Hello!

Wow. I did not expect that many reviews that quickly. Sorry for the delay.

This chapter is SHORT. And I apologize, but the ending was the best stopping place.

Enjoy!

When Annabeth told the seven what the worst case scenario was, the first thing Percy did was hug her.

She did not understand why, though. She would've understood it if he had bolted. Or cried. Or said something really stupid - that would have been predictable.

But no. He hugged her. He hugged her tight. His warm arms wrapped around her protectively, holding her in his embrace.

Someone coughed, and they awkwardly broke apart and faced the group.

"Could you guys leave?" Percy said.

"Sure, Perce," Piper said. "We'll give you some time."

"Do we have to?" Leo asked. "I'm comfy."

Piper glared at him.

"Or I can move."

When they were alone, Annabeth wanted to speak, but Percy beat her to the punch.

"Look, I know taking the medicine will be risky."

"Well, that's one way to put it," Annabeth said. He was such a Seaweed Brain sometimes.

He ran his fingers through his windswept hair. "Look. I know you probably don't want me to take it."

"Probably?"

"But if you just listen-"

"No, Percy. You listen to me. I will not risk-"

"What makes this your choice?!"

"I don't want you stuck in eternal pain!" Annabeth cried. "I would rather live without you than - than-"

"Than see me in pain forever," Percy said bluntly.

A tear rolled down Annabeth's cheek. "I can't ask you to go through that."

Percy sighed. "You don't get it, do you? After knowing each other for over 75 years, you still don't get it."

But Annabeth did get it. She knew Percy. And she knew what he would do and why he would do it. But even after knowing him for so long, she still wished that she would be wrong about him sometimes.

"I know, Percy," she said. "But is it really worth it?"

Percy embraced her. She felt safe in his arms.

"I would rather spend an eternity of pain next to you than be without you." He kissed her gently, and it was magical. "Annabeth, this is my choice to make. Let me make it."

It broke Annabeth's heart, but she nodded.

"Thank you," he said softly.

Personal loyalty. It was his fatal flaw. A flaw that she had loved and hated over the course of her life. Now they would see if it was a flaw that would bring his destruction.

The six of them were gathered around Percy's bed. This time, though, Percy and forced Annabeth to tie his hands together, to avoid anymore "accidents".

"Are you sure about this, Percy?" Annabeth heard Piper say. "You don't have to do this."

Percy nodded. "I'm sure."

Annabeth fingered the small vial. "Open wide, Seaweed Brain," she said with a shaky voice.

Percy cracked a smile. Then he opened his mouth so that she could drop the liquid inside.

She raised the vial up over his mouth and let a single drop fall.

But it didn't fall into his mouth.

It went right through him.

Each of them saw the tiny bit of liquid fall into the pillow, which, Annabeth realized, they could see through Percy.

They were too late.

534 words. Yeah, yeah. It was short.

Do you hate me? I hate me, so I assume you hate me.

I will update when I receive 180 reviews.

R&R!