Author's Note:

Here's chapter 5 everyone! A special thanks to:

booklover484

iStoleYourBlueMoonIceCream

Animal Charmer 11

IFoundAPickle

Moonglacier

Riley Coyote

Ilovestories

Charmes4ever

C-Nuggets N.L

Sanubisfan

AnotherReviewer

Princesspb

Kevin Stutler

I Love Guinea Pig

Santos6

OliverWoodFan

WiseboyLibra

Percabeth Rulez817

ally109

FunnelCakes

Angel's Detective

Frosty117

MClaire-TheRedQueen

Thanks everyone!

WARNING: Nico Di Angelo is completely OOC!

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO!

Chapter 5-Till Death Do Us Part

The early morning sun streamed across their backs as they unhooked their bicycles in front of Granny's House. They stopped for a moment to smile at each other. Yes, it had been two years since that magical night. Her long blonde curly hair shone in the sunshine and her eyes found his as she began to laugh.

"Well, Mr. Executive Officer, how do you feel?"

"Ask me that in two weeks after I get my appointment." Percy smiled back at Annabeth, shaking a lock of hair off his forehead. "And I have a very big surprise for you," he said teasingly.

She gave him a quizzical look as Percy rapidly followed her behind. They were now hitching their bicycles as they sped across the countryside, riding ahead of each other or side by side.

Two years had mellowed them. Two years had tested their love for each other. Two glorious years. Annabeth had never stopped showing him her deep love and appreciation and so did Percy. Perfect mate, Katie Williams had described them. His step father, Paul Blofis thinks the other way. Annabeth is not within their circle of business associates. Annabeth is not part of their elite status. In his opinion, her personality is too strong and intimidating and that has negative effect on the image of Percy as heir to the Jackson Empire. Yes, it was Sally's family who built the business. It was Sally's father who started it all but the Blofis' money also had tremendous contribution to the Jackson Group of Companies. Together with Sally, they have made what Jackson Inc. is now. A successful business conglomerate. Percy is just too blinded by Annabeth's manipulation. Percy is not aware of it but Paul could see it clearly. They say you have to stay from a distance to get the perspective of the real view. But Percy is very persistent. He emphasized that if he could not have Annabeth for a wife in the future, he will not marry at all. That he made clear with his step father.

Paul Blofis have tried all ways to destroy whatever relationship Percy and Annabeth had. He tried all the techniques he knew but as Percy said, nobody can crash the bond between them. Percy had crushes before in school and had one or two relationships with other girls but nothing lasted as Annabeth. Annabeth was his true love. She got some depth and the enormous brain he could not see in other girls. Her cleverness is incomparable. At twenty, she was already wise and well versed in pain. The pain of being alone, the pain of being left. Her parents separated when she was young. She could not even remember her mother. Dr. Frederick Chase remarried and having a new family, she felt neglected. She had been on her own as far as she can remember, staying in school as a working student. She grew up in the company of friends of different ages who cared for her. In two years, she had learned to love Percy's family. She regarded Sally as her mother, the mother she never had. As for Paul, Percy's step father, ah, he was different. From the first day they met, she could feel his antagonism. He despised her.

The sun rose higher in the sky as they pedalled through the narrow road towards a sandy route which led to a beautiful beach a few kilometres away. She wiped her sweat on her forehead as she said,"Hey Percy! Can we drop by at the beach?"

"Sure babe. Care for a swim?"

"No. Just want to watch the sun. I saw a beautiful spot the last weekend we were here."

Before going straight to the beach, they first entered a souvenir shop located along the entrance. There were already lots of tourists camping along, some shopping for snorkels while others renting scuba gears.

There were shirts with pictures of the tropics of Palawan, surf boards, photo frames with shell decors on the side, necklace beads, and bracelets. Annabeth watched a bracelet bead that was hanging on the corner. She came nearer and studied it in detail and ran her hands through it. Percy came behind.

"Don't tell me you want to buy that?"

"Cute, isn't it?"

"What are you going to do with it? Dance Pearly Shell?" asked Percy as he gave a mocking laugh.

"Haha…Funny!" she said as Annabeth rolled her eyes showing her sarcasm.

"Seriously, do you like it? It looks like a toy bracelet to me."

"Yeah, it's unique and a bit ethnic. Like it came from Atlantis." and she made a face again.

Percy smiled and offered to pay for the bracelet. The saleslady said it was a good luck charm and every tourist that came their way and bought that bracelet reported of success and prosperity in marriage.

"Well, we'll see", he said as he tossed the bracelet to Annabeth.

"Success and prosperity. Do you think it's true?"

"Don't know. Never believed in superstition," said Percy as they walked along the sand.

They passed by a big rock, and Annabeth suddenly stopped. She tried to move it rolling it out.

"Hey, what are you doing?" asked Percy confused.

"Just help me with this", she said huskily. "There! Whew!"

