HEY! :D So, I just got back from my cousin's 18th birthday and was like, "Hey, I should go ahead and post this next chapter for my wonderful readers whom I love very much!" I also got the Blood of Olympus and I'm almost done with it. I've got less than a hundred pages left. I would've finished it sooner but, alas, it is midterms week and I have to study because, you know, college. BLEH! I don't want to spoil anything for you guys, so I'm going to refrain from talking about it until my next update. I hope you all take that into consideration as well when you review because I know some of you guys review the moment I post these and since i get the notification email on my phone, I'm tempted to read it and if it's a spoiler, I'm going to be very angry. LOL! Oh! By the way, All of my guest reviewers! YOU'RE BACK! I missed reading you guys' stuff! I try to respond to different people's reviews every time so a lot of that diversity comes from my guests because my lovely account users are so dedicated and amazing for reviewing every chapter! XD One little fun fact about me: I took up fencing! Soon, I'll be sword fighting like a certain Son of the Sea god.
the one and only anonymous: Who would I be if I didn't leave a cliffhanger? LOL! And I can give you the rest of the story. You know... when I post the chapters... every other week. :P
xoxosugarydonuts (Guest): Don't stop reading! LOL! As long as you continue to read and make A's, I'm happy. :P
A Faulty Spell Casting Demigod: I think you'll like this chapter. :) As for your threat... I have no idea what that means. LOL! XD
Justskimming (Guest): That's so cool that you keep this story as an open tab. LOL! I used to do that too before I got an account. And, I would never stop posting until I finish the story. I know that people read my stories and I could care less about review numbers. It's really more the quality of the reviews I look for. I love to read what you guys thought of the story or if there's anything I can improve on. One of the reasons I started writing was to improve my skills. If I don't get feedback, then I won't grow as a writer (even though I'm studying to be a doctor). You feel meh?
IAmSkittleMaster (Guest): I'm glad you gave little old me a chance! HAHA! As for the sequel... I'm not sure as of right now. I've got a lot of other ideas running through my noggin and I've gotten extremely busy with school so... yeah. We'll see.
AlisonJoan03: Ummm... This is awkward... I don't go to UST in the Philippines. I won't tell you guys which UST I go to just because, you know, Cyber safety and whatnot. But no, I don't go to that UST. BUT! I am Filipino so BOOYAHH! Salamat sa review mo. - Yeah... I can only understand and speak (barely) so writing in Tagalog is like writing left handed for me. :P
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Percy Jackson and the Olympians... Obviously since I am in no way, shape, or form Rick Riordan.
Annabeth was so happy when her transfer went through. She just needed to get Reyna to sign off on it as well.
"Hey, Reyna," she said as she poked her head into the junior architect's cubicle.
"Yes, Ms. Chase," Reyna replied, sitting up straight, focusing her sole attention on Annabeth. "Is something wrong?"
"Relax, Reyna, nothing's wrong." Annabeth stepped into the office and held up the papers. "I just saw that you signed onto a habitat project down at the Aquarium in Manhattan Beach."
"I did. One of the new marine biologists, uh, Percy Jackson, over there needs help designing a habitat for a new shark exhibit." Annabeth nodded as though she were hearing about this for the first time.
"And how is that coming along?"
"Okay, I guess. I'm more for monument design so I've been struggling with research for the topic but I'm getting there. I have a meeting with him on Friday. By then I should have a basis of where to start," Reyna explained. "Why do you ask?" Annabeth smiled.
"I've been wanting to expand my architectural horizons for a while and a project like this is just what I've been looking for. I've looked through the file and have general research done so I'd be more than happy to take this off your hands and trade you for the new Roman monument I was going to take." Reyna's eyes widened to the size of saucers. It wasn't everyday that Annabeth offered 'trade-sies' with other architects, especially with the junior architects.
"Really, Ms. Chase?" she asked, unable to believe what her boss was offering her.
"Absolutely." Annabeth laid the papers out on Reyna's desk. "I already have the papers drawn out. All you have to do is sign."
