Ch.3 I Get an Awesome Present

-Disclaimer: None. Nada. Zip. A big fat 0. I own nothing of PJO. Rick has it all. Lucky duck!

Thanks again wonderful reviewing people! So, last chapter left us off at the movies. Get ready for more action and Percabeth!

We sat like that for the rest of the movie, except when one of us wanted some popcorn. When the movie and the credits were over, Annabeth's head was still on my shoulder. Then I noticed that she was asleep. She looked as beautiful as ever. As gently as I could, I shook her and whispered, "Annabeth, wake up." Her eyelids slowly opened, revealing the stormy clouds behind them.

"I can't believe I fell asleep," she said. She muttered something about staying up late and architecture projects. "How much did I miss?" she asked. So, I filled her in on the end of the movie as we were walking out of the theater. Her hand slowly reached towards mine. I did the same thing. We walked all the way home hand-in-hand. As we approached my apartment, she stopped and said, "Your birthday present. I left it inside your apartment." We climbed the stairs and only made it half way up before we heard the hiss of a dracaenae.

"We take on this one together," she announced quietly. We rounded the corner of the stairwell to find the horrible monster lying on the ground. She was wounded. A huge gash stretched from the side of her shoulder to her waist. Standing a step above the dracaenae was my mother, with a small sword in her hand. Even though this was the perfect time to be confused, I brought out Riptide and sliced down the middle of the monster's scaly body. Where she lay a second before was a familiar cloud of yellow dust.

"Mom!" I called. "Are you ok? What happened? How did you get that sword? And where's Paul?"

"Before I answer your questions, are you guys ok?" she questioned.

"Yes, we're fine. We were attacked by a manticore earlier, but we're still alive," I answered.

"Well, you're hopefully safe now. How was your date?" she asked, smiling.

"Mom!" I yelled, my embarrassment level rising. "Just answer my questions."

"That time you didn't say anything about it not being a date." I could feel my face turn red when she said that.

"Sally Jackson," I warned. "Just answer now," I said, emphasizing each word.

"Ok, ok," she said, backing off. "Yes, I'm fine. I saw a monster's tail coming this way, so I decided to surprise it. I knew it was looking for you. I grabbed this sword, which your father had given to me before he left. When I heard the monster creep up the stairs, I met its side with this blade. And that's where you came in."

"Mom, that was very brave. I never knew you could sword fight. But what about…" I started, being cut off.

"Paul had to work late," she said. And with that, we headed up the rest of the stairs and into the living room.

-This is where those star things go, like in the book-

"Oh my gods, Annabeth, it's beautiful." I pulled her into a hug. This was my response to my birthday present from her. It was a gold, not-too-girly necklace. A dime-sized circle hung off the chain; one side saying Never forget, S.B. (which stood for Seaweed Brain). Two pieces of seaweed were on the side, filled in with a green rock about the same color as my eyes. The other side said Love always, W.G. (that stood for Wise Girl). There was a gray owl on the bottom of that side, which was about the same color as her eyes. She helped me put the necklace on.

"You're never going to stop the 'Seaweed Brain' thing, are you?" I asked.

"No," she replied with a grin. "But we're even." She pointed to the W.G. on the back. "I figured that after this up-coming war, we could be separated in some way. So this necklace is a reminder to never forget me. I'll never forget you, Percy," she finished. She leaned into me and gave me a quick kiss. I could feel my mom watching from the kitchen. Oh great, I thought. I'll have to deal with this later. "I better get going," she said. I really didn't want her to leave. "I'll IM you sometime. Thanks for tonight." We hugged one last time.

"You're welcome," I responded. "And thank you, too." She waved and walked out the door, leaving me standing there watching her.

"So," my mom said. I was expecting this coming. "You too have something now."

"I guess so," I replied, thinking back to earlier today. Finally, I thought to myself.

So how was it? Please review! I'm going to be at my friend's until Saturday, so the next chapter will be up maybe Sunday or Monday. But don't give up on reading. Next chapter will contain an IM and Percy and Annabeth together again!