Chapter Fourteen

The entire chapter is up. Thanks for the support guys.

As always, these characters do not belong to me.

Pain.

Annabeth could feel a lot of pain. The pain seemed to emanate from every fibre of her body. She tried to grasp to that fact that she was still able to feel. In death, Annabeth assumed she would be weightless and certainly not in pain. Rasped breaths assaulted her ears. She could hear! Surely this was a sign. Her pain was in tune with the rise and fall of those breaths.

In … Out … In … Out … Annabeth's mind worked tiredly to find the solution. Something was nagging at her. If her pain and the breath were synchronised did that mean … Annabeth was somehow, still alive.

Annabeth held onto that wondrous thought. She had not died yet as she had assumed once she had fell unconscious in Percy's arms. Percy! Where was he? Did he find Thalia and escape before Beckendorf got to them. Beckendorf! He had poisoned her; that's why she was in a stem of pain. Something about his final expression was persistently prickling at the back of her mind. Yet, she was still alive. She had to focus on that first before she could focus on the others.

Inhale … Exhale … In … Out …

Annabeth dared to shift a finger. Beneath the scream of protest from her muscles, her finger met a softness that should have comforted her aches but did not. At the surge of energy from moving one finger, her other fingers began to make themselves known to her receptors. Annabeth could feel the softness spread from her fingertips to her palms, travelling up the backs of her arms. There was a coolness brushing on the tops of her arms and hands. It washed over her cheeks.

In … Out … In …

Annabeth couldn't tell how many painful breaths later did regain feeling in her other limbs, as excruciating as it was. She was relieved that she seemed to have all of her body parts intact. She thought about her surroundings. Percy would not have led her astray, so she must be on a bed but whereabouts. They wouldn't be silly enough to get her to a hospital or, a nasty voice inside her head began, was it even them that were with her. Annabeth dismissed this. It would never be true. The Brotherhood would never give her the comforts she could feel underneath her. They would have made sure she had died … how much time had passed since she was poisoned?

Annabeth didn't want to put it off any longer. Her upper eyelids felt glued to their lowers but after an intense struggle, Annabeth prised them open. After a few seconds of slow blinking to gain her focus, she saw she was back in her room in her apartment. Annabeth let her eyes move around instead of her head; tilting her head caused too much pain. Her eyes fell on the only moving thing in the room. An agitated, spiky black haired agent.

'Thalia,' Annabeth tried to say, but her voice sound so soft she was surprised she was heard but Thalia turned at the sound.

'Oh thank the skies.' Thalia strode over to the bed, kneeling beside it. Her blue eyes looked even richer from her pale complexion.

'You're okay,' Annabeth said, sighing in relief.

'Of course I am! Percy found me and we got out of there. Beckendorf must have run off for some reason because I was out in the open and quite alone for five whole minutes before Percy came over with you. Although I wouldn't have minded running into that arsehole and showing him what I thought of his cowardice.' Thalia's expression turned murderous but as she faced Annabeth again, her face crumpled. 'But, when I saw you in his arms, I panicked … you were so pale … I thought.' She trailed off and her eyes crinkled in pain.

'I've been better,' Annabeth agreed. She went to chuckle but it came out as a sort of wheeze. Her chest felt like it was tearing at the movement, making her groan slightly.

Thalia however, didn't laugh or smile. She actually looked like she was on the verge of tears. 'Apollo came in but he said he couldn't find a tincture to get rid of the poison. He was going to experiment with different healing properties to find a suitable antidote, or something that would slow the poison down.'

'Tell him there's no point,' Annabeth said and to her surprise she was not shaken or upset by the prospect of dying. She had already accepted her fate. 'Beckendorf told me they were the only ones with the antidote, considering they created the poison.'

'There has to be something?' Thalia almost begged.

Annabeth looked at her sympathetically. 'If I'm still here after three days, there is a chance my body is strong enough to reject the poison.'

Thalia nodded. 'I don't care, I'll take it. You aren't going anywhere or else you really are a pussy.'

Annabeth wheezed a small laugh. 'Don't make me laugh. My chest feels like it's caving in.'

