Hey guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter, there's a few more left before this part of the story is finished to the person who asked if it was finished yet, but I've already written the minific for between and I've started on the Labyrinths plot. Hopefully you'll all keep enjoying it.
It didn't take Grover long to return with Argus, and soon enough they were on the way back to camp, Percy, Annabeth and Grover piling into the back of the car with Thalia sat in the passengers seat.
The drive was long enough that Percy, laying down slightly curled up so that her head was on Annabeth's lap, her legs across Grovers, was able to fall asleep, snoring faintly as Annabeth played with her hair.
It was a peaceful drive, there was a snowstorm but it wasn't bad enough to effect Argus' driving and the roads were deserted because of how early it was.
About halfway through the drive Thalia twisted so that she could look back at the trio in the back, a worried frown on her lips, "Are you two really okay?"
"We'll be fine." Annabeth let out a yawn, "Percy was just really shaken up when her dad told her about Alabaster-after everything that's happened... I think that was the last straw."
"She has been through a lot." Grover frowned, "We're probably lucky she didn't crack before now."
"She forced herself to hold it together for everyone else." Annabeth pointed out quietly, curling the gray lock of hair around her finger. "Because Nico would want her to-believe me she came close to breaking before now. She just forced herself not to."
"At least she did it somewhere safe." Thalia muttered, "And at least she had you to get her outside-it wouldn't have been good if everyone had seen her crack right after it was decided that she's the child of prophecy."
Grover shuddered, "That would have been bad. Your dad wouldn't have been happy." that was directed at Thalia-"
"Like he ever is when it comes to Percy." Thalia snorted, "He kept asking if I was certain it was Percy-"
"Are you?" Annabeth's voice was tight, "Because honestly I really wish it wasn't-"
"It makes sense." Thalia pointed out gently, "She's the one who the Ophitaurus was connected to. She's the one who's been most closely tied with Kronos' rise from the very start, right?"
"Yeah." Annabeth's shoulders slumped. "Doesn't mean I have to like it- it's a lot of pressure for one person."
"She's strong." Grover's voice was firm, "She'll be okay. If anyone can handle it it's Percy."
"I know. But still." Annabeth tilted her head down to look at her sleeping girlfriends face, "It scares me." then she was shaking her head, "But there's nothing I can do other than be there for her I guess." she traced her fingers over Percy's cheek.
"You guys are really in love, huh." Thalia's voice was soft, "I've never seen you look at anyone like that-"
"We said it." Annabeth's lips twitched into a slight smile, "We-when I reached her and took some of the weight she told me she loved me. And I told her I love her too. I-I know we're young and I know we've only been together officially for six months but-"
"That doesn't matter." Grover grinned, "You two are like, the cutest couple ever Annabeth. If you think what you have is love then that's what matters. I mean it looks like love to me."
"Yeah." Thalia nodded, "The look on your face when you saw Percy holding up the sky-the way you dragged yourself over to her-" Thalia shook her head, "And the look on your face when-" Thalia grimaced, "When we saw Alabaster go over the edge."
"I-as much as I hate him... I- it was horrifying." Annabeth admitted, "Because I knew he was the only one who was going to be able to pull her up. When I saw him falling I thought- if Luke hadn't caught her." Annabeth blinked back sudden tears, "I thought I was going to lose her." she closed her eyes and shook her head, letting out a slow breath.
"Well Luke was there. He and Nico saved the day."
"And Leo." Annabeth opened her eyes and grinned slightly, "Did you see him-"
"Oh gods-"
"Lady Artemis said he just rushed Atlas." Grover piped up with a grin, "That he was a pretty much a human fireball and he just launched himself at Atlas-"
"Oh yeah, he was brave I'll give him that." Thalia shook her head, "I dunno if I'd have had the guts to do that if I was him."
"How long until he's officially one of the Jacksons do you think?" Annabeth grinned, raising an eyebrow at Grover.
