A/N: To be clear on this: I decided to make this an entirely different story from Proctor of Judgment. No relation whatsoever.

Oh, and the votes are tied between a Guardian Pertemis and a Non-Guardian Pertemis. So how does Servant of the Hunt sound to y'all? Meanwhile, none of you want him to fall in love with a mortal . . .


Chapter 3-

Percy woke up covered in bandages, his jaw aching abominably, and the adrenaline rush from earlier was completely gone. In other words, he was hurting. In fact, his entire body ached as if a few hundred drakons decided to trample him, all at once. Then dropped a few tanks and semi's on him for good measure.

The son of Poseidon tried to speak, only for fresh bolts of pain to rocket through his jaw. Apollo -noticing he was awake- immediately flashed to his bedside. "How d'you feel?"

All the sun god got as an answer was a pained groan.

"Oh yeah, Thalia broke your jaw with an arrow. It probably saved your life, actually." Apollo looked him over, then took out an IPad and started tapping, "If you didn't fall unconscious when you did, you probably would've died of blood-loss. Do you know how many potentially mortal wounds you had?"

If Percy could speak, he would've said "No, and I don't want to know." But he couldn't speak, so Apollo continued.

"A spear punctured your groin. That killed more in the Civil War than I can think of. . . Anyways, your right lung was punctured, and whatever did that even scratched your heart. Your stomach was ran through, along with your liver and gall-bladder. Intestines were mostly intact, but we had to remove a kidney. Too far gone. Don't worry, you won't miss it. Still, you should've died a hundred times over. I'm awesome, aren't I?"

Just hearing the extent of his injuries made Percy wince involuntarily, only for that to send even more bolts of agony ripping through his body. Apollo's IPad beeped as soon as this happened and prompted the god to looked at the demigod, concerned. "I think I'd better put you to sleep again. Artemis would kill me if she heard the only "decent" male died in my care. Then again, your reputation has dropped in the Hunters. Something about killing a girl . . . Anyways, night-night!"

Darkness once again fell over Percy's vision, leaving him in the embrace of unconsciousness.

‡—XXXXX—‡

This time when Percy woke up, most of the bandages were gone. His body still ached in pain, but it was lessened and seemed concentrated where there were bandaged. His jaw still hurt, as he soon discovered when he moved it about experimentally.

To the right and front of him were rows of hospital beds, most of them with children of Ares in them. Equipment hooked up to monitors steadily beeped and showed the patient's vitals, along with -somehow- how much pain they were in. Suddenly, the beeping of one machine, three beds down, became a droning.

A man bustled in, one wearing a lab coat over a business suit. A kind face was framed by salt-and-pepper hair. A stethoscope adorned his neck, and in his right hand was a polished black staff with a python coiled around it.

"Asclepius?" Percy asked, vaguely recognizing him from Piper's description.

The god rested his staff on the son of Ares, but the machines made the same droning noise, "Oh dear. Another dead. . ."

"Asclepius?" Percy asked again.

"It's Doctor Asclepius. I didn't earn the PHD for fun, thank you very much. Or the MD and PHARMD." He turned to look at the son of Poseidon. "Ah, you're awake. Let's see. . . blood pressure a little low, nothing to worry about. Your system is recovering well, although please make sure you don't lose any more blood in the next few days . . . I'll stop that infection, along with the fever that's setting in. All in all, you should live. Which is quite impressive, for Apollo."

Dr. Asclepius rested the staff on Percy's shoulder, "There we go. All fixed up, except for the BP."

"Thanks." Percy replied, then tried to leave. As soon as he touched the door handle, however, gleaming words appeared on the door itself: "Perseus Jackson, three days of bedrest remaining."

Ignoring the message, Percy tried to turn the handle, only to discover he couldn't.

Dr. Asclepius tutted, "You won't be leaving until you are fully healed, Mr. Jackson. Please return to your bed, or I will force you to."

Not wanting to try to fight a god without his weapons -for some reason, Riptide wasn't in his pocket- Percy laid down in his bed again and promptly fell into a deep sleep.

‡—XXXXX—‡

Time Skip: Three Days (3/30/2016)

"Wake, Perseus." said Dr. Asclepius, gently shaking the demigod. "It is time for the council meeting."

