Percabeth One-Shots

23. I Can't

The doctor said it was trauma. They agreed. Their memories of that place had all but faded, the scars long gone, but Tartarus left one last scar. One last "screw you" on the young couple. On Annabeth.

Percy drove home, Annabeth in a state of silent shock. She felt numb. After all this time. They had just wanted one thing. Praying to the gods every night became habit. But it didn't help. The doctor said there was no fixing it. The damage is permanent.

Annabeth blinked tears from her eyes as she watched out the window. Percy placed his hand on her knee and gave a comforting smile. They just wanted one thing.

Home was worse. Annabeth refused to go upstairs for the next few days for fear of passing the room at the top. Percy busied himself by working in the garden. Raising plants around the stream fed by three springs. His watercress was flourishing. When he wasn't in the garden he was cooking. Full meals and desserts. All an attempt to get food into his wife. It worked, but to Annabeth it all tasted dry and bland.

Her blueprints for new camp buildings lay abandoned on the coffee table. She spent her days on the couch. Coping and resting.

On the third day Piper and Jason arrived. Percy greeted them at the door.

"Hey man." Jason and Percy smiled as Jason walked inside followed by Piper.

"How is she?" Piper asked.

"She hasn't moved in days except for trips to the bathroom. If you can get her outside..." he didn't have to finish. Piper took the challenge. Annabeth needed the fresh air. She needed to start moving again.

Jason stayed with Percy for a moment before they headed to the game room where they went head to head in pool.

"Hey." Piper began. She walked into the livingroom and sat next to Annabeth. "Why don't you come outside. You could show me Percy's garden."

Annabeth nodded and stood. Charmspeak had its, well, charm. They walked outside, the boys following after they heard movement. Once Percy saw Annabeth outside again he started grinning like a fool, especially after seeing the wisp of a smile on Annabeth's face.

"Oh gods. She's back." He breathed.

"Not yet. Give her time. She still has to deal with-" Jason began.

"Yeah I know. She still has to deal with never being able to have kids. But that doesn't mean she can't be happy." Percy answered.

Piper turned towards them and nodded, allowing Percy to come towards them. Annabeth turned and hugged him. Piper moved back to rest her head on Jason's shoulder. Annabeth pulled away and looked at Percy. "I want to adopt." She told him.

"A-Annabeth, we can't. What if-" Percy sighed. "You already thought of this haven't you?"

Annabeth nodded and Percy smiled. This could work.