A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I assure you that both Clarisse and Jason will be back, but this is Percy's POV.
"There's still something you overlooked," Piper suddenly commented. After Annabeth and I had finished explaining, we'd been standing around, probably all individually contemplating the battle we were going towards at full speed (far too far in the air I may add). The other six of us turned to face her.
"What about the last two lines of the prophecy," Piper asked. "You know, "An oath to keep with final breath, and foes bear arms to the doors of death?"
"Didn't Minos mention the doors of death being opened?" Leo suggested.
"Probably means we're going to have to go down to the underworld and close them, doesn't it?" Bobby asked.
"A Greek and a Roman," Annabeth agreed, only to be met with raised eyebrows from everyone (except me, I'd long since learned not to question things which Annabeth said). "Greeks and Romans are supposed to be enemies, what else to you suggest 'foes' to mean." This was immediately met with nods.
"Though what entrance to the underworld?" I asked.
"Percy, didn't you just say you've been to the underworld twice?"
"And the entrances are in LA and Central Park," I replied.
"We're going in the wrong direction?" Piper demanded.
"Guys, lets worry about it later," Jason finally stepped in. "Greece is the right direction, and we all know it." I nodded.
"Prophecies work themselves out usually," I threw in. "Panicking about them is not productive." This got me some skeptical looks. "Trust me on this one, I pissed some people off pretty badly last time I did." Annabeth and I exchanged an understanding look.
"But…" Piper looked around at all of us, her expression alarmed. (To my surprise, she even looked at Reyna, but only for a tenth of a second.) Leo was wearing a similar expression.
"Let's all get some rest," Bobby suggested. "Jason, when'll we be there?"
"Morning," he offered. With a start, I realized that it had gotten dark. Assuming the darkness could hide us, I caught Jason's eye and we switched off our cloud cover.
"Jason and I can fly the Argo, you five rest," Leo decided. I couldn't help but smile internally at his sudden attempt to take charge of the situation. But at least he didn't look frightened anymore. I nodded, and started below deck after Bobby, Annabeth walking beside me, her hand entwined in mine.
"Night lovebirds!" Bobby called over his shoulder before disappearing into the bunk room which had been deemed "Bobby and Leo's."
"Night," I called back while Annabeth rolled her eyes. Then she pulled me down the hall and into Jason and my room. I frowned slightly as she shut the door behind us. Annabeth smiled upon seeing my expression.
"You really do look cute when you're worried," she informed me. I chuckled, but then fixed her with an inquisitory look.
"What are you worried about?"
"Gaea, the Titans, the Underworld…" she listed. I raised an eyebrow. "I just have a bad feeling."
"Annabeth, I think you're supposed to have a bad feeling when you're about to fight to save the world." Her glare informed me she wasn't in the mood for humor.
"But the prophecy line…" I knew immediately by her facial expression she wasn't referring to the underworld part.
"Annabeth, its one line. And it's certainly not the first time a line of a prophecy sounded bad." Or even included the words "final breath".
"It just gives me a bad feeling." With a start I remembered Nico expressing similar concerns.
"Me too," I admitted, pulling her into my chest and wrapping my arms around her. "But we'll be okay Wise Girl. You're too smart for anything to happen." She snorted into my chest.
"And we always have your dumb luck to fall back on."
"I resent that!" I protested, releasing her enough to look into her eyes and attempting an indignant expression. By Annabeth's smirk, I assumed I'd failed. I gave up the attempt, and Annabeth curled back into my chest. I smiled and buried my face in her hair. Suddenly, Annabeth lifted her head. I grumbled: if I wasn't all invincible and stuff, her slamming my jaw could have really hurt.
"You know, I've only known you a little over half a year without imminent death hanging over your head." I blinked, considering the statement for a second before realizing she was right.
"Maybe it's part of my charm?"
"Seaweed Brain."
"But last time turned out fine," I continued, earning me a glare. "Sort of."
"But Gaea's probably ten times worse than Kronos and…"
"Annabeth." I pulled her away from me, holding her shoulders so she had to meet my eyes. "We have your brain and my dumb luck, remember? We'll be fine." She smiled slightly.
"I suppose so," she replied, shrugging casually. "I'm just worried what we'll do without Grover to save us." I grinned, especially at the twinkle in her eye.
"This is why I love you Wise Girl." I realized a second to late what I was saying, and froze. Annabeth's eyes also widened, looking almost more scared than I felt. "Uh…" Gods, I truly was a Seaweed Brain. Who else tells their girlfriend they love them by accident? I could feel my face turning red. I wasn't sure whether Annabeth looked scared or upset now, especially since she'd lowered her head so I couldn't see her eyes.
"I…um, bye," Annabeth stuttered, pulling herself backwards.
"Wait," I grabbed her arm again. She didn't break my grip, which I took to be a positive sign, so I took a breath and continued. "Annabeth, I really do. I love you." It occurred to me I probably sounded like an Aphrodite camper right now. She met my eyes again, her grey eyes searching. Suddenly, she smiled, allowing the knot in my stomach to unclench. Then, she threw herself into my arms, knocking me backwards the few inches to the wall as her lips met mine. After a few seconds, she pulled back, continuing to grin.
"I love you too Seaweed Brain." I broke into a grin before wrapping my arms around her and pulling her in for another kiss.