Chapter 43: Four Broken Hearts

Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all…

Annabeth's POV:

The first thing I smelled was a scent of salty fresh air.

The first thing I heard was light breathing.

The first thing I felt was a warm blanket wrapping all around me.

I felt the warm blanket tightening around me, until I realized it wasn't a blanket.

I opened my eyes and was immediately blinded by the blast of sunlight traveling through the window. I diverted my eyes to look at my surrounding, clothes were scattered all over the floor and on the wall was a dent that Percy made yesterday when he punched after he kissed me. Then there are Percy's clothes scattered all over the floor-

The light breathing stopped, instead replaced with my rapidly increasing heartbeat.

THUMP! THUMP-THUMP! THUMP

My head rested against something other than my pillow. I looked down to where my hands were to see that they were entwined with another, a familiar looking hand.

'Please no… please gods no… anyone but him.' I turned around… Fuck my life… no pun intended of course.

He was still asleep, thank you universe. But apparently the universe didn't want to be thanked because there is no way I could escape from his death hug without waking him up.

'Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Where the hell did all my sense and logic go yesterday? Down the drain obviously!' If only insulting myself would fix my little dilemma, but of course, life just hates me at this moment.

I turned away from Percy, hoping to go and clear my head before he wakes up.

'One…' I slide to the right a bit. 'Two…' Cautiously I tried to push his hand away. 'Thre-'

"Ugh…"

I stopped moving.

I shifted my weight and turned to face him again… hoping and praying that he's asleep.

Boy was I wrong.

I was met a very messy bed head and mesmerizing green eyes. How did he manage to pull it off this early in the morning… I'll probably never know. Well… at least I'm not the only one taken away by his morning look, he was equally as shocked.

Percy blinked, "Annabeth why are you-?" Percy stopped, realizing the position we were in, his arms wrapped around me, and our faces barely an inch apart. "Oh…"

To be frank, I had no idea what to do. Just stand up and walk out? But I'm fucking naked underneath! How about grab the blanket and change into my clothes then walk out? And Percy? Every possible solution is being countered by awkward consequences that I did not want to witness.

'Fuck consequences!' I made the motion to get off the bed but Percy pulled me back, wrapping me in his embrace.

"Percy let go." I said hesitantly. This was the first time ever in my life that I've ever done something rash like this. Okay sure… we've shared the same bed before, but this is a whole different story.

"We need to talk." He insisted.

I cursed under my breath, seems as if he already knew of my plan, walk out of the room and never see his face ever again. I pushed his hands away from me and faced him, "No we don't. This was nothing. We do not need to talk."

"I'm pretty sure we both know what happened and that's why we definitely need to talk." Percy reasoned. For once I hated him so much for being right. You don't just have sex with someone and not talk about it… well I mean… unless you're some sort of whore that enjoys the pleasures of sleeping around… or well unless you were drunk.

I shook my head, I know I wasn't drunk, I know Percy wasn't drunk. We…. I couldn't believe it, yesterday was supposed to end our relationship, not make it more complicated.

I wanted to roll my eyes but stopped myself. Instead I got off and quickly slipped on my clothes. I didn't really care that Percy was staring at me… I mean considering that he already- never mind. I turned to find out he's already standing with his pants on. "No we don't."

Needless to say, I was scared… what if talking to him changed my mind. What if talking to him… everything about Percy just makes me so unsure of myself. I was extremely scared for the first time in my life and I haven't felt this way since my encounter with spiders when I was a kid. "Nothing happened at all. Nothing changed, you're still the jerk you were before that I never had feelings for."

"You're scared." Percy noticed as he stared at me.

"Percy stop it." I couldn't meet his eyes.

"You still like me." He said quietly as if just realizing it for the first time. He looked at me and walked over to where I was.

"Percy-"

"Why is it so hard to admit?! If two people like each other then they would just be together… what's the problem?" Percy yelled in frustration.

"Per-"

"Can't you just be honest to yourself for once Annabeth?! You said our relationship is a lie, well this is one thing that's not!"

"PERCY!" I yelled.

