They were packing up the bedding and tent, a new kind of tension replacing the old, when Piper found them.

"Percy!" She tackled him in a hug. "Oh my gods, we were so worried about you!"

Shana joined in the group hug, wrapping her arms around him. Annabeth smiled at the show of affection.

"Yeah, only because of Annabeth," Percy grinned. "She carried me all the way. Well… and Jackie."

Piper let him go, directing her bone crushing toward Annabeth instead.

"You fucking badass," Piper whispered.

"Now who's the sailor?"Annabeth hugged her tightly then looked at Percy quizzically. "Jackie?"

"The mule."

"Oh," she had almost forgotten, which was strange because it had meant so much to her that the mule had helped them. She supposed her other thoughts and emotions had clouded the memory. In particular, the thought of the night spent with Percy and then…

"I saw the mule up at the top tied to a post," Piper spoke, calling her attention to the present. "Already had a saddle. I untied her and told her to go find you. I didn't know if it would work." Piper stepped back, cupping her Annabeth's face in her hands. Her eyes searched Annabeth's with just as much intensity as her mother's.

Piper grinned. "Somethings different between you two. Big change starting with the letter V? Am I thinking in the right direction?"

Annabeth's face felt warm. "Um, no, We should probably still need a chaperone."

Piper rolled her eyes and let Annabeth's face go. She stepped back and they both looked over at Percy and Shana.

Percy had crouched down to her level, he was smiling. "I told you I'd see you soon."

"I thought you were going to die," she said.

"I know, but I'm okay. Just like I promised."

Shana hugged him, her dark arms wrapping around his neck.

"She made it down with you," Annabeth noted. "Tough girl. That was a hard trail. And it was hot."

Piper nodded. "She carried her own bag with water and food and a sleeping bag. We left not too long after you guys were gone. It took us all day but we made it down here by dark. Setup camp and crashed."

Percy and Shana joined the two of them.

"How's your water supply?" He addressed Piper. "We can fill up at the big waterfall a ways up the trail."

Piper grimaced. "Yeah we are running low, I didn't realize just how much water we needed till we were already halfway down here. Isn't it unsanitary to drink water from a waterfall? You know if there's anything upriver that contaminated it."

Percy nodded. "Usually, but the river spirit I talked to said most of the river is clean and safe, at least on her side of it. The safest place though for drinking is up there, I guess there's some magic involved."

"We should probably get going," Annabeth added. "The heat's only gonna get worse."

"Amen," Piper said.

Annabeth turned and made her way toward the backpack, packed with their small supplies. Percy beat her to it.

"I got it this time," his tone made it clear there was no room for argument. He slung the bag over his shoulders and clipped it across his chest.

"Okay," she didn't argue.

The canyon didn't seem so hot near the water. The sun was still angry but perhaps the natural beauty around made up for it.

Annabeth looked ahead. They had left the trail behind almost an hour ago and climbed through rocky terrain.

Shana was the first to speak. "Why did we have to come all this way? What are you supposed to find?"

Piper stepped up on a rocky outcrop. "I just told her there was something important we had to get."

Annabeth followed Piper over the outcropping. "We just have to get some clothes that belong to a goddess here."

"Clothes?"

"Yeah."

"Um, okay," Shana sounded confused. "But why can't she just get it herself? She's a goddess, we… aren't. Can't she just… do it herself?"

Annabeth nodded in understanding, stepping over a large rock. "Yeah, we all wish it worked like that. The gods can't take things from each other or do a lot of these things themselves. But they can send us. I know it's dumb. This place is probably booby trapped or something."

"Oh," she sounded disappointed. "What goddess? The one that sent you?"

"Aphrodite," Annabeth replied. "Well, Venus."

"That's your mom?" She asked Piper. "Venus?"

Piper nodded. "Aphrodite… we use her Greek name."

"Oh, right."

"Your mom is Athena?" she asked Annabeth.

Annabeth nodded. "Did Piper give you the crash course In our Greek/ Roman ancestry?"

Shana stumbled but caught herself. "It was a lot. We didn't finish talking about it."

Annabeth agreed. "It is a lot. You'll get it all eventually."

Annabeth went over the basics of ancient Greek mythology then launched into the Roman version. Shana chimed in when she already knew parts of the history.

