Chapter 18

PART 1 - Trust

"You're moving out?" Annabeth fretted, standing in Piper's bedroom.

"My parents think it's a good idea." Piper replied, transferring clothes from her closet to the bed where an open suitcase lay open. "I agree with them."

"But you can't just move out." Annabeth complained. "This is our place!"

"It's your apartment, Annabeth. Your dad pays the rent after all." Piper folded some jeans, trying to keep busy. She didn't want to move out, but didn't want to appear upset in front of Annabeth either; if that happened, they would just end up on the bed in tears together. "Look honey, I'm going to have lots of doctor's appointments, a special diet, I won't be able to drink, and in about six months I'll be waddling around like a penguin. I need the support of my parents if I'm going to make this pregnancy work."

Annabeth let out a defeated breath. "You're right." she lamented.

"It's not like we won't be best friends anymore." Piper added. "And my parent's place is barely twenty minutes away."

"I know." Annabeth whined, sitting on the edge of Piper's bed. "But I've grown used to you being here. Let's face it Pipes, you've always been the level-head of this outfit. I freak out about every little thing and you bring me back to Earth."

Piper smiled at that. "You're just going to have to learn to get along without me."

"So how'd your parents take it when you told them?" Annabeth asked, changing the subject.

"Oh my god, they totally freaked." Piper said, cleaning out a dresser drawer. "My mom looked ready to kill me and my dad looked ready to kill Jason. But we all had a long talk and they started coming to grips with the reality of it."

"Jason was there when you told them?" Annabeth asked, incredulous.

"Yeah." Piper smiled. "He was so sweet. He insisted on being there."

"He's in love with you, you know." Annabeth said, reaching to help. She began folding some of Piper's shirts on the bed.

"Yeah." Piper agreed, knowingly. "I think he's going to make a really great father. I still don't know if it will work between he and I, but maybe."

Annabeth giggled suddenly at her own thoughts.

"What?" Piper prodded.

"Just think, if someone had told us four years ago that I'd be engaged to Percy and you'd be pregnant with Jason's baby..."

Piper laughed. "Oh I know, right? They were such geeks."

"They still are." Annabeth said dryly. "They're over at Percy's right now, working on that comic book of theirs."

Piper shook her head fondly. "Some things never change, I guess."

"Dude, Captain Darkness can't wear a hat!" Jason exclaimed. "He'd look like a total dork punching out Major Asskicker with a damned hat on his head."

"He's a pulp hero." Percy explained, sitting at his bedroom desk. "Like those heroes from the '30s. Everyone wore a hat back then; I think there was a law."

"You've lost it dude." Jason noted, sitting on Percy's bed and sketching on a drawing board in his lap.

"Just try drawing him with a black fedora." Percy urged. "Like something Indiana Jones would wear. It'll look cool with his black mask and cloak."

Jason scowled, but began scribbling with his pencil.

Percy turned back to his computer and started typing, plotting the first issue of he and Jason's comic. "So how are things going with Piper?"

"Good actually, though I'm pretty sure her parents want to have me assassinated."

Percy laughed. "Famous people are assassinated. Your death would only be a murder."

"Whatever." Jason said, concentrating on what he was drawing. "My point is that they were pretty pissed when Piper and I told them about her being pregnant. But Piper's been cool; she's really let me in."

"That's awesome. Have you told your parents yet?"

"No, but... holy shit."

Percy looked over his shoulder towards the bed.

"You were right dude." Jason sounded surprised. "He looks totally cool with a fedora. Kind of like The Spirit."

Percy grinned. "I told you."

"I think that's all the small stuff." Piper looked around her room, standing amidst a stack of boxes. "My dad will come tomorrow with his truck and get the big stuff."

"I'm going to miss you." Annabeth pouted.

"Oh honey, I'm going to miss you too." Piper moved to hug Annabeth. "But we'll still see each other all the time."

"I know." Annabeth squeezed her best friend, eyes welling up.

"C'mon, enough with the depressing stuff." Piper wiped a tear off her cheek. Moving out was hard enough and she didn't need a tear-fest to make even more difficult. "How has it been going with you and Percy? Any trouble in paradise?"

"Percy and I are great. We had a minor hiccup when his mom found out about our engagement, but once she got over the initial shock I think she's been more excited about it than me."

Piper walked out of her bedroom, Annabeth in tow, and plopped down on their living room couch. "What about Percy's dad?"

"He was fine with it." Annabeth sat as well, reaching for the TV remote. "Sally was the critical sell; Percy's dad just kind of goes with her flow."

"Like father like son." Piper chuckled.

"What do you mean?" Annabeth flicked on the TV, turning the volume down. She didn't really care what was on.

"Come on Annabeth. You know you have Percy totally wrapped around your finger."

"I do not!" Annabeth argued.

"As if!" Piper laughed. "Honey, that boy would jump off a cliff if you asked him to. He'd do anything for you. Don't get me wrong, he's a complete sweetheart about it."

Annabeth blushed out a small grin, curling into a corner of the couch. "I suppose you're right, but I'd never take advantage of him. We're not playing games, he and I; ever since he came home from Brown we've been really serious about each other."

"I know." Piper smirked. "That's pretty obvious by the ring on your finger."

Annabeth splayed out her hand, fondly looking at her engagement ring.

"Still, must be nice in the bedroom." Piper remarked. "I bet he does any kinky thing you want him to."

"Piper!" Annabeth giggled.

"What? I'm just saying."

Annabeth bit her lower lip, hiding a grin. She thought about Piper's words as she turned to watch the TV.

The following day after getting off work Percy couldn't drive to Annabeth's apartment fast enough. He was thankful his mom had given him her old car recently, sensing Annabeth was in a sexy mood after getting a text from her. The bus would have taken far too long!

Buzzing the apartment from the foyer, Percy heard Annabeth's voice over the intercom, "Come on up baby, the door is open." The foyer door clicked as Annabeth unlocked it remotely and Percy entered the building. He walked up one flight of stairs and down the hall to find Annabeth's apartment door unlocked.

