Warning: not much of Percabeth but it's sufficient, I guess. But this chapter is very important to the storyline. You'll see why in the next chapter. Also, there's gonna be loads of Percabeth from now... like LOADS! It's high timethey took their relationship to the next level huh? But first be a plum and give me ideas for romantic scenes zo I can write them! PM me if you have nice ideas... and REVIEW!

Percy pulled on a clean white tee and a sand coloured shorts and emerged from the bathroom, his wet hair falling over his eyes. The first thing he noticed was Annabeth.

She was on the bed working on the designs for Posiedon inc, her blonde curls in a messy braid at the side. She was chewing her lips out, a gesture that was a strange turn on for Percy.

"Whatcha doing?" he said. He climbed onto the bed next to Annabeth and looping an arm around her waist, he drew her close to him. Annabeth smiled and snuggled comfortably against him.

"I have this super annoying guy as a boss. He wants me to design his new office," Annabeth replied cheekily.

Percy frowned. "I agree. That guy does seem horrible," he said.

Annabeth nodded seriously. "Half the time, I just want to smack his head."

Percy glared at her, knowing very well that the conversation was about him. "Interesting. And the other half of the time?"

"Oh," Annabeth shrugged. "You know, kiss him senseless!"

Percy's lips turned up in a cocky smile. "I think I can talk to that jerk about the kiss, if you want."

"Please do," Annabeth said holding back a brig grin.

Percy pretended to speak to someone over the phone and after a minute he put it away with a smile. "He says okay."

"Good." Annabeth smiled softly.

Percy leaned over and kissed Annabeth taking it slow and passionate, drawing the kiss to the peak. Annabeth moaned and threw an arm around his neck, her fingers raking through his wet hair furiously.

"Gods, that was..." Percy mumbled shaking his head when they broke apart.

Annabeth looked flushed, but she grinned at him. "That was amazing," she said.

"Yes, amazing."

"Percy we are kissing."

"Duh. Guess I am rubbing too much on you, light bulb!" Percy said.

"No. What I mean is... What are we?"

"Humans?"

Annabeth gave an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "No genius. What do we have?" she said pointing to him then to herself.

Percy's lips made an O as he understood Annabeth's question. "Well, we're definitely more than friends, for starters," he said.

"Agreed!"

"So you're my sorta girlfriend?"

"Girlfriend." Annabeth scrunched her face and repeated the word wondering how it sounded in her mouth. To be honest it was a little weird. For weeks Percy and Annabeth had fought like Tom and Jerry. But now they were sorta maybe dating.

"It's a little weird when you say it," Percy said voicing Annabeth's thoughts.

Annabeth nodded ever so slightly. She was a little disappointed that Percy thought it was weird even though she'd thought so herself.

"Weird. But good weird," Percy added more to himself than her.

"Right. When did I start agreeing with everything you say, huh?" Annabeth teased him.

"Since you realisedthat I'm the awesomest being on earth," Percy replied.

"I don't think awesomest is even a proper word, Percy."

Percy simply kissed her head and pulled her into his arms. "How are the plans coming along?"

Annabeth shifted, making herself comfortable against Percy. She whipped the laptop around for Percy to see and began explaining the complex diagrams and pencil sketches on her mini pad.

"Wow, Wise girl! I can see the building come together already and I'm loving it," Percy said.

Annabeth clicked the laptop shut and yawned. "I knew you'd love it," she said.

Percy laughed. "True."

They sat in silence for sometime during which Annabeth kept yawning.

"Annabeth, go to sleep. You look tired," Percy said.

"I am tired. But I'm also worried about Thalia and Luke. I haven't seen either of them since Thalia took him aside to confess," Annabeth admitted.

Percy brushed a strand of her blonde hair back. "You worry too much. They will be fine, they are in love."

Annabeth couldn't help smiling at that. She liked how he thought being in love was the solution for all problems. "Good night, Wise girl!" Percy said. He got off the bed and pecked her on her blond curls before walking to the couch. But he didn't make it because Annabeth's soft hands closed around his wrist in a small tug.

Percy looked at her quizzically.

"Sleep with me on the bed today. Please, Percy?"

Percy grinned and quickly climbed in next to her. Annabeth cleared the bed and scooted over to give Percy space as he pulled up the sheets over them. Annabeth lay down and Percy flicked of the lights before settling beside her. In the dark, Annabeth's hands found his and they lay in silence for a long time. Finally when they fell asleep, their fingers were still entwined in the dark.

...

"Blondie! Hey Blooonndiieee!"

Annabeth's eyes shot open at the loud shout and incessant banging. Someone was at the door and it looked like they were desperate too.

"Come on, Blondie! Lemme in."

Annabeth palmed herself.

Thalia.

It had to be her. No one would dare to call her that except Thalia, not to mention hollering like it was the world's end. Annabeth yawned and rubbed her eyes before checking the time on her wristwatch. It was eight in the morning. Beside her Percy was beginning to stir, thanks to Thalia.

"Good morning, Salt Breath," Annabeth said.

Percy opened his eyes. He gave her a lazy smile as he stretched. "A new nickname, Owl head?"

