Author's Note: (Give me an A! Give me an N! Give me an N-O-Y-I-N-G A-U-T-H-O-R-'S N-O-T-E!) Hello? Anybody still reading this thing? If you are, thanks! By the way, I haven't forgot about explaining who Thalia was kissing. It's just the opportunity for explanation hasn't come up yet, but it will be explained. Just reminding you, so you don't give up on me completely. I've been working on that side-project to much, but anyway, enjoy …

Thalia and Nico were grumpy from having to scrub dishes.

"I can't believe him!" Thalia ranted. "Why can he boss us around like that? Don't get me wrong, I like Chiron, but seriously! Dishes?WE'RE NOT ADOLESCENT FIFTH GRADERS! Gods!"

"My hands hurt, is that normal?" Nico questioned.

"After about an hour of heavy duty dish washing, yeah. Plus you still haven't fixed your bandaged hand. Why not? You can't do it?"

"No." Nico snapped defensively. "It's just I ... okay, I can't do it? Happy?"

"No! Chiron's treating us like little kids! Grr, I'm so mad!"

"Why? It's not that bad," Nico said, trying (and failing) to drown his hand completely in shadows.

"Because I just am, okay? Gods!" Thalia declared.

Nico raised an eyebrow, "You okay?"

"No! I'm so freaking angry! Aarrrh!" Thalia growled. She electric-punched the wall, for no reason. "****, now my freaking hand hurts! Stupid wall!"

"You know what they say, don't punch the wall, and it won't punch back." Nico said sarcastically.

Thalia turned on him, "Shut up! You wanna take the wall's place?"

Nico seemed slightly amused by this, like her threats were a joke. "Ooo I'm shaking, Thalia, don't do that!"

Thalia pinned him up against the side of the Big House by his neck. "Don't ... make ... fun ... of ... me." Thalia seethed.

"Okay." Nico croaked, an octave higher than usual. Thalia dropped him and ran over to punch a shrub. Nico rubbed his neck, a sour look on his face. Percy trudged up, looking completely numb. He sat on the porch step, next to Nico. Nico, watching Thalia beat up the shrub, said, "Word of advise; don't tease Thalia. At all. She's a spaz, and even more than usual."

"... Kay ..." Percy mummbled softly.

Nico, surprised by his defeated, and utterly depressed tone, asked, "Are you okay?"

"... No ..." He murmured.

"Oh no, you didn't ... break up, did you?"

Percy shook his head no every so slightly.

"What's up then?" Nico sought.

"... Vegas ..." That's all Nico needed to hear.

"Dude! Why did you tell her? It was our secret, man! ****, when Juniper finds out, Grover is so dead! And Rose will - ah, ****! Why do I keep forgetting?" Nico groaned. "... Er, doesn't matter now. You. Told. On. Us. You're officially a rat. But I can forgive temporarily, seeing as I don't have a girlfriend to punish me for getting Grover to bet for me. So, how'd she take it?"

"... Screaming ... Crying ... The works. Now I think she hates me. I ruined almost all her plans in one night. Then lied about it. We're officailly *******." Percy told him quietly.

"AARRRGH! TAKE THAT EVIL PLANT!" Thalia shouted at the inanimate shrub.

"Why's she so mad at the plant?" Percy asked quietly, his brows furrowing.

"I don't know. Hey, Thalia? Why so angry at the plant?" Nico called to her.

Thalia looked back, surprised he was still there, "I ... I don't know." With that she came and sat on the step next to them. She noticed Percy's slouching and beaten look. She mouthed to Nico behind Percy's back, 'They break up?'

No, He mouthed back. I'll explain later.

"Look, Percy, you need to remember that she still loves you, and whatever happened was just-"

"No ... She doesn't anymore ... I ruined everything ." Percy corrected.

"Don't talk like that. It's not as bad as you think. Just give it time, okay? You just gotta have hope that things will be better." Thalia soothed.

