A/N: Sorry its been so long! I had a bad doctors appointment Monday and that left me bad off for a few days. Plus I gained two more out of town that I didn't have. :(

I'm still sick, so I apologize for anything I miss :) Get ready for some fluff and angst and an unexpected hero!

Mo at the bottom :D

-Addie-

"Let me go."

His hand was at my throat, and his body pinned mine against the wall. I was trying to push him off me, but he was a god. I wasn't nearly strong enough.

"You embarrassed me," he snarled. "You had orders not to say anything about what happened!"

"I didn't t-tell them," I wheezed.

"You might as well have! Do you realize what you did? They aren't stupid, girl. They figured it out."

"Maybe you just weren't as good at hiding it as you thought you were," I choked out. I aimed a kick at him, but Ares just laughed and moved out of the way. He gripped my neck tighter, cutting off my air. His body was pressed against mine, keeping me from moving even the tiniest bit.

"You are always fighting me," he stuttered. His breath reeked of alcohol, of wine. He was drunk. I had dealt with him enough to know. I was struggling for breath now, my eyes watering furiously. I swung at him, but his free hand just grabbed my fist. He slammed it into the stone, and pain lanced through my hand. I was decently sure he had broken some bones in it. I cried out, but the sound was feeble. "Did you ever even consider giving in? I may have been forceful with my intentions, but I treated you with kindness towards the end of our interlude. And yet you still denied me. I could've given you everything, but you didn't want it. You dared to deny a god what he desired."

"I- I-" I coughed weakly. His grip was too tight. He didn't lie. He was kind to me once, more than I thought he was capable of, but it didn't change anything. One day, one moment, did not make up for the years of torment I experienced at his hands. Could I forgive him? Maybe, with time I could, but I would never forget. I never wanted to see him again, but unfortunately that wasn't an option.

Mars, Ares, wanted something he could never have. He couldn't make me want to be with him. He grew bored of me, because he got what he wanted and realized I couldn't give anymore. He was just cruel from them on out, all because he didn't get his way. I was someone weak he could bully, a symbol of defiance to take his anger out on.

"You may have ichor, but it will be so easy for you to die. I should have killed you a long time ago, when you first rejected my offer. You may have not defied Olympus, but you did defy me. You are weak, Euadne. I'll just tell them that another monster found you. Or maybe a titan killed you. No one will ever know."

My mind felt fuzzy. I clawed at his hand weakly, hoping to break his grip. His eyes were beyond furious, taken over by his hatred of me. My vision was starting to blur. There was a fire in my throat and chest, burning from the lack of oxygen.

"Let her go," a female voice commanded. I tried to place the voice, but I couldn't.

"Let me explain-"

"I SAID TO LET HER GO, ARES."

His hand immediately dropped, and I fell to the ground. I coughed, trying to catch my breath. My neck was bruised, I knew it. Every breath came in large, painful gasps. I looked up, and I saw the last person I expected to see.

Aphrodite stood beside us, looking at Ares with a hateful and disbelieving expression.

"Aphrodite," he began.

"You know, I had just assumed it was her. Why would a god deny a woman who was willing? I assumed she was seeking you out, not the other way around. That's what you made me believe, Ares."

"It doesn't matter! She's just a stupid mortal!"

"Who you forced to be with you. Love doesn't work that way, dear. I know your kind side, your passionate side, but I also know you have a fury in you that cannot be tamed. It makes you an excellent god of war and lover, but a sore loser. Do. Not. Move."

The force of her words hit even me, and I froze in place. I had felt Piper's words, and now that I wasn't cursed, I realized how strong Aphrodite's were. I had never really felt the force of her charmspeak. If she told me to do something, I had to do it, regardless if she used her gift. She could probably get me to do anything with her power. She turned towards me with a kind expression on her face, and held out her hand. I took it, and she helped me up.

"Are you hurt?"

"I think my hand's broken," I croaked. Her fingers brushed my neck, and I looked at her with a confused expression. Aphrodite had never been nice to me. Ever. Her version of nice was ignoring me.

