A/N Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a fanfic! This is a little pirate!AU oneshot heavily inspired by Viria's lovely picture of Percy and Annabeth as pirates. I suggest you go and see it for youself. (She's viria13 at deviantART) It really is very lovely. I don't think I'll manage to explore this little AU any further, but who knows, maybe it'll come to me.

It had taken Percy almost a year, some good friends and a bit of luck to find the Half-Blood. It wasn't good for a pirate ship if everyone knew where it was, so the fact that he had found it at all could be called a miracle in itself. Seeing it now, docked with all the other vessels, Percy knew he had been right to go looking for it. It was a sleek beauty. Large but not bulky, Percy knew it would handle like a dream and glide through the waters like no other ship. You could see it had survived battles, but the scars in the wood made it all the more beautiful. The name on its side was decorated with orange paint.

Seeming powerful and fast even in dock, she was a real wonder and everything you could wish for in a pirate ship. And it didn't have a captain.

Well, technically it did. But Percy had never been one for technicalities.

"Thanks, Chiron," Percy said to himself as he set towards it through the small harbour. His old teacher had told him of the Half-Blood after Percy had been forced to leave his mother and his old life behind. Amongst other things, Chiron had told tales of the young but able crew, a rarity amongst pirates. Everyone on board was capable, skilled, and there by their free will. It did mean it wasn't a sizable crew and everyone did dirty work every now and then, but that wasn't a bad trade for reliable people. The ship also never attacked at random or robbed unreasonably. There was a story going around, saying there was an Athena's blessed on board as a tactician, picking only the optimal targets.

Chiron had told Percy that the ship used to have a great captain once, but not so long ago he had been lost. "I received word from them soon after they lost Luke," his teacher had said sadly, "and it only read 'do not mourn him.' I do not know what happened, but I have some guesses."

Nearing the ship, Percy could now see that there was a mean-looking thug guarding the plank leading to the deck. Slowing his steps, Percy watched him- no, her, grab the spear she had been leaning on casually once she spotted him approaching through the quiet harbour. It was late, after all, and most sailors and workers were either at home or, more likely, at inns drinking away their wages. The thug watched him carefully until he stopped just out of the reach of her spear. "Get going, rat. Ya got nothin' to do at this ship, so scurry off before I decide to skewer ya," she spat with a scowl. The scowl didn't do much to improve her already questionable looks, but Percy supposed a gal with that much muscle mass didn't have much use for a pretty face, anyway.

"I wish to join the crew of the Half-Blood, and I believe your captain would rather like to see me," Percy said lightly with a smile, but kept a careful hand on the hilt of Riptide, his sword.

The thug shifted her grip on the spear, letting Percy glimpse a similar but bloodier spear tattooed on her left forearm. Ares, Percy remembered. "The captain doesn't wish to see anyone, and we ain't recruitin'. Beat it." Her tone held a clear threat, but Percy wasn't fazed. He simply turned his own wrist to showcase the trident tattooed on his arm. "Oh, but I rather think she does," he said with a smile to the shocked expression.

The Ares' blessed didn't stay stunned for long, and gathered herself quickly. She studied him for a while, and eventually grunted, "Fine. Follow me."

Satisfied, Percy followed as she led him aboard the ship and to the captain's quarters. She used the butt of her spear to knock sharply, and soon there came a "yes, yes, come in," from inside.

The thug stepped inside and Percy only managed to hear a "what is it, Clarisse?" before the door closed in front of him. Hoping he wouldn't have to wait for long, Percy crossed his arms and sighed.

Truth be told, he did feel a bit nervous. Chiron had told a lot of good things about the current captain, but Percy shouldn't become careless. It wouldn't do to forget that a pirate captain was still a pirate captain. A wrong word and he might lose this chance he had been chasing for almost a year now. He might also lose his head, but he preferred not to think about that.

The door opened with such force that Percy jumped and almost drew Riptide. The thug, Clarisse, stepped out and scowled at him again. "Get in," she grunted and left to return to her post. Percy drew a deep breath, prepared himself and stepped in.

The captain was sitting behind a sturdy desk, studying the various maps covering the surface of the desk. She was, with a word, stunning. She wore pants, a shirt and a leather corset instead of a dress. A knife was strapped by her side and jewellery glittered at her neck and ears. Her light, curly hair was loosely tied, and her deep grey eyes stole Percy's breath for a moment as she turned their cold, calculative look from the maps to him.

"I hear you wanted to meet me," she finally said. Percy gathered himself, smiled, and said, "You hear right. Annabeth Chase, I believe? It's a pleasure," he finished with the slightest of bows. Something flashed in Annabeth's eyes, and she replied curtly," You believe right. And you might be…?"

"Perseus Jackson, at your service," Percy said, grinning.

"Well, Perseus, might I see it, then?" she demanded, reaching out her gloved hand. A jesting comment about her eagerness almost passed Percy's lips before he remembered this wasn't just any gal. Instead he obediently gave her his left arm and watched as she studied the trident tattoo on it. After a moment she released it and turned to study his face instead.

"It appears to be real. It's been a while since Poseidon blessed anyone." Annabeth pursed her lips and sat up straighter. "But why are you here? The Royal Navy, any navy, would pay you quite a bit of gold for sailing their ships."

Percy knew that. He knew exactly how much they would be willing to pay him for sailing a ship for them. Any navy would have an incredible advantage if they had a Poseidon's blessed in their ranks. Percy couldn't care less. "Chiron sent me." He suspected that would explain enough.

It did. The captain looked understanding for a moment, and then thoughtful. Eventually she asked, "Why did you want to talk to me?" but she looked like she knew the answer already.

"Because this ship needs a captain." Percy waited for a protest, but Annabeth simply studied him with that calculating look of hers, so he continued. "You might be doing fine, but you are a strategist at heart, not a captain. Who better to sail a ship of blessed than a Poseidon's? And it seems I am the only one around." Percy was a bit nervous about that little speech. He wanted to seem self-confident, but he was assuming quite a few things based only on Chiron's stories. Too late to regret the wording now.

Annabeth's mouth twitched, but Percy couldn't tell if it was in anger or amusement. "I dislike your tone, but you are right. I make a good captain, but this isn't my place, not truly." Something like pain and regret flashed in her eyes, but it was gone so fast it was hard to tell. "But on the Half-Blood this is a place earned, not given away. As a crewmember you might have a chance to someday earn it through our trust, but that would depend entirely on you. If you wish to join our crew I will not turn you down. Only a foolish captain would turn down a Poseidon's, and I am not in any case foolish."

Percy's heart jumped. A chance. It was all he needed. He smiled brightly and said, "Yes, I believe I do wish to join your crew, captain Chase."

Annabeth stood up and smiled at him. The smile only held a hint of warmth, but it was there, and it gave Percy hope. "In that case," she said and held out her hand. Percy shook it without a second thought. "Welcome aboard the Half-Blood, Perseus Jackson."