Christmas Lights

•Katniss's POV•
So, no one believed us that we had just confronted Nyx and she broke out. Dreadful feeling actually.

We were walking along the cliff in Greece, finding a way to get on the beach.

"So Kyron . . ." I looked over to him. He seemed frustrated like heck. "We're headed to that cavern. We know a secret passage way on the beach . . . you wanna help me lead?" He smirked.

"Oh, I plan to." He and I went ahead while everyone else shrugged and tagged along. Rachael, Thalia, and Nico were behind us talking about music and other assorted topics. Grover and Percy were whispering a few feet behind them.

"Why do you think they took her?" I start a conversation with Kyron as we slide down to the beach.

He shakes his head. "I would love to know."

I wanted to break the possible news of Hecate or Melinoe being responsible for the kidnap. I just didn't know how. "Do you know who . . . ?" I bit my lip.

"No." His voice dripped with sarcasm. "That's just how I don't know why they would do that."

I furrowed my brows. He knows something, I can feel it. "Don't lie to me." He stopped and turned me to him by turning my shoulders.

He stared me down with his violet-green eyes. "Don't count on that." He's lying. I knocked his hands off my shoulder.

"You liar!" I yelled. Everyone looked up to see what was happening. He grabbed me by my wrist.

"Keep going! It's a five minute more walk if what Katniss said is true." He dragged me farther to the front than what we already were of everyone else. His force on my wrist was strong. I couldn't even twist it.

He let go. "Alright! I do lie! How the hell do you expect me to tell everyone else, 'Hey, my mom, ex-girlfriend, and her boyfriend kidnapped my girlfriend!'?"

"You're dating Stephanie . . . ?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Yeah." He turned away. I felt a pang of something. Not jealousy. It was something else . . .
"Anyway, I have no idea why they would do that, however, my mom . . ." He had an uneasy face. "My mom isn't what you would call a sweetheart. She's . . . a tough shell. A ruthless, unforgiving, venomous goddess. Melinoe is a straight out bitch. I hate her. Erebus is a pedophile in my book. He's cheating on his wife with his great-great-great-granddaughter. Nyx tends to be whiny but I get her." He looked up and closed his eyes. "I'm ashamed to say I know them. Don't get me wrong though—I love my mom and all—but she's just made my life miserable. But despite the fact she does that—she loves me. And that's all I need. 'Cause if she didn't, I would have run away a long time ago." He spoke with a spark of reverence. Strange.

"Isn't this it, Ky?" Thalia's rowdy voice called behind us. A cave let out. I didn't even see it.

"Possibly." He walked over in front of it. "Oh yes. This is it." His voice was affirmative.

"What makes you so sure?" Rachael asked.

Kyron pointed to sign that said "Secret Way" in Ancient Greek.

"Oh . . ." She resented.

Kyron cracked his knuckles."Alright, then. Let's go." He walked inside and we all followed him.

The cave was humid. Moss grew on the walls, and random swampy branches poked out. It was . . . Swamp-like. And yet so cold.

Like in my dream.

"What's up with the moss?" Thalia asked as she reached out to yank some hanging on a branch.

"There's a swamp. In the end of this thing." Kyron told us firmly.

"If this was here when we last came, then . . . why the hell did we not come through here last time? I mean we were on the same cliff where Katniss and I fought the Hydra. You made us go through the acropolis and such. Then . . . all that drama," Nico told us. I had forgotten the kid was even with us.

"Wow, you can talk, Nico?" Thalia joked and he playfully punched her. It's weird seeing them interact considering that he's eleven and she's stuck at fifteen.

I, in the meantime, cleared all thoughts and turned back to Kyron to wait for his response to Nico's question. "Well . . . that's the thing: I didn't know. But I know there's a swamp at the end 'cause I know there's a swamp in the back of the cavern. So I just used my common sense." Some questions in my head were still unanswered.

I whispered into his ear to prevent issues. "So . . . you've been here more times, huh?" He bit his lip and sighed.

He bent down to whisper in my ear. "Yes. I lived here." No way. He shushed me, though, telling me not to tell others.

"But . . . how come?" I accidentally yelled—then it echoed off. He shot a glare at me.

