Okay SO my posting schedule is a little off, so it might be a tad sporadic for awhile. Not to mention that next week is silverwolf77's birthday and asked me if I could post a chapter on the 23rd in a really really sweet review :)

So next chapter, (which is way better than this one!) is going to be posted the friday after this one. On the 23rd of December. mkay?


Chapter 29: She had it Coming


Muffled yet loud music was pounding from inside the house, sounding so distant but sharp. Almost as if someone had draped a thick fluffy blanket over the speakers. Lights flashed like focused lightning and the front yard was a battleground of crumpled flowers, crushed plastic cups and littered wrappers.

Percy stood in awe at the end of the smooth black driveway as he watched teens lingering on the porch while shadows swayed and bounced in the windows with every flash of the colorful lights.

This was a party.

A full on high-school party.

Probably violating more laws in one night than a bunch of bar brawlers did in an entire week.

The house itself was large. Large and Classy. It had an old victorian look with intricate white mouldings and some statues that looked suspiciously like gargoyles.

Ladened in grey bricks, and spacious balconies, it was sure to have cost more than a pretty penny. It's double doors were closed firmly but they still vibrated with every beat of the DJ's speakers.

Percy puffed some air and ran a hand through his pitch hair while spectating. Thalia had given up on his hair. It was still messy. Like he was an eternal bedhead.

'Besides' she had made an excuse for her failure. 'It suits you.'

As soon as she heard that he was going to a party she had pulled up. She barreled in and insisted on picking every article of clothing.

Don't get her wrong. She wasn't picky. She didn't even like most brands of clothes.

She was just being that protective older sister figure who wanted her little bro to be the coolest kid at the biggest party in town.

Plus she was always urging Percy to live a little and break a few of S.I.G.H.T's many rules. This was her chance to show him how.

So she had pulled out a pair of dark jeans and pitch black t-shirt.

Percy didn't get it. It was so simple and plain.

'It's a little tight.' he had complained about the shirt while tugging on the edge.

'It has to be tight' she had crossed her arms. 'Chics need to be able to check out your muscles.'

Thalia had even passed him the keys to her baby claiming that there was nothing cooler than having a sick motorcycle for a ride.

Well, Thalia was the one who was taking his position as Rachel's bodyguard, so it's not like she was going to be using it for the next hour or so.

And there Percy was. Staring at this loud, vibrant vivacious house.

He harnessed the butterflies in his stomach and strode up the drive, almost as if it was his own abode.

He considered knocking, but kids seemed to be coming and going as they pleased. So with the ease of an agent he opened the door and walked in.

Immediately the music intensified. The details in the beats and melodies becoming distinct while the rush of dancing bodies and moving figures became overpowering.

Sweat, perfume, axe, cologne, body spray, alcohol, mingled in the humid environment. Even with the air conditioning working full time wasn't enough to cool the heated atmosphere.

Percy submersed himself in the crowd while guessing that the whole school had shown up.

The whole school had been invited anyways.

He mingled for awhile, passing couples pressed up against walls and tables laden with food. Finally, he found himself in a conversation with Devan from his basketball team who had a short spritely girl hanging off his arm.

"And then I dunk the ball after Perce sends an amazing pass-" Devan relived the moment for his girlfriend while sloshing his drink around in his cup a few times. The brunette offered Percy a smile which he returned politely.

In all honesty, it was nothing but a blur.

Maybe if he was actually here to enjoy himself than he would have paid attention to who was making out with who and how the people in near the speakers were dancing.

But so far his focus was centered on one black haired short girl on the opposite side of the room. Dancing like she the center of attention but acting like she was a lone sparkling jellyfish swimming in the ocean.

This was her party afterall.

"Well! Look what the cat dragged in!" A voice chirped loudly behind him and breaking the conversation he had barely contributed to.

He didn't need to look to know who it was.

Casey saddled right up beside him with Luke and two other girls on her tail.

"Hello Percy, long time no see." she winked discreetly.

"Heeeyy Percy." Luke was borderlined drunk as he sloppily slipped an arm around Casey's waist.

Wow, smooth buddy.

"Awesome perty Right!" Luke gave him the thumbs up/ punch to the chest.

"Ya."

Casey giggled "Looks like Luke hit the spiked stuff a little too hard." Her eyes glittered humorously as she yelled over the pumping music.

"I noticed!" Percy's voice felt hoarse from talking like this.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a burly african american boy approach Silena.

"So Percy," Casey latched onto his arm before he could excuse himself. "Where's Annabeth? I thought she would be here."

Gently, Percy pushed Casey off his arm while he spoke. "I don't think she is. Parties aren't really her thing."

"Oh! Luke told me that! Didn't you bae?" Casey's eyes sparkled excitedly while she turned to her boyfriend.

Luke however had passed out on the floor and was currently drooling into a very expensive persian rug.

"Well he did." Casey turned back to Percy was she was still yelling over the music. "Annabeth needs to loosen up and learn to Par-tay." Casey smiled and gently pushed her hand against his chest playfully. "I mean, you can party pretty well." she commented while taking a delicate sip of her drink.

