Disclaimer:: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus or its characters. They are the property of Rick Riorden, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Percy grabbed the others who were waiting nearby; they hadn't seen Kronos slip by so they took off separately to find Nico. Percy was in a panic until he spotted Clarisse's army fatigue jacket and he rushed towards her.

"Clarisse, where's Nico? I thought he was with you?"

"He was. He wondered off a little while ago. Whatever." Clarisse shrugged.

"I need to find him, now."

"Chill Percy, if he wants to talk to you he'll find you. Leave the kid alone for a while alright."

"No, you don't understand. You saw what happened yesterday, that guy."

"Yea..."

"He's here, and he's looking for Nico. He's looking to punish me for beating him but he knows he can't take me."

Suddenly Clarisse seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation, "So the coward is going to take it out on Nico. Don't worry; Nico's a lot stronger than he looks. And he has more combat training then you anyways."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nico's been taking martial arts for years. He's got 1st level Kyu in Aikido and a blue belt in Judo."

"How do you know?"

"We're friends, we talk. Anyways, he may have frozen yesterday but I bet he'd actually be better off alone."

"How could you say that?" Percy was shocked, how could Clarisse be so calm about this?

"Because, if there's no one to watch his back he won't freeze, he'll fight. And I bet he'll kick ass."

"Yea, well that's not exactly good either, Nico's on behavioral probation. If he gets caught fighting they'll throw him out of school. They will send him to military academy."

Clarisse's eyes went wide, "We have to find him." and they rushed off together.

Percy felt like he had searched every inch of the place and he hadn't seen either Nico or Kronos. His eyes caught on a sign above a door. EXIT. He pushed through into the back alley. He was so busy looking for Nico he didn't notice Kronos come up behind him and shove him into the wall. Percy smacked his face on the brick and fell. His eyes swam and he felt blood dripping down his face.

"I'm going to enjoy kicking your ass pretty boy."

Percy spat blood and tried to stand, He wobbled and couldn't stop himself from leaning against the wall. "Coward, you know you can't take me in a fair fight."

"There is no fair in war." Kronos smiled and stepped towards Percy cracking his knuckles.

"Oh come now, you don't want to fight him." Percy and Kronos both jumped at the sound of Nico's voice. "It's me your looking for." Percy tried to push himself off the wall to get between Nico and the other boy, but Kronos gently pushed him toppling Percy to the ground. He was dizzy and a little nauseous.

"Sit down pretty boy, the kitten wants to play." Kronos started towards Nico, who stood calmly across the alley from him.

He shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it to Percy, "Hang on to that for me, will ya Perce." He sounded so calm and looked relaxed. It was a complete 180 from the little boy he found in the hall yesterday. He could see Nico's muscles ripple under his shirt, he sleeves tight on his biceps. Clarisse had been right, Nico may be small but he had muscles hidden under his baggy clothes.

The two boys faced off, tensed and ready to fight. Percy wished he could stand up, but the way that cheep shoved into the wall had him down for the count. He watched as Kronos advanced on Nico swinging, but the smaller boy was too quick. He dodged and deflected every blow, and after a minute had his back to Percy with Kronos in front of the door panting.

"My little kittens all grown up, eh?" He said breathlessly.

"Don't call me that." Nico growled.

"Oh come on little kitten, quick dancing with me. Oh, wait, that's right. You're not allowed to fight. You can try and dance around all day but eventually I'm gunna get a hit in, and you'll go down. And your boyfriend is in no condition to defend himself."

Percy saw Nico's shoulders tense, his fists balled at his sides.

"Don't do it Nico, he's baiting you." Percy pushed himself to his feet, his head spinning.

"Shut up Percy." Nico snapped.

"Yes Percy, shut up" Kronos mocked, "Nico knows the choice he's got to make right now. If I take him down, you'll be left open. If he takes me down, he'll be shipped off the military academy. Do you know what they do to boys like our pretty little kitten in military school? You think I'm bad, woo wee, wait till the jarheads get a hold of him."

