A/N Hi! Welcome to my purely self-indulgent PJO fic, that came to me at 1am while trying to fall asleep. This will be the first part of many, as I plan on making this a series, spanning from this fic, all the way to the end of HoO, and maybe some future fics. This first part is done and should be updated weekly on Wednesday. This fic has consumed my soul, so I apologise to anyone waiting for updates to TKatS or EatWotS, I am still working on both of those, I just won't post anymore chapters until they're mostly all written.
Enjoy!


The machine beeped next to Sally, the only noise in the otherwise silent hospital room.

Her hands trembled as she clasped her son's hand, the white cast engulfing his arm, the other bandages winding around his chest as he struggled to breath.

The tear tracks on her face had long since dried, but the dull throbbing of her cheek remained. In her guilt, she had denied help, tried to claim it was an accident, but the older nurse had given her a look; a look full of pity and understanding, full of the need to help, but not quite knowing how.

And how could the nurse understand? Percy was the most precious thing in Sally's world, her home and her heart. It was her job to protect her son, was why she had done what she had. But when the protection came at the cost of her son, what benefit did it provide? How could she ignore this, tell herself that it would be better in the long run, that they, that he would be safer for longer, when her son was currently lying in a hospital bed, arm and ribs broken by the man she had married to unknowingly protect him?

But where else would her and Percy go?

She could barely afford his school fees, let alone renting an apartment, she had no money, no family, and could barely support her son.

If they left, Sally would be subjecting her son to the streets, a life of homelessness, could even potentially have him taken away by the authorities. And on the streets… well, the streets would be far more dangerous.

There was one more option, though. One which she dare not think about, but might be the only viable option.

Her hand swayed to her pocket, where she kept it. It being nothing more than a slip of paper, carefully folded into her wallet. But it wasn't what it was which was important but rather what was on it.

A number.

A number which could change everything, "A failsafe", he had said. "Just in case."

More guilt rose up her throat, a ball of tightness constricting her chest.

It might be their only option, and yet there was a chance she would never see Percy again. But if she did it, she could get away from Gabe, set up the proper support for her and her son.

The tears returned, softer this time, not like the raging, choking sobs which had wracked her body as she had held her son, waiting for the ambulance to come. Gently, she combed her hand through his hair, in an attempt to smooth it down, eyes running over the baby cheeks of her son, committing them to memory.

There was so much of his father in him, the dark hair, green eyes, she couldn't help but be afraid.

Fear over whether or not they would recognise him there, would recognise his father in him. Percy was too young to know the dangers, and yet, his life could become more dangerous if he stayed.

Sharp paper edges cut into her palms, bringing Sally back to reality as fresh tears started to fall, staring at the crumpled card in her palm.

She had no other option.

It was the only way.