Danger Over?

"WHAT?!" Percyexclaimed. "Malcolm is your son? How did that happen, Dad? You said you never remarried!"

Fredrick smiled ruefully. "I didn't. But wanting to forget my sorrow, I got involved with a woman while I was at sea."

He went over to Natsumi, who was helping Malcolm up.

"Natsumi?" Poseidon asked incredulously. "She is Malcolm's mother?"

The two Jackson gaped at them.

"Yes," Fredrick replied. "But she didn't tell me about Malcolm. I only knew about him a few months ago, before your wedding, Percy."

Poseidon scowled, "Why ever not? Are you sure he's really your son?"

Natsumi shot Poseidon an angry look. Percy started to say something to his father, but thought better of it when his father met his stare.

Vincent firmly replied, "He is my son, Poseidon. Natsumi didn't tell me because I was still in love with my late wife."

Natsumi spoke for the first time. "I didn't want him to marry me out of pity. So I went away. But Malcolm grew up knowing Fredrick is his father, and Annabeth is his sister. He went to the same university as her and was always following her around. He even emailed her one time, asking some donation for a charity project."

Malcolm interrupted. "I just did that because I am in awe of her. I mean, she is my sister, who doesn't know about me, within my grasp and I can't tell her I'm her younger brother. I wasn't going to harm her. In fact, I wanted to protect her."

Fredrick continued, "When I received threats about the diamonds, I contacted Natsumi here at UN Headquarters and sought her help again. That was when she told me about Malcolm. I was pleasantly shocked to find out about him. I was going to tell you and Annabeth, Percy, but I didn't want to ruin your plans. I was planning to tell you after."

Percy was about to speak again when the doctor came out of the operating room, and they all waited eagerly for his update on Annabeth's condition.

"I'm glad to tell all of you that she's very strong and will be recovering in just a matter of days as we were successful with the operation. What's important is she had been transfused with blood." Turning to Percy, the doctor said, "She's asking for you. We already transferred her to a private room. Come with me."

Inside her room, Percy sat by her side, holding her hand as she slowly opened her eyes, smiling weakly at the sight of him.

"Hey beautiful," Percy whispered lovingly, as he kissed her hand softly. "You gave me quite a scare there. You shouldn't have taken that bullet for me."

"I was scared too," she whispered back, "...but my only thought was to save you, love."

"Well, next time, let ME save you, okay? Because I don't know how I can live without you. I love you so much, Annabeth."

"I love you too, Percy." Her eyes looking around, she asked, "I heard voices before I blacked out. Who were they?"

"Our fathers, Malcolm, and Natsumi, the cleaning lady."

"WHAT?!" Annabeth's droopy eyes snapped open.

"Easy, babe, here's the full story," Percy recounted to her the revelations made by Annabeth's father and the recent happenings. He treaded carefully, though, when it came to Malcolm.

But Annabeth wasn't fooled.

"WHAT?! You punched my brother who donated his blood so I can live?" her rising voice matched the indignation on her face.

"Baby, I didn't know he was your brother," he explained, rather glibly.

"Really? Or you did that because you were jealous of him?"

"I wasn't! He was just so infuriating. . . saying that I would've let you die if not for the doctor's interference. I could not, never, ever, let you die!"

"Oh, Percy. . ." she hugged him tight as her heart went out to him, understanding what he has gone through.

Hugging her back, he cleared his throat and murmured, "And. . . I may be. . . a little teenie weenie . . . bit jealous because you'll be having his blood which I thought was so intimate. . ."

Annabeth pinched him hard on the side. "Oh you jealous little . . . fish!"

". . . Oww! But that changed when I found out he's your brother! I mean, it's okay now, because you already both have the same blood."

"So you were jealous!" She pinched him again, this time more painfully.

"Ouch! For someone who had just been operated on, you pinch like a wildcat!"

His eyes riveted to the mound of her breasts visible beneath the thin hospital gown, he continued with a naughty smile, "A sexy wildcat, I should say."

Inspite of herself, Annabeth chuckled softly. "You are impossible! Is that all you think about?"

"Excuse me, Mrs. Jackson... but last time I checked, we're still on our honeymoon. And I ain't finished with you yet!"

"Well, me too!" Annabeth countered haughtily.

