AN:

So, I first want to say that "The Son of Neptune" is one of my favorite books, and I really wanted it to be a bigger part in this story, but that wasn't really possible. Due to the nature of Percy being a new character and having his old place taken by Alex, he couldn't really be the one Hera switched with Jason. Because of this, Alex needs to be the one to become a leader at Camp Jupiter. This means that Percy can't be there every step of the way helping out since Romans especially would see his help as Alex's weakness. That means that this chapter is the only "Son of Neptune" chapter, which is sad but necessary. However, don't let this fool you into thinking each of the books will be one chapter. "Mark of Athena" and "House of Hades" especially will easily be plenty of chapters, making up for the way I sort of zoomed by the first two books. Similar to how I completely skipped "The Lightning Thief" through "The Titan's Curse" the majority will take place at the tail end of the series. I hope you guys can appreciate me going this route. Anyways, here's chapter 15 of "The Spartan"

Camp Half-Blood, June 2010 CE

The summer sun beat down brutally on the arena floor. The air was thick and humid, and there wasn't even the faintest hint of a breeze. The stagnant air threatened to choke Jason as he stood, sword raised. The hot sand shifted beneath his feet, the uneven footing making his upcoming task all the more difficult.

He was standing in the arena center, facing Percy, who had his sword and shield drawn. For a month now Percy had been training him, and for a month now Jason had gone to bed with sores, cuts, and bruises he didn't even remember getting. The worst part was, he was pretty sure Percy had suffered more cuts shaving than from Jason's gladius over the last month.

"Are you ready for todays lesson?" Percy called out across the arena to him. Just based on the way Percy said it, like today was particularly exciting for him, Jason knew that no, he most certainly wasn't ready.

"Definitely." Jason said anyways, trying to put a confident inflection in his voice. He always got nervous when Percy started their training without any explanation whatsoever as to what was going on.

"Good." Percy commented, his voice hiding his true intentions. Violently, Percy reached up and slammed his mask down, the now familiar screaming face staring back at Jason. Instead of advancing though, Percy did the unexpected, raising his arms upward in a dramatic fashion. Jason quirked an eyebrow, but his stomach dropped when he realized what was happening.

All around the arena, the air grew even thicker. A heavy fog settled across the ground, clouding Jason's field of vision. Raising his hand, Jason saw that he could barely even see himself wiggle his fingers. This wasn't good; he had a hard time not letting Percy kill him even with full use of his eyes.

"Today's lesson," he heard Percy call out from the fog. He thought it came from his right. He turned that way quickly, hoping he had heard right. "Is to learn how to fight handicapped. Not every battle is going to be in perfect conditions. Warfare isn't fair. Use your senses, your skills, your training, to defend yourself. Feel. And please, try not to die."

Jason steadied himself, trying to control his breathing. He stood stock still, listening intently for any movement. His heartbeat thumped loud in his ears, the silence around him almost deafening. Turning wildly, searching for Percy approaching, he felt the cold touch of celestial bronze resting against his neck.

"Dead." Percy taunted. "Jason, you need to listen, but more importantly, you need to feel. Do you understand?" Jason nodded, but really, he didn't understand at all. All he could feel right now was totally and completely blind.

Percy had disappeared into the fog again, leaving Jason to prepare for the next attack. He listened intently, hoping he could catch a footstep, or a subtle breath, any sign of Percy approaching him in the fog.

There! To his left, he heard a boot scuff against the sand. Turning and raising his sword towards the sound of a blade whistling though the air, he caught Percy's sword against his. He felt pride swell in his chest at his small victory. He could do this.

"Good." Percy commented. "But you're still doing it wrong." He said cryptically, dancing back into the empty fog. Jason frowned. He wasn't sure how the hell he was listening wrong, but he figured he'd have to learn by trial and error based on how unforthcoming Percy was being.

To his right, he heard the sound of something sliding against the sand. It sounded like it was sliding away from him. Deciding to press the advantage, Jason crept toward the noise, hoping to get the jump on his instructor. When he got there, he found Percy's shield lying on the ground, wobbling slightly on its own.

"Dead." He heard behind him, simultaneously feeling the tip of Percy's sword against the small of his back. He groaned.

"How'd you do that? I heard you!" Jason argued.

"Exactly, Jason. You heard me. Your ears deceived you. You heard my shield sliding across the sand, and in your chase to kill a hunk of metal, you walked right past me." Percy explained patiently.

