I know it's late, I'm sorry. Christmas got in the way. Haven't had time to edit, sorry for mistakes. <3

On the ninth day of being home, Will finally discharged us from the hospital wing on the conditions that Percy and I did no work and just stayed in our rooms. He did say we could go out for some fresh air, only if we had someone with us.

"Really?" Percy asked. "Its like we're not even leaving."

Will raised his eyebrows at us. "If that's what you want, I can keep you here."

"No!" I put my hand over Percy's mouth. "We will go."

Percy looked over at me, my hand still on his mouth and gave me a wink. Next thing I knew my hand was suddenly wet and Percy was laughing at my grossed out face.

"Ew!" I wiped my hand on Percy's shirt. "You licked me!"

Percy laughed and wiggled off the bed. I sighed and lent up to him. He backed away, knowing that I would do something to him as revenge. "No, no. I'm not going to do anything. Just a kiss."

Percy grinned and naively leaned in. I brushed my lips across his and when he tried to kiss me harder, I moved my head to the side so he would kiss my cheek, and I could licked his.

"Yuck!" He pulled back and rubbed his cheek on his shoulder. "You're so gross, Annabeth."

I smirked. "You love it."

He rolled his eyes smiling. He walked over to me and took my hand, leading me out of our hospital room.

Will stopped us at the door. "Hold it lovebirds. I need you to come and see me everyday after breakfast. I've talked to your maids Annabeth, they will give you the medication you need every morning. Hazel's going to help you, Percy."

I hugged Will tightly. "Thank you."

He squeezed my shoulders. "Anything for my favourite patients."

Before we could walk out the door he called after us. "When do you come and see me?"

"Every morning after breakfast." Percy and I chorused in unison over our shoulders as we walked out the door.

"What are you going to do? Now that we are free?" Percy swung our hands inbetween us as we walked.

"I'm going to have a shower. A nice, long shower. You?"

"That sounds good. I think I'll do that." We stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "Old or new bedroom?"

I bit my lip and looked up the stairs. Hazel, Justine and Alicia are most likely in my new bedroom, but if I go to my old one, that means I get to spend more time with Percy.

"Old."

Percy grinned and pulled me up the stairs. At the top of the first staircase I had to tug on Percy's hand. "Can we hold on a sec?" I placed my hands on my hips, my breathing coming in ragged.

"What's up?" Percy asked concerned.

"I think the air in Tartarus has done something to my lungs. Its hard to breath." I fanned my face in an attempt to breath better.

Percy frowned and stepped closer, his hands hovering around me. "Do you need Will?"

I shook my head, my breath slowly coming back to me. "No, I'm fine."

He raised his eyebrows at me in question. "If somethings wrong over the next couple of days, go to Will."

I waved him away. "I'll be good." I started up the next flight of stairs but he grabbed my wrist and made me stop.

"Hey, promise me that you will go to Will."

I looked away. "I'm all good, Perce."

He cupped my cheek and turned my face to face him. He met my eyes. "Promise me, Annabeth."

I sighed. "Fine. I promise I'll go to Will if need be."

He kissed me on the forehead pleased with my answer. "Good."

We walked up the stairs and slowed at the top because Percy was having difficulty breathing too. The air must have had toxic substances in it or something. We were becoming short of breath very quickly, which was slightly concerning.

Our hands connected again at the top of the staircase and we stopped in front of our bedroom doors.

Percy took my hands and smiled at me. "I'm in love with you."

I blushed and looked away. "We're only seperating to have a shower Percy but-" I looked at him again. "I'm in love with you too."

He kissed me. And for a very, very long time.

I laughed as the water washed over me, the water turning black from all the dirt and grim washing off me. It felt so good. My skin was clear and I ran my hand through my hair. I was still smiling when I dried myself and got into denim shorts and a casual red shirt. I put on some fuzzy socks and walked into the bedroom to see Percy lounging on the bed, his hair still damp from his shower.

"Hello there, Seaweed Brain."

