He showed up to work the next day antsy. Percy and Leo were sharing an office, being temporary workers there before they both flew back out to Chicago. Leo was taking off time from school to be there.

"To be honest," Leo had said when Percy asked if he was sure if he would take the promotion if it meant moving out to Australia for six months. "The only reason to get a degree in music is to hopefully get a job like this – I already have it. Plus, you make like six figures and you didn't even go to college. Hell yeah, I want the promotion."

For a temporary office though, it was pretty damn nice. The headquarters in Sydney were more spread out, and much more laid-back than both the New York and Chicago offices.

They hardly had much time to enjoy though. So far, out of the four branches Olympus branches had (there was another one in London), the Sydney branch had the least luck in finding raw new talent. While their art and promotions departments did possibly some of the best work in the entirety of the label, their A&R departments… sucked.

Part of that reason could be because there were only four people in it. There was George, who's job, as far as Percy could tell, consisted of napping and hitting on Roxanne, the only girl in the department. She also took many naps. The other two, however, were pretty cool. Nico, who reminded Percy of his younger self, already had three artists under his wing. Octavian had only one, but according to the person who had showed him around when he first got here, he had trouble getting along with any of his artists, and most of them eventually split and went to other records, or got assigned to George or Roxanne.

There used to be five people, but the department head had quit and moved to a different label, taking all of her clients with her – which were almost all of the artists they had in their repertoire. Percy was here to whip the remaining people into shape and chose a new head of the department, as well as hire some more promising people.

There was one artist that didn't want to move labels, but was iffy (as she should be) about staying. Percy was about to go meet with her.

Leo filled him in on her as Percy was chaining up his motorcycle outside the restaurant they were meeting her at. Percy had just gotten it shipped to him. God, did it feel good to have it back.

"Her name is Piper McLean. Total hottie, if you ask me, I mean, look at those – right, okay, sorry boss. Ahem. Anyway, she's indie with a bit of a rocker edge. Her dad is actually a big movie star back in the states, Tristan McLean."

Percy nodded. He actually saw a couple of his movies before. "Isn't she Native American? What is she doing out here?"

"She moved here for college; hasn't left since."

He nodded and they headed inside. She was already there, and the hostess showed them to her table. She was gorgeous – Leo wasn't kidding. There was an Asian man sitting next to her – her manager, most likely. They smiled at them, and stood to shake their hands.

Her manager was a tall guy, but stocky and a little on the chubby side. He looked pretty young.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Jackson," she said warmly, grinning. "This is my manager Frank Zhang."

"Likewise – you can call me Percy, though. This is my assistant, Leo."

Leo gulped and managed a weak smile – Percy was surprised he didn't have any drool on his chin to be honest – Leo was also a little girl crazed.

Piper looked amused, but in good humor.

Once they had ordered, Frank cleared his throat. "To be honest, Mr. Jackson – I mean, Percy – we appreciate what Olympus Records has done for us so far, but… "

Percy leaned forward. "Let me guess, you've met the rest of the A&R department."

Frank grimaced, and Percy was inclined to do the same thing. They seriously sucked.

"I'm afraid, that without our previous handler, we're just not confident in the label as we used to be."

Piper looked apologetic, and suddenly Percy understood. This wasn't a meeting to try and win her over, it was a respectful way to say sorry, but you suck and we're leaving.

Percy frowned. "Look, I know how it looks. And I know you think moving labels is the right choice, but quite frankly, if you do it'll be the biggest mistake in your career. You're just now starting out, and you're good. You're very good – but you're still rough."

As one could see, Percy had picked up quite a lot over the years about how to win someone over. He didn't really like this part of his job, but persuading people was just a necessary evil.

Frank shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Mr. Jackson -" he started, but Piper held up her hand.

"Wait," she murmured. She looked vaguely interested.

