Lives Collide

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this.

I am sorry for taking so long to post this but things were very busy.

Percy stopped Blackjack on the crest of a hill, getting his breath back from the long gallop. He turned around in the saddle to see his father right behind him on a brown horse. Poseidon halted beside his son, looking around at the ranch's large fields and paddocks. There was a green landscape that went on for miles, filled with clumps of trees and a winding river that cut right through the middle.

"I forgot how beautiful it was out here," he said to Percy, "It's nice to get back to it."

Percy only nodded, adjusting his hands on the reins. He had been oddly silent throughout their ride but Poseidon could guess what was bothering him.

"Percy? Are you sure about taking your inheritance back?"

Green eyes met his and the younger boy scoffed. "Nope. I told Luke that when I was angry but I can't back out now." Percy shook his head and asked, "What are the chances that I won't have to dress in a suit and attended boring meetings?"

Poseidon grimaced and replied, "Not great? I'm sorry Percy but as heir, you would have to familiarise yourself with all areas of the Olympia business."

"But Zeus and Hades have their own companies that have nothing to do with you! I mean, Zeus has his airline and Hades has his mining company. Really, I should just be learning about your swimming pool business and the universal companies like the school or the restaurants."

Poseidon's horse startled slightly at Percy's raised voice while Blackjack just stood there calmly as if he was used to it. Poseidon suspected he actually was.

"Look I know that the business may seem daunting but I promise to help you along the way. Starting by helping you see the perks of being an Olympia."

"If you say unlimited credit card, I am going to turn Blackjack around right now," Percy replied.

Poseidon's shoulders sagged slightly so Percy clenched his jaw and said, "You know I don't like throwing money around."

"Then let this be my gift to you. I mean I did miss a few birthdays didn't I? Plus, this way I can buy all the suits and dresses needed for you and your friends to come to the ball."

"You'll spoil them."

"Good because you don't let me spoil you!"

Percy laughed and nodded his head in agreement before clicking his tongue and moving Blackjack forward.

It was over an hour later when Percy returned to the Diner, his father's unlimited credit card heavy in his jean pocket. He pushed open the door, frowning at the dirty streaks on the glass instead of looking through it. As he made a mental note to clean it later, he heard the screeches of chairs being dragged across the floor and harsh whispers.

Percy finally stepped into the diner, looking around at the sight of all his friends sitting on chairs and stools trying to feign innocence.

"Hey Percy..." Leo said in an unusually high voice, giving him a quick wave. Conner and Travis were sitting beside each other across the table from him, their shoulders practically glued together as they gave him friendly smiles. Nico, Hazel and Frank were standing behind the counter, arms folded, and faces blank. Percy knew that Annabeth, Grover, Jason and Piper were in his apartment from an earlier text massage but the others has apparently sat in the diner, all alone and behaved perfectly. It worried him.

Percy let out a slow breath and held up a hand as he said lowly, "I don't know what you've been doing and part of me doesn't want to know. But as the oldest person here without Hettie it is my job to find out. So...please just don't have broken any laws."

There was a beat of silence and then Leo asked, "...specifically state laws?"

Percy rolled his eyes and walked past them all and into the kitchen. He was making his way to his apartment's stairs when he heard a splat from behind him. He turned around to see a raw hamburger sitting on the clean tiles of the kitchen, right between the cooker and the giant freezer. Percy looked upwards only to see a number of half cooked hamburgers sticking to the ceiling.

"Clean it! Clean everything! I can't believe you let the Stolls into my kitchen!"

The others stumbled through the kitchen's doors, Connor frowning. "How did he know it was us?"

"Ya! I mean, it was Leo's idea to teach us how to cook the hamburgers."

"Don't blame this on me! You weren't supposed to flip them that high!"

"Just clean it!" Percy ordered, as his four other friends came down from the apartment. Just as Percy was imagining the health inspector popping out from behind the fridge,

Annabeth placed a hand on his shoulder. "You heard Percy, guys," she said, "clean it up."

The others followed orders with plenty of grumbles while sent her a grateful smile. "How was your time with your dad?" she asked quietly as Jason grinned at Leo, who was being forced to catch the raw burgers in a bucket as Conner scrapped them off with a spatula.

The reason why he had to do it when sitting on Travis' shoulders was just to cause more havoc.

