….So this is pretty much the bus ride in Zack's PoV, and what gets him so high strung.

That being said, this chapter is a little more…hmmm…provocative than I usually write. So if there are any innocent little butterflies, perhaps you shouldn't read this. Pretty much all you need to know is that Zack stands up to Zeke, which REALLY pisses him off.

And you guys who read this, am I screwing Kara up too much? In the beginning of the story, I wasn't planning for Kara to become this type of girl, which is why the change is kinda drastic. I make up a lot of things on the spot, which means the lead up to them aren't fantastic. You know?

But I'm planning on finally writing Lena's most painful memory either next chapter or the one after. I think, with the help of some people I give a shout out to when I write the memory chapter, I have figured out what I'm gonna do. Hopefully, I'll get it written and posted before Monday.

SHOUT OUT TO SilverSummer! ANOTHER CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE! LOVE HER! I don't think she has anything written, but I've read some of her original ideas for original stories (not fanfic) and I swear, that girl will be an author one day. I just hope I will be too.

Of course. I think she wants to be a lawyer or FBI or something… I lost track.

Hold on.

*texts friend: Hey, what was it you wanna be when you grow up? Lawyer? FBI?*

…..*waits for reply*….

While we're waiting for that! I wanna say I'm so happy cuz I have reached over 250 reviews! AMAZINGNESS! LET'S AIM FOR 300 SHALL WE? WOOTWOOT!

Oh! She replied!

Her reply: Prosecuting Lawyer working FOR the FBI!

I was close. I love how she didn't even ask why I was asking suddenly. Haha!

Anyhoo, VIRTUAL HUGS TO ALL REVIEWERS!

You should review. Yes you. You right there, looking at the screen. No don't turn around, I'm talking to you. Yeah. Yes, you right there, staring at the computer. Review. Do you see the review button? Click it. Then type something.

Disclaimer: ….rawr….

Song I'm listening to: Stay Awake (Dreams Only Last For A Night) by All Time Low (the acoustic version)

READ ON!

Lena walked to her bus, after throwing one last glance at me. I smiled and wave to her. She waved back, but it looked awkward, unsure. Lena was one of the toughest girls I'd ever met, probably THE toughest girl, but she was also really insecure. It was endearing, actually.

"Raver! You coming?" I heard behind me. It was Kara. She glared at me and I glared right back. Zeke was standing just behind her. "We're not waiting all day. Get your ass in here."

I scowled. How this stranger had ever been my friend, I don't know.

I grabbed my bag and walked to the bus, purposely bumping into them as I passed. They would not intimidate me. I refused to let them.

I picked a spot in the front, though, figuring they would congregate in the back. I was right. When they got on, they headed straight to the back, glaring at me as they passed. I locked eyes with them, refusing to let my gaze falter.

Since our bus was so packed, people eventually had to sit near me, but no one sat directly next to me. I couldn't have been more eager to leave. I put in headphones and tried to tune the demigods out, tried to forget what they did, what they could've done, to my Lena.

Hours passed and I was thankfully undisturbed. Artemis's shift had just started when my peace was finally interrupted.

Zeke threw himself into the spot next to me, and Kara was leaning over the seat in front of me.

"Hi-ya, Zack," Zeke greeted.

"Go away, Zeke." I grumbled.

"Nah, it's getting kinda stuffy in the back. It looked nice and roomy up here." I snarled and he laughed. "I'm sorry, did I do something to make you mad?"

I had to keep from strangling him. "You know EXACTLY what you did to make me mad."

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and I tensed. "Come on, we're family. We can work this out."

"What part of 'I am not your brother' do you not understand?"

He feigned confusion. "You were serious?"

"Deadly."

"Come on," Kara said, her voice cruel and taunting. "All this for that whore? This is ridiculous, Zack, even for you."

"Lena is not a whore." I said coldly.

She laughed. "A girl like that? Trust me, she's sure to have had her share of guys in her. You're just another toy for her to play with. A pretty pathetic one at that."

My fists clenched and sparks started flying, literally.

Zack backed up, laughing. "Oh, she's really got you, doesn't she? I don't blame you, really. With her body, she must be excellent in action."

My head whipped to face him. "Don't talk about her like that. You don't know her."

He continued to laugh. "How well do men know prostitutes?"

A spark flew off of me and Zeke was shocked. He gasped and jumped. "Gods, Zack. If you're this high-strung, just do her already. See how long she sticks around afterwards. Besides, a pretty girl like that..." he smiled devilishly, "well, that always makes me feel better."

"Your inhumane, Zeke." I snarled. "You too, Kara. You're both cold and heartless. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were the descendent of Titans instead of Gods, but I guess the gods can be pricks too."

