"So, you have that date today?" Piper asked, munching on a packet of chips and scrolling through her phone.

"Yeah, honestly I don't want to go, I think he's a food safety researcher or something, " Annabeth said sitting opposite Piper.

"That doesn't matter, he's a good friend of Jason's, which means he's a decent guy, and you need to go on dates; it's been a while," Piper said, rocking in her chair.

Annabeth sighed, after the whole Percy thing Piper thought it would be best if she went out with someone, to get her mind off things or particularly someone.

"Anyways, how did the date with Jason go?" Annabeth asked, wiggling her eyebrows. Piper flashed her a grin. "It was perfect, absolutely perfect. He was such a gentleman; we went to this high-priced restaurant, and then a movie—the one with Jennifer Lawrence."

Piper then sat up straight, looking serious. "But he didn't kiss me," she exclaimed. "I mean, he did everything right, but he didn't kiss me!"

Her mind wandered back to last night, the kiss with Percy, his lips so soft yet firm, and he smelled of ocean breeze; his hair was crisp against her forehead.

"Annabeth !" Piper shook her leg "Are you even listening to me ?"

"Yeah, yeah, Jason didn't kiss you; it's not a big deal, maybe he just wants to take things slow," Annabeth said, focusing back on Piper.

"Just give him some time "

"Wait, what happened to your colectomy?" Annabeth asked as she got up.

"Postponed, the wife got him a cheeseburger and fries just before surgery; gosh, the things people do!"

Annabeth nodded. "Dr. Chase, do you have a minute? I need a consult." Hazel said as she stopped in front of her, a file in her hand.

"I'm actually off duty now; is Dr. Malcom not present?"

"He's in surgery right now; it'll be quick," Hazel said eagerly.

Annabeth looked at her watch, "Fine, actually walk with me." Hazel smiled and opened the file, walking alongside Annabeth. "The scans came out clean, but the heart looks enlarged."

Annabeth took the file from Hazel, holding it up for a better look. Behind the file, at a distance, stood William, her date. "Gosh, he's early," Annabeth said to Hazel. "Can you give me a minute?"

"Hey," Annabeth said, standing in front of him and smiling a bit.

"Oh hey, wow, I knew you were a doctor, but wow, you're a doctor, " he said raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, I'm sorry… I didn't have time to change."

"No, no, it's fine, actually it's quite sexy," he said, taking a deep breath.

"Thanks," Annabeth said nodding slowly, "actually I need ten minutes, something came up."

"Oh, no problem. I'll just be here waiting." He pointed to the waiting area.

"hey stranger"

Annabeth turned around to see the smiling face of Percy.

"Hey, what are you doing here? I didn't know you were going to be here today," she asked a bit fazed.

"they called me for a blood glucose test, and just gave me a nasty orange Kool-Aid to drink. I've to give them my urine or blood. We don't need to talk about my bodily fluids " he finished.

Annabeth glanced at William, who just looked amused; Percy also seemed to notice him. "Sorry to be rude," he said, stretching out his hand to shake William's.

"Oh sorry yah um, William this is Percy, Percy this William" Annabeth gestured.

"Are you uh a patient of Annabeth's?" William asked

Annabeth looked at Percy and he gave her a small smile. "Um, something like that," he said. Annabeth hummed in agreement.

She looked between William and Percy, smiling. "Anyway, I gotta go; I'll be back, promise." And with that, she fled as quickly as possible.

Annabeth closed her locker and looked in the mirror; she had finally changed, the scrubs just gave her a weird feeling now that she knew William liked them.

She walked out of the locker room, straight toward the waiting area, where Percy and William were deep in conversation.

"Hey, I'm sorry it took a bit longer, " she said

"No problem, Percy here kept me company, although he's probably sick of me by now, I've been grilling him about his Olympic swimming competition, you didn't mention he's an Olympic swimmer " William said as he stood up grabbing his jacket.

"Oh, I didn't know he was an Olympic swimmer," Annabeth said, looking confused.

"It's not a big deal, really," Percy said, waving his hand through his hair.

"I'm keeping you guys held up; don't you have some restaurant reservation waiting for you?" Percy said getting up as well.

William laughed; his phone rang. He pulled it out and said, "Uh, I'm going to have to take this. Just a moment." He walked away a bit farther.

"So before he gets off the phone, and since I've got to go pee in a cup," Percy says. He pauses. "I just have to say this, though. I spent the last half hour on a first date with William. Don't know how much you know about him, but this is what I know."

Percy glanced at William " he wears driving gloves, um yah, he doesn't live with his mother but until recently he lived above her, and he is yet to tell me a story about himself in which he isn't a hero..., so as uh as your husband…..I think we can do better " he finished as he scratched his neck.

"Hey, not only did I get us a newer reservation, but I also got us a table at the window " William exclaimed, obviously proud of himself.

"So, uh...ready?" he asked, looking between Percy and Annabeth.

"Yeah, ready," Annabeth said glancing at Percy as she walked towards the elevator with William, his hand on her back.

She looked back at Percy, who stood there looking at her with a hard expression on his face. The elevator opened, and William motioned for her to get in; she looked at Percy again, only to find him still staring back at her.