I'm really sorry for the poor updating lately. My computer broke down, (I got the death screen) and I have to find time to get on the Family computer. Parents like to look on Facebook and on their emails, brothers just love to make me mad and come on here… so that's what my anger's been about lately.

Please don't forget to put and OC in. I have so many OC's that maybe when I get the main characters picked out, I'll be able to put the ones in that weren't picked- as minor characters.

So please, go ahead and put an OC in!

~GoGreen52

-Chapter 29- Drama

-Annabeth POV-

Leo and I walked into Piper's room as soon as my friends left. Leo looked… somewhat nervous, and I can't blame him. Hopefully Jason and Piper won't go ballistic.

When we got inside, I saw something that made my heart melt. Yet, it also made my heart tear a little. Jason and Piper were snuggling up against each other, and holding hands. Their eyes were closed, and they took even breaths, which told me they were sleeping.

"Um… Jason?" Leo asked, walking forward, and patting Jason's shoulder a little. I could tell he was trying to avoid waking Piper up.

"Huh, what?" Jason mumbled, opening his eyes. He caught sight of Leo and me and realized what position he was in with Piper, and blushed. I smiled at him, but at the same time, I had this feeling of longing.

"Can you maybe come out in the hallway for just one second?" I asked, keeping my voice at a whisper.

Jason gave me a questioning glance, but took Piper's hand out of his and got out of the bed carefully, trying to not wake Piper up. She jostled a bit, mumbling something uncomprehend able.

Jason smiled at her, and followed us outside into the hallway.

When we got out there, and closed the door, he looked at the two of us. "Alright, what's going on?"

"We all have to talk about this. Luke Castellan is in New York, and so is Percy Jackson. The two girls that were with us, my friends, know about my secret. So does Mrs. Jackson. After what happened earlier today… I have a really bad feeling that Luke knows my secret too," I said, diving right into what everyone was thinking.

No need to sugar coat anything right now.

"So Luke really is in New York, then?" Jason asked, shaking his head. "I have to call the people on the case and tell them. They'll love this news. And that also means I'll have to be getting you out of New York as fast as I can."

I took a deep breath. Not what I was hoping for. "About that," I gave a small laugh. "I told my friends I would tell them everything at their apartment."

Jason turned around, and took a deep breath. I could tell he was trying to keep his cool, but when he turned around I saw that on his face wasn't that much improvement.

"Why would you do that, Beth? Do you know what kind of danger this puts you in? What it puts your friends in?" He asked, looking between Leo and me with that electric blue fire glare. I shuddered.

"Look, they figured out on their own, Grace. No need to yell at me. If you want someone to yell at, save it for Luke. I know you've been hurting, and I want you to know that I have too. I've been having nightmares every night for the past year, terrified if Luke will come after me. Hurt one of my friends. Do you know what that feels like?"

I completely lashed out this time. I was just so sick and tired of having people tell me that they know what it feels like, that they know what I'm going through. But they really don't.

"I'm sorry, Beth. But right now, all I have in mind is your safety," Jason said, his expression softening a bit.

"Right after I tell my friends the truth." I could see Jason was going to say something, but I cut him off, "I owe them to tell them. I need to tell them, Jason."

Jason looked at Leo, who was nodding in agreement, having already seen how I talk to my friends, how I love them so much.

He pursed his lips and looked back at me. "I guess one night won't do too much."

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Jason was going to stay at the hospital with Piper, and Leo was going to go to the apartment with me. I guess I might have a happy ending after all.

Why did I have to jinx myself?

-Thalia POV-

I felt as if I was going to explode. In happiness, not anger… which is pretty much a first for me.

At five forty-five, the boys came. I told them they should come early, and they agreed, not necessarily knowing why, but they did which makes them the best boyfriends that Juniper and I could ever have.

We honestly just want to surprise them with Annabeth. I can't believe that my best friend is alive, and I just want to go outside and proclaim to the world that Annabeth Chase is alive. She wasn't murdered that night, and now we all can just call it a murder attempt.

I took a deep breath, smiling. I couldn't remove the smile from my face.

Nico and Grover let themselves in, and I heard Grover and Juniper talk to each other in the room next to me, so I knew Nico was making his way over here.

I felt someone pull me into a hug from behind, and I smelled the familiar woodsy smell, so I knew Nico was right behind me.

"What's got you so happy today?" Nico asked, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Oh, nothing. I met someone today that I thought I'd never see again, and it made my day," I said, keeping a mysterious edge to it.

"May I ask who this person is?" Nico asked, and I could tell he thought I was going to answer him.

