A/N: Sorry about the cliffhanger! But, you know you all loved it. So yeah. (Deepens voice)

"MEANWHILE, AT THE OLYMPIAN JAILS!..."

Percy POV

This is unconscionable. I can't believe I fell for his tricks again. I thought that he was true with his words, that he'd give me back my dear Annabeth, but he betrayed me.

Zoë.

She was betrayed once too. She helped a man she trusted, and he abandoned her. Much like Ares had done to me.

I look over and I see a very scared Tim. I knew if he came, he'd end up dying somehow.

"Hey Punk," Ares chuckled, propping up a seat next to my cell. If I wasn't in chains and behind steel bars, I would've tried to tear him to shreds.

"Why."

"Why what?"

"Why did you do this to me? Why did you make everyone think I killed Deimos, and stole something, when I didn't?"

"I said I'd get you back one day. Ever since that day at the beach when you humiliated me at my own game, I told you I'd make you pay."

I sulked in the corner of the cell, awaiting Ares to gloat some more. He simply fixed his chair and leaned forward.

"Percy," he began, softly, "I know you probably wouldn't want me to interfere in any way anymore, but I made a promise that I would keep you alive. So, I just want to let you know, that if you do end up escaping by some strange streak of luck, I'll be there for ya when you get out."

"Why?" I snarled. "What do you care about me? Or Tim?"

"If I didn't care I would've let you die days ago in Aphrodite's Chamber."

Then I remembered. Ares looked out for me every step of the way. He even rewarded me when I did something right. But did that make him worthy of my forgiveness?

Hell no.

"Be that as it may," I explained, "you still set me up. Now I'm gonna die in here with a helpless, innocent first-year camper. All because of you ."

Tim was in the corner, shaking. He isn't unlike other demigods. He doesn't want to die any more or less than I do. But here we are, in a crusty, worn, metal dungeon awaiting gruesome death at the hands of the Goddess of the Hunt. Because I was stupid enough to trust a man who has hated me for five years.

"Soon enough, kid," Ares said, almost distantly. "Soon enough, you'll understand."

And with that, he was out of the dungeons, leaving Tim and I to suffer. Other Gods visited, attempting to gather their final thoughts and say their goodbyes, but I could hardly listen to anyone. Even my father showed up, trying to apologize for his lack of actions, blaming it all on the shock of the situation. Him I could forgive.

Then she walked in. Her hips swayed from side to side, making her snug-clinging pink dress flow with the draft she created as she walked by. There was almost a delicacy, or a "forbidden fruit" feeling that fell over the room as she swooned and practically floated up to our cell.

Aphrodite.

"With all due respect Lady Aphrodite," I said dismissively, "your boyfriend is a total douche."

She turned her head slightly to get a good look of Tim and me, and flashed me that brilliant smile of hers.

"Oh, Perseus," she cooed. "How I wish it didn't have to come to this. You really were my favorite demigod. Of course, besides my children, bless their souls."

I sat there, thinking of what to say to comfort Tim. I was barely listening to the goddess. I was too upset, too depressed to say anything back to anyone.

"Yeah, yeah, sure," I mumbled, unable to really respond to her.

"So, I was wondering," she said carefully, "since you either die by execution or die trying to escape, do you think I could get…just one last goodbye kiss?"

I smirked. Not on her life…

Tim looked at me expectantly, like he knew something I didn't. Aphrodite had a reason for asking that question. I could tell by the look on their faces. I thought hard. If any of the Gods caught me besides Ares, they really wouldn't think much of it. But if the God of War passed by…

Uh-oh. Then I remembered my dream. I was going to have to fight Ares soon, and one of the things he mentioned was me "kissing his girl." Eh, she was the Goddess of Love and Beauty. I couldn't resist forever…

"Uhm…gah?" I said, repeating my famous last words from our first meeting two years ago in the Junkyard of the Gods. She smiled and held back a giggle.

"Perseus Jackson. A man of many words."

At that, she leaned in through the crease of the cell's bars, caressing the back of my hair as she did so. My heart was thumping so loud, my chest was pulsating back and forth against hers as I got closer, closer, and closer…

Tim was looking away, obviously disgusted. He covered his eyes with the palm of his right hand, talking unnecessarily loudly. "Percy? Are you done yet?"

Truth is we hadn't even started. She was taking her sweet time about it, enjoying every second of the nervous atmosphere I so heavily brought upon the room. She loved it when boys acted stupid and speechless around her.

Then it happened. She pressed her lips against mine, and it was undeniably perfect. Her lips were perfect…soft, full, juicy…I was in a state of pure bliss. Then I did something I thought I would never do, but also the smartest thing I had ever done. I opened my mouth as she opened hers, allowing her entrance. Her tongue started to wrestle my own, and my brain went on overload.

Houston, we have a problem! I cannot for the life of me remember who's playing today in the football game! WE ALWAYS REMEMBER WHO PLAYS. THAT CHICK'S TONGUE IS A FREAKING NAZI, MAN! ABORT MISSION! ABORT! ABORT!

