Disclaimer: I don't own the PJO characters.

Chapter Five

The mechanic shop Leo worked at didn't have a door. It was just two sliding blocks that Leo's father kept open throughout the day and then locked at night to keep the vehicles inside from getting stolen. It was a walk-in through an area as big as a car showroom with countless vehicles pushed to the wall. At the far end of the shop was a station to fix smaller devices like microwaves or phones.

Annabeth breezed through the entrance. A familiar employee was grunting as he pumped air into a car with a flat tire as he saluted her when she passed. She gave him a half-hearted smile and spotted Leo working on a truck in the far corner. She sped up.

Leo grinned at her from underneath the hood. He was scrawny compared to Luke but compared to the normal human, Leo was far stronger. He could bench press up more than two hundred pounds and it all came from the heavy lifting involved in working at the shop.

"So you finally came around."

Annabeth flung herself on the now closed hood of the truck. She reached forward and swiped off a smear of black oil from Leo's forehead. "I finally came around. You weren't at school today."

"Dad had a vehicle due to return today but he was no where near finished. I stayed back from school to help him and the client went away less angry than he did last time."

"What?"

"You don't want to know. The police were called the first time."

"Oh."

Leo bent down to grab his toolbox. He hoisted up on a nearby shelf. "So what happened with you and Luke yesterday? You didn't text me about it and I haven't had the time to call you."

Annabeth launched into the story without hesitation. She left out Percy going crazy and claiming Luke was a genie. That still sounded weird coming out of her mouth. "I think Luke and Thalia have something going on. When I asked him if they were dating he didn't say yes or no. But they were meeting up for dinner and he ran off without saying bye when I took a moment in the kitchen."

"What an asshole. And dammit, I really thought I had a chance with Thalia. I chased her down the hall yesterday and she looked at me in the eyes for the very first time."

"You're so creepy, Leo."

Leo spread his arms out. "I have a fetish for terrifying girls who want rip my limbs off."

"And you won't believe what happened today. I saw Luke after school and he told me he liked talking to me. Something about how unique I am." Sarcastically, "For a second I thought I could actually go with him to the ball."

"So you're saying Thalia's all mine?"

"No. We're still both single and are probably going to end up going to the Christmas Ball together. So you get your shit together because at least if we're going together, we might as well look the part. We've got to find time to go dress and tie shopping."

"Actually, there might be someone else I'm going with."

Annabeth gave him a look of pure loathing but she broke out into a smile a heartbeat later seeing him wiggling his eyebrows like he always did. "Anyway," Annabeth started. Her backpack fell from her shoulder and kissed the ground. "I was wondering something else which was why I came here in the first place. I wasn't here to talk about our failure with Luke and Thalia."

"Hit me."

"About your genie."

Leo flipped a wrench in the air and caught it expertly before moving towards a second vehicle inches away from the truck. "What about Hazel?"

"Have you ever been inside her lamp?"

"Have you been inside your genie's lamp?"

Annabeth nodded slowly and Leo's jaw dropped open. He whipped around, checking for whether other people were listening in before grabbing Annabeth's arm and pulling her off the hood of the truck. He hissed, "Are you crazy? Annabeth, rule number four! It clearly says we aren't allowed to go in the genie lamps. Aphrodite said there were serious consequences."

"But have you ever wondered why that's a rule?"

"No. Because it explains itself if you read the rule book. Genies are creatures of privacy and isolation. They don't take well to you asking to go into their home. Exactly why you can't ask your genie any questions."

"My genie invited me. I didn't ask him to take me there. And you won't believe what I saw."

"Wonderful. Your genie invites you into his home and you go. Annabeth. You told me that Percy was an asshole."

"Percy isn't that bad. And, please Leo, I'm serious. I saw chains. Percy was chained to his lamp with this metal… Silverbane, I think it was. He can't ever leave and he can't explore his magic to figure out his full capability."

"No way."

