CHAPTER 2: THE REUNION.

The return of Percy Jackson was quite the sensation. Though, if anyone had asked Dolly it appeared to be more of a nuisance. The constant stream of people flocking the house was getting larger and larger as they all trooped in to see this modern day Lazarus. Either way she wasn't quite sure what to make of this new 'brother' of his. He was a witty fellow but he was nervous of the attention just as much as she was. They'd sat for dinner that day and her or was it their mother who had absolutely outdone herself.

All the food in the world had lay before them. Dolly had shown it no mercy and was digging in when the conversation began from a very nervous Paul at dessert.

"So Percy where have you been?" he asked. He was still trying to wrap his head around the whole idea of Percy coming back to life though considering he was already aware of his existence it was a bit easier from him.

Percy cleared his throat nervously.

"When the plane landed I found myself on an island. Spent some time their trying to find a way to get off. Took a while till some cruise ship passed by. Managed to light a bonfire. I boarded it and –yeah that's how I ended up here,"

"Where you alone?" Dolly took on the role of investigator.

For an instant a strange look flashed on his face before he cleared his throat.

"No there were several survivors,"

"Where did they go?"

Percy choked on whatever was in his throat which was probably air.

"Dolly now take it slow," Sally intervened.

Dolly saw how she looked at Percy almost afraid he'd vaporize any moment.

"It's fine mom," Percy said.

It wasn't fine and Dolly knew it. His eyes were unfocused, his hands were twitching and the mood round the table was thick with tension.

"Time to go to bed Dolly," Paul said breaking through the veil of silence.

"But Dad!" she protested but one cross look from Sally and she took her utensils from the table, dropped them in the sink and grudgingly went up the stairs to her room.

…

TEN YEARS AGO.

FLIGHT 96787

Percy woke up with the near overwhelming sensation to puke. His head throbbed and he could hear his heart beating. He was strapped to a seat …an airplane seat. He looked around him. The seat next to him was empty. his mother was supposed to be seated there if his memory served him right and he wasn't quite sure about that as with his headache or was it migraine if you felt your head was about to go off. He unstrapped himself and walked don the aisle to one of those pretty women with uniform. The woman was indeed quite pretty.

"Excuse miss, I can't find my mother," Percy surprised at his own politeness.

The woman observed him closely. She moved to speak but the plane lurched and she flew to one side with little ceremony.

"We are experiencing weather difficulties all passengers take to your seats and strap in. this could get nasty," the pilot's voice ran out through the plane.

Comforting words Percy thought as he rushed back to his seat and strapped himself in. the plane rocked again. Percy clenched his teeth tightly. Thunder boomed loudly. Cold shivers rose up his spine. Percy felt his stomach plunge. The plane was taking a dip. Percy clenched his teeth and shut his eyes tightly. Where are you mom? He thought as the plane spiraled completely out of control.

PRESENT TIME.

Sally Jackson observed her son closely. He was tall, well-built and as handsome she had expected. But he had changed. He's probably not the same boy you knew Paul had told her. Sally refused to accept that at least verbally. There was an energy in his frame waiting to burst out. Survival instincts she thought. But she knew deep inside her there was more. His green still shone but not with the childish joy she remembered they seemed to analyse everything and anything. Searching for threats and whatnot she wasn't sure. They stood side by side washing utensils in a peaceful quite harmony.

"So Paul huh?" he said looking at her with a mischievous twinkle in his eye she recognized.

"What?" she replied lost for words.

'Seems like a nice guy," he continued.

"Where are you going Perseus Jackson?"

"I don't know it's good to know you were happy when I –"

He looked away a long distant look in his eye.

"I missed you," she said.

"I know mom. I know,"

He turned to speak again before stopping. In an instant he was up the staircase to dolly's room.

The ear piercing scream came moments later. Sally followed up the staircase.

Dolly was sprawled across the floor. Percy was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Percy?' she asked as she cradled Dolly into her arms.

Surprisingly she wasn't crying.

"The man-there was a man. Percy –he took Percy,"

Sally Jackson felt her stomach contract. He couldn't be gone. Not again.