Author's Note: I am super sorry that we haven't updated in three months. School got really busy, and then Christmas came and we just didn't update. Again, I am so sorry. Here's two new chapters.

Disclaimer: Percy Jackson and the seven plus Nico and all other recognizable characters belong to Rick Riordan

Why? Why? Why? why? Why did I jump into the water? Nico thought as he struggled for air. He couldn't swim and even if he could the water was too rough. Percy was probably already at the bottom of the ocean and wouldn't even notice Nico drowning. A shark swam past Nico. He was desperate for air now. Percy please! He thought as he blacked out.

He woke up expelling water. As he hacked up water, he looked around. He was on a beach. All he could see was sand and sea. That is until his eyes landed on Percy.

Percy looked terrible. His skin was pale, and his eyes were dull. He was staring out into the ocean giving no sign that he had seen Nico wake up. I guess Percy does care if I die, Nico thought, or he just found me here.

"Percy-" he started to say, but what could he say? He understood perfectly why Percy had jumped into the water. He needed it. It was his home. Still it wasn't safe for him to be out on his own. He's probably end up killing himself.

"My dad once told me that the ocean can't be contained," Percy said still looking at the horizon. "I felt like I was slowly going insane in that small space. Keeping me away from the water was horrible. I feel bad for how I acted, but I don't regret it. I don't think I could stand another day in that cell."

"I get it," Nico said, "but why didn't you just say something? Everyone thought you were fine. They thought you were just scared."

"Does being scared qualify as fine to you? I was scared that every time I stepped out of my room, I would use my powers. My powers have become too dangerous. I can't control them."

"I bet you could if you give it enough time."

"Time is hard when you're slowly going insane from fear and withdraw."

"Why don't we practice here? Where is here exactly?" Nico asked.

"We are on an island in the middle of the Atlantic. We're far from the ship if that's what you're asking."

"Perfect! Percy, stand up," Nico commanded. Percy gave him a look, but stood up. "Let's work on the powers you're familiar with first. How about we start with….water manipulation?" Percy stood ankle deep in the surf and reached out his arms. His face screwed up in concentration, and his body tensed. Slowly water began to rise towards his hands.

"Good!" Nico shouted, "That's good!"

Percy let the water drop. His shoulders sagged like he was exhausted

"It was hard." He said, "Like if I didn't concentrate the entire ocean would explode. Why would doing small things be harder to do?" He was frustrated. The waves started to get higher and the sky got darker as if a storm was coming. Whether it was Percy or Zeus making the storm Nico didn't know.

"Let's move on," so that you don't hurt yourself. "Why don't we talk to sea animals?"

Percy visibly relaxed and walked back over to the water. He was silent for a few moments and then a hippocampus broke the surface.

Are you okay, master?

Actually, no, I'm not.

What is troubling you?

I think I have lost control of my powers.

Well, not all of them. You're talking to me, aren't you?

Thanks. I needed that.

You're welcome.

How's my father?

Working with the other Olympians trying to stop a World War III.

Oh.

Something else is bothering you, would you like to talk about it?

Two of my friends were killed by Gaea. Jason and Hazel, actually. Hazel was like my little sister, and Jason was Thalia's brother. As if that isn't bad enough, I had a total mental breakdown and killed Gaea. Well, killing Gaea wasn't bad but still. Then, I was deemed unstable by my friends and locked in my room. Actually, it's more of a cell than a room. I just feel like my entire life is falling apart.

Don't worry, everything will work out. You just need to get your powers back under control. Simple right?

But that's just it. I have this new power that hurts my friends. I'm afraid of getting too emotional and accidentally killing them.

Little master, you would never intentionally kill your friends emotionally or otherwise. You will get your powers under control and get your life back on track. Just have a little faith in the Fates.

Percy gave a sigh of relief. Thanks again, you're free to go.

Good bye.

