-Percy-

It didn't take me long to find them. The rescue group had taken care of Setne and Freyr's monsters. Setne trailed behind them, clad in so many chains that it should have been impossible for him to walk. Annabeth ran to me, practically jumping in my arms. I kissed her with everything I had, my hands tangling in her hair as I pulled her closer. She pulled away, her fingers grazing my swelling eye. I gave her a smile, letting her know that I was okay. I wanted so much more than this quick moment with her, but it would have to wait. Artemis stepped forward, looking a little haggard.

"Percy, where is-"

"Apollo's hurt," I huffed.

I didn't know a goddess's color could vanish that fast. I led them back through the castle, running practically the whole way. I knew every second would count.

When we got there, Freyr was gone, not a speck of godly ash left to mark where he once stood. The sword laid discarded on the floor about fifteen feet from Addie and Apollo. He was on the floor, a pool of golden blood around him. And Addie was on top of him, not moving.

"Oh my gods," Artemis whispered.

Artemis and Ares shot forward, almost quicker than I could follow. I started to go too, but a hand held me back. I looked up at Athena, who was staring at the two of them with a blank expression.

"This can't be possible," she proclaimed, her voice almost too soft for me to hear. She moved away from us and bent down to pick up the sword. Her hands ran over it before she looked back up to Addie and Apollo. "Anubis, can you take the demigods back to New York?" she urged. Anubis nodded his head.

I started to protest, but Annabeth gave my hand a squeeze and shook her head. Ares placed two fingers on Apollo's neck, just as Artemis did the same to Addie. They looked at each other, their expressions indiscernible.

"I'm not leaving," I protested.

"Mother," Annabeth began, but Athena held up her hand. She looked at me, her mouth trembling.

"Perseus…" She took a deep breath. "There's nothing you can do now. Go to back to camp. Wait there until we come find you. Addie didn't do all this for you to suffer my father's wrath. You need to be far away when he realizes their fate," she finished, her voice growing thick.

Annabeth nodded her head, and Athena left to join the other two. Anubis placed a hand on my shoulder, his expression grim. When I turned around, I saw Ares picking up Apollo, who dangled limply in his arms.

Time is such a funny thing.

Living as long as I have, it's never felt like it went too fast. If anything, it dragged on, one moment blending into the next. A few years could feel like a month. When all those days, years, began to build on one another, it didn't matter. You become jaded to the fact that there might be an end one day. I didn't wish for more time because I'd thought I'd have infinite moments. All of that changed when I found the love of my life. Time had purpose again. Every moment was precious, and I'd give anything to have just one more minute. The only solace I had was that I knew there would always be tomorrow, fates' willing.

Now, I wasn't so sure.

I opened my eyes. I don't really know what I expected. Maybe I'd see Chiron and the Styx. Hades could have made it a VIP death, which I deserved, where I was allowed to skip all of that. Then again, maybe I'd be floating forever in the void. There could just be nothing but my thoughts…

I was surprised to see that I was in my bedroom.

Soft sunlight streamed through the columns, the fabric between them fluttering lightly in the breeze. There was a glass of nectar beside me with ice floating daintily in it. It was warm, way warmer than it should've been. It felt like spring, not winter. I was lying in my bed, the soft white fabric pulled around me. Soft pillows propped me up, elevating my head. I was sore all over, but it was manageable. Death wasn't so bad.

"You're awake."

Artemis walked in, carrying a blanket in her arms. She looked tired, but her smile was bright and relieved.

"Yeah," I wheezed. My voice was a little raspy but not terrible. It was nothing compared to the weight in my chest, to what I knew I'd have to deal with. There were so many questions burning on my tongue, one more important than all of them, but Artemis held up her hand when she saw my face. She sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed the glass of nectar. I reached to take it from her, but she raised her brows and kept it out of my reach.

"No way. You are on bed rest until Asclepius says, and there will be no protesting, understand? You practically died," she acknowledged as she held the glass to my lips. I took a hasty sip, the warmth of it filling me instantly. "You have a family to think of. You need to rest."

"No," I managed to whisper.

"Don't you no me! I know you are worried, but everything is okay," she assured me. "We have the weapon and the trial's been postponed until you are better-"

"Artemis," I whispered. "I don't care about any of that. Where is she? Tell me she's okay."

Artemis sighed, an annoyed but resigned sound. "She's fine. It was close, but we got to her in time. You were way worse off."

"Where?"

"Addie's right beside you, Apollo. She's just asleep."

Artemis pointed over my shoulder. I looked and let out a sigh of relief. Addie was curled up on a divan beside the bed, her stomach a little larger than before. She was sleeping softly, her waves tumbling around her face. I wanted nothing more than to touch her, to be really sure she was there, that we both were.

"Artemis…how? Did…Did Addie do this?"

She smiled and picked at the bedding as she shook her head. "Oh no. Addie was just about as close to death as you were. She had absolutely no magic left in her. It was your daughter. She saved both of you."

I looked to Addie, at her stomach. That little tick from our tiny elephant was there, but this time, it was more formed. Instead of a single note, it was a melody, soft and stunning, melding perfectly with Addie's. Her eyes blinked open, that bright turquoise meeting mine. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, drinking one another in. Finally, her lips parted, a sigh of relief leaving them.

"Apollo."

She bolted up, moving way faster than she ever had before, and threw herself into my arms. I pulled her close to me, my side aching with the effort. Actual tears smarted my eyes as I held her. She was beautiful, healthy, and she was here with my daughter in the same state. I could feel the warmth, the joy, radiating through Addie from my daughter. I could feel how much love and worry they both had for me. I didn't know if I'd ever let them out of my sight again.