"Leo, I need to know if it's just Percy chained up or this is for every genie. When Luke came over, Percy heard his voice and he's convinced that Luke is some sort of genie who escaped his own lamp." Luke didn't seem like a genie to Annabeth with the way he talked and acted but when she looked at it from Percy's view, Luke was awfully suspicious. After all, she remembered, she hadn't told Percy the name of who was coming over last night.

"Why are you even telling me this?"

"I'm telling you to pay more attention to your genie. I've already broken two rules in the book. I've been asking Percy questions since yesterday and now I've been in his lamp too. He hasn't had a single violent outburst. Not everything the rule book says about genies is right. Why don't you ask Hazel tonight about whether she's chained? Maybe she'll show you herself and your doubt will disappear."

Leo straightened up from his work in the hood of the car. "Annabeth, you're digging yourself into a hole. You've only had your genie for three days. You told me Percy liked playing jokes on you with his magic. This could easily be one of those jokes."

"No. I know this isn't one of Percy's tricks."

"Annabeth."

"If you'd just listen to me—"

"Annabeth."

Annabeth deflated. Leo threw his wrench back into his toolbox and it clanged with the rest of his tools in an echo. He reached forward and grabbed her shoulders before staring at her intently. He stood a few inches taller than her and she had to tilt her head upwards to look him in the eye. His were a darker shade of brown than usual and lips were stone.

"You're actually serious about this," Leo muttered. He dropped his arms and gave her a look of utter disbelief. "I thought maybe it was a joke. But you're serious."

"Please talk to Hazel tonight. For me."

Leo sighed. "Look, you should get home. I have a lot of work to finish up today and I don't know if we can go out for dinner like we wanted to."

"Oh. Yeah, that's fine." No, it wasn't. They hadn't hung out in months.

An older man hooted from across shop and whistled for Leo to go over. Annabeth waved at the man, Leo's dad, and he gave Annabeth a thumbs up as Leo grabbed some tool from his box and left to help his dad. He gave her a tight smile before turning around and disappearing behind some cars. Annabeth was left alone with her hands clasped together, eyes closed. She should've have said anything.

But she can't be the first one to know about chains. It's impossible.

Annabeth bent to hoist her backpack on her shoulders again. She gave Leo a smile across the shop as she made her way to the entrance but he didn't see her, buried in his work. Her nails dug into her palm. She had small fights with Leo all the time. His first impression was probably that she was out of her mind for breaking the rules but Annabeth knew Leo like the back of her hand. Leo was curious and he was going to go home and take out Hazel's lamp to ask about chains.

But maybe she should've waited before telling Leo. If anyone else found out, authorities won't hesitate to show up at Annabeth's door.

But it was Leo.

Leo wouldn't tell.

aoaoaoaoaoaoao

Saturday morning was a slow start. She spent all morning on her desk, finishing off homework and fixing some of her artwork she was planning to submit to a competition soon. She rubbed the lamp to let Percy out per his request around eleven and he sent her on two different runs down to the kitchen with bags of chocolate. It brought on a concerned Helen who was convinced Annabeth had a tape worm. She wasn't doing refilling the bowl because she was stubborn but she secretly liked it when Percy made the chocolates dance in the air like a musical number from Beauty and the Beast. She was sure Percy had picked up on it; he told her her awe with his magic was addicting.

"I don't actually like chocolate much."

"Percy, you ate three entire bowls of Hershey's kisses. I'm surprised how you don't have an upset stomach."

Percy grinned and his fingers sparked. "Magic has its perks, darling."

"Great. Next time I'm constipated, I'll be sure to call on you to go all doctor on me."

Annabeth called his laugh a hyena and it put him in tears.

aoaoaoaoaoaoao

"So I've been having some weird dreams lately."

Annabeth's eyes glazed over the words in the novel open on her lap. "Oh?"

"Yeah. Cows. Lots of cows in my dreams."

"Wow, Percy. Impressive."

