We're now on chapter 8! And trust me, there are still tons more chapters to come! Guys, I can't stress this enough! Please, please review! I love hearing from you guys! You can give requests, suggestions, advice, or even just talk to me! Oh, and thanks so much for the continued support! We have now hit over 2,500 views for this story! Even though it's my first! Anyway, enough chitchat. Let's have Blackjack do the disclaimer, shall we?

Blackjack: *Neigh! Whinny, Whinny Snort.*

Percy: Geez, Blackjack! Why so harsh, man?

Me: Uh, onto the story then!

Annabeth's POV

Annabeth wasn't quite sure how she felt about Camp Jupiter. It seemed like a knock-off version of Camp Half-Blood. It was definitely less fun. And a lot more organized and orderly, which was a blessing and a curse in itself.

Reyna was alright, Annabeth supposed. In a few ways, she saw a little bit of Reyna in herself. They were both natural-born leaders, that was for sure. Their moms were both war goddesses. It's just that the Roman camp gave Annabeth bad vibes, and she didn't quite know why. She thought about this as she looked around the barracks that she was to stay in for the time being. She was told that she was staying with the fifth cohort, whatever that was. Apparently, the fifth cohort had an odd reputation throughout the camp. Weird, she thought. How'd they earn the bad rep?

When she and her friends were done settling in, Dakota told them that it was time for lunch. The demigods followed him to the mess hall. Along the way, Annabeth sensed several eyes on her, following her as she trailed behind Dakota with her fellow half-bloods. She didn't necessarily mind; she usually was fond of being the center of attention, but most of these stares weren't friendly. Annabeth straightened her spine. She would not show any weakness to potential enemies. Even if the Romans were friendly, she wouldn't show any flaws. She had to look strong.

Strong was the opposite of what she was feeling right now. She ached to see Percy again. She wanted to spend as much time together as possible to make up for the lost time that was spent when Percy was missing. Her heart throbbed to hold his hand again. She realized how much she missed his strong, but comforting grip over the past few months. She also realized how the absence of Percy had made her feel vulnerable. She now knew how much confidence and strength she received when Percy was near. She realized how much she relied on Percy to comfort her. Oh, Gods, she was glad to have him back.

They soon entered the mess hall. Annabeth saw Percy sitting next to Reyna on a comfy-looking sofa. They seemed to be deep in a conversation. Annabeth's eyes dropped to Percy's forearm. There was a little trident above a line. Underneath the line was the letters SPQR. Annabeth almost gasped. They had branded Percy? How had they done it? With scorching hot metal? She was about to ask Dakota when he spoke. "So, this is the mess hall," he said awkwardly. Just tell the invisible spirits what you want, and they will bring it to you."

"Anything?" Leo asked.

"Any food." Dakota corrected. "Reasonable foods, anyway."

Leo sighed. Annabeth walked over to Percy. He had since stopped talking to Reyna and was now talking to another demigod. Annabeth tapped his shoulder. He turned to her and smiled. "Did you get settled in?" He asked

Annabeth nodded "I'm staying with the fifth cohort. What's up with their reputation?"

Percy walked her over to a table and sat down. "The fifth is generally a place for, well, misfit demigods. Take me for example. I showed up out of nowhere, with no memory whatsoever. Therefore, I was placed in the fifth cohort. Also, someone who was a member of the fifth cohort lost Camp Jupiter's eagle standard a little while ago. It was the fifth's responsibility to get it back. When I was on my quest with Hazel and Frank, we found it and restored it to the legion. That earned back some of our respect," Percy explained.

Annabeth wasn't sure how she felt about Percy suggesting that he was one of the Romans. Percy was a greek demigod, not a roman one. This and the branding made Annabeth wonder if Percy even wanted to return to Camp Half-Blood, or if he had found a new home here. Of course, Percy would quest with them, but would he return here, or to Camp Half-Blood when the war was over? If they survived, that was.

Suddenly, invisible spirits came to take their order for lunch. They left as soon as they had arrived, then came back moments later with the food that the two had ordered, along with empty glasses. Annabeth eyed the cup suspiciously.

"It gives you any drink that you want," Percy said. "And magically refills. Try it."

"Uh, lemonade," Annabeth requested. The glass filled with the light yellow liquid instantly. Annabeth took a drink and sighed.

"I missed you so much, Seaweed Brain," she said, looking into Percy's green eyes. She reached for his hand. He laced his fingers into hers.

Percy looked down at the floor. "I missed you, too Wise Girl. And I'm sorry for suddenly disappearing and worrying you half to death."

"Look at me, Percy," Annabeth spoke. "We're together now, and that's all that matters, right? Besides, it wasn't your fault that you disappeared. Hera made you lose your memory, remember?"

Percy smiled weakly at Annabeth. "Yeah, you're right." He said. "But I still scared you half to death."

Annabeth smirked. "You sure did, and If you ever leave me like that again, Perseus Jackson, I swear-"

Percy laughed. "Calm down, Annabeth. It's like you said. We're... we're together now."

Reyna's POV

Reyna didn't quite know why she felt a sudden twinge of jealousy when she saw Percy laughing with Annabeth. She understood that they were dating, but for some reason, it still hurt. A lot more than she wanted to admit. Maybe she felt jealous because it reminded her of Jason. No, that wasn't it. Then she realized she was jealous of Annabeth. She mentally scolded herself for feeling that way. No romantic feelings remember? She told herself. Not after Jason. You swore to yourself. She thought.

She then felt a hand on her shoulder blade, reminding her of that morning when Percy had touched her the same way. She turned and was surprised to see Jason standing above her. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat.

"Uh, Reyna," he started. "About what Percy said earlier. I'm sorry I left you with the whole camp on your shoulders." He said sadly. "Even if I couldn't control the fact that I disappeared, I still want to apologize."

Reyna pressed her lips together. She wasn't angry at him, just sad. Sad that he had rejected her when she told him her feelings for him. Sad that he had a girlfriend. "It's fine," she told him quietly. She looked down at her hands. "It wasn't your fault. I understand that. Juno's ways are not our own."

Jason smiled a small smile. "No hard feelings, or anything, right?" He asked. Reyna shook her head slightly. He started to walk away.

"Oh, and," he turned around. "I missed you, Reyna."

"I... missed you, too," she told him as he walked toward Piper again. Reyna sighed to herself. No. You must not dwindle on things that can't be. She replayed the time in her mind when she was sitting in the Garden of Bacchus and was thinking of Percy and Jason. Those words still mean something. She told herself. Don't disregard them.

How was it? Please review! I LOVE reviews! Oh, and I realize that in the actual HOO series, the crew of the Argo ll did not stay for 3 weeks, but that was the time I gave myself to help the plot develop. I may even give myself more time than that. But the time that the series gave me was clearly not enough time. There was a little bit of Jeyna and Percabeth in this chapter, but I assure you, this IS a Preyna story. Besides, I HATE Jeyna, personally. Yes, there was a bit of Annabeth's POV but there will not be a ton of her POV. Mainly just Percy and Reyna's. I hope that this chapter wasn't too short. If it was, just tell me and I will work on lengthening my chapters. Review, and thanks for the support!

-Bookish77