Author's Note: Hey, people! I know I haven't updated anything all summer, but here's me updating something, you know…now that school's about to start and everything… *sigh*

Who else is totally pumped about the Sea of Monsters movie? Actually…pumped isn't the right word…more like, excited. At least it looks a LOT better than the first one. Fine, I'll say it. "In Demigods We…" I can't. Sorry. I just can't.

Anyway, here's another oneshot from our favorite duo! Thanks so much for all of the reviews! I'm so happy you guys love the dynamic as much as I do. I miss Sally so much. Rick, please put her back in the story!

I wrote this because, if you've read the previous oneshots, I have one called "Sick, 6." I was playing with Percy's age in order to write that oneshot, and decided to make him younger for that particular oneshot. But here's how the older version went in my head. Thanks to my cousin for telling me to do it!

DISCLAIMER: No, I'm not Riordan. Or else, Sally would've been in Heroes.

Enjoy!

Priority, 14

I was very ready for my Valentine's Day date with my boyfriend, Paul. He was taking me to dinner at of the nicest restaurants in the city, followed by a concert at Carnegie Hall. It would be an amazing night together for Valentine's Day.

All week, I'd been planning my outfit in my head, thinking about what jewelry would go with which outfit, et cetera. My fourteen-year-old would throw in his input from time to time, which I found extremely helpful. By the time the day rolled around, all I could do was wait anxiously and excitedly for the clock to strike seven.

I kept myself busy with my writing, but nothing seemed to connect. I ended up with senseless drabbling on several pages of my notebook, starting and stopping in odd places. Time seemed to drag on endlessly until five o'clock, when Paul called to confirm our date.

"We're still on for tonight, right?" he asked. I could hear a small hint of doubt in his voice, though he tried to keep it light.

I laughed and nodded, as though he could see my vigorous agreement. "Yes, we are," I told him. "We definitely are, Valentine."

He chuckled on the other end of the phone, and immediately I heard the tension evaporate from his voice. "Good. See you at seven, then?"

I smiled. "See you at seven," I repeated in confirmation.

After I hung up, I could feel that lingering flutter in my heart that always took a while to dissipate after talking with Paul. As I glanced around the kitchen, Percy walked in with a smirk, setting his backpack on one chair and occupying another. "You're blushing," he pointed out.

I pursed my lips, but I knew he was right. "Don't you have homework?" I teased, trying to change the subject.

Percy's smile was a little weary. "Yeah," he answered, kind of quietly.

I glanced at him. He looked a little pale, and he was taking his books out of his bag with a sort of lethargy, as if he were sick. "Are you okay?" I asked, putting a hand on his forehead. He felt normal, and my brow creased a little. "You look tired."

He shrugged. "I'm fine," he said. "Just a small stomachache, that's all." He grimaced slightly. "Lunch today was kind of…sketchy," he admitted. "I've been feeling kind of off all day, but don't worry, I'm fine!" he added hastily when he saw my frown.

"Are you sure?" I pressed.

Percy raised an eyebrow, his green eyes gaining a little bit of mischief. "Don't you have a date to prepare for?" That smirk slowly crossed his lips again. "I'm okay, Mom, really. Go get ready." He turned to his homework.

I left the kitchen reluctantly, heading to my room, wondering if I would be able to leave Percy while I went out. He said he was okay, but I wasn't sure if that was entirely true. Percy was the kind of kid who would always try to protect you feelings with little white lies, which I liked and disliked at the same time. I appreciated the fact that he would try to shelter me, the fact that he cared that much about me. Even so, I still wanted to know the truth. I could handle it.

I took a deep breath, sifting through my closet for the dress Percy had suggested: a long-sleeved dark green velvet dress with a black belt around the waist, the hem stopping just below my knees. I found the black pantyhose I wanted to wear with it, along with the pair of black heels that would complete the outfit.

When I was dressed, I moved on to my hair. I couldn't decide whether I wanted my hair up or down. I played with it both ways, clipping it up with pins or clipping it back with barrettes. After a few minutes I gave up on my hair and moved on to the makeup and jewelry, not putting on too much of either (I'm not a big makeup/jewelry person anyway). By the time all of that was finished, it was six-fifteen. I had forty-five minutes to finish getting ready, and I still didn't know what to do with my hair, so I went over to the kitchen to ask Percy for his opinion.

I found him lying on the couch with his eyes closed, as if he were asleep. He must've heard me enter the room, though, because he opened his eyes. When I asked for his opinion, Percy raised an eyebrow, studying me for a few seconds, chin resting pensively on his hand in an exaggeratedly serious look. "Wear it down," he finally decided.

I nodded with a smile. "Thank you," I told him, pinning some strands away from my face.

He nodded a you're-welcome before reclining back. "You look very nice," he added. "Very ready for a Valentine's date."

I looked him over one more time. He really didn't look well. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?" I asked again. "You look a little sick."

