Chapter 5: The Cousins

(A/N) Yes, people another stupid hiatus. I'm sorry for that and it's kinda inexcusable; but still here it is. And I want to thank each reviewer for their comments; it was hell getting this one out.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJATO or the Twilight series.

(Percy's car)

Percy didn't do put on the radio. This should've meant nothing but for someone like Percy, who relished the small distraction to his screwed up life, it was significant. It wasn't a small step to progress; quite the contrary. His thoughts were too deep to really want music. He was worried; for reasons he both knew and didn't. For some reason the car felt colder. The darkness seemed more pronounced and it reminded him of something but he couldn't put his finger on it just yet.

The other problem was really many things that worried him. After the hellhound attack; he wasn't sure how safe Forks was anymore. He worried he was putting Bella in danger. He was worried about that damn boyfriend of Bella, there was something very off about him. He was worried about those guys on the shore; they smelled of wet dog and in his experience anything that smelled anything like an animal meant trouble. Most of all, he worried over what the hades was going on in this damn town.

He didn't realize he'd turned into the school parking lot until he reached the gates. He cursed his ADHD for distracting him again. Rubbing a tired hand over his face Percy sighed. He found a parking spot at the back of the school just as it began to lightly rain. Turning into the spot; and putting the car into neutral as it idled for a second before pressing down on the handbrake and pulling up the handbrake he then turned the ignition off. Climbing out Percy locked the car and made for the doors to the school.

He reached them quickly and the more he travelled, the more he felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Finding the registration room and head office was easy. He'd visited plenty of different and new schools and in each short time he'd been at each school, the place he'd gotten most acquainted to most was the head office. Smiling at nineteen year old receptionist with more enthusiasm than he felt Percy reached over a hand to greet her. "Hi, I'm here for my school equipment and registration forms."

"No problem," She said and for some reason Percy got the feeling she was checking him out as she smiled larger. She looked through her files on the desk. Percy could see a couple of pictures of friends by her PC monitor and the wall but he didn't pry; all in all, the girl seemed ordinary; then again, he had been wrong before. There was nothing really special about her. Black as night hair; small and slight slanted upwards nose; forest green eyes and small and slightly puffy lips. She had a slightly pale complexion thanks to the infrequency with which Apollo came to places like Forks.

She wasn't ugly; or beautiful beyond expectations; she was…average. "Sorry," She muttered, before searching through another pile with a frown; "Damn place is a mess. I'm only helping out since Janice got sick and I'm trying to…Aha!" She exclaimed. Percy didn't know who Janice was but kept quiet as she took a look at the form she found. "Jackson; right?" She asked.

"Yes, Percy Jackson." He watched her face carefully for a sign of recognition but all he found was a soft smile almost as if she liked the name. Okay, so not a monster…

"Well, Mr Jackson," She smiled…brighter this time. "It seems your guardian has signed all the necessary stuff like residency and medical insurance; all you've got to do is sign on the dotted line and we'll get your stuff." Percy did as instructed; and the girl walked out of her small cubicle to the principal's office to deliver the forms. Even her clothes were ordinary. A beige blouse with dark denim jeans and inch high black heels. He already felt like he was stepping in another world…

It must've been funny. Here was Percy Jackson; victor of…well, pretty much everyone who pissed him off; going to an ordinary school; speaking to ordinary people; looking discretely at an ordinary girl. It felt surreal; but not unpleasant. It was almost relaxing. And he found himself chuckling slightly and shaking his head. When she returned she held a tag in her hand.

"School's still going and the principal's busy; but she welcomes you to Forks and would talk to you later. For now; she asked me to get your school equipment order from Mr Elms," She waved her hand to the door; "Shall we?" Her smile was still as bright as ever. And with Percy's nod they began walking to the teacher, Mr Elms. "So," She tried for small talk as they began at a casual pace. "Where are you from?"

"I'm from New York." He answered simply; he felt a little awkward with her that close.

She gave a low impressed whistle; "You've come a long way, huh? So how's our little town compared to the big city?"

"It's…" he tried to come up with a simple answer; "Quiet."