"So, if I can't trust my hearing, what the hell can I trust?" Jason asked exasperatedly. He was frustrated. Percy wasn't being so forthcoming with the secret to this little experiment.

"Trust yourself, Jason. You've been given great ability; you just don't realize it. Stop thinking so much. Stop listening so much. Just feel." Percy said, already fading into the mist again.

Jason tried his best to feel, but he still had no clue what Percy meant. He tried to do whatever he was supposed to, but that was pretty impossible when you had no idea what that was. Once again, he found himself with cold bronze against his skin.

"Dead." Percy proclaimed, ever the patient instructor. Sure, he was making this task into a riddle, like he often did with training, but he wasn't frustrated with Jason's failure. Jason liked that about Percy. Yeah, he hid his lessons sometimes, opting to let the student figure things out naturally, but he never got angry because of failure. Jason could appreciate that.

"Can you please tell me what I'm supposed to be doing?" Jason complained. He knew what the answer was, but he figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Percy simply disappeared again, as if Jason's words were mere wisps of air tickling his ears, leaving the roman alone again.

"Feel." Jason muttered to himself. He closed his eyes, hoping the back of his eyelids would be hiding the answer on them. No such luck. He let out a deep breath, trying his best to focus.

Extending his senses, Jason felt the static electricity in the air, and the tug of the air molecules. Then, like a freight train, the whole lesson became clear. For years, Jason had manipulated the winds, but he had never felt them. He had commanded them, sure, but he had never listened.

With his eyes still closed, he felt the air itself. He could feel the molecules as they rubbed by each other, colliding and slipping by at random. To his left, he felt the air being displaced by something. It felt large. Human. Jason smiled, finally realizing what Percy had taught him. He had helped him unlock an ability he would have never thought of on his own. He was seeing using the air itself!

Turning towards the disturbance he had felt, he approached with purpose. He felt the mass, Percy he assumed, drawing nearer, and suddenly, they met. Finally, they crossed blades, exchanging a quick flurry of blows. Percy caught Jason's sword with his own, their blades forming an X between them.

"You figured it out. You're a fast learner, Jason." Percy said, pride in his voice. Jason smiled at the compliment, then resumed his efforts. He pushed violently against Percy's sword, but was suddenly met with no resistance. He stumbled forward, falling onto the arena sand. He rolled over quickly, looking for wherever Percy had disappeared to, but was met with Anaklusmos at his throat once again.

Percy was standing over him, sword at Jason's throat as if he had never left. Jason felt like his mind was melting. Percy had simply vanished from existence, only to reappear moments later.

"Dead." Percy said with a smug smile. He removed his sword, replacing it with a hand to help him up. By the time Jason had stood, the fog around the arena had dissipated, replaced once again by the clear, but still uncomfortable air.

"How in the name of Pluto did you do that?" Jason asked in awe.

"Easy." Percy said with a laugh, suddenly disappearing again. Jason blinked in shock. "Vapor travel." He heard from behind him. Whipping around, he found himself face to face with the spartan again.

"Vapor what?"

"Vapor travel. Basically, I turned myself into a cloud of water vapor, floated to where I wanted to be, then rematerialized myself. It's something I've been working on the last few months. That's what I was trying to teach you, Jason."

"You were trying to teach me to turn into a cloud?" Jason asked, confused again. He thought the lesson had been to feel the air.

"No. I'm trying to teach you to experiment. To take risks. For thousands of years I've lived, and still I'm discovering new and innovative ways to fight with my sword and with my powers. You need to learn to do the same. Teaching you to feel the air is just the first step."

"I'm not sure I understand." Jason said slowly.

"Jason, do you know what the biggest thing holding you back is? You're too cookie cutter. You fight how romans fight. You think by strict ideals. You act by strict rules. You adhere to everything you feel you should be, so you'll never be what you could be."

"I'm still confused." Jason mumbled, self-conscious about sounding like a broken record.

"You need to learn to make your own choices. To use your powers your own unique way. To branch out. You never learned to feel the air, because your subconscious mind wouldn't even let you. You were too wrapped up in the idea that sons of Jupiter are all about lighting blasts and flying around to realize all you have at your fingertips. That same concept applies to everything you do. You need to learn to be Jason, not what everyone wants you to be. And when you realize that, then you'll be what everyone needs you to be."

Before Jason could even begin to unpack the information dump he had just received, their philosophical conversation was interrupted by an Iris message forming between them. Jason took in the appearance of the caller. It was a nine-year-old girl, with flames for eyes, dressed in all brown. Jason frowned. This was obviously a goddess, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out which.

