A/N: Hey! Here's Chapter 5. Alright. I spent like 4 days trying to write this thing since I couldn't have it the way I want it. And this was the best I could come up with.

And I'm sorry guys I forgot to thank these people last chapter: bangtanseven, Norsk Unicorn, June Green, Flowerashes2, ainegelic and Smiles Burn In The Styx. LOVE YOU GUYS.

"So, what do you say, Chase? I'll make you bow down to my feet."

Okay. Annabeth would admit, she's taken aback by the boldness of Drew's words. She really didn't expect the grumpy-as-well Asian girl to show up suddenly on her back, like she just popped out in an old fashioned magic trick. The girl was glaring at Annabeth, her charcoal black eyes boring into the blonde's steely ones.

There was a visible chaos around the room. Everyone was talking, blubbering and shouting, their loud footfalls making a heavy thumping sound on the polished wooden floor. The official sparring match was actually taking its effects on the performance of each individual, judging by the nervous and careful selection of their opponents.

And as for Annabeth, she didn't have to try and search for one, because by all goodness, the opponent actually came and promised to make her bow down to 'whatever part she wanted to call it'. Of course, with all due respect to her untarnished pride, Annabeth would never surely be the first one to back down on a fight. Especially with this grumpy-as-well Asian girl Drew. It would wound her ego that much.

"Alright. If that's what you want," muttered Annabeth, fixing Drew a challenging stare. It was one of the famous looks Annabeth Chase was known for, the challenging stare. Rumors said that this could be treated as a foretelling of such; because her records were all clean that no one had ever escape her wrath whenever you get receiving end of the stare. And Annabeth always made sure to keep her records clean. She was a clean and neat freak.

Drew extended her arm towards Annabeth, the corner of her cherry painted lips stretching into a smirk. "Good. That was I expected from the likes of you."

"From the likes of me?"

"What can I say," Drew crossed her arms over her chest, scrutinizing Annabeth's figure. "Dumb blondes sure dominated the streets of New York. How awful."

"I am not a dumb blonde!" Annabeth seethed. Dumb was one of the worst insults she couldn't accept. Her intelligence was her only precious gift she couldn't afford to be mistreated.

"You don't have to deny it, honey. I understand."

Annabeth tried to keep her temper in an incredibly acceptable one, usually not bothering to pay attention to the limitless annoying eejits who like to destroy her day. But this, this super mega ultra annoying Drew was getting on her nerves-no already destroyed her nerves. It was as if she was born to infuriate Annabeth; like a Titan born to destroy a certain god.

"You don't understand anything." Annabeth stepped closer to Drew, her eyes never leaving the girl's charcoaled ones. "Because I'm sure as the sun rises in the east that your eyeballs weigh more than the entirety of your brain. Right?"

"You-!" Drew yanked the lapels of Annabeth's jacket, their noses almost touching. With the sudden force, the blonde felt the pain on her ankle act again, making her wince internally. Nevertheless, she never showed any discomfort in her facial features aside maybe, from the strengthening of her glare.

She gripped Drew's wrists and tore it away from her. "I think the sparring match can settle this for both of us. Don't you think?"

"I certainly do."

Drew raised her arm in the air, gathering everyone's attention, including Chiron's. "Excuse me, sensei. But, we would like to start the first match."

"Alright," Chiron agreed. "Everyone please."

The crowd shifted and moved, forming a large circle of audience surrounding the two. Percy was watching from the sides, eyeing the seemingly unfit ankle of Annabeth. It was so easy for him to notice the slight change in his partner's movements, given her uneasy and flawed glides. He didn't comment on it though, preferring to see how Annabeth will react with this situation. However, if worse comes to worst, then he'll be glad to drop by and save the damsel in distress from further humiliation.

The two girls were standing at the center of the rubber mat, with Chiron in between them.

"Okay. I want this fight fair and square. No illegal movements. The first one tackled on the ground at the count of ten loses. Good luck ladies. Anything you want to say to each other?"

"I already have my word with Ms. Chase," said Drew.

"I have nothing to say, Chiron."

Chiron stepped back and the two bowed ceremoniously as that of the tradition. Then, they began circling each other, watching their moves with careful eyes.

