Percylover008, your moment of glory has arrived! Sorry there's not much but there will be more next chapter! Thanks for being so awesome and supporting me and this story! couldn't have done it without u! :D

Leo's POV

I stepped through the door of the Big House, my heart still thudding anxiously. I saw Chiron sitting in his wheelchair at the head of a table, with Annabeth, Jason, and Piper sitting at the table. Jason smiled when he saw me and gestured to the chair next to him. I slid into my seat and greeted everyone. "Hey guys. Sorry I'm a little late."

"Quite all right," Chiron said, smiling. "Well, let's not delay any longer. You all are familiar with the plans, yes?"

A collective nod rippled around the table.

"How soon can we leave?" Annabeth asked, sounding agitated. Her gray eyes were anxious, and I knew she was itching to be off so she could be another step closer to finding Percy.

Chiron frowned. "Peace, child. I assure you we will not put off leaving, but we need time to prepare. The ship is complete?" he addressed me.

"Yes, sir," I replied.

"It is just after six o'clock," Chiron said. "You four may skip the bonfire and stock the ship with supplies. Then, I suggest you get a good night's sleep. Does anyone object to leaving tomorrow morning?"

I wanted to call out, I do! I don't want to go tomorrow! But I kept my mouth shut. Nobody else said anything either.

"So we are all in agreement," Chiron said, sounding pleased. "This meeting is adjourned. Rest well, and we will meet in the morning."

That's it? I wanted to say. We were about to go on a quest to fulfill the second Great Prophecy! That meeting wasn't a full five minutes! My heart rate increased. Chiron had to have something else to say! Some advice, some words of encouragement maybe. Why was he just sitting in his wheelchair like he was relaxing with a book or something instead of giving some people advice that they would need?

Unsettled, I got to my feet and trudged out the door with Annabeth, Jason, and Piper.

"So, what now?" Piper asked.

"We prepare the ship," Annabeth said, like that should be obvious. "I can't even tell you how much supplies we'll need: weapons, backup weapons, ambrosia, nectar, proper food and water…"

"We get it," I interrupted. Annabeth glared at me.

"Sorry," I apologized. "I just feel really unprepared for this."

Her stormy gray eyes softened a bit. "I know. I remember my first quest. And I remember the first time I led a quest. I had no idea what I was doing either."

"Well, let's get started then," Jason said. "Chiron gave us permission to skip the bonfire."

My heart sank. I'd planned on seeing Anne at the bonfire. After leaving her all alone and still upset in the bunker, I wanted to make sure she was okay.

"Um, can I catch up to you guys?" I asked. "I'll come, I promise, but there's something I have to do first."

Annabeth gave me a weird look. "Fine. But you better come eventually."

"I promise!" I called over my shoulder as I jogged in the direction of the bonfire.

Everyone had already sat down and was singing about King Minos or something when I walked over. I scanned the line of Apollo campers leading the sing-along, looking for Anne. She wasn't there.

I spotted her in the front row of the amphitheater, looking worn out and tired. She made no move to sing along with everyone else, and as I watched, she took a marshmallow from a nearby bag, speared it with a stick, and purposefully let the flames of the bonfire catch hold of the marshmallow. She made no move to extinguish it, and as I watched, she brought the flame too close to her face for my likings and stared at it sadly.

"Hey," I said, sitting down next to her. Her head jerked up and she blew out the flaming marshmallow.

"Hi," she said, smiling tiredly.

"Why aren't you singing with your cabin?" I asked gently.

"Not in the mood," she replied.

"I'm sorry I left you alone in the bunker," I apologized, slipping my arm around her waist and ignoring the amused giggles from the people sitting behind us. "I just rushed out on you, and I shouldn't have done that."

"You don't need to apologize."

"Yes, I do. Listen, I can't stay long. I wanted to make sure you were okay first before I go prepare the ship."

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning," I said, feeling a stab of pain when I saw the look of shock and sadness in her eyes. "No, don't think of it as me leaving," I pleaded. "Think of it as…as…"

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm waiting."

I smiled at her. "Think of it as me getting the chance to use all those words of wisdom and all that encouragement you've given me. How's that?"

She smiled, a sad half-smile. "A little better."

I kissed her cheek, prompting more giggles from the campers. I forced myself to ignore them. "There. I have to go now, but I want to see you later. Will you go out with me tonight?" I almost had to shout to be heard over the joyful, marshmallow-induced sugar-high screaming of the campers as the song finished.

"What?" Anne yelled. "I can't hear you."

"Will you go out with me tonight?" I shouted.

"What?"

"WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME TONIGHT?"

Countless heads suddenly snapped in my direction. I stood frozen to the spot, my mouth open and my heart hammering in my chest.

Oh my gods.

My cheeks flamed as red as the bonfire and almost as hot. That did not just happen.

"Well? Aren't you gonna say yes?" an Aphrodite girl named Ashley said after a long and awkward pause. She was standing just behind Anne, who was sitting there looking just as mortified as me.

"Um, yes," Anne said, managing to look at me.

"Yes what?" Ashley asked teasingly, flicking back her brown hair.

"Yes, I'll go out with you…?" Anne said, casting Ashley a quizzical look. "Is that right?"

"Perfect," Ashley grinned, giving Anne the thumbs-up.

Anne blushed bright red. I'm sure my face mirrored hers exactly.

"Um, pick you up at eight?" I asked.

"See you then."

I gave Anne one last smile and took off running as fast as my legs would carry me in the direction of the bunker, the hysterical laughter of the campers ringing in my ears.

Diamondsgirl: Sorry this chapter was short! I'll update more soon!

Leo: Noooo! *covers eyes with hands* so…embarrassed…why must I be tortured this wayyy?

Diamondsgirl: *heaves a why-must-I-carry-the-weight-of-the-world sigh* stars are so temperamental… I create a girlfriend for him and he acts like I'm the bad guy!

Leo: First falling into the creek, then the hellhound, now this!

Diamondsgirl: Would you rather I made Anne vanish away into eternal nothingness?

Leo: 0_0

Diamondsgirl: That's what I thought. Now go cry in your trailer where I don't have to listen to you anymore.

Leo: *sniffles and vanishes inside huge RV that has magically been driven through the borders of camp half-blood*

Anne: What's this I hear about vanishing into eternal nothingness?

Diamondsgirl: Nothing! Just go comfort Leo before he quits the story. *heaves another sigh* he thinks I treat him badly! imagine that!

Anne: *shrugs and walks away with huge box of tissues* Whatever. C ya.

Diamondsgirl: Forgive my insufferable stars. They simply have yet to learn the meaning of—

Leo: Insufferable? All you do is make me suffer!

Diamondsgirl: *throws particularly large rock at him* IT IS ALL IN THE MEANING OF ART! NOW STOP WHINING!

*turns back to fans* so sorry about that. please review or else I will throw more rocks at you! I mean it! :D