((A/N Hey ya'll! So, I know a lot of you don't like the idea of Annabeth remembering her feelings for Luke [and I know some of you do like it;)] but can I just remind you that Annabeth is a human. Well, sort of. And even a half-human has emotions that they can't sort out sometimes, so these few chapters are just a view on her struggle with that. I swear, I'm not breaking Percabeth. I'm just pointing out that not even they can be the absolute perfect couple. And we all know that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? :) Next chapter will be up soon. I've also been realizing that I've been gaining followers and favorites, but haven't been getting many reviews at all, which is sort of confusing and depressing :P Remember, the more you bug me about posting, the sooner new chapters go up ;) R&R!))

It's strange seeing Grover with full-out facial hair, since he's technically my age. I can't help but stare as he scratches his beard in thought, the way that the Elder satyrs do.

"You haven't told Thalia?" he asks, still thinking.

"Of course not," I snort.

He nods, "Good idea. But I wouldn't want to be you when she finds out."

"If Luke isn't reincarnated, she won't ever have to."

"She's going to find out, Annabeth. This is Thalia we're talking about." He raises a bushy eyebrow.

"So what should I do?" I ignore the fact that he's right.

"I mean, if I were you, I would avoid this hearing at all costs," he sighs, "You're Annabeth, though. And I know no matter what I say to you, you're going to end up going."

"How do you know?" I cross my arms. I don't like it when people jump to conclusions about me.

"Annabeth, I've known you for eleven years."

"Right," I groan, "Gods, what do I do, Grover?"

"Why are you talking to me about this anyways?" Grover laughs shortly, "Where's Percy?"

I pull my lips into a thin line, wincing. "We… fought."

Grover studies my face and then his eyes widen, "Percy doesn't know any of this? Annabeth! Holy Hera!"

"You know he wouldn't let me go if he knew!" I say, frustrated.

"That's not true. You win every argument against him."

"I wouldn't with this one. It hurts him when I talk about Luke, and I'm not going to bring up the fact that he might be coming back. Don't you understand how Percy would react?"

"Don't you understand how he will if Luke comes marching back to camp? He'd kill him on the spot!"

"No, Percy respects Luke. He's just… jealous." I bite my lip, "I mean, I see where he's coming from."

"Me too," Grover purses his own lips, "You did have a major crush on Luke."

"Grover!" I practically scream, pounding my fist against his arm. He bleats and scurries backwards.

"Zeus, Annabeth, chill! I was joking!" he pouts, holding his arm.

"It's not funny!" I wipe my hands over my face, "This is just terrific."

"I hope that's sarcasm. Because I've never seen two people more perfect for each other than you and Percy." Grover mumbles, "Besides me and Juniper of course. But we're not necessarily people."

I swallow the lump in my throat, "I'm keeping Percy, no matter what. I don't care if Luke comes back. I'm not letting him ruin my life. But… a small part of me wants him to come back, so that I have him again."

"Annabeth, you sound so bipolar right now." Grover chuckles. He jerks backward before I can land another punch, though.

"I just want my life to be less complicated," I groan. Grover comes forward and hesitantly places a hand on my shoulder. I realize it's been days since I've had a hug, and I can't stop myself from wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

He squeezes me tight, "You're a demigod. Life will never be 'less complicated'. But you're also Annabeth Chase, and as your best friend-"

"Thalia's my best friend."

"Shhh. It's alright," he continues, "As your best friend, I know that you can handle anything."


The morning of Luke's hearing, Alex comes to my cabin's door asking for me.

"What's up?" I ask, pulling on a hoodie. It's unusually cold out today.

"Are you ready?" he asks quietly, lowering his voice so that no one else can hear.

"Just let me grab my backpack," I nod, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

Ten minutes later we're in a cab. My heart sank when I remembered that Argus couldn't drive us, so I called up the Three Sisters cab.

It sort of sucks, since I'm already queasy, and their driving totally makes you want to puke. Alex grits his teeth and grabs the seat in front of him with both hands, not letting go until we're at the Empire State building.

"Are… you alright?" Alex eyes me after we make it to the elevator, "You're green."

"I'm fine," I mumble, sticking my clammy hands in my pockets. The elevator shoots up in a familiar style, and then the doors open and we're facing Olympus.

I don't even have the heart to admire the architecture. I feel like I'm in a first-person video game, as if someone else has taken over my body and forces it to keep moving forward even though I'm terrified.

When we enter the courtroom, we're required to give our names, a single strand of hair, and a prick of blood for 'anti-DNA replication awareness services', whatever that means. Maybe it's to keep clones out of Olympus. Nothing would surprise me at this point.

The courtroom is shaped in a circle, sort of like an arena. Alex and I pick a seat towards the edge, as far back as possible, but we're still completely visible.

Alex stays silent, his leg bouncing nervously the way Luke's used to. I dig my nails into my palm to try and calm myself. My mind keeps drifting to Percy, but I'm broken from thought as a gavel slams down at the judge's table. Alex jumps next to me.

Zeus, Hermes, and Poseidon are the only three Olympians that enter the courthouse. Despite where I'm sitting in the back of the room, Poseidon notices me and his eyes narrow in question. I look down at my feet.

