In Time {Solangelo}

~ Nico ~

Nico was halfway to the infirmary, when he saw Kathrine limping out of the woods, followed by an aggravated Will Solace. Her leg was bleeding and she had a determined look on her face. Charlie ran past Nico, "WILLIAM!"

Will looked up and said something, Charlie yelled, Will talked, Charlie-interrupted, Will said something,Charlie screamed.

Nico jogged over, "Everything okay?"

Kathrine nodded, "Yup. Everything's A-okay!"

Charlie and Nico both glanced at her leg. She waved her hand dismissively, "Oh that, I'm fine." She pointed an accusing finger at Will, "Blame lego man."

Kathrine kept on limping forward, Charlie glared at Will, who tried to help but she shooed him away and Nico just stood there watching. He approached Kathrine and she gave him a look but let him help.

* * *

Nico stared at Charlie, "What did you just say?"

She looked at the sun, high in the sky. "I said that you should tell Will that you think Leo might be alive."

Nico shook his head, "No. No I can't."

"And why not?"

"What if I'm wrong?"

She leaned forward, "But what if your right."

Nico shook his head, "I'll tell him... I swear. I just want to make sure."

She nodded, "Fine."

A voice inside yelled Charlie's name.

Charlie stood up, "I need to go."

Nico nodded "You should tell Will to take a break."

Charlie grinned, "Why don't you tell him?"

Nico scowled, "Because I need to go somewhere too."

"Go where?"

"See Jason." He blurted.

Charlie's smile got bigger, "Okay. See you around." The daughter of Apollo turned and walked into the infirmary.

* * *

Nico stood in front of cabin one. He knocked, no answer. He knocked again, no answer. Nico pushed open the door, empty. So much for that idea.

He turned and saw a little boy lying next to the Hephaestus cabin. The child looked over and locked eyes with Nico. He could feel the kid's grief and remorse. He walked over, "Um... Hi."

The son of Hephaestus looked up, "Hi..."

Nico sat down next to him, "You're Harley right?"

The boy nodded.

Nico watched as Harley sat up at wiped his eyes, "He might be okay." Nico said.

Harley looked at him with tears in his eyes, "I know."

Nico didn't know what he was doing but he wanted to help, he owed Leo that at least.

Harley fiddled with a piece of wire, "You're the son of Hades right, you have been to the underworld?"

Nico nodded as Harley studied him, he didn't seem to be scared or worried about sitting next to the son of Hades. "Nico, if you hear anything from the underworld... anything at all would you tell me?" Harley looked on the verge of tears, Nico didn't know what to say.

"Ya."

"Really?"

"If I get any new information, you will be one of the first to know."

"Thanks." Harley gave him a bright smile and Nico couldn't help but grin too.

Harley at the sky, his hands still creating something, he stood up, "Nico can you come with me for a minute?"

Nico stood and followed Harley into cabin nine, there were no beds just tools and projects everywhere. The floors were stained, but it still had a cozy feel to it. Near the back there was a small desk, a guy was in front of it. He turned as they came in, "Hey Harley." he glanced at Nico then did a double take, "Oh... Hey Nico..."

"Hi Jake." Harley muttered, the little boy walked over to a keypad and typed in a code. Harley stepped back as a bed slid out of the wall.

Jake stood up and walked over to Nico, "Cool hun?" Nico nodded.

Harley put in another passcode and a small drawer opened near the base of the bed he grabbed a piece of paper and shut the drawer. Harley pushed a button and the whole bed slid back into the wall. Jake whistled, "Harley never shows that to anyone," He punched Nico in the arm, "You're pretty lucky."

Nico stepped away from Jake.

Harley turned to his brother, "Nyssa needs your help at the forges." Nico could tell he was lying but Jake bought it.

As soon as his older brother was gone Harley led Nico to a table in the back of the cabin, he laid down the sheet. It was a blueprint, Nico could tell that much. He couldn't read the words, they were a strange mix of Ancient Greek and English, he looked up at Harley. "What is this for?"

Harley grinned, "It's a homing beacon."

"What?"

"To find Festus. If we find Festus, we find Leo. I know he might not be alive... but still..."

Nico felt his mouth form a smile, "How does it work?"

"Well automatons have frequencies that they respond to. Once I build this and figure out the right frequency that Festus with respond to, then it will send a signal to Festus and the signal will help lead Festus home. Understand?"

Nico shook his head, "No."

The son of Hephaestus launched into a detailed explanation that Nico chose not to listen to. Once he was done, Harley grinned up at Nico. "Think it will work?"

"If Leo is alive and with Festus, then yes."

"Cool!" Harley bounced on the balls of his feet, "Thanks Nico!"

Nico watched as the son of Hephaestus sat down and started to add details, he silently slipped out of the cabin.

He remembered what Charlie had said that morning, You should tell Will. He had nothing better to do so Nico walked across the field to the Infirmary.

* * *

"Sorry," Emmy said, "He went to go rest or something." She had the faintest of smiles on her lips and her eyes sparkled, as she wrapped a bandage around a camper's foot.

Nico turned, he was at the door when Emmy said, "You should check our cabin." Nico nodded and headed out.

He was halfway to the cabins when he saw Will waving at him from the archery range, Nico waved back. He was about to go over when he realized that the son of Apollo was not alone. Nico's heart sank, he didn't want to talk to Percy. Not while Will was around. Not yet. Most importantly he didn't want to talk to Will while the son of Poseidon was there. He turned and walked away.