AN: So, this chapter was only supposed to be one part and include Melinda's arrival on Olympus, but I decided to cut the chapters into two. Next chapter will be up possibly by tomorrow, Sunday at the latest.

I have four chapters left for this story, and after I've finished it I'll pay some more attention to One More Day and Reborn of Fire, to those who have asked and are interested in those stories.

Anyways, the end of this chapter took on a twist I didn't even see coming until I wrote it. Hopefully you all like it.

Updated 12-29-12: So this chapter has been rewritten with the scene I forgot to add yesterday. I am sorry about forgetting it but it's there now. It starts when Melinda is talking to Hades, in case you want to skip over and find the added parts without rereading everything.


The Sea's Daughter: The Lightning Thief.

Chapter 17: Settling Tabs Part I.

It didn't take long to reach DOA Studios and to her relief the three furies left soon after she'd landed outside the front doors, and returned to human form.

She barely heard Mrs. Dodds – she was unaware which fury she was, but if she had to guess she'd go with Alecto (a name she had issues with from her past) – farewell because she was busy keeping her vision focused.

The energy boost from the ocean water that had hit her earlier had all but left, and the events of the day were catching up with her.

She may have won her fight against Ares – with help from Percy and she had to wonder if she'd be dead right now if Percy hadn't interfered with his rather brilliant plan, if she did say so herself – but it hadn't been easy.

She'd used a lot of magic to send that shockwave out to blast the god of war back as far as she did.

She'd known when she'd used the inherited ability that she'd have to use the most powerful form of it, and put as much power as she could to behind it if she wanted it to do more then annoy the god.

They were resilient beings and the fact all his bones hadn't been broken from the shockwave was proof of that.

Clearing her head and tucking the helm under her arm she entered the building and headed to where she could see Charon. The ferryman looked rather bored, but his face seemed to light up in amusement and a small smirk upon seeing her.

"Ah, back again I see." The god leaned forward. "Tell me, Mistress of Death, are you dead this time?"

She let a small chuckle escape and shook her head.

"Sorry to disappoint," she said, and then held up the helm to give him a quick look at it before she tucked it back under her arm. "I'm delivering a package to my uncle."

Charon sat up straighter, stood almost like a soldier and nodded.

"I see, well. This is quite serious, come along," he said, and smiled. "I believe you will be one of the first to get a ride for free, even if you're not dead."

Melinda snorted, sure he was exaggerating. After all other heroes had journeyed to the land of death. As she was following Charon to the elevator she noticed the children from before were gone.

The only child present was actually a baby, probably not very old but was very small and a woman in a hospital gown.

She seemed so sad, and Melinda thought she must have recently died. Probably from some accident while pregnant or an ill fated birth.

Unfortunately she couldn't do anything for them, but hope they were taken across before long.

"You kept your promise," she said, without much thought as she entered the already full elevator – well nearly full.

Charon nodded.

"I'm a man of my word, dear," he said, and soon they were descending, once again into the Underworld.

The boat ride was a silent trip, mostly because standing with so many souls was making Melinda sort of woozy. Being the Mistress of Death meant she was sensitive to the domain of Thanatos and even Hades.

The stone was meant for only a few souls and it wasn't exactly the same as being in the underworld around souls she didn't summon to her.

It made it worse that they could sense the hallows, and were drawn to it. Trying to get her attention, grabbing her her clothes, for a second she was sure her vision blurred at having been shoved into the middle of so many souls.

It hurt to know all these people were dead, yet they were trying so hard to get attention from someone they thought could save them.

It was time like this she wished she'd burned the Hallows, yet she knew she couldn't. A part of her was attached to them, especially the cloak, but her intuition said they were needed.

"You know the way from here, sweetheart, right?" Charon asked, in a polite way as he leaned against his oar.

Melinda grabbed her invisibility cloak from inside the leather messenger bag. She slung it over her shoulders, but left it open and the hood down.

From the back she'd probably look strange, a floating head perhaps? She wasn't exactly sure seeing as she couldn't see behind her.

"Yeah," she said, nodding. "Thanks Charon, and good luck with that pay raise."

Charon saluted her and turned his boat around, rowing back across the river Styx. Turning around Melinda made her way towards Cerberus and the EZ Death line.

She could clearly see the line and Cerberus when a soul passed by her, hood up. What was odd was it brushed against her and she could swear she felt a electric spark of familiarity.

"Melinda."

She shivered, bringing her cloak around her body as she gulped and looked at the now retreating soul.

