A/N: Yeah, you get to find out who's at the door! I tried to make Annabeth jealous in this chapter for the person who asked. I'm glad F.N. liked my random phrase. Should I put one in each authors note to try to make you smile? All of you who read? If so here's another one: "I'm not clumsy, the floor just hates me." Please enjoy this chapter, no flames.
Amy POV
I sighed in relief as I opened the door. It was Mr. McIntyre.
"Amy, my dear girl, you are alright?" he said, more as a question than a statement, watching Percy and Jason.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for coming on such short notice. This is Percy, and this is Jason," I said indicating to each boy in turn. "They're the friends I told you were staying with me until you came." I emphasized "friends."
He looked relieved. "Yes, well, I tried to get here as soon as possible. Thank you, gentlemen, for staying with Amy. I will take over." I could feel a tension between Percy and Jason about Mr. McIntyre and vice versa. Neither seemed willing to give me up, understandable, I guess, since they don't know each other. Saladin walked up to Mr. McIntyre and swatted at his pants. Mr. McIntyre looked down at Saladin and smiled. "How are you, Saladin? Have you been helping take care of Amy for me?" he asked the cat. Saladin purred in response.
"Why don't we get out of the doorway and into the living room to talk?" I suggested, scooping Saladin up into my arms.
"Here, you shut the door. I'll carry the cat," Jason offered. I gratefully gave him Saladin and shut and locked the door as Jason took Mr. McIntyre and Saladin into the living room while Percy waited.
"Are you sure you'll be okay with just him?" Percy asked concerned.
"Yes, I'm sure, if I get attacked Saladin can protect me," I said trying to make the situation lighter.
"You just call if you need anything. We'll be here for you," he said seriously. Then he joked, "I don't care if your cat's a ninja; if you're in trouble, call."
"I will, thank you for everything," I said sincerely.
"Hey, for free food, I'll do almost anything," he laughed. "But, seriously, what are friends for?"
We walked into the living room. Jason was sitting on the couch with Saladin on his lap. Mr. McIntyre sat on a chair opposite. I sat down next to Jason and petted Saladin. Percy sat on my other side.
Mr. McIntyre sighed and massaged his temples.
"Amy, what happened exactly?" he asked.
"Dan decided to go to the arcade with his friends, so I went ahead to the bus. As we were driving…" I explained the entire thing, except Cahill or Vesper, Percy and Jason were still here.
"What were you all doing in Central Park?" Mr. McIntyre asked the boys when I finished.
"Just chatting and wandering," Percy replied.
"Why?" Mr. McIntyre pressed. I hope he remembers we're not in court. He doesn't need to be a lawyer right now. I thought.
"Because I haven't seen any of them in- what is it now, a year? Anyway, I wanted to catch up with my sister and friends," Jason replied.
Mr. McIntyre sighed. "Alright, I'll take over from here. Thank you, boys, for helping Amy. Please, go home and rest."
"Okay, if you need anything, call us," Percy said before turning to Jason. "Jay, let's get our suitcases and put them in the car." Percy and Jason got up and left the room to do that. Saladin crawled into my lap.
"Amy, I do share your worry, but I must remind you that panic won't help our loved ones. Keeping calm is important, especially when we don't understand yet what's happening and who's behind it." I simply nodded as I listened to Percy and Jason coming in from the garage. They entered the room.
"Okay, we're ready to go," Percy said.
"I'll walk you guys to your car," I said as I got up and carried Saladin in my arms. Mr. McIntyre got up also. He shook both boys' hands.
"Thank you, once again. It was a pleasure to meet you," Mr. McIntyre said.
"You too, sir, take care," Percy replied.
"It was my pleasure to meet you also. Good- bye for now," Jason said. The three of us left for the garage, leaving Mr. McIntyre in the living room. When the three of us reached the door we stopped and said our good- byes.
Percy POV
Jason and I drove away from the Cahill's home.
"Ready for Italy?" Jason asked me.
"Yeah, just not ready for a plane trip," I told him.
"Come on, my dad promised he wouldn't blow us up," Jason replied.
"Us? You mean me. He promised not to blast me. He wouldn't bother you."
"He wouldn't blast either of us. I would be on the same plane and be right next to you."
"I don't know. He has good aim."
Jason didn't bother replying, he just laughed.
Percy POV
When we got back home I remembered that I needed to call Annabeth.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to IM Annabeth and then we can go," I told Jason. He nodded and started to tell Mom and Paul about our time at Amy's house as I walked into the bathroom. I made a rainbow and Annabeth soon became visible. Her back was to me. "Hey, Wise Girl, how's it going?" She jumped startled and whipped around to face me.
"Gods, Seaweed Brain, don't scare me like that. Where have you been? I thought you were going to call me yesterday," Annabeth said.
"Yeah I'm sorry. It was a very weird day yesterday. I had to help out a friend and the gods need me and Thalia, Jason, Tyson, Nico, and Hazel to go to Italy and get something for them."
"When are you leaving?"
"Umm… in a little bit." I winced at her expression.
"Today, you're leaving today! We were supposed to spend time together tomorrow," she said furiously. Oops… I forgot about that.
"I know; I am so sorry. I wish I didn't have to, but I don't want Zeus to get mad. When I get back we can do whatever you want. It will be a whole day just for you," I tried to sooth her. She softened a bit.
"Alright," she said. "Why didn't you tell me yesterday?" I told her about everything that happened yesterday. The only thing she had to say was, "Seaweed Brain, you get into way too much trouble."
"Hey, it's not my fault!" I defended myself. "I don't go around trying to get in trouble."
"Do you want me to help you with your project?" she asked changing the subject.
"Amy and I finished it already."
"Oh, well, how about I check it?" I could see she was trying not to get upset about not having anything to do to help.
"I would love if you check it, but…" I trailed off, not wanting Annabeth to get more upset.
"But?" she persisted.
I took a deep breath before saying, "Amy has it."
"She does? Do you want a good grade? I would suggest having someone else who isn't having any problems right now and correct it." Annabeth said.
"Amy is really smart. I'm sure her corrections are right, and she won't lose it."
"And I'm not smart or will lose it?"
"No, I didn't say that. You're extremely smart and wouldn't lose it either. It's just that I don't want to bother you, since you're working so hard on-"
"So I'm too busy to help with your project, and you're too busy to make our date?" Annabeth cut me off.
"No! I mean yes, no… I mean…" I stumbled over my words, trying desperately to fix this. Suddenly, someone on Annabeth's end called out something.
"I have to go," she said stiffly.
"Annabeth, please, I-" I was cut off as Annabeth waved her hand through the connection.
There was a knock on the door.
"Percy, we need to leave now if we are going to make our flight." Jason said on the other side of the door.
I hope with some time Annabeth will forgive me.
I sighed and opened the door.
"'Kay, let's go," I said to Jason.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, Annabeth's just mad at me."
"I'm sure she'll get over it soon."
"I hope so."