Growing Up Together

by Awesome one

second one to twist in time. Annabeth gets pregnant and this is about her and Percy growing with the child, taking care of it and such. Oh and of course what Athena does when she finds out!

26. Thalia and creepy love magic

Why do humans find the need to bring down other humans with cruel names and physical confrontations? It's tiring. Seriously. Natalie was subdued to incessant (and rather stupid even for them) insults just because she walked into a grocery store. These woman, mind you WOMAN and not toddlers, pounced on Natalie's weakness and began calling her cruel names for absolutely no reason other than to pleasure themselves. For example, Natalie cut her hair so they called her a dkye. I couldn't really control my temper at this point (as I've said I'm a pacifist until made angry) and punched the fat bitch in the mouth. Yeah I cut my knuckle open on her tooth (eww) and Natalie and I were forced to leave the restaurant. I saw her cry as she drove us home. That only flared my temper more. So here I am, sitting in the passenger seat of Natalie's BMW sports car angrily writing the 26th chapter on her ipad. I'd really love to punch something. Very hard. Right this instant.

Disclaimer-Nope

Kiley woke up just as Jasmin pulled into a gravel driveway that lead up to a 2 story blue Victorian style manor house with a wrap around porch. There was a large field behind and around the house, tall Cotton trees in the front yard with a hammock stretched out between two of them. To the left of the house was a five-car garage which, at the moment, was open exposing what looked to be extremely expensive cars and motorcycles inside it. Jasmin parked the SUV as near to the porch as she could without knocking it over.

"Um…where are we?" Kiley questioned as Jasmin pulled the keys out of the ignition and began to get out with all the others.

"Missouri." Jade mumbled before zeroing in on the hammock and going over to lay in it. Melina seemed pleased with that same thought and quickly joined Jade in the hammock.

"Missouri! When the hell did we…how long have I been asleep!"

"Oh about an hour," Jasmin mused from behind the SUV where Kiley joined her as she dug through a box full of candy and other various junk food one can find at a gas station store, "We think Hecate sped us up while you were driving last night though. Ah! Perfect!" Jasmin smiled at the chocolate bar and grape juice she had pulled form the box. She then pouted, glared at the box, and snatched an energy drink out of it. She took sips from it as she casually walked towards the front door, Amber and Ariel already sitting on the porch swing waiting for her.

"Whose house is this!" Kiley yelled once they were on the porch.

Jasmin was about to answer when another lower female voice, husky for a woman, sounded from her left, "My house. Actually. And you are?"

From where the voice originated was were two very tall woman, both at least 6 foot easy. Both were thin, not exactly in a physically fit way just thin, and both very pale. The considerable difference was in the way they held themselves and their features. One girl had rust colored hair that was layered, the thinnest layer reach a little ways past her chest, and the shortest thickest layers were spiked on the back of her head. Her bangs layered straight across her forehead nearly hiding her unique eyes, one a deep lustrous blue, the other a bright celery green. The first thing Kiley noticed about her appearance was that she was barefoot. That seemed so strange to Kiley. Maybe it was because not many sane people went barefoot in New York. She just wasn't use to seeing it. The other thing she noticed was the girl dressed kind of like, well, a man. She wore baggy, ripped up painters pants (black ones) and a baggy UFC shirt (also black). The only thing she wore that was semi-girly was jewelry but that wasn't really…famine either. A matt black choke collar with little brass studs in it and black hand cuff ear rings, the other little studs up along her ear. And her pose, the way she just stared at Kiley, gave Kiley the chills. She was terrifying in a strange way. She was very…unapproachable? Off Standish? Cold? No. She just had a bad ass, I'll-seriously-hurt-you-just-because-I-can demeanor.

The other girl was her polar opposite, even a few inches taller if possible. She had honey blonde hair that hugged her curvy body as far as her elbows, with long whipped bangs resting gently on her brow. Her warm smile complimented her unusually bright blue eyes. Was she wearing contacts? She had to be, no ones eyes were that naturally bright. Her wardrobe was not only famine as opposed to her companion but it accented her womanhood. She wore a navy blue bikini top with a unbuttoned leather jacket on her arms and rather tight denim short shorts. She to was barefoot. How strange. She was much more inviting than the other girl too, not even knowing her the girls smile made Kiley want to run over and hug her tiny frame. As if the girl was reading Kiley thoughts she wiggled her fingers as a greeting.

"Hey guys!" Jasmin chirped happily before bounding down the steps of the porch and hugging both girls (the angry looking one excepted it much to Kiley's surprise). Behind her Ariel sighed in annoyance but got up and gave them both a hug as well like knowing them bothered her but she didn't want to ignore them.

"Guys," Jasmin said through a smile, "This is a distant cousin of mine Bunny and my old MMA master, Catalina. Say hi."

"Well hello to all of you." Bunny said in a mesmerizing voice. It was charming but melted out of her mouth in a delish fashion like chocolate. It was like Bunny knew Kiley's mind felt bogged down and sluggish hearing it because she winked and waved at her. Catalina just continued to glare at everyone, especially at Melina and Jade who were laying together in the hammock.

"She doesn't talk much," Bunny interjected with that fragrant voice of hers, giving Catalina a brilliant smile as she said it, "She's sort of anti-social until she gets to know you. Sorry about that. Gods Jazzy! Ariel! It's been ages! How is your mother?"

Jasmin rolled her eyes, "Don't know, don't care. I'm going inside to say hi to Cyan. I got something for her." To that Jasmin held up the juice and chocolate then flashed everyone an Apollo like smile before disappearing in the house.

"Ariel suddenly perked up, visibly, "Is Kenny home!"

Bunny smiled, a harm warming image, "She's always home. She's lame like that." That seemed to be all Ariel needed because she quickly sprinted up the porch steps and into the house. Leaving everyone unfamiliar with these people standing there with them. Amber offered her hand out for them to shake. Bunny eyed it like it was an interesting speck on the ground before taking it and kissing it much like a chivalrous gentlemen would in an old musical. Now normally that would be strange, it's not generally how a woman of all people introduces herself, but Amber seemed thrilled by the action. She quickly enveloped Bunny in a hug like she was a lost sister or daughter or something. Melina perked up like a puppy dog in the hammock before falling out of it (noted: Melina isn't exactly graceful) and scuttled over to hug Bunny as well. What was going on!

"You're a daughter of Aphrodite too! God I love your eyes! Where did you get that necklace its freaking adorable!" Oh well that explains it…sort of.

"You like it! Catalina got it for me for Christmas last year. Two half-sisters! Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've met a sister of mine? Ages. We should so go shopping together!"

"Totally! And actually I'm just a granddaughter so your more like my aunt I guess."

"You got this for her!' Melina was positively beaming with excitement at meeting a sibling of hers though she was addressing the emotionless Catalina who seemed uncomfortable by all the excitement, "That's cute! It's cute! Oh this is great! Are you a half blood too!" Catalina didn't respond in words, instead she strolled across the yard, kicked Jade out of the hammock then strolled up the porch steps into the house. Jade didn't look happy. She reminded Kiley much of a cat having water dumped on its head during a nap.

"Not. Cool. I promise revenge." Jade mumbled following Catalina into the home like a stealth expert.

"Never mind her," Bunny purred, linking her arms through both Amber's and Melina's, "She's incredibly protective of her hammock. No one else is allowed to touch it. I can only convince her to let me lay in it with her. Touchy touchy-oh! You two should come look at my shoes!"

"Yes!" Then Kiley was left alone as the last of her companions entered the home to look at shoes. She hobbled her way up to the steps, her leg still hurt considerably now that the morphine was wearing off, then stopped dead. There was a tingling sensation in the back of her skull. Wasn't she missing something incredibly important? She'd defiantly need it later. For sure. She turned her body around, gripping her thigh tightly where she had been injured in an attempt to subdue the pain, then hobbled towards the SUV. Inside the car she grabbed Thalia's leather jacket and her pearlescent blue ring out of the consol. There. That killed that annoying buzz. Was it the ring or the jacket she would need?

She pondered at this as she entered the home. Inside the house was warm and fragrant with the smell of pumpkin spice much like hallows eve sprit lived in this home, warming the place up with its delicious scent. It was a well lit home, the ceiling high and made almost entirely of glass, only thin strips of wood between each piece to keep it up there. The walls were made of polished stone and liquored oak, a very beautiful combination that gave the house a beach cabin affect. Spread around the room was plush couches and love seats, all cream white with beautiful rugs beneath them to protect the hard wood floor. To the left of the massive living room was a fireplace, also massive with a bronze and brick hearth, and a beautiful painting hanging above it of a limitless color. It was deranged, abstract and yet life like at the same time as Kiley could see a melting city blended into the swirls of dark color. Very interesting. Beside the fire place was a hall and a spiral staircase that lead to a second floor. On her right was a large white based kitchen with steal appliances, everything so clean it was shinning. On the far wall in front of her were sliding glass doors that Kiley could see a glistening pool through. The water was a temptress in its own right, calling out to her and swearing to clean away her weariness and make her anew. She didn't respond to its calling, instead she focused on the two people in the center of the room.

