Yay, another update, and it's about time too!

Hello and welcome to the show!

First of all, a very big Thank you and a gigantic hug goes out to classofthetitans711, supersoda, Emma, HoneyGoddess57, healme13 and AngryOlympian for reviewing my last chapter! All of the kind words really got me moving on with the story, so thanks again.

Good news for all of my avid readers: I have a new laptop! So from now on there will most probably be more updates than usual! So a big thank you to my best friend who suddenly decided that she wants to give me her laptop! Yay it's happy dance time!

Quick shout out for AngryOlympian's story The Only Son I started reading it recently and I just can't get enough! Absolutely brilliant!

Please note that this chapter will also be rated T for circumstances relating to the previous chapter. Still without ANY graphic content!

Moving on…

…

The Isle of Lemnos

Part Two

The salty ocean wind wafted harshly over the streamlined hull of the ship and into the eyes of any man wandering the decks after the sun had set. Along with the biting chill came an acrid, choking stench that would make the sun glad it had already taken flight beyond the horizon. The only way to describe the smell would be to say that Archie's flimsy running shoes had a much more inviting scent.

Despite the putrid odour, many of the crewmen came running excitedly up to the bow of the vessel to get a view of the first spit of land we were to reconnoitre. Admittedly, there wasn't much to see. The air around us was enshrouded in a cerulean carpet of night, dotted with effervescently twinkling stars. Everything was dark, but the shadowy beachfront of the tiny island glistened and enveloped the wooden beams of the ship's cavity, engraving scraps of thin, bleached sand into the timber.

I was leaning against a stark pole adjacent to the door of the captain's quarters, raking in the scenes around me. How could someone get so excited about docking at a smelly island? Some things just had me completely bewildered. There are so many practicalities that you wouldn't think to consider when listening to a story.

Thoughtful about what was going to happen soon, I had to tell myself over and over that this was a good thing; that I wouldn't need to give it a second thought when it was over, and that I would be able to live with the mental scarring and chaos of the result. No matter how many times I tried though, I knew I wasn't going to be able to convince myself of anything other than being extremely hungry. I was desperately aching for some of Athena's food, at least that would somewhat loosen the welt in my stomach. But there was absolutely no way that I could eat anything until I'd seen this through.

I sighed. I'd been waiting out here for almost forty minutes for Jason to emerge from his cabin. Herry and Archie were probably bored out of their skulls waiting for me; but I was willing to wait as long as I needed to get this over with and out of my mind.

I wondered what Theresa had been doing that whole time. I knew that she and Jason had separate cabins but that didn't stop my mind from jumping to conclusions at the rate of a rabid squirrel. She was probably looking at him the way she had looked at me almost a week ago, with that tired, sad smile she kept in her eyes. Was she anything like the Theresa I knew? Or did she just look the same, and have dimples in exactly the right corners of her cheeks?

The problem wasn't that I couldn't speak to her; it was just that I wouldn't know what to say. Asking her about any new movies or books was definitely out of the equation. Did she even remember anything from before she came here? She must've known something was up when she suddenly arrived in Ancient Greece. It made me anxious to think that Cronus might've done something to her. What if she didn't remember anything at all? It would be impossible to talk to her then.

I jumped suddenly and ducked behind the post, hiding from the pool of light streaming through the cabin's entrance. The door to the cabin was slowly creaking open and a renewed-looking Jason stepped out into the night air, squinting into the darkness to let his eyes adjust better. If you'd been out here long enough, the stars had shed sufficient light for you to see your hand in front of your face, but that was about it.

Jason closed the door to the fiery light behind him and stepped purposefully out onto the deck, breathing heavily as he strode forward. I'd expect he detected the smell before quickly cupping his hand in front of his nose and mouth, choking out as much of the tainted air as he possibly could. He continued forward, still cupping his hand over his face, and I trailed after him as a meeting of all the curious young crewmen assembled around the young hero. They, too, were holding their hands over their faces in an attempt to mask the stench, or at least not to inhale too much of it, but by the looks of it, even the stink wasn't going to extinguish the excited flames in their eyes.

At least the smell had concealed all the men's body odour, but even that seemed more tempting a scent than the reek that was gliding over the ship.

Hercules and Theseus had joined the small congregation, still looking as if they were posing for a marble sculpture. I guess they just had the hair for it. The crowd then grew more rapidly as a few of the other crewmen had spotted the flock surrounding Jason. Soon Atalanta appeared and Jason nodded at her out of courtesy as he began his pep talk, and I couldn't help but wonder where Theresa was.

