Author's Note:

Chapter 12 up! A special thanks to:

FunnelCakes

princess3170

Disclaimer: Don't own anything!

Chapter 12-Holiday

"Mr. Blofis on the line for you, Mr. Jackson," announced Katie Williams as she peered through the door. The weather outside started to get cold as people chatted and cheered outside busy shopping and rushing for the holiday season. He had been in the office since six o'clock in the morning and it's now five thirty in the afternoon. And he planned to stay there for how long he did not know. Just until his body ached and asked for rest. Not until his eyelids dropped due to fatigue. He grabbed for the phone while signing a stack of letters for his secretary to mail. At least the job in Singapore was off his back. Now he'd be getting ulcers over the medical center in San Francisco. His job was a never-ending stream of headaches and demands, contracts and problems and meetings.

"Hello Paul! What's up?"

"Your mother's in a meeting, but she asked me to call and tell you that we'll be back from San Francisco tonight." Sally and Paul left for San Francisco three weeks ago to set the new office of Jackson Inc.

"Is everything all right there?" Percy sounded anxious as he anticipated his trip.

"Yes everything is fine. And I hope Perce you would find time to go out and roam around the city. It's beautiful out here though the breeze is definitely cold. Comes January, I hope you can come up on your sleeve and transfer the whole team with you. Is Nico doing well there? By this time I hope he already came up with ideas of finishing touches on the walls of the medical center."

"I've got that settled."

"Good and please rest for the holiday lad. You're working yourself to death for the past two years." And there was guilt in his voice as he said it. It's been two years now since the accident. And Annabeth kept her promise. There was a pain in his chest as he remembered now. In the beginning, he knew he was doing the right thing but now...but now he almost wanted to kill himself for what he did to Percy. He was a good son, obedient and yet there was simply no life in him. He did not get over it because he refused to. Sometimes, Paul did not know how to recuperate for all his sins. To both Percy and Annabeth. But he did not have the heart to tell Percy the truth. Percy might kill him. It's madness! And lately, his health was starting to fail. Those headache attacks were just too often. The doctor said he needed some rest. Maybe it's time Percy will be handling the chairmanship of the whole company. He deserved it. And Jim Jackson will be too proud.

"Paul?"

"Yes, I'm still here. Will you be home for Christmas Percy? Your mother is expecting you. She invited some friends along together with your team in San Francisco. I hope you will make it."

"Not sure. Jut not in the mood to meet some friends. Anyway, I'll be seeing Nico after the holiday before we leave for San Francisco."

"Okay, suit yourself. I'll tell Sally. She misses you a lot! I hope you will change your mind."

And he hanged up.

A day before Christmas, a surprised guest knocked on his door. Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the millionaire's daughter.

"It's been ages Percy since we saw each other. Still working yourself to death?"

He just smiled as she stood in front of him. "What a surprise! I did not know you were in town Rachel."

"I just arrived yesterday. Don't tell me you don't have time for another hang out with friends. The whole group will miss you."

"And when will this be?"

"Maybe after the holidays"

"I'll see if I could pitch it in my schedule. Anyway, you're looking great Rachel."

A spark suddenly glowed in her eyes. Finally, Percy was starting to notice her. Unlike before treating her like she did not exist. She came nearer to Percy and stared at him. Percy has grown handsomer than before. There was this class about him in the way he dresses, the way he moves, talks; everything in him was just simply adorable. Even now that he spent most of his time inside his office. She had heard about Annabeth's death and she felt sorry for him. And now as she stared at his childhood crush, she can't help but feel a need to comfort him, to let him forget Annabeth and accept her death. That everything was already a thing of the past and it was time to move on.

After Rachel said goodbye, Percy went back to signing letters, and as usual, he spent the night on the couch. And the next night as well. It suited him perfectly. Christmas fell over on a weekend that year, so no one knew where he was. Even the janitor and the maids had been given the holiday off. Only the night watchman realized that Percy never left the office from Friday until late Sunday night, and by then Christmas was over. And when he got back to his empty apartment, he had nothing more to fear. Christmas, with all its memories and ghosts, was already a thing of the past. There was a large, ostentatious poinsettia wilting outside his door, sent to him by Rachel. He put it near a window sill.