Thalia winced at Annabeth's abruptness. 'How long has it been …?'

'Probably a day,' Thalia answered at once. 'Percy and I have been taking shifts to watch over you.'

'Percy's here?' Annabeth gasped, her heart thumping loudly. She remembered feeling his warm chest against her cheek. She would have blushed if she could have.

'Yeah. He's kipped out on the couch as we speak,' Thalia snorted. 'I was hard pressed trying to cleave him from you. We agreed he could stay here until … until you're better.'

'Thalia –,' Annabeth started but Thalia cut her off with a wave of her hand.

'It's easier for me to watch him if he's here anyway so don't start. And part of it's your fault to. If you two didn't feel this way towards each other this wouldn't have –.'

'I know, Thals,' Annabeth interrupted, her voice faint. She could feel her eyelids getting heavier. 'I tried to pretend, to brush it off as nothing but I … He's different. I have never felt this way about anyone before. And now that I'm … well, dying.' Thalia shook her head stubbornly at that. 'I don't want to lie to you anymore and I know you will have to report it and I'm sorry but it's a surprise to me as it is to you.'

Thalia was silent for a long time, her head in her hands. Annabeth struggled to remain conscious, her muscles ached and her chest was particularly throbbing. Finally, Thalia said in a dull voice. 'I'm not reporting this.' She lifted her head to stare at Annabeth. 'You've been my friend for so long and I have had to watch you struggle in pain for weeks. It's been doing my head in. You're my best friend, Annie, please don't leave me again.'

Annabeth's eyes started to close and before she could reply she would try her hardest to stay alive, she drifted into unconsciousness.

A different set of breathing reached Annabeth's ears. They were slower and deeper; their owner apparently asleep. Annabeth felt the edge of her bed move in time with the breaths and she struggled to open her eyes. The pain had not decreased since her last trip into the abyss and her chest felt, if possible, even more restricted. The poison was delving further into her body; Annabeth thought she could feel it sliding through her body although she may have begun to hallucinate. Her throat ached and she longed for a glass of water but knew that even if she did, the poison would sap it straight from her lips.

Annabeth pried her eyes open and immediately glanced down to the source of the breathing. She saw a mop of messy black hair beside her hand and a flicker of a smile ghosted her face. She tried to touch his head but her fingers refused to move and flared in pain. Her moan of pain woke Percy instead. He lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes already on her face. He smiled thinly at her, sitting up a little straighter.

'Hey,' he said. His voice was hoarse from lack of use.

'Hi,' Annabeth breathed, scared of how tiny her voice was.

Percy scooted closer, brushing his hand against her forehead. His hand was an open flame to her temple but she ignored it. He was really here beside her. If she had a dying wish, this was it. She memorized his face; the untidy black hair that fell around his face, the two o'clock shadow already growing on his cheeks, straight nose, small ears and the soft green that surrounded his pupils. He was beautiful, Annabeth thought. Not handsome as such, but the way he spoke, his facial expressions and the way he moved combined made him beautiful.

'You're so cold,' he murmured, strained. He brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face.

'I can't feel anything,' Annabeth admitted, continuing to watch his face.

He winced but still managed to smile thinly at her. 'Apollo managed to heal all of your other bruises and injuries from your fight. It was strange but the tinctures worked on them, but the poisoned remained unaffected. Almost as if the poison let the injuries heal but not itself.' Percy shook his head. 'Oh well, I think you have more colour in your cheeks than a few hours ago.'

'It could be a fever from the poison,' Annabeth said bluntly.

Percy clenched his jaw, his smile looking slightly forced. 'Thalia said you had three days before your body overcame the poison.'

'It's not exact. Beckendorf … only said that a few were strong enough to endure it for that long.'

'You are going to last. I know you are,' Percy told her. When Annabeth said nothing his eyes narrowed. 'Annabeth, no …'

'You have to accept that there may be a chance …'

'No!' Percy interrupted, shaking his head. When he looked back at her, his eyes were glistening with unshed tears. 'You have to fight.'

Annabeth tried to smile consolingly at him. 'I will, Perce, I really will but you must be prepared for the worse.'

