Avoiding people that seem to have an internal GPS and can flash themselves anywhere, anytime to anyone, is ridiculous hard. Having a deep and meaningful with the guy you love, loved; who is actually someone else entirely and lied about it for a good couple of years, while acting as like, a double agent, is even harder. So I was going with the easier option and avoiding Apologan. Of all people, I ended up using one of Aphrodite's spare rooms to sleep the day away after my party. Despite our rough start, she actually wasn't so bad and since she didn't get on with Artemis, it also gave me a free pass from dealing with her for a few hours.

"If you don't leave soon, they will come here." She warned standing in the doorway.

"Just tell them I'm hungover."

"Since I don't know what hungover is, I'm positive we don't get that so they won't believe it." Groaning I pulled the blankets up over my head, and as she sat beside me, the blankets were pulled away. "For someone so, you, you're rather, unimpressive."

"Are you trying to make me feel better?"

"No. I just expected something, more, from you." She shrugged. "I've looked into your realm, once or twice with Hermes. Will it help you if I brought you chocolate and desserts?"

"Huh?" I sat up then.

"It's what your kind does isn't it, when you feel like this? Console your, feelings, with sugary treats?"

"Yeah, I guess we do. But I'm fine. I just needed a break from, them." 

Aphrodite smirked. "From him?"

"Especially him." I agreed. "Got any advice. You're like, the goddess of love right?"

"Well, I have been called that from time to time." She boasted, flicking her hair back over her shoulder. "Besides, what ever I tell you, you'll either know or not want to hear. I don't meddle in others affairs much these days."

"Not even just this once?"

The look on her face told me that I was in luck, yet as she opened her mouth to speak, Portia appeared. Aphrodite looked murderous. "I have doors. I have a bell. I don't know what happens in the place you come from, but here we knock and ask permission for entry!"

"Elise, it's time. He wants to do it now." Portia ignored the Power beside me, and I felt her fear.

"Portia, did you want this?"

"Of course." She answered quickly as Aphrodite snorted. She left us alone and I got up to take the Oracles hands in mine. "I'm just, nervous. It will be fine."

"Cain will make sure we're okay." I promised her.

"No. He'll make sure you are okay." It came out harsher than I think she intended. "Sorry. I didn't mean-"

"It's fine." I gave her a hug. "Thank you for doing this, and for being there for me when I needed you. Even if it was just part of a bigger plan, I have memories of you looking after me, for caring. When that flu went through the Academy, you'd always check on me after lights out. If I felt lonely or homesick, you always managed to make me feeling better. Sorry I was a crap student, but I did enjoy our time together."

Portia wiped her eyes, trying to hide the tears and pulled me in for another hug. "I'm so sorry Elise. For everything. It was real; I promise you I did care."

"It won't be the same at the Academy without you there."

"No, it probably won't be and that's okay. It's time for all of us to move on." She smiled sadly. "It won't be goodbye Elise. Our paths will cross again."

"Is that the Oracle talking?" I teased, needing to break the mood.

"No. It's the Grandmother in me that refuses to just walk away." She held out her hand and Huntington's trademark pearl necklace was there. "A parting gift."

Now I started to cry and we stood there like two sad idiots, unofficially officially saying our goodbyes.

"You know, you're taking the place of Maiden right? You're like a billion years old, how is that going to work?" I asked as we put ourselves back together.

"I'm not that old. Adala still has a few hundred years on me, so it won't be an issue."

"That's lucky then." She playfully slapped my arm and we left Aphrodite's place via the front door, because we're civilized like that.

______________

Cain flexed his hands so his knuckles cracked, sending a shiver up my spine. Apollo stood like a volcano beside me, one word away from erupting, while Portia looked as though she might faint. To say tension was high would be the understatement of the century.

"You don't have to do this." Apollo whispered, for the millionth time.

"Yes. I do."

Nieve and Adala stood back, the six of us the only ones present. If everyone had their way, it would have been in the main hall in front of an audience, but Apollo and Cain had made it very clear, that is the last thing that would be happening.

"Where have you been?" He asked as Cain closed his eyes and appeared to be taking a nap.

"Sleeping. I was hungover, too much mead."

"I know you're lying."

"Was it the hangover part that gave me away?" Glancing up at him I gave a little smile. "Relax would you. You're making me nervous."

"Bunny, just-"

"Please stop calling me that." I asked softly, looking away. I didn't want him to know how much it hurt every time he said it; I can't pretend that everything is fine and he is still just Loges. "Why are you so against this?"

