Chapter Nine - Constellations and Talks

Disclaimer - I don't own PJO or HoO, Rick Riordan does. I also don't own any of Elvis Presley's music ;-D

Thanks to kelseyPJHP1997, SallaScaramouche, Alison daughter of Poseidon, WingDawn98, alextremo147, Daughter of the Lake, lileverlark, Alexandra Jackson rocks Hades, Bookluver132, tojieisnoob, Mexican-Greek-Girl, GlenCoco135, CallaLloyd, dkwolverine12, beautifulshipofblueandgrey, littlemisslaugh, Sophie6132, Emchmi999, mbradley, trio-of-friends, XxbethamphetaminexX, Sam-DaughterOfPosiedon, PercyandAnnabeth4eva, Em (Guest), heartdraconis19361, StarryNights04, PercyJackson is SeaweedBrain, (Guest), Raspberriee Kisses, LongLiveLaughter, August1999, ForTheGloryOfSparta, DragonClan, PurpleQueen981, foreverfanfiction, Shandia99, allen r, percythepanda, Wisdomsdaughter2, hairnets22 (Guest), and all the Guests!

Anonymous review replies:

Em - Thanks, glad you think so :D

Guest who said 'AMAZING CHAPTER:)! Pls update soon)!' - Thanks :) I'm sorry I updated so late... But here it is, and I hope you enjoy if you read this!

Guest who said 'Why did you end it like that! I wanted to find out what they were going to say :-( Please update soon.' - xD Well... I hope this chapter gives a hint to what Percy and Annabeth spoke about :p Sorry I updated late, but I hope you enjoy it anyways :)

- Thanks for the compliment :) It means a lot because I'm not as good as the other writers on this site. Haha, as for your question, you'll have to find out ;-D Hope you like this chapter!

Guest who said 'I am do glad you updated! I really enjoyed the chapter ( : Have a great day and thank you for writing!' - Thanks, I'm happy you enjoyed :D Thanks, have a good day as well and no problem ;-D

Guest who said 'Loved the story :) please update soooon :)' - Well, here you go :) I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading!

hairnets22 - Thanks, and here's the update! I hope you enjoy if you read this!

Summary - There were many ways Annabeth Chase imagined that she'd meet her soulmate. Spilling her coffee on him certainly wasn't the way. She also didn't expect her soulmate to be such an idiot - a Seaweed Brain, in fact. Neither did she expect her soulmate to have a daughter.


"Are you sure I look fine?"

Katie rolls her eyes for probably the thousandth time, exasperated. "Okay, Annie," She sighs, "Would I ever lie to you? You don't have to ask me every single moment!"

I bite back a retort, feeling suitably abashed. "Sorry," I mumble sheepishly.

"Its fine," Katie purses her lips, "You really like this guy... Percy, don't you?"

I chew my lower lip as I think of a careful answer to give my friend. "Well," I clear my throat, "I do... Like spending time with him. And... Uh... I don't know."

Katie stares at me, her expression unreadable.

"What?" I ask, feeling unsettled by her steady gaze.

Katie doesn't answer right away, but just continues staring for a couple more seconds, before speaking. "Annie," She coughs lightly. "I just don't want you to turn into that girl you were when you were with Luke," She admits.

I narrow my eyes, but Katie rushes on.

"I don't... I don't want you to forget about me and the rest of us, your friends. I also don't want you get hurt again, I don't want you to rush into this new... Relationship with Percy."

I manage a tiny smile, "I'm a big girl, Katie, and big girls don't cry."

Katie snorts, but sobers up quickly. "Please, Annabeth?"

"Katie, you don't need to worry. Percy isn't like Luke," I add.

Katie gives me a tiny smile.


"Whoa! You look... Great!" Percy stammers, his eyes gleaming brightly, his cheeks red.

"Thanks," I manage to say, my voice a pitch higher than usual. Percy licks his lips nervously, shifting his weight from one side to another.

"So... Uh, wanna get going?"

Katie appears at my side, her purse in her hand and her sweater on. Percy and I turn our heads to look at her.