'I can't,' Percy choked out. 'I won't lose you. Not again, not anymore.'

Percy dropped his head into his hands. Annabeth felt her own sadness join with his but her eyes remained dry. She longed to hold him in her arms. She wanted to take his pain and shoulder it all, just so he wouldn't look the way he did. She tried to lift her hand again. It twitched slightly but remained on the bed. Her eyes went to his hunched shoulders that were shaking from suppressed tears.

'Perce …' Annabeth began to say but his muffled voice cut her off.

'This would have been so much easier if I was never been born,' Percy spoke through his hands. 'You would not have gotten infected. Your bosses would not be out to get you. You should have just killed me.'

'Percy,' Annabeth said, her heart wrenching at his pain. 'I would not have been able to.' He looked up at her. 'It scares me how vulnerable I feel around you and yet I also feel stronger by your side. I have never experienced this sort of emotion but I do know with absolute clarity that I can not let you die. Not now, not ever.'

'If you die, then I will have nothing to live for,' Percy told her.

'Yes, you will. If I die, then I want you to live for the both of us and if you don't, I will haunt you.' Annabeth tried to put as much conviction as she could in her voice.

Percy smiled at that. 'Might be worth it, to see that.'

'You need to rest,' Annabeth told him, looking at the shadows under his eyes. 'And to clean yourself up.' She wrinkled her nose.

'I've had more pressing matters,' Percy said offhandedly.

'Well I won't see you if you look like this next time,' Annabeth said with narrowed eyes.

Percy chuckled at her threat. 'Okay, okay. To think I was under the impression being poisoned would make you more kind hearted.'

'As if, Percy. You're the one that hasn't changed.'

'Do you want me to change?' he asked her seriously, dropping his smile.

'No,' Annabeth replied softly, losing herself in his green eyes. 'I want you to be as you were the first time we met and every other time since then. I want you, Percy Jackson, and just you.'

Annabeth felt his hand lay softly on top of hers and she wished she could hold it. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to her temple. His lips then went to her nose and softly, ever so softly, they brushed against her lips. He rested his head against hers, his breaths against her face a welcomed coolness on her feverish face.

The tendrils of sleep were wrapping around her again. She panicked as her eyes started to close. This was so much shorter time conscious than with Thalia, did that mean she was getting closer to death. She thought she had accepted it but her conversation with Percy ruined that. Annabeth tried to widen her eyes but found it near impossible. Her fingers went into a sort of spasm. Percy glanced down at their hands and then back to her. His face blurred but not before his eyes widened in the same panicked state that Annabeth was feeling. She went to say his name but all that came out was a soft moan. She could hear him try to say something but she had already left into the blackness …

Voices.

Annabeth heard voices. She frowned at that. They were muffled, indistinct but they were still voices nonetheless. After a few minutes, the voices finally started to become clearer.

'Shh … I think I saw her stir,' a female voice said. It was familiar to Annabeth.

'So? My talking isn't affecting her,' Thalia's snappish reply followed.

'It's affecting everyone else,' said Percy's voice quietly from beside Annabeth's head.

Annabeth longed to see Percy but her eyes remained closed. She wanted to gnaw her teeth in frustration. The only positive was that the poison had not killed her yet.

'What was that, Jackson?' Thalia said angrily. 'You're more of a pain in the arse than I realised. If I wasn't assigned to protect you, I would happily kill you.'

'You would not because Annabeth would never talk to you if you did,' the first voice responded. Annabeth again had the impression she knew who it was. She tried to open her eyes. They half fluttered open but snapped closed. Annabeth had to settle on listening for a little longer.

'Who would have thought you two would get along so well,' Percy murmured.

'Shut up, Percy,' the two girls said in unison.

Annabeth coughed, in her attempt to laugh. Her throat grated horribly. She was surprised it was still intact. She stifled her moan, knowing it wouldn't help. Annabeth heard a shift in movement and then another weight pressed down on the bed. A hand pressed to her forehead. The hand was smaller and cooler than Annabeth's memory of Percy's hand.

'She's so pale, almost translucent,' the girl murmured.

