Percy was the first to spot Prince Leo. He was in a makeshift canoe, rowing with a makeshift paddle. Percy wondered what island he had been on. Had he seen her? Percy wouldn't get the chance to find out as Hephaestus' ship picked him up. He could see Hephaestus giving him a bone crushing hug. He felt Poseidon stand beside him. They stood in an awkward silence before Poseidon cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Get ready to depart." He turned and ordered Captain Hedge.

"Yes, your majesty." Captain Hedge bowed respectfully. "You heard him! To your stations! Oars in the water! Sails down! We have a lot of ocean to cover!"

The deck jumped to life. Percy was one of the first up the mast ready to drop the sails. The drums started at a slow rhythm. Once the sails were loosed, Percy looked out across the water to see their ship lead the way, with the rest of the fleet flanking them in a flared out V. Hephaestus' ships started to move, but they lumbered heavily in the water at a much slower pace as Atlanis' ships paved the way.

Two days passed before they caught up with the fleet. Captain Hedge barked out orders to slow the ship before causing a collision. Percy scrambled up the mast and helped pull up the sails and tie them off. He looked out and saw Athen's ships at the head with Zeus right behind. Their ship glided up fairly even with Zeus' ship as Percy finished tying off the sails. He slid down the nearest rope to the deck and quickly tied it off. He glanced over at the ship they were closest to, then did a double take. Percy recognized the tall muscular blond as the heir of Zeus, Prince Jason. What caught his eye was Annabeth standing next to him. She was smiling at him, then, like a knife to his heart, she hugged him tightly. Percy's mouth went dry. Jason glanced at him. Percy's hatred for him grew to an extreme boiling point, as he forced himself to look away. The worst part was how wrecked he felt. He cared deeply for Annabeth, but he couldn't stand to see her with someone else. Was she using him? Did she really prefer Jason? Was everything she ever said to him a lie? He retired to his cabin for what he considered the rest of the day.

However, a couple of hours later, Poseidon barged in. "There you are. We are due on Zeus' flag ship."

"What for?" Percy questioned.

"Giving a report." Poseidon said gruffly.

"In the middle of the sea?" Percy looked at him disbelievingly.

"He likes everyone to know he's in charge." Poseidon said dryly.

"Is he afraid of you?" Percy asked curiously.

"More like he's afraid of you. On deck in five minutes." Poseidon said as he left.

Percy groaned as he got up. The prospect of seeing Jason made him want to jump overboard. He stood dutifully next to Poseidon as the two ships pulled up next to each other with the oars drawn in. Percy couldn't help the glare he gave Jason as they stood across from each other on their prospective boats. Percy hated the fact that Jason's blond hair and blue eyes made him and Annabeth look perfect together. Not to mention that Jason was the heir to the high king. All he could see when he looked at him was his arms around Annabeth.

"Welcome aboard King Poseidon." Zeus greeted formally.

"Thank you, High King Zeus " Poseidon replied equally as formal, as he boarded the ship.

Percy didn't say a word. He didn't dare, lest he let something slip he would regret later.

Jason gave him a friendly smile, which Percy did not return. Jason's smile faded. He cleared his throat uncomfortablaly.

"You're quite smaller than Jason." Zeus scrutinized. Percy looked over at Jason. He was maybe an inch taller than Percy and much more muscular. "How long have you been training?" Zeus probed.

Percy looked uncomfortably at Poseidon who gave no indication what he should answer, so he said, "Twelve."

"Only twelve." Zeus mocked. "Jason's been training since he was three." He bragged.

"Father." Jason said with a warning tone.

"I'll wager, my son could beat your's, legend or no legend " Zeus bolstered.

Percy could see several crew members looking on with great interest.

"Father, we shouldn't." Jason attempted.

"Don't we have business to attend to?" Poseidon tried to steer Zeus away from the idea.

Percy, however, liked the idea of attacking Jason. "I'm game." Percy stopped the conversation as he leveled his gaze at Jason. Percy couldn't tell if Jason was uneasy at Percy's boldness or not.

Zeus laughed heartily as he patted Percy's back a bit too hard for comfort. He roared, "See there, the boy would like to. Get the sparring swords." Zeus ordered.

Two sailors approached with two wooden blades complete with a hand guard. Percy took the one offered to him and weighed it in his hand. It was lighter than he was used to.

Zeus and Poseidon had taken up seats at the bow of the deck. Jason swung his sword back and forth with great strength.

