Guys, I'm back! So sorry that I didn't give you guys one last chapter before my vacation...Zeus/Jupiter punished me for that already. He created a freaking thunderstorm when I was about finished setting up camp.

So here is the next chapter! They are finally on board by the end of this, so lots of Gaea interactions soon! And there's a reference to another one-shot of mine in here!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If I owned PJO or HOO, then I would have written the reunion instead of a freaking cliffhanger. :(

XXV

PERCY

"Percy? Are you up yet? Percy? SEAWEED BRAIN, IF YOU'RE NOT AWAKE IN THIRTY SECONDS, I'LL KICK YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE DEAD SEA!" Percy groaned, rubbing his sea-green eyes. He groaned even more when he realized it was his insane girlfriend (don't tell her he said that) who was yelling in his ear.

Honestly, couldn't a teenage boy just have some rest without being yelled at? And then getting death glares from his fellow bunkmates because they couldn't sleep either?

"Shut up graceas; it's freaking five in the morning," Thomas Richmond moaned, ducking under his blanket. "Some of us still want to sleep."

"Yeah," Dakota complained, snuggling his flask of Kool-Aid closer to him. "I'm running out of Kool-Aid, and Jason and Bobby are too busy to help me make more. And Dakota without sleep is bad enough; but Dakota without sleep and Kool-Aid is Rome's nightmare."

Percy remembered Reyna telling him about the first time there wasn't Kool-Aid available...

Flashback/storytelling

Reyna was going over contracts and papers Jason had collected from the people of New Rome. Apparently, a black cat was missing, and the owner would give up almost anything for its safe return. And someone (cough, cough, Bobby, cough, cough) painted half of the building roofs a sickly shade of orange, and the owners demanded to know who the culprit was.

"Uh, Reyna?" The dark-haired girl paused, and looked up. Jason was standing at the entrance of her open door, a nervous look on his face.

She scowled. "What do you want, Grace? Half of these papers have your name on them."

Jason scratched the back of his neck, chuckling nervously. "We've got a bigger problem right now, Rey."

Reyna cocked an eyebrow, interested in what he was going to say. "Oh, really? And what is this 'bigger problem' that you are so desperate to tell me that is more important than your praetor duties?"

"There's, uh, no more Kool-Aid."

She snickered. "That's a big problem? What planet do you live on? You and Bobby can help Dakota make more. I suggest the red one."

He shook his head. "There's no powder, no nothing until next week Tuesday, which is in three days."

"Okay..." She still didn't understand what the big deal was. "So what if there's no Kool-Aid for three days? Dakota will sur-" She was cut off by an explosion. Reyna looked out the window. "What in the name of Bellona is going on?"

The two praetors exited Reyna's villa, following the explosion. They found themselves in front of the Fourth Cohort, where Timothy, son of Vulcan, was desperately trying to save his automaton. Seinna was nearby, shaking her head and picking up the debris. Dakota was standing by the automaton, glaring.

"What happened?" Reyna asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

Timothy pointed an accusing finger at the angry Dakota. "He threw bottles at my automaton and it exploded!" He sniffled. "Poor Rilly."

Reyna turned to Dakota. "And why would you do that?"

Dakota huffed. "There's no more Kool-Aid," he whined. "I need my Kool-Aid!"

"It'll come in three days," Reyna promised, but it wasn't soon enough for Dakota.

Dakota got a crazed look in his eyes, clutching to Reyna's toga, and the female was too shocked to do anything. Jason gritted his teeth, but stayed where he was. "NOOO! I need my Kool-Aid! NOW! I can't suffer you and Jason flirting without it! I won't live!" Dakota shouted, letting go of Reyna and grabbing the front of Jason's shirt. "NOW!"

"Uh, Dakota? Can you please let go?" Jason asked, and the son of Bacchus let go, and started running for the temple of Jupiter. "JUPITER SAVE ME!"

For the next ten minutes, the four legionnaires heard multiple other legionnaires screaming "DAKOTA!" as the 'hung over' teen ran for the temple. Legionnaires from all cohorts approached the praetors soon afterwards, with injuries, destroyed weapons, and annoyance on their faces.

Xavier glared at Jason, Theresa handing him a pack of ice for his black eye. "Why the Pluto did you let Dakota go Kool-Aidless? The rest of us have to suffer the consequences."

"You owe me a new sword, praetors!" A boy shouted.

"Me too!"

"And me!"

"I need a new bow and arrows!"

"Fart arrows for me!"

"That dagger was a gift from my mother..."

"Uh, I need pants..." A boy said, embarrassed. Reyna and Jason looked over to see Octavian in purple boxers with teddy bears on them, clutching a teddy bear.

Jason smirked. "Liking the breeze, Octavian?" Said boy scowled at the praetor, ripping the teddy bear open.

