Thanks for the great reviews and for the people that want me to explain what happened between their break up and now, it'll come into play. I promise. Just be patient. Once again thank you to the people who don't mind my slight OCCness. You guys are all awesome.


I ran into the store and waited for someone to notice me. The person who helped me was a chick I remembered. I had stayed together with her for two nights. One of my longest relationships with girls, she was beautiful. I had met her on a jog at Montauk. She had rammed into me and I kissed her as we tumbled to the ground. I worked pretty damn fast.

"Percy Jackson…" She shook her head putting a hand on her hip.

"Lillian," I said not exactly sure if I had ever learned her last name.

"I saw your new little girl friend over in the clothing store. Did you come over here to ditch her?" She said obviously disapproving of my actions.

"I actually came to get her a phone. Do you mind?" I said trying to step around her. She was already in front of me though.

"I work here Percy. How can I help you?" She said crossing her arms across her chest. She had definitely been a cheerleader in high school.

"I need a two year contract on an iPhone. Just give it to me in the box. There's no need to wrap it up." So, I changed my phone a lot. I had to. I had to be with the times. Plus, I had the money, so why not?

"Right away Mr. Jackson, would you like me to add that to your active account?" She said acting like a good little worker.

"Yes, I'll be paying the bills for it."

"Very well Mr. Jackson, someone will have it already for you in less than fifteen minutes." She turned away from me grabbing a set of keys from a desk and unlocking a cabinet. She got out a phone's box and pulled a smart card out. She typed something furiously on the computer and then motioned for me to come over.

"Here you are Mr. Jackson," She handed me the box hitting my hand with it pretty hard. "I'm so sorry about that. Have a nice day." Her fake kindness was getting on my nerves. I was out of there in a split second.

As I ripped open the door I saw Annabeth waiting on the side walk. She had on new jeans and had a graphic t-shirt on with a black vest over it. She looked pretty damned good in it too. I sped across the streets getting honked at all the way. I held out the box in my hand and she smiled.

"What's that for?" She wondered taking it out of my hand to look at it.

"It's so you can contact me… just in case; you know." I said sounding stupid. My face was burning again as if she had just kissed me and she hadn't even kissed me.

"Thanks Percy, but I can't accept this." She handed me the box and I shoved it back into her grasp.

"You're going to take it because I want you to be safe." I said sounding even more stupid. "We need to get going anyway. We don't have time to argue." I started walking toward my car and she followed quickly. I pulled myself up into my seat and she climbed into her seat. She set about five shopping bags down in the back and then buckled herself up.

I started up the engine and got my huge vehicle out without hitting anything around me, success. We drove down the highway a little ways until we came upon a huge hotel. This was where we always had brunch. They had the brunch buffet and me and Nico enjoyed the freedom of plate after plate. Thalia usually tried to make small talk with whoever I would bring with me that day.

I helped Annabeth from the car and she jumped down like a gazelle. I sighed realizing this was getting harder and harder for her to just be an old friend I was catching up with.

Nico pulled in, in a black convertible BMW M6. Great car, and the way the sleek body went and came to sharp points matched his personality perfectly. Thalia got out first in jeans and a black v-neck. Nico got out in a leather jacket with a white t-shirt underneath. Aviators sat on his face like Apollo would wear his. Aka he wore them cocky jackass style. No offense to Apollo.

"Percy, what's up man?" Nico shouted waving from his car over to us. I started his way with Annabeth close behind.

"Nothing much Nico, how have you and Thalia been doing?" I wondered slapping a hand shake together.

"Good, good…" Nico looked over his glasses. "Is that… Annabeth, is that you?" He asked shocked.

"Oh my gods, Annabeth!" Thalia slid across the hood of the car gracefully going straight for Annabeth's arms that were open welcoming the hug.

"Thalia, it's been forever since I've seen you." Annabeth was rubbing Thalia's back as they parted to look at each other.

"Where have you been?" Thalia demanded holding her at arms length so she couldn't move.

"Can we get some food first? Percy burnt the waffles this morning." Annabeth was getting out of telling her story and distracting the guys with food. We needed it.

"Sure, but you are telling me. I'm not giving you any slack." Thalia warned.

"Ok, ok…" Annabeth half chuckled have pouted. Thalia wouldn't be able to tell.

Thalia turned away from her and linked hands with Nico. They started to walk towards the hotel. Annabeth's face was filled with puzzlement as she came to my side and we started walking a couple yards behind him.

"They're together?" Annabeth's voice was just as puzzled as her facial expression.

"Yea…" It was awkward.

"Since when?"

"That's a question to ask Thalia. I don't know how it all started. You can ask her inside." We passed through the doors and waited at the podium to take our seat. This was going to be a long meal.

