First upload of the new years! I'm really sorry I haven't been able to update; I've been really busy lately. And I have midterms next week and the week after so I won't be able to update as often. Thank you for being so patient! I love all the reviews I've been getting.

This chapter isn't as long as the others. But I promise next chapter will be much longer...hopefully. Anyway, enjoy! R&R! Keep those reviews coming. OH, and no proofread. It might sound a bit...gritty.

~C


My mother's calculating stare as she observed the interior of the nursing home unnerved me. Dad and I stood out of her way, our gazes following her every footstep. A young nurse was beside me and she was wringing her hands in anxiety. In her hand was a clipboard with a registration form. While my mother continued her close inspection, I glanced down at my watch. It was noon. My flight to Italy will be leaving at three.

I didn't know why my father put this off at the last minute. We'd gone to at least three nursing homes in the past two days but none of it feels right. Dad and I had no objections to any of them but my mother was picky; she needed to be certain that everything was tailored to Nico's needs and met her expectations.

When we first arrived, my mother gave off an air of intimidation; that was why the nurse beside me was staring at my tall, regal mother with a frightened expression on her delicate face. Her blonde hair framed her face and her fingers were white as she clutched the clipboard to her chest.

"Athena." My father prompted, taking a step forward. My mother paused and looked at him before carrying on. My mother's name was Athena, like the Greek goddess. I think it suited her personality perfectly. In my mind, Athena was cunning and shrewd, all the qualities that my mother possessed. "Stop pacing. You're leaving marks on the carpet."

Turning to face him, her face softened. Eyes flickering to me, she stilled and tapped a finger against her chin. "And you're sure a nurse would be monitoring my son at all times?" This was directed to the scared nurse next to me.

Her blonde hair - a shade lighter than mine - bobbed up and down. She thrust out the clipboard with a pen in her trembling hands. "Y-yes. It is usually against our policy, but for you we'll allow you unrestricted rights to pick the nurse of your choice."

My mother smiled slowly, satisfied. I exhaled in a gust and my father looked at me with amusement. Gaining my mother's approval on anything was nearly impossible and that had been proved by the last three nursing homes. And just in time. It was ten past noon. I needed to get home and finish packing some last minute items.

Taking the clipboard, my father led my mother to the rows of chair set against the back wall and sat down, putting the clipboard between them. Their heads bend down, they began filling out the form with earnest concentration.

While they did that, I turned to the fright-strickened girl and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry about my mom." I whispered to her. She looked up, startled. "She really wants to make sure things are perfect for my brother."

The girl smiled lightly and shrugged. "It's fine, really. I-I'm really sorry about your brother. It must be hard."

I returned her smile with a tight one. "I'd rather not talk about that."

"Oh, right. Sorry. I didn't mean to intrude." She apologized, casting a nervous glance at my mother, whose head was still bent.

"It's fine."

Neither of us talked for a while. I watched my parents, deep in thoughts, while the girl's gaze wandered. Her stare fell on an elderly men holding a spoon in his shaking hand and excused herself. I nodded and she crossed over to him, and helped him lift the spoon to his mouth. Chocolate pudding slid through his lips and when he'd swallowed, he pulled back and smiled warmly at her. She smiled back and continued to aid him.

Tearing my eyes away from their interaction, I saw that my parents had gotten up, walking back towards me. My mother looked at me meaningfully as she came closer. "Alright," she said when she and my dad was standing in front of me. "We can take care of everything from here. You should go and make sure everything's ready for your trip."

"Are you sure?" I asked, glancing at my dad.

"We're sure." He affirmed. Seeing the furtive glances my mom shot him, he grabbed the clipboard from her and stalked to the front. An old lady greeted him with a warm smile and eagerly grabbed the clipboard he handed to her.

My mom and I were only for the first time in three years. There's something you should know about Athena Chase. She's not the motherly or loving type. She's cold and calculating, intimidating and intelligent. Never in my life had I witness any motherly affection from her. Now I was nervous. I knew it was silly; she was my mother but I couldn't help a settling feeling from seeping into my stomach.

"Annabeth." My mother began hesitantly.

"Yes?" I said, willing my voice not to shake.

"Before you leave, I just want to tell you..." she took a deep breath and paused. I frowned and stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. "...that I'm really proud of you."

"What?" I uttered.

My mother took a step forward and put a hand on my arm, soliciting a startled gasp from my lips. "I'm really proud of what you've done and what you've accomplished for the company and for yourself. And this project in Italy - I hope you the best. I know you'll make me proud."

At the end of her speech, I was speechless. My jaw had dropped uncerimonously and my grey eyes - a mirror of hers - were as wide as saucers. "Thank you...Mom."

