AN: Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! Good to know you're all still enjoying the story. House-Of-Marcella, your curiosity is appreciated, but if I answered your first question there wouldn't be much of the next few chapters left to write. Although I can say that Thalia is unlikely to feature in non-tree form, as I'm going to assume the golden fleece is the only way to bring her back, and something's gone very wrong if they meet that in the LT storyline!

Thanks again to everyone who reviews, they do make me smile and remind me why I write this - it was rereading them that guilted me into finally updating again!

DISCLAIMER: This time, I do borrow little bits from the original book, but I have no claim to them and all rights go to the author Rick Riordan. I can only hope to have done them justice.

Chapter 5

After that little soap opera, the rest of the wait was in a tense silence.

I finally saw the familiar white SUV pull up down the street, and waved to get Argus' attention.

Probably unnecessary, but it felt like the thing to do - plus my arm could do with a bit of exercise after what felt like the longest crossed-arms stand-off in history.

I ran over as Argus climbed out of the car, and gave him a quick update – and a warning.

Grover was already climbing in the back, and I followed suit.

Percy was still standing in front of the car, blinking in the glare from the headlights. I saw him shake his head and then lope towards the passenger side door.

Sadly, no prizes for guessing he didn't want to come in the back with us.

I saw Percy giving Argus a fair amount of side-eye looks, and stifled a giggle. He clearly thought he was being subtle in his observations, but Argus was keeping more than one eye on him from his shoulder and neck.

In the end, it looked like exhaustion won over curiosity, and he slumped down in his seat.

Suddenly feeling drowsy myself, I looked over to Grover to see him already passed out, face pressed to the glass window and quietly murmuring something – all I could make out was 'food' and 'pollution'.

I settled back in my seat and glanced at Argus. An eye on the back of his neck winked at me through the supports of his headrest, as though to say 'It's alright, you can go to sleep. You're safe now.'

I shut my eyes, and finally let myself relax.

Next thing I knew, I woke up suddenly to a jaw-rattling boom, as the car exploded.

There were a few hazy moments as I sat upright again and tried to stop my head spinning, and tiny little drums from beating through my skull.

I heard a quiet, 'Ow,' from the seat in front of me, so I knew Percy was alive, at least.

I tried to get my bearings as the stars faded from my vision. The car hadn't really exploded. We'd swerved into a ditch, and the driver's side doors were stuck; wedged in the mud. What I'd thought were tiny drums reverberating through my head was actually heavy rain, crashing through the cracked roof.

Di immortales, I cursed. Lightning. Zeus was against us now, as well.

'Grover!' I cried, once my scans revealed the motionless form of my friend.

He was slumped over, blood trickling from the side of his mouth. I shook his hip in terror; I can't lose you too.

He stirred slightly, groaned 'Food,' and I heaved a sigh of relief.

Something was shaking my shoulder – I looked up and met Argus' eyes, about 40 of them, as he pointed out the back of the car. He looked more nervous than I'd ever seen him – his eyes were so wide you couldn't see the skin in between.

I looked out the rear windshield. In a flash of lightning, the dark silhouette of a huge, horned, seven-foot creature was revealed in the pale morning light, lumbering towards us on the shoulder of the road.

Why? I wanted to scream. We're so close.

I shook Grover some more, but the only response was more groaning. I gave up and kicked open my door, pulling him out with me. Percy was already on the road, staring behind us.

'Is that…' He started.

'There's no time!' I cut him off, handing Grover to Argus who'd climbed out behind Percy. I grabbed Percy by the elbow and took off running. I could see the hill in the distance – Thalia's pine tree, still so far away.

Percy angrily shoved my hand away as we fought through the tall grass. We weren't going fast enough.

He glanced back, and grunted, 'That's- '

'Pasiphae's son,' I interrupted again. 'Guess they gave up on the questions; they really want you dead.'

'But he's a min-'

'Don't say his name,' I warned. 'Names have power.'

I looked up, and saw Thalia's tree was still a hundred metres uphill. Too far.

The monster was crouched over our car, getting our scents. He'd find us soon.

Argus and Grover were ahead of us by about ten metres, and I could see Argus tracking his movements too.

'Keep going!' I yelled, 'Get Grover to safety!'

His eyes blinked slowly, and he gave me a solemn nod before pressing on. They'd be alright.

Us, on the other hand…

'What's he doing?' Percy asked, 'Doesn't he see us?'

'His sight and hearing are terrible,' I replied. 'He goes by smell. But he'll figure out where we are soon enough.'

The monster bellowed in rage behind us. I'd jinxed it. He lifted the SUV by the torn roof, the chassis creaking and groaning. He raised the car over his head and threw it down the road. It slammed into the wet asphalt and skidded in a shower of sparks for about half a mile before coming to a stop. The gas tank exploded.

I winced, that was going to annoy Mr D. That car barely lasted a year.

'Percy, when he sees us, he'll charge.' I warned. 'Wait until the last second, then jump out of the way – directly sideways. He can't change direction very well once he's charging.'

Percy gave me a look. And a nod.

Then there was another bellow of rage, as the monster started tromping uphill. He'd smelled us.

We were so close, another forty metres, and we'd be safe. But the hill was getting steeper, and the mud slicker.

I glanced behind, and the monster was almost upon us. 'Percy!' I yelled, 'Separate! Remember what I said.'

