May 2010

The first new recruit after the war doesn't come for a nearly a year. Artemis wanted to allow time for Zoë—as well as the hunters—to get re-acclimated to the lieutenant living again after Apollo's miracle without having to deal with new hunters. She would never be able to show Apollo just how thankful she was for him to use the gift the Fates gave him on bringing Zoë back from the dead.

But even though Zoë had been back—alive—for nearly seven months now, the hunters were still recovering from the emotional trauma of watching Orion kill many of their sisters, and Zoë still had depressive episodes. It wasn't nearly as bad as it was for the first three months or so—she gets out of bed almost everyday now—but she still struggles to stay around the hunters for long periods of time without feeling like she's suffocating.

This caused Artemis to be determined to improve morale all throughout her camp. A vacation. She thought. A long vacation that requires the Hunt to stay stationary and not have to worry about hardly anything. Some place that's sunny and relaxing with clear skies at night.

She had decided on staying outside of some city in Australia — Sydney or Melbourne maybe.

About a week in, when Zoë was positive there was no danger around and they could breathe, Artemis allowed all of the hunters to explore the city on the condition of not exploring by themselves and being weary of mortal boys.

Zoë had just wanted a cup of coffee and then spend the rest of the day in a quiet camp. Artemis, however, was determined to make Zoë obnoxiously happy, if only for the day. She dragged her across the city to see as much as possible. They went to a café, on a sightseeing tour, spent lunchtime in the botanical gardens (where Artemis even had Zoë giggling the whole time) and were now on their way to a Korean restaurant, taking their time as they observed all the street art.

Artemis looked down at their clasped hands as she fell slightly behind Zoë and smiled. Zoë was in a good mood, and it warmed her heart. Zoë led them down an alleyway, following a path of tiny motorbikes spray painted on the walls.

The goddess let go of her lieutenant's hand to stare at a mural. While she was busy noting how the new art started to cover the best part of the mural, Zoë's attention was caught by a strange sound behind a dumpster. She followed the sound and discovered a young, unconscious teenage girl who was struggling to breathe and bleeding profusely on the ground.

She immediately called for Artemis who came running at a frantic pace.

"What's wrong?" she asked, clearly worried for Zoë's safety. "What's wrong?"

She followed Zoë's line of sight to see the girl on the ground.

"Oh."

The pair managed to bring her back to the camp quickly. While Artemis spent time attending to the girl, Zoë stood far outside of the tent, several meters away in order to keep an eye out for any of the hunters.

Zoë's eyes immediately lit up as she noticed Thalia, Jemma, and Adela arrive back at camp.

"Jemma!" Zoë pressed.

"What's wrong?" The healer asked, following quickly behind Zoë

"We have someone that needs care."

"None of the hunters right?" Thalia quickly asked.

Zoë shook her head as all of them entered the tent.

Jemma ran to the girl's side. She felt her forehead. "'s a little hot."

"Who's that?" Adela asked.

"We're not sure of her name," Artemis replied.

"Why didn't you just take her to the hospital?" Thalia questioned.

"Can't you feel it? She's a half-blood. My guess would be Hermes," Artemis murmured. "Zoë, if you'd please."

The dark-haired girl understood the request and escorted Thalia and Adela out of the tent. Zoë resumed her post, waiting for the others. Much to Zoë's relief, the remaining few hunters started to quickly trickle in. Alice and Mary, check. Zoë thought. Now we just need Aeva and Diamond.

"So you two just randomly found her?" Thalia asked.

Always has to be in the know.

"Yes. We were walking through an alley when we found her behind a dumpster." Zoë saw the afro of Diamond over the hill and heard Aeva make some joke and visibly relaxed. That's all of them. "That's usually how we find new recruits."

"Behind dumpsters?"

"No, randomly. Alice. Get an extra scout on the perimeter. A half-blood was attacked and I'd rather her attacker not surprise her or us."

"Of course, Zo."

"Thalia, I'll leave the fire to you—and without the use of your powers, please."

She walked passed a grumbling Thalia and towards the tent. When she entered, the first thing that she noticed was that the girl was awake. Jemma was taking a look at her ankle and it was obvious the girl was in pain. Artemis stood in the middle of the tent as to give Jemma space to work.

"Zoë," Artemis addressed her lieutenant. "This is Charlotte."

"Charlie," said girl interrupted.

"Hermes?" Zoë asked.

"Apollo," Artemis replied curtly.

"Ah. So a niece then."

"Apollo has always enjoyed Australia."

"Niece?" The girl—Charlie—quietly questioned.

"You're talking to a god, kid," Jemma chimed in, nodding to Artemis. "Specifically your dad's sister."

"So you're Artemis then?" Charlie asked, earning a nod from the goddess. She made eye contact with Zoë. "And you are—?"

"Zoë Nightshade, lieutenant to Artemis."

"Our loyal second in command," Jemma quipped. "She'd do anything for us. She'd even give up her own life to save an immortal goddess."

"Jemma," Artemis' voiced harshly snapped.

Charlie didn't understand much of the exchange. All she knew was that Artemis looked like she wanted to smite the healer and that Jemma quickly excused herself.

"Keep pressure off the leg, Charlie. Everything will take time but should heal just fine," she said hastily. As she stood up, she bowed deeply to Artemis and avoided eye contact with Zoë, a clear sign of submission.

Charlie glanced at both of them. Zoë had a hint of sadness in her eyes as she tracked Jemma out of the tent. She noticed Artemis quickly rub the small of Zoë's back before turning her attention back to her.

"So have you made a decision, child?" Artemis asked. Zoë raised her eyebrows. That was quick.

"Eternal life or boys? Who'd ever say no?"

Near the entrance of the tent, she heard Zoë scoff.


I have this head cannon that as a thank you for everything Apollo did during the Second Titan War that the Fates gave him a gift. And despite his arrogant ways, he loves his sister and decided to use his gift on Zoë because screw the nonsense that is her death.

I also think she'd struggle to readjust to being alive because of several reasons.