"I think I see it," Percy said, pointing up ahead.

She paused and glanced in the direction. Up ahead there was a patch of shade delivered by large trees and beyond that… well it was too far away to really make out but she thought it looked to be some type of shelter.

"We should break for water," Annabeth said, they all agreed.

Percy set down the backpack and pulled out the gum as well as water. He shared the gum with their friends, explaining its meal supplementation properties.

Annabeth watched his hands move as he spoke, emphasizing his words. She recalled his touches, gentle and strong. She could almost feel him now, the way his fingers slipped into a pattern like a piano player composing a melody. She remembered the way he had kissed her and the way his face twitched as he concentrated. She had joined the song, her own hand tentatively wrapped around his harmonic instrument.

Her brain had felt like it had been melted. It was almost overwhelming, but not unpleasant.

With a start she realized he was looking at her. She shook off the thoughts and looked away. When the group began moving forward he joined her at the back.

"You were making that face again," he mumbled.

She flushed. "Shit, my bad."

"Nah it's fine. You, uh, thinking about..? You know, what we… uh, did earlier?"

She bit her lip, then realized that was part of the problem.

"Yeah, I was thinking about it."

His hand slipped into hers and grinned. "Pleasant memory?"

She laughed lightly."Yeah. Yeah, it was."

"Good."

"I think… maybe I've had some thoughts... I don't know."

"What?" There was concern in his voice.

She took a deep breath. "I don't know maybe… maybe I'm ready to change my mind, um about the other thing."

He didn't reply. They continued walking in a comfortable silence for a while.

The next time they stopped it was in the shade of the trees next to a small but attractive looking hut. It even looked like it had some sort of air cooling system.

A slight breeze rustled the branches. Annabeth eyed the small cabin. It was circular, with a conical roof reminiscent of traditional Native American dwellings.

Percy took off the backpack and leaned it against the base of a tree.

"Hey," Shana said, directing the question at Percy. "Your dad is Neptune? Or Poseidon?"

"Poseidon," he tapped the trident on his forearm. "

She nodded. "But Poseidon is the Greek name for Neptune. How do you know Lupa and the Legion if you're a Greek?"

He made a face, then shared with her the condensed version of the Giant war. Piper and Annabeth shared some of the details Percy missed.

"The Romans don't really like Neptune, but I'm curious," he pointed to the trident on his arm again. "Did your dad also have this? The symbol for Neptune?"

She nodded.

If your dad had this," again he pointed to the trident. "Then you and I are, like, family."

That caught her attention. "Really?"

"If your dad was a son of Poseidon, I mean Neptune, or descendant, that would make me your uncle… ? removed a couple times."

Piper had set her own bag down and now sat in the shade. Shana sat next to her.

Annabeth walked towards the hut. "I'm gonna check it out."

She examined the walls first, making her way all the way around the building. It appeared normal but she knew there would be something wrong somewhere…

"I'm not really sure what the trigger is but it looks like the doors and windows will lock from the outside, trapping us in. Obviously, we won't be able to break the windows."

"Obviously," Percy stood and stretched.

"I think I found the release switch, at the back of the building. I can show you guys and then I'll go in myself, find the stuff and you guys can get me out."

Percy and Piper looked at each other, then back at Annabeth.

"Going in alone?" Percy stuck his hands in his pockets. He gave her a sly smile. "You worried about more chapstick curses?"

Piper raised an eyebrow. "Chapstick curse?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Yeah a little bit. Tell you later, Pipes."

"Okay," Percy said. "I'd still rather go with you, but it's your call."

"I'll be fine," Annabeth smirked. She pointed out the section of gears and levers that she had discovered.

-*

It was cool inside, protected from the hot Arizona sun. The walls were painted with beautiful murals, which she recognized as different vistas of the Grand Canyon. There was a small kitchenette toward the side of the entrance, which didn't actually have any kitchen equipment aside from a microwave and coffee pot. She had seen a generator behind the hut, but it didn't look like a mortal machine. She had chosen to avoid its use. Perhaps that would cause the trap to spring.

The circular room was not divided into sections, aside from one partition off to the side. When Annabeth looked inside she noted the bathtub and shower, wishing she would have been able to utilize them.

