I'm so sorry it took me so long to update but, honestly, this chapter was a pain in the a**. It's another short, filler chapter unfortunately, thought the next chapter the quest will really begin. And I must think of a Prophecy first. Damn, that's going to be hard!

Wow, simply WOW. Thank you for the great response. I honesty didn't expect that but I'm more than pleased! You guys are simply amazing. Thank you!

PersephoneJackson123 - I'm glad! And I'm sorry I'm a bit late.

DarylDixon'sgirl1985 - You're welcome. And I guess that all gods ate a bit bipolar, at least in my imagination.

ptl4ever419 - Thanks!

medha - Thank you!

ThaliaElizabethChase - Wel, sadly, the quest doesn't start in this chapter , but I promise it will be in the next one.

guest - Thank you. I'm afraid you'll have to wait untill the next chap for the quest, though.

Halliwell 2002007 - Thank you!

GreekGodsRule - Well, they'll certainly be an interesting one (I mean couple). And I think Percy shouldn't let her step mother walk over her. She should stand up for herself (unlike Percy in the books)

roos 1414 - Yes, there are far too few, really. I've actually read only one other, beside mine. This is kind of sad really, because I think they are interesting and unusual match.

Heartfyre - Oh my God, I hadn't noticed this until you pointed it out! I've been laughing for a long time as I read it, probably making my mom think I'm crazy or something. :)

LucyAlerion - Thank you!

Lucky Guard - Thanks. And yes, Triton seems a little bipolar but in my head all gods do.

PJandLGequalsLove - I hope this is soon enough.

Lolstan - Thank you. I'm glad you like it.

Annechase - I hadn't even noticed until you guys pointed it out. I must copy this sentence and keep it stashed somewhere as the best typo ever. :)

latrinell79 - Done!

fem percy - Thank you!

Thank you all for your wonderfull reviews, my dear, lovely readers!

A Drop in the Ocean

Chapter 3

Children of the Sea

Percy wasn't one of the people that usually woke up early. Actually, she hated waking up before eight a.m.

But being under water obviously messed up her sleeping habits, because when she opened her eyes again it was only five in the morning. Realizing that she couldn't sleep anymore, she pulled herself up and went to brush her teeth and take a shower. She threw on a shirt and some shorts, before walking out of the room in search of a coffee. A surprised mermaid gave her directions to the palace's huge kitchens.

Percy was surprised to find about a dozen merpeople already there, working on making breakfast for their King's family. They all froze in surprise when the girl walked in, looking at her as if they had never seen another creature like her before.

"My Lady?" One of the mermen asked cautiously, after giving her a low bow. "Is there something you need?"

"Um, can I have a coffee?" Percy asked tentatively, shocked to see everyone spur in action, in hurry to finish her order. Soon a cup of steaming black coffee was placed in her hand, along with a plate of biscuits.

She quickly thanked the servants and left the kitchen, not used to the attention. She wandered around for a while, sipping the hot drink. She was so busy looking around herself that she almost crashed in a half-asleep Triton, spilling her coffee all over him. She fell back and landed hard on her ass, wincing slightly when she heard Triton cry out in pain. He was cursing loudly in Greek and Percy blushed bright red at the words that left his mouth.

"You - you idiotic girl!" Triton growled at her, his face red with anger. His white shirt was stained with coffee and Percy was pretty sure that the skin underneath would be red and burned.

"I'm sorry?' She offered but it sounded more like a question than a statement. The god glowered at her angrily and she flinched back instinctively.

"Yes, because that helps a lot." Triton grumbled, his anger evaporating slowly as the burn from the coffee subsided. He looked towards Percy, finally noticing that she was still sitting on the floor. With a sigh, he extended his hand to help her up. "Don't you ever look where are you going?" He murmured while helping her gather the cookies that had spilled on the floor.

"Thanks." Percy said, blushing at her clumsiness. "And I really am sorry. I was too busy looking around to notice where I was going."

Triton straightened up. "Do you want to breakfast?" He asked, running a hand through his hair, urging himself to be nice.

"I have-" The girl looked down towards the plate of ruined cookies in her hand, realizing that she didn't have breakfast anymore. "Alright, but aren't you going to change first?"

Triton glanced at his still dirty shirt in surprise, as if he had forgotten completely about it. With a snap of his fingers his shirt changed to a clean dark blue one.

The girl let him lead her to another room, different from the one they had dinner in. There was a table there as well, though it was much smaller and casual. Breakfast was already served and Percy's eyes widened at the wide variety of food. There were fruit, eggs, meat, bread and about a hundred more different things, carefully arranged in beautiful crystal plates. Deciding to keep it simple, she piled some pancakes with syrup on her plate, immediately digging in. They were delicious, she had to admit, but nothing could ever compete with her mom's blue pancakes.

They ate in awkward silence, not sure what to talk about. Finally, when Percy couldn't stand it she asked the first question that got on her mind, on the only topic they actually had in common.

"Where do you think we should go first?"

Triton looked thoughtful for a moment, his head resting on his palm, staring at nothing in particular. Percy took the time to let her eyes wander over his face, taking in his features. He had the typical straight Greek nose and full, oh-so-kissable kind of lips. His eyelashes were thick and dark, like his hair.

