Super sorry about the delay! School is already kicking my ass. I put the Cullens in at the end of the chapter, though, to make up for the long wait.

Reviews:

brantleyh936: Sorry about the delay. Thanks so much for the review. I'm not really sure how I feel about OCs in this story because I want to keep it as close to cannon as I can get with only a few minor changes. I'll definitely consider your idea if I choose to put in an OC, though.

ladyoutlaw1234: Andy has a little more action in this chapter, and she'll definitely get more and more action as she grows older. Right now, since she is so young and untrained, Jasper is kind of babying her until she truly gets the hang of things.

NicoleR85: Thanks. I'm so so sorry about the delay.

ChipDaCookie: Not a problem. Thanks for the review.

Amelia Claw: Here's a new chapter!

Andy was tense as they entered the Palace of Hades. The whole place screamed death, which, when she thought about it, made sense. The entire palace was made of stone cold obsidian. The walls towered up over Andy and her friends like giant, black walls of shadow. The mere thought sent shivers up and down Andy's spine. All around, at the entrances to hallways and even against bare strips of wall, skeletal soldiers stood guard. Skeletons of warriors from battles long past, some in Ancient Greek and Roman armor and others in modern camo, stood at attention, skeleton heads turning so empty eye sockets could watch the trio's progression.

Jasper managed to ignore all the soldiers' as they watched their progression through the silent halls. He didn't even bat an eye at the skeleton in a Texas cavalry uniform. Jasper couldn't help but wonder, as his eyes flicked over the uniform almost identical to his own, if he had known the man. Jasper turned away and continued following Grover and Andy.

Andy took the lead as they entered Hades' throne room. Grover stood to her right and slightly behind. Jasper was directly behind her. Hades sat in a throne of human bones in front of all of them. The god was huge, at least ten feet tall. He lounged back in his throne, staring down at Andy, Jasper, and Grover from over his aquiline nose. He was the first god, of the three she had met, that truly struck Andy as someone who was all-powerful.

"Andrea Jackson," Hades said, his eyes as hard and cold as the stone that surrounded them. "Are you brave or simply foolish to come down here to my realm after what you have done?" Hades' eyes left a silent Andy to look over her shoulder. "And Jasper Whitlock. I did not think I'd be seeing you here for a very long time. Would you endanger your mate by allowing her in my presence?"

Jasper's answering growl startled Andy out of her stupor. "You won't touch her," he snarled.

Hades' smirk settled into a sneer. "That remain to be seen." The god's eyes went back to Andy. "Why are you here, girl?"

The words sprang from Andy's lips unbidden, as if someone else was speaking through her. She automatically knew what she needed to say. "Lord Hades, Uncle, I come with two requests."

"Only two?" Hades asked with a raised eyebrow. "That is presumptuous after what you have done."

Andy felt the confusion rear up inside her. "I don't know what you think I did, my Lord, but I assure you I have meant no offense to you. A war is not the way to go about this."

"Ha!" Hades said. "You think I want a war, silly child! My kingdom is large enough as it is."

"But then why did you take Zeus' Master Bolt?" Grover asked, his voice quavering.

"Lies!" Hades shouted, rising from his throne. "I did no such thing! Zeus may be fooled by Poseidon's trickery, but I am not. I know he had his thieving daughter sneak onto Olympus on the Winter Solstice and steal my helm and my brother's bolt!"

"Your helm's missing?" Jasper asked suddenly, interrupting Hades.

Andy looked back at him and saw his brow furrowed, a frown turning the corners of his lips down. It was an expression Andy had come to call Jasper's 'thinking face'. His left hand was tapping against his thigh and his golden eyes, slightly dark since he hadn't fed in a few days, were darting back and forth, scanning the air in front of him as if he had all the facts printed out and posted on an invisible wall only Jasper could see. Andy knew the instant Jasper had everything figured out. His eyes lit up, and his from turned into a triumphant grin.

"Luke Castellan, son of Hermes, is your thief, my lord," Jasper said to Hades. "He was there during the Winter Solstice. He told me himself. He also has quite the hatred for the gods, a good reason to want to start a war between them."

