I'm so sorry I haven't updated! These past weeks have been a helluva ride -.- School's been on my ass, there were so many birthdays, a few Sweet Sixteens, and Writers Block. No excuses, I know, so here's a new chapter!

Chapter 11

Percy's POV

I dodged a piece of bread being thrown and laughed as another hit me square in the face. Genesis laughed loudly, grabbing the attention of several people around the Aquarium. We were at the lunch area, I was asked to baby-sit Genesis while Nico and Genesis made an important flower delivery to someone in New Jersey.

"Can we feed the fishes bread?" Genesis asked after losing interest in throwing bread at me and put it in the fish's tank.

I smiled and glanced at the small pool with small clown fish swimming frantically as Genesis tapped the side. "They don't eat bread, they eat fish food." I informed her.

"Fish are friends. Not food." She muttered quietly, staring at the fish. I chuckled, Finding Nemo was one of her favorite movies. She jumped up suddenly, her bright yellow clothes reflecting the sunlight. "Can we see the whales?"

"Yes, we can. Come on." I said and led her to the section where a large pool was set up and a whale was swimming around. We sat up in the bleachers to get a better look. Hello, lord, I heard the whale say. It was turned to me, and moved it's head as if it was bowing. I nodded and the young whale swam around slowly.

It's been about a month since I had last seen Annabeth at her 'job'. I've never seen her in the apartment building, which I found extremely weird. I've seen Seamus, which means she's still here. I think. Since the last time I saw her, I guess things started getting normal again. Rachel allowed me to sleep in the bed again, but she's still distant, though I don't understand why. She's being overly-dramatic, but if I tell her that she'll make me sleep outside – and it's my apartment.

"Percy!" Genesis yelled loudly. I looked over at her, startled. She was smiling widely. "Can we see grandma?" she asked, hopeful.

I grinned, "Of course we can."

"Now?"

"Now?" I repeated.

"Now!"

"Alright, now!"

She jumped up, said goodbye to the whale then skipped ahead. I walked faster, trying to keep up with her and trying to remember the way out of the Aquarium. Genesis calls my mother grandma, she considers Nico and I brothers, though I don't see why. Technically, we're cousins. I looked for the car. Not my Range Rover, I was almost done dealing with that, I just need a check from the insurance company and I'm good to go. Rachel is letting me use her 2008 Mustang, it's not really kid-safe, but it's all I have for now. I made sure her seat belt was on then drove at a kid-safe10 mph, which made me experience road-rage and taking two times the time it takes to get to my mother's apartment in downtown Manhattan. Twenty minutes later, I was in front of my mom's door, knocking several times. I haven't seen my mom in a month.


She opened the door quickly and gave me a hug. I smiled and hugged her back. Then, she gave Genesis a hug, who couldn't stop laughing. She loves my mother. We went inside, were Paul was making spaghetti. I greeted him, then sat down at the table, and Genesis told my mom everything that happened.

Then, my mother and Paul's son came through the door. His name was Dean, and he looked like Sally. Brown hair in a buzz cut, same brown eyes, same fair skin. I actually kind of jealous of how much he looked like her. He's seven, and I'd say we're on good terms, but that would be lying. He doesn't like when I'm around, I'm not sure why. Though, he knows about my helping saving the world and such, after he found out, he's been a little cold. Can't say I don't feel the same way.

He walked in, book bag in hand, then sat at the table after greeting Sally, Paul, and Genesis. Ignoring me completely. The kid acts like he's double his age. "How was school honey?" My mom asked as Genesis told her about the whale we saw.

"A bore. Mondays suck." He muttered, then set his head on the table.

"Personal day, Paul?" I asked, smiling, leaning against the wall.

He chuckled. "I decided to actually use my personal days this year. How's the show?" he asked, sniffing the pot.

"It's alright, we're broadcasting in Washington for the first time tomorrow." I replied.

Paul smiled at me, "What is it people say? That's awesome, Percy."

Dean and I laughed, "We don't say that anymore, dad." Dean said, taking out his math book.

"Oh, this generation is too complicated." He said and turned back to the spaghetti. "How's your other job going?"

"Great, actually. I'm going to be studying fish that are close to extinction in Puerto Rico next month, some people want to see if I can speed up the population somehow. Ought to be fun." I responded.

He nodded, then said something, but I didn't pay any mind because I heard Genesis mention something about Annabeth. "Yes-ter-day, mom and I went, we went to the park to smell flowers with Annabeth. Annabeth is – she's an old friend of mommy's, but she's not old!" Genesis said, eyes wide as she talking to my mom.

My mom looked at me. "Annabeth? Chase?" She asked me, Genesis looked at us weirdly. My mom sat at the table, next to Dean, who was listening to the conversation.

"Oh, right. Mom, I forgot to tell you, Annabeth is back in town." I said, looking away.

She frowned slightly. "She is? Why? Last I heard, she got into a good school in California."

"That's because I told you that. Anyway, she's back for a business trip. She's staying for five months." I said grumpily.

"How do you feel about that?" She asked.

I looked at her and laughed. "Mom, I don't need you to be my therapist, Rachel is bad enough." I told her.

She shook her head. "Rachel. You two still engaged?" she asked.

I frowned. "Yes, we are. Mom, I love her. Don't try talking me out of this again." I said.

