Thank you to those who reviewed, faved, and/or followed. We're almost at a 100 faves, and hopefully we can reach the 300 review mark too. Without further ado, chapter 17.

She kissed him for what seemed like an eternity at first, but Percy felt himself pulling away. He saw some confusion in her eyes as she looked back.

Lucky for them that they had been on a straight road with no other cars present, and with Percy's adept skills in driving, the car had barely drifted. Percy stayed silent as she turned to face the windshield, also not opening her mouth to justify her actions.

Percy knew this situation had to be hashed out now before there were any misunderstandings. He pulled over swiftly to the shoulder of the road, turning back to face his Captain.

"Captain?" he began hesitantly.

"Why did you stop?" she asked, her tone even, not a hint of what had just happened.

"We need to talk."

"We're doing that right now."

"That's not what I meant."

"Then get on with it. But before you do, why the hell are we in the middle of nowhere?" she looked out at the barren fields surrounding the narrow road, the stark yellow stretching for miles as though they were in the middle of some Kansas farm.

"We're on our way back from the hospital," he replied, gritting his teeth at the lie. Damn di Angelo. He couldn't have drugged her until they had gotten back on the highway? No, he couldn't. That incompetent fool. Now, Percy had to suffer the consequences.

She looked at him skeptically, "I know where Greenville Memorial Hospital is. And this is nowhere near it. So, where are we? And why did you bring me here?"

Now Percy got slightly irritated. Why did he have to answer for Nico's actions? And besides, was she the only one who got to conduct an interrogation? She had some things to answer for herself.

"Then what about you?" he shot back. "Why did you just kiss me?"

Although she started turning red, Percy couldn't tell whether it was in embarrassment or anger, probably the latter, considering what she replied, "Jackson! You will tell me now why we are away from all civilization alone! Don't regret this later, Private."

She was seething, and Percy could see that, but she was yet to answer his question. He decided to let it drop. "Detour?" he shrugged helplessly.

She gave him the stink-eye in response, "Why?"

"Roadwork," he replied curtly, hoping that the lie would suffice and not be discovered later.

Annabeth still looked at him skeptically but decided not to press it any further, "So, what are you waiting for? You can't stop on the side of the road indefinitely." She made an impatient gesture, telling him to continue on.

"About what you said earlier…" Percy trailed off at the questioning glare she was giving him.

"Which thing?"

"About not going back to base. Were you serious?" he continued cautiously.

"What do you think?"

Frankly, Percy had no idea what to think. The honest answer was: no, he didn't she was serious, but that didn't sound very characteristic of her either.

"I honestly don't know. We should probably get back to camp. Mrs. Arnolds was worried about you, and I'm sure the other officers would be glad to see you."

Annabeth sighed, closing her eyes as she spoke, "Look Jackson. I have been out of action for the past three weeks. You honestly think that one more day will make a difference?"

"Why me?" he asked quietly. Annabeth didn't seem to have heard him, her eyes still closed as though she was asleep. For a moment, Percy thought perhaps she actually was asleep. But then, he saw her face, those slender lips trembling once more.

He had to mentally slap himself. Snap out of it Private. This was his Captain after all. He sighed as he spoke louder this time, "Where do you want to go?"

"Somewhere. Anywhere. Anywhere but back to base."

Percy was surprised to hear her voice catch a little, quavering at the end. What was so bad about returning to base today he wondered. He knew complying with her wishes would only delay his plan further, but he had no valid excuse to refuse. He started up the engine once more, deciding to keep quiet.

The next hour was filled with an eerie silence hanging above their heads. Percy, in attempt to make some small talk, would comment blandly on the weather or various things he happened to see outside the window while driving.

Annabeth, on the other hand, seemed to be deep in thought. Every time Percy talked, it was as though she was snapped back to reality. Her responses were vague and unsure and not all that coherent as most of them were one word answers.

Percy wasn't sure if these were side-effects of being drugged by Nico or from recovering from a coma, but either way, he still felt uncomfortable taking a recently comatose patient outside before being officially discharged from the hospital. He didn't bother sharing his concerns with Annabeth, knowing that she'd catch on to the lie immediately about being discharged.

"Percy," she said suddenly. Private Jackson was shocked at the use of his first name. From what he remembered, this was the first time she had addressed him not by his surname.

"Hm?"

"About earlier..." she began.

Could it be possible that she was finally opening up to what she had done? Percy sat there patiently, knowing better than to urge her on, and not accidentally shy her away from the topic.

"Never mind…" she stopped, having noticed that he didn't say anything.

