Annabeth's POV:

Get the kids up and dressed the next morning was easy.

Too easy.

Way too easy.

And I did not like it one bit.

James didn't try to steal Claire's favorite strawberry scented shampoo, and Zach went into the shower willingly. They were obviously still upset about their missing father. It was the first time ever that I wished james would annoy his sites. If he did I would know everything was normal and alright. After showering, we went back to our cabin to drop our stuff off before we headed to the dinning pavilion for breakfast. Claire ran into her room as soon as we got back. Her hair was still down and she was trailing water droplets across the floor. She looked so much like Percy it hurt a bit. James ran after her. I sighed and glanced down at Zach. His dark blonde hair was wet and fell over his eyes. He was looking at the floor. He hadn't spoken since we told him that Percy had gone missing. I could already tell that today was not going to be an easy one.

After breakfast we were going to hold the meeting that was suppose to be held yesterday. We we're going to read the prophecy and explain to James and Claire what as going to happen. The meeting was going to be small. Zach was staying with Jason and Piper while it took place. Bianca, Silena, and Jake would be staying with them as well. Nico,Chris, Clarisse, and Thalia would be in the meeting. May had demanded she be allowed in the meeting with Ryan as well. I agreed to let her in the meeting, mainly because I didn't want to deal with her sulking about it later, but also because I thought she should be there. Percy was her brother, and she loved him very much. On top of all that, I was feeling sick. Very sick. This baby was not going to make it easy for me.

James came running back into the room and Claire was about two steps behind him. She had a brush in one hand and two hair ties in the other. James walked over to Zach and pulled him into the corner to play with the coloring books that were situated there. Claire held the brush and hair ties out to me. I smiled, took them from her small hands, and went to sit on the couch. When I was a little girl, before I ran away, I always want a baby sister. Then I began traveling around with Luke and Thalia. I always secretly wished that we would find another girl. One who was younger than me. When I got to camp and met my younger siblings, I loved taking care of them. It gave me a sense of purpose. Then I had a daughter of my own. Brushing through Claire's ebony locks always made me smile.

I pulled her hair up into pigtails and then handed her the brush. She ran to put it back in her room. When she returned she had a small clip with a grey butterfly in her hair. It matched her eyes precisely. Claire never wore anything in her other then hair ties. I narrowed my eyes at her slightly, but she didn't seem to notice.

"Come on guys, let's go to breakfast." I called to the boys. James jumped up and grabbed Zach's, pulling him toward me. I picked up Zach, and James grabbed Claire's hand. People waved to us as we walked through camp. Not many people were here at this time of year. Most of the campers here were year rounders. The kids were very surprised at the lack of people. We rarely came to camp during the non-summer months, and when we did it meant that something dangerous was happening and the kids stayed with Sally. May was already in the dinning pavilion when we got there. She was sitting at the Poseidon table with Ryan. We walked over and sat down next to them.

I gave them both a weak smile. "How did you both sleep?"

May shrugged. "Okay I guess." She was taking Percy's disappearance pretty hard. Everyone was. It was weird the effect Percy had on people.

"How did you sleep?" Ryan asked me.

"Okay I suppose." I spotted Thalia, Nico, and Bianca sitting at the Zeus table. I assumed they were sitting there today because Jason, Piper, and Ethan were here. Thalia met my gaze and jerked her head slightly in the direction of the entrance. I nodded and she got up from her table.

"May, Ryan, when you're done can you take the kids to the big house? Jason and Piper will come and get Zach," I said. They nodded. I got up and walked over to the entrance of the dining pavilion. Thalia was already standing there.

"Let's go for a walk before the meeting," It wasn't a question.

"Okay."

We walked to the lake and sat down on the edge of the water. I was beginning to feel sick. Thalia looked at me, a concerned expression on her face. "You okay Annie?"

I nodded. "Yeah, just feeling a little…"

"Nauseous?"

I laughed. "Yeah, how did you know?"

She shrugged. "You're very notorious for your morning sickness."

"Thanks Thals," I said rolling my eyes.

"What! It's true!" She laughed and shoved my shoulder playfully. We sat in silence for a while, looking at the water. I immediately thought of Percy and our first kiss that we shared beneath the surface of the lake. We had come a long way since then. I mean he's still a Seaweed Brain. That much will never change. But now he was a Seaweed Brain with a family who loved and needed him. A family who was going to find him. I rubbed my stomach absentmindedly. I was determined to make sure this baby had it's father.

