Chapter Ten - Beach

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or HoO. Rick Riordan does.

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.

"So, you're a strawberry fan?" Percy asks, after I take a long sip of my milkshake. A strawberry milkshake, in fact.

I nod. "Yep," I confirm. "Strawberries are the best."

Percy snorts. "Sure, strawberries are good and all, but come on - Haven't you ever had blueberries?" He demands, a playful tone in his voice.

I roll my eyes. "I have in fact, but isn't everyone allowed to have their own opinion?"

Percy sets his jaw, the stubborn determination that he has become so acquainted with appears once again - without fail - in his eyes. "Tell you what, when you get a slice of my mom's blueberry pie, you are so going to wish you haven't wasted your time with your strawberries."

I smirk. "Sure."

Percy grins, looking triumphant, until he realizes that my tone had been full and dripping with sarcasm. He narrows his eyes at me.

"You know, sarcasm is the lowest form of wit," He quotes.

"Is that honestly the best you've got, Jackson?" I shoot back, a bit amused.

Percy pauses, obviously searching for a comeback in that tiny little head of his. While he thinks, he takes a sip of his blueberry milkshake. After a few more moments of silence, I snap my fingers in front of his face.

"Hello? Earth to Percy..." I sigh.

Percy blinks out of his stupor and shakes himself before clearing his throat. "You have got to be the most infuriating woman on this planet!" He exclaims loudly, attracting the attention of the nearby people sitting around us at the little cafe.

I resist the urge to laugh in his face. "Percy," I chide gently, "You know that you're only saying that because I've won this round? Honestly, come on, do you think that you are as smart as me?"

He glares at me, his green eyes calculating. Finally, he sticks out his tongue at me and makes farting noises with his mouth rather creatively.

"Wow, wow, real mature, Jackson." I stare him down, unamused.

"You got to get your ego deflated a bit, Chase," He shoots back, his green eyes suddenly becoming darker.

I smirk. "I'll get to that as soon as you learn that I always win."

Percy shakes his head.

"Want to go out to the beach now?" I look at Percy, hopefully. He eyes me, warily, his expression unreadable.

After the brief, yet tense, silence stretches for about a few more moments, he finally speaks, "You are wearing a bikini under that?"

His expression is full of such longing, that I can't help but blush a bit.

"You'll find out as soon as we get to swim."

Percy gulps audibly. "Uh... We... Swim... Um... Lets finish the milkshakes first!"

I try my best to hide my amusement at his lack of control back there.

"Right, milkshakes first," I agree.

Only when Percy ducks down to finish up the rest of his blueberry shake, do I let a ghost of a grin appear on my face.

We walk out of the cafe and onto the sandy beach waiting just outside. Rachel had offered quickly to hang out with Sophie for the day, when Percy had told her that we were going to the beach today. I could tell by the happiness practically radiating off of Rachel that she was absolutely even more overjoyed to get another chance at seeing Sophie again. Just by herself, this time.

Sometimes, I wondered what was the arrangement between both Percy and her regarding Sophie. I mean, did they have shared custody or something? They probably did, but I didn't confirm that suspicion yet.

"What are you thinking about?" Percy's voice breaks into my thoughts.

"Hmm?" I casually sit down onto the sand, the water just reaching my feet as the tide comes.

Percy plops down comfortably beside me, casting some of the sand to fly up in the air.

"I can tell you are thinking about stuff. So, what are you thinking about?" Percy repeats, gently nudging me in the side with his elbow.

I look over at him. He looks really nice today, with his navy blue swim trunks and simple white cotton shirt. I wondered distractedly if Percy was going to swim shirtless.

"Hey! Are you checking me out?" Percy asks loudly, his eyes twinkiling.

Unfortunately, his loud voice once again attracts the attention of the other people on the beach around us. They throw us both curious looks, some of them with a hint of amusement, and some of them with a hint of annoyance.

"Percy!" I hiss, feeling my cheeks heat up. Did I just break the record for turning red in the shortest amount of time?

"Come on, tell me!" He whines, lowering his voice, but his green eyes still sparkling with that adorable humor.

I groan. "Shut. Up."

Percy smirks arrogantly. "That wasn't a no."

"Fine. What if I was checking you out?"

