They had watched over their younger-selves from Saint Louis to Vegas. Once the mini them had entered the casino, Percy and Annabeth had flown on Blackjack to wait for them near the beach where Percy would need to get the Pearls.

"I don't like that the solstice deadline passed." Percy said, as he took a bite of the cheeseburger Annabeth had gotten for him in town. He made the rain part around them and Blackjack as they enjoyed their dinner and sat on a dune watching the most likely spot.

"Me either." Annabeth sipped her sake. "They lost less time in the Casino than we did, but then again they had less time overall anyways. Wish we could have heard more about their conversation in the truck though. That was where what we have together really started to root."

Now, Percy would never deny he had kelp for brains. He obviousness was well documented. However, given how long he and Annabeth had been together, he could hardly miss the clear message in her words.

"Yeah. That moment is very imporant to me, Wise Girl." He pressed a small kiss to her cheek before returning to his burger. She snorted and smacked his shoulder.

The next moment, a battered taxi cab appeared on the sand below them. Annabeth sighed.

"Naturally, it is Seaweed Brain Jr behind the wheel. Why didn't I drive? I'd have gotten the hang of it eventually."

Percy rolled his eyes. "Actually, never seen you drive before, Wise Girl. Do you even know how?"

She squinted at him. "See my comment, I would have figured it out."

He laughed and tossed a small piece of bun at him, causing him to chuckle. They watched their younger selves and young Grover stepping out of the Taxi.

"Oh, younger me hasn't learned to bend the water away from them yet." Percy noted. "Useful ability. Not that I can get wet from the rain."

Annabeth lightly punched his shoulder. "If you want to share my sleeping bag with me tonight, you'll keep your lady from getting wet as well."

"Point made." Percy added quickly. They saw Percy going into the water. "I really hope he is not too devastated. Dad is definitely not there. I could sense him if he was. Then again, the entire ocean is our father's realm. By stepping in, he has entered our father's embrace in a way."

Annabeth laid a hand on Percy's shoulder. "Poseidon is improving as a father. He even called to get you out of trouble with school. My own mother would report my truancy."

Percy laughed. "That she would. Come on, let's get some rest. Tomorrow, they are off to deal with Crusty, likely. Unless he isn't here in this world. We can't follow them into the Underworld either."

She nodded, "True, but we can wait for them near where the battle with Ares will be."

They sat in vigil, witnessing the events as best they could. They would not interfere, even if they wanted too. Percy longed to go into the Underworld, find Hazel, and embrace her. Carry her out of there himself. He knew he could not do it. He clung tightly to Annabeth, knowing she likely understood what bothered him. Their younger selves would walk by one of the Seven, one of the strongest demigods ever, and one of their dearest companions. He would be alright though, as long as he had Annabeth on his side.

*Percabeth-reacts*

A/N: Another episode down. I do think the casino pumping the Lotus fumes in the air made way more sense given the technological advances. I do wish Percy's nature had saved them again, showing off his strength and connections to his father. Like the Ocean, Percy is too changing. He cannot be contained. He will adjust and find a way to overcome obstacles, the way water will erode or wear down any substance. I hope we still get plenty of examples of this throughout the series, assuming they do more. See you next time.