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Disclaimer, I don't own Percy Jackson, All rights belong to Rick Riordan, not me.

Percy blinked in surprise. McLean? As in the famous Hollywood actor Tristan McLean? Was this girl really his daughter? Despite Gabe's financial interference, Percy had at least seen some of the McLean movies. Tristan was a great actor, and the teen actually enjoyed watching the movies with his mom. He knew a little bit about McLean's daughter, but most of what he heard was about her causing problems wherever she went and taking things that weren't hers. Though due to his recent actions, Percy knew he was in no position to judge.

Even without his own thievery, he was also a walking disaster.

"So." Percy looked anxiously towards the limo's window. They were going way too fast for him to attempt a Hollywood bail out. "What is this 'impossible to refuse' offer you have for me? Does it explain why you had your bodyguards carry me off?"

Piper blushed, the cool façade she had been trying to portray fell away instantly. She definitely was just a regular person in spite of her celebrity status. The teen ran her fingers over a neatly folded pile of clothing next to her. After looking at her for a moment, Percy realized she was rather dressed up for a kidnapper. She wore a knee length black party dress and a short-bedazzled denim jacket over it. The jacket seemed a bit out of place for a Hollywood party, but Percy felt it was more in defiance of the Hollywood status quo than anything.

The clothing next to her was more expensive than Percy's tenth-grade wardrobe. It made him think of the clothing Silena would pick out for him. Thinking about the daughter of Aphrodite, Percy realized that he really missed her and her eccentric nature. The teen wondered if she was worried sick about them. He continued to stare at Piper, waiting for her answer. She bit her lip and blushed even more fiercely. Whatever her offer was, it hat to be absolutely embarrassing for her to be so hesitant to ask him.

"It's not like you can say 'no' anyway." Piper spoke aloud as if hearing his thoughts.

Percy slouched back in the cushy limo seat. "I'd like to know what you think I'll agree to before you assume my answer."

He longed to escape the car, but they were now filing into the hectic streets of California. He had heard horror stories about the state's traffic. When he was still aloud to talk with Rachel Dare, she used to proclaim that she'd never live in California, even if her dad made her move there. She hadn't enjoyed it whenever her father would drag her there on business trips. She said it was his attempt to 'turn her into a materialistic bimbo' like the rest of the rich kids. Though after so long of not hearing from her, he wondered if her dad had managed to get what he wanted.

"I need you to be my date." Piper had manage to scrape up some confidence once again. She threw the fancy clothing into his lap as if telling him 'no' wasn't an option. "Do that, and I'll give you whatever you want."

"Excuse me?" he asked almost as if he hadn't heard her.

She rolled her multicolored eyes, "Look, being Piper McLean means, yeah, I can get any guy I want. In fact half of Hollywood's teen celebrities want to date me. But all they want is to either become relevant with some stupid scandal or they date me because it's the closest they can get to dating my dad. I don't really want them flirting with me at this party or trying to hook up with me. At least if I have you there, I can pretend that I'm spoken for."

The redness of her face told him she was serious. It had to be annoying that people only would want to be with you to boost their rank in the world. He couldn't imagine anything like that happening to him. Sure classmates have found him 'attractive' through the years and some girls have even asked to go out on dates. Percy Jackson, however, was a loser. He couldn't offer anyone anything. So he never really had the problem that plagued Piper.

The son of Poseidon did feel bad for her...

"You know they have an app for that." Percy muttered rather bluntly. He may sympathize with her, but he didn't have time to putz around to solve her celebrity drama. His mom needed him, and his friends were probably freaking out for losing sight of him a second time.

Though, from the stunned look on Piper's face, and the fact he was still trapped in her car, he probably should have been more diplomatic about the whole thing. She said nothing. She did nothing. She just stared at him as if he had fallen from the sky. Percy began to feel self-conscious and ran his fingers along the silky collar of the shirt Piper had given him.

"Look I-"

She broke out laughing, it was almost like he had just said the funniest thing she had heard all year. Piper pressed her face into her hands and just kept giggling. He wanted to say something. Ask her if her medication had been reduced or if she needed some prescribed. The teen girl laughed until she slipped off the limo seat and onto the floor. She carefully wiped some tears from under her eyes.

"You're the most real..." She paused to quell another round of giggles. "The most real person I've talked to in a while."

It was kind of ironic since Percy's whole existence revolved around myths.

"Listen, I know this is hard." Piper began as she scooted back into her seat. "I'll do anything to make it up to you. Please, just help me out, be my date for tonight."

Percy felt his head go fuzzy. It was almost intense enough to make him fall from his seat. Her voice was so compelling. Compelling enough to make him want to help her. He bit his lip to keep the 'yes' answer from slipping unwillingly from his mouth. There was no way a normal girl he just met could hold this kind of power over him. Celebrity or not, Percy liked to think he had a strong will. This feeling that washed over him, it reminded him of what Silena and Drew had done to him with their Charmspeak.

