FicWad

Sorry about the slow update, I promise I'll be updating faster next time.
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The early morning light crept across the carpet and on to Jay's face, awakening him from a pleasant dream. All he could remember of it was lying next to a red-headed angel whose eyes sparkled like stars. As his eyes slowly began to open against the bright light, the unfamiliar surrounding surprised him. Why was he on the couch?

He felt warmth beside him, and looked down. So it wasn't a dream, he thought, as the memory of last night flooded back to him. Theresa lay nestled beside him, her arm draped around his waist, holding him close. Her body curved perfectly against his, one of her legs had somehow wound up wrapped with his. Her sleeping face was resting on his chest, it glowed gold as the sunlight shone on it.

Gently he lifted his hand and started to stroke her hair. It felt good to wake up with her in his arms, and secretly he wondered if he could do it every morning. He looked down and could see her eyelids fluttering; she was dreaming. He watched her sleep as the moments lazily ticked by. For once the early morning asked nothing from them, only to enjoy its warmth. And for once in a long time, Jay forgot about responsibilities, forgot about saving the world, for once in a long time he was truly happy.

Then Theresa shifted in her sleep, and her bandaged hand moved to rest on his chest. He sighed; his perfect moment was torn away from him, replaced with the cruel reality of his duties to the world, and to her. He had promised to protect her, but how? Cronus was planning something big, and whatever it was, it included her.

Carefully he lifted her off him and onto the couch. In her sleep she moaned and frowned as he unwrapped his arms that had cradled her. He chuckled softly and pulled a blanket over her slender form. Then without thinking he cupped her cheek in his hand and kissed her forehead. The lingering taste of rosewater clung to her skin, and Jay longed to taste more.

Sighing, he rose and tiptoed to the kitchen. As he approached the door he sent up a silent prayer that everyone was still asleep. But his heart sank as he opened the door to find four grinning faces looking up at him. It seemed that everyone had woken before Jay and Theresa, and now they all looked as if Christmas had come early. Everyone that was except Atlanta, she was reading a newspaper in silence and eating cereal.

Cautiously Jay stepped forward into the tiled floor, his eyes staring straight at the fridge. When no one spoke, Jay felt optimistic, maybe his friends were going to be mature for once.

"So'ya sleep well Jay?" Neil asked coyly. Almost as soon as he spoke, Herry and Archie burst out laughing. Neil soon joined them and elbowed Odie in the ribs, causing milk to gush out of his nose. As the boys saw this their laughter grew into huge whooping cries.

"Guys quiet Theresa's still sleeping!" Jay hissed urgently, but instantly regretted saying her name.

"What exactly did you two do last night to make her so tired? Eh Jay?" Asked Archie.

"Wh- nothing! We just talked and then we must have fallen asleep." Jay stammered, his face growing crimson.

But his words fell on deaf ears, the boys just continued to laugh. Tears ran down their faces and they gasped for air.

Finally Atlanta had enough. "Say Jay, I think maybe the merry men here need a little fresh air. Maybe a few laps around the park would get rid of their giggles."

Suddenly at the word "laps" the boys began to look a little scared.

"C'mon Atlanta, you know you can't make us." Laughed Neil shakily.

"No, but he can. What do you say, oh leader."

"What a good idea Atlanta. After all we wouldn't want these brave boys to keep giggling like school girls all day, now would we?"

"Hey we giggle like men thank you very much." Said Neil proudly.

"Yeah you tell 'em Neil." Sighed Archie.

"Go on, you heard your leader." Atlanta said, batting her eyelashes at Archie. "Go prove your manhood."

Archie blushed, and clumsily turned to the door. Quicker than he had planned he bolted toward it and raced away.

"What did I say?" Atlanta asked, clearly confused by Archie's hasty retreat. Of course this only started the insane laughter again, as Neil ran after Archie humming "K-I-S-S-I-N-G". Herry was hot on his heels, dragging an unwilling Odie from his chair.

Jay rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the idea."

