AN: Yes, I'm back after a very long break (sorry about that) but I come bearing gifts in the form of the sequel to back to the past the lightning thief. Hope you like this story like the previous. I look forward to hearing anything you have to say about it.

Chapter 1: sorting it out

(In the throne room)

''Anybody know what Percy and Annabeth are discussing?'' Travis asked to get rid of the silence that had enveloped the room. All eyes went to Nico and Thalia who could often be seen plotting with said couple.

Though Nico and Thalia both had an idea of what they were talking about there was no way in hell they would reveal it, unless they felt the sudden desire for Annabeth and Percy to both murder them extremely painfully.

''Uh, uh no way are we telling you idiots that'' Thalia said and Nico nodded in agreement ''you can find out if they decide to tell you''.

They all visibly deflated bar Athena who looked like she was trying to figure out the meaning behind Thalia's words.

''Anyway, Apollo'' piped up ''let's make a bet on how maimed Ares is next time we see him'' the tension in the room was significantly lifted by this statement as gods and demigods alike all burst out with suggestions and amounts of payment.

Meanwhile…

Honestly, Luke was a little bit nervous. Upon leaving the room with his father, Hermes, the god had flashed them to his temple on Olympus- where they now were both sat on opposite sides of the couch with Luke trying to look at anything but his father whilst also attempting to decipher the strange expression Hermes was giving him. It looked like a mix between pain, regret, shame and a little bit of anger.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity Hermes finally broke the silence ''why?'' he asked and the question was laced with so much pain that Luke had to hide the flinch it caused.

''Why what?'' the blonde replied trying to act nonchalant.

''Why do you hate me so much? Why did you feel the need to betray us? Why did you do any of the things you did to them?'' Hermes' voice had steadily gotten louder with each question and Luke felt his old bitter resentments resurface.

''Haven't you just heard why?'' he sneered and saw Hermes try to rein in his temper.

''I want to hear it from you'' the god said voice low- controlled.

''You know why'' the blonde boy growled.

''No'' Hermes said standing up; voice raised ''you don't get to do that- not after what you've done. So, you better tell me Luke or lord help me-''

''YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHY'' Luke shouted also getting to his feet and facing the god, blue eyes cold ''YOU ABONDONED ME, CAST ME ASIDE LIKE I WAS NOTHING.'' Luke saw his father's face fall the pain leaking through his blue eyes.

''You really believe that?'' Hermes asked and his son was too shocked by the show of emotion to do anything but stare at the defeated god in front of him.

''Do you think that if I'd had a choice I would have left you? I love you Luke. You're my son.'' Luke was shocked, he'd never thought his father would ever say those words to him. He could feel the love he held for his father rise through him from where it had long since been buried.

''I- I didn't-'' Luke stuttered but Hermes cut him off.

''I would have given up everything if I could have, just to watch you grow up- be the father I always wanted to be.''

The swell of emotion that surged through him at that moment was so foreign and unexpected that Luke did something he never thought he would- he leaped forward and caught the surprised god in his arms, hugging him like his life depended on it prompting Hermes to smile softly and hug him back.

''Does this mean you forgive me?'' Hermes whispered into his son's hair.

''I guess'' Luke said pulling back and Hermes caught the mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

''I'll be the father you want me to be this time son'' the god said and the answering smile he received warmed his heart.

''I think I'd like that'' Luke said grinning ''dad.''

In the gardens…

It only took Annabeth and Percy a couple of minutes to reach the gardens, hands clasped together. They took a seat at the edge of a pond surrounded by lush green grass that danced in the slight breeze.

Annabeth snuggled into the cocoon that Percy's arms created and sighed in happiness when he started kissing up the side of her neck playfully.

''Percy stop that tickles'' she giggled making Percy grin.

''Stop what? This'' Percy said and did it again making her squeal. Annabeth turned smiling; then pulled him into a passionate kiss that she knew always left them breathless and Percy's brain scrambled.

Once satisfied, she pulled back and laughed at the groan Percy let out ''seaweed brain'' she said fondly then moved so she was facing him fully a mock serious expression adorning her face.

''We need to discuss something'' she said and Percy nodded brain still catching up.

''Sure, wise girl''

''When should we tell everyone, we're engaged?'' she asked and the blonde saw the moment Percy registered her words.