"I bet; you know the closest we have to a city is Seattle; still nobody wants to go now what with all the disappearances." She shrugged and Percy frowned; Monsters? He vaguely wondered before she dragged him into another conversation. Soon enough; after an agonizing talk about the school – with her commenting he should join the football team – and where he was from; they finally arrived at the door to the teacher's office. "Okay, if you need anything; just…well, here's my number." She awkwardly gave her phone number to him.

Percy smiled slightly; "Sure, thanks," he had no clue what he'd need it for or why she gave it to him; maybe she was a tutor? Shrugging it off, he waved her goodbye as she walked away. He shook his head and knocked on the door. He could already hear the students scuffling about with anticipation for the clock to go off.

"Come in," A slightly gruff voice muttered and Percy could hear the class still; anticipating a teacher he presumed. He entered with a shrug; not expecting anything.

Bella's day had gotten off to a bad start; her dad had relieved her of her grounding last night and she'd wanted to take advantage of that and spend the day within the Cullen's home. Then, her car stops working; and Edward has to come get her to school which made them late for school and in the first period she got a pop quiz. She felt slightly irritated and just wanted to go lie down on her bed lazing away with Edward next to her with that damned smirk he always carried.

So now, she was in the final class of the day and the school idiots like moth to a flame had found she was irritated and begun their work. She was quickly becoming pissed; she wanted to take a punch at the idiots but refrained from doing so; she wasn't exactly the favourite person of the principal lately. "Hey Bella; why don't you come sit here?" A ginger haired idiot whispered to her left; she sat in the front row. "Edward wouldn't notice."

They would only say this crap in the only class she had without him. All three idiots had transferred here a short while back; they were all cousins or something like that and had gotten a football scholarship to at least give the football program some credibility. They were three of ten students brought in for it from other high schools. They all went to school virtually for free…and they were assholes.

Usually they'd pick on the others for whatever reason they fancied but today it seemed someone up there must've hated Bella and graced her with the presence of these idiots. "No, go play with your friends." She muttered back. Mr Elms sent the boy a distasteful glance from behind his glasses and the others seemed too busy with their own world to worry. There was a knock on the door and Mr Elms invited whoever was behind it inside as the class quieted down a bit. And then the door opened.

"Aww," The ginger haired boy whined; "But playing with you would be so much better." He sent her another smirk but didn't notice hers as she recognized the person coming in; and sending a glance at the boy with narrowed eyes.

"Then I guess you'd have to go play with yourself." Percy said; forgetting his reason for being here, as well as the teacher, and focusing on the kid and Bella.

"Hey punk, why don't you…" He trailed off as he looked up at the guy standing over him. The guy standing over him sent his senses screaming: DANGER! He was easily 6'2; and looked like trouble. "What do you want?" he asked and his voice seemed to waver slightly.

Bella could hear the girls gasp behind her and heard the small whispered "Wow…" some spoke. She shook her head at the envious looks she got from some of them. And she watched astonished at his obliviousness as he stared down at the kid. It was almost like a vampire facing a human. Percy just gave off the aura of danger and authority; and to be honest it was awe inspiring to see his protective side; even if it was against three child minded teenagers.

"I want you to stop harassing my cousin…" His glare alone made the kid turn back to facing forward on his desk; not glancing at Bella at all. "Good boy."

Percy turned around from the kid; and went to talk to the teacher. He didn't think it was funny that these children felt they could harass his cousin; and reminded himself to talk about it with Bella. The slightly smirking Mr Elms greeted him with a handshake; "Good morning Mr…" he ventured for the kid's name.

"Percy Jackson . . . sir, I'm sorry to disturb your class; but I've come for my school equipment and they say you have it…sir." It felt awkward saying that word; he sucked at formality. The teacher was respectful; he didn't even seem to mind Percy bursting into class and glaring that kid into compliance; it seemed to amuse him.

"Sure; I've been keeping all this stuff since the storage room had that rain leak;" he stood up and they moved to a door that opened up to a small storage room full of school books and writing utensils. "They told me you might be coming so I've set up everything you need;" he pointed to a box and Percy went to grab it but the teacher put a hand on his arm to stop him causing Percy to tense and his other hand to ball up into a fist.

