February

Poseidon wrapped his jacket around him tighter as he drove the boat into the sea.

"Triton will be back by the end of next month right?"

"Yes Delphin. Like it has been for the past four years he will be gone for a few weeks for his swim competitions."

"Have I told you I really don't enjoy these calls in the winter?

"At least a thousand times."

Poseidon and Delphin were answering a rescue call while Nerus handled the aquarium.

Usually it was Nerus and Triton who did these calls, but with Triton at school Poseidon usually took his place. Delphin was assisting as Nerus was on break.

"Well let's make it a thousand and one-"

"Does complaining about it make it any better?" Poseidon interrupted.

"My therapist says I should talk about my feelings a bit more."

"Are you saying you were holding back before? How long have you been seeing this therapist?"

"Long enough."

"Somehow I doubt that. As for the calls be prepared to go on more for next year."

"Wouldn't Percy take Triton's place? You can train him over the summer."

"We had plans for the summer, and Percy is excellent at the aquarium. I don't necessarily want to pull him away from the aquarium."

"He could be excellent with the rescues, you haven't let him on a rescue except for the time last month. We can sure use the extra hand when Triton is in Australia."

"I'll think about it."

"C'mon Poseidon. At least bring him on a few more calls, and maybe have him enter the waters."

"I said I'll think about it."

Delphin sighed, "How much further out is the walrus?"

"Not too far."

"Any idea why the Walrus is this far south?"

"Nothing certain. Have you heard of the story of a walrus being spotted in Western Europe?"

Delphin snorted, "Who hasn't? Didn't the walrus go as far south as Spain?"

"Yes it did. It concerns me as why there are walruses being spotted this far south. More and more icebergs melt each year, these walruses are probably searching for a new home as theirs are probably melting."

"Way to bring down the mood."

"Was there really much of a mood to begin with?"

"You're sounding more like Nerus each day. Is it an age thing? Will I become this solemn when I get old."

"I'm not old! I'm not even ten years older than you!"

"That's what they all say."

"Who says that? I'm only thirty six!"

"I'm just saying you should ease up. All the frowning will increase your wrinkles, you'll look as old as Nerus by the end of the year if you keep it up."

"Delphin!"

(4th Period - Wood Shop Class)

Percy pushed the wood through the blade with a stick, wood shavings coated the table-saw giving it a campfire smell.

"Do you want any modifications with your prosthetic?"

Percy stopped cutting the wood he was working on, registering Leo's question.

"What kind of modifications are you talking about?"

"The possibilities are endless, you can basically add anything to it. It all depends on what you prefer. The more practical options; we can build a built in water or soda holder. We can install a built in fan to keep you cool during the summer. We can even put a hidden knife in there-"

"Why would I need a knife?"

Leo took off his safety googles, "It's a dangerous world out there. It would be wise to have some sort of protection, and they'll never know it's in there."

Percy opened his mouth to decline, before the voice in his head told him it might be wise to have a hidden weapon.

"You know what? I might actually take you up on that offer"

"Really?

"How long would it take you to assemble it?"

"It depends on the model of your prosthetic. Can I see your prosthetic?"

Percy unstrapped the prosthetic from his stump and handed it over to Leo. Leo inspected the prosthetic as he kept turning it at different angles.

"It's a standard model, it shouldn't take too long. I'll say it will take me about a class period to modify it."

"Only a class period?"

"Yeah, it will take less than ten minutes to put the knife into the position. I'll spend the rest of the period installing the button and make sure the knife is fully concealed."

Percy glanced around the classroom, the teacher stood at the Stoll brothers station. Mr. Beckendorf hasn't left that station all period and has been stationed there for the past month after the incident with the saw. The teacher will pay them no attention if they do it in this class.

"Do you have the materials to do it in class tomorrow? Mr. Beckendorf wouldn't see as he's preoccupied making sure the brothers don't lose their hands."

"Absolutely! I just need one part that I'll get from Hephaestus-"

"Hephaestus? Is he in his early to mid twenties with a birthmark that covers half of his face?"

"Yes that's the one. He used to babysit me after my mother died. He's the one who introduced me to the building and carpenter lifestyle. Do you know him?"

"Yeah, he's my cousin."

"Really? Small world! But yeah I'll visit him tonight and we can do this tomorrow in class."

"Sounds like a plan."

Triton's feet were on auto pilot as they took him to his fifth period class without him even thinking anything about it.

