Annabeth stared at the ceiling, letting her vision blur. The white tiles were peppered with black spots, dancing her vision as her eyes focused, unfocused, focused again.

Her body was itching to move, to get out, but her mind overruled. Annabeth hated hospitals, but even she could admit that trying to make an escape was a dumb decision. Instead, she had pressed the button to call a nurse when had woken, alone and confused.

Bandages were wrapped around her head, and IV in her arm. Her backpack was sitting next to her on a chair, and it looked pretty untouched. While Annabeth waited for the nurse to come, she tried to remember what happened. She had been walking down the street to replenish her snack supply from a corner store. That was clear. After that…she was in an alley? Right, an alley, because of a monster. Obviously, she won…but she got hurt? Yeah, that sounded right.

Her head throbbed in pain, and Annabeth winced. What was taking the nurse so long? Her skull felt like it was going to crack open. She remembered getting slammed against a brick wall. And then…oh that's right. She stumbled into the street and promptly passed out.

"Hey, there," a nurse walked in, smile plastered onto her face. "Annabeth Chase, right? We just looked at your wallet in your backpack, Ms. Chase."

Annabeth nodded. "What happened?" She faked confusion. Better to let the mortals fill in the gaps and go along with any story they fabricated.

The nurse turns sympathetic. "We're not sure. Can you tell me what you remember?"

"Uh, I was just walking down the street. Going to get some groceries…" Annabeth trailed off.

"You were found stumbling out of an alley, bleeding from a head wound," the nurse says. "Witnesses didn't see anyone else, but our best guess is that you got pulled into the alley and attacked. Judging by your bruises and the state of your wallet, I'd say you fought the guy off."

Annabeth nods, going along. "That sounds about right. I, uh, started taking self-defense classes when I was seven. Never thought I'd need to use it."

The nurse jots something down on her clipboard. "It's nice to see a girl who can defend herself. If you ask me, we need to teach-"

A ruckus in the hall cut the nurse off. "Where's Annabeth?!" The door to the room swung open, bringing in a very frantic Sally Jackson.

"Sa-"

"Shh, it's okay, Mom's here now," Sally crushed Annabeth's head to her chest in a fierce hug. Tentatively, Annabeth raised her arms to hug the woman back.

"Ma'am, please," someone said.

Sally drew back, glaring. "This is my daughter. I would like a minute alone with her." Her tone left no room for argument. The nurses in the room glanced at each other with uncertainty before leaving. The door closed with a click behind them.

"Are you all right?" Sally cradled Annabeth's face, staring intensely.

"Yeah," Annabeth's eyes flickered to the door. "Uh, what was that?"

"Oh," Sally removed her hand and settled herself on the edge of the bed. "Well, they wouldn't let me see you, never mind that your legal guardian is across the country right now. They got medical records from your school, probably because they saw your school ID. Anyway, I'm not listed as an emergency contact, which is really something we need to fix."

"Right," Annabeth said. "So you lied and said you're my mom? What happens when they find out?"

Sally waved a hand. "I'm your estranged mother who was separated from you by your father and only got to reconnect when you reached out yourself. Really, just call me Athena."

Annabeth giggled, and a warm feeling spread in her chest. Tears stung the back of her eyes. No one had ever stormed in like that for her, shown that much worry. Sure, her relationship with her father was on the mend. While he had come to her rescue, this…this love of a parent was something Annabeth had lacked her entire life.

Ever observant, Sally noticed Annabeth looking down, trying to conceal her face. She was having none of that. Annabeth felt arms encircle her, a gentle hand rubbing her back.

"Rest," Sally pressed a kiss on her head. "I'll take care of everything. Just rest for now."

Annabeth nodded, wiggling further into the embrace of a woman who was basically a mother to her.

Sally was true to her word. The paper work was complicated, as was the process of verifying that Sally was Annabeth's mother. It took Annabeth discreetly texting her father and his ensuing testimonial over telephone to get the hospital to release Annabeth. Sally drove her home, sat her on the couch with a threat not to move. Not a minute later, a tray with lemonade, potato chips, and a square of ambrosia was placed on the coffee table.

"I want to see all of that gone," Sally said. "You lost a lot of blood, so you need salty foods. And no moving from the couch. The TV can provide enough entertainment."

Idleness was not in Annabeth's nature, but for once she could allow herself to be coddled just a bit. Sally may not be her mother in any legal way, but she was a mom in all the ways that counted.

You can ask what this is, but I would have no answer for you. Enjoy, my friends.

Also, review if you've enjoyed.