"You're not going on their quest," Thalia said matter of factly.

I turned to look at her, an eyebrow raised. "And what makes you think I wanted to go -"

"Because you're you Annabeth!" She interrupted. "Because you would do anything for your kids. Which is why you have to stay here. Remember what happened last time you went on a quest while pregnant?"

I winced. "Vividly."

"So you're not going this time."

I sighed. "But Thalia-"

"No but's Annabeth."

I sighed in defeat, while Thalia smiled in triumph. As much as I wanted to go- and I really did want to go- I couldn't. Thalia stood up and offered me her hand. I shook my head. "I'm gonna sit here for a few more minutes."

"Okay. Don't be too long," She turned and left me sitting alone by the lake. After about a minute or two I heard the soft sound of someone approaching. My head snapped up. I saw May walking toward the lake. She knelt by the edge of the lake and tossed a golden drachma into the water. She didn't seem to notice me, so I quickly pulled out my Yankees cap and put it on. I crept as close to where she was kneeling as I could and listened carefully.

"Madison!" May called.

"May! Oh my gods is that you!" Madison replied. Madison was growing up as well. Her long dark brown hair fell to the middle of her back, and she was growing up to be an absolutely stunning young woman. She had also picked up on the use of the word 'gods'. Percy often joked that Madison was like an adopted demigod. She didn't have a godly parent, but she knew everything about our world. She could also see through the mist like Sally could.

"Yeah it's me," May laughed. "I miss you."

"I miss you too, but mom says we should be able to go home by the time school starts." There was a pause. "Where are you? That doesn't look like Percy and Annabeth's place."

May sighed. "It's not Mads, I'm at camp."

"Why are you at camp Half-blood?"

"Claire was attacked by a bunch of hellhounds so we came to camp earlier then we thought we were going to."

"When did you think you were going back to camp?" Madison sounded sort of annoyed.

"Um…..well….."

"May! Tell me!"

"We were suppose to come here on the 31st. You know that prophecy about the twins that Percy told us about?"

"Yeah. All he said was that there was a prophecy about James and Claire. He told my mom we shouldn't worry about it!"

May swelled hard. "Well it's about to happen. Soon. Percy needed me at camp when it happened. Though it doesn't really matter considering-" She stopped herself.

When Madison spoke her voice was thick with anger. "Considering what?"

"It's nothing Mads. Forget I-"

"Considering what!" Madison screamed.

A single tear fell from Mays eye. "Percy went missing yesterday."

"What!"

"Maddie calm dow-"

"No I will not calm down May Jones! My big brother is missing and nobody thought to tell me!" If I could have seen Madison's face, I swear she would have been the shade of the strawberries in the strawberry patch.

"Annabeth told your mom yesterday!" May responded. I bit my lip. I had called Sally and told her of Percy's disappearance. She had told me she didn't want to tell Madison.

"Mom knows!" Madison squeaked. "How come I'm always the last one to know everything! I-I wish I was a demigod! That way I could go to camp with you and Percy and Annabeth and the kids!"

May shivered. "You don't want to be a demigod Mads."

"Don't call me Mads! And I do want to be a demigod! My life is so boring! You get to do all these cool things while I'm stuck with dads family!"

"You think what I'm doing is cool!"

"It is!"

"No! It's not! I went on my first quest when I was six! Before I met you! I had absolutely no choice in the matter. I had to go! I'm luck it wasn't my quest! It was Percy's and he took care of me! Now James and Claire, who are only five, have to lead a quest! They don't even know what they're looking for! And all poor Zach knows is that his daddy is missing!" May was crying at this point.

"But I want to be a part of the world you live in! Maybe I could join the hunters of Artemis?" Madison sounded a little too hopeful.

"I don't think you want to do that Madison. Trust me."

"You just don't want me at camp!"

"No! That's not true at all! The hunters of Artemis swear off of men forever! You would never be able to have a boyfriend or a husband." She paused to wipe a tear from her eye before continuing. "You would never be able to be a mother." My heart hammered in my chest. I had been close to joining the hunters. It I had I would never have been able to go out with Percy. I was thinking about the "no boyfriend" aspect of the whole situation. It never crossed my mind that I would never be able to become a mother.

Madison gave a very audible sigh. "I think maybe I might be able to possibly live with that May."