The son of Poseidon groaned as he sat up -groggy from the quick awaking- but quickly became alert, "A meeting? For what?"

"For you." Dr. Asclepius replied, then motioned to the door, "Don't keep them waiting, boy."

Percy nodded, hurrying out the door and navigation his way to the Throne Room. He hadn't been to Olympus very many times, but the Athena Parenthos was hard to miss. When walking in, the demigod noticed that all of the gods were in war attire. Thalia was there, along with Clarisse, a few of the Ares Campers, and other assorted campers.

The demigod walked forward to the center of the chairs, then stopped. Zeus turned to the rest of the council, "We are here to discuss the fate of Perseus Jackson."

Ares growled, "He should be dead! If y'all won't, I'll kill this punk!"

"Sit, Ares. Yours is not the only voice on this council." Hera warned.

Athena looked at her, "Though his is the quarrel."

"True. It is clear that the young man in question killed nine of his children." acknowledged the Queen of the Gods.

"After being provoked, having Annabeth insulted, and having to watch one of my children be bullied." Athena countered, "While this is obviously an offense against Ares, it is the role of the council to see what punishment should be levied against the young man we have proclaimed a hero on multiple occasions."

Ares snorted, "He should be dead!"

"No. I still regret sentencing the son of Hecate. Are we to be a council who solves every problem with an execution?" Hera asked.

"Enough!" said Zeus, the King of the Gods commanding silence, "This sea spawn killed nine other demigods. He is obviously a danger at Camp Half-Blood. Any sentence will be decided by a vote."

"Let my son speak for himself before you jump to conclusions." asked -or rather, ordered- Poseidon, then turned to the demigod in the center of the room, "Speak, son."

"I fully admit to killing a number of Ares campers and probably injuring the rest of them, Zeus." Percy looked steadily at Ares as he spoke, "If Thalia hadn't stopped me, I would've done my best to remove the last three from the fight."

Most of the gods and goddesses looked shocked by this declaration, then Athena spoke again, "I do not believe the death penalty should be a possibility here. I claim that Clarisse was the aggressor as she deliberately bullied -or was going to at the very least. Even after her past experiences with bullying and Perseus, she persisted in this atrocious behavior. It appears she takes after her father in terms of brain-power."

"Hey! He still killed nine of my campers!" Ares shouted, reaching for his sword.

"What would you do if you were facing over forty enemies, alone? Quiet frankly, I am surprised as many survived as they did. If you wish to review the event, it is quite clear that Percy was fighting for his life against Ares campers who were quite intent on ending it." Hera countered.

Apollo was reading a male fashion magazine, hardly paying attention while Aphrodite did the same with the opposite gender of magazine. Artemis looked torn between concern and loathing, Demeter was fiddiling with a stalk of wheat. The rest of the Olympians appeared to be listening intently, except of course Dionysus -who was snoring away.

"The boy is still a threat." said Hephaestus, looking at Percy as if assessing whether the demigod would go haywire, "He may not have been the aggressor this time, but grief makes one do odd things. I don't want him to be standing over the bodies of my boys the next time this happens."

"Farming is what he needs." Demeter interrupted, not looking up from her incredibly interesting plant, "A year of farm-work can do marvels."

"She has a point." replied Zeus, breaking into the conversation, "In the Underworld or on another of Demeter's farms, he would not be able to harm another demigod. It will be safer once my next child comes to ca-"

He was interrupted by a stinging slap from Hera, who growled, "We will be having words over that later, and I'd better like your excuses."

"Picking up where Zeus left off, I believe my children would be safer as well." Athena stated, "The rivalry between Poseidon and I runs deep, and I would not be surprised to see the bodies of my own children. In the Underworld, Perseus would both be safe from harming others and have ample time to . . . what is the mortal expression? Get over my daughter."

"Perhaps he will also learn some respect, which he still seems to lack." growled Zeus. That was obviously a sore point for the King of the Gods, "Perhaps some time as a servant to Hades would aid in that."

Ares, for the first time in the council, looked like he could be content with that arrangement. None of the council looked very against it, except for Athena.

"A lifetime serving as Hades' slave would turn him insane, not teach him respect." argued the Goddess of Wisdom, "So I believe this punishment would be more fitting: The next eight months of his life would be spent farming in the Underworld, the four after that as Hades' slave. Then his life after as the Hunt's servant."

