Lives Collide

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this.

Percy clicked his tongue and rolled his head to the right, gazing out of the office window at the New York City skyline. He sighed as he rolled the baseball over and over in his hands, his feet propped up on the desk in front of him.

"Please stop that Percy."

The fifteen year old looked across the table, over his feet, at his father. Poseidon had a pen in one hand, about to sign a paper as he raised an eyebrow at his son. "I know that you're bored but this is all very important."

"I know how the business works Dad," Percy replied, feeling like he had repeated himself a million times.

Poseidon's mouth twitched slight as he tried not to smile and he said, "Alright then, Percy, why don't you tell me all you know."

Percy sat up in the chair, still resting his feet on his father's office desk and spoke. "The Olympias own many restaurants, shops and various other businesses around New York. Although we own them and receive part of the profits, we leave the day to day running of the business to the managers and the workers. The school is one of the only "businesses" that we take an active role in, as the students that go to the school reflect our family. So...that means our family is a bunch of stuck up, self centred idiots."

Poseidon frowned at Percy, who shrugged and looked back out the window. "You know that you will never fit in at school if you keep having such bad opinions of people there."

"It's not my fault!" Percy defended himself, "Everyone there can't decided wither to kiss my ass for my money or to exclude me because of my background!"

Poseidon put his pen down and asked, "What about your room mate? Grover? And his friends?"

Percy paused and then replied, "Yes, they're alright."

"I just want you to be happy Percy," Poseidon said.

Percy had been looking at the baseball in his hands but he raised his eyes to his father again, with a sceptical look. "I was happy Dad. Mom and I were fine; we weren't rich but we were fine. I never wanted anything. And then I come here and I meet people who have everything; all the money in the world. And everyone is miserable. Trust me Dad, if I have learned anything actually worthwhile, it's that money really doesn't make you happy."

Poseidon stared at Percy, who went back to looking at the baseball in his hands, checking out all the signatures from star players. "Well, I don't want you to be there if you're unhappy."

Percy shrugged and replied, "I'm fine. The school is good, despite the people that go there. You don't have to worry about me Dad."

Percy awoke suddenly, breathing deeply in his bed.

He propped himself up on his hands, blinking slightly as the morning sun peaked in through his bed room curtains. He had not dreamt about his old life in months but of course, it was to be expected from the events of the last few days.

Percy sighed and looked over to the living room, only to do a double take, when he saw Jason sitting in an armchair. The blonde boy's feet were up on the coffee table and he was eating cereal as he watched the TV on a low volume. Jason put a huge spoonful of cereal in his mouth and he looked over at Percy as he chewed.

"We're out of milk," he said through his food and Percy wrinkled his nose.

He thought about telling Jason not to just walk in when he pleased or to eat his food like it was his own. Instead he just mumbled, "Don't talk with your mouth full," as he got out of bed. Sometimes, it felt like he was sharing the apartment with the younger boy yet most times, that didn't seem like a bad idea.

Percy went straight to the shower and a few minutes later when he was out and dressed, he finally went to the kitchen for breakfast. Jason had moved on from the cereal to a cup of tea, and there was another cup on the table for Percy.

"Thanks," he said as he picked it up and turned to the cupboards to pick out a cereal.

"What. Are you wearing?"

Percy frowned and looked back at Jason, who was staring at him with a confused look on his face. Percy looked at his clothes, seeing nothing unusual about the shirt and black pants with smart shoes.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" he asked and Jason shrugged. "Nothing; you just look like you're about to take on Wall Street, not cook in a kitchen. Actually, since when have you had these clothes?!"

Percy rolled his eyes and started to prepare breakfast as he spoke. "I've always had these clothes. And I'm not working today; I'm going to see my father."

"What?!" Percy had the cereal in his bowl at this point and was facing Jason with a spoon in his hand. Jason was looking at him with a shocked expression on his face. Percy shrugged, trying to play off the obviously surprising news as nothing.

Jason composed himself and spoke carefully. "Percy, don't you think this is all going a bit fast? I mean, meeting your old friends, letting them back into your life and now you're going to meet your father? This is all happening a bit suddenly and I'm kind of worried about you."

Percy was eating his cereal but swallowed his food and answered him. "Jason, you have no need to worry about me alright. I'm going to see my father because the man doesn't even know if I'm alright; I need to set his mind at rest, at least. And as for the others being back in my life, well... I've realised that holding a grudge is not going to solve anything. It's petty and pointless. Plus, they can't be tricking me or anything. There are only two things that they would want if they were; my money and getting me back in the Olympias' clutches. I don't care for the money and since I'm eighteen, that family has no legal claim over me. I missed them and this is my chance to make up for lost time."

