Me: Thanks for the reviews guys! :)

And yes, Aphrodite was the woman in Percy's illusion/dream.

This is: Family

Kind of got the idea off of the review Lemariz left a few chapters back, about how I needed to do a father/son bonding thing with Nico and Hades. And then I started writing about Thalia and Zeus, Percy and Poseidon, and eventually just decided to use all of the gods with children.

This will be a Olympian parent/ child bonding thing. One child per Olympian after the war.

Percy, Poseidon/ Nico, Hades/ Annabeth, Athena/ Thalia, Zeus/ Pollux, Dionysus/ Clarisse, Ares/ Silena, Aphrodite/ Katie, Demeter/ Jake, Hephaestus/ Travis, Hermes/Will, Apollo/ Zoe, Artemis/ Nico, Percy, Hestia/ ?, Hera

Summary preview: Because you can never give up on your family

Percy

"You did a very brave thing, turning down the gods offer of immortality." my father told me, as we sat at the beach. The Olympians were actually trying to reach out to their children, and this was one of the many visits that were sure to come this summer.

I shrugged. "I knew the unclaimed kids needed the promise more then I need to be on a council of stuffy gods."

Poseidon snorted. "Who ever said you would be an Olympian? You could have ended up being some minor god that everyone ignored. Kind of like Hebe."

"Who?"

"My point exactly."

"Hey, no one forgets the savior of Olympus that quickly. I would be the cool god for at least a few decades."

"Keep telling yourself that, son."

"I will, thank you very much. So. How is life in the Big Blue?" I asked, vaguely interested.

"The usual. Triton keeps irritating the merfolk, the dolphins threaten to quite being peacemakers if the sharks keep bothering them, Cyclopes make hundreds of swords that will occasionally disappear for long periods of time, usually ending up somewhere by the Bermuda Triangle. Hippocampi swarm your brother."

"And they say being a god is boring."

Poseidon sighed. "Not always the best job, but you can never claim that it is boring."

I laughed. "I suppose you're right. I guess they complain about pay raises as well?"

"Oh, don't even get me started on that. I can understand Hades' torment if this is what he puts up with from dead people forever."

I laughed again, and saw that Dad's eyes had that inside-joke look to them, and I knew that despite the somewhat awkward conversation, he was truly glad to spend time with me.

And that was what made his visit memorable.

Not many demigods can say that their Olympian parent enjoys talking with them.

I'm one of the luckier ones I guess.

Nico

"No. Just...no."

"You're not even going to consider it?"

"You can't be serious."

"Do I look like I am joking?"

"You're Hades. You never look like you're joking. You're the freaking master of the poker face."

"So why would you ever think I would not be one-hundred percent serious about this?"

"Because!" I finally exploded, earning a glared from my father.

"You, you- you just aren't suppose to even care that I exist now that the war is over! I was always the less important child! Bianca was the better one. Bianca was the stronger one. Bianca was the favored one. I was just her pitiful little brother, that was smart enough to get you out of your family-hating mood long enough for you to realize that you're family needs you, and that yes you need them too! Stop being nice to me!"

Hades raised an eyebrow, his form going from his usual king of the Underworld look to some McJagger look.

"Do you want me to lock you inside a cell room for a few decades?"

I glared. "Of course not! I just don't see why you feel the need to watch over me. I'm perfectly fine staying at random parts of the globe."

Hades gave me a pointed look.

"What? I am! Peru is a great place to stat at when you don't have anywhere else to go!" I said defensively.

"Much better then my room here. Peru doesn't have people's chopped off heads staring back at them. And it won't be that long until your cabin at camp is done building, so I can just stay there and-"

"Nico."

"Seriously, Mrs. Blofis and Percy don't care that I sometimes crash at their place. Sally says that as long as I don't break anything I can stay as long as I need, so I can always stay there. Sure, I still haven't met Paul, but I don't think he would mind all that much, considering we saved his life a few weeks back. And-"

"Nico, you don't have to say yes. It was just a suggestion."

