Day of the Claiming, one month earlier...

Apollo sat with a pain in his chest as he watched his daughter walk away. Shifting into his minutely different Roman form he sighed heavily and tried to ignore the glares sent his way. While glad his daughter wouldn't have an extra burden just for existing, he was sad he couldn't love her openly. During the Roman Claiming he left his thoughts drift.

I'm such an idiot. I threw away Percy for what? Why? I was bitter over the punishment, she pushed for it. But...that's not a good reason. It's stupid. We couldn't try for another child but...we could've always adopted. I have a daughter now but not with Percy. He dared a look up at Dia. She hates me. Makes sense, I wasn't loyal and I broke her trust by not telling her. I should have, why didn't I think of her domains. If I had told her right away would there have been a chance at staying together? He averted his eyes as Dia glared at him. When in her Greek form she was scary when she wanted to be. But in her militaristic Roman form she was downright terrifying. Her clothes were similar to that of her Greek counterpart, that is, mostly mortal clothes. Her armor, however, changed from bronze to gold. Her hair gained gold streaks throughout and she used more weapons, mostly of the stabbing variety. Her title as goddes of loyalty was more revered in Rome whereas the Greek saw more of the time aspect. She was often depicted with Athena as a military leader since she led the demigods through two wars. Apollo avoided eye contact for the rest of the Claiming as Dia kept her weapons in weapon form and rarely concealed them. The hair clip/sword, took a couple of extra seconds to get ready so Apollo knew he could flash away.

The Claiming ended quickly, or at least seemed to, and the gods were dismissed. Many stayed behind to talk to their kids, others flashed away to meet with their Greek children. They weren't keeping them apart but the Claiming went smoother when they were all in one form during the entire thing.

Apollo slipped out the door after Dia, still keeping his head down from the glare Neptune sent his way. She walked a ways away before turning back into Percy, she walked slowly towards the palaces.

"Percy!" Apollo called. He shrunk back at the glare she threw over her shoulder...he takes it back, both of her forms were terrifying.

"What?" Her sharp tone made him flinch. She was definitely angry but hurt was right below the surface.

"Can't we talk?"

She paused in her walking. Her voice was controlled with barely any inflection. "Pray tell, Apollo, what do you wish to talk about?" His throat closed as he stared at the back of her head. "I know, how about your infidelity? No, how about the Oath you swore to me? I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME!" She spun around, her normally sea green eyes a blazing gold. Tears made her eyes shiny but none fell.

"I did-I do-" Apollo stuttered in the face of her wrath.

"THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE CHEATED ON ME!" She flashed away. Time, Apollo noticed, started again and he realized that no one would have heard that. Grateful that it was still secret and then immediately banished the thought. People should know so they could punish him, but he couldn't do that to Jessica. His thoughts swirled as he thought of what he did. How he threw their love on the ground and stomped all over it. He jumped as a hand landed on his shoulder.

"You okay? You've been staring at that spot of ground for a good ten minutes or so." Apollo looked up into the face of his half-brother, Hermes.

"I messed up so bad."

"Yeah, yeah you did." Hermes hand slid off his shoulder.

"Thanks." Apollo scoffed.

"Do you want me to tell you it's all right, then?! You screwed up big time. I can't believe you hurt her like that. Were you planning on keeping it a secret? Just leave your daughter feeling unwanted?"

"I was going to tell her..."

"When? You had twelve years. She knew when it happened and still gave you time to tell her. If you would have told her what had happened, oh mighty god of truth, then you still might have a relationship to salvage." Apollo winced at the title. Hermes sighed. "Go find someone to talk to about this. Being me or someone else. You're hurting too." Hermes turned and walked away, shoulders slumped as he thought of the trouble between his friends.

I need to talk to Percy about this. How I can get her back. How do I do that when she won't even talk to me?

