Ok, this is a chapter where the Percabeth really picks up, so for all of those people who wanted more, here you go. Sorry again for the long time it took to get this up, but school was tough this last month. Enjoy!

Chapter 8: I Feel the Pain of It

Nico refused to explain to me how he managed to stow away on my ship, but we exchanged our happenings over our time apart. Apparently, he had gone back to the Underworld, but his time to train. I could tell without him informing me. His muscles were sinewy, and he had gotten much taller still. He handled his sword with ease, and he proudly proclaimed he could summon a small army of skeletons and barely break a sweat. I was impressed, and a bit scared. This kid was getting powerful. I hoped he wouldn't turn into his dad, or I'd have some trouble on my hands. He had overheard me talking to Chiron about our bearings, and he offered to summon a few dozen skeletal warriors to help row. I disagreed, along with the rest of the crew, but gave the excuse that he should conserve his strength.

After two weeks of slowly moving toward our destination, land was spotted. I could feel the power radiating from it. I could see the ancient Greek buildings, their white marble architecture. And I felt that same pure, powerful energy in my veins that I had discovered by the Clashing Rocks. And I felt happier. We could win this thing, I knew it. Kronos would fall today, and we would sweep upon him.

We made land at the end of the day. Chiron, Nico, Annabeth, and I ordered the warriors to set up camp by the top of the hill, where the Great Temple was. We would also have a watch by the shore, to look out for approaching ships. We set up defenses immediately, planting wooden stakes and digging trenches. By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I decided that I would visit the Great Temple, built by the Atlantians to honor my father. I was drawn there, actually, and by the time the moon was high in the sky, I was inside, gazing upon the enormity and grandness of the temple. The pillars were perfectly sculpted, the architecture perfect. Annabeth would love this place.

Thinking about Annabeth made me sad. I hadn't talked to her since the Clashing Rocks. Or rather, she'd been avoiding me. I needed desperately to tell her how I felt. It had been clawing in my stomach for a while. Then, I heard steps from inside the Temple. I walked in, not afraid. After all, what could taint this place?

Annabeth was looking at the stars through the open ceiling. I walked up behind her, and put an arm on her shoulder. Unfortunately, she wasn't that aware of what was going on, and freaked out.

After a lot of swearing and clutching a sensitive zone, I got up to stop Annabeth from apologizing anymore. Before she could turn away to leave, I grabbed her shoulder.

"What the hell is your problem?" I asked harshly. "Why do you keep avoiding me, Annabeth. Tell me the truth."

She looked at me, and my stomach began turning into a mosh pit. But I couldn't lose my nerve. I had to know.

"Percy," she said sadly. "When Hades presented his suspicions to the Gods, your dad and my mom got into an argument. They're real angry at each other now. Or at least, my mom's angry. She gave me an Iris-message. She told me to..." Annabeth started crying then. "She told me that if I wanted her approval, I couldn't talk to you anymore. She told me to...stay away from you..."

Now, you wouldn't know how hard it is to find something to say to this. Part of me was saying "Okay, well, see ya, maybe I'll talk to you again in the Underworld." But, that was the stupid part of me. The rest of me wanted to scream to her mom to shove it up her...No. I had to stay calm.

Finally, I figured out what to say.

"It's up to you, Annabeth," I told her. And I meant it. I mean, what was the point of loving someone when you knew they couldn't love you back? I'll leave you that to ponder for the rest of your life. Because, it seemed to me the answer would only come after that long...or longer.

Then, I waited the couple of minutes it took her to find her voice. Her answer wasn't what I expected though.

She practically fell into my arms, and started crying hysterically. And I was so surprised, I almost let her fall right there on the marble floor. Instead, I fell...but I couldn't have cared less.

"I can't do it," she said through her tears. "I can't." And I was happier than I've ever been. I hugged her a little tighter. But she wouldn't let me. Instead, she lifted her face an inch over mine, and looked me in the eyes. And without thinking, I pulled her face into mine and kissed her.

This was actually my first kiss ever (ya I know, I'm a pretty picky guy, I can't tell you how many girl's hearts I've broken), and for me, it was the best thing in the world. The feeling of her soft lips on mine...oh, Gods...

Then, she pulled away. The tears were back on her face. "I'm sorry," she said to me. And she got up as quickly as I thought possible, and ran out of the building. One of her tears landed right on my finger. Like the most perfect jewel. And as I moved my hand just a little, it fell off, and hit the floor, breaking into a thousand tiny droplets.

Ok, there you go, hope you liked it. I read it, and it sounds a little cheesy, but hey, im not perfect. Review, please! However, I have a comment. I love all of you for reading this, and I love you for being my fans ("love" as in not the creepy way). But pleeease dont spam reviews. I know you really want the chapters to get up, but I'm only human, and can't manage everything at the same time. Again, I love you all for wanting to read this so badly, but please, be patient, and dont spam, my email's inbox is full enough. Thank you!