He completely brushed me off and continued, "You're right, we met as a lie, but everything changed right? I already knew you weren't my sister since the beginning and believe it or not, I liked you then! The relationship might not be real but the feelings are genuine!"

"I'm going to be completely honest with you," Percy continued. "Whether or not you really liked me, I really did love you, as a friend, as a girlfriend, however you want to put it as. Whatever it was that happened to your mother doesn't concern my feelings for you." He stared in my eyes with full sincerity. "I don't care what you are saying right now, but-"

"STOP IT!" I yelled almost to no one in particular.

Percy stepped back in alarm. His temper dying down. My eyes began to tear up, all these emotions just swirling around in my head, I couldn't even tell which one is real, which one is not.

Percy's eyes flashed of true concern, "Annabeth…" He tried to reach out to wipe my tears but I pushed his hand away.

"Please." I said my voice sounding so unconfident… even to myself. "Just stop it Percy, please." I begged. "I don't even know what is happening anymore-"

He pulled me into a tight hug. I tried to fight it. I tried to push him away, but the Seaweed Brain is surprisingly strong. 'Seaweed Brain.' I couldn't help but let those two words echo in my head.

"I'm sorry." He repeated those two words to me.

I slowly relaxed in his arm, just leaning on him, with my eyes closed.

I know that Percy was involved with my mom's death. He didn't kill her… but he was involved. Whether or not the stuff he said about my mom was true or not I was determined to find out. I knew that he lied to me. I know that we're completely over… then why do I still want to cuddle in his arms and just stay there forever? For a moment, being there in Percy's arm made me forget about the trouble with my mom's death for a while, I just remembered the Seaweed Brain that was my boyfriend. The Seaweed Brain that was the most annoying person on the planet. The Seaweed Brain that I love.

He released from the hug and leaned down a bit to meet my face. For a moment he hesitated as if waiting to see if I would stop him. I don't know why… but I wanted to kiss him… I wanted to kiss him so bad.

I leaned up and pressed my lip against his. For a second he was shocked, but he quickly kissed me back full of emotions that couldn't be expressed in words.

"Ahem…"

We pulled apart faster than lightning to see both Nico and Thalia standing at the door.

~PAGEBREAK~

"I really don't understand you at all Annabeth." Thalia sighed as soon as we sat down for coffee.

It's been days since the incident and it's been days since I've seen him.

"Well… welcome to my world." I grumbled sarcastically. Needless to say, with Percy gone, I was back to my old self, no confusing butterflies in my head, no emotional headache, but at the same time I felt sort of empty. The phone in my pocket vibrated again. I took it out, 'Seaweed Brain'. I pressed 'ignore'. Percy's been calling me nonstop for the past few days. I don't know why I never bothered deleting his contact or to just block his calls.

Thalia shoved me my coffee, "What the hell is going on between you and the Kelp Head?"

Of course I didn't tell her about what happened a couple nights ago… there's no need for Thalia to go on into my personal life.

"We're done."

Thalia scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Yeah I could totally see that."

"What you don't believe me?"

Thalia shrugged, "I don't know, that passionate kiss and the fact that you guys had sex beforehand doesn't really support your statement." Thalia took a drink from her cup, "Oh don't be so surprised, it was pretty obvious with the scattered clothes, hastily put on clothes, and a messed up bed."

"Doesn't mean anything." I brushed it off.

"Sure… when were you ever doing something reckless like this? If I recall correctly, I have never remembered Annabeth Chase dating anyone, much less having sex with someone unintentionally… actually you've never had sex with anyone-"

I blushed. "People change."

Thalia laughed, "Not that much Annie."

I didn't even bother glaring at her, "Would you just give it a rest Thalia? One moment, you're telling me stay as far away from him as possible and the next is to forgive him? What the hell is that all about?"

"You are not acting like yourself at all Annabeth." Thalia grumbled. "Ever since you guys broke up you've been acting like a crazy bitch…" Thalia paused. "Well, I mean that's pretty normal for you-"

"Gee… thanks."

"-but of now, it's more than usual." Thalia said ignoring me completely. "Then with Percy gone, you're just acting like a lifeless zombie now. No offense but that's Nico's job."

