Artemis

Artemis woke with the sun. Rising and stretching, she walked to the window, sliding it open to a warm breeze of morning air. Warmer today than it was yesterday, she thought. The agony of loss that was so acute last night had faded to a dull, though painful, ache. I knew this was coming, I prepared for it. Still, she thought with a grimace, it hurts like hell. Turning from the window she walked through the kitchen to the laundry room. Retrieving a pair of shorts, clean tank, and fresh undergarments she hadn't put away yet, she moved to the bathroom to freshen up and change. By the time Evelyn rose half an hour later, Artemis was already cooking breakfast. Turning when she heard the old woman enter the kitchen, Artemis smiled. "Good morning Mrs. Evelyn. How was your night?"

Evelyn patted her arm as she passed, with a yawn. "Wonderful, my dear. Wonderful," she said as she poured two cups of coffee. "And just Evy, please. How was yours?"

Not wanting to alarm the elderly woman to much she just murmured, "I've had better," as Evelyn placed a cup beside the stove. The old woman moved to the small table, and sat smoothing her nightgown before starting to sip her coffee. "I did run into an old friend last night though," she continued. "A long lost cousin actually. I hadn't seen him in five years till last night."

"You know, I thought I heard voices last night when I woke up. The older I get the harder it is to sleep through the night it seems," Evelyn said. "Just before midnight was it, my dear?" Not bothering to wait for Artemis to nod she continued. "I just assumed you were having trouble resting and were watching television, then when I woke up this morning and saw someone had slept on the couch I figured you had company. I tell you what Zoe! I do not know how you young people do it. Staying up to all hours of the night! It's not natural!"

Eyes still on the cooking food, Artemis smiled again. "Well as the saying goes, Mrs. Evelyn, wisdom comes with age. We'll learn eventually."

Evelyn laughed behind her, "No saying I've ever heard, but it should be one! Tell me, my dear, were you and this cousin of yours close?" the old woman asked.

If we had been my job would be a hell of a lot easier, Artemis thought. Instead she said, "Unfortunately not. Our fathers are brothers, but they do not get along most of the time. So we knew of each other, but did not interact much. I was kind of a loner back then anyway," if you don't count my hunters, Artemis finished in her head.

"That's an understatement," a groggy male voice mumbled from the doorway.

Percy

When Percy opened his eyes, the sun was already shining through the bedroom window. Artemis' bedroom window, he reminded himself. So that wasn't a dream. Trying, and failing, to shake himself awake he rose and dressed. Gods, I hate mornings. Okay focus. One day, I have to survive one day and she'll let me leave. I can do that if I keep my mouth shut. Stretching his arms above his head, he found his ribs only felt slightly sore. Shower must have finished the healing, he thought. Slipping Riptide into his pocked, he bent to strap her bronze dagger to his ankle. Annabeth's dagger, you can say her name dammit, he thought angrily. At least in your mind.

Opening the door, the smell of cooking breakfast food and coffee reached him. Voices drifted down the hallway. Does she have a roommate? he thought, ignoring the impossibility of the idea. He could see an unmade bed through the open door at the far end of the hall. Shaking his head in as much wonder as grogginess he walked into the living room, passing the couch, and into the kitchen. He stopped dead in the doorway.

An elderly woman sat with her back to him, chattering away. Percy didn't hear a word she said. Artemis, also facing away, was standing at the stove, cooking breakfast. His breath caught. She wore a short pair of denim shorts, revealing a pair of pale, firm legs longer than he ever thought possible. A black tank top, and tied back hair revealed the flawless skin of her shoulders and upper back. She's tall, he thought. Taller than I expected. Can't be much under 6 feet. To his demigod eyes she shone with a faint pale light, visible even in the morning sun. Every movement was precise. Perfect in an inhuman sort of way. Graceful, he thought. Gods she's beautiful.

That thought snapped him back to reality. This is Artemis! Stop thinking things like that! The last line of the conversation broke through to him. "…I was kind of a loner back then anyway."

Grunting he stepped forward, "That's an understatement."

