The Nanny and The Butler
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this.
The kids knew nothing of the break-in when they woke up the next morning. Percy told them that the missing pages had fallen on the freshly mopped floor and were useless. Hazel immediately started drawing another picture while Annabeth promised to call the school to get new forms. Everything was normal, as far as the children were concerned.
But Annabeth was jumpy in the morning, barely able to sit still. She hadn't slept much after returning to the penthouse the night before and she was obsessed with the security.
"I mean, we can lock the whole house down if we wanted but the people we want to keep out have a key!" she exclaimed, biting her nail. She was sat at the kitchen island while Percy was making lunch. He had dark rings under his eyes and she knew that he must not have slept much either.
"I still think we should be some extra security in here," she continued, "and then we just...don't tell Zeus and Hera we did it."
Percy found himself laughing despite the seriousness of their situation. "That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea. But you'd actually need to know someone to do high level security under the radar."
Annabeth said nothing; she just stared at him as innocently as she could.
Percy looked back, his mouth falling open slightly. "Oh my God, you do."
Annabeth shrugged, picking a piece of cheese from the packet to chew on. "You know him too."
"Thanks again for this Beckendorf; we wouldn't ask if wasn't really important."
Beckendorf looked away from his tablet for only a moment to grin at both Percy. "It's alright; by the sounds of, you guys could really use this."
His tablet was plugged into a small box that he had installed beside the key card slot for the penthouse. The box had numbered buttons on it and Beckendorf finished setting it up. He plugged out the tablet and stepped out of the elevator. "There. Now, every time that you put in the key card, the system won't let you move until you punch in the numbered code."
Percy nodded and the two boys walked back towards the living room. Beckendorf has also installed sensors on all the windows and doors with a brand new alarm system.
"This is a nice place," he said, "No wonder Annabeth likes working here."
The girl herself appeared at the top of the stairs and smiled as she hopped down them. "Everything alright?" she asked and Percy nodded, handing her the paper with the security code written on it.
"This is great; thank you Benkendorf!" she exclaimed, "We'll pay you as soon as possible."
Beckendorf just shrugged. "Forget it; clearly you guys got spooked about last night. Just pay me in those blue cupcakes your mom makes."
Percy was about to go to the kitchen to get him a couple but Annabeth said, "There's just one more thing I'd like you to look at."
She led the way up the stairs and down the hallway. Percy's eyes went wide when he saw her stop at the door to the study. "Seriously? What do you hope to find in there?" he asked.
"Something," she replied, "They don't want us going in there so there must be a reason. I just need to know more about what they might be up to."
She turned to Beckendorf, who already had his tablet out again. "Can you try to find out what kind of security is on this room?" she asked, "I know you've got that software that can scan for electronic items."
Beckendorf nodded, his tablet working quickly as she spoke. A moment later, it finished and he said, "There's nothing on this room. No cameras or sensors. All that is stopping you is the lock."
"Really? Zeus and Hera didn't put anything on it?" Annabeth gave the door a once over before saying, "Perhaps they didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to try and disobey a direct order."
Percy grinned. "Well clearly they underestimated us." Without missing a beat, he added, "That came out wrong."
Beckendorf glanced between them and tucked his tablet away in his bag. "I think that's my clue to leave; I'll just let myself out."
They both said goodbye to him and once he was gone, Annabeth quickly bent down to examine the lock.
"Do you actually know how to pick a lock?" Percy asked with mild curiosity.
Annabeth looked up at him and paused. "No," she said eventually, "But I can learn." Percy sighed and plucked a hair grip from the bun on her head.
"Hey!" she complained but Percy gently shoved her to kneel in front of the door. "I should remember this moment; the one time I know something Annabeth Chase doesn't."
He quickly got to work and she watched him, one hand propping her chin up. "Where did you learn this?"
Percy shrugged, "When I was younger, my mom and I lived in this tiny apartment and the lock was always getting suck. So she taught me how to get in."