Only half the words she was speaking was actually reaching his brain. Percy watched as Silena lead the guy who had approached her out through the front door. Ditching on her own party.

He wouldn't be able to study her if she was gone. He didn't want to risk following her either.

If she was the target than she'd probably be well trained in finding stalkers.

So he settled on snooping.

If he found her room then maybe he could find some evidence against this girl. Or maybe he would find out that she was an innocent suspect who was truly not the person he was looking for.

"- I mean, she doesn't act like a normal teenager. I guess. What do you think?"

The next line of words that he was actually listening to made no sense. Maybe if he had heard the sentence before…

"I think I really need to use the bathroom." he finally excused himself and took off.

With a quick pretend struggle with the door handle he faked the downstairs bathroom being occupied. Bounding up the stairs he inconspicuously checked room after room.

It was when he opened the door to an explosion of pinks purples and whites that he knew he had found the correct room.

A soft blue hued light from the rising moon washed over the frilled queen sized canopy bed through the glass double doors to the balcony. A large white vanity was pushed against the wall while tubes of lipsticks, mascara and heaven knows what else was organized neatly on top like a armed and ready cohorts. Band posters and magazine clippings were tacked to the wall hurriedly and stood hauntingly in the dark room.

It was when he saw the sleek grey apple computer on the desk near the bed that Percy actually stepped in the room.

Nimbly he slipped a little chip out of his watch while plopping down into the pink office chair.

He plugged the pinkie finger nail sized chip into the computer and was blinded when the screen came to life with light momentarily shocked into his brain.

Immediately the password was bypassed and the home screen came up.

Without so much as pressing a button; pages, documents, pictures, history started flashing through as it was copied onto a file.

If he even blinked he would miss an entire chapter of this computers interactions.

Essays and make up tutorial videos passed but even pictures surged by giving Percy a glimpse.

Photos of friends and outings and birthday parties with happy pink ribbons. Those photos didn't interest Percy.

It was the pictures of won Kung Fu tournaments, being presented belts, and holding up trophies with captions of self defense success and women empowerment. Then just like that, the computer died again when the last document had been copied. Sitting there in the dark, he let his eyes adjust before he pulled the little device out with more suspicion on Silena than ever.

His eyes roamed over her room once more while he picked out the detail he hadn't honed in on before.

Gleaming cold martial art trophies and medals lining a shelf.

Martial artist… maybe, maybe not the spy.

Percy tapped out a few buttons on his watch then held it up to the wall. A small blue light popped up on the screen as it scanned through the layers of drywall and wood, looking for any secret compartments.

Moving it over the poster riddled area like one does to a metal detector on a beach. He searched and rummaged through drawers and had just strolled out of the walk in closet-

Click-

The room door's bronze handle turned.

Percy dropped to the floor and rolled under the bed. He constricted his breathing to shallow inaudible puffs while his eyes followed the pair of clear plastic looking stilettos strut woozily into the room and flop onto the bed.

When his eyes shot up to see the bulge of the mattress bearing down on him, he noticed the familiar silhouette of a handgun strapped to the bottom of the bed.

Peculiar Percy thought while snapping a photo with his watch.

Peculiar that she has all this self defence and training but seemingly no motive. Nothing for Percy to really pin her down about anything relating to Rachel.

A fit of giggles broke out on the mattress above.

Plan? Wait till this person fell asleep and then sneak out.

It would've been that simple. Percy had the patience and the stealth.

If only the drunk hadn't squealed "Peerrccyy, I mow your in heere."

Stiffening, Percy held his breath.

"Found chya." the girl poked her head under the bed and giggled uncontrollably.

For a few seconds their eyes locked in a surprised manner. Another string of giggles soon erupted from Casey as she fiddled with the loose ends on her tight crop top.

"What are yoouuu doing here? Waiting for me?" her high pitchy voice sounded like she was internally laughing.

"Was just about to leave." Percy spoke indifferently as he rolled out the other side of the bed.

Before he could reach the door across the dark room, Casey staggered against his torso. She giggled twinkly again while running her hand up his chest.

"You want me to come with you too?" she whispered girlishly.

"No." Percy's eyes were set hard.

Peeved off and a little grumpy on how his snoop time had been cut short by a girl with clingy issues.

Casey just hummed as her eyes slitted to that like cats. "Your. So. Hot. when you command like that." she murmured before violently pressing her body against his to deliver a hungry wet kiss to his lips.

Stumbling backward, Percy shoved her off him sending them both to the floor just a few feet from each other.

"Stop it Casey." Percy growled annoyed. "What would Luke think?"

Casey purred.

She purred. Like a freakin cat.

"Who cares about him when you're here with me?" she strutted toward him on all fours, like a cougar going in for the kill.

Her hips swaying and her arms moving forward in strides. A slitted look in her eyes that burned through the curtained darkness. Following Percy with sharp intention, she pounced.

Percy rolled to the side and caught her forearm easily, pinning her to the solid ground.

"Casey, stop it now." Percy was reaching the end of his rope. Feeling like he was struggling with a glass vase, taped to his back.

