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Annabeth couldn't stop laughing. Percy, positioned a few feet away and encircled in a group of men wearing suits, kept looking hopelessly lost and confused. Jason was standing next to him, seemingly handling the situation better, and Annabeth was in a group of trophy wives. No wonder the last time Percy came to one of these events he had to get roaring drunk. Annabeth was more professional than he was and she could barely stand the tittering of the best laundry detergent and how spacious their mansions were.

Luckily, Annabeth had a heavily pregnant Piper whose eyes were semi-glazed over as she picked at a string on her dress. Piper was as interested in house sizes as Percy was into rules.

"We're going to get drinks," Annabeth announced to the group. The women acted indifferent to her comment, and Annabeth grabbed Piper's wrist, dragging her off to an empty corner.

"Those women are ridiculous," Piper said once they were settled against the wall.

"I know. This whole thing is just torture."

Percy's father's friend, Mr. Walter, was holding another formal dinner and Percy was invited again. This time he forced Annabeth to tag along, and he even bought her a nice dress to wear since the fanciest thing she owned was an old worn out shirt she received from camp some years ago.

Annabeth was glad Jason forced Piper to go too because she would be completely lost without her. Piper told her she usually went to these kind of things and she knew how to slip out of uncomfortable groups easily. They were now inseparable.

"So," Annabeth said, taking advantage of the first time alone with Piper. "What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a fashion designer," Piper answered, swirling her water around inside her wine glass. "I know," she continued at Annabeth's startled look.

Annabeth's vision of a fashion designer was someone who was much more stuck up and stiffer than Piper was. Not to mention, fashion designers probably didn't skate board and give themselves haircuts.

Piper shrugged. "I don't know, my mom was really into fashion and I kind of just took after her.

"That's cool, though."

"What about you?"

"I used to be an architect," Annabeth said, running her finger over the rim of her glass.

"Used to be?" Piper asked.

"Yeah...it just didn't work out. I work at Percy's restaurant now and that's all I do."

"Hello, ladies," Percy said, interrupting the conversation. He threw his arm around Annabeth and kissed the top of her head. Jason touched Piper's back and took her glass from her, taking a sip.

"No touching," Piper said, snatching her glass from Jason and swatting his hand away.

"Remember the last party, Percy?" Jason asked, grinning. Percy scowled at him. "He was so trashed," Jason continued, turning to Annabeth.

"Oh, believe me, I know."

"It was Percy's first time getting drunk," Jason said, nodding.

"Was it?" Annabeth asked, cocking her head to the side and smirking up at her boyfriend.

"It was not! Piper and I drank once when I was seventeen!" Percy shot back defensively.

"Percy, you took two sips, threw up, and your mom came to pick you up," Piper said, raising an eyebrow.

As Annabeth choked on her water, and Percy stuck his tongue out at all three of them, Mr. Walters himself approached the group. Percy's tongue slid back in his mouth lamely.

"Ladies," Mr. Walters said, bowing slightly. "Gentlemen, I require your company," he said, tipping his head toward the group of men in suits.

"Of course," Jason said. He took a step from Piper but Percy remained planted to the spot. After a look from Jason, Percy begrudgingly kissed Annabeth's temple and slouched after the two men.

"He's such a baby," Annabeth said once they were out of range.

"I know-I went to high school with him. He was worse when he was younger, believe it or not."

"I believe it," Annabeth said.

"It's strange because him and Jason are such good friends but Jason is the complete opposite. He's so proper and always has to be a good example. When I first met him, I just wanted to break him."

"Break him?"

"Yeah. We met at this boarding school for troubled kids after Percy and I both got kicked out of our high school. It took me forever to convince Jason to break the rules and go to the roof with me after lights out, but I enjoyed doing it. It's fun watching Jason break the rules."

Annabeth laughed, knowing she was the same as Jason. She never broke any rules during high school and she always had to have good grades. She didn't have very many friends, and once she met her ex-husband, those few friends disappeared.

