Annabeth's p.o.v.

December 25th, 1914, 12:30 p.m.

As I passed each cot I smiled brightly at each of the soldiers. So many of them had stayed in these cots over the last two months, I couldn't remember them all. But, it was Christmas, and the hospital was the happiest I had ever seen it. One of my favorite parts about my job was this: handing out the letters and packages sent from loved ones. The soldiers' faces lit up as they told stories of their childhoods and of happier times.

It would be short-lived, of course.

Nothing could last forever. Even this momentary reprieve of sadness. After finishing my rounds, I went downstairs to see why we hadn't had any incoming wounded. Surely the men in the trenches were still fighting, and fighting caused injuries.

There was no one downstairs besides the bedridden patients. Then I heard the commotion outside, and went immediately to investigate. All of the nurses, doctors, and attendants were staring off into the distance where you could just barely see the outline of the trenches. I rose a hand over my face to shade my eyes from the sun. There was an odd sound in the air. One I wasn't used to hearing.

Silence.

There weren't guns going off in the distance. No, there wasn't any violence at all.

"What is happening?" I asked the rest of the group, shivering in the light layer of December snow.

Someone answered, "They've stopped fighting."

My blood froze, just like the earth below me. I could see a large group of men running around just below the horizon. There were so many of them. Then I realized, it was a mixture of colors out there. Our soldiers were mingling with those of the Germans. Treason. They could be shot for their actions.

Someone voiced what I had just thought, "That's treason."

I countered them before anyone else could reply, saying, "And we're not going to do a thing about it."

"Happy Christmas." Will called from the doorway. He was supposed to be asleep, but no one could sleep on Christmas, not even me. We all voiced our felicitations, different countries speaking in their native tongues. I smiled.

"Merry Christmas, Will." I told him after he had found me in the small crowd that had formed. The residents of Boisleux-au-Mont had joined us in our little celebration.

"And to you." He replied. "Maybe this war is closer to being over than we thought."

That was wishful thinking. "I don't think so."

"Me neither." Will agreed, then called out to everyone. "Alright, you lot, we still have patients to attend to!"

No one grumbled as they went back to work. Today's Christmas Truce was enough of a miracle in itself. But somewhere deep inside of us all, we knew what would happen tomorrow. As soon as today was over. Would it start all over again? Which side was going to be the ones to decide to shoot their newfound friends? The thought of it made gooseflesh erupt all along my arms. Today faith in humanity had been restored, but the looming future of tomorrow—well, I didn't even want to think about it.

That night, I handed out the mail for the staff. Like I said, it was my favorite part. A few letters in particular caught my attention. The ones addressed to my friends, of course. I wouldn't call it snooping, but I was curious. I read who they were from. Piper received letters from both her father and Jason. They had been writing to each other since he had left Boisleux-au-Mont, and Piper's face would light up like a flame every time I handed her the post.

The others were to Will. He didn't ever receive letters. One was from Dr. Greenberg. The other was different. It was written on standard military stationary, and read 'Primo Capitano Nicolaus di Angelo'. The handwriting was pristine. I almost couldn't believe it had been written by a man. Primo Capitano. First Captain in Italian. That was the same rank as a lieutenant in the British army.

Why would an Italian captain be writing to Will? Then it hit me. Will was a homosexual. All of the signs were there, just disguised. I hit my lip. In this day and age, Parliament had decreed that it was illegal for gay men to be in the military service. Will was able to hide it better, being a doctor who worked with a mainly female staff. But his friend—a soldier—if he was found sending letters to another man. Well, he'd be done for. That was the law.

Someone coughed behind me and I jumped. I whirled around to see who it was—Will.

"What are you doing?" He asked calmly, hands shoved the pockets of his government issued trousers. I could tell that he already knew that he had caught me. He nodded when I didn't answer. "So you know then?"

"Yes." I replied simply, and held out his letter for him to take.

Will nodded again, his face only slightly red. "Are you going to have a problem with me from here on out?" He nervously awaited my answer.

"No." I didn't want to lose our friendship any more than he did. I didn't have a problem with his sexuality, either. Chiron and Mr. D. received enough retribution for living together, even if they didn't reciprocate feelings for each other.

"And you will keep my secret?"

"Of course." I promised. "That's what friends do, yes?"

"Yes." He said, looking much more relaxed.

"May I offer you a word of advice though, Will?" I asked. He was suddenly nervous again. I told him, "Tell your friend to be a bit sloppier with his handwriting. He flourished his capitals like a woman would."

With that, I turned away, and entered into my room. I deposited my roommate's letters, then shuffled through my own. One was from my father, and I shuffled it to the back so that I would read it last. It was probably just asking me if I would return home soon. The answer would always be 'no'. We didn't get along well, my father and I. The second was from Chiron, my beloved mentor and adopted father. The third was from someone whose name I hardly recognized. Dr. Albin Greenberg; the man who reminded me of Sherlock Holmes. What could he possibly want? He had sent a letter to Will, too.

I perched on the edge of my bed and opened the letter, reading carefully.

Dear Dr. Annabeth Chase,

I have heard far and wide of your doctoring and nursing techniques, following in the footsteps of the great Lady Florence Nightingale and her practices. Since she has passed on, I find that you have proven yourself worthy of keeping her legacy up to date. I would like very much if you would come with me to a conference on how our nurses should be treating the wounded. In fact, I would like you to speak at this convention, on the very routine you complete every day. If you are not up to the task, please let me know as soon as you are able, because time is of the essence. I have sent a similar letter to your male counterpart, Dr. William Solace. I hope the both of you are able to attend.

