Alright, so instead of changing the first few chapters like I really want to, I'll be good and give you another chapter. But really. Anyway, I'm in the process of moving, so the chapters will be a bit iffy getting out. I'll try my best! But in the meantime, enjoy!

"Now remember. Tonight, you represent the museum. So I want no disruptions or misbehavior." At that, the curator looked meaningfully at Lucy and Poppy, who disguised laughter as twin coughing fits.

"But, this is also your exhibit, so take pride in what you have accomplished. Tonight will be one to remember."

Lucy and Poppy were chatting as they walked out of the museum.

"Have you picked up your dress yet?"

Lucy shook her head. "No, I'm actually going to grab it before I get home."

"It looks gorgeous," said Poppy. She was right. The dress had been one of the few things Lucy had taken from her home. She had gone to Poppy's apartment last week to help her pick out a dress, and Poppy had insisted that she bring hers to show off. They had paraded around her small rooms and danced to music in a rare moment of silliness.

Lucy grinned at the memory. "You looked gorgeous," she corrected. Before Poppy had time to protest, she spoke again. "See you tonight!"

"Tonight!"

She returned Poppy's enthusiastic wave and laughed, turning to find the dry cleaner's.

"Thank you Mr. Brown!"

Having gotten possession of her dress, Lucy was now walking to her apartment, eyes on her phone. It had buzzed just a moment ago and she had pulled it out to check the screen.

I'm trying to decide on a toga or a suit.

She laughed quietly.

Definitely the toga. You haven't a chance of standing out that way.

See, that's what I thought. But then I figured, eh, I won't compare to Lucy either way, so.

She blushed.

Shut up.

How can you tell me to shut up when I'm not even talking?

As a hobby, I defy the laws of logic. It's fun. You should try it sometime.

I will. Remind me.

Sure. But I've got to go. See you tonight.

Looking forward to it.

Shaking her head, she pushed open the doors to the building. The doorman looked up to see Lucy and smiled.

"Hello miss Lucy."

"Hi Paul," she replied cheerfully.

She seemed to be in a better mood this afternoon than she had that morning. When she left for work, she had a deep frown on her face, and she just barely acknowledged Paul before leaving. Now, she was smiling and her green eyes sparkled in a way he didn't get to see very often.

"Excited for tonight?" He knew that she had an exhibit tonight; she had told him once while picking up her mail.

Her grin widened and she nodded.

"Are you bringing anyone?"

Another nod. "I'm bringing my…friend." The last word was spoken after a moment's pause, as if she were trying to decide the proper term for the man.

"The blonde one or the black-haired one?" He knew it wasn't his place to pry, but he was genuinely curious as to which one of her "friends" she had chosen.

The girl looked surprised. "The black-haired one, um, Harry, of course. I would I bring the blonde?"

It seemed as though the thought had never crossed her mind.

"Well, you brought him to your apartment and…" He didn't finish, flustered and regretting asking.

She looked shocked, then burst out laughing.

"Oh, no! He's just a friend. I'm surprised you thought that—no, no. He's just a friend, Paul. Really." She spoke earnestly, and he nodded.

"I'm terribly sorry, miss Lucy."

"It's no problem, Paul. Bye."

He watched the elevator doors close behind her. Well, that would teach him not to pry into the lives of the tenants.

Lucy laid her dress carefully on her bed. She stepped into her cramped bathroom and locked the door. She was never comfortable without clothes on, even in the bathroom, and so performed the necessary tasks quickly. Back in her bedroom, she slipped on the dress swiftly and zipped up the side. She smoothed it and returned to the bathroom to fix her hair. She was pinning up the last curl when she heard the doorbell ring. A burst of nerves hit her as she walked out of the bathroom. She paused at the door, taking a breath before she opened it.

Hermes stood on the other side, and they both automatically took a step back when they saw each other.

Hermes' mouth moved as he tried to find words. "You look…very pretty."

She very slightly shook her head and peeked at him. He wore a sharp black suit, the white shirt contrasting against his tanned skin. His tie matched his eyes. He grinned sheepishly.

"Artemis chose the tie."

She was the only one who knew about this risky evening. He watched Lucy was she beckoned him into her apartment. Her dress was a deep purple, cap sleeves in a sheer material barely concealing her pale shoulders. The rest of the dress was simple, a column of fabric following the lines of her body to the ground. The empire waist sparkled and he realized there where tiny beads lining the band. He averted his eyes quickly. She was definitely beautiful.

"Ready?"

He nodded and smiled at her. She really had no idea exactly how dangerous tonight was going to be. She didn't understand that him being so close to classical art was putting his identity in jeopardy. And that if he was discovered, he could lose everything. But she was so proud of the exhibit, he had to go. If just to see that look on her face.

