Author's Note: I have no excuse why I haven't updated for some time. Sorry.
-X-
Annabeth
Annabeth decided to let her mind wander off from Percy and his predicament that concerned Frank and Jason.
As of the moment, she wanted to enjoy, take her time, and relax; yet her curious mind had been trying to come up with theories.
She used to have a knack for crime and mystery novels. She loved how complicated things can be resolved with logic and deductive reasoning. Heck, she even challenges herself to find out who the culprit is by coming up with her own clues. She always crave the feeling of ecstasy she gets when she figures out who the culprits are. However, crime and mystery novels became more and more cliché. She finds it more easy to catch the culprits. That's why she decided to let go of her interest in these kind of novels.
And yet, her stupid, curious mind was presented with this interesting case.
Annabeth sighed. She looked at her friends who were goofing around at the beach, splashing each other with sea water. Her gaze turned into a stare especially when her eyes landed on Percy.
'They said that the eyes were the window to one's soul but how could those bright sea green eyes hide such cloudy past?' Annabeth thought, her eyebrows scrunched together.
"Why aren't you with your friends, Annabeth?" A voice pulled Annabeth out of her thoughts. She looked up to her left and saw Sally.
"I'm just taking a quick rest, Sally" Annabeth smiled, hugging her legs closer to her body, seeking refuge under the umbrella's shade against the blazing summer heat. Sally sat beside her, removing the large straw hat on her head and placing it in between them.
"Sally, may I ask you a question?" Annabeth asked carefully. Beside her was Sally and she could be the greateat source of clues regarding Percy. She was Percy's mother, afterall.
"Sure. Go ahead" Sally smiled as she grabbed a can of juice from their cooler full of cold beverages. "Want some?" Sally offered her a can of juice.
"Thanks. You may or may not answer this question though. It is quite personal" Annabeth opened her can of juice.
"Personal? Let me hear your question then" Sally wondered.
"It's about Percy" Annabeth blurted, her eyes focused on her can of juice.
"Percy? Oh, are you asking what his type of woman is? Well, sorry sweetie, even I don't know, but don't give up! It would be nice having you as daughter-in-law. You're such a nice woman" Sally giggled. Annabeth's face blushed.
"It's not about his type of woman! But, thank you for your compliment" Annabeth took a sip from her can, trying to hide her blushing face.
"It's not? What is it about, then?"
"It's about Percy, generally" Annabeth sat herself straight, regaining her composure.
"I don't understand"
"Is Percy hiding something?" Annabeth asked bluntly. She decided to tackle the problem directly. Sally froze.
"What makes you think that, Annabeth?" Sally averted her eyes away from Annabeth.
"It happened earlier, at your house. I went to Percy's room, as what you've told me and I overheard Frank and Jason and they were having an argument which revolves around seeing what they shouldn't have seen. So, may I ask once again, is Percy hiding something?" Annabeth inquired.
"I don't know if I should tell you, Annabeth. I think you should ask Percy personally" Sally sighed.
"Please, Sally! You're the only I can ask! I swear, on the River Styx, that I won't tell anyone else unless you gave me permission to do so!" Annabeth pleaded.
"You still practice that 'swearing on the River Styx' thing? Is the Greek Mythology references still around?" Sally asked.
"It doesn't matter. But please, tell me" Annabeth held Sally's hands in her own. Annabeth and Sally stared at each other for a few moments. Sally gave in and sighed.
"Since you swore on the River Styx, fine, I'll tell you but promise me, that this would only be between you and me, understood?"
"I promise"
-X-
It was almost lunch time when Sally finished her story - Percy's wonderful childhood up to his difficult upbringing, specifically, his step father, Gabe. Sally told her everything that she knows about Percy - his obsession with swimming and blue food, his not-quite-large group of friends, the number of times Percy had to transfer schools, and how Percy was abused by Gabe behind Sally's back.
Annabeth took a few moments to let all information sink in.
