Crap guys, I lied. I thought the Percabeth was this chapter, it's actually the next. So...that one tomorrow morning? And I've been thinking, I might be able to get this whole story out before I leave. More after you read the chapter.

Chapter 21

3 weeks later, end-May

Annabeth sat across from Percy as she explained the blueprint. They were in his office and Annabeth had gotten the blueprint done for him. She eventually started to dress casually like Percy seeing as he once decided to go so far as to wear sweats and a hoodie which was not usual at all. He claimed it was casual Friday. That day was a Wednesday. But today they both wore jeans and a t shirt. Today it actually was Friday. She felt herself warming up to Percy. The storm outside was brutal. Lightning cracking, thunder claps and rain beating against the window. Wonderful. They both did their best to ignore the outside.

"These beams here are to support the—" Annabeth cut herself off and sighed.

Percy was craning his neck to see the blueprint which was upside down to him. His hand was wrapped around a warm mug from Starbucks. She turned the blueprint around so now it was upside down to her.

"These beams—or wait, no, sorry, it was these ones over here…"

Annabeth bit her lip. She asked for a second and switched it back her way.

Percy got up and wet around the table.

Annabeth opened her mouth, "Oh no, that's okay, you don't have to—"

"Its fine," Percy replied. He leaned over her, placing two hands on the desk either side of her. Annabeth still sat in the chair. Percy leaned and bent down so his body was on her right side.

Annabeth looked down. When she said she felt closer to him, she hadn't had meant this close.

After a few counts, Percy commented, "You were saying?"

"Hmm? Yeah, so these beams here are to support this surface," Annabeth explained. "At least, that's what the designer told me."

"I thought you were the designer."

Annabeth shook her head. Thunder boomed outside. "No, I'm the architect. Common misconception, really. I design the building, like, what it's going to look like."

Percy nodded slowly. He straightened and sat back in his seat. "I guess that's all for today."

Annabeth nodded and put her things away. Her hair was in a long braid cascading down her white shirt. "It's rush hour. Do you mind if I wait until the traffic clears up?"

Percy shook his head, "I don't mind." The lights flickered again and Percy sighed.

Annabeth slumped in her chair as Percy walked towards the mini fridge. "Coke?" he offered. Annabeth shook her head. Percy shrugged and grabbed one for himself.

Annabeth pursed her lips. She couldn't believe this was still bothering her. "Tell me about Olivia. Does she just generally dislike strangers?"

"Pretty much."

"Why? I mean, it's just odd because…"

Annabeth trailed off.

Percy looked down. "You want to know the real reason?"

Annabeth stared at him before nodding eagerly.

Percy sighed, "I lose everything."

Annabeth waited for him to go on. After a few seconds, he did.

"When Olivia was…twenty-eight months I think…she was waiting for me to pick her up from gymnastics because I went to the bathroom. And someone came up to her, told her some lie and took her. I got to her before she could actually do anything." Annabeth left her mouth ajar. That's not what she was expecting. Percy continued. "When Oliva was thirty-nine months, I don't even know, she was with me one second and the next second she was gone and some crazy old lady took her again. I don't know what it was about Olivia that she wanted. She tried again 7 months later which was two months ago. Olivia was screaming as the lady tried to take her. I got her and the lady tried to run away. So I called the police. Every time I had before they never found her. This time they did. It was this old lady who was obsessed with, I don't know, spiders." Annabeth shivered. "After that, Olivia's been scared of strangers. You can't blame her, she was almost kidnapped three times."

"That's awful," Annabeth said. Annabeth looked down. That sounded awfully familiar.

Percy nodded. "Olivia's just scared that the old lady will come again. And we don't know why she targets Olivia. I know you're not the lady or anything, but Olivia has separation anxiety and she just doesn't like strangers."

Annabeth sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "I feel sorry for Olivia. She's sweet."

"I know, it's just that maybe if I had watched Olivia better or made sure that—"

"No," Annabeth said. "Please don't blame yourself."

"It's hard not to."

Annabeth shook her head.

"C'mon," Percy said standing. He slipped on his jacket. "I'll show you my cousins' studio a few floors down."

Annabeth agreed and followed him. He grabbed his coke and they walked down the corridor towards the elevator. It was empty on the inside. The plush carpet and silver walls were spotless.

"It was just cleaned," Percy noted as they stepped inside.

Annabeth nodded in approval as the doors closed behind them. Percy clicked a button and the elevator started to move.

Annabeth was just about to speak when the elevator jerked. Percy's drink swished over the edges getting into the plush carpet.

Percy swore under his breath adding, "Jasper isn't going to be happy."

Annabeth worriedly glanced around. "Does the elevator always do this?"

Percy shook his head slowly. "No…I'm sure it'll move again." The lights flickered again causing them both to look up.

After a few seconds Percy also began to look worried. "Okay, this is not normal, not normal at all."

Percy's phone began to ring and Percy sighed in relief. "Civilization."

Annabeth rolled her eyes as he answered it.

"Hello?...Oh hey Thals." Annabeth wrinkled her nose. Thals? "Yeah?...I know it's raining, Thalia. I'm not stupid…whatever, what do you want?...There's a subway for a reason…ask Nico, I can't right now, or better yet, ask Jason to fly you there…I'm sorry Thalia, I'm busy with a client right now…okay, it's not just that, I'm stuck in an elevator…okay, sorry. Bye." He hung up and slipped his phone into his pocket.

After he didn't give an explanation, Annabeth finally caved. "Who was that?"

"Thalia, my cousin. She needed a ride because she left her wallet at home and wanted someone to take her home."

"Oh," was Annabeth's only reply. Suddenly, Annabeth let out an ear piercing scream. She jumped towards Percy who caught her.

And that's when the lights went out.

Okay guys, so here's the plan. I'm leaving on Monday. This story can be completely updated but I really don't want to do that because it won't be completely edited and I won't be able to add chapters. (By the way, I'm going to Dubai and parts of Africa for those of you wondering).

So, I was thinking that maybe when I get back in the beginning of September, I'd basically spam you guys with a lot of chapters when they're ready. This story has about 30 chapters but that is subject to change. Which means were only about 1/3 of the way through this story.

I think the review reply thingy might work now. I had something else to say but I forgot. Okay, toodles. Have a great day, evening, afternoon, whatever! Thank you so much for reading this story! You guys are all appreciated.