Hey guys!

Sorry about drunkard: But keep reading! You'll never believe where he'll pop up next!

P.S. As for me being Rick Riordan? No. Just no.

"Steven II"

"So it alternates points of view?" Athena asked.

Alix Jackson.

She was the only girl at school that I hadn't seduced yet.

Percy's gaze became hard and icy, and Annabeth glared at the book.

I liked to keep my perfect history for collecting-phone-numbers. I had wanted to use my Charmspeak

Leo looked up, "Charmspeak?" All eyes turned to Piper and Aphrodite.

on her several times, but she wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise.

Percy snickered.

No matter. I figured that I had all summer to work on her. I planned on trying again when she came to pick up her truck at my dad's auto shop the week after school got out.

"So his dad owns the auto shop," Athena mused.

Dad.

"What about him?" Hazel asked.

My parents were the whole reason I was stuck in this rat hole of a town.

Percy huffed. "You're quite a piece of work, aren't you, Steven?"

They claimed that there was a friend of the family that lived here that would "be a good influence on me" or something. Who said that I needed the help? I'd battled everything from clingy chicks to hellhounds before. I could take care of myself, and I was just fine. Honestly, what's the problem with dating-and-dumping? And I never even went that far! All I did was get the girl's number, then forget about her. It's not like the girl actually had time to take an actual liking to me…

All through this paragraph, Artemis and Thalia glared at the book.

Anyways, this was what I was thinking about as I rode my skateboard down the street. When I passed an alleyway, I heard struggling. Probably some perverted couple making out.

Percy snorted. "Not quite."

What surprised me was when I glanced over to confirm my suspicions.

At first glance, it certainly seemed like it. Some homeless-looking guy was pressing a hot-bodied, swimmer's-figured chick against the wall, and his eyes were consumed with perverted desire. His hands were snaking up her tank top.

But, what caught me was the fact that the girl seemed to be struggling against the guy instead of enjoying it. She wore a strangely familiar-looking olive-green tank top and blue denim Daisy Dukes. (Both articles of clothing, by the way, clamped quite tightly around her figure. Mmm.)

Percy let out a low growl from the back of his throat. "Sounds like Alix steppe out of the frying pan and into the fire."

On closer inspection, I recognized that tall and tanned body, that long, brown-with-blonde-streaked hair, and those defiant sea green eyes that were alight with fury.

Alix.

Before I could move, she caught sight of me. Her eyes told me that she was having some kind of inner debate, then she opened her mouth to say something. From the look on her face, it looked like she was too prideful to ask for help, and was about to send me away.

That's what got me. In all of nmy near-sixteen years of life, I'd never met a girl so defiant. The look in her eyes was stubborn, and told me that-no matter what happened to her-she'd never go down without a fight.

"Once again," Hestia chuckled. "It sounds like Percy."

Percy flushed, and smiled sheepishly.

I didn't even think. I just reacted. I ran over and slammed into the drunkard, hearing the thump as Alix toppled to the cement. I dodged the guy's punches, every now and then throwing a couple of my own.

After a while, he finally got me. I hadn't seen a monster in months, so I wasn't surprised when the force of the punch sent me skidding several feet to the ground outside of the alleyway, in the harsh summer sunshine.

Several members of the group cursed.

Groggily, I sat up to see him walking leisurely towards me, a drunk and psychotic grin plastered across his sweaty face, the shadows making him seem extra-creepy.

He was just about to come within three feet of my leg, when Alix stepped between us. He stopped, and his leer turned to something perverted.

Percy paled. "Alix stepped between them?"

Annabeth rested her hand on his arm. "Relax, Percy. From what we've gathered, she's your daughter, remember? I'm sure she can handle herself."

"Now, Sweetheart," he said, "it's best to stay out of the way and not hurt that pretty face of yours."

"Alix, right?" I asked. "Get out of the way. You could get hurt."

Alix ignored me.

Percy smirked approvingly.

Instead, she balled her long, nimble hands into fists. "If you want to get to know me, there're some things about me that you should know."

She stepped forward. "First: I think creeps like you are sick, sadistic bastards that oughta be locked up for eternity. Second:"—in a blur of movement that was almost too fast for me to see, she swung her leg and knocked the guy over in a perfect roundhouse kick—"don't call me Sweetheart." (A.N. I DO know how to roundhouse kick! GO CHUCK NORRIS!)