Percy pulled away, and he "... I don't want your sympathy. Don't pretend like every thing's fine, or that none of that happened ... And, especially don't pretend like you know what I'm going through, because you sure as Hades don't. Things might've happened between you and Luke, but you never-"

"Don't ever talk like you know what happened between us. You don't know what we went through, or how hard we worked just to stay alive. He took care of us-"

"I'm not saying he was a bad guy," Percy fought. "I'm saying you don't know what it's like to be feel so broken insi-"

"How do you even know? We went through absolute Hades, and somehow, we were the happiest we'd ever been! Do you know how incredibly scared we were of losing each other? No, you don't. And you know something else? When I actually did, it was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with in my life ... I still haven't got over it." Thalia admitted. "I pretend I have, sure. I lie about it to everybody, even myself sometimes. And do you know why?" Tears welled in her eyes, and forcibly streamed down her cheek. "Because deluding myself to thinking I'm over him, is the only way to get temporary relief ... So, don't you tell me I don't know what's like to feel broken."

An awkward silence wedged it's way in, while Thalia vigerously wiped away tears. And it stayed that way, silent, for a long time. They stared out to the horizon. The single place where sea and sky always meet to the same point. (That a little too corny?). Percy gazed over at Thalia, who was concentrating hard on a spot somewhere in the distance, so she didn't have to look at Percy or Nico. Percy sighed, "I'm sorry, Thalia. I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just really upset right now."

She didn't look at him. "If either of you tell anybody any of of what I just said, I'll ring your necks with your tongues, got that?"

They both nodded quickly.

"Good."

"... Thalia?" Nico asked.

"What?" Thalia said sharply, glaring at him.

"You said you were the happiest you'd ever been when you were with Luke. What about the hunters? I thought you were happier with them, at least, that's what you said just after you joined them. Which would you rather do? Be with Luke, before he turned to Kronos, or be a hunter?" Nico questioned.

"Pssh, that's easy. I'd ... uh, well of coarse I'd ... I don't know. I was pretty happy as a hunter, but ... Luke ... I don't know. But I don't wanna be hurt again" Thalia admitted.

"You know, it was only Luke who broke your heart." Percy added. "I bet somewhere out there, there's a guy who would've jumped at the chance to be with you, just 'cause you're you. The best thing about first love, is it's supposed to be the first of many. I heard that from an Aphrodite kid, she said it gives her a little hope that things will work out one way or another."

"Whatever." Thalia dismissed. "Can we talk about something that isn't totally depressing?"

"Well, Grover says he gets to travel all around the world to search for demigods. He sent me an email from Paris." Percy offered.

"Paris, France?" Nico asked, disbelievingly.

"Yep. He says the Eiffel tower looks good outside pictures. Though, since it's the city of love and stuff, he says he wishes Juniper could be there with him. He says he can't wait to purpose in a few years."

"Whoa, he's already thinking about marriage?" Thalia questioned, laughing a little.

"Dude! Why would he wanna do that?" Nico said, slapping his hand on his forehead, and shaking his head.

"No way. You're one of those stupid guys who don't wanna be 'tied down?'"Thalia ranted, looking at him disgusted.

"No. It's just, doesn't it seem scary? All that responsibility, the vows hanging over your head, and then there's the possibility of kids! I-I-I couldn't do that. I mean how can anybody stand it? With all the-"

"Wait, you're afraid of marrige?" Percy asked, surprised.

"No." Nico snapped.

"You're afraid of commitment? Wait, if you're afraid of commitment, why are you whining about losing your girlfriend so much?" Thalia sought.

"Because I'm not afraid of commitment!" Nico shouted. "Plus, Rose was really speacail. It's just ... I'm afraid of ... something else, okay? You of all people should know a persons fears should be personal, Thalia. If I tell about your fear of heights, you'd probably stop bugging me about this, so maybe I should- GAWWWRRRKK! OWWWWW, GODS **** IT, THALIA!" Thalia had got up and kicked him in the coconuts.

