v.

r.m.s. titanic, 1912

Annabeth's heart skips a beat as she steps onto the ship. Her European travels have been filled with adventure and breathtaking sights, so it only seems fitting to be making the final leg of her journey on the Titanic, the world's largest and most impressive vessel.

"Miss Annabeth."

Annabeth turns to face her maid, Piper. "Yes?"

"Get a look at all the people who've come to see the ship off. Isn't it bonkers?"

Annabeth stares down at the cheering crowds lining the dock. "Jesus. It's so incredible to think that we're on the Unsinkable Titanic."

"It truly is." Piper agrees. "And on her maiden journey, no less."

"I heard that this is Captain Smith's final voyage. Isn't that fitting?"

"Oh, very."

Annabeth's lips curl in a sly smile. "Edward Smith's quite handsome too, in a silver-fox sort of way."

Piper starts to giggle. "Good god, Annabeth, he's at least fifty years our senior!"

Annabeth laughs as well. Piper may be her maid, chaperone, and traveling companion, but more than any of these roles, Annabeth sees her as a friend. She's always good for a laugh, can charm just about anyone with a smile, and has helped Annabeth escape punishment for her mischief on several occasions.

The ship begins to pull away from land, and Annabeth's pulse quickens. She always feels a sort of anticipatory excitement every time a journey begins, but this time is special, because she's on board the R.M.S Titanic. The grandest ship to ever grace the waters of the Atlantic.

Annabeth watches as the shore shrinks farther and farther into the distance, as the sky slowly turns dark. The salty sea air sprays her face, and she closes her eyes, her heart aching because there's a bittersweetness that comes with her passage on this ship.

She's returning home after her trip abroad, much too soon for her taste. Annabeth's thirst for adventure and excitement has hardly been quenched, but she knows her world travels will most likely end here. When she arrives in New York, she'll be marrying Luke Castellan, and then she'll be the woman of their household, taking care of future children and acting as a good lady in society ought to.

Her and Luke's union is solely to merge their equally affluent families, bringing more wealth and prestige to both the Castellan and Chase names. Annabeth will live comfortably, hosting parties and wearing expensive finery, but all the money in the world won't bring her happiness.

Still, she must go through with the marriage. Perhaps, in time, Annabeth will grow to love him.

After all, love is a difficult thing found and a more difficult thing kept.

Piper touches Annabeth's elbow, startling her. "It's nearly time for dinner. We'd better go to your quarters and dress you in your evening wear."

Annabeth nods. "Of course."

The interior of the ship possesses even more grandeur than the exterior. Lavishly furnished and exquisitely decorated with the finest materials, every area Annabeth passes by simply drips opulence. She and Piper step into one of the elevators, which deposits them onto the B Deck, where their joint cabins are located.

Annabeth's gown is made from deep blue velvet and silk. Piper tightly laces the bodice while Annabeth fastens on a diamond necklace and matching earrings. Silk slippers go on her feet and her hair is pinned up.

She was looking forward to eating supper in the first-class dining room, but she soon realizes she doesn't care to associate with the other snooty passengers. The food is delectable, however.

A few older ladies gawk at Annabeth while passing her and Piper's table. It isn't necessarily proper to dine with your maid, but Annabeth has never been one to do what's considered proper.

"Look at how unattended she is. Here only in the company of her maid," one of the women says, aghast. "An utter disgrace. In my day…"

The other women fan themselves as they walk out of the dining room, presumably to the writing room or the lounge.

Annabeth rolls her eyes, snorting. She raises her voice and plugs her nose to sound nasally, then mimics the woman. "In my day, that just wasn't done!"

Piper covers her mouth to conceal her laughter. "Annabeth, you're so rude!"

"That woman was an old snot. And besides, this is a time of progress! Women will be getting the right to vote any day now. If a lady can vote for president of the country, then she can surely travel by herself."

Piper seems torn between admonishing Annabeth for calling the lady an old snot or giggling. In the end, she does both.

After the meal's conclusion, they go to the first-class lounge. Piper takes up a table and begins writing letters. Annabeth tries to read, but the rocking of the ship is giving her a headache. She stands.

"I'm going out to the deck to get some fresh air."

Piper glances up from her paper. "Alright. Just don't get too close to the railing. Your father would about murder me if you fell overboard."

Outside, there's a chill in the air, and goosebumps prickle over Annabeth's skin. She rubs her arms, wishing she'd thought to bring a shawl. It's most unfortunate that her favorite fur is back in the cabin.