"So you've known Lilly since she was born?" Annabeth asked. She was interested in high school, single dad Percy. It was interesting to her to know more about him.

"I've known Lilly since she was in the womb. Mia wasn't that bad to me, but she cheated on Percy all the time and he knew it. Just when Jason and I finally convinced him to break up with her, she told him she was pregnant. I didn't believe it was Percy's, but Lilly looks exactly like him, doesn't she?"

"She really does. She acts like him too, it's crazy."

Annabeth glanced over at Percy and noticed he had a glassy, slightly tipsy look to his eyes. She turned her attention back to Piper who was now studying the women who were still grouped together.

"You know, those dresses they're wearing are so expensive, but they're all designed in a shitty way," Piper said, cocking her head and narrowing her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Annabeth asked. Her own eyes followed Piper's gaze. Annabeth was a dud when it came to fashion. She didn't know a single brand name because she sure as hell wasn't going to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a garment she'd only wear, like, twice.

Percy, on the other hand, bought the dress Annabeth was wearing, telling her it was a treat. He refused to tell her how much it costed and it made her feel terrible. When she had tried it on, Percy's eyes when sort of glassy and he said he had to buy it for her. It was black with a slit up the side that went mid thigh and a plunging V-shaped neckline that almost showed her bra underneath.

The other women had dresses a little classier than Annabeth, but they were much older. When they gave Annabeth slightly disapproving looks, Piper said, "Screw them. They're just jealous that you have boobs that aren't past your belly button." And she laughed it off.

"I mean, that purple dress should not have a cinched waist, the neckline on the cream one should be swoop, not V-" Piper suddenly stopped and glanced at Annabeth. "Sorry, I know I'm boring. Jason nearly falls asleep every time I bring up fashion," she said.

"No, no!" Annabeth said quickly, shaking her head. "No, it's fine. Honestly." She knew what Piper was feeling because Annabeth could sprout off random facts about national monuments for days that could bore anyone into a coma. Except her.

Piper smiled and suddenly winced. "Jeez, this baby is doing an Irish step-dance on my kidneys," she said. She reached out, sliding her fingers around Annabeth's wrist, and brought her hand against her round, hard belly. Annabeth, slightly startled at the sudden movement, felt the baby inside of Piper kick against her hand and she let out a laugh automatically.

"Doesn't that hurt?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sometimes. It's all fun and games until she gets her foot lodged between my ribs."

Annabeth pulled back, horrified. "That sounds terrible."

"Eh. I'm sure once she's out and everything it'll be worth it."

The night wore on with constant breaks to the bathroom for Piper. By the end of the night, both Percy and Jason were drunk. Jason was quiet when he was drunk, mostly observing, but Percy was extremely cuddly.

Finally, when they were able to leave, Annabeth climbed in the back of the car with Percy while Jason and Piper occupied the front, Piper behind the wheel.

Within a matter of minutes, Percy had his arms around Annabeth, his face pressed into her neck, mumbling things she couldn't understand.

Annabeth had to nearly drag Percy up the stairs when they reached his apartment. She pushed him onto his bed and pulled his shirt off over his head for him. He smiled up at her, eyes all glassy.

And she left him in the room to shuffle around the kitchen to try and quiet down the growling in her stomach. She heard Percy stumbling around his room and she suppressed a smile.

Alcohol wasn't her thing, but Percy was harmless when he was drunk. And she didn't mind cuddling with him either.

Thinking about alcohol brought her ex-husband into her mind. She closed her eyes and gripped the counter. She hadn't thought of him in a while. She was happy-of course she wouldn't think of him.

For a moment, Annabeth tried to imagine what her life would have turned out to be if she hadn't of met Percy. She wouldn't have a job, she wouldn't have the feeling of security, she'd probably turn into a stripper just to feed herself.

