Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Chapter 34: Welcome Back
Thalia's POV
Nico and I were kissing, I hate to admit it but I missed him so much. We separated after a few minutes to catch our breath. I think the antidote worked he seems like his old self.
"So do you feel like yourself now?" I asked. Nico just smiled that fiendish grin that I knew he inherited from his father.
"I do, but what happened in here, it looks like Cerberus chewed up the place?" Nico asked as he looked around. "It must have been one Tartarus of a party, huh?" I just rolled my eyes.
"Shut up dead boy." I said incredulously. Nico just smiled at me and then he leaned close to me, I thought he was gonna kiss me again.
"Make me, pine cone head." Nico said as he jumped out of the bed and ran to the door. I chased him until I cornered him in the bathroom. I was about to knock some sense into him, but he disappeared into a shadow, that cheater. The next thing I knew I felt him kiss me on the back of the neck sending goose bumps down my arms and back.
"You know that you like it when I cheat." Nico said. I grabbed his arm and pinned him to the wall. "Hey, that's not fair Thals." I laughed and then I kissed him on the back of the neck. I heard him moan in satisfaction.
"You're not the only one who fights dirty." I said. I mentally head smacked myself for saying that. I could hear Nico chuckle to himself. "You have a dirty mind dead boy." I released him from my death grip and turned him around. He looked into my eyes with those dark brown eyes of his. I saw fire flash within them. Now this is the Nico that I love.
"Yea, you know you love me Thals." Nico said as he closed the distance and kissed me.
"You two need to get a room." Grover said scaring the Hades out of us. We both jumped back and nearly ran into the walls behind us.
"Grover, don't do that you almost gave me a heart attack." I said. I saw Grover smile at both of us.
"Well, it's good to see you two back together, even though it's rather disgusting if you ask me." Grover said. I glared daggers at him and I saw him visibly shrink before my gaze.
"No one asked your opinion goat boy." I said sharply.
Thalia, Nico and Grover stop fooling around and get out here." Theseus yelled from the hotel room. I heard Grover laugh at the mention of the words 'fooling around.' I smacked him on the back of the head as we walked out of the bathroom.
"That hurt Thals." Grover said as we walked out to meet Theseus and the others.
When we entered the main portion of the hotel room I saw Theseus standing by the balcony doors waiting for us. Percy and Annabeth were sitting on the edge of the bed holding hands and talking.
"What's up?" I asked. I could see the anxious look on Theseus's face. Percy and Annabeth were too engrossed in each others presence to really pay attention to us.
"Thalia, we need to get back to camp. I have already contacted Hermes, he will take care of the car and the repairs to the hotel room. He will also make sure that Percy and Annabeth's bags get back to camp. I will transport Percy and Annabeth. Nico can you take Thalia?" Theseus said.
"Yes, what about Grover?" Nico asked.
Grover cleared his throat and said, "I have some more work to do in California, so I will be going there." Percy and Annabeth stood up and walked over to Grover, they hugged him and then said their goodbyes. Nico and I both hugged Grover as well.
"Stay safe goat boy." I said. Grover just smiled at me.
"Keep the dead boy out of trouble Thals." Grover said as he walked out of the hotel room.
Percy walked over to Nico, I wasn't sure why, but Nico looked really nervous. "Sorry about your eye, can I heal that for you." Percy said sincerely. Nico looked at Percy wide eyed.
"You're not mad at me for what happened?" Nico said. What happened?
"Of course not, I know you were under the influence of the two spells. Let's get you fixed up." Percy said as he led Nico into the bathroom. I was totally baffled now. I walked over to Annabeth to see what I could find out.
"What are those two talking about?" I asked as I pointed toward Nico and Percy.
Annabeth's face paled and I could tell that she was very nervous. "Well, Nico was under the influence of the Lotus flower as well as Aphrodite's spell." Annabeth said. By the look on her face I knew there was more to it.
"What else happened?" I asked anxiously.
Annabeth wouldn't look me in the face, but then she straightened up and looked at me. I guess she finally composed herself long enough to talk. "I was under the influence of the Lotus too. Percy and Grover found Nico and me together in the casino. We were kinda kissing each other." Annabeth said. Her voice trailed off toward the end, but I heard what she said. Annabeth and Nico kissed each other. I didn't know who I should kill first. "Percy saw us and when I saw him the Lotus spell was broken, but Nico was still under the spell. He kind of made a big deal about them barging in on us and Percy punched him." Annabeth said. Her face was completely pale and I could tell she was ashamed and sorry.
