Hey all,

The next chapter I post will be the last one in this story, so after about five years I will finally wrap this one up.

I hope you all enjoyed it, it was fun having you all along the ride.

Thanks for being loyal guys,

-MJ

After Annabeth was fitted for new clothes, she wore them out and onto the ship. They were soft, and it was nice to get out of Leo's makeshift wardrobe. She left the shop with a dress to wear when they were on land, and two outfits to wear around the ship. They were about to leave the port as the sun sank into the horizon. She felt sad leaving Thalia and Reyna behind but they clearly had already made their decision to stay. She could only hope they thrived on the land. They hadn't really stuck around to say goodbye, except for Thalia who gave everyone hugs, but Reyna was cold and went straight to work as soon as the rest of the crew turned a shoulder. Annabeth looked at the city, which was now far away. Her hands gripped the gritty railing to stabilize herself, and she realized there would be a day when she would get used to the ship hitting rough waves upon their departure. She wasn't sure what the future would hold for her. It was apparent that there was no schedule to this "pirating business" and she just kind of went with how life dealt her issues. Frank appeared next to Annabeth on the railing, and looked down at her. Then his gaze was fixed at the water, mesmerized by the waves.

"Is it nice to see her?" She asked him. Frank snapped his head up and sighed happily.

"It is. I love seeing her so full of life, and she's really happy." A small smile peaked on his lips as his shoulders relaxed into his back. "I liked spending all afternoon with her, and I realized how gorgeous she really is..." Annabeth paled.

"We're talking about your grandma, right?" Frank flushed and jumped.

"What, no!" He stammered. "Hazel! Though I suppose it was also nice to see my grandmother, you're right." His hand landed on the back of his neck as he was clearly embarrassed. "I was talking about Hazel…" He turned to face Annabeth. "Can I ask you something?" Annabeth felt her heart skip, she figured she knew what Frank was about to ask, but clearly, they couldn't even talk about the same person…

"Of course, Frank." She smiled warmly. Looking at him, Frank's face was pale and his face was sweating a little.

"Is…" He paused. "Is it normal to be in love with someone like Hazel?" She asked what he meant, cocking her head.

"I mean… the way we met... I basically picked her out like a doll on a shelf." He went on to explain how he felt that was unfair, and how he felt bad. Annabeth sighed, finding some sick humor of how he was so nervous, but secretly she related. It was messed up beyond extremes to fall in love with someone that picked her out like prized cattle. Her eyes landed on Percy, who was helping Leo adjust the sails. He looked so rugged, like he was rough around the edges, but today's afternoon proved he was something more than just an arrogant, smart-mouthed-

"No, I think it is fine to be in love with her, but if you feel so badly about how you met, offer to do something nice for her." Annabeth explained. Frank grinned. She had a feeling he knew what to do.

"Thanks, Annabeth. I hope you and Percy had fun today." She heaved a sigh.

"We did, thanks." She squeezed his forearm and wished him good luck while he wandered over to offer help to the two-clearly struggling boys with the sail. Looking around the deck, she noticed everyone was accounted for, except the two girls that left… and Nico.

"Where's Nico," she asked Percy who narrowly avoided a wild rope let loose by Leo.

"He still playing nurse downstairs with that new person on deck." Percy tried to appeared alluring, but Annabeth could tell that the ropes he pulled were heavily straining. Annabeth took the liberty of holding onto one rope to ease Percy. He grinned down at her, and began to heave the ropes up to hoist the sail.

"What do you think of Will?" Annabeth mused.

"Well, I heard he's a medic, which," Percy mumbled under his breath "is slightly ironic if you ask me, but if he makes Nico happy, he's good in my book." Annabeth pulled hard on her rope too, which lurched Leo up off the ground, as he shouted a curse in Spanish. As he fell to the ground, no one made a sound until Frank, who was still a distance away, started snickering and in a short time everyone was on the ground with tears leaking from their eyes, guts burning from laughter.

It wasn't until a few days later when Nico took Will out on the deck again. He was well enough to walk at a normal speed, and he was given fresh clothes. Piper even took the liberty to do his hair. His eyes took a while to adjust to the bright sunlight but he was cheerful upon seeing it. He started gushing, holding onto Nico's arm while they walked around the deck. While they passed, Annabeth glanced at Percy, who was grinning wildly. During that time, Piper had also been trained in swordplay by Jason, who was expertly good at it. Hazel had been skilled with a short dagger, and she seemed cheerier than usual. She wore a dried flower in her hair, and Annabeth had a sneaking suspicion that Frank was behind that. The only thing that wasn't happening was anything between Percy and Annabeth. Sure, they sparred occasionally but afterwards, Percy would praise her strategy and her ability to wield a sword, but he never taught her anything. She didn't feel… left out per say, but she felt the longing for an experience like they had that one day on land. It was that night at dinner that Percy unrolled a giant map, with X's marked on it.

"So, our next move is to move down towards Africa and pillage small towns on the shore." He explained, pointing wildly at the locations. "I think by that time, Annabeth, Piper, and Hazel will be well good enough to join in the fights. Any objections?" When no one said anything, Percy grinned and placed his hand on Annabeth's thigh. She sat right next to him at dinner, and she jumped his hand made contact with her leg. It wasn't a bad feeling, just new and unusual. They wrapped up the map, as well as dinner and while they cleaned the dishes, Percy stopped her and asked if they could duel on the deck soon. Hesitant, Annabeth agreed, and went to retrieve her sword.

He met her on the deck, wearing his underclothes which was loose pants and a white shirt. Annabeth made the choice to shed her jacket, and raised her sword. By this point she was able to pick out Percy's strategies and flaws, and was able to deflect right away. His sword swung wildly, narrowly missing her head as she ducked, and she kicked his ankle. Immediately, he was on the deck and Annabeth, scrambling to get up, pointed her sword at his chest, flicking it slightly. There was a distinctive noise of fabric tearing and Percy took a short breath in. She had torn his skin as well, and blood welled from his skin. Her breathing halted her as she murmured "point." Percy's eyes glanced at the sword on his chest, then up to her eyes.

"Damn." Annabeth began to laugh, and joined him on the ground.

"I'm sorry about your shirt… and your skin… Here- I'll get bandages-" She started to rise but Percy grabbed her hand.

"No, stay. I'll live." She rejoined him and they both discarded their swords, backs to the deck. He started talking, about anything that came to mind, and about the sunset, how proud he was of her, and while talking his hand found hers. Blood rushed to her face but her hand firmly grasped his.

"I'm glad I chose to stay," She whispered. "I wouldn't have met you otherwise…" He shifted so that he was on his side, and he was staring at her. Annabeth moved too, pressing their foreheads together and slowly, Percy leaned in and pushed his lips to hers, and Annabeth felt her eyelids flutter. Her heart raced and her face was the reddest it had ever been. The kiss deepened, and his hands met the small of her back. Annabeth had to admit that she never had kissed a person before, and she had no idea what to do with her hands so she settled on wrapping them around his shoulders. It was like getting drunk, no it was better- like finishing a dance where her heart was twirling the entire time. A small sigh of contentment escaped from his lips and Annabeth pulled away for air. He chucked slightly, the tips of his ears hot. She didn't want to move. She buried her head into his chest, hearing his quickened heartbeat pulsate against her ears, but to her this was perfect. Soon she was lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the boat, and Percy humming a sweet lullaby, his chest vibrating ever so slightly.

Reviews are appreciated!