To RandomFanAuthor- and they're OK? What'd you think? :P

Leo visited Louisa in the med-bay. He had had to leave Calypso with Space Invaders; did not dare to cleave her from it. She was already yelling at the screen, he didn't want to be yelled at as well.

Louisa was sat on a bed nearest the window, lost in a daydream as a young dark-skinned woman took her blood pressure. She looked up as Leo approached, considering him carefully with eyes as black as night.

"Mmph," she decided, "are you the other one?"

"Yes? You mean demigod, right?"

"That's one demigod too many."

"Don't you only know two demigods?"

"And?" She challenged. Leo shrugged. Louisa came back to earth, blinking and wincing.

"Oh." She said. "Hi, Leo. This is July."

"Ooh, the scary doctor lady. Yeah, I see that now."

"Scary doctor lady?" July demanded, frowning at Louisa with her free hand on her hip. "What have you been saying about me?" Louisa blinked at her, the question looping through her brain without registering. "Oh. You're in one of those moods again." She finished checking her blood pressure, folding the instrument up and neatly placing it on the bedside table. She turned to Leo, folding her arms. "Are you in need of a scary doctor lady?"

"No ma'am." Leo assured. She nodded once, content, shoulders slumping a heartbeat later as her name was called.

"WHAT?" She yelled back.

"RODDY AND SHI-ZHI HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAIN!"

"I ALREADY TOLD YOU, I'M NOT- oh, for the love of…" She exasperated wordlessly, boxing the air in frustration. "You," she jabbed a finger at Leo, making him jump, "keep her there." She did not wait for his confirmation, stomping off. "WHAT DID I TELL YOU, WHAT DID I TELL YOU?"

"Damn, she is scary." Leo remarked, half-smiling. Louisa hummed in agreement. Leo gestured at the foot of the bed. "Mind if I sit?" She crossed her legs, making room for him. He hopped up, a little surprised at the relief he felt.

"Where's Callie?"

"Conquering alien lands still."

"Mm. Think we've lost her ta that." Louisa itched her nose. "You OK?"

"I'm good. Wish I knew what this place was though." There weren't any other patients nearby, but they could hear July scolding Roddy and Shi-Zhi. "Lou?"

"Don't… ask if I'm OK, I'm sick of that."

"Wasn't going to." Leo shook his head. "As worried as I am about you, I know what you're like. This thing with Juni's dad- there's probably more to it. There's always more to it with you." She closed her eyes, bit her lip. "You… don't remember, but I spent years blaming myself for something that wasn't my fault. You helped me realise that. It still hurts, I still get doubts, but you were right. You told me to get all the answers. And then you told me to shut the fuck up." A light of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth. Leo sat forward, patting her knee. "Cal and I have both said this to you a million times and we'll say it a million more if we have to- you're a good person. You're just in a funk."

"In a funk."

"Yeah. Like, you know when I'm building something and then my brain goes pfft and I don't know what to do next?" She squinted at him. "Well, you did." He said, answering his own question. "You're just having one of those moments."

"Bit of a difference between buildin' somethin' 'n' killin' the gods."

"But do you get what I mean?"

"Sorta."

"Then shut up." He smiled. For a moment, he suspected a smack, not averting his gaze from her glare.

Her shoulders slumped and she bopped his shin lightly.

"Can I ask ya somethin'?"

"Depends."

"The Zap thing. Do… do I have ta do it?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Well… Callie said that, uh, that me bein' me, like… before all this… god-killer stuff. She said that was good. 'N' that she said I should go back ta bein' like that." Leo nodded slowly. "I'm just thinkin' that… if I get my memories back, am I gonna be able to?"

"What, to go back to being an idiot?"

"Not how I'd've worded it, but yes?"

"How can I put this? You're always an idiot. Big, chaotic dumbass. No wait, scratch that. Big, chaotic bisexual dumbass who's probably equally terrified of and attracted to scary doctor ladies." He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder- July was still reprimanding. Louisa smiled weakly. "Getting your memories back, it would definitely clear up what the hell you've been up to piss off so many people. And you'd remember how awesome I am- don't do that face, I am awesome!"

"Convincin'."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

"See, there she is. Rebellious. That's you, Lou. I don't think you've met one person you've not told to fuck off."

"Wow."

"Yeah, it's impressive. So… the Zappy thing, it's up to you. It's got less chance of melting your brain now, but you only have to use it if you want to. I can't promise it'll work, be it a little bit or a lot, but if you want to try it, we will." He took her hand in his, smiling at the familiar iciness. What he would have given to hold her hand a few months ago, how close they had been, the hopes he had had, how much things had changed since then. As he warmed her hand between his own, spilling stupid jokes and stories of past Louisa-antics, he realised how lucky he was. A part of him would always love Louisa, his best friend and partner in crime, and while there was not more to that story, their friendship remained. Once upon a time, he would have asked for more, but it did not apply now. He had Calypso and they were happy.

