A/N: Hey Guys! I'm back! I know this update is late, but my updates will be slower. I will try to update frequently though, and I refuse to stop writing, so I will update.

Anyway here ya go:

My mouth dropped at the sight of her. She looked up at me with pleading eyes, and I realized she was still in the doorway, I stepped aside and let her in.

She stepped in and quickly set Stella down on the couch, then began examining her. I closed the door and walked behind her. Stella's sleeping face was also tear streaked and she had a slight cut on her left cheek.

"Do you have any bandages?" Annabeth asked, but her voice broke as she said it. I nodded and hurried to get the first aid kit. I handed it to her and she wiped the cut gently and tried to put the bandage on, but she was crying slightly again and her hand trembled. I took it from her gently and applied the bandage on her cheek. She turned in her sleep. I turned to Annabeth.

"What happened?" I was concerned, actually I was one second away from freaking out with worry. Annabeth was one of the strongest people I knew, she would not cry easily. And not to mention that cut Stella had on her cheek, and the fact that she had shown up at my door at eleven o'clock at night, spelled trouble.

Annabeth wiped tears hurriedly, and looked up at me,

"Sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking a bit more.

"Shh, dont be sorry," I said quietly, reaching over and moving her head so her eyes met mine.

"But, I...I walked out on you...and you still let me in...and.." she tried to get the words out.

"Annabeth, I can't hate you, and you know I'll always be there for you," I said gently.

She took a steadying breath.

"Now I know something happened, what was it?" I asked.

Annabeth looked down, "We were attacked."

"WHAT!" I all but yelled. Then looked over at Stella, who was thankfully still sleeping. I turned back to Annabeth, this could not be happening. She took another deep breath and told her story.

"Stella was in her room sleeping and I was in the living room. I heard this crash from her room so I rushed there and this man had broken in through the window, and he was hovering over Stella, but as I entered he turned towards me. He pulled out a gun and I was so afraid he would hurt Stella. So I grabbed the thing closest to me and threw it at him,a dictionary, and he dropped the gun but it shot at the wall. And then I just grabbed Stella, who was awake and really scared and I ran out. But he followed me and tried to take her from me, but I ended up kicking him and running away. Somewhere through that Stella must have gotten hurt. I got her to sleep on the taxi ride here," Annabeth stopped and tried to compose herself.

I was shocked. It was the first emotion that registered it was followed quickly by worry then at last aanger. How could someone do this! He tried to kill Annabeth and kill possibly kidnap a little girl! How dare someone hurt them. I was fuming. I looked back at Annabeth and the anger melted to worry, I noticed the bruise on her arm that I hadn't seen at first and her tired looking eyes, which were frightened and filled with tears.

"I...I didn't know what to do...so...I.." she stuttered slightly.

Annabeth was strong, she didn't let others see her as weak. But her exterior was fading and her walls were crumbling down. She was afraid but for a good reason, her daughter had been threatened. Her family was in danger.

I brought her closer to me and she started crying. I just held on tightly to her. I didn't know who had caused her this pain, or why they did but I knew one thing for sure was that they were going to pay.

-LINEBREAK-

Annabeth's sobs slowed and she seemed to fall asleep from exhaustion. I picked her up and carried her to my room and laid her on the bed. She looked peaceful sleeping but you could see the signs of worry. Her face was still tear streaked and she had slight bags under her eyes. I pulled a blanket over her and went into the living room and brought Stell to the bed as well. I figured Annabeth would want to be near her daughter.

After both of them were sleeping soundly in my room the reality of what had happened struck me again.

Someone had tried to attack them. They weren't even safe in their own home. I needed to find out who he was and why he had attacked. My thoughts were broken by the doorbell. I hurried to the door, taking care to look through the peephole, and opened it. My pizza had arrived. Not that I was that hungry anymore. I brought it in and started pacing.

I needed to do something. I felt like I was being useless doing absolutely nothing. Of course the police would have to be informed. But Annabeth wasn't up to it now, and I wanted her to rest. Until we could call them, there was really nothing I could do. I lay down on the couch and fell asleep slowly still thinking about the blonde haired beauty. I guess that won't change.

A/N: The plot thickens...I hope...

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