Chapter One

I know I said I would not write for a while but my mind had other ideas and gave me this story. Although the content may sound similar to, 'Can Something So Wrong, Be So Right?' this is set for a different Annabeth and Percy. These two are late teenagers, at the end of their high school careers. You're queries and opinions are always welcomed.

As always, these characters do not belong to me.

Annabeth really hated the dummies the agency provided. Compared to an actual person, the dummy was closer resembling a pillow with a demented face. Annabeth knew her annoyance and pent up frustrations were swaying her opinion on the dummy but in the end she reasoned that it doesn't matter. With that thought, she turned towards the dummy, bringing her foot around in a roundhouse kick. The dummy tumbled to the ground, looking depressed as it laid there, parts of its stuffing splayed beside it.

Annabeth sighed, only slightly winded. She watched the dummy, trying to determine her explanation to Chiron about the need to order new practise dummies. After Clarisse destroyed at least half a dozen only a couple of weeks ago, Annabeth chances of getting out of having to pay for replacements were slim.

Annabeth wiped the sweat from her face, switching her focus to the next dummy in line. She practised her one-two punch combo, dodging an invisible punch thrown by the dummy. She punched the sternum of the dummy, ignoring the thudded pain associated with the impact. She continued to pound the dummy, her mind wandering back to her last assignment. With every punch she landed with her fist, a new image blew up in her mind.

She gritted her teeth, moving in closer to work the body of the dummy. The images bombarded her and distantly she heard her breath become pants. Blow after blow, she panted, her heart racing in her chest. No matter how hard she hit the events flashed in her memory. She grunted as she smashed the dummy with one final punch. It rocked on its base but stayed upright, although the seams were straining to keep it together.

Annabeth rested her head on her gloved hands and the pictures dissolved as if they had never been there in the first place.

'The dummies are impassive, Chase. Anyone would believe that one personally insulted you.'

The voice was rich and deep and very familiar. Annabeth didn't bother turning around straight away, instead loosening her neck and shoulder muscles. The man who waited patiently for her was dressed in a tweed jacket and matching coloured trousers. His thinning brown hair was somewhat tamed in a half-hearted attempt. His eyes were crinkled in a smirk, which was hidden behind a neatly trimmed beard.

'They insult everyone here, Chiron,' Annabeth told the man, still with her back to him. 'I mean, just look at them.'

Chiron scratched at his beard. 'I see you have made it your mission to dismantle as many of them as you can.'

Annabeth unravelled the tape from her hands, gingerly stretching her swollen knuckles before she inspected the damage. 'Well someone had to up Clarisse on that one.'

She took off her sweaty shirt, throwing in her gym bag. Her singlet stuck to her back and she pulled out a towel, wiping her face before throwing it over her shoulders. That was when she faced Chiron, her face a mask of amused indifference.

'You can't trick me, Annabeth,' Chiron said pointedly, his eyebrows raised. 'I taught you how to hide your true intentions.'

Annabeth breathed through her nostrils, looking away with a small smile. She returned her gaze back to Chiron. 'Old habits, coach.'

'Frustrations are understandable but can I ask you to stop taking them out on the dummies in the future? '

'I've had so much free time on my hands I get bored,' Annabeth shrugged, not hiding her annoyance.

'Your suspension was precaution,' Chiron stated calmly.

'I did the job you asked. You know I am one of the top recruits here.'

'Generally when they ask for someone to be brought in, they want them to be alive,' Chiron said with a hint of sarcasm.

'So there were complications,' Annabeth said brazenly.

'You don't have to pretend with me that it didn't affect you, Annabeth,' Chiron murmured, his tone full of compassion.

'That's just it,' Annabeth said with a sad smile. She could feel tears forming but she pushed them away. 'I have to. Otherwise I may collapse under the emotion.'

Chiron's expression turned sympathetic but he stayed where he was. 'Never be ashamed to talk to me about your feelings, Annabeth.'

Annabeth closed her eyes, willing herself to be strong. When she opened them, she pretended the last part of their conversation never happened. 'The Brotherhood wanted him also and I told him to stay put but …' Annabeth trailed off.

'They have been troubling,' Chiron said with a frown. 'And certainly becoming more of a threat, which is why I'm here.'

Chiron pulled out a file from his jacket pocket. He wandered closer to hand her the file, talking as he did. 'We got word that The Brotherhood was interested in this boy or his connection to someone.'

'Percy Jackson,' Annabeth read from the sheet.

She gazed at the picture that must have been a school profile shot. He had black hair that was too messy and unruly for Annabeth's taste. His eyes were bright with a smile and a green rare for an eye colour. His eyes glinted with a spark of mischief and sharp wit she distrusted immediately. He was dressed in the school's suit and tie but Annabeth thought it looked out of place on this boy.

'He doesn't look like much,' Annabeth noted, having a quick glance at Chiron before back to the sheet. 'It says here his father is unknown.'

'Yes, which makes us believe that the target is really the father and the boy is the source of his whereabouts.'

'Hmm …' Annabeth murmured thoughtfully, her eyes back on his picture.

She scrutinized his face. His smile did not hide any malice that Annabeth could detect, nor did his eyes betray any secret he may be keeping. Yet, in those eyes, something displaced Annabeth. A kind of deep sorrow she could not quite picture a person with his smile ever experiencing. Maybe he was better at hiding his feelings and secrets than Annabeth suspected.

'So, have I become a bodyguard now?' Annabeth withdrew her eyes from the photo.

She knew her suspension was over. Why else was Chiron showing her a profile on a teenage boy? Even though it was a small and probably boring task, Annabeth would be relieved to just get out of the building for a few days.

'I don't think you would have the patience for that,' Chiron said with a wry smile. 'Your job is to watch him yes, but we will need the information he has that The Brotherhood want.'

Chiron revealed another set of documents and passed them over to Annabeth. She took one look at the first page, her scowl deepening.

'I'm going back to high school,' Annabeth muttered, re-folding her enrolment and transfer papers.

'Haven't you always wanted a true teenage experience?' Chiron asked innocently.

'I hardly think this will be a true experience, Chiron,' Annabeth said with a roll of her eyes.

'Your orders will be to find out The Brotherhood's intention but if he proves to be a potential threat,' Chiron paused, his eyes hardening.

'They want me to kill him,' Annabeth finished.

Chiron didn't answer; his eyes still tight with tension. 'I have arranged everything you will need for your task. You will begin in a couple of days. Your unit will have the extra information you may want to learn.'

Annabeth nodded, shouldering her bag. 'This is not my first outing. I know how it works.'

'Regular updates will be reported to you,' Chiron added. 'Annabeth, please be careful.'

'I will be capable of carrying out the orders, Chiron,' Annabeth said confidently. 'I have had no trouble in the past.'