Some Time Before. ..

"Are you fucking serious?!" Marcus closed his eyes and felt the blow land, knocking his head against the wall, knowing as it did that he deserved everything he got. He opened his eyes as Hunter kept shouting at him. "Not only did you go off on your own, AGAIN, but we let Aaron go after you and you bring him back to us like this!?"

"Hunter, stop!" Aaron gasped from the corner of the room where Kelly had taken him after Marcus had half carried, half dragged him into the warehouse. Aaron tried to stand and come to Marcus' defense. "It wasn't Marcus' fault-"

"Aaron stop talking and sit down! I need to see how bad it is." Kelly cut him off sharply. "What even happened?!" Kelly pushed Aaron back down into a sitting position and finally managed to get him to pull off his jacket. She gasped as she pulled down the collar of Aaron's shirt. "Why does this look like a bullet wound...?!"

Aaron flinched as Kelly tried cleaning the wound and laughed weakly. "That would be because it is... Look Kells, if you wanted a closer look at my bare collarbone you could've just asked. I didn't know that was a turn on for you."

"Glad you think this is so funny." Hunter growled, turning his attention back to Marcus, grabbing him by his shirt front and lifting him almost off his feet so they were face-to-face. "But THIS asshole still hasn't told us what happened. How did Aaron get hurt? WHAT DID YOU DO?"

Marcus didn't see it coming and grunted in pain as Hunter lost his temper again, landing another punch into Marcus' gut. Marcus looked back up into Hunter's eyes. I deserve this... It's all my fault... "I... I didn't tell him to... come after me..."

Hunter threw back his arm, aiming another punch towards Marcus' face. Marcus closed his eyes, waiting for the blow to land again, but this time the punch didn't come. Marcus opened his eyes to see Alicia holding Hunter's arm. "Hunter stop already! Keep this up and he'll be the same as Aaron!"

Hunter scoffed but let go off Marcus, letting him collapse to the ground with nothing but the wall to keep him in a sitting position. "He would deserve it. How many times have we let this happen huh? How many times are we gonna just forgive him for going off on his own and causing us trouble? We're a team!" Hunter glared at Marcus. "You hear that Marcus? A TEAM! And teams don't abandon each other! Teams don't lead each other into trouble! When you're in a team, you don't get to do whatever the hell you please. We leave Camp Half Blood, and we're already at risk from monster attacks. We leave with a list of items that people want us to get, both approved and unapproved, and we get them. THAT LIST, MARCUS. We don't go off on our own and steal anything else! God DAMMIT!" Hunter aimed a kick at a barrel in the corner next to Marcus, causing the half-bloods on the other side of the warehouse to look over.

Marcus glanced over at the others, the ones who truly lived here, on the edge of New York City, with no godly protection. They don't deserve this... I've caused these kids nothing but trouble... All they want to do is live in peace and now they've got to deal with this... Marcus looked up at Hunter as he continued his tirade in a grumble to himself, having vented his anger verbally once Alicia stepped in. She shouldn't have done that... I-

Marcus stopped when he felt a light hit to the top of his head and looked to his right, seeing Alicia crouched beside him, her elbows resting on her knees and her chin in her hands, looking at him with her hazel eyes full of concern and... was that amusement? "You tempted him to keep hitting you, didn't you?"

Marcus looked away again, noticing that Hunter had overheard her and stopped his ranting, looking over at Marcus as he started to figure out what he had done. "Marcus you... you WANTED me to lose it? To do... that?"

Hunter's face changed to one of immediate and immense regret as he looked at Marcus. Marcus knew exactly what Hunter was seeing. Quick forming bruises. Blood from his split lip running down his chin. Yeah. I probably look like shit right now.

" And now you're thinking you deserve it. Aren't you?" Alicia shook her head. "I swear, if I wasn't around, you'd be sacrificing yourself for every little thing. What is it with you and your Jesus complex? That's the wrong pantheon you know."

Marcus finally looked up and met Alicia's eyes. "Yeah well, I am just full of passion."

Alicia smiled, the look she knew Marcus used to love so much to see. "Don't I know it."

Aaron's voice called out from a little further down the warehouse wall. "Hey guys! Last thing I want while I'm on death's door is to gag seeing your crap!"

Marcus heard Kelly laugh and looked over to see her standing up and walking over. "He's exaggerating, as always. He's already healed. Ambrosia is a wicked good healer."

Marcus couldn't help but smile. He had known that Ambrosia would do the trick. After all, it was the food of the gods. He was just worried they didn't have any in the warehouse. Heals demigods in a flash... always useful to have a small supply. Should've known a smuggler's den would have some.

