The Glory That Is Rome (a Percy Jackson AU)

Stay With Me

    Jason was walking to work when he saw her. Her face was covered in bruises and her arms were covered in blood, but he recognized her by the shape of her face and her braided hair. She was so still that he feared that she was dead. He ran forward and crouched down beside her. He touched her neck and felt a pulse; it was slow but steady. 

     Jason nearly sobbed in relief. He picked her up as gently as he could, his job forgotten. Piper was breathing hoarsely. Her eyes fluttered open and she frowned as she recognized Jason.

   "What are you doing with me?" she cried.

   "Taking you to a physician," Jason answered.

  "Why should I trust you?" Piper asked.

   "Because you're going to die without help," Jason said.

   "Take me to Will," Piper said. "He's the closest physician."

    She gave him directions and Jason told himself that he didn't care if she liked Will as long as Will could save her. When he reached the house, he called out, "Will! Will, it's urgent."

    The door quickly opened.

   "Who are you?" Will asked and then he saw Piper. 

   He gestured for Jason to follow him and he directed Jason to set Piper down on a sofa. Two other inhabitants were in the house. A woman with black hair and brown eyes cried when she saw Piper. The slight, pale man with dark hair exchanged a glance at Will. 

   "It might be better than it looks," Will said.

    "I sure hope so," Piper said, her voice weak.

    "Nico, fetch me bandages!" Will snapped.

   Will worked quickly and precisely. He cleaned Piper's wounds and bandaged the worst of the cuts. He spread ointments on her bruises and gave her a hot beverage to give strength. Jason watched Will and wondered how he could be so calm. Eventually, Piper fell asleep.

    "Will she alright?" Jason asked.

    "Physically, yes," Will said, "but mentally? I cannot say for sure. Sometimes the wounds that never heal are the ones that we cannot easily see."

    Jason's shoulders slumped and Nico gave him a stool to sit down on. He had given her a knife and it had made no difference. Underneath all of the bandages and ointments, Piper looked as fragile as a doll.

   "This is all my fault," the dark-haired girl suddenly said. "She wouldn't have been attacked if she hadn't come with me."

    Will placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "It's not your fault, Drew. You weren't the one who attacked her."

    "I should have made her wait," Drew said.

      "Octavian would just have beaten her," Will said.

    Drew's face a mask of fear. 

    "Octavian is going to beat us until we're senseless," she whispered.

     Jason stiffened. He would like to throw a brick at Octavian's head. Jason knew from personal experience that bricks were formidable weapons. He took out some coins from his robes and gave them to Will.

    "Is this enough?" he asked and Will nodded.

   Jason walked over to Piper. Her eyes were closed. 

   "I'm going to leave," he said softly in case she could hear him. 

   "Don't," Piper said softly with her eyes still closed, grabbing his hand. "Stay with me."

    Jason grunted in affirmation and he saw a smile smile grace her face. Then, she turned her head and fell back to sleep.