Author's Note: sorry for the wait! And about the formatting last time: I don't know what went wrong. I typed it correctly using the notes app on my iPad, and then i just copied and pasted the words into one of the documents that I had already uploaded. I guess the iPad's not very useful when it comes to updating, but I had to use it because I didn't have access to a regular computer at the time. Thanks for all the reviews and support, here's the fourth chapter. This is where the plot starts to take off.

Chapter Four:

A few days after the mission, Percy was filling out some paperwork concerning his last mission. Everyone hated it, but it was required that every mission be recorded in case there was anything that seemed suspicious about the situation, or anything that could be used as a warning to others. The paper looked something like this:

Name and Occupation of Victim: Derrick Procrustes, Unemployed

Date and Time of Mission: Wednesday, April 29, 10:00 PM

Time Completed: 10:40

Place of Mission: Nightcrawlers Gentlemen's Club

Site of Disposal: Northwest- facing wall

Injuries to Target (Full Account): [censored for the sake of keeping this story rated T]

It Would Have Gone Better If: nothing really.

Other Suspicious Persons Seen:

Percy stopped at that last one. He considered writing about the familiar blonde girl, but then changed his mind. It was probably an old friend from high school who was down on her luck or something like that.

A loud, crackly voice came over the loudspeaker. "This is a message to all agents. Please report to the meeting room immediately. A very serious event has occurred, and we would like to get the facts out immediately."

"I wonder what that's about," said Hazel, whose desk was next to Percy's.

Percy shrugged. "It was probably one of the Stolls playing pranks again. Come on, let's go get it over with."

They followed the rest of the agents to the main meeting room. It wasn't what you'd expect to see at an assassin agency. It was a long room that seemed to be made of some kind of gray stone. Fossilized seashells were embedded into the rock, and the floor was made of light green marble. Twelve gray pillars, six on each side, supported the ceiling (Percy knew this because he had counted them during many boring meetings) and there was a raised platform at the front of the room.

On this platform stood six people. One of them was Percy's father, Poseidon. These people were known as Level Fours. They were the heads of the agency, but they usually only showed up when something important was happening. In fact, Percy didn't think he'd ever seen all six at once.

"Whatever happened, it's probably something to do with those illegal missions," said a voice from behind them.

Percy turned around and found himself facing Reyna, another Level Three. "Probably," he admitted. "I can't think what else could be serious enough. Well, that or we're under attack by aliens."

"Aliens? Well, with our luck I wouldn't be surprised," joked Frank, joining them.

"No, I was actually saying that- oh, never mind. They're ready to talk now."

Percy's father had stepped up to the front of the platform. His expression was hard and stern. "Attention, everyone. I am sure you are all aware of the recent outbreak of unauthorized missions."

A murmur spread through the crowd. Poseidon cleared his throat and continued. "Yes, well you may recall that these missions were all completed using a similar type of bullet, one of bronze and steel. Now, common sense requires that you use the least distinctive types of weapons possible. Yet these people seem to have gone out of their way to send a message to us.

I want you all-" his eyes swept over the room, seeming to say to every person, 'And this means you!' "- to be on alert for any kind of signal that this group is giving. Watch anyonw who you think could be behind it. At this point, we do have some idea of who could be behind this, but we will not alert you until it is completely certain. You see, we don't need to spread any kind of unnecessary panic. That is all." With that, he and the other Level Fours turned and vanished through a small door at the back of the platform.

..~0~..

Annabeth sighed in frustration. This was the fourth time that she'd tried to hack into the hidden files in her mother's office. But as it turned out, technology wasn't exactly her thing. Dammit, she was so sure that she'd be able to find-

"Looking for something?" asked a smooth voice from behind. Annabeth nearly fell off the chair in surprise. She gave him a glare that would have had a lesser man cowering in a ball, screaming for Mommy. Luke, of course, didn't even blink.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, trying to make up for being caught off-guard.

"Relax, I'm not going to tell or anything," said Luke, sliding onto the seat next to her. "What are you up to?"

Annabeth hesitated at first, but she knew that she could trust Luke. "All right. It's about those bronze and steel murders. You know, the ones that are usually rejected cases that end up completed? I have an idea of who could be behind it."

Luke's face turned serious. "What do you mean?"

"Do you remember when we first got recruited, and they mentioned something about Skyward's origins?"

"Sort of. It started out as one large weapons company, but during World War I, they started hiring some of the workers to demonstrate the uses of the weapons. Right?"

"Yes, and then the workers got so skilled at using the weapons that they started hiring them for war missions. The missions went so well that the government wanted to hire them, but they refused. After that, some of the workers banded together and broke off from the main company to create Skyward."

"Okay... And what do you think is do important about that?"

Annabeth sighed. "I think there's something a bit off about the numbers. Originally, there were twelve workers who got sent on missions. But only six started Skyward."

"So what happened to the other six? It's not like they decided to form their own company or something... Wait!" Comprehension dawned on Luke's face.

"Exactly."

..~0~..

A Few Hours Later

When Annabeth walked into their house that night, something was off. She could just sense it: the slight draft from upstairs, the way the rug in the hallway was just a tiny bit off center, and that unexplainable, feeling that they weren't alone.

