Annabeth nervously fixed her dress. This was a big day for Percy's mother, her book had become a best-selling novel, had hit number one on the lists, and the publishing company was throwing a gala for all the people involved. She walked into the hall, it was big and fancy, with swooping staircases Annabeth feared she'd fall down. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, too bad Annabeth didn't know a soul there. She smoothed down her hair apprehensively, she knew Percy loved her hair, but for some reason, she had decided on something different, and it was completely flat, smooth and silky. Not covered in dirt, mud, blood, gore and monster dust. Where was Percy?

Across the hall, Percy was hanging out with some mortals, lucky things that they were. They were the teenage sons of some hotshots in the company. The CEO, and big bosses type of stuff. Plus they were idiots.

"Whoa. Hot blonde at 1 o'clock."

Percy turned and there was Annabeth smiling hesitantly across the floor, her eyes searching. She was wearing a deep purple dress that went across one shoulder, showing off her tanned skin and athletic, curvy figure. A deep slit in the dress ran up her leg, showing off her long, graceful limbs. She was so beautiful his eyes hurt.

"Dibs dudes. She's mine!" A particular idiot named Lance called and ran across the floor dodging adults and small overdressed children to get to Annabeth. Percy's girlfriend. He opened his mouth to yell out to Lance, but it was too late. Lance leaned over to a rather startled Annabeth and began blabbering about the gods-know-what. Probably his awful band and new demo that he'd been going on about for an hour. Wonderful. Truly.

"Damn. She is hot." Roran commented jealously. Percy whirled around enraged.

"Don't call her that. Don't even look at her." And he ran after Lance.

"Dude chill! Plus he called dibs!" Roran called after him.

Percy snarled, "Not a problem!"

Lance was all over Annabeth, and Percy wasn't too happy about it.

"Hey come on, I didn't mean anything. What's your name, babe? You should be, umm I dunno, escorted or something on the floor. Wanna dance?"

Annabeth poked him in the chest, "Back off whoever you are. Not interested."

"Come on, just one dance? I'll make sure I don't step on your toes."

Percy interrupted, "I don't think so, this dance is mine." He turned to Lance. "Hey man, quit messing with my girlfriend."

"Whoa what?"

"Get lost." Percy enunciated carefully.

Annabeth blushed shocked by Percy and his possessive behavior, she was a person not a thing. She didn't know quite what to think. But he was staring at her in shock as if he was drinking her in.

"Your hair…" He reached out to touch it, running it through his fingers.

"Yeah I know, but I thought something different, would be nice, and it's always the same curly and messy, or dirty and gross and I just wanted to try this instead and…" Annabeth realized she was babbling, but she couldn't stop. Percy had that effect on her.

"Annabeth. Shut up. You look….gorgeous."

She blushed as he wound his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head protectively. Annabeth couldn't help, but like the slightly possessive side to him. He was just so handsome in a suit.

"Come with me and meet these mortal idiots I've had to talk to for half an hour. You'll make them so jealous…" Percy snickered before looking at her with a wicked gleam. "And maybe we can sneak off somewhere private later. We are experts at creating scandals."