Too afraid to enter their...his palace again he took to the streets of New York. Rather, the alleyways. He walked around aimlessly, bumping into the occasional person when he ventured to the actual streets. He eventually ended up at a library. In the following years of being a goddess they had incorporated Percy into the myths the mortals read. They made it seem that she was a secretive goddess so that it wasn't too odd when artifacts about her just started showing up in Greece. Since the mortals started learning about her even they fell in love with her. They incorporated her into their architecture, this library obviously had an Athena centric theme, most did. But at the top there was different goddess statue standing. Percy's statue gazed across the people under her, her eyes shown with a protectiveness that made the mortals unconsciously relax. She protected the mortals and was the unofficial goddess of mortals, unofficial because, well, that's not an actual domain. Her statue stood beside a clock that merrily showed the time, faithful Blackjack on the other side, one wing draped over the top. Apollo looked away as it seemed even her statue looked angry at him. His feet took him to the bar he was at when he met Kate. He remembered how he was able to refuse her, but I wasn't strong enough myself, Percy stopped me and not even realizing it was me. He wandered around and found himself staring dejectedly at Kate's apartment building.

I need to talk to someone, Hermes was right. But who? His eyes wandered as he looked at the people passing by, finally resting on a bus stop and the people around it. A happy shriek drew his attention to a little boy who was being tickled by, who Apollo assumed was, his teenage sister. The teen picked up the nine year old and carried him over to an older lady. Mom. Apollo mouthed in time to the teen's word. Flashing away quickly the tall buildings turned to ancient trees, the wind created by a passing car, replaced by the breeze of the ocean. He paused to soak up the view of his birthplace.

"Apollo?" He turned around to the voice and smiled when he saw his mother standing there. Her long dark honey brown hair was pulled back and trailed down her back. She still preferred clothing from ancient Greece. Her chiton waved gently in the breeze.

The longer he stared at her the more worried she looked. She looked startled as a sob tore through his throat but she opened her arms. Apollo's age went lower, from his late twenties to seventeen, as he was engulfed in his mother's arms.

"I m-messed up and I c-can't fix it." His tears landed on her shoulder and she held him tighter.

"What happened?" She asked into his hair.

"I lost Percy. I did something stupid and lost her." His breath heaved at the last word.

"Percy? She's a kind woman, I'm sure she'll forgive you." He shook his head frantically. Willing his mother to understand without words. He wasn't that lucky. "Why don't you think so?"

"She already knows and she's furious. She has every right to be." More sobs escaped as Leto rubbed her hand up and down his spine. After a few minutes Apollo explained. "I cheated on her." He buried his face further, not wanting to see the disappointment in his mother's eyes.

"Oh, honey. Why in the world would you do that?" He didn't answer. "You want her back don't you?" He nodded. "That might be impossible, I'm sorry to say. It depends on how she found out." Apollo flashed back to her angry yelling. He thought back to how he had the chance to tell her and blew it. If he had just told her he could have probably had a relationship with his own daughter. Leto gently pushed back her son to look him in the eye, her hands on his shoulders.

"She knew exactly when it happened." He hiccuped and sniffled. "She felt it in her domains." Leto's eyes widened. "I had a chance though. She gave me time to tell her myself but I thought I could get away with it! I thought that she would never have to know. I-I'm such an idiot."

"What you did was stupid." Apollo tried to pull back but Leto tightened her grip. "But I think, that in time, she'll forgive you."

"I had a child. A demigod child." He stared at the ground.

"Oh Apollo." Leto pulled him back into a hug.

Leto didn't know what had been running through her son's head when he cheated. She couldn't fathom why he would throw away such a wonderful woman as Percy. She was furious at his stupidity but knew that he was so regretful. He needed someone in his corner, someone to listen to him and help him without accusing him. But, she didn't know how to help. Percy had every right to not forgive Apollo, especially with her domains being what they were. Leto flashed them away to her home and she sat them down on the couch.

"What do I do?" He whispered brokenly.

"I don't know darling." Leto breathed out even as she tightened her hold. "But we can try to figure something out." Without knowing the complete story Leto tried her best to help her son.

A month later/Present day...

Apollo stayed on the island of Delos. Occasionally leaving to try to get Percy to talk to him. She'd ignore him or someone else would come and claim that something needed Percy's immediate attention. He'd spent maybe a total of five minutes in her presence in the last month. Even less actually talking to her. He almost felt bad because every time she saw him, her shoulders tensed and her gaze turned hurt and angry.