Okay, so maybe that was a little dramatic. But still. She was very happy she decided to walk into Percy's diner that day.

Annabeth dug out a blueberry bagel from the back of the fridge and popped it into the toaster. The house seemed oddly quiet without Lilly. Whenever she was over at Sally's it was almost like Percy didn't even have a kid. But then Annabeth would step on a Barbie and look at the little heart bracelet on Percy's tan wrist that Lilly made him during school.

When she spread plain cream cheese on her bagel, she thought about Piper. She needed more friends than Percy and Lilly. Her and Piper weren't really friends yet, but they could get there. Plus, Piper probably had the juiciest secrets on Percy. Although it seemed Annabeth would probably get along better with Jason who seemed like the same kind of person as her. Percy and Piper, the skaters, and Jason and Annabeth, the brains. Or something like that.

"Hey."

Annabeth nearly stabbed Percy in the neck with her butter knife when he came up behind her. She put her hand against her chest and tried to control the erratic beating. She turned away so Percy couldn't see how much he scared her.

"Jesus! Don't sneak up on me!"

"I'm not Jesus, I'm Percy," Percy said, wrapping his arms around Annabeth's hips and resting his chin on the top of her head. She rolled her eyes and popped the top to the cream cheese back on.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Making dinner," Annabeth replied. She slipped out from his arms and put the container back into the fridge. When she turned back around and reached for her bagel, she saw a huge bite taken from it.

"Hey!" she said, smacking her hand into Percy's chest.

"It wasn't me," he said quickly, raising his hands in a totally innocent gesture. Except for the fact that there was cream cheese on the corner of his mouth.

"You should really clean up the evidence if you're going to lie," Annabeth said, using her finger to scrape the white bit off.

"Oh," Percy said, frowning. He turned away from her and stumbled just a little to get to the couch. He curled up on one end while Annabeth took the seat next to him. She took a small bite of her bagel.

"You know," Percy started, clutching a pillow against his chest. He looked like a child with his chin resting on top of the pillow and pouting slightly. "I want to get away from here. From New York."

"Why's that?" Annabeth asked.

"I want to take you and Lilly with me. I have enough money."

"Why?" Annabeth asked again.

"I'm tired of this. Of this city and these people. I want to go somewhere else. You like Greece, don't you? You like all the architectural stuff. Like the Parthenon. We could go there."

Annabeth smiled, remembering a conversation her and Percy had a while back where she rambled on and on about places she wanted to go and things she wanted to see. Percy had had a glazed over look in his eyes and a smile. She didn't actually think he was paying attention.

"It would be awesome," Percy said, grinning. He spread his hands out in front of him as if he could picture the view. Then suddenly, his face fell and his hands dropped into his lap.

"Oh no," he whispered. "I forgot Lilly started school."

He turned to Annabeth who was thoroughly enjoying the whole show. "That will ruin everything. You think they have English schools in Greece? Maybe we could just homeschool her. Well, mostly you since you're basically a genius."

"Percy," Annabetg said, trying to hold back her laughter. "We're not actually going to Greece."

"What? Why would you say that? I already had it all planned out."

For a moment, Annabeth let her mind wander. She would love to go to Greece. Greek architecture practically made her drool. But they couldn't just up and leave. Lilly was in school and Percy had an entire restaurant to watch over. Annabeth had no ties to the city except for Percy and Lilly. In Greece, she could officially escape her husband. But even thinking about just uprooting and leaving made her want to laugh. No way could they do that.

Just as Annabeth set her empty plate on the end table, Percy suddenly pushed her against the cushions and pressed himself up against her, burying his face in her neck like he always did.

"Hi," Annabeth said.

"I think Mia is going to try and get custody of Lilly," Percy said.

Annabeth didn't answer. She felt the same. She ran her hand down Percy's back, sliding her fingers over the dips in his spine.

"It's not like she's going to get it. She gave full custody to you, Percy. I don't think you can take that back."

