A/N: Ok, yes I took long. Yes, you should be used to it by now. But I still love you guys so I updated as fast as I could. And I started a new PJO story! You can check it out on my profile, it's called 'Dysfunctional? Yes. Psychotic? Possibly. So here's the update, enjoy!

P.s. Rick Riordan is the genius, not me.


Take Me Higher

Chapter 9

"Jason, you really need to stop shaking," Reyna chided as they stood outside in the weapons laden hallways. "Seriously, you look like a terrified chipmunk."

Jason would've glared at her had he not actually been shaking.

To say he was a bit nervous about being called into Lt. Lupa's office after the match they had been specifically told not to screw up would've been an understatement of mind blowing proportions. And that was without the fact that everyone else on the team went home and he was the only one called in.

Reyna was at the game and rode with Jason back for support and to check how he was doing.

But what did you expect from him? Lupa was a cold hearted lieutenant at the most prestigious military school in the state of New York with a below zero-tolerance level. She'd stomp on you before you even had the chance to pull off your prank. And this was much worse than any prank he could've done.

Jason's tone was patronizing, "Reyna, this is Lupa we're talking about. She is going to kill me. Slowly. And painfully."

She gave him a look, crossing her arms over her chest, "You're over exaggerating."

"I think I'm doing the right amount of exaggerating." He countered.

"But it wasn't even your fault!" she reminded. "That Goode kid, Jackson or whatever was asking for a fight. You can't keep blaming yourself for every little thing that goes wrong."

He shook his head, "It was a trap waiting to happen. And I fell for it like an idiot."

She sighed, giving him a pitiful glance, "Maybe."

He let that statement linger in his head for a while. Maybe it wasn't a trap, he thought to himself. Maybe that Percy Jackson actually was trying to defend his friend's honor. Or maybe it was and Jason was right. I mean, this was a sporting match, and injures are bound to happen at some point. And, honestly, who would be that stupid as to go pick a fight with everything that was riding on that game? Not to mention the kind of trouble they'd get into. Jason didn't know the guy that well, but he had really hoped he wasn't that stupid.

Apparently he was.

"Look," Reyna sighed, taking his hand into hers. Jason was a bit startled at the contact. She was holding his hand! He had to focus really hard to keep down the blush threatening to light up his cheeks. Reyna wasn't normally one for comforting, but this felt. . .oddly nice. And he was starting to feel a lot less shaky now.

"Whatever happens," she continued. "Everything will turn out ok in the end. And if it's not ok, then it's not the end."

Jason tried to keep down a laugh too, he really tried. But he failed. He imploded with immature laughter, "Where did you get that from? A self-help book?" he teased.

She shoved him, forcefully. He was a bit disappointed about the break in handholding, but he couldn't stop smiling.

The dark haired teen was glaring at him now, "My sister gave me that advice, ok. She'd kick your ass if she was here right now. And I happen to have her on my speed-dial."

The blonde playfully held up his hands in defeat, "Ok, ok, I'm sorry. That was. . .a beautiful quote, really. Very inspiring and heart-warming. Please don't send your ass-kicking sister after me." He joked.

Reyna just rolled her eyes, "Just get in there and face Lupa before I go push you in myself."

He took a deep breath to calm himself and nodded, "Ok, I'm ready now. I'll see you soon." He promised.

As Jason turned to walk in, he paused as he neared for the door knob. He met her eyes one last time, "And Reyna, honestly, thank you for being here. No one else came to help, so that means a lot to me that you did. Thanks for coming with me."

A genuine smile started creeping up those lips of hers, "Anytime, Grace. Anytime."

He just had to smile back at that. And then he walked into Lt. Lupa's office, not breaking eye contact till the door slammed shut behind him.

! #$%^&*()

. . .

Jason G. POV

The look on Lupa's face told me two things: 1) She was pissed as Hell, and 2) I wasn't the only one she was pissed at.

Coach Mars was there too, standing straight and proud like he was a Chief of Staff and facing Lupa's death glare without a hint of fear or hesitation. I, on the other hand, was almost mortified by the standoff. These were the two toughest, bravest, and most intimidating people at Westover, standing as still as statues like they were having some ultra secret mental conversation going on.

This was not going to end well.

I thought about slowly backing out and leaving the two to whatever the Hell they were doing, until I heard the Coach say, "Get over here kid."

And of course I had to obey.

Lupa turned her glare on me now. I tried my best to stay calm. The Lieutenant didn't like seeing weakness, even if it was because of her presence.

"You've failed again, my pup," The stone-cold red head started. "First our Eagle is stolen under your nose by those Goode hooligans last year, costing our academy its pride, its honor, its very soul. And now you come here, after disobeying a direct order not to sabotage this event. Look what has happened."

Every word stung like a stake through the heart. All my mistakes, my failures, and my past coming to bite me in the ass.

"Do you know what you've done." She asked, except it was anything but a question.

I nodded, "Yes, Lieutenant."

"And what is that?" she patronized. I thought about that for a minute. How could I put this gently?