She carefully made her way to the sleeping area. A large bed with a canopy sat at the far end of the room. The covers were purple, and the linens were satin. She wished for a moment that she could slide into the bed and take a nice long nap. Though, given the nature of this place and this bed in particular, she quickly shook off the thought. She did not touch the bed.

The dresser sat to the side of the bed. Her best chance would be to start there. She wanted to get out of the hut as fast as possible.

She opened the top drawer, then the next three down in succession. None of them contained the clothing she was looking for.

Annabeth frowned. She began to sense something… not quite ominous, but dangerous to be sure. She knelt at the bed and looked underneath- nothing was there.

She began to search in earnest, turning over the bedding and checking the small bathroom a second time.

"What are you doing?!"

A voice from the doorway asked, startling her. The man in the doorway looked… well crazy. His sandy blond hair was a wild mess, his face smeared with dirt. His clothes were wrinkled and disheveled. Not to mention they were layered, thick shirts. Much too warm attire for the current setting. It was his eyes, though, that caught her off guard.

As he stalked over to her, she backed away. If all the darkness and chaos of the world could be milled down to two sharp points, they would be his eyes.

"Who are you?" She said.

"Who am I?! Who are you!? I live here!"

The man was angry, and something else- she couldn't quite understand.

"Hold on," she put a finger up. "You live here? In a temple to Aphrodite?"

He sneered at her, ignoring the question. "You're a woman. Women aren't allowed here."

"Hey!" Percy's voice interrupted the crazy man, who turned to face him. "Don't talk to her that way. Why don't you just leave, it'll be easier for everyone."

Percy passed through the doorway.

"Percy, wait!" Annabeth saw the trap too late. Bars slammed down behind him.

Percy looked over his shoulder then back at Annabeth. "That was my fault, wasn't it?"

Annabeth sighed. The crazy man flipped out, grabbing her and throwing her to the ground.

She cursed as she hit the floor and her fighting instinct kicked in and she rolled away, pushing herself up to face the opponent.

"Hey!" Percy yelled racing forward.

The man forgot about Annabeth and screamed as he faced Percy. He crouched and tackled Percy, who had just arrived from across the room.

The crazy man punched Percy in the face. Annabeth leapt onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck in a headlock.

The good news? He got off Percy. The bad news? He threw himself backwards, landing on Annabeth, pinning her between his back and the hard floor.

She felt the air whoosh out of her lungs, and the back of her head banged against the floor painfully. She groaned and coughed.

She did her best to hang onto his headlock but her hands slipped and the man pulled himself away.

Eyes brimming with rage he turned back to Annabeth, raising his fists.

"I hate you!" He screamed.

Suddenly, Percy yanked him back, wrapping his arms and legs around the man like a wrestler. He locked his arms around the man's neck, squeezing his airway until the man's face slackened and he stopped struggling.

"You okay?" Percy asked, glancing up at Annabeth.

She rubbed the back of her head and stretched her neck. "Yeah. You?"

Percy dropped the crazy guy and nodded. Yeah, I'm okay. Something's wrong with this guy. Do you think he…? I don't know."

"He's mortal, he has to be. And yeah, if I had to guess, he probably found… it before we did."

"Think he still has it on him?"

Annabeth grimaced. "Yeah. We should check."

Percy nodded. "Sorry about… well I got us stuck. Sorry."

Annabeth smiled, reassuringly. "Nah, I'm glad you got through. I would have had a hard time with him by myself."

Percy started searching the man's pockets as he spoke. "Just after you went in, this giant scorpion attacked us. While we were fighting it, I saw this dude head inside and I thought you might need a hand."

"Giant scorpion?"

"Yeah…" he trailed off. His face suddenly looked like he'd seen a ghost. Slowly, he pulled something out of the man's pocket.

It was white, lace; Relatively small when bundled up and as it unfurled in his hand, the nature of the item became apparent.

"Holy fucking shit," Percy dropped the undergarment, wiping his hand on his pants. He looked at Annabeth.

"You okay?" She felt her heart pound a little faster. "You only held it for like, 5 seconds. Right?"

Percy closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, yeah. Only a few seconds. I'm… yeah, I'm okay."

