In Between Two Worlds (HP/PJO Crossover)

Chapter 104: I Comfort An Emotional Pre-Teen.

Percy wanted to talk to Tyson before we left and we both wanted to talk to Mum so we found a fountain. He made his call and I dug out my last golden drachma.

"Sally Jackson," I said. "Upper East Side, Manhattan."

The mist shimmered, and there was Mum at our kitchen table, laughing and holding hands with her friend, Mr. Blowfish.

I was about to wave my hand through the mist and cut the connection, but before I could, Mum saw us.

Her eyes got wide. She let go of Mr. Blowfish's hand real quick. "Oh, Paul! You know what? I left my writing journal in the living room. Would you mind getting it for me?"

"Sure, Sally. No problem."

He left the room, and instantly she leaned toward the Iris-message. "Percy! Karlee! Are you all right?"

"I'm, uh, fine. How's that writing seminar going?" Percy said awkwardly.

She pursed her lips. "It's fine. But that's not important. Tell me what's happened!"

We filled her in as quickly as we could. She sighed with relief when she heard that Annabeth was safe.

"I knew you could do it!" she said. "I am so proud."

"Yeah, well, we'd better let you get back to your homework," Percy said.

"I... Paul and I-"

"Mum, are you happy?" I asked.

The question seemed to take her by surprise. She thought for a moment. "Yes. I really am. Being around him makes me happy."

"Then it's cool. Seriously. Don't worry about us."

The funny thing was, I meant it. Considering the quest I'd just had, maybe I should have been worried about mum. I'd seen just how mean people could be to each other like Hercules was to Zoe like Luke was to Thalia. I'd met Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, in person, and her powers had scared me worse than Ares. But seeing mum laughing and smiling, after all the years she'd suffered from Gabe, I couldn't help feeling happy for her.

"You promise not to call him Mr. Blowfish?" she asked.

We both shrugged. Percy answered. "Well, maybe not to his face, anyway."

"Sally?" Mr. Blofis called from our living room. "You need the green binder or the red one?"

"I'd better go," she told us. "See you for Christmas?"

"I'm going to Hogwarts but I'll be there for New Years like we planned." I said. "Save me some blue candy."

"I'll see you then," She said.

She waved her hand across the mist. Her image disappeared.

Compared to Mount Olympus, Manhattan was quiet. Friday before Christmas, but it was early in the morning, and hardly anyone was on Fifth Avenue. Argus, the many-eyed security chief, picked up Annabeth, Grover, Percy and me at the Empire State Building and ferried us back to camp through a light snowstorm. The Long Island Expressway was almost deserted.

As we trudged back up Half-Blood Hill to the pine tree where the Golden Fleece glittered, I half expected to see Thalia there, waiting for us. But she wasn't. She was long gone with Aunt Artemis and the rest of the Hunters, off on their next adventure.

Chiron greeted us at the Big House with hot chocolate and toasted cheese sandwiches. Grover went off with his satyr friends to spread the word about our strange encounter with the magic of Pan. Within an hour, the satyrs were all running around agitated, asking where the nearest espresso bar was.