I took a deep breath, "I let my team down. I let this school down. And I let you down, mam; because I couldn't control my emotions and engaged with an opposing player. I made a decision unworthy of my rank as Captain, and I compromised our chance at a win in the game. I am truly sorry for what happened, and I just hope everyone can forgive me for that. I promise, Lieutenant, I won't let it happen again."

Phew, that sounded pretty good to me.

They stayed as quiet as crickets. It was starting to feel a little creepy.

"Umm. . ." I hummed. "I didn't miss anything, did I?"

Coach Mars grinned like he had just won the lottery, "Nope. Congrats, kid, you sounded like a true Captain, not a spoiled brat. God knows we have too many of those in this damn school." He muttered that last part under his breath.

"Wait. . .you lost me. Am I in trouble or what?"

"Yes, my pup, you're still in deep, deep trouble," Lt. Lupa replied. "But, Coach Mars here has convinced me to lessen your punishment if you managed to learn from this little experience. It seems you have. Don't make the same mistake again, Jason Grace. I'll hold you to your promise, mind you."

I had to sigh in relief. Everything was gonna be ok, just like Reyna said.

"So what's my punishment?" I asked.

"Detention," Coach answered for her. "Till the day you graduate."

Oh crap, I thought.

! #$%^&*()

. . .

Percy J. POV

The second I stepped into our apartment and closed the door behind me was the second I got hugged (though it felt more like being tackled) by my sobbing mother.

She kept mumbling and bawling into my torn orange jersey. Adding tears to the rips and blood stains in my uniform. My mom was rambling uncontrollably, but I managed to make most of it out. It went something like, "Oh, Percy, my baby boy. I was so worried for you, and I'm so, so sorry I couldn't have been there," she paused for a deep, shaky breath between her sobs then said, "The school called and said you were hurt. And I thought I almost lost you again. Thank God, you're safe."

I was a bit caught off guard by the embrace, but I wasn't even shocked by it. I hugged her and rubbed circles into her back, trying to calm her down. She just held on tighter.

"I'm alright," I assured her softly. "It's just a few scratches." I knew my injuries were a lot more serious than that, but compared to last year, they kinda were. But that was a conversation I've had far too many times with my mother. Plus I didn't want her to get too upset over a few cut and bruises anyway.

She pulled back to cup my face, checking how serious they actually were. Her eyes were just a bit pink, which was a good sign. She hadn't been crying for long.

"I'll go get the first aid kit." She said, dragging me into the living room toward my bedroom.

Gabe was there, playing poker with his buddies around the dining table, beers all around with the TV blaring out commentary from ESPN Sports Center. He looked up lazily, barely trying to hide a grin when he saw my marks. "No broken legs, brain boy?" he teased. "That's too bad. Sally's been crying up a flood of waterworks for nothing."

I would've smacked that grin right off his face and then some if my mom hadn't been leading me into my bedroom.

"Come on," she said, pulling me a little harder away from the poker party.

She closed the door of my room and fetched a kit from one of my drawers. She handed me a cloth with some rubbing alcohol on it. I cleaned myself up nicely, flinching whenever it came into contact with a cut or bruise. It stung like a bitch, but it did the trick. She also put those huge Band-Aids on my cheeks and arms.

When my mom finished, she ran her hand through my tangled, jet black mess I call hair, the way she always did when this kind of thing happened. And because of that, I knew what was coming next. So I asked her, "Do you mind if we not talk about it this time?"

Her eyes were drier now, and she gave me a small smile, "If that's what you want, then we don't have to." She assured.

I just had to smile back at that. We sat there in silence for a while, no words were spoken because none were need. This wasn't the first time I've ended up getting bandaged by my mother after a fight. I was hoping it would be the last, but who was I kidding? It probably wouldn't be.

Instinctively, my mom checked her watch, and her smiled suddenly disappeared.

"Percy, I have to go soon. I have night classes with Paul tonight at the school."

I sighed in disappointment. She was taking English Lit. Classes with Mr. Blofis to become an author one day. I knew it was something she really wanted, and I couldn't hold her back from something like this. "It's ok, I get it." I replied.

Her smile returned, a bit hesitantly, "Are you going to be alright alone with Gabe?"

I resisted the urge to snicker in disgust, but I hid my discomfort with a grin, "Yeah, I'll be fine. You should go."

She got up and planted a kiss on my forehead, "Be safe. I love you Percy." She said. My mom left the building a few minutes later.

I laid down on my bed with a sigh, finally thinking I was about to get some much need peace from my hectic life for a moment. Then the doorbell rang, and I knew fate was enjoying messing with me now. Nothing ever goes my way.

"Get the door, brain boy!" Gabe called from inside.

I did, not without muttering every fucking cuss word I knew under my breath. Then I opened it, and I swear my heart stopped for a minute. There was a certain tan, blonde haired, stormy gray eyed girl standing outside my door.

After what seemed like an hour, I finally recovering from the shock and said, "Annabeth?"

She found out where I lived. But I never told her my address. And all those earlier thoughts about us never talking about our families or private lives or homes came crashing down on me.

She looked determined, but gave a relieved smile nonetheless, "We need to talk."


A/N: Ok, don't have much to say anymore. Just REVIEW!