Jason was frowning at him, still concerned but this was Percy. If anyone could take care of himself, it was him. "Alright," he said, "Nevermind. But you can at least tell me how your date with Annabeth went."

Percy froze as he finished his breakfast and replied, "It wasn't a date."

"You, her, in a secluded place, all alone. It was a date," Jason replied, "And even if you say it's not, I know that a part of you wishes it was."

Percy sighed and leaned against the counter behind him as he ran a hand over his face. Jason shook his head slightly at his best friend, grinning slightly, "You really like this girl, don't you."

"No," Percy managed to choke out, letting his hands fall to the counter, "No, I loved that girl."

Jason blinked and Percy seemed to zone out as he talked. "I remember the first time I saw her. It was my first day at the Academy and everyone wanted a piece of me. I hid in the library to escape them and as I turned into one of the rows, there she was. Her hair was falling out of her ponytail and she was glaring at this book about physics as if it had personally insulted her. She caught sight of me and just raised an eyebrow as she said, "You're drooling." And I, in all my wisdom, could only stand and shut my mouth tight."

Percy smirked slightly and he continued. "She became my friend quickly and my girlfriend even quicker. I don't know, Jason, being with her just made all the sense in the world; as if everything just clicked."

Silence filled the apartment and Jason wasn't sure if he was finished or not. But Percy added, "Realising that my friends had all betrayed me...was terrible but in that moment all I could think was, "Please, not her. Anyone else, I could take but please not her." Now that I think back to it, I was so angry and Annabeth was so devastated. She was begging me to listen and I wouldn't...it was a mess."

Percy took a breath, as if he was coming back to the world. Picking up his empty bowl, he placed in the sink intending to clean it up later. "I'll be a while but hopefully, my father won't keep me there the whole day," he said as he grabbed his jacket and made for the door.

"Percy." Jason's voice made him pause and he turned to look at his friend again. "Percy, I just want you to be happy; that's what all of us want. You spend so much time helping other get their happiness, that I think you forget your own. If she makes you happy, then go for it." Percy smiled, only a little bit, but nodded and walked out of the apartment.

Jason sighed and frowned at the cup in front of him. Just go for it? Why couldn't he take his own advice?

-A while later; Poseidon's offices-

Percy tapped his feet to the annoying catchy elevator music as he slowly made his way to the top floor. His father's office was on the upper levels of a skyscraper; he wasn't sure what the rest of the building contained, but he knew Poseidon owned it and it had something to do with swimming pools.

The elevator stopped and Percy stepped out onto the soft blue carpet. Right in front of him, down a hallway lined with offices, was a secretary's desk. Behind the desk were the double doors that hid Poseidon's office.

Percy walked forward, ignoring the stares that he received from the people in the offices that he past. Being a teenager in a suit that probably cost less than one of their shoes made him something to gawk at.

He stood in front of the secretary's desk, a dark haired woman who was trying to type with the ridiculous nails she had on. She looked him up and down, a perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised. "Do you have an appointment?" she asked, clearly not expecting a yes.

Percy's jaw clenched; he really hated his families' world.

"No, but tell Poseidon that Percy Jackson is here to see him please?" he said, as politely as he could.

The woman smiled at him trying to pacify him and replied, "I'm sorry, he's very busy at the moment. You'll have to make an appointment."

His father wasn't busy; it was eleven o'clock and Poseidon always had a coffee with a bagel at this time. That's why he had come at this time. And there was no way this woman was giving him an appointment.

"Seriously, I'll just be a moment. Just tell him I'm here," he said but the woman seemed to be getting impatient.

Percy looked around and could see people standing in the hallway and staring out of offices at him. He was gathering a crowd and he really didn't like that. Plus how many of them didn't know who he was, as conceited as that sounded to him. Two years ago, he used to come to the office nearly every day; he used to say hello to everyone as he passed. Now that he got a good look at the people who were watching him, he realised that he didn't recognise any of them. How many new people did Poseidon employ? Percy usually liked being anonymous to these kinds of people but not when he wanted something simple and important. Plus they were starting to bother him.

Percy turned back to the woman who was now staring at him with open distain. Percy tilted his head at her and asked, "Are you new here?"

The woman was about to call security when the door behind her opened. Everyone watched as Poseidon walked out in a sharp suit and carrying the morning paper, his eyes glued to it. The secretary sat up straight, ready to throw Percy out herself at her boss's command.

