Alright, here's the twelfth chapter! If you've followed the story's blog, then you know I've been having trouble writing this chapter as my characters went on a bit of a strike. However, I got them back, and this happened. Happy reading!

The setting sun reflected off the waves, throwing patterns on the faces of those standing on the wharf. Lucy, who normally would have delighted in the artistic element, was lost in thought, staring absently over the harbor. She didn't notice the person walking up to her until a hand lightly touched her shoulder. She jumped. A blonde, slightly younger but taller than Lucy, gave her a friendly smile.

"Lucy?"

The girl in question looked in confusion at the other. She did not recognize the pale blonde locks or dark eyes. "Yes?"

"How are you?"

"Um..fine." She was confused and wary of the stranger.

The young woman leaned on the railing.

"Sunset is beautiful," she said, looking at the sun, "but personally I like midnight better. When the moon is high and bright in the sky. It's a very powerful time of day, don't you think?"

Lucy stared at the odd stranger in bewilderment. "I guess…Although technically isn't it night?"

The blonde burst out laughing. "Your words hold a grain of truth."

Lucy hesitated. "I'm sorry, but who are you?"

"Oh, how rude of me to not introduce myself. I am Artemis."

Lucy's eyes widened. She'd been talking to a goddess and she hadn't known. She sunk into a bow.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't realize…"

Artemis smiled and lifted her gently. "Do not bow to me, Lucy."

"I apologize if this sounds rude, but…why are you here? Not only to talk to me?"

"Why not? I have been rather anxious to meet you."

The girl was mystified. "Why?"

The goddess's laugh was loud.

"You've stirred up quite a drama on Olympus. And Hermes doesn't want us to talk to you, which means you should expect a plethora of immortal visitors."

Lucy blushed. "I didn't mean to start trouble—"

The goddess waved her concerns away. "It's not trouble. They're probably the most interesting events we've witnessed in centuries. And we know that you love each other. No one will begrudge you that."

Something Artemis had said caught Lucy's attention.

"Love? What?"

Artemis raised an eyebrow, evaluating the situation. "Oh, you know us gods," she said casually. "Always exaggerating. We interchange affection and love. It doesn't really make a difference to us, so long as it is dramatic."

Lucy's eyes narrowed, reading into Artemis' words, but decided to let it go. "But why does this all interest you so much?"

The goddess' eyes lit up.

"Because it is extremely perilous. We are not to reveal ourselves to humans. The fact that Hermes did that alone is controversial. And then he tells us that he does not intend to have the customary mortal-immortal relationship, but instead insists on a prolonged, romantic relationship…it's all very new to us. The only time this has ever happened before, when a god has had true affection," she used the word carefully, "for a mortal was centuries ago, when our existence was still known to humans. It was simpler to resolve then."

"You mean Dionysus and Ariadne."

She nodded. "The only case we had of this mortal-immortal love. We thought it had been a fluke, a singular case. Clearly, we were mistaken. So now we are left to wonder who else this will happen to…" The goddess trailed off, a speculative expression on her face. "Why did you accept his offer?"

The question was sudden and Lucy was not prepared.

"What offer?"

"The first day you met him. Why did you accept his for lunch?"

The girl rolled her eyes.

"Because he wouldn't stop asking. I wasn't even hungry."

"There was nothing else? No feeling that persuaded you to accept?" Artemis leaned in, her eyes watching Lucy's in fascination. Lucy pulled away, slightly uncomfortable.

"Not really…I just wanted him to stop bugging me."

Artemis laughed. "Well that is something I can taunt my brother with."

The girl's eyes grew wide with horror. "No! You can't tell him that!" Noticing her outburst, she recollected herself. "Sorry, I just mean that it would make him sad. I've done that enough as it is."

Artemis merely smiled and shook her head in amusement. "Both of you protect each other's feelings far more than necessary."

"I don't want to hurt him," she explained quietly, her eyes on the water. "I've done too much of that already."