Cheering rose up around the hearth. Percy and Annabeth looked a little relieved.

The guy didn't answer. Possibly because he was out cold.

Percy snickered.

Alix turned to me and knelt down. "You, okay, dude?"

I got up into a sitting position, my mouth slack-jawed. She'd just knocked the guy out with an incredibly difficult move, and was brushing it off like it happened all the time! "W-why didn't you pull a roundhouse kick on him before?" I stammered.

She shrugged. "I was about to before you showed up. Besides, there was no elbow room. I can't go Chuck Norris on people without elbow room."

More laughter.

I couldn't help laughing at that. For a hot girl, she was funny, and man could she fight!

Percy pursed his lips. "I'm not sure how to take that…"

Before I could say anything else, she dragged her ten-inch black backpack from where it had been tossed against the wall, and opened it. She pulled out a small black box, inside of which were several cloths, some Band-Aids, and two small bottles of water. One bottle was labeled, FRESH, and the other was labeled, SALT.

"Saltwater on hand," Percy mused thoughtfully. "I should make a note of that…"

Alix set the box on the ground, poured a little water from the FRESH bottle onto a cloth, and turned back to me. It was only then that I realized that some of the punches that had connected on me had broken the skin.

Alix scanned my face with a critical eye. Those sea green eyes made me unsettled.

"I know the feeling," came the reply from almost every person in the room. All of them had spoken to Percy one-on-one before. Percy flushed.

They were both intimidating and comforting at the same time. It felt like she was reaching into my soul and extracting all of my biggest secrets to examine with a microscope and a fine-tooth comb. But, at the same time, it wasn't a bad feeling. Even though this was the first time we had interacted in conversation, I felt like I could trust her. She just seemed to give off that kind of aura.

"Yet another thing that Percy and Alix have in common," Annabeth said. Percy flushed when almost everyone nodded.

My thoughts were interrupted at the sting of the cloth on the corner of my lip. I flinched, and she pulled back slightly, muttering an apology. I shook my head. "It's fine. Just a sting. Go ahead."

Hesitantly, she dapped at my lip with the cloth. At first, it stung. But, after a few moments, it became soothing on my aching skin.

"You probably won't get a fat lip," she said, "since it's being treated right away. That scratch just above your eyebrow might leave a mark for a few weeks, but it should disappear eventually as well. As for the road rash on your cheek..." She rested the cloth on her thigh and brushed her fingers across my cheek. I shivered, but not from pain.

Percy eyed the book warily.

Aphrodite had a different reaction. "Someone's got a crush," she said in a sing-song voice.

I found it amazing how one girl, who could purposely be almost completely invisible and tormented at a school—so much that she drowned herself in music and straight A's—could cause so much pain in battle and, at the same time, could be so gentle with her touch.

"Hmm," was all Percy said. His expression was too hard to read for anyone to try.

"Poor guy," she murmured. "That looks painful."

I had a hard time thinking straight, with her piercing, yet also warm and comforting green eyes boring into me. I grasped at something random. "You know, we still haven't been properly introduced yet… I'm Steven. Steven Valdez."

"STEVEN WHO?" came the chorused yell.

All eyes turned to Piper and Leo, who turned alternating shades of crimson.

She started at the name. "Did you say Valdez?"

I nodded. "Why? Does it mean something to you?"

She leaned in close, so all I could see was snow and sea and ink.

"Snow and sea and ink?" Rachel asked.

"He's describing her eyes," answered Annabeth, who gestured at Percy's sea green eyes. Percy glanced sideways at his girlfriend, before his gaze returned to the book.

"Do you know a guy named Leo Valdez?"

Now it was my turn to start. "How do you know my dad?"

Her jaw dropped. She sat back, glancing around as if to make sure that we were alone. Then she leaned back in. I prayed to the gods that she couldn't hear my heart race. Gods, she was hot…

Percy's mouth twisted into an annoyed expression.

"My dad," she whispered, "is Percy Jackson.

"And there's the proof," Athena said.

I'm a legacy too."

I felt a flash of shock. "W-what?"

