Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.

Story: Divided Soul

Chapter 36: Admiration

Argo II – en route to Camp Half Blood

Percy sat on the bow of the ship with his legs dangling over the edge. He leaned back on the deck as he let the sun engulf him in its warmth. He sighed in contentment; he knew the final battle of this war was on the horizon, but he had survived his trip to Greece. More importantly, his friends had survived as well. He closed his eyes and thought about the future. He thought about the two camps; they were so different, but in many ways they were the same. He wanted the Romans and the Greeks to work together. They were much stronger united, than apart. That thought brought his mind to a certain daughter of Athena. She was like him, Roman and Greek. Percy could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, an end to this war. Before he had tried not to get his hopes up, but it was hard not to do that now. The final battle would come soon enough, but he was less worried about that now. For some reason he felt like the Fates were on his side. It was a feeling that was unusual to say the least.

Percy opened his eyes as he felt the deck plates move slightly beneath him. Someone was trying to sneak up on him. He closed his eyes and opened up all his senses. He could feel the warm air brush across his skin and the heat of the sun as it warmed his body. He sniffed the air. He could smell the sea beneath the ship and the sea salt in the air, and the smell of lemons. A wry smile crossed his lips; he knew this stalker. He made no attempt to react as the person knelt beside him. He could sense that the other person thought that he hadn't sensed them. They were so wrong.

"Hello, Wise Girl," Percy said.

Annabeth huffed. "I thought I had you," she said in frustration.

Percy smiled. "You do; I'm all yours," Percy said as his crooked grin widened.

Annabeth's cheeks reddened just a little. She sat down on the deck and stretched her tanned legs out brushing against Percy's side. The son of Poseidon stretched out his hand and grabbed a hold of his girlfriend's hand gently. "What are you thinking about?" she asked.

Percy smirked. "How do you know I'm thinking?" Percy asked curiously.

"You're always thinking now," Annabeth explained.

Percy chuckled. "Is that a bad thing?" he asked.

"I'm the thinker and you're the doer," Annabeth said.

"Is doer even a word?" Percy asked amusedly.

Annabeth's smiled widened. "Of course it is. I'm a daughter of Athena; I don't make up words," she explained.

Percy raised his hands in surrender. "I never thought you did. I'm just trying to learn from the Wise One," Percy said.

Annabeth elbowed him in the side. Percy rubbed his side as if it hurt. "You're such a faker," she accused.

Percy clutched his chest as if her comment hurt his heart. "That was a terrible thing to say; I'm a great actor," Percy said sarcastically.

Annabeth slapped him in the head, but of course it didn't hurt him. "Shut-up Seaweed Brain," she replied.

"You two need to stop flirting; the last time I checked you're both together already," Piper commented as she walked up the steps to the bow of the ship.

Percy and Annabeth sat up quickly with red faces. "Piper, is something wrong?" Annabeth asked trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, why aren't you sucking face with Jason?" Percy asked as he shifted his eyebrows suggestively. Annabeth punched him in the arm before rolling her eyes at the boy she loved. "Hey, that could have hurt."

Piper laughed at the son of Poseidon's lousy acting. "You'll never be a Tristan Mclean," she said. That comment earned a chuckle from Annabeth and an indignant huff from Percy.

"What's going on?" Annabeth asked again.

"Iris Messaging is working again. It appears that Olympus is open for business," Piper explained.

Annabeth smiled brightly at the news. "That's great. Who IMed you?" she asked curiously.

Piper's cheeks reddened slightly. "My mom," Piper replied.

The color drained out of Percy's face and Annabeth stared at him strangely before turning to address Piper. "What did she say?" she asked.

"The gods want to see Percy on Olympus. Blackjack is on his way to pick him up," Piper said.

Annabeth gave her boyfriend a worried look. "What could they want with you?" she asked, but it sounded more like an internal question, instead of one directed toward the son of Poseidon.

"I don't know, but it must be important," Percy reasoned.

Annabeth held onto his arm protectively. Piper smiled at her friends. "I'm going with you," Annabeth exclaimed.

Percy looked at her closely; he could tell that she wouldn't take no for an answer. She was stubborn just like her mother. "Okay, you can come," he said. Percy looked back at Piper. "Pipes, go tell Jason that he's in charge. Take the ship to Camp Half Blood. Annabeth and I will meet you all there." Piper nodded before running down the steps toward the decks below.

Annabeth held onto Percy's arm tightly. "I don't like it," she commented.

Percy sighed. "Me neither, but I can't disregard a summons from Olympus," he said.

"The old Percy would." Annabeth looked into his eyes; she could see a hint of pain in his eyes.

"Do you really miss the old Percy that much?"

