𝓢𝓞𝓝 𝓞𝓕 𝓝𝓔𝓟𝓣𝓤𝓝𝓔

EVANGELINE LOOKED OUT INTO THE MURKY WATER and thought of her and her dad's old trips to Malibu beach.

She almost drowned in the strong waves due to her young father's poorly executed swim lessons. That beach was where she eventually learned to swim after a whole lot of sand getting trapped in her scalp and butt crack.

Her dad's favorite activity was building sea castles together. They always came out a little too perfect when he worked on them with his daughter, and he took advantage of it.

Evangeline used to fill her periwinkle-colored bucket to the brim with seashells and moist sand. Her dad piled them on each other wherever she directed. They always rose high above Eva's head.

Evangeline loved the water, but if you had asked her about boats, she would have said, "I prefer a yacht or cruise boat."

Still, as long as this rowboat kept afloat, she didn't care.

Seriously, the Titanic would not be as romantic if it took place on a rowboat.

She was pulled to the present as they sped by a pack of sea lions lounging on the docks.

Evangeline stared puzzled when an old homeless guy sitting among them pointed a bony finger at Percy and mouthed something.

"Did you see that?" Hazel asked, and she held her stomach.

"Does he know you?" Evangeline raised an eyebrow.

Percy's face was red in the sunset. "Yeah. I've been here before. I...don't know. I think I was looking for —Annabeth?

"Oh."

He looked at Eva and stuttered, "I don't know. I remember things in flashes. I can't—I remember a fight? Well, you guys don't need to know about my relationship problems. Not that I know if there's a relationship or a problem because I don't." He rambled off, " I just don't know."

"Right, take a breath, sweet cheeks." Evangeline nodded and took a breath in and out as an example.

He raised an eyebrow, "Sweet-cheeks?"

She grinned, "So—Annabeth, you mean you came here on your way to Camp Jupiter?"

Percy frowned. "No. Before that." He scanned the city like he was still looking for Annabeth until they passed under the Golden Gate Bridge and turned north.

Evangeline's lips pursed together in annoyance. She tried to settle her unease with a sharp inhale. I have to remind myself that I have no idea who Percy is. I have no right to be jealous,
He is not my man—

Percy's fingers tapped on the edge of the boat.

God, he's hot...

And fun...

Fuck. I want to...

"I hate that I can't remember anything." He huffed, his hand going up to his forehead.

No!

He hardly knows himself at the moment! I have to control this stupid...what would mom call this?

...fancy?

"Eva?" Percy poked her arm. Eva snapped out of her thoughts. She looked at Percy and gulped. Evangeline gave him a soft smile, "Maybe we can find a way to get them back together?"

Percy smiled, "Okay," he nodded, "How would we do that?"

"I don't know!"

Percy's face fell.

Evangeline smiled sheepishly, "But—!"

Evangeline thought for a moment, scanning the water in front of her as the boat bobbed gently in the water.

A sudden idea sparked in her mind, "Actually," she said, her voice quieter this time as if weighing the suggestion before she voiced it. "What if we try hypnosis?"

Percy raised an eyebrow, glancing over at her. "Hypnosis? Are you serious? Like you're going to make me do the hokey pokey every time I hear a bell chime?"

She rolled her eyes. "No." Evangeline explained, "Better than that you—er—guppy?" She muttered, her voice ticking up an octave.

"Guppy?"

"I can't compliment you all the time. Makes you feel powerful." She shrugged, "Now look—It might sound weird. But I can put you in a calm state and use my charmspeak on you."

Evangeline was surprised Frank was listening to the pair with all his gawking and doting after Hazel, but he chimed in, "How does that work, though? Does it actually help with getting his memories?"

"I'll ask him questions, and my voice will force him to try and answer me honestly. There's a chance it could help him remember something... or at least trigger a clearer flash of his past."

Evangeline shrugged, feeling the sudden weight of the idea. "Well, it's not guaranteed, but it could help. It's worth a try."

Percy was still skeptical, his jaw clenched. "And you think you can do it?"

"You doubt me?"

"No"

"Good." Evangeline boasted, "I've learned a few things. There's a way to guide someone into a relaxed state with charmspeak—kind of like a meditation."

