~ A/N: First things first, I would like to apologize for not updating sooner but I got grounded for about a month. Second of all, this chapter is ALL percabeth and it's kind of mushy so if you want to skip it you won't miss anything. Third of all, Happy New Year! I knwo I made a LOT of spelling errors but I broke Microsoft word so please have mercy on me. I hope I made up for not updating with this chapter. ~

Annabeth's POV

Chapter 4 - Burning Love

I jumped out of the leaves and laughed. Percy wrapped his arms around my waist and yanked me back down into the pile. We both broke out into another round of hysterical laughter. Percy picked me up and set me in his lap. I giggled and looked into his eyes. The glorious sea-green was brighter than I have ever seen. When I was sick, I shuddered even thinking about it , his eyes were a deep green, scared, cold, and worried bu now they shone with happiness and.......love? His intent gaze interuppted my thoughts, " What? ".

" You're eyes, they're shining. It's like I can see what you're feeling. " he replied.

" Oh, really? Why don't you try and guess? " I taunted.

" As you wish, m'lady, " he tauntingly said, " Joy, safety, happiness, excitment, and.....love? "

I blushed, " You guessed correct. "

He grinned an angelic smile, " I love you more. "

"Impossible! " I retorted.

" Doubt it. " he muttered looking mischievious.

" Try me. " but to avoid further argument I pressed me lips to his. I felt the shock and tension he was experiencing melt beneath my lips. After a few seconds he broke away gasping. " Wow Seaweed brain! I have better lungs than you! " I said in mock surprise.

He laughed a raspy laugh, " Ha! You wish! "

" Not really. " I said leaning in for another kiss. He happily kissed me back. " We better be going before Chiron comes out and rebukes our quest priveledges ( A/N: I know I know I spelled it wrong! ). " Percy groaned loudly, " Okay. " Before I could stand up he picked me up and started walking away with me in his arms. I started to protest, " Put me down! I can walk! Put me down! " I shrieked. He just smiled and kept lugging me somewhere. I looked forward trying to see where he was going. " No. No! You wouldn't! " I screamed. Instead of answering he threw me. I screamed and hit the cold water with a huge splash. As soon as I broke the surface I started yelling at him, " What the heck was that for?! I was already dry and I had leaves in my hair! Do you know how hard it is to get leaves out of wet hair?! " I shouted knowing it wouldn't do any good. I kept yelling as he laughed. He pulled his shirt over his head and I started to trail off. Wow, he had gotten some abs. He laughed again, probaly at the look on my face. He gracefully dove in, barely disturbing the water. He didn't come up even after sixty seconds. I heard a splash beside me so I spun that direction. Nothing. I felt a hand slide around my waist and before I could scream another one covered my mouth. I heard his hideous laughter and I turned to face him. " What was that for?! I'm still a little nervous about water you know! "

He kept his hand around my waist pulling me closer, " I really don't think getting leaves out of wet hair is that hard, Is it? " he whispered.

I sighed giving up, " I'll deal. "

" That's better. " he mumbled kissing me. We kissed, swam, and taunted each for about another hour before the dinner " bell " rang. Percy swore, " Do we have to go? "

I was probaly going to regret this, " No. " my somach growled, yep I was going to regret this. His face lit up and I could see the wheels in his head turning, " Meet me here at 8:30 ? "

" I guess. " I mumbled, curious what he was planning.

" Perfect. " He kissed me, then pulled me to shore. I trudged out of the warm water and into the cool air. I shivered and he turned to face me, concern in his eyes, " Are you cold? "

" A little. " as soon as the words left my mouth he wrapped his arms around me. I felt him absorb the water and I felt instantly warm. " Mmmhm. That feels much better. " I mumbled. His arms slipped off of mine, " It's already seven you need to get ready. " he said smiling brightly again.

I groaned loud enough for him to hear, " Will you tell me what you're palnning? "

" Nope. " he said.

