Chapter 38: It's Official

Life is great, life is crazy, life is lovely….. anyways Happy Belated Valentine day! I had a great Valentine day and received a beautiful poem 3 and since I'm feeling so good and since it's still February I'll write you guys a lovely poem deal? (it's going to suck cause I'm a horrible poem writer…xD)

"Roses are red, violets are blue,
I love you all, and hope you do too.
I'm a jerk that I know,
but your reviews touched my soul,
making me want to update,
and hope to receive no hate,
For this belated valentine day
I'll say please me mine 'kay?"
-AAZ to her wonderful reviews and fanfic buddies from all around the world

Disclaimer: Don't own Percy Jackson, but…. I WILL OWN HIM AS SOON AS I HELP BOTH PERCY AND ANNABETH OUT OF TARTARUS!

Percy's POV:

"Do you think it's safe to wake him up?" I heard Emily's voice from above me. My eyes were shut closed but with Emily's recent outburst just a few minutes ago was better than any alarm clock. I didn't want to get up,

"These two…" I heard the younger Stoll laugh. "Percy's turning into one hell of a badass!" I heard a clatter to my side, "Look they even got the drinks prepared!"

I wanted nothing more than to tell them to shut up so I could just catch up on my sleep, but was too lazy to even muster out a yell.

"Ten bucks something happened between them." I could almost imagine my half-sister smiling.

'Betting on my life now Emily?' I wanted nothing more than to throw my half-sister to the sharks. 'Wait… happened between who?'

"What? Percy and Annabeth? Please the guy just got out a relationship with the world famous Dare just a while ago."

'Huh? Me and Annabeth?' I ignored the throbbing pain in my head because now I was more concerned of what these two were saying.

"Well… considering how quickly Annabeth left, something must've happened." Emily reasoned.

"Care to elaborate by something?" I decided to finally speak up.

"PERCY!" The two troublemakers exclaimed in surprise.

"Argh… I got a stupid headache what did you guys- "

"Percy are you okay?" Connor asked worry etched in his voice.

"I don't even remember-" I groaned feeling as if I was hit with a hurricane. My back was still flat on the grass since I didn't want to risk having more of a headache by sitting up. "Where am I?"

"Stoll's resident." Connor grinned.

"Now care to explain why Annabeth had cuddle time with you?" Emily asked with her arms crossed.

'Annabeth?' I wondered in my head. "What?"

"Annabeth." Emily explained patiently. "You guys were… anyways, she left pretty fast."

"What the hell are you talking about now?" I asked not remembering anything from yesterday aside from the little facts she told me or the drinking game or the kiss- wait what?

"Yesterday, both of you guys just went missing and this morning we come out to see the two of you cuddling. I'm completely lost, one minute you guys were fake-siblings… then strangers… what's next?" Connor questioned.

"Umm…" I racked my brain to remember what went on just a while ago. "We had a drinking game… and yeah that was it. We probably just fell asleep, why?" I tried to shrugged it off but couldn't help but think that something did happen. Maybe it was the way my lips were tingling or the fact that my heart still seems to be beating at a rather abnormal rate.

I struggled hard to think, then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Oh please, at least I have a high tolerant to restrain myself from kissing you right now." The words came out of my mouth before I could stop myself

"What? Do you perhaps… like me Wise girl?"

"If I said yes, what will you do?" My confidence soared as she said that.

"Does that answer your question?"She asked with a slight smile on her face that makes me want to kiss her again.

My brain felt like it's been electrocuted, "We kissed…" I whispered.

"What?" Connor asked leaning in to hear what I was saying.

"Where's Annabeth?"

"She left already saying that she needs a little breathing room." Emily told me.

"Huh?"

"I asked her the same question." Connor supplied as he plastered a crooked grin on his face.

"What time is it?"

"It's already morning, we couldn't find you at all last night so Grover just went home. Turns out you were out here with Annabeth the whole time." Connor explained. "So I let Emily crashed here for the night, plus she was really tired."

