Well, this is fast. I'm posting this early because, one, I promised to, and two, I'm leaving for a seven-day trip tonight. I might post during then, with my phone or iPad's tiny keyboards, but I won't promise anything cause it's travelling and I won't have too much free time.

So, yeah, in order to make up for that hopefully this'll be a long chapter. I know you guys have been long-awaiting some actual Percabeth to come along, and good news: it is.

Enjoy!

Annabeth sat motionless, her heart frantically hammering in her rib cage, staring at him in bewilderment. What was Lord Jackson doing here? She thought her suitor was a mortal, and an earl, nonetheless! He acted like a normal civilian, the perfect gentleman, with that deep voice and polite gestures. And this house, all the way in the countryside, was something a normal non-Olympian earl would live in. How did he even come into possession of it?

But as silent, shocked seconds passed, a new surge of anger flooded through her. Her memory haphazardly replayed scenes from when they last meet, without order. Him slowly enunciating what he thought of her. Her skirts, thrown into the air as she stomped closer to him. Cattails rustling and blocking his figure as he stood in the water. The smirk on his face as he appraised her relationship with Luke. His ankles, milky under the moonlight, submerged in the inkiness of the river. She ripped herself from her memories as she approached the image she wanted to avoid most: racing away from Perseus, her skirts flying about her legs, as he bleakly stared after her.

Her fists clenched with all abandon to manners. How dare he ambush her like this, bring her all across the city to continue being arrogant to her. Didn't she make it clear that she had enough of his games? She was boiling with anger as she slowly raised her chin, her jaw twitching from how hard it was clenched, and gathered the full force of her fury behind her stare.

But when she met those sea-green eyes, something inside her crumpled in half. Her anger deflated out of her, and her rigid back relaxed into its usual upright form. Perseus' eyes weren't glittering with confidence, or hardened into smug little stones, but they were cloudy and soft with confusion and worry. His thick brows were drawn together, and his full lips were drooping in a pout as he studied her back.

At the unfamiliar stir inside of her, she tightened her shoulders, trying to call back her anger as a defense, but it wouldn't come. She was left to look wanly upon him.

"Perseus," she said, her voice low. "Why did you invite me here?"

His face suddenly conformed: at first, it relaxed into a confident, assured grin, and then his eyebrows knit together hesitantly, and eventually he settled into an open, slightly scared look. A row of straight ivory-colored teeth appeared, clamping onto his lower lip.

Finally, Perseus dared to look into her eyes. She was so shocked by this all that her shocked expression didn't shift at all.

"I want to talk about last week, Saturday." This was the time of the Olympus Mansion banquet. "I didn't mean any of that."

Annabeth's stunned brain sprang into life, trying to detect what he meant. He didn't say it in an apologetic tone, or one with regret; it looked like he was just stating a fact.

"That stuff about who I think you are. You shouldn't have listened, because I was simply spewing nonsense. I don't have any idea of who you are, Lady-lady Chase," he finished, giving her a searching look. When she didn't react to being called her father's name, he continued. "And I don't have the right to prod into all these important aspects of your life."

Annabeth was getting more bamboozled by the second. He still didn't sound sorry, at all. It was more like he was explaining some dilemma he'd been researching all his life.

With a sigh, he sank back into the sofa, pulling his gaze from hers. The extra weight on the cushions dragged Annabeth back too, but she said nothing. Her eye caught on his long legs sprawled in front of him, but she quickly turned her gaze to her rapidly cooling cup of tea.

"Annabeth," Perseus said sharply. She almost dropped her cup, her mind spinning at his abruptness and the use of her real name, before spinning around. Perseus was sitting upright now, his elbows on his knees and leaning in closer. His eyes glowed with intensity. "You might hate me now, but," he took a deep breath, "no. I'm sorry for treating you like a little, mindless lady. Anyone could tell that you are anything but that. And I'm sorry for my self-centeredness."

Things he'd once said to her came pouring forth. "Don't be too curious about me, Annabeth, it'll turn out unladylike." "However, I fear that your reputation would be truly ruined, and I sincerely don't want that." "Suggest how I should change my ways, please." "I am a champion at croquet, though. You should work on your game." "What could be more alive?" She felt a frustrated scream building in her throat. Why did she go to these efforts to remember every part of this complicated, two-faced man?

She finally looked up. It was quiet except for the crackling of the fire. She blinked and dared to look into his eyes. They were completely vulnerable and fearful. She felt a strange want to grab his hand and squeeze until that look went away. Instead, she swallowed and spoke in a soft, slightly raspy voice. "I forgive you."

Percy's face broke like a dam. (A/N: Reference UNINTENDED!) Happiness and relief and hope and excitement sparkled in his eyes, and his lips spread into a bold grin. He reached forward, but drew his hand back, creating a slight pause on his bright expression. But Annabeth, feeling her throat tighten and something swirling like rough waves inside her, held her own hand out. She lightly touched his arm, and though she could barely feel anything beyond the thick lace of her glove and his heavy overcoat, it sent a warm flush over her.

She pulled her hand back, resting it neatly on her lap. She didn't know why she did that, or what happened when she did, but it seemed like they were both content anyway.

"Thank you," Percy whispered, leaning in further. They were probably breaking all rules of conduct, but Annabeth could not remember a single one as his deep green eyes captured her.

"I-I don't," she managed to say. It meant a number of things: she didn't require his gratitude, she didn't hate him, she didn't understand him, and she didn't mind travelling into this new land.

Percy seemed to understand what she meant and nodded solemnly. "I'm glad you came," he said, his voice almost back to its normal volume.

She looked around his lightly furnished sitting room, with an ancient style of wallpaper and a rusting grate, and then back at his shining face. She nodded slightly.