The worry in her voice made Annabeth see an image. A girl beside a set of lockers, her face furrowed, her long hair swept behind her shoulders. And finally, Annabeth knew who the third voice belonged to. Annabeth's head raced with questions at her discovery. Why was Silena here in her room? How much had she figured out about her and Thalia, or was she told by someone else about their situation? Was she even who she said she was?

'Do you think she's getting worse?' Silena asked.

A hand landed on top of hers. Warm, comforting. She knew this time it was Percy's hand.

'I don't know,' Thalia said, her voice breaking slightly. 'It's been almost three days.'

'I told you it wasn't exact,' Annabeth breathed out.

'Annabeth,' they all said. Their relief was plain in their voices.

It might have been the tone of their voices or the fact that she could be heard that gave her the confidence to try and open her eyes again. And this time, she could. They were blurred outlines but she could still make out Percy's eyes, Thalia's now fuzzy mop of hair at the back and the new figure that was now the closest to her. As her eyes shifted to Silena, she came into more focus. She was still blurry around the edges, as if she wasn't all completely there.

'I thought I could hear your voice,' Annabeth told her.

Silena smiled, shooting a glance at Thalia. Annabeth's hand was squeezed lightly by Percy. Her eyes found him.

'Hey you,' Annabeth croaked at him.

'Hey yourself,' he replied although he was still blurred.

'Oh well don't mind me, I'll just stay in the background,' Thalia said loudly.

'Fine by me,' Silena retorted.

'And me,' Percy agreed.

'Enough,' Annabeth said, knowing Thalia was about to argue. 'Thalia, can I be polite to our guests first? I knew you were here, I heard you earlier.'

'Well of course I am,' Thalia said exasperatedly. 'I'm glad you haven't left.'

'Not yet,' Annabeth said, feeling the muscles in her face move into a smile. She faced Silena. 'I have to admit, I didn't expect you.'

Silena grinned. 'Neither did these two.' She gestured to Percy and Thalia. 'When you weren't at school, I got concerned. After the last time you disappeared … let's just say my worry got a little eccentric.' Thalia snorted at this. 'I decided to find Percy and demand answers so I went to his house. There was no answer and I was really starting to panic but then I noticed Thalia wandering from the fruit stall. So I followed her here and then told them I wasn't leaving without an answer and now I know who you are and why you are here.'

'I'm sorry I lied to you,' Annabeth said softly.

'I understand, Annabeth. I'm not mad. I'm happy I know the truth.'

'You wouldn't if Percy hadn't told you,' Thalia snapped.

'I wasn't the agent who got followed by a student,' Percy said venomously.

Thalia blushed. 'I could've just kicked her arse and that was that.'

'Like violence was the answer,' Percy tried to say calmly through clenched teeth. 'She's too persistent and would have done exactly what she threatened she would do. What do you propose I should have done?'

'How about leave the decision making to me?'

Percy dropped Annabeth's hand and continued to argue with Thalia. Annabeth found herself looking at Silena. She was watching the two of them with disdain, and gave them a slight shake of her head. They had clearly been arguing more constantly since she arrived. Silena turned back to Annabeth and smiled sadly once she noticed Annabeth's attentiveness.

'I can't believe Charlie did this,' she said quietly. This was only meant for her to hear.

'I don't think he wanted to,' Annabeth replied. Silena's eyes widened. 'There was something about his expression … I don't know, Silena. But you shouldn't have come here. Now that you know, the risks …'

'Oh phooey to the risks,' Silena said breezily. 'I wanted in with whatever you were doing. If I can help, then I will.'

Even though her tone was chipper there was a tightening to her eyes that didn't pass Annabeth.

'Silena, what are you thinking?'

'Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just something Charlie said and what you said just now …' Silena's eyes grew unfocused. Annabeth thought she saw Silena reach into her pocket and grab something but a second later Silena's hands were brushing Annabeth's forehead.

'You're not as hot as you were an hour ago,' Silena said, changing the subject.

Her voice was loud enough that Percy overheard and forgetting about his current argument with Thalia, came back to Annabeth's side. Annabeth smiled wanly at him. He tried to return but it was strained.

'Try not to let her rile you up,' Annabeth murmured to him.