Was Piper a daughter of Aphrodite?

The son of Poseidon shook his head trying to clear whatever fog was invading it. Why would Piper be out here where monsters could attack her? She should be residing back at Olympus, right? Piper looked at him, a little bit confused. It was almost like she expected him to say yes. He wondered if she knew, if she had mastered control over her ability and used it to her advantage.

"Wow, usually people say 'yes' right away." She smiled sadly. "I guess I don't have any secret powers like I thought. It was a silly idea, I guess it was my way to explain all the weird reactions people give me."

Did she really not know who she was? Percy felt some of the magic leave his head. It felt as if he were waking up from a fevered dream. She was powerful, maybe even more powerful than Drew or Silena. Percy had little doubt of Piper being a demigoddess, but he didn't want to say anything in case she didn't know. She'd probably think he's crazy.

She may be a crazy kidnaping demigoddess, but she was a rich crazy kidnaping demigoddess and, she just might be able to help him.

"Look, I can't believe what I'm about to say..." Percy began. "If you agree to help me and my friends find someone we're looking for, I'll be your date. Though with my current reputation, it might just harm yours."

Piper gave a delighted squeal, very much like Silena's and threw her arms around him, "Thank you so much, you're saving me from a night of agony."

...

So that is how Percy ended up struggling in the back of a limo trying to change his clothing before they reached the premier party. Piper had her back turned to him, pretending to find interest in the front windshield. It was kind of awkward. She tried to talk to him and relieve the tension. He felt like he was on a blind date. Going out with someone he didn't know and it wasn't under the best circumstances.

"Don't tell the camera people anything about you, they'll take any little slip up and warp it to make money." Piper told him bitterly. "Don't even tell them your real name...uh... what is it by the way?"

"It's Percy." He told her as he fiddled with the last buttons on his shirt, "but I probably should go by a different name for tonight, huh?"

Piper drummed her fingers along the top of her seat. She was tired of looking away, Percy could tell that. Or maybe she had ADHD like him and long car rides were just torture. The son of Poseidon straitened his clothing and told her it was safe to look. She appraised him, similar to Silena.

"I guess you can, but they'll find out who you are eventually." She shrugged. "We'll be at the party soon, just stick by me and smile pretty."

Percy looked out the window and watched as California's various hotels and other attractions rushed by them. He could see one hotel with flashy lights and a large sign, he tried to read the name before they went by it. Piper followed his eyes and gave him a smile.

"That's the Lotus Hotel." The Burnette told him. "I've never been in it, but it doesn't seems like anyone comes out. Unfortunately, that's not where we're going."

The limo lulled to a slow stop in front of a building almost grander than the Lotus Hotel. It was a theater mobbed by a horde of people and flashing lights. Some of the on lookers were practically spilling over the velvet ropes trying to get a picture of their limo. The roar of the crowd was muffled by the limo door. Percy felt his stomach turn. He never really thought about how he'd act under the flashing lights.

Piper grabbed his hand, "Don't be nervous. I'm going to be right by you the whole time."

When the door opened a wave of hot air flooded into the cabin of the limo. The paparazzi hollered questions at them, not even really seeing who was in the car. All the words blended together in an uncomprehensive manner. It was almost dizzying. Percy decided that this was a really bad idea. The girl dragged him out of the limo before he could even protest.

The sight of him with her caused an absolute uproar.

"Piper! Piper! Who is that with you?"

"Piper! Piper! Are you dating him?"

"Young man, who are you?"

"Are you her new bae?"

Absolute chaos.

Percy was blinded by the overbearing flashes of the camera's. Undeterred, Piper led him down the red carpet. Some of the braver reporters tried to grab onto their clothing and hold their attention, but Piper bat them away efficiently and without remorse. She hooked their arms together to keep the persistent grabbing hands from separating them. Percy didn't protest the action.

"We're almost there, Percy." She whispered in his ear. "It will be less hectic in there."

Entering the building where the party was happening was almost like entering a whole new world. The loud crowd had been muted by the thick glass doors of the theater. With one look at the people in the room, Percy felt absolutely out of place. Most of the people in the room were older than him. They were dressed in elegant and way too expensive clothing. He could recognize most of them from movies they had stared in. Others, not so much.

"Pipes!" A familiar voice called out.

Piper was given a firm grip on the shoulder by a tall man. She looked almost like she wanted to leap up and hug him, but she seemed to be refraining herself. It didn't take long for Percy to recognize him as Tristian McLean. The guy was almost intimidating in person. Percy shuffled on his feet and did his best not to look like a gob-struck fan.

"Hi, Daddy." Piper greeted mutely.

Tristian looked at Percy, noticing him for the first time, "Is this your new boyfriend? You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend."

"Well, we haven't talked much lately. You've been busy with your movie." She told him with a certain bite in her voice. "A lot of things can happen in a short amount of time."

Piper's dad looked a bit hurt by her comment, but he didn't try to press more. When the man gave him an evaluating look, Percy tried his best not to squirm under his gaze. Tristian McLean was definitely more intimidating in person.

