Hey guys. I am so, so excited to announce the 11th and third last chapter of my story, "Bless the Broken Road". I am so sorry that it's about to come to an end, but I promise that the next two chapters will be published before tomorrow. Think of it as my Christmas present to you, my amazing, amazing readers who have reviewed, favourited and followed me and my stories. I appreciate it more than I can say.

I'm sorry I haven't written any of these comments in a while, but it's been really crazy, what with shopping for Christmas and meeting up with family and friends. I hope you don't hold it against me! :D Anyway, in Chapter 10, we left Annabeth in searing pain on the sidewalk in front of "Sweet on America", the candy shop that Percy's mum, Sally, works in. Sally has just gone crazy and has been throwing things at Percy, who was only trying to help her, and Annabeth became worried and frightened and called 911 and her dad, Dr. Chase.

We're picking up at about a week after those events took place.

Hope you enjoy it!

And remember: REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!

OliviaOwl14 :) :P :D

Chapter 11

"Annabeth? Wise Girl, come on, wake up."

Annabeth struggled through a thick grey fog, trying to walk towards Percy's voice. Percy! she tried to scream.

"Annie? Come on," she could hear Percy pleading. Beeping noises surrounded his voice as well, and for a moment, Annabeth was confused. "Annie, you have to wake up. It's been a week."

A week? Annabeth thought, astonished. She felt as though heavy lead weights were weighing down her eyelids, forcing her to stay asleep. She struggled to open them, and, little by little, she succeeded. The only downside? Opening her eyes felt like ripping gigantic Band-Aids off of them.

She moaned in pain, and felt a soft, warm something grip her hand. Annabeth soon realised that the warm, soft something was another hand, and she blinked a few times, trying to get rid of the bleariness blocking her vision.

"P- Percy?" she mumbled, dazedly. Finally, I can talk like a normal person, she thought, relieved. "What happened? Where am I?"

The room swam into focus, and the first thing Annabeth saw was a vase of flowers next to her, and Percy's smiling face staring down at her.

"Hey, Wise Girl," he said softly. "Welcome back."

"How long was I – asleep?" she asked, squinting in the bright lights.

"A week," Percy told her, biting his lip. "You got knocked out by the door. I have to admit, I've never seen a door flung open that hard."

All of a sudden, the events at the candy shop came rushing back to her, and tears began rushing down her face. "What about Sally?" she asked, crying. "What happened to her?"

"It's a long story, and I'll tell you when you're feeling better," Percy assured her. At this, Annabeth only got more frustrated.

"I'm not an invalid!" she snapped, surprised at the fury rising in her chest. "Tell me the damn story, Seaweed Brain!"

Percy laughed, and leant closer to press a kiss to her forehead. "I should've known you'd want to hear the story as soon as you woke up," he muttered, grinning. He inhaled deeply, and continued.

"Okay. So, when you went outside to call 911, I stayed inside to try and calm Mum down. She was crazy, Annie. Really crazy. I'd never seen her lose it like that before. Anyway, you were outside making calls, and she began throwing stuff: jelly bean boxes, saltwater taffy, M&Ms'... You name it, she threw it. You finished your calls, and Mum was standing with her back to the front window, right next to the door. I was opposite her, trying to get her to calm down and talk to me, but she just said, "I've got to get out of here", and flung the door open really hard. By this time, you were right outside the door, and you got hit really hard."

He took a deep breath, and Annabeth closed her eyes, trying to process the information.

"You were just lying, like, really still on the pavement, and Mum was crying and screaming things like, "Poseidon! I love you! Where did you go?" Stuff like that. You were screaming in pain, and you'd cracked your skull and given yourself concussion, and your arm was completely crooked."

Annabeth remembered the searing pain in both her skull and arm, and winced, glancing down quickly at her arm. It was bandaged up in a blue cast.

"The ambulance arrived, and they took you to hospital, while another two paramedics stayed behind to look after Mum. Then your dad arrived, really panicked, and he got even more panicked when you weren't there. I told him where you were, and he hopped back in his car and drove straight there.

"The paramedics called another ambulance, and it arrived within five minutes, taking Mum and me with them. They gave Mum a sedative to get her to sleep. As soon as we got there, they took her to a separate ward, and I ran into the reception to meet your dad. Even though they said only family were allowed to see you, he pulled some strings and I got to see you when you came out of operation."

He paused, and watched Annabeth struggle to absorb the story.

"So... what's wrong with me?" she whispered, frowning. Percy smoothed out the frown with his fingers, and said, softly, "Absolutely nothing, apart from a slightly serious concussion, a split skull and a broken arm." He frowned. "I don't know if concussion is the same as split skull, but there you go."

Annabeth smiled. "I don't know either, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth felt like she should ask about his mum, but a fragile look in Percy's eyes stopped her. She squeezed his hand instead, and Percy smiled at her, understanding.

Percy bent to kiss her knuckles, and Annabeth smiled. A ringing filled the air, spoiling the peaceful moment. Percy held up one finger, and fished his mobile out of his pocket.

"Hello?" he asked, walking out of the room. Annabeth lay back against the pillows, feeling tired.

"Annie?" She looked up; it was her dad. She smiled and patted the bed next to her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, gently. "You gave me a scare, you know."

"I know." Annabeth smiled weakly. "But Percy needed moral support when he talked to his mum. We had no idea she was going to react that way." She flinched, remembering the searing pain, and added, "Or that strongly."

Her dad nodded, thoughtfully. "Well, I thought I'd tell you before Percy came back in, but Sally's going to be fine. The hospital's going to organise some time in here for her, and then when she gets out, she'll have a counselor appointment twice a week and medication to take."

Annabeth smiled. "That's good that she's getting help."

Her father leaned closer, hugging her gingerly, being careful not to hit her cast. "I'm proud of you, Annie. You're turning into a very strong, beautiful, confident young woman. Your mother would have been proud of you."

Annabeth blushed. It wasn't often that her dad complimented her like this. "Thanks, Dad. Love you too."

Her father smiled, hugged her once more and left the room, just as Percy entered again.

His expression was one of shock. Annabeth was instantly worried. "What is it, Seaweed Brain?" she asked, biting her lip.

When Percy didn't answer, and simply sat on the edge of her bed, she snapped, "Tell me! Now!"

"He – I – I've been offered a recording contract," he stammered, his eyes wide. "Apparently, the guy who owns the recording company was in the library one day, and heard me playing. He asked around, and found out it was me. He – he wants me to record some covers!"

Annabeth grinned. "Percy, that's amazing! Congrats." Percy looked at her, stunned. "You're not surprised?"

Annabeth raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Why would I be surprised? You're a really talented guitarist and singer, Perce. Why would I think that was weird?"

Percy grinned, and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "I'm so lucky to have a girlfriend like you."

"Uh-uh," Annabeth corrected him. "I'm lucky to have you."

Percy smiled, and lay down gingerly next to her.

When the nurse came in half an hour later, she found the patient named Annabeth Chase and her boyfriend lying on the bed, staring out at the sunny day outside.