A/N: Here's one more part... who knows, there could be more in the future.

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Percy looked left and right, then he darted through the trees and thicket.

He heard a twig snap nearby, and so he halted, going still as one could. Percy didn't mind the insects — Zoe had long since taught him what plants to use to avoid their incessant buzzing and biting — nor did he worry of anything else that might be present. Not when their game, or rather, his lessons, were afoot.

Another sound, this time, one that was closer. From what he could tell by that aforementioned sound, it seemed as if a creature or person had hit a tree with something. The thud had come from not too far away. A few dozen steps, maybe, but Percy's eyes saw not a thing.

It was just empty. Well, as empty as the woods ever wer—

Whoosh.

Percy felt the wind above move, shift, and react as fast as he did, it still wasn't enough. Whatever had been laying in wait, whoever, had succeeded in entrapping him.

In less than a second, and with his arms still near to his side, the person had him pinned to the ground.

"Is your mind elsewhere today, hero?" Zoe's dark brown eyes peered down at his with a sense of victory in them; she deserved it too, for, like usual, she'd won their game. "Normally you're more alert, this was but minutes."

He looked up at her with a little grin. Lose as he might nearly every time, this was fun, and it offered up good lessons time and time again.

"I'm good," Percy looked up to where she had his hands held; he could move them, but that'd move her away… and really, he'd come to like having her close like this. Ever since that hug, she'd been like that.

He didn't dare hope she had a crush on him like he did on her. No, that wouldn't make sense to him. Percy sighed.

That seemed to break the spell of silence that's fallen over them. Zoe rose, releasing the hold she'd have over him, and offered a hand. "Rise. It's time to share a meal."

"At the tables, or out here?" He gave a gesture over his shoulder to a nearby, small, clearing. One filled to the brim with all sorts of colourful flowers and plants. Grover surely knew of it just like the forest nymphs that cared for it did; it was like a small piece of heaven that he and Zoe got to learn about.

She gave her answer as he rose from the ground, her strength still surprising — he oft forgot about her lineage, he was more caught-up in her beauty. "Upon the grass, I think… unless you dislike such an idea?"

Percy shook his head, and allowed her to take his hand as she sought out the aforethought of meadow. It really was her favourite here. More so than any place in or around the camp itself.

That wasn't to say that she disliked the place, she quite liked Artemis' cabin, and the food of the place never failed to appeal to her. It was, apparently, vastly different to what she'd been used to for a very long time. He really liked that too — he could surprise her with just about anything in the world.

Pizza, tacos… no, he couldn't start thinking about all of that. That'd come later, when he actually took her out. Candy too, and all sorts of cakes, and chocolates.

"No, no that's fine," Percy's response was a smidge late, but Zoe seemed not to mind. She had her gaze set to the same place his would flicker to; there wasn't a way he couldn't pay attention to her in equal parts to that beautiful nature.

"You enjoy it as much as I," Zoe dipped her head, a little smile coming to her face upon her own words being said. "You've certainly gotten better too. It's nearly hard to hear you."

"Nearly hard to hear me? Doesn't that mean it's not hard to hear me?" Percy doubted it was just her manner of speaking, rather than a deliberate choice of teasing words.

"Sharp ears in both meanings of the words," Zoe finally switched from looking at the meadow and side-eyeing him, to looking at him full-on. Her words seemed to convey the semblance of one that was impressed.

That made his smile grow a bit wider.

He'd really come to like this time with her sans quests that needed doing.

It was peaceful, and taught him just as much as any quest might; what plants were useful for what purposes, which would harm you, what fungi were edible… there was so much he'd learned from her.

And there was more still he knew she wanted to teach him.

Zoe ran a hand through the water, and smiled when she held it up to her eyes… eyes that flickered to his own soon after. "Your domain was always a second home to me — the water's a welcome reprieve from the day's heat."

"I've always loved it," he fell backwards, allowing the water to fully envelop him, then moving it to stand him back upright. "Wanna race?"

"Race? I've done so before, but something tells me I'd not win this one." Zoe slowly lowered herself into the water, sinking in such a way that showed off her own minor affinity with it; she was half oceanid, after all — another reason for the beauty beyond measure she possessed.

"You could," He formed the water into a chair that held him aloft; it felt amazing, like a waterbed but a bit more wet, obviously. "Want one?"
Zoe hadn't seen him use his control of water to such an extent. He'd had little chance to do so throughout their quest together, and less since then; she'd been much too interested in the woods, and he didn't want to take her from them.

It was as much a part of her as water was to him.

