I feel like an evil evil monster I am gonna make you guys cry so freaking hard when you get to the chapters I just wrote-as in I had tears streaming down my face as I typed it up. But don't you worry about a thing, there's a long wait between this and that chapter. Now I must go and type more and make myself cry some more because let's face it, it's gonna happen. Also, I appear to have made angry Percy utterly terrifying if she snaps so that'll be fun.

Percy let out a breath at the sound of her moms voice, smiling slightly as Luke spoke, "Hey mom-"

"Luke! Sweetheart is that you? Nico said you kids were in trouble but you sent-"

"We're fine." Percy piped up, "All of us-"

"Percy honey oh thank the Gods." Sally let out a gasp of relief, and Percy could practically picture the expression on her mothers face, the blend of relief and exhaustion. She felt a wave of guilt and Luke squeezed her shoulder gently.

"We're all back at Camp now mom, Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Tyson and I got back not long ago. So you said Nico told you we were in trouble. He made it home okay?"

"Yes, yes he did." Sally told them quickly, "He said you guys were captured by Alabaster and some monsters."

"Yeah." Percy nodded, grimacing, "It wasn't fun but we managed to escape with a little bit of help from dad and we got back to Camp. Listen has Nico left?"

"He told me he needed to jet the Fleece to Camp." Sally told them quickly, "And he said you told him to ask Clarisse, she's taken him and two of his new friends-they wouldn't let him go without them."

"Good. Okay that's good they're on their way then." Luke looked relieved, "How long ago was that mom?"

"About three hours."

"Right." Luke nodded, "So they should be here soon all being well. That's good."

"How did Nico look?" Percy asked worriedly, "Shadow Traveling seems to take a long of energy-"

"The Fleece should help him." Luke's voice was reassuring, "How was he mom?"

"Very pale, and he seemed exhausted but he did start perking up pretty quickly."

"Oh thank the Gods." Percy let herself relax, "It sounds like the Fleece is working it's magic. How are they getting here?"

"I gave them enough money for a taxi to Camp but you know how these things go. I don't like it-Nico's too young and so are his friends."

"Clarisse is capable." Luke spoke up, "She's probably one of the toughest and strongest Campers around. As long as Nico and his friends are with her and they listen to her they'll get here fine."

"I hope so." Sally's voice was heavy, "He's such a sweet boy-and it's wonderful to see him making friends-Kayla and Will are lovely I really hope that nothing happens to them."

"On one hand it's good that Nico has friends," Luke frowned, "On the other hand it means that Clarisse has to look after three kids rather than one-you mentioned Will and Kayla..." he thought for a moment, "They're Apollo kids, Will's good at healing so if Nico is weak his presence should help at
least-and Kayla's one of the best archers camp has... At least they should all be able to defend themselves somewhat."

"We have to believe in them." Percy ran her fingers through her waves, shaking her head, "This is such a mess."

"It really is."

"I'm sure Nico will be fine." Sally's voice was soft and reassuring, "There's nothing either of you can do right now. You have no clue where they are. I don't like it anymore than you two do but we have to have faith-"

"The Prophecy did say that he'd make it back." Percy pointed out softly.

"What?" Luke frowned, "What do you mean?"

"You're such a dummy sometimes Luke." Percy rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Remember? 'But alone one must take it and acceptance earn, despite a parentage not often admired.'"

"That-that's how you came up with the idea to send him away." Luke breathed "Of course that makes sense. I can't believe I didn't realise it."

"Yeah, well the whole situation was pretty screwed up." Percy elbowed him lightly, "We were kind of being held captive by Alabaster."

"If I ever see that boy-"

"Mom, I say this with love, if you ever see Alabaster walk the other way." Percy laughed, "As awesome and badass as you are I don't like the thought of that creep anywhere near you. Besides he's probably going to be out of commission for a while." the monsters probably wouldn't let him die but still, Luke had beaten the crap into him.

"Yeah, yeah Sephie might be right there." Luke's voice was slightly sheepish, "I may have completely lost my temper when I got my hands on him?"