"Annabeth?" Percy called, closing the door behind him. Looking around, he couldn't help but notice the apartment was in disarray. "Annabeth, what's going on?"

"In here baby!" came Annabeth's voice from down the short hallway.

As Percy passed Piper's bedroom, he saw that it was empty. "Annabeth? What happened, where's Piper?"

Turning into Annabeth's room, Percy froze.

Sheer black stockings ran up Annabeth's sexy long legs, attached to garter straps that decorated her slender hips. Annabeth's panties were black and also sheer, matching the skimpy bra that barely contained her small B-cup breasts. Dark ringlets of hair fell to her shoulders, like shimmering springs, and her face was lightly painted with 'fuck-me' red lipstick, alluring eye shadow, and a touch of glitter.

"Piper moved home." Annabeth said, sauntering towards Percy in her spiked black heels. "I have the place all to myself, and I've been feeling so lonely."

Percy had to concentrate just to swallow, his eyes absorbing the luscious vision approaching him. Annabeth lifted a hand and began lightly trailing her finger along the 'S' symbol of Percy's Superman tee shirt, teasing his chest.

"I could really use some company." Annabeth spoke in her most innocent tone, creating a false pout. "Do you want to keep me company?"

Percy nodded slowly, hypnotized by the sight in front of him.

"Take your clothes off." Annabeth said as she turned and walked to the other side of the room, giving Percy a view of her panty-clad ass.

Percy peeled his tee shirt off quickly, kicking his sneakers off, watching Annabeth open a dresser drawer. "You look so sexy baby."

Annabeth beamed cutely. "Do you want to touch me?"

Percy hopped on one foot as he pulled a pant leg off. "I can't wait to touch you."

Removing two long scarves from her drawer Annabeth asked, "Can I tie you up first?"

Percy froze for the second time, standing naked. His eyes widened towards the lacy scarves in Annabeth's hand.

"You would do anything for me, wouldn't you Percy?" Annabeth asked sweetly, countering Percy's hesitation. She had remembered what Piper said the night previous.

"Yeah, of course."

"And you trust me," Annabeth played with the scarves in her hands. "Right?"

"With my life." Percy replied.

"Then lay on the bed."

Percy nodded, finding himself agreeable to anything Annabeth said. "Yeah, okay." He moved to the bed, rolling to lie on his back, though his eyes didn't leave Annabeth for a moment.

Annabeth leaned to take one of Percy's wrists and tie it to the post on the bed's headboard. She made sure it was nice and tight before sauntering to the other side and securing his other wrist. Percy could only watch, his cock already hard as he stared at Annabeth's erotic, lingerie-clad body.

"There we are." Annabeth sat on the edge of the bed beside Percy. She rubbed his hairless chest teasingly with a light fingertip.

"So, um, what are you going to do with me?" Percy asked, a little excited by being bound. He tested the scarves and found his wrists to be tied securely; he wouldn't be able to pull himself free easily.

Annabeth unsnapped her garter straps. "I'm going to start by taking my pleasure from you." She stood and wriggled her lacy panties off. She made sure Percy got an eyeful of her hairless mound and slid a seductive finger between her pussy lips.

Percy's erection jumped before slapping back down against his pelvis.

Annabeth smiled. "Your dick wants me, but it's going to have to wait. It's your mouth I'm interested in." She crawled onto the bed and moved to kneel so that a knee was on either side of Percy's head. Percy could only stare straight up at the view as Annabeth grabbed the top edge of the headboard and slowly lowered her sex to Percy's face. "Eat me out." Annabeth started to rub her pussy lips against Percy's mouth.

Percy mumbled an affirmative but his reply was muffled by the press of Annabeth's sex. His wrists tugged against the bonds with the urge to touch Annabeth, to hold her while his tongue began to work within her slit, but Percy found his hands held fast.

"Mmm." Annabeth purred like a kitten. "Oh yeah, lick my pussy baby." She smoothed her hands over the underside of Percy's spread arms, dragging her painted fingernails along his skin. Goosebumps rose on Percy's arms. "I want to cum on your face."

Percy lapped with long strokes of his tongue until Annabeth's sex was dripping its honey right into his mouth. She tasted sweet and his nostrils flared; Percy had to breathe through his nasal passage, which drew the scent of her in and intoxicated him.

"That feels so good." Annabeth moaned, slipping her fingers into Percy's brown hair. She pulled on his head and guided his lips to her clit, squealing in pleasure as Percy began sucking. "Yeah, oh yeah... suck on my clit baby."

Percy's eyes traveled up Annabeth's body, watching the way she writhed on top of him. Her little tummy wrinkled and he could see the underside of her breasts through Annabeth's sheer bra. He wanted to put his hands on her, to feel her warm skin, and yanked against the scarves.

Annabeth started humping herself against Percy's mouth, rolling her hips. Her fingers tightened in his hair, holding Percy's face in place. "Suck me, suck my cunt Percy!"

Sucking his lips over Annabeth's clit, Percy flicked his tongue back and forth over her button. He knew Annabeth was close when the inside of her thighs began to quiver against either side of his head.

"Oh fuck!" Annabeth's head snapped back, her curly tendrils bouncing. The orgasm flowed through Annabeth's entire body, an intense tingling that consumed her body. It started by curling her stocking-clad toes, moved up to explode between her legs, and seemed to flow out through her hardening nipples.

"Shit," Annabeth exhaled, sitting back on Percy's chest and letting go of his hair, leaving his face glistening with her juice. "That felt incredible!"

Percy licked his lips of Annabeth's flavor.

"Are you going to untie me now?"

Annabeth giggled at Percy and his shiny cheeks. "Why would I do that?"

"I want to touch you..."

Annabeth rubbed a finger tip along the center of her sternum and down her flat tummy. "You want to put your hands on me?"

Percy nodded, tugging his wrists again.

"Do you want to touch my sexy body, Percy?"

Percy stared at Annabeth, trying to pull his hands through the knots of the scarves, nodding again.

