Percy had been totally conflicted when he read the price of the ticket. He could go. He could see him mom. But- there was Annabeth. They had just clicked into each other's lives and he didn't want to loose that, since it was so new. Yeah and maybe there was more to it. Annabeth was really cute. She caught him looking at her sometimes and he hoped she couldn't see his blush. He didn't want to leave her, plus he would miss their Wednesday.

When he went to tell her, he had no idea what to expect. He felt like she would urge him to go, but he wanted her to ask him to stay. He'd got a 'don't worry about me, you deserve to see your mom.' Percy knew her enough to tell something was off, but he didn't ask. He thought about it as he rode to the airport in a taxi. He decided he would ask for a ride next time- preferably from Annabeth.

It was all worth it when he saw his mom. His eyes may have gotten a little teary, but that might have been the change in climate. He hadn't seen her for over a year. His mom, however was wiping her eyes. She pulled him into a hug.

"Oh Percy, you've grown I think."

He grinned, "Mom, I'm the same size as I left."

"C'mon, let's get you some food. Welcome home." She gave him another squeeze.

They sat and just talked for a while. She told him about Paul; he seemed nice, but Percy was going to talk to this guy.

"So you've heard about me, any new.. romances I should know about?" she questioned.

He began to say no- but he thought about Annabeth, but that didn't count- right? Percy talked about everything with his mom, though. He told her the story of how he had met Annabeth.

"Sounds like a charmer. I'd like to meet her."

"Yeah." he gazed wistfully. Then he remembered the bread.

"Oh! And she bakes. She bakes mom! Like you! You have to try I'll be right back. He raced to his suitcase where he had put the bread. He put it in his mom's hands. She ripped a piece off and chewed.

"Wow. Percy, I could live off this stuff."

"It's good, I know." he grinned.

"So how long have you been dating?"

He stuttered, "Oh mom, we aren't- I just met her a few weeks ago."

Sally smiled sadly. "Oh Percy."

"What?"

"You love her. At least, you're going down that road, I think."

"Mom, I just got to know her." It was ridiculous. He couldn't, she- they- were just friends. His heart did a little tap dance as he thought.

His mom touched his arm gently. "I'm sorry if I prodded, but... sometimes these things happen."

His thoughts drifted, they had spent a lot of time together recently. And she was like ridiculously pretty. He loved it when she'd show up at Uncle Rick's to say 'hi'. And the way she laughed we he said something stupid. Or bumped his shoulder every so often just to say 'I'm still here.' And he realized that maybe he was starting to love her. He realized that the only reason he had made it this far without running back to Annabeth was because he had his mom.

"No mom, I think- I think you're right." saying it out loud made it seem final. And it seemed right. "But- Annabeth won't feel that way." he admitted.

They didn't talk about it after that.

Percy had a blast. He revisited the places he used to go everyday as a teenager. He chatted with some of his old teachers, visited his favorite ice cream shop, and just walked around town. It felt good to be home. But. There was a piece missing, like he'd left something behind. He couldn't get his mom's "idea" out of his head.

His flight home was almost a relief. He had asked Annabeth to drive him home. When he saw her, he was elated. He gave her a hug and it felt- right. Percy rattled off what he'd done with his mom. Every time he looked at her- he just had this feeling. And he pushed it away. He didn't want to be disappointed. She was logical, she wouldn't just fall for him in a few weeks. How he managed to do it, he'd never know.

Percy got into work the next day and everyone from the store welcomed him back. They even had tacos- even though, he pointed out, it wasn't a Tuesday. He felt out of routine all day because he had been off and his emotions confused him. There was something he was forgetting to do, he did it everyday. Annabeth came by during lunch. And she brought him some bread. He could've kissed her. Percy became more aware of this. He suddenly recalled a few other times when he had felt the urge to just lean in. Once was when they went to feed the ducks at a pond. She had been laughing and the he remembered thinking, "What if?" Percy knew he couldn't, really, Annabeth didn't like him like that. He helped Grandpa Jack close the store, staying full hours to make up for what he had missed (they insisted he was fine, but he felt he needed to).

As he got into his bed that night(it felt good to be back), he remember what had been bugging him. He'd forgotten to restock the produce. Percy swore. He'd have to get up early to do that. He set his phone, reluctantly, for 5:00.

The morning came all too early. He dragged himself to the store. The lights were on and Grandma Jane's car was here. He smiled, at least he'd have someone to talk to. Walking through the doors, it was quiet. That was weird. Jane usually put music on.

"Grandma?" he called. "It's Percy. I'm just putting the produce out."

He walked around, trying to find her.

"Hello?" he called, getting nervous. He walked to her office and opened the door. "Jane?"

He glanced down, she was laying, face first on the carpet.

His brain went into overdrive. He tried to wake her up, shaking her gently at first, and then rougher, "Grandma Jane? It's Percy."

She didn't move. He grabbed his phone, his hands were shaking as he dialed.

911, what's your emergency?