Clocks.

Summary: Their arrival was delayed.

Pairing: Percy x Reyna

Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Hero's of Olympus

Notes: It's slightly AU, but not really. The Argo II is having some issues, and the CHB campers haven't came to Camp Jupiter yet. Percy, Hazel and Frank came back cleanly from their quest, and Camp Jupiter was fine when they came back. No monsters, giants, nothing to fight. Everything was.. normal.

~*~Percy's POV~*~

Their arrival was delayed.

The moment Percy had been waiting for ever since he got back from the quest, what he had been fighting for. To get his memories back. Sure, they were pretty much all back already, but the smallest things about Camp Half-Blood were still fuzzy. There was so many people he wanted to see again.

Annabeth. His girlfriend. He hadn t seen her in months. He wanted to see her again. Very badly.

Grover. His best friend. The faun. Or satyr.

Percy had gotten so used to the Roman customs, he even began to forget some of the Greek ones. That was like a slap across the face. If his friends from Camp Half-Blood did show up, and he began to talk with Roman terms, he would surely get his head stuffed down a toilet by Clarisse La Rue like the first time he came to camp.

It was the little things he remembered. The little things sometimes led to bigger things, which was great. Although, it was very rare such luck came to Percy. More often than not, Percy remembered pointless things, like how to get through the Labyrinth, which he did not need to know. He had already traveled through that horrible thing and had no intention of going back. He also remembered about Silena and how she put herself in danger to protect the Camp. It would of been helpful knowing that before they had gotten in to this mess, and maybe they could of stopped her, and saved her life.

A brief flash of his other friends, family, all the people from Camp Half-Blood traveled through his mind. Tyson, Mrs. O'Leary, Travis and Conner Stoll, Katie Gardner, Will Solace, Caster and Pollux.. Percy even missed good old Mr. D.

Seeing them was on delay.

Percy walked out across the Field of Mars, watching the campers as they trained. These were his campers now. It was Percy's duty to serve them, to keep them safe. People would never give him as much respect anywhere else as the campers would here. It would be selfish of him to leave Camp Jupiter and leave them hanging.

But Percy needed to go back to Camp Half-Blood. It was like he needed it to breath. He would never forget Camp Half-Blood. He could never bring himself to do it, even if he tried. He had made so many memories there. He had grown up there, from when he was 12 to when he was 16, every summer since. It would be insanely hard to give that up.

As it would Camp Jupiter.

Sitting on an empty bench on the edges of Camp, Percy rested his elbows on his knees and brought his hands to his eyes, rubbing them, trying to clear his mind from everything that had already happened today. Maybe if he tried hard enough, he could forget it. He lost his memory once, why not again? Maybe everything could go back to normal; the things with Kronos never happened, now the things with Gaia will never happen, and he could go back to Camp Half-Blood and live a semi-normal demigod life.

But Percy knew that would never happen. He lifted his head up from his hands, and fell back into the bench, staring up at the blaring sun. He let a few breaths escape his lips before his bright emerald eyes fluttered closed. He let his head fall back, his muscles giving up.

Percy could of been sleeping. It probably looked like it. But Percy was in no way sleeping. If he was, he would be having crazy demigod dreams. But Percy's mind was blank. All he wanted to do was black everything out. Be himself for a moment.

He was probably 'being himself' for longer than a moment. More like, two hours, three, and no one noticed him. The campers continued to train, and when it got dark, they scattered away, going Pluto knows where. But Percy stayed. He stayed, and let his mind go blank, until, say, eight o'clock. The sun way past down by now. He probably would of slept there if no one came and found him. But, one person wouldn't let him be that stupid.

"Percy?" Called a shocked, concerned voice. Percy's eyes rolled open.

~*~Reyna's POV~*~

It was unusual for Percy not to be back by four.

By the time it reached four-thirty, Reyna wasn't worried. He could be out doing something late, some unfinished work, and honestly, it was none of Reyna's business. He would come back to the Principia when he was finished. Reyna knew she could trust him, if anything, on that.

But as the sun started to sink over the horizon and the camper's actions began to die down, Reyna started to get worried. What could Percy possibly be doing? Reyna thought she knew the answer, but she didn't want to believe it. She thought Percy was better than that. And if he wasn't, then he might of gained a little more maturity when he agreed to become Praetor. But there really was no other explanation to where he was.

