Disclaimer: Rick Riordan owns the characters, I'm just playing with them.

Thanks to those people who reviewed. Please read my other stories as well.

Chapter 2- Tears and Tantrums.

The next morning Percy woke to darkness. He had some trepidation regarding the trip (especially with the way Nico was acting) but was looking forward to spend time with his friends. Percy starting to wonder why Apollo was late, he was relieved when he finally made an appearance on the horizon. At breakfast that morning certain demi-gods (Annabeth, Will, Katie) were saying goodbye to their siblings and giving last minute instructions to their second in charge. Travis and Connor were threatening their cabin with death if they stole anything from them, while they were away.

Commotion began at the entrance of the dining area. Percy would normally ignore the yells, but had to past to go finish packing. The crowd parted and Percy got a good look at the fight, in the middle was Nico. Percy stopped stunned as Chiron arrived to break up the fight. The fight and the crowd dispersed, quickly except for Nico. He was sitting on an unfortunate camper and smacking their head.

"Nico STOP," yelled Chiron, when he was ignored he reached down and pulled Nico off the camper. Chiron held him just off the ground as he continued to throw punches.

"Enough Nico," sighed Chiron "go to your cabin and cool down. I don't want to see you until you are called to leave."

Nico glared at Chiron before he stormed out of the dining hall. Chiron sent Nico's victim to the infirmary and discovered that Nico had started the fight, over someone singing.

Chiron called Percy over to him. Percy was worried. Nico was being reckless and moody. He had been like this for a couple of weeks, maybe a month. He was lucky the campers he fought with were not from the Ares cabin.

"I believe you are worried about Nico. I think he needs a…" Chiron said hesitantly.

"Babysitter, I don't think Nico would like that," replied Percy sarcastically.

"Not a babysitter," corrected Chiron "I think Nico needs a friend, maybe an older cousin. Someone to look after him," he explained looking kindly at Percy.

"Nico can look after himself," said Percy.

"I know he can, but he is twelve years old. Should he be looking after himself," said Chiron looking at Percy. Chiron had him there.

"Sir did he tell you what's wrong?" asked Percy.

"Unfortunately no, maybe he will tell you. Have you finished packing?"

"Almost,"

"Shouldn't you go finish; you don't want to be late."

Percy went back to his cabin and packed the last couple of things. He looked at his watch. He had an hour to kill before they had to leave. He wondered if Nico had finished packing. He thought that was very unlikely.

Percy made his way to the Hades cabin giving a wave to a couple of his fellow to-be travellers. He banged on the cabin door before entering. Nico was curled up on the bed staring into space. He noticed the tiredness in his body language.

"Hey Nico I thought I would see if you need help with last minute packing." said Percy Nico remained silent but did sit up. Percy noticed the empty bag. Nico hadn't started packing. They had just over an hour before they were expected to leave.

"Come on Nico, you need to pack. You want me to help?"

"I'm not going," said Nico sulkily.

"Nico you have to go, the gods say you have to, you don't disregard a request from the gods." said Percy sighing.

"Why not? They forget promises to us," Nico whispered.

"What did your dad forget?" asked Percy sitting next to him on the bed.

"I don't want to go; I won't fit in, hell I don't fit in here at camp half-blood. We have to fit into the mortal world. I haven't fitted in since the 1930's, Hell I'm still trying to understand television," said Nico ignoring Percy's question.

"Nico you will fit in," said Percy seriously.

"No I won't, I'm twelve. Everyone is at least three years older than me. I will be the odd one out."

"No you won't. Now you better get packing- to be late is not a good start at fitting in" said Percy holding up the empty bag.

Nico grabbed the bag off him. He refused offers of help; he didn't want anyone going through his things. Nico was soon running around the room throwing items into the bag. Percy was sitting on the bed reminding him of things he may need. Once Nico was finished he sat down panting. It was hard packing in less than an hour.

Percy looked at his watch. It was time to leave. Percy carried Nico's bag to his cabin to pick up his bag. Nico trailed after him with apprehension. They met up with the others down at the van where they spent some time organising all the bags in the boot.

"Who is driving first" asked Connor looking at the group. After a small discussion (okay fight with threats) it was decided that Percy would drive first with Annabeth navigating beside him. The far backseat was nabbed by Travis, Connor and Will. Katie, Clarisse and Chris sat in front of them, the row behind the driver had Rachel, Thalia and Nico.

Rachel realised that everyone present had ADHD, how long were they going to stay still. Two minutes, she timed. Will started tapping on the window to the music he was listening to. Travis was kicking the back of Katie's seat. Annabeth was folding the map she was using to navigate. All the demi-gods were fidgeting.

After two hours things in the van had deteriorated. Will and Chris were fighting about some useless fact regarding sport. Travis had been kicking Katie's seat continually and blaming Connor. Katie finally lost it- lunging across the back of the seat to hit him. Clarisse also joined in attacking Connor (A child of Ares always enjoyed a fight). Thalia turned and screamed at the others. The van swerved as Percy became distracted by the noise.

"Pull over Percy," someone yelled, Percy did so. As the van came to a stop the door opened and an object darted out. The van swerving had shocked everyone.

"I think it is time for a new seating arrangement," Rachel said as everyone got out of the car.

"Where's Nico" asked Thalia noticing the young boy was missing. They looked around and saw him sitting under a tree. Thalia and Percy approached him quietly.

Before they arrived they smelt the unmistakable smell of vomit.

"Nico are you okay?" asked Thalia walking up to him. The young boy looked grey, tear stains marked his cheeks. Percy sat down in front of him.

"You get carsick, why didn't you tell us?" asked Percy. Nico shook his head.

"I didn't know. This is the first time it has happened. I haven't been in many cars before," a tear escaped from his eye, Nico used a sleeve to wipe it quickly away.

"It's okay, we can deal with this," said Thalia pulling the boy up off the ground. They made their way to the van; the others were sitting waiting for them.

"We are going to need a bucket," said Percy with no tact. Nico sent Percy a death glare. Travis passed a bucket up to them while Will riffled through the contents of the first aid kit passing Nico a packet.

"Travel sickness pills," he said as Nico looked at him confusedly.

"So when do we get to this motel," asked Percy as Clarisse pulled the van back onto the road.

"Soon, do you want to play a game?" asked Annabeth.

"Anything but I spy," replied Percy with everyone nodding in agreement. When you have dyslexia I spy was a hard game to play. The group decided on a game and played it until Clarisse pulled into the motel.

A/N: Some Percy/ Nico bonding. Love this pairing (Cousin/ brotherly love).

Please review: I love reviews almost as much as Clarisse likes fighting.