Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or Greek mythology.

Carter's POV

The next morning, I decided to talk to Uncle Zeus about a new deal I thought about. My siblings were still sleeping, well it was just 5 in the morning. I didn't want to disturb Jenine just to tell her about my going to Zeus, so instead I woke my brother up. "Percy."

He stirred, and mumbled something. "Percy. Wake up."

"Hmmm? Why?" He yawned, then I told him to give Jenine the note I wrote earlier.

"Sure thing, Sparrows." I raised a brow. He ignored it and went back to sleep.

I sighed. "Percy, Percy, Percy."

I got out of my cabin and headed for Cabin #8. I was about to knock when the door suddenly flew open. Both of us jumped when we saw each other. "Carter."

"Artemis...Jeez, I was about to knock, you know."

"Sorry. What are you doing here?"

"Just wanted to ask where you're headed next."

"Olympus, why?" I jumped.

"Olympus? W-why Olympus?"

She looked at me confusingly. "I, uh, need to report to Father about our hunt. Why are you shocked?"

"Nothing. Need to talk to your dad, too, anyway." I replied, feeling a flush of relief.

"Why?" She asked curiously. Di immortales. How could I ever tell her about the new deal I came up with?

"You'll find out later, Arty. Don't worry." She still looked unconvinced, but when I smiled at her, she smiled back.

"Come on in, Kelp Head. Help me pack my stuff." She said, holding my hand to lead me inside.

"I thought you and your Hunters don't need help?" I joked.

She punched my arm playfully. "Ha-ha, very funny. Just help, okay? And keep your voice low. They're still sleeping."

I nodded, and headed to her bed. I frowned when I saw the heap of clothes on one side, and a bunch of weapons on the other. "Arty, I thought you were organized with your things. What's this?" I whispered, pointing at the mess.

She blushed bright red. "Shut. Up." I smirked.

"Imagine, Lady Artemis of Mt. Olympus, messy with her stuff." I was trying really hard to not laugh, her huntresses were still sleeping.

She glared at me. I just grinned the way I did when I was about to burst out laughing.

Her expression softened, then she sighed. "You know I can't help but smile when you grin like that, Kelpy. Just help me with my stuff now, okay?" I nodded. When we finished packing her stuff in a record-breaking 3 minutes, she woke Thalia up. Then she told her to wake the others.

Thalia noticed me, and stood up, a little startled. "Lady Sparrows." Now, don't ask me. I actually prefer people to call me by my last name when they pay respect or something. I don't really know why.