Percy looked at her, unsure. "What if it messes me up more?"

"I won't force you," Evangeline said firmly. Her tone was calm, her voice soft. "You've already been through so much, Percy. You deserve to know who you are. But I won't put you through anything dangerous."

Percy looked away, his hands gripping the sides of the boat tightly, as though weighing the decision in his mind.

He glanced at the horizon, the sun casting long shadows over the water, and then, after a long pause, he nodded slowly.

"Alright. Let's give it a shot. It's not like I have much to lose." He looked at Eva and sent her a wide grin. "Weirdly, I trust you. I hope I don't regret that.

Evangeline's heart skipped, and she tried to ignore the fluttering feeling in her chest as she gave him a quick, encouraging smile. "Great. I hope so too." She winked.

Percy grinned, then kept his eyes fixed on the shoreline. As they passed Stinson Beach, he pointed inland, where a single mountain rose above the green hills.

"That looks familiar," he said

"Mount Tam," Frank said. "Kids at camp are always talking about it. The big battle happened on the summit, at the old Titan base."

Percy frowned. "Were any of you there?"

Evangeline smirked, "The one and only."

Hazel said. "That was back in August, before I-um, before I got to camp. "

"What was it like?" Percy questioned,

"We kicked ass of course. The legion destroyed the enemy's palace and a million monsters. I loved when Jason's crazy ass decided to battle Krios. Hand-to-hand combat with a Titan, if you can imagine." She sighed, she bit her lip. "Gods. his arms..."

"I don't have to imagine," Percy muttered.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Uh—" He cleared his throat. "Not sure,"

Evangeline looked at Percy up and down, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Percy wasn't much like Jason. He was much more sarcastic and fun.

She hated to compare, Jason was perfect as he was, no matter Percy's—strengths.

Jason was calm and charming. He was less talkative than Percy, very much the type of man to wait for the other to finish. But he was the definition of a Roman leader and a goof.

Jason was the type of guy Evangeline could depend on, yet he was also dangerous and sneaky... Percy seemed less likely to give in to temptation.

But then again, she hardly knew him...for now.

One thing the two boys had in common was the same aura of quiet power, plus a kind of sadness, like they'd seen their destiny and knew it was only a matter of time before they met a monster they couldn't beat.

Evangeline understood the feeling. She watched the sunset in the ocean.

"Dive in, Ariel." Percy quipped.

Evangeline rolled her eyes and shoved him. "If I'm Ariel, I'm making you my flounder—watch it."

"Hey—Not even the prince?" Percy asked

"Sorry." Eva shrugged, "That's what you get for teasing."

"Is Jason your prince then?"

"Woah." Evangeline grumbled, "Shush? You—You waterfairy."

"Hey? Lovebug—No, Dollface—"

"Call me that last one again."

"You weren't supposed to like it."

Hazel exchanged a glance with a confused Frank. She shook her head at his obliviousness, then held it, the gentle rocking of the boat causing her to groan.

"Uh, Guys, Hazel doesn't look too good." Frank began, "I think she's really seasick—!"

"Hazel?" Percy asked.

The youngest girl's eyes went blank, and she flopped to the floor. A thump resounded through the air

Evangeline screamed. Her cry startled Frank and Percy more than Hazel's fall.

"Oh! Quick! We need to get cold compression before she gets an ugly bruise!"

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

"HAZEL. COME ON GET UP." Percy nudged her leg.

Evangeline sighed, attempting to wake Hazel by blowing air on her nose.

Hazel's nose just wrinkled for a bit as she continued to sleep.

"Hm, Nothing," Evangeline muttered, "Frank, your turn."

"Hazel!" Frank shook her arms, "Come on, please! Wake up!"

She opened her eyes.

"How'd you know—" Percy began

"—The Power of Love,"

"You're Kidding—"

"—Obviously, I just got tired of trying."

The night sky blazed with stars. The rocking of the boat was gone. The trio decided to get Hazel on solid ground after they found a cliff overlooking a beach.

Evangeline bundled Hazel's sword and pack beside her. Hazel sat up groggily, her head spinning.

About a hundred feet away, the ocean glinted in the moonlight. The surf washed gently against the stern of their beached boat. To her right, hugging the edge of the cliff, was a building like a small church with a searchlight in the steeple. A lighthouse that illuminated Hazel's queasy face.

