What is this? Me still uploading on Monday? It's more likely than you think. Well, I managed to put some documents online before I lost access to my computer. So here is a small one shot about little Annabeth playing chess with Chiron. Have fun.

'Checkmate!' Annabeth cheered. Michael sighed.

'Yep. Well, I guess you have won this round as too,' he said. He took a sip of water. 'Just like the five rounds before.' Annabeth clapped in her hands.

'Am I good at chess?' Michael laughed. He could not be angry at his little sister for long.

'You are great at chess, Annabeth. You are have the true strategizing skills of an Athena kid!' Annabeth giggled.

'Yay! You know, my daddy actually told me once that I was better at chess than he was!' her smile faded. Yet, my stepmother says I am Always cheating. A tear rolled down her cheek. Michaels' smile faded as well. It had gone so well - Annabeth had not talked or seemingly even thought about her father for a few days, and now everything came back again: Her stepmother, the spiders, the mission, Thalia turning into a tree. Annabeth started sobbing more violently.

There was only one thing you could do about that: Get Chiron to help her. Michael was a strong dude - strong enough to pick up his seven-year-old sister and carry her to the Big House.

He knocked on the door, but did not wait for an answer before getting inside. 'Chiron...' Chiron already stood up and picked Annabeth out of his arms. The girl started crying even louder. 'Thanks, Michael. What is your next class?'

'Archery.'

'Tell the entire group that there is extra free time.' Michael nodded and walked off, while Chiron walked to the living room upstairs with Annabeth in his arms.

He put her down in a comfy chair. He sat down in his wheelchair, beside her. 'So, Annabeth, what is the problem?'

'Well I - was just play-ing chess w-with Michael and then I tho-thought about my...' She stopped talking and started screaming. Chiron pulled her off the chair and hugged her tightly. 'It's okay, Annabeth. Just cry it out.'

'And… then Thalia...'

'Shh. You can explain it later. Just cry it out now.'

While Annabeth was still crying in Chirons' lap, Dionysus stepped into the living room.

'What is going on?'

'Just make her a cup of tea.'

'What? But I wanted to...'

'It was not a question.' Chiron tried to not show surprise when Dionysus actually listened to that and made Annabeth a cup of tea, with a biscuit, before walking out of the Big House.

After seven minutes, Annabeth stopped howling loudly and slowly started to silently sob. Chiron stroked her hair. 'There, there. Good, Annabeth, calm down now.' Annabeth did. She got out of Chiron's' lap and climbed back into the comfy chair. Chiron handed her her tea. She was still shaking, but she took a small sip.

'Good. Now, what was going on? You were you doing?'

'I was playing chess with Michael, and then…' another tear ran down her cheek.

'Why don't we play chess as well? You can tell me your problem while we play,' Chiron suggested, trying to find a way to distract her so she would not start crying again. Luckily, Annabeth nodded.

While Chiron got the pieces and the board out of the closet, Annabeth moved to the massive wooden table in the middle of the living room. 'Why is there a living room upstairs? Can't you sit downstairs?' she asked. Chiron chuckled.

'It is often easier to sit upstairs when I and the other camp directors have to talk about something important, because there are less people who can eavesdrop up here.' Annabeth nodded - she understood that. She giggled - it felt like she was in a secret hide-out, like the one her siblings from the Athena cabin had built in the forest.

Chiron out the chess board down and started to put the pieces in the right place. 'Do you want to play with the white or the black pieces?' he asked.

'White. Those can start first, right?' Annabeth asked. Chiron nodded.

'Yes, yes. Here. So.' Annabet made the first move. 'That was quick.'

'I Always start a game like this.'

'Oh, so you have a strategy.' Annabeth shrugged.

'I think so. My mom is the goddess of stratezie, right?'

'Strategy. Yes, she is. Yet, Annabeth, can you tell me again what was going on?' Chiron asked, while he also made a move. Annabeth looked at the board. 'I suddenly thought of my families again.' She made a move.

'Your families?'

'Yes. My dad and stepmother, but also about Thalia and Luke. Thalia and Luke are my real family,' she added. Chiron nodded slowly, while making another move.

'And what were you thinking about, while you thought of them?' Annabeth's' lips started quivering, but she did not start to cry. She moved her tower.

'About how I miss my dad and Thalia, but my stepmom is gone and Luke is here,' she muttered. That was some new information. Chiron moved his queen. 'You miss your biological father?' Annabeth gave him a look like she did not understand what he just said. 'You miss your actual father?' she nodded.

'Yes. He taught me how to play chess.' Chiron already realised that that was not the only reason that Annabeth missed him, but he did not say anything. Annabeth moved another piece.

'Yet, Luke is still alright, right? Do you still talk to him, or does he have new friends?' Annabeth nodded. 'Both. He still gives a goodnight kiss every day, but he also has new friends. But my new brothers and sisters also look after me!' Chiron nodded. He already knew that - not a lot of Athena kids would let a young child such as Annabeth walk around on her own. They took good care of her.

'I know that, Annabeth. Michael brought you here, didn't he? Yet, what do you think would help to let go of the thoughts about your families?' Annabeth thought about that for a minute, while moving another piece. Chiron already felt that he was going to lose this round.

'I don't know,' she said, while shrugging and shaking her head. He curls bobbed around her head and fell in front of her eyes. Chiron made another move. Annabeth threw one of his horses of the board. Chiron picked it up. 'Here. Do you think you could use a mascot?'

'No, that won't work,' she said. She still grabbed the chess horse out of his hands. Chiron made another move. 'Maybe not. Yet, everytime you feel bad, you can talk about it to me, or to Luke if that is easier. Eventually, the thoughts will be there less. That might take a long, long time, but it will. Do you believe me?'

Annabeth had stopped trying to find a smart move. She was looking at Chiron with big eyes. 'Yes,' she eventually said. They both made a few more moves without saying anything. 'But what if I feel really bad and I cry in the night?' Annabeth muttered.

'The same thing counts.' He reached out to stroke her hair. 'I believe Luke will be fine with helping you at any hour of the day. I for sure do.' Annabeth smiled and nodded.

'Yes. But what if it happens all the time?'

'As I said, eventually it will get less difficult. And no matter how long it takes for you to get there, we'll help you, Chiron promised.' Annabeth nodded again.

'Thanks Chiron.'

'No problem, Annabeth.' Annabeth looked at the board for a few seconds, before she made another move.

'Checkmate!' Chiron stared at the board. She was right - there were no more moves he could make without her slamming his king of the board. He clapped in his hands. 'Very well done, Annabeth. You really are good at chess and strategy.' She nodded.

'Yes. Because I learned it from my dad.' she said it without tears in her eyes this time. Chiron smiled, when suddenly they heard a horn. 'Oh, it is time for dinner already. Come on, Annabeth, let's go get food.' Annabeth jumped up. When she walked out of the door, Chiron noticed that she was still holding the black horse.

(And ten years later, Annabeth still had it, tucked away under her pillow. Although she knew it was nonsense, something made her feel like it did bring her luck. She had had it in her pocket the moment Percy kissed her underwater, after all).