If you are reading this, and you have read, A SEPARATE PEACE by John Knowles come Pm me, urgently. Anyone. Well, I've never written to the reader directly, so all I'm going to say is that I hope you like this chapter, I would love some feedback. And I really hope you keep reading! Enjoy!

Nico POV

I fiddled with the ring on my finger absently. It was strange but I had woken up with it placed on my ring-finger. I never did that. Not anymore. I sat down on my chair and watched as Percy rubbed his eyes tiredly. He seemed to be getting worse and worse. The curse was slowly draining away his life, leaving him weary and exhausted. He stretched his legs out and picked at his food which was tinted a strange shade of blue. He swept his hair out of his eyes which weren't that brilliant shade of green anymore; they were dimmed, and drained of life. He smiled reassuringly at me once he caught my gaze. I blushed and looked away. Everyone was strangely silent and solemn, like sensing the state Percy was in.

"Well!" Leo chimed. "Were almost there, a couple hours at most."

The news that we were almost to Tartarus weren't exactly 'good' news but everyone brightened nonetheless. Percy sat up straight as he ignored a disapproving look that Annabeth gave to him as he disposed of his uneaten food. He looked irritated and he looked at us intently. "I don't understand." He announced, gaining the attention of everyone.

"What?" Jason asked.

"Why are you all coming with me to Tartarus?" He finished. Carter looked at him, frowning. "Well, I guess I feel guilty that the goddess Isis or maybe Thoth put a curse on you to get back at the gods because of me." He replied, shrugging.

"I follow him." Sadie replied, jerking her thumb towards her brother. "And I'm with her." Replied Walt, smiling at Sadie. Zia shrugged and said, "They're my friends." she replied. Carter looked guilty but nodded at Percy. He frowned and looked towards Jason, who sat up and spoke with the authority of the son of Zeus. "I'm going because you might need me and we've been through so much together…" he said gesturing towards the group. "And it wouldn't be fair to let you risk your life without us."

Piper and Hazel smiled and nodded in agreement. Leo grinned and said, "Yall would be pitiful without me so I had pity on you and accompanied you." He said towards Percy, who cracked a smile. He turned towards Annabeth and his smile melted. Annabeth sighed and smiled with an effort. "I love you, Seaweed brain and you're not getting rid of me that easily." She said playfully and laced her fingers in his. He squeezed her hand and looked towards me intently.

Everyone turned to look at me and I felt a twinge of claustrophobia when they turned their eyes on me. I swallowed.

Why did I want to go to Tartarus again...it because I loved him. And I couldn't bear to lose him like I lost Bianca. She died because I wasn't there, and I couldn't help thinking that I could have saved her, or at least, gotten to say goodbye. I couldn't let the same thing happen to Percy. But I couldn't tell them that.

I stared at Percy. "You don't have to come Nico…I know you've been there once and, well…you don't have to come again." He said reasonably. I met his eyes, and for a second, there were only his sea-green eyes, they showed the ocean at its calm vast and never ending, I smelled the sea and heard the wave's crash in the distance and I stifled back a sob. "I'm coming." I whispered weakly. He cocked his head at me and furrowed his brow as his eyes filled with concern. I had fallen in love with his eyes, I remembered. He nodded and looked back at everyone else when Leo announced that we were there.

Jason stood up. "Okay guys… get all you need. Were there, remember, food, water, weapons…stick together." He nodded towards Percy. Percy looked at everyone seriously and said, "While were falling, remember to join hands, okay? We don't want to land somewhere separated." Everyone nodded and I examined everyone's faces. Frank's face was pale, as if he knew what we'd be facing. Percy's and Annabeth's were set in grim determination and we all rode over the mortals and got off the Argo II. As we weaved through the crowds of people I wondered if everyone knew what danger we were getting into. We entered the place where there was a huge black pit, all it took was one wrong step and you'll fall into Tartarus.

I took an involuntarily step back. Percy put his hand on my shoulder looking unfazed. "Hey, it'll be fine." He assured, and I felt an unexpected wave of warmth. "Okay..." muttered, looking into the abyss. He turned towards Calypso. "Um…I'll be right back okay?" he said taking her hands reassuringly. She nodded and took a step back as Leo made his way towards Percy. "I don't want her to go down there, but… I don't want to leave her either." He whispered. Percy furrowed his brow and nodded. "I understand." He replied and turned towards them.

