All Rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 92

What's Mine is Mine

(Percy)

'Milady I thought you had agreed to stop turning us hunters into animals?' Zoe asked whilst sitting down and stroking the back of Phoebe's head. Someone who as is seemed to be enjoying her current form as a Hyena, a little too well in my personal opinion. Maybe it was her sudden appetite for large volumes of uncooked meat or the fact she seemed to like being petted. Either way she was making a rival of the current resident fur ball/monster/sacred animal/abomination who was glaring at her from the windowsill, who did not seem to appreciate her food and attention going elsewhere.

'I didn't do anything.' Artemis defended indignantly no longer keeping a straight face. Which bearing in mind she was back in her twelve year old form made it look like she was ready to throw a tantrum.

'Technically Diana is your aspect, so you are responsible either way.' Zoe corrected.

'Technically you should be dead if I remember correctly, but besides that thanks to the genius over there I have to act mortal for the next month so I guess I cannot change them back. Not that he has any problem breaking his own rules when it suits him.' She explained before glaring at me from across the room. An outsider would have probably found the situation hilarious to see me cringe under a child's gaze but I was well aware of the knives strapped to her thighs and her willingness to throw the damned things.

I was politely putting it in the doghouse with the Greek goddess. Turns out she was 'asleep' earlier whilst Diana and I had our 'little session' and only found out when she examined Diana's memories. Which had subsequently resulted in her chewing both of us out. And her changing form so I would not get any 'ideas'.

Something which was not helped by me putting my shoe in my own mouth and asking if she wanted to be included next time. Her response was causing my cheek to hurt every time I moved it.

'Saving you I might point out.' Zoe muttered under her breath.

'Didn't catch that.' Artemis stated shifting her point of glare to the demi-Titan.

'Besides it might act as a reminder that I am the one to be respected and not laughed at.' She stated indignantly causing the assembled hunters to sigh. Or in the Hyena's case whine, one out of resignation to her current fate and the other at the attention being shifted from stroking the back of her neck.

'Percy...' Erika said simply appealing towards me only to be stopped by the hormonal goddesses gaze and my shaking my head in warning behind her, not wanting to be dragged further into this.

'Ok if that is everything, I believe you should all be at the range in five minutes and that means everyone.' She said focusing on me in particular causing me to gulp. I guess training was back on after its little hiatus. Meanwhile the hunters took the threat at face value and dashed off to go get their equipment, being late was not an option.

'And will someone tell those two to wake the hell up already, its seven AM!' She shouted after them.

'I'll do it.' I said simply filing off after them as the goddess huffed in annoyance. For once I could not help but think that maybe Perseus and I had a more normal relationship with one another. Who knows how the goddess would have reacted if Diana and I had actually had sex. Come to think of it how was I going to get around that hurdle without pissing the other one off in doing so?

Of course my volunteering to find out where Reyna and Thalia was less good Samaritan and more curiosity over how that situation had resolved. I had not exactly had much of an opportunity in the last thirty-six hours to find out how they had sorted out their 'issues.' Neither had given any sign of anything having changed other than the fact neither had woken up already. But that was attributed by the hunters and more importantly the goddess as being a result of trying to sort the cities administration out all night.

Once the queue in front of me had filed off into their respective rooms to hurriedly get ready I faced the sole undisturbed door and quietly knocked and received no response.

'Thalia...Reyna!' I called aloud before counting to ten and deciding to risk electric shock therapy and poke my head inside. I didn't want them to be late after all and not for any other curious reasons. After all I knew they were inside the room much like I could tell where every other occupant of the house was and even a few doors down if I really concentrated. Which was why I knew Artemis and Nemea were both currently in the kitchen raiding it while no one could see them.

Yet despite the handle turning the door refused to budge despite me pushing quite hard against it. It would move a little but then it seemed that something was stopping it. Of course I could have brute forced my way through the door or even a wall if I had wanted I decided to try the subtle approach and disappeared through the shadows of the corridor. (While Artemis was not around to see and complain about me doing so. I had to admit in fairness it was really difficult to act mortal after not doing it for so long.)

Out of respect I had elected to reappear facing the door which after allowing my eyes to adjust I saw was barricaded by half the furniture in the room. Including curiously a bed which was beginning to confirm my suspicions about the two's status. Part of me was idly wishing they had found some magic door lock that kept unwanted passers-by out. Cough... Atlas... Cough.

'Ahem!' I coughed for real loudly and was finally reward by the sound of moving fabric as someone registered the noise.

'PERSEUS YOU BASTARD!' A girls voice shouted out before I found myself impact from behind and headfirst into a chest of drawers stunning me. Holding my head in pain from the shock I curled up a little and faced upwards through the relative safety my arms provided narrowly avoiding the electricity empowered punch by jerking my head away.

So while Thalia got over the shock of having punched the floor, I was able to grab her arm and flip her onto the floor and pin her down.

'Get the hell off me!' She growled her hands crackling with electricity again causing my forearms to go numb from holding her wrists.

'Whoa whoa calm the hell down.' I said hurriedly.

