Hey Guys! I'm back. I loved this chapter. It's filled with emotion and drama, and it was really fun to write.

Please, enjoy it.

I do not own anything from Rick Riordan's Universe.

Chapter 18

Annabeth checked the last four copies of The Little Prince Special Edition were on storage since she didn't see any on their usual place in the main store. She grabbed all four before heading back to the main store and approaching the duo of mother and daughter that had sked specifically for that edition.

"Here you go," she said kneeling in front of the little girl and handing her one of the copies. "This is what you were looking for, right?"

"Yes!" she said, snatching the book away from her.

The mother sent her an apologetic look. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Annabeth guided them to the cashier and waved them goodbye, before returning to the upper floor to help with rearranging the kids' section. She was walking down the aisle of health books when someone threw something at her.

A spider.

She jumped on the spot and had to use all her willpower not to scream in the middle of the store, as she swatted the thing away from her, watching it fall to the ground. Getting fired for causing a scene a second time, was definitely not on her bucket list. Once the spider was safely out of her reach, Annabeth realized it was just a toy. A horrible toy. Why would anyone on their sane mind play with a spider?

Someone exploded in laughter a few steps away from her, and her face flushed red in fury.

"You are so dead, Connor Stoll!" she whispered, menacingly.

Connor wiped away the tears of laughter and said, "Hold on. I helped you get the job, and it would be very unfair if you killed me without repaying the favor first."

"Oh, true, true…" she made her thinking face. "On the other hand, if you die, my debt dies with you."

Connor grimaced, before picking the stupid toy off the ground. "Not cool, Annabeth. Not cool." She smirked mischievously and walked past him. "You know? It's because of that thinking that the mafia bosses were able to rise in New York."

"Really?" she asked, now really amused by his connection.

"Yeah." He followed her, and his eyes turned dreamy. "It's a shame that the era is over. Although I think I would have done a better job at handling the criminal network in the city."

She laughed. "Okay, Don Corleone. Just help me with these boxes today and you can rule the world tomorrow."

She put the remaining three copies of The Little Prince on their place and continued getting the rest of the books out of the boxes and rearranging them in the stand. Connor kept talking about the criminal masterminds in the world and how awesome they were. Annabeth argued that although those people did have great strategies these were used to cause damage instead of helping the world.

When they were done, Connor proposed her to go downstairs and linger close to the cafeteria so they could smell coffee while they worked.

"That's just sad." She replied as they descended.

Connor smiled. "But we're still doing it, right?"

She looked at her watch. "Just for a few minutes. I would like to check storage units since I think there´s a problem with some inventory."

"Jeez, Annabeth. Nobody has asked us to do that! You should just relax and do what you've been hired to do. Help nerds in finding their books."

Annabeth frowned. "Remind me again, how did you get this job?"

He shrugged. "Life works in mysterious ways."

She sighed. "It really does."

A few people asked for their help as they followed Connor's plan of staying near the cafeteria. She helped a few university students in finding some textbooks and refrained herself from punching one of them for asking if she was too old for working in there.

"No," was her dry response as she left them on their own to find the cashier themselves. Screw customer service.

As she met back with Connor, she noticed a hint of mischievousness in his eyes. She really wanted to ignore him and head straight back to storage, but he quickly grabbed her arm and asked, "Isn't that Percy's ex?"

Annabeth's head turned faster than a meercat's and surely there she was. Rachel Elizabeth Dare was walking aimlessly through the stands, with her eyebrows scrunched up and her lips pursed.

"Uh, yeah. That's her." She said, turning her attention back to him.

"Don't you want to hide?"

"No…Why would I hide?"

"Oh, you know, I heard she's had a lot of success as an artist and here you are selling books. I'm sure she would love to hear how Percy left her for a failed architect." She punched him. Hard. "Ouch!"

"I'm not a failed architect, and things have just been tough for a while." She wasn't so sure about that, but she was not giving Connor the satisfaction of being right for once. "Besides, he didn't leave her for me. It was a mutual break up."

Connor smirked. "That's what Percy told you?"