"Okay," Annabeth wasn't sure he sounded convinced, she wasn't exactly convinced herself. She reached over and touched his hand. "Let me know if something changes."

He nodded, standing up. "Is the water in there hooked up?"

He pointed to the bathroom and she nodded. " I think so."

"I'm gonna go wash my hands," he sounded disgusted and he stood and moved to the bathroom sink.

Annabeth had brought the pink bag from Aphrodite. She produced it then flipped it inside out, as if she were using a plastic bag to pick up dog litter, and scooped up the pair of magical lingerie.

Percy returned and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her to her feet.

Percy glanced at the barricaded doorway, then back at Annabeth. "I guess we have a few minutes to ourselves…"

"Yeah," she still held his hand. She could tell he wanted to say more, so she waited.

After a few moments he spoke again. "You said, you changed your mind? About us…?"

She knew this was coming. Annabeth looked down at his hand holding hers. "I… think so. I mean, I trust you- love you. I know you trust me. I know you love me. I mean, I want to it's just… I guess it's not that I haven't been ready. Maybe I've just been…"

She looked up at him. She didn't want to say it. After everything, how could she admit that she was scared of something so… natural. Something so normal that it there was no reason she should feel the way she did.

"You've been..?" He quietly prompted.

She sighed and let out a small, embarrassed laugh. "I guess I've just been scared. But I'm starting to realize there's nothing to be afraid of."

She had the thought that he might laugh at her. Instead he released her hand, raising both of his to her face. He pulled her close and kissed her softly. As she responded in kind, he pressed in closer, with more passion.

She steadied herself against his chest as she closed her eyes. His lips moved to caress the side of her neck and her breath caught at the sensation.

His hands moved under her shirt and he began to slip his fingers under her waist band.

"Hey," she whispered. "I don't think this is the time or place to do this…"

"What do you mean?" His fingers continued to move.

"What?"

He kissed her again, and his hands worked quickly, unfastening the same button he had removed earlier that same morning.

Once again, the waistband loosened around her body and began to slip down. Before she could say anything he kissed her again, guiding her back toward the bed. He pulled off his shirt and kissed her again.

"Wait," Annabeth pushed him back. "This isn't the time. Look-" she gestured to the crazy man who still lay passed out on the ground. "Not really alone. And we have to get out of here."

Percy glanced in the direction of the man, when he looked back at her she gasped in surprise. His eyes were dilated- so much so that his green irises were eclipsed by the dark pupils.

When he spoke he sounded confused, but with an edge of annoyance. "Why do I not care?"

She stepped away from him, re-fastening her shorts. "It's the magic she warmed us about. It's affecting you now. You have to fight it or you'll end up like him."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He took a step closer to her. "Maybe it's not such a bad thing."

Annabeth backed up, raising a hand to him as if she were calming a dog. "How can you say that?"

"You know…" he strode forward, moving her arm out of the way. "Im kind of tired of all this back and forth. I'm tired of fighting it. Aren't you? You said it yourself, there's nothing to be afraid of."

"Don't do anything you're going to regret."

He frowned, concentrating on her. For a moment his eyes seemed clear. "What's happening to me? I can't get it out of my head." He wondered aloud, rubbing his forehead.

"You're gonna be fine," Annabeth touched his hand. She asked, even though she already knew the answer. "What going on in your head?"

He stepped away from her and closed his eyes and pinching the bridge if his nose. "Red. Loud. Cold. Everything's red and it's so loud. Gods, I'm cold and… all I can think about is…"

His eyes opened again and the clarity was gone.

"Hey," she spoke in a calming voice. "Listen to me. I love you. I know you love me. Think about that. What does that mean?"

"You love me?" He asked.

"Yes, you know I do."

He stepped close to her. "Kiss me?"

"Percy, I don't think that will help."

"Or it might be just the right thing."

Annabeth looked into his darkened eyes. She knew better than to assume that the curse would release him that easily. But maybe he had a point, and the effects would be alleviated to some degree.

"Okay," she whispered. She reached up and touched his face tenderly.

She kissed him softly; when he gripped her waist and pulled her close, increasing the pressure and passion of the moment, she wasn't surprised.

"I don't think this is helping," she said.