"Sharon, this is yesterday's paper! I need you to get me today's!" Poseidon said, and then finally looked up. His face dropped in shock at seeing Percy, who stood there, with his hands in his pockets. "Percy?" he whispered hoarsely, not really believing what he was seeing.

Percy sighed and replied, "Hello, Dad."

The paper was discarded on the floor as Poseidon pulled him into a bone crushing hug. Percy was aware that the secretary was looking like someone had just slapped her and the workers behind him were whispering but he patted his father on the back anyway.

Poseidon pulled away and held him at arm's length. Then he turned to the secretary and said, "Sharon, cancel everything for today." He smiled at Percy but then frowned and looked back at Sharon. "Why didn't you tell me he was here the moment he arrived?"

Sharon tried to respond but Percy replied, "I think she's new. But judging by the thunderbolt necklace around her neck, I see that she already very acquainted with Uncle Zeus."

He said the last part in a low tone, so that only her and his father could hear. Sharon blushed slightly and Percy added, "You know that he's got a million of them in his desk drawer? He gives them to every woman he meets."

Poseidon now noticed the necklace and sighed. He really didn't want to have to get a new secretary again. Putting an arm around his son's shoulders, Poseidon steered Percy into his office and closed the door behind him. It was a bright room with large windows and nice furniture that was black and sleek.

Percy sat down in a familiar chair, his legs propped up on his father's office desk again. Poseidon smiled at him and sat down in the other chair. There was a small mark on his desk, kind of a line that rounded at the ends. It was made from all the times that Percy put his feet up on the desk and accidently scratched it with his shoes. The mark was still there; he hadn't had the heart to clean it. But now Percy was sitting in the same chair with the same desk and the mark was at his ankles. Percy had gotten taller; Percy had changed.

"I want to give out to you for running off and not telling me where you were but I realise that I have no right to," Poseidon said, "But I am so glad to see you Percy."

Percy shrugged and replied, "Actually, I should have told you I was going to Mom's or at least contact you after that. I'm sorry if I made you worry."

Poseidon was surprised; his son had become quite mature it seemed.

"It's alright; how have you been? What have you been up to?"

Percy linked his hands together and replied, "I finished school, got a job and my own place. I took the year off before applying to colleges; I was going to anyway so that I could save money for it."

Poseidon nodded and leaned forward in his chair. "You know I can help you with college? Money is not a problem."

Percy sighed and ran a hand through his unruly black hair. "Oh yes it is, Dad. I don't want your money. I've worked for what I have and I'm fine. But do you know about Hera and Luke's little plan for your money?"

Poseidon wasn't shocked when Percy didn't take the offer but he nodded at his son's question. "Yes, we found out a while back when Hades was going over some old files at the lawyers. Hera had gotten that piece of small print put in when we weren't looking." He sighed heavily and leaned back in the chair. "It's sad, knowing that everything we've worked for will one day go to those two. But the alternative is getting you to help, and I wouldn't do that to you again."

He raised an eyebrow at Percy and asked with a grin, "Unless you want an invitation to the Masquerade Ball?"

Percy snorted and shook his head, his father smiling.

"Yes, those Balls were never much fun. But I know what is; horse riding. We could go together; I have Blackjack in stables a few miles away. I didn't want him in the city."

Percy replied, "Annabeth already took me to see him; but that sounds like a great idea."

Poseidon titled his head and said, "Annabeth? Are you two...?"

"No we are not back together; I'm just giving her and the others another chance. Well her, Grover and the Stolls. I'm not sure about the others just yet. Defiantly not Luke and Beckendorf and Silena seem to be friends with him. And Clarisse still has anger issues so no."

Poseidon stared at him for a moment. The change in him was astounding. On the outside, he was taller, broader, his muscles had filled out; but on the inside, he had matured so much. Clearly he was still a joker, still someone who loved to fill weird situations with the right comment. But he had let go grudges; had taken the high road.

Poseidon smiled again and said, "Well how about we head over to the stables on Saturday?"

Percy frowned and asked, "Don't you usually have at least a few meetings on Saturdays? Or have you chilled out in two years?"

Poseidon shook his head and replied, "No, but I can cancel everything. If these two years have taught me anything then it's that you were right; money is not what make you happy, family is." He placed a hand on Percy's shoulder and added, "Now, tell me all about this job."

-A few hours later; the library-

Percy held the phone between his ear and his shoulder; as he tried to shove open the heavy door to the library. He was balancing a bag of cleaning supplies in his hands while he talked to his mom.

"Yes, he was fine. I mean I had trouble getting in to see him because nobody knew I was his son and I really didn't want to announce it to everyone...yes, they did find out but that's not the point! Of course he offered me money but it was for college. I really think he's changed for the better."

