Welcome back, readers! I knew I said that I wouldn't be updating until I saw at least five more reviews, but I don't want to leave those of you hanging that do really want to read this story.

I've been a little busy working on starting a new story, but I won't talk about that here, so you'll have to excuse me when I can't update as frequently as you'd like.

This chapter will be shorter because I'm being extra nice and uploading two chapters at once, so while this one will be short – the next will be up and it will be longer. Promise. This chapter isn't the greatest. But, I hope you enjoy this chapter along with the next.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lost Heroes series. If I did, there would be no need to write fan fiction. Credit to Rick Riordan.

Just as Malcolm said – A Delphi Strawberry van sat at the bottom of the hill, awaiting her.

And here it was; the final goodbye.

With her duffle bag shouldered, Annabeth could easily count out the number of those who came to tell her goodbye. Most of the Athena campers crowded along the edge of the border along with Percy and Chiron.

Despite not being on a personal level with all of her half brothers and sisters, she told them each goodbye separately.

When Annabeth finally reached Malcolm, she slung her arm over his shoulder and messily rummaged her hand through his hair, which brought out a complaint from Malcolm but a short laugh from Annabeth.

"Don't get too comfortable being the boss." She warned with a playful glare. "I'll be back before you know it."

She and Malcolm said the briefest goodbyes before she turned her attention to Chiron, who was already giving her a reassuring smile.

"You're always welcomed back. Any time, dear." He said.

Annabeth's stomach nearly dropped. So much for feeling better.

Yet, his words still had a way of making her smile. She considered Chiron as a second father but to hear those words set a new low of sadness. She forced herself not to get caught up in the moment and end up sobbing the rest of her goodbyes.

"I'm sure I'll be on the next van back," Annabeth said with the slightest of smiles.

Chiron's smile even dipped into the fine line between reassurance and sincerity.

Now, the goodbye she was reluctant to make.

What was she thinking? Leaving her Seaweed Brain in camp, all alone? Where just over eight months ago he was taken and forgot everything – apart from her? What if that happened again? Annabeth couldn't even begin to think of losing him again.

She was ready to drop her bag and crash into his arms – but the eyes that watched them suddenly became very noticeable. They bored into the couple, and Annabeth ready to not make more of a fool of herself than she already had kept her cool. Or, tried to.

Before she knew it, his arms were around her waist, pulling her as close to him as he could manage. Percy didn't seem to care for the crowd that watched, at least he didn't let on that he did.

Annabeth wound her arms over his shoulders and behind his neck, pressing her face into the crook of his shoulder. In that moment, they were alone. It didn't matter that a great portion of the Athena cabin was watching her unfold at the seams.

Now, her stomach did empty out, creating a deep, dark hole that she wanted to melt into along with Percy.

Don't make this bigger than it really is, She tried to tell herself. She was in a constant battle between staying at the camp, in that particular spot, and going home - though she knew the answer.

His voice brought her away from her thoughts. His warm breath trickled against her ear and sent a string of shivers down her body.

"I can walk you down to the van," He whispered, "You know, if you want me to."

His voice was egging her on without him knowing it. The last thing she wanted to do was decline the offer. But someone had to.

"You think I can't take care of myself, Seaweed Brain?" She had to snort a laugh to keep herself in check. But it surprised her when her voice sounded more stable than her knees.

She could picture Percy grinning sarcastically at her response.

Percy pulled back and there it was – that little grin that Annabeth adored to no end, even if she wouldn't come out and say it.

"You look so cute when you're worried," She whispered to him. "But let me be here to see it. Don't worry too much while I'm gone, got it?"

Percy's grin faltered a little at her words, but he nodded with a playful roll of his eyes. Let's just say he was starting to pick up the little things he adored most about Annabeth.

"How could I be worried about my Wise girl? I mean, you held up the sky." Percy said.

"So did you," She reminded him with a roll of her own eyes and flicking one of the last remaining grey streaks in his hair.

"I'll miss you, Wise girl." He murmured in a barely audible voice.

Annabeth pecked his cheek, glad that the group behind them had started to break out into conversations, and after a honk from the bottom of the hill made her jump out her skin, she looked at Percy for one last time.

And descended down the hill without looking back.

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