EARLY UPDATE YAY :

Song For This Chapter: I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know - NeverShout!Never (Okay - it was really uncanny how much this song reminds me of Olive and Percy, this is their THEME song. Seriously.) 

Ch. 15 - I'm Allergic To Cats

    Thalia's electric blue eyes stared curiously into mine as the bus jolted down the road expertly. Despite how nervous I initially was to get inside Zoë's van, she was an excellent driver. 

    "You've really got this driving thing down, huh Zoë?" I smirked a little as I leaned over the seat in front of me to beam politely at her. 

     Zoë smiled tightly and shot me a grateful look. "Yes, I have been driving since the automobile was invented. So, it would be only natural."

     I cocked a brow at this, and leaned back in my seat. She was a lot older than I had thought. There was the sound of someone clearing their throat, and I turned to look at the source, Thalia. "So, Olivia -"

      Frowning a little, I shook my head at her. "Uh, Olivia's a little too formal for me - you can call me Olive - or Oli. Only certain people call me Olivia." I chuckled a little as Grover nodded. I hadn't realized how much I missed the silly satyr.

     "Certain people." Thalia smirked, eyes sparking. The way her body showed her coursing power really concerned me. It also made me question if Percy's body acted that way, but with resemblances of the sea. "People like Percy?"

     Zoë's grip on the steering wheel tightened and she grumbled under her breath while Bianca bit back  smile - trying to act as if the thought appalled her, but we all knew she was fine with boys. 

     "Yeah, actually." I nodded, blushing a little and pushing a strand of ebony hair behind my ear that had fallen out of my braid. Bianca had insisted on me letting her do my hair, so I had caved - and ended up with the styled hair that was customary to Hunters. 

     I think they are trying to convert me.

     Thalia's face broke out in an excited grin, taking me by surprise. "Great!" She stretched her thick, combat clad, feet out in front of her and gave me a lax smile. 

     "Uhm," I rose a brow, looking around as I had caught the attention of all the demigods in the van with me. "Sorry, but how is that great?"

     Thalia shot a sinister glare at the back of Zoë's head, then turned back to me. "Well - you like him, a lot, which means you can't really join the Hunters. It's good to know that there is still some sane people on this mission with me."

     "That's enough, scullion!" Zoë yelled slightly, never taking her eyes off the road. However, the the tone of her voice, I was kind of glad her eyes had not fixed on us - we may have been killed just by her stare. "Lady Oliviae will not be disrespected by thou's remarks. She is bound by blood, and her decisions reflect her mother - what ever she does, I know she will do in retrospect of Lady Artemis."

     Thalia's hands sparked, bright blue veins of live electricity coursing around her fingertips, begging to smack Zoë Nightshade in the face and barbecue her. "She's aloud to do what ever she wants." She refrained herself and spared me a curious look. "Annabeth told me you were dead, so obviously you can understand my curiosity."

         "She told you I was dead?"

     Thalia nodded, her black hair bobbing slightly as she did. "Yup. She also said Percy was crazy for hoping you would come back. I think she was a little jealous of you. I hope we get her back soon. I'm dying being surrounded by all these prudes." 

     Bianca lifted her black eyes onto Thalia, a little bit offended, making Thalia sigh and murmur an apology. 

     Lifting her eyes onto mine, Bianca rose a brow. "So, you and Percy... Are you - you know?" She blushed a little, causing her face to break out in a deep red under her tanned skin. 

     "Together?" I blurted, scratching the back of my neck. "Uhm..." The van took an excessively sharp right turn, making me knock my head against the window pane. 

     Thalia growled and jumped out of her seat to yell at Zoë. "You did that on purpose you crazy, ..crazy huntress!" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and say: 'Nice comeback Thalia'

     Zoë scoffed at this, and hit the brakes, sending Thalia sprawling onto the floor with an 'oomph'. "If I did it on purpose, it would be nothing to thou. Would it?" Thalia jumped off of the van ground and made a movement towards her bracelet. 

     Fearing the worst, Bianca cleared her throat and I put a steady hand on Thalia's shoulder. "Let's all just calm down." I bore my eyes into hers, feeling the familiar pull of my persuasion attach to her mind. "Okay?" The silvery aura around me seemed to brighten even more as I stared into her mind.