Jasmin sat on a couch in front of a massive plasma TV screen playing a shoot 'em up video game with what appeared to be a toddler. The young girl had honey blonde hair and crystal blue eyes that twinkled with merriment as she destroyed the older girl on the game they were playing. She was simply dressed, as most children are, and once she had beat Jasmin on the game took the time to stop and sip from grape juice. In that action Kiley was allowed to assume that she was Cyan. The person Jasmin had got the candy bar and juice for.

"Hey," Jasmin called out, breaking Kiley's train of thought, "Come meet Cyan." Kiley smiled to be polite though felt no happiness in meeting strange people (she wasn't very social and preferred the quietness of a corner) and meandered over to the two girls. The toddler smiled up at Kiley even though her eyes regarded her with a cynical, calculating stare.

"I'm Cyan. I'm 8 years old. Who are you? Are you one of Mommy's friends?" Unsure of what to do Kiley patted the girl atop the head. Kids liked that didn't they? Cyan growled menacingly at the action causing Kiley to jerk her hand back quickly.

"I don't like strangers touching me. I can't trust you. I'll tell mommy." She informed Kiley once she pulled her hand back. Jasmin watched all this happen with a smile on her lips as if it all amused her greatly.

"I'm Kiley, who is your mom?" She shoved her hands in the leather jackets pockets while Cyan just stared at Kiley blankly as if she was a puzzle to be solved and to her surprise felt something cold kiss her palm. It was smooth like metal but small and round. She closed her fingers around it and pulled it out to inspect it. In her palm she held a bent spoon. What the hell? Why was there a bent spoon in her pocket? She didn't put it there! That was for sure! So how-

"Catalina," Cyan drawled out in a well guarded tone, "Mi madre es Catalina." Kiley blinked at her. Was she speaking Spanish now?

"Um…okay." Kiley could feel her social awkwardness kicking in. Bad.

"Oh I forgot to mention, "Jasmin spoke up, "Catalina is of Latino heritage so naturally her daughter and herself both speak Spanish. When Cyan doesn't want to talk to you anymore, she switches to Spanish so she can insult you without your knowledge."

"No esque importe, que tan estúpido que entiende mi español, así como mi Inglés." Kiley narrowed her eyes at the little girl after the words left her lips. Did she really just insult Kiley's intelligence? Child or not, that was not okay.

"En realidad, yo entiende muy bein los dos. Vigile a su Niño boca." Kiley was very pleased with her retort, that pleasure doubling and fueling her ego when Cyan's jaw tightened and she dropped her head to hide her blush of embarrassment.

"Lociento," Cyan mumbled, defeat clearly not something she enjoyed, "Your Spanish is good. Where did you learn it?"

"From a book. Where is everyone else?" Cyan picked her head, now smiling brightly. Kiley made a mental note that once you passed this girls first test of trust, she was a sweet little girl. At least her smile was something that was sweet, Kiley still didn't know her that well. And she had a feeling that menacing side of her could come back within a seconds time frame like her cheery side had.

"From a book! Just like Aunt Kenny! I like you." Awkwardly Cyan jumped up and hugged Kiley's leg. Of course it had to be her bad leg. The little girl squeezed tightly on the bandage that was enveloping the tender wound and pain shot up her leg, gripping at every nerve in her spine. A low growl escaped her lips causing Cyan to look up at her startled.

"Oh Cyan!" Jasmin noticed what had happened finally and scooped the toddler up in her arms, "Careful. Kiley had an owwy that still really hurts. That's why we are going to stay here until she gets all better. See?"

Cyan made a sad face first at Jasmin then at Kiley, "Lociento Kiley, I didn't mean to hurt you. Forgive me?"

"It's alright kiddo. No one answered me though, where is everyone else?" Kiley paused as if just realizing something, "We are staying here until I get better? How long will that take?"

"Well with my healing medicine and Apollo being my father thus giving me healing capabilities, today and tomorrow tops. And everyone else is in the parlor. Follow me." Then Jasmin turned swiftly with Cyan hugging her neck and placed long strides in the direction of the hall near the fireplace. Kiley followed suite without a word.

The hall was wide and long. More strange paintings and pictures lined the walls. There were pictures of Catalina and Jasmin standing beside each other, many metals hanging around their necks like they were awards, and a cheering crowd in the back ground. There were pictures of Cyan riding a bike, or blowing out candles. There were pictures of Catalina and Bunny, standing with each others arms around their waist in beautiful regions of the world. Pictures of Ariel with Jasmin or Bunny or Catalina, sometimes all four of them appeared in pictures with a filth Kiley didn't recognize. There were also pictures of a woman Kiley hadn't met yet but, judging from the fact that her pictures were hung up, she would meet soon.

The woman had long curly black hair that hung over her shoulder in a loose pony tail, accenting her tiny yet modest frame. Her skin was cream colored which totally contradicted with her almost inhumanly bright blue eyes. They were luminescent, especially captured in photo. The corners of her mouth were upturned slightly, her light pink lips drawn tight as if they weren't use to smiling, though everything about her seemed to glow. Her eyes though were what Kiley's attention kept being drawn back to. They were so bright. Didn't they seem familiar too?

"Come on, your lagging." Kiley turned to see Jasmin standing at the end of the hallway, about to turn left down another hallway. Casting one more glance at the young woman, Kiley hurried to catch up with the daughter of Apollo.

When she rounded the corner she found herself standing in a spacious cherry colored parlor. The walls were splashed a cherry color and all the carpet and all the chairs and sofas were a dark ruby red to not just match the walls but give it a shade as well. The curtains were drawn over the windows so there was no natural lighting in here but it was still well lit. Bar like lights hung from the ceiling, giving the room that extra parlor for rich people feel to it. It was a beautiful room really, with nice cool colors hanging in frames on the walls. Mostly blues and purples to contrast the red.

Sitting around the room were her companions. Ariel was sitting atop a red velvet pool table beside that girl with long black locks and unnaturally bright blues eyes from the pictures she had been admiring in the hall earlier, both of them reading what looked to be a very thick physiology book while talking quietly to each other. Jade was actually sitting on Melina's lap, Melina herself sitting in a plush lounge chair that was so oversized for their petite figures it looked like it was engulfing them both. Amber was stretched to her full length in a bay window, her arms wrapped around the silk blankets in the reading bed there. She reminded Kiley of a content pet animal curled up in a library waiting to be taken home. It was sweet. She was obviously enjoying the luxury of her half-sisters home. Speaking of whom, Bunny was resting on a sofa with her head on Catalina's shoulder and her eyes closed. Catalina herself was staring at the glass in-table in front of her as if it were supplying her interest.

Upon seeing her mother, Cyan jumped from Jasmin's arms and ran over to climb into her mothers lap. It was the first time Kiley had seen Catalina smile. It did wonders for her features, making everything about her a thousand percentile brighter. Warmer. Much more inviting and increasingly lovely. It aroused Bunny from her little rest, florescent blue eyes opening to greet the toddler. That was it! Kiley understood now. She looked from Bunny's eyes to the girls on the pool table. Yes! That was why they seemed so familiar!

"They're sisters!" Kiley blurted out loud causing the entire room's attention to be shifted to her.

"Congrats Einstein, you made the discovery of the year." The woman on the pool table said coldly before returning her attention back to her text book.

"Are you both daughters of Aphrodite?" Bunny laughed lightly, a heart melting sound, at Kiley's comment.

"No. She's far to cold and not nearly scantily clad enough. She's completely human. I didn't come into play until Kenny was one." Oh. So that girl was Kenny. Bunny's older sister. That made sense. Maybe. But there was still the matter of Catalina. Was she a demi-god as well?

"No," Catalina's husky and almost sadistic voice sounded, its uniqueness demanding Kiley's attention, "I'm not a half-blood."

"How can you read minds then?" That was terrifying. It was as if she had plucked the very thoughts out of Kiley's brain the moment they had sparked to life. A very scary smile spread across Catalina's face before she brought her eyes from the table to meet Kiley's. A chill ran down her spine. Such strange eyes.

"I'm cool like that." Bunny swatted Catalina's arm and gave her a sweet (even though it was suppose to be menacing) glare.

"Don't be so annoying. It's rude. These are our guest for the next few days. Be nice or I won't be nice." There was something in it as Bunny spoke the words. Kiley saw it. Something most people wouldn't catch if they didn't look closely; looked past that innocent catholic school girl exterior. A small seductive fire lit in Bunny's eyes, melting anyone near her like they were plastic. That person just happen to be Catalina.

"I like it when your not nice though." Another swat to the arm, "Oww hey! Gentle!"

"She's," Kenny said, her voice like a cool stream running over rocks; soothing and complacent but deadly if you basked in for to long, "an analytical genius. Her IQ scores off the charts. She etches away a persons layers clear to their childhood just by watching your mannerisms and listening to the way you talk. She already has you sized up, knowing every traumatic experience you've endured and how its molded you as a person, within minutes of meeting you. She's truly a work of art."

Catalina rolled her beautifully strange eyes, "And you treat me like I'm an interesting exhibit in a museum Kenny. Just because you're a genius in your own rights doesn't mean I get to be your science project."

Kenny flashed a wicked smile, closing her text book (she enjoyed reading college text books for fun? What was wrong with these people!) with impromptu vigor, "So? All interesting creatures should be studied. Zoology."