Looking around at the assembled gods and goddesses, Zeus saw no real opposition to that idea, "Then it shall be put to a vote. All in favor?"

Athena's hand went up first, along with Demeter's, Ares' and Hephaestus'. The other gods and goddess' hands eventually accompanied them until it was only Artemis, who looked absolutely disgusted by the idea.

"Then it is passed." Zeus added his own spin to the punishment after the other Olympians flashed themselves and their children away -excepting Demeter and Athena. The King of the Gods snapped his fingers, and most of Percy's personal possessions appeared on a stone table.

"Take three of the items for your stay, the rest will be returned to you once you return to the world of the living." commanded the god. Percy walked over to the gray stone table, looking at what was there: Annabeth's hat, dagger, and laptop. Riptide, the Minotaur horn, his journal, and camp necklace were present as well. Without hesitation, the son of Poseidon chose the necklace, journal, and dagger.

"I believe you are deserving of a small gift for aiding my daughter, Perseus." Athena said, approaching the table, "This will aid you when you arrive at the Hunt."

The Goddess of Wisdom picked up Annabeth's New York Yankees' cap, which glowed in her hands before being returned to the table with it's powers functioning once more. Then Athena flashed away without saying another word.

"Demeter, take him to the Underworld. He will not return before the year is finished." Zeus ordered.

Demeter merely nodded before he flashed away as well.

‡—XXXXX—‡

"I must say, Perseus, I expected you to protest at the meeting." said the Goddess of Wheat as she took Percy's arm and flashed them down to the Underworld.

"I killed nine people, so I deserve whatever happens to me." The demigod shrugged, seeming resigned, "Besides, this is a death-sentence, all but it name. I'll take it with both hands."

At this, Demeter felt a thread of concern over the son of Poseidon, and seeing the scars on his arms only increased that concern. The goddess didn't want him dead, which was the whole reason she had suggested farming at the meeting. The other Olympians would probably end up putting Percy in a situation where he would rather die than keep living, even if Hera objected to it. Anything Poseidon said would've been ignored, which meant there was a good chance his son would be dead by the end of the year -had Demeter not stepped in.

Now it was time for the goddess to take the first steps in healing Percy. She took the demigod's shoulder, forcing him to looked into Demeter's eyes, "This is my land. On it you will do as I say, both in farming and other matters."

Percy nodded carefully before asking another question, "Why would you have a farm in the Underworld? Don't you hate it here?"

"This farm is the only thing that makes this un-holy place livable." Demeter allowed herself a small smile at her surroundings, "My brother-in-law helped create this farm to keep me occupied when Persephone is forced to the Underworld, and I follow. He even convinced Apollo to provide sunlight year-round. It is not winter, however, so you shall be doing the farming."

"I don't know anything about farming." said the son of Poseidon.

"Which is why I am going to teach you. After all, it's excellent character building."

5/23/2016- Journal Two Hundred-Three

Demeter wasn't kidding about the farming. She showed me a plow -moldboard, I think?- and showed me how to attach it to a horse. A living horse, not a skeletal one that Hades would summon. Then she told me to plow the field. Well, easier said then done of course. I told the horse to walk in a straight line -and it did- but I still had to take the handles and try to keep the metal thing under the soil and keep the plow between the horse. Wow, four ands in one sentence. Must be a record. Demeter had me redo most of the field because it wasn't deep enough, which sucked. And a horse doesn't exactly provide interesting conversation.

Once we were done, Demeter gave me a room at Hades' palace and a clock -shapped like a rooster- to wake me up. The room itself was basic: a straw mattress, and a small table with a chair.

Percy sighed, closing the journal and unsheathing the dagger. As the demigod ran it down his arm, he met his first revelation: The blade didn't cut his skin. At all. It ran over his flesh like the edge was completely dull, which it most definitely wasn't. Then the goddess in the room made herself known.

"You will not harm yourself in my care. Understood?" asked -or rather, ordered- Demeter, "In fact, you cannot harm yourself. If you wish to drown yourself in the Styx, you will be flashed to my side the moment you touch it's waters. The Lethe is approximately five hundred meters east, but losing your memory would dishonor Annabeth's."

