Percy was dressed nicely. He had on a dark green button down shirt (his mom said it brought out his eyes) and a black coat with dress pants. He didn't understand why they had to dress nicely for this. Why did Sam and Katie have to pick a nice restaurant?

Of course there were perks to double dating. Annabeth was wearing a simple, little black dress and it looked great on her. He'd been speechless when she opened her dorm door.

"Earth to Seaweed Brain," Annabeth smirked as she interrupted his not-so-subtle ogling. "We're finally being seated."

She took his hand and led the way to their table. The restaurant was dimly lit, a "romantic atmosphere" he supposed. They were at a little booth with a lone candle in the middle of the table. Sam and Katie slide into one side as Percy gallantly gestured "Ladies first," allowing Annabeth to scoot onto the cushion first.

They all started chatting about school, sports, teachers they hated and the girls discussed the latest gossip. Percy wasn't really paying too much attention to the conversation: He was watching Annabeth. He rarely saw her dressed up and he couldn't seem to take his eyes off of her. And he loved the blush that made her cheeks glow when she caught him staring.

"Stop it, Seaweed Brain," She murmured to him, nudging his thigh.

"What can I say, Wise Girl, " Percy murmured back with a half smile, kissing her temple.

"How long have you guys been going out again?" Percy had forgotten Sam and Katie were watching the whole exchange. Katie was looking expectant, waiting for an answer.

"A little over a year," Annabeth answered, tucking her hair (which was rarely down) behind her ear. Percy knew she probably knew the exact number of months and days: he did and he wasn't half as smart as her. They had been going out for a year, and 2 months.

"Wo-o-ow," Sam mumbled, his eyebrows inching up his forehead. "That's like…wow."

Percy chuckled. He knew their relationship was not "normal" for many reasons, and he found it funny the most obvious one to his classmates was its longevity. They didn't understand how he could already love somebody.

"Can I take your order?" The waitress interrupted Sam's dumbstruck muttering.

"Uhhhh…" Sam replied. The waitress' whole body was angled toward Sam. Percy couldn't see her face, but judging by Sam's he must have been pretty hot. Percy glanced over at Annabeth, smirking. Her mouth was twitching trying to suppress laughter at Sam's shameless staring.

"Ahem," Katie cleared her voice. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the waitress.

"Miss, I'll be with you in a moment," The waitress replied coolly. Hmm…kind of rude wait staff, Percy thought idly. Sam still hadn't replied. Percy kicked him under the table.

"Uh…I'll have a burger," Sam stammered. Never taking his eyes off of the waitress. "Please," he breathed. Percy shook his head slightly, smiling at Sam's lack of subtlety.

"Sam! What is wrong with you!?" Katie snarled, slapping Sam on the shoulder.

"Silly mortal girl! Shut your insuf— Sam?" The waitress' hiss stopped short in a surprised tone. Mortal, she had said. Percy glanced furtively at Annabeth. She was not longer smiling; she had noticed it too.

"Yes! Sam, my boyfriend, you whore!" Katie replied angrily.

"Katie," Percy said in a warning tone. He noticed Annabeth reach for her small purse (a clutch? Is that what girls call them?) to get her knife. I already had Riptide in pocketed my hand.

"Shut up, Percy!" Katie shouted as the waitress' head snapped his way, "This bitch was hitting on my boyfriend!"

"Perseus Jackson," The waitress hissed, interrupting Katie's tirade. Her voice…Percy felt a familiar fog seize his brain. Percy struggled to remain coherent.

"An empousa…" He mumbled to Annabeth. He should stand up…He should uncap Riptide…right now…But Percy couldn't seem to look away from the beautiful waitress. His muscles felt disjointed and sluggish.

"Percy!" Annabeth hissed next to him, turning his head to look at her. No, silently protested at being pulled away. Her voice sounded far away. "Oh for the gods' sakes." Annabeth pushed him out of the booth.

The jolt of landing on the floor jarred Percy. He snapped his head up and saw Annabeth attack the empousa. He stood and uncapped Riptide in one fluid motion. The empousa almost had Annabeth. People were screaming in the restaurant.

"Hey!" Percy shouted to get the demon's attention. "Get away from my girlfriend!" He shouted as he lunged with his sword. The empousa barely jumped in time to dodge the strike. While the empousa was off-balance Percy swung his sword. The waitress was dust.

A hard hand slapped his face. "You are such a Seaweed Brain!" Annabeth growled. Percy felt his cheeks heat up. Gods, how embarrassing! He had acted like a lovesick 14 year old— again!

"Yeah…Sorry, Annabeth." Percy looked down, ashamed as he apologized. There was no reply. Finally he glanced up to see Annabeth waiting with an eyebrow raised. To his immense surprise, she laughed.

"You look like a kicked puppy dog! Its okay Seaweed Brain— but you better not do it again," She ended with a more serious face.

"Aye aye."

Percy finally looked around. Katie had shrunk back in her seat staring at the pair with a look of sheer horror on her face. Sam was doing his best to try and look brave despite the fact of clearly being terrified. Screams and yelling filled the restaurant.

"Ugh, we have to manipulate the mist. They probably all think we killed the damn waitress," Annabeth groaned.

She turned, snapped her fingers and murmured something to Katie and Sam. The pair smiled and laughed at whatever Annabeth said. "Go to all the tables and tell them the waitress had a breakdown at our table. We need another."

"Aye aye." Percy replied again, smirking. He went from table to table repeating what Annabeth had told him. Most people laughed. Some looked around like they weren't so sure they liked this restaurant after all. Most just gave Percy a funny look and told him they didn't give a fuck. Typical New Yorkers.

Finally they settled in for dinner. Percy was still on end. Jumping at any crashes in the kitchen or dropped glasses. He would have thought he was being stupid if he hadn't felt Annabeth jolting every time there was a loud noise too. But the dinner was uneventful.

"You know, Wise Girl," Percy said as he brought her back to her boarding school. "I just don't think we are a double dating couple. Not that I don't like you getting all dressed up," Percy's eyes ventured to her outfit again," but I was kind of on edge all night," Percy said with a chuckle. Annabeth laughed.

"For once, Seaweed Brain, I think you might be right. I think we attract a bit too much attention to double date." Annabeth responded smiling.

"So next time I'll just tell Sam or Logan or whoever that you really hate them, okay?"

"Har har, Seaweed Brain…Don't tell them I hate them…But I have no desire to go on a double date with one of your meat headed water polo friends. No offense," Annabeth rectified quickly at Percy's angry look.

"Hey! They are not all meatheads…just some of them. Though," Percy snickered, "Sam was pretty typical meat head today with the waitress tonight."

"You're one to talk!"

"Oh come on. I was not as bad as Sam." Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "Shut up. The point is: no more double dates. Deal?"

"Deal." They had reached her dorm room. She inserted the key and opened the door. " 'Night Seaweed Brain," she whispered with a kiss.

"Sleep well, Wise Girl," Percy murmured back, kissing her once more. She backed into her room and shut the door smiling. Percy turned and walked back down the hall. His chuckle filled the quiet hall as he recalled Sam's awestruck face from dinner again.