Annabeth's POV

My mind was too busy entertaining the idea that soon, I would know whether or not Percy would be able to remain with me. Whether or not he would be the enemy.

It only took Percy a day and a half to feel better, and for Will to announce him healed. That nearly gave me a heart attack, because the last time he healed that fast, he was actually turning into a werewolf. If he had healed so fast this time, the only explanation that made sense was that he was still a werewolf and his healing rate was that of a wild animal.

The thought was one of the only logical ones I had had in a while. It was one of the many logical thoughts that completely terrified me.

On the second day after Percy had woken up, Will ended his check-ups on my boyfriend.

"Percy," he said, stepping back and clutching a clipboard to his chest. "How are you feeling?"
Percy rolled his sea green eyes. I was sitting in the same chair I had occupied that first day, keeping an eye out for the son of Poseidon and fetching any object that he claimed was necessary for his survival. At first, when I was only getting food and water, that seemed like an acceptable description. But as I began to gather his iPod, headphones, camera, and binoculars, the definition started to differ.

When asked why he needed the camera and binoculars, Percy's only explanation was that it was none of my business and he was just trying to kill time.

"I'm fine, Will," Percy said, rolling his eyes. "Just like I was the last several times you asked."

Will shrugged, laughing a little despite himself. Even I managed to crack a smile as I saw some of the old Percy shining through. It was during times like these that I could truly believe that my boyfriend was back to being himself, a full human. Most of the time, it was up in the air.

"I just wanted to make sure, Percy." The son of Apollo hesitated before saying, "How would you like to get out of here?"

Percy fist pumped the air. "Yes! I'd love to get out of here, Will." He stopped and grinned sheepishly. "Not that there's anything wrong with you, of course, Will."

The son of Apollo grinned, shaking his head. "No, no, I get it. These same four white walls do get a bit... Boring."

"That's one word for it," Percy muttered. "I feel like I'm slowly losing the small amount of sanity that I have."

Will rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't be so melodramatic."

Percy laughed. "So can I get out of here, or what?"

"Of course, Seaweed Brain. Why else would he have said it?"

Will nodded to confirm my statement. "Annabeth is right."

"When isn't she?"

Will ignored Percy's muttered sentence. "You can get out of here for dinner, but then you have to come right back at seven o'clock."

Percy groaned. "Why so early? And why at all? Don't I get some more freedom?"
"You have to be back before the sun sets," he explained briefly. Percy stared at the son of Apollo in confusion, obviously not understanding why exactly he needed to be back before the sun sets.

Will noticed the look too. "The sun sets at eight. Since you're feeling better, we need to have your tests accomplished as soon as possible. We can't afford to waste any more time before you do the tests. We have to know, Percy."

As I watched with bated breath, Percy nodded slowly. "Ok... I get it, Will. I'll be back before seven."

It took another hour before Will allowed Percy to leap from the hospital bed and meander to the pavilion before the conch horn blew. The horn wasn't set to announce the time for dinner for another half hour, but Will wanted the son of Poseidon to have ample time in strolling to get his first real meal in a while. He didn't want to dismiss his patient from the infirmary only for him to hurt himself attempting to be the first one into the dining area. You wouldn't think someone would go to those lengths to get a healthy camp dinner or decent seat at the cabin's table, but you would be surprised. It can be a battle field in there, and I know battle fields.

Once Percy was officially free from his "prison", as he called the infirmary, I began to accompany him to dinner. I didn't have to go early; I hadn't been injured. However, I didn't want him to be alone when all the other campers, especially the younger ones, walked in. Rumors spread quickly in such a confined environment as this, and no one was ever spared a remark. Especially not the awe-inspiring Hero and Savior of Olympus, the one everyone looked up to. The older kids must've been having a field day with this.

As soon as we were out of sight of the infirmary, where I could almost see Will standing in the window and watching us walk away, Percy turned to face me. I was struck then by how bright his beautiful sea green eyes looked in a certain light. So carefree and mischievous... It reminded me of the Percy I first met when he was drooling in his sleep.