"No," Percy's eyes remained closed. "No it was. Keep going."

"Percy…" she wasn't sure what to say.

His eyes opened again and he stepped back. He pointed to the man on the right ground. "Is it just because of him? I'll get rid of him."

She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

Percy turned and picked up the man like a sack of potatoes and taking him to the bathroom. He dropped him on the floor and shut the bathroom door. Percy turned and grinned at her, as if all their problems were solved now that the unconscious man was now in the bathroom.

The way he had barely reacted to the weight of the other man surprised Annabeth- it was like he had been given a shot of adrenaline.

This could go really bad really quick, she thought. He doesn't even know what he's doing.

"Hey," Annabeth said. "Talk to me."

Percy crossed the room with surprising speed. "What?"

"Are you still cold?"

"Yeah," He pulled her close to him, sure enough she could see his skin prickling from the sensation.

"Okay," she took a deep breath. "Maybe you can put your shirt back on."

"I don't want to," he kissed her. "All I want is you."

"I know," she said, her heart beginning to pound against her chest. "That's a really wonderful thing for you to say. But, please just be a little more patient. This is really a bad time to-"

He cut her off with his lips.

"Percy," she said. "You have to fight it."

"No, please no more fighting," He kissed her again. This time she didn't return his kiss, instead she pushed him away.

Annabeth slapped him across the face, hard. He released her and stepped back, stunned.

"You promised," she pointed at him to emphasize her anger. "You promised me you would never do that."

Silently, he stepped backwards his hand covering his mouth in shock. His eyes returned to their normal green.

"Annabeth…" he stammered. "I- I am so sorry."

She pressed her lips together and took a slow breath through her nose before speaking.

"Yeah," she said quietly, her anger towards him redirected to a goddess. "Well, that wasn't you."

He shook his head. "No, it was. Maybe there was some curse involved but… I still…"

Percy sat down and set his head in his hands. He looked miserable.

A quest, with just the right amount of heartache? She recalled Aphrodite's commentary. Annabeth wasn't sure who which of them felt more distressed.

She recalled the moment earlier in the day when she had been compelled to him. She had wanted to anyway but- under the spell she couldn't stop herself.

It had to have been a million times stronger for him. He didn't have quite the same stubbornness in this arena that she did.

Annabeth moved to sit next to him, picking up his shirt from the floor where he'd dropped it.

"Hey," she said after a moment. "I'm not gonna hold it against you. Just… maybe don't do it again."

Percy looked at her, sadly. "I honestly don't know if I can make that promise again… not that I would… well, I thought I had better control of myself but now? I fucked up hard."

"Maybe don't go around touching women's underwear."

Percy laughed humorlessly. "That's a pretty good policy. But… gods, I feel terrible. I don't know how you can possibly trust me after this. I can't trust myself."

"Hey," She smiled reassuringly and took his face in both hands. "I've been with you long enough to really know you. Maybe better than you know yourself. So shut up. We're gonna be fine."

She kissed him- a sweet, gentle kiss. It lasted longer than she expected, but they both needed it.

The man in the bathroom stumbled out.

"Where am I?" He looked around, confused. He eyed Annabeth and Percy sitting on the floor. "Who are you?"

"You don't remember?" Percy asked.

The formerly crazy man pressed his hands against his head, like he was in pain. "I… the last thing I remember, I was hiking. It was hot and… and I saw a house. I was dehydrated, tired. No one answered when I knocked but it was unlocked. There was water and a bed. I… oh god, is this your house? I'm so sorry I'll leave!"

He backed away, sheepishly, and passed right through the bronze bars on the doorway as if they were simply a figment of Annabeth's imagination.

Only a moment later, Piper's sweaty face appeared in the doorway. She had a cut on her chin. She observed the two of them, noticing Percy's bare chest.

"Do you guys need a few more minutes?"

"No!" They said together. Percy reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head

Piper shrugged. "Okay. Who was the dude that ran out of here? Just a second ago."

"Just a mortal guy that needed a nap."Annabeth said.

Piper made a sound of acknowledgment before disappearing from the doorway.

Annabeth looked at Percy. "You okay?"

He nodded. "I think so. Are you… okay?"

Annabeth kissed his cheek. "I'm fine."