Annabeth Chase stood on the deck of the Argo II one morning, wondering where Percy was. He wasn't an early riser, sure, but he usually didn't sleep this late. True, he hadn't felt well yesterday. She could tell, though he wouldn't admit it. She decided to let him sleep a little longer. After another half an hour or so, she decided to go check on him.

"Percy," she called quietly as she opened his door. He stirred feebly but didn't lift his head or speak. She walked over and stood next to him and was horrified at what she saw. He was lying in a tangle of sweaty blankets, his hair plastered to his forehead. He blinked at her, his eyes unfocused. He didn't even really seem to be seeing her. He was trembling. She placed a hand on his forehead, and knew he had an awfully high fever. She had known he hadn't been well the day before but hadn't thought it would come to this. She left the room but quickly returned with a bottle of fever reducer and a bottle of water. She spent most of the day beside him, coaxing him to drink the water and medicine, placing cool cloths on his forehead, holding his hand, and whispering words of comfort he didn't seem to really hear. She watched him drift in and out of sleep and listened to his incoherent mumbling. She knew he probably needed a hospital, but if she took him, they would only attract monsters. So, she sat beside him and prayed to any god who would listen. The rest of the crew took her and Percy's watches. All were quiet that day, worried desperately about their friend. They weren't used to seeing him so helpless.

That evening, Percy opened his eyes and seemed aware of his surroundings again. "Annabeth," he whispered hoarsely. She ran her hand over his forehead, relieved to find his fever lowered, though it wasn't gone. "I don't feel good," he complained quietly.

"I know," she told him. "We've got to take your temperature." He opened his mouth obediently. "103." she said. "Not good, but a lot better than earlier."

"Thirsty," he said. She helped him to drink some water. Slowly, he drained the bottle and closed his eyes. He fell asleep. He woke only to drink more water and went back to sleep.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Percy woke. Annabeth was asleep in the chair beside the bed. Percy realized he needed to pee. Badly. But he felt so weak. He didn't know if he could even stand up. Finally, he decided he had to. He wasn't about to wet the bed like a baby. He stood up, slowly, shakily, trying not to wake Annabeth. But when he tried to take a step, he fell to the floor with a thump. He used the bed to pull himself back on to his feet. His legs were shaking with the effort of staying upright, and he felt dizzy and short of breath.

By this point, Annabeth had woken up. "What are you doing?" she asked Percy.

Percy looked at her, embarrassed. "I really have to pee, but I don't think I can walk to the bathroom on my own," he explained.

"I can help you," said Annabeth.

"No!" Percy protested. "You're a girl. You can't come in the bathroom with me!"

"Fine," said Annabeth. "Jason's on the night watch. I'll go get him." And she left the room. She found Jason and told him the problem. He came downstairs with her, telling her that his watch was almost over and that she should get some rest.

"I don't want to leave Percy alone," she said. "What if his fever rises again?"

"I'll stay with him," promised Jason. So, Annabeth went to her room to sleep.

Jason went to Percy, getting an arm around Percy's shoulders, and they began walking slowly down the hallway. Too slowly, Percy thought. But he couldn't go any faster. He was already dizzy and short of breath at their current speed.

When they got to the bathroom, someone was inside. Someone having a late-night shower. Jason and Percy sighed in unison and waited. Why wouldn't this person hurry up? "Jason," whined Percy. "I really gotta-." A small spurt of pee leaked out.

"I know" said Jason.

"I can't hold it!" Percy said, slightly panicked, as another spurt escaped him.

"Yes, you can," encouraged Jason. But Percy felt his bladder release, suddenly, and warm liquid soaked through his boxer shorts and began to run down his legs. His face turned bright red, even redder than before, as it was already flushed from fever, and he felt tears of shame prick at his eyes and start to fall silently.

"I guess you couldn't," said Jason with a sympathetic smile.

"I-I'm so sorry!" said Percy. Jason probably thought he was disgusting now.

"Hey, it's okay," said Jason. He had never seen Percy cry before and it concerned him. "Don't cry. You couldn't help it. You're sick. If you were healthy, you would have gone earlier. I won't tell anyone. Not even Annabeth, okay? She's gone to sleep in her room, okay? If we go get you cleaned up now, no one ever has to know. Then you can go back to sleep. I'll stay in case you need anything and make sure your fever doesn't rise. How about that?"

Percy nodded, sniffling, and they began the slow trek back to Percy's room. When they got there, Jason deposited Percy in a chair and went to the dresser to get some clean pajamas for him. Once Percy managed to get his pajamas on (which took longer than usual), Jason helped him across the room and into bed, and then sat down. Percy's last thought before he fell asleep was that he had the best friends anyone could ever have.