Hey guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter, in which Luke very much wants to beat the ever loving shit into Kronos. Also, just something I was thinking about the other day. In cannon Percy believed he was gonna die- and she does in this too- but with the empathy link if Percy died it could very probably kill Grover too. So why did he not try and get the link closed or whatever? I don't think RR thought it through really. I mean, the loyallest person ever forgot about something that could lead to his best friend dying? Dude that's out of character. Anyway, please please review.

Percy was still screaming when something swept into view, somehow dodging between the debris- and her eyes widened in shock when she realized the something was two Pegasi pulling a golden chariot- and in the chariot were Clarisse, Michael and- Lou Ellen?

Percy felt a flood of relief and surprise as they flew beneath Luke, catching him, and then the chariot was speeding towards her and Percy flung her hand out as Clarisse leaned over the edge- and she let out a relieved laugh as Clarisse caught her wrist and Percy's fall stopped very suddenly, and she was being hauled into the chariot then- Luke was sitting up, his eyes wide with shock, and Michael was driving the chariot, surging upwards.

"You guys have the best timing ever." Percy breathed out, "You know that?"

"Yeah, you owe us prissy." Clarisse grinned, clapping Percy's back. "Awesome technique though, the whole destroying the bridge thing, very chaotic, I like it-"

"It was impressive." Michael grinned, and then they were soaring up and Kronos came into view again- and his eyes narrowed when he realised what had happened.
His men had crept forward but they didn't seem to want to go any further- Percy couldn't blame them, though she had no doubt that there were ways they could get across if they were brave enough.

Percy's eyes met Kronos' across the distance. Molten gold meeting sea green, sending shivers down Percy's spine as they stared at each other for a long heart stopping moment.

The Titan lord studied the problem. He looked behind him at the rising sun, then smiled across the chasm. He raised his scythe in a mock salute. "Until this evening, Persephone. Our wedding day fast approaches."

"Oh for-" Percy groaned- "Would you stop? How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not going to marry you. I'd quite literally rather die. The answer literally never changes but you just won't get it through your thick skull."

"That's it-" Luke was staggering to his feet, "I'm gonna kill him- I'm gonna rip his dick off and-"

"Calm down!" Percy flung out her arm, knocking Luke back down as Kronos mounted his horse once more and galloped back to Brooklyn, followed by his warriors.

Then Percy turned her gaze to where the survivors of the battle were gathered at their end of the bridge- several of them looked uncomfortable and nervous- the ones Drew had turned to their side Percy realized. And she let out a breath, turning to look at Clarisse, who was scanning the crowds as if looking for someone, "Sherman called me earlier." she answered before Percy could speak, "He told me he'd been positioned here."

"He-" Percy faltered, "He tried to grab Kronos' scythe- to stop him from getting it but-" Percy shook her head and Clarisse tensed, fingers curling into fists.

"He's dead?" her voice was quiet, tight, "Sherman is dead isn't he?"

"I'm sorry Clarisse. I tried to warn him but there was nothing I could do-"

"They're gonna pay."

"They really are." Percy's voice was tight, "I promise you Clarisse."

"Mourn later." Clarisse's voice was hard as steel, "Kick ass now."

"Where do we-" Michael was cut off by Percy's phone ringing and she pulled it from her pocket quickly, it was Drew's number that popped up on her screen and Percy answered it, holding it to her ear and holding up her hand to tell Michael to wait for a moment.

"Drew is-"

"We're at the Plaza hotel, that's where the Apollo kids set up a base and infirmary. The blade was poisoned but Will is with her."

"Right. See you there-" Percy hung up the phone, forcing back her panic. Annabeth was with Will, she trusted his skills, she'd seen him at work before, Will was one of the best. She needed to have faith in him. Then she took a deep breath and she swung her gaze swung to Michael "Michael, the Plaza hotel. Clarisse can you-"

"I'll jump out if Michael brings us low and I'll lead the others to the hotel." Clarisse offered quickly, "Someone needs to lead them right now."

