ALL RIGHTS TO THE CHARACTERS (except Celeste, she's mine) BELONG TO THE AMAZING RICK RIORDAN!!! I DO NOT OWN THE PJO/HoO SERIES OR THE KANE CHRONICLES SERIES!!!!

Chapter 10 - Percy

Slamming the cabin door behind him, Percy slumped into his bed and buried his face into the pillow.

Why had Celeste told him to stay here!? Did she think he wasn't capable?!

He was perfectly fine of taking care of himself.

Percy sat up and sighed.

Maybe she was right. She was only trying to protect him.

A knock at the door made Percy jump.

"Percy?" It was Nico's voice. "They told me to come check on you. Can I come in?"

If Percy hadn't of known better, he could've sworn Nico sounded nervous.

"Sure." Percy said. He decided not to take his anger out on the kid. Nico was already antisocial as it is.

Nico came in wearing his normal outfit of an aviator's jacket, jeans, a black t-shirt, his skull ring, and his black Stygian iron sword at his waist.

"Um...I just wanted to say that I think you should go on this quest." Nico said softly. "I know Celeste's trying to protect you, I'd do the same thing for Hazel, but she's overreacting in my opinion."

Percy turned around, shocked. It was probably the most he'd heard Nico speak since the day he met him.

"Well...I agree." Percy said.

Nico nodded.

Then he pulled out a Yankees baseball cap.

It was Annabeth's.

"Where'd you-" Percy began, jumping up off the bed.

Nico interrupted. "I stole it. Don't tell her, just use it. You can go on this quest. You did the same thing back when...when...." Nico faltered.

However, the boy didn't have to finish. Percy knew what he meant. He meant the quest where Bianca died. Gods, it had been so long since then.

It was sad to think those were the easier days.

"Yeah, I know. You don't have to say it." Percy said, taking the cap from Nico's hand. "But thanks, I will."

Nico nodded and left without another word.

Percy tucked the hat into his jeans pocket and got into his pajamas.

An hour later, Celeste came in, barely able to stand.

Despite the anger at his sister, Percy ran up to help her across the room.

"Thanks." She muttered. She winced every time she took a step.

"My gods, how much energy is she draining from you?" Percy asked.

Celeste shrugged, which made her cry out in pain. "I-I'm pretty sure I could do the same to her...but I don't know how. Be reminded I haven't been a goddess for a very long time. Whoever this other-me is, she's more experienced."

Percy nodded and finally got Celeste across the room.

He gently helped her get into the bed and pulled the covers to her chin. "I thought you were sleeping in the infirmary again?" Percy asked.

Half-awake, Celeste shook her head. "No, I need to be ready for tomorrow. And Percy, I'm sorry for leaving you here, but I'm worried. You staying here would be the best. I'm telling you, I hate leaving you here, being away from you is torture, but I need you to stay. Alright?"

Percy nodded, hoping Celeste couldn't read his plan through his eyes. He felt guilty, but he wasn't going to let Celeste go face that creepy clone thing without him. "Alright." Percy finally said.

Celeste nodded, satisfied, and drifted off to sleep.

Percy smiled and climbed into his own bed. However, he had no dreams that night at all.

•••

When Percy awoke, Celeste wasn't in her bed.

He sat up, looking around, wondering if maybe he had slept too long and they had already left for the quest.

A knock at his door startled him and he hopped out of bed.

When it opened, Leo was standing there.

"Hey Percy. Did you just wake up?" Leo asked.

Percy nodded, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"What do you need?" Percy asked.

"Celeste wanted me to check on you. We're leaving in an hour. Argus is driving us out to Brooklyn to meet some of Carter and Sadie's friends to help us and then we're going to Manhattan. We're not sure what we're exactly planning on doing to stop this threat, but, hopefully we'll think of something." Leo said.

Percy nodded. "Where is Celeste?"

"In the dining area. She's saying goodbye to Tyson, I think he's crying. Poor guy." Leo said.

Percy smiled sadly. Tyson was the bravest Cyclops Percy had ever met, but he was very sensitive. He could imagine the big guy worried about Celeste just as much as Percy was.

"Well, tell her I'll be right out, I just have to get changed." Percy said.

Leo nodded and turned to leave. However, he stopped and whirled back around. "Wait, Percy."

"What's wrong?" Percy asked.

"Just remember, Celeste didn't want to leave you here. She's doing it to protect you. She cares about you a lot, Percy. I think maybe you should notice that before you start to judge her." Leo said.

Percy wanted to snap back a sarcastic comment, but Leo was right. Percy had been too quick to judge Celeste. She had been through so much more than he had, she deserved more respect. He was her brother and he had to care for her, it was his job.

"Thanks. I will." Percy said and he shut the door.

•••

He walked towards the dining pavilion after he had finished changing to find the group going on the quest, Chiron, Tyson, Grover, Rachel (who was looking better than she was a few days ago), Jason, Piper, and Celeste.

They were all talking and it was Annabeth who finally noticed Percy.

"Oh good, you're up. We're going to leave soon." Annabeth paused for a brief second and then ran up to Percy, startling him, and pressed her lips hard against his.

Percy let himself melt into Annabeth. Kissing her made time stop and in those moments, nothing mattered and no problems could get in their way.

So, Percy found himself severely disappointed when Annabeth finally let go of the kiss.

"I'll miss you. And that was for good luck. Remember, I promised. We come back alive, you get a good luck kiss. Well, now you have to promise me. Another kiss when we both come back alive, promise?" Annabeth whispered into his ear.

Percy smiled. "I swear on the River Styx."

Reluctantly, Annabeth let go of Percy and returned to her seat.

"Well, is everyone ready? I think we have everything we need." Celeste asked.

"Yeah, everything except a plan." Percy heard Nico mutter. No one else seemed to hear the son of Hades, but Percy turned in Nico's direction and gave him a confused look.

Nico smirked, something he didn't do a lot. But immediately, as if realizing what he was doing, he blushed and turned away from Percy's gaze.

After a few final goodbyes, Celeste, Annabeth, Nico, Hazel, Frank, Leo, Sadie, and Carter made their way to the edge of camp and let Argus drive them away in a van.

Just before they got in, Nico turned to Percy and made a gesture of putting on a hat.

Percy nodded secretly and watched the van drive off.

Beside him was Jason and Piper, looking disappointed and slightly annoyed.

"And here begins the heroic journey of sitting at camp doing nothing." Jason muttered sarcastically.

Piper turned to Percy then. "No offense Percy, but your sister's being a total jerk not letting us come. We're just as good as the others at fighting."

Percy managed a small nod. "Maybe she didn't want too many people on the quest." He mumbled.

Piper shrugged. "Maybe. Well, cheer up Percy, at least she didn't leave you here alone. We'll be in the dining pavilion if you need us."

Jason's hand clapped down on Percy's shoulder. "We're here for you man."

"Thanks." Percy muttered. "But I think I'm going to walk around the forest for awhile."

Jason and Piper exchanged a nervous glance.

"Just be careful Percy." Piper said nervously.

Percy smiled and pulled out Riptide, uncapping it. "I'll be fine." He said.

Jason gave a weak smile to his friend and then walked off with Piper by his side.

Once they were out of sight, Percy placed Riptide back in his pocket and glanced around to make sure no one was around.

When he saw that no one was there, he pulled out Annabeth's cap and placed it on his head.

He saw his hands disappear from view and immediately thought of Celeste's curse.

He sighed. "I'm doing this to help." He muttered to himself.

With one more glance around, Percy ran off after the van.

However, he couldn't shake the feeling that he wouldn't see Camp Half-Blood for a long while.