Artemis's POV

My mind was baffled after what had just happened. I actually had no clue that the normally relaxed, sarcastic, and untroubled God of Waves could actually show that much anger. Normally, he's optimistic and horses around all the time like his father. My eyes glared over at my hunters who hung their heads in embarrassment, knowing that I was about to punish them with a lecture. I stood up and got into commander mode.

"Girls, what did I tell you about going easy on him? I'm one-hundred percent positive that having all of the wild attack him isn't what I meant. I'm truly ashamed of you. Percy is not selfish or greedy like others. I can assure you that he would risk his life to save all of us. Does that not make him worthy for our respect?"

"We understand he deserves better Lady Artemis, but he's a-"

"A man, I know." I finished for Teresa, a blonde haired huntress with deep blue eyes from the Civil War time period. "But, he is much, much more different than any man that's ever lived. He is the first hero in Greek history that hasn't deceived his love in some way. Sadly for him, it's the other way around." A few of the girls gasped.

"Who was she? He mentioned her just now." Elisabeth said. No one outside of Olympus and Camp Half-Blood knew about the two of them or what happened.

"A daughter of Athena and a brilliant one at that." Shock came over their faces as they imagined a daughter of Athena and son of Poseidon being together. "She left him, but without much of an explanation. Percy, being the man that he is, granted her wish, knowing well that he should give her the freedom she wants. Without any other place to go, he became a god and I understand how his trust in women must have decreased. All of you have tortured him since he came here which didn't make matters better." Guilt washed over them in torrents, it was clear on their faces. "Now, I'm going to talk to him and if he decides to stay, will you girls treat him like you treat eachother?"

"Yes, Lady Artemis." They responded simultaneously. I smiled at them then walked over in the direction where Percy had stormed off.

I got to his tent then peeked inside to see what he was up to. He just lay there in his sleeping bag, staring at nothing in particular with his duffel bag fully packed next to him. Instead of asking to enter, I just walked right in. A serious talk was more important than using etiquettes. He noticed my presence then his apathetic expression turned to a grimace.

"What now and how come you aren't in kid form?" I stood there with my arms crossed over my chest, looking down at him. He probably didn't notice that I was like this before he exploded.

"I just came back from a meeting on Olympus. I prefer to be there in older form. As for the reason I'm here, we need to talk."

"I'm not up for it." He turned around so that his back was facing me. I wasn't going to take that disrespect from a minor god, so I forced him to flip back over with my foot.

"You have to. I'm not leaving here until we discuss this thoroughly." Percy looked at me for a minute before sighing.

"Fine, but are there any animals with you, especially not a squirrel?"

"No, no animal here."

"Alright then, shoot." I sat down on the end of sleeping bag; this would probably take a while. If I were him, it would take forever to get someone to talk me out of leaving.

"Percy, I apologize for the actions of the Hunt and even myself. I will admit that I was even looking forward to using you as a slave but it just didn't seem right after all you've been through. The huntresses understand their mistake, and have promised to treat you with more dignity. Would you consider staying?"

"Artemis, you have no idea how evil they are. I bet under their hair they've got little horns and considering what they've done to me, forgiving them will take a while. Ever been chased by wild stags, bats, and bears all in one day? Fun huh?" I would've murdered him on the spot for talking like that about my huntresses, but I really didn't have a clue what they did to him, so he couldn't be blamed.

"Percy, they've been raised to hate men with a passion, they don't know you the way I do, so accepting you took a while for them as well as some explaining. I'm confident now that they've approved of you and if they even dare to try anything else, I'll take care of it personally."

"But why exactly should I stay here with a bunch of girls, when I can be out on Olympus or with Poseidon? Is there really anything to lose if I decide to leave?"

"Yes, actually there is. Your father wants you to become a major god, and to do that you have to be strong, intelligent, and most importantly, a great warrior. You can't really become a great warrior until you learn basic skills as well as hand-to-hand combat. Even I can defeat you like that in under three seconds."

"Are you trying to say that I'm weaker than you? I would take you on but I can't hit girls." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Oh please. That's just an excuse to weasel your way out of demoralizing yourself when I win. You can easily lose in a hand to hand combat battle."

"Hey, what do you mean 'when you beat me'? You don't think I have a chance?"

"Ha, I can defeat you anytime, anywhere, blindfolded, and with my hands tied behind my back." I scoffed.

"That's some big talk. You want to show me if you can actually walk the walk?" He challenged as he got up and ushered me outside in front of the lake. His normal personality seemed to be coming back, so I just had to keep this up.

"Of course I can, you have any doubts?" We walked outside and stood in front of eachother.

"Actually I don't think you can beat me at all, let alone make me fall-" I didn't let him finish his sentence. Instead, I crouched down and swung my leg under him causing the "big-shot" to fall to the ground with a loud thud.

