I won't leave you

A/N: Hey guys! I'm so sorry I took so long to update, but I've just had so much going on right now! And Blood of Olympus is out! (Here anyway) My Aunty has got it for me, yay. So I hope you like this update, I tried to make it longer because you had to wait. Thanks so much for the positive reviews, they mean a lot!

Clarisse was walking round camp, enjoying the sun; which was strange for her. She hadn't got any classes that day and was looking forward to spending the whole day with Chris. As she walked past the Hermes cabin she heard some loud noises, but she ignored them; used to the things they got up to in there. Suddenly she saw the Stolls, alone, and walked quietly up, being sure to be quiet, she wanted to catch them in the act. From what she could see they appeared to be making some sort of explosive, though she couldn't tell what. Out of the blue she saw them light it, and before she had time to even think of the rational thing to do the fireworks shot off, hitting her square in the middle. The Stolls heard the yell and ran over, when they saw her, their mouths fell open with shock and they looked round; hoping no-one saw it was them. Travis walked slowly over and shook the unconscious Clarisse before turning to his brother,

"Get help!" He whispered, urgently, as he shook her again, noticing a large unstable cut on her forehead.

As Connor was running for Chiron he saw Chris, who ran over. Asking if he had seen Clarisse.

[2 months later]

Chris walked round camp, his face set in the frown that had been on show since the accident. He never really smiled much anymore, and laughing was a thing of the past. Just as he was about to walk into the training arena he felt his phone vibrate, before a familiar tune kicked in. Before he could even think his phone was at his ear,

"Clarisse?" He asked, shock clear in his voice as he walked to the edge of camp, away from everyone else.

"Of course it's me punk" The answer came loud and clear, bringing the lost smile back to his face instantly.

"I'm coming to see you" Was the only reply he had as he hung up and ran outside the camp, ready to visit his girlfriend who had been unconscious for a whole 2 months. Where he hadn't seen her because it was his brothers that caused the accident, so her mom had banned him. But right now he couldn't care less, because she was awake. He jumped in his car and drove, faster than the day he found out about the accident, probably attracting the attention of every monster in town.

He ran in and straight past the desk, knowing the receptionist would never let him in. He had visited every day for the past 8 weeks; but Clarisse's mom had let every doctor, every nurse, every security guard, every receptionist know. He was not allowed in. Luckily no-one saw and he almost jumped for joy as he slipped into her room, locking the heavy door behind him. He saw Clarisse lying in the bed, pale, and skinny. Nothing like her former self.

"Clarisse" He gasped as he stood by her bed, gently grabbing hold of her hand.

"Took you long enough" She smirked, life returning to her ashen features, "I was beginning to think you weren't coming"

"I'd never leave you" Chris promised as his pressed a passionate, yet delicate kiss to her forehead.

"I know" Clarisse pulled him down into a tight hug; she was surprisingly just as strong despite her long sleep.

"Good" He nodded, smiling the biggest smile he had in weeks. They stayed like that for a while, breathing in the comfort and silence; until Clarisse spoke. Breaking the peace that had washed over them.

"My mom's taking me to Florida, to help me get better" Her voice rang through his ears, "Don't let her take me Chris" He had never heard her sound so scared, vulnerable; she was the drakon slayer. It scared him, more than he liked to admit.

"I'd never let her do that" He insisted, before noticing a loud crash coming from behind him. He didn't even have time to turn away from Clarisse before he felt the security life him and drag him from her bedside, while her mother stood and watched.

"Hey Chiron" Chris walked over to the centaur, running his fingers through his messy hair, "I was wondering if I could have maimer, to bring to Clarisse?" The leader of Camp Half-blood gave out a sad sigh before replying to Chris,

"I'm sorry" He said "But I can only give maimer back to Clarisse when she gets back"

"But she really wants it!" Chris tried to argue for his girlfriend's sake, as Chiron looked over him pityingly.

"I'm sorry" Chiron repeated before turning away, back to the infirmary where an injured camper had just been helped carefully in.

Chris walked to the edge of camp quietly, all the leaders at camp were now keeping an eye on him so he didn't see Clarisse again, but he just couldn't bear it. Knowing she was alive; was awake, and he couldn't see her. He opened his forbidden phone to call for a taxi when he saw a text, from Clarisse.