And sure enough Michael swung them down low and Clarisse vaulted out of the chariot and down to the waiting demigods before they were zooming away again, Luke grabbing Percy's hand and squeezing comfortingly as Percy let out a breath before she turned her head to look at Lou Ellen, who gave a tight smile.

"I didn't think you were coming."

"Yeah, well-" Lou gave a weak smile, "What can I say? I like camp, I've changed my mind about not wanting to fight. If anything is worth fighting for it's the world as it is." she paused, "So- that guy- he used to be-"

"Yep." Percy nodded, "That would be Kronos wearing your brother like a designer suit."

"You mean a knock off designer suit." Luke grumbled.

"And he wants to marry you?"

"So did your brother-"

"Huh." Lou pulled a face, "I suddenly feel the urge to turn him into a pig-" and Percy couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up past her lips- and neither could Luke, who almost choked with the force of it.

"I mean, he did a pretty good job of acting like a pig himself." Luke pointed out grinning, "But nice one- I like you."

"Good to know." Lou did a mock curtsy, "He's a bit of a dick then my big brother. Seems like I was definitely found by the good guys."

"We're glad to have you." Percy grinned before straightening up when the Plaza came into view- it didn't take long.

It was an old-fashioned white stone hotel with a gabled blue roof, sitting at the southeast corner of Central Park.

Tactically speaking, the Plaza wasn't the best place for a headquarters. It wasn't the tallest building in town, or the most centrally located. But it had old-school style and had attracted a lot of famous demigods over the years, and Percy trusted Will's instincts, he'd chosen the place for a reason.

Will set them down in front of the fountain outside of the hotel and Percy was vaulting out of the chariot almost instantly.

As she did the statue at the top of the fountain called down, "Oh, fine. I suppose you want me to watch your chariot too!"

She was a life-size bronze standing in the middle of a granite bowl. She wore only a bronze sheet around her legs, and she was holding a basket of metal fruit. Percy had never really paid any attention to her before- and as she was sprinting inside she heard Luke asking, "Who are you meant to be then? Demeter?" and a yelp and the sound of something metal hitting the ground. "Hey that hurt!"

"Everyone thinks I'm Demeter.'" she snapped. "I'm Pompona, the Roman Goddess of Plenty, but why should you care? Nobody cares about the minor gods. If you cared about the minor gods, you wouldn't be losing this war! Three cheers for Morpheus and Hecate, I say!"

"Oh my mom can shove your three cheers." Lou Ellen called back, and when Percy glanced back she saw that Luke was rubbing his head and Lou Ellen was tossing a bronze apple at the statue.

Then she was turning back to the hotel as she dashed inside.

Percy had never actually been inside of the hotel before, the lobby was impressive, with the crystal chandeliers and the passed-out rich people, but Percy didn't pay much attention. A couple of Hunters gave directions to the elevators, and Percy rode up to the penthouse suites.

Demigods had completely taken over the top floors. Campers and Hunters were crashed out on sofas, washing up in the bathrooms, ripping silk draperies to bandage their wounds, and helping themselves to snacks and sodas from the minibars. A couple of timber wolves were drinking out of the toilets.

Percy was painfully relieved that so many of her campers had made it through the night alive- but everyone looked pretty battered.

"Percy!" Jake came rushing towards her, "We've been putting together reports-"

"Get them and bring them to me." Percy ordered, "Where's Annabeth?"

"The terrace." Jake nodded in the direction of the terrace, "She's with Drew and Will- Just so you know Leo's on his way back here, he helped the Hunters- burned a bunch of monsters to a crisp from the reports."

"Thank you." Percy gave Jake a tight smile- it was well known how much Percy loved her family- clearly Jake had realised that she'd want to hear that Leo was okay.

"Our mutual brother seemed pretty happy." Jake added, "I'll tell him to come straight up to you when he arrives."

