Chapter 37: Drunken Love

First things first.. I apologize, second thing second read on :DD

Disclaimer: Me no own Percy Jackson cause AAZ was a bad bad person…

Percy's POV:

"So exactly why are you here again?" I asked my half-sister for the billionth time.

It's been at least two weeks since she have arrived and she's been doing pretty well on her own out here as a tourist in New York, aside from the fact that she seems to bond pretty well with a certain Stoll brother.

"I'm your sister-"

"Ahem… half-sister," I corrected her.

"Yeah, whatever, Annabeth you need to tell him to be nicer to me." Emily whined to the beautiful blond girl sitting next to me.

Annabeth seems distraught almost as she suddenly looked as if she had an electric shock traveled through her body. "What?"

"Are you okay?" I asked a bit worried at her sudden change of behavior. Ever since the time that she told me how she was going back to California, she seems to be having internal debates within herself. Without Thalia here to confront her or anything, she seem to be keeping to herself most of the time. In regards to Nico and Thalia, it seems they have disappear off the surface of the Earth. His phone was disconnected so there was no way of communicating to him and he haven't been making many surprise visits to my office at all.

"I'm fine," Annabeth managed. "And be nicer to Emily." She grinned.

"I thought you weren't listening!" I complained.

Annabeth laughed, "Fat chance Seaweed Brain, I'm always listening."

"Anyways, it's my birthday brother." Emily said.

"What?" I asked surprised that I forgot to correct Emily's usage of 'brother'.

"Isn't your birthday on July 4 on Independence Da- oh…" Annabeth trailed off looking slightly flushed.

"You've been spending way too much time with my idiot brother that your brain is turning into mush." Emily grumbled.

"Hey!" I complained.

"Well she does have a valid point." Annabeth pointed out plastering a smirk all over her face.

I grumbled a few unpleasant words to myself, "So what about your birthday then?"

"Well, Connor's throwing a party over at his place for me." Emily explained. "So I'm being a nice half-sister and giving you this invitation."

"And what makes you think I want to go?" I asked as Annabeth punched me lightly in the arms. "What? I'm being honest at least."

Annabeth shook her head in dismay.

"It's not like I want you to go, we just need a bank to buy the food for us." Emily explained.

I grumbled, "Feeling the love right now." I said sarcastically as I grabbed a folder off my desk, "By the way, here's the papers I need you to get sorted out. Annabeth can probably tell you about all of it-"

"It's my birthday tomorrow and you are still assigning me work?" Emily grumbled.

"Technically you haven't done anything since you got here." I pointed out.

Annabeth simply took the folder from me, "I'll do it," Annabeth sighed probably not wanting to hear another argument between us.

I sighed, "I'll help you-"

"Wow… and you couldn't offer your assistance to me?" Emily frowned looking between the two of us. I didn't answer, to be honest, I only offered to help Annabeth to spend more time with her and hopefully be able to tell her about her mom. "Well, if it means not doing any work, I'm perfectly fine with that!" Emily said happily before stepping out of my office.

"HEY! Don't you dare take my car!" I yelled at her realizing that my keys were missing from my desk. "I'm going to kill her." I grumbled as I walked over to Annabeth's desk as she opened up the folder I just handed to her. "So what's up with this?" I asked as I walked over as Annabeth examined the folder.

Annabeth gave me a weird look, "Percy… you gave me this."

"I don't remember these stuff." I defended myself.

Annabeth sighed, "The aquarium is near finished," Annabeth pointed out. "You need to organize the last payment and make sure that everything's in order next month."

"Wait so this is not paperwork? We actually have to go to the construction site?" I asked her.

"Gee… I thought you knew this," Annabeth pointed out. "Good thing I stepped in before Emily could get this assignment." Annabeth laughed as she brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Mark your calendar because you are going to the construction site by then."

"Couldn't you go with me?" I begged before realizing the date.

Annabeth seem to notice my hesitating because she suddenly got silent, "Percy-"

"Forget I asked anything," I said glumly, "You're going back to California that time and-"

"You want to know the real reason why I'm going back to California?" Annabeth asked her finally looking up from the folder on her desk.

