All the way through dinner, Jason remained silent. He picked at his food uncomfortably, and kept glancing up between Annabeth and Reyna, hoping that no-one would see. Annabeth was beginning to fret about him as well; in all the stress, confusion and worry, Jason was letting his guard slip and had been acting like an entirely different person altogether. Annabeth wondered what he would be going through at the moment, as it had to be pretty bad if he were to go to the point of asking Annabeth to tell Reyna for him. Jason was brave, strong, chivalrous, Roman, and it was rather uncharacteristic of him to not tell Reyna himself. Annabeth was beginning to have second thoughts...

Maybe she should just tell him that he had to to it, and that Percy would be willing to help, and that she was stupid to agree in the first place. After all, Athenian kids had charisma, and far too little did Annabeth use it for a good cause like this. With just a little subtle hits dropped here and there, maybe a motivational speech with a mixture of kind and stern words thrown in, and voila! She could have anyone dancing like a puppet, and she would be holding all the strings.

Okay, maybe those last few sentences were exaggerating slightly, but basically children of Athena were charismatic, and she was sure if she tried hard she could get Jason to do it himself, which was the right thing. It would certainly help them both, and Annabeth really couldn't be bothered to do it for him.

She sighed and glanced at Percy at the Praetorian's table, but he seemed to have his eyes fixed on Reyna. She was sat no different to all the other nights she had sat at the table; spine straight, shoulders back, long black hair cascading gracefully down her boltright back as she politely used a knife and fork to transport small amounts of rich, proper food from her plate to her mouth before chewing it slowly. And, as usual, the Praetorian's table was completely silent and awkward. Annabeth pitied Percy. He must dread mealtimes if he had to spend them like this.

She could imagine Jason sat in that chair. Images of him casually chewing on a burger, his feet propped up against the table as he cracks Reyna a joke and she bursts out laughing and leans back in her chair, admiration and affection flickering across her now stone-cold eyes every time she looks at him flashed through Annabeth's mind.

It was a beautiful thought and one she could see happening, but Percy and Reyna were nothing like that. Percy was probably dying to be able to prop his feet up and laugh like the Jason in Annabeth's thoughts, and Reyna would probably fell better if he did, but it was such a close yet awkward friendhsip neither did anything exept sit rigidly and eat, with the only words passing between them idle chit-chat.

Annabeth couldn't help feeling she would feel a lot better if it was Piper in Reyna's place. Granted, she was much closer friends with Piper than she was with Reyna, and she would feel awful, but Percy would be happier, Jason would probably be able to tell her himself and Annabeth would find it a lot easier explaining things to her. Plus, Piper still had friends and chances outside of Jason. From what Annabeth had heard, Reyna was only ever truly happy and able to act like herself around Jason, and had become miserable compared to what she was like before Jason had 'left'.

But whatever. Annabeth couldn't do anything about it now, and after dinner she would be explaining to Reyna with Percy that the guy she loved, and who had once loved her, was with another girl. That is, of course, unless she manages to persuade Jason that he should do it himself and face her like a man, and then she and Percy would be there to comfort her afterwards, but getting Jason to do that wouldn't be easy, despite her earlier-mentioned 'charisma'. She would at least give it a go, she decided.

Everyone else at the table sensed something was awkward. With Jason, Piper and Annabeth all acting and looking like someone had died, everyone else who attempted at sparking a conversation failed miserably and eventually just gave up, having quiet, inaudible conversations between themselves. Annabeth didn't mind though. She needed time to think.

Dinner passed slowly that evening. Annabeth felt sick throughout most of it, and only got about halfway through it. From studying Reyna carefully she got the idea Reyna knew what was going on. Annabeth looked, and she saw. She saw the way Reyna was watching Jason carefully, her hand hovering above her fork like she wanted to eat but couldn't bring herself to. Jason was doing nothing, but her dark eyes were wet with hurt as she she watched him. Her body was stiff, stiffer than before, like she was frozen in time. Annabeth looked down at her half-empty plate, not wanting to see anymore. That's it. She decided. Jason Grace was telling her the truth whether he wanted to or not, because Annabeth wasn't going to be causing that much pain for anyone anytime soon. She was fine with Jason and Piper being together, and she was happy for them, but the hurt it caused other people - Annabeth didn't want to think about it.

I'm so lucky to have Percy, she thought guiltily. She had been so caught up in her own love tragedy that when it was finally resolved with a happy ending she completely forgot about everyobody elses. And with a war on top... she gulped. To think that her pain from eight months was continuing for these people... it made her want to cry.