He bowed deeply. "Would the lady be so gracious as to do me the honor of escorting her to the museum tonight?" He offered his hand.

She giggled, a rare sound, and lightly placed her hand in his. "Only if the gentleman would be so kind as to attend with me."

He opened the door with a flourish and led her out

"So," he said as they walked down the hall, "tonight I am Harry Merchado, a 24 year old business man from upstate New York."

"Where did we meet?" Lucy looked up at him curiously as the elevator doors closed. He shrugged.

"Same as in reality. I assume you've already told your friends about it."

She blushed. "Was I not supposed to?"

The elevator doors opened and they walked out into the hallway, saying brief goodbyes to Paul as they passed him.

"No," Hermes said casually once they'd entered the cool night air. "I don't particularly care. Unless you told them I was a god."

Lucy quickly denied before catching sight of his expression and realizing he was joking. She made a face at him.

"Ha ha, very funny."

He laughed and stopped her. She tilted her head curiously at him and he gestured to a sleek black car. Her eyes widened in surprised. She looked up at him.

"You bought a car?"

The god laughed again. "I already had a car. But I figured a beautiful woman like yourself deserved to arrive in luxury."

She rolled her eyes, blushing. But she didn't protest and allowed him to open the door and help her into the dark interior. He climbed in and nodded to the driver. The silent man bobbed his head and smoothly entered the New York street.

Lucy leaned in to Hermes. "Does he know?" Her quiet whisper tickled his ear.

Hermes turned his head to whisper back. "Yes. He's a shade. A man who, while he was human, did not lead a virtuous life. He was extremely close to being assigned the fields of punishment, but was allowed to choose between that or to come back as a shade, only partially alive, and work for the gods. Doing thus, he can earn the right to the Elysium fields."

Her eyes darkened with concern. "Can he speak?"

Hermes shook his head. "Part of the punishment."

"Oh."

Hermes put his arm around her and squeezed gently. "Don't worry about it, Luce. He chose this." "Mm," she murmured, green eyes still focused on the driver.

The car pulled up in front of the museum quicker than she'd expected. Hermes exited and held out his hand. Grinning widely, she accepted it and stepped out of the car. She waved at the driver, who looked surprised and hesitated before waving back slowly, as if he were afraid of what would happen. Lucy looked at him, troubled, until Hermes pulled her away, toward the brightly lit building.

As they drew away from the car, Lucy regained her focus and led him into the building. Once inside, and their coats off, she showed him around the museum. He'd been there before, of course, but he found it far more fascinating to be guided by Lucy. Another young woman called out to Lucy and her face lit up.

"Poppy!"

He watched as the eager girl tackled her. Lucy laughed and returned the hug. When the redhead finally released her, she pulled the hair out of her face and smiled.

"Harry, this is my friend Poppy. She goes to Parson's too. Poppy, this is Harry. He's my…" She trailed off, frowning. Hermes smiled smoothly and shook Poppy's hand.

"I'm her boyfriend."

Both Poppy and Lucy looked surprised, but the redhead recovered first. She smiled at the charming god.

"Well hello. I didn't know Lucy was seeing anyone."

"Me neither," Lucy muttered so only Hermes could hear. He shrugged, ignoring Lucy's comment.

"It's only been fairly recent. But I wanted to see the exhibit I've heard so much about. Shall we look around, Lucy? It was nice to meet you, Poppy."

The redhead looked overwhelmed.

"Right, yeah. Um, have fun. See you later, Lucy."

Lucy waved as Hermes pulled her away. Once they were out of hearing distance, she looked at him in wary confusion.

"My boyfriend?"

He shrugged, worry playing in his eyes. "I figured it was plausible. Is that not okay?"

She thought, frowning, as they walked. "I suppose. It is a simpler explanation than the truth."

"But is that not the truth, Lucy?"

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"Lucy," he lowered his voice, "if I were mortal, would that not be the case of our relationship?"

She bit her lip. "I guess…but it seems weird to call you that…"

His forehead creased in worry. "Whatever you'd prefer, Lucy."

She shook her head, seeming to clear her mind, and smiled at him. "Let's enjoy the exhibit, human."

She held out her hand and he took it. They walked between the pieces of art, looking silently.

At one painting, they stood for a few moments, and Lucy leaned her head against Hermes. He looked down at first in surprise, but then smiled with only a hint of satisfaction and returned his gaze to the painting. He managed to steer clear of any particularly Greek or Roman art without Lucy taking notice. He discreetly watched the other mortals, looking for any suspicion.

