Epilogue

Annabeth

The plane landed, I stood for a moment after departing the terminal watching the other people who were on board with me meet friends or family members who had come to see them. I shook out of my funk, brushing brown hair that had fallen out of the bun it was in away from my face and started to weave my way through the crowd of people towards the exit.

I hailed a taxi, asking him to bring me into the city before sitting back and attempt to somewhat enjoy the long ride.

My stomach called out it's annoyance with me by the time we had reached the metal city. I voiced my change in location to the driver, requesting the nearest restaurant he knew of. The latino man brought me to a sub shop a block over. I thanked him and payed for the ride before hopping out with my duffle bag.

Making my way into the building, I was hit with the strong aroma of fresh bread, cheese, and vegetables. I took a deep breath and sighed with content. As I waited in line, I scanned the room. A few tables were occupied by a quarter dozen young teenagers, an old couple as well as single patrons. To my left was a large bulletin board littered with drawing very obviously done by children along with flyers from multiple businesses.

The bright orange paper on the very end caught my attention just as I was about to step forward to order. It was for a counseling job at a summer camp. "Ma'am?" The employee behind the counter called. I turned to him for a moment then back to the flyer. After a second of thought, I ripped one of the tabs with a number and an address.

"You sure this where you want ta get out miss?" My driver asked in a heavy New York accent. He couldn't have been much older than Kade. "It's a strawberry field, not much else."

I nodded. "Yes, how much?"

"Twelve fifty, but you positive this is where you wanna get out?" I glared, handing him the correct amount and exiting the vehicle after collecting the small duffle bag with my possessions.

Sighing I started up the hill where a single pinewood stood guard, like a soldier protecting the camp. I placed a hand on the base of the grand tree and smiling. From the top of the hill, I could see the whole camp. A gasp slipped from my lips at the sight. It was beautiful.

A ring of cabins shaped like a horseshoe were situated next to a river, next to them was an archery pit among other things, and closest to me was a quaint looking farm house. I decided I would start there and started walking that way.

When I arrived, a man in a wheelchair was sitting on the porch. He smiled when I approached, smile wrinkles spread up to the corner of his eyes hiding a little under a bit of scruff. "You must be the new counselor, my name is Chiron, come with me and I'll introduce you to our senior counselor. He'll give you a tour of the camp and settle you into your cabin."

He disappeared into the open door but I found myself unable to move. Chiron? The man I had worked for, who was like the father I never had and always wanted? Why was he in a wheelchair, did something happen in the field?

"Don't be shy!" He called from inside, snapping me out of my little thought bubble. Quickly I found him in a sort of game room, sitting next to a ping pong table. "He'll be down in a second."

I nodded, standing near him in a relaxing silence; something I haven't had in six years. Finally, a blacked haired, green eyed man came bounding down the flight of stairs across from us. "Hey," He greeted me, his smile hesitating when he saw me but it returned quickly. "My name is Perseus Jackson, but you can call me Percy."

"Anna, Anna Thebes." I shook his outstretched hand.

"Cool last name. Come on, I'll give you a tour of the camp." I followed him out of the house, a pit of a daze still hovering over my brain. "-and this is the arena, I teach swordsmanship and hand to hand combat to the campers."

"Sword fighting? Isn't that a bit dangerous?" I realized I hadn't been paying attention through the first part of the tour. "It looks more like a Coliseum."

Percy laughed. "Yeah the seating was over done, we have a lot of parties here but don't worry, the blades are completely dull." He took a sword out of a barrel. "It couldn't cut butter." He ran the side over his arm, it barely leaving any sign of ever being there.

"Mind if I test your skills?"

His eyebrows rose and chuckled. "You want a match?"

I smirked. "Unless you are..." I hesitated, forgetting the phrase. "Unless you are a horse."

Percy threw his head back and laughed out loud. "I think you mean chicken."

"Anyone can be a chicken," I defended, crossing my arms.

"Alright, pick a blade." He went over and grabbed a sword off the rack, twirling it around in a way that might have intimidated anyone else. I smirked right back at him and picked up a dagger. "A knife? You sure? I have a sword."

"I can see that." I shot back.

"The new girl is going to fight Percy!"

"She's using a dagger? She's done for!"

Kids started to conjugate around us, interested in seeing their teacher fight the newbie counselor.

A genuine and excited smile spread across his face. "This should be fun." He lunged forward toward the right side of my rib cage predictively. I easily sidestepped to the left and the lack of contact surprised him so much he fell on his butt.

