I don't own Percy Jackson& the Olympians. Yeah I know, I'm sad I don't too.

Oh and just so you know; I currently have test week, so I might not be able to update much, not that I was updating a lot in the first place.. Just thought I would let y'all know. Enjoy!

Percy knew the gods hated him but even for them,this was cruel. Letting him get caught by a man-hating goddess after kissing her sister, who was supposed to stay away from boys and kissing. He wouldn't do that to anyone, not even his worst enemy. What had he done to deserve it?

He had the idea that Artemis wasn't happy with the situation, even if he had been influenced by Aphrodite. She probably would say he still had commited some horrible crime. Not that he thought she was unjust or anything, but she really hated boys with a passion and he had the idea she and Athena were really close, considering they were similiar in behavior and interests.

She probably would be furious that he had kissed her favorite sister and wanted to punish him for it. Even if he had rescued her from Atlas, carried the sky for her and earned the respect of Zoƫ, she would probably still punish him severely.

There was no act great enough, no present valuable enough to make her change her mind about men or at least give him a chance, he knew. He was a boy and she hated them, it was that simple. She wouldn't try to reconsider beliefs she had had for centuries, just because he had rescued her once.

So he smiled at her, hoping that she wouldn't hurt him too much after all he had done. Maybe she wouldn't if he was just nice and reminded her he wasn't a mean, cruel, evil being that wanted to hurt females like she seemed to think all boys were.

He saw her eyes narrow and suddenly noticed her pupils were cat-like. Maybe that was why they were silvery. Didn't cat eyes reflect light or something?

" Didn't you turn people into jackalopes instead of jackals?" he asked. He was pretty sure she had said she liked turning boys into jackalopes, not jackals. Besides, he had to say something when she just kept staring at him with narrowed eyes.

He wasn't so sure he should have asked the question when that misschief in her eyes intensified and she gave him a cheshire cat grin. Seriously, she reminded him of a cat. She even gave him a look that reminded him of a cat pouncing on a canary or some other helpless bird. He didn't like being a prey.

" Oh yes, I do. But I like to experiment a bit, have some variation. Boys are all awful, but the reasons they are awful varies. Some are because they cheat, some because they have no manners whatsoever and some are just sexists that see females as their personal slaves. If they are awful in different ways, why shouldn't I change them into different animals?".

" I never said you couldn't" Percy remarked, feeling a bit smug. He thought it was smart of him to remind her that he had never accused her or something, before she felt insulted. If there was one thing he had learned, it was that gods and goddesses were easily offended. Very easily.

He didn't feel that smug anymore when Artemis came a little closer, showing the exact color of her eyes, and he could feel her power touch his skin, making goosebumps raise.

It wasn't a pleasant feeling, the feeling of her power, and it changed all the time. First, it felt like needles touching his skin, then like he was freezing, then like something rough like sand paper touched his skin. And he felt that same weird feeling in his stomach that he got when he used his own powers, only this time it felt like his insides were trying to escape, like they were being pulled towards her. That couldn't be good.

Artemis smiled, obviously knowing exactly what her power felt like to him. And enjoying the power she held over him and the pain he felt.

" Not that great to have me close huh?".

Percy gritted his teeth when the feeling intensified. " Are you doing this on purpose?".

" What, being close to you?".

" No, the unpleasant feelings".

" The proximity is what causes the unpleasant feeling. Immortals cause this sort of reactions when they come too close. It can be rather provoking, but it is useful every now and then. Like when you have to interrogate some foolish boy".

" I didn't feel this when I was close to Athena" Percy said, trying to ignore the very unpleasant feelings. It really hurt now, like someone was giving him little electric shocks before stabbing him with burning needles and dumping ice cold water on him.

Artemis pulled back a little, which relieved him since it eased some of the discomfort. He still didn't feel good, but he didn't feel horrible like first. Now he just felt bad, which was an improvement from the pain he had felt earlier.

She studied him with a impenetrable look in her eyes, not that different from a predator studying its prey or a scientist studying a new species he had discovered. Again, she reminded Percy of some deadly predator.