Hades studied Jasper a moment with calculating eyes for a moment before nodding his head. "The boy was there. You will bring my helm back to me, Major Whitlock?"

"Of course, my lord," Jasper said, nodding his agreement. "We just have one request."

"State it," Hades demanded, sitting back down in his throne.

"Sally Jackson, alive and well."

Andy jumped when Jasper squeezed her hand comfortingly. SHe had been too busy focusing on Hades' face as he contemplated Jasper's request to notice him take hold of her hand. Hades seemed to be seriously considering the request, though, and Andy let her hopes soar. Maybe, just maybe, her mom could be brought back to life. She stared intently at her uncle as he opened his mouth to answer the question.

"I will grant your request," he said. Andy felt her insides jump. It was happening. "On one condition." Her stomach dropped. "My helm must be returned to me first. Once that is done, I shall return Sally Jackson to her apartment."

"Thank you, my lord," Andy said before Jasper could even open his mouth. "We will see your helm safely returned."

"I should hope." Hades arched his eyebrows at them. "I will assume you have a way out of my kingdom."

"Yes, Lord Hades," Jasper said.

He pulled the pearl Andy had given him back on the beach at Santa Monica out of his pocket, and put it on the floor in front of him. Andy and Grover followed suit. They all grabbed hands and stamped on the pearls. Bubbles seemed to emerge from the shattered pearls and surrounded Jasper, Andy, Grover. They could only stare at each other as they floated up and out of the palace of Hades and then through the rocky ceiling above them.

Andy helped Grover across the sand. Without his fake feet, his hooves were winking right through the beach. Jasper was a few feet ahead of them, glaring at an imposing man with giant muscles; Ares was waiting for them, leather jacket straining at the seams and baseball bat over his shoulder.

"You figured it out," the god said simply, absolutely no pleasantries. "I figured you would at least find the bolt before you figured out it was me."

Andy stepped forward, rage filling her body. She shoved Jasper's reaching hand away before he could pull her back. The demigoddess and god stood but two feet apart from each other. Andy had to crane her neck to look Ares in the eye, but she looked no less intimidating in her fury.

"You!" the word was shouted from Andy's lips with an incredible ferocity. "You conniving bastard! You were working with Luke."

The whole thing suddenly clicked in Andy's mind. She could picture everything clearly. Luke, running for his life with the bolt and helm. Ares catching up with him, demanding the bolt's return. Luke, with his quicksilver tongue, convincing Ares to help him start a war. Ares accepting the bolt and helm and hiding them. The whole scenario passed through Andy's mind in a second. Was this how Jasper felt when he was thinking?

"You gave it to us, didn't you?" Andy asked. "The bolt. It's in the bag, isn't it. But the helm isn't. You wouldn't have been stupid enough to give us the helm when we were going to the Underworld." Andy was on a roll. She could feel her confidence levels boosting to exponential levels. Jasper had to have been lending a helping hand. "You still have it. Where is it Ares?"

Ares smirked at Andy. "Smarter than they give you credit for, huh?" he asked. "How right you are. I helped Castellan. And I still have Hades' silly little helmet. You gonna take it from me, girly? 'Cause I don't think you have quite the skill for that."

"Don't talk to her that way!" Grover shouted at Ares.

The god ignored the satyr. He also ignored Jasper's added growling. He lifted his sunglasses, and his fiery eyes burned Andy's own. She blinked, but refused to cringe back. She would not show any nervousness to the god of war. Ares snapped his fingers, and Andy jumped back in shock. A large boar, with sharp tusks stained brown with crusted blood, appeared from mid air. Andy backed up into the surf as the boar started to charge her. She didn't even have time to summon her sword before Jasper was on top of the boar's limp body, creature drained dry. He looked up at Andy with his bright gold eyes. An understanding passed between the two mates.

Andy turned back towards Ares. "Fight me yourself," she said. "Or are you too much of a coward."

Ares' fire eyes turned cold, if that was at all possible. "You sure your little vampire pet ain't gonna jump in?"

"Positive." That was a lie. Jasper's instincts might take over. "Scared?"

"You want to die classic or modern?" Ares asked.

