Here's the next chapter. A little faster this time than the last couple have been. There's not as much action in this one, we've had a few back to back action packed chapters and I decided to slow down the pace a little bit to set the stage for where I want to go next. Don't worry, it won't slow the plot down any, but some characters need to be moved around in order for the plot to continue. That's I mean by slowing the pace down a little. Hope you like it! As always I don't own PJO.
Also, the dates I'm adding are mostly for me in my drafts so I can keep track of the timeline easier. They're really not that important, but I figured I'd start throwing them into the final draft in case any of you would like a more defined timeline.
Artemis (December 26, 2015)
Artemis woke suddenly, opening her eyes to the early morning sun, and looked around. Still in Tennessee, she thought, and relaxed sensing no danger. She looked down at a sleeping Percy, head resting on her chest, and smiled sadly. The night had been a rough one for him, but she believed Nico's plan might have actually worked. The shock of seeing Annabeth again so unexpectedly and after so long had halted his desperate flight, and forced him to confront the pain he'd been running from. It was worth it she told herself. It was. She wished she could be certain of that. Otherwise Nico threw his life away for nothing. I will not let that happen.
She looked down at Percy again. Sometimes I wonder if you're worth the trouble, she told him mentally. He stirred slightly in his sleep, and the arm he had around her tightened. Shaking her head she made to rise then stopped. Percy would be tired after spending the last few days running and then crying in her arms most of the night. I should let him have his rest, she thought then smiled. With a flash of silvery light she and Percy were suddenly in her bed chamber on Olympus. Slowly, she untangled herself from his sleeping form, and crawled from the bed. With a snap of her fingers, his dirty torn clothes were gone, replaced with a silken, sea-green pair of pajamas trimmed with silver at the cuffs. The sea just slightly touched by the moon, she mused to herself with a smile. She paused, after a moment she snapped her fingers again. He didn't really need the shirt anyway, she told herself as she left the room.
As Artemis entered the main parlor of her palace, Hestia appeared in a column of flame with Poseidon. "How is he," Poseidon demanded without preamble. Artemis ignored the rudeness; it was to be expected given the amount of stress Poseidon had been feeling lately.
"He's resting," Artemis told him. "I think this crazy plan of Nico's might have actually worked to some degree." She pursed her lips in thought for a moment. It has to. I won't allow anything else. "At least he's grieving now, instead of running from his pain. Given enough time and space I believe he'll heal."
The tension visibly flowed out of Poseidon, and he sank into a silken silver chair. "Good," he muttered. "That's good."
"It was a foolish thing you, Athena, and Apollo did," Hestia said sternly addressing both of them.
"Yes," Poseidon cut in wearily. "But necessary."
Hestia crossed her small arms and focused on Artemis, silently studying her. To Artemis she did not look pleased. After a moment Artemis asked the question that'd been hanging in the air since Poseidon and Hestia's appearance. "Tell me Hestia," she said slowly. "Have I damned us all?"
Hestia sniffed. Ohh she's definitely angry. "I do not believe so," Hestia said. "I was able to convince Hades that because none of you actually entered the Isles you were not responsible. He's angry you knew of Nico's plan and did not tell him, but he does not blame you for the violation." Hestia paused for a moment, and then continued, voice growing somber. "The entirety of his wrath will be directed at his son," she said. "If Hades is ever able to find him, I would not want to be in young Nico's shoes. Luckily the boy seems to have disappeared."
Well that's a relief, she thought. Civil war would certainly mean deaths, and would weaken them just when they needed to be at their strongest. Still…poor Nico. "And Ava?" Artemis asked aloud.
"She woke a few days ago," Hestia said in a voice tinged with sadness. "Thalia has been with her since then. Apollo, Athena, and I thought a familiar face would help. Apollo has taken away her memories of the attack. She will not have to live with the nightmare of watching her parents die. All she remembers now is being hit on the head, and then waking up."
Artemis felt herself grimace. Still, given the circumstance it was the best that could be hoped for. "She and Percy will need each other," Artemis muttered.
"Yes," Poseidon said. Then grudgingly added, "And he will need you as well. Stay with him. You should be there when he wakes. I'll bring Ava here when he does."
"Finally accepting all of this, Uncle?" Artemis asked innocently.
Poseidon grimaced. "I will still kill you if you hurt him," he said darkly. "And I don't like the idea of my son being used again, but only a fool would deny his feelings for you. You're the best one to help him through this." With that he disappeared in geyser of salt water.
