Heart By Heart Chapter 26: Two Steps Backwards, a percy jackson and the olympians fanfic

Chapter 27

"Gods Percy how did I ever manage to get so lucky?" Annabeth asked as she leaned against Percy, looking out over the city. His arms were wrapped protectively around her waist and her head rested against his shoulder, a smiling playing on her lips. The sun was slowly setting and was casting a warm glow over the couple as the wind breezed around them. Percy looked down at Annabeth, standing a few inches taller than her.

"I don't know Wise Girl, I ask myself the same question ever day," he said, kissing her forehead. "Every time I look at you I can't help but think that I am the luckiest guy there is."

Annabeth laughed. "Yep, you are pretty lucky to be with me," she said cockily. He laughed back and Annabeth realized just how much she loved his deep, throaty laugh. It was like music. It was no wonder really, after all he was a musician.

"I never thought I'd be looking out over Paris when the sun was setting with my boyfriend," Annabeth said as she looked at the city of Love.

"And of course add the fact that you're standing on top of the Eifel Tower," Percy said.

"Of course, can't forget that small detail," Annabeth said.

The last two weeks had been absolutely heaven for Annabeth Christine Chase. She couldn't remember a time where she had smiled as much as she did in those last two weeks, or laughed or loved. Being around Percy all of her emotions seemed to go into overdrive and she felt more and more than she usually did.

And she liked it.

They had officially been a "couple" as they had been told for the past four months. Four months of heaven really. They fought a lot. But they didn't really call it fighting, it was more like arguing over silly things which usually ended with Percy sticking his foot in his mouth and Annabeth being right.

But Percy was fine with that.

The two of them complimented each other more than anyone else had ever done. For all of Annabeth's seriousness, Percy was laid back and easy going. Yet Annabeth forced Percy to work hard and to be on time, one of his struggles in life.

He had also managed to cut his time for getting ready by half.

Percy taught Annabeth that not everything in life had to be perfect. Sometimes imperfection was perfection in some strange sense. Life was more fun living on the edge. Percy had inspired a new Words for the Wise, or Thoughts for the Humble as she had posted it in her latest chapter about Birch and Hannah on Writer's Corner.

W4W: Life is about learning to dance in the rain. It's living on the edge and doing things that terrify you. It's about sailing through the storm. Life is more fun when you don't let your fears hold you back. When you actually live you realize more about who you are. Fear only keeps you back. Fear doesn't let you experience real life. Fear is a crutch. Life is a thrill, it's an adventure. Perhaps we should learn that we should not fear. Instead we should dance.

"You know what, this is crazy," Annabeth said. "We're crazy."

"You said it, not me," Percy said. "The first step to solving your problem is to admit that you have one," he said with a goofy grin, quoting something Annabeth had said a lot to him. Annabeth stuck her tongue out at him. Percy stuck his lip out as if he was pouting. "That's not very nice," he said.

"Get used to it Seaweed Brain," she laughed.

They looked out over Paris, the sun slowly sinking into the horizon. It was quiet as they watched the receding sun. "So…" Percy began, breaking the silence.

"So what?" Annabeth asked, not taking her eyes off of the sun. It felt like something out of one of those romance novels she had a tendency to read at night… not that she would ever admit that she did so. Let the world think that she only read historical novels or books on architecture.

"Is now the time to kiss you?" Percy asked in a completely sincere voice. Annabeth rolled her eyes and then spun on her heels to look at Percy.

"Yes Seaweed Brain, now is the time that you kiss me," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck as he lowered his head towards hers. That kiss was one of the greatest kisses that have ever been recorded in history. Right up there with the Princess Bride kiss. (Yes I could not resist okay?).

Four Days Later

"Annabeth have you seen my fedora?" Percy yelled from his room of the suite he had gotten for them in London. Annabeth rolled her eyes from where she had been perched on her bed, scrolling through the comments on her latest chapter for the Letter Writer. She swung her legs off of the bed and then sauntered into Percy's room where he was attempting to find his hat.

They were going to his concert tonight and had to leave in ten minutes to catch the limo to pick up Jason and Piper who were also in London for a "vacation" as Piper called it though Annabeth knew that they had just gone to Europe for skiing this Christmas break. But she was glad that Piper would be there to keep her company.

Annabeth had grown to be quite fond of Percy's group of friends and she spent many nights hanging out with Silena, Piper, and Katie. Sometimes Grover's girlfriend Juniper would tag along but usually it was the four of them. She liked it, other than Thalia she never had close girl friends before. Thalia completely supported the relationship between her best friend and her cousin. In fact she found it hysterical and claimed all the time that it was because of her that they had gotten together.