Annabeth had a bad feeling in her gut. "Uh, yeah…"

He shook his head. "My poor innocent Annabeth, you really don't know about the big fight they had days before they broke up? Everyone was talking about it…I mean everyone that knew them of course."

"Connor, just tell me already." She urged.

"Rachel called Percy to order for spending so much time with you and claimed he didn't love her anymore. She thought he was cheating on her with you." He shrugged. "Other awful things were said."

"But nothing happened between us! We were just friends."

"Friends with high sexual tension." He mocked.

"Still friends."

Why hadn't Percy told her that?

"Well, Rachel didn't believe that." He said crossing his arms. "I thought you knew about that and wanted to hide from her."

She frowned. "I didn't do anything wrong, and I have no reason to hide."

"Good," he smiled. "Because she's walking straight towards us."

She turned to find the familiar bundle of red hair, ready to ask them probably where the art books were, but she froze on the spot when she recognized Annabeth's face. Suddenly, she could cut the air with a Gillet.

And then Rachel did something that surprised all of them.

She hugged Annabeth.

"Annabeth, hi!" she yelled, giving her a full smile. "I haven't seen you in months. How you've been?"

"Um…good. Thanks?"

"That's great! Hi, Connor."

"Hi Rach." He looked at his watch and made an exaggerated expression of surprise. "Oh, look at the time, I'm late for…uh…checking storage things. I need to go. I'll see you two later." He said and then left ignoring Annabeth's murderous look.

"So, what can I help you with?" she asked Rachel, avoiding an uncomfortable silence.

"Oh! I'm looking for poetry books."

"Poetry?"

"Yes! It's an exciting project I'm working on…" and then Rachel started explaining how the MET had organized an exhibition of young aspiring artists in New York and she had decided to express a poem through her art. Then she talked about how she was planning on doing it, and how she got the inspiration from a portrait she had done months earlier for one of her clients. Annabeth listened politely, as she guided her through the several stands on the store. She cursed whoever thought of putting the poetry section way back was a good idea.

"I'm glad you're doing good in your job, Rachel." She said, once they finally arrived. "Here are the contemporary poem books, but if you want a classic one those will probably be on the Universal Literature section."

"Oh, okay. Thanks!" Annabeth was ready to go away but Rachel had other plans. She bit her lip before asking, "And how are you holding up?"

Oh, gods.

"With what?"

She tucked her red hair behind her ears, and then cleared her throat. "I mean, I heard you got fired, and you're working here now…I don't… I just wanted to see how you were."

Annabeth frowned. "How did you know?"

Rachel blinked. "Oh, um, Percy told me."

Wait, what?

"He did?"

"Uh, yeah…" Then her eyes widened, and she shook her hands in denial. "I didn't ask him personally, it's just that he talks so much about you that it just came up one day." She blushed. "I hope you're not mad."

Annabeth opened and closed her mouth several times trying to find something to say. She didn't know Percy still talked with Rachel. It's not that it bothered her, but why hadn't he told her? How much did Rachel know?

"It's fine. I just didn't know you two still talked with each other so much."

"Oh."

"But it's okay." She quickly said. "You guys had a great friendship and I'm glad it didn't go away when you broke up."

"Yeah…" she gave her a small smile, and Annabeth knew it was time to end the conversation.

"It was nice seeing you again, Rachel. If you need anything else, just let me know."

"Oh, okay. Thanks."

Annabeth walked to the storage room as quickly as she could without making it clear she wanted to getaway. She didn't know how to feel. She was truly glad Percy rescued her friendship with Rachel since it had meant so much to him, but why hadn't he told her? And why were they discussing private things about her life?

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Making out with Percy was one of Annabeth's favorite things to do. She never thought the same with Luke, and while it had been nice, Percy really had a way of being gentle and sweet with the perfect those of roughness and desire. She loved how softly he caressed her skin under her shirt and how he pulled aggressively on her jean's belt loops so her body was closer to his; how intoxicating his scent was and how messy his hair got from her hands playing with it.

That night, however, her mind was simply somewhere else. She tried hard to push her thoughts away and get into it, but her conversation with Rachel came back to her. She really wanted to confront him, but decided that maybe Percy had a reason not to tell and she should just trust him…right? Gods, she was trying really hard not to be a toxic girlfriend.