The junior architect read through the papers quickly to make sure that everything was in order and signed on the dotted line before handing Annabeth the papers back. "Thank you for this opportunity, Ms. Chase. I won't let you down."
"It's no problem Reyna. Although, I do have one favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"Don't call Mr. Jackson until the day of his appointment and tell him that something came up so you talked to one of the senior architects to take over as a sign of apology."
"Why?"
"I prefer to keep my name out of a project until I've talked to the client and know what it is I'll be doing."
"Right, of course," Reyna nodded in understanding. "Again, thank you for this opportunity."
Annabeth simply smiled and walked away. Phase one of her plan was complete. All she had to do at that point was wait for Friday to come before she could proceed.
By the time Annabeth had pulled into the Aquarium parking lot, she was shaking with nerves. Stepping out of her car, she made her way to the main entrance where she passed the lines and went straight to the security officer at the door. "Hello," she greeted. "I'm Annabeth chase with Olive Branch Architects. I'm here for a meeting with Percy Jackson regarding the design of the new exhibit."
"Identification?" the guard said. Annabeth smiled. She actually liked it when people asked her for her I.D. because it made her feel like she wasn't the heiress of a major corporation and that she was just another regular person. She pulled out her license and her Olive Branch I.D. as proof of who she was. The guard grunted and handed the plastic cards back to Annabeth. "Follow me, ma'am." The tall guard led the way through the Aquarium until they reached a door marked 'Authorized Personnel Only.' "When you go through these doors, you'll go straight down and make a left at the first hallway that opens up in that direction. Mr. Jackson is the last door on your right."
"Thank you," she said, looking at his nametag. "Argus?"
"Gus is fine."
"Thank you, Gus." Gus smiled at Annabeth before leaving to resume his post at the door. The blonde heiress took a deep breath and opened the door to the restricted hallway and walked with feaux confidence until she reached Percy's door. There, Annabeth hesitated. Closing her eyes to muster up her courage, she knocked on the door.
A few seconds passed before she heard a muffled, "Come in!" When Annabeth opened the door, she didn't see Percy. Instead, she saw the top of his back as he put something away under his desk. When he looked up, his eyes went wide and the only thing out of his mouth was, "Annabeth?"
•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•
"Are you not happy to see me?" Annabeth said with a frown on her face. If possible, Percy's eyes got even wider. He was afraid he had offended her. He never knew with her.
"What? No! Of course I'm happy to see you!" Percy exclaimed, hopping up from his seat, moving around his desk to meet her. The marine biologist opened his arms and pulled in the blonde heiress for hug. The two of them stood there, holding each other, for a second, neither one wanting to let go of the other. Finally, Percy pulled away. "You're here. And if you're here, then, does this mean that you're going to be working on my project with me?"
"It sure does, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth answered with a smirk. Percy only smiled. He was so ecstatic to finally have some time to spend with Annabeth. "So, we should get started. I don't like to waste time when I'm working," she continued, already unpacking her bag.
"Okay," Percy nodded. "But first, there's something I have to do."
He took a hold of Annabeth's wrist, spun her around to face him, and crashed his lips onto hers. Annabeth responded immediately, moving her lips in sync with his. Percy reveled in the taste of her lips. They were sweet but not too sweet, as though there was a thin layer of lip-gloss, but only enough to keep it moist. They tasted like strawberries. Percy actually didn't know how long they stood in his office making out; he just kept kissing her until the need for oxygen overtook his senses.
When they finally broke apart, they stayed in each other's arms, their foreheads resting on each other. "I've been wanting to do that for a long time," Percy breathed.
"Me, too." Annabeth whispered. "I missed you so much. I hate that the real world ripped us apart."
"But we're together now and that's all that matters." They kissed once more, although this time, it was much shorter. This time, when they broke apart, Percy stepped back and moved back around his desk. He cleared his throat. "So, now that you're on this project, we'll be spending a lot of time together."
"Yes, we will." The two of them smiled.
