Jiper's Child: Children of Olympus #2

Chapter Seven: I Do Wood Art

**So... it's a been a while. I've got a lot to say, but I'll save that for the end. For now, enjoy a little Piper and a whole lot of Gruniper.**

PIPER

Piper tried to calm her breathing. She didn't like what she had seen in the past, and even less what she had seen in the future. Despite what she had seen, she felt frustrated and annoyed to be back in her own bed. Something had happened, something that involved her and her family and Jason and Ares. That couldn't be a good combination.

Part of her knew it was the past. It had already happened, so what was she supposed to do about it? She had already done what she'd needed to do, and she was here and so was Jason. If she had to go back, if it was predetermined in some confusing way that made her brain hurt, she'd figured she'd be taken back; but she couldn't help but remember that last scene she had seen. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but the congregation dressed in black, the crying she had seen, her babies in front of her but Jason not at her side...

Should she tell Jason? Maybe she could bring up meeting her grandparents; maybe she could tell him that their fates with intertwined with his grandfather's. But could she mention her fears about the meaning of the congregation in black? Could you put something like that on a person?

She shivered, laying in bed. She'd felt an innocent bystander when her unchosen journeys had begun, but now she was part of this, like it or not.

* * *

GROVER

Grover couldn't believe it.

He'd been gone for seven years.

That's what Juniper told him, and judging by the anxious look on her face, this was not a joke.

Seven years.

How much had happened, how much had he missed in the time he'd been gone? Were his friends still at Camp Halfblood? Did they still remember him? Did they miss him, did they look for him, did they even care?

"We have to get back," Grover whispered with a sudden intensity. They were still sitting in the cafe where they'd gotten enchiladas together.

"I was trying, Grover, I was trying," Juniper replied softly.

"You're sure you can't get back to your tree?" Grover hated to push her, but he needed to get now more than ever. So much could have happened, so much could have changed.

Juniper sighed. "I'll try once more."

Juniper closed her eyes, gripping the arm of her chair until her knuckles turned white. Once again she began to fade, slowly but surely she grew transparent, until she was barely more than a shadow...

And then again, just like before, she jerked backwards, gasping in a sharp breath as she returned suddenly to solidity.

She didn't open her eyes.

"Juniper?" Grover said sharply, leaping out of his chair. He hurried over to her; she still had a pulse, that was good, but she was clearly unconscious.

At this point they were the only ones on the terrace. He thanked the gods for that, digging a bit of mortal money out of the bag Juniper had brought with her, slamming it down on the table, and lifting up his girlfriend.

He ran, kicking off the tennis shoes he'd put on to disguise himself, knowing they'd only hurt rather than help him in his sprinting. He wasn't sure where he could go; they were far away from Camp Halfblood, far away from anything he knew.

And what would happen to Juniper? She laid unconscious in his arms as he tried to maintain a calm facade and make his way out of the restaurant, but he could feel his hands shaking against Juniper's body. He was alone, and he didn't know what to do.