There was no way Percy Jackson was going to win this fight.

He could hardly breathe, and the way his chest rattled when he coughed was cause for alarm. He didn't know how much longer he'd last, but it was the middle of the night and he didn't want to worry anyone -- or put others in danger.

He figured it was a cruel joke. Maybe it was The Fates throwing a monster at him in the middle of the night as a punishment for the things he'd said about them when he was twelve. All he knew was that he was struggling, and his optimism was quickly slipping.

Percy's thoughts traveled to slipping back under the soft blankets of his bunk and drifting off to sleep to the calming sounds of the saltwater fountain. Despite his dreamy thoughts, he continued to fight the monster. The sooner he beat it, the sooner he could get sleep.

As a wave of dizziness hit the experienced demigod, the monster pushed Percy down into the gritty sand of the beach's surface. He was ready to accept his inevitable demise when a booming voice that startled him sounded from the shore.

"Get away from my son, you wretched creature!"

Percy watched in awe as his father appeared, as if out of thin air -- and killed the monster with ease. As he lay there, Percy became aware just how tired he really was and fought his body's efforts to fall asleep. His attempts to stay conscious failed short after and he collapsed in a matter of seconds.

When he woke up, Percy found himself in a comfortable bed. As his eyes focused more he noticed someone standing over him and blinked rapidly as he tried to find out who. Paul? There was no way. He didn't know where camp was, and couldn't even get in.

When he realized who it was, he did a double take. It was his father. Poseidon.

--

When Poseidon realized that his son was in trouble, he knew he had to help. He knew damn well what Zeus would do if he found out he had helped Percy, but the stakes had been too high.

. Once Poseidon had defeated the monster, he'd rushed over to Percy only to find that he was asleep. He had hoped that he was not dead, but he relaxed upon seeing the slow rise and fall of his favored son's chest. Poseidon had then carried his son back to his underwater kingdom and brought Percy into the room he had built for him when he had rebuilt his palace. Poseidon had waited for Percy to wake up next to his bed, never losing his patience. He was about to get up to leave when he saw Percy's sea green eyes that so closely resembled his own flutter open. It wasn't long before the teenager spoke.

"Dad?" To which Poseidon replied,

"Yes, Perseus?"

"What is going on?" The demigod asked as he pushed himself up with his elbows.

"You looked as if you needed assistance, so I did so. You fell asleep soon and I brought you to my kingdom."

"Oh."

"I believe that you are sick?"

"You-" Percy interrupted himself with a cough. "think?" Poseidon was somewhat upset to see his son like this.

"I've asked Apollo to come see you tomorrow."

"O-" He coughed again. "kay. That doesn't feel that neces--"

"I need to contact Chiron and tell him not to worry about you, and that you'll be staying with me for a short period of time."

"Mkay..." Came the tired response, followed soon after by a loud sigh. In a manner of minutes, Percy had fallen back asleep.