Trigger warning for child abuse and dark themes that can be difficult for people.
I totally understand if you would prefer to just skip this one for your own mental well being

Also on a lighter note, for the purposes of this story, Athena's owls have a magic dampening field that makes it so the whole 'names have power' thing from canon doesn't work. This is a story about mental health so family is gonna come up a lot, this chapter especially so names are going to be used because it's too hard to try to write around them

Anyway, buckle in because this is a long and heavy chapter.

Athena arrived at the Jackson-Blofis apartment five minutes before 11:00 AM. Early like Annabeth expected, her mother was the type of person to show up early. "Come in," Sally said nervously, she didn't think anything bad would happen, but that didn't make Athena loom any less.

Athena followed her into the apartment and to the living room this time, and was shocked when she saw that her daughter was sitting on the couch even if her face stayed composed as stone. "What is she doing here," Athena demanded, clearly struggling to keep her voice neutral.

"Well I told her about your visiting me and that you wanted help being a better mother," Sally explained, sweat running down her face. There wasn't a part of her that wouldn't want to see a living breathing Percy or Estelle, so she couldn't comprehend the idea that another parent wouldn't. "It seemed like a smart idea to get the child of yours that I know the best in on this so we could all do some lesson planning together."

Athena's anger started to cool as she forced herself to calm down. Of course Sally would talk to Annabeth. 'It makes sense,' Athena thought, cursing her own naivete. It was likely that good mothers would consult their demi-god children, and Annabeth was half Sally's already, when a goddess showed up at her home. "That does make sense," she forced out as she took a seat on the couch opposite of Sally and Annabeth. "It is good to see you Annabeth," she said, addressing her daughter.

"Is it," Annabeth asked, she could tell that her mother was already frustrated. This wasn't how she wanted things to go.

"It is," Athena insisted, "even though it is a surprise. I do not like surprises as a rule, but I suppose a good one every now and then is acceptable. I am happy that you look healthy, are you well?" While asked, she reached out with her divine senses and could tell that Percy was in the other room.

Part of her wondered if this was an ambush as it was only the three of them with her. Paul and Estelle were absent which Athena did not mind, but set off the paranoid alarms in her mind that she got from spending any time with her family. Still, she immediately put it out of her mind. Her relationship with Annabeth might be fragile right now, but she did not believe it had deteriorated to the point where her daughter would plan her demise, not yet.

Athena also knew that most likely she could defeat Percy and Annabeth in a fight. Her daughter was one of the best fighters among demi-god kind, but Athena did not bless her children with fantastical powers like the rest of her family. Perseus was another matter, he was easily the strongest demi-god of the age, perhaps since even back when the Olympians even lived in Greece. But he had his weaknesses, his soft heart for one. While Athena was not a betting woman, she was almost certain that he would not risk the lives of the other mortals in the apartment building, and much more certain his beloved mother, in an attempt to ambush her.

If it came down to it, Athena wondered if she could kill Annabeth. Perseus, while more powerful and destructive, would be a simple matter. If he attacked her she would put him down, not even Poseidon himself could argue her having a just cause. He still would due to his favoritism of Perseus and his hatred for Athena, but he would have no ground to stand on before the council. But Annabeth was a different matter. Athena in her darker moments had punished her children before, but to kill one made her stomach writhe, she genuinely was unsure if she could bring herself to kill her own child. If they attacked her she could kill Perseus first and restrain Annabeth and imprison her, Athena decided.

While part of the goddess wondered if it was a normal thing to think about if you could kill your own child in combat or just in her family, Budo interrupted her. "My lady," they chirped, "Sally Jackson has offered you refreshments."

Mentally she thanked the owl, before turning to her potential teacher and daughter. The table between them had a tray of cookies on it, fresh baked from the looks of them, and a mug of steaming tea. Athena made sure the two of them saw her take a cookie and put it in her mouth before taking a sip of tea. Once again she was officially a guest in Sally's home, which meant both parties had to follow the rules, meaning all of them had to play nice.

Annabeth relaxed, if only a hair. Part of Athena was proud of her daughter for her vigilance, the rest was guilty that it was because of her. Athena did not blame her, she had replayed her daughter being confronted by Minerva thousands of times in her head, shame burned inside of her whenever she did. She hated that their relationship had degraded so badly. She hated it more that she could only blame herself.

But wallowing did nothing, Athena did not wallow in self pity, she moved forward towards a solution. "Regardless, you can see I am here in good faith at the very least. Let us discuss the reason I am here."

"Yeah, I want to know that too," Annabeth said in a cold tone. "Sally told me you came to her for lessons on being a better mother and I couldn't believe it. My mother doesn't ask for help with anything, if she needs something she orders it done and expects you to jump."

Inwardly Athena winced with guilt, though her face remained the same from years of practice. Truthfully, she did not mind a little impertinence from her children. A little rebellion created the best free thinkers and let them grow wise on their own paths. Annabeth deserved to distrust her most of all.

