*hands out cyber-Fonzies and waffles to all the reviewers, followers and favorite-ers* The great reception to this story has really amazed me! So thank you everybody! Keep up the encouraging reviews!
Sorry this chapter has taken a while to post. I hope you all enjoy it!
I'm dreaming. For sure. Piper stared up at the bronze dragon, just above the trees now. There were two people on the back of it, a boy and a girl.
Leo?
Jason found Piper's hand and they gripped each other tightly. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as the bronze dragon flew closer and closer.
There was no mistaking that crazy grin. Those tousled dark curls.
And the girl – she was beautiful, with long light brown hair blowing in the wind. Calypso? Had Leo found his way back to Ogygia? Piper's heart hammered in her chest.
Leo (how could it be him, and yet how could it be anybodybut him?) waved at the crowd of demigods. He let out a whoop as Festus glided in for a landing. Some of the demigods backed away as Leo slid off Festus's back, but Piper could move now. She pulled her hand out of Jason's grasp and took a hesitant step.
And then she was running, tears blurring her vision. She threw her arms around Leo and squeezed him as tight as she possibly could. He was solid and warm and alive.
"Hey, Beauty Queen, are you wanting to suffocate me? The cure for death can only be used once, my friend."
Piper pulled back, her teary eyes shining. "You – you – " she sputtered. "How did you do it? You tricked me; I thought I had the cure!"
Jason crushed them both in a hug before Leo could say anything, and the three best friends clung to each other. Piper was sobbing, and the guys were tearing up.
"I just can't...I can't believe it!" Piper cried.
"You'd better," Leo said, his voice cracking.
Over Leo's shoulder, Piper saw the girl with the long cinnamon-colored hair standing by Festus, smiling shyly with her hand on the dragon's head. When at last the group hug broke up, Piper stepped towards her, wiping her eyes with her hand, but Leo beat her to the girl's side.
"Everyone, this is Calypso." Leo put his arm around Calypso's shoulders and brought her forward. "Calypso, I'll introduce you to all the campers soon, but for now - " He beckoned Piper and Jason closer. "This is Jason Grace and Piper McLean."
Jason shook Calypso's hand. "Pleased to meet you," he said, grinning. Piper smiled inwardly. Formal as always, but he's loosening up. She stepped forward and impulsively gave Calypso a hug. A handshake seemed to stiff and distant for this legendary girl that her surrogate brother had just brought home with him.
"I'm so glad Leo found you again," she said.
As they pulled apart, Piper saw Calypso's eyes grow wide. Piper followed her gaze and saw Annabeth and Percy coming down the hill, holding hands. Percy's hair was messed up and he was wearing fish-patterned pajama pants and a Camp Half-Blood t-shirt.
"Leo?!" Annabeth exclaimed.
"What?" Percy started running down the hill, pulling Annabeth after him. "What the Hades? How?!"
"Back from the dead, man!" Leo held out his arms as if to say ta da! Percy and Annabeth both hugged him, asking questions all the while.
Piper reached for Jason's hand. She didn't need to ask questions. She knew Leo would tell them all in time. Tears blurred her eyes again as she saw Leo laugh at something Percy said. To think that less than an hour ago she thought she'd never see that laugh again. Then Leo stepped back and took Calypso's hand.
"I brought her back, Percy," Leo said.
Percy nodded at Calypso, smiling. "Good to see you again."
Calypso smiled back. "You too." She glanced down, seemingly at Percy's fish pajamas, with a confused look on her face.
Percy squeezed Annabeth's hand. "Calypso, this is Annabeth Chase."
Calypso didn't miss a beat – Piper was glad; it seemed like Calypso had come to terms with what had happened with Percy. "Nice to meet you," she said.
"Same here." Annabeth shook Calypso's hand. "I hope you'll like Camp Half-Blood."
Calypso looked around at all the demigods and she grinned. "I think I will," she said.
A little short, but I don't have a lot of time right now. Hopefully the next chapter will be up within less than a week, we'll see...
Please review! :) (you'll get more cyber-Fonzies... ;)