"Why'd you do that?" Percy asked, laughing a little.

"Because I'M MAD! And he's a weasel who needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut!" Thalia told him, loudly. "You object to this? If so, you're next."

"Uh, no thanks, I'm good." Percy avoided.

Thalia sat back down. Nico was still winching in pain. Thalia and Percy stared out to the horizon again. It was kind of funny. A few minutes earlier, Percy was completely depressed. And then, by having Thalia and Nico there, both having problems of their own, brought him out of the self-pity state. Right now, they needed each other, because, they were the only ones they had.

Later that night, Nico tip-toed into Hades cabin, as if not to wake up the sleeping Max. Nico noticed that the passage to the Underworld had gotten a lot deeper. Max apparently didn't know about shadow travel yet. Nico laughed a little. He wondered what Max thought about him. They weren't close at all, and Nico thought that wasn't just because of circumstance. He didn't want there to be another son of Hades. Another ghost king. And what did his Father think. That was the ultimate question. What was their relationship? What had they done together? Nico regarded Max's sleeping face. He was so frustrated with all of his answerless questions he almost woke Max up. Soon, whenever possible, he would confront him. Get just enough information to decide weather or not to trust him.

All of the sudden, Nico heard a cry echo through the night. "AAARRRRRRHHHH! I HATE THIS CAMP!"

"You and me both, buddy." Nico sighed.

Nico flopped down on his bed, totally exhausted. The last couple days had been terrible. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep.

He dreamt of Hades palace, deep in the Underworld. His father sat upon his throne, next to Persephone, who was chewing him out for something stupid like, dishonoring her mother too many times. "... And she said if you keep treating her this way, she shall tell Zeus about your little affair with that ***** 20-something years ago."

"She would not dare! That was just way to pass time, one night in the wrong place at the wrong time, just another mistake. Zeus has made his share of mistakes as well, I remind you. That girl of his turned out to be just as much of a disappointment as any other demigod, maybe even more so. I shall never forget the priceless look on his face when his daughter chose Artemis over him. And Poseidon has his faults, too." Hades fought.

"Yes, well, she does not care wheather or not they made mistakes, she only has to tell them one of yours, and strict punishment will be handed out. It could be cause for great stir among the Gods, with your breaking the oath, too."

"... Everything is cause for great stir ..." Hades grumbled. "... Oh, fine. But someday I shall be able to incinerate her crops without conscience! I shall rule over her, and she will be sorry she ever set foot in my realm!" Hades bellowed.

The dream changed. This time, to a familiar place on his old middle school's grounds. A small hill in the very back. A lonesome oak tree stood a top the grassy hill. Sitting under it, was someone he never expected. Himself. It didn't make sense. Demigod dreams were of events happening in the present, not the past. He couldn't figure out why this was happening. It was obviously the previous spring because he had only had one year there so far, and flowers bloomed in the Principal's private garden. His dream-self watched the other Nico sit under the tree. He decided to do some tests. He ran a hand through this other Nico, which just made his hand shimmer, like a hologram. Then Rose ran up the hill to him. That's when he realized what this was. His memory.

'I remember this, it's when Rose asked if I had a girlfriend.' Nico laughed. He was particularly proud of how he handled this one. Real smooth. (Since no one can hear this Nico, his quotes are in the one dash thing)

She sat down next to him under the tree. The bell had just rung to signify the end of the school day. "What's up?" The 13 year old Nico asked, in a smooth voice.

Nico smirked at how cool he looked and sounded. That meant his temporary plan worked. The plan to be cool and reserved, and not come on too strong. That changed, however, after their first kiss. He didn't need to be cool. But it seemed to be working here. Maybe he should of played it cool a little longer.

"Not a lot. What about you?" Rose asked him.

