Chapter 40: Cruise Party Sneak Off

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson in any shape or form… books or movie included…

Percy's POV:

If you've never been on a cruise party, I'd say you're lucky. Maybe it's because the Stolls were involved in here, but cruise party seems much more dangerous. We've had a few close calls with drunken people jumping off the rail, of course they all got back safely… but still.

I thought about what Nico had told me when he had visited this afternoon.

*Flashback*

"You're putting her in danger Percy." Nico began as he tucked his hands inside his jacket. "I'm not like Thalia who's completely against the idea of this, but I'm not for it either, especially since Annabeth is Athena's daughter. Kronos doesn't know about Athena's daughter and if we have one less person on this case it'll be much easier for us. Getting Annabeth involve means that there's another factor that could be used against you."

"Oh, so getting married with Thalia is any better?"

Nico looked in alarm for a second before glaring at me, "I'll explain that later. But you're on a different level than I am. For one, Thalia is capable of taking care of herself-"

"And Annabeth is not?" I asked back my anger rising.

"That's not what I meant! Percy, both Thalia and I have been trained for this sort of job so I know that I don't have to watch her back. If you keep on bringing Annabeth into this, she will be facing death instead."

I glared at my old friend, "No one is going to know-"

"They thought that she was your half-sister… half-sister… and that was enough to give her a trip to the hospital. Imagine if they find out that you cared more about her." Nico pointed out.

"Nico-"

"You would do anything for the one you love Percy; I know that from a first-hand experience." Nico grumbled. "I'm not saying that you shouldn't date her, but have you considered how she would feel if she discovered that you were there when her mother died."

"I told you, I'll tell her about that. Annabeth will understand." I said trying to convince myself.

"You said that over a month ago," Nico pointed out. "Just wait until this whole case is finish-"

"This case already took you three years! Who's to say it wouldn't take another three?"

"Thalia doesn't feel like it's safe for Annabeth-"

"I don't care what Thalia says!" I glared at him.

"Well you should care what Annabeth would say when she finds out about her mom." Nico threatened me.

"Nico…" I warned him.

"We can't have anyone finding out that she's Palla- Athena's daughter! It'll just complicate this more."

"No one is going to find out."

Nico stared at me with a pained look in his eyes, "I'm just here to warn you, if you can't tell her about this…" Nico paused and looked at me. "Thalia will tell Annabeth herself."

"She has no right to interfere with my business!"

"I'm not going to say who's right or wrong, but would you risk Annabeth's life just like that?"

*End of Flashback*

"Your eyebrows are all scrunched up," A voice said from beside me. "It's cute."

I turned to face Annabeth who was looking at me with a smile on her face, "Just thinking." I grinned.

"Thinking? Well that's something you don't see every day." Annabeth laughed as she leaned on the rail next to me. "Are you sure you're not sick? You've been acting weird since we arrived here."

"It's nothing," I pulled her in closer. "I'm just thinking of ways to sneak off of here without getting noticed."

"Sneak off?"

"I was actually hoping you wouldn't catch that." I smirked.

"Percy there's water all around us, there is no way-"

This time I smiled, "Did I forget to mention that I have a way with water?"

"You were an Olympic swimmer, but this is the ocean-"

I grinned, "I never said we're swimming."

"Then what are you talking about?" Annabeth asked with her face looking like she would kill me if I don't tell her. If there's anything I know about Annabeth, it's that she hates not knowing things, so I could either risk my life and surprised her or take the easy way out and just tell her.

"You'll see, but we'll need to create a little diversion before we can go." I grinned but almost immediately my good mood was ruined by the one and only Luke Castellan. "Hey!"

"Oh great…" I mumbled under my breath as Annabeth gave me a nudge that clearly meant 'Be nice'. "You know, we could just run right now and not have to talk to him." I offered keeping my voice at a low level.

"Percy…"

"Okay okay, but this is only because of you." I sighed in defeat as the blond hair of evilness walked over.

"Seems as if I'm bumping into you everywhere." Luke grinned as he walked over with a glass in his hand.

"It's kind of weird that you're here on this cruise… in this particular party… at this particular time… out of every other cruise… in the world." I grumbled.

