"You failed."

Marcus scowled and crossed his arms, glad that he had insisted on reporting to Chiron with as few of his team present as possible. Thankfully that had been easy to do, since they had gotten back to Camp well after midnight, and Marcus had promised them all to keep them updated in the morning. Only Chastity was present. Guess that makes sense… She's still my watcher apparently, and who wouldn't want to watch this... It was a surreal situation, to be chastised by a centaur in a nightshirt. Yet here we are…

"This is becoming a habit Marcus." Chiron continued. "It seems every time I send you out of Camp, you return with worse and worse news. First it was the creation of these Red Shirts, then it was the death of both Joey and Elliot, and now you have lost what could possibly have been the most important Artifacts we've managed to track down not just once, but twice. Annabeth's Wings and Torrington's Book. At this rate I half expect you to come back reporting another death, and that is unacceptable!" Chiron's voice had steadily increased in volume, finishing his tirade with a shout.

Marcus sat unmoving, waiting for Chiron's rage to subside. After all, what was there to say? He wasn't wrong. Marcus had failed, and failed repeatedly. Sure, they've always managed to beat back the New Olympians, but it was always at a cost.

"Don't you think you're being a bit harsh?" Chastity spoke up. "It wasn't a total wash. Phil took out that Isaac guy, and managed to snag an Artifact we didn't even know about."

Chiron waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, Phillip's actions have salvaged some good out of this endeavor. However, Marcus, what do you have to show for this most recent failure? It was your mission. What do you have to say?" Chiron's eyes, though tired, still pierced through the dim lighting in the meeting room of the Big House, and Marcus tried to meet his gaze unflinchingly.

"We succeeded in the most important task set before us." Marcus said, keeping his voice as steady as possible. "We all returned alive. Which is more than the New Olympians can say."

Chiron's scowl deepened. "You should know better than to use that term here, Marcus. The Gods won't take kindly to that sort of wordplay being thrown about."

"Is that the only thing you have to say to that?!" Chastity exploded, slamming her hands on the table and jumping to her feet. "Chiron, Marcus almost-"

But Marcus reached forward and grasped her hand gently. Chastity turned and gave Marcus a shocked look, but he simply tiredly shook his head, giving her a look he knew she could read. "That doesn't need to be in the report".

Chastity's eyes widened. "But-!"

Marcus' eyes narrowed. "We'll talk later". He stood as well. "I almost had the book." Marcus continued, altering the sentence just in time. "If it wasn't for Alicia's hellhound, I would have had it. So I know I'll be able to take it next time."

"Next time?" Chiron sighed. "Marcus, there may not be a next time. You do understand that? I left this matter in your hands because I thought your… previous knowledge may give you an advantage, but it seems to have only been a hindrance. Sure, you can find the Red Shirts, but what good is that without results? I can't keep risking the lives of your fellow half bloods for failures."

Marcus' scowl deepened, his eyes narrowing. "Chiron… you know just as well as I do. The only reason we've gotten the few victories we have is because you've been sending us. Any other half bloods that ran into Aaron, Hunter and… Alicia would have been killed on the spot. You wouldn't have even known there was a threat until it was too late."

Chiron nodded once, acknowledging the truth in Marcus' words. "Be that as it may, we do know about the threat, and with enough time to act upon it. But time is only worthwhile if it's used wisely." Chiron sighed, and waved his hand in dismissal. "Let that be enough for now. You've given your report. There's much to think about, and whatever else I decide, you both need rest."

Chastity was about to speak again, Marcus could tell it before she even opened her mouth, but Chiron had already turned and started wheeling himself through the doorway, the tired hunch to his shoulders more profound than ever. Marcus quickly tugged, pulling Chastity by the hand out the other door, leading them onto the deck of the Big House.

"Why did you stop me?!" Chastity nearly exploded as soon as the door closed behind them, ripping her hand out of his.

Marcus suppressed a moment of strange sadness as her hand left his. Get a hold of yourself. Just because you nearly…That's no excuse! "There was no reason to bring that into it." He said simply, turning to gaze out across the camp. No matter how many times he stood here, a part of him always marveled at the view from the Big House. Guess I really am feeling emotional tonight.

"What do you mean no reason?" Chastity's voice had taken a deadly quiet tone. "Marcus, I don't know if you're aware, but you nearly died. With a capital D, and not the fun one!"

Marcus let a small smile play across his lips. "Chastity, stop thinking about my D."