Percy just stared at the rolled rock its weight leaving a hollow mark on the sand. "Now what?"

Annabeth dug a hole in the sand and put the bracelet "This will be the symbol of our love. Like a monument, you know."

Percy just shook his head. "You're reading too much novels. Hopeless romantic."

"Right! I read a novel where the lead role used a bracelet and made a promise. Know what? True to their promise, after being separated for years, they found each other again and lived happily ever after."

Then, a thought stuck her,"What if we also make a promise?"

"So corny. So outdated. You know dear, you're a wise girl. I can't believe you'll be affected by a foolish novel."

"Hey! It's not foolish. Just have this feeling that this moment is one of the most important moments in our lives. Just woman's intuition you know."

"Okay. Okay. What do you promise?"

Annabeth closed her eyes. "I promise not to forget you and not to forget everything that is here, what it stands for and to never say goodbye. Till death do us part."

Percy almost gave out a laugh.

"I'm serious," she said. "Okay. You"

Percy still hesitant just shrugged his shoulder and closed his eyes. He sighed and felt the voice inside his heart and after a few minutes he said "I promise to love you forever and to never say goodbye. Till death do us part."

Annabeth just stared at him. She couldn't believe such a beautiful promise will come from Percy. How she adored this guy, his sincerity, his honesty. She was almost in tears.

She rolled back the rock and they continued strolling along the sand.

After a while, she asked "Do you mean it?"

"What?"

"Your promise. To love me forever. Till death do us part."

"Yeah. I'm practicing for our marriage vows."

Ha! Ha…This is Percy. One moment he could be serious. One moment, he's silly. That's why she loved him.

"You know what I'm talking about Percy. You can't marry that girl!"

They were inside the study discussing budget plans for the opening of a new building when Annabeth suddenly crept up in the conversation.

"That girl happened to be the woman I love. I don't care where she came from. I don't care what kind of family she has. I don't care if she's not a business asset or what. Whether you approve or not, I will marry her."

They were discussing inside the library in front of a wall lined with books and souvenirs. Percy was standing facing Paul Blofis who was seated in a big executive swivel chair. The table in front of him shone like water in a lake. Its deep mahogany wood glimmering in the light.

"Here we go again Percy, for the nth time. Every time the topic goes to that girl, we always end up like this." Paul Blofis banged his fist on the table with a loud thud.

"Her name is Annabeth and stop referring to her as that girl. This argument will not get us anywhere. I am not interested with that Rachel Elizabeth Dare or to any other rich spoiled women out there within our circle."

"Remember Percy, you are the sole heir to the throne and the business you will inherit is not just a simple store along the corner. You are into a business where every transaction involves millions of dollars in every deal. Jackson Group is an empire, a business conglomerate around the globe. Stop acting like a school boy but as the true heir that you really are. Many people sacrificed for this business and that includes my family and you are now the second generation Jackson heir who one day will be the chairman of the group. Your grandfather Jim Jackson had made sure you inherited all his shares but remember lad, the Blofis' money were ventured in here and I have every right to protect my share in this company." And he made a special stress on the word "my share".

"I don't see any reason why you refer to Annabeth as a liability to the Jackson Group. She may not have the family that has influence on every prominent figure or politician in the land, but she is the cleverest, the most intelligent girl in this planet."

Paul Blofis gave a loud sarcastic laugh. "Stop putting sugar on my lemon, boy. Your salad days are over." And he stood up facing Percy. "The Blofis are not taking any further risk and they have decided on that. If Jackson Group will not be handled properly and wisely in the near future, we will be pulling our shares and that will upset your mother and your grandfather as well, if he is alive." And he gave Percy a stare that was threatening.

Percy was left with no choice but to keep quiet. Damn with his stepfather! Damn with his money! He had been meddling in his affairs since he was a child and he never got tired in dictating him what to do, what to wear, who to mingle with. Why did his mother stand up with this guy? She had always told him she loved Poseidon, his father, why did she marry this arrogant, selfish fool? Paul always made things hard for him. He turned his back and left for the door.

Percy took a sigh of relief once he stepped outside. His mother always understood him. "Follow your heart's desire," she always said. "Where you're happy Percy, I am happy." So much like Sally. She was always a kind hearted loving mother. He always wished his mother did not marry again. He hated it when people meddle in his affairs. He couldn't think straight. Though it's late in the evening, he went straight to a bar and had a drink or two.

Annabeth was still sleeping when suddenly her cell phone rang, then the alarm. They rang in unison. She knew what time it is. 6:00 A.M. She groped for the alarm and turned it off. Then she answered her phone.

"Annabeth." It's Percy.

"Oh hi! What's up? You're early, beetle. Are you giving me a day off?"

"Yeah! You're getting a day off. Get dressed now and I'll pick you in a few minutes. And I mean in a few minutes."

