Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Thank you for your reviews and sticking with this story! And to Rue, it's really not my style to write short chapters, sorry!

A Twisted Tale of Cinderella

Chapter 10

Annabeth busied herself with Percy's laundry while she waited for the cooks to finish in the kitchen so she could start on Percy's lunch. She was hanging his dress shirts up to dry when Medusa appeared.

"Nancy and I are going to the market place in town tomorrow morning. We will be gone for a few hours. I will be leaving instructions for you in the morning."

The first thought that came to mind was of her friends, Grover and Juniper. It's been nearly two months since she arrived in the Jackson household. She had promised to visit them as soon she could and now an opportunity finally presented itself.

"Um…" But Medusa has already begun to walk away. "Excuse me, Medusa, ma'am!" Annabeth called.

Medusa turned around. Perhaps she was surprised. That was the loudest Annabeth had ever been.

"Would it be alright if I came along as well?"

Medusa's mouth shifted to one side in thought. "That's not really for me to decide. Perhaps you should ask Master Percy. If he says it's alright, I'd be happy to let you accompany us." Medusa said and continued her return indoors.

Annabeth tucked some waves of hair behind her ear that the wind blew out of place and frowned. She doubted that Percy would let her go. This would mark the first time she ever asked anything of him. Her heart fell when she remembered Percy's constant glares. She felt them even when her back was turned or when she was on the other side of the room. Maybe she shouldn't even ask at all. He might get angry and the last thing she wanted to do was upset him.

But as Annabeth finished hanging his shirts and headed inside to prepare Percy's lunch, she remembered how Percy had actually thanked her yesterday after she brought him the cookies. Judging by the look on his face after he said it, she guessed that it was an automatic response of his after being given cookies. But he still said it, and to her of all people. Perhaps he was finally accepting her as his caretaker.

A smile played on Annabeth's lips.

She made her way up to Percy's room after she prepared lunch and knocked on the bedroom door, balancing the tray on one hand. She only came in after she heard Percy's weak "Enter."

Percy was on the bed reading a book but when he looked up and saw her, she could have sworn his face lit up. Maybe it was the lighting in the room. But if she looked closely, she could see the corner of his lips lifted ever so slightly. His smile, or perhaps smirk, faded when he saw her looking right at him though his face became neutral rather than the scowl Annabeth had become accustomed to. She watched him set his book down on the bed next to him, toss the covers off, and attempt to get out of bed.

Annabeth placed the tray on his table near the windows. "Don't strain yourself, sir." She put her hands up. "I'll come to you."

"No." Percy said and began walking to the table. His movements were slow and he held a hand to his side as he walked. He was still in the same robe she had helped him into last night.

Annabeth turned her head away from him when she remembered taking his pants off. Her face heated up. She was ashamed to say that's the furthest she has ever gotten with any man, mostly because she didn't want Percy of all people to be the first and so far only man she ever undressed. The boys she used to charm into doing business with her father used to ask her for certain favors, but Annabeth never let things go beyond cuddling or light petting and they always kept their clothes on.

She hoped by now Percy had put on some trousers. But she glanced his way and saw how his feet and legs were bare. He had been bedridden up until this moment. There was no way he would be bothered to venture into his closet to put on underwear and pants when he was in so much pain. Annabeth pretended that it didn't bother her that Percy was completely naked under his robe.

When Percy sat down at the table Annabeth pushed the tray closer to him and uncovered it. Percy took a deep breath, smelling the food and licking his lips. He picked up the fork and knife and Annabeth was happy that he no longer needed her to feed him.

After he finished his food, he put down the utensils and tried to stretch his arms over his head but flinched. Percy widened the opening of his robe below his chest to look down at his bandages. Annabeth wanted to divert her eyes from her boss's firm chest but found herself looking at his bandages. When Percy got up, he made sure to smooth out his robe so that it wasn't open below the waistband then he started for the bed.

"May I please see?" Annabeth spoke up.

Percy spun around with wide eyes staring at her. "Excuse me?" There was the tiniest tinge of pink in his cheeks and he locked his hands together in front of his pelvis.

Annabeth wanted to kick herself. She should have chosen her words more carefully. Her cheeks heated up and she bit her lower lip. "May I see your bandages?" She explained.

Percy's expression neutralized in realization but he still held his hands over his groin when he walked into the closet and closed the doors. He emerged still clad in his blue robe but now had pajama bottoms on.

"Yes… um," he hesitated as he looked back at her, pink still over his cheeks. "Please do." He took a seat at the table.

