Yay! Chapter Fifty! Or not yay, since that means it's halfway over. Possibly over halfway.

This chapter was harder to write then usual. Maybe my inspiration spring is getting tired of creating such fluffiness. Lucky for me, though, the action is about to start.

Wild-at-Heart14: Awww, thanks!

Daughter of the Lion: His jealousy issues are not quite over yet, don't worry. I'm just starting to play it down a little.

Nobilist: You give me most of my longest reviews; thanks for that. And I know it seems weird that they aren't wearing armor, but they're trying to move as quickly and stealthily as possible. They're hoping to be in and out before monsters can get to them. Not saying that's what's going to happen, though...:)

For those interested, there's a short tidbit from my daily life that I thought was particularly interesting at the end of this chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter L

Percy

"I think those drawers have taken enough punishment." Percy comments, watching as his girlfriend stomps around his room, slamming drawers, occasionally muttering curses under her breath...you know, normal Annabeth behavior. At least when she's upset.

"Stupid, rotten...gods and their cryptic messages...ridiculous long-dead grandson of Poseidon..." Percy hears her grumble, among other things, most of which would be unfit for children to hear.

"Annabeth, come on...I'll be fine..." He tries to reassure her, but to no avail.

Instead, she whirls on him, throwing up her hands. "I just don't see why you have to go!" Her eyes flash like dark storm clouds, and some of her hair has escaped its ponytail and is framing her face. She's wearing simple clothes; a tank top and shorts, but Percy can't help but think, Man, is she beautiful.

He shakes himself out his thoughts when he realizes he's been staring at her for almost a full minute without saying anything, and she's only getting angrier.

"Look, Annabeth, I don't want to be separated any more than you do. But right now, I'm the best one for the job." He explains.

"Why can't Hazel go? Or Piper, or Leo, for that matter? Anyone else, just not you." She asks wildly.

"Well, we've already established that Jason is going to go, mostly for backup in case Frank needs it, and for advice...oh, yeah, and they work well together. And Leo can't go for-well, for obvious reasons, I would've thought. He's not acting himself right now; he's all depressed and gloomy, and you and I both know that's not good for a quest.

"As for Hazel and Piper, that's mostly tactical. Hazel is good with people, but both her and Frank aren't very close to Jason, and they're kind of indifferent towards each other. That would make it more of a Hazel and Frank quest, with Jason tagging along. And Piper can't go because she and Jason aren't close to Frank, and they'd end up on opposite ends again. Really, I'm the only logical choice, except for you, and no way was I going to let you go." Percy finishes.

"And why not? I'd be just as good as you." She says crossly, anger flaring again.

"I know, I said that. I'm not letting you go because I don't want anything to happen to you. I have to know you're safe at all times, otherwise I go a little crazy, which Piper and Jason can attest to." He tells her.

"And how do you think I feel about you going off on some stupid quest to talk to a man that died thousands of years ago?" She demands, crossing her arms. "And it's not as if you and Jason are best buddies."

"I know, but Frank, Jason, and I all have at least one thing in common: Camp Jupiter. And Jason and I...we may not be as close as Frank and I are, but we know each other. We've all fought together. And Frank and Jason do know each other, better than Piper knows Frank. And I have a feeling that Frank is going to need some support on this trip." Percy explains patiently. "And, Annabeth, I know how you feel. But you have other things to keep you busy, like working on whatever project it is you were talking to Leo about. On the other hand, if you went, all I would end up doing is pacing across the ship, decapitating monsters with more force than is necessary, and quite possibly starting several arguments. I might even end up going after you if you're not back within an hour. If you're gone, I'll have nothing to do except worry."

The anger drains slowly out of Annabeth as Percy watches, leaving her slumped, defeated. Her crossed arms look more like she's hugging herself, or trying to warm herself up.

"I just couldn't stand anything happening to you, Percy. I don't know if I could handle it." She says, and her eyes fill with tears.

"C'mere, Wise Girl." Percy murmurs, reaching forward and grabbing her hands, pulling her gently towards him. He pulls her into his lap, cradling her against his chest. She cries silently, each tear rolling soundlessly down her cheek and leaving tearstains on his shirt. But Percy doesn't mind, not at all. He holds her closer, whispering promises into her ear.

"I'll be fine, Wise Girl, I promise. I'll come back. Remember? As long as we're together." He says soothingly, stroking her hair.

"Then why are you leaving?" She sniffles softly, her voice muffled.

"Trust me, I'd like it more than anything else if I could stay here with you, always. But I have to go. Frank needs me. And if I have to go somewhere, I'd prefer to know that you're safe back here on the ship." He tells her.

She's quiet for a while, just holding on to him. "I really hate it when you're right." She finally complains.

Percy laughs. "I know you do, Wise Girl. But it's a rare occurence, so look at the bright side, okay? If I'm right now, I probably won't be for another couple of years."

"More like a couple decades." She mutters, but Percy can feel her smiling.

"As long as you're with me during those decades, I won't mind always being wrong." He tells her.

She straightens up to look at him, with tears still shining in her eyes and wet streaks trying on her cheeks, but smiling, even if it is a little sadly. "You better get used to it, then."

"I already am. I've had you for a friend the past five years, remember?" He replies. She grins, finally, and he leans forward to kiss her.

He pulls back and rests his forehead against hers, looking deep into her beautiful gray eyes. "I love you, Wise Girl." He whispers.