"Well what do you expect? It's a lot to take in."

"Taking it in takes a few minutes, half an hour at most. Then talking it out takes like a few hours. Then everything should've been back to normal."

"Well it can't go back to normal when no one would tell me anything!"

"You don't need to know everything-" Thalia commented.

"Have you ever considered that she's my mom and practically the only person that I honestly cared about? She died and I was left at my father's care!" Saying I was distressed was an understatement, I was downright pissed. My dad was not someone I get along with so easily. "If anything I deserve to know what happened to my mother."

"Well let's see… your mom was an intelligent government agent that got killed by some bad people. Is that good enough for you?"

"Wait you mean she wasn't really an architect?"

"Sure she's an architect, but that was her alibi." Thalia said as I zoned off, realizing that what Percy told me was true after all. "-so you see, Percy had nothing to do with your mom at all."

"Why are you telling me this?"

Thalia sighed, "Okay I'll admit, I didn't like the Kelp Head at first… actually I don't even like him now… but you obviously do- and don't even try denying it, it's so obvious that even the densest person could figure it out."

"Your point?"

"My point is, why the complication with Percy?" I raised an eyebrow, this was one of those rare times when she actually called him by his actual name. "I'm pretty sure you already know that he didn't kill your mom-"

"Even if he didn't kill my mom, he's related to my mom's death, and there's no way-"

"Listen to yourself Annabeth! Your mom is dead for all we know, and whatever is in the past should just stay there."

"Since when were you such an expert on this Thalia?" I sighed and put down my cup of coffee. "I know I shouldn't be mad at Percy, but I needed some space. Being with Percy just complicates my feelings more. I know he didn't kill my mom, but he was involved in it right?" Thalia kept silent and I took that as a yes. "I'm mad because he knew but he didn't tell me. I'm mad because he's deliberately trying to hide stuff from me. If anything he's just going to be another person that's going to let me down and there's no way I'm waiting around for that. If a person has no problem lying to me then he'll have no problem letting me down. With Percy nothing is permanent, everything about him is a lie."

"Okay, I know you're like some wise crack with the whole lying thing, but there's good reasons to lie too. I lie all the time." Thalia pointed out. "Did that ever stop you from becoming my friend? Heck, your mom was lying about her whole life." Thalia said not really caring that she struck a chord.

"My mom never lied-"

"Believe what you want Annabeth, but your mom lies and she was good at it."

I wouldn't believe it. "She may lie to everyone else, but at least to me she never lied… not like Percy."

Thalia sighed, "I told him to tell you earlier… but did you know why he didn't?"

"Should I care?"

Thalia stared at me as if she couldn't believe what I was saying, "He said he was afraid of how you would react. Not react at him, but rather at yourself and I hate to admit it but he was right. Look at you now, you're completely crazy, can't even step outside unless I force you out. Also added to the fact that you're completely obsessed with finding out about your mother."

"I am not obsessed-"

Thalia cut me off, "He's not worried about how you would react towards him, but rather concerned about your well-being."

"You don't know this."

Thalia glared at me and I decided it's best to be quiet. "Yes I do and I will deny saying this later, but the Kelp Head is not a bad guy, if anything he's a rather good guy… well good to you to say the least. You're obviously out of it because the Kelp Head is not around. I may not be the best of all best friends, but I do care about your shit Annabeth. You are completely taken by this guy and he did nothing wrong aside from trying to keep you from shitting yourself like you are now."

I was surprised, this was the first time in a while that Thalia was getting sentimental for someone other than herself.

"And plus…having Kelp Head around Nico's apartment isn't really helping my own relationship." Thalia mumbled.

I take my thoughts back… it was about herself after all.

Percy's POV:

Okay truth to be told, I'm pissed, Annabeth is ignoring my calls and she's acting like we're complete stranger. Okay maybe it's high time to admit that it's probably the first time I've had sex with someone, not even Rachel and we've been dating for a while. I never planned for it or anything… maybe my impulsive nature does have its drawbacks. Okay… maybe I'm freaking out over nothing, I mean it's just sex… it's not like she's pregnant or anything. I was panicking now, 'Oh gods what if she's pregnant?'