"You would also be immortal Madison." May whispered so quietly I almost didn't hear it. "You would have to stand by and watch those you love get old and die."

"Thalia was okay with the idea!" Madison shot back at her.

May shook her head. "But then she fell in love Madison. And she's a mom now. I don't think she would trade it for anything in the world. And I know Annabeth wouldn't trade her family for immortality either."

There was a long, long pause. "I guess there's no place for me in your life then." Madison whispered.

"No! Don't say that Madison! There will always be a place for you in my life, I-"

"Call me or Iris Message me or whatever when you know when you're coming back. We'll make up some excuse if you don't get home in time for school. Maybe you'll be sick again? Who knows." Her voice was bitter.

"Madison! Please just listen to me!

"Bye May. See you soon." Madison must have disconnected the Iris message because May buried her head in her hands and began to cry. I was about to walk over to her and try to comfort her in some way, but she had another idea. She stood up and jumped into the lake.I pulled my cap off and ran over to the spot where she disappeared. I sighed and looked at my watch. The meeting about the twins prophecy would begin in a few minutes and I had to be there. May would come when she was ready. I turned around and headed for the big house.

"A brother and sister must venture away

To save something dear on their fifth birthday,

Children with the strength of the ocean and brains of the wise,

Will prevent or cause their fathers demise.

Siblings aided by the power of love,

They must prevail to save Olympus above."

The entire room was quite as Chiron read the prophecy. James and Claire looked at me wide eyed and slightly scared. Chris and Clarisse were sitting on one side of the ping pong table and Nico and Thalia were on the other. Ryan and May was at one end and I was at the other with James and Claire. May had arrived right before the prophecy was going to be recited. She was red faced and slightly out of breath, but completely dry. Rachel was sitting next to me, her feet up on the table.

"I know it's a lot to take in." Chiron said quietly to my two stunned children. "But we really should discuss the prophecy and attempt to analyze it."

"Well the first and second lines are obvious," Nico said quietly.

"So is the third," I added.

"The fourth line, Will prevent or cause their fathers demise, is clearly referring to Percy," May whispered.

I nodded in agreement. "The power of love could mean Aphrodite, but it could also mean two people in love, or even someone who loves them."

"What's really confusing is the last line," Rachel said.

Thalia bit her lip. "It seems like it's detached from the rest of the prophecy."

"Perhaps we should deter main where they must venture to."

"It's gonna be somewhere under water," Claire said, looking at her hands.

Everyone turned to looked at her. "How do you know that sweetheart?" I asked her.

"My dreams," She whispered, close to tears.

"What dreams?" She hadn't mentioned anything to me about dreams. I don't think she told Percy either.

"It's one dream actually," She wiped a tear from her eye. "Me and James are walking in an underwater can type thingy. It's really dark and really scary. Someone is there, but I can't see who it is. They talk too. The same thing every time."

"What does the void say Claire?" Chris asked in a gentle voice.

Claire looked up. "It says: Well if it isn't t the Jackson twins. I've been waiting for you." Claire began sobbing.

I pulled her into a hug. I stroked her hair as she cried on my shoulder. "Shh baby girl. It's okay."

"I wish daddy was here," she mumbled into my shoulder.

"Me too baby."

Chiron cleared his throat. "Miss Dare, perhaps we need anther prophecy? To clear things up."

Rachel frowned. "I got nothing Chiron. No other prophecy. At least not right now."

Chiron nodded. "That is unfortunate. But we will have to make do. James, Claire." James sat up a little straighter and Claire turned around so she was facing Chiron. "You will leave here on the morning of January 1st.. Now there is the matter of who will be the third person who will accompany you."

"I'll do it," May said almost immediately after Chiron finished.

"Are you sure May? I mean I could go." I said. Thalia shot me a look.

May nodded. "Percy's my big brother and I want to help find him."

"He's my husband. I think I should-"

"No," Thalia interrupted me. Everyone turned to look at her, clearly confused. "Zach needs you right now Annie. He can have both siblings and both of his parents gone at the same time."

I bit my lip, but nodded. I thanked the gods that Thalia had come up with another reason. I knew she wouldn't let me go on this quest, even if it meant telling them the truth.

"I want to go too," Ryan said. "You know in case they need back up or something."

I shook my head. "You can't Ryan."

He glared at me. "Why not?"

"Because," Clarisse said "Only three people can go on a quest. Besides, if this quest really is going to take them somewhere under water then you can't go. All three of them can breathe under water and you can't."