"What in Hades were you two thinking? How come of all the people in the casino you two found each other to start sucking face?" I asked angrily. Annabeth was a little taken aback by my anger. I saw Theseus walk across the room toward us to make sure that a fight didn't start. I put my hands up to signal that I wasn't going to hit anyone, at least not yet. "Percy just acted like nothing happened. Why isn't he mad?"
"He was at the casino, but I guess he figured out that we were under the Lotus spell. Besides, he had some emotional issues as you saw earlier." Annabeth said. I laughed at that.
"Yea, he had a crazed psychic being living inside him. I'd say that's an emotional issue. I don't know if I can dismiss that so easily. My best friend and my boyfriend kissed each other, it's crazy." I yelled. Just then Percy and Nico walked out. Nico's face was completely healed, but Nico didn't look happy. I guess he heard me in the other room.
"Thals, don't blame Annabeth. You know we had no idea what we were doing." Nico said trying to reassure me. He's right, I did know that, but it kind of made me a little jealous I had no idea why? Annabeth loved Percy and there was no way she would intentionally kiss Nico. He was like a little brother to her.
"Thalia, they're right. Listen to them we've had enough conflict for today." Theseus said. I could tell he was looking at Percy when he said that.
"Beside Thals, I already knocked him out once." Percy said sarcastically. I looked at Percy and then I smiled.
"I guess he deserved it." I said. Nico just folded his arms in front of him and looked at both of us angrily.
"Yea, make fun of the guy that was under two spells." Nico said.
"Thalia, you should have seen him. He had a band at the casino called the Hellhounds and he was the lead singer." Percy said. I could tell he was holding back his laughter.
"Dead boy was singing lead in a band? Ah, that had to be priceless." I said smiling wildly. Percy and Annabeth started to laugh.
"Hey, I thought we were pretty good." Nico said defensively. We all started to laugh at him. He looked at us with fire in his eyes.
"Dead boy, it's alright, don't get mad." I said. I forgot all about being angry. I was just happy to be with all of my dear friends. Theseus cleared his throat and we all turned toward him.
"Well, if you all are done with your friendly antics, I would like to get back to camp." Theseus said with an amused look on his face.
"Yes, sir!" We all said in unison. Percy and Annabeth walked to Theseus. The next thing I knew they disappeared into a golden light. Nico walked over to me and put his arm around my waist.
"Besides, kissing Annabeth was no where near as good as kissing you. It was like kissing my sister." Nico said, with a wry smile on his face.
I looked at him and smiled fiendishly. "So you kissed Bianca that way before." I said. Nico froze and looked at me. I saw his face turn a bright red. I reached up and kissed him on the lips until the color drained out of his cheeks. "Let's go, lover boy." Nico grabbed my hand and we ran into the shadows.
Camp Half Blood
Percy's POV
Theseus, Annabeth and me materialized in the kitchen of the big house. Chiron and Mr. D were playing their usual game of pinochle, Chiron winning as usual. They both stopped the game when they saw us. "Theseus welcome back. I see that you've retrieved our young heroes." Chiron said.
"Yes, welcome back. I take it that your mission went well." Mr. D said.
"Yes, it was an interesting mission. I take it everything is quiet here?" Theseus said. Chiron looked up and smiled.
"Well, Travis and Connor came back yesterday and the first thing they did was pull a couple pranks on the Ares and Demeter cabins, but nothing Mr. D and I couldn't handle." Chiron said. Chiron would never admit it, but I knew he missed some of the Stoll brother's antics, well maybe just a little.
"How long are they on kitchen duty for?" Theseus asked with a smile.
"He gave them KP for the rest of the summer." Mr. D said with amusement in his voice as he gestured toward Chiron.
"That's seems a little harsh, doesn't it?" Theseus asked. Mr. D started to laugh.
"You haven't seen the Ares and Demeter cabins yet." Chiron said clearly not amused.
"Well, I think our heroes deserve a beach party, so Dionysus, please make the plans ready. Please assign all the campers that you need." Theseus said. A huge smile extended across Mr. D's face.
"Remember no alcohol." Chiron added. Mr. D just glared at him.
"You're no fun do you know that?" Mr. D said.
Chiron smiled and said, "I know, you keep reminding me." Theseus smiled at their antics, he led Annabeth and me out of the big house.
