AN: I hit a wall with this chapter. I just kept writing and it never felt right. So I decided to change it up for this chapter and you'll see what I mean when you read it. Nothing crazy but it's a much slower story chapter, though I wouldn't call it filler. I am sorry that it is so short compared to my other chapters but I will explain a bit more about why in the AN that follows the chapter.

As always I own only my imagination and nothing that you recognize from officially published/licensed works. Thank you for reading.

Chapter 8: When I Drift Off, I'll Dream of You.

Percy was in a train car, well part of him was at least. He had fallen asleep soon after they got moving and now he found his consciousness was restless. While most of him remained on the train a part of him broke away and he now found himself wandering alone through massive lichen and moss-clad trees. The world felt silent and asleep around him but maybe that was just the greater part of his consciousness talking. As he walked the landscape began to change growing dry and arid, rolling plains of grassland stretched out to the horizon. Still, Percy walked, and now in the distance the horizon grew purple, and what could only be the Rockies stretched into the sky.

Percy continued and soon left the mountains behind and kept moving west until he crossed the Sierra Nevada mountains as well. His feet then found the Pacific Ocean where he stopped for a moment and looked out over the seemingly endless blue. He could feel all the currents swirling through the waves unseen by mortal eyes. He could feel the swell of the tide as it passed them by having been at high tide only hours ago. He turned back, away from the ocean, and ventured into a city he knew all too well - Los Angelos. He kept walking his feet seeming to find their path, but now Percy could feel the power that was guiding him. He could feel the aura of death and fear that he associated with Nico and his Father. He soon found himself outside DOA Recording Studios and he stepped inside. Charon seemed not to see him though he looked up and sniffed the air when Percy entered.

"I can feel you, whoever you are, what are you doing here unseen?"

A tremble passed through the ground and Charon flinched as though he had been struck. The ghoulish man hurried into the elevator and stood aside waiting for his unseen passenger. When Percy entered the elevator Charon started them on their journey and Percy recognized the moment they crossed into the underworld. His feet soon found the Land of the Dead as he stepped from the Barge of Charon. He turned to retrace the steps he had taken when he had been only twelve years old. Cerberus sniffed as he approached but otherwise didn't react to his presence.

Percy found his feet straying from the path to the Palace, just as it had years ago, towards Tartarus. He stood on the edge of the pit his eyes staring sightlessly into the Pit as memories tore through him leaving him feeling raw and exposed. He tore himself from the edge and resumed his journey to the Palace where he found the doors open and waiting. When he stepped into the throne room he found it empty at first glance until Hades spoke from near one of the walls.

"I'm sorry to call you this way Nephew but when bending the rules I must be subtle."

"Bending rules? Lord Hades?"

Hades waved a hand at him while turning to face him. Percy glanced at the carved image on the wall and felt a fist clench his heart. It showed him standing alone, holding the hilt of a shattered Riptide in his hand. The details of his face were indistinct and had been depicted as if covered by a shadow that hid them from sight. Once again Percy had to tear his eyes from the object of his fascination to return to the present. He found Hades looking at him somberly.

"Yes, Nephew. Bending rules. You have done more for me and my house than any hero in history. That is a debt that cannot be repaid idly, or simply. So I am offering you a Last Goodbye to those whom you have lost and have made their choice. Do you understand me, Nephew?"

Percy felt cold and slow.

"I'm...What do I need to do?"

Percy would have been amazed at how even his voice was if he had been present in the moment. As it was his thoughts were far away and his Uncle's reply came to him as through a fog.

"You have until the final rays of the sun pass from sight. Make it count Nephew."

He heard Hades snap his fingers and with a rush of wind, the world around him changed. Golden fields and sparkling blue water in which were three idyllic islands. Percy knew where he was and once more he felt a chill sweep through him. A new voice broke through to him and he spun searching for the speaker.

"I knew you'd find a way to say goodbye. I told you, Jason!"