"Annabeth, can we go somewhere?" His voice sounded like it was trying to be carefree and casual, but it had an underlying sense of urgency.

I hesitated before responding. "What do you think we're doing, Seaweed Brain? We are going somewhere."

His face looked pained as he said, "Not to the pavilion. Not yet. Please."

"Percy, Will will notice if we don't turn up at dinner. You can't want to go anywhere and-"

"Please," he practically begged. "We'll be back in time for dinner. I just... I don't want to go yet. There's somewhere I need to be."

I eyed him suspiciously, wondering vaguely who I was talking to. Was this Percy, or was this the beast that I knew used to inhabit him? Was the beast still there?

"Fine," I gave in, letting out a sigh. When Percy's face broke out in a grin, however, I couldn't help but smile back. "We have to hurry, though. If we're not in the pavilion by the time the conch horn sounds, Will is going to have our heads." I laughed. "Especially mine, for agreeing to this."

Percy nodded quickly, like an obedient little puppy dog. "Ok! We'll be back by then, I promise! Don't worry."

Without waiting for a response, Percy grabbed my wrist and began to drag me across camp, practically sprinting as we dodged between trees and over rocks. Finally, we reached his destination.

"The beach?" I laughed as we reached the sand line. Percy let go of my hand, making me miss the sensation already. "How did I not guess?"

The son of Poseidon didn't stop long enough to reply before he had jumped into the waves that seemed to be rushing up to meet him. "I don't know!" He finally managed to shout back.

"I thought you were supposed to be the Wise Girl!"

I laughed again, something I seemed to be doing a lot more of now that Percy was here and alive and acting like himself again. Gods, how I had missed him. I didn't even know the full extent of it until here he is again, standing before me.

After a few moments of frolicking in the beckoning waves, Percy retreated from his element to come sit in the soft sand next to where I had perched myself on a small rock. As usual, he was without a drop of water on his person. For a minute, the two of us just sat there, staring at the waves crashing to the shore and listening to the seagulls squawk overhead, searching for scraps of food.

Surprisingly, Percy was the first to speak. "I'm sorry, Annabeth."

I wanted to punch him in the face for apologizing so much when I had repeatedly stated that he didn't have to.

"I know," I said bluntly. "But you're already forgiven. Remember?"

He sighed, nodding. Tan fingers ran through his raven black hair, messing it up beyond the point of repair. "I know. But some of those things I said and I did... How can you just forgive me so easily?"

"Would you forgive me if I did that to you?" I asked, trying a different tactic.

He sputtered. "What...? Annabeth, I-"

"Would you forgive me?" I repeated.

"O-Of course," he stuttered.

"Then I don't see why it's so hard to accept the concept of me forgiving you."

He sighed, a long-suffering sound that rattled through me. "Because I told you I didn't love you. And I really, truly, honestly didn't mean it. I love you so much, Annabeth. But I said those horrible, horrible words and I don't know how you can forgive that so easily. Especially after how despicable I was and-"

Percy had begun to rant again, and I was beginning to get tired of it. One person can only hear the same speech about forgiveness so many times. Taking matters of shutting him up into my own hands, I slipped off the rock and sat next to Percy. With one hand, I grabbed the front of his orange camp shirt and pulled him closer to me. My other hand went to behind his neck to pull his head closer to mind. As he was mid-sentence, I stopped his incessant rambling by smashing my lips to his.

When we pulled apart a long moment later, he was silent.

"I told you, you're forgiven," I said, a small smirk on my face as I took in his dopey expression. "No buts about it."

Sheepishly, Percy nodded at me, a large smile slipping his face. "Ok, Annabeth. You are the Wise Girl."

I laughed. "Yes I am, and don't you forget it! Now hurry up, or we'll be late to dinner."

Notes