"I'm not the best at healing. Apollo would be better," she admitted as she squeezed my shoulder.

"Why did you help me?"

"I know he's doing this out of anger. He's the world's worst about holding a grudge, and he has a temper. He hates to be told no, we all do… but that does not excuse what he did, what he's doing." I stared at her, in completely disbelief. This was the goddess who watched me get whipped, all because I told her I was tired of her changing her mind. "Does that surprise you, that I feel that way?"

"I- I thought you hated me," I whispered hoarsely.

"I don't hate you," she muttered. Aphrodite looked at me with an appraising expression and glanced behind me at Ares. He was seething, but remained firmly in place. She rolled her eyes and gestured for me to follow her.

"Euadne, you know us a lot better than most mortals do. Would it surprise you if I told you I was jealous of you?"

"Why in the world would you ever be jealous of me? You are a goddess; you are beautiful!" I sputtered. Aphrodite made a harsh laugh, and looked at me with a small, sad smile.

"Beauty is relative. When a being looks at me, they see what they consider beautiful. Everyone has their own definition of beauty, Euadne. No one really sees me as I am. Being a goddess isn't always easy. You of all people understand the games Olympians like to play. Yes, I was jealous of you. I am jealous of your freedom, your passion, and your love."

"I don't understand. I've never had freedom," I ventured.

"You were never scared to show your true self. That is a freedom I have never had. Your true beauty lies on the inside. You truly care about people, and you do the right thing even when it's the hardest path. Most mortals do not act as you do. I was jealous and upset for Tiberius's sake. I had watched the two of you, seen the bond you shared. You had a love most would die for, and I thought you had thrown it away for power. I never knew what Ares was doing to you. "

I looked at her in shock. I had never really talked to her, and I didn't think about what she had assumed. Honestly, I never thought Ares would hide it from her. All these years, I thought if any of the gods had an idea, it would be her.

"I did love Tiberius," I explained. "If I could've taken his place, I would have."

"I see that now. Sadly, sometimes we see what we want to see, instead of what actually is happening in front of us. I…I should never have treated you as I did."

"Thank you," I whispered after a minute.

"Do you want me to summon Apollo? I am able."

I shook my head. "The last thing I need is to cause more chaos among the gods. I can drink some nectar, and I'll be fine."

She sighed, looking in Ares's direction.

"He deserves to be punished. I doubt the council will give him anything harsh or lasting. Most of us have unfortunately been guilty of what he's done. It was just never to someone as important as you."

I nodded my head, staring intently at my hands. I had never thought that he would be truly punished. I know I would rather die than have it happen again. If I could pick any punishment for him…

"I wouldn't want him punished," I divulged. "It wouldn't work on him anyways. He'd just be worse to me afterwards. I'd want him to feel what I felt. I'd want him to truly apologize and mean it."

I was tearing up. I closed them, remembering how helpless and empty I felt during that time. I had lost everything, and the only hope that I had clung to was that maybe I could use my punishment to help others. That, and the fact that I had done it to save my brother (or so I had thought), were what got me through it. I never thought that I would be here, would have this chance, this life, two thousand years ago.

"That's not a bad idea," she murmured. "You want this to go away, to be handled as discreetly as possible, correct?"

I nodded my head. I didn't want to relive it anymore, and I didn't want everyone to know the details of what happened. I wanted to move on with the good in my life. Ares had been a constant fear in my life for so long, something that terrified me, and I was tired of it. You couldn't let your fears control you, and if I was going to be around here for a long time, I needed to be strong. I needed to move on.

"Ares, come here, darling," Aphrodite called. He walked over, dragging his feet as much as possible. Aphrodite turned to me, and she looked at me with a small smile. "I know we didn't start off on the best foot. I have an idea, and I will tell Zeus I administered his punishment. Do you trust me?"

I honestly didn't know what to say. This was just as likely to be a trick as it was to be a blessing. I normally trusted people until they gave me a reason not to trust them.

"I will try," I cautioned her. She nodded her head, and by that time, Ares stood brooding in front of us.

"Yes?"