Leo was looking at him with his usual lopsided grin though it didn't quite reach his eyes. Percy looked behind Leo and saw Jason striding toward them out of a building that looked like a cross between Camp Half-Blood cabin and Roman Villa. Close behind Jason was Piper who joined her hand with Jason's as they walked. Behind them were Frank and Hazel who were hurrying to catch up with the others. Last out of the door was Annabeth and Percy forgot how to breathe for a moment. He knew why he was here but he refused to believe it, he couldn't believe it.

As the rest of the Seven joined him and Leo they grew quiet struggling to find words. With a sound that may have been a sob or a strangled word, Annabeth threw herself into Percy's arms and he caught her. They embraced and Percy felt tears welling in his eyes as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him but he fought them back. He only had so long, he couldn't afford to waste time on tears.

"Hey, Wise Girl."

They were the first words he managed to force out of his mouth alongside a smile that even Leo would see through.

"Hey, Seaweed Brain. I'm glad you're here."

A thrill ran through him as she said his nickname again, her voice stabbing at his heart. She pulled away from him but didn't let go of his hand and he understood that no matter how badly she wanted to cling to him she knew the others deserved their time too. Jason cleared his throat now and stepped forward grasping Percy's right forearm with his own and stepping in roughly hugging him. Percy returned it as best he could with only one arm and broke the silence again, looking first at Jason and then all the others in turn.

"So...Rebirth huh?"

Hazel responded first, her eyes filled with tears but also a steely conviction that Percy had grown familiar with over their adventures together.

"Rebirth. We all talked about it for so long and we were going to stay and wait but..."

"But I became a god?"

Percy asked just to make sure, and Frank nodded before pulling Hazel into his chest. He rested his chin on top of her head and Percy could see regret in his eyes.

"I'm sorry we weren't able to fight with you Percy. We owed you that."

"You guys didn't and don't owe me anything. I failed you all. Look where we are!"

Percy felt anger flare inside him, anger at his failures and the cruelty of the fate his friends had suffered.

"Come on Perce. None of us blame you. I'm surprised I even managed to keep up with all of you long enough to fight at the end."

Leo's words cooled the anger immediately.

"I never got to know you as well as the others Leo, but I know we wouldn't have gotten very far without you. Don't sell yourself short."

"Thanks, man it means a lot. Especially coming from the Patron of Heroes. Think that'd look good on a resume? Endorsement from the Patron of Heroes? I feel like I'd probably get the job."

All seven of them laughed at that, it broke some of the tension they all felt and made conversation come easier. They talked about what Elysium had been like, and what they had been doing with all their time. Percy avoided talking about his time as a god but eventually, he opened up. He told them everything holding almost nothing back, except for his confusion surrounding Calypso. Unsurprisingly Annabeth chastised him repeatedly for the stunt in Charleston, and he had felt a glow of happiness at the familiarity of it all.

All too soon however Percy could feel the sun beginning to approach the horizon in the world above. They only had a few minutes remaining before Percy would be leaving Elysium and his friends would be going on their next big adventure. Something must have shown on Percy's face because Annabeth tugged on his hand.

"Let's all do this one at a time. I think we all deserve privacy."

The others nodded in agreement and retreated into the house with Annabeth leading them. Leo remained outside taking the first turn.

"Guess I'm up first. You're right Percy, you never really got to know me, but I didn't get to know you either. You were basically a legend when I got to camp and as far as I'm concerned you live up to the legend. Thank you for everything, Percy. You never treated me differently than any of the others just because you didn't know me as well. I'm sorry I won't get to make you any cool gadgets though if your powers are as cool as they sound."

With a flash of light, Percy summoned the sword Harley had made for Leo. Holding it out by the blade for Leo not caring if it cut him.

"Harley made this for you. I'm sorry I only just remembered. I'll tell your siblings goodbye for you."

"Thanks, Percy. Maybe I'll see you in my next life. Take care Percy and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Percy gripped his forearm and the two parted for the final time. Leo reentered the house and Hazel came out looking like she might be sick.

"Hazel I don't...I'm sorry Hazel you had just gotten your second chance and..."

There was more he wanted to say but she cut him off.

