Annabeth didn't get out of her chair for four hours, absorbed as she was in Percy's book. When she did, she did it groaning, her legs creaking in protest.

"I'm numb!" She moaned. He gave her an amused look. "Too long!"
"Did you finish it?"
"Yeah. It was okay."
"I didn't think you liked mysteries."
"Not usually. But I started it, so I had to finish it."
"Ah," He said. He was writing something, but obviously having a hard time. Annabeth went over and sat by him on the pullout.

"What're you doing?"

He rubbed his eyes. "I'm supposed to write a summary of this fish, but it's a really complicated fish and there's too much stuff it told me."
"Huh. You're a marine biologist?"
He nodded. "I'm sort of the check upper—I go around to all the aquariums around the city and make sure they're treating the fish right, feeding them right, and sometimes give tours and demonstrations. And when I'm not doing that, I work at a really small aquarium, owned by this old man who mostly sleeps behind the desk. He doesn't really mind or notice when I feed the fish without a suit or air tank, or if I pop out dry."
"Cool. Are there tours?"
"Yeah. But only at certain times, and I don't feed them then. Mostly private school trips, coming to look at the fish. They really don't care, but they're glad to be out of school. What about you?"
"Me?" She shrugged. "I work at a really crappy architect company with the stupidest boss ever. I'm just waiting for my five year mark so I can leave and still have credit for my designs."
Her cell rang. She leaned over Percy, who looked skyward, to grab it.

"Speak of the devil," She sighed, taking the call. "Yeah?"
Percy couldn't hear the words on the other side, but it sounded like a lot of yelling.

"I took two weeks off!"
…

"Oh please! I emailed you the dates, then asked you if it was okay, and you said, to my face, that it was fine."

"I am not!"

…

"Like hell I will. I'm in New York, anyway."
…

Annabeth laughed, short and incredulous.

"Yeah, right. I took two weeks off, and I'm going to enjoy them."
…

"Fine. But my designs—"
She brought the phone down, cursing and redialing.

"Millie? It's Annabeth. He's after my designs. Can you put them in the locking drawer in my desk and take the key?"
…

"I don't care if you eat it. I've got one here, with me."
She waited.
"Thanks. Yeah, tell Tommy thanks too. Okay. Bye. I will. Bye."
She hung up, waited a second, then hurled her phone at the wall. It bounced off and fell to the floor.

"Whoa," Percy said, putting his hands up. He could recognize an angry Annabeth anywhere, anytime. "What's the matter?"
She glared at the wall. "My boss is the shittiest man in the world."
"Ah. Do you want to talk about it?"

She frowned, breathing hard through her nose. "I told him that I was taking two weeks off, gave him the dates, asked him if it was okay, and he said it was fine. But now he calls and asks where I am, then demands I have to come in. I told him no, he said I might as well not come in. So I went to ask if my designs were still mine, and he hung up. So I called Millie, one of my coworkers, and asked her to hide them. She had her sort-of-boyfriend distract my boss and she locked my designs up and ate the key."
"Huh."
Her phone rang. She picked it up, snorted at the caller ID, and answered it with a short "What?"
…

"Yeah, right."
…

She bit her lip, staring out the window.

"I—"
…

"Okay, fine."
She hung up, glaring at the phone.

"Now what?" Percy asked.

She sighed. "He said that I could stay here and work under his brother, and that I could leave two months early with all my designs. So I agreed."
"And…is this good or bad?" Percy questioned cautiously.
"Good, I guess." She sighed again. "Anyway, I'll probably have to find a place to live here, then. Or… I don't know." She rubbed her eyes, sighing.

"Well, you can stay here until you find someplace permanent. I mean, if you want."
She grinned at him. "Thanks, Percy."
He shrugged. "Anytime."
"I hope not. I mean, I hope my boss isn't really annoying so that I have to impose on you."
"It's okay, Annabeth. I can handle it."
She sighed, shaking her head at the floor.
He got up and went to the kitchen, rummaging through the drawers.

"What are you doing today?" He asked.

"Dunno. I'll probably go over to Piper's later. Why?"
"Oh, just wondering. I'm going out later, and I didn't really want to leave you alone on your first day here. Well, second. You were here yesterday."
"I'll be fine if she's busy. Which she could be."

He glanced up at her, knowing exactly what she was getting at.

"Okay. You like grilled cheese, right?"
"Yeah. You want help?"
"You can make the soup. I usually have to do it separate or the sandwiches burn."

"Where do you keep it?"
He pointed to a cupboard, which she opened to find a bunch of cans. She dug around until she found tomato soup.

"And pots?"
He pointed to another cupboard while smearing butter on bread.