In San Francisco, Annabeth spent the holiday more comfortably than Percy, but in equal solitude. She had cooked a small capon, sung Christmas carols alone on the terrace on Christmas Eve, after she came home from church, and slept late on Christmas Day. She'd hoped to keep the day from coming, but there was no escaping it. At least in San Francisco the weather reminded her less of Christmases she had known in the East. It was almost as though these people were pretending it was Christmas, when she knew it actually wasn't. The unfamiliarity made it a trifle easier to bear. And she had two presents this year, a beautiful Gucci handbag from Luke and a funny book from Silena. She curled up in a chair with it in the afternoon after she had eaten her capon and stuffing and cranberry sauce.

It was after six o'clock when she finally put down the book and stretched her legs. A walk would be nice; she needed to get some air. She slipped into her coat, reached for her hat to cover the remaining bandages on her forehead and smiled at herself in the mirror. She still liked the new smile. It was a great smile. It made her wonder what the rest of her face would look like, when Luke was through. It was a little bit like becoming his dream woman.

.

It was a crisp breezy evening, with no fog—she knew it would be a good night for painting— and she headed slowly down toward the park. The streets were mostly deserted. Everyone was recovering from Christmas dinner, recuperating in easy chairs and on couches, or snoring softly in front of the TV. The vision she created in her own head made Annabeth smile, and then suddenly she tripped, making a little shrieking noise as she stumbled. Luke had warned her to be careful of falling. She couldn't indulge yet in any active sports because of that danger, and now she'd almost fallen on the street. Her arms had gone out to save her and she had regained her balance before hitting the pavement. And then she realized that she wasn't the only one who had shrieked. She had stumbled over a small shaggy dog, who looked greatly offended. Now he sat down, waved a paw at her, and yipped. He was a tangled little fur ball of beige and brown. He stared at her and barked again.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. You scared me, too, you know." She bent to pat him and he wagged his tail and barked once more. "Okay bye-bye," she said. She started to walk away, but he immediately followed, trotting along at her side until she stopped and looked down at him again.

"Now listen you go on home. Go on …" But each time she took a step, he did, too, and when she stopped he sat down, waiting happily for her to go on. She stood there and laughed at him. He was really a ridiculous little dog, but such a cute one. Annabeth had made a new friend, and at the end of half an hour he still showed no sign of deserting her. "All right, you, come on." So off they went to the park and back to her apartment.

Thalia was making her way towards Bel-Air Street thinking about yesterday's holiday and shopping for some things to be brought to San Francisco. In a few days, she and Nico and the whole team will be on their way to the medical center to do some final touches. She strode fast the alley when through the glass wall of a coffee shop, she saw a familiar figure. Nico with a girl! She retraced her steps and little by little came nearer the glass wall. Her eyes went wide as she stared at the two figures. Nico's back was turned from her but she can clearly make out the girl sitting in front of him. Mary Smith of all people! She felt a surge of jealousy as she stared at Nico laughing and showing a magazine to Mary. Then he stood up to sit beside her still pointing to the magazine he's holding. Then they laughed. The nerve!

She pushed open the door and went inside the coffee shop her blood rushing. While waiting for her espresso, she chose a table right beside them listening to their conversation. She felt like a lunatic eavesdropping to other people's conversation. Oh, she's crazy! It was Mary who recognized her first. She made a wide fake smile.

"Hi Thalia! Nice to see you here! Would you like to join us?"

"No… no… thank you." as she played her fingers on the table. She's trying to control her jealousy.

Nico moved his head to look at her. "Hi! Didn't know you were here," then went back to Mary. Her temper was now nearing boiling point as Nico ignored her as if she did not exist. She regretted she did not bring her wand or she had hexed Nico. She glared at him stabbing him with "how dare you" look.

Then after a few minutes when it was obvious she looked like an intruder, she stood up and held her coffee but before heading for the door, she made sure she stepped on Nico's toes near the chair and said a sarcastic "Oops…sorry," before leaving.

"Ouch! That hurts!" exclaimed Nico as he followed Thalia from the corner of his eyes.

"Serve you right," Thalia thought as she stepped outside the glass door. Nico put a smile on his lips.