"I made an agreement to tell no one… until they come over later tonight."

Nico sighed. I knew he wasn't jealous- I taught him better than that. But I knew he was annoyed. I bet he had a bad day with Percy being back and everything. I can usually solve those problems.

I turned around and asked, "What happened today?"

I saw that Nico had a not-so-surprised look on his face, because he knew that I knew him well enough to tell when something was wrong.

"Percy… it's like he forgot who he was. He always tells me that Rachel is the one, and that I should be more considerate about his feelings… but I know that ever since… Annabeth's death… it's been hard on him. He's changed back to his old ways. I can't stand seeing him like this," Nico said, pouring out on his emotions.

I took a deep breath. If only Nico knew who Juni and I ran into earlier today… "Hey, you aren't the only one with a bad day," I said, taking his mind off of his problems. We can get more into it when Annabeth comes over.

"What happened to you today, then?" Nico asked, giving me a sarcastic look. Usually on my bad days I think about Annabeth, or most other days I forget something, like my cell phone at work, or maybe I lock myself out. That's happened a lot, I guess.

"Well, if you must know, I had a person with a stab wound walk into the shop, and we had to get her to the hospital. Luckily her friend was there to help her. But apparently someone deliberately stabbed her right outside of the store," I explained, and Nico's eyes widened.

"Wait, what?" he grabbed my shoulders with his hands, rubbing them up and down my arms, and asked, "Are you okay?"

I think he thought I was crazy when I said, "Never been better."

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Later, when it was almost Six, we took our seats at the dining table. I poured glasses of wine, and we sat and talked about our day. When Juniper and I explained what happened at the store earlier today, Grover practically had the same reaction as Nico.

I had a feeling the boys were a little on edge about it, but got to the point when they asked who the two extra spots at the table were for. I set out glasses for the two who were coming, so they would know we were going to be joined later.

"You'll just have to wait and see." was my response, and I took a sip of my wine.

We were talking about what happened with Percy and Rachel earlier today for the boys when there was a knock on the door. My heart jumped out of my chest and I had a goofy grin plastered on my face. Juniper did too.

We both got up and ran to the door, to open it. When we opened the door, I saw Annabeth and the guy named Leo standing there, Annabeth's hand in a knocking position.

"AH! I can't believe you're here!" I screamed, hugging the life out of my friend. I noticed she wasn't blonde anymore, and that she had blue eyes, but her hair was curly and I knew it was her.

Juniper took her turn to hug her and we laughed when Leo held his arms out to be hugged, too.

We hugged him just for kicks.

"So… I guess we have a lot to talk about, huh?" Annabeth asked, scratching her head aimlessly. I laughed and threw my arm around her shoulder.

"We defiantly do."

The four of us walked into the dining room, and Annabeth just stopped in her place as soon as she saw the boys. They looked at us questionably, but shrugged it off.

"Oh my God," Annabeth whispered, looking at the two boys. She wouldn't budge, stuck in place.

I could tell my best friend was resisting the urge to run up to them and hug them.

I decided to step in, "This is Beth and Leo boys, and this is Nico and Grover." Everyone gave kind nods to each other. I saw that Annabeth's eyes, under the contacts, were shining.

The two new guests took their seats and immediately were in the conversation. They passed on the wine, though, but I made no problem of it.

"So, Beth, what do you do for a living?" Grover asked, directing the conversation to her. I know it's probably because we were debating whether or not Grover and Juniper are a perfect couple.

She took a deep breath. I knew she probably couldn't answer that, but before I could cut in, she spoke, "I'm an architect in training… may I please be excused to the rest room?"

We all nodded, and Leo threw her a worried look, but Annabeth didn't do anything to comply.

When she was out of hearing range, Grover asked, "What did I do?"

"Sore subject. I have a feeling she'll explain everything to you when she comes back," Leo explained, and we all fell into a rather awkward silence after that. I decided it would be time to get the food. Juniper volunteered to help me.

"Do you know what that was all about?" Juniper asked, her voice in a whisper.

"Like what Leo said, sore subject. We all know that Annabeth wanted to be an architect, but she never got the chance to," I explained, and Juniper nodded in agreement. We were quiet for the rest of the time preparing the food, and we brought it out to the dining room just as we heard yelling.

We walked in on a heated argument between the boys and Leo, who looked pretty defensive. I saw the muscles in his arms flex, as I realized he may not be the best person to get in a fight with.

I sat the food on the table. "HEY! SHUT UP!" I yelled, making it echo in the room. That's how loud I can yell.

