Percy was lying on the couch in his basement watching television when Annabeth plopped down on top of him.

"Get off me, you moose," Percy joked.

Annabeth pretended to be surprised but continued sitting on Percy. "Whoa, Seaweed Brain, I didn't see you sitting there. You should really work on bulking up," she quipped.

Wrestling around, Percy tried to get on top of Annabeth only for her to shove them both onto the floor. As they laid on the floor, with Annabeth straddling Percy once more, she asked, "What are you watching?"

Leo and Frank came bursting through the door with Nico following them.

Frank pointed to the television and said, "Hey, Gilligan is on." He took notice of the couple sprawled out on the floor and added with a huff, "What are you doing on the floor?"

Nico made his way over to his usual seat. "Yeah, why don't you guys get a room?"

Percy and Annabeth got off the floor and sat down on the couch with Leo between them. With an annoyed glare directed at the Italian, Percy said, "We have a room, Neeks. It's called my basement."

They sat in silence as the theme song for Gilligan's Island played. Annabeth sighed as she wished she had more time with Percy. A few more seconds passed before she stood up and announced she was going home.

Percy bounced out of his seat as he remembered something. "I'll walk you home."

"She lives next door," Leo said with a laugh.

"Hey, Percy, don't forget," Nico called out as Percy reached the door. "I'll see you tomorrow night at the library."

With a nod to Nico, Percy chased after his girlfriend. He caught up to Annabeth as she was heading up the steps out of the basement. "Hey, Wise Girl, I was thinking that maybe you and I could go out to dinner tomorrow night. For Valentine's Day."

Annabeth smiled at him. "You're supposed to go to the library with Nico tomorrow."

"I mean, I can do that anytime, right?" Percy said with a shrug.

"I'd love to go, just make sure Nico's okay with it," Annabeth agreed. She didn't want to make Nico angry or worse, jealous, again.

Percy beamed at her. "Great! It's a date, then."

"Our first," Annabeth said with a laugh.

They leaned in for a kiss when Piper and Jason came upon them. The two newcomers walked down the steps and stood right beside Percy and Annabeth who shared a look with one another.

"Hey, guys," Piper greeted. "So, what's going on?"

" I'll talk to you guys later," Annabeth said before squeezing past Jason.

Once Annabeth was gone, Jason and Piper entered the basement with Percy right behind them.

"So, Perce, what were you and Annabeth talking all hot and heavy about?" Piper asked with a wicked grin.

Percy sat down on the arm of the couch closest to Nico. "We're going out to dinner tomorrow night for Valentine's Day."

Nico turned his head slowly to look at the side of Percy's face. "Uh, no, no, no,no. You and I are going to the library to study tomorrow."

"On Valentine's Day?" Piper asked incredulously, even as Jason and Leo turned to silently beg her to be quiet. "Who studies on Valentine's Day?"

Turning back to face the television, Nico grumbled, "I didn't know it was Valentine's Day when I made the date." When Percy turned to face him, he added, "to study".

"I am sure Percy just forgot," Frank tried.

"We just talked about it a minute ago," Nico griped as he gestured towards Percy.

Percy shrugged before turning back to face the rest of the group. "You know, I mean, anyways, I'm gonna give Annabeth my class ring."

Piper gasped in delight at the same time that Nico rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Leo waved Percy off, though. "Forget rings, man," he said. "You wanna score with Annabeth, use my super funk eight-track."

Ignoring Leo's suggestion, Percy continued, "Anyway, I figure it's time to make it official. She's just been waiting for any jerk to swoop down on her."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "And you are that jerk."

Percy smiled at him and Nico wanted to throttle him. "Better me than some other jerk."

(***)

Will, Leo, Frank, and Nico were sitting in the basement when Leo pointed out, "If Percy and Annabeth are going out Saturday night, that means we have no wheels." He emphasized his point with a wild hand gesture that almost smacked Will in the face.

"I could borrow my dad's car," Will suggested.

Leo looked at Nico with an impish grin. "Oh, yeah, Nico, it's a Lincoln. Leather."

Nico ignored him completely as he glared at the television. Will was a little concerned as to why he was so upset today. He'd apologized a while back, but they hadn't actually talked or hung out since and Will was worried Nico was still a little pissed at him.

"Oh, you know what you should do? Let me have the car so I can ditch all of you and make out with Cal in the backseat," Leo said.

Frank turned from where he had been leaning against the washing machine. "You said that out loud."

"Yeah, I don't care," Leo shrugged.

Will rolled his eyes. "Well if no one else has any suggestions," he paused to look at Nico who was still ignoring everyone, "I guess you and Calypso can make out in the car while I go shopping." Then he added, "Unless someone wants to come with me?"

