Chapter 32- Family

-Thalia POV-
Everything has been happening too fast for me to handle. I mean, first, I figure out that Annabeth was alive. Second, I get a call that she was kidnapped, and lastly, I watch her be whisked away in an ambulance with a slit throat. And if you didn't know, that's extremely deadly.

I would be the person to know, too.

We were driving in a black SUV to the hospital that Annabeth was busy being whisked away to. I was sitting in the back with Nico, who looked like a puppy was just ran over by a car... but times that by 10. And Juniper, who was balling her eyes out. I knew Grover wanted to sit next to her, you know... A boyfriend thing.

Percy was sitting in the middle between Jason and Grover. Jason had bloodshot eyes, but was looking worriedly at Percy, who you could tell was barely hanging on to reality. Grover was doing the same too, checking on his best friend. But you could still see the wory of not only Percy, but Annabeth clear on his face.

Leo was driving, o I didn't get a good glimpse of him. But I bet all my money on the fact that heh ad a pained look on his face. I remember how he was with Annabeth. He defiantly thought of her as a sister... Like they told us.

A tear came to my eye as I remembered how I felt when we figured out that Annabeth was alive. It was amazing. QI just wish we old feel that again.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

As soon as we got to the hospital, which seemed to take forever, but in reality only took a couple of minutes. You could feel the tension, people wanting to know desperately what happened to Annabeth. When I took a glance at Percy, I saw him shaking a bit. I knew he was really scared, and I couldnt help but feel scared with him.

Leo dropped us off at the side entrance to the Regions Hospital, also where Piper was staying. We all hurried out, and Jason led us into the hospital, flashing his badge to those who tried to stop us. They didn't make a peep after that.i guess having a FBI agent on your side had its perks.

We all ran to the front desk, and Percy, being the first to get there, practically crashed into the front desk.

"I need to know the condition of Annabeth Chase," Percy gasped out. He was breathing heavily, as were all of us... Well, besides Jason. He keeps on confusing me... But I swear I've seen him somewhere before.

The woman working behind the counter looked at Percy in shock. She was younger, so you could obviously tell that she knew who he was. But with him in the state he was in, face all red and blotchy, his voice scratchy, hair wild… anyone would be shocked to say the least.

"P-Percy Jackson?" she asked, her eyes wide. Percy jerked his head up and down in what was supposed to be a nod, but it looked more like he was about to have a seizure.

"What's the condition of Annabeth Chase?" he repeated, but this time, it was more of an impatient yell.

Nico put a hand on his shoulder, trying to keep him from scaring the poor girl to death. Percy shrugged it off, and waited for the girl to answer. She was typing away on her computer, trying to see what was happening. When she looked up, Percy's eyes widened. She had a sad look on her face, and I watched as he gripped the table hard, his knuckles turning white.

I knew he thought the worst was about to happen. That she was going to announce she was DOA- dead on arrival.

"I'm sorry, but-"my jaw clenched. "Annabeth Chase is now in surgery. That is all I can tell you."

Percy ran a hand through his hair, and gave her a stiff nod. I thanked her, and took a seat between Percy and Jason, While Nico sat on the other side of Percy. Grover, Juniper, and Leo sat down across from us. Everyone looked sad, me included.

We all sat in silence, each of us waiting to hear the news. We knew it could be hours… heck, we knew it was going to be hours. But we all sat there, hoping, wishing, and praying that Annabeth would come out right.

Minutes have passed, and I noticed that Percy wasn't getting any better. If anything, he was getting worse. Way worse. As soon as I put my arm around him, trying to help, he erupted into a sob. I quickly drew my arm back in shock, and watched as my friend doubled over in his seat, sobbing.

I got up, knowing that we had to go somewhere not as dark- not as cramped. People were coming in and out, and stopping to watch as Percy Jackson, the superstar, was erupting into sobs. I helped him up, letting him lean on me for support. I heard Nico and Jason get up, too, the two closet people to us.

I walked Percy over to a secluded part. It was like a dead end in the hallway, but with a window instead of a wall. There was a couch, and I had a feeling this was used for patients who had to walk around, you know- get some exercise.

I sat down with Percy there, while Nico and Jason just stood in front of us.

"It's all my fault, Thalia. It's all my fault," Percy mumbled, holding his head in his hands. His jet black hair was all over the place from him grabbing it and running his hands through it over and over. I guess it's something he does when he's upset.

"Shut up. You know it's not your fault, so stop thinking it is!"

"Thalia, it's my fault and you know it. If I didn't break up with her in the first place, she wouldn't have to fake her death, she wouldn't have to be running from Luke… she wouldn't be in surgery!" Percy yelled, taking his hair in his hands. "If I were able to calm down, and talk it through with her- we'd see it was a big misunderstanding."

I took a deep breath. "She's still in love with you, you know."

Percy slowly looked up at me. "She is?"

"Of course she is. She never thought it was your fault. She blamed herself. I saw it all for myself when she visited me… she didn't want to have to face you. She didn't want to have to see what she did to you. She thought it was her fault, and she never once blamed you."