He pressed his lips tightly together, clearly trying to hold in that explosion. "Because, it's dangerous."

"Good point, and it's probably going to hurt like a motherfu-"

"Right, let's do this before I change my mind." Cain interrupted.

Moving closer, Portia put her hand over her heart and the golden ball that gave the Treaty power appeared to hover over hand. She came over to where I stood, and offered to me.

"This is yours now. I find it only fitting considering how it came to exist." She smiled, her eyes once again brimming with tears. 

With shaking hands I reached out and took it, unable to stop staring as it simply hovered in front of me like it was no big deal. "What did I have to do with- oh that's right."

It wasn't hard to remember now I thought about it. The last time I held this ball, it had burned my hand and I gave it to Cain, who in turn passed it to Portia. Now, I felt the energy radiating from it and as Portia's hand came up under my own, she moved it to my chest. With a gentle push, it vanished and I felt my body absorb it as dry earth sucks in water. 

It was done.

"Well, that was easy?" I barely blinked before I started to scream as whatever Cain threw at me made contact.

"How is he able-" Nieve's words vanished as the rush of static filled the air, drowning out all other noise.

Pressure in my head made me want to crack it open, the pain only intensifying as what ever was being pumped into me sought to find release. A rush of visions came next, of things I'd never known, places I'd never see and people who only existed in the furthest reaches of this memory. It was a memory, but it wasn't mine. Nieve appeared, then Adala, and I saw them all; the seven who came before. Each murder was more gruesome than the last until I saw myself fall on the battlefield. This had happened before, the sandy, red floor of the cave now beneath me once more and looking around, the pain weakened.

"Is it over?" I called, holding my temple.

Looking out over the desert, blazing purple streaks of lightning tore apart the night sky. I felt each one, the electrical charge that set every hair on my body to attention until I couldn't tell where I started and the lightning began.

"Stop. Please!" Thunder drowned out my words, my teeth chattering with each bang. "No more!"

Something came over me then, that left me feeling a little more anchored and the idea that I could disappear into the storm seemed redundant. Either way, I was lost in the storm and I had no choice other than to ride it out.

"Now!" Cain ordered, and opening my eyes, Portia stared back at me.

The scream I heard wasn't mine, but hers and now Nieve and Adala, were holding Portia's hands as we had all done barely a week ago. With a grunt of effort, the lightning left me and with the energy gone, I fell - just catching the moment when the lightning now surged into Portia. The force that followed had all of us falling backwards, yet I never quite hit the ground - Apollo swiftly moving to catch me despite the fact he was being knocked over too. Had he always been that close?

"Elise, Elise! Look at me. Are you okay?" He rushed out much too loud. My head was cradled in the curve of his arm as he held me, frantically trying to get a response.

"F-fine." I croaked, tasting blood. I closed my eyes as a wave of nausea came over me, and next time I opened my eyes, Apollo was carefully wiping my face. Seeing the cloth in his hand covered in red, I struggled to sit up. "Are you hurt?"

"Me?" He asked in disbelief. "No!"

"How do you feel?" Cain asked, coming over to kneel in front of me. He winced slightly and feeling something wet by my nose, I wiped it to find blood there.

"I'm bleeding?"

"Yes Ellie, you're bleeding." Apollo passed me the cloth and I wiped my nose myself. 

"Why?" I don't remember anything happening to do that.

"When he was doing, whatever it was he did, the energy coming out of you was too much for your body to handle." Apollo told me. "You kind of started to, I don't know what to call it. Dissolve?"

Cain nodded. "He had to hold onto you, healing as quickly as what I was killing you."

"Did it work, is Portia-"

"I'm okay." She called and looking over Apollo's shoulder, she sat on a sofa with Nieve and Adala tending to her how Apollo was me. "It's done."

"Well, here I was thinking it was going to be, like hard!" I joked, already feeling exhausted from just sitting up. I prayed they couldn't tell. "Good job there Cain."

I patted his shoulder and unsteadily used him as a prop to push myself up with. My head swam as gravity seemed to have an issue with me now and before I could attempt to take a step, Apollo scooped me up.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." There was no argument from me and with his arms so comfortable around me; his body was really warm too, I struggled to stay awake. "Here, can you sit?"

I was put down by the shower and catching a glimpse of myself in the mirrored wall by the door, I looked like something from a nightmare. Red streaks were running down from eyes; while two fresher lines came out of my nose. Turning my head slightly, I was like a red zebra as even my ears decided to join the bleeding party. It was as if any opening on my head decided to leak and remembering the feeling of my head wanting to break open made me shiver. Maybe that had been what was really happening?

