Still don't own.

Author's apology. I have realised it has taken me a month to update this story. So here are my excuses:

Work, procrastination, writers block etc. Therfore I am sorry for your wait.

However this is my longest chapter. Over 2,800 words without my spiel.

The Outing

That night the demi-gods heard Hera screaming at Artemis's door to change Zeus back to normal. (Percy didn't know if Zeus had been normal to begin with). In the end Hera screamed and stormed off. Artemis wasn't present; she was doing her moon duties.

The next morning the sky was dark and foreboding. A thunderstorm could begin any time. Zeus had changed back into himself just before dawn. The group strolled into the throne room after breakfast in dribs and drabs. Zeus was sitting in his throne glaring at everyone, his eyes the colour of the already mentioned storm clouds. Artemis entered the room, she walked with her head down and ignored her father as approached her throne. Zeus followed her movements, his eyes more intense, and the atmosphere in the room sparked with energy. Artemis sat on her throne and looked up. She found herself looking at her father's eyes. She gulped. She knew she went overboard last night.

"Lord Zeus… Father… I apologise for….. Turning you into a …. Jackolope," stuttered Artemis, she looked fearfully at her father. Before Zeus could speak Poseidon started laughing.

"I can't believe you were a jackolope," said Poseidon laughing drawing the attention away from Artemis.

"We will not MENTION THAT AGAIN," thundered Zeus.

"What won't we mention again?" asked Hades walking into the room. He looked much more composed than the afternoon before.

"ARTEMIS (Laugh) turned ZEUS into a (laugh) JACKELOPE," confessed the still laughing Poseidon.

"I MISSED ZEUS AS A JACKOLOPE. Oh what I would do to see that," said Hades.

"You can," said Percy as he and Thalia handed Hades and Poseidon an item each. They then preceded to hand Artemis and Hermes another item each. "Someone took photos yesterday."

The already black clouds darkened and large raindrops fell from the sky and thunder sounded. Zeus looked ready to strike someone with a lightning bolt, but thankfully it was his hysterical older brothers who were cracking themselves at the photos provided by the demi-gods.

"How come Hermes gets one and I don't?" asked a disgruntled Apollo.

"He is the god of thieves. He would end up stealing one anyway … and it was his sons that took the photos," answered Thalia.

"Percy you promised not to tell," said the Stoll brothers.

"I didn't say anything," retorted Percy.

"I did," said Thalia rolling her eyes. Percy had found out and obtained the photos the night before. It was not for the jackelope photos that Percy had attacked the Stolls, it was other reasons. He was assisted by Clarisse and Chris. (Why Chris, assisted was that the two brothers had done a Grover and had taken photos of Chris and Clarisse, Percy and Annabeth in a situation that wasn't meant to be public).

"So what are we doing today?" asked Nico "Aunt Hestia said we are to go on an outing," he told his father.

"Aunt Hestia," stammered Hades.

"She is your sister," said Nico.

"Yes, but did she say you could call her that?" asked Percy looking at his younger cousin. Nico's mood had greatly improved from the night before. Nico had spent most of the night in their room, writing curled up on the bed.

"Let's look at the suggestions," said Hestia, secretly enjoying being called Aunt by Nico.

"First suggestion is … Surfing,"

"Who suggested that in the middle of WINTER?" asked Athena.

"Oops, I didn't think about that… I wanted to know if I was any good," said a red faced Percy. Athena rolled her eyes.

"Next suggestion is… Paint ball," said Hestia after pulling it from the box where they had been instructed to put their ideas in.

"Yeah- lets go and paintball," said Ares, Travis and Connor.

"NO," screamed half the room.

"I don't think so," said Hestia shaking her head. She didn't like violence. Most of the room didn't want to see the Stoll brothers with paintball guns. Hestia drew another two suggestions out of the box, ignoring the protesting son of war. The two suggestions were to visit the museum and go on a ghost tour. Hestia knew the Museum was Athena's idea and she knew that Poseidon would complain and so would most of her nephews. She also expected the majority of the demi-gods would also become bored. The ghost tour was either Hades or his son's suggestion and although Hades would protect her she didn't want to spend a night terrified.

