A/N-Hey guys! This is a rather short chapter compared to the last one-you're welcome. I'm just getting the group to Cali and whatnot. We've got a bit of a Perlia scene going on at the end. It's the same one from the end of the Child of Time: Marked. The little sneak peek I released, if anyone remembers. I've changed a few lines but other than that, it should have the same gist. The second part of that is pretty much changed to the max because obvi Annabeth isn't around and they're not at camp. Hope you guys are having a good day and happy reading!

After miles of walking, we finally made it to California. San Francisco, specifically, the welcome sign had lights around the city's name. It was getting dark but the sun was still out, I noticed. A fog was settling over the city.

"We're in California," Lee stated, looking directly at the sun. I scoffed, the rest of us were shielding our eyes from the sun while the son of Apollo was just basking in it. Maybe that's why he was was able to survive so long in the Arizona desert. "Now what?"

Zoë paled and pointed across a nearby bay, past the Golden Gate Bridge. "The Garden of Hesperides. My former home."

"It's too late to get there now, though. The sun has already set." Percy sighed, running a hand through his hair. He turned to Lee and me. "The Hesperides are the nymphs of the sunset," He explained. "We can only enter their garden as day changes to night. Tomorrow is the twentieth so if we don't make it in by then-we're screwed. Right now, we just need to focus on finding a place to crash."

I started rifling through my backpack, searching for Fredrick Chase's address. Annabeth had given it to me a week before we went to Westover Hall-she wanted me to visit just in case she decided to move back in with her dad. "Annabeth's dad. He should be able to help us." I held up the crumpled piece of paper, hoping that the mortal wouldn't mind four grimy demigods showing up at his door in the dead of night.

He didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he seemed rather excited to have us there. Naturally, he was upset when we explained Annabeth's absence but was in better spirits knowing that we planned to rescue her.

Presently, Professor Chase was sitting in a chair while we all sat down on a bed. We were in the guest bedroom. Lee had already passed out and Zoë was looking like she was about to drift off as well.

"I'm afraid we'll have to continue this conversation, tomorrow." Dr. Chase pointed to my sleeping friends. "There's a guest house out back if you two wouldn't mind sharing a room."

"Umm..." I trailed off, glancing at Percy. There wasn't enough space here to stay with Lee and Zoë and it would be too much of a hassle to wake Lee up and have him share the guest house with Percy.

Besides, I was anxious for nothing. There was nothing going on between Percy and I, right?

I think Dr. Chase noticed my hesitation because he quickly piped up, "Oh, I don't mind if you two stay together. Annabeth's informed me of your constant bickering but I'm sure you guys can bury the hatchet for one night, right?"

"We'll try," Percy glances over at me, a mysterious glint in his eyes. "No promises, though."

"Great!" Dr. Chase clasped his hands before walking over to the closet door and returning with two items. He handed us two flashlights.

"Here's the keys." He handed me the keys. "There should be blankets and everything on the bed. I'll see you two in the morning."

"Goodnight, Dr. Chase." I got up, Percy at my heels.

The guest house was just behind the main house. There was a small living room, complete with a table and chair, and airplane models as decoration. Blue prints were hung up in the shape of an airplane. Percy was closing the door as I set my bag down on the floor, walking over to the center of the living room.

I felt Percy's gaze intensely from the other side of the room. "What are you thinking about?" he asked.

Sliding into his arms, kissing him and touching him—things I shouldn't think about. I blinked. "Nothing."

Percy waltzed over, holding my gaze. My whole body tensed as he neared and placed his hands on either side of me. Then he bent over the chair between us, resting his forehead against mine. He inhaled deeply and it came out in an unsteady rush. When he spoke, his voice was rough. "Do you know what I've been thinking about all day?"

With him, it was anyone's guess. "No."

His lips brushed the skin of my cheek. "Finding out if you look as good in striped socks as you do in reindeer ones."

"I do."

His head slanted and his smile was lazy, arrogant. Predatory. "I knew it."

I shouldn't let this happen. There was a whole slew of complications: his attitude, the connection between us, and the fact that I was days away from possibly making a doomsday decision.

