The timeline for this one-shot is a little messed up... it worked best if Estelle was already born in the fall of Percy and Annabeth's senior year, so just roll with me! :) As background, Annabeth is living in New York with the Jackson/Blofis family to finish out highschool.

Annabeth dragged herself through the front door of the apartment, practically throwing her bookbag to the floor of the entry hallway, kicking off her shoes, and taking a few deep breaths. She tried to forget about her ridiculous day at school, instead focusing on the smell of fresh cookies and the sounds of the kids' show that was playing on the TV in the room over. Annabeth relaxed as she was greeted by these familiar occurrences that had begun to feel like home, and it finally seemed possible that her mood could improve.

"Annabeth?" Sally's voice called. "Is that you?"

"Yeah," she responded. "Be there in a minute."

She first stopped in the living room, her gaze immediately catching on the cutest grin in the whole world. Estelle was bouncing in her exercise saucer, and her favorite show, Little Einstein's, lit up her face.

"Hi Stella," Annabeth cooed, reaching out to stroke the little girl's head. Estelle giggled in response, babbling something that Annabeth couldn't make out. She had just said her first word the other day, and everybody was desperately waiting for the ones to come.

Annabeth headed towards the kitchen, attempting to wipe away any remains of her foul day. She didn't want to bother Sally with unimportant things, and she knew that her boyfriend's mother would worry if she knew something was wrong.

"Hi, sweetie," Sally greeted, turning to meet her. She had a bit of flour smeared on her face and her apron was covered in what looked like chocolate, but her smile was so inviting that Annabeth couldn't help - she rushed forward for a hug.

So much for not being in a bad mood, Annabeth thought miserably as Sally's arms wrapped around her.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly, and a rogue tear ran down Annabeth's cheek in response. They were both quiet for a while, Sally stroking Annabeth's hair while she attempted to stem her tears. Finally, Annabeth pulled away and sat heavily on one of the bar stools.

"I just... I just had a long day." She so badly wanted tell Sally what was really wrong. She ached to explain that she felt like she was disappointing somebody with every choice she made, and nothing she did could make everybody happy and she hated it. Hades, she didn't even know how to make herself happy. But she couldn't say that to Sally because she didn't want it getting back to Percy. She certainly couldn't tell Sally about her conversation with her guidance counselor, because she absolutely zero intentions of telling Percy. So she kept it simple: she had a long day. Not a lie. Just not the whole truth.

"Well, I get that, honey. What happened?"

"Oh, just lots of little things. Aphrodite wants her temple redesigned. My science teacher doesn't know how to grade. I didn't even get to talk to Percy after school before he had to go to basketball practice." 

"Hm, I see... that's it?"

Annabeth nodded, and she knew from Sally's look that she didn't believe her, but she also knew that Sally wouldn't push her, which Annabeth was eternally grateful for. "Alright, but let me know if you want to talk-"

Sally was cut off by the ring of the phone hanging from the wall. Estelle started crying when she could no longer hear the TV. Annabeth stood to comfort Estelle, receiving an appreciative glance from Sally who was reaching for the phone.

"Oh, baby," Annabeth said, kneeling in front of the saucer, "it's okay." She scooped Estelle up and held her close to her chest, gently rocking and shushing her. Estelle calmed down quickly, her attention returning to music playing on the show, her tiny little hands tugging on a few strands of Annabeth's hair. They stood contently like that for a few moments, Annabeth's mind going blank as she focused on the little girl in her arms. The peace was soon interrupted, however, as the memory of the day's meeting crept back into existence. She sank into the couch, hugging Estelle closer for support, and ran through every detail of the event, yet again, just to make sure she hadn't imagined it.

"Mr. Smith?" Annabeth asked hesitantly as she knocked on the door of her guidance counselor's office. "You called for me to come down?"

"Ah, yes, Miss Chase! Please, sit."

Annabeth obliged, a little nervous for what was to come. She had know idea what she was here for.

"So I see from your senior interests form about future plans that you are applying to The University of New Rome.  I have to say that I am not familiar with this school."

"Oh!" How was she going to explain New Rome to a mortal? She regretted putting it down instead of marking undecided. Stupid hubris and needing to prove she had a plan. "It's a small school, not very well-known. It's in California, near the bay area. It has some really great programs."

"Yes,  I could see all of that from their website," Mr. Smith agreed. Annabeth wondered what the website looked like under the Mist. She also wondered where this conversation could be going. "I think it's a good place to apply, but are you planning on applying anywhere else?"

