Disclaimer: As you have already guessed I don't own PJO!

"If you have the courage to love, you have the courage to suffer."
-Unknown

Percy:

The cold New York wind hit my face like daggers and I pulled my coat tighter around my body. The streets where still filled with people who apparently didn't mind the freezing weather.

I stepped into the nearest Starbucks, which was surprisingly quiet, and ordered a coffee. I sat down at a window seat and watched the people bustling around outside.

As I glanced around I noticed a little girl sitting at the table in front of me. She had curly blonde hair and was facing her back to me. The little girl looked about two and was speaking gibberish to her mother.

"Mwummy cwan we pwease gwo hwome." The little girl asked.

I felt my heart sink as I remembered…No snap out of it Percy. I got up from my seat, took my coffee and left the café.

I continued to walk down the busy street. I brushed the memory of the little girl out of my mind and glanced around at my surroundings. Something on the opposite side of the street caught my eye.

A poster had been stuck in the window of a clothing store; it showed a tall skinny woman lying on the beach. The woman's hair was draped around her face and her arms sat casually next to her head. She wore an emerald green one piece bathing suit that had ruffles on a deeply V cut neck. The woman's piercing grey eyes where breathtaking and her plump lips had been colored bright pink with lipstick. I had seen the woman in advertisements and on the cover of many fashion magazines, but what I really long for was to see that woman, Annabeth Chase, once again in real life.

As I stared across the street at the beautiful picture of Annabeth a voice behind me caught my attention.

'Excuse me Mr. Jackson." A woman's voice asked uncertainly.

I turned to see a news reporter and a camera man standing behind me. The reporter was holding a large microphone and looking at me with a questionable expression. I knew what the reporter wanted and although I had discussed the matter many times the memories it brought back where almost too hard to handle.

"Mr. Jackson, can we please ask you a few quick questions about you rescue last week?" The female reporter asked.

"I'm sorry, but I have been asked not to discuss the matter." I replied in a serious voice.

I felt slightly nervous as a crowd began to form around me.

"Please Mr. Jackson can you just tell us what condition the vessel was in when your crew arrived and how do you feel about the death of you fellow crew mates."

The reporter's voice became blurred and low in my mind as I remembered the rescue.

I remembered sitting in a large Coast Guard rescue helicopter watching out the window as a half sunken yacht drifted though the rough seas. I could hear the helicopters radio announcing the situation. Apparently a rich family had been yachting of the west American coast when they hit rough seas and capsized. My rescue partner Alex pointed down at the yacht where a small group of terrified people clung to their vessel. I quickly pulled open the helicopters door, did a few safety checks and dived into the freezing water below, closely followed by my partner.

Alex and I swum towards the sinking yacht and began to calm the frightened family. I grabbed hold of a little girl; she looked about two and had a terrified expression on her face. The girl wore a life vest that was far too big for her and her short blonde hair was drenched with water. I waved at the helicopter above me and a large rescue raft was dropped down beside us. I began to lode the little girl into the raft when a huge wave washed over me and ripped the girl from my hands. I cursed at my father for the rough seas and looked around franticly for the little girl. I could hear screams of terror coming from the sinking boat and I whipped my head around to see a huge wave coming towards me. I grabbed the little girl, who I could know see bobbing in the water, and with all my strength willed the wave to move around us. The wave split through the middle and travelled right around the little girl and me, but it did not miss the sinking yacht. I watch in horror as the wave picked up the boat and crashed it into the low flying helicopter. I heard gut retching screams and saw an enormous explosion as the helicopter burst into flames and my vision went blank.

"Mr. Jackson? Mr. Jackson." The reporters voice pulled me from my memories.

My head throbbed and my sight was fuzzy but I managed to look the reporter in the eye.

"I'm sorry but I am not entitled to speak about the matter." I told her, turning on my heels and walking away.

I could hear the reporter calling my name, but I didn't look back. I hailed the first cab I saw and jumped into it as quickly as I could.

"Where we heading'?" the cab driver asked.

I took a deep breath before answering the man. "East 74th please."

Authors Note:

Did you like it? Why do you think Percy is so down? What happened to the rescue mission? Why isn't Annabeth in his life anymore? Please review and I will answer all the questions! No review= No update!