Disclaimer: I don't own PJO

This is an AU fanfic, Annabeth and Percy OOC. Thank you to everyone that reviewed/favourite/followed. This takes place after the Titan War. There was no Heroes of Olympus or the Prophecy of Seven.

Damion POV:

Annabeth's in trouble, Annabeth's in trouble, Annabeth's in trouble.

The mantra circled through my head as I ran after The Boyfriend. I always thought I was in good shape, what with intense soccer games and practices at least four times a week. But this guy could run. I heard Chrystal yelling behind me, probably telling me to stop, but I can't. Not if sweet, smart Annabeth is in trouble, and, judging by the look in Percy's eyes, trouble didn't even seem to cover it.

It was a cooler afternoon, so not many people were outside walking their dogs or roaming the streets. That was good for me, because, no matter how far ahead Percy was, I could still see his messy, coal black hair and orange t-shirt. At least I knew where he was headed – the park.

By the time I reached the grass, I was panting. How could this guy still be running? To my despair, I saw him duck into the thick trees. I was determined not to lose him – if I lost him, I would lose Annabeth. Forgetting my fatigue, I poured on the speed and bolted into the same clump of shadow Percy disappeared in. I felt like a rampaging bull. I was so loud it was embarrassing.

I pushed through a clump of bushes, only to fall flat on my face. I groaned and started to push myself up. How did Percy navigate through all of this? As I sat up, I heard someone come closer and closer to me. I tried desperately to think of a valid reason for being here – obviously it was Percy approaching.

"Damion!" I was surprised at the feminine voice calling for me. I felt a rush of excitement – maybe it was Annabeth! But, after the second "Damion!" I could tell it wasn't.

Chrystal reached me, her face red and masked with sweat. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed at me.

"I'm going to help Annabeth," I practically snarled in reply. She glared at me, looking both insulted and aggravated at me.

"Annabeth is perfectly capable of handling herself, and Percy has it under control." She told me in forced calm. I raised an eyebrow at her.

"So you aren't worried at all about Annabeth?" I said accusingly. I wished I could take it all back – I wasn't angry at Chrystal. She blushed, looking even more offended than before.

"Of course I'm worried about her – she's one of my best friends. But, Damion, I think whatever's going on here doesn't involve us. We shouldn't pry on these things." She said soothingly. I knew she was right, but that didn't stop me from standing.

That's when I heard the tearing growl and a feminine scream, followed immediately but a horrified "Annabeth!" Chrystal and I took a three second glance at each other before mutually agreeing to go forwards.

The sight before our eyes was one that absolutely terrified me. Annabeth laid crumpled on the ground, her head bleeding slightly. Percy was standing directly in front of her, looking absolutely furious. He was holding something that kept flickering. It looked like a baseball bat, but there was a shimmer of bronze, as though it was changing form.

But that wasn't the most horrific part. In front of Percy, I saw the source of the growl. Something massive that looked like a bull was staring at Percy, droll dripping down from his mouth. His back was hunched, as if prepared to pounce.

"Don't touch her!" He yelled at it. It snorted in reply. Neither of them were making a move, but Percy seemed to notice our existence. Slowly, he turned, making the bull face away from us and in no position to attack Annabeth.

"Chrystal. Damion. In my bag, there's some food that looks like brownies. When you get the chance, take them out and give one to Annabeth. Move her to the treeline and stay there." He said through his teeth. He never took his eyes off the bull, and the bull didn't seem to notice us. Yet.

Suddenly, Percy made a move. He rushed forwards, and the bull did the same. Just when I thought he was going to be trampled, he jumped upwards, kicking off the bull's head and onto its back.

Chrystal was already moving to the bag and searching through it for the food. I forced myself out of my stupor and rushed towards the still unconscious Annabeth. I dragged her to the trees where the bull wouldn't see her. Chrystal was right beside me, pulling out a zip-lock bag full of crushed brownie squares. I have no clue in hell as to how a brownie would help Annabeth, but I wasn't in a position to go against Percy's orders. Chrystal gingerly started to feed Annabeth, giving her little parts of the square. I saw Annabeth's forehead slowly refrain from bleeding, and her eyes started to flutter open. There was only a small part of the square left when Annabeth suddenly sat up. She looked around wildly, almost not even noticing us. She took the last of the brownie from Chrystal's mouth and, by the time she swallowed, her face was visibly less pale and forehead almost completely cleared.

