Hi guys! Sorry for the lateness of updates, been studying for midterms and writing essays for my English and History teacher :/

Oh, my internet is being weird, and it won't let me reply to reviews. So, if you reviewed to me, THANK YOU SO FREAKIN' MUCH. Seriously, I love you guys! I'm going to try and get it fixed, but until then, sorry :C

And a heads up: screw the list. I'm going to do this challenge in any order I want :B so please don't review saying I'm out of order. I know.

This takes place AFTER the Heroes of Olympus series thing, after the big quest and all C:

11. Memories

"Are you ready?" Annabeth asked Percy.

"Not really." He gave her a smile, and knocked on his mother's apartment door for the first time in almost a year. When you're being kidnapped, questing, and destroying Mother Earth, you don't really have the time to say hello to your mom.

Percy was nervous as to how his mother would react to seeing him again. Would she cry, scream, slap him, jump with joy? Percy was hoping it was that last one.

As soon as his mom opened the door, Percy knew she was a mess. The first thing he saw was her face, dark circles under her eyes, hollow looking cheeks, like she hadn't been eating. Percy's mom looked about 10 years older than she really was. Her eyes swept over the two teens at her door, not recognizing Percy at all. Have I changed that much? Percy thought. His hair was a little shorter since he got it cut, but that was it.

"Annabeth!" Sally smiled tiredly."Is there any news about-" Then she really looked at Percy, and she gasped. "Percy!"

The hug could compete with Tyson's on the crushing factor, but Percy didn't care. He wrapped his arms around his mother. He felt her sigh with relief.

Then, eventually, she let go. They smiled at each other."I'm so happy you're back Percy, but, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Percy's grin faded. Here comes the lecture on how I shouldn't of let Hera kidnap me. "For weeks I've been calling Chiron, asking about you! He didn't know everything, but what he told me was pretty crazy. And another quest? You know how dangerous those are, Percy! What if you'd been hurt? Do you know what that would've done to me?" On and on it went. Percy zoned out a few times, just listening to his mother's voice.

After about five minutes, Percy heard her say, "But I'm glad you're safe." which usually ended the lectures.

"Well," Annabeth said. Percy had forgotten she was there, even though she was holding his hand. "Why don't we go inside? I'm sure the neighbors are tired of hearing all the yelling."

Sally smiled and nodded "Of course. There's a blue cake on the counter if you want any, and some chicken if you two haven't eaten dinner yet."

Percy's stomach rumbled with the thought. He sprinted into the apartment, remembering where the kitchen was.

The house was only slightly different than Percy's last visit. Now Paul's stuff was there, too. Percy had assumed they'd already moved in together while he was gone, but it was still weird seeing his stuff in Percy's house.

"Where's Paul?" he heard Annabeth ask.

"Oh, he had to work a double shift at Aldi's."~A.N.- Aldi's is this grocery store in Tennessee near my house. My friend challenged me to put it in a FF of mine (a challenge within a challenge :D) ~. Then, directed at Percy, "He got another job while you were… away."

"He's not a History teacher anymore?" Percy asked, but his mouth was full of food, so it sounded more like "fees noh uh fishoory teafher nymore" But, luckily, Percy's mom knew him enough to know what he was saying. Annabeth just shook her head, like she couldn't believe that she loved him so much, even though he did stupid stuff.

"He is, he's just… taking some time off." Something in her voice was off, and Percy looked up at his mom.

Percy swallowed. "Mom… is something wrong?"

"I've really missed you, sweetheart." Percy hugged her, but he didn't miss the changing subject on her part.

After some catching up and storytelling, Annabeth decided to head back to camp.

"Oh," Sally's face fell. "You can stay here, Annabeth, I don't mind. You can have Percy's bed, and he'll take the couch." Had it been any other guest, and Percy would've objected, but he didn't mind sleeping on a couch for Annabeth.

"Oh, I really can't, Mrs. Jackson. I promised Chiron I'd inspect the cabins in the morning, and it'll be easier this way." She smiled at Percy. "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, though, I swear."

Percy knew his mom knew that they were dating, but it felt weird just thinking about kissing Annabeth in front of her. So, instead Percy just waved at Annabeth. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

After a few more minutes of talking with his mom, Percy remembered everything about her. She was the best person in the world, with a lot of bad luck. Seriously, life wasn't fair. The best people have the worst things happening in their lives. Percy supposed having your 16-year-old son being kidnapped by a goddess and being away for almost a year would go on that list.

"I'm sorry, mom."

"What?" She'd been talking about Percy's room, which occupied a few of Paul's thing, and that he could still sleep there if he wanted to. Percy's sudden apology surprised her.

"For leaving. For not coming back right away, going on that quest. You have too many sucky things happen to you, it's not fair."

"Oh, honey, I don't blame you. That quest saved the world. I guess I'm not mad about you going on the quest, doing what was right, it's just… I missed you, Percy. This took a year, but it felt like a million years. And you're a hero, so I know you had to do this. I'm more proud of you than anyone else in the world, Percy."

"But it wasn't right!" Percy stood up. "My memories were gone for no reason. I could've saved Camp Jupiter with my memories still there. And you," Percy gestured to his mother, "you shouldn't have had to go through what you did, not knowing whether I was safe or not. That's not right." He didn't realize how bitter and angry his voice sounded until that last sentence. "I'm sorry," Percy said, much gentler.

They hugged each other, both needing to know that the other was okay.

Sally laughed. "When did you get so smart? And start taking care of me?"

Percy smiled. "I feel so old."

"Now you know how I feel." She suddenly looked like she was ready to pass out from sleep deprivation. Percy caught her elbow to steady his mom.

"We should both go to sleep. Rest up for tomorrow. Annabeth hates inspecting cabins, so I'm sure she'll be on the warpath when she gets here."

After making sure his mom was okay, Percy went to his own room. Everything was in the same place, but it felt like someone had painted over everything in it. Percy sighed. When would he get all of his memories back? Sure, Percy got the important ones back, and he was grateful for them. But the little things, like what was hidden under his bed, and when he'd put them there, was still muddy to him.

I'll get them back, he thought tiredly. If it's the last thing I do, I'll get my memories back.

And Percy fell onto his old bed and fell asleep instantly.

Hope you enjoyed! Please review and all that wonderful stuff C:

~SPOILER FOR THE OUTSIDERS~

Read the outsiders a few weeks ago in my English class, LOVED IT. Watched MOST of the movie in English class, got to the part where Johnny dies. Teacher says we're not gonna finish it. FAIL. SO, got smart and rented it at the library C: mad at English teacher right now ( when you watch a movie in school, you should finish it :C) anyway. Ranting. Sorry.