Athena's POV

We walked together along the small waves that lapped at our feet, the morning sun making it mildly hot but combined with the wind it was a fairly cool day. The white sand pressed down beneath my feet leaving trails of my footsteps that were washed away by the water. There was a silence between Percy and I, but a comfortable one. Although I could tell he was nervous because he kept brushing his fingers through his hair. He always does that when something's stressing him out.

"Are you nervous Percy?" I asked him straight out. He looked at me surprised and started stammering.

"Uh n-no. It's not that, I j-just don't know how to begin." I laughed slightly under my breath.

"Well then, let me start." He looked relieved. "How was the kiss?" I smirked and he started turning red.

"I uh, well… the best word to describe it is amazing. I mean, it was magical, unpredicted, and passionate. How else can the best kiss be?" Percy smiled at me with his eyes shimmering. I can't believe I'm saying this, but gods I wanted to kiss those lips that had the most beautiful shape on the most handsomest face.

"All right then. But in your opinion, why do you think we kissed?" I was practically planning on surveying him because I didn't know for myself.

"Well… I have no idea. To tell you the truth… I feel something for you. It's weird but it's like I'm pulled towards you. So the kiss just happened and once we did, it felt… right." By now he had stopped being nervous and answered me without doubt in his voice. He cautiously took a step closer to me and let his hand touch mine slightly. I understood what he was trying to do.

"Yes, you can hold my hand." I laughed a little while he turned red. Percy entwined his fingers in mine and we smiled warmly at each other. He laughed nervously. "What is it?"

"It's just that, I never see you acting this nice or open with anybody else. You're very secure about what you do and what you say." I thought that over and he had a very reasonable point. I had never shown affection for anyone like this, I'm more of a closed-off type.

"You make a good point. I guess I'm open to you because… you intrigue me." He raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"How?"

"Well, for one thing, you don't drool over the goddesses like all the other gods do and I've even told Artemis that and she appreciates you for it. In fact, all the maidens take you as their favorite. You're just more of a modest yet fun-loving guy and there's also the fact that you're hard to understand." A cocky smile played on his lips. "But don't get used to me complimenting you."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

Third-Person POV

Aphrodite watched the newest power-couple of Olympus chat it up in an iris message. She kept quiet so they wouldn't notice they were being watched but she did release a quiet giggle or squeal every once in a while. Aphrodite felt that she was being watched and turned to find that she had an audience.

"Wow, never knew Athena of all people, had a soft side." Apollo commented smugly.

"How long have you guys been here?" Aphrodite gasped.

"As long as you started watching them. It's pretty interesting. Gods Athena's lucky. I would kill to have Percy at my side like that." Persephone gushed.

"Is he, like the newest heart throb on Olympus or something?" Apollo said with obvious jealousy in his voice. He was used to being the one all the goddesses were dying for.

"Pretty much." Aphrodite stated. "Even I'd like to have him. I mean seriously, look at him! That body, those abs, that face!"

"I have to admit… he's a nice guy." Artemis cut in. Everyone looked at her in shock and gasped. "Ugh, be more mature. He's the first guy I've actually found likeable." She scoffed. Another louder gasp escaped everyone's lips. Loud enough to be heard by Athena, who looked directly into the iris message with pure rage and a murderous glare that could kill.

"You. Are. All. Dead." She whispered threateningly as she slashed through the iris message.

"Ok! I've had enough of the mortal beach who's ready to go home?" Apollo panicked and everyone nodded in agreement. But they didn't have enough time to retreat as Athena flashed in front of them in full battle armor. She smiled wickedly. "No point in running now."

Percy's POV

I watched her beat the living Hades out of everyone that was spying as I nonchalantly watched and ate some chips. Sure, I could've helped them out and calm her down some but, I was pretty pissed at them for watching too.

So far, she had taken down Apollo, Aphrodite, and Persephone but there were still more people, according to Aphrodite. What I find really unbelievable is that even Artemis was watching but Athena and her were pretty close so Athena just gave her a strong look.

The scenery was peaceful except for the passed out gods and goddesses and the screams of others as they tried to escape but their efforts were in vain. I've got to admit, Athena looks amazing when she's in her pissed-off-battle-mode. Not to mention, she looks beautiful. Secretly, my eyes watched her as she had this fierce yet calmed look on her face. She moved so swiftly that it looked like she wasn't even touching the ground. Man, she's one heck of a woman. I mean that in the least perverted way possible. I'm no perv.

I was snapped out of my daydreaming when I realized that Athena was giving me a questioning look and then was replaced by a small smirk. At first I didn't get what made her so smug, but then I realized that I had been staring at her. Damn, maybe I am a pervert.

"We're back!" I heard my dad's voice say from the ocean. I turned around to see him coming out of the water with Zeus at his side.

"Where were you guys?" I asked, not that I had noticed they were gone. I just needed a way to get over the fact that I had just been caught checking Athena out.

"Lord Zeus and I made a bet for the volleyball game. Whoever lost had to do the winners bidding." He grunted. I took that as a sign that he lost.

"Your father had to show me around his palace. I've never been there so it was interesting and quite beautiful."

"Father, I think it's about time we go back now." Apollo groaned with his face in the sand. Looks like he got beat pretty bad.

"Alright then. Get prepared everyone!" He ordered. Quickly, I ran over to my dad and gave him a manly hug and he did the same. Sure I'm no kid anymore but I can still give my old man hugs right? He looked up at me and grinned. I was a few inches taller than him and had a nice height, but I wasn't too tall.

"You've made me so proud. I expect great things from you Percy and I know you won't disappoint me. One day, you shall become a great god." We grinned at each other and I nodded at him.

"See ya later dad." I gave him a little salute and zapped myself back home.

Athena's POV

We were all back on Olympus and everyone was bruised and battered thanks to me but they should've seen it coming. They took that as a warning to not tell anyone else about Percy and I, but Aphrodite is still at it with her games and keeps trying to get me to admit that I have feelings for him. I know that deep down there is something I feel for him. I want to protect him, want him near me, and never want him to leave me. Although, I honestly don't know what kind of relationship we have. It's not really a couple-relationship and we're not exactly friends either. It's hard for anyone to explain, even the Goddess of Wisdom can't figure it out.

"What's got you thinking so hard?" I looked around to see Artemis in her hunter uniform as she took a seat next to me on the semi-circular, caramel-colored couch in my living room. It was an extremely formal palace. The floors were black marble with small owls etched in as a design. There was a large window that stretched across the whole place with at least 30 foot tall, golden curtains. It basically looked like the most expensive hotel in the world.

"Nothing of much importance." I responded.

"I know you better than that Athena. It's Percy isn't it?" She said it like it was a question, but I didn't respond since she already knew the answer. She nodded knowingly. "You know, he's actually the first man that's actually caught your attention."

"Oh of course not. You know that I've had small affairs with mortals."

"Yes, I know that. But he's different. You're interested in him because he's hard to figure out… like a puzzle and knowing you, your dying to solve him. Yet at the same time, you want him."

"You sound like you know me more than I know myself right now."

"I do, at the moment anyways." She paused and then continued, "No man, mortal or not, has ever confused you like this before, odd isn't it?"

"Indeed it is." I said rubbing my temples. What is it about him that makes him different, kind, brave, and attractive all at the same time?