Milo Elms was a perceptive man; and he noticed the movement; but acted like he didn't. "All the teachers have been notified about your…conditions." He paused again; "We'll all try our best to accommodate your ADHD and dyslexia so don't worry too much; I'll set up some tutor sessions so you can catch up with the work though; okay?"

Percy frowned; he seemed genuine enough; he was a lot like Paul in that way but still it felt strange. It was all so average; like nothing had changed in the world; it felt…refreshing; to at least get a chance. It seemed the teacher wanted to avoid his school record. "Okay." The class got a lot louder and the teacher rolled his eyes somewhat childishly.

Before he went to discipline them and leave Percy alone to gather the boxes he'd need he spoke one more time. "More than likely you'd be put in my class so I'd like to get this straight; I don't judge you on what the files say; I judge you by what I see…" He then left; leaving Percy to collect his things. Soon after the noise stopped. Percy quickly collected the three boxes meant for him and exited to the class only to find most of them staring at him; he ignored them and went to Bella.

"Charlie says I'll have to give you a lift today; so when you're done; come to my car and I'll be waiting." And with that he left to go to his car.

(Forks High)
~After school~

He'd driven past this school yesterday. Of course, he didn't really pay much attention; and he was kind of lucky to get here this early. He'd been fixated on the rain which was dripping slowly today. He wasn't that bothered by the rain as he stood next to car. He faintly remembered seeing a pizza joint too…this place did have some redeeming qualities.

It was different now.

Barely a day and a half and thoughts of this place still instilled him with confusion. It was small, and thus few people could bother him (back in New York he'd often had to put some people who had something to prove down). He didn't like fighting them, he hated fighting in general, but he understood the concept of goals and people who wanted to be better than those around them.

He'd been like that once.

Of course, for completely different reason. Usually the people around him were afraid of something (not him). And Percy like the shmuck he was ran right for it; no heed for safety, no care for self-preservation. It was something he couldn't actively stop. It was just something his mother had ingrained into him. Protect those close to you. Of course, his mom didn't mean with his life; but Percy didn't care. He fought monsters; demigods, gods, titans…

It didn't matter.

Of course, then everything changed. The people around him, those closest to him, began to fear again. Unfortunately for Percy, this time it was him. He tried dissuading them, assuring them he was with them and cared for them, but like moths to a flame they'd been charmed…and burned. And with fear came irrationality and thus mistakes.

He was alone now.

Of course his mother and step-dad were there. Hermes had done his subtle part (he knew the credit card wasn't a gift from the Olympians). And Poseidon would try to help (the car was thoughtful). And Charlie and Bella had taken him in; which was good of them. They all wanted him to talk; and he knew they were there. Still, they weren't the same.

They didn't understand.

He was glad for that, he decided.

The bell rang soon after and kids soon came stumbling out; disrupting him from his thoughts. There were more people than he expected. It took ten minutes; without seeing Bella; before something happened that made him want to groan with annoyance. Six kids had walked to his car with their damn smirks at full blast. They were all much more muscled; at least three who were bigger than him (then again that was probably the point for them being there); with the kid who he'd told to back off in the front.

It kinda reminded Percy of dogs; the small little mouthy dumbass dog in the front and the big bruising silent dogs in the back waiting for something to provoke a fight. Do fights come to me; or do I just piss people off that much?

"Nice car;" The guy in front said; "My name's Travis." The guy's name almost made him do a double take; the name and cocky attitude pulling his thoughts to a different person and sending his already bad mood spiralling down.

"No," Percy said with a sigh as he realized the kid really wanted a fight; "Your name is Dumbass." It would be painful beating up someone with that name.

"Excuse me?" Dumbass's hands were shaking as he looked at the guy; Percy or something; just casually leaning against his car looking at them expectantly.

"At least it has manners…" Percy muttered; he was well aware this was pissing them off and knew it was unavoidable; he could see the bloodlust and anger in their eyes; it reminded him of the Ares kids. He could see the other people flocking together as they came to watch the fight. He noticed a couple of kids by a huge truck that looked very pale; but didn't think much of it.