Annabeth took a moment to punch my arm playfully, but I could tell that she's trying to tell me to tone it down a bit. "Don't worry about Percy; he's just a bit troubled with some family stuff."

"ANNABETH!" A voice called near the refreshments.

"I'll be right back." Annabeth said before giving me a kiss on the cheek.

Both Luke and I stood in a bit of an awkward silence. I was quiet because I didn't want to cause any more trouble that would peg Annabeth against me, but Luke he seems more nervous than me.

"So, family business? Trouble? If you need any help, you could always call up my dad." Luke said with an indifferent smile. I couldn't tell if the guy as kidding or not. The last time I remember seeing his dad Hermes, they were involved in some sort of dispute.

"When did you start worrying about my business?"

Luke paused for a moment, "I'm just trying to apologize for when I was a jerk."

"So you knew that you were a jerk?"

Luke shrugged, "You weren't exactly the nicest person as well."

A silence filled the air as he said that. I looked at the blond haired guy thinking that maybe he wasn't as bad as I had presumed beforehand.

"Hermes?"

Luke smiled for a second. "Yeah, Hermes, the rich transportation guy who never gives a damn about his own family." Luke laughed, but I could sense no humor within there.

I raised an eyebrow, "You don't seem to like him very much."

Luke shrugged, "What can I say? You can't pick your family right?" He kicked an empty cup. "Even if one of them is rotten and the other is crazy."

"Bad experiences with them I'm guessing?" I asked genuinely curious.

Luke looked at me with new interest, "Yeah, you could say it like that. Compared to my dad, your dad must be some sort of great guy huh?"

"If you are including that fact that I've only seen him about two times in my whole life… yeah he's a real lovely dad."

Luke laughed, "Looks like we all have daddy issues." For a moment, I could see why Annabeth had said this guy wasn't that bad. Maybe it was the way he was so easy-going with everything or how he could make someone feel at ease. "Though mommy issues aren't any better." Luke said as I looked at him questionably. "I did say one was rotten and the other was crazy right?"

I paused for a moment, "Actually crazy?"

Luke nodded grimly, "Exactly, so I'm guessing you know why I was being such a jerk earlier. You walk around as if you lived in luxury."

"Trust me, I'm anything but luxury."

Luke gestured towards my clothes which composed of a pair of shorts and white t-shirts, "Not expensive indeed." He said sarcastically. "But you have at least have people-"

"Looks like you don't know me that well." I was getting a bit inferior of his thoughts on my so-called perfect life.

"Oh yeah?" Luke said with bit distaste in his voice. I mean sure… this guy was easy to hang around but other times (like right now) I want nothing more than to punch his face. "Try me."

"Ran away from home, blew up a few treasured tourist sites, expelled out of schools more time than I could remember, was wanted in a few states-"

"Done, done, done, and done." Luke nodded as if he's counting them off his fingers. "Nothing new huh?"

I stared at him, "What do you mean by that?"

"Went through all those things as a kid." Luke said simply. "Of course I wasn't the manhunt of the country like you were-"

"Wait… how'd you know that?"

"I was in my late teens then, so I kept up with the news. " Luke squinted his eyes as if trying to remember something. "Of course I was into crime study at the time and was offered an internship to help out a detective with your case."

I looked at him in surprise, "You? In crime?"

Luke shrugged as he chugged down his coke, "Sure, if I remember correctly about your case… it was never actually solved… hmm… Five was his name… well translation of his name from the word Quintus-"

"Quintus?" I said as he raised a head in my direction.

"But yeah, of course the detective gave up on that case so I was thrown back here and pursued another career." Honestly I didn't know where Luke had this information, according to Nico and Thalia, they had to have access to high security to unlock this information but Luke simply sprouted it out as if it was the alphabet. "That honestly still troubles me till this day, so did they ever find out anything?"

"What do you mean by anything?"

Luke shrugged, "I don't know, like clues or secrets. Maybe some sort of program that could cause trouble?"

I shook my head, "Nah, it's still the impossible to solve case." Even if I did know the answer to his question, I wasn't exactly keen to sharing my information with him. "I think the case have been given up already," I said hopefully getting him to drop the subject.