"I'm fine," he insisted, but his eyes were closed again, his brow slightly creased.

I felt his cheek again for a fever, but he still felt fine.

"Mom," he said more firmly, trying to swat my hand away, "it's just a stomachache. I'm okay—" He cut himself off suddenly, sitting up abruptly, hugging his stomach with a groan.

I frowned with worry. He was looking a little green. "Percy—"

"Oh, gods," he muttered, his voice choked. A hand clamped over his mouth, my son immediately got to his feet and ran to the bathroom, throwing the door shut behind him. I followed him, and I could hear him vomiting on the other side of the closed door.

I sighed as I opened it. "Percy, I knew you weren't fine," I muttered.

He coughed, standing up slowly and shakily. "I told you lunch was sketchy today," he groaned, turning on the faucet to rinse his mouth.

"Alright," I sighed. "Come; you need rest, now."

Percy let me lead him back to the living room, and he obediently reclined on the couch when I told him to lie back down. When he was comfortable, I got up and called over my shoulder, "I'm going to go call Paul to cancel."

From behind me, I heard, "What? No! Mom, you can't—"

"Shh." I turned and put a finger to my lips.

His expression looked pretty pained, not and not because of his condition. He continued in a whisper, "Mom, it's last minute."

I knew that, and I felt pretty rotten about that. "I know, honey," I told him as I dialed the number I'd memorized a while ago. "But I can't leave you alone if you're sick."

He frowned. "I'm fourteen!" he protested.

"But you're sick," I countered calmly. The phone rang five times before Paul picked up.

"Hi, Sally," he greeted. "I was just on my way to pick you up. I'm leaving my place right now."

My heart sank a little lower. I bit my lip before starting, "Paul, I don't think I'll be able to make it tonight."

There was silence on the other end, and I was afraid of what he would say to break that silence…if he would be the one to break it. Finally after five long seconds, he said, "Oh." The disappointment in his voice was pretty hard to miss. "What happened?"

"Percy's not feeling very well, and I'm going to stay home to take care of him," I told him. "I'm so, so sorry, Paul. I feel awful cancelling on you at the last minute." And I really did. In spite of myself, my eyes stung a bit. I had been really looking forward to that date.

Even so, Paul understood. "I get it, Sally," he told me. "Percy's your priority, and I completely understand." Was it me, or could I almost see his smile? "You're a mom, and a darn great one at that."

I smiled, glancing at Percy, who was still staring at me like I was completely nuts. "Thank you," I murmured. "That really means a lot to me, you know."

"So…when would you like to reschedule?" he asked, a little sheepishly.

I shrugged. "Whenever you like, I'm fine with it. I owe you."

Paul chuckled lightly. "Alright then, I'll call when I think of something, honey," he told me. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I murmured, hanging up.

I tried to keep down the warm, fluttery feeling in my chest as I walked back to the living room where Percy was, but I couldn't do it. Percy had his arms crossed, as well as an expression that said, Mom, you're crazy, and I'm frustrated with you for what you just did. "You didn't have to do that, you know," he muttered.

I kissed his forehead, brushing his dark hair out of his eyes. "I know," I said. "But I wanted to."

He looked at me skeptically. "You wanted to cancel your date?" he asked. "Everything was perfect, ready to go, and you canceled." He sighed in exasperation. "Mom, you really like Paul, and I know you were excited for this date. Why would you cancel something like that?"

I pursed my lips, this time returning his you're crazy look. "Because you're sick," I repeated again. "I wouldn't have felt comfortable leaving you alone after you just threw up. What kind of mother would I be if I left my sick child behind?"

Percy blinked, a small frown forming on his face. "A mom who's already sacrificed enough for her child, and whose child wants her to have fun once in a while?" he suggested sarcastically.

See, it was that kind of thing that made me want to wrap my son in a huge hug and smother him with kisses. So I did. "Percy, I love you," I told him. "That's why I'm staying with you. Because I love you. You come first, always."

Percy smiled, and he actually let me hug him. Usually he'd fight me off, but I suppose that day he was too tired for it. "I love you, too," he murmured. "That's why I want you to go out. I would've been okay."

I sat on the couch next to him. "We're going to reschedule," I said. "So how about you be my Valentine tonight? That okay with you?"

Percy shrugged. "Seeing as it's already okay with you, it's okay with me, too." He smiled tiredly, rearranging himself so he could rest his head on my shoulder.

I liked this one. It was fun. Then again, most of these are lots of fun to write. Hopefully I get some more out there soon, and some more Cold as Ice. I promise I've been working hard on that, for those who are following that story.

I apologize if this was too short, or kind of rushed. I literally wrote the whole thing today. But I GREATLY enjoyed it, and I hope you did, too.

Again, thanks for all of the love! Tell me what you think! I love reviews, and I love your feedback!

~Mandi2341