Percy was up to trouble.

It actually didn't surprise Reyna all that much. She had heard about the things the almighty son of Neptune had managed. She had also experienced one of his little missions herself. But she would of expected it more from a child of Mercury, not Neptune. She wondered what Percy could possibly be doing. Flooding the Field of Mars? Reyna knew Mars wasn't Percy's favorite. Or, could he, Frank and Hazel be working together on something? Had they turned against her and Camp Jupiter while on the quest? Reyna shuddered to think.

It was around five o'clock when Reyna left the Principia. She was looking for mainly Percy, but if she found Frank or Hazel, that would be a start. Lucky for her, as soon as she stepped out of the Principia's long glass doors, Aurum and Argentum by her side, the children of Mars and Pluto were already there. Reyna's dogs began to growl protectively and Frank and Hazel jumped back, holding hands, Reyna noticed. She raised an eyebrow, about to question them, but Hazel interrupted her.

"Reyna! Gods, oh your dogs scared me! C-could you, like, make them calm down, or something?" Hazel asked in her light voice, grasping Frank's hand so tightly it might fall off. Frank was holding hers back just as tight, but his face wasn't relieved, like Hazel's, it had a look of pure horror on it. Beads of sweat were dripping down his forehead and his mouth was hanging open like an idiot. He looked completely terrified.

Reyna brought her focus back to Hazel, and with a short, unnoticeable nod, she muttered, "Down." And her dogs, after a handful of growling and death-glaring, slowly backed up behind Reyna. With an inside smile, Reyna looked up from the shiny Gold and Silver dogs, and her dark eyes landed on the two before her. They looked like Reyna just took a huge weight off their shoulders. She scoffed.

She quickly ran her hand over her Toga, smoothing out the bright purple fabric. Reyna then brought her hands to her chest, folding them over each other and eyeing Frank and Hazel suspiciously. "What are you two up to?" Reyna asked briefly. This could get so many different answers. Reyna wasn't even sure of the one she wanted.

Reyna expected Hazel to answer. Frank looked like he would go into shock at any moment. But to her surprise, Frank swallowed and nodded his head at Reyna, preparing an answer. "N-nothing. We were j-just looking for Percy. Have you s-seen him?" Frank stuttered, his grip on Hazel loosening. He wiped his face and stood up straight. Reyna raised her eyebrows. Deep down, she was proud of Frank. His Roman side was coming out. Although, this wasn't the time to congratulate him.

"No, no. I'm looking for him.. too.." Reyna said, still somewhat suspicious. Hazel sighed, and Frank pursed his lips. Reyna opened her mouth to ask the two her other questions, but Hazel interrupted her.

"Oh, alright.. We'll keep looking. Good look, Reyna. Have a good night." Hazel smiled at Reyna, and put her hand around Frank's waist, leading him away from the Principia. But, she quickly turned around, and looked at Reyna hopefully. "Oh, and if you find Percy, will you tell us?" Reyna eyes widened, and she was again about to protest again, she had wanted answers, but she supposed she'd let them go. She nodded and lifted up her hand slightly, saying 'goodbye' wordlessly.

Reyna sighed. Maybe her theory was wrong. She shouldn't be so quick to judge. Letting her shoulder's sag, she tapped the side of her thigh and Aurum and Argentum trotted forward, ready for duty. With a small smile, knowing she could always trust her dogs, Reyna danced down the steps of the Principia, her bright purple toga flapping in the wind and her long braid tapping on her back as she stepped on the moist grass.

She looked all around the Camp. She walked along Little Tiber first, knowing that a Son of Neptune would likely hang around water. But, no sight of Percy anywhere along the noisy river. Reyna then checked Temple Hill, maybe Percy was making an offering to the Gods, but no son of Neptune there. Just a lonely Lare. She traveled up the Oakland Hills, and greeted Lupa and her wolves with respect, but still no Percy.

Reyna began to get worried. More worried than before. And also frustrated. A frustrated Reyna wasn't a good Reyna. Percy was going to be in so much trouble when she finally found him. That is if she finds him. She ran all over camp, Aurum and Argentum growling at anything that might be out of the ordinary. She must of circled the border twice before thinking about getting help. She found herself constantly running her hands through her hair (the small strands that weren't pulled back into her tight braid) and stumbling over her feet. Thank the gods none of the other campers were still out and could see her.

