Sup peeps. Yeah, I decided to update for all my supporters. There's some stuff at the end I would like you to read if you could please do that it would be much appreciated. It mainly concerns the setting of this story, time, etc. as one of my reviewers pointed out some things. Anyway, Rick owns those brilliant characters and READ ON! XD

(End of chapter 5)

Annabeth helped him limp towards it as best as he could. When they got there, he knocked on the door and a middle-aged woman with brown hair that had a few grey streaks opened it. Laughter was in her eyes but that was quickly changed for concern as she took in their image; a girl supporting a heavily injured boy on her threshold. Annabeth thought she would turn them away but instead she asked, "Percy?" The boy smiled weakly, all colour gone from his face.

"Hey Mom." And then he fainted.

Annabeth jolted at his sudden dead weight on her shoulders. She stumbled forward a bit only to be caught by a hand. Percy's mother took his other side and helped her through the door.

"Thank you." Annabeth muttered as they carefully laid the unconscious boy on the couch. The older woman turned towards her with a slightly melancholy look on her face and a small smile.

"That's alright dear. Call my Sally." Sally picked up a seat and put it near the old worn couch that Percy lay on. "Sit down. You must be exhausted." Annabeth tried to protest but the middle-aged woman was even more insistent. Annabeth sat and stared at Percy's gaunt face as his mother had disappeared into what Annabeth assumed was the kitchen.

"Here." Sally handed the shivering girl a warm cup of tea. She noticed that the blonde teenager didn't seem to notice the chill that shook her body in little tremors. She wrapped a blanket around the girl as well.

"Thank you." Was her muffled reply. Sally turned to leave just as the girl called her name.

"Sally, how many times has Percy come home like this?" The older woman looked down at the floor as Annabeth studied her carefully.

"Too many for my liking but never this bad. Thank you for bringing him home." Sally again turned to leave just as the girl called out again.

"Annabeth, my-my name is Annabeth." Her voice was slightly breathless like she was relieved to finally get out her name. Sally offered a smile and left to get the medical supplies whilst Annabeth sipped from her cup of tea and took the chance to look around the room. It was simple with the couch and a coffee table next to it, a small TV sat on a ledge as well as a beat-up radio. There was some black and white pictures of a small black-haired boy grinning toothily at the camera. There was another picture of Sally standing arm in arm with a man maybe a head taller. The man had salt-and-pepper hair and was smiling as well. Percy wasn't in the picture at all. Annabeth shifted her gaze around the room further, taking in the old carpet that was in need of repair and the paint peeling from the walls. Percy coughed making her jump. She turned to him.

"It-it's getting a bit *cough* old." His voice was low and hoarse, gravelly. She stared at his pale face, the deep circles under his eyes that were blueish.

"Do-do you want a drink?" She asked. He looked at her wearily.

"Maybe."

"Here then." She helped him sit up a bit and let him take a few sips from her tea. "Sally?" Annabeth called. The older woman came quickly, juggling bandages, tubes of some sort of salve and a serving tray that had a jug of water, two cups and a plate of blue cookies. Ok, interesting thing to eat. Sally's eyes widened as she took in the image of her son before bustling over to the coffee table and putting everything on it. Annabeth stood shakily from the chair so Sally could sit.

"Percy." His mother said as she brushed back his black bangs, baring his green orbs that were dull with pain.

"Mom, I'm sorry-"

"Shh, you're safe now. We can talk about this later. Right now we need to patch you up." She mumbled and her son gave a weak nod. Sally started to carefully remove the jacket and orange shirt that covered her son's wounds. He winced as the jacket came off and let out a small groan as his mother gently lifted his shirt.

"My back..." He groaned, taking a shaky breath. Annabeth caught his meaning and snatched out the dagger from his jacket before cutting through the shirt material carefully. Both of the women used gentle hands as they peeled the shirt off his back. Blood had seeped through the hasty bandages and dried, making the shirt stick even more but any protests of pain were held back. Percy's face did go paler though and his breath became more ragged. Annabeth managed to get the soiled bandages off without too much fuss apart from Percy blacking out a few times but only for a minute or so. Annabeth sat back, not knowing what to do as Sally tended to her son's back, washing the wounds free of dirt, rust and dried blood, before using the salve and re-bandaging. Annabeth started to quietly leave. She felt that she had imposed on Percy's mother for too long. She turned to leave via the hallway but ran into something. At second glance she realised it was someone. She looked up to the face of a kind looking man with salt-and-pepper hair. He was dressed simply in old jeans, a t-shirt and unzipped jacket. His shoes were old and battered but she took no notice of his slightly messy yet casual appearance when he smiled at her.

