A/N First story. Critiques welcome.

Disclaimer: Rick Riordan owns these characters

"Flight 4-oh-7 has been delayed 6 hours," announced the mechanical intercom voice.

"This sucks I was really hoping to get to California by Christmas morning" I think to myself.

A handsome man in a pair of jeans and a blazer walks up to me with a suitcase in tow. "I was too," he says in my direction. I turn around to see if anyone else is there. No one.

"Did I say that aloud?" I queried.

"You sure did. What's in California?" The stranger inquires "A boyfriend perhaps?"

"No, Just family." I replied, "Annabeth Chase, and you are?"

"Percy Jackson." He said this in a way that would make most girls swoon, as if his name was his pick up line.

"What's in California for you?" I asked.

"New job at an aquarium. I was hoping to get there sooner rather than later to get settled" He confessed, "I hate not having enough time to set things up in a new place."

"I understand. So, why aren't you spending Christmas with family or a girlfriend or something?" I questioned

"Parents, dead. Girlfriend, don't have one." He stated bluntly while ticking things off on his fingers.

"I'm sorry, I understand. My mom died when I was very young." I sympathized.

"Eh, It's okay. I'm over it." He said with a shrug.

"Do you want to get a coffee? Considering we are going to be here awhile?" I asked. The hope of having company in this situation made me feel a bit better about it.

"How about a drink instead?" He proposed.

"That sounds even better." I grabbed my luggage and walked with him to the bar. I set my stuff down next to his and climb onto a barstool. He sits next to me and orders a scotch. I order a micro brew.

"Beer? I had you pegged as a fruity drink type." He joked.

"Don't be fooled by the dress and heels. I'm pretty tough." I answered. I observe his face as he laughs. His sea green eyes sparkle and dimples form in his cheeks.

"I'll keep that in mind." he says carelessly. I take a swig of my beer and inspect the rest of this man I just met. His hair is jet black and really shaggy on the top making him look about 22. But even through his blazer you can tell he is pretty fit. "So, Annabeth, What do you do for a living?"

"I'm an architect in New York." I replied.

"Really? Interesting, so what do you do?"

"I currently do little things being new to the company. Things the bosses don't want to do like make 500 trees for a scale model or run items to the print shop." I teased. "So, What do you do at the aquarium?"

"Basically, I help the Zoologists keep records of research of the animals. Paperwork mostly." He said.

"Interesting." I took another swig of my beer and looked at him. "So, No girlfriend, huh? A guy like you? I would have thought you would've had to pry them off with a crowbar." I joked

"Nah, girls don't usually like me. I'm dyslexic and ADHD. Big turn off apparently." He confessed.

"No way." I say shocked. "I'm dyslexic too. What are the odds"

We talked for the next few hours until the plane started to board. Lots of people didn't show up for the flight because they switched flights. There were approximately 6 people total on the plane. He turned to me and said "Do you want to sit next to each other?"

"Sure. Why not?" I shrugged.

For the next five hours we talked. Everything from dreams and hopes to favorite foods. The plane landed and I went to leave and he looked at me with those sea green eyes all serious. he leans forward and gently pushes a strand of hair from my face. His hand sits on my cheek, slowly pulling me forward and then, he kissed me.

"So long Annabeth, and good luck." He said with a wave and sauntered off without another word.