The day he was dreading came: Jessica's birthday. After today passed he officially forfeited his right to claim his own daughter. He bid farewell to his mother before heading off to the Camp. He wanted to talk to Jessica before the end of her birthday. He appeared on the porch of the Unclaimed Cabin, a homey but still somehow impersonal building as no one stayed long, so very different than the one he just left. He was surprised to see Jessica sitting on the porch.

"Jessica." He greeted as he sat beside her.

"Apollo." It was obvious she wasn't happy to see him.

"I-I just wanted to stop by and say Happy Birthday-"

"Well you said it. Good Bye."

Apollo winced at such a cold dismissal. "And give you a gift." He was glad she still wore the bracelet he gave her but then he doubted it was because it was from him. It was a functional gift, as it was also a weapon.

"What?" Her voice lost its edge but it still wasn't friendly.

Instead of talking he pulled the gift from his pocket and held it out. She studied it as he explained. "Since the powers you got from me won't be as strong since I'm not claiming you I figured I should give you this. This necklace will amplify your healing powers and it holds a small piece of the sun and when you want it to, it glows." She tentatively grabbed the gift. It was made of gold, like the bracelet, and a sun charm hung from it.

"A healing flashlight?" She asked, the corner of her mouth moving up in amusement.

"Uh- well technically you'd be the one healing. But, yeah, I guess the flashlight assessment is pretty spot on."

"Thanks, I guess." They sat on the porch, Jessica fiddled with the necklace as Apollo stared off at the rest of the cabins. His own caught his eye, in the moonlight it didn't look like much, especially compared to his sister's, but it made him sad that Jessica wouldn't be staying there. Tomorrow Percy would claim her and Jessica would move into Percy's cabin. As far as he remembered, Percy had two other kids she had claimed but Jessica would be the only adopted one. He felt horrible that his broken Oath would be the cause of Jessica's rough life but he hoped that being adopted by Percy would help.

"I guess I better go." Apollo sighed as he went to stand up.

"Wait." He stopped and stayed sitting. "I just-" Jessica looked away. "I just want you to know that I don't absolutely hate you." Apollo's heart soared. He had a chance. "But I can't accept you as my dad. My mom had talked about you in such a wonderful light, and sometimes she'd get angry at you for leaving. But now, I realize what those dates mean. You continued to cheat on Lady Percia. You're not my dad," Apollo's eyes watered but he understood where she came from. "At least, not yet. I'm giving you a single chance, but if you hurt Lady Percia any more. If you hurt me. If you keep messing up, then that's it. You'll just be another god to me."

His voice was thick as he responded. "That's all I could have even hoped for. I plan to make it up to Percy and I hope that someday you'll forgive me. Thank you Jessica."

Jessica just hoped she didn't just make a huge mistake. Some part of her just wanted him to prove that he did love her, not just because he felt he had to as her father. She hoped that he did, that she could have the father she never knew growing up. He flashed away and she put the necklace on, tucking it under her shirt. She went back to bed. Tomorrow I'll be adopted by Lady Percia.

You can call me Percy if you'd like. I allow the familiarity with those in my cabin and friends. Jessica's dream self startled at the voice. Sorry to scare you but there's something I need to tell you before Artemis, Hermes and I show up tomorrow.

What?

I am adopting you as my own, meaning you'll receive powers, if I had demigod children, that they'd get. People claimed by me wouldn't get as much as you would. There's two others that are claimed by me, both have minor power over time, freezing it for short periods and speeding it up slightly. Not enough to do any damage if they wanted. They could get weak minded people to trust them, almost like charmspeak, the person would trust their every word. You'd be able to stop time for longer, and your pseudo charmspeak would be more powerful, work on more people, even weak willed immortals. And you'd gain the ability to break loyalty ties, if they're weak enough, I'd prefer you didn't do that though, only if you have to. And as most people don't know I kept my water powers from being a demigod. Since they're a little weakened since I became a goddess you'd gain the ability to breath underwater and talk to aquatic and equine life. Of course there are limitations but we'll get to those later.

Why tell me this ahead of time?

Percy shrugged. So you're not blindsided, in case you wanted to keep it under wraps for a time. People will talk either way, if you're mine or Apollo's.

Why adopted me then? Why not just claim me?

