I woke up with a bit of a headache, and a crick in my neck. For a moment, I thought I had fallen asleep with my Mom in the chair, then I remembered that it was Reyna holding me.I carefully pulled away, and sat up, rolling my shoulders and then trying to crack my neck. Sighing as it did crack.

Then I noticed the boys all sleeping on the floor with pillows and blankets they must have pilfered from the rooms.

I looked around, taking in the room in the morning light. It still made me sad…but…I felt like I would be okay.

"They wanted to make sure you would be okay when you woke up. Be there for you." Reyna whispered.

I looked back at her, "They're sweet boys. Thank you, by the way."

Reyna sat up as well, "No problem. It seemed like the thing to do at the time." She took my hand, "Are you alright?"

I nodded slowly, "Yeah, I think I am." I teared up as I said it, "Mostly. I am mostly okay." I took a deep breath to calm myself.

She gave me a smile, "Your house is seriously cool."

I smiled, "It is. I was lucky. I've always known that. Want to go grab some donuts for everyone with me?"

She smiled, "That sounds like an excellent proposition."

I got up, then led the way to my room, tossing her some clothes to borrow since I was about the same size at her, maybe slightly taller, but the clothes would work. We both got cleaned up, and then went out to the garage. My car should still be there.

As we were pulling out, Rita was parking.

I waited until I had finished backing out of the garage, then got out and hugged her, asking her how she was and letting her know that I had some friends who were still asleep upstairs.

She said she wouldn't disturb them, and said it was wonderful to see me and that I looked well. Asked me how long we would be there.

I told her we were leaving later that day, then got back into the car and drove us toward donuts.

"Your mother was an author, I believe." Reyna started.

I nodded, "She wrote the Inferno Ring Trilogy, that's what she's most famous for."

Reyna looked surprised, "She had a lot of Roman influences for her government structures. It was very well written."

I smiled, "It was. Those books were her other babies."

"She dedicated all of them to you." Reyna smiled softly.

I nodded, "I was her world. She was mine." I pulled into the Tim Hortons.

Reyna looked at it.

"It's what we've got." I told her.

"And the building design?" She looked amused.

"It's Frankenmuth, there's codes for businesses to be in the German style to match the rest of the town." I explained, then led the way in, "We should probably get them coffee or whatever, too."

"I know what Nico drinks, but not the others."

I frowned, "Hmm, I know what Connor drinks because his brother drinks the same. I guess we guess for Will and Malcolm." I ordered two dozen donuts, then hot-chocolate for me and Connor, and a mocha frappe for Will and Malcolm. A couple of Croissants (because croissants). Then let Reyna order her's and Nico's beverages. Paid for it, then we juggled the stuff to the car and took it back, going through the town at her request so she could see it.

She smiled, "It doesn't seem like that much, I mean, all of it looks very nice, but…"

"This town is home to Bronners, the world's largest Christmas store, which brings in some business. This is Michigan's little Bavaria. People with German ancestry like coming here. There are old fashioned candy shops, shops that sell things made here in Michigan, it has three big hotels, and is fairly centrally located. Saginaw and Baycity aren't too far, and it's close to Birch Run which has the largest outlet mall in the Midwest. Detroit isn't too far either, same for Midland. Plus I'm pretty sure that there's a sister city in Germany." I shrugged, turning so we could go around Bronner's. "Mom took me to get an ornament every year."

Reyna smiled a bit, "It looks like a magical place."

I nodded, "Especially in winter."

"Well, maybe we'll have to make a special trip." Reyna grinned, "Start a new tradition."

I smiled, "I think that would be fun." I turned us onto the road that would take us back to the house. I felt like it would be fun to go through there with friends, and enjoy the sights and goof around and pick out something to remember the trip by to put on the Christmas tree, even if it was a cheap thing.

Once we pulled in and parked, we managed to get everything inside without spilling any of the drinks or donuts.

"So, you and Malcolm…"

"Me and Malcolm. It's new. I think we're both trying to take it slower, don't want to rush into anything. We haven't even kissed. Not like, a real kiss. He's kissed my cheek a couple times. My forehead once or twice. Mostly we're holding hands, hugging, and talking. Lots of talking." I opened the box of donuts.

Reyna smiled, "Still, it must be nice."

"I think if we're careful…our relationship could be something special. He was one of the first people I actually talked to at camp. But I mean, I'm worried that I rushed into it because I was mourning my mom, and that wouldn't be fair to him." I leaned against the counter.

Reyna tilted her head, "Have you told him that?"

I frowned, "I honestly don't know. There were a couple days there where I…I have no clue what I actually said aloud and what I was thinking."

