Lives Collide

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this.

I know this took a while but I have been very busy. I hope everyone enjoys this final chapter and thank you for reading, reviewing and everything else.

"Percy? Where did you put my sketches?" Annabeth's cry had tints of panic in it, her voice rising to an unusual pitch at the end.

This made Percy frown and he poked his head through the doorway of the kitchen to look down the hall and into the bedroom. "Which ones? The one of the building with the huge spike on top or the one with the funny looking bridge?"

The white door of the bedroom was open so he had a clear view of Annabeth's glare when she stopped her riffling through the desk. He quickly backtracked with 'Unless you designed it; in which case by funny looking I mean work of art."

Annabeth rolled her eyes and went back to her searching of the many sketch books and loose pieces of paper over the desk. When they had moved into their small San Francisco apartment a few months ago, Annabeth had immediately claimed the hard wood desk in the bedroom as her work spot. It was right in front of the bay window with a beautiful view of the city and some parts of the bridge. Across from the desk was the bed while the chest of drawers and the closet sat against the other wall. The apartment also managed to fit in a kitchen, a small laundry room, sitting room and bathroom.

It was small but what else could two college students expect? Percy refused to use the inheritance and Annabeth didn't even think to ask him. What they needed were roommates who didn't mind a girl who architecture class nearly took over all surfaces and a boy who dripped water into the place after swimming practise.

Percy was in the middle of cleaning up the drops he had spilt from the afternoon swim he took when Annabeth had started to panic. He grabbed his wet gear and went over to throw them into the washing machine when he spotted a sketch book poking out from the gap between the fridge and the counter.

With a grin, he plucked it from the space and threw his things into a wash before walking towards the bedroom. He went and stood behind his manic girlfriend, placing the book in front of her face. A relieved grin appeared, smoothing away the frown and she took the book before squishing it against her chest.

Annabeth spun around and threw her arms around Percy, saying, "You are the best! Where did you find it?"

Percy chuckled as he hugged her back. "You must have left it hanging off the counter; it fell down between the gap beside the fridge."

She placed a sound kiss on his mouth just as the phone rang from Percy's bag in the kitchen. He detached himself from Annabeth and caught it in time thanks to a sprint to the other room.

"Hey Percy, guess what?"

Piper's rushed voice sprang out from the phone and Percy grinned as he replied, "I don't know; did you eat too much sugar on your shift?"

He could hear other voices in the background, including Jason's but he managed to hear Piper above it all. "Jason and I got our college acceptance letters today! Do you and Annabeth have any room in that apartment for your new classmates?"

A wide smile came over Percy's face and he rushed towards the bedroom, calling, "Annabeth! Jason and Piper got into our school!"

Annabeth dropped all of her books onto the desk and met him in the doorway. "Put her on speaker," she instructed and Percy pressed the button before he replied.

"Are you kidding Piper? This place is tiny but with two new roommates we can defiantly afford a new place."

Piper giggled and said, "Well you might have more than two roommates. Leo got several engineering scholarships from places all over the country and Frank and Hazel got places at a school nearby. How about having everyone all in your place again huh Percy?"

Annabeth looked at her stunned boyfriend's face, knowing that he was remember all the missing food, wet towels and being woken up to see his blonde friend just stroll into his living room. "Uh, we might need to get back to you on the roommate thing Piper," she said but judging from Piper's laugher and Jason's chuckles from the background, Percy's panic had been their only real aim.

There was a shuffling over the phone and then they heard Jason clearly. "Well then, the least the two of you can do is get your asses back to New York this weekend for a celebration party at the Diner. And we'll have it on the roof, just for you Percy."

"You're real funny, aren't you Grace."

Annabeth just shook her head; those two managed to have an argument from different sides of the country. "We will defiantly be there Jason," she said, "I'm practically buying the tickets as we speak."

The travel from San Francisco had become easier over time; it was still exhausting and hunger inducing but as soon as they both stepped foot in New York, Annabeth and Percy immediately felt at home again.