During the silent exchange, Nico watched Percy relax, tense up, and then relax again. Eventually he breathed a sigh of relief and seemed to exit the conversation. Percy walked back towards him.

"Thanks Nico," he said, "I feel better now."

"Do you want to do more?" Nico asked.

" No." He said, "That's enough for today."

"Do you want to go back to the ship? Our friends are probably worried about us."

"I guess." Nico grabbed Percy's arm and shadow traveled back to the ship before he could protest.

"You're back!" Leo yelled. "They're back, guys!"

Annabeth ran over and tackled Percy into a bear hug. "Don't you ever worry me like that again, Seaweed Brain!" she exclaimed.

"I'm fine,'" he said sounding a little annoyed, "I jumped into the ocean. It's my element. Besides, I fell farther from the St. Louis Arch, that was nothing."

"I know," she said, "but in your….condition, I was afraid something was going to happen to you."

"Well, I'm back now. Are you going to lock me back up again?"

"I'm sorry, Percy, but you're too unstable. It's the only way to keep everyone safe, yourself included."

"There has to be another way," Nico interjected, "Percy can handle it. I know he can."

"No offense, Nico, but you weren't there when Percy lost it! Besides you can leave the ship anytime you want. We can't abandon Percy."

"You think I would abandon Percy! I would never leave him! I love him!" At this Nico blanked. "Ah, you guys weren't suppose to know that." Everyone else just stared at him.

Percy just stood awkwardly to the side. He was okay with the whole thing but he'd hoped Annabeth wouldn't find out. Ever. Frank shifted awkwardly on his feet and Piper just nodded like it made perfect sense. Leo looked the stupidest with his mouth hanging open like an idiot.

"You what?" said Annabeth in a menacing whisper.

"Love him." Nico responded softly while looking down at his shoes.

"And you knew?"Annabeth looked accusingly at Percy. He wouldn't meet her eyes either. She looked at the other three. "Did anyone else know?"

"I only suspected." Piper said timidly, "It's an Aphrodite thing I guess."

"Jason and Hazel knew," Nico all but whispered.

"Get away from me!" She yelled at both Nico and Percy. "Stay away!"

"Hey!" Percy yelled, "You can't blame him! It's not like its his fault for liking someone!"

"But I can blame him for liking you!" she screamed. Water rose up under the boat and across the deck. Annabeth let out a scream of pain.

"Oh my gods," Frank murmured, then ran to Percy. "Stop it! I know you're angry at her, but that doesn't mean you can hurt her!" Leo started running around the boat like a crazy person. What was he looking for? Piper stepped forward.

"Percy, stop!" She said putting all her charm speak into it. He stopped. The next moment he collapsed. Leo had hit him over the head with a large block of metal.

"Leo!" Everyone looked at him like he was insane.

"What?" He said, "I figured knocking him out last time worked why wouldn't it work this time?"

"I think we should put him back in his cell now." Annabeth said looking coldly at Nico.

Later that night at dinner…

Everyone was sitting around the dining table in depressed silence. Annabeth was glaring daggers at Nico, Nico was doing a very thorough examination of the table, Leo was fiddling with a scrap of metal, and Frank and Piper were just too scared of Annabeth's wrath to speak. In their minds though, Annabeth was taking it way too personally. Nico seemed to know that nothing would ever happen with Percy. He just couldn't help his feelings. Percy still hadn't gained consciousness, but Leo had hit him pretty hard.

Piper couldn't take the silence anymore and went to eat dinner in her room. Frank followed her lead and left. Leo excused himself a few minutes later saying something about checking on Festus leaving only Nico and Annabeth. "I'm sorry for my feelings, Annabeth."

Annabeth got up angrily from the table and stormed off to her room. Is she really going to blame me forever? Nico thought. He'd wished he could take back his stupid slip up. He'd just been so angry. I need to learn to control my temper just as much as Percy does, Nico thought glumly then got up and went to bed too.