Percabeth - Timeless AU

Chapter 1

"Don't forget the assignment on Kennedy conspiracies is due on Tuesday." She called out after the crowds of students leaving the lecture hall.

Hurriedly, Annabeth grabbed her belongings. She was never someone to complain about her workload but still, she would be glad to have the weekend away from grading papers. Today was the first day this semester where none of her classes had anything to hand in. Her own fault for setting so much, really.

~~~

The house was a mess. As soon as the door swung open, she heard her brothers causing a racket. It was expected of two fifteen year old boys, but honestly, Annabeth would be glad for a night off.

She peeked around the office door on her way in, not surprised to see her dad slumped over another piece of work. This weeks project was a large, blimp looking thing Annabeth recognised from her studies. The Hindenburg. After one final glance at her fathers sleeping form, she decided to head to the kitchen.

Annabeth was tired and her brothers were fifteen so all she had to do was text them 'pizza?' before they replied with their orders.

"Careful, you'll wake dad." She said when they stormed downstairs for food thirty minutes later. The boys only rolled their eyes. Nothing would wake their dad now, he slept like a corpse.

Friday night was movie night and it was Matthew's choice this week, so of course it was some Marvel nonsense that Annabeth didn't pretend to understand - she hadn't concentrated through the first few and now the sequels were lost on her.

Bobby was stealthily attempting to steal a handful of Annabeth's fries when the doorbell rang. Thankful for the excuse to leave for a moment, she went to answer the door.

"Professor Chase?" The man at the door was dressed in some type of uniform she didn't recognise and was holding a badge for her to see. "You need to come with us."

Frowning, Annabeth tried to comprehend what was going on. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

By now, Bobby and Matthew were stood behind her listening in. The man at the doorway - a young, buff looking guy - was glancing at his watch.

"No time to explain, Miss, I'm sorry. It's urgent." He was headed to his car and a woman in a similar uniform was waiting with the door open.

Annabeth wasn't stupid enough to follow the instructions of any man that knocked on her door, but this one had a badge and uniform and smiled sympathetically when she stumbled over her words. "I- What?"

His coworker came over and flashed Annabeth an apologetic smile. "I'm Hazel, and this is Frank. We can explain as much as we can on the way there, but we're in a bit of a rush and need your assistance."

With a glance back at her brothers, Annabeth nodded, no less confused. She could leave, no doubt about it. They were old enough to stay home alone, even if dad was technically in the next room. "Stay safe, you two. Door locked until I get back, okay? Make sure you turn the lights off when you go to bed." Annabeth didn't usually kiss their cheeks as a goodbye, but something felt off this time and Matthew's determined nod along with Bobby's puzzled face sent a pang down to her gut.

The first guy, Frank, stepped aside so that Annabeth could walk to the car. She patted her pockets for her keys and phone before getting in the backseat.

"I love you, boys. See you soon." Annabeth called out, before Hazel closed the door on her and sat herself in the front.

Something didn't feel right. Annabeth wasn't stupid, she knew how crazy it was that she was in the backseat of a car with people she'd never met, driving to God knows where. Something was wrong.

~~~

The building was undeniably huge. When they pulled up outside, Annabeth's head was spinning and trying to put all the pieces together. Hazel had told her she had been specially chosen for something very confidential. She couldn't work out what that was for the life of her.

The building had large letters on the side and Annabeth cursed her dyslexia. "What does that say?" She asked, nodding to the words. Black writing on a navy wall really didn't sit well with her reading abilities.

"Olympus Industries," Frank said, without even looking.

A moment later, they had pulled up next to some back entrance. "This is where we leave you." Hazel said, helping Annabeth out the car and unlocking the building entrance with her fingerprint. "Head down here and take a left. There's a waiting room. Someone will come and find you in a minute."

Hazel smiled in encouragement and closed the door between them. Annabeth was alone.

~~~

The waiting room was minimalistic with its white tiled floor and navy walls. There were chairs lining two of the walls and a plant in one corner, but what caught Annabeth's attention was the man.

He looked to be about her age with unkempt, jet black hair. His eyes were shut and his chin was against his chest, but even with a neck roll peeking over his collar, Annabeth had to admit he was good looking.

Taking a chair across from him, she spoke quietly. "Are you asleep?"

"No, ma'am." His words surprised her and she startled for a moment before she composed herself. His voice was husky, maybe she had woken him.

"Do you know why we're here?" Annabeth asked, looking at where he slouched, eyes still shut.

A huff, and then: "No, ma'am."

She rolled her eyes. "We're pretty much the same age, you know. So you don't have to call me ma'am."

He smirked and his eyes flicked open. They were a vibrant green that sparkled in amusement. "Noted," A pause before he added "ma'am."

Annabeth glared and turned away from him, unlocking her phone. She was distinctly aware of his eyes on her but she chose to pay no mind, aware that she had stared at him just previously, the only difference being his eyes had been closed.

She opened her message thread with Bobby and Matthew, smiling when she noticed they'd sent a video. Annabeth hit play and watched as Matthew locked the door in slow motion, wide grin on his face. Bobby laughed loudly from behind the camera and Annabeth hurried to turn down her volume.

Underneath the video, Bobby had written
'Knew you'd worry about us not locking up so here ya go ;)'

She typed a reply. 'Haha, glad you're safe. Not sure what I'm doing atm but i'll keep you as updated as I can' Her phone buzzed as Matthew sent a thumbs up in response.

The door opened and Annabeth tucked her phone into her pocket, even the man opposite her seemed to wake a bit more. An elder gentleman walked in and nodded to them both. He offered a hand to Annabeth and she stood to shake it.

"Annabeth Chase, your reputation precedes you." Her smile was tight at his words,
still unsure of why she was here.

"And Percy Jackson." The green eyed man, Percy, stood and smiled, offering the gentleman his hand too. "We've heard a lot about you.

"I'm Chiron. I guess you're both wondering why you're here. I'm afraid our explanation must be brief but know that we can inform you of much more when you return."

Return? Annabeth's head was spinning. From where?

"Follow me. I'll show you the time machine."