Hey, everybody! Happy Wednesday! This is a bit later than my usual update time, but I was working on another fic. Still Wednesday, though, so I'm still on time!

Anyway, welcome to the last real chapter of Eagle Eye! I enjoy this one, actually. I got to write a certain person I've been so looking forward to fitting into this world. I'm sure you'll know immediately who I'm talking about :D

Thanks for the reviews, guys! Enjoy!

You're the broken glass in the morning light / Be a burning star if it takes all night

Annabeth felt like dirt.

Lower than dirt, actually—she felt more like bedrock: hard and dry, so beneath everything and everyone else around her as though weighed down by all the tragedy she'd caused.

Okay, so it wasn't like everything was her fault, she understood that much. But Silena was dead. Leo was missing. Those things were on her. She was the one who'd started this mission. Sure, it had been Thalia's idea at first. But once things got rolling, Annabeth had assumed a leadership role without her and her friend ever having to discuss it. And then when Atlas and his team had shown up, it had drawn a connection to Annabeth's past. Silena had admitted to tipping them off, but the more Annabeth thought about it the clearer it became—Atlas hadn't seemed at all surprised to see his former star employee. Silena had promised she'd left Annabeth's name out, and still the Deputy Director had known she was going to be there. Maybe Silena's information had given Atlas the time and place, but Annabeth had a feeling that that message had only provided her former boss with the final piece of a puzzle he'd already begun to work out.

Somewhere along the line, she must have slipped up. She felt that if she'd just been more careful, maybe the CIA wouldn't have tracked them down—or at the very least, wouldn't have had time to act on the tip-off. Silena's life could have been spared. Leo could still be with them, not dead or trapped in CIA custody. They might not have made as big a mess of everything as they had.

Annabeth shook her head, staring at the wood floor of the restaurant patio across which she was pacing restlessly. She hated how stupid she was being—dwelling so much on what could have happened and feeling so pitifully sorry for herself. She knew she was stronger than this. And more importantly, even though Zeke was dead this whole thing was far from over. She still had a lot to answer for.

"Would you calm down and stop pacing?" Piper said testily, making Annabeth jump. She turned to see the brunette shoot her a pointed look from where she stood leaning against the polished railing separating the patio from the sidewalk traffic. "You're making me nervous. Well… more nervous."

"Sorry," Annabeth replied, using all her willpower to stand still. "I'm just really… Thalia!" she interrupted herself as her eyes passed over Piper's shoulder to see Thalia and Reyna approaching them, climbing the steps onto the patio. She dodged around the tables separating her from the entrance and pulled Thalia into a hug.

"Ow, careful!" Thalia said, flinching in discomfort. Annabeth let go of her, eyeing the sling encasing her left arm, and settled for a smile.

"How are you?" she asked, noticing that her friend looked considerably better than the last time she'd seen her.

"Fine," Thalia responded with a shrug. She glanced at something behind Annabeth and gave a nod. "Knew a little explosion wouldn't be enough to keep you down," she said with a smirk.

Annabeth turned as Percy approached them, an easy grin on his face. "Not me. Glad to see you're still kicking, too." His gaze traveled to Thalia's left. "Hey, Reyna. Long time no see."

Reyna nodded with a small, polite smile. "Yeah, nice to see you again."

When Annabeth and the others had returned to Hylla's home earlier that morning, Hylla reported that she'd received a call from her sister a few hours previously, explaining that Thalia had received the proper medical attention and would be released the next day. Shortly after, Percy had contacted his father and spent the better part of an hour shut inside the den while he explained their situation. When he'd emerged, it had been with a very unreadable air—even Annabeth couldn't tell by his manner how the phone call had gone, and he wouldn't say much about it. He did tell them, however, that his father would be flying out to Chicago that morning, and they were to rendezvous with him and a few other organization members at 9:00 AM at a Greek restaurant in the city owned by Danielle Wheaton, one of Olympus's business overseers. Hylla had phoned the hospital to ask Reyna and Thalia to meet them there as well.

They'd arrived on time and been asked by someone working under Parker to wait on the patio. What exactly they were waiting for Annabeth didn't know, but they'd been waiting for almost an hour. She was glad of Thalia and Reyna's arrival, as it gave her something new to think about for the time being.