So hard to get off him without breaking it in some way.

Seductively, Stiletto gloved feet went up to try and wrap her legs around his hip and half his mind was debating to break her arm.

In reality, if he moved to stop her then he just might drastically damage her frail bone structure. And he didn't exactly want to deal with all the paperwork that came with hurting a 'bystander'.

Casey just cocked her perfectly drawn eyebrows. "Playing hard to get, are we?" she murmured while leaning up in an actual impressive act of flexibility.

It was when she tried kissing him a second time that he rolled off her and wiped his mouth messily. Releasing the drunk idiot.

Percy stood up and glared down at the brunnette girl splayed out on the floor. Ready to walk out and find some other place he might be able to find clues. But Casey just smirked and started tugging her shirt flirtlily. "Go ahead."

Walking away is wiser. His mind added helpfully.

But this wasn't over. It wouldn't be over. Not until he showed Casey how through he was.

Her smile widened when he knelt down beside her shrimpy body. Set faced, and aggravated, Percy took her shoulders in his hands and shook her hard. Jarring his arms and glaring into her shock filled eyes. The spacious room seeming to echo Casey's yelp of surprise.

Her eyes wide while she stared back into his wild emerald ones.

Anger is what she saw in them. Anger at her for everything she carried out, everytime she hurt Annabeth.

"What about Luke!" he hissed, trying to guilt her in some way to stop go after him.

Rattled from being shaken, Casey burst into a waterwork stricken cry. "What about Luke!" she wailed. "Luke still pines after that brat. I catch him still looking at her!"

"That's because you don't compare to Annabeth." Percy sniffed angrily. Angry that this girl was always trying to make others submit to her.

That she thought she could have everything.

"I know!" The drunk girl slurred while wiping her mascara dripping eyes. "I wanted that golden curly hair. I wanted to have thick lips and a tan like that! It's not fair! It's NOT FAIR! She's such a bitch! She doesn't deserve to be pretty. She doesn't WORK FOR IT LIKE ME!"

Casey ripped out her arms from his hands and grabbed a handful of his shirt. Fisting the fabric around and searching his cold eyes frantically.

"Nobody loves me because of her!" she shrieked despairingly while she leaned in yet again, Percy simultaneously leaning back. "But you'll love me! You'll show her what's right!" her hoarse whisper was cut off when she pressed her lips to his and clamped on tightly to his shoulders in desperation.

And that's what Casey was.

Desperate. Desperate to feel like she was above Annabeth. Desperate to have more attention.

She had done everything she could for attention. Wore revealing clothes, lots of makeup, laughed loudly, gossiped, adored everything that everyone else liked, and pretended to be everyone's friend.

And where did it get her?

Begging for more attention from a person who hardly cared.

Trying to use Percy as a stool, a ladder to get above the girl who challenged her dominance.

Or maybe Casey actually had feelings for Percy, but the thought was just too repulsive to meander on, to even think possible.

Angered, Percy shoved her hard. Hard and fast. Flinging Casey off him and sending her tumbling across the hardwood floor. The darkness seeming to clinging to her body as she lay in a heap at the base of Silenas bed.

"Stop!" he growled. He didn't care if the party downstairs heard him. He didn't care if the world heard him.

"Why?" she cried as she tried to get up. "Why?" she looked hurt as she clamped her fist to her chest. But it was all dramatics, wasn't it?

Casey after all, lived for drama. Trying to squeeze as much out of the moments in her life as she could. And this was one of those moments.

One of those moments she'd cry about to her friends, who in turn would give her more attention and more pity.

She'd probably start sending out rumors about Annabeth again. Angry that she couldn't step above her, couldn't grab the one person she knew would take control of the the golden haired beauty.

Anger fired in Percy's gut.

"Because I've been in love with the same girl since I was seven years old!" Percy spat.

As soon as he said it, he knew it was true.

He was in love with Annabeth Chase.

So no matter all of Casey's hollow tactics, he would never fall for her. (Even the thought of that was revolting)

His heart was still with Annabeth.

Casey looked indignant. "Who?" she demanded.

"Does it matter?!"

"Do I know her? What does she have that's admirable?" Casey crossed her arms and appeared to be less drunk than before.

"She's smart and funny and gorgeous and independent and sarcastic and she makes me feel happy when I'm near her." Percy rambled on as he felt his heart flutter with each word he proclaimed unshamefully.

"She's not desperate and act like a little child trying to get attention." he snarled pointedly.

Casey stared blankly at him. Then a phinx like look came upon her face. "So you don't like Annabeth." she sniffed. "But why? Why don't you me? Why? I've dreamed about you for so long..." her mutters were of despair but truthfully sounded pathetic.

She actually likes me!?

Percy's eyes darkened.

"Or maybe." he hissed. "I love Annabeth. And you can't match her even if you tried a million times." Glowering harshly while he spoke "So excuse me."

With that, he opened the door and left the attention hungry girl on the floor weeping.

She had it coming to her, after all.

Sooner or later that is.


Last weeks Trivia Answer: Ophiotaurus.

This weeks Trivia: What name did Tyson give to the Hippocampi?