Artemis

Artemis turned, regarding Percy standing in the doorway with a raised eyebrow. He was staring at me, she realized. Old familiar anger tried to rise in her, but she forced it back down mercilessly. Percy never got a chance to respond to the warning. Evelyn was on her feet in a second. "Ooh you must be the cousin Zoe was just telling me about! Come! Sit! My you're a handsome thing. Beautiful eyes. Must run in the family. You have to tell me all about yourself! Let me get you a cup of coffee, my dear. Zoe, is that breakfast ready? This young man looks hungry." She all but dragged him to the table, and pushed a chair beneath him. Artemis chuckled at the put upon expression on his face. Titans and monsters he faced without pause, even the thought of the Earth Mother didn't make him flinch, but when confronted with a little old lady hell-bent on prying out his deepest secrets while smothering him in comfort he was at a loss.

"Yes, Mrs. Evelyn," she said her name for Percy's benefit, "it is. I'll make us some plates, you talk with Percy." If his facial expression was funny before, it was hilarious now. She turned around quickly before she burst out laughing. Quickly, she loaded three plates with scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits. She added a little extra to Percy's. He does look hungry, she thought.

"Percy? Is that your name? Well my dear I'm Evelyn, but you can call me Evy. Cream and sugar?" she asked. Not bothering to wait for a reply, she brought both. Placing the steaming cup before Percy, she sat down across from him, sipping her own coffee. "Zoe here tells me she's from New York, is that where you're from too."

Artemis watched Percy's face. His eyes darted between her and Evelyn, a look of such complete confusion on his face she almost felt sorry for him. Remembering the scratch on her cheek she thought, almost, but not quite. Finally, she saw him give up trying understand and decide to play his part. Reaching for the cup, he took a sip of the steaming black liquid, not bothering to add sugar or cream. She nodded, and turned to the refrigerator as he replied. "I am, Mrs. Evelyn, though I haven't been back to the city in a long time. Zoe," he said, emphasizing the name, "here is the first family I've seen in five years." Artemis, rolled her eyes. Taking a bowl of sliced fruit from the refrigerator, she placed it on the table between them, before turning to get the plates.

"Well I'm sorry to hear that, Percy. Family is the most important thing there is, I wish I'd have had someone to tell me that when I was your age." Artemis heard the woman's voice take on a questioning tone, "Which of you is older?" she asked. "For the life of me, I can't tell. You look the same age."

Artemis answered for him. "Percy is Mrs. Evelyn. Turned 21 yesterday actually, my birthday is still a few months away." Turning back toward the table she placed their plates before them. The confused look on Percy's face returned. She could see in his eyes he was trying to come to terms with a goddess serving him breakfast. He stared at her. Artemis took a step back so Evelyn couldn't see and raised an eyebrow. Shaking himself his eyes fell to his plate. Retrieving her own food, she sat between them at the table. "He and I left New York about the same time five years ago," she offered, mainly to distract Evelyn from the silent exchange.

Evelyn turned her questioning gaze on her, "You left five years ago? But you've only been here for nine months. Where else have you been, my dear?"

"I've bounced around, same as Percy. We come from a family of questers, you see," she smirked when Percy choked on a piece of bacon.

"Slow down now my dear, no need to choke yourself." Evelyn said. Taking a few bites of her own food she regarded Percy for a moment. "Percy wouldn't be short for Perseus would it?" she asked.

His eyes shot up at that, and he eyed the old woman suspiciously for a moment before answering in a conversational tone. "It is," he said. Nodding toward Artemis, he continued, "Our fathers were Greek, and have a flair for the dramatic I guess."

"Ooh that's wonderful!" Evelyn exclaimed. Leaning toward Artemis she said, "I always thought you had a bit of Greek blood in you Zoe. You have the look." Rising she walked toward the living room, talking all the while. "My late husband, Richard, was a professor at the University you see. Taught ancient history. Egyptian, Roman, all of it really, but his favorite was Greek." Returning through the doorway, Evelyn placed an old picture on the table, one Artemis had seen many times before.

Trying to hide a grimace, she reached for it before Percy could, but it was too late. He'd seen the face. Blond hair and grey eyes stared up at them from the table top. A son of Athena. Artemis watched as realization crashed down on him, but he handled it better than she expected. Tensing only for a moment, he reached for the frame, studying the face with a look of familiarity. After a moment he murmured, "I'm sorry, your husband just reminds me of someone I knew long ago." He passed the picture back to Evelyn.

