Paul and I had been about to go on our date at about 8:30. At 9:00, Percy still hadn't come. I started to get worried.

Paul bounced Estelle in his hip(who Percy was supposed to be babysitting) and I dialed his number.

It seemed to ring forever. I finally hung up. "He's not answering." I told Paul. "Try Annabeth," he suggested. I tried Annabeth. She didn't answer either.

"Jason?" Paul asked hopefully. I but my lip and dialed Jason's number. Thank the gods he picked up!

"M-Mrs. J-Jackson?" He asked, his voice trembling. I frowned. "It's just Sally, dear. Have you seen Percy? I can seem to get ahold of him." I kept talking for a little while and then he said the words that broke my heart.

"There was a crash. The ambulance just took Percy and Annabeth to the hospital."

I couldn't comprehend his words. Percy was fine, right? He was going to be here any minute to babysit Estelle, right?

"We'll meet you there," I said in a low voice.

I hung up the phone, ran upstairs pulling off my dress and threw on some jeans and a sweater. "Sally?" Paul called.

"Date night's cancelled!" I yelled down the stairs, "put something comfortable on!"

He ran up the stairs with our one year old daughter and asked, "What's going on?"

I avoided his eyes as I wiped the make up off my face. "Jason said there was a crash, we're meeting them at the hospital."

Paul nodded, gave me the baby, and ran to change out of his expensive suit. Estelle just sat in my lap, looking at everything, and staying silent for the moment.

I ran down stairs, set Estelle on the ground and hopped around trying to get my shoes on. Paul cane down close behind in sweatpants and a Goode High sweatshirt.

Estelle screeched and tottered over to the Nemo plushie on the floor and said in her adorable voice, "Pewcy!" She erupted into giggles.

I picked her up and we practically flew out the door. Paul jumped in the driver's seat and I buckled Ellie in her car seat.

I jumped in the passenger's side and we drive to the hospital. I unbuckled Estelle and we ran for the doors. Jason, Piper, Hazel, Frank, and Leo were at the receptionist's desk asking to see Percy.

The lady just rolled her eyes and told them to go away.

"Excuse me, Ma'am," I said with an angry tone, "we're here to see my son and I approve of these kids coming so please lead us in the right direction."

Jason turned and sighed with relief when he saw me. "Thank the gods!" He whispered. The lady looked at us weird and then pointed to the left. "Room 297. Make it quick."

Estelle spotted Hazel and giggled. "A-Zul!" She said Wilhelm reaching her arms out. Hazel chuckled and took her in her arms. "Hi Ellie, how are you doing?"

Estelle just yawned and laid her head on Hazel's shoulder, playing with her hair. She fell asleep before we got to the room.

Piper reached the door first. She knocked and a nurse answered the door. "Oh hey, you must be Perseus's family," she said kindly. "Percy." Jason corrected out of habit.

"Can we see him?" Paul asked. The nurse shook her head and smiled sadly. "He's going into surgery real soon. We can only let family in for now. He needs his space. We can take two at a time."

I took Paul's hand and said, "We're his parents." She nodded and motioned us forward. "Is there anyway we could see him?" Piper asked. "Sorry, immediate family only."

"I'm his cousin," Hazel tried desperately. "I'm sorry, I really am, but rules are rules."

Frank's face lit up. "But what about Annabeth? She was in the crash too!"

The nurse consulted the files in her hand. "The girl is well enough to see. Does she have any family to contact?" I dug our my phone and found Frederick's number. After giving it to her, Paul and I entered the room as the demigods and Estelle headed down the hall to Annabeth's room.

My breath caught in my throat. "Percy," I muttered.

His head was wrapped in a bandage and his eyes were closed. His neck was in a brace and his ribs were wrapped as well. There was all kinds of shrapnel and glass in him. To be honest, he looked dead. But peaceful, I guess.

"What happened?" I asked. I could hardly find my voice. "We searched the wreck and he didn't seem to have a seat belt on."

I shook my disbelief. "He never drives without a seatbelt."

She looked closer at the files. "Well if seems he maybe unbuckled his seat belt to shield the girl, judging from the way he was reported to have been laying."

The nurse studied my son in admiration. "By golly, I think he saved her life."

I was feeling numb. I walked over and caressed his cheek, being careful to avoid all the wires. A bunch of nurses and doctors suddenly flooded the room. The original nurse gently pushed us from the room, telling us they were bringing my son to surgery.

Silent tears spilled down my cheeks, but I let them lead me away.

***********

I was scared. My heart hammered in my chest as we made our way to Annabeth's room. Estelle was still passed out in my arms. Frank reached the door and knocked, then pushed the door open.

Annabeth had just propped herself up on her elbows to see who her visitors were. She looked a lot better. Her hairs cascaded down her shoulders in messy curls, she had stitches above her left eye, and her right leg was in a brace.

Her face lit up when she saw us. Estelle had woken up from all the commotion and was now reaching out for Annabeth. "Annbef!" She giggled.

Annabeth chuckled and took Estelle in her arms. Then she looked up at us. "Have you seen Percy? Is he okay?"

"We were just over that way. It's immediate family only, Paul and Sally are in there, and he's headed for surgery soon." Piper said.

Annabeth looked down. "He threw off his seatbelt and jumped in front of me. He saved my life. Again. I-I," she couldn't continue.

I sat beside her on the bed. "Hey it's gonna be alrig..."

I was interrupted by commotion in the hallways. Piper and I raced oh into the hallway , weapons drawn as Jason took Estelle from Annabeth and Frank helped her up and onto crutches.

Sally Jackson was screaming. Screaming and the nurses, at the drunk driver, at the Fates, and at the world. Right there, across the hallway.

Paul was doing everything he could to keep Sally from lashing out at the doctors. He too had tears running tracks on his face.

Annabeth slowly made her way out, followed by Frank, Jason, and Estelle. One look at Sally and I think she knew what was going on before anyone else did. I still couldn't register what was the matter.

She dropped her crutches and tumbled to the floor. "No," she muttered hoarsely. Then louder, "no!"

Estelle was crying and Jason was trying to calm her down through his own tears. The poor nurse was trying to stay professional as she broke the horrible news to the heartbroken friends and family.

And that is how I found out that our beloved Percy Jackson, Savior of Olympus, was dead.