Percy just shook his head. "How would you know? You didn't see her for a year- just like me. She had time… time to ignore how much hell I put her through."

I opened my mouth to respond, but Jason beat me to the chase. "Look, Percy. I was with her for that whole time you thought she was dead. What Thalia said was true… she never once blamed you. She only took herself into blame."

Percy looked between the two of us, and took a deep breath. "I guess I'll have to get that out of her head once she wakes up, huh?" he asked, popping a small smile. It didn't reach his eyes, but he was trying. And that's what matters.

Everyone smiled at that. "Look, sorry for breaking the moment and all, but we better get back before the others start thinking we killed you, Percy," Nico joked, stepping up to give him a clap on the back.

Percy got up, and limped forward, Nico going with him. Jason was about to go with them too, but I grabbed his arm, holding it back. I watched as he stopped with a defined jerk, and quickly looked back. Nico and Percy, noting that Jason had stopped, stopped and looked back as well.

They gave me a questioning look, but I shrugged it off. "I need to talk to Jason… you guys can go ahead."

Nico's eyebrows furrowed and he stalked off with Percy, who was trying to keep up with his pace. Jealous much?

Jason sat down on the couch in front of me after I let him go. He shifted, making himself comfortable, before he looked up at me. That's when I knew he remembered me too.

"Hey Thals. How've you been?"

"Wow. I haven't seen you for ten years, and all you can say is 'How've you been?'!" I started to lean down towards him, a venomous glare lurking in on my eyes.

Jason leaned back into the couch, holding his arms up in a surrender fashion. "What else would I say? Oh, Thalia, how I have missed you so." He flashed his signature quirky smile, one that he used to get out of all his sticky situations.

"Jason, Jason, Jason. I guess you forgot how that stupid smile never worked on me. It may have worked on Mom and Dad- but never me."

I watched as Jason's eyes went from playful and fun, to lonely and worried. "Mom… and Dad?"

My eyes widened as I realized something… I was the only one Jason remembered. That meant… he didn't remember Mom, Dad, or his friends… especially Reyna.

Dang it.

I sat down next to him on the couch. "Jason, what happened to you? Why didn't I hear from you after all of those years? I thought you were dead… but I couldn't help but keep hope that you would pop up."

I looked over at Jason, his eyes meeting mine. He took a deep breath. "Look, all I know is that I was in a car accident and I lost my memory from it. The hospital told me no one picked me up, or claimed me, and that they couldn't find an ID. And by the time I was out of the foster system, I started to remember things… like my name, for instance. But I knew it was too late to really try and find my family, so I just gave up."

"I took the name Jason Grace, and turned myself into something that I felt like I needed to do- protect people. Save them from not being able to ever see their families again, like what happened to me… but in a completely different situation, if you ask me. That's where I met Piper and Leo. They were, and still are, amazing to me, and didn't really push in on my situation."

By the time he was done, I could see a few tears in his eyes. I hugged him, and held him close. I could tell he was a little hesitant at first, but then he leaned into my embrace, hugging me back.

"I really missed you, Jason," I said, the sound muffled by his shirt.

"I know, Thals. You don't know how hard it was not to find meaning behind your face for all of those years," Jason said, hugging me even tighter.

We pulled apart, and started talking. You know, talking over what happened to the two of us over the years, kind of avoiding the fact of our parents. I knew he could tell it was a touchy subject for me, and in this moment of pure joy, I just didn't want to ruin it with the talk about our parents.

They weren't exactly good people after he went missing.

"So… remember Reyna?" I asked, after working up my courage to ask it.

Jason, noting my weariness, slowly answered, "Who's Reyna?"

I took a deep breath. Here it goes… "Jason, Reyna was your girlfriend before you went missing. Are you sure you don't remember her?"

Jason nodded, a faraway look in his eyes. "What did she do after I went missing?"

"Well, she was pretty crushed. But she did get over it, and let's just say she's been doing pretty well in the relationship department. She had her wedding last year- invited me, but I couldn't find it in myself to go."

I watched as a look of relief washed onto his face, and he smiled. "Good for her."

My heart stopped beating as fast when I realized he didn't have any more feelings for her… but I could sense he did have some for someone else. And I bet all of my money that it was for a co-worker of his.

I smiled, and was going to say something, but someone came running up to us, and we immediately turned towards them. I saw it was Nico, who wore a rather happy look on his face, that fell a little when he saw Jason and I sitting next to each other. I could tell he ran here based off of how his breath came out in pants.

"Guys! Th-The Doctor came back out, and said she's okay!"

My eyes widened as I let out a big smile, jumping up and into his arms. Tears of joy were streaming down my face, and now onto his shirt. I heard Jason come up behind us, let go of Nico to take a look at him. Jason had a huge smile on his face, and it got even wider when I pulled him into the embrace, too.

Annabeth survived the surgery, and that was something to cheer for.

Nico and Jason pulled away from me, and looked at each other. Both of them had a protective look on their face, obviously having Nico being my boyfriend, but I don't get why Jason had one, too. But to be honest, I sensed jealousy. So I sucked it up, and took a deep breath.

"Nico, meet Jason, my brother."