She was always fighting with Aphrodite over who had done it as Aphrodite had said it was because of the dress that Percy wanted to dance with Annabeth.

Another surprising supporter of the couple was surprisingly enough, Aphrodite the world's goddess of love as was her given title. She had personally taken Annabeth under her wing to help dress her for this European Tour so that she didn't look like she had been shopping from second hand stores. Which Annabeth admittedly had been.

So Annabeth went to Europe completely decked out with all of the latest fashions. Such as what she was wearing tonight.

"Honestly Percy I don't know how you've managed to get this far in life," Annabeth snorted, shaking her head as she produced the hat from underneath a pile of pants. She dusted it off and then placed it on her head triumphantly. "You know, I think it looks pretty good on me, maybe I should just keep it. What do you think?" She struck a pose.

"You look like an idiot Wise Girl," Percy laughed.

"That's an oxymoron Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said cockily. Percy held his hand out.

"What do you say?" Annabeth asked, her voice holding a teasing hint. Percy came up and kissed her. Annabeth automatically melted into his arms. When he pulled back he held the hat tauntingly in front of her face, wiggling it.

"Damn it," Annabeth said. "Why do you have to be such a good kisser?"

"It's a gift," Percy said, placing it on his head.

"I don't get why you're wearing a fedora," Annabeth said as she disappeared back into her room and pulled on her boots.

"It's a fashion statement," Percy said, crossing his arms and leaning in the doorway to her room.

"A terrible fashion statement," Annabeth said, rolling her eyes and grabbing her purse and slinging it over her shoulder.

"You ready to go?" Percy asked.

"Yep," she said. Percy held out his hand and she took it. "Nico'll meet us there and we'll pick Jason and Piper up from their flat."

"They have a flat here?" Annabeth asked as they headed down the elevator to the grand plaza area of the hotel. If someone had told Annabeth a few months ago that she would be dating a superstar and staying at five star hotels she would have checked them into a mental hospital. In fact she still probably would check them into a mental hospital. It was just too much like a dream.

The last few weeks had been spent in a thrill and a rush of different cities in Europe. They had traveled to Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and France. Everywhere they went Annabeth couldn't help but stop to look at the architecture. She was amazed by how civilization had begun to incorporate their daily lives into the ancient architecture of the world. Percy had taken her to the Coliseum and as she ran her fingers over the stonework she tried to picture people doing the exact same thing thousands of years ago.

It brought her chills.

The night time was filled with Percy's concerts, each one different from the other. When she asked why he changed it up so much he responded that he wanted every group of people to feel like they had gotten something special. That it was made just for them.

That was something Annabeth loved about Percy, his consideration. He left no one untouched by his generosity. He was so unlike everyone else.

Outside of the hotel they were instantly met with flashing camera and people trying to shove microphones into their faces. It was almost sad that Annabeth had become accustomed to the flashing lights and loud sounds. Percy instinctively raised a hand to block the pictures from their faces.

Everyone wanted a picture of Percy Jackson and his girlfriend who had come from nowhere. Annabeth still remembered when she heard the news story on them:

Annabeth had been watching the TV at Olympian Scrolls in the back room with Malcolm when the store had been slow.

"Once again, the couple which has taken the world by storm had done it again! Percy Jackson and his girlfriend Annabeth Chase were seen together at Veritas Coffee," the reporter said as she shuffled through her notes and then looked up, her eyes flickering towards the teleprompter. "The unknown girl was first spotted with Percy Jackson a little over two weeks ago and they have recently rocketed to the top spots in our favorite couples for one main reason.

They both are 'real' as viewers say when sharing their favorite comments about the couple. Many like the fact that Ms. Chase is not a celebrity or a famous model as Percy Jackson is known to date. The two have went on many dates such as walking in the park, going bowling or seeing movies with some friends we all know: Piper McLean, Jason Grace, Leo Valdez and many others.

But not everyone likes the couple. Ex-girlfriend of Percy Jackson, Rachel Dare has stated that Ms. Chase is just a gold digger. She also went on to use many words that are not appropriate for this station. Tell us your opinions about the couple on our website. Just type in the search word: Percabeth."

Annabeth shut off the TV. "I don't know what's worse the fact that this is considered top news or the couples name that they gave us."

"Go with the news story, I mean the couples name isn't that bad I mean imagine what some couples' couple name would be, I mean like what would Katniss and Peeta's couple name be?" Malcolm asked, tapping his chin. Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"Sometimes I worry about you Malcolm," she said as they headed back to the front counter. "I mean how do they even come up with these names?" She asked.