"This is a big achievement for us, men… and lady." He quickly added, looking at Atalanta. "We have reached our first landmark, and I am confident that new obstacles shall be met and overcome." He paused and looked seriously around at the swarm of faces, meeting everyone's eyes. He certainly didn't beat around the bush. "Scouts will be assembled and we will set out as word of safety reaches us. Though I must warn you," he paused again, looking serious and egregiously melodramatic. I had to hold back the reflex to laugh at him. "Enemies may be lurking in the midst of this island. I would wish no harm upon any of you, though you must all be wary of any presence, good or bad."

He carried on in this histrionic manner for another half hour, with all of the crewmen's eyes on him, taking in every syllable he uttered with the utmost veneration. I stopped listening, what was happening was of no concern of mine and his consulting tone of voice was starting to annoy me. I saw Herry a few paces away, looking past all the faces in search of something. Then his eyes met mine and he quickly made his way over to me, gently shoving a few people out of the way. They were so consumed in Jason's words that they didn't even seem to notice our hushed conversation taking place behind their backs.

Herry started, "What's taking you so long? We've been waiting for over an hour. Archie even threatened to jump overboard."

"Why would he be daft enough to do something like that?"

"Because he was over-bored!"

I stared at Herry with an amused look before getting serious again. "Well, I can't exactly knock the guy out when he's standing in the middle of a crowd. That would be generally frowned upon in some communities, you know."

Herry gave me a stern look, "So what do we do now?"

I sighed, "We'll wait until he's alone, when everyone else is off the ship and gallivanting around the island like lost dogs."

"How long do you think that's going to take then? We can't wait around forever, you know."

I rubbed the back of my head, "Yeah, I figured. They'll be sending scouts to see if there's any immediate danger, and I guess they'll be back within about an hour. I'd say the latest we'd be able to get him alone would be before dawn; which, judging by the setting of the moon, is just a few hours away."

The assembly of men soon evaporated and Jason called a few younger men to his side, walking with them to discuss his plans further as they ambled out of earshot. Herry grumbled and nodded with a sigh, "Okay. Archie and I will be waiting near the ramp when you're ready."

I nodded in return, "I'll bring him around there and then leave him to you guys. Maybe you guys could play another game of I Spy while you wait." I taunted. "You still remember what to do, right?"

Herry smiled, "Knock him out and get him drunk." His smile was replaced with a frown, "Then we get him together with that Amazonian queen of his and wait until she's had her way with him." He looked at me full on, his eyes twinkling in the silhouette of his bulk. "I don't like it, Jay; but it's for you. So I'll do it."

"Thanks, man." That was all I could say at the moment, I was too focused on other things to allow a sentimental moment.

He nodded solemnly and turned to leave. His step paused and he turned to me again, "I've already filled Archie in on everything. He's cool with it."

I smiled at him as he left, and then had a thought. "Herry!" I called, "what about Atlanta?"

I heard him chuckle as he walked away, "Well it's not like she's going to starve to death."

…

I was pacing now, quite sure that I was carving a rut into the planks beneath me. The scouts had been gone for more than an hour before they'd finally come back to proclaim that there had been no disturbances detected and it was safe to explore the island. Jason had been overjoyed and parties were immediately assembled to set out at dawn. The main aim was to gather anything that could be considered edible or useful for the rest of our journey.

When the sun radiated from behind the horizon, the boat could be considered as a ghost town, save for a select few who had chosen to stay aboard. Hercules was content just to remain and fish from the comfort of the ship; Atalanta refused, saying that nothing fit for human consumption could manage to grow within the foul stench that so encompassed the tiny island; Odie and Neil had decided to stay as well, for reasons unknown to myself. Miraculously, Theresa was to stay aboard as well, by order of Jason, which gave me reason enough to remain as well.

I continued pacing though, Jason wasn't alone yet, and I needed to fall into some sort of conversation with him to lure him into my trap while I still could. The ship emptied slowly as I walked around. I came to a stop in front of the door to Theresa's cabin. She would be in there right now, trying to keep herself entertained, being bored and twisting her hair around her finger as she lost herself in thought. Maybe she wasn't even in there at all; maybe she was out on the deck somewhere, watching the waves as they lapped against the ship's sides. I couldn't really imagine her being happy about staying behind here because she had to.

I sighed. I missed her smile so much; it had always been the one thing to encourage me to keep going, to get through this abominable fallacy called fate. Even her presence eased my strain. I couldn't wait until the day I could have her back with me, I knew I wouldn't ever let her out of my sight, but she would probably hate that, too.

