The Titan's Pirates Chapter 26: Sad Homecoming, a percy jackson and the olympians fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Chapter 26: Sad Homecoming

Somewhere in the western Atlantic Ocean

Percy's POV

Twenty-three hours after the battle with Atlas

There was only an hour left before the other students would wake up. Chris had finally regained consciousness about two hours ago, but he had to stay in the infirmary. Chris, Terra, Scott, Thetis, Athena and Theseus had stayed in the infirmary talking for over an hour before they finally let others inside. Malcolm had already been released about six hours ago and was staying in an empty crew quarters next to the quarters that I shared with Chris. Nico stayed with Malcolm. Luke had been released at around the same time as Malcolm and was staying with me. It would have been a very bad idea for him to stay with Nico or Malcolm. There were a lot of demigods who held a grudge against Luke, I felt sorry for him actually. Annabeth, Thalia and Clarisse shared an empty crew quarters down the corridor from us. I'm sure that was fun, not. I was in my room changing into my work uniform. I knew there would be a lot of work for the students to do without a crew and teachers onboard. The closer we got to New York the worse I felt. All of our teachers and crew had been killed as well as a few students including Stephen. I felt partially responsible for these deaths as I should have done more or acted differently. I think I could have saved more lives.

"Percy are you ok?" Luke yelled. I awoke from my thoughts.

"Sorry I was just thinking." I said. Luke looked at me concerned, which was weird I don't remember Luke ever looking concerned for me before, probably because he was always trying to kill me.

"You were lost in thought actually. I tried talking to you three times already" Luke said. I wasn't sure I could talk to him about this stuff, but Annabeth always said that the old Luke was a good listener.

"The closer we get to port the worse I feel about all the deaths that took place onboard. I feel that I'm partially responsible, I should have done more." I said sadly.

"Don't beat yourself up over it, you did what you thought was best and in the end you came through when you needed to." Luke said sincerely. I guess Annabeth is right he is a good listener. "Answer me one think though, why are you so nice to me?" I knew he was going to ask that question eventually, I started to laugh. "Why is that funny?" Luke sounded hurt.

"It's not funny I just knew you were going to ask me that question sooner or later." I said. Luke smiled and seemed to understand. "If Annabeth and Thalia can forgive you then I can as well. Besides, I've seen what the titan lord can do to people and I've seen the dark side of my psyche, I know how easy it can be to be tempted." Luke looked at me strangely for a moment and then walked over and put his hand on my shoulder.

"Percy you're a really good guy you know that?" Luke asked.

"That's what people tell me, I never really believed them though and maybe I still don't. I try to be a good person, it's easier now than it was before." I said. Luke looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"What do you mean?" Luke said curiously. I really didn't want to go into that at the moment.

"Ask Annabeth when you all get back to camp, I should really get outside so I can say goodbye to everyone. By the way I really think you need to resolve your issue with Thalia I can tell its hurting her and you. See ya around." I said as I walked off, Luke had a stunned look on his face, I really loved the ability to read people. I walked down the corridor toward the room that Clarisse, Annabeth and Thalia shared. I was about to knock on the door when it opened and standing in front of me was Annabeth in a school uniform, she looked incredible.

"Percy, are you ok?" Annabeth asked with a smirk on her face. I guess I had been staring at her for longer than I thought

"You you look look." I stuttered. Annabeth was laughing now.

"Seaweed brain isn't gone after all." Annabeth said mockingly.

"Funny wise girl, you just surprised me that's all. You look incredible in the uniform." I said calmly finally able to speak clearly.

"You think so, Terra found this for me in a storage room, she said that it was an extra one." Annabeth stated. She looked incredible in that uniform, too good in fact.

"May I escort you on deck?" I asked. Annabeth and I walked out onto the deck both in school uniforms. Everyone else was waiting on the deck already, the other students would wake up in about twenty minutes. Waiting on deck for us were Thalia, Clarisse, Luke, Malcolm, Nico, Theseus, Athena and Poseidon.

"Well it looks like everyone is here now." Poseidon said as he saw Annabeth and I walk up on deck. I said my goodbyes to everyone and then I pulled Annabeth to the side.

"I'll be back at school in a day, but I'll miss you terribly." I said. Annabeth just put her arms around my neck and pulled me into a passionate kiss.

"Not as much as I'm going to miss you." Annabeth said seductively. I froze, I never heard her talk that way before. "Are you ok, seaweed brain?" I cleared my mind and smiled at her.

"I will be in about a day." I said as I kissed her this time making her weak in the knees.

"You know sometimes I hate the fact that you can make me feel this way." Annabeth said. I smiled devilishly when she said that. I walked her back to the others and we separated as she stood next to Athena and Theseus. I waved goodbye to everyone as they disappeared. Now the real fun starts, we had a cover story figured out and it helped that there were five Navy Seals to participate. I walked down to the infirmary, I hadn't talked to Chris alone since the rescue. I walked in and immediately Chris perked up in his bed.

"Perce, I'm glad you finally came down to see me." Chris said sarcastically.

"I'm sorry about that, but I know you had quite a few visitors and a lot to think about." I said. Chris smiled at that and motioned for me to sit in the chair next to his bed.

"Yeah, I know, I find out that my mom was a demigod too. I find out that my girlfriends mom and dad were demigods. I meet my godly grandmothers. I find out that my two best friends are both demigods and that my best friend is the son of Poseidon and prince of Atlantis. You know its just been a regular two days." Chris said sarcastically.

"Well you're in a good mood." I said jokingly. Chris just glared at me and then he started to laugh and I couldn't help laughing as well.

