Hey everyone! Again, sorry for the long update. School and all that rubbish. :D Anyway, here's the next chapter! Hope ya'll like it!

Again, if anyone has any characters/ships you want me to add to future chapters, all you have to do is leave a review saying which ones, and I will work them in.

Now, read, review, and enjoy! :)

- March 24, 1774 -

Percy reigned in Blackjack, the horse's hooves clopping on the cobblestone street. "Whoa there, boy," he murmured as he swung down and tied the horse to a pole in front of the large brick house. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door, the quick raps sounding through the foggy mist.

A maid with dark chocolate skin and curly, cinnamon-colored hair answered. "Officer," she said, curtsying. "Come in."

He did so, wiping his feet on the rug. "May I please see Mrs. Chase?"

"Certainly, sir. I will fetch her," the maid answered, bobbing another curtsy. Percy folded his arms and waited, taking in his surroundings as he did so. The large entryway was lit by numerous lamps set in the walls, rich rugs dotted the dark wood floor, and a huge, winding staircase led to the second floor. The Chases, it seemed, were one of the more wealthy Tory families in Boston, despite the harbor being closed.

Two young boys suddenly tumbled down the stairs, one sliding down the bannister and the other hopping from step to step in a mad rush to keep up. When they both reached the bottom at the same time, they began to argue, not even noticing the tall young officer standing before them.

"I won! I won!" shouted one.

"No, I won," the other argued, his young, boyish voice rising in frustration. "You always say you won, Bobby, but I did!"

"No, I did, Matthew!" the other one cried, stomping his little foot. As though they read each other's minds, the two boys suddenly noticed Percy standing by the door, watching them.

"Who are you?" the one called Bobby asked.

Percy grinned, forgetting he was supposed to maintain the stern British officer look. "Hello," he said, dropping to one knee so he could look the boys in the eye. "I'm Percy. Who are you?"

"I'm Bobby," one answered enthusiastically.

"I'm Matthew," replied the other one. Despite now know their names, Percy wasn't sure if he'd be able to tell them apart. The boys were almost perfectly similar, right down the their shaggy, dark brown hair and dark eyes.

Suddenly, the maid returned with a petite, dark haired woman dressed in a pale lavender dress. "Good day, officer," the woman said, curtsying politely. "I am Mrs. Chase. Is there something I can do to help you?"

Percy swallowed. Mrs. Chase was perfectly polite, but her dark brown eyes were cool. "I am Perseus Jackson, a senior officer in the Royal Army. I was wondering if Annabeth was available? I was going to inquire about her and Dr. Chase's health, since the accident was only a few days ago."

Mrs. Chase's demeanor immediately changed. "Oh, you are the young officer who helped get them back to town and lent Annabeth your jacket? They were very grateful."

Percy smiled tightly. "Yes, I was there. Is Annabeth available?" Alright, so maybe he hadn't come only for his jacket.

She smiled. "Yes, she's in the parlor. Come with me, please."

Percy followed the petite woman as she wound her way down the hall, chattering about Annabeth and he husband's health. The Chases' house was beautiful and expensive, he could give it that. He glimpsed a well-stocked library, in which a fireplace, loveseat, and a large wooden table and chairs resided.

Finally, they reached the parlor. "Annabeth, darling, someone is here to visit you."

Annabeth was seated on a delicate horsehair loveseat, her bandaged ankle propped up on a small, padded table. Her head bent over a thick book, she groaned. "Mother, I don't really want to visit right now – " She cut off when she saw Percy.

"Miss Chase," he greeted her, bowing to hide his smile. Annabeth certainly had a mind of her own, in more ways than one.

"Officer Jackson," she answered stiffly, her haphazard curls falling around her face and the bright blue, casual dress she was wearing wrinkled from sitting all day. "I apologize, I did not realize –"

"'Tis fine," he answered, taking a seat near the fire, facing the girl. "Mrs. Chase, may I speak to Annabeth alone?"

