Percy and Jason climbed into a cab, as soon as Percy had driven halfway across the city to find a specialized pet store and used every last penny of his mortal money to buy a dozen of the birds, before setting them free on the beach. He also bought an ancient Greek book called Athens: Why They Chose Wisdom over Water, a life-sized stuffed wolf that he placed on the beach as well and a sun necklace that he lay at point zero.

Finally, once Percy had finished filing out all his promises to the gods, he whistled for a cab and gave them the address for Piper's house. Jason sat in the back seat nervously as they drove towards Pipers, his hands twisted and sweaty in his lap. He was staring out the window, but he wasn't paying any attention to the scenery. Instead, he was doing his own prayers to Aphrodite that Piper would forgive him— or at least, not try to kill him. He remembered how he used to be so nervous around Piper; always caring what he said, always trying to impress her, brushing shoulders with her whenever he could. Now he was praying that she wouldn't stab him in the gut. Percy was getting his happy ever after with Annabeth— why couldn't Jason get the same?

He didn't resent the son of Poseidon. In fact, he was grateful that Percy was going through all this trouble just for him. He was jut jealous of the fact it had all gone right for Percy: he got the girl after four years of friendship, they clicked perfectly, their parents didn't mind too much. Jason had a chance to be like that with Piper, but he had chosen the wrong path— he had gone with Reyna to Rome and stayed for almost a year until he came to his senses. He tried to think what it had been that had originally done it for him; was it when Reyna said she loved him? Was it the walk on the beach later? Was it half a year before that and he had just failed to realize? Jason couldn't find an answer, so he settled for sitting there nervously while Percy scribbled on a sheet of paper, writing haikus on how Apollo was the best god. After every one he would rip in out of the notepad, whisper "Sorry, dad," and then shove it in his pocket alone with the rest.

"You sure this is it?" the cabbie asked as they pulled up the McLean residence, which was surrounded by a tall black gate. Jason felt his stomach leap with nerves as he caught a sight of Piper's house through the trees that were obstructing it.

"Yeah," Percy answered, shoving his notebook away and opening the door. "Jason, could you….?"

Cursing the fact his hands were shaking slightly, Jason drew his wallet and paid the driver, before following Percy out of the cab. It pulled away and they were left standing outside the tall gate.

"Is there a way in?" Percy wondered, and Jason shot him an annoyed look.

"I'm a son of Zeus," he said, kicking off the ground and leaping over the fence with a little help from the winds. Percy looked impressed.

"I'm still on the other side, though," he smirked. Jason did the same thing, using the winds to shoot Percy over the fence. He landed roughly and got up, glaring at Jason.

"I'll get you back for that one, Grace," he muttered, starting to walk down the driveway towards Pipers house. Jason followed him, forcing his legs to move even though he really didn't want to. His heart was doing a little gymnastics routine and his legs felt shaking.

"Dude," Percy laughed, seeing Jason. "You were less nervous fighting off the hydra then you are now."

"This is different," Jason choked out, his throat dry. Percy just smiled and led the way to the McLean's front door while Jason followed, his mind buzzing with apprehension, hope and fear.

Percy rang the doorbell, but no one answered. Frowning, he knocked loudly, still to no avail. Jason was about to suggest kicking the door down when it suddenly swung open.

Thanks, Aphrodite, he thought as he stepped lightly into the house. It was huge, with grand staircases on either side of the entrance hall. Down the oak-wood flooring was a living room, with soaring ceilings and an old-fashioned feel to. Furniture was spread out, mostly antique pieces that matched the naturally-lit room and wooden paneling. Jason's eyes were drawn to a huge mural on the wall of Aphrodite rising out of the ocean on a seashell, dressed in a beautiful white gown and decked out in jewelry. Her arms were spread and though it was nearly impossible to paint Aphrodite because her face was almost always changing, the painter had done a pretty good job— soft lines, bright eyes and wavy brown hair.

Jason heard Percy suck in a sharp breath and followed the other boys eyes to one of the couches in the corner of the room. What he saw almost made him collapse.

Piper. On the couch.

Making out with some random guy.

Percy cleared his throat loudly, making both Piper and the mortal guy jump apart and look around guiltily. Jason felt rage swell up inside him and he was halfway to taking a step and striking the boy when Percy held up and hand firmly.

"I'll deal with this," he muttered, before stepping forwards and smiling brightly at the boy. "Hi! I'm Percy Jackson from the National Museum of Greek mythology." He held up Riptide to emphasize his point. "You're Will Hart, right? Yeah? Your article that you submitted to the Poseidon section on the museum won the contest and I have a limo waiting outside for you to come with us. We have some legal documents you need to sign, and then you should be able to collect your prize money."

The kid looked absolutely baffled. "I don't—"

"Remember what the prize money was?" Percy cut in, still smiling. "That's okay, I believe it came in at about two hundred thousand dollars for the winner, which is currently you."

"I can't—"

"Believe you won? It's okay, not many people can. If you'll follow me outside now, we can get in the car and collect your prize." Jason could tell that Percy had Will hooked when the boys eyes lit up.

"Um, sure," he grinned. "Just outside?" Percy nodded earnestly and Will followed him out the giant doors and out of sight. Jason heard the sound of running steps, before a short scream and a loud crack. A moment later Percy appeared again, twirling Riptide casually.