"I wouldn't have thought that Percy was physically abused by that pig. His personality never changed! He still kept his positive and cheerful outlook in life. The moment I knew about Percy's situation, I asked one of my colleagues, who had a niece with almost the same situation as Percy. The only difference was she found out because she noticed her niece's drastic change in behavior" Sally paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm actually quite relieved that Percy never changed throughout this whole ordeal. I don't know what I would do if I lose my baby" Sally wiped a tear forming in her eyes.
"I think it was all because of you" Annabeth pointed out.
"Excuse me?" Sally looked offended.
"I'm sorry! Wait, let me rephrase what I just said. I think the reason why Percy stayed the same was because of you; you are his anchor. You are the reason he kept his positive outlook in life. Heck, if I'm your daughter and I were in Percy's position, I would do the same. You're a really great person, Sally, and it's coming from me, who you've only met yesterday" Annabeth grinned.
"That was sweet of you, Annabeth. Thank you for your sweet and kind words. If Percy kept strong for me, I will also do the same for him" Sally hugged Annabeth.
Annabeth froze for a bit. She barely received a hug, even from her parents.
"Remember what I told you, Annabeth. Keep this secret between us. Never tell anyone unless Percy told you to do so, understood?" Sally reminded her, her voice quite stern.
"But Frank and Jason already saw and they're already showing concern. What should I tell them?" Annabeth asked.
"You don't have to worry about that. I'll try to make a cover story and tell them personally, alright?" Sally answered before giving Annabeth another hug.
"Hey! I hope you're not taking my mom away from me!" Annabeth looked at the direction where the voice came from and saw her friends running at her.
"I am not taking your mom away from you, Percy. From the looks of it, you still need her to babysit your sorry ass" Annabeth smirked while Sally chuckled.
"Annabeth's got a point, sweetie"
"Mom!" Percy cried. "Finally! No more hot sand! So, what are you two doing?" He grabbed a can of juice before taking a seat between Annabeth and Sally. He shook his head, shooting droplets of water everywhere.
"Ah! Percy! You're not a dog!" Sally pinched Percy's ear.
"I'm sorry! I'm just trying to mark my territory" Percy rubbed his now-red ear.
"Dogs mark their territories by scent. Most of them pee on their territory" Annabeth stated.
"Details doesn't matter. The point is, my mom is mine"
"Whatever, and for Hera's sake, I'm not taking your mother" Annabeth rolled her eyes.
"But your mom is the best mom alive. Well, next to my mom - sorry, Mrs. Jackson" Leo chimed.
"Oh, sweetie! What happened to you?! You're all red! You haven't applied sunscreen, have you?" Sally demanded.
"Thanks for the concern, Mrs. Jackson - I mean, Sally! But don't worry 'cause this got nothing on me. I'm Mr. Hotshot, afterall!" Leo posed like Superman. Jason and Hazel snickered while Frank and Piper rolled their eyes.
"Yeah, right" Percy stood up and went beside Leo. "Besides, all that matter was that we had fun, right?"
Percy 'accidentally' clapped Leo's sunburnt back which resulted to a high pitched scream that could provide Monsters, Inc. enough energy for a decade.
-X-
Annabeth and her friends, together with Sally, decided to hang out at Piper's home.
"Tristan sure did made a fortune, didn't he?" Sally marveled.
"You knew my father?" Piper wondered.
"Oh, yes. Back when I was a teenager, Tristan and I; together with our friends Frederick, Esperanza, Marie, Emily, and Beryl; used to hang out at this same place" Sally smiled.
"You knew my mom?" Frank, Jason, Hazel and Leo chorused.
"I thought you already knew. Come to think of it, where are they?" Sally asked.
"My mom's runs the local bicycle shop. She also works as a mechanic, though she only works with appliances since there are no cars on this island. Jason's mom stays at home, while Hazel's mom runs the jewelry shop. She also does some fortune telling, though. Frank's mom is the only one not around since she was currently deployed in Kazakhstan, I think?" Leo answered for everyone.
"My mom's deployed at Afghanistan, not Kazakhstan" Frank corrected, sadness and worry etched in his voice.