"So tell us what happened," Thalia said urgently, an almost excited gleam in her sky-blue eyes. "What are we doing here?"

Annabeth opened her mouth to answer, but her words died when Reyna did a quick survey of their company and asked, "Where's Leo?"

Feeling the air seem to tense, Annabeth tried hard not to look afraid or guilty as she answered, "We don't know."

Reyna's eyes darkened as they shot to Annabeth and narrowed. "What? What does that mean?"

Heavily, Annabeth and Percy recounted everything that had happened overnight. Thalia looked impressed at Annabeth's defeat of her father, but the gravity of the situation had stolen the excitement from her eyes. She and Reyna remained quiet until the story was finished.

"I'm sorry," Annabeth told Reyna sincerely.

"It's alright." Reyna looked like she was trying to hide the distress on her face, but she wasn't altogether successful. "It's not your fault."

"We're gonna get him back," Annabeth promised suddenly. She wasn't sure what possessed her to say it—she hadn't really considered it before, but now for whatever reason it felt like the next step. Percy shot her a questioning look—not skeptical, just seeking confirmation. She nodded resolutely to him in return. "If I know Atlas, he'll have taken Leo alive to try and get information out of him. We still have a chance." She decided to leave out the fact that she was also acquainted with Atlas's interrogation methods—and that they weren't pretty. She didn't want to worry Reyna any more than necessary.

Reyna took a slow, steadying breath and said, "If you think so, then… I want to help. There's no way I can just go about my life without knowing for sure if he's okay."

Annabeth nodded in understanding. She was sure that she would feel the same were she in Reyna's position.

A sudden and intrusive knock caught all of their attention. Annabeth turned to see the same man who'd told them to wait standing in the restaurant doorway, a fist against the wooden doorframe. "They're ready," he said. "Follow me."

Annabeth's heartbeat seemed to pick up speed as the man led her and the others past the bar and through a maze of tables. He came to a halt outside a door bearing the label 'Private Party'. He knocked twice on its wooden surface, then nodded to Percy, who grabbed the knob with a steely expression and twisted it, pushing the door open and leading the way inside. Everyone except Reyna, who was not officially involved with the organization, followed.

The private room wasn't overly large, but it looked spacious due to the sparser table setup. Three tables were set in an arc at the front of the room—a horizontally-placed rectangular table flanked by two round ones—but only one was occupied. Near the middle of one of the rectangular table's longer sides sat a man Annabeth instantly recognized as Parker Grace. Tall and lean, with tanned skin and dark hair streaked on the sides with gray—he was Percy, only twenty years older. He was dressed almost identically to the way he'd been when last Annabeth had seen him: black pants and blazer, dark green dress shirt. The twinkle she remembered had hung in his eyes seemed to have dimmed somewhat, giving him a more somber appearance. But unlike his late brother, the east-coast head of Olympus still didn't frighten her.

Parker stood immediately as they entered, his eyebrows drawing together in a frown. He stepped around the table and started toward them, and Percy extended an arm to bar Annabeth and the others before following suit and stepping into the middle of the room. "Hi, Dad," he said flatly, his voice and movements tentative as though expecting a fight. He lowered his head—and subsequently missed the broad grin that spread over his father's face as Parker reached his son, grabbed him by the shoulders, and pulled him into a rough embrace.

Annabeth hid a smile as she noticed Percy tense in surprise. "It's great to see you, son," Parker said sincerely, thumping Percy on the back before pulling free and stretching his arms with his hands still on his son's shoulders. "When I'd heard what happened in London—I don't think I've ever been quite so mad. I had a feeling Zeke was responsible, not that he told me directly. He kept that little detail out of the official report."

"Didn't seem incredibly concerned with covering it up, though, did he?" a dry voice behind Parker drawled. It had come from the man seated to the right of Parker's empty seat; he was thin and lithe like a jungle cat, leaning slightly sideways on the arm of his chair with one arm stretched to the table as his fingers drummed rhythmically on its surface. He wore a black suit, like Parker, but his shirt beneath it was a rich golden color. Thin, shiny rings of the same hue decorated his fingers and trailed his left ear from lobe to cartilage. His eyes were impossibly dark as they watched the room's center and his pale, ghost-like face wore a bored expression, framed by sleek, shoulder-length black hair.