"Percy am I interrupting?" the girl said with a smile.

"Of course not, Hestia. You just caught me in the middle of teaching. Lessons can wait, you can't." Percy winked as he said that. "Now, do I owe this call business, or pleasure?"

Jason's eyes widened at the display. Sure, he had heard from plenty of campers about Percy's casual relationship with the gods, but he had never seen it firsthand before. Yet here Percy was, bantering with a goddess like they were lifelong friends. Then Jason realized that they probably were.

"Business, unfortunately." Hestia said, looking genuinely upset at the fact. "You wanted me to tell you when they reached Alaska? They're there."

"Ah, thank you Hestia, that's good news. I'll be on my way then. I'll call you soon." Percy said with gratitude, swiping his hand through the mist.

"What was that about? When who gets to Alaska?" Jason questioned. He felt a little lost, but that wasn't unusual. Things with the ancient warrior always tended to be on the strange side.

"Oh, don't worry, it's just a little… Reunion of sorts. Don't wait up for me." Percy said, face upturned in a smirk at his own words. Suddenly, Percy disappeared in a cloud of mist, leaving Jason alone in the sun baked arena, thinking about everything he had told him, and all the questions he still had to ask.

Hubbard Glacier, June 2010 CE

Hazel screamed in pain, tumbling girl over horse as she fell. Alcyoneus had gotten a lucky jab with his staff, sending her and Arion tumbling. Vaguely through her stupor she was able to hear Alex yell at Frank to help her instead of him, but she was too stunned to argue.

Alcyoneus' staff was already whirring down toward her head. Frank wouldn't get to her in time, and now Alex was going to be killed by a ghost army because Frank was trying to save her instead. For what seemed like the millionth time, she berated herself for ever raising Alcyoneus. Almost a century later, her mistake still haunted her. Clenching her eyes, she prepared for death, hoping that she could avoid the fields of asphodel this time around.

To Hazel's shock, the familiar feeling of her soul going to Hades never came. In fact, the sound of a staff ricocheting off a shield overhead overtook her senses. There was no way Frank had gotten there in time, and he didn't carry a shield anyways. Opening her eyes, she saw an unfamiliar warrior standing over her.

His armor was finely crafted and looked Greek. Mostly spartan if she had to guess, but she wasn't a child of Vulcan. Despite the man's inferior size, he was holding reasonably well against the giant's staff, pushing back as the giant leaned in, aiming to crush them both. The warrior lowered his face to look at her, and she recoiled at the mask of a screaming main crying in pain.

"Go. Help Alex. I've got this hunk of scrap metal." The warrior said, voice muffled and metallic against her ears.

Not needing any more convincing, Hazel quickly ran to join Frank and Alex, both still locked in battle with the army of shades. As she ran, she wondered where this guy had came from, and how he knew who Alex was. Still, she was thankful for his arrival.

When she reached the ghosts, she noticed Frank was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a massive elephant tore through the undead ranks. As she swung her spatha, she observed in the corner of her eye the elephant morphing into Frank. She wasn't sure when he learned to do that, but she figured she should just be thankful now and ask about it later.

To her right, Alex was slowing down. He had killed all the ghosts hundreds of times already by the time Frank had freed Thanatos, so by now he was completely exhausted. He looked dead on his feet, so Hazel pushed towards him, placing herself by his side to help him finish off the last of the shades.

As they cleaned up the last of the ghosts, the trio turned to aid the new warrior on the glacier, but it quickly became clear he didn't need it. The guy was weaving through the giant's legs, yelling taunts at him as he left cuts on Alcyoneus' legs. With surprise, Hazel realized this warrior was toying with the giant as if he was a child and not one of the deadliest beings in history.

"Who's the new guy?" Frank asked, watching him fight in awe. She didn't have a mirror, but she was pretty sure she had the same look on her face. Alex was the only one who didn't seem shocked, as if he knew something they didn't.

"My memories still foggy, but if that's who I think it is, then we're in for a show." Alex responded. He sounded frustrated that his memory was lacking, but Hazel could also hear the hope in his voice. He was remembering, and his hazy memory confirmed this was a friend.

"I assume you guys want to keep the weapons from this army?" the warrior called to them, dodging a swing of the staff as he did. "Maybe you should get on that while I distract shiny here."

