Chapter 2: Their story

Percy squeezed his eyes shut. This could not be happening. Was it not bad enough that he and the love of his life had just fallen into the oldest prison in the world.

He felt a warm pressure on his hand, and looked down at his lap. Annabeth had intertwined their hands, trying her best to give him strength.

He took a breath. He could get through this. For her. And besides that, they still had to find the Doors of Death to save the world that he and Annabeth had left behind.

Percy opened his eyes to find the older Percy and Annabeth watching him, and he got the feeling that they were testing him, trying to see how strong he was.

"All right," Percy began. "Before we get any further I would like to hear your story. What have you been doing down here for the past ten years?"

Older Percy and Annabeth exchanged a look.

"Fair enough," Older Percy shrugged.

"Right as we were falling into Tartarus Annabeth took my hand and I grabbed Grover. We fell forever, I don't even know how long. Days, maybe. Towards the end I stopped believing we would even survive the fall. I mean how can you survive that impact?"

"Like I've told you a million times," Older Annabeth interrupted. "Tartarus put us just where it wanted us. I have no idea why we're here, but for some reason we needed to be."

Older Annabeth frowned. "Maybe, maybe we had to be here for you. To help you."

"Anyways," Older Percy said. "We've been down here fending off gods knows how many monsters, searching for a way out of this fucking pit."

Young Annabeth spoke up, "Wait. Where is Grover? Is he here?"

Older Percy laughed, "Yeah, yeah, he's here. The last time I saw him he was muttering something about satyrs not being meant to live underground."

Older Annabeth grinned, "Something to do with there being no enchiladas, I believe."

Percy smiled. Same old Grover. He missed his best friend, it had been so long since he'd seen his favorite satyr.

Annabeth yawned beside him, and suddenly a feeling of complete exhaustion overwhelmed him.

Older Annabeth saw the change in the two teenagers and offered to show them to some rooms they had in the cafe.

The three trudged up the stairs, leaving Older Percy standing in the cafe.

"There are a couple extra rooms down that hallway," Older Annabeth said. "Feel free to take your pick."

And with that, she left them standing by themselves.

Annabeth headed toward the room at the end of the room, and Percy started towards the one right next to it.

"Wait, Percy." Percy turned back towards Annabeth. "Um, will you stay with me. I don't feel like being by myself right now."

Percy's heart leaped.

"'Course," he said, giving her his special smile.

They entered the room, and fell on the huge king sized bed, laughing despite everything that had happened to them.

Percy pulled Annabeth into his side, loving how she seemed to fit into the curves of his body.

"I'm glad I'm with you, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth whispered into his shoulder.

Percy pulled back. "I told you. You are never getting away from me again."

Annabeth's eyes were shining and Percy couldn't take it any longer. He crashed his lips against hers. As he kissed her, the world seemed to right itself.

He nibbled on her bottom lip, and rolled her over so that she was underneath him.

He could feel every swell on her body, and it started a fire in his stomach.

Annabeth's hand was suddenly warm on his chest, her touch trailing heat and making his head melt.

Percy began to kiss down her neck, feeling her shiver under his arms.

She reached up to drag his shirt over her head, and stopped breathless. He was beautiful.

Suddenly, a large crash followed by a muttered "ow," could be heard from outside their bedroom.

Percy sighed and lay his head down on Annabeth's stomach. She giggled at his frustrated expression, and curled up next to him, exhausted from everything that had happened to them.