~ A/N: Sorry, ( again ) I've been sick, ( I still am ). ~

~ I will - Jimmy Wayne ( one of my absolute favorite songs ) ~

~ Annabeth's POV ~

" Percy? " No reply, " Percy, where are you? " again no answer. I stepped inside the small room, no one. " Percy? Come on. Please answer me. " The silence was uncanny. Where was he? I heard some grunting and something being knocked over. I whirled, drawing my knife quickly. I looked at the monster holding Percy. The dracnea had a hand over Percy's mouth and one on his waist. I lunged forward, planning to stab the dracnea but something grabbed me by the shirt, abrubtly stopping me. I screamed as my knee hit the floor, recovered quickly and stabbed blindly. The sound of a monster disnergrating filled my ears. I spun again facing the dracnea. " Let him go. " I said in a low, harse voice. I saw fear flash in Percy's eyes and the demon's. The dracnea looked from me to Percy, I think it was having a hard time deciding. " Let him GO! " I repeated while diving. I slashed at the dracnea's hand. It fell off. Percy jerked out of the one handed dracnea's grip and uncapped Riptide. " Ready? " he asked.

" Go. " I replied with a grin. At the exact same time we lunged, both of us stabbing in the chest. It emitted a short howl before it was obliterated. I sheathed my knife and Percy capped his sword. His grinned at me, grabbed me by the waist and dipped me, movie style. I gasped not expecting it, he chuckled then kissed me softly. When he pulled back my apology came out in a flood of words, " Percy, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you. Will you forgive me? "

He looked a me with a sly smile, " Of course Annabeth. How could I not forgive you? "

I didn't relize he was joking, " Well, I didn't even know what happened ,I screamed at you and slammed a door in your face. "

He chuckled again, " I was joking Annabeth. "

I turned crimson, " Oh. "

He pulled me to the edge of the bed, sat down and motioned for me to sit in his lap. I happily did. He cradled me in his arms,humming and rocking me gently. " How did that Dracnea catch you? " I asked while closing my eyes.

" Well......I was lying on my bed, trying to think of a way to get you out of your room so I could apologize when that stupid monster conked me on the head. When I woke up a few minutes later I heard you calling me. I elbowed the monster, the stupid thing knocked over a mug but still held on. Then you came in and saved me. " he explained as he hugged me tighter.

I smiled, " Well, I'm glad your safe. "

" I'm glad your safe. Also, I didn't know you could be so fierce! It's hot. " he complimented.

" Thanks, I was pretty mad. "

" How's your knee? "

I didn't answer as rolled up my pant's right leg. I gasped when I saw that my knee was red and swollen, I couldn't remember it hurting that bad. " Annabeth! Let's get some ice, okay? "

" It looks worse then it feels. " I truthfully said.

" We still need to get some ice to bring the swelling down. " he replied while standing.

He carried me to the bathroom where he set me on the white counter. He left the room and came back with the black ice bucket. Percy opened it, took out the liner holding the ice, and twirled it around so none of the ice could spill. Percy jumped on to the counter and sat beside me, resting the ice on my knee. " Thanks. I didn't even know that my knee was swollen till you asked if I was okay. "

" Yeah, well, when you screamed I knew you must have hit it hard. "

I wrapped my arm around his waist, " Thanks again. " He flinched when I hugged him and I wondered just how bad he had been hurt. " Are you okay? "

" Yeah, I'm fine. " I ignored him and lifted his t-shirt, " Oh my gods Percy! " I said as I stared at his black and blue waist.

" I'm fine, Annabeth. I bruise easily. "

" Percy! Your black and blue! " I argued.

" Annabeth! Will you please stop freaking out?! I really am fine! "

" You know what fine stands for right? Freaked out, insecure, neurotic, and emotional. " ( A/N: Can anyone tell me what movie that's from? ) I said smartly.

He laughed, " Then I'm great! It looks worse than it feels. "

" Can't argue with that. " I said as my stomach growled, " I'm hungry. "

" I can hear that. " he stated, " Why don't we go get some breakfast? "

" You mean brunch. " I corrected him.

He laughed again, " Let's just go! " He jumped off the counter and took the ice from me. He unrolled my jeans, his hands lingering on my bare skin. I impatiently took his hand and hopped off the counter, careful to land with my weight off my right leg. I dragged Percy out of the room, keeping pressure only on my left leg. I was suddenly jerked back as Percy stopped, " Hey! What was that for? I'm hungry! "

" You're limping. "

" I'm trying not to put pressure on my knee. "

Percy crouched down, putting his hands on the floor. " Climb on. "

" Serious? " I asked looking at him.

" Serious. Climb on, Annabeth. "

" But you're hurt! " I protested.

" Annabeth, I'll be fine. Now get on. "

" O-okay. " I walked behind him and climbed on his back, wrapping my arms around his neck, then wrapping my legs around his waist loosely. " You good? " he asked.

" Yeah. "

He stood slowly, careful not to drop me on the floor. " So, are you nervous? " I asked.

He smiled, " About what? "

" About the quest. "

His smile grew bigger, " Nah! I can take it! "

" Uh-huh, whatever you say. "

" So, you never told me, why did you get mad this morning? "

I leaned my head on his shoulder, " I was jealous. You left me to go chase down Rachel. "

" You know I couldn't just let her go, she was hurt. " He said sweetly.

" Yeah, I know. "

" Besides there was no reason to be jealous. "

" Yeah, I know. " I repeated.

He laughed, " Are you nervous? "

" A little. I mean, ' When they succeed, you shall be freed. ' What does that mean? Does that mean that you will be captured? " I admitted.

" I don't know but I'm just taking one day at a time. "

" Good plan. "

" All right, we're here. "

I pressed my lips to his neck, " Thank you. " I slowly slid off, careful not to hurt him. As soon as I hit the floor he grabbed my hand, unable to keep his hands to himself. We stood before the dining room door, not going in yet. The door was maple wood, and it had intruiging wood carvings in it. On the face of the door a mermaid was hiding in seaweed, the mermaid was very detailed. Every strand if hair ended in a perfect curl,and her face was breath-taking. The mermaid's eyes were big, lips full and cheekbones high. I ran my hand over the wood as I marveled at it. " Wow. " I hear Percy mumble. I turned to him, " Wow, yourself! I didn't relize you appreciated fine art. "

" Yeah, well, may we please eat now? " he said while smiling at me.

" Sure Seaweed brain. " I said as I shoved the door open.

We looked into the dining room and gasped, " Oh, crap. " we said in unison.

A/N: R and R!