Yes! Another update. This chapter's better, I promise.

December 14:

11 days until Christmas…

What should you buy for the Lord of the Dead?

Drew paused in front of a store window to check her reflection for a moment before continuing on.

Maybe something sparkly. Colorful and sparkly. And in pink… Surely the Underworld needed more cheer. It was always so dark and sad down there.

She shouldered her purse and walked down the sidewalk. Hades was lucky she was his Secret Santa.

Should he get her flowers? Didn't all girls like flowers? Especially a daughter of Demeter.

Travis pushed open the door to a florist shop and was instantly greeted by a short, wrinkled little man.

"Hello, there." he said, adjusting his glasses "Can I help you?"

"Could I get some flowers?"

"Are they for your girlfriend?"

Travis turned red. "It's not… She doesn't really…"

The old man smiled, as if enjoying an inside joke "Of course. Now what kind would you like?"

"Uh… Maybe those? They look pretty." Travis pointed to a vase of pink rose buds.

"Yes, yes." the clerk wrapped some up and set them gently in a box. "Anything else?"

"Not really…"

The man rang up his purchase. "That'll be twenty dollars." he winked "But I'll give you a discount. Hope you get the girl."

"That's not what they're for!" Travis tried to protest, but the florist just shooed him out the door with a smile.

"I want to buy a watch. Make sure it has an alarm on it."

"Where are your parents, sweetie?" the saleswoman questioned.

Artemis drew herself up to her full height. Being in her twelve year old form, however, it wasn't very high. "They dropped me off. Now I need a watch for my younger brother."

The lady tapped her long red nails "Do you have enough money?"

"Yes." Artemis snapped. "Stop treating me like a little kid. I'm older than you think."

The woman smiled unbelievingly and Artemis wanted to slap her. If only she knew the truth.

"All right, hon." she set a box on the counter.

Artemis picked through them until she found a golden digital one. "This one."

"It's gonna cost quite a bit…"

Artemis dumped a pile of drachmas in front of her. "Is this enough?"

The saleswoman gaped "Is that… Is that real gold?"

"Yes, it is. Is it enough?"

She nodded very slowly.

"Okay. Thanks!" Artemis picked up a bag and walked out of the store.

"Nine dollars." Thalia pushed the money towards the cashier, who popped a bubble loudly.

"Sorry. It's nine ninety nine."

"But the sign said it was only…"

"I'll pay for it, darling." a man drawled from behind her.

Thalia recoiled, her eyes blazing. "Get away from me you…" she launched into a tirade of names I shouldn't repeat, since this story is rated K.

He blinked, startled, and backed away.

Thalia gave him one last glare before paying for the shirt and leaving.

Percy checked his watch. 5:00. Time to head back to camp. He shifted the bag nervously and hoped Annabeth would like what he got her.

Review!

YAY! I'm only one day behind!