"I think he's beginning to like me," Artemis mused.
"That was unwise, Artemis," Hestia chided. "Poseidon is a reasonable man, but you should not provoke him. He worries for his son, and that could drive him to do things he might not have considered before."
Artemis sighed. "You're right of course," she said. "But so was he, I should be there when Percy wakes." She turned and began walking back toward her bed chamber, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Will you let me know if anything changes?" she asked. "Now of all times I do not want to be uninformed."
Hestia smiled, "Of course," she said, and then vanished in a column of fire.
Artemis found Percy in the same position she'd left him, though he'd seemed to have pulled the silver sheet up to cover his bare chest. She felt her lips tighten slightly at that, and then gave a wry chuckle. If only Zoe could see you now, she thought. She looked down at her clothes then snapped her fingers. A tank top and a pair of pajama shorts appeared, silver silk trimmed in sea-green. Again she smiled at herself wryly, and then crawled in the bed with Percy. She gathered him into her arms, and he nestled in against her side. With another smile, she sat back and began to plan.
Hours later, Percy finally began to stir in her arms. Artemis tensed when his eyes shot open and he looked around. Slowly he pushed himself to a sitting position, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes before looking at her. "Am I hallucinating again?" he asked, pain danced just below the surface in his eyes, but his face was a familiar stoic mask.
"No Percy," she said slowly, "you're not." Please be sane. Please be sane. Please…
He grunted. "So all of that really happened?" he asked. "You and Annabeth, and…" he cut off as his voice cracked and his eyes closed. Artemis felt her heart sink. He squeezed them tightly for a moment then opened them again. Pain still danced there, but he had it under control. Thank the Fates, Artemis thought and felt herself relax. Tension she did not know she'd been carrying drained away. "How is my sister?" he asked, tensing.
"She's fine," Artemis said quickly and he relaxed somewhat. "She's with Thalia and Athena right now I believe. Apollo examined her and all she got was a small bump on the head. He put her to sleep for a few days to recover, but she's awake now."
"Good," he breathed wearily, as if he hadn't just slept for most of a night and day. "I should have been there for her when she woke," he muttered and slumped.
"You'll be there for her now," Artemis said sternly. Don't go back down that path, she pleaded mentally. Don't do that to yourself again. "She needs you Percy."
He looked up sharply, eyes focusing on hers, and then nodded. "You're right," he said. He looked around and sighed again as he lay back down and covered his eyes with a forearm, "but gods I'm tired right now."
Artemis nearly sagged in relief and snapped her fingers. A tray piled high with breakfast foods appeared in his lap and he moved his arm to arch an eyebrow at her. The pain was still there in his eyes, but the madness from the night before was gone. This might have actually worked, she thought. "Eat," she told him. "No telling how long it's been since you've had a good meal. You'll need your strength."
He quirked a small smile that did not reach his eyes, "Yes My Lady," he said, and Artemis felt an internal thrill at the sarcasm. Baby steps, she chided herself. He's moving in the right direction, but you have to keep him moving.
As he sat up and began eating she spoke. "I'm sure you have questions," she said. "Go ahead and ask them." Better to get this out of the way early.
Percy paused with a grape halfway to his mouth as if considering, and then nodded. "I guess it's best to get this out of the way," he muttered to himself, and Artemis grinned at the mirror of her own thoughts. "I'm not going to go away again," he told her. "Not when Ava's here and needs me, so please don't sugar coat anything to lessen the blows. I can take it." Of that Artemis had her doubts. But if you love him, you're going to have to trust him she told herself. She sighed and nodded. After a moment, Percy continued. "Who was it?"
Artemis grimaced and felt her own emotions grow cold. "Orion," she whispered, and he looked up sharply, searching her face intently.
After a moment his face softened. "I don't blame you Artemis," he whispered. "Though I can see you blame yourself. It's not your fault"
"I trained him," she hissed with a ferocity that surprised even her. Percy's sudden mirthless laugh surprised her even further.
"We really are perfect for each other," he muttered through his chuckles. "Always taking the blame for things we can't change." As soon as it'd appeared his laughter cut off as if severed by a knife. His face and voice hardened, "If you must lay blame, then blame Gaea. All of this is her fault anyway."
Artemis met his steely gaze for a moment, and then nodded. I'm still to blame, but at least he won't hold it against me. "He was captured," Artemis said, and Percy tensed. "Hera has him. I don't think she's killed him yet, but she has been making him pay for what he's done."