She could barely make out long brown hair peaking out of the corners and she'd seen a flash of a face when it had brushed past her and she'd turned to see who it had been on reflex.

"Wa—wait!" she cried, forcing her legs to move.

The soul kept moving towards the line for the judgment pavilion.

"No, wait a minute. How do you know my name!" she cried out, her arm extended to grab the souls shoulder.

Her hand was close to reaching it, barely noticing the ring of her finger which held the resurrection stone was faintly glowing, when a hand grabbed her right wrist in a firm, tight, yet somehow gentle grip.

Melinda was spun back, and around to face a large muscular chest, though most males were larger than her. Instantly she let out sharp, loud gasp like someone had shoved ice down her shirt.

Slowly she looked up and met honey gold eyes.

"I'm sorry, but you really didn't want to do that," the man said.

"I...why not?" she asked, though it wasn't exactly what she wanted to say.

"You wouldn't have liked what you found, I don't think you need that sort of shock right now," he said, and Melinda felt dread build within her.

"Who are you?" she finally asked, but she felt as if she already knew.

He smirked.

"You really don't know, Melinda Potter?" he asked and just the way he said it made her both fear and respect him.

"Thanatos," she whispered, her eyes widening momentarily. "You're the one who created my cloak."

He nodded, releasing her wrist and backing away as he look at the cloak. It was like he could see the cloak as he gazed her her mostly invisible body. She supposed he would be able too, it was made from his own cloak after all.

"And your wand and stone," he said. "I am glad to finally meet the Mistress of my hallows. It has been a while since they were held by the same hand."

Melinda backed away some, sort of shocked and alarmed by how the hallows hummed with power and maybe a desire to return to their creator.

Or maybe they just liked the presence of the person who'd created them – this was all under the impression that the hallows were somewhat sentient.

"There have been others?"

Thanatos shrugged.

"one or two since their creation. They've never lasted long," he said, as if it didn't mater to him how she took that.

Melinda wasn't offended though, she supposed the god of death had to be disconnected from humanity to do his job.

Melinda pulled the helm closer to her body, bringing it into view of the god in front of her.

He nodded.

"Go, Lord Hades is expecting you," Thanatos said. "Between the two of us, he's not the most patient god in the world."

Melinda looked down, holding back a laugh as she smiled at the thought of the King of the Underworld. She nodded.

"I don't know what you did exactly, by stopping me earlier. But for some reason I think I should thank you," she said, nodding at him.

The god nodded and turned, and for a moment she was stricken by the fact she'd missed the large black-blue-purple wings growing out of his back.

If she wasn't aware this was Thanatos she'd think he was Eros, god of love.

"Good Luck, Melinda," the god said and he was gone in a fluttering of wings.

Melinda sighed, and noticed the Hallows had settled back down with his absence. Turning back to the path she'd been walking she began to move quickly through the souls, knowing she needed to get to Hades soon.

She knew time moved differently here and she had about an hour before Percy reached the Empire State Building.

She'd promised to meet him there and she always tried to keep her promises.

"I'm sorry Cerberus," she called as the dog turned around after she darted past the metal detectors and the alarms once again went off. "I don't have time to play right now! I'll come back another day, promise!"

WOOF!

Was the only answer she received as she ducked between to skeletons who were simply doing what came naturally if a living being passed the detectors.

She didn't have the time or energy to truly fight them so she flipped the hood of her cloak on and began running towards the castle where Hades was waiting.

Getting past the garden of Persephone was easier when she had a mission and was in awe of her surroundings. She just ran through it, not even letting the garden work it's tempting magic on her.

Once she was outside the throne room, in front of the skeleton guards she pulled her hood back and let the cloak fall open.

"Um, I'm here to return - " The skeletons didn't give her time to finish, they stepped aside and the door opened. This time it was a sudden, loud sound but a more soft opening of large doors.

Inside Hades was pacing back and forward, his hands behind his back and his face dark.

"Lord and Uncle," she said, stepping inside. "I've returned."

The doors shut behind her, and she removed her cloak as her uncle straightened up and turned to look at her. She quickly stuffed the cloak into her leather bag, careful not to drop the helm of darkness.

Hades' eyes seemed to light up when he faced her and walked over to her. Once again Melinda was struck by how normal it seemed to be in his presence.

She supposed it might be because of the hallows or that they had things in common.

She was also very aware of the attraction she felt for him. Part of her screamed that it was wrong, not

because he was her uncle, but because it couldn't go anywhere.

