Seeking Happiness

I felt the spear like a white hot iron, it pierced my skin like a toothpick would go through soft butter. It was getting harder to see, harder to breath. It was like if Tartarus was going to go he was going to take me with him. But he couldn't, I wouldn't let him. I had been separated from my family for way too long. I clung to life for Thalia, for her touch, and the life we could have together. I clung to life for Annabeth, and the big brother duties I needed to catch up on. I clung to life for Percy the best friend I was sure to have. I clung to life for camp half blood, and all the campers I needed to make it up to. I clung to life.

Bright lights flashed from my eyes, black smoke billowed from my mouth and ears. It tasted like charcoal, it made me want to throw up. The pain spread all throughout my body. Tartarus had his hooks in me deep and he wasn't going to go without a fight. The smoke was getting thicker and thicker, it was nearly impossible to breath. I had reached the pinnacle, my pain threshold, I was about to pass out. It felt like all the pain had condensed to the center of my body, my very core. Then a final burst of agony and bright lights it all stopped.

When I woke up Percy's face was getting closer, and when I say closer I mean way too close, it looked like he was about to kiss me. More than likely he was about to CPR, but I rather not cheat on Thalia. "Wow there Jackson, no need for that." he stopped what he was doing, and stared at me for a couple heart beats before he tackled me. "LUKE! You're back! Which means Tartarus is gone ! Which mean we won!" I laughed , "Good deduction skills Sherlock I see Annabeth really is wearing off on you." I tried to get up but there was a sharp pain that went up my leg and back. Percy blushed, "Sorry man, I kind of uh stabbed you. I was aiming for your thigh, you know flesh wound. But then you squirmed and I missed and I hit you in the uh.." He pointed to my butt, "Ah, well you always were a pain in my ass Jackson." Jason walked up behind Percy and handed me a square of ambrosia.

"Thanks Jason." He just nodded and walked away, It's so hard to get a read on that guy. The throbbing in my butt started to slowly dim. As I slowly stood up, wobbly, but I least I was in control of those wobbly legs.

We walked back to camp, sharing stories the whole time. Mainly the many adventures they all had been on while I was dead. The most impressive one being their conquest over Ghea and the giants. I didn't really know Leo other than the few stories Thalia would tell me when she came to visit. But the more I hear about all these stories the more I feel for the guy. He did everything he could for his friends, and I had to watch as my body betrayed me and cut him down.

I tried to act like I was okay, but it was definitely not convincing Percy. Instead of attracting attention to it he just changed the subject. "So Annabeth's due sometime next month, You should be happy to know that Lucas is in the mix when it comes to names. And now that Tartarus is gone, we can finally start planning our wedding." That thought must have not occurred to him because that look crossed his face. Most people who didn't know Percy didn't really recognize the look. But Percy tended to just nod a lot when it came to people talking about things he should know but he doesn't. He hates to admit that he doesn't understand something. And in those moments that he does understand something, especially when its something most people would think he would he gets the look.

"Sorry Luke I would love to sit and chat with you, but I have a wedding to plan, besides it looks like you got some company of your own."

As Percy ran off I herd some whistling, and when it turned to find the source I was not disappointed. "Looking good Luke." Thalia was standing there leaning on a tree looking as gorgeous as ever. She ran up to me and crushed her lips to mine, "I missed you so much." I stroked the back of my hand across her cheek, "I've missed you too. I was so scared I would never have this again. Being able to touch you. Like really touch you, with no one else in the control booth with me." I kissed her and took her hand, "Lets go back to camp before people start to worry." Jason walked up behind us and cleared his throat, "Yeah lets go back to camp, I thought this was about to get awkward." He had a slight smile.

I let go of Thalia's hand and held it out to him, "Hey man, I'm sorry I haven't had the opportunity to properly introduce myself. I'm Luke, and I would like to officially ask your permission to date your sister." His eyes grew a little as he looked from me to his sister and back to me. "Uh, honestly I was prepared to be the hard ass little brother until you proved to be worthy to date my sister, but I guess I cant do that if I give you permission." I laughed, "I tell you what, if you give me permission to date Thalia, I give you permission to give me a hard time anytime you want." He smiled and shook my hand, "Sounds like a deal."

By the time we reached Percy's cabin he was pacing outside. He obviously had been pacing for a while because there was a distinct rut. Jason walked up to him , "Percy you okay?" He nodded really fast, "Yeah, yeah sure. You know Glen's in there doing his monthly check up. Apparently were having twins. You know, no big deal. Just two kids instead of one. My dad really wasn't kidding about the big three being fertile." The whole time he never stopped pacing, "Piper's in there by the way, finally making wedding arrangements." He was about to explode with stress, it was a little scary.

"Aye big man on Camp, the stressed look doesn't work for you. Isn't there supposed to be a wedding. I mean that's the whole reason I'm here! Dude seriously calm down eat some herbs or something. "

I had never seen Percy go from stressed to happy so quickly before. "GROVER! You're here!"

Notes