The door to the cabin eased open, and Jason stepped out, still in a light conversation with Theresa. She whispered something to him that sounded like "try not to get eaten alive". He chuckled in response and kissed her hand as a farewell.

"Until we meet again," he said, gently closing her door behind him.

I cleared my throat to swallow my anger and embarrassment at witnessing their private moment, and just pretended to keep walking when Jason turned to me and paused in his tracks. I curved my head ever so slightly to get a view of him in my peripheral vision and I could feel my hair as it slid against my cheek, a few strands semi-blocking my view of him. He had his head cocked to the side, eyeing me curiously. I took this as invitation enough to turn around and face him with a blank, expectant expression.

We just stood like that, staring at each other until the first sliver of sun inched over the horizon and illuminated the sky above us. Our likeness must have baffled him in the same way it had done to me the first time I'd met him in the Elysian Fields. The only real difference in our appearances was his height and stubble. In a strange way, I still couldn't believe what had taken place in such a short space of time, it just seemed too unreal to even comprehend.

I knew I had to work quickly so I cleared my throat again, assuming a business-like air as I've seen my father do when he was speaking to someone on the phone. For a fleeting moment, my imagination drifted off and I wondered what my parents would be doing now, whether they were missing me, and if I would ever get the chance to introduce them to Theresa. I swallowed hard, erasing my thoughts and putting all of my energy into keeping an open expression.

Jason did something that I didn't at all expect him to do, he smiled; and I couldn't help myself, so I smiled back.

…

Jason laughed as we walked across the deck together. I hated to admit it, but he was a pretty cool guy, like the older brother I'd always dreamed of having. We'd been talking for a half an hour, and he'd already managed to tell me everything he planned to accomplish; and, even though I already knew, why he was searching for the Golden Fleece in the first place. The way he told his stories was fascinating too, as if he just had some kind of gift with making his backstory sound interesting.

"So, we've been speaking for a while already," he said casually, "and I still don't know your name." Jason smiled down at me in an encouraging gesture.

I stammered, unsure if I should give him my real name or just make something up and hope he doesn't remember me; but I kind of enjoyed the idea of having my ancestor know me while he trekked the ocean. "It's Jay." I said finally, with just a little bit of reluctance.

He put his finger to his lips in thought and smiled again. "Jay? Like the bird? That's an unusual name." He chuckled, "Do you like sailing, Jay?"

I stopped, the topic was shifting to my backstory and I wasn't in the right mood to delve that deep into my personal life. Even if Jason was family, that didn't mean that I trusted him enough, but it was a harmless question. I wouldn't worry too much unless he actually started talking about why I was here. I decided to just make something up that would explain a few things at once, making him less abject to pry any further.

"I do like sailing," I said, trying to keep up with his long strides. "I sail as much as I can, that's why I'm here."

"So you're not just here for the big adventure like the rest of the crew is?" he didn't say it harshly.

I thought for a while as we walked, "I don't think I'll ever be like any of them." I said finally.

Jason turned to me and raised his eyebrow. "Oh? Well, why do you say that?"

I tried to be as honest as I possibly could, "I suppose it's because I've already had my fair share of life-changing experiences, adding another one to the list wouldn't make much of a difference."

"I see," he replied simply. We were quiet for a moment or two, both of us collecting our thoughts, but it wasn't a type of uncomfortable silence though. Somehow I felt like we both knew much more about each other than the things we were revealing. Jason was just complex that way, somehow he just kept you guessing, never sure of exactly where you stood with him.

"Captain Jason?" the words sounded too formal in my mouth and I wished I hadn't said them, but Jason just laughed it off.

"Call me Jason. Please, I insist. Captain is a much more deserving title that I wouldn't hope to attain."

"Okay, Jason." I paused. "Uhm, I wanted to ask; do you believe you're going to find the Golden Fleece? I mean, there are so many things in your way."

He exhaled, "We don't really know that, Jay. But if there's anything I've learned from what life has thrown at me thus far, I'd say that the things standing in our way aren't necessarily the things holding us back. It's having the resolution and assurance of finding what you seek that keeps you going. If you've lost that strength of heart you started with, then you may as well have given up." He stopped and looked out at the waves. "So, Jay, to answer your question, I do believe I'll find the Golden Fleece, no matter what lies ahead of us."

I rubbed the back of my neck, what he just said was going to need some time to mull over; because it made perfect sense. I was feeling like a weasel for being so negative earlier. I had assurance in Herry and Archie; I knew they were going to come through for me, no matter how much I moped about.

