A short distance ahead, two people, along with Pegasus and the Goat-man, were quickly making their way toward them. The pair stiffened, they could only pray that it wasn't the press or a herd of obsessed fans. On closer inspection, Meg could see that it was Torrin and Zebra.
Her best friend rushed forward and gripped her shoulders. "We just heard what happened. Are you alright?"
Meg waved her off. "Sure, sure." She bit her lip. "What exactly did you hear?" Hoping her cowardice wasn't worldwide news.
Zebra planted her hands on her waist. "Only that there was a great monster raid and a young woman was caught in the middle of it", she shot accusingly.
"I tried to get her to stay put", the hero added.
"That has Meg written all over it."
Meg decided to put a stop to their discussion."If you two are finished talking about me in the third person..." She grumbled. "Its well past lunch time." She walked past the small party, intending to go on without them. "And I'd hate to see Marlena's good cooking go to waste."
The group exchanged looks, shrugged, and trailed after the head-strong girl.
Along the way, Phil drew the hero back from the group a ways and gave Herc a thumbs up. "I'm proud of ya, kid. That how ya get the job done."
Herc rarely got compliments from his 'by the book' coach. "Really? Thanks, Phil!"
Phil nodded, then jerked his almost nonexistent neck toward Meg, walking ahead of them. "But did ya haft'a save her along the way?"
The young man's head sank into his large hand, fingers massaging his aching temples. "Not now, Phil." He'd always disapproved of the girls he liked.
He hoped after he'd gotten some food in his system, he'd act more civilized.
They all arrived at the Villa without incident. Mostly, this was due to the frightening dilemma with the Harpies. For the time being, any admirers sought the comforting safety of their own homes. Unfortunately, they would return to their crazy routine all too soon, once the excitement died down.
As expected, the housekeeper looked up from her preparations to acknowledge the incoming group, a warm smile of welcome lighting her features at their appearance.
Sir Hercules, I am please to see that you have returned well and unharmed."
Herc smiled in return. "You're fabulous cooking will always bring me home with a willing and gracious stomach."
Marlena shifted her gaze to Meg. "As well, I am happy to see you safe, Miss Megara."
She rolled her eyes and flushed with embarrassment. "Was the entire ordeal broadcast on the local news without my knowledge? Is there anybody not aware of my involvement?"
Marlena frowned, pausing her procession, confused by her choice of words.
"Don't mind her, Marlena." Zebra said, giving Meg a knowing, almost suspicious, look. "She's just grumpy because she woke up too early this morning." She gave Meg a wink. "Isn't that right, Meg?"
'Great, she knows something', thought Meg, molding her face into a clueless expression.
Luckily, she was sparred from any further inquiry. As of that moment, Aphitryon and Alcmene burst into the room. Hercules' face was showered in kisses of relief when his mortal mother rushed to his side.
"Ahhh, Mom! Cut that out!" The hero complained, rubbing furiously at his cheeks to erase the residue of his mother's worry.
"Well, how do you expect me to react when you're exposed to such dangers?"
"That's what I do", he explained, as if the two of them had debated about this topic before. "Protect and defend the helpless."
Phil smirked, dipping his finger into a dish platter. "Yeah. And there ain't nobody more helpless than her." He jerked a thumb at Meg.
Hot blood rushed into her face, and her fingers curled into fists, turning them coarse white. It wasn't enough that her confidence had taken a down-turn, but this bleating goat also had to rub salt into the wound.
"That's it, Tiny Tim!!" She pounded the table with her fists, causing its contents to vibrate and tremble from the pressure. "I'm gonna grill your hide on the end of a spit!"
Phil leaped onto the table, his little hooves scraping the stony surface, getting in her face. "Bring it on, sis'ta!"
She rolled her hands up her arms, as if pulling up imaginary sleeves. "Goatie, get ready to....."
Before Meg could complete her threat, Zebra intervened, gripping her arm. "OK! Meg, I seriously think you need a nap. You're had quite a challenging morning." She smiled sweetly to everyone. "If you'll excuse us...." She hastily tugged a fuming Meg from the room, as she kept an evil gaze focused on the hero trainer.
Alcmene watched pityingly as they left the room. Pressing her hands together she commented, "The poor dear."
As grand as a majestic statue, attaching his large fists to his hips in accusation, Herc stared Phil down. "Phil! Was that really necessary? Meg's been through a lot today."
The Goat-man shrugged, popping a succulent stuffed olive into his mouth, feeling no remorse. "I call'em as I see'em, kid." And he carried on without a hint of guilt.
As much as he respected his trainer, Herc didn't always approve of his blunt behavior. His mouth often got him in trouble. Soon, everybody followed the Goat-man's example and sat down to lunch.
Later, in the girls' room, Zebra attempted to get Meg to relax and squelch her temper.
"The nerve of that midget!" Meg huffed, plopping down heavily on her bed. "I'll give him 'helpless' right in the tail!" She demonstrated with a swift, imaginary upper-cut to the air.
Zebra sat on her own bed, facing her. "Don't take it to heart, Meg. Don't forget, he's half animal, after all."
"That's for sure. He certainly smells like one."
They chuckled.
"So, are you going to tell me where you were this morning?" Asked Zebra, turning serious.
"Nope. Besides, I doubt it would be of any interest to you."
"I beg to differ", Zebra muttered under her breath, suspicion growing. She turned to leave Meg to rest, then thought to add something. "Would you like me to bring you something to eat?"
Meg considered whether her stomach felt up to solid food at that point. After all, her insides felt like they'd been thrown into the rinse cycle. Then a sudden awful thought brought an evil smirk to her lips.
"Perhaps you could give Marlena a special request for me?"
Zebra shrugged, wondering what Meg was cooking-up in that diabolical mind of hers. "OK. Name it."
"I think....a good helping of 'Philly Cheese Steaks' would be pleasing to the belly....." She spaced out for a moment as she pictured the goat-man turing end over end atop an open flame, with a shiny red apple stuffed into his fat mouth. She unconsciously licked her lips.
Zebra glared back, unamused. "Not funny, Meg."
Meg's expression went still. "Who said I meant it to be humorous?"
Zebra snatched a pillow and launched it at Meg's face. Since it was unexpected, the bed accessory found its mark.
"Hey!" Meg's voice came muffled through the pillow layers. "Why am I always the brunt of your abuse?" Though she secretly admired the power of her throw.
"Because you have an offensive mouth. Sometimes your little comments go too far."
Meg shrugged innocently. "That's how I am; you can love it or hate it."
That much was true. When someone insists on ignorance there is little anyone can do or say to alter the other.
"I'll be back to check on you later." Zebra closed the door behind her, leaving Meg alone.
Somewhat irked by Zebra's scolding, Meg flopped onto her side in a pout, finding anger in everything. Why was everyone against her? She was just being herself.
Someone was always on her case about something; First, it was that tricky fortune-teller, then Zebra teamed-up with Torrin for a double dose of reprimand, and finally that infuriating, half-minded, grass-grazer.
She continued to grunt and mumble to herself into exhaustion. She hadn't been tired when Zebra had first brought her to bed, but all that pent-up emotion exhausted every muscle from the cramped tension she held. Her eye lids soon drooped and her breathing came more steadily, sending less oxygen to her limbs, releasing her tightened grip throughout her body.
She was falling asleep.