"Oh, your date is here?" Katie realizes belatedly.

I nod, feeling my cheeks redden even more so.Never would I have thought that Percy and I would be on a date! Funny how things turned out.

Katie meets my gaze and I see a smirk begin to form on her lips.

"Oh, sorry, you two," She turns to Percy giving him a cheeky once-over that makes my stomach flip nervously and my face flush. Percy just stares at her blankly, his mouth hanging open in confusion. "Catch you later, Annie, and don't worry - you look great!" She waves at me before bouncing past and into the hallway, heading towards the elevator.

"Uh," Percy starts chuckling, "That was... Cool."

I raise an eyebrow, "Cool? How so?"

Percy smiles, "You asked for help?"

I try my hardest not to turn even redder, "Yeah, so? I wanted to look nice... For you."

Percy grins at me, making me feel warm and cozy inside. "Don't worry," He says, taking a step closer to me, holding out a hand, "Youalways look lovely."

I feel quite delighted at his compliment and I resist the urge to blush even more. "Uh," I feel my tongue slip over my next words rather stupidly, "Thank you, Percy."

Percy winks at me, "Anytime, Chase."

I smile and take his hand.


When the two of us get into the car and buckle our seatbelts, I finally speak, breaking the silence, "So, where are we going?"

Percy grins at me, and I stupidly discover that he's been wearing a simple blue checkered collared shirt, with khakis that look surprisingly good on him. I look at my own outfit, and I'm pleased to note that I don't look that overdressed, just wearing nice jeans and a white shirt with my inherited owl necklace.

"Its a surprise," Percy says, revving up the engine.

"Luckily, I've liked that one surprise you've given both Sophie and I. It was actually quite good," I say.

Percy beams, "I'm glad you think so. I hope you'll like this one."

The two of us are silent. To be honest, I still can't believe that I'm on a date with Percy Jackson. A guy I've met only about a month and a half ago, yet he's become quite a good friend to me. I wonder if he likes me more than a friend.

Of course he does, you dolt! Why else would he ask you out? I roll my eyes at that silly little thought and focus on Percy, who's concentrating on the road ahead, his fingers tapping the wheel in rhythm.

"Nice little beat you got there," I remark, amused. Percy looks over at me, his cheeks reddening slightly and he stops his tapping.

"Sorry," He mumbles.

"Its fine," I shrug, "I sometimes do stuff like that. Part of my ADHD."

Percy blinks, startled, nearly hitting a car a few meters ahead of him. "You're ADHD?" He asks, sounding astonished.

"Uh, you better watch the road," I warn. "And yeah... I'm ADHD."

Percy swallows, "I'm ADHD, too." He admits. "Sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

I shrug, "Its fine," I say, gently, "I didn't tell you either, sorry."

Percy smiles, "Its fine." He pauses, and at the same time the two of us say,

"I'm also dyslexic."

The two of us look at each other, two matching smiles spreading across each of our faces.

"We've got a lot more in common than I thought," Percy notes, as I grin.

"Yeah, we do."

There is a brief moment of silence before Percy says, "Would you like for me to turn on the radio?"

"Sure, I'd love to listen to some music."

That's when a wicked grin arrives on Percy's lips. "Huh," He murmurs, smirking, "I could sing for you. You could get a live performance right here, Chase!"

I stare at him, raising an eyebrow in disbelief, "Are you serious?"

Percy frowns, but the light in his eyes don't fade, "Hm?"

"I've heard you sing before, Percy," I remind. "And I don't ever want to hear you sing, again."

Percy gasps, and slams his hand onto his chest, "Excuse me?" He squeaks, offended.

I sigh, "Percy, you are quite the charmer, I must say. Singing, however, is not a talent of your's."

Percy shakes his head, "Its because you haven't heard me go solo, without any background music or other stuff! You haven't heard my real voice. Its natural, smooth... Rich." He adds.

I look at him, giving him a silent signal, Percy meets my gaze swiftly before turning his attention back to the road.

