A/N If you guys haven't noticed, the italics are Percy's conscience. Let me know whether it enhances or undermines the story and flow and stuff. Thanks.

Also, sorry about not keeping to the schedule, I'll try to do better. This chapter is extra long to make up for it though!

Percy's POV

"We have arrived in Greece, thank you for flying with us on Zeus Airlines," says someone on the overhead speaker.

I shiver, it's finally over. I'm surprised that I made it this far on my own. On my own... without... Ann-

"Sorry for the inconvenience, but could I put my computer away?"

"Oh, sure Charlie, no problem" I say.

"Thanks."

I shuffle out, and bump my head on the bottom of the overhead compartment. That's nice.

As Charlie puts his computer back into his suitcase, I notice a small picture falls out.

It is of him and another person. She has long brown wavy hair and blue eyes, very pretty, but nothing like her. Charlie's arm is wrapped around her shoulders causally and they are both mid-laugh. Probably Charlie's girlfriend Selina he told me about. It reminds me of the kind of photos Thalia used to take of me and... her.

I picked up the picture and handed it to Charlie. "This fell from your suitcase."

"Oh, yikes, thanks Perce. It'd be terrible if I lost this."

We both get settled once more.

"Yeah... um no problem," I reply, but all I can think about is... her. My throat tightens. Uggg, I can't afford to get all emotional, especially here and now. Ok. We are going to start a challenge. It's gonna be called... Operation: Independence. Really Perce, "Operation: Independence," what is this? Fourth grade? Fine fine, I'll come up with a better name later, but the plan is, don't think about her for the next 24 hours.

We get off the plane, and I'm met with the summer air of Greece. Just kidding. It's just the airport, but honestly, I'm so grateful for this not-so-stuffy air. I had to be cooped up in a plane with like a hundred other people for like 15 hours!

Charlie and I make our way over to baggage claim. "So, what are your plans?" I ask. And I instantly regret it. Now he's going to have to ask me the same question.

"Oh! Selina and I are going to go out for dinner. I think she has the whole day planned out minute by minute," he says with a small smile.

I swallow and force a smile. "Wow, that sounds great. I wish I had plans like that..." *face palm* Are you KIDDING me right now Percy!? Now he's going to feel obligated to invite you or something. Great going making a super awkward situation!

Charlie shifts uncomfortably. "Well, I mean I- well.. I-"

"No no no," I hastily respond. "I didn't mean it like that! I was saying that your plans sound great, uh... marvelous, ermm amaz-balls! But I actually have a plane to catch, umm yeah, I'm heading over to Australia" Are. You. Frikin'. Serious?! Amaz-balls? Really? Out of all the billions of people in the world, I have to be your conscience? What did I do in my past life to deserve this? Oh shut up. I'm still alive. (a/n relatable). Well, this is even more awkward. I never mentioned Australia to Charlie because I didn't want to talk about... h-wait! We agreed on not thinking about that, remember? Oh, yeah, right. Well, I didn't want to mention Australia for... private matters. How about that? Terrible, but whatever.

Charlie just looks confused now. And I don't blame him. "Oh, ok," he looks down for a second before meeting my eyes. "why are you going to Australia?"

Oh, you know, because I got dumped by my soon-to-be-fiance and decided to move to another country to run away from my troubles but not actually tell anyone. The usual. "Ummm..." I sigh. I guess I can tell him. He seems like a trustworthy guy and the truth'll probably make up for that awkward mess I got him into back there.

"It all started a week ago," I begin. And Charlie is a good listener. We get into the elevator and slowly walk over to baggage claim carousel 10 when I finish.

At first, he doesn't say anything. But then he does. "Wow, I mean... just wow. That's crazy, and I'm also so sorry. But also I don't want to pity you because people always hate when others say "sorry", but yeah, wow."

I chuckle a little, sadly. "It's okay Charlie. I don't even know what to feel."

"But dude, that sucks. I'm so glad you're starting fresh though. Yeah. Man, I'm at a loss for words. But I want you to know," he made sure to look me in the eye, "if you need anything, anything at all, even if you just want to talk, to vent, you got me. Trust me man, Selina drilled it into me. Love is a powerful thing. Sometimes it's tough to be a man in a vulnerable position because of stupid gender sterotypes, but I got'chu. Jus so you know."

Well, that was unexpected. "Wow, thanks," I say.

"Yeah, no problem," he replies, "Oh, I see my suitcase. I'll be right back."

Wait, what am I doing here? I don't have a checked-in suitcase. I only brought a small carry-on.

