A/N: HAHAHAHA. Because I AM SUPER AWESOME (kindly disregard that part, anyway) an UPDATE. LOTS OF LOVE EVERYONE. To be honest, I am now smiling like an idiot. :) Thank you so much for appreciating this stuff.

I would really like to respond to all of your reviews, but I have so many things to say that the words wouldn't be enough to express all of those. And besides, the A/N would be super long. Should I just PM you guys?

Lastly, I would like to express my sincerest apologies if I have written something erroneous that definitely didn't agree well with some of my readers. I'll most certainly try to study more about it. Yeah.

Yey! I am thanking everyone for reaching this far. Especially these SUPER AWESOME PEOPLE. Yeah. YOU GET TO HAVE MY AWESOMENESS. (Seriously, disregard that.)

SUPER AWESOME PEOPLE YEAH: smartgirlsan, Narchery, Smiles Burn In The Styx, JustLucky05, ME, ainegelic, Guest and Norsk Unicorn.

(See? That's long.)

"We're here," Percy announced as he steered his car towards the empty parking lot.

Annabeth glanced up and saw the filter of light coming from the open window. She could also make out Sally's outline in front of the door, waving at them in greeting.

They had spent the entire car ride in silence, except maybe from the background music playing from the car's stereo. It was a comfortable silence, something that suddenly occurred from them; which was somehow understandable given the heavy talk about relationships and such. Nonetheless, Annabeth didn't mention the person she saw behind the lamp post. She thought it was a matter to remain secret, so as to not stir anymore problems.

They got out of the car and she could now see Sally's smiling face clearly.

"Good evening, Sally," Annabeth greeted, once she reached the front steps.

"Annabeth, dear," Sally called and engulfed the girl in her arms.

Annabeth was shocked, to say the least. She wasn't really used into greetings that started with hugs. Insults, that could be. But, being born in the corporal world, with a strict business mother of her own, a hug wasn't really included in the options. But anyway, she hugged Sally back and she felt a delightful feeling settle just above her chest. It was the feeling of being safe, the feeling of being protected.

"At last, you came," Sally said. Percy was standing awkwardly on the side, feeling left out.

Annabeth chuckled. "Percy insisted. If I refuse, which I wouldn't do, he said he'll just kidnap me for the sake of blue cookies."

Sally looked at her son for the first time in that night, and he just smiled sheepishly. Definitely a momma's boy.

"Come on. Let's get inside."

"You're too slow, Percy," Annabeth muttered as she finished wiping another plate, waiting for him to hand more.

They had just finished dinner and it was extremely good according to her. She had never eaten a food that figuratively tasted like home. When Annabeth mentioned about it, and urged her to eat more. And Percy was hungry enough some, which somehow led the dinner into a food fight affair.

They ate in a faster pace, managing to interject an insult or a comment as they stacked up more foods in their plates. Sally watched the two of them bicker over the steak: with Percy insisting that Annabeth would be bloated if she eats that. The blonde just shrugged and retorted back, "I don't care, Seaweed Brain. You can't make me stop."

After that, when both of them were full enough, they started to clear the table and wash the dishes. Sally sat herself comfortably on the couch, watching as the opening credits to a movie appeared.

Percy handed Annabeth another plate. He smirked. "It's because I'm doing a better job than you."

"Nuh-uh," Annabeth objected. She placed the fine porcelain inside the cabinet. "You're a seaweed, that's why."

"Why am I a seaweed?"

She elbowed his side. "Because you're Seaweed Brain."

He bumped his hip with hers. "Why am I Seaweed Brain?"

She bumped back, harder. "Because I want you to be and you can't win against me, so for the love of a thousand sheeps grazing the fields- Shut up, Percy."

He glanced back at her, curiously. "Why do I care for the love of a thousand sheeps grazing the fields?"

"Because I told you to."

"That isn't wise, Wise Girl." He nudged her a little forcefully. She let out a gasp. The glass almost slipped from her grasp.

"Careful, Percy," she said before placing the glass back. Annabeth glared at him. "We could've broken it."

"Sorry," he muttered. His face says otherwise.

"That's not a real apology. You and I know that."

Percy slowly turned towards her, keeping his hands behind him. Annabeth sent him an expectant look.

He not-so-formally bowed down in front of her, mumbling his almost too sincere apology when he suddenly poked Annabeth's nose with his suds-covered hand. He grinned mischievously.

"Percy!"

Annabeth grabbed a fistful of suds and shoved it on his shirt. His mouth formed an 'O'.

She grinned up at him. "Now, we're even."

He just shook his head and threw a ball of suds at her. It made a large mark on her shirt. "Nothing's even, dear."

Annabeth glared daggers at him. But then, she smiled sweetly and put on her 'innocent' look. She really didn't know if it would work. Heck, she never even tried seducing someone. Not like she's trying to seduce Percy, it's just. . .let's say a part of her revenge plan.

Percy seemed to have sensed something. He stopped throwing balls and his mischievous grin disappeared. Annabeth walked towards him slowly, her strides careful and purposeful. He stiffened when she leaned into him, her breath hovering just above his ear. His face felt hot, a close proximity with her was just so so dangerous.

"All's fair in love and war," she breathed.

And then she squeezed his face between her suds-covered hands. "I got you, Percy."

He stood there, in the mess of the kitchen, dumbfounded. Annabeth was laughing at him.

Ugh. He'd been tricked. He certainly didn't like Annabeth doing those things to him. He's not lying. (He was.)

