I can't stress this enough! Please review! You guys know how much I love reviews! It makes me very happy! I love hearing from you guys! Anyways, I can't thank you enough for over 3,000 views! I didn't think I would be this popular, but look where I am! Onto the story! Disclaimer: I don't own HOO.

Percy's POV

Of course, Percy was glad to have Annabeth back, but something with their relationship didn't seem quite right. Was it possible that Annabeth was cheating on him? No way. Just the expression on her face when she spotted him this morning in the crowd of Romans was proof enough that she was an extremely loyal girlfriend. No one could fake the excitement and happiness on her face that morning. So what was the problem? He just couldn't pinpoint what was making him feel so uneasy about their relationship, and it frustrated him. Aphrodite's messing with my brain, he told himself.

After their lunch in the mess hall, Annabeth suggested that they go on a walk together around New Rome. Why wouldn't the Architect of Olympus want to take a look around the town? This was one of the reasons that he wanted to go to college with Annabeth here in New Rome. It was a safe place for demigods, first of all, and it would be the perfect place for an aspiring architect to study. Annabeth stopped near some choice buildings and statues and gawked at them, complimenting their craftsmanship. To any other person, they looked like regular statues and buildings, but to Annabeth, they were outstanding pieces of art. Percy could sense that she had wanted to be alone with him for a while. They hadn't seen each other in several months, after all. Who could blame her? Annabeth's fingers were laced in his as they strolled through the streets of the town.

Once the two had circled the main streets of New Rome, Percy remembered a local outdoor cafe that Reyna had taken him to once.

"Hey, Annabeth? How about stopping at a cafe for a quick break?" Percy asked.

Annabeth nodded. "I could go for a snack."

Percy led her to a small outdoor cafe near the middle of New Rome. They took a seat at a small round table. Almost instantly, a waiter walked over to them and smiled.

"Good afternoon," he said warmly. "What can I get you two?"

"Two hot chocolates, please," Percy answered.

"I'll be right back with those," the waiter said, then left.

When he had left, Annabeth raised an eyebrow at Percy. "Hot chocolate? In the summer?"

"This hot chocolate is good, year-round. Believe me when I say that you will thank me later," Percy replied.

Annabeth shrugged. " If you say so."

They sat in silence for a moment before Annabeth said, "This is a quaint little place."

Percy nodded vigorously. "Reyna took me here once. That's when I first had the hot chocolate here. Reyna let me have a sip of hers. It's her favorite drink."

"You and Reyna are pretty good friends, aren't you?" Annabeth asked quietly.

That's a weird question, Percy thought.

"Uh, yeah. She's an awesome co-praetor. I just feel bad that she had to shoulder the weight of two praetors for a long time."

Annabeth hesitated before saying, "you make this sound like it's all Jason's fault. While I get why you think that, it's really not his fault."

Percy sighed. "I shouldn't have snapped at him the way I did earlier," he said. "I know it wasn't his fault, it's just that, I got a little protective of Reyna, you know?"

Annabeth reached over the table and took Percy's hand. "You're right. Reyna didn't deserve to have to take the responsibility that she did, but you need to calm down. That's all in the past. She's fine now." Annabeth paused and locked her grey eyes on Percy's green ones. "You know, Seaweed Brain, when you disappeared, I was furious at you. But then, I realized that it wasn't your fault. It's no one's, really."

"Well, one could blame Hera, but I'm not pointing fingers," Percy said sarcastically.

Annabeth laughed. "That's true. I don't yet understand the extent of what Hera's trying to do, but her plan seems to be working, so far. I mean, the two camps don't really hate each other now."

Just then, the waiter returned with two steaming cups of hot chocolate. Annabeth took one and sipped the scorching liquid. "That's good," she said. "Hot, but really good."

Percy grinned. "I told you so."

Reyna's POV

Reyna sat on her "praetor's throne" while pondering the events that had taken place in the day so far. So much had happened in just a single day, and it was still the afternoon. She sighed to herself as she recalled the fact that both of her co-praetors would soon be leaving her in three weeks. Then she would be alone again. As much as she hated the thought, she knew that it was for the betterment of the quest that both boys leave Camp Jupiter. It's for the best. She told herself. The greater good.

Suddenly, a flash enveloped the room in light. When the brightness dimmed, in front of Reyna stood a beautiful woman with cascading blond hair and eyes that seemed to change color, not unlike Piper's. The goddess Venus stood before Reyna, looking surprisingly calm. All the gods should've been going through a state of mental craziness because they were split between their Roman and Greek personalities. Venus sure didn't look like she was going insane. She looked happy even, standing with a serene demeanor. But the main question was, why was Venus here to talk to Reyna? The goddess of love, visiting the war goddess's daughter didn't sit quite right.

"Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano," the gorgeous goddess said. Reyna flinched at each of her names. Each one brought back memories of her past. "I can only be here for a short time," Venus continued. "Jupiter would be outraged if he figured out that I was here, visiting you now."

"But, why me?" Reyna asked. "Why not visit one of your children?"

Venus smiled. A genuine smile with gleaming white teeth. "Because I have taken an interest in you, dear. Your love life is quite... interesting."

Reyna grumbled to herself. Of course, the goddess of love would be here to talk about Reyna's crappy love life. But, Reyna really did not want to think about guys right now. She cursed under her breath.

"What is there to talk about?" Reyna said plastering a fake confused look on her face.

Venus's face turned more serious, but she still had a trace of a smile. "You know very well what I'm talking about. I have to say, dear, that I'm terribly sorry about Jason, but I wanted to make your romance eventful."

Reyna scowled. Stupid love goddess. Venus was the reason for most of Reyna's current sorrows. She wanted to scream at the goddess to leave her alone, but Reyna knew that would cause even more unnecessary problems.

"But Percy," Venus started. "That could be interesting."

"Don't bring Percy into this." Reyna's scowl deepened still.

Suddenly, the beautiful goddess laughed. It startled Reyna. "Reyna, I know that you care for him. In fact, you care for him a lot more than you would like to admit to yourself."

"What d- what do you mean?" Reyna stammered, taken aback.

"I promised that I would make Percy and Annabeth's love life complicated, and you might just be the pawn I need," Venus said. "Now this could be entertaining. Especially considering the way Percy..." She trailed off. "No, no, dear. You need to figure it out for yourself."

"Figure what out?" Reyna said.

"You need to figure out on your own if Percy truly cares for you or not. I'm not an oracle, after all. You will discover how your love life will unfold, all by yourself."

Reyna was angry. What was Venus talking about? "I promised myself that I would never fall in love again," Reyna said.

Venus sighed slowly. "Then you may already be breaking that promise." Just then, Venus's form flickered, no doubt into her greek form. "My greek side is.. ugh.." Venus groaned. "I must go now, Reyna. Remember my words. But trust me, dear, you may not be able to keep that promise to yourself. At least, not to its full extent." Then, the goddess of love disappeared with another flash.

Reyna sat, stunned at the conversation she had just shared with the one and only Venus. What did the goddess mean when she said that Reyna may not be able to keep her promise? Honestly, Reyna didn't want to figure it out.

How did you guys like this one? I personally loved writing it! I had an idea the other day, that I should bring Venus/Aphrodite into the picture. I mean, she did promise to make Percy and Annabeth's love life difficult. I thought this was the perfect moment to put that in play. Again, please please review and tell me what you think. I am always open to suggestions and advice. Thanks so much!

-Bookish77