"Do you want to tear my stockings and smooth your hands along my thighs, or rip my bra and grab my little tits?"

Percy found himself unable to free his wrists. "Yes! Please Annabeth."

"Poor baby." Annabeth leaned forward and gave Percy a long and wet kiss, tasting her fluids on his lips. "I think I want to play with your body first." She swung a leg around and moved to kneel beside Percy.

Percy quit tugging against his bonds, curious what Annabeth was up to.

She reached out with delicate painted fingers, lifting Percy's erection from where it lay against his stomach. She giggled at the pool of pre-cum that had gathered near his belly button, swirling her finger in it and stretching a strand of the sticky fluid between his skin and the tip of her finger. Tasting it, Annabeth smiled teasingly.

"Your cock is so big, Percy." Annabeth near-whispered. "I remember when I first saw it. Even though it was limp I knew in a second that I wanted it."

"I remember." Percy said, watching her lift his erect shaft. "In the school bathroom."

Annabeth nodded and grinned, rubbing her thumb along the ridge of Percy's circumcised crown. "Now I get to play with this monstrous thing for the rest of our lives. I'm going to take such good care of it Percy. I'm going to caress it and make sure I empty all of its built-up sperm on a regular basis."

Percy shifted on the bed in arousal.

"Will you promise to stick it in me whenever I want?" Annabeth asked, rubbing the length of his shaft with agonizingly slow strokes.

"Yes, of course baby." Percy's voice was heavy with need. "You know I will."

"I bet you want to stick it in me right now." Annabeth tilted her head, regarding Percy's erection as she slowly masturbated him. She made sure she never reached a pace where he could possibly orgasm. "You want to shove it in my tight pussy and feel my warmth surround your cock?"

"Annabeth please." Percy half whimpered, "Faster..."

Kneeling over, Annabeth kissed the tip of Percy's penis, then suckled on the head of it for a few moments. "I can feel how hard you're getting Percy. I can feel your desire through your cock. You want to rip your hands free and claim me, don't you? You can't wait to take me into your arms and violate me with this huge thing of yours."

Percy pulled against the headboard once, violently. "I want you... I want you so bad."

Annabeth crawled off the bed, staring into Percy's eyes. She dipped a finger between her legs and through her slit, getting it moist with her fluids. She reached out and rubbed her scent beneath Percy's nostrils. Then she turned and began walking towards the door, wriggling her naked ass seductively.

Percy's muscles tensed; he was drunk with lust. Amazingly, the scarves held, it was the wooden headboard that broke at one post with a sharp snap. Percy's hand slipped free, which allowed him to untie the knot holding his other limb. Annabeth turned around, her breath excited, and backed away slowly. Off the bed in a flash, Percy was on her. He took Annabeth, who squealed in surprise, and spun her around to face the bedroom wall.

"Percy!" Annabeth planted her palms against the wall, arching her body as Percy forced her legs apart. "Percy, be gent... uhn!"

His cock plunged up and into Annabeth and Percy curled his hands around her body, ripping her bra off and throwing it to the floor. He began humping against Annabeth's backside, his hands squeezing and kneading Annabeth's stomach and breasts.

Annabeth was gasping at the violent intrusion. "Oh my god... take me Percy... use me..." She could feel his hot breath at the back of her neck. She struggled to keep her arms straight against the wall, fearful Percy would fuck her right through it.

Losing all sense of himself, Percy became a vessel of lust, pumping and rutting his hips against Annabeth's backside. He gripped her breasts, one in each hand, pulling and squeezing them as he fucked his entire length deeply into her sex.

Annabeth sensed his need; it was obvious. She pushed backwards, working to take Percy's whole cock. Her mouth hung open from the sensation of what she imagined was Percy penetrating her womb. Annabeth wanted to satisfy his lustful needs, to feel the potent strength of Percy's sexual urges, because it was all for her. Percy was her man, she sensed his cravings as though the feelings were her own, and nothing was more exhilarating than knowing it was she and she alone that he wanted so badly.

"Use my body..." Annabeth's voice shook from the power of Percy's thrusts. "Fuck your love into me. Fuck it into me Percy... fuck your seed into my cunt!"

Gasping out a cry, Percy froze and clung to Annabeth's body. His hips jerked as his orgasm flowed out of him and into Annabeth's insides. His erection pulsed and heaved within her, spilling its contents in a continuous stream. His torso was sweaty against Annabeth's back, and her own tanned body had a sheen of perspiration.

"That's it baby." Annabeth cooed encouragingly, trying to keep her body rigid against Percy's bucking hips. "Give me all your cum. You fucked me so good."

Percy's breath was labored as he laid his head between Annabeth's shoulder blades, kissing her sweaty skin. "God damn."

Annabeth could only giggle, still leaning against the wall. "You fucked the shit out of me."

"I couldn't help it." Percy backed away, his length slowly unsheathing itself from the grip of Annabeth's sex.

Annabeth turned around, leaning back against the wall, pushing strands of matted curls off her sweaty forehead. She could feel a dollop of Percy's semen drip from her slit and run down the inside of one thigh to stain her sheer stockings.

Percy stared at her body, catching his breath. Annabeth had never looked sexier to him than at that moment. "I'm sorry..."

"For what?" Annabeth wondered, amused. "I loved it. It felt great."

Shaking his head, Percy said, "No, I mean for your bed."

Annabeth glanced over at the broken headboard and let out an exhausted laugh. "Baby, it was totally worth it."

PART 2 - The Return of Old Faces

Annabeth leaned against the front corner at the local print shop, wearing oversized sunglasses and snapping a piece of sugar-free gum. She was clad in a short pink skirt that flared slightly at the hips and bared the length of her tanned legs. Her white tank top displayed enough cleavage that she noticed the clerk staring at her chest as the pimply-faced teenager helped Jason.

"Print it on your #2 gloss." Jason was instructing, "And bind them on the left edge with three staples. Like a comic book. Hey, are you even listening to me?"