"No, no, I've definitely chosen New Rome for my top pick. And I'm pretty confident I can get in." She did not like the disappointed look on his face that accompanied that answer.

"I am also confident you'll be accepted, but I still think you should keep your options open."

"Why?"

"Well," Mr. Smith took a deep breath, obviously a little unsure what to do with the newly-defensive attitude he was receiving, but Annabeth didn't care. What did he know? "I'm afraid that New Rome isn't ranked practically anywhere for anything. They don't seem to be known as competitive, and the occupations of graduated students seems a little... odd. I know you're a very talented and driven student, Miss Chase, and I'd hate for you to fall short of your potential by choosing the wrong school."

Fall short of her potential? Ouch. She tried not to let her voice shake when she responded, "I know it's a good school. It's a good fit for me."

"If you really think so, I can't convince you otherwise. But please, keep your mind open to some other places. I don't want you to regret this."

Annabeth blinked, trying not to cry again. She didn't know why this upset her so much, but it definitely did. This was her life - Camp Halfblood and Camp Jupiter. The University of New Rome fit so nicely into that equation. And of course, there was Percy to think about. He had his heart set on going there, to live in New Rome and be safe from the dangers outside of the Camp's borders. Not to mention he was getting a full ride, being a former Praetor and all. In his eyes, there was nothing more perfect. Annabeth wanted to go with him, more than anything. So why did the words, "I don't want you to regret this," keep replaying in her head?

She was pulled from her thoughts when Estelle squealed happily, mimicking the cartoon characters. She squirmed from Annabeth's lap to the floor, placing her tiny feet on the ground and her hands gripping Annabeth's fingers tightly, trying to cruise along the side of the couch. Annabeth smiled sadly. How could she be selfish enough to upset anyone in this family?

"Annabeth," Sally said from the kitchen, "your dad wants to talk to you."

This was very unfortunate timing; Frederick Chase was the last person Annabeth wanted to talk to right now. She knew he'd want to discuss college and ask her if she knew where she was going and... ugh. Just somebody else to disappoint.

She carried Estelle with her, passing the baby off to her mother with a soft, "Do I have to?" as she took the phone. Sally just gave her a sympathetic smile and went into the other room.

Annabeth took a deep breath, "Hey, Dad."

"Pumpkin! How are you?"

"I'm good, how are you guys?" Her throat felt tight.

"We're great, but we miss you." He sounded sincere, and Annabeth felt that little stab guilt that would never go away over all the years they lost together.

"I miss you, too."

"Well good news, then! I'm headed to New York in a few weeks on a business trip, and Sally has invited me over for dinner."

"Really? That's great!" Annabeth was surprised to find that she meant it. Maybe she really did miss her dad.

"Maybe I can read over your college app essays? Which one's your favorite?"

Okay, so she didn't miss her dad.

"Well," she steeled herself, "it's just one, actually. For New Rome."

A brief yet tense silence ensued.

"Oh," Frederick, said at last, "that's it? Why?"

"That's where I want to go." Annabeth very much did not want to have this conversation again today.

"But why? What about your list?"

Ah, the list. The list that Annabeth made with her dad when she was thirteen years old, right after they had reunited and tried to be a family again. It contained the best schools in the nation, matched with her interests and the likelihood that she would get in. It had all kinds of schools, from the University of Chicago to Harvard. Annabeth knew that New Rome wasn't on that list.

"Things have changed, Dad. I don't need the list anymore."

"What things have changed?" He sounded irritated. "Like how you're dating Percy now?"

Annabeth was taken aback. "I - yeah, I am. But what does that have to do with anything? Other things have changed. I discovered a whole second world for demigods! I fell to Tartarus, Dad! What else do you want me to say?"

"That's where Percy wants to go?"

"Yeah it is, so what? Why is it so wrong to want to be with my boyfriend?"

"You're right, Annabeth. Things have changed. You never would have followed a boy to college before."

Annabeth was practically seething by now. "What are you even trying to say?"

"I'm saying," Frederick took a controlled breath, "I'm saying that I think you're throwing your future away for your boyfriend, and you need to rethink that."

She wanted to call her dad a million names. She wanted to hang up the phone. She wanted to tell him that he didn't care what she did with her life for close to ten years, so what made him think he had the right to care now? But she didn't do any of that, because a tiny voice in her head told her that her dad was right.

Silence continued to fill the space as she desperately searched for the right thing to say. She wanted to defend Percy, but how could she do that without alerting his mother, who was a room over, of the situation? When she didn't speak, her dad started again.

"How about this: you can apply to New Rome and plan on going there. But you have to send in an application to at least one school on the list, and you have to seriously consider their offer."