Knowing all of that, I still didn't pull away. And neither did he. Oh no, he was moving closer. His pupils started to glow and his breath seemed to have stalled in his chest.

"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he asked gruffly.

"I'm not doing anything."

Percy shifted his head just enough that our lips brushed once…and then twice before he increased the pressure. This kiss…it was nothing like the other times, which seemed to be angry and challenging. As if we'd kissed to punish each other. But this was gentle and soft, feather light. Infinitely tender. Passion swept through me as we kissed, but soon the kisses, they weren't enough. Not when a slow fire was burning under my skin—and under his.

Cupping my cheeks, he exhaled a soft groan, and his lips scorched mine as he deepened the kiss until we both were breathless from its intensity. Percy moved as close as he could with the chair between us. Gripping his arms, I held onto him, wanting him closer. The chair prevented all but our lips and hands from touching. Frustrating.

Move, I ordered the winds restlessly.

It trembled under my foot, and then the heavy oak chair slid out from under me, dodging our leaning bodies. Unprepared for the sudden void, Percy lurched forward, and I was unable to carry the unexpected weight. I collapsed backward, bringing Percy along with me.

The full contact of his body, flush against mine, sent my senses into chaotic overdrive. His tongue swept over mine as his fingers splayed across my cheeks. His hand slid down my side, gripping my hip as he urged me closer. The kisses slowed and his chest rose as he drank me in. With one last lingering exploration, he lifted his head and smiled down at me.

My heart skipped a beat as he hovered over me with an expression that tugged deep in my chest. He moved his fingers back up, along my cheek, trailing an invisible path to my chin.

"I didn't move that chair, Sweetheart."

"I know."

"I'm assuming you didn't like where it was?"

"It was in your way," I said. My hands were still curled around his arms.

"I can see that." Percy smoothed a fingertip over the curve of my bottom lip before taking my hand, pulling me up. Letting go, he watched me carefully and waited. Waited for…

What had happened slowly sank in beyond the fog in my brain. I'd just kissed him. Again.

"We can't keep doing this." My voice shook. "We—"

"We like each other," he said, stepping forward, grasping the edges of the table on either side of me. "And before you say it, we were attracted to each other before the whole bond thing. You can't say that's not true."

He leaned in, his nose brushing my cheek. A shudder rolled through me. His lips pressed against the spot under my ear. "We need to stop fighting what we both want."

Air caught in my throat. I closed my eyes as his fingers inched down my v-neck, clearing a path for his lips to meet my wildly beating pulse.

"It's not going to be easy," he said. "It wasn't three months ago and it won't be three months from now."

My head tipped back, my thoughts swimming at his touch. There was something wicked in those hot little kisses he dropped all over my throat. "You know my dad would kill you if he even suspected we were together."

"I know. Sea spawn, ya da ya da." He let go of my turtleneck and slid his hand around the nape of my neck as his body pressed against mine. "Don't forget he's also my brother so I don't think there's much he could do."

"Right." I opened my eyes. His were glowing. "And this has nothing to do with the connection or Zoë?"

"No," he said, and then sighed. "It's about us. About what we feel for each other."

I was attracted to him on a level that was nearly painful. Being around him had every cell in my body burning, but this was Percy. Caving to him was like saying the way he'd treated me was okay. And more importantly, it required blind faith in the theory that our feelings were real. And when they turned out not to be? It would be heartbreak, because I would seriously fall for him—fall more than I already had.

"Why now, Percy?" Wiggling down, I dipped under his arms. Tears of frustration built in my eyes. "Why now, when three months ago you couldn't stand to breathe the same air as me? It's the connection between us. It's the only thing that makes sense."

Percy leaned against the table. "Dammit. Do you think I don't regret acting like such a douche to you? I've apologized." He stood there, towering over me. "You don't get it. None of this is easy for me. And I know this is hard for you. You have a lot to deal with. I didn't want you to get close to me. I didn't want another person to care about, to worry about losing. Thalia, you want me and I want you."

