11:15 am, Monday, January 25th, 2011

Annabeth leaned back in her chair, watching the clock.

Did Annabeth normally encourage paying attention in class? Yeah, sure, something to that effect.

But she was on edge today, even more than normal. Everyone was staring and whispering at her and Percy, and their mortal friends wouldn't meet their eyes. Not only that, but Annabeth was still in pain from a monster attack the day before.

Maybe it was the painkillers she'd been downing, maybe it was the looks from her peers, maybe it was the fact her ADHD had been going haywire the entire day, but Annabeth was struggling.

The attack had been on her and Percy's way to school. They'd been waiting in traffic when they both saw the shadow in the alleyway, and after a glance, managed to pull to the sidewalk.

The shadow had ended up being a pack of hellhounds, nothing major. But Annabeth had been diving to block Percy from one of the hellhounds slash of claws, and in turn, got some nasty scratches.

Percy had called into Paul, telling him that they would not be in school that day, and a request to get notes from their classmates from the day. And then Percy had picked her up, called Blackjack, and they flew home.

To their surprise, Nico and Will had stopped by for a visit, but that turned out to work in their favour because the hellhound had gotten her pretty bad.

Annabeth had been practically dragged to the couch by Will, who immediately started healing her while grilling the couple on what had happened. Nico, as silent and brooding as always, watched from the corner.

Percy had stepped out at some point to grab the bikes, calling a tow truck to help bring the beat-up bikes home. When he'd gotten back, Annabeth had been sent to bed, and Nico and Will were making out in the kitchen.

And finally, the clock struck 11:25 and the bell dismissing them for lunch rang. Annabeth gave a sigh of relief and haphazardly threw her books into her bag, deciding to organise it later.

She was the first one out of the classroom, and half ran, half walked to her locker. Tossing her stuff inside, she grabbed her lunch and went to the cafeteria.

Percy, whose class was in a separate wing of the school, was already there when she sat down. Damien and Sydney, who had been in Chemistry with Annabeth, sat down a few minutes later, followed soon after by Cameron and Kate.

They still weren't meeting either of the demigod's eyes.

Annabeth tried to ignore it, instead choosing to talk to Percy. He was complaining - yet again - about the Ancient History teacher, a woman neither of them liked very much when Sydney cut in.

"-Annabeth?" her voice was strained and awkward.

The girl in question turned and raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"

"We've been uh hearing some...rumours?"

Annabeth's heart skipped a beat, for whatever reason. "What rumours?" she asked, keeping her tone cold and distant.

"Well um, yesterday Lilith Van Wes came back. And she uh, she said that you were," Sydney glanced between the couple, "um…"

"Spit it out, Lise." Annabeth barked.

Sydney gave a small twitch, not accustomed to the tone, but pressed on, whispering her next words, "pregnant."

Annabeth's jaw went slack. She heard Percy's water bottle, which he had been taking a swig from, clatter to the floor. The sound caused everyone to turn their attention toward the group.

So that's why nearly the entire population of Goode High saw Annabeth Chase, trembling in fury when she slammed her fist on the table and gave a growl, low and feral.

Next thing they knew she was jumping out of her chair, letting it clatter to the floor, and running out of the room. But halfway to the door, she let out a scream, short and clipped, but a scream none the less.

Her hands were pressed to her stomach as she stumbled back, running into Percy, who had rushed over in an instant. The cafeteria was silent as they watched, frozen and unable to do anything.

Percy was suddenly swearing, and Annabeth's feet suddenly gave out from under her, but Percy was there to catch her. His face was pained, and he looked scared, young, and terrified. People were starting to wonder if this was the real Percy Jackson, beneath all the snark and behind the brick walls.

His hands pulled away from where they were pressing against hers, and someone gave shriek because they were red. Blood. Annabeth's blood. Fuck.

Percy was breathing heavily, practically hyperventilating and on the edge of a panic attack, as he desperately pressed against the gushing wound. Annabeth was pale and looked sick as she stared off into space.

The doors burst open, and Paul Blofis, head of the English department, and Percy's stepfather rushed in, followed closely by a young man. At first, the students were confused, because when had Mr Blofis left the cafeteria, but that confusion shifted to the young man.

