It turns out to not be such a huge deal that I can't get to Jason in time because Leo does.

"Heads up!" he yells seconds before slamming a large black metal wedge into Enceladus. The force knocks the giant back and he falls into the pit. I know it's not the end by any means, but I still feel a rush of relief at the sight.

Piper reaches Jason just before I do. "Jason, get up!"

He sits up. Piper and I help him to his feet.

"Don't you dare die on me," I growl at him, forcing my sword into his hand. Perks of having two — you can loan one out to a weaponless friend. "I just got you back, and I'm not letting you get away ever again."

He manages a dopey smile. "Yes, ma'am." Despite everything going on around us, my heart skips a beat and I can't help but smile back. He's such a dork. I want to kiss him so bad.

I glance behind us to see Leo standing over...something that is clearly used in construction but I have no idea what it is exactly. It looks a little like a cannon, and it has a single massive piston with the edge broken clean off. The other end is lodged in Enceladus's breastplate. And yet, despite the fucking ax blade in his chest, he pulls it free with another ground-shaking yell and gets to his feet.

"Good try," the giant commends us, bending down to retrieve his spear. "But I cannot be beaten."

Before our very eyes, his armor mends itself, and the golden ichor pouring from his wound stops.

"Oh, that is so not fair," I whine.

Leo runs up to us, takes one look at the giant, and scowls. "Oh, for fuck's sake. What is it with this guy? Die, already!"

I throw my hands up, exasperated. "I know, right?"

"My fate is preordained," Enceladus says. "Giants cannot be killed by gods or heroes."

"Only by both," Jason says. Enceladus's smile falters. He looks almost...afraid? Good. Jason straightens up slightly. "It's true, isn't it? Gods and demigods have to work together to kill you."

"You will not live long enough to try!" Enceladus tries to climb up the crater's slope, but he keeps slipping on the glassy sides. It would be far more amusing if the world wasn't at stake.

Leo sighs. "Anyone have a god handy?"

"Leo," Jason says, "if you've got a rope in that tool belt, get it ready."

Then he leaps at the giant with nothing but my sword. My heart drops into my stomach and I have to clamp my hands over my mouth to stop myself from screeching.

"Enceladus!" Piper yells. "Look behind you!"

Her charmspeak works wonders.

"What?" Enceladus spins around.

Jason tackles his legs and the two of them slide to the bottom of the crater. Piper, Leo, and I watch anxiously as Jason puts his arms around the giant's neck and stabs my sword just under his left ear. Enceladus howls and struggles to his feet with Jason riding his shoulders.

"Get off!" Enceladus whines. He tries to grab Jason's legs, but Jason's had a second wind. He's climbing all over the giant's hair, evading his hands. I reach for Piper's hand as the sun disappears behind a rapid onset of storm clouds. 

"Hit the deck!" Jason yells up to us.

We don't argue. The lightning bolt stains the back of my eyelids and raises every hair on my body. When it seems safe to stand, we stumble to our feet and prepare the rope. My eyes widen at the sight of the crater cracking open. The mountain's been split by the lightning bolt. Jason's slipping down the side of the crater, and Enceladus's legs are sliding into the chasm as the earth tears apart. The giant manages to grab the edge of the pit.

"You've won nothing, boy," Enceladus says, glowering at Jason. "My brothers are rising, and they are ten times as strong as I. We will destroy the gods at their roots! You will die, and Olympus will die with—"

"Oh, shut your trap," I snap, and I blast him in the face with a bolt of rainbow light. He loses his grip and tumbles into the crevice...along with my sword. Fuck. Okay, well, no time to think about that because Jason is falling.

"Grab hold!" Leo screams. Jason's feet are at the edge of the chasm when he grabs the rope, and the three of us pull him up to safety. I throw my arms around him as soon as he finds his footing. The chasm closes and the ground stops pulling at our feet. The mountainside is on fire, and I can just hear the blades of a helicopter, but all that matters to me at the moment is that Jason is alive and in my arms.