He was a handsome man, Percy realized, and only a fool wouldn't notice.

But so what if he was? She quickly told herself. It's not like she was attracted to him. He was rude to her most of the time and she was pretty sure he hated her even if he behaved strangely nice this morning. Plus, she didn't even like him!

"Well," He spoke up, attracting her attention to his mouth for a moment, before she quickly forced herself to look up. "I suppose we must speak with the Oracle first. It would give us some direction."

Percy almost chocked on her orange juice. "Wait, you mean Rachel?"

Triton just glanced at her as if she was an idiot. "Do you know of any other Oracles around?"

She crossed her arms in front of her chest, annoyed.

"Oh, yes," She smiled sarcastically. "I've met about a thousand of them or so." She could tell that Triton was not very happy with her attitude by the way he clenched his jaw, as if holding back a sharp retort.

"Listen to me, you foolish demigod," He growled out, his eyes narrowed with anger. "You might be the Hero of Olympus or whatever but I will not have you talk to me as you're above me. Do you understand?"

Percy felt anger bubble beneath the surface of her skin and shot up from her chair, Triton following suit. They glared heatedly at each other across the table, neither backing down from their staring contest.

"I'm not one of your subjects!" The girl spat out, leaning on her hands the gripped the edge of the table. "I refuse to let you order me around and talk to me like I'm something bellow you!"

"Percy! Triton!" Poseidon called out sharply, walking into the room, finding his children locked in a glaring fight. Both heads snapped towards him immediately and he was glad to see that they were sheepish and guilty. The Sea King strolled further in, moving to stand between the two of them, looking at each separately. "I don't want to know what that was about," He said when they both opened their mouths to explain. "But I want you to forget about it on this quest. You must learn to work together, not try to kill each other." His children looked down in shame. "Now apologize to each other."

There was a moment of silence in which both Percy and Triton refused to be the first to apologize. They looked like two children in the kindergarten, forced to say sorry to their fellow classmate. They were refusing to look at one another, hands crossed over their chests in pride.

Poseidon sighed and ran a hand though his hair. His morning suddenly wasn't going by plan. He had just wanted to have one nice quite breakfast with his family before he send out his children on a possibly dangerous mission and now he had to play the peacemaker between Percy and Triton.

"Triton, Percy, just apologize!" He cried out after a few more minutes of silence had passed.

"I'm not apologizing first! He started it!" The demigoddess whined, sounding more and more like a bratty kid. Triton just looked at her coldly.

"I'm not apologizing to a mortal." He snapped but shut up after meeting his father's angry gaze. He swallowed a few times, gathering his strength to apologize, even thought he didn't consider having something to be sorry for. His words have been mean but truthful, at least in his eyes. "I'm sorry." He murmured finally, but it didn't sound sincere even to him.

Percy huffed but nodded solemnly. "I apologize as well. If we want to finish this quest we must forget about our..." She pondered for the right word for a while. "-dislike for each other while we are out there." She didn't want to use the word hate, because honestly she didn't hate Triton. He was arrogant and rude sometimes and highly annoying, but she was sure that beneath all of that there was a great man, god, hiding. And she couldn't help herself but want to unveil him layer after layer to find the good heart underneath.

He did have a good heart, Percy was convinced. He was just hiding behind a mask that she felt compelled to tear off, just catch a peek at the real him.

And she promised to herself that she would succeed.

Percy glanced at the mirror, taking in her reflection. He long black hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, comfortable for fighting if the need arose, which she hoped didn't happen. Riptide was safely tucked in her jeans' pocket and the trident-ring was on her ring, as well as her shield, that was clasped firmly around her wrist.

Deeming herself acceptable, she sighed and picked her backpack up, glancing around the room before she walked out. Her father and Triton were waiting for her in front of the palace gates, where they would take hippocampi to Rachel's home.

Percy was so glad that her friend had decided to stay in New York for the holidays, instead of going on a vacation in Majorca with her parents, because, honestly, Percy had absolutely no desire to swim to Majorca.

Both gods greeted her when she walked over them, glancing at the too Hippocampi chasing each other and squealing nearby.

"Do you have everything you need?" Her father asked worriedly. "Provisions? Weapons? Nectar and Ambrosia?"

Percy actually chuckled slightly, patting him on the shoulder. "Stop acting like a mother-hen, dad, I'll be fine. This is not my first fiasco." Poseidon's eyes softened slightly and he pulled her in a small hug.

"I know, Percy. I just don't want anything to happen to you because of me."

And it was true. Poseidon was worried for his daughter. Frightened, more like it . He knew Triton would be fine, he was immortal after all. But his baby girl wasn't and he feared something would happen to her.

"I'll keep her safe, Father." Triton murmured, too quiet for the demigoddess to hear, but the Olympian heard him clearly. He met his son's eyes over Percy's shoulder and silent understatement passed through them. Triton wound not let anything happen to Percy.

Poseidon watched as his children mounted their rides, urging them up towards the surface. His heart clenched with worry, but he knew they were both strong. They would be alright.

They were children of the Sea after all.

So that's it for now. The quest starts next chapter so stay tuned. And let's see if you could surprise me with as much reviews as last time. I know you can! Keep up the good work and so will I.