A/N- I´m SO sorry for taking so long since the last chapter, but I got caught in a couple of things and couldn't update sooner. Next chapter should be ready in a couple of days, though.

Also, to Hedley is Amazing: I'd forgotten about that, so thank you for pointing it, especially since it solves a problem I was having a couple of chapters from now.

And now, here's chapter 3! Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer – I don't own anything, except an OC or two.

Chapter 3: Leo

Okay, so maybe Nico needed to check his vocabulary, because as far as Leo was concerned, the thing in front of them wasn't a hotel. Unless, of course, 'dark-little-hole-in-the-middle-of-nowhere' was the regular way to describe a hotel. Because that's what the thing in front of them was.

It looks so bad, I kind of wish we were back with the empousai.

Leo got himself from the floor and looked around. It was already midafternoon and there were no signs nearby as to their location, except for an ancient sign that said 'Grand Royal Hotel' that had to be some kind of joke.

The building in front of him seemed to be one of those cheap motels where people could rent by the month and live in. If such people were to live inside a horror movie. The really scary type.

After getting past that happy thought, he realized he couldn't see or hear Nico, so he turned around, only to see him face down on the floor. He ran to his side, turned him around and searched him for any kind of injuries. There were none, which was good, but he didn't seem to wake up, which was bad.

Having his only –for now, hopefully – quest companion die right after the start because of his mistake couldn't be such a great way of starting. Plus, it'd totally suck for the kid.

'Hey, kid, wake up! You can't die on me! I mean, you can, but the guys at camp will kill me! Specially Annabeth. Please say something. ANYTHING!' Leo said.

At this, Nico just gave a light snore. Not exactly the response he expected.

So, he's not dead, just asleep which is good. But he can't tell me where we are, which is bad.

Leo was clearly distressed, so he didn't notice someone was next to him until a hand touched his shoulder. After jumping about a foot in the air and yelling, – in a very manly way, of course – he turned around.

A guy who couldn't be more than a couple of years older than Leo himself was standing before him. He had curly brown hair and eyes, and he was wearing a t-shirt with some sort of 'save the nature' stuff he didn't quite care of at the moment.

The guy was looking at him and Nico, like he wasn't sure of what had happened. A small part of his brain noticed that the guy wasn't exactly calling for an ambulance, but at the same moment the rest of him was going into panic, so he didn't paid attention to that part of his brain (he barely did, anyway).

'This isn't what it looks like! He's just asleep, I think, and I'm not robing him or –'

'I know. We should move him, though. He tends to be cranky after sleeping in a bad position.'

'Okay, we'll… wait, what! HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT!'

'My name's Grover Underwood. Annabeth called, said Nico and a new camper were on a quest and would probably come see me.'

The guy, Grover (the name sounded familiar), put an arm under Nico and started lifting him. Leo was about to grab him from the other side when he looked at Grover.

He had hooves. Shaggy legs. Horns, kind of small, but still, horns.

'You're a satyr!' Leo said. He was answered with an irritated bleat.

'You don't say! Of course I'm a satyr! Do I look like a naiad?'

'Whoa! Sarcastic much?'

At this, Grover looked a little embarrassed. 'Sorry. It's been a difficult week and I think we're finally seeing that Percy has rubbed off on me.'

'So that's why your name was familiar, you're friends with Percy Jackson. What do you mean about rubbing off? He's into sarcasm?'

That would be awesome. Sarcasm I can deal with.

Secretly, Leo had been worried whether he'd manage to get along with the still missing camp leader. Leo had never been too good with authoritative figures – or authorities in general -, and from what little Jason could share from his camp, the way to be leader there was by showing strength and above all else, discipline. So totally un-Leo like.

Without meaning to, Grover put his fears to rest.

'Percy? He's like, king of snappy comments. That and answering back, be it to monsters or gods.' Before he could get into details, Grover opened a door and signaled Leo to maneuver Nico into the room.

If the outside looked bad, the interior was terrible. As in, if ten was bad, this would be a thousand. The walls looked like they had been originally white but now were grey, the table had a crack that traveled all over the surface, and the bed looked three seconds away from coming apart.

Nevertheless, they still eased Nico into it, properly introduced themselves and seated at the table. One of those awkward silences was starting to form, so Leo, who obviously hadn't learned from his last experience with Nico, decided to start a conversation.

'So, I take it you know Nico or is his 'walking-into-walls-and-fainting' a known routine back at camp?'

Ouch. Cranky much? At least try to make a good first impression.

Grover didn't sound bothered, though. 'Actually, both. I first met him when he was ten. I was the one to detect him and his sister at his school. I've seen his powers plenty of -'

'Wait, back up. Nico has a sister? I don't remember another kid of Hades at camp.'

'She's dead now.' Obviously Grover had let slip that comment, because he looked kind of panicked for a second. 'Blaa-ha-ha! If you didn't know before, forget I said it!' he said.

Oh. So that's why he gave me the silent treatment.

' Err, actually, I already asked about his family. He didn't look all that happy with my question.'

Grover looked at Leo as if he'd grown a second head.

'You asked Nico about his family? Didn't anyone at camp tell you the basics about him?'

'Not really, I mean, this was sort of sudden. I'm supposed to be building like, the coolest ship ever, not questing' Leo said. He was wondering if 'questing' was an actual word, when he realized Grover was giving him a long serious look.

'Okay. Then I'll have to tell you a few things about him. You know, so that you don't offend him to the point of him killing you.'

Leo almost laughed, but then saw Grover was still looking pretty serious.

The sad part is the kid probably can do it with one hand tied to his back. Not that you've given him too many reasons, Valdez.

'Okay, so, what can you tell me?'

A/N- And that was chapter 3! When I was making the final changes, I realized Grover isn't as err, loud as usual, but it will be explained soon.

Next: Nico's pov! Finally!

That said, reviews are useful and welcome!