Me: Hey guys!

This is: Dying

It's kind of sad.

I don't own PJO. Rick Riordan does.

Annabeth, Percy

Summary preview: Friends 'til the end. Right?

"So, you're leaving for Europe?" he asked, his voice carefully clear of any pain he might be feeling.

Annabeth bit her lip, but nodded slowly.

"Please don't be mad."

He stared back at her with those cold, unmoved eyes, but then he sighed, and pulled her in for a hug.

"You idiot. I thought children of Athena were suppose to be smart. I could never stay mad at you. Especially since you are finally get your dream to come true." he told her, smiling slightly.

She let out a breath she hadn't known she had been holding, and grinned up at him.

"Don't worry," she said, pulling back. "I'll be back in three months. It's just a college trip. Then we can..." she trailed off at the expression on his face. Annabeth had never seen this expression on Percy, so she wasn't exactly sure what it was.

But then it was gone and he rolled his eyes. "Three months is a long time Wise Girl." was all he said, before helping her finish packing.

Despite Percy's somewhat foreshadowing words, the three months went by fast for Annabeth. She traveled all over Europe, visiting every major tourist attraction, before doing a little exploring of her own.

That was where she met Seth Lyons. He was cute, funny, and absolutely loved ancient monuments. His brown eyes could melt any harsh feelings that may have ruined her trip, and his swish-like hair was a chocolate brown.

He had always been in her class, but it wasn't until they got partnered up for a project that she started to actually get to know him.

They were friends. Nothing more.

Or, at least, that's what she told herself after talking to Percy on the phone, explaining how she wouldn't be home for yet another three months. Overall, he had taken it rather well.

If hanging up on her, then immediately calling back to apologize can be considered taking it well.

But then she was needed to help decipher some Ancient Greek writing everyone thought she learned at a different college.

When she brought Seth home to meet Percy, Grover - at least she hoped Grover looked human enough to meet Seth- and Rachel, she didn't notice the wary look Percy gave her friend, nor the critical eye of the Oracle.

She didn't notice the subtle hurt in Percy's voice when she called him to cancel their date three days later, because schoolwork she had put off those first few days when she had gotten back was finally catching up with her. She didn't even think of what Percy might feel like if he found out that after she called him, she called Seth, asking him if he wanted to come over and help her, and they ended up going to get take-out.

And barely made a dent in her schoolwork because they had gotten bored and started talking for hours.

She didn't notice when Percy stopped making dates with her, because he had figured out that it would only be canceled for what was suppose to be schoolwork. He knew was really just a few more hours to hang out with Seth.

And when Seth offered to take her to Greece again that summer, she didn't even hesitate before saying yes.

She didn't notice when Percy's birthday passed. And how could she have ever known that he had sat at home all day, refusing to leave with his friends, waiting on her to call? That when midnight passed, he left his house, woke up Rachel, found Nico, and had all of them go and party what was left of the night away?

She didn't get to the phone in time to hear the call from the Rachel, cussing her out in her voice mail for hurting Percy. And when she did get home from Greece, thought about it some, went to Percy's house because something had happened while she was gone and found no one at Percy's apartment, well, he was probably at Camp Half-Blood right?

She didn't think to worry about it, while she was being taught how to ice skate with Seth, or watching a movie with homemade popcorn with Seth, or get ready to go back to college.

When she graduated college, and flung her hat in the air for the second time in her life, her eyes immediately scanned the crowd for her special someone.

Annabeth's friends teased her about him, and when she was swept up from behind and spun around, she was thrilled to see the person she was looking for.

She didn't notice Percy stand a few feet away, the warm smile disappearing off his face, before he melted back into the crowd, trying to ignore Seth and Annabeth's obvious INLOVE actions.

When she sent the wedding invitation that allowed him to bring a guest, she didn't think he was actually going to bring a guest.

But he did.

Percy's sea green eyes were distant, and perhaps a bit sad as he looked at her. Annabeth suddenly realized they had never really had a proper breakup.

Because, when she left for Europe four years ago, he hadn't really expected her to leave him, had he? Percy had never even made it a concern.

She could see it on his face, if she looked hard enough through her memories. The utter shock when she brought home a guy. When she stopped hanging out with her friends, and canceled dates for that guy.

The pain that laced his face when he saw her with him, that somehow every single time, she had never noticed. Her. Annabeth Chase, the girl who knew Percy Jackson better then anyone, hadn't noticed the slow heartbreak she was putting him through until her wedding day.

No wonder he had stopped inviting her to hang with their old group.

Strangely it had taken her seeing him with someone else to realize this.

On her wedding day with the guy Percy had probably tried to hate.

But he gave her a pained smile (gods how had she never noticed how wrong his smile looked now days?) and introduced his date.

Her name was Asilinn. She was the girl that Percy had hung out with when all their friends were double dating and trying to hook them up with random people.

Asilinn left quietly, probably getting that they needed some time alone.

Then he hugged her, and a brief real smile crossed his face as he looked back at her. It was gorgeous.

"You're beautiful, Wise Girl. Seth's a lucky guy. I'll see you later, okay?" for a second she saw that spark in her eyes that always died out when she came near and she felt amazing because it had been so long since she had heard that nickname.

"Of course, Seaweed Brain." she told him. He must have seen the disappointment on her face, for he laughed lightly.

"I would talk more, but the line behind me is getting pretty long. So just, don't fall. That would suck, and would ruin the whole princess thing you have going for you in this dress." he told her.

She attempted to shove him, but he danced out of the way.