He seemed to stand up straighter, "Leo, Frank, Jason, Calypso, Zia and Walt," he began, "You-yall aren't coming." He finished. They all looked at him in shock. "I need you to stay here, in case something happens between Camp Half-blood and Camp Jupiter." They frowned and looked like they wanted to protest. "I trust you." He replied, looking at everyone seriously. Frank stepped up and nodded. "We will." He replied. "Alright." Percy replied and looked around at us as the rest left; giving us looks like it will be the last time they would see us, which it probably will be.

"Take each other's hands and well jump." He replied looking at the entrance to Tartarus almost eagerly. I guess he wanted to get rid of the pain. He took Annabeth's hand and he turned towards me and offered me his hand I felt heat rising to my face as I placed my hand in his and he gripped in tightly. His hand was warm and I felt shivers run up my spine I was sure that my hand was probably cold and clammy, but it wasn't because we were about to go to Tartarus.

Sadie grasped my wrist reluctantly and turned to grab Carters who grabbed Jason so that we were in one straight line, Annabeth and Jason at the end.

"Go." Said Percy and we were swallowed by darkness.

…..

I couldn't help it, I screamed. The darkness swallowed us and sucked the life out of me, the memories of the last time I've been here all came back to me, pushing my sanity to the very brink of its existence. Fear enveloped me and I couldn't think, Couldn't breathe. My chest heaved painfully and I felt tears rising. I searched desperately for light.

"Shhh…Nico, Shhh its okay, it's okay." I felt strong arms wrap around me as the sensation of falling sent panic into my system. I screamed again. Claustrophobia and fear clutched at me with their bloody grasps.

"Nico!" I heard a voice yell in my ear. "Stop. It's okay." Came the reassuring voice of the boy I loved. He clutched me tighter and I slowly let myself calm down as I buried my head in his shirt. I smelled the ocean breeze and I knew it was Percy that was holding me. "Nico? You okay?" came his voice. I nodded slowly. He looked at me, and his eyes seemed to glow. "I let go of Annabeth." He whispered softly. I looked up at him and saw his eyes full of sorrow.

Embarrassment and shame rose in me and I slowly detangled myself from him, shaking. He grabbed my forearm. "Hey, its fine." He reassured. I nodded, knowing he couldn't see my flushed face. "Annabeth!" he yelled.

He waited in silence. "ANNABETH!" he screamed again. "Percy!" Came the fain reply. He looked relieved. "With…Jason!" she yelled again. "NICO!" he screamed back. Suddenly we stopped falling and we plunged into icy cold water. The water enveloped me and tried to bring me under. I kicked and flailed. I would NOT die drowning with the son of Poseidon. I thought as my head broke the surface.

There is no point. Came a voice, I froze. It was Bianca. Don't struggle. Why live? There is no point. No one loves you up there, why live, to die again. You have no purpose in life, Nico. Everyone judges you, you've never really belonged. Her voice reached my ears as soft as silk and I felt tears mix with the river water. She was right. I didn't belong there, I was gay, and I was the son of Hades. I didn't belong. Bianca loved me.

I should go with her. I thought, before plunging again into the water…swimming deeper and deeper. Black covered the edges of my vision and my lungs screamed for air. My head pounded in pain.

Suddenly I felt strong hands grip my sides and pulled me upwards. My head broke the surface and I was hauled to shore against my will. The sand was like shards of glass digging into me and piercing my skin. I felt lips being pressed against my mouth and I felt a shock of thrill pass through me as air was pushed into my lungs. I coughed and doubled over, where I was held facing down as I coughed up water that came gushing up out of my mouth.

I gasped as reality hit me full force.

I had just tried to drown myself. I gripped on to the arm that was pressed against my chest while the other one was on my back. I breathed in hard, gasping, welcoming the sensation of air in my lungs. My heart was beating fast as I shivered as my water drenched clothes clung to my skin. I looked up at Percy who was still holding me with concern. The realization that he had saved my life hit me and I looked at him gratefully. He let go of me and stood up, then he reached down and helped me up. He was trembling and he sighed.