I blinked rapidly a few times. "I know. I just,- I don't really need to take up space here."

Hades rolled his eyes. "You're my son Nico. You can stay here whenever you want to."

It was quiet for a long time.

"Thanks, then, I guess." I muttered finally. Hades smiled slightly.

"Anytime Nico."

And for the rest of the time I stayed there, (yeah, I decided to stay) I slowly remember that the god who lived here was my Dad.

And sometimes, family does nice things for family.

Annabeth

"No, Percy, you can't change the laws of physics by just breathing underwater. You-"

"Hello, Annabeth."

I spun around to see my mother standing a few feet away from us. Glancing at my watch, I realized it was my 'bonding' time with her.

I quickly stood, getting off an amused Percy's lap, and vainly attempted to fix my hair.

"Lady Athena." Percy said, walking by her.

Mom stiffly acknowledged him, with a bow of her head.

"Catch you later Wise Girl." Percy called, walking towards the beach.

Athena scowled as she watched him walk away.

"That boy has no respect for his elders at all." she grumbled.

I shrugged. "He adores his mom and Paul, and shows the Big Three some respect. Actually, it's only Ares and Dionysus that he doesn't. The occasional teacher."

Mom glared at me, and I raised an eyebrow. "It's the truth."

She scowled deeper, and I sighed.

"How long does this have to last?" I asked. Athena's face soften.

"Twenty-five minutes longer." she hesitated, then said "I'm sorry that you don't share my views over the sea spawn."

That was about as close as an apology as I was going to get.

"No problem."

Athena hesitated again before sitting down beside me. "Can I see your designs for Olympus?"

I looked over at the laptop laying beside me, before remembering that this was my mom and yeah, she hated my boyfriend, but there were some things I enjoyed having her opinion on.

So I smiled, picked up the laptop, and showed her my designs, feeling just a little bit more confident at every praise she gave me over my work.

It's nice to know your mom cares, you know?

Thalia

"So."

"So."

"This is getting us no where."

Zeus frowned. I mean, I understand that of course he wasn't thrilled with having to deal with me, considering it was him after all, that made the law about not being apart of their childrens' lives, and now he was being forced to by the council.

"So, I'm just going to go back to the Hunt and let you out of our 'family' time. Okay? Okay." I said adjusting my bow, and started to walk out of the throne room.

"You did a great job in the war."

Zeus' voice stopped me mid-stride. Slowly, I turned and faced him again.

"Really?"

An amused smile crossed his face. "Yes, Thalia. I was- still am I suppose- proud of you."

A grin broke out over my face, despite my mind screaming at me to let it look like I didn't care.

But that hesitate smile was still on his face, so I let my grin stay on my face, as I sat down across from his throne.

It's not everyday you get complimented by the King of the Gods after all.

Pollux

This is so weird.

My dad, the camp counselor, was leaning against the doorway to his cabin, a Diet Coke in his hands.

I was twirling a pen in my hand, and vaguely thought about the way Percy Jackson had made me stay out of the war when I broke my arm. Personal favor he had said.

Favor for what, exactly?

I looked over at what used to be my twin brother's bunk, and closed my eyes against tears.

It hurt knowing that I wouldn't see him for the rest of my life.

"I miss him as well."

My eyes snapped open, and I looked Dionysus.

He was gazing at Castor's bed as well. Purple flames flickered in his eyes and I wondered what he was thinking.

"Castor?"

Dionysus rolled his eyes. "Who else?"

"You actually care?" I asked in disbelief. We had lived here most of our lives, and not once had Dionysus shown any sign of caring about his two children.

Dionysus huffed. "He was my son, Pollux, just as you are. Opposing the assumed rumor, I do care about some things."

And then he gave me a half-smiled. I nodded back, and the silence reigned again.

Except, for some reason, this time it didn't feel that awkward.

Clarisse

"There's my girl!" Ares bellowed as I walked inside the throne room.