Percy didn't say anything, and for a second, Annabeth thought he passed out. But eventually he nodded slowly and sighed.

"I hope so."

Annabeth pulled her crazy hair into a ponytail, feeling like her skin was melting off her skull. A huge group of people walked in and glanced around, checking for any open tables, but they would have to wait nearly an hour for an open one.

The lunch rush was absolutely ridiculous. Annabeth punched in an order and nearly knocked a tray of drinks out of another server's arms.

"Sorry!" she said quickly.

Percy was just a few feet away, checking all orders and making sure they were right. He was flushed as well, but where Annabeth's face was probably splotchy, Percy's looked like he had a rosy glow. She glared at him in jealously as she passed. How could he possibly look gorgeous during a lunch rush while everyone else looked like they just ran thirty-eight miles.

He smiled at her when she glanced back at him and she felt her face get hotter.

"Hey," Kalle said from behind. Her short blond hair was pulled into a tiny ponytail and she looked as overwhelmed as Annabeth was sure she looked. "Table twenty-two asked for some pie."

Annabeth blew out a breath and nodded. "Okay. Thanks."

She maneuvered her way through the chairs and bodies until she stood in front of table twenty-two. She pulled out her notepad and scribbled down requests for different pies. As she glanced up, someone caught her eye.

A man passing by glanced into the window directly in front of Annabeth. He didn't look at her, but instead, he focused on the people sitting at the table. She noticed the sandy blonde hair and deep brown eyes and it felt as if someone had punched her as hard as they could in her chest. She took a staggering step back, gripping her pen hard.

The man passed completely and continued his walk down the street, not noticing the girl who was having a mental breakdown inside the restaurant he just glanced inside.

"I-I'm sorry," Annabeth stuttered. She spun on her heels and pushed her way past the people, ignoring the complaints. She threw her notepad and pen on the counter and shoved past the servers. Her stomach rolled dangerously as she swung open the closet door, the same one Percy had pulled her into after their first date, and stepped inside, pushing her way around brooms and cleaning supplies until her back was pressed firmly against the back wall.

Annabeth pressed the heels of her hands hard into her temples. Was that really him? Or was she just seeing things? There was no way he knew she went to New York. She never even spoke about the place.

She pulled her knees up against her chest and ignored the urge to throw up.

Calm down, Annabeth, she told herself. Calm down.

But she couldn't. If he was here...

She didn't even want to think about it. She was afraid she really would throw up if she thought about it.

Annabeth wasn't sure how long she sat in that cramped closet. Several days or only seconds could have passed and she wouldn't have known.

Someone opened the door and closed it. She heard Percy curse as he knocked over a broom.

"Annabeth? Annabeth, are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle and soft. Annabeth didn't answer.

"What's wrong? Is something wrong?"

No answer.

"Annabeth, please."

"I saw him."

"Saw who?"

"Him."

"Annabeth, what are you talking about?"

"My ex-husband. Andrew."

It hurt her to say his name, like someone took a knife and stabbed her heart. And twisted.

Percy exhaled loudly and sat down on the ground next to Annabeth.

"He's not going to do anything," he said, his voice even and calm. Annabeth had seen him angry before, cursing and harsh, but this was even worse.

"Yes, he will. You don't know him."

Percy turned her face toward her and his eyes looked unusually dark. "I'm not going to let him hurt you, okay?"

Annabeth nodded slowly and tightened her arms around her knees. Percy leaned down and kissed her softly, his fingers brushing against the back of her neck. She leaned into the kiss, pushing Andrew away. It more than likely wasn't him. It would make absolutely zero since. There was no reason he would come all the way from Virginia to New York to possibly find Annabeth.

It wasn't him, she told herself.

"All right," Percy finally said when he pulled away. Annabeth's lips felt swollen and hot. "We've got some work to do. I kind of put all of your tables on Kalle and she's going to kill us."

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