AN: here's another installment. Give me some feed back people. I made a mistake in the last chapter. Annabeth's eyes are GREY, not green.

The Percy guy ended up climbing down the tower and Annabeth didn't feel obliged to tell him she could use her hair to repel down. She edged her way to the window sill, preparing to head down.

"You coming wise girl?" Percy called from half way down the tower.

"Look at it Pascal, I'm halfway to the world. It seems so big, do I dare go out. I just have to do it. Here I go!" Annabeth had a mini argument wit herself before jumping out of the window. She plummeted down, keeping her hand wrapped around her hair as she fell, so that she could catch herself. She stopped just before she hit the ground, and hesitated. She had never touched grass or ground before and was scared about how it would feel. Then she took a deep breath and put her foot down. "Just smell the grass, and the dirt. It's just like I dreamed they'd be. The summer breeze is, like, calling to me. I'm completely free." Annabeth exclaimed and ran out of the entrance to the clearing. Percy followed, looking at her with an expression that read 'Is this girl alright?'.

"Now's when my life begins!" Annabeth said spinning around, "I can't believe I did this. Mother would be so furious." The girl gathered up her hair, which a part of was still in the tower, and pulled Percy along.

"The lanterns are that way." Percy said pulling the other way.

"Oh, right." Annabeth said and followed him. On the way, Annabeth had an inner battle raging. Every half hour or so she would change her mind, but just as quickly, change it back. Finally Percy decided to see if he could convince her to go back.

"You know I can't help but notice, you seem to be a little at war with yourself here." the thief said coming up behind the sobbing form of Annabeth.

"Really?" Annabeth said.

"The whole day. Just bits an pieces. Over protective mother, forbidden road trip. This is serious stuff, but let me ease your conscience. This is all a part of growing up. A little rebellion, a little adventure. that's good, healthy even." Percy explained.

"You think?"

"I know. You're way over-thinking your stress meter." Percy said, then tried another tactic, "Did your mother deserve it? No. Will this break her heart and crush her soul? of course, but you've just got to do it."

"Break her heart?"

"In half." Percy picked a berry off a bush.

"Crush her soul?"

"Like a grape." Percy squished the berry between his fingers.

"She would be heart broken." Annabeth said, distressed.

"You're right, oh no. Alright, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm letting you out of the deal." Percy said, convinced she was going to go home.

"Well-"

"Let's just turn around and get you home." Percy handed Annabeth her frying pan and Pascal, "Here's your pan, here's your owl. I get back my satchel, you get back a mother daughter relationship based on mutual trust and voila! We part ways as unlikely friends."

"No, I am seeing those lanterns." Annabeth insisted marching off in the direction of the kingdom.

"Oh come on! What's it gonna take to get my satchel back?" Percy hurried to follow her.

"I will use this." Annabeth whirled around and pointed the frying pan in Percy's face. Percy held up his hands in surrender. A rustling came from the bushes behind Percy. Annabeth jumped onto Percy's back and held her frying pan in front of them, "Is it ruffians, thugs? Have they come for me?" the bushes rustled again and out hopped a bunny.

"Stay calm, it can probably smell fear." Percy said sarcastically. Annabeth climbed down as the bunny hopped away.

"Sorry. I guess I'm just a bit jumpy."

"Probably be best if we avoid ruffians and thugs though."

"Yeah that's probably best."

"Are you hungry? I know a great place for lunch." Percy said changing the topic.

"Where?"

"Oh, don't worry. You'll know it when you smell it." Percy said leading the way down a dirt path. Annabeth followed, wondering why Percy had been so adamant about not going to the kingdom. It's not like the satchel was important enough to avoid the kingdom altogether. Annabeth thought she had better keep an ear open for any kind of past from this thief.

AN: There is it. please give feedback. I do have a twist in mind, it does get better.