" Well, it doesn't always cause this reaction. It only feels uncomfortable whenever an immortal releases part of her essence, not really using her power, but showing part of her real form. We all have an aura of power, but we normally keep it hidden, control ourselves".

Percy thought about this, thinking it made sense. He had felt Athena's aura once, when she had warned him after Annabeth, Grover and he had saved Olympus. It had made his skin itch back then. It hadn't felt like this exactly, but maybe all gods had different aura's that felt different.

"Well, I suppose that makes sense. Athena's made my skin itch".

Artemis arched an eyebrow. " You said you didn't feel anything".

" I didn't". He tried to think about the time she had made his skin itch instead of just a few hours ago when she had made him feel very different things. " But I once felt her aura, when she talked to me after the battle with Kronos".

Artemis looked surprised. " She spoke to you? About what?".

" Why would you care?". Percy said the words before he realized he might sound rude and she would get angry. He expected her to turn him into some weird animal or slap him, but she didn't.

She just stared at him, with that weird look in her eyes again. Not exactly like a cat looking down at his prey, more like he was some riddle she wanted to solve. It didn't exactly ease the uncomfortable feelings he got from her "aura". He also felt apprehensive and slightly worried now. Who knew what she might do.

She appeared both thoughtful and slightly worried, staring at some point next to him with a faraway look in her eyes. She didn't even seem to notice his presence anymore, just staring off into space.

He didn't interrupt the sudden silence, sensing she needed some time to think. She would probably start hurting him if he interrupted. If she wanted him to say something, she would tell him.

After a long time, when Percy started to feel really uncomfortable since he was still tied up and could feel her aura, she sighed and spoke. Even in her young form, she somehow managed to look regal and threatening.

" I care, like you put it, because I care for her. Not that this is any of your business, but Athena is my best friend and one of the only relatives I actually like. I don't want her to be harmed by you".

Percy actually felt offended. Why would he harm Athena? Even if he was able to harm her, which he wasn't, he would never do that. He couldn't bear the thought of hurting her in any way. It made him actually feel slightly nauseous.

Although that could also be caused by Artemis' aura of power, that was starting to really annoy him. Having to sit in a wooden chair was already uncomfortable enough without the feelings her aura caused.

" Even if I wanted to, and I don't, there is no way I could harm her. She is immortal and everything, you know".

Artemis rolled her eyes, something he hadn't expected her to do. She always seemed so composed and mature, not the type to actually show any sign of emotion. It was surprisingly childish of her to roll her eyes and made her look more like the twelve-year old that she was supposed to look like.

" Yes, I am well aware of that. But there are more ways to hurt someone. True, you can hurt them physically, cut them with something for example. But what I was refering to, was emotion and mental pain. The kind you could cause, insignificant boy".

" How would I cause her emotional or mental pain?".

Artemis sighed, muttering something in Greek under her breath. Greek wasn't his best subject, but he knew enough to know she thought he was a idiot and said something about men. Probably that they were the bane of her existence or something.

" You vlacas! Don't you understand? Are you really that gullible?".

" What? Where are you talking about?".

" Come on boy, think! When is it possible to hurt someone's feelings?".

" I don't know? When you are mean to them...?".

"No! When they care about you".

Percy was speechless, unable to form sentences or even thoughts. Did Artemis just imply Athena liked him? Athena, the same person that had wanted him dead, that had voted to kill him? Athena, who was a much better person than him and out of his reach?

No way. Athena could never like me. She thinks I'm just like dad and she freaking hates dad. The only reason she spends time with me, is the bet. Which is good, because I don't like her either. Nope, not at all. I'm with Annabeth.

Percy tried to ignore the disappointment he felt when he reminded himself he was with Annabeth, not Athena, and Athena didn't like him. Well, at least he thought she didn't like him, even if Artemis thought different.

" She doesn't care about me" he said in a sad, low voice.

Artemis' mouth fell open and her eyes widened slightly when she heard how sad he was about this and saw the emotions he tried to hide from her. He clearly cared for Athena. A lot.

Well, that is certainly not what I anticipated. The boy actually cares. I believed he wouldn't care about Athena, that she was just cold and mean in his eyes, like she seems to be in everyone's eyes. Oh The, where have you gotten yourself into?

