Annabeth stormed off from the rec room, which now served as an unofficial headquarters for war meetings. The Princess Andromeda mission was slated to take place in just 2 days, but Percy still hadn't returned, and no one else seemed to mind, much to Annabeth's chagrin. "Does he think that Rachel is more important than this war?" she fumed to no one in particular.

She wasn't aware that her legs took her straight towards the beach, which always helped calm her down. But today, the sea-green ocean cruelly reminded her of a certain demigod, and it made her even more furious. She didn't notice that someone else was at the beach as well before she ran into them, and she fell on the sand.

"Watch where you're going, Princess." Clarisse growled, but offered her hand to Annabeth. "I'm not anyone's princess." Annabeth said, still fuming, but took Clarisse's hand and stood up. "Thanks." she muttered. Clarisse then saw the look on Annabeth's face and her expression softened just a little.

"What's got your ponytail in a knot?" Clarisse asked.

"None of your business." Annabeth didn't really want to get in a fight right now, but she didn't want to let anyone know what she was thinking about either. Clarisse didn't normally excuse people who are rude to her, but she and Annabeth had gotten kind of close last summer, due to the numerous scouting missions they led in the Labyrinth, not that she would ever accept it. She simply stood and stared at the grey-eyed daughter of Athena.

Annabeth finally cracked. "I'm sorry." she said, which startled Clarisse. "It's just that with this war and everything, and then Percy's being an idiot, hanging out with his mortal friends at a time like this, and I'm just really stressed." She said in one breath.

"Oh, it's Prissy." One of these days, Clarisse was really going to pulverize that Poseidon brat. "He'll come round, girl. He's just a stupid little-"

"No, he's not!" Annabeth broke in. "He's actually pretty smart, but sometimes, he's just so, so obtuse, and it drives me mad. And he's so dumb, I don't even know what he sees in the mortal girl!" she finished.

"It's alright, Annabeth. One of these days, even his stupid head will-"

"Don't call him stupid!" Annabeth almost shrieked.

Clarisse blinked. "But you just- I thought-"

"I mean, he is stupid, but only I can call him stupid. It's-" She shook her head in exasperation. "Nevermind." She sighed finally.

Clarisse chuckled. "I'm no daughter of Aphrodite, but Ares' chariots, girl, you've got it bad." Annabeth looked at her and a series of expressions lit her face up - incomprehension, amusement, and then finally outrage.

"I haven't got it bad!" She wanted to stab someone - a certain green-eyed someone. "And I definitely haven't got it." She said, through clenched teeth.

Clarisse had had enough of this. "Listen, princess. From one daughter of war to another, you can only win the war outside if you win the war inside. You need to figure out your emotions, not fight them." She said softly, in a tone almost unlike her. Annabeth seemed to realize this as well, and then a look of determination came on her face. She still looked angry, but she looked determined as well, like a hunter who had caught his target in his sights.

"Thanks, Clarisse. I think I know what to do." She said to the daughter of Ares.

"And if I ever find out that that sea brat hurt you, I'll skewer him for you." Clarisse said with a sly smile. Annabeth smiled gratefully. Clarisse was a tough nut, but there was a little softness inside her that was usually reserved for Silena, Chris, and now maybe - just maybe - for her as well.

"Well, there comes your little boyfriend." Clarisse pointed, interrupting Annabeth's thoughts.

"He's not my-" Annabeth turned around to look. "Where?" she demanded, but Clarisse was already gone, chuckling to herself.

Annabeth sat there, recollecting her thoughts. Oh Percy, what are you doing to me?