"Huh?" the clerk blinked away from Annabeth and looked at Jason. "Oh, yes. #2 gloss. It should just be a few minutes, sir."

Jason handed over the flash drive which housed the scanned pages of he and Percy's Captain Darkness comic.

"I can't bring you anywhere." he told Annabeth. "Are guys always like this when you're around?"

Annabeth lifted a shoulder. "Sometimes they drool, too."

Jason laughed, shaking his head.

"I wonder where Percy is." Annabeth looked at her cell phone to check the time. "He said he'd meet us here after work, and it's almost five thirty."

"Maybe he had to work late." Jason suggested. "I'm sure he'll call if he's running behind."

Annabeth peered out into the parking lot, looking for Percy's Taurus. "Piper didn't want to come?" she asked casually.

"Her and her mom were going shopping for baby stuff." Jason replied, "But she wished us luck."

"Already?" Annabeth asked. "The baby is seven months away, you guys don't even know if it'll be a boy or a girl."

"I know, right? I guess a lot of stuff can be unisex though."

"Are you nervous yet about being a daddy?" Annabeth wondered.

"A little." Jason answered. "Why, is it that obvious?"

"You're going to do fine." Annabeth assured him.

"I hope so. It'll be even better if your dad and his publishing investors like our comic book, it would be nice to have some money rolling in."

"They're going to love it." Annabeth promised. "Percy is a great writer, and your artwork is amazing."

"I hope you're right Annabeth." Jason sounded concerned. "Where the heck is Percy?"

Percy had actually left work early, and before Jason and Annabeth had even arrived at the printer he was knocking on the door of the condominium where Annabeth's father lived.

"Hey Percy." Frederick Chase smiled after opening the door. He glanced around, "Just you? I thought Annabeth and your friend were coming too."

"Yeah." Percy nodded, "I'm going to call them and have them meet us here, but I wanted to talk to you first. If that's okay?"

"Sure Percy, come on in. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Oh, no thanks sir." Percy replied. "I'm fine."

"Please Percy, how many times have I asked you to call me 'Frederick'? Have a seat."

As Percy sat down on a couch he felt underdressed, wearing a pair of khaki cargo pants and a short-sleeved polo; Frederick was dressed in a suit. Then again, every time Percy saw Frederick Chase the man was wearing a suit; Percy guessed that was a standard uniform for an investment stock broker.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Frederick asked, sitting in a recliner across from Percy. A glass coffee table separated them.

"It's about Annabeth." Percy said.

"Everything okay between you two?"

"Oh yeah, I mean, yes." Percy nodded. "Everything's great. As a matter of fact, I asked her to marry me."

One of Frederick's brows rose. "Really. What did she say?"

"Oh, um, she said yes." Percy smiled nervously. "But that's why I came early; she doesn't know I'm here."

Frederick chuckled, "Spit it out Percy."

"I wanted to ask for your permission. I mean, your blessing, I guess."

Frederick took in a deep breath, considering Percy with a neutral expression. Then he stood up. "How old are you Percy?"

"I'm twenty two sir." Percy said, "Same age as Annabeth."

Frederick moved to the side of his living room and a small bar. "Twenty two. I know you're going to Brown, very impressive by the way."

"I'll be going to Florida this fall for senior year." Percy corrected. "To be with your daughter."

Frederick took out a glass and reached for a bottle of scotch. "Living at home with your parents?"

"Uh, yes sir. I am." Percy answered. "I can't really afford a place of my own and pay for college at the same time."

Frederick turned back towards Percy, drink in hand. "Percy, I like you. And I know my daughter is in love with you, she's crazy about you as a matter of fact. But I can't give you my blessing right now."

Percy looked crestfallen, "No?"

Frederick shook his head, sitting back down in his chair. "I think you have a bright future, Percy. If not with this comic book thing of yours, then with something else. You're a smart kid and you're good to Annabeth. But I don't think you're ready to handle the responsibility of marriage yet."

"But I love Annabeth, sir, very much." Percy started.

Frederick lifted a staying palm. "I know you do Percy, but marriage is more than just love, it's about building a life together. If you're asking me to turn my daughter over to you, if you want my blessing, then I need to know you're ready to provide for her."

Frederick let out an amused sigh, "I can't stop her from marrying you, lord knows Annabeth is bull-headed enough that she is going to do what she wants; but I think you two should wait. Finish college, get a job. You have your whole lives to get married."

Percy took a deep breath. "I understand, sir. I think you're wrong though, on one point."

"Oh?" Frederick lifted a sip from his scotch.

"Annabeth would never marry me unless you were there to walk her down the aisle. She adores you."

Frederick smiled, "Listen, Percy. I approve of you, I really do. I think Annabeth has chosen well in you. But I also think you need to concentrate on some other things before marriage, like school and figuring out your place in this world. Both of you."

Percy rose. The conversation hadn't gone exactly as he planned, but Percy heard the sense in Frederick's words. "Thank you sir, I'm going to think long and hard about your advice."

Jason placed the printed copies of 'Captain Darkness #1' in his book bag. "Maybe we should go over to the comic shop and see if Percy's there?"

Annabeth dug into her purse to fetch her phone, "I'll give him a call, see where he is."

"Wait!" Jason interrupted, pointing through the window. "There he is now."

Annabeth looked and saw Percy's car, then trotted out of the store to greet him in the parking lot. Jason followed along.

"Sorry I'm late, guys." Percy said, climbing out of his car.

"Where have you been?" Annabeth wondered, approaching and leaning a kiss to Percy's cheek.

"At your dad's."

"What?" Jason said, "We were supposed to all go together, you didn't even have a copy of the comic to show him."

"We didn't talk about the book." Percy said.

"What is it baby? You sound a little down." Annabeth rubbed Percy's arm.

"I asked him for his blessing to marry you." Percy replied.

"Dude..." Jason breathed out.

Annabeth's eyes widened to saucers, "Oh my god, you did? I thought we were going to tell him together. What did he say?"