"Dakota does not do well with withdrawal," Gwen muttered, trying to fix her messy hair. "Dakota thought I spilt Kool-Aid in my hair...or something." Gwen shook her head. "Sometimes I wonder what's going on in his head."

Reyna sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Whoever's hurt, make your way to the infirmary with Bobby. If you need new weapons, follow Jason and I."

"And if you need pants, then ask Octavian; he'll know what to do," Jason added, snickering. Everyone who was not injured laughed as well, watching the augur storm away.

"Guess what? I found my Kool-Aid!" Dakota shouted, running over to them, holding on tightly to a bottle of red liquid.

Jason raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly did you get a hold on that?"

Dakota shrugged, taking a sip. "I dunno. I was at the temple and there was this kid there, holding onto the bottle, and I really wanted it, so I asked. The kid asked for something, and I said take whatever you can find and show it to me. He took some water from the fountain and left, coming back with some sort of jewel. He asked me if he could take it, and I'm like, sure, why not? And then I got my Kool-Aid!" Dakota exclaimed, grinning widely.

Reyna was about to reply when they heard growling. Aurum and Argentum walked up to Reyna, water dripping from their body, and the female gasped. "Aurum, what happened to your eye?"

Jason went over and realized that the left ruby was gone. Aurum turned around and growled at Dakota, ready to pounce. "Graviter," Reyna hissed, staring down a confused Dakota. "Do you not think things through. You traded Aurum's eye for a BOTTLE OF KOOL-AID! You-" Jason stepped forward, grabbing Reyna so she couldn't chase after the nervous drunk. "Let me go, Grace!"

Jason smiled apologetically at Reyna. "Sorry, Rey." He looked over at Dakota. "I'm going to give you a thirty seconds head start before she murders both you and I." And with that, the drunk son of Bacchus laughed nervously and stumbled away, Reyna itching to claw his eyes out.

End flashback/storytelling

"Percy? Seriously, we need to leave now." Annabeth was glaring at him, her Yankees cap in her hand.

"I'm up, I'm up. Give me five minutes to get ready," Percy grumbled, stretching.

Bobby groaned. "Get outta here Percy. Bye, good luck, don't die."

Percy rolled his eyes, grabbing his luggage (did a backpack and a man-bag of weapons count as luggage? Or just a backpack and a man-bag?). "We're leaving to save your podex too, Bobby, and all you can say is good luck? You're too lazy to even see us off?" He slung his backpack over his shoulder. "Some friend you are."

Bobby moaned, kicking his covers off. "You and Jason are the same damn thing," he complained. "Taking everything for granted." He sighed. "I'm coming in five."

"It's almost five fifteen, Percy," Annabeth said, trying to drag him out of the cohort. "We need to leave early so we have a head start."

The sea-green eyed boy closed his eyes, wishing this was all a dream. "In a minute, Wise Girl."

"The Greeks are really here to kill us!" That was the greeting Percy got when he arrived in the Field of Mars. The son of Poseidon was almost certain that this outburst came from the one and only Octavian Rogue.

Percy jogged over to where Reyna, Jason and Octavian were arguing. Jason looked relieved to see him approaching them. "Back us up, would you?"

"Why do you think we're here to kill you?" Percy asked, staring at Octavian with narrowed eyes. "We have done nothing but help you."

Octavian crossed his arms across his chest. "Someone took my stash of teddy bears and replaced them with stuffed underwear!" His cheeks reddened as he continued explaining. "And then, they left a note that said: Bet you're better in bed than at fighting, Octy. Percy Jackson FTW!" Octavian made a face. "What does FTW stand for, anyway?"

Reyna and Jason snickered, and Percy suppressed his smirk. "FTW means for the win, Octy," Percy answered, unable to keep the laughter from his voice.

Reyna regained her composure, her back stiff. "And why would you think that means the Greeks are out to kill us? It was merely a joke."

"The Greeks shouldn't be making jokes at us Romans! I bet Jackson was here to spy on us!" Octavian exclaimed.

Percy could feel himself get angry at Octavian's stupidity. Did nothing the gods say mean anything to him? "I was here as an exchange with Jason so we can reunite the two camps," he explained again, his voice controlled. "Do not accuse me of being a traitor, Octavian. I may be a Greek, but I have come to love Camp Jupiter, and I'll admit, some part of me has become Roman, as some part of Jason has become Greek as well."

"And this is why he shouldn't be praetor," the augur said, receiving more angered looks from the three demigods. "How does Rome know he's still faithful, and won't run back to the Greek camp after the war is finished?"

Percy could see Reyna was thinking the same thing too, and Jason glared icily at Octavian. "I assure you, Octavian," Percy saw Octavian wince at the coldness in Jason's tone, "that I will be returning to Camp Jupiter as Percy is returning to Camp Half-Blood. No matter how much I've been through with the Greeks, I am a Roman at heart, and I will not abandon my people."