She opened it to find a variety of pots shoved haphazardly into the small space. Carefully, she maneuvered around until she got the one she wanted.

"Zeus. You need to organize it," She muttered, setting the pot on the stove and pouring soup into it.

"Never have time," He mumbled from the cupboard. He emerged with a pan and dust in his hair.

Quietly and quickly, they made a nice lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup. They ate it the same way, then Percy excused himself to change for his "thing". Annabeth cleaned up the dishes by herself.

"Hey, Annabeth? You want to put your cases in the closet?"
"Sure," She said, and lugged them down the hall where the closet stood open, with a few towels on the top shelves. It had a little space to stand, so you could close the door while inside.
"You can use it as a dressing room," Percy decided with a grin.

"Oh, thanks." She rolled her eyes as the door buzzer rang. He headed off and Annabeth noticed what he was wearing. A blue button-up, untucked with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and jeans. It was casual, but nice. He opened the door to reveal a young woman, wearing a skirt and tight top. Her brown hair was straightened to perfection, with hoop earrings that matched her golden sandals. Percy greeted her with a hug.

Annabeth got the same feeling she'd gotten when she first heard of and met Rachel Dare, before she became the oracle and out-of-bounds.

Instant dislike.

"Oh, Annabeth!" Percy called. Annabeth emerged from the hallway, aware of her boxers, plaid shirt, and hair twisted into a bun to keep it out of the soup. "This is Stacy."
Stacy regarded Annabeth like an evil queen finding the peasant her prince's taken a fancy to. Or something.

"Hi, Annabeth. It's nice to meet you," She said.

"Likewise," Annabeth replied pleasantly.

"Oh, hang on. I forgot my key," Percy said, disappearing into his room.

"So, have you two been…a thing long?" Annabeth asked.

Stacy laughed. "Oh, we've been dating for about a month."

Yeah, Annabeth thought. I dated him for about a year and knew him for four besides that. But wow, a month!

Instead, she said, "Cool. Is it your one month anniversary?"

Stacy nodded.

He taking you to Paris? Annabeth mentally asked.

"Wow, that's cool. He always does something special."
Stacy raised an arched eyebrow. "Oh? Did you two date?"

"Got it!" Percy called triumphantly, reentering. Annabeth told them both to have fun and went into the kitchen. After the door closed, she called Piper.

"Hey, Annabeth! How's it going?"
"Oh, great. Did you know he had a girlfriend?"
"Who, Natalie?"
"What? No. Stacy."
"Oh, yeah. You met her? What's she like?"
"She's a bitch."

"Okay, Annabeth. Now looking at this from a view other than ex-girlfriend?"

"Shut up, Piper. I mean it. She looked at me like I'm a piece of garbage and she's, like, the husband to the garbage collector."
"That made no sense whatsoever. What're you wearing?"
"You know, a plaid shirt, boxers."
"There. See? She's jealous. She sees a woman in her boyfriend's clothes in his apartment, who hints at being an ex, and she gets suspicious. It's perfectly normal."

Annabeth sighed, flopping on the couch. "I guess you're right. But it just irritates me, you know?"
"You want to do something to them? Or what?"
"I don't know…would it be weird if I followed them around?"
"Yeah. But that's a good idea. Hmm…how about I have Jason text Percy, ask him if he wants to do something. Then, when he says no, he's on a date, have Jason say that I suggested we all meet up for a triple date."
"I'm going with who?"
"Oh, I'll pay someone. Don't worry."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "It's a horrible plan."
"Whatever, it's better that yours. Now, get ready. You have skinny jeans, right?"

"Yeah."
"Good. Now, put them with a top, and sandals, earrings, and a necklace. I'll come by in a couple of hours and pick you up, make sure you're dressed appropriately. Okay? See you in a few."
"Bye, Piper."
Annabeth watched TV for a while, and when it was time to get ready, took Piper's advice, finding her skinny jeans, putting them with a gray tank top, brown sandals, and a necklace. She had just finished doing her hair and makeup when the buzzer rang.
It was Piper. "You look fabulous," She laughed, looking fabulous herself in a sundress.

"Thanks. Did you get a date for me?"
"Yeah, I called Drew, you know, my half-sister, and she recommended this guy because he's cheap and good. Apparently he's done it a bunch of times."
"He's never met Stacy, right?"
"No, I gave him her description. He says no, but he might be wrong.

"How'd you get her description?"
"Oh, I have ways."
They made it to the lobby, and then out the door. It was April, so it was cool, but not cold enough to need a jacket.

Jason honked the horn, and Piper climbed into the front seat.

Annabeth opened the back door to reveal a black-haired man with muscles bigger than Percy's.

