Author's Note: Thank you to slugston for reviewing and alerting. Thank you also to my friend Nicole for absolutely making my day by reading and complimenting my stories. This is my favorite chapter so I hope y'all like it.

Disclaimer: I no own.

The next summer, I was tending my garden at my in the little cabin the woods when I hear a familiar voice say, "Got any herbs in that garden?" I turn around and I see Thalia, Annabeth, and Percy standing behind me. Percy has a surprised and slightly relieved look on his face. Annabeth looked like she had been crying, and Thalia glowed silver.

"So now it's all up to him, huh Thal?" I said.

"Is that a weird way of asking me why I became a Hunter?" Thalia said sadly.

"A way that none of you will kill me, but pretty much." I said.

"I didn't want to turn 16." She said curtly.

"I already knew that, but I also know that that was a convenient excuse. Try again."

"I have no idea what you are talking about." She said.

"It's a family matter, right?" I said and I think Annabeth got it, because I could tell she was having a flashback.

"Isn't it always?" She said.

"Not that kind of family, Thal." I said and it clicked because there was an awkward silence. Percy did not get this. Then someone who I never expected to see again came out of the bushes, giving a death glare he must've learned from Thalia. "How come I never have good timing?"

"WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?" Thalia screamed. Lightning fell all around and Percy uncapped Riptide.

"THALIA! Calm down! I don't know, but I'm glad he is because he needs to hear this." I said and the lightning stopped.

"I was actually coming to see Alex for some advice, but I didn't expect to see you." He said as we all stared at him.

Then Thalia turned to me and said what they were probably both thinking, "What did you expect me to say? This is about being a Hunter, right? " She said u she looked curious but hurt.

"Yes, but do you either of you want to know?" I said. By this time, I could tell Luke wasn't taking any chances because he had drawn Backbiter.

"I think I already know." Luke said and he had regret written in his eyes. Thalia's expression had softened, Percy was about to laugh, and Annabeth looked like she was about to kill me.

I was about to respond when Aphrodite, the goddess of Love, appeared in the middle of the circle. The bad part was that she was smiling like a kid in a candy store. When Aphrodite is smiling, things are always about to get a lot more interesting.

"Hello children, don't let me interrupt. I was just coming to talk to Alex here, but I kind of wanted to see this. Continue dear." She said and I knew that she knew exactly what I was going to say. In spite of myself, I think I even smiled.

"What I was going to say is, Thalia, you're afraid of love, with good reason I understand," I glared at him discreetly, "but this is only because you've had bad experience with it," another discreet glare, "but you were ashamed to say so, so you gave the story you told me earlier." I said. Luke was so embarrassed, but I could tell Thalia had no idea why. All swords had been put away.

"Why did he have to hear that?" She said irritated.

"To know how much pain he was causing to those closest to him." I said. Thalia was mad once she realized what I was talking about and Annabeth was in shock.

"Now is the perfect time to talk dear. Let's go in this charming little cabin." Aphrodite said and the phrase "Saved by the bell" kept running through my head as I looked once again at Annabeth and Thalia's faces.

"Am I in trouble?" I said, slightly in awe of the situation.

"Quite the opposite, that was brilliant! It's a wonder you're a mortal. Off subject, the reason I came here is because Silena found these during cabin inspection." She pulled out my CDs. "I have come to make you an honorary child of mine. I have never done this before, but I felt it was appropriate." She said as I stood there, feeling like I could never move again.

"My lady, thank you so much. I am so honored. I love to do things like that to my friends. Believe me, I'd do that to Thalia and Luke, but they have more resources to kill me." I said.

"You are now under my protection darling. Feel free to do whatever you want about this and I will make sure Artemis doesn't kill you. I'm going to leave now, but take these and remember that you are never truly alone." Aphrodite said and then I turned away as she changed into her true godly form and disappeared. Before I walked out, I grabbed Titans Curse, clutched the CDs and left. I walked out to a sword fight lesson, but obviously the girls hadn't been paying attention to that.

"So, what did she want?"Thalia asked with an air of disgust.

"First, breakup the fight, because I want the guys to hear this." I said and instantly a bolt of lightning came between the two combatants.

"Thal, what was that for?" Luke asked and then he saw that I had come out and Thalia knew she didn't have to say a thing.

"So, what did she want with you?" Luke asked.

"She wanted to congratulate my work and acknowledge me as an honorary child of Aphrodite." I said, practically glowing.

"What work?" Thalia asked me and I pulled out Percabeth's CDs.

"This work Thalia." I said as I gave Percy and Annabeth their CDs. Thalia shared a "we will talk later look" with Annabeth and Luke just looked at me.

"Also, I thought that Annabeth would like to know what people say about her when she is unavoidably detained." I said, glared at Luke, and then gave her the book.

Percy, who had been pretty quite up to this point, asked me, "How many of these are there?"

"Five." I replied, "This is the third one."

"Why didn't you start her on the first?" He asked.

"This one contains more information that pertains to her." I said and he dropped it.

"Well, I have to go to school orientation, so see ya later." Percy said and then he left.

"I have to do some work with Clarisse, so I gotta go too." Annabeth said and then she left too.

Thalia looked awkwardly between me and Luke and then herself and quickly said, "Artemis doesn't like me gone for long," She said looking straight at Luke, "So I'll see ya Alexia." She said, but before she left, I asked, "How do you know my real name?"

"I have my sources," She said and then left quickly.

"That was weird." Luke said, as if he were that slow.

"The situation was weird, but what she said was probably true." I said.

"Can you explain that to me?" Goodness, he is that slow.

"What is the one thing that Thalia is afraid of?" I said and he looked confused.

"Thalia isn't afraid of anything. She never has been." He said, again regret on his face.

"What are all Hunters afraid of?" I said, hoping that broadening the subject would help him understand.

"Death?" He said like it was a trick question.

"Males, specifically loving them, so love too. You are so slow! Thalia is afraid of you! Being around you too much, things like that. She is afraid to love you. Luke, you did that. You can blame anyone you want, but that was your fault. Do you get it now?" I said and after seeing his facial expression, quickly added, "Sorry for being harsh, but now you get my point don't you?"

"I get it, but I can't do anything to fix this. She's a Hunter. I'm almost glad to give up."

"You have to choose between her and him. It won't be easy, but after time, you might get on her good side again." I said.

"Thanks Alex. I wish I could stay, but I have to go. If I ever do get on her good graces, I'll come and see you. If not, then goodbye." He said and then he hugged me again. As he walked away, all I could do is hope that he would listen to me.

Author's Note: So what did you think? I am kind of afraid that Alex came off a bit Mary Sueish to me. I crave your opinions so please review.