Double Life? Make it Triple

Chapter 17

A/N

I'm back! My heart wasn't really into writing the camp stuff any more, and I'd already written half this chapter, so I just decided to go with this. A lot of you will probably hate me after reading this but...yeah.

Enjoy!

Annabeth's POV

Luckily, Luke hadn't interfered, and everything had gone fine. It was the last day of camp, and he hadn't shown his face since, which relieved me to no end. But I was worried, too; if Luke had known that was me (which I didn't doubt, even though no one ever seemed to recognize each other in disguise), I could be in serious trouble. I tried to brush it off, but the uneasy feeling didn't truly leave me. I was almost happy to leave camp, because it meant it didn't have to hide anymore.

Unfortunately, it also meant returning to my sucky life, which was probably worse. But at least my problems would come right at me, not lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to strike.

My friends had seemed to pick up on my mood.

"Hey, Beth, are you feeling okay?" Katie asked in concern.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine," I replied absentmindedly. No, I was not fine, because I thought that Luke would come out at any moment, demanding something or the other from me. I realized that I had been wringing my hands together and dropped them at my sides.

"Sure you are." I turned around to see Pierre, standing with a hand on his hip. "Beth, it's obvious that something's wrong." He put his hands on my shoulders. "Are you okay?"

I looked up at him, meeting his eyes. "Yeah. Don't worry about it." He sighed but dropped his hands, leaving the subject be. My phone rang and I immediately answered. "Hi, mom."

"Hey Annabeth, I'm here, so whenever you're ready to go you can come out."

"Sure, mom. See you soon." I hung up and turned to the others, who were watching me curiously. "Okay, before I go there's something that needs addressing." I glanced up at Pierre and he grinned, knowing what I was getting at. I took his hand. "Katie, Travis-"

"Oh, no! I know what you're going to say and I-"

Pierre cut the older Stoll brother off. "Dude, please. You've both admitted that you like each other, just not to each other."

"I told you that in total confidence!" Katie exclaimed, glaring at him. Travis spun to face her.

"So, wait...you do like me?"

She sighed in exasperation. "Yes I like you, you i***t! I've been dropping hints the past four days!"

Travis looked dumbfounded. "Oh, well, I uh..."

"I get it, you don't like me back. I understand. But gods, you can just be so dense-"

"Hey! It's not my fault I'm not good with feelings!"

"What's that supposed to mean? That you're too nice to let me down gently?"

"Maybe it means I just don't know how to tell you I like you, okay!" He exclaimed. Then he realized what he'd said. "Well, I that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be."

Katie gaped at him while Connor, Pierre and I watched in amusement. Will had left early, so he wasn't there to witness the moment. "Travis...you...what?"

Pierre cleared his throat and interjected smoothly, "I believe that you both just proclaimed your love for each other. So, I don't see what the problem is now."

Katie and Travis stared at each other, not saying anything. Connor opened his mouth but I put a finger to my lips.

"I think we should leave this two alone for a bit, let them talk it out. The boys stared at me in confusion. I rolled my eyes and grabbed their arms, pulling them down the hill.

I felt my phone buzz again and knew I should be leaving. "I've got to go. It was really great meeting you guys."

Connor winked at me. "Right back at ya!" Pierre gave him a look, and Connor snapped his fingers. "Well, I've got somewhere to be which isn't here, so I'll be going! Bye!"

I shook my head, laughing as he ran away. We began walking to the camp entrance.

"This has been fun," Pierre said lightly as we made our way down the path. I nodded my agreement.

"It's probably been the weirdest week of my life. But...it was probably also the greatest."

"I'd like to think that that's because of me," he joked. I punched his arm lightly.

"Don't flatter yourself." We fell silent for a moment. Then:

"Hey, Beth? What do we do now?"

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

"Well, I doubt that we'll be able to see each other when we get back to our normal lives. You and me...is it going to work?"

I bit my lip. Pierre was someone I felt happy with, that made me feel safe, like I could actually be myself, even if I was wearing a disguise. I didn't want to go back to the way it was, but I knew it was inevitable. I had tried not to get too attached, but I had failed in that. "I...I don't know."

"I just want you to know that, even if we don't see each other again, I really enjoyed it while it lasted. I loved this week, and spending time with you, and it was nice to live in the moment for once, with you."

"I agree. I..." I didn't feel the need to say anything more. "I agree." We continued walking in silence, and I saw my mom's car parked a few yards away. "I guess this is it," I said softly.