"The waters ready." Apollo told me and looking away from my reflection, a light rush of steam came up from the ground as water fell from the roof space.

"Thanks." I moved to get up and again my head swam. Reaching out for something to steady myself with, there was nothing until Apollo was.

"Did you want some help?" He asked nervously. There was a second of hesitation before I nodded and neither of us spoke as he undressed me. 

We'd done this before.

As my shirt was carefully lifted off, I saw him flinch and daring a look down, my skin looked like a finger painting. Dark purple bruises covered my chest and stomach, twisting slightly it also went over my back. Pants were removed next, my legs suffering the same as the rest of me. Like a child I rested my hands on his shoulders for balance and once that was all done, I wasn't completely sure if I was walking or being carried under the water, but as soon as it came down over me I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Unlike the last time, there weren't any cuts to sting me and with no broken ribs or anything else, moving wasn't torture. When I stepped closer to Apollo, wrapping my arms around his chest and resting my head over his heart, there was no crying in pain as he held me too.

There were tears though, but the water made sure he never saw them.

"Thank you." I whispered, determined to stay this way for as long as we could manage to.

"Anytime."

His hands felt hot against my skin, hotter than the water and the tenderness from bruises lessened. Glancing down at my side, I watched as they began to completely disappear. I held him tighter.

"Ironic isn't it."

"What is?" He asked, kissing my forehead.

"We're in a shower."

Apollo says nothing and I wish I could see inside his head to find out what he was thinking. Was he being typical Logan; I couldn't bring myself to look up at him to see if he was grinning. Maybe he was thinking of the not so great times, times like this when he looked after me after being beaten up, nearly killed or even hungover. Then there was that time, months ago, when I believed every word he said and let him back in. Did he remember what he told me - the things that I said?

"And what's going on in there now?" Apollo asked, smoothing back some of my hair that fallen over my face.

"How many people can sum up the bulk of their important relationship moments, with showers?"

"I have no idea." 

Again without talking, we step out of the shower and there is a towel in hand before I can even mention it. I'm wrapped up in it with practiced ease and whether it's his kindness or the familiarity we share - it all makes me want to start crying all over again. He's in a robe of his own and holding me close once more as my jaw aches from where I refuse to keep being so, emotional.

"Come on, I can sense how tired you are and we can't stand here all day." Not for the first time I would have loved to have argued that we could, but I was tired.

"Apollo?" I ask softly, my voice betraying me as it sounded as weak as I felt.

"Yeah?"

I just hold onto him again, and then I'm dressed in one of his over sized t shirts that didn't belong in this realm and I'm being carefully guided into bed. Just when I think I'm not going to be able to sleep and this is the most uncomfortable bed in the history of beds, he climbs in around me and I'm done. His fingers entwine through mine, and I relax against him as his thumb rubs soothing little circles on the top of my hand.

"Go to sleep now B-" He pauses. "Elle. It's all over."

I want to tell him that we are too, but the words don't leave me and when I wake up, another day has gone by as night greets me through the window. Apollo is still beside me and rolling over, the sight of him just sitting there, casually writing in his journal makes me smile.

"Morning." He smiles back at me and the book disappears. Wriggling down the bed slightly, he turns so we're laying face to face and instinctively I reach out to caress his cheek.

"I, we, can't do this anymore. I owe you my life, twice, but I'm sorry. I can't."

"You don't owe me anything. I did it, because I love you. Give it some time and-"

"It's not that simple."

"Do you love me?" He demands.

"Yes, but-"

"No buts. It is simple. We will work through this, we did before and we can again. Nothing is secret anymore, everything is finished." There is a certainty to his tone that I want to believe, but I just can't. "We can start again!"

"You don't belong in my world anymore. Us, what we had, is gone. It isn't there anymore. That all stopped when Logan walked through the portal and I can't just pretend it didn't happen, that it doesn't matter. It does!" I got up and moving to the wardrobe, started to snoop around for something to wear since apparently the gift of thinking up whatever I wanted wasn't one of my new tricks. When I picked up a pair of my jeans, I looked at him expectantly.

"Hermes got a few things while you were taking your week long break on the other side." He shrugged as he got up and came over. "I will spend every minute of every day, making it up to you. I promise on my mothers grave, that-"

"Stop. That isn't necessary. I forgive you, it's done and there is no point in wishing it was something else. Just, please, don't make this harder than it already is!"

