Two chapter is one week. Look who is doing a good job.

The next morning a nurse came in at 7am and woke Annabeth up. As she handed Annabeth a pile of clothes she said, "the boss will be here in 30 minutes. I suggest you be ready by then." Then she was gone. Annabeth was momentarily studden. She stared at the door for a few moments before trying the handle, yep still locked.

Deciding that there wasn't really anything that she could do, Annabeth went to get ready. She brushed her hair and teeth with brushes that she found in the bathroom. Then she put on the clothes that she was brought, and was surprised to find that they were hers. Although, she'd be lying if she said that she wasn't a little relieved. The only person that would go through her clothes was Percy, and him picking out clothes for her meant that he wasn't entirely pissed.

Annabeth finished getting ready with time to spare, so she took a seat on the bed and stared at the door. Percy had grabbed her a sweatshirt and jeans, so that didn't really give away where they were going. That was if she was even going. For all she knew she had pushed him too far and she was going to end up like the spy that was 'no longer with us.' She had been a bitch to Percy up until now, but she wanted to try again. Percy wasn't that bad.

The door opened promptly at 7:30, and Percy stalked in. "Are you ready?" Annabeth nodded in reply. "Good. Get up we are leaving." His sudden departure left Annabeth scrambling after him.

"Wait! Percy wait!" She yelled as she chased him down the hallway. "Percy stop. What about pain meds? My throat hurts."

Percy sent her a cold glare over his shoulder and said, "Well you should have thought of that before you asked to leave."

His reply stopped her in her tracks. Percy had never been cold to Annabeth, let alone outright mean. Percy didn't stop though. He continued to make his way down the hall. Annabeth was left to chase after him for the second time that morning, and was surprised when she came out after him to see a SUV waiting.

"Get in."

Annabeth was not willing to fight with him at that moment, and chose to get in the car quietly. It was the inside of the car that surprised her though. The trunk had multiple suitcases piled high so that the back window was almost blocked. In the back seat sat Sadie. She was in a cat carried that was strapped into one of the seats using a seatbelt. Fear started to creep into Annabeth's spine. Why was all of her stuff in the car? Where were they going? Would he really drop her off somewhere and leave her?

Percy got into the car scowling. He was dressed in a similar manner to Annabeth, but she could tell that he wasn't comfortable. The car started to move down the long driveway, and Annabeth wasn't sure if she was relieved or terrified when they passed by the main gate. Leaving the compound meant that she had a shot at freedom, but it also meant that she could very well be walking to her death. The worst part was not knowing who wanted her dead and who didn't. Right then she wasn't even sure about the man in the car with her.

"Percy?" She asked hesitantly. However, he made no move to even acknowledge that she had spoken to him. "Percy?" She asked again a little bit louder this time, but still got no response. Finally Annabeth reached over and grabbed his leg. "Percy?"

"What?" He snapped at her. His tone caused her to jump and the sudden movement caused the bruising on her neck to hurt. She let out a hiss of pain and grabbed at her neck. Percy momentarily looked over at her with concern, but she didn't see it. Her eyes had been closed in pain.

Annabeth took a minute to recover before asking where they were going. Percy didn't answer her. Instead he told her that she should sleep, that it was going to be a long journey. His answer did nothing to soothe her nerves, but feigning sleep was going to be better than to deal with an angry Percy. So she laid her head to the side and pretended to be asleep.

After what felt like an eternity, but was really only 2 hours, Annabeth's neck started to hurt with a vengeance. Within minutes she was fighting back tears, but she knew that there was nothing that could be done. Percy hadn't allowed for them to go back for any pain medicine, so she was just going to have to grin and bear it. Staring out the window of the car hid her face from Percy, so he wasn't able to see when she wasn't able to keep the tears in anymore.

Silent tears ran down Annabeth's face as the ache in her neck increased. She kept reminding herself that she had to stay strong and quiet. Otherwise she would just be creating new problems for herself, and she wasn't sure that she could handle any more problems. Annabeth lasted about 20 minutes before the first sob broke through. Stifling herself quickly, Annabeth prayed that Percy hadn't heard her. The only problem was that she wasn't able to keep herself contained for long. When the second sob broke through Percy turned to look at her.

"Annabeth?" He questioned her, but she didn't turn to face him. His question broke open the dam though. Annabeth's body became wracked with sobs, but that only made the pain worse. "Annabeth!" Percy shouted in surprise and quickly swerved the car over to the side of the rode. "Annabeth what's wrong?"

If she hadn't been too busy sobbing, Annabeth would have noticed the panic written all over Percy's face, but she didn't. Instead she continued to cry. "Annabeth, you have to tell me what's wrong so I can help. I can't fix something I don't know about." Percy was ninety five percent positive that her fit wasn't caused by him. He'd seen her cry when she was upset or frustrated, and this was nothing like that.

"It hurts," she sobbed into her hands. "It hurts," she repeated again.