"No, no. Go on. I'm listening in."

"It's fine. Forget I said anything," she said, being her usual stubborn self.

That only made Percy even more curious and somewhat paranoid, "Captain…"

"I said forget it!" she snapped back waspishly.

Percy let out a low whistle. Mood swings much? Either the girl was bipolar or he had no idea what else she could have been. He figured he wouldn't get much of a confession out of her, so he drove on in silence. She too had nothing to say. Fifteen minutes later, the two found themselves entering into Charleston.

"Charleston?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah, have you been here before?"

"I used to come here all the time with…" her voice trailed off when noted the curious look on Percy's face. There was no need for him to know who she had come with. "My friends," she finished lamely. Percy wasn't easily fooled but let the subject drop.

"Well, what did you want to do first? We have more or less the rest of the day. How about lunch?"

Annabeth looked a little uncomfortable, "We're in our uniforms. Change of outfits maybe?"

"Where to?"

"There's an H&M nearby," Annabeth pointed down one of the streets. "It's been a while since I've gone, but it should still be there."

"Do you want to check it out?"

Annabeth led the way having been more familiar with the area than he was. Percy began to pick up snippets of information regarding Annabeth's life. The fact that she had been born in Virginia, moved to California, only to return back in middle school.

These details too were hazy, not very clear, and all too superficial. He didn't have much success learning about the real her, the details that mattered in the long range. Nothing more was said about her family, nor about her schooling. It was as though she was a treasure chest locked up whose key was lost forever in the shadows.

"Jackson!" she called, a few feet ahead, "Hurry up!" The pair received curious stares as they entered the shop in their uniforms. It made Percy rather uncomfortable, but Annabeth paid them no heed, marching straight on ahead to the woman's clothing.

He, on the other hand, had no idea what to do, having never shopped there before. Percy didn't much effort into his outfit choosing, selecting a casual t-shirt with a befitting picture of Popeye on front. To go along with it, he put on a pair of Bermuda shorts.

After paying for his merchandise, he waited near the entrance where a half-dozen girls stood, simply staring at him…and his arms. Percy rubbed them awkwardly, silently pleading with them to look away.

No such chance of course. They continued to stare. He attempted to distract himself by looking at various articles of clothing on the floor, but their eyes never left him. What was taking her so long? How much could she of all people need?

As his eyes wandered around, they fell on a particular girl. For a second, he mistook her for a mannequin with her short blond hair and long, suntanned legs. Her hair was up in a pony, and she was sporting a simple gray dress with a thin belt secure around her waist. A pair of matching gray converse like shoes completed the outfit.

He did a double take, looking at her legs once more. Damn were they sexy. He let out an appreciative grin at the sight.

Percy watched as the girl walked further away from the changing rooms and closer to the front entrance. He craned his head to get a better look. He noticed her head turning, quickly turning his own head so that he wouldn't be caught checking her out. He immediately busied himself with the rack of clothing nearby.

Unfortunately for him, it just so happened to be…Bras. Percy slapped his forehead with his hand when he felt a slender hand tap him on the shoulder. He turned back, jumping in surprise. It was the blond haired girl. He couldn't bring himself to look at her face, his own red in embarrassment. She was going to tell him off wasn't she.

Ah, where was Captain Chase already?

"Jackson," the girl said impatiently.

As the words registered in his head, his face became stuck in a countenance resembling the surprised Patrick meme. His mouth formed a large 'O' as he looked at the shrewd gray eyes staring back at him.

She didn't comment on his expression, her mind worried about something else, "How does it look? Is it casual enough?"

Percy couldn't stop himself as the words tumbled from his mouth, "You…look gorgeous."

The next chapter will have some more Percabeth before I return a bit back to the conflict. It will end as a Percabeth story, and I'm anticipating 6-8 more chapters in this story.

Anyway, make sure to read, review, fave, follow. As I said, I'm hoping to make it to 300 reviews and 100 faves before the end of the story. Now, review for faster updates.

~TJ

And, if you still haven't done so, make sure to read my other Percabeth story, My Gay Best Friend.

Summary: Annabeth is dealing with a betrayal of her boyfriend and best friend. To add to the problem, she's broke. Percy is a young businessman trying to make his way to the top. By accident, he meets Annabeth, learning that connections with her family could secure his position in the business world. When Annabeth rents out her house, Percy takes her up on the offer, posing as a gay man to win her trust. What happens when he accidentally ends up falling for her instead? AU/AH… Characters will be OoC.

I have three chapters up and a fourth one should be up as soon as this is uploaded.