She was about to bow down, but I said, "Uh uh. No need, cousin. Go on and follow Artemis' orders." She nodded.

~~~~~5:30 am~~~~~

"Hunters! Get ready!" Artemis shouted, then turned her chariot to a Greyhound.

I walked over to her, and whispered, "Could I go with you, Arty? I really don't like teleporting. Sometimes I end up in the wrong places."

She smirked, then nodded. "Sit beside me so the girls won't be too uncomfortable. You know, with us being goddesses and stuff." I nodded.

[Olympus]

We appeared near the throne room, and piled out. Artemis told her huntresses to stay in her palace and left Thalia in charge, while we talked to Zeus. We opened the door, and found Zeus sitting on his throne.

He saw us, and smiled. "Artemis, I've been waiting for you." Then he looked at me. "Carter Sparrows. What brings you here?"

I stepped forward. "Lord Zeus, I'd let my cousin go first. She has an appointment, anyway."

He chuckled briefly. "Please, call me Uncle. So, Artemis, go on with the report." Artemis nodded and told her father that no monsters have been posing any threat for now.

Zeus scratched his chin, then smiled a bit. "It's a bit unusual, but it's good." He looked at me straight in the eyes, which made me a little nervous. "So, as I said earlier, what brings you here?"

"Uncle Zeus, I've been thinking about a new deal, and I think it's quite appropriate for this time." Father and daughter looked at me skeptically.

"And what exactly is the new deal?" Zeus asked.

"You need me here for 6 months, and at the summer and winter solstice, right?" He nodded.

"And every time there's a meeting and Poseidon isn't here?" He nodded again, getting more curious. "Well, I was thinking, if I could spend more time in the mortal world. Not just 6 months."

Zeus raised his left brow. "I need to help train my sister so she can defend herself."

"How long do you need?" He questioned.

"If it's all right, Uncle, 2 years is all I need." Artemis jumped in disbelief, and Zeus seemed to consider it. Artemis then took it all in, then shot me a glare that said she was seriously jealous.

"Well. . . only if you stay here in Olympus for one whole year after this deal." Zeus decided. Artemis stared at her father in disbelief, then glared at me.

"Thank you, Uncle." I bowed. I walked over to Artemis and tried to lay a hand on her shoulder, but she pushed me away and started walking.

"Arty-" She shot me another death glare that told me not to call her that again - at least, not until we sort this out. I followed her until we were a few feet away from her temple, then she turned to face me.

"Leave me alone, Kelp Head." I stepped closer, in an attempt to calm her down.

"I said, leave me alone, Sparrows." I gulped. She never called me that unless she was really pissed off.

"Artemis, at least hear me out." She took a deep breath to calm herself, then motioned for me to go on. "Artemis, look, I'm really sorry. I know it's hard for you, but please understand. I really need to train Jenine, so she can defend herself whenever monsters attack."

"Can't your brother Perseus do that for you?"

"He's almost always busy with his girlfriend. We can't get through one sword practice without him having to run off to a date."

Suddenly, Apollo appeared at my side facing me, and pushed me so hard I did a 360-spin in mid-air. "HOW DARE YOU HURT MY SISTER'S FEELINGS! I TRUSTED YOU TO TAKE CARE OF HER!"

"I. . .Apollo, I'm-" I mumbled, wincing with every word. He had hit me near the heart. Knowing my cousin, he'd never do that unless it had something to do with his beloved twin.

He stepped closer, and I knew what was next: my death - or at least, how dead a goddess can be. He picked me up, then threw me against the columns of a building. "Aaaagh, SHIT!" Now my back was broken, or atleast sprained.

He stepped closer again, then cracked his knuckles. "This is what you get for hurting my baby sister."

"APOLLO!" Surprised, we both looked in her direction. "STOP HURTING HER!" Apollo looked like he wanted to protest, but his sister silenced him. "I forgive her, okay? Stop being so protective and say sorry."

Apollo looked at me, then apologized. He healed my wounds, but not so much with the back. He was seriously sorry about that, because he had caused it and he couldn't do much about it. "Oh, I have to go. Still have my duties!" He said, obviously wanting to get out of this problem, and left.

Artemis rolled her eyes. "Typical."

She helped me stand up, then I whispered "Thanks."

"For what?"

"Understanding. And defending me from your brother. I could've died there."

She smiled. "You know, ever since I knew you were following me, I forgave you. I just wanted to see if you'd still plead for my forgiveness even if I called you by your last name."

I smiled, then asked, "Your brother's really protective of you, isn't he?"

She rolled her eyes. "Then how come we have a lot a arguments?" I was about to answer back, but pain shot me in my back and I flinched.

"Come on, let's get your back supported with a metal brace or something. I'll ask Hephaestus for one." Arty said.

Artemis led me to her temple, then a male voice from behind said, "Carter."

I turned around to see Miguel Brewer, my relative who has a rather complicated life story. "Miguel. What are you-"

"Just sensed some tension between you two." He smiled in his I-know-because-I'm-a-god way. Yes, I said god. You see, Miguel is also a half-blood-turned-god, but way younger than me. He's Jenine's half-brother, because her mom and Hades are his parents. "But it seems it has been already resolved."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop trying to impress us by talking like you're a hundred years old. It's somehow creepy." He smiled mischievously.

He stepped closer, as if to come in with us, then Artemis tensed. She squeezed my arm, telling me to stop him from getting closer. "Miguel. I think it best if you stay right where you are."

He stopped, then looked at Artemis. "Sorry. Forgot about the whole being-a-maiden stuff." He looked at me, with a commanding look on his face. "Carter, you should go back. My sister's getting hysterical because you're gone."

"What the hell? I left her a note! Didn't Percy-" My voice trailed off, realizing what happened. "Damn it all! I should've left in on her bedside table!"

Miguel stifled a laugh. Artemis looked at me with her bright silver eyes, making it clear she didn't want me to go yet. I sighed. "Sorry, Arty. I wish I could stay, too. But you know how it is, so please understand."

She gave me a sad smile. "I know, but it's just. . .It's just-" She looked down, looking for the right words to say. "It's just that, I don't want you to go still injured. That mortal might be too happy when she sees you, so maybe if she hugs you she might accidentally hurt you or something. I don't want that."

I grinned when I realized she was concerned. "I'm okay, Arty. Don't worry." She looked at me, still unconvinced. "I'm perfectly fine. Besides, I promise you that after this new deal with Zeus, I'll spend most of my time with you." SHIT. Should be ALL, not MOST. Stupid ADHD.

Fortunately, she ignored the last part. She just hugged me goodbye, careful not to hurt me, and I hugged back. "See ya later, Arty."

"See ya later, Kelp Head."