"He was cool about it." Percy said, "But he didn't think we were ready for marriage yet. He won't give me his blessing until I can provide for you."

"As soon as we get Captain Darkness published that shouldn't be a problem." Jason said, "So let's go show him?"

Percy shook his head.

Annabeth didn't care about the comic book, ignoring Jason. "Baby, I don't care what my father says. I'm going to marry you regardless..."

Percy issued a quiet laugh. "That's what he said you'd say. But you know what? He's right."

"So am I." Jason pressed, "The book is ready, let's just show it to him and..."

"No." Percy shook his head, "No, I want to do this on our own. I want to prove to Frederick that I'm capable of providing for Annabeth."

Annabeth felt a flutter of pride from Percy's words.

"Well what the hell are we going to do?" Jason said, irritated. "Print it ourselves and sell them on the streets?"

"We'll send it to everyone." Percy stated. "Every comic publisher we know. Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, even all the small independent ones. I bet one of them will like it."

"Percy..." Jason was about to complain.

"Percy's right." Annabeth suddenly said, reaching to take Percy's hand in hers.

"I am?" Percy sounded surprised. He assumed Annabeth would be upset with him.

But Annabeth wanted to support her man. "You guys... your comic book is good. It's really good. You don't need my dad or his publishing contacts; they're not even in the comic book business. You two can do this."

Percy looked to Annabeth with adoring eyes and squeezed her hand, thankful for her support in this.

Jason let out a heavy sigh. "Shit. Well, we're going to need to have more copies printed if we're going to mail every comic publisher we know."

Percy smiled, "Good thing we're outside the print shop."

After getting separated from her mother somewhere near the toy aisle, Piper stood in the mall's department store staring at a baby crib display. Her hand was absently rubbing the flat of her stomach through the tight red hoodie she was wearing when a familiar voice came from behind.

"Piper? Piper is that you?"

Turning around, Piper smiled. "Ethan? Oh my god, I haven't seen you since graduation!"

Ethan walked up to Piper and gave her a friendly hug. "You look great, Pipes. Wow, it's nice to see you."

"You too." Piper admired, noting that Ethan had really filled out since high school. "You look awesome, are you on steroids or something?"

Ethan chuckled, "Nah, but I've been working out a lot. College football program, you know? I was red-shirted and didn't get to play freshman year, so I had plenty of time for the gym. But I'm a starter now."

"Where are you going to school?" Piper asked.

"Alabama." Ethan replied. "But I'm home for the summer, working for my dad."

"That's great. Are you staying with your parents?"

"Yep, cheaper that way, you know?" Ethan glanced at the display Piper had been looking at. "Are you shopping for a crib?"

Piper blushed, "Yeah, I'm... I'm pregnant."

"No kidding? Congratulations. Who's the lucky guy?"

"Thanks." Piper said, pushing a hand through her blonde hair. "Jason's the father."

"Jason?" Ethan could hardly believe it, "From high school?"

"Yeah." Piper said, her cheeks coloring even more.

"Wow, I don't think I've seen him since... maybe prom?"

Piper suddenly recalled her high school prom. Ethan had been her date, and she really liked him. Things went south in the hotel room afterwards however, when complications arose due to the small stature of Ethan's manhood. "God, prom, I haven't thought about that in ages."

"You know, I never apologized to you for that night. I was..."

"Oh, Ethan, it's okay." Piper smiled disarmingly, "You don't have anything to be sorry for."

"I've grown since then. I mean, down there." Ethan remarked shyly. "I guess I'm a late bloomer."

Piper giggled, lifting a palm. "Okay, too much information there Ethan, but I'm really happy for you."

Ethan laughed, "Sorry. So, um, you and Jason huh? Are you guys...?"

"Oh, no." Piper shook her head. "I mean, we're kind of dating, but I'm not sure how serious we are."

"Serious enough to have a baby, evidently." Ethan commented.

"We were really drunk." Piper admitted with a subdued laugh. "It's strange, how one mistake can change your life forever."

"I don't think it's a mistake. I bet you'll make a great mom. And if your kids look anything like you they're going to be beautiful."

Piper felt herself blushing again, "Thanks Ethan, that's really sweet."

"So, um, you doing anything on Friday night?" Ethan suddenly asked.

Piper blinked. Was Ethan Miller about to ask her on a date? Piper wondered if that would be such a bad thing. "Um, I guess I don't have any plans..."

"You want to grab a movie or something?" Ethan asked. "I'd love to catch up."

"Are you asking me out?" Piper asked bluntly.

Ethan smiled, "Yeah, I guess I am. As long as that's okay? I don't want to get in the way of anything. It's just that you didn't seem that committed to Jason.

Piper squinted, considering that. "Wait, you want to go out on a date. With me? Even though I'm pregnant with another guy's baby?"

"I'm sorry." Ethan apologized, "I must have misunderstood your relationship with..."

"No." Piper interrupted, "No, it's fine. Actually, yeah, I'd love to catch up. You remember where my parent's house is?"

"Sure." Ethan nodded.

"Pick me up at seven?"

Percy carried a bowl of popcorn the short distance between the kitchen and living room, where the couch sat bathed in light from the television. Percy's eyes were glued to a Spider-Man movie as he sat down, placing the popcorn bowl on the cushion next to him. Annabeth had cable at her apartment, along with a full suite of premium channels; something Percy didn't have at home.

Suddenly, a shriek came from the direction of the bathroom.

"Annabeth?" Percy called over the back of the couch, distracted only momentarily from the movie.

"Percy! You forgot to put the seat down again; I nearly fell into the toilet! I swear to God, Percy..."

Percy grinned at the mental image, stuffing a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

A flush and the sound of running water preceded Annabeth as she exited the bathroom and padded her way to the couch in bare feet. "Spider-man again?" she complained, sitting down and curling next to Percy. "Can't we watch something else? Like paint drying?"

"I don't think they have a channel for that." Percy muttered casually.

"Well they should." Annabeth commented.

"I like the part where he's hanging upside down and Mary Jane kisses him." Percy said, moving the popcorn bowl out of Annabeth's way then dropping an arm around her shoulders.