Another volunteer saw Percy struggling and they hopped up the steps to pull the door fully open for him. Percy smiled his thanks and walked into the library, putting the bags on the front desk. Knowing that he and Jason working in the main area, he put his phone in his hand and made his way there.

"Yes, Mom, we are going horse riding on Saturday. Don't worry it'll be fine. I actually think this arrangement will be better; Dad and I can spend time together but I won't be under his roof and I don't have to see the other Oylmpias."

Out of the corner of his eye, Percy saw Piper re-shelving the books. He sent her grin and she waved to him as he passed. Piper had heard the last part of his conversation and was happy for Percy. Although he didn't like to admit it, he had missed his father.

Piper jumped when she suddenly heard Mrs O'Leary yell, "Percy Jackson! I don't care if this place is under repair, this is still a library! Get off your phone!"

Piper grinned when she heard a quick "Bye Mom!" from Percy and a loud laugh from Jason.

She turned back to the shelves and placed some more books from the trolley beside her onto the newly cleaned bookshelves. It was a much more finicky job then she had first thought. Books didn't just go in alphabetical order; there were sections and subsection and all these other details that made Piper's head spin. But once she had them in order on the trolley, then it was just a case of putting them on the shelves.

If only the other person doing the job wasn't that Luke guy.

He was exactly like how Percy described him; entitled, full of his own importance and even when he had no idea what was going on, he always had to be in charge. Right now, he was on the other side of the shelves from her and she was just thankful that she couldn't see him because of them thick brown wood between them. She hummed slightly as she worked, thinking about lunch and more importantly, lunch with Jason.

It was a few minutes later that Luke pocked his head around the row of shelves and said, "Will you shut up!? That humming is so annoying!"

"Well, I'm sorry!" she snapped back, "Not that it's any of your business!"

Luke turned into her row and stormed over to her, towering over her. "What I can hear and see is my business and I can your humming and see your annoying face!"

Piper glared at him, never having met someone so full of spite before. "Ugh! You are impossible! How was Percy every friends with you?!"

Luke blinked at her, taken aback. "W-What did you just say?" he hissed lowly and Piper stood there with a book clasped to her.

He didn't know. Luke didn't know Percy was here. She had always assumed... The wheels in her head started to turn as he glared down at her, his fist slowly clenching.

Annabeth, Grover and the Stolls knew but they had not told him. Annabeth had told Silena but wither or not she told Beckendorf or not didn't matter because no one had told Luke. Percy must have been hiding from him still, when they worked at the library together.

Luke suddenly grabbed onto her forearms, digging his nails in and shaking her slightly. The book fell from her grasp and Luke hissed again, "Did you say Percy?! Percy Jackson? How do you know him?!"

Piper shook her head and glared right back at him. There was no way she was telling him anything, even he was hurting her arms.

"Tell me!"

"Let me go!" she said back, trying to wrench herself away.

Luke growled, his patience waning and he shoved her away from him.

But Piper's foot caught on the side of the trolley and she smashed into the ground. Her back lit up with pain on impact but the trolley was now off balance and it fell down onto her.

Luke rolled his eyes and turned away, marching straight out of the library. He had to find out about Percy and where he was exactly.

Jason and Percy had not heard their argument but they had heard the fall and the crash.

They looked at each other before Jason called out, "You alright, Piper? We don't want you to bring the library down on us when we're nearly finished."

Percy chuckled with him but the two boys stopped when she gave no answer.

"Piper?" Jason called again in concern but nothing. That set him off running towards where he had heard the crash and Percy was right behind him.

They skidded into the row and stopped when they saw her stretched out on the floor, covered by the trolley and unmoving.

"Piper!" Jason yelled as he hurried over to her and flinging the trolley off her. Percy already had his phone out to call an ambulance when he got to them.

Piper had a cut on her forehead and it was bleed, the blood running down her face and dripping into her closed eyes. "Piper! Piper, wake up!" Jason pleaded, not wanting to move her just in case, "Come on Piper! Percy!"

The younger boy turned to his friend, almost begging him to just fix everything.

Percy placed a hand on his shoulder as he called the ambulance and he replied, "She's going to be fine! It's all going to be fine."

As they waiting for the ambulance, Jason kept trying to wake Piper as gently as he could while Percy tried to contain his anger. He knew who had been working with Piper today; he always checked to see who was working what job so that he didn't end up anywhere Luke.

Avoiding him was the number one priority but now, Luke was the one who needed to avoid a very angry Percy.