Suddenly there was a clicking sound and Percy handed the hair grip back to her. Standing up, Percy pushed open the door and the two of them looked inside the study. The room had two high windows that cast light down onto the dark wooden desk in front of them. There were two chairs and a rug but the rest of the room, floor to ceiling, was covered in shelves. Each shelf was filled with tightly packed files and there were a number of boxes filled with pages sitting on the floor. Annabeth walked forward and Percy looked backward once before shutting the door.
"I'm glad the kids are at music practice," he said, "I don't think I like the look of this place. What is all of this stuff?"
Annabeth didn't answer him at first; she was busy taking random files out to look over. "I don't think they're about one specific thing," she answered, "These seem to be files on everything Zeus and Hera have ever done. They really have been keeping track of their money."
Percy had joined in the searched and he was glancing through one of the boxes. "Yes, but why? Did they use these things to blackmail people or something? I mean, we know that they do illegal things, clearly but why keep a record of it here?"
He and Annabeth spent the next few minutes going over so many files, the words started to blur together. There nothing in the room that was from the last few months but others dated back years ago. Percy was sat in on the chairs, flipping through a file when Annabeth dumped one in his lap.
"Look at this; it's all about the Olympians," she said and they both looked over it.
"My dad is mentioned here," Percy said, "And your mom. What is this all about?"
Annabeth sighed, sitting on the arm of the chair. "I think this is a record of all their business connections. Like how your dad and my mom owned a restaurant together and then there's Luke's dad Hermes who went into business with Zeus and Hera. Plus, there are mentions of the other Olympians too. But that's not the interesting part."
She turned the pages and pointed. "The file keeps talking about someone named Kronos. I think that he had huge influence over all of them; I mean the date on the file shows that the Olympians were in their early thirties at the time. Now, about twelve years ago, all mentions of Kronos stop. It was like he just dropped off the face of the earth. And compared to how much he was involved with them before, that's strange."
"But who is Kronos?" Percy asked, "I never heard anything about him."
"Percy?! Annabeth?! We're home!" Jason's voice rang through the house from the front door.
Percy and Annabeth quickly jumped up and put the files back before running out the door and shutting it behind them. They tried to walk down the stairs as calmly as possible and saw the kids coming into the living room.
"Hey guys," Percy greeted, "How did the lessons go?"
Jason grinned and hurried over. "Great and everything was cool on the way home too." They had let Jason be in charge of the kids on their way home from the music lesson, which was thankfully just a few buildings over. A woman gave lesson for many instruments and the whole atmosphere there was a lot more relaxing than the people the kids had gone to before.
"Well in that case, there are a few cupcakes on the counter," Percy hinted and the kids nearly stampeded towards the door.
Once they were out of ear shot, Annabeth asked, "What are we going to do? There actually wasn't much in the study."
Percy paused, running his hands over his face in frustration. "I don't know, I just can't think properly in this place. I feel like Zeus and Hera are going to pop out at any moment."
"Well unless you have a convenient vacation space that will gladly take four kids; I think we're stuck here."
Percy stilled and raised an eyebrow at her.
"What?" she said, slightly wary.
"How do you like the beach?"
The next day was a Friday and Annabeth had never organised a vacation at such speed. They were picking the kids up straight from school and heading straight of the airport. None of them had ever been to Maine before and were literally bouncing in their seats with excitement. Seriously, Annabeth had to make them sit on opposite sides of the big car.
The suggestion that they all head to Percy's dad's house by the beach was a welcomed idea and a weekend break was perfect. But Annabeth knew that it was also a good excuse to ask Poseidon about the Olympians. They had no leads, except for the mysterious Kronos. Businessmen as powerful as him don't just disappear.
The private plane was at the nearest airport but Annabeth was worrying about Zeus and Hera finding out. Percy, however, said that he knew the pilot very well and that he wouldn't say a word. Plus, the Graces had never called about the kids' whereabouts before. So, when they got onto the runway, with a wind nearly blowing Hazel over, they headed straight to the small white plane. There was a slim man standing on the movable steps and he grinned when he saw the group.
