At last i can conclude the battle of the balance series for all of you devoted rick riordan fans i apologize that Nico is not getting together with Will son of Apollo i may wind up doing that story on its own later, but i promise that i am not going to ignore Nico's crush on percy now that i know about it.

Chapter 1: Relationship Troubles.

Marie hugged Nico as the knowledge that they were all okay consumed her. Nico had become slightly distant but for now Marie would just be happy with the knowledge that they were okay for the moment.

Marie kissed him gently; he hesitated before he kissed her back.

Marie stood with Nico and listened as Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter made an official peace and made an alliance. She was smiling all the while feeling happy that for this one day, everything was right with the world.

There was a feast that night, people basically just walked about with food in hand talking to each other, so Marie finally got to meet the six of the seven of the prophecy. She hugged Percy and Annabeth happy to see them both alive and well and together again. Then she was introduced to the others, Nico had an arm wrapped around her waist but he felt tense and distressed.

Nico introduced her "Jason, everyone, this is Marie Valentine, Daughter of Aphrodite, my girlfriend." Jason looked at Nico confused and looked at Marie worriedly. "Marie this is Jason Grace, son of Jupiter." Nico went on, Marie smiled and held out a hand "I don't bite" she said to get rid of some of the tension.

Jason smiled a little but he still looked worried. Nico then continued on "Piper McLean, daughter of Aphrodite, she would be your half sister." Marie smiled and shook hands with Piper. "Frank Zhang, son of Mars." Marie smiled as Frank shook her hand but she frowned a little at Nico as his tension seemed to rise as he introduced the last person. "Marie, this is Hazel Levesque, Daughter of Pluto, and my sister."

Marie had been smiling and shaking Hazel's hand until he said the word: Sister.

Marie glanced at Nico for a moment before smiling at Hazel again and said "I'm so pleased to meet you."

Hazel smiled "I could say the same; this is the first I'm hearing about my brother having a girlfriend."

Marie looked at Nico with no expression in her face, and he began to look very uncomfortable. "Really now." She didn't sound surprised.

Nico smiled at her and kissed her forehead "Well if I introduced you to my sister you both would take time to have girl gossip, I barely get you to myself enough as is."

Later on Jason and Hazel realized that Marie and Nico were nowhere to be found, Clarisse told them to check the Amphitheater "They usually go there for make out sessions."

So Jason and Hazel went there with Piper and Frank by their side. Sure enough they were there.

"You PROMISED me Nico! You PROMISED!" Marie cried in exasperation, she sounded on the edge of tears.

Nico winced "I know I did Marie but-"

Marie scoffed and turned her back on Nico putting her hand to her forehead "Why am I surprised?!"

"Marie I can explain!"

"Then EXPLAIN! Tell me why? You promised me you wouldn't try to revive Bianca! You promised me you would keep yourself safe! You swore!" Marie was facing Nico again tears falling down her cheeks

Nico ran a hand through his hair "Things got complicated."

Marie scoffed "That's your best explanation? Things got complicated?!"

"Marie, please… I know you're angry-" Nico put his hands on Marie's arms

Marie pulled away "I'm upset Nico, there is a difference! I'm upset because you went to the underworld to bring back Bianca after you promised me you wouldn't!"

Marie took a step back and said with a broken voice "I'm upset because I know where this path for us leads, we've been down it before, you keeping secrets, making promises… and the two of us fighting over absolutely NOTHING!"

Marie turned to walk out of the Amphitheater but Nico caught her "Marie please just listen to me!"

"No." Marie said calmly looking back at Nico "I have too many trouble on my plate without thinking our relationship is going to hell all over again, either … I love you Nico, and I don't want to see our relationship disappear from under us."

Marie pulled away from Nico and walked right pass Jason, Piper, Hazel and Frank. Piper went after Marie, Jason went in to talk with Nico after telling Hazel that it would be best if he handled it.

Nico had his head in his hands and asked Jason without looking up "How much did you hear?"

"We heard from 'You promised Nico'… will you guys be okay?"

Nico shrugged, he waited a minute before saying "I meant what I said about not feeling that way for Percy anymore. I love Marie…but our relationship is complicated"

Jason looked confused and Nico just smiled "Don't try to figure it out lighting boy; you won't be able to guess correctly."

Marie had wandered into the forest to lose Piper, now she was curled up in a ball, her arms wrapped around her knees crying her eyes out, she hated feeling this way, she always had, weather it was this life or her last one. How many fights had she and Nico had? Too many to count, and all of them were too painful to want to remember, in the end she had lost Nico to his death, and she was terrified of losing him again. Now more than ever she needed his support even if he didn't know it.

She hadn't had the chance to tell him of Sarah's disappearance. Nor had she told him about her dreams, her very odd dreams about the palace crumbling to dust, the Lotus hotel, and a voice crying out for help, she wondered if maybe she should go off on her own, find Sarah without involving Nico, they could resolve their problems when Marie got back… If she got back.

Marie couldn't deny that she had no clue where to even begin looking for Sarah, and going out on her own to look for her… well that spelled trouble and Marie knew it, especially with Alexander wandering the world. Marie was sure that Alexander wanted her just as much now as he did the last time.

But Sarah could be in trouble… so… what to do? What to do?!

Marie sighed as she stood up, she needed sleep, she hadn't been getting much of it lately but with luck and the war at an end, maybe finally she could get a decent night sleep.

what do you think?