It was a pretty good idea. She wasn't sure how this guy knew so much about them and their quest, but she guessed Alex could explain later. Together, the trio scrambled throughout the wasted remains of the undead legion. It took them a while to gather all the weapons, and even longer to pile them into the imperial gold chariot they had found, but they did it. Attaching the chariot to Arion, they turned to finally help the warrior, but it seemed like he was just finishing up.

Hazel stared on as the warrior hit a baseball slide between the giant's legs. Alcyoneus turned violently, swinging his staff down at the man. The guy didn't seem to see it coming, and she opened her mouth to cry out. Instead of being squashed like a bug, the man exploded into a cloud of mist, spreading out across the ice. She raised her spatha, ready to charge in and avenge the man who had saved her, but Frank held her back with a hand on her shoulder. He pointed above the giant's now laughing head, and her mouth dropped open.

Above the giant, the mist was forming together, taking the shape of the warrior. Suddenly he was alive again, dropping towards the skull of the mighty golden giant. With a powerful thrust, the man imbedded his sword hilt deep into the head of the giant. Alcyoneus collapsed, falling to the ground with a huge thud, cracks spreading throughout the glacier expanding from where he fell. She knew it wouldn't keep him down for long, so they rushed to help.

Together the trio approached the man, who had ridden the collapsing giant like a surfboard. He seemed to be ignoring them, instead working on sawing off the head of the giant. Oil spewed from the wound, soaking into the glacier. Hazel tried not to hurl. Sure, it was an evil giant and his body was actual oil and precious metals, but the sight was still jarring for her.

"You know he can't die on his homeland. He'll grow together again." Alex said to the man, his voice teasing. Hazel internally questioned his decision to taunt the guy who had just decapitated a giant but held her tongue. She trusted Alex, even when he had crazy ideas like that.

The guy looked up, slowly rising from the gruesome display. He was covered in oil and flecks of gold, still standing int the carnage of the decapitated giant. He chuckled at the comment, amused. Hazel felt relief flush through her body. He was definitely friendly.

"Yea, but this way will buy us some time to talk." The warrior eyed the oil still leaking from Alcyoneus' body, his posture looking disgusted by it. "Maybe not the most environmentally conscious way, but it'll do."

"Who're you?" Frank asked accusingly. He was standing protectively in front of Hazel as he said this. Hazel felt her cheeks heat up at the gesture. Sure, it was a terribly misguided thing to do considering this guy was obviously friendly, but it was still sweet that he was thinking of protecting her, even if there was no chance he was taking this newcomer down.

"Are you a god? I thought we were beyond the gods here?" Hazel asked sheepishly. Now that they were closer to him, she could feel the power rolling off him, almost clogging her senses. It was almost overpowering how much of a threat this guy seemed to be.

"No, I'm not a god." The guy said with a loud laugh. "As for who I am, well, that's a question I'm hoping Alex can answer. Do you remember yet?" he said, the question aimed towards the son of Poseidon.

"Its hazy, but I remember you… I think. You're Percy, right? The one with the mean girlfriend and the habit of killing titans?" Alex asked with confusion written across his face.

"Don't let her hear you say that. But yes, that's me." The newly dubbed Percy said cheerfully. Hazel couldn't help but notice he seemed prouder of his mean girlfriend than his titan slaying abilities. She thought it was kind of cute.

"Well, if you're a friend and you can kill titans, we could definitely use your help back at Camp Jupiter. There's an invasion about to happen." Frank asked for them. He looked hopeful, and Hazel couldn't blame him. If this guy really went around killing titans as easily as Alex made it seem like he did, having him on their side in the defense of Camp Jupiter would be a great boon.

"Sorry. I can't go with. I have a… Prior engagement. Besides, this is your duty. Alex, Hera wanted you to represent the Greeks, not me. And you two. Well, I don't know you, but Alex has a habit of making friends with the right people, so I'm sure your camp needs you too." Percy said, his voice losing all it's precious mirth. He was all business now. Hazel didn't know the guy, but she still felt pride that this titan killing machine believed in them.

"You're sure?" the warrior nodded. "Alright, I guess. What are we gonna do about this guy though?" he questioned, nudging the slowly reforming corpse of Alcyoneus with his toe. Despite the mask still residing over Percy's face, Hazel could tell he was smiling just by the sound of his voice.

"I heard there's a huge cash for gold deal on Olympus. I'm going to cash in." he said as if it explained everything.

"What does that me-" Frank began, only to be cut off by Percy raising his arms overhead.

