All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 39

Leto

(Diana)

As I walked alongside Percy I didn't know what to think, my final resistance had crumpled with that kiss. I knew I should still be worried about the future but the memory of his lips on mine served to still those lingering fears. I did not know how we were going to proceed, was he technically my boyfriend? How was I supposed to react with him around others especially those who would not be aware of either of our feelings and most definitely anyone who could tell my father.

Finally we both reached a pair of closed doors that I recognized as leading to the council chamber.

'We could always tell them now.' Percy said nervously.

'Yeah that would go down well, or not. For the moment this stays between us, not the councils, nor the hunters.' I said to which he nodded in agreement.

'Fine but if Thalia starts torturing me I don't know what I will confess to.'

'Then perhaps this will convince you to keep your mouth closed.' I said once again pulling his face down towards mine. Gods I could get used to doing that. Eventually I pulled away just in time as the doors opened revealing the figure of a winged Titan.

(Percy)

Lelantos looked from one of us to the other with raised eyebrows before focusing on my flushed face. Thank the gods he hadn't opened that door a few seconds earlier.

'I see you made a choice niece.' He said turning towards Diana and she joined me in turning crimson.

'Not a word to anyone.' She whispered threateningly.

'As I said before it is none of my business what you get up to, Glad to see you are awake Perseus.' He said turning towards me.

'I guess I should thank you for helping me.' I said finally feeling my face begin to cool as I got over my embarrassment.

'That is not necessary after all you needed not have given me back my Domain, consider it payment for services rendered and besides that what friends do for each other. Now come the rest of the council is waiting.' He said before turning towards the door.

'How did they even know we were coming?' Artemis asked me.

'They probably never even left; all they do all day is sit in there and argue. why do you think I wanted to leave? Though the damsel in distress helped.' I said playfully only to get elbowed in the hip by said damsel.

'Your not one to talk mister spend all day in a coma, now come on.' She retorted before walking ahead of me back into the council chamber.

Sure enough all of the usual figures were assembled in their thrones despite it being the early hours of the morning, I was left with a dilemma of where to go, I wanted to stay by Diana's side but that might prove to be suspicious or I could sit on my own throne.

Then again there was much that I had to explain as well and it was only fair I stood before the council alongside her.

Some of the council members looked at me strangely for my choice but then simply shrugged it off, I was not exactly one for procedure at the best of times and this was far from the first time I had not reacted as to be expected in this room, whether it was listening to my Ipod or pruning my wings while pretending to care about some minor issue or another. I suspected most of them did not approve but allowed me to anyway for who I was. After all were it not for me none of them would be here at all.

'Now that Perseus has returned we can conclude this meeting.' Themis said to begin with. Seriously it must have been hours since Diana got back with the arrow and they had been here since did they have nothing better to do?

'Perseus, Artemis has explained to us what transpired at the Greek demigods camp, however we remain unaware of your fight with Oceanus as well the following battle with Tethys though we know the outcome of said forth battles.' Rhea explained and I nodded to my grandmother before stepping forward.

'There is not much to say of it, I fought your brother while Diana fought Tethys unsuccessfully with neither of us gaining the upper hand possibly because I was holding back as I did not want to reveal what I was to Artemis's hunters. Of course eventually Diana was captured and I surrendered otherwise more danger may have befallen her.' I explained simply.

'We were not aware you had surrendered yourself which was reckless of you, after all Artemis is an Immortal there would have been no lasting damage.' Koios stated disapprovingly.

'That may be but I swore on the Styx to prevent any undue risk befalling Lady Artemis and her hunters and I intended to keep my word as you can see there was no harm done for my actions.' I explained as there was sure as hell no reason I was telling them it was because I loved her.

'Except a small amount of time in a coma, but otherwise nothing Perseus. Proceed.' Iapetus said with a grin.

'Of course in my captured state I was unable to break free until Tethys reneged on her word and attempted to kill Diana anyway. After a seconds thought I flicked my wings out and was able to sever Oceanus's hands at the wrist which was an unintended bonus of the action as I only planned on breaking free and not incapacitating your brother.'

'You seem to have a lot of good luck when it comes to fighting but nevertheless tell what happened with Tethys, we are aware of Oceanus death at Artemis's Lieutenant's hand.' Phoebe said. Often I barely even noticed she was there as she rarely spoke and I suspected she cared about as much as I did and probably only did because Koios was always here for every meeting.

I suppose if me and Artemis/Diana ever got to that stage the pair would become my grandparents in law I thought with a shudder at how messed up Mythology was when it came to the family tree.

'What is there to say other than I forced her to retreat until she eventually escaped into the ocean, she tried to trap me like she did Diana here but my sword cut through her ice shield. Afterwards me and the gods of heroes returned to the camp, Thalia killed Oceanus and kept his sword as a spoil. I aided Diana and when I was finished I was attacked.' I said in summary already keen to get out of here

'And what of the hunter, she attacked you. Like Olympus we agreed that her fate is yours to decide.' Themis said like this was a court case and this was the sentencing. Boy were they going to be surprised.

'She can go free, Diana has agreed to let her back in the hunt and will keep an eye on her.' I said and the majority of them looked shocked except Iapetus who knew me better than the others after all I had spared him when he was defeated even if he had lost his memory for a period it had saved him in the long run.

'Perseus she must be punished. She attacked a member of this council in cold blood with no provocation.' Koios said leaning forward out of his throne.

'Grandfather I was not keen on the idea myself, but as Lady Themis said Perseus had the choice of my hunters fate and he has chosen. Olympus will not stand against his decision so why must you?' Diana said pleadingly.

The Titan Lord seemed to consider her words before slowly leaning backwards before nodding at the pair of us.

