Disclaimer: I do not own or Percy Jackson or Heroes of Olympus. They are property of Rick Riordan.

A/N: I know I should be working on 'what could have been' but this plot bunny just hopped into my head. Blame Pandora. This AU was inspired by 'falling in love at a coffee shop' by Landon Pigg. Mostly the title. The MV was weird. I'm not satisfied with the last few lines. Read and reviews everyone please.

Just A Regular Day

"So, how do you like Seattle so far, Grace?" Jason looked up from the mug he was washing. Dakota smiled at his newest employee from his spot by the espresso machine. Dakota was the senior manager of Café Jupiter, dressed like an underpaid college student. His flannel shirt was unbuttoned, revealing the SQPR logo of the café on his t-shirt. Dakota wore loose jeans with dirty dark stains around the knees. He moved leisurely, running his fingers through his curly brown hair. He had huge sunglasses to hide the bags underneath his eyes and block the sun. They were the only way he could work during the day with his massive hangover. "It's not exactly sunny California."

"Yeah," Jason replied softly, "it's not exactly California." He sounded almost glad it wasn't like his home in LA. Compared to the huge busy city, Seattle was tiny, manageable. Jason looked down at his hands as he wiped the purple mug. There was a tinge of melancholy around the handsome young twenty-one year old. Dakota slapped his back, waking him up from whatever memories. Jason smiled, composing his reply. "I just needed a change of scenery. It was either Seattle or Portland." Dakota's animated face twisted at the sound of the Oregon city. "I guess I chose right?"

"Portland has more weirdoes than Seattle. Hard to believe, I know." Dakota murmured, straightening a few newspapers on the counter top as he looked at the café. Jason followed his gaze. Café Jupiter was a small out-of-place coffee shop. It catered to everyone from the hipster college art students down the street to the elderly group of men who play chess daily. It was a narrow two-story building on a bustling street. The door was a nondescript with a large window pane. The SQPR letters with a wreath of leaves surround it was painted on the glass in gold. Jason was a bit surprised by the outright Roman reference. Gwen, when asked during the interview days ago, explained it was a shout-out to the wonderful empire. Café Jupiter was an open space for debates and heated intellectual arguments. The first floor was a typical coffee shop layout with an oak wood counter for customers to sit and chat with the baristas. There are various tables positioned even and neatly. In one corner, armchairs were placed in a circle around the fireplace. A shelf of different board games sat in the corner for people to riffle through. The second floor was more spread out with large library-like tables. A huge bookshelf lined one side of the room with books stemming from children's picture books to complex philosophy texts. There were separate private rooms for large groups to rent out.

"Don't listen to this fool." The backdoor creaked open and Gwen backed in with her hands hold a huge sack of coffee beans. Jason quickly rescued her and the girl smiled back gratefully. Her blonde hair was tied up into a high ponytail with a few strands falling into her pretty face. There was a bit of coffee grinds stuck to her cheek as she greeted him with stunning green eyes. "The boss was really impressed by you, Jason. We've been searching for someone to replace Michael Varus." Dakota slide beside the girl, reaching out and tenderly wiping the grind off her face. She beamed sweetly at him before looking back. "Is it true you've worked at twelve coffee shops?"

"Probably, I've lost count." Jason replied as he placed the bag down, wiping his forehead with his forearm. Jason leaned against the coffee station, placing his hands against it unconsciously showing off his well-defined arms. He wore a white button-up with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. He crossed dark jean clad legs, deep in thought. "I just needed a job after dropping out of school and coffee shops were always hiring in LA." Neither one pried into Jason's history. It was his business. Gwen was a creative writing student at the university up the road. She practically lives in Café Jupiter, either working the counter with her bright smile or glaring at her laptop in the break room. Dakota didn't attend college, working with a few of his old high school buddies, trying to start-up a brewing company.

"Excuse me," the trio turned to see a pretty college student at the cashier. Jason smiled bright at the girl and she blushed brightly, nearly as bright as her university red sweatshirt. Gwen and Dakota traded glances as Jason skillfully charms the girl with his friendliness and humor. They observed as the young man makes the complex drink while still chatting with the girl. "Thank you." She replied, sitting her to-go cup before leaving.

"What?" Jason asked, looking up and noticing his two coworkers giving him a look as he stuffed the napkin the girl casually left on the counter into his pocket. A number was smudged slightly but still legible.

