Two weeks passed nothing, and it seemed that everything was going to be alright. Helen had made an occasional appearance but luckily never managed to hurt anyone. Jason and Alex were closer than ever, and Kemper had nearly doubled in size. No news from Hades or Zeus had surfaced and my sickness was finally gone, all my minor injuries healed. I felt renewed, although the nightmares had yet to leave me. I began to adjust to their constant visits, although on many a night I awoke screaming or crying sometimes both. Everytime Herc was near me when this happened he would hold me and insist that he stay with me until I fell back asleep. His protectiveness was reassuring, and as the weeks passed I began to beleive that I was finally going to be allowed to be happy, but I was tragically wrong.

Herc was sitting on the couch reading and I had grown bored and decided to go for a walk, despite his protests. He offered to come with me, but I told him I needed a little time to myself to get some fresh air, and that I would only be a few minutes. The season was begining to cool as autumn made its steady approach, and I enjoyed the cool breeze that played with my hair. My serenity was shattered by Hades snide voice coming from behind me. I was more annoyed that afraid of him at this point, and I stood with my arms crossed more confident since I had my strength back.

"Hey my little nug-Meg out for a walk again I see, you really seem t' like this place." He shouted, far too enthusiastically.

"Here I don't get mobbed by horny schoolgirls." I snapped. "What do you want this time."
"Hey, you cut me to the quick babe, hear me out-"

"What for!" I snapped before he could finish,

"If ya do me a lil' favor babe, I'll get 'ole Zeuzy-Goosy off ya back for ya, just 'cause I'm a nice guy." he attmpeted to explain.

"Never!" I snapped.

"Fine babe, let me put it this way. If you don't help me I'll be sure of it that you never have your 'happly ever after' I think you call it?" hades asked, tapping at his chin as if he was trying to think, but I could see through his charade like glass.

"Nothing you can do will split us apart!" I spat bitterly. I could feel my chest begining to constrict with that familiar fear, as a thousand thoughts raced through my mind. "Zeus tried and it didn't work! You have only half his power how can you ever hope-" I was cut off as his fingers wrapped around my throat. I knew he couldn't kill me my his own hands, or cause serious injury but that didn't stop him from trying. My vision grew blurry and I lost sensation in my body. Next I knew I hit the ground hard as the air rushed back into my lungs in gasps, as I clutched at my throat. I heard a familiar voice and I sat up, somewhat weakly as I saw Herc dive for hades only to go through him like smoke. He made several such advanced each ending in the same manner. Finally Hades laughed and dissapeared.

"Meg! Are you okay?! I told you it was a bad idea to go out alone! I swear I'll get revenge on him for doing this to you! Oh Gods Meg!" he wailed, throwing his arms around me and pulling me close. Hades' words still rang through my mind, If you don't help me I'll be sure of it that you never have your 'happly ever after' Everything had happed so fast it left my head in a spin and it took me several moments to react to Herc's embrace, and I hesitantly wrapped my arms around him. What did he mean by that? What could he possibly want me to do... Oh Gods what did I do to deserve all this? I thought to myself. Herc pulled back and looked at me, his face still stricken with fear.

"Herc, I'm fine, really. But, how did you know I was in trouble." I asked, confused by his oddly perfect timing.

"After you left I followed you to make sure you were okay... I don't mean to sound rude but I guess it was good I did." he offered. I was slightly irritated by his over-pretectiveness but at the same time I felt flattered and thankful for it, for if he hadn't i surely would have died. And Zeus, hating me as it is would not have punished Hades for his crime.

"Oh." Was all I could really manage to say. I didn't want to worry him more by telling him how afraid I was at the time, so I held it inside although I deeply felt like I needed him more than ever. As the war raged in my head all I could manage to do was stand up and walk with Herc back to the villa, but we hadn't made it far before he insisted on carrying me after my 'ordeal'. I was in no mood to argue and gave in without argument. We went inside and sat down, Herc still a bit nervous after what had happened.

"Are you sure you're fine? Let me look at your neck." I sighed folded my arms,

"I'm fine, really," I attempted to protest, but Herc placed a hand under my chin and lifted my head up to look at my neck.

"You're covered in little bruises!" He exclaimed as he released my chin.

"I guess I'm lucky he didnt break my collarbone." I said listlessly. Herc brushed a bit of hair from my face and I couldn't bring myself to look up at him, his eyes shining with so much worry and sorry that it pained me to see.

"Do they hurt?"
"A little," I confessed. Herc leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my neck, sending a chill through me.

"Does it feel better now?" He asked with a sly grin. I smirked mischevously at him,

"That one does but what about the others?" I asked with a playfil intonation. Herc laughed and leaned over me, kissing my neck gently sending wave after wave of chills through my body. Adonis had often kissed my neck, but he had never send such sensations coursing through me. After several moments I lifted Herc's chin and kissed him on the lips, just a quick playful peck. He appeared confused at first and I laughed at the look on his face.

"That's all I get?" he asked. I shook my head and laughed and threw my arms around his neck, kissing him passionately as I pulled him back towards me so that I was lying across the couch and he was leaning over me.

"Better?" I asked after breaking away. His eyes were a bit wide and his cheeks were bright crimson. "I take that as a yes?" I smirked. As hard as I was trying to put out a happy and playful front, I was still deeply troubled and scared. I was able to hide the fear that he would so easily be able to see in my eyes by kissing him again, so that our eyes remained closed and we lived for the moment cherishing the feel of eachother's embrace, the taste of eachother's kiss. During the two weeks that had passed my worries were gone, allowing me to focus more on my other emotions, and Herc and I's relationship soared to new hights. Of course we never went beyond the boudnary of what was proper, both of us staying true to tradition.

"I love you, so much Meg." he said finally after we had relaxed, my head resing on his lap.

"I love you too sweetheart." I smiled. He said those three simple words so often, yet I will never tire of them, and they will never cease to send those waves of emotion thorugh me. My mind was still a bit troubled as I contemplated what Hades had threatened. I tried to assure myself that there was nothing Hades could do to tear us apart, but a nagging doubt in the back of my head told me otherwise.

"Something wrong?" he asked suddenly. I shook my head and smiled, turing onto my side buring my face into the fabric over his stomache. He laughed lightly at this and took one of my hands in his. "But seriously, is somthing bothering you? What did Hades say?"
"Nothing." I replied, muffled by his tunic. Am I making it that obvious that something isn't right? I restrained myself from sighing and rolled onto my back, folding my arm over my stomache while Herc continued to hold my other hand in his. Phil burst into the room after not five minutes and I let out an aggrivated sigh as I sat up. "Don't say it, 'Kid! Minataur lets go!' I said, mimicking his strange accent. Phil glared at me before tapping his foot impatiently to wait for Herc. I walked across the room and sat on the armchair, swinging my legs over one side and resing my head on the other. Herc ran over to me and placed a quick peck on my cheek before leaving. Once he was gone I breathed a loud sigh, although I am not sure why. I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts swelling in my head now that I no longer had Herc to distract me.

If you don't help me I'll be sure of it that you never have your 'happly ever after' his words still troubled me, and it was as if i could still feel his fingers wrapped about my neck. I touched my bruises lightly and winced, retracting sharply as I realized how sensative they were to my own touch. I let out anothe aggrivated sigh and folded my arm across my eyes. What the hell did I do in life to deserve this? Can't I just be like everyone else? Zeus had yet to trouble me again, and Hermes hadn't delivered any messages but instead of coming across as a releif it plagued me all the more.

"What do you want!?" I finally screamed, startling Kemper who had just entered the room and causing a curious Alex to peer at me thorugh the kitchen door.