Annabeth scowled at his name for her and hit him across the face with her pillow.

"Blondiee! If you don't open the door on count three, I'm knocking it down and dragging you out by your hair," Thalia cried.

Percy sat up in bed, his eyes round. "Nice friend you got there," he said.

Annabeth laughed and pecked him lightly. "I better get the door or she'll have me barbecued." She stumbled out and stretched.

Annabeth lazily yanked open the door to see a livid Thalia waiting for her. "Well, Good morning to you too," she said chirping.

Thalia shot her a dirty glare. "Yeah, whatever. Get out of your room, we need to talk."

Annabeth raised her brow but obliged, stepping out and closing the door. Thalia lead Annabeth out into the little ledge through the french doors.

Annabeth yawned again and curled up on a cozy rainproof couch in the open ledge, across from Thalia. If Thalia hadn't looked so disturbed the scene would have been peaceful. The fresh morning due hung on the lush green leaves of the plants on the ledge. Fragrances of sweet flowers and ground coffee mingled to entice Annabeth. But she didn't dwell on it because Thaloa looked... Well, not right.

"Are you okay?"

Thalia sighed and right then, she looked anything but okay. "No. No, I'm not okay."

Annabeth immediately crossed over to her friend and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What did Luke say, Thals?"

"He said nothing. He won't even speak to me."

Annabeth knew that Thalia was trying hard not to cry. Thalia never cried and it only went on to show how much Luke meant to her. "If Luke had said the same to you, what would you have done?"

Thalia blinked. She wasn't expecting the question. "I don't know. But I won't just give up on him," she said uncertainly.

"Luke won't give up on you either. You need to know that," Annabeth said.

"Listen to Annabeth. She is, after all, the Wise girl."

Annabeth and Thalia whirled around to find Percy leaning against the door frame, a crooked smile playing on his lips. He had already showered and changed into a black button down and faded jeans.

"Percy?" Thalia raised her brows.

Percy grinned and strolled over to Thalia and Annabeth. "Coke?" he offered.

Annabeth grinned back and grabbed a tin from his hand and popped it open. She needed caffeine right then.

"Luke wants to go out now. Blow some steam. He wants me to go along and I thought you should know," Percy said.

Thalia shared a worried look with Annabeth. "Should he go?"

"He needs time off Thalia. Let him be, he'll come around," Percy said.

Annabeth took a swig of coke. "Percy is a Seaweed Brain, but this time he's right. Let Luke go," she said.

"Hey!" Percy complained indignantly causing Annabeth to laugh.

Thalia sighed. "Guess you're right, Percy. Just... Just don't let Luke do anything rash, okay?"

Percy patted Thalia's arm reassuringly. "okay!"

Percy walked to the door but paused at the threshold to look at Annabeth. "I'll see you later then Wise girl," he said.

Annabeth smiled at him, her heart skipping a beat. "Later," she agreed and watched him leave.

No later, Layla came in looking a teeny bit upset. "Hey Thalia, Annabeth."

"Hey!" Thalia called as Layla sat beside Annabeth.

"Is that coke? Gods, I can use some caffeine now," Layla said.

Annabeth passed the half full tin to Layla who took a deep swig. "Woah, chill it Lay! You're going to choke," Annabeth said.

Layla frowned. "I don't care," she muttered under her breath.

"Boy trouble?" Thalia said looking at Layla.

"Dave. He just doesn't... He's an idiot!" Layla grumbled.

"All boys are stupid," Thalia agreed.

"Woah, guys! Don't be so cynical, not all boys are horrible," Annabeth said.

Thalia shot Annabeth a dirty look. "Just because you and Percy got together, you are taking sides."

"That's not true," Annabeth objected pretending to look horrified. But a tiny part of her knew Thalia was right. She was on cloud nine, she was happier than she had been in a long time with Percy. Ironic, considering he had been her bane when they had met.

"Sure. Whatever you say," Layla said. Annabeth scowled at her friends who were smirking at her.

"Why don't we stop picking on poor Annabeth and go down to the pool?" Annabeth said huffing.

Thalia laughed. "Pool it is. Come on, let's go before the adults get down to the pool."

...

"Are sure you want to go in there?" Percy asked Luke. The two stood before a twenty four hour pub, the name of which was in French. The name board was decorated in neon letters above the double glass and plywood door. Percy didn't like the place one bit.

"Yes," was all Luke said. Without waiting for Percy he pushed the doors open and stepped into the dingy little pub. Percy sighed knowing he had no other choice and followed his friend into the dark and smoky room. The sharp smell of alcohol and tea and citrus smacked their senses. There were few people in the bar but the music was tuned to a weird digital pulse. A couple of scantily clad girls writhed on the dance floor. One of the girls turned and winked at Percy seductively. Percy shuddered and turned away.

"I don't like this place," Percy said.

"Me neither," Luke replied. He was eyeing the open bar now.

"Does that mean we can leave?"

"No."

Percy sighed. Luke began to walk towards the bar, his feet shifting noisily across the carpeted floor. A woman who looked old enough to be Luke's grandmother raised a glass of cheap beer to her lips and gave him a seducrive look.