The moon hangs in the sky unobscured by clouds, glowing creamy yellow, and the dark waters of the Atlantic churn against the sides of the ship. Annabeth can only imagine how cold the ocean is; hypothermia would be imminent if one were to fall in. It's a great comfort she's on the Titanic, top-of-the-line in luxury and safety.

Annabeth walks closer to the railing, ignoring Piper's warning. Piper can be such a spoilsport sometimes. As she looks over the edge, she's surprised to see a man on the deck below, doing the same as her. The style of his hat is current, the cut and fabric evidently of good quality. She'd guess he's young, judging from his posture and clothing.

"Hello!" she calls down to him, before she considers if she should be making conversation with strangers.

He turns to look behind him, then tilts his head up. "Oh, hello!"

He speaks with a British inflection, and he's quite young, probably about the same age as her, eighteen. And he's rather handsome too.

"Wonderful night it is, yeah?" Annabeth remarks, talking loudly so he's sure to hear her over the crashing waves.

"Yes, the moon's a sight. I'd say it's a full!"

"I believe so!"

They both start laughing, because of the absolute absurdity of the situation. Annabeth's tempted to go down to the deck so they can have an actual conversation, but he says, "I'm coming up so I can talk to you, alright? It feels awfully rude to be hollering at a lady."

Annabeth goes to sit down on one of the deck chairs while she waits for him. Within five minutes, he appears before her, out of breath.

"Why, hello, again." Annabeth says.

"Hello. I'm Percy."

"Annabeth."

He drops down onto the chair beside her, folding his legs up to his chest. "You're even prettier up here."

Annabeth smiles, fanning her face. "Thank you."

She likes Percy already. She can tell he comes from wealth, like her, but she can also tell he has the same adventurous spirit as her.

"So, how do you feel to be on the magnificent Titanic?" Percy asks.

"I've never been on a nicer ship."

He nods in agreement. "Nor have I, and I love being on the ocean. Always on a boat of some sort. My dad's half convinced I'm part fish, that's how suited I am to water."

"Oh. Well, I hardly know how to swim." Annabeth says. "I can tread water in a swimming pool, but put me in the ocean and I'd surely drown."

"You really ought to learn. There's a pool on board the ship, you know."

"Really?"

"For first class passengers only. I'd offer to teach you, but men and women aren't allowed inside at the same time. Still, you can visit the enquiry office if you're interested. I think there's a charge to use the pool."

"There really is every luxury on this ship, isn't there?" Annabeth marvels.

"Sure is."

Annabeth rests her hand on her elbow and stares at Percy thoughtfully. "You know, for a stranger, you're remarkably easy to talk to."

"I like to think I'm a fairly amiable person, but I feel the same way about you."

An idea occurs to Annabeth. "Do you believe in reincarnation?"

He considers this. "I've toyed with the idea, but I'm just not certain I can say one way or another."

"I think I believe in it. Now, I don't know if there's a god or divine spirit or anything like that, but something has to be piloting the universe."

"If reincarnation were real, I'd say we met before."

"Yes, I quite agree."

They talk for almost another hour before Annabeth turns into her cabin for the night. Her head's spinning and her stomach's full of insects. She wishes she could blame it on the sea, but it's that gentleman, Percy. She met him no more than two hours ago, and yet he's already managed to burrow himself deep into her consciousness.

Annabeth spends the next three days almost constantly in Percy's company. They read books in the ship's library, take walks on the upper deck, explore every nook and cranny of the ship. They somehow even manage to sneak up to the Crow's Nest.

The sun's just beginning to rise, turning the sky vibrant shades of orange, pink, and red, the twinkling stars fading into distant pinpricks. Percy daringly puts his arms around her, and they're silent, soaking in the view.

"This is incredible." Annabeth whispers. Her whole body feels it's on fire where Percy's touching her.

"We're on top of the world. Don't you feel infinite?"

Instead of replying, she takes his face in her hands and kisses him.

In her entire life, she's never been so swept up by feeling and emotion and sensation and romance. How is it possible that she's kissing Percy, whose surname she doesn't even know, when she has a fiancé back home waiting for her to be his dutiful wife?

Luke Castellan can go to hell for all she cares.

But what about her family? What would they say if they could see her right now?

With effort, Annabeth pulls away. "Percy–I can't. I'm engaged."