"No, he certainly didn't," Parker agreed with a frown, turning back to face the table. "Which is partly why I asked you out here, as we've discussed. We seem to have found ourselves in a difficult situation."

The dark-haired man raised an eyebrow. "Difficult indeed. So why don't we move on? I'm sure my nephew is very anxious to discover what fate we've decided for him." His dark eyes swept over Percy in mild amusement and Annabeth realized with a slight jolt who she was looking at. She'd finally come face to face with codename Hades—youngest of the Grace brothers and leader of Olympus's west-coast division, Harley Grace.

"Life isn't all about fate, you know," Parker told his brother good-naturedly. "But I suppose you're right. If you'd all like to sit down, I'm sure you've realized we have some things to discuss."

As Parker reclaimed his seat beside his brother and the new arrivals followed suit, Annabeth surveyed the table, realizing with an odd feeling that she knew everyone else present. Danielle Wheaton, known to the organization as Demeter, was seated on Harley's right, her back as straight as a curtain rod and a look of mild distaste on her face. Hank Beckendorf, codenamed Hephaestus as Olympus's chief equipment specialist, sat beside her, dressed in dark gray overalls and leaning heavily forward on the table, a scowl beneath his curly black beard.

On Parker's left was Harrison Stoll, also known as Hermes, head of communications and transit. His sharp features and stormy blue eyes brought a flashing image of Luke Castellan to Annabeth's mind and she swallowed a grimace at the unexpected stab of guilt. As though reading her mood, Harrison offered her a small, almost sad smile as she lowered herself into a chair.

Beside Harrison was Aimee Beauregard—codename Aphrodite, leader of Olympus's intelligence division, and Piper and Silena's mother. She was just as naturally beautiful as Annabeth remembered—bright blue eyes, perfect skin, shiny brown hair—but the grief in her countenance after losing her oldest daughter seemed to mar that, making her look strangely older and more careworn. She sat in respectable silence with her hands folded loosely in her lap, her expression forcibly passive.

"Now, as you can probably imagine," Parker began, "Olympus has been in a bit of an uproar since word got around about Zeke."

Sitting across from his father and beside Annabeth, Percy wrung his hands in his lap. "Did you tell them it was us?"

Parker exchanged an unreadable glance with Harley, who answered, "Only a handful of members know the truth. We didn't think it prudent to spread the news of infighting around. If we let on that you were behind this, we would also be forced to explain why, which would ruin many members' outlook on Zeke and could potentially undermine the organization's trust in Parker and me. And at a time like this, that's something we'd like to avoid."

Annabeth tried not to let her features tighten in a scowl. So they were going to cover up Zeke's treachery. The man was getting off clean again.

But he isn't, she had to remind herself, clenching a fist under the table. Not really. Public knowledge or not, he paid for what he did. I saw to it myself. Rationally speaking, Parker and Harley's reasoning for keeping their brother's deeds under wraps did make sense. They were doing it to prevent civil war. And so Annabeth remained silent.

"But… don't people want to know what happened?" Thalia wondered, leaning forward and resting her good arm on the table.

Across from her, Danielle sat up even straighter, which Annabeth hadn't thought possible. "We're spreading the word that Zeke was taken out by the CIA. As a squad was present at the Willis Tower last night, it's a believable cover story that will be hard to disprove—especially since the one who dealt the final blow is in fact a former agent." Her chocolate eyes darted toward Annabeth, but said former agent didn't sense any disdain in the look.

"Many people are already starting to demand retribution," Aimee added, waving a hand and sounding tired. "But our primary goal for the time being is to replace Zeke as soon as possible. The organization needs a central division leader—Parker and Harley are too busy in their own respective cities."

"Any of our operation heads could step in," Parker said, tilting his head to the side thoughtfully, "but we feel it would be best to do this the traditional way. We need to show the organization that above all else, we are still a family. And family is the most important thing. As such, upon Zeke's death his position should go to his closest living heir, given that he never chose a personal successor." He extended a hand toward Thalia, nodding politely.