She must have been very distracted because Percy abruptly stopped kissing her neck and looked at her puzzled.

"Am I doing something wrong?" he asked, so concerned it made her laugh.

"Nop, I like what you're doing." She said, rubbing his cheek and giving him a light kiss on his lips.

"You sure? Because I can try something different."

"Really?" she smirked, "Like what?"

"Oh, it's a very old technique." He said, as he slowly rolled up her shirt. He started planting butterfly kisses on her stomach. "People have used it to please their lovers since ancient times and it has worked every time."

Annabeth closed her eyes and surrendered to his touch. He kissed each one of her soft spots before moving to her lower abdomen. She expected him to unbutton her jeans and continuing her trip down…but no. He traveled back to her core center…

And blew a raspberry.

Annabeth squealed and her body lunged to the left, running away from his touch. Sadly, it made her fall off the bed, as Percy exploded in laughter failing at keeping her from hitting the ground.

"Pleasing? More like teasing." Annabeth grunted, but she couldn't keep her face from smiling.

Percy also stepped off the bed and sat next to her on the floor. "Oh, c'mon. It was fun." He said, grabbing her hand. "Did you hear back from the firm Piper talked to you about."

Oh, right. She had forgotten about it.

"Um, no. I sent them all the documents they asked me for, and I hadn't heard from them since. That was a month ago."

He squeezed her hand.

"It's gonna be fine. Maybe the job market is tough right now, but things can always get better."

She kissed his cheek. "I know. Thanks." But she knew every day that passed by without her getting a job, was a day closer to her being useless to the market. She had no experience after all.

Someone knocked on her door.

"Are you two decent?" asked Thalia, behind the locked door.

"No," Percy replied.

Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"Yes."

"Well, you better be, cause the food is here." Her friend said before Annabeth heard her steps walking down the hall.

"Let's go," she said, ready to stand up but Percy pulled her arm back gently.

"Actually, there something I want to ask you."

She sat back down. "Sure, what is it?"

He got his pen out of his pocket and started playing with it, as he always did when he was nervous. She didn't know how he hadn't lost it yet. He took a deep breath.

"My dad asked me to have dinner with his family in their home."

"Oh…that's great."

He grimaced. "Is it?"

"I mean, it can be." She bit her lip. "Maybe he just wants to have a closer bond with him."

He still seemed doubtful. "It's not him I'm worried about, but Triton and Amphitrite… Do you think I should go?"

"That depends. If you want to grow closer to him, I think you should make the effort of going and not starting a war with Triton. But if you mind being a little distant from him…well, maybe going is not the best idea.

He thought about it and then his eyes lighted up.

"Would you come with me?"

Her gray eyes widened. "Percy, I really don't think that's a good idea."

"Please? You would be able to stop me from exploding if Triton starts getting on my nerves."

She didn't want to. Annabeth didn't feel ready to confront Triton after she last saw him in the restaurant. As expected, paparazzi had taken pictures of Percy and her together, and Triton had had a rough time with the media. Although Percy had assured her that Poseidon had not taken the project away from him. Even if he never deserved it.

But at the same time, she knew how important it was for Percy.

"Okay." He gave her a toothy grin that almost melted her heart. "But you should ask your dad first because I really don't want to intrude if it's a personal thing."

"Done."

"Hey!" Thalia screamed from the kitchen. "If you don't come right now, I'll bust that door open no matter in what state you two are."

Percy sighed. "We should get out in our underwear, just to spook her."

Annabeth smirked. "Oh, you're on."

"Wait, really?"

…

"WHAT THE HADES, GUYS?"

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Annabeth readjusted the long-sleeved green dress for the hundredth time on the elevator. It was tighter than Piper had described her, and she had to keep fixing it, so she didn't look like she was wrapped on a lettuce burrito.