The son of Poseidon nodded mutely, not even looking at her.

Demeter sighed, "Perseus, I want you to live through this, not pursue self-destruction."

"With all respect, I've done a good job of surviving so far." This time, he glared at the goddess, "I don't need you to help."

"You misunderstand me, Perseus." Demeter met his glare, an almost motherly concern in her eyes, "I want you to live."

‡—XXXXX—‡

The clock made a rooster's call early the next morning, waking Percy up. He reached for his dagger, startled at waking up in a bed that wasn't his own and not in Cabin Three, but released it once he realized where he was.

As if sensing he was awake, Demeter flashed in carrying a large bowl. She placed it on the table, along with a glass of milk.

The son of Poseidon climbed to his feet -still in yesterday's clothes- and practically dragged himself to the table, "What is it?"

"Porridge made from oat, millet, and wheat. Not a balanced breakfast, but you haven't earned one yet." listed the goddess as the demigod began to eat. "I expect you to work at the highest level you are capable of -not comfortable with. If I feel you are not trying your hardest, you will not earn your next meal. The harder a farmer works at his trade, the more I bless him with the growth of his crops. As such, sitting in a tractor all day does not constitute effort."

Percy nodded, still eating. It wasn't sweet, salty, or spicy. It was wholesome, though, and would prepare him for the day ahead.

"Today you will learn to plant. Without the fancy machines mortals are so fond of." Demeter said as Percy finished, then the goddess strode out the door.

5/24/2016- Journal Two Hundred-Four

That was hard. Who knew planting seeds could be so exhausting? I guess old-fashioned farmers. Nico came around, telling me that Annabeth wanted to talk. I told him I couldn't. I think Demeter was listening, though. Anyways, apparently I planted half the field wheat and the other half with barley . . .

‡—XXXXX—‡

Time Skip: Three Months (8/24/2016)

Artemis frowned at the sight before her, a reaction copied by the stiffening of all fifty-or-so Hunters behind her. The sight itself was that a man of about forty was getting pushy with a young woman of eighteen or nineteen. When their voices grew to shouting, and the man forcibly grabbing the girl's arm, Artemis' silver arrow buried itself in his throat.

The girl screamed as she saw blood flowing from a Mist-induced bullet-wound in the throat, then hurried to his side, "Dad? You're gonna be okay, right?"

She erupted into tears, hugging her father's soon-to-be dead body just as Artemis realized she might've made a terrible mistake. A flood of godly power flowed over the mortal male, but it was far too late for him.

The young woman, her eyes red and face streaked with tears, looked at them, "H-he just w-w-wanted to s-stop me from g-going to th-th-the b-bar. Wh-why d-d'you have t-t-to. . ."

She trailed off, sobbing even harder. Artemis, stony with sadness that she had messed up so badly and hurt this young woman, walked away and forced down the water that was threatening to well in her eyes.

"Lady Artemis?" asked Thalia, also disturbed by her leader's actions. "Are you alright?"

"No." The goddess whispered back, so soft that the demigod couldn't hear it. Then, still walking, she raised her voice, "I am fine, Lieutenant. Tell Pheobe we're setting camp soon."

A mile behind them, a pitch-black wolf sniffed at the air and caught the coppery scent of fresh blood. All around Lycaon, his pack smelled the same, "She has made a kill."

The only humanoid among them -seven feet tall and carrying a longbow- growled, "Another crime. They can't be far ahead now."

‡—XXXXX—‡

Time Skip: Two months. (10/24/2016)

"Perseus!" called Demeter, looking for him in the field. The wheat was standing tall and proud, almost ready to be harvested but unfortunately concealed her charge. Soon, though, a figure exited the field and made his way over.

"Yes, ma'am?" replied the demigod. Respect was another thing the goddess was gradually teaching him, mainly to make the impact softer when the next three months passed and he became Hades' slave.

Demeter took his shoulder, "I have given you a year to recover, but now it is time to face Annabeth."

Before he could protest, the goddess flashed him into Elysium, more specifically a replica of Camp Half-Blood for demigods who would rather have that environment than any other. Those who spent more time in camp than out for their entire lives. Cabin Six looked a lot grander in the Underworld, both bigger and having millenia of caring work put into it from dead children of Athena.

