Percy Helps Annabeth Babysit

Set after The Last Olympian, Percy and Annabeth are dating and the only way he could see her is if he helped her babysit her brothers. I do not own any of the characters, they belong to Rick Riordan

There were times when I thought being nervous was just when I was about to face monsters. But now, flying in the air on my Pegasus, Blackjack, towards my girlfriend's house in San Francisco, I was thinking other things. I hadn't seen Annabeth in weeks and now I was helping her babysit her two brothers while her father and stepmom go to some aircraft conference for the night

Babysit? Shouldn't be too hard for one invulnerable son of Poseidon who fought monsters almost everyday. Still, as Blackjack landed at the front of the house, I was having doubts about it.

Yo boss! You look a bit green. Haven't been eating any seaweed, have you?

'No just a bit nervous that's all'

Oh…just don't vomit in front of her, otherwise that would be bad.

'Thanks for the advice,' I said, swallowing hard.

Hey no worries. Just whistle when you need. Good luck boss! Blackjack took off back into the sky, no doubt off to find a park to eat some grass in. I steeled all of the courage I had left and knocked on the door.

Mrs. Chase answered the door. She wore a nice cocktail dress that seemed to match the red highlights in her hair. 'Hello Percy,' she said smiling. 'Nice to see you again. Come on in.' I smiled nervously and followed her inside.

It hadn't changed much since the first time I entered the house. LEGO pieces were still scattered around the room like confetti. The cats weren't sleeping on the couch but their dishes lay in the kitchen empty. The magazines on the coffee table looked like that had been hastily tidied to look neater. I could see some bronze weapons glittering under clothes and in the corners of the room. As well as some architect books, which was the only sign that Annabeth lived here.

'Please don't mind all of the mess,' Mrs. Chase said, noticing I was looking around the room.

'No it's fine, honestly. My room looks a lot worse than this believe me,' I admitted. The real reason I was looking around was to see where Annabeth was.

Mr. Chase came stumbling from down the stairs to his study, trying to put on his suit jacket. His tie was loose around his collar and the back of his hair stuck up. His sons, Bobby and Matthew followed him, arguing about who won their LEGO fight. 'Oh, hello Percy,' Mr. Chase said, finally noticing me at the doorway, then he addressed his wife. 'Dear, we better hurry or we'll be late.'

'Okay. Percy, there is some food in the fridge and in the oven for tea so just help yourself,' she smiled again then went to help her husband to fix his tie. The unmistakable sound of thumping footsteps echoed on the steps followed by someone yelling that made my heart miss a beat. Bobby and Matthew took one look at each other then ran down the hall and out of sight.

'Bobby! Matthew! Where have you put my book? I know one of you stole it! Even the Hermes' kids wouldn't dare – oh,' but whatever Annabeth was going to say stopped in her throat when she saw me standing at the doorway.

Even though her face was red with anger and her hair everywhere. And her orange Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt and shorts were scruffy and messy like she had just thrown it together in a hurry, I thought she was still the most beautiful girl in the world.

I smiled at her. 'Hello Annabeth.'

'Percy…' she seemed to be having trouble grasping to words together. 'I didn't think you would come.'

'Why not? Babysitting sounds fun. Plus, it sounds like you might murder your brothers and I really shouldn't let that happen.'

She narrowed her eyes at him, then smiled slightly. 'I guess so.'

Mr. Chase coughed slightly beside me. 'Well, we're, um, off. We will see you later on.'

We said our goodbyes as they left. I still stood at the door awkwardly, not really knowing where to go.

Annabeth seemed to regain her composure and drifted over to the couch. She looked up quizzically. 'Are you going to sit down or not, Seaweed Brain?'

I nod, stumbled over a few stray LEGOs and sat next to her. We sat there, in silence for a few awkward moments. Being ADHD, this sorta gets to me so I ask. 'So…um, run into anymore monsters staying here?'

Annabeth looked at me funny, but answered. 'Yeah. Nearly everytime I step out of the doorway.'

'Oh…' I say, not really knowing where this was going. 'Cool. I mean, not cool. There wasn't any when I came over on Blackjack though.'

I was tripping over my words like a total fool but Annabeth just smiled slightly. 'Well maybe you just chased them all away with your scatter brain?' she said playfully.

I nudged her slightly. 'Hey! That was rude. To think I came all of this way just to help you babysit, too.'

'Really? You came here just to babysit my little brothers?' She pulled me closer so that we were nose to nose.

I smiled. 'Well, maybe not just babysit…'

She smiled then and placed her hand on the back of my neck. 'Good answer.'

Then her lips were on mine. I couldn't help but kiss her back. After being so long without seeing her, this was a wonderful start to the reunion. Just as Annabeth ran her fingers through my hair, my hands around her waist, holding her closer to me, her brothers returned from down the hall.

'Ooohhh… Wait 'til Mum gets home Annabeth. She's gonna get angry at you,' Bobby teases while Matthew just says, 'Yuck!'

'What for?' Annabeth says angrily, breaking away from me. I can't tell which one of us is redder. Annabeth from anger or me from embarrassment.

''Cause you said you'd help us and you aren't. And we're hungry,' Matthew said matter-of-factly.

'Yeah, once you give me my book back then I might help you,' she argued.

However, she got up, walked over into the kitchen. She slammed something into the oven and stood hunched over it, taking deep breaths. I walked over to her in the kitchen, with Bobby and Matthew trailing behind me like an obedient puppy. I look at them quizzically but continue until I am right behind Annabeth.

'Do you want a hand?' I asked softly.

'Can you get the water out of the fridge, please?' she still wouldn't turn around.

I decided it was best not to question her too much. If she wanted to talk she would, eventually. I didn't understand how she could be happy one minute, then upset the next. Guess it's a girl thing. I did as she asked, getting cups out of the cupboard as well.

'Do you guys want a drink of water?' I asked, tilting my head over to see Bobby and Matthew.

They nod silently, receiving their glasses with a few muttered 'thanks' then returned to their LEGO game.

When they were occupied, I took Annabeth in my arms. She didn't complain, just rested her head on my shoulder. 'You alright?'

'It's just so frustrating. They are always there ,' she said into my chest. 'I don't get anytime to myself around here.'

'Well how about I keep them occupied for a bit while that's cooking,' I gestured to the oven. 'And you can do what you like?'

'But I wanted to spend time with you,' she whispered.

'I know. Oh Gods, I know. But we still have all night.'

Annabeth pulled away smiling, kissed me lightly on the lips. 'You're on, Seaweed Brain.'