"Is that a yes?"

"No. It was a question, idiot."

"Well, in that case I'd be thrilled."

"And if I wasn't?"

"Then, obviously, I"d be greatly disappointed."

"Really?"

"Really," Percy confirms.

"Great, then I wasn't checking you out. Don't flatter yourself."

Percy puts a hand on the right side of his chest. "You've just broke my heart, Chase!"

"Your heart isn't on the right side, you know?" I snort at my friend in amusement.

Percy blushes fiercely. "Right, I forgot."

The two of us settle in a comfortable silence, staring out at the ocean before us. Not that many kids are here on the beach, probably because its quite a bit late now. Not very dark, but still late.

"The view's great, isn't it?" Percy asks, his tone soft.

I agree. It is quite spectacular.

"Why don't you want to date me?" Percy breaks the comfortable silence. The air around us suddenly feels very tight and tense.

I try to keep my cool as I think of an answer to give.

"Don't think about it, please. Just give me an answer. An honest answer," Percy pleads.

I take a deep breath. Percy did deserve an honest answer, and I would've given it to him anyway.

"I do want to date you," I begin. However, Percy interrupts me.

"Perfect! Then why didn't you say that before?" He asks, confused. I raise up a hand, signaling that I am still in a middle of my sentence. Percy gets the message and shuts up.

"I do want to date you," I repeat, "But you are my friend."

Percy scrunches up his eyebrows. "Um, is that a bad thing?"

I laugh, not unkindly. "No, no, its not a bad thing at all! Its just... I don't want our friendship to be ruined if this relationship between us doesn't work," I admit.

"We're friends now, there's not a problem between us," Percy points out blatantly.

I nod. "Exactly, we're friends. You're not my boyfriend, I'm not your girlfriend. What if we did date. Do you think that we would last as much as we'd like to together? I don't want to lose you if something stupid happens in our relationship. Besides, there's Sophie as well."

Percy tenses. "What does Sophie have to do with this? With us and this dating thing?"

I swallow, gathering up my courage. "Sophie, she is amazing. She deserves real parents, I know. She even asked if I was going to be her new mother. If we did date, and we... Broke up, what would go throw Sophie's head then? I don't want to hurt her," I say firmly.

Percy is silent, simply staring at me for very, very long moments. Then, he looks out at the sea. The wind changes its course from blowing sideways, to right towards us. It ruffles through Percy's hair and I suck in a sharp breath as his handsome face are suddenly very much defined. His strong jaw, his perfectly shaped nose and lips, and his amazing sea green eyes stick out to me the most. The thing that strikes me most, however, is the expression on his face: Determination.

"Annabeth, I appreciate that you care for Sophie. I love that, I really do. But, trust me, if we give this dating thing a shot - We won't screw it up," Percy states, his voice strong and unwavering. Another gust of wind flies at us and Percy looks over at me, his eyes softening. "I won't hurt you like Luke did."

My throat constricts and I struggle to get any words out. My eyes tear up a bit. I turn away from Percy as soon as I realize it and hope that he didn't notice it.

Percy doesn't say anything but I feel his warm hand cover mine. I suck in a shaky breath.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so forward. Its just... Nevermind, I'm sorry." Percy takes his hand off and I blink away my unshed tears before turning back to Percy.

"Its fine," I say gently, my voice sounding distant and sort of dazed. Percy isn't looking at me though, his head's turned the other away.

"Want to go swim?" Percy asks, as the silence between us stretches.

"Sure."

I dunk Percy's head underwater, shaking my wet hair. Percy shall rue the day he had been born. I scowl. This punishment serves him right for pretending to be a freaking sea monster.

My thoughts are shoved out of my head as Percy grabs my ankle and pulls me under as well.

Agh! I struggle in the water, but Percy holds me down. I know that he isn't going to hold me under long enough that I'll drown. After about ten more seconds of kicking Percy's legs, I resort to the final blow.

He lets go immediately after I kick him in the crown jewels.

I surface and Percy is spluttering in pain.

"Gosh, its been... Ages since anybody touched me there!" He groans. Then, he stiffens after realizing what he'd just said. "Uh, I don't mean the dirty way, heh."

I refuse the childish urge to giggle. "I know."

