A/N: Hello People! Well I obviously need to start using other people's ideas, cause like everyone said it was their favorite chapter lol. Anyway, thank you all for the reviews and I love you all BTW I am almost like completely done my summer hwk! I do start school on Wednesday, but until then, once I get my homework done, I will not be stressed. But enough about me, here's chapter 8! R and R!

Chapter 8

~Percy's P.O.V~

Time seemed to slow in Percy's brain, the breaks all coming to a halt, as his heart beat swarmed his ears. His blood ran cold, all the tingles ceasing their rampaging motion. His fingers lost their feeling, air sweeping from his lungs. What was he doing? What was he doing? Was he seriously standing in the one man's office that he hated all of his early life, about to rat out the people who where the closest friends he ever had. And for what? Just because they assumed he was a traitor? Was he going to prove them right? Was he going to be that stupid? Maybe he really was a Seaweed Brain.

Percy's eyes stared straight ahead, voice physically caught in the bottom of his throat. It was a lump that stole his breath away, and he tried swallowing it to no prevail. He wasn't sure if his face was red from anger or pale from realization. His fingers trembled slightly as he continued to stare, brain racking to find something to cover why he was there. What could he say? What could he come up with to fool his father and stop the secret from slipping out?

"What is it Percy?" Poseidon snapped, voice annoyed now, "You just burst in here and tell me you need to te-"

"Dad I think it's time I meet the others who work with you and Mr. Ronos." Percy blurted, body stiffening into a formal pose. Wait what? He thought it was time to do what?

The shock that was swimming in Percy's brain was mimicking the look on his father's face, but Percy kept the stone exterior up perfectly. He looked dead serious while inside we wanted to pee his pants. Where was he going with this?

Poseidon's fingers twitched around his glasses, his own sea-green eyes cast down in deep thought. His face showed the internal conflict he was wrestling with. Doubt laced with approval danced over his weary features, and the quiet took the place of words as he continued to breath.

While the air was calm and serene, Percy's insides were the exact opposite.

His brain was running a million miles a minute and his heart slammed against his ribs. The pain of Annabeth's doubt still stung, the hurt stabbing into his new feelings for her, but his cool exterior hid it tremendously. His blood was moving in slow motion, making it even harder for him to think, but eventually things began to clear up. He wasn't a traitor, he was the opposite. He lost Annabeth, or at least he believed he did. There was still a small hope he could stay with the Revolution, and he'd take it. Percy Jackson was not a conspirator. He would NOT let his friends down.

Poseidon glanced up at the boy, eyes trailing over his eldest son. His hand perched on his chin, elbows standing tall on top of files from their work, and his eyes trained on Percy, the identically colored orbs clashing. A long sigh leaked from Poseidon's lips, his hand sliding slowing over his graying black hair.

"I suppose," he started, choosing his words carefully, "you could. We were planning a meeting soon, all of us, and it was just going to be us heads. I assume I can talk to Ronos and convince him to make it an event. A ball of some kind. We can have us all bring our children and other family to it, making it look like a party, then we can still discuss while everyone else was having a good time. I could introduce you before we have our meeting." Poseidon finished, leaning back in his chair and inspecting Percy, his hands gripping the chair arms lightly. The idea was almost flawless, and Percy contained the smile begging to leave his mouth. He was already forming a plan, and with the Ball, it'd work perfectly.

Percy nodded sharply, bowing slightly, and he turned after addressing him father, "That sounds wonderful. I will look at see if I have proper attire for such an event."

His formality almost slipped on the way out of the door, Poseidon calling out to him just before he slipped out. He was so close to making it out.

Percy's body faced his father, the door moving open slightly and creaking a tad, the noise filling the space between them as they exchanged looks. Percy felt his knees weaken and his walls almost fall, the look on Poseidon's face on he hadn't seen in a long time. It was a look of pure curiosity and a tad worry, like he was genuinely confused on why Percy wanted to meet his co-worker. He wasn't mad. He wasn't disappointed. He wasn't upset. He was… caring. He looked like he wanted to know something he believed Percy was hiding. He looked like he was concerned.

Percy would lie if he said his defenses didn't drop. He would lie if he said he didn't feel something break in his resolve, seeing true emotion on his father's face, however sad that sounded. Percy almost told him everything from just that look. He was looking at Percy like he was his son and not just another person who worked for him. It scared Percy to death, and almost brought tears to his eyes, the inner ten year old longing to come out and have his father back. The father that left when the one true light in their family left as well.