His hair was blonde and long, slicked back into an admittedly good looking bun. A pair of sunglasses were on his head, and he looked like a typical surfer dude. Except instead of the laid back attitude of one, his face was set in determination.

He pushed aside Percy, who was gaping like a fish at the man, and guided Annabeth so she was sitting at one of the empty cafeteria tables.

Percy seemed to gather some of his wits, and spluttered out his confusion, "Wha- How- I-" he shook his head, "Why are you here?"

The man spared a glance, "Your father called in a favour."

"How did-"

"I told your mother, Percy, and she told him." Mr Blofis cut in.

Percy was gaping, but his shoulders sagged in relief, and he muttered out some words. The man gave a smile, "You're welcome."

Percy gave a groan and suddenly seemed to notice the crowd around him. He went white, eyes taking in every one of his horrified peers. He turned to the man.

"Apollo, can you, can you do something? About them?" He gestured to the crowd.

"I'll do it in a minute. For all they know, Miss Chase here collapsed, and will be later blamed on dehydration." The man gave Percy a more thorough once over, and the teen looked away.

"When was the last time you slept properly? Like a full eight hours?" He asked, furrowing his brow at the son of Poseidon.

Percy didn't answer.

"He's as stubborn as his father," Apollo muttered.

The man stood up, snapped his fingers, and the students of Goode High froze, eyes glazing over. "Come, Percy, we have a few minutes while the mist kicks in." He tipped his metaphorical hat to Mr Blofis, bid him a good day and after Percy picked up Annabeth, they walked out.

They got outside, and Percy whistled for his Pegasi, keenly aware of the fact that the sun god was staring at him.

"You haven't been sleeping properly, have you?" The god asked after a moment.

"Why do you suddenly care about my well being, Apollo?" Percy hissed.

"I'm a healer, Mr Jackson. I notice things." Apollo reminded the teen.

Percy gave a huff, but at that moment, Blackjack swooped down in front of the pair. Percy put Annabeth on the pegasi, before swinging himself up, behind her. He glanced at Apollo who was watching him impassively.

Percy looked away and finally said, "Thank you Apollo. I don't know what I would have done if it weren't for you."

The god gave a warm smile, "No thanks necessary, consider this a returned favour. And take it easy, both of you." He ended by giving Percy a long look, which made Percy's stomach turn.

Not wanting to extend the conversation further, Percy ordered Blackjack to take off. As they flew off, he heard Apollo yell that he would handle the bikes. Percy gave a grateful sigh.

As they flew over the New York skyline, headed towards camp, Percy brushed a curl away from Annabeth's face. "I was so worried," he whispered, more open now that they were alone and Annabeth was asleep, having passed out at some point, "I heard you scream, and for a second I thought we were back-" his words caught in his throat, and he let out a sudden, soundless sob.

"There. I thought you were dead, Annie, I was so scared." He wrapped his arms around her, clutching to her tightly, "I'm scared Annabeth. The past few weeks, hell even the past year and a half, I've never stopped being scared. I think I can take a breath, and then there's something new."

He sat in silence for a second, before he gave another sob, this one angrier than his previous ones, "Damn those Van Wes'. They ruin Piper's life, then mine, and now their saying shit like you're pregnant?" They were approaching the bay, and Percy could smell the sea.

He took in a deep calming breath.

Annabeth stirred, letting loose a moan, and Percy's eyes widened. "Shit," he whispered, before leaning closer to Annabeth, so she could hear him better, "Shh, shh, honey. Just go back to sleep. It's okay, just sleep." He ran his hand through her hair, and Annabeth gave a sigh and leaned against him, falling back asleep in an instant.

Percy watched for a moment, glancing up once to see they were approaching the Long Island shore. He relished in the smell of salt, the feeling of his father's realm beneath him, the stinging air that whipped through his hair.

He put his head one Annabeths shoulder, "I love you, Annabeth." He whispered, "So, so, much. I love you, Annabeth Chase, and I can't lose you." He was stopped from continuing his mumbles as Blackjack started to circle down towards the general Cabin Area.

As they landed, he could feel eyes on him, a good portion being younger campers. No familiar faces. Percy sighed.