It took Percy a minute to grasp what she was saying, but suddenly it all made sense. Her hands were cupping her throat as she cried, and Percy took a quick look at the clock. It was past 10. "Fuck! Annabeth, shit I'm sorry," Percy managed as he reached behind her seat quickly. He produced a plastic shopping bag, and quickly pulled a water and a pill bottle out. Taking two pills out he quickly motioned for Annabeth to take it. "Take these. It will make it feel better."

Quickly taking them, Annabeth downed both of the pills in a fluid motion. They both sat there on the side of the road for 20 more minutes. Annabeth continued to cry through the first 15, but it had now turned to occasional whimpers. Neither of them said anything while they sat there, and Percy didn't reach to touch her. Something about that rubbed Annabeth the wrong way, but she didn't have the energy to put too much thought into it.

"Are you feeling better?" Percy asked her quietly. Annabeth nodded in response.

"I thought that you said that we couldn't bring any pain medicine?" It was timid, like she didn't want to anger him.

"I was just snapping at you. I got some before I came to pick you up. The doctor told me the stuff in the IV would wear off after two hours, but I forgot to give it to you." He looked down sheepishly and ran his hand through his hair.

"Oh, okay." If she was being honest Annabeth was pissed. She had just gone through immense amounts of pain because he 'forgot' to give her the pain meds she needed. His revenge was was a bit cold hearted.

"Why didn't you say anything about it hurting? I would have given it to you."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I didn't say anything because I was under the impression that we didn't have any. When I asked for it at the house you told me no. If I had known that it was available I would have asked, trust me." It came out more bitter than she intended, but it was too late to take it back now.

"I'm not evil Annabeth. Why would I have wanted you to suffer like that?"

"Because you're mad at me right now. I figured it was some cruel way to get back at me for being such a bitch all the time."

"Do you really think that little of me? That I would want you to be in pain as punishment?" There was disbelief in his voice. To prove her point Annabeth thrust her wrist out for him to see. Right where he had grabbed her the night before was a nasty purple and blue bruise. Percy took in a sharp breath and gently grabbed her wrist. "I did that?" He asked her without taking his eyes off the mark. She whispered a small conformation, but Percy wasn't even sure he heard it.

He could clearly make out where his fingers had dug into her skin, and the sight revolted him. Percy was vicious when it came to business, but Annabeth wasn't a part of that. He knew that he has been cold to her the night before, but he didn't think that he had it in him to hurt her. Now he had done it twice within 24 hours. Fear ran through his body as he continued to stare at her. What is he did this again? What if he really hurt her next time.

"Annabeth I am so sorry. I didn't mean…" the words trailed off as she pulled her arm away and hid it with the sweatshirt she was wearing. Fear was evident in her eyes. Fear. She was afraid of him. "Annabeth," Percy tried again, but it sounded more broken than before. But still Annabeth stayed curled up in her corner of the car. "I am so sorry," he whispered and restarted the car.

The rest of the drive was silent. Both of them were stuck in their thoughts about where their recent decisions had gotten then, and neither of them was too pleased with the outcome. Percy was right, Annabeth had been a bitch to him. He had been patient and kind when she didn't deserve it, and she had continued to treat him poorly. Now that kind loving Percy was gone, and it was all her fault. Percy still couldn't believe that he had actually hurt her. Forgetting the meds was a mistake, but that bruise was going to haunt him. Percy found pride in his self control, and that mark was everything that he stood against.

Four hours later neither of them had said a word, but Percy pulled the car over and reached in the back seat again. Producing the same pills as last time he handed them to Annabeth, who took them without complaint. Right before Percy got back on the highway he reached for Annabeth's hand. Threading his fingers through hers, percy pulled both their hands to his mouth. Percy gently kissed her wrist, and the apology was understood between them. However, Percy didn't let go of her hand. Instead he placed both of their hands back on her thigh and started driving.

It was unexpected to say the least, but Annabeth wasn't going to complain. She should be asking for forgiveness too. They were both a hot mess, and that meant that they shared a long list of mistakes between them, but this showed hope. Hope that something better may come out of this. Hope that they could make this work without one of them sucking the light out of the other.

"Percy?" Annabeth asked again. This time though Percy hummed in response. "Where are we going?"

"You said that you would never feel safe in that house, so I figured that we needed a change of scenery. I own a lake house that's very secluded. Most people don't even know it exists. I figured it was as good a place as any to try and figure our shit out."

It was touching that he at least listened to her while she bitched at him. "How long as we staying?" She asked as she glanced at the cat. If Sadie was coming he must plan on it being a long trip.

"As long as we need," was all he said.

"How much further is it?"

"Well aren't you just full of questions," Percy joked with her while squeezing her hand. "Not too much longer. Maybe another half hour or so." Annabeth nodded and went back to looking out the window. "We're gonna figure this out Beth," and boy did she sure hope they could. Right then they were planets set to collide, and if they couldn't stop it she wasn't sure who was going to crumble first.

Progress! They are making progress! What did you guys think of this chapter? What do you think is going to happen at the cabin? I'll see you guys next week!

Emily