Annabeth Chase had shown up with no warning at Sally Jackson's door many times. At first, Annabeth had been ashamed to run into the shelter of a woman she barely knew. But Sally always welcomed her in so kindly that Annabeth frequently found herself in the Jackson apartment when times were hard - and even when times weren't too bad.

The first time, snow was falling down in New York so hard it almost made Annabeth wish that she had stayed in California. Almost. She had been trying so hard to patch things up with her dad. Some days were great... but others weren't. Too many rough days in a row had drove Annabeth to run away again. Not permanently, not like last time, but just long enough for the dust to settle. But Annabeth had promised Chiron and made a bet with Grover that she could last the whole winter without returning to camp. Pride was her fatal flaw, after all, so staying at Camp Halfblood was off the table. So she headed to the only other safe place she could think of.

She was confidant that she remembered correctly the address Percy had given her, "just in case you ever need something." Still, as her snow covered boots trudged up the stairs of the apartment building, Annabeth couldn't shake the nervous feeling building up in her stomach. Percy was her friend and his mother seemed like a nice lady, but would they really want her around? Was she too much of a burden?

She had reached their door... but she couldn't knock. The Jackson's didn't need this. She turned around just as the door opened behind her. She whipped around, only to almost collide with Percy.

"Annabeth!" he yelped. If she hadn't felt so horrible, she would have laughed at his expression. "What are - what are you doing here?" His face broke into a grin, loosening the knot in her stomach.

Before she could respond, a woman stepped into the door frame behind Percy.

"Hello dear," she greeted with a warm smile. "You must be Annabeth. Percy has told me so much about you."

"Mom!" Percy cried, a dark blush creeping up his neck and into his cheeks. Annabeth couldn't help but giggle.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Jackson," Annabeth said politely.

"Please, call me Sally."

The Jackson's ushered her inside and Sally started to fuss over her.

"You must be freezing! Let me make you some hot chocolate."

Percy took her coat from her and hung it up, along with his own.

"Where were you going?" she asked him.

"Oh," he shrugged nonchalantly, "just to meet some friends. It's no big deal."

"You can still go! I'm not-"

"I promise it's not a big deal. And you have snow in your hair, Wise Girl." He gently brushed some of it out, and it was her turn to blush. Then he led her to the kitchen.

Annabeth felt awkward and embarrassed with all of the attention and felt the need to explain herself.

"I'm sorry to drop in on you guys like this, but my dad..." her voice trailed off. How was she supposed to explain that?

But Sally and Percy were both understanding people.

"It's okay, Annabeth," Percy promised, setting a mug down in front of her.

Sally nodded in agreement. "Stay as long as you need. Really."

Annabeth took a huge sip of the steaming hot chocolate, trying to rid the lump in her throat.

The second time, the weather was beautiful. The fresh June air felt great against Annabeth's skin and she was spending her journey to camp walking as much as possible. Okay, maybe a stroll through Manhattan was a bit of a detour, but she didn't mind.

But maybe that wasn't such a good idea. There were growls to her right, and she looked down the alley to find two sets of eyes staring back at her. Hellhounds.

Annabeth had taken them both down in a matter of minutes, but not before suffering a nasty gash down her arm. She knew she'd never make it all the way to Long Island like that, detour or not. Fortunately, her detour had left her in just the right burrow. Tying her torn sleeve tightly around her tricep, she headed for the Jackson's.

This go around, she didn't hesitate to knock. Sally opened the door, at first excited to see Annabeth, but quickly she frowned.

"Oh no, dear! What happened?"

Annabeth explained while Sally sat her in a kitchen chair.

"There's ambrosia in Percy's room somewhere, I'm sure," Sally said as she wiped off the excess blood and inspected the wound.

"I don't know if it's safe for you to touch," Annabeth warned. The blood loss and pain was starting to make her head feel fuzzy. She squeezed her eyes shut.

Sally nodded. "Percy will be home from school in just a few minutes. Until then, we'll just have to make do with mortal medicine." She rushed to the bathroom and came back with a handful of stuff.