"There are these people called fangirls and let me tell you, never go into that territory Annabeth, once you've entered into that world you never return from crazy obsessions."

"You sound as if you're speaking from personal experience," Annabeth laughed.

"I'm a man of many talents," Malcolm said raising an eyebrow. "But obviously you're incredibly popular on the internet with a bunch of teenage girls obsessing over your relationship."

"Oh great, just what I've always wanted," Annabeth said rolling her eyes.

"Oh my gods I'm so excited!" Piper squealed as the door to the limo opened and she practically flung herself in, seating herself next to Annabeth and clutching her arm. "I couldn't wait to get out of the flat and go to the concert!"

"She was literally bouncing off of that walls," Jason said as he slid in next to Percy. Percy snorted. "You ready man?" He asked, clapping Percy on the back.

"As ready as I'll ever be, it's not like it's anything new," Percy said with a shrug. And then he turned and gave a sly glance at Annabeth. "Well… there is something new."

Annabeth leaned forward. "What do you mean Percy?" She asked.

"You'll have to wait and see," he said with a wink.

The arena where Percy was scheduled to play was packed with thousands of people. Piper and Jason got out first and the crowd went wild. Everyone knew the two, they had even earned their own couple name: Jasper.

"You ready?" Percy whispered into Annabeth's ear, just like he did every other time. Annabeth shrugged.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied and then they held hands and stepped out of the limo. Cameras flashed, girls screamed, pushing against the fences to try and touch Percy. Annabeth scowled at the craziest of them.

"Sign my forehead!" A girl screamed at Percy, who looked at Annabeth and rolled his eyes. Annabeth snorted. Sometimes people were absolutely crazy. Apparently this was one of the "fangirls" as Malcolm had called them.

"I'll wait for you backstage," Annabeth said when the security guard led them back stage to the dressing room where Nico was waiting with Riptide for Percy. Annabeth reached up and straightened his tie which was a bright blue color which seemed to bring out the blue in his eyes. She kissed him quickly. Nico turned away and didn't look, turning red.

He had never been one for PDA.

"I've got a surpise for you," Percy said.

"I'll be waiting for it," Annabeth said, grinning.

"Love you," Percy said.

"Love you too," Annabeth said. "Go and get 'em Tiger," she said as he grabbed Riptide, kissed Annabeth once last time for luck as he claimed and then disappeared out of the dressing room, Nico following him. Annabeth folded her arms and looked at the door he had just left. Annabeth gently pressed her fingers to her lips where Percy had just kissed her.

Not for the first time she wondered how she could have gotten so lucky.

"You look like you're in love," Piper said, coming up at her side and looping an arm through the crook of Annabeth's arm.

"I think I am," Annabeth sighed.

"I could tell by the twinkle in your eye," Piper grinned. "You two are amazing together."

I've never been in love before," Annabeth said.

"Never been in love, well it's about time you have been Annabeth Chase," Piper said, grinning. "Love is an essential thing in life. It's what makes us breathe and live, it's what makes us keep going."

"I've always wanted to fall in love, I suppose that I have a crazy obsession with it you might say," Annabeth said. "I've written about love so many times yet I've never experience it. Now I have and it's the most beautiful thing ever."

"I couldn't agree with you more," Piper said, nodding. "Well we better go, Percy's about to perform."

"Okay, one sec I've got to write something down," Annabeth said, pulling out a notebook and pen that was always in her bag. She scrawled something down.

W4W: Love… love is like oxygen. Love is a much splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love. It is the only reason we live, the only reason we can breathe. Love… there is nothing more necessary than love, nothing more essential. Love lifts us up so that we can soar where eagles fly. Love makes us heroes. Even if it's only for one day. Love is the only thing that we can live for. Love is like oxygen. Love is a splendored thing.

Annabeth jammed the notebook into her bag and then ran out after Piper, her heels clicking against the floor. Piper was standing with Jason and Nico off to the side of the backstage, looking through the opening at where Percy was performing on the stage. "He's killing it," Nico said.

"He always kills it," Jason replied.

Percy was currently sitting on a stool, strumming Riptide. He did this about once a performance, performing a slower more emotional song.

"This is a song I just wrote about a week ago for my girlfriend, Annabeth Chase," Percy said. Piper nudged Annabeth in the side who grinned, and crossed her arms.

"You've got the words to change a nation But you're biting your tongue

You've spent a life time stuck in silence Afraid you'll say something wrong

If no one ever hears it How we gonna learn your song?