Hestia sighed as she reached into the box and pulled out the last suggestion. Whoever had suggested it had included a reason why they should attend the place. It was also the best option, only one or two would complain.

"I have decided where we are going," informed Hestia to her family.

"Why did we have to come here? Whose idea was it?" Why stupid Seaweed's domain? Why visit an Aquarium?" asked an irate Athena.

Hestia had directed the godly group to act as a school group for the outing. Athena was one of the teachers. The other teachers were Poseidon (He did know the most about Marine Science), Hades, Demeter, Zeus and Hera. Athena wasn't the only god or goddess who was upset about visiting the Aquarium, Zeus had only agreed to go after Hestia and Rachel had declared that he was the principal and Hera was his deputy. Hades just didn't care. The rest of the gods were aged between eighteen (Hephaestus) and twelve (Hestia). Annabeth had pointed out that that an eight year old, Lady Hestia's usual form, didn't fit into the group, so she had grown to the same height and age as Nico.

"It is relaxing and educational that is why we are going to the aquarium. Now can you please SHUT UP," replied Lady Hestia laying down the law. Percy and Nico were trying to hide their amusement but were doing a really bad job. Athena glared at them.

"It just seems so weird that a twelve year old is telling off a thirty year old woman," explained Percy to a riled Athena while Hestia smiled but managed to hide her amusement. Apollo was also whinging, but that might be because he had to let Zeus drive the sun chariot, and in mini bus mode.

At the aquarium the first room held a huge large round tank in the middle filled with many different fish, rocks and seaweed. Annabeth and Percy were walking together with Nico tagging along. Athena was nearby, as was Hades. This small group were soon on one side of the tank. On the opposite side of the tank was everyone else, Percy soon groaned, Poseidon was giving a talk about the sea creatures in the tank, that was okay but all the sea creatures had moved to that side of the tank and were gossiping.

"The Sea God is here."

"He pointed at me," said a silver fish.

"He is telling the others about US," said the leader of another group of fish. Percy's attention was drawn away from the fawning fish by a grey fish that was swimming on his side of the tank. He thought that the fish was excited to meet a son of Poseidon, he was so WRONG.

"Oh my, it is Lady Athena! What is she doing in a place dedicated to Lord Poseidon? She and my Lord are rivals, I must show her that we sea creatures are not all bad," mumbled the grey fish as it swam in small circles. Lady Athena walked closer to the tank.

"Oh she is so gorgeous. Oh she is coming over, smile Frankie, smile," said the grey fish apparently named Frankie as it began doing back flips. Percy felt someone come up behind him, he thought it was Nico.

"That fish is so ecstatic to see Lady Athena," Percy said turning around where he realised that it wasn't just Nico, who but Lord Hades as well.

"Not your father?" asked a confused Hades.

"All the rest of them are delighted to see Lord Poseidon. This one 'Frankie' thinks Lady Athena is gorgeous, and is trying to impress her," said Percy.

"Athena stand in front of the tank for a minute," said Hades. Athena turned around confused and Nico quickly snapped a photo, which Athena missed. The photo would later show a grey fish named Frankie swimming just over her right shoulder.

"Mother isn't that grey fish lovely," said Annabeth.

"It's a fish," said Athena.

"I'm calling it Frankie. Don't you think it is lovely Lady Athena? It is even your favourite colour," asked Nico.

"Frankie the fish," said a bemused Athena. Hades scowled and she decided that upsetting his only son would not be wise.

"I suppose 'Frankie' is a charming animal," said Athena as Frankie continued swimming and showing off.

