A/N Wassup people? Yeah, I don't have anything to say, so... Oh yeah, do you people actually read my openings and closings? Cause if you don't, I'll get rid of them. Anyway, on to the chapter!
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»

Percy laid awake in his bed, dreading the coming night. He'd promised Thalia that he would talk to her as soon as he got back. Did he want to talk to Thalia? Yes. For some reason, it had calmed him. Did he want to deliver the news that he'd broken his promise? That he had failed to bring Annabeth back safely? No, not really. That was going to be less than enjoyable.

But a promise is a promise, and Percy didn't like to break them. He was already in the red in that department. Sighing, he stands up and stretches.

"Well, time to head out." The Boy Hunter says to his cabin, "Thank Artemis she can't touch me, or else I might not be coming back."

Silently, Percy opens a window and glances around. Seeing no harpys or other campers, the son of Poseidon climbs out and starts running. He gets lucky and doesn't come across anyone else. Percy stops at the foot of the tree and sits down, leaning against it.

"Thalia?" He whisper-shouts, "You there?"

When he doesn't get a response instantly, Percy opens his mouth to call out again.

Just as he's about to call out, a voice floats down from the branches of the tree, "Come on up."

Percy looks up and sees Thalia sitting in the same branch as before, feet swinging below her slightly.

"What are you waiting for?" She grins, "A formal invitation?"

Percy smiles half-heartedly, and chambers up the tree. He sits down next to Thalia and gazes out over the camp.

"I have to thank you." Thalia says all of the sudden.

Percy looks at her in surprise, "Why? What did I do?"

The daughter of Zeus tries to bump her shoulder into Percy, but ends up passing through him, "For talking with me. It was so lonely in the tree. It feels great to be able to get out of there, if only spiritually."

Percy smiles, "I'm glad I was able to do at least that for you."

"Yeah, thanks for keeping your promise and coming back as well. So many people I know would've forgotten."

Percy shifts nervously, and gazes out at the camp again. Thalia notices and waves her hand in front of the boy.

"Hello?" She calls out, "Thalia to Seaweed Brain, come in Seaweed Brain."

Percy tries to wave her hand aside, "I don't think you should be thanking me just quite yet. I-" His voice cracks slightly, "I broke my other promise to you Thalia...I'm sorry."

"What?" She asks, "Oh, I told you not to worry about finding a way to heal me."

"No, not that one." Percy starts shaking, barely keeping his emotions in check, "I...I couldn't protect her. Annabeth, she... she's not coming home. I'm sorry."

Thalia looks at Percy in slight shock, "What happened?"

"We...we got to where Kronos was holding Pegasus. Before we could free him, Kronos tried to convince each of us to join him. Luke and I turned him down, but Annabeth. She...She..." Percy puts his head I his hands, "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry."

Percy starts laughing, "I couldn't keep one measly promise. What would Artemis think of that?"

Thalia turns so that she is facing the hysterical son of Poseidon, "What's gotten into you Jackson? Look at me. Look. At. Me."

Percy looks up. Thalia shakes her head.

"God's, you are completely different, what happened to the cool, confident son of Poseidon, the Boy Hunter, who left for that quest?"

"He broke his promise." Percy replies miserably.

"Well news flash, you're not going to keep every promise you make. Sure, you can try your dam hardest, but it's not worth it to get this messed up over one thing."

Percy nods, and Thalia is glad to see that some of Percy's confidence has returned.

"Now I want to get out of here, so I can show that bitch what happens to traitors." Thalia gets an evil glint in her eyes, not dissimilar to the one Percy has when he's angry.

"Well, It's a good thing I fulfilled my other promise." Percy says, his confidence completely returned.

Thalia looks at him in shock, "You have a way to turn me back!"

"Well...no." Percy smiles softly, "My promise was to find a way to heal you, which I did. There's a crystal at Mt. Rushmore that can return anyone or thing back to its natural state."

"Wow." Thalia says, slightly shocked, "I didn't believe that you would actually find a way to heal me."

"One slight catch though..." Percy says.

Thalia sighs, "There always is one of those. What is it?"

"Kronos currently has his minions based at Mt. Rushmore, trying to get the Crystal. Fortunately for us, they're too incompetent to actually get it, but with Annabeth now there..."

Thalia nods, "They now have someone smart enough to get it."

"Yeah."

The two lapse into a comfortable silence, neither saying anything, but just enjoying the other's company.

"So..." Thalia says after a few minutes, "Enjoy what music do you like?"

Percy shrugs, "Amanda was a daughter of Apollo, and she always had her guitar with her. That was always nice to listen to while sitting with the Hunters astound the campfire."

Thalia glances sidelong at Percy, "Never listened to anything else?"

"Not really."

"Rock?"

"Nope."

"Punk."

"No."

"Green Day?"

"What day?"

Thalia shakes her head, "Man, you have not lived."

"Sure Thals, says the girl stuck in a tree." Percy retorts.

Thalia clutches her hands over her heart mockingly, "That hurt Seaweed Brain. I'm truly hurt."

Percy laughs, and Thalia joins in. They sit there laughing for a good five minutes. Every time they looked at each other, they would burst out laughing again.

"Oh man." Percy wipes one of those laughing tears out of his eye, "You're a riot Thalia."

"I know I am." She says, smirking, "It comes with my natural awesomeness."

"Whatever you say, Sparkette."

"Sparkette?"

Percy shrugs, "Hey, I'm not the best with nicknames, cut me a break."

"Let me think..." Thalia pretends to ponder, "Nah."

Percy makes a fake pouting face, then smiles. He stretches and yawns.

Thalia looks at him, a little concerned, "You look tired, maybe you should get some rest."

Percy shakes the drowsiness off, "It's cool. I know you like talking. And besides," He adds, "This gives you a chance to get out of that tree and move around a little. It would be selfish and inconsiderate of me to deny you that."

"You know, a demigod once told me it was ok to be selfish every once in a while." Thalia smiles at Percy.

Percy leans back against the tree, "Sounds like a smart guy."

"Eh, he was more of a Seaweed Brain. Nice, but not a lot in there."

"I resent that!" Percy tries to sit up too quickly, and almost falls out of the tree as a result.

The Hunter Boy rights himself and glares at the daughter of Zeus, who is laughing at him.

"You know." Percy yawns loudly, "Is it cool if I just crash here tonight? I'm too tired to successfully sneak back into my cabin."

"Sure." Thalia replies, But Percy is already asleep.

Thalia smiles and places her lips against two of her fingers, then places them softly on Percy's forehead, or at least tries to.

"Goodnight, Seaweed Brain." She says, and fades back into her tree.

«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Ok, I think you know what ship will be in this book. So yeah, any disagreements, please press the button marked "complaints" *points at mousetrap*. Please take a look at The Heir of Time and The Wandering Demigod, it would mean a lot to me, please?
stay awesome
Leonidas_son_of_Nike