A/N: I was struck with a flash of inspiration for this collection and thought I'd run with it! I have a few ideas for upcoming chapters, but I will take character and scenario suggestions. (And prompt words and pretty much anything, really!) Here's to celebrating the amazing Sally Jackson in all that she does for Percy and his friends.

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own the awesomeness that is this series or these characters.

Annabeth

"What's wrong?" Sally asked, noting Annabeth's pursed lips and the way she fiddled with a loose curl.

"No monster attacks, prophecies, or inter-camp war, if that's what you're asking." The twenty-five year old demigod gave Sally a small smile.

"What's up then?" She held open the door. "And come on in, it's hot outside."

Annabeth stepped into the air-conditioning with a grateful look.

"I didn't expect you until tomorrow," Sally said, ushering Annabeth down the hall. She knew her and Percy had planned a visit to Camp Half-Blood to wave to the summer campers and either awe them or traumatize them with legends of Percy's adventures (although knowing the pair, they'd end up discussing the time they got money for a train because of advice from a poodle).

"Percy got side-tracked helping some nature spirits in Central Park. He's in the reservoir, I think?" She rolled her eyes. "He's going to be a while, anyways."

"So you just decided to swing by?" Sally headed into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of mugs from the bottom shelf. "Not that I don't appreciate your company, of course. Coffee or tea?"

"Oh…decaf coffee, if you've got it. Thanks, Sally. And I know it's last minute, I'm sorry, but I kind of wanted to talk. In person. Without anyone else around." She leaned up against a counter, glancing briefly down at her feet.

"Is everything okay between you and Percy?" Sally crossed her arms, concerned. It was unlikely at this point – after all they'd been through as teens and young adults, plus almost a year of marriage.

"Everything's fine, really." Annabeth rubbed her arm. "It's just…Percy's started talking about having kids."

"Oh." Sally nodded thoughtfully, placing a K-cup into the coffee maker. "It sounds like you're not really ready for that yet."

"I…" Annabeth sounded lost for a heartbeat, like a little girl as opposed to a highly intelligent, courageous young woman and hero of Olympus. "It's not that I don't want to…"

Sally paused for a heartbeat before striding across the kitchen to stand next to Annabeth. She wrapped an arm around her shoulders, squeezing them reassuringly. Annabeth gave her a tentative smile.

"I do want to have kids. At some point. Maybe even soon, I don't know." Annabeth brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "I just can't tell if I'm really ready. Or when I'll ever be ready."

"I see." Sally narrowed her eyes for a heartbeat before leaning in close. "I'll let you in on a secret though. If you wait until you think you're really, truly, one hundred percent ready, you'll be waiting forever."

Annabeth raised her eyebrows, but Sally continued.

"Some people have kids unexpectedly. Some plan everything out carefully," she shrugged and then smiled at Annabeth. "But every mother in the world is absolutely terrified at some point. And every mother thinks that she'll never be good enough or ready enough at some point."

"Really? I guess it sounds stupid asking, but…"

"Really. And thinking carefully about children is never stupid." Sally slid her arm out from around Annabeth's shoulders. "Talking this all out with Percy is the best thing to do, though. And it's not just his life – it's both of yours together, and don't you ever forget it."

Annabeth bit her lip. Sally moved over to remove the full mug from the coffee maker.

"You're right. I'm just…being nervous, I guess." Annabeth shook her head, smiling wryly.

"If you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here," Sally reminded her. "And if Percy's ever being an idiot, I'm here for that, too."

Annabeth laughed. "I know. But if I told you about every time Percy's been an idiot…"

"…we'd be here until Christmas," she finished teasingly, passing Annabeth her coffee.