Drew moved forward, sending two punches and a kick to Annabeth, but the blonde managed to shield herself with her elbows. Before the Asian girl retreated, Annabeth held Drew's left lapel with her right hand as she grabbed the right sleeve at the girl's elbow. She then pulled herself forward and turned to knock the Drew's momentum with her back. Drew staggered backwards, but she was strong enough to keep her stance. Annabeth tried to land a kick on the girl's hip but the girl managed to grab her and slid her foot on Annabeth's other leg, sweeping the blonde literally off her feet.

Her back fell with a thump on the rubber mat and pain started shooting up her spine. She rolled on her side before Drew tackled her on the mat. Annabeth stood up and kept her defense position, watching as Drew moved closer to her.

Drew threw kicks and punches, each attack drawing her closer to Annabeth. The blonde just blocked all of the attacks, ignoring the creeping pain on her ankle. When the girl was near enough, Annabeth grabbed Drew's obi and heaved the girl forward, as she stepped behind the opponent's leg. With her other arm, Annabeth took Drew's far arm tightly, securing her hold on the upper body. Pulling the obi closer, Annabeth rotated Drew over her leg and using the newfound momentum, threw the girl on her side.

Drew, however was no easy opponent. As soon as her body hit the mat, she was back again on her feet. There were no reactions from the audience, aside maybe from the occasional gasps and sighs. Percy was keeping his ground on the side, analyzing Annabeth's moves. He was by far, impressed on his partner's agility and strength even though she has a bit of a problem with her balance. He'll make sure to check on her ankle later. But he knew that with Drew's incredible strength, Annabeth needed to be faster. But how could she, with that injured ankle? Drew seemed to notice it though, after a few careful observations. Percy's pretty sure she'll use that fact on her next move.

Drew dashed towards Annabeth, keeping the blonde busy with her punches. As soon as she was close enough, Drew kicked the girl's injured ankle, knocking her off balance. Annabeth grunted in pain, her teeth gritting harshly. She still managed to stay on her footing, though less guarded. When the Asian girl saw this, she pulled Annabeth strongly with her left hand while she ducked under the blonde's right arm. Then, Drew grabbed Annabeth's right thigh with her right arm and wheeled the girl's body over her shoulders, throwing her at the back and completing the Kata Garuma.

Annabeth yelled in pain when her back hit the mat, hard. Before she even had the chance to rise, Drew straddled her, keeping her arms and legs locked. She struggled against Drew's power but the girl was damn strong. She stayed like that until Chiron counted 10, announcing Drew Tanaka to be the winner.

And just then, the Asian girl hissed proudly on Annabeth's ear: "Bow down to my feet, Chase."

Drew strutted away, raising her arms to make the roaring louder. Annabeth, however, kept stumbling on her feet as she tried to stand up and limped away from the crowd. A few people offered to assist her but she waved them all away, glaring.

She really didn't want to appear weaker than she looked even though every fiber of her being screamed help. As much as she could, she'd just try to deal with this on her own, accepting no help from anyone. Okay, Annabeth would admit, she's selfish, stubborn and prideful, if those do explain her situation at the moment. It's just her wounded pride wouldn't take help as measure of care and compassion. Taking help from anyone would mean she's weak and fragile. And those two were the last words she'd ever want to use to describe herself.

The crowd started again while Annabeth made her way to the nearest bench. It seemed that the next match will happen in a few minutes. Everyone's attention was now focused on the center of the training room, where the next sparring matches will take place.

Before the next one even started, Annabeth made her way out of the door towards the shower room where she could be alone with her thoughts.

Annabeth had already changed in her work clothes, which kind of reminded her of the old-pricking stilettos she wore today. She'd already made her mind to throw those on her way home later, and even though that meant she needed to drive her car barefooted.

Annabeth now stood in front of the sink, washing her face to cool down her temper. She still hadn't got over the fact that she lost to Drew, a 'whatever you call it' girl. And that thought made it worse, because this was Annabeth Chase we're talking about. She wasn't, by any chance, an average kind of girl. Perhaps, if she was, then she might not fret about it. But this was her wounded pride she needed to defend. That wounded, tarnished gold-plated pride was hers. And she's going to fight for it: eye to eye, teeth to teeth.

Maybe, Thalia was right. Excessive pride might just be her fatal flaw.

Annabeth stared at her reflection on the mirror. Her gray eyes were near bloodshot but, otherwise she looked perfectly fine. Fine by her definition. Except for that defeated aura hanging on her head like a death sentence.

She walked out of the room before she even started pitying herself.