"So why are you here? If you're being sincere, than why would you waste your time trying to be a better mother now after all this time," Annabeth half demanded, but did her best to reign in her temper. Angry though she was, Annabeth was still a brilliant woman who recognized it was not smart to fully antagonize the gods. Not that she always took that to heart any more than her boyfriend did.

"I am here," Athena said, trying to stay neutral in front of her daughter's demands, "because I have come to realize that I have a blindspot in my knowledge pool and seek to rectify it. I am not a good mother, I see that now and I wish to learn how to be a better one. The best way to learn properly is to find someone who is good at what you lack to teach you, hence why I sought out Sally Jackson. You yourself have said that she is the best mother a demi-god could ask for. In addition to your recommendation, she can see through the Mist and as the mother of a demi-god is privy to knowledge of our world so I thought she would be the perfect choice."

"I do want to help," Sally broke in before words between mother and daughter could grow harsher. "I said I would and I will do my best, but I'm still not sure if I'm the right person for the job. I'm a writer not a psychologist. I don't even know where to start, so I thought it would be best to have the two of you help me since it seems Athena's desire to change stems from what happened between the two of you."

"She could use a therapist," Annabeth mumbled under her breath, but it was loud enough so that both of them could hear.

For a moment, Sally was terrified that Annabeth went too far. Sure, Athena was her guest and there were rules, but no god would like to be insulted, not even by their own child. But Sally was shocked when Athena nodded her head in agreement. "You are not wrong Annabeth," she said, "getting help from a psychologist or licensed therapist would be helpful for my other issues, but unfortunately I cannot."

"Why not," Annabeth asked the questions that both Jacksons were wondering as well.

"Unfortunately, mental health is a domain controlled by Dionysus," Athena explained. "Technically madness is his domain, but wellness is included with that because they are two sides of the same coin. Any doctor or counselor who is part of or aware of our world would let him know instantly if I came to see them for help, patient confidentiality be damned. And any mortal practitioner who is unaware of our world would be ill-equipped to help me with my own mental disorder and Dionysus would find out through the 'grapevine' as it were." Athena said grapevine with a sigh, she hated puns in general that were not about birds but the colloquialism worked here.

"So you know you have problems, problems you could deal with, and you don't," Annabeth asked almost disgusted, "because of what, pride? You're that scared of anyone knowing you're not perfect that you'll let something you know is a weakness exposed."

Athena sighed, "I know why you feel that way, you have been cut on your pride so many times in your life." Annabeth flinched and was ready to strike back, but Athena continued not giving her a chance, "Hubris, is your fatal flaw, the fatal flaw of many of my children and… myself," she practically spat out the last word. "But Pride is more than just hubris. Pride is more than just vanity and arrogance. Pride is status, it is conviction, it is righteousness. Yes, you can bleed on those too, and I have. But like I told your boyfriend years ago at the Winter Solstice, the most dangerous flaws are the ones that are good in moderation. Pride can be a trap and a shield at the same time but it has uses, especially within our family."

For a moment Athena was out of breath, she normally did not get worked up like that, but some things, it was necessary. She had not even realized she stood up until she saw she could look down upon Annabeth and Sally. Both of them looked scared, they were scared of her and guilt set into Athena's guts where vigor had been. She had only wished to explain her point, but to the two of them it probably looked like she had gotten angry. She was not angry, she just wanted to get her point across.

"I apologize if I let myself go there," Athena said to the two of them. Soft enough to show she was sincere, but loud enough so Perseus could hear her in the kitchen. "I only wished to explain why pride amongst the family is so important and got carried away. Perhaps an example would suit my case better than me talking to you." Children liked stories right? Annabeth was a young lady and not a child according to the modern age, an adult in the age Athena grew up in, but she was still young. Would a story even interest her?

"I-I think that might be best," Sally said, clearly still afraid but trying to maintain her composure. Annabeth to her side was forcing herself to calm down, she could only nod.

Hiding her shame, Athena started with her tale, "when I was a young goddess," which in itself was a misdirection, Athena had never been allowed to be young, even when she was, "I heard river reeds making a lovely sound when the wind blew threw them. I picked one and fashioned holes into it so that the sounds could change depending on which were uncovered or not and another hole that you could blow into so you did not have to depend on how the wind blew in the moment, creating the first flute."

"I was excited and proud of my creation so I showed it off. I might not have Apollo's talent for music, but it was still lovely enough for me to be proud of my work. But to my dismay and anger, the three older goddesses, Aphrodite, Demeter, and Hera were laughing at me. They did not care how beautiful the music I made, they only could mock me, for when I played my cheeks puffed out, which they found to be hilarious." Athena said in a dry tone, that told those present, that even after thousands of years she still did not. "So hilarious that they told the story to everyone about how the smartypants goddess of wisdom looked like a fool when she tried to make music with her newest creation."