"Well-" Grover laughed, "Who says she hasn't already started arranging things-this is Sally Jackson we're talking about. She already has Luke, Tyson and Nico she adopted- and She's basically the camp mom whenever she's around."
"True." Annabeth grinned, "Percy will probably embrace having another baby sibling to look after-"
"She's going to have an army of siblings if it keeps up like this." Grover snickered.
"It's nice." Thalia hesitated before adding, "I- when I came back I didn't... I felt lost and... I didn't stop feeling lost until this quest. I feel like I've found home again, with all of you. Like I've found my place."
"Thalia-"
"I know Annie." Thalia let out a breath. "I'm happy now, as crazy as that seems."
"No, no it makes sense." Grover shrugged, "We're all family-a very weird complicated family but family."
"We are." they lapsed into comfortable silence for the rest of the drive, and when they arrived Annabeth gently shook Percy awake and they got out of the car-Argus had to
return the car so they were left to make their way up the hill, which they did, Percy leaning into Annabeth's side, Annabeth with her arm around Percy's waist. Grover and Thalia walked either side of them as they trudged up Half-Blood Hill to the pine tree where the Golden Fleece glittered.
They didn't even reach the big house before a short curly haired figure came rushing through the snow towards them, falling on his face part way before lurching to his feet, waving like a mad man-and Percy grinned at the sight-it was Leo, a goofy grin on his lips- and close behind him was Zoe-
"Leonidas! You were told to wait inside-"
"Percy!
And Percy pulled away from Annabeth, grinning as she sped up, managing to reach the younger boy when he skidded in the snow, catching him before he could fall, "Woah there! Be careful kid-"
"This place is so cool! I've been claimed! My dad's Hephaestus, I have brothers and sisters-"
"That's awesome Leo." Percy grinned, "I'm glad you're okay-"
"You guys were totally awesome when you saved us! And your mom's the best Percy-"
"I know." Percy grinned at him, ruffling his hair. "Is everyone waiting for us in the Big House?"
"Yes." that came from Zoe, who gave them a smile, "I am glad you all made it back safely-"
"There was no smiting-"
"It was a near thing." Thalia grinned, "Percy may have a deathwish-"
"I do not-"
"You directly challenged my dad!" Thalia laughed, flinging an arm over Percy's shoulder."
"You've been gone longer than we expected-"
"They threw a party." Grover piped up, "And we were the guests of honor-hard to say no to that."
"Is everyone inside?" Annabeth piped up, tucking a curl behind her ear.
"Yes, and I believe there is still some hot cocoa for you all to have to warm up- and Miss Jackson is making grilled cheese sandwiches-" she blinked rapidly, staring at the spot that Percy had been stood in a moment earlier- which now only had Leo blinking too because Percy was already half way to the Big House- and Annabeth broke into a run too, closely followed by Grover, all three of them laughing madly as Thalia, Zoe and Leo gaped after them.
And sure enough when Percy reached the rec room she found Chiron, her mom, Nico and Luke gathered- and Sally was rushing forward as soon as the doors opened and folding her daughter into her arms.
"Oh thank the gods- you took so long, I was starting to get worried sweetie."
"I'm okay mom." Percy hugged her mom tightly for a long moment before she pulled back, "We ended up being guests of honor at a party."
"You're all okay?"
"Yep, the Council didn't vote to smite us."
"That's good, I'd hate to get into a fight with a bunch of gods." Luke gave a small grin, running his fingers through his hair, "We've filled Chiron in on what happened-Zoe told us most of it and Nico and I filled everyone in on the rest-"
"Nico-" Percy was pulling away from her mom then, launching herself at Nico and hugging him tightly-which made him let out an indignant yelp.
"HEY! What-"
"You're not allowed to ever ever scare me like that ever again Nico do you hear me?" Percy demanded, "I-I thought-" she shook her head, "I was so-"
"I know." Nico hugged her back, and Percy let herself cling to him.