The cold pavement bit her feet harshly as Annabeth struggled to traverse the seemingly lonely parking lot for her car, without any footwear on.

She's actually getting the hang of it (she might even consider salsa-dancing right there) when she heard some feet shuffling behind her. She stopped.

"Hey."

Annabeth looked up only to find Percy's sea green eyes glued to her own. She ignored him like she to others who walked up to her. Of all people, she really didn't need his pity or compassion. It would just hurt her pride worse than it was now.

"Annabeth."

No answer.

"Annabeth. Hey." Percy shook her shoulders to make her look at him. And when she finally did, she snapped at him.

"I don't need your pity, Percy."

He gripped her shoulders tightly and stared gravely at Annabeth. There's an eerie darkness in the corner of his sea green irises, which made her shiver a little. She forced herself to match his gaze.

"Who said I pity you, Annabeth?! I'm just trying to help you for goodness sake! Why won't you let go of that ego for awhile?"

She yanked his grip on his shoulder. "Don't talk as if you could help every people with your words. And I don't need any help. Much less from you."

Annabeth shouldered her sports bag, and strolled away from him as fast as she could manage with an injured ankle, never once looking back.

She managed to distance herself from him a few meters before she tripped on her feet. Annabeth held on the nearest car for support, which was, unfortunately, Percy's maserati.

She stumbled again and before she completely fell on the ground, Percy caught her.

This time, she didn't dare drive him away again. Instead, she clung onto him and let that vulnerable part of her took over. And during this fragile moment, the words would repeat itself all over her head, like an uninvited thought that kept knocking and coming on her mind. Annabeth could only close her eyes and shut her everything from the world, hoping that the words would disappear, that the voice would stop forcing itself to be heard.

"Bow down to my feet, Chase."

Annabeth quietly sobbed, just small tears trailing down her cheeks that formed at the corner of her eyes. She's glad that Percy didn't pry and ask anymore questions, like the others would have probably done. And everytime the words replayed, she pulled at her hair for her sign of weakness. She hated herself for being like this. Annabeth hated how she couldn't be fine without that damn pride.

But, how come? She was losing herself too much yet she didn't feel as useless as before. She was revealing her vulnerable side yet she felt stronger. It was strange. This feeling. Strange but it felt good. Content.

Annabeth never felt content even before. But now, with Percy holding her in the middle of the parking lot, unusual as it might seemed, she had that contentment like it was the best feeling in the world.

Maybe it was.

"You need some help?" Percy asked. Annabeth nodded, which she thought was weird. It seemed as though it wasn't a big deal that she accepted assistance from Percy. But that didn't mean she'd have to swallow her pride everytime. Today was just an exception.

Taking her arm over her shoulder, Percy helped Annabeth stood up and led her to the passenger seat of his car. He crouched in front of her, examining Annabeth's bruised and injured ankle. Annabeth watched him quietly, noticing the cute creases of his eyebrows as he focused his attention on her foot. His disheveled raven hair was messier than usual and she so badly wanted to rake her hand over it, if that would bring peace on the warring strands.

Briefly sensing the weight of her gaze, he looked up, and Annabeth didn't even dare avoid his eyes.

"Your feet are dirty," Percy announced.

Distressed, Annabeth nudged his nose with her biggest toe as if to say, 'Duh. They should be, idiot.'

Percy, however, took the gesture as affectionate. He laughed heartily.

And even though it wasn't her intention, Annabeth laughed with him too. It's just there's something funny and contagious about Percy Jackson's laugh. She didn't know if it's the soft melodious sound that bubbled up his throat, or perhaps the child-like innocence of his grin. Anyways, she chuckled like she hadn't felt happiness in years.

"You have nice feet," he commented, once they both recovered from their fit of laughter. He caressed her feet, gently, as if it was something precious he wouldn't dare to break.

"And you have a nice laugh, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth muttered. She rarely gave compliments, so it's kind of lucky to receive one.

"Really? I never thought so." He grabbed the cold bottle of water from his pack and wrapped it with towel on Annabeth's ankle. "That should lessen the pain."

And before Annabeth could say anything, he handed her his extra slippers and a pack of odd-colored cookies. They're blue.

"I reckon you won't be able to drive properly with that," Percy pointed at her ankle. "So, I'll let you borrow my spare slippers. And take these delicious-looking blue colored cookies. I'm sure you'll certainly love these."

