Percy hadn't said a word on the ride over to the Chase household. He knew that it was because of a terrible situation that they had to go there, but he couldn't help feeling a little excited that he would be spending so much time in close quarters with Annabeth. If you hadn't picked up by now, Percywas developing a not so small crush on Annabeth that was very apparent to everyone around them. It was also apparent that Annabeth was developing a crush of her own, and shockingly enough, it was for Percy.

The Jacksons arrived at 8:30, a cold air rushing over Percy as he stepped out of the car. He had always loved New York when it was cold, the sharp inhale of refreshing air seemed comforting to him, but now all he could think of was the escaped prisoner that was sharing the very same air with him at that moment. A cold chill ran down his spine making him shudder, and without any further hesitation he walked up the farmiliar driveway, suitcase in tow.

He waited for his mom to catch up and helped her with her bag as well before knocking on the door. Almost immediately a tall, striking looking woman opened the door. She had a worried expression on her face and hugged Sally as soon as she saw her, speaking quickly about how they could stay for as long as they liked and how aweful she felt about the situation they were in. While she was doing this Sally began profusely thanking her for the hospitality she showed and how she wouldn't even notice that Percy and Sally were there because they would be helping around the house as much as they could.

While all this was going on Percy slipped by Athena and walked over to the girl sitting halfway down the stairs with a smirk on her face.

"Happy to see me, huh Annabeth" Percy said.

The smirk on her face disappeared as she started to scoff at the mere idea of being happy to see him,

"Yeah right Percy, because I totally want to be couped up with you in my house all the time."

Percy then put on his own smirk and replied,

"Glad you can finally admit it Chase, everyone knows I'm the best".

"That was sarcasm! Why would I want to have some nerd around my house all the time" she said indignantly.

"Because it just so happens that the nerd you're speaking of is non other then the one and only Percy Jackson!" He said as though it was obvious.

"I guess some of us are just not as impressed by that name as others" she said giving him a pointed look.

"Well I think he's cool" Percy siad, muttering.

Annabeth took Percys hand and lead him upstairs. She once again took him to the first door to the left, and once again he stepped into the neatness that was Annabeth Chases room. Everything looked exactly as he remembered it, except for one small change,

"A blowup mattress. Really Chase?" He asked laughing.

"Hey come on, it's the best we could do with such short notice. Just be glad you're getting to sleep on any mattress at all." She said.

"Don't you have like, a full guest bedroom?" Percy asked, remembering her mentioning it sometime.

"Yes and that's where your mom is going to sleep" Annabeth said rolling her eyes.

"So your mom's okay with me sleeping in your room?" Percy asked knowing how strict Athena was when it came to boys.

"Oh she doesn't trust you for a second, but she does trust the fact that I could kick your ass if you tried anything I didn't want you to" Annabeth said cheerily.

"Point taken" Percy replied knowing it was all to true.

Then Annabeth walked over to Percy placing a hand on his arm, pushing her waist to one side, leaning up and whispering in his ear in a sultry voice,

"Maybe just do all the things I want you to do". Percy stuttered his reply,

"Uh, um..jeez hehe-" before Annabeth burst out laughing collapsing against Percy.

"oh my god! Hahaha you actually thought I was seducing you wow!" She said amazed that he could fall for that over the top performance. Percy looked unimpressed as he Moved Annabeth off of his arm and flopped down onto the blowup mattress that would be his bed for the next god knows how long.

"Not funny Annabeth, not funny." He said chuckling a little himself.

"Well it was kinda funny perce, at least the look on your face was" she said walking towards the door.

She turned back just before stepping out,

"If I really wanted to seduce you it would be way to easy" she said winking and leaving the room. Man girls are complicated Percy thought, wondering if all the confusion was worth it. Although when he watched Annabeth walking towards the door, the way her hips swayed and her hair bounced on her shoulders, he knew that it was more then worth it.

Linebreak

It was now 9:30 and the Jacksons and Chases were getting ready to sit down for a very late dinner, tired from setting up the guest bed for Sally and moving Percy and in Sally comfortably. Because dinner was so late everyone was just eating randomly around the house. All they had made was some quick kraft Dinner which, although not exactly up to Chase household standards, made Percy feel a little better about the predicament he was in. After all Percy loved his mac n cheese.

Once Percy and Annabeth had gotten their bowls of food Percy got Annabeth to follow him, going into her room and walking over to the window. He set down his bowl and climbed up, telling Annabeth to pass both their bowls up before climbing onto the roof herself. Percy grabbed a chair and handed Annabeth her food, once again looking up at the beautiful view Annabeths rooftop pad provided.

"How do you not spend every moment up here Chase" Percy asked in complete awe.

"I basically do perce. This is where I get all my homework done, it's where I come to read, hell it's even where I come to think. This really is my own little paradise" she said also soaking in the view. Percy looked over at her and said in a quieter voice,

"Thank you for sharing it with me". She looked back at him and remembered the situation that brought him there. She moved her seat closer to his and lay her head down on his shoulder, looking back up at the stars.

"Are you going to be okay with Gabe still out there?" She said tilting her head so she could look up at him, seeing him staring back down at her.

"I'll be fine, the police are out trying to catch him and I just have to trust that they can get him before he finds me." Percy said softly, "besides, if he does find me I'll have you there to beat him senseless" Percy said cracking a smile.

"I'll always be there Percy" Annabeth said in the most honest voice Percy had ever heard. She lifted her head and turned to face him. They both slowly started moving in and closed their eyes.

Just as they were about to kiss (on the lips for once) they heard a call coming from in the house of

"Percy! Annabeth! Desert is ready!"

They both paused for a second, opening their eyes and looking at each other. A couple seconds passed without them moving before Percy shurugged and pressed his lips against Annabeths anyway. Fireworks. That was the only thought going through either of their heads.