Author's Note : We are finally at the LAST CHAPTER! I cannot express to all of you how much your support has meant to me while writing this fic. The confidence I have gained in my writing through your comments has been unparalleled!
And on that note, let's get to it!
Chapter 6
"Order! Order!" Reyna shouted, but she was ignored by the uproar of the crowd. Thankfully, Reyna had taken the news with great stride when they told her the whole story earlier that day, but Percy was starting to think that maybe charging head first into stepping down in front of the whole Senate had been a bit ill thought out.
"This is an outrage!"
"A praetor stepping down this short notice during a peace time is unheard of!"
"He's brought some graecus girl into the Senate!"
"This cannot stand!"
"SILENCE!" Percy yelled, slamming his hands down on the table in front of him. Annabeth jumped a little at the outburst, but managed to keep her reaction in check enough where it would not have been noticed by the Senators. "This must be done. And if you give us time to explain I am sure you'll agree with my decision to step down." Percy took a deep breath looking down to where Annabeth sat, she gave him an encouraging nod and small smile. "I came to New Rome before the Second Giant War with no memory of my past, and I cannot express to you how much it has meant to me that you came to accept me here, but this is not my home. Like Jason was sent to the Greeks I was sent to you. It was never supposed to be a permanent situation, but my memory loss at the hands of Hera-Juno was more intense than Jason's. Now that I have regained my memories I cannot in good conscience continue to serve as praetor when I am needed elsewhere."
"So you're telling me that-that summer camp needs you more than Rome?"
"You'd do well not to speak ill of the Greeks, Senator, especially when the Roman representative was beaten during a trial by combat this week." Frank interjected.
"Beaten during a trial by combat? Why is this the first we are hearing of it?"
"I was informed of the challenge via Iris Message from the Greek Council shortly after it was initiated. I didn't feel it was necessary to convene all of you during your time off for a challenge that was issued by our centurion. It was not a declaration of war by the Greeks, though they would have been well within their rights based on the disrespect that led to the challenge being issued. We should be thankful we were represented well by Praetor Jackson in one of his final acts as praetor."
"The son of Neptune was defeated? By who?" A younger Senator shouted from the back.
"It had to be Jason Grace, a Big Three match," another answered.
"Actually it's Poseidon." Percy corrected, and the room fell quiet. "I don't know if you guys are really hearing me… The challenge brought more to light than just my past… It shows that the Romans as a whole have not been respectful of our allies, even here today you have insulted the Greek camp, the Greeks as a whole, and their leader, Annabeth Chase." He gestured toward Annabeth, who stood and joined him on the platform.
"We want nothing more than a strong allyship with New Rome, but let this challenge be the last time we take up arms against one another. I beat Percy fair and square, but the respect that may elicit from you should have been given freely as a courtesy to allies. You may be under the impression that the Greeks need New Rome, but that is not the case. We have fought wars, slain giants, gods, and monsters for centuries without your help, and if necessary we will do it again. But I don't think that is the wise decision for either of our groups. Like it or not we are partners, united in purpose, it's about time we start acting like it."
There were hums of agreement through the crowd, some Senators seemed to be aghast at the out of custom outburst or maybe just from her suggestions, but ultimately, Reyna spoke, louder than those who disagreed.
"I motion to relinquish Perseus Jackson of his role as praetor, and renew our partnership with the Greek demigods in the presence of both of their leaders. All those in favor say, 'aye'"
A strong chorus of ayes rang through the building so clear and decisive that it couldn't have been anything but an affirmative vote.
"All those opposed?" It seemed that even those who had disagreed had chosen to confirm the new ruling or at least refrain from the vote as no descent was heard. "The ayes have it. Praetor Jackson as your last act in office we would like a nomination for your replacement."
Holding Annabeth's hand firmly, a grin split across his face, searching the crowd. There in the back was exactly the man he was looking for, standing amongst those of the Seven who had ventured to New Rome with them. "I nominate Frank Zhang, Son of Mars, as my replacement. He is fair and just, and his positive relationship with both camps will only strengthen the alliance to come."
Annabeth turned her eyes to the man in question to see his face utterly shocked, but Hazel was absolutely beaming up at him.