"Don't you bat those long, flirty eyelashes on me, babe, or so gods help me, you could end up staying in this hospital for weeks instead of days."

"That goes the same for you Jackson. Don't provoke me or, I swear you'll end up staying here also."

They stared at each other with playful glares then both laughed at their silliness. It was a good, hearty laugh, erasing all the anxiety, worry, and fear they endured over the past days. Percy tipped her chin up, looking deep into her bright grey eyes. Her lips parted, and it was all the invitation he needed to lower his head and meet her soft lips for a kiss.

It was a sweet, luscious kind of kiss, full of thankfulness for being alive and safe; of longing for the hours that they've been apart; and of a renewed silent promise that they would never allow anyone or anything come between them.

Pulling apart, they embraced for a time, savoring the moment of their togetherness.

Then Annabeth heaved a deep breath. "I just feel so awful that I thought bad of Natsumi. She deserved better, considering what she'd been through, raising a son on her own all these years. Can you please call them in?"

Percy nodded and did as she told. When they were all inside, Fredrick hugged Annabeth, while Natsumi, Malcolm, and Poseidon looked on.

"I'm sorry I got you involved in this, honey," Fredrick said, "I could never have forgiven myself if something bad happened to you. And. . . there's something else you need to know too."

Smiling, Annabeth told him, "It's alright, Dad. Percy already told me."

Holding her husband's hand, Annabeth continued, "I understand, and I'm not resenting you, or them. In fact, Percy and I would like to apologize to Natsumi and Malcolm."

Percy looked at her, surprised. "Huh?"

"Don't we, babe?" Annabeth looked at him pointedly as she squeezed his hand.

"Errrr. . ."

Annabeth's nails dug through his palm.

"Yes, yes! I. . . apologize. Malcolm. For punching... I mean beating you up. I'm sorry." Percy said haltingly.

Malcolm smiled, shaking his head. "Well, that's better than nothing. Besides," smirking gleefully, "you and Annabeth are made of the same stuff. She punched me in the nose too while she was with us."

"Really?" Percy looked at Annabeth, and smirked mockingly at her guilty face. "Well I guess she has to apologize too. Right, babe?"

"Okay, okay! I apologize too. I'm so sorry for punching your nose. And sorry to Natsumi too, for pulling her hair," Annabeth said, her face lowered in shame.

Natsumi and Jack laughed at the funny, guilty expressions of their faces, and they all joined in. . . the ice broken, at last.

Natsumi and Annabeth hugged tight, followed by Malcolm, who immediately broke loose, getting his hands up in the air, as he jokingly said to Percy, "Ooops, don't you be getting jealous again, bro!" which led to another bout of laughter.

Poseidon cut short the laughter and spoke for the first time, "We're all glad Annabeth's safe and all, but where are the diamonds, son?"

Natsumi immediately countered, "Percy, do. .."

Percy held up his hand at Natsumi, his eyes looking intently at his father. "I assume you know what this means?"

Poseidon silently nodded.

Natsumi looked at Percy, then at Poseidon, watching them exchange sharp glances at each other. The others fell silent too, feeling the tension.

Then Percy spoke carefully, punctuating each word, "The diamonds are in the safe deposit box of the hotel room I was staying in."

At that moment, there was a soft knock and the door opened, as the doctor went in and told them, "I'm afraid you all have to leave. It's almost midnight. The patient should get some rest."

Percy turned to Annabeth and hugged her briefly, whispering to her, "Get some rest, love. I'll just be outside. I love you."

"I love you too," answered Annabeth, as she laid down on the bed, exhaustion and sleep finally engulfing her.

Nodding curtly to Natsumi and Malcolm, Percy walked out the room, with his dad and Fredrick trailing him from behind.

...

The room was dark and empty. Stealthily, the shadow entered, his movements without sound as he walked carefully inside. Going to the closet, the shadow opened it, seeing the safe deposit box. Using a crowbar, it opened the box in one forced pull. Its hands groped for something inside, and getting it, pulled it abruptly.

Just then, the lights turned on, surprising the stranger.

Percy's voice was heavy with emotion as he said, "I had hoped it wasn't you."

I'm back! Sorry for the long wait, but life caught up to me and I was so busy for the past few weeks especially that school starts in a week. Hopefully I can continue updating regularly, but don't raise your expectations and always be patient dear readers :)

Stay tuned, Demigods!