He nodded, sitting down beside her again and taking her hand. Annabeth turned her attention to Thalia, who was skulking in the background.

'What's it like out there?' she asked Thalia.

Thalia huffed. 'Quiet.' Her tone suggested just how annoyed she was by that fact. 'It's to be expected of course. Percy isn't leaving the house now you're bed ridden and the Brotherhood has no idea where we are. I've been out a couple of times, scouting.' She shot a nasty glance at Silena. 'And have leaked a few false trails here and there so hopefully it'll last until you're better.'

'You should've just put me in hiding to start off with,' Percy said bitterly. 'Would have made more sense.'

'We couldn't,' Annabeth replied. 'We didn't want the Brotherhood to know we were watching you. Plus, we weren't sure either what our plans with you were…' She trailed off.

Silena was looking at them curiously, Thalia snorted and began pacing while Percy smiled slightly at her and squeezed her hand gently.

'I'm obviously missing something but I won't –.' Silena's comment was cut off by the ringing of the doorbell.

Everyone turned towards the steps. Percy hovered slightly at Annabeth's side, his face tense. Thalia had her hand underneath her jacket, where Annabeth knew was a gun stashed for protection. Silena, however, remained calm and moved towards the door.

'Hold it!' Thalia cried, grabbing her arm.

'Why?' Silena asked.

'Who could be ringing the doorbell? All of us are in here,' Percy said, gazing at each of them to make sure.

Annabeth had a shrewd suspicion from watching Silena that she was the reason behind their new visitor.

'What are you thinking?' Percy asked her quietly.

'How did you …' Annabeth murmured back.

'I can tell that you're thinking from that expression,' Percy said with a smile.

'Oh …' Annabeth looked at him strangely but then focused. 'Something about Silena, I –.'

'The person at the door isn't going to harm anyone here,' Silena said, worming her way around Thalia and headed down the stairs.

Thalia faced Percy and Annabeth, her face straining to remain impassive. 'I'm going to go make sure she doesn't kill all of us. You stay here with her.'

'Fine by me,' Percy said with a shrug.

Thalia grunted then trudged down the stairs, muttering under her breath. Once Thalia was out of sight, Percy rounded back to Annabeth.

'How are you really feeling?' he asked seriously.

'I don't know. I'm trying not to move so much but when I do … it's hard to explain.'

'Try, please?' Percy pleaded.

'Don't look at me like that,' Annabeth laughed at Percy's puppy dog expression but it turned into a hacking cough.

'WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?' Thalia's voice screamed from below them.

'I wonder who Silena invited over,' Annabeth mused, gazing around Percy to the stairs.

'Probably ordered a pizza or something,' Percy shrugged. 'Anyway, you were about to explain to me something?'

Annabeth sighed. 'When I move it's like fire shoots through my body and it doesn't end, it just intensifies until I think I can't stand it. I'm trying … so hard not to shout out and I think I would cry if I wasn't so dehydrated.'

'Here, have water!' In Percy's haste he spilt half the glass of water he poured onto her before it reached her lips.

Annabeth laughed but obediently drank the rest of the water. 'Percy, even if I drank half the river I would still be dehydrated. The poison evaporates it too quickly.'

Percy's face crumpled. He grabbed her hand. He looked at their entwined hands, moving his thumb in slow circles.

'Does this hurt you?' he murmured.

Annabeth looked at their hands also. She saw her small, pale one against his tanned one. She also noticed how scarred hers was compared to his. She didn't realise how pained it made her to see the harsh reality in front of her. How could they stay together when their lives were so different? She couldn't afford to think like that now; she had to remain alive to start off with.

'No. It stings slightly but a good sting, if you know what I mean.'

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?' Thalia's voice made the two of them jump as it reverberated throughout the unit.

'Gods, she's loud,' Percy stated. 'Can't she ever take a break?'

'Thalia's just –,' Annabeth started but whatever she was about to say was drowned out by Thalia.

'DO YOU REALISE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?'

'You'd better go and stop her before she kills Silena,' Annabeth told him.

'Will you be …' Percy trailed off.

'I'll be fine Percy, just go,' Annabeth reassured him.

