Chapter 25

Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait - life just got in the way. Anyways, here's a chapter that includes a reunion I felt a lot of people thought was missed in Blood of Olympus. I don't think I did it justice, but let me know what you think in the reviews down below!

Ten more reviews and I'll post a new chapter. My goal is to get to 300 reviews before the end of the story, and I really hope that we can make it! If I do get to 300 reviews before the end of the story, I'll do another double update!

Thanks for keeping up with the story - enjoy the chapter.

Despite the fact that he's bleeding and and practically broken, Percy somehow manages to fall into a dreamless sleep after Jason helps patch him up. The next morning, he decides to visit his mom. Percy had been debating this for a long time - whether he should even bother visiting his mom, since he would be dying all over again in a matter of time. In the end, he decided to visit Sally Jackson - it had been a year after all. Plus, he loves her blue pancakes.

Groaning, he rolls out of bed and changes his bandages. Then, he puts on a couple layers of t-shirts and a sweatshirt to hide how hurt he is. He doesn't want to worry his mom or Paul anymore then they already would be. Of course, the crutches he's using can't be helped, but Percy does his best to look awake and alert, instead of exhausted and in pain like he does most of the time. When he glances in the mirror, he's dismayed. Percy doesn't see the young, healthy boy he saw a year ago. Instead, he sees an exhausted young man with a black eye and dark circles haunting his face. His lips are turned down in an eternal grimace, and he slouches slightly, leaning on his crutches. Despite all this, Percy looks much better than he has in days.

Percy begins the long walk to the Big House when he runs into Annabeth, walking out of the front door. Her eyes widen slightly in surprise. "Percy! What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping to visit my mom - you know, since I haven't seen her in a year and all." Percy's voice accidentally cracks. He realizes that he misses his mom - a lot.

Annabeth nods thoughtfully. "Sally misses you too. After - after the war...she, well she missed you a lot, Percy. Paul, too."

"How do you know?" Percy asks.

"Well, we spent a lot of time together...I was alone, and…" Annabeth trails off, her mind in the past. "If you need me to come along, I can come. If you want, I mean."

Percy waves his hand. "That means a lot, Annabeth, but I think this is something I should do alone."

"Yeah - probably should. If you need anything, let me know. Also - be careful.." Annabeth looks into his eyes, worried.

"I'm always careful, Annabeth. You know me!" Percy leans in to kiss her playfully on the cheek, but Annabeth turns her head and pulls him close.

After a moment, she pulls back. "I mean it, Seaweed Brain. You're not getting away from me. Never again."

Trying to forget Annabeth's words to him, Percy soon reaches his mother's apartment. Everything looks exactly the way it was when he left it nearly two years ago - the semi-clean rough carpet making up the hallway, the dimmed lights, and welcome mat outside of the door to his home. Before he knocks, Percy nervously adjusts his crutches. He knows he shouldn't be nervous - this is his mom, after all. However, he can't help but be at least a little bit anxious. After all, it's not everyday that your son comes back from the dead.

When Sally Jackson opens the door, she looks at least ten years older than when he last saw her. The bags under her eyes are definitely more prominent, and she carries herself differently. In Percy's opinion, his mom looks far more wise - and old - than she did two years ago. In any case, Percy can tell that his death has taken a toll on her.

For a moment, Sally's eyes widen, surprised, her mouth a perfect "o" of disbelief. His mom sputters, not able to say a word.

"Mom?" Percy's voice cracks.

"Percy?" And suddenly, Percy is engulfed in what must be the best hug in the world. Tears stain his shirt and leak out of his eyes and someone's sobbing "imissedyousomuch" and Percy can't help but thank the gods that he got to see his mom again.

When he finally pulls back, Sally gives a watery smile. "You've grown so much! And are you hurt? My gods, Percy you need to be more careful." She pauses to take a breath. "What am I saying? Come in - I was just making your favorite cookies, Percy!"