He turned toward the fiery haired huntress and smiled in gratitude. But Atlanta was staring up at him with an unreadable expression on her face. He grimaced and hoped that they were not about to have a repeat of last night.

"Please don't start; I swear nothing happened last night."

"I believe you."

"Then what's with the look?"

Atlanta sighed and put down her newspaper. "Jay, Theresa's my best friend."

"I know that."

"I really don't think you do. I don't want to see her get hurt, but if she let's herself fall for you I'm afraid she will."

"What are you saying? I would never hurt Theresa, besides we're just friends."

"See? It's stuff like this that I'm afraid of."

"Stuff like what?"

"Jay if you can't admit your true feelings to her, she's going to get crushed. She cares for you but she isn't going to wait around forever."

Before Jay could even say anything, Atlanta picked up her bowl of half-eaten Froot Loops and stood. "Here's your chance."

Jay turned as the kitchen door swung open, and a sleepy-eyed Theresa walked in. She yawned and said hello to Atlanta as she left, Atlanta nodded in acknowledgement.

"Morning." She said drowsily to Jay. "Wondered where you went off to."

Jay smiled absently and walked over to the fridge, pulling out a carton of orange juice. "Sleep well?"

"Best sleep I've had in a while actually, with no visions or nightmares of shadows."

"Speaking of which, I think it's time to tell Persephone."

"Yeah, I was thinking about that last night." Last night, she thought dreamily. It was the most... perfect night ever, there were just no other words to describe. And in the morning, a small smile fluttered on her lips. She had woken when he had moved her on the couch, and she knew all about the tender kiss he had planted on her forehead.

"Earth to Theresa." Jay called as he waved a hand in front of her face. He had clearly said something to her and looked as if he was waiting for an answer.

"Wha...? Oh sorry, you were saying?"

"I was saying I think we should go after breakfast." He said turning back to the fridge and opened it.

"Sure, sounds good. So ah, what were you and Atlanta talking about?"

His face instantly grew beet red and was grateful for the cool rush of air coming from the fridge.

"Nothing important really."

"Sure."
§ § §

"Theresa let's go!" Jay called from her small candy-apple red convertible. He had always wanted to drive it but Theresa had a strict hands-off policy about her car.

In a mad dash, Theresa burst from the back door trying to drag a brush through her tussled hair while pulling on one of her shoes.

"Jay I know guys just pick stuff off the floor a bolt out the door, but it does take longer for girls to get ready."

She threw her brush in the back seat and pulled a compact out of her pocket.

"Ugh, you could have at least given me time to put on some makeup; I look like the vampire queen." She moaned as she clicked the tiny case closed, hopping into the seat next to Jay.

Jay smirked and tilted her chin up with one of his fingers. "I don't know. You make the bags under your eyes look good."

She batted his hand away in annoyance and stuck out her tongue.

"Alright you win, let's go." He sighed, holding his hands up in defeat.

She smiled smugly as she turned the keys in the ignition.

He fiddled with the radio as she adjusted the rear-view mirror. Her looked up at her and noticed the confident spark that he had seen there earlier had now been washed away with doubt.

"You shouldn't be nervous you know."

"What if she gets mad at me?"

Hastily Jay changed the subject. They talked about their families and junk food, anything Jay could think of to take Theresa's mind off things. It was bad enough they were just sitting ducks in Cronus' unknown scheme, but now Jay was afraid that Theresa was letting her insecurity take over. He had always known her to be confident in everything she did, but now she seemed to be afraid all the time. Whatever Cronus was planning Jay had to know, and he would stop at nothing to find out.

Finally they pulled up into the school parking lot. They quickly got out of the car and slowly walked toward the towering school that stood before them.

They walked the halls in eerie silence. It was Saturday so everyone was off at the mall or the beach, completely unaware of the secret world that lay only a janitor's closet away. Jay wondered whether the others were here yet. They had archery today with Ares, and everyone knew how the god of war hated to be kept waiting. To be fair the god of war pretty much had great dislike to everything, except winning.