"Lady Athena thinks I'm Charming. I'm Charming," said Frankie. Percy grinned as Athena moved off and Percy whispered what Frankie had said to the others. Frankie had a story to tell for years to come. The small group moved onto the next exhibition.

The group was soon in the venomous and deadly section. Ares hadn't realised how violent and deadly creatures of the sea were- the Box Jellyfish, Stone Fish, Barracuda, Torpedo Ray, and Blue Ring Octopus. He knew about sharks, Poseidon and Hades often had fights about the deaths that occurred due to sharks. Unfortunately Poseidon continued to refuse to let him watch them when one went on a rampage. He tried to ask again but they were distracted by a scream from Athena and Annabeth from the next exhibition.

Percy raced to his girlfriend pulling Riptide out as he ran thinking a monster was attacking, however.

"Ssspider," stuttered Athena.

"Oh you found the spider crab. Isn't he great," said Poseidon. "It was designed with you in mind," said Poseidon grinning ignoring the glare from Athena.

"POSEIDON."

"Well that's one way to keep her away from you," said Demeter.

"Let's go see the penguin feeding," said Hestia before a fight could begin.

"Yes lets go see the spies," said Hades as the group made their way to the penguin exhibition. Ares was whining because he wanted to spend more time in the venomous and deadly exhibition.

The group sat and watched the feeding of the penguins while listening to the commentary. All the mortals were cooing and going on about how cute the animals were. Most of the group had not paid attention and once they realise it was over left the area. Poseidon, Hades and their sons were soon the only ones left out of the group.

"I don't understand Penguins," said Nico. "Are they part of Zeus's domain being birds or Poseidon's?"

"They are spies," said Hades laughing. Percy looked confused. Nico looked curious.

"Your Uncle Zeus wanted to know what was going on in my domain," admitted Poseidon.

"So he developed ducks," informed Hades.

"Unfortunately ducks only get a quick peek underwater, they are not really reliable," said Poseidon.

"What does he do to check on your domain?" asked Nico to his father.

"He interrogates his wife and mother-in-law whenever possible," tattled Poseidon.

"Unfortunately ducks didn't meet our paranoid younger brother's needs and he needed another spy, hence penguins," said Hades as he and Poseidon laughed.

"Penguins are usually found in cooler climates," said Percy.

"I know, Lord Zeus doesn't like that limit," said Poseidon "I did get some say in the design of the bird. That is why one type of penguin projectile poos. I was thinking of Zeus that day," admitted Poseidon as he, Hades and their sons cracked up laughing drawing the attention of mortals as the boys fell off their seats.

"Come on, lets find the others," said Poseidon. They then proceeded to leave the penguins to swim and preen themselves.

The next exhibition was coral reefs. The tanks were floor to ceiling high and brightly coloured fish, turtles and sting rays were swimming around. The girls were sitting on benches and were watching the fish. Gentle sounds of water running, waves and other music was being pumped through speakers.

"I can't believe how beautiful it is," said Aphrodite as she watched a school of brightly coloured fish swim past where they were sitting.

"This is relaxing," mumbled Athena. Those present were wise enough not to comment.

"The coral and other plants look like a private garden," said Demeter sighing. "Look at all the different types and colours." Her daughter Katie nodded in agreement.

"I think it's beautiful. I only wish that the sea creatures would stay still enough for me to draw them," said Rachel waving her sketch book.

Suddenly all the sea creatures and fish in the exhibition rushed to one side of the tank. Poseidon had entered.

"Uncle Poseidon would you go away, all the fish fawn to you. Look at them they are all crowded behind you, it's unnatural," said Thalia who then looked fearfully at the sea god.

"Sorry," apologised Poseidon. He turned to the tank "Enough grovelling, act natural," he said to the sea creatures in the tank, which they did.

"Where are the others?" asked Percy.

"Apollo, and Will were heading to the Gift shop to get a copy of this music," said Artemis.

"And to get away from you, after you threatened to feed him to the sharks," pointed out Hestia.

