Short chapter this time. I tried to update sooner than I had the past few times.

Without more delay, here's chapter 10.

All rights to Rick Riordan.

"Percy!" the woman cried. "It's been too long, son."

She hugged Percy tightly. Once she had stopped fussing over him, she turned to Annabeth, "I'm afraid we have not met before," she said, holding out her hand.

"No," Annabeth agreed with a small smile, shaking the offered hand. "Sorry, I'm Annabeth. I'm part of Percy's crew."

"She's my friend," Percy cleared. "Annabeth, this is my mother, Sally Jackson. Now may we go in, mum, or shall we star watch all night?"

Sally clucked her tongue at her son's antics but smiled widely nonetheless, and cleared the doorway to let them in.

"Paul's in the kitchen, sweetie, go greet him," she ordered as Percy threw his coat and hat on a couch.

He nodded his head, grabbed Annabeth's hand, and leaded them into the cabin.

"Did Captain Percy Jackson, feared over the seven seas, just get ordered around by his mummy?" she asked, mockingly.

"I would have come and said hi to Paul either way, my mum didn't have to tell me, m'lady," he answered with a small blush.

It turned out that Paul was Percy's step-father, he taught in an academy downtown. The man had a passion for books which Annabeth couldn't help but sympathise with. Paul seemed to be very fond of his step-son, whom he treated with doubtless affection.

And Sally was impossibly caring. Annabeth could see her looking after her son in every way. She asked him what he ate, if he slept well, if he was taking care of himself. When she was done interrogating him about his wellbeing, she went on enquiring about the man's cousins and friends.

Percy talked about his encounter with Reyna and told his mother a slightly altered version of the situation. Annabeth could see Sally worrying regardless.

Her captain retold how he'd taken her into his crew, and didn't fail to include Jason. Apparently, Sally and Paul knew who she and her friend were, because they both opened their eyes wide.

"Percy," Paul stopped his step-son. "Do you mean to say you kidnapped your long lost cousin, who just happens to be the Prince and heir of one of the most powerful kingdoms out there?"

"And don't forget a Princess, too," Sally added looking at Annabeth. "Sweetie, you do know you're free to go back to your home whenever you feel like it, don't you?"

Annabeth nodded, "I don't want to go back," she admitted, with a shy grin. "It's been a good experience."

"And Jason's also having fun," Percy assured. "He wouldn't condemn us, even if he was given the chance."

Annabeth smiled. She hadn't missed Jason's obvious infatuation with Piper. Nor his growing friendship with Leo. She had no doubt Jason would move the Earth and the sky to defend his new companions, but she worried about his father. The king would care naught for his son's affections. If he found out who had taken the boy, and decided they weren't worth the effort, the crew stood no chance.

"We can try and talk to our parents," she reassured Sally. "Were it the case of them finding us. It's more likely than not that they will listen to our version before judging the crew."

Percy nodded confidently, and added, "See? Nothing to worry about, mum!"

"You know I'll worry anyways," she stated jokingly. "That's a mother's job."

After having dinner with Percy's parents Annabeth went outside to the backyard, and sat on a bench in the far corner. She liked the spot, it was calm and quiet, and an acorn tree shivered with the gentle breeze. The place was silent, and she could hear the far murmur of laughter, and the rustling of animals on the nearby trees and bushes. She couldn't see the sea, the house blocked the marvellous view. That reassured her however, it reminded her of times passed long before. Ere she became a princess and started acting royal, back during her childhood. Her memory was now fuzzy of those times; blurry images plagued her mind when she spent hours trying to remember.

The backdoor creaking slowly took her mind out of its stupor, she didn't have to look up to know who it was.

Percy sat next to her in the bench and stared at the acorn tree, "I used to climb it all the time," he remarked. "Scratched my arms and legs more times than I'd like to admit."

"Were you not scared that you might have fallen?" she wondered.

"Nah," he chuckled. "Maybe I should've been. I was never the most sensible of the guys."

"I think you're smart enough," she decided. "You know how to treat your people, how to guide them."

"Are you praising a vain pirate, m'lady?" he murmured, shifting closer.

She laid a hand on his forearm and replied, "You know I didn't mean what I said this morning!"

"I think we've both learned not to trust the words of those who are ignorant on the subjects they speak of, nor to repeat their words carelessly," he agreed, meeting her eyes.

"There's no one to interrupt us this time," she stated, suddenly aware of the fact.

He looked perplexed for a second in which she laughed, whispered, "Maybe not so smart," and kissed him.

He relaxed into the kiss, and held her closer to him. She put her arms around his neck.

Like that they stayed for a while, until Percy felt the cold wind that was rising. He guided Annabeth to his old room, and he picked up a blanket and a pillow. He kissed her lightly, said goodnight, and headed to the sofa in the living room.

He fell asleep with a smile on his face, warm next to the burning logs in the fireplace.