Chapter 21

Previously

"That insufferable little…I'm going to wring his neck I swear by Nyx. Of course he would use what we did to hurt you. I can't believe I let that bastard…Gods damn it!" Thalia slammed her fist down on something and Jason heard the distinct sound of glass breaking. Jason liked to consider himself an intelligent guy for the most part. He could read situations pretty well and honestly sometimes he saw things he really wished he wouldn't. He saw the knowing gleam in Achilles eyes, Percy's odd words, what Thalia had just said, and saw how it all could fit.

"Wait. Did you and- did the two of you hook up?" Jason asked looking slightly mortified. Thalia's face became two very prevalent emotions. Shame and confusion.

"Percy didn't tell you?" She asked quietly, there was a small hint of hope in voice. Jason shook his head oblivious to the hope.

"No. He hinted a bit but it didn't make any sense until you said that. By the fates Thalia what the hades were you thinking? You know what? No don't tell me. This is just to fucked up to deal with right now." Jason went to swipe through the mist.

"Wait!" Thalia yelled. Jason froze mid swipe but wouldn't meet her eyes. She fidgeted nervously.

"What did Percy tell you?" She asked hesitantly. Jason frowned.

"He said he didn't want us to have to fight and he wanted to spare the demigods if he could. He offered me his second in command and said we could still be the bridge between demigod we were intended to be." Jason said quickly. Thalia looked a little shocked.

"He really said that?" She asked once agin hopeful. Jason caught it this time and just swiped through the mist ending the conversation.

Tartarus

Percy sat in the largest chair in his room holding the knife Abraham had planned to use to kill him. Percy could feel that strange coldness coming off the knife and he knew that was the weird draining effect he remembered Kronos' scythe having. If any weapon could have hurt Percy he figured this would do it. He didn't know what to do with Abraham just yet. The kid was a obvious threat but there was something holding Percy back. It wasn't qualms about killing him, in fact Percy wanted to kill him. He just felt like something was watching and would really not be happy with him if he just went and snapped Abraham's neck. Percy sighed. He would lock the kid up for now but he didn't see a long life ahead of Abraham. Percy walked over to a small chest and waved his hand over it opening it. He placed the dagger inside and when the chest closed, he muttered a few words as intricate black patterns formed around it.

"What's that?" Percy heard asked from the door. He turned and saw Thalia leaning against the door way. She looked as good as ever and when she stretched out, Percy had to make an actual effort to stop from making some very rash decisions. Percy flashed into his chair and sighed as a glass of cold ginger ale. He took a long sip as Thalia moved over and sat in a chair across from him.

"It's nothing, just a stupid trinket." He said as he put the drink down. Thalia cocked an eyebrow.

"All that security for 'a stupid trinket'?" She asked skeptically. Percy grinned a bit.

"Can never be too careful." He said before he took another drink. Thalia rolled her eyes deciding to let it go. She readjusted to get comfortable in her chair and decided to get down to business.

"You called me here Percy. Any reason for that?" Thalia asked. Percy nodded before continuing.

"I need you to contact Nico-" He began before Thalia snorted.

"Already told you he's more interested in you then me kelphead." Thalia muttered but found Percy staring at her annoyed.

"I am well aware of that. Now if you let me finish…" He trailed off and Thalia made a go on motion with a very slight blush of embarrassment.

"Thank you. Now you contact Nico and tell him that you ran into me with the hunt. Say that I was confused and seemed more like the old Percy. Say that I was guilt ridden at the people I had killed and when you went to help me I flashed us to this little motel in Key Largo. Act concerned and make sure to emphasize how sorrowful I am. Nico won't be able to resist the chance to come help the person he has feelings for especially if that chance is coming from a source he trusts like you." Percy finished. Thalia was surprised even though she realized she shouldn't be. Percy was certainly smarter these days and this plan played off the fact that Nico trusted Thalia while also wanting to save Percy. She let out a low whistle.

"Very impressive. Seems sound to me, when do you want to do it?" She asked. Percy stood and finished off his drink.

"Now if your ready." Percy said and Thalia looked thoughtful for a second.

"Alright let's go." She said and Percy grabbed her hand and flashed them to a small motel. Thalia noticed the name as 'Popp's motel' and then noticed she was still holding Percy's hand. The sun was just setting and the water was beautiful, it made Thalia sigh happily. She looked at Percy who was watching her with a mostly neutral expression.

"I wanted to thank you for what you did and…Didn't say to Jason." Thalia said and Percy shrugged his shoulders.

"I figured that wasn't his business." Percy said simply. Thalia shifted a bit.

"Yea there's that…and then theres the thing where you said you didn't want me to fight my brother. Also the part about sparing the demigods, it shows you care a little bit. It was nice to see your not heartless or anything." she finished awkwardly. Percy let out a little snort of laughter and Thalia looked at him with a indigent look.

"Thalia Grace, master of backhanded complements." Percy said and gave her that grin that made her smile along with him. This was a Percy she could get used to. Sure he was a little, ok maybe a lot, darker but Thalia liked that honestly and really they both were pretty dark at this point. When Percy wasn't brooding he was…Percy again, just the newer darker version. Suddenly there it was again that overwhelming lust and Thalia just gave in.