Deep down, I did want to be with him. And I wanted him to want me, not because we were the same atom split or because someone else liked me. Shaking my head, I went for the door. "You keep saying that…"

"What does that mean?" he demanded.

I squeezed my eyes shut briefly. "You say you want me, but that's not enough."

"I show you that I do, too."

Facing him, I cocked an eyebrow. "You do not."

"What was that?" Percy gestured at the table, and I flushed. People probably eat at that table… "I think I showed you that I like you. I can do it again if you're not clear on what that was. And I've brought you a smoothie and a cookie."

"You stuck the cookie in your mouth!" I threw my hands up.

He smiled at that, like it was a good memory. "The table…"

"Humping my leg like a dog in heat every time I'm around you doesn't prove you like me, Percy."

Percy clamped his mouth shut, and I could tell he was fighting back laughter. "Actually, that's how I show people I like them."

"Oh. Fine. Whatever. None of this matters, Percy."

"I'm not going anywhere. And I'm not giving up."

Not that I really believed he would. I reached for the bedroom door but he stopped me. "Do you know why I met you that day in the library?" he asked.

"What?" I faced him.

"Back at Westover Hall?" He ran a hand through his hair. "You were right. I picked the library because no one would see us together."

My mouth snapped shut and a sick feeling leached up my throat, causing it to burn. "You know what, I've always wondered if your ego was so big you didn't want to eat crow."

"And as always, you jump to the wrong assumption." His eyes pierced mine. "I didn't want Annabeth or Lee to make a big deal of everything. I know I'm an...intense person. I knew you needed time to get used to me. To the idea of us. So if you think I'm embarrassed of you or not ready to make my intentions very public, then you better get that idea out of your head. Because if that's what it takes, then it's on."

I stared at him. What in the hell was I supposed to say to that? Yeah, a part of me had believed it. How many people would kick a chick out of the mess hall like he had and then start wooing her? Not many. And then I remembered the lump of spaghetti hanging off his ear, heard Percy's amused laughter from the day that felt so long ago.

"Percy…"

His smile was really starting to concern me. "I told you, Sweetheart. I like a challenge."

He waited a while before realizing I wasn't going to break the silence.

"I'll sleep on the couch." He walked over to the bedroom and grabbed a blanket before settling on the couch. "Goodnight, Thalia."

I unfroze myself and walked stiffly to the bedroom. I shut the door behind me, turning on the lights.

I was so screwed.

It was about 8 a.m. when I woke up the next day. The twentieth. We had to enter the garden by sunset tonight or else Artemis wouldn't be at the winter solstice.

By the time I had gotten up and taken a shower, Percy had already left. I arrived at the Chase's house just as Annabeth's step mom and brothers were leaving.

"I'll see you this afternoon, Thalia." The small, Asian woman waved at me. "I'm taking the boys to school then I'm off to work."

"Okay, see you then." I waved at the twins before resting a hand on the doorknob. "Bye boys."

"Bye!" Their little blonde heads stuck out of the car window.

I watched them drive off before entering the house. I made my way to the kitchen, the smell of waffles hitting me as I entered.

"Morning, Thalia." Lee greeted, pouring himself a glass of orange juice.

"Hey, Lee." I waved, looking around. Zoë smiled at me and I returned the gesture. Percy and Dr. Chase weren't there. "Sleep well?"

The son of Apollo gave Zoë a look. "She pushed me off the bed but other than that...just peachy."

"I need my space." The lieutenant said nonchalantly.

"It was King-sized bed!" Lee countered. "You sleep in tents all the time-you don't need that much space."

Zoë shrugged; indifferent. She turned to me and waved at the stacks of waffles and fruit salad on the table. "Help yourself-Dr. Chase will be with us shortly to discuss transportation to the Mountain of Despair."

"Thanks," I said as Lee handed me a plate. I snatched two waffles and a glass of milk. "So...where's Percy?"

Neither demigod had a chance to answer before a warm tingling spread across my neck.

Zoë's eyes flicked up behind me and widened. "Wow. Now that is unexpected."

Something smelled sweet and familiar. Confused, I twisted around in my chair. A single rose in full bloom, a vibrant red, brushed against the tip of my nose. Tan fingers held the green stem. My eyes lifted.