I'm afraid you'll need the extra power for whatever Fate and the Styx throws at you. As a child of the Big Three I had enough power and, according to some, stubborness to overcome the punishment of the Styx.

You really think it'll be that bad?

I can only hope it won't be. But remember I'll alway be willing to help. Apollo will probably be too. Percy frowned.

What are you guys gonna do?

We're going to stay married officially for awhile but I'm moving to my palace or staying around Camp. I plan on eventually divorcing him. It saddened Jessica that they were splitting up but understood why she was doing so.

Thank you for informing me ahead of time.

You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow, well, today really.

Jessica slipped off into a dreamless sleep until she woke up. They all got ready and into a line to get to breakfast. Since people rotated in and out of the Unclaimed Cabin so quickly, the oldest person who A) had been at camp for at least two months and B) wanted to, became the cabin counselor. Jessica had been counselor since she turned eleven since the twelve year olds moved out into their parent's cabin. She led them all to the pavilion and they went to their table. Near the end of breakfast a flash caught their attention. Three gods stood in front of the head table. The demigods all stood and bowed, sitting back down with a hand gesture from Artemis.

"As you know, yesterday was Jessica's birthday." Hermes started.

"Sadly, her parent did not claim her. Whatever his reason was." Artemis continued.

"We came to see what Jessica's choice was. Join the hunt, adopted by Hermes or have me claim her." Percy finished. Jessica stood from her table and stood in front of the three gods, which happened to be right in front of Percy who was in the middle of the trio.

"I would love to have joined the Hunt but I'm not ready to swear off men just yet. Lord Hermes, I'm sure being you're daughter would be a wonderful experience but I'd rather be claimed by Lady Percia." Both Hermes and Artemis nodded they had already known her choice, they just had to put on a show for the others. Percy nodded before laying a hand on her shoulder. "I am Jessica Barnes, claimed by..."

"Percia, and I claim you as my own." They shared a smile before suddenly it went dark. The bright blue sunny day turned to night in a couple of seconds. The warmth started to leak out of the air, the false night turning cold. The sun had disappeared.

"Apollo." Percy growled before flashing away.

Right after talking to Jessica...

Apollo flashed to his palace, scared of what he would find, he had been away for a month. His chest constricted as he noticed that it looked and felt emptier. She had taken her things. Her books were gone from the bookshelf, her clothes from their room, the things from the bathroom. She took her pictures but left any that had him in it. What broke the camel's back? Gifts and nicknacks that he had gotten her were scattered on the bed. A pained scream tore itself free from his throat as he collapsed to his knees. She was truly gone. She moved out.

He sat curled up, leaning against the wall until his watch beeped at him. It was a warning that he was late bringing the sun chariot around, he was never late. Breathing deeply, he got up, freshened up and changed clothes before leaving to bring up the sun. It was early enough that barely any mortals would notice, Zeus or Artemis might scowl at him for being late but he wasn't too late really. He scanned the land below him, usually he only had part of his conscience driving the chariot but he needed something to distract him. It was mid-early morning when he looked down and saw Camp. It appeared they were still eating breakfast but the three gods caught his attention. Today was the day that Percy was adopting Jessica. Seeing Percy put her hand on Jessica's shoulder and claim her made him hurt. In his grief he flashed away, pulling all his consciences together, thus letting the chariot disappear with no driver. He went back to Delos, away from his mother though and cried. He lost his wife and his daughter and they got to be happy together.

Meeting. Zeus's voice broadcasted. Shaking his head to himself he curled up smaller and stayed in the clearing he appeared in.

Throne room...

Percy appeared in the Throne room at the same time as a few others. Hermes was quick after her and Artemis not much farther. Zeus appeared and summoned the rest of the Olympians who didn't already notice the missing sun. Mainly just Hades from the Underworld and Poseidon from deep under water and a couple others.

"What is Apollo doing?" He looked around, stopping at Percy and Artemis. Both goddesses shrugged, Percy scowling. "Does anybody know where he is?" Zeus asked.

"Today I claimed Jessica. I think he's upset about that. I don't think that warrants hiding the sun though."

"Okay, so where would he go?" Hephaestus asked.

