Hey guys! I am soo sorry it took so long, although it is shorter than it took before...anyway, here's the next chapter! I wanna dedicate this chapter to my muse (for this one at least), backoff13, for her excellent reviews. She actually was the inspiration for this chapter, so here you go honey! I know it's not exactly what you wanted, but thanks anway!

"Lucy, I-" Suddenly he was ripped off of the New York sidewalk. His last glimpse was of Lucy's shocked face.

He didn't bother fighting the force pulling him; he knew who was calling him.

He materialized on the elaborate marble promenade that made up the Great Hall of Olympus. He briefly saw the rest of his family, his dysfunctional family as he'd told Lucy, before he was thrown against a wall. Zeus was clearly boiling with rage, his face was bright red and he was shouting at Hermes.

"Were you about to tell that mortal girl who you were? I had expressly forbid it!"

He pulled free of his father, striding across the room to his throne. His family, other than his father of course, were all sitting in their thrones watching the exchange with a variety of expressions.

Hera was inspecting Hermes with a nameless expression in her eyes. Poseidon had an amused expression, as did Ares, Apollo, and Dionysus. Artemis had a disapproving look in her eyes, and both Athena and Demeter simply looked interested. Hephaestus looked unconcerned, while Aphrodite was practically swooning with happiness. Zeus, of course, was murderously angry, stalking back to his large throne.

Hermes sat, watching his father carefully as he threw himself into his chair, his face still dangerously red.

"What were you thinking, boy?" Zeus thundered (no pun intended) across the room.

He took it without flinching. "Surly Aphrodite could tell you as easily as myself."

The goddess in question grinned hugely. "He's in love!" she exclaimed gleefully.

There was a mixed response to her announcement. Ares and Artemis looked disdainful, while Poseidon, Demeter, Apollo, and Athena's expressions lightened. Dionysus and Hephaestus continued to look as they had before, unconcerned and slightly amused.

Both Hermes and Zeus were watching for the most important reaction. Though Zeus was the ultimate decider, Hera was the true sovereign. It was her response that mattered most to what would happen next. If she approved of Hermes' actions, he might still have Lucy. If she didn't approve, well, things could go very badly for him, and possibly for Lucy.

So the two gods waited for the goddess to make her decision.

Hera contemplated the situation, well aware that she would determine the outcome of this dispute. Would she side with the love-sick boy, or her husband?

The choice, she decided, was based on how Hermes would treat the girl. If he was only infatuated, then his affection would eventually pass, and he would move on from her. However, if he truly loved her, then he would stay with her forever, and Hera knew it would break his heart to have to give her up.

She examined the boy. He was watching her as well, and his face held such pain, and conversely, such hope, that it almost hurt to look at it. But she looked deeper, to the tumult in his eyes, knowing that it was there where she would find her answer. Was he in love, or infatuated?

Hermes watched Hera carefully, noting all the minute shifts in her expression. Finally, her lips began to move.

Everyone stared with bated breath as the Queen of Gods' lips curved up into a favorable smile. Hermes sighed with relief while Zeus exhaled angrily.

"I believe Hermes has the right to argue his case." Hera's words flew quietly across the room. Zeus scowled, but nodded.

"Go ahead, boy, tell us what happened."

Hermes stood and strode to the center of the room. He was beyond nervous, for this could give him Lucy forever, or tear him from her forever, but didn't show it, looking as confident as possible.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense as he waited.

"I met her last month, in Central Park in New York. She was crying." He paused, and watched as everyone leaned forward in their seat. Gods loved a good soap opera.

"I asked her to lunch and she refused. When I finally got her to say yes, we had an hour lunch at a small café whose name I don't even remember. An hour. We talked about everything, but I still didn't know anything about her.

Then Zeus," he gestured to the Lord of the Sky, "pulled me away to stop Ares' and Hephaestus' fight. I didn't see her for a month. When I came to her again, she was mad. She had a right to be. But I asked her to a restaurant, and she agreed. On the condition that I answered all her questions truthfully. I consented." At that, the gods drew a sharp breath. That was a serious promise.

"At the dinner, I successfully fielded all her dangerous questions. But when we were walking home, she stopped me. She told me she knew I was hiding something from her. She said," his voice was hoarse as he related her words, "she said if I didn't tell her, she would go away forever." He looked, distressed, at the gods. "I can't lose her. I can't. I can't even think about living without her. She's secretive, and mistrusting, and too clever for her own good. But she's beautiful, and kind, and funny, and doesn't ever do anything like I expect. I love her."