"We can't go on together!" Percy sings, his voice strained as he tries to reach a note. "With suspicious minds! We can't build our dreams... On suspicious minds..." Percy's voice fades softer and softer, and I do my best to restrain myself from commenting too soon.

Percy shoots me a look. "Well?" He presses, looking eager.

I cough delicately, "It wasn't... Bad."

Percy smirks, "Of course it wasn't."

I continue on, "But it wasn't the... Best."

Percy freezes, nearly slamming into a tree on the side of the road. "What?"

I can't help but laugh. Percy is silent before I see a slight smile begin to appear on his face.


Percy and I spend the rest of the drive talking and when Percy finally parks the car, I am surprised to see that we are not far from a hill, but it seems to be the only thing in sight. Well, besides from the bright stars up above. The two of us get out of the car and the first thing that pops out from my mouth is,

"Wow."

Percy looks at me, his eyebrows knotting together, "Uh. Do you not like it here?" He asks, nervously twiddling his thumbs.

I shake my head, unable to restrain the tiny laugh that exits my mouth. "I do, I do," I soothe, "Its just... Wow," I look up at the night sky.

I see Percy follow my gaze through the corner of my eyes and watch his face light up, "Yeah, its gorgeous, isn't it?"

"It is," I agree, looking down from the sky and back to Percy. Percy smiles and meets my eyes, his green ones twinkling boyishly as he locks the car with his keys. Then, he holds out a hand for me. I take it and let him pull me towards the hill. The two of us continue to walk in silence, well, in my case, being pulled, until Percy stops at the foot of the hill.

He turns to face me and I see an apology shining in his eyes for some strange reason. "Uh, sorry, Annabeth," He mumbles, looking embarrassed, "But, do you mind eating afterwards? I've got the food in the car."

I roll my eyes, "I don't mind, Percy. Really. Food can wait," I add. "Oh, that was that smell? It was delicious."

Percy grins, "I wish I had that much control over my own stomach, and thanks."

I laugh.

Pretty soon, Percy and I are on top of the hill, sitting side by side, looking up at the stars.

"My mother took me stargazing when I was younger," Percy says after a long, peaceful silence. I look over at him and I see that a fond smile is on his lips. "Every month she took me up here, ever since I turned six. Well, we haven't really gone stargazing since I went to college."

I smile, thinking of a younger Mrs. Jackson and Percy as a boy sitting together looking up at the stars.

"Have you ever made a constellation?" Percy asks, looking over at me, his eyes questioning.

I shake my head, "No. Nobody's ever taken me stargazing before."

Percy's eyes soften.

"I guess you take Sophie out to stargaze now?"

Percy nods, "My mother likes that I'm passing down the 'tradition'." He smiles.

"You're a great father," I tell him.

Percy shrugs, "What makes a great father, in your opinion?"

I think about my answer for quite some time. "Well," I clear my throat, "I think that to be a great father, you have to put your family above all else. You have to respect them and care for them and stick at their sides no matter what comes at you."

Percy's eyes pierce my own and I resist the urge to break our eye contact.

Finally, Percy lays down on the grass, crossing his arms behind his head as he relaxes, staring up at the sky.

"You've never made a constellation before. Do you want to make one now?"

I nod, lying down on my back as well.

"Okay... On three... Let's begin looking for a constellation. Any," Percy offers, his excitement obvious in his voice.

"Alright..." I feel adrenaline begin to surge in me as I prepare myself. Percy beckons for me to cover my eyes and I can't help but stick my tongue out at him quickly, Percy winks at me and he covers his eyes right before I do.

Percy begins counting, the tension hardening his voice. I almost feel giddy at how excited and intense the two of us are. "One," Percy starts, "Two... Three... Go!"

The two of us immediately uncover our eyes and search the sky. I have no idea what I'm looking for, but I do know one constellation, which is Draco.

"There!" Percy points up at the night sky and I follow his finger blindly, still not sure what I'm supposed to be looking for. Percy seems to sense my blunt confusion and explains, "Orion the hunter. Look closely at the stars. There's the line of stars that curve inwards on the opposite ends to make his shield, I think. Do you see it?"

