Hey everyone! Sorry about the lack of posting... Been really busy with school work and the release of City of Heavenly Fire (mortal instruments fans out there?) Hope you enjoy this chapter XOXO

Piper's POV

He's so sweet. No guy has ever been this nice to me. I'm texting Jason and we're both being extra flirty. I really want him to ask me out.. Call me old fashioned. But I'm a old romantic I guess. I want someone to whisk me off my feet, like Percy did to Annabeth. I check my clock, 12:30... I've got a half hour before our plan goes into action. To be honest, I'm nervous. I can only imagine how scared Annie is right now. This must be so hard for her. She puts on a brave face everyday but I can tell she's scared.

"So..." Jason texts.

"So...?"

"Um, are you doing anything this weekend?"

My eyeballs bulge out of my head and I start hyperventilating... HE JUST ASKED ME OUT! Holy crap! I don't know what to say. My fingers feel numb and I try to think straight.

"Um, I'm free tomorrow..." I text back, nervously.

"Cool! You wanna go see that new Spider-man movie with me?"

"Um, sure, I'd love to." Not my kind of movie, but meh, it's still a date.

"Great, I'll pick you up at... 7:00?"

"7:00 is perfect. ;)" I send a winky face just to be flirty.

"Well, I've gotta fly! Fencing practice starts in ten. See ya tomorrow."

"Can't wait!"

I shut off my phone and sigh dramatically. I'm pretty sure I have stars in my eyes. This is my first date since Vince... He was this jerk who only talked about himself at the homecoming dance. And he ended up flirting with Calypso Waters. Disaster date. Jason is just so perfect and kind and sweet... And everything I've ever dreamed off for a perfect guy. Just like in the fairytales. Ok, woah... I've been spending too much time with Percy and Annabeth, now I'm turning cheesy. I look back at my phone and sigh. It's already 12:45, too much time fangirling over Jason. I change into all black clothes just to be spyish and cool... Okay... Now I'm acting just as childish as Leo... LEO! Oh my god... I totally forgot I told him I would come watch him at the local engineers competition... And it's at 1:00. Crap. I pull out my phone and dial Annabeth's number.

"Hi! You've reached Annabeth Chase. Leave a message."

Drat! Voicemail. I better leave a message.

"Hey Annie, I'm so sorry but I can't help with the plan. I made a promise to Leo months ago. So sorry. Will make it up to you I promise. Bye!"

I feel so horrible inside. She'll read it and freak out and everything will go wrong because of me. But I made a promise to Leo long before this even began... And I can't say no to him, he's like my little brother. I just hope Annabeth doesn't hate me.

Thalia's POV

She hasn't called ONCE. Not once to ask for forgiveness. Piper has called many times to try to convince me to see the bigger picture. Fat chance. If Annabeth wants me to forgive her, she can call me herself. Heck, even Percy has called once or twice. He tells me in his messages that Annabeth is heart broken and afraid to call me herself and is so sorry. I want to forgive her but I just... Can't. She lied to me for six years! She didn't even tell me about it first! I know that abuse is terrible and I feel horrible for her, but did she ever even think about me? When my mom started to become an alcoholic... I told Annabeth right away. I didn't tell Piper first or Hazel. I told HER. My mom would come home late and yell at me for no good reason. She tried to get help at rehab but she just ended up back to the bottles every time. I think it's the whole mother thing. She was never fit to be one. My dad was just some stranger she met for a one night stand. Me and Jason basically had to raise ourselves. And now my best friend doesn't even trust me with her own secrets? I'm not ready to forgive... Will I ever be?

Annabeth's POV

"Percy... Your mom could walk in any minute." I say between kisses.

"No, she's gone out to a work meeting." He says deepening the kiss.

"Tyson?" I ask back getting breathless.

We've been at this for about ten minutes. I've never actually made out with anyone before... Percy is probably an expert... But he doesn't seem to care at how bad a kisser I am. We had been sitting very close to one another, going over school work and boom, we were kissing.

"He's gone to his friend's house. Stop worrying." He reassures me, pulling me closer.

I run my fingers through his raven hair. I'm feeling like I'm walking on clouds right now. Percy always makes me feel that way but now, it's so strong and so surreal. I hear my phone ring and go to reach for it, but he swats my hand away. It's probably not important anyway. He just makes me feel so special and needed. I haven't felt that way in a long time. We pull away for air, both our lips swollen. He smiles at me, not a smirk or a grin, but a genuine smile.

"That was..." He breathes.

"Wow." I finish and he nods.

"Annabeth I... I think I'm falling in love with you." He says quietly. I freeze.

"Percy... Um... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know." He smiles again at me.

He pecks me on the cheek at and stands. He holds out his hand and I take it nervously, still trying to comprehend what he just said.

"It's almost 1:00. We should be getting ready." He says.

"I know. Just let me check my phone." I say, grabbing my iPhone.

One missed call from Piper. She left a message.

"Hey Annie, I'm so sorry but I can't help with the plan. I made a promise to Leo months ago. So sorry. Will make it up to you I promise. Bye!"

I frown. Great, she's not coming. Now we don't have to do the plan! I think to myself. No, the other part of me says. You need to do this Annabeth. I agree with the second voice. I need to do this. I need to be brave and defend myself. I shove my phone into my pocket and face Percy again.

"Piper can't come. She promised Leo she'd help him with something I guess... Just you and me now."

"Normally I would be happy to spend time with you alone... But not now... We need all the help we can get!" He says.

"No, we can do this. It'll be fine. Trust me Percy, don't forgot how many times I'm right." I say, a smirk growing. He just rolls his eyes.

