A/N: By the title of this chapter I know that you guys have guessed who the narrator is going to be. I'm not sure if you'll like it because you've been waiting for almost a month - and again I apologize - but Reyna's perspective is very much needed at this point and I think that her POV is the best one to use at this chapter. Also I kind of liked her and didn't like her at this chapter. How that's possible, I'm not sure. See for yourself and tell me what you think.

R0bster79:I do apologize for keeping you waiting for so long but understand that I need to balance my time.

Suneater:To be honest I was wondering the same thing: how will Percy tell Annabeth? But my writer self took things in hand. When I read that chapter I thought that it was the right thing. And thank you for supporting my story. :D

CimFan: So nice to know that you're still here. The person who has been with me ever since I first updated. Thank you so much! :D

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NEVER LET ME GO

Chapter 15: BEHIND THESE DARK EYES

REYNA

They said that the worst day of loving someone is the day that you lose them. But there's a day that's just as worst: it's when they do through something awful and you can't do anything but just watch and wish that you can do something to ease their pain.

That's how I felt, just standing there and not being able to help. Noah was sick and Percy was dying with worry. And me? Nothing. I was useless as the two of the most important people in my life were being hurt by circumstance and life. I couldn't do anything while both of them were suffering. Now that was the worst one.

But then there was the day that someone else comes into the picture and does the thing that you're supposed to be doing. I didn't want to be selfish, and I told myself that I shouldn't be feeling that way but I couldn't help it. When Percy came back that night with Annabeth in tow, I told myself that no matter what happened, I would always put forth what he and Noah needed – and that was to cure his son – but it was difficult especially as I watched them hug when Annabeth saw Noah in his room, asleep with all those tubes attached to his body. I could see why Percy took so long to move on from her. The way they held each other, the way he shielded her and kept her from falling while she did the same for him, it was no wonder why Percy spent years trying to forget her. It was no doubt that they were ready to protect each other against anything and everything.

I shook my head to push those thoughts away. I couldn't afford to think that way. This wasn't about me and Percy, or him and Annabeth, but Noah. He should be the one we're focusing right now.

We went inside Noah's room, with Annabeth leaning against Percy. Noah stirred on his bed and opened his eyes slowly. He smiled a bit when his eyes focused on his dad. At this time I could tell that he had his father's spirit. I knew he was in pain but the sight of Percy was enough to momentarily cheer him up.

"Hey, buddy," said Percy, walking beside his bed and leaning down, placing a kiss on Noah's forehead. "How are you feeling?"

Noah grimaced. "Hungry," he complained. "I want some pancakes."

That made us chuckle. "Don't worry, I'll make you tons of blue pancakes as soon as you get out of here," I said.

He beamed a little. "Thanks, RR." Annabeth shifted and Noah seemed to notice her for the first time. "Annabeth?" he asked, cocking his head a little to the side. "Why are you here?"

By the way Annabeth stiffened a bit, I could tell she was hurt. Hurt by Noah's question. I may not have a child of my own but I was also a woman. Being asked that question by your child was like sticking a hot poker in your chest.

Annabeth slowly sat beside Noah's bed. "Just visiting you," she said, barely containing the quiver in her voice. "I haven't seen you in a long time."

Noah smiled. "Thank you." He looked up at Percy. "Daddy, you said we'll go home soon. I want to sleep in my room. I miss Annabeth."

"She's here, No – " Percy stopped himself, realizing that Noah meant Annabeth the stuffed dolphin and not Annabeth the person. I saw how tight Annabeth was wringing her hands and knew how hard she was trying not to reach out and hug Noah. "Sure, I'll get her for you," said Percy.

"Thanks," he said. He turned to Annabeth and smiled charmingly. "Hi. When can we go again to the mall? I like playing those games with you." Noah then made shooting sounds while pressing imaginary buttons on his hands. Percy laughed and ruffled his hair. As usual, Noah ducked under his dad's hand, glaring at him.

"Alright, Annabeth and I need to go," said Percy, gesturing Annabeth to stand up.

Noah frowned. "But Daddy, she just got here!"

"I'll be back," Annabeth answered. "I promise I will be. Your Dad and I just need to go and take care of something but I'll be here. I'll be around so much that you'll get sick of me."

"I won't," Noah said, giggling.

Annabeth stood up and met Percy at the end of Noah's bed. He took a step towards me. "Stay with him for a while, please?" he asked.

"Of course," I answered.

Percy then gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out with Annabeth.

I went beside Noah's bed and took Annabeth's place. Noah was looking at me, a different look on his eyes. I raised my eyebrows at him. He then smiled. "Are you jealous of Annabeth, RR?"

His question made me chuckle. Your boyfriend's five year-old son asked you if you're jealous with his dad being with another girl? Kind of funny. And true. I shook my head to hide the true emotions showing on my face. "Of course not," I said. Noah gave me another smile. "Let me ask you a question, baby boy, are you jealous of your girlfriend's friends who are boys?"

My question gave me the desired reaction from Noah. He blushed. "She's not – Cassie's not – "

"Oh, so her name's Cassie?" I asked.