     Thalia's eyes wavered a little, but she nodded her head and lowered herself down to the seat between Bianca and I. "Okay, you are right." She nodded numbly and I gave her a faint smile, feeling the connection snap.

     "Good." I smirked and turned my gaze onto the back of Zoë's head. "So, where are we headed?"

     Bianca turned out the window with a faint grin and pointed out. "We are actually almost there. You see it?"

     "The Air and Space Museum?" I turned towards Grover, slightly confused as to why he was leading us to a museum. "Why would my Mother be locked in a museum - I saw her in a cave. I don't think there are any of those around here, Grover."

     "I-I know, that's just were my senses took me. There is a strong monster here." He nervously ducked his head, the way he acted around me reminded me of how Grover acted around Mr. D - afraid and concerned for his life. 

     My face softened a little and I sighed. "Grov, I'm still the same person - I'm not going to shoot you with an arrow or anything, trust me."

     Grover's frown slipped off his face and his color returned. "Yeah, I know Oli. It's just hard to wrap my head around I guess." I grinned, happy that we were on good terms again. 

     The van jerked to a halt in the middle of the parking lot and I made sure Frai was safely attacked to my belt and my parka was on tight - I could tell it was freezing outside. Tugging at the coarse bead Percy had given me, I followed the others out of the bus and turned my sights towards the murky, grey skies. I really hope he is alright. 

     "Alright, Grover, where are we headed?" Thalia rose a brow, nodding towards him. Looking around I realized we were parked in front of a few large buildings. I had never been to Washington D.C. before, but taking in the three large buildings, I knew one was a Mall packed with people doing last minute holiday shopping, and the other two were museums. Or at least, that is what they said on the building front.

     Grover nodded towards the Air and Space one, making Zoë furrow her brow a little. I could tell she was unhappy that we were here. In a small sense, I was a little peeved too. Both Artemis and Annabeth were in danger in the West but here we were, chasing some monster scent.

     Sighing, I rolled my shoulder and gazed around the area, Percy on my mind. Hopefully Blackjack was able to make the journey - he didn't look so hot the last time I saw him. Watching the skies, I saw a large, black object take flight.

     I wasn't entirely sure of what I'd seen at first, but thinking over it I knew it was the pegasus. Grinning, I looked around for the Waterboy, but he was no where to be found.

     "Hey, Olive - you coming or what?" Thalia called over her shoulder, watching me from the front entrance of the museum. 

     Snapping around to face her, I nodded with a small smile and followed after her. The air was bitter, and it blew through the silver parka as if the jacket wasn't even there. I was grateful once I stepped inside the warm Air and Space building.

    Sighing in relief we all looked at each other, sparing everyone a small look of concern. We didn't have too much of a game plan. If we really were about to face a monster - what were we going to do. 

     I scanned the large, open building. There were tourists here, while not a large number of them, there was still a decent amount to make a scene if something were to go wrong.

     That's what I feared. 

     Raising a sharp brow, I turned to Zoë and looked at her for advise. "So, Lieutenant, what is the game plan?" Zoë smile sweetly and adjusted her silver crown, it had begun to slip from her braid during the hectic driving she had made us endure. 

     Thalia glared at me a little, most likely angry that I hadn't asked her. But, what could she do? It was already spoken.

     "I say, we should scope out the area. Check for any signs pointing to monster activity. Then, regroup back here to devise a course of action." Zoë turned her volcanic black eyes onto Thalia warily. "No one should encounter the beast alone. It will be easier to take down with the group."

     Thalia frowned at her, but nodded in agreement. "Let's get to it - how about twenty minutes, then we regroup here?" She looked around the circle of us and Bianca nodded along side Grover.

     "Yeah, sounds good to me." I smirked, nodding as well. This was slightly exciting, I could feel my heart begin to pound eagerly. This was the first real time in too long that I would actually be fighting something. I'd be able to test my skills.

     Searching for any signs of life, outside of the mortals galavanting around the museum, I search the West Wing while others broke up to do their own searching. Twenty minutes ticked by without the slightest sighting, however, and we all met back up - empty handed.