"Nice day for a flight Boss," he called to Percy, who smiled back.
"I thought you could fly in any weather Blackjack," he joked but the pilot just waved him off and turned to Annabeth.
"So this is the famous nanny I've heard so much about?"
"Ya!" Leo exclaimed.
"This is Annabeth Chase," Katie introduced as the other children quickly boarded the plane with their bags.
Blackjack tipped his pilot's hat at her and practically threw her baggage into Percy's arms. "Come on Boss, be a gentleman to the lady," he ordered.
Percy rolled his eyes but boarded the plane after Annabeth. The kids had already picked their seats so the two of them packed away the luggage and sat down themselves.
"Why is he called Blackjack?" she asked quietly.
Percy raised an eyebrow and replied, "Play cards with him; then you'll know."
The flight was a comfortable one, and in an hour, they had landed at the small airport a few miles from Poseidon's house. The group said goodbye to Blackjack-whose real name Annabeth still did not know- and they walked through the airport.
They had been outside the front doors for less than twenty seconds when Percy was suddenly swept up into a hug by a tall, broad shoulder guy with wild hair.
"Percy!" the guy exclaimed and all Percy could do was to pat him on the back.
"I'm glad to see you too Tyson," he choked out, "But I really need you to loosen the grip buddy."
Tyson let go of him and welcomed the others like they were long lost family. Finally he grinned at Annabeth. "This is the girl you keep talking about, Percy? She's pretty."
Percy went bright red and mumbled something about getting in the car. They all piled into Tyson's truck and set off through the city and into the country. They drove up the coast, the sea always on the horizon. Since it was November, it was far too cold to even think of going in the ocean, but there was plenty to do for the kids.
The truck drove off the main road and down a small track. It was a few moments later that Annabeth caught sight of a small beach house through the car's front window. It was painted blue with fishing nets and driftwood dotted around the wrap- around porch. A dock stretched out from the front door and towards the beach. At the end of the dock, floating in the sea, was a small fishing boat.
"This place looks so cool," Katie commented, "Can we go out on the boat?"
"Maybe," Tyson said, "We'll have to check with Dad."
He drove up to the house and parked the truck, letting everyone out. Annabeth was just getting all the bags when the front door opened and a man stepped out. He had to be Percy's dad Poseidon.
She had seen pictures of him before, when he was a rich businessman but now he looked like a relaxed fisherman, with a coloured shirt and shorts.
"Percy!" he greeted as he came down the front steps, "It's about time you paid us a visit."
He hugged his son quickly and then turned to Annabeth. He was smiling warmly but she could tell he was sizing her up carefully. "And this must be the famous Annabeth Chase."
She shook his hand and introduced each of the kids, making sure that they thanked him for letting them stay at his home.
"It's wonderful to have you all here- but since we only have two bedrooms, I hope you've brought sleeping bags."
"Don't worry, they have," Percy said, "They can't wait to camp out in the living room."
Poseidon ushered them all inside, where he had the dining table spread out with food. The house was practically all open plan, with walls separating the bedrooms and bathroom. It definitely made watching the kids easier. Since it was late in the afternoon when they had arrived, they had no other plans than walking on the beach.
Night fell and the kids fell asleep in the living room in a pile of sleeping bags and pillows. Tyson lit some lamps on the porch and the deck chairs were set up. Annabeth sat beside Percy with a blanket wrapped around her and a beautiful view of the sea. Poseidon was reclining on another chair and Tyson sat up on the porch railing.
"It's going to be awesome to have you here for the weekend Percy," he said, "The surf is great here."
"I'm sure the surf isn't exactly what Percy had in mind by visiting," Poseidon stated, tapping his fingers off the arm of his chair.
"Actually, I would like to surf," Percy replied casually but Annabeth cleared her throat.
