AN:
Ayyyyy everyone. Long time, no see. I've just been so busy with work and school that I've sort of just dropped dead for a few days/weeks. Um, I have to say this chapter is probably the shortest I've written. Honestly, it's like 1:30am where I'm at right now and I've literally spent almost two hours formatting the first chapter of this story on archive of our own so I haven't had time to look over all of this.
Um, yeah, just... introducing a new character.
So, yeah. Enjoy!

Xander

Xander Marcus was not having a good day, and labeling his day as a bad day would've been an underestimate. He was having a great morning until the hell hound had decided to attack him on the subway to his school, Goode Academy. Then, to make the cherry on top Xander's bad day sundae, he was attacked by a couple of gorgons on his way to the airport after the half day at his school. Luckily, he had found a taxi driver willing to drive him to the New York airport in the traffic. He glanced nervously at his watch, his dark green eyes watching the hands closely as they touched the 12:00. He only had 30 minutes until his flight, and so far it looked like the taxi driver was taking his sweet time. The taxi driver was blabbing on about his family, which would have been interesting any other day, but today Xander's thoughts were millions of miles away over the Atlantic sea. He was leaving his second home to return back to his other home in London, England.

He readjusted his black duffel bag on his shoulder, heavy from the two weeks of provisions he had put into the bag. He looked down at his hands,which were clammy from sweat, and rubbed them against his jeans. He shouldn't have been this nervous but considering how his day was going, he had the right to be nervous. He watched as the city passed by him, watching the pedestrians in heavy winter clothing walking around without a care in the world. If only they knew the truth about what laid beyond their small bubble of a world. If only they knew about half-bloods like Xander, maybe they would be able to help. He shook his head of these thoughts, knowing the truth could never happen; it was just some silly fantasy that he wished could happen. He was a half-blood, a very rare one to be exact, so that only made his life a million times miserable.

"So, where ya flying ta, sonnie?"

The taxi driver's Brooklyn accent snapped Xander out of his thoughts. He gave his driver a slight sheepish smile.

"London, sir," He replied, too polite than how he usually would've replied. "I'm going to visit a friend."

The driver snorted.

"Good luck with ya flight then. It's been rumored that we're supposed ta have some snow tonight."

Xander felt his stomach drop. Knowing his luck, it would probably start snowing while he was on the plane. He groaned inwardly and sent up a prayer to Zeus, praying that maybe the king of the skies would have mercy on some poor little demigod such as Xander.

"Why couldn't I have taken a boat to England?" he thought, bitterly. But, he knew that wasn't possible. As much as he would've loved to be in his (and his father's) area of power, he knew getting a boat to England would've made traveling harder on him.

"Zeus, if you're listening to my pathetic prayer, please please please don't strike me down with lightning and burn me to a crisp. I'd like to live to the ripe age of twenty-two."

Xander let out a sigh and went to close his eyes, but was interrupted by the taxi suddenly stopping. He looked out his window and noticed that he was already at the airport. He glanced at his watch. 12:15. He still had time to check in and board the plane. He tipped his driver ("Wow, sonnie, thanks for the tip! If ya ever need me again, ya know my number!"), and hustled into the airport.

Boarding the plane had been ,surprisingly, a breeze for Xander. The clerk at the check-in station had been completely normal. No claws, no snakes growing out of her head, and no green skin. 100% mortal to Xander's relief. He leaned into his plush seat, letting the hum of the plane relax his every muscle. There was barely anyone on board yet, which made him feel even more relaxed. Maybe, this will be a breeze, he thought leaning in deeper into his seat. He let his mind wonder to her and let out a sigh. He met Alice about two summers ago in Australia (he was visiting family there), and honestly his life had been interesting since then. There was the constant excitement whenever she was around, and there was never a boring moment whenever he was with her. He could almost smell her, as if she was sitting next to him on the plane. Her familiar smell of some sort of rose perfume, mixed with some sort of lavender. He almost wished she was here to keep him company on this long flight ahead of him. Maybe she would've been able to calm his nerves, and make sure that he wouldn't possibly die on this flight. He let out a tired sigh, and closed his eyes.

"Boy, wake up. You're lucky I'm even letting you fly in my domain."