I stared at Connor for a second, "That's all?"

Connor looked confused for a second, "What else is there?"

I looked astonished, well… this was a first for the younger Stoll. To show a bit courtesy for the ladies. "Forget I said anything."

Connor grinned, "Will do-"

"Percy," I turned towards to the voice to see Annabeth standing there looking as beautiful as ever. "Can you take me home now or-" I looked at her eyes which simply read 'We need to talk'.

I turned towards Emily, "Tell one of the Stolls to take you back to your hotel, I need to get ready for work." I said before hurrying to Annabeth.

"Coffee?" I offered as I handed her a drink.

"Oh," Annabeth looked up as if I just interrupted her from her thoughts. "Thanks," She gave me a slight smile.

I took a seat opposite of her, "Did you sleep okay yesterday or-"

Annabeth laughed, "I think I should be asking you that question, I can't keep using you as a pillow."

'I don't really mind.' I wanted to say but kept my mouth shut. "Don't worry, I'm used to it," I flashed her a smile.

The air was tense between us and I felt if I said even one wrong thing everything would just break apart. I could tell that the both of us knew what we needed to talk about, the main event of yesterday that only we know about.

"What does this makes us?" Annabeth finally asked breaking the silence. The whole car ride was silent and I was actually glad. It gave me time to gather my thoughts a bit and I guess Annabeth was thinking the same thing. Unlike Annabeth who probably analyzed every possible, I was stumped.

"Surely not siblings." I mentally high fived myself for such a great response.

"Percy I'm serious."

"I…" I gripped my hand around the cup and slowly looked up at her. I let out a sigh. "I don't know."

Annabeth let out a sigh of relief, "Good, I thought it was only me for a moment."

"Did you want to kiss me?" I asked hesitantly.

Annabeth bit her bottom lips as if thinking of what to say. Her cheeks let on a slight pink shade as she answered, "The question is… why did you kiss me? Out of everyone else in the world, why is it always me?"

A typical Annabeth answer… damn, of all the girls there are in the world, I'm helplessly captivated by a smart Annabeth.

"You're not the only one I've kissed, just the only one I want to kiss." I shot back before I could stop myself. "I mean- not… you know-"

"Do you mean that?"

"Mean what?"

"That you wanted to…" Annabeth trailed off as she stared blankly at her cup. "Nevermind."

I hesitated for a second before asking, "Do you remember all those things I said yesterday?" I asked cautiously.

"About the drinking game?" She said playing the safe card.

'Well, here's the chance to show that I'm not a coward,' I told myself.

"That kiss, it meant something… at least it meant something to me." I said slowly looking at her face for any sign of emotions. "We were both pretty awake despite the amount of alcohol in our head."

"What are you trying to say?"

The drink in my hand was no longer hot, "I'm-" I looked up at her, her gray eyes were both hopeful but at the same time doubtful. I thought about the secrets I'm keeping from her, one about her mother and the other about my own feelings. I wasn't sure if I could keep on but tell the other or if she'll even give me a chance to express the other secret. "I'm not sure."

Annabeth's expression harden as she abruptly stood up, "I guess this defines what we mean to each other."

She had a right to be mad, she had let herself go yesterday when she had indirectly confessed to me. She had come to terms with her feelings, but me… I was just stumped. Annabeth stood up from the chair, "I'll take a taxi to work, you could finish your breakfast here."

She gave me one last look before walking out of the door, "Annabeth! Wai-" Out of instinct I followed her out and pulled her back before she could call up a taxi.

"What?"

"I like you," I panted barely audible even to myself.

"Excuse me?"

I entwined my hand with hers as she gave me a shocked look, "You're my girlfriend now, don't I have a right to hold your hand?"

"What makes you think I would even agree to this?" She said as she shot me a look.

"Maybe based off the fact that you're not really pulling away?" I gestured towards our hands.

