Poor poor Percy is all I can say, and before people get too pissed off at Annabeth for what she says- remember they are literally fourteen, fourteen year olds make dumb mistakes and say stupid things sometimes. I know I did when I was fourteen.

Percy let herself fall apart in the safety of Grover's arms- she felt kind of guilty for that- it wasn't like Grover didn't have enough to deal with- though when she said as much through choked sobs he snorted and hugged her tighter.

"Percy, you're my best friend." he was rolling his eyes fondly, "But you're a real dumbass sometimes. Yeah I've got a lot going on too but like I said, you're my best friend, no way am I gonna not be there when you need me." and Percy let out a breath at that, sniffling as she hugged Grover tight enough that she was sure she was making it hard for him to breath.

They ended up moving so that they were both sat, their backs to the cool stone of Zeus fist, Percy's head resting on Grover's shoulder, and there was a long silence before Grover spoke.

"So, you gonna tell me what that was all about earlier?" and Percy felt that familiar pit in her stomach at his question.

"Grover I-"

"You don't have to tell me." Grover added quickly, "But I know it's something, and it's eating away at you-"

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You're fine right up until anyone talks about Alabaster and then I can feel how uncomfortable you are. Something happened. You're my friend Percy. I just wanna know what, I wanna know you're gonna be okay. And so do Annabeth and Chiron."

"I-" Percy hesitated before she let out a slow, shaky breath. "You know I told you about the mortal girl I met-"

"The one who can see through the mist who helped you out at the Dam?"

"Yeah, Rachel." Percy bit her lip, "When I met her for the second time- I told you and Annabeth that I freaked out because I lost sight of Nico but... but it wasn't that simple-"

"Oh?" Grover raised an eyebrow, "What happened then?"

"It was Alabaster-"

"You don't say-" Grover jerked his head to the side to avoid Percy's light slap.

"Not funny."

"It was kinda obvious." Grover's voice was teasing, "I mean, who else could it be." his expression shifted, turning more serious. "So you had a run in with him then. And you
didn't tell us."

"I-" Percy swallowed hard. "He used the mist to split up Nico and me. I freaked out, went crazy looking for him and he managed to use the mist to make me think I saw him heading into an alley. It was a dead end and- and he wasn't in there-"

"And let me guess who was." Grover's eyes narrowed and Percy nodded.

"Alabaster- he stepped out, had his sword at my back before I could even turn around and- he pointed out that I had no clue where Nico was. For all I knew he'd had his monsters grab Nico and Nico was hurt and-"

"And anything about Nico freaks you out since the junkyard." Grover's voice was soft, "Gods Percy..."

"He knows my weaknesses." Percy let out a wet laugh, "He knew that was all he had to do and I'd freeze up- how can I fight back when he's holding Nico's safety over my head-"

"Did he have Nico."

"No." Percy let out a bitter laugh, "No he didn't, but for all I knew he did and I couldn't take that risk. I didn't even try and stop him from taking Riptide-"

"Percy you can't blame yourself-"

"Yeah, yeah I can. I am stronger than him I'm stronger so why do I always come out feeling like an idiot having to have everyone else save me every time?" Percy asked bitterly.

"Because he's a nasty bastard who knows how to manipulate you." Grover declared, "You were scared of losing Nico it's not stupid Percy. We all know you're strong."

"My weakness is going to get people killed in the end Grover. What if when the time comes I make the wrong choice because they're threatening someone I love-"

"That's not you." Grover shook his head, "If your safety is at risk then yeah, if it's just you that'll get hurt yeah.. but look at the whole Ophitaurus situation with Thalia. You left us there knowing we were in danger because you knew if you didn't get Thalia away then the whole world would be in danger. And when the time comes- it won't be just you who you have to worry about it'll be the whole world and that's when you make the hard choices."

Percy went quiet, considering that for a long moment before she gave a weak smile, "I- I guess you're right-"

"Though- I do kinda wish you'd care more about your own safety." Grover added, "Just saying, I don't wanna lose my best friend."

"I'll try." Percy smiled and turned her head, kissing his cheek. "I love you Grover."

"Love you too- and don't try and end the conversation I know there's something more."

"I-" Percy looked away. "We argued- he wanted me to run away with him- whatever Kronos is asking of him he's freaking out over it he doesn't want to do whatever it is. I- I refused, I refused and we argued some more and then he-" Percy swallowed hard, her throat felt dry. "He kissed me-" and she felt Grover stiffen and when she turned her head she saw a horrified look on his face.

"Percy-"

"I couldn't- I was so scared." Percy swallowed hard, "I- he tasted like mint. I haven't had anything mint flavoured since then. I- I'm so much stronger than him but- I was so scared. I uh- I managed to bite his lip to get him to stop but-" she shook her head. "I- If- he was pissed when I did that. He was- he started choking me- pointed out that he could hurt Nico before I could fight back. He- I would have gone with him but the next thing I knew something hit him in the head and he let me go and when I looked it was Rachel throwing literal stones at him. If she hadn't shown up when she did-"

"Gods." Grover had an arm wrapped tightly around her shoulder and he was tugging her into a close hug as Percy desperately tried to blink away more tears. She felt stupid for crying so much- as if he'd read her thoughts Grover poked her shoulder hard. "Don't be a dumbass Percy. You're allowed to get upset. You're allowed to cry. You've got a lot to deal with- prophecies and evil stalkers and everything else."

