Woo-hoo! We made it to ten chapters!

Moving on, I learned that people actually read my author's notes (which is kind of a shock because I didn't think people did that) and now I will do my shout outs, as promised.

iPlanToBecomeYourObsession: Ha ha, wow. I appreciate that you took so much time to write that. I've never had "Bubble-gum ice-cream," but my favorite is red velvet. Mmm... red velvet. Anyway, I'll try to make that sentence. I probably won't be too good. "Walk straight-forward and then walk straight-back," she sing-sang to the well-built polka-dot. (what the heck am I eating that made me produce that?) Thank you for sparing me by not destroying me with your "amazing-ness."

Obsessivebookdiva: I know, right? I was doing the same thing with my friends! I also kept saying "Dang it, Ethan! Lose an eye!" because Ethan Nakamura (or however you spell it) didn't have an eye-patch. And they went against mythology, again! Come on, directors! But in the book, Annabeth was knocked against the cave wall and they had to use the Golden Fleece to heal her. The movie got it wrong though, along with practically everything else. "A half-blood of the eldest gods shall reach 20 against all odds," I mean seriously!

bookworm of gallifrey: That, dear reader, is a question that you need to answer for yourself. I suspect there will be a lot of soul searching at first. Then, you'll go on spectacular adventure that requires mountain climbing, crossing dangerous rivers, fighting a mythical creature, and some epic background music. The villagers will celebrate your victory greatly and tell the tales of your journey for many thousands of years to come. Hail to you, great warrior, hail to you.

(I have waaaaaay too much free time.)

Another friend of mine has been trying to find this so I need to put in another inside joke. The Dark Mark burns.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters mentioned aside from Perry. All characters mentioned excluding Perry belong to Rick Riordan.

Okey-dokey! (in case you haven't noticed, I like to use interjections.) I'm not really sure what to do with this chapter. I have a good idea in mind, but I don't think I want that to happen yet. This will probably be only in Perry's POV. Don't worry, after this it gets really really really juicy. (malicious smile.)

WE SHALL PERSEVERE IN OUR SCENE!

Perry's POV

I don't really know what happened, but after the sun disappeared under the ocean, Leo let go of my hand and I went below deck. I walk down the stairs and start to think about Leo. The way his hair curls, the smirk he gets when he's right, when he catches on fire when he's nervous or excited. So I may be dealing with a lot of problems right now, but, hey, I'm still a teenage girl at heart and I am allowed to drool over a boy if I want to.

I'm so lost in thought that I walk right into the dinning table in the middle of the room. Have you ever run into something and felt like you've just been shot in the hip? That's what just happened to me. I clench my teeth and wince as I wait for the pain to subside. "Well, that was graceful," I criticize. I sit down in front of the plate set out for me and start thinking about spaghetti. Moments later, the plate is full of warm, fresh pasta and red sauce. Man, I love these things.

Hazel comes out from her room, wearing pajama pants and a Camp Jupiter t-shirt. I assume she was changing into her pajamas when she decided to open her door. "I thought I heard you out here," she says and makes her way to the table. She sits down across from me and says, "What made you decide to quit archery for the night?"

I think about how Leo and I watched the sunset and smile. "Nothing," I say, playing with one of my meatballs. Hazel gives me a knowing look. "Why are you smiling?" she asks, though she probably knows the answer. My smile grows wider. "No reason," I respond before popping a fork full of food into my mouth.

Hazel's mouth forms a smile. "I knew you had a crush on Leo," she almost squeals. My face heats up slightly. "What happened up there?" Hazel asks excitedly.

"Nothing extreme," I say, embarrassed. "We just held hands and watched the sunset."

Hazel tilts her head. "Aw, that's sweet. You know, that sounds like something Percy and Annabeth would do," she says dreamily before her face turns serious. I stop twirling my fork in my pasta and look at Hazel. We sit in silence before the question bubbling inside me jumps out. "Hazel," I start, no longer smiling, no longer giddy. "What happened to Percy and Annabeth?"

Hazel sighs and leans back into her chair. "It's a really, really long story..." I shrug at her, "I got time."

Hazel purses her lips. "It all started with a prophecy. It's called the Prophecy of the Seven." I lean in, listening intently, as Hazel recites the lines.

