A/N: Muuaaahhahahaha! Teenage relationships are so deliciously awkward. I finished this chapter much quicker than expected, mostly because it was fun.

Chapter 10

Percy

Pale sunlight filtered by the morning fog drifted through the infirmary, but it wasn't the brightness that had awoken Percy. Someone was shouting his name. He looked around in slight confusion as he took in his surroundings. As the miasma of sleep lifted, he began to remember the events of earlier that morning. He tried to rise to a sitting position but found himself blocked by an unexpected weight. He looked down and saw that at some point, Reyna had shifted again to lie with her head on his chest, arm draped over him in a too pleasant restraint. Well, this is awkward, he thought. He decided directness was the best approach and reached over with his free hand to gently nudge her shoulder. Unfortunately, rather than the desired waking effect, Reyna moaned softly and snuggled closer. Percy was now feeling desperate. By the insistent sound of the voice calling their names, someone, likely Bobby, was avidly hunting for them. It would be pretty damned embarrassing to be found like this.

"Reyna!" he whispered furiously, jostling her more firmly. "Reyna, wake up." She moaned again contentedly and began to slowly stir. He really wished she would hurry and wake up, the searcher was definitely getting closer, and it didn't sound like Bobby after all. Finally, Reyna reached up and rubbed her eyes, squinting in the morning light. She froze for a moment as she discovered exactly where she was. For a moment, she just stared at Percy's chest before she slowly turned her face towards him. He saw a strange mixture of emotions cross her face from confusion to recognition and briefly he thought he caught small glimpse of something triumphant before her expression turned to shock. She pushed herself up violently with one elbow on the bed and her other hand pushing on his sternum. He grunted a bit as she pushed the air out of his lungs, but she just hovered over him unable to move any further from astonishment. Despite her rumpled pajamas, mussed hair and obvious tear tracks from the night before, Percy found his breath caught from her beauty nearly as much as from her fist in his chest. Regrettably, that image was going to be the highlight of Percy's morning. Everything started to go downhill as the infirmary door slammed open while they were still locked in each other's surprised gazes.

"Where the hell have you two—What the fuck?" Definitely not Bobby. Reyna broke first and jumped off the bed hastily, managing to knee Percy firmly in the groin in the process. Percy obviously was not meant to breathe this morning. He immediately curled into a fetal position and rolled on his side in pain, promptly falling off the edge of the bed. It was only as his body was recovering from the acute pain of the Reyna's clumsiness that he realized his whole body ached. He wondered if the burden of his soul sharing was worsening or if it was something similar to the strange reappearance of his brand. As he shook off the stars swimming in front of his eyes, he immediately wished he was still delirious. Reyna was furiously trying to straighten disheveled appearance while the last person Percy wanted to see was standing over him, that same mirthless smirk he'd beguiled Percy with at the feast last night splashed across his face.

"Well, well, Mr. Jackson," Dakota crooned. "And Miss Monroe! What have we here?" His voice dripped with sickening sweetness. "You know, I coaxed myself to sleep last night with the idea that when I woke up, both of you would be gone along with animal boy, and I wouldn't have to deal with you, hopefully ever again. But this—" he gestured grandly over the two of them, "this is just too good."

"Dakota, th-this isn't what it looks like," Reyna stuttered, but her now crimson face undermined her words. "We weren't—"

"Oh no, there's no need to explain" Dakota interrupted. He made an over dramatic show of sniffing the air. "Mmmm! Smell those pheromones! I think it's fairly obvious what was going on in here last night," he continued with an exaggerated wink at Percy.

"Really?" Percy performed a few tentative sniffs. It still smelled mostly like honey and some unrecognizable flower to him. When Reyna had been cuddled next to him though, he'd been able to detect a hint of lilac and vanilla. Percy's eyes glazed over as he remembered Reyna's scent and the vulnerable feel of her body pressed against his. He was brought out of his reverie by Dakota's bark of laughter.