"Well . . . I live here when I'm not at the cabin. This is Hecate's lair. And there's an entrance to any big city. So yes, there's one in NYC. But I can't smuggle you through that one. There's more security." We reached the dead end and I still wanted more answers.

"Now what?" Rachael voice resounded as it bounced off the cave walls.

"Now," Kyron lifted up his palm and purple energy came out. The confusion aura. "Well, just watch this—" He hit the center of the wall from there he stopped. The energy moved by itself on the wall. It made some design . . . Greek words. They spelled "Hecate."

"Let's go then!" Percy finally spoke as he dragged Grover behind him and entered.

xX~All. I. Want. For. Christmas . . .~Xx

"Alright. This is it." Kyron said. As he drew on the ground with a stick our floor plan. "There are five caves exactly past here. We'll split in two, and check out each cave—when you report nothing in there, meet us back here. The fifth cavern is the biggest so we'll go in that one. Got it?" We all nod and acknowledge Kyron's words.

"So here's the plan—" Percy told us as he made us huddle closer.

"Wait!" A voice outside our group spoke. We all looked out from our huddle. I saw a bit of blonde hair and my jaw clenched immediately. "I'm joining." Annabeth's smirk disgusted me. She is supposed to be at the camp, where it's safe.

"Oh great." Rachael said. And I agree.

Percy went over to her. "What are you doing here?" She squinted her eyes at him.

"What do you mean 'What am I doing here'?" She crossed her arms. "Chiron told me Katniss specifically told him not to allow me to go. My instincts don't trust her so I came." Percy face palmed himself.

I went up to her. We're wasting time. "Look blondie—" I heard a snicker from behind me. "They're after you. They want to kill you. So we left you back at camp." She glared at me.

"I didn't ask you." She yelled. "I can take care of myself. I'd be more worried about you since you're just an amateur."

"You don't know anything about me." I say as I turn back. "Let her stay Percy. I mean, she 'can take care of herself'." I mocked.

"Fine." Percy ended the conversation. He had a thoughtful face for a few seconds.
"Anyways—these are the teams. Thalia and Nico. Kyron and Rachael. Me and Grover. And Annabeth with Katniss."

What . . . ? Why would he do this to me?

"What!" Me and Annabeth asked in unison. Again.

"Sounds great!" Kyron clapped his hands.
"One last thing before we go off. These chambers are magical. So if they randomly close in on you—there should be a key in there. Now . . . Let's go!" He grabbed Rachael's wrist and dragged her along. Everyone else went ahead.

"Katniss can I talk to you for a few seconds?" Percy called to me. I nodded while we left Grover and Annabeth there.

"What?" I whispered.

"I know you probably hate me for pairing you up with her. Look, I need you to take care of her. You're the only one I trust for this job. And . . .try to get along with her . . . just a little." He pleaded. It's really surprising that he "trusts me the most". I don't think he has an option.

"You owe me, Jackson." I walked away. "Let's go, blondie." I told Annabeth as I began walking.

"Right behind you, hothead." She called as she ran ahead of me. I ran after her. We raced from there and of course I won. Her excuse was "I'm sick".

We reached the chamber and entered.

Just my luck. We got a lava chamber. The one where Percy, Nico, and Erebus were tackling each other just a few months ago . . .

I look at my arm that had that weird "burn" from the Hydra last time we came. I don't get how it burned me. I don't feel fire. And least not now. Back then the arrows wouldn't burn me either. Am I evolving or something? What's next? Lava jumping?

The ground and walls were a copper color. Several small pools of lava polka-dotted the place. The center had an immense pool though.

"There's nothing here." Annabeth said.

"Clearly." I mumbled.

"Let's go back then." She said. Just our luck—the cave closed.

Why am I not surprised?

The small scattered lava pools started erupting. Lava golems came out. They made strange moaning noises as they headed toward us. "What type of weapon are you carrying?" I tell Annabeth as we go back-to-back. The monsters everywhere.

"A dagger." You've got to be kidding me.

"Just a dagger?"

"Yes! What are you carrying? Magical puffels that sing?"