Annabeth lifted her gaze to catch Percy fiddling with his chains. She had been talking to Leo a few hours ago but neither of them brought up the topic of Hazel in chains. She hadn't even told Percy about her talk with Luke and that was something still haunting her in the back of her head. Percy had mentioned it a couple times since Friday, brainstorming ways they could approach Luke about it and Annabeth wasn't sure how to admit she talked to Luke. Percy was convinced Luke was a powerful genie who had gone crazy and that only confused Annabeth further.

"I think I have a new fear now," Percy mused.

"Of what, cows?"

"Yes. Cows. You'll be surprised what they can do. Terrible things."

"Yeah. They moo."

"Hey!"

"Shut up, Percy, I'm trying to read."

aoaoaoaoaoaoaoao

"Your mother is coming over. She just texted me saying she was on the way. Athena is going to be here any minute."

Annabeth's heart plummeted. So far, this weekend had gone over smoothly but here it was, Sunday night, Helen with the big bomb. Annabeth thought she had dodged Athena completely with the biology test but of course that aspiration was inane. Athena always made sure to visit the week Annabeth had a test.

"Helen, you could've told me that earlier."

"I only just found out myself. You know how Athena is. Unpredictable."

Numbly, Annabeth made her way back to her room. She had locked it from the outside because she knew Percy was out of his lamp and sitting on her desk. She undid the lock and closed the door behind her. Without acknowledging Percy's presence, her vision tunnelled on the folder she kept her biology test in. Its ninety-two blared in red on the front. There shouldn't a reason for Athena to be upset, Annabeth reminded herself. Her test was a ninety-two. It didn't matter if the ninety-two was from a wish because Athena wouldn't ever know.

"What's wrong?"

Annabeth motioned to the lamp. "You better get back in there. My biological mother is coming and she's not a big fan of genies. I have to hide your lamp in case she tries to do anything."

Percy lowered the plate he was holding. A half-eaten pizza sat on it and a pepper shaker was flying in the air above it. "Is it the Athena woman you said terrified you?"

"Yep. Same terrifying woman is currently on her way here."

"Okay," Percy rose in the air and his legs criss-crossed. "Hey, don't look down. You'll be fine. There's no way Athena can be mad at you with your ninety two, you Wise Girl. I mean... considering we're the only ones who know what you spent your first wish on."

Annabeth snorted anxiously at the nickname. "Thank you, Percy. Now disappear."

Percy did as he was told and Annabeth tucked his lamp into her closet. She hoped there was enough light and air for him to be okay before she remembered his status as a genie and closed the closet door without another thought.

Downstairs, Annabeth heard the sound of the main door opening and closing. Frederick and Helen's voice came through, greeting the guest at the door who was undoubtedly the blonde-haired older woman who called herself Athena. Annabeth cradled the biology test in her hands and descended the stairs to meet her mother.

Athena's steely grey eyes landed on her the second she hit the last step. Annabeth gave her a small smile despite how hard her heart was pounding against her ribs.

Compared to Frederick and Helen, Athena was stone-faced and serious. She wore her usual black pencil skirt with a white blouse neatly tucked into it. A few blonde curls escaped from her pony tail but that was evident after a whole day of what Annabeth guessed were meetings. That was all Athena did. Work. Work day, work night, work twilight. And she expected Annabeth to do the same.

Annabeth had always wondered what ran through Athena's mind for every visit. Athena lived in a penthouse that cost her three million to buy and another twelve million to furnish. A maid was in and out of her penthouse every day that calmed Athena's insane cleanliness obsession. And here Annabeth and her family of five were living in: a landed house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It took a few thousand to furnish and they couldn't afford to hire someone else to help maintain it and they didn't have the time to care for it the way Athena cared for their home. There were legos on the ground and books, clothes, plates on the couch. An entire half of the dining table was covered in Frederick's work from the university he worked at.

"Annabeth," Athena said. She put down her purse on the couch but made no move to sit down herself. "Your test. I see you got it back."

"A ninety-two, Mom."

"Show me."

Athena didn't shuffle through the rest of the pages of the test. She stared stoically at the large ninety-two in red, her eyes shifting from Annabeth to the test and back again. "So if I asked you some question in here, would be able to tell the answer to me correctly?"

