Sorry been ill and work has been crazy so not quite the defined chapter I was hoping for but is more to help lead the story on anyway!

The next chapter will be much more detail orientated and have a bit more of a direction!

Hope you enjoy anyway!

Percy returned to his room and settled into his bed, thinking about the wonderful night he'd had and what this meant for the year to come.

Percy was just drifting off to sleep when he heard a commotion at the door so Percy stood up and unlocked it to see Jason and Frank standing there with Leo in the middle and his arms wrapped around the back of their necks.

"We helped him get here now he's all yours" Jason said as he unhooked Leo's arm from around his head

"Good luck" Frank said as he did the same and then pushed Leo towards Percy

"Guys, come on you can't do this" Percy argued as he caught Leo and helped him to sit on his bed.

"Too late" Jason shouted as Percy turned his head to watch him and Frank walk off.

Percy sighed as he turned his attention back to Leo and shut their door. "I think tonight was the best night of my life" Leo stated before falling backwards into his bed.

"I'm glad to hear it mate"

"IT WAS JUST SO AMAZING" Leo shouted with enthusiasm

Percy rolled his eyes, got back into his bed and told Leo to go to sleep. A few minutes later and they were both snoring.

Percy woke up to Leo stumbling around their room and knocking things over, a buzzing sound was going off so Percy assumed Leo was trying to turn it off. Percy grumbled at him and tried to close his eyes and fall back asleep.

"Psssst Percy"

"What Leo?" Percy moaned, his eyes tightly closed

"It's 6AM" Leo whispered

"Yeah so go back to sleep"

"We've got to go meet the others for breakfast? Remember? It's tradition"

Leo threw some clothes over and they landed on Percy's head, he was thrown off balanced and fell into the wardrobe.

Percy hesitantly obliged and stood up and helped Leo get out of the wardrobe and then they both got dressed.

It was still dark out and there were no lights to show the way but Percy and Leo knew this place like the back of their hands so Percy was able to direct them in the right way. It wasn't until they were down at the canteen that Percy realised that Leo had put his top on inside out and that his shoes were on the wrong feet. Percy thought about telling Leo but decided he owed it to the group to let them see him like that. When they reached the canteen doors, they pushed them open to see the canteen was empty apart from the group already sitting around one of the tables chatting away, unlike the boys they had all brought torches. Percy snuck up and wrapped his arms round Annabeth's hips and pulled her backwards so her head rested on the top of his chest. It was natural and easy, like something they'd done a million times before.

Once Leo had come into full view, the chatting stopped and all eyes turned to him.

"Rough night Leo?" Jason asked

"No..." Leo's voice was rough and dry

"Can you even remember anything?" Hazel questioned him with curious eyes

"Ermm... there was dancing and singing and..." Leo's voice trailed off

"Right... well... I'm starving so Percy, can you do the honours" Piper suggested just as her stomach rumbles loudly and she quickly tries to cover it with her hands.

Percy smirked at the noise and headed over to the glass top where the food is usually placed and dished up by the kitchen staff. Percy climbed over it and pulled a small key out of his pocket and unlocked the kitchen door.

"What are you doing?" Annabeth questioned harshly

"It's tradition" He answered back before entering the kitchen.

Percy went through the door and flicked the light switch on and was greeted to the sight of pans, flour and eggs and some maple syrup left out He silently thanked Fiona, the head chef who seemed to have a soft spot for him and his friends which is how he'd managed to persuade her to give him a key in the first place. It was a few years ago that Percy came up with the idea and talked to Fiona about access to the kitchen but it was Leo that had sweet talked her into letting them make pancakes on New Year's Day when the kitchen staff weren't in and to leave the ingredients out. They promised they would clean it up afterwards and never let anyone else in on the secret.

Piper then came through the door.

"I'm the helper this year as Leo will probably destroy the place"

"And you won't?" Percy questioned with a playful smile as he turned the stove on

"We agreed I'm less likely and no one else can put up with Chef Percy... you like to act like Gordan Ramsey or something" she smirked and pulled the bottle of milk out of the fridge and starting mixing all the ingredients in a bowl.

"Ok but that's why my pancakes are the best" he said as he snatches the bowl away and starts mixing it together himself.

"Now look away whilst I add my secret ingredient"

"Come on Percy really?"

"LOOK AWAY"

Piper reluctantly turned around and Percy quickly sprinkled in his secret ingredient. Once the batter was nice and smooth, Percy then poured part of the the batter into the pan and started to cook them.