But then there was one, Will Solace was running towards him, two of his siblings hot on his heels, carrying a stretcher between them. Percy got of Blackjack just as the healer reached him.

Will asked him to grab Annabeth, and Percy did just that, one arm under her arms and the other one her legs. He set her down on the stretcher, which had been lowered to the floor, taking care to not jostle her.

Will nodded at his siblings and they picked the stretcher up and made way to the infirmary. Will looked at Percy, who was quietly petting Blackjacks muzzle. The pegasus was nickering softly, pushing his head forward, almost like a cat.

"How's you know we were coming?" Percy asked, not looking at the younger boy.

"My father," Will said simply, putting his hands in his pockets. "She's going to be okay, Percy. She's in good hands."

"I know, I know. I just…"

"Worry?" Will finished for him.

"Yeah." Percy sighed.

"I get it. Gods know how many times Nico's made me worry like there's no tomorrow." Will smiled slightly, thinking about his boyfriend, "And it's hard, it always is. But he ends up okay."

Percy tried to ignore the fact that Will just said, okay, not great or perfect. Nico di Angelo would likely always only be okay, never more. He had a whole host of issues and traumas, some relating to Percy himself. Percy wished, for the hundredth time, that Nico could just be a bit happier, and not be so burdened, so traumatised.

"How is he?" Percy asked.

"He's okay-ish. He had a nightmare last night, and it wasn't pretty." Will said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh." Percy looked down before finally looking at Will, "You should go, you have infirmary stuff to do."

"Yeah I should," Will gave him a smile, "Take a break, Perce. Unwind. Maybe Clarisse will spar with you or something." The son of Apollo then turned and jogged to the infirmary.

Percy gave a small laugh and led Blackjack to the stables. A spar with Clarisse did sound fun, so he set out in search of the daughter of Ares.

2:00 pm, Wednesday, January 20th, 2011

Percy and Clarisse were a blur of swords and spears, whirling and slashing around each other.

Some of the newest campers were being taught a lesson in the arena, but the lesson had been abandoned to watch the fight.

It was, to say the least, impressively scary.

Clarisse's eyes seemed to glow red, and her powerful muscles rippled with every slash. Percy's face was stoic, and his eyes had narrowed, focused on his task. He had abandoned his shirt at some point, giving one hell of a view.

At some point, Percy was disarmed, kicked to the floor, and Maimer was inches from his throat. He gave a breathless laugh, throwing his hand up to block out the sun overhead.

Clarisse offered her hand, and he took it, hauling himself up and dusting off his jeans. He was handed his sword, which he recapped, and put in his pocket.

He and Clarisse set out to the cabins, laughing and playfully shoving one another as they walked. After a moment though, Clarisse's face became softer and she looked at Percy.

"I heard about Chase, is she okay?" The daughter of Ares asked, all too aware that Percy was likely not very happy that his girlfriend was injured.

Percy sighed and stopped where they were waling, Clarisse following suit. He ran a hand through his sweaty hair, "Yeah she will. It's just never easy."

Clarisse gave him a playful jab, "We both know how tuff she is, she'll bounce back in a few days."

Percy gave a sad sort of smile, and Clarisse watched as her long time friend seemed to break down all his walls. He looked away but Clarisse swore she saw some tears prickling in the corners of his eyes, "I know, I know. I just hate it. Seeing her in pain, feeling like I could have stopped it."

"You're head over heels Jackson," Clarisse said, unable to help herself.

"That I am," He agreed. They stood in silence for a moment before Percy jogged away, towards the boy's bathroom. Clarisse watched him go, and couldn't help but hate what had happened to the sarcastic punk she had known for so long.

Clarisse shook her head, and walked towards the arena, itching for another sparring match.

HAHAHAHAHA, EVEN MORE, IS GOING WRONG HAAHAAHHAHA

But do not fret, dear readers, for the next two chapters will be the last of shit going wrong! And this fic, it's almost done! Five more chapters to go! (But that doesn't mean I'm done with the universe of Strange, more information to come soon)

On a much more serious note, I beg of you too, if you can, donate to the Lebanese Red Cross for relief for the explosion in Beirut.

Additionally bc someone on Ao3 asked, Annabeth collapsed due to tearing out the stitches she had gotten with her sudden movements.