I watched in shock, trying to decide if I should turn away or keep staring. Finally I managed a glance at Will.

He looked kind of surprised, but he also looked sort of amused.

When I looked back, Nico was pulling away. Looking a little shocked with himself.

Meg blushed, and whispered something before walking away.

Nico turned back to Will, going over and wrapping his arms around Will's waist.

Will smirked, "That looked surprisingly like you might have liked it."

"Shut up, sunshine. I didn't."

I made a face, "Wow."

Will nodded, "That lie hurt even my ears."

"Shut up, she's nothing. You're my boyfriend." Nico gave Will a little shove. "Come on, let's get some sword practice. All I did was help a potential ally."

Will studied Nico's face for a moment, "It's okay if you did, you know. It's not like I've never kissed someone before. Some people are just good kissers." He shrugged, messing with Nico's hair.

Nico frowned, "Just, drop it, okay."

I cleared my throat, "Well, I'm going to hit the archery range. I'll see you guys later."

They both glanced at me, then Nico stepped away from Will, "Actually, that sounds good. I'll catch up with you later, Will."

Will nodded, his gaze gentle, sort of concerned. "Yeah, take care of him, Cassie."

I nodded, understanding the concern in Will's eyes. I walked toward the archery range, casting glances toward Nico. I couldn't help wondering why he was suddenly trying to get away from Will. "Is there a reason you decided to come with me instead of going with your boyfriend?"

Nico stopped me, "I…I don't think I should have kissed her."

"Why?"

"Well, I mean, it was a good kiss. What if Meg gets the wrong idea…"

"Nico, she knows you're dating Will. She knows that nothing will ever come up between you two." I said in a reassuring tone. "You're over-thinking it, Nico. And I don't know why. So, talk to me. What's really bugging you?"

He met my gaze, "I don't know. I've got the strangest feeling that I've just changed something big. I just…needed to get away from Will for a moment. Sort out my thoughts. And, you're always easy to talk to. You respect it when people share with you."

I frowned slightly, "Well, yeah, it's a sign of trust. And technically you did just change something big. You changed her fate. With one kiss. And let me tell you, I'm pretty sure you became ten times more attractive to Will by doing it so confidently."

Nico turned a bit red, "Yeah right."

"I'm serious, he was smiling. And I'm pretty sure he was—"

"Okay! I believe you. How come you're only uncensored with me and Will?"

I shrugged, "Amuses Will, and keeps you on your toes. Besides, I really don't do it often. Sometimes it just seems like you need reminding of how totally into you Will is. And it's not like I've said anything too outrageous. I'm still a little old fashioned."

"Do you ever wonder what your future holds?" He asked in a quiet voice.

I glanced over at him, "All the time. Especially lately. But recently I haven't been able to see beyond a couple days." I grabbed one of the bows and a quiver of arrows, then took my place. "Sometimes it's best to live in the moment, and when the moment passes by we have a brand new one to make the most of."

"How do you make friends so easily?" He fired an arrow and it at least hit the target.

"I just talk, and listen. Find common ground. At camp, the common ground is monsters and being attacked. With Stacy, it was music and just listening. She talks a lot. You…loss and curiosity. Mysteries. Will…he's just friendly. With everyone. He likes taking care of people, feeling needed."

"That's good." He muttered.

"Since you're a mess?" I teased gently.

He snorted, "Yeah, I mean, you should have seen me when I first got thrown in with him."

"Reyna's told me. So has Will. You have a lot of people who care about you." I smiled back at him, "Feeling better yet?"

His shot hit near the bullseye. He gave a small smile, "Yeah. Calmer at least. I don't know why I freaked out like that. Thanks, Cassie. For talking me down."

"Of course, that's what friends are for." I fired another shot, and actually hit the target this time. I grinned, "Yes! I actually hit the target!"

He laughed, "Come on, lets go do something else."

"Like help you find your boyfriend." I shook my head, "Best not to make him worry too much."