"You really are naïve aren't you, Jackson?" he scoffed. "You know before this little incident there was always the slight possibility that you three might actually succeed in this foolish errand and, gods forbid, return. Now, according to regulations, I can just have you banished. Oh, you can still go on your little quest," Dakota quieted their complaints. "Hazel's a useful person to have around; I'd hate to lose her for good. Can't say the same for you two, though."

"Dakota, you know that dating rule is bullshit. No one abides by it and no one enforces it," Reyna protested. His smile widened.

"So you are dating, then?"

"Wha—? N-no! I don't—" Reyna struggled as she blushed even deeper. Percy felt his own heat rising; the situation was getting out of hand quickly.

"Woah! Slow down there, Skippy. We're all on the same team here, remember?" Percy interjected desperately. "Let's not get carried awa—"

"The same team, Jackson?" Dakota butted in. He seemed to take a special joy in interrupting people, and it was really getting on Percy's nerves. "I think that matter is still up for debate. We still know nothing about you, and you've already attacked us once with your aquatic spectacle. And now I catch you seduc—"

"I attacked you?" Percy broke in. Hypocrite. "Since I got here, I've been held at sword-point, threatened, mauled, and slandered repeatedly." He rose to his feet, stepping closer to Dakota menacingly. "You all needed a cold shower."

"I'm pretty sure we're not the ones in need of a cold shower" Dakota smiled. He turned towards Reyna, his expression darkening. "And as for the dating rule, it's more than that, Monroe. You've been caught fraternizing with a suspected enemy. Sounds like treason to me, wouldn't you all say so?" He stepped aside to reveal the doorway where the rest of the Council, Sam and Bobby were standing with various expressions on their faces. Bobby was having a tough time deciding whether to laugh or scowl. Sam held a look of disappointment. She seemed to have some affinity to Reyna that didn't exist with the rest of the Praetors, and it was obvious she thought Reyna had let her down somehow. James looked stern and seemed to be following his strict Dakota-is-always-right policy. Curtis, unaccustomed to his position, just looked confused, and young Serah was blushing to the roots of her hair, apparently scandalized by their perceived indiscretion. Percy's ire slipped away to be replaced by an empty despair. Dakota wouldn't lose the Council vote this time. Figuring he couldn't really make it any worse, he reached out and took Reyna's hand.

"Come on," he surrendered, squeezing her hand in support. "Let's go change and say our goodbyes. We won't be returning…for a while." He didn't think she was ready to accept total defeat, but her dejection was clear as her head dropped to her chest. She appeared to lose all of her built up tension as they walked towards the door, but the death grip on Percy's hand told him otherwise. They passed the gathered witnesses in silence and plodded despondently across the forum towards the barracks. They walked in silence until the infirmary was out of sight when Reyna finally released his hand.

"Reyna—" Percy began, but he wasn't sure if he had the right words. He needed to apologize; that was clear. In less than 24 hours, he'd managed to completely capsize her life. Talk about your bad first impressions, but though she had the most cause, she was still one of the only people in this craphole who didn't want to kill him. At least, he didn't think she was feeling murderous. These Romans seemed to fly off the handle without much warning. Their high-strung demeanor—even the young ones he'd seen screaming for his head the night before—was so much at odds with his laid-back personality that he felt no real sadness at the prospect of banishment. Something about the place didn't seem to fit him. Reyna was a different story. She'd lived here most of her life, and now she was being forced to leave her home, her family. Percy was glad for once he had no memories. He knew he wasn't at home here, but at least he didn't remember what he was missing. Reyna would have to live with the knowledge that her life was being left behind her.

"I can't leave Gwen in charge," she mumbled almost to herself. Girls were amazing, in the middle of a huge personal crisis, they could still think about things like the chain of command. Percy shook his head in disbelief.

"Aren't there more important things to be worrying about? Like kicking the shit out of me?" he prodded. She turned and gave him a wry smile.

"If you think all of this is your fault, you are giving yourself way too much credit."

"Well, everything did kinda hit the fan when I showed up," Percy rejoined.