Gulping, Percy answered ''when do you want to tell everyone wise girl?''

''Well I was thinking maybe tell them soon, y'know sooner rather than later'' Annabeth said and tried to suppress her grin when she saw Percy become nervous ''what don't tell me you're scared seaweed brain''

''No of course not, it's just I don't really want your mother to vaporize me before I can make you Mrs Jackson'' Annabeth felt a thrill go through her at hearing him say the name, but pushed it to the side to examine later.

''Don't worry seaweed brain, I'll protect you'' she mocked playfully and Percy tickled her in retribution.

''Okay, okay I concede defeat'' Annabeth said breathlessly and Percy released her only to be pushed onto his back with Annabeth straddling him. ''you should know better by now Percy- I never give up'' laughing Percy held his hands up in surrender, then flipped them over so he was on top.

''Neither do I'' he whispered into her ear, causing Annabeth to shiver before he captured her lips with his.

It was safe to say that neither of them came to a decision.

At an undisclosed location…

Ares woke up tied to a chair and with a 1000 gallons of water hitting him in the face.

''Ahh good you're awake'' looking around the god of war could see he was in a dark room with Zeus, Poseidon and Hades looming over his prone form.

''Where are we?'' he asked voice groggy with sleep but Poseidon waved his hand.

''Oh, it doesn't matter where you are, it matters what we're going to do to you'' he said and then turned to face his brothers ''what do you think?'' the sea god asked tilting his head.

''Well I think we're going to have to do something about those hands, can't have him stealing anybody else's things can we'' Zeus said and then grabbed Ares' hands sending 50 million volts of electricity through them. Ares screamed as he felt his hands burn, the flesh peeling until finally Zeus released him satisfied with the blackened stumps that were once hands.

''Personally, I feel he needs to learn some respect for his elders. He also needs to learn that no one and I mean no one messes with my son'' Poseidon said voice deadly and then he attacked him- blow after blow bore down on the god of war hitting his midriff, his face and anywhere else that Poseidon could reach.

Golden ichor poured from the various abrasions and cuts adorning his face and body, Ares could also feel that his ribs had broken and part of his skull to. He was more than relieved when Hades stopped Poseidon from causing any more damage.

''Brother at least let me have my turn'' the god said and Poseidon, now sufficiently calmer, stepped back to where Zeus was standing.

''Last but certainly not least, I don't think we should allow Ares to tell anymore lies, do you?'' Hades asked to no one in particular and the look on his face made Ares shiver in fear.

With that said Hades grabbed Ares head and forced his mouth open, only to pour what looked to be liquid fire inside. Ares thrashed in pain and could feel his tongue blistering, disintegrating in his mouth.

With a grim satisfaction, the big three turned away from the god of war heading back towards the throne room. Not before snapping a picture though.

''I think that was a job well done, don't you?''

Back in the throne room…

It took only 30 mins for everyone to return from where they had been.

Zeus, Poseidon and Hades returned first looking very pleased with themselves. Percy and Annabeth were next who walked in- hair mussed, faces flushed and grinning from ear to ear with their hands joined between them before they too took a seat with their friends and family.

The most surprising of all perhaps was Luke and Hermes who strolled into the room laughing and joking not paying any attention to the looks from the others in the room.

Once everyone was seated Leo asked the question on everyone's mind ''are any of you going to tell us what happened?''.

Almost as if it had been rehearsed those who the question had been addressed to, all turned to look at each other before grinning and shaking their heads a simultaneous ''nope'' echoing through the room causing everyone to laugh.

''So-'' Demeter started only to be cut off as a bright light engulfed the room before disappearing. In its wake stood Hazel, Frank and Rachel who everyone greeted joyously.

Hazel and Frank introduced themselves to the gods once everything had been explained but Rachel only told them her name for she wanted to see their reactions once they had read who she was.

Once everything had settled down and Ares was still nowhere to be seen (which caused a lot less worry than it should) Demeter finally posed her question ''shall we read the next instalment?'' she asked and received nods as her answer ''who wants to read?'' she asked and the daughter of Pluto raised her hand.

''I will'' and the book was passed to her.

1. MY BEST FRIEND SHOPS FOR A WEDDING DRESS Hazel started