Now to answer a question many of you have asked me; will there be Percabeth? When I first started writing this story I thought maybe in the end, but now after writing this for a while I would have to say no. I have fallen in love with Emmy and Percy as a couple. I'm sorry if I disappointed anyone, but I don't have the heart to break Emmy and Percy up xD. I might do a Percabeth story in the future, just this isn't the one. I would also like to thank everyone who sent me pictures for the cover, in the end I found one. But still thank-you guys. Having finished that outrageously long author's note, enjoy the chapter.
-Twinkies

Together the two walked into the small kitchen. "So when you say food, what exactly do you mean by that?" Emmy asked looking into the fridge. She didn't usually cook, and had no idea what she was doing. "Um, what ever we can find. I don't cook often." Great, neither of them had any clue what to do. Percy joined her at the fridge, resting his head on her shoulder. "See anything that looks good?" Emmy felt his breath against her ear, and it sent a small shiver up her spine.
"No, because I have no idea what I'm looking at."
"Well, I do know how to make tacos. How do those sound?"
"Perfect."
Moving out of his way she walked over to the counter and pulled herself onto it. She sat, her legs swinging, watching him work. First he pulled all the ingredients out of the fridge. Once everything was laid out on the counter next to her he smirked. "So are you going to help, or just sit there the whole time."
"I don't know this counter is pretty comfortable." She smiled, her white teeth looking brighter next to her bruised face. Percy rolled his eyes and moved so he was standing in front of her.
"What if I say please?" His green eyes shining, giving off the puppy dog look.
"Still might need a little convincing." Emmy crossed her arms and Percy laughed.
"Alright, you've given me no choice." He took a step back and hunched over, Emmy gave him a quizzical look. Swiftly he rushed towards her, his shoulder level with her stomach. He wrapped his arms around her waist standing up fully, his arms moving down to rest in the crook of her knees. Percy spun around carrying Emmy fireman style. The girl yelped while all this happened too quickly for her to do anything about it. She hit his back with her fists, and not gently. "Perseus Jackson, put me down this instant." Percy laughed hearing her use his full name, it sounded cute when she said it.
"I don't know, are you going to help me?"
"Yes, just put me down." Percy could tell by the way her voice cracked slightly she was trying not to laugh. Chuckling he leaned forward and bent his knees until her feet made contact with the ground.
"Better?"
"Much. Never, ever, pick me up again." Her tone was slightly threatening, but the smile on her face contradicted it.
"No promises." His eyes ran over her, before he turned back to the counter. "Now, tacos." He looked down at the ingredients clasping his hands together and bringing them to his lips. Emmy watched as he stood there for a minute, seeming to be lost in thought. He turned to her, "You know what would make this better?"
"No, what?"
"Aprons." Emmy laughed at him as he practically ran to the cupboard. Flinging the door open he searched the small space before pulling out a bundle of cloth. He untangled the colorful fabric, once done he held two aprons. One was pink zebra print with black writing that read, "Kiss the Chef." The other was tiny, like it was made for a child, and a dark forest green. Stains from meals past covered it, a white type spelled out, "Mommy's Little Helper." Emmy laughed seeing them. Percy held the pink one out to her.
"Here use this one."
"Are you kidding me? The other one would never fit you. Hand it over." She pointed to the green one, Percy shrugged and gave it to her. They each slid the neck straps over their heads looking down at the aprons. Both laughed seeing each other.
"You look fabulous." Emmy said as Percy struggled to tie the stings behind his back.
"You really think so?" She laughed and moved behind him.
"Here let me help you with that." She took the stings out of his hands and tied them, being careful not to make it too tight. He turned around facing her.
"Thank-" Percy was cut off by Emmy going on her tip toes and meeting her lips to his. His hands landed on her hips, hers on his shoulders. She pulled away from him smiling widely.
"What was that for?"
"Just following the apron's orders." She said looking down at the cursive across his chest.
Percy snickered, "Okay, we really should get started on those tacos." The girl's hair bounced as she nodded in agreement. "You can start chopping up the tomatoes and lettuce. I'll get working on the meat." He said pulling a pan out and placing it on top of the oven. Emmy obediently started carefully dicing tomatoes on a cutting board. They worked silently, only the sound of the hamburger meat sizzling. "What about the shells?" Emmy asked now working on the lettuce.
"We do those last, so the shell is still warm when we eat it." Percy said pouring a packet of flavoring over the browning meat.