"I hate this river." He muttered. He looked at me. "You okay? You inhaled a lot of water." I nodded and watched as his wet shirt clung to his skin. "Nico?" he asked I tore my eyes away from his chest and blushed. Here we were in Tartarus and I was thinking of how good he looked. I mentally scolded myself.

"We better find the others." He responded. I nodded and followed as he trudged in one direction calling random names. We were in a huge empty cavern that allowed little light but enough to be able to see clearly. "Here!" came a panicked voice. Percy looked hopeful and turned to meet my eyes. "C'mon, let's see who it is." He started at a jog and I hurried to catch up. "Hello?" he yelled again. "Here" The voice replied, closer this time. We rounded a corner and saw Carter bending over his sister worriedly. His teeth were chattering and he was shivering, but the girl appeared perfectly still. Percy rushed over and bended over her.

"I don't know what's wrong with her!" Was Carter's panicked reply. "It's fine." Percy reassured and touched her forehead, there was a gash and there was blood seeping through the cut and trailing down her face. Percy frowned and looked at me. "We lost the supplies in the river right?"

I nodded. He sighed and ripped the sleeves of his Camp Half-blood shirt. He folded one and carefully cleaned the blood away. Then he placed the over one over it and tied it around her head to stop the blood. "She'll be okay." Carter looked relieved. Percy looked at a faint glow in the distance. "I think that's the river of lava." he said, "Annabeth knows the way to the doors of Death, we just have to follow the river." He said confidently. Then he stood. "Let's go."

Annabeth POV

I stood next to Jason as we stared at the river running past us that almost tried to kill us. I remembered how it seemed to suck Percy's energy even though he was a son of Poseidon. I looked at Jason. "You think you could fly us to that peak over there?" I asked. I thought that we should head to higher ground so that we could find the cure of Percy. I still couldn't believe I lost him. I heard Nico screamed and then suddenly Percy wasn't with me and I literally ran into Jason who had lost Carter and Sadie.

He nodded and picked me up and we flew over to the peak where he collapsed suddenly, looking exhausted. I frowned. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" He shook his head and gasped. We were both drenched and shivering. There was something about Tartarus that just wasn't right, like nothing good would ever happen in a place like this.

"I don't know." Came his reply. "Something about the air… doesn't let me control it."

I nodded grimly. This certainly wasn't Zeus's realm. I looked over the barren wasteland and shivered. It was dark and endless, and eerily silent, not a soul in sight. I saw a small tread of fire and pointed towards it. "There. We need to get to there." He looked towards it and nodded he took out his Roman coin which switched to a sword. We climbed down and headed towards the river silently, picking our way through the rubble. I took out my new knife since I lost the one Luke had given me when I was seven.

"Annabeth?" Jason addressed me, looking at me while we made our way down. "Yes?" I replied, out of breath. "Is this why Percy got rid of everyone else?" He asked me and I thought about it. "He probably thought they couldn't handle it or, he wanted them to be safe…or just to not feel that guilty. I don't know." I replied, panting now, the hot humid air seemed to dry my lungs and leave my throat burning, making it hard to breathe.

He nodded. "He would have made a good praetor of Rome."

I glanced at him."Don't even think about it."

He laughed, it was a strange sound in Tartarus, I remembered when Percy's laugh had filled the cavern, and sighed.

"I think Frank has earned it, but I do miss it." He replied looking at me out of the corner of his eye. I nodded in agreement but my mind was elsewhere. How long would it take us to find the Doors of Death once Percy drank from the river? Hopefully he would get better.

Nico POV

We trudged our way to the faint orange glow in the midst of all the darkness. Percy had Sadie in his arms and was taking turns with Carter and me, but he appeared to be handling her well. When Percy tripped for the third time I offered to take Sadie. He looked at me and nodded I picked her up and we continued walking. Carter was looking around in awe and horrified fascination.

Percy was looking pretty fine when he collapsed suddenly in a heap. Carter stared at him uncomprehendingly as fear and worry rose in me.

