Zoe pulled him by the hand into the Artemis cabin. She didn't like all the other campers staring at them.

The moment the door closed Percy was immediately caught off guard by a hug again, unlike the last one that felt urgent and fast. This one was slow, as Zoe's arms wrapped around his torso and laying her head on his chest.

Percy didn't know how much he needed that hug until now as he tried to cherish the moment, hugging her back leaning his head down laying his lips on the top of her head.

Finally Zoe pulled back but remained holding his hand. "Are you gonna let me explain now?" Percy said smiling at her.

They sat on Zoe's unmade bed, he could tell her room hadn't been cleaned in a couple days. Ironically it still looked better then his cabin.

"After the volcano blew up", he paused, "Or I blew up the volcano I guess", he said earning a small smile from her. "I thought I died, but I woke up on some island called Ogygia".

The smile that had adorned Zoe's face faded, as she slowly slipped her hand out of his. "Oh", Zoe said not meeting his eyes.

Percy knew he was oblivious, but he wasn't an idiot when it came to girls. He could feel the atmosphere between them change.

Percy reached for her hand again but she pulled away, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing"

Percy let out a small laugh the had very little humor in it, "What do you mean nothing?"

Zoe was still staring at a spot in the floor, her expression emotionless before she finally looked at him and spoke, "We all thought you were dead, while you were just lounging on Ogygia with Calypso?"

Percy's eyes narrowed at her, "There was no lounging Zoe, I was dying and Calypso healed me."

Zoe scoffed, "Please, I know the stories of Ogygia and that whore. I was alive when Odysseus completed his odyssey"

"She's not a whore." Percy said suddenly defensively.

Zoe's jaw clinched and released as she was spoke, "She was definitely a whore, Odysseus cheated on his wife for months as he lay with her".

"Zoe we didn't do anything, as soon as I was strong enough to leave I did. Why don't you trust me?" Percy looked hurt, "After everything we've been through, you won't take my word on it?"

"Because-"

There was a knock at the door. Percy could hear Annabeth's voice from outside, "Hey, the meetings been pushed forward, we need you two at the big house"

Percy and Zoe stared at each other for a second before Zoe spoke, "Okay, we'll there in a minute".

They waiting for Annabeth to talk again but she never did. The two sat in awkward silence, he wasn't sure how long they were there. The room felt thick with tension. "You should probably go", Zoe said finally in a tired voice, "I'll meet you there I still need to shower".

Percy was still staring at Zoe, her messy long black hair hiding her face from him.

"Zoe".

She didn't answer him.

Percy reached out, brushing her hair out of her face so he could look at her. He expected to see her full lips pursed tight, brows narrowed and dark charcoal eyes holding anger. Instead her face was angled away from him, her eyes sparkled with tears.

It broke his heart.

His hand cupped her cheek as he turned her face his way. For a moment she relaxed into his palm.

Then the she squeezed her eyes shut as if to try and hold back tears and shook her head standing up, "Go Perseus".

Percy's chest hurt, as he looked up at Zoe from her bed, she refused to meet his eyes. "O-", his voice came out horse so he cleared it, "Ok, got it".

He walked out of the Artemis cabin, not even bothering to close the door behind because he was sure he would slam it. Just when it seemed like he and Zoe was making progress in the friendship or whatever they had, she just reverted back to her old self. For gods sake she kissed him and now she wont even look him in the eyes.

Percy wished she would either tell him she liked him or to fuck off, because all these mixed signals was starting to piss him off. That and the fact that she wouldn't even listen to his side of the story. He had a random thought to actually start paying attention in mythology class he had at camp so when she mentioned hero's like odysseys he knew what she was talking about.

Percy had all these thoughts rolling through his head as he made his way to the big blue house that sat at the top of the hill, near the dragon that guarded the fleece. He honestly had no idea what this meeting was about, besides being about the quest of course. He didn't even know what the next plan of action was.

There first trip into the labyrinth wasn't exactly a successful one, they got lost almost died several times and Percy lost his sword.