I squeeze him tight. "Please never do anything like that ever again."

He hugs me back and murmurs into my ear, "No promises."

"I hate you," I grumble. "And you owe me a sword."

"I think that was more your fault actually."

"Oh, shut up."

I give him one last squeeze for good measure, then finally let him go and take a good look at our surroundings. Oof. It's definitely not a pretty sight. The only traces of the Earthborn that remain are piles of clay, their rock missiles, and some bits of loincloth. Every piece of construction equipment has been destroyed. The ground itself is scarred and blackened. I wonder how the mortals will explain this one.

At long last, Coach Hedge stirs. He sits up, lets out a groan, and rubs his head. He looks like shit, but probably better than the rest of us. He blinks and surveys the battle scene. "Did I do this?"

Before any of us can correct him, he grabs his club and stumbles to his feet. "Yeah, you wanted some hoof? I gave you some hoof, cupcakes! Who's the goat, huh?"

He does a ridiculous little dance, kicking rocks and making some very rude gestures at the piles of clay. Leo cracks a smile, and then Jason starts to laugh. I find myself joining in. Jason smiles at me, and I have to squash down the urge to grab his face and press my lips to his. Now is so not the time for that.

Across the clearing, a man stands up, and our laughter quickly dies out. Piper's dad staggers forward. I wince. He's really not in good shape.

"Piper?" he calls out. His voice is hoarse. "Pipes, what—what is—"

He can't manage to finish his sentence. Doesn't matter. Piper just runs over to him and pulls him into a tight, loving embrace. He's so dazed he almost doesn't seem to recognize her. I look away. I feel like I'm intruding.

"We need to get him out of here," Jason says, and it's then it comes to my attention that he has his arm around my shoulders again. I'm not sure what to do. I don't think he even realizes he's doing it. I consider poking his arm like I had back at Boreas's place.

I wind my arm around his waist and lean into him.

"He's in no shape to walk," Leo is saying when I tune back into reality.

Jason looks up at the helicopter circling overhead. "Can you make us a bullhorn or something? Piper has some talking to do."

*

Piper's incredible. She easily convinces the pilot to land on the mountain, and she's able to talk the ranger lady into flying us to the Oakland Airport with only a few words.

Now Jason and Leo are holding Piper's dad, who's on the verge of a mental breakdown, while Coach Hedge gathers our supplies and I hold Piper's hand. Piper is very clearly devastated by the state her father is in. She's trying to stay strong for him, trying to charmspeak him into complying, but it's a struggle. I squeeze her hand to remind her I'm here for her.

When we finally get Mr. McLean over to the bay doors, the pilot comes over to help. She furrows her brow. "What's wrong with him?"

"Smoke inhalation," Jason suggests at the same time I say, "Heat exhaustion."

Jason and I exchange wide-eyed looks, then force awkward smiles. I shrug. "Could be either. You know how it is."

The pilot looks rightfully concerned. "We should get him to a hospital."

"It's okay," Piper assures her. "The airport is good."

"Yeah, the airport is good," the pilot agrees. She frowns. "Isn't he Tristan McLean, the movie star?"

"No," Piper says. "He only looks like him. Forget it."

The pilot nods. "Yeah. Only looks like him. I—" She blinks, confused. "I forgot what I was saying. Let's get going."

Jason looks impressed, but Piper is clearly miserable.

I give her hand another squeeze. "Hey. It sucks, but this is how we have to do it."

She looks close to tears. "I just—"

"You're not Medea," I tell her. "You're Piper McLean. You just helped fight a giant and saved your dad's life, and now you're getting him to safety so we can save the queen of the gods. You're a hero."

Jason and Leo help Mr. McLean on board, and moments later, the helicopter takes off. The pilot dutifully ignores every question that comes over the radio and heads for the Berkeley Hills. Piper lets go of my hand and I sit next to Jason, who pulls me into his arms without a second thought.

"Piper," Mr. McLean gasps. "It's you? They told me—they told me you would die. They said...horrible things would happen."