"You seem like you're in a hurry to get somewhere." His voice was kind.

"I-I was just leaving." Annabeth stuttered. Since when did Annabeth Chase stutter when meeting someone new? Oh yeah, that's right, around the same time when she met Percy and her whole world was thrown into meeting new people, either good or bad. Her attention came back to the man when he held out his hand, the other still in his jacket pocket.

"My name is Paul. I'm Percy's step-father." Annabeth felt her eyes widen. She took his hand giving it a firm shake.

"Paul Blofis? I haven't seen you since I was 12!" She exclaimed.

"Ah yes, Annabeth Chase, one of my best students if I remember correctly."

"So, um, yeah. I was just leaving." Annabeth still felt awkward and she moved to go around her once-teacher but he stopped her.

"Annabeth, past student or not I think you should stay here for the night. From what Sally has told me, Percy is severely injured and helping him escape from the Athens prison looks as if it has taken its toll on you. I would prefer if someone who knew the Underworld better could take you back. Maybe someone in Percy's gang might be willing." He led her back into the living room where Percy looked like he was asleep. Annabeth felt a pang of sympathy when she looked at Sally, tears running down her face and blood from her son's wounds covering her hands. She felt guilty. If she hadn't held him up when he came to return the necklace he wouldn't be in this position. He wouldn't be guaranteed future scars. He wouldn't be laying half unconscious on a couch. He definitely wouldn't be worrying his mother even more. It was all Annabeth's fault. She was the one who insisted on arguing. She was the one who brought this onto him. Annabeth sat down heavily on the floor next to the couch.

"I'm sorry." She whispered again. She felt an arm wrap around her shoulders and saw Sally sitting next to her.

"He'll be alright, Annabeth. Thalia will probably come tomorrow and see how he's going. Knowing Percy he'll put on a brave face for her." Something tightened in Annabeth's chest at the words. She didn't say anything but watched as Percy stirred a little.

"Mom?" His voice was barely there but it was there. Sally was alert instantly. It's amazing how mothers do that.

"Yes, honey?"

"I'm sorry." It was so simple but it seemed to make Sally angry.

"Will both of you stop saying you're sorry?! I understand that you both messed up but what is done, is done and there's no point on dwelling on it. So, please, save your apologies because I've already heard them and I can see that you're learning from it." She glared at the two teenagers who stared at her for a second...then Percy gave a weak smile.

"I missed you." His voice was low and still scratchy. Tears traced their way down Sally's face and as she gazed at her son she seemed to age 10 years. She brushed his hair back again.

"Me too." Sally said, equally quiet. Annabeth was taken back by the turn of emotions. One minute Sally was angry, next she was just sad and Percy seemed to know it. He acted so different around his mother, unlike quite a lot of boys who were disrespectful and unfeeling. He seemed to know the right things to say to her, whatever mood she was in. Percy then coughed violently, cutting through Annabeth's train of thought violently. He curled up painfully, hacking all the while. After a few minutes, he straightened, still wheezing. Annabeth handed Percy's mother a glass of water to give to the injured boy. It helped his wheezing but then his stomach made a grumbling sound. Annabeth found that Sally had a nice laugh. It made her want to laugh too but what was so funny about Percy being hungry was beyond the princess of Athens.

"I'll go warm up some chicken soup." The mother stood, ruffling her son's hair then leaving again, to the kitchen. Paul still stood just inside the doorway leading towards the hall and now he said goodbye.

"Get better Percy. Hopefully next time I'll see you, you'll be up to eating your mother's famous blue cookies." Percy gave his step-father a weak grin at the words.

"Maybe Paul. Have fun teaching."

"Oh, you know I love it!" Paul said, smiling. Percy rolled his eyes, shaking his head a bit.

"How you put up with them is completely over my head. See you later."

"Bye Percy, Annabeth." Paul nodded at her and she returned the gesture.

"You have a nice family." She started, staring at the carpeted floor. Percy gave a small sigh.

"It wasn't always like this. I wish I didn't have to leave all the time but," He gave a tiny shrug. "what can I do? They both depend on me and then there's the kids in the gang. Most of them are homeless or they need to provide for their families. Anyone who wants to enter for the heck of it, we don't let in. There's no point in joining just for the title. That's the way my gang works. Don't have a decent reason, don't join. We don't give charity to those who don't need it." Annabeth studied his face. He had a lot of responsibility for a 16 year old. He had to lead a gang and look after a family both of which he seemed to do well at.

