SLAP!

"Owies," Percy gingerly placed a hand over the red one on his cheek. "What was that for?"

"For leaving without an explanation. Hmph. What do you think you were doing?! You could've gotten yourself killed out there! And don't you dare say you got lost because you and I both know you can easily teleport back home. Explain," she sat down next to him angrily.

He didn't even flinch. Instead, he marveled at her as if she were the most beautiful thing to ever walk in the universe. Which, in his case, she is. "What?" She raised an eyebrow. He shrugged, "Nothing. I just like it when you demand for things from me," she flushed and lost her composure. "W-w-what?" He smiled. "I said I like it when you demand me to do things. Or when you demand something of me," he repeated slowly.

"I heard you the first time! What I meant was—ah whatever. Start explaining yourself, or you're sleeping on the floor for the next decade."

"Fine. Fine. Long story short, I received a prophecy; Annabeth ended up receiving a quest too; a hydra found us; I was knocked out. Word of advice? Don't tell Rachel you're leaving town for a bit."

"Wow. Only you can make a few days' worth of events sound like they happened in seconds."

"Yeah well, I've been told I have the knack to do things like that. So tell me," he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her lower back, "what have you been up to?" As their lips connected, Artemis couldn't help but think. She couldn't help but think how he could make her do whatever he wanted her to do with just that smile.

As she slowly pushed him down onto their bed (she flashed them to their bedroom) she couldn't help but think that sometimes, you don't need to find something worth living for. You have to find something worth dying for. As she started to unbutton that damn shirt of his, she wondered.

She wondered: if I was given the chance for a do-over, would I change? Would I do everything the same? And she smiled. She smiled against his lips, she smiled against his ear. Against his neck. Collarbone. Chest. She smiled. Because, the question was a no-brainer.

If she was given the chance to do a do-over, she wouldn't take it. She wouldn't take it because everything she never knew she wanted—needed—was right here, right now. Everything she has ever asked for and didn't, was one with her.

As they made love that night—no not some crazy, no-feelings-attached sexual intercourse—love. As they made love, she was happy. And she couldn't help but know that as along as the love of her infinite life was happy, she would be happy. She didn't care if he were with someone else, as long as he was happy. Some may say that rewards and attention and a lover would make you happy, but the truth is: there's no way for you to be happy if those around you aren't. If she ever saw Percy frowning, sad, despaired, she'd probably—no, she will feel as if she has failed her purpose in life.

If Percy were ever unhappy, she'd feel like a failure because then she would be one. Everyone has a purpose in life. The Fates don't waste their precious time to weave a string of yarn that won't benefit them at all. They wouldn't waste their limited amount of yarn only to throw it in the garbage. No, they wouldn't. She believes that everyone was born for a reason. Some may take a lifetime to find theirs, but there is one. Artemis only took a few millennia to realize what her reason is. Who her reason is. Some may say—as he has said many times—that she saved him. Some say that when he was nothing but a shell of a broken man, when his heart was broken into unfixable shards, that she saved him when she took him in.

Some would say that she was the glue that carefully put his heart together, and with her love she filled in the small cracks and missing pieces. But Artemis isn't Some People. Artemis is Artemis, and she believed the he saved her. He saved her. Not only from the Titans, or the Giants, but from life in general. You don't really know what it feels like to be lonely until you've been the opposite. You can't feel lonely until you've actually had a companion. He saved her. He saved her from many things. Many things.

He saved her from despair.

He saved her from the misguided belief that all men are bad. Pigs.

He saved her from being alone.

He saved her from the black hole she felt herself being swallowed into.

He caught her, and pulled her up just as she let go of the edge and began free falling.

He saved her.

He saved her, and that is something she will be forever grateful for. That was what was on her mind as she leaned down to kiss him. That is what she thought, and that is what she voiced. "You saved me," she said. "You saved me…" and she repeated it until she let the love in the heated room envelop her.

Suddenly, there was no pain in Percy's side. There was no memory of Tartarus. No limited amount of time. There was no hate. There was nothing in this world except for Percy and Artemis. Artemis and Percy. And their love for each other. Suddenly, every pain he ever felt in the world, was numb.

"I have to leave the house more often if this is how I'll be payed when I get back," Percy smiled at Artemis. His hand gently gripped her bare shoulder, as with one hand she held the thin sheet to her chest, and her other laid on his exposed chest. "Don't you dare think about it mister. You do not want to know the trouble I went through. When must you leave?"

Percy frowned: "I…uh, well I don't know. Hm, guess I should've thought of that before I fought that hydra. Where's Annabeth?"

"She talking to Apollo about the prophecy. There's really no one else she can talk to about it. Poor girl, probably being tortured."

"Doubt it."

"Why?"

"Because I'm pretty sure Apollo has the children. And if Apollo has the children…" Artemis pushed herself up, and smiled at him as she swung herself over him. "What?"

"Actually, never mind. If they're with him, then we have the whole day to ourselves," and he smiled that mischievous smile of his. Artemis leaned down, their noses touching, "Thought so," she gave him a lopsided grin. And she went for the kill.

"Seaweed Brain! Artemis!"

"Mommy! Daddy!"

"Little Sis'! Bro!"

"Milady! Kelp Head!"

And together, Apollo, Sally, Thalia, Annabeth, and Jake yelled at the same time: "WE'RE HO-O-OME!" They all laughed as they set down a few things on the kitchen counter. "Be down in a sec!" They heard the frantic voices of Percy and Artemis. Thalia raised an eyebrow as she heard a few thuds and curses in Ancient Greek, "Uh, is everyone decent?!" She covered the ears of the children.

"Thalia!"

"Just curious!"

They didn't even hear them running down the stairs, but apparently by the time they were down, they were painting and sweaty, and smelt funny. Thalia tucked her hands in her pockets, "Well, one could argue you two were doing the naughty." She wagged her finger in their flushed faces. Probably both for different reasons. "Thals," Percy growled through gritted teeth. Thalia raised her arms in the universal sign of surrender, "Okay, okay," she backed off, "no more, naughty jokes. Got it," she smirked. Percy's hold on the waist of his wife tightened a little. She just smiled at Thalia and leaned back into his sturdy chest.

No one noticed Annabeth flinch.

"So, boys and girls, why don't you go off to your room and play with the new toys we got you?"

"We?" Percy raised an eyebrow at Annabeth. "You're right. They're too cute to deny. But don't worry, I didn't go too far. You should've seen the cart when I went to the Restroom. Never trust Thalia and Apollo to go shopping for your children. Brrr," she shivered at the end, remembering the sight they had beheld. When she got back from the "Laboratories" she found Apollo and Thalia smiling sheepishly at her with a mountain of toys 'hidden' (more like in the spot-light) behind them. "Well, I'm glad you were there. This palace may be enchanted to continue expanding, but I think they still have too much stuff. Thanks, anyways," he clapped his hands together, and faced Annabeth, "when are we leaving for the quest?" She shrugged. "I think the sooner the better. But this time we leave prepared."

As they talked, Artemis tried her best to not say anything. She didn't feel well and didn't want her breakfast to go into the toilet.