"Enlarge your own, if you'd please," Zoe's words caught him off-guard, and bold as they might sound, she seemed much too focused on that which he'd created to recognise that herself. "You can pull the tide? Or bring forth a storm? Less, maybe… more?"

Percy let his mind and the water flow into one another, and the chair he was sitting atop enlarged with little to no effort from his side as he answered her. "I can do that. It's definitely harder than a chair or increasing my speed in the water, and it'll only be so big, but I can do that — do you wanna see? Or is there something else you think would be cooler? I could—." he stopped abruptly.

Not only because he was rambling, but because Zoe had grabbed hold of one of his hands as the other found purchase upon the water itself. He'd known she had some degree of power over the water, but he hadn't thought it'd be quite so… strong. Maybe it was the other side of her lineage that offered aid.

"It holds its form even as I hold it. Like gel-ho." Zoe paused halfway up her climb, and tightened the hold she had around his hand as she lowered her face to further examine his work.

Pleased as he was that she liked his work, he couldn't stop himself from snickering… which, naturally, made her turn her attention to him. "What did I say wrong?" she furrowed her brow in a manner that made him swallow, the amusement instantly gone.

"Jell-o." Percy gave her a little pull when she made to finish ascending, her grasp sliding up from his hand, to grab at his wrist; his did much the same, and sans any hesitation, wince or jolt, she fell into the space by his side. "Comfy?"

"More so than one might imagine," Zoe let her head fall back, and Percy couldn't help but watch as her long, dark hair fell along with her. It looked so soft, and it always smelt of the finest, sweetest flowers.

He swallowed. "Better than the gro—"

"Not remotely," Zoe had her eyes only just open, and slowly, she rolled her head to look his way. There was a certain contentment in her gaze; a lack of stress or mortal peril. Unlike the quest.

He much preferred it.

"One day I'll get you to love the water as much as I do… but something tells me, I might not be able to teach you as good as you teach me." Percy figured she already knew dozens, hundreds, maybe even more, of things about the seas and oceans that he didn't.

Zoe's eyes seemed to have something uncertain in them. "I have been surprised by you many a time. I should think there's much you could see me learn — the foods and 'slang' in recent times is proof enough."

"Well, I did need to teach you something, and you were using too many words that I've never heard before… I do sometimes miss it though. You always sounded so fancy," Percy snickered; it wasn't a joke either, she'd always spoken in such a strange, fascinating manner. It'd immediately caught his attention just as her beauty had, and her fierceness.

"You think I don't sound fancy any longer?"

That, for some reason, sounded like a dangerous question. He swore a tingle even ran down his spine. "You still do, sometimes. It's just cool hearing you use some new words — your accent's really awesome too. Back on that quest, it was always soothing to hear before we went to bed for the night. I remember it from when you took care of me too. I'd be a bit out of it, but you'd always be whispering, and it put me back to sleep."

When he finally finished speaking, he blinked. Percy had said a bit more than he'd wanted to.

Gods, he could never shut his mouth. It was his curse.

"My accent?" Zoe's voice was soft, as if she was saying it aloud for herself, not for him. She remained perplexed for a further second or so, then she regarded him full-on. "You remember the words I spoke and the powers I invoked when I cared for your wounds? So oft you were of another mind."

"I was definitely pretty out of it after I got hurt, but I remember. I remember you changing the medicine you'd made too, even after I was well enough to do it myself." Those were fond memories, and her soft, cool touch had certainly helped him just as much as her healing work had.

There was something otherworldly about her. Her presence had been calming and reassuring, and even despite the coldness initially, she'd been kind to him. Mayhaps not in a way that most would be appreciative of at first, but Zoe had grown on him.

And when she'd opened herself up, at least that first layer, he got to know just how kind and caring a girl she was.

"Well enough to do so yourself doesn't mean you'd properly do it," Zoe seemed to have a minor redness come to her cheeks; she looked down, at their feet where they waded in the water. It was the only bit of them that was really sinking below the surface. "Besides, you were deserving of my aid after what you'd done for the others, as well as myself."

"Was I?" Percy was being light-hearted, playful, but Zoe didn't seem to understand that.

Or, if she did, she chose to ignore it and answer as she desired. "You're the only hero I've met worthy of the items you possess, and the title itself. Most wouldn't have done as you have time and time again." There seemed to be more that she wanted to say, but she paused, and then, ultimately, decided to stop altogether.

He wondered what else she might've said.

But he was also well-content with her praise.

"Thank you." Percy joined in looking down at their feet… but when that silence dragged on, he couldn't help but seek her eyes out again. "Wanna go up and down the coast? See if there's anything interesting?"

