Isolation

Orion's Return

Artemis PoV

I rested my head on Percy's shoulder as he carried me to my bedroom. He took a dagger and cut most of the shafts off of the arrows. He tried moving the sleeve up so he could remove the arrowhead bits, but to no avail. I took a deep breath and pulled off my shirt. Percy grabbed a blanket and covered me, save the shoulder. Percy said, "Ah, get yourself set so I can remove them, then tell me, okay?" I nodded and he turned around. I saw that the arrow had gone through my bra strap. I sighed and cut the strap, the remainder of my undergarments intact. I shifted my attention to my leg. I removed my jeans, now with a bloody hole in them. Covering myself back up with the blanket, only exposing my bloody shoulder, I called for Percy to turn around. He grabbed a clean cloth, put that in my mouth to stifle any scream, and got to work. He got some antibiotics and cleaned my shoulder after pulling it out quickly and staunching the ichor. Then he bandaged it and I covered my shoulder, uncovering my thigh. He did the same thing with my thigh and apologized profusely. Then he got another set of clothes, handed them to me, told me to holler if I needed anything, and left, closing the door behind him.

I changed into a silver shirt and a new pair of jeans. A little while later, I heard a knock on the door, to which I called for Percy to come in. Percy opened the door, sat next to me, and said, "I'm really sorry I shot you, Artemis, I didn't mean to. You don't have to teach me archery."

I stood up and kissed him on the cheek, successfully shutting him up. "It's alright, Percy, you didn't mean to, and I'm fine now." Percy nodded, blinking, apparently stupefied when I kissed him on the cheek. I stood up, walking out to the living room. I made some hot chocolate, and put it in the large thermos, labelled 'Hot Chocolate'. I carried it to the table and slipped on an ice cube. Percy intercepted me, catching me, after getting slapped in the face by boiling hot chocolate, and smacked in the temple by the thermos. I gasped, "Percy, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Percy winced and nodded. I helped him to his room so he could clean up, then cleaned up the kitchen. When I finished, I sat heavily on the couch, tears starting to leak out of my cheek, eventually turning into a stream. I was a goddess, I wasn't supposed to cry, and I hadn't for millennia. But in the past couple of days, I had already done so twice.

I felt strong arms wrap around my figure. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, crying openly to him. He stroked my hair and held me in his arms. "It's alright Arty," He said in a forgiving tone, "Everyone makes mistakes, even if they're immortal goddesses. I'm fine, the only thing I have is the want to sweep you up and make sure you never get hurt, and make sure you live a happy life. Don't cry, please, it hurts to see you cry." Slowly, my tears stopped falling, and I just clung to Percy. I felt him pick me up and carry me to the kitchen. He sat me on his lap and kissed my forehead. "Now, I think it's time we had something to eat, don't you?" I didn't respond, and Percy got some Mac and Cheese, some of it blue, and some of it silver. He brushed a stray tear from my face. I opened my mouth to say something, and was met with the warm, cheesy goodness of the Mac and Cheese he'd made.

When Percy decided that we'd had enough to eat, he carried me back to the couch. I sighed and looked at Percy's chest, not meeting his eyes. I felt him cup my cheek, hooking his finger under my chin and lifting it so I had to look at him. I looked at him and he asked, "Artemis, what's the matter? Everything's gonna be fine."

My voice caught in my throat, I managed to choke out "I-I-How are we gonna get out of here, Percy? What happens if something else comes? What if Orion comes back?" I said the last part quietly, but Percy still heard.

He growled and pulled me closer, "If he ever does so much as lay a finger on you ever again, I'll make him fade! Nothing's gonna hurt you, ever. I promise." I swallowed the lump in my throat and hugged Percy tightly.

We heard another voice, one that I recognized. Orion. "Are you sure about that, Perseus Jackson? I will have Artemis, I can't imagine what the millennia-old virgin goddess feels like. Because you seem to care so much, I think I'll make you watch when I have some fun with her." I heard a growl from Percy. I rolled off him and he charged Orion. He cut, stabbed, slashed, parried, dodged, and punched Orion multiple times. I grabbed my silver hunting knife, and was about to help Percy. Then it happened, almost too quick for me to see what happened. Orion feinted left, and stroked to his head. Percy saw this coming, but not the powerful kick Orion sent to his knee. Percy cried out in pain as his knee cap shattered, along with most of the other bones in his body, knocking him unconscious. Orion advanced. I charged, aiming between his eyes. Then Orion used his Giant-ish-ness to backhand me into a wall. I cried out, and Orion picked me up by the neck.

He tore my shirt off, and I screamed as I felt his tongue on my neck, quickly moving south. I struggled, but to no avail. He unbuttoned my jeans, sliding them down around my ankles, soon followed by my undergarments. I must have been screaming a lot, because Percy's eyes shot open. Despite his many broken bones, he wielded Riptide, gave a battle cry, and charged Orion. Percy kicked him in the side, causing him to drop me. Percy caught me, setting me down gently before attacking Orion. He ran Orion through the side, slowly twisting the blade. Percy did the same to his arms and legs, then ground his heel into a very sensitive male spot. Percy stabbed Orion in the forehead, and he exploded into black dust. Orion had faded. Percy picked me up and cleaned me up before dressing me and laying me in my bed. He kissed me on the forehead and closed the door as he left.