So come on, come on

Come on, come on

You've got a heart as loud as lions. So why let your voice be tamed?

Baby we're a little different. There's no need to be ashamed

You've got the light to fight the shadows

So stop hiding it away. Come on, Come on.

I wanna sing, I wanna shout I wanna scream till the words dy out.

So put it in all of the papers. I'm not afraid.

They can read all about if

Read all about it oh

Oh-oh-oh

At Night we're waking up the neighbors While we sing away the blues

Making sure that we remember yeah 'Cause we all matter too

If the truth has been forbidden Then we're breaking all the rules

So come on, come on Come on, come on,

Let's get the TV and the radio To play our tune again

Its 'bout time we got some airplay of our version of events

There's no need to be afraid, I will sing with you my friend.

Come on, Come on.

I wanna sing, I wanna shout I wanna scream till the words dy out.

So put it in all of the papers. I'm not afraid.

They can read all about if

Read all about it oh

Oh-oh-oh

Yeah we're all wonderful, wonderful people

So when did we all get so fearful?

Now we're finally finding our voices

So take a chance, come help me sing this.

Yeah we're all wonderful, wonderful people

So when did we all get so fearful?

And now we're finally finding our voices.

So take a chance, come help me sing this?

I wanna sing, I wanna shout I wanna scream till the words dy out.

So put it in all of the papers. I'm not afraid.

They can read all about if

Read all about it oh

Oh-oh-oh

I wanna sing, I wanna shout

I wanna scream till the words dry out

So put it in all of the papers

I'm not afraid

They can read all about it.

Read all about it oh.

Annabeth felt her eyes shimmering. Honestly, wasn't he the most amazing boyfriend there was?

"Percy I can catch a cab by myself, I'm a big girl," Annabeth said as Percy draped his arm around her shoulder. He was slightly sweaty from performing but was grinning madly. He was scheduled to perform at a club right after the concert with people who had paid thousands of dollars to hear him sing. Annabeth wasn't exactly in the mood to go and listen to a bunch of annoying people talk and gossip, especially people who had a lot of money to use on tickets to hear Percy sing.

"I know I just don't want you to get hurt Wise Girl," Percy said.

"Percy all I have to do is catch a cab it's not that hard to do," Annabeth said rolling her eyes. "I've been doing it for years."

"You sure you don't want to come with Nico, Piper, Jason and I?" Percy asked, holding her close to him. He was beaming proudly after today.

"I'm sure Percy, there's a lot of things I want to do tomorrow," Annabeth said, "And I'm tired." She let out a yawn to prove that she was tired.

"Okay… okay," Percy said. "At least let me help you catch a cab."

"Okay I'll let you have that pleasure to help me get a cab," Annabeth said rolling her eyes again.

"Awesome," Percy said, grinning. He took her hand and swung it a little. "I'm glad that we got these few weeks together," he said as they headed to the back door.

"I'm glad too," Annabeth said.

"Tomorrow I promise I'll show you are London, I know this was where you wanted to go the most."

"You got that right Seaweed Brain," Annabeth grinned.

"I wish I didn't have to go to this party, I wish I could go back with you and we could just hang out together."

"I know… I know but it's the life of the Superstar," Annabeth said. Outside it was dark with stars twinkling above them. Percy held out his hand to hail a cab. "Have fun tonight."

"I can't believe you trust me to go to a bar with a bunch of hot girls and alcohol alone," Percy joked as he kissed Annabeth's cheek.

"You better make sure I can keep trusting you," Annabeth said, raising an eyebrow. "Have fun tonight Percy, I trust you," she said.

"Glad that you do, I trust you too Wise Girl," Percy said, kissing her and then letting her go. "I'll see you in the morning Wise Girl," he said, ruffling her hair.

"See you tomorrow morning Percy," Annabeth said, slipping into the cab and giving the address of the hotel to the cab driver.

o.O.o

Annabeth wrinkled her nose when she woke up. She let out a silent groan and then rolled over in the queen sized bed and looked at the clock. It was eight in the morning. She sat up in her bed and ran her hand through her hair, trying to untangle the knots in her curls.

"Morning Percy," Annabeth called, the same way she did every morning.

But this time Percy didn't respond. Annabeth's brow wrinkled and she slipped out of her bed, slipping her feet into her slippers and grabbing her robe and slipping it on. The London skies were covered in dark grey skies. She knocked on the door to Percy's room and when he didn't respond she pushed it open.

His room was exactly the same way he left it yesterday night, messy. Clothes were all over the place and the bed looked like he hadn't slept in it. She wondered where he was. Maybe he had just gotten out of bed and left to go find something to eat.