Catalina twisted in her seat to glare at Kenny who was flashing a smile at her still, "I'm not an animal to be drawn in a black notebook and scribbled about in short hand. Besides," Catalina then softened her steal resolve by smiling and turned back around, "My IQ is higher than yours. So ha. I should be studying you Kenny. 'What interesting habits this underling has as opposed to my own rigorous routine' Yes I quite like it. I should begin research straightaway!"

Kenny's ears turned pink as her anger rose inside her until she slammed her book down on the pool table and stomped her way over to Catalina, "By 10 points! Your up by 10 points! That is hardly anything!"

"Hmm well 10 points is a considerable space if your ask me. I know!" Catalina sat up straight like she had just had the epiphany of her life, "I'll get a t-shirt that says 182 on it and we can get you one that says 10 points below Catalina's 182!"

Kenny's ears grew pinker still and she threw herself down in a plush chair beside the sofa, "You're a bitch Catalina Dawn."

"Don't use my middle name. You know I hate it."

Kenny's evil smile returned, illuminating her features in a satanic light that seemed to intensify her beauty in a strange way, "Oh I know you do."

"Okay enough," Bunny cut in, clearly tired of their bickering as if it was something common, "You two really need to get over that 10 points thing. It makes my head hurt to listen to you two. Kiley you can sit down you know. Make yourself at home as long as you're here." Kiley obeyed and went to sit on the edge of the bed Amber was sleeping soundly in, the silk sliding around under her jeans as she let her body weight sink into the plush bedding in the enlarged window frame. During Kenny's and Catalina's little spat, Jasmin had wandered across the room at sat herself on the pool table with her sister. They were sitting on opposite ends of the table rolling the que ball back and forth to one another.

Kenny plucked another text book out from under the chair she was sitting in, the words Molecular Makeup of the Human Anatomy printed in bold along it's spine. She became engrossed in the pages, flipping them in 30 second intervals of each other. She read fast and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the tedious teachings the book offered. It was that simple fact that made Kiley believe her mother would become the best of friends with this girl.

"She's studying to become a Doctor," Bunny interrupting Kiley's staring at Kenny's odd affection for the thick text book, bringing her eyes to lay on Bunny's sweet face instead, "That's why she loves those boring books so much."

"Oh. I see."

"Yes," Kenny said without even having to break her pace as she read, "I noticed you limped into the room. Your favoring your left leg. Was it injured recently? Is that why you're here? To rest it up so you can be on your way again?"

Jasmin interjected from the pool table across the room before Kiley could speak, "A Manticore gored her with one of its spikes. It wasn't a through-and-through but it wasn't exactly a shallow wound either. I put a salve on it that will ensure the gracilis laces itself back together as it heals that way it doesn't become a handicap in the future and she can't bend her knee or be able to flex her thigh muscles at all."

Kenny nodded to this, as if she understood the magic side of healing thoroughly, all without picking her head up from her book "Have you put any antibiotics on it? Was it stitched up? When was the last time you changed those bandages? Has it coagulated yet?"

"Coag-what?" Jade finally spoke from her cozy chair that was the daughter of Aphrodite. Was it natural for children of Aphrodite to be such flirts? Even with the same sex? Kiley pondered to herself as she peered into the memories of her teachings. Somewhere an idol part of her brain sparked to life, the place she stored all her Greek and mythological lessons from class and from home. According to her history teachers text books the gods of ancient Greece were, to put it into layman terms, horndogs. They slept with anything pleasing to the eye, quite literally anything including sprits or trees or lakes as they often were huge flirts. It was also on record that many gods, including the goddess of love and the god of music, healing, and prophecy especially, often enjoyed the company of the same sex. Yes Kiley remembered a specific story relating to these events that involved why hydrangeas were red instead of the white they use to be. They became blood stained when a young man was murdered and his blood soaked into the roots. Or so the story says. So maybe it was normal for children of Aphrodite to be huge flirts with anything and everyone. Love is love and beauty is in the eye of the beholder anyway right?

Kenny closed her book with a sigh and looked over at the petite Jade lounging comfortably on Melina, " Coagulate. The act of something thickening. In this case her blood platelets to form a hardened shell in which will protect the wound from not only inflammation but prevent blood loss as well. Though as it is a puncture wound I don't see it doing so without being closed first. Is it a large wound?"

Jasmin rolled the white blue stained ball across the velvet into Ariel's cupped hands, "Your welcome to check on it if you like. Its about due for a check up anyway. And new bandages since you brought it up."

Kenny's eyes sparkled with delight, "It's my pleasure. Come on, we'll go lay you in a bed and I'll clean it up for you. Granted I don't have the magic your friend does but what I lack in godly power I make up for in human knowledge on superficial wounds and the anatomy of your makeup. I'll enjoy this greatly." The way she said it stroked a deep chord of fear inside Kiley. When Kenny stood Catalina stood at the same time. Kenny seemed peeved by the action.

"What do you want?" The to-be doctor spat at Catalina with as much venom as a snake.

"Just making sure you don't turn our friend here into one of your experiments," Catalina mused as she walked over to Kiley and laced an arm under Kiley's shoulders, hoisting her to her feet, "and helping her walk. While you should tough some things out, you always have to nurse things as well. What you got there we should nurse for a while. Just lean on me. I can handle your weight without a problem."

Thanks." Kiley whispered once she was on her feet and leaning heavily on Catalina. When she had first awoke from the SUV her leg had felt fine what with the morphine running through her veins but now that the high had completely worn off the pain was ever present, gnawing at the muscles like a wolverine. With each step she took she walked on landmines, each one exploding in the place where her wound was. She was grateful for Catalina's support, even if she was uneasy about leaving her group to go with two strangers. As silent and strangely cold as Catalina was, there was a warm heart inside the girl. A flame living and breathing inside an ice body.

Catalina lead Kiley back down the hall, through the massive living room, and down another hallway she hadn't seen that you had to go through the kitchen to enter. She didn't pay attention to the details of the hall because they didn't matter. Her brain was numb with all the serotonin her injury was creating in response to the pain throbbing throughout her body. She could imagine her nervous system looked like a firework show at the moment. The thought amused her for some odd reason until Catalina had lead her into a small room with a single bed in it. The bed was where Catalina easy picked Kiley's 150 pounds of muscle up and laid her down. She really was strong for being such a thin woman. Kiley bet if she hit her across the stomach with a 4x4 it would break before the girl made a sound. Ha. That was an amusing thought as well.

Kiley looked down and saw that Kenny had ripped Kiley's jeans just short enough to show the pockets hanging though so she could access the wound without having to strip Kiley of her pants. It wasn't really that big, the puncture mark, only 3 or 4 inches in width and length but there was nasty black webbing under the skin that was spreading from the area. It looked like small black spider webs interweaving themselves with the muscle tissue beneath her tanned flesh. That couldn't be good. Kenny leaned in closer to inspect it, poking at it with her gloved finger. She had found and put on a pair of latex gloves before ripping Kiley's jeans.

"Poison." Catalina said from the post of the bed she had leaned her lithe body against.

"Yes and it's spreading throughout the gracilis muscle where she was hurt," Kenny prodded at the skin around the muscle as if to check for disruptions or mishaps, "Damn you were incredibly lucky. That spike was mere inches away from your femoral artery."

"Is that bad?" Kiley found herself saying as Kenny narrowed her eyes to focus directly on her work.

"Yes. Very. The femoral artery distributes the blood to your hamstrings, quadriceps, and adductors in your leg. With that severed you would have lost serious amounts of blood. Even if you had survived it you probably would have had to loose your leg. Amputation." As if to enthuse her point she drew an invisible line across the top part of her thigh where the doctor would have cut. Kiley said a silent prayer of thanks to every god there was.

"So what are you going to do? About the poison I mean."

"Oh Jasmin can make me a salve with her magic that with heal that right up. For now I'm just going to have you take some antibiotics to keep the wound from inflaming and possibly stitch this up unless Jasmin has a magical way of healing the wound shut. It is still open to infection and is weeping blood steadily which isn't a good sign you know. I'll be right back. Cat watch her. Make sure she stays here." Catalina nodded in response as Kenny got up and exited the room swiftly. The lissome woman sat at the foot of the bed Kiley was lying in and stared at her. Not in an encouraging way, not even with hate, just a blank constant stare. It was unsettling to say the least.

"You know," Kiley's voice broke the silence as painfully as someone dragging their fingernails across a chalk board, "when she said watch me, I don't think she meant it literally." The woman just shrugged and leaned back against the footboard, crossing her long legs on the bed beside Kiley's in a relaxing position.

"This is a very nice house. Are you all rich? You must be. I think I saw golden chandeliers in the foyer down the hall from here." Catalina's pale lips upturned into a tiny smile.

"Yeah. Bunny can be outrageous when it comes to making things beautiful, a trait from her mother I'm guessing," Again Kiley noticed how gravely the woman's voice was for someone of her gender and although it well suited her it was just strange to hear, "They are rich, the sisters I mean. Their father had rich relatives that died and they inherited tons of money that made them pretty much set for not only this life but the next three as well. I'm not related to either of them. As you can tell I look very different."

Kiley did see that, "Alright but how did you end up living with them? And your daughter as well?"

