Annabeth didn't know if she could take anything else going wrong. All she was trying to do was drive to Percy's apartment for Thanksgiving Break, but as soon as she was about 20 minutes away the hood started smoking and the engine completely stopped. She was able to steer it to the side of the road but that was the only bright side, as she was now standing in the rain beside her run down car.
The reason Annabeth was standing outside in the rain instead of sitting in her car waiting for help was because she allowed herself to get flustered enough to lock herself out of the car when she went to check under the hood.
When she assessed that the damage was beyond her expertise, she tried to get back into the car only to realize the door was locked with her keys inside. She cursed under her breath, but was relieved when she remembered her phone was in her pocket.
Part of her hesitated calling Percy, she could only image his smug face when he found out "wise girl" had managed to break down her car, lock herself out of it, and become stranded on the side of the road at night while it was raining.
Annabeth knew the day her car broke down was only a matter of time. It was old, had over 150,000 miles, and also had two previous owners but Annabeth became a bargain hunter when she started to pay for graduate school. Percy hated her driving the car, and even offered to buy her a new one but Annabeth's pride wouldn't accept the offer. Percy could definitely afford it with his new job paying extremely well. Now she could just picture her fiancé saying "I told you so."
As Annabeth started to shiver from the November rain she realized calling Percy was the only option she had right now.
When she called Percy, he was not happy about the fact that she was on the side of the road at night and definitely was not happy she was locked out of her car. Annabeth reassured him that she could take care of herself, just not her car, but needless to say he was leaving to come get her right then.
Annabeth was tired from a long day of classes and then the drive out of the city to the coast only added to her fatigue. She was positive she would be sick tomorrow since she was now soaked and could no longer feel her feet, nose or ears from the cold.
She saw Percy's car speeding down the road and knew he was not going the speed limit; he pulled a sharp U-turn and pulled up behind her car.
Percy hoped out with an umbrella, which he immediately put over Annabeth. "You look a little wet, wise girl," he said as he gave her a hug.
Annabeth buried her face into his jacket, "and extremely cold." She felt so miserable; she didn't even have a good comeback.
"Come on," Percy led her back to his car and opened the door for her. He got some towels from the back seat and gave them to her as he turned on the heater and tossed the umbrella in the back. "Stay here, I'll go get your stuff and check the engine.
Although she was the architect, Percy was the one with the car skills. Paul, his step father had taught him about cars.
After taking a look around Percy put the hood back down, and then pulled out a clothes hanger and unlocked the door. Annabeth wasn't really sure she wanted to know how he learned to do that, but he gathered her things and headed back to his car. Percy climbed back into the driver's seat still completely dry because of his ability to resist water, and started to drive off.
"Well your engine is completely shot; you really did drive the thing till it died. There was a reason I didn't want you driving that car Annabeth." Percy was using his stern voice now. "This could have ended a lot worse than it did, there is such a thing as taking unnecessary risks."
Annabeth was curled into a ball trying to produce more warmth as she still couldn't feel her toes. And she didn't appreciate being scolded even if she did deserve it. "Ok Percy, I get it! I messed up, happy?" And then she sneezed.
Percy gave her a look of pity and then took off his coat to place it on her. "No, I just hope you listen to me next time, you know you're not the only one who can be right…. We'll come back tomorrow and get the car towed but in case you haven't guessed we'll be car shopping this Thanksgiving break, no matter how stubborn you are about it."
"Fine, but we could just get my car a new engine."
Percy laughed, "Oh we're not even considering that as a possibility."
Annabeth smiled, "It was just a suggestion."
"Yes, a bad suggestion," Percy grabbed her hand, which felt like ice. He squeezed it. "Once we get home and you change clothes, you'll feel better"
Annabeth just smiled, inhaled the scent of Percy's jacket and closed her eyes. She was fast asleep in two minutes.
"Annabeth, honey we're here. Sorry to wake you but you really should take a hot shower and change clothes."
She took in her surroundings, and Percy was holding her door open in the parking garage connected to his building. Annabeth managed to mumble out an "Mm k." She was exhausted and just wanted to be in a bed curled up in Percy's arms.
Percy offered her his hand, "I already, brought your stuff up."
After Percy helped her out, he gather up the towels she had used and as she shuffled to the elevator she heard the beep of his car being locked.
When they stepped into the elevator Percy put his arm around Annabeth and she leaned into him still half asleep, but slowly becoming warmer in his oversized jacket.
As soon as Percy unlocked the door, Annabeth made her way to the shower and turned it to the highest degree of hot water. When she got out she was way too tired to unpack her suitcase looking for pajamas, so she just grabbed a pair of Percy's sweat pants and one of his shirts to put on. She crawled in bed waiting for Percy to join her.
He walked in a few minutes later and began to change into just his boxers, Annabeth couldn't help but stare. "You feeling better?"
She smiled, "much better, but I would feel even better if you would hurry up and join me." And with that she sneezed.
"I don't know if it's a good idea to sleep in the same bed as someone who's getting sick."
"Oh, I think it's a great idea."
"Well if you insist, who am I to reject the needs of my fiancé?" With that Percy climbed in bed and wrapped Annabeth in his arms.
"It's nice to be back home," Annabeth said with a yawn.
Percy kissed the top of her head. "It's good to have you back, you shouldn't go back to school just stay here with me."
"You're such a good influence, my mother would be proud" and with that Annabeth fell asleep in safe arms.
