Piper's POV

Between the lulling of the ship, the sound of the ocean beneath me, the smell of salt filling my nose, and the gentle hum of Festus and other "gadgets and gizmos,"  it was a real struggle not to doze off on guard duty. I tried hard to focus on my surroundings, but I couldn't help but think about the times I went surfing with my dad.

We'd go out at night, so it was cooler, and the beach would be silent.  The waves would lap the shore and crash into each other. If I concentrated, I could imagine I was back with my dad, my biggest worry getting his attention.

I shook my head and tried to refocus. I almost had a heart attack when I noticed something moving along the deck. Just as I opened my mouth to yell to everyone else, I saw in the moonlight that the figure was wearing a bright orange shirt and had curly, blonde hair.

I sighed and watched Annabeth from afar. I didn't know whether to go up to her or leave her be. I knew she must be having nightmares and couldn't sleep. For the first few days, neither her nor Percy slept hardly at all. Then they did... and the nightmares started. Neither of them said anything right away. But we knew; we could hear them. Now, Annabeth talks to me about it, but as far as I know, Percy's said nothing still.

I wondered why Annabeth was out here, she usually goes to Percy. I'd like to think it's because Buford would have an absolute fit if he found them together. But I know that's not the reason. She told me about... well, how sometimes she just can't go to him.

I padded over to the daughter of Athena, who was now gripping the edge of the ship so hard her knuckles were white. Her back was to me and her head was down. She didn't make any sound, but her shoulders shook.

"Annabeth," I whispered gently, laying a hand on her back. She jumped and whipped around. I pulled my hand back and stepped backwards slightly. I should have known better than to sneak up on her right now.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," I mumbled.

"S'alright," she sighed and shoved a lock of hair out of her eyes. Her gaze was still intense and unnerving, but I could see the wild fear mixed in the steely grey. Her face was gaunt and she had visible bags under her eyes. It hurt me to see her like this. Annabeth was the strongest person I knew... if something had reduced her to this, I couldn't even begin to imagine that something. And there's no reason I'd ever want to.

I didn't know what else to do but hold out my arms. She graciously accepted my embrace and weakly wrapped her arms around me. I didn't say anything; for once, I was lost at words of comfort. She didn't cry, but every part of her shook. She didn't say anything, either.

"Do you wanna get out of the cold?" I asked, even though it wasn't cold at all. The air was sticky and hot, but her hands were cold anyway. She nodded meekly and followed me. 

I stopped at Jason's cabin on the way to mine to wake him for duty. I felt bad, he was sleep deprived as it was and it wasn't his turn yet, but I knew he'd understand.

"Jason," I whisper-shouted as I gently shook his shoulder. His eyes snapped open.

"Pipes? What's wrong?"

"Can you take duty? Annabeth..." my voice trailed off but he got the idea. He sleepily stood up and kissed my head. Then we both walked out into the hallway, where Annabeth was supposed to be waiting for me. But she must have already gone to my cabin. She probably didn't want Jason to see her.

I walked into my cabin and quietly shut the door behind me. Annabeth was already sitting on my bed with a blank expression. I sat beside her and she leaned on my side.

"You know," I said after a few minutes of comfortable silence, "he loves you more than anything else."

"I know." Her voice was raspy and almost inaudible. "I love him more than anything, too."

I offered her my shower, telling her it would make her feel better. After a little charmspeak, she went. I set out some of my clothes for her and waited.

She collapsed back on my bed when she was done, and I saw how tangled her wet hair was. Without asking, I got out my brush and began to run it through her hair once-golden hair; now it was more of a yellowish white. She didn't complain, and I tried as gently as I could to get the knots out. By time I was finally done, she was asleep. I wrapped the blanket around her and went to the door. I looked at her once last time; she looked so much more peaceful now.

I headed back up to the deck to tell Jason to go back to bed. I was almost half way up the stairs when I heard a few doors thrown open and fast footsteps. I rushed back down to see what was going on. I drew my knife but it was only Percy.

"Where's Annabeth?" he demanded, a sick look to his face. His bright green eyes looked like shattered glass.

"She's in my cabin," I reassured him. "She's okay." I put a little extra charmspeak in my voice. "You should go back to sleep."

He didn't answer me but stumbled back to his cabin. He slammed the door maybe just a tad bit too hard. I exhaled and turned back around. Maybe I would have Jason do one more thing for me before he's goes back to bed.