He was just congratulating himself when he felt the familiar tug and groaned, his blood running cold. Lucy looked up in surprise.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm being summoned." He tried to hide the panic in his voice, but Lucy heard it still.

"Who?"

"Zeus and Hera. I'm so sorry, Lucy." He pulled her into a dim alcove. She looked worried.

"What's going on?"

"I have to go, Lucy. I'm sorry."

With a kiss on her forehead, he disappeared.

When he appeared in the Great Hall, he was shocked to find Lucy. She was looking around in surprise and fear and, when her eyes met his, she fell into his arms.

"Where are we?"

"Olympus." His heart raced with dread; why had Lucy been summoned?

"Hermes and Lucy."

Hera and Zeus stood at the end of the hall. Zeus beckoned and Hermes slowly pulled Lucy forward. She made a strong attempt to look unafraid, but he could feel her trembling.

Hera appeared cold and expressionless, and Zeus' face was red with anger.

"Hermes, you come with me. Lucy, you go with my wife."

Hera turned and walked away without a backward glance and Lucy hesitantly stepped forward. She looked back at Hermes fearfully, took a deep breath, and followed the queen. Hermes watched until she'd entered a doorway. When he returned his gaze to his father, he was promptly thrown against a wall. His father's arm pinned his neck to the marble.

"What the hell do you think you were doing?" His voice boomed around the hall and bursts of lightning matched his flashing eyes.

"I was going to an exhibit," the son replied calmly.

"A classical art exhibit? You know full well that such a place is the most dangerous place for you to be."

He stared hard at his father. "I had to go."

"What?" Zeus laughed. "Because of your mortal? Because she was going to be there? What is wrong with you, Hermes? You know better than to endanger yourself like that for a mortal."

Hermes' eyes flashed dangerously. He shoved against his father's chest, sending him out into the center of the hall.

"Stop calling her that! She's not just some mortal!"

Zeus growled and moved into a fighting stance and Hermes mirrored him. They circled each other.

"I have agreed against my better judgment to allow you to continue playing with your mortal. I thought perhaps you would grow bored of her and return to your senses. But instead you blatantly disobey my laws and risk exposing our existence to the humans! You will have much to answer for, Hermes, as will your mortal."

"I never gave the impression that I was just playing with her. I told you from the beginning that I wanted to be with her seriously. You knew that when you gave your ruling."

"I also said that if being with her risked exposure, there would be consequences."

"No one's seen anything, father! None of the humans realized who I was!"

Zeus' eyes narrowed at his son.

"It is Hera's decision. She is speaking with your mortal. But I warn you this, son. She will not favor you any longer."

The door closed behind Lucy. Hera's back was to her and the girl gulped. The goddess turned around slowly.

"What are you playing at, girl?" The queen's words were sharp and cold.

"I-I don't know what you mean."

"Firstly, mortal, you will address me as 'queen.' Secondly, what are your plans with Hermes? Why lead him on like such?"

Lucy's eyes widened. "Queen, I do not know what answer you desire. I am not leading him on."

Hera stepped closer and Lucy cringed back.

"Then what are you doing, bringing him to places where he could be discovered? What would possess you to do something so blatantly idiotic?"

"I'm so-sorry, queen. I didn't think—"

"Exactly." Hera's voice was icy. "You didn't think. It is foolish to believe that a true relationship with a mortal is possible. You humans do not think."

Lucy scowled. "Hey, you can't say that! We do think. Just because we aren't concerned with the same things as you doesn't mean we don't think."

Hera looked incredulous. "You are speaking against me?"

"You're calling me stupid! I hate when people call me stupid."

"You are a threat to our existence."

"Doesn't mean I'm stupid," she muttered.

"So you admit you are?" Hera's eyes glinted as she set the girl up to incriminate herself. Check.

Lucy threw her hands up in exasperation. "Of course I am! I know I'm bad for Hermes. He's a god! I'm a human." She looked down sadly. "I tell him he shouldn't be around me. He won't listen to me."

The immortal eyes widened. She had not expected that in the least. The girl was supposed to have denied hastily, which was when Hera would prove that the girl was hiding her true nature, and banish her. But instead she yells at her, the queen of the gods, that she knew exactly how dangerous she was to Hermes. Who was this girl?

"If you have told him such, why does he continue to insist in your company?"

"I don't know. He's crazy."

Lucy, expecting to be smote or something of the like, was shocked when Hera laughed.

"You are a bold girl, Lucy."

The girl's eyes were halfway up her forehead in surprise. "I'm not normally described like that, queen."

"I couldn't imagine why."