"Percy, can we talk." Theseus said. I knew he wanted to talk about my final battle with Perseus. Theseus looked over at Annabeth, I could tell that she wanted to join us. I nodded toward Theseus and he smiled. "Annabeth, do you want to join us?"
Annabeth smiled and said, "Yes, if it's ok?" I nodded as the three of us walked to the mess hall. Lunch had ended an hour ago so we would be the only ones there.
We sat down at the Poseidon table and we were quiet for a few moments. "How do you feel now?" Theseus asked curiously. They both looked at me and I could see the concern on their faces.
"Relax, I feel great." I said. They both sighed and I could tell that a large weight seemed to be lifted off their shoulders.
"You know, I could tell by the way you were acting that something was wrong." Theseus stated. I should have known that I couldn't hide anything from him. Even without our link we are twins after all.
"Well, it wasn't like I knew Perseus was there. I had a bad feeling, but when I searched my mind I was never able to find him." I said.
"I understand, but you should have told me or Annabeth. We could have tried to help." Theseus said.
"I know, but I thought I was just being paranoid. I also didn't want to worry anyone else. You're right I should have said something, I'm sorry." I said. I truly meant that, I have friends and family who care about me and I should have been more open about my fears.
"So that's why you were always on edge and why you closed yourself off sometimes?" Annabeth asked. I knew that I hurt her, I didn't know how much until our argument at the hotel.
"Yes, I didn't want to talk about it and for some reason I thought holding down my emotions would help, but I was wrong. I'm sorry that I hurt you wise girl." I said. Annabeth smiled at me and held my hand.
"Just don't let it happen again." Annabeth warned with a smile.
"I promise." I said. Theseus looked at the two of us and smiled.
"Well, Percy what about your new abilities?" Theseus asked. Theseus and Annabeth both stared at me, I knew they were both very interested.
"Alright, I knew you two would wonder about that. Well, don't worry I can't read emotions anymore. That was the first thing I noticed. My photographic memory and visual analysis skills are still there. I still have my heightened senses such as hearing, eye sight, touch, smell and my sixth sense. Other than that I'm pretty much the same old Percy." I said. I saw them both visually counting my new abilities.
"What is this sixth sense ability?" Annabeth said. I knew by the look on Theseus's face that he knew.
"How about I show you?" I asked.
"OK" Annabeth said hesitantly. I stood up and walked to the other side of the mess hall.
"Alright, throw that salt shaker at me as hard as you can." I said with my eyes closed.
"What, you can't see me?" Annabeth said.
"Go ahead its ok." I said. I opened my mind and I could see a weird outline of the room using sound. It was like my own personal radar. I felt the saltshaker fly strait towards my head and an instant before it hit me I caught it with my left hand.
"That's incredible. Does it work in other ways?" Annabeth asked.
I opened my eyes and walked back over to the table and sat down across from Theseus and Annabeth. I placed the salt shaker back on the table. "Well it works like radar on dry land and like sonar when I'm underwater." I said. Theseus smiled, I knew he was well aware of this power. I knew Triton and our father had told him.
"That's so cool." Annabeth said.
I felt a strange tingling sensation, I never felt before. Theseus and Annabeth both saw my surprised face. "What is it Percy?" Theseus asked.
"Well I think someone's about to arrive." I said. An instant later a golden light appeared in the mess hall and when it dissolved Athena was standing before us. Annabeth ran to her mom and hugged her. I walked over to her and Athena hugged me as well. Theseus put his arm around her and we all sat down at the table.
"Well, Percy that's a pretty impressive new ability." Theseus said.
"What new ability?" Athena asked. I knew she couldn't handle the curiosity just like Annabeth.
"Well I was able to feel your teleportation." I said. Athena raised an eyebrow.
"Really, what did it feel like?" Athena asked.
"Well, the first thing I felt was a tingling sensation from the energy involved. Then I felt the intelligence behind the energy kind of like when you sense that someone is watching you and then I felt the movement of the air in the room right before you appeared." I said. It was a very strange sensation.
"I heard about the incident at the hotel." Athena said as she looked at Theseus.
"Yes, I Iris messaged Athena last night after the incident. Annabeth and I were just discussing the incident with Percy." Theseus said.
"Percy, do you feel alright now?" Athena asked. I knew I already covered that, but I'm sure it wouldn't be the last time I talked about it today.
"Actually I feel great. I don't remember the last time I felt this well." I said.
