The Interrogation

Summary: An explosion rocked Goode High School during freshman orientation. Two teenagers were seen fleeing the scene and were apprehended separately by the NYPD. Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase had to answer questions from a Psychologist who works part-time at the New York City 19th Precinct. Quite unexpectedly, a different kind of confession resulted from that interrogation.

Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series.

Chapter 4. A Private Confession of My Own

I almost ran into Rita as I turned into the hallway.

"We just got a call from the principal of Goode High School." Rita told me everything that happened at that school today.

Turns out that Percy and Annabeth were innocent after all. The principal of Goode High School confirmed that the explosion was caused by a fire bomb-throwing cheerleader. And I thought "Bring It On" was a nasty movie on cheerleaders.

"How are they doing?" Rita asked.

"Not too bad. I think they'll be fine. Rita, you better call their parents and let them know that they can pick them up here anytime."

"I already did. Mrs. Jackson had inquired about her son already. She's on her way to pick him up. I told Mrs. Jackson that the girl is also here and she said that she'll bring her home as well. Mr. Chase was totally fine with that."

"Great, I'll let them know that his mom is on her way. Thanks, Rita." I was about to go back to the room when Rita stopped me.

"What's with the stupid grin anyway?" I didn't notice that I was even doing that when I came out of the room.

"Nothing. I just thought about something that I should have done a long time ago."

"Okaaay... " She didn't buy that explanation at all. "You just seem to have that look as if you're thinking of something evil to do."

"Not really. I'm just relieved that I'm done with my work today." I lied of course. I obviously have other thoughts in my mind.

Rita just shook her head and went on her way. "Well good night then. I have some packages to drop downstairs in the mail room. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Rita." I watched her as she turned and disappeared at the end of the hallway.

I went to Percy's room first.

"Hey Percy, looks like you're not the school arsonist after all." He looked at me as if he already expected that. I told him about the phone call from the school principal.

"Am I free to go now?" He asked impatiently.

"Yes, of course. Your mom is on her way to pick you up. But first, please follow me. I have somebody who wants to see you badly." He stared at me suspiciously as I led him to the other room.

I opened the door and Annabeth gasped when she saw Percy behind me.

"Percy!" She stood up and nervously ran one hand through her hair to straighten up her ponytail.

"Annabeth! Thank the gods you're safe!" He ran towards Annabeth and they met halfway across the room. Annabeth did not seem angry at him at all. She just ran into Percy's arms and hugged him tightly. I heard faint sobs as she buried her face on the side of his neck.

"It's alright, Annabeth. We can go home. They found out that I didn't cause that explosion. My mom is on her way here. You can spend the night at our apartment then we can go to camp together tomorrow." Percy's tone was reassuring and seemed to calm her down. He had both arms wrapped around her while his hands were stroking her back lovingly. I noticed that they did not let go of each other's embrace for some time. I suddenly felt annoyingly invisible inside the room like I'm the fourth piece of furniture or something.

"I'm glad you're okay, Seaweed Brain." She finally pulled back and looked at him with a broad smile on her face. Her face was beaming despite the tears streaming down her red cheeks. Seaweed Brain? What a strange nickname, I thought.

"Me too, Wise Girl." Wise Girl? He gently brushed her tears away with one hand.

He looked into her eyes and she gazed back into his. "I'm so sorry I messed up our plans today. I was really excited to go out with you."

"I was very excited too... Wait, not so fast, Seaweed Brain! What about her?" Wow, she just won't drop that one easily. She just really needed to ask him that question, I guessed.

"Who?" Not now, Percy, I thought to myself. Not the time to play dumb. I think you already knew who she meant.

"The red head. The girl with you today." She was looking at his eyes as if she was trying to determine if he was going to lie to her or not. He did not even look away.

"Rachel?... I had been trying to avoid her all morning but she kept following me."

"You mean you're not seeing her then?"

"Jeez, Annabeth. I barely know her." That made her blush again.

"That's great. I mean, I'm glad you made some new friends."

"Hey, are you saying that because you're jealous of her?" Percy had that smirk which seemed to make Annabeth's face turn from red to purple.

"You wouldn't dare, Seaweed Brain!" She said defensively and then turned away before he grabbed her shoulders and made her face him again. She smiled at him at once with that gesture.

"I'm just stating a fact, Wise Girl." She didn't even say a single word of protest. One point for Percy Jackson, I thought.

He held her hand as she let him walk her towards the door. I motioned to them to stay where they were.

"You know what. You guys can stay here while you wait for Percy's mom. Make yourself comfortable. I just need to make a phone call."

I closed the door gently behind me and went to the observation room. I dialed a number on my phone while I looked at them through the one-way mirror. I was tempted to turn on the speakers but decided against it. They seemed to be having a heart-to-heart conversation. They looked so sweet and innocent together. I looked away and turned around to face the other wall.

"Hello?" A familiar voice answered on the other line. I felt my heartbeat skipped a beat or two.

"Oh, hello Mike!"

"Hey, is this Alex?"

"Yup it's me."

"It's been a long while…"

"I know. I hope you didn't forget me."

"That's an understatement, Alex. You know very well you were the one who stopped returning my phone calls and emails."

"What about Claire?" I knew I just couldn't drop that one too.

"I'm not seeing anyone, Alex." I was suddenly smiling to myself now.

"Do you want to meet me for dinner tonight?"

"Awesome! Same place?"

"Sure, around 8?"

"I'll be there waiting as usual Alex."

"Oh, Mike?"

"Yes, Alex?"

"Thanks for being so understanding."

"Hey anytime! That's what best friends are for."

"'Bye Mike. See you at 8 tonight."

"'Bye Alex."

I was grinning ear to ear. I think he'll be thrilled to hear what I have to tell him tonight. I'm now pretty sure that he's been waiting to hear what I have to say for a long time. This time, I know I'm really sure.

I turned around and looked at Percy and Annabeth through the one-way mirror. They're back in a warm embrace again. Their eyes locked into each other. I felt myself blush a little. I took out my recorder and flipped into the last two files. I think Percy and Annabeth don't need any extra help from me after all. They're doing very well on their own. Pretty much way better than I had envisioned. I hit the delete button and erased both files.

I got out and went inside the room where Percy was. The yellow pad was still there on the table. I bent over to pick it up.

I was not surprised at what I saw written on the paper. Well maybe a little bit surprise. Who am I kidding? Those two kids certainly deserve each other.

There was only one word that Percy Jackson wrote on that yellow pad paper:

ANNABETH.

THE END

To all those who took their time to read this story and especially to those who reviewed it, my heartfelt thanks and I hope you enjoyed this little story as much as I enjoyed writing it- ARS. :)