Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.
Story: Divided Soul
Chapter 37: The Calm
Camp Half Blood
Blackjack flew over the camp with Annabeth and Percy on his back. The Argo II sat in the middle of the canoe lake. A few people were gathered near the lake as a small zodiac moved to the shore. Percy pointed toward the beach before Blackjack descended. The Pegasus landed careful not to throw off his riders.
Percy and Annabeth climbed off their friend. Percy caressed the Pegasus's snout and fed him some sugar cubes. "I'll see you around buddy," Percy said.
Kick some monster butt for me Boss. Blackjack galloped off toward the stables. Percy smiled after his friend.
"You coming, Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth asked.
Percy looked around the lake before joining her near the shore of the beach. A few younger campers were near the beach waiting for the zodiac to come ashore. When they saw Percy and Annabeth, they stared at them slack jawed.
"Annabeth," a little grey eyed girl said before running up to the daughter of Athena. Annabeth scooped up the little girl and twirled her around in her arms. The girl giggled before Annabeth placed her back on the sandy beach. "You're home."
Annabeth smiled at the little girl. "It's good to be home Allie," Annabeth said. "Where is everyone?"
"Chiron left with the older kids to fight in the west," Allie said.
Percy walked over to the two. Allie looked up at the son of Poseidon. Her eyes grew big when she saw his sea green ones. "Who do we have here?" Percy asked as he knelt in front of the little girl.
"This is Allison Edwards, my half-sister," Annabeth introduced.
Percy smiled at the young daughter of Athena. "Well, aren't you the cutest little girl in the world?" Percy asked playfully.
Allie crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I'm not little; I'm six years old," she argued.
Percy raised his hands in surrender. "You really are a big girl then," Percy conceded. Annabeth smiled at the interaction between Percy and the little girl.
"Who are you?" Allie asked.
Annabeth knelt down beside Percy and Allison. "This is Percy," Annabeth said.
Allison's eye grew even bigger. "You're the son of Poseidon," Allie said.
"Guilty as charged," Percy said.
Allie rushed forward and smacked Percy across the face as hard as she could. "That's for leaving Annabeth," Allie said. Her hand was red where she hit Percy. Annabeth was about to grab her hand to check on it, but Percy beat her to it. The girl's hand was red, but Percy could tell that nothing was broken.
"Does it hurt bad?" Percy asked. Allie nodded. Percy willed the water to move from the lake to pool in his hand. He placed the little girl's hand in the water and the redness went away.
Allie just stared at her hand and then at the water as it moved back into the lake. "Cool," she said.
Percy smiled at her. "I'm sorry I hit you, but Malcolm said he wanted to kick your butt for leaving," Allie said.
Percy laughed. "I'm sorry you hurt your hand," Percy said. Allie gave Percy a hug; the son of Poseidon returned the hug careful not to squish the little girl.
They pulled apart. Annabeth just stared at Percy in wonder. She knew he liked kids, but she never knew he was this good with them. "Allie go play with your friends," Annabeth urged.
Allie smiled at Percy. "Bye Percy," she said.
"Good bye Allison," he said as the little girl ran to join her friends. Annabeth turned to her boyfriend; she had a huge smile on her face. Percy looked at her strangely. "What?"
"You were really good with her," Annabeth said.
Percy chuckled. "Don't sound so surprised Wise Girl," Percy said with just a hint of sarcasm.
"You never cease to amaze me," Annabeth said.
Percy leaned forward and kissed her softly. He pulled away with a mischievous smirk on his face. "I aim to please," he said.
"Ahem," someone said from behind them. Annabeth and Percy turned toward the sound. Standing in front of them were their friends from the Argos II. "Good to see that the gods didn't fry your butt Perce," Leo said jokingly.
Percy stood helping Annabeth up with him. "Everything went well," Percy said.
Annabeth rolled her eyes at how humble he was. "Zeus appointed him commander of the combined Roman and Greek army," she said proudly.
Percy winked at her. "That too," he said playfully.
Jason and the others mobbed him. The guys gave him man hugs and the girls kissed his cheek. By the time it was over Percy was thoroughly embarrassed.
"He can fight Titans and giants, but a little appreciation from his friends nearly causes a heart attack," Nico quipped.
Percy rolled his eyes at his cousin. "At least I didn't get captured and put in a large bird cage," Percy said. Nico's face turned red.
Piper looked around. "Where is everybody?" she asked.
"It looks like Chiron already left with the older campers. The little kids are the only ones left here," Annabeth said.
"We need to resupply the ship," Percy said. He paced in front of everyone in his usual way. It was the same mannerism that he used to make sure that people kept their eyes on him. "Visit your cabins and get clothes and whatever else you need. We set sail in two hours." The others nodded before running off to visit their cabins. Annabeth kissed Percy on the cheek before she ran off to visit the Athena cabin.
Percy walked into camp. There were only a few small kids there, but Argus stood guard to keep his many eyes on them. The old security chief waved at Percy. Percy returned the gesture before changing direction toward his cabin. He reached the Poseidon cabin and stopped. He looked at the shape of the building and the stone walls with sea shells in them. He pushed open the door and a sea breeze blew in his face. He smiled at the sensation. He walked into his cabin; all the memories flooded his senses. He could hear the salt water fountain in the back bubbling. He played with the bronze Hippocampi hanging from the ceiling. He walked over to his bed and touched the Minotaur horn that was hung on the bed post.
