"Piper, Jason Grace is awake. His father told me to pick you up."

"What!?" The receptionist took a step back as Piper let out a screech, tears flying already. "Jason... he's ok?"

The receptionist nodded, allowing an unprofessional smile to slip onto her face. "You can bring a friend too. Special circumstances. Come to the office when you're ready."

She walked away and Piper let out a loud sob, screwing her eyes shut as tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Piper! Be happy! He's ok... it's all ok!" Leo gasped, feeling his own eyes welling up a little. As he stood there - attempting to stop himself from crying - she rushed forward and flung her arms around him, sobbing dramatically into his shoulder.

"I am happy! I'm so, so happy!" She wailed.

"Could've fooled me." Leo looked over Piper's bobbing head to see his boyfriend walking across to them both, a small smile on his pale face. Leo laughed, and Nico jumped into the hug.

"Group hug!" He heard Percy yell excitedly, before he was completely crushed.

Leo heard a squeak from just under his and Piper's eyes, and glanced down to find Nico crouching there, brown eyes like marbles. "Help!" He protested weakly.

Leo giggled, breaking away from Piper and splitting the hug. "Ok, ok guys. I get it, we're all pretty chuffed!"

He surveyed the group, all flushed but grinning, if not slightly delirious. "So, people. Who's going to go with Piper to the hospital?"

There was silence as everyone looked around, trying to deduce who was most worthy to take up this rare offer. Finally, Percy spoke up.

"Well, to be honest, I don't think it should be me because I don't even know the guy. I only started this school after Jason's accident, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Nico grimaced, tapping his head. "I think my memory's getting worse..."

I don't really think I'm Jase's closest friend, I'm afraid. I think Leo should go with Piper - the three of them have been friends for ages, Annabeth signed, hands moving rapidly and fluidly.

Slowly, Nico nodded. "Yeah, ok. That's sorted then. So... you're going now?"

Piper just nodded, too overwhelmed with joy to speak.

"Yup," Leo agreed. He linked his arm through Piper's. "Right, come on then. Lets go."

~·~·~

"Oh, gods, Jase..." Leo murmured, seeing his friend motionless in a hospital bed for the first time. His shoulders slumped as his happy mood deteriorated, replaced instead with nervousness. He couldn't imagine how Piper had felt, seeing Jason still on the road, blood everywhere.

"Jason." Piper's voice came out as a whisper, though it was clear she was overjoyed. "You're ok! You stuck around for me."

She ran to her boyfriend's side and kissed his forehead softly, beckoning Leo over. "Come on, come over. Talk to him."

Leo hesitated, not sure why he was scared of his best friend, but forced himself to walk forward, plopping down on the edge of the bed.

"Um... hey Jase! How you doing? Well, not great I suppose, but... right..."

He trailed off as Jason stirred, turning his head on the pillow slowly, before finally his eyes blinked open, revealing bright blue irises.

"Jase!" Piper gasped, going to throw her arms around him before stopping herself, realising Jason could be sensitive. Leo grinned at the sight of his best friends gentle embrace, and placed a hand on Jason's shoulder.

"Hey buddy. Good to see you again," Leo started again, feeling the awkwardness disappear. Jason's dad watched from across the room, smiling sadly at the scene. However, he soon ran over when his son opened his mouth.

"W-wha... h'ppen..." Jason croaked weakly, his stiff fingers closing slightly around Piper's hand. "P... er?" His words slurred strangely, and his movements were sluggish. His eyes squinted, which Leo thought was normal until he saw Piper's frown.

"What's wrong?" He asked her quietly, but Piper just shrugged.

"I'll tell you later."

Jason opened his mouth to speak more, but his lips moved with no sound. Eventually, his dad told him to stop, and Jase slumped a little further into the mattress, looking tired, upset and defeated.

Suddenly the door crashed open, and Thalia stumbled in, pushing her hair out of her face. "Sorry I'm late, Dad, the traffic was shocking!" Her face softened as she spotted her brother, awake. Leo shuffled over so she could get closer to him.

"Jase! Good to see you awake!" She ruffled his hair, smirking, as Jason squinted up at her.

"Tal... ya?"

"Yup, it's me little bro!"

Leo shot Piper a look, feeling awkward as the family was reunited once more. And, as hilarious as Thalia was acting- all soft and soppy - Leo didn't really feel welcome to stay any longer.

Luckily, Piper caught on. "Ok guys, me and Leo are going to head off. Hopefully we can visit again soon?" Jason's dad nodded eagerly, and Piper smiled, leaning over to give Jason a kiss. Leo grinned.

"See you, Jase, everyone!" He walked out waving, feeling a lot more important than he really was. The feeling in the air was wonderfully happy... so it was strange when Piper's joy disappeared as soon as the door shut.

"Leo, Jason's not right!"

"Um... what?"

Piper sighed, her multicoloured eyes meeting Leo's brown. "Listen, I'll tell you everything soon. We have the rest of the day off, right?" Leo nodded, and Piper seemed to hesitate before continuing. "Come back to mine. I'll explain, ok?"

If he was completely honest, Leo didn't really understand what Piper wanted to talk to him about, but he could not turn down an offer to see the inside of Piper's house. He'd been told it was a castle!

His head buzzing with excitement, he answered immediately. "Sure!"

Well, this was going to be fun!

AN
You have permission to kill me because I am an awful person :'(

I've just had sooo much homework and tests to revise for, and it was killing me not being able to write!!!

I hope this is ok for you all anyway! Thanks for sticking with me (the votes and reads are AMAZING!) I'm thinking some Thalia and Will next chapter!!!

Byeeee! Keep on with the votes and comments if you will :)))

RandomPhandom xxx