I smirked down at him, tossing my knife up and catching it so the blade pointed down; the butt of the hilt just above my thumb. Percy scrambled to his feet. "Nice move." He moved to my left a bit before taking a downward stroke at my shoulder. I brought the dagger up and easily matched his strength, keeping both blades from moving an inch.

Pushing to the right, I managed to get Percy to extend his arm and his sword away from me. Taking the opportunity, I spun into his personal space and shoved the butt of my knife between his hand, thrusting outward I forced him to release his sword and sent it skittering away.

Jaw slack, eyes wide, and posture defeated, Percy stared at his discarded weapon. I tossed my own away, it clanged as it hit his and the sound seemed to shake him out of shock. Crouching into a fighter's stance, I put up my fists close to my face.

My opponent grinned, putting his own clenched fists and began circling me. I relaxed and allowed him to do so. He rounded me once, twice, and on the third round a gush of air passed across the back of my arm. I tilted my shoulder back so his fist couldn't hit me. His arm appeared next to me. I grabbed his wrist, bending it behind his back. Placing my other hand on his other shoulder, I kicked his knees and forced him to the ground.

"You never could beat me." I whispered into his ear. My taunt gained a gasp from the black haired man. I released his arm but kept my hand on his shoulder. Making my way to his front, my hand trailed across the back of his neck to under his chin, pushing it up I forced him to look at me.

"Annabeth?" He breathed. I gave a small smile. As if it gave him confidence, Percy stood up, bringing his hands up to cup my cheeks. They were so big his hands covered the sides of my neck as well. Percy traced my lip with one of his thumbs. "Is it really you?"

"Yes," I closed my eyes, talking under his thumb was too distracting. "I know I have hurt you but please...kiss me."

Even if he had agreed to kiss me, I never would have thought he would have done it with as much passion as he did just then. Percy obeyed my request without hesitation, swooping down from his incredible hight to press his lips against mine with a heated desire. His strong hands kept me from moving as he poured all his emotions into the kiss.

I had no trouble keeping up.

"You quit Mossad?" Percy exclaimed in surprise.

I nodded. "My father and I had a falling out." The grip around my waist tightened. I paused to look over my shoulder at the man holding on to me. "At first he was happy I was back to work because the whole time Nico was...serving I could not stand being home so I was always out."

Nico winced at the memory from the corner. "You mean you were...?"

"Yes Percy, killing people. When he was released, I came back for a bit but after Madison went off to Oxford we just continued to disagree until I could not take it anymore."

"What about Kade?" Chiron acquired from his wheelchair. It turns out he took a bullet two years ago and retired to run this camp. Percy, who apparently had been a camper before, came to work during the summer and dragged Nico with him.

"My mother is bringing him over very soon, she wanted me to find a job and a sort of shelter to make her feel better knowing we were not living on the streets."

"Wait, the same mom who left when you were like eight?"

I gave a short nod, "Yes, I found her on one of my missions. She was very excited to hear about grandchildren." All three men laughed. "He should be here soon, she is bringing him over on her husband's model plane."

"I am looking forward to see the lad," Chiron smile reached his eyes and made me grin as well. "How old is he now?"

"He is seventeen, Maddi is twenty."

"Man," One of Percy's hands released it's hold on my hip to rub his face. "It seems like yesterday they were five and eight." Nodding in agreement, I smiled at the memories. Chiron excused himself to start some sort of activity, Nico went with him to help leaving Percy and I alone.

"Annabeth?" Percy whispered resting his head on my shoulder. I hummed in question, leaning back against his chest. "Are you staying this time?"

I moved so I was facing him, taking his face in my hands. "I am here as long as you will have me."

Percy grin was larger than I thought possible for a human. "You better get use to the city then, because you're going to be here for a very long time."

"Looking forward to it." I giggled, pressing my lips against his, very much looking forward to doing that whenever I pleased.

Now it's over. And no, I hate to disappoint everyone but there won't be a sequel. I mean, what would I write about? Annabeth becoming a homebody? Percy in the NYPD? Them getting married and having their own kids with the success of Kade and Maddi's lives added in? Doesn't sound too interesting to me.

It's been a good ride, and I love everyone who stuck with me. Don't worry thought, I've got a lot of projects brewing. I'm working on a sequel to another of my stories A Star Is Born if anyone follows that, a few other stories that aren't fan based (spreading out with my own ideas! :D), it's gonna be good!

OH! PLEASE! I entered a short story contest on a website call Figment. It's called 'The Runaway'. To win I need people to 'heart' my story, so if anyone wants to help me, please go to (figment.c-o-m / books/471339-The-Runaway (take out the - things in the com)) I've got a pretty good start but I need help. If you're in a helping mood... :)

Always yours,
~Arty