Percy pushed himself off and pulled Nico around, "Come on Nico, let's walk away, you and me. He's not worth it." Leaning his forehead against his.

"You can barely stand let alone walk." Nico spat out, gently trying to push Percy back against the wall.

Percy grabbed his waist and held on tight, "I can't sit here and let you throw your life away. I can't watch this ... Please don't make me watch this."

Nico sighed, unsure what to do. He didn't have to heart to tell Percy Kronos wasn't going to let them walk away.

"I'm going to be sick." Kronos spat at them. "The two of you disgust me!"

Nico pulled away fiercely and tried to take a step towards him. Percy, who had been using Nico to stay up right stumbled and grabbed hold again. Nico stopped, unwilling to let Percy fall, and glared at Kronos as he helped Percy back to the wall. Suddenly the door flew open, Mr. Ares and their friends spilling out. The teacher took one look at Percy trying to stay upright against Nico, blood on his face and grabbed Kronos by his arm.

"Let's go kid." Mr. Ares dragged Kronos inside, "Get Percy to the bus!" He shouted back over his shoulder.

Frank came up and draped one of Percy's arms around d his shoulder taking his weight.

Jason came up on his other side next to Nico."Do you want me to..."

Nico shook his head, "Thanks, but I got him."

The group slowly made their way to the front of the building and helped Percy onto the bus. Nico slid to the inside of the seat as the others helped ease Percy onto his back, his head on Nico's lap. Everyone was quiet. Mr. Ares climbed onto the bus shortly after.

"Nico, show me your hands." His voice was gentle but serious. Nico held his hands up, his knuckles facing the teacher, who seemed to sigh in relief. "I had to check."

"I know." Nico spoke quietly.

"I talked to Larry's teacher, he will be disciplined. Are you okay Percy? Do I need to take you to a hospital?"

"No coach, I'm fine." Percy pushed himself up. "I promise, just a little bump." Smiling weakly.

Mr. Ares crouched in front of him and gave him a quick check over. After declaring him fit he ordered them all to their seats so they could head back to the hotel. Percy jerked his head for Nico to follow him to the back. Nico took his usual seat by then window and Percy slid in next to him.

"You sure you're alright?" Nico asked quietly.

"Yea, just tired."

"You might have a concussion." Nico replied, his eyes cast down.

"I'm fine. Really. But hey, thanks for having my back out there." Percy bumped his shoulder.

"Just returning the favor." Nico shrugged.

"No, it's not the same. Me getting into a fight, hey no big deal. Slap on the wrist. But for you, I know what that will mean Nico. Kronos was right, military school would be hell for you."

Nico looked away without saying anything. He didn't know what he could say.

"Nikki, look at me, please." Percy begged, Nico shook his head. He couldn't meet those sea green eyes. He squeezed his own eyes shut. Percy knew, there was no way he didn't know; and Nico was too much of a coward to look Percy in the eyes. Percy sighed and pushed his arm around Nico's shoulders pulling him close. He rested his head on Nico's and reached down and took Nico's hand in his own. "I thought you would have figured it out by now, Nikki. It doesn't matter, not to me, not to any one of our friends. No one cares, not here." Nico tried to pull away, he could feel the tears threatening to fall, but Percy held him tight. "Oh no you don't, no running. Not this time. I just got my ass kicked, I might have a concussion."

Nico sniffled and gave a short laugh, "You said you were fine."

"I am. But only if you stay, right where you are." Percy brushed his lips against Nico's forehead and snuggled against him. "I'm okay as long as you stay with me."

Nico nodded. He may be dense, but he wasn't an idiot, he had figured out by now that Percy was like him. That's why he was being so supportive and understanding. He felt Percy's breathing slow down as he fell asleep. Nico shifted to get comfortable but didn't try to pull away; he snuggled into Percy's chest and closed his eyes. The green eyed boy was right, he just got his ass kicked and he deserved whatever he wanted. He would try to figure out exactly what that was later. Wrapped up in Percy's arms Nico fell asleep.