"You're treating my daughter well, aren't you?" The actor demanded.

"Daddy, He's doing fine." She whined and then pushed him away. "Go mingle, he and I will be fine."

Tristian's mouth gaped open as if he wanted to say something, but a fellow actor called his name and beckoned him over. The man left reluctantly without another word. Piper let out a disappointed sigh, almost like she wanted him to argue with her or even refuse the other actor. There was some kind of tension between them that Percy felt could be summed up to miscommunication. He wondered how long they had been in a emotional limbo.

Had they always been like this?

Piper tightened her hold on his arm, "Let's stick close to the walls. We might not get bothered as much."

...

"No way. You did what?" Piper broke out laughing as he regaled to her one of his many school field trip fiascos.

The two of them had stuck close to the walls. More specifically a small table nestled in the far corner of the building. They both had spent a good two hours sharing stories of their misadventures. It was good to hear that he wasn't the only one who was prone to causing trouble without trying. She had shared her own stories of being given the keys to an expensive car one minute and then being accused of stealing it the next.

"Were you actually trying to feed your class to a tank of sharks?" She was almost in utter disbelief. When he shrugged, Piper wiped an imaginary tear from her eye. "Percy, that's amazing. It tops anything I've ever done."

"They shouldn't put buttons within my reach." He protested in a comical manner, spurring more laughter.

Piper tried to quell her giggles, "You bring, sir, ADHD to an entirely new level. I bet you're a handful for your girlfriend."

"Don't have a girlfriend." He told her. "Girls wouldn't touch me with a ten foot pole."

Piper looked him up and down, "You may not be my type. But I highly doubt you don't have girls who would want you as their boyfriend. No one special from school?"

"Not really." He admitted. "Closest thing I had in school was my friend Rachel. But we were just friends."

A sly smirk came to Piper's face, "Not even that girl you were with earlier?"

"Annabeth?" Percy asked as if he felt startled. He didn't know why the idea of Annabeth being his girlfriend sent such a jolt through him, but he tried not to let it show. "I haven't known her long enough for us to be more than friends."

"Okay." Piper sighed coyly as she accepted a drink from a waiter. "Whatever you say."

Percy crossed his arms over his chest defensively, "Like you don't have someone you like."

"I haven't met superman, if that's what you're trying to say." she answered rather bluntly. "Like I said, most of the guys here only want me for one of two reasons. And I'm sure not one of them."

"They're crazy." He grunted. "Pretty, smart, determined. I'd think any guy with half a brain would want to date you."

Piper blushed and stirred the ice in her drink. "And you say girls wouldn't go anywhere near you. You're pretty slick for someone whose never had a girlfriend."

The son of Poseidon looked away from her, what could he say? He blamed it on his mom, and the occasional chick-flick marathons she'd manage to hold when Gabe was away for his 'occasional' poker tournaments. As his eyes grazed over the rich and famous guest of the party. It all almost seemed to go by in a blur. The faces were fuzzy and undistinguishable.

After the excitement of the day, the murmur going through the room was enough to make him feel a little bit sleepy. His night on a barn floor hadn't helped much. Percy stretched his arms above his head, hoping that he'd stop himself from getting anymore tired. It must have looked like he was making a move on Piper because someone grabbed his wrist. When he looked up it was Tristian McLean hovering over the two with a stern look on his face.

"Daddy." Piper whined and pulled Percy's wrist from him. "What is with you?"

Tristian looked like he was possessed. The look in his eyes was a lot different than it had been just an hour ago. A red aura seemed to surround him. Percy was reminded of the men they had run into back in the diner. He blinked twice at Piper before shaking his head. Suddenly the red aura around him disappeared. Piper's voice must have snapped him out of it.

"Sorry," He said and rubbed his temples. "I don't know what came over me, I think I need to cut myself off for the rest of the night. What do you say we head home after the premier?"

Piper frowned in concern. "Sure dad."

The actor walked off trying his best not to look disoriented as he rejoined the party. Piper's eyes followed him intently as he disappeared into the crowd. She may not be aware of what had happened, but Percy was starting to sense a pattern. The people at the bar, and now Piper's dad, were seemingly possessed by negative emotions. It could not be a coincidence. Percy wasn't sure exactly what was causing it.

"I'm sorry about that, Percy." The girl frowned. "He's never acted like that before."

"It's fine." Percy assured her as he rubbed his wrist. He no longer felt sleepy. "He's probably just stressed out about the movie premier and also by the fact he thinks I'm dating his daughter."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the premier of "Tristian McLean and the Jewel of Venus" is about to begin. Please enter the theater and take your seats." A voice announced over the intercom.

Like moths drawn to a flame the party guest began to file into the theater room.

"Well, I guess we have a movie we need to watch." Piper sighed as they got up from the table. "After that, I'll try to help you find the person you're looking for. And the friends I abducted you from."