"I think we did a pretty good job." Emmy said looking down at the table. There were small bowls, each filled with a different taco building ingredient. One large bowl was piled high with taco meat, and a plate in the center was covered in the hard shells. "I would have to agree with you." They each sat down at the small table and started making the actual taco. Emmy's were just meat, lettuce and a little tomato. She wasn't a fan of cold cheese, it only really appealed to her when it was melted. Percy on the other hand filled his with everything, including the extra-hot sauce they had found in the back of the fridge. Emmy was pretty sure it had expired long ago, but Percy had ignored her saying something about how hot sauce doesn't go bad.
"This is really good." He said, his voice slightly muffled by the food in his mouth.
"Gods Percy were you raised in a barn?" Emmy asked her voice light, he responded with sticking his tongue out. They continued to eat, making small talk, until the front door opened. Emmy, having been in the middle of taking a bite, looked up her mouth full. In the door way was Paul and Sally, both surprised to see the girl, and the bruise on her face. Paul was the first to speak.
"Emmy, we didn't know you were going to be visiting." Sally nodded next to him. By this time they had already shed their coats and were standing next to the table, Sally not hiding her staring at Emmy's injuries.
"Sorry for not telling you guys. It was a bit last minute." When Percy spoke his mother looked at him, giving him a questioning look. Emmy swallowed her bite of taco and looked at the two adults.
"Hey." The word sounded so awkward, she really had no idea what to say. Finally Paul sat down in one of the chairs, Sally followed his example and did the same.
"Emmy," Paul started to say, "What happened?" There was no questioning what he meant, Emmy knew she looked pretty bad.
"It was her father." Percy said bluntly, but you could hear the slight edge of rage in his voice. Emmy gave him a grateful look, glad she didn't have to say it again. "Do you guys mind if she stays here tonight? Her and Annabeth aren't exactly getting along right now." Sally and Paul exchanged a look. It wasn't like they could really say no, where else would she go? But they weren't exactly comfortable with Percy's girlfriend staying the night. They came to a silent agreement.
"As long as one of you sleeps on the couch." Sally said looking at Percy meaningfully, and when Emmy looked at him he seemed to be blushing slightly.
"Deal, thank-you." Emmy said looking from Paul to Sally.
"No problem Sweetie, you are always welcome here." Emmy brightened as Sally spoke the words, it seemed she was warming up to her.
"Now, why don't you two finish your dinner. Don't forget to clean the kitchen, it was spotless when we left." Paul said standing up, Sally joined him as they left the room heading down the hall. Percy and Emmy made eye contact across the table, both smiling.

"I'm not letting you sleep on the couch, Emmy." Percy said as he dried the last of the bowls they had used. Emmy pulled the drain from the sink and looked up at him exasperated.
"Percy, it's not that bad, it even looks comfortable." They had argued about this all during their dish washing, and Percy wouldn't budge.
"Then you shouldn't have a problem with me sleeping on it. My bed's much too soft anyway." He smirked slightly seeing her throw up her hands, clearly irritated.
"Fine, if you take up the couch I'll sleep on the floor." Percy scowled at this, that wasn't the plan.
"I told you, you can sleep in my bed. The sheets are freshly washed, if that's what you're worried about." Emmy's cheeks turned a rosy pink, that wasn't the problem.
"It's not that. It's just that." She took in a deep breath, "I don't know, it's just weird to think of sleeping there."
"Then don't think about it."
Emmy rolled her eyes seeing there was no way she would win this.
"Fine, I'll sleep there. Happy?"
Percy nodded clearly pleased with himself.

Emmy watched as Percy carefully covered the couch in a navy sheet, her arms full of blankets. "You sure about this?" She asked handing the blankets over to him.
"Yes Emmy, I don't mind." He said unfolding the blankets and laying them on the couch. "Now, I'm going to go get dressed before you take over my room." Emmy rolled her eyes.
"Okay, but don't take too long. I'm tired." He looked up at her, and smiled crookedly.
"Now I'm going to take extra long." Emmy chuckled at him as he walked away. She sat down on the couch collecting her hands in her lap, waiting for him to return. Percy didn't take as long he had promised, a few minutes later he returned. He was wearing the same flannel pants he had worn on Christmas without a shirt.
"Alright, the room and bathroom are all your's." She nodded standing.
"'Kay." Emmy brushed past him about to exit the room before she turned around hearing Percy speak.
"Good night, Emmy." He was still standing next to the couch.
"Nighty McNight Night Fish Breath." She responded, earning a laugh from the boy. Giving a small wave she walked away, into Percy's room. It was clear he had done a rushed job of cleaning it. His desk was covered in random objects, that had probably been on the floor not to long ago. The floor of his closet wasn't visible because it was covered by dirty clothes. Emmy laughed softly thinking of him rushing around picking all of this up. She changed into purple pajama shorts and a baggy white shirt. Walking to the bathroom she brushed her teeth and pulled her hair up into a sloppy bun. If she slept with it down it would tangle so bad she would spend have to spend a half hour getting the snags out. Letting out a yawn she returned to Percy's room. She climbed into the bed smiling. The comforter was fluffy, green and soft. Emmy curled up on her side, her hands under the pillow to support her head. Taking in a deep breath her body relaxed. The bed smelled like Percy; slightly salty, like a sea breeze, and hay. Like the hay she had seen at pumpkin patches as a kid. The scent filling her head Emmy closed her eyes, falling asleep.