"You're the best G-man." Percy had to admit, somehow she felt better- there was a reason Grover was one of her best friends.

"Of course I am." Grover shifted, "So you haven't told anyone else about this."

"Rachel knows more than anyone else I though- though I don't think she saw him kiss me. I sorta told mom, Nico and Leo that I saw Alabaster but I didn't give them any details."

"I love you Percy, but you are such a dumbass." Grover snorted, "You should have told Annabeth and me. And Chiron too- though you don't need to tell Chiron about this kiss. Annabeth especially though."

"I- she was dealing with her own stuff."

"Yeah, yeah I'm pretty sure she'd think you were a bit more important than that."

"Exactly- she'd have come rushing home and I didn't want to be the reason she didn't get to spend time with her mortal family- she's been doing so well with them I didn't want to ruin that-"

"And you didn't want to tell her he kissed you."

"I-" Percy groaned softly, "I felt like I betrayed her. I know that's stupid I definitely didn't want him to kiss me and I pushed him away as quickly as I could but that's how it felt and I just... admitting it out loud-"

"It's okay." Grover's voice was reassuring, "It's okay Percy. You're gonna be okay." he shifted so that Percy could tuck her head into the crook of his neck. "But you need to talk to Annabeth and Chiron."

"They're gonna be mad at me." Percy almost mumbled the words, and it made Grover laugh softly.

"They're already pretty mad. Chiron is worried more than mad I think- but he won't be happy that you hid it. Annabeth... she's angry that you're hiding something. If you tell
her the truth she should calm down."

"I don't wanna-"

"Uh huh." Grover let out an amused huff, "You'll have to face her eventually."

"Can we delay it. Just for a lil while longer."

"Just for a bit. But you can't hide out here forever- Annabeth will come looking eventually. Chiron had to order her to let you go- he could tell you were really upset. He told me to go after you since I was less likely to yell at you."

"I appreciate the not being yelled at." Percy admitted, "I really need someone who isn't going to have a go at me right now-"

"I won't let her yell at you too much." Grover looked amused, "Though she does kind of have reason to be angry you know that right?"

"I know. You don't need to keep reminding me." Percy mumbled the words, "I know I should have told her. I just... couldn't."

"It'll be tough but you guys can get past it. If anyone can it's you two."

"I know." Percy smiled sadly, "I have the best girlfriend ever, we'll work things out. It's just hard. I hate the idea of her being mad at me."

"Percy she won't be angry about the kiss if that's what you're scared of- not at you anyway."

"I-" Percy groaned, "I know that, I know that logically but-" she shook her head, "That doesn't make it any easier to actually-"

"I know." Grover shook his head. "I know Percy." and with that they lapsed into a comfortable silence, Grover's hand rubbing her shoulder as Percy curled into his side.

When it was broken it was broken by Percy.

"I missed you Grover. Just so you know. I've missed you so much. You're the best friend I could ever ask for you know that right-"

"And here I thought you were replacing me with an army of siblings." Grover snickered, "I know Percy. You don't have to say it."

"Yeah I do." and then there was that comforting silence again. Percy actually found herself dozing off on Grover's shoulder- but before she could fall asleep she heard footsteps and she tensed slightly, turning her head to look in the direction the footsteps were coming from- and sure enough after a few moments Annabeth came moving from between the trees- and she was tense, though she let out a breath when she saw Percy and Grover sat with their backs to Zeus' fist, though she set her jaw and her expression hardened. "

"Percy."

"Annabeth-"

"We're going to talk." Annabeth's voice was sharp, too sharp. She looked so pissed off, "You're going to stop lying and keeping secrets from me right now Percy." she was storming towards them, "Or we're over-"

"Annabeth-"

"No, no Percy you- you can't keep lying to me! And you have been haven't you? You've been lying to me. Something happened with Alabaster didn't it, and you swore Percy. We made a promise that we'd tell each other everything and you've been lying to me! Why? Tell me why. What in Hades name could have happened so bad that you won't even tell me?"

"Annabeth please just-" Percy was scrambling to her feet, Grover following close behind her.

"No! No you had a run in with him didn't you? You swore you'd keep me in the loop!"

"Annabeth-" Grover's voice was worried, "Annabeth calm down-"

"No! No I won't calm down!" Annabeth looked between them, "Because I am sick of people lying to me! First Rachel-"

"What about Rachel- she has nothing to do with this-"

"And now you're keeping things about Alabaster from me?"

"Annabeth please." Grover shook his head, "Just stop for a second-"

"And not just me. You haven't told Chiron either. Gods Percy what could possibly be so- it doesn't make any sense you've never felt the need to lie about Alabaster before so why now? Huh? What's so different? What is so different this time-" and Percy felt sick, she felt her eyes filling with tears.

"Please!" she shouted the word, "Please Annabeth stop just let- let me talk-"

"Are you going to keep lying? Or are you going to tell me the truth?"

"Annabeth stop!" Grover stepped forward, stepping between them quickly, "Please just calm down a second-"

"How can you be telling me to calm down? Why would she keep anything about him a secret why?" Annabeth looked near tears, "Were you protecting him Percy? Do you have feelings for him or something?" and Percy reeled back as if she'd been slapped, a stunned look on her face- and Annabeth looked like she regretted the words as soon as they slipped out.

But there was no taking the words back.