"I see," Percy said, and was still for a long moment, and then shook his head to himself. "Better that she does it," he muttered, "I have to focus on Ava." In a louder voice he said. "I'm assuming that Annabeth was Nico's work?" he asked. Artemis nodded carefully. He has to find out sooner or later. "He's gone into hiding then? I don't imagine Hades took that too well."
"He has," Artemis said. "Though he told no one where he was going." No one but Apollo and maybe Will, but the fewer who know that the better.
Percy grimaced. "He was always a better friend than I deserved." Percy shook himself, "He's smart. He'll be fine. I'll help him when I can, but Ava comes first." He looked down at the empty plate with a start. He was hungry. Artemis snapped her fingers again, and another full plate took its place. He looked at her and grinned slightly; a grin still that did not reach his pain filled eyes. He's on the right track, but he's fragile. Remember that, she told herself.
"You took that better than I expected you to," she said as he took a bite of bacon.
"I have to for now," he muttered absently. He looked around the room, and then turned his gaze upon her. "What in the world are we doing in your bed?" he asked finally. "And where did my shirt go?"
Unbidden, her eyes fell to his hard chest and toned stomach. She fought the blush that tried to rise in her cheeks, and just barely succeeded. Forcing her eyes to rise, she met his gaze. "We fell asleep in the dirt last night," she told him primly. "I thought you'd rest more easily here. I know I did."
Percy snorted a laugh, this one sounded somewhat genuine, if slightly strained. "Judging for the color in you cheeks, and the fact that you were just undressing the rest of me with your eyes I don't think that was the only reason. Besides," he continued, eyes looking her up and down quite openly, "explain your outfit."
Artemis felt her cheeks heat again, this time with anger; anger that quickly melted away in her own quiet laugher. "It's where this thing is going anyway," she told him. "I thought I might as well stop fighting and try to enjoy it on some level." He raised an eyebrow at her, and she lifted a warning finger. "But don't you dare get too forward," she warned him seriously.
Percy raised both his hands in a placating gesture. "Last thing on my mind," he said innocently as his eyes fell to her exposed legs again. He laughed when she swatted his arm then sighed wearily. "I need a shower," he said. Scratching his jaw he muttered, "And a shave."
Artemis studied him. The few days' growth of black stubble on his face gave him a ruggedly handsome look. "Leave it," she said. Reaching out she ran a finger along his jawline. "I like it."
He quirked an eyebrow, "It itches," he muttered, but let his hand fall away.
"Bathroom is through there," Artemis said pointing to an arched doorway on the side of the large room. She snapped her fingers. "There's a change of clothes in there for when you're done. I'll be out in the parlor."
"You're handy to have around," he mused as he climbed from the bed and stretched, "I think I'll keep you." Artemis rolled her eyes as he turned toward the bathroom and paused. Looking over his shoulder he said in a serious voice, "Thank you Artemis. For everything," and then he was gone.
Percy
Percy held the razor, forgotten in his hand, and stared into the mirror. I really saw Annabeth last night, he thought, and then I slept in the same bed as Artemis. His eyes met his reflected gaze and then fell away. The pain he saw there was too real to think about at the moment. Much better to focus on the lesser pain.
Absently Percy placed the razor back were he'd found it beside the silver-streaked, white marble sink, and turned, face unshaven, toward the already steaming shower. Stripping off his clothes as he went, he stepped into the flowing water. The nearly scalding water washed away the crippling fatigue in his exhausted muscles. Percy sat down in the shower, water coursing over his body, to think. She said she's moved on, he thought. I can too. I don't have to feel guilty anymore. To his surprise, he found he didn't feel any guilt for beginning to move on himself or for her death. Oh there were tinges of it remaining, and he suspected they would always be there, but the crushing weight of it was gone. Seeing Annabeth again, being able to have a real goodbye, was all he'd needed he realized. A year and a half ago that wouldn't have been true, but now it was. I have Nico and Artemis to thank for that.
Rising, Percy began to bathe. Nico worried him. There's nothing I can do about that right now, he told himself firmly. When I can I will, but worrying is just wasting energy. Ava had to be his number one concern. With Mom and Paul gone I'm all she has, he thought as the pain he'd been avoiding thinking of came crashing down. He sagged beneath the steaming flow, his tears mixing with the water streaming down his face, and wept. Steadying himself of the marble wall of the shower, Percy stood there crying until he'd cried all his tears out, and then stood under the stream long enough for the water to heal his puffy eyes.