Annabeth wandered into the small living area towards the front of the hotel room and collapsed on the couch. She flipped on the TV.

"And today's breaking news: Percy Jackson has a new girlfriend?" The news lady said in her prim British accent. Annabeth rolled her eyes. Did they really just figured out that she was Percy's girlfriend?

"Last night at the Symphony Bar and Club Percy Jackson, the two time Grammy award winner, was performing for a select few members of the British society. Later after performing he went down off the stage to socialize. He was seen with Calypso Atlas, daughter of Atlas, the famous mobster and famous model. The couple was seen passionately together last night as testified to in these pictures."

The TV flashed with pictures of Percy and the pretty dark haired girl locked in each other's arms, kissing madly. Annabeth wanted to throw up. You couldn't fake those pictures. They looked far too in love… or lust. Annabeth clutched her stomach.

"The couple was seen leaving the club together last night and Percy Jackson's hotel manager didn't remember seeing Jackson return to his hotel room. The question can only be raised: where were they last night? More information on this surprising development later. And of course the question everyone's wondering.

What about Percy Jackson's old girlfriend Annabeth Chase?"

"She's sitting here wondering how the hell she was so stupid," Annabeth muttered, standing up. She watched more pictures flash on the screen. Usually she didn't believe in jumping to conclusions but pictures don't lie. She drummed her fingers against her thigh irritated.

She couldn't stay here anymore.

Maybe she was jumping to conclusions quickly but she couldn't stand it. Annabeth headed back into her room and pulled her suitcase out of the closet. Her phone rang from on her nightstand. She snatched it up. Maybe it was Percy.

"Hello?" Annabeth asked.

"Hello is this Ms. Chase?" A professional British voice asked.

"Uh… yes?" Annabeth asked. "And who is this?"

"This is Mr. Odysseus Ulysses, I am in charge of Olympus Press, the company which published Athena's books," he said. "I am interested in your manuscript which you have published on the website Writer's Corner," he said. "The one called the Letter Writer. I heard that you were in town and I was wondering if you would like to meet with me and discuss a publishing deal perhaps?"

Annabeth's heart stopped. "I… I would love to," she said enthusiastically. "I'll be there," she said.

"Great, perhaps noon today would work?" Odysseus said. "Just come to the Olympus Press building and ask for me at the front office. I cannot wait to work with you."

"Thank you Mr. Ulysses, thank you so much," Annabeth said, grinning.

"Please Ms. Chase, call me Odysseus." The phone clicked off and Annabeth held it in her hand, staring at it for a moment.

One bad thing had happened, but maybe… maybe something good was going to come out of it.

o.O.o

"Annabeth," Percy said, pushing open the door to the hotel room. His head was killing him and he had only just managed to stumble out of… where had he come from? He couldn't remember much of last night really.

"Hey Annabeth I'm back," Percy called. He looked around the hotel room, confused. All of Annabeth's stuff had been cleaned up. Yesterday all of her notebooks had been laying on the coffee table from when she was working on her story.

"Annabeth?" Percy asked. He peered into her room but all of her stuff was gone. Percy's brow furrowed. Where the hell was she?

He went into his room and on his bed he found a letter. He opened it up and his heart sank, everything written in that all too familiar cursive handwriting:

Percy,

I don't know exactly how to write this. I know what you did. I'm not one who likes to jump to conclusions even though I usually do but I saw the pictures. I know that words can lie, I should know as I'm an author and it's party my duty to lie and create stories, but pictures don't. That's why we take them, to see the truth. And I know the truth.

You looked pretty happy with her.

I guess I'm trying to say, I understand why you did it, I do. You were bored with me, tired of what I did. I mean you like to move on fast. You like a little spice in life. And I was getting old. I wasn't fast paced enough, I wasn't pretty enough, I wasn't… oh I don't know what wasn't I? Huh? What was wrong with me? I guess I should have known not to get caught up in all of this. It's not my world.

But just because I understand doesn't mean I'm not angry. In fact I'm damn right furious. How could you?

I guess I was foolish. I guess I was a foolish, hopeless lover. I had never been in love and I felt that I was seriously in love with you Percy Jackson. I had never felt anything like how I felt for you. I loved you Percy Jackson. You convinced me that love is not a lost art.

But I suppose that it is. I suppose it is lost. There is only lust in the world now. No true love. True love is lost.

I owe you nothing. And you are nothing to me. Thank you for curing me of my ridiculous obsession with love.

~Annabeth Chase

Percy let the letter fall to the ground and then sunk to his knees.

What had he done?