"Huh?"

"I can't stay in New York, it's just too much for me." Annabeth explained, looking nervously around the office. "I mean, having this job was a good experience. Of course catching up with Thalia and Grover was nice as well."

Right now I was having internal debate of whether or not to tell her about her mom.

"Maybe it was because that my mom died here…" She trailed off. "This is a place of heartbreaks for me." She looked up at me, her grey eyes were filled with hurt. "Then there's the complicated relationship and I just-I don't think I could stand it if I get another heartbreak from someone I-" She paused for a moment before continuing, "-care about." She stuttered as if she's trying to hide something.

I felt guilty, I was the one who caused her first heartbreak, as for her second, it's probably Luke… I'm going to kick that guy's ass someday. I felt… jealous… maybe even more than I'm used too. Maybe I should tell her about her mother's death. "If you ever find out about the other driver that caused your mom's accident-" I began trying not to sound too suspicious.

Annabeth looked almost troubled as if she couldn't imagine what she would actually do, "Let's just pray I don't because that person made me lose hope that I could ever meet my mom again."

I swallowed down my fear and tried to form sentences. "There's something you should know about your mom-" I couldn't finish my sentence because by that time Annabeth looked at me. She looked at me as if she might break any second. "mom- mov-movie night we had the other day."

I wanted to hit myself upside the head but at the same time congratulate myself for coming up with such a great cover. "I didn't mean to make you feel as if you owed me anything." I said trying to come up with the words as I went along. "I just wanted you to feel welcomed to stay in New York. Seeing your strained relationship with your parents in San Francisco, I just couldn't let you go back there at all. I'm not forcing you to stay in New York or anything... but I'm just saying."

"Percy-"

"Just consider it okay?" I gave her a slight smile. "Plus, you could always think of me as a close friend that's always willing to help you."

Annabeth looked at me for a second as if trying to find the double meaning behind my words. She bit her bottom lip as if struggling to come up with an answer, "I'll think about it." She finally said. "But first, what are you thinking of buying for Emily?"

"Why do I need to buy anything for that baby?"

"She's your sister Percy…"

"Half-sister." I corrected her.

"Still a sister." Annabeth grinned before throwing me a blue folder. "There's the contract you will need to read over."

"More work? Come on, we need a little bit of relaxing time. My treat!" I offered before grabbing her keys and dragging her out of the office and towards her own car. "I'll be your personal taxi today." I grinned.

"It's my car."

"Minor problem." I waved her away and opened the passenger door for her.

I couldn't help but suppress a slight smile as I saw Annabeth glaring at me from inside the car.

~ZOMBIEZOMBIEZOMBIE~

"PARTY IN THE HOUSE!" Travis yelled as he blew a few streamers into the air. The Stolls may be hectic but they sure do know how to throw a party. Well… considering that we're no longer teenagers, they did a pretty good job. Pretty weird party if you ask me, both a birthday party and Fourth of July celebration. So it was a mixed between fireworks and streamers.

I went to grab a drink from the mini bar they had set up in their kitchen. "I'm guessing you're not used to parties?" I shouted over the music as I handed Annabeth a drink.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow, "I thought you don't drink."

I hesitated, "Well… I'm not driving home today. Grover assured me he would make sure to take me home. Don't worry, Grover doesn't drink, Juniper would kill him if he did." I laughed handing her a glass. "You want to go somewhere less crowded? Trust me… the next thing that's going to happen is a little game the Stolls invented called Die of Shame." I said seriously.

It was actually not that big of a party, just a few friends gathering and that was it. "Sure, I'm pretty sure everyone's tuning into the fireworks that'll come on in a few minutes."

"Backyard then?"

"You know the way better than me." Annabeth pointed out before following me out to the yard.

"I'm guessing you don't come to parties like these often? Especially with crazy host like the Stolls?" I managed a half grin as I saw how uncomfortable she was.

"Parties, been to plenty, but crazy host… this is a first." She admitted as she took a sip out of her drink. "Well… I shouldn't be surprised… Emily plus the Stolls, I swear they are the party animals of all party animals."