"Oh, thank gods you're awake Hazel! And don't worry, I made sure you didn't get any bruising."

"Oh? Thanks." Hazel looked around. "Where are we?"

Frank exhaled. "We're in Mendocino, about a hundred and fifty miles north of the Golden Gate."

"A hundred and fifty miles?" Hazel groaned. "T've been out that long?"

Percy knelt beside her, the sea wind sweeping his hair. He put his hand on her forehead as if checking for a fever. "We couldn't wake you. Finally, we decided to bring you ashore.
We thought maybe the seasickness—"

"It wasn't seasickness." She took a deep breath.

"—I haven't been honest with you," she said. "What happened was a blackout. I have them once in a while."

"Once in a while?" Evangeline asked. "What are they?"

Frank took Hazel's hand, which startled the young girl.

Evangeline felt the wind sweep over her hair and had a feeling that Hazel was woozy

"Is it medical? Why haven't I noticed before?" Frank looked disappointed in himself.

"I try to hide it," she admitted. "I've been lucky so far, but it's getting worse. It's not medical...not really. Nico says it's a side effect from my past, from where he found me."

Percy's eyes stared at Hazel. Evangeline couldn't tell whether he was concerned or wary.

"Where exactly did Nico find you?" he asked.

"I'll explain," she promised. She clawed through her pack. Stupidly, she'd forgotten to bring a water bottle. "Is...is there anything to drink?"

"Yeah," Percy muttered a curse in Greek. "That was dumb. I left my supplies down at the boat."

She shouldered her pack and sword. "Never mind. I can walk..."

"Don't even think about it," Frank said. "Not until you've had some food and water. I'll get the supplies."

"No, I'll go." Percy glanced at Frank's hand on Hazel's. Then he scanned the horizon as if he sensed trouble, but there was nothing to see—just the lighthouse and the field of grass stretching inland.

"You two stay here. I'll be right back."

"You sure?" Hazel said feebly. "I don't want you to—"

"It's fine," said Percy. "Eva will come with me."

"I will?" Evangeline asked, "I mean yeah I will..."

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

"THEY TOTALLY LIKE EACH OTHER," Evangeline said as he climbed on the boat, "I wonder if I should get involved. Reyna says I'm a terrible matchmaker, but I would disagree. I got two girls from cohorts 2 and 3 together, and they're in their 2nd year."

"Real impressive." Percy muttered, "But I don't know if Frank will appreciate it."

"He should."

"You're funny," Percy muttered. He looked through his supply sack and pulled out a bottle of water.

"If I were funny, you'd laugh instead of saying I was funny."

"It's not that."

Evangeline muttered. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Do you think I can do this? I mean, I hardly have my memories, and I'm going strictly on impulse, what's to say we will make it on time, or I won't ruin things for your camp?"

"There's no more ruining our camp after Octavian. Trust me." Evangeline grinned. "And you've made it here so far. "

Percy laughed. He didn't argue.

"Plus, you aren't alone anymore, you're stuck with us."

He smirked.

Evangeline smiled and avoided eye contact. "I think they are getting attached so..."

"Just them."

"We'll see."

"We will."

The two stayed in silence.

She held out her hand so he could climb out of the boat.

He raised an eyebrow, "Is that not my job?"

"Well, who's in the boat?" She sassed.

"Touché." Percy grabbed her hand and climbed out. He slipped, and Evangeline steadied him, causing him to blush.

Percy stared at her lips, a glint in his eye. He swallowed harshly.

Evangeline fought to not grab the boy by his collar and smash her lips against his.

She knew better, but somehow Percy was clouding her judgment.

Maybe it was the emerald eyes, the way he clenched his jaw to think, the way he licked his lips to moisten his chapped lips.

She almost listened to the guttural urge. The pull that made her want to feel Percy's touch a little closer, a little longer...

"Hazel!" Frank screamed shrilly, "Hazel! Guys! They took Hazel!"

Evangeline tensed; she looked at Percy, who huffed and looked towards the sound.

"Come on!"She said and held out a hand, he intertwined their fingers.

Together, they ran toward the sound of Frank's cries.