As If We Never Said Goodbye

by Lily-On-Water

Her ashes float around his feet and with difficulty he chokes back a sob, not wanting the other campers to see him like this. She had died, she had died and it had been his fault, he could have warned her, but he didn't and now all that's left of her is ash. But he won't leave it like that, even if it means traveling to the depths of the Underworld to find her. I don't own PJ.

14. Chapter 14

Thalia doesn't say anything, she doesn't have to; Percy has no sooner fallen than Ares has lifted him, hefting him over his shoulder as though he is no more than a sack of potatoes. To him he probably is. Ares is back at her side in an instant, and she can't help but wince as Percy bobs along unconsciously against his back. Annabeth will never know how much this boy loves her. It's a haunting thought.

"We'll be there soon," His voice is grim, and she nods, she already knew this. She can feel it, not anywhere near the way that Percy feels it, but it is still there. A sucking feeling, almost like exhaustion, but ringed in dark energy, it's like it has surrounded her subconscious, enveloping it in a blanket of numbness almost like Novocain. She can't force herself to care about his scarred hand, warm and strong in her own, can't really seem to force herself to care about anything to be honest.

There is one thought, though, one thought that seems to break through the darkness, one that sends cold tendrils around her heart, icy in their panic. Her voice is almost a whisper, "Am I going to lose him, too?" His hand tightens around hers, and he doesn't answer immediately, "This energy, can it kill him?" Still no answer, and she feels tears cutting warm tracks down her cheeks, they are frustrated tears, but underneath there is also genuine fear. "Ares," She takes a breath and forces them to stop so that she can catch his eyes with her own, "This energy," Her voice is almost too quiet to hear, "This energy, can it kill him? Please?" The last part comes out almost as a sob, but there is nothing for that, Percy is her best friend, and Ares eyes. The look in his eyes, already she feels herself sinking.

"No…" She whispers, and if not for his grip, now firm on her arm, she would have fallen by now, "No… not Percy." She shakes her head, "Ares…" She falters, "No…"

"I'm sorry, Thalia." His voice holds genuine warmth, and for a moment that shines through the darkness, but just as quickly as it registers it vanishes, "There are no guarantees about anything. Can it kill him, yes; will it kill him, I don't know; from the way it looks I wouldn't hold my hopes out either way."

She falls, he catches her easily around the waist, against his shoulder Percy is writhing and sweat is beginning to bead on his forehead, the numbness is back, they are close; very, very close. Ares is half-supporting half-carrying her as they continue to walk, "Not much farther now." All she can do is nod, they walk about ten more feet; it feels like ten miles.

A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short! The next one will be longer if I get reviews, and speaking of, just want to remind you to review, :) I love hearing from everyone, I really do, and it does influence the pace at which this story is written. Anyway, so what do you think should happen/ and or will happen? Should Percy and Annabeth both live happily ever after, or should there be some sort of major death or heartbreak? Always interested, please let me know what you think.