I sit up and squint up at the starry sky. Finally, I shake my head in defeat. "No, I don't," I mumble, "Sorry, Percy."

Percy laughs and sits up as well. He gently takes my hand and points it up at the sky, "There," He says softly. "Do you see it now?"

I shake my head, trying to ignore the way the warmth spreads across my face and up into my ears. I hope its too dark for Percy to notice.

"Okay, think bigger. Look at that patch of stars, notice the way the stars glitter. Then, does that certain line of stars catch your eye? Yes, it does. Your eyes follow it until you see that one of the stars connect with another. Your gaze moves along the line until -"

"I see it!" I watch as the stars come to life in my eyes. I see his club raised high in one hand and his shield held up for protection in the other. I watch as the stars make up his feet and in one smooth motion, all the stars seem to move to resemble him clearly, Orion the hunter.

Percy chuckles and I turn my head to laugh in triumph.

"Whoa, that was quite a lot of work!"

Percy beams, "Yes, it is. It pays off in the end, though, doesn't it?"

I nod, looking back up at stars resembling the myth, "Show me another constellation."

Percy smiles, and looks up at the sky once more as he relaxes on his back, crossing his hands over his chest this time. I follow suit and the two of us are silent once again.

"There, the constellation of Pegasus," Percy points out, stretching out his arm and gesturing up at a group of stars. I peer closely at them, I had a vague idea of what the constellation looked like, but I wasn't exactly sure. I am quiet for some time, and become mildly aware of Percy's eyes on me.

Finally, I see it, "I see it! That patch of stars, in the middle of all of them..."

"You're getting good," Percy remarks.

I grin, "I always get good, Jackson. Didn't you learn that by now?"

"You conceited woman."

"Is that the best you can come up with?" I snort.

Percy raises an eyebrow challengingly, "The fact that you aren't coming up with a comeback shows that there is a chance of you not knowing how to reply to that true statement."

"Oh shut up, you egotistical pig."

"Whoa, nice one!"

I roll my eyes.


"Wow, this is actually pretty good!" I compliment as I take another bite out of one of the sandwiches Percy had prepared for us two.

"Thanks," Percy grins and he reaches into the picnic basket and pulls out some more food. I can't help but stare at the cheesecake that appears from the basket on a round silver platter.

"Sandwiches and cheesecake?" I choke out.

Percy smirks as he sets down the platter. He reaches into the basket once more and pulls out a wrapped up plate which hold quesadillas, "The cheesecake's for dessert, silly!"

"Percy!" I exclaim, "You didn't have to make all this. This is... A lot."

Percy laughs, "Its not all for you, Chase, you know? Some of this food has to go down mybelly as well."

I grin and finish up my sandwich.

"Oh yeah, let me go down and get the champagne," Percy gets up and begins racing down the hill towards the car before I can even utter a word.

I gaze back up at the stars as I grab a quesadilla from the whole bunch of them. This had to be the best date I've ever been on, no contest. I mean, I haven't been on tons of dates, but I had no doubt that I would ever forget this one.

The stars shine down on me, along with the round moon. It was truly a sight. I watch as Pegasus and Orion come to life, once more. I see Draco the dragon appear suddenly in the corner of my eyes. As I look at those three constellations, I can't help the smile. What Percy had given me tonight was truly a gift.

"It's beautiful isn't it? The moon and the stars?" Percy's voice appears at my side and I turn my head and see him sitting down beside me, placing the bottle of champagne beside him and two plastic cups. When he sees me look at them I hear him give a tiny laugh, "I didn't want to bring any glasses up here, with my luck I would have probably broken them on my way up here."

I grin, "Of course."

Percy snatches two sandwiches and about three quesadillas and proceeds to eat them fast, yet quietly.

"I used to want to be an astronaut, you know?" Percy says, breaking the silence as the two of us enjoy the view.

"You did?"

"Yeah. I wanted to be one of those lucky people who were given the chance to go into space, to be able to do the things that us 'average' people wouldn't be able to do. To be able to see what the others couldn't," Percy explained, his voice becoming wistful.

