I'm really sorry for the long wait. I've been away for a long time and haven't had access to a computer. I hope it won't take as long next time.

Hope you enjoy this next chapter.

OREOS

The rain crashed down around Nico in sheets. He was on guard duty...on the outside of the camp boundary. He was soaked to the bone and bored out of his mind. Unfortunately, he didn't have Percy's ability to stay dry when it rained.

"What's up, Death Breath?"

Nico spun around at the voice, grabbing for his sword. When he realized who it was, he flopped back down onto the wet grass.

"Oh, it's just you, Pinecone Face. I thought it was somebody important."

"Importantly evil, apparently. Trying to cut my head off while I'm trying to come sit by you," Thalia said, throwing herself onto the grass, already soaked. "So, what are you doing out here on this dismal night?"

"You know. Guard duty. The better question is why are you out here?" Nico fired back.

"It gets lonely in my cabin with only me in there. OREO?" Thalia asked, offering Nico one.

Nico took one. "Why don't you go to someone else's cabin? Like Percy's or something?"

"'Cause you know how well Annabeth would react to me sleeping in the Poseidon cabin."

Nico winced. "I see your point. Why not any of the other cabins?" he asked.

"None of them interested me. The rest are either too crowded, hate me or are afraid of me."

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Thalia picked up an OREO.

"You can stay in my cabin tonight. If-if you want to," Nico said abruptly.

Thalia's eyes glinted in the darkness. "Sure. Thanks, Nico."

"I only have fifteen minutes left of guard duty. You can go down to my cabin right now if you want. I'll catch up with you in a second."

"See you in fifteen minutes then," Thalia said, grabbing the OREOs and walking back toward Nico's cabin.

Fifteen minutes later, Nico walked into his cabin. The lights were dim and he could see that Thalia had already fallen asleep on the bed. He peeled off his wet clothes and put on a dry pair of jeans.

"You don't have to do that."

Nico spun around, startled. "I thought you were asleep, Thalia. Sorry if I woke you. Don't have to do what?"

Thalia sat up. Nico could tell she was wearing one of his Green Day shirts. His heart stuttered at the sight of her long legs. "Put your shirt on."

"Um, why not?"

Thalia stood up and walked over to Nico. "Because I like it better when it's off," she whispered, running her hands up his abs to his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Nico's stomach nearly fell. Thalia leaned forward until her lips brushed Nico's ear.

"It's really cold. Can you carry me to the bed?"

Nico's heart sank. He picked her up and carried her to the bed. He climbed in and held her to get her warm. He tried not to think about her long beautiful legs right up against him. Thalia turned around so that she was facing Nico. Nico's breath hitched.

Thalia's hands stroked up and down his chest and abdomen. "I like you with your pants off, too," she whispered.

Nico's eyes widened as her hands rested on the button of his jeans.