Disclaimer: Me: *sighs*

Katie: What's up now?

Me: I think it's time I admit it.

Travis: *gasps* IT'S A TRICK! KATIE BEWARE!

Me: No *smiles sadly* It's nothing like that. I've decided. I-

Katie: Wait! Why are you doing this now?

Me: This story is nearly over. *sad music commences* It's time for the truth to be revealed! I DO NOT OWN PJO/HOO OR ANY OR RICK RIORDAN'S CHARACTERS/SETTINGS/PLOTS!

Everyone: Oh... That's it? We all knew that...

About: Travis and Katie go to the zoo with Cassandra, but something seems off...

Time: Tratie is married and live together. Cassandra is around four.

*Free! Eternal Summer theme song plays*

Katie's POV:

Cassandra clung close to my leg, leaning her head up to gaze at the animals. Travis smiled down at her and picked her up, holding her closer.

I watched as one of the elephants stretched out its trunk, Cassandra reaching out as well to meet it. Travis smiled, and I relaxed.

I knew she would be safe with him.

Our family had come to the zoo to celebrate Travis' promotion. It had been Cassandra's idea and I had to say both her and Travis were enjoying it thoroughly.

Of course, I was happy too. I was just a little worried some random monster would pop up and try to kill us. Not as many had come during the first few years after the Giant War ended, but they were back.

"Mommy, Daddy, let's go visit the monkeys next!" Cas begged, tugging on my pant leg.

"Alright," I agreed. "As long as both you and daddy promise not to act like the monkeys."

Travis stuck out his tongue at me, a childish gesture, while Cassandra laughed.

We walked around a bit more, gazing at the animals, and just hanging out.

After a while, a low growling sound echoed through the zoo. No one else seemed to notice it, but it worried me.

"Travis? Did you hear that?" I murmured in his ear. Cassandra was a little ways off, giggling at the dolphins in the tank.

"Hmm? Hear what?" Travis asked, slipping his arm around me.

"A growl. Maybe from a monster?"

"You worry too much. If anything happens, I'll keep you safe." he promised. His smile was gentle, and it soothed me.

I snuggled in closer, relaxing as he planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

Even though Travis assured me profusely that nothing was wrong, I couldn't help being on the lookout.

Cassandra was everything to me, and no matter what, I would always try to keep her safe. I had seen how Annabeth had been after their youngest daughter, Angel, died from a hidra attack.

She was heartbroken. I never wanted to seee anyone like that again.

After a little bit, I ended up forgetting about the sound, convincing myself I had just imagined it. However, a while later, a hiss behind me made me jump.

I quickly turned around, scouting the area. Even though I strained my eyes, I couldn't see anything suspicious.

Travis and Cass didn't seem to notice anything, so I decided to ignore it.

I told myself nothing was going on and eventually, it drifted from my mind.

~A FEW HOURS LATER

"Travis?"

"Hmm? Yes, Katie-kat?"

"I lo-"

A loud, shrill scream cut me off. The crowd around Travus and I scattered, revealing the view in front of us.

A giant zebra-like monster towered over Cassandra, pinning her to the ground. I yelped, tears immeduately springing to my eyes as blood steeped out from under Cass.

Travis lept forward, running toward the zebra. He pulled out his sword, which was designed to stay invisible until he needed it. He shouted insults, drawing the creature's glowing red eyes towards him. It lumbered away from Cass and I ran towards her.

I pulled out the dagger in my boot for safety and knelt beside Cassandra. She was quickly losing blood and my mind flashed back to the Giant War, bringing back the mempry of watching my half-sister, Amy, die in front of my eyes.

I wasn't going to let that happen with Cass.

I pulled out song ambrosia from my small purse and forced it down Cassandra's throat. Ignoring the red-stained grass, I focused on bandaging Cassandra's stomach, closing up the wound. I was no Apollo healer, but I would try the best I could do.

"Hiya!" Travis' yells rang out in the otherwise silent clearing. All the mortals had disappeared. Even so, with the blood rushing through my ears and my heart pounding, everything was slowly being blocked out.

Please don't be poisonous. I prayed that the Fates would be kind. After all we had been through, showing a little mercy on Cassandra would be a huge payback.

A splatter of golden dust exploded all over the place as the enemy vanished. Travis slumped to the ground, panting.

I gently picked Cassandra up and ran over to Travis.

"Cass?" he murmured. I placed her small hand on his cheek. He smiled, reaching up to wipe the sweat off his face.

Cassandra stirred, and Travis breathed a deep sigh. I helped them both to their feet and Cass staggered into her father's arms, falling asleep almost immediately.

We sat there for a while, keeping quiet. It had been so long since we had been in a situation like that. My legs shook whenever I thought of my daughter's near-dead body lying at my feet.

Travis got up, still cradling Cassandra.

"Let's go home," he murmured. "I'm never letting anything like that happen ever again."

I nodded, knowing that he meant it. I knew I could trust him. We were demigods, and we if there was one thing we treasured, it was family.

Nothing could come between the three of us. Not even the gods.

And I am done! Phew! This took forever!

It was fun writing TOAZ, but now it's over. Sheesh, I'm tearing up.

Anyway, I want to thank all my readers for all the support you've given me. I love you guys!

Q: What is your favourite book of the PJO/HOO series?