"I see…" He stared at me thoughtfully before changing the subject, "So you and Annabeth?"

"What about us?"

"Just a while ago you guys were siblings." Luke nodded his head in Annabeth's direction.

"It's a complicated story." I said not really wanting to go into detail as much.

"I can tell," Luke hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I like her."

I tried not to let the shock show on my face, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Knowing you… you'll get her hurt somehow. I read about you when I was studying, you're like a magnet for trouble."

I clench my fist, "You need to start minding your own business."

"I'm not saying anything, I sincerely like Annabeth… and I can't help it if she accidentally gets hurt somehow."

"She's not going to get hurt." I snarled.

"Look, I don't want to have any bad blood between us or anything, but just watch out… you said she's not going to get hurt and you better keep that promise."

"I don't need you to remind me." I grumbled. "I'm not going to let her get hurt no matter what."

Luke studied me for a moment before nodding in satisfaction as he saw Annabeth coming over from the right. "Looks like it's my cue to leave," He sighed before grabbing his drink off the rail. "Just keep your promise Jackson."

Annabeth's POV:

"You've got to be kidding me Percy." I laughed as he sneaked grab one of those canoe boarded up the side of the ship.

"I did say we were going to sneak away right?" Percy said giving me a half grin. "You did make sure that no one's following us right?"

"Trust me with the Stoll brothers leading a Congo line in the upper deck; it's going to be fine."

"How did you ever convince them?" Percy asked incredulously.

"I didn't have to." I answered as Percy manages to loosen one of the canoes. "If you give a crazy idea to one of them, it's like a challenge."

Percy grinned, "Well then, ladies first." He pushed the canoe out into the ocean and gestured me towards it.

"Percy, I swear, if we get stranded in the ocean-"

"Relax Annabeth; I already told you, I have a knack with water." He gave me a warm smile and I couldn't help but feel all light-headed.

"Fine, but if I get wet… you're dead."

At this Percy just laughed and followed my example into the canoe as he paddled away from the cruise ship.

~WATERWATERWATER~

"Picnic under the moonlight in the middle of the sea." I remarked as Percy brought out a basket. "Very classy."

Percy simply grinned, "I'm all for the classics."

"You do know the way back right?"

Percy starred off in the distance for a bit which was pitch black in all direction. "Honestly… no-"

"Percy!"

He laughed, "Don't worry, we'll find a way back, one way or another."

"I'm not kidding Percy," I said feeling the panic rising.

Stupid Seaweed Brain simply laughed it off once again as the cruise ship seems to disappear from sight. "Relax Annabeth." He opened up the basket and gave me a sandwich which I grudgingly accepted. "It's not like there are sharks here that'll come and eat us. Or like a storm that'll drown us or-"

"Percy!"

He held his hand up in surrender and tried to hide a smile, "Are you perhaps scared Wise girl?"

I folded my arms and zeroed on him with a glare worthy of… well worthy of me. "I'm not scared."

His lips curled into a smirk, "Hmm…. Not scared, yet your hands are trembling." He put the basket on the other side and sat down next to me. "Would you want me to give you a comforting hug?"

"What? Missed me that much already?" I smirked trying to turn this on him. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you are using my fear to your advantage."

"So you are scared!" He smiled triumphantly not even trying to deny his motives.

"I did not say-"

"It's okay to be scared-"

"I told you! I'm not scared." I grumbled but an icy shiver went through my body and I shuddered.

Percy wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer towards him. "You cold?"

"It's in the middle of the ocean and I'm only wearing light clothing." I pointed out. "You could've at least warned me."

"If I did, then you probably would rather stay indoors." Percy pointed it out.

"True…" I acknowledge, "But it seems as if you're just trying to cuddle with me." I remarked.

"Nah, just a bit cold tonight." Percy denied as. "I just thought we could save some body heat."

"You and your famous excuses Seaweed Brain." I sighed as I placed my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.

"You remember how you said that you're going back to California?" Percy asked softly as the water continuously pushed against the side of the canoe.

"Hmm?" My eyes were still closed as I tried to register what he said. To be honest, I have completely forgotten about the matter of going back to California ever since… well ever since I started dating Percy.

