Mark of Athena

Jason- II

Jason- II

   Annabeth led the way through the sea of demigods confidently as she kept her head up. Many Romans looked tense, ready to attack, but no one dared to move.

   Entire families from the city had gathered to see the Greeks: that grouchy old lady with the cane that came for coffee every day at seven o'clock, that young boy who liked to chase seagulls- even that little girl who was usually too shy to leave home; all of them were there.

   There was a Cyclops and a hellhound at the far end of the crowd, but seeing nobody was attacking he kept silent. The Cyclops grinned and waved, wearing an SPQR banner like a giant bib.

   And then the demigods in front of them hastily moved away, and a girl with dark obsidian hair stood waiting for them. Her eyes were as black as night, and she held herself with so much confidence that everyone else averted their gaze when she looked at them. Annabeth and Reyna stood staring at each other, each with the same expression, each the leader of a certain group.

   Romans whispered Jason's name with awe, and he felt a spurt of pride within himself. It felt so good to be back, he thought to himself.

   Then someone else appeared in the crowd, and Annabeth dropped her gaze from Reyna and looked on, seemingly like if she didn't, everything would disappear like a dream. A handsome guy with dark black hair and sea-green eyes appeared, in a praetor outfit.

   Secretly, Jason was a little hurt that they had moved on within him. It had taken him a few years to rise up to his seat of power, and then suddenly the replaced him with a guy who had been there for six months at the latest.

   Reyna straightened, then looked on at Jason. "Jason Grace, my former colleague..." She said. "I welcome you home. And these, your friends-"

   Annabeth got a faraway look in her eyes and then suddenly stepped forward. Jason didn't know what was happening until she started running, and the boy who he supposed was Percy Jackson ran toward her. The crowd and Jason tensed.

   Percy Jackson threw his arms around the sad and mourning girl, and then they kissed, oblivious to the scene folding around them. Young, and in love. Jason thought sadly. They were lucky, only having each other, without a complicated love triangle.

   Then the new praetor pulled away, studying Annabeth's face, which was now bright and happy, nothing like the stern girl he had met over the year. She had the happiest smile on her face. "Gods, I never thought-" The boy said, when Annabeth grabbed his wrist and flipped him over her shoulder. Romans cried out, but Reyna cried "Hold! Stand down!" and they stopped. Jason shivered, thinking he would never ever get on Annabeth's bad side.

   Annabeth put her knee on Percy's chest, pushing her forearm on his throat. "If you ever leave me again." She said, a tear forming on her eye. "I swear to all the gods-"

   Percy Jackson laughed a little, like he had been expecting this all along. "Considered me warned." He laughed, a rich, hearty laugh. "I missed you, too."

   Annabeth rosed and helped him up, looking like she only wanted to be with her boyfriend forever. Jason found himself in an extremely awkward position.

"So, yeah... it's good to be back." He said, clearing his throat. He introduced Reyna to Piper, who looked miffed that she hadn't gotten to say her lines, and Leo, who grinned and flashed a peace sign. "Oh, and this is Annabeth." Jason said. "Uh, normally she doesn't judo-flip people." A few Romans chuckled.

   Reyna's eyes smiled. "You sure you're not a Roman, Annabeth? Or an Amazon?"

   Annabeth smiled, holding out her hand. "I only attack my boyfriend like that." She promised. "Pleased to meet you."

   Reyna clasped her hand. "It seems we have much to discuss. Centurions!" A few of the senior campers came forward, ready to follow orders.

   Two kids came at Percy Jackson's side: Hazel, he had missed her; and a chubby dude with a buzz cut, looking sort of like an oversized-human-panda. Hazel seemed anxious, though, looking toward Leo like he was a monster or something. Jason wondered why, because he was sure Leo and Hazel had never met before.

   Reyna was issuing orders, something at last that felt like home. "...Bobby, tell the legion to stand down. Dakota, alert the spirits in the kitchen. Tell them to prepare a welcome feast. And, Octavian-"

   "You're letting these intruders into camp?" Octavian snarled, pushing his way through the crowd. Jason's eyes narrowed. There went the Mr. Adolf Hitler the II wannabe. "Reyna, the security risks-"

   "We're not taking them to the camp, Octavian." Reyna said, staring at him sternly. "We'll eat here, in the forum."

   "Oh, much better. You want us to relax in the shadow of their warship." He flashed a suspicious look to Jason.

   "These are our guests." Reyna said icily, saying each word like a seperate sentence. "We will welcome them, and we will talk to them. As augur, you should burn an offering to thank the gods for bringing Jason back to us safely."

   "Good idea. Go burn you bears, Octavian." Percy Jackson said. Jason grinned. Maybe the kid wasn't so bad as he thought.

   Reyna looked like she was surpressing a smile. "You have my orders. Go."

   The officers spread out into the crowd. Octavian stared at the newcomers with suspicion, then vanished.

   Piper gripped his hand tightly, and he vaguely heard someone talking. "Most of the Romans are good people- like Frank and Hazel here, and Reyna. We'll be fine." So Frank was the chubby kid he ahd seen earlier.

   "We'll be fine." Another person repeated, sounding like Annabeth. She seemed to be forcing herself to believe it.

   "Excellent." Reyna said, shooting him a weird look. There was a strange look in her eye. "Let's talk, and we can have a proper reunion."