I was shivering, still freezing from the time I had spent in that stupid piece of ice, and for a second, I thought he was going to slap me.

"That drakon-slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!" he cried, patting her shoulder.

I blinked rapidly, sure he was going to start pointing out all my flaws, but after a while when I realized he was truly proud of me, I let myself smile some.

Maybe Dad wasn't such a punk after all.

Silena

I gazed back at my mother and wondered just what she thought of me.

Was she proud of me, being the leader of her cabin, or was she disappointed in me for just giving up everything after Charlie died?

Aphrodite smiled at me, and I still didn't know what she wanted to talk to me about.

"I am so sorry for your lost, Silena. I know how much he meant to you. But you need to get yourself together. Camp needs you. We need you. Go and see if you can convince Clarisse to come and help protect the Empire State Building."

I sighed. "Mom, I know you mean well, but you have never met her, and when she says something, there is no changing her mind."

Aphrodite pondered this, then smiled again. "I believe in you."

And then she ended the dream.

And that was why I told Percy that I could go and talk Clarisse into coming.

Mom believed it, so of course I could.

Katie

"Is that a moonlace?" I asked, looking down at the flower in my hands.

Demeter smiled and nodded. "Wow." I breathed.

Moonlace was extremely rare unless you were a god or goddess, even for a demigod. The fact that I was holding a seed in my hand, was mind blowing.

"Thanks Mom."

"I'm glad you like it. Now, what on Earth have you been eating? You look like you could use a good bowl of cereal."

I rolled my eyes, but smiled anyway.

That's the Demeter I knew.

Jake

"You found a giant, metal, fire-breathing dragon and decided to take it on yourself? What possessed you to do that?"

I was about to shrug when I remembered that the full-body cast wouldn't allow it.

"I don't know. I thought I could fix it, and I really didn't want anyone else hurt."

Hephaestus sighed, and absentmindedly put out the fire that sprouted in his beard.

"Do you even understand what's wrong with it?" he asked finally.

I grimaced. "Not really, no. Beckendorf never told anyone how to take care of it- aside from Percy of course, who hasn't came back to camp yet- and everything we try to build to help us find out just ends up falling apart or attacking us." I narrowed my eyes.

"You wouldn't have anything to do with this, would you?"

Hephaestus looked a little surprised. "Why would I willingly hurt my own children?"

I nodded. "Never mind then. Still... it would be nice to know how to fix it."

Dad sighed. "That would be nice, wouldn't it? Don't worry too much about it son. It will either run itself into the ground eventually, or someone will figure out how to fix it."

"Yeah. I guess so." I told him finally, deciding to just ignore the distant look in his eyes that told me our conversation was over.

That was just how Dad was.

Travis

Do you have a rat? was the first thing George asked me when Dad walked into to swords room. Conner quickly shoved an... an experiment into the Danger pile and smiled innocently.

Hermes raised an eyebrow, but he was smiling so I figured it was safe enough for us not to accidentally kill ourselves while throwing the thing away, and pulled the experiment out of the Danger pile, before dismantling it and throwing it in the bio-hazard box near the doorway.

"Do I even want to know?"

"Nope." I said, and Conner snickered.

"I see. Well,-"

Do you have a rat or not? George demanded.

George. Martha chided. Ignore him. He's just annoyed that Hermes hasn't fed him this afternoon. Martha explained.

"Thanks Martha. Oh and George? Get your own rat."

Oh, you did not just go there.

Conner and Martha laughed.

"Well, I will be back in around a half hour then. See you later, bro." Conner said, before walking out of the room.

"You have pretty awesome snakes, Dad."

Of course he does. Martha and George said at the same time.

Hermes laughed. "Modest too. So, Travis," he said, a mischievous smile crossing his face. "Lead any good pranks lately?"

I smirked. "Ever heard of the Satyr Stamped?"

Hermes laughed again, and that's when I knew that we would get along just fine.