"Yeah, I guess it is," he replied, just as quietly.

"I'll miss you," I said, and then I turned and hugged him tightly. He returned it.

"I'll miss you too. Who knows, maybe we'll see each other again some day."

"Yeah," I agreed, nodding. "Maybe.

I was in my room, mulling things. over. The previous week had been amazing, a small snapshot of my life I could look back on and smile at. But it didn't last for long. Jason had called me earlier and told me what SPQR wanted me to do in order to return their favor. He didn't like it, but he'd had no say in the matter. He'd said I didn't have to do it, that there'd be other opportunities. I knew that wasn't true.

They wanted Half-Blood territory, but didn't want to do anything to start that fight themselves, so they wanted me to try pull something to get them angry, since whoever was attacked got the rights in the fight, so they needed the Half-Bloods to strike first. They'd said to use my brain, figure something out. Apparently my smarts had been leaked to the public. Joy.

So I was thinking of ideas, trying to think up ways to avoid capture. No one would vouch for me, or come to my rescue if I screwed up. As you can imagine, I was rightly nervous. And it wasn't like I could just turn down their offer without consequences. I buried my head in my hands, groaning.

"Why me?" A simple enough question, one asked by many, and yet no one ever got an answer.

I wanted to get it over with, so I formulated a plan in my head. The Half-Blood hot-spot was within walking distance to my house, so I could make it there and back before school started, since it was only four a.m. I'd barely gotten any sleep, which might dull my senses if anyone snuck up on me, but I doubted many other people would be up at this ungodly hour.

Quietly, I crept past my mom's room, hoping I wouldn't wake her. Once I was out the door, I released the breath I'd been holding. But the hard part wasn't over yet. I clutched my spray can tightly as I tiptoed down alley after alley.

The hide-out wasn't exactly secret, but enough people saw the graffiti and broken bottles and ran in the other direction. It had tall brick walls surrounding three sides, and was littered with old furniture which was way past its used by date. I eyed a stray pillow in disgust, and kicked at a cigarette packet. You'd think they'd have some sense of cleanliness, but no.

I sized up the walls thoughtfully, wondering how I should redecorate. After a lot of consideration, I came up with an idea.

Percy's POV

I'd just got back from holiday and they wanted me to do stake-out duty. Seriously, who the hell made that dumb decision? But was the night quiet and lonely without no one in sight and no need for me to do anything? Oh, no! I watched as Annabeth entered the hideout from my stake out position. s**t. I'd had a feeling SPQR were gonna spring something like this, because it would put the Half-Bloods in an awkward position. If we didn't know who it was, we couldn't just start a random war with anyone. But if we didn't retaliate, it made us look bad. And if someone like Annabeth who wasn't in a gang was inflicting the damage, then what could we do? Since she'd already started, I took my time heading down there. Besides, I was kinda curious as to what she was gonna do. And at least was only her. I could get back into my normal character by messing with her. I needed it, especially after last week.

I kicked a can in frustration. Who was I kidding? I'd never see Beth again. The one part of my life that didn't completely suck would never reappear. I'd lost my chance at something better. But I focused my attention back on Annabeth, where she was still messing with my gang's hideout.

She came out ten minutes later. Or would've, if I hadn't stepped into her path.

"What would someone like you be doing in a gang hotspot at five a.m., sweetheart?"

"I could ask the same about you," she sniffed disdainfully, trying to edge past me. I blocked her every time.

"I mean, seeing as it is my gang, I think I have the entitlement," I replied smoothly. Slipping back into routine was easier than I thought. Or maybe it was just her, making my job easier.

She raised an eyebrow. "You know the word 'entitlement'?"

"You know it too?" I asked, widening my eyes. "Well, I thought I was the only one."

"Where's the rest of you, Jackson?" She asked warily, pinching her nose. "Your gang?"

I flapped a hand. "Pfft, them? Probably too stoned to care," I added ruefully.

"So what are you going to do? You caught me red-handed," she reminded me, placing her hands on her hips. I tilted my head, and peered over her shoulder to see what she'd done to the hideout. And I was slightly impressed.

The logo of every gang except the Half-Bloods was sprayed on one wall in an interlinking pattern (which actually looked pretty cool), and I found it kinda amusing how it sort of represented unity between the other gangs, because there was none of that whatsoever.