Annabeth let go of his arm and looked at the deck sadly. "No, I'm worried about you. Why do you always have to be the one that they call on? Why are you more important than any other hero?"

Percy held both her shoulders and stared into those grey eyes that were so much like her mothers. "I'm a child of Rome and Greece, like you, but I happen to be a child of the big three. Both of those things make me special. All I know is that I have a responsibility to help demigods and that means working with the gods, no matter how they act towards each other or their children."

Annabeth nodded her head. She hated feeling weak, but she never wanted to lose Percy again. She didn't know if she could survive it. "I'm not going to leave your side, if I can help it. I'm not going to lose you again."

Percy smiled at her lovingly. "You know I love you. After the war, we'll finally be able to create a life together."

Annabeth stared at him curiously. "What life?"

"A life where we can go to school, start careers and raise a family." Percy stared into her eyes searching for confirmation that she wished for the same thing.

A beautiful smile spread across Annabeth's face. Her smile made Percy's eyes lighten with happiness. "I love you too and I want that life as well." The two leaned forward and kissed.

Ahem

"What was that?" Percy asked as he broke the kiss.

Annabeth's eyes were still closed. "What?" she asked before opening her eyes.

Sorry boss

"Blackjack?" Percy asked before looking around. Blackjack hovered in the air about twenty feet above the deck of the ship. Percy frowned. "One interruption after the other."

Annabeth laughed at the annoyed and defeated tone in her boyfriend's voice. "Hello Blackjack," she greeted.

Hello lady boss

Percy smiled at the name. "Good to see you buddy," Percy said. Blackjack landed on the deck of the ship. Annabeth and Percy walked to their friend. Percy helped Annabeth up first before he climbed up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her as Annabeth leaned back against his chest. "Let's go to Olympus." Blackjack flapped his wings a few times before he ran to the edge of the deck and jumped over the side. His wings flapped a few more times as they glided across the surface of the water before gaining altitude.

The Argo II faded away as the Pegasus flew toward the home of the Olympian gods. An hour later Blackjack landed on the marble floor of a garden in front of the great temple of the gods. Annabeth and Percy jumped off their friend before running into the building.

Percy marveled at the work Annabeth had done so far on the rebuild of Olympus. Annabeth saw his face and smiled. "Do you like it?" she asked.

"It's beautiful," Percy exclaimed. He turned around in circles marveling at the splendor of the rebuilt Olympus. He stopped; a broad smile was on his face. His green eyes shined in the light of the city of the gods. "I want a tour after this war is over."

Annabeth's entire face lit up as she smiled. She ran forward and embraced her boyfriend. A sniffle and someone blowing their nose softly broke the two apart. They looked to the side to see a woman. Annabeth saw a woman that looked like the most beautiful model in the world, but Percy saw an older version of Annabeth. Annabeth narrowed her eyes; she knew who this was. "Aphrodite," Annabeth said.

Aphrodite smiled at the couple in front of her. She could feel the love emanating from the two. They were perfect together; the most powerful demigod couple ever. "I was asked to come find the two of you," she said. Annabeth frowned and gave the love goddess a glare. "Okay, I volunteered."

Annabeth crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave the goddess a fake smile. Percy couldn't help but grin at how his girlfriend was acting. He wrapped his arms around her and placed his chin on her shoulder. "She means well," he said.

Annabeth sighed. She knew he was right, even though Aphrodite was a pain in the butt; she did care about people. "I know," Annabeth agreed.

Aphrodite's smile widened. "Aren't you two the cutest couple ever," she squealed.

Percy leaned in next to Annabeth's ear. "Very annoying," he said.

Annabeth laughed before pulling out of his embrace. "We better go," she said before following Aphrodite toward the throne room with Percy in tow.

They arrived at the throne room; fourteen Olympian thrones sat arranged in a semi-circle. Aphrodite took her place on her throne, but Percy and Annabeth just stared at the two thrones occupied by Hades and Hestia.

Zeus cleared his throat causing the two demigods to turn toward the King of the gods. "Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase; welcome back to Olympus," Zeus said politely. His tone earned a curious stare from the two demigods.

"My lord, aren't you still mad at Percy?" Annabeth questioned.

Zeus looked at the other gods; it was clear they were tired of his jealousy and paranoia. Zeus's stare stopped on his brother, Poseidon. The god of the seas gave his brother a warning glare. Zeus was the King of the gods, but he wasn't stupid. He knew that now was not the time to pick a fight with Poseidon, especially when it came to his favorite son. "I have…" Zeus began; he looked at Athena. His daughter's grey eyes narrowed. "I have seen the error of my ways."