Artemis was a lot of things, but stupid or oblivious wasn't one of them. She had noticed Athena's conflicting feelings, had noticed how rapidly her negative thoughts and behavior towards Percy seemed to disappear. Athena hadn't told her anything, but she didn't need to. It was painfully clear to Artemis that her friend and (half)sister did care.

The way she had glanced in Percy's way showed her. The way she had smiled at him. The fact that she had been worried Percy might get hurt and how she hadn't stopped him when he had kissed her. So much showed Artemis that her (half) sister cared.

There was so much that wasn't said, but Artemis knew it without hearing the words. She didn't need to talk to her sister to know what was going on. If you just paid attention, you could see it lingering on the surface. Hidden, but not well enough.

Her sister was falling in love. The kind of love that made even a reasonable, composed person like Athena reckless. The kind of love that promised so much happiness, but asked a lot in return. She might not be an expert on love, but she knew enough about it to recognize the signs. They told her sister would, or already was, be head over heels in love.

She hoped, desperately so, that she was wrong, but she feared she wasn't. Her sister really was falling love and even worse, she was falling in love with Percy Jackson.

Just so typical. Only Athena would actually want something that is impossible.

And it was impossible. Athena didn't belong with any man, shouldn't want any man, but Percy Jackson had to be the least likely candidate. He was her complete opposite. She was the smartest person Artemis had ever met, he possesed ordinary intelligence. She was mature and serious, he childish and playful. She liked studying, he hated it. And so on. Complete opposites.

If Artemis didn't know better, she would think she was dreaming or someone was pranking her. She simply couldn't believe her level-headed sister, who was also a maiden, had allowed herself to slowly fall in love with someone she simply couldn't be with. Damn, it was almost like Julia and Romeo all over again.

Artemis felt conflicted herself. A part of her wanted to punish the boy, wanted to keep him away from her sister and punish him for making Athena feel this way. But she was aware that he hadn't done it intentionally and he felt the same.

Because of this, another part of her wanted to actually help the two to get together, no matter how ludicrous and impossible it seemed. Or rather was.

Not only was Athena a maiden goddess, which would already complicate the situation greatly, but Zeus and Poseidon would never allow the two of them to be together. If Percy and Athena would get involved and those two would discover it, it would probably result in world war three. Yep. Definitely Romeo and Julia all over again.

She looked at Percy, who seemed still rather down and sullen and sighed. Even if he was a boy, he didn't deserve this. Not after all the good things he had done, the selflessness and kindness he had showed. Not after all the things that had happened in his short life.

" She does care"Artemis said before she could change her mind. She shouldn't say it, but she had to. She couldn't hide something like that, couldn;t lie to the boy.

" W-what?".

" Athena. She does care about you".

" Why do you think that?".

Artemis rolled her eyes, unable to believe he could really be that oblivious. Seeing his confused look, she decided he apparently was that oblivious. Males!

" Athena would never allow someone to kiss her if she didn't care about that person. Seriously, what do think she just kisses everyone or something?".

" Of course not! I just.. I just can't believe she likes me I guess".

" Well, she does, so don't mess it up".

"Why do people keep saying that to me?!".

" Because you mess up a lot. And if we didn't say it, you probably would destroy the earth by doing something stupid".

Percy seemed slightly offended by this, but he didn't say anything about it. Instead, he smiled goofily and seemed two seconds away from standing up and dancing around the room. He really looked happy.

Artemis didn't know what was so funny, he was tied up and probably had a horrible headache after all, but she had to admit he had a nice smile. She could almost understand why Athena liked him. Or at least didn't believe it was compeltely insane.

"Do you really thinks she likes me?" he asked, unable to hide his happiness. It was just written all over his face. With a permanent marker.

She sighed. Did she really have to answer that question? Judging from the look on his face, yes.

" I fear my sister has lost her mind and any sanity she had, but yes, I believe she likes you".

Percy smiled, so wide she almost expected his face to break or something. She had never seen anyone smile that wide or look this happy. She didn't remember it at least.