Will

I was currently wiping the floor in basketball against the Hermes cabin, when the Sun God decided to throw a basketball from three yards away and make us all look like idiots.

"Lord Apollo." the Hermes kids said, bowing respectfully.

Apollo waved them off, removing his iPod headphones.

"No need for 'Lord'. Makes me sound old." he told them grinning.

They nodded, somewhat confused, and stood there.

"Anyways, Chiron tells me this is parent/child day, and I saw Will first. I'm going to have to take away your best player for a little while. Losing team- make a comeback!" he told them, steering me away from the court.

"Don't let them make a comeback!" I yelled, before I was out of earshot.

I saw five children of Hermes nod, even though they were getting different messages.

"So Will, how would you feel about getting a driving lesson?"

I rolled my eyes. "I would tell you I already have my driving license."

Apollo grinned again. "Yes, but have you ever driven the Sun Chariot?"

I started back at Dad for a minute. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. It builds moral. Besides, the last time I let a demigod drive it, we had a blast. Evaporating a lake; great for parties. So what do you say?"

"Where are the keys?"

Apollo laughed, and tossed them, leading me towards the car.

It was pretty awesome to have the 'cool' god as a dad.

Zoe

I looked up at the sky, remembering old times, and saw the girl who I once would have called my best friend.

Thalia was gone now as well, after another two-thousand years of service, and I thought about how much it resembled Zoe's loss.

Thalia, of course, was still alive. Alive and in love, unfortunately. But she made her choice, as all Hunters do in the end, and I let her go.

"They never last more then two-thousand years, do they Zoe?" I asked, still looking at her group of stars.

Both girls I considered friends, both gone.

And now I was left to ponder the past, alone in my thoughts once more.

Nico, Percy

Nico di Angelo and Percy Jackson.

Two great heroes, two truly seeing demigods. The only two demigods in years to honor her. To recognize her in the flames, keeping the hearth safe and warm.

Nico, when he was only ten, saw her in the flames, the first time he ever looked, and spoke with her.

Percy, who had also seen her, but had decided to ignore her in the beginning, gave her the greatest gift in the end.

Nico, who had lost so much, had also given much as well. His father's honor, Demeter's courage, and saved Percy's live more then once.

Percy, who had fortitude in the worse of settings, a knowledge that he could very well die in a week and still kept Olympus safe, and a miserable background before Camp Half-Blood. Not to mention his terrible luck.

Nico, who had shown her that demigods do still care about the forgotten Olympians.

Percy, who had given her Hope, and a reason to stay strong in the end of it all.

Percy Jackson and Nico di Angelo.

Her two demigods.

Hera

Looking down at the demigods and their parents actually getting along and working to built their relationships was a heartwarming sight.

It also meant certain death.

Hera was the goddess of Marriage. Every child down there aside from Athena, Apollo, and Hermes were a product of an affair.

There was a reason she despised demigods.

But then again, they were also a family again, which she was also the goddess of.

Still. Getting too close to their demigod children was never a good idea.

Hades, when Zeus felt a twinge of pity for his dying daughter that he barely knew, he turned her into a tree. Imagining what would happen if someone like Nico or Percy died in a war or monster attack was horrifying.

They were much too close to their parents.

Athena wouldn't let anything like that happen to her. Nor would Ares, Dionysus, and Apollo.

Hermes and Aphrodite though...

Hera scowled. They were all fools, to think that they could actually patch up years of disowning in half an hour with each of their children.

She was about to wave her hand through the Iris Message, when the image changed to a picture of her son Hephaestus actually using his social skills to attempt to talk with his children.

Something in her warmed just a little bit, and she realized that she felt vaguely proud of her disfigured son.

Maybe they all weren't fool after all.

Me: Thoughts? You have no idea how long it took me to write this.

This is the longest chapter I have EVER written for ANY of my stories.

Gosh.

Next chapter: Creation

I have absolutely no idea what I am going to write about. o.O

Reviews are welcomed.

~ Anna/ Booklover98