"Yeah, have fun, man," Nico muttered. "I'm out."

"I'm out, too," Frank replied.

Leo hopped up from the couch and raced up the stairs to the Jackson's kitchen with a quick goodbye as he went to search for Calypso. Frank sat down on the couch where Leo had been while Will sulked at the other end.

"It looks like it's just gonna be you and me, little buddy," Frank said to Nico.

With a huff, Nico leaned forward in his seat to put his elbows on his knees. "Yeah, Frank, which is really messed up, man, 'cause I had plans with Percy until Chase snaked me."

Will paled as he realized why Nico was upset. Was he still pining after Percy? For how long? How could he ever compete with the legendary Percy Jackson?

Frank scoffed and said sarcastically, "Who would have thought he'd rather go to a nice restaurant than a smelly, old library?" He bumped Nico's shoulder playfully as he laughed, only to stop laughing when he saw Nico's face. "You will laugh later."

Will stood up in a huff and walked out. He felt like Nico had just been stringing him along, as a back-up in case Percy ever decided to give him a chance. As Will reached the Jackson's driveway, he figured he couldn't blame Nico, not really. Given the choice, he would choose Percy over himself any day.

Nico sat there as Will stormed off; he thought of going after him, but decided against it. They still needed to have a serious conversation, and Nico would be lying if he said that didn't scare the Tartarus out of him.

(***)

Paul walked into the kitchen and held the door open so Sally could see into the living room. They were both smiling as Sally called out for Percy. He came strutting into the kitchen wearing a dark blazer over a white T-shirt and some worn out blue jeans. There was a confident smile on Percy's face as he posed for his mother.

"Oh, my gosh, that is snazzy," Sally exclaimed with a delighted clap of her hands. "That is a snazzy jacket."

Paul patted his son on the shoulder. "Good thing I went with him, he wanted to buy a leisure suit."

Percy laughed. "Come on, Dad. Leisure suits are cool. Everybody wears them."

Pointing a finger at Percy, Paul replied, "Leisure suits are for dumbasses. Believe me."

Fred and Marybai came through the kitchen sliding door as if they lived there and walked straight up to Percy. With a playful jab at Percy's shoulder, Fred said, "Hey, Percy, looking sharp for your big date?"

Marybai hugged Percy close. "Who knew our two little tykes would grow up to be dating?"

Sally thought of how Percy was going to be gone all night and an idea struck her. "Oh, I have an idea. Let's have dinner tomorrow night, just the parents. I'll fondue!"

The Chases agreed to the idea and Marybai added with a wink, "That'll give us a chance to talk about their future."

"Right, we can plan a big wedding," Sally joked.

Percy swallowed nervously. "I know you're joking, but could you please stop? Please?"

Everyone started talking at once, offering up different ideas and suggestions for Percy and Annabeth's future. Percy just wanted to get through their first date without screwing anything up. Their future was a topic for another day.

(***)

Will was driving his father's Lincoln as Calypso snapped at Leo in the backseat.

"I don't believe you, Leo," she yelled. "You can't just maul me in front of my father."

Leo shrugged. "I bet he didn't even notice."

"He yelled at you to stop," Calypso argued.

With a laugh, he replied, "Oh, I thought he was talking to you."

Will wanted nothing more than for the ground to swallow him up at that moment. He had just wanted to spend some time with Nico and now he was stuck with an arguing couple that was probably going to end up making out in his backseat before they even reached the mall.

"Okay, Leo, we have a problem," Calypso said matter-of-factly. "Ever since we did it, you've been a complete, gilipollas."

The tension in the air was thick as Leo and Calypso glared at one another. Will just wanted to get to the mall.

(***)

The next evening, Percy was dressed in his blazer with a tie and khakis. Standing in the driveway his father once again commented on how wonderful the jacket looked on him. Sally raced out of the kitchen with a camera and tried to take a picture before Percy told her to stop.

"Let me tell you something, order the dinner," Paul instructed. "A la carte's a sucker's bet. And remember pull the chair out for her. The small fork is for the salad. And this jacket's gotta last you all the way through college so don't spill any crap on it." He handed Percy some cash. "Here you go."

Annabeth and her parents walked up at that moment. Her hair fell in perfect blonde ringlets and she wore a crimson dress that fell just below her knees. Percy's jaw dropped as his mind tried to process what he was seeing.

The parents ooh-ed and ahh-ed as Percy and Annabeth stood uncomfortably in the middle of their parents.

"Shall we?" Annabeth asked almost pleadingly.

"Good gods, yes," Percy cried as they rushed to get in the Vista Cruiser.

Annabeth's mom started taking pictures which, in turn, made Sally want to start taking pictures. As the two mothers snapped pictures of their children, Percy turned to look at Annabeth.