Annabeth was thankful Percy turned his face away from her because she imagined her eyes had widened at his words. Her boss… Percy said "please" to her. She was beyond shocked but she focused on the task at hand.

She stood at his side and lifted her hands to his shoulder. They hesitated and shook in the air for a bit. She locked her fingers together to steady herself and rubbed her thumbs over each other. Her eyes closed and she took a deep breath before opening them again. She reached out. Her index finger grazed Percy's collarbone and touched the collar of his robe, tugging on it slightly. But she withdrew her hand in a rush.

She cleared her throat. "Can you...?"

Percy turned his head to look up at her. He wasn't wearing his wolf stare like he did so many times before. His eyes were searching her but they were calm. Then he stood up and removed his robe. His bandages had a splotch of dried blood where his wound was located.

"They require changing." She said to him. Percy didn't say anything, he just looked at her with his eyes unreadable. "I'll drop this off in the kitchen and get a the medical kit." She grabbed the tray and quickly left the room.

When Annabeth returned, she found Percy sitting patiently on his bedside for her. His head had snapped in the other direction to look out the window and she wondered if he had been staring at the door waiting for her.

She opened the kit on his bed and pulled out spare bandages, laying them on the bed next to Percy for easy access. She stood in front of him for a while, her hands hung by her sides and she stared at his abdomen. Her fists clenched a few times and she rubbed her thumbs into each of her fingertips and then over her nails while she mentally prepared herself to touch him. When she was ready, she reached out to the end of the bandages right above his navel. The gauze stuck together where there was dried blood and she had to tug on it a little more while she unwound it until she fully uncovered him.

She put on gloves and went to the bathroom to throw away the bandages and dampen a washcloth. As carefully as she could, with her eyes constantly darting to his face and taking slow and deep breaths, Annabeth wiped around his stitches to get rid of the dry blood on his skin. She took another trip to the bathroom to dispose of the gloves and washcloth and now she was replacing the bandages, making sure it wasn't too tight and tied it off in the same place above his navel.

Their eyes met when she removed her hands. His eyes searched for something she couldn't quite figure out. Whatever he was looking for, he didn't find it because he looked away and exhaled. Annabeth tucked some hair behind her ear and picked up the medical kit to take with her out the door. She was near the table when Percy spoke up.

"Thank you."

Annabeth turned to look at him. They way he said it… This time, it was entirely intentional. He was gazing back at her. His face was neutral but she could feel that he meant it.

She remembered how she felt the first time he thanked her. The surprise she felt must have been apparent on her face because she thought the world had stopped right then and there. Maybe she heard him wrong. It was impossible for Percy Jackson to say thank you. She didn't even think he knew what it meant. He stared at her equally surprised at his words. He reminded her of a chipmunk or squirrel or even a guinea pig with his cheeks stuffed with cookies. She wanted to laugh at him but she held it in just in case he took offense. But she couldn't stop the smile that reached her lips at his face and at his words.

And now she was certain. Percy Jackson was capable of kindness. He wasn't the monster she saw in her dreams, the one person who she thought was more frightening than her step-brothers Matthew and Bobby combined.

Annabeth brought another smile to his lips. "You're welcome."

They looked at each other in silence until Percy ran his hand through his hair and diverted his gaze.

Annabeth made her exit and walked down the stairs with her smile still intact. Mrs. O'Leary met her at the bottom of the stairs and Annabeth bent down and puckered her lips to the dog. Mrs. O'Leary licked the side of her mouth and chin.

Percy couldn't keep his eyes off Annabeth when she came back into his room with the paper and his mail. He would have had her deliver it earlier, but he was too tired until now. He guessed it was Annabeth's smile that rejuvenated him. Percy had to distract himself with Mrs. O'Leary's floppy ears to keep his cheeks from flushing again. But his eyes kept going back to Annabeth as she cleaned the windows and the glass doors of the balcony. Percy only got a break when she stepped onto the balcony to sweep and she was out of sight. He released his breath.

Mrs. O'Leary sat at Percy's bedside and rested her head on his lap. Percy scratched his dog behind the ears and under her collar.

All he could think about was Annabeth's face. There was a part of him that was worried that the time Annabeth spent smiling was limited. And he was right. It was no secret that she was miserable while in his services and she smiled so rarely if at all in his presence. Maybe that's why Percy had a hard time taking his eyes off her. He was trying to memorize her smile as it wouldn't be long until it disappeared.

