I laughed awkwardly. "Um, I'm sorry for intruding. But, I'd heard about this place, and I was curious. I heard there was usually a boy named Leo Valdez who stays here and works. I haven't met him yet, but I was thinking why not meet him?" The boy raised a brow, grinning. "Oh, you're Leo?" I asked.

"Yep. Officially I'm Leo Mcshizzle-man bad-boy supreme." He said. I raised a brow. "Or, the man of your dreams, to keep it simple." I snorted, and rolled my eyes.

"I think I'm just going to stick with Leo, thanks." I replied.

Leo shrugged. "Your loss." He said.

The radio crackled again, and beeping noises came through. "Yeah, yeah. Festus says 'Hi'." I raised a brow, and Leo smiled. "Festus is the dragon I hooked up to the ship." I was still confused, but nodded.

"And you can understand it?" I asked. Leo smiled, nodding. His smile reminded me of a little elf. An elf who liked trouble.

"Festus can understand you too." He replied. I smiled, looking back at the speaker.

"So, Leo. What did you name the ship? And why do you need it?" I asked.

Leo smiled. "The ship is The Argo II. I'm captain." I raised a brow, but he continued. "We're going East. After visiting New Rome." There was a New Rome? Oh, well. I nodded.

"You know my name, what's yours?" He asked. "And your godly parent? Before I say anything else." He said. I raised a brow, but answered anyway.

"Della." I replied. Leo's eyes glinted. "And my parent is Apollo." I finished.

"Wait. Are you the girl that was claimed last night?" He asked. I nodded. "The power of Apollo's song? It heals, right? And good with a bow?"

I nodded again. "Yep, that's me." Leo smiled.

"Cool." He replied. "It's nice to meet you, Della." There was an awkward silence. "Um, would you like a tour?" He asked, gesturing to the rest of the ship.

I smiled. "Sure."

Leo led me around, seeing the living quarters, the dining hall with televisions showing live footage of Camp-Halfblood. He showed me the stables, which were empty, and he finished by bringing me up on a mast. We were in a crow's nest, and were simply sitting, talking.

"So, what brought you to Camp?" He asked.

I smirked. "I was being chased by a giant dog, later known to be a hell-hound." I said. Leo nodded, urging me to continue. "So Jason showed up, and brought me here. Then I was claimed that night at the camp-fire. Apollo was the missing, hated dad that was never there. My mom was so mad he left. So I was mad. But now-" My voice broke on the last word.

Leo glanced at the ground. "You don't have to say anything about your mom if you don't want to." I looked at him, and saw his eyes had darkened, as if he was lost in a horrible memory.

"No. I should tell at least someone." I said. "My mom and I lived together, hating my dad for years. Three months ago though, we were walking home from a diner, and my mom stopped. She looked around, sensing something was wrong, and urged me to walk faster." I took a deep breath. "Suddenly a winged creature came out of the dark, and it attacked. We fought back, but she didn't make it." I said. "I made it back to my house, and have been on the run since then." I said.

Leo was watching me closely. I met his gaze, and gave him a smile. "What about you?" I asked.

Leo stared at the ground, picking at splinters, and pulling a small washer out of his pocket, messing with it. He shook his head. "I can't." He said.

I nodded. "I understand. Don't push yourself." Leo sighed, and his fingers slowed, but still fidgeted with the washer.

We sat in silence. "So, Leo, do you have anyone special in your life?" I asked. I suddenly realized it sounded suspicious, but I couldn't fix it now.

He looked up, raising a brow. "Why, do you like what you see?" All traces of sensitivity gone. In a flash. He hid his emotions well.

I smiled. "Maybe. But seriously, do you have a girlfriend? Boyfriend? I don't judge on that." Leo laughed.

"No. I'm as single as single gets. I don't know how though. Ladies love comedians, right?" He asked. "Or have I been using the wrong tactic?"

I smiled. "No, we like a guy who can make us laugh." Leo smiled back.

"And you? Are you in a relationship?" He asked.

I snorted. "No." I replied. "No guy's ever shown interest in me." I replied, playing with a wrinkle in my shirt.

Leo sobered up. "Really?"

I met his gaze and shook my head. "Yeah. But, I think I'm just waiting for a guy who won't leave me. So far, I've avoided lots of cheaters, and liars by not acting on a crush."

Leo's eyes seemed sad. "Oh. Well, maybe you'll meet someone here." He pointed out, scooting ever so slightly closer to me.

I gave him a small smile. "Maybe."