A/N: I LOVE YOU GUYS. REALLY. NO DOUBT.

I really wanted to thank everyone who constantly reads this story. And those who keep an reviewing every single chapter. But, forgive me this time. This chapter was rushed and hastily written. I just had so many things to do that I can't neglect. But, I'll try to make the next chapter longer.

Super thanks to: Sweet Cats, prince of the seas, Daughter of Olympus 2, ainegelic, June Green and Smiles Burn In The Styx.

Annabeth's time with the Jackson's was, dare she say it, phenomenal. And she's pretty sure she's never used phenomenal before. That's the thing actually. Annabeth had been able to do things she never thought of doing and had been able to talk words she'd rather keep to herself. Though it's quite a change, she found the idea liberating. It was like starting to resist chains she tied herself to, to stop holding back the rest of her without doubts or regrets.

And Percy.

Gosh. She's never met a guy who's seriously talkative. Though that was probably for a reason. He had kept Annabeth occupied for the rest of the time, purposely directing her away from his mom. Whenever Sally's on the kitchen, he'd tugged Annabeth towards the couch or his room. You couldn't blame him either. It's his manly dignity at stake there. And he couldn't afford to have his mom drone on about how he used to run in circles outside their porch, without any clothes on.

But of course, Annabeth had heard of it. All of it actually. Percy was just as bad as a rotten tomato in keeping his plan. While baking the cookies, Sally had managed to sneak in a few Percy-embarrassing stories here and there, without him noticing. It made Annabeth wonder if they could be hired as secret agents or something.

Well, just by thinking about it, a smile would force it's way on her face, surprising most of the employees in the office. It wasn't because a smile was rare to pass by on her face as an expression, but more of the fact that it's different. That smile. It's genuine and rare. And even though everyone agreed that Annabeth Chase was indeed beautiful, now, with that radiant aura around her, she looked more beautiful than ever.

"Good morning, Miss Chase," a woman in her late twenties greeted. They happened to ride the same elevator with other employees who were quite surprised. And Annabeth surprised them even more when she returned the greeting.

Maybe the world was ending already.

The training room was more crowded than usual. The air was stale and humid, clearly expressing the excessive amount of carbon dioxide present in the area. The first elimination happened so quickly and everyone was moving around, either sulking or celebrating. Fortunately, Annabeth and Percy took on the positive side of the event, winning against a girl named Potty and a massive guy, Terry. Seriously, Potty focused more on protecting her newly manicured nails and Terry was too slow to keep up with them.

Their recent victory reflected on Annabeth's glorious mood of the day, extending her radiant aura since she came from the Jackson's household. Of course she would try to deny the idea, or else Percy would forever tease her about it.

"What's gotten into you to suddenly smile like that?" Percy had asked before the battle began.

Annabeth looked at him, confused and tried to suppress the smile but it came back anyway. "Smile like what?"

"Like you did won the lottery or something." Percy did a double take. "You did won the lottery, didn't you? Oh my gosh. You'd have to treat me on the nearest restaurant later."

She smacked him in the head, chuckling. "I didn't win the lottery, I promise."

"Then, why do you smile like you did won it?"

"Because. . ." Annabeth thought of a reason. Why was she actually? There wasn't anything funny around the place, and the gesture was a little inappropriate. They were to throw each other on the mat and she's gonna smile? That's for the over confident. But she?

Maybe the world was ending already.

She couldn't help but smile once more.

"See? You're smiling like that again! You're starting to creep me out, Annabeth," Percy muttered.

"Maybe I would love to creep you out," Annabeth countered. She plastered on a very sly smile and looked menacingly at Percy, as if she was a vampire and he's a victim.

That made him crack. She joined him too. They laughed until the tension on their bodies eased, until everything was fine and settled.

The lottery smile remained stuck on Annabeth's face for the rest of the fight.

"Look! There's Thalia." Annabeth pointed on a figure coming towards them. Apparently, Thalia got another company who happened to be Death Breath.