'False alarm Thalia it is just Seaweed Brain. The original one.' Another voice said from behind me causing the struggling figure to breathe deeply and begin to relax and finally allow me to analyse the situation in hand. Which from someone just walking in would look incredibly suspect, what with the way I was pinning her to the ground. And the fact she was dressed in nothing but a long heavy metal band t-shirt and a pair of small pink panties. Not that I was concentrating on that fact of course, just a simple observation.

'So... if I let you up our you going to knock me into next week?' I asked finally getting past the Thalia wearing any form of pink stage of thought, let alone underwear.

'Get off idiot.'

'Good enough.' I said releasing my grasp and lifting myself to my feet before pulling her up as well.

'Well this is awkward.' Reyna summarised from her position still on the bed holding her forehead between thumb and forefinger. Thankfully the duvet still covered her lower half but the loose vest only held by one shoulder didn't do much for concealing her other curves before I decided to focus on a nice patch of wall away from both of them. I was getting married after all, but even so hunters or not I had to admit the male half of the human race had taken a big loss in the old fish in the sea with these two swimming off into different waters. Besides I believe the best term to describe Thalia would be jailbait, she was after all physically fifteen. Then again my future wife was currently a pregnant twelve year old so I was not one to talk.

'So I take it that little issue between you resolved itself?'

'Wow did you work that out yourself, there is hope for you yet.' Thalia said sarcastically.

'Thalia...' Reyna said slowly in admonishment. 'What are you doing here anyway?'

'I elected to volunteer and say you have seventy two seconds to get ready for archery before Artemis starts busting heads. Which bearing in mind that Phoebe and Atlanta are currently running around as Hyenas says what sort of mood she is in. Fifty seconds left now.'

'Well fuck.' They said in chorus as I took the chance and shadow travelled out and left them to panic. I was not being late that was for sure. There was never a guarantee with Artemis those arrows would stay blunt.

(Thalia)

'Seaweed Brain what the hell did you do to piss her off so much!' I shouted at him as he dived for cover to my left just as the target he had re-erected disintegrated into kindling. Something he hurriedly repaired before the angered goddess shot at him instead. Reyna and I were here for being late, Percy because this was the safest place for him to be in everyone else case. He had swiftly reminded everyone that he sucked really, really bad when he shot a Lares who was passing by without concerns. Proof that even the dead were not safe from his 'accuracy' or lack thereof.

'It's personal.' He replied a slight redness on his cheeks as he dodged his way back to the relative safety of behind the small amount of cover at the bottom of the range.

'So is my bedroom but you and your moronic counterpart keep invading it whenever you fell like it, though at least you don't bring a camera.' I told him crossing my arms in annoyance. Despite what it probably had looked like we had not done anything other than share a bed and even then we had faced in opposite directions.

'I will deal with Perseus, besides I am sure he will soon get bored and find someone else to make their life a misery.'

'I have the names of about forty senators if he wants candidates.' Reyna muttered flicking her head up from the clipboard she was reading.

'They cannot be all that bad.'

'Most of them want to become the next Praetor, the rest want me to order you from the city. How I am supposed to order a super powerful Titan Lord around let alone evict him and his Olympian goddess fiancé who I am sworn to serve, is immaterial to them.' She explained with a raised eyebrow.

'You tell me to do stuff all the time.' He argued with a grin.

'Pack your bags then.' She asked stoically.

'Yeah just let me ask my girlfriend if she agrees.' He joked turning around and leaning out of cover only to snap back in as a sonic boom was heard and the closest target shattered.

'She says no.' He added sarcastically clicking his fingers and restoring the target.

'Worth a shot I suppose.' I told them both laughing.

'Please don't use that S word around me when she has a bow.' Percy whined subconsciously rubbing his backside from Artemis's earlier 'morale booster' when he had failed epically to hit a target only a dozen meters away.

'What does that feel like anyway, when the dumbass did it? I actually thought for a brief second he had actually killed you.' Reyna asked with morbid curiosity.

'You should try it, it feels great. Headshots? To die for.' He commented sarcastically.

'Last I checked I was still part mortal so no thanks. Unlike you the bullets don't bounce off my skin.'

'Your loss.'

'Lady Artemis says you can come back now.' A voice called and we looked up and found Zoe with a Hyena at her side leaning over our piece of cover. The fact the goddess had made Phoebe and Atlanta bring bows with them was a source of both amusement and yet showed how irrational she could be at the same time. Then again Atlanta with a little help from Tania holding the bow had still managed to hit Percy's target a feat he with opposable thumbs had failed at.

'Has she calmed down yet?'

'Define calm for Artemis and I will give you an answer. Because by the dictionary definition I would have said about six years ago before she met you.'

'Harsh. I would have said five.' I added joking causing the Titan to sigh and shake his head.

'Everyone's a critic.'

(Artemis)

'If I say sorry will you stop being such a bitch?' An annoying voice in my head asked.

'Last I checked this was my day so I can act however the hell I want. So shut up.'

'Sure because being the biggest bitch in the world is helpful to this relationship. Actually maybe you should keep it up that way he will only want to spend time with me.' It added spitefully and I cursed her currently only existing within my own head, so I could not slap her.

And yet she was correct I was being irrational about it, not that I would admit it to anyone. But how was I supposed to admit I was jealous of myself. The simple fact was she was better than me at this whole relationship thing than I was. Hell I was only in it because she did all the hard work. And yet every time the two of them did something new or different I reacted with anger and irrationality.