She rolled her eyes at his goofy smile, but had to surpress one herself. She couldn't help, but be happy for her sister. Even when this was a total mess, Percy might be a decent boyfriend. God, she couldn't believe she thought that.

"Now boy, wipe that foolish smile of your face. You didn't think I brought you here to give you the happy news, now did you?" she said in her coldest voice possible and saw Percy's smile lessen, although it didn't disappear. Even the possibility of torture couldn't make it disappear, it seemed.

" Yeah about that. Why have you brought me here?".

" To interrogate you of course" Artemis said in a voice that made it clear he was supposed to know this. Again, the look in his eyes showed he didn't. Not that was a big surprise. There was much he didn't know, after all.

She sighed. Why did males even exist if even the only one that could be considered decent was this oblivious and annoying?

" You obviously want to become something more than friends with my sister. I on the other hand want to know what your intentions are".

" So you possibly broke my skull, abducted me and freaked me out just to ask if I want to hurt Athena?".

"You could say that, if you want to be a wimp and behave like I really harmed you".

Percy rolled his eyes. " Well sorry, that we aren't all accustomed to blows to our skulls with enough force to crack said skull".

"Believe me, they didn't hit you that hard. But quit being a wimp and just tell me".

" My intentions with your sister are absolutely honorable".

" And none of your business" he added, saying it very softly.

She slapped him in his face, her face showing no emotion at all. She could have been a robot, the way she looked. She didn't even look angry.

" Remember I can easily kill you. And what exactly are you intentions? I doubt they are honorable".

" I- " Percy faltered, his face expressing his doubt. He hadn't thought about that yet. To be honest, he hadn't exactly realized how much he liked Athena until a few hours ago. And now he did, he had no idea what to do. He couldn't exactly go to her and tell her, right?

" I don't know"he admitted.

Artemis sighed and sat down on the floor, holding her chin in her hands and thinking about this. After some time, she looked up.

"Do you care for her?".

Percy seemed confused, obviously not understanding why she asked him. It had been a rather random question, but he answered nonetheless.

" Yes, but-".

" Do you like her, even the things about her that you didn't like at first?".

" Well, I don't really know her that well, but-".

" Just answer the question".

" Yes. More than anything else".

" Do you respect her?".

" Of course!".

" All right. Does she - Artemis looked absolutely disgusted- turn you on?".

Percy blushed the slightest bit, not quite believing she really had asked him that. He had never expected to answer question like that about Athena. Not that he had ever expected to be involved with Athena in any way. But he didn't even have to think about the answer.

" Yes".

" That was kind of obvious from the way you threw yourself at her" Artemis mumbled, looking disgusted and annoyed. She obviously didn't like the fact she had to see that.

" I was under influence of some lust potion or something!" Percy protested, trying to clearify he hadn't done that on purpose. Not that he hadn't wanted or enjoyed it, but he normally wouldn't have done it.

Artemis raised one of her eyebrows. " What about storming into the dressing room?".

" W-what? How do you know about that!".

" Hepheastus recorded it. Everyone saw it".

" And Athena hasn't killed you all for watching her while changing?".

Artemis hit him on his head with her bow. The bow was surprisingly hard and he flinched when it hit the exact same spot where the hunters had hit him.

" Pervert! There were camera's outside the dressing room, you freak! Ugh, can teenage boys only think about that ?".

Percy thought it was better to say nothing. She would probably send every wild animal that existed after him if she knew what thoughts he had when it came to Athena. Especially after seeing her in underwear only. He still couldn't believe she hadn't punished him for that.

Artemis muttered some things and gave him a few angry looks before she calmed down, crossed her legs, and studied him again. Percy really didn't like the way she kept looking at him, like he was some freak in the circus or something.

" I can't believe I'm saying this but, although you are a little pervert sometimes, you might be a decent boyfriend to Athena". She did look and sound like she couldn't believe it, shaking her head and speaking with a hint of doubt in her voice.

Percy didn't really know what to say to that. He knew how much she hated boys, so this was a really big compliment coming from her. " Wow. Thanks, I guess?".

" Oh don't thank me. Believe me, this isn't going to be easy. Zeus will probably throw you into Tartarus or something if he finds out. And I am still not sure if I am making the right decision. Killing you would be a lot easier".

