"WHERE IS IT!"

Aphrodite's screams were heard all throughout Olympus. Most of its inhabitants ignored her, assumed it was just another one of her temper tantrums. Aphrodite stomped around in her chambers furious. She called for her son and didn't come. She wasn't sure how to handle this new development. Who could Ares have fallen in love with? Was it some mortal? Nymph or goddess? She looked around her room.

"EROS!" She called her son again. "EROS!"

Again her son did not appear and again Aphrodite was enraged. She couldn't understand why he didn't come. Just as she was about to call again Hermes entered her room.

"Well hello there beautiful. Wanna tell old Hermes what all the noise is about?"

"Have you seen my son?" She asked instead of answering him.

"No I haven't."

"Could you do me a favor?" Aphrodite walked across the room and caressed the messenger god's cheek lovingly. He nodded dumbly. "Find my son."

"Do you think that will work?" Ares asked his mother.

"I think it definitely has a chance. But you had better get started; they could be back at any moment."

"Thank you Mother." Ares kissed Hera cheek as he left to his room.

He looked up as he heard Aphrodite scream for her son. Ares smirked, he was proud of the boy. Defying his mother was something Ares never thought possible. But it was happening and it was great even if he had to listen to Aphrodite scream.

Eros sat in the far corners of Olympus in a room filled with books. Despite his secluded location he heard every scream, shriek, and cry that left his mother's mouth. However unlike times passed he didn't rush to her. In the days since she struck him he had come to realize that she used him. And whenever he displeased her, punished him. Though it was the first time she had physically struck him, he'd been shunned for long periods of time in the past. Banned even from his own rooms because they were right next to hers. He decided that he'd had enough. Eros sighed as he heard his mother call for him yet again. He turned the page in his book intent on ignoring her. Hermes entered the room loudly.

"Eros, I been looking everywhere for you." Eros rose his eyebrows slightly to show he was listening. "Your mom is tearing Olympus apart trying to find you. Didn't you hear her?"

"No." Eros lied. They both heard Aphrodite scream Eros' name again exposing her sons lie.

"Eros, your mother is calling." Hermes said eyeing the boy with curiosity.

"She'll keep," Hermes eyebrows shot up. "until I've finished my book." Hermes stood before Eros dumbfounded. "Run along now and deliver my message."

Hermes flew straight to Aphrodite's chambers. When he entered she turned and eyed him expectantly. Hermes fidgeted for a moment before he could he look her in the eyes.

"Well, where is he?"

"He's on Olympus." Hermes answered vaguely.

"Where on Olympus? Better yet why didn't he come back with you?"

"He sent me with a message."

"A message?"

"He said and I quote ' She'll keep until I've finished my book.'" Aphrodite grabbed the closest object and hurled it at Hermes. Luckily for him he was long gone by the time she managed to move her arm.

"Eros! You come here right this minute." In his hiding place Eros sighed and closed his book, and appeared in his mother's room.

"What is it mother?" He asked bored.

"Where have you been? Didn't you hear me calling you?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you come?"

"I didn't want to." Aphrodite moved to strike him and he caught her arm. "You will never lay a hand to me again." He squeezed her arm slightly.

"You're hurting me." She whimpered within his grasp. He released her.

"That is only a fraction of the pain you have caused me."

Ares sat in his room surrounded by crumpled pieces paper. The words he wanted just wouldn't come. He put his head on the desk. He could start wars; slay any beast that got in his way. He could defy the king of the gods with his very breath. But he could tell the girl that he loved how he felt. He lifted his head and tried again.

Ares I really

Ares crumpled another piece of paper. Grabbed a fresh sheet and tried again. After four hours of trial and error he finally held up a scroll victorious. He rolled and secured it with his seal then he called for Hermes.

"You rang?" Hermes greeted hovering in the doorway.

