The New York skyline lit up below me. Standing here, I had an awful sense of vertigo. Olympus was so high up, looking down caused my fear of heights to increase. I felt like I might have a panic attack. A reassuring hand grasped mine. I glanced out the corner of my eye at the man beside me. He had changed so much in the couple of years that I had known him. But then again, so had I. When we had first met, he had been shy and secluded. I had been much the same. Over the years, he had become more outgoing, and I more involved. We had grown closer to each other until we were practically inseparable. Now here we were, on Olympus together. Both of us were scared to death, not even daring to speak. Which was okay, because just his presence was comfort enough. He pulled me into his warm embrace, and I rested my head on his chest.

Our peace was disturbed by a voice. "You guys, we have to go," it said. Wesley and I both looked up. Our good friend, Percy Jackson, stood looking at us. He was two years older than I, and one year older than Wesley, but none of us cared. "We have to join the council," he said. I broke away from Wesley and grabbed his hand. I was still terrified, but now it wasn't just the heights. It was fear of the gods. Fear of what they would do. They were rescued by a couple of demigods, who mind you didn't have to help, and no one knew what to expect in return. I pulled his hand up to my mouth and placed a kiss lightly on his knuckles. Percy smiled. He had once told us that we reminded him of the good old days when he and Annabeth were just starting out. The three of us started towards the throne room, Wesley still firmly gripping my hand.

As the huge golden doors swung open, we stepped inside discretely. There was no need to be spotted before it was necessary. We leaned against the back wall, next to all the other assembled demigods. We listened to the council for a while, until they started calling the names of the honored demigods. I was so nervous, I squeezed Wesley's hand until his fingers turned purple. I pulled his hand up to my chest, hugging it close. Percy was called. He was still a hero, no matter how many years passed. I waited for my name. Annabeth was next. Then Wesley. I waited, now lacking the hand I needed to hold to calm my nerves. Grover was called. A few other names were yelled: Katie Gardner, Connor Stoll, Travis Stoll, Clarisse La Rue, Piper McLean, Jason Grace. I waited and nearly had a heart attack when my name was called next.

"And next," Zeus started.

"My lovely daughter, Sierra!" Apollo interrupted, beaming. He held a hand out to me and I rushed forward to take it. Grasping Apollo's hand, I kneeled in front of Zeus.

"My Lord," I managed to mutter. Apollo pulled me up.

"Oh, don't mind him. Good Old Dad, he doesn't need to be worshiped. Besides, I'm the one that's awarding you," he smiled. I stood, facing Apollo, with my hands in his. My back was turned to Zeus, and I felt incredibly uncomfortable for that. Apollo cleared his throat and spoke in a very ceremonial manner. "Sierra," he said, "For your great acts of bravery and heroism, I award you with the request of your choice." He stepped back, dramatically. "What will you choose? Fame? Immortality? Riches?" he hummed in excitement, "Any request. What will it be?" I slowly curled my fingers into a fist, then slowly uncurled them, thinking. I glanced at Wesley. He was grinning happily, but I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Any request?" I asked, looking back at Apollo. He nodded slowly, uncomprehending. "So can I ask for an old promise to be restored? Can I ask for you to bring someone back? Like to Camp?" my excitement was building. Apollo looked at me uncertainly.

"Is this person dead?" he asked, cautiously. I shook my head.

"He's very much alive. I just know it. I can feel it," I smiled. Apollo nodded.

"If he's still alive, then we can bring him back. But, if I may ask, from where?"

"Who knows?" I shrugged, "He could be anywhere now. But if you bring him back, you have to bring his dragon, too." Hephaestus's eyes lit up. I knew he recognized who I was talking about. I glanced behind me, at all the familiar faces that had become my family. I saw a few that recognized who I was suggesting we bring back. I looked back at Apollo. The joy radiating off their faces had made the decision for me. "I want," I began, a smile taking over my features, "I want you to bring back Leo Valdez and his dragon, Festus!" Applause rang out as those who hadn't recognized my request at the beginning recognized it now. Apollo beamed at me.

"Atta girl," he whispered, ruffling my hair. Suddenly, a golden light flooded the throne room. I covered my eyes, blinking away the spots. A brilliant roar sounded as Festus materialized. Then a shout rang out.

"Hello, ladies and gents!" the familiar voice of Leo Valdez filled the room. Tears of joy sprang to my eyes. I turned around and saw the same thing had happened to several others, including Percy. I laughed. He pretended he was so tough, that his emotional wall was impossible to penetrate. But it was times like these, when he showed that wasn't the case, that I loved him the most. Moments like these, when it didn't matter whose blood ran through your veins. Everyone was family. Every family had its tough members, its clever members, its humorous members, its weak members. And everyone felt like they belonged.

I couldn't help it, I just surged forward. Which was okay, cos pretty much every demigod in the room did the same. I grabbed Wesley's hand as he ran up beside me. He smiled at me, and I beamed through my tears. I saw that he was crying, too. We all crowded around Leo, in ecstasy to see him again. Wesley leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"I'm so proud of you. You see these tears?" he gestured at his face, "These are tears of pride. For you. I love you." I started to cry harder.

"I love you so much more," I told him, in a whisper.

"All right, who did it?" Leo called, "Who was kind and caring enough to bring me, Festus and Calypso back?" All eyes turned to me. Leo's face softened. "Thank you," his words were barely audible, "You're the best friend anyone could ask for." He rushed forward and scooped me into a long, hard, tight hug. I hugged him back, just as tight.

"I thought I'd never see you again," I admitted, softly, into his ear.

"Tough luck," he joked. He released me and turned to the crowd, "Guess you guys thought you were rid of me, huh? Well, I suppose you're stuck with me awhile longer." Everyone cheered, even Clarisse. "Thanks," Leo whispered to me, again.

"That's what friends are for," I told him, "And family."