"We are so screwed."

Reyna could only nod in agreement. Twenty four hours. It didn't seem like a very long time.

"What are we even looking for anyway?"

"We'll probably know when we see it."

"Probably," Nico started walking away. "Sorry it had to cut in to our date."

Reyna sighed. "It could've been worse."

"What could be worse than stealing from Hephaestus? Automatons? Machines? Who knows what else he has up his sleeve?"

"We can't back down now. We have a quest to conquer, and nothing's going to get in our way, right?" Reyna looked over Nico.

"That's why you're a good quest mate. Determined, even in danger," Nico took her hand. "And that's one of the many reasons I like you."

Reyna smiled. Even if she was the praetor of New Rome, she didn't get compliments that often. Nico wasn't one to give out compliments often either. Reyna squared her shoulders. "Where do we start?"

"I've never met Hephaestus, but Percy has. And Leo might give us some help."

"That's a good place to start."

"Better than starting without any leads. Maybe Annabeth can give us some idea about what we're looking for."

"You're smarter than you look."

"You're too kind."

Reyna smirked. He had the perfect amount of sarcasm. He didn't oversell it.

"Let's get going."

-

"I just don't get it..." Annabeth said, going through her notes.

"Something Annabeth doesn't get? You guys are in deep do-do," Percy said, leaning against Annabeth's bed post.

"Thanks Percy," Annabeth said sarcastically.

"Any time," Percy replied.

Nico rolled his eyes. "What don't you get?"

"I'm not seeing anything that would be considered important to Ares. No statues, or-"

"Something small. Did you find anything small?" Nico cut in.

"Nothing. At least nothing worth fussing over."

"Ten drachma says it's some sort of armor," Percy said.

"What would Hephaestus want with armor? No, it's got to be something else! But what?!"

"Wait just a sec, cuz," Percy waved his hands in a placating gesture. "Don't get so hot headed about this! It's going to be fine!"

Reyna put her hand on Nico's shoulder," Percy's right. Besides who cares about what it is? We just need to find it before Ares comes asking for it."

"Ares isn't known for his patience. Or being trustworthy," Annabeth spoke up.

"Annabeth's right. You'll need a game plan. You can't just walk in Hephaestus's workshop without any idea what you're looking for. It'll take months that way," Percy shook his head. "Trust me, it's -

"I know Percy, I know! You've told me a dozen times already! Besides, I already have a plan. Find whatever Ares wants, give it to him, and move on with my life!"

Percy looked very startled by the sudden outburst. "Look-"

Nico didn't give him any time to say anything else," No you look! I'm so done with gods intervening with my life for favors and quests. I just want to get this job done so I can do something I want to do!" Nico turned to Annabeth," Tell me if you've found anything else," Nico turned on his heel and stomped out of Athena's cabin with Annabeth, Reyna, and Percy staring at his back the whole time.

-

Nico stomped out to the forest. Even though it was almost fully dark, nobody stopped him. When he was in one of those moods, it was best to let him steam for a little while.

He stopped when he got to Zeus's fist, or what was left of it. It was one of his favorite places to sulk. Memories here made it a little easier to except what he was going through because there were times that were worse.

As he leaned back against the large pile of rocks, staring at the stars, he wondered if he had been too hard on everyone.

They just don't get it. He thought he was going to have a moment with Reyna. Now it was ruined.

He looked up at the sound of footsteps, thinking it was Percy or Reyna. He was surprised to Piper standing there.

"Hey," Piper said, shyly.

"What're you doing here?"

"I saw you out here, so I thought we could talk."

"I wouldn't expect you to understand," Nico ran his hand through his hair.

"I don't, but I do get what you mean about the gods butting in," Piper looked up the sky, as if it was going to rain lightning bolts, which it could. "Can I sit down? "

"I don't know, can you?" Nico asked. Piper smiled. She sat down next to him.

"Trust me, the gods aren't exactly the nicest around, but we have to live with that. I know how you feel, really. My relationships haven't been easy with the gods around," When Nico stared at her questioningly, Piper shrugged," I'm the daughter of Aphrodite. I know this stuff," Piper put a hand on his shoulder," This will get better, I promise."

Piper got up. She brushed of her jeans," Well I should probably get going. Leo's going to wonder where his helper disappeared to. He's working on a new project. Let's hope it won't kill us all. Works just like his dad. Leo said that you might find his forge in Mount St. Helens."

"Didn't Percy and Typhoon destroy Mount St. Helens?"

"Apparently there's still enough lava to keep a forge down there," Piper said. "Just be careful and good luck."

As Piper turned to go Nico spoke up," Piper!"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks," Piper turned back around," Oh yeah, you have a whole bunch of dirt on your back."

Piper quickly started to wipe it off. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. At least you didn't want Jason seeing it first."

Piper rolled her eyes, but even in the dark Nico could tell that she was blushing. Piper walked away.

Nico laid back down and watched the stars for a while. It was nice.

He got back up when he heard footsteps. He assumed they were Piper's, but when he looked over he saw Reyna instead.

"Hey."

Nico nodded. "What are you doing out here?"

"I was looking for you, what did you think I was doing?" Reyna said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you, but I was just so frustrated-"

"Shh..." Reyna sighed. "We always get frustrated sometimes, we're only human."

"I just wasn't expecting getting a quest."

"Neither was I, but we'll figure it out," Reyna smiled," We're a team, right?"

"Always."

"Come back to camp with me. Annabeth may have found some leads while we were gone," Reyna said, holding her hand out for Nico to grab. He took it and pulled himself up.

"I've got a lead. Mount St. Helens," Nico said, brushing off the dirt from his pants.

"What's at the volcano? Didn't get destroy a few years ago?"

"Hephaestus still has a forge there."

"Well, at least we know where we're going," Reyna frowned," even though we still don't know what to look for."

"It's better than nothing."

They just stood there for a minute enjoying each other's company. Nico leaned a little closer closing the distance between them, when-

"Hey lovebirds!" both of their heads snapped up. "You can do that later, we've got planning to do!"

Great entrance Percy Nico thought sarcastically as he walked back towards camp with Reyna in tow. Great entrance.