"Go." Demeter gave the demigod a little shove, pushing him through the door and inside what looked like merely an atrium of a much larger building than the outside would suggest.

Percy's eyes searched the room, knowing Demeter wouldn't let him leave. Instead of Annabeth, he spotted another person who wasn't unwelcome.

"Percy?" Nico asked, approaching the demigod, "Annabeth?"

The son of Poseidon nodded mutely by way of an answer.

Nico sighed, "I'll take you to her. Looks like the last few months have been good for you."

Percy surprised even himself when he replied, "They have."

"Wow, a two word answer." Nico replied sarcastically, "Haven't gotten that out of you for a year."

The son of Poseidon chuckled weakly as they arrived at a door.

"Inside here." Nico gestured to the door, "Just a tip- don't leave until you're truly ready."

With that, the son of Hades turned the knob and slowly swung the door open.

10/24/2016- Journal Three-Hundred Sixty-Four

Percy started at the title for a long time, tears falling freely from his eyes and dotting the paper. Nothing he could put into words could hold a candle to what had happened today. So he could only hope that whatever he put on paper could make him remember in the future.

Gods, I feel so much . . . lighter? Not happier, certainly. So I guess lighter is the right word. Now I know she doesn't blame me for not being able to prevent the explosion. We spent hours talking, I hope you (I?) remember forever. Gods, I'm still crying. . . .

At least Declan got what was coming to him. I never would've expected that son of Hecate to actually kill, but who cares? He did it, and now he's dead. Good riddance to bad rubbish, as they say. Anyways, five of eight months of farming are over with. The wheat should be ready for harvesting in a month or two. I pulled in my second harvest of barley -Demeter said it was best to leave it for about half a month after you think it's done growing.

I really should learn to believe her about everything. I can't deny that farming with her -well, her making me farm- has done me a lot of good. Character building, as they say. I think I'm also getting over Annabeth too. I'm not thinking about her as much when there's work to be done, which is nice.

He closed the journal, then opened it again and flipped through the pages. Demeter, after she saw the journal, did Percy a favor and made the journal have infinite pages. The son of Poseidon didn't have any idea how it worked, just that when he wanted to find a page, the next page he flipped to was it. The first entry seemed like so long ago to Percy, but he could barely even remember what life was like before Annabeth died.

The son of Poseidon skimmed the pages, reading the story of his life from 12/24/2015 to 10/24/2016. Three-hundred sixty-four days since the journal was started, a clean year since Annabeth died.

‡—XXXXX—‡

The rooster-alarm went off at it's usual time the next day, as did Demeter flashing in. Instead of carrying porridge, she was carrying a full spread of breakfast. After all, the demigod had put in his best work for over five months.

"How do you feel?" asked the goddess, looking at the young man she could almost consider as a surrogate son.

"Better than yesterday morning, ma'am." Percy replied, digging into breakfast with a new fervor that Demeter had never seen before.

tYou seem energetic this morning." Demeter commented dryly, though happy that Percy appreciated her cooking. It was all local, too. Meat from Hera's cows or -if it was bacon- from her own livestock. Being the Goddess of Pig-Farming had it's advantages, and that those very same pigs were fed from the barley Percy had harvested was even more a plus.

Percy swallowed -Demeter insisted on good manners- before talking, "I am. And I want to thank you for everything you've done for me. I was going over my journal yesterday, and it just hit me how much I've changed. From day one, when I was so shocked I couldn't even move, to when getting into endless fights was the only thing that could get me to feel anything at all. Then when I wanted to die so badly, I didn't even bother defending myself when I attacked the Ares campers. If you didn't help me, ma'am, I have no doubt I would be dead by now."

"You've already thanked me, Perseus." The Goddess of the Harvest squeezed his shoulder, "You shown it every day in the field. Your devotion to the crops is rarely mirrored in the world, even in the strawberry fields of Camp Half-Blood. You always put your best work into it, and believe me when I say you hold the record in crops you produce."

But Perseus waved it away, "You influenced my field, so it isn't-"

Demeter shook her head, cutting him off, "No, Perseus. None of my powers have been used on that field, in the past or present. It was purely the effort you put in and the care you've shown the plants that has resulted in what you see now."