Percy cracks a grin - a true grin and allows his mom to help him to the couch. The two of them talk for awhile about small things. Percy learns that his mom recently found out that she was pregnant with Paul, who is currently at a teaching conference in California for the week. He smiles as he munches on his mom's famous blue cookies. After some time, the conversation turns serious.

"It's been two years! Two years. I thought you were dead, Percy. What happened?"

Percy opens his mouth to explain, but all that can come out is: "A lot."

Sally nods to herself, reminding herself that her son has been through a lot. "Let's break it up into small pieces." she says, just like when he was little. "Why did you disappear? After the war, I mean. Annabeth told me the rest."

"I - I died." Percy looks at his lap, suddenly interested in his hands. He can't bear to see the pain he's caused to yet another person he loves, can't bear to tell her that she's going to have to go through it all again.

He hears his mom take a deep breath, calming herself down despite the fact that she already knew. "How - how are you here?"

And as much as Percy doesn't want to break her heart more than he already has, as much has he wants to lie and tell her everything is alright, he tells her the truth. He explains about the abyss, and Owen, and the nightmares. While he tells her about the pain he's going through, he makes sure to skirt around the worst parts, so as not to worry her.

He pauses for a moment, breathing heavily. All this talking is taking a toll on him.

"Percy, honey." Sally interjects. "Maybe you should take a break. You're bleeding through your bandages."

Percy looks down and sure enough, despite his desperate efforts this morning, his shirt is soaked red.

"I'm fine." he insists. "This happens more than you think it would. Doesn't really mean much, though."

"At least take some ambrosia. For me?" Sally pleads. "You'll feel a lot better."

Percy relents and pops a piece of ambrosia into his mouth. He chews slowly, savoring the flavor. He's forgotten how good it feels to have his mom looking out for him. After a moment, he looks up to find Sally smiling.

"Feel better?" she asks.

Percy nods, grateful. "Loads, mom. Thanks."

Sally continues to smile and shakes her head. "What?" Percy asks, confused.

"It's just that...it's been so long. I've forgotten that you were like this."

"Like what?"

Sally sighs, reminiscing. "You'll understand, Percy when you have a son or daughter. They have these little things that they do like you and your blue cookies that make up them." She shakes her head, smile fading away. "I'd begun to forget the little things."

Percy can't bear to look at the sorrow on his mom's face - to see what he has done to her. He looks away. And yet, he knows he has to tell her this horrible truth to - to tell her that he won't be coming back, for good this time.

He takes a deep breath. "Mom? I-I'm not going to be coming back." For what seems like the millionth time that day, his voice cracks.

Sally frowns, as if the words haven't quite hit her yet. "What do you mean?"

Yet again, he tells her about Nico, and the ceremony, and how the only way to get rid of Tartarus is for him to die. He tells her that its fate, really. There's no way that someone could come back from the dead and stay alive. That doesn't stop the tears.

Percy stays the rest of the day, but decides to leave before the night so Sally won't hear him scream. He stops at the door to say goodbye again - even though they already have for the entire day.

"Someone will probably come by to bring you to Camp for the funeral." Percy says heavily.

Sally squeezes her eyes shut to ward off the imminent tears. "I can come, if you want. To the cerem-"

"No." Percy says firmly. There is no need for his own mother to see him get killed by one of best friends. In fact, Percy would rather no one come see him in that much pain. "I-it's okay mom. I'll be alright. Tell Paul I said hi - and to the little one too." Percy points to his mom's belly with a watery smile. "And take care of Annabeth - I-I think she's been having PTSD and I don't want to leave her alone-"

"Don't worry, Percy. I'll take care of her." Sally says softly. "I did this past year, too."

"I love you mom, I really, really do. You've done so much for me and I-" Percy tries to say everything he can in a rush.

Sally engulfs him in yet another hug, then after what seems like far to short a time, pulls back. Her eyes are filled with tears, and she holds his face with both hands, her thumb rubbing a scar on his cheek.

"You're so brave, Percy. I love you more than you could ever know."

Percy pulls back before he decides to stay forever. He takes one last look at his home, his mom, and his old life.

"Goodbye, mom." he whispers as he turns away and leaves with a heavy heart.

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