"You're awesome- seriously Jake." Percy was already moving as she spoke, pushing her way out onto the terrace.

The view was beautiful- it looked straight down onto Central Park. The morning was clear and bright—perfect for a picnic or a hike, or pretty much anything except fighting monsters, but all Percy could focus on was Annabeth, she was led out on a lounge chair, she was pale, her face was beaded with sweat.

Drew was perched on the edge of the chair, wiping Annabeth's face with a damp cloth, and Will was straightening up as Percy entered- he looked incredibly pale- it made the scars on his face stand out vividly and Percy reached out, catching his arm as he swayed slightly.

"Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she'll be fine."

"Then you go sit down." Percy's voice was firm, "Michael will be up in a minute he can take over while you take a break-" and Will slumped, a relieved look on his face, and Annabeth was turning her head, smiling weakly at Percy.

"Sorry for scaring you Seaweed brain."

"I'm just glad you're okay." Percy moved quickly, reaching Annabeth's side and grabbing her hand. "Gods-"

"We'll give you some space." Drew stood up, "I'll get Sunshine boy somewhere he can rest." she handed Percy the damp cloth and Percy moved quickly, perching on the edge of the chair as she pressed the damp cloth to Annabeth's forehead- which was hot to the touch- Percy a certain tightness in the pit of her stomach.

"Gods Annabeth I-" Percy swallowed hard, "I'm supposed to be the one who does the ridiculously brave reckless stuff and you're supposed to be the one fussing over me."

"But you're so cute when you're worried." Annabeth whispered the words, "Your eyebrows get all scrunched together." She closed her eyes, "I am sorry- it was stupid. Not like it could hurt you I just- I saw him going for your back and I panicked. I- It felt like I was about to lose you. I can't explain it."

And Percy swallowed hard, leaning in close to press her lips to Annabeth's, guiding the other girls hand to the small of her back, pressing Annabeth's fingers to the one spot that could truly hurt her now.

"Percy what are you-" Annabeth's voice was hushed, confused when they parted, and she was blinking, her brows furrowed in confusion, "I don't-"

"You saved my life." Percy whispered the words, their eyes meeting- and Annabeth sucked in a sharp stunned breath, her eyes going wide as she pressed her fingers against the spot gently and Percy let go of her hand, but Annabeth's hand stayed there even as Percy moved her hand to Annabeth's face, brushing a stray curl from her girlfriends face.

"He- that was where-"

"Ethan would have killed me Annabeth. You saved my life." and Annabeth's free hand was suddenly sliding up, curling around the back of Percy's neck and Annabeth was pulling Percy in close, pressing their lips together- and Percy's eyes fluttered closed as they kissed, it was a soft gentle thing, and when Percy pulled back, ending the kiss Annabeth whispered.

"I swear on the Styx that I'll never tell anyone where your mortal spot is-"

"Annabeth you don't need to do that. I trust you, you know I do-"

"I do." Annabeth nodded, "And I'm swearing on the Styx anyway. It's important. No arguing." Annabeth faltered, "What happened after I got hit?"

And so Percy took a deep breath and told Annabeth everything that they'd missed, and Annabeth's hand never left the small of Percy's pack, her palm pressed against it beneath Percy's armor and her tee, and though neither of them said it they knew it was Annabeth's way of reassuring herself that Percy was safe.

Once the story was over Annabeth let out a breath, "I'm glad Rachel isn't here-"

"She's safe." Percy whispered the words, "She's probably fast asleep at home."

"I feel selfish." Annabeth admitted, "You know she'd want to be here with us."

"I know. But-" Percy shook her head, "I think I'm okay with being selfish right now. It's bad enough with everyone here being in danger- at least Rachel, mom and
Paul are safe back home." she swallowed hard, "They're safe-"

"I'm sure they are." Annabeth whispered the words, squeezing Percy's hand. "They'll be there when all this is over. It'll be okay."