He began to warm her other hand, feeling a change in the atmosphere around her. He glanced at her discreetly, seeing her calmer, a miniscule smile, fixated on his hands as he talked. He knew she was happy for him and Calypso, so much so she was willing to put her own life on her sword to secure their future. "We'll be with you, Lou." He promised. "But only if you stay with us. OK?"

"OK."

"That's my girl."

"How's she doing?" Lucy-Jo asked, rapping her knuckles on the door frame.

"Better." July nodded, shining a light in Louisa's eyes. "I've been told she's had ambrosia?" She arched a brow at the Lieutenant.

"Well, ain't that good?" Lucy-Jo shrugged. July hummed, returning to her examination. "You feeling any better, Lou?" Louisa gave a vague 'mmph', squinting and blinking as July lowered her little torch.

"Her vitals are more or less back on track."

"But?"

"She's supposed to be still." The med glowered furiously, looming over her patient. Louisa poked her, frowning. "Oh, you're impossible. L.J, she is not allowed to do anything until those stitches come out." July flicked the light at Lucy-Jo, determined to blind her until she agreed.

"OK, OK!" Lucy-Jo rubbed at her eyes. "Boss put 'em under my care anyway, I'll keep an eye on her, if they ever work again."

"Two eyes." July corrected. "Amnesia or not, she is the biggest little shit I've ever met." She bopped Louisa on the head, sighing. "I've got some errands to run, but Breda and Jamal are on shift. You," she set a Look on Louisa, "do one more thing out of line and I'll take those stitches out myself." Louisa scrunched her nose at her. July glared, readying her torch once more.

"Yes ma'am." She nodded. Lucy-Jo snickered, contrite under July's frown. Neither of them spoke until the door swung shut.

"That's what I love about the meds." Lucy-Jo laughed. "They fix bodies all the time- they know better than anyone how to break them."

"Ain't you lovely?"

"No, I'm not. I'd say we established that already, but…"

"Yeah, I know. Amnesia."

"Imagine if you forgot you forgot."

"Mmm, I'm sure that ain't been said a thousand times."

"Oooh, someone's in a mood. Do you need a nap?"

"I've just… got a lot on my mind." She shifted anxiously. "Why did I bring Juni here? What happened to her dad?" Lucy-Jo's smile vanished. She sat on the edge of the bed, her movements slow and cautious.

"What do you remember?"

"Did I kill him?"

"It was his idea. Don't get in a state, he made you promise on that magic river of yours- if it came down to saving his life or making sure Juni was safe, pick Juni."

"What… what happened?"

"You know I was telling you about the Bloods? Well, they have nests. One was too close to civilians, so we went in to clear it out. Except…" Lucy-Jo hesitated, wiping her hands on her lap. "It was a trap." She continued quickly. "For me."

"You? Why-?"

"Don't know. Something to do with family history. That's all I've figured out, Boss won't tell me." She swung her legs, sighing. "Juni's dad, Marco, he was senior officer. You were holding back the Bloods. I was injured…" Her hand strayed to her right forearm, digging her fingers in as the memory replayed. "He gave you orders to bring the place down. As my double, you-"

"Double?"

"Double. Shadow. Whatever. We go in pairs on missions. One leads. The other shadows. They're our replacement if we can't continue. And Boss made you mine that day, so you were acting-Lieutenant. You had to listen to Marco. He told you to get me, you and his double out and bring it all down."

"Why didn't he come too?"

"He had a shot at ending it all. The Bloods, the attacks, our missions. One life to spare thousands, he had to take it." Lucy-Jo sniffed, toying with the hem of her shirt. "I've been here longer than most. And not once have I seen or heard of someone seeing him."

"Who?"

"I told you about our rival? That's not the right word for him, but he's the one that controls the Bloods. No-one's ever seen him. 'Cept for Boss, but that's different." She began kicking her legs alternative to each other. "If we can stop him, we can stop it all. And that's what Marco wanted to do. Three generations of his family have been Keepers before him and now Juni's here too. He wanted to break the cycle so she could… so she could be normal, you know? She's… she's a good kid, she doesn't need to be part of this." She gestured at the room, at beyond, sighing.

"Um… ya said ya'll fight ta keep the Bloods away from people. But…" Louisa's brow furrowed. "I- I've got this feelin' that's not all ya do."

"No." Lucy-Jo agreed with a sigh. "We get… other jobs too."

"Like what?" Louisa asked warily. Lucy-Jo grimaced, humming to herself in debate.

"Should I go there?" She mumbled. "Mm, not a good ideeeea, but…" She trailed off, losing herself to her musing. Louisa waited for a moment, watching her confusedly. After a considerable minute or two, she cleared her throat, startling Lucy-Jo from her thoughts. "Yeah, no. We'll worry about that another day."

"Day?" Louisa repeated. "I don't think we can stay long, we've gotta get home."

"Uh, have you met July? She will literally dissect your brain while you're alive if you think about doing anything more than breathing. Anyway," Lucy-Jo hopped from the bed, swinging her arms, "when July lets you come back out, come to Joel's. He wants to try that Zappy thing on you."