"When I hear your recordings," Percy continued. "I hear a good voice. I hear promise. But that's all it's going to be if you go to a big time label like you're planning to. Those labels only want you for your name, Piper. They want to boast that they have Tristan McLean's daughter, and how much money that's going to make them. They won't care about your voice, that promise. You'll be lucky if they even listen to your recordings before plastering your face over their websites. They'll turn you into a one hit wonder and then they'll throw you aside, because without the coaching and individualized care that you would get at Olympus, you'll never get to reach the potential that you have inside of you. Is that what you want, Piper? Because if so, I have your previous handler on speed dial." He held up his phone. "It's one button away, Piper." Leo slid a renewal contract across the table towards her and she took it with hesistant hands. "Do you want to live in your father's shadow all your life? Or do you want to sign with Olympus?"

Frank took the contract from her. "We'll think about it," he hesitated. Percy held his breath. Piper pursed her lips and looked directly at him.

"No," Piper declared. "I want to stay at Olympus."

Percy nearly sighed in relief.

"On one condition," Ugh. "Percy becomes my handler."

"Done," he replied. Leo let out a low whistle, and Piper cracked a small smile.

"And that's how Percy Jackson gets things done," he muttered under his breath. Percy kicked him under the table.

-x-

That afternoon, Percy called him to ask for advice on what to wear to see Annabeth.

This was a large mistake.

"No – no, I'm not going to walk in naked to a public coffee shop to see my ex-girlfriend and mother of my child for the second time in nearly four years – why not? Because I'm not a fucking psycho – yeah okay, nope, bye."

In the end, he decided on a plain white shirt under an unbuttoned light green button up and jeans. After messing about with his hair for twenty minutes and deciding there was absolutely nothing to be done about his punkish hair short of cutting it all off and hoping it came off more military than I-messed-up-while-shaving, he headed out. He was five minutes early, and upon arrival of the café, found that she had been even earlier. Figures – it was Annabeth.

The café was spacious, a typical seaside establishment with cheerily painted walls, faded by air stinging with sea salt. Annabeth had chosen the most isolated table, tucked in the farthest corner.

"Hi," he smiled at her as he approached the table, and she stood to shake his hand. She was dressed like she had just gotten off of work – which she probably had – in a black blouse and gray pencil skirt. There was a scarlett blazer draped across her chair, and her curly blonde hair was pushed back with a pair of expensive looking sunglasses. Percy bit back his urge to tell her how beautiful she looked. There was already a steaming black coffee at his seat. Just how he liked it.

He took a careful sip and examined her. There were bruises dark as ink smudged underneath her eyes, but aside from that, she looked as if she hadn't aged a day.

"How are you?" he blurted out. He flushed, feeling the warmth in his cheeks.

"I'm… well," she said curtly, tracing a finger around the brim of her cup. "And you?"

"I'm doing fine. Work is great, as usual. I have an apartment over in Newtown."

Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "An apartment? How long are you staying?"

"Six months. I just got here a week ago."

Silence fell over them. Annabeth's favorite Ingrid Michaelson was playing on the speakers. A couple near them murmured sweetly to one another, their laughter, light as cotton candy and just as sugary, carried over to them.

Percy rolled his shoulders back. When he picked up his cup, the saucer rattled - his hands were shaking – and he put it back down so quickly it sloshed a bit down the side. He glanced at Annabeth to see if she had noticed, and by carefully she was examining him it appeared nothing would get past her now.

"How did you know? Where I was, I mean?" she finally asked. He took a deep breath to relax himself, forcing his leg to stop shaking.

"Thalia called me about a month ago. She told me you were living in Sydney." Annabeth made a noise in the back of her throat and muttered something underneath her breath.

"What?"

She shook her head irritably. "Nothing," she said, and then softer to herself, "I can't believe she did that."

Percy fidgeted in his seat, feeling suddenly very guilty for intruding into her life. It certainly didn't seem like she wanted him around.

"Will you tell me about her?" Percy asked, his voice so small and hesitant, he was afraid she hadn't heard him.

She sighed, and twisted a curl of hair around her finger. "Her name is June Chase. She just had her third birthday. I imagine Thalia called you right after she got back home from June's party."

"Is she the godmother?"

Annabeth nodded. Of course, Thalia was the godmother.

Percy hesitated. "She's… she's mine. Isn't she?"