"Sure, whatever you say Anniebell..."

"Don't EVER call me that!"

"Tyson does."

"He's a kid. Kids have these type of rights, not sixteen year old boys!"

"Technically I'm nearly seventeen in a few months and IM A MAN!"

"Whatever floats your boat. Now let's get going."

Percy's POV

She's scared. I know her. She's trying to hide it with a brave face but it's like I can see past the mask. She's strong but I think it's taking effect on her, having to be the strong one of the group so the others don't break down. I'll be glad when this is all over and I can take her on a proper first date. We've never actually had one. We drive in awkward silence to Annabeth's house. I notice the mood change immediately. Her emotionless face turns scared, her hands start twitching, her eyes wondering around the neighbourhood. I touch her hand and run my fingers over her white knuckles. She smiles slightly but still looks frightened. I park my truck a few houses away and we get out cautiously.

"Good, he's not home. The plan can go on..." She says almost bitterly.

She pulls out her cellphone and dials 911.

"Hello? Yes this is Annabeth Chase... The real one. I'm calling to say I'm at my house right now. I'm ready to be arrested."

She silently listens to the person on the other line.

"Okay, yes. Goodbye." She hangs up and looks at me.

"They're sending a couple officers to come and get me. Time for you to go check out the house."

I nod and run my hands through my hair nervously. She kisses me soft and sweet and moves near my ear.

"Good luck." She murmurs and I smile.

I head to the house and walk around to the back. Annabeth told me there's a back door that her father almost never locks. Only when people show up when her doesn't pay rent. I try the doorknob and the door opens with ease. I grin and step inside. The house is a mess and smells horribly of alcohol. Beer bottles are EVERYWHERE and empty packages of drugs scatter the cupboards. Take out containers are also in the sink... Why would he wash them? I walk slowly up the stairs and enter a room and immediately name Annabeth's. It's pretty bare with a tiny bed that's not even made, an old looking desk and puke coloured wall paper. The window is still open from the night she ran away. That just proves how little he came up here. My fists ball up in anger. She didn't deserve any of this. She deserves a beautiful childhood with caring parents, doing whatever she pleases. But real life isn't like that. It's not filled with fluffy clouds and happy unicorns. This house seems pretty perfect for the police to look at. I don't even need to add more empty bottles. Annabeth decided not to tell the cops about the whole abuse thing and get him arrested for illegal drugs. I told her it was a bad idea and that if she did that, they wouldn't give a severe enough punishment. But she snapped at me and said it was her life and she didn't need the whole world knowing. I decided not to press the matter. I just want the best for her, she deserves it.

Annabeth's POV

I wait silently in front of my house for the police to arrive. A car starts riding up the road, it's black. It stops and he staggers out. Dad.

"You!" He yells making his way towards me. "You little bitch! Did you really think running away would stop me? You're so gonna get it now."

He makes his way towards me and without any hesitation he punches me in the face. Blood runs out of my nose I crumble to the ground and he kicks me repeatedly in the stomach. I puke all over the grass and he just gets madder.

"You're just a little baby. You can't do anything right. And now you'll pay the price... Maybe I should just kill you."

My eyes widen at his thoughts. He grabs my hand, bloody from trying to stop my bleeding nose, and drags me into the back yard. He shoves me to the ground and I lay there helpless. Percy... I think. He's in the house. If only he would come out. My dad returns with something shiny in his hand... I knife. He's gonna stab me to death? Fine, I give up.

"This is for running away and being a bad little bitch. I should've gotten rid of you a long time ago." He says in a scarily calm voice.

And then I feel it. The blade stabs my stomach and I scream, louder than I ever have in my life. The pain is so intense, black spots dance in front of my eyes. He stabs again and I feel death pulling me in. Suddenly, someone grabs my dad and yanks him away. I look over and see Percy beating the crap out of my dad.

"Don't you dare hurt her!" He yells loudly.

"Son, we'll take it from here." A voice says. The police.

They grab both Percy and my dad and a different officer comes to me. She's a brunette with warm Hazel eyes.

"Sweetie, keep those eyes open, okay? We're going to take you to the hospital. You're safe." She whispers soothingly.

"Percy's not guilty." I say with all my might. It hurts to talk. "My dad... He did it."

And I black out.

Percy's POV

"She's breathing. She's stable." The police officer told me.

"Please let me see her!" I beg him.

"I'm sorry but you're a suspect."

Another police officer walks up to us.

"Are you Perseus Jackson?" She asks. I nod.

"He's okay Mark. The girl said he wasn't to blame."

"She said that?" I ask shocked. Even in her weakest moment, Annabeth wanted me to be safe.

"Yes, right before she blacked out." The female officer says grimly.

"She's riding to the hospital now. When she's able, we're going to question her." The other officer says.

"Thank you for getting her to safety. I don't know what I'd do if she died." I say, tears forming in my eyes.

"Are you the boyfriend?" She asks. I nod.

"Always the protective boyfriend..." She says, grinning. "Stay that way."

"When can I see her?" I ask.

"Come to the hospital tomorrow, she'll be awake by then. She has to go through surgery and she'll be heavily medicated for while."

"Okay, thank you again." I say.

I walk to my truck, scared... No, terrified. She'll be okay, I tell myself. She's Annabeth, she's strong. I keep trying to convince myself that as I get into the car and begin to drive home. I pull a small picture of her that I found in her bedroom from my pocket and hold it right in my hand. She'll be okay. She's Annabeth, she's strong. Right now I'm not so sure.