"I hereby call this official courtroom to order, to determine the final sentencing of Lucas Elliot Castellan, son of Hermes, savior of Olympus, and temporary ally of the Titans." Zeus booms. His voice echoes throughout the marble, "May we bring the soul of Luke to this courtroom, from the Underworld, so that he may be present during his trial."

Smoke tendrils seep up through the white floor, covering it in a layer of dark gray mist. I'm mesmerized as the smoke begins to rise in two separate pillars, creating legs, then form together to build a waist, torso, shoulders, arms and head.

Suddenly the smoke dissipates into the air, and where the smoky vision of Luke was stands the actual Luke, clutching his chest, gasping for air. His short blonde hair reflects the light in the room, and his blue eyes are wide as he scrambles to find his balance.

"Ow," Alex squeaks next to me. I realize that I've grabbed his hand, and am in the process of snapping every bone in it. I let it go, only to make a fist and dig it into my leg. I can't tear my eyes from Luke, standing there, seemingly alive once more.

Zeus begins talking, listing all the reasons Luke should or shouldn't be granted life, and the jury (made up of a mixture of satyrs and dryads) nods and 'tsks' accordingly. I don't hear anything he's saying, though. My mind is too clouded with thoughts.

About five minutes into the list, Luke gets bored and begins scanning the crowd. His eyes sweep from side to side, observing who came to his sentencing. I know he's looking for me. My mind screams at me to duck behind Alex, or hide my face in my hands, but I'm frozen. All I can do is let his eyes fall on me.

I see some sort of emotion flash through his eyes, a mixture of excitement, sadness, and guilt. Tears spring into my own eyes, and I forget how to breathe for a minute. My heartbeat is in my ears, and it feels like someone is squeezing my chest, and it takes everything in me not to pass out, or bawl, or run away screaming.

I allow myself to study his face, and I realize he's doing the same to me. His lips twitch into a small smile, and I can practically read his mind. He thinks I'm beautiful.

Guilt immediately consumes me, and I rip my eyes away from him. I love Percy with all my heart. Percy. Percy. Percy.

"Luke." Zeus rumbles. Luke turns to face the gods.

"Yes, sir." His voice fills my ears, and my heart stops. I never thought I'd hear that voice again. It feels like I've taken a sip of hot chocolate on a cold day, and my insides turn warm. "I take full responsibility for my actions."

"You agree when I say that you created an alliance with the Titans that nearly burned Olympus and the mortal world to the ground?" Zeus asks.

"Yes, sir."

"Then let the jury cast their votes." Zeus raises his arms over his head, and wind whips through the courthouse. The slips of paper in front of every jury member float over to his seat and stack themselves perfectly.

"No," Hermes' voice carries throughout the courtroom, although it's barely a whisper. My lungs threaten to collapse.

"It is decided," Zeus lowers his hand, "The jury has come to the unanimous conclusion that Mr. Castellan is guilty of all charges. He shall not be granted a second life, and is no longer allowed to leave the Underworld."

I let out some kind of noise that draws attention, something between a yelp and a squeak. All eyes turn to me. Except Luke, who has his head in his hands.

"Ms. Chase. Do you have anything to add?" Poseidon eyes me carefully.

Somehow I find my voice, "I-I just think that it's not fair or legal in a court of law to ignore the opinions of witnesses."

"A fair point, however, as Olympians we were first-hand witnesses to the Titan War." Poseidon counters. Luke turns to look at me, questioning me silently through familiar looks.

"As we both know, it is inaccurate to call yourself a first-hand witness to Luke's actions, considering the fact that you and the other gods were preoccupied with the war. I, on the other hand, was there when he both saved Olympus, and killed himself in the process." My voice is shaky but sure.

"Albeit a good point, it is a moot one. The trial has already come to an end, and if you had defense to offer, you should have presented it when court was in session, and before the jury cast their final votes." Zeus cuts in, "Thank you for your time, everyone. Court dismissed."

I see Luke mouth something to me from across the room, but before I can make it out, he's gone. Again.

Zeus, Hermes, and Poseidon disappear in a flash of light. Everyone stands to leave, except me and Alex. I'm still sitting there, shaking, trying to remember how to breathe. Alex places his hand on my shoulder consolingly, but I don't acknowledge him.

The door to the courtroom bangs shut as the last of the jury leaves.

"Um… Annabeth?" Alex's voice quivers. I shake my head in reply, but his grip tightens on my shoulder and he shakes me, "Annabeth, look."

I pull my head up to see the courtroom, still shining bright, but the floor is covered in smoke again. This smoke looks different though, and my heart speeds up.

"We need to go," I stand rigidly, "Now!"

I push Alex forward, but we're on the farthest side of the room from the door. I grab his arm, and we try to run through the seats, hopping over benches, but the mist spreads quickly. Soon it's around my feet, and then rising upward. It swirls around me, up to my knees, my waist, my ribs.

"Alex, go!" I yell, giving him one last shove towards the door. The smoke covers my eyes, and I hold my breath, but I can't see where I'm running any more. My foot catches on a chair and I fall forward. I hit the marble floor, the wind knocked out of me.

My first thought is that I can't breathe because I've fallen, but I realize soon that the smoke is as thick as water, and I'm drowning in it.

"Annabeth!" someone calls out, but my mind is fogging over, and I sink into the black.