Okay, so it's been about 6 months since I've even thought about this story, and for that, I'm sorry. The person who was helping me stopped answering my messages, so I really didn't have the motivation to stay up late doing homework AND this. Anyway, since it's summer now, I'm ready to start off on a new foot. Hope you guys like where this story is going and forgive me for ditching you all for a while!

Danes POV:

"Hey boys, how are you guys?" Rowans mom asked as we jumped in the car. She gave her only son a kiss on the cheek as he slid in the passenger seat. Being a boy, he wiped it away almost immediately.

Today, she was wearing a black v-neck shirt with a pair of jean shorts, her hair tied up and out of her face. I'm not going to lie, she was pretty hot. Always had been, in my opinion. It even seemed like she was glowing this morning, maybe the summer sun had something to do with that.

"We're fine, mom," Rowan answered, buckling his seatbelt, "BUT, you could tell us why we're being taken out of camp."

She sighed, looking agitated, but not directly at Rowan, "Me and your dad actually have some good news and some bad news, and we figured you might as well hear it in person."

He turned back in his seat to give me a look that screamed 'someone's screwed', and then came back around to turn on the radio. For some reaosn, I had a feeling it was us.

His mom, Thalia, asked us random questions about our lives and camp. I kinda zoned out, letting Rowan answer everything, to sit back and think. Even if he didn't realize it, he was really lucky. He had two parents, living together, who were actually in love! Each time I visited, they looked so happy with each other; cuddling on the couch; kissing over the stove while making breakfast; dancing in the foyer to no music. The love everyone dreams of finding.

It always made it bittersweet. My dad was a successful divorce lawyer in Manhattan, living in a penthouse apartment up the corner from his law office. He loved me, I knew it down inside, but sometimes it was hard to tell. He would spend every waking moment working on this case and that case, mostly flirting with the upset, newly single women. Because of his job and hearing of all the heartbreak, the only "love" he allowed was making it with strange women. I never asked my dad how I came along, but my guess would be just that. He was probably upset it was my mom, Nemesis, that happened to get pregnant with his baby. At least if she was mortal, he would only have to worry about me on the weekends.

Because of this, when I wasn't going to my private school or doing homework, I was always at Rowans. It was an easy atmosphere and I seemed to be more familiar with the Di Angelo's than my own father. They treated me like their own son and I knew I could talk with them about anything. I think they knew my situation and tried their hardest to make me feel apart of the family. They even told me once that I reminded them of they're old friend Rachel, who is still our Oracle at camp.

Noticing my silence, both of them talked amongst themselves until we rolled in to the driveway a little later. I was glad for the distraction, pulling me out of my own thoughts. Even though I'm usually an outgoing, loud person, they always seemed to make me a little sadder than I was before.

"We'll be having lunch in half an hour, Percy and Annabeth will probably be coming, too," Thalia (she refused to let me call her Mrs. Di Angelo) announced as she got out of the car and rushed to the backyard.

Rowan looked at me and rolled my eyes at my confused look, "If you hadn't zoned out back there you would've known we're having a cookout. I think she's going to tell us the news then."

I nodded, noticing the look Rowan had. He seemed nervous , fidgeting with his fingers and biting his lip as he grabbed his bag out of the car. We had been friends since I showed up at the age of 10, I knew his strange tendencies like they were my own.

"What do you think it is?" I asked as we dragged our luggage in the front door and to the back of the three bedroom house, where Rowans room was.

Nico, Rowans dad, was in the kitchen with a big plate topped off with raw hamburgers. He looked older all of a sudden, like he was carrying a weight much more than that of raw meat. When he heard our footsteps, he smiled up at us but quickly went outside when he heard his wife calling for his attention.

We threw our bags on the bed and Rowan closed the door before answering, "I'm not sure, that's what scares me. It's like they don't know how to react to the news. One minute they seem happy, another, scared. I mean, I can't make any judgment until I know the real news but it worries me. Not to much scares them anymore…"

He trailed off, leaving me thinking. Everyone had heard the stories of their adventures and if they were worried, we should be too.

He opened the door and made a motion to the backyard. I nodded and let him lead me through the house, even if I could go there with my eyes closed.

Rowans POV

It wasn't long until Annabeth and Percy showed up, which made me curious to why Maya wasn't invited to come. Even her younger sister was absent. With their distraught faces when they walked in our backyard, I figured it was 'for her own good'.

The hamburgers were served on toasted buns with American cheese melted all over them. I guess I could have them anytime I want at camp, but there's nothing like sitting in your own backyard, smelling the aroma of the meat, and waiting for news you're not sure you want to hear.

With joined hands, we said a prayer to the gods and began eating. My godparents, Annabeth and Percy, were sitting across from me and Dane as my parents sat on the end of each side. It was oddly quiet, no one wanting to break the silence. Just the sound of pickles crunching and jaws moving.

I was the one who finally broke it, "So, can someone please tell us the news. It has been a long night and morning of wondering for us."

The adults all shared a questioning look and my dad shrugged, "Okay, good news or bad news first."

We chose good, just to lighten the mood a little bit.

My dad looked at my mom with a big smile and rose his eyebrows. She gave a happy sigh and smiled bigger than she has all day, "Well, me and your dad are going to have another baby."

Silence. Everyone was looking at me to see how I would handle the news. The truth is, this is not what I was expecting. Sure, they're young enough to have a couple more kids if they wanted, but why? They know it's hard to have demi-god children, especially one from the children of two of the big three (dang, lots of numbers). Apparently I'm one of the most powerful demi-gods at camp, even though I haven't been able to show it. Except in capture the flag, i dominate that game, not gonna lie. And having a little sibling of my own? That will take some HUGE getting used to. But I can see the excitement on there faces. It seems like they may have been trying for this for a long while.

Not wanting to ruin the happy expressions on everyone's face, I forced a smile, "That's awesome! I'm so shocked."

They laughed and I looked to Dane for some guidance. If anyone could see past me, it was him. He nodded with a smile, and I knew that meant 'we'll talk about it later'.

Despite this wonderful news, I knew the bad news was still left behind.

"And the bad?" I asked.

Percy, who had finished his burger in record time, knew it was his time to speak. Annabeth looked like she could cry. "Well, ok. Maya has been abducted. And there's nothing we can do."

Oh snap. Like? Dislike? Please comment and tell me, that would be great. And, if you're feeling in the mood to help, please visit percy jackson fanfic . webs (plus the .com, minus the spaces) and vote for my story Of Death and Roses. Just click on about us at the top and vote! Also, if anyone has any ideas about what I could do next chapter, please shoot me a message! I would love the fan help J