"I'm impressed, Chase, and I'm in a good mood. Tell you what, I'll cut you a deal," I offered, which I thought was awfully nice of me. "You join the gang, you don't get any punishment whatsoever! Amazing deal, right?" I didn't know what I was trying to pull, and she apparently didn't either.

She eyed me skeptically. "I don't want to join your gang, Jackson."

"Ah, that's the thing, Chase," I began, holding up a finger like those annoying know-it-all teachers. I finally understood the satisfaction they got from doing that. Huh. "It's not about what you want, because, news flash: no one ever gets what they want. It's always a compromise, and even if you think you're satisfied, you're never really getting exactly what you'd hope. And right now, it's not a matter of wants, it's a matter of needs, because if you don't join, there'll be repercussions."

I was pretty proud of my speech, and I thought it could even be Oscar-worthy, but she apparently didn't agree.

"Why can't you just...leave me alone for once? You promised," she added, and I felt slightly guilty. I didn't like going back on my word, but she was vandalizing my home base. What was I supposed to do?

"Says the one on my territory," I drawled, staring at her with an eyebrow raised.

She was bouncing on her toes, obviously keen to get out of there. I didn't blame her, actually. If I saw myself in a dark alley, I'd want to run too. "Look, I don't want a fight, and I'm sorry about the vandalism, but I had no choice. I think you knew that," she added suspiciously. I sighed.

"Okay, neither of us wants to be here right now, and it's not like I can make you take all of that," I gestured to her graffiti. "back, and I can't be bothered doing anything, plus I did promise to leave you alone. So how about we both walk away and pretend nothing ever happened?"

"Really?" She asked, peering at me curiously. It was clear she didn't trust me, but I held up my hands and motioned for her to walk past.

"Go ahead."

She took a step, glanced up at me, then paused. "Thanks, Jackson. You can be half decent sometimes."

"Gee, thanks, Chase," I smirked. "Only half decent?"

She flashed a wry smile back. "Oh, come on. I think even you knows how much of a douche you are." I was about to retort when I heard a chuckle about five yards away. My head whipped in that direction and I cursed under my breath.

"Well, Jackson. You take the week off and actually manage to do something good when you get back. How nice of you," Dionysus drawled. I stared at him.

"Why the hell are you here? You never care about any of the us," I said bitterly.

"Am I interrupting one of your flings? How rude of me." He didn't sound at all sorry. "But you did choose an...interesting lady."

"Is that the only Hermes mentioned?" I glanced at the person who had spoken, and mentally swore. Tantalus, the biggest asshole on the planet, had decided to join the party. Annabeth had turned very pale.

Dionysus clapped with delight. "I do believe so! And you know what running an errand for a gang means, don't you, Chase?"

Annabeth froze, and she looked at me desperately. What was I going do? Yeah, I did feel kinda bad, but it's not like she could get out of this. And going against Dionysus directly was an assured death threat. "Go on, sweetheart. Answer him." The remark had left my mouth before I could think about it. Shut up, Percy! Don't harass her when she's literally going through one of the worst moments of her life!

She gaped up at me in disgust. "Shut it! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this whole situation in the first place!"

"Oh? I wasn't aware I was the one who made you join the Titans."

"Why are you trying to ruin my life? Is yours really so s**t that you feel the need to take it out on a girl who did nothing to you?"

I bent my head so I was at her height and lowered my voice. "Look, Chase, you know it's impossible to escape the gang scene. It doesn't happen. You really thought leaving the Titans would help you? No, you're just going to get yourself killed," I said. "It's either join or die. Which sounds more appealing to you?"

I wasn't ready for the slap. I blinked in surprise. Dionysus and Tantalus laughed from where they were standing.

"How cute! But Chase, if you don't want to join us, I see that there's a lovely new mural behind you, and I wouldn't want you to come to any harm over it." Liar. Dionysus thrived in causing people pain. He loved it. He twisted people and manipulated them for his own sick enjoyment.

Annabeth glared at him and flipped him off. I choked back a laugh. She scowled at me and Dionysus raised an eyebrow in my direction. I waved him off.

"If you're not going to take this seriously, Miss Chase..." he trailed off and gestured to me. I knew what I had to do, and in one second I had my arm around her neck, my pen/knife at her throat and my leg over hers so she wouldn't be able to run away (if she was dumb enough to try) or kick at me.

