Summary -

Jason sees a hint of desperation in Pipers eyes as the yet another lead to find Leo fails. Perhaps we should unexpect the unexpected, he decides as a date gives startling results.

Jason was tired of it all. The war had taken a toll on everybody. Two back to back wars, full of brutality and death which they barely won, was morale decreasing. It was hard to put back the pieces of a shattered world, torn apart by hatred millennia old.

But he could slowly and steadily see the changes. The future no longer looked so bleak for the two camps.

Except for one thing. One very important, and now missing part of his life. Leo Valdez, their flaming 'sidekick' was missing. No he never was a sidekick. He was the one who decided the fate of the war. He was the important piece in the entire puzzle. It was because of him, that they won. His sacrifice was the deal maker. Though no one admitted it, Leo had made a special space in everyone's heart for him. Even though the Hispanic Elf could be tiresome, camp was no longer same without him. He was the person who lifted their spirits in the darkest of times. It was his charisma that made people miss him, his humor his laugh. His way of making everything into a joke.

Jason could definitely do with a flaming Hispanic elf with him. He, in fact no one, admitted it, but the truth was that Leo made everyone come together in a remarkable way. He was the glue between the seven.

Jason thought of Piper. How her kaleidoscopic eyes no longer held the mirth he had fallen in love with. He hated how she was so depressed with Leo's leaving. Leo was missing. Lost. Definitely not dead. Hopefully. Nope no depressing thought. Leo was missing, he just needed to be found and everything would be better. Jason replayed the memory of Pipers face falling when even the Hunters could not find him. He saw Pipers broken spirit, and he needed to fix it.

Piper shuffled nervously waiting for Jason. She was wearing a pair of jean shorts (which she could say with pride that she had made herself) and a Camp Jupiter top. With a pair of combat boots she was ready to go.

She smiled as she saw Jason jogging towards her. She couldn't help admiring Jason, his cute little scar, his trademark smile that made her insides jelly. They were going out apparently. Jason had quoted something about needing a break and here they were at the camps borders.

They walked through the thronged streets of suburban California. They were a few miles away from camp, which was perfectly fine with her. That camp made her feel uncomfortable. They entered a small taco café, a bell chiming as they stepped in. The name of the shop 'Tacos in da house' reminded her so much of Leo that it hurt. She blinked away the memories, giving a gentle squeeze to Jasons hand. She felt a familiar happiness as he gave her a reassuring squeeze back.

As they entered the quaint little shop, she couldn't help but admire the tasteful décor of the place. It was simple yet effective. It gave her a feeling of warmth. It gave her a feeling of hope, that perhaps everything would be alright one day. Hope survives best at the hearth she thought, as she saw the fire merrily crackling away in the fireplace, in the corner. Her ADHD brain started imagining a rotund Santa Claus coming in through it, and it sparked a fit of giggles. She admired the view as she sat down on one of the secluded corner tables, which gave them a perfect view of the outside street.

"Excuse me ma'am, may I get you something". Her trail of thought was interrupted by a pretty girl of 16 or 17, in waitress uniform. She had caramel hair with the distinct smell of cinnamon braid over one shoulder. She had a milky face, with a peach coloured complexion and pouty lips. Piper immediately felt jealousy well up in her, which dissipated as quickly when she saw that the waitress didn't even pay attention to Jason that much.

"Yes please," she said as she gazed at the menu. "I want a tofu taco."

The waitress (named Calie) smiled as if she expected this and then turned to Jason. "Sir, may I get you Chefs special?"

Jason looked perplexed. Piper couldn't help but aww-ing at his cuteness. She replied yes to Calie who disappeared into the kitchen with a knowing smile and a wink.

From her vantage point, Piper could see a male silhouette albeit on the scrawny side in the kitchen.

Jason gazed into Pipers eyes. He could see the various emotions that flickered through them. He thought about their times in the quest, when they had all been so happy. They hadn't known the dangers then. As his thoughts turned to Calie, he grew uneasy. Shhe was definitely not mortal. She had those ageless faces which could have been 15 or 30. She didn't send out the aura of a powerful goddess, just someone who had been around for millennia, someone who knew hardships, but with the heart of an old grandma, kind and sweet. She was knowledgeable no doubt, because she was sure that it was a wink she sent out.

Jason and Piper enjoyed the comfortable silence in each other's presence, they hadn't had that sort of peace in a while. Calie walked back in, with two covered dishes in a tray. Her eyes seemed to sparkle with amusement and mirth as she served them their food. Jason absentmindedly wondered what the joke was.

Piper, on the other hand, gazed at the food in a manner which disturbed Jason. Piper seemed to be gazing at it, lustfully?

Piper inhaled the appetizing smell, already wondering how the tacos would be? Would they be the same way Leo's were?

Her stomach growled and she uncovered the tacos. She bit into one, enjoying its pleasant taste. Jason hadn't uncovered his yet. He was still looking at her deep in thought. She nudged him and uncovered the dish.

Staplers. STAPLERS. STAPLERS

She choked, spitting out the delicious piece of ambrosia in her mouth. Jason's mouth dropped open. Piper bit back a snort, which gave way for her giggles. Her giggles turned to guffaws as she stared at Jason's face. Yes, Jason had tried to eat a stapler when he was 2, and had that cute scar to prove it.

Jason suddenly realized what the joke was. He looked at Pipers face, and started smiling as well. And seeing Piper rolling on the floor from laughing so much was enough to start off too. Together they shared a couple of moments laughing. And then, like the movies, they stared slowly in the direction of the kitchen where stood a grinning Leo.

Who said their lives wasn't as entertaining as the movies?