"Oh I like that part too, is it coming up?"

"Soon." Percy promised. "You're in your pajamas already?"

"I've had a long day." Annabeth said, justifying her decision to change.

"What did you do other than go with me and Jason to the printers?" Percy wondered. He was often jealous of the fact that Annabeth came from money. Her dad paid all of the bills, which meant Annabeth didn't have to work.

"Um..." Annabeth considered, then straightened a leg and wriggled her toes in display. "I painted my toenails this morning?"

Percy glanced at Annabeth's foot. "Uh-huh. Very pretty." came his distracted reply.

"Then I went up to lie on the roof for a couple hours and get some sun. You like my body when it's nice and tan, don't you?"

"I love your tan." Percy confirmed, engrossed with the movie.

"Percy...!" Annabeth poked Percy in his ribs, "Pay more attention to me. I swear you like Spider-Man more than your own girlfriend."

"That's not true." Percy said. "You rank ahead of Spider-Man, but just behind The Flash."

"Well, is The Flash in this movie?" Annabeth asked.

Percy shook his head, "No. They don't even exist in the same universe."

Annabeth reached up and cupped Percy's chin, turning his attention to her. "Percy, not only are we in the same universe, we're on the same couch."

"Okay?" Percy offered, confused.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. Reaching for the remote, she clicked the movie off.

"Hey!" Percy complained.

Annabeth took the popcorn bowl and laid back on the couch, lifting her legs to Percy's lap. "You've seen that movie a hundred times, Percy. You own it on DVD, for crying out loud. Wouldn't you rather just talk or something?"

Percy placed a hand at Annabeth's ankle, rubbing her leg through the cotton pajama bottoms. "Sorry. What do you want to talk about?"

Annabeth shrugged a shoulder, munching on some popcorn.

"Then why did you turn the movie off?" Percy tried to fathom his girlfriend, irritated.

"Because I hate that movie. It's so dumb." Then Annabeth added, "Except for the upside down kissing part."

"What?" Percy couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Annabeth stuck her tongue out. "He's creepy, with that weird mask and those icky webs."

"The Spider-Man movie is a whole lot cooler than that dating reality show you're always watching."

"No it isn't." Annabeth countered, throwing a piece of popcorn at Percy's chest.

"Yes it is." Percy argued as he reached for Annabeth's feet.

"Okay, okay!" Annabeth lifted a cautionary finger, grinning. "No tickling, that's not fair."

Percy suggested "The science fiction channel is doing a Robot Wars marathon?"

Annabeth's expression looked like she just swallowed sour milk.

"What?" Percy asked.

"Don't we have anything in common?" Annabeth wondered aloud.

"Of course we do." Percy answered. "Don't be silly."

"Like what?" Annabeth pressed. "What interests do we share?"

"Well, we..." Percy considered. "We're both pretty horny all the time?"

"So our relationship is based entirely on sex." Annabeth stated matter-of-factly.

"We both like to shop?" Percy suddenly suggested.

Annabeth squinted, dubious. "You hate shopping."

"Oh yeah."

"Oh my god, Percy, is sex the only interest we have in common?" Annabeth had some worry to her tone. "What are we going to do when we get old and we're not interested in fucking?"

"I dunno." Percy shrugged. "My grandparents seem to talk about the weather a lot. Other times they just kind of stare off at nothing."

"The weather? The frigging weather?" Annabeth scowled. "That's it; we're not having any more sex."

"What?!" Percy sat up straighter.

"We have to find some kind of hobby we both enjoy." Annabeth explained. "Otherwise our marriage will never last. I'm putting an embargo on all sexual activity until we figure this out."

"You can't do that!" Percy argued. "Besides, you'd give in a lot sooner than I ever would if we didn't find this theoretical hobby."

"I would not!" Annabeth took her legs back from Percy's lap. "I can last a lot longer than you ever could."

"Wanna bet?" Percy asked with a cocky smile.

"Okay, mister, you got it." Annabeth agreed. "If I win, and you give in, you have to do whatever I want for a whole day."

"All right." Percy agreed, "But if you give in then you have to do what I want for a whole day."

"Fine." Annabeth folded her arms across her chest.

"Fine." Percy repeated.

"You are going to lose, Percy Jackson." Annabeth informed him, getting up. "You'll probably come crawling back to me, looking for sex inside of a day."

"Where are you going?" Percy asked.

"To bed." Annabeth answered. "You can either go home or sleep on the couch!"

Percy startled when Annabeth's bedroom door slammed shut. "What the heck just happened?" he asked himself.

PART 3 - Annabeth to the rescue

Jason burst into Percy's bedroom, "Dude, you're never going to believe this."

Percy sat up from his bed, where he was reading a comic. "Jason? How did you get in here?"

"Your front door was open." Jason said. "But listen to me dude, Piper has a date tonight!"

Percy set his comic down and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "What do you mean?"

"She's going to the movies with Ethan Nakamura." Jason lamented.

"That sucks, man." Percy said. "I know how you feel; I've got girl problems too."

"You and Annabeth didn't break up again, did you?" Jason asked.

"No." Percy shook his head. "But she put an embargo on our sex life until we come up with some stupid hobby to do together. It's been three days, can you believe it?"

Jason stared at Percy blankly.

Percy looked back, "What?"

"I'm really sorry you haven't gotten laid in three whole days, Percy." Jason sounded irritated. "But I think my problems trump yours! Did you hear what I said? The mother of my child is going to a movie with Ethan frigging Nakamura. You remember him? Star athlete of our high school? Good looking? Prom king?"

"I'm sorry." Percy apologized. "You're right; it's just that Annabeth has put the zap on my head. What are you going to do?"

Jason sat down next to Percy on the bed, helpless. "What can I do? I had to pry the information out of her after asking if she wanted to hang out tonight. She says they're 'just catching up' but if that's the case why was she so reluctant to tell me?"