"Take us where you'd like." Zoe leaned back as she previously had, and sank slightly into the water-made couch.

She seemed so genuinely relaxed, and at peace. It was nearly the same as when she was sat about in the woods, or walking through meadows; nature, as a whole, was her love.

"Let's see if we can find some seaglass."

Percy started their little piece of water furniture from left to right in time with the roll of the waves, and off the pair were.

"You said you wish to introduce me to your mother?" Zoe was seldom a person that needed to have something repeated. In fact, he could scarcely remember ever having to tell her something twice… it was that and the look she wore that told him she'd not misheard him, sharp as her ears were. "That is… you think us close enough?"

"You don't?"

Zoe did yet another thing he'd not yet seen her do; she hastily shook her head from side to side. "I meant it not in the way that you interpreted." She paused in her explanation to gather her thoughts, and as they continued to walk along the concrete path, a frown came to mar her beauty; there was an empty bag of chips laying atop a few petals in a flowerbed.

Percy swept it up as they moved along, and deposited it in the trash that was but a few feet from where it'd been. That person had to have been lazy beyond belief, well, that, or the wind had taken it — he hoped it was the latter.

"I figured since I'm showing you around the city, or just the park really, we could visit her. She'd love to meet you, and I think you'd get along really well with her," He did too; his mom knew a lot about everything. She'd always liked nature too, even if her fondness had been a bit skewed towards the water in specific.

"I should be pleased to meet her," Zoe's frown had vanished upon his removal of the trash. In-place, again, was a small smile… one that grew the tiniest bit larger when she looped an arm through his; she'd never held his hand, but if the mood took her as of later, she'd begun to do as she was.

Gods. It's been nearly four months since that quest. Doesn't feel like it. Not at all.

"We could stop by a store too. See if there's anything you want," Percy turned them to the left when he saw an arrow that spoke of the entrance they'd entered through — it was just about time to head back, and this path would see them to where they needed to be… albeit with a small detour.

One that'd take them by a small pond where the occasional flock of ducks might be.

He figured she'd like that, and he had brought a small baggy along with bread in it. Sure, it might be a bit squashed since he'd forgotten that he had it when he'd sat down, but that wasn't too important.

The ducks would still eat it.

"That would be interesting. You've introduced me to much that's new. Especially those brightly-coloured chocolates with various fillings." Zoe paused for a moment as their steps saw them move past the hedges on their right that served to conceal the pond. "This seems the healthiest part of this patch of woods. This park. Only here do the plants seem properly cared for and watered. I suppose it makes sense."

Percy imagined it did too; they were near water, and didn't need to rely on a person or rain.

"There's so much more too… maybe we could do chinese food when we're with her! I think you'd like that," He figured they could do pizza the next time they visited her. "And yeah. It's like this in a lot of the parks near where we live, but it's not that bad."

Zoe seemed intrigued at the mention of more food, but his latter words took precedence. "When next we visit, I will provide aid to what I can. I would see it as our meadow is." she dragged her hand across a tree that'd had barked stripped from it, and grimaced at what she felt.

"Our meadow?"

"Tis we that care for it, no?" Zoe cocked her head. "Who makes use of the fertile soil to grow herbs and beneficial flora? Not another's laid there so long as we've tended to it."

"No nymphs or anybody else? You sure?" Percy knew she had a keen eye when it came to tracking any type of creature, humanoid or not, so obviously, he believed her. It was just strange. He'd genuinely thought it was kept the way it was by much effort from those of the woods."It seems too perfect."

"It's without pollution or scarring, and left as it's been for centuries, I would think. I've never hunted those woods specifically — nothing of myth or monstrosity resides there. It's not impossible that a nymph or other has shown favour to the patch. As you've heard me say before, there's a story for nearly every tree planted."

"If only they could tell them."

Zoe laughed. It sounded like a noise you'd hear only in a movie, like from an elf or something along those lines. Perfect was a close word, but there was a sense about it that made him laugh along with her and feel a type of jovialness that was rare even at Camp Half-Blood.

"Some can, if you're able to listen, and others, won't ever be. That one spoke of a cruelty, healthy bark stripped away, while the one ahead—" Zoe gestured to a scrape on the bark that seemed not man-made. "—Speaks of the cycle of life. A buck searching for his doe."

"Oh."

The pair took another few dozen steps, and eventually, they were out of the park altogether. Grass and greenery very quickly gave way to concrete and tall buildings, with little left that was natural, and less that was healthy.

"Do you wanna walk?"