What the hell just happened?

She stared at us looking like her mind was moving at a million miles an hour. "Where's Percy?" She finally asked. Chrystal pointed wordlessly to the clearing where we could still hear Percy and the bull snarling at each other. Annabeth immediately sat up and made a move to go back to him. I grabbed her arm to stop her.

"No, Annabeth! It's way too dangerous!" She gave me an expression I had never seen on her before – fury.

"Damion. I don't have time for this." With that, she pulled her arm away and jumped back to the clearing. Chrystal and I moved forward and watched the scene unfold in front of us.

Annabeth was gone, and Percy was trying to hit the bull with his bronze baseball bat. Suddenly, there was a howl, and the bull's leg gave way under him, starting to bleed. Percy grinned and, while the bull was distracted, hit him hard across the back of his neck.

Then, of course, as if this couldn't get any weirder, the bull disappeared. And, just to improve the weirdness, Annabeth reappeared in front of Percy.

"Not bad, hero," She said with a smirk. He winked back at her.

Then they both turned towards us. I felt like a kid who was caught with his hand in a cookie jar. Chrystal stood and started to slowly walk towards them, her face pale. I copied her.

Chrystal's voice was shaky as she asked, "What the hell just happened?"

The pair ignored her question completely. "What in Hades' name are you doing here?" Annabeth asked angrily. Chrystal and I glanced at each other.

"Um… Annabeth, you were obviously in trouble! We couldn't just… leave you…" Halfway through my speech I realized just how stupid that sounded. 'We couldn't leave you in the hands of your very capable boyfriend, whose baseball bat has also magically disappeared.' That doesn't sound insulting in the least.

Percy looked frustrated as he ran his hands though his hair, making it even messier than before.

Annabeth glared at us. Finally, she turned to Percy and struck up a conversation in a low undertone. I just managed to catch what they were saying.

"I have to go with you now. I'm only attracting more when I stay here. I mean, I had to leave school to kill a hell hound halfway through the day! Not to mention the reconstruction and everything that's happening at camp…" Annabeth said, her voice trailing off.

"I know. It's too dangerous. Especially now, with what just happened. You'll be safe – er – safer, anyway, in New York. They've almost completely stopped coming into Manhattan, you know, after last summer. And the mortals are more protected – we have more campers in the city now to defend them. Here… even though Mount Tam fell, they can still come for you and the mortals."

"Yeah, I don't really have a choice now, anyway. And your mum's still good with it?"

I could practically hear Percy roll his eyes. "Annabeth, she loves you. I'm pretty sure she's already set everything up by now, whether you were coming or not. She has a whole room full of all your designs and blue prints."

"Now, we just have this problem…" She glanced at Chrystal and me. At that moment, I knew we were in deep trouble. From the way Annabeth said 'problem', I felt by stomach drop.

"They'll be attracting more now. Do you know if they have the Sight?" Percy asked.

"Well, neither noticed Mrs. O'Leary, so I doubt it. And besides, they're taking this way too calmly. If they could see through the Mist, this would be a lot different." Taking this way too calmly? I wanted to yell at Annabeth that this whole situation is freaking me out! With one glance at Chrystal, I knew she was thinking the exact same thing.

"Taking this way too calmly?" I shouted. They looked at me. "Annabeth, I just saw your head heal by taking a bite of a brownie, and your boyfriend just killed a rampaging bull with a bronze baseball bat! That is not normal. What is going on?"

Percy had a shadow of a smile. "Bronze baseball bat? Yep, they don't have the Sight."

"Agreed." Annabeth said, nodding. "That's helpful, at least. But now that they've made contact with all of us, they are at risk."

Percy opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off by an inhumane growl. Chrystal screeched, her face paling even more. "Is that the thing from school?" She squeaked. Annabeth and Percy locked eyes. Percy whistled loudly, while Annabeth tensed, looking in the direction of the growl. "Guys. Go back to the trees, but keep us in sight."

I couldn't help but notice how beautiful Annabeth looked, even with her jaw clenched and hair in tangles. She looked like a fierce warrior heading in to battle. Percy took the same position beside her, his bronze baseball bat back in his hands.

Suddenly, there was another noise, but it sounded more like a regular dog bark. Annabeth and Percy visibly relaxed. There was another howl, followed by a loud "Woof!"

Something massive jumped into the clearing. I had no clue what it was, but it was definitely being affectionate to Percy.