Piper got some plates out and Percy would flip the pancake before placing it on the plate and then Piper would serve it to the others.

They finally managed to serve up the last of the pancakes and went to eat with the rest of the group. Turns out they'd still been teasing Leo about his behaviour and reminding him of his antics. Percy ensures he got in on the teasing and told everyone how Leo had fallen into the wardrobe.

Once everyone had eaten Percy and Piper returned to the kitchen to clean up.

"We're not a bad team you know" Percy said as he washed a plate and passed it to Piper to dry.

"You didn't go all chef Percy that's why"

"Haha ok well I'll try to rein it in... but only when I'm working with you"

"Deal"

After Percy had put the last pan away, took a quick look around to check it was spotless, Piper and he walked out laughing, he locked the door and rejoined the group. They all talked for a bit longer before Jason looked at the time and told Percy they better get changed and then get going. They'd agreed to go and see Thalia in the hospital and Jason's dad was picking them up at 9... It was now 8:45. Piper and Annabeth had offered to join them but the boys had to decline their offer and say they just wanted to go by themselves.

Jason had changed into a white t-shirt and a blue pair of jeans and Percy decided to wear a baby blue shirt and black jeans. They waited by the front gates for Jason's father to come and pick them up. Sure enough a minute later a big black Land Rover pulled up with Mr Grace driving and Mrs Grace in the passenger seat. Percy has always thought this car was over rated but didn't dare to mention it to Mr Grace. The boys climbed into the back seats and the car pulled away and headed towards the hospital.

Once there, they walked into Thalia's room to see it looking very similar to when they last visited however there was now a banner saying happy new year and a few different styled balloons. Mr Grace thanked the nurses for being so nice and putting up decorations. Percy watched as he saw Mr Grace slip £20 notes to each Nurse on the ward. Over the years Percy had learnt that despite Mr Grace being known for his reputation of a hard dealing businessman, he was generous when he could be. Other businessmen might have donated money to the hospital but Mr Grace understood that it's the people that work at the hospital that deserve the praise and the reward. That's why Percy beloved he was so successful, he was kind to people even if he did come across as intimidating.

Jason and Percy sat on Thalia's bed and took it in turns to tell her what they'd got up to over Christmas and shared their story of events from last night. Thalia laid there motionless but Percy knew that inside she would be laughing at their stories. Mrs Grace sat in the corner with Mr Grace and they were reading some medical journals, Percy studied their faces for a moment as their eyes scanned the pages. It was as though they were looking for clues, any indications that there was going to be a breakthrough and if they showed it to the drs they may be able to help their daughter.

They spent about an hour chatting away, Jason told Thalia about his fears for the new year and what he hoped to accomplish. Percy did the same and shared a nod with Jason when he admitted he wanted to be there for Rachel. "That's the right thing to do Percy" Mr Grace announced from the back of the room, Percy looked back and shared a smile. Mr Grace had practically become an Uncle to Percy, they had a good understanding but he could never replace his Father.

When they couldn't think of something to say they would just sit there in silence, all of them staring at Thalia as she laid in her bed. They went down to the canteen and ordered lunch but brought it into Thalia's room to eat.

Mr Grace had a tv installed since their last visit so Jason decided they should watch a movie, they managed to put seats either side of Thalia and Jason flicked through the channels before choosing to select the movie How To Train Your Dragon that was currently showing on BBC1.

Once the movie had finished, Mr Grace announced that he should be getting the boys back. They said their goodbye to Thalia and promised to visit again soon. The journey home was a quiet one, no one really sure what to say.

When they arrived back at the school Percy thanked them for the ride and gave Mr and Mrs Grace a hug, Jason did the same. Once the car had pulled away, they headed inside.

As the boys walked back through the school, Jason asked Percy

"So what you said about Rachel... Does Annabeth know how you feel?"

"No I haven't said anything yet but it shouldn't affect us" Percy replied cooly.

"Just tread lightly around that subject" Jason advised "I don't want either of you getting hurt over nothing"

The boys stopped outside the canteen "You gonna have some dinner?" Jason quizzed

Percy shook his head "Nah I'm just gonna change and hit the pool, get some laps in"

"Ok man" Jason turned to walk in

"Can you tell Annabeth that's what I'm doing and I'll see her tomorrow? I'll probably just head to bed after"

Jason nodded and they went they separate ways, Jason heading for dinner whilst Percy went off to get his speedos and towel.