We have hit over 3,000 views! Just, thank-you to everyone who has reviewed, follows or favorited this story. I must admit I almost cried seeing that, but managed to only squeal a few times. Look forward to a whole bunch of uploads form me, I'm on spring break and have nothing else to do.
 -Twinkies

Percy looked at his phone catching his bottom lip between his teeth. Two days ago he had gotten a text from Emmy saying she no longer needed a ride from him. It really wasn't anything to worry about, but Emmy hadn't returned any of his calls. It wasn't like he had become over obsessive, he was just worried. Percy felt like she was avoiding him. A whole week had passed since the flat-iron incident, and he couldn't help but wonder if that had something to do with it. Had Annabeth scared her off? He sure hoped not.

He could only see one answer, he needed to go to her house. He needed to talk to Emmy, and he was going to make it happen. Percy walked to her apartment, his hands in the pocket of his red hoodie the whole time. Once there he knocked on the door, looking around. The door opened just enough for a face to wedge it's self in the space. The head belonged to a girl, a girl with wild black hair, tan skin and blue eyes that looked like they could belong to a wolf. She had a look to her that made it hard to tell what ethnicity she was, but Percy's best guess was Native American. "No one in this house wants to talk to you. Leave." Her voice was soft, but with an edge to it. She almost sounded like she was trying to be harsh, but couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "Let me see Emmy." Percy pushed on the door gently, only to feel an equal force on the other side. "Sorry, I can't let you do that."
"Who are you anyway?"
"Jade, Emmy and Annabeth's room-mate. Now, please leave."
"Why doesn't Emmy want to see me? Was it because of what happened before she left?"
"No, it has nothing to do with you. Please, just leave."
Percy scowled and looked at her, those blue eyes of hers had gone from fierce to pleading. "Fine, just make sure Emmy knows I was here." Once the door was closed he waited until he was sure she wasn't watching him. Percy walked up to the side of the building to the fire escape. He remembered seeing it through the window in Emmy's room. Based on it's rust he wasn't sure if it would hold his weight, but it was the only way he could see to get to her.

Percy got to work on the rusty rungs, cringing as they groaned under his weight. After a few minutes of climbing a ladder he reached a platform that looked into Emmy's room. He saw her bed, and sitting on top of it was Jade, with someone sobbing into her shoulder. All he could see was the person's hair, but that alone was enough to identify the human. It was Emmy, his gut sank and his throat tightened seeing her like this. Not once had she ever shown a sign of weakness, even under pain, and here she was sobbing uncontrollably. Without thinking he opened the window, Jade spun around covering Emmy protectively. "I told you to leave." Percy ignored her climbing through the window, "Emmy what-" He was cut off mid sentence by the girl looking up. The first thing he noticed was the ugly purple bruise surrounding her left eye. Next it was that her bottom lip was split, but it was starting to scab over. Her eye wasn't swollen shut, but it didn't open quite as much as it used to. He nearly ran to her, kneeling down in front of her. "Who did this?" A strange mixture of rage, concern and pain filled his face and voice. "Tell me who and they will pay."
"It doesn't matter Percy." Her voice was rough.
"Did this happen to you in Louisiana? Is that why you didn't want to see me?"
Emmy nodded and looked over to Jade. "Could you get me some water?" Jade looked at Percy and left the room, Emmy returned her gaze to Percy. She looked at him. "Percy, I'm sorry I was avoiding you. I just, didn't want to see me like this." Percy's rage slowly left him. Emmy's cheeks were still wet from fresh tears. Percy sat down on the bed next to her, holding his arms out for her. She adjusted so she rested on his lap, her head against his chest. Percy wrapped his arms around her.
"How did this happen?"
Emmy took in a shaky breath, "It was my last day visiting, I was packing to head home. My dad had spent most of the day drinking, which he seems to do a lot of lately." She paused and Percy held her tighter. "As I was packing my dad walked into the room, I could smell the alcohol as soon as he did. He started yelling, he wasn't happy about me leaving. He kept going on about how I was leaving him just like my mother did. I couldn't let him talk about her like that, so I yelled back." Emmy looked up at Percy, her eyes shining. "That's when he hit me, and he would have done it again if my brother hadn't stopped him."
"None of this was your fault." Percy whispered.
"Oh, I know that. I just can't help but feel guilty because I left Gentry there. He has no way to defend himself, he's only 14."
"You had to get out of there Emmy, and it sounds like Gentry would want you to leave." Emmy nodded and sank back into Percy's arms.
"I'm sorry for not talking to you."
"It's okay, I'm just glad your back here, safe." He rested his chin on top of her head, letting out a sigh. They sat there in silence, Emmy no longer crying. It was a few minutes before one of them spoke again.
"Percy?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I stay with you tonight? I'm still mad at Annabeth, and don't want to have to deal with her right now." Percy chuckled softly.
"I'm sure my parents would be cool with it, though I would have to explain what happened to you."
Emmy nodded, "I'm alright with that." She untangled herself from him. "Go wait outside, I'll be there in a minute. And feel free to use the front door this time."
Percy laughed gently, "Okay." He exited the room and headed down the hall. He was stopped by someone grabbing his arm, he turned to see who it was. Percy was surprised when his eyes landed on the familiar tan face framed with golden hair. "Annabeth."
"Is she all right? Jade brought her home and they went straight to her room."
Percy sighed, but saw real concern in the gray eyes. "Yeah, she's going to be fine. Emmy's going to stay with me tonight, but I'll bring her back tomorrow."
Annabeth nodded but the jealously was clear on her face, "Okay." After that she walked away, Percy watching her go.

Emmy met Percy outside, a back pack slung over her shoulder. "What's that?" The boy asked looking at the bag. "Over night stuff. You know, tooth-brush, hair brush. The whole nine yards." He nodded and held out his hand for her.
"We're going to have to walk, Paul and my mom went out to dinner." Emmy nodded and grabbed his hand. They walked side by side, not needing to say a word. Reaching his apartment they entered, slipping off their shoes. "So, what are the plans?" Emmy asked looking around.
"I don't know, how about we start with food?"
"Sounds like a plan."