Everything recognizable belongs to Rick Riordan. Some ideas also based on Alice Sebold's ideas.

Chapter 4

Annabeth was too stunned to get help and only continued to cry. The nurse quickly gave Percy ambrosia nectar, just in case his heart had only just stopped but when nothing helped, it was determined that his soul had already left his body. Thalia, shocked and disbelieving, left the room in a daze to inform Chiron of the lifeless state of Percy Jackson. The door slammed as Thalia exited, leaving the room completely silent. Annabeth sat up and made an effort to wipe the tears from her face, to no avail. It was at this moment that she noticed that the sheets over Percy's hand were not lying as flat as they should be.

Annabeth peeled back the covers that were obscuring his hand from view. She looked at the silver ring confusedly, surprised that she had not noticed it when he was first injured. The black stone glinted in the sunlight that was now streaming into the room. She noted the symbols that ran around the circumference, but only recognized a single one. A helm.

"Hades!" she whispered to herself.

Annabeth gazed at the object in awe. She knew that such an object could hold an unbelievable amount of power. How did Percy find such a thing?

Annabeth heard the door creak open and looked over at Thalia, who was staring at the ring in shock.

"Chiron is coming as fast as he possibly can but won't be here for fifteen minutes," she said solemnly.

"What's this?" Annabeth questioned, completely disregarding her comment.

Thalia looked into Annabeth's sad, grey eyes, wondering where to start.

"Annabeth… I'm sorry. I found the ring next to Percy after the Fury was taken care of."

"And you didn't tell me about it? Don't you think that it's maybe, you know, important that you tell me about such athing?" Annabeth retorted.

"I'm sorry! I thought it best that Percy should be told about it first."

"Oh, okay! So you decided to go ahead and put it on him? Did you realize what something like that could do? Did you care to look at the engravings?"

Thalia looked up at Annabeth with remorse. She was guilty for putting the ring on Percy in the first place, but at that time, she was unaware that anything like this would happen.

"I did but…

"You ignored them? This ring could be the reason he's dead…"

Thalia knew Annabeth was right. The ring could have been the reason for his death, but she had no solid proof. It could have been due to his injuries. Annabeth had no right to come to such sudden conclusions and blame her for Percy's death. Thalia didn't blame her though. Annabeth had grown quite close to Percy in the few weeks they had been friends.

Thalia tried to calm her friend down but she was having none of it. Annabeth was convinced of the fact that Percy would have survived if it hadn't been for the ring. Finally, Annabeth, tired of arguing, sat down next to the bed and pressed her fingers to Percy's wrist, in denial that there was no pulse when they had checked ten minutes ago. Against what she had hoped, there was still nothing. Only utter stillness.

Annabeth pulled her hand away from him and looked at Thalia, looking remorseful for what she had just said. There was nothing more she could do. It was over. They were both too busy staring into space and silently comforting each other to notice the faint white glow of the ring through the sunlight.

Percy's soul was being ripped from the Underworld and brought instead to the empty void that stood between the real world and the Underworld. As he was pulled across the divide, the sky was ridded of any source of light. He stopped and stared into the black oblivion, confused as to why he was brought here. As he watched, he saw thousands of little globes of light begin to glow weakly. He looked closer and he saw the globes increase in size and take human form. Souls.

He drifted amongst them; taking note that each of them seemed to be fighting against a force that was drawing them down, trying to pull them from the emptiness. Each had a near invisible strand of light that was connected to their chest; where their heart would have been if they were alive. The light was projected from them and seemed to be acting as a life line, for each beam of wavering light was ended with a knot, securing the soul to the darkness. Some of them had fierce expressions and were holding on to the line of light, their eyes closed with determination, the knot at the end of their line secured tightly.

However, most of the souls' legs and arms were being pulled back against the thread of light, their heads thrown back in exhaustion. Their eyes were closed tightly, as if they were trying to concentrate and the chest were thrust forward, still attached to the light. The only fixation that kept them attached to the light was desire. The burning desire to be alive. The sensation filled the hearts of the determined and glowed with intensity. The light coming from the hearts of the exhausted slowly would diminish until the light was gone, and the line snapped, flinging them done towards their inevitable fate.

Percy watched in silent horror as soul after soul was propelled down to the crumbling city below. The now familiar energy filled him and he was yanked out of the void, leaving the helpless souls behind. Percy landed with a jolt, exerting absolutely no force on his surroundings. He gasped, and air rushed inside him, sending a shutter though his body.

Annabeth whipped around in her chair when she heard a small gasp. She looked at Percy, but he hadn't moved an inch.

"Oh geez… now I'm hearing things…" Annabeth thought.

Thalia tapped her shoulder and said, "I'm going to leave now, okay? I don't think I can stand being here any longer."

"Yeah. All right. I'll wait for Chiron," Annabeth responded quietly.

Thalia gave her one last comforting look before exiting the room.

Annabeth ran to the window and looked out at her friend walking down the steps and over to her cabin.

"Thalia!" said Annabeth, getting her attention. "Will you eat dinner in the cabin with me? I'm not in the mood to go to the pavilion." She continued, her voice cracking when she thought of Percy.

