The persistent buzzing was driving Annabeth crazy. She groaned and pulled the covers back, glancing at the clock. 5:30. What?! Her phone was ringing and Percy's picture was on the screen.

"I'm gonna murder him." she says, but answers anyway.

"What is it that you had to-"

"Grandma Jane's in the hospital." Percy sniffles. Her mind goes into overdrive. When? What happened? But she heard crying over the phone. She'd ask him later.

"I just didn't knew who else to call, I mean you know her and that and she's the sweetest person ever and she's in the hospital and oh I hope she'll be okay." he rambled.

She stifled a cry. "Percy, where are you? I'm coming."

"Uncle Rick's, I just-"

"I'm coming." she says firmly. Annabeth wasn't sure where this came from. She hadn't felt like she needed to support someone else since- well- Luke. She bit back those memories. Percy needed her and she wouldn't let him down. These past few weeks, she'd learn to cope with his silly personality. They had really bonded. And sure, sometimes his grins made her stomach do somersaults, and she caught herself watching him more often, but hey that's natural. Annabeth wouldn't admit it, but she wasn't sure how she felt about her new friend. There were sometimes where she would-. Annabeth remembered she was on the phone and hung up.

She drove like a madman- that is to say- a few miles over the speed limit and running yellow lights- which the normal Annabeth Chase would never do. Needless to say, she got there in under five minutes. The lights were on at Uncle Rick's and she worried about Percy. She parked and ran in the store.

"Percy?" she called. She ran down the isles looking for him. He was in the soda isle (of course), sipping a Coke. He glanced up, his eyes tired and red.

"Coke's a comfort food." he raised his can.

"Oh Perce." she walked to him and took him in her arms, which was hard since he was taller and a lot heavier than her. It felt- felt- Annabeth couldnt think of a word, for once, but it made her warm right down to her toes. Then Percy broke down. Real, sad, tears rolled down his face. She patted his back. "It's okay. I'm here."

He was rambling. "I just- came in early." he sniffled, "I forgot to do something yesterday. And I found her. On the floor." Percy cried for a little while longer. "She, she wouldn't wake up. So I called 911. They wouldn't let me come with her, and I don't know what's wrong." he wiped his nose on his sleeve.

"Hey. If you hadn't even come in, she might not have made it to the hospital. You might have saved her life." She saw tears in his eyes again.

"I just wish there was something I could have done." he quieted for a minute."Thank you." Percy whispered. "I know it's early, you- you were the first person I thought of."

Annabeth started. "Really?" she said quietly. She had been finding the same true for herself. She had a problem: call Percy.

"Yeah, really." he was silent for a moment.

"I always think of you first." Percy mumbled.

Her heart began to race. "Okay." Annabeth thought, "Okay. He was just a little freaked out, he wasn't thinking clearly."

Percy smiled. "Stop thinking, it's too early for thinking." He looked at her, pursing his lips. "You're really beautiful, you know."

Annabeth glanced down at what she was wearing. Practically the same thing as the first time they met: sweats and a t-shirt- what she had slept in- and a hasty bun.

She laughed, "I'm a mess."

"Not as much as me- no, you're perfect." he looked up, and Annabeth wasn't sure what he was thinking. He had bloodshot eyes which made the green irises stand out. Percy looked down at her, with that stupid smile on his face.

And then Annabeth's heart flip-flopped. Here was this boy, worried about his friend- worried enough to cry in front of a girl, and telling her she looked nice even though she could have passed off as a hobo. She was falling hopelessly for this black-haired mess. Annabeth might have stood there, trying to use logic and place everything where it should go, even though love isn't logical, for years if it weren't for Percy. Her eyes moved around, processing this new breakthrough, until they landed on Percy and then-

She kissed him. It felt so- right. He had a salty taste from his tears and Annabeth wondered for the millionth time how he had such a heart. Percy pushed her back gently and she frowned, wondering what was wrong.

"You don't have to pity me Annabeth." he said hoarsely.

"What, Percy? I don't-"

"I know, this is a lot for me to put on you, but you don't need to try to make me feel better." he turned away.

She felt anger boiling inside her. How dare he- he likes her? But he pushed her away. She felt the tears she was trying to suppress to be strong for him, pushing forward, threatening to spill, and becoming angry.

"Percy Jackson, I'm-." she swore, unable to find the right words. "You are the sweetest person I have ever met, so don't you dare think I'm pitying you. Because I'm not. Don't you dare tell me how I feel. I just figured some things out and don't you push me away because- because I am falling in love with you and I can't-" there were tears running down her face now, too.

Percy turned back and brought his hands up to her face, brushing the tears away. He leaned down and kissed her. They were both crying- of sorrow and happiness when they pulled back. He held her in a hug and they stood there for what felt like hours. Annabeth felt happier than she had ever been. She felt stressed with the knowledge of Grandma Jane, but contented. Percy kissed her again.

"I'm sorry." he croaked, "I'm in-" His phone rang and he answered, sending Annabeth a nervous glance. It was Grandpa Jack, she could hear. What had Percy wanted to tell her? Was he moving? Was there another girl? She watched him, wondering. He hung up and Annabeth looked a him for answers.

"We can go to the hospital. I-" he gulped.

"It's okay," she told him, "Let's go."