"It's me, Dad." Piper takes a deep, shuddering breath. "Everything's going to be okay."

"They were monsters," he continues. "Real monsters. Earth spirits, right out of Grandpa Tom's stories—and the Earth Mother was angry with me. And the giant, Tsul'kälû, breathing fire—" He cuts himself off, then picks back up, "They said you were a demigod. Your mother was..."

"Aphrodite," Piper finishes for him. "Goddess of love."

I'm pointedly not looking. It's for my sake as much as it is for Piper's. Now that I'm remembering things, I'm remembering I'm not very comfortable around dads, especially dads who are clearly mentally unwell. I rest my head on Jason's shoulder and he presses a feather-light kiss to the top of my head as we watch the valley below.

"I didn't know about Mom," Piper says. "Not until you were taken. When we found out where you were, we came right away. My friends helped me. No one will hurt you again."

Mr. McLean's shivering is audible. "You're heroes—you and your friends. I can't believe it. You're a real hero, not like me. Not playing a part. I'm so proud of you, Pipes."

There's a beat, and then, "Your mom never told me."

"She thought it was for the best," Piper tells him.

Then she starts talking about everything and anything. She tells him about the Wilderness School, Cabin Ten, how Coach Hedge ate carnations and got knocked on his butt back on Mount Diablo, how Leo had tamed a dragon, how Jason had wolves back down by talking in Latin, and how I blasted Medea in the face. My lips curl into a tentative smile at the memory. It's weird how much we've been through in such a short amount of time. I suppose it could've been worse. We could've had to go to the Underworld.

Everything is fine and then Jason's entire body tenses. He leans out too far out the doorway for comfort, and I yelp because he nearly takes me with him.

He points at something below. "What is that?"

I follow his gaze, but there's nothing there. Nothing interesting, at least. I glance back to meet Piper's eyes. She shrugs.

"Where?" she asks.

"That road," he says. "The one that goes through the hills."

I squint to pinpoint the road he's talking about while Piper grabs the com helmet to ask the pilot.

A moment later, Piper tells him, "She says it's Highway 24. That's the Caldecott Tunnel. Why?"

Wait. Caldecott Tunnel. Why does that sound familiar? I turn back to Jason. The tunnel's disappeared from view, but he's still staring off into the distance. He has a strange look on his face. I lay my hand on top of his. He jolts out of his trance and spares me a forced smile.

"We're going to save Hera, and we're going to get our memories back," I declare. He just nods.

Even though I don't want them back, I would remember every awful moment of my miserable life if it would ease your mind. I'll suffer the nightmares, mourn my losses all over again for you. I would do anything for you, and that terrifies me, but it's also kind of nice to not be cold-hearted, cynical Cordelia Yorkes anymore. I like the person I am with you, even if that person remembers too much.

There's so much I want to say to him. But this isn't the time or the place for such sentiments. For now, all I can do is hold his hand and hum the tune that's been playing on loop in my brain ever since the helicopter picked us up.

*

From now on, I only want to go on quests with Piper. Air traffic control doesn't want to let an unscheduled helicopter land at the Oakland Airport? No problem! Just get Piper on the radio and soon enough, they'll be laying out the red carpet for you. Gods, if I were smarter, I'd be in love with her and not Jason. Actually, I kind of am in love with her. She's incredible.

Once we're off the helicopter and our feet are planted firmly on the tarmac, we turn to Piper.

"What now?" Jason asks.

She shifts uncomfortably and refuses to meet our eyes. "First thing. I—I have to get my dad home. I'm sorry, guys."

I was expecting it, but I'm still a bit disappointed. Finishing this quest won't be the same without her. Hell, I don't even know if we'll be able to finish this quest without her, but her dad has to come first. I don't like it, but I get it.

"Oh," Leo says. I elbow him lightly, and he quickly nods. "I mean, absolutely. He needs you right now. We can take it from here."

"Probably," I mumble under my breath. It comes out a little louder than intended and now I'm the one getting elbowed by Jason.