"You know, Zeus was considering make you live as a mortal for five years. Apollo only got one, and that was for something personal. He had to, well… he had to placate Poseidon and Apollo, among some others."

"What's your point?"

"My point is that you need to learn a lesson. We can do what we want usually, but you need to learn there are consequences to your actions," she purred. "You don't have to live as a mortal, but you will suffer, the same as Euadne did. Until you feel true remorse for what you did to her and can properly apologize and make it up to her, you will not feel any pleasure from the things that normally bring it to you. You'll feel what she felt instead. And that includes sex, darling."

My and Ares' jaw both dropped. I was beyond stunned.

"You can't do that!" Ares roared.

"Oh yes I can, dear. I'm an ancient goddess. I am older and more powerful than you, so I can most certainly curse you if I want. And if you try to retaliate against her, harm Euadne in any way, it will increase tenfold. It's time you learned to think of others before thinking of yourself. Now, leave us and go brood like I know you want to. Euadne, come with me."

Aphrodite looped her arm through mine, pulling me up from my seat. Ares walked away, muttering curses in Greek. She walked us towards my apartment, carefully guiding me away from the party. We were getting close, and I couldn't wait to crawl in my bed.

"You really did that?" I finally stuttered.

"Yes, I did. I think the punishment fits the crime, don't you? It will be a while before his stubbornness wears down. I think you have years, if not centuries."

"Yeah, it fits," I murmured carefully. I honestly couldn't think of anything more fitting. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me," she replied with a flourish of her hand. "If anything, I owe you, and that is something, to have a goddess owe you. I'm going to have a drink and tell Zeus, if Ares hasn't already found him and begun complaining. You need to get some nectar and some rest. If I could order you, I would, but I don't think you need it this time."

"No, I'm very willing to get some sleep," I admitted.

She laughed and left with a small wave. I watched her go, completely thrown by tonight's events. I walked into my apartment, which looked exactly the same from where I left it. It was crazy to me how so much had changed since I had left. I walked to my potion stash, got out a bottle of nectar, and sat on my bed. I began taking sips, waiting until I felt the familiar heat rush through my body. I was watching the skyline. The lights and cars were moving down below, making the world sparkle almost.

I lifted the bottle again, surprised to find that it was empty. My hand was healing, although slowly. I was too tired to attempt any healing magic on it myself. I just curled up on the bed, pulled a pillow to me, and tried to fall asleep.

I was itchy. Uncomfortably itchy. I blinked my eyes open, to see a halo of blonde hair above me.

"What happened?" Apollo asked tersely.

"Swhat?" I mumbled as I rubbed my eyes.

"Why is your hand broken? And what are you doing with bruises on your neck?"

My eyes flew open at that, and Apollo looked down at me with a furious expression. He looked downright murderous and scary. My hand was in his, and he set it down on the bed. I sat up, wincing at the soreness in my body. Coming back from the dead was a lot more tiring than you'd imagine.

"I, um, got in a little fight, no big deal," I muttered to him.

"No big deal," he repeated blankly. "With who!?"

"I think you mean whom."

"Euadne, I am not in the mood. Who?"

I bit my lip. The minute he heard, he was going to go off the deep end. His eyes narrowed, and he started to glow a little bit.

"It was Ares, wasn't it?"

"Well-"

"I'm going to RIP HIM TO PIECES!" he yelled. He moved to leave the room, and I scrambled out of the bed to stop him. I grabbed his arm, and he turned, his fury evident. He wasn't mad at me, I knew that. But the last thing I needed was fight between the gods. A civil war over a slave girl, no matter how much he deserved it, would not be a good thing, especially now. I gave him a pleading look, and Apollo closed his eyes. He put his hand over mine, putting pressure on it.

"Addie, I know how you feel about this, but he's gone too far this time," he ground out as he moved my hand from him. "I will not let him keep doing this to you."