     "Grover, are you sure you did that thing right?" I sighed, rubbing my brow and shooting him a curious look. Every one else nodded, watching him carefully. So far this side trip had been a complete waste of time. 

     Grover furrowed his brow and shifted around, nervously. "Well - yeah. I don't know what happ-" There was a crashing sound to my left and I looked up to see Thalia knocked against the Apollo space capsule by a sweating Percy. Grover let out a shocked yelp, and I grinned at him.

    "Percy?" I called, unsure as to why he was here.

    Bianca and Zoë arched their bows towards him, but didn't make any move to lower them. "You! How dare thee show thy face here!?"

     "Percy!" Grover grinned happily, looking at him as if he was here to save him from the horror of being the only boy. Zoë shot him a deathly glare and Grover stuttered out a little. "I-I mean, you aren't supposed to be here."

     Percy's green eyes latched on to mine, making my stomach churn nervously - he looked scared. "Luke. He's here." He breathed out, wiping his brow. By the looks of him, he'd been running for a while. 

     Thalia's eyes flashed from anger to curiosity and she leaned closer. "Where?" I rose a brow at this, obviously something was going on. Thinking back to my time spent up in Olympus, I remembered reading about Thalia's tales. She'd sacrificed herself for Luke, Annabeth, and Grover.

     Percy frowned at her a little. "Well, Luke is with Dr. Thorn and some guy who is calling himself the General in the National Museum of History."

     Zoë tightened her grip on her bow, but lowered it from Percy's chest. Bianca had long ago dropped her aim from him. "The General is here?" Her voice was tight, a mix of anger and horror which threw me off a little. Zoë was so far one of the bravest warriors I knew, if she was scared, we all should be. "You lie." She hissed.

     Percy rolled his eyes at her. "Why would I lie? Besides, that's not important - there are skeleton warriors c-"

    Thalia cut him off. "Skeleton warriors? How many?"

     "Twelve - and they said something about sending a surprise to distract you guys." Percy frowned. "So, I think we should get out while we can. Or at east prepare ourselves for a fight."

     Bianca brushed a strand of dark chocolate hair behind her ear and threw a worried look at Zoë. "Zoë, if it is the General -"

     Zoë silenced her with one harsh gaze. "It can't be. He probably saw an illusion or - or something."

     Percy crossed his arms over his chest and sent her a small exasperated look. "Uh, illusions don't crack marble floors." Zoë's face paled a little and she seemed to almost swoon. I spared Percy a look of concern and he gave me a small one back, quickly hiding it from view. 

     I didn't quite know why Zoë was scared, but under the circumstances, I figured it would be best to ask her later. Now was obviously not the best time for it. 

     Rubbing my arm due to both the awkward air and the itchy material I was wearing, I cleared my throat and addressed everyone. "If Percy is telling the truth about the skeleton monsters," I nodded at him to show him that I did believe the tale. "Then, we should leave - now."

     "I agree, Olive." Percy nodded and walked over to my side, shooting me a grateful smile which I returned. 

     Zoë glared slightly at him. "She wasn't addressing thee, boy." She crossed her arms over her chest, only making her authority seem even more empowering. "Thou is not part of this quest."

     Percy mimicked Zoë by crossing his own arms around his chest. "Hey, I'm just trying to save your lives here."

     "Doesn't matter now, Percy." Thalia spoke up, shaking her head. "Let's get back to the van. Come on Percy."

     "That is not thou's decision, Thalia." Zoë stepped forward, and I grabbed Percy's arm, pulling him away from the two girls. We all knew how this was going to end, and it slightly made me nervous as to how close he was between the two of them.

     Percy sent me a small smirk, telling me in his gaze that he could take care of himself. I grinned a little, but kept the contact, not minding the butterflies erupting in my stomach do to the touch.

     "You aren't the boss of me, Zoë - you aren't even the boss of this mission! I don't care how old you are. You are still a conceited little brat." Thalia rose her voice, stepping closer - getting face to face with Zoë. Rolling my eyes, I opened my mouth to say something, but a small voice in the back of my head told me nothing I could make them stop their fighting. 