"Good girl! You took care of that hell hound, didn't you?" There was another playful bark that obviously came from whatever was in front of Percy. Annabeth, too, was laughing, but still tense.

"Someone's sending them. If I stay…" Percy nodded and started to climb up the thing, with Annabeth following closely. "I'll IM Dad – he can send my stuff later."

Percy and Annabeth froze. We were surrounded by the growling things. I could feel them getting closer. Chrystal beside me was looking like she was about to faint.

"They have to come." Annabeth said to Percy, who nodded grimly. He jumped down and gestured me and Chrystal forward. Chrystal robotically followed Percy's orders as he cupped his hands to push her up, while Annabeth grabbed Chrystal's arms. Percy was looking at me expectantly.

"Where are we going? What's"- Percy angrily interrupted me.

"Damion! Just get on!" The mix of anger and fear in his voice got me moving, and soon I was sitting with my arms around Annabeth's waist. "HOLD ON!" Percy shouted loudly over the increasing growls. Whatever we were sitting on lurched forwards, directly into the trees. Just as I thought we were about to die, I felt darkness engulf us. We were moving at a million miles an hour, and someone was screaming. Maybe it was me. However, just as soon as it happened, we were back on the ground. It was darker outside, like a couple hours had passed. Percy and Annabeth were already jumping off the… thing we were on. Now, it looked kind of like a truck idling on the side of the street.

Annabeth glanced around. "Thank gods you aren't too much of an idiot."

Percy held up his hands defensively. "I know better than to take mortals to camp!"

Annabeth half-heartedly glared at him. "Rachel?" She teased. Percy rolled his eyes.

"Blackjack, not me. Besides, she basically lives in that cave now." Percy glanced at the truck. "Thanks, Mrs. O'Leary," he said, patting the truck that slowly moved forward to nudge him. "She's too wiped to travel again." He said to no one in particular. "Hey girl, you can go back to camp, okay?" The engine in the truck died and the lights went out. "Eh, she'll be fine."

Chrystal cleared her throat. "Can you please tell us what's going on?" She asked the pair of them timidly. They glanced at each other.

"Look, guys, because you followed me, you got… trapped into something that really should never have involved you. Now, you're in trouble. Just for a little bit," Annabeth added hastily at the looks on our faces. "When we get to the cabin you guys can call your parents. Give them an excuse for not coming home tonight. I'm really sorry," She said to us, her eyes soft. I could tell she meant it. "But right now, as crazy as it seems, you're safer with us." Percy laughed lightly behind her, as though that statement was never one he thought he would hear.

"But what were those things? That bull? And what's that?" Chrystal pointed to the truck parked soundlessly on the side of the road.

"The less you know the better off you'll be. By tomorrow, you should be safe to go home." Annabeth replied. Percy put an arm across her shoulders and squeezed her comfortingly.

"Wait," I said slowly, putting together the pieces. "You're coming back with us, right?" Annabeth looked at me sadly.

"No, I'm not. It will be much safer for everyone if I stay here." Percy squeezed her again.

I felt angry. "Safer?" I laughed humourlessly. "Are you sure you're worried about safety?" Annabeth looked at me with confusion, but Chrystal seemed to understand what I was getting at. She grabbed my arm. "Damion," She warned under her breath, but I was on a roll. "I think you're only staying here because of him," I pointed accusingly at Percy, who looked slightly shocked. "That secret boyfriend of yours. All this is probably his fault anyway."

Annabeth looked highly affronted, and Percy seemed to be counting down from ten, trying to calm himself. At that moment, I wanted to take it all back. Every insult I threw at them, every accusation… but it was too late. My anger and jealousy had gotten the better of me, and I just lost one of my best friends. I doubted that 'sorry' would even cover it. Not to mention the fact that Chrystal was still, even in shock, level-headed beside me.

"Damion," Chrystal said gently, "I think we're dealing with something much bigger than relationships. Right now, I know that Annabeth and Percy just saved our lives, even if we don't know what they were saving us from. So, if Annabeth thinks it's best that she stays here, then that's okay. It's her decision."

Percy was now looking down the road at something. "The sun's setting, guys. We should get to the cabin." Annabeth nodded, and I reluctantly followed them down the road.

"Where are we?" I asked, hoping it was a safe question. There was a pause, then Percy answered.

"We're almost at Montauk Beach in New York. We have a cabin there for times like this."

So, what did you guys think? Please R&R, I'd love some feedback on this!