"I'll go let them know you are awake," Artemis murmured. She brushed Addie's arm before leaving the room. Addie looked up at me, tears in her eyes.

"I thought I lost you," she whispered. I brushed her cheek. I'd spent over a week worrying I'd never see her again. She took my face in her hands and kissed me. Her lips were soft and wanting, her hands both gentle and needy. She tasted exquisite, like something sweet and infinitely more satisfying than any nectar or ambrosia. She pulled away, memorizing my face while I looked at her. She looked so much better. The hollows in her cheeks were gone, her eyes bright and wild. Addie's color had been so pale, but now, she glowed. Her skin actually seemed to shimmer.

"Immortality suits you," I murmured. She shook her head.

"I'm ready for it to calm down. It feels like an eternal adrenaline rush, which is weird because I'm also extremely tired. She's been anxious," she added with a pat on her tummy.

"It will calm in time," I managed. I cleared my throat, the effort causing searing pain up my side. Addie reached for the glass of nectar and held it as I took a few sips. She set it back down and took my hand. I pulled her to me, and she curled willingly against my good side.

"How long have I been out?" I couldn't tell how long it had been. Tartarus, I'd never even passed out before. I'd never experienced pain like this, never been this tired. If this is what mortals felt like, I truly felt sorry for them. No wonder they acted they way they did.

"Almost a week. Artemis has been taking care of your duties, so the sun's been warmer than usual."

"Sounds like something she would do. Has she been driving my chariot?"

"Once. Said she had no idea why you liked it so much."

I couldn't stop the smile. I curled our fingers together, wishing to be as close as possible. I felt Addie smile against my chest. "And you? How long were you out?"

"Just a couple of days," she murmured. "I didn't want to wake up. When I thought…thought you," she paused, her voice growing thick. I gave her hand a squeeze, willing her to go on. "I didn't want to go on. I couldn't heal you. I kept trying, but I just had nothing left. I didn't think you'd be there when I woke up, and it would have been my entire fault."

"But you did. I remember a girl who stared out at the sky and didn't jump. You are far stronger than you give yourself credit for," I told her before I placed a quick kiss on top of her head. "I can't believe she saved us," I said as I brushed my knuckles against Addie's stomach. A rush of pride and love left her, making Addie giggle. I could listen to that sound for the rest of my existence. The tension melted away, that possibility of such a dark future in the past where it belonged. "Is she okay with your conversion?" I worried.

"She's just fine. She grew more when they made me immortal. As you can see, she's very proud of herself. I can actually feel what she feels now. It's incredible," she sighed affectionately. Silence enveloped us, all of us basking in each other's presence.

"Tell me everything."

"I'll tell you what I know," Addie admitted. "When they found us, you were barely breathing, and I was basically in a comatose state. Our daughter healed you enough to buy some time and kept me from progressing any further. They brought us to Olympus. Some of the council made me immortal, and Asclepius and a few others healed you. The Egyptians have Setne. According to Anubis, they plan on burying him so deep in the Duat that it would take him millennia to manage to swindle his way out. Zeus and the rest of the council were still discussing terms with the Norse. They aren't happy with our pantheon right now. Well, more like they aren't happy with me."

"Why?"

"I stabbed Freyr," she explained quietly. "With the sword, after you collapsed. It won't kill him, of course, but it will keep his essence scattered for a good long while, hundreds, if not thousands of years according to Zeus. The only reason they haven't gone to war with us is due to the fact they feel it was only fair for what he did to us. Plus, Freyr did the same to Loki."

"Loki's gone, too?"

Addie nodded her head. "Freyr attacked him while he was trying to get me out. I hope he's back before the next meeting, if I'm still here. I want to thank him."

I stilled. "If…what do you mean, if?" My thoughts raced. There was only one conclusion that I came to, and I didn't like it at all. "Are you the subject of the trial Artemis mentioned?"

Addie bit her lip and nodded her head. "I'm kind of on house arrest at the moment."

I didn't know what to say. That was insane! She was having our child. She was an asset to our pantheon. She may have created the weapon, but she only did what she had to. I didn't blame her in the slightest for her actions. All she deserved was a slap on the wrist, if that. Hadn't we done worse things?

"How bad is it?"

"Well, I know our daughter will be spared. They've at least agreed on that. She's not going to suffer, which I'm thankful for. Artemis said it's being contested. Some want me to spend the rest of my immortal existence in Tartarus with the rest of the traitor scum, while others are a little more lenient. I'm not going to get out of a punishment; it's just a matter of how bad it's going to be." I gave her a squeeze, trying to give her some comfort. "They wanted you to be awake before they held my trial, said you deserve a say in all of this."

I nodded my head. I was glad at least for that fact. I'd argue for Addie, and not just because she was my wife. She did what any of us would have done in that situation. She put our child first, and no immortal could blame her for that, especially after the pact we all made.

"It's okay, you know," she admitted softly. "I'm okay with whatever the council decides. You, our elephant, Percy…you are all safe, and that's worth the price."

I wanted to agree with her. For our daughter, sure. For Percy, maybe. After all he had been through, he deserved some happiness, a good long, mortal life. But me? Addie deserved to live way more than I did. One decision shouldn't change that.

I prayed the others would hopefully think the same way.

I got you, didn't I? ;) I hope you didn't suffer too badly, but the reviews were a joy to read. Thank you all for leaving your reactions for me! I'm already working on the next chapter, so expect this weekend or early next week.

I hope you enjoyed it!