Percy sat on his bed and closed his eyes. He could feel the sea in this cabin. He could feel every Ocean in the world as he sat in his cabin. He marveled at how this small building was linked to the great bodies of water that made up most of the world. Percy didn't know how long he was there, but he opened his eyes as he heard the door to the cabin open.
"Percy," Annabeth said as she stood in the doorway. The light reflected off her golden hair and her grey eyes shined in the low light of the cabin. Percy couldn't believe how beautiful she was.
"I'm here," he said. Annabeth stepped in and walked over to Percy. She sat on his bed beside him.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
Percy gave her his crooked grin. "When I close my eyes here I can feel the oceans of the world. I feel so connected to them," Percy explained.
Annabeth just stared at him. At the moment she couldn't believe how lucky she was to have someone like him in her life. "It must be incredible to feel that," she said.
Percy grabbed both of her hands and held them close to his chest. "Do you feel my heart beat?" Percy asked.
A deep blush flooded Annabeth's cheeks as she felt his steady heartbeat. "Yes," she affirmed.
"Close your eyes," Percy said.
Annabeth closed her eyes. Percy moved her hands from his chest to the side of his face. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his connection to the sea.
Suddenly, Annabeth could feel the sea. She could feel the movement of the waves across the many oceans; the pulse of the life that lived within them. She began to feel Percy's connection to the sea. It was the greatest feeling that she had ever experience. It was better than designing a building and then seeing it constructed. This was what Percy felt when he was in the ocean, but this was different. This was him connecting to all the oceans and to all the life within it. She felt so special that he shared this feeling with her. She let the sensations wash over her; a broad smile never left her face.
Eventually, Percy broke the connection. They both opened their eyes at the same. They stared at each other, grey eyes to green ones. They both grinned happily.
"That was incredible," Annabeth said.
Percy nodded. "I'm glad I could share it with you," he said.
"Thank you," she replied.
Percy leaned forward and kissed her. They broke apart after a few seconds. Percy squeezed her hand. "We don't have a lot of time. Can you help me pack?" Percy asked.
"Sure thing," she said as they stood up and packed a few extra clothes for him.
Once they were finished they rushed hand in hand to the lake. They reached the zodiac to find their friends waiting for them.
"Everyone ready?" Percy asked. Everyone nodded their approval. Percy pushed the zodiac from the shore. He started the engine and drove the boat toward the Argo II.
They reached the ship and boarded. Leo and Alex used the winch to lift the zodiac onto the ship. Jason and Annabeth worked on getting the ship ready to launch. Piper, Gwen and Nico helped load the provisions on the ship. Percy walked to the control room and unrolled a map of the United States. He plotted a course to Yellowstone; they would be there in two days.
Annabeth and Jason entered the control. Percy looked up from the map. "Are we ready to depart?" he asked.
Leo walked in followed by Alex. "The engines are ready," Leo informed.
"Take off, set altitude for one thousand feet. Full speed ahead," Percy ordered. Leo and Jason left the control room to lift-off the ship.
"Alex, double check the weapons systems; I want to be ready in case of attack," Percy said. Alex gave his best Roman salute before leaving the control room. Percy finished plotting the course before rubbing his eyes.
"You seem tired," Annabeth said.
"I've been too worked up to sleep," he said.
"Why is that?" Annabeth asked curiously.
Percy didn't know how to tell her. "Nothing bad, I've been doing a dangerous thing for a demigod," Percy admitted.
Annabeth gave him a worried stare. "What?"
"I've been planning for the future," Percy admitted.
Annabeth sighed. "I thought it was something bad," she complained.
Percy's normal happy smile faded. "For a child of the big three it is a dangerous thing. We don't live long enough to plan for the future."
Annabeth wrapped her arms around him tightly. "You're being a Seaweed Brain."
"Maybe I am, but I don't want to get my hopes up. Something bad always happens when I do that."
Annabeth kissed him on the neck sending a shiver down his spine. "I'm here with you through thick or thin, through the good and the bad."
Percy turned around in her grip and pulled her close to his chest. "I know you are."
"So, what were you planning?" Annabeth asked curiously.
Percy kissed the top of her head before placing his chin there. "I want to build someplace for the Romans and Greeks."
"What kind of place?" Annabeth questioned as she moved from under his chin to look up into his eyes.
"Like I told the gods, I want a place where we can live and learn in safety." Percy's eyes brightened at the thought. "A city for demigods; can you imagine such a place?"
It was Annabeth's turn to smile. Her grey eyes sparkled at the idea. "A place we can help build."
"Of course, I think the architect of Olympus would be just the right person to pull that off." He wrapped his arms around her back protectively as his usual grin spread across his face.
"What are you going to do?"
Percy's crooked grin widened. "Keep the Romans and Greeks from killing each other."
Annabeth smirked. "So, only a small task then," she quipped.
Percy laughed. "I know, I think this final battle will be easier than pulling off a unification of Greek and Roman demigods."
"It's a good thing that we're already a unification of the two," Annabeth said.
Percy kissed her on the forehead. "I couldn't have said it better myself."
AN: A little fluffy piece of filler before the final chapters. Stay tuned, the final battle will begin next chapter.