I am Artemis

She Needs Help

Wulf

I had just entered Artemis's temple and heard sobbing. I rushed to the source and realized it was coming from Artemis's private chambers. I checked the door and of course it was locked. I turned to the others in the sanctuary and everyone there all looked a little worried.

"How often does the lass cry like that?" They all shared a look.

I turned back to the door and knocked on it.

"If ya hear me, lass, unlock the door." I heard a click.

I walked in and closed the door behind me. I walked towards the bathroom and found the lass on the floor. Her head leaned back against the wall. Her eyes were closed and her face was wet with tears.

"Lass," she sobbed, "I'm fine, Wulf. I'm just sick and tired. I wish this stupid stomach bug would go away. I wish I wasn't all alone."

Stomach bug? The lass is a goddess. They don't get ill, unless...

"Lass," she opened her eyes, "gods and goddesses don't get ill."

She looked confused for a moment and then she looked down at the floor. She gasped and her eyes filled with tears again.

"It can't be. It was one time," I knelt in front of her, "what did you think of, Lass?"

She looked up at me. Her eyes were filled with fear and then she looked panicked.

"It's, I can't do this. Not alone. I can't." I placed my hand on her face.

I made her look at me, "Lass, look at me. Yer not alone. What is it, Lass?"

Her hands moved and I looked down to see her place her hands on her abdomen. I looked back up at her.

"Are ye sure," she shrugged, "it's the only thing that makes sense."

She laid her head back on the wall and closed her eyes.

"Lass," she shook her head, "please go. I'll be okay."

I stood and left the room. I glanced back at the lass. Her head was in her hands and her body was shaking with silent sobs. I left her quarters and pulled out my cell. I dialed Dev's number.

"Hello?" I looked back at the Lass's door.

"Hey, Dev. I need a favor." I headed towards the exit.

"What's up," I left her sanctuary, "I need Aimee to whip up a chicken noodle soup, light on the seasoning and something for nausea and heartburn?"

"Sure, do we need to bring it to you?" I leaned against a pillar in front of her law practice.

"If ye could. Also see if your Mama will come. Might need her expertise on pregnancies, and no, I didn't knock anyone up. Though when I get my hands on the idiot who left her alone he's gonna wish he had stayed." I heard Dev chuckle.

"Sure thing. I'll come too," I smiled, "thanks Peltier. I owe you one. Meet me in front of Didymos Law."

I hung up and dialed Ash, "Wulf, what's wrong?"

"Do ye know where Artemis's lad is," I heard him sigh, "I do."

"Then you better get his arse to Artemis's temple. The Lass shouldn't be going through this alone," I heard shuffling, "going through what alone?"

"She's been sick, Ash. And I don't mean human illness. I'm pretty sure the lass is pregnant, Ash." Silence.

He didn't utter a single word and then I heard him snarl, "I'm going to kill him."

"Woah, Ash. Do that and the lass will be sad. Just bring him to her sanctuary in an hour or two. I have Aimee and her Mama coming to give her food and something for the nausea and heartburn," I heard a female voice in the background, "take your time. She needs to eat and get some rest before she deals with that idiot."

"Very well." He hung up.

Ash

I hung up and almost broke my phone. Pregnant. Kaori was pregnant. I felt a small pain in my chest. She was no longer in Artemis's body, and had come to terms with everything. Now here she was alone and pregnant and that bastard was hiding in my mother's realm.

"Ash," I looked up at Tory, "what is it?"

"It's Kaori, the woman you met earlier. She's a good friend of mine. Honestly she's like family to me and I just found out she's pregnant. The one who left her that way left a month ago because of a decision she had to make without him. Which she did to keep him safe. To keep us both safe. She's been through hell and now this." Tory put her hand on mine.

"I sensed something was wrong when I met her this morning. She was hunched over a trash can. She seemed surprised when she saw me, but the color returned to her face and she seemed better," she looked up at me, "take me to her. You go find her man. She shouldn't be alone."

I found myself feeling warm and I smiled down at her.

"Thank you so much, Tory." She smiled back up at me.

"It's no problem, Ash." I led her outside.

Thank you, Kaori. For telling me about her. For letting your feelings go and allowing me to see what kind of woman she is. To find my happiness.