Wow, thank you all. This story is getting a really good response. :-) I'm glad you all seem to like it. Sorry that this one isn't updates as often as my other stories. The chapters are around twice as long so it takes longer to write. I will still update at least once a week. I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Important thing to note... This will be yaoi (boy-boy). Don't like? You do not have to read.

Disclaimer- I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus series. (One can dream though) All rights go to the proper parties.

ΩΩΩ

Nico tried to put the encounter out of his head as he went back to his godly duties. He had more than enough of them to occupy him but he still found himself carving out some of his time to go and check on Percy. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't curb his desire to protect the boy. It was something that Nico had done for Percy in his past life as well.

When the temptation to check on him became too much, Nico would go and see the boy. He made sure to stay hidden in the shadows so that Percy would not be influenced by his presence.

Sometimes it was harder than others to maintain his distance from the child. When the boy was 7, he was bullied for his ADHD and his dyslexia. When Nico arrived at Percy's school one day and saw him surrounded by a group of older boys, he had to force himself to remain in the shadows. Seeing one of the boys raise his fist to strike Percy made Nico see red. In the end, Nico was glad that he had stayed hidden. Percy reacted on instinct and was able to avoid the blow. When Percy countered with a hit of his own, the others backed off. Percy looked stunned by his own natural reactions and Nico couldn't help but smile. It proved to the son of Hades that the memories of his past life were still in him somewhere.

The next time that truly tested his resolve was two years later. Nico found Percy crying behind the shed at his foster parent's house. The young god was so stunned by the sight that he froze for a few moments. He watched the 9 year old boy shake with internal torment. Percy was looking down at something in his hand. A closer inspection of the item showed that it was a red card cut in the shape of a heart. Nico couldn't understand as to why a piece of paper would create such a powerful reaction until he realized the significance of the item.

A Valentine's Day card...

Where most children would think of candy and crushes, Percy would be reminded of the day he lost his mother. Nico had to wrap the shadows tighter around his body in order to stop himself from acting on his desire to go and comfort the boy. He wanted nothing more than to help the child. Nico had lost his own mother and his sister at a very young age. He knew the pain that Percy was feeling. Nico had been forced to endure his losses alone. He didn't want Percy to have to do the same, yet the son of Hades had a feeling his interference would only make things worse.

Nico ran a hand through his hair and frowned. He had sworn to himself that he wouldn't interfere with the child's life, yet he couldn't leave without doing anything. Nico looked around himself, trying to come up with a solution that would help the boy. His eyes caught on the ring he wore on his pinkie. It was a silver ring in the shape of a skull. It had been a gift from his father, Hades. Nico wasn't certain as to whether or not Percy would understand what the item meant to him but it was the best he could do.

Nico conjured a piece of paper, a pen, and an envelope. He wrote a quick note and enclosed the ring and the paper inside. He sent the letter through the shadows to the crying boy and flashed out before he could regret his decision.

ΩΩΩ

Percy had been hiding from his foster family. He loved them but he could never forget his real mom. Every Valentine's Day, he was forced to remember that terrible night. Most of the time he was able to push the memories to the back of his mind but from time to time he would remember the man who had called himself Nico.

Sometimes, he almost thought the kind man was a dream. No one else had seen him. Percy had not seen his friend since that night either. Once in a while though, he swore that he could sense him. Yet whenever he looked around, no one was there.

He rubbed his eyes and tried to stop the tears. He really wished that he had someone to talk to now like he did then. He needed someone to tell him that everything was alright, even though it wasn't. He knew that his foster family cared for him but he also knew it hurt them to see him upset. Percy had never liked hurting people so he usually hid when it was too much to keep inside.

Percy thought he saw a flash of light in the corner of his eye but when he looked up, it was gone. He frowned and looked back down. His gaze caught on a black envelope beside him. He picked it up and tilted his head in confusion. He was almost positive that it hadn't been there when he had sat down. There was no writing on the outside. He bit his lip and tried to decide if he should open it or not. He had no way of knowing if it was for him but his curiosity won out.

He tore open the envelope and something fell to the ground. Percy picked up the object. He looked at it and discovered it was a ring. The ring was made of a heavy silver metal. It was fashioned in the shape of a very realistic skull. The way the light glinted off of it almost made it look like it was alive. Percy felt like he should have been disturbed by how lifelike it looked but all he could think about was how beautiful it was.