Annabeth and Percy looked at each other for a moment. "Thank you, my lord," Percy said. All the gods looked at the son of Poseidon in shock. He actually thanked Zeus. Percy smirked at the faces of the gods. "Thank you for opening up Olympus once again." Percy stood in front of the gods and began to pace. All eyes were on him. "Your children need you now." Percy looked at Annabeth and smiled. "We all need you."

"You all did very well in Greece," Athena complimented. Annabeth's eyes shined at the praise from her mother.

Percy bowed his head at the goddess. "We worked as a team. Such cooperation is needed between the gods and their children now," Percy explained. He stopped pacing as he looked into the eyes of all the gods before him. His sea green eyes shined with power. The aura of leadership seemed to glow all around his body. The gods couldn't look away.

Annabeth stared at her boyfriend with pride and reverence. He really had changed. He was much more than they boy who ticked off the gods. That recklessly brave boy, but he was a man now, a true leader.

"Well spoken," Athena said. That earned a nod from Percy and a thankful smile.

"I have learned much over these past few months; a lifetime worth of knowledge. I found my true calling; I know who I am," Percy explained.

Zeus stared at the boy curiously. "Who is that?" he asked.

"A hero and a leader; a Greek and a Roman," Percy said. Zeus knew this. He wasn't pleased when his daughter and brother had explained it to him, but now that he saw Percy, he understood. "Please do not take offense, but I do not fight for the gods."

Zeus's eye narrowed, but his annoyance faded when he looked into the eyes of the boy. He didn't mean any disrespect. In the contrary, his gaze was thoughtful, almost serene. "What do you fight for?"

"I fight for your children. The children of Rome and Greece; I fight for demigods everywhere," Percy said.

All the gods looked at the boy now in a completely new light. Apollo looked at the other gods. Percy's words had struck a chord with him. "Why do you feel responsible for them?" he asked.

Percy grinned at his cousin. "The gods cannot fight for them because of the ancient laws, but the laws do not bind me. I and the others like me," Percy said before looking at Annabeth. "We bridge the gap that exists between Rome and Greece. We are the glue that will bind the two together and in doing so we shall make the lives of all demigods better."

Artemis huffed. "Strong words from a boy. How do you propose to make their lives better?" she asked. She sounded annoyed, but that was her way of acting around men, but this boy intrigued her. He always had, but now he seemed different. More mature and powerful.

"After this war I wish for the two camps to merge," Percy said. The gods all stared at him in disbelief.

"Nonsense boy, they will tear each other apart," Hephaestus said skeptically.

Percy knew someone would say this. "They fought side by side at Castra Semideus. They will fight side by side in the final battle. They just need someone to lead the way," Percy explained.

Hera rolled her eyes. "I take it that you're that someone?" she asked slyly.

Percy smiled. He turned away from Hera and looked at Zeus. "My lord, why did you invite me here?" he asked knowingly.

Zeus held his smile. This boy had certainly changed. He knew a trap when he saw one. His wife had played right into the boy's hands. "I invited you here to give you a task," Zeus said.

"What task may that be my lord?" Percy asked politely.

"To lead our children in the final battle against Gaea and her forces," Zeus said. He looked at Hera.

All the color had drained out of her face. Her face turned bright red as the other gods looked at her. She turned toward Percy and glared daggers. "You wish to make an enemy of me, boy?" she asked.

Percy sighed. "No my lady," he said. Hera's face lightened. "I only wish for you to worry about all your family not just the Olympian one."

Hera was completely surprised at the boy's words. "All my family," she repeated.

"You may not like demigods, but they have a hard life because of their parents. You may not have demigod children, but in the end they are your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews. Don't you see; they are your family as much as the Olympians. I fight for your family, my family," Percy explained.

"Why you, son?" Poseidon asked.

Percy smiled at his father. "Has anyone ever tried before?" Percy asked in return. The gods all thought this over. Heroes had fought for friends and loved ones, but never for all demigods. Here was a boy who would fight for demigods everywhere, even those he didn't know.

"No, I don't believe they have," Poseidon replied.

Percy nodded. He turned back to Zeus before kneeling before the King of the gods. "Please my lord, let me try?" Percy asked.

Zeus just stared at the boy in wonder. All the Olympians watched Percy before looking expectantly at the King of the gods. "You will lead the demigod forces against Gaea and yes, you shall have your chance," Zeus announced.

Percy stood and offered his hand to Annabeth. She took it happily as he helped her up. He turned back to the gods with his crooked grin on his face. "We have much to do my lord," Percy said. He bowed his head. "Thank you, my thanks to all of you." He turned with Annabeth's hand in his as they strode out of the throne room. All of the gods watched him leave. Some had indifferent looks on their faces, like Hera, but most watched him leave in admiration, even the King of the gods.

AN: The final battle looms as the demigods prepare in the next chapter, so stay tuned.