Percy Jackson, Back from the Abyss

Part 2

Percy P.O.V.

I felt something under me shift as my eyes fluttered open. I looked around only to realize something was resting against my head. When I looked up I realized that my head was being straddled by Phoebe's legs. I raised an eyebrow, looking around. Noting that we were the only 2 outside, I sighed quietly and looked at Phoebe. I had been asleep when she and Artemis had talked but after...well, everything, I always kept one ear open at all times, even when asleep, so I didn't get ambushed. So I had heard everything. I gently brushed the hair out of Phoebe's face and kissed her forehead gently. "I'll always be here for you, Phoebe" She smiled in her sleep. I looked around before getting an Idea, leaning into Phoebe's ear and whispering "Want to go hunting?" She slowly stirred, cracking her eyes open slightly to look at me "Hunting for what..?" I smiled at her "I don't know, a deer or something?" I frowned "Aren't you like, horrible with a bow?" I chuckled "There are more ways to be stealthy than a bow you know." she frowned as I Took out a crossbow and loaded a bolt into it. She widened her eyes before smiling at me "Fair enough." I chuckled and took her hand gently, guiding her into the woods as I pointed at a pair of tracks on the dirt. "I learned that if you use traces to create trails, and you're careful enough, You can hunt with a crossbow or even a blade." She looked at me skeptically as I put a finger to my lips, quietly following the trail I had pointed out. She followed behind me as I looked up ahead, and sure enough after following the trail far enough there was in fact a deer. I crouched down, taking my crossbow and quietly aiming it at the deer. The deer started to slowly walk to the right as I tracked it, waiting 'till it was in the group of trees before firing, a sickening cry of pain filling the air as the bolt hit its mark. I turned to Phoebe and smiled "Just like that." She shook her head and smiled, walking over to the deer carcass and picking it up as we walked back to camp.

Artemis P.O.V.

I looked around for Percy or Phoebe frantically, worried something happened to them. Percy was still mentally unstable and Phoebe, though self-capable, was taking care of Percy, a son of Posiedon. If monsters are going to go after anyone, it would be Percy. I walked around calling their names until I heard shuffling, turning and seeing Phoebe and Percy walking out of the woods, Percy carrying a decent sized Deer carcass over his shoulders. But the most appalling thing was that Percy was laughing and smiling. After seemingly ages of trying, Phoebe had finally broken through to him. I smiled and walked up to them. "Did you 2 have fun?" They both nodded as Percy picked Phoebe up and put her on his shoulders earning a yelp. "How about you lil' Phoebe? Did my lil's sis Phoebe Enjoy herself?" I watched as Phoebe frowned and slapped the back of his head causing him to laugh at her "Ok ok, you aren't little." I coughed "We need to talk, both of you," They both frowned and nodded. They followed me to my tent as I sat down and turned to them "Alright, I want to know how it happened." They looked at me confused as I narrowed my eyes pointedly "Me and especially Thalia, have Been trying everything To make you better, yet one night with Phoebe and suddenly you're laughing and smiling. What did you 2 do?" They both looked at me and smiled before Phoebe spoke up "Well...We just went and talked about...Zoe.." I looked at them Empathetically as I hugged Phoebe close "I'm sorry. I know you 2 were very close friends." I gently took her hand "But I'm also glad that a man like Percy Exists. Thanks to him Zoe died knowing there was a man in this world that was a good person. After she died you showed even more hatred for males before her death." She sighed "I nearly blamed Percy but...when I heard what he did at her shroud burning? I just...couldn't bring myself to hate him. I respected him." She looked at me "He..." I smiled "He walked up to her shroud, fell to his knees, and cried." I looked at her "He kneeled in front of her burning shroud, Head on the ground, and cried his heart out, apologizing to her for failing to save her."

-Next morning-

Percy P.O.V.

I woke with a start, realizing I was drooling as I looked around. I looked up to see Phoebe sleeping with me cradled in her lap. I smiled a little as a tear fell down my face. I finally found a place to live. To be happy and have a family. I could..Have a family again. After years of being alone. I could have a sister. I was back with my cousin. I was happy. I laughed gently, but that seemed to be enough to wake Phoebe up. She looked at me "Hello there bumpkin." I frowned at the nickname to which she laughed "Yes, you are a bumpkin." I pouted earning a playful pat on the head, which resulted in lots of giggles. I turned to see the hunters standing there watching us. I pouted more "No support whatsoever." They giggled as I sighed and looked at Phoebe smiling. "I love you sis." She smiled and kissed my forehead "I love you too Percy."