Dearest Readers,

Thank you all for your support and for reading this story. I was quite unsure what to do with this chapter, but once I sat myself down, it seemed to write itself. I hope you enjoy it!

Please go ahead and give me a follow/add this story, I would really appreciate it :)

XOXO Ally Layne

Holy Water

Chapter 16: Party Crashers

Annabeth had dragged Persie out of the home after the boys were properly briefed of Bela's plan for the event that evening. She had decided that they needed to do some more research, and Persie suspected her friend's brain was currently configuring an awesome plan that second.

They had taken the car that Annabeth drove there, and stopped at the hotel that she had booked. Persie rolled her eyes as Annabeth grabbed her bags and made her way to her room. "You know you didn't need to get a hotel, right?"

The blonde rolled her stormy eyes. "And not have any space for myself? Do you know me?"

"It's not like we've never had to share close quarters before," Persie said, as Annabeth swiped the key, unlocking the door. "And it would save you some money."

Annabeth laughed. "Persie, if you looked at the bank account you were given from the gods, you wouldn't be talking about money."

She pursed her lips, choosing to ignore those words. The last thing she wanted at the end of the Giant War was to spend the award money she had been given from the gods. She didn't need anything from them, and that's how it was going to stay.

Her eyes followed Annabeth as she started unpacking her bag, plugging in her laptop, and grabbing her phone. Neither of them was the same after the war, and when it was the two of them, they didn't have to pretend.

No one else would get it- the nightmares, the sudden pains and aches that still wore on their bodies from their time in the pit. It was one thing to go through hell, but another to fall into Tartarus.

Persie laid back on one of the queen beds that inhabited the room. There were two beds, nicely kept, and a long couch that was right below the large windows that faced out to the Atlantic. Annabeth, noticing Persie's eyes staring longingly at the ocean, opened the windows to let the breeze in.

"Thanks, Wise Girl."

The blonde smirked. "Don't be thanking me yet, Seaweed Brain. You have yet to hear my plan."

She raised a brow. "You mean we aren't going to be loitering on the outskirts of the museum like what they obviously think we will?"

Annabeth's answering smile seemed to echo Persie's thoughts. "No, I don't think we'll let Peter and anyone who else has seen the ghost ship be murdered because Bela just wants to see those two in tuxes."

Persie shrugged, looking up at the ceiling. "I don't know, I think they'd be nice to look at."

"So, what is exactly going on between you and Dean Winchester?"

She blinked, looking over at her friend who was staring down at her with crossed arms. "Why would you ask that?"

Annabeth snorted. "I'm not blind, you dingbat. Of course, I can see the way the two of you gaze longingly into each other's eyes."

"We do not."

"You wanna bet?"

Persie let out a huff of breath. "Fine, so I happen to think the guy's good-looking. It's not my fault he looks like one of those stone carvings-"

"One of Michelangelo's sculptures?"

"Sure, one of Michael-What's-His-Face's sculptures," she finished. "I mean, have you seen his jawline?"

Annabeth sighed, leaning back onto the desk that stood behind her. "I don't know, I didn't seem to get past the sight of the two of you making eyes at each other."

Persie rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Wise Girl."

"Yeah, you've called me that for a long enough time to know I'm wise enough to listen to about these things-"

"But-"

"No, Persephone, you need to listen to me-"

"Nope."

"Yes."

Persie glared at her friend. "Why can't you just leave it?"

Annabeth placed her hands on her hips. "Because I haven't seen my best friend this happy in years, and it is all to do with this man who just so happens to look at you the same way you look at him. So, as your best friend, it is my gods-given duty to give you a swift kick in the butt and to get your man already!"

She blinked. "How long have you been practicing that one?"

"Stop being such a Seaweed Brain."

Persie shrugged. "Can't help it, I was born this way."

Annabeth sighed. She knew that this was as far as she was going to get with her dear friend, no matter what she had hoped for. When Persie closed her eyes and laid back on the bed for a little snooze, she grabbed her phone and called a number she memorized.

It was time to put some of these pieces into play.

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Sam was very, very uncomfortable.

He had snuck away to the bar to try and escape his date for the night, but he had a feeling it would only last so long.

Bela had told them that an event was taking place at the Sea Pines Maritime Museum that night and it would be the perfect opportunity to take the hand. She had been able to get herself an invite from Gertie, but it would only happen if Sam would agree to be the old woman's date.

So, for the greater good, he agreed.

Dean and Bela were then left to go with each other and obtain the hand themselves, though Bela was still tight-lipped about her actual plan to get the hand, at least she got them in the building.