Eventually, after a long pause, the air between them settled to something close to causal. "This is an interesting place you have."

Percy smiled a little. "I paid for it, but under Earl William Herdwick's name. So, he lives here now."

"Oh? Who is he?"

"Not a horribly significant mortal, at least to society. Made his fortune trading. But we play pool together, and he helped me with this. You saw him in the hallway."

"Ah." That explained the peculiar way that man said, "William." "What extents did it take to get such a historical house?"

"Not much." He grinned at her. "It's been passed down in this somewhat-important lineage, but the past owners didn't want such a remote and old estate."

"That explains the design."

He raised his eyebrows. "It looks just like my house. What's special about the design?"

"It's clearly not from this age. Can't you tell from the general layout of it? And the materials used? It's obviously designed by a special line of architects…" She trailed off at his bewildered and distracted look. "Never mind."

"I didn't know you were so knowledgeable about architecture." His voice veered closely to smug, but then he shut himself up.

Annabeth studied him curiously, and he looked self-ashamed, but also interested. "I just read a few volumes about it," she said dismissively.

"Thick volumes, I'm guessing." He grinned at her.

She looked down at her lap bashfully. "Not that thick."

He continued grinning. "Yeah, but clearly you still know everything about it there is to know."

"Not really." She was smiling herself. There was a lull in the conversation, and she looked over him, a question slowly surfacing. "Why do you always wear blue?"

He glanced down at his deep red coat. "I knew you'd notice, so I picked something else for today." He peeked up at her a bit hesitantly. "Blue is my favorite color, Lady Chase."

"It looks nice on you." She hoped she sounded polite and nothing else.

"Thanks." He paused for a second. "It's always been part of me, I guess."

She nodded. "Okay." She could tell from the flash in his emerald eyes that there was a special meaning behind it.

"Yours?" He cocked his head at her.

"Pardon?" She felt her forehead wrinkle in confusion.

"Your favorite color."

"Oh." She folded her hands in front of her waist. "Gray."

"Really?" He raised his eyebrows, his eyes a million shades of blue and green with the firelight, and immediately Annabeth knew that her answer was wrong.

"Yes, I suppose."

"Is it-is it because of your family?"

"Maybe." She stared at the dark hardwood floor. The whole time she was thinking of yelling, "I have a new favorite color!"

Percy somehow caught onto her mixed feelings and quieted. "Ignore me," he told her carefully.

"No, no, it's alright." She had to smile at his cautiousness.

He sat there in thoughtful silence and said lowly, "You received my last letter, right?"

She nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"I said many regrettable things in there."

Annabeth pursed her lips. "I am willing to forget them."

"Thank you," he said quietly. "Please don't listen to it. Except for that one part…" he licked his lips, "in the middle…"

Annabeth decided to put him out of his misery. "That's fine, too."

He stared at her, his eyes empty of emotion, or just well-guarded, but she understood him anyway. He probably knew she would, and both of their cheeks were dusted with red.

Percy took a deep breath. He seemed to regret saying anything about the letter. His gaze flickered to the corner, where a small grandfather clock ticked softly. He narrowed his eyes, his long eyelashes almost skimming the top of his generous cheekbones. "Apologetically, I think our time is coming to an end. This call is not supposed to be so long," he said, turning back, his voice deepening.

She blinked, and then easily shifted back into the more well-mannered version of her. "Yes, it isn't. I shall have to leave now."

"Allow me, my lady." He stood up and offered his hand, which was completely unnecessary, but she took it anyway and had him help her stand.

"Thank you." She curtsied. "And thank you for inviting me."

Emma noticed them standing and got up herself. Perseus swiftly put on his hat anyway, placing it at an angle so the rim shaded his face. Plus, Annabeth was in front of him, so Emma wouldn't see too much of him. "This was a wonderful visit," Emma said. "You are quite generous, Lord Herdwick, to bring us all the way here."

"It is my pleasure, Miss Athena," Percy answered, his voice deep enough to shake her again. He bowed lowly.

"I will look forward to meeting you again, Lord Herdwick. Perhaps we can meet at my house again, when it is less busy." Her voice was light and formal, but she intended none of the latter.

"Yes, perhaps. That sounds alright."

"We shall be leaving away now, Lord Herdwick. Thank you, again, for inviting us."

"It was nothing. I will walk you to my carriage, ladies."

At the foot of their carriage, after Percy had easily helped her up, he temporarily lifted his chin. Annabeth caught the flash of deep emerald again, and her heart jumped at the sight. Then she noticed a small smile in the waning afternoon light.

She smiled back. She hurriedly mouthed, Thank you. She wanted him to know she felt this genuinely.

Then their time was over, and Percy lowered his chin so no one could see his face anymore. But Annabeth didn't stop smiling as their carriage pulled again, and she was sure he didn't either.

Okay, that's it. This chapter is ridiculously short, but I liked it. Kind of. It got awkward and cheesy, but whatever. It wasn't too sudden, right? I should probably slow things down a little.

Anyway, this is huge development. My story will finally start running. Yes!

Chica-flick: Thanks! Here it is!

Afarbetterrest: Thank you so much! The basics are accurate, I can say that. Just some stuff about the setting is wrong. But thanks, again. Yeah, I adore the hints of Percabeth too. And, seriously, that review was so nice. Thank you!

FantasyQueen2509: Hi! I like your name(s). Okay, sorry for the cliffhanger. I know they're frustrating. Even though it made me really happy to hear that you were thinking about my story longer than necessary, I'll hold them back from now own. Sorry, again, though, I hope you can get your concentration back. And thanks, anyway, that was kinda nice.

Implayinggod: Yeah, okay, it was sort of obvious. Thanks. Here it is, and hopefully I'll be able to send more.

Guest: Yay! Yeah, that's basically how I feel.