Some nice hurt/comfort here, poor Percy's been through a lot, she deserves a hug from her dad. And Percy gets to find out what happened to Leo while she's been locked up on Mount Orthys. Also, Amphitrite are some of the better godly relatives. Anyways as usual please read and review- and I'm happy to announce that there will be another minific between Labyrinth and Last Olympian- though I'm not sure if Minific is the right term since it's already like 20 chapters long.

Percy stayed like that, her head resting on Amphitrite's shoulder for some time, face tucked into the crook of the goddesses neck, she wasn't sure how long, but the soft warm comfort of the goddess helped her- and she didn't even move until Amphitrite shifted slightly and she could hear the slight noises of people swimming towards them.

"My love." Amphitrite's voice was soft, "Your timing is a bit off dear-"

"I came as soon as Triton told me. Is she-"

"She's awake." there was a warning note in the goddess' voice. "Persephone, child your father is here." and Percy let out a shaky breath as she lifted her head and turning it to look at her father- who looked tired- that startled Percy, he had bags under his eyes, and his dark hair was flecked with gray, but the look on his face when their eyes met was one of pure relief.

"Oh Persephone- my beautiful little girl-" and Percy pulled away from Amphitrite and almost threw herself at her father, who caught her with a practised ease as he wrapped his arms around her tightly and she pressed her face into his chest, clinging to him tightly.

"Daddy." she didn't care how childish she sounded. Seeing her father... after everything she'd been through, it was an immense relief.

"I'm here my child. I'm here." she felt his hand rubbing her back soothingly as she clung to him. "We feared the worst when we were told what happened at
Mount St Helens."

"I'm sorry." Percy's voice was tiny, barely more than a whisper. "I didn't mean to worry you-"

"It's not your fault child- you did the best you could." he pressed his lips to the top of her head, "What you did was brave- reckless but brave." he let out a slow breath- and she could feel the movement of his chest as he did, felt tension easing out of his form. "I'm just relieved to have you awake and safe. When Triton arrived with you I feared the worst- the bracelet-" Percy flinched and Poseidon pulled back very slightly, sea green eyes flicking over her face, "Triton told me that you said you were with the son of Hecate-"

"Poseidon- love." Amphitrite's voice had a very slight warning tone to it. "As much as I understand your desire to know what happened to her now might not be the time."

"But I need to know nevertheless." Poseidon's voice was heavy, "I know whatever happened may be difficult to talk about but I do need to know."

"I- dad-"

"Persephone-" Poseidon brushed her hair out of her face gently, "No matter what happened, nothing will change I promise you."

"I.. okay. Okay I guess I... I'll tell you what happened."

"Are you sure child?" the goddesses expression was gentle, and Percy gave a small nod.

"I'm sure." she lied.

"Then Triton and I shall leave you with your father."

"But-"

"Triton- we have other things to do I'm sure." Amphitrite's voice was firm, "And Poseidon, my love. Remember, control your temper."

Poseidon's expression turned worried as he glanced at Amphitrite before he looked back at Percy. "Now I feel rather concerned." He kept his hands gentle, holding Percy's forearms carefully as they watched Amphitrite half lead half drag Triton away before Poseidon focused on Percy again, his brows furrowing.

"Talk to me Persephone. What happened to you?"

And Percy swallowed hard, staring into her fathers worried eyes for several long moments before she started talking- and once she started she couldn't seem to stop even if she wanted to- the words poured out- and Poseidon's expression darkened when she told him of her time locked up on Mount Orthys, turning almost murderous when she explained how Alabaster had treated her, but to give him credit he stayed silent, just listening, as if he knew that if she stopped she wouldn't be able to bring herself to say anything more.

And when she was finished Percy almost felt as if a weight had been lifted as Poseidon closed his eyes- which had turned dark, almost black with his fury- she could almost feel it pouring off of him, though he was doing his best to suppress it.

"If I had known that he had you I would have stormed Mount Orthys myself." Poseidon's voice was tight. "I am so sorry I couldn't protect you Persephone-"

"It's not your fault dad-"

"The daughter of Aphrodite- if you see her again- I owe her a debt and I will repay it if I can." his voice was firm, "And if the boy steps into my domain- if I find him or his ship I will kill them myself for daring to hurt you."

"I know." Percy's smile was shaky but real. "I- I think I'm going to be okay now. Amphitrite talked to me before you got here- that helped. I don't- it doesn't make it all go away but... I feel better about it all now than I did." she felt less like she was going to crumble, at least for now- and she hadn't cried when telling her father everything. She'd like to think that she was done crying over Alabaster and everything he'd done to her- but- even having told her dad and Amphitrite she doubted that. It would still be painful to have to tell other people, still be humiliating.

"Good." Poseidon looked slightly relieved, "I'm glad my wife could help. She's wanted to meet you for some time- though I'd have preferred it to be under better circumstances."

"She nice." Percy gave a slight smile, "I- It's nice here. Beautiful. I'm glad Triton brought me here."

"You are welcome at any time Persephone- I know the ancient laws but- my palace is always open to you when you need it."

"I know daddy." Percy let out a slow breath and Poseidon pulled her into another hug- and gods but she was lucky. She knew kids who would kill to just get to
see their godly parent, let alone to have the chance to talk to them like this.

When Poseidon did pull back again he brushed his fingers through her newly short hair, a slightly amused smile crossing his lips. "I think it suits you by the way- it shows you for what you are. You are strong and defiant. A true child of the sea."