Percy winces and he straightens up, his green eyes becoming focused on mine.

"Do you know what I'm going to do to you after all the pain you've just put me through?" Percy rasps, his shirtless and dripping form nearing me. I swallow roughly, feeling extremely flustered. The urge to run away is a very good decision, but I am so not going to chicken out of this.

"Uh," I try for the casual and cool response, "No..."

Percy smirks, his green eyes flashing. "Of course you wouldn't." His hands reach towards me and unfortunately, I realize what he's about to do too late.

"No!" I shriek, tears of laughter already escaping my eyes.

Percy laughs evilly as he continues to tickle me. I struggle against him, desperately wanting to escape his tickles that send goosebumps all over my skin. His hot breath hits my ear as he whispers,

"You really shouldn't wear a bikini."

At first I think its an insult and glare at him, trying to ignore the burning and goosebumps all over me because of Percy Jackson's tickles.

"Excuse me?" I demand, trying not to squeak out the words. I honestly thought this bikini looked nice on me. What a blow to my self esteem. However, I couldn't really concentrate on that fact because of the stupid tickles I was recieving. Damn, was this my fatal weakness?

"Its easy access," Percy remarks, a tiny smirk appearing on his lips, "For tickles, you know."

I suck in a sharp breath, trying my hardest to not let myself succumb to laughter. "Shut up."

Percy chuckles and finally - FINALLY - releases me from his grasp and stops tickling me. "I think you've learned your lesson, now."

"Do I look good in a bikini?" I blurt out, my face still flushed with laughter.

Percy blinks, obviously confused then he remembers his previous statement. He leans in and looks me up and down, an amused smile playing on his lips.

"I think you look wonderful in a bikini, but you shouldn't wear it again here. Not when we're together," Percy admits.

I try to ignore how fast my heart's beating at hearing Percy's last statement. Nervously, I lick my lips.

"Why?"

Percy is quiet, his face becoming all different shades of red. "Uh... Because..." Percy swallows hard. "I don't like the way to other guys look at you in that."

Just then did I realize how close we were. His lips were only a tantalizingly short distance away from mine. I'd only have to stand on my tippy toes and lean forwards and my lips would be right on his.

"Oh. Well, I don't like the way the beach babes around here look at you when you're wearing that."

Percy smirks, but its a nervous one. His eyes are on my lips and I have a feeling he'd just been fantasizing what I had a few seconds ago as well.

"What do they look at me like?" Percy asks quietly.

I grin, placing my hands on his bare and wet chest. It feels oddly nice and I resist the urge to jump on him right then and there. "Well, they were looking at you like you were food. Really good food," I add.

Percy cups my cheeks in his hands, pulling me in for the kill. I stand up on my tippy toes and close my eyes, my heart pounding in my chest. I wonder if he could hear it.

Then, the wave crashed over us, sending us tumbling back to shore.

"What the heck?!" I nearly screamed, but it came out as a strangled whisper. Gosh, that freaking massive wave was totally unexpected.

"... Was that a wave?" Percy's voice came from behind me, and I turned to see him and I held back a mix of laughter and amazement.

His black hair was full of sand, yet wind blown and he totally looked delicious even with all that sand on him.

"Um, yeah..."

"Damn."

"I know, right." I took a seat beside him, a bit in a daze. We were about to kiss, I didn't stop myself and neither did he.

"Is the mood gone?" Percy asks, sounding rather unhopeful. I think about it.

"Well, you look undeniably handsome right now, but I don't really feel like jumping you in the middle of all these people right now."

Percy chuckles. "So, you don't like PDA?"

I shake my head.

Percy grins. "So you like to be alone with a guy whenever you two decide to make out, do you?"

I roll my eyes. "Any sane person would."

Percy places a hand on his chest, this time on the right side of it. "When will thou stop hurting me with these words?"

"Shut up."

"Ah, there you go again."

The two of us talk for a bit more, but it seems a bit awkward and tense. Finally, Percy and I notice how late its getting and we head to the changing rooms on the beach after fetching our other clothes from his car.

When we arrive at the changing rooms, Percy waggles his eyebrows, looking a bit suggestive. "Make sure to get off all that sand, Chase, or I might have to help you out."