"I'm sure he does," Evelyn said. Artemis knew she was choosing to ignore the strange reaction. "You two remind me of him a great deal," she murmured, almost under her breath, as she looked down at the picture in her hands. That, Artemis thought, I did not expect.

Turning a questioning gaze on the old woman she asked, "What do you mean, Mrs. Evelyn?"

"What?" Evelyn asked, coming back to herself. "Ooh nothing dear. You two share a look in your eyes is all. A look of hidden strength and secret knowledge I used to call it." Looking down at the picture again she said, "Richard had it too."

"I'm sure he was a remarkable man," Percy said after a moment.

"Ooh he was! Enough of that though," Evelyn said placing the picture on the table, and returning to her chipper self. "Back to the present. What are your plans for today Zoe, my dear?"

Raising an eyebrow at the old woman Artemis said, "To help you downstairs Mrs. Evelyn. Same as every day."

"Nonsense!" the old woman cried. "You two haven't seen each other in five years, there is no way I'm making you work today Zoe!" Artemis looked to Percy. He seemed beyond any surprise anymore, not even blinking at the fact that she was working in a bakery. "You two go out and enjoy the morning. Maybe have lunch at that café you like. The one you and Michael had breakfast at yesterday."

Percy's eyes bulged. So he's not beyond surprise, Artemis grinned. "That sound like a wonderful idea Mrs. Evelyn," she said. "Thank you."

"Of course," Evelyn said with a smile. "Like I said, family is the most important thing there is. Now you go change that shirt honey, I'll do the dishes and keep our guest company. I'm all for showing a little skin on occasion, but pale as you are you'll burn under this sun. I don't want to see you damage that perfect skin of yours. You'll be thanking me when you reach my age."

"I'll thank you now," Artemis said with a laugh. Mainly at the expression on Percy's face as he tried, and failed, to keep his eyes off of the exposed skin of her shoulders. Anger tried to rise again, and again she forced it down just as mercilessly. You're going to have to get used to him looking at you, she told herself. Deciding to tease him a bit, she reached over and patted his arm. "Let me get changed and then I'll show you around town," she told him.

Rising and walking toward her bedroom, she chuckled to herself as she heard Evelyn begin pelting Percy with questions behind her. Changing quickly into a copy of the shirt she'd worn the night before, she returned to the kitchen in time to hear Evelyn ask, "So what made you and Zoe leave New York five years ago?"

Artemis cut in before Percy could answer. "Our family went through a tough time a few years back," she said. "An abusive grandfather. He actually tried to kill our fathers. Percy was the one who stopped him." She let her emotions seep into her voice then. "He saved our lives. It…It wasn't easy on any of us."

"It wasn't me that stopped him," Percy grunted, voice thick with emotion. "I was just the unlucky fool who got to walk away from the mess."

Evelyn was looking between them. "Ooh you poor souls," she murmured, a sympathetic look on her face. "To bear these wounds at your age." Moving toward Percy, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for you loss," she said to him before turning toward Artemis. "For both of your losses. No one so young should have to bears such burdens."

Percy nodded. "Thank you," he said, "but someone has to." Shaking himself, he looked to Artemis. "Well, are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes!" Evelyn exclaimed. Trying to lighten the mood, Artemis thought. "You two go have fun today. I'll close downstairs early and cook a family reunion dinner tonight! If there's one thing I love doing it's feeding young people. Now shoo! Out you go, you're in my way." She pushed them toward the front door. Despite herself Artemis chuckled, and even Percy grinned she noticed. Opening the door and pushing them through she said, "And don't come back till tonight!" before closing the door with a loud thump.

Shaking her head, Artemis turned to Percy. "Come," she said. "I'm sure you have questions."

The walk to the café had been made in silence. Now, sitting across the small table from each other, Percy finally spoke. "You're roommate is quite the odd little old lady," he said.

Interesting place to start, Artemis thought. But I'll play along. Out loud she said, "Yes, but I enjoy her company. She was lonely after her husband died, and so was I after not seeing my hunters in over four years." The ache in her heart deepened. "The arrangement works for us."