She didn't answer. She was back in "nurse-mode." "I have nectar and ambrosia at my house. It's just down the block. Unless you want to give Piper a real scare when you get home…"

"Yup," Nico chuckled. "Piper and Leo." Said demigods blushed again.

She stood up and held out her hand. I took it and she helped me up.

Alix bundled her stuff back in the black bag, slung it over her right shoulder, and led the way back through the alley, stepping over the drunkard as she went. She moved at a quick pace, which seemed to be involuntary, so I had no choice but to grab my backpack, my skateboard, and follow.

Three blocks away was a tan-colored house with a basketball hoop hung over the garage.

Percy grinned at the words, "basketball hoop."

Alix moved straight to the front door, unlocked it, and opened it. As she stepped inside, she called out, "Dad! I'm fine, but bring the first-aid kid into the living room! The New York one!"

"Meaning the one for demigods," Demeter guessed.

There was some thumping in the kitchen, and the sound of cabinets opening and closing. Alix dropped her stuff by the front door, indicating that I should do the same. I shut the door behind me and followed her into the living room.

The house was fairly clean, apart from a skateboard, a basketball, and a black drawstring bag with our school's insignia on the front by the back door. I sat down on the couch, and she sat down on the coffee table in front of me.

I opened my mouth to say something, but, before I could, a man walked into the room, carrying a white box.

"And enter Percy," Annabeth chuckled.

"Steven," Alix said, "this is my dad. Percy Jackson."

I struggled to keep my jaw from dropping. This was Percy Jackson? He didn't look like much.

"Hey!"

Yes, he was quite physically fit for a forty-year old man. He looked more like he was in his late twenties or early thirties. But still… This was the guy who battled several giants and titans single-handedly?

"I didn't battle them single-handedly…"

"Yes, you did, Seaweed Brain."

This was the guy who had been the most experienced of the seven who stopped Gaia? This was the most famous demigod in both Greek and Roman history? No way! He looked so… so… normal…

"I try!"

Chuckles rang out at Percy's purposefully overly-cheerful outburst.

Mr. Jackson

Percy made a face. "Mr. Jackson…" he mumbled in annoyance.

smiled at me. A friendly smile that would make even the god of paranoia trust him. There was a permanent teasing sparkle in his eyes, a sort of mischievous gleam that would make any sane mother dub him as a troublemaker. He looked quite a bit like Alix. Same green eyes. Same broad shoulders. Same trustful smile. If it wasn't for Alix's brown hair, I would have said that she was his female clone.

All eyes moved between Percy and the picture in the album, before nodding in agreement.

"Nice to meet you, Steven." Mr. Jackson's voice was smooth and friendly. "I've heard about you from Leo and Piper. Sounds like you're quite a trouble maker." He smirked with amusement, as if he knew something about that that I didn't. I had to admit, he must have gotten the sterilized version of the story. Quite a trouble maker…

I nodded. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Jackson."

He wrinkled his nose as he handed Alix the box. "Please don't call me Mr. Jackson! It makes me sound... old… If you need to, call me Percy."

"Sounds like you won't change much," Grover chuckled along with the rest of the group.

I nodded again. "Alright."

He leaned back against the doorway and surveyed me in that same unsettling way that Alix had. I tried to ignore him. After all, he was just being a dad: I was a guy, and I was struggling to keep my gaze from dipping lower than Alix's collarbone. And I knew that he could tell that, too.

Percy pursed his lips, trying to remain in control. It was working, but just barely.

Alix poured a bit of nectar onto a new cloth, and continued to dab at my lip, explaining to Percy what had happened as she worked. This time, I could feel the wound beginning to close. I studied Alix again.

Her long ponytail was tucked up in a black baseball cap that had LAS VEGAS written across the front in clear plastic jewels. Her eyes had the same permanent mischievous sparkle as her dad, though there seemed to be an air of intelligence behind them.

"From Annabeth," Percy guessed.