For the last time Annabeth checked out the things she packed for her trip to Mexico. She brought out a portfolio folder for her sketches. After confirming with the travel agency, she had dinner and continued packing. Her old things from the apartment were still in boxes and as she opened a familiar one, her tears almost blinded her eyes. She was staring at the book with Percy's dried flower tucked inside it. She looked at it for a long time before opening it. It was dusty, and she was almost afraid to open it. Slowly, she fingered through the pages and finally her eyes rested on the note behind the dried red petal rose.

Miss Chase,

Please accept my peace offering…

Percy Jackson

Percy…where are you? Why did you forget? This beautiful face, why do I need to pay the price of losing you just for a beautiful face? Is it all worth it? She sat there holding it, and slowly, tears slid down her face. It had taken two years to face that again. Two years. Two years of longing for him. Hopes that one day he will appear out of nowhere and claim her telling her everything is all right. Dreams… and the reality of losing the battle against Paul Blofis. But she needed to face it. She's got to do something about her past. It should not affect her anymore after all those therapies with Silena and the good comfortable life she's leading right now. She tried to shake her head so that tears will clear away her face then she stood up. It's time to move on with her new life. A new life without Percy. Maybe her trip to Mexico will give her a fresh start.

In the morning, she was all set. She caught a cab and headed straight to Union Square. She had already made the reservation; all she had to do now was stop off and pick up her ticket. Fred sat on her lap staring at the cars passing by and occasionally turning to look at her.

"Right here, miss?" The driver had stopped on the corner of Powell and Post, next to the Saint Francis Hotel, and Annabeth quickly nodded.

"This will be fine." She paid the fare, opened the door of the cab, and let Fred hop out onto the pavement. She quickly followed and looked around. The ticket office was only a few steps away, and she was rapidly inside. For once, there wasn't even a line, but it was still early in the day.

"May I help you?" The girl behind the counter looked at her with a smile, and Annabeth smiled back. "Are you picking up tickets?"

"Yes, I am. I made a reservation and I am told I could be accommodated with the morning trip. Chase. Annabeth Chase." It was strange and as she said her name she recalled Silena telling her why not change her name. There was no more of the old Annabeth in her. Her voice was different, smoother, deeper, more controlled. It was a subtle voice pleasant to the ears…Her face, even if you will stare at her for hours, you will never recognize her old face. There was no one left to remember. No one who had ever known her before would recognize her now. The delicate, perfectly etched face was someone other women dreamed of being, but no one she had known for the past twenty-six years. The girl glanced at the computer and then to the customer standing before her. She couldn't take her eyes off her—the perfect features, dazzling smile, and a grace when she moved that held everyone's attention. Everything about her made you want to ask, "Who is she?" Annabeth wrote out her check, received her ticket, and walked back out into the December sunlight of Union Square. She held Fred in her arms so he wouldn't get stepped on, and smiled to herself as she wandered across the square. It was a beautiful day and she had a beautiful life. She was going away after the holidays; she couldn't ask for more. She strolled into a store with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step, and decided to buy herself something pretty. She wandered from floor to floor, trying on hats, bracelets, scarves, jackets, handbags, a pair of boots, and a funny pair of gold lame shoes. She finally settled on a soft white cashmere sweater, which with her silken skin and rich, blonde hair made her look more beautiful. The thought amused her. And Luke would like it. The sweater moulded her figure in a pleasing sort of way. Even her shape had changed in the last year, with the ballet and yoga; her body seemed to have hardened and stretched until she looked long and lean and wonderfully lithe.

She made her way to the main floor again, looking at the displays, watching the people, and finally she stopped to buy a box of chocolates for Silena. They were a suitably festive gift for the last day of therapy with her. She wrote on the card only, "Thank you. Love, Annabeth." What more could she say? Thank you for helping me forget Percy? Thank you for helping me survive? Thank you … As she played with the thoughts, she suddenly stopped. She looked as though she had seen a ghost, and when the saleswoman handed her back her charge card, she only continued to stare. Nico stood just a few feet away. Nico in San Francisco? What's he doing here?

Thanks for everything everyone! Anyway, to the readers of my deleted Harry Potter story "You're a HP character! Book 1: The Sorcerer's Stone", I'm so sorry *sobs* for deleting it. Yeah, I know that the story got only started but *sobs* someone flamed me saying she'll report it. If you feel I'm not violating anything I can publish it again. In need of your support. Thanks!