He waved and watch me walk back into the bathroom to get my hair brush. I sat down next to him and brushed my hair.  "Wanna get some lunch?" He twirled a piece of brushed hair around his finger, making tangles I just brushed out.

I nodded, taking back my piece of hair and brushed it again. "Can we eat outside? Maybe out in the gardens?"

"Anything for my Wise Girl."

Percy told me to meet him at the spot, underneath the large pine tree next to the pool. He had set up a picnic rug and had a delicious looking selection for us.

I smiled at him as I sat down, taking his hand and a strawberry. I popped the berry into my mouth a mined in delight.

"I forgot how good strawberries taste."

Percy laughed and ate one too, nodding his head in approval.

"How are your parents?" I asked as I played with his fingers.

"Relived, I guess. They're still worried about us. But they do have to work."

I raised my eyebrows. "I'm sure you're glad you don't have to work."

He shrugged. "I guess I kind of miss it. But it's good to have a break, 'cause you know..."

"I know...?"

"I'll be king soon." He rolled his eyes. "And that's a lot more work."

"Well," I bumped his shoulder with mine, smiling up at him through my eyelashes. "Let's just hope that you'll have an amazing woman by my side."

He looked down at me with a twinkle in his eye. "Let's hope."

Percy and I continued talking and eating, and laughing. Which I was so happy about, I couldn't express it in words. It was like starting to read a book that you had wanted to read for ages, or cuddling your adorable puppy, or even opening your first Christmas gift. It just filled you with happiness.

Percy's laughter slowed down and he looked at me a little to seriously for my liking. "Have you gone to see Luke?"

I looked away, rubbing away the goosebumps that had suddenly appeared on my arms. "No." I looked back over to him. "No I haven't."

He sighed and rose from his spot on the ground, extending his hand to help me got up.

I took his hand confused and brushed off the dirt off my shorts. "Where are we going?"

He didn't answer but tugged my hand towards the front doors on the palace. I nagged him as we walked up the steps and he finally told me where we were going once we got inside.

"We're going to go talk with Luke."

"What?" I stopped and stared at him. He stopped too and stood in front of me. "No."

"Come on Annabeth, you could at least show the guy that you're okay."

I crossed my arms over my chest, to stubborn to go. "I'm not going. You can go have a chat with him, but I'm not ready."

"Will there ever be a time when you are ready?"

I looked away from him to think. He was right in saying that I would probably never be ready to face Luke again. Even though I forgive him, it brought back to many memories. And how long did he have? How long until he was sentenced and killed?

I sighed in annoyance and grabbed Percy's hand, leading him down the hall. "Fine. I'll go. But if I cry, you have to wipe the tears."

Percy caught up to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. "I'll always do that for you, Annabeth."He squeezed it slightly, smiling down at me. "No matter what."

We walked down the stone stairs to the underground floor, where there were numerous cells. Most people held in these weren't here for very long, either transferred to the Angeles City Prison or being freed. It seemed Sally and Paul were keeping Luke down here for us.

Guards were stationed at the wall in between each cell, the light bright in here. This was completely different from where Percy and I were held. There it smelt, it was cold and dark, and we didn't have a bed. Here, it was okay smelling, it was warmer and it wasn't dark. Plus Luke had a bed to sleep on.

Percy pointed to a cell door on the left, and we came to a slow at it.

My face fell when I saw Luke sitting on his bed, his eyes closed, leaning back on the wall. He looked so deflated.

Percy asked the guard next to us to open the door. The guard unlocked it, the door swinging inwards.

Luke opened one eye, but then opened the other once he saw who it was.

"Annabeth!" He came rushing forward to give me a hug, but the guard stepped in between us, his gun raised.

"Don't step any closer."

Percy put his hand on the guards shoulder. "It's okay Officer Blake. Luke won't hurt us. You and your men can leave us."

Officer Blake nodded, bowed and left the cell, the other guards stationed leaving behind him.

"Luke!" I closed the distance between us, wrapping my arms around his neck. I placed my head in the crook of his neck as he slipped his hands around my waist, hugging me tightly. I breathed in his sent of leather.

