Sowwy it's been so long :( But i'm kinda back ish I hope you guys actually wanna read this still :)

Annabeth POV

"Really?" I crumpled up the letter i had just received. Charlotte, Percy's ex was filing a restraining order against me? This was insane. I mean, it's not like i wanted to ever go near her again, but still. I never laid a finger on her or her daughter. She was even blaming me for Lily's broken arm!

I rubbed my head and groaned. I'd fought monsters and basically helped save Olympus, surely I could deal with a crazy lady that believed I was out to get her and her daughter? What really had me down was the fact that I couldn't see Lily. That really cut back on the time I had with Percy. I let my thoughts wander back to Percy..

I leaned against the wall and chewed a fingernail nervously. What were we even? Friends, friends with benefits, or a relationship? It was all so confusing. It was one of those things that your mind is telling you is wrong and that you shouldn't get involved, but my heart was telling me the exact opposite. I couldn't win with this.

I also really didn't want to make things worse for Percy. Possible exaggeration, My entire existence was screwing up his life more than the gods ever had!

"Ugh!" I yelled and smashed my "Not a Morning Person" mug on the counter. I watched helplessly as it shattered into pieces on the floor. Another mess to clean up.. But the mess inside my head was going to take longer to fix than a broken mug..

a distraction was exactly what I needed.. A day out with mom? She'd probably end up giving me a lecture about how Percy was an idiot and I should never be involved with him again, but maybe that's exactly what I needed. My mother ripping on Percy could possibly shine the light on everything that made me want to be with him.?

I tentatively walked towards the window where the sunlight poured into the kitchen. I ran the water in the sink and made a weak Iris message to my mom.

~0~

I walked with Athena down the streets of Manhatten and it was unusually chilly out, just enough to see our breath in front of us. I was suspecting it would be an early Fall. The leaves weren't changing colors yet, but a few crumpled brown ones lay askew on the ground.

"Annabeth Chase what have I been telling you for years?" Athena said sternly. In my mother's eyes, Percy was a toxic substance, something i should never go near, let alone have a relationship with.

I rolled my eyes. "That you don't like Percy and that there's no way in hell you'll ever approve of my relationship with him."

"Exactly!" She poked my in the chest. "You're a smart girl, get that through your head." She had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and the flow of people began to move around us. "Mom, we're clogging up the sidewalk."

she shook her head and continued walking. For a moment or two she said nothing and we walked in almost silence had it not been for the busy city streets and the crunching of the leaves.

She finally broke the silence. "Annabeth, you know I love you and I only want what's best for you." What she didn't get was that Percy was best for me. Their could never be a better pair. "And Percy Jackson is not best for you. a son of Poseidon and a daughter of Athena could never work! It goes against the rules of nature."

I just chuckled and hugged her, "Thanks Mom, but I think I got what I needed from you." I pulled her away from the crowd so we could talk in a little more peace. "I love Percy, and there's nothing anyone could say that could change that. I was foolish once before for letting him go-"

"You're foolish now." Athena interrupted and I gave her a look. Thankfully, she let me continue.

"I think he's precisely where I need to be at the moment. For once I think I've got it all figured out." I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. It actually felt good to not worry about the future or what was going to happen. I had to set this right once and for all. Charlotte couldn't win this, Josh couldn't win this either. I would win this. Percy was mine. Always had been from the minute I laid eyes on him when we were twelve. As horribly cheesy it sounds, it was true; Love will find a way.

"You're a silly girl. A silly girl in love." Athena smiled lightly. "I've tried to stop this for over ten years. If it hasn't worked by now it never will."

I hugged her again, but this time so much tighter, so much more loving. "Thanks Mom." My voice muffled as I was speaking into her coat.

I pulled back. "I've got to fix this once and for all."