I still, unfortunately, do not own PJO or HOO.

Alright, I have writer's block and I know that have been torturing a few people by taking so long to update and for that I am very sorry. I will try to update more regularly in the future. Please read and review. I'm trying to portray Hades as a strict but caring father with a bit of a complex about not wanting to believe his wife did anything wrong. Tell me if you think I'm succeeding. Ideas for Hades upcoming talk with Nico and his conversation with Persephone are welcome.

Nico's POV

When the ghost and skeletal attendants at the infirmary had shooed my father away, the ghost asked me what had happened. I briefly explained my encounter with Alecto and the ghost tutted and sent the skeleton to get some nectar for the claw marks on my arm. Then she went to check if the other arm was broken. Surprisingly, it wasn't, just badly bruised.

"You'll be fine in a few hours," the ghost assured me. Clearly, he didn't know my father well. This opinion was only confirmed when he opened the door and let Hades in. He sat down next to me and fixed me with a look that promised an eternity in the Fields of Punishment, after a slow and painful death.

"What do you want?' I asked. Gods, I needed to learn when to shut up. My father tapped his fingers against his knee and I silently cursed myself. I knew that gesture, it meant that I was in deep trouble.

"For now, I'd like an explanation," He said, deadly calm.

"You've never asked for an explanation before, you just skip to punishing me," I muttered, apparently not quiet enough. Hades had heard me.

"I ask you what you're doing on several occasions and all I get back is sarcasm and disrespect, Nico, "he admonished. He put a little twist on my name that made my blood run cold. "This time, though, this is the worst defiance you've ever shown and you will tell me what in Olympus you were thinking when you did it. I don't care if you don't want to. I will force every word out of you if I have to," He threatened.

"I heard you arguing with Persephone and Demeter," I muttered.

"What were you doing outside my throne room?" he still sounded like he might blast me.

"I- I was going to apologize like you told me to," I said, looking down.

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you, Nico," he told me while grabbing my chin with his fingers and forcing my chin up so I had no choice but to look my father in the eye.

"And what you heard is what promoted you to destroy Persephone's garden?" he asked, tapping his fingers on knee again. Shit. I looked down and didn't answer. Hades gripped my chin again, once again forcing me to look into his cold, black eyes.

"Is he fit to return to his room?" Hades asked the ghost.

"Yes, he is, my lord," came the response.

Without another word my father led me back to my room. "I'm going to lock you in and this time you had best stay here until I and only I come to get you. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Father," I muttered. Hades closed the door and I heard the lock click home. I sank down to sit with my back against the wall, feeling very stupid and very defeated.

Hades' POV

I sat on my throne wondering if all teenagers acted like this or if the fates just hated me. I still hadn't decided when an Iris message showing Poseidon appeared In front of me.

"What do you want, Kelp Head? I'm not in the mood to deal with you today." I told my annoying little brother.

"What's got you angrier than normal, Death Breath?" he asked.

"Did you call to argue?" I asked.

"No, I'm calling for Percy. He says he can't get an Iris message through to Nico and wants to talk to him. We thought you might know why," Poseidon told me.

"Your son can't reach mine because Nico's shadow-travelling and Iris messages privileges have been taken away. He's in his room until I figure out what to do about his latest stunt," I told him. His face took on an odd expression. Was it concern? Curiosity maybe?

"What did he do that made you this angry Hades?" Poseidon asked. I briefly told him of the vents that had unfolded earlier. I watched as his expression got more and more shocked and his eyes got wider and wider. When I finished, he started laughing.

"And I thought Zeus and I had children problems!" he managed through his laughter.

"Would you find this funny if it were Amphitrite and Percy?" I seethed with my best glare. That sobered my brother up.

"No," he muttered.

An idea occurred to me. I wasn't sure how to get what I wanted without letting him know that I was asking for advice. Hoping he was as stupid as he seemed at times I decided to try the direct approach.

"What would you do if it were your wife and child?" I asked.

"Honestly? I'd start with by talking to Amphitrite why she treated my son like that. Does Persephone always treat Nico in the way you described?" Poseidon responded.

"More or less. Why?" I asked.

"Because then Nico, while his reaction was childish and demonstrates a serious need of correction, he is far from the one to blame for setting events into motion, That was clearly Persephone," was the answer I got back. I considered this for a moment.

"That only answers half my question. What about the child?" I reminded him.

"I'd put the child over my knee and make sure he didn't sit down comfortably for a week," he answered. I was shocked.

"You spank your children?" I asked, thinking I had heard wrong.

"You've met my children?" he asked.

It was my turn to laugh; something that seemed to unnerve Poseidon, My nephews did seem to have a knack for trouble.

"Why don't they hate you then?" I asked.

"Because I make sure they know why I did it and that I love them when I'm done," he answered. That made me think. Had I ever told Nico that I loved him? Had I ever defended him to Persephone? I knew the answer to both questions. No.

"Well you clearly have your own problems to deal with. I'll tell Percy Nico's on restriction so he can't talk. I suggest you attend to your wife and child," Poseidon's image disappeared.

I knew that I should talk to Persephone and I would so that she would know that needed to play nice with Nico. What to do about Nico though?

I thought about what Poseidon told. Honestly, I didn't know why I hadn't considered it before. I had spanked him before when Maria was alive. He broke one of his mother's vases and tried to blame it on Bianca, he'd gotten into a fight at school and broken the other boy's nose, he back talked me and his mother, the list went on.

I needed to make sure Nico knew that he couldn't behave like this. I also needed to make sure that he knew that he could come to me if he had a problem with Persephone. I knew what I had to do so I got up and headed to my son's room.

A/N In case I wasn't clear (people tell me sometimes my writing isn't clear) Hades is going to spank Nico. It will be in the next chapter or the one after it not sure. Darn writer's block!