"I don't want to go back." She muttered. Percy nodded.

"I can understand. Here, you get some freedom. There..." He trailed off and Annabeth dipped her head sadly.

"I don't want to get married either." There was a drawn out silence but it broke when Percy coughed. Annabeth jumped violently and grasped his shoulder so he wouldn't roll off the couch because of his racking cough. The hacking receded but Annabeth kept her hand on his shoulder as he lay on his side. Percy weakly pushed her off.

"You should get some rest." He coughed some more. "Probably have to take my old room." He closed his eyes, letting his arm drop. Again, Annabeth nodded and stood a little stiffly, running a hand through Percy's hair absently mindedly as she walked past. Sally was sitting at the kitchen table, waiting while the soup heated on the stove top. The older woman looked up as the teenager entered.

"Um, Percy said I should get some sleep." Annabeth fidgeted where she was, still not used to being there. Sally gave her a wane smile that made her feel welcome again. Safe. The mother stood.

"Come on. That son of mine is always thinking of everyone else but himself. I can't talk though." Annabeth listened as she followed Percy's mother down the hall to a simple room that had heavy curtains pulled shut. The walls were a warm blue and the paint was peeling a little but it felt homely. The beaten up blue comforter looked old but warm and Annabeth welcomed the change from her huge, prestigious kind sized bed at the castle. This one was a simple double but for some reason, everything in the room was blue. She pointed this out to Sally who gave a small laugh.

"Yes. It's Percy's favourite colour. It seemed fitting that his room should be blue." Surprise took the princess again.

"Shouldn't Percy-"

"No. He will be warmer in the lounge room where the fire is and if he's on the couch he can lay on his stomach easier." The idea was sensible.

"Oh."

"Well, here's the room. I'm sorry we don't have any clothes but at least there's a warm bed so you won't freeze. Let me know if you need anything." Sally's voice was just as soft and sweet as before and she left, closing the door gently behind her. The princess of Athens fell into the bed, curled up and fell asleep.

Not my best chapter and I'm sorry for that but it was more a filler than anything. Anyway, here's the answer and all that...

GuestNumeroUno- That's cool. I have a no problem with that. Actually, I encourage it. If you get an idea from any of my stories, use it! If you think you can write it better or whatever do it! Just let me know the name of the story so I can read. ;D

Summer Crazy Spring Lover- Okay, maybe not this chapter. I might put some fluff in the next one. Not sure yet...

MaxandThalia- Sorry I didn't add much about that. Sally's a little surprised but she won't say anything about it just yet. Okay? Cool.

Chaos Son of None- This is for all those questions about the time, etc. It's a weird and wacked alternate universe that I didn't really put much though into so you'll have to put up with the scraps and pieces of different times. I'm not British so I wouldn't have a clue about the lashings. I didn't even look it up, to tell you the truth. Alternate Universe. Please bear with it 'cause I ain't goin' off any set rules and law enforcement. Treason can be a punishable crime and I'm not going off any military things here. It's more like a mix between end of early 1800's and the current age. Let's just make it that the whip was like an Egyptian war flail and had metal heads on the end. I will only say this once. Military history is my brother's thing, not mine. I'll stick with the ancient histories and their war commanders. Sorry 'bout the rant type thing.

SummerSpirit18- Heheh. Lol. You're not the only one who has a class that thinks they're weird. :P

RedNebulosity- I think I got your name right. :/ YES! AUSSIE'S ARE AWESOME! XD

Onlyafraidoffear- Maybe. We authors, have our ways of keeping things secret...;P

KatieElizabethGrace- Heh. Grace is my middle name, lol. Sorry I didn't update sooner like you told me to! Though, if you want another update you'd better not kill me. :D

So, those are your answers. Unfortunately I have NAPLAN this term so I'll be busy studying for that. All non-Australians, NAPLAN is a country wide test for grades, ,5, 7, 9 if memory serves correctly. It's my last year of NAPLAN! Victory dance! I'll probably end up failing the maths part again. Oh well. I try. Of course, I'll do magnificently on the reading bit, won't I? :D Ahh, the perks of being a bookworm...:P

P.S. FAVE! FOLLOW! (And most importantly) REVIEEEEW! XD

P.P.S. Everyone else who reviewed are awesome! :)