Two weeks later Athena and Hephaestus' relationship was going strong much to the detriment of her relationship with her brother. Regardless they were happy, until one morning in the forge where their lives were going to change forever, for better or worse was up to them.

Athena awoke the next morning next to Hephaestus on his couch in the forge. Her first thought was that she felt sick, really sick. Her face paled considerably as she lurched upwards, conjuring a pot quickly, just before she vomited into it. At the sound of her retching Hephaestus woke up and placed his arms around her, comforting her as she emptied her stomach into the pot.

"Are you alright?" Hephaestus asked her concerned for her. He had long been in love with Athena and now that they were together, Hephaestus finally felt that his life was turning around. Now he just had to break it to Aphrodite, she was not going to take it gracefully.

"I'm fine, I must've eaten something that didn't agree with me." Athena tried to smile at Hephaestus but another bout of nausea took over and her head disappeared into the pot again.

"You should go see Apollo anyway maybe he'll have something that could help you."

"Eh, I'd rather not Heph, I know what's wrong with me anyway I'd rather spend whatever time I can with you." Athena spoke softly as she waved her hands in the air, cleaning her mouth out, before placing a soft kiss on Hephaestus' mouth.

"You know I'd love that too 'Ena but I've got a large order of thunderbolts to make for Zeus."

Athena pouted softly before bidding Hephaestus farewell and stood up and smoothed out her dress before turning to leave the forge. She waved goodbye to Hephaestus and left the forge. Athena walked aimlessly around Olympus trying to calm her sick stomach. She quickly hid behind a pillar as she noticed Aphrodite coming towards her.

Please don't see me. Please, please, please.

"Athena?"

Crap

She walked nonchalantly out from behind the pillar, trying to make it seem like she hadn't been hiding.

"Yes Aphrodite?"

"Have you seen Hephaestus I've been looking all over for him but I can't find him anywhere."

"Uh, yes he's in his forge working on some thunderbolts, I went in earlier to get some dents tapped out of my shield, but he's very busy. I wouldn't bother him."

"Oh that's ok we're dating and Hephie always makes time for me." The blonde goddess spoke confidently and with that she strutted away towards the forge.

Poor Hephaestus. Athena thought as she shook her head and walked away.

A few minutes later Athena heard some loud crashes and screaming coming from the forge. Athena was sitting with Artemis at the time and both goddesses exchanged a look before looking up to see an enraged Aphrodite coming towards them tears of sorrow and anger coursing down her pink cheeks.

"How could you cheat on me!" Aphrodite screeched at Hephaestus who had just limped up to her.

"I never cheated on you Aphrodite, I just didn't break up with you when I started dating another woman."

"Who is she? Point out the ugly toad and I'll curse her so bad she won't even know what hit her!"

"You won't hurt her Aphrodite, now go while your dignity is still intact."

Aphrodite let out an unladylike scream before she slapped Hephaestus across the face before spinning on her heel and storming away. Persephone scurrying after her, determined to console her friend.

Athena and Artemis watched them leave before turning to look at Hephaestus who at Aphrodite's departure thrown up his hands in exasperation before turning to leave. After a few minutes of idle chatter Athena bid farewell to Artemis before turning to follow Hephaestus, she found him at the fountain. Hephaestus was sitting with his head in his hands when Athena came up to him. She sat silently next to him, waiting for him to acknowledge her presence. After a few minutes Hephaestus looked up and took Athena's hand in his own, silently taking his comfort from her.

Meanwhile Aphrodite was complaining to Persephone about all of Hephaestus' faults as she vented her fury.

"You just know it was some tart that he left me for," Aphrodite mumbled to herself as she tried to figure out just who was this other woman Hephaestus was so enthralled with. She didn't know who it was but she could tell, through her godhood, that Hephaestus was in love with the woman and had been for some time. But the only person that Aphrodite could think of who matched that description was Athena, but there was no way that Athena would break her vows for Hephaestus, as far as Aphrodite knew she barely spoke to him. Sure they were friends but she thought that it was as far as it went. But Apparently not, Aphrodite decided that she was going to keep a closer eye on the two gods until she was certain of the identity of the other woman.

Ares was wondering Olympus lost in his sad thoughts when he heard from Hermes that Aphrodite and Hephaestus had broken up. Not that Ares was in any mood to care about what troubles Aphrodite had but you know what they say misery loves company and that was precisely what Ares needed.

"Hello Aphrodite." Ares greeted kindly as he gauged the mood of Aphrodite as he entered the room.

Aphrodite looked up at the sound of her name and smiled when she saw Ares. Ares was a handsome god and he would just be the right thing to take her mind off Hephaestus at least for a little while.

"Hello Ares, what brings you here."

At her words Ares felt a surge of anger towards Athena and with a scowl he sat next to Aphrodite on the cloud couch and complained about a woman who was making his life difficult. It didn't take Aphrodite long to get involved in the complaining too and soon one thing led to another and Aphrodite and Ares ended up taking comfort in the other and afterwards they both agreed that this was something that they wanted to make more permanent.

A few days later the other gods were surprised to learn that Ares and Aphrodite had started dating. The two lovelorn gods were determined to make the best out of a terrible situation, both had been scorned by their lovers, both were hurting and what better way to move on then with each other.

Athena was saddened yet also happy for her brother. She was glad that he had found someone to share his life with even if that person was Aphrodite. Still she was determined to be happy for her brother. Hephaestus on the other hand was concerned for Athena she had been sick for days now and still refused to see Apollo, Hephaestus knew that he would have to put his foot down and insist that she see him, but Athena was a proud goddess and wasn't likely to want to see him, as she would never have admitted that she was sick unless Hephaestus had seen it for himself. Still he was determined to make her go, and that was going to happen regardless of what she wanted.

"Athena?" Hephaestus called as he walked up to her room.

Athena walked out to greet the blacksmith with a hug. Hephaestus noted that she looked pale with a sheen of sweat beading on her forehead.

"You have been throwing up again haven't you." Hephaestus remarked as he took in her appearance.

"It's nothing." Athena replied evasively.

"You need to see Apollo," Hephaestus said firmly as he held her arms. At her hesitance Hephaestus added "for me please."

"For you." Athena replied a small smile on her mouth.

Athena left and walked to Apollo's medicine room.

"Apollo? Are you here?" Athena asked the seemingly empty room.

Apollo entered from another antechamber his arms piled with scrolls.

"Hello Athena how can I help you?"

"I'm afraid I haven't been feeling well as of late Apollo."

"I see well let's have a look shall we."

Apollo listened dutifully as Athena told him her symptoms and began a quick examination with confirmed his suspicions, Apollo was surprised to see that when he told Athena, she gave him a look of disbelief and fainted.

A/N: And that's chapter 5 please read and review and to the people who can guess what's wrong with Athena get a cookie