After Persie and Annabeth left, Peter had been annoyed with his guests. Sam knew that he had a crush on the dark-haired girl, who had saved his life. It ran his brother up a wall, which was always fun to watch.

He just hoped one of them gave him a reason to get out of this date with Gertie. He couldn't even count the number of times she had tried to grope him, and they'd only been in the museum for five minutes.

Bela and Dean had walked up to his side, and Sam felt his shoulders droop automatically. Now Gertie was going to find him for sure. "Exactly how long do you expect me to entertain my date?"

Bela smirked. "As long as it takes."

Dean looked around the room discreetly. "Look, there's security all over this place, alright?" He said quietly. "This is an uncrashable party without Gert's invitation, so…"

"We can crash anything, Dean," Sam said, scowling at the amusement that was clear on his brother's features.

"Yeah, I know," Dean admitted, shrugging. "But this is easier, and it's a lot more entertaining."

"You know there are limits to what I'll do, right?"

Dean snickered. "Awe, he's playing hard to get. That's cute." He then turned to Bela, nodding toward the other end of the room. "Come on." He held out an arm for her to take, and they started walking, but not before looking over his shoulder at Sam. "I want all the details in the morning."

Sam pursed his lips and started to try and make himself smaller to hide from the groping woman. However, his anxiety spiked as he saw Gertie approach him with two glasses of champagne.

She pushed the glasses up to his eye level, slow enough to make it so much more awkward and annoying than it really could have been. Sam grit his teeth and took one of the glasses, making Gert smile in glee.

"To us," she said, holding out her own glass, clinking it to his own.

Sam blinked. He looked down at his glass, then looked to Gert again. This time, he rolled his eyes, took the glass, cocked his head back, and drank the contents like a shot.

However, it only seemed to turn the old woman on even more.

But as soon as he finished, blinking down at the old woman, four people stood in the doorway that seemed to obtain the attention of everyone in the room.

He blinked again, not sure if his eyes were clear enough for what he was seeing.

There, in the doorway, stood Persie on the arm of a tall blond man, and Annabeth on the arm of Nico, Persie's cousin.

After his third blink, the scene didn't move.

Persie's dress was yellow, long, and sleek, shaping her body like a glove. He didn't see her wear any other jewelry besides the diamond earrings that dripped down from her ears. The man on her arm was dressed in a grey tux, different from his own, and had a confident walk that made Sam worried about how Dean would react.

Annabeth took his breath away.

She was standing there in a deep navy gown that fluttered to her feet, and one single gold chain necklace adorned her neck, with long gold earrings. Her beautiful curls were tied up in an elegant knot that hung low on the back of her head.

Two single ringlets framed her face, but all he could see were the grey of her eyes.

She was stunning.

But how was she even here?

Persie caught his eye, and she smiled and waved. Her hair was hanging in loose waves down her back, which swayed with her steps as she dragged the others toward his direction. He smiled at her, which made hers widen in excitement.

"Sam!"

"Persie, you look wonderful this evening," he told her, taking hold of one of her arms softly, as he turned to where Gert was watching with a frown. "You remember Gertie, right?"

The blond man at her side placed a hand on the small of her back as she nodded and grinned at the older woman. "It's nice to see you again, Gertie. I'm glad you look so well," Persie said, before gesturing toward her dress. "You look marvelous in your dress."

Gert nodded, and Sam noted that she seemed to decide to like Persie after her compliment. "And who is your handsome young beau?"

Sam dropped Persie's arm as Gert pulled him into her side, and he nearly fell from how forceful she was.

Persie blinked, before looking up at the man in question with a small smile. "This is Jason, he's a friend of mine from a camp I used to go to during the summers." She looked back at them before continuing, "Jason, this is Gertie, who I met earlier yesterday, and Sam, who I have been working with."

Jason nodded, a slow grin creeping onto his features. "It's a pleasure."

Gertie seemed taken with the new meat's voice and fluttered her eyes. "I believe the pleasure is all mine."

Persie grinned, placing a hand on Jason's chest. "Well, we must be going, I'm sure we will see you both around the party." She looked at Sam with a small smirk. "Annabeth will probably be around to talk to you later, Sammy."

Jason looked down at her curiously, but she shrugged and looked over her shoulder to see the look of faint confusion and nervousness take over Sam's features.

"You don't need to worry about it, Grace."

He rolled his eyes at his date. "Whatever you say, dear."

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Dean and Bela were huddled near the entrance, taking notes about the men in the room when Dean noticed someone enter the room. Well, there were a few someones, but there was only one that he was really concerned about.

