Yes, before anyone asked, Nico was well aware he looked like a goth. He liked the color black, sue him. Maybe he glared at everyone as they walked past, or when they talked to him, but that didn't make him a goth, did it? And so what if he was anti-social and had to be dragged out to anywhere fun? That didn't make him a goth, now did it?

Who was he kidding, of course it did.

Which also meant he was wearing the perfect colors when he received the news of Rachel's death.

Her body had been found, face down, no sign of any foul play. No knife wounds, no bullets, no trace of poison in her body, nothing.

Like she'd been Avada Kedavra 'd to death.

The last person to see her had been Annabeth. Annabeth, whose entire famPily had died, just as she learned the news of her family's betrayal. Annabeth, the jealous girlfriend, the clingy, toxic, stalker-ish type.

Annabeth, who might have taken offense to the closeness of Percy and Rachel.

Another thing everyone should know about Nico DiAngelo: his father was a detective, and he was a pro at finding and solving mysteries. Such was why he didn't think Rachel's death was the 'health accident' people were saying it was. Rachel had never exhibited any signs of health complications before.

Nico thought- knew - it was murder. And he knew who the signs were pointing to.

Damn Percy for always getting himself into messes like this.

Percy Jackson, hiss best friend, was dating the murderer of Rachel Elizabeth Dare.

And he had no idea how to tell him.

"Nicolo, I find this very hard to believe. I know you think you're Encyclopedia Brown, but accusing that sweet girl for murder?" Nico's dad, Hades, shook his head. "I think you're reading into this too deeply."

Nico huffed. He'd thought he could count on his dad, but it looked like other measures would have to be taken. Namely, finding more incriminating evidence against Annabeth.

"Dad, honestly, when have I ever been wrong?" Nico asked him. Hades didn't respond. Nico took the silence as confirmation. "Exactly."

"Actually, I was thinking of the time when you said 'basagna' instead of 'lasagna'." Hades said while grinning, and Nico began to curse his five-year-old self to damnation.

Nico groaned. "Dad, stop, please." Hades laughed again.

...

"Nico, whatever it is that you're thinking about, stop." His sister, Bianca said, a biology textbook on her face as she laid flat on the bed. "You're thinking too loud, and I have finals coming up and I need to study." She said this while not studying, going between sleeping, being awake, complaining, and texting, and was eating Nico's Sunchips.

Nico snorted. "You're doing a great job right now." He told her sarcastically.

"Shut up, you little shit," Bianca huffed. "Biology is hard." Bianca groaned. "Why, oh why did I take biology? Why did no one talk me out of it?"

They did, Nico thought. Which is why you went ahead and took the class. But Nico didn't tell his sister that, and let her continue to wallow in self pity.

"That's why I took chemistry. Memorizing the entire periodic table of elements was much easier than memorizing every part of a living organism." Nico said. Bianca raised a judgmental eyebrow. Nico shrugged. Okay, so maybe only Nico thought knowing the entire periodic table of elements was easy only for him. Sue him.

Hydrogen had one proton, easy. What there was so hard that everyone else couldn't do it?

"Fine, not easy, easy , but easier." Nico amended.

"So eloquent, little brother." Bianca said. Nico huffed again.

Nico felt a certain dread at the thought if going back go school. For one, he wasn't sure how well he could keep up a facade around Annabeth. Or even Percy for that matter. Nico knew that there was a 50/50 chance of Percy believing Nico if he were to share his suspicions. Or, Percy could tell Annabeth and the New York census would be down another person.

And Will would probably revive him if only to kill him again, for getting himself into stupid situations, so there was also that to think about.

So Nico decided to keep his new found thoughts to himself and avoid Annabeth like the plague.

Unfortunately, only one of these hopes came into fruition. When Nico arrived at school, the entire friend group was quiet in mourning of their friend. Everyone was looking subdued and morose. Except for Annabeth. She hid it well, but there was no doubt in Nico's mind that she was happy about this recent development.

The next few weeks went on without another murder, and life settled back down, as normal as it could be without it's flaming red star to guide them. Life for Nico settled back to normal as well. Except for one thing.

"Hey, Nico!" Annabeth said, annoyingly bright as she leaned next to Nico's locker. Nico said nothing and continued to ignore her. Annabeth had taken to staying close, practically glued, to Nico's side ever since Percy let it slip that he was a novice detective. Will thought it was cute that Annabeth was trying to integrate the pose by making friends with the least friendly.

Nico didn't speak to his boyfriend for the rest of that day.

"What did you think of the algebra homework form last night?" She asked, attempting a conversation with him. Nico reached for his chemistry notebook and shut his locker.

"Easy." Nico said simply, deciding to stick with one word answers. If Annabeth found this as a deterrent, she didn't let it show.

"Really? I admit, I'm not the best at exponents, but even Percy found it hard, and you know how he gets with math," she chuckled as if there was some inside joke Nico didn't know about but she did.

Nico shrugged and turned down the hall sharply, keeping a quick pace, forcing Annabeth to run a bit to keep up with him. Annabeth continued to chat with him, Nico either ignoring her or answering with clipped, one word answers. Finally, the bell rang and Annabeth realized she was going to be late and left him alone. Thank god.