She almost played with her hair out of nervousness, but she had put a lot of effort into her half-up hairdo. So, she settled on fidgeting with the expensive bottle of wine she was carrying. It didn't help that Percy was just as anxious as she was and cranky for having bought an extremely expensive bottle to the jerk of his stepbrother,

"It's his favorite." Annabeth had said when they had been shopping for a gift in the liquor store. "It'll be like a peace offering."

"I don't like that you know his favorite drink." He had grunted.

"Well, deal with it."

Now, they were both too busy with their own anxious thoughts to calm the other down. Annabeth feared the night was going to be a catastrophe, but they had to try to get the least bad outcome for the sake of Percy's relationship with his dad.

"It's gonna be fine," Annabeth said trying to ease the tension. "We just need to keep our emotions together."

"Right," Percy replied, his eyes fixed on the changing digital numbers.

They failed miserably.

Everything went fairly well until they started eating. Triton had done a great job at ignoring them, and Annabeth was actually relieved he was avoiding eye contact with her. Poseidon was kind to her and in a very good mood. They talked about neutral things, about business, news, and projects. Even Amphitrite seemed to be having a good time.

Everything was going well.

Until Amphitrite decided to be nice to her when they were having dessert.

"Tell me, darling, do you still work for Miss Williams?" she asked, and for the first time, Annabeth felt Triton's eyes on her face.

Annabeth swallowed. "No, uh…"

"She was fired," Triton answered, harshly.

And, just like that, the easiness of the evening disappeared completely.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Poseidon commented, politely. "It seemed like you really enjoyed it."

Triton laughed dryly. "She was obsessed with it."

Annabeth ignored his comment. "I did."

"Why were you fired then?" Amphitrite asked

"For being an ungrateful brat." Her son answered again.

Annabeth really wanted to put Triton on his place, but she was more worried about Percy's white knuckles from gripping hard his spoon.

"Miss Williams and I shared different work ethics." She answered diplomatically. But the tension was thicker by the second, and even Poseidon was nervously looking at his sons, who were murdering each other with a look.

"I respect that," he commented, anyway. "And what are you doing now?"

She took a sip from her wine. "I am…uh…working in a bookstore."

"I see," Poseidon commented, and Annabeth had never felt more ashamed in her life. She used to be an ambitious girl working for a prestigious firm and now she was just selling books to survive. She could see the pity in Poseidon's eyes.

"Annabeth's still looking for a job in architecture," Percy said, quickly. Annabeth frowned. Why was he explaining that? "She's very talented and I'm sure that she'll get a job soon."

"Will she have the time, though?" Triton commented, sourly. "You know since her hobby is jumping from guy to guy like a…"

Percy's spoon fell into the plate with a loud clank.

"Finish that sentence," he warned his stepbrother. "I dare you."

Triton smirked. "With pleasure."

Annabeth rushed to grab Percy's hand in an attempt of calming him down, but Poseidon was more effective at calling to order.

"THAT'S ENOUGH" He brawled, and Annabeth shrank in her seat. "We can't have a normal family dinner, without you two behaving like idiots. I am very disappointed." He pointed his index finger at the two young men and said, "To my study. Now."

Neither questioned his father, and Annabeth watched as his sons stood up from the table and followed him through the corridor on the far right.

"Excuse me, but I need some fresh air," Amphitrite said and Annabeth nodded politely. She watched as the woman grabbed her coat and went into the balcony, under the cold February night.

Well, what a disaster.

Without wanting to stay in the depressing dining room, Annabeth decided she needed to splash some water on her face. It took her a while to find a bathroom, but she was relieved when she got to lock herself in the little room, she took a moment to take a deep breath and compose herself.

When she was ready to return to the living room, she heard someone shouting a few rooms away from her, she stepped outside, a door opened and then Triton appeared on the hallway saying obscenities under his breath. She watched him go and thought that maybe it was best if she waited in the living room, but then she heard the voices. Poseidon and Percy talking.

She knew was she was about to do was not right, but she couldn't help to step forward and focusing on their voices. She was eavesdropping...again.

"He's an idiot," Percy said.

"You weren't smart today either, son," Poseidon replied, tiredly. "You shouldn't have brought her."

"I needed her support."

"It's having dinner with us really a torment to you?"

His dad sounded truly sad, and Annabeth felt bad.