Alicia stuck her tongue out at Aaron and turned her attention back to Marcus. "Now that everybody has calmed down, how about you tell us what happened? From the beginning."

Marcus looked away. He knew what would happen if he talked about why he had run off. "I wanted something. I took it. The security guard at the pawn shop decided he didn't like that very much and took a few shots at us."

"A few? I'm pretty sure he unloaded a full clip by the time we'd gotten too far to hear the shots. By the way, nice save. That bullet probably would've done a lot more if you hadn't seen the shot coming and pulled me out of the way. So? You still got it right?" Aaron had walked over, patting Hunter on the back. "You should've seen him Hunt. Took all the lessons we taught him and made them work! Cased the place out, waited for his opportunity to swipe the camera, the whole nine! Only thing that slipped him up was this gorgeous guy with him that caught the guard's attention." Hunter and Kelly laughed at Aaron's description, but Marcus saw Alicia catch the hint that Aaron hadn't meant to drop. He reached to his side and put a hand on the pouch he had there, unconsciously protecting it from the jealousy he saw starting to stir in Alicia's eyes. And that right there is why we never worked... Couldn't do anyt hing without you getting jealous enough to blow up... No wonder some people started calling you Leash...

" Camera? And why exactly did you want a camera Marcus?" Alicia smiled sweetly, but the smile never reach ed her eyes. Marcus shrugged and looked away, trying to get to his feet as he did so , and giving up when Alicia didn't move . Aaron I swear to all the Gods...

"Oh, it's not for him." Aaron said with a shrug. "Apparently Maddie's camera got busted."

"Oh? It wasn't on the list of items that campers wanted." Alicia said, her tone simply dripping deadly sweetness.

"Yeah, we all know our Maddie. Didn't want to bother anybody with her problems. Hence why Marcus didn't tell anybody and went off on his own. We all know when it comes to Maddie, he'd cross the River Styx and fight through Tartarus itself to see her smile. Damn bud, Hunter really did a number on you. Can't believe you let a Hermes kid mess you up like that. Ares maybe, but Hermes?"

"I heard that." Hunter grumbled sharply.

"Gods I hope so. Joke would've been wasted if you hadn't. At least if Marcus had been beaten up an Ares kid, we could say he didn't fight back because he refuses to hurt Maddie's feelings." Aaron replied with a grin.

Marcus flinched as he could feel the jealous rage emanating from Alicia in waves the more Aaron spoke. Aaron you asshole. I get that this is revenge for getting you shot but you have no idea what you're unleashing... Marcus was surprised as a hand came into his field of view, effectively cutting Alicia out of the picture. Aaron stood in front of him, his shirt still dyed crimson with his own blood, a smile on his face. First, we get each other into trouble, then we help each other out of it... That's how we've always been... That's how we'll always be. Marcus looked up and saw the same thought reflected in Aaron's eyes, a smile on his face. Marcus returned Aaron's smile and took his hand.

Present ...

Marcus walked past the camp's fire pit, still smoldering after the dinner rush. Glancing around, he could still see signs of the rushed retreat that the other half bloods had made at the sound of Phillip's gunshot. Benches overturned... There, a mark in the sand by the pit where somebody fell. Marcus couldn't help but laugh a little to himself. Some heroes, fleeing at the first sign of a real fight. Marcus glanced over his shoulder, where he could see Maddie still saying goodnight to the moon. He paused for a moment, enjoying the sight of her smiling up at the sky, the moonlight casting a silvery glow through her red hair. Marcus shook his head with a sigh. Never gonna happen. Just let it go already.

" Oh, I wouldn't say never sweetheart." Said a voice close behind Marcus.

Marcus jumped and spun around, his hand going for his pocket watch as he did, preparing for a threat. Who the hell could sneak up on me?! But Marcus felt a soft hand catch his and he looked to meet eyes that constantly seemed to shift colors. Taking a second, Marcus realized that he was looking a woman, one who's beauty seemed to be beyond compare. A woman who looked remarkably like Chastity. A woman he unfortunately recognized. He scowled. "What do you want?"

"So harsh! And here I thought you'd be happy to see me!" The woman smiled teasingly, and Marcus felt his face flush and he averted his eyes. The woman giggled and traced her fingertip across Marcus' cheek. "Isn't that sweet? You still blush!"

Marcus pushed her hand away. "What do you want Aphrodite?" He turned back to glare at the Goddess in front of him. "Every time you show up in my life it never ends well."

Marcus clenched his jaw to try and retain some sense of anger as Aphrodite pouted, looking at Marcus threw her eyelashes. "Aw come on. There's no need to be so mean to me. It's not MY fault that you chose little miss jealousy..."