"I just hope we'll actually get something done." Annabeth frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"This meeting was supposed to last an hour," Percy explained. "We have fifteen minutes left."
Annabeth's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Totally serious." He chuckled slightly as he watched Annabeth raise a hand to touch her lips, her eyes going distant. "Well," he continued. "Knowing you, you've probably planned this whole thing out so you have some basis on how you want the design for the habitat to look?" Annabeth snapped back to reality as her entire body jolted and she became hyperaware of everything around her.
"Yes," she said, moving toward her bag. The entire mood in the office switched over and Percy knew that Annabeth had reverted to a more professional, 'get the job done,' attitude. "Well, like you said, I did do some basic research and I have a rough draft. I don't really know the dimensions of the tank so I couldn't really give you any specifics about it but…" Annabeth pulled out a manila folder and handed it to Percy across the desk. "Here is what I have in mind."
Percy opened the folder and a sketch of a fairly basic tank design sat on the page. There, however, was something else that added to the draft. There were rock formations that looked very much like the rock formations that appeared around the shark's real habitat. "Woah… This looks really similar to their actual habitat."
"Yeah," Annabeth said. "I figured that you wanted to protect these sharks as well as facilitate their natural environment. "I've also figured that we could have a slot that releases live fish so that they don't lose their natural predator instinct to hunt for their food while in captivity." Percy smiled.
"That's perfect. I never would have thought of that," he said. "You, Ms. Chase, are a genius."
"I thought we established that on the island." Annabeth smirked at him and it only made Percy want to pull her to him and just kiss her.
Percy looked at the time. "Well," he said, standing up, grabbing his bag. "I hope you don't mind that I take this with me," he gestured to the manila folder. "I want to go over it some more and add in some of the finer details."
"That's fine," Annabeth replied, gathering her own things as well. "Where are you headed now?"
"Home. I'm tired." Percy shut down his desktop and slung his messenger bag over his shoulder. "You?"
"Probably home, too," she replied. "It's been a long day."
"It has," Percy agreed. Then, out of nowhere, he had a burst of confidence. "Well, if you're not busy or anything, would you like to pick up some take out and come over for dinner?" Annabeth smiled as if she had hoped he would ask.
"I'd like that."
"Great." Percy closed and locked up his office and the two of them headed out toward the parking lot. "How are we going to do this?" he asked as they reached the parking lot. "I just got a new apartment over in Chelsea so… You're probably going to have to follow me so that you're not stranded."
"That's fine, Percy."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I was gonna have to drive all the way up to the Upper East Side anyway." Percy raised an eyebrow.
"Upper East Side?"
"Yeah. It's closer to the office and I have a great view of the park."
"That's interesting," Percy commented. "My mom lives in that area. Probably not in an area as nice as yours but yeah, she's over there."
"Oh, wow. What does she do for a living?"
"How about we pick up some food and talk at the apartment?" Percy said, eyeing the people around them, who were starting to point and stare. Annabeth seemed to have noticed as well. "Alright," she said. "Lead the way."
They both got into their respective cars and drove toward Percy's apartment, stopping shortly to pick up the food that Percy called in while they were on I-478 N. When they pulled into the garage, Percy entered the Residence Only parking area. Driving a few feet ahead, Percy put his car in park and got out to help Annabeth. He motioned for her to pull up to the gate and when she got there, he typed in his pin code and waited for the gate to rise. When it did, Annabeth drove through and stopped behind his car. Percy got back in his blue car and continued to drive up to the third level. When he parked in his designated spot, he motioned for Annabeth to park in the one next to his.
"Are you sure I'm aloud to park in here?" she asked as she stepped out of her grey Lexus.
"Absolutely."
"But it's for residents only. What if I parked in someone else's spot?"
"Annabeth," Percy said, taking both her hands in his own. "Each unit has two spots designated to it. You're fine. I only have one car so you just took my extra space." Annabeth seemed to relax after that, following him all the way to his unit. When he opened the door, he looked back at Annabeth to gauge her reaction. "I'm sorry it's barely furnished. I haven't lived in it very long."