"Hey; I came here to tell you to go away; you're not welcome here!" He shouted getting frustrated.

Percy shrugged; "Sucks for you then, eh, Dumbass?" Years in a camp that taught you how to survive and fight along with and against Ares's children had gotten him pretty skilled at goading.

"FU-"

"Its bad manners to swear! Bad Dumbass!" he muttered to the kid like a dog and finally the kid snapped.

"I'M GOING TO KILL-" It was as far as he got before suddenly he found himself flying a few feet with a few cracked ribs and his breath knocked out of him with a well-placed Spartan kick. As he gasped for air and the others wondered what the hell just happened. Percy attacked. In a fight you always wanted to be the one who got in the first punch; especially when outnumbered.

He made sure to only give minor injuries. The second kid came at him with a right hook while the other tried to copy Percy's previous move. Percy dodged his head to the side efficiently missing the first before grabbing the second kid's leg by the thigh as it rushed past him and then delivering a punch to a cluster of nerves near the knee joint making it seize up; and throwing him into the other kid; knocking the breath out of the first's lungs.

The kid's leg would feel like it broke but all he'd need to do was put some ice on it. The next kid nervously came forward as the other two stayed behind and put up his arms like a boxer; Percy rolled his eyes and walked casually towards him. The kid tried sending an experimental left jab which Percy caught and then executed a judo flip over his back. The kid landed roughly on the pavement and would most likely have a minor concussion.

The rain which while Percy had been in class was storming down had all but dried up for now. Percy stared at the other two expectantly with a bored sigh; "You wanna take a shot?" he asked. They both quickly shook their heads and went back to the crowd who'd all stared wide eyed; they'd all expected the new guy to get at least hurt.

"Hey Percy!" Bella's voice carried from behind the crowd; she couldn't see. "What's going on?" The crowd quickly parted and stared dumbly as Bella came forward; "Sorry; Ms Pelham kept me – Whoa! Percy! What did you do?!" her eyes were wide as she stared at the scene before her. The guy that irritated her was lying on the floor gasping; his friends were all groaning on the floor with one holding his leg with a grimace.

Percy froze; "Bella…" He said cautiously; "I can explain everything." Why did he feel like a child as he said that? Eddie was with her and for some reason his eyes flickered from looking at him surprised to the other group of people from the huge pick-up. With the amazing detective skills granted to him; Percy somehow deduced this was Eddie boy's family.

"Damn it Percy;" She groaned; before shaking her head; "I don't even wanna know; just get in the car; let's just get home…" Percy shrugged in assent and quickly turned and walked to the car as Bella hugged her boyfriend goodbye. He might give Eddie a chance; but no way in Hades was he watching them do their damn couple stuff. He paused as he found the crowd still looking at him.

"What?" he asked annoyed.

One red haired girl frowned at him; "But what about them?" She asked indicating to the four idiots on the floor.

Percy shrugged; "They'll get up soon enough." He said simply.

"But!" The same annoying girl yelled; "They might need a doctor?!"

Percy opened his car door with an eye roll; "So take them to a doctor." He shook his head and climbed in; "Come on Bella; I've got to set up my room." Bella sighed as more gasps were heard; mostly by the people who didn't know they were cousins.

"I'm coming Cousin." She muttered, more for the people in the crowd than anybody else. She winced slightly by just how many of the girls sighed in relief. She felt bad for Percy; and his plight but this was something she was just gonna sit back and laugh about as they hounded after him.

"But-" The same red haired girl tried to get his attention. Only to be stopped by Edward.

"Don't worry; I'll call my father." He silenced her and she paused before shrugging and going back to the crowd. Edward looked at Bella as she climbed in the car and mouthed: See you later. She only nodded to that.

And like that the crowd who'd come to watch the fight dispersed; and it was eerie how fast they seemed to that nonchalantly.

Bella closed the door as Percy did and then put on the seatbelt. "Just what were you doing back there Percy?" She muttered annoyed.