"I'm so glad that you're okay." He mumbled into my ear.

"I'm glad that you're okay." I told him back.

He raised his head and glared at Percy in a light hearted manner. "Apart from being locked up."

Percy grinned, raising his hands in surrender. "Hey. It's called pay back."

I laughed and took Luke's hand, leading him over to his bed. I sat in the middle of the two boys.

"Ew." I jumped a little, the mattress not bouncing much. "How hold are these?"

Percy scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, maybe fifteen years old."

My eyes widened and I looked over at Luke.

He shrugged. "At least I have a bed. How are you?"

"I'm still tired. And Will has been watching us like a hawk. My ankle has been sore, I think I must have twisted it when we escaped."

"Speaking of escaping," Luke looked at us hopeful. I was scared he was going to ask us when he would be getting out, and I wouldn't know how to answer that. He most likely never would. "What's happened with Kronos?"

"Dead." Percy said.

Luke stood up, brushing his hands through his sandy blond hair. He breathed out a sig of relief. "Good."

I nodded. "Have you been checked out?"

"By a doctor?" He asked, sitting back down. "Yeah, they fixed up some cuts and bruises. Fixed up my face too."

I brushed my finger along the scar of his face, which was stitched up. "Kronos cut pretty deep."

Luke nodded. "I was in the hospital wing for a couple of days, then they locked me in here. I've been waiting for you to come and see me."

"We only just got out today." Percy grumbled unhappily.

"And I've been trying to work up the courage." I smiled sadly at Luke.

"Why? Are you scared of me? Do you hate me now?"

"No," I took his hands and held them tightly. "No, gods no Luke. I've just been scared that it will bring back memories that's I've been trying hard to suppress this last week."

"I hate that." He got up suddenly and kicked the wall. "I was so stupid to think that Kronos was good, that he was going to help us-"

"That's true." Percy whispered under his breath, but Luke didn't hear.

"-and after one slightest bit of hesitation he cuts my face and kills Ethan. He promised so many things, and he was never going to fulfil them. Gods dam it, what was I thinking?"

I placed a gentle hand on his chest, feelings his fast heart rate. "You were thinking that you were helping people who need help. You had no idea what Percy was planning to do, because it's taken to along for something to happen-"

"Hey!" Percy yelled at my back.

"-You did the right thing in a way, but you didn't really need to kidnap us."

Luke's nose scrunched up. "That was a bit uncalled for wasn't it?"

I pressed my lips together. "Just a little bit."

"What I'm trying to say," I continued. "Is that you made a mistake, but you fixed it. The rest of the world doesn't see it like that, but Percy and I do. And that's all that really matters."

Luke hugged me again and whispered a thank you to me.

We sat back down next to Percy, the conversation flowing. Soon we were laughing until our stomachs hurt and there were tears in our eyes.

"Hey Percy?" Luke tugged at his hair with his hand. "I have some bad news."

Percy stopped laughing and looked at Luke worried. "What is it?"

"I don't know if I should be telling you this. I just want you to promise me that you won't hurt this person, or throw them in prison."

I groaned and put my head in my hands. "This doesn't sound good."

"We had a spy," Luke looked sadly at us. "But she stopped spying once she heard our plans to kidnap you."

"A spy?" Percy stood up. "Who?"

Luke squeezed his eyes. "This is the part I don't really want to tell you."

"She?" I asked, standing up as well. "And she definitely has stopped? She's not a spy anymore?"

Luke nodded. "Yes, a girl. She's not working with the Rebels anymore.  She just wanted to help the people she couldn't help, she was manipulated." Luke shrugged. "I guess we all were."

"How did you communicate?" Percy asked.

"We met up in secret. She lived here, and so did I. She asked had a microphone on her most of the time, in the shape of a scythe bracelet."

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. I remember seeing someone wearing a bracelet, with a scythe on it. Silena. I saw her wearing it in the Women's room once.

"What?" Percy asked, standing in front of me, worried I needed it a doctor.