With her arm freshly cleaned and bandaged, Annabeth staggered to the couch with Sally's help.

"I'll get you some water... maybe some juice would be good, too. You look rather pale, honey."

Annabeth just nodded, Sally heading back into the kitchen.

She must have passed out, because the next thing Annabeth knew, Percy was leaning over her. He looked worried as he dribbled some nectar over her arm.

"It'll be fine, Seaweed Brain," she rasped. "Your mom should be a nurse."

He cracked a smile. "She's had lots of practice on me."

Percy handed her a square of ambrosia as she sat up and the fuzz in her head cleared a little. She could see the gash beginning to close as he wrapped the bandage up again.

"What were you doing walking through New York, Annabeth?" he asked, and she noticed how close their faces were.

"Um," she scooted a little bit backwards and felt her cheeks flush, "I was just headed to camp, taking the scenic route." Percy looked at her skeptically. She scoffed "It's the truth!"

"Sure, sure." He gave her that trademark smirk and she blushed a little more. Hopefully he didn't notice. "Well, now we can go together, tomorrow."

She smiled, too - Percy's was contagious. "Perfect."

The third time, Annabeth wasn't alone. Grover squeezed her hand as they traveled up the staircase.

"How am I even supposed to tell her?" Annabeth mumbled miserably. Grover only stayed silent, not knowing how to respond, and a rogue tear trailed down her face.

Far too soon, the two stood outside of the Jackson/Blofis apartment. Grover looked over at Annabeth before knocking. She wiped her face, squared her shoulders, and put on a brave look. She had to be strong, for Sally. Taking a deep breath, the satyr pounded on the door three times.

Paul was the one that answered. He knew something was wrong instantly, but he tried to swallow his fear. "Hey kids... where's... where's Percy?"

The question hit Annabeth like stab to the chest. She opened her mouth to answer but her lungs felt like they'd been filled with cotton.

Grover responded for her. "He's kind of MIA right now." His wispy goatee trembled.

Then Sally appeared. She took one look at the scene around her and a hand flew to her mouth.

"He's alive!" both Annabeth and Grover cried out in unison.

"Is he okay?" Sally asked, her voice strangled.

"I think so," Grover assured her. "I'm not getting any red flags from the empathy link. We just... we just can't find him.

Paul got them out of the doorway and into the living room, but Annabeth didn't want to sit. All she wanted to do was keep looking for her boyfriend.

"He just disappeared," Annabeth whispered, and finally broke into sobs. Sally pulled her into a hug and they clung to each other. That was the hardest visit.

The fourth time, Annabeth knocked, filled with a little bit more hope than she had in a long time. Jason, Piper, and Leo stood behind her. A few seconds passed with no answer.

"Maybe she doesn't want to see us," Leo whispered yelled. Annabeth gave him a dirty look and tried again. Nothing

"Maybe Leo is right, Annabeth," Jason said softly. "I wouldn't blame her."

"No," Annabeth responded sharply. "She told me she does."

"Maybe now is just a bad time and-" Piper was cut off by the door opening.

"Sorry, kiddos," Sally greeted with a kind smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Come on in. Make yourselves at home."

Annabeth was comfortable in the apartment and headed for the couch. The other three were a little more hesitant.

"Thanks for having us, ma'am," Jason said while sitting down. Leo and Piper agreed softly.

"Of course... Jason? Right?" Sally smiled when Jason nodded. "I figured. Your eyes are the same as your sisters. And please, call me Sally. Ma'am makes me feel old.

"We're so sorry about Percy," Piper softly said. Annabeth felt like the air was being squeezed out of her again, but she knew Piper meant well and Sally didn't waiver.

"Well, he wouldn't be my son if he didn't worry me to death all the time."

"But we have a plan," Leo promised, looking at Annabeth.

"Right," Annabeth added. She and Leo began to explain, and by the end of the night, Sally was a little more hopeful, too.

The fifth time, Percy was the one holding Annabeth's hand. And everything seemed good.