The hostess greeted us by name knowing exactly who we were. That was except Annabeth, but she was used to me having a stranger along. We took a seat and she didn't even bother with the menu knowing we would get the buffet.

"So, Nico, Thalia, when did you two get together? Or better yet how in Hades did you get together?" Annabeth wondered not letting anybody leave the table.

"Well…" Thalia said gripping Nico's hand on top of the table.

"The Huntresses came in for a visit and I had grown a little. Thalia saw me fighting and how mature I was. I was the only one that didn't care that the Huntresses were there. So, they mostly hung out with me." Nico smiled liking his story quite a bit.

"So, they mostly hung out with me when it came to leading around camp. Thalia and I spent a lot more time together and one night we kissed each other…"

"Little did we know," Thalia cut in smiling. I had heard this story once or twice and this had to be her favorite part. I always told them it would make a great book. "Artemis and Aphrodite made a little wager a few decades ago. If a Hunter of Artemis has any loving or sexual contact with a boy they are immediately booted out of the Hunters and to fall in love with that of whom they found of interest. That happen to be little death boy here."

"And we haven't been happier since that day. Right Thals?" Nico said chuckling a bit to himself.

"Right," Thalia smiled kissing him on the cheek.

"Let's go get some food!" I suggested tired of the mushy stuff. I stood up abruptly from the table and headed toward the bar area with the hash browns. Annabeth was following rather close. Her finger wouldn't leave my back. She had just above the small of my back letting me know that she was using old tactics. She used use this to protect it and threaten to poke me there. Even that could throw me off of my rocker for a bit.

"Seaweed Brain, I don't want to tell them what happened to me." Annabeth whispered as she grabbed a plate. The other two were still at the table saving our spot in the restaurant.

"You haven't even told me exactly all that happened to you either. I kind of want to hear this story." I grabbed a spoonful of scrambled eggs and continued on down the bar.

"That's because I don't want you to hear it either. It's really… embarrassing." She was scooping little bits of taste test size foods portions onto her plate.

"That's all you're going to have?" I wondered as I grabbed about six pieces of bacon.

"I can't eat too much. I have to work today." She wouldn't look me in the eyes when she said that. I could tell she was tinier than a usual person, but her job must have required it.

"Please eat more Annabeth. I don't need you starving yourself out." I placed two pieces of toast on het plate. She sighed and accepted that it would stay on her plate.

"Fine Percy, but I blame you when I loose my job."

"Its two pieces of toast Annabeth not the whole buffet." I pointed out taking the time to turn around and wait for her before we walked back.

Nico and Thalia got up as soon as we sat and went for the bar. Annabeth sat silently staring at her extra pieces of toast. I wasn't sure what to do. The last time she hadn't eaten, it was right before she broke up with me. I had comforted her by telling her everything was ok, because I knew everything would be, or I thought it would be. But, now I wasn't completely positive that everything would be ok. Her life had gone in a sharp decline since the last time I had spoken to her and I didn't want her to hurt, but how was I supposed to comfort her?

"So," Nico's voice was bright as he jumped back into his seat. The jumpy nineteen year-old was always too hyper for his own good. "You guys seemed like you stayed quiet while we were gone."

"Yea…" Annabeth muttered. I nodded looking up at the two.

"So Annabeth what have you been up to?" Thalia wondered reclining herself slightly in the chair.

"She's been working on her career." I answered realizing I wanted Annabeth to be happy.

"Oh really what's that?" Thalia asked grabbing a hard-boiled egg off her plate to peel.

"She has been working on a modeling career." Stretch the truth until it snaps back and hits you in the face. "She hasn't made it yet, but I don't think her line of work is what she should be doing. She's too smart for it." That was mostly the truth. I hated what she had done to herself just to live on the streets. Lying about her job was no big deal.

"Percy, I've been trying to talk to Annabeth, not you, Kelp for Brains." I hated that nickname, but Thalia had no problem using it on me.

"Fine," I huffed taking a bite of my hash browns.

"So, Annabeth, was what Percy said true? You're trying to be a model?" Thalia pushed her plate aside and put her elbows on the table centering her weight there.

"Yea, I've been working on it now for three years. I just want to get out there." Annabeth's lie was smooth as she explained how much she wanted it and how it would get her free trips around the world to see different monuments. She was good at it. Maybe she should have gone for actress.

She finished her fake story and sat back in the seat. We made small talk about how our lives were going and how much money we were making for the week. Annabeth answered that one with a not enough statement that she rolled her eyes at. Turns out Hades had visited Nico the other day and was offering him a job back at camp because more Hades Kids were coming in because of the removal of the pact. Interesting, there were no new Poseidon kids. And I knew Zeus was only bringing in one every decade or so because Hera would blow her top again like she did with Echo.

