Not much action but a more emotional chapter, I hope you all enjoy- it won't be long before we get to the real good stuff.
By the time they reached the USS Intrepid Percy was swaying and as she stumbled out of the chariot Rachel had to catch her and steady her.
"Woah there Percy." Rachel's arms were warm, comfortable around her.
"You okay Prissy?" Clarisse's concern was very thinly veiled.
"I'll be fine." Percy turned her head to look at Clarisse, who was still stood in the chariot, "Congrats on passing your test by the way."
"Couldn't have done it without you." the older girl admitted, giving Percy a small nod, "I owe you both-"
"Eh, just don't try to kill Leo next time he helps the Stolls prank your cabin and we'll call it even."
Clarisse almost twitched at that, rolling her eyes, "Seriously Jackson?"
"What can I say, I have my priorities- speaking of, we should probably get out of here before your dad shows up because I genuinely think he will try to brutally murder me if he sees me-"
"That would suck, I'd hate to have to fight two gods in one day."
"You know, I almost think you'd pull it off." Clarisse laughed, "You're a tough one Rachel. I like that. I'll see you next time you visit camp." she wrapped the reigns around her
hands as she said that.
"I would offer to let you come over for game night." Percy gave a wry smile, "But I assume you'll be heading back to camp after this? Besides it's probably almost over."
"Yeah, but thanks for the offer." Clarisse paused, "Percy... you.. when you and Rachel fought Phobos-"
"Yeah." Percy gave a small nod, "Yeah, he screwed with my head too." and Clarisse seemed almost slightly relieved- but that made sense didn't it? Knowing that she wasn't
the only one to be affected like that had to be kind of comforting right?
"My brothers are assholes huh?"
"They really, really are." Percy leaned into Rachel, "See you later then I guess."
"Yeah." Clarisse hesitated, looking uncomfortable for a second. "Listen... I'm sorry for crashing your day. Not that I meant to or even asked your help but- I- I appreciate-"
"Don't mention it." Percy held up a hand, "Seriously Clarisse, it's been a long day as it is, I don't think my brain could take it if you actually said what you're trying and failing to say."
"Right." Clarisse laughed, shaking her head, "Right. I'll see you around you guys." with that Percy and Rachel left, Rachel's arm wrapped around Percy's waist, both to hold her close and to help her walk since she was pretty shaky.
They managed to reach a park before they sat down, and Percy curled into Rachel's side, closing her eyes as the mortal brushed her fingers through Percy's short hair. "You look like crap." Rachel's voice was blunt, to the point, "Is your head okay? You hit it pretty hard when I shoved you out of the way." and it was filled with concern, and Percy nodded, humming softly, "Yeah, yeah it's fine. I'll be fine."
"What-" Rachel hesitated, "What did he make you see?"
"Olympus." Percy said after a moment, her voice quiet, "On my sixteenth birthday. We- we lost-" and Rachel's arm tightened around her.
"Oh Percy-"
"You were dead." Percy turned her face to look at Rachel drinking in the sight of her now that things had calmed down.
The other girls cheeks were slightly flushed from exertion- it had been a long day, and her eyes were shining with horror at Percy's words- nothing like the pale shadow of Rachel from that nightmare vision Phobos had showed her, the skin of that Rachel had been pale, too pale.
Then Percy was lurching forward, lips pressing against Rachel's as she wrapped her arms around the other girls shoulders, one hand tangling into her wild untameable curls.
It was a desperate kiss, frantic with emotion- with the need to be close, to feel that the other girl was alive and well.
And Rachel kissed back, one arm tightening around Percy's waist and the other hand sliding up to cup Percy's cheek as they kissed.
When they pulled apart Rachel rested her forehead against Percy's, her voice incredibly soft when she spoke, "I'm here Percy. I'm here and I'm alive." she pressed her lips against Percy's again before she pulled back fully, "You're not getting rid of me that easily. I spent months pining away after you thinking I'd never get you. Now I have you and Annabeth, no way am I going to let myself die any time soon. No. I'm keeping you both."
