Disclaimer : I do not own Percy Jackson, or any of the content published from Rick Riordan.

To keep this rated T+ I toned down a lot of the Percabeth fluff that is going to show up in this chapter. If anyone feels it should be rated something else please leave a review and let me know why. This chapter also deals with anxiety. I used techniques that have worked for me so if anyone has any other techniques please let me know so that I can maybe weave them in as ways to help Annabeth later on.

Thanks to for the faves and follows! Read, review and enjoy!

Chapter 7

Percy wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "What do you want to do?"

She sighed deeply and rolled so that she was looking at him. "I don't know Percy. He told me that if I leave you and go with him this all would end."

Percy looked at her sadly. "Is that what you want?"

"Dear God no," she exclaimed! "I'd rather be dead than be with him and I feel like that is where this is headed." She sighed again and dropped her head so that her forehead was pressed against his chest. She closed her eyes to try to stop the tears but a drop escaped each eye, staining her cheeks as they rolled down.

"The cops?"

"What are they going to do Percy? So I get a restraining order and they do what? Arrest him for breaking the order and then he gets out thanks to that money and I am right back at square one." Suddenly Annabeth is angry and not at Percy but she can't help but taking the anger out on him.

"I obviously can't be left alone but how is that fair to me? Why do I have to be the one to lose all of my freedoms while he gets to scare the crap out of me, keep me on edge, and overall make me bitter," she screams at him.

Percy knew she wasn't angry with him but he was there and it was easier to take the pent up emotions out on him. "Annabeth, I love you and I will go with whatever course of action you choose. Remember that. Please don't push me away. I only want to help. This is partially my fault after all."

Annabeth looked up at him and snorted back a laugh. "How the hell do you figure that this is partially your fault?"

"Your birthday. The dance. Had I not come and rescued you from his arms, chances are he never would have been that drunk to do what he did. There would have been no knee to the balls and we wouldn't be discussing this right now." Percy looked into her gray eyes. Usually they seemed light and airy but tonight they were cold and calculating.

Annabeth just shook her head at him. "I can't believe you lay blame on yourself for that. Percy, this was going to happen eventually. He has been pursuing me for almost a year and I have been shooting him down with every shot." She rolled away from Percy so that she was now on her back looking at the ceiling. "Why can't life ever be simple?"

Percy didn't answer her. He got the feeling her question was more rhetorical than anything and decided to just let it slide. He watched her carefully, trying to figure out what she was thinking but he wasn't having much luck.

"Do you think he would follow me to Texas," she asked after several minutes of staring at the ceiling.

"I honestly don't know. Everything he has is here. Everyone he can easily buy off is here so maybe, maybe not." Percy suddenly wondered where she was going with this train of thought.

"I have until Friday to perfect the blue prints for the Texas aquarium. I need your help since you are working on the project. I need to get this job. I need to get away from here for a little while." She never looked at him when she said any of this to him but she knew she was breaking his heart with every word.

Percy wanted to scream and throw something. Just because he was working on this project didn't mean that he would get to go to Texas like she would if the aquarium went with her plans. "Whatever it takes to keep you safe," he whispered in her ear despite the demon sitting on his shoulder wanting to fight to keep her here with him.

She finally rolled over and looked in his ocean colored eyes. They were sad and the usual spark of life that could be found in them was missing right now. She slowly raised her broken hand to his face, letting her finger tips trace his jaw line. This was where she was meant to be, with Percy but right now just wasn't safe for her.

"Annabeth, you know that I don't get to go to Texas for the whole duration of the job right?"

Annabeth's breath caught in her chest. She was banking on the fact that since Percy was on this project that it meant he would be there as well. "But I thought . . . ," her voice trailed off.

"I get to go maybe once a month and only for a few days, a week max. It's not until the dolphin pool project starts that I would get to really stay. My only job in the beginning is to make sure that the animals are in proper holding tanks while each stage is worked on. The only way I would be there long term is if I ask for a transfer and if they have room to take me on full time while the project is being completed." Percy sighed and pulled her close again. He rested his chin on top of her head and tried to keep the tears from falling. He didn't want to lose the only person he ever loved outside of his family.

"What a wonderful start to your birthday. I'm so sorry Percy," She sniffled as she wrapped her bad arm around him as best as she could.

Trying to lighten the mood Percy responded, "My birthday isn't for another two days! There's time to fix this mess."

Annabeth giggled through her tears, "Always the optimist! In all seriousness though, I am sorry," she whispered into his chest.

The pair were lying perfectly still, just taking each other in and the seriousness of the situation at hand when Annabeth took in a deep breath. All she could smell was the ocean which for some reason Percy always seemed to smell like. It was calming to her but suddenly she was taken over by something else.