For the last week I had blamed Perseus for every argument and problem we had had and yet the truth was finally dawning on me, that he had just been a distraction. Someone for me to palm the blame of on. I was the real problem, I kept putting up walls to keep others out even when they wanted what was best for me. The guy who loved and would do anything for me, I repaid by hurting for every slight offense both real and contrived.

'Milady can I talk to you in private?' A familiar voice said stirring me from my melancholy as I looked at Zoe who was regarding me with a serious face.

'Is it important?' I stated rashly with a frown.

'You tell me, you're the one who is crying.' She explained quietly and I hurriedly wiped the golden fluid from my face. Just as I finished the demi-Titan dragged me out of the room without another word and into the first doorway we passed. Which just so happened to be a bathroom before shutting the door and standing in front of it.

'Let me guess this has to do with Perseus?'

'Percy.' I corrected automatically.

'Same guy and technically they are both Perseus. So what has he done now?' She asked leaning against the doorway.

'Nothing.'

'What is the issue then?' She asked her eyebrows scrunching up into a frown.

'Me.' I said simply only for the hunter to glare at me as if to elaborate.

'I don't know what I am doing anymore, and I hate it and more importantly I hate myself. I have betrayed the trust of the hunters and the expectations of everyone else. I inflict pain and death on anyone who offends me. And to top it all off I am afraid the guy I love is only with me because of loyalty to our child and because of Diana. What could he possibly see in me?' I blabbered breaking down as the tears flowed freely, meanwhile the hunter just watched unmoving.

'Is that what you really believe?' She asked emotionlessly all I could do now was wordlessly nod and look away in disgust at myself.

So it was at quite a surprise when the slap came and almost knocked me to the floor under the force of the blow.

'And we call him the idiot. The only person you are lying to and whose expectations you are failing is yourself. You offered the hunters an opportunity to leave if they wanted and yet none of them did. Why is that? Because of some misguided sense of loyalty or perhaps because believe it or not we actually want to be here. For almost three thousand years I served you and even in death I did not regret any of it unlike my life beforehand. Such as the first thing I did upon coming back was choose this life again without hesitation. You took us all in no matter what our lot in life or our history and gave us a home where we had none. So what if you and the moron got together, despite how some of us may act towards him we cannot help but be in awe of him ourselves. Not just for his power or the things he has done, but for the fact that even despite those things he has remained grounded in reality and stuck by those he cares about. The only thing that can push him away is you and if you do that you are truly a bigger idiot than he is.' She admonished opening the door as she finished her voice beginning to crack and betray emotion in those last few words.

'The rest is up to you.' She added finally before closing the door, and yet it did not sound as if she was addressing those words to me personally.

'Is that what you really think? That I would be happier having Percy all to myself.' Diana asked sombrely.

'Wouldn't you? Every time I don't keep an eye on you, you go one step further with him. So what would you have to lose if I was not around. All I do is cause you and him problems, things would be better off if I never got involved in any of this.'

'You're pathetic. What you are really afraid of is change. That is the difference between me and you, you never gave me any reason to like the past. You stuck me in the chariot as soon as you could and practically forgot about me. So yeah when an opportunity came along for something new and interesting I leapt at the chance and I will continue to do so. What you now need to do is frankly get with the times because the only person holding you back is yourself. Not me, not Perseus and certainly not Percy. As much as we might all have our occasional issues with one another the simple fact is we need each other. So stop suffering a chronic case of the poor Me's and do something about it.' She said her tone commanding before I felt the two of us separating, before long my doppelganger was standing in front of me with her arms folded looking down at me.

'So are you going to apologise or do I have to drag you out of here by your ponytail like the little brat you are?'

'Touch my hair and I will touch you.'

'You can try but at the moment I don't think you are even tall enough to. Besides I look amazing, you... you look more like a prison sentence waiting to happen.' She chastised hands on her hips as I bit my lip at her provocations.

'Your modesty knows no bounds.' I muttered nevertheless I decided she was right about one thing. My time appearing as a child was over, that was one thing that had changed forever. Besides it was rather creepy to consider considering my relationship status and I knew it made Percy uncomfortable. So with a sigh I closed my eyes and imagined my form changing to mirror hers.

When I reopened them I found the space in front of me empty surprising me until I felt my head yanked backwards causing me to cry out in surprise and more than a little anger.

'Bitch.' I growled as she finally pulled my hair out of its pony tail as I felt the auburn strands brush against my neck. I hurriedly turned around and found her standing there with a look of smug satisfaction.

'Work with me a little. We now look exactly alike so what you can now do then is pretend to be me. And see how he reacts differently with the pair of us to satisfy your inferiority complex. Here's a good suggestion don't try throwing knives at him, I find that is not very romantic.'

'I can stab you though.' I muttered half tempted to actually do it.

'Come on it isn't that bad, you're like my big sister who is hopeless around the boy she likes, so she acts hostile all the time. What's the term...Dammit Percy would know this...Tsundere yes.' She said finally with satisfaction as I looked at her in confusion before shaking my head. Gods his stupidity was affecting her, I was beginning to question what chance of sanity that child was going to have.

