"Chiron, I need your help. I think my daughter is in trouble."

Chiron sat up. "And what makes you think that?"

"I..I can't tell you that. Just know that I think she's in trouble. Can you find someone to, err, protect her?"

"Fred, you know we have to go through that long process of finding a suitable bodyguard, and I also need to know the reason for the assignment."

"Chiron, I can't tell you. It's highly confidential."

"Then I'm sorry but I can't help you."

"How much money do you need? I'll pay you any amount, Chiron."

"Money is not the problem."

"Please. Trust me when I say that she is not safe to be doing her activities alone."

"Does she know this herself? What exactly did she do to get herself into that much trouble?"

"The matter is so secretive I cannot even talk about it. But I swear I will tell you once this is over."

"You're not really giving me much to go on."

"Annabeth's life depends on it."

Chiron sighed, and leaned forward. "I'm going to be breaking a few rules here, Frederick. But if Annabeth really is in danger, then I guess it's going to be worth the risk. What kind of bodyguard are you looking for, exactly?"

"A male about her age. Someone she can interact with. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable."

"Does she even know that you're hiring a bodyguard?" Frederick shook his head. "You're in luck. I have one of the best, and he's just a few months older. He has already accomplished tasks that others have found quite difficult.

"He'll accept without any questions?"

"More or less."

~O~

They were in the shooting range. He laid down his favorite handgun, a Browning 9 mm Hi-Power, given to him by his late father. He nicknamed it Riptide. He looked at the gun on the table and glanced back at Chiron.

"What the hell, Chiron? Babysitting?"

Chiron rolled onto the platform - he was in his wheelchair for two years now. "Think of it as a new life. A way to start over. I mean, haven't you ever wanted to go back to high school and be normal?"

"That's precisely the reason why I dropped out. Chiron, we're not a security company. Why are you accepting offers like this?"

"This is an exception. A close friend of mine, he doesn't trust any other agency or organization…his daughter is in grave trouble—"

"So he says." Percy clarified.

Chiron sighed, "Percy, if you think you cannot handle a simple task like this, then I'll just have to assign it to someone else."

"Fine, fine. How long will this assignment be?"

"The contract says indefinitely."

Percy blinked, "What? You mean forever?"

"Until your employer says otherwise."

"And who is my employer?"

"You will meet him soon." Chiron stayed quiet for a few moments. "How is Sally?"

"She's okay," Percy said conclusively while removing Riptide's magazine. He hated it when people asked about his mother's condition, as if they expected it to get any better…

"So when will I meet this mysterious employer and the damsel in distress?"

Chiron checked his watch, "In about five minutes."

~O~

Upon arriving at the Chase residence, Percy's eyes widened. These guys were rich. Dam rich. The driveway meandered between large fresh Mahogany trees and formed a canopy at the top. The house was a mansion obviously, painted glossy white. The parking area was filled with expensive rides ranging from the latest make of Lamborghini to Audi.

Mr. Chase – who insisted we call him Fred – welcomed us warmly. He was chief head of the Scientific Analysis department in the famous Chase and Bink Biotechnology Company. He was also board member and also founded the company. Everyone knew Mr. Chase, which was why Percy had agreed to be his daughter's bodyguard.

Just as their tea arrived, two girls about Percy's age trudged downstairs. He guessed that the blonde one was Annabeth, because she looked like her father. Annabeth Chase was definitely a sight for sore eyes. She was wearing a sleeveless yellow sundress. Their eyes met.

She looked from Chiron to her father and somehow was able to put two and two together. She crossed her arms and looked at the two men expectantly.

"Thalia, can you excuse us for a moment?" the other girl reluctantly cantered outside. Fred looked at his daughter, with a somewhat conciliatory smile, "Hey sweetheart, I'd like you to meet Percy, you new, uh, friend."