Nico chuckled and said along with his past self, ' "Little a this, little a that. You know, school, girls, stuff like that." '(Bad grammar, I know. But that's how he said it)

Rose looked a little dissapointed. "Girls? Like who exactly?"

Nico loved this part. 'Set it up.'

"Well, you know. Pretty girls. One in particular, the prettiest." Nico replied. Now, he sounded cool, but on the inside he was freaking out that she was sitting so close to him. He was amazed he got the words out.

"Oh ... So, like Vallery Easton the cheer leader, or Cindy Paddington, the track star?" Rose asked sadly, out of curiosity.

'Nice move, now give her a hint.' Nico advised.

"No, she's more into animals." Nico hinted, as if he could hear his future self.

"Really?" Rose didn't know many girls in her grade that really cared about animals. Just Abby Kinsley, Ella Heinrich, and ... her. Her hart skipped a beat.

"Yep. Loves 'em."

"So, does she know you like her?" Rose tried.

'Sweet, now go in for the kill!' Nico told him sharply.

"Well, I guess that's for you to decide." Nico said, looking into her eyes, with that smooth voice.

'Nice.' Nico laughed.

Rose and Nico leaned in closer and closer until -HOOOOONK. HOOOOOOOOOOONK. Rose pulled back a second before impact. Her Dad was sitting in his pick-up, honking at them. She forgot that he was supposed pick her up from school on Wednesdays.

"Ah, crud. My Dad! I-I gotta go Nico, I'm sorry." Rose said quickly, grabbing for her bag and slinging it over her shoulder.

"Uh, yeah." Nico confirmed, trying not to show how angry and dissapointed he was.

'No, Stop her! Follow her! Do something!' Nico shouted to his past self.

"Er, wait. Rose?"

"GET IN THE CAR, ROSELYN." Jerry barked, honking the horn like crazy.

'Shut up, and let the boy talk!'

"I better go, his temper can get pretty wild when I'm around boys." Rose sighed.

"But ... when will I see you again?" He called.

'Don't sound desperate!'

"Camp!" Rose called over her shoulder.

Nico sighed as she drove away. He put his hands in his pockets and trudged down the hill, in the opposite direction.

'No. Don't leave. Run after her. Or at least call her. Come on, coward! Why are you so scared? Get back here! You love her, and you can't tell her? YOU NEVER DO, YOU IDIOT! BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO AFRAID SHE'LL SAY SHE DOESN'T LOVE YOU BACK! GODS **** IT, TELL HER! WHY CAN'T I TELL HER?'

The dream ended with that.

Nico's eyes flung open. He slowly sa up in bed. Why can't I? Or, why couldn't I? Thalia was right, I'm afraid of commitment. No, well, not exactly. It's more I don't wanna have the responsibility of a serious relationship. We were boyfriend and girlfriend, and I 'took it for granted' because I was so scared of going any farther. I can't believe this! I'm so stupid! No wonder I'm technically related to Percy! But ... I do love her. And it feels right to be with her. I wanna be with her ... and if I wanna be with her, I gotta swallow my fear, and suck it up. Wait, that's why the prayer didn't work. Because it wasn't that I needed to be a better guy, it was that I needed to get over my fear and tell her love her. My Dad wanted me to learn the lesson myself, I bet. He loves me ... I think ... No I don't. I know he doesn't care about me. And I hate him. That's what that vision meant, that's what I meant when I yelled it before I 'died.' I do hate him. That's why I left the Underworld. I couldn't take anymore of his orders. He drove me up here. The only family I have left my ***.

He tried going back to sleep multiple times. But he had far too much to think about.

Done. Okay, Nico's afraid of commitment because death can end a commitment so suddenly. He should know, since he's the son of Hades and all. And the strange part of the dream was sent to him by a certain goddess. You know who right? Anyway, I'm going to Jamaica for two whole weeks on August 20th! Epic! I'm going to see a whole bunch of relatives and stuff so I'm not to sure I'll be able to write as much. No promises on updates.

P.S. I can't wait!