Disclaimer- I don't own Percy Jackson

Nico couldn't believe it. The demigods had defeated Gaea, at great cost, and they were welcomed home by a full out war between the Roman and Greek camps. Cabins were on fire and injured demigods were strewn everywhere. Nico could feel no one had died, though. Neither camp was quite so desperate yet. Not wanting to interfere or watch any longer, Nico slid silently into the shadows as always. After one final, longing look, he began to walk further away, not wanting to get involved and knowing he wouldn't ever be accepted. But he was stopped in his tracks by a girl's cry. It was almost swallowed up by the raging war and Nico figured he was the only one to hear it. Suddenly overcome by the need to help this girl, whoever she was, he pushed his shaggy black hair out of his face and began toward the noise.

He finally found a blond boy standing over a red haired girl.

Rachel, he thought, hesitating.

She was slumped against a cabin, sobbing. The blond boy turned for a moment, as if sensing Nico's presence. It was Octavian. His eyes were wide and crazed as he turned back to Rachel. He knelt down beside her and casually pressed his dagger to her throat.

"I won't ask again. Where is the harpy?" Octavian growled.

The harpy, Nico thought, He's after Ella and the Sibylline books.

Nico had always disliked Octavian for being so power hungry and full of himself, but he had never thought he would actually threaten someone for his own purposes. Nico suddenly felt angry, really angry. He burst from the shadows without another thought, was yelling at the top of his lungs. Octavian, startled, dropped the dagger. Before the older boy could recover, Nico grabbed the dagger and pointed it at his chest.

"Get out of here. Now," Nico said, trying to sound fierce.

"I'll get you for this, death boy," Octavian spat as he backed away and started jogging to the battlefield.

Nico just stood there watching the fading figure. He had never done anything like that before. Feeling the bravery seep away and the awkwardness come in, he looked at Rachel, blushing.

"Um, are you ok?" Nico asked slowly.

Rachel stood up shakily.

"Yeah. Thanks," she replied.

Nico stared at her as she wiped tears off of her face, suddenly entranced. Even though her eyes were red and her hair was frizzy, Nico could never remember her looking so nice. She was beautiful.

Rachel smiled at him.

"We should probably get back and help the others," she said, looking questionably into Nico's black eyes.

"Yeah, we should," he replied, wondering what was overcoming him. Nico had never fathomed that he could fall for a girl, but here she was.

Rachel smiled and grabbed his hand. Ignoring his shocked expression, she laughed and pulled him towards the battlefield.

Hey guys, thanks for reading. It's really short so I'd love to write more, but we will see. :-) Love you guys. ~squeaker942