Annabeth

Annabeth felt her heart pounding as their gazes locked. Percy's black hair was windswept and messy, and he wore a purple shirt that rippled in the breeze. A praetor's cape was wrapped around his shoulders. In his hand, he carried a shining bronze sword. His eyes were as green as ever, just like she remembered, and filled with something she couldn't recognize. Pain and...recognition? Annabeth started towards him, uncertain.

Then Percy stumbled forward and fell to his knees, his sword sinking into the grass. His face was masked with emotion. It was enough for Annabeth to confirm what she had hoped for. He remembered her, and had missed her just as much as she had missed him.

"Percy-" Her voice broke, and she ran towards him. Her vision was blurred by tears and she moved blindly before tripping-

And fell right into his arms, his familiar warm hug holding her tightly. "Annabeth," He murmured, his voice rough. She said nothing but looked up at him. His black hair was longer and there was a fresh scar on his cheekbone. He was taller and looked older and more powerful.

Annabeth had never seen Percy cry, but now there were tears in his eyes. She realized how hard it must have been for him to lose everything he had for nearly a whole year.

Gently, she touched his face. "Are you okay?" It was the only thing she could ask after eight long months. Still holding her, Percy took a deep breath. "I didn't remember anything, Annabeth. Barely my own name...and yours." Annabeth gave a small smile, the first real one in so long. It was incredible to hear his voice again.

"We're together now," She whispered, then kissed him gently. It was different than any other kiss they had shared before; full of longing and happiness and desperation.

When they broke apart, Percy held her hand as they stood up. "We have so much to catch up on," He said. "It'll take ages to explain everything."

"We have time," She assured him.

"I hope so," Percy replied, his gaze clouding. "It's like we never get a moment to breathe before something else happens."

"I know," Annabeth agreed. "But just for the record, I'm never going to let Hera steal you like that again."

Percy gave her hand a squeeze. "You better," He smiled. Suddenly his gaze was filled with excitement, but he was serious at the same time. "Annabeth, there's somewhere safe we can go when we're older. We could live there in safety and never have to worry about monsters and the gods ever again. It's right here in the Roman camp. We could stay there when we're older." He looked so hopeful and earnest, Annabeth had to smile. "Maybe," She laughed. "If you can actually survive for that long." Percy grinned and pulled her along. "Let me show you to the other side of my family."

The others were looking on awkwardly, but they looked happy for them. Annabeth blushed as Leo winked knowingly at her, and Piper gave her a smile.

"Jason Grace," Percy let go of Annabeth's hand to shake Jason's. "I'm Percy Jackson. Nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you." He was friendly but cautious, with a diplomatic air that Annabeth recognized as his being praetor. He's changed, she thought.

"Percy," Jason returned his smile. "Likewise." Annabeth saw something flickering his eyes. Tension wavered in the air.

Percy shifted uncomfortably. "So, um, they've made me praetor, but you can have your spot back anytime." He looked apologetic. "You look better than me in a bed sheet, anyway."

Leo cracked up, dissolving the tension. "I like this guy!" He stuck out his hand. "I'm Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus."

"Piper McLean, daughter of Aphrodite." Piper smiled in greeting at Percy.

"Hey," Percy nodded. "These are my friends that went on a quest with me last week. Frank Zhang, son of Mars," He gestured to a buff Asian boy, who smiled timidly. "And Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto." The dark skinned girl who stood close to Frank waved. Annabeth thought that she was looking strangely at Leo, but before she could be sure, Reyna spoke up. The praetor's long black hair fluttered in the wind, and she glanced at Jason with a small smile. "Let's head over and have a meeting. Just us...eight."

Percy took Annabeth's hand. "C'mon, Wise Girl."

The architecture of the Roman camp was a thousand times more intricate than that of Camp Half-Blood. Annabeth looked around in awe as Percy laughed at her expression. She savored the sound of his laughter, something she had missed for so long. It was enough to tear her away from the architecture surrounding her.

She held tightly to his hand as they crossed a grassy hill. They were in the lead, the other demigods not far behind them.

"I've missed you a lot, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth took a deep breath. "You have no idea what I - what we went though when you disappeared. If you ever do that again..." She let her threat dangle in the air.

Percy only smiled and threw his arm over her shoulders. "I'm here now," He said. "And I'm here to stay."