"Why are you so curious about meeting my colleagues?" Poseidon gingerly asked, sitting as he was before.

Percy blinked quickly, his father's business exterior return, and the hope his father was back sliding through Percy's tired and weary fingers. He was so close… but it didn't really matter. It never really did.

"I just.. seeing how I'm really getting invested in all of your business life, I'd like to meet the people working for you and the men and women I'll work for in the future." His words were robotic and cold, eyes solid and neutral, emotions screaming and boiling inside of him. He turned and walked out, the door softly clicking behind him and his feet clicked up the stairs and into his room.

The moment the door shut, his back hit the wood and he stilled. His eyes shifted to his desk, eyes landing on the beautiful picture of himself and his mom, both smiling and having the time of their lives at their beach. She was looking at him… staring at him.

Do your best, Percy, that's all I ask. Think with your heart, and do what's right.

Percy's breath grew rapid, eyes stringing harshly with tears. His back slid down, body curling into a ball as fists formed from his hands, eyes squeezing tight. He breathed through his nose, rushed sounds of breathing assaulting his ears. His entire body was tense as the furry and pain rolled through him, the first of long suppressed tears streaked down his cheeks.

He didn't understand. Why was it all so hard? Just so… hard. His father was never there, he never saw his brother, and the one person he loved more than anyone died and left him to fend for himself. He struggled time and time again… but nothing got better. Just when he started making friends, he got accused of betrayal and they now hated him, leaving him alone again. Percy shook with frustration and agony, tears not stopping for anything. It just all hurt so bad, it was starting to kill him. He hated the lying. He hated the mask he put on for his own family. He hated not being good enough. He hated ALL of it.

The blood rushed to his ears, coughs spurring from his throat as sobs racked his body, the emotions spilling from him wave after wave. Feelings of pain hate love passion determination longing acceptance loneliness. Loneliness. He was just so lonely he was use to the feeling. Even with rooms full of people he was by himself, the burden so hard to hold. Hard… everything was just hard.

Percy blindly stood, legs shaking and body still convulsing, arms around his abdomen. His feet drug to the desk and gave out, knees hitting the floor with a loud thud, his weight rocking his stability a tad. His hand trembled as it reached for the picture. His eyes traced his mother's figure, tears hitting the glass and dripping down, his pain showing in the simplest of forms. She was smiling at him, face telling him to never give up. Never give up and never give in. She'd want him to keep going, no matter the pain. No matter how deep the despair went, all starting from the day she passed.

He couldn't show emotion. He was told to be strong and not let it show, her death a tragedy but a way of life. His father found him in a closet once, hugging the very same picture and trying not to cry, tears lining his ten year old eyes. The hand that found his cheek was hard and loud, the smack echoing across the house. The mark stayed for days, house servants covering it with a heavy make up as they looked at him in pity. Their touch was soft, but it didn't matter. Percy was put in his place, and he knew the place like the back of his hand. He could not disappoint his father. He was born to make his father look good and that's all. He didn't deserve his father's love and affection. Percy was weak, he was foolish. He couldn't even keep his own emotions in check. Why would his father even consider treating him like a son? He didn't deserve it.

The shatter that followed the picture's contact with the wall was frightening, a gasp pulled from Percy's gut, his eyes widening in shock. The glass flew over the ground, sparkling and decorating the boring floor. The picture gracefully sat half way in the frame, half way out on the ground. Glass danced on top of it and sparkled, making his mom look even more beautiful than before. He needed that picture, it was his. He didn't want the frame, it wasn't his. But the picture… that was important. Maybe he could show Annabeth the picture and she'd like it. Maybe she'd take him back into the Revolution. Maybe his mom could fix everything… just like she always did.

He crawled to the picture, grabbing it from the glass. It wasn't torn or anything. Percy brushed it off a bit, ignoring the new burning sensation in his hands, and he stood shakily. Yeah, he'd take it to Annabeth and everything would be ok. It had to be.

He numbly went to his car, starting it up. He got annoyed half way there, a sticky sensation coming from his hands and legs, but he didn't look at them. There was no time. He had to get to the base. A metallic smell flooded his nose, confusion striking him. What was that? He parked the car and checked himself. His clothing was the same, nothing changing. His body felt numb and nothing was hurting at all. Percy shrugged; it must have been something in his car. That happened sometimes. Percy would tell one of his butlers and get it fixed. But that wasn't important. What was important was Annabeth seeing the picture.