Chemistry was a drag, as usual, but it was much more fun than having Annabeth Chase hounding him.

Until lunch.

Where Annabeth decided that including Nico into the conversation was the fun game they were going to play. And everyone else thought this was a great game, completely ignoring Nico's obvious displeasure.

"So, Nico," Annabeth said. "I heard you have a big family. Even bigger than Percy's." At this, Percy blushed and ducked his head. Annabeth smiled at him and ruffled his personal birds nest- sorry, hair and Rachel cooed.

Nico almost gagged.

"I don't know about that," Nico said slowly. "But it is pretty big. I have," Nico praised to count on his fingers. "Six sisters, and three brothers. Plus, mom, step mom, dad..not including cousins."

Annabeth blinked. "That...is a lot of people."

"Percy has forty cousins, nephews, nieces, and other assorted family members and counting." Nico dead panned, and Annabeth turned to glare accusingly at Percy. Percy smiled sheepishly.

"My dad's side is a bit...unfaithful, shall we say." Percy told her. Thalia snorted.

"His cousin almost married another cousin because of how little the bastard children interact." She told Annabeth, and her eyes widened. Percy blushed, embarrassed.

"You're my cousin too, dumbo."

"And I regret everyday of it."

The table laughed, and Nico sighed, relieved until somehow the conversation circled back to him and their parents professions.

"What do your parents do, Nico?" Annabeth asked, fake smile in place. Nico almost snapped his spork.

"My dad's a lawyer and both my mom's are detectives, one private, other works at a firm. They're especially skilled in solving murder cases." The table was silent, and Will stepped on Nico's foot hard. But Nico couldn't bring himself to care. The slight snear in Annabeth's lip gave her away. It was all the proof Nico needed.

But it wouldn't be enough.

"Hey, Nico," Jason the foolish and dumb started. "Maybe your parents can help with Annabeth's case."

"Could they?" Annabeth asked, so sincerely it hurt. "I'd really appreciate it."

"Can you even pay for a private investigator." It wasn't said like a question because Nico already knew the answer. Now, even Hazel was shaking her head at Nico.

"Come on, Neeks," Percy the sometimes dense and too trusting pleaded with him. "Ask your parents. As a favor."

Nico gritted his teeth. "I'll think about it. If you'll excuse me." And he got up, threw his plate away, and stalked out of the cafeteria.

Nico didn't speak with any of his friends for the rest of the day. He was too mad to even answer Will's text asking how he was feeling.

He walked home alone too, keeping close to the shadows to avoid having to speak to anyone.

Oh, and trying to lose Annabeth who was stalking him badly. Or maybe it was good stalking but Nico was just too trained for her.

He led them down an alley which he knew had an escape route in case things went sour. Which they would. He was sure of it.

"Annabeth, I know you're there. Come out," Annabeth stepped into view, glare on her face, camera hanging around her neck.

"How did you know I was there?" She shrieked angrily.

Nico rolled his eyes. "I'm a detectives son, you don't think I learned a few things?" Annabeth sniffed.

"And what things have you learned?" She asked condescendingly. "Besides knowing when someone his following you?"

Nico took out a small pocket knife that he had hidden in his jacket pocket. "Self defense. And that you're the murderer."

Annabeth snorted. "Congratulations, Blues Clues. You solved the mystery! Want a prize?" Annabeth held up her camera. "It comes with a free picture."

The red and blue of police sirens flashed across Annabeth's face. Her crocodile tears had long since dried, but her eyes were still red. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to get caught. The police had seen the bloody knife in her hand and thought the worst.

Typical.

She was placed in a questioning cell and waited for what felt like hours before the door finally pushed open. A middle aged policeman walked in holding a file. He glanced up at her.

"Miss. Chase, is it?" Annabeth crossed her arms.

"I want a lawyer." She demanded.

"We just want to ask you what you saw, and if you know what happened. This in no way will pertain the the trial unless you are called as a witness." Annabeth huffed, but said nothing in protest.

They went back and forth for a while. The officer would ask her a question, she'd skirt around it for a while before answering, ask one of her own, be ignored, and cause trouble and annoyance for both parties involved.

It was getting late. Annabeth had heard all the other people in the building leave for the night. The camera still weighed heavy on her chest. The cameras were off.

"Officer? Can I tell you a secret?" The officer leaned forward.

"Of course." He replied, clearly just entertaining her.

"I know what killed my family. I know what killed the Dare girl." Annabeth watched with relish as the officers eyes widened.

"What did then, Miss. Chase?"

"A camera."

"A camera, you say?"

"Yes, officer." The officer chuckled, disbelieving.

"Give me proof that a camera of all things killed all these people."

"Officer?"

"Yes?"

"Say cheese." Annabeth held up her camera and snapped a picture, filing another row of film.

Um sorry for not updating for a while. Also, to one of the reviews: yes, I LIVE but I'm a girl not a boy :))

So, did y'all miss me? I have written a lot more over on ao3 where I'm much more active. I have 46 stories over there compared to the 12 here. You don't need an account to read any of them, nor do you need one to hit the kudos button and leave a review. Reviews are welcome here too!

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