'You're an idiot, now if I remember correctly today is my day. So either get lost or get back in my head.'

'Fine have it your way, I go to all this trouble to help you out and you still complain.' She said laughing.

'That's because by your way of thinking you are my annoying little sister and I have enough issues with annoying little brothers as it is. At least he is not trying to sleep with my boyfriend.'

'Well this is Apollo we are talking about.' She responded coyly causing me to palm my face.

'I realised once I said it.' I groaned really wanting to get that image out of my head.

'Have fun with that image now. Now then I think I deserve an apology.' She said before suddenly embracing me causing me to stiffen in shock.

'Will you lighten up for once, two and half thousand years and we have never so much as hugged one another. Maybe we should do this again and invite Percy to watch?' She added whispering before disappearing into light. Which was probably for the best before I throttled her.

Taking a moment to get a hold of myself and checking myself in the mirror I slowly opened the door and walked out, noticing the raven haired demi-Titan leaning against the wall looking at me appraisingly.

'Are you ok now Milady?'

'Better... Where is Seaweed Brain?'

'Would you be mad if I said Juno, how to put this... kidnapped him.' She explained tentatively shuffling a foot nervously as my gaze narrowed.

'Rules be damned, that Moron belongs to me.' I growled, bow appearing in my hand on instinct.

I never liked my stepmother anyway.

(Percy)

Despite what Zoe might have mentioned to Artemis without my knowledge. I had gone with Juno quite freely of my own will. It was not like I was actually doing anything at the moment other than avoiding Artemis's bad mood and the worrying voice of my conscience that still told me she was kind of cute when she was angry.

So of course by the time I detected the arrival of a powerful immortal nearby I was already half way out of the house ready to draw my sword. However rather than some pissed off god/Titan with a chip on his shoulder I had come face to face with my future step-mother-in-law who had swiftly told me she wanted to talk and flashed me away to Olympus.

'It is not often I invite men into these chambers, you should be honoured.' The Roman Queen of Olympus said looking at me with a smile.

'Are you coming onto me? Because that would end badly for everyone involved.'

'Is everything with you a joke? I am the goddess of Marriage of course I am not coming on to you. The reason I brought you here is because believe it or not you are doing me a favour. I dislike loose ends and your dear Artemis has been one for far too long... If only her deadbeat brothers would finally find someone of their own.' She added with a hint of pettiness. Somehow I got the feeling that was aimed at one in particular of Artemis's brothers, namely her own embarrassment of a child.

'So what you drag me up here, pat me on the back and send me on my merry way?'

'Actually no this was not my idea, though I do approve of it. You need to speak to someone next door preferably without killing each other if possible.' She explained and it did not take a road map of Olympus to work out whose Temple was next to Hera's.

'Yeah no thanks, last time I spoke to him he tried to vaporise me and I broke his nose. I doubt that in the last week your husband has become forgiving.'

'You are right my husband has always been more than a little irrational, but there are things that I can use to coerce him to my favour. Something he has not had for a very long time...'

'Please don't make me imagine that.' I said shuddering at my perceived image. The goddess only looked at me blankly.

'Whatever is running through that head of yours you can get rid of it. My husband is still very firmly in that doghouse and will be for the thirty-three years if I have anything to say about it.' She said her eyes narrowing. Of course Aphrodite's little punishment had to have inspiration from somewhere. So the big man himself got fifty years per escapade.

'So what I just walk in there and we talk things out?'

'That is the plan.'

'And what part do you play in this great plan?'

'I get to distract the huntress, now if you would kindly hurry up she will be arriving soon.'

'Fine but if this goes South it is totally not my fault.' I told her causing her to smile as she began leading me towards the front door which opened automatically.

'I would wish you good luck but you would have run out of that years ago by normal standards. So as it stands just be yourself and if he mentions that stupid statue just tell him he should have kept a closer eye on it.' She said smiling before pointing towards my destination on the other side of mountaintop garden filled with Peacocks and statues.

'It wasn't even me.' I defended.

'I suggest just avoiding the issue all together, he is still a little sensitive to the issue.'

'He needs to grow up.'

'Preaching to the choir. Now get going. And watch out for Aquila, he has a fondness for Titan flesh.' She told me with a smile before turning her back and walking away the doors closing between us. Causing me to turn back towards my objective.

'Nothing ventured nothing gained.' I muttered to myself as I followed the path between the two palaces. Becoming noticeably aware of the much larger birds that were hidden in the trees and the building rafters. All of them no doubt reporting my every move to their master.

Of course they were all small fry compared to the creature that loomed over the temple threshold gazing down at me.

I had once wondered what Zeus did with the eagle that used to eat Prometheus's liver, sure Heracles supposedly killed it, but the guy was also full of shit so anything was up for debate. Besides there was no way that was a normal bird. As it stood Hades had a giant dog, Zeus had this abomination and my dad had... nothing in particular. Now I could have cursed this as m dad being lame (which was not true) but I preferred to think of it as him not getting involved in a blatant dick measuring contest.

'Polly want a cracker?' I said laughing and I could have sworn it frowned at the joke its gaze not moving from me.

'You're no fun.' I said simply and resumed my journey hands in my pockets ready to draw Riptide at a moment's notice should the bird move a muscle.

