Hey Guys, this is a little fic that I've been meaning to type up forever, but haven't gotten around to it until now. It's a sort of tribute to the awesome Sally Jackson-Blofis, the only woman with enough patience and awesomeness to raise Percy Jackson. She doesn't get nearly enough credit in HoO, so I whipped up this three shot to remedy that.

Chapter 1- Sally, He's Gone

Sally Jackson sighed as she sat down at her desk, cup of coffee in hand. Her novel was coming along nicely, more or less, but just now she was having a bit of writer's block. The budding author had just resigned herself to sitting down until something, anything came to her to continue her story, when someone knocked on the door. Sally stood up from her chair and went to the door, wondering who was there. She hadn't been aware of anyone coming to visit.

Whatever she had been expecting (perhaps Paul had forgotten his house key), it most certainly wasn't this. Annabeth, Thalia, Grover were standing in the doorway. Grover and Thalia seemed to be half supporting Annabeth between them. None of them looked good, Annabeth seemed to be the worst off, and Sally's first instinct was to ask where the injuries were, but there was no blood, and no bandages. Their eyes were rimmed with red, Annabeth's were puffy, her face had acquired a grayish tinge, and she looked exhausted enough to collapse where she stood.

Alarmed, Sally led the trio into the living room where all three of them collapsed onto the couch. All three of them definitely seemed as though they'd been crying. After a few moments, Sally broke the silence, speaking urgently.

"What's wrong, what's happened, why-?"

Annabeth spoke suddenly, cutting her off. "Sally," her voice trembled, "He's gone," On the last word her voice broke, and she leaned against Thalia as though the daughter of Zeus were the only thing keeping her upright. At Sally's confused look, and that Annabeth wasn't going to be saying anymore for the moment, Thalia spoke.

"A week ago Percy and Annabeth were out in the ocean, and the got back to camp a little late. He kissed her goodnight, and they both went to their cabins, but the next morning..." Thalia trailed off, sniffling.

"He was gone," Sally finished the sentence, falling into the nearest chair with a thump.

"We looked everywhere," Grover said, voice shaking, "we haven't stopped looking. We thought maybe we could find him before...but Annabeth thought it was time we should tell you."

Which brought Sally's attention back to Annabeth and the fact that she hadn't been saying anything. She had just sat there in between her two friends, silent tears running down her cheeks.

A look from Sally had Grover and Thalia quietly getting up to leave the room as Sally sat down beside Annabeth and gently put an arm around her shoulders.

"He'll come back," Sally told her, voice craking, "he always does, and he's tough. He'll find his way home."

Then Sally broke down into tears, and, clutching each other, Annabeth Chase and Sally Jackson-Blofis, cried.

Well, that was super cheerful! (*cough*not*cough*) The next two will be happier, I promise. Hope y'alls enjoyed it.

-Crazyreader out :)