"That doesn't mean anything." Annabeth huffed.

I grinned before giving her a short kiss on her lips, "Doesn't that mean anything?"

"We've kissed before," Annabeth said her face blushing red tomato.

I gave her a slight smile, "Of course, but now it's official." I gripped her hand tighter. "And you owe me brunch for making me leave my coffee in there."

"Brunch?"

"It's noon and I haven't had breakfast." I grinned leading her towards my car.

Maybe… just maybe I could keep just one secret from her.

~PERCABETH~

"A cruise?" Annabeth asked as she sat down at her desk.

The younger Stoll grinned as he took a seat at one of the chairs in my office, "Well, let's see almost everyone's going except Chris and Clarisse because of their soon to-be born kid and maybe Nico… I'm never sure about that guy."

"I already told you last year Connor, I'm not going-" I began before he rudely cut me off.

"Of course, everything is paid for. We pulled a few strings with the ship owner to make the price a bit more affordable." Travis grinned mischievously.

"So when's this cruise?" Annabeth asked as she pushed the pens on her desk aside.

"Next week," Travis supplied. "But we need the answer by today to make sure there is enough quarters for everyone."

"Sure, it'll be fun,"

I turned towards her, "Excuse me ma'am, I never gave you a leave of absence."

She nudge me playfully, "Oh, shut up. You could barely organize your meeting without me."

Damn, she's going to be the death of me if she's going to keep looking so irresistible.

"Well, Percy looks like you got your wish, all spaces are filled so enjoy your time here alone as we have fun on the cruise." Connor said as he closed his smart phone.

"Wait what?" I asked surprised, I mean… not like I want to go, but since Annabeth is going…

"All quarters are booked… well there was suppose to be two extras, but Nico called in for one and Grover took the other." Travis explained. "Wait since when did you feel like going on the cruise, you just said you didn't want to go."

"Well… you know," I shifted my weight nervously from side to side. "It couldn't hurt to go on a cruise with some friends." I gave a slight glance in Annabeth's direction as she tried to hold in a smirk.

"But-"

Annabeth quickly cut Connor off, "It's okay, just sign Percy up. He'll somehow find a place to sleep."

Connor shrugged, "Whatever you say ma'am, just remember meet us at Emily's hotel next week."

"Yeah yeah, now before you disrupt my employees with your constant flirting, please exit accordingly." I glared towards Connor.

"Hey, I have cleanse my bad ways, I think I already found a perfect girl." He defended himself before catching his slip, "You know… girls! Lots of girls, plenty of girls, hot girls too."

I raised an eyebrow, "Hmm…?"

Travis patted his brother's back, "You're more helpless than me bro. Come on, let's go pick up those plenty of hot girls." Travis said as he made air quotes and pushed Connor out the door.

The two Stolls exit and Annabeth quickly made her way to grab my hand, "You seem rather calm."

I gave her a questioning look, "What do you mean?"

"Considering it's Emily that he's smitten with."

I gave her a crooked smile, "Now, who says the word smitten anymore?"

She placed her arms on her hips, if she hadn't look so angry it would've been pretty hot. "Do you have a problem with it?"

I grinned as I pulled her into a hug, "You know I love you." I leaned down for a kiss, "And what did you mean with Emily?" I mumbled against her lips, hesitant to let go.

She pulled away, "Are you really that clueless or are you just joking now?"

"I'm going to go with joking to make me look less stupid." I smiled as she just laughed and shook her head.

"Connor and Emily." Annabeth explained as a light blub clicked in my head. I was about to quickly say something when Annabeth cut me off with a quick kiss, "Enough about that, we have to figure out how to get you a place to sleep on the cruise."

"I could always crash with Nico?"

"You think Thalia will let you?"

"Since when was Thalia coming?" I asked surprised.

"I swear you ask the most obvious questions." Annabeth shook her head in dismay. "And since when were they back in town?"