"Hi, Annabeth. I'm Myles."
"Hi, Myles. Thanks for doing this."
"No problem."
"How much are they paying you?" She asked as Jason set off into traffic.

"Can't tell you. But, give me a rundown. Are you going to be pissed if I open your car door? Can I defend you in a fight? What's your favorite color? Parent's names?"
The questions went on, and Annabeth answered them as best she could. Before she knew it, they had pulled up to the restaurant.
"Piper, I hate you. I'm not doing this," Annabeth decided.

"To bad, Annabeth. Come on."
"Wait! Myles! I don't—" She climbed out of the car and fell, her sandal straps twisting.

He caught her. "You don't what?"
"I don't know anything about you!"
He laughed.
"You say whatever you want, Annabeth. I'll go along with it. Don't worry."
She blinked as he headed after Piper and Jason into the restaurant. Percy and Stacy were already there, sitting across from each other at a table for six.

Myles sat next to Stacy, introducing himself, and Piper sat next to him, leaving Annabeth to try to sit gracefully in the seat next to Percy. Jason sat next to her, and she wiped her sweaty palms on her pants.

Enough, She commanded herself. You are a daughter of Athena. She's just a random girl. Percy's your ex, and that's how it is. Pull yourself together.

Annabeth's palms dried as she ordered her drink and Myles asked for the same.

But then Jason did something, something that Annabeth had no idea how he did it, but it left her blinking and Piper saying that her eyeliner was messed up.

"Huh? Oh, I'll go fix it," She mumbled through Jason's apologies. Stacy stood.

"I'll go with you!"
Great, Annabeth thought darkly. But she could always beat her up if it came to that. It'd only take about two seconds.

The thought cheered her as they made their way to the bathroom.

Stacy stood by her side while Annabeth did damage control.

"Oh, Stacy. I'm sorry about earlier, I know how it must've looked. You know, me being in his clothes and all."
"Oh, it's alright," Stacy said with a laugh. "Percy explained the wine. And, you know, your past."
Oh? Did he explain about the quests when went on since we were twelve? Did he explain about the sky? Did he explain about him going missing and the kisses and I-love-yous and Tartarus? Because I doubt it, Stacy.

"Oh, good," Annabeth said. "I'm glad he cleared that up."

Stacy smirked. Annabeth wanted to smack her.

"Oh, I'd better fix mine," Stacy said, eying her flawless makeup. "You don't have to wait."

"Oh, well, good luck." Annabeth replied with a smile. "Wasn't going to," She muttered when she was out of the bathroom.

The boys were talking animatedly about something when Annabeth sat back down.

Piper raised an eyebrow.

"Still a bitch," Annabeth mouthed. Piper nodded, looking satisfied.

"Did I miss anything?" Stacy asked, returned from fixing her makeup.

"Nope," Annabeth said.

The waiter came and asked for orders and left.

"So, Annabeth. How'd you and Myles meet?" Percy asked.

"Oh, well…" She remembered him saying to make up anything. "He works for my boss's brother, here in New York, but he used to come to L.A. all the time. We did some work together, and when he heard I was back, he wanted to catch up."

Myles grinned innocently at Percy. "She doesn't really leave your mind once she enters it, does she?"
Percy smiled softly, shaking his head. "No, she doesn't."

The table fell silent. Annabeth looked up and Myles, who winked. She blushed, looked at her lap, and batted her eyelashes teasingly. He laughed.

"What?" Percy asked.

"Oh, nothing," Myles said, still smiling at Annabeth.

They chatted about nothings for a while, until the waiter brought the food. Then they talked about great foods they've had, and great vacations.

They were winding down when Annabeth reached for an olive on Myles' plate and knocked Stacy's glass over.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She said while Stacy mopped.

"Oh, don't worry. It was a blonde mistake," She laughed.

Most blonde insults Annabeth could get by with a glare and they'd leave her alone. But Stacy's tone and the fact that Annabeth already didn't like her was too much.

She felt Percy and Jason's hands on her wrists.

"Annabeth. Sit down," Piper hissed. Annabeth hadn't even realized she was standing.

She sat woodenly, thinking evil thoughts with all her might at Stacy, hoping she'd get them and run away, screaming.

"How about a walk in the park?" Myles asked Annabeth.

"Oh, that'd be great!" Stacy announced, even though she wasn't invited.

"We can pay," Jason said.

"No, we can all split it," Percy insisted.

Stacy 'forgot her wallet'.

The rest of them paid and left, heading a couple of blocks over to the nearest park. For a while, they walked in pairs until they found a nice clearing with a few benches. Jason and Piper sat on one, Stacy poked around in the bushes, Percy and Myles debated something about the trees, and Annabeth fixed her sandal.