Annabeth tensed. She couldn't. She hadn't gotten the time to review her mistakes yet. "Of course."

"You're quite proud, aren't you, Annabeth?"

"It's one of my highest scores."

"She was studying a lot for that test," Helen butt in gleefully. She ruffled Annabeth's hair. "I'm proud of her and the effort she put in."

"Stand up straighter when I'm talking to you, Annabeth. Perception matters and judgement is everywhere. Learn to act like a graceful woman or you'll suffer for the rest of your life as you're doing now. Look at you. Your hair is a mess. You're wearing pyjamas with fire trucks all over it. Don't I give you enough money to buy yourself proper clothing?"

Annabeth straightened her back. She clasped her hands in front of her like Athena had taught her from a young age. She was meant to grow into Athena's business. She was the future that Athena was preparing for because one day, someone had to take over the billion dollar worth agency Athena was running. Somehow, though, it didn't seem worth it.

"Annabeth has a lot going on, right now," Helen said. She ran a hand through Annabeth's curls. "Besides, it's not like she's going anywhere. Pyjamas are fine."

"Ninety-two," Athena ignored Helen, "is a difficult score to get. An excellent score, really."

Annabeth chest loosened.

"Of course," Athena said. "It would've been great if you truly deserved this score rather than cheating your way to the top."

Annabeth's mouth dropped open. Before she could react, she felt a hand connect with her cheek with a loud slap and she was stumbling backwards in confusion. Annabeth touched her cheek tenderly and winced at the wounds Athena's nails left on her cheek. She tasted blood from biting her lip so hard, trying to keep from screaming out loud. Their family would lose all their pride and reputation as a sweet, happy family if the neighbours heard Annabeth. No one had to know about how their family had to depend on Athena for something as simple as education.

Athena stared her down, towering over Annabeth in her polished, black heels. Annabeth wisely kept her mouth shut as Helen ushered her twin-brothers out of the room in the background. Frederick was demanding that Athena keep her hands to herself. Tears fell faster than Annabeth could control them.

"Lie."

"Mom," she croaked.

"What was your score on this test, Annabeth?"

"Ninety-two." Annabeth's eyes burned.

"What was your score on this test? Last time I ask."

"Forty. I got a forty. I'm sorry."

"You really thought you could get away with the wish, couldn't you? I have a deal with every single one of your teachers, Annabeth. They send me an email immediately after they've marked your test. Your teacher may have been affected by this wish you made but I can't be fooled."

"I'm sorry. I was just so scared about what you'd think."

Athena's raked across her cheek again and Annabeth fell backwards. This time, Helen barged into the room and hoisted Annabeth back up to her feet. She protested, arguing with Athena who gave Helen a calm but cruel glare. Athena barely fought back. She straightened her blouse when Helen's voice rose in volume. A small smirk played on her lips as if all Helen was to her was a talking cockroach.

"I don't want to see a score like this every again. I don't want to hear another lie coming out of your mouth. You know I'll catch you no matter how many wishes you make."

Annabeth nodded, wiping away the tears dripping onto the floor. Her biology test was in smithereens on the floor and she couldn't do anything but curl up in a ball and cry.

"Go to your room," Helen urged her. "Do you want me to come or do you want to be alone?"

"I want my genie," Annabeth said. "Don't come."

Helen's finger gently went over the spots forming on Annabeth's cheek. "I need to bring you something to help this inflammation. And Annabeth, don't make any wishes. Please. Your father and I are there for you."

"I'll be okay. Please." Helen was trying but there was no hiding from the truth. Annabeth was Athena's puppet. It didn't matter if Percy could change anything with her eight remaining wishes. Annabeth was always going to be Athena's puppet.

Annabeth hobbled up the stairs on her own, locking her bedroom door behind her and spent a few minutes sniffling on the ground. A mirror at the far end of the room showed her a stuffy face with bloodshot eyes. Her cheeks were stinging and blood in the shape of Athena's nails were evident under her right eye. Her entire face was red. She swayed under her own weight and went to take Percy's lamp out.

