A/N: Hi everybody! I know it's been a long time – I offer sincere apologies for that. Listen, I want to put up a challenge to everyone. Lately, I've noticed a huge drop in reviews. Not just for my stories, but for all stories in the PJO fandom. And I know, the fifth book was released and everything, but that doesn't mean the fandom has to die : (.

So, I am saying this: if you review this, just make a little note to me in the bottom of your review that you want me to, and I will go read one of your stories. I would be a total hypocrite if I didn't offer that, so yeah. Review me, and if you'd like, I will review you back.

Also, I'm going to quickly self-promote, and say that I started a blog! : ) It's basically just an obsession outlet, so yeah : ). Happy reading!

There is nothing quite like waking up, and realizing you are about to partake on an adventure.

That's what Percy realized as he sat up in bed, remembering that this was the day. He had been on adventures before, of course, but never ones that he expressively looked forward too. Quests were notorious for their disagreeable nature and the death they dragged in tow; this, he hoped, would be nothing like that.

Giving his hair a few good rumples with his fist, he shot out of bed. The Poseidon cabin was empty this week – Tyson was somewhere else – but he found he didn't mind. He grabbed his suitcase with a smile, waving cheerfully goodbye to his bunk bed as he raced out the door.

Adrenaline surged through him, but it was all of the positive kind. There were no monsters to be slayed, only kisses to be shared. He was in an unquestionably good mood.

"Hey Malcolm," he said, jogging over to Annabeth's brother. "Have you seen my girlfriend?"

He nodded. "She just went to take a shower. She said she'd be back for breakfast in a few minutes."

"Okay," Percy said. "Thanks!" Their plan was to have a fabulous feast with their friends, and then to have the big sendoff right afterwards. It was a little pie-in-the-sky perhaps, but for some reason, Percy had gotten the idea in his head that this had to be perfect.

Without a second thought, he dashed to the shower house. That way he could meet Annabeth, and they could go together.

He gave a small, affectionate smile as he sat down on one of the waiting benches. Annabeth's shower was easy to spot because he recognized her towel: the blue and green striped one, three showers from the end.

He bent down, spotting her little feet under the door. She was wearing her favorite pair of dark blue flip-flops.

It was funny, maybe, but recently he'd begun to notice everything about her. Every time she moved a strand of hair from her face, every time she exhaled with frustration. He was certainly not an observant guy, so it was a stretch, but he liked all of the little details he was picking up on.

About five minutes later, the shower door opened. Percy straightened his back and beamed, ready to hug Annabeth hello.

"Aaah!" she screamed, the sound piercing enough to shatter glass. Her arms flailed for the towel, and Percy fell backwards off the bench in surprise. "Percy!" she wailed, as he caressed the spot where his head had hit the ground, "What in Hades are you doing here?"

Percy spluttered uselessly for a few seconds, his cheeks matching Annabeth's as the blood rushed to them. "I – I – I thought I'd surprise you!" he burst, standing up at last. He made an involuntarily grunt of pain, rubbing the bump that was beginning to form on his scalp.

"You were going to surprise me in the shower?" She was clutching the towel like the life preserver that it was, hunching over as if to become invisible.

"Well, I thought –"

"But Percy, you've never even seen me – I've never even shown you - …I was in the shower Percy!" And with that, she stormed off, running the length to the Athena cabin with unprecedented speed.

Percy immediately bolted after her, feeling rather dumb. In complete honesty, he hadn't meant to be perverted. He hadn't wanted to see anything, or at least not consciously. His intentions had been very honorable – he wanted to escort his girlfriend to their final breakfast at camp.

"Annabeth," he called, tapping lightly on the door. "I'm really sorry. Annabeth? Annabeth, are you okay?"

"I. Am. CHANGING!" she shouted back, every syllable crystallized with emphasis. "I will be outside in a second, and we can talk about this."

"Okay," he yelled back, sinking against the wooden wall. He rubbed his face in sudden fatigue, his morning buzz obliterated. So much for the perfect day.

Finally, Annabeth emerged from the cabin. Her cheeks were still a faint red color, but she looked as if she had calmed down some. She had pulled her wet hair to the side of her face in a ponytail, and Percy decided he liked the way it looked on her.