I looked over his shoulder at Luke. "Please don't tell me it was her."

"Who?" Percy asked looking back and forth.

"Silena." Luke whispered.

Percy looked over at him. "Ha, very funny Luke. Who?"

I nodded my head, wiping away tear that had slipped out of my eye. "It was Silena. I've noticed the bracelet."

Percy sat down on the bed, resting his head on the wall. "No way."

"She never actually met Kronos. It was Ethan who convinced her to join. She didn't realise how evil he was, she didn't know about the plans about you two until you went missing. She broke the bracelet. She was heartbroken. Please," Luke begged. "Don't punish her."

Percy banged his head on the wall, and I could read his train of thought. He needed an idea.

"Eliminate her." I blurted out, then covered my mouth in shock.

Percy raised his eyebrows at me. "Jealous Annabeth? Want to try and make it to the top?"

I bit my lip to stop me from saying yes. I really badly wanted to be the girl next to Percy at his wedding. I wanted to marry him.

"Actually," He stood up, not giving me much time to answer his question. "That's a pretty good idea. I'll talk to her, and tell her I know. I'll send her home."

I suppressed the massive grin on my face and nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Luke laughed. "That's because you just want to make it to the top three!"

I shrugged. "That won't be hard." I smirked at Percy. "I've got him wrapped around my finger."

Luke clapped. "Yes! That's the Annabeth I know!"

Percy raised a his eyebrows at me. "That's not true."

I rolled my eyes. "You believe what you want to believe, Seaweed Brain."

Soon enough it was time for us to leave. Luke hugged Percy, apologised again and thanked him.

He hugged me tightly again and held my shoulder when I pulled away.

"Can you do me a couple of favours?"

I nodded my head. "Sure."

"One, can you get me an actual pillow?" He pointed back to his bead. "That one is just basically a piece of fabric."

I laughed, nodding. "One pillow for you."

"And can you tell Thalia to come and see me?"

I looked down at the floor.

"I need to see her. I need to explain myself. I need to tell her I'm sorry."

I nodded. "I'll convince her. And by the way," I said on the way out. "She thinks your a jerk."

He laughed and nodded. "That's for the heads up."

"Anytime."

Percy locked the door after us, taking my hand. We waved goodbye to Luke, promising we'd come back. When we got to the top of the stairs, Percy asked me how I was doing.

I looked up at the ceiling for a Monet and then looked back at him. "Good.  I'm good."

Percy took me to my bedroom, kissing me lightly before we both entered.

All three girls looked up from their card game, screamed, than came running towards us, crashing into us like crazy men.

There was a chorus of 'how are you's and 'we missed you's.

They acted completely normal around Percy, even Justine, which I found surprising.

"You okay, Justine?" I asked

She nodded, smiling brightly at me. "I missed you guys so much, I realised that I should be more of a friend than a maid."

My heart warmed and I brought her into a tight hug. "Thank you. You're a pretty good friend."

"You're not to bad either, miss."

I laughed at the 'miss' and continued the conversation with the others.

Percy stayed in my room, having dinner with me. He said he wanted to leave at the last possible moment, and that only made my heart warm even more.

The girls left when it got really dark outside, after giving us our medication. Percy and I moved out to the balcony. I leaned on the rail, Percy standing behind me, holding my hand and I felt as if it was my anchor to the world. He was my anchor to the world.

The near black, navy blue sky spread out before us, stars twinkling brightly.

"The stars are so bright." I whispered, my eyes glossy with tears, seeing the beauty of the world.

"Bob says hello." Percy whispered to the stars. They twinkled in response.

In that moment, I couldn't be anymore thankful to the heroes, Bob and Damersen, who saved our lives.

Happy?

Happy Birthday Thalia, which I'm pretty sure was on the 22nd! <3

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope that you are all happy, safe, surrounded by loved ones in this wonderful time of the year

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Christmas in Australia on a scorchers summers day. HEY! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut! Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden ute!!! TOOT TOOT!

I hope you all get snow and I hope I'm not melting on Monday.

Love you all

-Squirrel