Percy

*BANG! BANG!*

I feel a hot pain in my arm, right below the shoulder. I look up to see my captor, clutching his chest. He pulls his hand away and it is covered in blood.

*BANG!*

Another gunshot comes from behind me. My captor falls to the ground. I hear footsteps come from behind me.

All of a sudden, I hear the voice of my Lieutenant. “Valdez, go down that way and search for Jason!"

I can't believe what I’m hearing. "Beckendorf?"

"Jackson! You alright?" He comes around to where I can see him. "Boy, you sure had us worried. You've been gone for a couple weeks now. We have been searching for you guys everywhere."

"I've been better, I never thought I'd see you guys ever again. Now, could you get me out of here please?"

"Sure thing Percy." He unties me, and I try to stand, but immediately I fall to the ground directly onto my injured shoulder and broken ribs. I cry out in pain.

"Easy there bud, I gotcha." He lifts me up, "Underwood! Get in here and help Jackson."

Grover comes in and gets under my arm for support. "I gotcha now Perce. Don't worry buddy we are going to get you outta here."

"Alright Underwood," Beckendorf says as he picks up his weapon. "We are getting out of here. Stay on my ass and keep up."

We tear through the bunker, Beckendorf leading the way. After a short time, I fall down from exhaustion. Not being able to keep going.

"Sir! Percy is down!"

Beckendorf is still running when he looks back to us. He isn't watching where he is going, he doesn't see the trip wire in front of him.

As soon as he feels it, he looks back at us.

"GROVER! GET DOW-"

Annabeth

"NO!" Percy yells so loud and sits up in bed so fast that it completely wakes me up.

"Percy, what's wrong?" I touch his arm and he jerks away from me. Fear is the only thing I see in his eyes. He looks like a scared, cornered animal. It breaks my heart.

"Percy, it's me, your Wise Girl. I swear I won't hurt you."

Slowly, he comes back to me, realizing where he is and who is with him.

"Annabeth, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I keep waking you up like this."

For two weeks now, he has woken up every night, yelling and coated in a cold sweat. I wish I could help him, to stop the nightmares.

"Percy, don't worry about it," I say as I wrap in in the warmest hug I can give.

After the fourth night home, he told me about his dream. It is the same dream each night. His rescue, watching his commanding officer, and friend, Charles Beckendorf die in front of his eyes.

"I am so sorry Percy, but don't worry. We are together now. You're safe, I won’t let anyone ever hurt you again."

He lays his head down on my chest. He is still shaking, but it has lessened. He starts crying softly, "You deserve someone better, stronger than me."

I pull his face to look directly into my eyes. "Perseus Jackson, you are the bravest, greatest, best man I have ever known. I will never want another man. If you ever suggest something like that ever again, you will face my wrath."

He looks at me, completely stunned. "Yes ma'am."

"Now lay back down, and try to relax."

He lays his head back down on my chest and I start playing with his hair. He slowly relaxes more. "Are you going to grow this back out? I don't like this short hair on you, I want your mop back."

He chuckles, "Anything for my Wise Girl."



Percy

It has been four months since I got home. The nightmares have gotten a little better with time. Although they are only better if Annabeth is with me while we sleep.

One night she had to work late, and she came home to me thrashing in bed. After that she promised that she would always be home in time for bed. Even if she had to bring work home and work in bed.

I have enjoyed spending time with Mary. Even if she still terrifies me, trying to find every way possible to get into trouble. My mom says that I was the exact way, maybe she is going to take after me more than Annabeth thinks.

I found a job at an aquarium in the city, and life has started to become more normal. I still have occasional flash backs, but they are becoming few and further between.

Annabeth and I have gotten even closer than before the war. We have been on more dates, being more romantic and just relishing the fact that we are back together and that no one is going anywhere.

One night I come home from work to find Annabeth is already home. She is never home before me. Mary was here as well, my mom usually brings her home a little later in the afternoon.

"Annabeth, is everything alright?"

"Yeah, everything is fine. I've just gotten back from the doctor."

"You've been sick?" I start to worry, I hate when my Wise Girl is in need and she doesn't tell me.

"Sort of, but don't worry. Actually, it's something good." She looks at me, giving me a smile.

"What do you mean?"

"Percy, I'm pregnant again." Her smile grows even larger.

I can feel a grin cross my face.

"You mean, we are going to have another baby?"

"That is generally what it means to be pregnant Seaweed Brain," Annabeth says starting to laugh now.

I don't even care that she is making fun of me, my heart is soaring so high in the clouds right now that nothing could bring me down.

I can't believe my luck. Mary is going to be a big sister. Annabeth and I are going to have another baby, and I was going to be here for every bit of it this time. No one was taking this from me.

Maybe everything is going to be alright after all.

Notes