Here you are. I know it isn't Tuesday, but I kinda skipped last week so...

Percy sat on the edge of his bed in the infirmary and groaned. He'd had a restless night, thinking about the craziness of camp. As much as Percy loved his friends, the idea of seeing them today made him squeamish. He wondered whether they'd be happy to see him after so long, or if they'd hate him for leaving.

It took every ounce of his resistance not to sneak out the window and run for the hills. Percy had to talk to them, no matter how difficult it would be. This would be his only opportunity to see his old friends and maybe smooth over some problems. Once he left camp, the gods would make sure that he would never have another chance to return.

Finally, he couldn't stand to sit any longer. Percy snatched the crutch Will had given him and used it to get to his feet. Since Travis brought him to camp the day before, Percy was feeling much better. A combination of healing power, ambrosia, and nectar could do wonders for any demigod. His leg was still hard to stand on, and he'd be sore for another day or two, but he was well enough to get around on his own.

Percy started pacing—well, if you could even call it that. He did his best to stagger across the infirmary, trying to release some of the excess energy that came with being ADHD.

With shaking limbs and a triumphant grin, Percy reached the back wall of the room. He turned to cross the floor again when the door burst open with a cry of, "Percy!" Before he could register what had happened, Percy was tackled from the side and sent reeling.

A short figure was hugging him tightly. He took a moment to regain his balance. Looking down, Percy saw a head of wild brown hair, laced with braids and feathers. He smiled and hesitantly returned the hug.

"Geez, Beauty Queen," came someone else from the doorway. "Don't crush the guy."

Piper released him and faced a smirking Leo and Jason.

"Sorry. It's just—well—" She seemed at a loss for words, and frankly Percy couldn't blame her. Now that his old friends stood before him, Percy didn't know what to say.

He gazed at the three heroes, all of whom had grown since he'd last seen them. Piper stood taller and appeared more confident. Her eyes shone with their usual kindness, giving off a variety of colors. Jason looked strong yet peaceful. His blue eyes scanned the room thoughtfully and rested on Percy. Leo had filled out. His scrawny frame was more muscle and his hands were calloused, probably the result of working in the forges.

Fate had been good to the trio. Despite the hardship of their pasts, they seemed happy and satisfied. He doubted they saw the same in him.

The air was tense as they examined each other. Jason stepped forward and reached out his hand.

"Good to see you, Perce." Jason seemed sincere. Percy felt a calm surround him as he took his cousin's hand.

"Same to you, I suppose."

Leo came forward, and they shook hands as well. "The monsters haven't gotten you yet?"

Percy smirked at the son of Hephaestus. "No, but those mortals were pretty nasty."

Leo chuckled. "I believe it."

Smiling past the boys, Percy's gaze found his attacker. "Hey, Piper. Long time no see."

She waved a bit sheepishly. "Hi, Percy. Sorry I tackle-hugged you."

"No worries."

The small talk ended, and they lapsed into quiet again. Despite the swirling questions, no one seemed to know what to say. Luckily, Chiron solved their problem. He entered in his wheelchair and gestured to them all.

"Come on, you four. The other counselors are in the living room."

Percy's gut twisted in apprehension, but he followed his mentor nonetheless. With the aid of his crutch, he walked down the hallway and turned a corner.

The Big House living room was packed with people. Teenagers lay sprawled across furniture, milling around, chatting aimlessly. The second Percy entered, followed by Piper, Jason and Leo, the room silenced itself. The trio joined the other counselors, and everyone faced the dark-haired demigod, scrutinizing him with their gazes.

Katie Gardner spoke first. "Stoll wasn't kidding. You are back."

Travis nodded at Percy from his place on the couch. He seemed pleased to be back with his brother, Connor.

"Where have you been?" The whole room froze. Clarisse had stood and was now glaring at him angrily.

"Clarisse, give him a break. He—" Piper tried defending him, but Clarisse wasn't hearing any of it.

"No. He can't just disappear like that and expect us not to ask questions. The Kelp Head completely vanished. I'd like to know where he's been."

Chiron gave Percy a look that told him to tread carefully. He had to give them some sort of an answer, but he'd have to word it properly. The gods wouldn't tolerate him lashing out against Olympus.

The counselors—his friends—were watching him now. Whether they admitted it or not, they were curious about what happened. What was capable of making the Hero of Olympus run away? Why had their friend left them?

Percy swallowed the lump in his throat and tried standing a little taller. "Three years ago I got myself into a bad situation. I was heading in a wrong direction."

Someone coughed.

"The gods saw potential for things to get worse and stopped me before they could. I'm dealing with the consequences of my actions." There. Not exactly the truth, but close. It hurt Percy to make the gods seem so innocent, but this would cause the least amount of problems.

No one seemed to know what to say. A person, he didn't know who, muttered, "That's it?"

Percy replied firmly, "Yes. That's it."

Leo spoke up, "Something's not right. You're too tense. The Percy we know doesn't act like this. What really happened to you?"

That was an unusually serious comment, coming from Leo. It only further proved that Percy needed to leave. Before this wave turned into a tsunami.

Looking each one of them in the eyes, Percy drove his point home. "I don't expect you to like what I said; I expect you to accept it."

The ones that knew him well were taken aback, shocked by his bitter tone.

"Are you at least staying this time? We could use your help with the mist problem." Malcolm looked at Percy from across the room. His stormy eyes struck a chord in the son of Poseidon.

"No," Percy shook his head. "I'm leaving as soon as I can walk on my own two feet."

His response seemed to deflate the room. Any hopes they had of Percy returning were gone. Disappointment radiated from everyone as they stood, silently agreeing that the meeting was over.

Will Solace nodded to him on the way out. "Nice seeing you." He left, followed by most of the others.

That left Percy standing with the Piper, Leo, Jason, and Chiron. Leo met his eyes for a moment and walked solemnly out the door. Jason looked ready to say something, but he stopped himself and trailed behind the son of Hephaestus.

Piper put her hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure you won't stay? Annabeth should be back in a few days."

Percy wrestled with himself internally as he resisted the temptation to accept her offer. "I'm sure. I need to leave soon, or else things will get complicated."

Reluctantly, she seemed to accept that. The daughter of Aphrodite hugged him lightly and went the same way as her boyfriend.

It took all of his will power not to call them all back. His pain must've been obvious because Chiron approached him sympathetically.

"You said the right thing, Percy. It may have been difficult, but you'll all be better off for it."

Percy didn't respond. He'd reached up and was now rubbing his camp necklace between his fingers. Despite all of his anger and suffering, he could never bear to take it off. It held memories he could never completely forget.

Sure, life on his own, away from this place, had been simpler—no quests, no world-conquering relatives, no prophecies—but it was so much lonelier. Percy missed the adventure, he missed the laughter, he missed his home.

"I'll have someone bring you lunch. It's probably best you avoid the other campers for now."

Resignedly, he followed Chiron back to the infirmary, knowing that he'd done what he had to do. It was time to leave once again.

Alright, so I'm not too proud of this one. But things will be picking up soon, I promise :)

What's going on with Percy? Will he ever see Annabeth again? Why can't I write faster?

Let me know what you think!

-LL