A\N: This story is partly inspired by Trench's (former SuavePanda) story Hold On To Your Stars (I really love her work) and partly by the TV series NCIS.

It's also dedicated to my soul sister IniTiniNini who was very eager to read this when I mentioned the idea to her. Hopefully, I hadn't disappointed you, sis.

Part 1: The call

The graveyard was empty but that didn't surprise Piper Mclean. In such a warm sunny day people were out in parks or cafes, enjoying the company of their family or friends, of their loved ones. In such good days many people seemed to forget that there is pain. But Piper couldn't and didn't want to forget.

She gently placed the red tulip she had brought on the marble gravestone. Her hand slowly slid down, tracing the picture and then the name lovingly.

Lieutenant Jason Anthony Grace

US Army

01.07.1986-29.11.2010

Beloved brother

Piper felt the familiar sting in her eyes but didn't make any attempt to brush the tears away. Her knees were touching the ground suddenly and she sat on her legs, not minding if her jeans would be ruined. Her eyes were still trained on his picture.

Three years. Three years had passed since the uniformed men had appeared on her doorstep, announcing that her boyfriend was blown to pieces during his mission in Baghdad. Three fucking years had passed and it still felt like yesterday when he kissed her goodbye at the terminal before taking off, promising that he'll come home after five months, just in time for the Christmas holidays. But for the first time he didn't keep his promise. He didn't come back.

The first year was the worst. She was on the verge of going completely insane, seeing him everywhere, hearing his voice around the house they used to share. He was with her in her dreams and that was the only time and place where she was happy. But the cold reality was coming back every morning, leaving her breathless with numb body and throbbing hole deep inside her soul.

''Hey Jase.'' She whispered, looking down at her hands in her lap. ''It's been a week since I last came but nothing had happened. We're doing fine, me and Hunter. Thalia and Nico are still on their honeymoon and will come back after a few days or so she had told me. She calls almost every day to see if I had gone insane again.'' She chuckled humorlessly.

Her fingers went to her neck and unconsciously started playing with his dog tags. The only thing they found from him. No body, not even a bone. Everything was blown up. Even the rotting coffin, buried underneath her was empty. He wasn't home. He never would be.

''I miss you so much.'' She said then in a small voice, not able to keep her emotions at bay. ''It's so hard to wake up and not see you there. Sometimes I really feel that I can't do it, that I'm not that strong. But then Hunter comes and reminds me why I have to continue. God Jason, he'll never know you! Who let our son grow without his father?!''

Her voice wavered and she sighed, trying to clear up her head and vision. She had asked that question a million times since she found out he was dead and she never got the answer. No one knew exactly who was responsible for the damn explosion that blew her life up.

''I wish he looked more like you, not only his eyes. But still, when I look at him I remember that at least some part of you is at home, with me.''

She stayed there for a while, talking about nothing and everything, asking questions and not really expecting answers. But eventually, she had to go back. Her little boy was waiting for her. She had promised him cookies and she didn't want to disappoint him. So she slowly stood up, threw one last look of longing at Jason's picture before heading to her car.

''Hey Piper, how are you?'' Annabeth greeted her with a sideway hug. It turned out a little awkward because she was seven months pregnant but it made both women smile.

''I'm still standing.'' Piper replied as usual while walking in after her best friend. ''I'm sorry I had to leave Hunter to you. Are they behaving?''

''Well, Percy is not here to put oil in the fire so they are quietly watching Finding Nemo in the living room. Come in, have a cup of tea with me.''

The brunette agreed and they sat at the kitchen counter with two steaming cups.

''How are you, how is the pregnancy going?'' Piper asked then and Annabeth stroke her belly.

''Surprisingly easy. The doctor said that it's probably because she's a girl. With Tyler was awful sometimes but I'm glad she's calmer.'' She chuckled lightly.

''Well, Hunter kicked a lot too. I guess boys really are more active.'' She joined her.

Their talk continued until Annabeth's husband Percy came back from work.

''Hey, how're my two girls doing?'' he said to Annabeth before kissing her temple and gently stroking her swollen belly.

''We have guest Seaweed brain.'' She nudged him and he laughed before hugging Piper. ''And how are you and my godson doing?''

''Fine, both of us. The boys are in the living room by the way.'' She replied after he released her from his strong grip.

''Watching TV I guess?''

''Finding Nemo.'' She nodded and almost laughed at Percy's horrified expression. He turned to his wife.

''You let them watch it without me? I wanna too!'' And with that Percy Jackson from the US Navy flew out of the room to watch his favourite movie.

Annabeth sighed dejectedly after him.

''Why do I even married such a child?''