Percy stood there, his gold eyes glittering. He patted me on the nose with the rose again. "Good morning."

Dumbfounded, I stared at him.

"This is for you," he added when I didn't say anything.

Both Lee and Zoë were staring as my fingers wrapped around the cool, damp stem. Percy sat down before I could say anything. Cheeks flaming, I placed the rose next to my plate, and I honestly don't think I took my eyes off it.

When Percy had said he wasn't giving up, I had no idea he was going to go all balls-to-the-wall right off the bat. Why would he? Maybe he just wanted to have sex with me. And that had to be all, right? Hatred turned to lust. He'd been so against me months ago and now he wanted to be with me? Maybe he had a secret drug habit.

The light caught the moisture on the rose.

I looked up, catching Zoë's gaze. She mouthed, Nice.

Nice? It was nice and sweet and romantic and about a thousand other things that had my heart doing backflips. Sneaking a peek at Percy beside me, I watched him read the label from the milk jug. His brows were lowered in concentration. Thick, sooty lashes hid his eyes.

They lifted and his lips spread into a grin as he met my gaze.

Oh yeah, I was in so much trouble.

We all ate in silence before Dr. Chase entered the kitchen. We told him about the mountain of Despair-the mortals named it Mount Tamalplais, Mount Tam for short-and our sunset deadline.

We explained that the mountain had all kinds of taboo and it'd be best if he didn't come. He was reluctant at first and even tried to offer transporting us in his Camel helicopter but we declined, it was just too dangerous for a mortal. He did agree to let us borrow his car, though.

"I'm going to bring into the shop real quick." He was saying. "Make sure everything's working and all-you guys are going to be driving across some rough terrain, I'm afraid."

"Will you return by eight o'clock?" Zoë asked, concerned. "We need to get there by eight."

"I'll be back by then, trust me, I understand how important this is." Annabeth's dad reached for his coat and keys. "You kids can just hang out around here. Feel free to rummage through the cabinets or fridge. There should be some chips and frozen pizza if you get hungry."

We thanked him again and I listened as the front door closed.

"Alright, let's get this cleaned up." Lee began to clear the table and we all pitched in, Percy and I on dishwashing duty.

"Reminds me of dishwashing at camp." I mused as he handed me a soapy dishes. I rinsed it off and dried it.

"Minus the lava, of course." He added, laughing.

I chuckled and before I knew it, we had finished washing the dishes.

"Wait here," Percy said, holding my shoulders.

When I nodded, he walked away, heading up the stairs. I looked around, meeting Lee's eyes.

"What was that about?" He asked, putting away the last item.

"No idea," I answered, my gaze sweeping over the rose. "It's been an interesting morning."

"I'd say so." Zoë beamed at me before slipping out the back door.

A pang struck my heart. "She needs time to grieve." I realized.

"Time we don't have." Lee said somberly. A moment of silence passed before he spoke again. "I'm going to take a shower, holler if any monsters show."

I chuckled, "Sure thing. Get in the shower, kid; wouldn't want Annabeth to smell your B.O. when you two reunite."

Lee gave a small smile, before running a hand through his hair. "I'm going to see her again. I'm finally going to see her again."

"You will. I promise."

"I know." Lee's features lit up just before he began to mount the stairs. "Hey, don't forget that double date. That's going to happen."

"I'll save you a spot." I winked as the demigod went up the stairs. A moment later, Percy came into view.

He brought me a pumpkin spiced latte—my favorite.

I took the drink wordlessly, taking a sip. "Thanks but you can't buy me, Percy."

"We'll just see about that." He grinned.

Throughout the day, Percy became the bearer of gifts.

At eleven a.m., he presented me an egg and bacon breakfast croissant, at two p.m.-A red velvet cupcake, and a lily at four p.m. He did nothing to hide his intentions.

Every hour, Percy soaked up my time. Basically, the little weasel was trying at every opportunity to get close to me. Like, really, will-breaking, body-tingling close.

