The Argo II has a foremast, forty feet tall, and a main mast, sixty feet tall. On the top of the sail was Nico's thinking spot. This is where he retreated to when he needed to be alone, which was often.

Nico knew he should go back down and apologize to Jason. Jason hadn't done anything wrong other then try to be Nico's friend. He certainly didn't deserve such harsh treatment. Nico resolved to later make amends with Jason but for now he just wanted to relax. Nico heard someone climbing up the mast. So much for relaxation. Nico turned around to find himself face to face with Percy.

"Nice place you got up here".

"Thanks". Nico looked away as to not betray any signs of emotions.

"Look Nico we haven't had the chance to talk and I uh wouldn't have survived Tartarus without your help so thank you….I also want you to know that I care about you. Seeing you so down all the time it makes me feel like a hellhound hamster wheel somewhere in my chest has stopped moving."

Nico remained silent.

"I know what you're feeling Nico."

"Do you now?"

"Yes I do because I feel the same exact way."

"About?"

"About everything. I have a confession to make. I overheard your conversation with Jason so now I finally understand what you are going through. I get why you have been so guarded all the time and why you justifiably bear so much resentment towards me."

Nico stiffened, "What exactly did you overhear?"

"Enough to know the truth. The truth isn't a bad thing Nico. Showing emotion doesn't make you weak, it makes you stronger. Whenever I'm in a life threatening situation the thought of being reunited with my friends and family is what gives me the courage to go on. As for how you feel Nico I understand." Percy took a deep breath, "I understand because I feel exactly the same way. Love can be a tricky thing we can't always help who we fall in love with. The worst thing to do in any romantic situation is to bottle up your feeling. Coming out with your feelings is a hard thing to do but no one else on this boat is going to think any less of you for it."

Nico was so caught off guard by this monologue that he nearly fell off the sail in shock. Did Percy just say that he 'feels exactly the same way'?!

"O Gods Percy I don't know what to say. I've been so worried as to how you would react if you ever found out."

"No worries Nico. Annabeth is a stunning girl but I wouldn't let that come behind us."

"Huh?"

"Annabeth is beautiful, smart, strong. I can understand why you would fall in love with her. You got us out of Tartarus because you wanted to keep her safe. And for that I would be eternally grateful. I'm sorry for all the times we may have unknowingly flaunted our relationship in front of you. It must have been torture for you to always see us together. I hope we can move past this. Maybe we can find you a new girl. I bet Reyna is single."

Nico was done. Finished with Percy. Did Percy have nothing better to do then toy with his emotions? All Percy ever did was cause him pain. Percy was blind. He couldn't see what was right in front of him. But even if he did would it make any difference? He would still choose Annabeth and Nico would be all alone.

Nico put as much distance between himself and Percy as possible. Tears blurred his vision and disorientated him. Nico did everything he could to block out Percy's concerned voice calling his name.

The next thing Nico knew he was sprawled out on a bed with his head in Jason's lap. He must have somehow wandered into Jason's room in his state of emotional upheaval. Jason's face was devoid of the trademark stoic Roman and instead looked sick with worry.

"Im sorry Jason for what I said before."

"You have nothing to apologize for Nico."

"But I have treated you awfully. You deserve way better friends then me."

"I can't think of anyone I would rather be friends with."

Nico couldn't help but smile.

If you don't mind me asking. What made you so upset earlier?" Jason asked.

Nico quietly recapped his conversation with Percy. The funny thing is Nico felt as if he had given up on Percy years ago versus just hours before. He had grown numb to the pain Percy had once inflicted upon him. As Nico talked he couldn't help but get detracted by Jason's eyes. Had they always been that blue?

Staring into the Son of Jupiter's bright blue eyes, Nico had an epiphany. If Percy was the person in his life who caused him the most pain, then Jason was the only person in his life who didn't cause him any pain. By overlooking Jason, Nico was in a way just as blind as Percy. Jason accepted and embraced Nico wholeheartedly and without question. Jason was the one who was always there for Nico. Jason was the only person who fully understood Nico. Before Nico could stop himself, he pressed his lips to Jason's. When their lips met it was like a cool summer breeze meeting the entrance to an underground cave. Jason surprisingly didn't pull away. He lingered. As they drew apart Nico felt ashamed. What had he just done? He had just throw away his only friendship.

Jason laughed "I hope I'm not that lousy of a kisser."

"You're not mad?"

"On the contrary"Jason said, leaning in for another kiss.

A couple rooms down a Daughter of Aphrodite was growing impatient. Her boyfriend, Jason Grace, hadn't paid her any attention since well since she didn't even know when. Her mother was the goddess of love so she should know what's up right? Most children of Aphrodite had a sixth sense. They could detect romantic feelings before people even developed them. So why couldn't Piper figure out what Jason was thinking. Relationships were supposed to be her expertise but she was completely clueless. Maybe Jason was under a spell. Or even worse he was in love with someone else, like Reyna. Piper had to get to the bottom of this. Not knowing was driving her crazy.

Piper pulled out her knife, Katoptris. Coach Hedge had given it back to her before he had left. Usually the knife showed her creepy images that meant absolutely nothing to her but this time she was hoping for something useful. At first she saw nothing of value i.e. Octavian screaming at a stuffed unicorn. Then the image on the knife morphed into something unexpected. It was a scene that appeared to take place aboard the Argo II. The knife showed her Jason comforting a distraught Nico di Angelo. Piper had never seen Nico display such emotion. Nico's sudden emotional depth wasn't what bothered her but rather the way in which Jason spoke to him. Jason comforted Nico in a soothing tone she thought was only reserved for her.

What happened next shouldn't have been a shock for a child of the love goddess yet it caught Piper off guard. Nico kissed Jason.

"Where had that come from?" Piper thought. "O well I should have known Jason would have unknowingly acquired the affections of others sooner or later. I'm sure that any seconds now he is going to tell Nico off. Jason is going to tell him that he has a girlfriend whom he loves very much."

Instead Jason kissed Nico back with an intensity he had never displayed when kissing Piper. She couldn't contain her rage. How dare her boyfriend disregard her like that. Did she mean nothing to him? And to replace her with Nico di Angelo of all people. Perhaps Jason had never loved her. Maybe it was all a trick, an illusion created by Hera's amnesia magic. Piper let out an ear splitting scream. An angry flock of doves erupted from the cornucopia placed on her desk.

Piper let useless and alone. Her friends didn't need her. She didn't posses any special powers. Her mother is the goddess of love. Love is nothing but a weakness. Piper marched up to the top deck not wanting to be on this ship any longer. It contained too many painful memories of Jason.

No one tried to stop her as she flung herself in the waters below. There was no doubt in Piper's mind that this was the right thing to do. She calmly waited for the water to fill her lungs and for the life to leave her body.

"Will Jason miss me?" Piper wondered. "Will he even notice I'm gone?" As soon as these thoughts crossed her mind, Piper's whole world went black.