He tried it on and discovered that it fit perfectly on his right index finger. He looked into the envelope and saw that there was a white piece of paper. He pulled out the letter and tried to read it. It took him a while to make sense of the writing with his dyslexia but eventually he managed to read the entire thing...

Dear Percy,

I am sorry that I cannot be there for you in person. I know that you could really use a friend right now. I just ask that you trust me. There are reasons that I cannot interfere. I simply want you to remember that you are not alone. No matter how bad things get, there are people that you can rely on. You do not need to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders. I have enclosed my ring as a reminder that you are not alone.

Take care, young one.

Nico

Percy felt his eyes widen in surprise as he read the name at the bottom of the note. He looked around him but he couldn't see anyone. He bit his lip. He knew that it was highly unlikely that it was the same man who had helped him the night his mother died, but he had never met anyone else named Nico. It was too much of a coincidence.

He reread the note until he had it practically memorized. Somehow he felt lighter. The note was proof to him that Nico really did exist. He didn't know how the note had ended up beside him or how Nico knew he needed it but he didn't really care. He was simply content with the knowledge that someone was looking out for him.

Percy wondered if Nico was an angel, like the guardian angels from the stories his mother used to read him. The thought made him smile. He put the hand with the ring on it near his heart and closed his eyes.

He would never have to be alone; he had a real guardian angel.

ΩΩΩ

Things came to a head the year Percy turned 12.

It had been too long since Nico had been able to check on him. Hades and Demeter were having another argument about Persephone and Nico managed to get caught up in it. He had not been able to sneak away to check on the boy in almost 8 months. He was feeling impatient; he needed to assure himself that Percy was still okay.

He was ridiculously thankful when he finally managed to find a few hours. He reached out to Percy's soul and allowed it to pull him through the shadows to the young demigod's location.

Nico stepped out of the shadows onto a darkened street. The instant he looked around he knew Percy was in trouble. The bruised and bleeding boy was backed against a wall, armed only with a broom, surrounded by three hell hounds and the Minotaur. As Nico watched, one of the hellhounds snapped the head off of the broom leaving Percy holding a broken handle. The young god shook his head in disbelief as he looked at the half bull half man. Everyone knew that the first monster Percy had ever slain had been the Minotaur. The son of Hades was a little surprised that fate had come full circle.

The difference this time though was in the hellhounds. No untrained demigod, no matter how powerful, could fight off four monsters. The young god of the underworld stood in the shadows, unseen, as the events began to unfold.

ΩΩΩ

A hellhound lunged for Percy's throat. Percy dove to the side to avoid the attack but that put him right in front of the Minotaur. Before the young demigod could do anything, the Minotaur backhanded him into the wall. Percy's head collided painfully against the brick and he collapsed to the ground. The half bull charged the disoriented boy. Percy shook his head and looked up in time to see the monster rushing towards him to deliver the final blow.

Nico saw the moment that lost memories from his last life kicked in. Percy grabbed the broken broom handle from off the ground and braced it against the wall. The Minotaur saw the implement too late to stop and its own momentum drove the impromptu stake into its heart. The monster exploded into a shower of golden dust.

The stake fell to the ground. The adrenaline that had been keeping Percy going that long had finally run out. He could do nothing but watch as the remaining monsters regrouped for a final attack. The young demigod looked into the eyes of the closest beast and knew that it was over. Percy closed his eyes as the first monster pounced.

When the pain never came Percy opened his eyes. He saw a man standing in front of him, dressed head to toe in black. The man's black sword was impaled to the hilt in the neck of one of the hellhounds. The beast disintegrated into a golden dust.

The other two hounds switched their attention to the new target. Percy watched on in amazement as the man began his attack. He swung his blade with deadly accuracy. The way he dodged between the monsters was practically a dance. Percy had never seen anything so captivating.

The battle was over before Percy even knew it. The stranger's blade impaled one and, in the same movement, had spun around and beheaded the other. He could only stare on in amazement as he saw the man sheath his sword before turning back to face him.

When the stranger knelt before Percy, his heart started to beat faster. His eyes widened in admiration and he smiled, "Nico..."

ΩΩΩ

To say that Nico was surprised that the young boy remembered him was an understatement. He had not allowed the boy to see him since the day they had met, nearly 7 years in the past.

"You remember me Piccolo?"