Zeke's daughter breathed in sharply in mild surprise and seemed to hold her breath, a reluctant frown on her face. "I know it would send the right message for me to take over," she said in a strained sort of voice, "but this… this job was a one-time thing. My life is back in London now—the life I want. I'm sorry, but… I declined my father's inheritance a long time ago. This life isn't for me anymore."

"Very well," Harley said with a nod. No one at the table looked particularly surprised. "In that case, next in line would be your cousin." His eyes shifted to Percy and his eyebrows darted upward.

Parker's eyes as well studied his son. "What do you say, Percy?"

Percy was quiet for a long minute. He seemed tense, like he knew this was coming but still wasn't sure how to answer. Annabeth knew she couldn't advise him either way—the organization had been his life for so long. She was still new to the entire thing. Without speaking, she reached over and grasped his hand in a reassuring gesture.

"Hey," Piper cut in from down the table. She leaned around Frank as Percy turned to look at her and she finished, "Remember what my sister said."

Annabeth wasn't sure what that was about, but she was glad when the corner of Percy's mouth ticked up in a small smile. He turned back to his father and said in a strong voice, "I'll do it."

Parker didn't smile, but his eyes seemed to twinkle with glad satisfaction. "Good," he said, sitting back in his seat. "Then let it be made official—my son, Percy Jackson, does hereby accept the title of Olympus central division head and will be granted all associated power and authority, equal to that of Harley Grace and myself, Parker Grace." Finally an easy smile stretched across his face. "Welcome home, son."

Percy grinned as Frank reached over and thumped a hand on his shoulder. Annabeth couldn't help a smile—it was odd how she was beginning to feel as though things were getting back to normal, considering everything around her was changing. She supposed this was a life she was going to have to get used to.

"Well, that's one crisis averted," Hank said gruffly, shifting in his seat and readjusting his rolled-up sleeves.

"Anyone else have an order of business to address?" Harley inquired, looking both ways down the table.

After a half second of thoughtful hesitation, Percy said, "Can I… make a suggestion?"

"Of course," Parker replied with an amused smile.

For some reason, Percy shot a glance at Annabeth. She frowned at him inquisitively as he went on, "After Adelyn Chase was arrested, her division was dissolved. Lack of a suitable replacement, right?"

Annabeth's heart skipped a beat as Parker agreed, "Right. We didn't want someone incompetent in her position, so we reassigned her team."

"I think we should reestablish it." Again Percy looked over at Annabeth. "Who would be a more suitable replacement than her daughter?"

"Me?" Annabeth breathed, a bit stunned. Not only did he want her to formally join Olympus, but he was recommending her for a position of power. It was a little sudden and overwhelming.

Percy smiled. "Yeah, you. Tactical expansion engineer. How's it sound?"

To be honest, it sounded too good to be true. After reconciling with her mother, Annabeth realized how great it would be to follow in her footsteps, to be a part of the family Adelyn had sacrificed everything for.

When she didn't answer immediately, Parker shrugged a shoulder and said, "It's fine with me. Harley?" His brother waved a hand in assent.

Strangely giddy, Annabeth smiled. "Alright. I'm in." Percy grinned and squeezed her hand.

"Then it's done," Parker summed up, lifting his hands. Annabeth had a strange vision of him banging a gavel on the table as though drawing the discussion to a close.

"Not to overstep my bounds," she said, emboldened by the Grace brothers' approval, "but… I'd also like to make a… suggestion." Parker extended a hand and indicated her to go on. She took a deep breath and looked down the table at Aimee. "You said people are demanding retribution. Why don't we give it to them?"

Harrison frowned. "You mean… go after the CIA?"

Annabeth nodded. "The only reason last night went as badly as it did was because Atlas and his team showed up. I'm not saying we storm their headquarters, but I don't want to just let this go. Besides… They've got a friend of ours." She shot a glance unconsciously over her shoulder toward the door, outside which Reyna was waiting. "We want to get him back."

Dark eyebrows creasing, Harley asked, "What friend?"