Annabeth almost propped up straight in her bed.

"Is there any problem Percy?" she asked sensing something.

"Not really. It's one of those arguments as usual. Be ready and I'll be there in thirty minutes." and he hanged up.

True enough thirty minutes later, Percy was at her doorstep. She was dressed in an old white dress with a full skirt.

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah! Sorry did not have enough time to prepare."

"You're beautiful!" Percy said as he stared at her. "Come on. Let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"Anywhere. In a place far from my stepfather where he can leave us in peace."

She knew Percy was not in his usual self. Something bothered him.

"I love you Annabeth."

"You sound as if this is your last day on earth. Cheer up Perce! Would you like to tag Nico along? He might help you unload that tiny burden at your back."

"Okay, let's drag Nico along."

In the highway on the way to Nico's house, Percy was driving unusually fast, faster than normal.

"Hey! You're not running for your life dear. There's no villain out there to shoot you at the back."

When they reached Nico's house, he was equally surprised.

"Why? Is this a rushed marriage? No trouble being your best man."

Annabeth looked at Percy. "Nope. Not yet. Never dreamt of a shotgun marriage."

"Just pull anything pal and off we go. Hop along and unravel the mystery. We're off to an adventure."

"Can I bring my dream girl along? This might be my last chance to live in an isolated island." And he gave Percy a wink.

"You mean you've got a new girl?" It was Annabeth's turn to be surprised.

"None. It's still Thalia in my mind. It's been ages since we last saw each other and to think Annabeth, she lives in the same apartment as yours. For the last two years, all we had was hello and goodbye. Thanks to you." he said sarcastically as he looked at Annabeth. "Won't you guys give us time to be alone together? The two of you are always on the side."

"Well, you never asked Thalia." replied Annabeth. "And sorry, she's not here."

"Next time that I ask her out, make sure you two disapparate to another wizarding world." And he hopped and sat himself at the back of the car.

Annabeth was humming along as she looked at Percy's frowned face while Nico was thinking of Thalia and how he could make out a plan to ask her out next time around. They had been driving for hours when suddenly Annabeth gasped as she saw a diesel truck occupying both lanes as it plowed mercilessly towards them, going too fast, and almost out of control. The driver must have been half-asleep, and the only sound Annabeth remembered hearing were Nico's anguished "Oh no!" and her own voice screaming in her ears.

Then there were endless shattering of glass … shattering … breaking … metal grinding, crunching, roaring, engines meeting and locking and arms flying and leather tearing and plastic cracking as everything was covered with a blanket of glass. And then at last everything stopped, and the world was black.

It seemed years later when Nico woke up, lying with his head jammed into the dashboard and a horrible pounding in his ears. Everything was dark around him and there seemed to be a handful of sand in his mouth. It felt like hours before he could open his eyes and the effort it took made him feel sick. At first he couldn't understand what he saw. Nothing seemed to make sense, and then he realized that he was looking into Percy's right eye. He was in the front seat with him, but all he could see was Percy, and there was a thin river of blood trickling slowly down the side of his face, onto his neck. It was strange to watch it, but for a while that was all Nico could do.… watch … Percy … bleeding. It dawned on him what happened. Accident … there had been an accident … Percy was driving and … he lifted his head from where it had lain and tried to look up but a blow as if from an iron, forced him back down. It was minutes before he caught his breath and could open his eyes again. Percy was still lying there, bleeding, but now Nico could see that he was breathing, and this time when he stirred nothing happened. He could lift his head, and what he saw just beyond Percy was the truck that had hit them, lying flipped over the side of the road. He saw the driver lying dead beneath the cab of the truck. It would be a long time before anyone saw that. And then Nico realized something more, that he was seeing it all through open windows. There was no more glass left anywhere in the car, they were wearing it all, crushed into tiny particles all around them. And on Percy's side there was also no door. And then he remembered something more. Somebody else had been in the car … Annabeth … and where they were going. It was all so hard to hold onto, and his head hurt so badly, and as he moved a horrible pain shot through his leg, into his side. He moved to get away from the pain, and then he saw her. Annabeth … Oh Hades! It was Annabeth in some kind of red and white dress, lying face down on the pavement… Annabeth … she had to be dead … he didn't even care about the pain in his leg now, he dragged himself out from the car and to her side. He had to turn her over … get to her … help her … Annabeth … And then he saw the fine powder that dusted her hair. She was wearing the windshield all over her dress, all over the back of her head, all over her body … My gods. With the last of his strength he rolled her slowly to her side and then pitifully, like a terrified little boy, he began to whisper.

"Oh, my gods …" There was no face left beneath the blood-soaked dress. He couldn't tell if she was dead or alive, but for one horrible instant, he hoped she was dead, because there was simply no more Annabeth. There was no one there at all, not even a remnant of the once beautiful face. And then mercifully, in her blood and his tears, he passed out.