I am really sorry for my lack of updates, it has been a really busy last couple of weeks,

The reviews will pick up again next Friday but there may be one more before that!

Thanks for reading and reviewing

NICO

We arrived at the hospital and Thalia was in a state, she was panicking and I could practically hear her imagining the worst. Once we entered, we noticed Piper sitting in a chair with tears streaking her face. I went to sit with to her as a doctor walked up to where we were and spoke to us.

The doctor who attended to us was in his early fifties, he had a thin crop of hair and a kind face. "Are you Thalia Grace?" he asked with a grim look, my stomach sank slightly.

"Y-Yes I am," she stuttered as she walked forward to meet him.

"Well, your brother was in critical condition but we brought him out of the clear and it seems like he's going to be alright." Thalia exhaled in relief and broke into a smile, which faltered when the doctor continued speaking, "However, there is a problem. Because of the nature of your brother's accident and the extensive damage which was done to his leg and ribs, he is going to have to undertake another two or three surgeries, before the damage is fully repaired."

"Yes, so what exactly is the problem," Thalia asked confused.

"Well it's going to cost a lot more than your insurance can cover," the doctor continued,

Thalia's voice became smaller and her face paled, "How much more?" she whispered.

"About sixty thousand dollars or more," he finished.

Thalia let out a sharp exhale, "I-I can't afford it."

The doctor had a pitiful and sad look, "Then I'm sorry, we can't conduct the surgeries required and Jason is eventually going to lose all function of his left leg and have to live without a complete set of ribs."

I frowned, Jason didn't deserve that, he was a good kid who deserved the best in life. Thalia's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes watered. Piper who sat beside me had been listening and was still crying very steadily.

"I'll try to come up with the money, how long do I have before the payment is due?" she asked,

"Well, we have to conduct all of the surgeries between the next couple of days and since you don't have the money you're going to have to sign over all of your assets until you can pay for it."

Thalia nodded, "What does that entail exactly?"

"Well, it means that if you don't have the money within the next week, your home will be repossessed and put back on the market."

Thalia didn't even without missing a beat, "Where do I sign?"

I decided it was time to step in, "Wait, Thalia, are you sure you want to do this?"

Thalia looked at me like I was out of my mind, "Of course I want to do this! He's my brother, the only family I've got and I'm not going to lose him or let him live a miserable life." Her voice cracked and she returned her attention to the doctor who led her down the corridor to get some papers signed.

I sighed and watched her as she went, and then I turned to Piper who was still crying silently. I wrapped my hand around her, "Piper, what happened?"

"He-he was walking me home and as we were walking past a pedestrian crossing, some car was just speeding towards us. He pushed me out of the way and he was so close as well but the car hit his side and crushed his leg. It was the most horrible thing I had seen in my entire life Nico and it was all because he wanted to save me" she continued bawling her eyes out and I just held on to her.

This didn't need to happen to them, I looked down the hall in the direction that Thalia had gone in and suddenly had an idea. "Piper, I'll be right back." I said as I carefully stood up and escaped from her grasp.

I wondered why I didn't think of this before when the doctor mentioned the cost of the surgery, I was so stupid sometimes. I ran down the hall to see Thalia sitting in an empty room crying. I stood hesitantly at the door, wondering how I should approach the issue.

After a couple of seconds I decided to just brave it and speak to her, "Thalia?"

"What do you want Nico?"

"I wanted to speak to you about this whole situation."

"What can you possibly say? You're my boss who I foolishly slept with now I can't quit because if I do I'll be out of a job and I'll lose my house and my brother!"

I tried not to bristle at her harsh comments because I knew she was really upset. I took a deep breath and walked forward, "As your boss, it is my duty now to ensure my workers welfare is intact. So I can either get you a new house, or I can loan you the money to pay for his treatment."

"And what's the condition for this loan, that I continue sleeping with you?" she snapped back.

"No," I growled, "The condition is that you quit your job and finish grad school and then you come back to work for me."I couldn't believe she thought I wanted to help her only because of her body.

"Over my dead body, and how would I support myself through school? Where would I live, what would happen to Jason?" she shot back, "You obviously didn't think your little scheme through."

I stood silent for a second and drank in her appearance. She looked exhausted and this ordeal had just added another fifteen years on her too young age. I knew she didn't mean what she was saying; she was distraught with grief, sadness and frustration. I also knew she wasn't going to listen to me while she was in this state.

I sighed, "Thalia, I'm only trying to help you. I'm going to tell you my offer again but please just do me a favour and don't decide here. Go home once you're ready and sleep on it and then tell me on Tuesday when you get back to work."

She turned her back to me and refused to even look at me, I knew she wasn't going to give me her attention because she was determined not to take my help but u decided to pitch my offer anyway.

"Look, there are three options; first, the surgery is sixty thousand dollars I could pay for it and you get your house back and continue going to school to get your degree. Once you finish you could come back to work for me for a number of years and I'll use that to settle your debt. This way you don't have to quit your job. Second, if you really want to quit, I'll give you some time to find a new job while you stay in school and continue supporting you and Jason. When you do find a job, you can continue supporting yourself. The last option is that, I give you an apartment where I don't have to pay rent and you don't have to work, you focus on school and helping Jason get better and when you finish you work for me for a few years and then start your career with durable work experience."

She hadn't moved from her position and I knew then it was time for me to leave her alone. I took one last look at her and walked back to where I had left Piper.

I honestly hoped she accepted my request because honestly, why not help a friend? I had a lot of money, my best friends were rich and I had no close family except my Dad. If I could help her in her time of need why shouldn't I?