Persie looked like a goddess, and he was completely enchanted with her. She was all he could see when the lights seemed to hit her tanned skin and dress, emulating an ethereal glow. The air crept from his lungs, as he took all of her in.

"Wow," he muttered.

Bela crossed her arms, eying him knowingly. "Close your mouth before you catch flies."

Dean blinked, shaking his head slightly and shutting his mouth with a gulp. Persephone was perfect, and he knew at that moment that… well, something had definitely changed. He just had to figure out what it was.

"Who are those men with her?" Bela asked, looking at the four who had just walked in, splitting up as Persie and the tall blond went over to where Sam was.

Dean's eyes narrowed at her arm being held in his and felt his teeth grind together. "I don't know who the blond guy is, but the man with Annabeth is her cousin. Scary guy, too."

Bela raised her brows.

"I ain't telling you, so don't bother asking."

He didn't need to look at Bela to see that she was wearing a frown. He was an expert in letting people down, and could practically sense it from a mile away.

However, this was a chick he didn't care for, and the one he might have something for is currently on the arm of someone else.

He scowled.

"Dean, it's nice to see you," Annabeth spoke from where she walked over with her own date as a guide. Her eyes turned to Bela, suddenly becoming steely and unfeeling. "And, I don't remember your name but I can assure you I take no pleasure in your presence."

Dean blinked. "Ouch."

Nico snickered at her side before looking at Bela with a raised brow. "I don't know what you did, but you're going to regret crossing this one."

She sneered. "I feel that she will regret crossing me."

Dean placed a hand on her bare shoulder. "Now, now, ladies, let's not get too feisty here."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I have a feeling you'd like to watch us fight."

He shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of mud wrestling, you know."

Nico looked at him curiously. "I still think you're more of a bottom kind of guy."

Annabeth hit his arm as Dean coughed in shock.

Bela turned to Dean, choosing to ignore the other two. "Private security?"

Dean's attention was pulled for a millisecond. "I don't think so-"

Then Persie started making her way over to him, and his brain went to mush as he took in her figure in that dress once more.

"Uh…"

"Oh look Nico, he's gone mindless over Persie," Annabeth pointed out, shocking Dean back to reality. "But yes, these men are pros. Most likely state troopers moonlighting."

Bela glared. "I didn't ask you for your opinion."

Annabeth shrugged. "And I didn't ask for your company, yet here we are."

Nico snickered again, only cut off from Annabeth's stiff elbow to his gut.

Persie and the blond guy had made it to their side, now, and she looked between her friends in amusement. "What did Nico do now?"

Annabeth sighed. "Just the usual."

She nodded, seeming to understand the ambiguous statement perfectly. The blond man looked very confused, though.

Persie looked over at Dean and smiled. Her eyes glittered as she took in his form, and just how good-looking he really was while wearing that tux. "Hey, Hot Shot. You look nice."

He swallowed. "You, uh, don't look too bad yourself."

She didn't attempt to hide the blush that took over her cheeks before she turned back to the blond newcomer and went to introduce him. "Dean, this is Jason, one of my friends from camp. Jason, this is Dean Winchester, one of the guys I work with now."

Jason nodded, his eyes narrowing at Dean with only the confidence someone as battle-worn as Persie could obtain. "You keep her safe, Winchester, or we'll be having words."

Persie rolled her eyes. "Shuddup Sparky."

Dean pursed his lips. "She can take care of herself, I've recently found out," he said, staring at Jason's eyes earnestly. "But yes, I will watch her back, 'cause I know she's got mine."

Persie raised her brows. "Wow, such character development."

He sighed. "I try to learn, okay?"

Persie grinned, taking a step in his direction to only be a few inches from his chest. She looked up. "I can teach you a whole lot, pretty boy."

Bela scoffed. "Oh, please."

"How did you even get in here, anyway?" Dean asked, taking a step back and coughing, obviously trying to hide his arousal from the little vixen in front of him. "This place is guarded pretty tightly."

Persie shrugged, before moving back to Jason's side, where he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Well, it helps when one makes a hefty donation to the museum, after all."

Dean blinked. "With what money?"

"Just because she doesn't go on wild spending sprees, doesn't mean she's not loaded," Nico explained. "Persie has a miser complex. It's quite annoying, really."

Persie glared over at her cousin. "I am not a miser- whatever it is. I just happen to spend my money only when I have to."

Jason snorted. "That's what it means, Perse."

Annabeth, now rubbing her temple, sighed. "Can we get back to the plan, please?"

Dean's eyebrows furrowed. "What pla-"

Then, in an instant, Persie fainted.