Percy practically dragged Annabeth out of the meeting by their joined hands once it was officially adjourned. She wasn't sure if it was because he was trying to avoid talking to the individual senators or if he was just very motivated to get dinner as the meeting had run over by at least an hour.
"I'm starving, want to grab pizza before we head back to my place?" Well that answered that question.
Before Annabeth could respond she heard her name coming from the crowd leaving the senate. She turned to see Reyna walking with purpose through the crowd toward them.
"Percy, I would like to borrow your girlfriend for a moment. I will return her to your apartment when we are finished."
Percy looked to Annabeth, keeping his grip on her hand firm, this would be the first time they've separated to do anything more than shower since being reunited.
"It's okay, it won't take long. Why don't you pick up the pizza and start packing and I'll be there as soon as I can." She reassured him. Percy nodded, dropping a kiss on her forehead.
"I'll see you in a bit." Then Percy turned to Reyna, "Now don't go trying to steal my girl. You gotta find your own Greek."
Reyna just rolled her eyes at him goodnaturedly and gestured for Annabeth to walk with her.
The two walked for a block or so discussing mundane things, such as their college classes and personal combat styles, before turning into a garden hidden amongst the buildings.
It was a beautiful oasis tucked away from the city, lush and green with a few statues of ancient heroes scattered throughout. Eventually settling in the grass beside one.
Finally relaxed, Reyna asked what she had been building up to with this whole talk.
"I take it your leadership status is finally not a secret."
Annabeth looked over at Reyna, "It was never a secret, just not something I divulged to the Romans. How did you…"
"One of my gifts from my mother. I can sense power in others, sometimes like with Children of the Big Three it is physical powers, but there are the rare few, like you, who give off such a distinct aura of leadership that it is impossible to ignore." Reyna paused for a moment, as if calculating her next move. "Why did you hide it? Being the Greek Commander, I mean."
Annabeth pondered the question a moment, allowing her eyes to roam the garden. "It was best for everyone. I knew I couldn't face him, not with him looking at me like I was a stranger. As childish as it sounds it was easier to have Jason and Piper as middlemen to be able to give the alliance the attention it deserves. I knew that if I was feeling every ounce of my heartbreak every time I had to meet with your people it wouldn't be possible to sustain an alliance."
"It does not seem childish, if I had been in your position I would like to think I would make the same decision, but I can't say I wouldn't have been selfish in your shoes. You put the health of the alliance above your personal desire to be close to him."
Annabeth gave her a small smile. It was rare to be around someone who understood the burden of leadership, who had to work at it like she did. For Percy and Jason it came naturally, it was woven into their very DNA, but for her and Reyna it seemed they were two sides of the same coin, daughters of war goddesses just trying to do what was best for their people.
"Oh, I have something of Percy's. When he first got to camp I think Octavian took it from his bunk, convinced he was a Greek spy, which I guess in a way he was right, at least about the Greek part. By the time I found out who had it, it felt like the wrong time to give it to him or more like I was the wrong person. And I think it's because it shouldn't be given by a Roman. You should return it to him." Reyna pulled out a beaded necklace on a leather cord. A quiet gasp had escaped Annabeth's mouth.
"I figured it was gone forever when I didn't see him wearing it." Annabeth took the necklace, running her fingers over each of the five beads. "Thank you. This will mean the world to him, and to me."
They sat in the garden for a little while longer before Annabeth went to bid her goodnight and return to Percy's quarters to help him pack.
"Even when he didn't remember you, you were the only one for him." Reyna said to Annabeth's back as she was walking out.
"What?" She said, turning. Reyna looked a bit sheepish now.
"Percy hasn't even entertained the idea of anyone else since he's been here. I think somewhere inside he knew he wasn't really unattached. I just thought you should know." There was a little bit of hurt in Reyna's statement, but Annabeth chose not to dwell on it.
"Thanks for telling me… and just thanks."
"What are you thanking me for?"
"I guess keeping Percy from getting himself killed while he was out here."
"It's a hard job. He really has a knack for trouble."
Annabeth laughed, "oh, I have some stories for you."
"I look forward to hearing them one day."
Annabeth gave her a smile and a nod before waving goodbye to go find Percy.
