War King Hero here. Another chapter coming up. I would love it if you guys could review the story so far and continue doing so throughout the story so I can become better at writing. I love writing and I love PJO.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO, and it's probably a good thing since Riordan is a million times better at writing PJO, or anything for that matter, than me.

Nico 3

The rush I get shadow traveling is like nothing I have ever experienced before. I guess the closest thing to shadow traveling has to be riding a roller coaster. I appeared at the entrance of New Rome. I learned not to shadow travel into New Rome because I always have my sword on me. I did not have a great experience the first time I entered New Rome with my sword. Let's just say I now know how many blades of grass are on the Field of Mars.

"Hey Terminus," I said as I approached the entrance.

"I suggest you leave your weapons here Ambassador of Pluto," Terminus warned. "I already have the punishment for the next rule breaker. Do you want to know what it is?"

"No, I'm good."

Julia ran out from behind Terminus and held out her hands. I handed her my sword and she ran off. I chuckled as I entered New Rome. New Rome seemed less lively than usual. Usually that meant a senate meeting was in progress. I made my way to the Senate House, and when I arrived, my question was confirmed. It seemed like a low-key meeting: general updates, plans for training and war games, promotions and such, and maybe expanding New Rome. I stood in the shadows of the entrance just observing the meeting.

Reyna and Jason were up front giving speeches I really couldn't care about. Some demigods and legacies were leaving the legion and moving onto college and others taking their places. It was nice not having Octavian in the meetings. He was, and still is, so damn annoying. I waited for the meeting to end. The meetings at Camp Half-Blood were boring, but they seemed like a theme park compared to these senate meetings.

Finally, Jason and Reyna ended the meeting and everyone began to file out. I stayed in the shadows looking for two people but was unsuccessful. I made my way up to the front where Jason and Reyna were getting ready to leave.

"Hey guys," I said as I climbed up onto the stage.

"Hey Nico," Jason replied as he took of his praetor's cape. "What brings you here?"

"Just wanted to visit some friends. Hey Reyna."

"Hey Nico," she said.

It was strictly professional between the two of us, just like I told Thalia. A simple nod between the two of us was all. She grabbed her things and left the Senate House.

"How's my sister doing?" Jason asked.

"She's fine," I answered. "The Hunters are on the East coast right now. I saw her before I left. She says hi, and she wishes she could visit."

"Yeah, tell her to drop by when she can when you see her again. I miss her."

"Will do. I'm going to visit some friends. See you around."

I left the Senate House and wandered around New Rome. It was a nice place; the people seemed not to have a worry in the world. I envied that a little, but I loved doing what I do. I liked traveling and seeing new places. I saw kids playing in the streets, people running their stores, cleaning their houses, and people just relaxing on their porches. It wasn't a bad idea: settling down and starting a family, but hey, I'm only fifteen so I don't have to think about that.

I stopped at a coffee shop to grab a latte. I ordered my drink and sat down at a table outside. The sun was shining and it did not seem like there was some impending doom upon us. I guess this was the calm before the storm. The only thing I didn't know was how bad the storm was going to be. I had a feeling it was going to be on a level equal to or greater than the last Titan War and maybe on a level of the Giant War. I was lost in my thoughts when my latte was brought out.

"Here you go, Nico," the waitress said setting down my drink.

"Thank you," I responded.

"The name's Alex."

"Alex?"

"It's short for Alexis. But people just call me Alex."

"Which do you prefer to be called?" I asked.

Alexis seemed to be taken back by the question. She blushed a little and looked down. Her chocolate brown hair fell in front of her face covering her hazel eyes.

"No one has ever asked me that before," she whispered. "Everyone just calls me Alex cause it's shorter."

I stood up and put a hand on her shoulder. Alexis was just a bit taller than me, maybe by an inch and I guessed she was about my age. She glanced at my hand and her face became more red before looking back down. With my other hand, I placed it under her chin and gently lifted her head back up to allow eye contact.

"It's your name," I said gently. "People should be calling you by the name you want."

Alexis nodded her head.

"So, which do you prefer?"

"Alexis," she said.

"Well Alexis, thank you for the drink. It was nice to meet you. Remember, don't let people tell you who you are. You tell them who you are."

"Thank you Nico."

What Alexis did next caught me off guard. She pulled me into a hug and I stiffened up. I had never had this much contact with anyone besides my sisters and Percy, and those were only bro hugs. Alexis must have felt me stiffen because she unwrapped her arms from around me and backed up. There was a look of fear and sadness on her face, like she just broke something that she kept close to herself. Alexis turned and started to leave. I shook off my shock and grabbed her hand. She stopped and looked back at me, tears welling up in her eyes. I pulled her back and gave her a hug. This time she stiffened and I softly chuckled. Alexis did return the hug. We stayed like that for a few seconds before breaking apart.

"Sorry for my reaction," I said rubbing the back of my head. "It's just that no one has ever shown me that type of affection before besides my sisters."

"It's okay," she said. "I surprised you. I shouldn't have reacted like that."

"Maybe later, we can get to together and grab a bite to eat?"

"You mean like a date?" Alexis asked.

"Yeah," I answered after giving it some thought. "I guess it is a date. When-"

"I get off at five. You can pick me up at my house at six. See you then."

Alexis gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and walked back into the coffee shop. I just stood in the middle of the outdoor area in shock. I eventually shook the shock off and grabbed my latte. As I was drinking it, I realized I didn't even know where Alexis lived. I started to head towards the shop when Alexis spotted me. She grabbed a cup from the stack and pointed at it. I cocked my head to the side in confusion. She chuckled as she pointed to me and then to the cup. My cup. I looked at the cup in my hand. Her name and address were neatly written on the side. I frowned and pulled out a Sharpie. I added the letters "I" and "S" to the end of her name. I held the cup up so she could see what I had done. She blushed and smiled. I smiled back and waved goodbye.

I wandered around New Rome a bit. Partly because I wanted to look around; partly cause I was lost. I eventually found the street I was looking for. I walked down the street looking for the right house. The house wasn't too grand; it was modest but was perfect for the people who lived there. I found the house towards the end of the street. I walked up to the door and knocked.

"Can you get the door?" a female yelled.

"Yeah, yeah," a man replied, slightly annoyed.

Footsteps approached the door and stopped on the other side. The door unlocked and the handle turned. The door swung open revealing the man of the house.

"Hey Nico," he greeted. "What brings you -"

"Who is it?" the female asked from another room in the house.

"It's Nico."

"Invite him in."

"No really? I thought I'd slam the door in his face."

"Don't be a smart ass, Seaweed Brain."

"I'm not, that's your job, Wise Girl," Percy turned back to me. "Come on in Nico."

That's chapter 3. I revised this chapter by adding the little bit at the end, but other than that, nothing has changed. Thanks for reading.

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