This story is dedicated to LubthaNiBriste, who's stories I highly recommend.

Disclaimer: I don't own "Percy Jackson and the Olympians", or "Heroes of Olympus".

This just might be the first disclaimer I've used. Going against all expectations with this story.

Across what could only be loosely called a bridge, a girl dodged bronze arrows as she tried to get to afternoon-tea on time.

The ropes might not hold, and that was somehow the least of Thalia's worries. Hera had made time to set up afternoon-tea and if Thalia didn't arrive at the set time then not only would her training have been wasted but Hera might take it as a sign of disrespect. You could not disrespect the Queen of Olympus, it wasn't done.

Once, Thalia Grace was terrified of heights. It was a silly phobia, but it persistent. No matter how many times she told herself that she could control the air, that she was the daughter of Zeus and was born to rule the sky, all she had to do was look down and imagine falling. That loose sensation, control slipping, with only her own unsteady powers to save her skin.

Yeah. Kinda a big deal. It wasn't funny, it was ironic maybe, but it wasn't funny.

Hera certainly didn't like it. She didn't like a lot of things about Thalia, but the crippling fear of heights was one she had tried her hardest to change.

By letting Thalia fall. Three times.

She didn't even remember the first time. That had to mean it was bad.

Now, the second time...

The fall didn't last forever like it did in her nightmares.

When she hit the ground, Thalia wished it did.

"Disgusting."

Hera didn't let her robes touch the ground, beautiful face that ensnared the souls of kings twisted in contempt.

"i'm s-sorry"

"That was never in question you stupid little bastard." Hera, even levitating, recoiled at the visceral mess. She even hiked the trail of her skirt up, rather like a prissy woman who had seen a mouse. "How? HOW do you find this an improvement to facing your fears?"

"can't help t-th-that I'm af-afraid-"

"Of course you can. You just choose weakness. You possess skills and abilities that mortals only can dream of, you are given more power and responsibility than demigods of any generation could ever boast of, and you survive what could cripple gods all because you said you could be useful." Hera gestured to the ground, managing to drip scorn in every word. "Is THIS what you call useful?"

"puh-puhlease... it hurts-"

"Fah-fah-fantastic. The Stammering is back. Months of vocal coaching, completely disregarded." Now Hera flung up her hands as if at a loss for what to do, and Thalia's heart seized with dread. "Are any of my lessons sinking in? Are you going to be of any use to me at all, or was it a mistake telling you how you could amount to something-?"

"puh... please. No. No it wasn't. i... i... I'm fine."

"-was I wrong to give him a chance?" Hera pressed on relentlessly. "Or should I have gone through with my plan to turn him over to the wolves?"

Jason, think of Jason... it wasn't clear, in her memory, standing. But Thalia must have because the foggy memory had her eye-level with Hera's feet. Floating feet.

"Some measure of courage. Not enough, mind you. Now let's get those bones back under your skin where they belong."

Think of Jason, Jason, doitforJason

... Hera wasn't as forgiving the third time she fell.

With that in mind, Thalia at least feared the fall more than the height. The height would always be there, the fall was up to you. Just like Hera said. Maybe Thalia would be able to thank the Queen personally for the advice this time.

Or maybe she'd bottle it up with all her other feelings towards the crazy-ass goddess. Grin and bear it. Remember Jason was somewhere, counting on her.

Then again, bottling it up didn't seem very healthy. The automatrons who kept firing arrows at her, they were actually perfect for letting out some of the anger. Not like Hera couldn't afford new ones.

But first she'd have to get off this plank-and-twine excuse for a bridge.

"Here it goes... don't panic, don't look down... deep breaths-" Thalia dodged more arrows, struggling along frayed supports, a plank giving way under her foot. She was almost to the middle, from there it would just be momentum. "This isn't going to kill me."

Hera might, but this wouldn't. It was just wind, swinging, and a little momentum to get her started.

The bridge rocked furiously, back and forth, side to side, until it was practically pulling out the stakes. All the while the automatrons fired arrow after arrow. The tips were blunted, and only hurt as much as a hit with a ball-peen hammer, so... well that still hurt a lot. But they couldn't aim so much as swivel and reload, firing straight ahead. At the center of the bridge, where it tended to dip, she was free to build up as much force as needed.

That was when Thalia flung herself over, and extended her shield.

A gust of wind took care to steer her flight, the shield managing to act as a glider. It was a gift Hera had given, and she wasted no time telling Thalia how it was suited for only the best heroes but exceptions had to be made. It was called Karkinos, after an older servant of the Queen, embossed with a silver crab. Thalia called it "Pinchy".

The automatrons kept firing, forcing her to duck and roll out of her short flight onto thankfully solid ground. They couldn't turn quickly, fixed into pillars by the waist, but they pivoted like gun-turrents.

By that time Thalia had already activated Pinchy. The crab-claws on the front of the shield turned and opened, and blades sprung out scissoring. All's that was left was a pivot (pirouette, damn those ballet lessons Hera insisted on) and a swing of the shield. Almost no need for some additional wind to back-up the slash, and-

SHNK SHNK

-blades sliced through rough stone necks with two separate set of sparks. It didn't actually affect the arms from reloading more arrows, but it was very very satisfying. Plus, it was just a matter of reaching down their throats and sending a burst of lightning that fried their circuits. Pinchy collapsed back into a pocket-watch.

Now all that was left was a witty one-liner. Heads up? Shocking development? Try to keep your heads?

No no no... Thalia kicked one twitching automatron in frustration, and enjoyed the crash. "... don't you two go anywhere."

Oh that was good.

Almost as good as the smell of... oh that was cookies. Baked goods. Actual bread.

