To RandomFanAuthor- isn't that what OCs are for? Beating up? And thank you! I was aiming for that, 'cos I can't sit through long-winded blah blah chapters, so I try to keep things short and spicy!

To JasonGraceIsNAPPING- long time no see! And not quite near...

To HoO Fan- YES. Thor Ragnarok is one of my all-time favourite Marvel films!

To Mr Valdezzz- I have been feeling like absolute crap all day and your review has really cheered me up! Thank you! ^_^ Leo is an absolute sweetheart and he's definitely one of my favourites! I am 22, 23 in April, yay, but growing up is a trap, don't do it! Thank you again, made my day!

To all those who were interested- I have posted a few more bits of my own drawings on Tumblr if anyone wants to have a look. Feel free to message me on there!

"This is it, Lou! Your new room!" Louisa opened her eyes, the light all but stabbing her brain. Someone stood beside her, their hand on her shoulder. It took her a few more attempts to focus and bear the light.

She recognised the woman instantly. Jessica, Leo had called her. This was Louisa's mother.

Jessica smiled encouragingly, gently pushing Louisa in the back. Louisa didn't realise Jessica was so tall. It wasn't until she had a good look around her new room did she understand- this was not a recent memory. This was her first official day of being adopted. She was nine years old and coming home, for the first time. She had Ninja Turtle bedding, shelves of comic books and DVDs, there were art supplies on the desk in the corner, curtains to match her bed, Batman on the lampshade and a Batmobile alarm clock on the bedside cabinet. "Now," Jessica grinned, "if you are to stay here, you're going to have to be a lot nerdier." She kissed Louisa's temple, messed her hair. "You make a start on those comics. I'll make a start on dinner."

"That means you're orderin' pizza."

"Sssh, no-one has to know." Jessica put a finger to her lips. Louisa smiled.

"Extra cheese please."

"Of course. What kind of heathen doesn't have extra cheese? Now, comics! Stat!" She flourished a finger, pushing Louisa forward again.

Louisa didn't mind, she let this memory take her. She sat on the floor by the shelves, picking up an edition of Spider-Man. She did not see the red and blue hero on the pages. Her world shifted, pitching her into the comic. She tumbled through a swirl of colours and voices and then landed on her feet.

"Oh, there you are!" She turned, stomach protesting at her dizziness. The dark-haired boy was back. He still seemed pale and gaunt, but he was smiling, and this put Louisa at ease. She caught him under her arm as soon as she could reach, ignoring his protests. "Why?" He asked, wriggling fruitlessly in her hold. "I don't do contact."

"I give the best hugs, shut up." She picked at a lock of his hair, sighing. "Ya need a haircut."

"Do not." He countered stubbornly, brushing it back with both hands. Louisa smirked as his hair flicked back, bit by bit, covering his eyes.

"Proper emo now."

"Oh, shut up." He huffed. Louisa smiled, taking a hairband from her braid. Wait, she could braid?

The boy swatted at her upon realising her intentions, swearing and spewing disjointed threats. She ended up tackling him, pinning him to the ground. He shook his head, tried biting her fingers, called her several things in what sounded like Italian, she just had a gut feeling that he spoke Italian. He swore again, but it was too late. She had won.

He sat up as she moved to sit cross-legged next to him, grumbling and folding his arms. Louisa flicked the ponytail atop his head, cooing.

"Aww, ya've got a lil' tree!"

"Shut up, Lou."

"All ya need now is a pretty pink bow!" She cackled. He scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"You know purple is my colour." He slugged her in the shoulder. She began to tease him for the little smile he was trying to hide, when the dream changed again.

She stood in a living room, a little cluttered and a little chaotic, but all cosy. Her brother sat on the couch. She was elated that she recognised him that quickly and annoyed that he was taller than expected. Where were her tall genes?

Percy sat with his arm around a woman. She was crying, taking tissues from him, hiccupping and blowing her nose. Sally, her brain supplied.

And it was. Older and wearier and much more awake than Louisa's last vision of her, but undoubtedly the same. She could see parts of herself in Sally; her jawline, her nose, the way her hair fell.

"They…" Percy said, voice soft. "The others looked for her, Mom." Sally blew her nose, wiping and sniffing. "There was no sign of her." His expression darkened and he looked away, almost in Louisa's direction. She tried waving, tried calling to him, to their mother, she was right here! I'm here, I'm here, fuck's sake, I'm here!

Sally dragged her sleeve across her face, reaching for his hand.

"What?" She asked. "What is it?" She leaned forward when he stayed quiet, concern lining her brow. "You… you felt something, didn't you?"

"The… I think it broke. That stupid connection broke and- and it made me pass out, I didn't get to look myself." Anger flooded his frame, hunching his shoulders, blazing through his features. "I was supposed to look after her and now-" Sally shook her head, cupping his face in her hands. She traced her thumbs under his eyes, kissing his forehead.

"No, no, don't. Don't do that to yourself, Percy, don't."

Neither got to the chance to say more. Loud thumps on the door made them both jump. Percy was on his feet in a heartbeat, sword in hand. Louisa felt for her watch, stunned. That was her sword, but… it held no gold. Percy's weapon was full Celestial bronze, but it could have easily been mistaken for her own. Was that Poseidon's doing?

"It's me!" The door thumped again. "What the hell is going on?" Percy gave a small sigh of relief, inaudible and undetected by Sally, but unmissable from Louisa's angle.

He opened the door to Jessica. "Oh, put that away." She demanded, pushing the sword down with her fingers. "It's no good against me. And I'd kick your ass anyway. Where's Lou?" She shoved past him, stomping through the apartment. "Lou!" She shouted, over and over. "Louisa! Not funny!" She glared around, scowling when Louisa didn't appear. The Louisa watching them was waving and yelling without a voice, jumping around frantically, doing anything she could. "Come out right now or no hotdogs for a week!" Jessica continued, moving away from the dream incarnation of her daughter.

"Jessica-" Sally said.

"Don't make it a month, young lady!"

"Jessica!" Sally caught the blonde by the wrist. Jessica took another two steps. She did not look at Sally, shaking her head and calling for her daughter still. Sally tugged, gently, on her arm. "Jess, she's… she's not here."

"She has to be!" Jessica snapped, yanking her arm away. She trembled with anger, eyes glistening, blinking resolutely. She glared at Sally for a moment and then rounded on Percy. "Where is she?" She raged. "Where's Lou?"

Percy didn't say anything. He didn't have to.

Louisa would not forget the noise her mom made then.

Jessica's anger melted away. Defeated, she fell to her knees, all autonomy gone from her body.

There was no worse sound than a mother who had lost her child.