"His palace?" Hades guessed.

Percy winced. "I don't think so. I moved my stuff out. He wouldn't want to be in there."

"He had a month to get used to it though." Hermes pointed out.

"Yeah, well sometimes that's not enough." Percy bit out, harsher than she meant to.

"Okay so not his palace." Artemis said carefully in the following silence, tugging Percy into a brief side hug.

"Hermes check anyway." Zeus ordered. The messenger god nodded and flashed away. They debated other places before he came back a minute later.

"Nope, not there."

They continued to toss around ideas, somebody flashing out to check on the more promising guesses. After a frustrating hour of trying to figure it out Zeus spoke up. "I suppose it can't be helped now." He sighed, ready to flash out.

"If we can't find him soon, we're going to have to figure out ways for the mortals to live without the sun." Demeter said before he left.

"I suppose that's true." Zeus settled back into his throne. "Poseidon and I can try to regulate the weather and keep it stable."

"Dionysus and I can keep the plants healthy without the sun."

"Grover can help too." Percy added.

"Hecate will need to fool the mortals. Hopefully the few clear sighted will go along with the many." Artemis added.

Zeus nodded. "We'll address any problems as they arise. Meeting dismissed." Everyone flashed out, Percy heading back to Camp. She hadn't been paying attention and flashed into the arena. She was fast enough to summon a blade and deflect the sword, instinct pushing her to spin and block the second person.

"Lady Percia!" Both campers exclaimed as they bowed.

"Rise." She sighed. "I'm sorry to interrupt." She nodded to them before walking off, the knife she had summoned disappearing.

"Percy!" Jessica called as she ran towards the goddess. "What happened?"

"Apollo is gone and he took the chariot with him. We tried to figure out where he went with no luck. The Council is doing it's best to protect everyone. Keeping the plants alive and such."

"Anything I can do to help?" They walked together towards the Big House.

"No. At least, not as of now. I'll let you know but I have to speak with Chiron on how and what we'll tell the campers."

Overall the information share made the Campers anxious and curious. They had no idea what would make Apollo hide the Chariot. They chattered amongst themselves in the arena seats as Percy and Chiron stood before them. Jessica studied Percy, the goddess seemed tired and not all there. She kept up her appearance, or Aphrodite did, but her eyes were flat. She turned towards Chiron, he nodded and she was gone. There wasn't even a flash which meant she froze time to make sure people didn't see it. She excused herself from the mayhem and walked aimlessly around Camp.

Maybe I should practice my powers, my cabin mates could probably help. But they're probably still in the arena. Frowning Jessica continued to walk.

Mount Olympus a week later...

Hermes frowned over the edge of Olympus. The mortals went about their business, most unaware of the continuous night. Nyx was either ecstatic or angry, depending on how much energy she used for her domain and how much she was receiving, he didn't really understand it. Artemis kept her normal hours but there wasn't much difference between real night the 'absence of the sun' night.

There were a couple of days where clear sighted mortals tried to tell the others. The ones who already knew of the gods were told. Hermes winced as he thought of the mortals who weren't believed and then ridiculed. He didn't how she did it but Percy was able to keep them out of the lime light and out of institutions.

"Where could he be?" He whispered to himself. His question went unanswered in the faux night air. It was somewhere around two pm in New York. He watched as a young boy scowled up into the sky, his mother probably scolding him for looking into the sun that wasn't there. Between Percy and Hecate they were able to limit and erase the exact time the sun disappeared. The mortals were none the wiser.

Meeting.

Hermes sighed before flashing to his throne. Once everyone was gathered Artemis spoke. "I thought of a location, Delos."

"Why didn't you just go directly there?" Hera asked.

"If he is there but doesn't want to come back then we need to at least get the chariot back. The lack of sun if putting too much pressure on some."

It was true. Zeus had to constantly closely monitor the air and its currents and keep it warm. Poseidon had to do the same with the ocean. All plant deities were called in and they were all tired from keeping the plants alive. Percy felt guilty and had been searching for Apollo while also helping the mortals as best she could.

"What do you suggest?" Percy asked.

"A sort of quest. We get demigods to get his chariot while someone distracts him."