"Are you still considering it or-" Percy stopped, he sounded almost scared.

I lifted my head off his shoulder, "You remember when I said that there's a reason that I was leaving New York."

Percy stared at me for a moment, "One of them was because of your mom and the other… Luke?"

I stared at him, confused for a second, "I'm glad you remembered, but where did you get Luke from?"

"I just thought-"

"It's you Seaweed Brain." I managed a half smile. "Actually us," I corrected myself. "Our relationship was complicated and I felt that if I stay any longer it would get more complicated."

Percy's eye scanned over me before he broke into a big grin, "So… you have liked me for a while."

"That's not what I meant!"

Percy wrapped me into a hug, "To make you feel better, I'll admit that I might've liked you then as well." He released me from the hug. "But I'm just wondering… if we somehow make it work." Percy hesitated for a moment as if there's more behind his words. "If we did make it work, would you consider staying?"

"Maybe…" I hesitated. "If you could tell me what exactly you were talking with Nico about." I said unable to hold my curiosity any longer. I knew it involved me… and if it does, I think I have every right to know rather than let someone protect me.

Percy flinched from beside me and gave me a slight grin before placing a kiss on my forehead, "There's still that spare room in my house…" Percy mumbled.

"Mmhmm." I said pushing him away. "Stop changing the subject."

"Annabeth, look I can't tell you. "

"You can't or you won't?"

"A bit of each actually." He admitted.

"Percy… it involves something about me right…?"

Hesitantly, Percy nodded. "But I really don't know how to tell you," Percy admitted. "More like I don't know how you'll react." Percy laughed bitterly. "I'm such a coward huh?"

I couldn't help but noticed the way that his mood changed completely, almost as if he knew what might happen if he told me. "Trust me, the worst already happened to me when my mom died. I can handle whatever it is."

Percy looked as if he's been shot when I said that, "Oh," I noticed that his arms around their way towards my hand as he gave them a squeeze. He took a deep breath as I braced myself for whatever it is he was going to tell me. "I... I can't tell you. I don't know if I can-"

"Trust me." I finished it for him. I tried not to look as hurt as he tried to come up with some lame excuse.

"That's not it Annabeth, I'm just-" He stopped for a second. "I- we're doing so well, and I… I know if I say that… all this." He gestured between the two of us. "It'll be even more complicated."

"We've been through the most confusing relationship ever right?"

"Yes."

"There's no way anything could complicated more right?"

"Probably."

"Unless…" I trailed off as Percy's head shot up, his eyes was scanning over mine. "You're cheating on me."

"Yes- no wait what?!" He looked in alarm that I almost cracked up.

"Considering your reaction, I don't think that is the case." I tried to hold in my laughter. "I don't think there's anything worse than that, unless you're dying or something."

This time Percy smiled, "Have someone been watching too much drama?"

I laughed but quickly turned seriously again, "I'm just saying, but you can trust me Percy. There is nothing that would make me change my mind about you."

Percy hesitated for a moment before answering, "Then I must say that I'm glad to have such a great girlfriend like you."

I could tell that he was changing the subject.

I could tell he didn't want to tell me.

But, I couldn't stand not knowing.

I couldn't stand seeing the pained look on Percy's face.

However, I couldn't shake off the feeling that it's something important…

Even though Percy will probably hate me for this, I promised myself I would find out what he's hiding from me.

I leaned against his chest, "I'm glad to have you too."

And I didn't want anything to change this comforting feeling that Percy always manage to give me.

~PAGEBREAK~

Needless to say, arriving at the dock the next morning to the sound of a cruise ship horn wasn't as pleasant.

"Mornin' milady." I heard a familiar voice from above me.

"It's morning?" I stretched my arms. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

Percy smiled, "You're much prettier when you're asleep."

"Excuse you?"

"Less talking, more smiling… I think I heard my name a few times." He smirked.

I had to use all my will to refrain from blushing, "At least I don't drool." I shot back.

"I was awake the whole night, there is no way you saw me drool." Percy defended himself.

"So you do drool." I teased.