The camera on his nightstand caught his eye. He knew there was room for one last picture. Maybe Annabeth would let him take her picture. She seemed to be in a good mood. Her smile hadn't disappeared from her face since she walked into the room and he could faintly hear her humming outside on the balcony. If he asked nicely, would she let him?

He was reaching for the camera when Annabeth walked back to the room. She held the broom close to her and walked to the foot of his bed.

Percy's heart started beating faster. Annabeth's smile was smaller but her cheeks were pink and her eyes were hooded. She glanced at him shyly.

Oh gods, she shouldn't look at him like that. Her pink lips and sultry eyes were making him lose his nerve. He thought he had solidified his resolve earlier that day to go through with his plan to get her to fall for him. But that was when she wasn't in the room. With her right in front of him, he felt like he was no longer in control of the situation.

His throat was dry when he said, "Yes?"

Mrs. O'Leary lifted her head from Percy's lap and went to circle around Annabeth, stopping behind her and nudging her forward with her head.

"I wanted to ask you something." Annabeth bit her bottom lip and Percy thought his heart would stop. One single person couldn't possibly be this adorable, yet here she was standing in front of him.

He swallowed but his next words still came out raspy. "Yes, what is it?"

"Medusa and Nancy are going to the market place tomorrow. And I was hoping you'd give me your permission to accompany them. It would only be for a few hours. I will be back before you notice I'm gone. " Annabeth directed another smile at him and Percy was tempted to give into her. And maybe he should as this may win him some of her favor.

"I'm friends with the owners at the diner I used to work at and I've been wanting to pay them a visit." She smiled again but not at Percy. She was looking to the side, probably remembering her friends.

Percy cursed himself. He should have denied her request right away instead of asking her to elaborate. That way, he wouldn't have to hear her hopeful voice or see that smile on her face only for it to dissolve. He didn't want to be the reason her smile faded.

And just who were these friends of hers, were they the mysterious Grover and Juniper? What if Annabeth asked them about her letters that were never sent?

"You may not."

Annabeth's smile dropped and she directed her eyes at him. It took all Percy's willpower not to give in to her request, especially when she was giving him that face that reminded him of Mrs. O'Leary as a puppy.

She opened her mouth to say something, probably to try to convince him otherwise but Percy stopped her by raising his hand.

"You can't go."

Annabeth's eyes started to water while she nodded at his answer. Her bottom lip began to quiver but she pressed her lips together and turned, making her way out the door. Mrs. O'Leary whined while she followed after Annabeth.

Percy rubbed the back of his neck and bit the inside of his cheek. Shit, he thought, leaning his head against the headboard. He didn't want to make her cry. But he also didn't think he'd feel like this. When he saw her eyes gloss over, there was a baffling and overwhelming urge in his chest to sit her down on the bed and rub circles into her back to soothe her. He wanted to take care of her like she did with him.

Maybe he should have done just that. It might have persuaded her to like him a little more and phase one of his plan to break her heart, get her to fall for him, would have been easier. Though he knew only one thing would cheer her up. And he couldn't give her what she wanted.

The door opened and Percy looked up, hopeful that it was Annabeth. But Triton walked in and locked the door behind him.

"What did you do this time?" Triton asked.

Percy laid back down. "She wanted to go out to the city with Medusa and Nancy. I can't let her go."

Triton squinted his eyes in confusion. "I meant how did you manage to screw up a simple recon mission." Triton stood at Percy's bedside with his arms folded.

"Oh, that." Percy cleared his throat. "There were more people there than we originally thought."

"How far did you follow them?"

"I kept my distance at first while on Blackjack and followed them to a forest bunker. Took two pictures on the way there. The flash was off so I don't know about the quality of the pictures. But I know for sure there was a blond guy and a black-haired woman."

Triton frowned in thought.

"I couldn't make out their faces. But they seemed to be the leaders. They had guards surrounding them the whole time." Percy paused to glance up at Triton but his eldest brother remained silent. "I heard the woman say Annabeth's name. I don't know if the picture I got of them is any good."

"What were they doing so close to us?"

"They gave a briefcase to Atlas."

Triton dropped his arms. "Calypso's father? Are you sure? What was he doing with them?"

"I don't know but it's obvious he's thrown his lot in with the Olympians. Here, I have pictures as proof." Percy sat up and grabbed the Brownie camera. He struggled to stand up to give it to his brother.

Triton made no attempt to help. He only held out his arm.

"I need those developed as soon as possible."

Triton frowned at Percy's order but he took the camera. "Do you think Mr. Dare will betray us as well?"

"No, we're protecting him from the Olympians. Without us, he's defenseless."

