Chapter 15 - A Surprise Attack
published: Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Hazel stabbed and parried the warrior's return strike. She kicked him on the leg and slammed the hilt of her sword into his head. The warrior hurtled down the cliff and smashed into the ground.

"Good luck," she whispered down the opening as she inches towards the exit. Annabeth and Percy had disappeared down the entrance to Tartarus mere moments ago, but Hazel was already terrified for them.

As Hazel descended down the cliff, she saw Jason yell out, and lightning bolts instantly frying two of the warriors. Jason and Leo then took down the last warrior, with Leo finally burning him to a crisp.

She jumped down next to them. "They're gone."

Leo looked up at the cave. "I didn't even say goodbye." Hazel gave him a comforting side-hug. Leo had grown very close to Annabeth over the course of Percy's disappearance.

"They'll be back soon," Jason said, though he sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

"We're two members down," Hazel said quietly. "Right after we got two back."

Jason sighed. "Come on, we should get back to the ship."

He slung arm across each of his friends' shoulders as they trudged along the beach.

It was easier to find their way back this time, but the sun was already setting, casting a peaceful golden glow across the island.

Jason found it ironic, considering their current situation.

After a half-hour walk, the three demigods arrived back at the ship. The bay was silent, not a fisherman in sight. Jason assumed they'd all returned home for the night.

"Piper?" Jason called out as he stepped onto the deck.

When no one answered, Jason's mind started to whirl in panic.

"Guys," he whispered. "Something's wrong."

Leo was fiddling with some switches on the dashboard. "Festus' thermal detectors," he explained as the huge dragon let out a small puff of smoke. "There are heat signatures below. And they're not Frank and Piper."

"What?" Hazel demanded.

Jason drew his sword and started down the steps to the upper deck where the cabins were, Hazel right as his heels. Leo followed after them with a fearful expression.

Sounds became clearer as they descended. Loud punches could be heard, followed by low, indiscernable voices.

Jason's ears perked up once he identified the noise coming from one of the bedrooms.

Frank, he mouthed to Hazel and Leo.

"Tell us where your friends are," someone growled.

Hazel stifled a gasp.

Jason pursed his lips. Warriors. They must have ambushed the ship once the others left.

"I won't–tell you–anything," Frank panted between punches.

Jason could see Hazel gripping her sword tightly, a furious glint in her eyes.

"I'll check for Piper downstairs." Jason's voice was barely above a whisper.

Leo shot him a thumbs-up and beckoned for him to keep going.

Jason threw a glance behind him as he continued down to the lower deck. He saw Hazel and Leo duck into the room where Frank was held captive, slamming the door shut behind them.

He gripped his sword as he reached the landing. Jason had never been around the lower deck – other than the sick bay, where he practically lived.

There were voices coming from further down, near the stables. Annabeth and Percy had been found around here.

Jason slid past the engine room and pressed his ear up against the door to the storage room.

Sure enough, he could hear a warrior interrogating someone – Piper, by the sound of her voice.

"Tell me about Camp Half-Blood," the warrior hissed. "Tell me, or I'll slit your throat with your own dagger. Slowly, so you can see your own blood until your time runs out."

Jason gritted his teeth. He forced himself not to act out. He didn't want another incident like in Agatha.

"I won't tell you," Piper said coolly. "And neither will Frank. Percy didn't either for five ears. We're stronger than you think."

The warrior scoffed. "You sound awfully confident for someone blindfolded and bound to a chair."

Piper hummed. "Because you'll never win. The bad guys never do."

"No one will rescue you," the warrior sniggered. "You're alone, and it's only a matter of time before your friend upstairs is dead. Do me a favour and spare yourself from all that pain."

"I'm not alone," came Piper's voice. "I have Jason."

As soon as he heard his name, Jason rammed his shoulder against the door and it opened with a deafening crash.

Taken by surprise, Jason managed to tackle the warrior to the floor. He sprang to his feet and raised his sword, slamming the hilt against the warrior's head.

The man crumpled to the ground and lay there unmoving, his eyes glazed over.

Jason rushed over to Piper and sliced brought her bonds. He untied her blindfold and kissed her forehead in relief.

"How'd you know I was there?" Jason breathed.

Piper hid a smile. "I heard you coming. You're about as stealthy as an elephant. I had to talk to distract him from hearing you." She groaned and rubbed her chafed wrists as Jason worked on the rope binding her ankles to the chair legs.

As Jason grabbed her hand to help her up, Piper's eyes widened, locking on a figure behind him. "Look out!"

Jason instinctively ducked and rolled, but the blade still left a small cut on his arm. He jumped up and slashed blindly, but the warrior easily parried his weak strikes. Jason stumbled back as the warrior stabbed at him, dodging blows by a hair's breadth.

Jason felt his back hit the cold, stone wall. He'd been backed into a corner.

The warrior shot him an evil smirk and raised his sword.

Fortunately, Piper had pulled off her bonds and grabbed the warrior by the legs, forcing him to fall to the ground in an awkward position.

She rolled aside just as Jason flipped his sword into a spatha and let out a yell.

An streak of lightning arched from the top of his spatha and electrocuted the warrior.

A horrible smell filled the storage room, making Piper gag and wrinkle her nose in disgust. "Gross."

Jason shrugged apologetically. He warily prodded the warrior again to ensure that he was actually dead this time.

Fortunately, he was.

Jason flipped his weapon twice in his hand and it shrunk back to a golden coin, which he slipped into his pocket. He pulled the door open. "After you."

Piper smiled as she walked out to the corridor, Katoptris already back on her waist.