"No," I unstrapped Paggis Fotia and chose the purple arrow. Why get the fire one against lava golems? "I have Paggos Fotia." The bow and arrow magically enlarged into its flawless position.

"You'll see how well I work a dagger." Annabeth called.

"On three." I say. She nodded.

"One."

"Two."

"Three!" We say in unison and we sprint to action.

I shoot volleys of arrows at the golems making them crystallize and shatter on their own. And . . . I'll admit Annabeth can work a dagger quite well.

After much fighting, they just kept coming from the lava pools. Blondie and me ended up back to back again. "You know, if I die now that would suck. 'Cause you'd be the last person I'd talk to." She told me.

"Don't give me all the credit, blondie. I'd rather just jump into one of the lava pools than make you the last thing I see on my deathbed."

"You're too kind." Annabeth stated.

Honestly, the bubbling lava looked like a better death than bickering with this amateur. I took out the bomb charm and threw it forward to create some sort of intervention. "We won't die yet, blondie." I grab her wrist and we run.

"Stay here." I tell her firmly as I make her stay near the sealed exit. I look into the biggest lava pool. I'm glad those monsters take a while to walk. Most importantly, let's hope I can swim in lava.

I take a swift breath and run. I shut my eyes as I take the dive.

It's deep and I can see all the other pool openings from down here. The lava feels like jelly around me. Hard to swim in it when you're horrible at that. "Someone, um, help me." I pray mentally.

I concentrate to my limit until I feel what's left of my power emanating off me. The lava starts bubbling furiously around here. Finally, I force it up. I break through the land creating one enormous pool and drown the lava golems in their own habitat.

"Katniss!" Annabeth yells as the lava is a few inches away from her. I fall on the ground and run toward her. I ward off the lava from her. I also throw the rest of the lava back through the hole—along with the golems.

Annabeth pants. "Who's your parent? Hephaestus?" I shake my head.

"I'm not a demigod." I help her up.

"But, then, how—there's the key!" She says as the key slowly goes inside the pool. I grab it before it falls in.

The key rises slowly and the cave opens up again.

"You . . . you fight well, hothead." I turn and raise my eyebrow at her. "For an amateur of course." That's better.

"Right back at ya, Blondie."

We walk out. She clears her throat. "Hey, why do you spend so much time with Percy, anyway?" I stop and look at her. I know where she getting at.

"It's not like I have a choice, Annabeth." Her name slipped from the back of my head.

"Why?"

"Okay . . . well, first off; he kind of dragged me with him this time to come here. And well . . . we're meant to work with each other."

"So you mean . . ." She looks aside. "You're in love with him." Love. Funny word.

"You're never alone." He had told me.

"No. What makes you think that?" I ask—lost in thought. Am I? I just lost Peeta. Percy's just been my shoulder to cry on. My right hand man I'd trust my life with.

"The way you look at him. The way he looks at you. You both just click so well." She turned away. I could tell she wanted to cry. "I worked so hard to finally get him to realize I liked him. He's just so . . . hard headed. He's a coward when he's in love."

"I could never love him like that."

"PEETA!" I yelled—choking back tears.

Peeta was more than a friend—or a lover. He was my soul mate.

"You bastards!" Percy punches Melinoe unexpectedly. She falls back."Do you have any idea what you've just done?"

"I could never." I repeat.

"Why should I believe you?" She almost yelled.

I clenched my jaw. I held pain and tears back; I threw my emotions to the back of head.
"Because you don't know a thing about me!" I stormed off. She's never felt my pain. She never will.

She yelled in pain. Her last actions were throwing Peeta over the edge.

What Percy did next was brave. He threw himself over as well without hesitation. Without hesitation.

She'll never feel what I have felt. She'll never be as brave as I have.

Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas. This is all I'm asking for: I just want to see my baby, Standing right outside my door . . .

•Percy's POV•
You owe me, Jackson." Katniss smirked as she walked off. "Let's go, Blondie."

I will never get used to Kat calling her that. Reminds me of 80's Blondie.

"Right behind you, hothead." Or that nickname.

"Let's go, Percy." Grover states with mock behind me. We walk to the first chamber no one went in.
"You know," Grover began again. "I'm convinced you're a ladies man. Especially from our talk earlier." He joked.

