So close to chapter 45! Thanks to those who have been with me since the beginning! I'll try to make this one extra good and I think you guys will like it. Anyways, I'm sorry that I've been off and on this summer! It's been crazy and I've been super busy, but thanks for your support! School is about to start again, so I may or may not have more time to write. Oh, and thanks for over 50,000 views! That's insane! Also, this is SUPER important: I am going to be putting up a poll on what story you would like me to write next. Please go answer that! Anyways, lets begin!

Review Shoutouts:

Orion (Guest): Thank you! I will for sure keep updating. Thanks for reviewing!

Apollo117mc:Thank you so much! You don't know how much this made my day. I will definitley keep this up!

iNeptune: Thanks! I did in have a good "vacation." Busy, but good! Very fun.

Disclaimer: All rights to Rick Riordan.

Reyna's POV

Reyna was scared. That was never something she openly admitted to anybody. As a praetor, she had to constantly look poised and in control, setting an example for her legion. She never wanted to be seen as weak to anybody. That's why when Percy first came along and tried to get to know her, the real her, she had been (and still a little was) anxious at the thought.

The prospect of anybody, even Percy, knowing her weaknesses, made her uneasy. Of course, she wasn't perfect, and she knew that. Everybody knew that. But the more she could put up the cold, determined leader act, the better. For her, and the legion.

That's why she was trying to remain as calm and collected as possible in of Camp Jupiter's centurions, who the praetors were having a meeting with. It had been nearly thirty minutes after the attack, and Jason had called to order a meeting. Not with the senate, just a meeting between the praetors and the centurions. They were gathered in the Principia, since the gathering was on such short notice.

Of course, right as Reyna commenced the meeting, Octavian was the first to speak up.

"I can't be the only one thinking that this attack was a trick. A diversion, if you will," he said, standing up on the far side of the large table in the center of the Principia.

The other centurions looked over at the augur warily. As skinny and harmless as he looked, he was still a centurion of the most respected cohort in the legion, and an augur no less. Not to mention, he had a way with words. Reyna hated that about him. He might not have charmspeak, but he was very persuasive.

Reyna spoke up, sitting at the head of the table. "No, centurion, you're not the only one. And that is exactly why we've called this meeting today."

The Principa door opened and a figure stepped inside. Reyna smiled. Just who she wanted to see.

The ten centurions looked over at the origin of the noise. Some glared, some cringed, and some smiled at Annabeth Chase.

The daughter of Athena looked a little wary at the not so positive attention, but she covered it up with confident look, walking over and taking a seat next to Percy, who looked confused on why his girlfriend was here.

"I invited Annabeth Chase here to help us figure out what's going on. She's the wisest person I've met, and she's a great strategist. She can help us figure out Gaea's motives," Reyna explained.

Octavian spoke up, "but she's a Greek! They've got to be working with our enemy!"

Percy looked as if he'd just been slapped in the face. Standing up, he said," You take that back, you little-"

Reyna watched Annabeth kick Percy in the shin to shut him up. He plopped back down on the right side of Reyna, grunting.

Reyna glared at Octavian from where she sat. "Centurion, these Greeks are our allies. What will it take you to see that? They warned us of Gaea's army, and helped us fight them."

Octavian opened his mouth, but Reyna glared daggers at him, fingering her actual dagger in it's hilt. The frail boy seemed to get the message.

She directed her attention to Annabeth. "So," Reyna gestured her hand at the blonde. "What do you make of this… situation?"

Annaneth sighed. "I think it's obvious that Gaea is up to something. If I were her, I would distract Camp Jupiter with a small attack, and then either place a larger attack on New Rome while we were distracted, or place more and more smaller attacks directly on Camp, before sending a larger army while we were weakened. But, that's just me."

Annabeth unsheathed her dagger and started turning on the table, her eyes narrowing with concentration.

Some of the gathered demigods nodded. Reyna frowned. It did make sense. If Annabeth thought that was what Gaea was up to, then maybe she was right…

"What do you propose we do?" Reyna asked. She couldn't deny that it was a little difficult leaving the big descicion making to someone else. Being a daughter of a war goddess, Reyna usually shouldered that responsibility. But, it felt good letting Annabeth do the planning. Reyna wished that they had a permanent child of Athena at Camp Jupiter.

Annabeth's gray eyes seemed to cloud over. "I would double the gaurds on sentry duty, but for the other demigods, I would have them still continue their training. Of course, they'd have to keep their guard up, just in case another attack takes place. But again, that's just me."

Reyna nodded. "Good plan. I like it."

Annabeth gave Reyna a small smile. Percy was a lucky guy. The thought made her sad. She dropped eye-contact and frowned at the table, before look back up.

"Annabeth is right. Centurions, make sure you double your sentry shifts and have your legionairres keep their armor and weapons at the ready. Am I understood?"