At last they reached the familiar doorway of Mr. Suez's broom closet. Theresa halted as she reached for the medallion around her neck. She looked as if she was suddenly reconsidering her decision. But she didn't have time to decide for Jay quickly grabbed his gold pendent and jammed it into the lock.

"No turning back now I guess." She mumbled dully.

"It's good that we're telling her, she'll know what to do." Jay said soothingly. He placed a hand on the small of her back and gently pushed her into the small compartment. She folded her arms and leaned moodily against a shelf full of cleaning product.

"That's the spirit." He sighed sarcastically.

He pulled on the chain that dangled overhead. And the crystal blue pool appeared and grew before them. They walked through, and were greeted with the strange tingling sensation that they always claimed they would never get used to.

Their footsteps echoed loudly through the long marble hallway. Persephone's office was a little further down, past the courtyard where they usually held monster training. As they reached the office they noticed the home of the gods was unusually quiet, normally Hephaestus would be hobbling down this hall by now, on his way to the kitchen. But there was no one.

Jay and Theresa exchanged worried expressions and quickened their pace. It wasn't long before they reached the doorway to the office. But like the rest of the school it was deserted as well.

Theresa hurried into the room. A long tapestry hung on the back wall of the four spirits that controlled the seasons. As she neared them, the four women sprang to life. At first they seemed bored to see Theresa, but as they saw Jay they all began to giggle and wave. He blushed and waved awkwardly, and the fall spirit winked at him, followed with a tiny growl from the spirit of summer.

Theresa sighed impatiently and looked up to glare at the seasons. "Where's Persephone?" She asked frostily.

The winter season shivered. "Brrr, and I thought I was cold."

The other seasons covered their mouths to hide their giggling.

Theresa whipped around to face Jay. "Talk to them." She growled.

"Please," he began. "It's important that we speak with her."

The spring spirit sighed and shook her wild mane of hair. "Hera called a meeting with all the gods. They're in Chiron's study."

"Thanks." Jay said hastily as he ran after a quickly departing Theresa. He raced after her down the hall. He reached out a hand and caught her arm, stopping her.

"Alright five minutes ago I practically had to drag you in here, and now you can't get there fast enough. What is going on with you?"

Theresa ignored him. Her eyes once again flashed from certainty to doubt as she nervously bit her bottom lip. "Now I have to talk to not one god but all of them? No way can I do that!"

Jay wanted to pull out his hair. Her mood swings were starting to become impossible.

"Okay." He said slowly and grabbed her around her sagging shoulders. "What. Do. You. Want?"

She shook her head. "I want to go."

Jay closed his eyes in relief and took her hand in his, pulling her along with him.

They made a sharp beeline turn to Chiron's study. As they neared the ageing wood door they could hear voices in heated discussion coming from the other side.

Silently they pushed open the heavy door and their eyes opened in awe at the scene in front of them.

They had never seen so many gods in one room before. Theresa could see Persephone standing to one side of the room talking to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, who was also mentor to Neil. Near them Hercules and Apollo were laughing about something, Hephaestus sitting next to them, a large sandwich in his hand. Ares and Artemis were arguing as usual, both of them trying to raise their voice to be the loudest. Hermes was bussing around the room, talking to everyone. There were also some gods that both teens didn't recognize, as they had never met them before. In the centre of all the commotion stood Hera, she had a grim expression on her face. Chiron was standing by her side watching Poseidon and Hades as they discussed something in hushed tones.

Jay stepped forward and cleared his throat. Suddenly every single head turned to stare at them. Jay took a step back toward Theresa, feeling instantly uncomfortable.

The room was deadly silent and both teens felt as if they were shrinking. Hera walked forward and the crowd instantly parted for her. She raised an arched eyebrow at the pair.

"Jay, Theresa. Why are you here?"

Jay felt as if his throat had firmly closed in on itself, until Theresa nudged him in the ribs.

"Yeah, uh... We needed to speak to Persephone." He answered lamely.