"Talk about pressure, huh?" Percy said.

"Yeah, I mean, this is a huge deal," she answered. She quickly added, "To our parents."

Percy started the car and the radio started playing:

Move it in, move it out

Shove it in, shove it out

Disco

Annabeth and Percy actively avoided eye contact as the song's double meaning hit them.

(***)

After Annabeth and Percy had left, Nico and Frank found themselves shooting hoops in the Jackson's driveway. Nico went for a rebound as Frank turned to him.

"So, what do you wanna do?" he asked Nico.

"I dunno, man," Nico replied. "What do you wanna do?"

Frank snapped his fingers as an idea came to him. "Let's go to the Hub. Hazel said she was gonna swing by there later."

Nico nodded and smiled. "Sounds good, man, but I'll pass."

He took another shot and was going to get the ball when Frank said, "Poor Nico." The Italian boy turned to look quizzically at his friend. "You're in love with Percy and he's with your good friend Annabeth. That's the oldest and saddest story in the world."

Dribbling the ball for a moment, Nico said, "You know what, man? I had a chance and I didn't take it. And once Percy gives Chase that ring, man, they're going out."

Frank nodded. "What about Will?"

"I dunno, man," Nico answered honestly. "I really like Will but I never really had a chance to tell Percy how I really felt, you know?"

"If you don't tell him how you feel, you'll never be able to move on," Frank said wisely.

Nico tossed the ball at Frank. "I'm going to the Vineyard."

"Good for you."

(***)

At the Vineyard, Percy and Annabeth were looking over the expensive menu.

Annabeth looked over her menu with concern. "Do you have enough money?"

"Oh, yeah," Percy said solemnly, "for me. I'm sorry were you gonna eat something, too?"

With a chuckle, Annabeth perused the menu for a second longer before coming to a decision. "Actually, I'm in the mood for chicken."

"What a coincidence," Percy smiled, "I, too, am ordering the cheapest thing on the menu."

"You look really nice tonight."

Percy looked into Annabeth's gray eyes and realized this was the perfect moment to give her his class ring. "So do you. Look, Annabeth…"

"Hello!" a voice called out as the waiter appeared at their table. "Can I start you folks off with some drinks?"

Thinking he had all night, he happily ordered a beer and watched in amazed silence as the waiter simply wrote that down and didn't card him. Annabeth pointed to a nearby table and ordered an iced tea. The waiter nodded and left.

"He didn't even proof me," Percy said with delight.

Annabeth leaned towards him. "It must be the jacket."

(***)

In the Jackson's dining room, Sally was just finishing setting up the fondue for her guests. "I don't know why they call it fondue," she said. "They should call it fundue, 'cause it's so fun."

"I love fondue," Marybai said to Paul. "It's gourmet."

With a sigh, Paul turned to his wife. "So, Sally, what do we do here?"

"What you do is you put a piece of steak on your fondue fork," she answered as she demonstrated for the rest of them.

Fred reached towards the hot oil. "Now, how hot exactly is the…"

"No!" Sally cried. "No, Fred. That is a fondon't." She laughed it off before becoming serious. "Do not put your hand in the hot oil."

Paul chuckled. "Who knew you couldn't put your hand in hot oil."

(***)

At the Vineyard, Percy and Annabeth's food was coming towards them when Annabeth shouted, "Here, chicken, chicken, chicken!"

Percy stared at the girl before him as if she'd grown a second head. He had no idea why she was acting so strangely. "Annabeth, please."

She muttered an apology as the waiter placed their food in front of them. Percy asked if she was okay to which she responded that she was wonderful.

She was swaying in her seat and making random hand gestures when it struck Percy. "I think you're drunk."

"I think I am, too," she giggled. "But how could I be drunk?"

The waiter paused as he turned to look at them. "There's about five shots of alcohol in a Long Island Iced Tea."

"Long Island Iced Tea?" Percy gasped. No wonder Annabeth was behaving strangely.

"Yeah, you guys ordered drinks," the waiter said with a shrug.

Annabeth thrust her glass towards the waiter and declared she was ready for another one. Percy quickly put her glass back down on the table and said she was good.

As the waiter walked away, Annabeth looked at Percy with a drunken grin. "I love your little butt, Seaweed Brain. It's so little." She drew a circle with her fingers. "And you're so good, so darn good."

"Okay, I think it's coffee time," Percy muttered.

"You're so good it makes me hot," Annabeth declared.

Percy nodded as he repeated, "Definitely coffee time."

"Sing to me."

"I don't think…" Percy tried.

Annabeth cut him off as she knocked their bread into the floor. "Sing me a song or I'll scream."

Percy had one brief moment to wonder how his life had come to this before he started singing. "Move it in, move it out. Shove it in, shove it out. Disco lady."

