"The funny thing about the Bible is that it tends to be paradoxical," Peter said. He wasn't religious either, but given the influence Christianity had on history, picking up knowledge of it was inevitable. It was intrinsically tied in with history.

The scent of pain and exhaustion mingled, overlaid by the tang of fruit. Of course, the pain's been a constant since he arrived, so much so that Peter had all but dismissed it by now. He could take Chris's pain. Lay his hand on his ankle or his forearm, and draw it away.

He doesn't.

"What do I do," he repeated. "Well, I seem to have become a supernatural consultant to a group of irritating teenagers. But aside from that, I enjoy long walks on the beach. Getting caught in the rain. I'm not much for yoga."