"How come I've never met them during the banquet?" Sally pondered.
"My mom, and Leo's mom went to grab some few supplies for their jobs that day. I don't know why Jason's mom weren't there, though" Hazel looked at Jason, waiting for some answers.
"My mom decided to tag along. She thought that Espie and Marie were going to have a 'girls day' and would go shopping. Ugh, I can still her rants about nuts, bolts, and gems" Jason shuddered.
"Guys, we have a request this coming Monday. Well, there are three, actually, and from the looks of it, we had to divide our group and, maybe, ask assistance from others. Their requests, coincidentally, are set in the afternoon. First, Mr. Brunner requested some aid in teaching some kids since Coach Hedge's wife, Mellie, is currently under labor. According to Mr. Brunner, Coach Hedge took a leave. Mr. Brunner also specified that he only needs at least one of us. Basically, it's babysitting so who wants to go?" Annabeth voiced out.
"I will" Frank raised his right hand.
"Are you sure, Zhang? Can you handle the kids? Have you had any experience taking care of kids?" Leo teased.
"I do have experience" Frank smirked.
"You do?!" Leo's head snapped back at Frank, shock evident on his face. "You - Mr. Klutz and Awkward Chinsese-Canadian Baby Man - had experienced looking after annoying little brats?"
"Yes. I actually looked after four kids, sometimes five, at the same time. I think there would be another one joining" Frank kept his smirk, ignoring Leo's nickname for him.
"Okay. Somehow, I believed you at first but looking after four or five at the same time? I think that would be too much for anyone" Piper grimaced.
"It sure is. Everytime they put themselves in trouble, all I can do is sigh" Frank's smirk is still plastered in his face.
"If what you're saying is true, what were their names?" Jason demanded.
"Well, the four are Leo Valdez, Piper McLean, Jason Grace and Hazel Levesque. The fifth one is Annabeth Chase" Frank chuckled.
"Hey! I understand that Leo's a kid but I'm not, in any way, a kid!" Piper slapped Frank's arm.
"You are so like a kid, Pipes" Jason grinned.
"But Piper is correct. Leo is the only kid in here" Hazel pouted.
"Wow, I feel so loved. Yup. No need to tell that I'm not a kid" Leo rolled his eyes, sarcasm heavy in his voice.
"Guys, he has a point. You all do act like kids most of the time. What I don't understand is how I am considered a kid" Annabeth glared at Frank.
"Oh, come on, Annabeth! You throw tantrums when you're mad or embarrased! Remember the olive incident during the banquet? That was on great exa-" Leo was cut of by Annabeth. She stuffed one of Sally's blue cookies at his mouth.
"Okay, fine! No need to remind me" Annabeth rolled her eyes.
"Wow. Quite a way to burn them, Frank" Percy clapped Frank's back.
"Actually, you were the one about to join them, Percy" Frank grinned.
"I thought we were friends!" Percy ran to Sally and feigned crying on her shoulders.
"Back to our topic, no more volunteers? How about you Hazel? You don't want to accompany Frank?" Annabeth wiggled her eyes. Frank and Hazel blushed.
"Annabeth!" Hazel whispered loudly. "I'm not good with kids, thank you very much"
"Anyone?" Annabeth asked again.
"I won't come with anyone that calls me a kid" Piper huffed, along with Hazel, Jason, and Leo.
"Guys! It was a joke. Come on" Frank protested.
The 'kids', except Annabeth stared at Frank indignantly. Frank slumped his shoulders in defeat.
"Fine. Next request, Rachel would be coming over on Monday and her father requested at least two of us to accompany her. We would be meeting her at the dock in Montauk. Anyone who wanted to go?" Annbeth asked.
"I would love to! Come on, Jase!" Piper beamed.
"Do I really have to, Pipes?" Jason's shoulders slumped.
"You still owe me one date, Grace!" Piper glared.
"I do? Fine" Jason groaned.
"Just make sure you don't get sidetracked. How about you, Leo? Hazel?" Annabeth inquired.
