IX

PIPER

"Hey, Pipes," Annabeth said, tapping on her shoulder, surprising her. She'd been sitting with her mother for the past several minutes, who'd been unusually quiet – probably because of the screams that came from the room roughly every minute. Eight screams. That's how many she'd counted.

"Annabeth," Piper said, standing up and taking the blonde's hand in her own. "Is he alright?" Annabeth bit her lip. "He's getting there," she sighed. "I'm going to get his mom – but don't wanna go alone. Come with me?"

Piper looked to her mother. Aphrodite nodded, smiling sincerely for once. Piper beamed at her and nodded at Annabeth. The worry lines around Annabeth's eyes seemed to ease, and the two walked out of the palace.

As they walked on the path, Piper heard someone running behind her. She turned around to see Jason, his blond hair flying in the breeze as he ran. "Pipes!" he called. "Where you two going?"

"We're going to get Percy's mom," Annabeth explained. Jason's eyes widened, his head snapping back to look at the palace and then back at them. "Wha – why? Is he OK?" "Percy's fine-ish," Annabeth said calmly, but her eyes betrayed her worry. "He hasn't seen his mom in at least 8 months, so we thought it'd be nice if she's here when he wakes up."

Jason's mouth opened in an 'O'. "Eight months?" Piper asked surprised. "Yup," Annabeth admitted. "Amnesia for six, then two months on the quest. Eight."

"I'm coming with you guys," Jason said in a tone that suggested there was no room for argument. Annabeth shrugged her shoulders. The three of them continued on the path, Annabeth in front while Piper and Jason behind her. Piper linked her arm through Jason's, winking at him when he looked down at her. Jason leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead. Piper leaned into him as they turned left off the path and onto the main cobbled street running through Olympus.

Satyrs and nymphs waved at them as they passed by, to which the three responded with polite nods, smiles and the occasional wave. A few minutes later, they reached the elevator. Annabeth fished in her pocket for a drachma and inserted it into the slot. They walked into the elevator, Piper leaning against Jason who leaned against the wall, his arms around her stomach. The ride was long, but not agonisingly so. Piper felt the elevator slowing down and steadied herself for the stop. The doors dinged open and the three of them walked out into the crowded lobby of the Empire State Building.

Piper looked around herself in awe. It had been ages since she'd walked amongst so many people who had absolutely no idea what perils they lived in. It had been ages since she'd felt – normal; and her heart ached for the times gone by. She leaned more into Jason as they walked for the exit, Annabeth pushing the door open and walking out into the late-afternoon air.

If possible, the streets were even more crowded. People milled about, probably the ones who got off early, in a sea of heads. "This way," Annabeth announced loudly and walked into the sea. Piper gulped and she and Jason plunged in after Annabeth.

Pushes and shoves, a hastily mumbled "Sorry!" or angrily shouted "Watch where you're going!" Piper clung to Jason and they both kept their arms on the back of Annabeth's head. Even she seemed to be having some trouble navigating the crowd; but she and Jason were like fish out of water. Annabeth kept turning around to look at them to see if they were keeping up. After what seemed like an eternity, Annabeth turned around and said, "Left here."

They turned out of the crowd and into the entrance of an old but nicely built block of apartments. Annabeth walked in as if she belonged there and started climbing stairs. "Stairs," Piper grumbled and Jason chuckled. They followed Annabeth up the stairs.

Annabeth stopped in front of a wooden door. There was a sign on the outside; "The Blofis Residence". "Blowfish?" Jason asked stunned. Piper slapped his chest lightly. "Manners," she chided. "No, seriously," Jason went on, clueless. "Is it a Poseidon thing, or am I pronouncing it wrong?"

Annabeth chuckled, her eyes sparkling, her face animated. It was a look on her Piper hadn't seen in a long time. It was a good look. "It's Blofis," Annabeth corrected. "And now, gods save us. Last time I came here, it was to say that Percy died."

With that cheery statement, she knocked on the door. "I'll get it," a man's voice said, followed by footsteps and a woman chuckling and saying, "I'm not in any position to." The woman's voice sounded just like Percy's – but feminine. Sally Jackson – or Blofis now.

The door opened. In its place stood a middle-aged man probably in his late forties. He had salt-and-pepper hair and a face that could be called handsome. He was tall, at least six feet, and he wore a button-down shirt that was open at the collar and the sleeves rolled up.

"Paul," Annabeth said, putting her hand out. "Annabeth," he said shocked. He shook his head and blinked his eyes. He took her hand and shook it. "Come in," he said distractedly. "Come in."

Annabeth stepped in. "Jason," Jason introduced, sticking his hand out. Paul smiled sadly and shook it. "Piper," she announced and shook Paul's hand. "You must be friends of Percy's," Paul said in a voice thick with emotion. "Yeah," Piper said. "About that…"

She was interrupted by a squeal that obviously came from Annabeth but at the same time was the least Annabethy thing to do. The three of them rushed in to investigate. Annabeth was bent over at the waist, hugging someone whose arms were around her back. Annabeth broke away from the hug to reveal a beautiful woman with blue eyes that sparkled and changed colour in the light, a smile as warm as a quilt, and long brown hair with a few streaks of grey in it, dressed in a simple striped dress – a new-born baby in her lap as she sat on the couch.