Finally Percy stepped from the shower and began drying off. I'm all she has left, he told himself again. I can be strong for her. I have to be. Dressing in the pair of jeans and dark flannel shirt Artemis had left for him, he squared his shoulders as the weight of responsibility settled on them. An old familiar weight, he smirked as he left the bathroom to find his sister.
Artemis
Artemis watched Percy from an archway as he unconsciously stroked his sleeping sister's hair. He seemed unaware of her presence as he stared at the far wall of the small sitting chamber. Thalia had said Ava had taken the news of her parents deaths well for one so young, but upon seeing her brother she'd finally broken down. He'd held her for hours as they cried together. Artemis had left them alone not wanting to intrude, and only checking in occasionally. It seems she's finally cried herself to exhaustion.
Another consciousness touched Artemis's mind. May I enter Sister? Apollo asked.
One moment, Artemis replied, and retreated to her main parlor. Seating herself she thought. Come Brother.
A flash of golden light filled the room and Apollo was seated in a chair across from her. To Artemis's eyes he looked weary, but content.
"I take it Nico is well hidden then?" she asked, and he nodded.
"As well as can be hoped for given the circumstances," he replied with a tired smile. "We had a close call with the furies once or twice, but in the end we got away." He sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I hear our plan worked."
Artemis nodded. "He's with Ava right now."
Apollo grimaced. "She was in shock when I left last night," he pushed himself to his feet. "If she doesn't start grieving soon I'll have to do something. I should go check on her."
"She's sleeping at the moment," Artemis told him, "And I don't think you have to worry about the shock anymore. It's passed." Apollo paused and looked at her questioningly, and then he nodded. "Thank you Brother," Artemis said after another moment. "Hestia told me what you did for Ava."
Apollo grinned at her, and some of his usual playfulness returned; that twinkle that had caused her so much frustration over the millennia was in his eyes. "It's the least I could do for my soon to be sister-in-law," he said innocently.
Despite herself, Artemis returned the grin, and ignored the baited statement. "Even so," she said, "I thank you."
Apollo's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Well, well, well," he said smiling wider this time. "It's about time you stopped running from fate little Sis. Finally decided to accept it all have you?" He didn't wait for a response. "It's for the best this way," he said, grin turning sly. "Cowardice never did look good on you."
Well, Artemis thought, it won't hurt to take the bait just this once. With an evil grin of her own she launched herself at her brother, silver knives appearing in both hands. Apollo stepped smoothly aside, avoiding her thrust easily, she'd never meant to actually hurt him, and laughed. "And she's grinning as she attacks!" he exclaimed. "Who are you and what have you done with my sister?!"
"Well," Artemis told him seriously, seriousness she ruined with another grin after a moment, "I couldn't let you think I'd gone soft."
Apollo laughed again, the last of his weariness seemed to fall away before Artemis's eyes. He threw himself back into his chair. "Never would have dreamed it Sister." He waited for her to retake her seat before continuing. "What will you do now?" he asked and her mirth vanished.
Artemis sighed, but didn't answer immediately. She'd been thinking about this problem since waking, but it all depended on what Percy wanted to do. "Ava can't stay here," she finally said. "It's too dangerous for a mortal on Olympus. With the number of gods coming and going she'd be accidentally burned to a cinder in a matter of weeks." Apollo nodded his agreement but maintained his silence. When did he get so patient? "Percy will not leave her side now, and I will not leave Percy." She sighed again, "So it all depends on what he does."
Apollo nodded. "I'd thought as much," he said, "and I may have a solution. Well I've arranged for one at least. It's up to you and Percy if you take it or not." He cocked his head and muttered to himself, "Hephaestus should be done in time." Hephaestus? What does Hephaestus have to do with this? Apollo rose. "Only one way to find out," he said. "Let's go talk to Percy."
Curiously, Artemis rose and followed. They found Percy in the same position she'd left him in still absently stroking his sleeping sister's hair. Apollo went to a knee before him and reached up to touch Ava's forehead. "Good," he breathed. "She's finally healing." His eye's rose to meet Percy's. They both are, Apollo said mentally. "Young ones always are the toughest."
Percy's eyes met hers above Apollo's head and he smiled a weak smile that still did not reach his eyes. The pain that'd been there since he woke was still there, but she saw determination there now as well. Good, she thought. Your sister needs you Percy. Remember that. She returned his smile with one of her own and asked quietly, "How is she?"