'I won't leave you'

Chris jumped in the taxi and was about to give directions to her hospital when a voice cut over him,

"Long beach" He turned at the voice to see none other than Percy Jackson sitting next to him, smiling as the taxi sped off.

"What the hell!" Chris snapped, annoyed.

"She's gone, Chris" Came Percy's reply.

"I need her" He sighed, the anger melting away, leaving pain, "She said she wouldn't leave me"

"There's a party for her, to honour her memory at camp. You should come. People will donate, you'll be able to go to Florida" The idea brought a grin to Chris' sharp features as he thought of the possibility.

"Ok" He agreed, noticing the crowed of campers and people at the beach, "It's now?"

"Yea" Percy replied "Sorry we didn't tell you sooner. You seemed… out of it" Chris nodded, understanding.

. . .

Quiet music flew through Chris' ears as he walked round, desperately looking for Clarisse. This music, party, was nothing like her. Soft music just wasn't her thing. He wished people would stop acting like she wouldn't come back, because she was Clarisse, she never broke her promises. Suddenly he saw a flash of brown hair and he ran; it was her.

"Chris" Annabeth spoke, grabbing his arm gently.

"What!?" He looked round, trying to see where she went. "Clarisse is here, let me go"

"She's not here" Annabeth shook her head "You're seeing things Chris" He nodded as he realised how stupid he must have looked. She couldn't be here. But when he turned around there was no mistaking the person he saw.

"Clarisse!" He yelled, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Hey Rodriguez" She smiled, something not many people got to see, and hugged him back.

"I thought you were in Florida?" Chris held her tight against him, never wanting to let go.

"I used this" She held up his old teleporting device he had stolen off the princess Andromeda, the one he had given to her, and he couldn't pull the smile from his face.

"Come on" He grabbed her hand and pulled her back to his step-dads apartment, he was o holiday, "Stay with me tonight"

Chris slowly opened his eyes and stretched his arm over to hug Clarisse, only she wasn't there. He sat up quickly and looked round, panic quickly setting in. Hurriedly he pulled his phone out and dialled her number, the only one he knew by heart.

"Clarisse? Where are you?"

"I had to go"

"No! No you didn't"

"I'm sorry. I love you" Was he only reply before the phone went static, she was gone. Chris knew exactly where to go, the only place where he could think. Clarisse's moms house.

The walk there was fast, he ran the whole way. Somehow he knew she wouldn't be there, but maybe, just maybe, there would be a clue. As he walked in the familiar smell of her mom hit him, strong perfume. Clothes were strewn across the floor, like someone has left quickly, everything just looked so normal. When he saw her mom he almost didn't recognise her. Her usual grace had vanished, replaced by sadness, and her posh suits were traded for a soft tracksuit.

"You again?" She questioned, letting free and small smile. It could hardly be called a smile really, Chris decided.

"Where is she?" He went straight to the point, not caring about anything but Clarisse.

"Chris…" Her mom sighed, looking up to him sadly.

"Tell me. You're here, so where is she!?" He almost yelled, pain overtaking his rational thoughts.

"Chris" She tried again, "Clarisse died… the other day" She whispered. Chris opened his mouth again and again, unable to form even a simple sentence.

"She can't be" He finally managed, "I was just speaking to her"

"Me too, all the time" Her mom ran her fingers through her dirty hair. "But what else can we do?" Chris felt the agony wash over him in waves, too strong for him to handle.

"She never woke up, did she… after the accident"

"no. That's why we went to Florida." She shook her head, and Chris understood instantly.

"To wake her up"

"But there was nothing they could do, they said she was just a shell" Clarisse's mom began to cry, delicate tears dripping down her face, and Chris pulled her into a hug. Holding her tight, trying to push away the grief hat was destroying both of them.

Back at camp Chris stood by the water, a ring in his hand. It was beautiful really, but simple. Just her style. But he didn't need it now; she wasn't here to take it, to say yes to his promise of forever. It was useless now, both the ring and the promise, so slowly, he allowed his palm to open. Dropping the expensive diamond into the deep, dark waves beneath.

"I love you" He whispered into the shadows.

I love you