Annabeth went to her knees, gingerly reaching her hands out towards the baby. "May I?" she asked Sally. Sally nodded, smiling widely. Annabeth touched the baby's cheeks with outstretched fingers, gently stroking them. Her other hand gently massaged the back of the sleeping baby girl.

"Percy has a sister," Annabeth whispered to herself, her smile growing wider and tears pricking her eyes. Piper's heart ached for the fact that Percy couldn't come himself to see his baby sister. "Where are my manners?" Annabeth chided herself. She got to her feet, gesturing for Piper and Jason to come forward. "This is Piper, and Jason," Annabeth introduced. "How lovely of you to come," Sally said, smiling at them. "Sorry I can't get up."

"Please relax, Mrs. Jack – Blofis," Piper insisted. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Jason nodded his agreement. "Likewise," Sally said. Her eyes wandered over their shoulders. "Is Percy coming?" she asked hopefully, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Sally," Annabeth swallowed. "That's what we're here to talk about." Sally's face fell. "What's wrong?" she asked in a deceptively steady voice, but her wide eyes betrayed her panic.

"Percy got hurt," Jason stepped in. "Bad. Lord Apollo said seeing you would help him get better quicker." "Where is he?" Sally asked, her voice wavering now. "Olympus," Piper answered. "Take me there right now," she said, motioning to get up.

"Sally," Paul said, stepping forward. "You just got back from the hospital an hour ago. You should rest." "I can't rest, Paul!" she all but snapped. "My baby's hurt."

She wrapped her hands around the new-born baby, moving to get up. Paul moved to help her up, pushing her gently from behind. "I'll drive you," he said, picking up the baby's carrier.

Two minutes later they were all piled into Paul's Prius. He pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road. He took a right, then a left, then went straight for a while till they arrived at the Empire State Building. Sally leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you," she said. "Take care of yourself," he said, before turning to Annabeth in the backseat. "You don't need to say it," Annabeth said. "She'll be fine with us."

The four of them got out of the car, Annabeth grabbing the baby carrier from Sally while Piper helped her out of the car. They entered the building, the look of worry never fading from Sally's face. "Six-hundredth floor," Annabeth said to the guard, tossing a drachma onto the counter before he could deny the existence of any such floor. He nodded and an elevator's doors dinged open. "Thanks," Annabeth said and the four of them walked into the elevator. The lift zoomed up its shaft, a boom sounding when they broke free of the building and were on their way up to Olympus. Sally's feet tapped nervously.

The doors finally opened, revealing the wonderful city of Olympus. They stepped out of the elevator but a golden sheen appeared in front of them and Sally and the baby carrier suddenly stopped. "Not right now!" Sally cried, slamming her fist exasperatedly against the golden substance.

"I, POSEIDON, GRANT SALLY BLOFIS AND ALL WITH HER PERMISSION TO ENTER OLYMPUS!"

Piper whirled around to see Poseidon walking towards them. "Poseidon," Sally whispered under her breath. "Sally," Poseidon said. "My dear."

"Annabeth, take the baby carrier," Poseidon ordered. Annabeth took the carrier from Sally, who was still looking at Poseidon. Poseidon knelt slightly and picked Sally up, bridal style, eliciting a tiny squeak from her. The five of them then walked towards Apollo's palace.

"I can walk," Sally finally said playfully once she's gotten past the shock. "You mortals walk too slowly after giving birth," Poseidon chuckled. "How is Percy?" Sally asked in a scared voice. "He is healing," Poseidon said seriously. "Apollo says he has fixed the scars," he said, turning towards Piper, Jason and Annabeth.

"Scars?" Sally shrieked. "What scars?!" "He fell into Tartarus…" Poseidon started saying but he was cut off. "TARTARUS?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN TARTARUS?" "Wait till she finds out it was the second time," Jason whispered to Piper, to which she responded by elbowing him in the chest. "Yes, for the second time," Poseidon said. Piper groaned. "THE SECOND TIME?! HOW CAN YOU BE SO CASUAL ABOUT THIS? WHY DID NO-ONE TELL ME?"

"Annabeth," Sally said, squirming in Poseidon's arms to get a look at her. "Was he there when you came last week?" Annabeth looked at her feet. "Not then," she admitted. "Where was he then?" "With me," Poseidon answered. "Now we're there, so please stop these questions. We'll fill you in later."

Even though Piper could tell she didn't like it, Sally quietened. Poseidon turned onto the golden path, followed by Annabeth holding the baby and Piper and Jason bringing up the rear. They walked up to the palace and entered it. Although some of the gods raised eyebrows at Sally's presence, none of them said anything. Athena, Artemis and Chiron had also arrived.

Poseidon set Sally down on her feet in front of the door in which Percy was. He nodded at her, gently pushing her forward. She swallowed nervously. "Eight months," she whispered to herself before she knocked on the door and walked into the room.