"What? Emily was a partier?" I questioned hardly believing that the medical student at Stanford would be this crazy.

"Don't worry she knows her limits." Annabeth laughed at my sudden outburst. "I'm not too sure about you though."

"Trust me, I'm a safe partier!" I defended myself.

"I would disagree." Annabeth countered.

"I'll bet you were much more of a rebel than I am." I grinned.

Annabeth's eyes sparked up as she realized that I was giving her a challenge. "One second." She quickly rushed into the house and came out holding a bag. "Punishment." She grinned looking at the bag.

"What? Punishmen-"

She never gave a me a chance to question because the next thing I know she just said. "I've never gotten a hangover from a party."

"Never?" I asked in disbelief.

"Never." Annabeth confirmed. "Did you?"

"Yes but, never? How's that possible? That's like-"

"Now drink up."

"Woah… what? We're playing the drinking game now?" I said a bit afraid that I might actually lose. She has never gotten a hangover! I'm totally screwed now. "We don't even have enough drinks-" I stopped mid-word as she pulled out a bottle from the bag.

"You were saying?" She smirked almost identical to an evil prankster.

There was no way I was backing away from a challenge. "Oh… you on are Chase."

"Last names are we?"

"Would you want me to go to pet names than sweetie?" I said as I chugged down a glass.

"First we'll see if you can last the first round." Annabeth grimaced before refilling the glass again. "Your turn."

Annabeth's POV:

"Wow, and you said you were a good kid." I laughed as I laid my back onto the grass.

Percy laid down next to me as he poured into his glass again. "Hey! I had ADHD or something, I couldn't stand just sitting still in a classroom for a long time." He defended himself as his shoulders brushed against mine.

I would be lying if I said my face wasn't heated up in the cold night. "Well I had the same thing, but I did perfectly fine in school."

"I don't know! You're Wise Girl! Everything you do is just amazing." He laughed.

"I don't know whether that was an insult or not." I commented trying not to feel so lightheaded from his comment.

"Take it as a compliment, it's probably better for my health and well-being if you don't hit me." He turned his head to face me. Our eyes met for a second before Percy quickly cleared his throat. "You know… I didn't think I could stand living with a stranger for over one month… much less a year when I was told of this news."

"Did you expect your half sister to be a fraud then?"

"Definitely no, I would've probably thought of it as crazy and insane." Percy answered with a slight laugh. "And never in my life would I expect you to be part of that scheme."

"Well… let's just say your real half-sister is a bad influence sometimes."

"Nah, she's not that bad-" Percy began as my eyes widen in surprised.

"Did you just say-"

Percy smiled as he fixed his eyes towards the dark sky, "Well, if she wasn't that insane I probably would've never met you and-" Whatever Percy was going to say he stopped and sat up to chug down a whole glass.

I almost laughed as I slowly sat up, "You know, you didn't lose or anything." I pointed out.

Percy shrugged, "Just needed to clear my head and make sure that I don't say anything stupid."

"Drinking more will probably make you more like an idiot."

"Ehh…" He laid back down, "You want to use me as a pillow like the old times," He smiled for a second holding out his arm.

"Excuse me?"

His eyes sparkled as his lips curled up in a sly smile, "I'm just cold and could use a bit of body heat."

I hesitated for a second. A part of me just want to jump down there and cuddle right next to him, but there was also a part that was hesitating. I just didn't know what Percy is thinking, he's pushing me away, and then trying to be all cozy and friendly to me… and they say girls are hard to understand.

"Come on, if anything we both could just fall asleep romantically under the moonlight." He teased.

"Romantically? Now when were we ever romantic?" I played along.

He turned to his side for a second and quickly wrapped up a piece of grass as a ring. "Would this be romantic enough for you madam?" He held one out and got on one knee as if proposing.

I let out a slight smile, "Engagement already? We haven't even established our relationship yet." I smirked.