Catalina reclined further against the footboard, her back arching ever so slightly and her feet going up further, wrinkling the sheets as they moved, "Well when Bunny was born a half-blood her father, Victor, figured she would need protection against monsters seeing as she is to dainty as a child of Aphrodite to fight the biggest ones off alone. I was hired to be her muscle when I was around the age of 12. I'm 3 years older than her at 21 you see. I found the girl quirky and annoying at first but she's grown on me. And I never leave her side, no matter what. Naturally my child would live with her mother."

"Yes of course," Kiley pulled herself up into a sitting position, using the headboard to rest her back against, "there are two things I don't understand though."

"What's that?"

"Why would Victor hire a mortal to protect his half-blood daughter when you can't even see through the mist?"

Catalina seemed to enjoy this question because she smiled widely, "Oh but I can see through the mist, better than most demi-gods even. I have 20/20 monster-mist vision. Perfect. That and I come from a family that is well known for their combat prowess."

"I see. Now the second thing I don't understand, if you spent your entire life protecting Bunny, how is it you became pregnant with a child? I don't recall seeing a man wandering around here somewhere and I haven't seen a picture of Cyan with any man-"

Catalina cut Kiley off with a steely voice that made Kiley want to crawl under a rock and die, "This is something I refuse to speak about so store that in your brain somewhere so you remember to never bring it up again. Alright?"

"Alright…I'm sorry."

Catalina's resolve softened but only slightly, the fire in her eyes quenching to a tenth of a degree, "It's alright I suppose. You look tired. Why don't you try to get some sleep. This can be your room while you stay here. You don't have to worry about any monsters attacking either, Bunny had a half-blood friend of hers who is a child of Hecate make some medallions that create a magical ward around the house buried in the flower garden outside. Your safe."

"How clever."

"Isn't it? I thought so too when I came up with the idea," Catalina chuckled lightly, her laugh just as interestingly unique as her voice, "Now go ahead and sleep. I'm sure it will be easier for the two house doctors to operate on your leg while your out anyway."

"There's no way I could fall asleep. I slept the entire way here." Kiley murmured to herself as she lowered her weary body back onto the bed.

"I'm sure. You couldn't possibly." Catalina mimicked, a trace of humor detected in that voice of hers, as she stood to her feet and went to the closet to retrieve a quilt from its depths which she threw over Kiley's body.

"No way I could…"Kiley's voice stuck in her throat as her eyes fluttered shut, the last image she saw before she went out was Catalina sitting Indian style on the floor with a ghost smile on her lips.

The double life as Kyle J was back on. She was Kyle J now in her dream world and that was who she was. Kiley Jackson was non-existent. A different person in another world. And though she was dressed the same as Kiley Jackson and happened to have the mirrored image of her, she was not that teen. Kyle J was a stronger, smarter, faster version of Kiley Jackson, she was also a demi-god not the child of one. Kyle J was a child of Athena. Not a grandchild. As such she had different powers, new capabilities, there were pools of knowledge in each crevasse of her brain she had never felt there before. Pools she could tap into at any moment if she so desired. It was a thrilling feelings to be Kyle J but it was also dangerous. Kyle J came compact with a knowledge of life as a demi-god and the hardships involved as one. The dangers of cellular phones or the internet, the many different masks monsters could wear to lure in half-bloods such as herself, she knew the arts of defense against this and she knew each name, likeness, attribute, word, letter, building, story, and layout of all things Greek. Anything Greek she knew because that same likeness flowed through her veins. She was the super computer Xena of her time. It felt great.

In this dream Kyle J wasn't at Camp Half-Blood. She was in the halls of a school and she was only beginning to enter her tween years. She couldn't have been more than 11 years old. Walking down the ghost hallway, the heavy soles of her boots echoing her footsteps off the walls, she paused in front of a glass display case to inspect her image. Her features had become more childish and her black hair that she had spent most of her childhood to grow out had become shoulder length and straight, her bangs pinned back on her forehead with two bobby pins in the shape of an "X". The clothes Kiley Jackson had been wearing before she fell asleep had shrunk to size, the ripped pants (though Kyle J's leg was completely unharmed there was a circular scar on her bare thigh where the spike had embedded itself) her blue "Wasn't Me" t-shirt now smaller and much looser in the chest area, even Thalia's leather jacket had shrank in size. The problem was she looked like a welfare kid that had just crawled out from the sewers to rejoin civilization. Wherever she was, she hoped it wasn't a fancy school or they'd kick her out on sight.

She continued to wander the halls until a scrawny excuse of a man caught her by the shoulder when she wasn't looking. He demanded to know what she was doing outside of class and when she didn't answer him, he demanded her teachers name. Now she was on the spot again, forced to come up with something so she would fit in. So, using her available resources, she pointing to the closest classroom she could see. It just happen to be right beside where she was standing. The tiny hunched over man pushed his glasses back on his face with a creepy smile and escorted her back into the class.

It was a small classroom with just a handful of students in it. Each one around the same age as she was, each one acting as if they already knew who she was. An obese woman with a nice smile and a beautiful sundress came up to Kyle, placing a hand on the girls shoulder to reassure her that everything was alright.

"Howdy there," The woman's polite southern voice lulled Kyle's nervous gut into peace, "Ya'all must be new here. What's yer name?" Kyle waited for the hunch back ghoul of a man to slink his way out of the room before she spoke.

"Kyle J," Kyle spoke rapidly, the lies just rolling off her tongue with efficient ease, "I just moved here yesterday and I got lost in the hall looking for my new class so that scary man helped me find it. Are you my teacher?"

"Aren't you as cute as a button! I sure am. Names Mrs. Walden. Where's yer backpack muffin?"

"Oh I dropped it on my way here. I woke up late and had to run to school and while I was running a big doggy started barking at me and I got scare and dropped it."

"Your poor thing! Don't worry 'bout it. We'll get you a new one soon as we can okay sugar? Now you can sit over there by Thalia for now okie doke?"

"Okay Mrs. Walden." Kyle plastered a fake smile on her lips and turned to scope out her seat. By Thalia. The Kiley part of her existence roused deep in her brain, quietly whispering to Kyle as she claimed her seat beside the girl. She knew this person, Kiley did. Kiley had know this person her entire life just not like this. Thalia is important, Kiley told Kyle, be careful around her. Don't get her hurt.

Duly noted, Kyle told Kiley then cast a glance at Thalia who was eying Kyle with interest. This girl was pretty in an outlandish way. Her hair was the same shade as Kyle's, a little shorter even, and her eyes were shinning pools of blue that swirled with both angst, curiosity, pride, and suppressed rage. Many uncommon things to see in a 10 year olds eyes. She wore tattered cloths, a simple pair of jeans and a yellow t-shirt with stains deep in the fabric. Her boots were big and clumsy like Kyle's. Kyle liked that.

"Hi," Thalia spoke, her voice waking up parts of Kiley's memories Kyle had access to when she felt the need, "I'm Thalia. You're a half-blood aren't you?" Shock rippled through Kyle's mind.

"How'd you know?" Thalia shrugged.

"Could tell. Who?"

"Athena."

"Ah. Wisdom. Battle strategy." Kyle grinned, pleased that Thalia had knowledge of her own to draw from.

"Glad you know your information."

"I sort of have to, it's my life. Athena is a half-sister of mine actually." Kyle glanced at Thalia awkwardly.

"Really? So Zeus is your father?" Thalia smiled, her blue eyes brimming with enclosed excitement.

"Your very smart."

"Thanks. I should hope so, with my mom being who she is and all." Thalia laughed quietly so she wouldn't disrupt the class and cause everyone including the teacher look at the two of them.

"That's funny. Hey, class if almost out, want to come to my house after school?"

"Sure." Thalia's excitement doubled, this time she let that excitement leak out and touch her lips bringing them into a nice smile.

"Cool."

The rest of class was spent on Mrs. Walden teaching the class about Louis and Clarks expedition across what is now the United States. Kyle enjoyed it simply because of all the information the teacher didn't put into the lesson. Like how Louis was actually a child of Athena and Clark was a child of Zeus. Nor did she mention the real reason they were going to Oregon was to make a list of unknown monsters that lurked in this new land and looking for a nice place to purge the monsters of the land so demi-gods had a place to settle down. Yes what an amusing human lesson this was. Human's were so daft. Sooner than expected however the bell rang signaling the end of class and Kyle was more than excited to leave with her newly acquired friend, Thalia daughter of Zeus. How exciting. A child of the king of gods! She was more than likely as marvelous fighter on the field. Ten to one, all bets down.

Kyle watched Thalia slip the straps of her blue GAP back pack over shoulders and give Kyle a wry smile before walking out the door. Kyle deiced it was best to follow since she had no idea where Thalia lived. Thalia lead them out of the hall Kyle had first appeared in and down stone steps until they were walking down a cracked sidewalk. Side by side they walked in silence for a few minutes. With each step Thalia's facial expressions becoming hardened and letting that rage and angst she had seen before consume every other part of her feelings. It was like she was preparing herself for something. Building herself out of stone so that no one could knock her down.

