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Chapter 12: Ache

Hera/ Juno POV

Shit.

The girl just had to be pregnate.

Oh, well this won't ruin my plans, since I could just delay the birth so she doesn't have it while sleeping or during her stay in New Rome. Maybe during the quest do defeat Gaia?

Eh, who cares they are just demigods - they are just mistakes whom were made because of affairs.

I put a spell on dear Persia to keep her child from growing until 10 days after The Feast of Fortuna, but the child will grow increasingly fast.

Hopefully nothing  will happen that will mess up my perfectly well made plans so that Greeks and Romans can work together.

Percy POV (3rd)

Jason, Percy decided, was someone that the whole Camp knew and love. Sure, in the back of her mind she remembered who her boyfriend was and has the inkling that he was someone important in his own home. When she'd introduced herself, saying that she knew Jason and was his girlfriend, that Reyna girl seemed to hate her even more.

Percy was pretty sure the daughter of Bellona had something against her.

Personally.

Percy was quite good at reading faces, but she wasn't sure whether or not she could tell the face on Reyna's was one of joy or dread. When they'd found out that Percy must be on that suicide quest.

She supposed it was a mixture of both, the daughter of Poseidon decided as she watched Reyna storm into the room. And immediately, Percy felt panic rise when Reyna whirled on her, dagger in hand.

The Greek child's guard flew up as she started to rise from the seat reserved for praetors—Jason's seat though she was sure he wouldn't mind his girlfriend sitting on it—which she'd dragged to the visitors side to sit on since she knew Reyna wouldn't appreciate her sitting as a praetor when Reyna snapped, "Stay seated," she herself sat on the other praetor seat, eyeing the chair Percy was sitting on with an unknown emotion. "We have things to talk about."

"Which is...?" Percy inquired lazily.

Reyna's eyes flashed which made Percy think that if the other girl made a sudden movement, it won't be for the bowl of sweets. Percy sat up straighter as Reyna explained the situation—"I won't accept Octavian as my partner; but if things become that dire... I just might have to. I need to protect my home."—and finally, the offer to be a praetor.

"Me?" Percy asked, stunned. "Why?"

"Because I don't want Octavian to be by my side as praetor. He'll turn everyone against me instead." Reyna replied bitterly. "And with Jason gone..."

She trailed off but Percy knew what she was about to say next. The implication of it. She weighted what she should do in her mind and firmly shook her head, rejecting the proposal before leaving for the quest.

She took a last long look at Camp Jupiter before leaving, knowing that she wouldn't be back for a long, long time.

Jason POV (3rd)

If it was possible for Jason to feel worse—after knowing that Percy couldn't remember him and possibly dead somewhere, he couldn't possibly think anything could be worse—he did.

Piper had made it more than obvious that she liked him.

But Jason did not harbor such feelings for her.

Something which did not seemed to be able to cement into Piper's head. Leo only threw him sympathetic glances when the son of Jupiter looked to him and Annabeth for help. Annabeth was glowering at him, then at Piper before rather roughly—but Piper wasn't disturbed, having been too tired to care—pulling her away from Jason for which he was grateful for.

Her warmth had been nice against the biting, freezing cold winds. But it just made him ache for Percy's warmth instead. Just his girlfriend's, not someone else. He didn't want to be a playboy like his father is; didn't want to cheat on Percy—even if just for a moment—and suffer both hers and her father's wrath and who knows what else.

The daughter of Athena had relented from her search for Percy to join them in this quest. It was mostly thanks to Leo's wonderful persuasion skills—which consisted of many wheedling, fake-tears, groveling and shouting etc.—which wasn't all that impressive now that he thought about it.

It was just plain childish and irritating which was why Annabeth had agreed to go. To shut him up.

But as annoying Piper was to the point of Jason wanting to shock her, she proved herself useful on the quest. And prophecy said they needed her; just as she needed them to save her father.

Charmspeaking was one interesting and useful ability, Jason decided.

Then with a jolt, he realized that Piper could easily charmspeak him to fall in love with her or forget what little he still remembered of Percy.

For the rest of the ride on Festus, neither Leo nor Annabeth knew why Jason avoided going anywhere near Piper when she was awake like the plague.

They didn't bother asking either. What amazing and understanding friends right?

Percy POV (3rd)

Memory loss sucks, Percy decided as she glared at the boat. Though she'd said she'd go to get some water for Hazel, she'd ended up glaring at the boat as if it'd wronged her. In truth, she just wanted to give time for some 'Frazel' moment between the two of them.

They were so into another and yet, they were too oblivious to figure it out, Percy shook her head as she made her way back to where her quest mates were, only to be faced with a panicking Frank.

"What's wrong?" she immediately asked, concern flaring in her chest once she noticed that the daughter of Pluto wasn't there.

"She's been dragged away by some weeds!"

Percy drew her sword. "And why did you just stand here and panic?" she demanded incredulously.

"Because I was waiting for you," Frank replied nervously fiddling with his bow as the two made their way to, hopefully, where Hazel was. "I don't think I will be strong enough to take the monster on by myself. You're much more experience and powerful and—"

The son of Mars probably could've gone on and on about Percy's great battle qualities but Hazel's scream stopped him from doing so. He instantly turned into a knight in shining armor just for Hazel. In a split second after the scream, his face changed from uncertain and terrified to brave-read-to-take-any-kind-of-monsters on face.

"Let's go," he said—more like ordered though. "We have to hurry. Hazel needs us."

Percy resisted the urge to say 'Well, duh' and instead, just nodded. She was surprised by his quick change in attitude. But she supposed that love could do that to someone.

She turned her head away when Hazel's eyes lit up like fireworks once she caught sight og Frank; obviously seeing him as her knight in shining armor.

She couldn't bear to watch. Not out of disgust, but because she didn't want them to see how uncomfortable she was. It reminded her too much of Jason. Of her heart that ached to be near him now.

Just as she opened her mouth to say something, she staggered as a memory ran through her mind. Of a blonde little boy that looked suspiciously like Jason and her as a child. He was, fighting with some older guys while she sat back and watched, sniffling slightly, bruised with cuts.

"Percy?"

The daughter of Poseidon shook her head and reached for a lighter. She sparked the match and threatened them, "Get lost!" she snapped. "Or I'll burn this place to the ground."

"She'll really do it!" Hazel called out from behind her and Frank. "She's that crazy!"

Percy huffed at that but seeing the wheat monsters retreat was worth it.

For the rest of the journey, she pondered on that odd memory. She would have continued to do so if they hadn't encountered the Giant and his army of monsters.

The moment she saw the giant, the daughter of Poseidon's vision filled with black spots and she faintly heard someone call her name before the world before her eyes tunneled.