So, this one takes place somewhere during "The Mark of Athena." Back when that Frank, Hazel, Leo triangle thing was going on. Yeah…personally, I'm glad that's over. Frank and Hazel are just too cute. ^/^

Stars

Frank watched nervously as Hazel talked to Leo. Percy, Annabeth, Jason, and Piper had gone off in search of fresh supplies. Traveling on land was risky, but they'd decided to take the chance. It had been a while since they'd had soap, and most of their clothing had been frayed in battle. Not to mention Frank had lost his only reserve pants…to be honest, it stunk. Literally. Anyway, that meant that it was just Leo, Hazel, Frank, and Coach Hedge left on the ship. The Coach had wanted to go along with the others, but they'd convinced him that he was needed to help "protect" the Argo II. Hedge's words rang through his ears.

If anybody tries anything, I'll hit him so hard they'll get sent strait to Olympus!

Hazel let out a small giggle. From the looks of things, Leo had just cracked another one of his jokes. Soon, Hazel was stifling a laugh with one hand over her mouth, in that cute way she did when something genuinely amused her. Frank didn't mind that. What he minded was that Hazel was laughing like that because of something Leo said. She usually just rolled her eyes at Leo's jesting, but this time she seemed to find it hilarious. Frank was liking this guy less and less.

"Um…what's up?" Frank asked, approaching the two.

"Oh, hi Frank," Hazel said, a smile still on her face, "Nothing, really."

Leo grinned and winked comically, "Well, that's her story."

Hazel blinked. Then a look of scandal crossed her face and she quickly started fanning herself with her hand, "Oh, my!"

Frank glared at Leo.

"Kidding, kidding," Leo said nervously, "Sheesh…"

A moment of awkward silence followed.

"Well," Leo whistled, "I'd love to stay and chat with you guys, but I've got some work to do in the engine room…see ya!"

Hazel watched as Leo headed back to his machines. There was a funny look in her eyes…Frank knew that she'd only met Leo a little while ago, but it was like she was somehow familiar with him. It was almost like they had a history…Hazel had called him Sammy when she first saw him…Frank stopped himself. No. He was just being paranoid.

"Frank?' Hazel asked, "What's wrong?"

"Um, nothing, I guess," Frank said. Hazel didn't look too sure. He decided to change the subject; "So, uh, where's Coach Hedge?"

Hazel shrugged, "He was standing guard at the back of the ship last I saw him."

Frank nodded, "Oh, ok."

Hazel stared off into the horizon. The wind ruffled her hair so that it framed her face. Frank couldn't help thinking that she was beautiful. Her eyes were looking at the water, but it seemed like she was gazing at something much further away.

"Everything's so different now," she said sadly, "I mean, from when I lived in New Orleans."

Frank wasn't sure what to say. He always forgot that she'd come from another time. The thought that Hazel had been dead made him more scared then he could ever admit. Even if they defeated Gaea, what would happen to her if the gods decided to send her back to the Underworld? He wanted to think that the gods couldn't be that cruel, but part of him knew not to completely rule it out. He didn't want to believe that she'd have to go back after all they'd been through. He didn't want to lose her. Maybe he was just being selfish.

"Yeah," Frank said quietly. He cleared his throat, "What was it like? When you were…in New Orleans, I mean?"

Hazel scrunched her eyebrows thoughtfully, "Well, there were a lot of good things, but there were a lot of bad things too."

Frank nodded, listening.

"People acted so," Hazel paused, "…differently. It's incredible how much things have changed. I mean, people were so discriminatory when I was a kid. It was awful how much hate there was…I don't miss that part," Hazel met Franks gaze, "But I do miss some things. I miss how much simpler everything was, before all of this technology." She gestured around them at the Argo II, "It was like time moved slower then, without all this. I could spend a whole day riding with Sammy…" she stopped. Then she took a deep breath, "Anyway, I'm glad to be back."

"I'm glad you're here too," Frank said stupidly, "I mean, um…"

Hazel smiled at him sweetly. Gods, she was amazing. Frank wished he was brave enough to tell her how much she meant to him. Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore.

"I was wondering if maybe you wanted to do something sometime?" he blurted.

"Do something?" Hazel asked, "How could we? Traveling on the earth is dangerous now. And we only have a few days until…"

She trailed off. There was a look of worry in her golden eyes. Frank knew she was thinking about her brother, Nico, and he wanted to comfort her, but the fact that she'd turned him down flat was going through his head like a record stuck on repeat.

"Don't worry," Frank said numbly, "I'm sure we'll get to your brother in time."

Hazel nodded, but she didn't look convinced. Frank looked down at his shoes. Talking to Leo made her smile. Talking to him only made her depressed.

"Hey," Hazel nudged him, and smiled kindly, "Maybe we could do something after all…I heard that there's going to be a meteor shower tonight. We could watch the stars for it together."

Frank felt like she'd kissed him. "Really?" he stammered excitedly, "You mean it? Just us?"

Hazel laughed. It was the same genuine laugh she'd given Leo, but to Frank it sounded different. It was a million times better when she was laughing with him.

"Just us," she said.

And for a moment, Frank felt like he didn't care about whatever history she and Leo might've had. Because no matter what had happened then, this was happening now. Hazel was with him, and that was all that mattered.