Disclaimer : I do not own Heroes of Olympus or Percy Jackson.

Chapter 2 : I Meet Nico and Percy.

Asking around for the date, I found out it was June 18. Which meant that, if my calculations were correct, Percy was coming tomorrow. Great. I just had to survive one day on my own. And so far, it was not going that great. I met Frank and Hazel and I could tell they thought I was another Octavian. They acted a bit wary around me. The rest of the cohort pretty much ignored me. Gwen was the only person that was actually nice to me, trying to get me out of the worst jobs in camp, etc. Except today apparently, her influence wasn't enough. She came up to me with a sorry expression on her face.

"What is it?" I thought someone had died or something.

"You're assigned to taking care of Hannibal."

I frowned. "The elephant?"

"Yeah. Plus, you're stuck with Frank Zhang. I know he hates you."

"Oh, okay." She still looked like she failed me or something. "Hey, it's okay. I'm on probatio. It's only because of you that I didn't get any of the bad jobs until now. I'll be fine. It's just an elephant."

And here I was now, shoveling manure. It would have been better if there was any conversation, but Frank wasn't talking to me, other than the "You're working with me today?"

I cleared my throat. "Why aren't you talking to me?" Wow, that's the best I could come up with? I knew Alex would be shaking her head, rolling her eyes, and whispering, "Pathetic."

Frank didn't answer.

"Well, if it's because you think I'm the second coming of Octavian, then please. I'm not. Honestly, I think he's an asshole with an ego that seriously needs to be cut down to size."

That did it. "I know right? I mean, he blackmails everyone, threatens them with the whole 'I'm Apollo's legacy' thing and then he tells stupid stuff about the future and he says things like how Apollo will raise him to greatness." He finished his rant. "I hate him."

"Well, he's only a legacy. I'm Apollo's son. And sometimes I think he needs a reminder."

Frank laughed. "I'm sorry for ignoring you earlier today. You're not that bad. Anybody who hates Octavian is a friend of mine."

I would have answered but suddenly a scratchy voice was at my ear. "You're not even getting any work done! Back in my day, the Romans were powerful, fierce. And now they let the probation do everything. Inconceivable!"

Frank sighed. "We'll get the work done before evening muster, Vitellius."

The ghost sniffed. "I hope so."

After he left, Frank and I started working again, this time talking and laughing.

At evening muster, I stood with the Fifth and did everything I was supposed to. Getting there on time, responding to roll call, was adequately embarrassed at our missing eagle, stuff like that. But my stomach was in knots. Tomorrow, Percy and Nico were coming. I hoped Percy wouldn't recognize me. That would make things awkward. There was also the fact that I had no idea how much to tell Nico. Dinner went by in a blur. All I remembered was sitting with Hazel and Frank and talking about ways to kill Octavian and get away with it. I was not looking forward to tomorrow. Unfortunately for me, tomorrow came a bit too fast.

I woke up the next day bright and early. After sorting out the weapons, it was time for lunch. Getting a brownie and some coffee from the bakery, I went and talked to Gwen. "So, do you know what I'm doing today?"

Gwen looked up, distracted. "No, why? Do you want a job in particular?"

"Can I be guard duty today? You know, protecting the tunnel."

Gwen smiled. "I'll try my best. I feel like Frank and Hazel are already on guard duty, but you can join them."

"Thanks Gwen. You're the best!" I ran over to the tunnel. "Hey, Frank! Hazel!"

They both turned around. "Hey, Robbie! What are you doing here?" Hazel asked, her gold eyes shining.

"Gwen told me to join you. Anything so far?"

"Nope. Everything's pretty quiet so far."

Then I saw a small figure with an orange t-shirt. Percy. Snake haired ladies were following him. I tapped Frank on the shoulder. "Hey, that guy. We should help him."

Frank's eyes followed my finger. He squared his shoulders. "Hazel. I'm going to try to shoot those monsters out of the air. You stay here, guide the new recruit."

By this time, Percy was carrying Juno, although she didn't look so godlike now, with her raggedy dress and swollen feet. I wasn't as extreme of a fan as Alex was, memorizing the book and all that, but I knew that Frank would need help. I ran up to him, raising my bow. "You do know those are gorgons right?"

He yelped. "Gorgons?!"

Percy was stumbling, still holding on to the goddess. I heard Juno say, "Onward, Percy Jackson!"

Hazel looked confused. "You're definitely a demigod. But who are…" She trailed off. "You know, never mind. Robbie, you escort him back to Camp Jupiter."

"What about you?" I asked.

"I'll hold them off."

"Hazel," Frank whined. "Are you sure?"

"Just go!" She shooed us away.