"No, the shit storm started when Jason left," Reyna replied softly shaking her head. "He was the only one keeping the legions from flying to pieces. The war took a huge toll on the army and not just physically. Everyone respected Jason's power after defeating Krios, and his discipline and sense of duty set a strong example. It was only a matter of time once he left before things fell apart. No, if this is anyone's fault, it's mine."

"Wait, what? Shouldn't it be Jason's fault?" Percy was thoroughly confused now. Reyna, seeing his expression, laughed genuinely for the first time since he'd met her.

"It's amazing how well confusion fits your face." Somberness stole over her face again as she continued, "I drove him away, Percy. The night before he left, I confessed my feelings for him. Then the coward ran." Her final words were laced with venom, but the real poison seemed to be infecting Percy's gut. He couldn't really explain why, but he did not like that Reyna had feelings for this Jason character. He thought back to the snippet of dream he'd remembered, and he was pretty sure Jason had been an insufferable jackass. Why would she like some puffed up pretty boy like him anyway? Despite his better judgment, he calmed his raging stomach and took the diplomatic route.

"Maybe his disappearance then was just a coincidence." Percy tried to keep his voice level, but he noticed she looked slightly disappointed at his statement. "Maybe Hera stole him just like she did me. I can't imagine why anyone would run out on you." Instantly, he regretted his words. She turned her face away, but he could see tears shining in her eyes. He was getting really good at making this girl cry. He took her by the shoulders and turned her back towards him. Her head remained bowed, still refusing to meet his gaze. "Rey, I-I'm sorry. Seems all I'm really good at is hurting you." She stiffened under his touch and she raised her face, an angry glint in her glistening eyes.

"Don't call me that," she gritted, her voice rising. "You—you don't get to call me that!" she spat through a choking sob as she pulled violently out of his grasp. She turned her back on him and breathed heavily in silence, obviously trying to stop her tears. "You'd better go get cleaned up and ready. We leave in half an hour," she ordered civilly. She stalked off towards the barracks leaving Percy standing dumbfounded in the fog. Were all girls this completely irrational, he wondered. Something from his vague memory told him, yes and that he'd just have to learn to live with it. He figured he should cut Reyna some slack considering current events, but the breadth and quickness of her mood swings were impressive. Percy shook his head and followed Reyna at a distance back to the First Legion barracks to shower and throw together a few of the borrowed clothes and supplies he'd received. He tried his best to put the embarrassment of the morning's events behind him, but his traitorous mind would have none of it. Reyna's behavior was frustrating, but at least it was intriguing and she seemed to have some sort of affection for him, even if it was on hiatus at the moment. Dakota on the other hand, was just a dick. But he wasn't stupid, and that really pissed Percy off. Dakota knew nothing indiscrete had happened between him and Reyna, but that didn't matter. He took advantage of an innocent albeit somewhat compromising situation and twisted it for his own disturbed power games. The worst part was that Percy didn't think Dakota was really evil, just hungry. He wondered if they would be on different footing were Percy not a perfect stepping stool for his ambitions. He was chuckling at his own pun when Bobby found him.

"And what the hell is so frickin' funny this time? Does making Reyna cry get your rocks off or something?" Bobby accused as he strode angrily up to Percy, poking him in the chest with a callused finger.

"What? No, I-I was just thinking about Dakota," Percy stammered his rebuttal as he put down the backpack he'd been packing. Bobby grunted and crossed his arms over his chest as some of the anger left his face.

"Well, can't blame you for that. If there's a more laughable jackhole than Dakota, I've never met him," Bobby acquiesced. He remained silent for a moment while he considered Percy. He had something he wanted to say, and Percy could almost hear him rehearsing the best way to word it in his head. "Look, I don't know what did or didn't happen this morning with you and Rey—"

"Nothing! We just—" Percy tried to interject, but Bobby cut over him.

