Disclaimer - I do not own PJO or HOO. All rights to our dear Uncle Rick.

I'm back! Good news and a new chapter!

Good news: I uploaded the rewritten version of chapters 3 and 4 so now chapter 5 will actually make sense! And of course, I'm back with my weekly Monday updates so you get to enjoy chapter 6 as well! But the rewrites might not be out yet. Read the author notes, I'm sure I wrote something about a rewrite so you guys will know whether or not it's rewritten or not.

And below the author's note is the chapter! No spoilers from me but I hope you guys enjoy this!

(Also, my beta reader disappeared this week so I proofread it myself a few times but there might still be a few grammar mistakes. The same goes for my rewrites chapters)

- Kathy

Percy sat under the starry night sky, lost in his own thoughts as he pondered over everything that happened during the last twenty-four hours of his life. He knew death was guaranteed while fighting a war but it didn't help with the pain in his chest. He pulled his knees toward his chest as he founded himself on the edge of Olympus once more, watching the mortals below walking around, their biggest problem is their grade or whether or not they have enough money to pay for the high taxes.

He doesn't want to spend his waking day worrying about whether a monster is attacking or not, whether his friend is dead or not. He wants his biggest problem to be homework again. Percy sighed as he hugged his knees closer to his chest.

A small smile was brought to his face as he sorted through all the memories of Annabeth and him. She was his second best friend next to Artemis, and Percy trusted her with everything, knowing she'll always have his back.

His mind flashed to Tatrarus as he shuddered, hugging himself tighter. He turned around to look behind him, frowning when he saw the outline of Annabeth before it disappeared just as quickly as it came. He rubbed his eyes.

How tired am I to be seeing things? He wondered to himself as he continued to watch the mortals. It was just him and his thoughts tonight. He couldn't help but let his mind wander to his mom and his step dad, Paul Blofis. How are they doing?

He stood up subconsciously as he walked toward the bridge that separates Olympus and New York. He suddenly stopped a few inches away from the elevator, glancing back at Olympus. The street light still shone brightly, illuminating the magnificent city of the Gods. The party was still going on but he couldn't bring himself to enjoy it.

Percy took a deep breath before stepping into the elevator, stepping into his new life without Annabeth by his side. He pressed the button that brought them to the ground floor, for once noticing that the music wasn't as cringy as the music he had heard previously.

"Running from the past.

Tripping on the now.

What's lost can be found.

It's obvious."

Percy leaned against the wall of the elevator, closing his eyes slightly before a 'ding' brought him out of his own little world that he had fallen into. He walked out of the elevator, walking through the empty lobby of the Empire State Building, hearing his own footsteps.

He walked toward the double glass door, finding it opened as he pushed it, walking out of the building and smelling the familiar sense of New York. The familiar sound of cars honking at one another. It wasn't perfect but it's home.

Percy called a cab as he told the driver his address. He stared out the car's window as he passed familiar streets, stores, restaurants, all bringing back different kinds of memories. Weather with his mom, with Artemis, or Luna at that time, or with Annabeth.

Her name brought back memories and thoughts he wasn't ready to deal with yet as he pushed it to the back of his mind, saying a quick 'thank you' when the cab arrived in front of his apartment and paying the driver. The cab quickly disappeared after that.

He walked up the stairs to the third floor, digging into his pocket for his apartment key. To his surprise, the key was still there, next to Riptide.

Percy slowly pulled it out and unlocked the door, immediately, the familiar smells of cookies filled the air. A small smile made their way to his face as he took off his black coat and hung it on the hanger. "Hey mom!"

His mother, Sally Jackson, a woman with long brown hair with a few streaks of grey and sparkling blue eyes that change color in the light. She has a smile as warm as a quilt, the smile that could always cheer Percy up. She walked out in a plain white shirt, wearing black leggings and a blue apron. Her eyes lit up when she saw Percy, running toward him with her arms wide open, making Percy run into them without hesitation.

"Percy," she breathed out as she pulled away, studying his face for any sort of scratch or scars. "You're alive!"

"Of course I'm alive, mom," Percy flashed his signature grin as she hugged him again. "Is that blue cookie I smell?"

Sally glared at her son playfully as Percy coward slightly under her glare, pouting slightly as he whispered. "I'm hungry. Saving the world is hard work..."