We talked for so long that it finally took Annabeth to make us realize that the dinner special was coming out onto the buffet. "Percy, it's five o'clock. I have to be somewhere in two hours." Annabeth said reminding me of her shift that started at seven.

"Yeah, and it's an hour from here to my house." My tone was bitter annoyance at the fact of her job.

"We've got to go. I have a meeting." She said shaking my arm slightly like a small child.

"Ok, ok," This was not cool, man. "Thalia, Nico, I'll see you guys next time." I stood from the table and pulled my jacket off the back. Annabeth did the same and slipped on her trench coat.

"Bye Percy," Thalia cuffed my in the arm and then turned to Annabeth, "Good to see you again Annabeth. Don't let this guy get to you and come back when you can." She hugged Annabeth and then Nico said his goodbyes.

Annabeth practically dragged me out the door while I dropped a twenty on the table. The revolving door slid around as Annabeth and I squeezed into the same little compartment. She pulled me out into the rain that was now coming down. Annabeth left me under the cover as she ran for the Hummer across the lot. I didn't realize it was locked until she pulled the handle and crossed her arms across her chest and waited in the rain.

I took off into the rain and hit the button to my car to unlock it. She immediately jumped in and I jumped into the driver seat. The engine roared to life and I pulled out of the parking lot. Annabeth was drenched and shivering. Her hair was now flat lying beside her face. Her jeans were soaked as well making them stick to her muscular legs. The trench coat was wet and she refused to take off do to the fact that the shirt under was white and probably soaked as well.

"Percy, it's five ten. I have to be there in an hour and fifty minutes." Annabeth pulled her legs up, keeping her knees close to her chest.

"I only live fifteen minutes from the club. I'll speed up if you want me too." I said smartly pointing out that I was already going ten miles over the speed limit. I sped up a little more going to seventy-five.

"Fine, be a smartass, Perseus Jackson." Annabeth said putting down her legs to cross her arms.

"Don't use my full name." I muttered driving through a yellow light. I had already cut off fifteen minutes to this drive without getting caught.

"Why you got a problem with your full name Perseus?" She was enjoying herself far too much.

"Don't use my full name!" My tone sharpened and I was about to get really mad.

"Why, Perseus?" She teased.

"Annabeth, shut – up!" I considered punching her.

"Perseus Jackson has a problem with his own name!" Annabeth shouted opening the window to tell the world.

I swerved off to the side purposefully and she gasped. Her back hit the seat so hard it knocked the breath out of her. She sat there clutching her chest and then gave me an evil glare.

"Sorry, did I scare you Annabeth?" My smart mouth was about to get my ass in trouble.

"You know what Percy? You're a genuine jerk." She huffed staring me down.

I had a feeling I was going to get it later. "I know Annabeth. I hear it everyday I go into town."

"Maybe that's because you changed so much." She said leaning back into her seat as if she was calming down, but the façade was easily seen through. "You've had how many girlfriends since we broke up?"

"None," It wasn't a lie, but she gave me a funny look. "What?"

"None? Really Percy? What kind of bull are you feeding me?" She sighed looking at me as I paid attention to the road.

"It's true; I haven't had any actual relationships." I stayed confident considering it wasn't a lie. I hadn't had any real relationships since we broke up.

"What would you call them then?"

"I think they are called one night stands." I said matter-o-factly.

"Fine you win this one Seaweed Brain, but I will use your full name if I feel like it." She stared out the windshield just looking out toward the rain.

I stuck my tongue out at her real quick and then went back to driving. We had been in the car for forty minutes and now I was turning onto my street. I had knocked off twenty minutes. I'm awesome.

Annabeth wouldn't look at me as I pulled into my spot at the building and let the engine die. She finally made a move to leave the car and I stopped her telling her not to forget her stuff. She grabbed the clothes and left the phone box on "accident". I grabbed it and got out following her into the building.

The doorman stopped me right there at the door. "Hey man, is she going to work tonight?" I was so not enjoying this. I was about to break his nose. Knowing that I wouldn't break my fingers no matter what way I punched him made the action that much more tempting.

I sucked in a deep breath through my nose and then walked on passed him. He didn't say a word. I had punched him before and let's just say he didn't look me in the eye for four months.

When we got up to my room Annabeth ran into my room with her bag of clothes in tote. She didn't even take off her coat. It was kind of odd to me as I hung mine on the hook and walked over to my couch. I put my number into her iPhone and then put her number in my phone. I took a picture of myself and put it at caller ID and then put it down.

Annabeth came out with her trench coat tightened around her waist and empty hands. She walked over to the couch with some killer stilettos on that she walked in easily as if it was simple.

"Annabeth, I want you to take your phone." I said handing her the phone. She looked at her hands and then took the phone and stuck it in her pocket.

"Why do you care so much Percy? I thought I broke your heart." Her eyes wouldn't meet mine and she was twiddling her thumbs.

