The darkness didn't even bother Meg. She knew where to get lanterns, knew the twists and turns of the underworld, and knew the way to her room, better than she knew herself.

When she had first made her deal with Hades, she had been a crazed fool, in love. She gave up her heart and –literally- her soul for the man she loved. Blinded by her foolish love, she ended up indebted to the ruler and god of the underworld, serving him in the shadows while the lover she had given everything to went off with another.

She sighed at these bitter memories. Although she truly believed she was strengthened by these experiences, she knew they had numbed her to a certain degree.

When she had made it into her room, Meg fell onto her bed and looked at the ceiling. It was so natural being back on her mattress, feeling the steady cool draft of the underworld seep in from under the door. She propped herself up. Feeling lethargic and, with sore muscles and aching bones, she decided to prepare a bath.

The bathing chamber was an extension of her personal quarters, separated by a sheer, artfully embroidered cloth, which hung magnificently in the entryway. She tied the cloth, swept to a side, and entered the bathing chamber, bare feet against dark marble, to prepare the water to temperature over an ever-flaming heating stove. When the water became scalding, she poured it into the black-blue marble tub, and repeated the ordeal patiently until the tub was filled.

When she walked back into the main room she was faced with the grimy pink and green backs of Pain and Panic, as they smelled oils they were in the process of placing out with her towel on the bed.

"These two idiot boy-creatures can be up to absolutely no good," she thought to herself. She coughed, placing her hands on her hips as she waited to be discovered.

Hearing Meg's agitated cough, the two minions jumped up in surprise.

"Megara," Pain started slowly pronouncing each syllable of her name.

Panic quickly interjected, "We just came by to drop these trinkets for-."

"Why'd ya come back?" Pain interrupted.

Smiling, Panic added, "Yeah, why?"

They both stupidly grinned up at her, batting their eyelashes as their curiosity begged to know.

She mimicked their grins, batting her lashes back at them sardonically and replied, "Isn't it getting late for two little youngsters like you to be running about bothering the good folk of the underworld? I'm sure Hades sure is missing his two favorite henchmen." She bent down to their level and sarcastically patted their heads.

They both immediately morphed into the bodies of the two little boys who had been "caught" under the massive rock before the famous battle between Hercules and the multi-headed hydra.

"Gee thanks, Missus," they mocked her in unison.

"Cute. Now scram, mongrels." She bit back, pushing herself up from her lowered stance.

They skipped, while madly giggling, out of the door, transfiguring back into their natural forms as they went.

"Ugh."

Meg walked over to the bed to pick up the oils and perfumes. Lavender and Rose—just what she needed for her bath! Sometimes she really did enjoy her servitude under Hades.

**So much fluff right now. I know. I still am kind of weird about this story, so please leave input, suggestions, comments, etc. I am updating at this point because I like short chapters so, once again, I am sorry they are short. Expect another maybe even late tonight!**