"Probably because she knew you'd freak out," Percy suggested. "I mean, if Piper and Ethan were going to happen don't you think it would have happened when they went to prom together our senior year?"

"Maybe." Jason conceded. "But how would you feel if Annabeth told you she was going to a movie with that Dakota guy she was dating, so they could 'catch up'."

Percy considered that. "Okay you're right." he quickly agreed. "You have to do something."

"What the hell can I do?" Jason lifted his hands. "If I show up at the theater, I'll only end up looking like an ass."

"We need Annabeth." Percy decided, getting up and moving for his cell phone.

"Annabeth?" Jason didn't sound sure.

"Yeah. She's really good at this kind of stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Stuff we don't have any experience with because neither of us has had more than one girlfriend." Percy answered. "Relationship stuff."

"Hey, I've had two girlfriends." Jason clarified. "Don't forget Rachel."

Percy pulled up the contacts list in his phone. "Remind me what happened with her?" he asked, even though he knew full well.

"She dumped me for another guy." Jason muttered, worried. "You're totally right, call Annabeth."

Annabeth glanced at her cell phone and grinned smugly when she saw it was Percy calling. Picking it up she answered, "Ready to give in yet?"

"Not now, Annabeth." came Percy's voice. "We have an emergency."

Piper laughed at Ethan telling her about the freshman hazing that took place on Alabama's football team. "They shaved your head?"

Ethan grinned. "Yeah, it grew back though. I got off easy. Some of the other guys got stripped naked in front of our cheerleaders at this party."

The two were in line at the movie theater, waiting to buy sodas and candy. Piper was ready to tell Ethan about her own college experience when she saw Annabeth. Her instinct was to smile and wave, but Piper held back when she saw Annabeth's expression and the way her best friend was stalking towards her and Ethan.

"Hello Ethan," Annabeth greeted curtly when she reached the couple in line. "Mind if I borrow Piper for a minute? Thank you." She didn't give Ethan a chance to answer, grabbing Piper's wrist and tugging her away.

"Annabeth!?" Piper followed reluctantly. "What are you doing here?"

Annabeth stopped when they were near the exit and far enough away that Ethan couldn't hear them. "What are YOU doing here? That's a better question."

"I'm about to pig out on Milk Duds and see a movie." Piper said.

"With Ethan Nakamura?!" Annabeth chastised.

"Yeah, we ran into each other at the mall the other night." Piper replied innocently. "He asked if I wanted to catch up."

"Oh bullshit!" Annabeth snapped. "You have no business being here with him."

"I can go to the movies with whomever I want." Piper was growing miffed at Annabeth's intrusion. "How did you even know we were here?"

"Jason told me. He's over at Percy's right now freaking out. Did you ever think about him?"

"I told him Ethan and I are just friends..." Piper started.

"Oh come on Piper, grow up! You have been leading poor Jason on for over a year."

"I have not!" Piper snapped back.

"No?" Annabeth set her fists at her slender hips. "What about all those times last year at college where you'd get drunk at a party, make out with him, and then ignore him next week at school?"

"I didn't ignore him." Piper argued. "Besides, he knew we were just having fun. It was harmless."

"Fun, huh?" Annabeth frowned. "Okay, what about when you slept with him, got knocked up with his baby, and wouldn't give him a straight answer where he stood with you? Was that just 'fun' too?"

Piper looked down at the carpeted floor, expression guilty. "I haven't given him a straight answer because I don't know... I mean, we have nothing in common."

Piper's words hit Annabeth like a brick, given her recent spat with Percy.

"I like romantic comedies; he likes kung-fu movies." Piper elaborated. "I like romance novels, he likes comic books. I like to go shopping; he likes to play role-playing games."

"Oh get over it Piper!" Annabeth scowled. "You think Percy and I have anything in common? But you know what? Percy always opens the door for me. He tells me I'm pretty, even when I'm not wearing any make-up. He stands around the women's underwear aisle when I take him shopping, despite the fact that it embarrasses him. And the damn fool went and asked my father's permission to marry me, because he knew it was the respectful thing to do."

Piper opened her mouth to say something but Annabeth wouldn't let her get a word in.

"Jason's the same way." Annabeth scolded. "He is a wonderful guy that would do anything for you! He'd treat you like a goddess. God, I mean he's ready to be a teenaged father for you! And what do you do? You go on a date with another guy? I can't believe you Piper! If you're not in love with Jason that's fair, but at least have the decency to tell him that and quit stringing him along!"

Piper tried to speak again, but this time it wasn't Annabeth who stopped her. She was at a loss for words. Piper glanced towards Ethan, who was standing by himself, looking a little confused, waiting for Annabeth and Piper to finish.

Annabeth stood, tapping her sneaker-clad foot angrily.

"You're right." Piper muttered.

"Of course I'm right." Annabeth stated, more calm. "Now go tell Ethan you have to go. I'll drive you to Percy's."

Jason paced back and forth the length of Percy's living room.

Percy was glad his parents weren't home. His dad had gone fishing for the weekend, and for once his mom went with. "You're going to wear tracks in my parent's carpeting. Relax; Annabeth said she would handle things."

"Sorry dude." Jason paused for a second, then resumed pacing.

Percy gestured to the spot next to him on the couch. "Why don't you sit down, let's watch some TV or something."

"It's been nearly an hour since you talked to Annabeth." Jason fretted. "Shouldn't she have called by now?"

Percy sighed. "Maybe Annabeth kicked Ethan's ass and now her and Piper are watching the movie, so they don't waste the tickets?"

Jason paused again, looking to Percy. "You think so?"

Percy chuckled. "Would you just relax? I'm sure..."

Percy was interrupted by the front door opening.

"Hey guys." Annabeth said.

"Annabeth!" Jason grew excited, "What happened. Where's Piper?

"She's outside." Annabeth smiled. "She'd like it if you drove her home."

Jason snatched up his keys and made a beeline for the door. "Thanks Annabeth." he stopped long enough to kiss her cheek. "You're the best."

Percy waited for the door to close. "Is it going to work out? Between Jason and Pipes, I mean?"