"—and I don't want to know. Regardless, it was significant." He pointed to Percy's now bare forearm where the ghost of an outline of his brand was visible. It was still not as deeply scarred as any of the other legionnaires, but his skin was not as smooth and unblemished as it had been the night before when the newly marked area had rejuvenated itself. "I saw that disappear last night, which was freaky enough, but now it's coming back? I don't say this often about anything or anyone, but you scare me, Percy. I don't agree with Dakota's methods, but I can't say I'm altogether certain his isn't right in permanently removing you from this base. You carry so much mystery about you…Juno was right to be wary of you."

"Wait," Percy stopped him. "You spoke to Hera about me? When? What did she say?"

"You see, right there is what I'm talking about. Why the hell do you call the gods by their dead names? I just don't understand you, and that weirds me the fuck out."

"Then why don't you go join up with the mob calling for my head." Percy flipped his hand toward the door in rising frustration. He didn't trust Bobby like he did Reyna, but he was the only other person in this misfit outfit who'd stuck up for him. And now it seemed like he'd been put up to it by a goddess rather than of his own volition. A horrifying thought occurred to him; maybe Reyna's trust wasn't real either. The suspicion made the morning's events seem cheap and dirty rather than genuine. Even though he'd protested that nothing happened between them, he thought he'd felt a growing connection. Now all he felt growing was resentment. Was she just leading him on? Were all these Romans the same?

"Because," Bobby was continuing, "unlike the ignorant masses, I like to learn whether my fears are reasonable before I act on them. It's why I'll never rise very high in the army ranks. I'm a horrible politician." Despite his rising bile, Percy laughed.

"Well, you have a healthy sense of humor, I'll give you that," Bobby smirked before he grew serious again. "The fact remains though that you are a great big ball of unknowns, and for some reason I'll never fathom, Reyna likes you. It's a dangerous combination."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Percy rebuffed. "Maybe she was just being nice to me 'cause Hera—uh, Juno told her to be. Plus, I think I pissed her off pretty good a few minutes ago." Bobby surprised him by letting out a hearty chortle.

"Yes you did!" he snickered. "And no, she was working on a crush well before Juno spoke to me. Trust me, she doesn't want to admit it, but she likes you. Why do you think she death blossomed when you were so familiar with her?" Percy's spirits brightened somewhat, until Bobby continued, "Don't encourage her."

"Is that a threat?" Percy rejoined, somewhat taken aback.

"No, just advice. I don't like that last warning from the prophecy, and it might be best if no one had any romantic inclinations on this journey. Just a precaution." Percy thought about the prophecy, and he saw Bobby's point but still wasn't convinced. Should canis' heart prevail o'er all / The curse shall break and bring the fall. Curses were usually bad, but the fall could go either way depending on who or what was doing the falling. And they were all still vague on who canis referred to. For now though, he figured there was no harm following Bobby's advice. Besides, he probably needed give Reyna some time and space to cool off. He nodded solemnly to Bobby who returned it with a sad smile.

"Ok, let's go, Rey's probably waiting," Bobby suggested. Percy picked up his backpack and turned to walk back to the forum where they would meet Reyna. "So, what did happen this morning?"

"I thought you didn't want to know," Percy accused.

"I lied." Percy scowled at him but relayed the story of his visit with Anna Perenna.

"So that's why Reyna flew out of here like her ass was on fire," Bobby laughed when he told him about waking up Roulette for the goddess. "So what was the gift Anna gave you?"

"Supposedly an initial destination, but all I got was another frickin' riddle," Percy snorted. He conveyed the goddess' message rather disinterestedly. Bobby's features were thoughtful as he mulled the instructions over. The expression seemed rather foreign on his gruff, wild face.