''Because you love him maybe?'' Piper raised an eyebrow at her and they both chuckled.

''For his luck.'' The blond sighed again, sipping from her cup.

Silence felt between the two while Doris' voice could be heard from the next room. Piper was glad that she had chosen Annabeth and Percy to be her son's godparents. Percy and Jason used to be very close, like brothers and Annabeth was always a great friend. She had been with Piper through everything along with Jason's sister Thalia and she would never be able to repay them for that.

After another half an hour the film was over.

''Mommy!'' Hunter jumped from Percy and raced to Piper's already outstretched arms once they entered the kitchen.

''How is my big boy? Were you nice?'' she asked him, ruffling his brown hair while his small arms were locked around her neck.

''We daw then watched about fishies!'' he explained eagerly making his mother chuckle.

''Are you hungry?'' she asked though it was unnecessary, her boy had his father's appetite.

''Yes! We make cookies now. You pwomised!'' his eyes got big and pleading and she had to stifle a laugh. He had her sweet tooth.

''Yes, we are. But we have to go home for that.'' She answered patiently to which Hunter stared at her with big blue eyes.

''No! Tyler say we play ball! Uncle say so too!'' he pointed at Percy and his son in his arms.

''And we will buddy. But tonight, when we come to your house. Now go because cookies are waiting for you!'' Percy smiled at him and ruffled his hair, making the three-year-old boy giggle.

''Cookies!'' he started to chant and Piper glared playfully at the raven-haired man.

''Now look what you've done.'' She scolded him and exchanged a secret look with Annabeth, who was laughing silently behind Percy. ''You'll come tonight right?''

''Yeah, I just have to finish the laundry and stuff. We'll be there around seven or eight.'' Annabeth managed to calm down enough to speak.

''Okay, see you then!''

And with that Piper exited the house with the energetic Hunter in her arms.

Piper's house was on a twenty-minute ride from the Jackson's so her car was parked in the garage in no time. She went to unbuckle Hunter from his seat who was playing with some action figure in his arms, humming under his breath the tune from Finding Nemo and including a ''We eatin cookies'' chant from time to time. She shook her head while letting him go and opening the truck to unload the grocery bags.

''Mommy, I wanna banana doos!'' he tugged on her jeans and she turned to smile at him.

''Just a minute sweetie, I have to get this things inside.''

''Want any help there Beauty queen?'' a familiar voice sounded behind her and she turned to smile at the newcomer.

''Uncle Leo!'' Hunter shouted with a big-ass smile and ran to the Latino guy who immediately picked him up in the air.

''Hey, how's my little champ?'' he asked him, tickling the boy's tummy and making him laugh.

''We eatin cookies!'' he explained and Leo laughed while walking towards Piper.

''Then I'm coming just in time. Where are they?''

''Oh yes, we still have to bake them. Will you get him inside while I grab this?'' she pointed to the three bags in her trunk. Hunter tugged at Leo's faded shirt.

''Leo, I wanna banana doos!'' he pleaded.

''Well, let's get you one. We'll be inside Beauty queen!''

Piper chuckled once again, seeing Leo and Hunter laugh together. She was really glad to have a friend like Leo around with his ability to lighten the darkest mood. His fiancé Reyna was also on the field in Afghanistan. Jason would have been with her there if he was alive. They were in the same group.

''Sorry if I'm messing with your plans, I just couldn't find my place at home and there is no work today so I decided to stop by.'' He shifted a little while Piper was preparing the sugar and eggs for the cookie dough.

''Not at all, I just have to cook for tonight, that's all.'' She waved him off, while pulling out a bowl. ''Anyway, have you heard from Reyna?''

''Yeah, yesterday. Everything is calm for now and thank god. To be sincere, I'm really worried for her sometimes.'' He admitted and Piper swallowed a 'There is a reason for you to'. She didn't want to intimidate him even more.

''Don't worry too much; things are calm there right now right? And she is coming back after two weeks so don't stress it.''

''Yeah, sure. Do you want help with something?''

Piper looked at him and sighed. His fingers were fidgeting, a nervous habit of his.

''Peel the potatoes for me?'' she asked and he jumped in immediately.

They continued working like this until a ring of the doorbell startled them.

''Me open it!'' Hunter jumped from his place on the counter and ran for the door. Piper sighed and rubbed her hands in a towel before following him.

As the door came into view and she saw the newcomers her body froze. A strong wave of nausea hit her and she felt a terrible sense of deja-vu.

''Piper Mclean?'' a tall, muscular soldier asked and she only managed to nod while Hunter stepped behind her. ''You need to come with us. It's about lieutenant Grace. ''

A\N: First part ready. Only two left to go. Review and let me know what you think. Thanks.