Oh gods no.

When we were on the beach behind everyone, Grover made me go through that "Love councilor" thing again. He said today's lesson is "Prueba De El Amor". Which means "proof of love" in Spanish or something. He wanted me to prove I love Annabeth by choosing her over Katniss or Rachael at any given moment. And he nudged my elbow when I was choosing partners but I couldn't bring myself to do so. When it comes to parties, Rachael has my back. When it comes to quests, Annabeth is my girl. When it comes to saving the world, Katniss is my other half. So, I failed to choose between my girlfriend and my right hand girl. And that's all I told him exactly. Which, to him, proves I'm a "player" (laughed so hard on that one) or a "ladie's man"(laughed twice as hard).

We went down the flight of stairs. "There's nothing in here, Percy." Grover stated while we looked around the chamber. I recognize this chamber so well. It's where we all fought and officially met Erebus and Melinoe. They tried to kidnap Stephanie. Oh, the irony.

It has a river surrounding the circular chamber and a huge hot spring in the back with many small waterfalls pouring water inside. It felt nice.

"No there isn't." I said after Grover. "Except memories." I mumbled.

Then just our luck. The chamber closed. Why am I not surprised?

The room's pool and river began over flowing. "Come on, Grover!" We ran back up the flight of stairs and banged on the door.

"We need to find that key!" Grover yelled. I looked down. The water flowed fast. We were about fifteen feet up here. The water was at eight.
"T—There's something down there," Grover quivered. Just as he said that, a shadow passed underwater. Huge shadow.

"Find that key!" Grover yelled.

"Where is it?" I asked him. He looked around frantically.

"There!" He pointed at the end of the chamber where the hot spring was. The key was hanging.

"No!" You can guess what just happened. That shadow we saw was a sea monster. He (or she) had come out of the water to take a snap at it. So, I can safely say it's going down his (or her) esophagus.

"Maybe he's friendly . . . ?" I ask slowly.

The sea monster came out in front of the flight of stairs and tried to snap at us.

"Or not," Grover states. "I think you offended the thing's gender." Grover shook his head.
"Percy go swim! You're Poseidon's kid!" Next thing I know, my best friend throws me in the water. Love you, too, bro.

I tried to mentally communicate with it. But it's like he (or she) couldn't hear me. I could hear him (or her), though. His (or her) thought process went like, "Food . . . nom nom . . . food! Lady Hecate sent food!"

I uncapped Riptide and slashed at it. It resembled a snake. Green and scaly as well, the face was like those Chinese festival dragons. One of her thoughts made me realize it was a she. But I can't say what it was. It was, um . . . inappropriate.

I swam over to the now submerged pool while trying to avoid the razor sharp teeth trying to claim me as breakfast. I found the pool was full of fish trapped in a net. I set them free, tempted to say "Be free, little friends!" As the thing ate them up, she threw up the key.

I don't want to sound gay but . . .

Ew.

While she slept I slowly grabbed the key. It immediately became dry. I swam up to the stairs. Poor Grover had a few more breaths left while the water kept rising to the roof. I grabbed him and he became dry. They key floated off and shinned.

The water went down. And the door opened.

Grover was complaining. As usual. But it was funny. By the time we got back. Everyone was there . . . except Katniss and Annabeth. Turns out, no one got the door shut while in the cavern. Lucky them.

After five minutes I heard a familiar yell. "Because you don't know a thing about me!" Oh, Katniss.

In a few seconds she arrived. Annabeth came running after her—panting.

"Well, you two had fun." Rachael laughed and they glared at her.

"We got locked in." Katniss begins.

"The . . . key was in the lava . . ." Annabeth panted. She sweated like crazy. It was sorta cute, though.

"Annabeth! You're sick! Don't work yourself!" Thalia scolded her. Annabeth shrugged.

So, no one found anything. Kyron opened the last chamber. He warned us that we might find disturbing things going on.

The door creaked open. The room was weird. Like a medieval laboratory type. Stephanie was hanging on the wall with chains. "I'll get her." Kyron said—not letting anyone argue or even breathe. He flew up and tore the chains with the green aura energy.