Percy shrugged and replied, "It was good. I mean he gave me his credit card to use for the suits and dresses but you know that I hate taking money from him."

Annabeth gave him a half smile. "I get it Percy. I mean, you saw your mom work so hard for everything in life before your father and now you've gotten your own place, a good job and money for college all by yourself. It must be weird to have things just handed to you again."

She stopped when she realised Percy was staring at her with soft eyes, his green orbs flicking over every inch of her face.

"What?" she asked quietly and he replied, "I just nearly forgot how easily you understand me."

She grinned back at him just as the heard a loud clatter from over Percy's shoulder. Turning around, they saw Leo and Jason, gripping each other's arms as they tried to slam burger into their friend's hair.

"If I worked so hard for everything then how did I pick up so many strays?" Percy asked her quietly before marching over to the other two. He pulled them away from each other before giving the bucket back to Leo.

"Clean all this up. Or..." He pulled the credit card from his pocket and said, "My dad will take back the free suits and dresses he is willing to buy for you guys!"

There was a whoop from his friends; now they didn't have to spend money buying or renting anything.

Percy turned back to Annabeth and shrugged. If he was going to spend the money, he might as well let his friends reap the rewards.

-A few days later-

Jason looked up at the towering building in front of him, squinting slightly from the sunlight. Piper was at his side, also gapping at the place Percy had taken them all to get fitted out for the Masquerade Ball.

It was tall but he also suspected that it stretched far out behind the large golden doors. It was fancier than any shopping malls Jason had ever been too; but he had never been to a mall called The Lotus Plaza either. A giant pink flower was set above the entrance's doors, looking like it was encrusted with jewels.

"It's the main shopping area for Olympia students, so of course they like to advertise their wealth," Percy had said earlier when he had told them where he was going. Apparently, if they were going to have to be mixing with rich kids, they were going to be dressed much better than them.

With Percy and Annabeth leading the way, Jason, Piper, Leo, Frank, Hazel and Nico walked through the doors and into The Lotus Plaza. Immediately they were in a large entrance with marble floors and pillars. Shops lined the walls with decorated window displays and the two levels above them opened up onto balconies. There was a fountain in front of them and the mall seemed to stretch on for miles.

"You could get lost in this place forever," Nico muttered but Percy shook his head. "Nah, I know exactly where we're going."

They walked forward, past the fountain and towards some of the large stores with ceiling to floor windows. The shop had marble pillars each side of the entrance and before they could even step inside, a man appeared in front of them. He was decked out in a suit and slicked back brown hair; his head slightly raised as if to look down on the teenagers.

"May I help you?" he asked carefully. Jason looked over at Percy, who was clenching his jaw.

Thankfully Annabeth stepped up to the man and said, "This is the Olympia party. Poseidon called ahead to say that we would be dropping by."

The man's eyes locked on Percy, dollar signs practically flashing in his eyes. "Ah yes! This way please!"

He gave an extravagant arm movement that signalled for them to enter the store causing Leo to burst out laughing. Frank gave him a poke in the back to move head so they all walked through the grand doors. The floor was covered in a rich purple carpet and there were more chairs and soft cushions for people to sit on than there were clothes.

"For such a rich place, they sure don't have much," Jason muttered to Percy.

The older boy sighed before whispering back, "They'll measure us first and then present us with a number of suits. It'll go the same for the girls with their dresses. They don't have much on show because each piece of clothing is tailored made for you."

"Oh. That sounds expensive already."

"And boring; my dad dragged me to places like this every time I had to attend an event."

Shop assistants suddenly appeared like rabbits out of a hat, taking each boy and girl and recording their measurements. Measuring tapes were whipped out and placed along arms and shoes sizes were jotted down. Leo looked like he wanted to start laughing again while Hazel and Piper seemed overwhelmed by the amount of choices on offer for their dresses. Patterns, designs and colours were put in front of them, all with complicated names.

"What do you mean fuchsia? What the heck is a fuchsia?"

It seemed to take forever, especially for the boy who had had his fill of it years before. Percy finally finished with his measurements so he quickly made his way towards Annabeth, who was standing in the middle of all this chaos, watching Piper frown at a frilled gown.

"Hey," he said, "Why aren't you picking out a dress?"

Annabeth pulled out her phone as she replied, "Silena wanted all us girls to be the best dressed at the Ball so she's ordering specially made dresses for us."

