Nico took his bag and the two boys were ready to go away. It was rather small, because the boy didn't have too much things, and they had filled it with that few clothes he had.
When they were ready, he said:-Ok, how we can go now? With the bus to New York? How did you come here?
:-With a machine built by Leo-answered Percy. –But now I haven't more ideas.
:-I would have one-said the boy shyly.-But you won't like it.
:-If there is no choice…-said Percy nervously. –Shoot.
:-Ok, take my hand-told to him the son of Hades, that was sheepish.
:-What?-asked the boy, astonished. It was a very bizarre thing, Nico knews that very well. He called himself stupid. He would have formulate the sentence better than that one.
:-We don't have Mrs O'Leary, and, even though my orders, probably the other hellouds could eat you. We will do a shadow travel-explained the boy, that was blushing until the tip of his hairs.
:-A…a shadow travel?-repeated Percy, uncertain.
:-Yes-nodded Nico, that couldn't contain a smile. Percy hated shadow travels, and he knew it too well.
:-Don't worry, it is only for two second, maybe three-said Nico, smiling to encourage, and he tendered his hand to him.-You just have to tighten it very strong, do I won't leave you in China or somewhere else.
:-Do you promise? Do you promise me to not leave me to Pekino?-asked the boy, timorous. Nico knews that he had few experiences with shadow travels, but they was horrible.
:-I swear you-said the boy, and he gave to him his hand. –And it will be go on for few seconds, it will be finish immediately.
Percy did a deep breath and took the hand of the son of Hades, that dragged him in the shadow at once.
It was a trip of few seconds, but hateful. Nico had almost feared that Percy would slip from his hand, but Percy, that was afraid of the same thing, hugged the hand of the Ghost King more than him, with so much straight that he almost hurt the boy. It was so fast that the son of Poseidon thought that his skin was detached from his own face. When they came to the Camp, the boy would almost kissed the ground, but he nauseated.
:-Ehi, it is all right?-asked Nico to the boy.
:-Yes, it is-said Percy, staggered. –I'm only nauseated, a little bit, it will passed early. Why you don't?
:-After few times you get used it-answered the boy. –Beh, we've come.
They got over the line of the Camp, that was signed by the Thalia's pine. The Golden Fleece was hanging on it. The dragon put here to protect the Fleece was dozing, but when the two demigods got over the line, it woke up, and it looked to them to ascertain that they didn't want to still the Fleece, and it came back to sleep.
The two friends went to the Big House to inform Chiron about Nico's coming, or maybe harpies would eat him.
When they came in, Chiron and Mr D was playing buraco, while a satyr gnawed a tin of Diet Coke nervously. And there were Hazel and Leo, too. They had a expression degraded and guilty. Damn, they had been found.
When he saw them, Chiron said cordially:-Oh, Percy, welcome back here. And Nico, there is you, too! I'm very happy to see you, guy.
But Mr D didn't was friendly as Chiron:-Peter Johnson, I see that you have laughed during your little trip out program. And he dragged Miss Adele Levanque and Leopold Bannez!
:-It would be Percy Jackson, sir-said Percy impulsively, while Nico would have been able to sew his mouth. –And Hazel Levesque, and Leo Valdez, sir.
:-Doesn't matter!-exclaimed the god, finishing his turn. –You have violated the rules! But you will be punished very severely, I can ensure it to you. You would be expulsed from the Camp!
:-But, Mr D…-started Percy, but Chiron stopped him.
:-I'm sorry, Percy-said the old centaur with regret. –I wouldn't, but Mr D is right. Yours was an irresponsible behavior, and without a logic explanation, and…
Nico understood what the centaur meant. Mr D wanted to expulsed him, Percy, Leo and his sister from the Halfblood Camp, the safest place for them. He had to do something, he couldn't allow it. He could go away without problems, but he can't let it, Percy and Hazel would have been in hard and dangerous situations. He had to protect them.
:- No, Chiron, wait, please!-said the boy. –There is a good reason. They came…they came to save me! My dad didn't let me to come here, so he closed me in the Underground. They fought valiantly against the guards of my father.
:-Oh-said Chiron, who was satisfied, smiling. –Now, Mr d, I think there is no reason to expelled them. After all, it was an emergency situation, and you should try to think at the reaction of Poseidon if…
:-Please, Chiron!-exclaimed the god, that was sniveling like a little capricious child. –At least let me to transform them into dolphins. Or to make them crazy.
:-Poseidon loves dolphins, but I don't think that he would be too happy-said Chiron. –Unfortunately, Mr D, I can't allow you to transform these guys into crazy dolphins.
Mr D snorted and said:-Ok, Potty Johasson, ok. You will stay to the Camp.
Guys exulted, but Mr D stopped them immediately:-Oh, but don't think to get off lightly. You are serving a punishment for two weeks.
Guys became dark, but they couldn't keep a smile. At least they were still here.
:-Tell it to us, Mr D-answered Nico, sure as he has never been before.
:-Very well. Mr Baldez and Miss Levaque would have to clean the public toilets-said Dionysus, grinning. –And Mr Johnson and Mr Di Gambero* would have to help harpies to wash the dishes.
Nico saw Percy, he was sighing. Even thought that harpies washed dishes with a strange and dangerous way, he looks like he was happy, because he wouldn't have to clean toilets.
:-Anyway, now that it's all right-said Chiron, smiling. –Tell us, Nico, are you here to stay?
:-Perfect-said the centaur. –Now you have to go, Hazel, drive him to his house. Do you remember the rules, Nico?
The boy nodded, so Chiron let them to go.
When they left the Big House, Percy was trying to say something, Nico was excited. He was satisfied, because he had protected his friends.
:-Nico, I…-tried to say the boy, but a fury faster than Mares of Diomedes didn't let hit to finish the sentence.
:-Percy!-exclaimed a female voice of a tall girl, with blond hair and grey eyes like a tempest. She was Annabeth, Percy's girlfriend, obviously. She hugged the boy himmediately.
:-Where you were, Seaweed Brain?-asked the girl, who became very angry.
:-To take Nico-said the boy, that was trying to defend himself.
:-Beh, you could tell it to me, right? Ok, forget it, you're only a stupid-said the girl, sulky. –Only a great stupid.
:-Yes, I love you too, Wise Girl-said the boy, smiling to her and looked to the sky, and after that he kissed her on her lips very sweety.
But Nico went away and the anger, the sadness, without saying something, he was crying. He could feel the fire and the anger, the sadness and the despair. What he could do?
Nico hated himself, because at that moment he was hating Annabeth with all of himself, and he couldn't stop.
*Nico di Angelo is an Italian boy. Di Angelo in English it's like "of angel". So the false surname "Di Gambero"it's an Italian pun, because in English it's like "of prawn". But in Italy it's better.