He however stopped once he saw Luke and Percy by the lockers.

Triton lurked in the shadows watching. He couldn't make out the conversation if any was happening.

Triton frowned once he saw Luke clap Percy's shoulder before heading into the classroom with Percy trailing after him.

He thought he told the brat to stay away from him. Perhaps he will just need to make that message more clear.

Triton shook his head and continued his way to fifth period.

Sixth Period

Percy sat down at the table ready to dig into the meatball sub.

"I think they changed their recipe?" Grover said frowning.

"It tastes the same to me." Piper said taking a bite of the meatball sub.

"It tastes different to me. Did you get the mozzarella cheese on the top?" Grover said sniffing the sub.

"No, I did not. Do you think the cheese has gone bad?"

"Can the school even serve expired food?" Jason asked.

"Technically yes. Public schooling is underfunded, it's not like taxes pay for divine cuisine. Which is why I brought my own lunch." Annabeth said eating her sandwich she packed.

"What do you think Percy? Should I risk finishing this sandwich. " Grover asked.

"How hungry are you?"

"Very."

"Would you rather have the feeling of starvation, or have a bit of a stomachache? I'm eating the sandwich with the possible expired cheese because I cannot go another hour being hungry." Percy advised taking a bite out of the sub.

"Good point." Grover took another bite of the meatball sub.

Annabeth rolled her eyes with the faintest of smiles.

Percy swallows the bite of the sandwich before he could choke. Percy has been spending more time analyzing Annabeth's expressions for the last month. He still doesn't believe it, but whenever she smiles at his jokes or blushes it sends mixed signals.

He wasn't sure how to act around her. Now he's gone back to being awkward around her as before he thought it was mutual dislike for each other, but now it's... different.

"Excuse me, would you mind if I stole my half brother for a moment?"

Percy dropped his sub as if it was on fire. He turned towards Triton who was standing behind him, bewildered, "Did you just announce our relation out loud?"

Triton rolled his eyes, "It isn't like they don't know already. C'mon on, it would take just a moment."

Percy felt his stomach drop at the absurdity of this situation. Did something happened? Was there another attack?

Percy got up and followed Triton out of the cafeteria and into the hallway. He led Percy to a desolate corner.

"You're hanging out with Luke." Triton said crossing his arms

"I really wouldn't call it hanging-"

"I told you to stay away."

"Oh, so that wasn't an hallucination? I asked you afterwards, and you refused to acknowledge the conversation even happened in the first place. If this has to do with the fact that Luke push me down the stairs-"

"He pushed you down the stairs? When?"

Right. No one knows about that incident on the first day of school.

"It doesn't matter. I'm not hanging out with Luke, I just happen to be assigned as his partner for a stupid project."

"Could you request to switch partners?"

"I'm going to need a solid reason for the teacher to consider it, which I don't have. Why does it matter if I work with him or not?"

Triton let out a sigh, "Something is going on."

Percy snorted, "Yeah like I haven't figured that out already. Are you going to give an actual answer?"

Triton shook his head, "I don't have proof yet."

"Don't have proof of what?"

Triton bit his lip, obviously debating if it was a good idea or not if he were to share the information he's been holding.

Percy rolled his eyes, "You wouldn't have risked talking about me in front of others, or call me your half brother if it wasn't important information to share."

"Promise me you won't tell dad until I have proof."

"Why would I need to involve dad?"

"Promise me. Swear on your mother's grave."

"That's a bit dramatic, is it not?"

"I'm serious Perseus."

"Fine. You don't have to use my full name... I swear on my mother's grave that I won't tell dad."

Triton glanced around the halls to make sure no was was listening. "I believe Luke is working with our grandfather."

"You cannot be serious."

"Well technically I don't have solid proof, which is why you cannot tell dad as he will go on another panic rage."

"What even makes you think he's working with our grandfather?"

"He knows too much. He knows stuff that he shouldn't even know."

"He has dated Thalia, he probably got the information from her. What kind of stuff does he know?" Percy asked.

"He hasn't outright stated, but hinted at the letters we've been getting. Thalia doesn't talk to him anymore, so she couldn't have told him. Have you told him about the letters?"

"No."

"Then he shouldn't know about them. You see my point?"

"Isn't that proof?"

"Not really. He has hinted not outright stated. I need further proof before we can get anyone involved."

"Are you sure you don't want to tell dad about it? Wouldn't we be sitting ducks until the next attack?"