"Really? That's...so Silena."

Annabeth checked the message that had just been sent to her phone and she winched as she read it.

"What?" Percy asked, concerned and Annabeth let him see the screen. "I may have mentioned to her that we were going shopping."

Percy looked down at the message and frowned as he started to read.

"You let Percy go shopping with his dad's unlimited credit card. WITHOUT ME! What is wrong with you?! And you too Jackson; I know you're reading this."

Percy looked back at Annabeth and replied, "I don't know which to be more impressed by; the fact she knew I'd see this or that she used correct English."

"She gets articulate when she's angry."

The man from the entrance appeared in front of them again, this time a smile plastered across his face. Percy finally got a look at the shiny name plate on his suit, which looked just as expensive with its silver engraving. Charon was written across the gold metal.

"Is there anything else I can get you Mister Olympia? Tea, coffee?"

Percy shook his head and replied, "No thank you, Charon. I think everyone is fine."

Charon nodded quickly and hurried off when he suddenly saw Frank and Nico trying to gag Leo with one of the ties.

Percy turned back to Annabeth and let out a sigh. "I know, you hate this but relax."

Percy smiled at her then and said, "I can relax this evening. With you."

She frowned at him slightly as she saw that familiar grin. "You and me. Tonight. I am going to cook you dinner. A first date that is long overdue."

Percy swore he saw a feint blush on Annabeth's cheeks as she replied, "That sounds great. What time will I come over?"

"Around five? I'll make you all the blue food you want."

"Well how can a girl refuse?" Hazel suddenly called Annabeth over, yelling something about wraps and why the shoes had to look like torture devices.

She walked off and Jason took the opportunity to skid over to his friend's side. "Hey; any chance you're free tonight? Piper has a problem and she wanted to talk to you about it without everyone else around. Plus she wants me to be there."

Percy looked over at her but Piper did not seem to be too troubled by anything other than too much attention from the shop assistance.

"Uh, Annabeth is coming over for dinner around five and we may be a couple of hours. I don't know the exact time it takes to talk through relationship problems but hopefully blue cupcakes for desert help. You two can call over around eight and you can stay over. Her dad is still overseas right?"

Jason nodded and replied, "Yes, so it might be better for her than staying in an empty apartment." A smile came over his face and Jason asked, "So...you and Annabeth going to kiss and make up?"

Percy glared at his grin and muttered, "I will kick your ass with one of those Italian shoes in a minute if you don't wipe that smile off your face."

Jason snorted and Percy held back his own grin as he said, "She is coming over for dinner but we're going to have to see how everything goes..."

Jason watched as Percy caught sight of something over his shoulder and he turned around to see a boy his age marching towards them. He had black hair and was skinny, but held his head high as he stood in front of Percy. Jason saw the black eye patch that sat over his left eye but looked over at Percy instead.

"Hello Ethan," Percy said, his voice strained.

Ethan sniffed with his flat nose and he replied, "Percy. I'm surprised they let you back in here. Places like this aren't really meant for half bloods."

"Don't tell me you're still using that term Ethan; I thought it went out years ago."

Ethan scoffed and hurried away to the other side of the shop. Leo appeared at Jason's side and asked, "Who was that?!"

"Ethan Nakamura. He goes to Olympia and he has hated me because I am a 'half blood.' It's a term used for kids like me with one rich parent and one non-rich parent. And let's just say he's always made his opinion clear."

"Yes, but what is with his eye?"

"He injured it a while ago from what I heard. He's not the kind to let things go and I can't be bothered to deal with him so I would suggest not annoying him."

"So...no pirate jokes?"

Annabeth stood outside The Jupiter Diner, taking deep breaths. The blinds had been draw over the windows, including the one over the door so she couldn't see inside. She smoothed out her cream top, the bottom of it settling over the waist of her skinny jeans. She had a pair of normal blue flats on and her blonde hair was down.

It was just Percy, she kept saying to herself. Percy, the one boy on the planet who she knew would not care how she looked; he just cared that she was looking at him.

She raised her hand to knock on the door and waited for a moment. It opened quickly and a smile shone on her face when she saw Percy.

Dressed in blue jeans and green shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, he managed to look unbelievably handsome. Of course, he had no actually concept of how handsome he was; Percy never did. It surprised her sometimes that he genuinely did not understand why girls flirted with him or when they actually were flirting with him. It was endearing and modest and just so Percy.