"It's not your place, and it-"

"Not my place?" He opened his eyes, looking at me with a weird expression. I couldn't place it. "Addie, you are mine. If he disrespects you, he disrespects me, and I will not tolerate that. If anyone ever harms you, I would…I'd do more than kill them. I want to obliterate him from what he's to you. Do you have any idea of the hold you have over me? What I would do for you?" He stepped towards the door, running his hand through his hair. I knew he was warring between his options. He wanted to avenge me, and I loved him for that. I grabbed his arm, pulling him around to face me. He looked so conflicted. I brushed his arm, and he stared at me with an intense expression. I hadn't depended on anyone in so long, hadn't known that I could have. He would fight for me, take my side, whether I did that or not.

"He's been punished," I uttered. Apollo gave me a questioning look, and I explained what had happened. He seemed just as surprised as I was about Aphrodite, and just as shocked at the punishment.

"Aphrodite cursed him?" he repeated. I nodded my head. "So he can shack up with whoever he wants, and he won't enjoy it and he'll feel what you felt until he learns his lesson? Until he's actually sorry?"

"Yeah, and if he touches or harms me again, it gets worse."

Apollo just started laughing. He walked past me, and plopped down on my bed, howling with righteous laughter. I climbed over beside him, looking down at him with a huge grin.

"Do you find that funny, Lord Apollo?"

He finally stopped, completely out of breath. He grabbed my hand, pulling it to his chest.

"I think it's the best punishment ever. He is so stubborn! It will be years before he admits he's cursed, and the whole time, he'll be miserable. This is better than my plan to chain him in the Acheron."

"You threatened to do that?"

"I promised him I would if he ever laid another hand on you," he proclaimed as he stared deep into my eyes. "Luckily, someone put him in more misery and pain than he'll be able to handle." He fiddled with my fingers, running his over the back of my hand. He was tracing a pattern, and I closed my eyes.

"Did my father ever find you?" I asked him worriedly. Apollo's hand went tense, and I opened my eyes to find him running his hand through his hair.

"Yeah, um, we talked before I came here. I didn't really have a choice, and when Poseidon insists, you listen."

I looked at him with anxious eyes, wondering what exactly my father told him.

"And?"

"He made is quite clear that I would be dealt with if I treated you the way my past relationships have gone," he sniffed. "He said that you deserve the best, and if I wasn't intending to give you that, I could find a mortal to fool around with." I sat up, moving so my back was against the pillows at the head of my bed. I put my head in my hands, absolutely mortified.

"Holy Styx, I am so sorry, he sh-

"Do you know what I told him?" He interjected before I could finish my apology. Apollo pried my hands from my face. He pulled me down to him, wrapping his arms around me. We were facing each other on the bed. Even the gods knew better to give each other orders and ultimatum. If you were a being use to doing whatever you want when you want, being told otherwise grated on their nerves.

"Do you?" he asked softly again. I shook my head, and he took a deep breath. Apollo tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering at my neck.

Part of me didn't want to know what he said. I didn't really understand why I was panicking so. I was so worried I would lose him. I mean he was a god! He could whoever he wanted, and he wanted me, of all people. My insecurities were coming back to haunt me. I wanted to be enough to make him stay, and I didn't know if that would happen.

"I told him I have every intention of protecting you from any kind of harm, and to be true to you. I told him that despite my nature, no one would ever, has ever, compared to you. He probably understands better than most. Do you know why we prefer mortals over immortals? Why we are always seeking them out before those of our own kind?" I shook my head again, and he brushed his thumb against my cheek.

"Because you feel so intensely. Everything about you is more beautiful, more alive. What you bring out in us is something so intense, so real, it makes us feel more alive, more human. Addie, you are the best of both worlds. You think, see, and act as we do. You have our strength and presence, even when you were cursed. You have our life span. But you feel, you love, like a mortal. You are humble, kind, and you have a far more rational and compassionate head. You see the things we forget, despite being as old as you are. You are a voice of reason, a peaceful home, in the chaotic storms, even the ones you make.