Eventually, after what felt like years, the meal came to an end. She was the first to get up and leave, wanting to get away from the stuffy atmosphere in the room and the horrible deppresion that hung in the air like meat in a butcher's shop. She leaned heavily against the walls of the Mess Hall and slumped down to the soft, grassy ground and hugged her knees to her chest. This wasn't her business, but somehow she had let herself get sucked into it and now seemed to be feeling the same as everyone else involved. But maybe her reasons were different though... pity? Sympathy? Probably.

"We can't do it, Annabeth."

She looked up. Percy was stood there, his green eyes completely serious. He sat down next to her and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I can't. I'm not going to be the one to do that to Reyna."

Annabeth sighed and smiled sadly, appreciating his presence and glad that he agreed with her. "Yeah," she nodded, closing her eyes and allowing his fingers to interlink with hers. "Jason has to do it. He has to."

"I just want all this to stop, Wise Girl."

She chuckled, but sadly. "What? This silly equivalent of a high-school romance drama?"

When he responded, she could hear the grin in his voice. "That too," but now he was serious. "But - just, just this. The war. This, this horrible barrier between the camps. It feels like we're never going to get on, and at this rate without the co-operation from both sides, we've got no chance against Gaia."

Annabeth wrapped her arms around his waist and was about to open her mouth to reply when a voice, a usually quite clear voice, said quietly, "You guys still up for it tonight?"

It was Jason. Annabeth looked up, and saw him stood there with Piper with him. They both looked upset, and Piper said nothing and wouldn't meet their eyes, like she felt guilty. Annabeth felt a little sorry for her, as well, even if she got the better end of the deal. Annabeth also noticed Jason and Piper weren't holding hands or anything, not even touching. Although she knew nothing happened between them, she guessed they felt too awkward until this was all over and done with.

"Well, actually-" Percy started, before Annabeth cut him off.

"We can't do it," she stated simply, finishing Percy's sentence off. Jason blinked at her.

"You can't-"

"Oh yes we can," Annabeth said. "We're not doing that to Reyna. You guys are fine together, and we wish you all the happiness in the world, but you have to tell Reyna yourself. Me and Percy can be there afterwards, but you, Jason Grace, are telling Reyna the truth whether you like it or not. She'll be crushed if you don't do it yourself."
"You told me she'd be crushed anyway."
"Forget what I said! You're telling her. We have better things to do."

Percy looked at her gratefully, obviously thankful that he didn't have to any of the talking. Jason paused, glancing between them. Piper looked at him expectantly, waiting for his answer. "You're right," he said. "I should never have asked you to do it in the first place."

"No, you shouldn't."

"I'll do it tonight."

"Yeah. You do that."

Annabeth stood up and pulled Percy up with her, taking one last glance at Jason and Piper, before nodding respectfully at them and leading Percy gently by the hand back to the Fifth Cohort. Meanwhile, Jason turned to Piper and swallowed. She shrugged and brushed her lips softly against his cheekbone. "I'm sure you'll do it just fine," she said. "But you better do it now and get it over and done with. Reyna can't wait much longer."

"Okay," he nodded, taking a deep breath. "She'll be in her Praetor's house. I'll go find her."

"Bye, Jason," Piper murmured, kissing him again on his other cheek. "And good luck," she finished, with a quick peck on the lips before following Percy and Annabeth into the Fifth Cohort, the residence for all members of Camp Half Blood. Jason sighed a ran a finger through his hair. Here goes nothing...

Reaching the Praetorian housing in New Rome from the Barracks, Cohorts, Baths and Mess Hall was quite a long trek, and by the time he rapped his knuckles across her front door the sun had set and the sky was dark, and at least half an hour had passed. It was a few moments before the door opened and Reyna's pale, pointed face appeared in the doorway. She looked tired, and weary, and bore the expression of someone trying to cover up what they really felt by acting cold and emotionless. She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips when she saw him. "Oh. Jason Grace."

Jason gulped. "Yeah."

"Is there anything you need?" she asked politely, but her voice was flat and monotone.

"Well-" he started, glancing past over her shoulder and into her house. "May I come in?"

"Of course," she opened the door wider and stepped back, gesturing for him to enter. Yet she didn't seem at all preturbed or awkward at his request. She was treating this like a boring business meeting she wanted to get over and done with. He did, too.