He doesn't look angry or upset, just confused. "Why would you embrace me if you love another man?"

"Because I don't love him."

"If you don't love him, then how are you engaged to wed him?"

"We've been essentially betrothed since birth. It's for our families."

Percy drops his head onto her shoulder. "I don't understand how you could agree to such a thing."

"My whole life, I thought marriage was supposed to be a thing of convenience. But now...now I'm starting to wonder if there's something to getting married just for the hell of it. Because you love someone, and you want to try and see if you can't make forever work."

Percy stares at her through his eyelashes. "You're not going to go through with your wedding once you get home, are you."

It's not even a question. He knows she isn't going to be able to, not after she met an almost-complete stranger who makes her feel more things than her husband-to-be.

"I don't think I can." Annabeth whispers. "Not after…this."

"Don't decide for me. Decide for you." he says, then straightens. "We'd better get down from here. The lookout will be arriving any minute now."

Annabeth thinks of his words that morning, while she's getting dressed for breakfast, while she tries to make conversation with Piper over the meal, in the lounge that afternoon as she reads a novel.

"You seem quite taken with that Percy." Piper comments, looking up from her own book.

Annabeth sighs. "I could fall in love with him, I think."

"Be careful, Annabeth. You know Mr. Castellan's waiting at home for you."

"I don't want to marry him, Piper."

Piper raises her eyebrows. "You're not about to throw away your entire future and infuriate your family for some boy you've only just met, are you?"

"It isn't like that at all, Piper. I haven't wanted to be with Luke for quite some time now. I'm only just now realizing."

"If you're not going to spend the rest of your life with him, then what is your plan?" Piper isn't being judgmental or critical, simply curious.

Annabeth shrugs, leaning back against the cushion of her seat. "I don't know, and it's the most thrilling thing. I want to travel. Experience all life has to offer, before I even consider settling down."

"And when you go on all these adventures, where will I be?" Piper asks, a teasing lilt to her voice.

"You'll be right there beside me, of course. You're my dearest friend."

"Who also happens to be your maid."

"Actually, I've been thinking about that. When I break the news to mother and father, they'll surely remove me from the family fortune. I don't know if you're planning on staying in their employment, but...I was hoping you'd stay by my side. As my friend, not as my servant."

Piper smiles. "I'd very much like that."

For the rest of the afternoon, she and Piper read. They eat a scrumptious meal consisting of several rich courses, and then Annabeth retires to her room, quite tired and full. She writes a few letters in her cabin, addressed to various friends she made during her travels, then changes into her nightclothes and slips into bed.

Annabeth falls into a deep sleep, only to be awoken by a loud crash.

"Did you hear that?" Piper asks, poking her head into Annabeth's room a few moments later.

Annabeth nods, wringing her hands nervously. "What do you think it was?"

"I'm not sure. Perhaps a problem with the engine?"

"It sounded like it came from outside the ship."

Voices ring out in the hallways. It seems Annabeth and Piper weren't the only ones startled by the noise.

Annabeth puts on a bathrobe and slippers. There's no way she'll be sleeping, not until she learns the source of the concerning sound. She tries to pick up her book, but the words on the pages do nothing to ease her mind.

There comes a sharp rap on the door. It's one of the ship attendants. He appears calm, but Annabeth notices the way his eyes dart back and forth, signaling inner turmoil.

"Ladies, please don't panic, but we ask you to put on your life jackets and report to the upper deck."

"Whatever is the reason?" Annabeth asks.

The man hesitates, but Annabeth glares at him until he answers with a long sigh. "I believe the ship came in contact with an iceberg."

Panic seizes Annabeth's chest. It's a physical sensation, her blood curdling, her heartbeat stuttering. She tries to keep her worry inside, but she's sure it's evident on her face.

"We'll do just that, sir." Piper says, her voice only wobbling slightly.

Annabeth moves through the motions as if in a trance. She's always craving excitement, but this is exactly the wrong sort.

On the deck is absolute chaos. Annabeth wants to fall to her knees and cry like a small child. She's so scared. What if the ship capsizes? The Unsinkable Titanic, sinking. It shouldn't be possible, yet here the shipworkers are, beginning to load the lifeboats.

"Come on, get in." Piper says, gently nudging Annabeth towards the boat before them.

Annabeth freezes. Percy. Where is he?

"Piper, get in without me. I have to find Percy."