"Fuck it." she muttered pulling Percy in and then using the other hand to bring his lips to meet hers. Percy tensed up instantly and she felt his hands go to shove her away but just as they seemed ready to do just that, he snaked one arm around her waist and the other found it's way into her hair deepening the kiss. The two of them were like this for some time before the need for air forced them apart. They met each other's eyes and once again locked lips. this time Percy lifted Thalia up and she obliged by wrapping her legs around his waist. Percy had one arm supporting her and used his other hand to thrust out and throw open a door to one of the rooms. Percy walked them inside and laid Thalia down on the bed, using one finger to cut her shirt away, leaving the her bra the one barrier left on her chest. Thalia grinned wickedly as Percy paused drinking the sight in and used his distraction to get a shadow to tear his shirt off leaving him in just his jeans and combat boots. Thalia ran finger down his chest and found herself in the same state Percy had just been in. Percy grinned a feral grin as he now pressed the advantage and started planting kisses down starting at her neck and slowly moving down. Just as Percy reached her pants he saw her. Her as in Zoe. He saw her face and the betrayal written plainly on it. The absolute pain at seeing him with Thalia. Percy blurred to the doorway and took a long gasping breath as if he suddenly plunged into ice cold water. Thalia looked around confused until she spotted Percy.

"Percyyyyy…come back, that felt so goood." She moaned out. Percy just stayed at the doorway taking deep shuddering breaths. Just as he found himself recovering something whipped by his face. Looking at the ground he saw a black bra that was soon followed by a pair of black and silver pants, and then of course a black pair of panties. Percy was using every once of willpower to keep from turning around and finishing what he had started. He finally managed to form coherent sentences.

"Thalia… something is wrong. Something…influencing us." He managed to get out through gritted teeth. He heard the bed creak a bit and heard the footsteps as Thalia made her way to the door. He felt her presence right behind him.

"Does that really matter? Gods it feels so right didn't it kelphead?" Thalia whispered into his ear as she ran a hand across Percy's chest and slowly turned him towards her. Percy found himself once again basking in Thalia completely naked and found the little self-control he had come tumbling down. Thalia pressed close to him and rubbed against him.

"Come on Percy, It's rude to keep a lady waiting." Thalia said in a sultry tone. Percy finally broke and blurred them both back to the bed in a instant. Percy took his place back at her hips with his lips. He smiled up at her.

"Now where were we?"

Popp's Motel (Some Time Later)

Percy woke up on the bed slowly. He didn't want to wake up at all honestly. Laying in bed with Thalia snuggled into his side was nice but waking up meant having to deal the fact that a very naked Thalia was snuggled into his side. Percy let out a sigh.

"I told you we were being influenced." He muttered. Thalia opened one eye groggily.

"Hmm?" She got out. Percy just sat up and ran a hand through his hair.

"I told you we were being influenced by something. But oh no it didn't matter apparently." Percy said a little louder. Thalia suddenly seemed to realize the situation and bolted up sitting right next to Percy with a little yelp.

"What the Hades?!" What happened? Di immortales what came over me?" Thalia wondered out loud. Percy got up and started looking for his clothes around the room.

"Whatever came over me it would seem." Percy looked under a dresser and found his jeans torn apart like they were ripped from his body. He held them up and raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Was this necessary?" He deadpanned and Thalia blushed furiously as she wrapped the blanket around herself and went to the doorway to recover her clothing.

"Well excuseeee me! I was under the influence of some weird whatever that made me want to do all sorts of things! I cannot be held responsible for what happened while I was…whatever I was." Thalia grabbed her clothes and headed for the bathroom slamming the door. Percy had just found his intact boxers when he heard a yell.

"Go find another bathroom to shower! Way way over there or something!" Percy grabbed his boxers and flashed over to a room on the far side of the property which he had had the foresight of making sure was uninhabited for the next few days. After a quick shower Percy got dressed in clothes he flashed in and got from his room. He walked down to the dock and seated himself on the edge deciding to give Thalia some space. He had already decided what he was going to do. Ignore it for now and focus on the mission he had to get ahold of Nico and convince him to get him into his father's palace. Hades would be focused on the pit and the advances made by Percy's army, never expecting Percy to come from within. Then Percy could save Zoe finally. The guilt he felt when he thought of her in light of what he had just done was almost overwhelming but now he had the hope something else was influencing his actions. After he had Zoe back he would find out what the hell that was and deal with it. He heard the incredibly light footsteps of Thalia approaching behind him. He turned to face her and found her in her old hunter regalia. He gave her a look.

"I figured I should look the part for calling Nico. Let me know when your ready." Thalia explained. Percy mentally let out a big sigh of relief. Thalia had done exactly what he'd done taken what had happened and filed it under 'problem for later' which worked out perfect for Percy. He had a soul to reclaim.

A/N

Been waiting to write the next chapter for a while honestly. I'm not going to promise updates because every time I do that it just doesn't work out and for that I apologize. Just know that I haven't forgotten about this or my other stories and will get to them. Many thanks for your patience and support.

The Warden