"What scared of leaving my house?" I smiled. It was true, she's been living with me for over a month now. Like actual living, no lies, no secrets, no anything. So it was nice for a change to know that if I wanted to have a movie night with my girlfriend I don't have to go through extreme questioning of her overprotective dad or in this case… best friend.

"Who knows? But if they are not taking you back, I'm perfectly fine with that." I rested my arm on the edge of my desk, "And for the cruise, I could just sleep in yours."

"There is no way-"

"Come on, It's not like we haven't-"

Annabeth's face flushed despite the fact that she did used me as a pillow more times than planned, none of them were ever intentionally, but we always end up falling asleep before the movie actually ends. "What? I thought you said beforehand that you didn't want to go."

"Well… that was before you said you were going-" I stopped myself as I saw a grin appear on her face. "You know what… nevermind."

Annabeth smirked, "I see… well considering that you will miss me, I think I could share my room with you." Annabeth was about to pull her hand out of my grip when I pulled her back.

"So what is this about Connor and Emily?" I asked before I could forget about the topic.

Annabeth laughed, "You'll see. There's a reason why Connor have been inviting you to all sorts of places Percy…"

"OH GODS! HE STOLE SOMETHING FROM ME!" I exclaimed as I quickly checked for my wallet which was oddly still there.

"No," Annabeth shook her head in dismay, "He's trying to court Emily."

"Now who uses court anymore?" I said before a slap on my arm. "Ouch, geez… I'm just kidding."

"Love is pain, dear." Annabeth said sweetly.

"I don't know… I'm starting to like these pet names. It's better than Seaweed Brain that's for sure."

"And is Wise Girl any better?"

"Better than Seaweed Brain that's for sure…" I mumbled under my breath.

That was pretty much how I have a good size bruise on my right arm.

PUNCHPUNCHPUNCH~

"Wait so where have you guys been this entire time?" The first thing I asked as I saw Nico and Thalia. "Some secret mission or something?"

"Can you say that any louder?" Nico grumbled as his eyes darted towards the windows while he quickly undid the bandage around his right arm.

"Plus it wasn't that long-" Thalia supplied before I interrupted her.

"Three freaking months?!" I exclaimed. "And now you guys come back with bruises and scratches all over."

"Don't worry, all the serious wounds have been treated." Nico assured me.

"So there were more wounds?" I asked. To be honest I couldn't help but worry about Nico since this was the first time I've seen him so seriously injured. In the past Nico would be gone for six months and come back with just like a scratch, but now…?

The couple brushed me off, "There's no more, just chill Percy. If you're any louder Annabeth would find out." Nico grumbled.

"She's not in the house right now." I pointed out. "So what did you guys find out that got you all bruised up like this?"

"Geez straight to the point are we Perce?" Nico quickly applied some antibiotics to his arm as he bit down the pain. "But here." He pushed forward some files for me to see.

"All that and it took three months?"

"Risked our life for these information if that's what you mean." Thalia glared at me as she opened up the folders. "Identity is confirmed, Pallas is Annabeth's mother-"

"Know this already- wait… how'd you know that I knew?" I asked her as I shot a look towards Nico.

One look at Nico and I could tell that the two had a big fight over this. "Anyways, since you probably already know everything I'll just fill you in with the rest." She took out some of the photos within the sleeves and spread it out on the table. "We found that one thing you guys held in common is information… obviously Pallas because of her excessive knowledge, but why you?"

"Hey!"

"We have to admit… you're the not smartest person in the world." Thalia pointed out quickly wrapping up the wound on her leg.

"World famous and pretty good looking if I do say so myself." I grinned.

"Don't forget big ego too." Nico mumbled as I restrained myself from smacking him.

"I meant quality stuff, not the unimportant. Important stuff like the knowledge that Athena held."

Ignoring her attempt to get under my skin I asked about the question that have been bothering me for a while now, "Wait so… it's also possible that this group or whatever is after Annabeth… not me?"