The assembled group nodded. Some didn't look to happy about being told what to do by a Greek, however. Reyna ignored those looks.

"Alright, this meeting is dismissed," Jason spoke up, standing.

Reyna stood as well, and the Centurions left. Only Annabeth, Percy, Jason and her remained.

Percy turned to Annabeth. "Do you really think Gaea would pose an attack on New Rome?"

Annabeth shrugged sadly. "She might. Of course, I hope she doesn't… but… she might."

Reyna bit her lip. Jason grabbed the hilt of his sword, as if expecting an attack right then.

"I guess there's not much else we can do," Reyna sighed. "We'll warn New Rome, just in case Gaea does place an attack there."

Percy frowned. "Makes me wonder what's going on Camp Half-Blood. If Gaea is trying so hard to weaken you here, who knows what she's doing in New York."

Annabeth gripped his hand comfortingly. Reyna hid her frown. She wanted to be the one comforting Percy. Especially after he had comforted her so much.

Percy caught her expression and gave her a small wink, as if a promise that she could hold his hand later. She smiled back, careful to make sure Annabeth and Jason didn't see it.

Reyna turned and exited the Principia, Jason, Annabeth and Percy following behind her. Annabeth seemed to take the hint that the three leaders wanted to be alone, so she left to do some training with the Fifth Cohort. Of course she had to give Percy a kiss before she left.

"Well… I don't think there's much else we can do except keep security up," Jason muttered.

Reyna sighed. "I wish we could at least know for sure what Gaea is planning."

"I think… I think i'm supposed to be training right now," Percy said glumy.

Reyna caught his eye and frowned. He must've been really worried about Camp Half-Blood… She wished she knew how to reassure him.

Percy trudged off towards the sword-fighting arena. Jason then excused himself, saying that he was going to go see Piper.

Reyna herself had nothing scheduled for the next couple hours, so she took a walk around the border of Camp, watching the new sentries being placed at the seige towers, excpecting an attack.

Reyna knew a fight was inevitable. But when would it take place?

Annabeth's POV

Annabeth didn't actually have to train. She had the next hour off of training. She'd just wanted to leave that group of praetors, even though Percy was there.

The thing was, she used to be perfectly comfortable around Percy. But now… something had changed between them. It wasn't that she was uncomfy around him, but things were just different. He didn't grab her hand as much as you used to. He didn't give her as many kisses or hugs, either.

His distancing really only occured when Reyna was present. She had a sneaking suspicion that she was the reason that Percy didn't seem to… to love her as much.

Annabeth was walking along the border of the Little Tiber. Percy had taught her that this was a good place for thinking. And boy did she have a lot on her mind.

She was honored that Reyna had asked her for advice on the giant army and what they were planning. That was one of Annabeth's specialties, though how could Reyna act so friendly when she was having a huge impact on Percy?

Annabeth wanted to doubt herself. Come on, Percy's fatal flaw was loyalty. Would he ever actually cheat? Or was he too good for that?

Annabeth had so many questions and not enough answers. She had never doubted she and Percy's relationship before, so why now? Why all of a sudden?

Maybe it would've been better if Percy had never come to Camp Jupiter, and never met Reyna in the first place… No, those were selfish thoughts. If not for Percy, the Romans would distrust the Greeks, and they wouldn't be able to work together to defeat Gaea. But still, if only Reyna wasn't here.

The only other girl Annabeth had felt jealous of was Rachael. And, Percy didn't even like her in a crush kinda way. Not the way he had liked Annabeth. But now, she felt that jealousy coming back. But this time, she felt that Percy didn't just like Reyna as a friend…

No, Annabeth felt that the feeling was mutual.

Percy's POV

Percy was angry. Angry at Gaea. Angry with Octavian. Angry with himself.

I should be at Camp Half-Blood right now, defending my home, he told himself. Who knew what Gaea was doing to Long Island?

The thought made him grit his teeth. He desperatley wanted to send an Iris Message to Chiron, but he knew it wouldn't do any good, anyways. Percy had to stay here. If anything, knowing that Camp Half-Blood was having problems would make Percy feel worse.

Besides, he had to leave with his friends in a little more than a week to hed to the Ancient Lands. That was the most he could do for his Greek friends at the moment.

He closed his eyes, blocking out any images of his fellow Greek demigods being attack by monsters. Training. That's what he had to focus on at the moment.

He slashed the dummy in front of him, taking out his anger and stress on the stuffed figure. Percy had learned that when he was frustrated, dueling helped. He slashed and jabbed at the helpless dummy,Greek style.

After a few minutes, he stepped back to admire his work. He was breathing hard, and he felt sweat trickling down his neck.

"That dummy will know never to mess with Percy Jackson again," said a familiar voice behind him.

