Percy's P.O.V

Coach had taken the news that I didn't want to swim in the Olympics better than I thought he would. And I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. If I was going to compete in the Olympics again, I wanted it to be in diving. I'd been petulant to stop something I loved because I didn't want to be like my dad. I was going to rectify that.

With swim practice easing off for me, I had more time to do my college assignments to a better standard. I had time to do more hours at the aquarium like my boss wanted. But most importantly I had more time to spend with the people I cared about.

I decided to keep the 4:30am wake up calls during the week. It meant sacrificing morning cuddles with Annabeth for five days. But it meant that I got all my college work done. Which meant that I could pick Estelle up from school today. I was really excited to spend the afternoon with her.

Mom and Paul hadn't told her I was going to pick her up, so hopefully it would be a nice surprise.

As it turned out, the surprise was all mine.

Luke's P.O.V

His plan to capture Percy had failed before it had even begun. We were reconstructing his plan so he could restart it.

I didn't care about Percy, the person I wanted was Annabeth. Unfortunately, Annabeth was Percy's.

I understood his logic, remove Percy from the picture and it would make room for me.

Annabeth seemed to be smiling more lately, she had a beautiful smile. I'd take care of her when Percy was gone. I could make her smile like that. I knew I could.

"This is unexpected," his voice interrupted, "There he is." He said to me, and I focused on the figured that I could see across the road.

It was none other than Percy Jackson walking toward some fancy posh school. He was doing something on his phone, and not paying attention, this was our opportunity.

Annabeth's P.O.V

Something was wrong, I could feel it. I didn't know what it was, but I had a feeling that something was wrong.

The phone in the shop rang, which wouldn't be unusual except it never rang when Sally wasn't in. Weird.

That bad feeling tugged at my stomach as I answered the phone.

"Jackson's Coffee Shop, Annabeth speaking, how can I help?" I answered politely.

"Oh, hello, it's Ms. Ramírez-Arellano from Grace Church School, is Mrs. Blofis available?" Ms. Ramírez-Arellano asked.

"I'm sorry she's not in today, is this about Estelle? Percy should have picked her up half an hour ago." I said, the feeling in my stomach was getting worse every moment I spent on the phone.

"I'm sorry due to school policies I can't give any information to you. I can only speak to Mr. and Mrs. Blofis or Percy. I will try the other numbers we have on file for them, thank you." She said and hung up.

My stomach was twisting horribly in knots as I tried calling Percy only to get his voicemail, twice. I left a message for him to call me before I then called Sally. She answered on the third ring.

"Hello Annabeth, is everything okay at the shop?" She asked.

"Yes," I said, "Sally, the school has called, Ms. Ramírez-Arellano couldn't tell me why, but I know Percy was supposed to pick up Estelle today. I've tried him twice and I can't get hold of him." I said a little panicked.

"Paul and I have just got off of the Subway, yours is the first call I've had. Let me call them now. Thank you, Annabeth." She said and hung up. I could hear the worry in a voice. I didn't blame her these were her kids, both of who I cared for a great deal for.

I tried not to let my worry get the best of me. I had an hour before Chris took over. An hour for Percy to respond. He's probably just busy with Estelle. Everything will be fine. I tried to convince myself. But as the hour went on the knots in my stomach got worse and worse.

When I finished work, I still hadn't heard from Percy. It wasn't unusual when he was with Estelle, but I hadn't been able to shake the feeling that something was wrong. So, I made the familiar walk to the Jackson-Blofis apartment. Sally answered the door when I got there.

I immediately knew from the look on her face that the feeling in my gut hadn't been without merit.

"Annabeth, come in." She said to me, her voice was hoarse like she'd been crying. When I stepped into the apartment, I saw the police officer that Percy and I spoke to, about Luke, talking to Paul and taking notes.

"He's missing, isn't he?" I asked, tears brimming my eyes.

Percy's P.O.V

"Urg!" I groaned. My head was pounding.

And, I had no idea why.

What had Annabeth and I done last night?!

"Sleeping Beauty lives" a male voice said.

"Of course he does I didn't hit him that hard."

I tried to ignore the pain in my head and forced my eyes open. My vision was blurry, and my nose was overwhelmed with smell of fish and salt water. It smelled a little like the room where we kept the food for the animals at the aquarium. As I tried to concentrate on my surroundings, I realised I wasn't at the aquarium. Though I wasn't completely sure where that meant I was.

There was a guy in front of me with blonde hair. He was blurry, as were most things, but I recognised that voice. I knew who I was in this room with me. I also realised, unfortunately, that when I tried to move my arms that I couldn't.

I tried to move my legs and found the same thing. I'd been bound to a chair. I looked around the room again and realised it was just the two of us. I was immediately immensely relieved because I remembered that I'd been on my way to pick up Estelle. She wasn't here which gave me hope that she was okay. Mum would be annoyed that I'd not picked up Estelle, but she was safe and that's what matters. I really hoped that she was safe.

What did he even want with me? We've never been friends. What did he think I'd be able to do? Even in my hazed state I realise this whatever this was, wasn't about me.

I thought about our interactions and realised exactly what he wanted. She was what he wanted, what he'd always wanted.

