“You can walk!” Zoe exclaimed as she bounced off the bed, and ran towards Alex to give her a hug. “That means we can go out and play together!”. Samson couldn’t help but laugh, “Yes! Let’s go play soccer!” he also ran to hug Alex.

Alexandra knelt and hugged them back. She was so happy she met these two wonderful kids that it made every godsdamn horrible thing she went through since arriving here worth it. “Thank you Zoe. And thank you Samson.” she hugged both of them strongly (not as strong as to break their ribs, of course.).

After a lot of hugging, Alexandra stood up and almost lost her balance. Thankfully, Sam and Zoe helped her keep her stance. “Unfortunately, I think I’m still going to need my cane.”
The campers were nice enough to have brought Shifter to the infirmary with her. It was right next to her bed, where she walked and picked it up. She looked at it for a while, admiring it. Then whirled it around and pointed it at Samson, and with a fake british accent, said, “It’s football, young sir. Not soccer, football.”
Samson rolled his eyes and smiled, “It doesn’t matter!”
“It does when the rest of the world calls it that.”

Samson simply rolled his eyes and did his best spoiled Lila expression, then laughed.
“So what you going to do now?” that was Zoe. She was clutching her teddy bear and seemed to be swaying. Samson knew when she did that, it meant she was happy. Alexandra looked down at her:
“Urm…” she scratched her head.
“You’re not gonna go now are you?” asked Zoe. Samson looked surprised, then he looked at Alex. “You’re not going are you?”, “I, uh-...”, “You’re not leaving yet are you?” Samson and Zoe were both looking at her with sad kitty eyes. She looked at those eyes.

“I’m not leaving...” Zoe and Samson smiled, “...yet.” Zoe and Samson stopped smiling, and Zoe went on to look sad. Alexandra continued, bending down to pick up Zoe, who was pouting, “I’m gonna stay for a while, because despite the fact that I can walk now, even with the help of a cane, I’m still rather weak.”

She proved the fact when she tried to change Zoe’s teddy bear into a porcelain doll. It did remain into a doll for one or two minutes but then Alexandra winced and the Mist faded off and Zoe had her old teddy bear again.

Samson and Zoe were looking at this whole process with awe. Zoe checked if her teddy bear was really her teddy bear. “But you did a great job. You really changed Zoe’s teddy bear into a doll!” exclaimed Samson
“Yes, but I’m not supposed to wince and it’s supposed to stay for as long as you believe it’s a doll.”
“Then we didn’t believe it’s a doll because we knew it was a teddy bear.”

Alexandra went and sat on the makeshift bed, putting Zoe next to her. She looked at Samson and smiled, without showing teeth, “Then why did you say I did a great job if I didn’t convince you?”

Samson was speechless, “Uh… because you did make the doll pretty nice?”
Alexandra shook her head, “No, the whole reason you even saw the doll was because you believed. Anyways, it lasted only a minute and I feel tired and lightheaded, which usually doesn’t happen when I’m doing such a simple thing.”
Samson looked disappointed. “Well, whatever means you’re staying.” said Zoe, who hugged Alexandra, “This also means that we can play outside now.”

Well, at least Zoe’s happy, thought Samson. Then he realized something, if Alexandra was going to stay for a while, what was he going to say to Harvey and the others? He didn’t tell them that the boot was for Alex. “Harvey’s gonna be mad I lied.” he thought. Then he thought of Chiron. When Samson requested the Alex’s boot to be made, he’d asked Harvey and Crystal not to tell Chiron. He was going to be so mad… His thoughts were interrupted by Alex.
“Something up, Samson? Why do you look so pale?”

“Uh… Nothing.” Alex gave him a look that clearly meant she wasn’t buying it, “I mean,” Samson sighed, “I didn’t tell anyone that that boot was being made for you, and I even asked Harvey and Crystal not to tell anyone, especially Chiron…” he scratched his head, “..., but now that you’re staying, Chiron and the rest are going to find out, and…”
“You think you’ll be in trouble.”
Samson nodded. Zoe turned to look at her brother, “Why didn’t you tell them that the boot was for Alex?”
“Because I thought Alex was going to wear it then leave, so then we can say that she got better.” Samson looked down, “I’m gonna be in so much trouble.”
“Yeah.” said Zoe, “I wonder what would Mr. D say.”
Alexandra was surprised when Samson froze, he lifted his head, and did a nervous smile, “Let’s hope no one tells him.”