"Of course I will, I'll meet you there," Thalia replied, a small reassuring smile on her lips.

Thalia turned her back to Annabeth but she continued to stare blankly out the window. A small creak behind her had her spinning around to scan the rest of the room. Her eyes rested on a sight that had her rooted to the spot in utter bewilderment. Percy was sitting up in bed, looking just as confused as she was.

"Impossible…"Annabeth muttered

"What am I do-"Percy was interrupted as Annabeth ran jumped onto the bed and threw her arms around his neck. She pushed her face against him and began to cry with joy. Percy, too perplexed to speak, put his arms around her and comforted her for her unidentified sorrow.

"Annabeth? What's wrong? What happened?" he asked her, not entirely expecting an answer.

"Oh my Gods! Don't ever do that to me again! You have no idea how worried I was! You have been out cold for days. You were dead for ten minutes… How did you come back?" she asked before looking into his eyes and pressing her lips against his cheek. She laid her head back on his shoulder as he answered.

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused by both the fact that she informed him that he had just died and the fact that Annabeth Chase had just kissed him (not that he wasn't happy about it or anything!).

She loosened her hold and looked into his eyes. "What do you mean, what do I mean? You were dead! You didn't have a pulse! I was sobbing half to death! You died! …You died…" Her voice wavered as she thought back to the worst moment of her life and a few tears escaped her grasp on emotion.

She took one arm from around his neck to wipe her tears away. She had finally stopped sobbing, but was allowing tears to silently make their way down he face. She sighed, clearly letting Percy know that it was his turn to speak. Annabeth wrapped her arms around his torso and set her ear against his chest. She realized that she had been hyperventilating when her breathing suddenly slowed as she calmed down, reassured by the sound of his heart.

"I'm fine. I just had a dream, how could I have been dead? If I was dead, how am I alive right now?" Percy reassured her.

She giggled half-heartedly and joked, "Fine you were alive; you just didn't have a pulse! No big deal, right? I'm just glad you're back!"

They sat silently for a few minutes, not knowing what to say. Annabeth finally broke the silence.

"Well, we can sort out what the heck happened when Chiron gets back. For now, I better let Thalia know you're not dead. I'm sure she'll be pleased!"

"Can I come?"Percy asked.

"I hope you're kidding!"Annabeth responded, lifting her head from his chest and checking his face for sincerity.

"No. I'm not."

"Do you realize what will happen? She will flip! She'll think it was all a prank!"Annabeth said sternly.

"I know! It'll be great! She'll be so mad!"Percy exclaimed without a bit of sarcasm.

"So you are saying that you are planning to scare the girl who you owe your life to, half to death? You are begging to be knocked out again!"

"But that's why you love me! What else am I suppose to do? I wouldn't be Percy Jackson if I wasn't so excitingly spontaneous!" said Percy, grinning like a complete freak.

"I'm sure the word you are looking for is idiotic." Annabeth laughed.

"Never mind that, let's go!" Percy said enthusiastically.

Annabeth glared at Percy for a few moments, then surrendered with a sigh and said,

"Fine. But when she flips it won't be my fault. The blame will be on you! ...and you will admit to it? …and tell her I was against it but you made me go?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Now come on!" said Percy, a hint of inpatients in his voice.

"You swear?"

"Yes! Geez Annabeth! You know, for a wise girl, you ask a ton of questions!"

Annabeth overlooked this comment and reluctantly allowed Percy to take her hand and he led her out of the infirmary, and over to the Zeus cabin.

"Percy! No, I changed my mind!" said Annabeth when they were only twenty feet from the cabin.

Annabeth was dragging her feet and doing her best to stop herself from having to go give Thalia a heart attack.

"Annabeth. Come on, she'll be fine… now stop struggling or I'll be forced to carry you."

"Ughhh, you upset me sometimes, you know that?"

"Of course I do. Now that I think about it, you did seem quite upset when you kissed me."

"Okay. Listen to me for two seconds. You died! Do you not understand me? Dead! Gone. Forever… Or so I thought, until you accomplished the impossible feat of coming back to life after your soul was taken from your body! What else would you expect me to do? Shake your hand? 'Oh, hey Perce… welcome back.' Yeah right! I missed you more than I've ever missed anything. Even if it was only ten minutes, it was the most torturous ten minutes of my entire life"

"Whatever you say," Percy laughed as Annabeth rolled her eyes and frowned. His laughter quickly subsided and he added, "Look, I'm really sorry you had to go through that. I really am. I shouldn't have joked about it like that."

"Nice save…" Annabeth responded after giving him her famous suspenseful ten-second silent treatment. "How about compromising? I'll go into her cabin, alone, and tell her that I want to surprise her because I feel bad for blaming her for your death. Then-"

"Wait a sec! You blamed her? She's your best friend!"

"I'll explain later, now go back to my cabin and wait there for me I'll be there in a minute."

"What! Where do I come into the plan?"

"Dinner. You will go up to her right before dinner, happy?

"Yes, I am."