I put my hands in my pockets but feel some papers inside. The letters! I forgot to mail them! What am I going to do? Duh, ask Charlie to mail them. He literally just said that he's do you a favor anytime. Yeah, but isn't that kind of using him? Ok fine then, don't listen to me, and figure things out yourself. Geez, okay I'll ask him.

A moment later Charlie comes back. "Hey, could I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, man"

I pull out the letters I wrote to Thalia, Nico, and my parents. "Do you think you could mail these for me?"

"No problem," he replies, but he looks a little confused.

Noticing his confusion I clarify, "Oh, so since I'm starting fresh and all, I don't want them to contact me so I wanted to mail these letters with a return address that isn't my new home. I was going to mail them before I left, but I totally forgot."

"Ohh, I understand. So, I'll just put my address and send them off then," he says.

"Yeah, thanks. They shouldn't respond, so don't worry about that," I assure him.

"Ok, gotcha. But what if they do? Should I contact you?" he brings up a good point.

"Hmmm, yeah I guess so. But I don't want you to feel like my messenger or anything..." I begin.

"No no no, it's no problem at all. Here's my number and email," he gives me a piece of paper.

"thanks," I say, and I mean it. I know the rest of the people I encounter on this journey won't be nearly as nice as Charlie, but I'm glad I found him.

*ring ring* Charlie's phone buzzes. "Hello," he says. There's a pause. "Okay, okay, I'll be right there. Love you. Bye." then he hangs up. "Sorry Percy," he says with a sympathetic look, "Selina's waiting."

"Nothing to be sorry about. Have fun tonight!" I say.

He starts walking towards the exit but turns around to give one last wave.

the busy buzz of the airport consumes me. I'm surrounded by hundreds of people yet I feel so alone. They all know where they're going. I feel like I'm the only stationary piece in the game right now. But that's going to change. I am going to make my move, I have a plan. I grab the handle of my suit case and head out the double doors. Time to face the world!

Wait, actually, I kinda need to pee. I walk back into the airport and find the men's restroom.

Not a fantastic start, but it'll do.

Annabeth's POV

Percy's not staying at Sally and Paul's and I'm starting to worry. I went to their apartment four more times just to make sure, but he's no where to be found. Hopefully he's just at a local hotel or at a friend's.

After much research, I feel more prepared for this whole baby situation. Actually, I have a doctor's appointment today. I've got to get ready for that.

Once I manage to slip on my shoes I walk to the car. My baby bump is visible now and I have some maternity clothes. But things are going to get real because at this doctor's appointment I'll get to know whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

I'm excited yet sad, but at least I've got a hold of myself. After being an emotional wreck for a week, I've stabilized.

I put my foot down on the pedal and start the car.

-time skip-

A nurse enters the waiting room, "Annabeth Chase?" she calls out.

I raise my hand, "I'm here. Coming."

"Take you time," she replies.

She leads me down the hall to the last door on the left. "This is Doctor Angeline and she'll be doing the ultrasound."

"Okay," I reply.

I am told to put this weird gel on my stomach for the ultrasound. It's cold and I don't really like it.

Next, Dr. Angeline puts the probe on my stomach where I put the gel and we both stare at the monitor. All I see are fuzzy lines and black. But she explains what's what.

"See that over there? That's the baby's head."

"Oh I kinda see it," I say. We stare at it some more.

After a while she says, "Well, I think we're done for today. I'm going to go print some papers for you and get the gender results."

"Okay, take your time," I reply. Eeek, gender results. How exciting. I remember talking with Percy about kids one time very briefly. He said he wanted a girl, I said I wanted a boy. So we agreed to have two kids, a boy and a girl. *sigh* If only fate worked that way. Here I am in the doctor's room taking an ultrasound by myself, with no Percy.

My emotional stability wavers. No, not again. I was doing so well.

There is a knock on the door. "Come in," I say.

"Here are the papers," she hands them to me.

"Thank you. And what about the gender?" I ask.

"That information is disclosed in this envelope, so open it whenever you're ready," she explains.

"Okay, thank you."

"Anytime, see you next time!"

When I get home I immediately put on my PJ's which consist of sweats and one of Percy's shirts. It pains me to be reminded that he's gone, but I find comfort in seeing pictures of him and the memories we have together. I'm not going to try to forget about it, but I am going to have to learn how to deal with it.

I plop down on the couch and grab the envelope.

Should I open it now or later?

Screw it, let's just do it.

I slide my finder under the flap and rip it open.

I pull out the paper. It reads, "CONGRATULATIONS! You are having a girl!"

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and start to get emotional. I'm sad and happy and don't know how to express my feelings. It's what he always wanted. He wanted a girl. If only he knew... A tear slides down my cheek, if only he knew.