Annabeth's POV

I was about to leave and pick up Percy when I heard yelling from the hall. I threw open the door to see Emily crouched low and standing in front of five empousa. Her two daggers are drawn and she's calculating their stances. The first one to lunge misses her strike and goes flying as Emily flips her over her shoulder. In seeing this I quickly snatch up my Drakon bone sword and jump into the fray.

An empousa lunges but I leap back parrying her strike. She tries kicking my but I sweep out her legs. She lands on the ground but I'm tackled from behind. I reach my sword arm out so that I won't land on my blade. I feel searing hot pain in my back as my flesh splits open. Gritting my teeth I throw my weight to the side sending the empousa off of my back. I jump to my feet in time to dodge another strike and counter act it with my own. My first victim disintegrates to dust. A high pitched screech echoes from behind me. I turn seeing Emily's leg bone poking out of her skin. She's hobbling trying to stay balanced. That's when the empousa lunge. They pile around her and I can hear the tearing of flesh.

Roaring I leap onto the nearest empousa driving my blade into her back. She disintegrates but the other three are still on her. I grab one by the back of the head and tear her away from my friend. The other two notice me and one of them leaps towards me. I dodge the first strike but basically walk into the second one. Her donkey leg connects with my side throwing me against the wall. I cry out as I feel my ribs splinter. My vision goes blurry and I see Emily fending off my attackers. She stabs one only to be swarmed by the other two. Struggling to my feet I face the enemy. Standing side by side with Emily I can hear our ragged breath.

"Together?" She asks and I nod. We lunge, well I lunge Emily hobbles, to the best of our ability at the monsters. The empousa dodges hitting my in the face. Black dots prick my vision and I swing again, but I'm tired and injured. My strikes aren't fast enough. She hits me again and again and again as the world grows bleary.

"HEY! NO ONE TOUCHES MY GIRLFRIEND!" I hear the familiar voice and here the wails of the empousa as they disintegrate. That's when I collapsed.

I wake up to aching pains all over my body. Moaning I try to sit up but my vision blurs.

"Easy Annabeth." I turn to see Percy and his eyebrows are furrowed and genuine concern is etched on his features. Reaching out I place my hand on his cheek. He smiles holding it there.

"You're cute when you'd worried." I say. He laughs kissing my forehead.

"So you say." I pat the spot next me on the couch and he sits next to me. Resting my head on his shoulder I take in his scent.

"That was you in the hallway wasn't it?" I asked.He laughs.

"Yeah. Hey are you sure you can go to the meet tomorrow? I know I fed you Ambrosia and all but.." His voice trails off and I sit up looking for Emily.

"I'm sure I'll be fine but where's Emily?" Percy winced and I immediately thought the worst.

"She's in bad shape I don't think she'll be able to go." I sighed leaning back against Percy. He squeezed my hand.

"She's been looking forward to it all week." I pouted. Percy sighed stroking my hair.

"She's in her room if you'd like to see her." I nodded and Percy reached down helping me up. Leaning on him for support we slowly made our way to Emily's room.

"Hey Perce how did you know how to get here?" He laughed.

"My old buddy Blackjack just followed your sent. Malcolm called and I asked him to deliver a ride. He sent Blackjack." I smiled.

"I love your Pegasus." Percy laughed but quieted down when we neared Emily's door. I peeked inside and sure enough she was sitting up in bed with her foot propped up. She didn't seem to see us and I noticed her eyes were puffy and red. Glancing down I noticed the make shift splint and was proud to see that Percy did it correctly. I pointed at it and gave Percy the thumbs up. He beamed at me after realizing I was telling him good job. Opening the door further we walked inside.

Upon hearing us Emily turned and gave me a sad smile.

"Hey." She said. I smiled sitting next to her on her bed. She turned and realized that Percy was standing there and her jaw dropped.

"Is that Percy?" I nodded. Her face morphed into a warm smile and Percy bent down giving her a hug.

"I heard you were the one who paid for my plain ticket. Thanks a lot. Maybe we could grab something to eat tomorrow after the race?" Emily nodded blushing slightly. I laughed. I leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"He's going to try and make it up to you so don't resist he's really stubborn." She laughed and Percy frowned.

"Sharing secrets now are we Wise girl." I rolled my eyes and asked Emily how she felt and I had to explain to her that she couldn't run in the meet. She was upset about it but eventually complied but insisted that she gets to be a spectator and can't wait to see me win. It was getting late and I could tell she was tired so I left her be. I went to my room getting ready for bed when Percy knocked. Throwing a shirt on I opened it.

"Hey mind if I come in?" He asked. I thought about it even though I was going to say yes. He pulled out those puppy dog eyes that I love and I nodded. "Thanks" He said giving me a kiss. He entered carrying his laptop and plopped onto the bed. He patted the spot next to him and I lay next to him. I stared at the sealing as he fiddled with his laptop.

"Alright you get over here." He said pulling me close. I laughed but complied. Resting my head on his shoulder he put an arm around my body. "The gang and I made this for you so watch and enjoy." He clicked a button and a video popped up. Percy stood there with his arm outstretched filming himself. He was walking towards the cabins and kept looking away from the camera to see where he was going. He stopped looking up at the camera and smiled.

"Hey Annabeth! This is a video of me and the gang. Um.. I'll be asking them what they love most about you. So yeah here we go." Percy walked toward s the Zeus cabin and knocked on the door. Piper opened it and smiled. "Hey Perce what are you doing?"