Percy nodded. "I have to say, My La…Zoe, this is not what I expected after recognizing you last night." He paused then, seemed to decide something, then continued. "By the way, why are you going by your dead best friend's name?"

"Tactful," she murmured and he blushed, but held her gaze. "I can't go by my real name, Zoe seemed like a good choice," she explained as the waitress appeared.

She was young, probably 19, Artemis guessed, and very attractive. "Good morning Miss Zoe. Good to see you again, what can I get for you?"

"Good morning Emily," she told the girl with a smile. "Just tea, thank you."

"And you sir?" Emily asked turning to Percy.

Artemis watched him, gauging how he'd react to the pretty girl. He looked at her, and smiled. "Same," he said, before turning back to Artemis. When Emily left he asked, "So, did I pass?"

"Perceptive too," she said, "and yes. You were adequately respectful."

"Good," he said, relief evident. "Maybe I will make it through today without being turning into a jackalope."

Shaking her head she said, "I told you that you have nothing to fear from me and I meant it. Besides, I've been trying to cut back on doing that lately."

He quirked and eyebrow as if interested, but let the matter drop. Instead he asked, "So did I hear Evelyn right this morning? Did she say you were here with a man yesterday, like on a date?" He stumbled over the last word, and looked at her fearfully. Like he's scared of what I might do to him for suggesting I was on a date, she realized. Hurriedly he continued. "No wait, on second thought let me start at the beginning. Why the hell are you living with an old woman in a small apartment, hiding who you are, and working in a bakery?"

Well he's going to find out sooner or later, she thought. Sighing, she prepared to answer, but before she could Emily returned with their tea. "Here you are," she said as she placed the cups before them. Leaning toward Artemis conspiratorially, she said in a whisper that could be heard two tables over, "Your date is cute!"

Percy blushed crimson, and studied his tea. Artemis grinned, "Shy too," she said.

"We're cousins," he mumbled. Eyes still on the steaming liquid before him.

Seeing Percy's blush, Emily grinned mischievously. "Sure wouldn't stop me if one of my cousins looked like you." Looking at Artemis she winked, "Just saying."

The mortified look on Percy's face made her want to laugh, "Ok Emily, thank you for the tea."

Laughing Emily said, "Let me know if you need anything," before walking away.

Artemis turned back to Percy and studied him while he struggled to regain his composure. Finally, his blush faded and he looked up at her. "You're not quite how I remember you to be," he said slowly, carefully. "Now either I'm still crazy, which after seeing the things I think I've seen this morning is a very good possibility, or that was one hell of a prophecy to change you so much."

Here we go, Artemis thought. "I can't speak to your sanity," she said just as slowly, "but yes, the prophecy has definitely changed me." Looking down, she took a deep breath and recited,

"A Hunter's child to answer the call,

A broken oath or all shall fall.

An unlikely pair to each other keep,

To charm the Earth and make her sleep."

As she finished, she looked up at him. "I'm to be married, it seems."

He was still. Not an emotion showed on his face. He just stared at her in silence. "Well," he said after a long moment, "I did not expect that." He took a sip of his tea, looking over the cup's rim with innocent eyes he asked, "Who's the lucky guy?" Too innocent.

"No need for sarcasm," she snapped leaning forward, anger flashing. "Do not make me regret my promise not to hurt you!"

"Forgive me My Lady," he said, "that was out of line. I thought a joke might help you relax again."

He looks like he actually means it, she thought. Sighing, she leaned back, anger fading. "No, you're right. What man in his right mind would want to be married to me after all?" Good thing this one thinks he's crazy.

"Don't get me wrong," he said hastily. "I meant no insult, just that you have a certain…reputation. So you don't know who this man is then?"

"A reputation that I've spent 3,000 years carefully cultivating," she said dryly, "and one I take pride in, but I left Olympus knowing no more than you do now." Not a lie, just not the whole truth. "I must find a man, fall in love, and birth a child all in time so that it can grow old enough to face the Earth Mother when she rises."