"He kept making really bad Haikus," said Artemis rolling her eyes.

Ares wander past, ignoring everyone and everything.

"What's wrong with Ares?" asked Hades.

"He wants to go back to the deadly section," said Artemis as Hades rolled his eyes.

"Ares come here," demanded Poseidon. He pulled his nephew into a darken corner and both disappeared. The group looked at each other. The pair returned about ten minutes later.

"There you go, a shark attack," said Poseidon.

"But, But it was a dolphin…. A SICK DOLPHIN," said Ares dissatisfied.

"What did you expect? Your father and Uncle don't like my subjects interfering with mortals. I ALSO DON'T LIKE IT, the mortals try to HARM the animal," explained Poseidon beginning to loose his cool. Ares backed away from Poseidon before storming off.

"Ares is so weird."

"What do you expect? He came from Zeus," said Hades at the same time Annabeth said,

"What did you expect? He came from Hera."

"We better find the others," said Athena. The others nodded. They headed to the Gift shop where they found Hephaestus, Apollo, Ares and their children along with Chris.

"Where are Zeus, Hera, Hermes and the Stolls?" asked Annabeth.

"Dad and my brothers got caught trying to steal from the gift shop," said Chris. Everyone sighed, their outing was over. Apollo, Will, Hephaestus, Chris and Clarisse had already gotten their souvenirs so they didn't mind when Hera called them to the entrance. Apollo and Will had music, Clarisse had shark earrings (given to her by Chris), Chris had a shark tooth necklace and Hephaestus had a walking stick with shark head carved into it.

Hades, Poseidon, and Hestia trailed behind as they grabbed souvenirs for the others. For Ares they got him a video of when sea animals attack. Aphrodite got a necklace with a dolphin and love heart on it. Katie and Demeter got a book each on the plants of the sea and seashore. Rachel got a glossy photograph book of fish and animals so she could use as a reference to sketch. Annabeth got a factual book on sea life. Thalia, Percy and Nico got a game each. The one where you push buttons that create air bubbles which move plastic rings up and you try to get them onto a hook. For Zeus and Hera they got them a stuffed penguin. Hestia also got stuffed animals for Hermes (octopus), Travis (Shark), and Connor (Dolphin). Hades paid for the items and they made their way to the bus, where they proceeded to hand out the gifts. Hestia handed Athena her gift, it was a relaxation video of fish and sea creatures swimming.

"What did we get Athena?" asked Poseidon.

"A video on sea life," said Hestia.

"Boring, my gift is SO MUCH better, than a boring documentary," said Ares pleased with his gift.

They were all distracted by Zeus marching the three trouble makers towards the bus.

"I can't believe you. We were having a nice family day and YOU RIUNED IT. AGAIN," said Hera.

"What did they steal?" asked Hades.

"It doesn't matter. Lets get out of here," said Zeus. Once Zeus and Hera were distracted by driving, Hera was a backseat driver, Hermes turned to his sons.

"Well at least we still have this," said Hermes pulling a rectangular item out of his pocket.

"What is it?" asked Connor.

"You don't know what a walkman is?" asked a shocked Apollo. The boys shook their heads.

"It's a portable music player- like an ipod. It came before the ipod," said Chris.

"I thought that was Discman for CD's," said Travis.

"What are iplods and Cee dees?" asked Apollo.

"IPODS AND CD'S are walkmans in the future," said Rachel.

As they arrived back to Olympus Hades turned to Hestia.

"So was today successful?"

"Yes."

"Who suggested the Aquarium anyway?" asked Poseidon, shocking most as they had assumed that it had been him. No one answered and Hestia couldn't tell who it was but everyone was thankful for the day out.

A/N: Please review in that magical box down below.

Ps: Spider crabs do exsist I saw one at the Aquarium where I got the idea for this chapter. There is also a type of penguin that projectile poos and depending on his diet, the colour changes.