"Luke, sweetheart what happened?"

"He hurt Sephie." Luke said the words so simply, "No one hurts my baby sister. No one."

"Luke beat the crap into him." Percy's voice was unashamedly proud, "It was actually kinda beautiful."

There was a beat of quiet from Sally before she spoke, "I don't usually condone extreme violence sweetheart, but in this case I approve. I hope you really really hurt that little-"

"Mom!" Percy's eyes widened and she let out laugh, "This is whole new side to you-I've never known you advocate violence-"

"Honey, you kids are my exceptions. You get hurt and I will get angry-"

"We love you too mom." Percy laughed softly as Luke grinned widely.

"Does this mean that I'm allowed to beat up anyone who hurts Sephie-"

"And the other kids too." Sally added quickly, "They're all such sweethearts honey-"

"Mom you can't adopt everyone." Percy said quickly, "You've already adopted Nico and Tyson-"

"Oh I know honey." Sally laughed, "But... well if ever any of the kids need to get away from Camp our home's always open-I plan on talking to Chiron about that."

"Of course you do." Percy grinned, "We'll need a bigger house mom."

"Well I do have enough money set aside." Sally's voice was amused, "You two know that-the perks of being a best selling author. I'm sure I could find somewhere with more rooms."

"We'll go house hunting when this is all over then." Percy grinned, "That could be fun-"

"Of course." Sally laughed, "Will you be coming Luke?"

"Maybe-but as long as you guys make sure I have a room I'll be happy wherever you choose."

"You always were the easier one to please." Sally laughed warmly, "Well we'll see-"

"Miss Jackson! Miss Jackson! Silena and Richie are fighting-" Percy was pretty sure that was Mikey's, one of Luke's brothers, voice.

"Oh for-right you two, I need to go and deal with this." Sally sounded exasperated, "Call me once Nico's arrived would you?"

"Of course." Percy said quickly. "We'll let you know what happens."

"I'll be ready to bring the kids back to camp once it's safe. Goodbye you two-give my love to Tyson, Nico, Grover and Annabeth."

"We will." Luke smiled, "Bye mom."

"Bye mom!"

There was the click of the call ending and Percy glanced at Luke, who quickly put the phone away before turning to her, "So what's the plan Sephie? Go join the others?"

"Sounds about right."

Together they headed out of the Big House-it wasn't difficult to locate the others, Annabeth and Grover were stood with Tyson just outside of the forges-and Charles Beckendorf was with them a hand on Tyson's shoulder, grinning widely as they talked.

Percy and Luke headed towards them and she smiled when she heard Tyson's voice, which was incredibly excited, "You'll teach me to make things?"

"Of course." Charles was smiling, looking amused at the Cyclops' excitement-that made sense, the son of Hephaestus was one of the nicest people Percy had ever met, if anyone was willing to take Tyson under their wing it would be him.

"You guys having fun?" Percy called out, jogging the rest of the way towards the others, and Tyson beamed at her, nodding.

"I get to make stuff!"

"That's great big guy." Percy grinned, giving Charlie a grateful smile, which he returned.

"Cyclops' are meant to be pretty skilled blacksmiths I'm looking forward to the chance to work with you Tyson-" he paused, glancing at his watch before grinning, "I'm actually gonna see about fixing some of the damaged armor if you wanna start now?"

"Can I?" Tyson turned his head to look at Percy and Luke and Luke laughed and shrugged.

"Tyson you don't need to ask us for permission-"

"You go enjoy yourself." Percy turned to Beckendorf, "Look after him okay?"

"Of course." the older boy gave her an amused grin, "Nothing for you to worry about." with that he was leading Tyson into the forges and Percy turned her gaze to Annabeth and Grover.

"What did your mom say?" Grover tilted his head, "Did Nico make it home?"

"Yeah, he should be here soon. He's on his way with Clarisse and two of the Apollo kids-Will and Kayla."

"What do you want to do while we're waiting for them?"

"I know there's already a border control." Annabeth spoke up, "But I kind of want to go and sit by Thalia's tree and keep watch for them." she admitted, "I... I know it's stupid but I wanna be with her."