Percy actually smirked slightly as he turned the ignition; "Just being a badass…"

(Parking lot; Emmet's car)

Alice gulped slightly; that was beyond simply strange. The guy seemed as innocent as can be as he leaned on his car; but then in a motion that was so fast she almost didn't catch it the guy had attacked. It wasn't human; and the scariest part was that he didn't even look like he was trying. At first his scent was subtle; but as he attacked it nearly sent her olfactory receptors wild. It smelled sweet and kinda salty; like the sea on a warm day; and then there was the human by products used with it. It was something that to her horror sent her mouth slightly watering and she had to stand completely still; her family wasn't exactly faring better.

The guy; Bella's cousin seemed almost bored; and even if they were just kids the ease and speed with which he'd took them out was beyond amazing. To her great relief there wasn't any blood. It didn't seem like he wanted them gone and not permanently injured. There was something about him; she thought as she watched him get into the car and smirk at Bella; something that set off her primal instincts; most notably her flight-or-fight reflex.

Soon Edward had joined them and raised an eyebrow at their stiff postures. He didn't say anything as he went to call Carlisle. Still as the others went back to the big double cab she stayed and stared as he got into the line of cars waiting to exit. The kids already begun to disperse; some staying to tend to the wounded, while others went to their cars. She found Bella glancing at her a couple of times confused; and soon her cousin looked into her direction and for some reason he smiled.

That alone sent a painful burst almost as if it was splitting her skull as she got the visions. And it all began with smile.

…

"Someday you'll understand Percy…" It began slowly; and she could see clearly; it was a younger version of Bella's cousin. He seemed slightly chubby here and warm smile he gave what she presumed to be his mother was vastly different from the one she saw.

"Is that the–" A glimpse of a stormy night and tree figures running came next. No, that was wrong; two were running; one was…trotting? She couldn't dwell much further as she heard ear splitting roar and as she turned around she found herself looking up at a huge man…with horns? And then the scene shifted faster.

The next scene began with a fight which Percy at first seemed to lose miserably; it was a far cry from the person she saw back there. Then Percy stepped into the water and suddenly the others lost the fight; with one girl having her spear broken. And a glowing thing was above Percy now; she couldn't even see what it was. "All Hail Percy Jackson; son of-"

What came next seemed like Percy standing and fighting what looked like a biker with a sword. He seemed to struggle and but then got in a cut and then the scene shifted again. It went faster now. Showing Percy going up against giants in a…dodge ball game? Then it went to Percy fighting a giant and he seemed angry before shifted again; this time showing Percy standing protectively in front of two other children.

It then showed Percy taking on a lion with…toothpaste? Before showing Percy looking horror struck as the girl he'd been standing protectively over ran to some metal giant. It showed then Percy fighting an enemy, a soldier by the looks of him that made Alice gulp. And then shifted to what seemed like Percy crouching under some heavy…cloud? She noticed he had a grey streak before the next image came.

It was him standing over the dead body of another girl; with a clenched fist holding what seemed like a pen. It then shifted to Percy fighting of some fanged goat hybrid thing before showing him and the same blonde haired girl from the previous scenes. It showed them entering a tomb; and then shifting to Percy flying out of an erupting volcano. It showed briefly a girl healing him and then shifted to him fighting in the air with the same sword against another big guy. It then showed Percy running from some guy with freakishly golden eyes and a girl throwing something at him.

It shifted again showing Percy standing on a ship full of weird things as a guy opposite him pressed something and Percy ran; she could briefly see his guilt and anger before the scene shifted again showing Percy staring up at something from within a very dirty river; it was the blonde girl. It then shifted to a huge battle with people and…things. The weirdest part was that it was in New York. It shifted again to Percy fighting the same blonde and golden eyed boy. Before shifting to Percy kissing a girl; the blonde girl; underwater…

…

Suddenly it stopped and she was in the darkness. She looked around for anything but couldn't see anything. For the first time in a very long time she felt full unbridled fear course through her. "Hello?" She asked shakily.

A figure of a small girl came shocking Alice. She had black hair and forest green eyes; and soon the darkness seemed to shift into woodlands. She had a very regal air to her as she observed Alice. "You will do…" She finally stated with what seemed like a small smile. "A monster with compassion…only you Percy Jackson could find such a thing…" The girl seemed to shake her head in amusement.