"I threw the flute off of Olympus after that and never played it again. Instead I tried to save face and focus on what I was already good at, but it did not help. For over a century, in every meeting, every time I would try to make a point someone would bring it up my face with my cheeks puffed out and the whole council chambers would drown me out in laughter," those were dark days. Athena knew the council needed her wisdom, most of the council knew as well even if they would not admit it, but no one took her seriously so little got done.

Athena wondered if she could even explain to the two of them how it felt to be mocked and humiliated like that. How she had only wanted to show off something beautiful that she had created and have it turn into her shame. She was unsure if she could even explain how vulnerable she was at the time. She had just returned from the exile from Olympus that Zeus had condemned her to moments after her birth, she was still fresh from her exile from Triton's training camp with a broken heart after she committed the greatest sin of her life.

Could she even explain how desperate she was for any form of validation only for it to turn into mockery? Could she explain how hard she had to work, how perfect and right she had to be every time to silence the jeers of her family, of the older goddesses? Perhaps they knew something about it, both young women who had hard lives, but Athena could not afford to let herself be anymore vulnerable for the time being.

"They just mocked you for years over something so stupid," Annabeth asked with a whisper. It was hard to even conceive anyone laughing at Athena, sure there were other gods who would insult her, but for the whole council to mock her over a dumb face.

"Our family is eternal Annabeth," Athena told her daughter, both as a warning and a life lesson, "we are constantly clashing and backstabbing each other which leads to long memories. I am sure my brethren were all too happy for a chance to knock the newest arrogant goddess on her ass." She was still bitter about that time.

"I'm surprised three goddesses could be so petty," Sally said, taking a sip of her tea.

The naivety of her words almost made Athena laugh, but she could not. For all his flaws, Athena knew that Poseidon had truly loved Sally. She could only assume he showed her the best side of him in the little time they were together. Sally could know the dangers of her son's world, but probably would never understand the politics of the other side of his family.

"Gods can be petty, myself included," Athena explained, "especially if it means taking down another member of the family. Aphrodite and I have always been at odds and that is not even the worst argument we have had. Demeter is often the butt of the joke within our family and will do anything to have someone else be the object of ridicule. And Hera…, she hated me already and still does to this day. We can work together, but she never hesitates to let me know that she despises me most out of all of her husband's children."

"Hera is the worst," Annabeth agreed. For the first time since Athena arrived they were on the same page on something.

It was not much of anything, but it was something. Athena offered her mug of tea, as both an olive branch and a sign of solidarity with her daughter. After a moment Annabeth clinked her own mug with Athena's and Athena felt all of this was almost worth it for that alone.

"Getting back to your original question Annabeth," Athena said as she composed herself, "in the year or so that has passed, since the war with the giants, I have reviewed what had happened. I have reviewed the things I said to you when I was Minerva. And with the Athena Parthenos returned, I have much of my memories returned." Internally she shuddered at the memory of all her children that had been sent to die because of her.

Even now Athena did not know how many of her children were dead because of that damn quest. She had sent several of her children on the quest to retrieve her statue over the years, at least a dozen of the best and brightest of her children were dead because of her hubris. She had stopped years ago when the quest proved too dangerous, but she did not know that Minerva had been sending her children to their deaths as well. So many of her children that she had written off as missing were fed to Arache's revenge.

"Additionally, the fraying bonds between god and demi-god is a weakness and one that I cannot afford to have anymore. None of Olympus can." While that is true, it was not the only reason Athena wanted to become better as a mother or even the biggest reason. She was ashamed of her actions, she wanted to be able to show her love for her children, she wanted to be there for them. Could she tell Annabeth and Sally that, no, she shook the idea. She would not believe it if she was in Annabeth's shoes, that she just wanted to change for the sake of it. Instead, Athena chose to do what she always did and focus on the logical and wise reason. It would hurt in the moment, but at least Annabeth would believe it. "We almost lost the second war with the titans because too many of our children felt abandoned or mistreated. So I think it would be the wisest course of action to form better relationships so that such things do not happen in the future."

The moment the words left her mouth, Athena could see Annabeth's face fall. She was hurt and angry, but she believed Athena's reasoning. Annabeth wanted those words to be true, that her mother wanted a better relationship with her and her siblings, she had wanted it for so long. She had even considered the same reason herself, but to hear it out loud still hurt. That her mother didn't want to spend time with her, didn't want to love her, that it was only because it was the most efficient course for her own survival. "Of course," Annabeth spat out, "it's only the wisest course of action right."

"There are other reasons too," Athena said without realizing it, cursing herself for making excuses. She hated excuses. "But I know I am not a perfect mother, or even a good one," said cutting off what Annabeth was about to say, "but I have tried to do what I can and I want to be better."