After a full two days of packing, Percy's things were finally ready to be shipped to New York. Thankfully the Praetor Apartment he was living in had come furnished so they only had to worry about personal items and not a giant couch or bed frame.
"I want to take you out and show you the sites before we leave tomorrow. What do you say about a night on the town?"
"Percy Jackson, are you asking me on a date?" Annabeth said with a coy smile.
"Well yeah, just because we're madly in love doesn't mean I get to just throw in the towel on trying to impress you." Percy said, wrapping his arms around her middle. "So is that a yes?"
"Yes, it is. And I don't want to burst your bubble but I think you've shown me everything within walking distances and the Trolly's close down in half an hour. That's not nearly enough time to see anything of significance."
"Well, lucky for us I have a solution for that!" Percy smiled with a mischievous grin.
"Sally's going to kill you."
Annabeth and Percy stood in front of the slightly worse for wear motorcycle in the garage below the apartment.
"And that's why we won't tell her about it. I told Leo he is welcome to it, once we get everything shipped back. I only fixed it up enough to get it running." Percy walked toward the bike, getting on with practiced ease. "Come on, Wise Girl. You've faced scarier things than a motorcycle."
"With you driving I'm starting to doubt that." Annabeth teased, doing her best to get on the seat behind Percy.
"I'll have you know I've never crashed, not even once."
"You ride a motorcycle, have a tattoo. I'm starting to think my mother was right about you being a bad influence."
Percy laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest to where Annabeth could feel it against her as she held onto him. "Now hold on tight."
They cruised around New Rome until nightfall. Annabeth in awe of the architecture and Percy doing his best to explain where everything was. Finally once the sun had dipped below the sky Percy parked the bike by a lovely park near the residential area of New Rome. The young families who populated the area were tucked away at home by now leaving the park to just them.
Percy and Annabeth laid on the grass of the park looking up at the stars, just enjoying each other's presence. Annabeth's head laid on Percy's shoulder as they kept each other as close as possible, letting the warm night breeze make them feel safe there together.
"So how did they get your tattoo to stick with the curse and all? Wouldn't they not have been able to get under the skin?"
"Ya know I never really thought about it too much." Percy pondered the experience from all those years ago for a moment, "Maybe, Hera had something to do with it? She did grab my arm weirdly once I had delivered her across the river without touching the water. Maybe it was part of her plan for full immersion. I mean she tried really hard to convince me I only had two options when I was bringing her to camp. Lose the curse and enter or turn back and stay invulnerable, like I can't control the water of a river not to touch me." Percy scoffed.
"Well I'm glad you stuck it to her at least once. She deserves that and more for what she did to you."
"For what she did to us," he corrected. "You had to go on that huge quest without me just because I was elected Praetor if I had been there…"
With his voice trailing off Annabeth knew there was something she wanted to tell him, to confide in him.
"You know, I almost fell into Tartarus." Annabeth felt Percy's sharp intake of breath. As she laid against his chest. "If I hadn't noticed the strand of webbing Arachne had snagged my foot in I would have been pulled down there with her… but all I could think when it was over was how I was glad you weren't there. Because if I had fallen-"
"I wouldn't hesitate to jump in after you." He finished for her.
"Yeah… I was- I was relieved that you were somewhere else, somewhere safe. And then I felt so guilty about feeling that way, that I was happy you weren't there with me. I swore to myself that I would come for you right after the war, but then it all went to shit with Hera and with what your dad had told me. I just- I guess I'm just trying to say I'm sorry?"
"You're sorry? For what? Being happy I didn't jump head first into Tartarus with you?"
"No, I'm sorry I didn't try harder. I'm sorry I left you." A tear fell from her eye and settled on Percy's shirt. He reached his hand up from its place on her waist to cup her cheek, turning her eyes to face him.
"Hey, none of that. You made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time. We're together now and that's all that matters, anything else is just part of the past."
Annabeth nodded her head and took a deep breath. "What do you say we head back for the night? We can get an early start in the morning getting all the boxes to Hermes and then call Nico right when he wakes up to get us to New York."
Percy agreed, pulling Annabeth up from the ground with both hands, wrapping her firmly in a hug once she was standing, giving her a firm, loving kiss.
"What was that for?"
"Just because I can."