"I don't know." Annabeth replied honestly. "They need to talk."

Percy watched Annabeth approach, and spread his arms when Annabeth clasped herself to his chest.

"I love you." Annabeth murmured.

"Yeah?" Percy asked, clasping his arms around her.

Annabeth nuzzled her cheek against Percy's tee shirt. "I want you to know, it doesn't matter that we're so different. You're a great guy, Percy Jackson, and I'm going to marry you no matter what."

"Does this mean the embargo is lifted?" Percy dared.

"No way!" Annabeth retreated, "I'm not losing our bet."

"But..." Percy didn't know what to say.

"If you want to give in, that's fine." Annabeth smiled, smug. "But then you'll be my slave for twenty-four hours."

"Forget that." Percy shook his head. "You'll have me standing in the underwear department all day."

Annabeth gave Percy a mischievous look, "Where are your parents?"

"Fishing."

"Oh, good." Annabeth began to undress, kicking her shoes off and unfastening her jeans.

"What are you doing?" Percy watched.

"I'm horny, I want to masturbate." Annabeth replied, her tone casual.

"You want to... in the living room?!"

"Yeah." Annabeth said, peeling her top off. She wasn't wearing a bra. "I don't have my toy here, but my fingers will do. Unless you want to give in and stick your big hard cock in me?"

"Annabeth, this isn't fair..." Percy complained, watching as Annabeth sat on the carpeted floor with her back leaning against the couch.

"Why not?" Annabeth asked, slipping her panties off and spreading her knees. "You can watch."

Percy did just that, standing in the middle of the living room and staring at Annabeth as she slipped a finger into the folds of her pussy.

"Mmm, my finger feels nice." Annabeth commented, "But your cock would feel so much better. Don't you want to stick it in me, Percy? Don't you want to give in and fuck your big thing into my wet cunt?"

Percy knew Annabeth was trying to goad him, and it was working. He had to shift and adjust his hardening dick so that it wasn't pressing against the leg of his pants.

Annabeth curled her body a little, lifting her spread legs so her ankles dangled in the air. She spread her pussy lips so Percy got a good view of the penetrating finger. "Would it be so bad, being my slave for a day? You could fuck me right now. You could feel my warm pussy surround your cock. You could shoot your little babies deep into my womb, you just have to give in Percy."

"Oh my god." Percy began to unfasten his pants, Annabeth's dirty talk getting to him.

"That's it." Annabeth grinned, thinking she had won. "Come fuck me, baby. It'll only cost you a day. One day is a small price to pay for my sweet pussy."

But Percy had no intention of giving in. Removing his own clothes, Percy sat on the floor facing Annabeth and wrapped a fist around his stiff erection.

"What are you doing?" Annabeth watched, momentarily confused.

"I'm going to jerk off." Percy replied. "If you can masturbate, so can I."

Annabeth's brows furrowed in frustration. She had anticipated that Percy would give in, not start to pleasuring himself! She thought about stopping, denying him the pleasure, but the sight of his growing length gave her pause. "I can never get over how big you are."

"You could give in." Percy smirked, turning the tables. "You could crawl over here and sit on my lap, sit on my cock..."

Annabeth licked her lips. She wanted to, so badly, but she still had some fight in her. "If you gave in, I'd let you fuck my ass."

Percy issued a small gasp and began stroking.

"You're so big, you'd stretch my ass out so much. Think about how good it would be, Percy, fucking my tight little asshole. I'd even let you shoot your cum into my butt."

"Oh fuck..." Percy moaned, his willpower nearly withering.

Annabeth was getting aroused by her own words, masturbating her clit vigorously. "You could do me doggy and spank my sexy bottom while you fucked me. Don't you want to spank me Percy? Don't you want to slap your palm against my ass while you fucked that big dirty cock into my bottom?"

Percy's fingers formed a tight circling grip as he stroked his length swiftly, Annabeth's talk arousing him as much as the view of her naked and masturbating body. But he refused to give in.

Annabeth was growing warm between her legs watching Percy jerk off his magnificent cock. "Oh god baby, don't you want to fuck me? Don't you want to fuck me in the ass?" She talked as dirty as she could, trying to get Percy to relent. "You could deposit that hot load inside me, then watch as your white milky goo dribbled out of my puckered little hole..."

"Oh Jesus... oh fuck." Percy was stroking rapidly now, Annabeth's filthy words causing the cum to boil in his balls. He rose to his knees and scrambled forward.

Annabeth beamed in victory thinking Percy had finally lost the strength to resist. Her surprise was complete when Percy stopped just inches from her.

Continuing to stroke his cock with a pounding fist, Percy felt his orgasm surge up the length of his shaft.

Annabeth squealed when his orgasm came. She watched as his warm semen hurled through the space between them to land on her tummy. Ropes of it flew from Percy's cock, decorating her tan skin. Some of it landed on her breasts, and still more landed between her legs where her hand was literally dancing over her clit.

Percy could only gasp in relief as three days worth of pent-up sexual tension flew from the tip of his cock.

The feel of Percy's warm sex staining her skin drove Annabeth over the edge. Her body quivered and shook with a thundering orgasm that spread its tingling power throughout her entire body. "Ohhhh!" she moaned, powerless to stop the flood. "Oh god... oh god I'm cumming...!"

Fluids leaked from Annabeth's sex, wetting the carpet, and her free hand began to smooth against her skin where Percy's semen was hanging upon her body. She rubbed it in like moisturizer as she came.

Both lovers slumped on the floor, drained from their mutual orgasms.

"You came on me." Annabeth stated the obvious, voice heavy and breathless. "That means you gave in."

"No it doesn't." Percy argued. "I never touched you; I couldn't help it if you were in the way of my orgasm."

Annabeth looked down at her body and the sticky cum that was smeared over her skin. "I can't believe you did that Percy, I'm a mess."

"You've never minded before." Percy grinned.

Annabeth stuck her tongue out cutely. "Now I need a shower. Want to join me?"