Or Reyna, Percy added to himself, smirking. Percy could see that no matter how much Reyna tried to push Jason away, they ended up together anyway.

"Now, Octavian, can you please move out of the way so we can leave?" Hazel asked sweetly, eyeing the augur, who grumbled but got out of the way.

The Seven said their final good-byes, hugs and tears were exchanged.

"Dudeeess, kill Mother Earth for me," Dakota slurred, slinging an arm around Gwen. "Gwen and I will help Reyna not go insane. The chick needs some Kool-Aid in her life," he suggested, nodding his head. "Yeahh..."

Beside Percy, Jason scowled. "Keep her away from Dakota, would you, Gwen?"

"Ughhh, I'm sick of this love fest." Dakota grinned manically, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "REYNA, I THINK JASON IS IN LOVE WITH YOU!" Jason turned a sickly shade of green, Reyna was looking the other way and Percy snickered.

Percy turned to Gwen, who was frowning. "Pay up, Gwenny," he said, holding out his hand. Gwen sighed and took out ten American dollars.

Bobby grinned, slapping Jason on the back. "I video-taped our conversation last night and hooked it up to Reyna's stereo, so she can understand your true feelings when she takes a shower tonight," he said, laughing at the horrified expression on his friend's face.

"Unhook it. Now." Percy laughed at the angry Jason.

Bobby shook his head. "Sorry. Gotta go now. I have to dig up more dirt on Jayna." Bobby tilted his head, confused. "Where the Pluto did that come from?" He shrugged, noticing Jason itching to choke him. "Later, Seven! Kill lots of monsters for me!" And with that, Bobby rushed off before Jason could move.

Reyna cleared her throat, obviously uncomfortable. "Good luck, heroes. Rome hopes you all the best." Percy and Annabeth took that as their sign to leave, and gestured for the other five to follow them.

When Leo finally gets onto the ship ("Later girls; Leo Valdez is always available. Really, Seinna? I know you want me!"), Percy was ready to signal for take-off when Jason shouted, "Wait!", running off the ship.

"What did you forget, Grace?" Reyna asked, looking slightly annoyed. She pointed to the ship and the rest of the crew. "You need to leave before Gaea gets stronger." Reyna looked like she wasn't done talking, but right at that moment, Percy's eyes widen when he saw Jason kissing Reyna.

All around them, Greeks and Romans gasped, but Percy saw Gwen, and Dakota looked at each other with knowing smiles.

"Sorry, had to do that before I go," Jason said, smiling at the blushing Reyna. "See you in a few weeks!" Jason yelled over his shoulder as he climbed up the ship again, ignoring the gaping mouth of Leo and Frank.

Percy smirked as Reyna emerged out of her surprise. "IM me, McQueen!" Reyna shouted, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Don't worry!" Jason replied from the control room, his voice echoing down the hall to the field.

Annabeth shook her head, turning to their crew. "Can we leave now? We're a bit off-schedule."

A chorus of 'ready' filled the deck and Percy made his way to the control room. Leo and Jason were already there, waiting, as well as having a conversation. "We're leaving now," Percy informed them, and they nodded.

"Lift-off, baby!" Leo hollered, pulling a lever. "Percy, do the ship stuff, you know, putting away the anchor and doing the flag raising or something. Jayjay-don't look at me like that Jayjay. Bobby says you love this nickname, go control the winds."

The blonde-haired boy rolled his eyes, but left the control room. Percy gave a mock salutation to the proud Leo before leaving as well.

As he was pulling the anchor in, Percy noticed three figures on the dock, their legs in the water. He squinted and made out Reyna, Gwen, and Dakota. He smiled and snorted when he looked past them, watching Bobby sneak into Jason's villa.

"What are you thinking of, Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth asked, smiling at him.

He shook his head, wrapping an arm around her. He glanced around him, watching Jason controlling the winds, while taking a peek at Reyna, Hazel and Frank playing some sort of card game, Piper demanding Leo to keep his eyes on the sky, and Leo staring dreamily at Camp Jupiter.

Percy kissed his girlfriend gently. "Nothing. I'm ready for anything."

Graviter: seriously

I didn't really like how this turned out, but, eh. I don't really want to change all of it now.

Ugh, I look back and I can't believe it took me 25 chapters to get them to finally get on the damn ship. Ah, well. From now on, my updating schedule will be really awkward, because my mother disagrees with me on the fact that summer was made for enjoying the internet, so all I can really say is that there will be a chapter for this story, and a Jayna one-shot/songfic every week. There will be unexpected updates randomly, but don't hope too much for those.

My goal in the summer is to put out a Jayna story every week until the end of August, so that's about seven stories, starting from this week. More details, summaries, and titles will be on my profile.

I would like to say, again, that I really appreciate the reviews, favourites, and alerts I keep getting. I'm so happy that I have over a hundred reviews for this story-I didn't expect very much when I first put out this story. But again, thanks!

Please read and review!

-DOTE