"Is it me or this too easy?" Nico called. And of course we had it coming. Melinoe walked out from the shadow. Her appearance looked different. "And . . . I spoke too soon." Nico mumbled.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Kyron and his wittle friends." Melinoe laughed.

Kyron floated down. "I see you're taking the old lady form this time." That pissed her off.

"This is my real form," she spat.

Her left side is black and hardened like a mummy. Her right side, however, is pale and chalky as if she were drained of all her blood. She wears a golden dress and a golden shawl, and her eyes are empty black voids.

"Erebus! Lady Hecate! Nyx!" She yells. "We've got company."

Erebus came from the shadow and Hecate came from the wall. But no Nyx. "Where's Nyx?" Erebus wondered in his deep voice.

"Who cares?" Melinoe spat. "She probably chickened out." She snorted—like when Peeta died. "She was too weak."

"You're weak!" Katniss yelled. Melinoe slithered over to her.

"Am I, Katniss?" Katniss eyes grew in fear. Her knees buckled as her body whole trembled.

"Peeta . . . ?" Melinoe laughed and punched Katniss.

"You stupid girl." Katniss fell back rubbing her nose. I ran to her.

"It's a trick. Peeta's dead! Remember it," I told her. She trembled and clutched her fists.
We got up.

"You bitch." Katniss yelled Paggos Fotia shimmered and I saw another charm appear.
It was a green electrified arrow charm. It had the Greek letter Rho engraved. It meant female strength. Like Artemis. Her mother must really love her. Advantages of being an only child . . . to an Olympian.

She yanked Rho and the bow enlarged beautifully. She threw the menace toward the ceiling. A huge generator fell on Erebus.

Katniss reverted the weapon into its original form and she tackled Melinoe with so much force.

She kept yelling at her as try clawed each other. "You killed him! You maniac! You killed Peeta!" It was the biggest cat fight I've seen in my life.

I didn't expect Erebus to tackle me however. "You . . . are pathetic," he whispered. Nico pushed him back.

"It's one-on-one, Erebus. Old enemies." Nico growled. Erebus's creepy smile grew.

"Kyron! Let her go!" Hecate's screechy, chalkboard voice commanded. Don't even ask how that's possible. That's Hecate for you—the abnormal impossible.

"Make me! I'm sick of you listening to a minor goddess. I'm sick of her," he pointed at Melinoe with rage, "and her games. I'm sick of Aminta, Erebus, and Kronos. Most importantly, I'm sick of you. You were my idol . . . until now. I severe all ties with you." He yelled. I couldn't read Hecate's expression. It was sad for sure.

"So you're leaving me—us . . . for her." Hecate stated emotionlessly. "Why?" She raged.

"'Cause she's my girlfriend." I swear everyone stopped their battle and looked up at him.

Melinoe was on top on Katniss. She quickly got up. "What?" She started fuming. "WHAT?" her voice cracked. "I'm dating that whimp," she pointed at Erebus, "so you would forgive me and we could continue loving each other!" She walked under where he was levitating.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry I killed him! H—Hecate ordered me to!" She fell to her knees.

"Melinoe!" Hecate yelled. She looked back at Kyron. "She's lying—" He cut her off.

"No, she's not." Hecate sighed.

". . . Yes. I sent Melinoe to kill him. He was your biggest distraction." Kyron's face went white.

"I thought you loved him . . . ?" Kyron's voice dropped. He landed on the floor and handed Stephanie to Rachael. "This is my battle. Take her . . . and just go. All of you!" No one moved.

"We're here for you." Katniss called to him. He smirked. "And we ain't going anywhere."

"You're as good as dead, mom." I would have never bestowed death on my mom like he just did.

"It was bound to be one day." She called. They fought immediately. Clashing and bursting tier powers all out.

In the meantime . . .

"You brought her to me?" Melinoe laughed as she held Annabeth by her collar.
"And I thought Kyron dating Stephanie was bad enough."

"Told you," Katniss whispered into my ear as she ran past me. She kicked Melinoe and she dropped Annabeth.

