C H A P T E R S E V EN: Rock Bottom

[Don't own PJO! Enjoy!]

Katie Gardner like her life. She grew strawberries. She had a million sisters, and not to mention an amazing boyfriend. So what was bothering her?

She sat by the lake playing with the edge of her bright orange Camp Half-Blood shirt while she waited for the call that arrived once a week.

It wasn't on purpose, Katie just happened to be walking past the lake one day and he called out to her. She hadn't expected it to be him. Then again, he probably hadn't expected it to be her.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. He usually called around noon, what time is it now? Katie glanced at her watch.

12:15.

Where is he? She wondered. He should be here!

Then a depressing thought ran threw her mind, What if they ran into trouble? What if they… She shook the thought from her brain. No. She scorned herself, they couldn't…

Katie forced herself away from that topic. They'll make it, she promised herself. They always do.

After a few more moments the rainbow shimmer appeared in the lake. She shakily tossed a gold drachma into the mist. "Show me." She whispered.

The rainbow blurred and their familiar faces appeared in the image before her.

"Katie." His gruff voice echoes threw Katie's mind. She stood behind him, wringing her hands wearily. They both looked exhausted and hungry. She had a fresh cut on her forehead that had been loosely bandaged with some shitty napkins they'd probably gotten form a local Chipotle. He had an even worse gash that twisted down the side of his arm. Red stained bandages lay at his feet and Katie had a feeling that it wasn't ketchup.

"Hello." She wished half-heartedly. "How's your quest been?"

"Sorry I'm late." He avoided her question. "We just ran into some trouble…" He mumbled, glancing at the brunette behind him quickly before returning his attention back to Katie.

Katie frowned and narrowed her eyes at the misty screen. "What kind of trouble?" She asked carefully, watching their movements like a hawk.

Butch shifted under her gaze. He uneasily replied, "Nothing we can't handle."

Katie didn't linger on that. Instead her eyes moved up towards the girl. "Are you okay?" She asked sincerely.

The brunette nodded then winced and moved her hand up to touch the cut on her head tenderly. "Yeah. He's done a great job leading this quest." She murmured, trying to be business-like but her façade broke when she said, "I miss you."

Katie nodded, "I miss you too." She swore and turned back to him. "You better take care of her." Katie warned.

Butch nodded, "You've threatened me several times already." He waved his hand carelessly before changing the subject. "How is she?"

The million-dollar question… "She seems fine… happy."

"What was that?" He asked, squinting at the screen.

Katie found a sudden interest in the floor. She twiddled her thumbs innocently and replied, "What?"

"Something's wrong." He reported. It wasn't a question. "What is it Katie?"

"Well…-"

"Please insert for another five minutes." The machine-like voice commanded. The screen flickered uneasily.

"Sorry! I've got to go!" She rushed, searching her pockets. "I'm out of drachma's!"

He scowled and replied, "We're not done with this conversation." He announced.

The brunette waved weakly, "Bye Katie. I love you!" She squeaked.

Katie waved back, "Love you too, Miranda!" She whispered. "Bye-"

The mist evaporated and disappeared into the air. Katie sat down once again and tossed a nearby stone into the lake. It sank to the bottom.

Even though Katie had amazing friends, a loving boyfriend, and got to spend everyday in strawberry fields she felt as if she'd sunk to the bottom as well. With her sister outside the safety of Camp Half-Blood and only having two other companions to protect her, it sent her on edge.

Rock bottom she thought to herself. She closed her eyes and let the images from earlier etch themselves into her memory. It's getting kind of lonely down here.

Little did Katie know she wasn't the only one sitting at the bottom of the lake. Lying motionless as the water rippled above her.

Mitchell knew love.

He was a son of the love goddess, so it was mandatory.

But he didn't understand his sister at all. All Drew did was try and take Jason away from Piper, or take Connor away from Nyssa but why? She was a child of Aphrodite too! She was supposed to encourage love, not tamper with it!

And there she went again; this time it was a set up. Kayla and Harley.

Kayla and Harley… He mused sullenly to himself. It sounds too perfect…

Mitchell wanted to tell Kayla not to go. She didn't even like Harley! He was going to warn her don't go but then he'd be just like Drew, messing with love. But she was messing with it too by setting this up so maybe he could… un-mess it up?

"Gah!" He cried, sinking his face into the fluffy goodness of his pillow. He stayed there for along while, thinking of the different ways to ruin Kayla's date.

I could get Piper to charm speak and talk her out of it…

But Mitchell didn't want to be that guy. You know, the jealous best friend. Because he wasn't that guy! … Right?

And what did it matter to him if Kayla had a date! They were only friends anyways… He was just looking out for her, like a brother! Yeah! He tried to convince himself like a brother…

He sat up suddenly, "I know!" He shouted to himself, his voice echoed off the wall in the empty cabin. "I'm a genius!" He congratulated himself, smiling like a toddler who just learned to ride without training wheels.

He jumped off his bed and ran to the door where he un-neatly pulled on his sneakers. Tying them loosely he flew out the door and across the yard to cabin eleven.

"I need to speak with the Stoll's!" He shouted, bursting threw the door.

There were several groans and complaints, probably because it was seven in the morning, but one voice spoke. "Didn't you hear what they did?"

Mitchell shook his head, but his thoughts started wandering.

"You should see the Apollo cabin! And Austin Sparks…"

Austin? Plus Stoll? "Oh, shit!" he murmured backing out of the cabin. "Nyssa!" He yelled, sprinting towards the pier waving his hands like a crazy person. "Nyssa!"

How is it? Huh? Huh? Huuuuuuh?

In case you didn't figure it out, this was what Katie and Mitchell were doing the morning the Stoll's prank went into action!

Note: Nor Mitchell, Kayla, or Austin are OCs. They're all briefly mentioned in the series. (Kayla and Austin the Last Olympian, Mitchell The Lost Hero.)

Special thanks to: Daughter of Hypnos, xXGred-ForgeXx, and elviracar128 for reviewing multiple times! Thanks guys!

And of course, don't forget to go check out YOUCANTHANDLEOURNAMES stories! They are amazing!

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Chocolate bunnies and raindrops!
Love, Love, Love,

Chrissy!

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