"Oh, I remember this vividly. This is the part where he does some cool stuff and we all watch in jealousy." Alex quipped from Hazel's side. When she realized what was happening, she couldn't help but to agree mumble her agreement.

Slowly, water crept up the sides of the glacier, pooling around the giant's body. Gathering around the giant, Percy raised the giant's body into the air in a giant sphere of water. Inside, the giant's head and body floated closer, desperate to reunite. Just as they reached each other and started to knit themselves together, their reunion was ruined. The massive sphere suddenly froze, leaving the shimmering gold carcass encased in a giant ball of ice.

"Told you." Alex said from beside her.

Looking away from them, Percy cocked his arms, as if he was about to throw a ball. When he brought his arm forward, the ball of ice went sailing into the air, disappearing though the air with a giant burst of wind. Hazels eyes followed it, watching it sail out of view.

"Oh shit." The warrior visibly winced. "I forgot; I passed by a small neighborhood on the way here. I hope I didn't hit it." He said, mirth obvious in his tone.

The trio blinked at him, still processing what they had just seen. They stared open mouthed at him. This guy had just launched a giant all the way into Canada like he was playing catch in his backyard, and he was cracking jokes as if it was no big deal.

"You just…" Frank began, unable to finish his sentence.

"I know. Cool, right?" Percy asked. Frank nodded his agreement.

"Look, you guys need to get going to get back to Camp Jupiter in time, and I'm running late too. We're both in big trouble if we don't get moving." Percy said, clapping his hands together to wipe off imaginary dust.

"He's right, we should get moving." Frank said, finally finding his voice.

"Wait one second. Percy, can you let Camp Half-Blood know I'm okay? Please?" Alex asked. He sounded desperate. The warrior nodded, and Alex looked like an enormous weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Without a word, Percy disappeared in a cloud of mist, leaving the three of them alone on the glacier, breath fogging up in the cold as they sat in awkward silence.

"So, friend of yours Alex?" Hazel asked hesitantly.

"You could say that. Now, we better get back to Camp."

Hazel didn't need to be told twice. She quickly mounted Arion, who had been waiting impatiently with the chariot. The boys climbed into the chariot, and she instructed Arion to whisk them away. As they took off towards Camp Jupiter, the glacier fading in the distance, she sat and wondered just who this Percy guy was. She knew Alex would answer her questions later, but one thing was clear without any explanation. Percy was a force to be reckoned with. Gaea better watch out.

New York, June 2010 CE

Percy tightened his tie nervously. He always got fidgety when he was nervous. He ran into the restaurant, most likely looking a little disheveled. He lowered his hands to the front of his suit, rubbing out the folds and wrinkles that had formed there as he ran. This was one of the nicest restaurants in New York, and he doubted they'd appreciate a wrinkled suit. Pushing through the door, he approached the woman waiting to seat guests, an apologetic smile already on his face.

"I'm late for a reservation. My companion should already be here." He said sheepishly. Luckily for him, this hostess seemed to like him, if the blush on her face was anything to go by.

"Can I get your name sir?" she asked, her voice sounding uncomfortably interested.

"The reservation should be under Percy."

"Right this way." She said, brushing by him way too close for his liking as she led him to his table. He followed her through the restaurant, admiring the classical feel of the place. It was a classy establishment, that was for sure. Finally, they reached his table, sequestered in the back corner of the restaurant. He had picked this table carefully. Sure, he was out to eat, but even in casual settings he preferred to place himself where he could only be approached from one way.

The hostess left, promising a server would be there shortly, leaving him alone with his compatriot. He turned towards her, and felt his breath leave his body. She was wearing a sleek black dress, form fitting but modest, accentuating her features. Her hair was out of its usual braid, instead cascading down her shoulder like a waterfall of liquid shadows. Her eyes were black and sparkling like the starry night sky he loved so much. She had never looked more beautiful to him, and she had also never looked more pissed.

"You're late." She said simply, her voice holding fury. Percy saw beyond that though. He saw the sadness in her eyes. He could see the pain there. He had been with Zoë long enough now to read her every emotion, and right now she was hurt, despite the angry façade she was putting on.

"I know. I'm sorry I got held up in-" He began, but she held up a hand to stop him.

"It doesn't matter, Percy. It doesn't matter where you were. It matters that you weren't here."

"Zoë, I had to go. Hestia called. Alex was in danger; I went to help. I came as quick as I could but-"

"But your duty came first. Like always. You always put that before everything. Even before me." She said, her voice accusing.

