Crossing Paths[Sequel to You're My Everything]

Chapter Twelve: They Balance Each Other Out

Percy

For the next few weeks, things were completely normal. I went to work, hung out with friends, took Annie to school, and around the circle again. For some reason, Annabeth, Piper, and Jason had been acting very strange lately.

"Hey, Wise Girl." I said, running to catch up with her on the sidewalk. Annabeth looked up, startled.

"O-Oh. Hey. What are you doing in the city?"

"I work here...same as you. Can't a guy talk to his friend?" I noticed that she flinched at the word 'friend'.

"Yeah...yeah."

I frowned. "You alright?"

"I'm fine." She didn't seem fine. I stepped in front of her.

"Oh really? You don't seem fine."

Annabeth's eyes darkened. "Percy I'm–" she stopped. "Fine." she finished. I sighed, and we kept walking.

"You want anything to eat?"

"No. I'm not hungry." she said stiffly.

"Okay..." A few minutes later, she was shivering, which was strange. For October, it was really warm. "Want my jacket?" I asked.

"S-Sure." I put it over her shoulders, but she was still shivering.

"You know, it's a really nice day."

"Mhm." Annabeth was clenching her teeth, looking pained.

"Okay, you're scaring me now." I said. Annabeth turned to me, and her face was red, but not from anger. I felt her forehead.

"You're burning up. I'm taking you home." She tried to protest, but she gave in. We walked back to her car.

"What about your truck?" she asked, weakly.

"I'll come get it later." I shrugged, turning on the vehicle.

"Thank you." 

"No problem." the drive was silent, but after about ten minutes, we got stuck in New York  traffic. And of course, that's when things got worse. Annabeth doubled over in pain, and started dry-heaving. 

"Shit..." I muttered. I rubbed her back until she sat up, looking pained.

"My stomach has knives in it." she mumbled, eyes closed.

"Where's it hurt?" 

"Lower right." If it was possible. I frowned even more.

"I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Percy, I'm sure it's just a stomach bug."

"But it could also be appendicitis."

"I do not have appendicitis."

"I still want to make sure." As traffic started to move, I turned into the next lane and drove to the hospital.

 •••

"You can't go in with her unless you have some family connection." said the receptionist.

I opened my mouth, then closed it. Then I got an idea. "We're married." Annabeth looked surprised at first, but played along.

"I kept my last name." she explained. The receptionist raised her eyebrow, but didn't say anything. 

"Come." We followed her to a room, and got Annabeth settled in the bed. A nurse came in and took her pulse, blood pressure, and temperature. The nurse asked a few questions, then left.