Thank you so much for your honest thoughts Aquababy58, I also think Option 1 will be way more interesting than option 2! Either way, I'm still waiting to hear from Stephanie and maybe Texas50Fan. You have all been so kind with your reviews that I really value your opinions as well. I just couldn't wait to hear from you before posting this new chapter! I must admit: I'm addicted to this story!
Now, this chapter will shed some light into Annabeth's past. There are really microscopic references as to when Steve met her but is not much more than what has already been said in the previous story where I introduce her for the first time. I know I never explain much where she comes from or how she ended up as a part of the team, but I've been playing with the idea of writing other fanfics, maybe just some short ones, with scenes of when all those important events took place. They meeting, finding out they were related, etc. Let me know what you think of that idea!
Here's next chapter!
Once she was asleep, Steve used the time to send a text message to his partner telling him that the tests were done and they had the evidence. Danny responded that he was going to finish going through the few cameras that could have caught anything suspicious around the palace or Steve's street and then he'll go by the hospital to collect the evidence so he could take them to Charlie.
Sleep actually never crossed his mind. Either way, the first rays of sunshine were starting to show and he knew that in a couple of hours they would be clear to leave.
He didn't know how Annabeth would act after she woke up. He knew that the drugs and the experience itself had left her vulnerable and she didn't like to feel vulnerable at all. He just hoped she wouldn't push everyone away trying to demonstrate that she was strong enough to handle what had happened. No one doubted that she was, but she could be stubborn sometimes. Just like him, Danny would say.
It was actually amazing how much they resembled each other even if they didn't grew up together. The circumstances in both their lives had made them strong and independent. He had come to terms with his life being completely upside down but it still surprised him that hers was too, at such a young age.
He had wondered many times what kind of things she had done working as a spy when she was younger. She was well trained and possessed a knowledge that few people had on their line of work. But he didn't pounder on those thoughts either because his heart ached every time he thought about everything she must have gone through in her life to be like she was now.
When an hour had already passed, he began wondering how their lives would have been if they had grown up like a normal family. If their mother hadn't faked her own death and abandoned them while she was pregnant. If she hadn't given Annabeth up for adoption in another country, maybe neither of them would be working in the line of fire every day. Granted, maybe if they had grown up together they wouldn't be as close as they are right now. Maybe their relationship would be more like the one he had with Mary. They loved each other but it was really hard to put up with his other sister sometimes.
Maybe the reason he and Annabeth got along so well was the fact that they had been looking for a place to actually call home for a long time. They had found a refugee in Hawaii and in the fact that they were truly family. Even after the fiasco of Annabeth finding out he had kept the fact that they were related a secret from her, they had learned how to live and work together. They were doing great. And, again, his blood rushed to his head just thinking about the son of a bitch who had dared assault her like that.
They needed to catch him so he could pull the trigger himself.
He caught a movement with the corner of his eyes and turned around to see Annabeth slowly waking up. The sun was already up in the horizon and the day had officially started.
- Hi – he said softly – how are you feeling?
- Better – she announced. And she sounded better too – you said I could leave in the morning? – she asked, already sitting up in bed and making an attempt to get out of the bed completely.
- Whoa there! Stay put. The doctor needs to check you out again before you can go.
- Go call her then. I feel fine and I want to get out of here. I hate hospitals – Steve looked at her for a second. He didn't quite know how to handle her yet. He was worried she wasn't actually fine but he didn't want to overwhelm her with concern either. He didn't want to be condescending but neither could he treat her like nothing had happened. He was actually at a loss of what to do. He decided to let things run its course for the time being and go get the doctor. He supposed Annabeth would give him the cues of how to act around her depending on her mood or even actions. By the time the doctor entered her room, she had already gone to the bathroom and cleaned up as best as she could.
- So I guess you are feeling better? – the doctor asked.
- Yes. I'm not hurting so much either and I don't feel dizzy anymore.
- That's good considering the drugs have already been flushed out of your system entirely. I know I said you were free to go as soon as the last bag of fluids was empty but I need you to take it easy for a few days. You might still feel a little discomfort while going to the bathroom or even after walking for too long, and dizzy spells aren't completely out of the picture yet. So drink as much water as you can and give yourself the time to rest. It shouldn't take long for you to feel absolutely normal again – the doctor finished with a smile that Annabeth did her best to return – I'll go sign your discharge papers.
- Thanks – Annabeth said. After the doctor left, she and Steve were left alone in the room.
- So… Danny's gonna swing by to bring you some new clothes and take the evidence back to Charlie. He's already been investigating and after that we'll work together in the office. You can have the rest of the day to rest at home.
- I wanna be part of the investigation – she stated.
- Not happening – he replied. They looked at each other defiantly.
- I need to be a part of this.
- You know I can't let that happen. Besides, you heard the doctor, you need rest – he argued.
- But I already told you I feel better and I can help you catch him. I'm the only one who's seen him after all – she was starting to sound angry.
- Annabeth you know when someone's too close to a case they have to stand down from any investigation. Right now you're a victim not a part of the investigation process – she stared at him. A victim. She was a victim. She didn't like the sound of that and didn't like the fact that he had referred to her as one. She was about to say something back when the door opened and someone stepped inside.
- Hey! I brought your spare clothes from the office. I heard you're clear to go. How do you feel? – asked Danny passing her the bag.
- Fine – she answered and went straight to the bathroom. Steve had seen the reaction his last words had caused and he mentally slapped himself in the face for it. What a way to use his words.
- Amm… everything okay? – Danny asked, knowing that of course nothing was right.
- She's angry – Steve said – she wants to be part of the investigation. Says she can help us.
- Well, I know it's not usually what we do but, maybe she can – Steve stared at him.
- You're no serious are you? She has just been assaulted! We shouldn't even be discussing this – he said in a low voice so she wouldn't hear him from the bathroom.
- I know that, and if this was anybody else I would agree with you but it's Annabeth. You think she's actually gonna sit this one out? Come on! It's like asking you to stop looking for WoFat – Steve pulverized him with his gaze but Danny didn't back down. He knew he had stricken a nerve saying that but it was true. And, soon enough, he saw the defeat in his partner's eyes.
- Alright – he said. Danny patted him on the shoulder and left to go pick up the evidence. After that, Annabeth got out of the bathroom.
- Where's Danny? – she asked.
- Went to grab the evidence. Then we'll drop it off at the lab and head to the office – she frowned.
- No stops along the way? – she asked referring home. He sighed.
- No. Just straight to the office. But, no running around for you. If we find a lead you can help us from the inside. You make sure you drink plenty of water and get some rest when there's nothing to be done. Are we clear? – he said. She smiled a little.
- Done – she answered.
Then they left to find Danny. With everything they needed, they made their way to the parking lot and got in the truck. Danny went for his camaro and they all headed to the lab. After dropping off the evidence to Charlie, making it clear that this was a priority, they headed for the office.
And for the first time we see a little bit of attitude from Annabeth but, can you blame her? And of course Steve wants to be overprotective. Also, Danny kind of acts here like the voice of reason, a role I think he has to take when Steve finds himself battling emotions he doesn't really know how to express, he's a Neanderthal after all right?
I'll be waiting to hear your comments and the choices from Stephanie and Texas50Fan about the option stuff!
Thank you for being so patient with me and for sticking with this story!
Until next chapter!