Author's Note: Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing I appreciate the feedback very much, hope you enjoy the next chapter.

[Roman Demigod Camp]

-Annabeth's Point Of View-

To be more than a little bit honest I wasn't really in the mood at the moment, my nerves were so wired and I felt like I was coming to the end of my rapidly fraying rope. No matter how much I wanted to know how he knew where I was – it had to be a discussion for a later time.

"Aidan, please let go of me." I pleaded softly; it was starting to register in my arm that he was holding onto it fairly hard, in fact I was sure it would leave a bruise. When he didn't react right away I tried again, my tone more pleading this time. "Aidan please, you're hurting me."

Aidan shook his head as if to clear something, he abruptly let go of my arm like it burned him and took a staggered step back. His blue eyes lost their stormy and dangerous look as they seemed almost to fade back to normal.

"I…I apologize Beth, I didn't want to see you get hurt… not like this, I didn't want you to see that." He muttered, his apology and explanation sounded genuine. I watched as his eyes refused to meet mine – it seemed like his eyes suddenly thought the ground was far more interesting that looking at me directly.

However, I didn't responded, absently I found myself rubbing my arm where Aidan had held it in a vice grip - it was sore but it felt almost like a pleasant sort of pain.

I was starting to notice even more the astounding differences between Aidan and Percy, one of them being there overall tempers. In an odd moment of self realization and loathing it occurred to me that I had actually been – turned on – by the unusual flair of emotion Aidan had just displayed. It had affected me in the rawest and most visceral of ways. Hunger, desire, affection and a sense of an ever consuming need for personal revenge were all the emotions I was dealing with, each one more confusing and disturbing than the previous one.

In an instant Aidan seemed to recover from his lapse in his usual calm, rational behavior, his eyes met mine fearlessly, almost challengingly; he seemed to mentally shake off whatever had just been bothering him as he offered me his hand.

"Come, let's go to evening meal."

With the briefest of hesitation I took his hand, while his tone of voice was light and happy but his expression and the look behind his eyes said it was a demand more than a kind request. I wasn't going to call him on it for a number of reasons, mostly because I was starving; I honestly can't remember the last time I had eaten.

After stumbling through the woods, and yes I do mean actually stumbling…do you have any idea how hard it is to walk in dirt in heals? We came to a pleasant looking pavilion with people standing all around gathering there food.

I got more than a few looks when I made my way to get something to eat. I was happy when I noticed not all of them were hostile, in fact, a seemingly large majority of them were curious glances and shy smiles.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that they way they ate there meal was much like we did at the Camp Half Blood, only they didn't have assigned tables for each God, after giving our offerings I sat down and ate silently next to Aidan.

It took every ounce of my emotional and personal strength not to look around and search out Percy. I knew seeing him with Harper would possible lead to me abruptly becoming completely unhinged – and that wasn't a good way to make a first impression.

As so often things have been going in my life recently, when I intentionally try and avoid trouble it inevitably comes knocking. I felt Harpers heated gaze virtually burning into my forehead before I even looked up to see her standing right in front of me.

I looked at her waiting for her to say something, she had her arms crossed and at the moment seemed content to just glare at me, after a while it got annoying.

"Can I help you?" I asked raising an eyebrow, I was glad when I noticed how uncaring and flippant my voice sounded, chalk one up for me.

"Your still here." Harper remarked dryly.

"That's very good Harper, now why don't you tell me what 2+2 equals?" I deadpanned in a very patronizing tone.

Harper's jaw dropped and the general area around me felt like someone had hit the mute button on the TV remote, even the crickets seemed to have decided to shut up.

"Excuse me?" Harper's voice didn't hide her sock at my response. I eyed her up and down, and then letting out a giggle I completely ignored Harper turning my attention to Aidan. He had an amused looked on his face.

"I'm going to bed; it's been a long day for me." I declared. Aidan inclined his head ever so slightly before nodding his approval – not that I needed it but being a guest I felt so inclined. Not looking at anyone I disposed of my plates and made my way back to his tent.

I was shocked when I walked over to my 'room' and noticed that there where a large stack of nice clothes that were piled on my bed, as well as a stylish looking bit of armor wear hung on the wall. My mouth agape I walked forward and noticed my laptop had been placed on my desk, along with a few personal affects placed about my area.

At first I wondered who had done this when I saw a small bronze figurine of an owl on top of the clothes, an unusual feeling of warmth passed though my body.

"Thanks' mom." I responded to the air around me, just having some things that were mine made me feel that much better about this messed up situation.

Before I put them away I looked through the clothes and found my nightgown. It was white and all but virginal looking, I smiled at the implications of wearing it but said nothing. Putting up my hair I got changed and crawled into bed, the moment my head hit the soft pillow I all but passed out.

-Aidan's Point Of View-

I had given Beth's two hours before I returned back to the tent – I figured she needed some time to herself, so I went to practice in the arena by myself.

As quietly as I could I made my way over to check on her more closely. I saw what looked like personal effects had been added to her room, I had felt some disturbance in the air around my tent when I first approached it – I now knew it was because some god had been around.

I looked down at the sleeping Beth and felt my emotions soften. She was breathtakingly beautiful and looked utterly vulnerable as she slept.

Without really thinking about what I was doing I reached out and touched her cheek with the back of my finger. The moment I touched her face she let out a small whimper of distress - like my touch burned her before she flinched away.

I tried not to let her reaction to my simple touch hurt but it did. I forced myself to turn and walk away from her. Realizing as absurd as it was her reaction had wounded me.

'I hope eventually she comes to trust my touch.' I thought absently, after a moment I groaned when I realized the irrationality of that thought. Running at hand across my face I tried not to think about her.

To be Continued…