"What're the alternative options?" Zoe hadn't been fond of the car back when they'd been on their quest. She'd used it, yes, but she disliked what they did — the many dozens she'd seen recently only reaffirmed her distaste given the smell and look of them, not to mention the occasional creature that'd been run over.

"We should get bikes." Percy grinned at the thought. It'd increase their speed and she'd probably like how little it hurt nature. The worst part about them was really just in their making — afterwards, there wasn't so much as one issue.

"So those aren't an option?"

"Not yet."

Zoe blinked at him. "Is there no bike shop near the general store?"

"Nope… but I might have a bike at home, and it wouldn't be hard to get another one."

Just then, as if a sign by the Gods themselves, people that appeared near to their age rode by laughing.

He'd have to bug his mom just a little bit… but after he introduced her to Zoe.

Already he could imagine how she'd be.

"Oh. My. Goodness." Sally pulled Percy into her arms with a fierceness only a mother could have. When she noticed the girl behind him after doing so, one who'd stood off to the side, partially hidden by the door, she released her hold of him and smiled wide as her son would. "Percy — introduce me to this lovely girl?"

Percy had a bit of redness come to his cheeks given how big a hug his mom had pulled him in, but his love for her won out. "Zoe Nightshade. I went on a little… trip with her, and she helped me out a ton. Her, Annabeth, Grover, they're the best."

Zoe took a small step forward. "It's very nice to meet you, Lady Jackson." She went so far as to curtsey.

"Aren't you adorable?" Sally clapped her hands together as she lavished praise upon the 'younger' girl. "You're from the Camp too, aren't you? Like Annabeth and Grover?"

"As of late, I am, yes," Zoe took another step, and close as she was now, allowed Sally to wrap her up in a hug; she seemed to be feeling something he'd never seen her feel beore.

Nervousness.

"I'm glad Percy's finally brought another friend of his here. A mom worries, you know?" She pulled away from the younger girl, and fixed her with that smile that'd been present from when first they arrived. "And you're very pretty too — you and Percy aren't together, are you?"

"Mom!" Percy wanted to bury his head in his hands and let the world swallow him up, but knowing who he'd end up with, he instead made to separate the two women.

"Oh please, she knows I'm teasing," Sally, nonetheless, allowed Percy to get in between them, all the while she laughed. Once she was back to where she was standing, that being in the kitchen and near to a batch of cookies that nearly seemed ready for the oven, she gestured for the two to sit at the nearby dinner table. "Have a seat, please. I'll have snacks out in a minute, and if you're here long enough, some cookies. You two can tell me all about how you met too. I'd love to hear how she helped you."

"Percy provided no small amount of aid to me as well. Your son is one amongst few worthy of the title 'hero'." Zoe's words were hastily said, and when Sally looked her way after they hung in the hair, she looked down.

For some reason, the little wooden table and the cloth that covered it had caught her interest.

So be that as it may, she looked at Percy; words needn't be said on account of the look she wore.

"I'm glad he's been behaving himself. Especially if it brings such nice young ladies over, or polite gentlemen," Sally set down a jar filled to the brim with cookies, with a few pieces of bread scattered within; he knew they'd be amazing. She slid into the seat opposite of the two then, and looked between them with an ever-widening, beaming smile.

One that only grew when Percy undid the latch of the jar, and slid it closer to Zoe, who had looked down with reddening cheeks upon her words.

She'd been intrigued by what Sally had put out for them, but she hadn't immediately made for it. Not until Percy had slid it towards her after popping the top off; he seemed happy to let her go first, and happier still when she smiled after taking her first bite of a strudel-cookie.

"You're very kind, Lady Jackson," Zoe met her eyes again, seemingly over the blush and embarrassment that'd taken her. "And you have an expertise unlike most ever achieve when it comes to matters of cooking or baking. Percy spoke true when he'd made mention of you."

"Sally, please — and aww, Percy," Sally cooed at her boy after her quick correction, and only just stopped herself from leaning forward to fuss over him and the girl; Zoe. She'd teased him enough in-front of this new 'friend' that most definitely had a crush on her boy. "What do you two want for dinner — you are staying, aren't you? You wouldn't visit your old mom just for a few minutes just to dash off again."

Zoe gave a slow series of nods, given Percy's earlier words.

As for the boy himself, he gave an answer, reciting the words Zoe had thought of. "We're staying. Chinese? Zoe's never had it before."

"Never had Chinese before?" Sally sounded aghast, and then she very quickly rose from the seat she'd only just slid into. In less than a dozen steps, she was standing before the fridge and grabbing something from where a magnet had it pinned. "Sounds like a good enough reason to order a few platters."

