know that would you" Apollo asked angrily.

"What is your reason then? This Mortal" he asked intrigued.

"Yes, and her name since you never bothered to ask is Cindy, and if I find out you tried to or will try to take her I will kill Jason Grace and any other of your children I can find" threatened Apollo. This made Zeus quite angry and from the look on his face it wasn't over between Apollo and Zeus.

"I will see you on Olympus then" Thundered Zeus as he disappeared in a flash of lightning. I just stood up to Zeus. I've never done that, thought Apollo as he looked at the door. After a moment he decided he would pop into the house since Cindy obviously wasn't opening the door.

He turned into his true form for a moment and concentrated on the other side of the door. As soon as he was inside he turned back to the form that Cindy was use to.

He turned around and saw Cindy with her ear to the door and her eyes closed. "Did you know it's rude to eavesdrop" he asked. At the sound of his voice she jumped and turned around.

She put her hand to her heart and said "And did you know a mortal isn't use to a god appearing out of thin air behind her and scaring her?"

"I guess I'll knock before I do that next time" he chuckled. She gave him a questioning look and he led her back to the living room.

"Where were we before my father so rudely interrupted" he asked as they sat down. Cindy smiled in return.

"I think I remember" she said as they leaned toward each other for the second time.

"Hey Apollo you really ticked dad off."

They pulled away for the second time and Cindy said "is there no escape from Olympus?"

"Never is never will be" Apollo answered. Cindy got up and walked toward the stairs.

"I'll be in my room last door on the right upstairs," she said as she looked at him. She then looked at the goddess who was sitting on the other couch.

"Lady" Cindy bowed then walked upstairs to her room. Apollo looked at Artemis who was sitting in a crisscross position on the black couch. She was in the form of a little girl.

"Why won't any one leave me and Cindy alone? It's not as if it's the first time a god has fell in love with a mortal" Apollo yelled at his sister.

"Well hello to you too brother; I only came to warn you that Father is thinking of sending his son on a "Quest" to kill a "monster" in Oregon" said Artemis as she changed her position.

"He wouldn't. I'll kill his son before he gets close" Apollo said a snarl forming in his face.

"Brother he is planning to lure you to Olympus and close it again so that he may do whatever he wants on earth, I will help you. My hunters are here. I have told them to set up a border around her house so it won't matter if his son does get close, they will stop him" said Artemis as she stared into her brothers eyes.

"You think I am not capable of protecting her, and why would you help me with this" he asked cautiously.

"Because it is wrong for father to do this to you, and he has ordered the gods to bring you back to Olympus" she said simply as Apollo's anger grew.

"You came here to take me away from her? How could you Artemis? How could you be so cruel" he asked his twin.

"I am only doing what is ordered of me. I do have a way for you to get out if Olympus closes once again. Hermes has agreed to help you leave Olympus every other night, but you will have to leave willingly right now" she said knowing her brother would accept her help.

"May I have some time with her before I leave? Please sister" he asked desperately. Artemis nodded and Apollo appeared in front of Cindy's room door. He knocked and came inside.

Her room had a poster bed and some paintings near her window. Cindy was standing on the balcony singing a song by pink. "Please don't leave me…" she finished as she turned around. There were tears in her eyes and she ran to Apollo.

"Cindy what is wrong what happened" he asked as he held her close.

"He… he came and tri tried to take meeee. IIII slapped hhim and cursed him…" she sniffled and buried her face in his chest. Apollo rubbed her back and put his head on hers.

"It's alright, it's alright. I won't let him do that again, believe me I won't let it happen again. I promise you, my love I won't let it happen ever again. Shhhhh" he tried to comfort her as they sat on the bed. She kept crying and sniffling for a few minutes then she stopped. She looked at his shirt now covered in tears.

"I… I rruinnned yyyoourrr shshirrt. I…I'm ssorrrry" she said as she looked into his eyes. He laughed for a moment.

"You really are a brave mortal. I love you, so much. I have to go to Olympus though and I don't want this to happen again, so Artemis' hunters are going to stay here and protect you while I'm gone. I may be able to visit every once in a while though so don't be sad…" he said as he rocked back and forth.

"That's great, the visiting part but I'll miss you. I love you too, ya know" she whispered as she sat there. She sniffled again before fingering her silver necklace with a charm in the shape of a music note. She smiled as she pulled the chain over her head and pressed it into Apollo's palm. She sniffed and said "Take this."

"Cindy, I don't need any gifts from you" Apollo said as he tried to give it back.

"But I want you to have this… a little bit of me up on Olympus with you" she answered as she lowered it over his head. Now the necklace hung around Apollo's neck. With a sad look she said "I love you."

"I know love, I know… don't give the hunters any trouble alright" he asked as she sat up. She smiled for a moment.