"Damn he's smooth." Dakota half-whispered to Gwen who giggled. "Look Gwen, I can't work with him. He'll get all the girls." Gwen elbowed him, which he caught and pulled her into a tight hug. "Not that I would need them." Swooping in and kissing the girl on the cheek. Gwen's eyes softened and she patted Dakota's chest fondly before heading back. "Try converting those into tips, Casanova." Jason shook his head and sighed, inputting the receipts into the machine. It was the slow time of the day. There were only a few customers mingling around the shop. A trio of old men was playing chess and poker in the corner, laughing over their dark coffee. In the corner sat a panicked college student, furiously typing on his laptop, probably a paper due soon. "Well, I think you can handle the rest. I'm going to take my break." Dakota yawned as he arched his back, stretching his arms. Jason waved him away, already mastered using the espresso machine and cashier. The blond young man twirled his pen as he started working on the inventory list, taking stock of everything they may need.

The tingle of the bell above the door snapped Jason out of his calculations. He glanced up, expecting maybe a stuffy business man or a stressed-out college student. Standing at the door with her head bend down was a slender girl. She cradled a huge textbook, silently mouthing the words. The navy blue trench coat she wore hugged her form nicely. Her dark hair was tamed into a braid which fell over her left shoulder. There were tiny droplets from the sprinkling rain in her hair. A large purple scarf wrapped around her neck, warmly. She wore black leggings, outlining her legs quite nicely, tucked into brown leather boots. Jason continued watching her, waiting for the girl to order, but she stood there still engrossed in her book.

"Um, may I help you?" Jason asked. Snapping her head up, a deep shade of mocha brown eyes met Jason's blue ones. The handsome young man blinked, not expecting such a pretty face. She had striking features with high cheekbones and full kissable lips. The chilly air brought color to her fair cheeks. Bits of loose dark hair framed her face. She blinked at Jason like he was a ghost as she slowly closed her book. There was Latin writing on the cover, he noticed. "Would you like to order?" He asked nicely.

"Where's Dakota?" She asked instead, slowly approaching him. She wore a canvas messenger bag with more Latin written on the side. Aut vince, aut mori Jason read, watching as she tucked her book into the bag. "Gwen?" She continued, tucking her fingers into coat as she glanced around, checking if she really was in Café Jupiter.

"They're out back. I'm – Hey!" Jason shouted when the girl disregard him completely, wandering to the back, pushing through the clearly printed employee's only door. "You can't go back there!" He said, leaning over the counter and unconsciously stared at her swinging hips. "Fuck." Jason muttered, checking if things at the café were ok before hopping over the counter. He dashed through the door and down the hallway, passed the coffee bean roaster. "Hey!" Jason shouted as she was about to open the break room door.

"Quit shouting," she ordered, opening the door. "Good job, senior manager." She greeted Dakota sarcastically as she leaned casually against the break room door frame. Dakota was lying on the warn couch, his legs spilling over the edge with his head beside Gwen's lap. Gwen had her laptop out and headphones in. The two looked up. Gwen's face lit up at the sight of the girl while Dakota groaned and covered his eyes with his forearm. "Nice to see you too."

"Miss, you seriously can't just barge in here." Jason warned, grabbing the strange girl's shoulder.

"Jason, wait!" Gwen started but didn't finish. The girl was quick, grabbing Jason's arm, elbowing him in the rib before bending it around and pressing him against the door frame. Jason grimaced but didn't shout out. He tried to slip his leg between hers but the girl was smart adding just enough pressure to stop him from moving. "Reyna let him go! He's new."

"I've noticed." She replied flatly before letting go. Jason pulled away roughly, glaring at the pretty but dangerous girl as he massaged his shoulder. She just arched her eyebrow at him before turning to Dakota. "You know what I want, Kota." She said, walking back out. Dakota nodded his head as he slowly got up. Jason stared at his co-workers like they were insane.

"Who? What? Huh?" He tried to sort out what exactly happened.

"That's Reyna Avila, a regular." Dakota explained as he sauntered towards the door, pushing Jason towards the door. Jason still couldn't understand how relax his friends were. He rubbed where Reyna elbowed him. It seriously hurts. He sat down at the stool, studying her as she walked to a certain table towards the back. Reyna paused at the oldsters' table. Jason expected her to, he didn't know; maybe flip their game or something dramatic. Instead, she quietly studied the black and white board, cradling her chin. One of the older men with a snowy white beard gestured to the board, allowing her to make his move. Reyna smiled, a soft one which surprised Jason, and happily moved the queen, declaring checkmate. His opponent stared at the board, wiping his glasses five times as the other whooped with joy. "She's kind of a big deal here." Dakota said as they watched her giggle and move to her seat. The table was beside the back window of the terrace and private garden of Café Jupiter.