A sailor had taken up position between Percy and Jason. "Salute." He directed. Percy and Jason each brought their sword guard to their chin, then sliced it through the air. "Ready." The sailor looked between them. Percy wiggled the fingers of his free hand in anticipation. Jason held his sword with both hands in front of him, unmoving. "Fight!" The sailor shouted as he moved out of the way.

Percy attacked recklessly, swinging his sword with all his strength. Jason deflected each blow with ease. He noticed Jason wasn't very aggressive. He was more careful. Percy smirked, "What happened?" He asked casually.

"What?" Jason was thrown off guard with the question.

"Did Reyna beat you one too many rounds?" Percy scoffed. "Stop holding back."

Jason flushed red, changed position and attacked. Percy met his force with a blow of his own. Jason moved quickly but powerfully. Percy tried to find a weakness, but Jason matched every move he made. The sailors had taken to shouting their encouragement. Percy could have sworn he saw dracmas pass hands. Percy was beginning to think that there was no beating him when he saw a part of the deck open up and a sailor climb out. A thought flashed through his mind. It was completely insane, but Percy wasn't thinking clearly since he saw Annabeth's arms around him. Before anyone could react, Percy charged recklessly at Jason. He didn't quite tackle him to the ground, but he made him back up just enough to step right into the opened up deck. Several things happened at once. The sailors Zeus and Poseidon all called out in alarm. Jason grabbed at Percy, trying to prevent his fall. Percy lost his balance and tumbled to the decks below with Jason. They landed roughly with the air knocked out of both of them. Percy managed to sit upright when Jason punched him across the face.

Percy went to swing back when a shrill command shouted, "That's enough!" Percy stopped to see Piper walking down the hallway.

"Well aren't you popular. Who isn't visiting you." Percy snarked.

"Everyone alright? Zeus called down.

"We're fine. Just fine. We'll call it a draw." Jason called up.

"A draw?" Percy raised a challenging eyebrow.

"Go have your meeting, I'll show Percy around, like we discussed." Jason gave Zeus a look that clearly had some meaning behind it. Percy couldn't help but wonder, what exactly they had discussed.

"Alright. You're sure you're not hurt?" Zeus pressed.

"Just some bumps and bruises." Jason called up as he rubbed the back of his head.

"We should be getting to business, anyway. No need to hold up the entire fleet." Poseidon offered. His voice was firm, but he looked nervous.

"Humph." Zeus grumbled as he stood up. "Very well." He said as he led Poseidon away.

"Good spar." Jason offered his hand.

Percy looked at the offered hand with distaste, but he took it anyway. "Draw? I clearly won."

"You cheated." Jason pointed at him.

"I took advantage of an opportunity."

"You . . ." Jason started.

"You both lost. Have you forgotten what we're doing?" Piper glared at Jason

Jason's mouth snapped shut. "Right the tour."

"Tour?" Percy looked at him incredulously. "You invited me over to show off your ship?"

"No." Jason said defensively. "Yes." He changed his mind. "Kind of."

Percy gave him a confused look

"Just follow me." Piper smirked as she turned and walked down the hall.

Jason smiled as he wordlessly followed her.

Percy reluctantly followed.

"Piper, I believe you've met Prince Perseus."

"Briefly." She smirked at him, forcing him to recall their brief dance before switching partners.

Thinking of that night made him think of Annabeth, and that made him think about seeing her in Jason's arms. Percy was just forcing down his rising emotions when Piper opened a door revealing Annabeth. The air left his lungs.

Jason prodded him to enter. "I don't understand." Percy admitted as he walked in. As soon as he was through the door Annabeth punched him in the arm. "Ow! Annabeth? What is going on?"

"You are such a eaweed brain!" Annabeth said exasperated. "Jason invited you over so we could see each other."

Percy's eyes snapped to Jason. "I wanted to tell you, but Athena has spies everywhere. We didn't want to take any chances. Then you pulled your little stunt." Jason rubbed the back of his head gingerly. "We'll let you know as soon as they are done with their meeting." With that, Jason shut the door.

Percy was in complete shock. "So you and Jason are not . . ."

Annabeth rolled her eyes and punched him again.

"Ow. Okay, okay. I let my jealousy get the better of me."

Annabeth narrowed her eyes. "Looks like he got his payback." She said as she turned his face to the side to get a better look at where Jason had punched him.

"I deserved it." Percy returned his gaze back to her. Her hand was soft against his face.

"Yes you did." She breathed softly.

Percy suddenly became acutely aware of their close proximity, the shut door, and his accelerated heart beat. "Good thing I have you around to keep me in check, Wise Girl."

"Shut up and kiss me." She smirked.