Which wasn't good either. Why would they pack up so early? But, Reyna could worry about that minor problem later.

It was getting dark. Reyna could hardly see. She kept on, though, occasionally walking into monuments or equipment. Her dogs had to bark to get Reyna focused again. She thought about getting Skippy from the stables and flying over camp. But it was probably too late, and dark, for that now. Maybe Percy had realized that Reyna would be looking for him, and already headed back to Praetor headquarters. Maybe she should check back there again. With a sigh, she figured it was worth a shot. She began to head back to the Principa, tiredly but self-aware, stepping through the trees she was deep into.

Reyna walked over some sticks and stones, indifferently pushing away branches that were in her way and cursing when they got in her face, stubbornly leaving marks on her ivory skin. She kept an eye out for a boy with bright green eyes and dark black hair, just in case he was lurking around in the forests of Camp Jupiter, but there was no Percy around. It wasn't a surprise. It seemed to take longer than you would of thought for Reyna to get out of the trees. But, it was probably because she was sweating and nervous and, well, scared. Reyna was scared that she wouldn't be able to find Percy. For obvious reasons.

She finally stepped onto clear, green grass, the dead leaves and insects left far behind. Reyna, a feeling of happiness bubbling inside her since she was out of the tangle, took a moment to sit down in the strings of weed. She closed her eyes and laid back on her hands, taking in the cold air and letting it consume her. She even smiled. And when the first few drops of rain began to tinkle, Reyna hardly noticed. But, she did notice the satisfied sigh coming from the right.

Reyna's eyes snapped open, and she jumped up, her dogs, noticing her alertness, approached forward in a crouching position. Her hand automatically flew to her side, where her dagger lived, tucked safely in it's cover. Swallowing, Reyna walked closer to the noise, having no idea it's source, whether it be a monster, a camper, or, hah, maybe it was even Percy. Whoever it was, Reyna was going to find out. In, 5... 4... 3... 2...

She couldn't believe her eyes.

It was Percy, looking passed out, sprawled across a bench, tucked in under the trees.

Reyna's hand fell back to her side, and her eyes widened, staring at the son of Neptune in exasperation.

"Percy?"

~*~ Percy's POV~*~

Reyna had definitely got her opinion through.

It started with a whole lot of yelling. Her dogs had been barking along with her, too. If he could of, Percy would of ran. Reyna scared him. Reyna scared him alot. But he knew how to handle her. While on the quest, he had done alot of thinking- about her offer to become Praetor. He thought about what that deal would come with. It would come with having to deal with her. Percy had briefly talked with Reyna before he left on the quest, and he quickly got his opinion about her. She would have to get her way, or things would get ugly. She was stubborn, and would do pretty much anything to get what she wanted. And, the only solution on how to handle her was to agree with Reyna on everything.

Reyna first called Percy an idiot. Percy looked away, and nodded his head in shame, but on the inside, he was laughing his brains out. She continued to yell at him, telling him she had been looking for him for hours, and that she was so scared when he didn't come back to the Principa. Percy was half listening, but when he heard that, it kind of made Percy feel bad. He didn't mean to make Reyna go worried out of her mind- and by the looks of it, that's exactly what she was. Percy told her 'sorry' more times than he could count, half meaning it, half not. How would you feel if you had just been told that your friends and family's arrival was going to be put off until another time? Maybe put off completely?

By the time Percy and Reyna had reached the Principa, Reyna was just about done with her screaming. She pushed him down onto his throne-like chair, and stepped back, folding her arms over her chest, expecting an explanation. Percy looked up at Reyna, at the multiple cuts on her face and on her legs, and at the water dripping off her body and onto a puddle on the marble floor of the Praetor Headquarters. Again, a feeling of shame bubbled up in his stomach, and Percy winced and looked down.

"I got a letter this morning." Percy began, and his eyes flickered up to Reyna. She looked confused, how could this relate to why Percy didn't come back? But she didn't interrupt, so he continued. "It was from Camp Half-Blood. They said they couldn't said an Iris, for whatever reason. It was brief- I could show it to you if you'd like-" Percy paused quickly and raised his head. Reyna nodded. "But it said that they wouldn't be able to come to Camp Jupiter. There was some issues with the ship they were building, and they were caught up with campers arguing about coming, and there was all these m-monsters coming.." Percy's voice trailed off, and he seemed far away. He knew he shouldn't stutter in front of Reyna, it may come off like he was weak. But right now, he couldn't help it. Percy just hoped that there was a chance that Reyna was partly human, and she would understand how Percy was feeling.