It would only hurt her, and maybe him in the end. The other part screamed to go for it, it couldn't be any worse then being alone and without comfort. It couldn't hurt more then the deaths in her past.

"I see, I hope you had no problems getting here," he said, his black gaze finding her green one.

She flushed a bit at his concern and nodded.

"I think getting Percy to agree to let me leave his sight was harder then getting back here," she said, laughing shortly. "Though, you should really let the skeleton guards know not to attack me when I get pass Cerberus."

Hades looked at her as if surprised and then he frowned and reached out for her arm. She felt the spark instantly when his hand connected with her left arm and he looked her over as if looking for signs of injury.

It shocked her, even if he did feel the attraction she felt, why would he be concerned for her so soon? They'd just met and no stories led anyone to believe he could even feel compassion or concern.

She knew better, but it was still surprising.

Finally his eyes landed on the cut in her tank top and the cut, or more like scratched thanks to the ocean water that had hit her earlier when she was fighting Ares, on her stomach.

His hand fell from her arm to trace the cut and she felt like thousands of butterflies had been let loose in her stomach.

"You're hurt," he said, to simple words but they made her smile and her heart warm.

She wasn't used to people worrying over her, even after seven years of having Hermione, the Weasley's, her other friends, her father when he could be there, and now Percy.

It was sort of nice to have someone concerned that had no real reason to be. He didn't know her exactly, he owed her nothing, yet he was here.

"It's nothing, just a scratch," she said, and she almost groaned in disappointment when he removed his hand. "It's old, it happened when I fought Ares."

Hades looked at her with shock and a bit of, she didn't want to say anger, but even if it was it wasn't directed at her. She could read emotions well enough to know that.

"Ares," he spat. "You fought Ares?"

"I had to help Percy -"

Hades nodded, interrupting her.

"Ah, Jackson. That boy has no common sense it seems, challenging a god with the training he has," Hades said.

"He's young," Melinda defended. "He'll learn, I'll help him."

Hades gave her a look as if he wanted to tell her he was sorry for offending her, but his pride would not let him.

"So your brother and his friends were right about Ares being the thief," Hades said, his face stoic with thought.

"Not exactly," Melinda said, interrupting his train of thought. "I don't think Ares knew what he was doing, and you said it yourself. Gods can't steal other gods' symbol. I think Ares found the thief but...he was coerced to help with his weakest spot. War."

Hades looked at her and nodded.

"I see, it makes sense. But Ares still would have known what he was doing." Hades argued. "I should bring it up to Zeus, it shouldn't go unpunished."

Melinda was unsure what he was talking about helping the thief instead of returning the stolen objects or fighting her.

"Hades...the thing in the pit," she began and saw Hades' eyes widen for a moment and then he was almost fearful. Almost, it gone soon after and replaced by weariness.

"Thanatos said you and the others with you had been dragged to the edge of Tartarus," Hades said. "But how exactly do you know of the..."

"I think he's returning."

Melinda knew it was blunt but she needed to get this out of the way. She didn't know any other way to voice her opinions and for some reason she didn't think anyone else would listen.

"It's, Kro – " Melinda stopped once she noticed the air getting colder.

She hit herself for not realizing that names had power and this was as close to the Titan Lord's presence as she could get without being in Tartarus. "My grandfather, your father in that pit, right?"

Hades noticed as well it seemed and had taken a step closer to her, she had no time to wonder why.

"He is," Hades said, gravely. "I to have noticed more activity from him and Thanatos says some of the other gods and goddess who frequent here as their home also have noticed. I believe this is his doing."

"He's trying to gain power, he's using demigods to do it. I'm almost positive the thief must have been a demigod, which one, I don't know."

Hades looked at her with a mix of concern, confusion, and agreement, but they were quick glimpses of emotion which the dark god quickly hid in the depth of his black eyes.

"He's come to you too, hasn't he?" Hades asked, as if realizing something big.

Melinda sighed.

"Not recently, well at least not in a day or two," she said. "He spoke to me and Percy when the shoes pulled Grover to the edge of the pit. I pretty much realized then who it was."

Hades looked grim.

"And you believe my father had something to do with Ares helping the thief," Hades realized.

She nodded.

"I do. It was the way he acted and then when Percy injured him he just stopped. Like a puppet whose master had stopped pulling their strings. I could sense him, on the beach. The moon was hidden behind a cloud and the air was like ice."

Melinda shivered slightly just thinking about it.