However my fears proved unwarranted as it made no such move though I did give passing underneath it a wide birth. If that thing took a crap as I passed beneath, it would probably bury me. Which was probably much worse than its master could do to me I thought with amusement as I reached the giant doorway and resisted the urge to kick it in. Followed swiftly after by his face.

He was still after all the girls father and protocol dictated I had to appear polite, even if we did have a mutual dislike/despise relationship.

Of course that did not mean I was just going to stand around like a idiot on his doorstep all day, by all accounts Hurricane Arty was due to arrive any second and I did not want to be near that. So I decided to do the polite thing and knock to a beat in my head. Of course it could not do anything as simple as merely open.

No this was Zeus I was dealing with here.

So of course that stupid bird had to shriek its damned head off and scare the crap out of me as I practically dived for cover. Expecting it to be coming at me talon's first. By the time the ringing had cleared and I was satisfied that it was not going to be trying my liver anytime soon, I realised I had failed to notice the doors had opened.

'I fucking hate birds.' I said allowed looking at the creature who had leant over on himself and was eyeing me with an expression that I could have sworn was laughing as I sneered at it.

'A shame I like them myself, unlike fish they actually have some intelligence.' A voice said calmly from behind me and I turned and noticed the old man himself. Sizing me up. It was quite ironic that in all the time I had met him over the last six or so years this was the first time I had seen him in human form. Probably because of the fact I was bigger than he was in divine form I thought smiling inside to myself.

'Are you implying something?'

'By all records I do not need to, So I am left to question what exactly my daughter see's in you.' He remarked coldly and I found myself wishing Perseus was here to wipe that smug look of his face.

'Get to the point, what do you want?' I asked barely concealing my hostility.

'So quick to act.'

'You were not complaining when my acting saved your ass in the last two wars, without me you would probably be enjoying an all expenses paid trip to Tartarus. Ever been there because I have and it sucks.'

'And you were rewarded for your service.' He countered his eyes narrowing. Not that I cared I was on a roll now and I had several years worth of bullshit to throw back at him, now we were alone.

'Just what exactly was I rewarded with exactly. You reluctantly offered me godhood knowing I would not accept it, so I did what any good person would do and fixed your fuck up with your owns kids. And don't even get me started on the Gigantomachy. You gave me nothing, Your own father gave what I have and am now and it enabled me to save you. And what was your first reaction upon finding out, oh yeah you tried to kill me. Oh and by the way he apologised for his actions to his kids before he faded but still considers you an asshole. I guess I can't blame him.'

'You would dare talk to me like this!' He shouted losing his cool, The whole building darkening and lightning playing along the walls. Which I offhandedly thought was pretty cool.

'Yeah I will because unlike anyone else I am not afraid of your bullshit anymore, however like my father I am quite happy to let you play your little games. Provided you stay out of my affairs is that too much to ask? Because if not I will have to hurt your pride and tell you.' I added venomously staring him down before he had to look away.

'Believe it or not I did not come here to argue, So what can I do for you Milord?' I asked my voice dripping with sarcasm at the last word.

'Tell me about your relationship with my Daughter?' He asked glaring causing me to smile. Unlike his daughter he just could not pull it off anywhere near as effectively.

'What do you want me to say that we love each other and we don't give a damn what anyone else thinks. Because truth be told as much as I love her she drives me insane. Her mood changes from one moment to the next, she won't take any crap from anyone and I am pretty sure the only reason she hasn't killed me is because of her conflicting emotions. But that is also what I like about her, she is not afraid to put me in my place and with her it is never boring. Something I could never go back to being. If I have to lose my sanity either way I would rather lose it with her.' I explained whole-heartedly actually surprising myself when I thought about it. Our relationship was not perfect by a long shot but when push came to shove neither of us could do without the other.

'Most people would have just have said you love each other.' He said simply raising an eyebrow.

'I am not most people, you should know that by now.'

'Unfortunately you are correct, most normal people see my daughter and run for the hills or get chased off. You it seem we actually cannot get rid of so easily as much as it grates me to my core. Now I believe it is common courtesy for you to ask me something.' He said folding his arms and looking at me expectantly as I took the hint and let out a sigh.

'Lord Zeus may I have permission to marry your daughter?' I asked bowing my head slightly as much as it irked me to do so.

'I was not aware I had a choice in the matter, but now you have asked...' Dear gods I preferred it when he was just an asshole, not a snarking asshole I thought to myself as I ground my teeth together and resisted the urge to deck him in the nose again.

'I suppose for the sake of peace between our Pantheons I can allow it.' He added finally and to my surprise offered his hand out to me, which I wearily took. Only to find myself dragged closer to my surprise.

'If you hurt her though I will find a way of dealing with you.' He quietly growled at me before releasing his hold and allowing me to step back quickly.

'Don't worry I would never plan on it, besides even if she doesn't kill me you are still about seventeenth in line to complete that promise.'

'Just make sure you remember, and don't make the mistakes your father and I made. It is not worth it in the long run. One last thing Hera said to give you this if you proved worthy.' He commented reaching into his suit breast pocket and pulling out a small cube a few inches to a side before tossing it to me.

'Is this what I think it is?'