"Annabeth, don't be ridiculous." Tears are shining in Piper's eyes. She's as frightened as Annabeth is, if not more. "Don't be a fool."

"I said, I have to find Percy."

"Why? Why, Annabeth? I can't let you do this!" Piper cries.

"I need to know that you're safe, Piper. You're my best friend."

"And you're mine! I need to know that you're safe."

Annabeth's instincts are telling her to get in the boat with Piper, but she just can't bring herself to do it.

"I don't understand why you're risking your life to be with a man you hardly know."

"Sometimes it's worth taking a chance." Annabeth says, squeezing Piper's shoulder. "Sometimes you have to try because maybe forever is right now."

Piper sniffles, wiping at her eyes. "That doesn't even make sense."

Annabeth laughs through her own tears. "I'll see you soon, Piper. Very soon. This isn't goodbye."

With this, Annabeth presses back through the frantic crowds. Where would Percy be? He's far too noble to get in one of the boats until every other person on the ship has, so he must be somewhere on the deck.

The wood is slippery from water. Annabeth skids into the railing and manages to not fall over. Her slippers are soaked entirely through, her toes cold as ice. She's going to remember her misery on this night for the rest of her lifetime.

"Annabeth!"

Percy!

Annabeth breaks into a run in the direction she heard his voice. "Percy?"

He finds her a moment later. "Annabeth, you beautiful, stupid fool! Why aren't you in one of the lifeboats?" he asks, cradling her face in his hands.

She kisses him, hard, then pulls away. "I was looking for you."

"You need to get in one of the rafts. There isn't enough of them for everyone."

Annabeth scrunches her face. "What are you talking about?"

"There's only enough for about half the passengers. Not everyone will make it off this ship alive."

Annabeth opens her mouth to reply, but a loud voice causes the words to die in her throat.

"This is the last one!"

Annabeth knows it's horribly, horribly selfish, but she tugs on Percy's hand and scrambles to their final hope of getting off this ship. "Come on, climb in!"

"Annabeth, there's women and children still...I can't—"

Annabeth pulls as hard as she can, and Percy staggers forward into the life raft, nearly falling on his face. There's such a surge of others trying to board as well that it's now impossible for Percy to haul himself out.

She's going to hell for this, but good god, she needs Percy here to help her get through.

He squeezes her hand. His features are tight, his jaw set. Percy's angry with her, furious, but she did what she had to. Tears pour down her face and she's so, so terrible, but she couldn't leave him on that ship to die. She couldn't. She wouldn't have been able to live with herself if she knew she could've done something to save him and didn't.

Nobility be damned, she's in love, and love makes us all do things we normally wouldn't.

They try to lower the boat into the water, but more passengers are climbing in, throwing themselves over the sides of the ship into the raft. Annabeth's heart is about to burst out of her chest.

"The boat can't bear any more weight! You're going to capsize the damn thing!" she yells, but nobody seems to hear. There's children crying, grown men crying. And the screaming…the screams rip through Annabeth's soul.

Still more people try to cram onto the boat. It begins to inch down towards the ocean, but there's too many people inside. Annabeth grips Percy's hand for dear life. They're going to die they're going to die they're going to die.

She's too young to die. She's young and beautiful and in love and too full of life to die. Yet here she is, on a too-full boat, hearing the wood planks snap. Here she is, surrounded on all sides by people, so many people that she feels she may suffocate. The only thing tethering her to reality is Percy's palm in hers. He rubs his thumb in soothing circles, and she focuses on this, not her impending doom, not the boat, suspended far too high above the water. She wonders if she'll even survive the fall.

"Promise you won't let go." Annabeth croaks out to Percy.

"Never. I would never."

And now she's laughing. Maybe she's finally cracked and gone insane. This is all a cruel joke. Life is a cruel joke. This must be some divine punishment for her selfishness.

"We're going to die, aren't we?" she says, speaking the words she's suspected all along.

Percy somehow manages a smile for her. "It'll be alright, Annabeth."

She wants to scream at whatever god or gods exist, whoever's pulling the strings of the universe, to take mercy on her. If not her, then Percy. He deserves to live more than she, for bringing her comfort when they're on the brink of death, for smiling even when his face is slick with tears.

Annabeth hears a sickening crack, and then gravity has no hold on her anymore, and then she's cold. So, so, so cold.

The last thing she registers before the ice overtakes her is that Percy's fingers are still intertwined with hers.