"You can't expect me to just let you go!" Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair and started to pace. "I can't. I. Love. You."

"Then you will do this." I reached up and kissed his cheek. "Good bye, Logan."

He didn't move as I grabbed the bag that had my clothes in. Nothing was said as I got dressed, or as I closed the door. Teleporting myself was a little harder than it had been before, and finding Cain in the main hall, he instantly dismissed the few people with him and met me half way.

"What's going on?" He asked cautiously.

Alfie and Annipe appeared then, burping with satisfaction. I was positive they'd gotten more rounder than the last time I saw them too.

"We're going home."

"You are? Now? Are you, feeling okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine. Good luck with everything Cain, you deserve this and I hope you can find peace here." I leaned in and gave him a quick hug, just as Artemis and Hermes walked in.

"Oh there you are!" Artemis exclaimed with a smile, which quickly left her as she saw my bag and the dark look on Cain's face. "Who died?"

"No one. I'm going home." I told them.

"You weren't going to say goodbye?" She asked, hurt.

"I'm sorry. I just, I need to go."

Hermes surprised me then, his hug filled with affection I didn't think we had for one another. "I understand. Safe travels, Hunter."

"Hermes!" Artemis scolded. "You can't go! You just got better, and what about-"

"If she wants to go, she can." Apollo cut his twin off and a look of understanding passed over her. "Who are we to think we can stop her?"

"Thank you." I tell him.

He does nothing as Artemis rushes over to hug me. "I will miss you, Elise the Hunter. Fight well in all you do and shall we meet again."

"Goodbye Artemis."

I turn back to Cain, but he's gone and I can't help feel disappointed.

"He was never one for goodbyes." Artemis assures me. "He'll miss you, especially with Portia off doing what ever it is those Fates do."

"Portia is gone?"

"Left last night. Also not one for goodbyes, though I can't say I'm sad to see her go."

"Um, okay?"

Apollo sighed. "She killed one of Art's huntresses who we sent to live in my temple as an Oracle to the people of your realm who remained loyal to us when we had to leave so Cain could be banished there."

"We were going to help him anyway, it was unnecessary." Artemis huffed and I felt like I was being drawn back in for a history lesson I didn't want. "It was supposed to be an easy gifting, but she didn't stop to listen to us. Just went crazy on that poor girl and cut out her eyes!"

"She's never liked Portia since." Hermes helpfully added. "Even now."

In some ways, I was glad she brought it up because as they discussed the ins and outs of that incident, which I decided to stay out of despite thinking Portia was in her rights to kill that night since Apollo had her sisters murdered - it made leaving, easier. I looked at Alfie and nodded, reaching out to touch Annipe. Sure enough we were back at the once forgotten gateway in seconds.

"Okay Anni. You first, then Alfie." I instructed and without a flicker of hesitation they disappeared into the blue.

"Elise, wait!" Apollo called and turning around, he was there. "Just, one more thing."

So what if it was cheesy and lame. It was also kind of romantic in ways I shouldn't care about and as he kissed me, I went with it. Good decision making had never been an area of specialty as far as I was concerned, and how my hands found there way to his hair or my arms up, around his neck was a mystery. We soon parted, breathless and slightly dazed.

"Why did you have to do that!" I stepped back and tried to slap him, yet he blocked my hit with ease.

"I can't just let you go. Not after, everything." He sighed. 

"I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice."

With that I walked backwards into the portal and coming out the other side, Alfie and Annipe waited with tilted heads and frowns. "We need to close this."

Neither of the moved and reaching up to the white circles, I started to rub. "Alfie, spit!"

He did and using the sleeve of my shirt, I scrubbed harder until the blue began to fade. As the circle became unrecognizable, the portal vanished. Staring at the space where it had been, I couldn't process what I'd actually just done and not just the closing of the gate way, but all of it. 

Putting my hand on my chest, I felt the power I now contained and holding my free one out, Sobek's sword appeared. It wasn't the only thing I got from him, his magic was mine now too. Zeus was dead. I wasn't cursed anymore. I was immortal. My life was now my own.

Annipe nudged my leg and looking at them, I needed to focus and ignore the rising hysteria that was pressing against my ribs. It was more than closing the gateway; it was closing off that whole chapter. This was a positive thing - it needed to be this way. We all had to move on. 

I forced a smile on my face and refused to cry anymore.

"Come on, let's go home."