Percy POV

Once safely behind the bathroom door and out of Annabeth's piercing stare, I let out a deep breath through my nose.

When I woke up and saw her hunched over her computer, watching that crash that sent me into a minor state of depression for days, even weeks, I should have been angry that she didn't trust me, or needed to be sneaky instead of asking me anything.

Instead I go and stand close enough to smell her freshly shampooed hair and watch the video for myself, and relive that accident. While watching, I critiqued each and every flaw, and had the consistent thought of, "You're an idiot." When Annabeth suggested I go for the comeback, I agreed although my brain was screaming no.

Now, alone in the bathroom I had time to gather my thoughts, without a certain blonde angel affecting the way I think, making my thoughts turn to blubber. A shower seemed like the perfect place to think.

A cold one at that…

After a shower that was borderline too long, my mind (and body) was free of Annabeth, and I was ready to take on this family dinner. After I peeked out of the bathroom door, I saw no sign of Annabeth, and stepped into the bedroom to change, and make the dreaded phone call to my mom and Paul.

I had suspicion that they had heard the news of my accident by now, but I hadn't returned any of their calls since they realized I didn't show up at their door in New York. I stared at the blank screen of my phone, and my reflection peered back at me. I could see the hesitation in my own eyes.

Taking advantage of the moment alone, I knew this was as good a time as ever to just call them. With a second of courage, I dialed the apartment home number.

The phone rang and rang and my heartbeat increased to the point I could hear it echoing back at me.

"Hello this is the Jackson-Blofis Household. We can't come to the phone right now, so leave a message!" A recording of my mother's high pitched, sweet voice spoke to me, and I let out a breath. A voicemail was easier to face than reality.

"Hey mom and Paul," I stuttered out after the beep. "Uh, so I bet you're pretty confused on why I didn't show up in a yellow taxi yesterday. Maybe pretty angry. And Im sorry. I know this is last minute."

I paused and carefully considered my next words. Do I tell them the truth about where I am and who I'm with?

Instead I took the easy route and said, "I should have told you earlier, but I am with my girlfriend Annabeth and her family. In San Francisco." I had a feeling that the recording was going to cut off soon, so I rushed out, "So I promise I will call soon and tell you everything. I mean everything. Tell the kids I say hi. Love you bye!"

I knew my mom was going to briefly set aside her anger and freak out at the fact that I had a 'girlfriend', which would make it even harder when I would have to tell her we 'broke up.' She would want Annabeth and I to head straight to New York and visit, and I would have to say no.

Why did the sound so heartbreaking already?

"Percy!" I heard Annabeth's voice from far away, presumably downstairs. I walked over to look down at her from the staircase.

She held up a note with a scowl on her face. "They all went out to the store. They didn't even invite me," the second statement came out in a softer voice, and I hurried down the stairs, with the goal to shift her focus, before she was upset.

"It's because you were too busy Googling me on your computer Angel," I said with a wink as I approached her.

I think I effectively lightened her spirits, because she gave me a slight smile, which made me feel the same way one shot of vodka usually made me feel. I shook my head, to rid my head of those types of thoughts. No more thinking of Annabeth like that, like she was my own type of drug.

I saw a furry creature sitting in a ball near the fireplace, and I said, "Annabeth! You never told me you have a cat!"

She eyed me with the small smile still on her face. "Is that an issue Percy?"

"Well," I stuttered. "I am more of a dog person. To be honest with you cats actually scare the shit out of me."

She laughed at me and moved over towards the creature, that seemed to be enjoying a nap in the warmth. I watched her body move from behind, and admired the way her jeans held snug. Annabeth was making me drool without even realizing it.

"Big bad Percy Jackson. Can flip his body three times on skis, but won't touch a fuzzy ball of love?"

It was my turn to laugh. "No. I just prefer not to touch them. They scratch. Dogs are the real lovers. I have a great dane at home named Blackjack. I miss my buddy."

Blackjack was a massive dog, who doubled as my closest companion. He was staying at Grover's cabin over Christmas, so he was in somewhat good hands, but I still worried about the possibilities of Grover forgetting to feed him.

Annabeth spoke, "Okay but Oscar here is part dog I swear."

I laughed and gave her a funny look, but still walked closer to her and the purring cat.

"No I swear," she looked up as I neared her and locked her eyes with my own. "He goes outside through a little doggy door and he thinks he is a dog."

By now I was at her side, leaning over her shoulder, peering at her hand rubbing the cat.

I decided this was my new favorite place to stand. I could smell her hair, and could just barely feel her butt brushing up against me.

To act like I had a reason for standing here, besides the fact that I was a pervert, I reached my hand out to rub the cat, and I was greeted with soft fur.

At the very moment, the front door opened, and the four missing household guests walked in with bags in their hands. It effectively ruined the mood, and I jumped back from Annabeth, but then realized how dumb that was; they thought we were dating.

"Oh hey honey," Annabeth's stepmother spoke. Both Annabeth and I started to walk towards them to help put away the groceries. "We got dinner fixin's. How do ribs sound? Early dinner then a movie? Sounds great. Percy we can get to know you better and Bobby you can talk about work. Matthew should be here in 15 minutes. Fredrick, dear, start the BBQ the men can be in charge of the meat." Her mouth ran a mile a minute and I struggled to keep up with her train of thought.

I glanced down to see Annabeth, looking like she wanted to say something, and I could tell it wasn't what Whitney wanted to hear, so Annabeth hesitated.

"Whitney," she said. "I could BBQ the meat."

Her step-mom gave her a funny look. "That's the men's job hun."

"No," Annabeth's voice gained some volume and my heart swelled with pride. I could tell this little act of defiance look a lot of courage from her. She continued, "It's just a person job. And I want to do it so everyone else can watch the football games."

Whitney shook her head, but moved onward in the kitchen, presumably to start preparing potatoes or a salad. Fiona, Bobby's fiancé, passed by where Annabeth and I were standing and whispered in a tone so faint I could barely hear her, "Power to the mother fucking women."

I laughed, but covered it up, as to not draw attention to us.

Annabeth looked to Fiona with more appreciation.

After Whitney and Fiona were in conversation in the kitchen, and Bobby and Fredrick were sitting on the couch, Annabeth's small, but defined arm snaked around my waist, and she leaned her head into my shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her dad eyeing us.

"Why did I open my mouth, before dinner on the second night has even started?" She asked in a timid voice.

I reached my own arm over her shoulders, and held her in a half hug. "It's going to be okay, Angel. Go cook the meat." I winked at her and she laughed, and slithered out of my embrace.

I watched her grab the racks of ribs, open the sliding door, refusing help from Whitney in defiance, and setting out to cook the ribs.

Dinner was going to be a wild ride.

A/N: I hope you enjoy chapter 12! A review asked if I have a schedule for updates, and the answer is no, I just type in my free time, which isn't often, and update as soon as the chapters are done! Most weeks you can expect 2 updates, but sometimes life will catch up to me and I apologize for that.

This chapter was somewhat bland, but hopefully you still enjoyed it! Leave a review with your favorite Percabeth moment in Decoy thus far! They are subtle, but there are lots of them ;) Kiss coming soon!