Edited- 23/08/15

Annabeth's POV

"Wise girl, mom's gonna kill me because of my tattoo isn't she." Percy whined to me.

"Of course she is Seaweed brain, keep walking." I replied because Sally was definitely going to flip.

With an exasperated sigh Percy kept going down the street until we reached his apartment block. I grabbed his hand and squeezed as we headed through the entrance. Percy drank in his surroundings which was evident on his face. The crease on his forehead and the swirling greens of his eyes becomes more apparent when he is avidly looking for details. The building hadn't changed a lot since he was last here but just the progress of time was enough to make something different. Watching him was a distraction I needed.

3 floors and 17 apartments later we came to door 3R home of Sally Jackson and Paul Blofis. I knocked on the door gently and chuckled at the gormles slok on Percy's face. The panic was evident in his eyes and the ever tightening grip on my hand. He didn't understand why his mind was resisting so much, these were his own parents. The woman whom had raised him and watched his every move since forever. The woman who welcomed his scrawny, outcast, fugitive ass back after every mistake he made. It could be his heightened emotions after, after, well y'know.

We hadn't told Sally or Paul that they were coming because they wanted to surprise them. When the shout of 'coming' came through the doors Percy's mother's voice cut through Percy and tears surfaced. He quickly wiped them away but not before I had seen. I lent her head on his shoulder and a smile escaped willingly. The handle turned and was accompanied by a final squeeze and a twirl of my hair. Percy took a sharp intake of breath as Sally opened the door.

It had been about a year since Sally had seen Percy and in that year he had almost died too many times to count. He hadn't escaped unscathed and his face had clearly aged as a result. He had also grown now scaling over both her and me and probably Paul too. This past year he had become a man who would make Sally so proud.

"Iv'e got something for you." i said as Sally caught sight of us both standing inn one piece at her doorway.

She choked back the tears and hugged them both. The type of hug you only give to those who you never want to lose. The rare hugs that everyone loves.

"I love you two, thank the gods you're both okay!" he words touched us both and the tears weren't stopping anymore. they streamed down all of our faces and the fact that we were home and relatively safe for now wouldn't stop.

I had grown close to Sally after Percy was taken by Hera and being with her is what made being without Percy tolerable. Seeing her again is comforting and especially now that we know Percy is safe and with us for the long term.

"Is Paul here?" Percy asked finally beginning to regain his composure.

"No, He went out a while ago, he should be back soon and he has a surprise."

Elation crossed Sally's face as she thought about the surprise and once again as she saw Percy who had snuggled into my side on the sofa we had made our way to. I could see Sally calculating us and our position which we had taken up on the sofa. I didn't care though because I new she supported us completely.

Percy POV

Seeing my mum again was amazing. I had missed her so much this past year and being with her again makes me feel much younger again.

"Perseus Jackson! What is that?!" Sall raised her voice at me.

This forced a chuckle out of Annabeth and I tried to explain to mom about how the tattoo was not an optional aspect of Camp Jupiter but she was having none of it babbling on about how I was now marked and how my innocence was lost. I squirmed trying to get my mom to calm down. I had grown to like the tattoo and I'm pretty sure she would too. I knew how this would affect Annabeth. She gets unintentionally attached to me and anyone who opposes me directly affects her.

She started panicking and fear struck me as she deteriorated. I held her tighter as tears streamed down her face and her body shook relentlessly. Her state effected me too but I had to remain calm for her. That was the deal. If one of us loses it the other has to try their best to stay calm. I locked eyes with his mom who had no idea what was going on and I tried reassured her. I think it worked as she got up and headed to the kitchen respecting our need to be together. As Annabeth calmed down I relaxed and mom made cookies I think.

Mom removed the cookies from the oven and set them to cool. Me and Annabeth were linked together on the sofa tangled into a spiderweb- except not because then Annabeth wouldn't have wanted to be there. I was just glad that Annabeth was back with me, my strong, beautiful wise girl was once again. There was a knock on the door as I zoned in on the cookies that awaited me.

Unable to let her go I encouraged Annabeth tocome with me to eat the coolies as mum opened the door. The tray of cookies was still radiating heat but I didn't care. Naturally I began stuffing my face with the cookies I had been deprived of for about a year now. I would've savoured each mouthful but I couldn't resist the temptation to fill my stomach with the cookies. Annabeth grabbed one too and for the first time since everything we had a truly good time. I wasn't hiding any feelings and neither was Annabeth. We both were excited to be there.

Laughter then erupted from the door frame where mom, Paul and Mr Chase stood. Annabeth rushed forward with glee and a little bit of restraint to her father who was awaiting her arrival in his arms. I on the other hand was not too overwhelmed by his appearance.

"Annabeth, are you okay? I've been so worried." Her father asked and Annabeth gave him the answer he wanted to hear: "Yeah dad, everything is going to be okay." I noticed the waver in her voice but he didn't.

"Now Perseus, I have a bone to pick with you." Oh gods, holy Hera I'm going to get vapourised. Thank the gods I can use a sword. "Disappearing like that was certainly not cool. I hope you never intend to do that again," I shook my head reluctantly before he continued unsure of where this was heading, almost certain I wouldn't survive much longer. "Now the real big thing that haunts me every day. The way you treat my daughter is... You, young man, are so much better than any boy I had ever hoped Annabeth would end up with. Thank you."

I was so shocked at the revelation, and so was Annabeth. After the temporary awkwardness of the situation I took his outstretched hand only for him to hug me. IT was kind of creepy but because Annabeth was here and she was smiling at me I went along with it.

Somehow we managed reach the time when Frederick- he asked me to call him that- had to leave without discussing anything life threatening. We talked about the views in Rome and Greece, how weird Alaska was and our new friends at camp. We talked about Goode and what we're going to do for senior year. My mum's writing came up as well as the twins. We talked about going to New Rome for college and so many other plans for the future.

Into the night the topics kept coming me and Annabeth may not have participated completely we were just absorbed in the atmosphere of a relatively normal night.

Frederick was staying in a hotel a few blocks down and had to return.

"Annabeth, you coming too?" I know it shouldn't have affected us so heavily but we had spent virtually no time apart so the thought of spending a whole night without being close to each other shook us both. We depended even more on each other in the night so we could fight off each other's nightmares.

Our distress must have been evident and the issue was swiftly averted when Frederick corrected himself by asking mom is Annabeth could stay here.

Mom nodded and we relaxed. As Frederick made his way down the street Paul ordered Pizza for us.

After we ate the pizza and watched my favourite film Finding Nemo we headed up to my room to sleep. It had been easily arranged by Chiron to sleep here tonight for privacy and valuable time with my parents.

"Keep the door cracked guys but otherwise you can both sleep in Percy's room. Have a good night"

Nightmares were an unwanted gift from the quest that feel the need to make their presence known every single night with no remorse or signs of easing. They are just as vivid and make reality harder to see. Every night they leave me and Annabeth in pieces only to be put back together by each other's care.

We woke up a total of 4 times, sweat pouring down our faces as we relived easily the worst times of our lives. I hoped we didn't disturb mom and Paul and we both thrashed and cried at unequal periods.

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