Nico nodded, still smiling. "Was he really…"

"Checking you out? Is he ever not?" I unstrung the bow and set it on the shelf. Then set the quiver with the rest. "Anyway, he's probably checking out the infirmary here."

Nico grinned, "That's right, she should have one here. Wonder if it's any good. He might leave if it's better than our Camp's."

"I highly doubt that."

Nico shrugged, "He's talking about med-school." He glanced briefly at me. "Apparently, Chiron has him in a pre-med program so that when he graduates high school he'll only have a little more schooling to get through before med school."

"That's awesome." I started back toward the lodge, "Does he have any universities in mind?"

Nico shrugged, "I haven't talked to him about it yet. I just…I don't know how to bring up the future with him. Besides, we still have time before he even finishes high school."

"Still, you should talk to him about it. If you two are couple. Communication is key. You should know what plans you both have for the future. What dreams you both have for the future." I gave him a small shove.

He smiled at me, "How do you know that?"

"Mom talked to me a lot about when I would have a relationship. The difference between dating and being in a relationship. Wrote a whole book on it just for me. I've read it four or five times." I shrugged, watching the ground as I walked. I was glad now, that she had written it. I had been completely embarrassed when she gave it to me for my fifteenth birthday. I had read it because it had made me hopeful that I might have a relationship someday. Might meet a guy someday.

"Really?" Nico glanced at me.

"Yeah, gave it to me for my fifteenth birthday."

"When is your birthday?"

I shrugged, "Early fall. Come on, off to the infirmary."

"No one's hurt, I hope." Allison almost materialized, a slightly concerned look in her eyes. Her smile was somber.

Nico shook his head, "We just figured that would be a good place to find Will. He's a healer."

She nodded, "Ah, well, it would be locked still. I don't usually just leave it unlocked during the night. Foster kids and all. Never know when I might take in someone with a drug problem. So, I only open it after nine unless there are injuries." She seemed subdued.

"And the dreaming of an alternate reality thing? Figure that out?" Nico asked.

She made a face, "Yes, and it's been taken care of. It shouldn't happen again. There was apparently a method to the madness and the peek through realities was a side effect. At eleven, I'm going to introduce you all to the world of the Celts. Tír na nÓg specifically. Until then you guys can do just about whatever. Then Lunch is at noon, then after is arts and crafts."

"You really don't have much of a set schedule do you?" I smiled.

She shook her head, "There's more of a schedule during the school season, but right now they're on summer break. They all like training together, managing their schedules. As long as they can prove that they had at least three hours of productivity, I'm satisfied. Besides, they usually spend at least two hours working on the godly gifts they inherited. If they have them. If not, then they work on other things."

"Like?"

"Swords, archery, schoolwork, infirmary skills. I'm a certified instructor in first aid, and CPR. Or they'll work on their crafting skills, or culinary skills. That's the one Meg likes, she loves being in the kitchen. Levi works on wood carving, whittling. Outdoor survival skills have a big emphasis here, I believe in being prepared and preparing my kids for life outside of camp." She walked as she spoke, leading us to the lodge.

Nico tilted his head, "Someone said something about a kitchen duty schedule."

She nodded, "It's getting finalized once I get back to the office. Though, I do have you and Cassie as helpers tonight."

Nico nodded, "Alright, what does that entail?"

"You help prepare the food and do the dishes afterward. Show up about four-thirty at the kitchen and Meg will tell you what to do from there. She basically runs the kitchen anymore." Allison told him, "I'll see you two around, give this key to Will? Tell him he has free reign of the infirmary as long I get the key back before you all leave."

Nico took it, "Thanks, he'll be excited."

She nodded and took off toward the smaller building by the parking lot. The office, I guess.

I watched her walk away, "What sort of vibe do you get from her?"

He shrugged, "Not sure yet. Trust me, though, she's a little too mysterious for me to trust just yet."

I nodded, realizing that where I would usually need something more for me to trust her, I had complete faith in Connor's judge of character. I would have to hope that Nico was wrong.