HEY GUYS! So yeah, don't kill, I know it's been a month, a little more actually, but this end of year had been so busy I haven't had time to write. I also got a minor case of writers block so yeah…

A huge shout out to all those who reviewed and gave me some pointers. To the guest reviewer OWL, this chapter is mostly dedicated to you, since you asked for Annabeth's opinion on Percy being back in camp.

Also special thanks to:

morgandavies2002- thanks for your feedback! I love reviews and your comment made me happy

CC- thanks for the pointers, I really appreciate you taking your time to point out what's wrong and what's missing. The plot is slow but it is figured out already.

Thank you as well to all the guest reviewers who left any suggestions and pointers, as well as just general comments about the story.

Keep reviewing because that is what fuels me, and please favorite and follow this story if you like it to receive updates and notifications.

Disclaimer(I forgot on the other ones): I don't own PJO, the characters all belong to the amazing Rick Riordan.

Annabeth's Pov

I was walking towards the dining pavilion when I hear the commotion. I soon found out that it was Adrian trying to intimidate Percy; like that would ever happen. I hid myself in the shadows to observe the exchange, almost leaving my hiding spot when I saw the son of Ares lift his fist, only to be intercepted by the son of Hades effectively knocking him on his ass. I stifled a laugh as the bully retreated like a coward. At least he had enough brain cells to realise he was outnumbered and way outmatched.

Once the children of the big three had left the pavilion I emerged from the pillar I had sought refuge against. Some of the campers noticed me and I could tell that most of their faces twisted in revulsion and hate. Apparently the disdain the camp held towards me and the others whom had betrayed and cast away the son of Poseidon, still held strong even after he was returned to camp. Some of the campers who had voted in favour of his banishment soon after came to their senses and realised the mistake they had made. Pleading with the gods to reconsider his punishment. The Athena cabin and its occupants however, held strong to our opinion and refused to even speak Percy's name. We only came around when proof of Athena's deceit was shown to the council and the camp.

I now deeply regret not believing my own boyfriend over my mother. A goddess I barely saw, save for when she wanted something done or when in the middle of a battle. Percy, the goofy, kind-hearted kid who I fed ambrosia to on a spoon when he first came to camp. The first boy I truly loved after Luke's betrayal. I should've trusted that although extremely powerful, he would never kill anyone in cold blood. Especially someone as close to me as Jessica was. I also realise that he might never forgive me for my betrayal.

After I emerged from my thoughts I realised that I had already gathered my food and was now sitting at my table staring at it. I looked around the table and I could see some worried glances being thrown my way from my half-brothers and sisters. I started eating so that they wouldn't look at me like I was about to have a mental breakdown. I wasn't able to get much down though. The guilt that merely looking at Percy brought was all consuming. It clenched my gut and twisted my insides. My appetite hasn't been the same ever since my mothers' betrayal was revealed, hence why my cabin has been worried for me, because along with my appetite went my weight and the restless nights.

I pushed my plate away and stood. I saw Malcolm look up at me from his place at the other end of table. He sighed and stood up as well. I shook my head at him, indicating I wanted to be alone for the time being. He has been the most supportive of all my brothers and sisters. Encouraging me to eat when I couldn't even be bothered. He comforted me in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep or had woken from a nightmare where Percy's tortured screams filled the darkness.

I swiftly walked away from the dining pavilion and went through the dirt road into the strawberry fields. It was summer, so the fields were filled with that sweet rich scent of millions of ripe fruit ready for harvesting. The wood nymphs were all sleeping or otherwise occupied and the wide stretch of field that reached until the very edge of camp territory was deserted. I walked through the rows of fruit, picking one up on the way, and reached my destination. The shed that the satyrs use to keep their tools. Outside was a small bench and that is where I have recently taken to spending my evenings. Alone.

The sky was clear as it always was because of the protection over camp. The stars where bright, brighter than they had been for a while. It seems that even Lady Artemis was happy now that the saviour of Olympus had been returned and that is saying a lot, since she and her group of hunters are formed on the common hatred for men. It seems the son of Poseidon was even a favourite of the man-hating goddess.

I looked down at the strawberry I was fiddling with in my hands. I plucked at the green stem on the top until it was essentially hairless. I pulled it apart in half and then again, until there was nothing left but the juices in my hands. I wiped my hands on my jeans and placed my head in my hands. As I thought of Percy and all he must have suffered down in Tartarus along with the emotional damage of having his friends betray him… a tear slid down my cheek and fell to the ground, making the brown earth turn darker. I watched as the ground slowly darkened drop by drop, soon creating a small circle of moist earth. I was silently sobbing by now. The regret and self-loathing was ever present.