I was sitting in the guest bedroom with Zoë when I felt the tingling on my neck. Percy. I sighed and got up, opening the door.

Familiar feelings of anxiety slid through me. What did he have up his sleeve now? In other words, how much more could he possibly complicate my life? But strangely, even as innocent and clandestine as our interactions were, there was still a level of intimacy that couldn't be denied.

Percy was changing.

I was used to the sarcastic and rude Percy. In an odd way, that version was easier to deal with. We could trade insults all day. But this Percy…this one who wouldn't give up was kind and gentle, funny and—dear God—thoughtful.

Percy waited in the hallway, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jeans. He had been gazing into the distance but pivoted around the moment I pushed open the door.

He brushed past me and further down the hallway. The scent of him, a mixture of the outdoors and sandalwood, followed. It was a heady aroma, all completely his.

"You look nice today," he commented unexpectedly.

I glanced down at my gray hoodie and tucked a tangled strand of hair behind my ear. "Uh, thanks." I cleared my throat. "So…what's up?"

His excuse for spending time with me was always the vague "Watching out for you," so I wasn't expecting anything different. "I just wanted to see you."

"Oh." Well, hell…

He chuckled. "I thought we could take a walk. It's nice outside."

Glancing back at the guest room door, I debated. Spending time with him wasn't something I should be doing. It just encouraged his…not-so-bad behavior.

"I'll behave myself," he said. "I promise."

I laughed at that. "All right, let's go."

It was brisk outside, nowhere near as cold as it would become once the sun set. "Exactly where are we going to take a walk?"

"Outdoors," he said dryly.

"Well, I think I figured that part out."

"You ask a lot of questions, you know."

"I've been told I'm very inquisitive."

He leaned forward and whispered, "I think I figured that part out."

He contemplated my silence then sighed. "There's a trail that leads to a grave yard. It's a bit cooler over there and considering that we're in California, we should be grateful for any shade."

"You're taking me to a grave yard." I said, voice flat.

An array of golden, red, and brown leaves blurred as Percy and I walked side by side. "Hey, at least I'm taking you somewhere."

"How gracious of you." I snorted.

"I try."

We walked in silence until we reached the grave yard, then Percy piped up.

"Killing at first used to bother me."

I tore my eyes away from the tombstones. What little sun that peeked through the clouds caught the auburn tint in his dark hair.

Percy smiled tightly. "I didn't like it, taking a life. I still don't. A life is a life."

"It's something you have to do. You can't change it." I told him. "Besides you only assassinate the bad guys, right? Don't dwell on it, Percy. It only wreaks havoc on you to dwell. It bothers me knowing that I've killed…monsters, but they're monsters and they'll always reform. Sometimes, it's killed or be killed."

"You aren't wrong for what you done. Never think that." His eyes met mine for a second, and he cleared his throat. "I don't feel anything when I kill."

I shoved my hands into the front pocket of my hoodie. "You don't really believe that, do you?"

"I do." His voice lowered. "I'm not a good person. I'm not going to pretend to differentiate between good and evil."

"I'm no saint either, Percy. Did you see me the other day? I almost caused doomsday right then and there."

"We all are tempted at times, Thalia. You can't beat yourself up over it." His voice was genuine, soft.

"And you can't insist that you're inherently bad." I countered. "I've seen the good you. That's who you are."

Percy smiled sadly. "I wish I could hold on to that person. I've been anxious all day-the mountain. I feel its pull and it's getting hard to ignore. That's why I'm telling you all this...someone needs to hear what I have to say before I turn into a bad egg."

"Just keep taking that potion, Percy. You'll be okay." I bridged the gap between us, tilting my gaze up at him. "I would never let anything like that happen to you."

"Thank you." He reached out, smoothing back a strand of hair that had escaped my ponytail. "Sometimes I just have to remember why I started this."

"Why did you?" I asked. "The whole assassin thing? Alliance with the gods?"

"My mother," he said quietly. "When I was a week old, Kronos took her. I didn't know where but when I was older, I knew I needed to find her. I ran away from the orphanage at fourteen and found an assassin' tomb. I knew this was my ticket to find her so I used it to get an alliance with gods. On my first quest, I went to the Underworld and asked Hades for my mother. He said she was in Tartarus. With Kronos."