"We were hoping you could fill in a few blanks. About Kronus?"
Poseidon let out a low whistle and grinned. "You do go straight to the point, don't you? You're a lot like your mom that way."
"I wouldn't know; we don't talk."
Poseidon nodded after a moment and then spoke quietly, "Yes, but that's not your fault. In some ways, it's not hers either. We made a mistake a long time ago and have been paying for it ever since."
"A mistake to do with Kronus Dad? Who is he?" Percy asked.
Poseidon sighed, suddenly looking older than his years. "You don't know what you are asking," he said lowly, "I haven't talked about this since I left the city."
"Zeus and Hera are threats to our kids," Annabeth said, "They let a stranger walk through the house while they were asleep and with no one to defend them. We really do want to know why."
Poseidon looked to Percy who agreed with Annabeth. Tyson seemed to sense that it was a tense conversation and he checked that the door was closed so that the kids couldn't overhear if they woke.
"Kronus was a businessman who started the Olympians in the first place. He handpicked the most promising people in the business world and connected them with each other to make more money. He got a cut of the profits of course and at the beginning, none of us thought to mind. But as time went on and we all became more confident with our work, Kronus' involvement became more a trap than a gift. We hated him, all of us Olympians-me, your mom, Zeus and Hera."
Poseidon had a faraway look in his eyes, as if he wasn't sitting on a porch in Maine anymore.
"One day, we were at Kronus' house in the city. By this time, he was an old man and was thinking of moving out of the rickety place. Everyone was gathered in the dining room, waiting for him. We heard him walked down the hallway on the first floor and then he reached the stairs. It was quiet but when he hit top stair, there was crashing noise. It went on for less than four seconds but when it stopped, we all knew what had happened. And no one moved. For some reason, just by looking at each other, we all knew that if we just stayed there, than all our problems would go away. When we finally went to see Kronus, lying there at the bottom of the stairs, it hit me that we had let him die. Athena then called the police. To everyone else, it was an accident but we knew what we did. I couldn't take it. All my wealth, all the houses and cars just reminded me. So I left and the Olympians just cut tie to each other."
Annabeth had reached over and grabbed Percy's hand; it wasn't everyday that you heard your parents had let someone die, lying on the ground in pain.
"I was content with just battling with my own guilt but Athena...your mother refused to let the others live in luxury after what we had done. She's been planning something for a long time now; something that will bring down all the Olympians- possibly myself included. And it is nothing less than we deserve."
The other three sat in silence; that certainly not what Annabeth had expected to hear. Was that why she never saw her mother? Did Athena feel so guilty about what she had done that she could look at her daughter?
Percy's voice cut through her thoughts and she turned to face him. "But I still don't get why Zeus and Hera are acting so strangely. Do you think they know about Athena's plan?"
Poseidon paused but then replied, "It's possible. All the pieces won't fall into place until at least another month or two. They could have gotten wind of it and are preparing."
"Yes, but why do they need the kids' signatures? Since they are minors their parents have to usually sign for anything anyway."
Poseidon stared at them both, sighing slightly. "You really do care for those kids don't you?"
"Of course," Percy said quickly, "They're innocent in all of this. Whatever Zeus and Hera are planning, we don't want them caught up in it."
Poseidon leaned forward in his seat, rubbing a hand across the stubble on his chin. "If I had it my way, neither of you would be messed up in all of this. But I honestly think that if you want the right advice and help, your mother would be the best person to speak to."
He looked at Annabeth who frowned. "I don't even know where she is, let alone her phone number."
"I can give it to you," Poseidon replied, "The question you really should be concerning yourselves with is how far you are willing to go for those children?"
Percy turned his head to look at her, their hands still clasped together. When she had helped Hazel all those months ago-which seemed an age ago- she did not expect to be sitting where she was; contemplating these questions. But when Percy nodded to her, she knew exactly what she had to do. So she took a breath before looking back to Poseidon.
"I guess you better give me that number then."