"Oh. Do you have any news from camp, Lady Demeter?" asked the son of Poseidon. Zeus had specifically forbidden Percy from going to the world of the living before the year was up, but that didn't mean Demeter didn't keep him up-to-date on more important things.

"Cabin Six still flourishes. My daughter Katie wants to meet you most ardently, but are you ready to move on from Annabeth?" The goddess looked at Perseus carefully.

The demigod looked troubled, "No. I don't think so. I'm still coming to terms with talking to her yesterday, ma'am. I'm not ready for anything else yet."

Demeter nodded, "Good. If nothing else, you have learned to be honest with me. Now, the field isn't going to tend to itself."

‡—XXXXX—‡

Time Skip: Two Months (12/25/2016)

Percy rolled out of bed as he usually did, beating the clock by five minutes -more than enough to put on good, working clothes before Demeter arrived with breakfast. After all, with grand total of three personal possessions -not counting clothes- there wasn't much else to do.

The Goddess of the Harvest didn't disappoint, flashing in just as the alarm sounded. This time, though, something was clearly different. For one, the dishes were Christmas-themed and for two, Demeter was humming "Feliz Navidad" to herself. With a start, Perseus realized it was Christmas. The Underworld didn't exactly snow in winter. Which was great as a farmer, not so great when trying to tell the seasons.

"Lady Demeter, why would a Greek Goddess celebrate a Christian festival?" asked Percy curiously.

"Call me Demeter, Perseus. I think we've know each other for long enough to dispense with formalities." She placed the plates on the small table that Percy did everything he needed to do at, before turning to him, "I'm celebrating the winter solstice. Even a goddess needs a few days off."

"With all the Roman festivals, I thought you had more off-days then on-days." Percy smiled cheekily, a good sign of how far he had come.

"Ceres certainly does, though my other half certainly doesn't let it interfere. When Romans work, they work hard and the same for parties." Demeter smiled as she watched the demigod eat. She couldn't believe how much he improved in the last month. It seemed that speaking with Annabeth was something he needed to get off his back before he could take strides in the right direction.

Percy also smiled, remembering some of the wild times he had in New Rome in the celebrations of the Giant War ending, "That's true. Sometimes, I thought the California police would hear it and come knocking."

"That was nothing compared to Saturnalia. On the few days gambling is legal, it's hard to find a Roman not losing money to someone else." Demeter remembered the Roman Empire wistfully, before turning back to her charge, "I'm giving you half the day off."

This Percy openly frowned at, "You taught me that I get out of the field what I put into it, and I was supposed to harvest the wheat. I can't do that in half a day. You also said I was working for the land, not you. No offense, ma'am."

"I have taught you well, Perseus. Don't worry, I will help you harvest it." Demeter said, then caught Percy's look, "No, I will not be using my powers. Four hands are better than two."

"Deal."

‡—XXXXX—‡

Percy wiped his brow before tying down the last bushel of wheat while Demeter looked over the now half-barren field at the barley.

"Looks like the barley is growing well." commented the goddess as Percy grunted, hoisting up three entire bushels and moving them to the edge the field.

"Can't you sense it?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow.

Demeter shrugged, "This field has been practically untouched by my influence, and I would prefer it to stay that way. Besides, barley cannot provide conversation. Not like the animals you can converse with."

"After this, I'm pretty sure the barley would be scared wheat-less." Percy chuckled at his pun, while Demeter was wearing a fake frown.

"That was horrid, Perseus. In fact, I believe it barley counts as a pun." That Demeter held a straight face through the whole exchange was impressive.

Percy shrugged, "Believe me, it's only that you're a goddess that I'm not rice-ing to that insult."

"I know. Although, it is hard to navigate this maize of bad puns." Now was when Demeter's mask cracked and let a wry grin through.

"At least now you aren't trying to keep a straight face. That rye smile has me worried, though . . ."

"Yes, it should. You're going to have to be pretty teff to survive my grain puns." Demeter was enjoying this as much as Perseus was. She hardly had any pun with Persephone anymore -that girl was either bored or tired the whole day.

The son of Poseidon threw up his arms in surrender, "I give up. That last one clearly spelt my defeat."

"Good. Now, can we peas get back to work?" asked Demeter, certain she had he demigod beaten.

