A/N: Hi there. *waves guiltily* I know. I said it'd be a fast update. It's been how long? (wait a moment lemme check) oh wow. 4,5 months? I'm super super super sorry about the insanely long wait. You guys in no way deserved to have me metaphorically die on you. And I know this isn't the first time. I swear, I mean to follow through when I say it, and then things come up and it's just well shoot darn it all, I screwed up again!

Let's just say, stuff started happening and I just had to sort some things out and get my shiz together and I knew I wouldn't finish this for a while, so I decided to hold off posting this chapter until I finished the whole story so you guys wouldn't have to wait so long for updates.
Next chapter will be a fast update I promise promise promise or I give you all permission to do what you wish as punishment.

Reviews!

KorenBlofis: A shoutout to you, because you reminded me that I had readers waiting for me to finally update! I'm sorry. I'm not dead, I promise, as mentioned, I was incredibly busy and blah blah blah. Important thing is, I'm here, and I have most of the story done by now. And I'm so glad you enjoyed it and read it all that fast! :)

HoOisawesome: Thanks! And you'll find out here ;)

Calypso223: Thank you so much!

SomethingMoreCreative: Sorry I made you wait so long! but thanks, and you'll see :D

Catsrawesome: Thanks :) (Btw, totally agree: cats are awesome!)

7thseven: Haha, thank you!

ninjaD4NC3R: Ahhh sorry Spire! Thanks :P

hollyhobbit101: Read and see ;)

ChocolateWriter: Thank you so much, that's so sweet :) (And ohmygoodness I love chocolate!)

And just a quick thanks to all the readers who stuck through my messed up updating and my sucky writing getting better: can you imagine I started this July 2013? (That says a whole lot of things about me...ack) But you guys are the best, thank you! :D

Sorry again, and then next chapter will be uploaded after next week.

Without further ado, Chapter 9. Hope you enjoy!


Leo approached Mark cautiously. He wasn't scared of the other demi-god, but he wasn't sure how Mark would react to what he was going to say. And he didn't think Mark would be all that pleased to see him, but that wasn't something he could help.

Mark looked up as he heard Leo's footsteps. He had been sitting on the shore on the far side of the island. He knew what was going to happen when Calypso chose Leo.

"Hey," Leo said simply.

Hey," Mark replied.

There was an awkward pause. Then Leo came closer and sat down next to him.

"Listen, I…" he trailed off, unsure how to say what was on his mind.

Mark shook his head. "You don't need to thank me or anything. It was always her choice."

Leo nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah, but you made it a whole lot easier for both of us by letting her go. And I still need to thank you because you took care of her, and because even though this probably hurts like Hades, you're controlling your emotions for us. Well, for her, I guess."

Leo paused, waiting for Mark to say something. When the blonde demigod said nothing, Leo continued.

"And...I, uh, well. I don't really know how to ask, so I'll just be blunt. What are you going to do now?"

Mark looked up now, eyes flashing. "What do you mean?" he snapped.

Leo held his hands up in the air. "I didn't mean anything! I just, were you planning to stay here? Because we were kind of hoping you'd come back with us. After all, you deserve a second chance too. So, how 'bout it?" He attempted to add some humour to lighten up the situation. "I still need some surfing lessons, bro, so come on. Please? I'll buy you some ice cream when we get there."

Mark looked at him curiously. To be honest, he hadn't really thought much about the future. He had indulged himself by doing nothing but surrounding himself with memories, some filled with pain, others filled with laughter. Now that Leo had brought it up, what would he do? He didn't want to stay here alone on Ogygia, that was certain. But going back to the real world was so painful. There were so many people that he convinced himself he had forgotten, when in reality, they were all he thought about. The ones that appeared in his dreams, only to disappear with the morning sun. Could he face them? Could he-

Mark snapped out of his thoughts as Leo prodded him. "So….you'll come? It's going to be hard for all of us, but, and it may be sorta awkward, but…you're welcome with us. Alright?"

Leo's face held an expression of such honesty that Mark managed to nod his head, abandoning all doubts and fears. Just go. "Alright. But you better buy me a triple scoop waffle cone the moment we get back."


Mark sighed. Today's the day. He couldn't decide how he felt. His mind was a jumbled mess of memories and emotions; he was scared and happy and bitter and excited and it felt like he was about to explode. Which was completely illogical, he reminded himself. And yet.

His mind got a little crazier when he saw Leo and Calypso on the shore. He had let her go, but it still hurt. His heart wrenched with feelings of bitterness, regret and longing as he watched the couple. Shaking his head, he laughed, doing his best to pretend he was okay, and walked over to the ship. To a new beginning


"Thank the gods that they gave me permission to free you. Well to be honest, even if they didn't grant one wish for all of us- by us I mean the Seven heroes and some others like Nico and Coach and Reyna- anyways! If they didn't I would have come anyways and found a way to free you, but this way it's much easier. After we defeated Gaea, all I could to think about was you, Cal. Heck, during the war I still thought about you probably way more than I should have. Anyways, I can't wait for you to meet everyone. And- oh Calypso, there's so much more out in the real world!" Leo was jabbering excitedly he walked up the ramp leading to his ship, his hands unable to keep still. Blame it on the ADHD. He stopped suddenly, noticing Calypso's pale face, as she stood behind him, still on the beach.

"What's wrong, Cal? Are you nervous? I'm sorry, I haven't even really asked how you feel about this. I mean, it's a huge change I know, darling, and this has been your home forever. Are you sure you want this?" Leo walked back down the ramp and stooped down, taking her hands in his. Bringing her slender fingers up to his lips, he kissed them softly and waited for an answer.

Calypso took a deep breath. She looked up at him and whispered softly, "Where you go, I will go. My home is with you, Leo. I'm just...this has been my world, the only place I knew for so long..." she trailed off.

Leo walked down the ramp to stand beside her, motioning to Mark to go ahead and board the ship. "I know. I know it's hard, and I know you're scared, but I promise I'll do my best to make you comfortable in every way. I'll walk up with you, okay? It's gonna be alright, Cal, I promise."

Calypso took a deep breath. "Okay. I'm ready." She smiled as Leo wrapped his arm around her waist. She raised her eyebrow at him, amused. (And touched, but for the moment he didn't need to know that.)

"What? Don't pretend you don't enjoy it. Besides, we don't want you falling off, do we?" He smirked at her, pulling her closer.

Needless to say, she enjoyed it, though that didn't stop her from nudging him away to wipe the smirk off his face. Leo laughed, coming back undeterred. Calypso leaned into her love as they walked up the ramp. She felt like a bride walking to the altar, as silly as it was. But after all, this was a new chapter of her life. She was ready.


A/N: So! Just going to take this opportunity to say that this has been a great journey for this story and for me as a writer, and I'm so glad. I never thought it'd be this long. But this isn't the end, so hold on ;) Tell me what you thought in a review, please! Your reviews make my day :)

And the next chappie will be out soon for real. I promise! Not like the other times I promised. Thanks for being so patient and sticking with me!

Kitty out.