You are absolutely captivating. I'm not perfect, and I don't deserve you. Yet, I would give anything for you to be mine. I want to make you smile, protect you, and give you the life you should have always had. I want to kiss you and cherish you and come home to you. I desire nothing more than to wake up every morning to your face and fall asleep every night to it. I don't want to mess up with you. I finally found something that I cannot exist without. I want to love you, and I swear on the Styx I will do everything in my power to do all of that."

"I'm yours?" I asked in disbelief. He took his free hand and grabbed my hip, pulling me flush against him. His arm wrapped tighter around me, and he rested his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes, reveling in that scent that was calming and igniting my blood at the same time.

"Yes, if you want, and I am yours. You have enchanted me, Addie. I want you, and only you, for the rest of my existence. I swear it on the Styx. I will never love someone as much as I love you. I'll never crave a soul again as much as yours. 'My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.'"

"Quoting Shakespeare?" I whispered with a smile.

"You, my love, deserve the prettiest words the world has to offer."

He leaned towards me, and I lifted my head to meet his. His lips met mine, and he tasted divine. Something about being with him set me on fire. I felt more alive, more capable. His fingers on one hand laced into my hair, while the other went to the small of my back, gripping into the t-shirt I was wearing. I held on to his waist, kissing him with everything I had. My hands gripped the bottom of his shirt, and together we lifted his off, mine following behind it. He was so warm, and I could feel the dip and curve of his muscles against my own. His hand moved to my skin on my back, and he paused, pulling away from me.

"What's-"

"Addie, lay on your stomach."

I did as he asked. I instantly regretted the sports bra I had thrown on. They were great for fighting, not so great for impressing your super hot, godly boyfriend.

His hands ran over my back slowly, and I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. His eyes were wide, a ghost of a smile on his face.

"They're gone," he murmured. "All the scars on your back are gone."

I reached a hand to my back, and I met nothing but smooth skin. His fingers guided mine, and I rolled over, looking at him with wide eyes.

"But… we tried everything! How did they go away?"

"It must have been the Styx," he whispered. "It healed them. Now that I'm looking, most of your scars are gone."

His hands brushed my collar-bone, tracing the scar I knew Hyperion had left. I looked at my forearms, and the scars from where I was killed were still there. It must have just been the scars with normal weapons that disappeared.

Apollo leaned forward, placing his lips against my collar-bone. He moved to my lips, kissing me with a reverence I didn't know a god was capable of. I felt loved and cherished, and it was a wonderful feeling.

"As much as I want you right now, you are exhausted," he whispered against my lips before kissing me once more.

"How do you know that?" I argued. I was a little disappointed; I had to admit. He moved so he was beside me, pulling my sheets up around us. He opened his arms, and I moved into them.

"Addie, I'm a god of healing. How do you think I know?" he responded as he planted a kiss in my hair. I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth and comfort he brought me. I was exhausted, but it didn't change the desire coursing through me. I made a face, and he chuckled, tilting his head so it was resting against mine.

"There's always the morning," he whispered seductively.

"You better wake me up," I threatened sleepily.

"For you, anything."

He gave me a quick squeeze, and I drifted off in his arms, utterly content with the world.

They are so cute! What did you think of Ares's punishment. It's going to drive him insane *twists hands evilly* Was the fluff too much?

Anyways, info about the sequel. It will be a month or a little more until the story gets posted. For a few reasons: 1). I want to get ahead on it. 2). We need something to tie is over until October, and that's a wayyyysss off. 3). I have two other stories I need to focus on, and school, unfortunately 4). There are one shots that I owe you guys! I will be posting them during the break :). So make sure you follow me (if you want, Idk) and I will add updates occasionally on here.

I also wanted to do a Q&A thing, so if there are any questions for Fighting Fate or the Sequel, ask them and I will answer if it doesn't give anything in the sequel away!

Ohh and I had some guest reviews questions I wanted to address. One, yes, I do take promts, but I have to be feeling it so to speak. My friend Callie suggested an awesome one-shot where Apollo and Tiberius finally meet, and that's fun to write! But I will take anything, so drop it by. Two the guest reviews crack me up and I love each and every one of you, including non-guests (who's reviews I am about to go answer :P). You guys are amazing!

Please leave a review! :D