"No," Percy said, softening his tone. "I just don't feel welcomed sometimes."

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

Uncomfortable silence.

"Is she the reason why you have changed your mind?"

Annabeth's eyes widened. Change his mind? About what?

Percy remained quiet and she felt Poseidon sighing.

"I understand, I guess. She seems to be going through a rough time. But, son, this is a great opportunity. I know you hate being my assistant, and the investigation team will be more than pleased to have you aboard."

Was he talking about the job Percy had told her about in San Francisco? Percy had told her he had refused it from the beginning. But if Poseidon was saying he had changed his mind, then that meant he had accepted the proposal at some point? And he was saying no now because of her?

"Listen," his father continued. "You don't have to stay the full time yet. Go for a few days and see if you like it…like a probation period."

"And you do give that benefit to everyone or just to me because I'm your son?" Percy asked. Silence. "I see. I'm sorry dad, but my answer still no for now."

"Ok, then. I won't insist anymore. Let's talk about my agenda…"

They started talking about work as Annabeth returned to the living room, with a million thoughts swirling inside her head.

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"You're very quiet," Percy said as they entered his Prius. He started the car and immediately Annabeth turned on the heater. She was freezing.

"I'm just glad is over." She said as he drove the car out of the fancy parking garage. She couldn't wait to take off the awful tight green dress and just forget everything about that night.

They stayed quiet for a few minutes.

"It could have been worse," Percy commented.

"How?"

"At least the carpet was not ruined with blood again." He tried joking, but the mood was not right. Annabeth kept looking out of the window and he sighed, "Triton is a jerk, Wise Girl. Don't believe a word he says."

"I wasn't thinking about that." She replied, weakly.

"No?"

"No"

"Then what's wrong?"

She should have stayed quiet, but the thought was hammering her head.

"I think you should accept your dad's offer."

He frowned. "What?"

"I heard you talking in his office." She admitted. "And I remembered what you told me in San Francisco. I think you should do it."

Percy sighed and focused on driving. "I'm not taking the job."

"Why not?"

"I told you why."

"Poseidon said you changed your mind. You told you had refused it from the beginning. Why did you lie?" she pushed.

"Poseidon is wrong." He answered. "I'm not taking the job, Annabeth. End of discussion."

"But I don't understand!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "It's a huge opportunity, Percy. And you hate being an assistant.

He ignored her.

"Are you not taking the job because you don't want to leave me alone?" He didn't answer, but his jaw was clenched. "Poseidon asked you, Percy. He asked you if it was because of me and you didn't answer."

"Yes, Annabeth!" he exploded. "Maybe I don't want to accept the job, because I'm afraid of leaving you when you're having a hard time. Is that a bad thing?"

Silence.

"Do you feel sorry for me?" she blurted out.

"Why, in hades, are you saying that Annabeth?"

"Back at the dinner, you defensively said I was still looking for jobs in architecture, as if you were afraid, I would shatter for saying I work at a bookstore."

"Well you're still looking for a job, aren't you?"

"I'm out of jobs to look for!" she yelled. "No one accepted me Percy, and I become useless to the market with each day I spend without a proper job. I wasted the opportunity of a lifetime with Aurora and life is now punishing me. I don't want that to happen to you. I don't want to be the reason you're holding back."

Percy's shoulders were tense, and he was trying hard to keep his focus on driving. A few tears were running down her cheeks, and she tried to ease her breathing.

"I just don't want you to wake up one day and regret being with me." She said.

He exploded in a dry laugh. "You're scared of me regretting being with you? You were FIRED because you chose to be with me, Annabeth. You ran out of money and have trouble sleeping, and now you just told me your whole career might be over. What you feel right now, is what I've been feeling for the last couple of months, Annabeth. So, welcome to the club."

She sobbed. "Just take me home, Percy."

"For the gods," his voice cracked. "What do you want me to say, Annabeth?"

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I'm scared! I don't know what to do to fix things…I just…things were just easier with Rachel." He closed his eyes, and quickly said, "I didn't mean that."