Marcus rolled his eyes, finally regaining control of himself through Aphrodite's aura. "No. It's just your fault that she always GOT so jealous because I didn't pick the one you WANTED me to pick."

Aphrodite shrugged, and Marcus felt her mood shift dangerously. "Now, if you knew she wasn't the one that the literal Goddess of LOVE had picked for you, why would you still go after her? And worse yet, why would you continue to pursue her even after you knew it was doomed?"

Marcus shook his head and leaned against one of the tables by the fire pit. "That would be because I don't really like being told what to do."

"Oh, don't I know it. Guys like you are all the same. You, Heracles, Percy Jackson, Jason Grace... None of you chose who you should have simply because you were told to. And you are going to end up the same way they all did."

Marcus raised an eyebrow at Aphrodite. "I mean, from the legends I've heard, Percy lived happily ever after with his choice, Annabeth."

Aphrodite sighed and sat on the table next to Marcus, who averted his eyes. "That is true, but only after I had made their love lives... Interesting. And we both know that what I find interesting, you'll find painful."

Marcus looked again back towards Maddie, who seemed to be enjoying herself immensely, having completely forgotten that she had promised Marcus she would be going to bed, just as he knew she would. Interesting huh ... Like me falling for a girl who's sworn to never love...

"That's exactly it, Marcus. Now look at you. Pining in the moonlight. It's so adorable. I wonder if you'll be able to be focused in tomorrow's game of Capture the Flag that you half-bloods seem to love so much." Aphrodite teased.

Marcus said nothing for a moment then turned to Aphrodite. "Can I ask you something?"

"Oh? My sweet Marcus wants to actually speak to me? How could I refuse?" Aphrodite laughed.

Marcus rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Okay, make that two things. Why are you acting like this? An age-old Goddess acting like a teenager is just so... off."

Aphrodite shrugged. "You seemed to have no issue conversing with my daughter Chastity. I thought perhaps speaking and acting more like her would put you at ease. Was I mistaken?"

Marcus shook his head. "No. Honestly you're right. I feel like I can actually speak my mind like this." Marcus stopped and realized what he had just said. Speak my... What the hell? His eyes snapped to Aphrodite, who was smiling at him. Dammit... Let myself get caught in that godly aura... Marcus scowled and bit his tongue, forcing himself to focus on the pain and clear his mind.

Aphrodite pouted at him again. "Well shoot. And here I thought you'd finally learned to let your guard down around a Goddess who wants to help you."

Marcus narrowed his eyes with suspicion. "That brings me to the point I was really wondering about. Why are you here Aphrodite? I'd prefer the truth if possible. The last time we spoke, you weren't exactly pleased with me"

Aphrodite took a moment to look at Marcus, her face serious as she considered him. Finally, she smiled. "Fine. My reason for being here is twofold. One, I wanted to see you. To be here at the beginning so I can remember it at the end. Your life is going to get a lot more hectic and a LOT more interesting. A lot rides on you my Marcus."

Marcus raised an eyebrow at that. "Since when was I YOUR Marcus?"

Aphrodite ignored him and continued. "The second was to warn you of a far closer danger. Your new half-bloods. You must stay with them and protect them Marcus. Only you can. They need you to help guide them through the trials that are coming if any of us are to continue. But first, make sure they don't kill each other."

"Any reason why the Goddess of Love is deciding to deliver this message to me herself? Isn't prophecy more Apollo's thing? And isn't simply delivering a message something you would leave to Hermes? Besides, you banned us from Olympus. Why should I trust you?"

Aphrodite shook her head then hopped off the table from where she had been sitting, crossing to stand in front of Marcus, so close he had no choice but to look her in the eyes. "Because, Marcus Williams, the first in danger is the woman you love. Consider this a warning to keep her in your sights at all times. Keep her safe. And this visit was to remind you of the power of a God's aura. The influence we wield with you just being in our presence. If there's any aura you would recognize, it would be mine. Others are even more subtle. Be on your guard. Protect this group of half-bloods Marcus. Or we all will suffer the consequences." Aphrodite smiled and put her hands under Marcus' chin. "Oh, and one last piece of advice? Chastity is almost as good at this as I am. Let her show you sometime."

With that Aphrodite winked at Marcus, stepping back out of his arm reach before blowing him a kiss and vanishing without a trace. Marcus let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Protect the half-bloods? What the hell does that mean? Marcus shook his head to clear it, once more glancing where Maddie usually sat talking to the moon and realizing she finally went to bed. The Goddess of Love... Last time we talked, she wasn't exactly pleased with my life choices... Maybe she's decided to give me a second shot at one of those "happy ever after"s that we half-bloods never seem to get. Marcus sighed and stood up, heading to the cabin he lived in on his own.

