Hasty Christmas pressie to you all as I am feeling much better today thank goodness! Also yes it is a present but also uh- sorry not sorry.

The first three hours of the drive went well enough, Zoe falling asleep, her forehead resting against the car window while Bianca and Thalia napped too- Thalia's head resting on Bianca's shoulder and Bianca's head leaning against Thalia's, and when they stopped and switched drivers Grover moved to the back and Percy sat in the passenger seat, relaxing in the chair while Zoe drove, and really

Percy was kind of proud that they didn't wake Thalia and Bianca. It was impressive.

The first hour or so of Zoe driving was fairly quiet. Grover fell asleep in the back with Thalia and Bianca- who was wearing Thalia's jacket- the daughter of Zeus had insisted when she'd seen that Bianca was shivering slightly when they were getting into the car.

That was probably as much from the blood loss as from the cold and Bianca had given in when Thalia had threatened to zap her every time she so much as opened her mouth to argue.

Percy could appreciate Thalia's style honestly. She'd probably do exactly the same thing. They took care of the people they loved. It was kind of heart warming honestly.

After about an hour of Zoe driving Percy turned her head to look at the other girl.

The daughter of Atlas was staring ahead as she drove, a distant look on her face and Percy bit her lip hard before she decided to take a risk. "Zoe. Can I ask you a question?" she pitched her voice low- she didn't want to wake the others if she could avoid it.

"What is it?" Zoe didn't turn her head, but Percy saw her eyes flick towards her, just for a second. "It depends of thy question."

"My sword." Percy shifted slightly, "I saw the look on your face and I saw the way Artemis looked at you. Is there some kind of history there?"

And Zoe stiffened slightly, her lips thinning, gaze hardening as she stared out at the road ahead.

For several long moments Percy thought that Zoe was going to ignore her question. But after what felt like a lifetime she must have decided to share after all because she said, "I made it. A gift and a mistake."

"You don't have to tell me more." Percy spoke quietly, "But- sometimes talking can help. Or so my mom always says when bad stuff happens."

"Your mother may be a wise woman." Zoe's grip on the wheel tightened reflexively before relaxing. "You know who my father is."

"Yeah, and for the record, I definitely prefer you to him. Even if you are a little…" Percy paused to consider her word before, "uptight about some stuff."

"You're lucky to be alive if you truly fought my father." Zoe paused before, "You know a reasonable amount about mythology. You know about the Hesperides?"

"Yeah. You were one of them? The stories say there were four-"

"There are now. I was exiled. Forgotten. Blotted out as if I never existed."

"Why?"

Zoe gave Percy a sidelong look. "Because I betrayed my family and helped a hero. You won't find that in the legend either. He never spoke of me. After his direct assault on Ladon failed, I gave him the idea of how to steal the apples, how to trick my father, but he took all the credit."

"Dick move." Percy nodded to herself, "I'm sorry. That you were used like that. No one deserves that." She paused, "But- just for the record, just because one male hero was a dick doesn't mean they all are. I think- I think you've let the pain of the betrayal poison your heart against all men." She could remember the way Zoe had looked at Luke, the way she'd look at boys as they'd made their way to the beach.

"What would you know of betrayal? Of the cruelty of men?"

"When-" Percy paused before, "When I was five- my mom was married to this real jerk. His name was Gabe. He used to pinch me, just to hurt me. Only in places my clothes hid it though. Then one day I puked in his car. I was sick it wasn't my fault but- he lost it. He started dragging me around, beating me up." Percy reached up, brushing her fingers over the scar that ran through her eyebrow.

"I was five and he actually said it was a shame I was too young to be useful. I'm sure you know what he was getting at." She shuddered slightly. "I hit him in the balls and ran away. But- but that was a pretty big moment in my life. The first time anyone really hurt me like that."

"I see." Zoe's expression was almost softer, "And yet you still have faith in men."

"Yeah, well the same day I met Julius Kane. The man my mom later went on to marry. He was a good man. And of course I had Carter too. My big brother. And… sure my dad did let me down at times but he did what he had to do. He did his best. And Carter? Yeah he'd die to make sure I was safe and happy. I'm not saying all men are great. Believe me I know they aren't-" Percy pulled a face, nose wrinkling, "I'm probably the most famous fourteen year old girl in America. Believe me I've seen some shit from creepy men. But there are good ones too."

"I do not believe I could ever trust a man again." Zoe's voice was quiet, "I lost everything and gained nothing-"

"Hey I'm not saying you have to trust a man. I'm just saying that maybe it's time to stop living in the past. Resenting all men alive… it can't be a great way to live."

"Perhaps not." Zoe conceded after a long moment. "I shall think on thy words." She shot a sidelong glance at Percy. "For your sake I hope that you face no betrayals by the men in your life. Trusting the son of Hermes is a dangerous gamble. Even ignoring the fact that he is a man."

"I'm used to taking some pretty dangerous gambles." Percy gave a wry smile, "Sometimes you have to gamble if you want to win. You know what I mean?"