No, no, I mean it's Annabeth, there's no way she would want an unplanned pregnancy… but then again it's Annabeth… what if she's hiding everything from me and-

Now I know I was just scaring myself and Annabeth probably had herself checked out before I even thought of anything. I smiled to myself, 'Typical Annabeth.'

The smile left my face almost immediately. I couldn't understand why Annabeth wouldn't want to talk about it. If anything, I would've thought Annabeth to be the person that wants to talk about it, but it's like she wants me completely out of her life.

"Still thinking about her?"

I nearly fell off my chair. "I SWEAR NICO! MAKE SOME NOISE WHEN YOU WALK!"

Nico laughed, "Well you probably would've noticed that I rang the doorbell three times if you weren't busy thinking about Annabeth."

I sighed, "Was it obvious?"

"You could always visit her." Nico offered.

It's actually been days since I've seen Annabeth and Nico's been prepping me with this so-called mission that he needed my help on, so even if I wanted to see Annabeth, it's just not possible.

"I already gave her my keys, told her I won't ever bother her again and-"

"Shouldn't have given her the keys." Nico commented.

"Well… I thought we were actually done!" I practically yelled at the poor guy.

Nico casually stole my glass of water, "Well aren't you?"

I was taken back, and remembered that I haven't told Nico about what had actually happened that night, "Oh yeah… I mean we are done, but-"

"You're just causing yourself more trouble Perce, you might as well just let her go so I could explain this to you."

I sighed; maybe it's best to push Annabeth off my head for a bit.

"Fine… talk."

~PageBreak~

"That's exactly the problem. We don't know the whole truth. Percy… Athena's not dead. Not by a long shot."

My head shot up, "What do you mean by that?"

"Her body, or corpse, however you may call it, was never found at the site of the accident."

"B-but the burial process-"

"I thought the same thing too." Nico mumbled to himself. "Let's just say that my boss did a pretty good job of faking her death."

"Faking her death?"

"There's no denying that Athena Chase got hurt, but the hurt wasn't fatal."

"But that's not possible! I remember the accident! If anything, there was a blond haired woman in the other car."

"I'm not saying that wasn't Athena Chase's car, but she escaped Percy. The corpse in the grave is not Athena Chase, but some fake corpse that was made to fool everyone else. The same exact features that Athena had, so that her family could be fooled along with the whole agency." Nico fiddled with his laptop.

'Athena Chase is alive. Annabeth's mother is alive. I could tell Annabeth everything could change-'

"You can't tell Annabeth though." Nico said grimly as if he could tell exactly what I was thinking of.

I stared at him as if he had just dropped from the sky, "WHAT THE HELL NICO?! All this time I thought I killed another human being just to find out today that I didn't kill her at all. I left Annabeth thinking that I killed her mom and that her mom is dead! Tell me why I can't tell her that her mother is alive!" By this time I was ready to strangle my old friend. I don't care if he was some invincible person in close combat, I was ready to strangle him alive.

"Percy you can't!"

I grabbed his jacket, despite his scary fighting skills, I was still taller than him and I was planning to use that to my advantage. "TELL ME WHY!?"

Nico flipped my over and drag my arms behind my back, face planting me to the floor. "Listen Percy." He grunted as if trying to hold me in place. "I don't want to hurt you-"

"Nico GET OFF ME!"

"Well listen!" He pressed my arm and I winced in pain. "Annabeth would be in danger if she knows. I told you before that no one knew about Pallas real identity as Athena, and I would like to keep it that way, or Annabeth will be in danger, along with her dad, stepmom, and two twin brothers."

I wanted to kick Nico where it hurts but what he said surprised me so much that my temper died down completely when I thought about the two troublesome twins, "How did you know about her brother?"

"I warned you Percy, this information is not hard to find out. You haven't seen the things that a single person with power could do. The best you could do is leave Annabeth alone and let her believe that her mother is dead."

I stayed quiet, not really sure how to answer back to Nico. Annabeth would be happy if I told her and she would be by my side again… but… her life would be at stake, "Get off me Nico."