Percy tilted his head in confusion and Nico was instantly reminded of a puppy. "Isn't that a type of fish?"

Nico blinked in surprise before he tossed his head back and started to laugh. Percy began to pout at the reaction. The young god tried to silence his laughter as he shook his head, "You misunderstand me. I am saying piccolo, not pickerel. Piccolo means 'little one' in Italian."

Percy's eyes widened and his face darkened in embarrassment, "Oh."

Nico couldn't help but smile at the boy's reactions. He was incredibly relieved that Percy hadn't been gravely injured. The young god knew there would be hell to pay for his actions but at the moment, he didn't care.

Nico reached into his pocket and brought out a square of ambrosia. "Here young one, eat this."

Percy took it and frowned, "What is it?"

"It is something that will help you heal faster."

It was only after the boy hesitantly took a bite that he realized that he had probably been taught not to take food from strangers.

Percy's eyes widened and he smiled, "It tastes like chocolate chip cookies!"

Nico chuckled quietly in amusement. The boy was so innocent, everything seemed to impress him. It reminded Nico of the day he had first learned about the gods. It made the young god question as to why Percy had not asked him what the creatures were yet. He didn't want to rush the conversation but he was also quite curious about Percy's relaxed attitude.

"Are you certain that you are alright Piccolo?"

Percy nodded as he happily ate the rest of the ambrosia, "I am fine now. Thank you for saving me. What were those things?"

Nico shook his head in confusion. He had never seen anyone look so calm. Surprised... of course, disbelieving... usually, happy... once or twice, but never calm. "Perhaps this is not the best place to talk young one. Come with me."

He had expected Percy to object but the young boy simply nodded and struggled to his feet. He swayed a little and Nico had to catch his arm so that he didn't fall. Percy waved away his concern and Nico's frown deepened. He was worried about just how hard Percy had hit his head off the wall. When Percy began wobbling again Nico shook his head. He knew there was no way that Percy would be able to travel all the way to Long Island on foot.

Nico sighed. In for a penny, in for a pound...

He caught Percy's arm and wrapped his other arm around the demigod's waist. "Hold on and close your eyes Piccolo."

"Why?"

Nico gave the boy a pointed look and the demigod rolled his eyes before complying without further complaint. Nico smiled a little at the boy's stubbornness. "Do not open your eyes until I say so."

The young god of the underworld double checked to make sure that Percy's eyes were still closed. When he saw they were, he took a deep breath and flashed out.

ΩΩΩ

They appeared at the bottom of Half-Blood Hill. Looking up the hill, Nico could see Thalia's pine illuminated against the moon. Nico heard a sickly groan and looked down. Percy was a little green but he still had his eyes screwed tightly closed.

Nico gave him a small smile, "You may open your eyes now young one."

Percy cracked one eye before looking up at the god, sickness clear on his face. "What happened? That was terrible"

The young god of the underworld gave him an apologetic smile and stepped back, "I teleported us."

Percy looked around in surprise. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open. "What... Where are we?"

Nico heard thunder rumbling in the distance and knew that his time with Percy was almost up. He sighed and answered the boy's question, "Long Island."

Percy looked stunned, "New York?"

Nico nodded and glanced over his shoulder. The lightning was getting closer by the minute. Nico knew that he needed to go but he wanted to make sure that Percy would be alright first.

"Yes."

Percy looked at Nico as though he was the most amazing thing he had ever seen, "How did you do that?"

The young god of the underworld ran a hand though his hair. He wanted to be the one to tell Percy everything but he knew if he didn't get to Olympus soon, Zeus would be likely to fry Percy simply out of spite.

"I wish I could explain things to you but I have to go. Head up the hill towards that tree. When you get to the top, look down, you will see a blue house. Head to that house, they will explain everything to you there."

Percy's smile fell, "You're not coming?"

Nico frowned. He didn't want Percy to be upset but he had no choice. "I'm sorry Piccolo. I have somewhere I have to be."

Percy looked up and Nico couldn't help but think of a baby seal. He looked broken hearted as he asked, "When will I see you again?"

They young god refused to set a date. He didn't want to make a promise and be forced to break it. "I promise; I will be back as soon as I am able."

Percy nodded his head in defeat and wrapped his arms around the god. "I will miss you."

Nico's eyes widened in surprise as he returned the boy's embrace, "I will miss you as well young one." The god pulled away and took a few steps back. "Get going piccolo. The sooner you make it to the house, the better."

