Hey everyone, hope you enjoy the chapter. I got the chapter up on time so that is awesome and I am excited about this chapter cause here comes a shit storm that really kicks things into gear and seriously guys. 7 chapters, 250 reviews, I am in awe and in tears at the love you guys have for my story. Thank you, it means the world to me. hope you like this chapter everyone cause I enjoyed writing it.

It Had Begun Again With A Simple Hello

Annabeth honestly slept better after yesterday. Things had seemed to die down but she couldn't help but think of Percy's admission. She knew it was her own fault, she ran like a coward instead of confronting her demons and facing the music. Leaving, she basically told Percy that she was giving up on them and she didn't blame him for feelings the way he did.

The only thing that gave her closure is that he wasn't in love with someone else. It meant she still had a chance to make things right with Percy, it meant that she still had a chance to be with person who had always been her one and only. It would take a lot to ever earn back his trust and the trust of her friends again, but she was going to do it and she was going to do whatever it took to make things right.

Percy was worth fighting for, she just wished she had realised it sooner and would quit having a pity party. She was more anxious about the fact that she would been seeing their friends again. She didn't know what they would honestly think of her, she really didn't know what to think but right now, she couldn't focus on that. She had to focus on her first day back at work.

She had just finished getting ready when there was a knock on her bedroom door. "Annabeth, breakfast's ready. We leave in thirty. Oh and I made coffee." Percy spoke through the door, causing Annabeth to smile.

"I'm coming Percy." She yelled back, knowing he was already making his way back to the kitchen. The first thing that was on that man's brain in the morning was food and coffee. With a final look in the mirror as she contemplated if this is the look she wanted to go with for her first day back at work since the last time she was there was five years ago.

She growled and pulled off her black blazer and made sure that her white short sleeved blouse was tucked in behind the waistband of the knee length black skirt that she was wearing that was form fitted around her hips and was tight around her knees but not so tight that she looked like a statue when she walked.

Her hair was pulled back into a neat high ponytail, her bangs down and slightly curled as they framed her face in a delicate manor that made her look professional and beautiful at the same time. She slipped into the pair of black close toed, low high heels that she wore to work and walked out the room, scrolling through her emails on her Ipad as she made her way to the kitchen.

Percy was walking in through the front door with the newspaper in hand and a cup of coffee at his lips. He smiled when he looked up and saw her as he walked into the kitchen and placed the paper on the table. "Morning Annabeth. Sleep well?" he inquired as he handed her a cup of coffee that he had obviously already prepared for her.

"Very well." Annabeth answered, sipping her coffee, and enjoying the warm sweet liquid that quenched the tired beast in her body and woke up all of her senses. "Thank you for the coffee." She said as she grabbed a plate of French toast that Percy had made for her and set it on the table and started digging in. "I missed your French toast. Every time I ate French toast, all I could think was, 'This is nowhere near as good as Percy's' and I would pout all day dreaming about your French toast." Annabeth noticed the smile on Percy's face widen as he sat down next to her and started reading the paper.

It was in that moment that Annabeth had a chance to take in Percy's appearance. He looked really good, which was an obvious thing. Percy always looked good. It was in his new uniform he looked good. He told Annabeth about how he had decided to go to University and earned a degree as a Marine Biologist. Before I left, Percy worked as the manager of a larger surfboard manufacturer but it took so much of his time and it wasn't what he wanted to do with his life that's why he quite.

He had a Bachelor's in Business but decided to apply again and managed to grab a place and got a Marine Biology degree. He worked in a large lucrative chain of Aquariums and was finishing a trainee/internship before starts diving. The way he spoke about it, it was his dream to do something with the ocean and in truth, she knew how much he truly hated his old job and she was so proud of him.

As she said, he looked good in his uniform, simple pair of black dress pants, a blue shirt that was similar to the color of a recently chlorinated pool that looked so perfect in the sunlight with his company logo on the breast pocket of the short sleeved shirt that was tucked in neatly. With a pair of black dress shoes, it just made him look so professional and hot and she was trying not to admit that out loud so she stuffed her face with French toast and just smiled at him.

Annabeth stood in front of one of the tallest buildings in the city just over half an hour later, staring up in adoration at the company that she was employed at. In all honesty, it was one of the most lucrative architectural companies in the entire USA. Athena Parthenos Architectural Designs was the place Annabeth had always dreamed of working in since she was in high school and it was a hard road getting to the level she is at now but she overcame every obstacle that was thrown at her and she succeeded in reaching the level she is at now.