"Oh what have you done then," Annabeth demanded as her hackles raised. This was not the same young girl who prayed to her mother scared and alone at night. This was the demi-goddess who told Hera to her face that she didn't belong, this was the warrior who fought the giants unsure if the gods would ever come to help, this was Annabeth Chase and Athena was proud of her daughter, even if it was her that Annabeth was standing up to.

"I know it is not much Annabeth, but I did all I could for my children," Athena restated, "I have done my best to bend the rules Zeus made to keep us separate from each other. More than the other gods at least." It was not much, but at least it was true, even if her daughter did not know, Athena did all she could and more when she could.

"Like what," Annabeth demanded, "you say you did more than the other gods than say what you did."

"We for starters, all of my children have always been claimed," Athena told her daughter, "from the moment my first child was born on this side of the ocean, I have always claimed them as mine and that has never changed. None of my children have ever spent a single night in the Hermes cabin. Well, not without being claimed as one of my children." Athena never saw the point of sex, but that was one way her children differed from her. In every age young people explore, especially when you do not expect to live that long. "I know that it might not seem like much since Percy made us swear to the new oath after the war, but no other god can make that claim."

"I suppose that's something," Annabeth admitted. It wasn't the same for her than most kids. When she first arrived at camp, she didn't want to be separated from Luke who had to stay in the Hermes cabin. They had just lost Thalia and she wouldn't have wanted to be separated from Luke anyway even if all three of them had made it to camp. Sure her siblings had been kind to her, but she had hated her mother for a time. She had grown out of it, once she saw how miserable the rest of Luke's cabin was, not knowing who their godly parent was, not knowing if they even cared at all, Annabeth didn't feel so angry towards her mother at the time.. Annabeth could also admit that Athena claiming her kids was a good thing for her siblings, even if it didn't work out for her right away.

"Whenever I drop off one of my children to their mortal parents, I leave a dossier to help my children with any legal trouble they might get into as they grow," Athena said proudly. This is actually a gift that no other god had given their child so Athena could be proud of this.

"Wait you leave a what," Annabeth asked, clearly confused.

"A dossier to help with legal trouble," Athena stated again, clearly confused why her daughter was confused. "It is a normal sized folder, but instead of paper it is made out of platinum. Full of contact information for the dozens of lawyers, counselors, and other legal professionals that I have on retainer. It magically updates as I add more into my service," Athena clarified as she tried to jog a memory within Annabeth that was apparently never there. "Fredrick never gave it to you," Athena asked even though the answer was clear on her daughter's face. Perhaps he thought it was a strange gift to give a child. But the lack of any recognition on Annabeth's face made Athena wonder if any of her children's fathers gave them the dossier.

"That would have come in handy with all the times the police were after us on quests," Percy called out from the kitchen.

"It probably would not have helped much on a quest," Athena admitted, "I have cultivated the best under my employment, but bureaucracy takes time." It was intended for any trouble Annabeth and her siblings got into when they were growing up. While Athena had faith in her children's abilities, she also knew that demi-gods attracted all sorts of legal trouble that often even the Mist could not completely cover. "I suppose if you were unaware of my gift than you would think I was not looking out for you," Athena said sadly.

The goddess wracked her brain thinking of other things that she has done for her children that would at least show Annabeth that she did care about them. Athena almost brought up the hat of invisibility that she had given to Annabeth. It had been one of her daughter's most useful tools. But she refrained, she knew if she mentioned the hat, Annabeth would just bring up Minerva depowering it before the most important battle of her life. Besides, all gods gave their children gifts, Athena did not wish for Annabeth to think she was trying to buy her favor back.

Finally it was Annabeth that broke the silence, "look Athena, I get that you care or want to care about us." The fact that she was here and trying touched Annabeth more than anyone would know, more than she would let anyone know. "But what all of us wanted, not just the kids in the Athena Cabin, but in Camp Half-Blood, was to know that we were loved, that we were safe. For so long that never happened."

Athena to her credit mulled over her daughter's words. "I understand that Annabeth, I truly do. But what you have to understand is that I do not know what it is to be loved. I do not know what it is to be safe because I have never felt safe in my entire life." That was not entirely true, there had been a year where she had felt such things.

"There was a year when I was young," Athena admitted. Her time training with the Nymphs at Lake Tritonis was the happiest of her life. "But I ruined that," she did not want to think about Triton who had been the only real father figure in her life, even for the short time and bitterness that came after. And she did not want to think about Pallas most of all, so she moved forward, like she always did.

"Safety is a goal that I have never achieved, I am sorry that I could never assure yours," Athena said to her daughter as she tried to keep her composure. Even mentioning her brief happy life at Lake Tritonis stirred up memories and feelings that she wanted to stay buried. She reached up for Budo. Petting her owls always calmed her down, but they were not at their normal perch on Athena's shoulder.

