How Can I Tell You?

Nico faded out of the shadows, swaying a little as he landed. Regaining his balance he stared down at his hand, clenching his fingers into a fist then releasing them in an attempt to stem the tremors coursing through his veins. After almost 38 hours, shadow travel was starting to take its toll. Glancing around the room he took in his surroundings through the limited amount of light. The room where he'd landed was cramped but tidy, a clear sign that it's occupant hadn't been there in in quite some time. Unwilling to turn on the light, the gloom was going to make his task slightly more difficult but Nico didn't want to risk waking any of the other inhabitants in the small flat. Using only the light of the moon and the soft glow from the small white flowers in the window box, Nico began to shuffle through the papers scattered around the small desk. Trying, and failing, to leave them in the same positions he had found them. Overdue homework assignments, old camp reports, a couple of bank statements, all lay together in unorganised piles on the desk whilst ticket stubs, notes and photographs where all pinned to the board above it. Judging by the dust that had settled across the surfaces no one had touched them in quite some time. Nevertheless Nico continued his search, first in the draws on the desk, then those of the bedside table, before flattening himself to the ground in an attempt to peer under the bed.

Finding nothing of importance No coo began to raise himself off of the worn carpet when the soft sound of shuffling from the next room stopped him in his tracks. Frozen midway between a crawl and a crouch Nico was stuck in what looked like a runners starting pose. One leg bent under him, while the other still stretched out behind him. Despite the strain this position was causing to his already tired arms he dared not move a muscle. Not until he heard the footsteps pass him by on their way to what he assumed to be the kitchen. With no more than a meter of space and a thin wooden door between him and the hall connecting this room to the rest of the time flat, Nico realised he was going to have to speed up his mission or risk getting it cut short. Straightening up once the footsteps had once again passed him by, this time in the opposite direction, Nico turned to face the last section of room he had left to search. The battered old closet looked as if it had seen better days. Scuff marks and scratches marred its faded gloss coat and, on the bottom corner of one door, there was a mark that look decidedly like a footprint. As if the owned had kicked the door in frustration. Nico took his time in opening the old doors. Being careful to catch any creaks in the old hinges before the sound could alert anyone to his presence.

Inside the closet was pretty bare, with just a few items of clothing left, hung lifelessly across the rail. A couple of pairs of ratty old sneakers lay battered and worn against the closet's floor. Cobwebs dancing in the corners of the shelves to the cupboard's left. It was another sign at the occupants continued absence that there wasn't a layer of dirty clothing covering the shoes. Where worn items of clothing hadn't quite made it into the wash basket next to the closet. Signing in defeat Nico closed the closet doors as softly as he could. There was nothing here. He hadn't been here. Letting his hands once more drop to his sides. His left hand automatically rested against the hilt of his sword, more out of habit than anything else. Dropping his head forward in defeat it gave a soft satisfying thunk as it came into contact with the rough wood surface.

Pulling himself together Nico walked over to the rooms window, surveying the view I front of him. A grubby alley between apartment blocks, with a glimpse at the main road at the buildings front. He didn't know what he had expected. To find Percy here, safe and well. For him to be welcomed into camp as a saviour who had returned their prodigal son. Childish fantasies.

It was the soft light below him that drew Nico out of his bitter train of though. Drawing his eyes to the small white flowers blooming in the box just outside of the window. Unlatching the window with his slim fingers, Nico lifted the pane, cringing at the sound it made as he raised it enough for him to climb out. The New York air was warm against his skin, despite the lateness of the hour. A soft breeze caressed his slender fingers as he brought them closer to the flower. Hovering over the glowing petals.

The soft pure light made his skin look even paler in contrast to the shadows around him as he toyed with the small buds. Not daring to touch them. Afraid to mar such beauty with death. His hand looked more like the skeletal ones of the dead he raised than those of an actual living person. A reminder of his heritage. He knew where the plant had come from of course. Though having never visited Ogygia himself he had heard the stories. Knew the myths. The beautiful young woman trapped on her island. Cursed to fall in love with every hero who landed there. Only for them to leave, unable to stay or love her in return. It was surprising neither a quest or his shadows hadn't led him there yet. He hated to admit where his heart belonged, the fact disgusted him, still he knew no woman would ever hold his heart.