"You don't have to apologize to me, Percy. What's done is done and you did everything you could. You know when you first stumbled up to me and Frank I thought you might be a god in disguise. Guess I was off but only by a couple of years."

Percy tried to smile, to force his face to do something, anything besides showing his shame and regret. Hazel stepped forward and hugged him, squeezing him tight until he returned her embrace.

"Goodbye Percy. I'm glad that my second life meant I got to meet you."

"Goodbye Hazel."

As she walked away towards the house a tear began to trace down his face and he didn't wipe it away even as Frank exited the house and walked up to him. Without saying a word Frank embraced Percy and he was once again reminded of the old Frank who had reminded him of a teddy bear. They broke apart and Frank smiled broadly at him, and Percy felt the corners of his mouth twitch despite himself.

"You are the best friend a guy could ask for Percy. Don't get me wrong I love Hazel but even without knowing who you were, you did your best to be my friend. I'm sorry we can't stick around for a while but duty calls."

By the end of his words, the happiness had faded from Franks's voice slightly though Percy could hear the determination in his words. Frank had changed so much since he had met him at the Caldecott tunnel.

"It does. Just promise me you'll earn the isles. You all deserve it, Frank."

"I'll do what I can, but you gotta promise me something then Percy. Remember us but don't dwell in the past. I learned that alongside Hazel. You'll just get stuck going in circles if you don't move on."

"I'll try Frank. Goodbye, and good luck."

"See ya, Percy. I am glad to have called you a friend."

Frank disappeared inside the house and it was Piper that came out next. Her eyes were dry but Percy could tell she had been crying inside the house.

"I'm not sure what to say, Percy. I didn't get to know you as well as I would have liked. Leo said he told you that you were basically a legend when we got to camp and I have to agree. Though I got pretty close to Annabeth over the months at camp. You made every minute you were together the best of her life, and for that alone, I want to say thank you. I might not be able to feel my mom's domains anymore but I can see how heartbroken you are Percy. You're a good friend and an even better person, don't forget it."

"Thanks, Piper, I... Thanks for helping Annabeth. I can't..."

He couldn't find the words to say what he was feeling. He was feeling so many things all at once that it was beginning to overwhelm him and Piper surprised him. She stepped forward and kissed his cheek and hugged him as Hazel had.

"Goodbye Percy. I'm glad to have known you."

"Goodby Piper, I'm glad to have known you too. I'll try to..."

"Figure your feeling out? Good luck Percy. You'll need it."

They both laughed at that despite the tears that were beginning to cloud both their eyes. Piper walked back to the house and Jason walked out and joined him. For a while, he looked at the horizon alongside Percy then turned to face him. Jason's mouth was set in a hard line and Percy recognized that like him Jason was fighting to maintain his composure.

"It was an honor to have fought by your side...brother."

Jason's words slammed into Percy like a hammer blow and he felt a few more tears begin to run down his cheeks. He looked up and saw several tears running down Jason's face and embraced him like a brother.

"It was an honor to call you brother. I can't promise anything but as long as I exist I will do what I can for them all."

Percy didn't need to specify who he was talking about because he knew Jason would understand.

"It's time for me to go. Goodbye Percy, I know you'll be a hero until the end."

"Goodbye Jason."

It was all Percy could do to stop his hands from shaking now. There was only one person left, one more goodbye to make and it was the one he was dreading most. Hot tears spilled down his cheeks and he could do nothing to stop them even as he heard her footsteps behind him. He felt her arms snake around his waist and she molded her body to his as she had done hundreds of times before.

"I love you, Seaweed Brain. I can't even begin to tell you..."

"Then don't."

Percy lowered his face to hers and captured her lips with his in this one kiss. He tried to pour every ounce of love he had left into the kiss. Willing her to understand the depth of his feelings through that one action. After what felt like an eternity she pulled away and rested her forehead against his.

"When Hades told us what you did for him and Hestia, and that you had become a god I knew this moment would come but..." She paused and swallowed hard, "Oh gods this is so hard. I need you to know that as much as I love you I need you to be happy. If I don't move on neither of us will ever truly have peace. I love you so much it hurts. Promise me, Percy. Promise me you won't torture yourself forever I couldn't bear that."