She realised that he was staring at her, in a sort of dumb struck state. She looked down at her outfit and then at him again.

"What?" she asked softly.

Percy smiled at her and said, "I just...realised I am on a date with a beautiful girl who can see right through me. I'm deciding between feeling terrified or excited."

Annabeth laughed and replied, "Well, how about you let me in while you're deciding?"

He opened the door wide and she stepped through into the warm diner. Her jaw dropped when she saw the inside. She already knew that the lights were off and blinds were drawn but she hadn't seen the net of fairy lights that were stuck to the ceiling. Clusters of the small lights covered the wooden roof and sent a soft glow over the room. The other tables and chairs were pushed away and only one table with two chairs sat in the centre of the room. It was covered with a table cloth and place settings as well as a small sunflower- her favourite.

She looked at Percy who stood there, with a cautious smile.

"Is it alright?" he asked and she gasped.

"Alright? Percy this is beautiful! Did you do all of this?"

He grinned widely now and replied, "Well I have to admit that Piper and Hazel did practically order me to make it romantic as possible but I know you're not a rose petals and candles sort of girl so..."

She hugged him tightly and he let out a relieved laugh. Annabeth pulled back slightly and looked at Percy softly as she said, "I'm on a date with a handsome boy who knows me better than anyone. I am defiantly excited."

Percy snorted and replied, "Well it's about time that loser got his act together!"

Taking her hand, he led her over to the table and she sat down as he got the food. The time past but they seemed not to notice it. With the world shut behind the blinds, it was just the two of them, laughing, remembering and talking. The food was eaten and when desert was over, they just sat at the table; their hands together and fingers intertwined. Annabeth leaned forward in her chair her fingers tracing the feint lines on Percy's hands.

"I had a great time tonight, Percy," she said to him and he smiled at her, for about the millionth time in the past few hours.

"This is good right? Being together and talking about things?" He looped his fingers through hers as he continued talking.

"Annabeth I went two years without seeing you or talking to you. Even, not daring to think about you. And although I've made a life here...it's not the same without you. I don't want to lose you again."

"You're not," she replied, squeezing his hands. "The last two years weren't exactly a picnic for me either. Despite everything that happened, I still think we're better together."

Percy leaned forward, his forehead brushing against hers. "Annabeth, I don't want to push you-."

"Seriously, Seaweed Brain, it's been two years so get over here."

He smiled as he finally kissed her, a warm feeling spreading across his chest when she kissed him back. One of her hands rested on his cheek, her fingers brushing against the edge of his hair.

-Outside-

"Don't you dare knock!"

Jason froze with his hand near the glass door of the diner. "What? I'm sure they're not busy in there; Annabeth's probably gone by now."

Piper raised an eyebrow and Jason let his hand fall. "Well should we go in around back? I have the key."

Piper sighed and replied, "We can't go in at all! They are having a romantic dinner and we better not interrupt them. Why don't we come back later?"

"Later will be the middle of the night!"

Inside the diner, Percy and Annabeth were still kissing. Annabeth pulled away from Percy slightly, enough to still feel his breath on her lips.

"Should we tell them that we can hear them?"

Percy shook his head and muttered, "No, let's just leave them outside; they'll go away."

Annabeth smiled but when Jason and Piper's voices grew louder, both she and Percy sighed.

"I better head back to the dorms anyway."

With a sigh, Annabeth picked up their empty plates as Percy walked over to the door. He opened it to see Jason and Piper standing there. They both looked at him, and he gave them a look that clearly told them that they had interrupted the date.

Piper punched Jason in the arm but Percy hurried them into the diner. They passed Annabeth, who joined Percy in front of the door. He leaned against it and stared at her.

She gave him a small smile and mumbled, "I should get going..."

"Or...you could stay?" Percy asked. Annabeth raised her eyebrow and Percy quickly replied, "I mean, Jason and Piper are staying over too! I know that Piper wants to talk to me about something but maybe she won't mind you being there?"

"I don't!" Piper called from the kitchen, causing Annabeth and Percy to look over at her and Jason hurrying up the apartment's stairs.

"Ok! If you don't mind me borrowing some clothes? I can't exactly sleep in these jeans."

Percy locked up the door and, after turning off the fairy lights, they head up to the apartment.