He thought so too.

"You mean to say you can eat this whenever you desire with one call?" Zoe looked at the phone that hung on the wall, and then back at the two of them. "This goes for the pizza and other meals as well?"

"It does." Sally shot Percy a look then, but it was so fleeting he half thought he'd imagined it. "We have all sorts of stuff you can try when you're over next — and there'll be a next time, won't there, Percy? She's far too lovely not to have come again."

"Mom!" This was the tenth time so far she'd dropped such a teasing comment in front of Zoe.

Apparently she found it amusing, but he also knew just by seeing how she acted that she liked Zoe just as much as Annabeth or Grover; they really were the three people from that new world that he was closest with. Especially Zoe in these past few months' time. After that quest, not even Annabeth and Grover had been by his side every single day.

Only her.

"Oh please, she doesn't mind — you don't right, dear?" Sally looked Zoe's way after she turned from looking at her red-faced son; he was suitably embarrassed, and fed, which meant both her jobs as a mother were done for the moment. It was now time to dote on the shy, polite and very pretty girl he'd brought over.

"Not remotely, La— Sally," Zoe had finally taken to calling her Sally rather than 'Lady Jackson' or 'Mother of Percy'. Much quicker than he'd expected, and certainly quicker than she'd done with him, Zoe had adjusted to the 'older' woman's presence. She almost seemed to find it comforting, and certainly there were no qualms with the snacks or food she'd had in her home. "You're the epitome of a fine host. Percy is lucky to have a mother of your quality."

Sally let out an 'aw' and looked Percy's way again. "She's definitely a keeper—" her attention, again, returned to Zoe. "So other than being very kind and speaking very well, what do you enjoy doing? Percy doesn't tell me much about what goes on, but he has been different these past few times we spoke, so I can only imagine that's thanks to you."

How does she know it's not Annabeth or Grover?

"You believe I've changed Percy?" Zoe shook her head, and looked between mother and son. "I should confess it's he that's seen me change. He was very kind and patient, and gallant, more so than most ever are. My mind, set as it'd been, has changed after a very long time."

Sally… hadn't seemed to be expecting those words from the younger woman.

She looked between the two 'teens', trying to read what must have happened between the pair. When Percy looked away upon her closer examination, and Zoe met her eyes, a flush about her, she could piece it together well enough; there was a deeper affection felt betwixt the pair, and each seemed not to recognise it.

Not consciously, at least.

To Sally, it was evident in the looks they'd send one another when they thought no attention was being paid to them. Percy was eager to see her happy and pleased too, serving her first, offering to take care of her plate, refill her drink — he'd done just about everything for her.

And each time, the girl had given a sincere thank you as well as a demure look.

Sally was immediately won over. How couldn't she be?

"Thank you for hosting us, Sally," Zoe gave a curtsy to the other woman as she and Percy stood side by side outside the door to her home. "Your company is very enjoyable, and you provided excellent refreshments — I can see where Percy gets his heart. I would be pleased to visit you again."

Sally didn't answer with words. Not immediately.

She was much too wrapped up in pulling the 'younger' girl in for a hug. The initial stiffness Zoe had in receiving that hug was visible to Percy… just as her settling into it was. He was glad.

He knew his mom could be a bit intense, or overbearing, but she was the best mom in the world. That was a fact. Annabeth and Percy had liked her too, especially Annabeth; they'd gotten on very well.

"You're too sweet," Sally pulled back from the hug and beamed at the younger woman. "You're more than welcome back. I'll have something new for you to try whenever that is too — now, Percy, before you two run off, come give your mom a hug."

Zoe slid back so as to give him the room to do as his Mother had asked, and as she did so, she shot him a look; how cute a smile she had.

He was happy, and lucky, to be seeing it as often as he now did. Gods, to think it'd been so rare early in the time they'd known each other. That quest, he figured he could count the number of times she'd given such a look on one hand, and half of them, he'd been hurt when he'd gotten them.

Percy pulled back from his hug with his mom, and looked over to Zoe. "Back to the camp?"

"I can give you a ride." Sally gestured over her shoulder. "I'll just have to get the keys."

"In one of those automobiles?" Zoe wrinkled her nose. She'd learned more about them and the repercussions thereof; it hurt the woodlands and the waterways. Fun as they were, and useful, they should only be used in times of need — driven for centuries as she has, she'd never quite known how bad they were.

