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I ain't Rick.

Percy returned to the apartment later that night.

When he'd gotten there, the doctor mentioned complications. The child was a full month early, but Percy had read that kids sometimes who were born two months early still lived. He was optimistic.

He shouldn't have been.

After the procedure, the doctor had come out grim faced and had a strained voice. He told Percy what had happened, and his heart stopped for a moment, along with his whole world. They had to sit him down and explain it to him until he snapped out of it.

The baby was gone. She hadn't made it.

The doctors suggested he meet with the couple in recovery, and he reluctantly did so. His grief outweighed any anger he had for the couple. When he got into the room, he heard the mother's heartbroken sobs echo around the room. Her boyfriend tried to console her, but she wouldn't listen.

"What am I supposed to tell him?" She stuttered out.

Percy entered the room and she started crying harder. Percy felt angry at first, a fire starting in his gut. But any anger faded when he saw how limp and pale she was, completely exhausted. She looked like she was the dead one.

So Percy sucked away any anger he felt and hugged the couple in a tight embrace. "You're okay. You're alive. That's all that matters." He whispered to her. "It's not your fault. It's not your fault." He repeated over and over until exhaustion won out and she fell asleep. Percy and the boyfriend exchanged information for the first time, telling him that he would be there for them if they needed anything.

And now Percy was home. Home. A beautiful word that didn't describe his apartment at all. Percy sat in his armchair and laid there for what felt like forever. Mrs. O'Leary stayed close, whimpering and fearing for her master's well being. He didn't tell her to go away. He didn't want to feel alone.

And when Annabeth got home, she found him asleep in his armchair, tear stains down his face and his work shirt half open. He looked horrible, and she didn't know why. She decided to pull a blanket out of the closet and wrap it around him.

...

Then next day while Percy was at work his apartment landline rang. Annabeth answered it, expecting Piper or Hazel. She'd been avoiding them since her and Percy's fight but knew they were nearly as stubborn as herself. "Hello?"

A stern voice that wasn't anyone Annabeth knew replied. "Is this the Jackson residence?"

Annabeth frowned at the rude tone, but decided to shrug it off. "Yes, but I'm afraid Percy isn't here at the moment. May I take a message?"

The other end of the line crackled and then the voice was back. "From all of us at St. Agatha's, please give Mr. Jackson our condolences. And inform him if he wants his money back that he'll need to come in with the couple and sign a few release forms."

Annabeth frowned. "I'm sorry, I'm confused. What happened?"

"Mr. Jackson's child died yesterday afternoon during childbirth. I assume you are his soulmate?" He asked. "He has you listed as the adoptive mother."

Annabeth's mouth dropped open in shock. She quickly tried to regain her composure. "Oh. Yes, I'm Annabeth. I'll... I'll tell Mr. Jackson when he gets home tonight." She choked out. The doctor hung up without anymore pleasantries and Annabeth put the phone back on the receiver.

...

When Percy got home Annabeth tugged him into an embrace. He didn't even feel it at first, his mind still numbing his body. The principal had suggested Percy go home early and get some rest, but Percy knew it would be futile. He moved robotically, performing day to day tasks. His ride home was silent. He'd expected a quiet night as well.

"The adoption agency called this morning." She whispered into his ear. Suddenly every nerve was on fire, his skin burning and a chill going down his spine. "Why didn't you tell me?" She whispered urgently.

He gently got himself out of the embrace. "I didn't want to bother you." He muttered dejectedly. "Wasn't your problem." Percy took a seat in his armchair, running his hands over his face. He felt the numbness returning. The complete sense of nothing. He was vaguely aware of Annabeth sitting beside him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked quietly. Percy gave her a small smile, really just a tightening of his lips, but shook his head no. She nodded and stayed by his side.

They ended up watching some TV together. Nothing important or interesting, but Percy liked the distraction. Annabeth ended up taking his hand into hers, and was pleasantly surprised when he gave hers a reassuring squeeze. "Why did you list me as the mother?" She suddenly blurted.

He looked at her in surprise, but after staring a while he simply shrugged. "Because."

She rolled her eyes. "Because why?"

He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "You know it's getting late. I think I'll-"

"Please." She begged. "No more avoiding questions, or awkward silences, or excuses. Just... Please."

He stared down at his shoes for a few seconds. "You're my soulmate. You already live here, and... I can't do it all on my own."

"But you would've had Piper, or Hazel. All of them." Annabeth said. "Why me? Why register me as her mother?"

He went quiet again. "I wanted us to work out." He whispered. He stood up, then dusted off his prosthetics and avoided eye contact with her. "It really is getting late, and you've got work tomorrow-"

Suddenly he couldn't speak. This time it wasn't because his voice was caught in his throat, or because he couldn't find any words.

She was kissing him.

Annabeth was kissing him.

His soulmate was kissing him.

And maybe his mind was just a bit blown. Enough that when he didn't respond she backed away shyly with her cheeks dusted red. "Sorry." She muttered. She tried to turn and leave but Percy caught her arm.

"Don't be." He muttered and kissed her this time. He kept it quick, mainly because he'd never really kissed anyone before (sad, right?) and had no idea if he was doing it right. He felt a little weird, like his stomach was doing flips. When he pulled away he quickly hid his face.

"Something wrong?" She asked, lifting his chin slightly. By the way her lips suddenly curled upwards he guessed he wasn't a master at hiding his blushes. "Something wrong?" She repeated in a teasing tone. He blushed harder.

"Nothing." He muttered, trying to get out of the room. In his rush he didn't focus on his footing and his leg slid out from under him. Annabeth laughed out loud and Percy blushed even worse. He tried to stand but Annabeth was laughing too hard for him to focus. Instead he crawled to his couch and laid on that, his head in his hands.

He felt her tap his leg slightly. "Scoot over." She said, a smile in her voice. Percy moved so he was sitting up with his head in his hands still, and he was sure that the blush wasn't gone. Annabeth sat beside him like nothing was wrong and even took his hand in hers again. She whispered teasingly in his ear. "Never kissed a girl, huh?"

He groaned and Annabeth laughed again in delight. "Don't worry about it." She said, leaning into his side. "You'll get used to it." After another groan and some more laughing Annabeth put on a movie. Percy only looked up halfway through it, and Annabeth fell asleep curled into his side, but for some reason Percy still had something making his stomach churn.

Love. He realized suddenly, as if he'd been hit by a pile of bricks. I'm in love.

And casting a quick glance at the woman who still had her head against his shoulder, he smiled. Could be worse. He decided.

LHG :)