"Promise you won't go crazy?" Nico asked hesitantly. I didn't answer, but he released me anyways and dusted off his pants as he stood up. "You understand right Perce? Annabeth cannot know about this."

"Nico you can't be serious-"

Nico gave me a look, "No I'm dead serious. You care about Annabeth, anyone in their right mind could tell that. If she dies, I could never complete my case and you'll never forgive yourself." Nico stared at me with full seriousness, "Whether it's because of the guilt you'll feel or the stake being Annabeth's life, you have to understand that telling her is not going to be of any use. If anything you could always tell her later."

"Nico, Kronos is not easy to catch."

Nico laughed so sinisterly that I almost jumped back, "Trust me Percy, I know more than you give me credit for and with your help, the case will be done in no time."

"So during that time-"

"Yeah, you have to let Annabeth believe whatever it is she has to believe so she could stay away from you. Anyone that's close to you, you have to keep them at arm's length."

"What the heck-"

"You have to listen Perce. Annabeth is related to Athena, if there's anyone that you need to steer clear of, that person is Annabeth. Not only because she could be used as a bargaining chip, but because she could cause Athena to reveal the plans that Kronos want."

"The woman left her daughter, I don't think Athena cares-"

"Percy…" Nico looked at me deadly serious. "Athena left her daughter. There's a reason… Annabeth is the only person that Athena will probably ever love and if Annabeth is used as a bargaining chip there's not saying what Athena would do. If a love one is held at stake… there's no saying what one person would do… and that applies even to the best of them."

I hesitated, "How long?"

Nico shrugged, "Depends."

"And after that I won't have to worry about this again?"

Nico nodded then stopped, "Well… well unless you're involved with some other case-" I smacked him. "Kidding, but yeah this is it." Nico laughed, "Kind of like Mission Impossible!"

I was going to smack him but at that moment Nico got smacked by someone else.

"Enough with the Mission Impossible already Nico." The evil Grace smacked her own boyfriend.

I nearly had a heart attack and with Nico's alarmed look I could tell he experienced the same feeling, "When did you get in here?" I asked trying to calm my nerves down.

"Oh me? Just now." Thalia replied with ease as she gave Nico a kissed while I tried not to barf.

I shook my head, "You two need to learn to make some noises while you walk…" I grumbled.

"Go ahead and complain all you want, but you'll be thanking me later because I just saved your relationship with Annabeth." Thalia grinned as she poured herself a glass of water.

Nico and I stared at her wide eyed. "What do you mean?"

"She should be calling you to meet up right… about… now."

As if on cue, my phone rang and I fumbled with my fingers to pick it up. "Percy?"

"A-Annabeth!" I could've sworn I heard Thalia and Nico snickering from behind me.

"Meet me at my… err… your house later."

"Now?" I asked, panicking a bit.

"In an hour." With that Annabeth quickly hung up.

"What was that?" I turned towards the couple, most particularly the girl.

"Your welcome." Thalia said sarcastically.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that I convinced Annabeth to give you another chance." Thalia answered patiently.

"You don't get it do you? I was going to end it with her!" I screamed.

"Yeah… yeah… thank me lat- WHAT?!" Thalia walked up to me, her face filled with anger. "I warned you once before Kelp Head, you hurt Annabeth and I'll have you dead-"

"Thals, I told him to." Nico piped up as he put an arm on his girlfriend's shoulder.

Honestly, if I haven't been so scared of Thalia, I would've laughed at the expression on her face. "Just a few days ago you were desperate to get Annabeth and now-?"

"Zeus lied to us Thalia." Nico began.

Thalia laughed, "Well it wouldn't be the first time right?"

"No, I'm serious… he told us to retrieve information about Athena, knowing that she was still alive."

Thalia started at her boyfriend

"Thals… Athena's not dead." Nico said.

"Ha! And I am your fiancé." Thalia laughed bitterly.