"I'm sure it is," Sally whispered as she gestured to the kitchen, making Percy follow his mother right away. His step father, Paul, was sitting there on the dining table, looking at the computer.

"Hey Paul," Percy called out, making him look up from the essay he was grading, a huge smile tugging on his lips, glad to see his step son well and alive.

"You're alive!"

Percy just pouted again as he pulled out the chair he usually sat, feeling good to be home again and seeing the scenes that he wouldn't normally pay attention to. But now it seems like he couldn't see enough. "Why does everyone assume that I'll be dead?"

"It's better if you're not dead," Sally scowled as she handed him a plate of blue cookies, making him snatch one right away and shoving it in his mouth, earning a disappointed look from Sally. "Don't jinx your luck, dear. And please chew before you swallow, you don't want to choke."

"Yas mwom," Percy said with his mouth full of cookies, earning another disappointed look from his mom as he quickly swallowed the cookies. "Yes mom."

The room was silent after that as Sally pulled up a chair herself, watching her son and Paul, who went back to grading the essays. Percy continued to eat the blue cookies laid out in front of him.

It's good to be home, he thought to himself as he smiled at his mom, who just smiled back. He sat there, afraid to break the comfort silence, just soaking in the warmth to be around his family, Annabeth's death temporarily forgotten. He took another cookie as he took a small bite, surveying the room, trying to see if there are any new photos on the wall, trying to remember everything, hoping his life would get better from now on.

Percy groaned as the bell finally rang. He quickly packed up his things and shoving the math books into his backpack, hearing the math Professor shouting. "Remember there's a test Monday! Do page 25 to 30 to prepare!"

Percy made a quick mental note before running out of the classroom, glad that it's finally friday. It's been a year since the second giant war ended and he had been trying to live a somewhat decent life. He still goes to Camp Half-blood sometimes, though rarely as it brought back many memories, but otherwise, he tried to be a normal kid.

Or as normal as a demigod's life can be. Monsters still attacked him from time to time but he learned to deal with it. He walked toward his bike as he unlocked the lock keeping his bike on the bike rack and swung one leg over it as he started riding toward his small, one room apartment room just a few blocks away.

After his mom's first book was published and there was a pretty good income coming from it, his mom had provided him with a small amount of money, letting him rent a small apartment near the university he's going to. Every day after school, he would go to Up High Coffee Shop, where he worked there part time to earn some pocket money.

His apartment soon came into view. It was five stories tall with two apartments per floor. Percy left his bike outside as he locked it once more as he adjusted his backpack, walking into the building.

Percy climbed the stairs quietly, both exhausted and relieved. He threw his backpack onto the couch as he fell backward toward it lazily, closing his eyes slightly. He opened his eyes once more to look down at his watch.

Twenty more minutes till work, he thought to himself as he slowly got up once more. Not wanting to deal with his homework just yet and having nothing better to do, he decided that there's no harm in being a little early.

Five minutes later, he found himself behind the counter in Up High Coffee Shop, taking orders even though it wasn't his shift yet. It seems like everyone in town just decided to swing by today, making the other workers work even faster than they normally would.

"Hello," Percy greeted the next customer politely as he put on a smile, trying not to groan when he realized the line was only getting longer. "How can I help you today?"

"I'll get the daily coffee," the man in front of him said as Percy quickly put in his order.

"Anything else?"

"That will be all," the man said once more as Percy nodded, squirming as his dyslexia tried to get the better of him.

"That would be $3.99," he finally made out the number as the man in front of him hand paid for his coffee.

Percy took another look at the line, sighing in relief when there was no one else lining up. Even though all those customers are good for the shop, he could only handle so much before the smile faded from his face.

After every last order was taken and the Coffee shop was less packed than before, a woman walked in. At first, Percy just waved her off as another customer but he soon realized her silver eyes as he stared at his friend in surprise. Her auburn hair was braided as usual and for once, she was wearing something casual instead of her usual silver hunting clothes.

Artemis smiled at him as he stood up from his resting position. "What can I get you today?"

"One cup of cappuccino," she replied instantly as Percy entered her order.

"That would be $3.25," Percy said without looking up as Artemis handed him some cash, making him groan slightly, not wanting to deal with all the cents and math that come along with handling cash. "Why can't you pay using a credit card like some normal person?"

