Surprise! Another chapter! I hope you all like it! Another one should be along soon!

Odysseus smiled proudly as he watched the last coat of paint being applied to the wall of the new temple. Nodding his approval to the artist he turned and strolled out of the large room and into the open air and sunshine.

Scanning the coast of his island he noticed a figure walking along the beach. Squinting in the sun light he made out the slim body of a woman. He knew his wife was busy in the house helping prepare for the big feast that was to be held that night and the rest of the house staff was with her.

His curiosity got the better of him and he started to walk down the path to the beach. Keeping far enough back he wouldn't be heard Odysseus mused to himself over who could be in front of him. He liked to play these games.

The woman was wearing a plain white toga with no shoes. He could tell by how white it was that the fabric was new and had only been worn a few times. Silver bracelets around her wrists reflected the sunlight as she kept her arms stiffly at her side. With all the evidence he had pulled together her came up with a guess. It was the daughter of one of the local traders.

He was about to call out to the woman when she paused in her walk and turn to face him. When their eyes met he felt his heart stop for a moment then beat harder then before. "I should have known." He whispered to himself as he bowed his head in respect to his goddess.

"Odysseus, why are you stalking me?" Athena asked as she motioned for her most loyal follower to join her. She knew she didn't have to call out to him, her voice would travel to him as they stood next to each other.

Hurrying his pace Odysseus caught up with Athena and looked at her concerned. Her eyes were red and she looked tired. "I am sorry Athena. I didn't know it was you." He said respectfully as he looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

Not saying anything Athena turned towards the ocean and watched it in silence for a few minutes. Odysseus stood next to her not sure what to say. He had never seen her like this. She seemed less goddess like and more mortal like. He was tempted to ask what was wrong but he knew better. If he was to know then Athena would tell him.

"You are studying me." She whispered as she sighed and run a hand through her hair. Turning her head she looked at him with a raised brow. Looking away with a slight blush to his cheeks Odysseus toed the soft sand.

"You don't look like yourself." He said softly then lifted his head and met her gaze. Nodding her head she looked back at the ocean ignoring his questioning look. "What ever troubles you, it must be big." He reasoned.

"Of course it is. I am a goddess." She snapped crossly as she pressed her lips together tightly. "And nothing is troubling me." Turning to walk away she studied the long stretch of beach in front of her. "The temple looks great." She said as an after thought, her way of saying sorry for her temper.

Nodding his head he folded his hands in front of him and studied her back for a few moments. "You know some times it helps to talk." He suggested as he knelt on the ground and picked up a stray piece of drift wood. Standing he threw it as hard as he could into the ocean. Watching as the waves seemed to toss it amongst themselves.

Shaking her head Athena sighed and chewed on her lip. "Have you ever felt empty? No matter how much you do its never enough to fill some space in your heart?" She asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Once." Odysseus answered as he stepped next to Athena. "It is the worst feeling ever." Shifting his weight he sighed and put his hands on his hips. "You do everything you can to end it." Nodding her head Athena chewed on her lip.

"Athena, you have helped me countless times. Please, let me help you." He pleaded with wide eyes. Odysseus knew that there could never be anything romantic between him and Athena, though he often wondered what it would be like. He would settle for their friendship in the form that it was, she his goddess and he worshiped her with all his heart.

Putting a hand on her shoulder he waited for her response. He was surprised when he heard the soft sniffling sound as if Athena was crying. Quickly turning away Athena brushed off his hand and shook her head. The tears had come much to easy for her comfort. She was getting soft and that would always lead to danger.

"There is nothing anyone can do to help me Odysseus. I have to do this on my own." She said stubbornly as she took a few steps away from him and cleared her throat. Dashing her tears away with the back of her hand she straighten up and licked her lips.

"Who ever has your love is very lucky." The king said softly with a slight smile to his lips. There was only one thing that could bring such a strong woman to tears, and that was love. Not waiting for Athena to deny it he turned and started back up the beach. "Make sure they know how lucky they are Athena." He said over his shoulder, leaving Athena alone on the beach.

Still watching the ocean Athena let her mind turn over the words Odysseus had just said. "I won't let anyone win." She whispered as she nodded her head. Determined to prove to everyone that she should have Aphrodite's hand Athena was about to leave when Ares appeared next to her with a smirk on his face.

"Hey sis, what's going on?" He asked snidely as he crossed his arms over his chest. Raising her brow in annoyance Athena cleared her throat loudly and tapped her foot on the wet sand. She was in no mood to deal with Ares and his games.

"Get out of my way Ares." Athena warned as she took a menacing step forward, causing Ares to reluctantly take half a step back. Narrowing her eyes she put her hands on her hips. She prayed Ares would give her some reason to strike him down.

"Stay away from Aphrodite." He growled as he pointed his finger at her. Athena's heart stopped dead in her chest and she found it hard to catch her breath. How in the world had he found out she asked herself.

"I...what..." She stumbled over the words in fear as her mouth went suddenly dry. Thinking that he had intimidated her Ares took a step forward in hopes he could win the battle before the fighting even started.

Floundering backwards Athena tried to come up with sort of excuse as to what had happened. "Ares, you don't understand." She started to say as she put her hands up.

"I do understand! You are Zeus's little lap dog and do what ever he tells you!" He said with a sneer.

"Lap dog?" Athena said confused then it dawned on her what Ares meant. He didn't know the truth. He was telling her not to tell Aphrodite to stay away from him. What he didn't know was he was way to late for that. "You son of a..." Athena didn't finish her sentence as she pulled her fist back and let Ares have it.

The God of War was not expecting the much more level headed goddess to strike him. When her fist connected with his jaw he felt boneless has his body lifted off the ground with the force then went flying back a few feet.

Landing in the water with a splash Ares growled and leaped up to his feet in a rage. "You are going to pay for that!" he snarled as he rubbed his already aching jaw with his hand.

"Don't tell me what to do Ares. I don't answer to you!" She said between clenched teeth. Her temper had blown sky high with the arrogance of Ares. She would not be told what to do, especially when it came to the beautiful goddess of love. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest and she was breathing heavy.

Water dripped from his black hair into his eyes. "I mean it Athena, stay away from her!" Wiping the water from his face with his hands he glared at her one last time. "She wants nothing to do with you!" Disappearing before Athena could throw another punch or any other attack Ares realized he had pissed his sister off more then usual. He knew he was in big trouble.

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