Once my tears had dried and I could no longer produce another sob I wiped my face with the shoulders of my orange camp half-blood t-shirt. I stood up and slowly made my way back to camp, dragging my feet and generally not wanting to go back to the hubbub of camp.

As I was passing by the shore I saw them. Percy was in front of Thalia and Nico, who were apparently engaged in a friendly banter. I tried to change directions so that they didn't see me, but it was already too late.

Percy's Pov

We were trudging back to camp, Nico and Thalia had fallen into step behind me and I could hear them lightly arguing about my comment and once again, the whole sharing is caring problem they had going on.

I wasn't really paying attention to where we were going, although I do know we were headed in the right direction back to the cabins. I heard a rustle ahead and I saw her. Her once beautiful strawberry curls were looking more like straw and her stormy grey eyes where red and raw from crying. She had black circles under her eyes, indicating she hadn't really been sleeping well for a while. She was thinner than I remembered, then again, I have been gone for a while. She had this aura of anguish about her, like she was being tormented by something. I could see that she was trying to make it so we didn't see her, but I could tell when she realised that she had been seen by the way her shoulders stiffened.

I remembered that day, it seems like an eternity ago now, when she refused to even look at me as she voted in favour of me being banished to Tartarus for a crime I was being framed for. She was my wise girl, I thought we had more trust in each other than that. She seemingly didn't even bat an eye before believing her mother's lies over my pleas. It had been the worst torture ever, even worse than all the physical pain that Kronos and his army of monsters and titan friends had inflicted on me down in the pit.

Now she was a wreck. Could it be that she realised the error in her ways? Regretted her decision? I felt pity for her. She looked so distraught.

"What do you want daughter of Athena?" spat Thalia. The venom in her voice surprised me. Then again, I suppose I would be angry as well at the person who betrayed my cousin.

Annabeth flinched.

"I-I was just walking back to my cabin…" She muttered.

This was another change in her. The Annabeth I knew would have retaliated with some smart remark. Now she just accepted the abuse laid on her. Was it like this every day here at camp? No wonder she looks horrible; the emotional stress she was likely being put under daily could do a number on a person's mind. Don't get me wrong, I held no great love for her, but I wouldn't wish harm upon anyone, even though she is partially responsible for my suffering.

She looked at my briefly. Our eyes met for a moment before she turned around and sped up her pace to the Athena cabin.

"Are you guys always like this with her?" I asked, turning slightly so I could look back at them as we resumed our journey to our own cabins.

Thalia scoffed. "Yeah, generally, either that or we ignore her completely. She deserved it for being a back stabbing cow." She really made no effort in trying to disguise her utter distaste for Annabeth.

"Why?" After getting a glimpse of two outraged expressions, I elaborated. "I mean, I know what she did, believe me, I wasn't allowed to forget. But… does she really deserve this constant torment? I mean, did you see her? She's a wreck, I think you guys have put her through enough," I argued.

"Enough!?" exclaimed Nico this time. "Percy, if it wasn't for her, you wouldn't have been sent there, if she had pleaded your case, the gods might have taken the time to analyse what had happened and figured out that you had been framed and that it was Athena's plan all along to get rid of you!" He fumed.

I could see that he was trying to contain his anger. Thalia was simply nodding along to what he was saying. I sighed. Of course they would argue that point, and although it was true, I stick to my opinion that no one deserves that; and that is exactly what I told them.

"You are way too kind hearted for your own good kelp head. Some things aren't meant to be forgiven and forgotten." I continued pushing anyways.

"I'm not asking for you guys to forgive, because gods not even I have and I'm not sure I ever will. Much less forget about it. My body will give me ample reminders of that. All I'm saying is stop treating her like trash. If you want to avoid her, that's fine," I shrugged, "but stop giving her and the others, which I'm sure you all give the same treatment, a hard time."

I could see them thinking about it, and by the time I had finished speaking we had already reached the Poseidon cabin. I reached for the knob and stopped.

"Please? For me? I can't stand to see people suffering like that." I turned to look them both in the eye and knew I had won, by the looks of defeat on their faces after I begged them.

Thalia was the first to speak after a long-suffering sigh.

"Alright kelp head, we'll tone it down a bit, right?" She nudged Nico.

"Yes, right, we'll also spread the word…" I tilted my head, confused at that. Nico elaborated.

"It's not only Thalia and I who are terrorising the scum- ugh, I mean, betrayers. The others who stood by you also bug them."

"Alright, so please, tell them no more." I pleaded once more.

"We already said we would Perce, now go get some rest, you look worse than the dead, and I would know, I spend a lot of time with them." Nico joked.

I childishly poked my tongue out to them both before entering my cabin and shutting the door.

HEY! So if you enjoyed it please be sure to leave a review, if you have a suggestion, also leave a review or PM me!

Thanks for sticking with me guys!

Peace out!

Lovepercy21