"I love you too, Seaweed Brain." She whispers back, before kissing him again, clasping her hands behind his neck and pulling him closer. Percy buries his fingers in her hair, putting his other hand on the small of her back.

"We should probably get up there," Annabeth says between kisses, "they're probably wondering where we are."

"Mmmm." Percy responds. "Probably." He pulls her more firmly onto his lap.

"Percy," she protests, "I'm serious." But she doesn't stop him from kissing her again. Then he pulls back and just hugs her, closing his eyes and breathing in her presence.

"Annabeth," Percy whispers in her ear, "you are the most beautiful girl in the world, you know that?"

"Liar." She accuses, but when he looks at her, red colors her cheeks and a smile is tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"How long am I going to be gone again?" He asks, looking down at her.

"Until dark, probably. So six hours, give or take?" She answers.

"Will it really take that long?" He asks, aghast.

She smiles faintly. "Knowing you? Yes." She tilts her head back to look at him. "Why are you asking, anyway?"

"Just wanted to know how long I'm going to have to go without your kisses." He replies, kissing her nose. She laughs a little.

"Out of everything, that's what you're most concerned about?" She asks.

"Yup." He answers cheerfully. Then he sighs. "I'm going to miss you."

"It's only for a few hours, Percy. Remember?" She reminds him.

"What difference does that make?" He says, pretending to be confused. She smacks him.

"You go longer than that without my kisses at night." She tells him.

"That's different." He protests.

"How?"

"Because when I'm sleeping, I can still dream about your kisses, can't I? And when I wake up, you're right there beside me." He explains.

She looks at him appraisingly. "You know, Percy, for such a Seaweed Brain, you can be really sweet sometimes."

"Why, thank you, Wise Girl." He replies, slightly mockingly.

She smacks him again, but she's smiling.

For a few seconds, they just look at each other, holding hands, drinking in each other's presence. Then Annabeth looks down, sighs, and stands up, pulling him with her.

"Come on, Seaweed Brain. Time to go up on deck and meet the others." She orders, grabbing his bag with one hand on the way out the door.

"Can't we wait for just a few more minutes? Please?" Percy whines, lagging behind.

"No. You're late enough as it is." She chides. "And remember, the sooner you leave, the sooner you get back."

"If you say so, Wise Girl." He sighs dramatically before following her out into the hall and up the stairs onto the deck, where the others are all waiting. Leo isn't there, but Percy bets he has a very good reason not to be.

"Nice of you to join us, Percy." Jason grins. "Have a nice time packing?"

"Is packing what you call it these days?" Frank wonders aloud. Percy can see he's trying hard not to laugh.

"As if you both didn't make the most of your half hour." Annabeth shoots back, looking pointedly at Piper and Hazel, both of whom have their boyfriend's arm wrapped around their shoulders. Both girls blush, and Frank and Jason's grins disappear.

"I thought so." Annabeth says smugly. Percy can't help but grin, and he shakes his head at his girlfriend before looking at the others, who are at opposite sides of the deck.

"What are you doing way over there? Are you afraid of each other?" They both shrug in reply, and walk over to where he and Annabeth are standing. "That's better. Now, Frank, do you have any idea where we're going?"

"Other than somewhere in the ruins of Pylos? Not really." He admits. "But I'm sure I'll be able to tell when I see it."

"Okay, so we just fly over the ruins until we find what you're looking for. And when we do, what then?" Percy asks.

"Well, Periclymenus will probably only want to talk to me, since he didn't contact anyone else, so you guys will probably have to wait outside wherever it is we're going." Frank explains, looking at them apologetically.

"So we keep away the monsters while you chat with your grandpa. Got it." Percy says, nodding. "That it, then?"

"Pretty much." Frank admits.

"No plan, then?" Jason interjects. Frank and Percy look at each other.

"Nope." They chorus. "My plans always go wrong, so I've just learned to improvise." Percy explains further.

Jason, wisely, doesn't ask him to elaborate.

"Okay, everyone say their goodbyes. It's time to get going." Percy announces suddenly. Jason and Frank both look at their girlfriends and walk a few steps away for more privacy.

Percy turns to Annabeth, and her gorgeous stormy gray eyes, and he doesn't have any words to say what he wants to. So instead, he gathers her in his arms and holds her as tightly as he can, hoping his feelings translate into his actions.

"I love you, Annabeth." He murmurs in her ear.

"I love you too, Percy." She whispers back. Then she pulls back in his arms to kiss him on the lips. "Come back to me, okay?"

"Always." He murmurs.

Okay, so I know Percy's thing is saying 'never,' not 'always,' but I couldn't think of a good way to end that with never, so I decided to shake it up a bit. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it.

Here is the tidbit from my daily life:

Okay, guys, like I said, I went over to a friend's house yesterday. So did my other best friend. They, like me, are both obsessed with Percy Jackson, so I decided to make chocolate chip cookies on Thursday to bring with me-blue chocolate chip cookies. It was my first time making them blue, and they ended up turning out kind of aqua-ish after they were baked, but hey, like I said, first time.

I brought eighteen of them with me on Friday-and we ate every. Single. One. Just the three of us. They were yummy. :)

And then, this morning, for breakfast, my friend made us waffles-and SHE MADE THEM BLUE! I was so happy. Best breakfast ever.

Does anyone else eat blue cookies and blue waffles for breakfast?

Sorry the tidbit wasn't very funny-but it made me so happy. I was giggling and swinging my feet like a little kid while I ate my waffles.

Have a wonderful day!