For once, it seemed Chastity was in no mood for games. "And while we're on the subject, what the hell were you thinking, just letting Maddie stab you like that! Thank the Gods the rest of those idiots didn't see it. I have no idea how any of them would react to something like that. Hell, I'm not sure how I should be reacting right now!"

"You haven't said anything." It wasn't a question. Marcus knew that even though she may pretend otherwise, Chastity cared about Maddie almost as much as he did.

"Of course not." Chastity scoffed, turning and leaning back against the railing next to Marcus, her arms crossed and her glare burning into him. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't. You know she has no memory of the fight with Alicia before you broke her out of it?"

"I was hoping that was the case, yes." Marcus shrugged, avoiding meeting Chastity's gaze.

"So… what? Your plan is to not tell her any of what happened, even though you're going to have a scar from it? And what if she sees it more clearly huh? You know, when you aren't covered in blood and she's blinded by her own healing light? How are you going to explain how it couldn't possibly have been a whip, or even a hellhound's claws? Zeus above Marcus, the girl is obsessed with taking pictures of death! She'll recognize a spear wound!"

Marcus didn't answer, his gaze still lost in the view before him, though that didn't mean he wasn't listening. She had a point, but Marcus couldn't bring himself to admit it. He couldn't tell Maddie what had happened. It would destroy her. Any confidence he had worked so long and hard to build up in her would be shattered in an instant. It wouldn't matter his reasoning, she wouldn't listen. She wouldn't accept that he had chosen to take the attack.

Chastity groaned in frustration and grabbed Marcus' face with a hand on each of his cheeks, forcing him to look at her. "Dammit Marcus, I thought we were past this whole sacrificing yourself thing! What the hell would I do if something happened to you huh?"

Marcus couldn't help a small chuckle escaping from him. "Pretty sure you'd continue on the same way as normal, Songbird."

Chastity's eyes narrowed in her glare, though her voice did get softer. "Don't think you can get out of this just by calling me that. Answer the question Marcus. What the hell would we all do if something happened to you?"

"That wasn't the question." Marcus countered, allowing a small smile to touch his face. "The question was, what would you do…"

"All of us." Chastity overrode him, using her hands placed on his cheeks to shake his head to get him to stop.

Marcus laughed. "Alright, alright." Once Chastity stopped shaking him he continued. "If something happened to me, I expect you all would be very sad. So I guess I won't do anything reckless again. Is that what you want to hear?"

Chastity seemed to think for a moment. "Hm… not quite. A brooding bad boy who doesn't do anything reckless is just a wannabe."

"So what do you want from me?" Marcus sighed.

"I want you to survive." Chastity said softly. "I want you to make it through this, and not throw your life away just because those three have… You have people that care about you Marcus. Jason looks up to you, Joel trusts you, Phillip respects you, Maddie thinks the world of you…"

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "And what about you, Songbird?"

For a long moment, Marcus and Chastity's eyes met in the moonlight. Marcus felt something shifting in the air, though what it was he couldn't put his finger on. Chastity seemed to hesitate, before dropping her hands to the railing on either side of her.

"I would miss those hot brooding moments." She said teasingly, though her voice didn't carry the same tones it usually did. The two stared at each other for another long moment before Chastity shrugged, her voice finally taking on her usual playful banter. "Besides, the Underworld can only handle one brooding hottie. I can't imagine you and Hades would be able to share."

With that, Chastity pushed off the railing to stand straight again. Maybe it was because of whatever was lingering in the air around them, but Marcus was acutely aware of how close she was as she brushed past him, and the scent of her perfume as it lingered in the air.

As she practically skipped down the steps of the Big House, Marcus couldn't help but call out after her. "Chastity."

She turned quickly, not quite being able to keep a sparkle from her eye. "Yeah?"

Marcus leaned forward against the railing with a sigh. "About Maddie… Don't tell her alright? I'll owe you one."

Chastity sighed with disappointment. "Like I was gonna be the one to spill that hurtful little secret… But I like the idea of you owing me one." Chastity's face brightened and she threw him a teasing wink. "Just remember, I always collect on my debts Marcus. What, oh what, shall I choose to get from you." She turned and continued on her way, humming quietly to herself in the evening air.

Marcus couldn't help but smile to himself as he watched her go. Maybe it was the night, or perhaps it was his recent brush with the Afterlife, but for some reason, owing Chastity didn't seem so bad.