"Then why don't you? Why are you being helpful?".

Artemis glared at him. " Because Athena does like you and I want her to be happy, you vlacas!".

"Oh. Right. So- Percy hesitated , not sure if it would be smart to ask this- so what should I do now?".

" I don't know. Ask her out, I suppose. Be romantic and all. Buy roses or something. Why do you ask me?".

" Well uhm, you are a girl".

" So?".

" I thought you might know what she would like. You are her best friend and everything".

" She likes reading, writing, anything that has to do with knowledge really. You could go to a museum or something with her".

Percy groaned. " That is so boring!".

Artemis glared at him again. " Stop the whining already. If you really want her, at least do things she likes".

" Fine. But I can't believe people actually like museums. And the last time I went to a museum, I nearly got killed by a lion".

" There will be an immortal, all-powerful goddess with you. I don't think you have to worry about lions".

" No, I will have to worry about all-powerful goddesses instead".

Artemis gave him a stern look, but she couldn't stop the tiniest hint of a smile. It was rather funny to see the great savior of Olympus this nervous again. He had been nervous around Athena all the time and she had actually laughed when he had opened the door the first day and paled. She could hardly believe that he was so afraid of her sister.

Not that Athena wasn't scary, she just hadn't expected Percy to be really scared of Athena. He was very courageous after all. And had no trouble at all facing Zeus when he was angry while he did seem to have trouble facing an angry Athena. Then again, most people would be scared to death.

" Oh don't be nervous. You have fought monsters, titans and even ordered Zeus to claim his children. Everyone that dares to order Zeus and survives it, should be able to go on a date with Athena. Why are you scared anyway?".

" Well, I can't exactly defend me with my swords, can I? I mean, monsters are easy. You know what they want to do to you and you know how to react. It dependable, familiar. But woman? Completely wayward. That is what makes them so scary".

" So you aren't scared of monsters, titans and gods that can easily kill you or worse, but you are afraid of women? That's insane".

" Well, I'm scared of monsters and titans too, but at least I can fight them. I know what to do when I see one. With women, I'm clueless".

" Hmm. That actually makes sense. Still, you shouldn't be afraid or anything. Athena won't hurt you. Or at least not badly".

" That is a great comfort"Percy said sarcastically. He obiously didn't feel any sort of comfort, looking nervous while he was just thinking about asking her out and not doing it.

Artemis merely shrugged, giving him a indifferent look. He couldn't believe he was discussing his lovelife with her, of all people that existed. It was really surreal. Discussing lovelife with a goddess that had made an oath to never love or be involved with someone.

" This is weird".

Artemis looked at him, not even asking where he was talking about. She didn't need to. She felt the same way.

" Yeah. If anyone would have precited this would happen, I would have thought they were mentally ill".

" Yep. Really crazy, this".

"Anyway, crazinness aside, are you going to ask her?".

" Yes, I am. Thank you".

Artemis smiled when she heard the last two words. It was one of the reasons she didn't want to kill Percy or hurt him in any way. Or at least not much. He was polite and always said thank you. He wasn't arrogant, like all the others.

They just sat like that for a moment, not talking, just lost in thoughts while the only sound in the tent came from the purring panther as Artemis stroked his fur. It was surprisingly comforting to just sit there and share the silence.

" Artemis?".

Artemis looked up at Percy, whose voice sounded hesitant. " Yes?".

" Can you let me go already? Those ropes are cutting my hands. And I don't really see a reason to stay since you have already asked me anything you wanted".

All of a sudden, the comfortable silence was gone, replaced by a certain tension. Artemis didn't relaxed and comfortable either, she looked determined and slightly frightening.

Standing up, she walked towards him and made him feel her aura of power again. The look in her silvery eyes was hard to describe, but cruel came close. Or sadistic.

"Ah. But I didn't just want to ask you something. I wanted to punish you. Maybe I need to give you to my hunters" she said softly, the strange look in her eyes intensifying.

Yes, Percy decided, the gods were really, really cruel. Only they would be able to something that a mad maniac wouldn't do to his worst enemies.