Jason and Piper had spared little time for party planning and as soon as they arrived in a taxi to the diner, Leo appeared in the doorway shouting something about food on the roof as well as Stolls with water balloons. Percy and Annabeth hurried inside and followed their excited friend up those familiar apartment stairs. Leo opened the apartment door and headed straight for the fire escape to get to the roof.

Annabeth went after him, only to stop when she saw Percy was standing with the bags in the doorway.

"Are you coming Seaweed Brain?"

Percy looked at her and grinned, putting his hands in his jacket pockets. "Ya just...give me a minute."

Annabeth smiled softly and went out the window to the fire escape.

Percy let out a sigh and looked around the small apartment. After nearly a year, it still looked the same. Jason had moved in after he had gone to San Francisco and it had actually helped his and Thalia's relationship. From what Percy knew, they had been getting along much better, which was all either party had wanted really.

Also, unlike Piper and Leo, Jason had chosen not to finish his senior year at Olympia Academy. Piper had of course been offered the debating scholarship, while the principal nearly bribed Leo to come to the school after the young boy fixed all the computers there after they had crashed. Frank and Hazel had also stayed at their old school and their last year was coming to a close.

As he was standing in his old apartment, Percy had to think how many things had changed. He was back with Annabeth, he was in San Franscio where he was known more for his record breaking swimming times than his money. Yes, he was also a multi-millionaire; he always forgot that part. He was no longer that boy who lived over a diner and scrambled to save money. And he also knew that one day he would have more money then he would know what to do with. It was a little overwhelming.

"Hey Jackson, are you going to sulk all weekend or join the party?"

Percy jumped slightly and finally noticed Jason crouching on the fire escape, an easy grin on his face. Percy smiled back and hurried towards him saying, "Shut up, I'm contemplating my life."

"Well it looked like you just needed the bathroom."

As the two boys greeted each other and climbed the fire escape, Percy was suddenly hit by another realisation. Who on earth could feel overwhelmed with friends who always managed to keep you above water with their sarcastic comments and loyal words?

Percy made it to the roof and he looked around at the makeshift party room. Lights were strung around poles and corners and there were tables and chairs set out. Food and drinks were all around and people were dancing to the music blasting from the speakers. Percy spotted the Stolls by the high edge of the roof, chucking water balloons onto who knows what below. Grover and Leo were wolfing down burgers while Annabeth, Hazel and Frank were chatting by the drinks table. Nico and Hetty were in deep conversation about something that Percy suspected was the food in Italy, a place where Nico was headed on his summer travels.

Jason clapped a hand onto Percy's shoulder and said, "Welcome home, Percy."

The party went on well into the night and Percy was just glad this was New York city and the neighbours in the street were understanding. Percy looked out over the skyline, a drink forgotten in his hand which sat limp by his side. He suddenly felt an arm wrap around his and he looked over to see Annabeth standing beside him.

"Now what could you be thinking so hard about on a night like this?" she asked and Percy grinned.

Shrugging, he replied, "I'm just processing the fact that my life is kind of good right now. I just didn't realise how different it was until I came back here."

Annabeth rested her head on his shoulder and Percy kissed the top of it. She was a huge part of what made his life so wonderful and he was just grateful they had gotten their second chance. With the music and chatter from the party behind them and the noise of the city in front, Percy looked at Annabeth and said, "But I was thinking of starting something with the money I have."

Annabeth raised her head to give him a surprised look. He had never mentioned using the money before.

Percy grinned and said, "Imagine this: a summer camp outside New York especially for lost kids. You know, kids who have a hard time in school or at home? They get to spend the summer having the time of their lives instead of thinking everyone is out to get them. I know plenty of people who are like that."

Annabeth thought about it for a moment and then said, "A haven for kids who feel like the world is full of monsters."

Percy's eyes lit up and he nodded. "Oh that's good; we should write that down. And-sorry for the narcissism here- I would like to name the camp after something close to my heart. Something that is me but can speak to others too. Get this-Camp Jackson!"

Annabeth snorted and replied, "You want to name a summer camp after yourself? Seriously Percy?"

Percy thought for a moment and then said, "Alright so you have a point. Camp New York?"

"No."

"Camp Haven."

"Absolutely not."

"Oh oh...what about Camp Half Blood."

"You are really bad at this."