"That would have been better-"

"Yes. If you just-"

Luckily, they had managed to pass the elimination round, although that was barely. The approaching pair seemed to have a very serious discussion, as they kept using their hands to emphasize a point. Annabeth found the scene quite a little funny. Now there's someone to match Thalia's aggressive attitude. Percy was faring no better; he continued to slap his knees in laughter, like he was trying to swat a mosquito or something.

"Thals, Nico." Annabeth was the first one to acknowledge them since Percy was still doubling over in laughter.

"Annie," Thalia greeted her. She glared at Percy. "What are you laughing about Kelp Head?"

"Nothing. I just-" Percy took a deep breath. "You two bicker like an old married couple."

Thalia was enraged. Nico was fuming, while Percy and Annabeth kept giggling.

And Annabeth was sure she never giggled before. Screw Percy. She even considered adding a comment about the false observation except for the word 'old'. But then, there's the possibility of her age being questioned. It wasn't because 23 wasn't young enough. It was just Annabeth knew she'd be teased for her 'wise old woman' thinking, and no doubt she'll puke if she ever hears those words again.

"Arrgh!" Thalia huffed. "How I wished you two never got along."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Now that was bad," Annabeth said. "Let's just wish you two would get along as well."

"Impossible," Nico muttered under his breath. "With that Pinecone Face? Never."

"I do not have a pinecone face!" Thalia seethed. "Perhaps, that was better than a breath that smells like death."

"My breath doesn't smell like death! Mind you, I use mouthwash everyday."

"I don't care."

The funny thing was, as they threw insults at each other, the farther they went from Percy and Annabeth, until they were both outside the confines of the training room.

"I have an idea," Percy announced after sometime. He carefully whispered on Annabeth's ear, afraid that a word of their plan might slip.

After the explanation, Annabeth grinned. "Sounds like a plan."

They agreed to stop by in the nearest restaurant to celebrate their victory.

Percy held the door open for Annabeth like a gentleman, in which she rolled her eyes at. No, it wasn't because of the gesture, but more of the funny expression he wore.

They found themselves sitting at the far end of the place, casually waiting for their menu to come by.

"So. . .your treat?" Percy asked, holding back a smirk.

Annabeth shook her head at him. "Nuh-uh. I'm not paying for you. And besides, the gentleman is supposed to pay for me, right Percy?"

Percy sent her a look. "It's thoroughly unfair. Why do women get all they want?"

"It's because you men are supposed to give those," Annabeth replied as if she answered the question far too many times to count. "Or you'll never get us."

"How about those who chase after me? My hotness, handso-"

Annabeth shushed him. "Don't even get me started, Seaweed Brain. And-"

A music suddenly played, halting Annabeth in her speech. It was a familiar song, something about a Disney movie. Yes, Annabeth grew up as a Disney kid. Even though she's far too attached in logic and reality, she couldn't help but wonder about her happily ever after, if she ever had one.

Percy hastily grabbed his phone to stop the sound. He looked to be too embarrassed to be caught with such 'un-manly' interests.

"I know that!" Annabeth exclaimed. Percy glanced up with a new glee in his eyes.

"You do?"

"That's Sebastian singing Under The Sea. From The Little Mermaid. Oh I love all Ariel's songs."

"And I didn't peg you for a kid who watches Disney movies," Percy muttered with a smile.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Please. Any sane child would have watch those. And how-Percy?"

There's a guarded and remorseful expression on his face. Any traces of the smile from their previous banter were gone. He's starting at the phone on his hand- no, at the message on the screen.

"Percy? You okay?" she asked tentatively, as if he's a dangerous dog that could throw a frenzy on a wrong move.

He didn't look at her. "I'm fine." There's no sign in his face that said he's fine.

"Seriously, what's wrong?"

He took a deep breath and steadied his trembling hands.

"It's my ex-girlfriend, Calypso. She says she wants me back."

Hey. I was wondering whether to write another one-shot since I'm still on a hang-over from the last book I read.