I am so sorry about the typos in Chapter 1, I fixed them and in return I give you... Chapter 2.

I do not own any of the characters, only the plot.

Nico's POV
Nico strolled into Elysium Funerals and nodded to Charon, the receptionist, as he entered the back room. He descended the stairs, going deeper in the building. Suddenly, there was the sound of multiple footsteps and Nico was tackled on the floor by a huge Rottweiler. "Hey Cerberus, how's my piccolo mostro" (little monster), Nico stood and gave a small smile before he picked up the red ball lying on the floor. He tossed it down the dark hall and watched as Cerberus pounced after it. They had gotten Cerberus as a guard dog when he had just been a puppy. Nico had a special place in his heart for the guard dog, always being cooped up down in the cold basement and had, on occasion, taken him out for play dates with his own dog Mrs. O'Leary. Mrs. O'Leary had originally been Percy's when his mentor passed her along to him after he died. Percy had then, in turn, given Mrs. O'Leary to him after the Titan war; saying something about the calming therapy that having a companion provided. Nico continued to make his way to the morgue, setting his face in a stony expression as he entered the cold, dark room.

Nico bowed his head in acknowledgement, "Papà".

"I just received a call from my dear brother" Hades said, giving him a rare sarcastic smile, "that we are missing a Lieutenant. He has also informed me that his men have been found, tied and gagged, outside of a nearby gas station. That wasn't you now was it?"

Hayden didn't seem to be angry at the fact that a body had gone missing, Is he growing soft? Nico relaxed a bit and matched his father's sarcastic grin with one of his own "Come on, you know that's not really my style." Nico's voice turned serious as he added "The Undertakers have been becoming a problem, interfering with business transactions and they are the ones behind that little stunt today."

"Ohh?" Hayden replied as Nico handed over the note. "You have gotten old and arrogant in your time of power, now it is time for the Undertakers to take the world over" Hayden read from the plain note. "Thanatos has been looking into these so called Undertakers, they popped on the grid not long after the Gaia Global incident mulled over". Hayden cast a look to Nico when he had flinched at the name.

Nico cursed at himself, he was stronger than that goddammit! "I'll talk to an associate of mine, he may be able to shed some information about the Undertakers" Nico added quickly, making his way out the door.

"Nico" Hayden said quietly, "You watch yourself now."

"Always do" Nico replied with a mock salute as he walked out.

Nico walked up the coast, making sure he had not been followed as he headed to the meet point he had established earlier that day. Nico knew he was being paranoid and jumpy but old habits die hard he guessed. He sat at a table sporting a ridiculously large umbrella on top of it and closed his eyes, basking in the sunlight.

"You sure do stick out like a sore thumb here" came a friendly voice to his left. Nico opened his eyes to see a man with a tan complexion, sea green hair, and windblown black hair. He had a well-defined chest and Nico was glad to see the thin white scars that had once been noticeable, had now faded in with his new tan. "It's like you are holding a sign saying 'I'm apart of some illegal mafia shit so, fuck off'" the man added.

Nico's eyes traveled down to evaluate his attire, also checking to see that he was, thankfully, sign free. He supposed he did look odd at a beach setting with his leather jacket over a black dress shirt, pants, and boots. "Well I think I give off an 'I'm too cool for school' vibe if nothing else" Nico replied coolly "but that's beside the point."

"Straight to business then, no 'hey Percy, how have you been?'"

Nico met a pair of amused sea green eyes. Those same sea green eyes had seen terror and had been filled with pain much as Nico's had. "Hey Percy, how have you been" Nico said sarcastically.

"Well Neeks, I've been great, thanks for asking" Nico rolled his eyes as Percy continued "But seriously though, what's going on, are there problems with Gaea again?"

"Not Gaea in particular but, a new problem is arising from the ashes of the Gaea Global incident" Nico looked over to see Percy's eyes harden at the mention of the incident "They call themselves the Undertakers and have been quite a nuisance lately. I need to pull a favor and have you see if your father has any news of these Undertakers in his realm."

"Well, I'm not too close to my father, being his bastard of a son and all, but I will see what I can do. And don't worry, this can be a freebee, no need to waste a valuable favor, ehh" Percy said with a wave of his hands.

Nico was confused at this. Two years ago, when Percy had helped his father in the war against Titan Technologies, Poseidon had publically recognized Percy as his son after denying his existence for his entire life. He had even thought that Poseidon had offered a place by him, granted, Percy had declined in order to live a quiet life with his friends and girlfriend Annabeth. He had guessed that he and his father had still been on good grounds though.

Nico's confusion must have shown on his face as Percy responded with another wave as his hand traveled to the back of his neck "Well, you see, my step mom was not too pleased. Understandable since I was conceived when they had been married and stuff. But, if I can get my dad alone, maybe. I can plan a father-son thing, go fishing, and then I can ask him. Should be no big deal. Anyways, how have you been holding up? I know I have Annabeth since… you know, but you" his voice faltered.

"I'm fine. I don't need to be babied." Nico spat. Nico ran a hand along his jaw and sighed. Percy is just worried, that's all he reasoned with himself. Years ago, that would have made his heart flutter, but that silly school boy crush had ended long ago. "I'm fine" he said, adopting a gentler tone "I'm not scared of what goes boo in the dark anymore. I practically feel alive surrounded by it"

"Don't go all Batman on me now, okay? And listen" Percy grabbed a pen from his pocket and began writing on a napkin "if you ever need any medical help, I know this guy. He is a genius with anything health related, can fix just about anything. He helped out with the Titan War, saving countless men and the best part; he is one of those good civilians that won't ask questions. Lives by some sort of code, that he'll do anything to save as many people as possible; includes discrepancy in order to have more people come to him." He took the napkin with an address on it and handed it to Nico. "Just promise me that if anything goes wrong- and it always does with you- that you'll see him. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of these Undertakers"

"Okay Perce, I will." Nico said, pocketing the napkin.

"And remember, you can always call me as well, if you find yourself in a tough spot." He continued.

"You're too old to be fighting my battles, besides, you have Annabeth that you need to protect now so don't worry about me. Papà will probably only have me do behind the scenes investigations anyways." Nico assured Percy.

"Just don't go looking for trouble." Percy looked down at his watch "I gotta go, duty calls. Keep in touch, you hear me. And, I'm glad to see you are getting back on your feet"

"Yeah yeah, good bye Percy."

Nico watched as Percy walked away, the setting sun illuminating the ocean and casting growing shadows across the café. Nico stood up and went to hail a cab, he supposed he should go home and attempt to get some sleep while he still could, after all, he did have the night off. It was needed, to get some peace yet, he had a feeling this was just the calm before a violent storm that was soon to come.