"I believe I see what you're saying yes." Zoe nodded before, "I do not like the sword. It reminds me too much of a past I wish I could leave behind. But I suppose if anyone has to wield the blade it is fitting that it is the first demigod daughter of the sea. And I am happy that it is you."

"I- thank you." Percy felt her face flushing. "I- I appreciate that." She paused, "Are you- I know it can't be easy. You're going to have to come face to face with your father."

"I will do what I must." Zoe shook her head, "When last I saw him he swore that the next time he saw me he would kill me himself."

"That's why Artemis wanted you to stay behind."

"Yes. But I'm not an errant child or a fool-"

"No, no you're not. But she only gave the order because she doesn't want to lose you." Percy pointed out. "I think- when stuff like that comes from love you have to be willing to cut a little slack." She gave Zoe a wild little grin. "That doesn't mean you have to listen to them of course but I mean, you don't get angry with them for trying to protect you."

"I get the feeling that you have never let anyone tell you what to do in your life."

"Not really." Percy snickered. "I like to think I'm a free spirit. An agent of Chaos-"

"You're a nerd is what you are." The grumble came from the back, from Bianca, and Percy twisted in her seat, eyes narrowing at her as she looked back. Bianca was awake, still snuggled into Thalia's jacket.

"I'm a nerd? Really? Really I'm a nerd-"

"Uh huh miss 'I'm an agent of Chaos'." Bianca snickered. "Nerd. Such a nerd. You think you're really funny don't you-"

"Is there more to the joke?" Zoe tilted her head curiously, "It does confuse me. I would not expect thou to be fond of Chaos given your story."

"Oh I love Chaos." Percy winked at Bianca, who smothered her laughter with her hand- or more accurately with the cuff of Thalia's jacket which was a little too big on the daughter of Hades. The laughter still shook her shoulders though, which made Thalia let out a grumbling noise of complaint.

"Stop laughin' or I'll zap you." Her voice was muffled by Bianca's shoulder and thick with sleep. It was kind of adorable.

"Sorry." Bianca's expression was sheepish, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"I'll forgive you." Thalia opened one eye, "Might not forgive Percy for making you laugh though. What's so funny about whatever you were saying?"

"Nothing." Percy pressed her lips together tightly, trying to push down her laughter. "It's nothing Thalia."

"Ah yes, because we really believe that." Thalia snorted, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous. Both of you." Percy saw her shove her hand beneath the jacket and tee Bianca were wearing and then there was a startled little yelp.

"Hey!"

"That's what you get for making dumb jokes we don't get."

"Rude." Percy poked her tongue out, "I think my jokes are spectacular thank you very much."

"She's wrong." Bianca deadpanned, "They're terrible lame nerdy jokes. She just thinks she's funny."

"Bianca DiAngelo I'll tell your dad you're picking on me if you're not careful-"

"Oooh, so scary." Bianca mocked, "I'm terrified. I will never tease you ever again even if you are a freaking dumbass nerd sometimes-"

"I thought you thought I was cool." Percy pouted, "I thought you looked up to me. All of this backchat is a travesty. How can you treat me like this?"

"I can look up to you and still call you out when you're a dumbass." Bianca said lightly.

"Traitor. You're a traitor through and through." Despite her words Percy was grinning, and Thalia and Zoe were amused even though they didn't fully understand what the two girls were joking about.

"You two act like sisters." Thalia shook her head, a smile flicking across her lips. "It's adorable."

"Well Percy is basically my big sister." Bianca spoke up. "Took me under her wing when I got to Brooklyn House."

"Well you needed someone to teach you what's fashionable and what's not." Percy shot the girl a teasing grin. "Honestly you should have seen her Thalia-"

"Hey don't make fun." Bianca laughed, "I was used to forties fashion. In Italy."

"You- right I forgot. You said something about being hidden somewhere you didn't age." Thalia paused, "That must have been weird. Adjusting to the modern world."

"It was. I was lucky. I have a friend Kaya- she helped a lot. And Percy was there to help me understand how things worked."

"Well if you need any more help I'll be around." Thalia offered- and Percy found herself grinning at that.

It would be good for Bianca to have more friends. Nico made friends easily- he and Felix were constantly thick as thieves and he was so full of energy and zest for life that people were drawn to him. Percy was fairly sure that was because of how well Bianca had raised him. He was confident and happy in who he was- and she also was pretty sure that was helped by Anubis and Walt's influence. There was no shame in connections to the Underworld in Egyptian cultures.

Percy wondered if he'd be quite so confident if he'd been involved with the Greeks right away. She knew their attitudes were different.

Well, she'd protect Bianca and Nico from that side of the Greek stuff. Not that Bianca would need much protection- she was strong.

Stronger than she had been when they'd first met. And growing stronger every day.

Percy turned her gaze ahead again- looking forward into the darkness- and her eyes widened, "ZOE LOOK OUT!"