The deep voice shocked Xander awake and he carefully looked over to his left, clenching his arm rests. Sitting next to him was a face that he had met once before, and never wanted to see again. The man had a dark beard, and matching long raven hair. His blue eyes held a familiar spark in them that Xander had seen all the time back in England. His face was aged, but there was some secret power hidden deep in this age. He wore a pinstripe suit, and could almost be mistaken for a business man if they didn't know better. Xander shifted uncomfortably in his seat, feeling the radiating power off of him. The air felt like it had turned a good negative ten degrees.

"Holy Zeus." Xander mumbled in shock.

The man glared at him, which only made Xander even more terrified for his life. Any other day he would've been up for challenging this man's authority, but today was not the day.

"Boy, don't use my name in vain." Zeus said darkly. "You're lucky I haven't zapped you to a crisp. If you weren't my brother's son, nor my daughter's friend, I would have done it right away."

"Well, that's comforting." Xander thought bitterly.

The two sat in silence. Xander looked around, trying his best to avoid the king of the gods' stare. He hoped some mortal would notice the strange man and ask an flight attendant about him, but sadly no one noticed. Xander's gaze returned to Zeus, who seemed lost in thought. He could almost see how Alice was this gods' daughter. They both had that same aura of silent power, and they both had the same far away look when they were thinking about something. Xander cleared his throat and Zeus looked back at him.

"Um, is there a reason why you're here to see me?" Xander asked cautiously.

"You're visiting Alice correct?" The other asked, shooting Xander a good glare.

The teen nodded in response, and notice that the gods' facial expression had softened a little at the mention of Alice. His eyes were distant, but Xander could sense that he was trying to piece together his thoughts.

"Is there something you need me to tell her?" He asked again, hoping that his question wouldn't get him electrocuted.

The question snapped Zeus out of his thoughts, and his expression clouded over just like the sky outside.

"Her birthday is in a week; I need you to take a present to her from me."

"Of course," Xander replied, relaxing a little. "But, why don't you-"

Zeus shot him a dangerous glare, and Xander clammed shut. Zeus then looked at the seat ahead of him, once again his expression became unreadable.

"I haven't been the best father," He mumbled. "But, I want to try to be a better one. I can't directly interact with her, but I can talk to her people around her."

"I don't think Alice wouldn't be too fond of that." Xander thought to himself, but kept quiet. If he even said one word about how he felt about this situation, he'd probably end up in the Underworld at an early age. Xander nodded in response and felt his hand grow warm. He looked down at them and saw a small golden box, about the size of a jewelry box, with matching golden ribbon wrapped around it that formed a bow on top. He wanted to shake it, to maybe hear what might have been inside, but he restrained himself. He knew all too well that whenever gods had presents for other people, not to pry into what the present may be.

"Give this to her." Zeus said, his voice not simply asking, but commanding Xander to do what he said.

"And if she doesn't like it?" Xander asked carefully.

Zeus' expression darkened and he grew silent, but Xander could see something more into his expression. It was caring, and worried at the same time. He actually was trying to be a decent father. Xander for a split second almost felt sympathy for the king of gods. Not being able to talk to your own child directly while they grew up, it must have been hard for him to watch from a far. Xander didn't voice these thoughts, for he knew better, and cleared his throat.

"Is that all?" He asked.

"Also," Zeus said darkly. "Save her."

"Save her?"

Zeus nodded and sighed tiredly.

"My children... never have happy fates, especially Alice. But, you on the other hand, your fate is intertwined with her's since the first day you met her. You can save her."

"Save her from what?"

The gods' face darkened like a storm cloud and he shook his head. Thunder rolled in the distance. A quiet hush fell over the plane. Xander knew something was wrong immediately when he noticed Zeus folding his hands in his lap.

"You'll figure that out eventually. In due time, boy."

With a loud snap, Alice's father folded out of the seat; leaving the teen in confusion and worry over what was waiting for him in England.

Save her.

What did it all mean, Xander didn't have the slightest clue. He did know that Alice kept things from him, but he never cared to look even further than what he knew about her. But, if something was wrong, he had to find out somehow; even if Alice wouldn't let him in. He leaned back in his seat, and took one look outside the window. The gray clouds had cleared up revealing the bright sun and the pale blue sky that reminded him so much of her. He guessed Zeus had cleared away the snow clouds just so he could make it to London.

"Lift off will begin momentarily." The monotonous voice of the flight attendant stated on the intercom.

He breathed in and closed his eyes. Save her. How could he save her if he had no clue what he meant? He felt the plane lurch forward and silently sent a prayer.