"Does that have anything to do with nightmares about a certain Titan lord?" Annabeth asked. I knew she was talking about the nightmares for the five years leading up to the Battle of Manhattan.
"I am sorry I didn't tell anyone, but you have to understand I was twelve when I first started having them, that was before I was friends with you or anyone else for that matter. I became use to them. I even had some after the battle, but I just thought that was Kronos trying to get back at me after the war." I said. Everyone looked shocked.
"You had dreams with Kronos taunting and tempting you every night for five years straight and you got use to them." Athena asked. She almost sounded like she was in awe of that realization.
"Yes, I guess that's why I was always tired during the war." I said.
"Percy it's incredible that you didn't join him or go crazy. You're mind is stronger than any person I've ever met." Theseus said.
"Well, I was a seaweed brain during that entire time." I said. I could see Annabeth thinking about that.
"You were always so distracted all the time when we were younger, I just assumed it was the ADHD and your lack of concentration, but it was the nightmares and the lack of sleep wasn't it?" Annabeth asked concerned.
"I never really thought about that, but it does make sense now." I said. The others just shook their heads in amazement.
"Let's drop all the compliments we wouldn't want his head to swell." Annabeth said as she punched me in the shoulder.
"Thanks, so can we talk about something that doesn't revolve around me?" I asked happily. Everyone smiled at me.
"How are Thalia and Nico?" Athena asked.
"They're doing pretty well. I think they're back to being a couple now." Annabeth said.
"Good, Thalia worked hard to get that antidote for him. I hope he appreciates her." Athena said.
"I think he does, actually he seemed very sorry for getting this mess started." I said.
"Well, I'm glad this mess is over with. We can get back to normal camp activities. Annabeth are you ready to start teaching ancient Greek and battle strategy classes?" Theseus asked.
"I sure am, it will be great to get back to teaching. It's a lot of fun." Annabeth said happily.
"Percy, I take it that you'll be back to teaching swordsmanship and sailing, right?" Theseus asked.
"Of course, I can finally start teaching sailing. I think everyone will enjoy that. Well everyone except for Thalia and Nico." I said. Athena and Theseus both looked at me questioningly.
"Why is that?" Athena asked. Annabeth and I started to laugh.
"They both have the worst sea sickness that I've ever seen. When we sailed to Maine it was like being onboard with two sick sea lions." I said sarcastically. We all started to laugh at that.
"Funny kelp head." Thalia said as she and Nico walked into the mess hall.
"I thought it was pine cone face." I said matter-of-factly. Thalia and Nico both greeted Athena.
"It's good to have you back to normal Nico." Athena said. Nico smiled that son of Hades grin, but this one was at least sincere.
"I'm glad to be back." Nico said. He didn't look very happy he just looked like the real Nico for a change. Thalia looped her arm through Nico's arm and his gloomy demeanor brightened to an almost normal teenage level.
"Well, Athena and I need to leave for Olympus. You four take care we'll see you at the party tomorrow night." Theseus said. We all waved goodbye as the two gods disappeared into a golden light.
"What are we going to do now?" Annabeth asked curiously. I smiled and everyone looked at me.
"Nico and I need to talk, you two don't mind if we leave you both here for a little while, we won't be long." I said.
"I guess not, but don't make us wait too long Thalia and I are not the most patient women." Annabeth said. I could see Thalia nod in agreement. Nico and I walked out the door and headed for my cabin. We had some planning to do for the party tomorrow. As we walked my enhanced hearing picked up Annabeth's voice, " I wonder what those two are up to?" Well she'll find out tomorrow night.
As Nico and I walked out of the mess hall towards my cabin we noticed the Ares and Demeter cabins, we couldn't help, but laugh hysterically. The Ares cabin had been painted hot pink and the roof was adorned with large bright red hearts. On the door to the cabin painted in bright red letters was the words Ares Fairies. Then we looked over at the Demeter cabin and instead of the normal lush trees and shrubs on the outside, they had been trimmed into the shapes of hell-hounds and one large shrub had been trimmed to look like Cerberus with a large bone. The cabin was painted black with white skeletons painted on the walls. The roof of the cabin was painted blood red with black letters that said Hades Rules and Persephone loves the Styx. Nico was laughing so hard I thought he might wet himself. I never heard the kid laugh so hard. We finally made it to my cabin so we could plan for the party tomorrow this was going to be fun.
Hope you enjoyed this fluffy chapter. The last chapter is aptly entitled, "Beach Party"