So, I'm really sorry I haven't updated this story before now. The only excuse I have is school started up again and now that it's summer, I have more time, so I can pick it back up and finish it. Hopefully, some of you out there are still interested in the story. Please let me know! Thanks!

Coming Together Chapter 14

I feel like I should be angry. I feel like I should be screaming from the rooftops since I know Poseidon is currently in Olympus, but I can't. My mind and my body is overwhelmed with a strange numbness that leaves me staring blankly through the windshield as Mom drives us back to the cabin.

"Percy, talk to me," I hear Mom plead. She's been trying to get me to talk to her ever since we left the park, but all I've been able to manage are grunts and a few mumbled "I'm fines". This time I want to ignore her completely, but I know if I don't give her some kind of sign that I'm alive, she's going to freak. Before I can utter any kind of reply, I feel and hear the car squealing to an abrupt stop as she slams on the brake.

I quickly bring my attention to the here and now and watch as my mom puts the car in park in the middle of the street and shifts in her seat to face me. "Percy, you are going to tell me what is going on right now or so help me…"

I don't want her to finish her threat, because I know whatever it is, she'll do it. The question is "What do I tell her?" Mom already knows about the situation with Hermes' pins. I'm sure she's even come to the same conclusion that I have, that someone is purposely using me and those pins to start problems for Poseidon and Hermes. It's actually quite obvious even though the "who" behind all of this mess is not. Regardless, I know I cannot offer this as a reason as to why I'm suddenly a walking zombie. Frankly, she'll know that particular situation simply isn't big enough to cause such a reaction since I've been handling all of this and much worse until now.

I look at her and start to answer with I know not what when suddenly I hear a horn blow behind us. Sighing in relief, I say, "Mom, you have to keep going. We're blocking traffic."

Mom purses her lips determinedly and declares, "Not until I know what has you so upset." She rolls down her window and waves for the person behind us to go around. When the car does, she looks back at me and waits.

Dropping my gaze to my lap, I begin moving my fingers against one another nervously. I don't know what to say.

"The truth," I hear Mom announce determinedly and I realize I must have said my last thought aloud.

I lift my head slowly and stare at her for several seconds before I ask almost timidly, "What kind of guy was Dad when you met him? Was he…nice? Or, did he have this—I don't know—dark side that scared you?"

Mom cocks her head to the side and wrinkles her brow thoroughly. "Where is this coming from?" she questions.

I shake my head for a moment and then turn my attention away, looking out the window beside me until I hear her speak.

"Just like I always told you when you were a kid, your dad was amazing."

I look back at Mom and she smiles brightly. She then puts the car back into gear and starts driving again. Regardless of her actions, she doesn't stop talking. "He was everything any woman could want in a man: he was considerate, compassionate, and loving. He genuinely seemed to care about people, and especially me." Her smile suddenly turns a little sad. "I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with him, so, no, I never saw anything from your father that gave me pause." She suddenly slips her hand from the steering wheel to squeeze mine. "And, I still haven't." She glances at me briefly before turning her attention back to the road. "Are you upset about what you saw earlier? I know it had to be a shock to see your father and another god fighting like that. After all, they're not the monsters that you and the other demigods fight, and Poseidon and Hermes are supposedly two of the 'good gods', right? I suppose their actions and behavior could leave you confused and a little nervous about them both."

Mom has unknowingly given me the out I need to end this conversation or at least to misdirect her and I'm going to take it. Besides, it does have a little truth to it and connects to the real questions I have floating in my mind now. "I can't help but wonder if Dad really is a good guy," I admit. "What if he's not?"

Mom pulls in front of our cabin finally and turns off the engine.

"Perfecting timing," I think.

She turns to face me again and states resolutely, "He is, Percy. Don't doubt it. His earlier actions may have seemed questionable, but don't forget where it all stems from: his love for you. And, I know the way the gods handle things is a little barbaric…" She laughs at this, almost sarcastically, "…but that doesn't make him evil."

I want to ask her so badly if she knows about Demeter and Caenis. I'm sure bringing them into the conversation would change the discussion so much! But I'm also convinced since my mom has such faith in Dad that she must not know about these tales, and I don't want to be the one to tell her, especially since I can tell she still has some feelings for him. Why destroy the delusion, especially when I don't know if it really is one?

Instead, I simply hug her and mumble, "Thanks, Mom."

"Anytime, baby," she whispers, hugging me back and running a few of her fingers through my hair softly.

When we get out of the car, Mom immediately heads to the cabin to straighten up all of the chaos Poseidon and Hermes left in their wake. I know I should offer to help, but instead I head to the beach. When I get there, I look around and when I see no one paying any particular attention to me, I step into the water and keep walking until I'm completely submerged. I suddenly feel calmer and I take a deep relaxing breath even though I'm underwater. I then lay back in the sand and decide that I'm going to talk to Dad even though I know he's probably still in Olympus talking with Zeus. Regardless, I hope he hears me.

=)=)=)

So, here it is, not an eventful chapter really but an important one after Percy learned about his dad in the last chapter. Anyway, I hope some of you are still interested in the story. Please let me know what you think!