She had on a red-and-black waterproof sports watch on her left wrist and a spare elastic hair tie on her right. Around her neck was the standard Camp HalfBlood bead necklace, though I probably didn't recognize it before because the part that had the beads was tucked into her tank top. As she leaned forward, it partially fell out of her collar so I could see sixteen beads. She also had on a silver chain that was also tucked into her tank top—though I couldn't tell what was at the end—and a silver necklace with a black-with-silver-flamed guitar pendant. It was slightly rusted, as if she had worn it every day for the past sixteen years. Her full lips and long eyelashes made her seem almost innocently dainty, which she was anything but. She wore no makeup except chap stick, and she didn't need it. Her face was perfect the way it was. She was tanned and athletic, proof that she spent every day training. And when I strained to see through the mist, I noticed that she had a double sheath for hunting knives on the right side of her belt.

"So she uses hunting knives," Artemis nodded approvingly. "Good choice."

"Do you use hunting knives?" I asked, nodding to her belt.

She glanced down, then back up at my face, wiping the nectar gently across the road rash on my face. I tried to focus on what she was saying, instead of on her touch. "Among other things. I also can use a bow and arrow, which is pretty good considering—thanks to Dad's stupid genomes—I should suck at it."

"It's not my fault!"

"It's not my fault!" Percy complained from the doorway, getting his voice to hit just the right pitch so he sounded like a pouting six-year old. The only reason I didn't believe it was the teasing smirk on his face. "Blame Poseidon for making all of his descendants stink at it!"

We burst out laughing. When Alix caught her breath, she continued. "Anyways, I can also use martial arts, as you saw in that alleyway. And I'm not too bad with a simple hand gun. But, being the daughter of my dad, my real talent is—" she cut off, pausing for a second. Then she shook her head. "Never mind."

"A sword," Percy said with certainty.

I wondered what she was about to say. Spear? Javelin? Bazooka?

"Since when do I use a bazooka?"

Whatever it was, I guessed that I'd have to find out.

"So," I drew out the 'o' for much longer than necessary. "Do you have a mom?"

Alix rolled her eyes. "No… I'm a clone. I was born in a laboratory, and started out as an amoeba."

"She sure likes sarcasm," Piper chuckled before continuing.

"You know, you sure do like sarcasm."

More chuckling.

She rolled her eyes. "My mom's in Italy overseeing the finishing touches on a project of hers. She's an Architect."

I nodded. "I remember. Her name is Annabeth. Right?"

Annabeth imagined what it would be like to marry Percy. She had to admit, it didn't sound like a bad life.

Alix chewed her lower lip, almost like she hated it when her family was recognized. "Yeah. That's her. Since there aren't any Drachmas in Italy, I haven't talked to her since she left."

"When was that?"

"My thirteenth birthday."

"What?" Percy yelled. "But she's almost sixteen now!" His face was pale. Annabeth shrugged helplessly.

"What?" I couldn't believe it. "You haven't seen your mom in three years?"

She nodded. "Can we change the subject? It's kinda touchy here." She turned to glance worriedly at her father.

Percy shifted uncomfortably, wondering what was wrong with him. He could guess, and his assumption made him pull Annabeth closer.

I followed her gaze. Percy Jackson was staring ahead of him with a distant look in his eyes. He was absently twisting the silver band on his finger,

"A wedding ring," Aphrodite cooed. Percy rubbed his finger where the ring would be thoughtfully.

and seemed to not notice us.

Alix looked like she was really upset, but she held her composure, most likely for her father's sake.

"Well," Percy said, "I don't need it right now, but thank you."

She stood up and rested her hand comfortingly on his shoulder. I had to admit, Alix seemed close to her father, more like a younger sister than a daughter. Percy must have been really out of it, because he jumped when her hand touched his shoulder. He gave her a weary look, then took the white box and went back to the kitchen.

I shifted uncomfortably. "Um…"

Alix sighed. "He's fine. You get a little distant when you don't see your significant other for several years. Especially since we have no way of knowing whether or not my mom is alive…"

Percy's face went deathly pale, and he pulled Annabeth into his lap and buried his face in her neck. Athena looked like she wanted to object, but… seeing the way Percy shivered at the thought of Annabeth dying… the goddess decided to let it pass.

"I'm sorry."

She gave me a hard look. "I know that you mean well, but you should know: I detest sympathy. Please don't give it to me." She stared out the window. "Sympathy won't bring her back…"

Percy's arms around Annabeth tightened.

I wasn't sure how to answer that. Her eyes were hard to read, but they carried weariness well beyond her years.

