A/N: I finally had a long enough stretch in between homework to write an update. Between school and work it's a miracle I get to post anything at all, haha. We're over halfway there now. Two more after this.

She lay with her head in his lap as he played with her hair.

Piper still didn't fully understand how time worked in Elysium, but she knew they must have been there a while because when Frank and Hazel returned from their final lives and went to the Isle, he said he'd been born in the year 2150. And that had been...

Piper frowned. The only thing she didn't like about Elysium was actually the whole time thing. She'd learned not to think about it too much, because it made her head spin every time she tried.

"Today's the day."

Jason's soothing voice interrupted the quiet that encapsulated them, and Piper tilted her head back to look at him.

"how much longer?" She asked.

"They'll be here in about 30 minutes."

"Are you nervous?" Piper asked.

"I mean," Jason said, "We'll be getting a new identity soon. I think anyone would be nervous." he broke off and smiled down at her. "I just hope that I can live a whole life this time."

"Well, you deserve one, considering everything you went through last time," Piper said firmly, fiddling with the necklace she wore.

"You'd think so," Jason replied, nodding. "I'm sure it'll be alright." Piper snorted.

"You have a lot of faith in the rebirth system, don't you?" Jason shrugged

"Well there isn't much we can do about it," he said. "Best to go with the flow." Piper's lips turned up slightly, and slowly, she sat up, kneeling next to him on the grass.

"Do you think that we'll ever cross paths?"

It was a thought that had been bothering her for a while. She knew that Hazel and Frank had only met once in their last life, and Leo and Cal still hadn't returned, so she didn't know whether or not they'd seen each other.

There was another meaning there, too. Aburning thought that had been plaguing her for some time.

Do you think we can try again?

"I don't know," Jason finally said, meeting her eyes.

"Do you want to?"

Jason furrowed his brow and leaned forward

"Of course," he said in a slightly incredulous voice. "Why wouldn't I?" Piper hesitated and hugged her knees.

"I- I didn't exactly treat you well up there."

"Pipes, we've been over this," Jason said with an exaggerated sigh. "I understand why you decided to break up with me. I'm not angry. And besides," He shrugged, "I didn't know it at the time, but I needed that break up as much as you did. We needed space to figure things out." Piper let out a breathy laugh.

"Kinda stupid that I didn't figure out how much I actually needed you until you died," she said bitterly.

"But we know now, and that's what matters, right?"

"I guess so," Piper said with a sigh. "I'm just bummed that we couldn't be together very long. And I know we're in Elysium, but life..." she paused, looking around the etherial atmosphere. "life here is different, you know?"

She did like her existence there, really. But that's what it was. An existence. A good one, to be sure, but it wasn't a real life. She was ready to live a life. A full, happy one, unmarred by monsters and gods and the fates twisting her life into tragedy. She was ready to experience mortality, to feel cold rain on her face and hear wind on a forest trail.

"Hey," Jason said, taking her hand and squeezing it. "It's going to be okay. Whatever happens." Piper smiled at him, squeezing his hand back.

Then there was a whistle in the distance. A large, scarlet train came pulling in, screeching to a stop. People around them stood up, ready to board the vehicle to take them to the Lethe. One by one, names are called. There aren't a lot, so soon they hear their names.

"Grace, Jason! McClean, Piper!" The voice rang out from among the courtyard, and their eyes found an exhausted looking official beckoning them over to him.

"Alright," he says, "a couple of things. First, Mr. Grace, I'm sorry, but your walk through the river has been moved to a later time."

Piper's heart skipped a beat.

"What?" she asked. "Why?"

The officiator shrugged. "We made a scheduling error," was all he said. Jason squeezed Piper's hand reassuringly.

"How long will the difference in years be?" he asked.

The officiator shrugged. "Depends. I'm not the one who decides. That stuff takes place after you cross." Piper swallowed hard and opened her mouth to speak.

"Is there any way-"

"No," the officiator interrupted. "I'm sorry. You have one minute." He blinked. "Or... at least close to it. Look, the train needs to leave, so hurry up." The officiator turned and left, boarding the train. Piper whirled to face Jason

"What are we supposed to do?" she asked, panicking slightly. Jason shook his head, seeming dazed.

"I don't know," he said helplessly.

"What if I never see you again? I could be born 30 years before you!" Piper's voice was rising. The possibility of seeing him at all in her next life was slipping away.

So much for a second chance, she thought.

"Then you will have a wonderful life as a woman born 30 years before me," Jason said firmly, holding her shoulders.

"Jason-" Piper's voice broke, and Jason pulled her into his arms.

"Piper," he murmured into her hair, "it's going to be okay. I promise."

They held each other for several moments, jumping apart when they heard the train whistle.

"Okay," Piper said, gathering her courage. "Okay."

"Good luck," Jason said softly, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"You too," Piper said, fighting back tears. She studied his face, trying to memorize every feature, in hopes that somehow, someway, he'd make his way into her thoughts in her next life. "Promise me you'll look for me when we get back, okay?" she asked.

"Of course I will," Jason replied softly.

"Last call!"

Piper and Jason turned toward the voice. The officiator was leaning out the train window, looking severely peeved. "We're on a tight schedule, Miss."

Piper locked eyes with Jason one final time. His lips were slightly parted.

"I love you," Piper blurted. And holy Hera did that feel good to get out. Jason smiled the smallest of smiles, and kissed her softly.

"I love you too," he said back once they broke apart. "I'll see you soon. I promise."

Moments later, Piper sat on the train. And looking out the window, watched Elysium, and Jason, fade out of sight.

A/N To all those who read this chapter, thank you so very much. Leave a review! let me know what you think in the comments, maybe tell me what senarios you may like in a future fic where these people meet in their next lives. Would anyone be interested in that?

Have a great Day (or night, wherever you are lol)