He listened, and sprinted to the left. I went right, and turned to see the creature bearing down on Percy.

Time to test that training, I thought. I wasn't a helpless seven year-old anymore.

The monster lowered his head and charged, aiming to impale Percy's chest.

Percy held his ground, gritting his teeth. I held my breath, terrified.

At the last moment, Percy jumped to the side and rolled. The monster stormed past like a freight train, then bellowed with frustration and turned, but not towards Percy. Towards me.

I steeled myself and pulled out my knife. My turn.

As he lowered his head to charge, I ran towards him. Just as he started moving I jumped, pushing off his nose and spinning round a horn to land on his back.

I shoved my knife into his eye.

The monster let out an agonised scream, but that small wound wasn't enough to kill it.

Behind me, Percy yelled.

'Annabeth!'

But the warning came too late. The bull bucked, and I was thrown off his back. I tried to grab a horn, holding on with both hands, but under my entire body-weight there was a snap, and the horn broke.

I fell seven feet to the ground, landing on my back. The horn rolled away.

Too winded to move, I watched as Percy picked up the broken horn and ran in front of me.

The monster charged, and I couldn't even scream.

But Percy wasn't there to be impaled. He'd rolled to one side, and driven the broken horn straight into the creature's side.

The monster roared in agony, and flailed, clutching at his chest. Then, he crumbled like sand, and was blown away by the wind.

My head hit the mud as I gasped in relief, smiling despite myself. We did it.

I suddenly saw Percy leaning over me, holding my knife and his spoil – the broken horn of a minotaur.

'Are you alright?' He asked, eyes blown wide, 'I… I'm sorry. I didn't even think to use Riptide,'

'It's okay,' I replied, struggling to my elbows. Percy helped me to my feet.

'You wouldn't be hurt if I had,'

I laughed a little. 'I'd probably have done something stupid anyway.'

He smiled and shook his head, helping me across the hill. He was clearly still feeling the adrenaline from the fight – I'd never seen him this carefree.

I brushed Thalia's tree as we limped past, and looked down at the valley.

Home.

We stumbled and slid down the hill, towards the Big House. By the time we hit the porch we were hysterical, laughing like madmen, covered in mud and soaking to the bone. But we'd beaten a minotaur. I'd proven myself, finally.

Chiron was waiting for us, standing tall and proud in full centaur-mode. His expression was an impressive mix of concerned, relieved and amused, all at once. I collapsed on the porch decking and leant against the fencing; Percy remained standing to greet the legendary centaur.

'And this must the be young man I've heard so much about. I'm glad to see you all made it back safely,' Chiron said. 'Come, you both need to recover.'

He led the way inside the Big House, where Argus was waiting with a glass of nectar. He handed it to me as I rushed over. I took it gratefully, but first –

'Grover's perfectly fine, Annabeth.' Chiron read my mind. 'He's resting upstairs for now.'

I smiled gratefully at him as I drank the nectar, feeling clearer and refreshed immediately. I stretched my back as I put the glass down, and winced as I heard it crack loudly in four different places.

I'd have to ask the medics in Apollo for a massage.

Percy was given a glass of nectar too, and I saw him eye it suspiciously before trying a sip. Suddenly his expression cleared, and he looked the happiest I'd ever seen him. Next second, the glass was empty.

I laughed, 'Taste good? Nectar always tastes like your favourite thing to eat or drink,'

'Yeah, really good.' He agreed, 'Like liquid cookies. My mom's homemade ones. I…I'd forgotten what they tasted like.'

He looked away for a second, then smiled at me sadly.

'Well now, you've both had a long and tiring day, so I think anything else can be postponed until tomorrow.' Chiron said, clasping his hands together. 'Percy, you can stay here tonight. There are showers and bedrooms upstairs. Annabeth, you're free to go back to cabin six, but do come and see us when you've had some rest'

I nodded my thanks, and turned to go. Then, I'm not sure what came over me, but I turned back and ran to Percy.

I don't think the guy had had a hug in a while, because he was stiff as a board for a good few seconds. Then, ever so gently, he hugged me back.

'Thank you,' I whispered into his ear.

I felt him nod into my shoulder, then I let him go. His eyes were blown wide in surprise, but he smiled at me hesitantly. I waved awkwardly and made a quick exit, not sure what had happened.

I strode the familiar path back to the cabins, looking around in wonder as I realised how much had happened since the last time I was here. I've been on a quest. I felt a little shiver of excitement crawl up my spine and grinned at the sky. I hope I made you proud, mom.

The sunrise looked just the same as before, but the air around me seemed to get a touch warmer, and I smiled again. That was enough of a yes for me.

I crept into the cabin, and as expected, everyone was asleep. Shower first, then bed, I thought.

My bunk looked so tempting, but I needed to wash the day's grime off.

I eventually peeled myself out of the hot water in favour of sleep. Grover and I had already had a full day of school, and now it had to be around 5am and I still wasn't in bed. The cocktail of adrenaline and nectar I'd been running on had finally run out, and I stumbled my way to my bunk.

'I've been on a quest!' was the last thing I remember thinking, and I grinned into my pillows.

After that, blissful darkness.

AN: Sooooo we've finally lined up with the original books! Hope you all enjoyed this, and have a wonderful new year.

EDIT: Thanks to when darkness meets light for pointing out I had my cabins mixed up... oops! Should be changed now :)

SarcasticPerson