"Oh, I'm sorry," she replied sarcastically. "I'm so sorry things are so complicated with me you have to run back to Rachel and blow off steam with her."

He grunted. "What, in hades, are you talking about now?"

"Why didn't you tell me you still talk with Rachel?"

"Because I thought you'd freak out! Just like you're doing now!"

"I'm freaking out because you didn't tell me!"

"I did want what happened with Rachel, to happen with you."

"Oh, you mean the fight you never told me about."

"What?!"

She had enough.

"Stop the car," she said.

"Annabeth…"

"STOP IT" she yelled, and Percy slammed the breaks. Thank the gods it was late at night and just a few cars were still cruising on the streets.

She opened the door and stepped out.

"Annabeth…" Percy said desperately, but she closed the door in his face and continued walking on the sidewalk.

The Prius caught up with her and Percy drove at her speed. He rolled the window down.

"We're being stupid." He said. "Just come back inside and we can talk about it properly."

"I just need time alone, Percy." She replied

"Please, Annabeth. It's freezing…"

"I don't want to see you now, Percy! Take the stupid hint!"

He took a sharp breath. "Fine." He rolled the window back up, stepped on the gas and Annabeth watched as the Prius disappeared on the next turn.

She stopped on her tracks.

She was finally alone.

Annabeth wiped the tears away and felt something wet landing on her head. It had started snowing. Sure, why not.

The street was full of fancy townhouses, and she sat on the stairs of a three-story one. Her butt got wet, but she didn't care.

She took several deep breaths.

Ok, maybe she had exaggerated, but at least everything was now out of her system. She buried her head in her hands, trying to remain calm and preserve the last drop of common sense she had.

A few seconds passed before she heard footsteps approaching her. She watched as an equally guilty-looking Percy jogged towards her with his black coat on.

He sat next to her, his hands inside his coat's pockets.

They watched the snowflakes fall, in silence.

"That was…" he started.

"Intense." She finished. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too."

"In my defense, you were pretty stubborn."

"And, you were impossible."

"Love you too."

He smiled and caressed her cheek. Then he kissed her, and even though his lips were cold she felt warmer on the inside.

"Let's go home." He whispered.

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Annabeth shifted her position in the bathtub, so her head was in a better angle against the white hard material. Now that Percy was gone, she had more space to relax and extend her limbs, but she preferred it when he was sharing it with her.

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warm water embracing her body, as the sound of Percy's muffled voice coming from the kitchen lulled her. Grover had called to ask him how the dinner had gone, and Annabeth smiled when she imagined his friend's expressions as Percy told him about the night's chaos.

Once the water was cold, Annabeth grabbed the towel and stepped out of the comforting bathtub. She had to support herself against the wall to prevent her from slipping because Percy hadn't bought the sticky patches that made the bottom, less slippery. She made a mental note to buy them herself.

She walked to Percy's closet and looked for one of his comfiest PJ. Then she went to the kitchen, where Percy had his back against the counter and his cellphone between his right hand and right ear. He looked so handsome with his wet hear, gray light-weighted shirt, and red soft sweats, that Annabeth couldn't help but giving him a soft kiss on his lips.

He smiled and then mouthed Juniper, and Annabeth understood he was going to talk with Grover for a long time. She got a glass of water before looking for the little plastic container on her purse. She grabbed two pills of Melatonin. Percy threw her a funny look when she swallowed both.

"Will said it's fine." She whispered, and it was true. He had told her to double the doses if she was having a lot of trouble, and she suspected she would need them for that night.

She then brushed her teeth (thank the gods Percy had insisted she could leave one there), and finally got to bed. She snuggled under Percy's covers, and she must have fallen asleep because the next time she opened her eyes, Percy had turned off lights and was just getting into bed. She was so sleepy, she let him pull her closer to his body.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into that stupid dinner tonight." He whispered in the darkness.

"Don't be." She replied groggily. "It was interesting."

He chuckled. "That's a way of describing it."

Annabeth was falling back into Morpheus's arms when he said, "We need to talk about what happened today."

Oh, yeah. She really wasn't looking forward to it.

"Tomorrow." She babbled.

"Tomorrow." He agreed.