     Zoë discarded her bow and instead raised her fists. "That's thou's problem, Thalia! You never know when to leave boys behind!" Thalia's eyes sparked dangerously and she lifted her arm as if to sock Zoë, but all too soon a low roar ripped though the museum, making everything pause.

     Screams echoed up from the floor beneath us and, as I turned to look over the railing to the bottom floor, a little kid screamed in delight: "Kitty!" The was another roar, this one so loud I almost wanted to clam my hands over my ears. My acute hearing could only take so much.

     "Great." I hissed, glaring at the source of the sound. Tromping up to our level, I took in the beast. It was large as big as a truck with overgrown, silver claws that looked as if they could tear a man in half. My eyes watered a little, and I resisted the urge to sneeze.

     "The Nemeon Lion." Thalia whispered hoarsely. "Don't. Move."

     Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself, but the sneeze fought it's way out. Everyone's eyes widened at the sound and the Lion let out a roar, narrowing it's gold colored eyes onto me. "I-I'm allergic to cats." I sighed, feeling another sneeze bubbling up. 

     Zoë showed me some compassion as the Lion began to stalk closer. "On my mark, everyone break up -  distract it until I can figure out a way to kill it." Slowly, she called her weapons to herself and aimed at the beast. "Now!" 

     Since I was close distance, I unsheathed Frai and held her out in front of me. Surprised, I felt my body being shover away. Tumbling to the left, I looked up to see Percy standing in front of me with Riptide clasped tightly in front of the both of us. 

     He sent me a small smirk. "My turn to protect you, get somewhere high and shoot with your bow, Olympian." 

     Growling, I gave him a turned up nose, hopping to my feet. "I'm not an Olympian, Waterboy." But, I listened despite myself. Jumping up onto one of the air planes hanging from I higher level, I clambered up and popped open my Father's necklace.

     Percy slashed at the beast's legs, but nothing happened, the Lion's hide was too tough, even for Riptide. Palms sweating a little, I strung an arrow and begun shooting at the beast with Bianca and Zoë, but despite our efforts, nothing worked. 

     Frowning, I looked for anything that could be pierced, and I caught attention on the beast's eyes. It was smart, the Lion. Squinting, it tried to keep little space for an arrow to sunk into it's fleshy eyeballs, but it still had to see some how.

     Taking a deep breath, away from the direct influence of the Lion, I thought back to what my Father had directed me to do when aiming towards certain objects. Precision is key. Crappy advice then; crappy advise now. Rolling my eyes, I quickly released the arrow and watched it soar into the small crease the Lion left open. 

     Letting out a deafening roar, the Lion clawed in the air - knocking Percy against the floor and tearing his coat. 'Great job, Olivia' I sighed, sparing Percy a worried look. The Lion clawed at it's face, tearing the arrow out and causing his eye to bleed profusely.

     Percy jumped up off the ground and the Lion prepared to pounce on him. Yet, Percy was quicker. Grasping the rail tightly, Percy turned and jumped from the level, landing on a silver airplane next to the one I was currently balancing on. 

     "Percy, watch out!" I called, stringing a few other arrows and firing them at the beast, but nothing found any purchase. Zoë and Bianca fired as well - one of their arrows barely scraped past Percy's head. I had a suspicion that the arrow was fired by Zoë, but I didn't say anything.

     Percy turned to me, airplane rocking beneath him. "Olive - Target the mouth!" As if on command, the Lion snapped it's jaws shut, understanding it's weak spot. "Don't worry, I have a plan!" I rose a brow at him, but nodded waiting for the stubborn beast to open it's jaws again.

     Percy slid off the plane, balancing on a large globe beneath it, then slid down to the second level. He made it look so easy I would have almost expected him to be the Son of the skies, not the sea. As the Lion clambered fully onto the small, silver plane Percy had once been on, the chords couldn't take the weight and snapped from the pressure.

     Letting out a mighty roar, the Lion swiped out it's claws as if to latch onto something sturdy, finding temporary purchase in my aircraft.

     It's claws sunk into my fleshy torso, cutting me deep before unlatching and latching onto the metal on my plane. The force knocked me down off the aircraft and sent me toppling to the second level. Unfortunately for me, I didn't have a convenient globe to land on. 