Athena turned and remembered Sally was there for the first time since things started to get heavy with Annabeth. The owl was in Sally's lap being gently petted by the mortal mother. Budo had the decency to look ashamed to have moved to a better perch. It gave her a better view of the mother and daughter drama. Athena could not blame her owl though, if she had to choose she would prefer to be under Sally's gentle hands than her own.

"I'm sorry she flew over here," Sally explained feeling ashamed, it was her living room but it still felt like she was caught watching something she shouldn't have. "I didn't want to interrupt."

"It's fine," Athena said even if it wasn't. She had other options and she moved her hands to fiddle with the straps on her Aegis. It was another thing that comforted her when she did not have an owl to pet. It was a poor substitute, but she was her owl's employer, not their queen, she could not demand they make her comfortable anymore than she could command them to die. Aegis would suffice for now. "She is soft," she managed to say, hoping her words put Sally at ease.

"How have you of all people never felt safe mom," Annabeth asked, not accusatory, but curious. "You're a goddess, you're one of the 12 Olympians, you're Athena," she asked because she couldn't understand how her mother, with all the power she had at her disposal, could ever feel like she was in danger. Sure there were the wars with the Titans, the Giants, and the Roman Emperors, while very recent, were few and far between. How could she not feel safe.

This was not going where Athena had planned, but she could anticipate and appreciate that since it was her daughter that was leading her into dangerous territory. It was not a story that Athena liked to tell, but her daughter deserved to know and if she was going to place her trust in Sally's tutelage then truths must be brought to light to help her teacher understand. "How much do you know of my early life," she was mostly asking Annabeth but she posed the question to both women.

"I've read up on all the myths and stories about you that I could get my hands on," Annabeth admitted, "I know them by heart. I helped Sally read up on you to help her prepare." For teaching or for the fallout Athena wondered, but did not ask.

"Very good," Athena said, nodding. She did not like her life to be considered myths and stories, they had been her life after all, but she understood that was how mortals, even half divine like Annabeth viewed her life. "But what do you know about my birth?"

"One day on Mount Olympus, Zeus had a terrible headache. It was so bad that he would do anything for relief. He had Ares hold him down and ordered Hephestus to bash open his head with a spike or an ax to relieve the pain. When he did, you came out of Zeus' head fully grown and a spear and armor," Annabeth recited perfectly having heard and read about the story thousands of times. You kind of had to be if you were born in a similar way.

"That is part of the story, but not the whole story," Athena told them. "Zeus prefers to keep the beginning of the story secret as it paints him in a bad light. In fact, both of you would do well to keep this a secret, and you as well Perseus," she called to the kitchen without looking. "In truth, I was the daughter of him and his first wife, Metis." She swallowed, it was always painful to discuss her parents, they were a difficult topic.

"I thought you didn't have a mother," Sally asked, echoed by Annabeth who was a second behind.

"The stories say that you were a child of Zeus alone, like Hephestus is for Hera." Annabeth added.

"As I said, my father prefers this version of the story, and I'll explain why," Athena explained. "As I said, my mother was Metis, a titan, but one who sided with the gods against their brethren in the war. She was strong and apparently very beautiful, it is no wonder that my fa-, that lord Zeus fell in love with her, enough to make her his first wife."

"For a time, from what I could gather from my uncles and aunts, they were happy together. But Zeus is Zeus, his eyes wandered towards other beautiful goddesses, like Hera who he also coveted. Which would have been a problem but my mother would give him the excuse to remove her and let himself wander as he does. Sometime after they were married, as it tends to happen, my mother got pregnant. Supposedly she was very happy by the news," it was possible, but Athena was unsure, the mother she knew was never happy.

"As expecting mothers did in that time, my mother wished to know her children's futures, how glorious they would be. She was told that her children would be a brilliant daughter and a powerful son, one that would grow in power to dwarf his father. And as much as my father likes to pretend to be a kind and just king, he is his father's son, just as I am his daughter. He is just as paranoid as his father before him."

"To combat the prophecy that hung over his head like a blade, he decided to take a leaf out of Kronos' book. He tricked Metis into transforming into something small, a fly from what I've been told, and swallowed her whole. Why he would believe that would kill me when it had not killed his brothers and sisters, I do not know. But it is what our family does when they are not excited for a new baby," that last part was Athena's attempt at a joke, which predictably fell flat. Annabeth and Sally did not seem to even register what she said as a joke, which she decided was for the best. Even Budo hooted attempts at placation and advice hurt her pride enough that she chose to ignore her.

"As with my uncles and aunts," Athena continued, pretending she did not make an attempt at humor, "my mother survived of course because she was a titan, though it was hardly pleasant to have her husband try to digest her. Within my father's gullet, whatever had once made Metis a sweet maiden was dissolved by the acid and betrayal. She turned cruel and vengeful. She held on despite the pain because she wanted to get her revenge on Zeus so she did, even as her physical form burned away. By the time she gave birth to me, she was nothing but her voice and mind, which given how angry and vengeful she was, you can imagine were not happy thoughts of her new baby."