"As well as can be expected I suppose," he responded just as quietly. His eyes fell to Ava before rising back to meet Artemis's. "She needs me Artemis," he nearly pleaded. "I can't leave her."
Artemis moved to sit beside him on the silver couch. "I'm not going to ask you to Percy," she told him with a reassuring smile. "But she cannot stay on Olympus. It's too dangerous for her here."
Percy relaxed, and let his head fall back against the couch. He should have known I wouldn't make him leave her, she mentally snapped at Apollo, trying to contain her sudden frustration with Percy.
She could feel his amusement in the reply. Peace Sister, he said soothingly. He's been through much these past few days. Rising, Apollo took a seat in a chair across the room.
Percy, unaware of the mental exchange, remained silent long enough that Artemis began growing impatient. Finally he spoke, "I suppose I'll have to find an apartment in the city somewhere," he said. "That way I'm close if you need me, but I can still take care of Ava. My father should be willing to lend me the money."
Artemis felt her eyebrows rise in genuine surprise, and absently noted Apollo's quiet chuckle. "You think you're going alone?" she demanded.
Percy looked up sharply, and Ava stirred in his arms. He quirked an eyebrow at her and asked, "What do you mean?"
Artemis felt the heat of anger growing in her cheeks. I finally make him mine and he thinks he'll leave me does he? "I'm not letting you go so easily Percy," she told him seriously. "If you go, I go." He made as if to protest but a hard look silenced him. Finally, he grinned and nodded. Satisfied, Artemis continued, "Besides, I'm not letting you raise Ava alone. You are a man after all." She smiled at him to take the sting out of her words. "She'll need a woman in her life too."
Percy smiled back wearily. "The fact remains," he said. "We'll still have to find a place to live away from Olympus. You and I could make do in the wilderness," he mused. "In fact if it were still just us two I'd prefer it, but we have a little girl to take care of now. We'll need something permanent." Artemis felt herself nodding her agreement. She'd loved the life of traveling with her hunters and then with Percy, but that was no life for a mortal child. They'd have to settle down. I guess I'll be playing the mortal some more, she thought wryly.
Across the room Apollo cleared his throat, and waited until she and Percy looked his way. "I might have a place you can have," he said. "If you're interested that is."
Artemis rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Apollo you have a thousand places across the country for you and your one-night-stands. I will not live in one of your bachelor pads, so if that's the solution you spoke of you can forget it. I'll buy a place myself."
"You wound me, Sister," Apollo groaned in mock agony, falling back into the chair and holding his chest. When neither she nor Percy reacted he rolled his eyes and sat back up. "This is a place I acquired just this morning, and I asked Hephaestus to fix it up for you. I think Aphrodite forced him into agreeing." He smiled, "God of Prophecy and all that, I assumed you'd need to live somewhere, and because I'm so awesome I bought a place for you." That twinkly in his eye returned. "Consider it an early wedding present."
"Do you ever want to just hit him?" Percy mused quietly. "Really, really hard?"
Artemis chuckled, "You took the words right out of my mouth."
Artemis (A little over one week later: January 4, 2016)
Artemis stepped out of the newly remodeled apartment into the clear and cool winter morning air. Apollo of course had chosen opulence, but Hephaestus had done his work well. The space and decor was much to her liking. Muted but well designed and well made. The Lord of Craftsmen knew his trade, though Artemis more than suspected he'd let his wife make a few suggestions. Not that I'm complaining, she thought wryly. Well, too much anyway.
Adjusting her scarf and checking to make sure her sunglasses were in place, Artemis began walking slowly down the street. They'd arrived late in the night, so she'd decided to let Percy and Ava sleep while she went on her little errand. Not far, Artemis thought, but it's still early, maybe I should wait a while. She smiled at herself and crossed the street. No, she'll be up. In no time at all Artemis found herself at her destination, and she smiled again when she noticed that the "Open" sign was as usual still dark. Through the windows she could see the plump little old lady bustling around behind the counter, oblivious to the lack of customers. Artemis opened the door and walked in, she reached up to turn the sign on as she passed and then thought better of it. "Good morning Mrs. Evelyn," she said loudly.
Evelyn spun and faster than Artemis would have thought possible was around the counter and gathering her into a hug. "Ohh Artemis my dear," she said warmly. "It's so good to see you! How is Percy? Were you able to find him? And what about Nico, is he ok?"