"RR!" Noah protested. "I shouldn't have told Daddy about her."

I laughed, standing up and lying carefully next to Noah on the bed, careful not to move the mattress too much. Noah made room for me. When Percy introduced me to him, I was afraid that Noah wouldn't like me and would do things to make me regret being with Percy. (I guess I watched too much movie as a kid.) But it wasn't like that. He let me in their lives that was once exclusive for the two of them before. Noah gave me a chance to experience what it felt like to really live.

Noah snuggled close to me until his face was at the crook of my neck. I placed a kiss on his head and carefully placed an arm around him. Even I was young and that I wasn't the one who gave birth to him, I loved Noah just like a mother loves her child. He was one of the few people in the entire planet that I would admit I love.

"Can I ask you a question, Noah?" I said after a while.

"Yeah?"

"Do you like Annabeth?"

He was quick answering. "Yes."

"I mean, do you like her for your Dad?"

Noah took time before answering. "Why?"

I shrugged. "I just want to know what you think," I said. "I mean, I can tell by the way you smile at her. Also you look at your Dad and her like you're imagining them together." I could see hesitation on his face so I quickly added, "Don't worry, I won't get mad. I just want to hear your answer."

"I do," Noah finally answer. "I like you for Daddy, RR. But I like Annabeth, too."

"I understand," I said. "And I won't try to change your decision, Noah. I respect that. I just think you should know that I will fight for your dad. I love him and I'm ready to do everything for him. I'm not sure how you feel about that, but I thought that I owe to tell that to you."

"That's why I like you," he said softly. "You make my Daddy happy. You make him smile. I'm happy when he is and he is when he's with you, but I really, really like Annabeth. I don't even know why. I don't even understand it."

Because she's your mother, that's why, I wanted to tell him. It wasn't for me to say, however. "I get what you mean. And again, I won't try to change your mind. Also there's one more thing I think you should know." He looked up at me. "I love you, Noah. I consider you now as my son. Even if I'm not your real mom, I want you to know that I will be. I'll fight for you as hard as I would fight for your dad."

Noah frowned. "Why are you saying that?"

I inwardly curse myself. What was I thinking, saying all those things? Noah was five and I was talking to him about situations that were supposed to be handled by adults? What was wrong with me? He might start suspecting that something was up.

"Nothing," I answered, hoping that he would not ask more questions. "Forget what I said. Everything. I mean everything but the part that I love you, okay?" Noah was about to open his mouth to protest but I stopped him. "Please, Noah?"

He sighed. "Okay, but can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What's wrong with me? Am I sick?" he said.

I stopped short. What was I supposed to say? How can you tell a five year-old that he has cancer? How can you tell someone whose life just started that it might be cut short? Is there a way to tell a kid the reality that the world is cruel and that life is always unfair? I guess it was better to keep that fairy tale that he believed in alive and not tell him the truth. I didn't want to rob him of his childhood and I figured that I wasn't the right person to tell Noah of his real condition.

"You'll be fine," I said. "It's not something serious." Noah sated at me. "They're just keeping you here because they need someone handsome to lighten up this place," I added, winking at him.

Noah giggled. "I guess so."

"Alright, enough of the small talks; you should go back to sleep," I said.

Noah pouted. "You sound like my Mom."

I grinned at him. "Maybe because I am your Mom."

He smiled at me and then snuggled closer, closing his eyes. I softly tightened my arms around him and kept my eyes open; telling myself that I would keep an eye for him, that I would protect him the way Percy protected Noah.

But I guess life was very much aware that the person who had to do that was back. I felt my eyes getting heavy. I hadn't slept well these past few days, what with all that's going on. Fatigue won over, but not before I managed to think that even beyond the nothingness, I would still be there for these two guys who make my life.

The result came out the next day.

Annabeth was a match.

They went right ahead and harvested some of her bone marrows. I could tell how much it drained her. After she and Percy went out of the room, she was barely standing, leaning heavily against Percy and couldn't even walk straight. There were streak of dried tears on her cheeks and dark circles were already forming under her eyes. My heart skipped a beat, feeling sorry that she had to go through all of those. It must be hard to see your son hurting and going through physical pain as well.

I convinced myself that it was the reason why I was feeling that way and not the fact that Percy had his arms around her waist and was softly murmuring on her ear.

I approached them as Percy carefully lowered Annabeth on a couch on the lobby. Percy grabbed a pillow from the nearby one and placed it behind Annabeth. She moaned softly and placed her head on Percy's shoulder. Percy brushed the hair off her face and whispered softly, "I'm sorry you have to go through this."

"Is she going to be okay?" I asked.

Percy looked up. "Doc said she will be weak and might get sick in the next few days," he said, shrugging. "Donating bone marrows was bad, she nearly broke my fingers," he said off handedly, massaging his hand.

"It's a good thing that you were there," I said, sitting down beside him and taking his hand, rubbing circles on his knuckles.