Luke wanted Annabeth.

Piper's P.O.V

Jason, Thalia, Nico, Hazel and Frank were all at the apartment. We were waiting for Annabeth to return from Percy's parent's. We'd all been told that Percy was missing. We were all gutted with the news, we all loved Percy, and we all wanted him home safe and sound. Frank was comforting a crying Hazel on one end of the sofa. I was trying to comfort Jason on the other end. Thalia and Nico each sat mute in an armchair.

The apartment was fairly quiet, and the mood, as expected, was really low. I was worried about everyone they were my friends and I loved them. But I was most worried about Annabeth, in the short time that Percy had been in her life he'd managed to become the centre of her world. He meant everything to her. I couldn't even imagine how she was feeling right now.

I heard the lock turn and immediately all eyes went to the door. Annabeth walked in, in a trance like state, closed the door and went straight to her room.

"It's like she didn't even see us." Nico said frowning.

"She probably didn't." I said and I knew it was bad. The last time she was remotely close to this was when she found out that Josh had been cheating on her. "Give me a minute" I said.

I made my way to Annabeth's room and knocked as I opened the door. I found Annabeth sitting on her bed staring at the floor, tears streaming down her face.

"Oh, Annabeth," I said, and I sat next to her pulling her into a hug. She sat and let her tears out and when she couldn't cry anymore, she pulled away.

"Thanks, sorry" she whispered.

"You've got nothing to be sorry about Annabeth." I said.

"I took you away from Jason, he needs you." She said.

"And so do you. Why don't you come out and sit with us? They've been waiting to see if you could tell them anything more." I told her.

"Yeah okay, I just need a minute to freshen up."

"Okay, take your time." I told her giving her one last hug and leaving her to re-join the others.

Jason's P.O.V

When Thalia called to tell me that Percy was missing, after Annabeth had texted her, I felt like the world had stopped spinning. Percy, regardless of us being related, was my best friend. I told him everything. For him to be missing was unimaginable. I knew Percy wouldn't just give up and leave, he'd found the girl of his dreams, his family was here, his degree, his job, his whole life. No, I knew without a doubt that he wouldn't leave by choice.

Piper sat back down after going to check on Annabeth.

"How is she?" I asked.

"Devastated. She'll be out in a minute." She said.

I looked at Thalia and she was watching Annabeth's door intently. I knew she was worried about Annabeth as well as Percy. We all were, we knew how much they meant to each other. I didn't know what to do, how could I help the people I cared about the most?

Annabeth came out of her room before I think any more about that question. She sat next to Piper on the arm of the sofa. I was about to ask her what she knew when she, herself, beat me to it.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I know you all care about him too." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Thalia took her pause as an opening and asked what we all wanted to.

"It's okay Annabeth," she said which is how I knew she was being as serious as she could. She never called Annabeth, by her name always Annie and it was always teasing. "Can you tell us what you know?" She asked softly in that mothering way she often uses with me when I'm upset. Annabeth nodded. She looked like she was composing herself.

"The shop phone rang, it was Estelle's school, they wanted to speak to Sally. Percy was supposed to pick up Estelle, and I'd had a feeling something was wrong." She said as tears started to fall silently down her face.

"The teacher obviously couldn't talk to me because of the policies in place at the school so she hung up to call Sally's mobile. I tried Percy straight away and left a message for him to call me before calling Sally myself." She sniffled before continuing and Piper grabbed her hand. "After hanging up with her I finished the last hour of my shift. Percy still hadn't replied to my voicemail, which isn't unusual when he's with Estelle. But I still felt like something was really wrong I went to Sally's-"

I knew this was only going to get worse.

As Annabeth continue to fill us in, the more my stomach churned. And the worst my anger became. I wasn't angry at Annabeth, but that didn't mean I didn't want to punch something.

Luke's P.O.V

What does Annabeth see in him?

It took him ages to come around from the chloroform and focus properly. After hitting him on the head I'd used chloroform to sedate him. It made things easier.

"Why am I here Luke?" Percy asked anger evident in his voice. Good.

"Why do you think?" I spat back at him.

"Annabeth" He answered through gritted teeth. Percy's anger gave him great pleasure.

"Not as dumb as you look." I said.

"She wouldn't want this-"

"WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT SHE WOULD WANT?! YOU DON'T KNOW HER!"

"Hit him" he said, so I did.

My fist made contact with his jaw with a satisfying crunch sound. It placated my anger a little. "Luke," Percy tried to say but it sounded like 'ooke'.

"What?" I spat.

"You know I'm right. Whatever you've got planned for me. She wouldn't want to see you like this." Percy's voice got more normal throughout the sentence.

"She doesn't know what she wants. She thinks she wants you." I said.

"Don't let him get to you." He said.

Percy's P.O.V

I noticed Luke wasn't well within seconds of trying to convince him Annabeth wouldn't want this. He wasn't always talking to me, but talking to himself, and one side of the conversation seem to hold more power over him.

I wasn't sure what exactly was wrong, but I knew Luke needed help. Medical help that I wasn't qualified to give.