Percy was gently rubbing her back and when his fingertips would graze her skin where her shirt was lifted slightly, she was greeted with a strange tingling sensation. Annabeth found herself exploring his hips with the tips of her fingers jutting out of her cast. The stupid thing was hindering her senses and she blurted out, "Damn cast!"

Percy laughed and then rolled her over so that she was on her back and now had use of both of her hands. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead, then her cheek and then lightly on the lips. He knew where this was going but he wanted to move slowly enough to give Annabeth time to decide what she wanted.

Annabeth felt Percy pulling away from the kiss and with her good hand she ran it up his back and placed it on the back of his head and pushed him back to her lips. She deepened the kiss and found herself biting his bottom lip.

A groan escaped Percy and he carefully placed himself on top of her, making sure not to crush her under his weight. He returned her kiss by parting her lips with his tongue and suddenly it was like a fire was ignited between the two of them.

Annabeth felt like she needed him now more than ever, a growing hunger for him in the pit of her stomach was making it hard for her to concentrate on anything other than her sudden need for him. She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and was quickly trying to rip it off of him.

Percy helped her by pulling it off himself and tossing it to the floor. She couldn't do anything but stare at him. In her eyes he was absolutely perfect. She ran her hands up his arms, truly feeling for the first time the muscles he kept hidden. It was now that she noticed how cut he was. Not too much muscle showed but just enough to show her that he stayed in shape.

Percy leaned back down and started kissing her neck. He slowly worked his way up to her ear and he could feel the shivers he sent through her. "Are you sure," was all he could whisper to her.

Annabeth sighed and whispered back, "Yes, now more than ever."

Annabeth woke with a shiver running down her body and she felt Percy hug her tighter. Their bodies were entwined on top of her sheets and she wished that she could remain in the moment forever. She lightly kissed his chest and sighed happily. She was suddenly pulled from her thoughts though when her stomach rumbled slightly. Seconds later Percy's did the same thing and he sat up, pulling her with him.

"We missed dinner," he smiled sheepishly at her. "Sorry about that."

She lightly punched him in the shoulder. "Would you stop apologizing for every little thing that happens? I prefer making love to you over a meal any time! Besides, it's my fault this time. Had you come in and I not been in panic attack mode we probably would have just had dinner and missed out on all of this," She said pulling his face toward her so that she could kiss him.

"You have a point," he said into the kiss. He pulled away from her slowly and his stomach rumbled again. "Come on, I brought stuff to make dinner tonight."

"Oh God, you cook too?"

"Well you can decide that after you eat," he laughed at her.

The pair quickly jumped up, Percy throwing on his pants and Annabeth grabbed Percy's shirt off the floor and a pair of pajama shorts out of the drawer. She followed him out into the living room practically tripping over nothing but her shorts as she tried to put them on and walk at the same time.

"We don't need any more broken bones babe," Percy laughed as he caught her before she fell on her face. He grabbed her good hand and started to pull her along as she glared at him.

When they reached the foyer, Annabeth suddenly stopped in her tracks and gasped. The reminder of Luke was all over her floor.

Percy quickly turned around and pulled her into his arms. "You're fine babe. I won't let him hurt you if I can help it." Percy kissed the top of her head and ran his hands up and down her back. He could tell she was on the verge of another panic attack and the last thing he wanted was for her to break down again. He nearly died when he found her in the closet singing to herself. She was so out of it that she never really registered that he was there until he lifted her up and placed her on her bed almost an hour later.

"Annabeth, listen to me," He said quietly and calmly. "I need to you take a deep breath and hold it for me." He waited for her to do as she was told and as soon as she started holding it he started counting to ten in his head. "Okay, let it out." She did as she was told again. "Now, look at me." Again she did as he asked and Percy saw tears welling up in her eyes. Percy gently put her face in his hands and started talking again. "I know it seems hopeless right now. We will figure this out. I won't let him hurt you. I promise that I will take care of you and I will keep you safe."

Annabeth leaned in and kissed him and then rested her head on his chest. "You shouldn't make promises you can't keep Percy."

Percy knew she was right but he meant every word of what he just said. "I love you Annabeth. I swear I will do everything possible to protect you."

Annabeth sighed deeply and he could feel the tension leaving her body. "I love you too."

"Happy birthday Percy," Annabeth whispered into his ear as she then bit his lobe lightly. She then kissed just below his ear lobe and started working her way down his jaw line and to his mouth. Her lips crashed into his and she pulled away only to catch her breath only to start in on him again.