"Thalia, Grover! Make an exit!" I yelled as I grabbed Rachael's wrist. "Help me get Stephi and Annabeth out of here." She went ahead a got Stephi.

Nico was managing to keep Erebus down.

I heard lighting strike and saw light glow from my right. Thalia made an express exit.
"Let's go!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I ran over to Rachael where she had both girls unconscious. I carried Annabeth, Rachel carried Stephi. We both ran out following Thalia and Grover.

I gently placed Annabeth on the soft grass. "Thalia! Be ready to seal the exit somehow when I give you a signal!" I ran back inside.

Kyron was losing horribly to Hecate. (She's a goddess. A powerful one at that.) Kat was still taking out all her rage on Melinoe. Erebus and Nico . . . Well, I don't see them.

"Let's go!" I yelled. No one moved. "Stephi is still unconscious! Let's go!" I growled. I took out my No-More-Mr.-Nice-Guy voice on them.

They all listened immediately. Katniss burned Melinoe and sprinted off while she lay in pain. Nico threw Erebus against a wall and ran while he was still dazed.

I helped Kyron with Hecate 'cause she was a tough bug to kill. I sprayed water in her face. Kyron flew toward the exit and I ran from there as well.

"Thalia!" I waved my hands. Next thing I knew, a clatter of rocks a few feet away from me fell and the exit sealed. I fell to the grass panting.

"Take us away, Kyron!" Rachael yelled. He twirled his finger and off we went. We landed in the middle of the Pavilion. Kyron fainted. He turned a strange color of gray.

The campers were eating breakfast. You can imagine their reaction.

"What are you looking at? We need to get people to the infirmary!" I could barely nudge my legs—much less get up.

Clarisse came over and helped Katniss get up. "Go help Annabeth," Katniss panted. Her eyes went white and she fainted.

"Katniss!" I yelled. That made me get up. Pollux came over.

"How can I help?" he offered. People around were shocked at Pollux making such a scene. I nodded.

"Take Katniss to the infirmary." He nodded as he gently picked her up from Clarisse's arms, and made a mad dash to the infirmary.

Campers began getting up and asking what I wanted them to do. "Take Stephanie and Kyron away also!" I told them. My head was getting heavy on my body. I knew this feeling.

Next thing I know—I black out cold. All I could hear was Thalia yelling to get me to the infirmary and get a move on. Nico was telling everyone else to sit back down. All around me . . . people were there . . . but no snow. No snow. No snow.

Still waiting for the snow to fall—it doesn't even feel like Christmas at all.

•Katniss's POV•
Laughter.
I saw myself laughing. A younger version of me. My father was there . . . laughing with me. There was something that caught me off guard, however.

Around him, there was a fire evading. Almost looked as if hewas on fire.

But he wasn't.

"Katniss?" Blurry figures stood over me.

"Give her space." Rachael.

I get up slowly. My eyes struggle to open. It was snowing. And dark.

"How long was I out?" I groaned.

"About all day," Pollux said

"And the others?" Rachael smiled.

"Everyone is fine and awake. You and Percy were the ones who wouldn't wake up."

I hear footsteps coming toward here from the hall.

Blondie.

"He's awake!" Her eyes went down to me. "And, apparently, she is, too." Rachael rolled her eyes. I would have, too, if I wasn't in pain.

But it didn't matter. I swept my legs to the end of the bed. I forced myself to stand up. I felt so numb.

"Don't move so suddenly." Pollux held my arm.

"I'm fine. I need to ask Percy something." I didn't want to go into detail.

"I'll tell him," Annabeth called.

"No," I mumbled.

"Wait . . . don't move so fast!" I heard Grover's voice coming from the hall, and a multitude of footsteps.

Percy held on to the doorway. He was panting. "I told you not to move so suddenly." Grover told him.

Our eyes locked. For a few seconds. There was tension in the air. I felt it.

"Did you . . . ?" I began. He nodded.

"My mom," he called slowly, as he nodded. "Cyan energy."

"My dad. Fire," I mumbled. My head spun.

"I think . . ." he mumbled back. Everyone just looked back and forth from us.

But they didn't know what he was thinking. I did. "I think so, too. I'm . . . sorry." He wants me to leave. Forever if possible. I don't argue.