Artemis grinned down at the elderly woman. "Percy should be here shortly," she said, "If he finds my note that is. I left him resting." Artemis released Evelyn and stepped back. "He'll be bringing a surprise with him when he comes." She gestured toward the front door, "I hope you don't mind I turned your sign off. I thought we should have some privacy as we talked." She smiled again. "I have much to tell you."
Several hours later found Artemis sipping coffee with Percy at a small table in Evelyn's bakery and watching as the older woman showed Ava how to knead dough. Out the corner of her eye she could see Percy was watching the pair as well. Though not quite herself yet, Ava's bouts of weeping were growing more and more infrequent with each passing day. Just now she was watching Evelyn with the curious intensity of the young, oblivious to the world around her. "She's doing well," Percy said suddenly. "Better than I'd have expected really."
Artemis's turned to study him, but his eyes never left his sister. The tension in his posture was evident. If she stubbed her toe he'd be at her side before she even had time to cry out, Artemis thought wryly. That will pass. He's just being overprotective for the time being. "She's young," Artemis told him quietly, "they tend to bounce back from trauma quickly or not at all." She felt herself grin weakly, "With Apollo's help in Ava's case it will be quickly." Now if only he could do the same for you.
Percy grunted and took a sip of his coffee. "Maybe you're right," he muttered. The corners of Percy's mouth turned up in a slight grin and his eyes cut toward her momentarily before snapping back to Ava. "Speaking of Apollo," he mused aloud. "He definitely made some interesting choices with the apartment he gave us."
Artemis sniffed. "More than likely that was Aphrodite," she said in a tone of feigned annoyance. "Hephaestus never could deny her anything."
Percy laughed softly. "Well I guess I can sleep on the couch if you want me to. Or on the floor in Ava's room," he said in a tone that gave away absolutely none of his feelings on the matter. He didn't even turn his glance toward her. Just continued to sit, quietly watching his sister.
Artemis studied him silently for a moment. Clear but hard sea-green eyes, that unruly black hair, a jaw dusted with black stubble, his long, lean, and muscular form: quite frankly she thought he was beautiful, but none of those reasons were why she wanted him with her during the nights. She loved him, she was willing to admit that to herself if not to him yet, and because she loved him she wanted to protect him, and to protect him she had to be with him. That's the reason, she told herself. It's for him. "That won't be necessary," she finally said.
Percy's eyes met hers then, and in them she saw a burning curiosity mingled with the ever present pain. "It' won't?" he asked.
"Like I said," she told him nonchalantly. "It's where this thing between us will end up, so we have to get used to it eventually."
Percy chuckled "You sure know how to make a guy feel wanted," he said, and Artemis felt her cheeks grow hot in anger and embarrassment.
"Yes, well," Artemis said then stopped to clear her throat before continuing in a stern voice. "Aphrodite may be trying to force us into sharing a bed, but if you even think to touch me in a way I disapprove of I swear I'll find a way to break that curse just so I can cut your balls off."
Percy didn't flinch. He just raised an eyebrow at her and smiled. "You're growing crass Artemis," he mused. "Apollo would be proud." He grew more serious as he continued, "But I don't think either one of us are anywhere near ready for that yet."
Artemis studied him for a moment then smiled. "I'm sorry," she told him. "I should have known I could trust you. Even old habits I thought I'd broken die hard I guess."
Percy turned back toward Ava with a small smile that died quickly. "Don't worry about it," he murmured. Suddenly he was grinning again. "Look at us," he said somewhat wryly. "Not even a real couple yet and we already have a little girl to raise." He shook his head, chuckled, and muttered, "Gods I hope we don't screw this up."
Artemis rolled her eyes at him. "Are you forgetting what I was before the prophecy?" she asked him. He really can be dense sometimes, she thought. "Other than Hera there's probably no one in the world more qualified to help raise Ava than I am. And with the number of Aunts and Uncles she has on Olympus looking out for her we'd have to actively try to mess this up for anything to go wrong."
Percy grunted, "That's true I guess." He sighed and drained the last of his coffee. Looking out the now dark window he said, "It's getting late. We better get back and get Ava bathed and in bed."
Artemis stood behind Percy and watched as he tucked his sister into bed. "So did you take a bath and brush your teeth?" he asked the young girl as he sat on the side of her bed. He seemed nervous, as if not sure of what he was supposed to do or say. A Giant tries to kill him and he just laughs, but putting one little girl to bed terrifies him. She knew it was more than that in truth, but his discomfort was still amusing.