"Because I'm not a normal person," she stated matter of factly as he groaned once more when he saw a twenty dollar bill. He glared at her slightly as he started counting under his breath.

"...twelve… fifteen... Sixteen...dollar and seventy-five cents…" Percy finally grumbled as he handed the money to Artemis, who took it, a noticeable smirk on her face. "Wipe that smirk off your face, Arty."

Artemis shrugged as she walked away, making Percy roll his eyes in annoyance. He looked down at his watch, realizing that his shift is finally over. He walked toward the back of the shop, putting his apron on the rack and signing out, proving that he was here and didn't ditch his work. He walked out, realizing Artemis was waiting for him outside the shop.

"What are you doing here?" Percy asked in surprised as Artemis just shrugged.

"Thought I should check up on you," she punched his arm playfully. "Make sure you didn't die yet."

Percy rolled his eyes before frowning in confusion. "How did you know where I am?"

"I asked your mom," she replied as Percy quickly nodded in understanding, walking beside Artemis. "So… how is life out here?"

"It's okay," Percy said vaguely as Artemis gave him a look, making him sigh. "Well, it's different. I'm actually passing classes and it's not just training every day. As much as I love training, I want to get away from Camp Half-blood for a while."

Artemis gave him a worried glance as they arrived in front of his apartment. Percy looked away as he unlocked the door and opened it. Artemis walked in as Percy locked the door behind him, kicking his shoes off and finding Artemis doing the same.

"It's been a year, Percy," Artemis said, her voice lace with concern as they sat on the couch. Percy moved his backpack out of the way as he tried to avoid his friend's glance. "You have to get over her death. It's not your fault."

"It's not your fault either," Percy added as Artemis sighed once more.

"I learn to accept that. Not everything is within my control. You need to let her go. You can't just avoid your friends forever. I know for sure Thalia missed you. Piper and Jason are worried about you. Frank, Hazel, and Leo are worried as well. They all miss you Percy, you can't just stay out here forever."

"I still go back to Camp Half-Blood sometimes," Percy muttered as memories resurfaced once more. Artemis watched him carefully.

"She'll want you to be happy," Artemis said silently. "You know that, right? You can mourn for her but you gotta accept the fact that she isn't here anymore."

"But I don't want to!" Percy exclaimed with anger, glaring at Artemis. "I can't just… let go!"

"But sometimes you have to," Artemis said gently as she laid a hand on his shoulder, unaffected by his sudden anger. He took a few breaths as Artemis wrapped her arms around him. "I know how much you miss her, but remember, she'll always be there in your heart."

Percy didn't respond for a while as Artemis stood up, ready to leave. "Think about it Percy."

Artemis started walking out of the door when Percy suddenly took her hand, making her look back at him in surprise. "Can you stay for a while? It gets a bit lonely being by yourself."

A small smile graced her lips as she sat back down, vowing to herself that she'll help her best friend get over the heartbreak of Annabeth's death. "Of course, Kelp Head. What kind of friend do you think I am?"

Percy smiled slightly as he leaned back onto his couch, taking out a board game from under the small table in front of them. "Join me for a game of monopoly?"

"You're on," she said, not able to turn down a challenge, as she made herself comfortable, glad that he's somewhat back to normal even though there's still a long road of recovery in front of him.

Percy dove underneath the water, feeling the coldness against his skin, willing himself to get wet this time. He swam further than he had intended to but it was worth it. It saddens him to see the mortals polluting the ocean, some sea plants and animals are all dying because of it.

He stared at the dying coral in front of him sorrowfully as he suddenly got the urge to touch it. Unable to resist it, he gently tapped the coral, his eyes widening when color started slowly appearing on the coral. He pumped his fist upward, his eyes litting up as he tapped another coral.

Soon, the whole reef was full of life and he could spot fishes swimming toward it. It brought a smile to his face as he started swimming toward the shores once more, knowing Artemis would probably kill him if he stayed underwater for any longer.

He walked out of the water, his clothes instantly dry as he sat down beside Artemis, who was staring at the sun that almost disappeared beyond the horizon, sharpening an arrow. Percy gulped as Artemis turned toward him, her face emotionless.

"Where were you Percy?" She asked sternly as Percy looked away from her intense gaze. Even after years of being her friend, sometimes he realized that she's still a goddess and she could definitely turn him into some fluffy animal for disrespecting her.