With that, he turned and swiftly sat. He couldn't look at the other gods as they absorbed his story.

The gods looked at Hermes. He was so different, so unlike what he used to be. He used to be carefree, joking that he would never be with one woman. But now he looked worried, even though he thought he had hidden it well, and miserable. He also, however, looked hopeful and truly, happier than he'd been in a long time.

With the skill that one would expect of the God of Tricksters, he'd gotten everyone on his side. However, this time he was not doing it on purpose, nor did he know how he looked to the other gods. To them, he looked like a man (well, god really) who was desperately in love with this girl, and would do anything for her, which in truth, he would.

So now it was up to Zeus to decide his fate.

Zeus sighed. He hated when it came down to this. Everyone was against him, including his wife. When he made an unfavorable decision, everyone would hate him for a while. But sometimes he felt extremely justified in the choices he made.

So he stared hard at Hermes. Should he let the boy tell his mortal, or forbid it?

He knew that everyone wanted Hermes to have his mortal. He understood that the boy was changed, but he'd had enough experience with such affairs to know that consorting with mortals did change a god, whether they were in love or not.

Zeus looked over at Hera, who was watching him. Her eyebrows rose, as if to say, what are you thinking? He knew she wanted the boy to win this argument. If she did, then she must believe that Hermes was truly in love with this mortal, and would be faithful to her. Nevertheless it was possible to trick Hera, and most susceptible to this trick would be the cunning god.

But why would anyone go to such lengths to play with a little human girl? It just didn't make sense.

He sighed, and everyone perked up, waiting for what would surely be his decision.

"Let me talk to the boy. Council dismissed momentarily."

Reluctantly, the gods and goddesses began to disappear from the room. Hermes and Hera were left standing, looking at Zeus expectantly. Hera knew she was entitled to this conversation.

"You, boy."

Hermes raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"You've convinced everyone else that you truly love this girl. You've even convinced my wife, the Goddess of Devotion."

"Because it's true, sir." Hermes expression was wary; he didn't know where his father was going with this.

"Hera, what made you believe this boy?" Zeus' tone was slightly more respectful as he questioned his wife.

"His eyes," she spoke smoothly. "They betray his true feelings, as much as he tries to hide them. I believe he loves this girl, truly. Do you not believe me?" She raised her eyebrows at her husband, daring him to say otherwise.

"Of course I believe you, wife, but he is the God of Tricks…"

"So you think I've been tricked, do you? You think I'm not smart enough to hold my own against any tricks he may play?"

Zeus had been backed into a corner, figuratively, and Hermes would have laughed if it wasn't about his Lucy.

"No, of course not…What would you do about this then?"

She glanced at Hermes. "What would you have done, if Zeus had not called you here?"

"I-I would have told her."

"And if she had not believed you?"

"I would have showed her what I can do. But I would not have brought her here," he added as an afterthought.

"Is there any possibility she would reveal us when she found out?"

He frowned. "There would always be a possibility, but I believe that she wouldn't. She's not that kind of person. And I don't think anyone would have taken her seriously in any case."

Hera turned back to look at her husband. "I believe that's all you should need."

He scowled again, but his mind was made up. Knowing that the other gods would eventually find out, and until then, would pester him relentlessly, he called them to the hall.

When they'd all settled into their thrones, he cleared his throat. The silence was immediate, and all eyes were on hm.

"After hearing Hermes' story and deliberating, I've decided to…" There he paused, just to make the suspense unbearable. "let the boy tell his mortal," Hera coughed, and he quickly amended his words, "I mean his girl about the existence of Immortals and who he truly is." Before the gods could begin to chatter, he added, "However, if she reveals our existence to the humans, there will be consequences." Glaring at Hermes to make his point, he leaned back in his chair, signaling the end of his speech.

As the gods and goddesses burst into conversation, Hermes looked eagerly to his father for a silent affirmation. He gave it in the form of a small nod.

Hermes stood, and thinking of his Lucy, he vanished into thin air.

Ooh, another (though less intense) cliffhanger! I just love these things. *devilish laugh*

So, do you think Lucy will forgive him?

And how will he tell her about his godliness?

What will her reaction be?

Oooohhh

Review, it gets me writing faster!