"It wasn't just me either, the others could too. Ares looked like someone who'd blacked out and memories were coming back to what he'd been doing."

Hades sighed.

"Thank you, Melinda. You've given me all the proof I need to believe my father is trying to make a return," he said. "Unfortunately, I don't think your word and my word would be enough for Zeus. He's a stubborn person."

There was a span of awkward silence and then she realized the reason she'd returned to the Underworld – well, part of the reason. She would admit she had wanted to see Hades again, if only to herself – was still in her hands.

"This belongs to you, uncle," she said.

Melinda held out the helm for him and flushed a bit when their hands brushed together when he took the helm from her. Instantly it was like he became even more godly.

She wasn't afraid, not really, though she was aware his aura would have frightened others.

"Thank you, niece, for returning my helm," he said gently. "I am in your debt for this service."

Melinda looked at him surprised and smiled.

"Just help me get to Olympus faster, and we'll call it even," she said. "I don't like debts, they make things complicated."

He surveyed her, as if trying to figure out if she was being serious or joking. There was a quirk of his lips upward and he nodded.

"I can do that, I hope you decide to return, though," he began, coughing as if unsure of his words. "I would like to...see you again."

She raised an eyebrow, titling her head to the side some.

"Are you... asking me out, Lord Hades?" she asked, and flushed at how that sounded.

She hadn't meant to sound so brazen but it seemed to amuse Hades and he actually got close to a smile, not just a quirk of the lips, as he looked at her. His eyes didn't seem so bitter and dark for that split second.

"Only if it's not to inappropriate," he said, and she grinned.

"I think I can make time," she said, hardly realizing she was flirting until her hand went to play with her hair before pushing it behind her ear.

"Then, yes," he said. "I believe I am."

Melinda laughed then, and reached into her bag and hoping she hadn't taken out everything not of use for a quest. Inside she saw her cloak, some potions she hadn't used – though they were explosion and smoke-screen potions, not any of use to her right now – and finally at the main bottom was a notepad and pen.

She wasn't sure gods needed addresses, but she quickly scribbled her name, number – electronics may be dangerous for half-bloods, but she needed a phone to function as a semi-normal young adult – and address. Below this she wrote an address for a coffee shop she frequented.

"There is this cafe close to my apartment," she began, ripping the page out and flushing up a storm as she handed it to the god. "We could meet there, uh sometime soon. Maybe a week, so uh this whole quest thing can pass over."

Melinda was smiling happily, yet she felt sort of awkward about dating after being single - and not exactly by choice – for nearly two months.

Hades nodded and placed the note in a pocket of his robes, thought she couldn't tell it even had pockets.

"I'll come to your apartment then, and we can discus it more," he said, and it almost seemed surreal.

The god of the dead actually leaving the Underworld, she supposed it was stupid to think he didn't. He would have had to, if he'd had any demigod children in the past.

She nodded, and there was a few seconds of silence between them before he stepped back and smirked.

"Before I send you to Olympus, I believe you're clothes could use a change," he said and she looked at him in confusion.

She looked down, realizing how dirty and ripped her clothes were. There was even blood on her shirt were Ares' sword had cut her stomach. Not much but enough.

"I'd love to, but I don't have a change of clothes," she said, still not understanding what he was getting at.

Hades laughed and a moment later he snapped his fingers and she gasped at the feeling of her clothes being replaced instantaneously with new ones.

Looking down at herself she saw a beautiful knee length black dress with silver sequins on the bodice and fading into the skirt. It was spaghetti strapped and showed off just enough of her cleavage to be appropriate and in her comfort zone.

Black platform, high heeled boots (which actually gave her 5'7 build 5 inches more height). She also had a silver jacket over the dress, but what really surprised her was the golden chain around her neck with a delicate round green onyx pendant. As well as the black onyx bracelet around her right wrist.

"Wow," she muttered. "Are you sure...I mean how did you?"

Hades shrugged.

"I'm a god, Melinda, making clothes appear is easy. As for the jewelery, I am the god of wealth my dear, that is easy enough to come by."

Melinda smiled, and walked over.

"Uh, you didn't see anything," she said, waving a hand over her body and Hades smirked.

"No, scouts honor."

Melinda half smirked, half frowned. She was pretty sure he'd never been a scout but she could tell behind the teasing he was being truthful.

She leaned forward, and thanks to her boots she didn't have to lean up far to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you," she said.

Hades nodded, and once again waved his hand at her and she was moved by the shadows.