Authors note: Is it required that we have a disclaimer? My first Nico Piper story. Trying out a new couple for once. It's only a one shot but it's good enough for now. Percabeth forever!

Disclaimer (although I don't see why we need it): I don't own Percy Jackson but Annabeth does, that's why I want to be her!

A Rose Is A Rose

With An Unexpected Turn

Piper's P.O.V

I sat there leaning against a pile of rocks on the beach. He said he would be here by now. Where was he? It was exactly midnight and that's when Nico told me to meet him here. We have been dating for almost a year now and never once had he acted like we were more that friends. But he insisted we were a couple.

"Hey," a voice said from behind me. I flinched. Then I stood to meet this dark character.

"Nico," I sighed with relief. "Gods, you scared me!" I finished, glad that it was only him and not some creepy stalker, or something like that. "But why did we have to meet so late? I almost fell asleep while running away from the harpies." As if on cue I yawned.

"Well I just wanted to tell you 'Happy Birthday' without all of the campers thinking I was going soft. Or getting fluffy with my girlfriend." He smiled at me as if he had just made a funny joke. Maybe it wasn't the right choice to choose Nice over Leo. Leo had asked me to be his girlfriend first but at the time Nico was just more…. interesting at the time. That makes me think Leo would have told me happy birthday in front of everybody. He wouldn't have been worried about people seeing him get soft and sweet for his girlfriend.

But it was too late now I had made my decision and now I'm regretting it. I couldn't help it. Tears started falling down my face. It's my own fault I was unhappy I can't blame Nico. He just isn't boyfriend material I guess. "What's wrong?" He asked. But I didn't answer I was too afraid that he wouldn't understand me through my choking sobs. "C'mon tell me what's up." He said pulling me into his arms. His body is cold but somehow I liked it. It was the first time he held me like this. Shure I liked it now but would I like it a year from now?

"You all right?" He asked once more letting me go.

"Ya so totally fine, everything is just perfect." I said to him trying my best to look happy.

He gave me a look that told me he wasn't buying it.

"Oh who am I kidding? No, nothing is all right. You never act like we are a couple. You think we are but the way you act around me makes us friends. JUST FRIENDS! Saying 'Happy Birthday' isn't something to get embarrassed about. Next time you have something to tell me don't bother asking me to meet you. It's probably too embarrassing to say at all."

Nico looked sad. Had I upset him that much? He pulled a rose out from his coat and handed it to me. "I was going to give this to you but I guess you won't want it any more. Sorry that it's dead but I figured that dead or alive a rose is a rose."

For some reason I decided to forgive him. We continued to date convinced that that night had never happened.

Unfortunately five months later Leo tried to commit suicide but I stopped him. I broke up with Nico and never saw him again. He probably went down into the underworld. But I wasn't going to go down there to find him.

Didn't see that coming did ya? Half way through the story I decided that I didn't like the coupling so I ended it. Long live Pipeo! (Piper and Leo).

Review please!