Light filtered across the floor in golden rays, dancing in tune with the gentle breeze and swaying curtains. Beyond the window was a beach with crystal blue water and sparkling sand.

Yet no matter the tropical view and the peaceful setting, Percy was freaking out. He needed to just reach Riptide, if he could get his hands around the ancient sword everything will be all right. His brain stopped for a second, then what? He didn't even have hands!

He just had to accept the fact, Annabeth was the only person able to get them out of this situation. However the thought wasn't at all reassuring. Currently Annabeth was staring, gobsmacked at herself in the mirror.

"W-Wha, h-how." Annabeth stammered, her perfectly outlined lips currently in a perfect O. "Magic my dear, stay with me and you'll look like this every day! Perfect beyond reason,powerful, strong, . . . independent." Circe purred her voice silky and soft, leading Annabeth into her trap.

Annabeth shifted her weight, turning, watching as her recently acquired clothes swished softly around her frame. Percy felt fear spiral in his gut for the first time. Fear, for the first time in this quest. When he lost Tison, he was told he had to come here, determination, and now . . . fear.

Annabeth always the voice of reason was falling, failing. Without her Percy didn't even know what to do. He decided nothing left to do except to make as much noise as possible.

With a loud squeak he started to scratch as the cage, claws screeching, dragging across the golden bars. He started to run around in circles, making sawdust fly up, ignoring the other rodents that resided with him. Annabeth looked over, her eyes glazed, her mouth still open. Circe looked over too, however her expression was one of disgust and annoyance.

"Men," she sneered her voice dropping into a low growl. " Always trying to draw the attention back to themselves." She sniffed and walked over picking up a gold embroidered cloth and made an action as if to cover the cage.

"Wait!" Annabeth called, her voice sharp, fueling a spark of hope in Percy. "Wait," she murmured lower "Please don't" Percy just stared. 'Please don't?' he thought. That's it? The Annabeth he knew would have never said please preferring to use a dagger to do the quick thinking.

Circe frowned and with robotic movements she set the cloth down. "As you wish." Circe said her voice disjointed and jerky. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Percy froze, would she shoot him with her magic again?With a angelic smile she opened her eyes and swept to Annabeth's side.

"It's really not a hard choice." Circe murmured placing her well manicured hands on Annabeth's shoulders, drawing her attention back to the gilded mirror.

"But, what can you offer me that Camp Half-Blood cannot?" Annabeth asked. "Other than beauty." she amended quickly. Circe nodded slightly as if she expected that reaction.

"I can give you the choice of individuality, of being yourself, surrounded by your sisters in magic." Circe crowed her skirt fluffing up.

"Witchcraft." Annabeth murmured the glazed look overcoming her eyes again.

"Another thing the men used to push us down. Without us they will be nothing! We feed them, nurture them, make sure they stay healthy. We even give birth to them." Circe said her voice rising with passion.

"True, I never liked how I was always pushed down. Percy got all the credit." Annabeth murmured. Percy froze, was she talking about the earlier quest? But she never told him! If she felt pushed down she could have talked to him!

"Per Usual, taking all the credit." Circe snarled, her voice dripping with venom and anger. Annabeth nodded slightly.

"But I don't want him to die, what will happen to him?" Annabeth asked turning toward Circe.

"He hardly deserves your sentiment, however he will be sent to the mainland, adored by small children. Living a peaceful life." Circe murmured squeezing Annabeth's shoulders lightly.

"He'll be happy?"

"Yes, and he'll avoid that... unfortunate Great Prophecy." Circe said, and for the first time Percy heard pity in Circe's voice, one of the first true emotions he has seen on her.

'Great Prophecy? What is that, more importantly does Annabeth know?' he thought tuning back in to the conversation beyond the bars.

"-that's true." Annabeth said her voice filled with conviction.

"Of course it it dear! Now have you made your choice?" Circe asked.

"Give me some time to talk to Percy, two minutes." Annabeth said turning to walk over to Percy. Circe nodded then called "Reyna, prepare a room for Ms. Chase. I feel like she will like it here." She swept out of the room, and with a slam the doors closed.

Leaving Percy alone with Annabeth.

Another Fanfiction! Even though I have way too many! However this idea was just digging at me, really. It was quite annoying.

So anyway please Review!

Jay