She smiled and something fluttered in my chest. For the first time in years, there was a chance of reconcilation for us.

...

At one-thirty, I popped open my car door and climbed up the steps to Percy's apartment. My suitcases were still in the trunk and jangling my keys in my palms, I used my other hand to rap against the door. I looked down at my watch. The trip to the airport would take about an hour; we needed to get going right now. With much more urgency, I rapped my knuckles against the door.

Finally, the door was flung opened and Percy, disheveled and scowling came into view. "Oh, hey. It's you."

He pulled the door opened wider and I stepped throught. I gasped. His apartment was a mess. Clothes were thrown on the couches, the floors, and the countertop. I spied a white underwear hanging off a lamp and cringed in disgust. "What the hell happened in here? It looked like a hurricane tore through here!"

"I tried my hands at packing. That's what happened." Percy replied glumly, pushing his clothes off the couch and falling on the black leather. "When are we supposed to be at the airport?"

"Right about now." I responded. I looked around the apartment and sighed. "Alright, get off your ass. I'll help you pack. If we hurry, we can get out of here in about fifteen minutes. I mean, how hard can it be?"

...

Percy dropped a black box into his suitcase and I stared at it, blinking rapidly. He saw my incredulous stare and shrugged, smirking. "Best come prepare."

I sighed and waved my hands dismissively. "Whatever." I ignored the box of condoms he'd dropped inside and threw in a few striped button-down shirts. "Anything else you need?"

He spun a full circle, surveying his nearly clean apartment. His eyes then flickered to the suitcase next to the bed and one on the bed. "That contains the pants, jeans, and boxers." He pointed to the one on the ground. "And then that has my shirts and stuff. So, I guess, that's it."

"Don't forget the condoms." I added wryly.

Grinning, Percy nodded. "You should never forget the condoms."

I rolled my eyes and zipped up the suitcase that was lying open on the bed and lugged it to the ground. Percy took hold of the other one and rolled it toward the door. I followed in suit and together we walked out of his apartment. Percy paused to lock his door before resuming his way down to the parking lot. "Okay. We're all set."

"Alright." I said, a feeling of excitement creeping into my voice.

"Italy, here we come!"

...

"Where's your passport?" I asked Percy, tapping my feet impatiently against the black tiles of the airport. We were in line at the security check-in and the lady manning it was glaring at Percy, while he patted his pockets for his passport. The line behind us was restless and mumbles occasionally raced down the lines.

"I-I don't know." he murmured, patting his front pockets and jacket pockets.

"Percy!" I reprimanded, glaring at him. "You forgot to bring it didn't you?"

Ducking his head, he muttered, "Maybe."

"You little piece of - " I growled.

The lady cut me off rudely. "Look, if you don't have your passport ready, please exit the lines. People have places to be!"

Percy snapped, "Give me a second!"

While he continued to search himself, I let my head roll back and sighed loudly. I knew something was going to go wrong. Leave it to him to forget the most important thing we need on this trip! My head snapped forward and my eyes landed on a little black booklet tucked in his back pockets. I took a step forward and slapped the back of his head.

"Ow!" He snarled. "What the hell?"

"You idiot!" I laughed in relief. I reached around and yanked his passport out of his back pocket and waved it in his face. Scowling, Percy grabbed it from my hands and handed it to the lady, who flipped through it and shoved it back at him. She waved us through. "That's so typical of you."

"Shut up!" Percy snapped, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

...

"Can I get you something to drink?" The flight attendant asked, smiling down at me warmly. She showed me the cart stocked with water bottles and soda cans. Percy was sleeping soundly beside me and I shook my head.

"No, thanks."

"Okay. If you need anything, just give me a call." She smiled again and rolled the cart back down the first class aisle. I leaned back against my headrest and closed my eyes. After the security check-in, we checked in our luggages and climbed up the terminal and boarded the plane. Luckily, nothing else had gone awry. When we were safely on the plane, I was able to breathe in and out. We were well on our way. It was a round trip, no stops. Poseidon had planned our trip well.

I folded my hand and placed it in my lap. Just then, a slight turbulence shook the plane and Percy's head fell sideways, right on my shoulder. Through all the ruckus, he was still sleeping, snoring softly. I didn't want to disturb him. Before we board, he'd made it clear that he hated flight travel. He'd preferred to sleep through the trip. Though I knew he couldn't sleep through the entire flight, I wanted the duration of the trip to go by as fast as it could for him before he woke up.

I didn't move it. His head was still on my shoulder and he stirred, trying to get comfortable. I sighed and mumbled, "I hope you know that your head is extremely heavy. What the hell are you eating?" He fell forward and I cursed, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him back. His head dropped on my shoulder again. "Goddamnit! This is going to be a long trip."