"You swore, and you better keep it. As far as dad is aware Luke and I have a feud. He might think it's just that and me pointing the finger at whomever I don't like. Even if I believe it's more than a feud, I need something more than vague hints."

"Have you suspected this since Grandfather made his first appearance? Is that why you warned me the first time in November?"

"I've been here talking to you for too long. Remember what you swore." Triton started to walk away.

Percy wanted to scream. Why is so hard for Triton to give him a solid answer? At least he has gotten some explanation. He shook his head and back towards the cafeteria.

He sat back down at his seat, all of the group was giving him expectant expressions.

"What was that about?" Thalia asked.

Percy snorted, "Triton thinks I've been hanging out with Luke. Even though I only have been around Luke for the project."

Annabeth frowned, "Really? Triton never gave off the impression he cared."

"I didn't think he cared either, but I guess his image is at stake." Percy lied.

Thalia and Jason exchanged a look that Percy promptly ignored.

"Are you going to finish the sub, Percy?" Grover asked.

"No. I'm not hungry anymore, besides the sub probably has gotten cold anyhow."

Percy waited on the stairs outside of school. Ever since the beginning of the semester Triton has had swim practice after school, which means his father picks him up from school and drives back into the aquarium.

His father's car pulled into next to the stairs. Poseidon got out and tossed the keys to Percy.

Some days Poseidon would let Percy practice how to drive, and today was one of the days.

Percy caught the keys and slipped into the drivers seat. He began to adjust his seat as he was a bit shorter than his father, and moved to adjust the mirrors.

"How was school?"

"It was fine."

"Just fine? You looked troubled. Is everything alright?"

Percy buckled up his seatbelt trying to school his features, "Yeah I'm fine. Just a little stressed about the computer project I was talking about earlier."

"You still have two months before that project is even due, don't stress about it too much."

"You're right" Percy agreed while starting the engine.

"Alright, just like all the times we practiced before. Eyes on mirrors as you back out, remember to check your blind spots."

"Remember to keep your eye on the road, but also be vigilant at the cars around you. You never know if there's someone on the road that shouldn't be behind the wheel."

The Next Day

"Do you have the supplies?"

"Yes. Now this will probably take me all period so you might want to grab a chair, unless you can balance the whole period with one leg." Leo said while pulling the supplies from his bag.

"The good thing is, with all of the noise the saws are making my machinery will blend in with ambiance."

Leo finished taking out all of his supplies from his bag. "Alright give me the prosthetic."

Percy unstrapped his prosthetic and handed it over to Leo.

Leo adjusted his safety googles before setting to work. He began to disassemble the prosthetic into two parts, the upper portion and the lower portion. He began to cut parts of the upper and lower portion to hide the blade.

Within the ten minute mark he successfully cut the parts off, and begin to place the blade. The handle portion of the knife will be in the lower portion of the prosthetic with the blade pointing up towards the upper portion. This way Percy doesn't waste time unstrapping his prosthetic, rather he can press a button for the lower portion to be disassembled which will have the blade sticking out for him to use.

Percy continued to watch Leo work, amazed how fast he could work without making a mistake.

Percy would also periodically check to make sure the teacher was occupied by the Stolls. Which he was as Mr. Beckendorf had to correct every move the Stolls did with a saw.

Leo handed back the prosthetic which was now a hidden weapon.

"Well I got to say Percy. That this is one of the best pieces I ever created."

"Do you make other hidden weapons?"

"This is actually my first, but definitely not my last. I'm more intrigued with all the possible other weapons I could create. So I thank you for letting me experiment."

"I should be the one thanking you! After all you completed in almost a whole class period without the teacher noticing."

"The Stolls do provide one hell of a distraction."

"Don't get too many ideas, Leo. So I just press the button and the lower half will unlatch and I'll be able to swing the lower portion with the blade at my attacker?"

"Yes, that's what I designed it to do. Are you already playing out scenarios in your head where you might use it?"

"It's like you said, it's a dangerous world out there."

Leo Valdez - I'm sure most of you know Leo in the Heroes of Olympus series so I'll make it brief - One of the seven and son of Hephaestus. In the AU. He's a freshman transferring schools at the start of second semester (no relation to Hephaestus, but knows him well).

Mr. Beckendorf - Charles Beckendorf, son of Hephaestus in the PJO series. He's the teacher for woodshop class, and he has no relationship with Hephaestus.

The full version of the walrus rescue should be up in Wherever it Floats.