A muffled sigh could be heard from Percy. "She shouldn't have to worry about that. Stupid demigod-life…" No one answered, because no one could argue.

I stayed silent, waiting for her to return to the present.

Like the flick of a switch, the weariness disappeared, and Friendly-Alix returned. "So," she said, "have you read any good books lately?"

I wrinkled my nose. "I don't read much."

She shook her head in exasperation. "You're missing a lot. They're really good." She chuckled before adding, "I could give you a list several pages long of must-read books."

I smiled. "We'll see about that. I'm pretty hard to impress."

Percy looked up. "She impressed him today, didn't she?"

"I impressed you today, didn't I?"

"Oh," Percy flushed, much to the laughter of the group. Having calmed down some, he slowly let Annabeth go, and she sat on the floor next to him and planted an understanding kiss on his cheek.

I didn't answer, but the look on my face was probably all the affirmation she needed. She smirked triumphantly. "I thought so."

I tried to change the subject. "What does your dad do for a living?"

"He teaches Marine Sciences for Dyslexics at the college downtown. Mostly Biology and such.

"That's actually a good idea," Percy mused. "I think I will do that…"

Being the son of his father, he's like a walking Aquatic Encyclopedia. It's definitely helpful with my Zoology homework."

More laughter.

I laughed again. Then Alix glanced back out the window. "It's getting late. You should probably be getting back home."

I looked down at my watch. The tiny digital numbers read: 5:38. "You're probably right. If I stay any later my parents will ground me for life." I followed her to the door, picking up my stuff on the way there.

She opened the door and let me out. I stepped outside, but, before she could close it, I called her name.

She raised an eyebrow quizzically, indicating that I should continue.

I swallowed. With all of the phone numbers I've collected, I'd never done this before. "Th-there's a coffee shop two blocks down from my dad's auto shop. You could tell me about the books you like there tomorrow…"

"Is he asking her out?" Aphrodite squealed. Percy didn't look so excited.

She leaned nonchalantly against the doorway. "Steven, I've heard of your reputation. How do I know you're not just trying to get another phone number?"

"Because I don't want your phone number. I just want to meet up for coffee. I've actually never tried anything more than phone numbers before…" I trailed off. Too much, Steven! Too much!

She stared at me for a moment. I tried not to shift under her piercing gaze. Finally, she said, "Noon tomorrow. Don't be late, Valdez." Then she shut the door in my face.

Percy snickered.

I stood there for a moment, then turned and headed numbly for home. I'd heard the rumors about her as well. Alix had been asked out before, but she had turned every guy down. She was the most distant kid at school, the one who got the best grades, and the one who always wore sweatshirts from the Swim Team unless it was too hot out.

"I wonder why she's so distant," Athena questioned aloud.

"It's probably that 'thing' she mentioned last chapter," Percy guessed.

Of course, when she didn't wear sweatshirts, every guy agreed that she was probably the hottest girl at school. She had a couple scars running across her arms, which only served to better her appearances. And with this new revelation that she was a demigod as well, the scars could be explained. I figured that that explanation was much better than the teachers, staff, and parents' beliefs that she was domestically abused, which—apparently—was the explanation for her sweatshirt-life.

Percy snorted in annoyance. "Domestically abused," he muttered disbelievingly.

(The adults' beliefs certainly explained why I'd seen so many police cars come to this part of town whenever Alix got a new scar. I guess that they were never able to convince her to rat her parents out.)

I had to agree though. The scars only made her more interesting-looking. I glanced back towards her house, trying to believe my luck. It may or may not have been a date, but still. I was going for coffee with the hottest girl and the girl with the most mysterious and secretive life at school!

And if when I got home my parents asked me why I was smiling to myself… Well, that's my business, ain't it?

"I suppose," Percy muttered.

Piper chuckled. "I think that the protective-daddy-Percy is kind of cute…"

"Don't call me that!"

Piper passed the book to the next person in order of the circle, which happened to be Leo.

Leo opened the book to the right page and cleared his throat. "Alix III"

Five comments and I'll update! The chapter's already half done!

Thanks!

AtlantaJackson95

P.S. I'm not dead with my other stories. I only get fifteen minutes on the internet on weekdays at school, and the chapters are long. Please bear with me.