Previously:
Kampê's answering growl was the last thing Percy heard from her. He and Annabeth were now the ones staring at each other. He was vaguely aware of a nymph floating around him, poking at his wounds.

Finally Annabeth turned to leave. "Make sure he starts healing. His next guest will want a fresh start."

Whoever was next in line to beat up Percy was taking their sweet time. The anticipation was almost as torturous a the actual torture.

He had healed completely from Kampê's attentions a few days ago with the help of a very kind nymph—a naiad—named Lynn. She always asked to double check if he was hurting or not every time she changed his bandages. She was also the one to always bring him his food. And since he couldn't exactly move his hands very far from the ceiling, she was the one to feed him too.

It was a shame she'd left the lake at camp to join Pontus. Percy had been trying to work out her reasoning ever since he'd recognized her.

"So how is it that you came to be here?" Percy asked as she dressed his leg for the last time. "I thought you were close friends with someone at camp."

"I am." Lynn said, confused. "Just because we are on different sides of the war, does not mean we can't be friends anymore."

Percy conceded the fact—read as 'opinion'—with a nod. "True." He said. "But have you really talked since you left? And what's going to happen if you see them on the battlefield? Are you just not gonna fight them? That doesn't seem fair, because then you're leaving them to be hurt or worse by someone else. Doesn't seem like friends."

"This is war, Percy Jackson." Lynn said, avoiding his eyes. "Brothers end up fighting each other. Besides, Pontus says I wouldn't be fighting on the field. He wants me recruiting and caring for those here."

"Do you honestly believe he's being completely honest there?" Percy asked, genuinely wanting to know her answer. During this whole conversation, he couldn't help but think she was very naive.

She had only the slightest hesitation. "Yes." She replied curtly. "What about you and Annabeth? Surely it is going to be difficult for you to fight her in the end? I know she would have no reserves in battle. Will you let her kill you?"

"Gladly." Percy said immediately. His voice took on a melancholy tone. "I'd gladly let her run me through if I knew she'd be happy."

Lynn stared at him like he was crazy and Percy drifted off into memory.

— — — —

It was raining lightly at camp in the middle of the night. The moon was peaking through some clouds in the distance where the end of the storm was visible. Percy was waiting impatiently by the tree line. He walked a few paces one way, looked int he direction of the cabins, then turned and walked in the other direction. This repeated several times.

"Why are you so worked up, Percy?" Annabeth's voice sounded in his ear.

Percy jumped about a foot in the air and brought his fists up in a defensive position. He'd yelped loudly as well, only to get a hand slapped over his face.

"Do you want the harpies to come after us?" Annabeth said, taking off her Yankee's cap.

"Well, maybe don't scare my socks off." Percy grumbled through her hand.

"Maybe you should keep an ear out for me instead of just looking."

"You know, you have almost mastered silent movement; that's not going to make a difference." Percy pointed out with a smirk.

"You think I'm that good?" Annabeth asked, proud of herself.

"Yes." Percy said grumpily. "I don't know when you're coming anymore."

"Really?" Annabeth said, delighted. "This is great! Now I can work on the next skill!"

"Which one is that?" Percy asked, taking her hand as they headed away from the cabin area.

"Controlling my other emotions." she said happily.

"But you're already great at that." Percy said, confused.

"Not like my goal." Annabeth said. "I want to be able to pull on extreme emotions at opposing times. Cry sadly when I'm overjoyed, feel triumphant when i feel horror. That kind of thing."

"Huh."

Something in his tone caught her attention. "What is it?"

"Just something you said reminded me of my dream."

"The one we're going to Rachel about secretly? The one about me?"

"Yeah. You'd looked almost triumphant in it."

"When New Rome was in flames?" Annabeth asked. Her tone wasn't offended or horrified, it was analytical. She knew there was something more to this.

"Yes." Percy replied.

— — — —

And just like that, he was pulled from the memory, it no longer being happy. He knew then just like he knows now: whatever made Annabeth happy, he was all too willing to encourage her forward.

"Even if she were to come torture me herself, Lynn. I'd hand her the tools."

"What was that, Jackson?" The door to his cell slammed shut. He hadn't realized he'd been in memory so long. Lynn had left and Polybotes was in her place.

"Just thinking about Annabeth," Percy said lightly, though in truth, his heart was in his throat. He'd joined Annabeth in learning to manipulate his own emotions but he'd never been able to fully catch on. "How are you doing?"

"Oh, absolutely spiffing." Polybotes said, grinning like a maniac. "I've been waiting a long time for this." He cracked his knuckles eagerly.

Percy crinkled his nose. "Spiffing? Who says that anymore?"

"Me." Polybotes growled.

"Ok, boomer." Percy smirked. Angry, murderous monster was more like it. Although, now he looked confused.

"Boomer?" the giant shook his head, the basilisks in his hair hissing. "Never mind, let's just get to business. I can't wait to show Poseidon your condition when we're through."

Percy refused to be mentally present for the torture Polybotes was about to put him through. Instead, he focused on Annabeth, and—thanks to the giant's constant yapping about him—Poseidon.

— — — —

The sunrise that day was their only good moment. Percy and Annabeth had gotten up early for a date for which they knew they would not have the opportunity for months if not years.

Percy had gotten breakfast from the kitchen and a couple of Cokes from his stash in his cabin. Annabeth brought the blankets and pillows.

Now, Annabeth was leaning her head on Percy's shoulder as they watched the sun's rays create pinks, purples, and blues across the eastern sky. Breakfast having long since been eaten, and the last of Percy's Coke being downed in one gulp.

They hadn't talked much; just enjoying the sunrise, their breakfast burritos, and each other's company.

Annabeth broke the silence with a sigh.

Percy responded by clicking his tongue. "Annabeth, we said we wouldn't even think about that."

"Sorry, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth's sudden downcast mood gave way to a mischievous grin. "I'm just dying to get training today."

Now Percy's eyes narrowed at his girlfriend. "Who told you about that?" He demanded.

"I did." The new voice brought the couple's attention to their right.

Percy threw up his hands. "Since when have you two been gossiping about my attempts at baking?"

"Since I've been spending time with my future daughter-in-law." Poseidon said with his own trouble making smile.

The couple turned matching shades of pink.

"I'm actually here for something more than a social call." Poseidon said regretfully.

"When are you ever not?" Percy asked with a sigh. "Just when I thought we'd be having a chill day."

Poseidon grimaced and Annabeth watched closely. "It's time, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so."

— — — —

"Time for what?"

Percy blinked rapidly. His focus coming back to the torture session with Polybotes. "What?"

"Time for what?" Polybotes repeated.

"Time for you to get a watch." Percy rattled off without thinking.

That rewarded him a scalding iron to be shoved between his toes.