"We'll walk, mom," Percy went to Zoe's side, but sent his mom a thankful look while walking there; her offer was appreciated, and usually, he'd have accepted it. "Zoe loves nature, so I thought I could show her another park on our way back. Maybe stop at one of the flower shops too."

"Flower shops?" Sally raised a hand to her heart. Percy could see she wanted to say something more, but looked at her with the utmost pleading. That seemed to convince her not to tease him this time around. "Bring something the next time you visit. We could plant it by the entrance — if you'd like to, Zoe, we could even start a garden. That'd be fun whenever you come by to visit."

"A garden?" Zoe perked up at that.

And Percy, he was given inspiration.

They'd grown a few herbs and plants over in their little meadow. Beyond that, she'd even shown him how to see mushrooms spread their fungus to sprout again; she'd seen that whole process expedited, and soon after, they'd enjoyed some large, orange, chicken-like mushrooms.

It was delicious.

"So?"

Zoe regarded him, looking away from the old-seeming birch they'd passed under the branches of. "What do you make mention of?"

There's that strange talking.

Percy smiled at her little quirk. "The food. The park. My mom." He shrugged.

"Your mother was very lovely, especially when she insisted that I drop 'Lady' or any other honorific. She makes for a wonderful hostess, and I meant what I said when I mentioned your kindness comes from her," Zoe broke the eye contact they'd had, and looked down, to where her arm was looped through his own.

She seemed to be thinking about something, he could see the confliction in her eyes.

He opened his mouth and allowed a bit of distance, not that they'd been very close to begin with. Just enough so as to keep their arms looped in that manner she'd come to appreciate, and enjoy; his was the only company she truly kept.

But Zoe spoke first. "The Chinese food was very enjoyable, and the park… had its own beauty. I would see it healthier, if time permits. My Lady would see all the woodlands, regardless of climate or location, healthy and full of life."

"We could visit it more often. We have the time." Percy was well-pleased that she'd enjoyed his mom, the food, and to some degree, the park; he'd been so happy to show everything to her. Her happiness with it all sent a thrill through him; he wanted to show her more.

"I suppose we do, don't we?" Zoe seemed to deliberately angle her walk so that she was a smidge closer the further along they got. They still didn't press into one another, but their arms were less awkwardly wrapped around one another, and those they passed by didn't end up in the grass on account of the space they took up.

Gods, it was still so strange, the fact she didn't mind his company, or contact with him.

Percy figured, if given the chance, he could even see the water cleared up. If most of the healthiest bits of woodland were around it, and he strengthened it however he could, it'd likely have a noticeable effect. Zoe working her green fingers in addition to his labour and her expertise would probably see it amongst the best in the whole state in no time.

Maybe then, a Nymph could come and take care of it. Most people, once they saw something pretty and perfect and cared for, would want to see it kept that way.

Well, at least he would.

"Hero?"

That made him snicker and look back at her, now done with his errant, random thinking. "Hero?" he echoed, before he thought back to a term he'd heard Annabeth say only recently. "Yes, Heroine?"

Zoe blinked at him. "You jest," she said after a few seconds' time, one finger from her free hand coming 'round to poke him once in the flank. "I wish to teach you archery beyond the basics, and perhaps I could see you learn more of the forest. More than I've taught you thus far."

"Think I could learn to heal like you do?" Percy had remained grateful since first she'd taken care of him. She hadn't had to. He wasn't under her charge, and he'd certainly not been a part of the quest, yet she'd gone out of her way to see he was as comfortable as one could be.

And over time, she'd warmed up to him… or maybe he'd grown on her.

"I said I'll teach you all that I know, in time," Zoe regarded him coolly, then, a small, cheeky smile came to her face. She raised her brow and questioned him. "You have the time to give, do you not? 'Tis but two millennia of knowledge that I can share."

That's a thousand years, right? Or well, two-thousand years.

"I already spend most of the time we have in a day with you. Annabeth and Grover usually have what's left if they're not with us," Percy didn't mind one bit if her lessons grew in duration. "Just like you told me you'd teach me, I told you I'd give you as much time as you want. Can't get bored with you, even if I am still pretty bad when it comes to archery."

Zoe let out a small laugh. "You're much too hard on yourself. I'd said it thrice over that day not to compare your skills to mine own. I've been using the bow for longer than most of the heroes you've heard of were taking their first steps."

"My mom might have a heart attack when she finally learns that… she called you a nice 'young lady'." Percy snorted when he thought of that, and again when she'd insisted that he stay friends with Zoe, and beyond that, treat her as well as one could — she was 'much too sweet a girl' to be immature or stupid around.

"Am I not a 'nice young lady' as your mother says?"