"W-What?"

She focused back on Alice; "What I've shown is but a glimpse into what truly makes Percy Jackson."

"You know Bella's cousin?" she could feel her confidence coming back slowly as she talked to the woman.

She still kept the small smile; "He's one of few good men left of this world;" She said; "A man who without realizing it I call friend."

"Who are you?"

"That does not matter," She said with a frown; "It feels strange saying these words; but all that truly matters is Percy's happiness."

"Why am I here…Where am I?"

"You are here little monster; for a task I have for you and for where you are; it is quite simple; we are in your mind; this is but your mind's physical representation of me."

This conversation was beyond surreal and starting to make her fearful again. She clenched her fist. "What task?"

"I do this for Percy;" She avoided the question; before answering; "I need your help to alleviate Percy's pain. I realize I ask much; but…What I do; I do in the hope that the world has not lost one of men's greatest warriors."

"You said I only saw a glimpse of the real Percy Jackson; so who is he really?"

The girl seemed to smirk slightly; "While perceptive of you; I cannot answer that. His tale is not something I wish to repeat without his consent."

"Why come to me?" her mind was seriously freaking out at how casual the girl was.

"I do not wish to talk to your mind reading brother; I have little trust in his goals." She seemed to sneer slightly at that.

"What do you suggest I do?"

"His life has been riddled with complication; death and battle…for now I only wish him to have peace. I want you to become his friend; he will not trust you at first but you have a better chance than I; he still harbours a grudge against most of us."

"Okay;" Something was nagging at her; a question she wanted to be answered above everything else; "Just…how dangerous is he?"

It went unanswered as she got back to the world blinking rapidly. "Alice?" Edward's voice caught her as she shook of the images. "What happened?" Her family was now looking at her; with curiosity as Jasper held her arm firmly letting his presence be known to her subtly. He never really talked too much; she talked enough for both of them.

"Um, you didn't see that?" She wondered dazedly as she found herself staring at where Bella and her cousin's car should be to find it gone; already riding off. The parking lot was almost empty. All she got from her 'brother' was a shake of the head accompanied by a frown. Which made her purse her lips, smudging a little of the lipstick. She then shook her head and climbed into the double cab. "Doesn't matter, we'll talk about it later."

(Percy's car)

It was quiet in the car. They'd driven about halfway there when Percy spoke. "So why did that guy harass you in class?" It honestly confused him; "I wouldn't think that Eddie would be happy about that."

Bella almost snorted; that was an understatement if she'd ever heard it. "It's Edward," she said with a small glare that she knew didn't even faze her cousin as he rolled his eyes. "And he doesn't really know." She muttered looking to the side.

Percy frowned at that; "And why the Ha-hell not?" He asked as she shrugged dismissively; "Bella, it's not good to hide things from those close to you; believe me, I've been burned doing things like that." She just nodded as they got onto the road that leads to Charlie's house. He almost sighed; today had been a long day. He was glad it was almost over, he decided.

And like that; life decided to send Percy its own personal bitch slap. Because sitting on the porch steps while leaning on a column was someone he never wanted to see again. His black hair was longer now; the bangs reaching to his eyes. His complexion was as pale as always; and the obsidian eyes tracked the car as it came closer. His tee shirt looked damp as it clung to him; but he didn't seem to mind it much as he put a hand in his black jeans that had a skull pattern up one leg. His shoes were so black they almost looked blue.

Nico.

He glanced at his cousin and grit his teeth; as his grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Hey, looks like someone's sitting on the porch, huh, I wonder what they want?" She left the question the air. Percy spared her a glance as he parked the car; but stayed silent. Nico was still tracking the car as he stood; his pursed lips were the only sign of his nervousness. Percy parked and turned the car off as he took one deep breath; which confused his cousin but she didn't say much. "Something wrong Percy?"