There hadn't really been much time to think when they'd been on Mount Orthys, but now they were home and safe, and she could just let herself cling to him.
"Yes-I was rather surprised when right after you told me Nico was dead he appeared in Cabin 13." Chiron remarked, a wry smile on his lips, "I did try to contact you again after I realized what must have happened but I assume you'd left the beach by that point."
"Yeah, we went straight to get a car so we could reach the summit of the mountain in time."
The doors swung open again, this time Annabeth and Grover piled in- pausing at the sight of Percy clinging to Nico, both of them smiling as they moved to grab the mugs of cocoa and the grilled cheese sandwiches piled onto the pool table at the centre of the room-clearly they were there for people to help themselves too-and Chiron answered Annabeth's question before she could even open her mouth.
"We had a very brief Counsellor meeting to discuss the most recent developments. We'll have a full one tomorrow but I thought it better for you lot to rest when you got home."
"It has been a long few days." Annabeth remarked with a shake of her head, "I've gotta admit a few hours of real sleep sounds perfect."
"Especially for you two." Chiron gave both Percy and Annabeth a stern look, "From what I have been told you both held the burden of the sky- both sharing the weight and your own."
"Yeah," Percy nodded, "That was not a fun experience."
"You're both excused from training for the next few days." Chiron's voice was firm, "And there will be no arguments. I'm still not sure just how I should handle punishing you both for what you did. Though a part of me almost thinks that being forced to hold up the sky is almost enough of a punishment. You were both incredibly brave but such a dangerous action could have killed either of you easily-"
"But we're fine Chiron." Annabeth sighed, "Really, look at us-"
"You both look exhausted." Luke rolled his eyes.
"You do." Nico piped up, his brows furrowed as he shifted in Percy's arms so that his head was resting on her shoulder.
"Yes, and so we will make this brief, what happened at the Council?"
"Lord Zeus believes the threat's real now." Annabeth stifled a yawn, giving up on pretending that she wasn't drained, "They've set a plan into action to start preparing for the war. The Ophitaurus will be kept safe on Olympus-"
"I thought they'd kill him." Chiron frowned, "I was certain Lord Zeus-"
"Percy intervened." that came from Thalia, who stepped into the room with a slight smile on her lips, "Zoe's gone to check on Bianca and she ordered Leo to go to his Cabin. Anyway, Percy got involved, eventually my dad caved in and agreed to keep the Ophitaurus safe."
"Lord Zeus actually gave in?" Sally gave a bemused look, "But how did you pull that off-"
"Thalia helped." Percy piped up-"
"Only after you yelled at him." Thalia snickered, "He looked so shocked-he couldn't believe anyone would have the nerve to yell at him like that."
Chiron let out a long suffering sigh.
"I don't know why I'm even surprised anymore." his expression was fond as he shook his head, "Continue."
"Well." Percy yelled at Lord Zeus a lot, and I... I interfered. I told father that while he'd be right to fear me giving into temptation he didn't need to worry about that from Percy, and since she's the child of Prophecy... well." she shrugged, "They're pretty lucky."
"What?" Luke frowned, "Wait but you're older-"
"Yeah. I am." Thalia shook her head, "But the prophecy doesn't say 'the next' child of the eldest gods it says A half-blood of the eldest gods. I think it was always destined to be about one specific big three kid and I think it was always supposed to be Percy."
"I admit." Chiron spoke up, "When the Ophitaurus appeared to Percy it did cross my mind that that may be the case but there was no way to be sure. Your father believes you?"
"Yeah." Thalia nodded, "Besides, I'm not gonna be sixteen anymore, I asked my father if he could make me the age I should be if my ageing hadn't been messed with. I turn eighteen today."
"What does all this mean?" Sally frowned softly.
"It means." Percy gave a wry smile, "That we have a year and a half to prepare me to save the world."