Percy gripped Annabeth's hand tightly as the elevator ascended to their floor. His other hand tapped nervously on his thigh. Annabeth watched as his eyes followed the numbers as they changed on the monitor, indicating their approach. When it finally dinged his hand stilled. Annabeth pulled him along out into the hallway before turning to him, not releasing his hand.
"Hey, look at me." Percy finally ripped his eyes off the door of his home to look at Annabeth. "It's going to be okay."
"I've been gone a long time, what if she's mad?" Annabeth gave him a fond smile and used her free hand to cup his cheek like he had done for her just the night before, running her thumb along his cheekbone as he leaned into her touch.
"This is your mom we're talking about. She is going to be ecstatic, but she is probably going to cry."
"Same." He said with a nervous chuckle.
"We can wait out here until you're ready."
"No, let's do it. I'm just going to psych myself out if I keep waiting."
Annabeth gave his hand one final squeeze before pulling her keys out of her pocket and unlocking the apartment door.
"Sally! I'm home!"
"In the kitchen, Annabeth!" Sally called.
"ANNIE!" Estelle tore through the apartment, launching her tiny toddler body at Annabeth full force. She scooped up the little girl as she dropped her bag at her feet in the entryway. Estelle's wide brown eyes caught sight of Percy standing in the doorway looking at her in awe. "Who are you?" She asked curiously.
"Annabeth, you brought comp- Percy?" With the clatter of a plate Sally had been holding, she locked eyes on her son.
"Hi, Mom." He answered quietly. And then at the speed of light Sally was wrapping her arms around him. The relief of his return melted years off her face. She pulls back just enough to hold his face in her hands and get a good look at him.
"You're really here." Her voice was watery, but her smile couldn't have been wider. "You've gotten so tall!"
He chuckled and bent down wrapping Sally in a hug and picking her up off her feet. She let out a small squeal at being lifted into the air. His smile only grew wider.
"Percy, put me down!" She said, taking a playful swat at his arm. When he set her feet back on the ground she took a step back wiping her eyes. She remembered Annabeth and Estelle standing off to the side. Annabeth gave her a nod and then approached with Estelle in hand.
"Stelly, do you remember all the stories I've told you about your brother?" The little girl looked at Annabeth with wide eyes before turning to look at Percy and then back at Annabeth before nodding. "Well this is him."
"Nice to meet you, Estelle. I'm Percy." Percy was ringing his hands nervously. Sally placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and nodded to Estelle encouragingly.
Estelle reached her hands out making a grabbing motion at Percy, "up, Bubba."
Annabeth leaned over and handed the little girl off to Percy, he took her gingerly, almost as if he were afraid he would break her, all of their smiles impossibly wide. The family resemblance in that moment was uncanny. Percy often looked like a carbon copy of his father, but his joy, his smile was all Sally, and now he shared that with Estelle.
Annabeth tore her eyes away from the siblings to look at Sally. The mother's tears had spilled over and joy radiating from her very core, making her more beautiful than Annabeth thought possible in a mortal woman. It was easy to see what Poseidon had seen in her all those years ago. Sally Jackson would have made an excellent goddess. She turned to Annabeth, sweeping her into a hug.
"You brought him home. Thank you!"
"I'm only sorry I couldn't do it sooner."
"Nonsense. There is nothing to be sorry for."
Paul arrived home soon after, greeting Percy enthusiastically, hugging him tightly as he too shed tears of joy at his stepson's return. They all sat down to dinner and Annabeth and Percy pieced together the story of what all had happened as they ate. After all was said and done, more tears had been shed and laughter had been shared, finally the meal was concluded and Percy offered to wash the dishes. Sally seemed happy with this arrangement as he had missed about 3 years of chores by this point.
Percy pushed up the sleeves of his New Rome University hoodie when Sally caught a glimpse of his forearm.
"Perseus Jackson, is that a tattoo?!"
The End
Thank you so much to all of you who have read and supported this extremely self-indulgent effort to hurt my own feelings with a memory fic. I hope to write more Percy and Annabeth in the future, currently workshopping a very interesting Mortal!FakeDating AU So I hope to see you back when that starts getting published!
In the meantime if you like my writing and Harry Potter check out Six Years also on my profile.
Thank y'all again!
Much Love, ReaLangston