DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS.


Sick.

Sick with excitement and nervousness.

That's what Jason felt as he paced up and down the Argo 2. His hands were sweaty and even his toes were slightly curled in his shoes.

"Jason, it's going to be fine" Annabeth said to him, even though she was more of a wreck that him.

"Oh yeah sure." He replied, trying to sound calm but failing badly to his nerves.

"Jason..." Annabeth let out a small breath and looked him square in the eye, "it has to be"

Jason simply nodded, the look on Annabeth's face, and more importantly, the truth of those words brought home the reality of the situation. It gave him enough strength to open the door of Argo 2 and step outside.

When he did, the emotions he felt were unspeakably amazing. He felt relieved and at peace; he finally felt as though he belonged somewhere; and that army of about 200 Roman warriors? It didn't scare him, he belonged with them, and he was one of them.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Annabeth beside him, scanning the surrounding army. He heard a small gasp behind him and felt someone grab his hand. was Piper. Leo simply said "oh", which considering that Leo normally had a lot more to say, was definitely an interesting reaction.

Jason scanned the crowd. He didn't have all his memories back, but he knew who he had to look for.

Reyna.

He would have to answer to her, since she was the leader. She has olive skin and dark hair and eyes. What was their relationship like? He didn't know, because his missing memories are mainly of her. What he did know, was that every time he thought of her name, he lost focus on everything else and it made him question what he was doing with Piper.

He heard Annabeth release a small gasp and he turned to her. She was staring straight ahead, unblinking.

Jason followed her line of sight and it rested on a dark haired boy with green eyes. Percy Jackson. Next to Percy Jackson was a Pegasus carrying a dark haired, dark eyed girl. Jason and the girl stare at each other.

Reyna.

Damn. Whatever little memories he did have of her did not compare to what she was in reality.

Her posture was impeccable and elegant as she sat on her Pegasus, the image of a great leader. A few strands of hair were free from her braid and while they were curled rather attractively around her face, Jason's fingers itched to brush them away. Her lips were moulded into a small heavenly smile, so small that Jason had to look hard to make sure it was really there. Her eyes were filled with emotions so strong, so happy to say the least, that it almost took his breath from him.

Once again his hands became wet and his toes curled in his shoes, her eyes so dark and bewitching, he could lose himself in them. His throat became dry.

For a reason he did know, or more likely didn't remember, he had an urge to run to Reyna and hug her tightly, but for the sake of their predicament, he knew he couldn't.

Reyna's voice broke his thoughts.

"I, Reyna, praetor of the twelfth region, senator of New Rome, and daughter of Bellona, welcome you, Jason Grace, former praetor of the first legion, son of Jupiter, back to New Rome."

A loud noise of approval was made by the surrounding army, and despite being taken aback by being referred to as the former praetor, Jason smiled.

Ahhh...home, he thought to himself.

"As with tradition, all children of Rome are gladly welcomed back, and as you are a former praetor, it is my pleasure to welcome you."

Again a sound of approval, and Jason was certain the great leader standing before him was smiling now.

"However, your companions must identify themselves and their business here."

Complete and utter silence ensued.

Jason nodded and looked to Annabeth.

"I am Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena."

"Piper McLean, daughter of Aphrodite" Piper piped.

Everyone expected to hear Leo introduce himself, but he didn't. Jason glanced at him and saw him gaping at Reyna. Jason grinded his teeth and hissed "Leo".

"Err...oh right...I am Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus"

Then Annabeth continued.

"We come in peace. We are in search of one, Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon. And two, we..."

She faltered, unsure of how to explain everything in one sentence.

"We come bearing the news that the prophecy of the seven is upon us, and in order to fulfil this prophecy, we must work together. Romans and Greeks that is."

Jason finished for Annabeth. His voice was powerful and demanding. It was his praetor voice, his roman voice. The voice of a warrior set on being heard, on doing his duty.

His eyes echoed the tone of his voice, it was cold and commanding. For effect he turned his electric blue eyes on those nearest to him, challenging them to defy his allegations. When he was done, he rested his eyes on Reyna once again, but there was a softer, more civilized emotion lighting his eyes, as though he was begging her to believe him.

Reyna cocked her head sideways, and it amazed Jason how something so simple and common could look so unique on her.

"So it is true then, there is another camp. A Greek one"

"Yes" Annabeth stated and a nervous murmur went through the army.

"Silence!" Reyna shouted and the army obeyed. She then swallowed as though calming herself.

"There is no one else aboard?" Reyna asked, looking directly at Jason.

"No one else" Jason replied evenly.

"Very well then, you all will accompany us to the Principia. First cohort, you will stand guard of their...ship."

Jason and the rest walked towards Percy and Reyna, while simultaneously a large portion of the army moved forward towards the Argo 2. Leo looked panic and blurted out, "hey man, err...they not going to harm my baby right?"

Jason looked at him and then at Reyna. He raised his eyebrow and pointed his thumb at the Argo 2.

Reyna bit her lip to hold back a smile, something that entranced Jason.

"First cohort. You are not to enter the ship unless it is absolutely necessary. Nor are you to allow entrance to anyone but the Greeks. Understood?"

Once again a loud noise erupted. The roman demigods were banging their armours with their weapons.

"Yes praetor. Senātus Populusque Rōmānus"

Reyna looked at Jason with eyebrow raised and a smile tugged at her lips, until she saw his hand linked with Piper's. Her eyes grew angry, and her smile disappeared, and yet there was no missing the hurt behind it. Jason quickly slid his hand out of Piper's and made a fist at his side. Only later did he realise that he probably hurt Piper.