"As her physical form was gone, she was forced to choose another path to take revenge, to raise her child as a weapon," Athena explained. "She was disappointed that I was not the son the prophecy spoke of, as then I would have the power to defeat my father one day. Something I heard a lot growing up in my father's guts, but she made due. It was cramped, inside my father's stomach as you can imagine, larger than you would think, but still a bit small for a growing goddess. Still, my mother had to have her weapon, she forced me to train, to learn, to compensate for the lack of power her beloved son would have by being skilled. It was unpleasant to say the least. While she may have lacked the ability to get out of her husband's guts, she had enough strength to punish her daughter if she felt she was slacking off. I had no idea what sleep or rest was until I escaped my father's body."

Athena's fingers clenched hard around Aegis to ensure she did not break anything in the Jackson household. But the memories of what her mother had done to her to make her ready for her mission. As pure thought, Metis did not have the same powers as the gods, no control over the seas or being able to rain down lightning bolts at a target. But she could hurt and she could speak. She could cause pain, raw unfiltered pain within her small child body beyond words. That had been Athena's first real lesson less than an hour after being born, acid can hurt and burn, but mother's anger was worse. And her voice, the way Metis screeched and boomed whenever Athena did anything wrong, to this day Athena had never experienced anything louder.

But Annabeth and Sally did not need to know that part so Athena decided to spare them. It might help to let Percy know what could happen to him if he hurts her daughter…, but no, Athena would not do that to a boy whose only crime was existing and being in love with her daughter. Secretly, in all her long life with all the enemies she had made, Athena had never decided any of them deserved to endure what Metis put her through.

"That lasted for about 15 years, 30 days, and 7 hours," Athena estimated. She was regretful she could not be more concise but she was unsure of the minute or second as she did not know what those were until too many had passed to be certain. "It was not ideal, but by the end, even Metis' thought form was dissolving. Using the last of her strength she forged a set of armor and a spear for me to go out and take her revenge leaving me alone and things quiet for the first time since I was born."

"The rest of the story is rather like the stories say, I traveled up into my father's skull since I refused to go out the other way. And while there was room, having a fully grown goddess camping out in your skull was unpleasant. Which led me to being 'born,' from Zeus' skull and proclaiming myself Athena, goddess of wisdom and war. Part of me wished to fulfill my mother's vengeance then and there, to try to slay her husband. But I will admit, after what my mother put me through, I was not interested in being what she wanted from me. I wanted to see who my father was, he had tried to murder me in the womb, but I actually did not know what that really meant as I lacked context in many things." It had been a weakness in Metis' teaching style, Athena had it drilled into her own skull that her father had tried to kill her, but being a child she never understood quite what that meant. It had kept her from killing Zeus, but they did not need to know that part.

"If the angry voice that was my mother wanted me to destroy him then I wanted to get to know him to learn why," Athena explained. "However it would not happen as my existence displeased his current wife Hera and to placate her, he sent me away." Athena said that as if it had not hurt to be rejected by her father minutes after meeting, but she did not want to show that much vulnerability to them. "So I was sent away from Mount Olympus for a year, after which he had managed to cool Hera's temper enough for me to come to live with the family." There was so much more, but Athena was drained, she was unsure if she would ever feel strong enough to tell anyone else that part of her life.

Annabeth and Sally just stared at her, Budo as well but she knew the story already, but perhaps it was a story that was never easy to hear no matter how many times you did. "That's horrible," Annabeth managed to get out after some time.

"Yes, it was," Athena agreed, "but I want you to know I am not telling you this as an excuse for my behavior. I told you my story so you can understand and believe me when I say that I have never known what it was like to be loved, I have never known what it was like to be safe. Even after I returned, I knew that my position on the council was fragile, that one misstep could result in my end. Olympus was populated by a father who had proven willing to murder me in the womb to keep his crown. A step-mother that hated all of my father's children that were not her own but me most of all. An uncle and aunt that saw me as Zeus' brat destined to be trouble as their youngest brother so they looked down upon me. Only Hestia showed me any kindness during that time. As for my siblings…, some I got along decently, as much as I could, others saw me as an obstacle to be removed. As is the nature of our family," Athena said with a sigh since she knew she was no better.

"You mentioned an aunt, who I assume is Demeter since you mentioned Hera and Hestia," Sally said as she digested what Athena had said. "Only one of your uncles looked down on you? Was it Hades or Posiedon?"

Once more Sally's intelligence delighted Athena, she knew she had chosen correctly, but she also wondered if Sally was too insightful. Perhaps it would be less painful to learn from someone less intelligent. But Athena knew there was no point in saving the cart when the whole team of donkeys were over the edge. "Hades was my judgemental uncle," she admitted, "Posiedon hated me, but he had a reason at the time. Our rivalry has made things much more even in our dislike for each other, but when I returned to Mount Olympus, his hatred was justified."