"Good to know." Percy closed her eyes, taking a moment to breathe. "What now?"
"I think we should probably try and get a ride home." Rachel decided, "You're not up for walking too far right now, you need to get a lot of sleep."
"Ugh." Percy huffed softly, "I guess- mom and the others will have probably noticed we're late."
"Yeah. I wonder why they didn't-" Rachel's eyes widened, "We turned our phones off because of school-"
"Oooh." Percy blinked, sliding her hand into her pocket and pulling out her phone, "This is gonna be interesting- I wonder how many missed calls I have." she pressed down on the power button, resting her head on Rachel's shoulder as they both watched it load- and once it had loaded Percy winced when the notifications came through showing that her mom and Luke had tried to call her a dozen or so times.
"Well." Rachel's voice was amused, "At least we have a good excuse- kind of."
"True." Percy quickly clicked on her moms number, pressing her phone to her ear as it began to ring- and after barely one ring she heard the familiar click of it being answered and the voice of her mom, sharp with concern.
"Percy? Percy honey are you okay where are you? What happened why haven't you been answering your phone?"
"It was turned off." Percy let out a soft breath, "I'm so sorry mom I didn't mean to worry you. Rache and I turned our phones off for school and we totally forgot to turn them back on."
"What happened honey? Where are you?"
"Clarisse showed up outside of class." Percy explained, trying to fight back a yawn, "She was doing this test for Ares kids but her brothers- the godly ones not the ones from Camp, decided to screw with her. Rache and I couldn't leave her to deal with that alone so we tagged along to help her out. We didn't realize how long it would take mom I swear."
"Is everything okay now at least? Are any of you hurt?"
"I bumped my head a bit but we dealt with things. Clarisse is probably headed back to camp already."
"Where are you?"
"Uh, at that park not far from the Intrepid- that museum-"
"I know the one." Sally let out a breath, "Thank the gods you're okay. You had me worried for a few minutes there- Luke and Thalia were planning on going out looking for you if you didn't make contact within the next hour or so."
"We're fine, really." Percy promised, "Rachel was amazing. She saved our butts."
"I'll get someone to come and pick you up." Sally decided, "It's getting late and as much as I know you two could probably get home fine on the subway I'd rather just send someone to fetch you-" there was a moment of muffled noise that Percy knew would be her mom finding out who was able to drive and come and get the two girls and then-
"Drew's said she'll drive out to you. She's got a new car she wants to give a good ride anyway and she came over to see you. She shouldn't be too long."
"Thanks mom." Percy tried and failed to stifle her yawn as she leaned heavily against Rachel, eyes fluttering closed. "We could probably make our way home okay but it'll be nice to be able to nap on the way."
"How hard did you hit your head? Is there a chance of concussion?"
"No, no I don't think so." Percy hummed to herself, "I'm more tired from the fight and from getting back from Staten Island. We drove Ares Chariot over the water because taking the bridges would take too long."
"Ares Chariot?" Percy could almost hear the raised eyebrows, "Do I even want to know what Clarisse was doing with her fathers chariot?"
"It was a test, dunno all the details but she was supposed to take it for a drive. Phobos and Deimos are assholes and decided to screw with her and steal it so we helped her get it back."
"I see. Well, when you get home you should get some sleep." Sally paused, "When did Clarisse show up?"
"During fifth period."
"You skipped a class didn't you?" Sally's voice was slightly disapproving, "Am I likely to get a call tomorrow?"
"We pretended I was sick." Percy said quickly, "I doubt any of the teachers will realize Rache and I slipped away. And if they do I doubt they'll care that much, don't worry."
"I always worry honey, that's my job as your mother." Sally's voice was fond and amused. "Is Rachel going to stay over the night?"