"Here!" I thrust Sadie in his arms and kneeled down at Percy's side. He stumbled with her but also kneeled down. I stared at his limp body. "What do I do?" I yelled in panic.

He pressed his fingers to his neck and wrist. He furrowed his brow in concentration then his face paled and he put his hand to his mouth. "Oh gods!" He exclaimed. "WHAT?" I practically yelled, I felt nauseous, he couldn't be dead…

Carter placed his left hand over his right one and interlocked his fingers where he placed them on Percy's chest and pushed Thirty times. "C'mon…c'mon." he muttered. I sat down as the sickly realization came over me.

Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, the most powerful demigod I've ever met…was dead.

Dead.

Like Bianca.

Desperation and anger rose in me. "NO!" I yelled. Carter jumped back, shocked. "GET HIM TO THE DAM RIVER OF FIRE!" I yelled. I clutched Percy's arms as I tried to haul him forwards. Carter looked at me sadly were Sadie was sitting up looking horrified and confused while pressing a hand to her temple in pain. "There's no point." He said sadly. "He's dead, Nico." He replied looking at me with a mixture of sadness and pity. I had seen that look way too any times.

I gritted my teeth as sweat dripped down my forehead and my arms trembled in exhaustion. I fixed my eyes on him and mustered all the hate and anger I felt towards the world and glared at him. He looked startled. I saw black mist surround me and the voices of the dead whispered words of hatred and malice to me. Skeletons and bodies pushed against the ground and the air became bleaker and poisonous.

"Get him to the river of fire. Now." I said quietly.

Carter's face paled and Sadie was crying, both were looking at me with a mixture of fear and horror. I didn't care. "NOW!" I yelled. They rushed to do my bidding and we hauled him over to the river. I cupped the lava in my hands and slowly poured it over his open mouth, ignoring the pain and the tears that streamed down my face, blurring my vision. Grief closed my throat and I felt the horrible sensation of anguish as I bended over him.

"No, Percy…No…" I moaned. Carter and Sadie both stared at me. I didn't notice anything but how pale Percy looked, and how limp his body was. I shook him gently, like he was sleeping and would wake up any moment. "Percy…" The warm glow from the river bathed him in an orange light and cast shadows over his face. "Percy!" I yelled. Tears landed on his face and I felt myself trembling. "Percy noooo…" I clutched his shirt, the tears coming faster and harder.

"Nico?" I felt a hand at my shoulder and I felt a surge of anger. It wasn't fair. Why me? Why was I born into this world? What had I done to deserve this? I swung around and punched whoever had touched me. Luckily, I missed and the figure staggered back. I turned towards Percy. "Percy…wake up." I murmured softly. I cradled his head in my lap and looked hopefully at his eyes, willing them to open and look at me with those gorgeous green eyes. A tear slid down and landed on his nose.

Suddenly he coughed and his eyelids fluttered open. I felt y heart stop as I stared at his eyes and happiness burst into me. "OH GODS! YOU'RE ALIVE!" I yelled and I felt as if a huge weight was being lifted off my shoulders.

I felt a sudden impulse and leaned down and crashed my lips against his. His lips were salty and tasted like the ocean. They were soft against mine and I felt a surge of exhilaration. I felt him tense up in surprise. He grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me off, gentle, always gentle. He stared at me in shock and confusion. "Shit." I muttered as the blood rose to my face. I stumbled back, filled with embarrassment and shame. "Sorrysorrysorrysorry." I muttered. I couldn't believe I did that. He would never speak to me again. He would be disgusted and never come towards me. I bit back a sob and stared at him. He frowned and he sat up awkwardly. He licked his bottom lip and looked at me in confusion. I blushed and looked down. I gripped my forearm nervously. He stood up and looked at Carter and Sadie. He was frowning. "Well… what happened?" his voice sounded hoarse. Carter pointed at me. He was still in shock. Percy bended down and looked at me. I blushed and stood up. "We should be going."

I began walking north of the river. It was hot but I kept my jacket over my now dry camp half-blood shirt. After some time I heard hurried footsteps coming towards me and I slowed my pace, desperately hoping it wasn't Percy. "Nico…" I heard his voice. It was definitely Percy. I steeled myself for the response I expected.

Disgust and rejection.