Percy thought about it for a bit, "Promise ring wouldn't hurt right?" He placed the grass ring on my finger and pulled me down towards the grass with him so that my head was resting on his arm. "I remember doing this to everyone in my class just because my mom had me watch some chick flick." He grabbed my hand and poked at the grass ring.

"Well I would be surprised if you could get any date with this type of ring." I remarked.

"Hey! It's the thought that counts right?" Percy exclaimed

I stared at the piece of grass for a moment, "Then what's the thought on this then?"

Percy grinned for a second before grabbing my hand and wrapping me into a hug. "I'll be a protective shield for you." I could almost feel his breath on the crook of my neck as he let out a soft sigh.

I smiled for a second, feeling the heat radiating off him, "You're pretty warm." I remarked.

"I've been told." I could feel his smile against the back of my head.

"So are we not playing anymore?" I questioned as I realized how comfortable I was… I didn't really want to get up from my blanket of warmth.

"Aren't you getting a headache? It's been a long time since I've been drinking crazy like this." His words were a bit slurred but he seems to be okay.

"Stop complaining."

"I think I have a right to complain! I drank more than you!"

I laughed releasing my hand from his grip, "You just have a low tolerant."

"Oh please, at least I have a high tolerant to restrain myself from kissing you right now." Percy said softly as if he didn't realize what he had said.

I don't know whether it was the alcohol affecting me or what but I laughed right along with him thinking of it as a joke. "You have no idea." I grinned along with him.

Percy suddenly sat back up, "You know…" He stared into the open space where everyone was gathered at in the front. "Maybe it's just because you're just so damn beautiful that's making me feeling this way."

I blushed, "Well, the same goes to you, since you're not bad looking yourself."

His eyes light up as if I've just given him the courage, "I'll probably never be able to say this, but… there's something different about you." I raised an eyebrow as he quickly corrected himself, "Good different, like… I'm attracted to you."

"Then I guess it's time to confess that I may be a bit attracted to a certain Seaweed Brain." I said not willing to back out from whatever he's planning.

"What? Do you perhaps… like me Wise girl?" Percy mumbled as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"If I said yes, what will you do?" I teased him. The little challenge game we were playing… it was stupid. The normal Annabeth would've stood up and left a long time ago… but this… this was slightly not-so- Annabeth.

"I don't know… maybe confess that I actually like you?"

"Is the alcohol clouding your ability to think or bringing out your true feelings?" I finally asked him hoping for the latter.

He shrugged as if enjoying this bartering between the two of us, "Whatever it is," He leaned in closer to me as my heart paced quickened. "It's making my mind go crazy right now."

I could almost feel his breath on my lips. I don't even know if we're still fooling around anymore or… c-could Percy actually not know what he's doing right now? Maybe I'm not as alcoholic tolerant as I thought I was but I leaned in, our lips barely touching, "That makes two of us."

"Now what's that suppose to mean?" He pulled away and flashed me a bright smile.

I smirked at the little game he's playing, "It means that we must be feeling the same way."

"Care to elaborate on that feeling?"

It was like a game of tug-o-war. The feeling that I was feeling… I wasn't even sure. Whatever Percy was implying towards, I wasn't sure. I hated not being sure, but for some reason I'm finding myself liking this feeling. But both of us were unwilling to be the first to give in. "Mutual attraction."

He grinned as if he had won a million bucks and closed the gap between the two of us. The surprising thing? I was kissing him back. I felt his hands caressing my cheeks as he deepened the kiss. My arms unconsciously made their way around his neck as we broke the kiss for a moment of breath.

"Percy-"I said almost inaudible as he pulled me in closer, wrapping his arms around my waist. I felt the butterflies within the pits of my stomach and the feeling as if my heart was about to explode. My brain suddenly got electrocuted as if I just realize what I was doing… more specifically what I was doing with Percy. It was almost as if all the alcohol left my body and I was able to think clearly. "This is not right." I pulled away from him hoping to hide away what I was currently feeling.

"What's not right?" He tried to shift his position to face me but instead just ended up with me pushing him away.

"Everything Percy. Everything. Why can't you just leave me alone. You're drunk-"

"I'm not." He said stubbornly as his green eyes starred deeply into mine.