'Hera is the goddess of marriage, what do you think? Besides I am pretty sure she has collected every style that has ever existed... Costs me a damned fortune.' He muttered as I stared at the small box I held in my palm. Seriously my future in-laws were that desperate to pass her off on me?

I was interrupted by the arrival of a falcon swooping in through the ceiling and landing on Zeus's shoulder as if to speak into his ear.

Unfortunately I don't speak Avian, however I got the feeling I knew what was being said when the whole palace shook unsettling dust from above. Turning towards the King of Olympus I could not help but smile at the shade of white he was turning.

'She is coming.' He announced full of dread.

(Artemis)

'You have something that belongs to me.' I said staring at the older woman who seemed unconcerned by the arrow I was pointing at her head as she carried on drinking her cup of tea.

'I am afraid Perseus has already left to go see someone else, so why don't you sit down and we have a little talk?' She asked a throne appearing across from her.

'Why are you being nice to me, you have never been nice to me and Apollo?' I asked suspiciously not lowering my bow.

'Am I not allowed to change? You are enough proof to say we immortals can do so. Now please take a seat and I will explain why I brought Perseus and indirectly you here.' She said repeating the request and I reluctantly did as she requested. Though I kept the bow on my lap, just in case.

'Can I get you a drink?'

'No thank you. What do you want?'

'I wish I could chastise you for your manners but that would be improper consider...'

'Ares.'

'Indeed. Be that as it may let us talk about you. How are you finding this whole experience with young Mr. Jackson?' She asked leaning forward and I was beginning to question if she had snuck in psychology to her domains while no one was looking.

'Depends on the day, sometimes it is quite enjoyable others I want to strangle him. He can act mature enough to twist the entire council to his way of thinking whilst simultaneously I feel as if I need to babysit him so he does not get into trouble.'

'Unsurprising considering the considerable age gap between you two.'

'That has nothing to do with it!'

'I never said it was, however you cannot deny the fact either. You must at least know how young men are with hormones. Has this caused any problems for the two of you? I know your loss of Maidenhood must have been a severe blow to you and your resultant pregnancies. But has he tried to do anything since?' She asked returning to her usual demeaning tone seemingly out instinct.

'No he has not because thankfully he is not like other males. And if you attempt to ask about my sex life again I will nail you to that damned chair.'

'Calm down dear, I was only checking. We have both seen it before have we not, the upstart young hero who becomes a god and thinks he owns the place.'

'The difference is Percy is nothing like Heracles. And he turned out so bad because you ruined his life.'

'Hercules made his own decisions my actions or not. What I am referring to is Hebe.'

'You mean my poor sister who you forced to marry that brute by way of apology in your part. What part did you want to discuss the part where she hates him or the bit where she cheats on him. Kind of ironic, the goddess of Marriage who not only has a unfaithful husband but all her kids cannot keep it to themselves. Besides maybe we should discuss a more recent example of your pet projects. Your champion Jason Grace and his sleeping with the daughter of the Whore. Which judging by the look on your face you were not aware of. Whoops.' I added with amusement as the Queen of Heaven turned crimson at the revelation more so than when I brought up her own actual children's issues.

'I will need to discuss that with him later, I suspect she is to blame. Perhaps we should not have helped arrange that relationship after all.' She said muttering to herself and I got the feeling she was talking to Juno aloud by accident.

'Anything else you want to say before I go find and drag my idiot boyfriend home?' I said rising from my chair and taking a few steps towards the exit.

'I know how you can restore your virginity.' She said smugly causing me to grind to a halt and turn around.

'That got your attention. You do remember the power of the spring of Kanathos correct?'

'Of course I do but you said yourself after we moved to Rome that it was lost.' I said remembering the sacred place where Hera would bathe annually to restore her virginity.

'Have you learned nothing from me after all these years, I occasionally bend the truth a little. You don't remember no doubt but it is not exactly a completely pleasurable experience. And after the first few hundred times it loses the novelty factor and besides your father was well on his way towards breeding an army at that point. So I felt the need to spite him, so I lied and said the spring was lost. If you want I can advise you where to find it?' She asked ending her explanation as I considered the prospect, here was an opportunity to end all our problems.

'However as a word of caution I would not recommend doing so until after the births.'

'Explain.'

'Large objects exiting tight spaces.' Hera put it bluntly and I had to cough at her answer. It taking me completely by surprise.

'Personal experience was it, Let me guess Hephaestus?'

'Your father thought it would be a great idea.'

'My father does not have great ideas; he was just good at carrying them out. So I guess it was a joint effort beating him with the ugly stick, though I guess I can see why you don't mention that side to anyone. Much easier to say you threw him down a mountain than saying you had a tight vagina.' I said breaking down into laughter. I actually had sympathy for my brother's plight but I did have to find the situation hilarious to learn the truth.

'This is why I am not nice to all of you. Nevertheless my offer still stands come and see me if you are interested after the children are born.'

'I will consider it carefully now where is Percy?' I asked after finally calming down and controlling my breathing.

'Alone with your father.' She answered and I went Nuclear.

(Percy)

It was with trepidation that the two of us stood there waiting our fate. The irony of arguably the two most powerful beings of two Pantheons terrified of a single angry goddess was not lost on me.