"Okay. What's happening in there? I heard some noises and-"

Her eyes widened at the sight in the kitchen. Percy was posed to attack Annabeth and the blonde was pointing an accusing finger at him. They both have an alarmed look on their faces but Percy's was more frightened.

"Mom?" he croaked out.

Sally stood with her hands on her hips. "Perseus Jackson! What are you thinking?"

"Mom, I-"

She smiled warmly at Annabeth. "Of course not you, Annabeth dear."

The said girl snickered.

"But, mom-"

Sally cut him off. "Percy. No more buts. Clean this mess now."

She sent him a look and smiled once again at Annabeth, before returning to her place on the couch.

Annabeth made a mocking face at him. Then she laughed quietly.

"You're so unfair, Wise Girl."

"Sorry, Perce. But, your mom loves me."

She was to throw again another remark when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She checked the caller I.D. : Jason.

"Uh, I got to take this call. Excuse me," she said and made a move towards the door. As she passed Sally, she gestured to her phone and the woman nodded.

When she's already out of earshot, Annabeth pressed the phone against her ear. "Hi Jason."

"Annabeth? Hey."

"It's nice talking to you. Your calls have become less frequent," she said, remembering the times he usually called her.

He groaned. "Ugh. It's just. . .I've been so busy I barely leave the office anymore."

She winced. Annabeth recalled the time when she hadn't eaten for two days because of paper works. Thalia had to tie her hands back to prevent Annabeth from grabbing her pencil back. She seriously thanked her punk bestfriend for it. "Yeah. I share my sympathy with you."

". . ."

"Uh, Jason? You still there?"

"Ah yes, yes. I was a little. . .unhinged," he mumbled. "It's really good to hear your voice."

"You're being sappy."

"It's called being romantic. Is a Romantic Jason nice, Annabeth?"

She chuckled. "Not really. We don't do romantic, if I'll remember."

"Yeah. We're pretty much far from that."

"I know."

Jason laughed but it sounded half-hearted. "So, care to inform me what's happening there?"

Annabeth swallowed. Her throat felt dry, as if it didn't want to talk. What should she tell him? And what shouldn't she tell him? None of the current events in her life seemed conversation worthy. Everything that's happening around her involves Percy, and telling Jason that was completely out of the option.

Then, she remembered her thoughts back at the restaurant. She had already grown tired of lying to Jason. Wasn't it right for him to know the truth? He deserved it. He definitely deserved it. But breaking up with him right now wasn't a good choice, either. He's tired, lonely and consumed. She shouldn't give him more things to think of, including the current status of their relationship. That wasn't right.

"Everything's normal. It gets so boring," she answered. Totally lying.

He chuckled again. "Yeah. I missed you so much."

"Me too. I guess I should let you sleep. You sound like you're ready to doze off."

"I find it really hard to stay awake."

The line went quiet.

"Annabeth?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. I'm a liar, liar, liar.

"I. . .I love you too."

And she hung up.

"Your apartment looks creepy," Percy observed.

Annabeth fumbled for her keys in her pockets. "Not really."

"It is," he insisted. "Somehow reminds me of a haunted house."

"You're such a kid," she remarked as she pushed the door open.

"You could say that."

She smiled up at him. "Thanks for the dinner and that treat today. I really had a great time, Percy."

Percy rubbed his neck and smiled bashfully. "I should be the one thanking you, Annabeth. Thanks for listening to my problems. I know you have more things to take care of rather than my personal issues. Really, thanks."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about it. It helped me too. I realized some things I should've thought of before."

"Oh. That's cool, then."

She shrugged and raised a finger to him. "And we're the Best Duo Ever, right?"

Percy smiled and when he did, the corner of his eyes crinkled and there's a strange glow in his usually bright sea green eyes. Something that she should've seen a long time ago.

And while she expected him to return the sign of their promise, he didn't. Instead, he encased her frame in his arms, keeping their bodies locked against each other. This felt different from Thalia's, Sally's or even Jason's hugs. She didn't know why or she thought so, but it was like a developed instinct. Like how she instantly returned his hugs as if they'd been doing this for forever when in fact, this was the first time Percy embraced her.

With her head against his chest, she could somehow hear his heart, throbbing beneath his shirt.

Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

It was a funny sound, Annabeth thought so. And the sound of Percy's fixed heartbeat had her smiling like an idiot, not that she would admit to it. Her pride wouldn't allow that.

Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

Her smile widened. Not like an idiot, as it would seem.

"Thank you so much for everything, Annabeth."

"I know."

"Best Duo Ever?"

"Best Duo Ever."

Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

It skipped a beat. His heart skipped a beat.

Annabeth grinned. Percy's heart skipped a beat.

Then, she heard him laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" she murmured.

"Because you are smiling."

"I am not."

"I can feel it. You are definitely smiling."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

He pulled back to look at her face. Annabeth bit her lip hard to conceal the smile. She wasn't so lucky.

"See? You are grinning. Oh my God. Annabeth is grinning," Percy announced, smiling to himself.

"Shut up."

"Why?"

There's no way in the world Annabeth would tell him she's listening to his heartbeat, like she's listening to a love song in a radio. No way.

"Nothing."

"That's not funny. Why, Annabeth?"

"Shut up."

"Make me."

Percy smirked. Annabeth glared.

"I can kick your butt, Percy."

"Alright, I'll shut up."

YEAHHHHHHH.