Percy was grateful that Luke paid her no attention. He wasn't looking forward to tell Thalia that her fiance had hooked up with an ancient slut. He quickened his pace to keep up with Luke. He ignored a few summons from strangers for a drink.

Luke was walking to the rear end of the bar where a guy sat all by himself. Luke and Percy sat beside him on the bar stool. Luke ordered strong whisky - an entire bottle.

Percy was worried. It wasn't like Luke to get wasted but now it looked like that was exactly what was on his mind.

"No thanks!" Percy said shaking his head when Luke pushed a glass of whisky towards Percy.

"Come on, man! Get drunk," Luke goaded.

Percy shot the glass an uneasy look. "Luke no..."

"Gods Percy! Where was the fun friend I knew?"

"Right here, being sensible."

Luke noisily chugged his second glass of whisky and asked for another bottle. "Screw sensible!"

Percy noticed that his voice was already slurred. "The girls are going to be upset when they see you like this."

"Screw girls!"

"Aye aye!" A third voice joined in. Percy and Luke turned to the other guy beside them. He was about their age, maybe a few years younger. Olive skin, pale complexion, dark hair, deep dark black eyes. He wore black clothes.

"Excuse me?" Percy said.

"Scew girls! That's right," the boy said.

Luke flashed him a brilliant smile."And screw love?"

"Screw love," the boy agreed.

And just like that the two of them clinked glasses and drank. Percy rolled his eyes.

"Seriously? You talk about screwing and you become friends?"

Luke turned his attention to Percy. "Come on Perce. Just a drink, it won't kill you."

"Yeah, just one." the boy joined in.

Percy sighed. Maybe just one...

But it didn't stop with "just one."

No, it didn't stop until all three were a sack of drunk potatoes.

...

"Score!" Luke cried pumping his fists in drunk victory. He had managed to throw a dart at the dartboard where he had drawn a crude figurine of a girl.

The other boy cheered and threw a dart himself. It hit the figurine's head. Luke and the boy began to chest bump and high five like drunk college football players. Percy refrained from throwing darts but he was just as drunk as the other too and was slumped in a corner watching his two mates.

"Hey, kiddo! Yankee, huh?"

Percy looked up to see the owner of the words. It was a middle aged man with curly blonde hair and a toothy grin. He was smoking a pipe as he bent down to talk to Percy. "Aye, lad! You three need to head home, now. This place isn't good for young people, even young boys like ya," he said.

Percy gurgled like a toddler and slumped forward.

"Dammed, laddies! Always the same. Lemme get a taxi for ya, prick." The man rumbled under his breath and walked out into the street looking for a taxi. He hailed the first available one and dragged the driver in to help drag the three drunk Americans into the cab. "What's with Yankees today? Wazs your name kiddo?"

"Grover," the young driver said as he followed the man through the dark and smokey little pub.

"There, help me get him," the man said pointing to a dark haired boy in a corner.

"Percy?" Grover said rushing to his side in surprise.

"So ya know him, huh? All the same," The man said and let out a long puff of smoke from his pipe.

Grover hardly replied as he hoisted Percy up with the man's help. Together they loaded him into the car like a pumpkin bag. Then they managed to snag Luke and the other boy into the taxi.

"Do you know where to take them?"

"Yes, I have been there twice. I think these two must be Percy's friends, I'll drop all of them in the villa," Grover said.

Grover got in and started the taxi and drove away from the pub. He threw a concerned look behind him to see if Percy was okay. True, he didn't really know him well. But Grover liked him and the girl Annabeth. And somehow he seemed to run into them when they were in trouble.

Forty five minutes later Grover pulled up on the villa's gravel driveway. He was still struck by the beauty of the place as he ambled out and opened the door for Percy and his friends. The thrwe stumbled out and blindly began to walk towards the main door. Grover made to escort them in when his girlfriend Juniper texted him to come home quick. Grover looked up and saw that Percy was fine and hw was quite sure that he'd make it to the door. So he got back into the taxi and pulled away not bothering to collect the cab fee.

Meanwhile Percy and Luke and the other boy staggered to the main door and hit the knocker. The stranger boy either didn't realise that he was in someone else's house or he didn't care as they waited for the door to open.

About three minutes later the door opened. On the other side stood Annabeth and Thalia, a worried expression on both their faces. It turned to relief when they saw Percy and Luke. But when they saw the third boy, both their mouth's dropped open. Shock and surprise and horror danced acrosstheir features as they took in the figure.

"Holy Hades," Annabeth muttered.

"Nico?" Thalia muttered looking like she was in denial.

And promptly the three drunk boys fell forward.

Annabeth caught Percy in her arms just before he hit the floor.

Thalia caught Luke midfall.

And Nico crashed face first on the silk carpeted floor.

Oookayy! So Nico is iin the Villa!

Does that count as a cliffhanger? I guess... oh, by the way, I decided if it's Thaluke or Thalico! That's why we have this chapter... but I'm not revealing anything now! Find out more in the next chapter! Until then just REVIEW REVIEW AND REVIEW!

Yeah... I think this is definitely a cliffie!