"Percy," she said, her grey eyes narrowed. "Get up."

He obeyed, deciding this was no time to argue with her.

"Do you promise me, that you never meant –"

"I'm sorry," he blurted, interrupting her. "I swear Annabeth, I only wanted to walk you to breakfast on our last day here, I didn't think about…" He trailed off, the endless implications fully palpable.

Annabeth sighed, exasperated, shaking her head. "You know, if it was anyone but you, I'd be really mad."

"But I'm your boyfriend!" Percy cheered.

"No," Annabeth contradicted, steadily, "It's not because you're my boyfriend, but, I mean, I don't know…" she sounded desperate. "You're so you, I would never imagine you… doing anything like um, that, on purpose." She was blushing again, and the two avoided each other's eyes.

"Yeah," Percy finally said, flatly. "Well, do you want to go to breakfast now?"

"Sure," she said, nodding. "I have my suitcase." They had both agreed to bring only one wheelie suitcase each, and then a smaller backpack and a duffel bag. Annabeth had calculated it as being enough, and if it wasn't, they could always buy more things.

"Awesome. Let's roll." He raised his eyebrows up and down at the bad pun, and all discomfort between them was lost. It had just been an event of Percy being stupid, after all. That was one thing Annabeth had learned to forgive him for.

Breakfast turned out to be everything they hoped. The food tasted especially delicious and Chiron gave a little speech, asking them not to go. Grover and Juniper announced their engagement officially, and the sacrifice to the gods felt more genuine than ever. For the first time in a while, everyone was happy enough to feel grateful towards their parents.

At last, it was time to set assail. Chiron limited the sendoff party to their closest friends, and most people waved goodbye from their dining hall tables. In the end, it was only Nico, Grover and Juniper, the Stoll brothers, Malcolm and Chiron who came to see them off.

Nico surprised them all by giving both Annabeth and Percy hugs, albeit quick ones.

"Have a good time," he muttered, shrugging. He did look a little subdued, though, even for him, and Percy suspected he would miss them. He bent down, giving his cousin a pat on his dark hair.

"We'll see you soon, man."

Grover and Juniper were both teary, matching in the way they clung to their friends and begged them to sail safely.

"I'm a son of Poseidon," Percy joked, "Somehow I doubt we'll sink."

Annabeth smiled, accepting Percy's arm around her waist. "And as soon as he learns to steer, we'll be all set!" She'd meant to cheer them up, but it only set them off again, and Percy and Annabeth had to endure another ten minutes of pleading.

The Stoll brothers gave them both high fives, cracking several bad jokes about boating trips, and Malcolm embraced his sister for a long moment.

Lastly, Chiron stepped forward with an envelope. "For your travels." He handed it to Annabeth, who opened it slowly, refusing to rip any part of it. She gave a gasp, showing it to Percy with a trembling hand.

"Chiron, there's –"

"Four hundred dollars exactly," he said, his smile bittersweet. "I had a rather hard time converting in from drachmas, so I hope you spend it well."

Without a second thought, Annabeth leapt forward and laced her arms around his neck. When she was young, he had seemed to be a second (or third, if you counted Luke) father, but it had been years since they'd really talked.

"Thank you," she breathed, so only he could hear her. For one reason or another, this gesture had really moved her.

"You're welcome," he replied, with the utmost sincerity. He held out his other arm so that Percy could join their hug. Percy did at once, murmuring similar words of gratitude.

"I love you both," Chiron said, holding each of them tightly against him. "I wish you wonderful summer."

This nearly caused all three to tear up, and they moved away before they could become too sad.

Percy grasped Annabeth hand, putting the envelope gingerly into his backpack. "Well, I guess this is it. We'll see you in two months, okay guys?"

The Stoll twins grinned, holding up their fingers. "On the count of three, everyone," Connor said. He ticked it off on his fingers, and when he arrived at three, the campgrounds exploded.

"Bon voyage!" everyone shouted, in perfect unison. There was a loud pop, and then a cluster of fireworks exploded in the sky.

Percy grinned. They were in for an amazing summer.

A/N: I hope you all liked it! Like I said, if you review, tell me to review you, and I will! And check out my blog, okay? If you want to : ). Thanks for reading everyone!