Alexandra couldn’t help but smile.Mr. D aka Lord Dionysus, was the camp’s director and head of activities, he was known to be a pain and quite lazy. Alexandra doubted he’d hurt a nine year old. Wasn’t his style. “Don’t worry about Mr. D. He’s not going to hurt you.” she said, Samson didn’t stop looking scared. “Still. I don’t wanna be turned into a dolphin or be sent to clean the stables.”
Alexandra shook her head, “He won’t do that.”
“How do you know? You haven’t even met him.”
“Yes, but I know he has a wife.”
“So?” Samson started to look slightly hopeful.
“So, changing a nine year old, such as you, into a dolphin would make him look bad in front of his wife,...”
“Ariadne.”
“Yes, Zoe. His wife’s Ariadne, and, as you will learn, when you get married, Samson,” she looked at Samson, “A man wouldn’t do anything that might mean his wife’s anger. It is known.”
“Why?” asked Samson,
“Well, for starters, would you want ANY girl to be mad at you?”

Samson thought for a while, then smiled, “Unless it’s Lila, no. I’d hate it if Zoe was mad at me.” He went to hug Zoe, who gladly hugged back. Alexandra smiled. Samson really loved his sister and took care of her.

“And besides, Sam.” Alexandra lied down on the bed, “I will explain everything to everyone. Especially Chiron and Mr. D.”
“You’d do that?” Alexandra looked at him,
“You’re kidding? After everything you did for me, I’d put you in trouble and not try and get you out of it? It’s the least I could do for you.”

Samson got up on the bed and lied down next to Alex. “What about Zoe?”. Zoe lied down next to them, "You took care of her, gave her company, and played with her. “Taking care of Zoe was a pleasure. Not a favor.” Alexandra went on to tickle Zoe, who giggled and tried to push Alex away.
“That’s the first time I hear someone say something like that.”
“That’s because not many people understand someone like Zoe.” said Alex, as she kept tickling Zoe, “People forget that Zoe is a person and treat her differently.” she stopped tickling Zoe, and turned to look at Samson, “That’s why Zoe distances herself from other people, except…” Alex sat up, “... people like, you, me and, I guess, your mother or father.”

A horn blew in the distance, signaling dinner.
“You better go.” Alex helped Zoe off the bed. Samson got off the bed, took Zoe’s hand and went towards the draperies.
He stopped in front of them, “What about you?” he turned his head to look at Alex, “Don’t you want to eat?”
“Relax. Right now, I want to sleep.” she lied down on the bed, “Tomorrow I’ve got things to explain. Have a nice dinner.”
Samson nodded, then, with Zoe, left.

Outside, the sun was setting, making the sky pink. Zoe always liked this part of the day, she liked the colors. So she couldn’t help but look up at the sky, trusting that Samson would walk her all the way to the pavilion without making her trip.
“It’s truly beautiful the sky at this time, no?” Zoe looked towards her brother and nodded. She went back to looking at the sky.

“Zoe, look at me.” Zoe looked at Samson. They had stopped walking and were now looking at each other. “I’m saying this so you’re ready.” he took a deep breath, he was afraid of how she’d react, “Alexandra IS going to leave Camp Half-Blood once she gets all her strength back. So don’t be hurt when she goes.” he looked at Zoe her expression didn’t change.
“She’ll visit.” said Zoe, with such certainty even Samson believed her. Before he could say anything, Zoe added, “Anyway, if she can’t, we’ll visit.” she smiled, “I know where she’s going.”

And with that note, Zoe let go of Samson’s hand and headed towards the pavilion. Samson stood there. Apparently, Alex had done more than simply play with Zoe.
He then followed his sister towards the pavilion.

Notes

Warning: In these notes there is lot of drama and regrets. If you don't want that, simply go to the next chapter or to another story.

OK, part 2 was shorter than part 1... *stares awkwardly towards the audience, then suddenly, falls on knees, and bows* (this act in japan is called 'odesha' it's a traditional and dramatic way of saying 'sorry')
I'm sorry that we're at the 6th chapter and there is little to no action! But, I mean, how am I supposed to do an action scene when one of the characters cannot walk? *cries and blubbers.* Oh the shame! *puts hands dramatically on the face* Oh! Please forgive me, dear audience! I tried! *suddenly stops crying, stands up and does a determined face* I promise, in the next chapter there WILL be action! Even if it's the longest chapter I've ever written! *audience groans* Oh c'mon! You people come here because you like reading. *Calms down. Does television smile* Now onto more happy news.
........ It's SO damn hot in Greece, it's like a goddamn desert! You can't walk out of the house with goddamn sweating in two minutes! I--- *BEEP*

- This program was interrupted due to the overload of drama and staying out of context-
-- We're sorry for the disturbance--

Stay cool, bookworms! - Lolig out!