"First we talk to him. If he refuses then we try getting the chariot." Hera said. Poseidon flashed away suddenly, after learning what the meeting was about and that he wasn't needed; no one was surprised. He had to be in the water in order to keep it from freezing. If it weren't for him the surface of the ocean would be ice by now.

"Who should talk to him?" Zeus asked.

"Leto?" Hera suggested. "She's his mother."

"Artemis?" Hades said. "Talking to a sibling might be better."

"I think Percy should. They need to talk so that Apollo can get through this." Aphrodite argued.

They dissolved into side arguments. Artemis and Percy ending up beside each other as they watched the chaos.

"We'll both go." Artemis announced after she'd glanced at Percy, holding their own silent exchange.

"We'll find Leto first and go from there." Percy continued.

"You should still have demigods on the island to take the chariot from Apollo." Athena said.

"We will. Jessica and Andrew will undoubtedly go and whoever else they decided to bring along. We'll all leave when they're ready." The goddess of Time explained before flashing away.

"In the very least we will get the sun back." Artemis assured her family before flashing away to her Palace.

At Camp...

All activity at the archery range halted as a brief flash of light caught the campers' attention. They all bowed briefly, aware of Percy's dislike of the tradition but unwilling to break the habit.

"Lady Percia. What brings you here?" A daughter of Hermes asked.

"I'm looking for Jessica. Do you know where she is?"

The daughter of Hermes didn't answer, her brother did instead. "I saw her at lunch, she said she was going with her cabin to strategize with the Athena cabin for Capture the Flag Friday."

"Thank you." Percy nodded before briefly flashing out. She reappeared in front of Athena's cabin.

"Lady Percia!" It was Andrew to notice her first.

"Percy!" Jessica exclaimed upon seeing her godly mother. The rest of the cabin looked up at the greetings before bowing or nodding in greeting, dependent on if they were standing or not.

"Hello. I need to speak with you and Andrew both." The friends glanced at each other before putting down their pencils and standing to follow Percy out of the cabin. Once outside Percy flashed them away to the forest.

"Any news?" Jessica asked before Andrew could get his bearings from the sudden travel.

"Artemis believes Apollo is on Delos. She and I will go and try to talk to Apollo. Meanwhile you two, along with one other with come with us but stay hidden. You'll try to steal the chariot in case it doesn't work out."

"Why demigods? Why not have other gods try to steal it?" Jessica asked. "It seems like it would be easier."

"The Sun Chariot is, technically speaking, one of Apollo's symbols of power. As the laws state, a god can't steal another's symbol of power." Percy said and Jessica saw the weariness again.

"Okay, we'll help." Jessica said, Lady Percia had willing helped her, even though she was the result of an affair. She seems so stressed and sad, the least I can do is help with this.

"Thank you. Pick your last member by tomorrow. I'll come by after breakfast to get you and explain more. Please pick someone competent." Percy whined.

"So no hot-headed Ares kid?" Jessica smiled.

"Exactly. Pick someone who can be patient. This is more of a stealth mission than anything else." Her head tilted slightly. "If you'll excuse me." She flashed away. Jessica assumed she was talking telepathically with someone.

"Well, let's go pick our third questmate."

"She couldn't have flashed us back to camp at least?! How far are we anyway?" Jessica laughed, shoving him into a tree and darting off. His friendly taunts and threats following her.

AN: So sorry for taking so long! I had pretty much this entire thing written for awhile I just couldn't figure out to end it. Thanks a ton to The Moyashi Beansprout Midget! She pointed a couple transitions that were too sudden and pointed out that Jessica need some more development along with helping me plan the next chapter. I don't know how long that'll take to come out, considering how this one went. I'm honestly probably not gonna write much until summer. But thanks for coming back for this! I really hope I'll get to see to this piece's completion as I'm particularly fond of it.

Oh and also, Percy not able to have children is not a huge plot point (although maybe further along there'll be a companion fic where she gets healed or something). My thinking was that she could not fix the scarring because when you turn into a god(dess) you get...frozen. Well, like injuries would heal but not old scars.

ALSO

Is anyone interested in a companion piece where you get to see what Apollo did to get banished and be a mortal in the first place? Let me know in a review!

~Dawnmoon