Andy popped the cap off Riptide in answer. Jasper and Grover had both already backed away. Andy was staying in the surf. In the surf, she had the advantage. Ares' smirk widened. The baseball bat on his shoulder shimmered once before turning into a Roman gladiator sword.

"Classic it is," he said before charging towards Andy.

There blades met in the middle. Andy strained to push against the god. The water was her element, but she was just a small girl against a god who'd had thousands of years of training. Did she really stand a chance? Ares pulled back and swung again. The water seemed to propel Andy upwards. She leapt over Andy, performing a somersault in midair, and landed on the other side of the god, outside of the surf.

Wet sand clung to Andy's sneakers, and she took a nervous sidestep, trying to get back to the surf. Ares was already there, blocking her path. He pressed forwards, and Andy was forced to move backwards, farther and farther away from the ocean. A quick glance to the side revealed Jasper standing stiff, his fists clenched and his body tense. A low growl was emanating from him. Grover stood next to him, clinging to the vampire's arm with all his strength, but Andy knew it was hopeless. Jasper could knock him aside with no effort.

The farther Andy got from the ocean, the more nervous she got. Ares lunged forward and a deep gash showed up on Andy's side. She couldn't feel the pain, but she could feel the effects of blood loss. She was dizzy. This wasn't looking good for her. Would Ares kill her? She had no idea. Behind her, police sirens were sounding. A bunch of cars had pulled up on the beach, surrounding the four on the sand. A policeman got up to a megaphone.

"Drop the guns! Set them on the ground now!"

Guns? That must be what the mortals saw. Andy didn't have time to ponder this. She was woozy. She needed to end this fight and now. While Ares was distracted blowing up police cars, Andy darted forwards and rolled between his legs. She rose and rushed to the ocean. Almost instantly, she could feel the healing effects of the water. Her head was clearing. Now she just needed to beat Ares.

Andy saw Ares rushing towards her. It was now or never. It took all her strength, but Andy managed to gather control of the waters. She pushed them back, holding back the tide. Above her, three seagulls circled the fight. No, not seagulls. The furies. Would they kill her even if she won the fight?

Ares was rushing towards her. Andy could feel the ocean trying to lift her off her feet, not used to bowing to a master. It was almost time. Ares was only a foot away when Andy let go of the tides. She shot up over Ares' head while the god was smacked in the face with a wall of water. Andy turned and slashed her sword at the gods heel. Golden ichor seeped out of the slight wound.

Andy lifted her sword to fight more. It felt heavier, though. As though life itself was slowing down around her. Ares was glaring at her, and, out of the corner of her eye, Andy could see Grover and Jasper running towards her.

The moment only lasted a few seconds before time was flowing normally again. Ares scowled at Andy and disappeared with a snap of his fingers. Jasper almost immediately had Andy in his arms, hand running over the rip in her shirt where Ares had cut her. The injury was completely healed, but Andy still felt weak: like she could sleep for a week.

"The helm?" Andy asked. Her voice was slurred. From blood loss or exhaustion, she wasn't sure. Probably a mix of both. Gods, she just wanted to sleep. Cops were surrounding them. Grover came up on Andy's left side and moved her arm over his shoulder. Jasper did the same. A cop in a sports jacket, probably the head detective, stepped forward.

"Andrea Jackson?" he asked. Andy nodded. "We have some questions for you."

"Excuse me," a cold voice said from behind Andy, Jasper, and Grover. Andy recognized it instantly. "Caroline Dodds, FBI. I'm leading this case. If you'll excuse me." The cops took one look at Mrs. Dodds and her two companions and high-tailed it out of there. Perks to being a monster, Andy supposed.

"Alecto," Jasper greeted coldly. His eyes were hungry. Andy wondered if he was thinking about how the fury would taste. "We have something that should be returned to your master."

Jasper held out his hand with the helm in it. Alecto took it grimly. She nodded at the vampire, satyr, and demigod.

"We'll be seeing each other again sometime," she said. Then, she turned, and great, black, leathery wings erupted from her and her sisters' backs. They took off into the night sky.

