A/N Please recall the a/n from ch 3.

'thoughts or flashback'

"normal speech"

Disclaimer: I own nothing of PJO or HoO

Chapter Four: Young Love

Mount Olympus, Temple of Artemis

"He's just pretty much perfect isn't he?" Hebe goddess of youth, daughter of Hera and Zeus sighed deeply as she watched events unfold on the mortal plane, with Perseus at its center.

Artemis, her half-sister, only rolled her eyes. "He's not so bad for a boy but I wouldn't call him perfect." She drawled.

The goddess of childbirth did not like men. That was a well known fact; however she didn't outright despise them either. She just thought that the vast majority of them were conceited and full of themselves so it was a woman's job to knock them down a few pegs.

That her sisters constantly fell in and out of love with men annoyed her but it didn't mean she would hate them for it. She just didn't care for talking about men all the time as they seemed to love to do.

Even so, when away from her hunters, Artemis preferred hanging out with her sisters over her brothers. They might be annoying but no one was as annoying as Apollo or Ares.

"I knew he was incredible when he saved me but now I know he's smart, kind, and a born leader too." Hebe retorted with a dreamy expression on her face.

Artemis barely stifled the groan that threatened to escape. There was very little she could do now. Every time Hebe got into one of her moods she would go on and on extolling the virtues and recounting the story of how she met Perseus.

It's not like Artemis herself didn't know Perseus. She had actually known the kid since before he lost his first baby tooth. He'd actually been quite funny when he talked to the hunters and had a noticeable lisp because of missing teeth.

"Is that so?" Artemis commented blandly. "Well we can only watch and see what he does next and hope he is as good as you claim."

For a moment nothing else was said as both sisters continued to watch the Spartans. Briefly Artemis hoped and almost believed she had somehow avoided Hebe telling her story again.

Alas it was not to be. "I was foolish to trust those mortals on Pompeii but I'm so glad Perseus was nearby." Hebe started to recount.

Hoping that if she didn't show signs of paying attention to the story Hebe would stop, Artemis ignored her as she kept going.

"Father said that they were building a brand new temple dedicated to him and uncle Poseidon and I was curious so I went to see it. I had to disguise myself as a mortal first though." Hebe paused when she saw Artemis take a seat and so followed her example.

"I can see why that'd be interesting. Father and Uncle Poseidon rarely like to share anything." Artemis stated dryly.

After getting comfortable Hebe continued her story, "Of course while I was down with the mortals and asking questions about the temple I didn't realize some men were watching me. They figured that since I showed up alone that I was an easy target. So they tried to kidnap me."

Artemis despite hearing this already still narrowed her eyes in anger. To her it didn't matter if you were alone or not, no man should attempt to force himself on a woman.

If Perseus hadn't already exacted justice she would have gone down herself to smite those mortals.

"I screamed but there were several of them and one gagged me. I was so scared." Hebe did in fact have tears gather in her eyes as she remembered the fear she felt at the time.

Artemis lifted herself off her seat and went to comfort her sister. Yes she wished that Hebe would stop telling the story but that was equal parts annoyance from hearing it so much and equal parts because she didn't like seeing her relive that horrid experience.

"The-they wanted to f-force themselves on me." Hebe gasped, she sniffled and then her mood lifted a little, "but then the most wonderful thing happened!"

Artemis had her arms around her sister to comfort her. She already knew what happened next. After she heard about Hebe's encounter the very first time she'd rushed to confront Perseus to get his side of the story.

"Perseus was on the island too! He heard me screaming and my struggle. And like a true hero, like the noble and kind hearted man he is he rescued me from those wicked men and then punished them! He punished everyone just for me. He must have known it was me and rushed to my aid." Hebe's brilliant smile at that memory could have lit up the darkest of temples.

Yes, Artemis had confronted Perseus over what happened.

The story he told was only slightly different to Hebe's.

He did indeed rescue her sister and punish the men but he didn't leave it at that. He also didn't rescue her simply because she was a goddess. He had merely done what was right for any girl.

It seemed that Perseus was on Pompeii in order to resupply and get repairs on his ship. Poseidon his father had set several challenges for him, as was custom, before he allowed and deemed Perseus strong enough to reveal his heritage.

Say what you will about the god of the seas and his womanizing ways, he cared for his children. He made sure they grew up as happy as the ancient laws allowed him to interfere and as strong as he indirectly could influence.

From there he would test them before allowing his children to reveal their heritage. It was just a method of insuring they were strong enough to look after themselves.