"Pipes, no," Mr. McLean speaks up from his spot in the helicopter doorway. He forces himself to his feet. "You have a mission. A quest. I can't—"

"I'll take care of him," Coach Hedge volunteers.

We all gape at him.

"You?" Piper questions.

"I'm a protector," Hedge says. "That's my job, not fighting."

"That's for sure," I mumble again. Jason elbows me again. I know I should probably feel bad, but I don't. I'm not really a fan of Hedge, and I'm honestly glad to see him go. Anyone who describes a war fought primarily by child soldiers as "good" is not someone I want in my life.

Hedge straightens up and clenches his jaw. "Of course, I'm good at fighting, too." He narrows his eyes at us.

"Yes," Jason says.

"Terrifying," Leo agrees.

The boys shoot me looks, asking me to play along.

I shrug. "Eh." Jason and Leo both elbow me. "Ow! I meant epic."

Coach grunts. "But I'm a protector, and I can do this. Your dad's right, Piper. You need to carry on with the quest."

"But..." Piper protests, her eyes brimming with tears. "Dad..."

Mr. McLean holds out his arms and Piper practically throws herself into them.

"Let's give them a minute," Jason suggests, and we head a few yards down the tarmac, pilot in tow. The boys and Hedge are talking to the pilot about Mr. McLean's plane, but I've decided it's my turn to stare off dramatically into the distance. I keep humming the song in my head. It must be from before Hera took my memories because I both recognize it and don't. I know I've heard it before, but I can't remember the name or the words that go with the melody.

I'm yanked from my thoughts by Jason tugging on my arm and then we're running back over to Piper and her dad, who is now unconscious.

"Got him," Hedge says, and he's actually not lying, though he does stumble a bit. "I already asked our ranger friend to call up his plane. It's on the way now. Home address?"

Piper opens her mouth to answer, closes it, and checks her dad's pocket, where she discovers his Blackberry. She hands it to Hedge. "Everything's on here. Address, his chauffeur's number. Just watch out for Jane."

Hedge's eyes light up at the prospect of getting to beat someone with his club. "Who's Jane?"

"She's his bitch assistant," I chime in helpfully.

Jason shoots me a disapproving look, but Piper shrugs. "She's not wrong." Still, there's more to it than that, so she explains further while I braid my hair to keep it out of my face whenever we fight next. 

"What's that song you keep humming?" Leo asks, nudging me.

"I don't know," I say as I tie off my braid. "I think..."

I go stock-still and start the song over in my head. I go through the first verse a few times before the realization hits me. "I think I wrote it."

Leo whistles. "You wrote a song? That's impressive, Yorkie."

"You wrote a song?" Jason questions, tilting his head curiously. 

"Not by myself," I remember. "I wrote it with Noelle. She, uh, she was a musician before she married my dad. She taught me how to play the guitar and piano."

Jason opens his mouth to say something else, but Mr. McLean's swanky plane pulls up next to the helicopter and, once Piper's dad is situated comfortably onboard, it's time to say our goodbyes to Hedge.

Coach gives Piper a hug, then glares at the boys. "You cupcakes take care of this girl, you hear? Or I'm gonna make you do push-ups."

"You got it, Coach," Leo says.

"No push-ups," Jason promises.

I avert my eyes as Piper goes in for a second hug. "Thank you, Gleeson. Take care of him, please."

"I got this, McLean," Hedge says. "They got root beer and veggie enchiladas on this flight, and one hundred percent linen napkins — yum! I could get used to this."

I guess he's not going to bother saying goodbye to me because he starts heading up the stairs. Oh well. I did tell him he disgusts me and make other rude comments, so it's not shocking. But before he can go, Piper grabs his arm and clears her throat loudly.

He turns around with a huff and sets his sights on me. "Yorkes?"

"Yes, Coach?" I ask, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes.

"Don't die."

Now I do roll my eyes. "Well, there go my plans for tonight."

"Cordy," Piper reprimands, her eyes pleading. I sigh. Fine. If it makes Piper happy, then fine.