My eyes widened a little bit. It never even crossed my mind that May would have to go because of the whole underwater thing. That should have been something I noticed. Chiron called the meeting to an end and we all headed back to our cabins. At least we would have a few days down time before the real action began. James, Claire, and I went to Jason and Piper's cabin to get Zach. I knocked on the door and Piper answered.

"Hi Annabeth. Hi James, hi Claire. Come on in," She gestured for us to come inside. "James, Claire why don't you go into Ethan's room. The kids are in there playing." James and Claire quickly ran into the small bedroom on the other side of the cabin. Piper led my to the small couch in the center of the room. We both sat down.

"Jason went down to the sword fighting arena. He said he's out of practice." Piper said smiling. "So how did the meeting go?"

I shrugged. "It went as I expected it to. Claire brought up some dreams she's been having and May volunteered to be the third person to go on the quest."

Piper nodded. "And how do you feel?"

I shrugged again. "Like I need to sleep for a week. It's not easy keeping up with three kids on your own. Especially considering…" I gestured to my stomach.

"It'll be fine Annabeth. Percy will be back before you even know he's missing." Piper hugged me. I wanted to believe her, but the thing is, I was already missing him like crazy.

Piper told me she would watch the kids if I wanted some time to myself. I told her I only needed an hour or so. I left her cabin and went to find May. I wanted to talk to her about the conversation I had overheard. I knocked on her cabin door. I heard footsteps and then the door opened.

"Hey. Can I come in?" I asked.

She nodded. I walked inside and she closed the door after me.

"I know you heard my conversation with Maddie," She mumbled.

I spun on my heel to face her. "How?"

She walked over and sat down on her bed. "I saw you when I fist got to the lake. It's fine. It's probably better you heard anyway. She's been like this for a while. She want's to be able to come to camp, you know like as a camper, but she can't. I think she knows she can't." She buried her head in her hands. I walked over to her bed and sat down next to her.

"It'll be okay."

She shook her head. "Madison was- is- my sister. She's been so nice to me over the years. When I first met her she made me feel like…like a normal little girl. I don't think she realizes that's all I want to be. I wish my mom was still alive and I wish my dad wasn't a god. Then I would be able to be normal like Mads. But i'll never be normal. And she'll never be able to be a demigod. It's like we're stuck in two completely different worlds." I put my arm around her and hugged her close.

"I think I have some news that might make you feel a little better. But you need to promise not to tell anyone." I whispered.

She removed her head from her hands and blinked up at me. "If you want whatever it is kept a secret, then I'll keep it. Promise."

I smiled. "I'm pregnant."

Her eyes went wide and then her face broke into a huge grin that vaguely resembled Percy's. "Really!"

I nodded. "Really."

She hugged me back. "Oh Annabeth!" She put her face near my stomach. "Hi little baby. I'm your aunt May. I'm going to love you and play with you and teach you how to shoot a bow."

"I don't think the baby can hear you yet." I chuckled.

She shrugged. "I don't care! And I promise I won't tell a soul." She frowned. "Why am I not telling a soul again?"

"I want to tell Percy before too many people know. Only five know at this point. You, Thalia, Clarisse, Piper, and me."

Her face fell. "Oh yeah. Percy." She looked at me. "How far along are you?"

"About nine weeks. It came as a surprise to me too. And the timing wasn't too great. But I already love this baby so much." We were both quiet for a few minutes. I turned to her. "I just want to thank you."

She frowned. "For what?"

"For going with them on this quest."

"Annabeth, there's no need to thank me. They're my niece and nephew and I love them just as much as you do. I won't let anything happen to them."

I took a deep breath. I had hoped I would never have to say this, but she needed to hear it. "May I need you to promise me something."

"I already promised I wouldn't tell anyone that you were pregnant."

I shook my head. "No. It has nothing to do with that."

"The what is it?"

"If something happens and you have the choice between getting Percy out, or getting the twins out, you need to get the twins to safety." Her eyes went wide. Percy and I had discussed this before. A long time ago. We had decided that if I was a choice between one of us or our children, we would have to choose the children.

"But Annabeth-"

"No 'buts' May. Percy and I have talked about it. I hope it won't come to that, but if it does…"

May swallowed. "Okay Annabeth. I promise."