Percy got to his feet, gave her a quick kiss and took off down the stairs. Annabeth lay quietly, trying to listen in and keep her breathing steady. She had felt earlier the poison enter her lungs but she didn't want the others to know. She could hear her breath become raspier and she swallowed the bile in her throat.

'STAY OUT OF THIS JACKSON!'

Annabeth glanced at the stairs. She could only just decipher Percy's voice but whatever he was trying to say was lost to Annabeth. She wanted to go down there, just to satisfy her curiosity to who it was that Thalia was so against but also to be able to move without pain; to feel the exertion of doing something productive like running or punching.

'DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! CAN'T YOU SEE WHAT IS WRONG HERE?'

Annabeth had to go; she had to know what was going on. Didn't Beckendorf say that the poison would have affected her muscular system by now? It had been three days, hadn't it? Didn't that mean she should be starting to feel better? Should she risk it? But if she could move than that must mean that she was overcoming the poison. Annabeth lifted her hand …

'GET AWAY PERCY OR I SWEAR TO EVERY GOD I WILL KILL YOU!'

Annabeth couldn't stand it anymore. She had to go down and find out what was going on and, if she could, sort this out before Thalia made good on her threat. She lifted her hand, surprised to find the pain was dulled. Elation flooded through her. She knew the pain was not completely gone but if it was ebbing … she couldn't hope just yet but she had to move.

She pushed herself into a sitting position. Her head was throbbing but she had been concussed before and it was the same feeling as that. She felt the carpet under her toes and she curled them experimentally. Painful, but bearable. One more painful lurch forward and Annabeth was on her feet again. She swayed dangerously, her head threatening to split open but she stayed on her feet, which was a positive. She took one tentative step forward once her head became just a throb. She heard Thalia shouting again but she was more focused on keeping the bile down her throat to listen to what she was saying. Annabeth took a few more steps and she was a metre or two away from the stairs when the pinpricks of irritation became a slow wave of fiery pain. She was still upright, which was a positive but she knew it wouldn't last.

Annabeth closed her eyes as the pain came. It was like a slow wave, rising to crush her completely. Her toes were the first to prickle, followed by her feet, then her shins. Her bones felt like they were splintering in half. She gasped in pain and was struggling to contain her scream. She grabbed the bannister, regretting it as the same bone splintering pain shot through her arm. If it wasn't for the voices of Percy and Thalia arguing, Annabeth would not have made it down the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, the pain was rippling throughout Annabeth's entire body. The pain was so intense; she thought she would pass out. She breathed deeply but it felt as though the oxygen wasn't reaching her lungs. She wanted to double over or better yet die and let the agony end but she could do neither. She looked up and for a moment the sight before her made her think she was dead.

Beckendorf was standing a few feet inside the door being protected by an angry, red faced Silena, who was staring daggers at Thalia. Thalia was opposite them, arms crossed, pure hatred on her face, flitting her gaze between Beckendorf and Percy. Percy was in between Thalia and Silena, though he was closer to Thalia and seemed to be trying to play the peacekeeper.

'Thalia, why don't we hear him out,' Percy was saying as Annabeth focused on the situation.

'Because,' Thalia retorted, not taking her eyes off of Beckendorf. 'He will lie so he can finish the job he started, don't you get that?'

'What's going on?' Annabeth rasped out.

Four pairs of eyes stared at Annabeth, all blank with shock. Beckendorf especially, who looked so surprised his jaw dropped. Thalia's arms dropped to her sides; Silena was slightly awed and Percy looked downright scared. The pain suddenly became too intense that Annabeth gasped, closing her eyes tightly, trying to expel the pain. She gripped the kitchen bench beside her.

'Annabeth,' Percy said, rushing to her side. Annabeth felt his cool hand wrap around her waist as Percy hugged her to him, supporting her weight.

'Thanks Perce,' Annabeth whispered, opening her eyes.

She gazed at him to see him staring at her. He pressed his free hand to her forehead and she watched as he pulled it away it was damp with sweat; her sweat.

'You're feverish. You shouldn't be up,' he said worriedly. 'I'll get you back upstairs.'