"What's it gonna take to get a kiss out of you" she barely got to finish the sentence before Apollo bent his head and kissed her passionately. They sat there for a few moments then someone cleared their throat and Apollo waved his hand as if to say 'go away'.

Cindy laughed and pulled away. She looked at the teens that were standing there, one was the goddess the other was a girl of sixteen with spiky hair and blue eyes. "Duty calls" she asked and the goddess nodded, "One quick one for the road then?"

She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Apollo smiled at Cindy then looked at Artemis and said "This must really tick you off huh?"

"Come on Lover boy. We have to go," she turned to the teen with spiky hair and said, "Protect her with your lives, Thalia."

"Yes lady Artemis," said the teen as she bowed and walked over to Cindy, "Close your eyes."

Cindy closed her eyes and both Apollo and Artemis revealed their true forms, but before he left he gave her one last kiss on her lips. "I love you" he said as they transported to Olympus.

CINDY'S POINT OF VIEW

(Cindy's room)

Cindy opened her eyes and she immediately wished Apollo didn't have to leave. She looked to the teen sitting next to her and asked "So you're a handmaiden for Artemis? What's that like?"

The girl looked her over and said "It's pretty cool. I'm immortal as long as I don't die in combat or fall in love with a guy or a god. We get to travel the world, kill monsters, camp out every night, and hang with Artemis. So it's pretty cool."

Cindy thought about that then asked "how old are you?"

"Fifteen and nine tenths" she answered, "I've been that old for about two years now, and I was even a tree for umm… five to ten years? I wasn't a nymph or anything but I was about to die when I arrived at this camp for demi-gods and my dad didn't want me to die so he turned me into a tree."

"Wow he must really love you. If I may ask who is your father" Cindy asked as she pulled her hair into a pony with a black hair tie.

"His name is Zeus," Cindy stood up immediately and backed up toward the wall, "Hey what's wrong?"

"Did Artemis tell you who you were protecting me from" Cindy asked and the hunter stood up showing she wasn't going to harm her.

"Ohhh, I get it. You're scared of me because I'm his daughter. Don't worry I won't let my dad get you. Trust me I will do exactly as Artemis instructed" said the girl as she sat back down, "My name is Thalia by the way. What's yours?"

"I'm Cindy and sorry for being so distant, I'm just not a big fan of your father right now…" she said quietly. Thalia laughed at Cindy then patted the bed motioning for her to sit down.

"I would be more surprised if you were. This is a really nice house, did you buy it" Thalia asked as she looked around.

"No I actually built it, with my bare hands." Thalia looked at Cindy with a look of wonder.

"No way! How long did it take" she asked as she took an interest in the house.

"It took twenty years. I started when I was about your age and I didn't have the money to hire any workers. My mom owned the land and she owned the campsite down the mountain, so she let me build this house up here," Cindy said with a proud look on her face.

"Gods that's cool! I can't believe it took that long" Thalia said quietly.

"Do you guys wanna sleep inside tonight, the house is big enough; how many of you are there" Cindy asked as she stretched.

"Maybe fifteen to twenty right now," Thalia said after counting on her fingers.

"There is plenty of room, you guys can stay inside" Cindy said as she sat back down.

"Even the wolves" Thalia asked as she tried not to giggle.

"Crazy, spiky haired chick say what now" Cindy said as she stared at Thalia.

"You watch too much Hannah Montana, but we have wolves too" Thalia said as she looked outside.

"Um… sure wolves. No biggy, as long as they don't bite me I'm cool with that" she said in a shaky voice.

"Apollo was right you are a brave mortal" Thalia's eyes got big as she noticed she had revealed something she shouldn't have.

"You were spying on us" Cindy said angrily.

"Artemis started it and then I asked what she was doing and after a moment we came in and the only thing I heard was Apollo saying you're brave! Well that and you two smoochin' "said thalia. Cindy looked down and did a face palm.

"I so wish I hadn't promised Apollo I wouldn't cause trouble…" Cindy said as she laughed with Thalia.

"Well I better go tell the others we're sleeping inside tonight. I'll be back in a couple minutes" Thalia said as she left the room.

***********************FLASHBACK**************************

Cindy had just sat on the stool she used when she was painting as she wondered which goddess was sitting in her living room. That doesn't matter; keep to your own businessshe thought.

She picked up a brush and her paints then began a new painting. She started with the trees and by the time she had finished the trees a deep gruffly voice said "That is quite beautiful, and so are you."

She turned quickly and would have fallen if Zeus hadn't caught her. She looked into his blue eyes and saw amusement. "Are you scared of little old me? Well I can fix that" he picked her up so she was standing.

He tried to pull off the dress but she slapped him as hard as she could on the cheek. "Go to hell" she said as she moved away from him.

"You don't want to anger me girl. I am more powerful than your boyfriend" he said as he pinned her against the wall. She opened her mouth to scream but he put his hand over it. She did the only thing she could she bit down real hard.

