This story and 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant portray the characters so differently that I have a hard time switching personalities. Anyway, on to the story.

Percy nodded in content at the sound of the disappearing, echoing footsteps. His hunch had been right. Major Castellan had been involved some way in the incident. So all that effort to get into the Marine and declining the Navy position wouldn't be futile once he accomplished his primary goal.

What astounded him was the closeness with which Captain Annabeth Chase and Major Luke Castellan spoke to one another. It wasn't the regular conversation between a high ranking official and his subordinate; it was one of familiarity. Of course Percy had heard the whole sob story of Thalia and high school, but he seemed disgusted that a man like Luke actually cared about people.

Percy figured that the longer he stayed in the barracks, the more suspicious he would become. Annabeth was already harboring some apprehensions about him after he handed her the letter from the Secretary of the Department of Navy.

To say the least, he wasn't much of a stealth person; subtlety had never been his expertise. Skipping dinner and training had been a dangerous move on his part. No one could kick him out with his connections, but nevertheless, it would prevent people from being distrustful around him.

He got up, dusted his pants, and proceeded towards the evening training center. As he entered, he was struck by how many men were practicing weights. Percy couldn't help but scoff. It would take years till the men even neared his level, but at least they were trying.

Noting that no one had taken notice of the punching bag at the far end of the gymnasium, Percy approached it taking off his shirt so that he could put on his boxing gloves. Had he been a room filled with females, the mere sight of Percy's rippling abs would have put them to shock. But it was nothing compared to his boxing skills. Although he didn't look it with his lean figure, the tough muscle, taut under his skin, was primed essentially for this purpose.

Percy had taken to boxing the moment he had entered the Navy, to his delight, finding his ability to be rather unique. The boxing allowed for a more relaxed manner of venting out his feelings. It served as a double purpose. Sometimes, he just used the punching bag for fun.

He kept his eyes focused on the bag hanging in front of him, making sure it didn't waver in his eyes. He started stretching out his arms once or twice so that he wouldn't injure it later. Giving the bag a tentative punch at first with his left hand, he smashed it full on with his right, the sound resonating throughout the building.

Shaking his hand once, he struck the bag once more. Aiming to practice the Bolo punch, he swung his right hand till it stopped close to the bag, finishing the punch with his left. The uppercut hook action looked relatively easy, but it was all in the distraction.

Picturing his opponent was easy enough with a punching bag, pretending to dodge the move. Moving in to do the one-two combination in which Percy circled the punching bag as though it were his prey, he knew it all depended on his footwork. He circled to his left, his left arm ready for the swing. As he successfully aimed it, he brought his right arm forward to punch the bag when someone grabbed his arm.

The blood had been rushing through his ears, the sound deafening and tuning everything around him out. The sound was such that it even impaired his vision. When the black spots clouding his vision cleared and his heart pace slowed back down to a more regular rhythm, he found Captain Chase standing in front of him, his fist dangerously close to her nose.

"Jackson," she said calmly.

"Captain?"

"I don't know if you realize, but the punching bag is destroyed," she gestured to the remaining scraps of a beaten bag still hanging. "You would have just punched thin air."

The sand inside the bag was slowly starting to trickle down from one of the sides. How had he not noticed it? His focus was so intent on the goal that he hadn't seen anything he had done. The punching bag, as she had said, was utterly destroyed.

Annabeth looked at him with a new appraising look, "It appears to be that you have nothing to practice with, Private."

"M'am."

"Well Jackson, I had some things that I wanted to talk to you about. But, how about we have a bout of boxing first to cool off some steam before we commence."

Percy raised his eyebrow slightly to show his surprise, "May I ask why?"

"You will find out once we're done."

"And if I say no?"

"You wouldn't dare Jackson. You know the consequences.'

Percy mock-bowed, "Of course. But I don't fight girls normally."

Annabeth with his glare with an even scowl, "Don't tell me you're one of those masochists. I really despise men like that."

Percy gave her a small chuckle, "If you insist. But, I really hate going easy on people."

"Enough talk. I've seen you throw punches and to be on the receiving end is, admittedly, a rather frightening thought, but let's see if you have the same skills to oppose another person."

He smiled openly at the challenge, rather astonished by her admittance to fear. But this is where he excelled, and Annabeth needed to see he was not something to be trifled with. If he had chosen, he could have been her equivalent.

By this time, the entire hall was watching in anticipation as the upstart new recruit faced off his captain. Surprisingly enough, Luke wasn't there. Percy had hoped he would be there to intervene. He'd much rather fight the other man one on one then with his subordinate.

Annabeth raised her eyebrows as he debated over the issue, "Scared, Jackson?"

"In your dreams, Chase— Captain Chase."

Annabeth gave him a grin as the two started circling one another similar to how Percy had done with the punching bag, the difference this time being in the mobile opponent.

She made the first move as he dodged it easily. Annabeth Chase was no amateur; that much was certain, but she was no match for Percy Jackson. Percy knew his best strategy was to let her tire herself out. She had seen him practicing his moves and could anticipate his strategy lest he try them on her.

Several punches were thrown, Percy's for blocking purposes. When he had said he didn't like fighting against girls, there had been a valid reason. It wasn't that he was an anti-feminist, but more like he felt he didn't need to fight her. Annabeth hadn't done much wrong… Key word being much. Besides, where was it going to get him if she got hurt? If anything, it would tip people off.

Percy could sense Annabeth's growing impatience and irritation at the fact that he was solely on the defensive. She was starting to lose focus as she just wanted him beat. Her form was giving way to the boiling frustration underneath. The frustration contained in the match and in the mystery that Private Percy Jackson held.

Annabeth's speed was dropping, her moves becoming more sluggish. To a spectator, this difference with have been undecipherable, but Percy noticed it all. As she brought her right arm in for an uppercut, he raised his arm halfway to cut it, using her momentary lapse of offense to twist her arm up till she winced in pain.

With this, he was easily able to bring her closer till they were face to face, or face to chest at least. Looking down on his captive with a smirk, he replied to her initial question, "M'am, I don't think you're in a position to bargain with me. I am not coming with you for your 'inquisition'."

He tried to let go, but was stopped by her firm grasp on his arm as he tried to leave. Percy had loosened up his hold on her only for the tables to be reversed. In his second of hesitation, she judo threw him on the ground till they were once more inches from one another, her face hovering over his as he laid on the mat. Annabeth said with a weak smile on her lips, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Match over Jackson."

I know it's been a week, but my updates will be random as I said before (although more reviews are generally speaking a good incentive). Ideally, I'll finish 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant tomorrow. I've spent a hundred days too many writing that story.

Anyway, make sure to read, fave, follow, and most importantly…review for faster updates.

~TJ