Sora was right. We're causing this. Us meeting.

"It's not your fault." He said, making a small smile.

"What's going on?" Rachael asked. She looked so confused.

Percy and I looked at her. "I'm . . . sorry. This is meant to be a private conversation," I mumble. My strength is slowly coming back at a fast rate. If that makes sense.

He offers me his hand. He seems to be experiencing the same as me.

I take it and we leave. Just like that. Leaving bitter silence in the room now. I don't know what this means but I know it won't end well.

I touched the snow with my hands. It felt so nice. The cold air didn't bother me. Percy tugged at my hand and we ran. Into the forest.

I thought you said forever, over and over.

•Percy's POV•
I don't know what we were doing and realized how dramatic our exit was. But I knew it was for the better.

We reached Zeus's Fist. We lay back to back holding hands.

"I know," she said slowly in a neutral tone. "I know this might be the last time I can see you."

I gulped. "I understand."

I couldn't say anything else. I can't. I'm going to miss her. Stephanie nearly died. As did Annabeth.

All because we refused to let anything come between our friendship.

Heck, I can't even bring myself to say it's a friendship. But I can't say it's an affair either. I don't know what to think or feel.

"What's going on down there?" Katniss called. I saw small lights from below. Of course—the dance. Annabeth would be waiting for me.

This is also the last night I'll be able to see Katniss. And she knows it, too.

"The winter dance," I say slowly. We are still back to back.

"Percy, I . . ." We finally turned at the same time. She froze. I did too. Her eyes still amazed me. They looked unlike her.

"I know." I got her in a hug. "Please don't say it. And don't make me say it." I gritted my teeth.

She hugged me tighter. "Percy . . . I can't ever see you again," she said it. I know it was for the better. It was us against reality. "Everything is going according to herplan." I could tell she was trying to hold back tears. And she managed.

"Wanna dance?" I say suddenly.

See looked at me with a humorous expression. "Why? So you can 'judge my dancing'?" She smiled despite the moment.

"I've never really danced with a girl besides Rachael or Annabeth. So consider yourself lucky." She rolled her eyes. But it wasn't soon before long before there was a shift in her mood.

"I've never danced with anyone besides . . ." She bit her lip and finally let go of my hand. And it wasn't sweaty afterwards. "Peeta." She looked away. "I'm sure Annabeth would appreciate a dance from you more than me."

"Yeah . . ." I searched my pocket. I actually have it. "I got you this." I say taking out a small wrapped box.

She takes it. I find myself staring at her as she opens it. It's so dark that she wouldn't be able to see me, though. "It's beautiful."

She held up a droplet crystal necklace. (As forged from the Cyclops in my dad's palace.)
I grasped it gently from her hand and put it on her.

"Merry Christmas," I say slowly. I'm never going to see her. It's for the greater good.

"Thank you." She leans in. My heart sped. She kissed my cheek. "You've been an amazing partner. And friend." Her eyes glittered. But they weren't tears. Her eyes just naturally glitter in the night.

Like Artemis's.

She shut her eyes. Immediately mist formed around her. She opens her eyes. This was my chance.

"I love you," I almost choked on each word. I also didn't dare look into her face. I just needed to get that off my chest. Badly.

Just when I convinced myself to look up . . .

She was gone.

Yay! :D

Sorry i DIDNT post it before Christmas ~.~ this was meant to be two chapters but in the end I was like PSHHH LETS MAKE IT ONE! So its one ;D and the next chapter is being made! Months pass and the TRY to forget about the past. But if w cant forget about it, how could they? ;) I really do like Percy and Katniss as a couple, but its still a bit weird. . .

Anyway, please review and give me ranndom ideas for the next chapter cause I have a MAJOR writer's block. *smh*

PS TO Chocobo ProdoCo~ I loved your rant and FINALLY someone realized my small itzy bitzy references to KH ;D And its pronounced Hec-a-tay, no worries I got confused after Shakugan no Shana as well but you know. . .And yes I shall give Thalia a FF shirt;)

Thanks for reading my fanfic after what? A YEAR+ :'D Makes me happeh!