"Hey listen," She finally spoke after her ritual that now made her a hardened stone tower, "my mom…she can be pretty hard to put up with sometimes." Kyle found herself casting Thalia another curious glance. Kiley again stirred in the back of Kyle's mind, letting hushed words seep into Kyle's conscious train of thought. Her mom, Kiley spoke, she drank. She was angry and yelled. Thalia fought with her. Throughout her entire childhood until she ran away. This disturbed Kyle greatly. Ran away? She's a half-blood. That's incredibly dangerous, even if she was an amazing fighter. How could she just run away? She will, Kiley responded, the grogginess that was in her voice before in the classroom wearing away, when she's ten. She's ten now! Was Kyle going to witness this? Was she going to be a co-conspirator? Oh no. Oh gods. This was terrible!

"You listening?" Kyle directed her attention back to Thalia, shutting out Kiley's voice in the process, "My mom, if she gets to much for you to handle you can leave."

Kyle studied how uncomfortable just saying that made Thalia, how she shoved her childlike hands into her pockets and kicked at the weeds growing from the cracks in the sidewalk. This really was something that ebbed away at Thalia's very existence. It really was a millstone around her neck. Kyle's heart ached at the discovery. Not sure why; a sudden conviction of needing to comfort Thalia surged forward in her and, without the ability to do anything but comply to the urge, Kyle rushed forward to envelop Thalia in a tight embrace. Maybe it was Kiley inside her that had created the need but none the less the deed was done. Thalia reacted stiffly, her every muscle going rigid. She acted as though she had never been hugged before. Not even once. Hadn't her mother hugged her before? Perhaps not with the reaction Thalia was giving her, she acted as though she had no idea how to respond to such an action. This prompted Kyle to let go. Thalia stared at her wild eyed which Kyle just returned a sheepish grin to.

"Don't worry about it," Kyle said, gripping Thalia's shoulders affectionately, "It's going to be fine. No matter what I'm here for you alright? I'm looking out for you."

Thalia resumed her emotionless mask for a bit then broke normality and gave her a small smile before returning to her hardened mask of sociopath behavior to protect herself for what was to come, "Thanks Kyle. Do you think we could, I dunno, be friends maybe? I've never had a friend before."

Kyle was at a loss of words for how to explain that. How was she suppose to react to that? Lucky for her, Kiley was patiently waiting there for her to draw from. Kiley again whispered words that filled Kyle's mouth until she let it out into the open, the words she spoke came straight from Kiley, "Of course. And you'll have friends soon. People you can call family even. I promise."

"Think so?"

"No doubt." Kyle questioned Kiley on the meaning of what she had Kyle say. Kiley was quiet at first, making Kyle wonder if Kiley had went dormant, until Kiley's voice finally whispered to her, Annabeth. Luke. They will be her family. Your job is to get her started right so she survives until she finds them. Simple enough, Kyle explained to Kiley with vigor, I except it as a personal challenge. Operation keep daughter of Zeus alive.

"It's this one." Kyle looked up to see the house Thalia was talking about. It wasn't exactly what one would consider nice but it wasn't shabby either. The paint was peeling and the car in the driveway had flats on all four tires, boxes filling the seats of the vehicle. Thalia inhaled deeply and let the breath out slowly between her teeth then embarked through the gate, up the little stone pathway, up the steps onto her porch and through the front door.

The inside was small, as it was only an apartment. The living room and kitchen were part of the same room and Kyle only saw two braches of the room, one to the left and one to right. Thalia pursued the left branch completely passing up the right without even so much as giving it a sideways glance.

"Thalia? Is that you?" Thalia flinched, stopping dead in her tracks. Everything about her became stiff as she slowly turned around to face a woman in a pink bathrobe. Her blonde hair was disheveled and she held a half full wine glass in her hand, red liquid sloshing around inside as she staggered towards her daughter. She stumbled and hobbled but made her way to where Thalia was standing and firmly gripped Thalia's chin, bringing her face in close proximity to the daughter of Zeus.

"Mom. Your drunk." Thalia's voice wasn't as sturdy as she had steeled it to be outside, it wobbled slightly and her mother pounced on it instantaneously.

"Don't you tell me what I am and aint. It's not your place! Besides I wouldn't be drunk if it weren't for you." Thalia's mother spat it out, burning Thalia to the very core. Her emotions didn't show on her face but the way her body began to quiver told Kyle this was the case.

"Your choices have nothing to do with me!"

"If you hadn't been born Zeus would still be with me! Your scared him away!" Again Thalia showed not a trace of what she felt in her facial expressions but she flinched at her mothers words.

"I doubt it was me that scared him away mother, it was probably your alcohol scented body and stalker behavior that scared did the trick." There was a harsh thwack that echoed in the silence when Thalia's mother had slapped Thalia across the cheek for her words. Thalia held her hand against the flaming cheek, trying to hold back the tears brimming her eyes.

"How dare you! How dare you say something like that Thalia Grace! You're a terrible daughter!"

Thalia glared at her mother with an intense hatred as tears spilled over and rolled down her cheeks, "Then maybe I should just run away and die! That would make you happy wouldn't it!" Thalia's mother stumbled back, growling though she smiled a cruel smile at the same time until her hand met the back of the couch. Her body moved around and she sat down on the couch, sipping from her wine with her back to Thalia. Thalia never took her eyes of her mother as she held her cheek and tears spilled from her eyes.

"I wish it was you who had died and not your brother." That was it. That was the last straw for Thalia. She snapped. Her emotions became so raw tears were useless, and the pain searing her cheek was gone. She was ashen and broken inside. There was nothing there. But, as Kyle watched, rage grew inside Thalia's eyes. A wild fire that burned everything else away inside Thalia's heart. Rage. Swiftly she turned down the left branch and emerged a few minutes later stuffing a spare pare of clothes into her GAP backpack angrily. Then she made her way for the kitchen. Kyle followed.

Thalia tore open the cupboards searching for food. She grabbed at random things and stuffed them in her bag. Kyle watched intently until she couldn't stand it anymore. She had to intervene. As Thalia was jamming a box of macaroni and cheese into her bag, Kyle caught her wrist and held it in place.

"Let go of me! Nothing you say will make me stay here with that woman! I hate her! I hate her!" As Thalia growled it out tears began to form in her eyes. Kyle swallowed before glancing down at Thalia's bag.

"I wasn't going to. I was going to help you…if you'll let me." Thalia was caught off guard by that statement, it was evident by the look she was giving Kyle. Then slowly, very slowly, Thalia began to loosen. She nodded to Kyle giving Kyle the go ahead. Firstly Kyle took Thalia's bag from her and emptied it on the counter.

"What are you doing? I need that!" Thalia protested. Kyle ignored her. If Thalia was going to runaway she would need essentials to keep her alive. Water. Kyle glanced around until she found plastic bottles with lids and filled two of them to the very top with water and encased it inside with the lid. Those she packed atop Thalia's now folded pants and shirt, compliments of Kyle so she could pack more things. Next she would need food. Power food. Kyle glanced through Thalia's cupboards until she found a jar of peanut butter. Perfect. She stowed that inside the pack before returning to her hunt for power food. Filling things. Things that were dense but light to pack. Kyle spotted a bag of white rice and a box of Grape Nuts. Hardy cereal. Fiber. Both things went into Thalia's bag. The last bit of power food Kyle saw in the cupboards was Top Ramen and crackers. Both were stowed away. Perfect. Now she needed a small cooking pan. Not heavy and not bulky. Just a small pan she could set on a campfire. Kyle looked around before zeroing in on the stove. She fell to one knee in front of it and pulled open the metal drawer on the bottom exposing a few pots and pans. Kyle rummaged through them until she found the pan that would be perfect for Thalia's travels and stowed it away in the bag. The last thing to go in Thalia's bag was the bronze knife Thalia had placed in there when she was in her room. It went to the very top, she even left the hilt sticking out between the zippers that way if she needed to she could just reach over her shoulder and pull it out. Finished and satisfied, Kyle handed the bag back to Thalia who now regarded it with distain.

"Kyle how….you just…that…I need more food!" Thalia rambled out her words before making a mad grab for the mac and cheese Kyle had removed. She was fond of the stuff Kyle guessed.

"No you don't. See I set you up. Peanut Butter is a high source of protein. So when you've been running for three days straight or your just flat our tired, dip into it. Its good for you. Strengthens your muscles. White rice expands in your stomach, making you fuller on less amount. That will last you a while and keep you full and happy. Same with the Grape Nuts. You can eat it dry, its full of fiber. It will fill you up quick. However when you need both, that instant ramen is good for you and it takes like 2 minutes to make. If you can't build a fire to cook your rice or your ramen you have crackers to munch on. The salt will dry your mouth out but its good for you in little doses, if you've been on the run all day and sweat most of it out. After a while you'll need to buy more probably so here," Kyle reached into her back pocket where she knew Kiley kept her money folded up and tucked away, "take this. It's close to fifty dollars I think. It's yours. Don't waste it. And your going to get cold so here. Take this jacket." Kiley had been demanding for the past 20 minutes anyway that Kyle give it to her. It will save her life, Kiley kept repeating louder each time until Kyle had finally shrugged it off her shoulders and handed it over to Thalia. Suddenly Kyle remembered something she had nearly forgot and rummaged through various drawers until she found a slightly bent spoon and a book of matches. She tucked the matches in Thalia's front pocket of her back pack and the bent spoon in the coat pocket of the leather jacket. The deal was done now.