Triton breathed a sigh of relief but then inhaled sharply. "There's something else you should know."

"What is it? Is it about Annabeth?"

Triton knit his eyebrows. "I received word from Frank and Leo earlier this morning. They were being followed. They were going to head back here last night but decided against it after they noticed. The Olympians are getting closer, Percy. They might find this place pretty soon."

Percy's imagination ran wild. He envisioned Olympian troops storming his home and wreaking havoc in every room they entered. After they stole Annabeth away from him, they set his home ablaze like they did with Frank and Hazel's. A shiver ran down his spine. He didn't want to think about what they might do to Tyson or Mrs. O'Leary.

Percy looked up at Triton who was examining the camera. Though he and Triton do get into quarrels both verbal and physical every now and again, Percy shuddered to think about what fate Triton would face at the hands of the Olympians.

Triton must have felt Percy's eyes on him because he looked over. "What?"

Percy wasn't about to tell Triton that he would be devastated if anything were to happen to him. "What about Arion? What's the deal with that fucking horse?"

"Hazel and Beckendorf decided that they're going to move him back here for a while. He's not doing well surrounded by so many unfamiliar people and horses. They're bringing him next week."

Percy sighed. Blackjack wasn't going to like this.

Mrs. O'Leary led the way up the stairs to Percy's room while Annabeth brought Percy's supper up the stairs. Her shoe slipped off when she lifted her foot to the next step. Carefully turning around so as to not tip the dinner tray, Annabeth scolded herself for her odd little habit. One of her shoes would slip off her foot and Annabeth had no idea how it happened. But it happened to her every so often, even in unfortunate situations like when she ran down the stairs from Percy's room and her shoe caused her to fall. Not wanting to dwell on something insignificant she quickly slipped on her little black flat and continued up the stairs.

Mrs. O'Leary nudged her head in the opening of the door and widened it enough for Annabeth to slip through. She entered Percy's bedroom to find him sitting on his bed. Annabeth did a double take when a soft smile graced his face as soon as he saw her.

He had been acting very strange lately, though Annabeth couldn't say it was unpleasant. After she changed his bandages and received a genuine "thank you," Annabeth thought that there was a chance she and Percy would get along. She even considered the potential that they might be friends. She even took a chance by asking if she could go to the marketplace with Nancy and Medusa. Her heart was so full of hope. She wanted to see Grover and Juniper so much. She wanted to be with familiar faces that didn't ignore her when she passed them by in the hallways. Annabeth's only real friends at the Jackson estate were Mrs. O'Leary and Tyson, though she didn't spend as much time with Tyson due to his frequent naps.

But it was all wishful thinking. Percy shot her hopes down in an instant. He didn't even try to listen to what she was saying. He didn't care. The progress Annabeth thought they made together was all a lie. Maybe Percy was grateful that she stitched him up. But it wasn't enough. She still wasn't in his good graces and she doubted she would ever be.

Annabeth set the tray down at the table when Percy spoke.

"Hello, Miss Annabeth." He said to her and threw off his blankets. He was bare-chested, opting to leave his robe off after Annabeth changed his bandages.

Annabeth winced at remembering his sutures. There was no denying how attractive Percy was, even Annabeth thought so. His face alone could have captivated her for days. But even with such a wonderful smile, Annabeth had to avert her gaze from him lest she be reminded of his wound. It was so gruesome that even Percy's face couldn't make up for it.

Well, Annabeth thought as her eyes darted towards Percy's face for a split second, maybe Percy's appeal did make up for the wound.

But only barely! She quickly added with a slight blush and chided herself. She was not going to fawn over this man.

A grunt from Percy made her look towards him and she saw him struggling to walk towards the table. His hand was on the bed for support.

"Do you require assistance, Mr. Jackson?"

Percy looked up from the ground. "No, it's alright." He stood up tall and walked as though he was in no pain at all. But Annabeth knew it was an act when Percy all but collapsed into his chair.

Mrs. O'Leary jumped onto Percy's bed and laid down while her master sat at the table.

Annabeth uncovered his food and turned to leave, whistling to Mrs. O'Leary who scurried off the bed to walk by her side.

"Um, Miss Annabeth?" Percy called.

Annabeth didn't want to stop walking. Being in his presence was tiring her out and she wanted to get away as soon as possible but she was afraid of the consequences of disobeying him.

"Are you angry with me?" He asked.