"Just listen to me Thalia!" Nico stood up. "Zeus- your dad lied to you, Athena is alive and I'll bet that he knew about her true identity as Annabeth's mother as well. He could've totally made this case easier for us-"

"We risked our lives for this information, he- my dad wouldn't put our lives at risk like that-"

"Just-"

"Guys…" I raised up my hand to stop a fight from erupting. "I don't even know what you guys are fighting about but-"

"Thals, I'm not saying that your dad is trying to kill us. Sure probably kill me yes, but not you-"

"Oh and what you're saying is that he deliberately gave us that mission and hoped that we came back alive." Thalia glared at him.

"Yes- no, I mean no. What I am saying is, there's something- your dad had always been a man more interested in his work than his own family."

"No-"

"You know it's true, your mom, your step mom, that guy in the hospital-"

"Don't even mention him!" Thalia glared at her boyfriend.

I was so confused now.

"Get it in your head Thalia! Your dad is not like some regular dad, he's like the top man of our agency. You have to be cold hearted for a position like that it's not like-"

"Nico shut up." Thalia warned him.

"Oh so what? I'm wrong now because I'm stating the fact? Okay I'll admit it, your dad and I are never on the same side, but whatever it is, I'm on the same side as you. And because we're on the same side, I'm telling you that Zeus has been lying to us. Athena is alive."

"I'm just going to-" I began before the two turned towards me.

"SHUT UP PERCY!" I stood still as they continued their bickering. Considering that both of them are amazing in close combat… I wouldn't want to bet against them.

Nico just pushed me away, "Just listen Thalia! Your dad never liked me. He killed my mom-"

"Really Nico? Are we still on that?"

"No we're not."

"Yes we are, you obviously haven't forgiven my dad for blowing up that hotel." Thalia yelled at Nico.

"Of course I haven't forgiven him! He killed my mom Thals. He's just lucky I'm not out for revenge."

"Oh so I'm your enemy's daughter now?"

"No you're my girlfriend."

"Some girlfriend."

I could tell the conversation was about to take on another level but for the moment I was too afraid for my life to even give a shit.

"I already told you, I'm not holding that against you-"

"Oh so you have a reason to hold something against me now? Your mom's death was not my fault. I have nothing to do with that, for gods sake, I was barely in school when that happened."

"I never said it was your fault." Nico tried to explain.

"Well you're doing a pretty good job of never saying it." Thalia retorted back. "The hotel was blown up, two terrorist were killed, if anything his act killed hundreds but saved thousands."

"Did you forget the killed hundreds? He didn't even loss any sleep over it. Never ordered evacuation, never gave any warning. If anything that was an act of terrorism- he just bombed the place hoping to kill two people. I'll admit that was good tactic to take everyone by surprise, and he's great at his job. But do you know what he's not good at?"

"Shut up."

"Being human that's what."

"Don't you even-"

"And you're exactly like him."

"So we killed like a inconsiderable amount of people.. I guess we're evil too. Is that what you're saying?"

"I have never killed an innocent person in my life." Nico stated, his eyes full of seriousness.

"And guess what? My dad unconditionally saved the lives of innocent people." Thalia's face got that stony look as if she wasn't going to back down from anything, even if she might be wrong.

"You're seriously going to side with him?!" Nico yelled at his girlfriend.

"What? Should I be siding with you?!" Thalia glared at him with equal intensity. "Oh yeah… I totally forgot! Cause you are my boyfriend!"

Nico laughed without humor as if he was amusing him, "Boyfriend." Nico scoffed. "You don't even like me! Your feelings are saved for L-"

"SHUT IT!" Thalia slapped Nico. Right across the face, but Nico wasn't the one crying. It was Thalia. Thalia, the hardcore, crying.

Nico stared up at her as if he's finally confirming his worst fear, "You still love-"

"Nico shut up." Thalia glared at him.

"Oh am I wrong? This is why you're like your dad Thalia! You don't care about anything but your job! YOU ARE ONLY WITH ME BECAUSE OF A JOB!"

"Aren't you the same thing?" Thalia sneered.

Nico's eyes were filled with regret and pain, "You don't even know anything about me. I had my reasons for this relationship and unlike you, it's not all about the work. I actually saw you as something more. I actually liked spending time with a friend!" Nico glared at her.

Thalia looked surprised for a second before masking her face with an angered look. "You've lied your whole life, who's to say you're not lying at this moment?!"