Percy sucked in a sharp breath and I gasped, my heart breaking. "So that's where she's been for the past fifteen, almost sixteen years."

"That's who you were talking about at Westover Hall-when Annabeth got captured. You were afraid Kronos had the both of them-in Tartarus." I blinked back a few tears. "I'm so sorry...I couldn't imagine if...gods, I'm so sorry."

"That makes two of us." He captured my hand, bringing it to his lips, placing the lightest kiss against the center of my palm. A hot shiver went up my arm. Peering through his dark lashes, he burned me with one smoldering look.

My lips parted and my heart fluttered in my chest like the many leaves that fell to the ground around us. "Did you bring me out here just to get me completely alone?"

"That may have been a part of my master plan." Percy's head lowered and his hair fell forward, brushing my cheek. The slant of his mouth tilted and an exhilarating heartbeat later, his lips pressed against mine and my heart swelled.

I jerked back, breathing heavily. "No kissing," I whispered.

His fingers tightened around mine. "I'm trying not to."

"Then try harder." I slipped my hand free and took a step back, shoving my hands back into the pocket of my hoodie. "I think we should head back."

He sighed. "Whatever you want."

I nodded. We started back to the Chases' in silence. I stared at the ground, at war with what I wanted and what I needed. Percy couldn't be both.

"So I was thinking," he said after a few moments.

I glanced at him warily. "About what?"

"We should do something. Together. Outside of the camp and not just walking around." He stared straight ahead. "We should go out to dinner or a concert."

My stupid heart started jumping again. "Are you asking me out?"

He laughed under his breath. "That's what it sounds like. Yeah, I am."

The trees were starting to thin out. The Chases' house came into view. "You don't want to take me out on a date."

"Why do you keep telling me what I don't want?" Curiosity colored his tone.

"Because you can't," I told him. "You can't want any of this with me, not really. Maybe with Zoë—"

"I don't want Zoë." His features hardened as he stopped, facing me. "If I wanted her, I'd be with her. But I'm not. She's not who I want."

"Neither am I."

Percy shook his head in disbelief. "You have got to stop assuming you know what I want."

I started walking again. "It's just the challenge and the connection, Percy. Whatever you feel for me isn't real."

"That's ridiculous," he spat.

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I know." Percy appeared in front of me, eyes narrowed. He thumped his hand off his chest, directly above his heart. "Because I know what I feel in here. And I'm not the type of person to run from anything, no matter how hard it is. I'd rather face-plant against a brick wall than live for the rest of my life wondering what could've been. And you know what? I didn't think you were the type to run, either. Maybe I was wrong."

Stunned, I pulled my hands out and brushed my hair back. Knots formed in my stomach—the good, warm, and twisty kind. "I don't run."

"You don't? Because that's what you're doing," he argued. "You pretend what you feel for me isn't real or doesn't exist. And I know damn well you feel something for me."

"Percy, I'm not doing with you right now." Walking around him, I headed for the front door. I noticed Dr. Chase's yellow Volkswagen in the driveway. He was back. "I don't want to talk—"

The front door swung open and the two other demigods stepped out. Lee was carrying our duffels and Zoë waved a set of keys in front of us. "It is almost eight. We need to get going."

I nodded and followed her to the Volkswagen while the boys put the duffels in the trunk. I waved to Annabeth's dad who stood in the doorway, waving.

I climbed into the passenger seat while Zoë started the car and the boys got in the back. Less than minute letter, we were on our way to the mountain of despair.

A/N-I'm not going to lie, I started writing the chapter on saturday and thought I was going to have enough time to get it up by then. My bad for trying to be slick. I hope you guys had a good weekend, my sister graduated from high school today. Which makes me a senior, which is pretty cool. I'm excited and nervous. Alot of people told me junior year was going to be shit but it's actually been my best year of highschool so far. All I really did was take the ACT, SAT, and one more AP exam than I did compared to my sophomore year. I'm not dying but we'll see. Thanks for reading!