PJO/HoO Chapters in Annabeth's POV

The Mark of Athena - Charleston Harbor

Scene from: The Mark of Athena - The docks at Charleston Harbor

[Percy's POV]

It was still early when Percy woke. Stretching to remove the stiffness in his limbs, he raked his fingers through his hair, and rubbed the dried crust from his eyes, noticing how he seemed to remember having a dream that night, just not able to remember what it was about. Odd.

Changing quickly and pocketing Riptide, Percy came above deck to see Leo at the helm. "Why are you up this early?" he asked.

Leo shrugged. "Gotta make sure we're not heading into a trap. If we got monsters waiting for us in Charleston, all they'll get to see is the bow of my ship ready to squash them under-board."

Percy smirked. "You make sure of that, then." He walked to the edge of the rail, and rested his palms against its smooth surface, remembering the fear he had endured while stuck in Porky's sea monster performing, aquatic death trap. He shuddered, remembering the fear he had felt when the water had come crashing through the glass walls, for some odd reason believing that he'd be unable to breath once his head submerged.

He shouldn't think about it. He was a son of Poseidon. He knew his power wouldn't suddenly betray him. It was part of him! That was as if he were to think that his arm would suddenly decide to pop right out of its own socket with a cheerful, Goodbye! I'm gonna go find another dude's shoulder to attach myself to!

He breathed slowly, leaning outward over the water of the seas around them, wondering when they'd make it to Charleston. A sudden idea crossed his mind. Thinking about those captive sea animals in Porky's aquarium had left Percy searching his thoughts, looking for a solution. Since Jason, Frank, Leo and the girls would be gone for the majority of the day, that meant he would have the day to himself, and he was definitely not going to be spending it with Coach Hedge, watching Bruce Lee kick Chuck Norris's hindquarters. He would dive into Charleston Harbor to see if he could consult a Nereid's advice on freeing those captives. He needed a fresh douse of natural water anyway. Being in that Neptune-forsaken tank made him feel like he'd taken a dip in a Octavian's toilet.

* * *

It didn't take long to reach the harbor. By mid-morning, Leo docked the Argo II at a pier beside the seawall, and he, Jason and Frank departed, informing Percy they'd be back by sundown. Percy watched as the three of them walked down the ramp, off the ship, and disappeared into the town, milling with the tourists, and eventually leaving Percy's eye.

Percy stayed aboard the ship, looking out into the water, thinking to himself until the sun eventually burned through the clouds. By the time the girls came above deck, the sun shown brightly in a cloudless sky, and he was definitely craving a good splash in the harbor.

The girls exchanged quick words, reporting that they were ready to get going, but before they left, Annabeth walked over to him, lacing her fingers in his."What are you going to do while we're gone?"

Percy looked out over the bay. "Jump into the harbor," he said. "I want to try communicating with the local Nereids. Maybe they can give me some advice about how to free those captives in Atlanta. Besides, I think the sea might be good for me. Being in that aquarium made me feel...unclean."

Annabeth gazed at him for a couple seconds, and her expression slowly changed. Percy tried to read her eyes. It was difficult, but it almost looked like forlorn. The look melted off her face just as fast. She leaned forward and kissed him. "Good luck, Seaweed Brain. Just come back to me, okay?"

Percy nodded. "I will. You do the same."

Annabeth looked at him for a moment longer, then her eyes turned down, her feet shuffling for a second, almost as if she were hesitating. Then she turned to Piper and Hazel. "Okay, ladies. Let's find the ghost of the Battery."