Annabeth stilled, eyebrows knitting together. She gave one curt nod.

Percy let out a breath he felt he had been holding since he found out June existed. He felt his body sagging in his chair.

June.

"Why didn't you ever tell me? About… any of it?"

She laughed humorlessly, her eyes just shadows underneath her furrowed brow. "Why would I have? You left me, remember? I wasn't feeling exactly amicable towards you at the moment. I had no idea how you would handle the situation; we were just kids back then, Percy. I… I should've though."

Percy bit his lip, drumming his fingers on the coffee cup. It was true that she should have told him – but he didn't blame her for not doing so. He had given her no reason to trust him to help her raise a child. He needed a chance to grow up, and she knew it. Annabeth gave him that… but at what cost?

"I would have stayed," he choked out. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Annabeth raise her head, fixing her steel eyes on him; it was like being in crosshairs. He cleared his throat, and averted his eyes, drawing his shoulders inwards. "If you had told me. I hope you know that. And I hope you know that I would've loved every second of being with you… and her. I wouldn't have run away like I did."

She was silent, though her eyes didn't leave him. Bracing himself, he raised his head to meet her eyes. She didn't look disgusted or even angry, just… thoughtful. Like she was appraising him, gauging him.

"I believe you," she said finally, resting her chin in her hand. "You're different, Percy. I'm glad to see Chicago did change you after all. I hope you will excuse my… outburst yesterday. I was surprised, to say the least."

He shook his head. "You had every right," he said.

She smiled thinly. "Even so," she sounded the same way she always did when she was shutting out emotion. "It was rude. But I do mean it when I say you've changed… Chicago really did make you grow up. Who would've thought – Percy Jackson, executive." She smiled again, and it was genuine this time, although there was something waveing in her eyes.

She was nervous, too – and scared.

"Do you think," he asked hesitantly. "I could meet her?"

The smile dropped from her face and she leaned back in her chair. The setting sun set shadows in her face, and Percy couldn't see her eyes, though he could hear her breathing, suddenly harsher and uneven.

"I…I don't know. This is - I need time. To process and consider everything."

"Oh," he blinked quickly. "Oh – yeah, of course…"

She was standing before he could get a coherent sentence out, snatching up her briefcase from the ground and gathering her blazer in her fist. "Don't worry about paying, I already took care of it. I- I have to go," she said quickly, already walking away.

He was out of his chair before he realized what was happening, fingers closing around her wrist as she was pushing her way out of the front door. She turned back to him, her face finally showing exactly what she was feeling for the first time that night. Her eyes were wide, wet with tears, her mouth trembling as she stared up at him. He was so close to her… if he just leaned forward, if he tilted his head just right…

"Annabeth," he breathed. "Annabeth, I lo-"

"I- I can't do this," she shook her head, hair covering her eyes as she stumbled backwards, chest heaving as if she had just finished a marathon. "I – I have to go."

He was stuck staring at her retreating back. Something in his chest twisted painfully.

-x-

A/N: So the first part of this was kind of my way showing that yes, Percy does indeed still have a job. Also to introduce Piper, Leo, and Frank to my story.

Also, because ages are kind of warped in this story:

Percy, Rachel, and Grover: 27

Annabeth: 29

Piper: 23

Frank: 24

Hazel and Leo: 20

Also because quite a few people have asked about Percy's appearance and how it's shifted from Ignite, I tried to cover it in the story itself, but I would say that he's mostly kind of shed the baby fat, in a way. As you can see, he kind of has a bit of stubble now and then when he forgets to shave, dresses a little nicer, and is more fit. Hairwise, I've been thinking more like this: .

Anyway, I've been writing a lot lately, and not doing a lot of editing, so a lot of what you're reading comes in a kind of raw form. I hope you don't mind too much.

Also, yes, Percy and Annabeth are going to go through a lot in the beginning. I think it's unrealistic that Annabeth would allow Percy to waltz back into their lives and pretend everything's okay. Percy on the other hand has a lot to work out on his own. He just found out he's a dad, guys, give him a little slack.

Anywho, thanks for reading, and please leave a review!

Anna x.