Outside the great golden Palace entrance we heard the great cry of the sentinel as it prepared to assail the intruder, only to be silenced by a sound similar to a thunderclap, shaking the building again and cracks appearing in the walls and ceiling.

Before either of us could consider running away the door was launched clean off its hinges impacting the opposite wall allowing light into the chamber before it was obstructed by a tall figure with a golden glow, a enormous bow in one hand and a obscure rounded object in the other.

Of course it did not take long for her two spot the two of us looking on in awe before she paced across the room whilst I re-evaluated if I ever wanted to go out without telling her again. Before long I found myself looking up at the golden huntress and recognising what she was carrying.

'This is yours.' She said throwing the severed eagle's head at her father's feet before immediately turning her attention to me.

'And this is mine.' She added and before I could respond she had grabbed me by the back of the neck and began dragging me out of the temple against my will. My heels sliding on the blood slickened marble floor. My final sight before I was dragged back into the daylight was that of the Lord of Olympus slowly caressing the mottled feathers like he had just lost a favourite pet. Were it not for the ass kicking I was about to receive I might have genuinely felt sorry for the guy.

I was given a few seconds to observe the wasteland the garden had become before I found myself relocated to another empty wasteland. Though I was pretty sure my girlfriend had not created this one, not that you could tell Detroit often look like a angry goddess has obliterated the place. Though one look at the beautiful if extremely pissed looking face above me told me not to make that joke right now.

Of course I was also not an expert on Divine forms, as I was told for most of my life that seeing them was a bad thing if you did not want to be swept off the floor in a dust pan and brush. Sure Perseus has briefly somehow managed to use my own in his initial escapade through the Olympian Throne Room but I had never seen Artemis's true Divine form (having only scene her psycho golden huntress form) and truth be told she looked hot as hell, if completely terrifying at the same time. The eagle blood splattered all over her was not helping matters.

Thankfully she finally decided to release her grasp on me allowing me to straighten out and look up at her face which was staring back at me before she shrunk down to my height. Which was good because I had a feeling looking straight up was bad for my back. Though it did leave me looking into a pair of rather disconcerting gold and silver eyes.

Fortunately this problem soon resolved itself when the goddess forced her tongue down my throat, leaving me confused as to whether to attempt and reciprocate the action or just let her do as she wished until she calmed down. For the moment as long as the weaponry stayed out of the way. I could only see Win/Win as she forced me to the ground sans shirt and straddled my sides with her thighs. I didn't know if this was payback for last night or what but one thing was clear.

Blood and guts or not, Golden Arty was awesome as long as she was not trying to kill me.

(Perseus)

After paying Bill back I was left at a quandary of what to do.

The truth was I was already bored of 'gambling'. There was just no challenge in it anymore and there were so many stupid rules you had to be careful of. Before they finally went all spoil sport and threw you out very politely with a request to never come anywhere the place again.

The truth was much harder to stomach though and even harder to admit.

I missed them.

I missed my idiot counterpart and our arguments to pass time. I missed Diana being hot as hell amongst other things. I missed having arguments with Artemis despite the whole time want to savage that beautiful face of hers with my own. Hell I even missed the minions and there little issues.

The truth was since I had left I had met many people but they all wanted something from me. Be it money, to teach them my 'trick' or in more than a few cases sex. Unfortunately that last one was not isolated to the opposite sex either, as I found out when some dude tried to attack me outside a hotel, after seeing me reject numerous girl's advances all night and had therefore decided I must be gay.

I had almost stuck Escalibur up his ass for his troubles.

So as a result I had to lie low for a while and actually spend some of my hard earned money. A total of twenty million dollars or so at present. Which had resulted in me walking up and down the strip repeatedly looking for something that would interest.

However I found that my attention was always drawn back to one particular place. One I knew full well what was inside. Well I knew the places capabilities at least, however I never did find out what made it like it was. Even the gods acknowledged the place existed and yet made no effort to do anything about it.

On the outside the Lotus Hotel still looked the same as I remembered it. Neon lights recreating the namesake flower even the same bellhop who looked like he had not aged a day in six years. And that was the thing that drew my curiosity, this place was clearly affected by some pretty hefty time distortion magic and I had no idea what it was, which irritated me.

Regardless by my way of thinking I should be immune to the places affect, so it would allow me to find out the source of the occurrence and either take it for my own amusement or destroy it. I had argued with myself as I passed in front for what must have been the fourth time.

My senses told me nothing untoward the place, no immortals, no monsters, just mortals stuck in a endless dream state.

Besides what did I have to lose but a few hours of boredom I thought as I walked toward the entrance and passed the bellhop who looked at me curiously before turning away suspiciously. However the guy was mortal and therefore not a major threat so I ignored him and passed through the entrance doors into the lobby.

The front desk was completely devoid of life and well anything in general except for one of those little bells to get attention. Though there were signs of life in a office behind the desk through a small window.

The guy behind the glass was seemingly fast asleep and I guess even in this place the staff had to sleep once in a while and they could not exactly go home I would wager. A small hourglass next to his head slowly draining down.

Deciding to do the polite thing I pushed the attention bell and everything started to go to hades.

