Epilogue

As always, these characters do not belong to me.

One Month Later

Annabeth adjusted the strap on her dress, examining her reflection in her floor length bedroom mirror. The Annabeth that stared back at her was completely different to the agent she was a month ago. Annabeth never had an extreme case of nerves before but she was certainly feeling them that night; and it wasn't only because she was wearing a dress. It was a simple cut cocktail dress made of black silk and clung to Annabeth's skinny frame. The straps were thick on her shoulders and wove around her neck, ending down her back in two silky ribbons.

Annabeth sighed, twisting to see the effect it had on her back. It was a weekend night and Percy had decided it was time that Annabeth met his mother. She protested at every opportunity she got but he was resolute in his decision. Now come the night and she was deciding what dress made her look like an innocent teenage girlfriend instead of an ex-ruthless agent.

After her resignation, the Institute somehow managed to re-enrol her at Percy's school and now she was only a few months away receiving with honours and a grade point average of 4.0. Percy was amused that she had only attended a school for less than a year and achieve the highest grades possible.

'Percy!' Annabeth called out. She needed a second opinion.

She heard his running footsteps on the stairs and turned so she could face him. It had taken a couple of weeks but a team of builders Poseidon had arranged fixed Annabeth's apartment. She assumed this was his way of thanking Annabeth for looking out for Percy, especially after she discovered he convinced the Institute to give it to her. She was relieved they had restored it exactly back to the way it was.

'Okay, okay I'm here,' Percy panted slightly, stepping up into her room. He was already dressed and ready to go in a white buttoned up shirt and dark jeans, loafers on his feet. He did look handsome and Annabeth's pounding heart was a dead giveaway

'What's wro–,' He trailed off, catching sight of Annabeth. He blinked a couple of times in quick succession, his mouth popping open.

'Does this look okay?' she asked him shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

He continued to stare at her slack jawed, unable to answer her. Annabeth gestured he should reply but he seemed mesmerised. Annabeth rolled her eyes, although she did feel a little thrill at being admired like this. She took a couple of steps towards him, her bare feet silent against the carpet.

'Percy!' she said sharply, clicking her fingers.

His head snapped and he blinked again, snapping out of his reverie.

'Sorry?' he said dazedly, fixing his gaze on her face.

'I said, does this look alright?' she repeated. She even turned sideways so he could see the entire dress.

'You look beautiful,' he answered a little breathlessly.

'Oh Perce,' Annabeth sighed in resignation.

Annabeth walked over and kissed him gently, opting for a small peck. Percy had other plans, grabbing her around the waist and holding her against him. Even after a month Annabeth still got a fluttery sensation in her stomach whenever Percy kissed her. She began to think it would never go away. Annabeth wove her hands through his messy hair as one of his began to slide down her back, leaving a trail of heat through the dress. The other went to the zip of the dress, beginning to pull it down. Annabeth broke away, breathing heavily.

'Maybe … I should change,' she suggested.

'No, no. I like this dress on you,' Percy argued.

'And how would your mother feel if you try and start undressing me every time you see me tonight?' Annabeth raised an eyebrow.

'Probably about the same as you undressing me,' Percy smirked.

Annabeth blushed when she noticed she had unbuttoned half of his shirt.

'Well, you started it,' she said childishly.

'I won't deny that but I understand your point. I think I can hold off until after the dinner is over before I help you out of it,' Percy winked and Annabeth shivered.

'Percy, be serious,' Annabeth chastised, walking back towards the mirror.

'I don't have to be serious anymore,' Percy said airily.

He came up behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. He copied her and watched their reflections in the mirror, smiling at her image. This should have reassured Annabeth but she was still feeling anxious. She shrugged him away, the butterflies becoming too much.

'No, I should change. It's too much,' she muttered to herself, going into the bathroom.

'It looks fine,' Percy said, following her. He scrutinized her harried expression. He gently grabbed her arm to get her attention. 'Hey, what's wrong?'

'Nothing. This dress is too formal.'

'Annabeth …' Percy said carefully, knowing that wasn't the whole answer.

'What if I look like I'm trying too hard and she doesn't like me?' Annabeth burst out, biting her lip afterwards.

'Who? Mum?' Percy look stunned.

'Yes, your mum!' she cried out, her emotions getting the better of her. She took steady breaths, calming down.

