SUMMARY:

"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." In this story, Percy and Annabeth go through hardships to become the courageous man and woman they are. With Percy's sickening skill, and Annabeth's conniving witts, the two manage to create one heck of a sea ride.

IV. Secrets

ANNABETH.

(Age: 27)

Annabeth gripped the edge of the ship tightly, immediately regretting her choice of route. How idiotic was she to have thought that she could take on such a journey? She wasn't such an experienced captain, this was her first year. Not many sailors who have entered the Black Sea returned back, alive. Yet again, her pride had gotten the best of her.

As she watched the waves slap the ship relentlessly and felt the wind tousle her hair, she could not help but grin like a mad man, or woman in this case, despite the fact that she had not many hours ago publically announced her own suicide. Only the sea could have such an impact on her; She felt drunken with the desire to uncover the mysteries of it.

Ever since she left for voyage, Annabeth had not thought much of her husband, the king of a foreign land. It was not a forced marriage; Annabeth had agreed to live with Luke for the rest of her life 'till death do them part. Was it a happy marriage? No, not on her part. She married Luke because she knew her father was going to make her, even if it meant to tether her to the alter. From this she learned that her father's tone would soften-which meant she could finally chase her dream of becoming a sea captain. And she did become one indeed.

Much to Luke's dismay, she left as soon as she got the opportunity. Her mother came that one night and Annabeth demanded that she marry Luke the next week. After a few months, she ventured off with her mother to the seas.

Frederick was not too fond of having his only daughter leave so soon but he was overcome with all the riches he inherited. It was true, he wanted his daughter to marry a wealthy man so he could consume the riches. His plan worked as well as Annabeth's.

"Captain, may I have a word with you?" Annabeth looked down to see an olive skinned boy, maybe age 19, motioning her to come to him. When she reached him, he lowered his voice so only they could hear.

"If I may ask, why did you change your mind to travel this specific route? Were you drinking? Have you gone mad?" he asked incredulously. Annabeth scowled and let out a humph of exasperation.

"Correct me if I am wrong, but was it not you who implored me to turn my ship this way, Nico?" She asked, already annoyed at his presence.

"I did not implore," He spat. "I simply asked if there was an alternate way. And I called you a coward, but you sooned proved me wrong."

"What did you expect me to do when all of my top advisors were pouncing on me like a pack of wolves to meat?" She asked. Nico shrugged and Annabeth felt like wringing his neck.

"I do not think that is the reason." Nico stepped closer as if challenging her to deny his accusation. Annabeth felt her heart race and face heat up in embarrassment.

"I do not know of which you speak of." Annabeth crossed her arms and did not meet his eyes which caused Nico to laugh.

"I know why you were driven to take this course. And I think it has to do with a man." His taunting remarks were killing her by the second.

"I don't have time for this." Annabeth said, trying to slip her way out of the conversation.

"I am definitely no love expert, but I can see the lust in your eyes, Captain. He must be a beautiful-"

"Why does it matter to you?" She spat. Nico squinted his eyes at her and answered nonchalantly.

"I am exceptional at reading emotions. It is the only way I can amuse myself on this ship."

"Why can we not see your own? You shy them away almost as if you are hiding something. Is it an idea I must know of? Should I be worried?"

"It is none of your business."

"Then listen to this, Nico di Angelo," His full name caused him to flinch. "Stay out of my business and I'll stay out of yours." With the last word, Annabeth stormed away from him and did not even dare to look back at the stone faced 19 year old inwardly fuming at her.

…

"You look flustered, Annabeth." From where she was sitting, Annabeth saw a tall figure looming over her.

"Jason, I do not wish to speak-"

"I know. But I need to tell you something of the utmost importance." Jason sat down next to her as she sat up straight.

"This journey is bound to kill us, I hope you are well aware of that," Annabeth laughed softly as she rolled her eyes. "So I want to come clean with you. My name is Jason."

"And my name is Annabeth." She replied sarcastically. Jason did not have the same tone.

"I have a sister named Thalia."

Annabeth felt her heart drop. Then she couldn't help but become mad with herself. How could she not have known? She glared at Jason and he didn't flinch a bit. Instead, he sighed sadly.

"What happened to your dark hair?" Annabeth asked, quite angrier than before. Jason ran his sweaty fingers through his hair and smirked, despite the unhappy situation.

"I dyed it blonde. I was a bit tired of my-"

"How come you didn't tell me before?" Annabeth whispered abruptly.

"Tell you what?"

"That you are Jason. Do you even know how worried everyone is? Did you even think about your sister Thalia?"

"I didn't rea-"

"We thought you were dead all these years. We thought the pirates looted your ship and, and took you hostage!" Annabeth threw her face into her hands and sobbed. Jason, trying to comfort her, placed a hand on her back which was roughly shaken away.

"They did. And I was a hostage." He sighed looking away. This caused Annabeth to look up in surprise.

"How did you get them to free you? I heard that they are brutal and that it is impossible to escape from their prisons."

"I was not really freed, just handed over like an animal. They lost a bet, a stupid deal. I was the prize."

"And who were you given to?"

"The Romans. I became a gladiator." Annabeth inhaled sharply at this.

"W-why did they free you?"

"They did not. I escaped." Annabeth stood up and crossed her arms in amusement, forgetting of her recent breakdown.

"Please explain."

Many years ago…

Jason recited every prayer he could remember in his head. Spears and swords and axes whizzed past his head and her already felt dead. This was nothing new to him; He had been in this scenario many times before.

The opposing seasoned warrior riding his horse made his way to Jason. When he could see Jason's face, he looked at him quizzically, then laughed. He looked up to the emperor, sitting in his comfortable booth.

"You want me to fight this boy? And kill him? I will not stoop that low, my emperor. I have not trained all these years to destroy a child who has not even been in-"

"I can calmly assure you that I have indeed, been in bed with a woman." Jason approached the warrior, daring him to say different. As the man thought of a retort, Jason slyly wrapped the man's net around the horse's legs, earning many gasps from the crowd. The emperor too had not noticed.

"Oh, shut it. You are merely passed the age of 12. That would be-"

"Silence!" The emperor bellowed. "You will fight this boy to the death or I'll have the lions come to deal with the both of you. Now finish this fight! I have to get to my royal bath soon."

As the man urged his horse to proceed on to Jason, the horse fell to the ground.

"What is this!" He yelled, fuming in anger. He cut the net off the horse's legs and looked at Jason who was already half way across the Colosseum. It appeared he was making his way to the open gates.

"Guards! Close the gates! Now! Before he gets out!" The emperor screamed frantically. The crowd roared in anticipation. Few spectators ran after him, but it was too late. Jason had escaped.

Back to the Present…

"I saw a ship at dock and decided to try sneaking onto it. When I realized it was you, I asked for recruitment, and here I am now." Jason said, nearly out of breath. Annabeth noticed a bead of sweat trickling down his temples.

"It must have been really hard for you, huh."

"I just can not help but think of all the friends I left behind." He hung his head miserably and Annabeth placed a comforting hand on his shrugging shoulders.

"They will come through someday."

"I hope so."