Notes: Hello all! I hope you are enjoying the story still! Thankyou to my reviewers, and those of you with a tendancy to lurking. This is the last chapter I'm posting before I return to uni tomorrow, so I cannot promise an equally speedy update as the others. Weekly updates will be the aim though!

Chapter 4: Few Still Stand Tall

10 years after the Battle of Manhattan

Percy avoided conversations with her after that.

He'd sent her a couple letters, leaving them with his mother to pass on, but not a face to face conversation. His mother, he knew, wanted them to actually converse, but Percy refused to talk about Annabeth when she was brought up in conversation.

He recognised that the gap between them was simply widening, and while he was still brash, reckless and unpredictable at times, he knew constant contact would drive both of them mad.

It was the past. And it was only a memory now.

But he could stop himself from watching her sometimes. He felt vaguely guilty, like he was stalking her. He mentally shrugged it off. As long as Athena didn't catch him, did it matter?

He saw her graduate with her Masters in Architectural Design. Annabeth thought she spotted a familiar set of green eyes, but when she tried to focus on that spot, there was no-one there.

Sally Blofis later told Percy of Annabeth's engagement. He didn't tell her he already knew.

Annabeth's wedding day was hard to watch. Not only emotionally, but because Athena was there, and Percy wasn't really up to an interrogation by the formidable Goddess.

However, Athena's presence did have it's benefits. With the numerous demigods present at the gathering, it would often scream 'banquet' to any local monsters, but Annabeth's mother had assured her daughter that no monsters would be able to interrupt the ceremony.

Percy tried couldn't entirely get rid of the sprig of jealousy towards the groom, clearly the same man who he'd seen steady Annabeth at her twenty-first. However, Daniel made it hard for Percy to hate him by the awestruck look on the man's face as Annabeth approached him, her bright smile make her grey eyes sparkle.

There was no doubt that this guy adored Annabeth, and for that, Percy was glad. She deserved someone that treated her like a queen.

Unfortunately, it didn't stop it hurting.

Also, Percy's hopes of going unnoticed by Athena were in vain. She'd caught him soon after the ceremony.

"I was wondering if you were going to show up, Perseus," she stated from her position a few feet away, concealed behind an artful array of flowers.

Percy didn't need a mirror to know he look like the proverbial deer in the headlights.

He'd never known where he stood with this particular goddess. She and Poseidon rarely agreed on anything, and were quite open of their dislike of each other. As a demigod, Athena had voted for his destruction, and warned him against his friendship with Annabeth. Since being granted godhood, however, he had had little to do with the goddess herself.

She moved closer, scrutinising closely. "Why are you here, son of Poseidon?" Her grey eyes were watching his face closely.

"Because I was her friend once, Lady Athena," he answered quietly.

She seemed to accept that answer, but she continued to evaluate him with her cool gaze.

"You had her confused for a long time, you know," she informed him. Percy gave into the urge to look away from her. "And I believe she had a similar effect on you," she continued, "I told you both that your friendship was not wise, for either of you. Maybe I should have informed you of this earlier."

Percy knew there was a tide of red creeping up his cheeks.

"I wouldn't have stopped being her friend, Lady Athena," he answered, daring to look back at her.

Athena looked at him for a moment before replying, "I know. Personal loyalty is still your fatal flaw, Perseus."

Getting to Annabeth proved difficult. On the other hand, Grover had given him an incredibly enthusiastic greeting, and he'd enjoyed a few moments with his mother—who'd given him a knowing look—and his little sister, Katie. Paul hadn't been able to make it due to his sister being sick, so it had just been Sally and Katie representing the Blofis family. Various demigods Percy remembered called greetings, though Clarisse looked she wanted to accompany the greeting with a punch. He even had a quick chat to Professor Chase.

Finally, he managed to get to the bride and groom.

"Percy!" Annabeth cried out in surprise. "I... I didn't think you'd be here..." Her new husband looked from Percy to Annabeth and back to Percy, realisation dawning on his face.

"Well," Percy started, "What sort of friend would I be if I didn't wish you the best on your wedding day, Wise Girl?"

Annabeth grinned.

From her side, Daniel piped up. "So, this is the famous Percy Jackson I've heard stories about?" he held out his hand to Percy. Percy shook his hand, a wry grin on his face.

"Hopefully not too many bad things, then. And if you've heard ones from my mother, she's a tad biased," Percy replied.

"I however, am not, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth interjected.

Percy let a true smile cross his face at that. "Been a while since I've heard that," he told her.

Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"Anyways, I brought you something. It's had Tyson's input as well, he sends his best, by the way," Percy started, pulling out a package. "Congratulations," he said, handing them the wrapped package.

Annabeth eagerly tore open the wrapping. Inside was a beautifully crafted vase. The celestial bronze panels shined, and various scenes were engraved on each of the six panels. Annabeth could see that the engraving included her time at camp, some with Percy, some without. The final scene, she saw, was her and Daniel, standing next to each other grinning.

She looked up at Percy, her eyes watery. "Thanks, Percy, she said quietly. She gave a watery smile, "and thank Tyson for the engraving."

Percy smiled. "Don't worry about what others see on it, either. Only you two and other demigods should be able to see anything other than engravings from Greek history."

Daniel and Annabeth both laughed.

Percy went to head off, but Annabeth's hand on his arm made him turn around again.

"Wait! What else has Tyson build into that vase?" Annabeth asked.

"Where's the fun in telling you?" Percy retorted lightly.

Annabeth shook her head in mock frustration before hugging him. Percy hesitantly returned the hug.

"Take care of yourself, Annabeth," he whispered to her. "And good luck," he smiled at her as she released him from the embrace.

Then he returned to the solitude of his living space in his the underwater palace, wishing he hadn't been so rash ten years ago.