-Clarisse's POV-

"Come on Chris. We are going to the weapon shop. I need to see what they have gotten in. I like seeing if mortal weapons are starting to be as great as ours." I said as I started leading the way toward the shop that I go to every time I come into the mortal world.

"Don't you think we should look for your dad instead of looking at weapons? Annabeth would kill us if she knew." Chris insisted, but he followed me anyway.

"Who cares what Princess thinks. She is the one who got us into this mess so she should get us out." I said while rolling my eyes. She will eventually solve the problem anyway. She is a daughter of Athena and they never give up. I know dad can take care of himself and why should I make finding the gods easier on Annabeth? She lost them after all.

"Aren't you worried about your dad? We should find him and then look at weapons. He could get hurt walking around New York by himself when he is only a baby. He could even be kidnapped!" Chris exclaimed.

"He'll be fine. For all we know, he could be in there too. Let's just go, Chris!" I said as I marched toward the store. Chris sighed but followed me anyway. He always went along with what I say and never questioned me.

I walked into the store and marveled at all the new weapons they had gotten in. I hadn't been to the shop in almost a year. They had gotten a whole variety of new weapons in since then.

"How may I help you? Not that a strong man like you needs help. I bet you know how to use all of these weapons and you look good doing it." A salesperson said as she eyed Chris. I balled up my fists getting ready to punch this girl for talking to my boyfriend like that. Chris grabbed my hands to stop me and shook his head. The mortal wasn't worth it.

"I have a girlfriend," Chris stated and the girl rolled her eyes and sent me a disgusted look.

"Is this her? She isn't even worthy of standing next to you. What's a hot guy like you doing with a girl like her? I am more of your type." The girl told him. I would have hit her and showed her what a girl like me could do if Chris wouldn't have restrained me.

"Clarisse, she isn't worth it. You are exactly my type and you know it. Don't let her comments get to you." Chris told me as he glared at the girl. "As for you. How do you know what my type is? You just met me 2 minutes ago. I'll have you know that Clarisse and I are very happy together. In fact, I am in love with her and there is nothing you can do to change that."

I froze when Chris said he was in love with me. We have been dating a year now, but neither one of us has ever said I love you before because we agreed not to say it until we were absolutely positive that we meant it. The only thing I have ever learned from the Aphrodite cabin is that you never get too attached at the beginning of the relationship because it may not end well if you do.

"If you're so in love with her, then prove it. Kiss her." The girl said with a smirk on her face.

That's the other thing Chris and I haven't done. I know it's lame but we just never kissed. I guess it means the same thing as confessing your love for one another. It shows that you're committed to your relationship. Children of Ares are not good in relationships and we are very superstitious when in one.

"We don't have to prove anything to her, Clarisse. Come on, let's just leave." Chris told me.

"No, Chris. We'll prove it to her. I am in love with you too." I said as Chris stared at me in shock. He was obviously not expecting me to say that, but there was no way I was letting this girl win and I really did love him.

We both leaned in for our first kiss. It was such a great feeling when our lips finally touched. It made the year wait worth it not that I would ever admit to anyone that I enjoyed the kiss though. Children of Ares do not enjoy kissing.

"What do you think of that, punk? Do you want us to kiss again to prove how he is my type and not yours?" I asked the girl.

"I uh...no" She answered in response.

"Don't ever flirt with my boyfriend like that again. He is taken. Do you understand me?" I drew out every word out since I had grabbed a dagger and pressed it up to her throat. I wasn't going to hurt her. I would be in big trouble if Chiron found out since there is no injuring mortals allowed. I would be on kitchen duty for months. Besides, I was only trying to scare her.

The girl squeaked a sound that kinda sounded like yes so I removed the dagger from her throat and threw it behind me.

It was a little stupid to throw a sharp object without looking where it would go but I was fueled by my anger. I soon learned my lesson though when the dagger lodged itself just above Chris' knee.

"Chris! Why didn't you move out of the way? Does the training you received mean nothing?" I asked while I removed the dagger from Chris' leg. The point cut all the way down to his bone.

"Help! Someone, please help! Get the manager! Call the police!" The girl yelled as she ran through the store.

I swore under my breath and I cleaned Chris' blood off the tip of the sword and threw it aside so there was no evidence when the police arrived. I then grabbed Chris' hand and ran out of the store. His cut was pouring blood so I handed him the emergency ambrosia that was in my pocket and continued running while he tried to keep up with me and eat at the same time.

Chris and I stood outside on the sidewalk after I thought we had run far enough away and stared at the people walking down the sidewalk when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I looked at it and it was a message from Annabeth. She said that everyone except Hephaestus was found.

"Chris, where do you think Hephaestus is?" I asked.

"A mechanics shop or maybe a hardware store." He answered.

"We'll go to the hardware store that is about 5 minutes from here," I said as I started walking down the sidewalk towards the store.

Chris and I didn't really talk on the way there except for the occasional complaint from him about his leg and me about the others walking down the sidewalk. Some people could be so rude.

We reached the door to the hardware store and just as I was about to push the door to go in I spotted Hephaestus through the window. I hurriedly pushed open the door and rushed over to where I had seen him.

He was sitting on the floor making something out of the pipe cleaners he had found. It looked like an airplane but it was hard to tell from here.

"Hey, Hephaestus. We have to go now. Put down the airplane so we can leave." Chris said as he approached him.

Hephaestus gave him a skeptical look and when Chris tried to take away his airplane he hit him in the head with a nearby hammer.

"Oh, my gods! That really hurt. Clarisse, it is your turn to try and get him to come. I've been injured enough today." Chris told me while rubbing his head.

I just walked up to Hephaestus and grabbed him in my arms. I threw the airplane on the shelf beside me and headed towards the door.

"He doesn't get mad at you for taking away the airplane but when I do it, I get hit by a hammer," Chris exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes at him and read my newest text. Annabeth wants me and Chris to go to Percy's apartment.

"Come on Chris. We have to walk another block to Prissy's house." I said as Chris groaned beside me.