Percy just watched, stunned, at Annabeth's retreating figure. She was trying to tell him something, but it seemed she couldn't get it out. He was thinking of everything it could of been, but got nothing except for a headache. Annabeth was really hurting his brain. He got up and decided to go to the stables, to talk to his pegasus.

Hey, boss. Blackjack, the pure black pegasus, said as Percy entered the stables.

"Blackjack, I am not your boss!" Percy said. "Stop calling me that."

Whatever you say, boss. Whatcha in here for? Need a ride somewhere?

Percy rolled his eyes. "No, I don't need a ride. I just came in here to think and maybe get your opinion on something."

What on, boss? I'm good at advice.

"Well, lately, Annabeth has been acting really strange and I don't know why. Every time I try talk to her or even if I look at her, her face turns red. Its got me worried. And just now, she was trying to tell me something and...she, I guess, ran." Percy sighed and sat on a stool while Blackjack thought.

He trotted up to Percy and sat. Boss, this isn't the first time I've seen Annabeth act strange when you were around. I thought it was weird. Isn't Annabeth like one of your best friends?

"Yeah, that's why I'm so worried. Besides Grover, she is my best friend."

How exactly does she act around you, boss?

"Well, her face always gets red, she gets tongue-tied or stutters, she is really flustered and can never look me in the eye." Percy said.

It looked like Blackjack was deep in thought, but suddenly, without any warning, he stood up and his wings spread wide open. The air from his wings was so strong, it knocked Percy over from where he was sitting.

Boss! I got it! Annabeth is acting strange because...she is in love with you!

"What!? No, no, no. Annabeth could not possibly be in love with me, could she?" Percy asked.

Blackjack looked like he was about to answer, when he cocked his head to the side and then did something Percy could only describe as a smile.

You really wanna know, boss? Percy nodded. Hop on.

Percy raised his eyebrow, but climbed on the overexcited pegasus. Blackjack trotted out of the stable and took to the sky. Percy was confused and Blackjack whinnied a laugh.

Boss, would you relax and trust me? We're almost there.

They were now over the camp's forest; Blackjack was looking for something, but the sudden stop of movement and Percy almost flying off his back, told him they found it.

"Blackjack, where..." Percy started to ask when he was shushed by the pegasus.

Just wait boss, it's about to happen.

Down on the forest floor, Annabeth was still sobbing over her discovery. Her head was in her hands again when she heard a familiar voice.

"Dear Annabeth, you are still troubled. May I ask why?" Aphrodite asked.

"Lady Aphrodite..." Annabeth started, but then broke into another round of sobs.

Aphrodite really felt bad for the child. It was bad enough she fell for Percy, but now the poor girl was in love with him and scared to say so. Aphrodite shrunk herself down to normal size and sat down across from Annabeth.

"Annabeth, stop crying dear." Aphrodite insisted. She put her hand under Annabeth's chin and lifted her head up.

Annabeth averted her gaze. "I'm," sniffle "sorry, Lady Aphrodite."

The goddess just smiled and wiped the girl's face clean of tears. "There is no need to apologize. I know you are upset."

Annabeth smiled a sad smile. "I'm just a mess. It was bad enough that I fell for my best friend, but now I am in love with my best friend. I can't win!"

"Annabeth, why didn't you tell him?"

"Lady, if I tell him and he doesn't feel the same way, I won't be able to take it. I will fall apart."

"Annabeth, I can't really tell you what to do, that's against the oldest of divine love laws. Nor can I tell you how he feels. You need to go with your heart; take the chance. Love is full of chances and risks and if you take neither, you will never know the end result. I must go. Goodbye, sweet Annabeth." Aphrodite smiled and left, leaving Annabeth to think some things over.

Up above the forest, Percy was speechless. Blackjack whinnied and flew back to the stables. When they were inside, Percy hopped off and sat down on the floor.

You okay, boss? You look a little pale-ish.

"I...I...Annabeth loves me." Percy said, still not believing it.

Percy always has had feelings for Annabeth, but never thought Annabeth would return them. They weren't even supposed to be friends, because of their parents.

"What am I going to do Blackjack?" He asked, looking up at Blackjack, who was looking at something behind Percy with his jaw wide open.

"Yes, Perseus Jackson. What are you going to do?"