His were forced as he spoke; but the commanding tone within them set Bella on guard. "Bella, don't talk to that guy; don't look at him; don't even acknowledge him. Go straight into the house and don't come out till I say so; is that understood; just wait for me." He didn't want this; he hated ordering people but this was for Bella's safety. He looked her in the eyes as she nodded a little fearfully; "I'm sorry for this, okay, just please…" The tone of pleading sounded wrong to her but she nodded again.

Percy sighed as he and Bella unclipped their seat belts; and opened the doors. Nico hadn't moved and tracked Percy cautiously. Percy joined the stared with a small glare and his balled fist as his only sign of anger. Slowly; Bella closed the door with a frown as she tried to figure out what was going on. Percy hadn't moved from his position next to the car as he watched the guy.

She decided to go for the back door; seeing as the front was blocked. As she glanced at the kid who looked like he went to funerals for fun she frowned. He only sent a small smile and a miniscule nod as she went out of sight. After he was gone she ran for the door and locked it behind her. She threw her bag into corner as she nervously fiddled with her hand wondering what was going on. That was until she decided to rather be productive and stared with some food; to keep the nervousness at bay.

Percy slowly made his way out of his cover behind the door; keeping his eyes on Nico and closing the door. He pocketed the keys and began to walk. He then took his eyes off Nico ignoring him as he made his way to the forests near the house. His eyes darted around wondering where Nico's back up was; usually camp missions were sent in threes. Nico caught the subtle message and silently made his way to follow Percy ten metres behind the son of Poseidon. All the while keeping a calm façade.

The went through the forests with practised ease and Nico made sure to always stay no less than ten metres behind Percy. Finally they stopped at a small clearing and Nico noticed Percy put a hand in the pocket where he kept Riptide. Involuntarily Nico tensed. "If you're here to kill me Nico…" The son of Poseidon began with teeth grit and eyes narrowed; "You better have you're back up come out; because you sure as Hades can't take me alone…"

Nico noticed that Percy's eyes were darting around and how he'd taken out his sword; still in pen form. Nico had to be careful here; he knew Percy wasn't exactly his biggest fan at the moment. "I'm not here to kill you Percy," he began slowly; "I'm here to apologize."

Percy frowned as he watched his cousin warily; "I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed Nico; but those tricks aren't going to work on me." He darted his eyes around waiting for the other shoe to drop. His feet drifted slightly apart as he got ready.

"No trick," Nico assured with a small grimace; "I made a mistake and I'm man enough to own up." Emotions were not Nico's strong suit; he didn't care much for many of them but he tried his best to show his own emotions mainly, his remorse.

Before Nico could even move he found himself stiffening as his back hit a tree bark and he felt cold steep against his neck. "You used to be a friend Nico; a brotherly figure; I watched out for you; I tried to watch out for your sister, and I failed; so is this pay back?" he heard the harsh whisper but didn't move; because it wouldn't bode well. He'd seen what Percy could do with that sword in the wars.

It did send an emotion he recognized as sorrow at the thought of Percy pointing his sword at him. "No Percy," Nico whispered slowly as he tried ignoring the sword and stared up at his cousin; "You're right; you cared for me when the others shunned me. You didn't fail my sister; I did. She'd be ashamed if she knew what we did." He tried to keep his hands from shaking but it was hard. "Children of Hades are always feared; and so we withdraw into ourselves; and the thoughts of others caring scares us…it's still unforgiveable; what we did."

He felt the blade shake slightly against his throat and could hear the small gritting of teeth; "Why are you here?" The voice was smaller now; like a resigned whisper.

"Because Percy; I want my brother back…" He felt the blade leave his throat and saw Percy turn around to walk back into the house.

"I'm not ready to forgive yet Nico; but…" he sent a glance behind him and sighed. "You can help me set up my room." The subtle message wasn't lost on Nico as he gave a small smile which was his equivalent of a grin.

I don't forgive you yet…but I'll give you a chance.

(A/N) HI PEOPLE! I know, it took me ages but I couldn't find a way to put what happens into something even remotely to what I liked. I'm still on the fence about this but now things will be moving a bit faster on. So please tell me what you think and know that I'll try to get the next chapter out faster. And I have to get this out; PERCY JACKSON 2 IS AWESOME!

Thank you and REVIEW!