I waited for a god to strike me down, but, thankfully, none did.

They both just laughed. Kara smirked. "Oh, Zack, how you've wounded me." She stood and pulled Zeke out of the spot next to me. She sat down, a lot closer than she usually sits. I frowned. "I mean, this girl is doing nothing for you except turning you on and walking away."

I narrowed my eyes. "She is not-"

"Whatever." Kara interrupted. "The fact it, you don't know where to throw your lot. You think this 'Lena' girl may have it right, but she doesn't. You don't realize all the fun you could have if you just let her go, and be the demigod you were supposed to be."

Then, before I could register what was going on, she crawled onto my lap, resting in a very provocative position, and stuck her tongue in my ear, her hand placed where it should not be.

I was so startled I sent off another shock. Kara jumped but did not move. She just smirked and pressed her mouth to mine this time, her tongue tracing my lips.

When I recovered from shock I shoved her off of me, very roughly, but I didn't care. "Get the hell off of me you slut." I growled.

"Come on, Zack." Zeke said. "You didn't even let her get to the good part."

"There is NOTHING good about her." I snarled. "Or you. I'm ashamed to be a son of Zeus. How did it become that being a son of the king of gods became dishonorable. Thalia and Jason were honorable children of Zeus...Jupiter...whatever. Back then, being of son of Zeus, Jupiter, whatever, meant that you were a hero. You were expected to amount to great things, be a great leader. Now it means you're expected to be a tyrant. And that's not something I plan to be."

Zeke looked menacing. In his own way, he had been trying to get me to befriend him, to become HIS ally. That's when I realized something.

I was stronger than him. My powers, my connection to our father, was stronger. I could create sparks without even realizing it, and call upon lightning with concentration. Zeke needed to concentrate on creating sparks and I've never seen him summon lightning. He feared me. He wanted my power on his side, because he didn't want my power to oppose him.

"You'll regret that Zack." He snarled.

"The only thing I regret is not stabbing you in the clearing, when I had a chance." I looked to Kara. "You too. I could have killed you too. I chose honor rather than strength and I let you live, but if you continue to test me, I may not make that decision again."

Zeke and I stared each other again. I don't know where this sudden burst of confidence and bravery had come from, but I revelled in it. For years I had wanted to stand up to Zeke, but never had. Then I realized what was making me stronger.

It was Lena.

We looked each other in the eye, seeing who would back down first. The bus driver, a son of Hermes I think, called back, "We're stopping in about fifteen minutes. I suggest getting your sleeping supplies."

"Thanks." I replied, my gave unwavering. I was not afraid of Zeke. I was stronger.

Zeke broke his gaze and walked away, shooting me a murderous glance as he went to go grab his stuff.

I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. I had just won something, I know I had. But while I wasn't afraid of Zeke, I knew he was set on revenge. I would just have to watch my back.

And Lena's.

Because Zeke was smart enough to figure out that, while Lena made me stronger, she was also my weakness. My Achilles heel. The best way to hurt me, was to hurt her.

I would not let this happen.

I had pulled on a black T-shirt, and a crummy pair of gray sweatpants. As I looked around, I saw Zeke and Kara looking at me murderously, talking in hushed tones. I honestly didn't see Lena approach until she asked if I was okay.

"No," I snapped harshly, all the things Zeke and Kara said still buzzing around in my head. I looked at Lena, who seemed taken aback. I felt myself relax at the fact that she was just simply THERE. "I'm sorry," I apologized. "Zeke just has me on edge." That's an understatement.

"I guessed." She paused,seeming unsure what to say. "I'm sorry," she ventured. That made me a little happier. Lena had always been on me for apologizing for no reason, and no she was.

"Let's just go find a place to sleep, okay? Some distance would be appreciated."

Lena faltered, pushing some hair behind her ears. That made me smile inside. She was nervous. I was making her nervous. "Sure," she said eventually. "Let's go."

We walked away, and I swear lena's face was blushing. I tried to conceal my smile as I laced my hand into hers. After that, I was sure she was blushing because it got worse.

When we stopped I pulled my sleeping bag out and laid it down. I saw Lena pause again. Unsure of what to do next. I felt disappointment as she laid hers down a few feet away from my own. I sighed and wordlessly picked my bag up and laid it almost on top of hers. I looked up at her, waiting for her to make some smartass comment. She seemed to be biting her tongue as she laid down on her sleeping bag, a few inches away from me. I rolled my eyes as I closed the distance. I put one arm around her waist and slid the other under her head, for her to use as a pillow. Again I waited for the smartass comment, but none came.

I smiled as I closed my eyes.

I don't care what Zeke thinks, I love Lena for who she is, and I know she loves me too.

I slept peacefully with her right beside me.