Percy sighed. "Rey, please understand why I'm doing this. I know how hard this is for you and I wouldn't be doing this if I have another choice. I just want to save my son and – "

I stopped him by placing a finger on his lips. "It's okay," I said. "It doesn't matter, alright? Don't mind me. Right now what matters is Noah. And what you're doing for Annabeth? I'm not going to hold that against you; you two have something even I can't really explain and it's okay. You have a past; it doesn't go away just because you've moved on. Because of what she's going to go through right now, I know that you will be there for her. She needs you and you can't turn your back on her again just because of me."

He was about to reply when Dr. Mears called him. "Percy, come on," he said. "We're going to do the transplant now. Noah needs you."

Percy looked uncertain. He glanced at Annabeth and I knew instantly what he was thinking. "I'll keep an eye for her," I said. "Go now."

He looked gratefully at me. "Thanks, Rey," he said, standing up and following Dr. Mears.

When he was gone, I looked back at Annabeth who was starting to stir. Her eyes were unfocused when she opened them but immediately became alert when they focused on me. "Reyna," she said. She didn't sound hostile or anything, just guarded and a bit surprised.

"Hey," I greeted back. She glanced around. "Percy's with the doctor now. They're doing the transplant," I informed her.

Annabeth tried to stand up but quickly fell back on the couch, moaning in pain. "I need to be there," she said, trying to stand again but I stopped her. "What? Noah needs me in there. Help me."

I shook my head. "You're too weak," I said.

"I don't care."

"Percy does," I said. "And Noah will. If he sees you like this, how do you think he's going to take it? He's going to wonder what happened and we can't afford to have him stressed." Annabeth's eyes were fierce, telling me to back away but I held my ground. "Look, right now staying here is what's best for everyone. Percy's barely keeping it together – "

"That's why I want to be there," she insisted, "to provide support."

"Do you really think that's going to help?" I challenged her. "You're the other person who knows Percy as well as I do, do you think being there is going to be good for the two of you? We both know that staying here right now is the right thing to do." By the way her eyes looked, I knew what she was thinking. "I'm not doing to this to keep you away from him. I won't do that. You and Percy go way back, farther than us and no matter what I do I won't be able to severe the kind of connection you two have and I promise I won't try. I'm not going to think of myself and just see this situation bigger than myself because in reality, it is. It's not about me and Percy, or you and him, it's all about Noah."

Annabeth was quiet for a moment. She took her time before speaking. "You're willing to put up with all of this for him?"

I smirked. "Put up with what? See the two of you close?"

She backpedaled. "I wasn't doing that to win him back. Percy had already given me the chance when we were together and I wasted that chance. I wasn't leaning against him to cause trouble between the two of you."

"I didn't say you were. Look, to answer your question: yes. I'm willing to put up with everything for him. What can I do, I'm crazy about the guy. But it's more than us. It's also about Noah. I don't know but you might not like what I'm about to say but he's my son now. I mean I do understand that you're his biological mother but I can be his Mom, and I will be."

Annabeth nodded. "I'm just happy to know that someone like you came into their lives." She looked at me and gave me a sad yet genuine smile. "Thank you, Reyna. For keeping them happy when I didn't. Thank you for keeping Percy in one piece when I couldn't." She slowly settled back on the couch. She was shivering so I stood up and asked a nurse for an extra blanket. I wrapped Annabeth around it when it was given to me. "Now I can see why Percy's nuts about you. You're the exact opposite of me. You stayed when I ran, you smiled when I cried and you . . . you set yourself aside for them. I couldn't do that."

"You are doing it, Annabeth," I said. "Don't be too harsh on yourself. You may have made mistakes before but what matters is that you're here right now." I moved closer to her, and in a much quiet voice, said, "And while we're alone, I'm going to make a request. May I?" Annabeth looked uncertain at first but she eventually nodded. "Don't leave again. Don't walk away from Percy and Noah. Not this time. Stay. For them. They need you."

"You'll let me?"

"It's not my call to make," I said. "It never was. I can see how much Percy needs you. He needs you, Annabeth."

"But he has you," she said.

"This time I'm not enough," I admitted. "I'm sorry. I know how much I'm asking but think of your family. I know that eventually you'll have to tell Noah who you really are and I'm not going to stop you. He needs to know the truth. You're welcome in their lives. Be a part of them while you still can. We don't know what's going to happen after this so we need to do what we can while we still have the chance."

Tears fell from her eyes. "Is Noah's condition that bad?"

I nodded. "Dr. Mears said that children who have this disease usually don't make it past five years old." Annabeth started to cry harder so I did the only thing I could: I hugged her. She sobbed on my chest as I rubbed her back. "It doesn't matter, Annabeth. Noah's going to be okay. He has us fighting for him. We'll fight destiny itself if we have to but we will beat this all together. We will save him."

Annabeth didn't answer. She just kept on crying and I kept on holding her. That moment, I knew that my earlier thoughts were wrong. What I felt didn't matter. What counted was Noah and Percy. It wasn't about Annabethn and I, it was about those two guys were both care deeply about. And maybe I was ignoring what I could really see but set it aside. No matter what happened, I knew I made the right choice. Whether I end up broken and alone, staying there that moment was the best choice I've ever made.

[Next - Chapter 16: YOU WON'T FEEL A THING]