She turned round and noticed that Percy hadn't left yet, his car still there, him inside and encouraging smile on his face, urging her forward. She smiled back at him and gave a final wave and mouthed a 'thank you,' to him. He waved back at her before she turned round and walked in through the glass doors and was welcomed by the familiar buzzing life of that was the entrance lobby of the architectural firm that was and had been her home for a long time.

There were so many faces she didn't recognise, but there was one she remembered. Still seated behind the reception desk was the same face she hadn't seen in a long time. She smiled and walked over to the desk, leaning on the table casually as she spoke, "Good morning." She said in a casual voice as the person looked up, her face lighting up immediately as recognition crossed her face.

"Oh my god! Annabeth!" Piper McLean said excitedly as she stood up from her seat and zipped right round the desk and embraced hr old friend that she hadn't seen in years. "Like holy crap, you're here." She said in an excited tone as she pulled away and Annabeth got the chance to finally take a good look at her old friend.

Piper McLean had changed a lot since Annabeth last saw her. She had definately matured, her brown hair had been grown out and trimmed so that it was neat and even. With Piper's eyes she had a special pigment in her iris that caused her eyes to change colour when the lighting in a room changed. Annabeth had always been curious about it, and she enjoyed having fun by moving Piper around just so she could see her eyes change in a sequence of brown to blue to green when they were out.

The thing that caught Annabeth's attention, well the two things that captured her attention was the protruding baby bump that she was sporting at the beautiful gold wedding band around her finger. "Wow, married and pregnant. How much have I missed?" Annabeth said in a playful tone as she put her hands on her hips which made Piper giggle as she placed her hands on her belly. "How far along are you, Piper?"

"Four months." She answered as a bright smile appeared on her face. "Me and Jason got married a few months ago, we weren't really up for having a family yet but bobs your uncle I get nauseas in the mornings and get the cravings." Annabeth couldn't contain her excitement in her eyes but there was this deep cesspool of guilt swirling inside her as she smiled sadly. "We're both really excited."

So it looks like not only did Annabeth miss her best friends engagement but the wedding too. Jason who Piper spoke of was Annabeth's best friend, Thalia's younger brother and it was thanks to Annabeth and Thalia being friends that the two met and ended up falling in love and getting married with a baby on the way. "Well you look fantastic. You're glowing Piper."

"Don't feel guilty about missing the wedding Annabeth. We kind of just eloped at Vegas. Both ended up drunk and got married and when we woke up we talked and decided that we didn't want to get the annulment because the stress of planning the wedding was stressing us out." Annabeth let out a little sigh of relief, she could only imagine how pissed off Thalia was but she just smiled at her friend.

"I am so happy for you Piper." She said as she hugged her friend. "Guess I can't call you McLean anymore. I hope I don't confuse you and Thalia and Jason every time I call out the name, Grace." The two laughed together, Annabeth glad that Piper was here still so she didn't feel entirely alone.

When they pulled away Piper spoke, "One of these day's we must go for lunch and we can talk about everything that we have missed in each other's lives." Piper said with a grin as Annabeth nodded in agreement. She knew that she had missed out on a lot and they definitely needed to catch up as soon as possible.

"Of course. Now if you could do me a favor and phone Minerva and let her know I have arrived. She's expecting me since I am permanently transferring here again." Piper grinned, thankful to her know her friend seemed to be back for good as she went round her desk and sat back down, picking up her phone and hitting the speed dial button for the main office. "Morning Ma'am... yes, Miss Chase is here in the lobby... mhm, I understand ma'am... I will ask her and let her know." She pulled away from the phone and put a hand over the bottom part of the phone.

"Something wrong Piper?" Annabeth asked before Piper had spoken.

"No, Minerva wanted to know if you have those final blueprints for some client at the other office in California?" Annabeth gave a quick nod, pulling up the rolled up print she had picked up out her home office. "Good." Piper said before she returned to the phone, "Yes ma'am, she has the prints... of course, I'm more than happy to help... Alright ma'am, I'll send her up now." With that she put the phone down and smiled at Annabeth.

"Anything I need to know before I head up there?" Annabeth inquired as Piper stood up and came back round the desk.

"Just that she already has a project for you and that you will be informed on everything once you get up there and you also have an interior designed for the project there that the clients hired that should be arriving a little bit later" Piper answered smoothly as she stuck her hand out, "Let me take that blue print and get DiBiase to send it up to California for you. Minerva's orders." Annabeth handed the blue print over as she smiled at Annabeth.

