Love was in the air. I walked in the halls of Olympus, my hair loosely falling down my back in silky curls, wearing a fine dress of silk and satin.

"Lady Aphrodite!" A nymph bowed, and scurried off. I chuckled, my laugh sounding like little bells.

A sudden flash of white light alerted me of another gods' presence. Looking around, I found one furiously flushing Huntress. Deciding that she needed my assistance, I approached.

In a split second, she whirred around to face me, and was snarling. "You dumb goddess! You made me do it! I know you did! You've been influencing me, you little whore. I've had ENOUGH! I do NOT want a love life, so if you could please get that through that your frickin' sku-" Artemis snapped, but I cut her off, clicking my tongue.

"First off dearest, you CANNOT walk around in those hunting clothes. And second of all, what the hell are you talking about?" I chirped. She growled.

"Oh don't tell me you don't know, Aphrodite. I know you wanted me to fall in love. I know you made me kiss him! In front of all of my hunters! I'm a MAIDEN goddess!" She all but screeched. I gasped, placing delicate hands over my pinkish mouth.

"Oh Arty! I would never do that. Silly, I know you're a maiden goddess, and though I may not approve, I respect that. This is entirely YOU!" I said genuinely. I had not messed with her feelings, not now nor never.

Artemis huffed and sulked. "Fine then. I can tell you aren't lying. So then...what came over me?" She asked, almost pleadingly.

"That, my dear girl, was love."

:|Thalia's POV|:

As soon as Lady Artemis flashed out, I erupted in a fit of giggles, partly at the shocked faces of the hunters, but mostly at Percy's expression. He looked like a lost puppy, and also quite dazed.

Slowly, the corners of Percy's lips began to twitch up into a smile. I grinned in satisfaction. This was exactly what he needed.

"What the hell was that?" Clare muttered from Bessie me, and I turned to face my friend.

"That, Clare, was love."

:|Annabeth's POV|:

The moment Thalia and the rest of her hunters ushered me back to the Athrna cabin, I broke down even more than I already had. Percy hated me, and from the looks in his eyes, he always would.

Artemis was a different story. It was already clear that she cared for Percy, and not in a normal That's-my-guardian-so-stay-away-from-him-way.

How was I supposed to compete with a goddess?

Jealously spread through my body, and my hands curled into clenched fists. He was mine. She couldn't just steal him away from me. She was a maiden goddess. She wouldn't break her vow.

By now I could see my cabin, but also still see the clearing that I had pushed Percy down in. Turning back, I was met with a sight I did not intend to see.

Artemis, on her tiptoes, reached up and gently kissed Percy.

Right then I knew I had lost. To something called love.

:|Percy's POV|:

Feeling uncomfortable under the unmistakable glare of the Hunt, I briskly flashed out, reappearing in the forest, my sword out, ready for practice.

I summoned up a pack of 30 or so hell hounds, and prepared to fight, once again taking out the training sword I had used with Annabeth.

"Common dogs. Give me all you've got." I growled, and the leader, a huge hellhound twice the size of Ms. O'Leary, with evil red eyes, snarled. I snarled back, and twirled my sword in my hand, ready in my fighting stance.

All 30 hellhounds, smart enough to use their numbers against me, charged. Piece of cake.

I flipped up into the air, and watched as the leading runners smashed into each other, crumbling to dust at the force of their charge. The remaining dogs backed away, and began to circle around me, rethinking their attack. The leader stood back, watching the fight and commanding his subjects like a tyrant.

"I said, come at me dogs." I hissed, and changed, moving quicker then the eye could see. In seconds, ten of the remaining twenty hellhounds were gone, and I faced the leaders who had ordered is remaining subjects to back off.

The leader growled and the hounds parted for him to step forward. He snarled at me, and I snarled back, not breaking eye contact while being extremely aware of my surroundings.

With a loud roar, the massive dog leapt forward, and I dropped my sword. Time to practice my powers.

I lifted one of my hands and stopped him in midair, controlling the liquids in his body. Then, I froze them all, shards of ice popping through the fur and reducing him to dust.

"Whoops. Guess I killed your leader." I taunted to the hellhounds, who I knew were smart enough to understand that it wasn't a compliment.

One of them took charge, and began to bark orders at the others. I grinned. This would be over in a second.

I lifted both arms and opened my palms, feeling a wave of cold drop over me, and I felt light erupt from my hands, pure energy, one of the most powerful substances, and another gift from Chaos.

When I opened my eyes, the forest was eerily calm and quiet, and all that remained of the hellhound pack was fine golden dust. Brushing my hands off on my pants, I picked up my sword and got into a fighting stance, practicing rolls and tumbles, dodges and strikes.

I was so caught up in the moment that I didn't realize I was about to hit a young camper until she screamed.

"Oh gods! You almost killed me!" She shrieked, her red hair flying around her shoulders. I hastily apologized.

"I'm so sorry! I just needed to clear my head, and I guess it worked." I said, and she looked up at me, her bright blue eyes filled with slowly fading fear.

"Oh!" She brightened. "You're that guy that broke Miss Annabeth's heart!" She exclaimed, like it was one of the most incredible things. I stood shellshocked. Me? Break Annabeth's heart? I chuckled.

"I'm afraid that's incorrect, but I am that guy. I'm Percy. What's your name?" I said kindly, smiling at her. She blushed at the attention.

"I'm Jane, daughter of Bellona. Age 10. I don't really fancy Camp Jupiter, so I stay with the Athena cabin." She said shyly. I smiled.

"One time, long ago, I had a friend who was a daughter of Bellona just like you. Do you know Praetor Reyna?" I asked. She nodded.

"She's my sister! She's so awesome, and taught me how to kick butt!" Jane exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. I laughed.

"Well, it was nice to meet you Jane. Give Reyna my best wishes, I have to go." I excused myself.

Before I could leave, she grabbed my hand. "I can sense that you're lacking confidence. I want to help." She said kindly, and I smiled sadly at her.

"It's fine. You don't need t-" I was cut off as I felt a surge of confidence overpower me, filled with other emotions that represented strong mess and unity. Jane's eyes were squeezed shut in concentration, and when she opened them, there was a fading blue glow.

"Oh gods. I don't think I've ever given someone that much before." She murmured, a little dazed. I frowned.

"Are you okay? Here, let me give this back to you...um is that even possible?" I asked hurriedly, not wanting her to be injured because she helped me.

"Nah I'm fine. Just a little tired. I better go, it was nice meeting you Percy!" Jane said happily, and skipped off. I smiled at her retreating figure, and turned to walk off.

A new feeling was tumbling around inside of me. Not necessarily new, but I feeling I hand T felt in over two centuries. A feeling for Thalia, the Hunt, little Jane.

And maybe Artemis.

A feeling called love.