The challenge that the son of the sea had to complete? Why it was to conquer and defeat in battle the sea monster Cetus. The very same that was prophesized not to be able to be killed without the blood of a gorgon being spilt.

Yet Perseus had defeated the monster, he hadn't killed it true but that wasn't the quest. The quest was only to beat it in battle which Perseus did accomplish.

It tired him out though and exhausted his supplies so on his way back to Athens he'd stopped in Pompeii. When he got there he was appalled and angered to find that the city was making a mockery of the gods. Of his father!

Building temples that weren't meant for worship but for ridicule. They wouldn't sacrifice anything important either, more often than not burning trash or the worst parts of an animal so they could keep the choice cuts for themselves.

Of course those weren't the worst of their crimes, but they were the most blatant. They also, in the belief that they were untouchable, declared themselves immortal and future rulers of the world. To make things worse, if they did sacrifice anything but trash or something equally insulting, it was usually young women and children for whatever twisted reasons.

So Perseus grew angry and when he had found men attempting to rape a young girl his anger was unleashed. He saved her, unsuspecting who she really was, and ushered her to the boat. He made her set sail while he went back to the island.

Hebe assumed at first that Perseus was going to punish only the men but really he was going to destroy the whole city. None should make a mockery of the gods. That was only asking for trouble.

"I fell in love with him Artemis. I love him for what he did and I know we're destined to be together. What else but love could have brought us together like that? In a situation where his character and will as a hero were tested and proven true? My hero and future husband Perseus." Hebe implored as she grasped her sister's arm.

Artemis felt slightly uncomfortable at the honest pleading look her sister was giving her.

Hebe desperately wanted to believe Perseus loved her because there was no other reason he rescued her. That it wasn't because he was one of the few honorable men that would do that for anyone not just a beautiful girl like Hebe in mortal form.

What he did to the island though would go down in history. At Pompeii, the city which made a mockery of the gods, there was also a volcano on the island. It was named Mt. Vesuvius and like all volcanoes was connected to the earth.

It had been inactive for many years which is why the people of the city felt comfortable building their houses and everything around the base. Until Perseus showed up and made it blow up that is.

Yes the son of Poseidon, the earth shaker, caused a tremendous earthquake that made Mt. Vesuvius unstable and erupt. The damage was uncontrollable and lives lost were astonishing.

The entire city was buried below the lava of the volcano.

Zeus of course understood why it was done. He and Poseidon were in fact planning on sinking the island with a tsunami but Perseus beat them to it. He with a single act of fury and rage solidified his position as one of the strongest and most powerful demigods alive.

With his ability to unsettle even a volcano and make it erupt, his power rivaled even the great Heracles and certainly compared to Theseus who it was said could raise a tsunami on a calm day on his own.

Of course when Zeus found out that Perseus had rescued his daughter from a terrible fate, Zeus was even more grateful to the young demigod. He didn't outright show it, but he respected the young man.

"Oh look Artemis! Perseus is asking for help. And I do believe Father is going to grant him his wish!" Hebe quickly redirected their attention back to the Hot Gates.

"Hmm. That's interesting. Father detests involving himself in mortal affairs. I can see why Uncle Poseidon would do it but not Father." Artemis pointed out as she watched the storm Zeus and Poseidon created tear apart the Persian fleet.

"Oh! Do you think he approves of Perseus perhaps? I did tell him all about my hero after all." Hebe curiously wondered, hoping her father wouldn't be against her love of the young hero.

Artemis shook her head ruefully. "I cannot say." 'Although I doubt that's the reason. More than likely father just didn't want to be in the debt or owe a favor to any mortal.'

The twin of Apollo then noticed how Perseus slipped away while his comrades cheered the storm on. "Where is he going?"

Hebe frowned and also tracked his movements. "I don't know." Her eyes then widened slightly as she noticed that he went to meet someone. "Who is that?"

Artemis' eyes narrowed as the form of the visitor became clearer. "That's Zoë."

Hebe gasped and whirled on her sister. "What is she doing?! She won't hurt him will she?"

A roll of the eyes later and a shrug was all Hebe got in answer. "Probably not. Who can ever tell between those two? They're friends but sometimes she likes to threaten him anyways just to remind him she doesn't like men."

Hebe breathed a sigh of relief. "For a moment there I was worried he might be in danger. I know he's strong but I do worry about him sometimes." She explained wistfully.

Artemis only nodded absentmindedly. 'Zoë did ask for a personal day to run an errand. Is this the reason she asked to be away from the hunt? Normally I'd be concerned but now I'm actually worried she just might hurt the boy. What that despicable half-brother of mine did to her is unforgivable and I know Zoë doesn't take kindly to men.'

