2: I agree to go on an unexpected mission

Time seemed to slow as we walked down the path to the shore. We had frequently taken this shortcut before but we had crossed the strawberry fields and the green hills laughing, our hands tightly meshed together. This time it was completely different and we both could feel it. Not once did I dare to look at Annabeth in fear for changing my mind. I had to do this and I wasn't going to chicken out now. My mind filled with plans that would make this process as painless for her as possible. Neither of us spoke until we reached the quiet ocean.

Knowing the time was soon, I let my hand touching hers fall by my side. My eyes met her pretty gray ones and I briefly remembered the time I had dreamed of those eyes every night. They had made my dreams so much sweeter and warmer. Recently however, the gray had morphed into clear electric blue.

She spoke first, "Percy, what's wrong?" Her voice was layered with worry and I felt the strong urge to embrace her, not as her lover but as her best friend. But would that friendship I truly wanted be possible? Or would she turn away from me and never talk to me again?

I swallowed before answering, "I-I'm doing something very wrong." Instead of saying the cliché farewells, I began to pour out honest words from my heart. "Something is very wrong with me and I'm afraid it's going to hurt you."

It was obvious that she knew where this was heading. Her face was downcast as she remained silent for me to continue.

"I just want to apologize," I said. I had no idea how to do this and my heart seemed to constrict as tears welled up in her eyes. I searched for the right words to say but my mind came up blank.

"Percy," she said after a few moments, looking up at me as she forced a smile, "I love you."

I found it difficult to swallow. "I love you, too, Annabeth."

She shook her head, her golden locks swinging back and forth. "Not the same way I love you."

Unable to look at her, I turned towards the ocean. The sea seemed so empty and lonely today. I could hear her crying softly now and felt devastated at the fact that I was the reason for her sadness.

"Annabeth…" Did I even have a right to say her name anymore?

Quickly, she wiped her face dry, put her hands on my face and positioned me so that she was only inches away. Before I knew it, her soft lips were pressed onto mine. I tried to object but her grip on me was strong, like she was holding onto something precious. Besides, right now, I was willing to give up anything for her.

When she finally pulled away, there were wet lines on her face. She grinned rather sadly before turning away. I thought she would walk back to camp but she held her spot on the sand.

"I'll always be yours, Percy."

I stood frozen at her whispered words as she ran swiftly out of sight. My mind spun as my eyes fixed its gaze on her footprints imprinted in the sand. How could she say that to someone who had just broken her heart? Did she really love me that much?

Annabeth meant so much to me. It was the mere memory of her that had saved me from dying in the River Styx. Her very existence had helped me defeat Kronos and his allies. It was her wisdom that had saved me innumerous times. How strong were Cupid's arrows that my passionate love for her had evaporated in so short a time?

I remembered her crying at my words and felt as if someone was strangling me. Perhaps I should go back to her, I thought desperately. I would beg on my knees until she took me back. I would never make her cry again.

My feet began to move by themselves, carrying me to her. Half my heart reached out to get back with her as if nothing had happened today. However, the other half knew that this longing was out of nothing more than friendship because someone else had dethroned Annabeth from her special place in my heart.

Thalia… I felt lightheaded just by the thoughts of her. I knew that love was much more than friendly feelings. What the heck was I supposed to do?

Was this the beautiful goddess's idea of fun? If she was watching me right now, I hoped she was enjoying the show. The goddess of love probably liked nothing better than a stupid, love struck teenage boy withering in pain.

Suddenly, a low voice interrupted my acrimonious thoughts.

"How dare you…" I stopped in my tracks, wondering if I was hearing things now. A dark shadow darted by and a dark boy stood glowering at me.

Well, he wasn't so much of a boy anymore. During the past two years, he had shot up in height and all the training had hardened his muscles. He wore nothing but black which well suited him and his father.

"Nico," I said in surprise. Had he heard my conversation with Annabeth?

He drew nearer to me and I realized that my head was only a bit higher than his. Still I was the one looking down on him which made me feel a bit smug. He glared at me with so much hatred that left me confused.

"I heard everything," he said unabashed. I sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be pleasant. Nico shoved me hard and I fell back, almost losing my balance.

"Hey!" I protested, resisting the urge to push him back. I didn't need to lose two friends today.

I was baffled to see him shaking with rage. What was wrong with this kid? I had never thought that he and Annabeth had been close. "How dare you, Percy Jackson. You hurt her like that and you thought you were gonna get off easy?" he shouted in my face.

Whoa, why was he getting so defensive? It wasn't like he liked Annabeth or anything.

"Y-you're just evil! I knew I shouldn't have trusted you with her, after what happened to Bianca…" he spat. His words were worse than a hard slap on the face.

Okay, I was getting mad now. He was bringing up the past that we both had tried so hard to forget. He wasn't fighting fair.

"Nico, what is your problem? I know I did wrong to her but why the heck are you getting so mad for?" I cried indignantly. He stiffened and clenched his fists.

"You. Made. Annabeth. Cry." His teeth were rattling and his expression looked like he wanted to kill me. The situation made absolutely no sense to me. Nico's reactions would have been more understandable if he was Annabeth's brother or her best friend or someone who…

"…likes Annabeth," I finished the thought out loud and the son of Hades flinched, my words completely knocking him off guard. My eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Nico, you like Annabeth, don't you?"

He seemed to be in shock. "Is it… obvious?" he asked warily then demanded, "You better not tell this to anyone, Percy!"

This day was taking a bizarre turn of events. Nico and Annabeth? I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. Not that it was funny but it was just extremely… awkward.

But at least he wouldn't hurt her like I did. I sighed and Nico shot me a curious glance.

"Do you like her a lot?" I questioned him, taking the role of an overprotective guardian. Nico blushed and nodded once.

"She's just wonderful. So ingenious, too," he commented dreamily. I sighed again, remembering the time I had felt that way about her.

Suddenly, Nico grabbed my arms almost painfully hard. His face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. "That's it, Percy! You can talk to her for me!"

I blinked. "Wait a minute. I thought you heard our conversation, Nico. It's going to be hard to even talk to her from now on," I said, shaking my head hopelessly.

"C'mon, Percy. You know she'll still be your friend. I don't think Annabeth will ditch you like that. She really likes you," he admitted reluctantly, making me feel guilty all over again. "You can help me out. I can make her happy. And I promise I won't hurt her."

Ouch. This kid was blunt. But still, he had a point. I owed Annabeth big time and if he thought he could bring her happiness, maybe I should help him out. After all, Nico wasn't a bad guy.

"Alright," I agreed slowly, regretting it the moment I said it. "I'll try to help. But this doesn't guarantee anything."

"Yes!" he yelled gleefully as if Annabeth had agreed to date him already. "You're the best!"

He didn't seem like the same person who was about to kill me only seconds ago. Now he looked at me as if I were a saint or something. Either he was bipolar or really, really in love with Annabeth.

As Nico stood next to me jumping up and down, devising plans that would subtly get Annabeth interested in him, I turned back to face the water. As I watched the waves roll in and out, I wondered if I had made the right choice.

That's it for the second chapter. I hope it was okay :) Thank you for the reviews and please continue to do so! Also, feel free to point out any mistakes or suggest any plots or pairings!