Percy was sure she would get it. She had lost her home once, too. But Reyna might just pity him. After all, Percy was the one who destroyed her home, her family. She might tell Percy to suck it up. But, to his surprise, Reyna looked at him in sorrow, biting her bottom lip, and shrugged. "I'm sorry." She said in her light but authoritive tone. It looked like Reyna was trying to give him a reassuring smile, or it could of been that she just ate something really sour.

Percy looked up at her, his eyebrows raised slightly, but he nodded in thanks. Reyna pursed her lips and took a deep breath before asking him her next question. "Once they move their troubles aside, will they be visiting us?"

"They said they would." Percy replied. He was tired, and he fell back in the chair, his eyes fluttering. Although he couldn't see her, Percy was sure that Reyna was looking at him disapprovingly. Before she could tell him to sit up and get his head in the game, Percy finished. "But I honestly doubt it. Chiron, the centaur, leader of camp and all- I don't think he would bring hundreds of demigods to a camp they don't want to go to. They might tell if they do decide to stay, but they probably won't have time for it." Percy emphasized the last part.

Reyna was eyeing him suspiciously when Percy opened his sea green eyes to see her reaction. He brain seemed to be working hard to come up with something clever or witty to reply with. And, alas, Percy was correct. "You still should of came back to tell me earlier instead of passing out on a bench and making me search for hours and hours for you- the forest- completely immature-" Reyna sang, talking so quickly she wasn't even speaking in complete sentances, which was very un-Reyna. But, before she could start up another yelling session, Percy interrupted her.

"I know." He said, actually meaning it this time. "I'm sorry, okay? I just really miss them. And I didn't really want to think about anything." Percy swallowed, and brought his arm up to the arm of the chair, resting his face in his hand. Sighing, he looked down at the floor, at Reyna's sandals. He saw them hesitate, then step forward, aproaching Percy. Curious, Percy lifted his head, and to his utter surprise, saw Reyna walking towards him, arms extended, looking for a hug. Percy's eyes widened, wow, was this really happening? But he went with it, lifting up his own arms, and when he felt icy skin on his neck, he wrapped his arms around her
waist, embracing his fellow Praetor tightly.

Percy needed this- a hug. It seemed like he hadn't recieved or givin a genuine hug in forever. And maybe the same with Reyna. Percy rested his head on her frosty shoulder, inhaling her sweet scent; something like mint, or pine. But maybe she only smelled like pine because she had just spent a good amount of time walking through a forest, looking for him. Percy couldn't help himself- he chuckled out loud at that. Reyna slowly pulled away, glaring softly at Percy, wiping a strand of hair behind her ear. Percy looked back at her, still smiling smugly, and mindlessly brought his hand to her face. He gently ran his thumb over the cut oozing on her cheek, and his eyes caught her glance. "You might want to fix that up." Percy said without thinking.

Reyna looked like she just saw her life flash before her eyes. She pulled away from Percy, and smoothed out her bright purple toga. She seemed to do that frequently. "I will." She told him, swallowing. Percy looked over her shoulder, and Reyna's dogs looked like they were chuckling. Percy smirked. But Reyna was not in the mood for funny buisness, and it was obvious. Reyna followed Percy's eyes, and told her dogs to shoo. She then looked back at Percy, serious as ever. "I know how you're feeling, Percy, but there are other things we need to be worried about."

Percy's eyes flickered to meet Reyna's. Raising an eyebrow, he stood up, and crossed his arms over his chest, like what Reyna was doing not too long ago. "What happened? Did Octavian run out of stuffed animals?" Percy said sarcastically, yawning and covering his mouth.

Reyna shot him a a death glare, hands on her hips. "Honestly, Percy? No." She said, and paused, inhaling. Percy waited. Reyna swallowed. It took her a long time to respond. But when she did, her answer was exactly what Percy expected her not to say.

"A camper has been murdered."

Hey all!

What do you think? Review!

Oh, and I don't own PJO/HOO

And that's it.

Bye!