Jason continued, "Now, I have a question for you, Jay." I looked up at him expectantly as he furrowed his brow in concentration. "What exactly does 'okay' mean?"

I gulped loudly and panicked, I hadn't realised what I'd said because I was supposed to be watching my words. Now I had to make something believable up to cover up my mistake. I wondered if Jason even knew what the word 'slang' meant. As soon as I opened my mouth to make up something utterly ridiculous as a response, a loud clang resounded about the deck and Jason had fallen face-first and motionless onto the wooden boards lining the surface of the ship.

"Saved by the bell." Herry chuckled.

I let go of the breath I didn't even know I was holding and blurted out, "Herry!"

He was twirling the tip of the warning bell from the crow's nest in one hand and whistling an unfamiliar tune. "What? You just walked by without even signalling us. So I followed you. Besides," he added, "by the look on your face it kind of looked like you could use the help. So, you're welcome."

"How did you even get that?" I asked, pointing at the bell in his hand.

"Odie can get very generous when he's filled with adrenaline. Remind me to ask him how he got into the crow's nest next time I see him." He smiled.

I frowned, momentarily perplexed by the suddenness of the operation. "Okay, whatever. Can you please just get on with it?"

Herry performed a mock salute and swung the unconscious Jason over one of his shoulders. "Yes, sir." He said, and then he marched away in an elaborate manner before turning a corner and sticking his tongue out at me. "Oh, and Jay?"

"Yeah?"

"I think it's about time we let Atlanta out of the closet."

I grimaced and couldn't help but wonder exactly how mad Jason and Atlanta were going to be at me. That is, if Jason could even remember any of it. I decided the best way to pass the time was not by pacing around with bated breath, but rather letting the day unravel at its own stride while I took a well-deserved morning nap – but first, I had to get Atlanta out of the food store.

As I stomped across the creaking planks, I was trying to come up with a decent excuse as to why we'd locked Atlanta up in the first place. Nothing really believable came to mind. I turned the corner and immediately went for the door and turned the latch. Before I could even muster an apology, Atlanta shot out of the small room and knocked me to the ground with her two tiny fists. She stood over me with her hands on her hips.

"Explain yourself." She ordered. A loud groan erupted from the bowels of the food store and Atlanta's expression changed to one of anxiousness. "The guards!" she whispered fiercely, "Come on!"

She pulled me up off of the floor and I yelped in surprise at her speed as she sprinted around the corner, dragging me along with her. I was struggling to keep up with her accelerated pace as she skidded across the deck. Her grip on my wrist loosened as she sped up. I knew we were far away from the guards by now, and Atlanta was just trying to burn off some of her anger before having a talk with me.

I was in no mood to explain my circumstances to Atlanta when I was this tired and hungry. As we turned a corner, I quickly pried her fingers off of me. The heels of my sandals skimmed to a stop as Atlanta sped on. A faint zoom of "Hey!" whirred past in the disrupted air Atlanta left behind.

I came to a stop and quickly ducked around the corner to try and lose Atlanta's trail. I ran straight forward and turned another corner. I looked back to see if Atlanta had followed me and suddenly smacked into something. I landed hard on my side and slid back across the deck.

"Will you please be more careful?" the familiar voice demanded.

I turned and faced the owner of the voice and gaped. Theresa lay, propped on her elbows, in front of me with an irritated expression on her face. I immediately scrambled to my feet and extended a hand down to her to help her up.

"I'm sorry," I said, "I didn't see you there." The words may have come out calmly, but I was feeling exactly the opposite. My stomach had started to tango fiercely and my heart began ricocheting like a bullet within my chest. It was like feeling nauseous on your birthday – you're overjoyed and sick at the same time.

Theresa eyes my outstretched hand but didn't take it. "It's alright. Just watch where you're going next time." Her voice sounded contained, like she was forcing herself to be polite.

I stole a glance at her appearance, she looked tired and worn out, but still breath-taking. I noticed her toga: it was a normal knee-length cut, but with two black, silk leggings jutting out just below her knee caps. Her sandals were flimsy and worn, but her eyes shone with inoperative aggression.

"Did I hurt you? What's your name?" I asked innocently, keeping my eyes on hers, trying my best to play my part well.

Her eyes glinted. "No, you didn't hurt me." She almost smiled, "My name's Theresa." She took my hand.

"Pleased to meet you, Theresa." I pulled her to her feet, our eyes never leaving each other. "My name's Jay."

…

Maybe the update will help you forgive the delay? How was the chapter? Did you guys like it? Let me know!

Have a lovely weekend!