A Grover/ Juniper fix. Read and review!

Disclaimer: I'm not Rick Riordan

It was springtime in New York. This meant many things for the satyrs of Camp Halfblood- that the harvest of strawberries for the yearly profit was nearing, that preparations would be underway for the summer programs at camp, and, of course, that the wood nymphs would come and play with them in an altered version of the child's game of tag. This sport had different rules though- rules that made the satyrs anticipate every springtime with excitement. For once a nymph was tagged, they had to kiss the satyr that caught them. Now, if only the nymphs would follow the rules…

Grover Underwood wrung his hands nervously. The nymphs were lining up on the other end of the river, giggling quietly and flipping their long locks of hair. Peter grinned next to him, nudging him in the direction of one particularly beautiful nymph.

"You see that girl right there? I bet my beard she'll let me tag her, just to get a taste of this."

He puffed out his chest pompously and nodded toward her. The nymph cast a disdainful eye on Peter and turned her back to him with a haughty hair flip. "She's just playing hard to get," Peter convinced himself, unfazed.

Grover sighed and walked away from the oblivious satyr. Everyone acted so ridiculous this time of year, and now it was starting to get on his nerves. Don't they ever learn? he wondered. The nymphs play the same trick on us every year, but somehow we convince ourselves the next spring will be different. Grover lined up at the edge of the river grudgingly, preparing for another day of humiliation. A horn sounded, and the satyrs took off after the fleeing nymphs and Grover watched the spectacle unfold. The moment each nymph was tagged, she would immediately turn into plant form and the satyr's lips would smash into foliage.

Grover turned away from the embarrassing scene and walked over to the pond at the edge of the game's boundary. But before he plopped down by the water's edge, he noticed he wasn't alone. A small nymph sat on a rock by the pond facing away from him. Does she notice I'm here? Grover thought. The girl didn't turn as he took another step towards her, so Grover assumed she hadn't heard him running over.

Another step. Then another. Then- crack! a twig snapped from below Grover's hoof and he winced at the sound. The nymph's head whipped around, her green eyes wide. The girl possessed a natural kind of beauty, with a small elfish face and long amber hair.

"I suppose you want a kiss," she said, rolling her eyes at the satyr's bewildered expression.

"Um…uh…well not really," Grover said, backing up slowly.

"You expect me to believe that load of minotaur dung? That's all a satyr wants. A kiss from a pretty little nymph, like we're some prize to be won or something."

"I don't believe that," he said softly, not taking his eyes from her pretty little face.

She raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"I never play this stupid game. There's no point. Every year, we think you'll finally decide to follow the rules and kiss us and suddenly fall deeply love with us. But that's stupid! You nymphs are smart- and every spring we make fools of ourselves as we fall for your little tricks."

A small smile appeared on the nymph's face. "I never thought I'd see the day when a satyr was right about something. Come over here- what's your name?"

"Grover- Grover Underwood."

"I'm Juniper," the nymph said brightly. "And I never play this silly game either. You want to sit and stay awhile?"

Grover couldn't believe his ears. A nymph was inviting him to sit next to her? To keep her company? And she wasn't about to run away? Numbly, the young satyr walked over and sat down on the rock next to her.

"I love this time of year. Everything's young and beautiful- full of life and new beginnings," Juniper sighed contentedly, lying back on the rock to take in the woodland splendor. Grover laid down as well, hands behind his horns, and soaked in the sound of birds chirping above him and the wind tickling his face.

"I never do this anymore," he admitted after a couple relaxing minutes past. "I never just sit down and enjoy the beauty of nature anymore. I've forgotten how nice it is."

"Yes," Juniper murmured, casting her eyes up to the canopy towering over them. "It's even better when you have someone to do it with."

Grover smiled and closed his eyes. If only moments like these could last forever. He'd only spent moments with Juniper, but it felt like he had known her his entire life. A horn sounded in the distance and he groaned. All good things must come to an end.

Juniper stood up slowly, her eyes shining as she smiled at him. "Well, I better be off. It was nice talking to you, Grover Underwood."

"You, too," he said. The girl turned and started to run into the woods, and Grover realized if he ever wanted to see the beautiful nymph again he'd have to act now. "Juniper!" he cried out toward the figure disappearing into the trees. She stopped in her tracks. "We should do this again sometime. Maybe tomorrow after dinner?" he asked nervously.

"I'd like that," she said quietly, and Grover could have sworn he saw a smile flash in the distance as she resumed her graceful flight through the forest. "I love this time of year. Everything's young and beautiful- full of life and new beginnings," Juniper's voice rang through his mind. Maybe- just maybe, Grover thought tentatively, we're off to a good beginning.

This one-shot was really fun to write, I love Grover and Juniper. They're so cute together! What did you think? Review!