"Then why wouldn't she let me make her drink?" Jason asked, still studying the dark-haired girl. She was peeling off her trench coat, revealing a white button-up blouse with a black belt, accenting her slender waist. Her purple scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. There was something regal about her like a queen. There were various textbooks spread out on the table as she pulled a well worn composition notebook and a tiny MP3 player out. She slipped the ear bud into her ear and sat down, twirling her pen in her fingers. "She's kind of stuck up."

"Jason," there was a protective tone to Dakota's voice. Jason looked up, a little shocked by the menacing tone of his manager. Dakota glowered at him with deep azure eyes. "Never judge a book by its cover. Reyna is a lot more complex than that. She may seem cold but," the young man trailed off, focusing on the drink. Jason thought of his friend's words, peeking at the girl. As Dakota moved to bring her drink, Jason quickly took it, grinning at Dakota's confused expression.

"Let me bring it. I promised not to offend her or something." He said, also grabbing a pastry from the glass container. "I'm intrigued by this book." Dakota's dark blue eyes followed Jason as he waved over to the table. Reyna was still engrossed in her books. She nibbled on her lower lip as she studied a piece of Latin. "Delivery for Reyna Avila." The girl looked up and Jason still wasn't ready for her powerful dark eyes. There was just a quality about then that drew him in, something quiet but intimidating. "I'm sorry about before." He apologized, setting the cup beside her paperwork.

"And you're trying to bribe me with pastries?" Reyna asked, lowering her reading glasses and pulling her headphone out. Jason could hear a catchy song playing. She rested her chin on her laced fingers as she studied him. "A little lame."

"Who said it's for you?" Jason quipped back, pulling the chair across from her out and sitting down. He popped a piece of the chocolate croissant into his mouth, moaning. "Chocolate." Reyna chuckled, a soft light sound which Jason couldn't help but smile at. She wrapped her slim fingers around the wide rim mug. Eying the blond young man in front of her, she took a slow sip, savoring the flavor as she closed her eyes. "What's so special about Dakota's brewing? I bet I could make a better cup of whatever you're drinking."

"I don't doubt that. Lupa always hires the best." Reyna answered, setting the cup down. "To state it clearly, I don't trust you." Jason blinked as the girl just dismissed him, looking down at her notes to finishing what she was writing. Jason felt off balanced. He's never met a girl like her, who would rather read than talk with a mildly attractive young man in front of her. Jason was persistent though, continued nibbling on his pastry. The books were thick, easily college-level reading. From upside down, Jason could make out a few Latin words. "Ok, since you're not leaving anytime soon, why don't you start your usual flirting routine?"

"What makes you think I have a routine?" Jason asked, finally regaining his wits. The beautiful girl gave him a look. Her dark eyes slowly slide up and down his body. He knew she was doing it on purpose but he still felt uncomfortable. Jason was never self-conscious of his looks. This girl just had a way of throwing curve balls at him. It was refreshing. "Why do you have the words 'conquer or die' on your bag?" He said suddenly, catching her off guard for once. Jason couldn't keep the smirk off his face, finally feel in control again.

"You can read Latin?" Reyna asked, brushing her fingers over her canvas bag. Jason inched closer, lifting one of her books and turning it. It was an advanced Latin book. Jason could make out a few words, his memory of Latin a little fuzzy.

"Does that make me sexy?" He couldn't stop the tease from leaving his mouth. Reyna tilted her head, resting it on her right arm.

"Just a bit." She teased back. Jason had a retort ready but Dakota shouted for him. "Go be a good boy and run back now." Jason sighed as he stood up, collecting his unfinished pastry and things.

"I'm Jason Grace by the way." He introduced lamely, holding his hand out. Reyna held it, a firm handshake, with an unwavering gaze. "Maybe you'll trust me next time to make your mysterious drink."

Reyna chuckled, "you could try, Jason." She replied, giving him a tiny wave before looking back at her notes. Replacing her ear buds into her ear, she successfully tuned him out. Jason walked back, feeling slightly unsatisfied. If it was any normal girl, he would have her number, maybe a little promise to meet up later. But Reyna just brushed him off more interested in her Latin than him.

"So, how do you like the book of Reyna?" Dakota joked, smirking because he already knew what happened. Jason glared at his friend as he sat on the stool. He ran his fingers through his golden hair, turning to study Reyna. She was standoffish to him but clearly comfortable with the other regulars. She seemed to disappear into her own world but hyperaware of things around her.

"Confused but intrigued." He replied truthfully, trying to pinpoint what about the girl he was attracted to. Wait, what? Jason thought, not even processing his own thoughts. "I'm not sure about her."

"Don't worry, Jason. She's like that with everyone." Gwen said as she appeared, hugging her laptop to her chest. Jason wasn't exactly sure but as Reyna met his gaze and smiled, not flirty but still alluring, and he didn't really care. The young man just smiled back.