This time it was Percy's turn to blush, "I didn't say-"

I leaned up and gave him a kiss, "You're cute when you blush." I finally sat up and stretched my arms to notice that we were right at the pier where the cruise ship was docked just a few hundred feet away. "Looks like you did find the way back."

"Faster than the cruise ship." Percy added with a grin.

"You had a head start." I pointed out.

"Ehh… it's more like the cruise ship couldn't match my sailing skills." Percy boasted as he helped me out towards land.

"Believe what you want Seaweed Brain." I scoffed as we walked towards the sound of the cruise ship. "I wonder if Thalia noticed we were missing?"

"No worries, the Stolls probably have no problem keeping her occupied. Plus, I'm pretty sure everyone is questioning their engagement." Percy smirked like he knew something I didn't.

"What are you talking about?"

Percy faked the motion of zipping his mouth and grinned, "My mouth is sealed."

"Perseus Jackson…" I warned him noticing his flinch as I called his full name.

Percy shrugged, "I might've told Emily and the Stolls to keep pressing them with drinks." He said innocently. "So now we could sneak back onto the ship without Thalia yelling at you or punching me."

"You do know-"

"KELP BRAIN!" Thalia's voice called from ahead of us, her face fuming with madness.

"Oh great." I grumbled as Percy looked back and forth at Thalia as if he couldn't believe that she was here.

"She's not having a hangover?" Percy asked mostly to himself.

I sighed and shook my head, "If you had discussed this with me, I would've told you that Thalia have a really high tolerance… I have never seen her drunk even once. She could probably out drink everyone and still not get drunk."

"Bu-"

"You two!" Thalia barked at us, mostly at Percy, with Nico sulking behind her.

"Hey Thals." I said weakly as Percy tried to stare anywhere but towards Thalia's piercing eyes that seem to be glaring daggers at him.

"Wassup Nico!" Percy said a bit too enthusiastic as he clapped the guy on his back, ignoring Thalia completely.

"Hey Perce."

"You turn to me, we need to talk." Thalia said angrily as she pulled Percy away.

Nico stayed back and studied me for a second, "He didn't tell you anything yet I suppose?"

"No, he didn't tell me because if he did-"

"You'll probably be killing him, then killing me for hiding this secret with him, then killing Thalia for not telling you earlier. So pretty much telling you would be his death wish." Nico concluded with ease.

"Oh? So Thalia's in on this too?" I asked narrowing my eyes.

Nico studied me and chucked, "You're smart aren't you? Trying to figure it out little by little. I'll give you props for that Annabeth."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"It means that no matter what, I don't think Percy is ever going to spill the whole story unless… well unless you already knew it."

"Seriously! What is this 'it'?" I yelled.

Before Nico could tell me anything Thalia's voice rang throughout the whole dock, "Nico Di Angelo get over here!"

"Your fiancé is calling you." I pointed out.

He gave me a look, "Not yet she's not." Nico said mostly to himself before walking over.

I stared at the three whispering trio standing just a few yards away from me. 'I'm going to find out.' I thought to myself, a plan already forming in my head.

"I don't think Percy is ever going to spill the whole story unless… well unless you already knew it." Nico's words rang in my head.

'Well… it looks like I just have to know the whole story before I ask him.' I told myself as I walked back to the cruise ship.

Should I keep this short and apologize for my not updating and such? I know I've been really bad lately, updating is pretty much schist (hahaha get it?) but the long chapter made up right? At least I hope it does…. Let's just say I am never taking a summer class voluntarily again….

BTW…. DID YOU GUYS READ THE HOUSE OF HADES CHAPTER PREVIEW (late I know… but ehh) and the cover OMG THE COVER! Then of course the international trailer of the Sea Of Monsters (not so bad… but not as good as the book… but hey it's movies, that's as good as they get huh?) Dammit… so many things… and theories about what's happening in HoH….

Just one question… "Any theories on who's closing the doors?" - I'm killing myself, I read this short fanfic of Percy closing the door and pushing Annabeth out at the last second… I swear it just broke my heart and then of course viria's artwork :)

Song: C'mon- Panic at the Disco and Fun (I seriously recommend this if you haven't heard it yet… plus there's a percy Jackson surprise if you include viria within your search :D)

Agent Astro Zombie