Ten Days

Prologue

"Thaaaliaaa," Apollo called in a sing-song voice. "Where arrre youuu?"

Thalia sighed from her spot in the bushes. Yes, hiding from a god in Central Park was childish, but hey, this was Apollo she was dealing with. She was sure that other people would do the same thing if they were stuck in her situation.

"This isn't very nice, you know. I may have to punish you for this."

Thalia rolled her eyes at his innuendo, not in the least bit amused. It got very quiet suddenly, and after a few minutes of continued silence, she figured he had moved on. She quietly stepped out of the bushes with a sigh of relief, but then…

"Found you!"

"AHH!"

Earlier that week…

"Thalia, I need to speak with you," Artemis announced, looking at Thalia with an expression that screamed serious business. Thalia nodded once and followed Artemis into her tent. She knew the tent was enchanted so the inside was actually like a living room, but she was still amazed with it every time she entered.

In the middle of the floor was a fire to keep them warm (considering it was the middle of December). Artemis sat down on one side of the fire and Thalia sat down on the other, crossing her legs Indian style.

"Is something wrong?" Thalia asked worriedly.

"No, not really," Artemis replied, her expression grim. She took a deep breath. "In a few days, I have to leave."

"Why?"

"I'm going to help Zeus with some business up in Olympus. I'm going to be gone for ten days, starting on the sixteenth. I'll arrive back sometime late on the twenty-sixth."

"Okay," Thalia nodded. "So you want me to watch the Hunters, right?"

"Um, well…not exactly. As you know, that time period is during Christmas, and every so often, my brother comes to see me for Christmas."

At the mention of the sun god, the red flag in Thalia's head was raised and warning bells went off.

"Oh really?" Thalia asked, trying to hide her distaste for the man.

"And it just so happens that he's coming down this year." Artemis took another deep breath. "Knowing my brother, he'll cause mischief and mayhem, and I need someone to look after him and keep him occupied. Since you are my most trusted lieutenant and since I know you won't be ogling him, I'm asking you to watch over my brother."

Thalia just stared at the goddess like she had sprouted an extra head.

She swallowed thickly. "So let me get this straight," she started, her voice weak. "You're going to be gone, so I have to babysit Apollo for ten days until you get back?"

"Precisely."

"Why don't you just take him with you if he's coming down to see you in the first place?"

"Zeus specifically asked for me alone."

"B-but who will look after the Hunters then if I'm with Apollo?"

"Olivia, my second best lieutenant, can handle the job."

Thalia swallowed and shook her head. "I'm not going to do it."

She crossed her arms defiantly. Being around Apollo was a sure way to get a migraine, and quite frankly, she wanted to keep her sanity. Besides, Apollo was a god. He could take care of himself.

No. There was no way Thalia was doing this favor for Artemis.

"Please, Thalia. I'm asking you as a friend. If you do this for me, you can sit back and relax for a whole month. You can even go to that camp of yours if you'd like."

But when she put it that way…

Dammit, Thalia thought with a scowl, I hate black mail.

She glared at the floor for a long time before finally muttering, "Fine."

Artemis smiled thankfully. "I am forever grateful."

The daughter of Zeus just sighed, wondering why she had just given up her Christmas holiday. After these ten days are up, I may be in need of some serious therapy.

A few days later, Thalia found herself slouching miserably in her stance next to Artemis. She and the goddess were waiting outside for Apollo to arrive. Once he did and after Artemis had a talk with him, she would be on her way and Thalia would officially be on her own.

Thalia grimaced at the thought of being with the sun god for ten whole days. She shuddered, already regretting this decision.

Finally, after quite some time of standing in the cold and blistering wind, Apollo decided to grace them with his presence. Thalia spotted his red BMW descending in the sky, a great contrast against the gray, hazy clouds. After a few minutes, it landed in the clearing before them and out from the vehicle stepped the Luke look-a-like, a dazzling grin on his face. As Apollo turned his gaze onto the two women, Thalia could see his eyes were glittering with mischief.

"Baby sister!" he exclaimed, walking up to the two.

Artemis just glared at him. "Hello, Apollo."

"So, what's up?"

Thalia sighed to herself, snuggling deeper in her coat. She listened as Artemis explained about her upcoming absence.

"I'm working with Zeus," she explained in a steely voice. Thalia didn't miss the serious look that the siblings exchanged before going back to their normal selves. Artemis had glowered at Apollo, who had been glaring at her. Just as quick as it came, though, the moment had passed and their expressions were calm once again.

Interesting…Thalia thought. I wonder what that was all about.

"I'm leaving you with my most trusted lieutenant, Thalia Grace."

Apollo grinned down at Thalia, who forced a smile on her face.

"I remember you," Apollo beamed. "You're the one who drove my chariot not too long ago!"

Thalia grimaced as the memory of being so high up came crashing down on her. "Don't remind me," she muttered.

He laughed. "So, I get to stick with her for ten days?" he asked.

Artemis glared. "Yes, but if you so much as look at her—or any of my Hunters, for that matter—in the wrong way and I find out, I'll get Hephaestus to wreck that car of yours for good."

He narrowed his eyes. "You wouldn't."

"Oh, but I would. I'd gladly do it," Artemis smirked evilly.

Apollo glared at her and turned away, crossing his arms over his chest. Artemis turned to Thalia.

"If you ever need me, just Iris-message me. Don't let him do anything embarrassing," she mumbled in a low voice.

Thalia nodded, though she wasn't making any promises. A chance to see Apollo make a fool of himself? She'd get front row seats and fresh popcorn.

"Well then," Artemis announced, "I'm off. Remember what I said, Apollo."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

She glared at him one last time and then turned and sprinted, disappearing in the thicket of the forest.

Thalia stared after the goddess for a while, wishing that by some miracle she would turn around and take pity on Thalia and not make her do this. Unfortunately, she never came back. Sighing, Thalia turned and began walking back towards the camp the Huntresses had set up.

"So," Apollo started, matching his stride with hers, a grin still on his face. "We get to hang out for a while, huh?"

"Unfortunately," she muttered. His heightened hearing caught it, though, and he only chuckled.

"Aw, it won't be that bad! We'll have loads of fun!"

"Sure, sure." A roll of the eyes.

Thalia Grace had no idea what she had just gotten herself into.

I was reading a story called "This Is It" and the author put in some ApolloThalia, and the way she portrayed the two together made me become a fan of this couple. I've always liked the idea of them together, but after reading that story I decided to actually write a story of my own.

Thanks for reading and REVIEW please! I'd really appreciate it!

-Akatsuki Child