I opened the door to the tunnel and both of us started running, Frank right at our heels. "Come on, Percy. We have to get to Camp Jupiter. We'll be safe there." I yelled over my shoulder. We reached the end of the tunnel just in time. As we neared the river, the tunnel shook and rumbled. Dust rained down. Percy looked backward. His voice was worried. "Is Hazel okay? Shouldn't we check on her?"

"She'll be fine." I panted. "I think. Destroying tunnels is her specialty."

"How'd you know that?" Frank gasped. "I've never told you that."

"She's Pluto's daughter. I thought it would be obvious."

"Right. Sorry, I'm just really paranoid sometimes."

Hazel ran through, covered with dust. "I held them back, but I won't be long. The door's not going to hold them."

"We have to get across the river." I said. "It's the only way, isn't it."

"Yeah." Frank pushed Hazel toward the river. "Go. Escort Percy. It's my turn to kill the monsters."

Percy was about to follow Hazel and wade across the river, but I could see him hesitating. I ran to him. "Come on, Percy! I don't know what you're scared about, but if you don't cross the river, you'll die!" And if you die, your sister will kill me.

He strode through the river and I was about to sigh in relief when I heard Frank. "Ahhh!" The gorgons had grabbed him and were flying up in the air.

I could see Percy's mind working a mile a minute. He raised his arms and the water followed his movements. The gorgons disintegrated in the Little Tiber and Frank was saved. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. I had grown fond of Frank after our little heart to heart with the elephant and even though I knew Percy would have saved him, I couldn't help but worry.

Juno transformed from the beggar homeless looking lady into her goddess form or whatever. With a goat skin cloak over her shoulders and a lotus flower topped staff, she radiated power, even more than Hera. But then, I didn't see her in the fight against Porphyrion. Following the lead of everyone, I kneeled. Juno went on to warn the camp of a danger on the Feast of Fortuna, introducing Percy while she was at it. With a dramatic, "Do not fail me," she disappeared.

Reyna's face looked as if Percy was her worst nightmare, which was probably true, given that Percy did something on Circe's island, I didn't remember what. What I did remember was that Reyna and her sister were involved. But when she spoke, her voice was steady. "Hazel, take Percy to the principia. I need to talk to him."

I walked with Percy and Hazel to the prinicipia. We walked in silence, but every so often, I could see Percy staring at me. Getting annoyed, I asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He frowned, eyebrows knitting together like he was concentrating. "I don't remember anything specific about myself, just bits and pieces. But… do I know you?"

"Ummm…"

He continued. "Did I ever do anything to hurt you?"

Well there was the time you nearly drowned me for kissing your sister. I shook my head no.

"I keep on feeling like I should know you, but I don't." He shook his head. "I'm sorry. Probably just something wrong with my head right now."

We reached the principia. Hazel looked at me curiously. "Hey, Robbie. Why don't you find my brother? I think he's here somewhere. Check Pluto's temple."

"Yeah." I started to walk away. "Tell me how the auguries go!" I yelled back.

"Will do!" She answered.

I walked slowly to the temple, trying to procrastinate as much as possible. I did not want to meet Nico. I didn't want to explain anything. That guy scared me. Even when I had only read about him, he gave me nightmares. Maybe it was because Apollo and Hades were complete opposites, but for whatever reason, I always hated meeting him. He gave me the chills.

When I saw Nico standing in front of the black crypt, I cleared my throat. "Hey."

Nico turned around. His eyes widened. "Robbie?" His voice sounded incredulous and a little bit angry. "What in the name of Hades are you doing here?!"

"I was on vacation in California?"

He bristled. "And?"

"And monsters attacked. So I started running and well… I found this place. What are you doing here?"

"I… I…" He sounded flustered. "Listen. You can't tell anyone that you saw me here. Got that?"

His dark eyes looked straight into mine, staring deep into my soul.

Okay, maybe I was being too dramatic.

"Well, that's going to be a little hard to keep a secret, seeing as Percy's in camp too."

"What?" He started muttering. "Why now?" Then he stopped. "Wait. Why'd you even find me in the first place?"

"Oh. Hazel wants to meet up with you after Reyna's finished with Percy in the prinicipia."

Nico looked stricken.

I sighed. "You know you're going to have to meet up with Percy sometime. I'm just giving you a heads up so when you see him you don't drop your sword or something like that."

He relaxed a fraction. "Thanks Robbie. I owe you one."

"Your welcome. Now I'd better get back to the principia. I want to talk to Percy."

He called out at my retreating back. "Just, if he doesn't remember stuff, don't tell him!"

I turned back. "You think I'm stupid? I won't do that…"

And I headed toward the principia, ready to talk to Percy again.