"You are to take this directly to Artemis. You are to give it to her when she is alone. I don't want this to even be seen by another immortal being, do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal. Anything else while you're being demanding?"

"Yep. Tell no one about this message. Deliver it and forget it."

"Fine, I've got better things to do than gossip." After one final stern look from Ares Hermes grabbed the scroll and sped away.

Gemini and Athena were just returning for the day from the festival. They had all planned to go back right after dawn and stay until it was time to switch again. All three of them were glad to have the tension gone from their relationship. Artemis stood between her twin and Athena with an arm wrapped around each of their shoulders while they carried her feet. They were laughing and horsing around all the way to the courtyard for the changing of the guard. When they arrived Artemis was set down gently so she could help Apollo bring fought the night sky. Hermes walked up behind Artemis and whispered very quietly in her ear.

"I'll meet you outside my chambers when I'm done here." Hermes nodded and left.

"What did he want?" Athena asked for Apollo's sake.

"He wants permission to date one of my nymphs." Artemis lied.

"Are you going to grant it?"

"I told him I'd hear his arguments and decide the. But I'd rather go alone if you don't mind. I think Hermes deserves his privacy while he confesses his love." Athena nodded

"I'll meet you guys here just before dawn." Apollo hugged her before she left.

"Okay let's go." Artemis looked at him strangely. "To meet Hermes." He elaborated.

"I'm going alone, as in me singular." She walked over and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later."

"Fine." Apollo relented as he walked away.

When she was sure that he couldn't see her anymore Artemis bolted for her room. She found Hermes waiting quite causally outside her door. So she took a moment took a moment to calm herself after ushering him into her room.

"Before we get down to business I have to tell you why you are here just in case anyone asks you about it later." Hermes nodded "You're asking permission to pursue, my nymph, Daphne. I have denied your request. Understood?"

"Understood." Hermes replied doing his best to

"What's the message and who is it from?" She asked him after settling down in her bed.

"I haven't the foggiest idea." Hermes replied. "It was in my cue when I got back to my room, and I was supposed to deliver it to you in secret. Anything beyond that is beyond me."

Artemis stretched her hand out for the scroll and Hermes relinquished it. She studied the outside of it before opening it. She looked up at Hermes staring at her.

"Do you want to know what it says?" She asked him.

"Yes. It has been driving me crazy." Artemis read the 1st line and shook her head in shock. "Ooh it has to be juicier than I imagined. Come on tell me what it says."

"Get out." She murmured still reading the letter.

"What?"

"Get out." She said just as softly only this time lifting her eyes from the page and staring right at him.

"But Artemis…" Hermes began to whine.

"Go or my wolves will be picking you out of their teeth before sunrise." Hermes scowled but let more determined than ever to find out what Ares had written.

Artemis secured the doors and windows of her rooms before returning to her bed to read Ares' letter.

Artemis,

I can't tell how hurt I felt when I woke up that morning alone. I have never ever been in this position before, but for the first time I can say that you broke my heart. Yes, Artemis my heart kept hidden from me all these centuries now resides back in my chest. And it aches painfully. I want to see you again. Please I'll meet you under whatever circumstances you choose but I must see you again. I can't stand this. Just give me a chance.

Ares

Artemis wanted to cry. He shouldn't have sent it. It was easier to ignore him when she thought that he had forgotten. She didn't think she'd survive under his full attention. Artemis tucked the note in her jewelry box and hid it under her bed. As she lay down to sleep she sighed and desperately hoped there would be no more letters.

Leigh: I'm so sorry. My computer died.

Conscience: Ahh it's so good to talk to real people again.

Leigh: But while I was unable to update I have meet a new friend.

Conscience: Wait this is my ending don't bring her into it!

Leigh: Conscience behave. Everybody please welcome Muse.

Muse: Hello.

Leigh: Muse gave me the wonderful insights for this chapter.

Conscience: I hate her.

Muse: I hate you too.

Leigh: Ahh. This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.