AN: Hello guys !

Any of you still there? How long has it been? Two months? Something like that I think. I am sorry I haven't been updating. I haven't had the time or really felt like writing…but now I'm back and I'll do my best to put out at least one chapter a week

PS: Since I have not been typing much for the past month my grammar and ability to see typos might be a little rusty, so if you see anything please tell me.

The moon climbed slowly above the roofs as the stars slowly made their appearance on the black stage and got into formation to form the constellations. The thin coat of dew covering most of the city glittered as it reflected the moon and the stars. It seemed everything was covered in tiny shining diamonds. A light breeze snuck up the glittering streets and down the dark alleys. As it passed through the many gardens the breeze picked up the scent of moonlace. The softly rustling leaves almost drowned out the sound of crickets singing in the canopies.

Her long, silvery hair cascaded down her back in beautiful waves as she walked through Olympus. Every time the moonbeams found a hole in the roof of leaves her hair shone, in the moon light it was breathtaking. It could just as well have been enchanted, because you could simply not stop staring at it. Her long, light dress fell all the way to her bare feet where the fold collected dew from the grass. She liked walking through the gardens at night, the otherwise busy city was so peaceful. If you did not know you could not have told the city was largely destroyed by war only a few years ago. As she walked Artemis reflected on the day's events. She was a bit surprised by how much trust in Percy Zeus had developed. Not that she disagreed, not at all. She highly approved of it, if truth be told. Percy was the only respectable male she had ever met. Since he first appeared at the start of the Second Titan War he had not once done anything that disgraced himself or his friends. He treated women with respect and despite all his accomplishments he was still modest and selfless. This was somewhat ironic since his only flaw was his reckless selflessness. In her mind he was the greatest hero of all time, even greater that Zoë Nightshade. For years the goddess had been trying to convince the gods that Zoë deserved the title of Greatest Hero of All Time, but of course Zeus had objected. No one could be better than his precious little Heracles. However she had a sneaking suspicion that even Zeus would agree that Percy is greater than Heracles ever was.

As she turned right onto the main street of Olympus she stopped to take a closer look at one of the fountains the Athena Girl had designed. A miniature automaton Percy Jackson was standing in the middle of a lake. As she watched a funnel cloud of water enveloped Percy and started pounding another automaton. It was supposed to resemble Hyperion, although it lacked the firey-glow of the real deal. As she stretched out her arm and touched the metal hero she once again felt that strange electric sensation running up her arm. She froze, her hand still on the automaton. The feeling slowly spread throughout her body, down each leg and out into each toe. It was one of the strangest sensations he had ever had. It was not at all unpleasant, but she could not say she relished it either. She could feel her brain slowing down and numbing. After what felt like forever her brain had processed enough information that she realized she was standing in the middle of an Olympian street touching a automaton of a male, A MALE! Her brain jolted back into action and she flinched away. As the reminisce of the strange feeling fled her body she once again set off down the main street of Olympus. She slowly reflected on the feeling, what it could possibly be. She had no idea what it could be, nor could she recall ever hearing about anything like it. For the sake of her own sanity she hoped she would not continue to experience it. The simplest and most comforting explanation was that it was no more than her body reacting to her, after so many millennia, developing respect for a male. Though why she only felt it when she touched Percy or a statue of him she had not the slightest hint. In short it was a great mystery to her.

The long, white dress started flapping around her ankles as she sped up. She turned left into the Central Park of Olympus. At least that was what everyone called it, though its real name was Memorial Park. The Chase girl made it in honor of the demigods who lost their lives in the Battle of Manhattan. In the center of the park a large marble hall in the likeness of Manhattan. It was strange and fascinating how the Chase girl had managed to capture the likeness of a city in a single building and still make it more beautiful than any building in New York. On the inside rows of statues carved to resemble heroes, one statue for each hero who died in the battle. The statues were in full Greek battle armor and holding their weapon of choice. Behind each statue was a tapestry depicting the same hero, this time in their greatest moment. Like that daughter of Aphrodite riding a war chariot in red armor. Around the Hall a large lawn stretched around 300 feet in every direction .

Artemis froze just as the Memorial Hall came into view, there he was. He sat cross-legged on the walkway swirling a moonlace between his fingers staring absentmindedly at the hall. With his black hair and his black coat Percy was hard to spot in the dark. Had it not been for the moon poking between the skyscrapers on top of the hall he would have been completely invisible. When he turned his head a fraction, to look at another skyscraper, she realized his skin was glowing silvery, like her hunters. She supposed it was because of the partial immortality and the blessings he had received. She walked slowly up the path watching him, he did not move, he just stared at the Empire State Building.

"Perseus, what are you doing in Central Park at this hour?" she asked once she got within earshot.

He jerked so violently he was in danger of dislocate a joint before turning around "Artemis? What do I owe this late night pleasure?" he said as he rubbed his neck.

"I was just out walking in the moonlight while reflecting on recent events and what they might mean for the future." She tried to keep the strange sensation out of her mind, but it stubbornly refused to cooperate. "So what are you doing here all by yourself?"

"Ohh, I'm not alone. I have several years of memories and a newly Athena enchanted brain to go over them with." He sighed and at that moment he seemed like an old man, tired and heart broken by his many grieves. "I was just thinking back to my first quest, how simple everything was back then. A mother to save and a master bolt to find and return, and that was it. No wars, no one dead a single prophesy. Anyway, looking back I kinda wish I had taken Medusas offer and become one of her statues. 'Don't be a pawn of the Olympians' she told me."

"A pawn? You have most certainly not been a pawn. You are more like our queen, the most important piece." Artemis came to a hold once she reached where Percy was sitting.