Zeus pulled his hand away and suddenly there was another god behind him. For a moment she thought it was Apollo but then she saw the black beard and a trident in his hand. "BROTHER, DO NOT TOUCH HER" he said in a deep voice you would expect to hear from a sailor.

"Poseidon, come to join the fun" Zeus asked and Cindy's eyes filled with tears and she mouthed 'HELP ME'.

"Let her go, brother. She is not yours to have, and you know that" said Poseidon as he put his hand on Zeus' shoulder.

"Look who's talking. The man of affairs… you could join me, and Apollo would never know" Zeus said quietly.

"Please help me, Lord Poseidon" Cindy cried out and Zeus slapped her across the face.

"QUIET MORTAL" he said. Poseidon tapped his brother's shoulder and when Zeus turned to look, Poseidon punched him square in the jaw.

"She may be a mortal but you don't have to treat her like a slave" said Poseidon as Zeus got back up. Zeus turned into an eagle and flew off.

"Are you alright" asked Poseidon as he held her shoulders. She looked at him in fear and nodded.

"Thank you, Lord Poseidon. If I may ask why did you help me" Cindy asked as she wiped away some blood that had trickled out of her mouth.

"Apollo isn't the only god that Zeus has tried to steal a lover from" he said simply and he turned into a sea breeze then flew away.

********************END*OF*FLASHBACK*********************

The memory made a tear trickle out of her right eye and she heard a voice next to her "hey what's wrong?"

Thalia had returned and she had seen the tear. "Ummm I… was just thinking about… Apollo and how much I miss him already…" Cindy lied as she turned away from the teen.

"It's alright. I heard he was going to try to come back every other night, besides he's a god and I'm pretty sure nothing will happen to him" said Thalia as she sat down and rubbed Cindy's back. Cindy nodded and gave her some lame excuse that she had always fallen hard whenever she fell in love.

"So the perimeter has been secured and every few hours the guard changes. There will always be a hunter in or near your room so if you ever need us all you have to do is yell. Only Artemis, Apollo, and trusted demi-gods can come within 300 feet of you. That's about it…" explained Thalia as she tapped her fingers on her leg.

"Thanks Thalia, for everything" Cindy said as she tried to keep that one dreadful memory away from her thoughts.

"No prob. Just because you're a mortal, doesn't mean we can't be friends" said Thalia as she set up a cot on the ground near the door.

Cindy fell asleep almost immediately and she had a dream with Apollo in it.

APOLLO'S POINT OF VIEW.

(Olympus)

Apollo sat on his bed unable to go to sleep. She's fine don't worry yourself the hunters are perfectly capable of keeping her safe from Zeus and his little roman brat. You shouldn't worry… she's probably fine… then why do I still worry? Maybe I should just give her a call, he thought as he summoned a rainbow and threw a drachma into it. "Cindy Mcmann, Cindy Mcmann's room" he said as he threw the drachma into the rainbow.

Inside the rainbow he saw Cindy's bed with her in it and she was tossing and turning. She opened her right eye a sliver and saw Apollo inside the rainbow. She pulled the blankets up to her eyes and pointed at him. Then she brought the blankets down enough to say "What is it with you and scaring me? And how dash what are you doing?"

"I'm IMing you. I wanted to check on you" said Apollo as he tried not to laugh.

"I thought that was done with cell phones… not, is that a rainbow" Cindy asked as Apollo giggled.

"Yes it is a rainbow. Iris is in the business with Hermes. So in my word this is perfectly normal," he said trying his hardest not to laugh at Cindy.

"Ok, good to know. Iris is not only the goddess of rainbows but also an instant messenger… oiy. Too much to learn, my brain hurts" she said as she rubbed her head. Suddenly Apollo heard a "HYA" and the sound of a blade getting stuck in wood.

"OH MY GOD! Thalia what were you thinking" Cindy asked as she lay flat against her mattress.

"Honey" Apollo said to get her attention; she turned to look at him, "Its gods. There are quite a few of us."

"Oh sorry… my bad" she said as she looked into Apollo's eyes. Apollo could see her pain in her eyes and he wanted to heal it.

"What's wrong, Cindy" he asked.

She gulped and said shakily "Nothing is wrong. Why would you think that?"

Apollo raised an eyebrow and said "Oh I don't know, maybe it's because I can tell you're in pain and I want to help."

She sighed and asked "It's really that obvious?"

Apollo nodded answering "Whatever it is you can tell me, love. That is a promise."

She looked at him for a moment then said "It's just I know you're a god and everything but I can't help but fear for your safety… I guess I'm scared for you."

Apollo laughed for a few moments. "Is that all? Honey I'm a god I can't be killed if I get run through with a sword. It would hurt but I wouldn't die. The only thing that could kill me is you. I wouldn't be able to live without you. I love you so much…" he said. I wish I could be there with her.