"And to fight in the war, the child must be a demigod. Hence the pretending to be human and dating mortal men," he finished for her. Shaking his head he said with genuine sincerity, "Wow, Artemis. That's more pressure than anyone should have to deal with, I'm sorry."

"Thank you Percy," she said, "but attempting to date would be more accurate. I don't know how you mortals do it, dating is difficult."

He grinned at that. He's not looking at me as a goddess anymore, he's looking at me like he would any other person, she realized. "I wouldn't know. Honestly I've never been on a real date." Huh, now there's an idea.

"Really? Not even with…" she stopped short as he stiffened. Cursing under her breath she said, "Percy I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up." Stupid, stupid, stupid! He was just starting to relax!

Eyes clouded with pain, he looked down at his tea as he spoke slowly. "No, it's ok. I need to learn to talk about her, if only to keep her memory alive." Taking a deep breath he continued, "No, not even with Annabeth. We were too young to go on real dates anyway, and most of our time together was at camp or on quests. There's been nobody else since her."

Artemis watched him closely, debating with herself on whether to continue the conversation. He's opening up right now, he might not be willing to tell me later. Decision made, she asked, "Percy, can I ask you a question? About Annabeth I mean." His eyes met hers, and he held them for a long time before giving a short, sharp nod. "What happened in the Hall of the Gods that day?"

His eyes never left hers, but a faraway look came into them. As if he had gone back to that day. Was reliving the horror. "Kronos and I fought back and forth across the throne room. Ethan was dead, Annabeth was hurt, and I was tiring. I don't remember what, but Annabeth said something, reminding Luke of a promise he made her long ago. Luke was able to take control of his body back from the Titan Lord long enough to tell me where his mortal spot was." The skin around his eyes tightened, but he forced out the next words. "He asked me to kill him. Kronos took back over before I could. Annabeth was sneaking up behind him, so I did my best to keep his attention focused on me. When she stabbed at his mortal spot, he spun, knocking away the dagger. It flew towards me, and I grabbed it, trying to close the distance quickly. I was too slow. Sword and dagger struck together. I guess when Kronos' spirit ripped free it knocked me out. The next thing I remember is waking up with my father kneeling over me." His eyes came back into focus. "I've never told anyone that before."

On impulse, Artemis reached across the table and grabbed his hand. Squeezing it for a moment she said, "Well thank you, for trusting me enough to tell me." Releasing his hand she stood. "Come, enough of this depressing talk. Let's go."

Percy looked up at her with a questioning look, but remained seated. "Where are we going?" he asked, eyes crinkled in mild suspicion.

"On a date of course," she said, finally throwing a full smile his way. His reaction was satisfying to say the least. I don't even think he heard what I said, she thought. He's too busy staring. "Percy, have you forgotten who it is you're staring at?"

Blood drained from his face as his eyes widened. "My Lady, I'm sorry," he stammered out.

"Don't worry," she told him, crossing her arms. "If I was going to do something to you for staring I'd have done it before breakfast when you were staring at my backside. At least this time it was my face."

If it was possible, she'd have sworn his tan face grew paler. "My Lady, I wasn't…"

Raising an eyebrow she cut him off, "Are you sure you want to lie to me Percy?"

"I…umm…My Lady…it wasn't your…" finally he sighed, as if accepting some grim fate, and muttered, "I was staring at your legs, not your backside."

"Hmm," she mused, looking down at her exposed legs. "Yes, these shorts do show a lot of leg. Anyway let's go, we have a date to continue."

Standing, he looked down on her warily. "You want to go on a date? With me?"

Sighing in mock annoyance she said, "We're already on a date. I want it to continue. Besides, I need the practice, and quite frankly if you've never been on one, so do you. And stop calling me Lady, call me by my name. Let's go." She turned to walk away and he followed. Good, she smiled to herself. "So I have another question, why in the world were you so far out in the wilderness alone?"

Resigned to his fate, Percy answered. "I was hunting the manticore. I'd been following it for weeks. We'd clashed a few times before last night, but I guess he got tired of being chased…"

Artemis smiled as she listened. This is going better than expected, she thought.

So we got a little background info in this chapter, and also a lot of Percy/Artemis interaction. Without the stress of the night before, we see a much more level headed Percy. Leave a review to let me know what you think!