Artemis scoffed. "He deserves it. Millennia of teasing everyone else for falling in love, getting tied down." She rolled her eyes, an act Lucy didn't expect from the serious goddess. "I find it incredibly fitting that my brother found you. This Hermes is a breath of fresh air. Thoroughly less irritating," she added, wrinkling her nose.

Lucy grinned.

"But why were you asking me about a 'feeling?'"

Artemis frowned. "I've been trying to determine why relationships like yours exist. I've been wondering if a certain charisma is exuded…I cannot ascertain why gods can be so drawn to mortals that they would risk everything…No offense meant, Lucy."

The girl nodded. "None taken. I'm just as curious as you."

"I've asked Ariadne, but she says it was so long ago that she does not remember."

"Mm." Lucy murmured, her mind on something miles away.

Artemis watched the distant girl. "What are you thinking?"

Lucy frowned. "Nothing really, it's just…" She glanced at the goddess. "I have this odd…premonition. Like something is going to happen.. And I don't think it will end very well." She shivered involuntarily and gave the goddess a sheepish grin. "I'm just being silly."

Artemis' dark eyes were narrowed, deep in thought.

"Yes…Lucy?"

"Yes?"

"Do you get these…premonitions often?"

The girl thought. "Not really. Or if I do, I don't remember."

She received a nod in return.

"That is interesting."

Lucy tilted her head. "How so?"

Artemis shrugged. "You should ask Hermes to visit Vanessa sometime."

"Who's Vanessa?"

The answering smile was mysterious. "Ask Hermes."

Lucy exhaled in exasperation. "Are all gods so irritatingly cryptic or do I have the substantial luck of meeting the only two?"

Artemis laughed. "I think it depends on the god. Some are rather blunt."

"Great for their friends," Lucy muttered. Artemis laughed again.

"You are quite the comic, Lucy. You are perfect for my brother."

A slight frown creased the girl's forehead, and Artemis tilted her head.

"Why the worry?"

Lucy avoided her gaze. "I'm mortal."

"So?"

"So how could I be perfect for him? It doesn't work."

Artemis watched the girl, considering how to proceed. "I understand that your being mortal would complicate things, but in no way would that mean it wouldn't work. After all, Dionysus and Ariadne are still perfectly content. If I were to be honest, they probably have the most healthy relationship of all the gods." She glanced up at the darkening sky as she said so.

"But she's immortal," Lucy pointed out. "She will live forever. I will not, exactly."

"You don't think Hermes has thought of that? Trust me, he notices much more that you think he does. However, he doesn't notice everything." She fixed Lucy with a piercing stare. "Perhaps not everything he should?"

Lucy blushed and looked away guiltily, understanding immediately what the goddess meant. "I can never find a moment to tell him."

"You should. He would want you to."

"I know that. But…I can't." She frowned questioningly at the goddess. "How do you know about it?"

She raised her eyebrows. "I'm a goddess. It wasn't that difficult to find once I began to search."

"How did you know what to search for?"

"Oh, I wasn't searching for that, per say, simply your background. You did hide your past fairly well, I applaud you on that. However, I am a Huntress. I can find anything."

Lucy's eyes were worried. "If you can find it…"

Artemis shook her head reassuringly. "I doubt Hermes will. He may be the god of cleverness, but he is shockingly dull when it comes to matters concerning you." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh." Lucy looked both relieved and embarrassed at the same time.

Artemis, noting the rising moon, returned her dark gaze to the mortal girl.

"I must leave you. Remember, tell him before he finds out."

Lucy nodded, trepidation hidden by cheerfulness in her eyes. "It was nice to meet you. Goodbye."

"It was pleasant to finally meet you as well. Goodnight, Lucy."

She disappeared, leaving Lucy on the pier alone. The goddess sighed as she ascended. Love was such a nasty, complicated emotion. Hopefully she would never have to experience it firsthand.

So, Lucy finally meets another (non-skeevy) god. And she discovers more about Hermes than he would have told her. I know there was a lot of mysterious topics covered in this chapter. Let me know which you'd like to more about and I might be able to give you more... ;)

Also, the poll's still on. Drink or don't drink?