Mrs. Chase looked a slight bit flustered, but left, nonetheless. Percy leaned towards Annabeth, who had put down her book and was surveying him with interest. "So, what did you come here for?" she asked, narrowing her steely grey eyes.

"For one, my jacket," Percy admitted. "Two, I wanted to ask about your health."

"But that isn't all," Annabeth supplied for him.

"No, it is not," Percy admitted, his tone lowering. His brow dipped as he thought of the best way to break the different pieces of news to her. "I have numerous messages to give you."

She waited expectantly, another curl falling out of her lacy mobcap.

Percy took a deep breath. "First, Paul Revere is pleased. The man who was supposed to receive the message in the newspaper did so, thanks so you. No other officer besides myself even knows about newspapers, let about who delivered them."

Annabeth nodded.

"Because you did so well with the first assignment, he has another one for you," Percy continued. "Once your ankle heals, you'll be coming with me to the British camp, to offer yourself as a nurse. However, once I hear you decision on my next message, I may have to change that. And that leads me to the second message."

"Yes?" Annabeth prompted.

"I am rather close with General Gage. I have known him since I was young, and my mother was friends with him when they were children, back in England. He and Major Pitcairn have been… discussing something, and the accident on the Neck, unfortunately, brought them to you."

Annabeth's eyes widened. "What about me?"

Percy sighed. He didn't know why he wanted to protect this girl so much, but he did. And here he was, practically handing her a death sentence. "They have been needing another spy in Boston, preferably a young person, who is around both Loyalists and Patriots. Major Pitcairn heard of the accident, and immediately realized that you were in the perfect position to fill their needs, being of a Loyalist family but your father treating everyone regardless of beliefs."

To his surprise, Annabeth actually laughed. "So I would be a spy for both the Whigs and the Tories? That will be interesting."

Percy raised his eyebrows. "So you accept? Already?"

Annabeth's brow dipped. "Officer Jackson, I really have no choice. This position would give me a wealth of information for the Observers, information that could save lives. Paul Revere can help me with fake information to feed to the general."

Percy leaned forward. "Annabeth – Miss Chase – this only increases your own danger. A spy for the Patriots by itself is one thing, but if you are caught as a double agent? Your fate will be even worse, if possible."

He was surprised by the fire in her eyes as she answered. This was not a normal sixteen-year-old young lady. "As I said, sir, I have no choice. What is one life when thousands could be saved, if a war is prevented? And if the Whigs tried to stand up to England, I fear it would be a bloodbath. If I can avert that, even at the cost of my own life or freedom, I will."

Percy got to his feet, trying to ignore the sinking in his heart. "Very well. I will tell the Major. When your ankle heals, I or another officer will bring you to the British camp, and we will discuss this again." He bowed and kissed her hand politely. "This could end badly, Miss Chase."

Annabeth smiled tightly. "It could. And it could end well."

He strode to the door of the parlor and paused, looking back. Annabeth was gazing into the fire, her grey eyes reflecting the flames, her curls askew, her bandaged ankle making her look fragile and younger than she was. He wondered how someone so young, so vulnerable, could be so brave.

"Miss Chase?"

She turned. "Yes, Officer Jackson?"

"You know exactly what this could entail?" He had asked it before, but he asked again, hoping against hope she would change her mind.

"I do, and I am willing to face it."

He bowed again. "Then good day."

She dipped her head. "To you as well, Officer."

As Percy left, he tried to convince himself that Annabeth was smart and knew what she was doing, both of which were true. He tried to tell himself that the girl was nothing of his concern, and if she wanted a death sentence for her country, then so be it.

But a spark, long dead, had alighted in his heart. And despite the heavy weight pressing down knowing that Annabeth had made a choice that could lead to her death, the tiny flame only grew.

In some deep, secret part of him, he knew: The next time he saw Annabeth Chase, it would burn even stronger.

hehe! Perseus Jackson, a senior officer in the British Army, has a crush! *fangirls* Okay, trust me when I say the more reviews, the quicker I update. *hint hint* :D Love ya'll!

WM