     The impact was brutal. Biting down on my lip, I held back a pained scream as I landed on the balls of my feet. I guess my assumption was right. Children of Artemis always land on their feet. Too bad I think I broke my ankle.

     Clutching my stomach, I tumbled onto the steel floor and dry heaved do to the white, hot pain that burst through my torso. The Lion's claws had ripped into the parka, flannel, and my skin. Pulling my trembling hand away from the wounds, I stared in horror at the golden liquid dripping from my fingers. 

     "W-What the f-?"

     The ground shook under me as my plane toppled from the level above me and crashed down, the Lion landing atop the globe. I guess cats always land on their feet too. 

     Looking up I watched as Percy turned towards me, about to drag me out of the way. "Don't." I hissed. "Just. Keep it's. Mouth open!" I managed to choke out, face no doubt paling do to the amount of golden liquid I was losing. Percy's face faltered, but he nodded and broke into the near by souvenir shop. 

     My body trembled a little as I tried to get onto my feet, Thalia raced forward to keep the Lion occupied - spearing it with electricity. Pressing tightly against the large wounds, I could feel by body begin to heal slowly. Sweat was breaking across my face as I forced my quivering knees to stand and my weak, gold dripping hands to arch another arrow.

     The Lion snapped at Thalia as she held a shield out in front of herself. Taking the small window of opportunity, I released the arrow, but it only lodged itself behind it's teeth, not doing anything but piss it off further. 

     I knew I needed to get up higher, but the way my body was leaking I knew that wasn't an option. I'd been cut too deep - maybe if the moon was out I'd heal faster, but that wasn't an option at the moment. Thalia rose her spear once again, keeping the monster at bay with the shield stamped with Medusa's face. 

     Slightly distracted, she looked towards Percy as he ran to us, an arm full of silver packets he had lifted from the souvenir store. "Percy, what ever you are going to d-" The Lion roared again, hitting her with the back of it's paw, sending her into a space rocket, knocking her unconscious.

     "Hey!" He yelled, chuckling Riptide into the side of the monster, and ducking as the Lion run to pounce on him. Taking the opportunity, Percy tossed a silver package into the beast's mouth.

     I wasn't sure of what the thing contained, but by the way the Lion paused and gagged, it wasn't anything good. "Zoë, Bianca, get ready!" He called towards the girls perched high in the air. Staggering against one of the rails, I too arched my weapon despite the fact the more I stretched my wounds, the more they bled. 

     "Snack time!" Percy called at the Lion; he was responded to with the most hateful look I'd ever seen a creature muster. The Lion let out a loud, angry roar, but received a few more packets of mystery substance in it's mouth from Percy. "Now!"

     Arrows were fired from three different directions, I managed to release five - while the others were sending multiple in at a time. The Lion roared, struggled around for a minute, thrashing wildly, then rolled over, still.

     Once it stopped moving, I sighed in relief and dropped down to the steel floor, welcoming the cool on my over heated torso and face. "Olive!" 

     I didn't look up at him, I didn't want him to worry - but I was disappointed in myself for being injured in the first place. I was supposed to be a goddess - they weren't allowed to get injured due to stupid mistakes. What would Ares think? I rolled my eyes, he was no doubt be laughing his butt off right about now. 

     What would Artemis think? I'd fallen in battle. Not even the hunters could fall in battle - they would lose their immortality. 

     A cool hand rested against my cheek, persuading me to open my clenched eyes. Slipping them open, I was met with forever familiar, sea-green ones. "I'm fine, see?"

     I smiled up at Percy, sliding up my blood soaked flannel and showed him my unharmed torso. "I am part Apollo. It was just deep." I forced the smile to remain on my face, but my ego was going to take some time to heal.

     Percy helped me up into the sitting position as my organs adjusted themselves properly. It really cut me good. Sighing, I relaxed against his arms as he wrapped me in a hug. I hugged him back, laying a small kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for being over dramatic." I teased slightly.

     "Yeah, yeah, dust-brain." Percy grinned, looking deep into my eyes. 

     My heart lurched in my chest, and my breathing became uneven. Leaning forward, Percy pressed his lips against mine, making my ecstatic heart leap into my throat as if I'd swallowed a gallon of caffeine. My eyes slipped shut as I pressed my lips against his, running my hand through his black hair, tugging at the roots lightly.