"What did you do to my boyfriend?" Piper demanded hotly, glaring at Percy. He just smiled.

"He got a bit over-enthusiastic," Percy answered. "Managed to run head-first into a wall, somehow." Piper glowered.

"Apologies," Piper hissed in Charmspeak for what was probably the first time in a year. Jason felt the words wash over him, and suddenly he had the urge to say sorry for everything he had ever done. Percy just grimaced.

"Ever since Aphrodite…" he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Anyways, I'm going to…um… go, you know, tour the neighborhood."

"Oh no you don't," Piper steamed. "You knew I wanted to get away from all of this, Percy. You knew I was done, so why are you doing this? Showing up at my door, Iris-messaging me, ramming my boyfriends into walls, and bringing him?" she pointed at Jason, who felt his stomach sink even lower.

"Special circumstances," Percy smiled briskly. "Now, excuse me. I have some flowers to plant, and cereal to burn." He wheeled and marched out of the house, leaving Piper alone with Jason.

"I'm not talking to you," was the first thing she said, turning away from him and crossing her arms. Jason swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to force something out.

"You can't just let me stand here," he pleaded. She turned back towards him, though her face was still hard.

"Watch me."

"Can we at least talk as… friends? Or normal people?" Jason demanded. "I won't apologize for anything or talk about, you know, gods, and you won't be all snippy and yell at me for random things." Piper hesitated, thinking about it in her head. Jason waited with anticipation building up in his throat.

"Fine," Piper said eventually, and Jason felt joy explode inside of him. It wasn't what he wanted, not even close, but it was a step in the right direction. A very small step, granted, but a step. "Sit down," she said, gesturing towards the luxurious couches. Jason sank down gratefully.

"It's, um, a nice house you got here," he started awkwardly, not sure of what to say. Piper didn't look as pissed, but she still was giving him the cold shoulder.

"Thanks," she answered. "Dad bought it when he got that part in the movie, Troy. Ironic, right?"

"I thought we weren't bringing up demi-god life," Jason said, and felt relief flood him as Piper smiled at his joke.

"We're not talking about it," she said. "But the whole fight with Gaea was about Romans and Greeks, and that's what that movie's about. So… you know, I found it kind of funny."

"I saw that movie," Jason nodded. He had gone to see it with Reyna and remembered sitting in the movie theater holding her hand, thinking that he was happy. Now he knew, looking back on it, that he really hadn't been. He had been satisfied, that was for sure, but not completely happy. There was another moment of awkward silence, before Piper said:

"Why is Percy burning cereal?"

Jason laughed, and he was relieved to see Piper smile as well. He had forgotten how beautiful it was— it filled her whole face, her eyes lightning up, and she seemed to loose some of the cold composure she was still wearing.

"We took a plane here," he explained. "Percy was a bit… nervous, so he prayed to every god there is, plus a few I don't think exist. He has some promises to fulfill."

"That's Percy for ya," Piper laughed, and the ice broke. Jason chuckled and Piper uncrossed her arms and turned towards him, her face lighter. He felt relief flood inside of him; maybe he had a chance after all of being friends.

"What have you been up to lately?" He asked, reclining in the couch and looking at her expectantly. She thought for a moment.

"Not much," she answered. "Dad's sent me to pubic school for once."

"How is it?"

"Not too bad," she shrugged. "I met Will— the guy Percy just threw into a wall— there, and we've been dating for a month now." Jason felt like he was getting stabbed, but didn't let it show. "And I'm acing Greek class, for some reason," Piper grinned, and Jason weakly returned the smile.

"What's Will like?" he asked casually. Piper looked at him cautiously for a second, before answering once again.

"He's nice, you know, and hot, and he sings really well…" she trailed off and Jason realized he had a wistfully expression on his face. He sat up and wiped it off, gesturing for her to continue. "Well, he's really sweet most of the time, and he kind of lets me do my own thing. I really like him…" Jason got the feeling she was about to add but in there, and his heart leaped. He felt like a second-place driver, just waiting for the right opening to overtake the lead. If he moved to early he would get knocked off the course and crash, and if he waited to long the race would be over. He had to time his move perfectly.

"Was there a but in there?" he teased lightly, and Piper shot him an annoyed look. It was just like old times, teasing each other back and forth like they used to do on the Argo, because it was better than training with Coach Hedge, or listening to Annabeth repeat over and over: What if he doesn't remember me? What if he's dead? What if it's a trap? As she repeatedly paced back and forth.

Except nothing could ever be the same again, because of him. He had blown it, big-time, and now he was trying to put it back together.

"No but," Piper shook her head firmly. "He's great, he really is." Jason felt his hopes plummet, but this time he was careful not to let it show.

"Are you happy?" He questioned. It was meant to be a simple question, but as soon as he said it he realized how many different meanings it could have. Are you happy without me? Are you happy I'm back? Are you happier with him? Piper bit her bottom lip (which was totally unfair, Jason thought) and thought over the question for a second.

"I'm happy, yeah," She shrugged at length. Jason was glad she had answered simply. "Life's different, but I have to admit I enjoy not having those moments where I'm not sure if I'm going to die, or someone I love is going to die, or if everyone is going to die."

"What about the moments that weren't like that?" He questioned. "Do you miss those?"

If i didn't end the chapter there, it would have gone on and on and i wouldn't have been able to update today.

Review!