" Okay...." I whined, " I'll see you at 8:30. " I walked to my cabin and shut the door. All my siblings were at dinner so I didn't have to worry about them. I walked straight to the bathroom to take a shower. After washing my hair I got out and wrapped a towel around myself. I skipped to my sister's armoir and pulled out a deep purple dress that went to my knees. I slipped it on and glanced in the mirror. My blonde hair fell past my shoudlers turning into small curls at the ends. I looked average to me. I had no clue what Percy saw in me. He was gorgeous. Sweet, funny and cute. What did he see in me? I can be a jerk most of the time. Oh well. I should enjoy it while it lasted especially since I would have some competion soon. I glanced at the alarm clock on my sister's night stand. 8:27. I picked up my flip-flops and ran outside. I tip-toed towards the lake, careful not to let Percy know I was here. I spotted him lying on a red flannel blanket with a small votive candle in the center. He had random bowls laying beside him. I gasped as I looked at him. He was gorgeous. He was wearing a simple white button down shirt and khaki shorts. His black hair was messy as ever but I didn't care, that's how I liked it. Even in plain clothes he looked amazing! I continued forward trying to be quiet. I stepped on a small stick and it cracked. Why do small sticks make the loudest noise?! He whirled in my direction and I heard him inhale sharply. I stopped trying to be quiet and walked normally to where he was. I sat cross legged on the blanket beside him.

" Wow! Annabeth you look.....Amazing! Then again you always look amazing. " he said matter - of - factly.

I blushed, " Thanks. " He didn't bothering replying instead he kissed me. I pulled back blinking slowly. Everytime he kissed me I felt my pulse race. He handed me a blue bowl of strawberries. " How did you know I loved strawberries? " I asked grinning.

" You told me. " he said grinning back.

" I did? I don't remeber. "

" Annabeth, eat. " he said firmly.

" Yes, sir! " I said saluting him. He laughed and then we ate in silence. After what seemed like an hour, he swallowed and broke the silence. " Um....Annabeth? " he stuttered. He sounded a lot younger than sixteen now, " Yes? "

" Would you..um like to um come back to my um cabin with me? " he stumbled. It took me a second to absorb that thought but when I did my heart raced, I blushed and my throat closed up. " We won't do anything irresponsible! " he said noticing my sudden stillness.

" Yes. ", Wait did I just agree to that?! His face lit up and he stood up. He blew out the candle and grabbed my hand. I stood up and he rolled up the blanket. He held my hand as we walked to his cabin. He opened the door and motioned me in. " Give me a second. 'kay? " he said grabbing something from off his bed. I set my shoes down by the door and went to his bed. I lie down suddenly feeling really drowsy. I pulled the covers up around me and shivered. What was I doing here? In Percy's cabin? I didn't know but right now I didn't care. I was still alive and better yet, with Percy. I heard a door open and I opened my eyes to see Percy come out of the bathroom in black shorts, a white t-shirt and his camp necklace hanging around his neck. I closed my eyes again and felt him slide beside me. Under the covers. I felt my heart race faster as he wrapped his arm around me. He smelled like salt water and the ocean breeze, " Mhm....you smell good. Like the beach. " I mumbled sleepily. He chuckled, " You don't smell so bad yourself. ", he changed the subject, " Charity seems happy- "

" Yep. "

" and Nico seems jealous. ", that caught my attention. I rolled over, looking in his eyes, " Really? "

" Yep. He looks like I feel whenever you talk to another guy. You have no idea how many guys in camp would like to date you. I hear them talking about it all the time. "

That was shocking, " Wow! Percy? You know how I act around Rachel? It's because I'm jealous. "

He laughed, " I figured as much but you don't have to worry. You are my life now. ( A/N: I got that from Twilight! ) "

I blushed for the third time today, " That doesn't mean I have to be happy about her coming. "

" Nope you don't. Just as long as you understand, I love you, not her. "

" I love you too. " I said. I could tell by the way he kissed me that he was exceedingly happy. He pulled away and I yawned. " We need to go to sleep we have a big day tommorrow. " I said.

" Yep. Good night Annabeth. I love you. "

" I love you too. " I replied meaning it with all my heart. I slipped into sleep, his arms acting as a shelter and his deep breathing as a lullaby.

~ A/N: Lame I know but I tried. Please read and review. I hate to tell you this but I'm going out of town for a week. I'm leaving monday. R and R please! ~