"You were saying?" He rubbed the back of his head in pain as he stood up.

"That was cheating! I wasn't ready!"

"Are you ready now?"

"Yeah, why?" I flew up into the trees, landed on his shoulders, and pressed my thumb hard into his neck, crushing an important nerve that temporarily paralyzes someone. It was a secret technique I had learned over the years. Percy fell backwards into the lake. I laughed at his loss.

"Not so tough now are you? That's what happens when you underestimate the goddess, Artemis." I said with pride, but as the moments passed I worried about what had happened to him.

He couldn't possibly have sunk; he was a God of the Sea. Then again, Thalia was a daughter of Zeus but had a fear of heights which I swore not to tell anyone about. Right as I was about to jump in after him, two arms reached up from the water and pulled me deep down, not giving me enough time to scream or try to escape. At first panic overwhelmed me, but I heard that all too familiar, whole-hearted chuckle from beneath the water. I swam down and tackled him.

As soon as I gave him a good round of beating for scaring the Hades out of me, we swam to the shore. He took of his now dripping shirt and wrung it out and put it back on. In all honesty, I have to admit that he had an amazing body. Perfectly chiseled eight-pack, with perfect sized muscles-oh my gods what am I saying. Let's just say he looked like one of those Abercrombie models that Aphrodite always talked about.

We sat down on the pier with our legs hanging over the edge and lightly touching the water as we looked out at the beautiful nighttime sky. The stars shimmered like diamonds in the black darkness that enveloped them. The full moon shone brightly down on us giving off an odd romantic atmosphere that I really didn't want there.

"Your reaction was hilarious. I can't believe you actually got scared when I pulled you down." Percy snickered, breaking the silence.

"I'll get more revenge for that eventually. Beating the cockiness out of you wasn't enough." We stayed quiet for a little while longer. "Are you staying? If you leave, there is no one stopping you." He was hesitant with his answer.

"I guess if the girls really feel bad about it I'll accept their apology. Forgive and forget ya' know?" As soon as he said that, a giant weight was lifted off my shoulders. It was probably because the new God was growing on me without me knowing it, like cancer. His foolishness and caring has especially made me see him in a new light.

"Percy…" He looked at me, showing that I had his full attention. "Do you really not have faith in women anymore? I don't get where you would come up with that absurd idea, because women are a thousand times more trustworthy than your gender."

"I know that's true, but I've just had relationship issues ever since I found out I was a demigod, mainly because of Aphrodite. She even told me before she was going to mess with my love-life. There was Calypso, the girl I could never have, Rachel, the girl that didn't even truly like me, and then Annabeth. The first girl I had real feelings for, but she didn't feel the same way. I have no regrets, and I only see her as a friend. But considering how much Aphrodite has mingled with my relationships, I don't trust women anymore. I hope that makes sense." I nodded and looked back over the water.

"One more question. How come you're so different from other men? You're selfless, loving, caring, reliable, and just an over-all, good person. Probably the only acceptable man left."

"I think it all starts with my mom. She raised me to respect women, and people around me. You see, my first stepfather was worse than Kronos in a sense and he treated my mom terribly. Seeing him hurt her everyday made me want to be the complete opposite and treat women rightfully. I just want to be a good person, friend, husband, someday a father, and even a great god."

I turned to look at him with an admiring gaze. With those words, something clicked inside of me, as though he'd just stolen my heart. We sat there looking at eachother with smiles. The moonlight seemed to glisten even brighter over us, reflecting off of his beautiful deep green eyes.

Our smiles slowly faded away as we found ourselves leaning slowly towards the other until…our lips met. It was a soft, gentle, and careful kiss. Though I hate to say it, it was also my first one. Ever. But I pushed him away causing him to fall into the water. I sprinted away from what I thought was a mistake. This broke everything I stood for, being a maiden goddess, never to be touched, loved, or hurt be any male, yet Percy had just gotten to me.

"Artemis!" He called after me but I didn't turn back, just ran until I disappeared into the trees. Going farther and farther away to forget what I had just done.

At the moment, I didn't have a single clue of what was happening, how it happened, or why I did it. If I look back on it, the moment just felt right and there was a strong, everlasting pull I felt towards him that was always there since the day we met. Even if at first, it was a relationship of hate that turned into admiration, then to affection. It seems that The God of Waves had washed over my untouchable heart and shown me…love. The question was would I let this mysterious relationship go any further than it already has?

A/N: EPIC CLIFFHANGER! I tried my best to do this part while keeping Artemis I.C, hope it worked. Thanks from the bottom of my heart to all of you who enjoy my stories. My parents had always thought my dreams to become an author were foolish, but thanks to you, they've thought otherwise. Love you all! –Asterisk Logan L.