'Not yet,' Annabeth said with a small smile. She leaned into him and faced the others. 'What are you doing here?' she asked Beckendorf.

'You shouldn't be able to talk,' Beckendorf said breathlessly. 'Let alone stand upright like you are. The poison will burn much faster now you're trying to move around.'

'Don't you dare speak to her,' Thalia snarled. 'This is your fault she's dying.'

'I already told you I regret that,' Beckendorf explained.

'Like Hell!'

'Hold it!' Silena said forcefully. 'I would not have brought him here if I didn't believe him, as I have already tried to explain to you. I wouldn't risk Annabeth's life like that.'

'And as I told you, you can't trust him,' Thalia was struggling to keep her voice level. 'You have shown him where we are hiding. He will leave, grab his buddies and come back here, kill us and take Percy. So really, you've risked all of our lives, for some stupid crush you have.'

'Thalia, lay off,' Annabeth said quietly. To her surprise, Thalia fell silent. 'She was only doing what she thought was best for me.'

Annabeth turned to Beckendorf. He stared calmly back at her. The pain was beginning to worsen once more and Annabeth was shaking from repressing it. Percy held her tighter and Annabeth let her head drop to her shoulder.

'You should get her back upstairs to rest,' Beckendorf told Percy. 'She isn't going to last much longer.'

'That's what you want isn't it,' Thalia shot back.

'I was ordered to but,' Beckendorf was staring at Annabeth. 'You made me see there is more to life than following orders. I really am sorry, Annabeth. I want to fix this.'

'Annabeth don't trust him. We can't,' Thalia said, almost pleading.

'Annabeth,' Silena said quietly, stepping forward. 'I know this is hard but please, if you don't want to trust him, trust me instead.'

Annabeth took one last look at all of them. 'I do, Silena, but I can't have him here, not right now. Percy, I need your help.'

Percy obeyed and gently picked her up, carrying her towards the stairs. Annabeth gritted her teeth from the pain. She could hear Beckendorf apologising to Silena before leaving. Annabeth pressed her forehead to Percy's shoulder as the reverberations from the stairs increased the pain.

'We're nearly there,' Percy murmured.

Annabeth nodded so she wouldn't have to unclench her teeth. Percy softly strode over to the bed, placing her down as softly as he could.

'Do you think he means what he said?' Percy asked, pulling the blankets over her.

'I'm not sure. What do you think?'

'I was just going to go with whatever you decided,' Percy smiled. 'If I were too hesitant a guess though, I would believe him.'

'Really?' Annabeth rasped out.

'If you saw the way he looked at Silena, you would too,' Percy knelt beside her and took her hand.

'Beckendorf is smart. He wouldn't have come all the way here and risk his own life if he wasn't confident,' Annabeth agreed.

'But that could mean he is still part of The Brotherhood,' Percy frowned.

'No, I don't think …' Annabeth was blacking out. She scrunched her eyes tight, grunting in pain.

'Annabeth,' Percy said, worriedly.

'I'm … fine,' Annabeth panted. 'Trust … your … instincts.'

Percy became blurry as another figure ran into the room.

'Thalia went off to follow Charlie,' Silena said. 'What's wrong with …?'

Annabeth didn't hear the rest; she had passed out.

'Annabeth …' Percy's voice called out to her.

Annabeth mentally checked key points; her heart was beating, although faintly. She was breathing as well so she wasn't dead. The only negative was the pain had escalated so even the flutter of her heart was throbbing excruciatingly. Annabeth heard herself moan at the pain.

'Annabeth, sweetheart,' Percy said softly. 'If you can hear me, wake up.'

It was a struggle but Annabeth eventually pried her eyes open. Percy was sitting beside her in the same position as he was after she blanked out. Even though Annabeth could see how concerned Percy was for her health, he managed to smile for her. Behind him was Silena, who was also grinning at her and behind her beside the stairs was Beckendorf. He breathed a sigh of relief, a small guilty smile on his lips also. Annabeth turned back to Percy, questions on her lips but instead of asking them she stated something first.

'You called me sweetheart,' Annabeth said.

