On Friday all of the gods were excited about that night's capture the flag. However, I was more excited by the fact that I would finally be able to spend time with Laura again. Something about that girl had made me realize that I might not be as perfect as I had once believed myself to be. As the twelve olympians began to gather to arch the event Aphrodite pulled me aside.

"Have you made your decision," she asked. Flipping her long hair over her shoulder. I shook my head.

"I can't ruin her life," I said simply. "She's too special to both myself and her father." Aphrodite scoffed.

"So be it," she gave me a nasty look and for a moment I worried about what she had planned but I quickly forgot about her as she went to join her husband. I walked over and stood between Artemis and Hermes. The two of them were debating which team had a better chance tonight. The Hermes and Artemis cabins were in possession of the flags tonight and as far as I was aware the hermes cabin had teamed up with Ares and my own cabin. Everyone else was with Athena, it was a bold move but I was not necessarily surprised, the Hermes kids usually relied on Laura to make their alliances for them.

The gods all settled in as the demigods took their places in the forest. Ares and Aphrodite were all over one another as usual and Hephaestus looked disgusted at his wife's blatant disrespect. I put my headphones in so I did not have to listen to Hermes and Athena any longer. The game began and the gods began cheering for their children. Immediately I noticed that my children were primarily guarding the flag, though to my surprise Laura and Will appeared to be working together. Hermes elbowed me, causing me to take my headphones out of my ear.

"I think they're trying to kill one of yours," I aughed. Will, like most of my children, was an archer, which made me immensely proud.

"He has Laura, I'm sure he'll manage." As we watched the girl cleared the river in one long bounce. Even Athena nodded in approval.

"Hermes, I have to say even for one of your kids that girl is fast," Ares acknowledged. Hermes laughed.

"honestly, I'm pretty sure she could outrun me," hermes responded. Then the room erupted into laughter as Will stumbled and almost fell into the lake behind her. I put my head in my hands, of course my son would be the one to trip. Aphrodite shot me a wicked look across the room as Laura and Will made their way deeper into the opposing side of the forest.

Time passed rather slowly as we watched demigods get captured. The Stoll brothers managed to catch Annabeth Chase which surprised the room greatly, though no one was surprised when her boyfriend nearly drowned them in the river. Poseidon beamed with pride as his son fought. Even Zeus seemed to be enjoying watching the demigods. If ound myself focusing primarily on Will and Laura. The two of them had yet to run into any of the others and were getting incredibly close to the flag.

Athena had also taken notice of their proximity to her children's flag and looked alarmed. She did not like when her children were defeated and I briefly wondered if she would try to interfere. Instead she turned to hermes and the two began to argue over wether tactic or pure athleticism won the game.

As we watched Will and Laura began to get close to two of Athena's children who were discussing the rules of the game. I recognized one as the boy Aphrodite threatened to set Laura up with. I locked eyes with her across the room and she smiled sweetly. I had a feeling somehow she had orchestrated this moment.

Will climbed a tree and Laura attempted to walk around the two demigods, however, she must have made a noise as suddenly the two were surrounding her. Will was immediately behind her and had his hand over her mouth. They both began to climb a nearby tree though Will was moving much faster than Laura. I wondered why she was suddenly moving so slowly. Athena and Artemis were leaning forward in their chairs.

Why so excited?

Get out of my head Apollo.

Why are you so excited?

I want to see how Laura handles this, call it a test of sorts, we will see finally if she has the beginnings of one of my Hunters.

Great I thought to myself, she really was hung up on this. As we watched Alec and Laura exchanged some words and I noticed that Laura was taking her time once again. Then she started twirling her hair and I glared at Aphrodite, who shrugged in response.

Higher up in the tree I saw Will notch one of his arrows and smiled. The clever girl was using herself as a distraction so Will could surprise them. It was brilliant, for one of Hermes' kids that is.

Laura gracefully jumped out of the tree, landing lightly on her feet. I noticed then how well crafted her armor was it looked at though Hephaestus had made them himself though I highly doubted that was the case.

The three demigods suddenly fell to their knees and Will basically fell out of the tree. I would have to speak to him about how clumsy he was, it was making me look bad. He grabbed Lauras hand and the two of them took off in the direction of the flag. After a moment of running Laura was back up to the speed she had accomplished earlier when crossing the river. Once the flag came into their view the two demigods stopped for a moment and discussed their plan.

Quick as a flash Laura sprinted towards the flag. Knocking one of Aphrodite's sons in the process. She grabbed the flag and her father cheered loudly. Ares and I both joined him, pleased to see that our side was going to win. Artemis quietly clapped as the girl ran with the flag streaming out behind her. It was incredible watching her run, just when it appeared as though she could not possibly move any faster she would pick up the pace. Part of me wondered if she had the potential to be an Olympic athlete, I wouldn't be surprised the majority of them are in some way related to Olympus.

My son was following behind her and doing his best to keep as many of the other demigods away from her as possible however he was quickly captured when he attempted to notch an arrow while running. Hermes leaned forward in his chair "go, go, go" he mumbled mostly to himself, though the pride shining in his eyes was clear for all to see. Laura began to fall as she approached the riverbank and the entire throne room froze, most of the room hoping this would allow her to be caught, the rest of us hoping she would power through.

The girl once again launched herself over the river though this time it lacked grace and she managed to land on her back. She had the flag gripped tightly in her hand and it shone as the symbol on it shifter to the caduceus. Athena let out a noise of annoyance. It was obvious she had not expected this outcome.

Laura was lifted high into the air and her team materialized around her. Hermes and ares were loudly gloating about their children's success but I quietly watched Laura celebrate her win. Her smile was amazing and I felt myself softening.

So that's why you don't want me to offer her a place amoung the Hunt. I shot my twin a frantic look.

What are you talking about?

You're playing a dangerous game Apollo. Don't lose your head.

I pushed her out of my head and focused on the celebration high was occuring at Camp half- Blood. To my horror I watched Alec kiss my Laura's cheek. Across the room Aphrodite let out a squeal, pleased to see her plan was in motion.

Hermes looked relieved when he saw this and looked at me as though he almost felt bad. I quickly left the hall, not even pretending to be civil as I went. Artemis quickly caught up to me as I stormed away. She grabbed my arm

"You need to calm down," she said. I shoved her off. "Apollo, calm yourself, odn't you see. Ares and Aphrodite are trying to bait you." I glared at my twin.

"you know nothing," I said as I started towards the sun chariot. Artemis shoved herself between the car and myself and I briefly considered throwing her out of my way.

"I'm going to the camp," I snapped at her and she shook her head at me.

"is that wise in your current state?" I glared at her and felt myself beginning to lose control. Artemis saw this and took a step back. "I will not stop you but you should consider staying here. You might make a bad decision if you are left alone with Laura for too long." I simply looked at my twin for a moment before throwing myself into the car and starting towards the camp. I was tired of the other gods games, it was time to do what I wished.