"You say I don't know her, why don't you tell me about her?" I asked trying to get him to focus on something that wasn't potentially in his head.

"You don't deserve to know her." He spat.

"I know" I told him and his face change slightly, it became less angry somehow. I was trying to curb the anger I felt towards him, but it was harder that I thought it would be. I knew regardless of how angry I felt that I had to find a way to get him to let me go. I had to get back to Annabeth and my family.

I could still taste the blood in my mouth from where he had punched me.

I knew I'd cut the inside of my cheek on my teeth. I, probably, would also have a sizeable bruise on my face if I managed to get out of this. I hoped I managed to get out of this, I had to get back to her, to all of them.

Annabeth's P.O.V

I finished telling Percy's cousins and Piper everything I knew about Luke taking Percy from outside Estelle's school.

"I suppose the only redeeming feature is that Estelle wasn't actually with him." I finished tears streaking down my face once more.

I felt like all I'd done was cry since Sally had confirmed he was missing. My heart had broken when I'd sat with Paul, Sally and Percy's dad as the police played the school security tapes. I'd watched as Luke had grabbed Percy from behind in a headlock hold and bashed him over the head. All I'd been able to do was watch and cry as Percy dropped his phone and struggled against Luke before Luke put a cloth over his face and Percy's body had gone a limp as his eyes closed. Then he'd been dragged out of the frame.

I was thankful that Estelle wasn't with Percy at the time everything had happened. But now she was, inconsolable, in her room. All she wanted was her brother. I knew how she felt, I wanted him too.

I felt an arm pull me into a hug. The smell of antiseptic told me that it was Thalia. I couldn't imagine how they all felt. Sally told me she didn't blame me. I don't know how she didn't. It was my fault.

If I'd never followed my heart, Percy wouldn't have been on Luke's radar. At least not any more than he had been when we were 10 years old. Luke had said that he'd take me from Percy, but I never imagined he would take Percy from me when his attempt to take me hadn't worked.

"It's not your fault Annabeth." Thalia whispered and I could hear the sadness in her voice.

"It feels like it is." I replied.

"Why haven't they caught him? Did they do nothing after he attacked you?!" Hazel yelled.

I wasn't sure I'd ever heard her yell before, she was normally such a soft-spoken person. The tempo of her voice made me flinch instinctively.

"Haze, I know you're angry, we all are, but there's nothing we can do at the moment. We need to trust that the authorities will find him, and that when they do, he'll be okay." Frank said softly squeezing her hand which did thankfully calm her down.

He was right, there was nothing we could do, but that didn't make his words any easier to swallow.

Ψ

~ Author's Note ~

Hi all, thanks for reading this chapter, I hoped you all enjoyed! As I said last week the Christmas madness begins for me today so, please bear with me for future updates, they WILL come! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter I know so many of you have your theories on what was going on and who was involved – surprised? Let me know!

Going Dark – Thank you for your review! I'm sorry you were disappointed with the red coral gift. I do try and add as many snippets of cannon information in as I can, so it's still connected to the fandom in a way. Not planning to injure any of the animals in this plot I promise! I hope you liked this chapter please let me know!

WiseGrl14 – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you enjoyed all the couples on Valentine's Day I felt as a pre-text to this chapter it was only right everyone got some fluff! You were right to be worried! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please let me know!

McShizzleSupreme778 – Thank you for your review! I glad you enjoyed the last chapter and Red Pandas are adorable and I'm glad you're a fan! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter!

SAS7ROCKS – Thank you for your review! Me and that bar, I hope it's still there! I don't mind recycled compliments as long as you are still enjoying the story that's what I enjoy hearing about! I'm glad you feel it was handled well, the age I have them at it would be inaccurate to pretend it wasn't happening, but at the same time I didn't want anyone to be uncomfortable reading it so I'm glad you felt it was portrayed well. I hope you enjoyed this chapter please let me know!

Merendinomiliano – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you liked the last chapter please let me know if you liked this one too!

TheProudPearl24 – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter and the fluff! You've had a lot of theories about what I've laid out in this chapter, I hope it didn't disappoint? Please let me know!

Harmionepercabethparker – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you liked the last one, please let me know if you liked this one too!

Aweesh ganegoda – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter please let me know what you thought of this one!

SarcasmRocks – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you loved it and all the fluff! You've had A LOT of theories about Luke and what's going on, so I really hope this chapter didn't disappoint you! Please let me know!

Insanedreamer7905 – Thank you for your review! Never too late my friend always happy to hear your thoughts! I'm glad you loved the sandcastle I'd been planning that since I wrote the Christmas chapter! I'm glad you like the romance of it all but please don't think you'll be single forever because some of the ideas that were thrown in there were taken from my real life experience, if it's something you want, the right person is out there for you I promise. I'm glad you liked the coral reference I like to add in as many canon snippets as I can! I hope this chapter answered your questions about Percy at the Olympics and I hope you enjoyed it, please let me know!

Sranupama2005 – Thank you for your review! Don't worry about the review on chapter 22. I'm glad you've worked through your exams, and I hope they went well! I'm glad you loved the last one and I really hope you loved this one too, let me know!

As always, happy reading all and stay safe! :)