"I know." Percy let out a breath "What do I do now?"

"Well." Poseidon's expression turned thoughtful, "I would say you should have something to eat and perhaps get some more sleep- but after that I fear it may be time for you to leave- you were unconscious for five days-"

"Five days!" Percy yelped the words, "But- I- that's so long-"

"Yes. It was incredibly worrying." Poseidon shook his head, "You went for some time without taking in any oxygen thanks to that cursed bracelet. I truly did fear the worse in terms of what damage might have been done to you."

"I feel okay. I mean my wrist hurts a bit but.. I feel okay."

"It seems that we got very lucky." Poseidon smiled tightly. "As much as I'd love to keep you down here longer to make sure you were safe I fear you might not be so happy about that. You have friends and family to return to- I'm sure they're worrying. And I've spoken to Hepheastus. I'm sure if I tell him of the situation, under the circumstances you can go and collect your brother in person."

"Collect my brother?" Percy's brows furrowed, "What do you mean?"

"Young Leo."

And Percy's eyes widened in shock and she straightened up, "Leo- Leo's alive?"

"Yes, thanks to Hera's intervention. The boy landed on Calypso's island. I believe it's time for him to leave-"

"He's alive!" Percy's voice was filled with joy as she launched herself at her father, hugging him tightly as she laughed brilliantly, "Leo is alive! I- I thought- I didn't let myself dwell on it but I thought- I was sure he was dead."

"No, no he's alive and well- he will have been nursed back to health by Calypso-"

"Calypso?" Percy tilted her head, "Isn't she-"

"Atlas' daughter. She's cursed to her island." Poseidon looked slightly uncomfortable, "She falls in love with those who land there but they can never stay- a punishment for siding with her father-"

"That sounds cruel." Percy frowned, "Does that mean-"

"Your brother may not love her but she will love him." Poseidon sighed, "But your brother will choose to come home with you either way. He knows you need him."

"I- would he be happier and safer there?"

"His fate isn't to spend his life on Ogygia. Your younger brother knows you all need him. And I'm sure he's been worried about you just as you've been worried about him."

"Right." Percy nodded, taking a slow deep breath. "I can't- gods I can't wait to see him again just- I mean it's not that I don't believe you but- after what happened it's so hard to believe that he's okay."

"I understand." Poseidon pressed his lips to the top of Percy's head, pulling them both to the bench again, "Now child, I think you should have something to eat- I have no doubt that you're hungry-" and Percy's face went a bright shade of red when her stomach let out a grumble- she'd been studiously ignoring the hunger as best as she could, but now that her father had brought it up it was pretty hard to ignore.

"I guess it has been days since I've eaten." she admitted slowly,

"What would you like to eat."

"I feel like a cheesburger is probably out of-" Percy cut herself off because Poseidon waved a hand and suddenly there was a McDonalds burger box on her lap, and her dad must have been using his powers because it wasn't wet and soggy. "Oh you are the best dad-"

"Of course I am." Poseidon winked, a twinkle in his eye as Percy almost tore the box open to get at the burger inside, picking it up and taking a bit, almost moaning at the taste, leaning into her dads side almost absent-mindedly as she ate and Poseidon kept his arm wrapped protectively around her.

Once she finished he snapped his fingers and the box disappeared.

"Did you enjoy your burger."

"I really did." Percy let out a slow breath, closing her eyes as she lifted her legs and tucked them under herself on the bench.

Now that she'd eaten and her stomach was no longer grumbling uncomfortably she found that she felt oddly sleepy again- it seemed strange since she'd only been awake for a few hours- but maybe not that strange- after all she was still recovering, according to Amphitrite the fact that she was doing as well as she was in her recovery was shocking- and that was ignoring the whole bracelet thing and the emotional drain from her talks- and she did feel drained.

And- well... her dad had said he thought she should get some more sleep hadn't he? So she let herself drift- and when she felt her dad moving she didn't bother opening her eyes, even as she felt him sliding his arms under her and picking her up carefully, carrying her back to the rooms where she'd originally woken up- and as he set her down in the bed she heard the arrival of Amphitrite and Triton.

"Is she okay?" that was Triton's voice, filled with genuine concern. "Did you talk-"

"We talked. She will be fine I think- Amphitrite- my love-"

"Don't thank me. The poor thing was hurting. I simply spoke the truth. It was what she needed to hear. Has she eaten-"

"I made sure of that. And I may have used my powers to make her give in to her exhaustion- I want to be sure she's well rested before she does leave."

"You worry for her. Does she know what she and her brother did-"

"Of course I worry. The Torrington boy has caused her a great deal of suffering and there was nothing I could do. And no. No, it would have happened in time in any case, there's no need to worry her. She's been through enough as it is- and Triton, thank you for bringing her home safely- I know I said it before but-"

"It's fine father, she's my little sister. What else would I do?" there was a pause and then, "When she leaves I'd like to escort her to the surface-"

"Of course. And if you could watch from a distance-"

"I will father. I'll make sure she and the son of Hephaestus get back to camp safely."

And Percy smiled faintly, turning on the comfortable bed and curling up slightly, a warm feeling flowing over her.

The hushed conversation might not be one she was supposed to hear- but she was glad she did, it was just move proof to her that as much as the gods might not always be perfect parents, her godly family did love her.

And if there was anything that reassured her that she was on the right side it was that hushed conversation. Because her father, her family loved her, and she would do everything in her power to stop Kronos from destroying that.