"Look, Annie!" She heard Stacy say. She looked up. Right at a spider.

Screaming, she fell back. Stacy laughed and shook it off.

"Is that another blonde thing?"
Annabeth stood up, fists clenched. She was making an enormous effort.

"What's the matter?" Stacy taunted. "Scared?"
Annabeth could see the others heading their way. She had to do this quick.

Grabbing Stacy's wrist, she used her ankle to pop Stacy's knees and shoved, making her fall. Annabeth sat on her, holding her flailing wrists while Stacy wailed and cried. She was preparing to punch her when Percy and Myles dragged her off. Stacy stood, shakily. Her makeup was smeared from her crying.

"I'm going to press charges!" She squeaked.

Annabeth took a step towards her.

"Oh, yeah?" She snarled.

Percy and Myles grabbed her arms.

Stacy's face was white.
"Percy, can we a talk?" She squeaked. Percy waited until Jason had a firm hold on Annabeth before walking a ways away.

She could only hear snatches of conversation, but it sounded like, "Her or me," "Crazy," "Maniac," and then she said something, Percy replied quickly, and Stacy turned on her heel and left.

"What's she say?" Piper asked. The boys let go of Annabeth.

"She said that either Annabeth had to go or she would, and that I should have her put in a home. Then she said that she was going to walk away unless she got to smack Annabeth. I told her okay, but we'd let Annabeth go and wouldn't be responsible for what happened. Then she left."

"What'd she do, Annabeth?" Jason asked, curiously.

"Called me Annie. Held a spider in my face. Called me a blonde again, and then scared."
Piper shook her head. "She had it coming."

The group stared at the ground in silence, then Myles' phone broke the silence, buzzing. He checked it.

"Oh, Annabeth. I'm so sorry, something's come up. I've got to go."

"Uh, okay. Thanks—"
Myles leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled at him, and he walked off.
"Well, thanks for the great night, guys. Bye!" Piper exclaimed brightly. She grabbed Jason's arm and pulled him away.

Percy and Annabeth watched them go.

"You okay?" Annabeth asked.

He sighed, looking up at the sky. "Yeah. She wasn't really serious."
"Ah," Annabeth said, not knowing what else to say.

"Come on, let's go back to the apartment."
She followed him out of the park and into the quickly hailed cab. They were quiet, only a small argument on who would pay. Percy won, and he paid and led the way back to into the building and upstairs.

Their red footprints stood out prominently on the white carpet. There was a note on the door. Percy plucked it off and opened the door, reading the note.

"What's the matter?"
He frowned. "It's a warning that if I do anything else to disfigure the building, I'll be kicked out."
"Oh. Sorry."
He shook his head. "It's not your fault. I'm going to go talk to Jeff, he handles this stuff. It's stupid because I know of at least six other people who've done stuff and haven't gotten caught…" His voice trailed off as he walked down the hallway.

Annabeth shook her head in amusement and took off her necklace. She put it on the shelf in her 'dressing room' and grabbed a cami and her boxers to change.

Percy shut the apartment door, pissed. Jeff had told him in a snooty voice that if he didn't like the conditions here, he could leave.

He could hear Annabeth in the bathroom, so he went into his room and put on his PJ's. Then he headed into the living room and picked out a movie, Talk of the Town.

The bathroom door opened and Annabeth emerged, looking sleepy with wet hair.

"Hi, Percy," She mumbled, climbing on the bed next to him.

"Wanna watch a movie?" He waved it in her face.

"Sure."
Percy put the movie in, and they settled in to watch it.

It was about half way done when Percy glanced over to see how Annabeth was liking it. She was sound asleep, her head on her shoulder and her hand curled around her blanket. Percy smiled to himself, pausing the movie and silently taking it out. Then, carefully, he slid her down into a laying position, put a pillow under her head, and pulled the blanket up to her shoulders. She sighed in her sleep and rolled over slightly.

Biting his lip to hold back a laugh, he brushed a lock of hair off her forehead and whispered his good night.

He was about to get into bed when his cell phone rang. It was his boss.

"Percy?"
"Yeah?"
"You know the meeting the committee was going to have at your apartment?"
"Yeah, next week, right?"
"Uh, well, that's the problem. I didn't look at the calendar right, and it seems it's tomorrow. Is that still going to work?"
Percy shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. What time?"
"We'll be there around 7:45. See you tomorrow."
"Bye," Percy said, and hung up. He sighed. He'd have to get up early and clean and…

Do something about Annabeth. He didn't think she was getting enough sleep lately—she had circles under her eyes, so he didn't want to wake her early just to tell her that she'd have to leave.

He thought about it for a while, then settled on a good solution. Smiling to himself, he went to bed.