'Thought it might motivate you to wake up,' Percy said with a smirk. 'I was right to.'

'Okay, you'll have enough time to flirt with her later,' Silena said impatiently. 'Thalia is going to be back soon.'

'How long was I out?' Annabeth asked.

'Only a few hours, but according to Beckendorf …' Percy trailed off, looking at Beckendorf's skulking figure.

'Your current excursion has rapidly increased the speed of the poison running through your body,' Beckendorf explained. 'You might have had a chance to overcome it, if you had rested.'

He paused and, after a moment's hesitation where he gazed at Silena, who nodded encouragingly, came to her bed side. He pulled out of his pocket a syringe similar to the one he had stored the poison in. Instead of the liquid inside being black, however, the liquid was a clear yellow, almost golden under the light. Annabeth eyed it warily, as did Percy; his hand found hers.

'You said you could help her,' Percy said with a frown.

'This is the antidote,' Beckendorf said simply, gazing at Annabeth. 'I meant what I said earlier, Annabeth. You showed me that what we were doing had consequences and I …' He stole a quick glance at Silena. 'I can't continue with their beliefs. Not since …'

Again he glanced at Silena and this time, she faced him too, smiling shyly. Annabeth watched the two of them with a growing apprehension. She knew that her and Percy's relationship was already on rocky ground but she could see how much Silena and Beckendorf adored each other. She was scared how intense their feelings were after a short amount of time they had spent together; though she could hardly say her feelings for Percy were dulled.

'Please,' Beckendorf continued and Annabeth tuned in to his words. 'Let me fix what I have done. For stealing the antidote, I have already forfeited my position in The Brotherhood. I can help you.'

'You forfeited your position for me?' Annabeth croaked.

Beckendorf grinned. 'Once they find out, yes.'

'Annabeth,' Percy said quietly. 'You told me to trust my instincts but now it's time you trust yours.'

'We don't want to force you to drink it but it's the only thing that'll erase the poison,' Silena added. 'I will vouch for Charlie. Please Annabeth, we don't want you to die.'

'Cause that doesn't guilt trip me into deciding,' Annabeth grumbled. Silena smiled apologetically. Annabeth sighed, her eyes back to Beckendorf. His dark eyes were framed by even darker lashes. They were sad but sincere, covered with even darker shadows. She wondered whether he had had as much sleep as she had over the past few days. Very slowly, gazing into his eyes, Annabeth nodded her assent. Beckendorf turned her arm over, exposing the vein at her elbow; Percy kept her hand in his. Annabeth tried not wince.

'It may take an hour or two for the poison to be completely gone,' Beckendorf explained. 'Once that happens you'll be perfectly healthy again.'

Beckendorf emptied the liquid into Annabeth's vein as Thalia shouted out. 'NO!'

Thalia sprinted across the threshold as Percy leapt to his feet. She knocked the syringe out of Annabeth's arm, where it smashed on the ground. Thalia gazed wide eyed at Annabeth, who felt guilty under her gaze until she realised it was her choice to take the antidote and she had nothing to feel guilty about.

'You, stupid, moronic, fools!' Thalia growled at Percy and Silena.

'Don't start, Thalia,' Silena said bravely. 'We did what we thought –.'

'You gave him the opportunity to finish her off! Do you even know what was in the syringe?'

'It was the antidote,' Percy explained.

'So he told you,' Thalia scoffed. 'Are you an chemist now? And here I thought you cared about her.'

'Of course I do,' Percy snapped. 'And I trusted her enough to make up her own mind about him, unlike you who seems to think she has gone brain dead instead of poisoned.'

'Percy's right,' Annabeth murmured before Thalia could reply. 'I accepted the injection from Beckendorf and the consequences fall back on …'

Annabeth's heart stopped. Her chest was constricted and she frowned as she tried to breathe but her lungs were made of lead. She was suffocating. She tried to make a sound but nothing came out. Her fingers curled as Percy shouted her name. Her back arched, her mouth gaping open trying to get oxygen. Her body became out of control as it began to convulse. As her eyes rolled into her skull Percy, Silena and Thalia were trying to calm her down while Beckendorf waited behind them, watching silently.