*I just realized i never put a disclaimer on this...Ok, here we go

Me: Can I please own Percy Jackson?

Rick Riordan: Not for all the tea in China

Me: Pwetty pwease with ambrosia on top?

Rick Riordan:...It's still a no

Me: Fine*

Annabeth slept fitfully for a few hours. She woke up feeling completely unrested. Well, she was so terrified that they were going to be attacked at any moment, she guessed relaxing would be impossible. Annabeth rolled over and saw Percy laying on the ground, fast asleep with his mouth open. Did nothing faze that boy? Percy must have subconsciously felt her stare because his eyes fluttered open.

"What?" he asked with a lazy, carefree smile.

"You still drool when you sleep." Annabeth said gently.

Percy grinned outright, leaned up, and kissed her.

"Come on, Wise Girl. Let's go kick some monster butt."

Well, that statement would be tested soon. Because standing outside the cave was the Minotaur. And boy, was he angry.

"Annabeth.' Percy said stiffly.

"I though we already destroyed this guy."

Annabeth was mentally kicking herself. How could she have forgotten this? Since they were in Tartarus, the monsters basically came back to life as soon as they killed them. She had been so disoriented from the fall and in so much pain from her ankle, this highly important fact must have completely slipped her mind. Percy didn't wait for an answer.; he and Annabeth immediately went back to back, protecting each other. After so many years of training and fighting together, they instinctively knew what the other was going to do; heck, at this point, they knew it before the other person even thought of it.

The Minotaur bowed it's head and prepared to run at them. Annabeth knew that this thing could really only move forwards, so she nodded slightly at Percy and he got the message. They'd hold their ground for as long as they could and then separate at the last second, letting the monster run between them. It seemed like a good plan. However, the Minotaur had other ideas. It seemed to be turning straight towards Annabeth. Percy pulled out Riptide and looked ready to go charge, but Annabeth hissed,

"No, Percy!"

He gulped and looked at her desperately, her own fear reflected in his eyes. The Minotaur charged, and it seemed like time almost slowed down.

Looking back, Annabeth viewed the scene as if from someone else's body, almost as if she was watching a movie. She saw the monster run straight towards her, saw Percy's body tense, and then saw him push her out of the way.

"To Hades with that!" he muttered, shoving Annabeth to the side.

Annabeth could only wacthed as her boyfriend's body bore the brunt of the impact. She distantly heard him cry out and then Percy crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from his side. At the sight of this, Annabeth was seized with an fiery rage that she'd never felt before. she hadn't come so far to let Percy Jackson die because of a monster he'd defeated when he was twelve years old! So Annabeth swooped down, grabbed Riptide from Percy's limp hand, and then attacked the Minotaur.

Annabeth really should have put more practice in with swords. The knife was her chosen weapon, always had been, always would be. Riptide felt awkward and unbalanced in her hands. She swiped uneffectively at the bull, just being pushed further and further back into the corner. Soon enough, she was in the corner of the cave, staring right at the Minotaur. He roared at her and Annabeth shut her eyes.

"Mother, protect me." she prayed under her breath to Athena. it was her last hope, even though the gods had gone silent.

Annabeth's eyes snapped open and she saw a shadowy vision. It was-

"Mom?" Annabeth said incredulously.

It was Athena, dressed in full-fledged war armor. Annabeth couldn't believe her eyes. This wasn't the creepy, homeless-looking Roman goddess Minerva she's seen in New York. This was the full on, Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare...emphasis on the warfare part.

Athena drew her sword from it's scabbard and in one clean swipe, loped off the Minotaur's head. As it was disinegrating, she turned to Annabeth. Mother and daughter observed one another for a moment and then Athena sheathed her weapon.

"You're back." Annbeth said dumbly, trying to process this.

"You're clever defeat of Arachne freed me." she replied calmly.

Annabeth noddedly slowly.

"Dearest daughter." Athena said gently.

"I am sorry you must bear this."

Annabeth blinked at the sudden maternal affection, but decided to not comment on it.

"How did you get here, Mother?"

"Your faith brought this projection of me to you. The Minotaur, at least, won't be for awhile, at least, since a goddess' blade touched it. I'm probably not going to be able to return though. It uses up a lot of strength to do this."

Athena glanced at Percy's prone form and nodded to him.

"Tend to that scalawag boyfriend of your's, Annabeth."

"I know you don't approve of him, Mother." she replied stiffly,

"But I-"

"You love him." Athena said firmly.

"And he clearly returns the feeling. You're the only thing he remembered, correct?"

Annabeth stared at her, wondering how she could possibly know that.

"I like to know what's going on." Athena admitted upon seeing her daughter's face.

Of all things to do at that moment, Annabeth giggled.

"I never thought i'd hear you say those words."

Athena smiled as she shimmered and then dissappeared.

Annabeth knelt beside Percy and turned him over. He looked awful, a sheen of sweat covering his forhead. his skin was a pallid color and his breathing was uneven and rapid.

"Why would you do that, Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth whispered in his ear, as she removed his shirt to inspect his wound.

Annabeth hadn't inspected him to respond; she didn't even know he was awake, but Percy mumured back,

"Because I love you, Wise Girl. Any more stupid questions?"

*Mega points if you can tell me which PJO book those final words are based off of :) And

Me: Please...

Rick Riordan: WE ALREADY HAD THIS CONVERSATION!*