"Of course." Nico laughed bitterly. "You don't care about me. You probably didn't even care about my feelings when you talk about Lu-"

"I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!"

"Because I'm right? Because you're completely in love with him!"

"You're the same! You completely despise me for your mom's death, yet you agreed." Thalia retorted back.

"I already told you I don't blame you for my mom, it was your dad-"

"And I'm exactly like my dad!" Thalia glared at him.

I stared at the two, half expecting one of them to punch the other, but Nico looked down on the floor and stuffed his hands in his jacket. I could tell he was clenching his hands in there, trying to maintain his anger.

"I can't even talk to you anymore." Nico grumbled.

Thalia slammed her hands on the table so hard I'm surprised she didn't break the table or her hand. "Well looks like you're going to get your wish."

With that said Thalia stormed out of Nico's house and slammed the door shut.

"Well that was-"

"Percy please don't say anything."

"You should go after her." I tried to advise him.

Nico hesitated before answering, "I'll talk to her later, right now you need to talk to Annabeth." Nico turned his attention to me. "I don't care what you are going to do, but she can't know about her mom, she can't know anything. Break it off with her, say something stupid. If she's mad at you, it's probably for the best."

"I got it," I said quietly, feeling extremely guilty for being the technical cause of Nico and Thalia's argument. "You know… you should just call Thalia and tell her you're sorry."

"Percy, I know you're older than me, but I meant it when I told you to shut up."

"You guys never fought like this before huh?"

Nico hesitated, "Percy I know what you're going to say, but it's not your fault. We've always been fighting over this matter… or dodging this matter, if you're going to be all technical."

"When she said that her dad killed your mom-"

"Is it true?" He finished. "Yeah, technically it's true, but Thalia won't admit it. Zeus and my dad were like rival agency. Of course they are working with each other now, Zeus with the force and Hades with the tactics… I mean my dad has a new wife now and he seems to believe sacrificing my mom for two terrorist was fair game." Nico sighed. "She was my mom Percy. I can't just… I know it's not Thalia's fault at all, but… never mind you wouldn't understand."

"I know what it is like to lose someone you love."

Nico stayed quiet. Despite his intention to keep his emotion under control I could tell that his argument with Thalia was really making him worried. "And I do too." He stared at me.

I knew what he was talking about. He was talking about Bianca. That kid… he knew I wouldn't push him anymore if he brought up Bianca.

He turned back to his computer, printed out something and handed it to me. "Get packing after your talk with Annabeth. We're leaving in a few days."

"You're not going to tell Thalia?"

Nico shot me a look but answered anyways, "If it involves her dad… I don't think she'll be willing to help."

"What about the guy in the hospital-"

"Hospital?" Nico asked a bit alarmed that I asked.

"Yeah, you guys said-"

"Perce... do me a favor and shut up."

At least it's a long chapter right?

… don't kill me! I know it's been a while and most of you probably forgot about this story already, or wanting to murder me cause now you have to reread everything just to refresh your memories, but life is really getting to me. I don't even know what I'm doing with my life half the time, I barely have any free time for myself. I'm like having some problems at home and it's stressing me out a lot for some reason… and I just don't really like spending time at home. It's junior year for me and it's been hell…. My parents are stressing me with SAT stuff, marching band season is starting, and of course there's work too… oh yeah can't forget ap classes… damn calc… I'll try to update soon after this, but like the last time I can't promise anything, Maybe I'll update by the end of this month or something?

If you've been messaging me, I'm really sorry, I've been trying to get to my pm's, I'll promise to reply within this week.

Aside from life's chaos, I've finally preordered my copy of the House of Hades!

Also, just my mind wondering, but is there going to be a Percy Jackson, The Titan's Curse movie? I'm having mixed feels cause that's the book where Percy appears, I mean they left off SoM movie with a good place for another sequel… and I really want to see Thalia in action… you know what I mean? It's a slim hope but I'm really hoping for a better outcome with the Titan's Curse if they decide to make it into a movie.

Song: I know… I haven't done these in a while but… here's an old song Fast Car by Tracy Chapman'

Agent Astro Zombie