Percy stumbled from the car, his body still sluggish. His head was pounding and his eyes were tired, dry and cracked with tears. His hands were like lead as he trudged forward, his feet having a mind of their own. His energy was draining, a chill swirling up his spine and making his shiver. He gripped onto the picture a bit tighter, fear washing over him of losing the precious things. He had to show her, he couldn't lose it.

The entrance to building came into view and it was odd, all the windows dark. Two figures stood outside, both leaning up near the door, Percy too far from them to see who they were. He hoped one was Annabeth. His mom wanted him to keep going, she wanted him to show them the picture and rejoin the group. It was the only option.

He moved even closer, his vision twisting a bit. What was going on? His body was moving even slower, the burning feeling in his hand stretching up the his elbows, fire licking his veins and muscles. He had to keep going. He had to get there.

"Percy?" One of the voice's said, it sounding confused and shocked. They stood from leaning against the wall, the other following suit.

"Oh my god! Nico look at his hands!"

That one was Thalia, and Percy's feet came to a halt, his head spinning. Faces were blurred and his hands were heavy, picture gripped tightly in his grasp. He wanted to show them; he really wanted to show them.

"G-Guys look. I-I ha.. have a pi…" He didn't finished his sentence. It was too much work. It felt like a million cotton balls were in his throat, suffocating him. His hands were wet and slippery, the picture sliding a tad. What was going on with him? He didn't feel like this back at his house. Maybe he shouldn't have left.

