A/N: Disclaimer: I grow tired of writing this… The Percy Jackson series is not mine *sob* But on to the thing that is mine, the story!

~ Ω ~

I groan as my alarm clock goes off. I rub my eyes and progress to my bathroom, halfway through brushing my teeth I realize what's supposed to happen today. I agreed to meet up with Phalcun after school, my stomach flips at the thought. Part of me is hoping that it turns out to be an unofficial first date, until I chastise myself and tell myself that I'm doing this purely for information.

Once I finish getting dressed, I make my way downstairs. I make eye contact with Noah; as soon as I do I know it's a mistake. He can tell that something is bothering me, he's about to ask me what it is but I send him a look that says "not now". Guessing by his expression, he'll be asking again in the car. Meanwhile, Calder managed to spill his cereal and dad says a string of words that sound like curses in a different language.

I furrow my brow, "dad, what language was that?"

Dad looks taken aback, "um, why do you ask?"

"No reason, it just sounds familiar."

He sighs. "It was Greek, kiddo." I nod, for some reason I knew that it was Greek; but I'm not about to tell dad. I've never spoken or heard a word of Greek before, dad would be suspicious if I tell him that I knew it was Greek. A lot of weird things have been happening lately; hopefully one of those occurrences will be cleared up today after school. When I plan to interrogate Phalcun.

After Noah and I get into the car, he turns to me. Unfortunately he's driving today, so unless I want to walk to school, I have to tell him what he wants to know.

"Jae, what's bothering you?" He doesn't beat around the bush, he's straightforward.

I clear my throat. "Nothing, well besides the fact that I agreed to meet up with Phalcun after school today."

A wide grin splits across Noah's face. "Super-hot, new guy, Phalcun?"

"No, an actual falcon contacted me and asked me to meet up with him when school is over." Noah raises his eyebrow; he wants to hear me admit it. "Okay! Yes! Super-hot, new guy, Phalcun. He caught up with me after school yesterday at my locker and asked if I would."

"So, is this a date?"

"Calm your inner fangirl, brother. It is not a date, just two friends meeting up and having a chat."

Noah scoffs, "is that what he told you? Jae, honey, he asked you out. And don't deny the fact that you're silently hoping it's a date."

"Shut up and drive or else we'll be late, and don't call me honey." Noah just smirks and shifts gears and drives to school.

~ Ω ~

When we get out of the car, Noah runs off to shoot a few hoops with the team before class starts, but not without sending a wink my way. I poke my tongue out at him and he laughs. I turn around and there he is, Phalcun is leaning against his car talking to Will. His back is turned toward me, so I take this opportunity to study him. He's lean but muscular, and since he has his arms folded his biceps are on full display. Will says something and Phalcun turns his head and sees me. He smiles and beckons me over.

"Hey, Jae. What's up?" Phalcun asks.

"Well, literally the sky is up. But obviously you didn't mean that literally. Nothing's up, I was just trying to figure out how much you know about Nemesis, besides what I said in mythology class." I made up the lie on the spot, not expecting to get caught staring.

He chuckles and raises an eyebrow. "By staring at me?"

"Sure. I can tell a lot about people by staring at them. For example, did you know that you tend to stretch your back about every fifteen seconds when you're standing? Sometimes it's a small stretch, other times it's very elaborate."

"That is one very detailed observation. Exactly how long were you staring at me?"

This leads me to open my mouth, with no response. Fortunately, the bell rings. "Saved by the bell," I think to myself. But before I can make an escape, Phalcun stops me.

"Don't forget, today after school." I nod and run off.

~ Ω ~

The hours ticked by slowly but inevitably and soon the time had come. It was time to meet up with Phalcun. I exit the class room and head to my locker to put my stuff away. Noah has practice so we have until practice is over, or if Noah doesn't mind staying back a little longer we don't have to finish when practice ends.

I explain all this to Phalcun when we meet up.

"Alright," he says. "So let's start. Tell me more about Nemesis."

"What do you want to know?" I ask.

"Anything." He replies.

"Okay, just letting you know, all this is stuff that I've read. So if you disagree, blame the internet and research books." He motions for me to continue, "Nemesis means 'she who distributes or deals out'. She basically balances out happiness and unhappiness; she makes sure that happiness isn't too frequent or excessive. Some people probably think that she's being mean for doing that, but everything needs to be balanced out, even happiness. If happiness becomes too excessive, she can bring loss and suffering. Her name also originated from the Greek words nemêsisand nemô, meaning 'dispenser of dues'. The Romans mostly used the Greek name for her, but they sometimes called her 'Invidia' meaning 'jealousy' and 'Rivalitas' meaning 'jealous rivalry'." By the time I was finished, Phalcun had a rather impressed look on his face. "What? I do my research."

"That was a sufficient amount of information. Alright, now it's your turn, ask me whatever it is you want to ask me. Don't ask how I know that you want to ask me something, I can see it in your beautiful eyes."

I blush at his comment. Unfortunately, I have second thoughts about asking him. Our conversation so far has made me not want to chase him off by telling him I've had a dream about him and then I hallucinated him in my mirror. That just seems downright creepy. So instead I ask him, "why did you really want to meet up? And don't tell me it's because you wanted to learn more about Nemesis, you could have used the internet for that."

"Alright, you caught me. I just want to get to know you better. The way you spoke so passionately in Mythology class intrigued me, I, uh, I figured that I could use learning more about Nemesis as a way to have an actual conversation with you. But, it was interesting, all that you just said."

I smile; he has a certain charm about him that I just can't seem to say no to. "Well, it's you lucky day Birdbrain. It just so happens that I want to get to know you better too."

He arches his eyebrow, for the second time today. "Birdbrain? Well that one's new."

"Seriously? No one has ever called you Birdbrain before?"

He laughed, and it sounded beautiful. "No, actually I have never been called Birdbrain before. That has become my new personal favourite nickname." He smiles and I smile back. The rest of the time flies by, we chat and there is occasional friendly banter. I find myself enjoying the time, and glad that I didn't mention the dream. Phalcun is cunning, and has a way with words.

When it's time for us to go our separate ways, I'm surprised to find that I'm a little dismayed. I was really enjoying myself, I felt more relaxed than I have felt in a while now. Something about being with Phalcun calmed me down; this can be both good and bad. Good because a lot of tension is drained from my body, but that also means that someone can catch me off guard and that can end badly. But for now, I just bathe in the after effects of our chat, a light heart and good mood.

~ Ω ~

Noah is just closing the driver's side door when the car comes into view. I slide into the passenger seat with a grin on my face. Noah cast a sideways glance at me.

"Told ya it was a date." He says and smiles.

"It wasn't deemed a date, so no, brother dearest, it wasn't." But I know that even though we never called it one, it was an unofficial date; and I loved every second of it.

Noah looks at my smiling face and he smiles too, "any guy who can make you smile that much and put that look in your eyes is worth it. Just note that if he ever does anything to hurt you, I will hunt him down."

"Awww thanks Noah. Ditto for Brent. If he hurts you, I will be his worst nightmare." At that, Noah and I share an authentic brother-sister moment, the kind only some brothers and sisters have. It was then that I realized Noah would always be there for me, and I for him. We'd avenge each other, whether it's over a broken bone or a broken heart. We may only be step-siblings by blood, but we sure as hell were more than that by choice.