"Zero chances of that, I've only recently found out that Annabeth was Pallas daughter and that's including the fact that Pallas was on our side and that Annabeth was one of Thalia's close friend so we had information about her. That single fact took years and years to find out and the most important thing to know is that she was known as one of the most cunning and intelligent women in the whole agency. No one knew her name as Athena Chase at all." Nico explained pulling out one sheet of paper. "You want to know all the information we have on Athena Chase?"

I looked at the paper which just held her name- "There's practically nothing on here!"

"Exactly." Thalia nodded grimly. "No evidence of anything from Athena, the only we know now is that she has a daughter name Annabeth, it's almost as if she wiped her own self from existence if that's even possible."

"But for sure, this Kronos group is after you Perce. Perhaps they targeted Annabeth because she was someone close to you, but you have information that they need."

"But I don't know anything."

"Meet anyone odd? Unusual? Exceptionally smart?" Thalia questioned.

"Um… never met Athena Chase before the accident that's for sure." I offered.

"Not just Athena Chase, like just anyone that stood out a bit more?"

I thought about it for a bit and thought about an old man, Quin… I struggled to remember his name for a second, "Quintus… I think that was his name."

Taking out a laptop, Nico quickly typed something in, "His name?"

"I just told you, Quintus… I think." I said thoughtfully.

"He meant the spelling." Thalia said as she peered over her boyfriend's shoulder.

"I don't know, it was a weird name! You expect me to know the spelling?" I grumbled as Nico sighed and typed something else into his laptop.

"Say it again?" Nico said as he pushed the laptop closer to my face.

"Quintus- seriously are you guys even-"

"Found you." Nico grinned for a moment before clicking onto the file.

"Looks like the evidence of why they are after you are revealed." Nico grinned as he pushed the screen towards my way.

"That's not-" I took a look at the laptop screen and thought about the old guy. We just kind of got acquainted to each other and he gave me a place to stay for a few days when I was a suspected child terrorist in the past. However, whatever happened to him after our last meeting past a decade ago, still remains a mystery. Actually I haven't thought about the elder guy in years.

"So I'm taking that you know this genius." Nico stated gravely as he studied the profile. "Let's see, computer genius, inventor, was some kind of double agent, but possibly a triple agent. He created a hidden program and apparently-" Nico stopped abruptly. "He died just a few years back."

"Can you open up his death profile?" Thalia asked leaning towards the screen forgetting about her leg wounds.

"Killed by plane accident." Nico supplied with a grim look. "Some accident, all his possessions were gone and his house was ransack." Nico turned to me, "Don't you get it? They couldn't find the information from him, so they are going to you. If you know anything Percy, you have to tell us."

"Umm… yeah, but the problem is I don't have any information. All the old guy did was that he gave me a place to sleep." I tried to explain to them.

Nico sighed, "Well, that aside we'll tell you what we found out, apparently they have a whole profile on you. Either they have some sort of spy on you or your information is too easily found on the internet. We were able to hack into their system and found this."

I read over the paper, "What does this even mean?"

Thalia pointed towards a rectangular frame, "They know that you are going on the cruise with the Stoll."

"But I just decided that a few days back."

"Exactly! That's why we're joining you guys on the cruise." Nico said as if he just solved a great problem. "We'll be able to track that spy and keep you safe… hopefully."

"Really assuring- wait Thalia's going as well?"

Thalia scoffed, "Of course, I'm a much better shooter than Nico."

"Then does the Stoll knows that you are taking Thalia-"

This time the two grinned and answered as if they were one person, "That information is classified."

What do you call this? Yeah filler chapter! That's it! So good? Bad? Horrible? Amazing? Not so amazing? The list goes on. I promise, I'm trying to make time to update and such, but honestly there's no telling when I'll be updating next, so just be on the lookout! :D

Song: This Step Alone- Elliot Yamin, I'm just like in love with this song.

Agent Astro Zombie