"Take good care of Mr. McLean or I'll roast you on a spit," is the best I can do. Coach smirks. He starts to go again, but last second, I call out, "And Coach? There's no such thing as a good war. Especially when the war is being fought by children."

Hedge's face softens, and he nods solemnly. At last, he trots up the stairs, losing a shoe in the process. His hoof is visible for just a second. The flight attendant must've seen because her eyes widen, but she just looks away and acts like everything is perfectly normal. I hope Mr. McLean pays her well.

It isn't until the plane is heading down the runway that Piper finally lets herself cry. I throw my arms around her and pull her close. She buries her face in my shoulder and I rub her back soothingly. Jason and Leo stand off to the side. Leo looks vaguely uncomfortable as he pulls Kleenex from his tool belt.

"Your dad's in good hands," Jason assures her. "You did amazing."

Piper doesn't say anything, just sobs into my shirt. I shoot the guys a look, and they practically trip over themselves to make it a group hug. I'm not sure how long we stand like that for, but it kind of feels nice. How long has it been since I let other people close to me like this? The only people I've let hug me in the past three years are my half-siblings and Lacy, and even then, the hugs never lasted any longer than five seconds.

Eventually, the hug ends, and Piper wipes her eyes, sniffling. "Thank you, guys. I—"

She can't bring herself to say anything else. She doesn't have to. We know. I turn to look at Jason because, well, I love looking at him, and I realize the air next to him is shimmering. It's a Mom message from Thalia!

Jason's eyes widen and he stumbles back. "Thalia!"

"Thank the gods," Thalia says. Behind her is absolute chaos. We can hear yelling, the clanging of metal on metal, and explosions. Lots of explosions. Great. My favorite.

"We've found her," Thalia tells us. "Where are you?"

"Oakland," Jason says. "Where are you?"

"The Wolf House! Oakland is good; you're not too far. We're holding off the giant's minions, but we can't hold them forever. Get here before sunset, or it's all over."

Piper perks up. "Then it's not too late?"

Thalia looks grim. "Not yet. But Jason—it's worse than I realized. Porphyrion is rising. Hurry."

"But where is the Wolf House?" Jason questions.

Thalia's image begins to flicker. "Our last trip. The park. Jack London. Remember?"

I frown. There's a park called Jack London? That's a dumb name for a park. Is Jack London a person? Did he like, found the park or something? Do you found parks?

"Bro, you all right?" Leo asks. I look away from the spot Thalia's image once occupied to see Jason's gone pale. "You know where she is?"

Jason nods, looking ill. "Yes. Sonoma Valley. Not far. Not by air."

Piper turns to the pilot, who we're going to have to find some way to thank when all of this is over.

"Ma'am," Piper says, flashing the pilot a dazzling smile. "You don't mind helping us one more time, do you?"

"I don't mind," the pilot agrees. Yeah, we definitely need to get her a raise or something.

"We can't take a mortal into battle," Jason points out. "It's too dangerous."

"Leo can fly us there," I suggest. "If he can fly a dragon, he can fly a helicopter, right?"

"Um..." Leo trails off. He doesn't look very confident. He puts his hand on the side of the helicopter and makes a face like it's talking to him. "Bell 412HP utility helicopter. Composite four-blade main rotor, cruising speed twenty-two knots, service ceiling twenty-thousand feet. The tank is near full. Sure, I can fly it."

I beam and clap Leo on the back. "See? I'm never wrong!" My friends shoot me looks and I scowl. "Fuck you guys."

Piper smirks and turns back to the ranger. "You don't have a problem with an under-aged unlicensed kid borrowing your copter, do you? We'll return it."

"I—" The pilot has to stop and start again. Even with the charmspeak, she looks vaguely horrified saying, "I don't have a problem with that."

Leo grins and claps his hands together. "Hop in, kids. Uncle Leo's gonna take you for a ride."

*

i don't think this is well-written but i need to stop putting off posting just bc i'm a perfectionist so here ya go. hopefully, y'all like it better than i do