He turned quickly, careful not to skewer the figure in front of him like he had almost done to Leo earlier today.

When he realized who was in front of him, he sighed. Beautiful, regal Reyna.

"I guess," Percy replied, smiling.

Reyna's lip turned upward slightly. Her eyes went towards the dummy again, her hand pushig her cloak behind her.

Percy looked back at the dummy as well. It's stuffing was spilling out of it's fake armor, and it's head had completley fallen off.

"Maybe I was a little harsh," Percy said, frowning.

Reyna lightly touched Percy's arm, her fingers caressing his skin. "Percy, are you okay? This isn't like you," she said.

Percy was slightly taken aback. Usually he was the one comforting her and asking her that question. Not the other way around. Percy was glad with this new step Reyna had taken. At least she wasn't being as guarded as usual.

Percy hid his small smile and shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm just worried."

Reyna dropped her hand back to her side. Percy was a little disappointed when she did this. He liked the feeling of her soft hands on his skin.

"Is it Camp Half-Blood?" Reyna asked softly.

Percy nodded. "I just- I feel like I should be in New York, defending my home."

Reyna frowned a bit but quickly hid it so quickly that Percy wondered if he had imagined it.

"I believe that the Fates sent you here for a reason," Reyna said firmly. "Well, Hera, too, but you know what I mean. If you hadn't been sent to Camp Jupiter, you wouldn't have met the other two demigods of the prophecy. And... you wouldn't have met me. "

Percy reached for her hand and gazed into her charcoal colored eyes. "You're right," he replied. "When you put it that way..."

Reyna smiled, squeezing Percy's hand in response.

Percy dropped her hand when he heard a centurion's voice behind him. He turned at saw the centurion talking to some of his legionairres about how they were going to conduct their training that day.

Percy turned back to Reyna. "We don't... want them getting any ideas, now do we?"

Reyna sighed. "No. Also, I think I have some Roman history I have to teach."

Percy turned his sword back into a pen. "I'll walk with you back. Besides, I think I need a bath."

Reyna smiled. "Yeah... probably."

Percy and Reyna mad their way back to the main part of camp. Percy had the urge to grab her hand or pull her to his side, but he knew that wasn't a wise desicion, especially since they were in public.

When Percy and Reyna had to part ways, Percy thought it was a good idea to see what Annabeth was doing. He didn't want her feeling like he was avoiding her, even though he kinda was.

Turns out, he didn't have to look. She was right also heading towards the bath house.

Percy ran behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, squeezing. She squealed, which was very unlike her.

"Percy!" Annabeteh exclaimed, flailing out of his arms. "You scared me!"

Percy laughed. "Sorry, Wise Girl. I couldn't resist." The truth was, Percy had wanted to do that to Reyna before, but he knew it wasn't the best idea. At least, not yet.

Annabeth huffed. "I gotta take a bath. Who knew walking around the Little Tiber could make someone so sweaty?"

Percy pointed to himself. "Dueling," he said. "Is a very sweaty activity. I need to clean myself, too."

"Okay, but afterwards, want to joing me on sentry duty? We need extra watchmen."

"But I'm a praetor-" Percy began.

"Not for long," Annabeth said sharply. "Besides, we need all the defense we can get. And, it'll be fun!"

Percy nearly groaned. You'd think being a praetor would get you out of legionairre work. Turns out, it made you more suceptible to it.

Percy and Annabeth split up into the boys' and girls' sections of the bathhouses. As soon as Percy was ready, he slipped into the nice warm bath. It felt amazing, though every time he took a bath or shower, he always had to will himself to get wet. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to wash the shampoo and soap off of himself.

A few minutes later, Percy was dressed and ready. He ran his hand through his damp hair, making it messy.

Percy stepped outside, waiting for Annabeth. She came out a few minutes later, which made sense. He'd come to learn that girls take a lot longer in the bath than guys did.

"If it makes you feel better about sentry work, I think Leo will be there," Annabeth pointed out as they headed to the barracks and praetors' cabins to drop off their stuff.

Percy found it hard to imagine the scrawny son of Hephaestus in Roman armor. Poor guy.

Once the two had dropped off their old clothes and shower things, they headed towards the armory to report for sentry duty.

Annabeth seemed only a little uncomforatble, though Percy couldn't fathom why. They walked in silence until she finally said, "Percy? We need to talk…"

Well, that's that for chapter 44! Also, we're so close to Comfort in Preyna's One Year anniversay! (Or publishiversary if that's what you prefer.) Just about two months out and we'll be there! I can't believe we've come this far! If any of you have been here since October of 2022, let me know. I'd let to get to know my OG fans. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it and are ready for chapter 45! I bet most of you already know what Annabeth is gonna say. Anyways, PLEASE review and vote in the poll! Love you all!