The date is 28 January, 1915 at Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Westminster, London, England. If you are able to attend, I will send you further information detailing the occurrences of your stay. If you cannot be drawn from your noble work, I understand completely. If it pleases you, you may bring one person to accompany you.

Yours truly,

Dr. Albin Greenberg

He wanted me to come to London? Me? Out of everyone in the war effort? I thought for a moment. If I went, what would I even say? The opportunity alone was once in a lifetime. I decided to think about it, and set the letter on my pillow. I wanted to open Chiron's letter next.

Dearest Annabeth,

I do not write to you to alarm you, but I thought that you should be aware of all that has happened in our country in the two months you've been gone. Our government, remains neutral, though heavily favors Great Britain and the Allied Powers. President Woodrow Wilson is sure in his efforts that we will not enter this war. But I know it is inevitable. Already, production of everyday items has halted. Instead of luxury items like jewelry and record players, we are now creating bullets and weapons of war. We are prepared to fight if it comes to it.

Annabeth, the children at camp are growing restless. They want to help in any way that they can, just like you. You have been such an inspiration for us all. Your work in France has reached all the way to America. There was even a small article about you in the Boston newspaper! A female doctor! Who would have thought? Let me tell you this, I have always known you were destined for greatness.

As for many of your friends, well, as grown adults, they are allowed to do as they please out there in the world. But I worry, my dear. Clarisse has gone off. Before she left she chopped off all of her hair and we haven't received any word from her. I have a feeling she has joined the military in some shape or form, illegally. As for Luke, the day he turned eighteen he went and joined a division of the government that he refuses to speak about. It is all very confidential, you see. All he says is that he is serving his country.

I do hope this reaches you in good health. I don't know when you will get it, so I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Never doubt that I love you, Annabeth, like the daughter I never had myself.

Love,

Chiron

I bit my lip to keep from tearing up. Lifting up the letter to my face, I inhaled deeply, just barely being able to smell the scent of books and ink that followed Chiron everywhere. It reminded me so much of home, that I couldn't help but hate my accommodations of late. At home, I had a room with my siblings, and a desk to myself. Here, I still had the constant company, but not the will to do as I pleased. I had responsibilities now, though. And I couldn't let everyone down by ignoring them.

I folded the letter back up and placed it back in its envelope, moving on to my father's letter. Here we go.

Annabeth,

He was always so formal.

I urge you to come back to America as I write this. Your family needs you. I need you to help care for my wife, especially. We have discovered that she is to be expecting twins, and I cannot support the whole family and work at the same time. Please, I beg of you, my daughter. Do your duty to your family. You have done enough for the country. Come home before it is too late.

From,

Dad.

I shook my head in dismay. He would never change, would he? Trying to guilt me into coming back to him was never going to work. And what was this nonsense about 'home'? My home hadn't been with him since I was six! What would change now? 'You've done enough for your country'. What the hell was that? I wasn't a child he could order around anymore. My accomplishments proved that.

I had been invited to speak at a hospital by one of the most respected men in London for heaven's sake!

Lord, how I wanted to push that in my father's face. And maybe I still would. I had to reply to him sometime. Perhaps if I went to London, I could send the letters for a cheaper price. I was already sending his new family money every two months from my pension. I wasn't that heartless. But I did keep half of it for myself. I had to live somewhere when the war was over.

Sighing, I placed all of my letters in between the sheets of my bed, and went to go find Piper for our routine records-keeping. Each level of soldiers was a-buzz with excitement. As I passed the rows of beds, I answered the same question over and over: "Did they truly stop fighting?" I nodded every time with a tight smile. This temporary happiness would be over soon.

I found Piper tucking a soldier's blankets tightly around him. After she finished, we sat down at the supply table with paper and pen, documenting notes by the light of a small lamp. In murmured voices we talked, so we wouldn't disturb those who were sleeping.

"Did you hear what else the troops did today?" Piper asked. She didn't wait for a reply before telling me anyway. "They traded prisoners of war from each side!"

I stopped writing to look at her. "What?!"

Piper nodded, eyes wide.

"Someone is going to be in a lot of trouble." I muttered and went back to writing about the stitches I had taken out this afternoon. They had healed nicely. But what of the two warring sides? Both governments were sure to be furious.

"I hope they don't react too badly." Piper said, and I nodded mutely. She didn't need to tell me who they were. We both knew.

I decided to tell Piper about the letter I had received from Dr. Greenberg. She reacted well; a bit more excited than me, though.

"That's so exciting, Annabeth!" She gushed. "Just imagine it! This is such a big honor!"

"So I should go?" I asked, already knowing what she would say.

"Of course, you should go!" She chided. "I wish it was me! That would show my father, I know it."

"Then you should consider coming with me." I said. "I'm allowed one person to come with me."

Piper was ecstatic, the glimmer in her eyes evident. "I don't need to think about it! Yes! I will definitely come with you!"

Her cheerfulness wore off on me easily, and we finished our notes in a content silence. There would be much happening in the next few days. I would have to write some letters of reply, talk to Will, write a speech for the hospital, and finally, see what repercussions were going to come from the Christmas Truce. One thing was for sure, though. This day would go down in history.