"I'm really glad you're ok Perce, you had Terra and I worried." Chris said.

"Well they almost killed me, but I have some great friends who saved my butt as usual." I said. Chris smiled at that.

"I met them, they seem like really cool people." Chris said.

"They are, I hope you get to know them a little better." I said.

"Well my dad is letting me come to camp and Terra's grandfather is letting her come as well. So we're going to see a lot of you and your friends this summer." Chris said.

"That's great, so do you know where you're going to stay in camp?" I asked.

"Well, Theseus said that they were going to build a cabin for Thetis, but until then I guess I can stay in the Athena cabin, she is my grandmother after all." Chris said.

"Well, I had a feeling your dad might let you come to camp, so I asked my dad and he said that you could stay in my cabin until yours is built." I said happily.

"Really, I can stay in the Poseidon cabin?" Chris asked.

"Sure, we're already roommates in school, why not at camp too?" I said.

"Sounds great. I guess everyone is awake by now. I know the cover story, I just hate having to lie to people, but it has to be done." Chris said. I nodded in agreement,

"Hey, at least you don't have to be alone in this secret you have Terra and me to help." I said. Chris smiled and nodded in agreement.

One day later - New York Harbor

Chris, Terra and I stood on the deck of the ship as we entered the harbor and proceeded to the dock at school. The cover story went over without any issues. The coast guard took over control of the ship and Chris's dad and his team left a few hours ago by helicopter for a debriefing in Annapolis. The three of us stood on the deck and waited for the ship to dock. As we approached school I could see a few hundred people waiting there. This was going to be a sad day, so many died on this ship I don't know if the memories of those lost can ever be forgotten. I wasn't sure if I wanted to forget them. They were all good people, some I knew well others I barely knew. They all had a love of the ocean and in my mind they were all family. The ship finally docked by the shore and the platforms lowered. Chris, Terra and I walked down the platform carrying our duffel bags. I saw Chris's grandfather run up to him. Terra's grandfather ran to her. My mom, Paul, Zoe and Annabeth ran up to me. They each gave me a big hug and I held Zoe in my arms. I hadn't seen my little sister in several months and I relished the time I spent with her, she giggled as I spun her around in my arms.

"Percy we're so glad you're all right. Annabeth told us what happened, I'm so sorry." My mom said sadly. I gave Zoe back to Paul and I hugged my mom as she cried into my shoulder.

"Mom, I'm fine don't worry." I said soothingly. She finally let go of me and Paul put his arm around her as he held Zoe. I walked over and put my arm around Annabeth. We all walked to my dorm and sat down in the lounge area.

"I'll be back in a minute and I need to put my bag back in my room." I said. Annabeth walked with me. We entered my room and I threw my bag on my desk. I turned and before I knew it Annabeth was hugging me fiercely.

"I missed you too wise girl." I said. Annabeth pushed away from me and smiled.

"I just wanted to do that when we were alone, not in front of everyone else." Annabeth said.

"That's right the architect of Olympus can't show her softer side in public." I said mockingly. Annabeth punched me in the shoulder hard. I rubbed my arm and scrunched my face.

"Stop making fun of me and that didn't hurt that much." Annabeth said with that smirk on her face that I loved. "When will you be able to go to camp?" That was a question that Terra, Chris and I had discussed on the trip home.

"Well, there is a group memorial service for all those that lost their lives on the voyage. Chris and I agreed to play a song." I said. Annabeth gave me a confused look.

"Chris can play." Annabeth asked. I pointed to the electric drum set over in the corner. "He plays the drums?"

"Yes, oh wise one, he does. Actually, Nico is going to play the keyboard for us tomorrow." I said.

"What song are you going to play?" Annabeth asked. I smiled mischievously.

"Its a surprise, but its appropropriate for the occasion, why don't you attend tomorrow and find out." I said.

"You just want to see me again tomorrow. You know I don't like memorials." Annabeth said.

"I know, but I think you'll enjoy our song and I've been sworn to secrecy by Chris, so I can't tell." I said. Annabeth gave me a frustrated look and I just shrugged my shoulders and shook my head.

"All right, I'll be there. I assume Terra is going to be there." Annabeth said.

"Yes, she's expecting you to attend." I said happily.

"You knew I would say yes." Annabeth accused.

"Well daughters of Athena hate surprises, thats something I've learned from experience" I said as I put my arms around her waist and leaned down and kissed her softly.

The next morning - SUNY Maritime athletic fields

It was a dreary morning in New York, the sky was cloudy, but the rain stayed away. The sun could be barely seen in the sky, but shadows did obscure parts of the campus. The athletic fields had been set up with hundreds of chairs facing a platform that overlooked the campus. The ceremony started at eight thirty in the morning. For the first hour the names of the victims were read including information about family and profession. This was very sad, especially when they talked about the family members left behind. Music was played including Taps from the Naval Reserve band. The time came for Chris, Nico and I to play we walked on stage, I saw Annabeth and Terra in the audience watching us. Chris sat behind his drum set, Nico sat behind his keyboard and I stood with my guitar by the microphone.

"Thank you everyone for attending this service today. We all lost friends and love ones in this tragedy. My friends and I would like to play a song about goodbyes. One day we will see our friends and love ones again, I truly believe that."

We began to play the song, "Shadow of the Day" by Linkin Park, I sang the song with as much feeling as I could muster on this sad day.

I close both locks below the window

I close both blinds and turn away

Sometimes solutions aren't so simple

Sometimes good bye's the only way