Finally, the epic story of Nico/Rachel/Apollo has come to an end.

You can thank our TWO HUNDERETH REVIEWER xiaolinwind for this chapter! I hope you like it!

The last part didn't go exactly as I'd planned, but hopefully you all like it!


"You need to sort yourself out Rachel." He says quietly, his bright eyes burning into her green ones. She looks down at her hands and then back up. She doesn't meet his gaze.

"It's just hard. I can't choose because one of you will do something stupid and you'll both be hurt, no matter whom I choose." She says quietly, tears fogging her vision. She doesn't want them to fall, but a few do and she rubs them away with the heel of her hand, no doubt spreading her make-up.

"I know." Apollo says quietly, his hands tightening on the steering wheel.

"Is this the reason you invited me to the party tonight, Apollo?" She asks suddenly, her eyes finally meeting his. Apollo glances away and nods curtly, "Yes. It is."

Rachel shakes her head, a few stray curls falling from her already messy bun. "I can't decide if you won't play fair, Apollo. How is Nico supposed to compete with you when you bring me to these extravagant parties or give me these lovely gifts? He's a son of Hades, not some rich spoiled brat."

"Like you?" Apollo jokes, his mouth curving into a half smile. Rachel lets out a small laugh and nods, "Yeah, like me."

:...:

"I want to make a deal," Apollo states loudly. Nico di Angelo shoves his sword into the ground and leans against it, his breathing heavy. "Why," he pants, "would I make a deal with you, Apollo?" He asks angrily, running a hand through his sweaty hair.

"It's about Rachel," Apollo says calmly, eyeing the son of Hades. Nico chuckles and shakes his head. "Isn't it always?" He asks, throwing his hands up in the air. He grabs his sword and shoves it into its sheath at his belt. Apollo walks forward, meeting Nico's gaze.

"So what's this 'deal'?" Nico asks, eyeing the god. Apollo looks away, checking for any eavesdroppers and lowers his voice, "Whoever she chooses- no hard feelings."

Nico's face pales and he squeaks out, "What?"

Apollo looks around again and grips Nico's forearm, pulling him close until their faces are inches apart. "Whomever Rachel chooses, whether it's you or I, neither of us will try to kill the other. Neither of us will try and hurt the other. Understood?"

Nico's face, if possible, pales even more and soon he's backing up. "Why? Why are you doing this now? What do you know Apollo?" Nico's eyes narrow at the god and his hand inches its way towards his sword.

Apollo glares angrily at the boy and steps forward menacingly, pulling Nico by his collar, "She's hurt, boy. Do you understand how much pain we're putting her through, asking her to decide? It's like balancing over hot lava. One false move and you fall to your death."

Apollo's grip on Nico loosens and the boy backs up a step or two. "I have no idea who she'll choose. She's a mystery, she is. All I'm saying, is no matter who she chooses, be it you or me, neither one of us will try and get back at the other. There will be no hard feelings. I refuse to put her through anymore pain."

Nico shakes his head and looks at the god, "I know how valuable your oaths and promises and deals are, Lord Apollo. Why should I make a deal with you when you'll just break it in the end?"

Apollo glances at the ground and shoves his hands into his pant pockets, "If she chooses you, di Angelo, I'll be heartbroken. But for me, there will be someone else. It might be fifty years from now or three thousand. But I can't put her through more pain. I suppose," he clears his throat and murmurs quietly, so quiet that Nico has to strain to hear it, "I suppose I can't put her through more pain, because I love her."

Something in Nico's stomach clenches, and he realises how possible it is that Rachel could pick Apollo. "She loves us both, Apollo."

Apollo glances up at him and gives Nico a small, sad smile. "Who do you think she loves more, though?"

Nico steps forward, his hand out. Apollo stares at it for a second before grasping it tightly in his own. "It's a deal." Nico says quietly, his eyes never leaving Apollo's.

:...:

She doesn't remember exactly when she realised she loves him.

She doesn't know why she loves him, or how on earth someone like him could love someone like her but it happened, nonetheless.

She's made up her mind. She knows what she wants and Rachel Elizabeth Dare gets what she wants, when she wants it.

She calls him ten minutes later and he tells her that he's just around the corner and that he'll be there in ten.

He's there in five, and he sits down at her kitchen table, a smile on his face. She wastes no time beating around the bush and he knows immediately who she's choosing when she begins.

"I love you." She says quietly, her eyes gazing into his. "I love you, so much but it's not you. I've thought about it over, and over and over again, but it's not you. There is someone out there for you- someone who will be so much better then I am; someone who will love you for everything. I'm just sorry it's not me."

He leans forward, capturing her lips in a soft and gentle kiss. She kisses him back, because this is her last chance. When they pull away, he leans his forehead against hers and murmurs, "I love you too, Rachel. Thank you." Then he gets up, and leaves.

She stares at her reflection for a few minutes in the hallway mirror and then she knows what she has to do.

:...:

It takes an hour to get there, but she doesn't pay attention to anything. All she knows is that she's running around looking for him. She asks several people and they all tell her that he's in a meeting with the other councillers.

She doesn't care though. She's running so fast everything is a blur and suddenly she's bursting into the meeting room, her eyes searching for him. He steps forward, his eyes cautious, "Rachel, what is it?"

Tears fall from her eyes but he takes it the wrong way. "It's not me, is it?" His eyes are swimming with tears too but he's got a rep to keep and can't just start crying.

She shakes her head though, and says, "It's you. Gods, it was always you." She runs forward, kissing the life out of him. He's frozen for a second, and then he's kissing her back eagerly, his arms tightening around her waist. Loud whoops and cat calls sound around them but they pay no attention to them. When rachel pulls away, she leans her head againts his chest and says, "I love you."

Nico di Angelo smiles brightly, hugging her tightly and whispering, "I love you, too," over and over and over again.

:...:

Apollo watches their exchange from above and whispers quietly, "A deal is a deal."


So yes, most of you picked Nico, and I actually like Nico and Rachel together more anyways. I hope you liked this xiaolinwind and I'm sorry for those who wanted Rachel to end up with Apollo! I really am. But don't worry- there will be some Rachel/Apollo one shots soon!

Please review guys!