I glare at him. Percy drops his attitude and quickly runs into the mens washroom. I take a shower and brush off the sand - rather carefully I might add. Gosh, knowing Percy, he'd stick true to his word. As soon as I think of Percy, I remember our almost kiss. Damn, we'd been so close...

But that freaking wave decided to come out of nowhere! I fumed silently.

After I regain my senses, I shake that thought of out my head. That was so not me, I was independent and strong. I didn't need a man by my side, or anyone for that matter. I liked being alone.

… Maybe, though, I didn't really like it anymore. A fantasy popped into my mind - me waking up next to Percy in the morning, exchanging quick kisses goodbye as we departed for our separate jobs. A tiny quiver shakes my body as I realize that Sophie would be part of my new life too. Even if we weren't married and just dating. To be honest, in the short amount of time I knew her, I already knew that she was going to special to me - if she wasn't already, of course.

Deciding that I was taking to long drowning in my thoughts in the shower, I turned off the tap and dried myself off, shaking the water out of my curls. Agh, I was so going to need a brush when I got back home. I changed into my clothes and walked out of the building and back onto the beach. Percy was there, casually leaning against the wall, his swim shorts in the plastic bag in one hand. A blue towel hung over one shoulder, and his white cotton shirt was back on, this time with a pair of pants to go along with it.

"What took you so long, Chase?" Percy asked, exasperated.

I roll my eyes. "Be quiet, Jackson, and take me home."

Percy is quiet, but I can tell he's thinking about something. Hard. "You know... My place is closer to here than yours, and its getting late. So... Do you wanna..."

Percy let the unspoken question hang in the silence shared between us.

I clear my throat, trying hard not to blush. "I appreciate the offer, Percy, but I don't want to intrude into your home."

Percy grinned. "That isn't a no. And also, you aren't an intrusion. I'd love having you there, plus I'm also sure Sophie wouldn't mind as well."

"She's probably sleeping, I might wake her up," I counter.

Percy raises an eyebrow. "You walk really quietly, so don't try that trick on me. Sophie's a heavy sleeper, I doubt you will wake her up." Percy softens, seeing my hesitance. Truthfully, though, I was quite torn between my options. I would really like the company - rather than going home alone, but I was also a bit nervous.

"There's a spare bedroom," Percy adds. "Its comfy, don't worry, tomorrow I'll definitely take you home." His eyes glinted.

I swallow roughly and step up to him. "Definitely?"

Percy reddens, obviously a bit surprised how close I was to him now. He clears his throat and answers calmly, however. "As much as I'd want to, I can't keep you at my place forever."

I step back and walk away from Percy, towards where he'd parked his car, but not before saying, "Don't be so sure. Come on, Jackson."

Percy rushes after me and falls in step.

When we arrive at his apartment, he unlocks the door and gestures for me to enter first.

"Always the gentleman," I remark as I step inside.

"Nah, its just my charm." Percy shuts the door behind me.

Then, Rachel comes out of a room. She sees the two of us and gives each of us a welcoming smile.

"Hey, you two, I put Sophie to bed about 30 minutes ago. I didn't want to leave her alone, so I stayed." Rachel explains, when Percy sends her a questioning look.

"Oh," Percy says understandingly. "Nice to see you again, I hope you two had fun today."

Rachel smiles. "Oh, we did. Its nice to see her." She glances at her watch, before waving at us as she begins walking to the door. "Its getting late, so I should go now. Goodnight, you two," She adds, before shutting the door behind her.

Percy locks the door before looking over at me.

"Well I'll show you to the guest room, then," He announced.

"Thanks for letting me stay the night," I say fondly, taking a chance and ruffling his hair. He rolls his eyes at me.

"I'm not a dog, Chase, but you're welcome."

He leads me to the room and I follow in silence. As he shows me the room, I contemplate if what I'm about to do. Then, I realize I don't care - That I'd like it.

"Well, goodnight, Annabeth. Sweet dreams," Percy said charmingly.

"Goodnight," I reply easily, leaning up on my toes and planting a kiss on his cheek.

Before I see his reaction I enter the room and shut the door, even if it was a bit cruel. Though, I'd like to believe that that strangled sound I'd heard from Percy was a gasp. Preferably a gasp of pleasant shock.