It's a Thursday evening when Percy calls her. He's yelling and screaming at her, telling her that if she doesn't get her Oracle ass over to Camp Half-blood Percy will personally come and drag her down there himself.

So she goes, not sure what's going on.

It only takes forty-five minutes, and soon enough she's walking up the Big House and Annabeth's pulling her in by her jacket.

Annabeth takes her to the back room, where they officially made it the meeting room years ago and that's when Rachel sees him.

Nico and Rachel had barely talked since making out heavily the night of Percy's birthday party. He's twenty-one and she's twenty-five but the whole no dating thing would eventually cause a problem in the possible relationship, so when she was sober, Rachel broke it to him.

He seemed a bit down but otherwise fine. She'd talked to Apollo the following day and he seemed fine.

Apparently not.

Nico sat on a small bed, his eyes swollen and bruising, his nose, which was clearly broken, was gushing out blood. He was cradling his left arm to his chest and a dryad was trying to help him.

Rachel's hand flew to her mouth and she looked around the room. Most of the cabin leaders were there, along with Percy, Annabeth, Clarisse and Chiron. Mr. D was nowhere to be seen, but she's sure he knew what was going on.

"What- what the Hades happened!" She asked, looking around at everyone. Percy was glaring at her and Annabeth hadn't loosened her grip on Rachel's sleeve. Nico seemed to be avoiding her gaze.

"Why don't you tell us, Miss Dare," Chiron said gently and she felt her face flush.

"I don't know what happened," she said her eyes focussing on the ground.

"Well," Percy began rudely, glaring at the redhead accusingly, "Apollo came here and beat the shit out of Nico, if you hadn't noticed," he motioned to Nico, who glanced up at Rachel.

"Oh gods…" she whispered, stepping forward slightly towards Nico, but thunder rumbled outside.

Chiron cleared his throat and said, "Perhaps the cabin leaders should leave," the kids began to leave, but a blond hair with bright blue eyes watched Rachel until the door closed behind him.

She stood, frozen in place and Chiron asked gently, "Why would Lord Apollo hurt Nico, Rachel?"

Her eyes wandered over Nico's body, taking in every gash and wound, then her gaze was fixed on Chiron, "I- I don't-"

"If you don't tell them, Rachel, I will," Nico muttered, watching her. She blushed scarlet and stared at her shoes, "I was- after Percy's party, Nico brought me home and wesortofkissed," she rushed, pink tinging her cheeks.

"What?" Percy and Annabeth asked together and Clarisse's face was shocked.

"We made out," Nico said, grunting from pain. The dryad that was trying to help him paused for a second before continuing.

"Nico!" Rachel yelled at the same time Annabeth screeched, "RACHEL!"

"I was drunk," she said quietly, but it wasn't the only reason and Nico knew that. She's sure Apollo knew too.

"That's no excuse Rachel," Chiron said sternly. "Nico got hurt because of a stupid mistake."

"But I talked to Apollo yesterday," she began, "he seemed fine. It was just kissing anyways! He wasn't deflowering me!"

Chiron sighed but a small smile played at his lips.

"Can- can I talk to Rachel for a few minutes, alone," Nico asked, gritting his teeth as the dryad popped his shoulder back into place. His nose had stopped bleeding and the dryad had fixed the broken-ness of it.

Percy and Annabeth glanced between the two and shrugged, walking out of the room. Clarisse slapped Nico on the back, causing him to grimace then did the same to Rachel as she left. Chiron was the last to leave, his eyes lingering on the two.

"Please, be careful you two."

Rachel nodded and walked over to where Nico was sitting. There was still room on the bed and she sat down next to him.

"What did he say?" She asked cautiously, watching the sky outside darken.

"Well, I walked out of my cabin for breakfast and suddenly I'm getting jumped by some dude. He basically told me that I'd better stay away from his Oracle or he'd hurl me into the sun."

Rachel stayed quiet, clasping her hands in her lap. Nico reached over and grabbed one, holding it tightly. "I'm okay, alright?"

Rachel nodded numbly, staring at their intertwined fingers. "I'm really sorry though. I thought it was okay, because he didn't seem mad yesterday."

"He was…pretty mad," Nico let out a small laugh. Rachel looked at him, then back at their hands. "Did…do you regret doing it?"

Nico pulled his hand away and looked at her. "No, I don't."

Rachel felt her cheeks heat up but she continued staring at Nico.

"Well you should."

Nico and Rachel's heads snapped up to look at the god. Nico clenched his fists and stood shakily, grabbing for his sword. Apollo on the other hand had his bow out and an arrow aimed at Nico's chest.

"What part of eternal maiden don't you get Rachel?" His gaze never once slid from Nico, but he was talking to her. Percy and Annabeth, hearing another voice (it was Annabeth's idea to listen in to their conversation) opened the door and slipped in behind Apollo.

"You come even close to me and I'll send an arrow through his heart," Apollo hissed. Rachel stepped forward though, going to stand in front of Nico. She was short, so the arrow would hit her right below her jaw.

"Don't you dare touch him," she growled, her eyes flashing.

"Rachel, please move. Now," Apollo said calmly, his eyes stuck on Nico. Rachel stepped forward though, coming right up to his bow and grabbing it and whipping it down. She then, proceeded to stand no his tip toes and glare into his eyes.

"What is you're problem!" she shrieked, causing Apollo to flinch and move backwards a step.

She continued her tirade though, poking him in the chest with a long, freckly finger, "I didn't have sex Apollo, so I don't understand what the fuck your problem is! You never said anything about kissing!"

He matched her gaze though, leaning forward and catching her hand in his tight grip.

"Rachel, let's talk about this privately."

Three rounds of 'no's' echoed around the room and Rachel smiled up at him.

"I think that's a no." Her hand began to get hot, first a warm, light feeling and then a hot, painful feeling. She snatched her hand back and stared at him in awe. Chiron had come into the room about a minute ago, watching with curiosity.

"You're making a mistake, Rachel. The Oracle isn't meant to have an intimate relationship with someone. You could mess things up."

"Well I'll take the chance," she sneered, stepping back to stand with Nico.

"Rachel, please?" Apollo begged one last time, and Rachel paused for a second. What if he liked her too? She shook her head and said quietly, in a steely voice, "I think it's time you left. Now please get out of this house."

Apollo stared at his Oracle for a long moment, his eyes watching for something, anything that might patch up whatever they had.

But he saw nothing.

Then he was gone in a bright flashing light.

Nico fell back onto the bed, wiping a hand over his forehead and sighing. Percy and Annabeth looked at Chiron, who was shaking his head and Rachel stood there, very quietly.

She made the right choice, standing up for her friend- possible boyfriend. She likes Nico, a lot and she's pretty sure he likes her a lot too.

Nico grabbed for her hand, and Rachel wished she would have let him hold it, but she snatched it away and apologized for everything she's put him through.

"I can't do this Nico, I'm really, really sorry." Tears began forming in the corners of her eyes and she doesn't let them fall because that would be weak. Nico grabs her hand anyways and stand up so he's towering over her.

"Rachel, I-" he chokes a bit, obviously not used to this sort of thing but begins again, "I like you. A lot, and I don't care if Apollo comes to kill me or whatever, I want to be with you." He looks uncomfortable, but the sincerity in his eyes is true.

"You really want to be with me?" She asked, her voice cracking slightly, and he nods eagerly. She smiles at him and he leans down to kiss her.

But the tears are still in her eyes, and she's never ever felt so lost.

I like Apollo.

Anyways, this won't be the end of the /Apollo/Rachel/Nico triangle :)

R&R please :)