She was taken aback by this question. It should have been obvious. He hasn't been at all welcoming since Annabeth arrived. She's been his caretaker for several weeks now and only yesterday did he ever thank her for her labor. And then he refused her request to go to the marketplace to see her dear friends, dictating what she did and where she went like he owned her. Of course she was angry with him.

But she wasn't going to tell him that.

"No, sir."

Percy pursed his lips to the side for a second when she finally met his gaze. But he looked away and moistened his lips.

"If you'd like," he spoke slowly, as if carefully choosing his words. "I can take you to town when I get better."

Annabeth's eyes widened and her heart dropped in guilt. Now she understood why Percy didn't want her going tomorrow. If she, Medusa, and Nancy were to go to the market, there'd be no one to look after Percy. He could barely walk now much less get himself food. Her duty was here with Percy. "Oh, Mr. Jackson. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

It seemed silly now that she realized it but she had forgotten all about Percy while her mind was preoccupied with the marketplace. As long as she remained his caretaker, he took priority above all else. Annabeth was bond to honor his father by thinking about Percy first and foremost. And right now, her master was injured and it was her duty to take care of him. The market and sadly Grover and Juniper could wait. Percy needed Annabeth more than ever and she wasn't going to abandon him.

Percy's tilted his head slightly to the side, confused at her words.

"I put myself before your health. You need me right now." Annabeth turned her eyes away from him and scratched Mrs. O'Leary behind the ear to avoid Percy's gaze. "I'll just wait and go with Medusa next time."

"Are you sure? It would be no trouble." Percy said.

Annabeth looked at him and saw the corner of his lips lifted. She felt it again, the warm feeling in her chest that meant there was hope for the two of them.

"As soon as you're better then, we'll go."

Percy gave her another small smile. "Would you like to sit with me?"

Annabeth almost balked. Offering to take her into the city was one thing, she still had to see if he would live up to his promise. But to invite her to sit with him? Percy was acting very strange indeed. He didn't order her to sit down like a few weeks ago. But he asked. It's been a long while since someone asked her what she wanted.

Annabeth ran through her mental list of chores. None of them were really pressing, and that chair next to Percy looked so inviting especially since she hardly slept last night because she was looking after him. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to have a seat for a little while.

She carefully pulled out the chair, lifting it and not dragging it so it didn't make any noise. Mrs. O'Leary sat between Annabeth and Percy on the floor. The darling beast licked the side of Annabeth's hand, asking for a pet to which Annabeth eagerly obliged.

"She's really taken with you." Percy observed as he ate.

"Well, she's a friendly dog." Annabeth said and scratched Mrs. O'Leary under her collar. Percy reached over and patted Mrs. O'Leary's head.

"But she's never adjusted to anyone as fast as she has to you."

They caressed Mrs. O'Leary's fur. Annabeth was careful to avoid Percy's hand when he stroked the dog from head to back. She even retracted her hand when she thought they would make contact. But Mrs. O'Leary would start to whine until Annabeth started scratching behind her ear again.

Percy laughed. "See? She loves you."

Just then Mrs. O'Leary jerked her head and Percy's hand landed on Annabeth's fingers. She gasped and snatched her hand away. She couldn't bring herself to look at Percy after that. But she felt his eyes on her and heard the sound of his hand being placed on the table.

"Are you alright?" He asked. He moved his head to the side to get a better view of her but Annabeth only turned her head further away from him. She wasn't sure how much time passed as she sat there, ignoring Percy's question and his gaze. But she cleared her throat and stood up to take the dishes away.

"Wait, Miss Annabeth. There's something else."

"How may I be of assistance?" She still didn't meet his eyes.

"I don't need any help at the moment." This time Percy spoke slowly and warily. "Actually, I'd–" He paused to take a deep breath. "I'd like to thank you for helping me last night."

Annabeth didn't say anything. Her eyebrows knitted and her eyes narrowed. Was this some kind of trick? Another thank you?

"And I'd like to thank you for all the hard work you've done for me since you started working here." Percy went on.

"Are you…?" Annabeth began. "Are you feeling well, sir?" The bizarre behavior Percy was exhibiting puzzled her. Percy Jackson isn't supposed to be kind. Perhaps he was ill.

"Thanks to you, I feel much better than I did last night."

"No, I mean is something wrong? Do you have a fever?" She reached out to feel his forehead but stopped a few inches from brushing his bangs away.

Annabeth was shocked at her own actions. It was different when she had consciously decided to touch him. She needed to be able to make contact with him in order to stitch up his wound. That was a life and death situation. It took all of Annabeth's willpower to help him. But now she casually reached out for him and while he was awake. She didn't know what was coming over her. It was like she was subconsciously becoming more comfortable with him. It was unsettling. She had never even attempted to make contact with Grover and Juniper, two people she regarded as friends and who never treated her badly.