Speaking of which, Percy looked down at the flower brooch that was attached to his camp necklace. It's white petals bouncing with each step he took. He would have to give it back to Zoe next time her saw her. Since he didn't get the chance to he thought bitterly.

Percy bounced up the old porch steps, as the creaked with the sudden weight. Throwing open the screen door he walked inside, down the hall way. His eyes focusing and unfocusing at all the pictures on the wall before walking into there council room.

There 'council' room could barely be called that, it was basically another dining room with a huge table in the center. It looked like the perfect place to play D&D, but instead they held there most important discussions about quests and the fate of the camp.

Percy sat next to Scott, who was drumming his fingers against the table nervously. "Where's Zoe?"

"taking a shower", Percy answered shortly.

"Something happen?" Scott asked, a look of concern on his face.

Percy shook his head, "Nope".

Scott wasn't satisfied in his answer, but decided against prying at him, he would have more time to later.

It wasn't long before Zoe joined the table, Her hair was still practically dripping and her orange camp halfblood t-shirt was sticking in spots where her skin was still wet. Percy saw that her eyes were faintly tinged red like she was crying.

It took all he had to drop his pissed off attitude and go sit by here and see what's wrong.

"It is good seeing you back alive Mr. Jackson", Chiron said smiling at him. Percy gave a small wave, he didn't have the best relationship with the centaur like Annabeth and Scott. But it was still nice to be acknowledged.

"Annabeth my dear, if you wouldn't mind" Chiron said giving her the motion to talk.

She cleared her throat, "Right, so if you haven't heard", she addressed all the head councilors of the cabins, "Hephaestus has given us the key to navigating the maze".

Beck seemed to perk up at the sound of his dads name, "And what is the key exactly" he said in a gruff voice that matched his fathers.

"He said we needed a mortal that can see through the mist", she said.

"Like my Mom", Scott said but then quickly spoke again, "But I would rather not take her into the labyrinth.

"How are we supposed to find a clear sighted mortal", one of the Stoll brothers said. Percy could never tell them apart.

"I actually might know someone", Scott said again. "There's a friend from school who can see through the mist, the girl that helped me kill the empousia."

"That Rachel girl?" Percy asked.

Scott nodded.

"So what?" Clarisse asked, "You bring a mortal into the labyrinth and they somehow know the way to the workshop?"

The rest of the Demigods continued in discussion as Percy shifted to talk to Scott, "Hey where's Quintus".

"No one's told you yet?" Scott asked. Nico saw him poking around the entrance of the labyrinth. When he was confronted about it by Chiron he denied it. Then he just disappeared, left his dog here and everything.

The frozen dog whistle felt cold in his pocket. How it was still in his pocket in the first place was a miracle.

"How are they doing anyways?" Percy asked.

"Who?"

"Nico and Bianca", Percy prodded.

Percy hadn't got a chance to talk to them ever since him and Zoe saved them back on the ranch.

"They keep to themselves mainly. Spending way to much time around Zeus's fist for everyone's liking though".

The room got quiet and Percy looked away from Scott as all the campers were staring at them, besides Zoe who had her hand on her head avoiding his gaze. "What", Scott asked.

Annabeth waved her hand dismissing them, "I said do you still have the number of the girl".

The way she said 'that girl' made Percy believed she wasn't to fond of Scotts mortal friend.

"Oh. Uhh yeah I have it memorized", Scott said.

Percy and a few of the other guy campers winced from his response.

Scott didn't looked around dumfounded, 'What did I say' he mouthed to Percy.

Annabeth was still glaring at Scott as Chiron spoke, "While you four are gone we will finish the defenses around Zeus's fist. I have a feeling we will need all the preparations we can get."

Percy sat in silence in the back of the van, as argus drove in the busy Manhattan traffic. Scott had spoken to Rachel on the phone and said that she was at some kind of art show downtown.

Annabeth and Scott were chatting happily in the middle of the van, separating him and Zoe. He hadn't spoken to her since there fight that morning. He refused to be the one to apologize first.

