"Excuse me?" Annabeth had zoned out, only barely tuning in when Percy said her name. She turned her dumbfounded look from Hedge to Percy.
Ignoring Hedge's next statement about how she couldn't go anywhere with "Mr. Sneaky Jackson," Annabeth tilted her head, a silent question to Percy's worried look.
"I'll be there," Frank pointed out, not very eloquent with his words. He looked around the table and said, "You should see them fight together."
"Out of the question!" Hedge yelled. "I said grounded and I mean grounded."
After it was settled that Frank, Percy and Hedge would be going, their breakfast council dispersed. Percy quickly grabbed Annabeth's arm to stop her from going to her room.
Hedge barked, "Jackson!" and Percy held up both hands.
"I'm just gonna talk to her," he grumbled. "Up on deck, out in the open, where everyone can see us."
The satyr looked like he was going to object but he pursed his lips and said, "Fine, you've got five minutes."
They started to head up the stairs when Hedge added, "And keep your hands where I can see them."
Percy turned away and rolled his eyes. He took Annabeth to the railing, wanting to grasp her hands in his but knowing Hedge would be up in a matter of seconds.
Annabeth's eyes were still swollen from the night before and during the entire meeting she looked on edge, like tears would begin spilling over at any second. He quickly pushed her hair behind her ear and said, "Hey."
She raised her eyebrows, waiting.
"Are you okay?" he asked, quietly.
Her bottom lip quivered. She bit it to try to stop it.
"Annabeth," he said, urgently. He grabbed her hands, despite the fact that Hedge was watching them.
"Hey!" he yelled but Percy ignored him.
"What's going on?" he asked, trying to clamp down his annoyance at their chaperone.
Annabeth couldn't meet his eyes as a single tear made its way down her cheek. Her breath was shaky. She whispered, brokenhearted, "I wasn't a good mother."
Before he could argue against her statement or ask what she meant, Hedge was pulling him away by the collar. Percy tried to swat his hand away but Hedge had a firm grip.
By the time he let go, Annabeth had already made her way back below deck.