Jason and I ran back into the hospital, ignoring the water dripping onto the clean floors. Of course we didn't have to ask which floor and room, we had it imbedded in our brains. My heart was beating like crazy as we tried not to ram into any of the nurses who stared at us, bewildered. I didn't care at all, I had to see Percy.

We almost ran right into Percy's dad who held his hands out to prevent us from falling. I slipped and he grabbed my wrist before I hit the floor. His concerned green eyes made me want to see Percy even more. For some reason, his expression suddenly flashed to fear. He helped me up then hastily let go.

"Apologies," he bemused "Are you two okay? Where are the others?"

"They went ahead of us, we were visiting-" I quickly glanced at Jason "-Thalia, our...other friend."

"Thalia Grace," He glanced at Jason, looking sombre "Is she-"

"Pos-Mr. Jackson, I'm sorry but we'd really like to see Percy." I cut in, desperation crawling through my veins. Hoping that I hadn't hurt Jason's feelings, I looked at him. But he seemed just as desperate as I was. Mr. Jackson nodded firmly then glanced at the door, looking tense.

"You two go ahead," He inclined, wiping his forehead. I wanted to assure him that he should be the first to see his son but I was too impatient. Jason smiled warily.

"You go first, I'll make some excuse when Pen-when the others come up." he said hastily. Smooth, I was pretty sure Mr. Jackson would catch on but fuck it. I took a deep breath and opened the door, cold air blasting my face and the smell of medicine almost knocking me out. Shivering slightly, I moved towards the curtain drawn bed. What was I waiting for?

"Annabeth." I heard him mutter. I let out a sob as I surged forward and ripped the curtain aside.

"Percy."

I sat next to him and broke down, suddenly wanting to get away from him. He was sitting upright and leaning on some pillows. His wrist was connected to a tube, a blood bag on the left side of his bed. Bandages were peeking out of his hospital clothes and he looked very pale. His lips and fingers were cracked but his eyes were as clear as the ocean.

"Did you miss me?" He attempted to smile, the dry lines on his lips stretching. I laughed dryly as he cupped the side of my face with his palm. I held onto his wrist.

"How did you know it was me?" I asked, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

"Your scent," he replied simply "and the hesitation. No one else would have waited to come up to me. Unlike that crazy old nurse Bertha would insists on stripping me. However-" his lips curled into a smirk "I can only think of one woman who can strip me down."

"Shut up."

"Yes ma'am. Also, why are you all wet?"

"It's raining outside Seaweed Brain."

"Silly me."

"Silly you." My eyes wandered down to his shoulder. "Does it hurt?"

"No," he lied. I rolled my eyes and got up. "Well since you're not in any pain, I'll just go then." he grabbed my wrist with surprising strength and pulled me closer, his lips meeting mine. I felt something in my stomach twist as I cupped the side of his face. I could taste the faint salty taste that he had underneath the medicine and drugs. He was alive and safe.

"Don't ever leave me again."

"Never." he said, my heart mending itself. He wet his lips, looking down at our hands "Annabeth...I-"

The door burst open and we jumped, my hand leaving his. "Percy!" Penny shrieked, running forward. Behind her were the rest of the crowd, including Nico in the back. Leo whooped.

"Water boy's still alive!"

"Don't call me that." Percy groaned. Leo shrugged "Can't stop me."

We all crowded around his bed, cheering him up and laughing. It felt good and brought warmth into the cold, quiet room. When Percy told them about old Bertha, Leo seemed interested. Piper suggested that Leo should probably get admitted just so that he could get stripped by a nurse, to which we all laughed. Everyone but Percy, because when I glanced at him to see what was wrong, I saw that his eyes were fixed on me. I went red and looked at Penny, who was trying to make Leo stop juggling the instruments on the tray. Phew.

Right when Penny was telling Leo where she's stuff a needle if he didn't stop, the door opened again. Everyone went dead silent as Mr. Jackson walked him, looking awkward.

"If I could have a moment with my so-with Percy." He asked. We all jumped up and filed out awkwardly, except Penny who stayed behind. Apollo shut the door behind us, smiling nervously "Well that was awkward."

"Well, it's the first time they're seeing each other in years isn't it?" Nico said "It'd be weird as fuck."

"Language, little man." Leo put his elbow on Nico's shoulder. Scowling, he elbowed him in the rib. "Ow!"

"We'll see who's the little man." He said in triumph "So should we wait outside?"

"I guess so. This could take a while." Piper said, looking a little worried "Percy's spoken nothing but trash about his father, but he seems pretty normal. It's hard to believe that e was part of..you know, a gang."

"I know, but we didn't grow up with the big man." Apollo replied. Piper smiled "Big man? You two seem to have gotten close."

He looked flustered "Not really. He said that he wanted to talk to me properly, after things have calmed down. Now I'm pretty good with the ladies, but men-"

"You got me hooked Solace, dw." Leo winked.