"Ooh, right, the apple of discord. Connor cut off your arm." Reyna frowned at her donut, "Are you going to talk to him about it?"

"I have to at least see if I talked to him about it before, so yes. When I find the right time."

"Right time for what?" Connor came in with Will, and the two of them had a zombie Nico between them, holding him up.

"To wake you guys up for donuts and drinks." Reyna said smoothly.

"Donuts!" Connor dropped Nico and hurried forward, then hugged Cassie when he found out that she had gotten him Hot Chocolate.

Even Nico was a little more awake, giving Reyna a thumbs up when she told him what she got him.

Will was fine with the beverage we got him and said Malcolm probably would be as well.

"That depends on what you got me." Malcolm came out, looking much more awake and ready to go than the others.

"Mocha frappe." I told him, hoping that would be acceptable.

He smiled, "Nice, and donuts. Awesome." He grabbed one and bit into it without ceremony.

"Give some campers junk food," Connor leaned against the counter. "The maid scared the bajeebers out of Will and Malcolm."

"Oh?" I hopped onto the counter so I could look at them all.

Will nodded, "We woke up before these two, and heard noise downstairs. We went to investigate, thinking it was you two. We kind of freaked out when we saw her, but she saw us and called us your friends and said that she would have some fresh towels up in the bathroom in a minute. You have a maid?"

"It's a big house, and we would be gone for a couple weeks, sometimes months, for mom's book tours. Plus now…" I shrugged, "I've allowed an environmental society to continue using the living room for their meetings. She makes sure everything is clean for when they get here. It's only once a week."

Nico shook his head, "Are you going to live here after…"

"I don't know. I can't imagine selling it. I'll figure something out. But…not until I'm older. For now, I'm just going to leave things the way they are. But we…should get ready to hit the road again. So, I'm going to go pack good camp clothes since before I had nice clothes. Grab my CD case. Pillow. And books." I walked purposefully toward the stairs.

Reyna followed, "You're sure you're okay with me keeping this shirt?"

"Yeah, actually, do you need any other clothes? I've got some jeans that would probably fit you. There just a little short on me." I offered, shrugging.

Reyna smiled, "I'll try them."

I nodded and got the bin of clothes that just didn't fit right out, "We were going to drop a load off at the rescue mission, but we hadn't gotten to it yet. Have at it. Take what you want. I'm going to go try and find my favorite sweater in my moms closet. If I'm not back in about five minutes, I'm crying again, and I'm sorry."

She shook her head, "You don't have to be sorry for missing your mom."

I shrugged, then went to look for the sweater. Thankfully, I didn't have any particular memories in the closet itself. The clothes were a different story, but it wasn't as overwhelming as seeing her room that first time had been. I found the sweater, and mom's favorite writing sweatshirt. I took both, and her red flannel shirt. I found her headphones (she had Beats). I checked in with Reyna to let her know that she didn't have to worry about me crying somewhere, then locked my moms and my own jewelry and other valuables in the safe before returning again to see if she'd found anything.

She was trying on an old jacket, "You're sure all of this was…"

"Seriously, all of this was going away. I've been through all of these items four or five times, no attachment whatsoever. I've outgrown it, in taste and size, or I've just gotten sick of it, or I never wore it to begin with. Anything you want, take. I'll just be happy that it's being used instead of wasted." I looked through my CD case really quick, then grabbed a couple of more from the shelf and inserted them into empty slots. I still needed to repack my suitcase, but I knew that Nico had just gotten into the shower and that Malcolm and Connor needed to get through still. So, I had time. It wasn't even nine yet.

Reyna kept going through the clothing, making sure to keep it all neat and organized, "You must take really good care of your clothing, a lot of this is practically brand new."

I shrugged, "Mom liked shopping for me. Said it made her feel like she was providing for me. If I didn't like something, she said we'd donate it. Maybe I should donate it to camp."

Reyna smiled at me, "Honestly, it would probably be appreciated, by the Aphrodite cabin at the very least."

I laughed, "Until they realize that half of the stuff is out of style."

She laughed with me, seeming to relax even more. Then she made a face, "This isn't going to fit in my bag." She gesture to two pairs of shorts, a pair of jeans, a couple of shirts, and the jacket.

I pursed my lips, "Yeah, your backpack is sort of small."

"Just a bit. I really only have one change of clothing and, well, some underwear." She gave the backpack a disappointed look.