"Fine." She cleared her throat. "Fine. Bye Dad." She slammed the phone down onto the receiver.

-----

Annabeth was sitting cross-legged on her boyfriend's bed, the door nearly closed in an attempt to disassociate herself from the rest of the apartment. It was the only way to ignore the guilt that threatened to stop her typing.

Of course, her attempt with the door was futile.

"Hey, Wise Girl." Percy shuffled into the room, flopping onto the bed next to her. She quickly made sure the computer screen showed no indication of the school she was writing an essay for, only the essay itself. She was relieved when it didn't, because Percy was clearly attempting to read it. "Scholarship essay? Still?"

"Um, yeah. Come on, Seaweed Brain, not all of us are going on a full ride." She smiled at him so he knew she was joking. He laughed timidly in response, running a hand through his hair. Just looking at him filled Annabeth with so much happiness that, for a brief second, every doubt was erased from her mind. But much too quickly, the two haunting conversations from earlier in the day rushed back to her and she was forced to turn her gaze away from her boyfriend - out of fear or guilt or sadness, she couldn't decide. Possibly all three.

Percy didn't seem to notice, however, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face in her back. "You know," he mumbled, sounding almost embarrassed, "I never thought I'd make it to college."

Annabeth simply hummed to encourage him on, her throat feeling tight.

"When I was little, before I knew I was a demigod and all that, I didn't even consider it. Obviously I was terrible in school, and doing more than I had to? No thanks." Annabeth laughed slightly, and Percy hugged her a little tighter. "But also... I don't know. We just didn't have the money. And I could never leave my mom behind like that, just leave her with Gabe. I never really got far enough to think it all out, but I wanted to be the one to support her, you know? I'd work so she could leave him."

"You're a good son," Annabeth squeezed out. She wanted to say more, to tell her boyfriend that he was a good man too and that she loved him for it. But the words died before they left her mouth. She felt Percy shrug against her, and his voice turned a little darker.

"It's not real hard to look good up against a piece of shit like Smelly Gabe." She didn't know how to respond to that, but luckily he moved on like it was no big deal. The lightness in his tone returned. "And then after the whole demigod ordeal, I didn't think I'd live long enough to go to college. Prophecy and dangerous life and all that. But then after the Titan War, Mom becoming a writer, Paul being around, and dating you..." Percy's voice trailed off, and it took all of Annabeth's willpower to keep tears from falling. "I decided it was possible." He let go of her, sitting up straight and guiding her face towards him with a gentle hand under her chin. He must have seen her watery expression, but he ignored it for the moment. "And here we are. I couldn't have done it without you, Wise Girl. And I'm so glad we're going to be together, because I don't think I can do the rest of it without you, either."

Oh gods.

Annabeth couldn't hold it together any longer, her father's words swimming in her head and mixing with her boyfriend's new proclamation. She flung herself into Percy's embrace, nestling her face in his neck, in an attempt to mask her confusion as simple affection. But of course, her Seaweed Brain knew her all too well.

"What's wrong?" he whispered into her hair. She sniffed violently, shaking her head. Maybe if she rubbed enough snot on him, he'd get grossed out and leave her alone to wallow in her self pity. 

"Alright," Percy conceded after a long stretch of silence, "just let it all out."

And so she did. Even though Annabeth couldn't tell him what was wrong, she could still cry to him about it. There really was a lot of snot, but he didn't seem to mind. Once she finally calmed her sobs to the occasional hiccups, Percy tried again.

"Did I say something?"

Yes. "No."

"Are you sure? I didn't mean to pile all that on you." He sounded apologetic.

"No, Percy, it's okay. It wasn't you." Annabeth hated herself in that moment. Her stellar list of character traits today: disappointment, guilt tripper, and liar. How could she betray Percy in so many ways?

"Well then, what's wrong?" She didn't answer. "Annabeth," he said exasperatedly, "you just had a breakdown in my arms, I'm not going to let you go like nothing happened. Talk to me."

"Just had a long day."

"Mom told me that much."

"I don't really want to talk about it, Percy." He always respected her space. Hopefully this time was no exception.

"Yeah, I've gathered that, Annabeth." He sighed unhappily. Her heart twanged at the noise. "Mom also said your dad called. Then you came in here. Is it about that?"

Annabeth swallowed thickly. "Part of it." She untangled herself from his body, moving to sit against the headboard, pulling her laptop to her. "I should finish this."

If she hated herself before, then she downright loathed herself now. Percy's shoulders drooped, but his face was expressionless. How could she let him pour his heart out to her and immediately have a meltdown, making it all about her? She was a terrible girlfriend. Maybe it would be good for Percy to go to New Rome on his own. 

