GELATO

Thalia heard a smart rap on her cabin door.

"One second!" she called. She checked herself one last time in the mirror, needlessly smoothing the front of her shirt down for the upteenth time.

She quickly walked across her cabin, stopping in front of the door. She took a deep, steadying breath. There was no need to be nervous.

She wiped her slightly sweaty palm on her jeans before reaching forward to grab the door handle. She took one last quick, preparatory breath, then flung the door open before she could lose her nerve.

Nico turned toward the door as it opened. "Hey," he greeted, smiling slightly.

"Hey," Thalia responded. She inconspicuously wiped her hand on her jeans again.

Nico stood on the threshold in nothing but a black skull and crossbones shirt and black skinny jeans. The white parts of his shoes showed the only sign of color from all the different colored pens Percy had used to draw on them one night around the campfire.

"You ready?" Nico asked, stepping back slightly and motioning toward Half-Blood Hill. She could see Argus's silhouette where he stood, waiting to see them off.

"Yeah. Of course," Thalia said, stepping out of the cabin and closing the door behind her.

Nico smiled and took her hand as they walked through camp toward Half-Blood Hill. Thalia's nervousness started to disappear with every step.

"So, where are we going?" Thalia asked, looking up at him as they walked. He had grown a lot since they had first met on that cliff all those years ago.

"It's a surprise," he said, smiling mischievously.

Thalia raised her eyebrows. Nico just smirked.

"Hey Argus," Thalia greeted as they reached the top of Half-Blood Hill. He just nodded in reply.

"Alright Argus," Nico said. "We'll see you in a few hours."

Argus nodded and handed Nico a small wad of cash and some golden drachma that Chiron had been holding on for him. Nico pocketed them and nodded his thanks. Then he and Thalia walked into the shadow of the Pine Tree.

They appeared in a little alley in the middle of New York.

"So where are we going?" Thalia asked again as they walked out into the sunlight.

Nico stopped and pointed to the sign hanging above his head. "We're going to get the best gelato in the world. Thought we could use it to cool down a bit what with this summer heat."

Thalia laughed delightedly as Nico led her inside.

"Nico!" the man at the counter exclaimed, throwing his arms wide. "How's my favorite Italian?" He wrapped Nico in a big bear hug.

"I'm doing great," Nico replied. He smiled the biggest smile Thalia had ever seen him smile as the man pulled back from the hug. "How are you?"

"I'm doing swell." He jumped slightly and his eyes widened as they fell on Thalia. "And who do we have here?"

Nico stepped back slightly. "Mario, this is Thalia, my girlfriend. Thalia, this is Mario, the fine owner of this fine establishment."

Mario beamed. "Girlfriend, huh? I have just the thing," he said, disappearing into the back. "Only the best for Nico and his special friend."

"Is he a half-blood?" Thalia whispered, leaning closer to Nico.

Nico shook his head. "No. He's as mortal as they come. Can't even see through the mist, but I once saved him from what he thought was a rampaging bull in the Italian countryside. Now I visit him every few days and get really good gelato."

"What was the rampaging bull?" Thalia asked.

"Actually," Nico replied. "It was just a rampaging bull."

Thalia laughed as Mario came back in.

"The best gelato ever made," Mario bragged, handing Thalia a small bowl of gelato. "My grandmother's recipe."

Thalia spooned a spoonful of gelato into her mouth. Mario and Nico watched her expectantly.

"Oh my god," she exclaimed. "This is amazing."

Mario's booming laugh filled the entire shop. "See? The best gelato ever made."

"If you think that amazing," Nico said, smiling. "You should see the woman who made it."

Suddenly, a piercing scream rent the air.

"Bear!"

Nico and Thalia looked at each other. There was no way there was a bear running around New York. Nico turned and dashed out the door. Thalia quickly ate another spoonful of gelato before handing the bowl back to Mario.

"Thank you," Thalia said, starting to run out the door. "That was great. We'll be back."

Nico ran out of the alley with his sword and Thalia's spear and shield. He handed them to her as they dashed down the sidewalk.

"Can we not have one date that isn't interrupted by something?" Thalia asked.

Nico shook his head as they rushed forward to protect the mortals from the giant hellhound.