The furies had just flown out of sight when Jasper's phone buzzed. He pulled it out and glanced at the text, a small smirk gracing his face. He quickly typed something back to whoever had texted before looking up at Andy and Grover.

"Our wide awaits us," he said happily. "Follow me."

Jasper started to walk at a brisk pace. Andy and Grover had to jog to keep up. Now, they just had the job of getting the bolt back to Mt. Olympus before sunset.

The entire Cullen family was sitting on the plane that Jasper, Andy, and Grover climbed aboard. They were all staring at Andy, and she suddenly felt anxious and self-conscious with the eyes of these ethereal vampires on her. Grover had inched away from Andy and sat down on a couch near the front of the plane, leaving Andy to the scrutiny of the six vampires in front of her.

The vampire closest to Andy was grinning widely at her. She had dark hair, cut short and choppy, and couldn't be much taller than 4'11". Next to her, a taller vampire with brown, messy hair stood. He was glaring at Andy almost suspiciously. A few feet from the glaring vampire was a smiling brunette. As soon as Andy saw the woman, she was instantly reminded of her mother. A tall blond had an arm wrapped around the waist of the brunette. The blond was also smiling. Sitting on the couch directly across from Andy was a tall blond girl, who was also glowering at Andy, and an extremely tall, buff vampire with brown hair cropped short.

"You guys are making her uncomfortable," Jasper said draped an arm over Andy's shoulders. He gently steered her over to a couch and helped her sit down. "Can you not stare so much?"

"We're so sorry, dear," the motherly vampire said sincerely. She rushed forwards and took Andy's hands in her own. "I'm Esme, Jasper's mother for all intents and purposes. The blond over there is my husband Carlisle. It's so nice to meet you."

"You too," Andy mumbled, a dark blush covering her cheeks. "Jasper's told me a lot about you all."

"Whatever Jazz said was a lie," the biggest vampire boomed. He sent a grin at Andy. "I"m Emmett, little dolphin."

"Dolphin?" Andy asked. She looked between Jasper and Emmett, confused.

"Emmett likes coming up with stupid nicknames," the blond next to Emmett said. "I'm his mate Rosalie."

"It's nice to meet you," Andy said. Rosalie rolled her eyes and turned away. Andy squirmed uncomfortably in her seat.

"Be nice, Rosalie," the male vampire Esme introduced as Carlisle scolded. "Andy is very much welcome in our family."

"She's human!" the bronze haired vampire complained. "Carlisle, she'll be a danger to us!"

"No, Edward," the pixie vampire said. "She's not, and you know it. Andy is going to be an excellent addition to our family." The pixie turned to Andy. "I'm Alice, and this is my mate Edward. He and Rosalie are a little wary of strangers." Alice to turned to Grover. "Hello, Grover," she said. "It's nice to meet you too."

"Oh, hello," Grover said awkwardly. Andy had a feeling he had been trying to avoid being noticed by the vampires. He had only just barely gotten used to Jasper.

"Is she asleep yet?" Rosalie asked.

"Yeah," Jasper said. "How much farther to JFK?"

"30 minutes," Carlisle replied. "You'll have two hours after that to get the bolt to Olympus. Can you manage it?"

"Of course," Jasper replied. He sat down on the couch Andy was asleep on and lifted her head into his lap. Absentmindedly, he brushed his fingers through her dark locks.

"You're worried about her." Everyone looked at the young satyr in shock. It was the first time he had spoken since saying hello to Alice.

"How'd you know?" Jasper asked, looking over at Grover.

"Satyrs have a gift similar to your own," Grover answered, shrugging his shoulders. "You're scared of what Zeus will do to her."

"I am," Jasper agreed. "There's no knowing what Zeus will do when faced with the product of Poseidon's broken oath."

"I don't understand that stupid oath," Rosalie said angrily. She had her arms crossed, and she was glaring at the table in front of her. "I mean, who would willingly want to stop having kids?"

"What if you thought your child would end the world?" Jasper asked. "If you knew that, beyond a doubt, your child has a fifty-fifty chance of ending the entire world, would you really want to bring that into the world?"

Rosalie scowled but said no more. The others were silent until the landed on the ground.