Lost and Found (Part Three)
The six demigods walked back to the camp, accompanied by Mrs. O'Leary. Will and Chiron met them at the top of the hill, Will stopping to say a few words to Phoebe before collecting Nico to take him to the Apollo cabin, berating him for shadow-traveling so much along the way.
"Well," Chiron said, looking them up and down appraisingly. "Seems like you had quite the adventure. I'm sure it'll make a wonderful story for the campfire tonight." He glanced at Annabeth, "I take it the dryads gave you trouble?"
She nodded, "Pitys is back rallying an army to get revenge against the gods. Or, was back. Nico killed her, but most of her army is still alive."
"Hmmm," Chiron looked thoughtful. "Come with me to the Big House, we can discuss more there."
Annabeth nodded, looking back at the four demigods left. "Good job, guys. You did really well." She patted Mrs. O'Leary and followed the centaur to the Big House.
"Right," Phoebe clapped her hands. "Connor, I want you in the med area. Now," she added pointedly.
Connor heaved a sigh, but ended up wincing at the effort, "Fine." Brigid watched him go, trying to sort through her feelings. She gave up with a sigh, too tired to deal with something as difficult and complex as feelings. She headed slowly towards Cabin 16, vaguely noting the "Lost dog" sign on her door that featured a picture of Mrs. O'Leary. Brigid plopped down on her bed and attempted to fall asleep, but whenever she began to drift off burning green eyes filled her mind's eye, keeping her up. She finally drifted off around midnight, but even then she woke up frequently, often gasping for breath and clutching at her throat.
Brigid woke up around mid-morning, shaking off the nightmare she had just woken from. Damien was already gone, and she had missed breakfast in the mess hall, and her stomach growled at her in frustration. Sighing resignedly, she got dressed and left the cabin, hoping the cleaning harpies hadn't gotten rid of the leftovers yet. She didn't get far, though, as Virginia was waiting for her right outside.
"Hey, how are you?"
"Tired," Brigid suppressed both a yawn and her nightmares.
"Yeah, me too." Virginia did indeed look tired, but she had a gleam in her eye that made Brigid suspicious. Virginia confirmed her suspicions with her next question.
"So…did anything happen with Connor that I might want to know about?" She grinned.
"Um, no?" Brigid blushed. It was too early in the morning for this. "I mean, we held hands…"
Virginia's eyebrows shot up, "I'd say that counts. How did it happen?"
"Well…I grabbed his hand to pull myself off the ground and just sort of…never let go. I mean, I tried, but he grabbed it again."
Virginia smiled at her knowingly, "Have you spoken to him since?"
"I doubt Phoebe would let me anywhere near him. She says I'm a magnet for danger and he's supposed to be danger-free for a week."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. I bet Phoebe will actually be very grateful for your company." Virginia nudged her in the direction of the Apollo cabin, "Why don't you go see him?"
"Oh, okay," Brigid said as she was steered towards Cabin 7, too drained to put up a fight.
Brigid found Connor sitting up in bed, playing absentmindedly with the edge of his orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt. She took the seat next to him and he grinned at her.
"You look tired."
"I am, but I'm okay." Her stomach growled. "A bit hungry, though," she added.
He laughed, "There's an apple leftover from the breakfast Phoebe gave me, if you want it."
"Thanks," Brigid took it gratefully. "So," she said between bites, "is Phoebe really going to keep you in here for two days?"
Connor sighed, "Seems like it." The door opened and he wrinkled his nose, "Here she comes now, if you want to ask her yourself."
Phoebe walked into the room, stopping abruptly as she caught sight of Brigid, "Virginia sent you, didn't she?"
"Yes?" Brigid's brows knitted together in confusion.
"Dang it. I owe her five drachmas, now. I didn't think she'd actually be able to get you to come."
"What?"
Phoebe just grinned, much like Virginia had. "Nothing," she picked up Connor's now-empty plate. "And yes, I am actually going to keep him here for two whole days."