"What I am trying to say Annabeth," Athena said trying to regain her composure, "our family is without proper role models, especially when it comes to being a parent. Which is why I am trying to better myself as you know I cannot stand being bad at something. That is why I choose a good role model to teach me to be better. If you wish for me to find someone else to teach me I will, if you wish for me to be out of your life I will until you want me back in it. I am trying, if that is not enough, I will understand and respect your feelings. I promise," she said with her focus on her daughter. Every fiber in her being wanted to fix what had broken between them, but while she may be bad at being a mother, she knew that she could not force anything without making things worse.

Annabeth was silent for a while, of all the things she imagined happening today, this wasn't it. She could never imagine that Athena of all people would actually be willing to change. "I-I didn't think that it would be like this," she admitted. "I thought that when I confronted you on what yo-, Minerva said, you would just blame everything that happened between us on her, that you would sweep things under the rug."

"I do not accept excuses Annabeth," Athena said, "that includes making my own."

"I think this is the longest we've ever talked," Annabeth said, unsure of how to proceed. "This is the most I've ever learned about you that wasn't from a book."

"Hopefully, in the future that will change," Athena said hopefully. She was not the best at feelings, but she was good at observing and she did not hear rejection in her daughter's voice. "Perhaps I could be more present in your life, if you are willing to give me another chance."

"Look," Annabeth said, "I need time to think, but I appreciate that you're trying mom, I really do. If Sally agrees to help you, we can see what the future holds, but I won't stop you from trying to better yourself." Even if Annabeth didn't say it, she wanted Athena to become better, to become a mom like Sally, or just a better mom, not just for her, but for all her siblings and future siblings.

"Take all the time you need Annabeth," Athena said. "You know how to reach me, gods always hear prayers even if we do not always answer. But I promise when, or if you wish to talk I will be there." Annabeth nodded, she had a lot on her mind, but she felt lighter for some reason. "Sally," Athena said, turning to the mortal woman who was the reason she was there in the first place. "I know the task will not be easy, if you feel unable to or even if you do not wish to teach me, I will find someone else who is willing. The choice is yours."

With all the mother daughter drama, Sally almost forgot why they were here. "I said I would help you and I will, since Annabeth has no problems with it," she turned to Annabeth to give the girl one last chance to have her back out. Annabeth nodded, Sally could tell that she was hoping against her will that this would work. Sally wouldn't let her down. "Then let's do it."

With a snap of her fingers the contract Budo had created for the two of them floated over to the two of them. Sally signed and Athena looked over it, "if that is all that you wish of me Sally I will agree as well," she said reading Sally's boon. Without wasting another moment she signed her own name making the contract legally binding. "I will leave Budo here," Athena said getting up to leave, "this way you have a means to contact me when you are ready for our first lesson. You do not need to provide for her, she can buy anything she needs with her company card."

"Budo," Athena said, turning to the owl in Sally's lap, "keep your receipts this time. I will not save you from Monica's wrath if you submit them late." Athena just nodded to Sally and Annabeth who looked drained from the conversation. And then left in peace as with more understanding between her and her daughter that had been before she arrived.

"Is Monica-," Sally started to ask Annabeth but she cut her off.

"Monica is an owl too," Annabeth said. "My mother does have people working for her, nature spirits, minor gods, heroes that she gifted immortality to. But she has so many owl employees, actual employees, like I have seen the office they work in on Olympus."

"Are you alright Wise Girl," Percy asked, coming in with the kettle to fill their mugs. It wasn't much but it was something he could do for his two favorite ladies.

"Yes sweetie," Sally followed up from her son, "how are you feeling Annabeth?"

"I don't really know," Annabeth said honestly. "That went better and worse than I imagined. I'm still angry with my mother, but less so I guess. I think I'm more sad than anything now that I know more about her than I ever have… it's just a lot to process. But I'm also kind of happy that she seems genuine in wanting to change and be better. Everything else I'll just have to take some time to figure out."

"Take all the time that you need," Sally said, and kissed Annabeth on the forehead, "I'll try to help anyway I can." Which might be being a teacher to a goddess, but there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for these kids.

Finally she thought of something. "You should know that since its inception, every one of my children has made it to Camp Half-Blood alive." Athena did not think it was as impressive as her dossier that was meant to help with the law, but it was something most other gods did not do.

That hit Annabeth like a sack of bricks, "you what," she managed to get out. Everything but her mother had disappeared from her world when Athena dropped that bomb.

"Yes, I make sure that like you, all your siblings have made it to Camp-Halfblood alive," Athena confirmed. "I know that it might seem like the bare minimum, but I try my best."

"How," was all Annabeth managed to get out.