"That's not fair!" Percy protested, "Peas aren't even a grain!"

His argument was shot down by the goddess, "Yes they are and I would know. Now, where would you like to go?"

This had Perseus thinking, before finally making up his mind, "Can I ask Annabeth to take me on a tour of Elysium?"

"Certainly." Demeter snapped her fingers, then the son of Poseidon appeared in front of Annabeth's ghostly door.

Percy still had no idea how it all worked, he just knew two thinks: One, he could touch the door and two, he couldn't touch Annabeth. He took a deep breath and prepared himself before knocking.

"Come in." called the daughter of Athena.

The demigod opened the door and stepped inside, looking at the ghost of Annabeth Chase. She was sitting at a loom, weaving something that Perseus couldn't see but knew would probably turn out to be amazing.

"I never thought you'd weave for fun, Annabeth." Percy said, taking a seat at a desk before turning the chair to face his late girlfriend.

"And I never thought you would be a farmer, Seaweed Brain." she shot back, "It's theraputic."

"That reminds me, I liked your laptop password." Percy now wore a shit-eating grin as he met Annabeth's stormy grey eyes.

This caused Annabeth to smile, "Thank you, I assumed even you would be able to figure it out."

"I only figured out the password -the only two things I know how to run are Chrome and Minecraft." Percy shrugged.

Annabeth face-palmed, "Of course the computer with the single best engineering and architectural programs goes to the one person who doesn't care about it. . ."

"Hey! I'm a farmer, not a quantum engineer." They both laughed.

"What's keeping you from your crops, then?" asked Annabeth.

Percy smiled, "Demeter helped me harvest the wheat and gave me the rest of the day off, oh daughter of Brainiac-ness. I could take you on one last date, but I have no idea where anything is here."

This, of course, got the daughter of Athena thinking, "I know a few places . . . It is Christmas, after all."

An hour later, they were inside a theatre, watching some black and white movie. Practically every seat was occupied, but Annabeth was apparently a regular here so the owner let the living demigod in as well. Currently, a angel who wanted to earning his wings was talking to George Bailey, "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

At this point Percy leaned over and whispered, "How old is this movie, again?"

"Oh, hush. It's a classic, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth made to nudge the living demigod with her shoulder, only for that same shoulder to pass through Percy's skin. That was certainly a mood killer.

Together, they sat and watched the rest of It's a Wonderful Life, then both Miracle On Thirty-Fourth Streets and Charlie Brown Christmas. All the classics, and Scrooge certainly wasn't out before the kinda-couple left the theater.

Once outside, Annabeth did her best to take Percy's hands and looked him in the eyes, "Don't feel obliged to not grow close to another girl. I'll be happy for you if you can fall in love again, but it's clear we both have to accept that you're alive and I'm dead. Please, for both of us."

Tears filled both of their eyes, but Percy nodded jerkily and forced some words out, "My heart will always be yours, Annabeth. Anyone else will just have to make do with what's left. And . . . you find happiness where you can too, Owl Head."

Annabeth replied with a sharp nod of her own, insubstantial tears flowing freely down ghostly cheeks. Both of them were crying, albiet silently. Even after taking a deep breath, Annabeth's voice still cracked when she spoke, "I-If you ever want to talk, as a friend, I'll be -I'll be here."

The son of Poseidon wanted to badly to take Annabeth in his arms -made powerful from his farming- and draw comfort from her. But there was no comfort to be had in death's cold embrace, so all he do was back away, "I'll see you again. I promise."


A/N: I know I said he would be at the Hunter's camp at the end of the chapter, so sorry. Please don't hunt me down and kill me, I just couldn't think of a better ending than that, and I want to put in a bit of emotion before Percy becomes depressed and suicidal again (yep, remember Hades?). If you like my Demeter, please tell me so that I can see how much I should integrate her in the plot. Or would that go against the grain (ha ha) of a Pertemis story (as a surrogate mother)?

I honestly had no idea I could come up with eight separate grain puns in a conversation. If any of you didn't get any of them:

Wheat-less = Wit-less

Barley = Barely

Rice-ing = Rising

Maize = Maze

Rye = Wry

Teff = Tough

Spelt = Spelled

Peas = Please