Ava rolled her eyes and despite herself Artemis grinned. "Yes Percy," Ava answered in an exasperated voice. "Miss Artemis helped me remember?"
Artemis laughed and placed a hand on Percy's shoulder. Leaning forward she kissed Ava's forehead. "Goodnight Ava," she said. "Come on Percy. It's time we let Ava sleep."
"What?" Percy asked with a start. "Ohh, yeah. Goodnight Ava," he said. Leaning forward he kissed Ava on the forehead and rose. "I'll be right now the hall if you need me."
"Goodnight," Ava said with a yawn, as she and Percy made their way to the door. "I love you Percy."
With that some of the tension seemed to go out of Percy and Artemis smiled again. "I love you too Ava, he said, and then shut the door. He sighed leaning his forehead against the closed door and squeezing his eyes shut. Artemis waited calmly beside him trying to hide her amused smile, waiting for him to speak. Finally he did. "I have no idea what I'm doing," he muttered, and turned to face her.
"Trust me Percy," she told him smiling warmly. "You're doing wonderfully." On a whim she decided to tease him a little. Seeing him so loving and caring with his sister had put her in a good mood. "If this is any indication of how you'll treat our daughter then in my opinion the Fates chose well."
Percy grunted and pushed himself from the door, fighting a smile of his own. "There you go with that daughter nonsense again," he muttered as they made their way down the hall to their own room. "I still say we'll be having a son."
Artemis laughed and pushed open the door to their bedroom. "We'll have to wait and see I guess," she said. The room was decorated in such a way as to invoke the feel of a remote hunting lodge while still maintaining the regal grandeur of Olympus. A combination Artemis would never have believed possible, but together Hephaestus and Aphrodite had pulled it off. Silver, white gold, and marble mixed flawlessly with animal furs and finely carved wooden furniture. A small fire even burned in a hearth against one wall. Closing the door behind them, Artemis untied and removed her silken silver robe, and threw it over the back of a chair before turning toward the bed.
Percy snorted as he pulled his shirt over his head. "I try to be respectable," he said, "but when you walk around dressed like that you make it very difficult."
Artemis turned to regard him openly even as he eyed her just as blatantly. Shirtless and wearing the pajama pants she'd made for him on Olympus, his lean and hard body was beautiful. "You don't make it very easy yourself," she murmured as she broke her eyes away and looked down at her own outfit, a loose-fitting tank and shorts. "Still," she said in a firmer voice, "I have no doubt you will be respectful."
Percy laughed. The first genuine laugh she'd heard from him in over week, and it brought a smile to her lips. "I gave you my word," he said through his chuckles. "Come on. Let's get to bed."
A short time later, as Artemis was dozing she was jolted awake for the first time of many by Percy's panicked shouting. Each time the nightmares came, she held him as he cried himself back into a fitful sleep. It was a long night.
So there it is. Like I said, this chapter is more about moving characters into position than anything.
We did get a number of good moments with Artemis and various characters. Seeing the way she interacts with different people is always fun for me. She's admitted to loving Percy to herself and in front of Athena, but is still stubborn in telling Percy. Which given the circumstances is probably for the best. A confession like that, though obvious to all involved (including Percy), is still a pretty heavy subject. Just a week after his mother and step father died is probably not the best time to be confessing love. I'm also excited to get Artemis back into a "play the mortal" role. This should be interesting with Ava in the mix.
Percy it seems is finally over Annabeth. To an extent at least; enough that he's now open to the idea of loving Artemis which is nice after thirteen chapters of him dodging. Still, considering how Annabeth still feels for him it's definitely sad. In this chapter we see Percy still putting on the brave face he's used the whole time, but now he's not hiding all of his emotions from Artemis. That, in my opinion, is a big deal. At the end though, when it's just him with his thoughts, we see that he's still grieving, and grieving bad. One week doesn't heal those types of emotional scars.
Starting next chapter we're going to start having some time jumps. We're still a good 25-30 years away from the start of the war and at the pace the plot is going now, this story will be over a million words if I don't speed it up. So speed it up I will.
Anyway, that's all I believe. Let me know what you think by leaving a review! Questions, comments, suggestions, criticisms; I want them all. Let me know what you love/hate. Please, feedback is critical, so review!
Until next time.