Disclaimer: I do not own PJO
Annabeth looked at Percy out of the corner of her eye. Sensing her gaze he looked at her. Their eyes caught and he smiled softly at her. She grinned and went back to staring out the window. She could just see the last whisper of the sun disappearing over the horizon. The drive to California was long, but she didn't mind. It meant that she got to spend time with Percy, even if most of the time was spent in silence.
"Percy?" She asked still staring out the window.
"Yes?" He prompted her.
"Do you want to stop for the night somewhere?" She glanced at him. He scanned the road.
"Sure. Where do you want to stop?" He asked. She pointed to a hotel a little distance down the road.
"There should be fine." She said. Percy nodded and carefully parallel parked the car he had hired in New York. Luckily the car company had said that they could just drop it off in California and pick up another one on their way back. Percy opened his door and jumped out going around to the other side of the car to open the door for Annabeth. She smiled.
"What a gentlemen." She laughed. He grinned at her shutting her door. Grabbing her hand they went up to the front door of the hotel.
"The Palm Springs hotel? Creative." Percy said noting the palm trees and water fountains lining the path. Annabeth laughed and shook her head, opening the door and walking in. She tugged Percy along with her and they headed up to the reception desk, behind the desk stood a thin, brunette.
"What can I do for you?" She asked smiling at them.
"A room for two please." He asked. The receptionist nodded turning back to her computer. Annabeth's hand tightened around Percy's. He looked at her and squeezed her hand. "Ah, you can have room 609. On the sixth floor." Percy paled slightly.
"Is there a room on a lower floor that we could use instead?" He asked. The women frowned slightly, but nodded her head and checked her computer. After a few moments she turned back to them and frowned.
"I'm sorry." She said shaking her head. "They are all full. Do you still want the room? There isn't another hotel around for miles." Percy looked at Annabeth and noticed how tired she looked.
"We don't have to." She whispered. He nodded.
"It's alright." He turned back to the desk. "We'll take it." She turned and grabbed a key and a stack of papers.
"You just need to sign here and fill out your details. Then the room is all yours." She told them. Percy quickly filled out the forms and grabbed the keys off her.
"Thanks." He said. Then pulling Annabeth he headed towards the elevator. He pushed the button and they stood there in silence waiting for it to arrive. The elevator dinged as the doors opened. They stepped inside and pushed the little six button. As the doors closed Percy caught a glance of the receptionist. He blinked and the doors closed. He hoped that it was just tiredness and maybe a hallucination, but this was Percy Jackson and it most likely wasn't. She had stepped out from behind her desk so he could see her one bronze and one brown donkey leg, all she was missing was the cheerleaders uniform. An Empousa.