Thalia looked it all over with something like…respect. Her eyes lingered on the jacket for a bit then came back up to meet Kyle's, surprisingly they were brimmed with tears again that threatened to spill over at any moment, "Thank you. I'll never be able to thank you enough. Really I…thank you."

Kyle smiled and helped Thalia into the jacket then helped put the backpack over her shoulders, checking to make sure it wasn't to heavy and the knife was positioned well enough, "Actually there is a way you can thank me for all this Thalia."

Thalia paused in her action of tightening the straps on her backpack, "There is?"

Kyle nodded, "You can promise to survive."

Determination ignited in Thalia's eyes and Kyle knew her answer before the words had left Thalia's mouth, "I promise." Kyle nodded, satisfied with this.

"Then let's go, I don't want to spend another minutes here." Thalia sneered at the house though her voice wobbled a bit as she spoke and when she opened to the door to leave she cast one more glance at her mother. Not a hate filled one but one of longing. One that begged for a mother that loved her and a normal life. Though, as Thalia's mother regarded her coldly with her back still to her, Thalia became a stone tower once more and turned and left without a word. Kyle turned and looked at Thalia's mother who had turned her head just in the slightest, glaring at Kyle like she was s disease that had found its way into a hospital and now it was to be terminated. Kyle took a breath then turned to follow Thalia.

Things melted. Thalia wasn't there when she went outside. In fact that street was gone. She wasn't standing in a neighborhood anymore. She was in front of a convenient store. And if she turned around to see Thalia's house, she would see a parking lot instead. It was filled with cars, even delivery trucks. That's where she saw Thalia. Crouched behind a Sudan, watching a delivery truck driver speak to his company who rode with him in French. Kyle advanced on Thalia slowly.

Once she got closer she saw that Thalia had changed considerably in appearance. Her hair, which had been the paper thin silk before, was now cut short and spiked in a way that it reminded Kyle of Yulia Volkova from the Russian band TaTu. Her wardrobe consisted of one color: black. Black jeans, black boots, black tank top under her black leather jacket that Kyle had given her the last time she had saw her. Who knows how long ago that was because Thalia looked to be at least a year older than she had been last time they met. It was very gothic…or was it punk? Wasn't that the same thing? Kyle didn't know. She wasn't an expert on that sort of thing. Kyle advanced cautiously now, seeing the spear in Thalia's left hand and not wanting it pressed against her throat. To avoid this Kyle purposely made noises with each step to draw Thalia's attention. It worked. Thalia whipped around, her stance so low her knees touched the ground, and her spear head trained on Kyle's chest though not touching her. When Thalia saw it was Kyle however, she lowered her spear.

"Finally, took you long enough. Get over here. I think I may have found us a ride. How good is your French?" Kyle came over to crouch beside Thalia and watched the drivers laugh together as they leaned against the truck chatting in French to one another. They were bakers according to the logo on the side of their truck. French bakers. Wasn't that a prejudice in America? They had fallen into a category. How sad. Still it seemed to hold untold interest to Thalia. Seeing that Thalia was armed prompted Kyle to make herself armed as well. She looked down at Kiley's ring on her finger and turned it twice around her knuckle until a sword grew to life in her hand.

It was blue, the entire blade. The metal was somehow magically infused to be this way though it glinted in the sunlight with a certain transparency like ocean water might. It was a wicked sharp hand-and-a-half sword with white leather wrapped around its hilt as a grip. A blue sapphire was set into its pommel. An olive tree was etched into the flat of the blade with a silver lining; a trident grew from the roots of the tree. It was like an infusion of two things. Kyle didn't understand it but it meant something to Kiley. Something important that had to do with her blood. It was a beautiful sword even though it wasn't hers. It was Kiley's not hers.

"Hey!" Kyle was brought from her thoughts by Thalia's harsh tone, "Answer me. How good is your French?"

"I'm fluent. Why?" Actually Kyle didn't speak a word of French but Kiley did. Kyle would draw from Kiley's knowledge of the langue. The lie had just eased itself out of her mouth much like a worm does through the dirt.

Thalia grinned evilly before returning her attention to the two French bakers, "Perfect. You can drive right?"

"Yeah sure." No she couldn't, she didn't know the first thing about driving, she was only eleven after all. But Kiley did.

"That's great. That's just great. Can you drive that truck?" Thalia pointed to the French bakers truck. Again, confidant in Kiley's mastery of the art, Kyle nodded, "Perfect. Okay here is the plan. We are going to knock those two goons out then steal their truck. But we have to make it look like we are actually the bakers which is why we need to be able to speak French."

Kyle nodded in agreement until Thalia had got to the part about them needing to look like the bakers, "Why do we need to do that?"

Thalia rolled her eyes like that should be obvious, "Because we have to deliver their bread duh!"

"I don't understand, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of us stealing their truck since we'd be caught?"

"No because the people who are expecting their bread expect French bakers. We just happen to be French bakers. If we veer off the bakers routine and the shops don't get their bread they will call the company and the company will contact these bakers and they will know we stole the truck which in turn screws us. Plus they will pay us if we bring them bread and we need money. Do you see now?"

"Sort of but it just seems like extra work for us."

"That's life. Now you ready?"

"As ever I suppose."

"Great." In one graceful motion Thalia jumped over the hood of the Sudan followed by Kyle and thwacked one of the bakers across the back of the thighs with her spear shaft, driving the man to the ground. Once down she hit him swiftly under the jaw with her first; the man's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he passed out. At the same moment Kyle had hit the other baker across the back of the head with the flat of her blade, sending him toppling to the ground in an unconscious heap. With both men out Thalia took off their hats, placing one of her head and the other on Kyle's, then climbed into the passenger seat. Kyle searched the bakers pockets until she found a paper with the delivery route on it and climbed into the drivers seat, starting the truck up.

"Here," Kyle handed the paper to Thalia as she pulled out of the parking lot, glancing at the snoozing French men lying in the middle of the parking lot in the rear view mirror, "Tell me you know where that is."

Thalia looked it over, quickly decoding the French into English in her minds eye, "Yeah, it's not far from here actually. Just down the road a little ways. Hurry."

"Easy for you to say." Kyle mumbled as she pulled the large truck out into oncoming traffic to be merged with the busy American's about their business. Kyle let Kiley's knowledge and experience of driving embody her hands and feet, directing them on what to do. She watched with interest at Kiley grabbed the gear shift, her left foot pushing on the furthest peddle to the left on the floor, then jiggled it into another slot and her foot releasing on the peddle as her right foot instantly pressed on the furthest peddle to the right. The truck responded to Kiley's commands with the stick and peddle work with a gentle purr as it sped up steadily down the busy road. Kyle found it thrilling to have her mind merged perfectly with Kiley, both of the know how flowing between one another like fresh water and salt water meeting at deltas. It was pleasant.

Thalia pointed to a small business to the right, demanding that's where Kyle pull over. Kyle did that, letting Kiley downshift the truck slowly into first. The engine coaxed itself down until Kyle pressed on the brakes, slowly pulling to a stop, and she killed it by pulling the keys out of the ignition.

"Grab a tray of bread." Thalia demanded from the back of the truck where she was standing with a tray of bread in her hand. Kyle did as told, pulling one off the racks, and hopped out the back following Thalia to the back door of the business where she knocked with her foot.

It a took a few minutes but a middle aged woman in an apron and frizzy brunette hair answered. Her features were drawn tight with confusion.

Thalia smiled politely just before a foreign langue rolled out of her mouth. It was sweet and quick yet incredibly pleasing to the ear. French. Kiley translated each word for Kyle as the words reached her ears, "Bonjour. Je suis ici avec votre livraison de pain." Hello. I'm here with your bread delivery.

The woman's face scrunched up even more causing her to look incredibly old, "Votre pas la personne qui fournit normalement notre pain." Your not the person who normally delivers our bread.

Thalia laughed a quaint, sweet sound you might hear a duchess make at a ball but certainly not from Thalia Grace's lips however, "J'ai juste commencé à travailler aujourd'hui." I just started work today.

The woman's facial expression lightened up considerably, she even opened her door a little wider and leaned against it like she was comfortable now as opposed to her defensive hunch of before, "Oh. Est-ce votre nouvel ami aussi? Je ne la reconnaît pas." Oh. Is your friend new as well? I don't recognize her. Kyle froze, her every muscle tensing as both Thalia and the woman looked at her for the answer. Expecting it in French. If Kyle screwed this up their cover would be blown and the police would come to claim them. To put the pressure atop of that, Thalia was standing there glaring at her as if to say without words that if she screwed this up and they lived she'd gut her with her spear.

A wave of peace washed over Kyle's mind, compliments of Kiley. It was to calm Kyle down and renew her faith in the fact that Kiley would supply the words if she just gave control of her mouth and tongue over to Kiley. They had to work as a team. Kyle allowed it.

"Oui je le suis. Bonjour." Kyle heard the words leave her lips but she knew the voice was not hers. Yes I am. Hello. Perfect. Now Thalia wouldn't kill her. The woman smiled a tired smile at Kyle as if to let her know she was doing a fine job on her first day of work as a bread deliver.

"Bonjour à vous aussi," Hello to you as well, "Bon si vous avez du pain que J'ai commandé?" Okay so you have the bread I ordered?