She turned towards Percy. He felt his forehead with the back of his hand.

"No, I don't have a fever. Maybe you're the one who is unwell, Miss Annabeth." He stood up using the table as leverage. "Are you alright?" He asked and put his palm on her cheek to feel her temperature.

Annabeth gasped when his she felt his hand. Her breathing quickened while memories of Matthew and Bobby's attacks flooded her mind. There was a thumping in her ear and she realized it was the loud sound of her pulse. Her brain felt like it was throbbing. She turned her shocked expression towards Percy and saw his mouth moving but she couldn't hear anything. The pulse in her ear was too loud.

Percy's eyebrows knitted. None of his words seemed to be getting through to Annabeth. She was having some sort of panic attack and her body started shaking.

"Don't touch me!" Annabeth screamed, making Percy flinch in surprise. His caretaker's body shook more rapidly. Mrs. O'Leary whined behind them.

Percy grabbed her by her upper arms to steady her but she began to flail.

"Get away!" Her fists were flying onto his chest repeatedly and when he was about to let go, Annabeth kneed him in the side, right next to his wound.

Percy fell backwards into his chair and held his side.

"Don't ever touch me again!" She yelled and darted out of the room.

"Hey, wait!" She heard him call behind her but she never looked back.

Annabeth's sobs wouldn't stop when she ran down the stairs towards her room, leaving the door slightly ajar. She was too upset to go back to close it. Instead she threw herself onto the bed and cried into a pillow. Never before had she wanted to leave this horrible place so badly. And it was all due to Percy touching her cheek.

Was it really that hard for her to believe Percy was a good person?

Percy had been cruel to her for days and had just now started to show kindness. Was it bad judgment to want to trust him? Annabeth didn't know the answer. All she did know was that it hurt.

She heard the door hinges squeak.

Annabeth lifted her head from the pillow in horror but was met with Mrs. O'Leary standing at her bedside. The dog nuzzled her nose next to Annabeth's arm. Annabeth wiped a few tears away and Mrs. O'Leary assisted by licking at Annabeth's face.

Annabeth took a while to herself to cry. She thought she deserved it. She's been trapped in this terrible place for days and a long, hard cry might be just what she needed to relieve stress. And really, even if she tried to stop, she didn't think she could.

Mrs. O'Leary curled up at Annabeth's bedside.

As much as she tried to avoid it, Annabeth couldn't stop thinking about Percy.

For the millionth time in her life, she felt horrible about herself. But it was different this time. Matthew and Bobby made her feel helpless and hopeless and like she wasn't worth anything.

With Percy, ever since last night, she's felt… needed, like she was important. But just a few minutes ago, Annabeth had fled from Percy and retreated to her room. She abandoned her duty and someone who needed her help.

She blew her nose and then rinsed her face with cold water and the tears stopped. She had to be strong. If not for herself, then for Percy and for her father's legacy. If she wasn't taking care of Percy the way Poseidon expected her to, she didn't deserve the money. To buy back her father's company with money she didn't earn fairly, it would be an insult to his name and everything he ever taught her.

Annabeth fixed her hair and stroked Mrs. O'Leary's back before she headed out the door. She didn't know what she would say to Percy to explain her behavior.

She began ascending the stairs to Percy's room when she saw him coming down with his tray of dirty dishes. He didn't look at her even when she held out her hand to try to take the tray. Instead he held the tray firmly and continued down the stairs. She trailed behind him a few paces until they were at the kitchen. Annabeth watched as Percy set the tray in the sink and began washing the dishes, and not just his dishes, every dish in the sink. She had never seen Percy do chores before.

Annabeth remained at the entrance way until Percy was finished. He took a deep breath before he walked towards her and stopped. He was only three feet away from her but she felt like the distance between them had never been greater.

Percy looked up and met her eyes. She had seen that look before, searching her for answers but there was also something else circling in those deep green eyes, something she never saw in them before.

"I'm sorry I hurt you," he breathed out.

Annabeth held herself up by leaning on the doorframe when she finally processed his words. Percy slipped past her careful to keep the distance between them.

She almost didn't believe what just happened. She knew him to be proud, and angry, and even cruel. But Percy apologized. And it made her wonder, did she really know him like she thought she did?

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Be on the lookout for Chapter 11 preview on tumblr at annazonabeth!