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DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story. All credit goes to Rick Riordan.

It was a fairly quiet day in Principia today... well quiet for our standards. Argentum and Aurum rested their heads on their paws. I leaned on the left armrest of my seat. I would usually lean to my right, but Jason sits to my right. I sighed. It's been four days since the little "incident", and there was still an awkward tension between the two of us. I could tell he was trying his best to be the same, trying to act like it never happened, but the awkward still showed.

All of the sudden, Octavian burst through both doors and into the room as if he owned the place. For once, I was glad he actually came, but- Uh oh. He was smiling. That was never a good thing. Argentum and Aurum both sensed it too, and they both let let out a low growl.

"I have made a great discovery," he said cheerily. I let out a heavy sigh.

"Octavian, this better be important. If it was like the last time, don't even bother," Jason told him.

The last time Octavian made a discovery, he predicted that we would be in the middle of a giant hailstorm. After days of making preparations, guess what? No hailstorm. Shocker. The only thing that showed up was a small flock of migrating birds. And why did I listen to him, you ask? It was the only way to make him shut up about how we will all "suffer greatly if things were not done." That was also during Jason's first week as Praetor. Since then, he's been skeptical of the augur's predictions.

"Oh no. Of course not. That was a slight miscalculation last time. I am absolutely sure of it this time!"

Jason looked at me, and I gave a slight shrug. "If you are absolutely positively sure it's not going to be a waste of time, go for it," I said.

He scowled. "You have no right to mock the legacy of Apollo."

"Too late. Just did. Now start talking."

"Well, earlier in the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, I received a vision that-"

I already knew where this was going. "Goodbye Octavian."

"What? You didn't even hear the whole-"

"I said goodbye. Do you need Argentum and Aurum to help you out?" At the mention of their names, their ears pricked up and their heads rose a little.

Octavian's eyes widened in panic. "Oh no no. Not necessary. I'll just be... going... now..." He was looking at the dogs as he started backing up and turned to leave.

After I was sure Octavian couldn't be behind the doors, trying to eavesdrop, I looked at Jason. He looked back at me, a little silence, and we both started cracking up.

"Works every time," he said.

"Oh my gods, he is such a dolor in asinum."

"You've been here longer than I have, and you just figured that out?"

"Oh shut up Grace." This time I was the one staring at him.

"What?" he asked, still smiling.

"Come on. Argentum, Aurum, guard the doors. Growl at anyone who wants to come in." I took his hand and walked to the farthest corner of the room. "We need to talk."

"Hm. I was actually starting to think that you didn't want to talk to me. You have been avoiding me afterall, right?"

I was going to say "I'm not avoiding you," but I realized it was true.

"See?" He looked at me expectantly.

"Okay then, Mr. Son of Minerva. Then tell me this. Why did you kiss me?"

He shrugged. "It just felt like the right time. You were talking about a tough topic, and I... I don't know. It just happened."

"Right. Like I'm supposed to believe it was just on impulse. So what was it really? A dare from the children of Apollo or Mercury?"

"When will you stop thinking that almost everyone is out to get you? Why can't you just accept the possibility that someone actually does like you for who you are? I know that you've been in seriously rough times and trust might be an issue, but still."

"What exactly do you see in me then?"

He didn't hesitate to answer. "Well, I've learned a lot about you in the whole past year that I've been here. For starters, you're a pretty kickass warrior. You're smart, you're beautiful. You're also fun to be around, when you're not being serious." He let out a little laugh. "You can be stubborn sometimes. You'll fight for what you believe in. You're not afraid to take risks. You would do anything for those you love or care for. Need I go on?"

I shook my head. I was at a loss for words at the moment.

"I seriously hope I didn't make it any more awkward between us," he said.

"No, it's fine. Ah, thanks for telling me that. I never really knew you felt that way..."

"But?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I think we should just be friends, you know? No hard feelings or anything."

"I'm okay with that. As long as we're still on good terms, I'm fine." He smiled.

"So can we just pretend that nothing ever happened that night?"

"Pretend that what never happened?"

This time, I was the one to smile. "Yeah, come on. I wonder how many have been tormented by the dogs already." Whoo. Everything is cleared and there is no more awkwardness, scratch that, less awkwardness. Pretty good day so far.

Okay, fine, I know this one was kinda short. And I am not going to do the 10 reviews thing... thats way too long to wait... Just sticking with 5... so PLEASE REVIEW...