Both women turned to the door when a crash was heard from the Great Hall. Lucy looked concerned, while Hera looked unperturbed.

"My husband can be rather violent when he is angry."

Lucy's eyes filled with worry. "Will Hermes be okay?"

Hera's head tilted as she considered the girl. "He is a god. He cannot be greatly harmed very easily."

"But if he is angry…"

"Hermes is my husband's favorite son. Did you know that?"

Lucy shook her head. Hera shrugged slightly. "It is in very few human records. But yes. I cannot fathom why, but he is. Zeus will not be too angry with Hermes. He is only concerned for the immortals."

"I'm sorry, queen. I didn't mean to endanger you. Really."

Hera saw the earnest look in her eyes. "Yes, I suppose. You have an interesting aura about you, Lucy. Such an odd power…"

Another crash sounded and the queen sighed.

"I think we should go break up the fight now, don't you?"

Hera beckoned and, torn between relieved and wary, Lucy followed.

They found Hermes pinned under his father, holding a lightning bolt inches from his face.

"Enough." Hera's firm voice echoed through the hall and the two men looked up. Seeing Hera and Lucy looking none the worse for wear, Zeus jumped up and Hermes stood, brushing himself off. Zeus saw his wife's expression and realized that somehow the girl had won her over. That meant his threat against Hermes had been empty. He scowled as Hermes, realizing the same thing, grinned, Hera looked sharply at the young god in warning.

"Lucy is in no trouble with me, husband."

"What about the danger?"

"I look around and see no humans knowing of our existence. I applaud them both for pulling off such an elaborate scheme."

Zeus shook his head as he understood what she was doing. She was constructing it as a large prank, what Hermes was infamous for. She was letting them off with nothing, no punishment.

"I see, wife. So what is your verdict?"

She shrugged with the grace of a goddess and a queen. "I see no reason to punish them."

Zeus growled and turned, disappearing in a flash of lightning.

Hermes' grin grew wider and he walked over to the women. He bowed and kissed Hera's hand.

"I thank you, wise queen."

She rolled her eyes, an action Lucy wouldn't have expected from the stately goddess. "Stop the flattery, Hermes, you're already free. I suggest you start your vacation before my husband grows angry once more"

Lucy's eyes widened and she blushed, but Hermes merely smiled cheekily.

"Will do, oh wise queen."

He pulled Lucy into his embrace. She squirmed and he chuckled and whispered, "Close your eyes." She obeyed and felt the odd pulling motion she'd felt while being transported to Olympus.

When he told her to open her eyes again, she found the two of them outside her apartment. It was bright and sun streamed through the window. She stiffened.

"What's wrong?" Hermes' voice was concerned and she slowly turned to look at him.

"Why is it day? It was night when we left."

"Time passes differently on Olympus. An Olympic day can be twelve Earth ones, five Earth ones, one Earth one, or vice versa."

"But what will they think? We just disappeared from the exhibit?"

"If I were to guess, Hera sent someone to make an excuse. We decided to leave early, you or I got sick, something to explain. She never leaves loose ends."

He rubbed her shoulder reassuringly and she relaxed.

"I guess…"

She turned and unlocked her door. He followed her inside and plopped onto the sofa.

"I'm going to change. Stay," she said firmly. He grinned.

"Yes boss."

She rolled her eyes and closed the bedroom door. His smile softened and closed his eyes, changing clothing quickly.

His eyes were still closed when she opened the door again, and she stood silently in the doorway, watching him. He looked oddly peaceful, his expression calm and unconcerned. He had reclined on the sofa, his head lying against the back cushions. Lucy walked behind him quietly and stood over him, smiling. The god opened his eyes to see her green ones close. He very slowly reached up and, in a flash, flipped her up and over the sofa so she was sitting on his lap. She blinked, shocked. He laughed at her bewildered expression. The girl made a face and slid off his lap.

"Are you all packed?"

"Yep." She nodded.

"Ready?"

"I guess."

He cocked his head. "Why do you sound unsure?"

Lucy shrugged, blushing. "I'm kind of…nervous."

He stood and spun her around.

"Don't be! It'll be fun. Just imagine. A week of doing absolutely nothing."

She smiled. "Sounds inviting."

"Exactly!"

Now that she was smiling and laughing, he pulled her into his arms.

"Ready now?"

She nodded. "Let's go."

He grinned as he stepped out of the window. "To Katafygio."

Whoa, excited for the next chapter? The next chapter will be the much-awaited Island Chapter, and I will tell you that some rather interesting developments happen. I would expect some lovely scenes. And don't you want to know what the island looks like? ;)

Anyway, to end your reading, drink or don't drink?