Hey guys! So, if you've been following me on Visit the Moon, you know I've been having some trouble with writer's block. However, I've finally finished this chapter (with the help of the two featured in said chapter) so here you go!

Hermes leaned against the railing, watching the Olympian sunset. He'd just gotten out of an intense meeting with his father and decided to take a moment to relax before returning to his office in the mortal world. The light footsteps of a practiced hunter announced another presence on balcony. Hermes did not have to turn to know who it was. Had he turned, he would have seen a young woman with white-blond hair pulled into a neat braid and dark blue eyes.

"When will we get to meet her?"

The god rolled his eyes at his sister's bluntness. "I don't believe that's any of your concern, Artemis."

"But it is," she protested. "You have told of her so often, how is it not logical for me to wish to see her?"

He looked at her in surprise. "I do not speak of her often."

"I did not say 'speak,' I said 'tell.' It is possible to tell without speaking. I can see in your expressions that you think of her often. You are impatient now, more so than before and I believe it is because you wish to return to her."

He shrugged, but a slight upturn of his lips gave him away. "I have invited her to Katafygio at the end of this month."

She looked at him, surprised. "Katafygio? Truly?"

He nodded, smiling.

The goddess of maidens looked at him with narrowed eyes, a thought just revealing itself to her. "What are you going to do there, with Lucy, exactly?"

He stared at her, aghast. "Not that! Not at all! To Lucy…never! Not until she wants, I will not touch her."

She snorted.

"What?"

"You might have to worry about that sooner than you expected."

He spun to face the Huntress. "What are you saying?"

She raised her eyebrows and shrugged, saying nothing.

A silence followed before Artemis spoke again.

"I have not seen you so animated in quite a long time, brother."

He didn't respond. Both looked over the balcony, watching the moon rise.

"But you worry about her." The quiet observation drew his attention.

"What do you mean?"

The goddess smiled softly. "Do not try to deny it, brother, for I can see it on your face, and in the way you react to her mention. Your worries are unfounded, though. She is strong, your Lucy. Rarely now do there exist maidens with as much strength as she." She noticed his narrowed eyes at her word choice.

"I do consider her a maiden, Hermes. The events of her past I do not recognize as the end of her maidenhood."

"Nor do I," he said quietly, looking away. "But Lucy, on the other hand…"

"Lucy is healing, brother. Slowly, but she is. You have the potential to be extremely influential to her recovery process. However, you must be careful to be a positive influence, rather than a negative one." The goddess's eyes were solemn as she warned her brother. He sighed heavily and dropped his head into his hands.

"I want to, Artemis. I want to so badly. But...what if I fail?" The last part whispered so quietly the goddess could barely make it out. She rested a slender hand on his arm.

"Be what you will for her, Hermes. That is all you must do."

In a sudden motion, he stood and began pacing around the balcony. She watched her brother silently.

"I'm not…I don't deserve her, Artemis. I'm not worthy of her."

"Many gods would disagree with you. They would say that she, a mere mortal, was not deserving of you, a god."

"Well they're wrong." Hermes's face was fierce as he rounded on his sister. "How could anyone say that having met Lucy? It's absolutely—"

"What do you say to those who argue that immortals are not meant to have meaningful relationships with mortals?" Artemis cut him off, her eyes hard.

"I say, screw them." Hermes's aggressive expression faded when his sister suddenly burst into laughter.

"That was rather eloquent, brother," she choked out, still doubled up in laughter. "With that sound argument you could convince even the most tenacious of gods."

He rolled his eyes at her but she noted the small grin that curved his lips.

"Go to your work, brother. We shall speak soon."

He nodded and disappeared. She smiled in affectionate exasperation and returned inside.

A week later, he sat, drumming his fingers on his desk. Lucy had just called to remind him about her exhibit, and he was now faced with the decision he'd been delaying since she'd originally asked. He picked up the phone again and dialed a unique number. It rang twice before a smooth voice answered.

"Yes?"

"Artemis…"

She could hear the conflict in his voice.

"I'll be there in two."

The next moment, the phone rang.

"Yes Megan?"

"Lady Artemis is here, sir," his secretary announced meekly. As she spoke, his door flew open to admit the pale haired goddess. He sat back calmly.

"I'm surprised you didn't merely materialize here."

She shrugged, taking a seat. "I wanted to be polite."

She leaned forward. "So, what is bothering you?"

He tossed her a pamphlet, which she deftly caught, opened, and scanned.

"Oh…" Her eyes followed the words bordering the paper. Classical Art Exhibit. One Weekend Only. View Priceless Treasures from Ancient Times.

"Yeah. I told her I'd try as hard as possible to attend."

The goddess's dark blue eyes held his. "But Zeus will not stand for it. It is extremely dangerous to attend."

"But Lucy…she wants me to go so badly. I want to go."

"Will you risk Zeus's wrath for this exhibit?"

He laughed dryly. "I've risked our father's wrath for many things."

She leaned back, folding her arms. "It seems as though you have already made your decision. Why did you contact me?"

He frowned, leaning forward onto his desk. He bit his knuckle, deep in thought.

"I need you to be my reason. My logic. Which I seem to completely lose when it comes to Lucy."

She grinned, acknowledging the truth in the statement. "You argue against any logic I present."

He turned slightly red.

She waved it away. "It is in your nature."

They both sat in silence, wondering how to resolve the matter. Finally, Artemis sighed.

"My advice to you, brother, is to consult Hera. Receive her blessing, and you may do as you wish."

He looked at her. "And if I do not receive her blessing?"

She laughed without humor. "Then your punishment will be an interesting event to witness."

He rolled his eyes at her. "Your words always give me comfort, dear sister."

She smiled sadly and stood. "It is your fate to decide, brother. Be what you will."

The goddess vanished and Hermes was left alone in his office. He rested his head in his hands, elbows on his desk for a moment. Suddenly, he slammed his fists on the desk, groaning in frustration. He stared at the ceiling.

"Lucy, why do you do this to me…"

He was willing to break the laws, to put himself in danger, to create unnecessary trouble, for a girl. What had happened to him? The god he'd always been would have never gone out of his way to make such a scandal. He didn't cause trouble to himself. He pulled pranks, to be sure, but they were always jokes to laugh off. Never more than a slap on the wrist. But what he was considering (what he was past considering, if he were to be honest to himself) was deadly serious. His status on Olympus could be revoked for such things. And he was willing to do that for her. For Lucy. Was he insane?

Do you think Hermes will ask Hera? Or do you think he'll be rash as usual?

Also, you won't understand this for a while but: drink or don't drink? (Your answer may or may not sway the plot line.)