Mark of Athena Ch. 4

Disclaimer: I do not own the Heroes of Olympus, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, or any of the characters in these combined series. I wish I did, but I don't.

Annabeth

Percy showed me to an empty bed right beside his. I found that my bags were already tucked neatly underneath it.

"Normally girls don't sleep in the same room as the guys, but Reyna thought you might feel more... comfortable with me." He flashed me a quick grin and pulled a blanket out of a cubby in the wall that I probably would never have even noticed before he plopped down on his own bed.

I nodded and pushed his chest gently so that he was laying down on his bed. I laid down beside him.

"Much more comfortable," I joked before getting up and making my own bed.

I thought about the Senate meeting. The Roman camp, they decided, would provide monetary support, though only human currency. They also gave every person going on the quest the option to pick a weapon from their supplies. I did not expect much more. They seemed to be lacking, resource-wise.

"Thinking?" Percy inquired.

"Always," I answered easily.

"About?"

"Our quest."

Percy seemed to understand, "Everything will be fine," he looked at me, but it almost seemed like he was reassuring himself, "Saving the world: nothing we haven't done before." He laughed nervously, "I mean, you would think fighting monster was our favorite past time. We should get an award. It could be the Most Awesome World-Saving Demi-Gods-"

"Percy?" I interupted sweetly.

"Yeah?" When he looked at me then,all wide-eyed, he looked like a little kid.

"You're babbling," I said softly.

Percy sighed, "Yeah. I tend to do that from time to time."

"I have noticed," I retorted, laying back on my bed and closing my eyes.

There was a long pause and, apparently, Percy couldn't stand the silence.

"We leave tomorrow, then it's off to Rome. Shouldn't you be excited? All that ancient arcitecture." Percy said, his voice trailing off toward the end.

I rolled over so I was facing him and replied with a smirk, "I prefer Greek." I continued, "Besides, we have a couple stops to make along the way."

I only mentioned it because I knew it would make Percy crazy. ADHD does that to you.

Percy's eyebrows pulled together adorably and his forehead scrunched up in obvious confusion, "What?" He asked.

"It's a surprise," I grinned tauntingly.

Percy nodded, but I could tell that the subject was far from being dropped.

I said goodnight to Percy happily and rolled back over so that my back was to him. Despite the hardness of the bed, I was asleep within the minute.

That night I dreamt of the Argo II flying. We were so high, we could see Rome, even though it was a full twenty-four hours' travel away.

Percy and Jason were talking about what they expected to encounter in Rome. Hazel and Leo seemed to be deep in conversation, and Piper was nowhere to be found. And the chinese boy- I think his name was Frank-was glaring at me with pure hatred in his eyes. Then he took a step closer to me. I had never been so afraid of another person in my life, though I wasn't sure why this boy with the baby-face was frightening. Even with the body-builder frame, the boy was still young, not well trained. If it came down to a fight, there would be no competition. Yet with every step he took in my direction I took a step away from him in return.

He continued moving toward me menacingly, and I continued to back up until I could feel the edge of the ship pressing against my legs, but that still didn't stop me. He took one more step towards me and my legs gave the final push backwards.

And then I was falling, cold air whipping through my hair.

Piper

Jason stood in the corner, as he had been for almost an hour. It seemed like he had been talking to Reyna for days! Gods, I needed to talk to him, and she wouldn't leave.

Finally! I mentally screamed as Reyna turned away from Jason and walked in the opposite direction.

I took no time to admire how Jason looked in the bright moonlight, leaning casually against the walls, his muscled arms folded across his chest. I would never waste time like that. Even if you could see the outline of his abs through his tight white t-shirt.

I stepped forward, trying to focus on what I needed to tell him, instead of how he looked, "Hey Stranger."

Jason turned to look at me and offered me a weak grin, "Hey Pipes. Can we talk sometime tomorrow? I'm exausted, and my cabin is across the camp." He explained sheepishly.

I tried not to show mydisappointment, "That's okay. You want me to walk with you?" I offered weakly.

Jason smiled, "No thanks. My cabin is in the oppposite direction of yours," he stepped closer to me and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, "Besides, you look really tired." He pointed out.

I couldn't argue; I could hardly keep my eyes open to argue.

I nodded and turned to leave, mumbling a quick 'see you later' on my way, but I was only a few steps away from him when Jason caught my hand.

I turned and looked at him, curiously. Jason ignored my confused look and pulled me closer before wrapping me in a hug.

He was so warm, and soft. I couuld have stayed in his arms for days. Looking back on it, I'm surprised I did not fall asleep in his arms.

"I am really sorry we haven't gotten to talk much since we landed, but I promise that we will hang out tomorrow." He mumbled in my ear.

I grinned, "Sounds nice," It came out as a whisper, even though I didn't mean to say it so quietly.

Jason nodded and pushed me gently away, "Now go get some sleep, and I will see you in the morning." He demanded.

I nodded and hurried silently to my cabin-or whatever the Romans called them-and, as soon as I laid down on my uncomfortable-looking bed, I did just what Jason told me to do, and I went to sleep.

AN: Hope you enjoyed. Review! Love, Jess