'Oh Annabeth,' Percy said, laughing.

'How can you be laughing?' Annabeth asked indignantly.

'Because you are so adorable there was no way I couldn't laugh.'

Percy pulled her into his arms. At first she was reluctant, wanting to remain angry at him but as soon as she felt his heartbeat against hers she all but fell into his arms.

'I'm still mad at you for laughing at me,' she told him, even though she was cuddling into his chest.

'Out of all the missions you took, all of the near death experiences you've had, you are nervous about a dinner with my mother?' he asked her. She could hear the grin in his voice.

'Yes, well, you would be too if you had to sit across from a mother whose son you nearly murdered. Mother's get a little touchy about that.'

'Oh, I had forgotten about that,' Percy said lightly.

'Makes one of us,' she muttered darkly.

'Annabeth,' Percy said, making her look at him. 'I love you so my mother will too.'

'How can you be sure?' Annabeth asked shyly.

'Mothers, also want their children to be happy. I am happy, with you.'

Annabeth smiled then, reaching up to pull him into a kiss.

'Maybe I should say smart things more often,' Percy mused after she pulled away.

'I wouldn't hold my breath,' Annabeth said smirking.

Percy picked her up and swung her around playfully, walking her out of the bathroom in his arms. Annabeth placed her hands around his neck, kissing him on the cheek. He started walking them down the stairs, flicking off the lights to her room.

'Percy, I have to apply my makeup,' Annabeth protested, looking over his shoulder to the room.

Percy looked pained. 'Annabeth, you really are going soft in your retirement.' She punched him in the chest. 'Ouch! Seriously, you're beautiful without it and we are going to be late.'

'She is literally across the street,' Annabeth argued, stinging from his comment about her being soft.

Percy knew she was continuing to train and exercise every afternoon after school and on the weekends when she wasn't with Percy. It was mostly out of habit but Annabeth knew that although she was technically retired, there were bound to be many people and agents who would want to attack her now that she was not protected by the Institute. She didn't dare mention this to Percy; she didn't want to make him worry. Most days she seemed to forget that too around Percy's boyish enthusiasm and excitement.

'Yes but do you really want to keep her waiting. First impressions are everything,' he added, smirking.

Annabeth glared at him. 'I hate you.'

He laughed, setting her on her feet. 'Love you too. Hang on. I just have to get my jacket.'

Percy strode off around to the other bathroom that was adjacent to Thalia's old room. As Annabeth placed on her black flats she thought about Thalia and Silena. Annabeth felt a pang of longing for her best friend, who so far had only been to call twice. Annabeth had hoped they would have given her a break to sort things out but Thalia had gone into another assignment straight away. Annabeth couldn't help but think Thalia preferred to be busy to forget her friend leaving her and it saddened her.

Silena had stayed at the Institute for two weeks, talking to a counsellor about the death of Beckendorf. When she returned she did seem to be better but she was never the same. She was quieter and her jabs at the Stoll brothers were only half-hearted. Annabeth worried about her, even after Silena assured Annabeth multiple times she was moving on. When Silena heard that Annabeth was continuing her training alone she wanted to join in but hadn't so far got the courage to return to Annabeth's apartment. Annabeth kept her patience and her support towards her constantly.

'Ready,' Percy said, striding into view.

Annabeth took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching her hands as her nerves returned in full force. Percy smiled consolingly at her. He placed both of his hands on top of hers.

'Everything will be fine,' he assured her.

She nodded, more to comfort herself than Percy. She smiled at him. 'I love you.'

He returned her smile, kissing her temple. He held her hand as he led her out of the apartment to his mother.

When Annabeth was at the Institute pondering things in her spare time, she often broached the subject of love. She always thought of it as an unravelling of the person's character. She deduced it was almost as if the lover was killing the loved one or more likely who that loved one was and replacing it with something else. What she found with Percy was that loving him did change her perception of life. It made her question that she had become and what she had believed to be some sort of law but love, certainly did not kill her.

I would like to thank everyone who read, followed and/or marked this as a favourite. It was certainly helpful in times when I was having difficulty finding inspiration to write. If you enjoyed this story, check out my other Percy and Annabeth fanfic:

Can Something So Wrong, Be So Right?

Or if you like Harry Potter, here is a Harry and Ginny one that I have just began writing:

The Thing He Didn't Realise He Was Looking For