She knew it was unfair. She knew that Percy did everything in his power to spend as much time with her as he could. She understood that. But even with Piper, Percy was still her main source of companionship ever since she had left the hunt, and she loved him dearly. She was too hurt by his constant absence as he went off on missions to care right now.

"Zoë." He breathed out. His voice was hoarse and emotional, and his eyes were apologetic. He reached out across the table, grasping one of her hands in his. He was warm to the touch, and Zoë felt him give her a gentle squeeze.

"Percy, you know it's true. I sit at camp and wait out the days you're gone, not knowing if you'll even come back. I can't take that I-" She continued, sounding panicked.

Normally, Zoë would despise herself for being so weak and reliant on another person, but Percy had basically become her entire world ever since she had left the hunt, and she honestly doubted she could live without him. The idea that she was so enamored with him scared her, but it also felt so wonderful she had given up on fighting it a long time ago.

Percy cut off her rambling, leaning across the table to press a kiss to her lips. She stopped talking, quickly responding in kind. After a few brief moments, she felt him pull back, leaving the taste of him on her lips. Despite the anger and hurt she was feeling, she longed to feel him again.

"Zoë. I can't say that you're wrong." He admitted. "I do leave a lot. I do go above and beyond in the name of my duty. You're right. And for that I'm truly sorry." His voice sounded shaky and hesitant, like he was struggling to find the right words.

"But Zoë," he continued, "I want you to know. I need you to know. If you truly need me to choose between you and my duty, tell me. Every fiber of my being would argue with me, but it wouldn't matter, because if you asked me, I'd turn my back on everything I've ever lived for if it meant keeping you."

"Do you love me?" she asked, her eyes wet. Zoë could see Percy realize what this was about. She had only realized it as she talked. She had thought she was angry about him leaving so much, but now it was clear to her. She knew Percy loved her, but she needed to know if he loved her, because she was in too deep, and without him joining her, she would drown.

"Zoë," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion, "Of course I love you. I love everything about you. I love all your flaws. I love all your strengths. I love the way your eyes glitter like the night sky, the way you frown when you read, the way you're not afraid to put me in my place when I'm wrong; just the way you are. If I know what love is, it's because of you. You're the only thing that makes sense, Zoë. You're the only thing that matters. You're the only thing… Just you."

She could see he was out of breath. She could see his emotions written across his face. She could hear every piece of love in his words plucking at her heart strings, playing a song she couldn't recognize. Her heart beat his name. He danced through her brain. Looking at him now, listening to him now, observing how desperately he was trying to convey how he felt, she realized he felt as strongly as she did.

She leaned across the table pulling him into a kiss again. Hot tears streamed down her face. She wasn't sure why she was crying; she had never been happier than she was at this moment. She felt him reach up to cup her face, his touch gently caressing her cheekbone.

Finally, they disengaged, both with swollen lips and heavy breaths. They stared at each other for a moment. They had kissed before, but it had been out of love. This had been out of something more. It was out of need. Desperation. Because at that moment they were the air each other were breathing, the water they drank, the blood in their veins. Without one another, they were nothing.

"And do you love me?" he asked, his emerald eyes glued to her midnight ones.

"Unlike anything I've ever loved before, yes." She choked out, reaching across the table to kiss him again.

Percy smiled into the kiss, fireworks going off in his brain. His heart pumped righteous joy through his chest. She may not have said much, but he hadn't expected her to. Zoë Nightshade was a woman of action, not words, and her kiss said everything her words couldn't. Besides, even if she had said nothing it would've been enough for him, because she was enough for him.

AN:

We're through! I really liked how this chapter turned out! I hope you did too. My favorite part to write was the scene with Zoë. I wanted to show that despite them being together already, both of them still had their doubts. Zoë was struggling, Percy's dedication to his duty had caused her to think that he didn't love her as strongly as she loved him. Meanwhile, Percy is still struggling between his lifelong dedication to his one purpose, and the tug of his intense love for her. Both of those were put to bed here, as Percy finally admits to her (and himself) he would give up his purpose in life for her. They realize how deeply in love with each other they are, and we get the scene we got. It was such a blast to put this chapter, especially that part, together. I hope you enjoyed, and please as always let me know what you thought. I do read every review, multiple times in fact, and they make my day and sometimes inspire me to write something a certain way. You guys are awesome. Until next time,

Peace