The senate house was colossal, and Annabeth looked around in amazement. If only she had time to study it in detail, but there didn't seem to be much time. As usual.

Reyna settled into one of the large praetor chairs, and Percy followed with hesitation. He tugged at the collar of his praetor's cape, his green eyes unsettled.

"Go ahead, Percy." Jason sat down in the row for the senators, and the rest followed. Annabeth found herself between Leo and Hazel, who gave her a friendly smile.

"Okay, guys," Percy cleared his throat. Annabeth marvelled again at how much he had changed. He seemed more responsible and in control, almost distantly so. That changed when Percy tugged at his praetor's cape and pulled it off. "It's itchy."

Annabeth snorted, and she saw Hazel and Frank roll their eyes. They were clearly used to his antics.

"Uh, anyways," Percy gave a sideways France to Reyna, who looked exasperated. "Let's exchange what we know, or actually, what's happened between the two camps. Jason?" Jason stood, and the stark difference between him and Percy hit Annabeth suddenly. Though Jason was Roman and Percy Greek, they wore shirts from opposite camps. Jason was serious and mindful, whereas Percy was more relaxed and impulsive. She realized that this could cause problems. They were two completely contrasting people.

"So it started off when Piper, Leo and I were attacked by these venti storm spirits..."

Annabeth had already heard about their quest, so she tuned out and took a moment to think things over. Her mind wandered over to Piper and Jason. Piper had shown her concern about Jason earlier on to Annabeth. She had worried about whether he had a girlfriend at the Roman camp. Annabeth had reassured her, promising that Jason was dedicated to Piper alone. But now looking at Reyna and the way she was gazing at Jason as he spoke...Annabeth wasn't so sure.

"...We ended up freeing Hera from her cage, just in time before Gaea could really become too powerful. That was a few months ago. We've been readying the Argo II for today ever since." Hazel and Frank looked surprised, and were eyeing the newcomers with new respect. "We met those Cyclopes, too." Hazel chipped in. "But they were destroyed in the battle from a few days ago."

"They were part of Polybotes' army." Frank informed them.

"Polybuh what?" Piper whispered.

Percy, sitting on the praetor's chair, looked thoughtful. "Polybotes," He corrected. "The giant born to oppose Neptune - uh, Poseidon." He ran his hand through his black hair. "Huh," He mumbled. "No one had it easy these past months. That sounds like it was difficult."

"You got that right," Leo retorted.

"But this dragon masthead..." Percy continued. He looked at Annabeth. "Festus? I'm pretty sure we've seen him before."

Annabeth nodded sadly. "That one summer with Beckendorf and Silena."

Percy looked down, his green eyes filled with sadness. Annabeth wanted to take his hand, but of course she couldn't do that now. Then Percy coughed and looked up. "Well, thanks Jason for telling us what happened with the Greeks." He gave him a respectful nod, and stood as Jason sat back down. "I guess you guys want to know what happened to us, meanwhile." He scratched his head, clearly uncertain where to start.

"Gorgons," Hazel called out. Frank looked embarrassed.

"Oh yeah," Percy gave a half smile. "So I was carrying this old lady across the road, who was actually Juno - Hera in her Roman form, well actually her old lady form - but didn't tell me at the time..."

Annabeth listened intently to Percy, who told them of their quest with occasional bits of added information from Hazel and Frank. The gods had certainly been busy, between Hera and Ares mostly. Or Juno and Mars, Annabeth corrected herself. She frowned when Percy told them about Phineas, the blind seer, and Ella the harpy. Ella's was definitely very valuable, and if she fell in the wrong hands, things could get even worse.

"...defeated Polybotes and his army on the field of Mars." Percy finished. "It's not even close to over, though." He narrowed his eyes. "Nico di Angelo is still missing, and Gaea is waking."

A heavy silence settled over the demigods. They were all locked on their own thoughts until Leo said in a loud voice: "That's great news. On that happy thought, can we get some food? I'm starving." Hazel giggled, and Leo looked pleasantly surprised. Piper rolled her eyes. "Good timing, Repair Boy."

Leo was defensive. "Don't pretend that you're not craving food either, Beauty Queen." They all burst out laughing.

With a smile, Reyna stood. "There will be more time to talk later," She promised. "But now Leo is right. Come join us for dinner and war games tonight!"