DISCLAIMER: All Rights Reserved to Rick Riordan and Glee

Chapter 3:

Call Me The King of Babble

The next morning, we four were waiting outside for Nico. I wondered if he was coming at all.

"He sleeps like the dead," Connor muttered, "Pun not intended."

"You have no idea how much I get that," a voice said behind us.

We all whirled around to find Nico.

"Jeez," Piper said, "Were you waiting for us all this time?"

"I just walked out here. You must've not noticed me." Nico seemed hesitant, and I got a feeling he was keeping something out.

"We should go now," Annabeth reported. "We have everything?"

"Ambrosia, nectar, chips, and socks - check," Connor grinned. "Seriously. They are essential items."

I could understand chips, but socks?

Piper didn't seem amused. "Connor, are you serious? How about a flashlight? A weapon?"

"Relax, Beauty Queen."

"Don't call me that!" Piper was unusually perturbed (thanks to Paul, for that word - now I can't get that word out of my head). She was glowering at Connor, as Annabeth tried to calm her down.

"Connor's trying to help," Annabeth said gently.

Piper took a deep breath, and looked up at the sky. "I know. I'm sorry, Connor, but the nickname...it reminds me so much of Leo, Jason, and me. When it was just the three of us..."

"Yeah, I annoy people easily. I think it's a Hermes trait or something." Connor played with his sweater's zipper. "I'll lay off with the jokes."

Nico grunted, his way of communication to say: It's getting awkward now. Let's go!

"Where exactly are we heading?" I asked.

Annabeth beamed. "Right out to New York. Isn't that a coincidence?"

"Are you saying Jason and Thalia are being held hostage right there? That's, like, a obvious place." I scratched my head. "We should probably visit my mom and step-dad, Paul - oh gods. They're probably worrying about me! How long was I away?"

"Ages, dude," Connor said.

"I think they know you're alive," Annabeth stated. "I asked your dad, um, Poseidon to send a message."

"You did?" I gave her my most grateful look, which she was used to, since I did it all the time. "What would I do without you?"

"Getting killed by a monster without thinking straight. Come on, Seaweed Brain. We should discuss our Percabeth moments later without other people."

"That's a great idea," Connor agreed. "I'm gonna barf."

"What's Percabeth?" I questioned. "I have never heard that word in my life."

Annabeth shared a exasperated look with Piper.

As we walked out on the street, I groaned.

"Are you really that tired?" Piper said. "We've only walked a few blocks. Your apartment is getting closer."

"No, I forgot to speak with Tyson. I must be in über-seaweed brain mode."

"I think you misused the word," Connor chuckled.

Every few seconds, I noticed Nico glancing behind us. I stopped, and turned around. There was a couple, holding hands. One boy had light brown hair with a purse and the other was a brunette with a scarf. Both must of used some sort of hairspray, maybe, since their hair was tidy and groomed.

Nico met my eyes, then quickly looked away and walked ahead with Annabeth, who was leading us.

"Aren't you coming?" Piper called, noticing me hanging.

"Yeah," I quickly said. As I walked, one of the people behind me tapped my shoulder. It was the guy with the scarf.

"I'm sorry," he began, "But Kurt and I couldn't help noticing your friend looking at us."

The guy with the purse - Kurt - offered a handshake.

I shook it. "Uh, yeah, that was Nico. He...he was looking behind you, actually."

Kurt glanced at me. "Is he gay?"

"Uh, maybe, I mean, I don't -" I mumbled. This conversation was getting uncomfortable.

The guy with the scarf shook his head. "Excuse my husband's manners, but he tends to speak out. My name is Blaine."

"I'm Percy." I shook hands once more.

Annabeth, Piper, and Connor were now waiting patiently, a foot behind me. Nico was not in sight.

"It's not our business," Blaine said, "But it seems like your friend-"

"Nico," I blurted out.

"-Nico needs to acknowledge himself. Does he have someone to look up to?"

"We're all his friends." I gestured to Annabeth and the rest. This was the longest conversation with strangers for me.

Annabeth came over, followed by Piper and Connor.

"Nico's getting food," Annabeth explained. "I told him we were going over to your apartment, but he wouldn't listen." Turning to the newcomers, she smiled. "I'm Annabeth, Percy's girlfriend."

I quickly made introductions.

Blaine nudged Kurt lightly. "Well, thanks Percy. Annabeth. Piper and Connor. We should probably go now."

Kurt nodded. "Just think of what we said. He needs a person like him."

They both went, as Piper tapped her chin. "Interesting," she said. "Who's 'he'?"

"They were talking about Conner," I lied, figuring I already revealed about Nico to much.

"You were talking about me?" Connor scolded. "I feel betrayed on so many levels."

Annabeth gave me a look. "Piper and Connor - go meet with Nico. Percy and I will go meet Sally and Paul."

Piper gave us a thumbs-up, as she and Connor went in the direction of a bakery.