Hey you guys! Chapter 3 is here!

To my beautiful reviewers:

AmericanAfroedNinja- I agree. I don't like when OC's pull attention from the main characters. I didn't even mean to write an OC story, but I was feeling inspired and this story just sort of... happened.

Thebookthief- I'm hoping to pull in some other cannon characters, hopefully Piper, maybe Leo and Calypso, and who knows? Anyone could show up.

chowstaniscool and DecemberRome- Thank you guys so much for the encouragement! It really means a lot.

I realize I've been forgetting a disclaimer... I'll go back and add it to my other chapters as well. I do not own Percabeth! Or demigods! Or anyone! (except Amy and Seb and even then it's more of a friendship. We don't like the word 'own,' they're easily offended.)

Annabeth was in Tartarus. It was dark. She and Percy were following Bob the Titan, Small Bob sitting on his shoulder.

She watched their battles play out again. Arachne. The Arai. Damasen killing the drakon. She saw the hoard of monsters standing by the door again, felt the icy fear as it retook her heart. She felt every emotion as though it were happening for the first time.

Twelve minutes. The button had to be pushed for twelve minutes. Percy volunteered. This time, Bob pulled her into the elevator, and Percy defended their ascent into the world.

"Percy, you can't," she tried to say. Her voice wouldn't work. She tried to cry, to call him 'Seaweed Brain,' but either she couldn't speak or he wasn't listening. He turned, gave her one last look through the closing elevator doors, and smiled at her.

She woke to his voice. "Annabeth. It's over. We're together. Come back to me." His hand was on her head, brushing her hair, gently running his fingers through the blonde mess.

"P- Percy?" She cracked her eyes open, still unconvinced that the nightmare was just that- a nightmare.

He tilted his head to look into her gray eyes, still barely open. "Hey, Wise Girl."

"Gods, Percy. I thought I lost you."

He stood to sit on the bed, his back against the headboard. Annabeth gladly rested against him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She was shocked to find that her face was wet, leaving a damp spot on Percy's chest.

He pulled her closer. "I still see it too." She already knew, of course. The dark circles under their eyes weren't quite as cute as their matching gray streaks had been.

As shocked as Annabeth had been to discover herself crying, she was even more surprised to feel a tear of Percy's hit the top of her head. She hugged him harder, like she never would again. And with the dangerous life they led, you could never know.

She didn't say anything, so after a couple seconds Percy continued. "Especially if I forget to have a blue coke before bed. Caffeine nap. The first night I was over with Seb, I stayed up late unpacking and… uh… woke us both up a few hours later. And when I finally went back to my mom's." He chuckled, and Annabeth could feel the vibrations deep in his chest. "I've never seen her more worried." He rested his chin on Annabeth's head. "I don't know if they'll go away. But I'll feel better knowing you're right next door."

Annabeth nodded into his shoulder. "Me too." It was a whisper, but she was afraid to say anything louder in fear that her voice wouldn't hold.

He kissed her forehead, brushing her hair again. "Sleep well, Wise Girl."

Amy cradled her cup of coffee with utmost care. She hadn't slept much the night before, worrying about Annabeth. It wasn't normal for people to scream in the middle of the night. Amy didn't have to be a psychology student to know that her new friend was having night terrors. Even worse, she didn't know how to help. It was a good thing Percy was next door.

She'd heard him leave about an hour after he'd arrived, dragging his feet but still quiet enough that he wouldn't have woken either of them, had she been asleep. She wondered vaguely how Seb had fared, and whether he'd known anything of the circumstances. Then she wondered if Annabeth was awake.

After three minutes of debating, she was softly knocking at Annabeth's door.

"Annie?" She whispered, creaking the door open.

Annabeth was still recovering from her nightmare. On a normal morning, she could get up early and get started on the day's work. After a night like the one she just had, it takes her about half an hour to get out of bed.

She didn't bother looking over when Amy walked in. In fact, she barely noticed her friend. She was sitting up, but her gray eyes, normally so bright and intelligent, were dull and disoriented.

Annabeth was lost in her thoughts until a warm mug was pushed into her hands.

"I… um… didn't know how you drink your coffee. I just put three sugars and four creamers like Percy does."

Annabeth gratefully took the cup. She wasn't quite sure what to say to the girl. Maybe she wouldn't want someone who screamed in the middle of the night as a roommate. "I'm sorry for waking you, I'll understand if you want me to move-"

"No, Annie, I'm sorry. I'm worried. I…" Amy said. "I think you're a great friend and I just want the best for you." She smiled and sat next to Annabeth. "What do you want to do today?"

Annabeth was startled by the girl's willingness to take her mind off things. But in a good way.

Amelia crossed her arms. "Because I think you need a shopping spree. Let's grab some gals. Know anyone nearby?"

"I feel like you just want to go shopping." Annabeth raised an eyebrow.

"No! I want to get your mind off of whatever it's on. And of course I want to go shopping, you've seen my pile of clothes." She gestured to the mound on the floor that had been pushed there just the night before.

"Speaking of which, I'm getting dressed. Out of my room. And yes, I have a friend that we can meet." Annabeth, who had cheered up significantly, had a certain daughter of Aphrodite to Iris Message.

Annabeth popped over to the boys' room to see Percy. He and Seb were on the X-Box, playing something violent and warlike.

"It's Skyrim. I'm actually decent with a bow and arrow in this game," he said to Annabeth's questioning look at the screen.

He paused it and walked over to kiss Annabeth. She thought she'd melt right there, until Amy ruined the moment by walking up behind her and making a noise like a strangled mongoose.

"Ugh. Couples. And while we're on the subject, could someone please find me a boyfriend?" She teased, and left to talk to Seb.

Percy smiled until she was gone, but then his mouth turned down. "Are you doing alright? We can always go to camp for a day or something, considering it's Spring Break. Maybe the beach?"

Annabeth stepped into the apartment. "I actually contacted Piper, we're gonna go into town today and shop."

"Dibs on Jason. He's killer at Assassin's Creed. Seb, we're playing Assassin's Creed next." He walked to the fridge and grabbed a coke, slightly frowning at the lack of blue before downing it.

"Knock knock," said a new voice at the door. "Anyone home?" Piper peeked into the room. Her hair was grown longer now, but was still braided with her signature feathers. Today they were white, which matched her shirt in a nice contrast to her skin tone.

"Oh, good, you're here," Annabeth responded, hugging her friend. Piper took a piece of her toast in return.

"Hey, Piper," Percy greeted.

"Hey Perce. Jason's in the bathroom."

"What? Why couldn't he use the one up here?"

"He doesn't like to intrude." She smiled. "How are the new apartments?"

Percy made a face at Amy as she walked back up. "Apartments are fine. It's the roommates that are weird."

Amy made a face back at him. "Yeah, well at least I drink normal colored soda," she retaliated. "Piper!" She threw her arms up and excitedly hugged the indian girl, even though they'd just met.

Piper laughed and hugged her back. "I heard something about a shopping spree?"

Thanks for reading! Reviews appreciated!

What demigods would you guys like to see in the story?