"Fine," he said stiffly, getting off the bed and heading for the doorway. He glanced back at her as he shut the door, his face unreadable. Annabeth allowed herself to collapse sideways with a fresh round of tears. Her last thought before falling asleep was that she was laying in Percy's bed and she'd kicked him out of his own room. 

----

Annabeth knew she was dreaming, but at the same time, she didn't. It was a bizarre feeling, being aware of your own imagination but being seemingly submersed in reality. She was walking through a college campus. It wasn't New Rome's campus - much too big, much too mortal. Students were everywhere; dorms rose around her; dining halls oozed smells; classroom windows stood open for a look inside. She found herself walking with a purpose, but she didn't know where to. A couple of people said hi to her, addressed her by name. Annabeth could only nod in acknowledgement.

Soon enough, she found herself walking into a residence hall. Her body seemed to know how many flights of stairs to take and which door to approach.  She was surprised to find her key opened the door. She instantly - somehow - knew the room was hers, even without the clue of the man sprawled out on her bed.

"Hey." It took  a few seconds for Annabeth to recognize herself as the one who spoke.

"Hey," Percy responded, barely glancing at her.

"I thought you weren't coming up until next weekend?" It was like the conversation was programmed into her brain.

"I missed you," he responded simply.

Silence. Was that her cue? Where was her script?

"Did you miss me?" Percy asked evenly. Why wouldn't he sit up? Why wouldn't she move closer to him?

"Of course I did. I'm glad you're here." Was she? This was her school, not his. He didn't belong here.

"Then why haven't you called me? Or hell, even texted me?" Oh. He's angry.

"I'm busy, Percy." Oh. She's angry, too.

"Trust me, Annabeth, I know that. You're too busy for me." His voice was cold. The way he said her name chilled her.

"Not just you."

"Maybe not. But it's just me you're too good for."

Her dream-brain spun. Her driving emotion switched from anger to fear.

"You know that's not fucking true." She willed herself forward, towards him. She wanted to hold his hand or cradle his head or lay on top of him or kiss him or anything, anything that would convince him she still loved him. But did she? Or did she just not know how to live without him?

She reached for his face, avoiding his empty eyes. He barely looked like her Percy, perhaps only a ghost of him. As her fingertips brushed his cheekbone, he disappeared. Gone.

Annabeth whipped around, desperately searching for him. She staggered back onto the bed as she took in the empty dorm room. A knock sounded at the door. Her dream-body moved her towards it. She saw herself turn the knob, throwing open door. Her dad stood in front of her.

"I'm proud of you, sweetheart."

"Why?" she choked.

"You did it. You got into your top school. You followed your head, not your heart."

"Where's Percy?"

"Oh Annabeth." Frederick Chase sounded the realest of them all. Full of fake sympathy, fake apologies, fake concern. Just how he always was. "He didn't deserve you. You're better off without him."

"No." She couldn't breathe. "No, no, no, no." Annabeth slammed the door shut. She did love Percy. She was sure of it. She walked backwards, tripping over her own feet. She braced for impact, but it never came. She fell. And fell. And fell. The dorm room disappeared. A cavern rose around her and the air became sulfuric and hazy. She was falling towards Tartarus again. She screamed. A hand grabbed her own, stopping her midair.

Percy.

"We're staying together," he promised as he dangled above her. "You're not getting away from me. Never again."

"No," she called up to him. Why would she say that? That was all wrong. That's not how their story goes. "No," she said again. Using her free hand, Annabeth pried Percy's fingers from her wrist. She began to fall again, without him.

"Annabeth!" His voice echoed off the cavern walls. "Annabeth!" he cried over and over again. But he didn't follow her down.

She was awake now. Someone was shaking her awake, gripping her shoulders and saying her name. It still sounded like Percy. Hands moved to cup her jaw, fingers tangling into the base of her hair. It was Percy.

"Annabeth," he murmured urgently. "Wake up. It's just a nightmare. I'm here, I promise. Wake up."

She opened her eyes in a panic. Percy hovered over her. She was aware that she was crumpled on his bed, but she still felt like she was falling. She gripped his forearms tightly, breathing sporadically. Her chest heaved like she was crying, but she had no more tears left to cry.

"I'm sorry," she whimpered. "I'm so sorry, Percy."

"It wasn't real, it was just a dream-"

"No, no, for earlier," she gasped. "For earlier."