'So be it then Perseus her fate is yours to decide and we will respect that but be aware if any further problems arise because of Artemis's hunters to yourself while you remain with them then we will not be so forgiving and they shall fear the wrath of the Titans.' Koios said and I struggled not to laugh at the unintended movie pun there. I doubted half this lot even knew what a TV was and a year after release I still saw little hurry from them to learn about the modern world.

'Perseus you do not have to return with Diana, you could remain here as you should do. It is clear that they hold prejudices towards you for being a male.' Rhea asked.

'No I swore to help Lady Artemis and I intend to keep that promise besides perhaps I can eventually break through to them, after all Diana likes me, don't you.' I finished with a grin knowing that as soon as I was out of here she was going to make me pay for that.

'Perseus is bearable and a capable guardian, when he keeps quiet and doesn't provoke my hunters.' She said looking at me coldly.

'Nevertheless Diana remember Koios's words for they are truthful, one more incident like this and that will be the last thing they do, we may have promised to never go against Olympus but do not push us to far.' Theia added which was surprising as she rarely said anything in my favor and we treated each other with general neutrality, after all I had killed her husband even if it was self-defense besides he would not have been released anyway as he fought in the Second Titan War.

'I would expect nothing less, though I hope it does not come to that. Perseus has made himself very useful and I would hate to lose him.' Diana said bowing slightly. Sure she would hate to lose me because I am 'useful'.

'Very well then that will be all for now, Perseus if any more news of Tethys emerges we expect to be informed.' Rhea said closing the matter before flashing out followed by the rest. The only ones who remained were me, Diana and Lelantos who coughed forcibly and I noticed another figure across the room.

Leto stepped out from behind her mother's throne where she must have been all along and walked towards us.

'Have fun.' Lelantos said with a grin before also flashing out leaving me with my girlfriend I guess and her mother.

'Hello dear, hello Percy. I see you two are getting on well lately.' She said firmly looking between the pair of us.

'Err. I guess so mother.' Diana said turning a vibrant shade of red.

'See Percy, I told you it was possible. I never expected this soon to be honest but who am I to judge. I take it you are keeping this secret for a while then.' She said looking straight at me which was amusing for the simple fact that despite how tall I was she still dwarfed me in height. I suppose technically Diana could turn 12ft tall at will but I had only seen her in her Roman Olympian form once during that archery session long ago.

'Yeah I guess we are, we don't know what to do about the hunt or how to tell Zeus. I am pretty sure he would not approve of us.' I said in response moving closer to Diana and I was surprised when she actually took my hand and held it firmly.

'Well then good luck and maybe you get her to visit more often as apparently I can't get her to come on my own.'

'I have been really busy mum; I don't get so much free time like my slacker brother.' Diana defended.

'Busy finally getting yourself a boyfriend.' Leto said with a sly grin knowing she had won. There was nothing either of us could say to counter that other than to get even more embarrassed.

'At least one of you two is hopefully settling down with someone, I love your brother but he really to find himself a woman who will put him in his place, not a long list of one night stands.' She said with a sigh but I could not see that happening, Apollo was the practically the god of bachelors.

'Mum we have been together for one night, stop planning the wedding already. We want to take this slow.' Diana said raising her free hand to her head in exasperation.

'Dear I have had 3000 years to plan the wedding, all I needed was you to finally admit the truth and to find a decent hat to wear.' She said with a wink before walking off slowly leaving us standing there like idiots.

'Well she took it well.' I said as I watched her walk out of the room.

'I hope she was not being serious.' Diana deadpanned still looking at the closed door her mother had just exited.

'At least it would probably be good if she planned it that long.' I said happily squeezing her hand.

'Your such an idiot, but you are my idiot.' She said happily rolling her eyes.

'So where to first, I guess I better tell my dad I am ok before he starts releasing earthquakes.'

'Too late, he did that when he found out you were injured.' She said simply.

'Oh I guess he was a little worried then, where did he release it somewhere remote I hope.'

'No, try the throne room, I have some nice new cracks in my ceiling because of you as does most of the rest of Olympus.' She said feigning anger and jabbing her free hands index finger into my chest.

'Once again not my fault I was unconscious. But maybe I should have told him before I joined you. I guess a quick call couldn't have been too hard.'

'Your right that's why we are visiting him and you are telling him.'

'Wait what?'

'If I have to go through the embarrassment of my mum knowing then you can suffer your dad. After that we can go get Reyna, tell Hades to release Tania and get back to Thalia chewing you out for lying to her.' She said with a smile.

'Ok but we are visiting him, what if my dad's subjects or Amphitrite tell someone they saw us together?'

'If they don't recognize me then they cannot tell anyone besides I think Amphitrite would be busy with something or another from what I know she is never in your fathers throne room.' She said and I watched her skin complexion darken and her hair turn black. I had forgotten that she once said she can appear as any form she pleased. If you looked hard enough you could still recognize her face but how many people actually expected he girl in front of me to be Artemis's Roman aspect with altered hair.

'Before we leave one more thing we are going get your damned bow and the first chance we get you are giving a supply of those damned arrows to Apollo so this never happens again. I stand by the fact of what I said when you joined, you will learn archery as there is no way I am dating a guy who can't shoot. I let you off because I was avoiding you but from now on your mine.' She said and I groaned at the thought of more practice.

'Yes I am, Yes I am.' I said as she flashed us out of the throne room.

AN. short chapter I know but at least it was quick.

For all of you who have read House of Hades already like me.

Little Bob is a blatant less awesome rip-off of Nemea.

I could list a lot of other coincidences but that would spoil it for those who have not yet read or finished it.

A good book never the less of course and a good source for future subjects and characters for the future chapters. There were a few things I disliked about the book particularly one characters affections (you know who I am talking about).

As always read and review.