They shut up, and the boys crossed their arms. Leo just went back to taking a sip with his water, as if nothing just happened.

"Now, will one of you care to tell me what just happened?" I asked, looking between all the guys.

Nico was the one who spoke up. "We were talking, you know, about work, when we asked him what his job was- and get this- he's a Homicide detective. And guess what case he's working on- Annabeth's case, and they still haven't found the murderer. Even after a ye-"

Leo cut him off, "A year. Yeah, and I've been putting my butt on the line for you guys, and yet you yell at me. I've seen some pretty gruesome stuff. In fact, we know who the murderer is, gentleman, and I think that Ms. Chase would like to explain that."

We all looked up to see a woman behind him. She was Annabeth, who looked like she changed. She had some brown tints in her hair, but it was more blonde than Beth's. She took out her contacts, so her eye color was the stormy gray that I missed so much.

I looked at the boys to see them looking at her with their jaws dropped. Grover finally spoke up, "Annabeth, is that you?"

She gave her signature smirk. That's when I knew I officially had my best friend back. "What do you think, Grover?"

The boys shot up and engulfed her in a hug. She was laughing, but it soon turned into a cough, followed by a, "Guys- can't- breath!"

They released her, wearing goofy grins on their faces. Leo had one on too. I guess he is pretty cool.

Soon later, we were all seated at the dining table. "So… I guess I should start explaining some things," Annabeth said, her voice nervous.

We all nodded eager to hear about what happened. Leo just smiled at her, urging her to go on.

"Well, after I 'died' I was taken into protection. Leo, and two others- Jason and Piper are my protectors. Piper was the person who was stabbed earlier today, and I was the friend that Thalia mentioned." I flashed a small smile.

"I've been moving around the county, hiding and running from the murderer… who, to keep you all safe, will be un-named." She took a deep breath, "Mrs. Jackson found out about how I was Annabeth, not just Beth. It felt really good to tell someone that was like a second mother to me. Jason and Piper were really against it, but warmed up to the fact, like they did today. So, I guess my life has been pretty boring without you guys, and hiding in hotels around the country, keeping safe."

LATER-

Annabeth looked happy she was able to share this with us, but she also looked unsettled.

"What is it, Annabeth?" I asked, looking at her with a questioning glance. Everyone, having moved on to a different conversation, snapped their heads to her.

"Is… it true about Percy and Rachel?" she asked, her voice softer. I gave a soft, sad smile, and nodded.

I could tell she still had a soft spot for him, even though he's gone back to his old ways. I knew that my best friend was really hurting.

Nico, Grover, and Leo looked mad, and Juniper was on the same page I was.

Annabeth took a deep breath. "Thanks for the dinner, Thals. You too, Juni. It's really been nice to see all of you, but I really need to get back to the hotel- you know, to stay safe."

"When will we see you again?" Juniper asked, seeing the regretful look in her eyes.

She bit her lip. "As soon as they get this guy."

"But we just got you back…" I said, a lone tear leaving my eye.

"I know, I really do, but I need to get back into hiding. The murderer was the one who hurt Piper earlier today, and now I'm pretty sure he's got a tail on me. We have to leave New York," she explained, gesturing to Leo and herself.

"Stay safe, then." I said, looking at her with the most purest look I could ever have given her.

"I intend to."

-Annabeth POV-

I was pretty sad, leaving them again. It was like the beginning all over again, but then again it wasn't. I knew I had to survive this… this problem, and now I had a real reason to.

Leo was walking next to me, on alert. It was dark outside, but in Manhatten, it's really never that dark. Not like the rural places I've been to in the past year.

"So… I guess you're really not all that excited to leave here, are you?" Leo asked, throwing a sad glance my way. I just nodded, and sighed.

We were about two blocks from my hotel when I heard someone behind me. No one was really out this late here, but it sounded like someone was following us.

I heard Leo struggle next to me, and silence. I was scared to turn around, and see what happened, but… being me I did anyways. Looking on it now, I should've just ran away, but I really haven't gotten that part yet.

I turned around to see a knocked out Leo, not dead because his back was moving up and down, and when I looked up, all I saw was a flash of blonde, then-

Darkness.

-Percy POV-

I can't believe what happened. Rachel , Luke , and Ethan were all in on Annabeth's death. And because of my idiocy, not listening to Nico and Grover's warnings, here I am, stuck in a dark and cold cell.

I was in a dungeon.

All alone.

Well, well, well. I guess the tides have defiantly turned!

Don't forget to submit an OC!

~GoGreen52