I waited until Annabeth had woken up to tell her what had happened. I was debating it over in my mind, when I could catch the slightest glimpse of a fiery horse, dragging Apollo across the sky. I stood up. I hadn't slept a wink, and I sure wasn't happy about that. But my mind was running with possibilities and accusations I had against my father. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

"Good morning!" someone hugged my neck.

I almost choked from surprise.

"God, Percy. Didn't know it could kill you," Annabeth took her arms off me.

I turned, rubbing my neck, Aphrodite's bottle in my pocket.

"Well, you were asleep a moment ago," I said icily, glaring at her.

Annabeth cocked her head and glared back.

"Well, sorry," she grumbled, putting away her stuff.

I kicked the ocean water quietly. Yesterday's kiss seemed like a dream. I would've believed it was too, if only the bottle wasn't in my pocket.

"Annabeth," I breathed in

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry about your dad. I couldn't talk to you much yesterday about it because I was so overwhelmed," I said sheepishly.

She froze and looked at me.

"Oh my gods. How the…"a hand flew to her mouth.

"What?" I asked.

"How did you know about my dream?" she asked me.

"What are you talking about?"

"I had a dream that we were here, and I was telling you about how my dad was about to die and then…we…"she gulped.

"Kissed, right?" I finished from her.

Annabeth turned scarlet and nodded.

"That wasn't a dream," I shook my head. "That was real,"

"Oh. My. Gods. I kissed the seaweed head?" she looked at me disgusted.

"Well, it's not like I kissed the hottest girl or a daughter of Aphrodite! I kissed a walking encyclopedia! How do you think I feel?" I hissed.

"I AM NOT A WALKING ENCYCLOPEDIA!" Annabeth yelled.

"YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE!" I yelled back.

"Shut up!" Annabeth pushed me back.

I fell into the water. At first, it felt like falling in cotton, then the icy temperature hit me. I shivered inwardly.

"Percy…"Annabeth bit her lip and knelt by me, getting her pants wet.

I didn't say anything. Just stared sullenly at the shoreline.

"Percy, I'm sorry, ok? But that was REALLY private," she said. "And I have no idea how it could be reality! I swore I never woke up!"

"It wasn't you who did that from your will Annabeth," I said quietly, understanding.

Digging into my pocket, (without a single drop of water falling in. How cool is that?) I took out the vial and held it to her face.

"What it is it?" she asked.

"You mean what was it," I said.

She got out of the water and I stood up.

"Aphrodite's love potion. She wanted me to use it on you. When I refused, I don't know what she did or how she did it, but she slipped the vial to you…which gave you an illusion that you were still asleep, while the potion got to work," I explained. I finally got her plan. That evil witch.

"Oh my gods," Annabeth kept on swearing under her breath.

"I had no idea until after….you know…I kissed you," I took in a huge gulp of air.

"But Percy…you were telling me that you always loved me…is that true?" she asked.

Now it was my turn to blush.

"I'll say it again. I do, but it doesn't matter. They're just emotions that I could easily put a lid on," I shrugged. "Being just friends is cool with me,"

Annabeth nodded and smiled a little. "So you enjoyed yesterday night?"

"It had some highlights…" I smiled back.

"Where's Thalia- oh…I remember…" Annabeth threw the sack over her shoulders.

"Yeah. Now we've got to stop letting distractions get in our way," I said, determined and refreshed, even though I didn't sleep.

"Percy?" Annabeth looked at me.

"What?"

She took my hand. I looked at it, then stared at her.

"I don't like you the same way you like me…but in the near future, that may happen. So, wait for me ok?" she grinned.

"Oh, come on Annabeth, this is so corny," I groaned, though I secretly did like it.

"PROMISE," she hissed.

"Ok, ok! I'll wait for you," I said quickly, surprised that she was serious and being hostile.

She clung to my hand as we walked away from the beach, and started our quest, without Thalia or Grover.

X-X-X

There's more! I'm typing up the next chapter and you should have two chapters to read today! I love all the awesome reviewers that have supported me, and the one person who's told me that Percy acts corny and like an idiot has helped me too. I'm trying to develop his character to be normal. But thanks sooooo much! Without you, this chapter would not be possible.