     It was an amazing sensation, kissing him. I felt something I hadn't in a long time: fulfillment. It was as if I was completed being with him, and that thought scared me. I radiated danger. Sparks erupted once more in the pit of my stomach, and by the way Percy was smiling a little against me, I could tell he felt the same.  

    There was a low cough above us, and I lightly pushed him away, blushing beet red. "Uh,"

     "Uh," Thalia rose a brow, mimicking me in my moment of thoughtlessness. "Now's not the time for that." She smirked, brushing herself off. "I see you've gotten rid of the monster while I was unconscious."

     She nodded, then turned her gaze onto the floor which was coated in golden liquid. "Who murdered a unicorn?" She dropped down next to the pool and poked at it, curiously. 

     "No one, that's mine." I murmured, watching as her face paled a little - there was a lot of blood every where. "Don't worry, I already told Percy; I'm fine." I sighed, getting onto my feet. Brushing myself off, I felt my strength return as I looked around.

     Bianca was blushing at me while Zoë avoided my gaze, giving me respect by not watching what Percy and I were previously doing. Clearing her throat, Zoë walked up to the rest of us and nodded at Percy. "Interesting... strategy."

     Percy grinned, hopping to his feet. "Hey, it worked." Zoë only nodded slightly and turned to look at the giant beast. It's body was beginning to disappear, morphing into something small. Glittering in the place the Lion once lay, was a fur coat.

     "Take it." Zoë nodded towards Percy, making me grin. I realized how big of a step this was for Zoë, maybe things were going to change now that Percy was here. Percy rose a brow at her, unsure of what she was trying to say. "It's a spoil of war. And, it is rightfully thine."

     "But, you killed it." He argued, trying to refuse the spoil. "Besides, it's not really my style."

     "No, I'm pretty sure it was thou's ice cream sandwich that really did it in. Fair is fair." She nodded, a little bored of the arguing. 

    Rolling my eyes, I nudged Percy and shook my head, whispering at him. "Just take it, she's not going to."

    Sighing, Percy nodded with a small smile on his face and grabbed the coat, handing it off to me. "For you."  

    "Not my style." I shrugged it off. "Don't push the things you don't want on to me - keep the coat, Waterboy." I nodded and brushed myself off. I'd ruined the clothes Thalia and Bianca had loaned me.  

    Percy chuckled a little, rolling his eyes. "No, stupid - you can't go out in the snow in that, your coat is in shreds and you're soaking wet in your own blood." He cringed a little, offering the coat once again. Sighing, I slipped the new jacket on with a thank you, then turned to Thalia and Bianca.

     "Sorry about the clothes, guys. I'll get you new ones."

     Zoë piped up, cutting off the conversation. "That's not really a big deal right now, look." She nodded towards the glass doors where men dressed in grey camouflage were steadily making their way towards our group. "Skeleton warriors."

     "They're after me, you guys make a run for it. I'll distract them." Percy nodded, about to run in the opposite direction when I and two others called out at once:

     "No!" Raising a brow, both Thalia and I looked towards the other girl who had said no, and Zoë cleared her throat to back up her objection. "No, we go together." She nodded with finality.

     "But, you said -" He rose a brow, but Zoë sighed and took back her earlier statement, cutting him off.

     "Thou is part of this quest now." She bit out, a little grudgingly. "I may not like it. But, there is not changing fate. Thou is the missing quest member, and we are not leaving anyone behind."

    Thalia nodded at Percy, but looking slightly annoyed that she was agreeing with Zoë for once. "Yeah, so let's head out." Smirking at the first agreement in the quest, I felt Percy's hand intertwine with mine, and with just that touch, the feeling was back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, that one was super long. One of the main reasons is: I don't know when I'll be able to update next. The next month is the last month before summer for me, so I'll be super busy - and I think my parents are going to confiscate my computer.... to raise my grades and help me only focus on my schooling right now...

So don't hate.

Any way: What did you think of the Olercy moment? Too much, too soon? Did you like it? Where you thinking: FINALLY?!

No? Oh, okay... 

Until next time, xxJess