He could hear the fear and pain in her voice at the prospect of him dwelling on his loss forever. Part of him knew he was right but his heart was aching worse and worse.

"You know I..."

"Promise me, Percy. We don't have long. I have to know that you won't spend the rest of eternity dwelling on us. I love you too much for that."

"I'll try Wise Girl. I promise I will try and be happy, I promise I will try."

She kissed him again and he returned it knowing it would be the last time he would ever see her. He refused to let her go and they stayed in each other's arms until Percy felt the last rays of the sun sink below the horizon. The world around him grew blurry and indistinct and Annabeth faded from his view, the ghost of her final sad smile the last thing he saw.

Percy stood in Hades' throne room swaying slightly on the spot. His emotions swirling like a raging storm inside him as they hadn't since the final battle. The ceiling shook slightly and he heard Hades snap his fingers and the world spun around him. He was in the middle of the ocean somewhere in the Pacific and he knew why. His raw emotions began to tear at the wind and waves, a massive hurricane forming with him at the center. He let out a pained howl that rose in volume until his voice broke. The storm only built around him until he felt something pushing back against him. He felt a surge of power and his father appeared before him. He took one look at Percy and embraced him immediately. The last of Percy's control broke and the dam released, all his pain, regret, all of the grief, and rage poured from him as the sky darkened further. Tears ran down his face as the wind began to howl and thunder boomed overhead. The currents around them too began to rage and swirl violently churning the ocean into a heaving mass of waves for miles around him. He could faintly feel his father containing the storm to this region of the Pacific and if he were able to think about it he would have been grateful. For now, however, he let his loss and his powers alike run wild. After some time he felt the storm beginning to die down as the intensity of his grief faded somewhat though he wasn't sure why.

He heard singing, beautiful and soft from what felt like a great distance away. It echoed in his mind like a long-forgotten memory and began to smooth the rawest edges of his mind. Soothing hurt and at least momentarily reminded him of the good memories again. Just as when he had talked with Thalia he began to see, as though he was there again, the good times with his friends. He remembered Capture the Flag and the smell of the strawberry fields in the summer sun. He remembered the first time he had really talked to Annabeth in the back of a smelly truck, and calling the storm in Charleston Harbor along with Jason. He remembered watching Piper and Annabeth talk like old friends on the Argo II, and watching Frank have the honors pinned to his shirt. He thought of watching Hazel ride Arion into battle and Leo concocting all sorts of inventions to use against the many monsters they were sure to encounter.

The singing began to become clearer and he realized that it wasn't coming from far away. Calypso was singing to the other part of him that had been asleep on the train. He stepped back and his father released him looking concerned.

"Percy? What happened?"

"I said goodbye to them. They are taking rebirth."

His father didn't respond immediately but laid a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eyes. He could see a familiar pain in his father's eyes and he realized why his father had so few children compared to his brothers over the centuries.

"I can't tell you it ever goes away, but with time it will get easier to bear. I will warn you though. Don't lose this feeling. This is the price we pay for loving and being loved so deeply, never forget that my son."

Calypso's singing seemed to fill him even more than it was before and he felt the rest of his consciousness beginning to wake up.

"I'll try... Dad."

"I am proud to call you my son. Never forget that. Whatever happens, you are truly a son of the sea."

Percy hugged his father again and then allowed his consciousness to rejoin the part of him that rested on the train. He became one consciousness again just as he opened his eyes and saw Calypso singing softly with her eyes closed. He closed his eyes again and let her words wash through him, and at least for a while more, remind him of better times, and happy memories.

AN: Sorry for the really short chapter but It didn't feel right adding anything else to this chapter. I'm not completely happy with it but I was listening to You Are a Memory by Message to Bears and I just started writing. I will try to post on Friday or Saturday next week with a proper chapter but I felt like I needed to post this after I finished writing it. It's rough and I'm not great at writing emotionally charged moments but it felt right for the story to give closure and help Percy to continue the process of healing.