I went to my closet, rummaging around before finally finding my old hiking backpack that I hadn't used since Mom (she had a shopping problem) had gotten me the one I was currently using, "Here. I know that it's not camper style to actually pack clothes, but I'm trying to start a new tradition. Besides, it's a trail backpack so it has good support and it's sturdy. If there isn't room in there, we'll get you a duffel bag. Let's face it, when a girl hits sixteen, she need clothes. No matter how much of a tomboy she is."

Reyna smirked, "That and I haven't updated my clothes in quite a while. Just enough to keep me in clothes that fit."

I shook my head, "It drove me crazy at camp only having two tank tops. I practically live in tank tops." I started to unpack my suitcase so I could repack it, carefully. With camp in mind. Knowing I might end up being there year round, it was still possible, at least. I tried to make sure it was well organized but kept the stuff I wanted easily accessible in my backpack. I also grabbed the lipstick mom always wanted me to try.

Reyna had finished packing the backpack and gave the rest of the clothes a look, "You said a duffel?"

I nodded.

She followed me, leaning against the door way, "That looks like a first date dress." She pointed at a dress that I had yet to have an occasion to wear.

I smiled, "Yeah, but it's not something I would pack for either of the camps."

"Connor said this camp is more relaxed. Even more than Camp Half-Blood. Maybe you'll be able to go on a date." She suggested.

"Hey, Cassie, I don't suppose your mom has any shirts from old boyfriends." Connor asked through the door.

I shuddered, "I'll see what I can find. Who's shirt died?"

"Mine, it got a little…singed."

I frowned, "How?"

"Um, there was a match incident with me and Nico."

I shook my head, "I'll see what I can find. But we might have to go to the store." There was only one place something like that could be, and I was pretty sure there wasn't anything in there. I had some guys t-shirts, but they wouldn't fit Connor.

"Alright," He responded.

"Connor, what are the chances of us needing nicer clothes?" Reyna called before he left that door.

"Define nicer?"

"Like date nice." Reyna gave me a grin.

I shook my head, managing a smile.

"Yeah, they have a kind of formal dinner on Sundays. And Cassie should definitely have something thats nicer." His voice was teasing, even through the door.

"Thanks, Connor." Reyna grabbed the dress and held it out to me.

I shook my head, "How did I get friends like this?" I muttered teasingly, and took it off the hanger. Then I spotted a different dress and tossed it to her, "Humor me. Try it on."

"This is my kind of shopping."

I laughed, "Right? Comfort of your own home, no crowds, no paying ridiculous prices…" I tossed the duffel bag on the pile of clothes she had accrued.

"And there's room to actually try stuff on." Reyna stayed in the closet to change while I packed a few other things. "And you're right, this is the age when we start needing more clothes. Ooh, this is really cute."

"Let me see!"

She came out, smiling a bit.

I grinned, "That's looks amazing on you. Pack it. I'm going to go see if I can find something for Connor."

She smiled and shook her head, "I'm only borrowing."

"Well, when you return it, can it be in the form of cookies or something? Cuz, I'm never going to wear it. Ever. Seriously, it looks okay on me, but I'm uncomfortable in it. You rock it." I shrugged and left, making sure to close the door firmly. The boys were using one of the guest bedrooms to hang out in while they waited for the shower. I headed into mom's bedroom again, and into the second closet. Top shelf.

There was only one guys shirt in that entire closet, a camo T-shirt. I took it out to Connor, "Here, it's all that's available."

"That works for me." He smelled it real quick, then put it on.

"Who still has to get through the shower?"

"Nico was the last." Will said, giving me a smile.

I nodded, "Okay, meet out front in twenty minutes, then?"

"Sure," Connor said, grabbing his backpack and sweatshirt and heading out.

I gave Malcolm a smile and went back to Reyna, "We have twenty minutes before we leave."

She nodded and started packing things carefully into her duffel. "What do you think this camp will be like? What activities, I mean."

I thought about it for a while, "Well, I think Connor said something about it being on a lake. So theres probably swimming. Archery and fighting skills, obviously. He also said that she liked to focus on their abilities. She a daughter of Apollo, so I'd wager a guess that there's music. I don't really know. Maybe there's more free time, or maybe there are just other things that are done. Not as intense as the camps, but still similar in some ways. I do know that we better be in a cabin together."

Reyna smiled and nodded, "It would be weird being in a cabin alone with a bunch of people I didn't know. Do you think we'll be able to divert war just by going and listening?"

"If Connor says so, then I trust him. We have to try." I said simply, "Besides, it's already a good thing that a praetor of Rome is doing this herself."

She nodded.

"Especially the one who united the Greeks and Romans."

She smiled and tossed a shirt at me, "Oh, shut up and pack."

I laughed, zipping up my suitcase. Today was going to be good. I could feel it.