"I'm so glad." Annabeth commented, her voice filled with sarcasm.

"See ya in a bit! Thanks for everything, Wise Girl."

Before Annabeth could stop him, Percy took her hand and leaned in to touch his lips gently to hers, leaving without another word. Annabeth stared back at him and brushed the tips of her fingers across her lips, where his had just been the moment before. Slightly dazed, Annabeth walked up the steps to Thalia's cabin and knocked on the door.

Being the only one of Zeus' kids, Thalia opened the door and led Annabeth into the cabin that she had all to herself. It had a single bed at the side of the room and the rest was filled with Thalia's possessions.

"Thalia?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really sorry about today. For blaming you and all. I didn't mean it. I'm just not in my right mind right now," Annabeth explained, forcing a fake tear to fall to her cheek which was difficult given that a minute prior, she had been kissed by the very boy she thought had died.

Annabeth paused and closed her eyes for a moment, pretending to be getting a hold on her emotions, and then continued.

"I thought I would make it up to you. I have a surprise for you that I'll show you right before dinner, okay? I need to give you time to brace yourself…"

"Okay…? Should I be scared? I can't tell if you're being serious or not," Thalia stated.

"Of course I'm serious! Do you think I'd joke at a time like this?" Annabeth countered, doing her best to look hurt.

"Okay then, I'll meet you here before dinner."

"Okay, I'll see you then. I know I just said so, but I really am sorry…" Annabeth repeated.

"I'm sorry too; I shouldn't have kept anything from you."

"That's all right. I'll see you later!"

Annabeth gave Thalia a quick supportive hug before turning to leave. She prolonged the walk over to the Athena cabin as much as possible. She didn't know what to do, for she was oblivious as to how she felt about Percy. Of course she loved him as a friend but wasn't sure if it would ruin their friendship if they broke up as boyfriend and girlfriend. As she neared the porch to the cabin, she decided that she would follow her heart and do whatever it told her. This was Annabeth's way of denying the fact that she, a daughter of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, was about to 'wing it'.

Annabeth walked up to where Percy was sitting at the top step and sat down to his left without as much as a single word. Unfortunately, Annabeth's silent treatment backfired for Percy knew that game too. She glanced over at him and noticed a small smile fighting its way to his face.

Annabeth gave up with a sigh, there was no beating him. "So…"

"So… how'd it go?" Percy asked.

"Thalia will meet us in front of her cabin right before dinner. In about ten minutes"

"Great." Percy replied with a mischievous grin.

Annabeth scowled at him but said nothing.

"So about that rematch…"

Annabeth stared at Percy with shock and disbelief when she realized he was completely serious.

"No way! You were just mauled by a beast from the underworld! You are heavily wounded and were knocked out for 3 days! Not to mention you died!" Annabeth practically yelled in frustration.

"You are just scared to be beaten by a cripple." Percy replied with a smug grin.

"No! It's just that…well…I-I…I'm worried about your safety."

"Geez Annabeth, you sound like my mom."

Neither spoke for a minute, only stared at each other in silence.

"Come on Perce! I don't want anything bad to happen to you! Please… I know you're stubborn and all and I know I have a very slim chance of convincing you, but can't you just rest for a couple more days? For me? If there is another attack, I want you to be fully healed and rested!"

Percy heard the sincerity in her voice and looked over at her. Her eyes somehow held a persuasive gleam, and Percy suddenly found that he couldn't say no to her. She had been through so much and couldn't stand any more worry.

"Fine… I'll rest. Just don't worry so much, I can't stand it."

"Thank you," Annabeth whispered, laying her head on his shoulder.

Percy put his arm around her shoulders and a small smile crept to his face.

Annabeth lifted her head and looked into his eyes.

"Percy…?"Annabeth whispered as her eyes darted to his lips, then back to his eyes.

Percy got the hint and closed the distance between them. Annabeth closed her eyes as he kissed her and moved her hand up to his shoulder, kissing him back. When they parted, Annabeth smiled keeping her gaze locked on Percy's eyes

"I can't believe I just fell for my best friend…"

"I can," Percy countered with a smile, "seeing how fast I became your 'best friend'."

Percy tightened his arm around her shoulders and Annabeth shifted to be closer to him, laying her head back on his shoulder. As they sat there, Annabeth suddenly realized that the nervous knot she had had in her stomach was gone. Relieved that she would finally be able to get a decent night's sleep, she closed her weary eyes and yawned, recognizing how tired she really was.

"Well," Percy said after he kissed the top of her head, "We'd better go over to give Thalia her 'surprise'!"

Annabeth moaned as they both got up from the step.

"Ok let's just get this over with... and don't think that I approve of this anymore than I did fifteen minutes ago! Because I honestly don't," Annabeth added quickly.

Percy flashed a smile in her direction and took her hand. Together they walked over to the place where Thalia was waiting and Annabeth prayed that she wouldn't overreact at what would most likely be the biggest surprise of her life.

Thank you so much for reading! Please let us know what you thought and give us suggestions on how to improve in the form of a review!

P.S… Remember that reviews equal updates! :)