That was a dangerous question. Annabeth had taught him a lot about those; loaded, might be the term she'd said too.

"You're the greatest young lady in the world. Definitely." Percy looked elsewhere, his eyes rapidly searching for — and finding — a distraction. One they'd made mention of only some few minutes past. "Look. There's a flower shop."

"Florist." Zoe gave him a victorious sort of look, albeit one without any sort of bitterness behind it. "Finally it's I that gets to teach you a word. One that's not lost its usefulness or is related to the forests."

Percy narrowed his eyes. "I don't know about that. Flowers are from the forests."

"Not just."

"It is nature-oriented too."

Zoe prodded him. "If you wish to learn any more 'nature-oriented' words from me, or the items which they belong to, then you'll grant me my credit."

"Fine, fine," Percy relented, both on account of her poke — which was aimed expertly between a couple of his ribs — and the look she wore. He liked how pleased she seemed. It was just like her time spent with his mom had been earlier; he imagined companionship was what she needed most after losing all her fellow Hunters' closeness. "To the florist, then. You'll know what flowers will stay alive and come back every year more than I would."

"It seems I need teach you of the pleasant points of gardening, and not just of the useful materials one might find when foraging," Zoe dipped her head once. He swore he could see the happiness on her face plain as day when she made mention of anything natural. "Escort me?"

"When don't I?"

"When you rush ahead to the water whenever we're near enough to see it." Zoe's response wasn't what he'd expected… but he supposed it was a fair enough response to give.

Percy nodded a few times in admittance of the fact he was wrong, and then he amended his sentence. "When don't I aside from then?"

"How specific," Zoe was amused, and regarded him with a small smirk. With the daylight beginning to fade, every bit of her natural beauty was showcased. "Fine. I grant you that. You've been very noble. Even from when first I doubted you and your intentions — you know already that I think you to be the only one worthy of much, including my admiration. Even my Lady Artemis gave words of praise to you. Seldom has she done so for a man, boy or not."

"Artemis helped save us. She didn't need to thank any of us." Percy held aloft the door for her once they reached it, and with so many people in the shop, he switched topics back to the one at-hand. "What're we getting?"

Zoe gestured to the seeds rather than just the flowers that lay out front. "We go to pick what we desire. Your mother spoke of a garden — I confess, one would do us both good. I need something to busy myself with, and you could do with peace and learning in equal parts."

"We've had peace since the quest ended."

"You should be glad." Zoe's tone was quieter, so was his own. The peer paired at the myriad of seeds laid out in baskets or aligned in robes before them. "Too many heroes never live to see their children come to be, and those that do seldom see them grow. You're amongst the best of them all, and much too good in quality to throw your life away at the first opportunity given."

"I survived everything else. I have good friends, like you, to make sure that happens," Percy gave her a grin. He wasn't belittling her words, but he didn't treat them quite as serious as he should, perhaps; it was hard to, given his own death was seldom a thing he thought about. Everything had just always sort of worked out. Even despite the bullets, blades, magic and the creatures that wielded such weapons that'd been sent to kill them.

"I would see it so that I needn't tend to you, if I could. Such is the reason I've been so persistent in seeing you learn how to properly use a bow at distances most claim to be impossible."

"To be fair, for me, it mostly has been impossible. You hit those targets time and time again, you bend arrows, I can't do any of that. Not unless the target's only fifty yards or so away." Percy said all that as he held open a basket he'd snatched on the way in. Zoe deposited the dozens and dozens of seeds she'd plucked from what lay before them with an eagerness she seldom had about her.

Zoe patted him on the shoulder. "You have the strength and ability to do the same. It simply takes time."

"Time takes too long."

That drew the rarest of snorts from Zoe. One that went at odds with the graceful, silent girl he'd long since come to know the sweeter side of. "It can."

She pulled him then, using that arm that — even now — was still looped through his own. "You have the paper on you?"

"The money? Yeah." Percy grabbed for the wallet he kept in his pockets. As he drew it out to pay for the many seeds, he could just make out in the corner of his field of vision how she rocked back and forth upon the balls of her feet.

She must really like the idea of us starting a real garden in that meadow.

"Thanks," Percy grabbed the bag after saying that word, and saw them start towards the exit of the shop.

Zoe immediately took the bag from him, and peered through the opening. He saw how she beamed when she examined their purchases.

"Thinking about the garden already?"

Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his own. "Much will grow in the fertile soil, and with an expediency seldom seen. You have my thanks. Truly. I know the cost was high."

