Here we go, third (?) part of CHB reconciliation. Tell me what you think

Song of Choice: Miss You in a Heartbeat- Def Leppard

Disclaimer: Yet again, I remind you that no, I don't own PJO

-Annabeth-

I felt like death.

I couldn't even process the pain anymore, and was lost in an endless dream.

According to Chiron, I was going to be okay. But I didn't know how, my injuries were serious. This was by far the worst wound I have ever had.

I also frustrated with myself. I had left everything to Percy, and if not for him, I wouldn't be alive. I mean, how embarrassing is that? We were a team, and I left him alone.

Groaning, I rose to my full height and was stunned to how unsteady I was. Yet another sign of my incredible uselessness.

Trusting my instincts, I walked to the Poseidon Cabin. There was no doubt about it. His daughter was scared, and he wanted to go home.

To my surprise, I was greeted before I even arrived.

"Annabeth? Are you alright?" a mature male voice questioned. Wait. I know that voice.

Malcolm took my hand and steadied me. "The Poseidon Cabin?"

I nodded and we walked together.

"How are you still here? I thought all demigods graduated at twenty?" I asked him, happy that he was here

My former lieutenant looked down, and realized that I had hit a sore subject "They do, but Chiron let me stay. No home to go home to yet"

"Malcolm, I'm so sorry." I said, looking him in the eyes

He took my hand, opening the door for me.

"That's the Annabeth I know. Tough till the end. But do you really think Percy will be up by now?"

I thought about it, and he was right. The morning after our wedding, he woke up at noon. Uber romantic, I know.

I turned to thank him, but he was already gone. Huh. ADHD in action.

Four bunks were empty. Two were occupied, and both were fast asleep. I smiled. A typical Saturday morning.

I walked up to Percy's bunk, and woke him like I have so many times before.

"Monsters. So many…" He murmured, as if I was a dream.

"No Percy, It's me. Wake up." I shook him until his green eyes looked up at me.

Then I did something that will always wake him up. I kissed him.

He looked stunned, and sat up. I reluctantly broke off, noticing our daughter

"Thorn."

I nodded and leaned over to wake her.

"Thorn? Thorn, time to get up." she, like her father, just rolled over instead. So, being the excellent mother I was, I rolled her out of bed. Literally.

Needless to say, she wasn't too pleased.

But in a couple of minutes, I got everyone presentable for breakfast.

Once we arrived, the stares were hard to ignore.

We've only been gone for a decade. It wasn't forever; I tried to reason with myself. Just ignore them, and they'll ignore you.

Like it would be that easy.

Especially when Chiron had us sit at the head table with him and Mr. D.

Or when Percy walked in holding my hand.

But he was my husband, and had every right to reassure me.

As I sat down, I heard snippets of conversations aimed at us.

"Wow, Percy and Annabeth. I can't believe it…" One marvelled

"I can. And look at their kid! Who would've thought they would settle down! Like, honestly!" another answered

I looked down from embarrassment. Percy and Thorn didn't look like they were enjoying it either.

"Heroes," Chiron called, his timing as impeccable as always. "I have an announcement to make, or rather, Percy Jackson does. Step forward, my boy"

My husband stood, his gaze set. We both knew there was no going back now.

"You sure?" I asked, knowing very well what he was about to say.

He smiled at me and gripped my hand. "Half-bloods, I have some good news. Until the end of the summer term, Annabeth and I will stay at Camp to help train. Me, in swordsmanship, and Annabeth in tactics. Thank you." As he sat down, a wave of cheers erupted behind him. Thorn looked even more confused.

"What? Why can't we go home? "She asked, pulling on my sleeve. I looked at Percy for backup. His eyes were deep and dark, not at all the playful that I remembered.

"Thorn, the thing is, we really don't have a home right now. It got destroyed in the blast. I'm so sorry." Her eyes began to water and she sobbed into his arms. Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare.

Percy looked at me for support, but truthfully, I was just trying my best to not faint. My wounds were sapping my energy.

"Anyways" Chiron continued "Let us bless the meal. To the gods!" He raised his glass to the sky. The rest of camp proceeded in doing the same.

That night, Percy and I walked around camp. Remembering things as they used to be. I had put Thorn to bed an hour ago, we had the entire night to ourselves.

"Beth?" He asked me, sitting on a rock in the sea. "What are we going to do?"

I sighed and sat next to him "I have no idea. We just need this summer to figure it out."

He took my hand and pointed to the sky. "Remember that year?"

I did, and could never forget. The night that Thalia killed Luke. The winter I was kidnapped. The year you came to save me.

"How could I forget?"

I looked at the corresponding constellation "I hope Thalia's okay."

"Sure she is. She's immortal, she'll be alright. It's you I'm worried about." Percy said, looking at me with a dead serious expression. He was worried about me.

I tucked a loose strand behind me ear "Why? I'll be fine"

"No." He said "You're not fine. We both know it. Beth, you can't keep going on like this. It's not fair to anyone. We're all worried sick about you. Especially me. Gods, I've missed you."

"I'm right here!" I said pointing to our hands

"No, you're not. You're a hundred miles away. Beth, were home. Our real home. The place we met, the place we ran away from, the rock we kissed on when we were sixteen. This is where we belong, and we need to stay here."

I took back my hand "Percy, I can't. This place may have great memories, but it has bad ones too. I can't be on the run anymore either. Let's go home"

He brushed away a stray tear and cupped my chin in his hand

"What the Styx are you doing?"

He smiled "Helping you change your mind"

Our kiss was deep and hot, and for once, my feelings were getting in the way. We needed to figure this out, and his male hormones were not helping one bit.

But I wanted this too. I missed him so much.

So I quickly deepened the kiss.

We sat on the rocks, our hands intertwined, and our hearts beating as one. The stars were shining, and the surf was pounding. But all I felt was Percy, and all I needed was him to hold me.

We sat there all night, warmed by the moon, and comforted by the stars.

I'm forever yours; faithfully.

Styx, I love that song. I read somewhere that it was Percy and Annabeth's anthem and totally agree. It fits perfectly. Oh, and by the way, I have a list of songs that fit with PJO, and will do my best to make more songfics.

And good gumdrops keep those reviews rolling. It's always a highlight in my day :)

Love always,

-Silence Nevermore