Ryan's POV:

I was beyond annoyed with the way the meeting went. There had to be someway I could go on this quest and help May, James, and Claire. I told May I had somethings I had to take care of and that I would meet her at lunch. I wandered down to the beach where the fireworks were usually held. I sat down in the sand and stared out at the water. Why did my father have to be some creepy Titan. Why couldn't I just be a child of Poseidon. Then I would be able to go.

"Life would be easier if I was a child of Poseidon." I mumbled.

"But then you would not be able to fall in love with May," A beautiful voice from behind me said. I turned around and saw probably the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Her hair was a beautiful light blonde and was braided. It was so long that it fell to the center of her back, even in the braid. Her eyes were a warm chocolate brown color. I knew who she was immediately. I quickly stood up and bowed.

"Lady Aphrodite."

She smiled. "Rise young hero." I did.

"Why have you come to see me?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes. "You heroes are all the same. Always so forward. You're lucky that you're half of my new favorite couple."

"Half of-"

"Though I'm not sure how to mix your name with May's. Hmm I'll work on it." She laughed as I blushed at the mention of May's name. "You're adorable. All of my favorite couples are. Especially my last one. Anyway, as to why I'm here. I have a gift for you from Poseidon. He wanted me to send his regards. He would have come himself, but he is desperately trying to locate his son at the moment." She pulled out a bag about the size of a palm and handed it to me. I took it apprehensively.

"What is it?"

"Open it and find out son of Atlas." Aphrodite laughed.

I did. Inside was a blue sand like substance. I looked back at the goddess of love. "What-"

"Poseidon said that you need the eat it. All of it. And then you will be able to breath underwater until Poseidon chooses you shouldn't." Aphrodite explained. "Don't worry. I'm told it tastes like sugar.

"So that means I can go on the quest!" I exclaimed.

Aphrodite nodded. "Yes. That is if you can find a way to sneak out of camp."

"Oh. Right." I sighed in defeat, staring at the ground.

"Don't give up Ryan," Aphrodite said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "I know you love May. You know you love May. Even May knows you love her. And love always finds a way Ryan."

"Who was your last favorite couple? Did they find a way?"

She chuckled. "Yes, they did. You know them actually. I let you figure it out. ALways remember that love will find a way."

I wanted to tell her that I wasn't so sure, but when I looked up to meet her eyes, she was gone. I clenched the small bag of blue powder tightly in my hand. I would find a way to sneak out of camp. I would help Ma protect her niece and nephew. I would help find Percy, the person who helped free me from my father. Now all I needed to do was sneak out of camp. A place I haven't left for nearly five years. The thought was scary. I did have memory's of life outside camp. That wasn't the problem. The problem was actually facing the world.

But I would do it. I wondered if this was what falling in love felt like. All I knew was I would do anything for May. I also knew that she was my best friend.

Unknown location:

Percy's POV:

At first I thought I was blind. It was dark. Too dark. And very very quiet. The first thing I registered after opening my eyes was pain. My knee was on fire which wasn't really possible considering I was floating in salty water. So why wasn't my knee healing itself? And why was I completely unaware of my location? I shook the thought out of my mind and concentrated harder. The last thing I remembered was walking out of my cabin with Zach. After that everything was a giant blank. I tried to turned over, to swim, but found I couldn't. My hands and feet were shackled to something I could not see. And I was cold. Very, very cold. I wasn't wet though. I shivered involuntarily. I didn't know how long I had been here. Hours, days, weeks? Years maybe? Was the prophecy involving my children fulfilled yet?

"I see you are awake Perseus. It was about time. I was beginning to get worried." I voice sliced through the darkness. I couldn't tell if the voice was male or female, but it chilled me to the bone in a way that had nothing to do with the cold.

"Who are you?" I croaked. The sound of my voice shocked me. It was hoarse and raspy. As if it hadn't been used in a while.

"That is not important right now Perseus."

"Let me go!"

"Why would I do that Perseus? We are going to have so much fun together." Something hard collided with my side. I hap to bite my tongue to prevent myself from crying out. The person struck again. I heard a very audible crack. Who ever this was probably just cracked a rib. I winced. The voice laughed. "Don't worry Perseus. That was merely the beginning."

There you have it! Now at least we have a little insight as to where Percy may be. Do you guys think you know where he is? How do you think Ryan is getting out of camp? Why do you think Claire is the one who has these dreams? What did you think of Ryan's POV? Let me know what you thought! Until next update -LunarWhispers