I ignored my brain's pleads for freedom. I continued to relish the taste of her mouth, and it had almost seemed that she was smiling, almost laughing through our lips as she continued to press softly. Curse my teenage hormones! It took all of my willpower to not break through my chains and completely make-out with her, kissing, groping and all. Unfortunately, the amazing kiss ended a little bit too quickly for me. She pulled away, slightly gasping. Ya did well, Jackson. Ya did well.

"Remind me to make sure this happens again, babe," she whispered in my ear, pulling away slowly and winking at me.

As soon as she left the room, I collapsed against the cell bars. Tim uncovered his eyes and asked, "Did you get it?"

"Get what?" I asked. Before I could listen for a response, I started to cough, and grimace as if there was a bad taste in my mouth. Suddenly, I lurched forward, spitting out a golden key. Well I'll be damned, I thought. The chick likes me that much after all.

I laughed slightly. "She put a key in my mouth?"

Tim smiled proudly. "Magical awareness. I knew she had the key in her mouth the entire time."

I picked up the key, and immediately released my arms from their chains. Tim glanced at me and then laughed for real this time.

"You may not like her, Percy. But when the going gets tough, Aphrodite gets freaking raw."

Not long after freeing ourselves, Tim and I scurried through the dungeons, eluding the Gods as we did so. We had to be even sneakier than before, because no one ever escapes the Olympian Jails and lives to tell the tale.

Escaping the dungeon was only half the fun. In order to get out of Olympus, we would have to fly. Take Percy Jackson, add the sky, and put in a dash of escaped convict, and you get death by Zeus' hands.

I looked around frantically for a Pegasus or chariot. None were to be found. In order to find one, I would have to make my way to the edge of the mountain outside. Tim simply followed me. All I needed was a ride, and maybe Tim's magic could've helped me.

"Tim, buddy?" I asked him in a whisper. "That 'magical awareness' you mentioned? Can you maybe do that to find us a ride?"

Tim nodded, and closed his eyes shut. After a couple seconds of silence and squinting, his eyes flashed open and he looked at me.

"There's nothing I can pick up. But don't you have a Pegasus? Blackjack, wasn't it?"

Yet again, I looked utterly, completely stupid. I'm sure it was Aphrodite's awesome kiss that had my brain melted into mush.

Making our way outside, we ran for our lives to the end of the mountain, but unfortunately, Artemis (most likely) pulled the alarm system, sending the Olympian guards into frenzy.

So the next couple moments of my life were filled with blinking red lights, torn prison outfits, rain and a muddy mountainside, and armored, immortal guards out for blood. I'm just living the dream, aren't I?

At the end of the mountain, I slid and arched my toes to stop from toppling over the edge, while also grasping Tim to keep him from falling as well. Putting my fingers in either side of my mouth, I whistled as loud as I could. "Blackjack!" I yelled. Immediately, I heard flapping and a rush of wind. Pegasi usually grow faster with age. Suddenly, the black beauty swooped over our heads and landed beferoe me, bowing.

Boss! What's my time?

"Um, I think…five seconds?" I chuckled.

New record! Yes!

I threw Tim up onto the back of Blackjack, following soon after, not before looking back to a frantic Olympus. Without a second thought, I ushered Blackjack to fly off of the edge, downwards and out of the Home of the Gods.

As we flew, the wind picked up and blew my hair back. Not long after we were approaching the city, a rogue Pegasus and its rider kamikazied itself into Blackjack's side, sending us flying off to the side. The rider had tanned skin, blonde hair, and tattoos on his arms.

"WHAT"S YOUR BUSINESS IN SAN FRANCISCO?" he yelled over the sound of the wind. I looked at him like he was insane.

"NOTHING! THIS IS NEW YORK ISN'T IT?"

"NEW YORK IS ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE U.S., DUMBASS!"

Uh-oh. Apparently I was on the wrong end of the mountain. I was in San Francisco.

But if I was there, then who was this guy?

"WHAT'S YOUR NAME?" I yelled. He looked in front of him, then back at me again.

As soon as I asked him that, he pulled up next to me. When we reached the final atmospheric layer and were directly over the skyline of San Francisco, we slowed down and began cruising next to each other. He smiled at me, and half-laughed at himself for his own hostility.

"I see you're a demigod," the guy said, eyeing Blackjack and then a very frightened Tim. "I'm one too. I'm a Son of Jupiter. Don't worry, I'm running from something too."

"I asked for your name," I prompted, getting impatient. He smiled again, causing his tanned face to slightly dimple.

"My name is Jason. Jason Grace."

A/N: That was kind of evil of me. But I had too. Take it from me, I added Jason in for a reason! You'll just have to wait and see. Oh, and I cannot express how empowering all of these positive reviews are for me! Thank you all, but don't stop! Your reviews will sustain me…so that the next chapter can be posted even sooner!

— Chris