"Uh- gimme a sec mom," Percy pulled the phone away from her ear, "Rache, are you going to stay the night at ours or are you gonna go home-"
"When do I ever choose to go home?" Rachel snorted, "Why would I want to spend time with my dad. All he does is go on about that stupid school he wants me to go to- and I'm sorry but I would literally rather die than go there. I'm happy at Goode."
"Right." Percy pressed the phone to her ear again, "So that was a definite yes to the sleepover from Rachel. She has some spare clothes here right?"
"Of course, from last time she stayed over- tell her she'll have to call her dad though. I know he probably won't notice but I won't take the risk."
"Of course mom. Rache, mom says you have to tell your dad that you're staying over at mine-"
"Ugh." Rachel rolled her eyes, "It's not like he'll notice that I haven't come home he never does-" and Percy hated her girlfriends dad for that.
At least Annabeth's dad was making an effort now, he genuinely tried even if he wasn't the best with showing that he cared. But Rachel's dad just put on a show. He liked to think that he was a good parent but he didn't care, not really. Not for Rachel as a person. If he did he'd know that Clarions was the worst possible idea for her. Rachel was fierce and free, she was an artist to her core, she would never be a perfect lady like he wanted her to be. It was part of why Percy loved her so much.
"Thank you honey." Sally's voice was amused, "And tell Rachel it's okay. I'll have plenty of blue cookies for you both-"
"Ooh, you're the best mom ever." Percy's voice was firm, "All other moms should cower before your might-"
"I try my best." Sally was laughing brightly, "I'll see you soon honey, try not to get into any more trouble before Drew arrives okay?"
"I don't ever actually try to get in trouble." Percy pouted, "It just sort of happens."
"You're a magnet for it I swear." Sally's voice was faintly amused. "I'll see you when you get home- I'll tell everyone that you're safe enough okay?"
"Okay. I love you mom."
"I love you too sweetie."
Percy let out a breath as she hung up the phone, turning her head slightly to pressed her face into the crook of Rachel's neck. "Drew's going to come and pick us up."
"That's good." Rachel hummed, "I'd rather get a lift home, you hit your head pretty hard, public transport isn't ideal right now. Even if it means I'll have to put up with her-" she hummed, "I should paint her- showing her outer beauty and inner evil-"
"Don't be mean." Percy closed her eyes- and before she even realized what was happening she was fast asleep, curled into Rachel's side, and she didn't even wake up when Drew arrived, walking towards the two teens with a raised eyebrow, flicking her elegant curls over her shoulder.
"Princess looks like shit." she remarked, "She hurt?"
"Bashed her head." Rachel admitted, "I'd rather not wake her up but I'm not strong enough to carry her to the car."
"Mortals are never as strong as demigods." Drew's voice was slightly mocking, "I can carry her if you want."
Rachel gritted her teeth slightly, before she let out a slow breath and relaxed. "Please do."
"How did she even hit her head in the first place?" Drew slid her arms under Percy and lifted her up with relative ease that made Rachel raise an eyebrow, though she decided to answer the question first.
"We were fighting Phobos, he got Percy and he was going to kill her while she was out of it, I shoved her out of the way, she smacked her head off the ground when I did. I had to fight Phobos."
"Phobos is a god." Drew's voice was slow, "You're saying you actually got between her and a god?" "Well yeah." Rachel shrugged, "I know I was pretty outclassed but she's my girlfriend and she needed back up. Of course I was there."
And for the first time there was a flicker of respect in Drew's expression. "You really love her, huh?"
"Of course I do. And so does Annabeth. Just for the record."
"I saw what he did to her." Drew's eyes were slightly narrowed. "Percy was the first person not to be scared of me for my powers. I don't want her to get hurt- but.. I guess if you faced down a good for her... maybe you're not so bad."
"Huh, that's almost a compliment."
"Don't get used to it." Drew snorted, "You still have hideous taste in clothes and you look like a heap of trash."
"Gee, thanks." but Rachel smiled slightly, because maybe the daughter of Aphrodite wasn't so bad after all.