I stood in the woods, under that same tree where I'd found Annabeth only a few hours before. The TARDIS was standing in front of me, doors pulled tightly shut. The Doctor was inside, giving Annabeth a lesson on Time Lord engineering.

Katie and Clarisse were already back in camp, celebrating and vowing revenge over Capture the Flag. The Doctor told us that they probably wouldn't have much memory of the whole experience, which was fine with me. We had enough monsters to worry about as it is.

And me? I was happy just to be home. There's a whole universe out there, sure, just waiting to be explored. New horizons, new monsters, new everything. But I'd already had my world rocked once in my lifetime, and there was so much I didn't know about Greek mythology, so much I could see right here. Why would I want to leave?

Just then the TARDIS doors creaked open. Annabeth came out, her eyes dancing.

"It's amazing, Percy!" she said, almost breathless. "The things they can do...all of time and space in a little box! And the dimensional engineering…"

The Doctor grinned at her. "Simple technology," he told us. "You've only seen the basics. It'd take years to learn it all, and you've just begun."

"I wish I could," Annabeth said. "It's fascinating, and if we could replicate it here at Camp Halfblood, we'd never have trouble with monsters again."

"Well," the Doctor said musingly, "you could come with me."

"What?" Annabeth asked, stunned.

"Come with me," he repeated. "See the stars, learn all there is to know. I haven't got anyone to travel with right now, and, well…"

I have to admit, I started to panic. Here was the chance of a lifetime for her: flying around in a magical time machine, seeing everything, everywhere, learning all the time. But somehow I didn't think I'd be invited along. I flashed back to when I thought Annabeth was going to join the Hunters.

"Annabeth," I blurted, "you-" I stopped. Yes, Annabeth was my girlfriend, and I didn't want to lose her. But I couldn't keep her from this, not if she really wanted it. "You have fun," I finished, forcing out the words. "Kick some alien butt for me."

Annabeth stared into the TARDIS, and the longing was plain on her face. But after a moment, she looked away.

"Thank you, Doctor," she said, smiling, "but I belong at Camp Halfblood." She walked over to stand next to me, and as I took her hand in mine, I swear I've never been happier.

The Doctor nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Right. Of course. You've got a place, you don't need to wander. But you were great, you know. Both of you. Absolutely fantastic."

He stepped back, leaning against the doors of the TARDIS. "Well, I'll be off, then," he said, pulling out a gray pocket watch and checking it. "Lots to do before tomorrow." He stowed it back in his pocket, then started to close the door. "Stay out of trouble, and watch out for Mother Earth. She bites."

"Watch out for who?" I asked, but he was already gone. Soon the TARDIS started its wheezing groan and began to fade out of sight. The wind blew my hair back and made my eyes water, but I watched until the little blue police box was gone.

Annabeth sighed. "What an adventure," she said, leaning in to my shoulder. I put my arm around her.

"Yeah," I agreed. "And not one I really want to repeat." She nodded, although there was something slightly wistful in her eyes. "Now come on," I said, giving her a little shake. "I've got a Capture the Flag victory to celebrate."

She looked up at me, her gray eyes sending me a challenge. "Is that so?"

"Yep. And I think it's time to claim my prize."

I grabbed her waist and kissed her cheek. She latched onto my wrist and judo flipped me over her hip into a bush. I came up with a mouth full of leaves.

"You'll pay for that!" I yelled, climbing out of the shrubbery.

"Not if you can't catch me," she taunted me, keeping just out of reach. Laughing, I chased her towards camp, thinking that no galaxy could ever replace just being here.