Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters, settings ect. ect. are the property of their respective owners (Rick Riordan). The original characters (if there are any) and plot are property of the author (me). No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.

"And that, Beauty Queen, is why you should never light firecrackers indoors." Leo finished saying.

They heard someone clear their throat and turned around, sitting up straighter than they did before. It was Reyna.

"Can I speak with Piper for a minute?" She asked then added "Alone, possibly?"

Piper looked over to Leo, whose mouth was gaping at the Roman beauty. She gave his shin a good kick under the table which make him leap up and snap back into reality.

"OK. I'll just go order us more hot chocolate. Want one?" He asked Reyna.

"No, I'm fine." She said taking a seat, ignoring his staring.

She wondered why the busy Praetor had taken time out to talk to her.

"So," Piper started awkwardly.

"As you know, you guys shall be leaving for the quest tomorrow." Reyna said in a business-like voice. "It will be a perilous journey and neither of us knows how long it will take to complete."

Piper had a feeling where this conversation was headed.

"Look, if you're afraid of me stealing Jason away from you while I'm onboard the Argo II and you're here, you have some seriously wrong judgment of chara-"

"That's not why I'm here, nor do I think you'd do that."

"I could."

"But you won't. Even if I don't know you well at all, we both can be sure of that."

Piper sighed. No seriously wrong judgment of character here. She thought.

"I just want to wish you good luck...and to thank you." She continued in a lighter tone.

There must've been shock evident on her face but Reyna carried on talking.

"Jason came back safe and he came back happy. It must've been because he had someone like you and Leo looking out for him, so thank you for that, even if you didn't do it for me."

It was obvious that Reyna hardly ever did these things as she often paused to think of what to say next. Her stone-cold Praetor mask was also put away and instead, Reyna smiled a soft smile.

Leo came back holding two cups of hot chocolate and as if on cue, Reyna got up to leave.

"And good luck, Piper. I know that this quest will test your character but remember to not let it get to you. You too, Leo."

Piper kicked his shin again to stop him from looking like an idiot, spilling some of the drink on the table. He hastily started wiping it up with serviettes.

"Also, can I offer you a piece of advice?" Reyna asked as she was about to leave.

Piper nodded, looking over the Latino elf to make sure he wasn't eavesdropping.

"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. I speak from experience when I say; you cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness."

She gave one last smile, and then it was all business again. She turned on her heel and Piper watched as Reyna made it for the Pomerian line.

So, that's the Reyna Jason loves. She thought to herself. And that's the Reyna that's been hiding from the world. She let a small smile form on her lips. And that's the Reyna I will remember. She shook her head as if to dispel a bad thought. But I still don't like her and will deny ever liking her to anyone who says otherwise.

Wow, I've made Reyna seem really wise it this chapter. I'm surprised that I didn't give her a grey beard and make her sit down on a tree stump atop of some hill.

Was this short? Definitely. Was it a filler? Kind of. I wanted to write a bit about Reyna's and Piper's relationship and show that Piper's back to her normal self again. Well, mostly but with a hint of jealousy. I should also say that because the story line of the Piper-Jason-Reyna love triangle has kind of ended, Piper will be taking a back seat from now on and I was think of letting Hylla step up.

Next chapter: If chapter 11 did not have enough Jeyna in it, prepare yourself for what's coming up . If it were possible to, you would be sick of them once I'm done. Cue some elevator-like flashback-inducing music because Reyna will take us back to a memory of hers.