The young demigod clearly didn't want to leave. As happy as that made the god, he knew it was best for Percy to get to the safety of Camp Half blood. Percy looked back at Nico one final time as he started walking up the hill. As soon as he had turned away once more, Nico flashed out.

ΩΩΩ

The reactions of the gods were even worse than Nico had imagined. He had never seen the council in such a state.

Poseidon was going toe to toe with Zeus; the sea was literally fighting the sky. Nico did not envy anyone who lived on the shores. Ares was being physically restrained by Dionysus and Hephaestus as he tried to attack Hermes. Apollo and Demeter were sitting to the side; taking bets on whether or not the two gods would be enough to hold him back. Athena and Hera were arguing with Aphrodite and Artemis. Nico couldn't help but feel a bit of surprise at that. It was the first time he had ever seen Artemis and Aphrodite agree on anything.

As soon as the council realized that he was there however, all fighting came to a stop. The eyes of every god turned to look at him.

Nico had to force himself not to fidget. He had been under the glares of every Olympian at least once but never all at the same time. He had no idea what to say so he was almost grateful when Zeus broke the silence.

"Just what did you think you were doing?"

Nico raised an eyebrow. "I was killing a rouge hellhound. Last I check that was part of my godly duties."

He hadn't thought it was possible for Zeus to get even redder, "YOU WERE INTERFERING WITH A MORTAL!"

The young god of the underworld had to refrain from rolling his eyes at Zeus's temper. He knew it wouldn't pay to antagonize him any further.

Nico was grateful when Poseidon decided to interrupt. "Brother, we try to not interfere with mortals but we do it all the time. The very existence of demigods proves that we cannot always help ourselves."

The king of the gods turned his rage on his brother, "YOU DARE DEFEND HIM?"

The god of the sea ignored his brother's temper. "He shouldn't have interfered so directly but there is no reason to take out your fury on the child."

Nico felt himself pale. He hadn't thought that they would consider punishing Percy over his actions. He suddenly started running through solutions that would allow him to protect the demigod if it got that far. There was not a lot he could do but if it came down to it, he could always feed him one of Persephone's pomegranates. He didn't want to trap him but if it was Percy's death or bringing him to the underworld, Nico wouldn't hesitate. He just had to hope it didn't come to that.

Zeus snorted, "Oh and I suppose this has nothing to do with the fact that the boy is your spawn? Would you be saying the same thing if it was, say, one of my children that he interfered with?"

Poseidon narrowed his eyes at the challenge, "Of course. I did not object to you turning your daughter into a tree to save her life. How is this any different? If Nico says that the hellhounds were rouge, then who are we to disagree with his decision."

"I AM THE KING OF THE GODS!"

Nico rolled his eyes but before he could say anything, Artemis interrupted. "Of course you are father. However it would not be fair to punish the boy for the young god's crimes."

Zeus opened his mouth to retort but Hera put a hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps, my dear, it would be best if we called a vote on this matter."

The king of the gods looked like he wanted to ignore her but a subtle squeeze had him sitting down in his throne. "Very well, who believes we should kill the boy for Nico's interference?"

The young god of the underworld was nervous. The vote could easily go either way. His heart fell a little further with each hand raised. Zeus, Hera, Ares, Hephaestus, and Athena all raised their hands. Nico's heart felt a little lighter but he wouldn't be satisfied until the second vote was taken. A god didn't have to vote if they didn't agree with either option.

Zeus growled at the minority but continued none the less. "All those who believe that the boy is innocent, raise your hands."

Poseidon and Aphrodite immediately raised their hands. Slowly Apollo, Hermes, and Artemis also lifted theirs. Nico's heart started to beat painfully in his chest; it was five/five. An even split always favored the king of the gods. Just as Zeus began to look victorious, Demeter also raised her hand.

Thunder shook across the sky but there was nothing Zeus could do to change the outcome. The king of the gods turned to Dionysus. "Do you not have a vote?"

The wine god shrugged, "Killing him seems excessive. Besides, he was certainly entertaining in his last life. I am alright with the boy continuing to live... for now at least."

Zeus growled and turned a glare on the son of Hades, "Very well. The child shall live, but know this. Any more interference and I will kill him where he stands."

Nico nodded and gave a polite bow as the air went out of his chest.

Percy was safe.