From where she was standing Persephone raised her head at the sound of her name. Then quickly she made her way to the front of the group to stand with Hera.

Hera continued to stare at the two heroes. Theresa was suddenly very aware of the steady gazes of the intimidating gods.

"May I ask what is so important that both you and Theresa need to speak with her?"

Gently Persephone laid her hand on Hera's arm. "I believe I know. Theresa might this have anything to do with the talk we had yesterday afternoon?"

Still at a loss of her tongue, Theresa nodded.

Hera inclined her head toward the blonde goddess. "I do not believe I enjoy being kept out of this secret. We will talk about this in my chambers. Chiron, you are in charge."

The centaur god dipped his head and closed the door as both goddesses and teens left the room. Turning on her heel, Hera made her way down the hall toward her room. Persephone turned to give the heroes a sympathetic look and quietly followed.

Jay gulped, still in shock of seeing so many gods. He looked over at Theresa and noticed at once how pale she looked. In fact she looked almost queasy. In a dazed fashion they followed their mentors who had just turned and disappeared around a bend up ahead. It wasn't long before they caught up to them; both were waiting patiently by the doorway that led to Hera's chambers. Hera swept an ageing hand toward the entrance and waited until they had both walked in before entering herself.

Hera's office was by far the largest of all the gods. It had high ceiling that stretched out until it reached large towering windows, which let in the bright rays of the early morning.

She sat behind a large desk and watched both teens awkwardly sit on a long sofa. Persephone walked over to stand next to the seated Hera, her calm face unreadable.

"Now," Hera said, not unkindly. "Tell me."

Theresa timidly stared up at them and began. She started at the beginning, about when she first started to have frightening visions almost a week ago. She sped through the details of the shadow and watching herself die, the whole time focusing on a spot on the wall just above their heads.

She paused almost dramatically several times as she talked about her confrontation with Cronus in the mine, and the shadow stone. As she reached the end of her story she risked a glance at the goddesses' faces. Hera's eyes were closed deep in thought while Persephone's face was lined with worry.

Finally she ended and nervously folded her arms over her chest. Hera's eyes were still closed shut, her mind lost in the depths of though. While Persephone just hung her head in quiet defeat.

Jay couldn't help but feel that perhaps the gods were as lost in this problem as they were.

At last Hera lifted her eyelids to reveal calm blue irises. "Thank you for your... belated honesty. I understand how upset this must have made you Theresa, but next time come to us sooner."

Theresa nodded guiltily. "I know."

But still both teens felt worried by Persephone's grim reaction. There was something they weren't telling them, and it wasn't good.

A small kind smile tugged at the corners of Hera's mouth. "I have reached a decision." She announced, her once quiet voice now suddenly booming through the room. "Theresa until further notice, you are to remain here in the home of the gods where you will be safe."

"Safe from what?"

But Hera only ignored her. "You may sleep in Chiron's study if you wish; it is usually the most peaceful there."

"Why can't I sleep in my own bed? What is going on?"

Now it was Persephone's time to speak. "Theresa try and understand it's for your own good."

"For my own good? Jay talk to them!" She cried, turning around to face her leader.

"Actually I think you should stay."

Theresa's jaw dropped and she stared in bewilderment at him. "You agree to this? Keeping me locked away like a prisoner."

"Theresa please," he pleaded with her. "Whatever Cronus is planning you know that you'll be safe here, his magic can't get you here. The others and I will stop him and-"

"So what, I don't get a say in this?"

Before anyone could speak, Theresa furiously stormed away to the door. Jay instantly tried to run after her.

"Follow me Jay and you'll be walking funny for a month." She snarled over her shoulder.

Jay stopped dead in his tracks and desperately watched her leave.

Persephone walked up and stood beside him. "Mood swings are usually the first sign." She murmured absently to herself.

"Wh-" He started, but before he could finish she silently walked away, lost in thought.

Was every woman going insane, or was it just him?
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Next chapter coming Saturday I promise.