"I hate you," she whispered, but not with her usual fire. Now, her voice sounded broken and wary. All because of me.

"Love you too, sweetheart. I know you're liking our proximity," I whispered back, smirking. I didn't need Dionysus or Tantalus thinking I was weak by showing her sympathy. Tantalus stepped forward and chortled at my last comment.

"My my Jackson, don't get her hopes up," He snickered, poking Annabeth experimentally. She snarled at him.

"As if she'd be lucky enough to score me," I answered in a bored tone. I'd learned the hard way that feigning disinterest lost Tantalus' amusement.

"Although she is smarter than Tanaka, so maybe she'd be good for you. Lend you some brains." I gritted my teeth, but didn't reply. I was sure Annabeth could feel me tensing up, though. "But maybe not quite as creative as Dare. Are you two still a thing? I can never remember. You move quite fast, you see."

"Stop rambling, Tantalus," Dionysus snapped. "Chase, if you don't join, I'll have Jackson slit your throat right now. Judging by the way you two regard each other, I'm sure you'll have no doubt that he will, in fact, do it."

"I'm not afraid of Percy," she said defiantly, meeting Dionysus' gaze. s**t, now they'd both know that she'd found out my name.

I looked over her head at the two assholes. "Sorry, Annabeth doesn't know what she's talking about." She elbowed me, and I let my knife graze her skin. She hesitated, then stood still.

Dionysus and Tantalus exchanged a glance. "They know each other better than I thought. That might come in handy on missions. They can go together! How adorable." I glared at Tantalus. He wanted a reaction? He'd get one.

Dionysus cut in before I could say anything, though. "Tantalus, be quiet. Jackson, don't retort. Tantalus may find your remarks amusing, but I don't like smartasses. Chase, you've got ten seconds. Make up your mind."

Annabeth looked down at her feet, and I could tell she was curious about the cut on her neck, too. I grabbed one of her hands and placed it on her throat. "And it's only gonna get worse, sweetheart."

"Fine!" She yelled. "I'll join your stupid gang. But I don't want anything to do with him," she said, pointing her free hand at me. So she really did hate me. And if I wasn't going to see her as much, I wanted to poke fun at her one last time. What could I say, it was fun.

I leaned down and pressed my lips against her ear. "Then let me change your mind, baby."

Tantalus howled with laughter, and Annabeth's glared hardened. "I wish I'd never met you! Now that l've agreed, get your hands off of me." I stepped back, holding up my palms.

"Whatever you say, babe."

"f**k off!" She shrieked over her shoulder as she stormed away. I watched her go, and I felt kind of hollow. Maybe all the rude comments were finally catching up to me. Tantalus glanced at me approvingly.

"Jackson, you never fail to amuse me."

"Glad I could entertain you," I muttered, before walking away from them. I heard him call out after me, but I kept walking. I was getting tired of it. It wasn't just Tantalus but every single person in my life, giving me s**t for one thing or the other. And I hated it.

"Why can't I just catch a break?" In response, a car sped down the road and drove through a puddle, spraying me with dirty water. I stared down at my reflection and sighed, leaning back against a wall.

Because I was Percy Jackson. Sometimes, that really sucked.

Who was I kidding, it didn't just suck 'sometimes'. My whole life was a freaking s**t fest.

Is it bad that I found this fun to write? Yeah, it probably is. Oh well.

Reviewer Replies:

neyongreen - what can I say? At least I updated kinda quick. For me, anyway. You've been reading this long enough to know how I am with updating

LunaLovegood220022 - First off, thanks for all the reviews! And for actually answering the questions. I agree about the recognizing each other, I was just so enraptured by the idea of the story that I kinda bypassed that. I do have some half-assed way of explaining it that I could put in, but I'm open to suggestions if you have any. I'm glad you love it, and I'm nearly halfway through the Dark Prophecy!

Psyche Castle - He has a lot of inner turmoil and I feel bad for making his life so terrible, but it'll get better No, really! And I'll try to update soon!

Guest - I completely agree, it is seriously unrealistic like I said before, but I have a really lame idea for explaining it. If you've got any suggestions, I'm all ears

1quintisfan - I hope the lack of Luke in this chapter pleases you. I'm looking forward to Percy getting his revenge. I'm glad you're still liking my story!

Guest - Thanks, I'm glad you like the idea, and I hope you keep reading (even if it takes me an age to update every chapter!)

Hope that was everyone! Now, until next time,

HV