Okay, so I started this story a couple of years ago while I was waiting for Son of Neptune to come out, but I lost the files and I became very sad and cried for days. Okay, maybe not the last part but I was so, so sad. Anyway, I decided to give it another try and well, I might me a little late to the game (considering I haven't even cracked open Mark of Athena—probably a good idea). It takes place during the Lost Hero, so while J, P and L are on their quest, Annabeth starts her own. It may lack continuity Son of Neptune (or everything else in the whole series), but hey, that's fanfiction. So if you see something wrong (or many things) just ignore it. This is all for sheer pleasure. Also, I haven't read anything PJO or HoO related in like a year, so please forgive me for just about everything you're about to read. Also, enjoy!

POV, Annabeth Chase

It had been a couple of weeks since he'd been missing. She was mentally and physically exhausted from constantly worrying. She tried to Iris-message him time and time again, but they couldn't reach him. She feared the worst, but she wouldn't give up. She couldn't give up. She had to find him if it took her all her life.

She shielded her eyes from the blaring afternoon sun as she watched Jason, Piper, and Leo fly away on Festus. Unlike the other campers, she wasn't excited and cheering. Impressed, maybe, but she was incapable of being celebratory about anything until Percy was in her arms again.

Annabeth lowered her gaze as the crowd dispersed to continue on with their lives. They have nothing to worry about. No one they've lost. Except Katie Gardner, who's exchanged a few understanding glances with Annabeth for the two weeks Percy's been gone. Katie lost her boyfriend, Michael Yew, about a month ago in Manhattan. They haven't spoken to one another, which Annabeth was thankful for. Conversations with anyone was the last thing she wanted.

Before she even realized it, she was walking toward the Big House. She did this quite often; walking without knowing. Every single time it's been toward the Big House. She knew very well why. She'd thought about it all day, every night. She wanted to ask Chiron for permission to find Percy…by herself.

She hadn't asked him yet. She'd been avoiding it for about a week and a half now, since she'd gotten the idea. She knew he'd say no. They wasn't any way he was going to let her go on a quest alone. It was dangerous, she knew it. She understood. But there was no way she was going to put up with lazy campers who only cared about getting it over with and getting back home. She'd do it herself, however long it took.

If Chiron said no, though, she'd be forced to disobey him and she would, with all of her heart, regret ever disrespecting Chiron and his decisions. She wouldn't forgive herself.

She wouldn't forgive herself if she waited around and did nothing.

She was at the front door, heart pounding. He was going to say no. He was going to say no. He was going to say no. Before she could change her mind and make her way back to the cabin, her sweaty palms had turned the knob and opened the door. Chiron was rolling by the foyer just as the door opened all the way.

His face lit up at the sight of her, despite her newly pale complexion and tangled hair. "Annabeth," he said as he redirected his wheelchair towards her. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

She hesitated for a much longer moment than she meant to, but Chiron waited patiently for her answer. She shifted her weight onto her opposite leg and nodded. He waved his hand, beckoning for her to come in, as he wheeled his way to the sitting room. She followed him, gently closing the door behind her. She'd never been so nervous to ask him for something.

She turned a corner to enter the sitting area. Chiron was already pouring her a glass of freshly brewed tea. There were a few of the other staff members in the room. Two were gathered around Mr. D's Pac-Man machine and another was reading in the corner. Annabeth eyed them all nervously. Chiron must've noticed her, because he kindly asked them if he and Annabeth could have some privacy. To this, Annabeth was very grateful.

"Was is it that you need, dear?" he asked her as he held up her cup of tea. She politely declined it with a wave of her hand as she sat on the sofa opposite him.

She cleared her throat, trying to muster all the courage and wisdom she needed to convince him that she could do the quest alone. She opened her mouth to begin her case, but instead she let out an unexpected sob. Chiron must've seen it in her face that she was about to break down, because he wasn't surprised and he had already had a handkerchief ready to give her. She repeated her polite hand wave and declined it as she did her tea. She wiped her face with her sleeve as she took deep breaths.

"I'm s-so sorry, s-s-sir," she said between breaths. She was having a slight anxiety attack due to emotional stress, but it was nothing serious. Nothing a few deep breaths couldn't handle.

He nodded in understanding. Annabeth expected him to say a few wise words of comfort, but she was glad he didn't. It would probably just make her feel worse. She finally calmed down enough to speak clearly, though her face felt like it was on fire from crying and complete embarrassment.

"Sir," she began, realizing she really had no case to back her up; she was going to have to wing it. "I realized that what I'm about to ask is probably going to sound stupid and completely out of character, but, sir, I'd really appreciate it if you allowed me to look for Percy." She nodded afterwards, just proud she could spit it out.

"Of course, Annabeth," he said before he offered her the tea again, but she still wasn't in the mood. "Is there anyone in particular you'd like to accompany you?"

Her thankful smile quickly shifted to a disappointed frown. "No, sir, I didn't completely explain myself, you see, I want to, um," she took a deep breath, this was really it. "I want to go alone."

Chiron immediately shook his head, confirming her suspicions to be correct. He wouldn't, obviously. As a demigod it was dangerous for her outside of camp to just walk down a street, let alone embark on a quest all by herself. It was foolish of her to even ask.

"I understand that this quest is personal to you, Annabeth, but I think you'd get the job done much faster if you had some help," he said gently, trying to convince her that help was, well, helpful.

She shook her head violently. "No, please. Please, sir, I want to do this on my own!" Chiron let out a long sigh, probably knowing she'd sneak out on her own anyway.

"Please, Annabeth, for me," he said, trying not to get too emotional. "Take at least two companions of your choosing."

"My Yankees cap and my knife," she spat.

"Annabeth…."

She sighed, realizing that she had to take two companions. For Chiron, because she'd hate herself if something happened to her. He'd hate himself, probably.

"Fine, I'll go find two—and only two—companions," she said before standing up and storming out of the Big House. So, maybe storming out was a little irrational, but she wasn't in the right mind for rational. She wasn't sure what state of mind she was in, actually.