Chapter 1-

Percy had started that day like no other. First, he kissed Annabeth goodbye as she left for work before going to the school he was working at. Nothing had felt wrong; he hadn't had a bad feeling. It was just a nice September day and he was looking forward to going out for lunch with his wife. The sky was clear and it wasn't going to rain, nor was it at all windy. Perfect weather for a picnic in Central Park.

That morning, Percy's life was perfect with all it had to offer. He was going to have a baby in January and had a loving wife. What more could he ask for?

"Nico, you and Frank are flying over here today, right?" Percy asked as he walked down the streets of New York City. "You don't want to be late for the baby shower. It's tonight, after we all get off of work."

"We're not going to be late." Nico said from the other end of the phone call. "Hazel's already there and Frank and I are on our way to the airport now."

"Shouldn't you be there already?!" Percy asked. "You're going to miss your flight!"

"Percy, I may still be a teenager, but I'm not stupid." Percy could almost hear Nico roll his eyes. "We'll be there, I promise."

"I told you to not promise!" Percy replied. "That's just asking to get jinxed."

"Whatever you say, Jackson. I have to go. See you later." Nico hung up the phone, leaving Percy alone with the people of New York. He didn't mind, however. They were his people, it was his city. He would always live and belong there.

Percy's weird phobia of making promises started when he was a small child. Growing up, it seemed as if every promise his father made turned into a lie, and he remember how much it hurt. So now, at twenty years old, he told everyone around him not to promise things. They understood, so they did the best they could. But sometimes, even they thought it was stupid. Percy didn't blame them, but he wished they would understand a little more.

"Percy!" Hazel ran to him, fresh out of her hotel room. Her hair was combed and put back in a ponytail, bouncing as she ran. When she finally caught up to Percy, she gave him a quick hug. "I haven't seen you in a year!"

"I know." Percy hugged her back, welcoming his old friend. "Glad to see you could make it. I just talked to Nico, and he said him and Frank are boarding their plane soon."

"Good," Hazel sighed in relief. "They better not be late or I'll kill them."

"Nico promised he would be here." Percy explained. "He sounded like he meant it."

"Nico will do anything to get somebody off his back." Hazel replied, but looked relieved. "Where's Annabeth?"

"Already at her work." Percy explained. "I'm heading to my school now. But I don't have to be there until nine."

"Why are you out so early then?" Hazel asked.

"I like walking the streets." Percy shrugged, not having a real excuse. "Want to get some coffee, catch up a little?"

"Sure!" Hazel linked their arms and pulled him to a nearby café. "I have something to tell you, anyways."

"Should I be scared?" Percy joked as they entered the doors.

"Eh, maybe a little." Hazel laughed before going and ordering her coffee. Once they got situated, the sat in a booth near the window.

"Are those the buildings Annabeth works at?" Hazel asked, pointing in the direction only she could see. Turning around to see from Hazel's angle, Percy finally realized what she saw.

"Well, she only works in one, but yeah." Percy explained, sitting back down. "She works in the one with the spike on it."

"They sure are tall." Hazel said in awe. "How does she stand that?"

"She likes heights?" Percy guessed, laughing. "I'm not really sure. What was it you wanted to tell me?"

Hazel brightened up, a small blush appearing on her face. "I was going to announce it at the baby shower, but I didn't want to ruin Annabeth and your spotlight, so I'm going to tell you now. Frank and I…are going to have a baby. I'm pregnant!"

"No way." Percy face broke into a smile. "That's awesome, Hazel! Have you told Nico?"

"No!" she swatted his arm. "He would kill Frank. He's too overprotective."

"You've got that right." Percy replied. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Percy." Hazel smiled and gazed out of the window. Then, her face became slack. "Percy-OH MY GOD!"

"What?!" Percy climber over the booth to see from her prospective, and then immediately regretted it. This couldn't be happening, no, no, no….

"What just happened?" Percy asked, his voice rising with strangers' all around him. "Hazel, what was that? The freaking tower just exploded!"

Hazel shook her head. "I don't know Percy. I was just looking at it, and then this plane was flying too low-"

"Annabeth!" Percy didn't wait for Hazel, instead running from the café. Hazel followed him, too in shock for the morning sickness to get the best of her. Why was this happening? Why Annabeth? Oh, god, she was supposed to be having a baby in January!

Percy ran down the streets of New York, not caring how many people he pushed aside or how he was told to go the opposite way. He had to save Annabeth, he had to save her. He couldn't let her die. She meant too much to him. Not to mention she was carrying his soon-to-be baby. He needed to save them, and that was the only thing that mattered.

Percy got to the base of the building, dodging the debris that fell and the stream of people that came pilling out. Before anyone could stop him, he ran into the building and started to climb the never-ending stairs. In that moment, he didn't even think about his own life, didn't even worry that he might also die. Instead, he focused on saving the ones he loved.

Once he got to the higher floors, the smoke started to thicken and his legs felt like jello. He could barely pick his legs up, but knew he had to help. This thought kept him going, past floors and floors of evacuating people. He was, in fact, the only one going up the stairs. Everyone else flew down them, as if Death himself was chasing them. Ironically, he was.

Percy could see the fire now, its red blaze and uncontrollable temperatures ruining everything around it. The ceilings were caving, the windows blown out. Flooring was destroyed and more than one body laid there burnt. Percy couldn't bare to look at them, especially since any of them could have been Annabeth.

"Annabeth!" he screamed for the hundredth time, the fire finally blocking his path. "Annabeth!"

No answer.

"Annabeth, I'm here!" Percy pushed aside beams and desks, looking through what he knew to be the floor she worked on. "Annabeth, please! Just make a noise! I can help you!"

The smoke seemed to become heavier, the fire stronger. He could barely see anymore, but he continued to look, refusing to believe the worst. He wouldn't lose Annabeth, the love of his life. He wouldn't. He refused.

"Percy, what abut this dress?" Annabeth stepped out of the bathroom, showing off a bright red dress she had recently bought. "Does it make me look too pregnant?"

"It makes you look beautiful." Percy complimented. "Now, we better go, or we're going to be late."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Oh, you're only worried about being late because you want to get the best food."

"Anything wrong with that?" Percy laughed, kissing her cheek. "But we do need to get there, for you. It's your work party."

"I know." Annabeth smiled warmly at him. "Thank you for caring, even if it was for the food."

"Hey, anything for you." Percy touched his forehead to her's, wrapping his arms around her. "I love you."

"I love you, too." she whispered, staring into his eyes. Silently, she kissed him on the lips before breaking the hug. "Come on, Seaweed Brain. Get a move on."

"Wise Girl!" Percy said, exasperated, but laughed anyways.

"Annabeth…" Percy sunk to his knees, feeling the last of his vision disappear with the thickening smoke. "Where are you?"