(***)

Will giggled as he and Calypso made it back to the car with Leo loaded down with boxes of shoes. It had started out badly with the couple constantly arguing but once Calypso and Will started bonding over shoes it had turned out fun.

"Alright, it's now nine p.m. which means every shoe store in the area is closed for the night," Leo declared after throwing the shoe boxes into the trunk. "What do you want to do now?"

Calypso didn't even look at him as she looked her nails over. "You want to go look at the new Corvettes?"

She seemed to be asking Will but Leo answered. "No, that sounds boring, mami."

"Well, what do you want to do?" She fixed him with a glare that said if he mentioned sex one more time she was going to murder him.

Leo threw his hands up in the air. "So, what? I spent all night looking for your stupid shoes and we're not even gonna…"

"No," she said blankly.

With a sigh, Leo nodded his head. "Fine."

Will was sitting in the driver's seat pretending not to listen.

(***)

Annabeth was bouncing her chair back as she stage whispered, "It's so crowded in here. Percy, meet me under the table."

She slid out of her table with an attempted seductive look on her face before Percy could stop her. "Look, no… Well," he considered for a second before snapping out of it. "Look, no, Annabeth, come on."

Instead of sitting in the chair like she was supposed to, Annabeth hopped up and ran into the restroom. Percy released a deep breath as he considered their first date. It could be worse but it could definitely be going better.

He looked up to see Nico walking in.

"Nico?"

"Hey, Percy, where's Chase?" Nico asked.

"Drunk and in the bathroom," Percy said dejectedly.

Nico opened his mouth only to close it and give Percy a confused look before he remembered what he was doing here. "Okay, look. I'm just going to say this, all right? Percy, I have feelings for you. And I know you probably don't have feelings for me, but you're going to give Chase your ring and I just needed to let you know before you did that."

"Oh, wow, um," Percy murmured. "Nico, I'm not gay. Besides, I mean, Annabeth has always been the one. She's it for me, you know? And I thought you and Will were…"

Annabeth popped back by the table and drunkenly took Nico's sunglasses off him. "Nico! Neek, Neek, Nicky, Nick, Nico!"

Nico nodded at her before plucking his glasses off her. "I knew that, I just needed to tell you, so that I could move on."

Percy clapped him on the shoulder. "You'll always be my best friend, I hope that's enough for you."

A small smile made its way onto Nico's face. "Yeah, whatever, Kelp Head."

(***)

The Jackson's get together was failing from the fondue burning everyone to Marybai's terrifying interpretive dance about Jonathan Seagull. Once she had finished, Fred had scooped her up and declared they were going to make love before leaving.

"Gods," Paul muttered. "They used to be normal. What the hell happened to them?"

"I don't know," Sally answered. "How can she not eat meat? That can't be healthy."

Paul sat down on the couch. "Remember when we used to go on vacation together? Fred and I used to go fishing and drink beers."

Sally took a seat next to her husband. "I mean, we used to have fun with them."

"Now they're into every fad there is. Things change, Sally."

"We don't," Sally pointed out.

Paul threw an arm around Sally. "We don't have to. We're classic."

(***)

Percy and Annabeth were at the Hub, Percy's jacket around her shoulders. Annabeth was mostly over her drunkenness, having thrown up in the restaurant's bathroom twice.

"Thanks for holding my hair when I was…" she said.

"Just thanks for missing my shoes," he joked.

Annabeth looked up at him with sad eyes. "I guess I blew our big night."

Percy waved her off. "No, it's cool. I thought I was gonna blow it and then, I mean, you totally bllew it. So, that's great." They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Percy continued. "Look, Annabeth, I want to be your boyfriend. And you're all I ever think about and will you wear my class ring?"

Annabeth's eyes were wide open as she realized what Percy was saying. "Yes."

"Yes?"

They leaned towards one another until Annabeth stopped him. "Why don't we kiss on it later?"

(***)

The guys were sitting in the circle when Nico brought up the date. "So, Jackson, man, I'm sorry about tonight with Annabeth. So, are we cool, man?"

Percy laughed. "Yeah, man. We have to be. We've been friends since kindergarten. No one's gonna come between us."

Leo was sulking. "Man, Cal's being a real puta here lately and I dunno what's gotten into her."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you this whole time," Percy shrugged.

Frank furrowed his brow. "The inside of my mouth feels like cotton. As if cotton was in my mouth."

Nico laughed at Frank before focusing on Leo. "Man, women are like muffins, okay? And once you've had a muffin, man, you will put up with anything to have another muffin."

"How would you know? You're gay," Percy pointed out. Nico punched him in the arm. "Also, what's going on with you and Will, huh?"

"Fuck off, Jackson," Nico warned as his cheeks warmed up.