A/N: Late update for the night! I should be able to update again tomorrow. This chapter may seem a little disjointed. I tried to fit in some basics about Addie's background and get Percy and Annabeth to know her a tiny bit better. This will help set up for the rest of the story. I apologize for any grammatical errors! Its been a long day and I am super tired!

-Percy-

Addie had led us to a small cave. The opening was just big enough that we could squeeze in, but the inside cavern was large enough that we would all be able to lay down comfortably with plenty of room. After we got inside, Addie had murmured something in Greek, a white glow forming a barrier at the mouth of the cave.

"You can do magic? You're a sorceress?" Annabeth questioned. Addie had sat down in front of us and huffed out a breath.

"Yes, I can, but no, I'm not really a sorceress. It's a complicated explanation, and not one I'm sure you want to hear," she added. She was rummaging through a bag, and she pulled out a vile. She uncorked it and handed it to me. I just stared at it, and she rolled her eyes and shook it again.

"Do you want some nectar or not? It's concentrated, so only take a sip until you see how it affects you."

I took it from her, and I could already smell the fresh baked blue chocolate chip cookies. She smiled in encouragement, and I took a small swig. It warmed me like hot chocolate in the middle of winter, and I sighed as the feeling spread throughout my body. I could feel the skin healing on my arm, and strength began to creep back into my muscles. Man, this was good, quality nectar!

I handed it to Annabeth, who did the same. I could see the relief in her expression, and she handed the vile back to Addie. She proceeded to pull out two bottles of water from her pack, handing one to each of us.

"Would you like me to fix your ankle?" she asked Annabeth kindly. Annabeth grudgingly nodded her head, and Addie moved over to remove the splint. She examined it, and I could tell she was handling it with feather soft touches. She was obviously experienced in healing, and I began to wonder where this demigod had learned everything she knew.

"It needs to be reset. It's going to hurt like Hades, but with another swig of nectar, you should be able to walk on it at least. That's if you want me too," she added quietly. I looked at Annabeth, and she had a determined look on her face. Addie was about to get the 9th degree.

"I want to ask you some questions," Annabeth snapped. Addie's eyes glazed a little, but she nodded her head, slightly frowning.

"You said someone sent you, who was it?"

She sighed, sounding resigned. Addie rubbed her forehead like she had a headache. "Athena gave me the order." It was silent for a beat and realization rocked through me.

I had never felt more surprised in my whole entire life, and that includes when I figured out I was a demigod. Athena of all people sent someone to help me? Annabeth I understood. But me? She hated me! Cold fury washed through me. Annabeth's parent could help us out, but mine couldn't? Why hadn't my dad done anything? I had not heard anything from my father in months, not a sign, not anything. It made me angry, and a twinge of resentment against him pummeled. I was beyond confused, and I hated to admit it, hurt.

"Why?" I asked, the fury and resentment leaking into my voice. Addie bit her lip, looking uncomfortable.

"You two were not supposed to fall. At least, you weren't supposed to fall the way you did," she said, shaking her head. "They sent me to help balance it back out. I'm to accompany you to the Doors of Death and assist in closing them with you."

"How can they send you?" Annabeth asked. "Like they sent you on a quest?"

"Not a quest. I work for the twelve. I do their bidding as they ask," she said plainly. I detected something, a note of resentment in her voice. It was the first spark of anger I had noticed out of her. Addie didn't elaborate anymore, and I was curious.

"I've never seen you before. Are you a Roman demigod? You said you were with the legion. Or are you an immortal?"

"No," she responded patiently. "I'm still mortal. And no, I'm not a Roman demigod, I'm Greek. I've worked on Olympus for a very long time. I have a sort of indefinite contract with them, you could say," she said timidly. Realization dawned in my head, and I was able to ask the question before Annabeth.

"How old are you?" I blurted out.

She may have looked around eighteen, but her eyes looked ancient, filled with experience way beyond eighteen years. There was something dark in them like she had been broken beyond repair and had just managed to get herself together.

"I stopped aging when I was eighteen," she replied cautiously. Her tone was careful.

"Okay, then how long have you been alive?"

"A little under 2,000 years," she finished anxiously. She was blushing like she was ashamed of the fact. I couldn't figure out why. "I was in the 12th legion, the original one."

"Wait…. How can you be a Greek demigod, but be Roman?" Annabeth asked confused. Addie had a grimace on her face, pain momentarily covering her features.

"Is your leg bothering you?" she said.

Annabeth ignored her. "You didn't answer the question."

"Because my mother was Roman, and my father was a Greek God. They were transitioning still at the time I was born." She pressed her palm against her head, and I got a weird feeling in my stomach. Was she hurt?

"Are you okay?" I asked softly. She looked up at me, and smiled.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said, turning towards Annabeth. "Will you please let me reset your ankle, Annabeth?"

She looked a little lost, but she nodded her head towards Addie. I got behind Annabeth, supporting her torso with my own. Addie took her ankle in her hands, and a soft white glow shown around it.

"Close your eyes. I'd grab Percy's hands, and try not to scream," she whispered breathlessly.

Annabeth's fingers slide over mine, and I wrapped my arms around her. She gripped my hands with everything she had, and I touched my lips to her neck. She was taking deep even breaths, and I heard the crack before I could prepare for it. The bones in my hands ground together painfully, and a sob escaped from Annabeth's mouth. Addie handed me the vile, and I put it to Annabeth's lips.

She took a grateful sip before smiling at me. Still, tears swam in her eyes. Addie was already fast at work re-splinting her ankle with fresh materials. She smiled as she took out two sandwiches from her bag, replacing the tape and splints she had used.

"I hope you like peanut butter," she muttered off-handedly. Annabeth and I both took a sandwich, and I tried to eat it slowly. I mean, it could have been a broccoli and tartar sauce sandwich for all I cared, and I still would have eaten it.

"So, I've told you stuff about me, why don't you tell me about yourselves?"

I stole a look at Annabeth, and we took turns sharing our stories up to this point. Addie's attention never faltered. She asked simple questions, and let us do the majority of the talking.

"You two have been through a lot. I saw and heard rumors, but I never heard the whole story," she said thoughtfully. "I'm glad I get to help. You two should get a few hours of sleep. I'll keep watch."

We lay down, Annabeth curling up next to me. Annabeth laid her head into my chest, and within seconds, she was dozing against my chest. Without thinking, my hand went to her hair, and I ran my fingers through the soft blonde curls. I remember right before all this happened, when we were running around Rome, and I could imagine what a real date felt like….

"You were in Rome," I said aloud. Addie looked up, a sparkle in her eyes. "You were wearing that same white cloak. What were you doing there?"

"Keeping an eye out. I was asked to watch your quest," she said, looking at the ceiling.

I nodded my head, thankful I had figured out why she looked so familiar. Something still tugged at my gut, like I was missing one small piece of the puzzle. I felt my eyes droop, and I knew my exhaustion was winning over my need to get to know this girl better.

"Addie?"

"Hmm?"

"Who's your dad? Your Olympian dad?"

She looked at me blankly, and a brief look of pain and regret flashed across her face. I knew in that instant she wasn't going to answer. There was more to this girl, and I was determined to find out why I was so drawn to her.

"Go to sleep, Perseus," she sighed. I fell asleep to the sound of stone on metal, haunted by the question she wouldn't answer.

Lots of questions come up about Addie! Any theories on who her Olympian parent is? :) Please Review!