He didn't say anything, but he moved to lay next to her. He gently rolled her to her side, pressing up behind her. Percy always loved to be the big spoon, and Annabeth didn't mind. He cocooned her in his embrace, and she felt the first moment of calm she had all day. This was not the same Percy from her nightmare; there was no anger, no emptiness. Just love and warmth, even after the hell she'd given him.

"Thank you," Annabeth whispered.

"For what?"

"Everything. I love you." And of course she meant it. There was no doubt in reality.

"I love you." Percy meant it, too. She could just tell.

They laid in comfortable silence for a  few minutes. Annabeth tried to sort through her thoughts, maybe wanting to say more, maybe just to assure herself that she'd get things under control. But her brain moved sluggishly, a result of just waking up and Percy's comforting presence... possibly a little crying- induced dehydration, too, but that could be a tad dramatic.

Percy's voice cut through the quiet room: "We should probably head out there. I came to wake you for dinner. Found you like this. Sorry I didn't come in sooner."

"That's okay." Annabeth absolutely did not feel like eating, but it would be rude not to join Percy's family. But she couldn't make herself move from his arms. He didn't make a motion to, either.

"Was it bad?" he whispered, almost nervously. She knew he meant the dream.

"Yeah-" her voice cracked. She clearly her throat. "Yeah. A new one, too."

He grunted in sympathy. "Want to talk about it?"

That was always their standard response when one of them had a nightmare, but today, it was a loaded question. They both felt the charge in the air, and Percy's arms twitched around her. Annabeth's instinctual response was no, but she didn't want to repeat earlier. She hesitated, leaving her mouth hang open for a few seconds, but he beat her to it.

"Never mind," he rushed. "You don't have to tell me. Forget I asked."

Annabeth was almost content to leave it that way, but after her dream, she didn't dare push Percy any farther away. She turned, with some difficulty, towards him. She looked right into his eyes and placed her hands on his chest. A ghost of a smile traced his features. "No, I should tell you." He opened his mouth to protest. "I want to tell you," she amended. "And about what was wrong before. I just kind of freaked earlier. I'm sorry." Was she ready to tell him? She had no idea. Probably not. But she had to start somewhere.

Percy cupped the back of her head, pulling their faces close together. When he spoke, it was almost into her mouth. "Don't be sorry." He gave her a light kiss. Teasingly. "We can finish this conversation after dinner." She drew him back down for another - better - kiss. He pulled away too soon. "We can finish this after dinner, too."

Annabeth laughed, allowing Percy to lead her to the kitchen.

----

Dinner did not go well.

For starters, Annabeth couldn't help but pick at her food. Her lack of appetite was apparent to everyone, even little Estelle, who tried to hand Annabeth her tiny plastic fork. That baby was too smart for her own good. Second of all, Percy kept sending apprehensive glances her way. Everyone picked up on that, as well. When he held her gaze for way too long with his obnoxiously worried eyes, she stepped on his foot under the table. He looked away quickly. And for the big finale, Paul's innocent question: "I heard you were called down to the guidance office today, Annabeth. What did they need you for?"

There it was again. Annabeth felt Percy's stare burning a hole in the side of her head, but she ignored him. "Oh," she said as lightly as she could, "they just wanted to go over the stuff we answered in a survey. Future plans, you know. They're probably talking to everybody." Not a lie. Just not the whole truth... again.

"Humph," Percy sounded. "Haven't heard that from anyone else." She was going to kill her boyfriend. He deflected her glare.

"It's most likely alphabetical. 'Chase' would be close to the beginning," Paul mused. Annabeth wanted to hug him.

"Well, then, just wait 'til they get to the J's," Percy laughed. "The secretary will love to hear that we're going to the same school." He smiled cheekily at Annabeth. Her stomach churned with his words. "We're her favorite couple, or so I hear." She wanted to smile back at him. Really, she did. But she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

She saw hurt flash in Percy's eyes at her response, but it passed quickly and he went back to eating. It still felt like a punch in the gut to her, though. The rest of dinner was uneventful, but painfully awkward. Nobody spoke until the table was clear. Annabeth knew she was the root of it all, and it made her feel even worse.

Sally was the first to speak. "I think Paul and I are going to take Estelle out to see some Christmas lights. The first ones are just starting to go up. Would you kids like to come?" she asked Percy and Annabeth. But she already knew the answer. Bless Sally and Paul. They always understood when things in the demigods' life were beyond them and some space was needed.

Percy didn't hesitate for a moment. "I think we're staying in tonight, if that's alright."

"Of course, honey. We'll be back in a bit."

And then it was just the two of them in the apartment.

Part 2 coming soon....