"You're not in your right mind. Whatever you just said…" I took a deep breath realizing the tension between the two of us just got past the friendship level. "I'll just forget it-"

He grabbed my arm before I could help myself up. "Annabeth, I'm serious."

I looked over at him, "Percy, we already went over this. I can't just be the person that you'll kiss when you're depressed or something."

"I'm not-"

"Or even if you're drunk, but you should know better."

"Maybe being slightly drunk is the only way to get these things off my mind. But…" Percy pulled me closer, "I wanted to kiss you."

"Want to kiss me?" I glared at him angrily. "What am I? Your kissing dummy?"

"Annabeth that's not what I meant-"

I struggled out of his grip on my hand, "First you push me away and now-"

"I didn't want to push you away or anything. I was just confused with Rachel and-"

"Stop it!" I was done with him playing around with my feelings or whatever thing this was. It was stupid to come to New York in the first place. It was stupid to go to Columbia. And most of all… it was stupid to meet with the one and only Percy Jackson.

"Annabeth-" Percy began.

"You're drunk, you're speaking nonsense." I tried to assure myself that the kiss meant nothing.

"All that I said before was true. The reason Rachel and I broke up was because…" He hesitated as if he wasn't sure whether or not he should be saying this.

"What?"

"Look… I don't want to be the guy that falls for another girl days before his wedding but…"

I felt my heart pace quickened as I remembered the things Rachel told me before she left.

"There was someone else." He entwined his hands with mine as if trying to get me to understand.

I realized then I was much as fault as he was. If he did feel any sort of feeling towards me (I'm not saying that he does, but if he did) then it was my fault for confusing and lying to him in the first place.

"I just didn't know how to say it. First I was already confused when you were my sister, then when I found out we weren't related, it just confused me more." He continued as he gripped my hand tighter and I finally decoded that the person he was talking about was me. I looked up at him, his sea-green eyes were gleaming with sincerity.

"Percy it's-" I tried to reassure him, but Percy seems to think that I was about to accuse him of something again.

"I didn't want you to feel like the rebound after Rachel, nor want you to feel as if you ruined my relationship with Rachel or-"

I leaned up and silenced him with a kiss. At first he seem shocked, but as soon as he recovered from his moment of shock, he eagerly kissed me back. I was about to pull away when I felt him smiling against my lips and pulling me closer. We finally broke apart for the second time as he leaned down and rested his forehead on mine, "Does this mean-"

I kissed him again. This time a short sweet kiss. "Does that answer your question?"

His sea-green eyes gleamed with hope as he gave me a sly smile, "Care to repeat your answer?"

"Fat chance Seaweed Brain." I smirked before sitting back down on the grass. "You…" I cracked a smile as he sat down next to me. "Have to earn it."

"Drinking game still on?"

I grinned mischievously, "It was never off to begin with."

WOO! Let's see 1 month? 2 months? 1 month in a half? I'm a jerk… I'm the world's biggest jerk because I just left you hanging there without Percabeth, 36 chapters without Percabeth then finally Percabeth… Yeah.. I'm one hell of a jerk! Well I'm back guys! YEAH! Well hopefully for good, I've been in… well you could call it zombie mode lately. Bad stuff happens at home, grades are at risk at school, but HEY THE ZOMBIE RULER IS STILL ALIVE! Umm.. let's see I didn't say happy new years to you guys! YOU FABULOUS AND AMAZING ZOMBIE PEOPLE HAPPY NEW YEAR! Okay okay… Happy Belated New Year.

Btw did any of you guys check out the Son of Sobek? The crossover of kane chronicles and percy Jackson written by RICK RIORDAN HIMSELF! YES MA'AM I AM NOT LYING A CROSSOVER!though… I'm not sure if I should be happy or not… cause well.. you know… I'm used to seeing crossovers in fanfic now it's all weird… ehh we'll see…

Song: If I Lose Myself- One Republic (My friend showed me this like a couple days ago, amazing song as usual by One Republic :DD)

Agent Astro Zombie