"Because, even if you did break my heart, you're still a friend and a person. You deserve better then what you have." I put my hand on her back and rubbed it comfortingly. It was completely friendly not infatuating. It was… different. It wasn't what I was used to.

"Thanks Percy," She sniffled a bit and I lifted her chin to see a tear sliding down her cheek.

"It's ok." I wrapped my arms around her not sure what else to do. Girls liked hugs right?

"Yea, now it's ok." She sniffled again and then she pulled at the phone and checked the time. "We have to go. Let me go put my make-up on. I hope you don't mind that I got some."

"I don't." I chuckled as she stood and clopped her way across my hard wood floor.

She came back and had her make up on. The light sparkles I had seen that night were fresh and she had bright pink lips along with smoky eyes. She looked like, oh my gods I just shit myself. I couldn't help it. I couldn't even see what she was wearing, and I would probably be jealous of every guy in that bar if I did see what she was wearing.

"How do I look?" She wondered walking back over to me.

I said something real smart like, "Uh… um…"

She just smiled at me and loosened her trench coat a little. "Let's go." She pulled me to my feet. We went back into the elevator and headed down to the main lobby. The doorman looked a little shocked to the least at how Annabeth looked.

"Ms. Chase," He shouted motioning for her to come over.

"Now I recognize him." She muttered.

"What? Wait, you know my doorman?" I whispered my words coming out harsher the expected.

"Yea, he comes in every Saturday night to visit Sweet Heart." She said watching him come our way.

"Sweet Heart?" I wondered not sure what to make of the name.

"We all use candy references as our names so no one knows. That's why I can't figure out why he knows my real name." Her voice was low as Ray got closer.

"PAC let him know. He's supposed to know everyone in the building and so I told her your name and she gave it to Ray." I stayed silent for all of two seconds before Ray was right in front of us.

"Ms. Chase, you are going to work tonight right?" Ray wondered. His hands were shaking slightly and I was getting ready to punch him again.

"Yes, yes I am." Her voice was calm as if the was a normal question.

"Is Sweet Heart working tonight?" He scratched the back of his neck and stared at Annabeth's shoes.

"No, you know she only works on the weekends. It's only Wednesday." Annabeth rolled her eyes as if he was being completely silly for asking if one of her stripper friends were on duty.

"Yea, I just thought maybe I would get lucky. Sorry Ms. Chase; I'll let you go." Ray turned away and jogged back over to the door to let two more people in.

Annabeth and I stayed silent as we exited the building and headed for my car. Annabeth's shoes echoed in my ears as she sounded like a small horse going across the asphalt. She slipped into my front seat, passenger side of course, and cross her legs. The place where her jacket came together fell back from her legs to reveal bare skin. She had to be wearing a really short dress in order for her to have bare skin that far up her thigh.

It was six forty, so we would get there five minutes early. I knew how to get to this place too well. I would probably get questions on why I knew all the ways to drive there from Annabeth at some point, but if I could get away with it for now; I would.

We pulled up to the curb and Annabeth just looked at her shoes. She seemed out of it as if she were praying. She might have been praying to her mother for forgiveness of what she was about to do, and I didn't blame her.

"Percy?" She muttered not looking at me at all.

"Yes Annabeth?" I said killing the engine.

"Can you not walk me in? I'm not allowed to have guys walk me in."

It was then I realized that's exactly what I had planned on doing. I had planned on taking her in and handing her coat to the guy at the door. "Ok Annabeth, I won't walk you in, but you can call whenever, ok?" I responded not really wanting her to go in by herself.

"I'll call you later tonight. I'll make sure to call you twice not counting the one to come pick me up." She bargained looking up at me smiling. Annabeth knew I didn't want to leave her. "I'll be fine." She sounded more like she was reassuring herself more then reassuring me.

"I know you will Wise Girl. Be extra careful though, I'll see you later." I caressed her face mindlessly and her smile grew in confidence.

"Thanks Seaweed Brain. I'll call you later." She opened her door and I restarted the engine. She took a large breath and let her shoulders drop. She removed the coat and revealed her dress. First of all it was green. It tied at her neck and then covered her butt, but there was nothing to cover her back.

She turned around to wave at me and revealed the front to me. It cut so low that you could almost see her bellybutton. There was a belt on her front side with gold stuff on it. I would tell you what they were called, but I have no clue, so I gave you the basics.

She smiled at me and waved then turned to walk into the club. I watched as a guy in a black shirt and jeans opened the door for her and touched her back gingerly. My temper flared as he waved me off with two fingers. I myself sucked it up and headed toward Chris Rodriguez's house for poker night.


Odd stopping point i know. But, i wrote some of this story and now i'm posting it so i was trying to find good stopping points. they will be awkward for a bit. Read and review.

Sincerely,

wisegirlindisguise