PERCY

Waking up to Annabeth's puffy and tear-stained face made Percy feel even worse for scrambling away from her. Her eyes held such heartbreak, and he knew it was over him, but he couldn't help it. His ability to trust was almost non-existent now, and this was the same person who led him to the beach and to more pain. He knew he shouldn't blame her, and he hardly did, because Percy felt he deserved it. He was just gum on someone's shoe, being torn every which way because he was an inconvenience – a hopeless case of nuts and bolts and scraps of metal that had fallen apart and no one bothered to rebuild after losing the picture of the finished product.

Though Leo tended to be able to fix things no one else could.

Chiron had relieved Annabeth when he saw the discomfort her presence was causing Percy. He watched her mind break a little more every passing minute, and handed the hurting child of Athena off to her brother Malcom in faith he would provide her some hospitality and much-needed rest. Annabeth went without argument, casting one more longing look at Percy before leaving.

Chiron then went into psychiatrist mode.

"So he's uncomfortable around Annabeth," he pondered aloud, pacing the deck of the Big House, "but seems to respond to Mr Valdez."

The centaur stopped and frowned in concentration. Then he sighed.

"I'm sorry Percy, but we have to try this," he said to himself.

He sent for Grover.

"Perce…"

Percy opened his eyes, though only saw through one, and gazed at the person who'd spoken. He shifted uncomfortably. Grover pulled up a chair beside his best friend's bed.

"Percy, man… oh gods."

Percy gingerly shuffled away from the emotional satyr by his bed.

"Erm…" he said. He started panicking slightly. Grover started, which sent Percy toppling to the floor. The son of Poseidon squeaked as the wooden boards rubbed his tender skin; the water-turn-poison incident had left its mark.

Grover got up from his seat quickly, worry in his eyes as he tried to help the demigod back into his bed. But Percy pushed himself away, fear in his eyes. He didn't see his best friend anymore. He saw a monster with a blade and a sick smile with blood dribbling from between its crooked teeth.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" He wailed. "I didn't mean it, please!"

Grover turned away, horror written on his face. His best friend, his constant, his Percy, was as gone as Annabeth's. The satyr backed up as Percy covered his visible one eye with his hands and sobbed into them.

"Leo!" Percy started yelling hoarsely. "Leo!"

A bang and a curse from outside sent Grover reeling before the door flew open and a soot-covered, scrawny form tumbled into the room. The smell of smoke followed him and Grover watched as the curly-haired boy picked himself up off the floor and dashed over to Percy, who allowed himself to be comforted by the newcomer.

Leo made soothing noises and patted Percy's head, looking slightly awkward, but more protective than ashamed at being seen mothering the hero of Olympus. Grover blinked at the singed and slightly burnt boy.

"What…?"

He let the question hang, and Leo blinked at him sheepishly.

"Chiron," he said simply, and Grover nodded. He jerked his head towards the door.

"I should… go then," he said, and Leo made a noise of assent. Before Grover reached the door though, he looked back at Percy, and felt his own heart breaking.

"Percy." Percy looked up at him. Grover swallowed, "Percy, I'm not going to stop until that woman is sent beyond even Tartarus. And… and don't forget-" he stopped to brush away a falling tear, "you're always going to be a hero to me."

Then he left, and Percy burrowed his face into Leo's shoulder. He knew he'd hurt Grover's feelings, but the satyr's words had hurt him too. He shouldn't be called a hero. He was a disgrace; a weakling. He didn't deserve to be alive. He didn't deserve to have Leo look after him, or Annabeth gaze at him with so much love or even Grover start crying because of him. He didn't deserve to have a group of powerful and faithful and loyal demigods outside ready to defend him to their last breath.

Percy fisted a handful of Leo's over-shirt and pressed himself against the other boys shoulder, seeking comfort from someone he knew he could trust. Leo pulled away though, and Percy felt himself pitch further towards despair before he saw the son of Hephaestus smiling kindly and holding up a grey hoodie. It was only then Percy realised he was shirtless.

"Here, man," Leo said, putting the garment gently over Percy's head and helping his arms through it. "You need some cover."

Percy fiddled with the drawstrings as he pushed the hood off his head and tried to smile back at Leo. He knew it failed though, as the soot-stained boy giggled and grinned. Then he put his fingers to the edge of his mouth and pushed upwards. Percy looked at him curiously.

