Zoë notched an arrow and aimed it straight at the manticore's head. The guards on either side of us raised their guns.

I realized what would happen a moment before it did. As the guards pulled the triggers, I jumped in front of Zoë, protecting her. My eyes bulged as I realized I had left my Nemean Lion coat with Apollo. I flew backwards from the bullet force and crashed into Zoë.

Then a lot of things happened at once.

Grover played his pipes, causing the guards to fall into the water. Thalia rushed the Manticore, he flinched from the shield, but still attacked. Big mistake.

"That's for hurting my cousin!" she shouted with rage, as she activated her spear and speared him through the chest. I was about to congratulate them when I felt a burning sensation in my chest.

"No." I heard Zoë mutter. "No. No. NO. NO!" She screamed.

I was fading between blackness and the scene in front of me as I said,

"Zoë." She was sobbing as she looked at me.

"I just want to tell you something." I said as everything decided to change from black/color to fuzzy red.

"Zoë, as I'm about to die, I just realized something." Her eyes widened and she sobbed harder.

"Zoë… I… love… yo…" I said as everything faded away.

She was openly crying now as she hugged Percy's body as she said

"I love you too."

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2 years later

As the Titans began to attack Olympus, Zoë was sitting, imprisoned in the garden of Hesperides, shut out by her sisters. As she heard the shouts of her Lady Artemis, she sat broodily and reflected.

She remembered the one who saved her from being shot.

The one who she missed sorely.

The one who told her he loved her.

As she began to remember the way his hair flowed in all directions, she failed to notice the monster sneaking up on her.

"Aha!" said the Fury Alecto, as she grabbed Zoë and flew with her to the underworld.

"Zoë Nightshade, for refusing to fight on the side of the gods, you shall be forever imprisoned in the Underworld!" boomed Hades. "Unfortunately, though I would put you in Punishment, a dying soul asked for you to join them when you had died. I am not one to dishonor their request. Goodbye, Zoë Nightshade." She was pulled into darkness for a second and then woke up in a bright field. She could smell delicious food and hear people laughing. She also felt an arm around her waist...

She jumped backwards and nearly punched Perseus Jackson in the face. As soon as she saw who it was, she brought back her fist and hugged him. Then, very lightly, she kissed him on the lips.

"Thank you." she whispered, and she realized his lips tasted of sea salt.

He smiled and said, "Love you."

As they gazed into each others eyes for a few more seconds, suddenly a bright flash illuminated them briefly.

They turned and saw Silena Beuregard with a camera.

"I already got the perfect ship name! Perzoë!" Laughed Silena.

As Zoë and Percy chased her, Zoë thought: Well, this could be worse.