"Of course you are," Brigid replied absently. Phoebe and Virginia were obviously planning something, and she had a feeling she knew what it was.
Phoebe tactfully left the room, leaving Brigid and Connor alone again.
Connor rested his chin on his palm, eyeing Brigid carefully. His attention made her slightly self-conscious, and she looked away from his gaze.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Brigid could hear the concern in his voice.
Not really. Her mind flashed back to her nightmares. "Yeah." She finally met his gaze and could tell he didn't believe her. She swallowed, attempting to force her hands to stop shaking. Why was it so hard to breathe?
"Brigid." She felt a warm hand on her arm, but didn't look up. She needed to leave, it was too cramped in that room, but she couldn't escape. She closed her eyes, tried to steady her breathing, did everything Annabeth told her to do, but still couldn't keep the eyes away. They burned with rage, so hot she could feel it searing her skin. She wanted to run, to hide, but she was paralyzed in her seat.
I want you to be the last thing you see. Brigid choked back a sob as Pitys' hand enclosed on her throat, crushing her airways.
Make it stop, she begged. Stop. Please.
"Brigid."
Her eyes snapped open. Connor was gripping her arms, looking into her eyes. She could see the dark blue ring around his otherwise bright blue eyes. They gleamed anxiously.
"Hey," he said softly, sliding his hands into her and holding encompassing them tightly. "It's okay."
Brigid shut her eyes again, this time in an effort to stall her tears. She sniffled, gods she hated crying.
"You want to talk about it?"
She shook her head and Connor pulled her up onto the bed beside him. His left arm went around her shoulders, enveloping her in the comfort and safety that radiated off him. Somehow, that made it harder for Brigid to hold back her tears, and they escaped full force. Connor just let her cry, holding her to him, unmoving except for his uneven breathing.
Brigid didn't know how long she and Connor were together, but even after her body ran out of tears, she continued to lean into him, lulled by the rise and fall of his chest beneath her.
He spoke first.
"Better?"
"Not really, no." Her voice sounded so small, so different. She hated it.
Connor gently pushed Brigid off his chest so he could look her in the eyes again. This time she met his gaze, her cheeks flushing as she realized how close they had been. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"
She nodded, "I'm sure. I just…need some time to figure things out."
Connor didn't look satisfied, but he didn't press her any further.
"So…" Brigid wiped away the remaining tears from her cheeks and took a deep breath. "How are you doing on this fine morning?" She laughed in an effort to ease the tension, but it ran hollowly in her ears.
Connor glanced down, "Well, my ribs were still bruised last I checked." The side of his mouth quirked into a half-grin, "Unfortunately, ambrosia and nectar don't work that fast."
That made Brigid laugh—a true laugh, not a hollow one—though she was still acutely aware of how close they were. She couldn't believe she had just had a panic attack, and in front of Connor, no less.
He seemed to read her mind, and clasped her hand in his. Brigid surveyed his long, nimble fingers enclosing her small hand. They were perfect for picking locks, or sleight of hand, and were tanned and calloused from the many years Connor had spent at Camp Half-Blood.
"Do you ever think about it?" Brigid asked suddenly, her gaze still trained on Connor's hand. "All the battles you've survived, I mean."
Connor looked unusually thoughtful as he answered Brigid's question, "Occasionally. Why?"
"I was just curious," Brigid said quickly. She was silent for a few moments before asking her second question, "Did you ever…come close to dying?"
Connor glanced at her curiously, already realizing what Brigid was getting at. "A few times. It was scary, and it kept me up at night for a while afterwards, but overtime the fear faded."
Brigid sighed, "It feels like it'll never go away."
He shot her his trademark crooked grin. "You will. Besides," he nudged her playfully, "you have me. And Phoebe, and Virginia, and Callie, and Sabrina. We've got your back."
Brigid smiled, "I guess you're right…"
His blue eyes gleamed, "Of course I'm right. I'm always right."
She shook her head, "Not always." She leaned forward and hugged him tightly, "Thank you."
