"So, you and Connor, huh?"

"Don't even," I said, effectively shutting Percy up. For some reason, he had gotten into his head that Connor and I were more than just friends, the idea of which was revolting. He had even come up with a ship name for us.

Yes, you read that right. My brother came up with a ship name, like some desperate fangirl. Maybe he was inspired ever since hearing the Aphrodite kids talking about Percabeth.

And get this: Connor and I's ship name was… wait for it… Cookie.

As in Connor and Brookie, of course, was the response given to me when Percy noticed my dubious stare.

"But-"

"No!" I insisted. "I'd rather have a Percabeth conversation with all the Aphroditzes then talk about this with you, seeing as how there isn't even a this!"

"Aphroditzes?"

"As in the ditzy children of Aphrodite. Gods, Percy, keep up."

He threw his head back and laughed. I had never realized just how similar our laughs were. While mine wasn't nearly as low as his and in general mine was just more pleasing-I mean, come on, I'm adorable- we both did this weird breathing thing. In fact, I was coming to realize that Percy and I had a lot in common. We're both so sarcastic to the point that sarcasm is too nice of a word to describe it. Smart-ass or snarky little bitches was a bit more accurate, seeing as how I've actually been called both. We were both pretty laid-back too, admittedly him more so than I.

Granted we were quite different in many ways. I was more competitive. He was loyal to a fault. There were certain traits of his that I could only ever hope to achieve some day. Leadership came so naturally to him, and he was a beast with his sword, but I got the good looks of the family so I think it worked out okay.

These few weeks that I had with my family were arguably some of the greatest of my life. Not that I was depressed before, but there was always that feeling, sometimes more present than others. The feeling I'm talking about is one any unclaimed demi-god has ever experienced, but in a way it was worse for me. The feeling of not really knowing who you are or where you belong was only intensified because not only was I unclaimed by my godly parent, I never knew my mortal one either. In the short time I've had this knowledge, I've felt different, as if a weight has been lifted off of me. And in this case, that weight could feel like an overweight elephant at times.

And yes, I do cover my seriousness with a nice layer of sarcasm.

Much later that night found me sitting out on the fire escape. Everyone else had already gone to bed, but for some reason sleep was eluding me. Little did I know that sleep was nowhere on the schedule for tonight.

Having come from living in a camp where the loudest noise at night was crickets and the occasional harpy, the constant motion of the city was a bit unnerving. With the constant lights and sounds, New York felt alive. I was just sitting there, just taking it all in, when I felt a hand come down on my shoulder.

Sitting here, unarmed and alone, when I had no real fighting skills clearly wasn't one of my better ideas. My mind ran through thousands of awful scenarios in the split second before I opened my mouth to scream. I must have taken to long though, because next I felt the hand clamp over my mouth. Even if I had gotten the chance to scream, it would have been too late. I would be dead before Percy could ever reach me. So I did the next best thing I could think of. Praying that whoever, or whatever, had grabbed me was male, I kicked my leg up behind me in a straight shot at his (hopefully) balls.

A horrible gasp that rivaled that of a tortured animal followed by a groan and the release of the hand from my mouth indicated that I had indeed been successful. Turning around quickly to survey my victim and decide whether or not I still needed to scream, I was shocked with the sight that met my eyes.

Lying on the fire escape was none other than Andrew, clutching his crotch as if it held all the pain of the world. A strangled sound came from my throat as I stumbled over an apology. Nothing I could say seemed proportionate to the situation, because I may not know how to use a sword or shoot an arrow, but that didn't mean I was weak. I had put a lot of force into that kick.

"It's okay," he managed to choke out, between gasping for breaths. When he managed to get back on his feet, throwing his hands up in surrender, I still hadn't managed to actually say anything coherent. I think I was in shock.

"Brooke, you're good," he said, breathing normally and everything, so I allowed myself to get over my shock and pull him into a hug.

My embarrassment and joy over seeing him quickly melted away to make room for a different, even stronger emotion: anger.

"What the hell was that? What are you even doing here? You nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought you were a rapist or a drakon! Why would you think sneaking up my fire escape was a good idea? How the hell did you even get up here?" And on and on I ranted. I was nearly breathless by the time Andrew decided to jump in.

"Well I got into town a little early. And really? A rapist or a drakon? That's a bit of a broad range."

As if that were a suitable explanation. He only answered one of my questions, and it was a half-assed answer at best. When I pointed this out, rather snidely, he just chuckled.

"I wanted to come see you."

He didn't seem to be getting it, and if my death glare wasn't an indication of my annoyance, I don't know what was.

Finally seeming to pick up on my irritation, he flashed me a lazy grin and opened his arms for a hug. "I missed you. Is it really such a crime to want to favorite person?"

Damn him for knowing how to get to me. Well that and he offered me a hug, which I certainly wouldn't refuse.

He held me in his arms for a few moments before pulling back to look me in the face. Brushing a few stray strands of hair from my face, he whispered, "I really did miss you."

As much as I wanted to melt into his arms and be held captive in his unbelievably gorgeous eyes, I knew he only meant it as a friend. So naturally, before I could let what I was truly feeling show, I pulled out of his arms and covered it all up with snark.

"We've only been apart for a day. Are you really that dependent on me that you couldn't manage for that long?" I teased.

"Brooke, my life just wouldn't be complete without you," he whispered, his voice low, and oh so sexy. Pulling me back towards him, he gazed straight into my eyes. My breath caught as he leaned closer and…