A/N: Sneak peek to sequel "Pandemonium Hearts II". Go to the actual stpry under M-rated tag for full.

Percy's original plan was to enjoy his meal in peace at the Poseidon table. Alone. Whilst he pondered over the new tasks for the camp juniors. Enjoying one of the rare moments of relax he could afford. But given his luck, he might as well have been asking a goddess for her hand in marriage when he was a donkey.

"Nico! Tell us your adventures!"

"Gawd, Nico! What happened to that scar?"

"Nico! Come sit over here – It's a free seat!"

"Nico, come on! Tell me how'd you grow so tall in such a short time!"

"Nico!"

"Nico!"

"Nico!"

Percy was on the verge of pressing his palms to the sides of his head to keep it from literally splitting apart. Did he mention that the shrieks of twelve years old and rather "young" kids were a pain?

It was true that Nico didn't have a table of his own just yet. He and Chiron were considering one, but somehow whenever he visited it had become a tradition for him to sit with Percy. Plus, he naturally sat with Percy because: a) the nephew of Poseidon and Zeus, though comparing the choices, it was much safer for him to eat with the Sea God with Percy there for permission (as far as Percy would think, Zeus was much more – "stingy" is the kind word – to share things, and much more short-tempered); b) Percy was the only "guardian" Nico trusted, and; c)he still had the nature to prefer being alone.

It was also once considered an almost natural pattern that, aside shy approaches from newbies who originally just came to talk to Percy (courageous ones tried sparking a conversation to Nico after a "Hi"), Nico was hardly the focus of attention of people. Once. Now, with the excited campers crowded around the corner of a table, which happened to be where Nico was sitting, Percy was scared to some extent. The natural characteristic of shadow-Nico was temporarily absent.

Nico was having a fairly hard deal responding to these sudden attentions.

"Hey, Melissa. Long time no see. Oh, this? I got this when a hellhound not Mrs O'Leary attacked me. Cynthia! Great to see you fine. Danny, don't punch your brother. Yes, Portia, I remember all of your names."

Gods, Percy itched to punch the son of Hades in the face. He sounded like some celebrity in school who had a hard time warding off school fans. And Percy, considerably "close" to him by thousands of meanings, was disgusted.

"Nico, for goodness's sake! Why don't you go over there to the Athena's table and answer the questions? Or better still; go to the camp fire later! You're free to talk there without having to bother people from eating!"

Under normal circumstances Percy would never show others his discomfort. But the stress was immense he had to show it to the whole world so they can leave him in peace. He wanted peace for a moment.

Nico raised his eyebrows at him. After a moment of processing, he smirked and turned to the group.

"Kay, guys. Let's go somewhere else. I don't want to trouble Percy any further. Besides, he does look tired."

How tired did he look like Percy didn't know, but from the gasps and nodding of heads he guessed it must've been spelt out quite obviously. Nico took his tray of food and stood up, leading the way to the camp fire outside and soon Percy had his environment of tranquility back. He sighed in relief and sunk back to his bench. A movement on his right, and Annabeth had crept up to him beside.

She smiled, "You alright, Seaweed Brain?"

He smiled. "Yeah, I'm alright."

"Wow. The sulking demigod transforms into a smiling one the moment I come," she said, grinning.

"Actually, you have a point," he nodded in agreement, "but I think Nico disappearing from here did most of it. You spearing just happened to be the second BIG layer of happiness that followed."

She shrugged in amusement. And from the way she could not stop smiling, obviously happy.

He noticed she was crouching whilst leaning on the bench for support: an act clearly not "sitting at other's tables". He couldn't help feeling awed by her boldness. Nevertheless he thought the better of it and, to her surprise, slunk down to sit on the floor beside her. He offered her his plate of chips. She glanced at it, and took one, munching it with appreciation.

They stayed like that for a while in silence. He asked, "How's life?"

She shrugged. "Fine, I guess. If what you call fighting monsters once a week outside mortal school without being hurt too much fine."

He frowned. "That isn't fine, Annabeth."

"But we're half-bloods. Isn't my life considered the lucky one?" she asked.

As a matter of fact, she was right. Most kids never survive attacks outside camp that often, and Percy himself had never managed to stay in a school after each monster assaults (minus the school he's now going Goode High).

"Still, you had trouble with you stepmom about that last time, right?"

She shrugged again. "She's okay now. Since I always take a maddeningly long and complex detour home, more than upset she's worried about me not being able to come back home. Well, I guess that's what happens when I really love my stepbrothers."

Percy smiled. "Great news then." He thought for a moment. "But really, if you have trouble call me, okay? I can fly over once I whistle for Mrs O'Leary."

She blinked. "You still have that Stygian whistle?"

"No," he admitted, "but I trained calling out to her just like what I did with Blackjack. Though she's still getting the hand of it."

She chuckled. "You wouldn't be much of a help then."

"Hey!"

"I know, I know, you're genuinely offering you help. I know, okay, Percy?"

He huffed in displeasure, but one look at that mischievous grin she had, it was hard for him to stay purely mad for long.

"Then," he said, "at least call me when you have troubles. Promise?"

"I won't have too much troubles," she pointed out, "but I'll call, just for fun."

"What fun?" Percy asked, puzzled.

"To make you get all worked up worrying sick about me," she giggled.

Percy frowned. "Yeah. Wait till you see – I'll be beside you the next moment feeling relieved you've settled the case yourself."

She thought about this response. "That doesn't counter anything from me."

"No, it doesn't." Percy agreed. It was meant to be a reply without much of a meaning except for just "replying".

They stayed silent again, with the rest of the kids pouring out of the pavilion.

"I'll call you when I'm in trouble," she reassured, "and also when I'm on rocky edges with Sam."

This time his frown was genuine. "You have problems with your boyfriend?"

She sighed. "Not exactly. But you know, there are some times when a girl cannot understand her boy, much less a boy. So I might need, you know, advice from a guy-friend like you so I can decide whether or not to forgive him."

Percy thought about this for a good moment. "Err, I'm not sure if I am suitable for that," he said uneasily, "besides: what are you going to do if I gave you a bad impression about that guy when he's actually innocent?"

"Hm, true," she said, "then when I know he's innocent I'll come back to you."

"I don't like the sound of that."

Soon the last trios were trickling out of the pavilion.

"So are you and Sam alright?" Percy asked.

"Yes. Just…feeling unstable sometimes when I haven't heard from him. It's been three days."

"He'll get back to you," Percy cajoled. Annabeth nodded gratefully, and stood, patting away dust from her runt. "It was awesome talking to you," she said.

He nodded. "Take care."

She winked, "I will, big brother."

"Good night, little sis," he grinned. She grinned back one last time before running back to her cabin. Percy smiled; he enjoyed these little moments with Annabeth, and thoroughly enjoyed the little siblings bond they shared between.

A/N: End of sneak peek.