"It was wonderful to see you Piper. I can't wait to catch up soon." Annabeth said as she hugged her friend.

"You too." Piper said as she pulled away and headed off towards one of the floor offices as Annabeth sighed and walked towards the elevator. She still felt a little nervous about seeing Minerva Olympia again. the last time she had spoken to her was after she arrived back in California and asked to be transferred.

The elevator ride was a short ride as she ascended to the top floor, the floor that housed her office several years ago and waited for the doors to open. The minute they did, she smiled at the familiarity of the place. Nothing had really changed and that was good cause it meant Annabeth didn't have to act like a newb to find Minerva's office or what might be her own.

She smiled and walked through, many faces sticking out from behind office doors that were previously closed, many of the faces staring at her in shock as she walked with confidence through the hall. She did recognise a few of the faces but maintained her focus as she walked up to the closed door, looking at the plaque on the door.

Minerva Olympia
CEO of the Athena Parthenos Architecture
Principal Owner and Chief Designer

She reached out and knocked in a series of three consecutive knocks before she listened carefully and heard a voice telling her to enter. Gently turning the door knob and pushing the door open, she stepped inside and closed the door, taking one final look at all the faces that were watching her enter the room before she closed the door and turned round.

Minerva Olympia was seated at her oak wood carved desk that was positioned in front of the window that looked to the outside. Her back faced the window, her long black hair has been pulled back into a neat tight bun, her thin rectangular shaped reading glasses resting on the bridge of her nose as she looked down at something on her desk. She was obviously signing something and reading it over because only once her hand moved with her pen in hand did she look up and take off her reading glasses and notice Annabeth.

"Ah, Miss Chase. Please take a seat." She said in a professional tone, pointing to the chair that was on the right. Annabeth did as she was told and walked forward and took a seat, crossing her ankles underneath her chair. "It's lovely to see you again. I was very sad to lose you to the California office. I got so many requests for you to be clients designers that I had to get an answering machine because my phone nearly exploded from it." She said with a calm, cool smile.

Annabeth smiled back to be polite, "I am truly sorry about not going through the proper channels for the transfer and putting so much stress on you Miss Olympia." Annabeth apologized in the most sincere tone she could muster. She truly did feel bad about it.

"It's alright Miss Chase. I understand that there were... difficult and unplanned circumstances that happened here and that you needed time but I am very glad to have you back at long last." Annabeth smiled.

"It's great to be back."

"Now, onto business." Minerva said as she put on her reading glasses and opened a draw, obviously sifting through neatly organised files in her draw before she smiled and pulled one out, resting it on the desk. "I know you only just got back from California and haven't settled into your office yet but a client who I am sure you are familiar with requested that you start designs for his project immediately."

"Of course. I have actually unpacked at my old place and set up my office again at home so I am actually all set to start. I didn't even know I had an office still here." She said in a confused tone as she shifted in her seat.

"Of course." Minerva answered calmly as she seemed to be searching through the file in order to make sure it was the right one. "It's still the same one you had before you transferred." She informed Annabeth, not looking up at her as she answered. "ah, here it is." She said as she handed Annabeth the file so she could read the page she had found. "The client is a Mr. W. Dare. You did the designs for his last hotel he had constructed in Las Vegas, am I correct?"

"Yes. He was a very passionate business man. Very professional and reformed. Has quite a chain of hotels. Mt. Olympus Hotels, his partner was a Mr. Solace, if I remember correctly who came up with the them for the hotels and Mr. W. Dare runs Dare Enterprises which helps fund the hotels." Annabeth answered as she read the page, when she got a client she did a lot of hardcore and in depth research so she did the most perfect job she could.

"Correct and he wants you to design the new one that he wishes to have constructed here in New York. And he wants it big." Minerva said as she heard a knock on the door. "Come in." When the door opened, Annabeth hadn't looked up, she was more focused on doing some reading but instantly froze when she heard who Miss Olympia greated. "Ah, Rachel. Glad you could make it."

"Lovely to be here Minerva. I hope that this designer that my dad wants is finally here cause he is getting so overdramatically excited about this woman." The familiar voice scoffed.

"Of course. Annabeth. I'd like you to meet the interior designer and daughter to Mr. W. Dare of Dare Enterprises, Rachel Elizabeth Dare." Minerva introduced with a smile on her face but Annabeth was not smiling.