"No," Annabeth breathed, shaking her head. "It's nice." She followed Percy into the kitchen where he placed the food they had picked up on the counter.
"There are some plates in the cabinet behind you. Could you grab them?" Percy unpacked the food and laid it out buffet style in their containers. Annabeth held out two plates and handed one to Percy. They got their food and went into the living room where they sat on the couch and turned on the television. "Any requests?" the black haired man asked as he flipped through the channels.
"Nothing in particular. I don't watch too much television." Percy stopped flipping through the channels and just stared at Annabeth.
"Not even the history channel or something?" he asked raising an eyebrow. Annabeth shook her head. "I totally had you pegged for that or the I.D. channel or something."
"I never had time to get into things like that," Annabeth explained.
"Well," he smirked, switching the input so that his PS3 was connected. "Lucky for you, we have this great invention called Netflix and it's here to introduce you to a great show." Annabeth watched Percy warily as he scrolled through the never-ending list of movies and TV shows until he landed on one with a purple theme and a blonde girl in a red leather jacket standing in the center.
"Once Upon A Time?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't judge," Percy defended. "You've never seen the show and it's actually really good." He clicked on the title and pressed play. Placing the controller back on the coffee table in front of him, he sat back and watched the pilot episode, occasionally sneaking glances toward Annabeth. He was excited that, when she wasn't taking a bite of food, she was completely enraptured in the episode. When it was over, Percy paused the screen so that it wouldn't move on to the next episode. "So," he said. "What do you think?"
Annabeth placed her empty plate on the table in front of her and turned her body to face Percy's. "It was so good! Wow… That is such an amazing twist to the classics." Annabeth shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe that I've never heard of this show before." Percy laughed.
"I'm glad you like it." The black haired marine biologist set his own plate down on the table and leaned back comfortably. He rested his head on his fist, just watching Annabeth as she ranted on about how much she liked the show. It was different to see her like this. On the island, she was more serious. She was the leader of the two of them, the mind that kept them alive. And now, watching her completely laid back, her eyes glowing with pure happiness, Percy knew that these were going to be the moments he lived for: to see her excitement over a show or book or blueprint.
Eventually, the blonde heiress had finished her rant and just looked at Percy. At some point, the two of them had shifted closer together so that they were only inches apart. Being that close to Annabeth was killing Percy and he couldn't fight himself any longer. He grabbed her face and crashed his lips onto hers. She responded immediately, the kisses admittedly sloppy as their teeth clashed and they fought for dominance. Percy ran his tongue along Annabeth's bottom lip, asking for permission for entrance and she obliged, letting him in. They explored each other's mouths while their hands explored each other's bodies.
Soon, Percy's position was beginning to get uncomfortable so he leaned back, his hands wrapped securely on Annabeth's waist, and laid back across the couch, with Annabeth on top. They continued to make-out, neither one wanting to give into their need for oxygen. However, they couldn't hold out for much longer. The two broke away, panting and out of breath. Annabeth, exhausted, rested her head on Percy's chest and intertwined her legs with his. The two of them just laid on the couch, embracing each other, until sleep found its way into their systems.
HAHA! You're welcome!
For those of you who would like to leave a review but don't know what, a quick trick is to say something interesting that would prompt an answer from me. If it's something that I just absolutely can't ignore or just plain love, then you've got a shot at getting a response. I won't, however, begin arguments or constantly defend myself and my writing so. yeah. That's just stress that I don't need. O.o"
I don't normally do this but... QUESTION:
How many of you finished Blood of Olympus? Don't tell me anything about it! Just have you finished it?
ALSO (This one is irrelevant to PJO but I really want to know)
Where are my Australians at? I just love you country. We had a Wallaby on campus the other week and it was the cutest thing EVAH! I also met the two Australians on campus and we switched accents for the entire time we held a conversation. They said my accent was pretty decent. They're from Queensland (around Brisbane) and they said mine was more from like Sydney but they said it was really good.
Well, yeah. I'm done.
Now, I'm off to finish Blood of Olympus and my life.
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