She put her hand out to stop Percy from walking in too loud. Percy noticed her expression and realized it too. He mouthed, 'Upstairs?' and she nodded slightly. Almost instinctively, he crept up the stairs, skillfully avoiding the creaky ones. He was surprised to see Annabeth following him, her footsteps nearly soundless.

They reached the second floor and continued on to a smaller, more rickety set of stairs that led to the attic. When they reached the top, Percy gently pushed the door open and-

"AAAAAAAAGH!" screamed the pathetically small man as Percy tackled him. Annabeth picked up a length of cord and quickly bound the man's hands behind his back and tied his feet to one of the beams in the ceiling. The burglar hung upside down awkwardly, looking distinctly uncomfortable. He let off a string of hostile swear words directed at them. Percy and Annabeth looked at each other.

"Here's his bag," said Percy, picking up a sack. He dumped its contents on the floor and found a portable DVD player, an iPad, some fancy silverware, a wallet, and for some strange reason, an assortment of TV remotes.

"I'll go call the police," Annabeth suggested, and ran downstairs to get the phone.

..~0~..

"Well, it seems you got lucky," said Officer Dawlish. "It was good thinking on your part to notice it. Not many would have, seeing as he was about to escape from the attic when you were just walking through the front door."

"Thanks, Officer. Did you find out who the TV remotes belonged to?" asked Percy.

"Apparently, some of your neighbors have been missing theirs for months, but never reported it because it didn't seem like a big deal."

"We're just glad we could help," said Annabeth. "Thanks again for coming."

"No problem. Have a nice night." The police cruiser pulled out of the driveway and left.

..~0~..

Later That Night

Annabeth put the last dish away and was about to go to bed, but then thought better of it. There was something that was bothering her, and she needed to check it out before she could sleep.

She went up to the second floor, and was about to continue up to the attic when she nearly ran onto Percy, who was coming down the stairs.

"Just checking on the attic," explained Percy. He felt a little guilty about lying to her, but that was sort of the truth.

"So..." she started, trying to sound nonchalant. Deep down, she hated herself for doing this, but she had to be sure. "Where'd you learn to sneak around like that?" inquired Annabeth casually, leaning against the stair rails.

"Where'd you learn to tie people up like that?" countered Percy. He was bothered by the question- was she getting suspicious? But the fact that she tied a man up like she'd been doing it for years bothered him more.

"Answer the question."

He's a little surprised by her tone- it was unusually sharp- but two can play at that game. "You can't tell me?"

"You're the one avoiding the question." Her stormy gray eyes meet his and hold them in a deadlock.

He took a step down, refusing to break eye contact. "Why do you need to know?"

She moved up a step, and now they're on the same level. "Can't I just ask a simple question?"

Their faces were almost touching, and to an outsider, it might look as though they were about to kiss.

He stepped back and laughed casually, as if nothing happened. "See, when I was a kid, I went to this summer camp, and we always used to sneak around and prank the counselors. I got pretty good at it, so I guess it just stayed with me."

She smiles, pretending it's all good, and says, "Yeah. I learned that in Girl Scouts."

He nods his head and starts towards the bedroom, thinking that either Girl Scouts were way more badass than they seemed, or Annabeth was lying.

..~0~..

Review Replies:

The Goddamn Dark Night: Sorry. I went back and fixed the formatting, so it should be okay now.

DauntlessOne: Like I said before, I fixed the formatting, so it should be okay. And I'm really glad you're liking this.

alexis: Thanks, it's always nice to hear that.

TLOS00: Sorry again. I do know how to space the lines correctly, but the formatting got screwed up. I'm glad you liked the story, though.

envelope123: thank you for taking the time to read carefully and offer helpful advice. I was trying to refrain from making it too sexy in order to keep everyone in character, but you're right, it could be more exciting. The only excuse I can offer is that the plot hasn't really kicked off yet (the tension is just starting to rise, after all) but I know I can do better, so thanks for pointing that out.

airsandgraces: I love your penname! And I'm so glad to hear that you liked it.

WeirdButCool/ Steph: thanks so much for your review, I think you're the story's first recurring reviewer!

Annabeth-Athena'sDaughter: Thanks for your review. On the penname- this account is one I share with my sister. We chose the name by having each of us pick our favorite word. She picked 'apocalypse' and I picked 'cerulean'. So I'm Cerulean, or 'Lea' for short. And no you don't sound egotistical when you say that you usually offer a lot of CC. It's actually a good habit, because it helps a lot in English class. I don't think this fandom is fading- in fact, it's getting stronger with the new series- but I do see quite a few cliches, and I try to avoid them. Thanks for your great review, it really means a lot.

foreverandalwaysdark: Yes, that's where the idea came from. I saw the movie, and John and Jane kind of reminded me of Percy and Annabeth. Annabeth and Jane are both really tactical and on top of things, whereas John and Percy are more laid- back. They're really different, but I can see Percy and Annabeth in a similar situation.

Guest: Sorry it couldn't have been sooner, but here it is. :)

Feyora: Thanks for taking the time to read everyone else's reviews and come up with some good CC. I'm trying to hold off on the Percabeth a bit, because part of the point of the story is about how lack of communication and secrets can really weaken an otherwise really good pairing. Have you ever seen Pretty Little Liars? Although it gets a bit overdramatic