Epilogue:

Two weeks later

It had been weeks since the war, not that it mattered. The camp was torn to bits, and Percy had insisted that they head back to the institute – little did they know that was also destroyed. The Clave was happy to know that Jonathan was out of their hands, and the Turned no longer existed.

There were many deaths, to say the least. Not anyone Marissa knew well, thankfully, but her heart went out to the others lost. After Percy recovered, he had gone straight to reestablishing the camp, the rest of the campers joining it to clean up the mess.

But Nico was still hurt, and would be held captive for a while, so in this moment Marissa held his hand as he slept, monitors hooked up to his body. She pictured herself this way: weeks ago. She hadn't understood what it looked like to see someone you cared about, who you loved, looking pale and destroyed. Without that beeping monitor, Marissa could've sworn Nico was dead.

Marissa couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty – Sebastian killed him. But she saved him. How? She wasn't sure.

No one seemed to figure it out, and no one from above had given her any information. Trying to speak to her father didn't do any good and even Annabeth couldn't come up with a logical statement.

Nico was still out cold, and she rests her hand against his face, his breathing slow, but steady. Large bandages covered most of his stomach, which needed to be changed. Two weeks ago he was dead – blood pouring from a large wound. The stitches he needed were endless, and even then he didn't seem like he was going to make it. She cringed at the thought.

"Marissa?" his voice wrung out, his eyes swollen. "Water." She handed it over. He sipped, but she didn't say a word. "Are you okay?"

"Are you okay?"

He sighed, pulling his hospital sheets over himself. He winced. "I could be better."

"I'm sorry," said Marissa, caressing his cheek, "this is my fault. If I hadn't-"

Nico shook his head, "No. I may have died, but I saved your life. If I died, that's what I would want my last moments to be – saving the person I loved."

"We saved each other."

And, in this moment, there was peace.

This is the end. I can't believe how far this story has come, and that I've been writing it for two years. If there are any other questions regarding this story,, ask away. I'll gladly answer! I will be writing another story, and I'll get it up ASAP - it is PJO. So stay tuned. Please review!