"We need to talk," he stated, turning to face her as she shut the door gently and sat down at the table. She nodded, as if she understood. Jason wished it were that simple.

"Reyna," he started.

"Yes, Jason?"

He really should have prepared what he was going to say beforehand. He had no idea how to start this. "Well?" she asked. "Spit it out."

Spit it out. She would never had said something like that before he had disappeared. She never would have acted like this before he had disappeared.

Jason's eyes widened and his hand flew to his forehead. "Holy Pluto!" he cried, collapsing down onto the sofa. Reyna shot up and came to his side, concern flashing across her eyes.

"Jason?"

He shook his head, his breathing heavy. "I swear... just for a second - I actually remembered. Everything. But- but it's gone."

Reyna closed her eyes and took a deep breath, perching herself neatly on the arm of the sofa next to Jason, with her hands folded neatly across her lap. "Did-" she started, and faltered. "Did you remember me?"

Jason sighed. "I can't remember. I-I can't remember anything! Nothing! And I want to - so bad. It's, it's just so damn frustrating!

I- I have to remember, Reyna. I have to," he hung his head in his hands.

She sighed again and rubbed his shoulder softly. "No, you don't."

He looked up at her, blue eyes slightly wide. "Wh- what do you mean?"

"There is no point in you remembering," she said, her breathing shaky like she couldn't believe what she was saying. "It would do nothing to help with the war or the people around you, and- and you could get hurt."

"Reyna-" he couldn't say it now. The words were caught in his mouth and he couldn't say them. Not like this. She looked so peaceful, here eyelids fluttering closed to hide her from the pain of the outside world, as he leaned into her side and she rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. "Reyna, I'm with Piper."

Her breathing hitched and she shuddered slightly, but otherwised seemed unfazed. "That's okay," she whispered. "It's okay, Jason."

"Okay," he breathed, closing his eyes as well. He had said what he needed to say, and there wasn't really much left to discuss. For now, they could just sit here, quietly, in the silence and the comforting darkness of their closed eyelids.

"I should-" he paused, after a while. "I should really get going, it's- it's late."

"You're right," she agreed as he pulled himself up and rubbed his eyes. "It's late."

Reyna stood up and led him to the door, opening it for him and gently ushering him outside. The sky was dark and the night was cool and a soft breeze was blowing gently. Neither said anything as they stood there on the cobblestone streets of New Rome, Jason's hands awkwardly stuffed in his pockets as he stared into the horizon. After what felt like years but was probably only a few seconds, moved over to Reyna and gave her a tight hug. "I wish you all the best with the Graecus," she murmured into his neck.

"Thanks," he pulled away, smiling. Then he started in his way down the hill, his footsteps slow and leisured.

"And Jason," she said, waiting for him to turn around and face her before she continued. He stopped and looked at her expectantly. She took a deep breath, and continued. "Do your best not to remember."

Jason looked confused. Reyna smiled sadly. "It really wouldn't do much good now."

He nodded. "Okay."

Then he turned the corner and was gone.

Reyna headed back inside, and slouched down onto the sofa, looking round at all the Roman statues and sculptures. She had never liked them in her house, she pondered, thinking that they were a waste of space that made the whole room look overcrowded and packed even though it was pretty big. But, even though it was her house, it wasn't hers to do whatever she wished in it. Another Praetor would be living here one day, and it was only traditional that the Praetor had memorials and statues of previous heroes and gods in their house. The only reason she was really studying them so much now was to get her mind off Jason.

About ten minutes later, she was still sat there, staring at each ugly statue in turn and wondering about it's purpose, when the door opened and Percy and Annabeth entered, his arms wide. They wordlessly sat down next her and Percy wrapped his arms around her, and Annabeth stroked her hair and murmured comforting things into her ear, yet neither of them mentioned Jason.

Reyna hugged Percy back, resting her head on his shoulder as he patted her back, whispering 'It's okay,' softly.

Reyna nodded and bit her lip, letting a single silent tear slide down her cheek and roll of her chin onto Percy's shoulder. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you."

When Jason reached the Fifth Cohort Piper was waiting for him. She ran into his arms as soon as she saw him, burying her face into his shoulder and running a hand through his hair. "Did you do it?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said, smiling. "She was okay with it."

Piper pulled away, her eyes wide and bright. "Really?"

He nodded, holding her shoulders. "And she told me that I don't have to remember. In fact, she told me that she'd rather I didn't."

Piper hugged him again. "Oh Jason, that's great."

"Yeah," he agreed. "Yes, it is."