It was too important to him to just sweep it under the rug. But the problem was that Zoe was a man hating huntress for over 2000 years, she could hold a grudge.

A part of him wanted to be the adult and just confront her that they could talk it out, but he took some sick satisfaction in ignoring her.

Argus dropped them off near one of the malls and drove off without saying a word. Which to be fair he never talked anyways.

Annabeth and Zoe pulled ahead of them as Scott fell to the back to talk with him.

"What's going on man" he asked.

"Nothing. Why?"

Scott scoffed, "Please, before the quest started you and Zoe looked like you guys were gonna jump each others bones any second. Now your acting like she doesn't exist".

Percy finally opened up about what had happened after the explosion and how he ended up on Ogygia. "She doesn't trust me". he shrugged.

The walked through crowds of people walking through the mall. Percy's finger tips traced the hand railing as they walked on a downslope of a ramp.

"To be fair dude. Calypso did like hold Odyseus captive and uh", he cleared his throat, "Did adulty things to him".

Percy shook his head, "Not the Calypso I met. She practically nursed me back to health".

Percy whirled on him, "Since when do you know so much mythology".

"I'm dating a genius"

"Fair point".

Percy let out a long sigh, "I don't know dude, honestly it just comes down to her being a former huntress. It was my fault for falling for her". Percy turned sideways to squeeze past a few girl blocking the pathway looking at there phone. "I don't know what I expected", he said in a sadder tone than he didn't mean to let out.

They found Rachel in the middle of the food court. Her and three other people were painted head to toe in grey paint, even their hair. All of them in different poses on a pedestal.

If Rachel recognized Scott she didn't say anything.

"Which one is the true sighted mortal", Zoe asked looking right past Percy to talk to Scott.

Scott walked up to the girl on the far left, "Uh Rachel?" he asked.

She didn't answer.

Scott waved his hand in front of her face back and fourth. She didn't even blink.

Suddenly an alarm went off. One that you'd play to wake you up in the morning. Rachel unfroze, calmed reached into her pocket to pull out her phone as she shut off the alarm.

Seemingly out of no where a guy dressed similarly and coated in the same paint took her spot on the stool where she stepped down. Struck a pose and froze.

"Lets eat, I'm starving", Rachel said to Scott slapping him on the shoulder.

"You want me to do what", Rachel asked not even bothering to swallow her food as she talked. A smear of ketchup on her cheek.

The five of them sat at a empty table in the middle of the food court, sounds of teenagers and family's talking all around them. With Percy spending so long at camp, he almost forgot that this is what teenagers his age were supposed to do.

"We were told that someone like you could help us navigate the labyrinth", Scott said again to her, his eyes darting to the ketchup that she refused to wipe off her mouth.

"Someone like me", she questioned?

"Someone who can see through the mist", Annabeth interrupted.

"Right right", Rachel said shoving them rest of the burger in her mouth, "Ok I'll do it".

"Really", Percy said. It was the first time he'd spoken in half an hour.

"Yes? It'll be fun".

Percy looked from her to Scott, "You do understand that this is going to be dangerous right? I almost died ten feet in".

"The way I saw him", she lifted a finger at Scott, "kill that vampire lady I'm sure we'll be fine with four of you".

Rachel stood up, "Do you mind if I go home and shower first though? I don't feel like dungeon dwelling looking like tin man", she joked. Though nobody seemed to fine it funny how nonchalant she was about heading into the labyrinth.

Scott forgot to mention that Rachel Elizabeth Dare was rich.

Percy shut the door of the taxi as the walked into one of the biggest buildings he'd ever been inside. Day light shinned off the polished glass until he passed through the door.

"What floor do you live on?" Scott asked. He seemed to be in as much of a shock as he was.

"Well my dad owns the building, but I'm in the luxury suit on the top floor".

They stepped into the elevator as Rachel swiped her card and pressed one of the many buttons on the wall. Percy's eyes flicked to Zoe who was standing in the other corner of the compartment.