"I don't want to be a third wheel, especially on Jasper's date, nope, thank you very much" Leo shook his head.
"Same reason with Leo, actually" Hazel said.
"Why weren't you asking me, Annabeth?" Percy pondered.
"Oh, sorry, Percy. I forgot that you are already an argonaut. It just slipped my mind, honestly. But by the looks of it, I'm sure you would say no to either" Annabeth frowned slightly.
"But you haven't asked me yet. How can you be so sure?" Percy raised his eyebrow.
"Ugh. Fine. Would you like to join any of them?" Annabeth groaned.
"For now, nope. Though I might consider the babysitting thing" Annabeth's left eye twitched.
"Whatever. The last request is Will Solace asked us if we could help him with his surprise date with Nico. He said he needs help about setting up the venue since he can't do it without Nico noticing. I'll take this one. I guess you're up to it, Hazel?"
"Oh, yes. Anything for my brother!" Hazel beamed.
"How about you, Leo? Babysitting or Rachel fetching?"
"Why can't I choose the surprise date thing?! It's a surprise and I'm good with surprises! Besides, I can also give Will some tips! I'll tell him how I got all the ladies love me!" Leo cried.
"We don't want any of your surprises there, Valdez. You might break Solangelo apart! Also, for your information, Will won't listen to your advice, he likes men, afterall" Piper snarled.
"Who cares about you ships, beauty queen. All I want is to give them a surprise!" Leo flipped his hair like one of those sexy tanned blonde beauties Annabeth saw in one of those bikini advertisement.
"No one questions my ships, Leo, especially not you!" Piper grabbed her hair in frustration.
"Your kind of surprises won't fit in with what Will asks. Sorry, Leo, but please understand" Hazel pleaded.
"Fine. I'll go with Jasper" Leo pouted, crossing his arms across his chest.
"How about you, Percy?" Annabeth asked. She was hoping he would go with her. And Hazel. Just for guidance. Like what mentors do. Not because she wants his presence around.
"I'll go with Frank. I think he needs help with those kids"
Annabeth felt slightly dejected. She really wished to show Percy around and how the ARGO works. That's it. No more questions.
"You don't have to worry about me, Percy. I can handle it, I think. Just pick whichever suits your liking" Frank said.
"I insist. Besides, I think it's fun to teach kids stuff" Percy smiled.
"Well, that's settled. I'll send a text message to everyone about the details of the requests you took - Percy, can I have your number?" Annabeth gave her phone to Percy.
"Oooh, real smooth, Chase. Guess I'll use that technique to the next girl I see" Leo grinned.
"Shut up, Valdez! Don't mind them, Percy. I just need your number so that I can send you the request detail - that's all!" Annabeth glared at Leo, before she turned to Percy.
Percy entered his number in Annabeth's phone without hesitation. He winked as gave her phone back. She glanced at his caller ID, which was 'Percy ;)', before he looked back at him.
"Really? A wink? Who even does that anymore?" Annabeth rolled her eyes.
"Eek! Perca-" Piper's squeal was cut short as Annabeth cover her face with a pillow.
"If I hear one more 'Percabeth' from you- no, all of you, I swear I'm going to cut your throats open!" Annabeth glared at them.
No one spoke.
"Good. Now, meeting adjourned" Annabeth leaned on one of Piper's beanbags.
"You know what this means. It's movie time!" Leo ran out of Piper's room and probably went straight ahead to the McLean Home Theater.
"Don't you dare touch anything, Imp!" Piper ran after Leo, Jason in tow. Frank, Hazel and Percy followed suit.
"Come on, Annabeth! We can't miss the fun! Mom! You should also come!" Percy turned back and called her.
"If you insist, Percy" Sally chuckled and followed after them.
Annabeth smiled sadly. If only she had a mother like Sally.
-X-
Author's Note: I decided to alter Hazel's age. Her age would be 15 because admit it or not, a 15-year-old dating a 13-year-old is kind of disturbing. Sorry.