Chapter 19: This is the end; most probably. HA HA HAHA!

Disclaimer: I don't own.

Two days. It's just been two days, but it sure does feel more.

Annabeth sunk in the chair between Luke and Ethan's beds. She had personally helped to drag their bed together; it had been pointless to go back and forth between the wards.

She silently wiped the corners of her eyes before realising that she had no tears. She felt bad about the fact. Here, her brother and some unknown boy who had tried to do her, were laying, sick; and she didn't have tears. Although of course, she didn't know what Luke's case was, yet she felt in her heart that he was worth someone caring about him. And that wasn't a rational feeling after all. She barely knew the guy, and in the time she had actually spent her time with him, he, honestly, didn't leave a good impression.

Moreover, Ethan was in coma. And although the doctors had said he would recover soon( cause he had been lucky, or something; Annabeth hadn't been that prone to listening) he hadn't yet shown any signs of waking up.

All in all, she was a mess.

That was just her mind reasoning her condition. She, in reality, was just ashamed that she had no tears to shed. Maybe, everything had hardened up so much; and she hadn't even seen Ethan Nakamura in so long, it just felt weird. She felt that she should feel more remorseful. She pictured herself as an emotionless robot, it didn't feel good. Not to say that she wasn't morose but yeah...

21.10.14(The date on which I am writing/ Page-break/ nothing to do with the story whatsoever)

Every single time someone passed the door, Annabeth's fist sized heart would jump in anticipation only to be let down. Every time her nose picked up an ocean smell, her mind involuntarily thought about Percy. She wanted to see him. The last time, right after he had shot Luke and Ethan, they had an argument. A really loud one, probably telecasted around America.

And even though it wasn't that she was his friend anymore, she imagined how their conversation would go.

A bubble reputation. They had trashed each other's idea of the other person.

Percy Jackson was a FBI Agent. Annabeth Chase was associated with the people he hunted.

It was all too much to take in and

"May I come in?"

Annabeth gave a slight nod which could also be taken as jerk-off.

"We need to talk."

"Oohh! I didn't think we were on talking terms."

Percy concentrated on her in an angry determinacy. Furrowing his brows he said, "Don't be like that, Annabeth."

"You put my brother in a coma. He is basically dead because of you."

"He was working with Kronos. He couldn't be trusted."

"I asked you to listen to me."

"We weren't on talking terms. Be rational. He was on Kronos' side. I don't know what he told you, how he brainwashed you but-"

"Exactly! You don't know him so don't you dare to judge his actions."

"I can't understand why you are siding with the enemy. Remember, he was part of the gang that was torturing you. You can't forgive-"

"He was taking care of me."

"..."

"He is my brother; and you shot him." Annabeth didn't know when she had stood up but when she let go and fell on the chair, she cried.

"Oh," Percy didn't what to say. He needed time to comprehend the fact. But ... he wasn't particularly... moved or anything, but he was pretty sure he couldn't tell that to her. It would probably worsen the situation.

"He was your brother?" Percy raised an eyebrow, "Since when?"

"Ughh," her hands trying to hold themselves from ripping apart her hair, "Since the day you found me and dumped me on my parent's doorstep."

"Dumped you, you didn't tell- were you running away?" Percy asked with an incredulous look on his face.

"I wasn't running away, Percy. I hadn't been to that house for so long."

"I am sorry, Annabeth, I didn't know. I always thought you had a loving family, a normal, proper, healthy family. If I had any clue, I would have..."

Annabeth lifted the corners of her mouth lightly. "That's why I didn't tell you. That's why I didn't tell anyone. I didn't want sympathy."

"I wouldn't have given you sympathy-"

"You might have, might not have. I didn't know to back then. My life hadn't been easy. Even now, I can barely trust anyone."

"Annabeth, I am sorry. I don't know what else to say," he apologized. "But wait- How did you know Luke?"

Annabeth didn't realize when her laughter came tumbling out. "I- I don't know Luke. I don't know ... Luke. He wasn't. I don't know... I just feel as if he isn't, maybe he changed. I don't know. Luke is confusing, I guess. Although, if I didn't know better, I would say you are slightly jealous, Agent?"

Percy burned. "I could have asked you the same."

Annabeth chuckled. "You kissed me, remember."

"Maybe I did."

"Oh, you definitely did. It was quite unforgettable, you know. After all, you were the first person, after so long, whom I trusted."

"You do?"

"Yes, kind of."

Percy grinned goofily.

Annabeth took a few steps forward. She took his hands in hers. "Kind of liked it too."

"You did?"

"Idiot." Annabeth leaned forward to kiss him.

"I love hospitals."

"But I don't. Let's go outside."

-2/11/14-

"The pen-drive he gave me was basically what Luke knew about him. All his secret hideouts, and plans, etc... everything he told him about was in that note. There was, lastly, a video proclaiming his exit from that group. Obviously, he didn't think, he would be alive. He just wanted to get this over with. He wanted to quit, but gangs don't work like that. Also his change of heart... it was human nature. Humans aren't a breed of violence. At least not all are. He simply, got disgusted by Kronos, and wanted to come back to a good life- all of which were impossible. But, hey! That guy made an effort."

"So Luke was an okay guy after all?" asked Annabeth.

They were sitting on a park bench.

"Maybe. Maybe Luke was cheating on Kronos. Working with someone else. Clearing himself. Maybe all of this was just the calm before the storm."

"Or maybe, he wants to be innocent now. Be positive Percy."

"Look who's talking." Percy stretched his hands on the head rest. Then he put his head on Annabeth's shoulder.

"So... what did they say?"

"Unwilling. But I managed to persuade them to make a deal. I'd would be free in a year."

"And you really want to do this?"

"You know Annabeth, working with the Olympians. It wasn't a dream come true. They screwed me around. They thought of me as a personal joke. They made me fulfil their demands, just because I wasn't supposed to be born. I was pressurised. It was mental torture."

"Oh!"

Percy sighed. "You don't have to feel all... Sometimes, I don't know what I would have been, had I not been part of them. I wouldn't have been able to fight like I can do now. I wouldn't be a singer, if not for them. Even if they didn't realise, they hardened me up so well; it wasn't an easy life, but maybe, there will always be a part of me which will forever be theirs."

Annabeth looked straight ahead. "You kind of looked hot when you made that entry in our school."

Percy laughed. "I did, didn't I?"

She blushed. And buried her head in his lap.

"Rest assured, it would be a better life away from them. Maybe."

"I love our relationship, you know."

"I am thankful for it.

-Years Later-

Percy came home,

"Anna-?"

A/N: Want an epilogue?

P.S. It's my Birthday Today! 2 nov.

P.S sorry 4 de late update.

Check out, KIDNAPPED, BOND, JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, COMATOSE, BABY TROUBLES, You had ME AT HELLO, I'M SPENDING THE NIGHT WITH YOU.