Author's Note:Ok, I don't like to do these often but to explain a little of where the story is starting off. Annabeth has received her end of a deal she made with the gods so to honor her the camps through a 'send off' of sorts. To end the whole sha-bang they burnt her shroud among other things (use your lovely imaginations). So she could see how much she was appreciated. (This is written as though Percy and Annabeth stayed just friends through out the Heroes of Olympus series.)

As promised here is the new and improved version of Good Bye - a Percabeth Story. Love you all! Thank you for the patience! Also the more reviews the sooner I will post the next chapter ;) Sit back, relax, read to your little hearts content, and enjoy and don't be afraid to recommend to your friends

much love

-alpha

Annabeth-

A playful knock on my cabin door resonates through the empty space. It's Percy. "Come in." It's strange that he doesn't say anything when he walks in. I expected a joke or stupid comment about the whole, you know, funeral thing... We tease each other; sometimes he goes too far and I get mad at him but it never lasts for long. It's just how we work. In seven years of being best friends I've never known Percy not to seize an opportunity for a smart-ass comment.

He walks strait up to me and gets a little close for comfort, I have to fight the urge to push him away. I normally don't but something stops me this time. He looks awkwardly into my eyes and something makes him nibble on his bottom lip all nervous like. Why is he acting so strange? Talk for Hera's sake Percy, you're scaring me.

Percy moves his face down to mine hesitantly. It feels weird when our noses touch, then the top of our lips graze. His lips are really soft. He retreats for a fraction of a second, but with a little more hesitation our bottom lips press together.

I pull away a little shocked. I've always wondered what it would be like, but never actually thought it would happen. "Wh - What... What was that?" I look at the floor, my cheeks burning more then ever. "I didn't know you... we..." Did that really just happen? I mean I knew when two people's faces get close together they typically kiss, but I didn't register that Percy, of all people, was about to kiss me. I never knew, well maybe I knew - I just didn't think..

He cuts my stuttering off tilting my chin up gently with the edge of his soft strong hand. "Annabeth. Stop talking."

"O-ok." I'm still stuttering like an idiot. Smooth Annabeth. One look into his sea green eyes, I feel my cheeks cool. There is something about that look of his that just makes my stomach do flips and my thoughts disappear. He pulls me into his now chiseled body and slowly leans in again. I meet him half way this time. Our lips seem to barley touch.

His warmth fills me up and my lips start to tingle as he presses firmly against mine. The tingling slowly creeps its way to my toes until my whole body is buzzing. The wrenching nervousness of my gut turns to butterflies, the good kind, and the aches and pains in my body disappear. I feel like I am floating. He kisses so gently.

This is the most vulnerable I have ever been. For the first time I let my guard down and in Percy's arms it feels right. Well second time... but after the Sirens doesn't count. Never in my life had I thought being vulnerable could feel so good.

Percy's hands rest on my hips holding me fast to his. The side of his hand grazes my flesh, making my skin twitch and go taught. Who knew how sensitive to touch a person could be. His soft lips hold me in a trance where time stands still. He is my first kiss, maybe my last. The sudden realization hits me like one of Zeus's lightning bolts... he feels sorry for me or something. He doesn't really love me, it's gotta be more like a brother sister type of love.

No, that's not it.

He is saying good bye, he doesn't believe in me. I pull away gaping up at his sea green eyes unable to speak, the immense hurt rising in my chest paralyzing my vocal cords. I could deal with the sibling-zone but not this, not now. Not only Chiron has given up on me, now Percy has too. How could he! He promised! I'm struggling not to throw him out of my cabin and slam the door so it hits him on his way out. How could he...

"Annabeth I..." I put a firm hand on his chest and push him away from me but he leans into it and fights too stay close, wrapping me in a tight hug.. I swear to all the gods if he tells me he is sorry; so help me Athena. "I love you Annabeth." He whispers pressing his forehead to mine with his hands resting on the back of my neck; trying desperately to calm me down out of my anger. I fight him for awhile, tensed up as he holds me fast so I can't get away from him but then I relax and just let him, and his arms relax as he pulls me in closer. I want to burry my face into his soft orange t-shirt, but I can't. Not now. I swear he can read my mind... sometimes, other times not so much.

"Percy... I've had a crush on you for years, and you decide to tell me you love me now?!" I'm still a little ticked but more annoyed. "Great timing." UGH! I'm off to try the impossible, and he tells me this now. I mean I wanted him to.. but now!? Gods he is infuriating.

"Oh really?" He smiles widely before he meets my lips again, completely ignoring how irritated I am. Strangely, I'm okay with that. We move together, his hands slide up and down trying to find a home, one eventually stopping on the small of my back. The other just under my arm grazing my breast, sending a chill down my spine and making my cheeks burn. I wrap my arms behind his head running my fingers through his messy dark hair. He picks me up uses his arms to support me.

The others were soft and gentle, like little sparklers Dad used to get on the 4th of July. This one is... is like all the fireworks in the world. Cliché, I know, but it's true.

After the knock on the door he spins us around. "Annabeth, Chiron needs you at the big house." Lucy, one of my littler siblings chokes through a small crack before shutting the door.

"I'll see you soon Wise Girl. Kick some ass." and before I know it I am on the ground and he is walking out the door.

His tall shoulders slouch and his head drops just a little. I knew that he didn't know if he would, because I wasn't so sure either.

"Percy wait." he pauses a few feet before the door wipes his face with his sleeve and turns to face me as I grab his hand. I stand on my tip toes and brush a kiss on his still damp cheek. "I love you too." His watery eyes glisten as he gently smiles down at me. I hate seeing my best friend cry. "Don't give up on me."

"Never." He tucks my hair behind my ear and with a kiss on the forehead he is gone.

I grab my bag off of my neatly made bed and leave a note for Malcolm with instructions on how a cabin leader should act and little hints about our other siblings. Like if little Lucy has a bad dream it helps if you rub her back. Or if Bobby is struggling with school work he is trying that's about five years ahead of his grade, let him ask for help, and even then make small suggestions, it works better for him.

I take in my cabin, my home, for one last time. The shelves of books. The desks covered in papers. Scattered pencils, pens, erasers. The walls lined with blue prints, and battle plans. Pictures of our mortal families. The sweet smell of an open book, and the warm glow of the sun shining through the windows. The silver owl above the door. I'm really going to miss this place. It takes another deep breath before I can turn my back on cabin six, the memories, my siblings, and... and Percy.

As I turn to step out of I see my seashell picture frame poke its self from under the pillow. It's a photo of Percy and I; it shouldn't be hidden anymore. I slide it from under it's secret home and can't help but run my thumb over it's edges remembering the many nights I spent studying the image when I couldn't sleep. Thinking of Percy kept me safe from many nightmares. I press the cool glass to my lips before laying it on the pillow exposed for the first time. "Keep me safe Seaweed Brain. Good bye."