"His name's Leo Valdez." The sound of a chair scraping the floor caught Annabeth's attention and she looked to her left to see Hank duck his head and cough loudly. Danielle glanced down her nose at him, looking annoyed, then rolled her eyes and averted her gaze. Returning her attention to the brothers, Annabeth explained, "He helped us out a lot this week. I can't just leave him in Atlas's hands."

"I'm for it," Percy supplied, and Annabeth felt a rush of gratitude for his sticking up for her. He turned to face his father and uncle, and Annabeth was surprised to see him address Harley directly when he said, "Kronos has already cost us enough. It's time we strike back."

Harley seemed to stiffen, his expression darkening. When Parker also shifted to survey his brother in quiet inquisition, Annabeth realized what was happening: Harley Grace had lost both of his children to CIA operatives. If it wasn't for Victor Kronos, his son Nico and daughter Bianca might still be alive. This was his call to make.

The silence was tense for a long minute, until finally a tiny, grim smirk appeared on Harley's face. "I vote affirmative. I've been waiting a long time to see Kronos and Atlas get theirs. Perhaps you're right—it is time we strike back."

"Then it's decided," Parker said with finality. The frown on his face and the dark look in his eyes seemed uncomfortably grave—he was fully aware of how dangerous this decision would be for them all.

But still, Annabeth couldn't help feeling strangely excited. She wanted to do this. She'd accomplished the task she'd come back for, eliminated the person who'd threatened her and Percy's happiness. But she had one last thing to do before everything in her life would fall back into place. She had to eliminate her past—the ties to the old life she regretted, reminding her of how obstinate and uneducated she'd been before that one assignment had changed it all. She hated Kronos and Atlas for what they'd made her into, and now, on top of that, they were the last and biggest threat to her new family.

Family… she thought as she glanced around the table. These people were her life now, and, like her fiancé, she would do whatever it took to protect them. It was time for her to cut her ties to the CIA once and for all, so that the new ties forming between her and the people around her could grow stronger than any before them.

In accepting her mother's legacy, Annabeth felt like her origin code had been rewritten. She no longer identified as a former government agent. Now, when she thought of herself, it was as a member of Olympus—the largest organized crime ring in the United States, and the largest family.

She guessed these feelings must have shown on her face when Percy slid his arm through hers and laced their fingers together comfortably, like pieces fitting perfectly into a puzzle. She saw the love in his eyes when he smiled at her, and the warmth in her heart was only further reminder that somehow all the decisions she'd made in her life—both bad and good—all of them had brought her right here, to this moment, sitting in a restaurant in Chicago with a table full of Olympus's leaders. She had regrets, but as Percy had told her once, regrets were only proof that you were changing, becoming better. And the most important thing she didn't regret was where those regrets had brought her.

With that in mind, her smile didn't fade as Parker sat forward and addressed them all, "We're about to break tradition and pick a fight with the government. Now more than ever, it's important for us all to leave this divide caused by my brother behind us and stand together. It's the only way we'll be able to go against the CIA."

The smile on Harley's face made Annabeth worry for his enemies. "It's us or them this time," he said, and Annabeth could already feel the adrenaline spark in her veins, even though she knew it might be a while before this plan came into action.

Us or them… she repeated in her mind. That statement meant more to her than to anyone else. It was the new her against the old her, her future against her past. In this final battle, she would either lose everything, or win what she desperately needed—her freedom from herself.

You want me, Atlas? Annabeth thought with a smirk as everyone began to rise resolutely from the table. Then get ready—because this time, my family and I are coming for you.

So there it is. As you can see, we now have the main plot of Book 3 established. Yes, I have the summary done and all that, and I'll let you guys see it next chapter after I post the epilogue just like I did last time. Promise :D

Side-note, any of you who've read my Darkness Falls duology (Blood and Sand/The War of Shadows) might be interested to know I've given into requests and started a one-shot series of events during and after the canon of those two books. First one's posted already (it's why this update is a little late, heh heh), so check it out if you feel so inclined :D

Drop me a review on your way out, and I'll see you on Christmas Eve for the final installment!

Later days!

-oMM