Percy shrugged. "I'm happy if you're happy… and I get to learn from you how to grow every single one of those. It'll be cool."

Zoe nodded. "Very cool."

Percy wiped at his forehead with the back of his hand. Gods, was he sweating from all the labour he and Zoe had done in their little clearing, but he'd not change so much as a thing about it. Gardening was challenging, and more intensive than he thought — it wasn't boring either, which meant it wasn't something he'd just start and stop time and time again.

No, the digging around was fun. Beyond that, the planning of what went where and how best the order was to plant everything, kept him as engaged as ever Zoe did. She was invested, genuinely, in seeing him through to proficiency when it came to the bounty of nature.

"Water," Zoe passed along a water bottle, green and reusable. His mom had given it to her only that second time they'd visited a few days past; they'd brought her flowers, she'd bought them pizza, and the three had exchanged a couple of trinkets.

Percy took the offered item with a smile and utterance of thanks. He poured a small amount atop his head, and let it run down, cooling him off as it did so. Next, he took a long draw from it, savouring the ice-cold water stored within.

It was more refreshing than water oft was, and as he sagged back, into the grass, he didn't think he'd ever been so relaxed. No, there was always something he could go out and do, something that'd catch his interest, but right now, he was too tired. They'd planted the vast majority of their seeds; the digging that'd required, the cutting away of weed and use thereof for the woodlands to regain the nutrients they contained, all of it had left him exhausted.

This had to be the first time he'd just laid back in grass and stared into the sky above… and somehow, even then, the sweat continued to pour down his face. Even despite the fact he'd just wiped it all away.

Zoe joined him in the grass, laying beside him after she took up the water once he'd had his fill of it. She seemed not to mind sharing the same water bottle with him; there was plenty of fresh water near to them with but a little walk, and more back at Camp — juices too.

She really liked cranberry juice, and the many mixed flavours it had. Apple juice and others like it didn't seem quite the same to her, perhaps too sweet for her tastes.

"A rest well-earned," Zoe rolled on her side and looked at him. One hand was resting atop her body whilst the other was used to keep her propped up, looking his way. "You have no qualms with getting dirty."

That made him laugh. "Why would that bother me? I like digging around and seeing what we find — never know if there's something left in the woods, and even if there isn't, there's still some cool rocks and pieces of wood we can find."

He looked to the small pile of pieces the pair had found and enjoyed looking at. They'd make for fine barriers between the various plants, herbs and vegetables they'd opted to grow.

"Would you wish to visit the water to rejuvenate?" Zoe took another sip of water, and as she'd done earlier, offered it back to him.

Shiny as she was, Zoe lacked the visible beads of sweat that Percy had running down his face. That'd been part of the reason he'd laid down; exhaustion was the bulk of it, but Gods, how he'd hated getting sweat in his eyes.

It stung.

"We could go for a dip. It definitely beats just sitting here in the shade," Percy pulled at the collar of his shirt, and made to flap it about after doing so. Even then, the little breeze that came as a result of his doing so offered up little and less in the way of relief.

Zoe's idea was more and more attractive with every passing second.

"Aid me in rising?"

That made Percy blink. Had he heard her right?

"Aid you in rising?"

Zoe lounged back, letting her arms fall to her sides as her back came into contact with the tall, soft grass. With her hair splayed out behind her and those dark brown eyes closed as little rays of sun shined down on her, she looked like a Goddess.

"I tire just as you do. Have you forgotten how long I've rolled around in the muck?" Zoe rolled her head to the side, a lazy, languid action. "Your assistance, my hero?"

That's the first time she's added the 'my' to 'hero'.

Percy rose with a grunt, wiped the sweat from his brow, and turned so as to stand before her prone figure. Above her and relatively sweat free, he extended a hand down to her.

Zoe's eyes fluttered open. From there, she looked at the offered hand, and smiled. He'd really come to like seeing that look; even now, he thought of how rare it'd initially been.

"With nary a word of complaint," Zoe was pleased, and took up his hand.

Pulled to her feet as she was, she stretched. They'd only been on the grass for a few minutes, but it'd given them much needed rest; a second wind, his mom would call it.

"Water time?"

"So it'd seem," Zoe let loose his hand and looped her arm back through his. The pair started off after she did so, with slow, deliberate steps that'd eventually see them to the water's edge. "And no. I'll still not race you."

"One day."

Zoe blinked at him. "I'll take you on in the water once you're able to best me in a sprint within the forest."

"I can't beat you in the woods."

"Unfair, isn't it?" Zoe's small, amused smile gave way to laughter.

And Percy's own soon joined in.