"It usually is rather easy," Athena explained, "when I bring one of my children to their mortal parent, I leave them the dossier, and a team of owls who report to me. When my children get to a certain age, I inform Artemis, who I have an arrangement with, about the location of my children and she sends a team of hunters to thin the ranks of the monsters that might prey on a helpless demi-god. It usually means it is time for the child to go to camp so the hunters stay until a satyr can bring them to their new home. The owls work with the hunter's hawks and wolves to keep them aware of any danger that my child might face."

"If Artemis and her hunters are not available then I have my own agents to send to protect you and your siblings. Mortal heroes that I gave the gift of immortality, like my champion Diomedes, some of my children who earned divinity according to Olympus like your sister, Stephanie, and a few non-malicious monsters under my employ. They are similar to the hunters in slaying any monsters that might prey on a helpless since Zeus' laws mean I cannot interfere directly even if I would like them to be able to just take my child and bring them to camp personally, things can never be easy. As long as they do not have any direct interaction with one of my children than their actions in the area go unnoticed."

"So you're saying I had a team of people looking after me when I was growing up, the whole time," Annabeth asked, her voice shaken as her reality.

"Well no," Athena admitted, "you were unfortunately an unusual case. As you know most monsters start to actively try and hunt after demi-gods when they reach ten or eleven years old. You found out about our world far earlier than most which meant monsters would not leave you alone. At the time there were a particularly large number of monsters in the northwest which meant Artemis needed all of her hunters. And all of those under my employ who I knew could keep their mouth's shut were busy on other assignments. It was unfortunate timing, but when you ran away from home, I shadowed you to protect you."

"I could hear your voice in my head," Annabeth mumbled as she thought of the time between leaving her family's house and when Thalia and Luke found her.

"I could not protect you from everything," Athena admitted, "but I did what I could to help you fight the monsters that made it past me. When you smashed that viper with your hammer is still one of my happiest memories," Athena admitted.

"Of course you would eventually be found by your friends, Thalia and Luke," It was strange to consider Luke a friend of her daughters, but Athena would admit if asked that in the end he did right by her daughter and cared for her when she was not able to. "I actually ripped the head off a sphinx that was stalking you right outside of Richmond Ironworks." she recalled fondly. The monster had wanted to test her mettle against a daughter of Athena, imagine her surprise when the actual goddess showed up.

"After that it was harder to protect you, as three demi-gods drew the eyes of Olympus, especially when one of them is the daughter of Zeus, the child of the broken pact. I still did what I could to keep the more deadly monsters away from you, but the three of you were constantly being watched. Once Hades got wind of Thalia's existence it was all I could do to give you the strength to keep running for the boundary of Camp."

"So you really were watching me the whole time," Annabeth asked, still shaken, "you were actually there protecting me." Athena nodded and Annabeth had to sit down and breathe for a moment. "I just," she started to say before stopping, her whole world was rocked.

"Please Annabeth," Athena pleaded, "whatever you need to say please I do not want things between us to fester anymore."

Tears were starting to fall down Annabeth's cheeks, it hadn't been a long time, but the time between running away and meeting Luke and Thalia was the worst time in her life. She tried so hard to never think about it. "I thought I was going crazy," she did her best to explain herself to her mother. "I thought my family hated me, I was so scared and alone. Part of me is happy that you were actually there for me, that you were looking out for me, but another part of me is angry that you never showed up and let me know I was safe. That you were there for me. I know in my head why you couldn't reveal yourself to me but in my heart, I don't know."

I'll be honest, I'm not super sure about this chapter. It was heavy so we can move on. I actually had a bunch typed out that I just cut because I think it made Athena too sympathetic for what I want and Annabeth more unsympathetic so I cut it out. if anyone's interested I'd be happy to share the parts I cut out and the notes explaining why. The whole point of this story is Athena on a redemption quest, so I think she needs redemption not absolution which are the worst parts of poorly written 'redemption' stories to me. She can be sympathetic but that does not excuse her actions. My Athena can be harsh, not even in a tough but fair kind of way, but in a she's tough, but she holds herself to the same standards. She's not really a hypocrite with how she treats people, she's just had a rough life so that's how she believes people treat other people which is sadder in a way. You'll see in the future, no real point in me giving things away instead of writing them in the story As I said last chapter, there will be references but also changes to stories from the gods book. I referenced the flute story too lay out some backgrounds on Athena's relationships with members of her family. and of course the story of her 'birth' which I clearly changed to a story very few people know about. It just makes sense to me given how power hungry and paranoid Zeus is while wanting to maintain the appearance of a good guy and benevolent king he wouldn't want it to get out he tried to murder his first wife and unborn child. Even swallowing them up like his father did which probably doesn't sit well with his siblings for obvious reasons. Anyway, I always feel like I write too much here because I have adhd too and I like to talk about my stories. so please, if you like the story, leave a kudos and a comment if you're willing