She needed, the diet Hera imposed was impossible, and Thalia... yes, she could see the table set up! Just beyond a few trees and shrubs, an open clearing that looked straight out of a Disney-flick. It had been a while, but Thalia couldn't remember any of the evil stepmothers ever throwing a picnic. Maybe if she avoided the apples she'd be safe? That seemed about-

"What are you doing?"

Immediately Thalia's happier recollections were evaporated. "I..."

"I haven't stopped taking time."

That was all the hint that was needed, and Thalia ran like the wind to the- "OHSHIT!"

Ankle, yanked up; head, flipped down. If the grass and loam weren't unreasonably plushy, it would by highly likely that her brains would be dashed. And you have so little to spare as it is, you stupid wasteful child- oh and now there was a Hera voice in her head too. Of course being concussed wouldn't drive her out.

"Language." With a sip of tea more intimidating than a vampire slurping blood, the Queen of Olympus rose from checkered picnic table. Even though she was closing in on seven feet tall, she moved lightly on her feet. Her hair was dark, somehow managing to be a shade more ebony than Thalia's, and was drawn up tightly. It only brought more attention to perfect porchlean skin, full but cold ruby lips, slender neck, elegant cheekbones, and eyebrows that seemed sharper and straighter than the blade of a guillotine.

Actually, everything about Hera made Thalia think of guillotines, and hanging, and fairytales. A long time ago, one of the babysitters she actually liked made the mistake of reading the Brothers Grimm, uncensored and altogether perfectly dark for an overstimulated child who wouldn't go to bed. When she had first met Hera, officially, it was at a picnic very similar to this. It may have even been the same checkered table-cloth.

Huh... The Queen of Olympus stole tablecloths as well as toddlers. That was weird. Almost funny in a petty, cruel, enraging way.

"You boobytrapped the finish-line." Thalia accused.

"It was always the trap. I was interested if you'd be able to see, and true to form you blundered in." With a sigh Hera dipped a scone into tea, shaking her head. As if a switch had been flipped the delicious smell of baked goods filled the air at once.

Just like the witch in the gingerbread house.

"I observed the terrain," Thalia recited, head throbbing. "I found no evidence of a trap or ambush. I calculated the risks and the branches on this tree shouldn't be able to hold a rope so what's happening?"

The rope around her foot tightened sharply, and Thalia glanced up in alarm. Around her ankle coiled the tail of an enormous serpent, who wrapped itself around branch and tree.

"You're going to make some remark about this being cheating, aren't you?" Hera smiled, fully lips going thin. "You can be so predictable."

"... i'msorry-"

"Oh speak up, I mean honestly. Remember this as a lesson and try to remember; the goal can always be the trap."

"That doesn't make sense..." Thalia muttered, uncertain but willing to be convinced.

That just made Hera smile. "Just remember it. You'll find out. And while your up there, you may want to burn off some of those pesky 'love-handles' my dear. Chop chop."

Upside-down Thalia's frantic nod looked like she was being electrocuted. Though as was demonstrated years ago, lightning had no effect on her. When she stuck a penny into the electrical outlet, it was like stepping into a warm bath. Of course, when she suggested it to another kid at the 'daycare' she was dropped off at, the results weren't exactly the same and she was sent home.

'Home'. What exactly was that supposed to be?

At least Hera wasn't her mother. At least she promised to keep Jason safe, Thalia reminded herself between a flurry of crunches.

She's the danger to Jason, a smaller voice reminded, and if you don't do as she says-

Not for the first time Thalia wished she hadn't gone back for that picnic basket. She wished she hadn't gone on that picnic at all. She wanted to know her brother was safe.

Her torso felt like it was on fire. Finally, Hera nodded and that was enough for the snake to uncurl off of Thalia's leg. Reflexes and training kicked in and she righted herself to land on her feet in a crouch. Standing straight she still had to look up at Hera.

After a brief moment where Hera savored looking down on a panting Thalia, the Queen of Olympus and archetypal Wicked Stepmother nodded. "Walk with me."

Thalia was by no means a short girl. Her own dark hair was cropped short and it stood up straight to add another inch of height. Hera remarked that she'd let it grow out when she found a suitable match, whatever that meant. Added height from boots to long legs and Thalia felt almost ungainly. But not matter how much her body awkwardly stretched and extended itself, she never could match Hera for height. It was probably intentional. Didn't make it any less depressing though, that Hera would always remain bigger and more graceful no matter how much abuse Thalia put herself through.

"You just do not learn." Hera mused. "You've improved, but far too slowly for my liking. The events that will unfold... well I will need you to be better than any hero that was before."

"And still work for you."

"Precisely."

Will I still be a hero or will that disqualify me? Thalia wanted to ask. "I'll do as you ask."

"Of course." They had reached the edge of the woods. There was some semblance of a road, and Thalia wondered were exactly they had gone to train. Still was better than that survival trip in the Ozarks.

Down the road, a van with strawberries and a logo Thalia couldn't make out was fast approaching.

"You will be going to a Camp."

"Yes my-"

"Let me finish... you will introduce yourself as my ward. Tell them Cabin Two will be open to you. Stay until I contact you and try to form stable alliances. Am I understood?"

"... yes my Queen." Swallowing, now or never, Thalia asked. "And then?"

"Depending on your success, I will reunite you with your brother. I assure you now, he has been very well cared for."

Relief flooded through Thalia and her knees almost buckled.

Hera gave a long-suffering sigh that had centuries of practice. "I, in the meantime, have to sort out another winter solstice filled with childish arguing over which natural disaster is more impressive..."

Ah, I remember when I first said that I'd start writing this story... a year ago.

Well, at least I started it now. I hope you all will enjoy this AU, and don't be afraid to share your thoughts through PM or reviews... might prefer reviews.