"It's not stupid." Percy grabbed Annabeth's hand and squeezed reassuringly, "We can go up there and sit."

"I would join you, but I think I want to check in with the kids."

"That's fine." Percy smiled at Luke before her gaze swung to Grover, "What about you G-man?"

"You two go alone." Grovers' smile was sad, "I.. I don't wanna sit up there. Makes me sad-" and Percy could practically feel the guilt rolling off of her friend, probably a side effect of the empathy bond. And it made sense-she knew that Grover had blamed himself for Thalia's fate in the first place, sitting next to her dying tree probably wouldn't help with that, even if it would soon hopefully be fully healed.

"Grover-" Annabeth's voice was soft but Percy squeezed her hand again.

"It's okay G-man." Percy gave him a reassuring smile, "I get it. You don't have to come."

"Thanks Percy." Grover gave her a relieved look, and then he and Luke headed off and Percy turned her head to look at Annabeth, who raised an eyebrow.

"What was that about?"

"Grover still blames himself for what happened." Percy pointed out softly, "Sitting up by Thalia's tree while it's sick'll just make him feel even worse."

"But it wasn't his fault we've been over that like a thousand times."

"Yeah but he still feels guilty." Percy pulled a face, "That empathy bond he made between us-I could feel the guilt."

"I guess it does make sense." Annabeth admitted reluctantly, "I just... I don't like knowing he still feels like that."

"We'll work on it after Thalia's tree's healed. For now let's just go and keep watch for everyone."

"Sounds like a plan." Annabeth gave a small smile and nod and together they headed up Half-blood hill towards the huge pine tree-which did look terrible, and Percy squeezed Annabeth's hand tightly-a desperate reassuring gesture when Annabeth tensed up.

"I know." she said simply. "I know Wise Girl."

"Thank you." Annabeth's voice was quiet as they reached the tree, and together they sat down next to it, facing out towards the road that led towards camp.

"Don't thank me. What are friends for?"

"Good point." Annabeth shook her head, leaning into Percy's side as the daughter of Poseidon wrapped an arm around her best friend's shoulders.

"Still. I just... it is hard seeing the tree like this... I do get why Grover would feel bad."

"It's going to be okay. Nico will be here soon." Gods but she hoped he would-she trusted Clarisse to look after Nico-the daughter of Ares might be as rough as hell and a bully to boot but she did care about Camp and Percy knew she'd do everything she could to get the kids home safe-but still it was a fair distance and there could be any number of monsters between the four Half-bloods and Camp itself.

It was Annabeth's turn to notice her friends worry at that and the blonde frowned, poking Percy's arm gently, "You know, you comforted me when I was worried so I guess it's my turn now. They're gonna be fine Percy."

"Technically they should have gotten here ages ago." Percy pointed out, "Mom gave them the money for a taxi and they left hours ago."

"Percy if anyone can get them here it's Clarisse. Besides it's not as though Nico, Will or Kayla are helpless." she looked faintly amused, "Will's decent with a sword and he's an excellent healer, Kayla is one of our best archers and you've been training Nico right."

"I have." Percy admitted after a moment, "And his dad did give him a pretty awesome sword. I guess you're right they should be okay. It's just.. I guess 'cause he's my baby brother-"

"It's like Luke with you-Like Thalia was with me." Annabeth laughed softly and shook her head, "You worry. It's understandable."

Percy shifted, resting her head on Annabeth's shoulder. "Have I ever told you that you're the best friend ever?"

"Hm, one or twice." Annabeth laughed softly, turning her head slightly so that she could look at Percy properly, and Percy felt a rush of warmth in her belly as she smiled at her best friend.

They were both tired, Annabeth had a little cut on the side of her cheek and a bruise forming on her temple, and her hair was pretty tangled from the sea breeze as they'd rode the Hippocampi to Camp, but Percy found herself thinking that even with all that, her best friend looked far more beautiful than she had when dressed up all pretty by Circe's helpers.