"Seven half-bloods shall answer the call

To storm of fire the world must fall

An oath to keep with a final breath

And foes bare arms at the Doors of Death

"Everyone on this ship, except for Nico, Coach Hedge, and you, is one of the seven. Me, Frank, Piper, Jason, Leo, Percy and Annabeth. Percy and Annabeth were in love. More in love than I had ever seen any two people. It's like they were made for each other.

"Anyway, Annabeth's mother, Athena, sent her on a quest to find the Athena Parthenos. But at the same time, Nico was being held captive by two evil giants, Ephialtes and Otis. Leo, Frank, and I went out to try to find him while Percy, Piper and Jason went somewhere else to do just that. Annabeth went off alone to finish her solo quest. Percy, Piper and Jason found and saved Nico. Meanwhile, Annabeth was facing a lot of trouble in her quest. She met Arachne and tricked her into making her own prison. When we showed up, Annabeth had trapped Arachne and the floor of the building was broken.

"While everyone else was securing the statue, Nico, Percy, Annabeth and I stay behind." Hazel's eyes start to water as she recites what happens next. "Annabeth's legs were wrapped up in a spider's web. Percy grabbed onto the side of the cliff. I tried to call for help but no one did. Percy let go and they fell..."

Even I feel like crying after hearing that. How could something so horrible happen to people who cared so much for each other? However, still have one more question. "Hazel, why does Leo think this is all his fault?"

Hazel licks her lips and answers. "Leo kind of accidentally destroyed Camp Jupiter."

"What!"

"He was being possessed by one of Gaea's minions. Our ship got hurt a little in the process so Leo and I went out to find metal to fix the ship. When we were searching, we came across Nemesis, the Greek goddess of revenge. She gave Leo a fortune cookie that would help him later, but would cost him something. Leo opened the cookie to save Frank and me and he thinks the punishment was Percy and Annabeth's fall."

"Was it?"

Hazel shrugs. "There's no way to be sure."

"It doesn't sound like it was his fault..."

"Well, after we all calmed down, everyone started blaming themselves. We've all learned the there was something we could have done, but that's in he past and the only way we can fix it is to get them out. Leo took it the hardest though. He didn't sleep for a week."

That's ridiculous. Has he even been in his room since the fall? I need to help him somehow. "Excuse me," I mumble before I rush up the stairs to the control room.

Leo's POV

I keep my hands loosely on the wheel of the boat and try hard not to nod off. My head bobs up and down a few times before I pinch myself awake. I start to consider hitting the sack and sleeping in my chair when I hear a knock on the door. I rub my eyes and walk lazily over to it. Before I can even reach for the knob, the door swings open and reveals Perry, why am I not surprised?

"Hello, my dear. How can I be of service?" I yawn at her.

"What happened to Percy and Annabeth was not your fault," she says simply but surely.

I blink at her. "Who told you?"

"Hazel. She told me everything. And I do mean everything," she says. "Leo, there was no way that you would've known what would happen. It's not your fault."

I turn around and walk over to the wheel again. "Perry, I chose to open that cookie. I knew there were consequences. It is my fault."

Perry marches up to me and looks me straight in the eye. "Leo Valdez. You listen and you listen good." I face her and see the hard look in her eye. I gulp nervously. "When you opened that cookie, you did not know that all of that trouble was going to happen. It's as much your fault as it is mine."

I open my mouth to protest but Perry puts her finger up to my face. "Don't you even dare," she warns. I immediately shut my mouth. Perry puts her finger down and exhales. "Okay, now go to bed."

I burrow my eyebrows together. "What?"

"You haven't slept in your bed since the incident. I want you to sleep in your bed so go."

I raise an eyebrow. Perry sighs. "I can handle everything up here. I've seen you do this stuff hundreds of times. I'll get you if anything happens. Just please go to bed."

She has a convincing point, but I'm not just going to leave my control room. "I think I'll stay here," I say slowly. Perry crosses her arms and shoots me a death glare that is absolutely terrifying.

I fell asleep the second my head hit the bed's pillow.

A/N: Well, that's that.

In the last author's note, I said you could ask me anything. I have gotten some pretty random questions from some sleep deprived readers. I will still take any questions; seriously, any questions; but if you could keep it about me, the story, my ideas, and all that fun jazz, much would be appreciated.

Sorry I left out stuff in Hazel's explanation, but we've all read the Mark of Athena (i assume) so why repeat the little details? Also, I'm probably half-conscious right now.

So the next chapter is going to be really juicy. We're almost at the end, my ducklings. Treasure these moments we still have.

Well, I'm gonna hit the sack. Good night!