III

Percy

Percy smiled. He knew the stakes were high. He knew this day could go horribly wrong. But he also knew that Annabeth was on that ship. If things went right, this would be the best day of his life.

He threw one arm around Hazel and one arm around Frank.

"Come on," he said. "Let me introduce you to my other family," and so I led them both outside of the Senate Building and out into the city.

Chaos, panic, curiosity. Everyone from the Legion, all of the Lares from the Senate meeting. Practically all of New Rome stood watching as the Greek warship lowered into the middle of the city. I imagined Terminus shaking his imaginary hand at them while screaming insults. I could see Octavian in the midst of the crowd. Probably searching for any sign of deception but obviously failed to see one.

We were nearly past half the crowd, pushing past more people.

By the time Frank, Hazel, and I joined the crowd, the ship's already landed. There was dirt and dust everywhere, so I could barely see three feet in front of me. I could hear some cursing from inside and soon after the voice of Leo apologizing.

This is it, I thought. I'm finally going to see my old friends, and... Annabeth. Let's just hope I don't do anything stupid like trip on a rock and fall straight into my face. Of course, that's exactly what happened, and a couple of people looked at me weirdly while Frank and Hazel helped me back up. This is just one of many reasons I should never were a robe.

A figure came slowly out of the dust and the crowd backed out immediately as if a force field pushed them back. The dust cleared and there in the middle of the crowd stood a guy around sixteen years old in an orange Camp-Half Blood T-Shirt with blond hair. I've never seen him in my entire life but I could tell that it was Jason Grace from the gaping expressions of the others. He seemed to lock eyes with Reyna but then uncomfortably looks away.

That's when I see her. Walking right behind Jason. Strikingly beautiful. That's all I can think of, her blonde hair her gray eyes. She's looking around the crowd for me, looking for a recognizable face. I want to scream to her, I'm hear, I'm hear! I push through the crowd, desperately trying to reach her. I didn't have to work that hard because everyone backed away making a path for me.

I've passed through the crowd easily and I manage to get out an almost pleading voice as I push through the last set of people, "Annabeth!"

"Percy?" she says. I haven't heard her voice in months. I can't help it, I run to her. But just as I thought there was going to be this huge and emotional reunion, she hits me in the arm, hard. I rub the side of my arm where I'm pretty a new bruise has surfaced. I stare back into Annabeth's dark gray eyes a little too innocently.

"Don't look at me like that! What were you thinking, getting yourself kidnapped?" This wasn't exactly what I've been expecting when we finally met after eight months. Her eyes were full of worry and she looked away.

"You must've really pissed off Hera for her to pull this off..." her voice trailed off.

"I thought that was your thing wise girl," I said.

Annabeth's expression turns to stone and faces me. I thought she would hit me again, but instead she opened her arms and we embraced.

"Oh gods, Percy I missed you so much." she said with her face in my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck. I dig my face into her hair.

"Me too," I say softly.