"But you became a marine biologist."

I hear the smile in his voice, "Yeah, I did. My astronaut dream lasted for a few years, until my mother and I decided to sign me up for a diving certification."

I break my gaze from the stars to look at Percy, who's looking up at the sky with a boyish wonder glinting in his eyes.

"After I got certified and I went on my first 'real' dive, I guess you could say that I had truly fallen head over heels in love with the ocean life by then."

I smile.

"That's when I decided that I didn't want to be a astronaut any more. Sure, it would have been absolutely wonderful and worthwhile to become one, but then I realized that there were so much more wonders than space. There's amazing things everywhere. The constellations in the sky, for example."

Percy turns his gaze away from the sky and looks at me, a soft smile on his face.

"What did you want to be when you were a child? You must have had some other dream besides becoming an architect," Percy adds.

I think about it. I had wanted to become one of Santa's elves in one point of my childhood, but there was no way I was ever going to tell Percy that. I would never hear the end of it.

"I don't know. I wanted miracles, but I didn't really want to be anything else besides an architect."

"Miracles?" Percy asks.

I nod, feeling uncomfortable, "Yeah, I did. I wanted the impossible to happen."

Percy is quiet for a few seconds, then finally he asks, "Why?"

I purse my lips, "My mother and father... They fought a lot. My dad put his work first and my mother put her work first. The only times we would ever talk as a family was during dinner, and even that didn't last long."

Percy's eyes pierce my own as I continue on,

"I can't even count the times I wished that one day they would wake up and kiss me good morning instead of just say a brief goodbye," I manage to say, and its the truth. I don't want Percy to feel sorry for me, I just want him to know, "One day, my mother and father had a fight. I don't know what it was about, but they divorced. They got shared custody, I stayed with my mother during the summer, and with my dad during the school year. My father soon remarried. She's nice and all, but I can't help wishing that she was my real mother at times."

I see Percy swallow and then, he reaches out his hand and places it over my own and squeezes it gently.

"My mother and I patched things up, I guess we're a lot closer now. We both work at the same firm, and she... Well, we at least talk more now," I offer.

Percy doesn't let go of my hand, instead he just squeezes it once more. I do the same, slipping my fingers between his. The two of us continue looking at each other, neither of us breaking the silence. Finally, Percy clears his throat.

"My father left my mother. I don't know when, though. I've seen his picture on my mom's dresser, but I have no memory of ever seeing it with my own eyes," Percy states quietly.

"That... That must've sucked."

Percy chuckles dryly, "It still sucks. I don't think my dad was ever cut out to be a parent. Maybehe was one of those guys who hate responsibilities as big as children."

"Maybe, but you don't know the real reason, do you?"

Percy pauses, "No, I don't."

I lean into his side, and I hear Percy suck in a shaky breath and I feel a tiny rush of pride that I made him take that shaky breath.

"Hey... You know what?" Percy clears his throat weakly, "We make pretty good soulmates."

I laugh, "Soulmates? Are we dating now?"

I see Percy lick his lips nervously, "Only... Only ifyou'd like to."

I don't have a chance to respond to that, as my tongue suddenly feels floppy and my brain goes blank.

"Uh... Soulmates... Well... They don't have to be romantic unless you'd want them to be," Percy stammers, "I mean. Soulmates can be bestfriends! Like we are, right?"

I shrug, feeling the familiar warmth of a blush spread across my cheeks and face. "I suppose," I mumble, feeling shy.

Percy gives a weak chuckle, and I know that he's as shy as I am right now.

"Uh... Do you... Want us to be... Romantic soulmates?" I dare to ask.

Percy is silent for a few moments, deep in thought, "Yes, I would, but its your call."


Author's Note: So... I'll start off with saying/writing that I no absolutely nothing about constellations. I mean, I do, but I don't know if you can see them anywhere and everywhere in the world, so I apologize if that absolutely sucked. Anyways... I hope you enjoyed and I'm sorry for the long wait.

Until next time!