"Oui. Ici vous allez." Yes. Here you go. Kyle silently thanked Kiley for knowing French (also making a mental note later to ask her how she knew it) as she walked over to the woman to let her inspect the bread on the tray she had grabbed. Kyle had to hand it to her, she really did know her bread. Her hands squeezed a few loafs to check how recently they had been baked and she held another two to her ear to listen for the 'bread talk to her' according to the Thalia's whispers. Finally the woman made a satisfied grunt and set the bread back down, calling over her shoulder for two boys who eagerly ran to the truck to collect the woman's bread.

The woman threw her hair over her shoulder satisfied with the transaction and returned her gaze back to the two girls with one of those tired smiles Kyle noticed she wore when she did smile, "Votre paiement est à l'intérieur. Dans l'enveloppe." Your payment is inside. In the envelope.

"Je vous remercie." Thank you. Thalia ducted inside the building with Kyle on her heals until they located a blue envelope leaned against a tiny steal fan on a counter beside the refrigerator. As Thalia struggled to break the seal Kiley stirred inside Kyle and decided to start up a conversation (still in character as a French bread deliver much to Kyle's annoyance) with Thalia.

"Votre français est impeccable. Vous avez même l'accent! Où avez-vous appris?" Your French is flawless. You even have the accent! Where did you learn? Thalia smiled a pleasant smile for once, not one of pleasure over hurting something which was a nice change for once.

"Ma mère stupide. J'ai botter le cul unique si cela aide." My stupid mother. I kick ass though so that helps. The seal on the letter, which was a blue wax with a seal imprinted in it (Kyle didn't know people still did that) popped off and Thalia opened it up to reveal 5 one hundred dollar bills inside. More than pleased Thalia folded the bills, slipping them into her back pocket, and exited the building with Kyle as her shadow.

Once they got to the truck they'd be home free, Kyle knew that, so she should have been eager to climb inside the truck and drive them off to safety with their newly acquired five hundred dollars but she wasn't. Thalia gave Kyle a wink just before she climbed into the passenger seat of the truck and waited for Kyle to get in. She went slowly. There was something nagging at her. Something about thresholds. When she entered through a door she had exited once already everything ceased to exist anymore. Kyle was afraid that if she climbed through the threshold of the car door, a door she had already exited once already, Kiley would wake up and Kyle would be forced back into the unused part of Kiley's mind. The subconscious where her voice was unheard. Still, as she glanced back the woman shooing off her workers into the kitchen to get back to work with a dish towel, Kyle couldn't hold any longer. She climbed into the truck. Just as expected, Kiley woke up.

Kiley didn't bolt out of bed like someone might in a bad dream. Instead she sat up slowly taking in her surroundings with the speed of someone half asleep. No one was in the room and the golden light that had been filtering through the window when she fell asleep had dulled to a dying yellow. The room was empty and her blanket was laying on the floor as if she had kicked it off in her sleep though she suspected that Jasmin and Kenny had removed it when they had come back to work on her leg. Her leg! She looked down at it surprised to see it completely healed shut though still red in the area and the black webbing had reduced down to a flew blue patches like bruises. Plus it didn't hurt at all.

Her nose picked up on a spicy scent as she pulled herself to her feet and entered the hall outside the room. It contrasted completely with the pumpkin that had filled the house before, this smell more exotic and tangy. It smelled good. Just smelling it Kiley's stomach growled at her in protest. She had been neglecting the poor thing all day with sleeping and it was demanding attention now. Food attention.

Kiley walked the hall slowly, nursing her leg even though it didn't hurt but was doing it just to be careful. While she followed the scent she pondered on her dream. Things had been made clear with it like why she had found a bent spoon in the jacket and why the note Kyle had wrote Thalia had been in French as opposed to English like Annabeth's. A slight mirth rose in Kiley's heart, tickling at her insides and causing a slight giggle to leave her lips. French. They had stolen a delivery truck and delivered bread. Guess it was a good thing Kiley had let herself endure that contest with Erin to see who could learn more foreign languages within a time frame of five months otherwise Kyle wouldn't have been able to speak French. Life was funny like that. She would have never guessed learning so many different ways to speak would someday benefit the opposite her in a parallel universe living inside her dreams. Funny indeed.

Kiley located the source of the scent in the dinning room where, as it were, everyone was gathering eating dinner. Chinese take out. They were all seated around a large oval shaped mahogany table with high back chairs set around it. It was a nice table. Melina was the first to notice Kiley standing in the doorway drooling over the pork fried rice being passed around.

"Your awake!" Melina jumped up and ran over to hug Kiley like she had just woken from a coma of 2 years, "Finally. How's your leg?"

"Completely healed I think. It doesn't hurt." To prove her point Kiley acted a jump shot to demonstrate that her leg could take the weight. Melina grinned, pleased with this, and placed a kiss on her cheek before walking back over to the table to claim her seat beside Jade. Children of Aphrodite were so touchy. It was bothersome.

"Come sit with us and eat." Bunny purred from where she was sitting which was between Catalina and Cyan.

"Alright." Kiley walked around the long end of the table to where everyone was sitting and took the plate Amber was offering her along with the chair beside her. Her hungry eyes scanned the food laid out before her. Not soon after her growling stomach dictated what she piled on her plate which was mass of steamed, salty soaked vegetables, rice and some kind of either breaded chicken or breaded shrimp. She wasn't sure. Nor did she care as she shoved it into her mouth with a pair of chop sticks. Jade laughed at Kiley's ravenous appetite.

"It's okay Kiley," She said through her laughs, "there's plenty of food here, you can eat slow. No one is going to take it from you." Kiley just simply gave her a thumbs up, not wasting time shoving food in her mouth to smile or speak for that matter. As she swallowed a mouth full of rice Kiley wondered if Kyle's hunger had perhaps been passed onto her. Was that possible? How long had it been since Kyle had ate? Of course Kyle had been able to speak with her while Kiley was in a comatose state in the back of Kyle's mind and share her thoughts and experience with Kyle so why couldn't Kyle's physical needs be passed onto Kiley? Who knew. Except maybe Morpheus. He probably knew.

"So your leg feels alright?" Ariel asked. Kiley looked up well aware that noodles were hanging between her lips and tickling her chin. Ariel cracked a smile as Kiley sucked them up and ground them between her teeth before swallowing to speak.

"Yeah! Feels great! It already looks like the scar Kyle-" Kiley paused herself. Should she tell them? Naw it wasn't important to them, "I mean its already a scar."

"Yeah," Ariel went on while giving her sister Jasmin, who was making a mountain of rice on her plate and placing little pieces of steamed carrots on the peek like flags, a loving glance, "Jasmin is quite an amazing healer just like her old man."

At hearing her name Jasmin picked up her head to bask in her compliment, "Thanks Sis but Kenny was a huge help too. The only reason I'm so good is because I can pinpoint the problem and fix it right away. And I can only do that because Kenny drilled all those boring technical terms and stuff into my head."

Kenny simply beamed in her seat, "Your very welcome Miss Star." Star? Was Jasmin's last name really Star? Jasmin Star. Interesting. That made Ariel's last name Star too. Ha. Funny. Because Apollo drives the sun chariot and the sun is a star. Oh that's to good to be true.

"I'm glad your alright Kiley, Manticore poison can be real nasty stuff when its interjected into the blood stream in high amounts like yours was." Amber spoke form beside her with a mouthful of tangy chicken. Kiley gave her a thankful smile.

"I don't know how your going to sleep tonight," Jade said with amusement laced in her voice once again, "You slept the entire day away!" Kiley paused in her activities of stuffing her face. She hadn't thought of that. What was she going to do? She was way to lively to even think of getting a wink of sleep!

"I'll stay up with you." Catalina offered from across the table where Cyan was standing in her chair (even standing as she was Catalina was taller than her child just sitting) trying to feed Catalina some of her rice like it tasted different than the rice on Catalina's plate. Bunny giggled at the child's doings and wrapped her arms around Cyan's waist to pull the toddler into a sitting position on her lap, offering Cyan a piece of her broccoli beef which Cyan delightfully ate.

Kiley looked at the woman with a mirrored blank stare. That was a sweet gesture for Catalina to offer when she had only just met the woman. Slowly Kiley's lips pulled into a smile.

"Thanks! Now I won't be all alone!"

"No problem. You like cars?" Kiley found the question to be strange but everyone else except Amber, Jade, and Melina smiled knowingly. Cyan even giggled at the question, burring her face in Bunny's neck as she had her giggle fit which in turn caused Bunny to giggle along. Bunny, Kiley noticed at random, acted as a second mother for the child. Strange.

"Yeah. I own a 1967 SS Camero that I tore apart and rebuilt myself at home." Catalina smiled enthusiastically whereas Bunny and Kenny both rolled their eyes like they knew something bad was to come.

"Oh that is a damn nice car right there! Tell me you have a suspension kit and a Flowmaster on that bad boy?" Kiley blinked. She knew cars.

"Yeah of course. 60 series on the back. Grand Ams. And duel mufflers that are Flowmasters. You can't have the engine without letting the thing growl to its right." Catalina's eyes lit up as she pictured the vehicle. That caused Kiley to smile. Catalina really did love cars. Almost as much as a man does. Weird. Then again Kiley wasn't one to judge, she was the same way.

"Big wheels and wide tires for dragging?"