"I don't-"

"Trust it? That's fair. I wouldn't let Joel attach electric to my head, but eh. You're the demigod. You're supposed to be more durable or whatever. Laters."

"No, wait." Lucy-Jo froze, half-turning her head. "There was another thing, Leo said 'bout it. Head-Hunter?"

"Oh. Yeah. Uh… when you're free, come to Joel's. I'll ask Boss if it's alright to debrief you, but I think he likes your amnesia. You were kind of a loose end he couldn't control. Then again, you are a loose end no-one can control, so…" She shrugged. "I'm going now."

"And that's how Tulio got a frog leg up his nose."

"Wow." Leo marvelled. "This place is insane." Juni grinned and nodded. "Cross-head please."

"Where did you get this belt?" Juni asked. Leo had let her borrow it, to keep her occupied while he and Joel worked. She beamed every time something come out on her command, amazed. "Can I have one?"

"I've not found another like it." Leo shook his head. He told her about Bunker Nine, silently proud to see the awe filling her little face. Joel was still working away at his computer, muttering to himself, running several programmes across his collection of screens, propelling himself about on his swivel chair with his feet, always avoiding the dead patch. The more Leo talked, particularly about the Argo II and Festus, he could see Joel's focus wavering. By the time he got to their travels to defeat Gaia and the giants, he had them both hooked on his every word.

"Wow." Someone said behind him, once he had finished. "They've never been so quiet." He turned at the waist, seeing Lucy-Jo re-appraising him. "Nice work, fire boy. Got any more stories?"

"A few. Unfortunately, they're not all about me."

"Lou's brother?"

"Among others."

"Can I come next time?" Juni pleaded, grasping his arm again. "I can help! I'm clever and tiny and I get in small spaces and I'm really good at kicking people in the shins!"

"I will… take that under consideration." Leo nodded, already deciding against it. Louisa had an inclining this excitable little girl was a demigod too, but if he could keep her out of all their drama, he was definitely going to try. "Joel, can you-?" He pointed at the computers. Joel started, swearing.

"Don't repeat that, Juni." He ordered, shoving back to his desk. "OK, Leo, where did we get to?"

"Run the diagnostics again, recheck the calculations. A few more test runs, I think we've got it."

"OK, cool, but you remodelled it, so if it fries anyone's brains, it's on you, not me."

"Thanks, Joel."

"Anytime."

"Where's Lou and Cal?"

"Lou's in the med-bay still. I think Calypso went to get food." Lucy-Jo glanced at Juni, a slight knit settling to her brow. "Cadet, go and see Lou."

"Why?"

"You could tell her about Tulio." Leo suggested. "She'd love that."

"OK!" Juni grinned, bouncing. Leo cleared his throat and she hurried back, sheepish. "Sorry." She said, returning his tool belt. "But if you ever find another one, can I have first dibs?"

"Of course." Leo smiled, messing her hair. She beamed and skipped from the room. Leo waited until her footsteps disappeared down the corridor, smile dimming as they went. He frowned at Lucy-Jo. "What is it?" The Lieutenant sighed, tucking her hands in her pockets. Joel swivelled in his seat, concerned for his friend. She focused on him, rather than Leo.

"Told Lou about Marco."

"Ah. What did she say?"

"Mm, not a lot. Don't think she's happy."

"Not surprising."

"But she asked about Head-Hunter too."

"Double ah. Have to wait for Boss." Joel spun some more to smile sadly at Leo. "We're not keeping things from you on purpose, but Boss is… very particular about who knows what. Sorry." He winced. The door opened. Calypso had returned, and Neville was with her. Both carried trays laden with food for them all.

Joel was on his feet in an instance, bouncing and flapping. Neville quickly set his tray down. The second he did, Joel hug-tackled him, squishing a kiss/raspberry to his cheek. "I've missed you!"

"I was only gone a couple of hours!"

"Too long, too long!" Joel squeezed him, laughing. Neville managed a minute shake of his head, smiling. "Don't leave me ever again."

"Yes, Joel." Neville agreed, rubbing his back. Calypso smiled at them, handing out plates from her tray. She kissed Leo's cheek in greeting.

"How are you getting on?"

"Not far from it, hopefully. Are you trying to fatten me up, sunshine?"

"You are literally a walking noodle, what else do you expect me to do?" Calypso smiled. Leo kissed her cheek. He peeked over at the Keeper trio, Lucy-Jo tucking into her lunch and rolling her eyes as Joel smothered Neville's face with affection.

Leo motioned with his head, drawing Calypso closer.

"Lou doesn't want to use this." He whispered, motioning with the Zappy.

"Mm," Calypso nodded, "I was wondering if she would say something like that."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. Have you told them?"

"No. I was going to wait for Lou, see what she had decided."

"I think she might break Joel if she doesn't."

"I would like to see that."

"You're a bit sadistic, aren't you?"

"Me? Nooooo, never!"