"Faithful order…" he pondered softly. Suddenly, excitement spread across his wearied features and he grabbed Percy's arm. "Follow me!" Bobby dragged him to the left around the forum where Reyna was no doubt waiting in growing annoyance. Percy saw they were headed for the Senate building, but to an entrance he'd not seen the previous day. As they approached, he saw the word Bibliotheca inscribed in the stone above the door. He didn't have to wait long for a translation because it was obvious upon entry that they were in the LARD library. Bobby walked off towards their right and perused a few aisles' contents looking unsure of where he would find whatever he was looking for. Percy had no idea what had triggered in Bobby's brain so he wandered down the central corridor, looking at the various objects on display. One of the cases in particular caught his attention. It contained a massive war helm with a full face guard. Growing out of either side of the helmet was a giant set of curved ram's horns. The sign on the case said it was the Helm of Krios, which of itself meant nothing to Percy. But as he looked at the helm, that strange sense of recognition tugged at his mind again. He was certain he'd seen this headgear before, and then it had been occupied. Underneath the object identifier in smaller italic script was the name Jason Grace. He guessed that meant the Helm had been obtained by Jason Grace. As he stared at the name, the sense of recognition became much stronger. But it wasn't the first name that called on his lost memories. He already knew he'd met Jason in the dream with Hera and that that was likely the only time they'd ever met. But his last name, Grace, wrenched at memories he thought were older and more significant. Percy grasped desperately at those memories, but all he could retain was something about Barbie, which made absolutely no sense and left him with a headache.

"Found it!" Bobby called from across the library. Percy shook off his delirium and searched for the source of Bobby's voice. Eventually he stumbled across him sitting on the floor with a number of books scattered around him. Open on the floor in front of him was a tome on seismic geology, and in his lap, Bobby had a US atlas. Percy saw the map was open to the page on Wyoming. As he watched, Bobby ripped out the page, folded it up and threw it in his backpack. Percy would have protested, but they were already in so much trouble, what was a little petty vandalism?

"What's in Wyoming?" Percy asked as he shifted his gaze to the geology book. He saw it was opened to a section dealing with geysers. As he stared at the book, recognition began to dawn. "Faithful…"

"That's right! Let's go," Bobby commanded excitedly. They were about to leave, when Bobby turned back, picked up the geology book and threw it into the backpack as well. "You never know," he responded to Percy's raised eyebrows. "I think one of the lines in the prophecy is starting to make sense. Come on, we need to find Reyna and get out of here. We have a long way to go." They bolted out of the library and headed for the forum. She'd cleaned herself up, but the Reyna they met there looked much scarier than the one Percy had watched stalk away from him less than an hour before. The fists resting on her hips were white knuckled with agitation and her deep blue eyes flashed dangerously as her foot tapped at them impatiently. Percy would not want to meet this woman alone in a dark alley.

"I hope you two have a good reason for being so late," she snarled. "We were supposed to leave twenty minutes ago." Bobby gave Percy a glance that told him he'd already done enough damage for one morning. Percy couldn't agree more and let Bobby take the lead.

"Twenty minutes ago, we would have left with no idea where we were going, Rey," Bobby mollified. Her eyes danced with blue fire at the sound of the nickname, and Percy gave Bobby a not-so-subtle elbow to the ribs. Ix-ne on the ickname-ne, he tried to project. "Anyway," Bobby continued shakily, "now I know where we need to go. Think there's any possibility we can finagle some mode of transportation? Wyoming's pretty far away."

"No," a voice called from their left. All three turned quickly to see Sam approaching. She seemed to be alone, though Percy was keeping a weather eye out for Dakota the Cranky. "You must start on foot, your transportation will find you," she added cryptically.

"Well, that settles it. Let's go." Reyna turned on her heel and began to walk toward the path that would lead them toward the pedestrian exit. Percy didn't know where it would deposit them once outside the barriers of the Roman base, but he hoped it wasn't in the middle of the traffic laden tunnel they entered from yesterday. He also knew that once they left, he and Reyna would not be returning.

"Reyna," Sam beckoned. Reyna turned back slowly, and Percy could see her struggling to maintain her stern demeanor. Sam started to say something more, but seeing Reyna close to her breaking point silenced her. Whatever it was she wanted to convey, all she said was "Farewell." Reyna nodded slowly before glancing briefly at Percy and Bobby. Then she turned and resumed her deliberate march away from her life.