"I would argue that the king is the most important piece, but I get what you mean." Percy leaned back on the path looking up at the stars. "It doesn't change the fact that I'm still a piece your eternal chess game for the survival of the gods." The pained expression on his face made Artemis feel sorry for him.

"Where are my manners? Have a seat, Artemis. My mother will…." Percy broke of and took a deep breath before continuing. "No, my mother would have, she can't anymore." His voice broke and he had to choke back a sob.

"I'm sorry about your friends and family, Percy." Artemis sat down besides Percy and patted him awkwardly on the back. "They did not deserve to die, especially not in the way they did."

Percy sat up abruptly before rummaging around in his coat pockets and pulling out two cans of Coca Cola. "Want one?"

"Why not, goddesses don't gain weight anyway." The change of subject was so clear she could not refuse. She accepted the can from Percy, popped it and took a long sip. "That's good. I haven't tasted soda in ages, not since Thalia made me get her some for losing a bet."

Percy did not reply. His expression revealed the fact that he had slipped back into deep though. Artemis figured he was still lingering on the memories of his friends and family.

"So tell me, Percy. What is your favorite constellation?" Artemis asked before leaning back on the path staring up at the sky.

"What?" Percy shook out of his daze.

"What is your favorite constellation?"

"I don't know actually, I haven't thought about it for a very long time." Percy scratched his head before leaning back on the path beside her. "It used to be Hercules because he had even worse luck than me, but I'm not sure if that is true anymore. It wouldn't have been Heracles anyway, he is such a prick. I have only talked to him once and really had to pull myself together not to kill him then and there."

Artemis giggled. "Yes, he is quite insufferable. I think Zoë would be pleased to hear that."

"And not to mention what he did to her back in the day, he deserves a trip to the fields of punishment. Speaking of Zoë, the Huntress is probably my favorite constellation." Percy did a quick pause before continuing: "Zoë probably is the greatest hero of all time. I don't think I have ever met a braver person. She went on the quest to save you from Atlas knowing she would die. Name one other hero who would do anything like that."

"I only know of one other person who would sacrifice themselves for someone they love, his name is Perseus Jackson."

"ME?"

"Yes you! I honestly can't believe how modest and selfless you are. Think back, Percy, your first quest was to save your mother. The second was to save your satyr friend. The third was to save Annabeth. The fourth was to save the camp and somewhat the son of Hades. And then you jumped into TARTARUS, TARTARUS. Not even Zoë would have done that."

"Yeah,I have done some stupid shit to save people haven't I?" Percy sighed, before his face darkened. "but in the end I could not save them after all." Percys voice was so depressed and sad that Artemis could feel the heartache.

"Percy, you must not blame yourself. You and your friends were taken by surprise by four primordials, there were nothing you could do." Artemis tried to sooth him with her voice. She wanted to comfort him somehow, but she didn't know how.

"Does it ever get easier? You have lost hunters, does it ever get easier?"

A pang of old sorrow shot through her chest like bullet, her girls, her wonderful girls. "In the start I tried not to get too close to my hunters since I knew they would eventually die. I spent so much time with my girls I couldn't help it, I grew fond of them. I mourn everyone who dies. Each death hurts, but I make sure the mourning does not hinder me from doing my job. They would never forgive me if it did, but yes, it does get easier. Day by day, night by night it hurts a little less, but you never get over it."

"I don't think I can do it." Percy sighed. "Defeat the primordials I mean, I have been thinking back to that day. I was completely useless, Nyx imprisoned me as easy as I swat a fly." His eyes glossed as he stared at the stars.

"You were caught off guard and unprepared, the same way I was by Atlas." Her silvery eyes studied him, wondering what he would make of that comment. If he heard he gave it no heed.

Artemis realized she was not going to make any progress, his sorrow was still to fresh. He needed time, but he also needed his few remaining friends. "Percy, seeing your history of winning against all odds I have faith you will be ready by the time you face the Primordials again."

Percy slowly turned his head and looked at her. "That makes one of us."

"Thalia has been asking about you. I have said you were unconscious just to make her shut up. I would appreciate if you stopped by our camp one of these days to tell her you're alive." It was not a lie, Thalia had been pestering her for weeks. Her young lieutenant had harassed her for a talk with Percy ever since Artemis had told the hunters about the tragedy. She hoped to kill to brides with on arrow, calm THalia down and cheer Percy up a little. She knew it would take Percy a long time to get out of his current state and she also knew she could do little to help him. Artemis hoped her little sister would have more of an impact on Percys depression.

"Maybe." Percy said, without much conviction.

"Or I could have her stop by here or at camp Half-blood."

"I will not be going back to camp for a while, but it would maybe be nice seeing Thalia again." Percy sighed. "I'll contact her one of these days."

The goddess nodded before giving him a smile. "Thank you for saving my eardrums."

Artemis rose slowly to her feet. "I should be going." She said before bending over and picking a few moonlaces. "The hunters will be wondering where I am." Without any further ado she dissolved into silvery light which seemed to float up the moonbeams and melt into the moon.

A second later the Goddess of the Moon appeared in her chariot. She gave it a quick inspection to make sure it had not collided with a eagle or something, but when she found it spot free she sat down hard, elbows on her knees and head in her hands. She had realized, during her conversation with Percy, that she was genuinely concerned for his wellbeing and wanted to comfort him, though she knew she could do little to help him at present. She could not get over the fact that she felt sorry for a man, the most respectable man ever, but a male nevertheless. SHE WAS CONCERNED FOR A MALE! She had to figure this out, keep her distance from him until she understood what was happening. Then she remember she had invited him to visit Thalia and cursed under her breath.

AN: I have pieced this chapter together during the months since I last posted so if there are anything not making sense I have missed please tell me.

Tell me how I did, the good, the bad, the so fucking terrible you can't find words to describe it…