Percy appeared in his usual swirl. He didn't look particularly happy or sad but Percy saw her face and his jaw fell.

"I have another wish."

Percy remained silent.

"I have another wish and you're not going to tell me no. I wish my biological mother will get into a car crash on the way home and that I inherit her fortune."

"Angel, no."

"You're my genie," Annabeth insisted. Another round of tears streamed down her face and she collapsed on her bed. "Give me this wish. Please. I shouldn't even be saying please. It's your job."

"Just like it's my job to stay chained in a lamp, right? Don't talk down to me."

"I need this wish. You don't understand."

"First off, your wish is against the rules. Second, I'm not letting you make a wish when you're sitting here crying. That's not what you need right now. You're going to regret killing your mother the second you wake up tomorrow morning."

Percy stood and neared Annabeth. He cupped her face and a warm, tinging sensation spread across her cheeks. The stinging disappeared completely and when Annabeth reached up to touch the cuts her mother's nails made, she felt nothing. She sucked in a breath, staring at her fingers. Percy had healed her and it only weighed down on her. She was cruel to not have told Percy about her conversation with Luke when it was clearly all Percy was thinking about.

"Now stop crying," Percy said.

Annabeth pressed her forehead to her palm. She took a few minutes, taking one deep breath after another. Percy's voice above her was soothing and he was patting her back comfortingly. Despite their first interaction, he turned out to be caring. Maybe it was because Annabeth was the only person or genie Percy was going to be talking to for the rest of his life so he decided to put some effort into a friendship. Or perhaps it was because he opened up to her about the chains that they weren't insulting each other every time someone opened their mouth.

"I have to tell you something," Annabeth hiccuped. Her voice was clearer and tears weren't running down her face anymore. "I should've told you before. I think I wanted to keep Luke to myself, I'm not sure why. I talked to Luke. I'm sorry. I completely messed up and said the wrong things."

Percy's expression darkened. "You talked to Luke?"

"He… he said he had no clue who you were. I should have taken a more subtle approach, I'm sorry. I should have told you when I talked to him on Friday but I don't know if he really is a genie. He seemed completely normal." Was she good for anything. Another round of tears started.

"Stop crying first. I can barely hear what you're saying."

"I'm need a wish. Please. Please don't do this. Grant me my wish. I'm sick of being a failure. I want to be free from her."

Annabeth's throat was closing up. She choked, clawing at it as black spots danced in her vision. Her face might've been healed but she felt like something was holding a lighter to it. As if there were blisters all over her face and every time she touched one, it sent spirals of pain down her body. She hugged herself, rocking in the same position. Percy leaned in closer and continued rubbing her back.

"Angel, breath. You're breaking. Do you even know what you're saying? You want to kill your own mother. I can't let you make that choice in this mess you're in right now. I can feel your anxiety standing two feet away from you. That's not a stable condition."

"No, Percy, please. Now. I need this wish now. I can't handle the pressure anymore. Back before I got you, I used to want to slit my wrists and die but now I can make a wish and change my life. Please."

Percy's face was ashen. He knelt to the ground so his arms were draped over her knees. The green in his eyes looked more blue in the moment and he raised his hand, pinky sparking. The trail of smokey chains behind him wavered. "I'm sorry. Trust me, you'll feel better in the morning and you'll thank me for not granting this wish." He touched her forehead and Annabeth's whole world went black.

Ugh that wasn't great, I'm sorry. It's kind of a filler chapter to put a break in between all that genie stuff but exciting stuff is coming soon!

Also, vote on which bromance you think is better as a review or the poll on my profile. It's still a while before I get to the bromance chapters but it's always good to get ahead with the plans! The vote so far are below.

Percy and Grover: 9

Percy and Jason: 9

Review, Favourite, and Follow!

~Ami

P.S.: I might not be able to update this week since I'm going on a trip but I'll be back soon after! So I'm so sorry, you all have to wait two weeks before the next update :(