Percy's POV

Panting, Percy ran up the dunes to reach his cabin. He washed his feet and put on some socks and sneakers. He exploded his drawers and threw his clothes everywhere as he tried to look for the orange t-shirt he had come to love. When he finally found it and put it on, a wave of nausea overcame him and he slumped down on his bed, his head rested on his dresser.

He heard knocking, but didn't bother to open it. He was too exhausted. Now that he was out of the water, the effects of not sleeping for nights had caught up with him.

His door opened and he felt someone sit next to him. A familiar hand rested on his back. Percy tried to hold himself up as he looked into her eyes.

Annabeth's POV

Annabeth was tired. She hadn't slept all night, and she knew Percy didn't get any rest either. She looked into his green eyes, and sleepily said: "Hey Seaweed Brain. Come on, we gotta go for breakfast."

She knew he was drained, and then she noticed his hair was wet. Wet? He was never wet unless he forgot to dry himself… Oh, Percy. He had been out in the waters. Annabeth sighed as she took his face in her hands.

"So where did you go this time?" She said after she kissed his forehead.

Percy straightened up, probably for her. She loved him for caring about her so much. She looked on into his eyes, encouraging him to go on. He took a deep breath.

"I found a place you will love. It is a magical Island, but it almost seems as if it was meant only for the two of us! It is so beautiful, it will take your thoughts away from … all this. It will give you a break."

Annabeth was moved. What did she do to deserve Percy? He was so caring and sweet. He was so loving. But he worried about her- he worried about her too much. Of course, it was so sweet and she couldn't complain, but she knew that it would drive him crazy because the fact was that she would never recover.

"Percy, you always give me so much…I don't know how I could ever give it back! You think of the perfect things and you make me feel so much better. I love you so much!" Annabeth smiled from ear to ear, mainly to make Percy feel better. She hoped it worked, but he knew her too well. Before he could read into her, she kissed him, hoping this would keep him from worrying about her.

As she kissed him, she felt so upset for her not being able to just be fully healthy for Percy. Annabeth knew that for Percy to be healthy, he needed her. Percy needed the Annabeth who wasn't going to let nightmares rule her. Annabeth was angry that she couldn't solve this problem. She needed a solution.

Percy gently pulled away from her lips, and stared at her. Annabeth was fuming. If only she could give him the best. If only she could be better. Look how much more happy he would be. Look how much he is worrying about her. Annabeth wouldn't meet his eyes.

"It is not your fault." Percy's voice was stiff and angered. Annabeth suddenly felt her heartbeat quicken. She hated it when he got angry. He was so powerful it was … it was … scary. She looked into his eyes, watching how red they were.

She couldn't do it. She was a failure. She couldn't do it. Annabeth broke down into Percy's arms. She sobbed as he held her, his body shivering. Annabeth clung on to Percy and held him tightly as she cried into his shoulder.

She was in Tartarus. Percy was by her side, but he was weaponless. They were surrounded. Annabeth knew they would die. She clung on to him, mourning over the lost chance to live a happy life with the one she loved. She somehow teleported to Bob and Damasen's death. It was bloody, gory and evil. Tartarus himself brought nothing but fear and loneliness. Their deaths were not happy. They screamed in agony, pleading and fearing, and they were gone.

Annabeth cried and cried into Percy. She could feel him crying too. They only had each other. They couldn't stop clinging to one another. Percy was shivering so much that Annabeth was brought back to reality. But was that reality? Did Bob actually die like that?

She could hear his breathing: he was hyperventilating; holding on to her while he took fast deep breathes. Annabeth heard him cry her name in between a breath, and he sounded frantic. A panic attack. Annabeth wanted to cry. She hated seeing him in this state more than she hated seeing him angry.

She took his face into her hands and said: "Percy, Percy, it's ok, I am right here, I am happy because you, you are with me…"' She continued speaking to him in a soft voice until his breathing slowed and he began to look more like himself.

Annabeth was relieved. She heaved in a deep sigh and put her face in her hands. Annabeth didn't know if they could live like this for much longer. She wondered how they would be able to live like this for a life time.

Percy's POV

Percy cursed at himself. He couldn't believe it – he broke down in front of Annabeth, for the second time. Now, she had her face in her hands. Percy didn't know what to do. He felt helpless.

But this did not stop him. Love won and Percy stood up, and reached out his hand. Annabeth took it, and looked sadly but hopefully into his eyes. Percy put on a bright smile. It was not a fake smile, and she could tell that. Percy was thinking about the happier times when they were young and scared of Kronos.

Percy smiled broadly thinking about the fun times with Annabeth. Deep down, he yearned for it to be like that again. Percy knew Annabeth wanted that too. He knew what to do.

"Hey, you should take a shower here, and I will change into a good outfit for today. Today is something special – I got something planned out." Percy smiled at her trying to be mischievous, although he still had to think of a plan.

"I don't know if you are trying to tell me that I stink, or if you just want time to plan out something for today." Annabeth smirked at his laughing eyes.

"Well, maybe both. So go!" Percy joked. Annabeth pouted, and Percy kissed her forehead.

"I gotta go get clothes from my cabin…anything else I should grab for the day?" Annabeth asked Percy. By now, they both knew that 'the day' was not going to be their free-time; it was going to be sneaking out after grabbing breakfast until late in the night.

"Well, just normal supplies. Put it in your backpack and then you can bring an extra change of clothes." Percy didn't exactly know what he was planning, but it seemed like a good idea.

"Ok. I will be back to take a shower here. You should tell Chiron we will both be late for breakfast."

"Ok, I will do that now." Percy and Annabeth made their way to the door of the cabin then parted ways. Percy looked back at her, marveling at her courage and declaring his love for her again under his breath.

That is it for this chapter. I didn't particularly enjoy writing it, because it was kind of sad to see how Tartarus affected them. But I hope you guys enjoyed it, read on to Chapter 3, it has some playful banter with Percabeth!