Opening the door, Marcus laid his pocket watch on the table and sat on his bunk. Glancing around, the memories came flooding back. The bunks Kelly and Alicia shared. Hunter's dart board. Over there, the cut in the floor when Aaron and I had one of our arguments and Alicia threw a knife to shut us up. Marcus smiled to himself. That one nearly went through my foot... Looking around, his gaze fell on a mirror hung on the wall opposite the girl's old bunks. Standing, Marcus walked over to it and pulled it off the wall. Beyond glancing in it once or twice a day to make sure he looked alright, Marcus never gave the mirror much thought. It had just become a part of the furniture. But moments like this, he would really take it in. Alicia always said she could see our future in this mirror... I wonder what it is she actually saw? Marcus shook his head and put the mirror face down on the table. Nothing worth mentioning apparently... Marcus started to turn but stopped when he noticed twin doves etched into the back of the mirror. Aphrodite's symbol. Interesting huh...?

Marcus walked through the camp, seeing all the activity that buzzed around him. Capture the Flag... The one thing we all seem to agree on anymore is that we all want to win. Marcus headed to the armory, Aphrodite's wo rds from the night before ringing in his head. If he was supposed to look after these newcomers, the best place to start would be to make sure that they were well equipped for the hazing they were about to face. Pick on the new guys... a Camp tradition. Marcus shook his head wi th a wry smile. Didn't work on Maddie, didn't work on me... You'd think people would give up on it by now. But hey, what can you do?

As he walked through the armory, Marcus saw that Maddie and the rest of the group were already there and equipped. Marcus raised an eyebrow at what he saw. Elliot, staying close to Chastity's side, was as lightly armored as he could be, whereas Joel didn't appear to be wearing any armor at all. Well, except for that giant sword he found... I guess if anybody could swing that thing around, it'd be the Midwestern Tree. Jason was trying to get a dagger scabbard onto his belt and Phillip, from what he could see, seemed to be content with his bow, which after what Marcus saw last night, he couldn't really blame him for. Marcus stopped for a moment as the thought crossed his mind. Last night... so much happened in just a few hours. He shrugged. Such was the life of a half-blood. Weeks, months, years flew by without much excitement at all, then in a few hours your entire life shifted. Not that I give these guys that much credit. We'll see what they're made of today.

" What do you mean you're on the other team?!" Marcus heard Maddie cry out. Concerned, he walked over just in time to hear Chastity reply.

"Well this happens every once in a while, you know, since we can pick whichever side we want now instead of having to side with our Cabin. Individuality and all that crap." Chastity was checking her reflection in a nearby shield, brushing dirt off her jeans and not even noticing that Marcus had joined the group. Marcus just shrugged at Maddie. Well at least that's one problem taken care of.

"And you know I gotta side with my new roomie!" Elliot cried out with a smile. Marcus turned his attention back to Elliot, smiling to himself. This kid... I can't get a read on him. But at least he'll have Chastity looking out for him. I don't care what Aphrodite says, whichever side Maddie's on is the one for me.

"Might as well tell them the truth Elliot. Chastity here made a deal with some big guy with a Russian sounding name to be on his team for this game or whatever, and she dragged us into it." Joel said with a smile, stretching nonchalantly. "I couldn't really care less. One team is as good as another I guess."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Russian sounding? You mean Ivan?"

"Yeah that sounds about right. Seemed to know each other from what I could tell. Got Phillip roped into it too."

Marcus shook his head with a sigh. "So that's what's going on. Chastity, haven't you learned by now that just because you want another round with him, that doesn't mean that Ivan feels the same."

"Shut. Up. Marcus." Chastity replied, turning to glare at him. "You're just upset that I'm not on your side this time. Maybe now you'll actually appreciate all that I do for you."

Marcus couldn't help but laugh a bit at that. "So, you're joining the Hephaestus squad to try and get back at me for something huh? Fine. Guess that leaves me with Maddie and Jason with the Ares Cabin." Marcus smiled at Elliot and Joel. "Just don't let her drag you into anything too dangerous. These guys take this a little too seriously."

"I could see that." Phillip spoke up for the first time. Marcus had to stop himself from jumping. Even when I know he's there, he still manages to be sneaky... Guess I know why he was a stealth scout now. "The way these kids are acting, you'd think they were in a war, not me."

Marcus patted Phillip on the shoulder before turning and walking out of the armory. "You don't know how right you are. Last word of advice. Watch your backs out there. New guys are easy targets."