Moving the plant box out of the way he swung one leg out of the window, preparing to climb out onto the fire escape he and Percy had talked on so long ago. With one leg on either side opening Nico took a moment to prepare himself for what was to come. Allowing the night air to calm his racing thoughts. This had been a long shot but a shot nonetheless. No one liked bad news. Nico was just used to delivering it by now. Lifting his right leg to bring it over the window frame Nico only got his foot resting on the sill before the door swung open and light suddenly illuminated the room behind him. Cringing at the sudden brightness, his sword hand flying to the hilt, it took a couple of seconds for his eyes to acclimatise to the light. In the doorway stood a woman not much older than 40. Her long wavy brown hair was only just starting to show hints of grey yet this just seemed to enhance her appearance. One hand rested on the light switch while her other clutched at the faded purple dressing gown wrapped around her. Her brows where pulled down in confusion as she studied the seen I from of her. Sally Jackson. Nico was suddenly very pleased his sword had stayed in its hilt.

"Nico? It is Nico isn't it? Sorry I thought you were Percy" She looked tired, which wasn't surprising given the lateness of the hour. Smiling, despite the fact she had just found a rouge demigod breaking into her sons room, she beckoned to him with the hand that had previously been resting on the light switch "come back in Nico you don't have to loiter half in like that. That was Sally Jackson. Always willing to open her home to any demigod she felt needed it. He'd been busted. Annabeth wasn't going to be happy about this, she had wanted the chance to search the Greek world before involving Sally and the mortal one with Percy's disappearance. Hesitating slight he saw nothing other option but to swing both his leg, and the rest of his body, back into the room. Taking one last long look out on the night sky, he wondered whether it might just be easier to vanish into the night. Give Sally no option but to contact Annabeth in the morning.

"Somethings happened hasn't it" her words broke through the silence between them, chasing away any thoughts Nico had of fleeing. Her words weren't questioning. There was no doubt in her tone. Sally could clearly sense his unwillingness to engage her in conversation and with demigods the worst case senario was usually the most likely senario. Mortal parents learnt quickly to expect the worst.

"What's happened?" Shuffling his feet Nico avoided meeting her eyes. Unsure of where to begin and praying to any god that was listening that he didn't have to deliver the news. Nico had only met Sally Jackson on a couple of occasions and Nico wasn't really comfortable interacting with anyone, let alone a woman he barely knew.

"There's been a situation... Really it would be better if Annabeth explained this tomorrow" Sally gave him a mothers glare. It had been so long since that frown had been directed at him he suddenly felt like a child again. A boy of five years old getting told off by his mother for stealing a sweet from the sweet shop. A child of 8 getting told off by Bianca for kicking a ball too close to her. Hanging his head he suddenly felt the need to confess everything. Annabeth would just have to do damage control in the morning. Sally deserved to know.

"Percy's missing. No one has seen him since the campfire three nights ago. People have been searching the woods and areas in and around camp. We've had search teams roaming the city. Nothing. They sent me here as a last resort." Sally's face went ashen at his words. He debated stretching an arm out to comfort the poor woman but thought better of it. This was the awkward situation he had wished to avoid. He really wasn't good with dealing with other people's emotions. Hell he wasn't even good with dealing with his own. Sliding over the shadows now only cast by the large closet. He was careful with his movements, like someone who was trying not to spook a terrified animal. Mumbling a soft "I'll have Annabeth visit tomorrow" as he went. Feeling the comforting shadows envelop him once more he felt his muscles relax a fraction. Glancing upwards one last time he caught a look at Sally's face. Tears were welling up in her eyes as she tried desperately to stop them from falling. In a very un-Nico way he suddenly felt the need to comfort the poor woman. He had seen her fight with them during the battle of New York. She was a woman who usually radiated strength. That strength had beendestroyed at his words. Now she just looked like a woman who's world had collapsed in on itself. Bringing himself back out of the shadows. His form solidifying as he moved towards the light.

"Mrs Jackson. You should know that... I can sense the dead. Feel someone pass over to the other side. Wherever Percy is... He isn't in Hades realm. We may not know where he is but... He's alive at least; and he's strong, he'll find his way home." And with that he let the shadows once my more surround him. His form turning to darkness. Nico didn't open his eyes again until he felt his feet once more land on solid ground.

A/N: So this is an idea I've had jotted down for months now and just never gotten around to writing until now. I've got two other chapters planned out so hopefully this will just be the first in an actual multi chapter fic. If you spot any mistakes let me know. Also feel free to tell me what you thought of it... You know where the review button is ;)