"Hell yes. I even have them set up so they don't hardly hydroplane at all that way I can race in the rain."

"My TA is set up like that. Not with the lift kit though, that just wouldn't look right. It would totally mess up the beauty of the thing."

"Oh I know right? My sister Erin has a TA and she tried putting a lift kit on hers but I stopped her before she could mar it. Ridiculous."

"Good on you." Bunny interrupted Catalina by lacing her arm around the woman's bicep and setting her chin atop Catalina's shoulder to look up at her eyes with an irresistible look. Kiley had seen other Aphrodite kids use that look before. It must be a trademark or something. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw both Amber and Melina (relations of the love goddess) drop their heads to hide their smiles. Smiles that clearly read they knew that look and it meant trouble.

"What?" Catalina looked back at Bunny, their noses nearly touching Bunny was so close. She heaved an overly dramatic sigh and turned her head to tuck it in under Catalina's jaw.

"It's boring when you talk about cars. Why can't you pay more attention to me?" Kiley noticed Melina cover her mouth to keep herself from laughing. Was teasing someone romantically how these people found their enjoyment in life?

"I do pay attention to you Bun." Bunny sighed again and snuggled closer. Amber turned her head even further as her smile broadened, a laugh growing in her stomach. Oh hell yes this was how they got their fun!

"But not like you do those cars. I want you to love me like you do them!" Her voice was just dripping with desire and affection. It would trap any poor soul who had a heart to love and that narrowed it down to every human on the earth.

Catalina scrunched her nose up like something had just grossed her out, "Your being ridiculous. You know I love you." Bunny's sigh this time was extremely heavy and drawled out. She picked her head up and pressed the tip of her finger to Catalina's jaw, tilting her face towards Bunny's so they were only a breath apart.

"But you love me like you love Cyan. As a daughter. I don't want that kind of love." Kiley didn't see the game in this but Melina and Amber did. Was this the sort of games Aphrodite kids played often? How was this funny? It was making Kiley uncomfortable. Was this normal for them? The hell was wrong with these people! As if Ariel were reading Kiley's thoughts she rolled her eyes and got up to leave the room, mumbling something about why she hated those two and liked Kenny for her sensibility. Being spoke of Kenny followed her lead, also grabbing Jasmin by the arm and dragging her out behind her; Jasmin scooped Cyan up in her arms just as Kenny had begun to forcibly drag her out of the room. Kiley liked their idea. She did. They could just leave this weird Aphrodite game and not have to witness it. She meant to follow their lead and stood up only to have Amber grab her arm and wrench her back into her seat with a painful yank. Amber made a face that clearly read 'its getting to the best part!' Damn these Aphrodites.

"What are you talking about? Your crazy." Kiley's heart went out to Catalina. The poor woman. She wondered how often Bunny made Catalina the victim of her boredom. Probably very often. Kiley noticed something as she watched Bunny draw light circles on Catalina's cheek with the tip of her finger and pissing Catalina off at the same time, she noticed a necklace that seemed to glitter around her neck. It was a silver link chain with a circle hanging off it. Hanging off the circle were a mass collection of other tiny braided chains that had little hearts on them. They came in different colors, some broken, some not. It was pretty. Very pretty. In fact the longer Kiley stared at it the more it seemed to consume. Wasn't it beautiful? Kind of like Bunny. She was pretty. No that doesn't even really describe it does it? She was drop dead gorgeous. How come Kiley hadn't noticed that before? Her mouth was just above that necklace. Her lips were really pink. Tempting even. The perfect shade of pink.

"Careful," Amber warned while still enjoying the amusement Bunny was creating by tempting Catalina, "that necklace is the make of my grandmother. It's a love charm. The chain of hearts are meant to drag you in and get you tangled up in them then you can't help but look at her face can you? Oh she has really pink lips? Aren't they kissable? It's meant to overpower men but it works on anything that has a libido really. I have one too." Amber proudly displayed the black chain choker around her neck with a pink broken heart the size of a half-dollar hanging from it. She felt it tugging at her too, dragging her into it. Love magic. How upsetting.

"That's frustrating. And cheating. It's suppose to distract either woman or men while your fighting so they get to love sick with you to do anything!"

"Well excuse us," Melina popped off from her seat, her fingers fiddling with a pair of blood red lips hanging from blue and red braid that made up her love enchanting necklace, "for not being as capable on the battle field as you. We don't have your guys strength or speed. We have hella hot bodies and the right words to make you lust. That's it. How is that suppose to keep us safe? We use what we have to stay alive just like you do." Kiley hadn't thought of it like that. They really were to squishy to do anything except sunbath and look good doing it.

"Hmmm I guess that's fair but neither of you are allowed to use that crap on me to get what you want out of me! Understand!" They both smiled.

They even spoke simultaneously in a rather creepy way, "Of course not. We would never!"

"But Kiley," Amber went on alone, tugging at the collar of her leather jacket and leaning in a little to close for comfort, "I'm kind of cold. Do you think I could borrow your jacket? Pretty please with me on top?"

Kiley stared into Amber's eyes, trying to think of something that matched that vibrant purple, "Huh? Oh yeah sure. Here." Once Kiley had shrugged it off and handed it over to Amber she laughed with Melina and Bunny shadowing them. Their devil like laughter snapped her out of the trance she had been. She growled lowly at Amber.

"Didn't I specifically just tell you not to do that! I'm pissed at you! I don't like that! I have a boyfriend you disgusting-" Amber made a look that made her appear to be close to tears stopping Kiley mid speech. Her stomach tightened at the thought of hurting the purple eyed beauty.

"I'm sorry Kiles I just was cold, I didn't mean to upset you. You hate me don't you? Oh gods you hate me!" Amber dropped her head in her hands looking convincingly distraught. Kiley immediately wrapped her arms around Amber's shoulders to comfort the girl as an apology. There was more laughter. Amber had done it again. Kiley felt her face get hot as anger seared inside her. Before she could even start cussing at Amber Catalina walked past and grabbed a hold of her arm and drug her out of the room, leaving the laughing children of Aphrodite behind.

"That bitch." Kiley growled under her breath as Catalina lead her outside the house and stuffed her hands in her pockets once they were down the porch.

"You get use to it," She offered as they walked towards the garage, "Children of Aphrodite are often times hard to be friends with because of the fact they like to turn people, doesn't matter who nor their gender, into loves games. Contest. It's annoying at first but after a while you get use to it."

"Thanks I guess." Catalina shrugged.

"No problem. Here's a tip, when they start getting touchy just think of something else. Don't focus on anything inside your head or anything you see. Just kind of float. It helps." Kiley wasn't sure why but she had a feeling that would be important information for the future.

"Thanks." Again Catalina shrugged, "You don't really like to talk do you?"

"I avoid it if at all possible." They were drawing close to the garage, now almost inside the door.

"Why?" Catalina opened the door and held it open for Kiley.

"It's mostly because when I was little my accent was a lot heavier than it is now making me sound Mexican and people made really mean jokes about it. I figured if my voice was why they were making fun of me I could just shut up and they would leave me alone. It only worked for like 2 weeks before they started saying more racist shit that hurt my feelings."

Kiley nodded as they entered the dark garage. She stood in the dark for a few moments until Catalina flipped the lights on. Kiley was impressed by the sight. There were many different cars inside the place, some not even cars at all but motorcycles or ATV's. There was an impressive line of tools on the wall and various other things you'd find in a shop. There was even a bed and a couch with a coffee table in one corner. It was Kiley's guess that Catalina stayed in here often, slept even.

"I'm sorry people are ignorant cavemen who have the inability to accept difference in culture." Catalina laughed lightly as she picked up a skateboard from off the floor and did an acid drop off the coffee table, weaving in-between her cars.

"Oh it's totally cool," She did a cool little kick flip, obviously a veteran at the art of skateboarding, "I understand some people have to be haters. They were just raised that way. Hate is something instilled not just an instantaneous thing. Besides I don't care, they just hate because I've got a tan they never will get no matter how much shit they spray on." Kiley couldn't help but smile. That was a very non-aggressive way to look at it. She was beginning to like this woman. She had interesting views on matters. Catalina stopped her board in front of a car that had a black tarp over it and turned to motion Kiley over. Naturally Kiley obeyed. She walked between a few cars, noting the black marks on the white linoleum floor from Catalina's wheels, until she was standing beside the woman.

"This has been my pet project for the last few months. Being Bunny's body guard has its perks like full entitlement to their money when I want to use it," She smirked as she took handfuls of the tarp and pulled it off the car in one quick yank, "I was actually thinking about letting you guys take this when you leave tomorrow. What do you think?"

Kiley's jaw almost hit the floor, "You serious!"

Catalina admired her work, her pride evident in her features, "Yeah I don't see why not. Like it?"

"Its…wow."

Okay so I apologize if it got a little weird but I was studying my Greek Mythology and it said that both Apollo and Aphrodite had an exceptional interest in the same sex. I was a bit upset I had missed this before in all my studying so I passed the flirtatious trait onto their children. If Ya'all don't like it…I'll just cut out or whatever. I like things to be as accurate as possible but I also like to keep people comfortable. Therefore, if you don't like it tell me and you'll never once read it again!

Also everything in play now is slow but does come into play later. Just wait.