The two sisters watched over the encounter that Zoë and Perseus shared. Only slight surprise registered on either one of their faces as they found out what it was all about.

Both approved at the outcome of their meeting.

Hebe did get a little jealous though at the casual way Zoë behaved around her hero. "She's so lucky. So are you Artemis. If I was allowed I'd try and talk to Perseus as much as possible. But Father doesn't want me leaving Olympus alone anymore…" She trailed off sadly.

Artemis could sympathize with her sister's frustration. Despite being a goddess she felt powerless and trapped on Olympus.

Unfortunately Artemis fully agreed with her father on this occasion. After all, if the somewhat juvenile and wild goddess of youth hadn't been rescued that day after she snuck off to Pompeii who knew what might have happened.

That was perhaps the only downside to being a daughter of Zeus. He tended to be very overprotective with them unlike his sons.

"Have patience sister. I'm sure you'll get a chance to meet him someday. Father can't keep you up here forever, he's just being cautious. He'll relax soon enough." Artemis smiled kindly at Hebe.

Hebe smiled back but also plotted for a way to meet him herself if her father took too long. She loved her father dearly but it wasn't too much fun having to be treated like a child, even if she was the goddess of youth.

Maybe she could ask her mother for help? 'Now there's an idea. Mother will surely help me! She always has a plan and gets her way.'

Thermopylae Pass

Rain poured and winds roared. The storm created by two of the elder three gods was frightening in its power.

Perseus ignored it though as only he'd heard the sharp whistle while everyone was watching the gulf. Knowing what it meant he left the rest of his companions and made his way to a secluded section of the Hot Gates.

Once there he met once more in little less than a week his friend Zoë.

"I came by to let you know that Lady Artemis did in fact invite Phoebe into the hunt. She accepted." Zoë said as they each took a seat on a flat rock under a rocky overhang shielding them from the rain.

Startled out of his thoughts, Perseus took a few seconds to respond. "Huh? Oh well thanks for letting me know. I was a bit worried she would struggle to fit in."

A hand reached into the bag by her side and pulled out a sheathed sword. "Here. I heard from Lady Artemis that you intend to stay here and represent Athens against the Persians. Perhaps this will help."

Perseus took the sword curiously and unsheathed it, eyes widening in shock. "Are you sure about this? I know how much this means to you. I don't think I should keep it."

Zoë scoffed and seemed to find the ground very interesting all of a sudden. "Who said you can keep it idiot? I'm only being nice and lending it to you since your own sword is of terrible quality."

Perseus smiled at the obvious deflection. She was a truly stubborn girl who refused to admit that she saw Perseus as a friend and worried about him.

"Won't you need it though for when out on the hunt? The game you girls go after isn't exactly the normal fare of boars and deer." Perseus asked genuinely curious. He was a bit reluctant to accept the sword if she would be safer having it in her possession.

He'd won the sword back from Heracles and given it back immediately to Zoë. To take it away from her now just didn't seem right.

"I believe you will need it more than I Perseus. There are rumors that Xerxes has and brings his own brand of monsters. That blade will serve you well. But I will not accept it back without your apologies for sullying my blade!" She snapped, daring him to challenge her.

Perseus grinned and pretended to inspect the sword so she wouldn't snap at him some more.

He understood her character a bit better than most would think. This was just Zoë's way of saying, 'come back safely and live through this' without actually saying the words.

"I will take care of the blade Zoë. Thank you." Perseus strapped the sheath to his side and got to his feet.

There was little more to say between the two. Neither was very good at making small talk, which might be the reason they got along so well.

Zoë also got to her feet and threw a hooded cloak over herself to protect from the rain – lightly glaring at Perseus who remained perfectly dry – and started to walk away. She had one more thing to say to him and didn't bother turning around to say it, "That blade, as you've guessed is made of Celestial Bronze. Its name is anaklusmos. It will always return to the user so there's no excuses for losing it understand?"

"Right, I understand. I'll return it as soon as I can Zoë."

As she walked away and her form started to disappear in the horizon, she whispered a few words quietly, "Don't die on me Perseus. You are not what I expected to find in a man ever again, so don't die on me."

A/N Please leave all questions, concerns or comments on your way out. I do read each and every review and they all help in some way. The more you review the quicker I update.

Seriously though, I know Pompeii was centuries after the Battle of Thermopylae but I don't care. It sounded cool when I wrote it and so it stays this way in my story.