"Making a video. Is Jason there? I would like to ask both of you a question. Um... Could you wait outside while I explain I'll come get you when it's your turn." Piper nodded letting Percy in and exiting behind him. Jason leaped from his bunk and strode over to Percy. "What are you filming?" He asked.

"Just something for Annabeth. Speaking of which I'm going to ask you a question and answer honestly to me and the camera okay?" Jason nodded pulling up a chair and sitting down. "So here's the question. What do you love most about Annabeth, of what is your favorite memory of her? You can answer one or the other or if you want to both." Jason sat there for a second before smiling.

"Okay what I love most about Annabeth is her strength. I remember one time when we were playing capture the flag and she was guarding me like a foot ball player as I ran with the flag." Jason laughed before continuing. "Someone from the other team was making cat calls and she got real mad. Her face got red and she stopped. I turned to see what was going on. At least eight Ares kids were mocking her. She lowered her head and charged. They squealed trying to get out of the way but their leader wasn't fast enough. She ripped his helmet off and beat the literal crap out of him!" By now Jason was dying of laughter. "Ever since the kid whimpers every time he sees her." Percy laughed and the video cut to Piper. Percy must have already asked her the question because it looked like she was thinking.

"What I love most about Annabeth is how she gets confused about her feelings. It's cute really how she thinks everything can be solved by logic. But my favorite memories are being there for her and seeing our friendship grow. I will never forget when we were in Greece how we had to face our feelings in order to release Ares' statue and the spirits inside. I also love how she can be mature but Annabeth I've seen that you are still a kid on the inside. You should let it out more often. Love you girl and I hope you like the video!" I smiled as the video cut yet again to Leo.

"Oh! Sweet so I get to pick on Annabeth! " Leo squealed. I laughed at how much of a kid he still was. "What I love most about Annabeth is her eyes! They are wicked! She scares people just by lookin' at them! I remember one time we went out to eat and she scared a hellhound just by looking at it! I love that girl! Then there was this time when Hermes flashed in when she was studying some diagrams to help me with a project. She just glared and his face paled and he leaves out quick!" Leo was laughing like crazy and the video cut to Hazel.

"What I love most about Annabeth is when she is just being herself. I couldn't ask for a better friend. She's always there to help me if I'm confused." Hazel frowned before continuing. "Percy can you leave the camera here this is kind of private. Percy handed the camera to Hazel as she taped him walking out. She refocused the camera on herself. I glanced over at Percy who had covered his ears. He nodded towards the video and I watched.

" Thank you for helping me with Frank," Hazel continued," Also thank you for understanding Nico and for not getting mad at him. I know Percy knows that he is gay now because Nico told me but still. He was so unhappy and you found him. You kept him from commiting suicide by jumping off the Argo. I know that if Percy found out he would never forgive himself. And Annabeth be yourself it's the most beautiful thing about you. Thanks for not being artificial." Hazel walked to the door and passed Percy the camera. He smiled and thanked her before continuing his quest. Taking my eyes off the video I peeled Percy's hands away from his ears.

"Thanks!" He said I smiled looking back to the laptop screen.

Frank was at the archery range his bow tucked under his arm. He smiled and answered Percy's question.

"What I love most about Annabeth is her level head and advice. I'll never forget her words. " keep it simple." I know that I can always count on her and I remember one time when I was angry at Leo for teasing me and I almost hit him. She pulled me aside and allowed me to spar with her. She's taught me how to deal with it and she taught me how to like Leo. Ever since we've been best buds. Miss you at camp. I can't wait till you graduate. Stay safe!" Frank waved ad he signed off.

Then it cut to Thalia. She waved from her little niche in the corner of the Zeus cabin. "So sis, I honestly can't pick one thing that I love about you. All I can say is it's strange seeing you grow up. I feel like a mom and it's even weirder that you're older than me. I will always love you . You and Kelp Head over here will always be my family because all I need is my sister and brother. Enjoy college and I would love to visit you soon. I miss you a bunch. Remember no matter what you can always talk to me and don't forget that it's okay to be a kid once in a while." Thalia made a little heart with her hands and I could tell she was trying not to cry. The screen went blank.

I looked at Percy who was beaming at his work. I let a tear slide down my cheek and I gave him a massive kiss.

"Percy that was amazing! Where was Reyna and why weren't you in it!" He smiled wiping my tear.

"Reyna was on a trip and I wasn't in it because I wanted to tell you in person. He cupped my face in his hands and made me look at him. " Annabeth Chase what I love about you is your personality you can always make me smile, I love how smart you are and how that you don't think you are special when you are, I love your irrational fear of spiders it let's me know that you are human and it's okay to be vulnerable, I love your hair and I know you hate it because of the stereotyped blonde thing but don't ever change it, I love your nose, eyes, ears, and lips, I love your smile because it is the sun that shines bright in my world, I love how your hand fits perfectly into mine so that I can keep you close, but most importantly I love it when you lean on me and we touch it let's me know you're there and that I can hold you. Annabeth Chase you are perfect to me in every way." I smiled and he pulled me into a deep passionate kiss. Then I realized something.

"Percy how is Leo in this video?" He frowned.

"He was?" I nodded and he shrugged. Maybe one of the other Hephaestus campers edited it in. They helped me piece it together. They said he video taped his in advance. They said he had a dream about it being important to someone. I guess that someone was you."

Then I realized he had probably made it around the time we were building the Argo ll and all it did was make me miss him more. Soon though I grew tired from thinking.

That night I fell asleep held by my knight in shining armor Percy Jackson.