"Goodbye, daughter of Athena." he told her, real smile and all, before leaving her to face the rest of the guest.

Percy started visiting her more often, keeping her updated on the lives of their friends, she no longer had time to hang out with.

But when he visited her after she had her first child, she couldn't help but notice how tired he looked.

But when she asked, he just waved it off, saying that he was fine. Something about him not getting enough sleep.

She had frowned at that, because, in all honesty, what could he have been doing? The only time he mentioned Asilinn was when he was saying about how she cheated on him, but it was okay because he was going to breakup with her soon.

He didn't go to college, he was 26 without a job, unless you count the time he worked at Camp during the summer.

But she let it go, because he was holding her hand, and smiling that real smile.

"I'm glad you're okay." was all he said when she raised an eyebrow, before letting go of her hand, handing her daughter back to her, and leaving.

She soon found out why he looked so tired.

Percy had finally broken down, and saw a doctor. They said that nothing was wrong with him, so he stopped worrying about it.

At least, until he fainted while teaching swordplay at Camp.

Chiron said it was a type of poison that slowly sapped away at your strength until it left you weak beyond belief, tired, and eventually dead. Percy had been dealing with the poison for almost two years.

He was dying fast, and not even Chiron could stop it.

So of course she immediately went to see him.

After letting herself in the Camp's medical room, she could see him sitting in a chair, looking out the window.

He turned and stood up, when he saw who it was.

"Annabeth?" he asked, doubt in his voice, as he walked towards her. She thought about how she must look to the him. Her hair was styled differently, a little darker with sun kissed streaks, highlighting the few gray streaks in her hair that matched his, and she had a healthy tan.

Of course, he looked different too. His black hair, that had always been messy, was now dead looking, his skin a bleached tan that made him look vaguely sick, his face drawn, and a haunted look in those sea green eyes of his.

"Yeah." she whispered, her brain rejecting that this was who it was. Percy walked closer, and she noticed how thin he had gotten.

Her brain was convinced this wasn't him. The last time she had seen him, he was healthy. He was that miniature Poseidon, the boy so gorgeous, newcomers had thought he was a god. Heck, the first time Leo and Piper saw him, they thought he was Poseidon.

No one would mistake him for a god now. Not with the haggered lines in his face, his strength gone.

"What are you doing here?"

She scoffed. "What? Do you really think I wouldn't come and see you? Who do you think I am?"

Percy shrugged. "Annabeth Lyons. Daughter of Athena. Partial savior of Olympus. Mother of two children. Friend of Artemis' Lieutenant, Oracle, and Lord of the Wild. My ex."

She frowned. "And you're best friend at that." she added. Percy raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment further.

"What? Since when have we not been friends?"

Percy blinked. "When you stopped bothering to talk to your friends, I suppose. When you screamed at Nico and me, ranting about how we were going to end up murdering your child, and to never show our faces around you again. Then deleted us off your Facebook friend page."

Annabeth blinked. "I don't remember that."

Percy sighed. "Yeah. I didn't think you would. Check your Facebook, if you don't believe me. It was about four months ago. So much for friends 'til the end."

A pang went through her.

"Percy..."

"Don't worry about it. We all say things that we don't mean. Anyways, I really shouldn't be giving you a hard time. Look at you, forgiving me long enough to come and see me before I die. I feel so wanted."

She wasn't sure whether she wanted to laugh or glare more.

"Seriously though, thanks. I mean it. Thanks for coming to see me. I missed hanging out with you lately." he said suddenly, his voice completely serious.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "No problem, Seaweed Brain. Have.."

She took a deep breath and tried again. "Have you asked you dad about..?"

"Yeah. He said he couldn't interfere with human trifles, before ending the dream. So, as usual, the gods don't care, and won't help. Not even I get that much attention."

Annabeth frowned even deeper, her thoughts spinning, looking for an answer.

And when her phone went off, she didn't even see the abruent expression change on his face.

"Seth? Hey... No, I'm at Percy's. He hasn't been feeling all that great and I wanted to check up on him... What? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I can be back soon. Sorry, I forgot that it was today... Sure. Totally... Love you too. Bye."

As she snapped her phone shut, she saw that Percy had moved to stand by the door.

"While it was great to see you for these past five minutes, you should probably go. No need in worrying the husband. I'll see you soon, okay?"

Annabeth blinked. "Are you sure? I can stay for a little while, if you... Yeah." she trailed off at the closed look in his eyes. But she gave him a hug anyways, re-memorizing the smell of him.

"Bye Percy." she said pulling away.

"Goodbye Wise Girl."

She couldn't shake the feeling that it was a last goodbye.

When she got the call, the very next day, asking if Percy had told her anything about how he wanted his funeral planned, she knew that he was gone.

Standing beside Grover at his funeral, hearing amazing stories told about him, with a fiery passion, Annabeth realized she hadn't been a true friend to Percy in years.

Percy's last words played through her head, while watching the casket lower.

So much for friends 'til the end.

Me: :/

I don't like this chapter. At all. But it's the longest one yet,(2,500-ish words!) and it worked with the chapter okay.

Opinions? I really don't care if you flame it. (as long as it's only this chapter of course ;)

Next chapter: Two Roads

I went back and read how in the beginning I said this wasn't just going to be a bunch of pairings even though it's like, 1-10 ratio. 1= actually person not daydreaming about someone else. 10= a pairing chapter.

So, Two Roads shall be a stand alone thing. I'm thinking Conner.

Review and I might even post it today! Because, look up at the top. 98 reviews already. Can we get 100+?

~ Anna/ Booklover98