A pair of hands caught him, slipping under his arms and dragging him in a direction he couldn't see, his eyes blacking over. The last thing he remembered was feeling the picture pinched between his fingers, his brain screaming at him to show Annabeth.

~~~~Break~~~~~~~~~~

Percy slowly opened his eyes, head throbbing. It pounded with a sickening beat, the thumping rumbling his entire skull, and a moan escaped his lips. His eyes were fatigued, heavy to open. His throat was scratchy, voice lost for the moment. His hand screamed in pain, both wrapped in some kind of cloth. His legs pulsed in the same sort of pain, both feeling a lot heavier to move than usual. What the heck happened to him? Where was he? The last thing he remembered was the picture shattering then nothing… absolutely nothing.

His eyes cracked open, a very soft light appearing in the corner of whatever room he was in, and he dared to open them a tad more. He was in a plush office chair, his two legs propped up on a chair from the Revolution base's main area. Wrappings covered his legs, both looking limp and abused. His hands were covered like he predicted, soft spots of red tainting the white cloth, his hands in the same conditions as his legs. His head was racking all the events that happened before now, and nothing was coming to mind. He remembered the tears. He remembered the pain. He even remembered throwing the picture. But how he got to Annabeth's office was a total and completely mystery to him.

"Well it's good to see you finally awake."

Percy's eyes shifted up, landing on Nico. The Goth sat parallel to him, body leant forward in a worried posture, eyes heavy. Percy felt his gut twist a bit, knowing he was the cause of Nico's worry. Percy didn't know the kid could look so old, maturity flooding his features, and Percy couldn't look away from him. Nico's expression flecked with relief, confusion spread thin on a layer of hurt, worry twisted into the emotional chaos. Percy could feel Nico's emotions.

They didn't need to speak, the silence was enough.

After a moment of the stillness, Percy spoke, his voice sounding like road kill mixed with three week old trash, "What happened to me?"

"You tell me,' Nico replied, sitting back, "One minute, Thalia and I are talking outside of the building, the only ones here besides Annie, and the next, you're walking towards us hurt with blood rushing from your hands and knees and this pictures in your grasp, you spewing words of Annabeth and showing her the picture. We caught you right before you passed out from blood loss, we brought you in here, and fixed you up."

It didn't take a genius to figure out what happened. Percy broke the picture, causing his mind to break. He wanted to be accepted again, he didn't want to be alone. His inner child used the fact his mother could fix everything as a possible was to fix his problem, so he came to the Revolution base. Not before crawling though broken glass and grabbing the picture. The glass must have been still in him when he left his house, blood leaving him as he drove to the base. Percy ran a hand through his hair, the feeling of a thousand needles in his hand causing him to flinch. Wow… maybe he really was just that stupid.

"I didn't say anything to anyone," Percy's word blurted from his mouth, eyes on the floor, "I'm not a traitor."

"I know."

Those two simple words cause relief to plunge Percy into a calm peace of mind, his eyes falling on the boy. The obsidian color sparkled with reassurance, sadness still on Nico's face.

"I knew you weren't. After you left… I spoke with both of the girls. I calmed them both down and I stopped the fear and worry from poisoning their minds. Annabeth was torn to pieces when she realized what she did. We had no idea where you went… so we didn't come after you. When you showed up here, of course we were worried about your well being, but we were just glad you were back with us." Nico explained, hangs wringing together with each word, eyes trailing over the carpet, head shaking a bit, "You have to forgive them Percy… they're just so broken from Luke they can't handle another betrayal, and the loss of lives mixed with the fear of being stopped caused them to think desperately, blaming you."

Every word made perfect sense. Everything Nico said both pained, but relieved Percy at the same time. They didn't think he was a traitor anymore… but they're both hurt. It would take a while for the trust to be completely rebuilt, but if they were Percy was ready to give them another shot.

Percy's slight nod relaxed Nico, the boy standing to his feet. He slipped his hand into his jacket, pulling something from it, and his steps were quiet on the floor. Nico held it out to Percy, his final words before departing soft and caring.

"We got as much blood as we could off of it, some staying on the back. She's really pretty by the way. I bet she was a great mom."

Percy turned the picture over, stomach turning a bit at the sign of his own bloody finger prints on the white, shiny back. His mom stood smiling at the camera, her arms around his ten year old shoulders, both happy as could be. It was ok; the picture was still ok. Percy felt a bitter sweet feeling wash over him, eyes falling over every detail, and he slipped it into his pocket, his keep sake filling him with a warm fuzz that caused the tenderness from the cuts to dull down.

"Percy?"

Percy's head turned to the door, sea-green meeting grey. The grey swirled with apology and worry, a slight tremble in her lip stopped by her teeth lightly pulling on the pink flesh of her lip. Her hands were stiff at her side, body stepping through the door. She looked an absolute mess, but Percy, knowing he wasn't even close to looking better than her, thought she looked gorgeous anyway.

She stepped in more, the smallest smile stretching across his face. He stood, gritting his teeth and ignoring the twinge up his legs, stepping towards her. She opened her mouth in protest, most likely not want him to stand, but no words came out. He continued to make his way towards her, his steps slow and pain filled, but when he reached her, it was worth it.

His arms wrapped around her waist, arms pulling her close. Her arms latched onto his neck, her face pushing into his shoulder as a little cry left her throat, her hands holding onto him for dear life. His face pressed into her hair, her amazing smell absorbing his nose's attention and causing his brain to relax, a smile growing more as he continued to hug her.

"I'm so sorry I doubted you." She whispered, her words muffled by his shirt, her voice shaking but sincere nonetheless, "I just… I-I just didn't…"

"It's alright, Annabeth," Percy soothed, arms pulling her back a bit so he could look at her. Her face was flush and her eyes the tiniest bit teary, shame crossing her face. He brushed her bangs from her face, all of his anger somehow slipping away and disappearing, and only happiness and serenity settling inside of him. She was with him again, and that's all that mattered.

"I… I saw the picture," She confessed, eyes glancing up at him.

A chuckle left Percy, hand cautiously moving into the pocket and pulling out the picture. He unfolded it, the two staring at it.

"She was a good mom." He said, repeating what Nico said, making it the truest statement he's ever said before, "She'd be proud of me for doing this."

Percy stared at the picture, feeling Annabeth's hand rest on his shoulder. Her touch was soft and light, the compassionate feeling leaking into him from the simple jester.

"Well… then let's make her proud."

The words were so simple, but they brought Percy a smile, a nod following close after. He'd make her proud, he would.

His mom really did always fix everything, even when she wasn't there.

A/N: And there For you all :3 Sorry for all the feels in the chapter. I'm having a really hard time right now. My really good friend and bf to my best friend/almost sister left for boot camp today and he and she are so broken from being apart. He went all the way across the country. I promised I'd take care of her until he comes back, but I'm really sad none the less and super scared I'll let him down and not protect her well enough. Sorry for the feels, again. I felt like Percy needed to get some emotions out. This is hard after all. TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE LINE AGAIN, I'm extremely curious with this chapter. I love you all and please Review. Thanks 3