When Leyna First Came to Be

Everyone trudged up the ramp of the Argo, fatigue finally setting upon the demigods, weighing down their shoulders like a yoke. Annabeth and Percy walked alongside each other with their hands intertwined together and looking barely fazed by the ordeal that had just taken place. Hazel and Frank were together, both smiling slightly. Leo and Reyna both stood alone. Leo was in his own world of mechanics while Reyna scowled at the rain that poured down around them, making her purple top and shorts cling to her skin and her hair stick to her neck and come out of its curls. Jason was walking with Piper and Thalia in silence. He was too full of post-adrenaline to feel like falling asleep, yet he was still worn down.

By the time everyone was aboard the ship, they were all soaked to the bone. However, no one ran for the cover of indoors as would usually happen. They stood alone of gathered in groups, just enjoying the pattering of the rain on the wood deck and the promise of a fresh start hanging in the air as the darkness and pinpricks of stars above their heads began to fade only the slightest bit, signaling that sunrise would be upon them in several hours.

Jason found an empty stretch of the deck and relieved his aching leg muscles by sitting down and leaning his head against the side-rail. He closed his eyes and relished the peace as the rain calmed to a drizzle.

"Can we join you?" a familiar voice asked. Jason opened his eyes to find Thalia, Reyna, and the rest of the seven standing together. He gestured with an arm for them to sit and once again closed his eyes. They sat like that in silence until Thalia spoke again.

"Thanks for saving us, guys. I'm supposing the whole raid was Jason and Percy's idea?"

"No," Jason said. "Actually, it was Percy's. I thought Annabeth had already been killed and that wed all be killed if we went after her, but most people sided with Percy."

"Hmm," Thalia pondered. "I guess that makes sense. Lover for, pessimist against."

"Hey!" he exclaimed.

"Just kidding. Kind of. But I'm glad you came, little brother."

"Whoa!" Percy, who had been staring off into space shouted. "Wait, wait, wait. Little brother?"

"Percy, I think she's referring to the Zeus/Jupiter thing," Hazel told him.

"No, I know Thalia and I know she wouldn't call someone 'brother' just because of that."

"You're right," Jason replied. "I don't think I or anyone else ever told you, but my name is Jason Grace."

"Wha-? B-but you-you... H-wha-ho-ho-what?" Percy stuttered as he glanced back and forth between the two Graces with wide eyes. As if she had been expecting it (which she probably had), Annabeth rolled her eyes and punched Percy in the arm. Everyone laughed and Reyna smirked.

"Well, it's great to finally meet you, Thalia. Jason's mentioned you several times. Something about staplers and dreams with trees..."

"Uh, yeah." Thalia glared at Jason. "Good to meet you too, um..."

"Reyna, praetor of the twelfth legion."

"Reyna. Fancy title there. Good thing a girl's running Rome."

"Hey!" Jason interjected. "I'm also praetor! And Percy was as well for a while."

"Thalia completely ignored him and Jason sighed inwardly, feeling a twinge of sibling-to-sibling annoyance.

"I'd guess that you and Piper are the reason he isn't dead yet."

"Yes," Reyna said at the same time Jason said, "And Gwen and her family."

"Gwen? Thalia asked. Jason could see the gears turning in her head. Percy and Annabeth looked to each other and shrugged. Leo just eyed Reyna, probably deciding the best pickup line. "As in Gwendolyn?"

"Yeah, she's in the legion. Or rather, she was," Frank told her. "After she died and came back to life the day Percy arrived she retired from the legion to go to college."

Thalia nodded though. She was obviously not paying attention, as she was lost in thought. "What about the rest of her family?"

Oh no, Jason thought. She's going to get all over-protective.

"Well, her father is a legacy of Minerva, and he works in the university. Her mom is a daughter of Apollo and up until about two years ago she worked outside New Rome in an elementary school."

Thalia smiled a bit then asked, "And her last name?"

"Soleil," Jason replied.

Thalia's grin spread wider and she laughed some.

"What?" everyone asked her in unison.

Thalia laughed again. "I guess I should have seen... But then again..." She laughed. "I never would have thought. Katherine Soleil, daughter of Apollo."

"What are you talking about?" Reyna questioned.

"Oh, nothing. Just stuff from the dark days. I need to meet Gwendolyn sometime. And her family. After all, they probably took you in after Lupa was done with you, Jason." It wasn't a question, but a statement. Jason decided a simple nod was the best reply.

"So..." Percy said after a short and awkward silence.

"What should we do tomorrow?" Jason wondered aloud. "Go sightseeing, go to Greece...?"

"Come on, Jason." Reyna rolled her eyes. "Don't be so lame."

"Wait a second," Leo halted the conversation. "Did I just hear Reyna say what she just said? And she rolled her eyes at the same time? Could Reyna be turning warm and well, cool? She's stopping her coldness? Guys, the apocalypse is upon us. It's not Gaia after all." Leo clutched his hands together over his heart and pretended to die of a heart attack on deck.

And what did Reyna do?

She laughed.

Jason sat there, staring at her in shock with the rest of them. Except for Leo, that is. He was trying in vain not to do the whole boo-ya thing.

"What?" Reyna asked, noticing their incredulous faces. "Can't a girl laugh?"

"Even I have only gotten you to laugh about once a year. And it took a LOT more effort."

Reyna just blushed and shrugged. Piper giggled and whispered in Jason's ear, "Leyna has now come to be." Jason was shocked. Reyna and Leo. Leo and Reyna. Total opposites. WOW.