A piece of him just wanted to talk to her again, he didn't realize how accustomed he was to her always being at his side, cracking jokes and chiming in on the conversation.

Percy rolled his neck, several audible pops rang out as he listened to the elevator music and his nose scuffed up. "Who in the world has country music play in a elevator".

The floor beeped signaling their floor, "My father", Rachel said as she stepped out into a hallway that opened up into a massive living room.

There were at least three different couches, all looking very expensive. Random plants adorned shelves and tables as Percy walked up to the wall that was just one massive window. He could see all of Manhattan from up here.

"Make yourselves at home", Rachel said as she ran up the spiral stairs leading to a balcony and Percy could only assume more rooms. "I'll try and be quick".

Scott and Annabeth were looked around the room, Leaving Percy and Zoe just standing there. Percy looked at her, her eyes met his and then she quickly looked away.

That's it he couldn't take it anymore.

Percy walked up to her, ignoring the weird look Scott gave him. Zoe didn't look at him until he was pretty much right next to him.

"Can we?" Percy nod in the direction of the bathroom.

Zoe seemed to deflate a bit, like she was expecting that she could just run from this problem for ever. But none the less she nodded and headed that way.

The last thing Percy saw was a double thumbs up from Scott and Annabeth's hand mid swat before he closed the door.

The bathroom was brilliant white, it almost hurt his eyes to look at anything in the room. He was wondering why Rachel didn't use this bathroom, he thought as he eyed the massive walk in shower but then he realized she probably had her own in her room.

"Perseus", Zoe said, "I'm sure you didn't invite me in here just to gawk at the shower".

She did it again, Using 'Perseus' instead of 'Percy' like they were back to barely knowing each other.

"Yeah, uh", Percy looked down at the flower brooch that was attached to his leather cord. He had left it behind in the Atremis cabin, before they departed for the quest. Percy felt wrong for keeping it since it belonged to Zoe, even if they were fighting. He had hopes that she would find it, but not long after he left it, it just reappeared on his necklace.

"Here", Percy said handing it to her. How many times had he given it back by now, he randomly thought.

Zoe stone faced expression finally broke as she had the same look she had when she found out about his time on Ogygia. But she took it anyways. Zoe twirled he brooch in her hands as she stared at it, her silky black hair hiding part of her face from him.

They sat in silence for an eternity, before Percy finally spoke up, "Your welcome I guess". It came out a little meaner than he intended.

Zoe's body shook like she was laughing, she looked up from the hair clip and Percy was shocked to see tears coming out of her eyes as she cried.

"I didn't meaning it like that", Percy said. Being as dull as he was he thought she was upset about his remark.

Zoe smiled as she wiped away one of the tears streaking down her cheek but another one soon took it's place. "It's not about you're dumb remark Percy".

Percy looked at her, glad that she didn't turn away this time. "Then what is it-" She interrupted him.

"I'm scared ok?"

Percy face morphed into a look of confusion, "What are-"

Zoe didn't let him talk, "I'm scared of you Percy". She fingers curled into fists as she moved to lean against the sink. "I'm scared that no matter how much I try I can't seem to change how I feel about you".

Zoe gave up on the task of wiping away the tears as they flowed, some dripped off her chin onto her shirt while others dried up. She looked into his eyes showing a vulnerability he had never seen before, "I don't wanna get hurt again".

Zoe watched Percy move in front of her, standing with there hips almost touching. He leaned down and tried to wipe away the river of tears on her face.

He must've took to long because Zoe broke eye contact and turned away giving a genuine laugh as she wiped the remaining tears on her face that Percy missed, "Gods I'm a mess".

Percy shook his head as he spoke for the first time, "You're as beautiful as always".

Zoe turned back to him, watching Percy's dark green eyes trace every feature of her face.

"I'm not gonna hurt you".

Zoe slowly nodded. Percy's hand came up to her face, wiping a way one more tear as he tipped her head up and pressed his lips to hers.