She forced a smile. "I'm sorry, Percy. I'm happy for you, really. When's the wedding, did you decided on the date?"

I sighed, "She wants the wedding to be in the beginning of January, by New Years, so we're going to have to wait a while. She's already hired a wedding planner."

She nodded, "So, have you talked to Annabeth?" she asked.

"Why should I?" I asked, not coldly, though.

"Because you guys can't not talk. Six years ago, she broke your heart, you need to talk about what exactly happened so things can get better, and you can officially move on."

I felt uncomfortable with her saying all this in front of Paul and Dean, but I didn't say anything about that. "I did move on! I'm getting married in almost five months, I don't think you can actually move on farther than that." She gave me along look, then I sighed and gave her a small nod. My mom got up because Genesis dragged to her make up set up in her room. Once she was gone, I looked at Paul. "Do I have to?" I asked.

"If you want things to be right again, you do." he said.

"Why don't you want to talk to her?" Dean asked.

I was kind of surprised when he spoke to me, but I didn't show it. "Well, little half-brother, she left after she promised she wouldn't. It kind of got me angry." I told him.

He looked confused. "If she came back, shouldn't you be happy? If she means that much?" he asked.

Wise words from an seven year old. Paul also seemed impressed. I stayed quiet for a while, mulling over his words. "I don't know, Dean. Things are complicated." I finally said.

"I think you're making it complicated." He replied.

"I think I am." I said, without meaning to. I smiled at him. "When did you become so smart?" I asked him.

He sighed, "When dad decided he wanted to put his books in my room." He sounded extremely depressed.

"I'm taking you out for pizza tomorrow." I told him. His eyes lit up and he nodded, the kid in him ignoring the fact he used to hate me.


A little later, I was heading back to Nico's and Katie's apartment. Once we got there, Genesis jumped on Katie and told her about her day. I told Nico what my mother said. He completely agreed with her, then abruptly kicked me out of his building telling me to talk to her. I sighed then leisurely made my way back to my building. Rachel was gone – again, I don't even know why this time.

I checked my phone – I had message. TALK TO HER. NOW. - Nico. Wasn't that nice. Before I could think about it, I went straight upstairs to Annabeth's door. I suddenly felt very nervous, like I was about to ask Annabeth to the Prom or something. Acting on impulse, I knocked on the door twice. Oh, look, no one's home, guess I should go. I turned to leave, but then heard the door click open.

"Oh, um, hi... Percy." I turned to face Annabeth. She was dressed causally – jeans, a gray shirt. Her hair hanged loosely around her shoulders. I glanced at the gray streaks in her hair and remembered why I was standing before her.

"Yeah. Uh, I was wondering if we could talk...?" I asked, sounding unsure of myself.

She frowned then looked behind her. I glanced back. I saw the guy from before, Luther, studying a book, glancing at us shortly. I looked away, feeling uncomfortable with him there for some reason. "I don't know... I have things to do..."

"It'll take a few minutes. Please?" I was hoping she'll say no and I'll get to leave.

She paused, then nodded. "Sure." She gestured to Luther she'll be back and closed the door behind her.

We stepped outside to talk, the sun was beginning to show signs of setting. The air was chilly, I felt bad I dragged Annabeth out here. I cleared my throat after she looked at me expectantly. "How you've been?" I asked nervously.

She sighed, cold steam escaping from her mouth. "Percy, I know you know." She told me.

I was taken back. "Know what?" I asked.

She ran her hand through her hair. "I'm not stupid, Percy. Far from it, actually. There's a reason you followed me into that building, and I know you didn't believe the story I told you. I've been trying to avoid for a few weeks, but since we're here – you need to know why I really left six years ago." she looked me in the eye. She was breathing heavily.

She certainly gave this plenty of thought. My eyes strayed to her lips, but I quickly brought them back up and nodded. Then I realized what she said. "The real reason?" I questioned.

She pulled me to side and shivered. Then, she spoke in a low voice, "Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA in other words. Days before graduation, I messing around with Daedalus laptop, when I came across something weird. I typed in a few codes, then I ended up accessing encrypted information from NASA. From there, the CIA kind of took over my whole life. I mean my whole life, they're the reason we kind of ended. Why I had to move to California. I know I should have told you, but they told me not too. It's protocol. I actually really wanted the opportunity, so I had no choice." She took a deep breath after-wards.

I stared at her, eyes slightly widened. I had an idea, but I never thought... "Wow." I said, aloud.

She bit her lip. "There. Now you know. If we're ever going to be friends, which I'm hoping we will be, you're going to have to know why all this happened."

I opened my mouth, then closed it. "This is why I never trusted the government." I muttered. She laughed, then I smiled. It's been a while since I heard that sound. Then, I shook my head. "After everything we've been through, you couldn't tell me that? I mean, I trusted you with my Achilles spot, and you didn't trust me with something as serious as that?" I asked in disbelief.

She didn't say anything, just stared at me. I turned away from her and passed my hand over my face then ran my hand through my hair. I was hurt that she didn't trust me as much as I trusted her. I sighed, refusing to get angry, then turned back to her. "Okay, so, I know about that know, so... what happens now?" I asked, looking around.

She looked down. "I was hoping we would be friends." She said, then her gray eyes settled on mine.

"I could deal with that." I said softly, smiling a little.

She grinned, then suddenly enveloped me in a hug. "Nice to have you back, Seaweed Brain."