As the small brass bell rang, my senses started to scream at me danger. Not just oh look a monster, how cute but closer to the Cthulu is coming, run for the hills, the end is nigh sort of power level. All auspices of normality were suddenly dropped as I summoned Escalibur and looked around for the threat. Noting the large number of entrances in the lobby meaning it could come from anywhere.

'Is it that Time already?' A voice asked behind me as I glanced around and noticed the guy had woken up and was in the process of yawning before straightening his suit.

'Well I never thought I would live to see the Time when someone who had escaped my clutches would be stupid enough to come back here. Then again most demigods do not become Titans if I am not mistaken. Which is such a pleasant discovery at my age.' He said and I realised the power was coming from this unassuming guy and that was what worrying as I slowly tried to shift my grasp on Escalibur's hilt.

Only to find the sword and my arm not responding to my commands before with horror I noticed that it was not just my arm that was not moving. Which did not leave me with a lot of options. However he was not the only one who could freeze people as I concentrated on the smug bastard who only grinned before doing the impossible and walking in front of me in real time.

'I am sorry to say Mr. Jackson but Time is something that is no longer on your side. Not that you were ever more than ape playing with fire in the first place. No it only serves its true master.'

'Kronos.' I said disbelieving. He was dead I was sure of it.

'Do not confuse me for that pretentious fool of a nephew of mine. No it is Chronos with a capital C and your time is officially up.' He announced and I felt my vision darken and I realised why immortals avoided this place like the plague. Though what stopped them putting a signpost saying Primordial lives here, Stay Out was beyond me.

The last thing I was able to do before I lost consciousness was boo at all the time puns he had been making since he opened his mouth. Well that and realise that whatever this asshole had planned for me was not going to be as bad as what a certain goddess was going to do when she found me. Because I did not doubt that was going to happen.

(Percy)

Unfortunately Artemis change in mood to aggressive sex maniac did not last as long as our clothes did. And before long I found her hair changing slowly back to Auburn and her glow fading as she began returning to normal.

'So is this going to be a regular thing or do I have to be on my best behaviour?' I asked smiling up at the goddess who was still position above me. I was tempted to ask if getting pissed off and killing things is what makes her horny but I liked having a intact jaw.

'Wouldn't you like to know.' She said huskily.

'Err hell yeah.'

'You are so easy to manipulate.'

'I am a guy who is half naked pinned beneath the hottest girl alive. I am probably open for any suggestion.'

'Good because start talking what did my father want?' She demanded poking me in the chest as if to encourage me faster.

'You know guy stuff. And more than a little, you hurt my daughter I hurt you, bits and pieces like that. How was your talk with Hera.'

'I would not call it pleasant for either of us but I will say it was insightful and amusing in places.'

'Amusing? Hera?' I asked unable to put the two in the same sentence.

'Let me explain the basic premise of why Hephaestus is really beaten with an ugly stick.' She said before bending down and whispering into my ear. By the time she was finished the only reason I was not rolling on the floor laughing was because the goddess was still pinning me down. Even so I was more than a little out of breath and even Artemis had lightened up. The thing was her hair was down but her mannerisms betrayed the fact it was her and not Diana. Not that it mattered to me but she had obviously failed to realise I could tell the nuances of each goddess apart once we started talking. The problem was when they were quiet then the trouble started.

'So are we going to be staying like this all evening?' Why do you have something better planned and by better I mean involving food. That form leaves me starving.

'Would it be wrong to say a worthy sacrifice in my eyes.' I said leaning upwards and kissing her chin.

'And of the entire council I am the only one who has never seen yours.' She replied returning the kiss.

'Besides I have something to show you. So stand up and turn around. Please.' I asked as the goddess wearily rose off of me and put her hands on her hips and turned around. Meanwhile I was desperate crawling over to my discarded jacket and pulling out small box within.

It was at that moment my life began to fall apart. One minute I had my hand inside the coat fingers around the box, the next the garment had fallen through the limb with barely a feel on my part. Lifting it up to my face I found myself able to see completely through the arm as it appeared as if it was wraithlike.

I did the natural thing and began to freak out.

AN. Yep go ahead and hate me now for that cliff hanger. you did not thing we were going to Vegas just to get some money did you. that and the Lotus Hotel and Casino was always a curious case to me in the Lightning Thief what was the source of its time distortion effect. The Lotus eaters in the Odyssey were just a bunch of junkies who kept Odysseus and his crew drugged up for a few years. but reading that book he was never in that much of a hurry to get home in the first place. I thought having someone of a particular talent running the place made much more sense. that and it is nice to show someone who can outclass him at his own shtick.

In other News this story has finally reached 1.5 million views and 3 thousand reviews so special thanks to all of you for your comments and remarks. don't be afraid to click the little box below.

A few other things. I don't need suggestions for names, never did. they were picked out before they were even pregnant. sorry to all of you who recommended but that was one thing I am keeping in house. though technically Artemis has already said what the girls name will be, back in the Christmas chapter if you read it carefully.

We will be getting to the births soon. just a few things to take care of and then we are there. thank the gods. hopefully before chapter 100. (In a story I did not think would go past 40 chapters and 200000 words at most. whoooooops)

Also if anyone knows any good taxidermists give Zeus a call.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and don't slit your wrists waiting for the next one.