"This is how you smile," Leo said, sounding like a six-year-old because of his forcibly stretched skin. Percy felt his own mouth quirk up and Leo clapped, removing his fingers.

"There we go!" He crowed, and Percy's stomach tensed in the beginnings of a laugh. He gave a hoarse chuckle, and Leo beamed.

"Hey, Percy," he started, and Percy looked at him. "You trust me, don't you?"

Percy gave a small nod, his cheeks flushing lightly. Leo dialled down the smile a bit to a kinder one.

"Well, I think you ought to meet someone. I trust her with my life, and she's worried sick about you. Do you think…?"

He gestured for the door, and Percy hesitated before nodding. He did want to meet Leo's friend, and if Leo trusted her, Percy trusted her. Leo rested his warm hand on Percy's shoulder before guiding the demigod son of the sea back to his bed and slipping out the door. A brief conversation started outside before Leo returned, this time followed by a beautiful Cherokee girl with feathers braided into her hair and kaleidoscope eyes. Her skin glowed and she wore white shorts and a Camp Half-Blood shirt. A dagger rested at her side, but she removed it and set it down before walking over to Percy. She smiled warmly at him and laid a hand on his covers. Percy watched her closely, trying to remember where he'd seen her before.

Then it hit him.

He fell backwards with a cry, and the worried faces of Leo and the girl swam in his vision before a memory that had been suppressed under his mental instability surfaced.

Khione attacked viciously, throwing sharpened icicle after icicle at the girl before her. The crowed of monsters cheered the Snow Queen on and Percy watched as one of the daggers of ice pierced the targets shoulder. The girl yelled and grappled for it, but more frozen points dug into her hands and feet and she was pinning to the spot, tears flowing down her face. Khione stepped forward victoriously, pointing the tip of a single icicle under the other girl's chin.

"Zethes made me promise to give him your corpse," she said slyly, "and I will honour that. Farewell, Piper McLean. It's been a pleasure killing you."

Khione skipped back and a wave of icicles pierced Piper's chest. The girl slumped forward, lifeless.

Percy stilled on the ground, his singular vision blurred with tears. Two faces swam above him, fear and worry creasing their features. Percy looked over them both and cringed.

"I- I'm sorry," he coughed. "I couldn't do anything to help. I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry. I just watched. Gaea, she…"

Leo and Piper shared terrified looks.

"What did Gaea do?" Piper asked gently, layering her tones with charmspeak. Percy stared at her.

"She- she made me watch it. You, and Leo, and Nico, Hazel, Frank, Annabeth and… Jason. They killed you all. She showed me a film."

He looked up.

"But you're here. You're alive. She lied to me."

Piper brushed her eyes as Leo scowled over Percy's head.

"I'm going to find this film and watch it, just to make myself hate her on a deeper level. Don't worry, Percy," he continued, "Piper will take care of you until I get back."

Then Leo left and Piper helped Percy back onto his bed. He kept staring at her worriedly, as though she was the one who was supposed to be in bed. She smiled kindly at him.

"Percy," she said, "do you want to sleep?"

Percy shook his head.

"Nightmares," he admitted, then yawned. Piper patted him.

"I can make them go away," she told him, and he looked at her with wide eyes.

"Really?" He sounded like a child, but he didn't care. She nodded, and spoke. Her voice sounded so beautiful, Percy relaxed just listening to it.

"Go to sleep, Percy," she said. "No nightmares will come today."

Percy fell asleep. Piper stayed by his side for a time, before looking towards the door.

"Nico, I can see you."

The son of Hades stepped out of the shadow of the doorway, looking annoyed and slightly guilty. Piper sighed.

"I think we ought to get Mr. D," she said. Nico frowned.

"What's he going to do?"

Piper rolled her eyes.

"Nico, he's the god of insanity. He could help Percy."

Nico thought for a moment before he actually grinned.

"Oh gods Piper, you're a genius!"

Looking like the kid he should be, Nico ducked outside and yelled for Annabeth. Piper stayed in the infirmary, watching over Percy like a guardian.

People, this chapter wouldn't have happened if it weren't for foreverskysong, who came up with epic ideas to help get Percy back on his feet, and Gaea to get some serious smack-down. Thank you so much!

Anyone who has anything else they want to see happen, drop a PM or review your ideas and I'll check them out! At least we have a semi-solid plan now.

Jasmine Out!

Oh and, great idea, Kat Kourier, I will definitely be using that :D