Annabeth kept a blank expression on her face as she stood up and took a deep breath before turning around and took in the appearance of the 5'7 curly red head with green eyes and a hard scowl on her face, dressed like a strumpet who was trying to be a business woman which she most certainly was not. Rachel's eyes were bigger than dinner plates when she saw who she would be working with was.

"Rachel, please allow me to introduce you to Annabeth Chase. The top designer in all of our firms." Annabeth smiled a hard smile but her eyes held anger as she turned to Minerva.

"No need for introduction, Miss Olympia." Annabeth answered coolly, not taking her eyes off of Rachel. "We have already met."

"yes." Rachel sair between gritted teeth. "We met the other day by complete accident. I had no idea you were an architectural designer." Annabeth couldn't contain her smirk as she shrugged, unable to hide her smugness and hate for the woman before her at all.

"Well that is wonderful." Minerva said with a big smile on her face. "Annabeth, you obviously need to organise a meeting with Miss Dare, and her father and his partner to discuss the designs but for now, I will let you get settled into your office. The file is yours, now if you will excuse me, I have meeting to get to." Minerva said, ushering the two out the room.

The minute the door closed, Annabeth full on glared at Rachel who was seemed glad to stop smiling the sickly innocent and fake smile that was plastered on her face. "I would have thought Percy would have told you my profession if you were as close as you said you were." Annabeth said with a growl and a hint of her previous smugness.

"Don't think I won't hesitate to tear you down, Annabitch." Rachel hissed, the two not caring about the people peaking out of their rooms and watching curiously. "I told you, Percy is mine and that you had best back off. If you think the fact that we have to work together changes anything, you are seriously wrong."

"I don't care if you could paint a portrait with you feet Rachel." Annabeth said firmly, crossing her arms over her chest and shrugging. "Percy doesn't need to be involved in my work. I suggest you think with your brain and not your ass and act professional when we work together or else daddy might just kick you off the bucket for letting personal feelings getting in the way of your career am I correct, Miss Heiress."

Rachel didn't say anything. Annabeth had done research on The Dares, she didn't know that Rachel was the fabled Heiress to Dare enterprises but she knew a lot about Mr. W. Dare and how dissatisfied he was when any of his employees let personal vendettas and feelings get in the way of their work. Harsh yes, ethical yes.

"Wouldn't want daddy to take away your privileges and your pocket money would he?" Annabeth said in a taunting and mocking voice that only drove Rachel closer to the edge of her anger.

"Whatever." She hissed as she turned on her heel but Annabeth reached up and turned her back to face her, getting all up in Rachel's obvious personal space. "What do you want, Annabitch?"

"Just wanted to tell you that Percy is mine. He's too good to fall for a strumpet like you. You'd have better luck trying to freeze hell so next time you try and get into a battle with me that you can't win, you can have the privilege of kissing my ass because this is a war that you will not win." Rachel let out a feral growl but Annabeth didn't break her confidence or her glare. "Run along little girl. I'm sure daddy's waiting in the car. Tick tock, your time's a ticking." She said as she tapped the screen of her watch without breaking eye contact.

"This is not over. Not by a long shot." She hissed deeply before she turned round stalked off towards the elevator as she said, "Call when you want the meeting. My number's in your folder." She actually hissed it as she walked away which made Annabeth smile.

1-Nil, to Annabeth. First battle won.

She couldn't help the smile on her face as she turned and made her way towards her office, smiling when she heard to people talking from behind her as she walked away.

"That's Annabeth Chase right?" A first male voice said as she walked away.

"Yep. Did you see what she just did there?" A female whispered but it wasn't so much as a whisper. "She stood up to the Red-Headed Nightmare." She said, her voice filled with obvious adoration and complete and utter disbelief.

"I know." A third said in complete disbelief, obviously another woman joining the gossip. "There goes a fighter." The woman said, obviously watching Annabeth walk away.

Annabeth smirked as she headed to her office. No matter what anyone did to Annabeth, whether they gave her hell, whether they gave her scars, whether they gave her pain she was gonna live life till the day she died. She was a fighter and the only thought she had in mind now walking into her office was, Here comes a fighter.

Yep, I just did that. Annabeth and Rachel have to work together. He he he, this is going to be fun and interesting don't you think. Hope you enjoyed this chapter which is the longest one so far and aren't you glad I got it up early. I am a week early so, hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks for the support, see you all again soon everyone. Gotta run. Bye.