Annabeth looked at him, really looked at him for the first time after they met each other. There's something eerie and intimate about the way het gray eyes would flicker with curiosity as she centers her attention at him. It was as if they were isolated in an air bubble, the two of them alone to figure their thoughts. The thought if it sent a funny curling motion in his stomach, which he found quite oddly familiar. And maybe, oddly scary.

He really didn't want to entertain the notion that his stupid little attraction for Annabeth Chase could develop into something more personal. Something more romantic. Perhaps, he still wasn't ready to let go of Calypso, even though the girl made it clear that it wasn't going to work. Or perhaps, it was because if Jason, his cousin, who happened to be Annabeth's current boyfriend. Whatever the reason was, he knew he should learn their boundaries. Remember why they were trying to work out as a team. In that way, he wouldn't get distracted by her anymore. Besides, a little crush wouldn't hurt, right?

Annabeth took a deep breath and stared at her hands. "To be honest with you Percy, I really wanted to hate you. But, I guess. . . I don't have a viable charge against you when you're here; being so kind to me . . . it's kind of weighing me down. I think I am just directing my anger for Athena at you. You know, since you're supposed to be my rival and all."

Percy glanced up at her. "So, I guess we both hated Athena and Poseidon, huh? I thought we got over about our rivalry. We're supposed to be a team. And I thought you're just going over something emotional to be so bitter like that."

"Going over something emotional? Do I look like one?"

"Well. . ."

She shoved her foot on his cheek. "Shut up."

"But, seriously," Annabeth began. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

For a moment, Annabeth thought he had completely ignored her question. But then, he reached for her hand and slid his forefinger with hers. The truce. The sign of their promise.

And it seemed in that moment, everything had stopped. The people, the noises, the time. Everything that surrounded them was frozen and they were, as cliché as it may sound, the only exceptions.

Percy's sea green eyes, bright and burning with sincerity, locked in with Annabeth's steely gray ones. And even though it usually infuriated Annabeth that things made no sense right now, she really didn't want to feel any. Anything really. All she could care was the irony of this futile moment, how it actually meant everything.

When Percy spoke, his voice was a whisper but certain.

"Because we're the Best Duo Ever."

Don't you think that's too corny and quite rushed? And why do Percabeth moments happen in the parking lot? (Coz I don't know the answer myself).

I hope I didn't mess up the fighting scene since it was my first time to write something like that. And just to inform you guys, I really don't edit my works so I apologize for the mistakes (if those bothered you).

By the way, I wrote an extra scene from the parking lot moment (I had a bit fun writing that). It wasn't long but if you want to read that, just scroll down. See you...next week?

Don't forget to review.

Extra Scene. (Because hohoho. . .)

Percy grabbed his own blue cookie and offered one to Annabeth. She was hesitant to take it. "Uh, excuse me. I'm just curious . . . but why is that colored blue?"

He bit on his cookie. "My favorite color's blue," Percy replied in a matter of fact tone, as if that explained everything.

"O-kay." Annabeth eyed the cookie and looked at him. "This isn't going to kill me, right?"

"No," he answered seriously. "It'll just poison you and make you offer your bank accounts to me. Hahaha."

She shoved his face with her foot. He didn't stop laughing.

"These are good," she exclaimed, once she finished three cookies in a matter of seconds. "Where did you buy these?"

"My mom made them," Percy answered smugly.

Annabeth snatched two cookies from Percy's hand. "I love your mom."

"Then, you should love me. Since you love my mom and all."

She poked her toe on his cheek. "Shut up, Seaweed Brain."

"Really, you could come over to my house. My mom would love to have a visitor."

Annabeth thought about it. "Tomorrow sounds fine."

"Yup. It doesn't sound off-tune now, does it?"

"You're impossible."

"It's Kim Possible."

She ignored him and gave him her car keys. "Can you please open the door to my car, Percy?"

"You could have just asked me to open the door to your heart, honey."

"Oh My God. Stop that, Percy." She nudged his face with her foot. Percy raised his arms to surrender.

"Alright. I'll stop." He helped her moved towards her car, which was, fortunately, just next to his. Annabeth leaned on the driver side of her car. She smiled at him. "Thanks for today, Water Boy."

He waved her off. "I'll see you tomorrow, Wise Girl."

"Uh-wait, Percy?"

"Yeah?"

"My car smells funny."

"Did you laugh?"

Even with a bruised and injured ankle, Annabeth kicked Percy's butt with all her might. "Shut up."