Percy placed both hands on her waist and pulled her even closer to him. He allowed her to continue for a few more minutes, returning every bit of intensity and passion she was throwing at him before he placed both hands underneath her and stood up. He quickly made his way to her bed room and easily tossed her into the middle of the bed.

Annabeth giggled as Percy climbed on top of her and started kissing her from her belly button all of the way back to her mouth. Each touch sent shivers through her and had her aching for more.

"Best birthday ever," He whispered to her as he kissed his way over to her ear.

Percy woke with a start. A bright light from the side of the bed was casting odd shadows all over the room. It took him several moments to realize that his phone was ringing.

Annabeth untangled herself from Percy and rolled so that she could bury her head under a pillow. "Uuugh," was all she managed to blurt out.

Percy looked at the number but couldn't place it. He decided he better answer it.

"Hello?"

"Is this Percy Jackson," a stern sounding woman asked.

"Yes this is. How can I help you," he asked a little less than pleasantly as he placed a hand on Annabeth's lower back.

"This is Mrs. Stark and I am the principal for one Alexa Blofis."

Percy rolled his eyes and couldn't help but wonder what his little sister did now to warrant a call at 2:30 in the morning.

"It came to our attention tonight that several of the older girls were bullying Miss Blofis and she decided to take matters into her own hands. I would really appreciate it if you could get down to the school camp site to speak with me and discuss further discipline."

Percy groaned slightly and said, "Yes ma'am. I will be there in about twenty minutes. Please have her ready to go." He didn't even wait for her to respond, he just hung up and sighed. He leaned over Annabeth and kissed her shoulder blades lightly. "I have to go pick up Alexa. I am pretty sure she just got kicked out of camp."

"Sorry Perce, but tonight your sister is a total brat," she said into the bed as she tried to bury her head under the pillow even more.

"I know. But what can I do. Mom and Paul are on their honeymoon since they never got one and Thalia is on night shift for the next month. I'm kind of stuck. Do you want to come with me to get her or stay here?"

"Sleep. I think I just want sleep for now."

Percy smiled at her and kissed her back one more time. "I will be back soon I promise."

Percy quickly threw his clothes on, ran out the front door and to the elevator. He wanted to get Alexa and get back as quickly as possible. Leaving Annabeth alone was not an option he liked but Luke's warning said he would give her more time.

Percy drove without really paying attention and found himself pulling up the Leman Campus about fifteen minutes after he left Annabeth's. He sighed and crawled out of the jeep and went straight up the stairs of the main building. He opened the heavy wood doors and instantly heard girls crying. When he reached the office he found Alexa sitting by herself, arms crossed over her chest and tears pouring out of her eyes. He walked over to her and before he could say a word Mrs. Stark was in his face. All Percy could do was ruffle her hair and follow the woman behind another large wooden door. She motioned for him to sit and he did as he was silently told.

"Your sister, Mr. Jackson is being expelled from Leman summer camp."

"May I ask what she did to deserve such a punishment," he asked sternly as he leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees.

"She claims the older girls were picking on her constantly and she had enough and punched two of them. We are a zero tolerance campus Mr. Jackson and expulsion is the only answer," she said as she crossed her arms and placed them on her desk.

"I want you to bring her in here, as well as the other girls. I want to know exactly what is going on," he said as he stood up and pulled out his phone. He quickly hit Annabeth's number in his contacts and looked at the principal like she was crazy for not moving while he waited for Annabeth to answer. "Now please! I have things to get back to!"

"Hey babe. Sorry to wake you again but I am going to be just a little longer than expected. I know I locked the door but please double check it," he pleaded with her.

"I will and is it that bad over there?"

"Yes. I will call you when we are on the way back. I have a feeling it's going to be an extremely long night." He listened as Annabeth sighed heavily into the phone. "Back to bed with you. Love you."

"Love you too." And with that she was gone and his phone back in his pocket.

Thirty minutes later, Percy was left shaking his head as he carried all of Alexa's things out to his jeep. Those parents would be hearing from his father in the morning and they weren't going to be happy.

"You're mad at me, aren't you," Alexa said quietly as she climbed into the back seat.

"No, not at you. Just the idiots who were left in charge of you. When we get to Annabeth's I want to see every mark on you from them. I need pictures to give to dad as evidence."

Alexa simply nodded and closed her eyes. She was shaken out of her silence when the phone rang through the car speakers.

"Hey babe. I was just about to call you and let you know we are on our way back," Percy said as he navigated the jeep out of the parking lot. "Annabeth?" There was no response from Annabeth, only what sounded like things being knocked over and then what was maybe the phone falling to the floor. Moments later Percy's heart dropped to the floor and a blood curdling scream echoed throughout the car.