Return

Falling action will always and forever be a tad boring, so bare with me. I hope I don't bore you to death…

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO

Sophia's POV

Uncle Theodore and Aunt Thalia embraced Tanya. She was happy to see them because she hadn't seen her parents (in person) since they left for the quest. Uncle Nico and Aunt Aura greeted Stella warmly. Mom kissed Dad (I didn't want to see that); jeez, they're away from each other for two days and they act like its two months. Hallie and I tackled Dad with a huge hug, making him laugh. Aunt Hannah, Ashley, and Greg walked up to our little group of four.

"I guess I'm going to have to get used to the fact that my best friend is a kick-butt monster fighter with sweet powers," Ashley sighed dramatically. It was obvious she had gotten over her shock.

I smiled at her, "Yeah, I'm pretty cool. Just like my famous parents."

"I don't think I'll ever get used to the fact that you now think your parents are cool," Ashley rolled her eyes. I did think they were insane before…

"I did get used to seeing monsters," Aunt Hannah mentioned, "I bet you could get used to anything if you really tried, Ashley."

"Maybe," Ashley agreed.

Greg came up to me and took my hand, "You were awesome," he told me.

"So were you," I smiled, taking his other hand and looking into his eyes.

"I shot pathetic arrows at his chest," Greg scoffed.

"It weakened him, making him easier to crush," I defended him from himself.

"Whatever you say," he gave up. I glanced at my father, who had his back turned as he was discussing something 'oh-so-important' with the other adults. I pulled Greg closer to me, holding both of his hands, and kissed him. I would've stood there forever if I didn't have to breathe.

"When you said on the phone that he was your boyfriend…I wanted to believe you, but it was too good to be true…but now I see…now I see you were right," Ashley said in surprise. I turned to face her, and she was gawping at us. I rolled my eyes at her.

Dad turned from the adults and informed us, "We have our plan to get home."

This was the adults' ingenious plan to get home with thirteen people and one car: Dad was going to sit in the driver's seat. Mom was going to sit in the passenger seat (she offered to let Ashley sit with her, but she said she was okay in the other spot made for her). Aunt Aura was going to sit on Uncle Nico's lap, Aunt Thalia was going to sit on Uncle Theodore's lap, and Aunt Hannah was going to sit in the middle in the second row, which was built for three people.

Dad wasn't too happy with the decision for the kids' row; the third row. I was going to sit on Greg's lap (*grins happily*), Hallie was going to sit on Ashley's lap, and Tanya was sitting on Stella's lap. If no one can guess why Dad isn't thrilled, they aren't too bright.

The six kids (including me) climbed over the second row to reach the third and got situated in our seats. My Aunts and Uncles climbed in the back next, sitting in their spots. They were falling on each other because adults aren't meant to move around cars like that. Mom and Dad were already in the front two seats, and Dad was ready to drive. This was going to be a long two days.

After many stops and countless complaints, we reached Camp Half-Blood. I didn't think Ashley and Hannah were allowed here, but if Mom and Dad say its okay, I agree with them. Relatives of the gods passed the barrier easily. Aunt Hannah and Ashley seemed to be blocked by a wall. Mom looked as if she remembered something and said, "I, Annabeth Jackson, give you permission to enter camp."

Aunt Hannah and Ashley were suddenly able to pass the border. Mom spoke to my best friend, "We need to take you to Chiron." My parents led the way to the Big House with everyone following.

Campers we passed smiled and waved, noticing we had returned. We smiled back at many. When we reached the Big House, we found Chiron waiting for us as a centaur outside. Ashley looked puzzled; I wonder what she saw, "Hello Chiron," I greeted.

Ashley looked at me like I was crazy, "Why are you talking to that horse as if he could respond?"

"I can," Chiron responded.

"Whoa! A talking horse!" exclaimed Ashley.

"He's not a talking horse; he's a centaur," Aunt Hannah explained, "You can't see through the Mist, so you can't tell."

"Why did you bring a mortal?" Mr. D asked rudely from the porch.

"She has been missing for a few days, and we can't just tell her parents that she was kidnapped by Greek monsters. We want your opinion on what to do," Dad explained to Chiron.

"Take her home and control the Mist to make her parents think she was always there," Chiron explained simply.

"That's what I said," Mom exasperated.

"I wanted his opinion," Dad murmured sheepishly.

We had just taken Ashley back to her apartment and Dad controlled the Mist just as Chiron suggested. Now it was time to take Aunt Hannah back. We suggested taking her back to her college, but she wanted her parents to know she was alright. Cool, a random trip to Grandma and Grandpa's apartment!

When Mom, Dad, Hallie, Aunt Hannah, and I knocked on the apartment door, Grandma opened it. Her face lit up as she saw us all. She ushered us into her living room, "I'm so glad you're all okay! Chiron told me that you four went on a quest, but no one knew where Hannah was."

"I was abducted by two monsters, but otherwise, I'm okay," Aunt Hannah informed with a smile.

"You were abducted?!" Grandma exclaimed.

"Mom, I'm okay," Aunt Hannah rolled her eyes.

"What happened?" Grandma asked us all. We all told our parts of the stories, and she beamed at Hallie and me as we told her how we defeated Typhon with the help of Hallie's friends.

"It sounds like you all had quite an adventure," Grandpa's voice said from a doorway behind me. I turned around and saw him standing in the doorway to his office. I smiled at him, and he winked.

We spent some more time there, catching up. But, too soon, we had to leave. Just as we stepped in the hall, someone appeared in it. Although surprised, Mom and Dad greeted him at the same time, "Lord Hermes." So this was another god; the god of messengers, thieves, travelers, and a bunch of other stuff.

"Lord Zeus would like to see you all," he said before disappearing. Mom and Dad glanced at each other.

Mom sighed, "To the Empire State Building!" Why were we going there to meet Zeus?