"Not that I would do that," Artemis had reassured him many times and he learned to believe her words.

"Uh… just swimming?" Percy said uncertainty, his statement coming out as a question. Artemis stared at him.

"For three whole hours?"

"Yes…?" Percy replied once more as he backed away slightly. "Don't kill me. I didn't worry you, right?"

"Sure you didn't worry me," Artemis said sarcastically as Percy gulped at her expression as she picked up her hunting knife this time, sharpening it a bit roughly. She studied her knife as Percy backed away even more. If she'd notice, she didn't say anything.

"Shouldn't you be going back to the hunters?" Percy tried to change the subject as Artemis looked up, studying his face. "Wouldn't they wonder why you're gone?"

"I told them I would be gone for the weekend for some solo hunt," Artemis replied simply, her expression still stoney as Percy raised his eyebrow slightly.

"Solo hunting?" He wiggled his eyebrow teasingly. "What are you trying to hunt?"

Artemis rolled her eyes playfully, trying to hide a light brush on her cheek. But she decided to play along, putting down her hunting knife as she moved closer to her best friend, laying her head on his shoulder. "I don't know. Maybe I'm trying to catch your heart."

Percy looked flustered as Artemis looked up at him teasingly, her lips surprisingly close to his own. He blushed furiously.

"Are you flirting with me, Lady Artemis?" Percy teased back, although his face was still red. Artemis glared at him, though the small blush was now clearly visible on her cheek.

"What if I am, Perseus?"

"Then maybe you're not Artemis," Percy answered matter of factly before bursting into laughter at his friend's furious and flustered face. She settled down glaring at him.

She had no idea what's driving her to 'flirt' with him, as he called it. It was more of a teasing attitude. Ever since Percy opened her eyes to the real world, when she's no longer blinded by her own hatred of men, she realized not all of them are bad. Some, like Percy, are actually fun to be around.

Artemis doesn't understand why her heart fluttered every time she heard his name. Why she'd begun to spend more and more time with him. But with each passing day, he grows on her, making her care for him even more than before.

"You in there, Moonbeam?" Percy waved his hand in front of her face as Artemis blinked in surprise, quickly nodding, shoving her thoughts aside to be dealt with later.

"Yeah…" she muttered, in a slight daze as she stood up, putting her arrows back into the quiver and shouldering it. She put her hunting knives away as well as Percy stood up before her, offering her his hand. She smiled at him as her heart fluttered once more, suddenly feeling nervous.

But they had done this many times, she doesn't understand why it made her nervous. She will her palm not to sweat as she lets him pull her up, suddenly realizing how close they are. She looked away from his mesmerizing sea-green eyes as she coughed awkwardly.

"I just remember I need to drive the moon chariot today," Artemis randomly made up an excuse as Percy gave her a weird look. She doesn't understand why she's suddenly feeling this way.

"Can't your moon just drive itself?" Percy asked as Artemis fumbled over her answer.

"The moon chariot needs to be driven during the full moon," she said as she looked up at the sky, glad that it was actually a full moon. Percy didn't say anything as he smiled at her.

"I'll see you next week, right?"

"Of course," Artemis smiled weakly as she gently pulled her hand away from Percy's grasp. "See you next week, Kelp Head. Don't die."

"I won't," Percy promised as Artemis flashed away to her moon chariot, needing a few minutes alone to understand all the racing thoughts in her head.

AN: I know the ending was a bit OOC (at least in my opinion) but with pertemis is kinda hard to be realistic and they need to start somewhere... don't they? Don't worry though, they won't get together next chapter or something. I hope it's at least somewhat realistic.

I feel like both Percy and Artemis are oblivious.

Artemis being oblivious to love so "flirting" to her is just teasing her friend. She thinks of Percy as her friend even if subconsciously, she's thinking differently.

As for Percy... he's just straight out oblivious. Reminds me of our dear Sophie Foster really. (KOTLC fans will understand lol)

So, don't expect Percy and Artemis to become lovers any time soon. Maybe some fluff here and there and then maybe chapter 20 or something they'll get together.

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Leave a review and tell me your thoughts about it! How did I do on my rewrites? Is it more believable than before?

Stay safe and I'll see you guys next week!

- Kathy