I'm dedicating this chapter to darkdeamon41 thanks so much for your message. It kicked me right through my writer's block.

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Eros entered his mother's chambers; he was satisfied with the events he had secretly witnessed. He found everything fascinating from Artemis' ability to stop the War god from killing his brother to Gemini's first fight and Ares' suspicious discussion with Apollo over Hera's temporary bed. He searched for his mother eager to hear her praise about the information he had gathered. He found her trading insults with Eris. The mischief goddess had never like the goddess of love and never made her opinion a secret.

"Guardian of love! Hah! More like the goddess of lust. You wouldn't know love if it walked up and introduced itself." Eris sneered.

"At least I have worshipers, you third rate nymph! Does anyone even know you exist?" Aphrodite returned just as violently.

They continued to go back and forth while Eros fought with the urge to protect his mother and knowing she wouldn't want to be interrupted. While he stood there wondering what he should do the fighting had nearly escalated to the physical. Eros was just about ready to take action when Hermes rushed in and dove between the two fighting deities.

"Hello ladies." He greeted them. "Di you look fabulous but then you knew that already. And if it isn't my favorite trouble maker, Eris you and I have got to hook up sometime babe." Within seconds he had them both preening and settled down.

"What do you need Hermes?" Aphrodite asked him pleasantly fluttering her lashes.

"Well actually this is a side trip really I'm on my way to deliver a message to Hades but Ares stopped me and asked me to come by here on my way." Both goddesses look at the messenger god hopefully. Hermes turned to Eris. "He wants you to come to his room this evening he has something he needs you to do." With that he was gone.

"Well, well well looks like he has no more use for you." But before Aphrodite could even form her mouth in retort Eris was gone.

The goddess of love fell gracefully unto her couch and waved her had for candles and incense to appear. Before long the room was smoky just as it was when Eros received his mission. Eros stood erect and perfectly still as he waited for his mother's acknowledgement. He would wait all night and day if he had to but thankfully the Fates were kind. Aphrodite opened her eyes mere moments later and noticed her son for the first time. She motioned for him to come closer. He kneeled before her and she rested her hand on his head.

"What have you come to report my son?" She asked after what felt like hours of silence.

"I have learned many things since his return mother despite the fact that all he seems to do is sit at Hera's beside. First he seems to be very angry at his brother for allowing harm to come to Hera." Aphrodite patted his head to signal him to go on. "Secondly when he returned, he through Hephaestus through the wall because of it and Hera awoke from her coma to shout at them but that isn't even the best part mother."

"Then tell me what is!" She snapped. Eros flinched as if he'd been slapped. She saw his face and regressed. "Mother is very tired son; she has had a long tedious day so just give me the highlights."

"Of course, Mother. The point of that story was that Artemis was the one who stopped him from killing Hephaestus." Aphrodite's eyebrow's rose. "I was curious as to why he would listen to her and not Hera, so I followed her and witness Artemis and Apollo fight for the first time. They are keeping a secret between them but he wants to tell Athena…" Aphrodite pinched the bridge of her nose and Eros remembered to save the details until he was asked. "Something happened between Ares and Artemis Mother I am sure of it. Even Ares himself confirmed it when had an argument with Apollo."

"What happened between them?"

"I do not know. No one would speak of it like they knew I was listening or it is so horrible that they do not even risk repeating it out loud."

"Then in addition to following Ares I wish for you to follow Artemis as well to find out what this secret of theirs is." She motioned for him to rise. "You are dismissed." Eros left without another word.

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That evening Eris came to Ares rooms dressed in the finest thing she could find in her closet without it looking like she had purposely dressed up for the occasion. She had settled for the only purple toga she owned remembering that it was Ares' favorite color or at least it used to be. She arrived at his door just after dusk. She knocked and waited. She waited so long that she thought that perhaps that she had misunderstood Ares message when he opened the door for her.

"Good you're here. Come in before someone sees you." Before Artemis or her idiot brother see you. He thought ruefully as he ushered Eris inside.

"So what did you need me to do?" Eris asked making herself comfortable on the only couch in his room that hadn't been destroyed.

"I need you to spy on someone for me. They have something that belongs to me and I want it back." Eris deflated for only a fraction of a second but Ares didn't miss it. He sat down beside her and cupped her face. He knew when and how to pour the charm on if he had to.

"I need to watch Artemis for me, Eris she stole something from me and I really need it back." Eris' eyes flashed with what looked like loyalty.

"Anything. What do you need me to do exactly?" She asked fully on board. Ares smiled, she'd bought it hook, line and sinker.

"Just listen to her conversations, without getting caught, and let me know what she says and who she says it to, that way I'll be able to figure out where she hid it."

"I'll start right now." And off she went leaving a very amused Ares in her wake.

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The cold shoulder Artemis had been giving him didn't stop Apollo from trying. For two weeks he had waited through the night with her in the courtyard and religiously ignored or avoided Athena. He had hope that Artemis would see his efforts and forgive him or at least tell him how he could earn her forgiveness. She did neither completely ignoring him as he did Athena. Finally he couldn't stand it any longer. When Artemis stood silently watching her moon and not speaking to him he snapped and tackled her to the ground. Eris from the shadows put her hand over her mouth to stifle the gasp. Apollo pinned Artemis to the ground by her shoulders and held firm. She didn't even react just stared blank ahead .

"Alright I have had enough of this, we have never fought in our entire lives and I don't want to start now. I think I have more than paid my penance Artemis and you are going to stop being a brat right now!" He huffed catching his breath. He's never yelled at her before and has discovered that he doesn't like it at all. Artemis was still for a very long time before she erupted into giggles.

"Finally. Sheesh that took you forever! No do you realize how important this is to me? I need us to never speak of it so he doesn't find out just what it meant so he'll forget. It's important; it's the only thing left I can give him." Relief washed over Apollo. He kissed her forehead and helped her up at least they were together again. He'd remember to be angry with her later.

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Leigh: Once again thanks to darkdeamon41.

Conscience: Yes! We love getting notes. *Winks* Everyone should send us reviews and messages.

Leigh: *Rolls eyes* That was a shameless plug………….

Conscience: Whatever. You wanted to say it so I said it. It was what we both wanted don't get testy with me.

Leigh: Yes Mother.