When Jason turned to close the door, he heard Piper let out a painful cry. He spun around in panic to see her legs give out as she collapsed to the ground like a rag doll.

Jason lunged forward and just caught her, staggering from the weight. He slowly sat down on the floor, Piper trembling in his arms. "What's wrong? What's going on, Pipes?" he asked in alarm.

Piper's eyes were squeezed shut and her hands were clutching her stomach as short gasps left her mouth.

"Help!" Jason shouted. "Hazel! Leo! Frank! Ambrosia!"

Piper shushed him weakly. "I-it won't h-help."

Jason quickly laced his fingers in hers. He didn't know what was going on, but his blood was pumping with fear and adrenaline.

"Gods, it hurts," Piper whispered painfully.

Jason nuzzled his head in her shoulder and prayed to all the gods.

After what seemed like an eternity, Piper let out a shuddering breath, and Jason felt like he could breathe again.

"Wh-what was that?" he stammered. "Are you okay? Does it still hurt?"

Piper released his hand, but didn't stop leaning against him. She didn't say a word.

Jason shifted so that he was facing her. "Piper, could you answer me?" he asked nervously.

Piper hung her head as she sighed. "Percy said I had to tell you." She took a deep breath. "Jason, please, please, don't freak out."

Jason furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Piper," he said in concern. "Y-you're scaring me. What's going on?"

Piper bit her lip. "I'm pregnant."

It took Jason a few seconds to register the two words that had just come out of her mouth. His brain turned at a mind-numbingly slow speed.

Then his mouth fell open and his eyes widened in sheer astonishment.

Jason felt like he was going to pass out. His head felt light-headed and airy, and a numb feeling had spread to the tips of his fingers.

"Please, Jason," came Piper's voice of pleading. "Say something."

She sounded so faraway, and Jason felt like he was underwater, hearing sounds above the water.

Finally, Jason said hoarsely, "You're...p-p-pregnant?"

Piper nodded regretfully.

"How?" Jason nearly whispered.

Piper pursed her lips. "Well..."

Jason blushed furiously. "No, no, I know. But just–" He groaned. "We were so careful!"

"I know, I know." A wary expression overcame Piper's face. "You're freaking out, aren't you? Oh gods, should I not have told you? I-it was an accident!"

Jason made a noise of disbelief in the back of his throat. "Oh, really?"

"See, you're freaking out," Piper cried.

"But you're–you're pregnant," Jason stammered. "With my...my baby."

Piper winced. "I'm sorry."

Jason fell silent again.

"Please don't feel like you have to be a part of this. You don't even have to be involved–" Piper cut herself off and buried her head in her hands. "I don't want this to be more complicated than it already is. "

"Uh." Jason cleared his throat. "I'm not, uh, I'm not freaking out." He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "I'm just...surprised, that's all." Jason frowned. "Do you not want me to be involved?"

Piper squirmed. "It's up to you."

"I'd hate to think you'd be raising our baby by yourself," Jason said hesitantly.

Piper glanced at him. "Is that...Are you..."

"Yeah," Jason breathed. A slow, tentative smile broke his face. "I just need some time to...acknowledge it."

"Oh, that's fine," Piper rushed.

"But I'm going to be there," Jason promised. "For all of it. I swear, Pipes."

Piper let out a cry of relief. "Oh, thank the gods, Jason!"

Jason leaned forward and kissed her, feeling her tears press against his cheeks. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

"Nothing," Piper sniffled. "I've just been so worried about this for so long." She shook her head. "I'm so glad it's over."

Jason pressed a kiss to her cheek. "We're having a baby," he realised. "We're having–we're having a baby!"

Piper laughed as he picked her up and swung her around, before a horrified expression came over him as he suddenly set her down.

"Did I hurt the baby?" Jason said fearfully. "Is that bad for the baby?"

Piper chuckled as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. "I love you."

Jason wrapped an arm around her waist as they headed up the stairs. "I can't wait to tell everyone."

"Percy's the only one who knows," Piper said fondly. "I wanted to keep it a secret until I told you."

Jason slid his hand into hers with a small smile as they entered the mess hall.

Hazel, Leo and Frank were sitting on the couch. Leo was treating Frank's bruises and cuts while Hazel lectured him not to annoy his captors so much next time.

"I knew Percy was a bad influence on you," Hazel scolded.

The three of them turned to look at Jason and Piper when they entered the room.

"Pipes!" Leo jumped up in relief. "I was about to come down there!"

Frank looked between the two of them and their unfaltering smiles. "What's going on?"

Jason squeezed Piper's hand.

She took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

It was only after he words left her mouth that Piper started to worry. They weren't even married yet. What would they say? Would they be disapproving?

To her surprise, Hazel – who was from an old-fashioned time – instantly attacked Piper with a hug and a beaming smile. "I'm so happy for you!"

Piper cling onto Hazel gratefully. How could she have doubted her? Hazel had proven time and time again that she was the most supportive friend there ever was.

"Congratulations, you're going to be amazing parents," Frank assured them with a grin. "I would hug you but if I even move Hazel will kill me."

And last, to Piper's surprise, Leo's eyes shining. "You're having a baby?" he asked quietly.

Piper wrapped her arms around him. "Yeah, we are." She shared a group hug with Leo and Jason, reminding her of their first quest together all those years ago.

Leo buried his head in her shoulder, Piper ruffling his hair affectionately.

When they drew apart, Leo was grinning madly. "There's going to be a Leo Jr.!"

Jason cheered along with him and they shared a high-five.

Piper rolled her eyes. "We are not calling our baby that."