"-especially my girlfriend's father, I don't know." he noticed that everyone was smirking at him. "Oh shut up. What about you Annabeth, how do you feel?" he asked me, changing the topic. I didn't fully trust myself to speak. so I nodded and smiled.

"I'm...okay. For now. Something else is nagging me though." I mused, thinking hard. The letter. My dad. Luke. Thalia. I shrugged it off "Probably nothing."

"Alright then. Leo, let's go get some coffee." Piper said, glancing at her watch "We have enough time. Jason, do you wanna-"

"No, it's okay." He said immediately "It's fine, you two go."

Piper frowned "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, don't worry about it Pipes." Jason said, giving her a faint smile. There was an awkward pause before Apollo cleared his throat. "I'll come with you. Leo'll definately spill it."

"Not true!" Leo argued, stamping his foot as if imitating a little girl who didn't get any candy. Piper touched Jason's arm before leaving with the boys. I frowned. "You should talk to her."

"I don't want her to see me like this." He sighed, leaning against the wall. Nico clicked his tongue "Your logic is weird, Grace."

He smiled, and opened his mouth to reply right when we heard Percy's muffled voice; "I'm not crazy!"

We all turned towards the door, wondering the same thing. Before we could decide on whether to leave or listen, we heard Percy's father say something in his normal, calm voice. I heard Penny saying something too but not in the same tone as Percy.

"Oh yeah?" Percy argued. "Then-"

"Maybe we should go," Jason suggested quietly. We nodded and turned to leave when I heard it.

"-who's Athena then?"

A shiver went down my spine and I spun around so quickly I felt a muscle pull in my neck. I was sorely tempted to put my ear against the door and eavesdrop. "Annabeth? What happened?" Jason asked. Ignoring him, I stood there gaping. He had said Athena, I know he did. Did I hear it wrong?

"Percy asked his father who...someone is," Nico frowned, scratching his head. I gave him an accusing glare before he put his hands up "I didn't hear the name, didn't sound familiar," he paused before saying "Afina? Alina? I didn't hear it correctly."

"Athena?" I suggested quietly. Nico's eyes narrowed.

"Maybe, why?"

"Annabeth is something going on? Do you know who this...Alina, or Athena or whatever person is?" Jason asked, looking concerned. I stared at him. The poor guy already looked ready to pass out. He was the most stressed out person amongst us, having his heartbroken sister in a hospital bed. I shook my head convincingly. "No, I was just confused as to why exactly a name popped into their argument."

"Oh...okay," he didn't look convinced, but luckily he let it slide "Anyways, we should go before they realize that we were listening."

We quickly walked away but I swore that I heard their hospital door open and close swiftly, as if making sure.

oOoOo

"So we were definitely arguing?" Piper asked, sipping her coffee. Jason nodded, both him and Nico giving me a quick glance which I ignored.

"Annabeth, you look pale." She said, frowning "You okay?"

"I-yeah. It's just...I'm relieved." I lied. Leo, already on his second cup of coffee, exhaled sharply. Piper shot him a look. "And you shouldn't be drinking this much coffee."

"What? It's cold and rainy outside! I'm warming up!" he protested, before smirking "Although I don't really need to, since I'm smoking hot."

"Hey, are you sure that you're okay?" Apollo asked quietly while everyone's attention was on Piper and Leo. I looked at him, literally forgetting that he was there too. He seemed unnaturally quiet. I nodded, my fingers trembling slightly from caffeine. He took the cup from my hands.

"I think you've had enough." he smiled, throwing the half empty cup away "You seem pale as a ghost."

"I feel kind of faint," I half-lied. I really wanted to lie down anyways "The tension and everything was too much."

He nodded "Must have been hard for you. You and Percy are really hitting it off huh?"

I thought of our kiss "Yeah...it really is. Hey and you," I smiled, nudging his arm "Meeting the parents already?"

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly "Well...we've been together for only a month, but we've known each other for years, so it feels like it's been longer. And uh, her dad seems kinda cool. It's just going to be hard sucking it up to him when my best friend hates him."

"I'm gunna text Penny, see if she's coming with us." Piper said, pulling out her phone. Apollo cleared his throat "Actually, you guys go on ahead. I'll stay behind."

"Oooo making a good impression for the dadd-o huh?" Leo held up a thumbs up.

"Maybe," Apollo smirked "See you guys later." he waved me goodbye before walking off, disappearing in the moving crowd of patients, doctors and nurses. As we all shuffled to the front lobby, I heard Nico mutter "Nowadays it's just problem after problem huh?"

I hesitated "Yeah," I looked at him. He seemed too young to sound this mature. It wasn't hard to tell that he hadn't had an easy life. "Do you think things will start getting better?"

Nico watched as Leo began jumping in the rain, Piper yelling at him to come back under the safety of the building "I don't think so."

Hi guyssss I updated early hehe anyways I'm here to tell yall that it'll get interesting from now on so yayyy! anyways review! 3