Short chapter!

To RandomFanAuthor- Aaahhh, noooo. I like reviews! :( And yes, that's right. You keep coming out with nonsense- Leoisa, Leyna? What what? And unexpected turns are my jam. *evil*

To all- review! Pretty please? I've spent SO MANY WEEKS, months now, on all of this, come on! D:

Leo was outside when Louisa woke up. The Romans didn't have much in the sense of isolation, but with the recent and numerous casualties, there were quite a few vacant homes. He and Reyna had picked one as far away as possible from everyone else. They had not touched anything, but this was clearly a family home. Toys strewn everywhere, a little dusty. Photographs of smiling parents hugging a smiling gap-toothed girl of six or seven, a string of birthday cards dotted on cabinets and the mantlepiece. Leo read one- he couldn't help himself. Happy 30th, Ursa! Don't do anything I wouldn't do! Love, Kylie xoxo

Louisa had been put in what looked like a spare bedroom. It was nearest to the bathroom, should she need it, and at the top of the stairs, so they had quicker access should they need it. As no-one could technically stay near her, in case it triggered her powers, Leo and his Roman siblings set up a camera and audio system throughout the house, live-streaming it to the praetorium, the Fifth cohort and a few houses of volunteers. Alarm sensors were placed too, rigged to go off if they detected any substantial trace of her abilities.

She awoke with a groan, grumbling and muttering 'ow ow ow'. Leo waited a moment. He was under strict instructions to wait outside. Reyna reasoned- hoped- that the door and walls would act as some sort of barrier, no matter how minor.

He heard the bed creak, sheets rustling, as she began to move. He tapped on the door.

"Lou?"

"Leo?"

"Yeah."

"Where am I?"

"Um… you're in quarantine."

"What?" Panic turned her voice shrill. "What happened? Oh no…" The bed creaked again, a thump as she sat down. "Oh no oh no oh no…"

"We're going to help you, Lou, I promise. Reyna said you have to be in isolation for a while." He paused, listening carefully. "Do you understand?"

"L-Leo, did I… did I… please tell me I didn't get you?" He could hear the plea in her tone. He could also hear the answer. In his silence, it cemented, a sob catching on her breath. "Leo, I'm s-sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't… I didn't realise, I…"

"Lou, listen to me." He pressed his hand to the door, feeling fire in his hair as his frustration grew. She needed comforting, she needed her friends. But he had to leave her alone. "We will help you. You're my friend, it's my job to help you."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry-"

"I know. I know you are. You're going to get better though."

"N-no, no, I…" Her words faltered into a defeated moan, stifled cries following.

"I left your sketchbooks and pencils in there." He said. "We know you might not be able to talk about it, but if there is anything… just write it down. Let us know. The more we know, the more we can help you."

"Why?" She demanded, voice trembling with the effort to conjure sternness.

"You're more than your paths, Lou. You've got me, Cal, Reyna. Your moms, Percy. Everyone. You've got a little sister on the way!" He tried for a smile, hearing nothing but silence beyond the door. His attempt at cheer fell away, eyes burning. He looked at the grains of wood, following the pattern with his eyes. "I… I was alone for so long until I found Piper and Jason, and then you. You're more than friends to me, you're family. And I'm not losing any more family. You can fight me on it."

He waited. Almost ten minutes, maybe fifteen, while she composed herself. He said nothing in that time and neither did she. He had sat down, his back to the door. He wasn't sure how much time had passed, somewhere between another twenty and forty minutes, before she called for him. "Yeah?"

"I'm… I'm scared."

"That's why we're here. We'll get you through this."

"I don't wanna hurt anyone. I didn't wanna hurt you."

"I know."

"I'm sorry."

"I know." He repeated softer. "You have to promise me something." He said.

"What?"

"That you'll try to get better. You're banned from dying already, you know that." He gave a soft laugh. Their adventures with Calypso felt like a lifetime ago. It hadn't even been two months since they got back. "Promise me, Lou. Promise you'll work with us so we can get you back."

"I… I promise." Leo let himself have a smile, let himself breathe, resting his head back on the door. He turned the words over in his head, felt relief niggle through his system.

Louisa kept her promises.

And Leo was going to keep his.