Chapter 6 Part 2: Sneaking Out

(Author's Note)

(AN: I have some 'yet to be determined how bad it is yet' news, my dad is taking my mom to the ER. So I'm going to release this chapter a day early in case I can't tomorrow. I don't think we have to worry just yet, but we're all hoping that it's nothing and not a sign her cancer is back with a vengeance. My progress and updates may be slow for a little while, I apologize beforehand, but family comes first, I hope you all understand)

Hey everyone, how's it going? I'll try to keep the notes brief. First off, don't forget to vote in my Poll for my upcoming Pertemis story that will be after my next story, a HTTYD HiccStrid story. You can find the poll and descriptions on my profile. If you're on mobile, review or PM me with your vote.

Brief heads up about this chapter, stuff gets kind of heavy towards the end. Percy might seem ooc but I can assure you that if you think about everything he says in this chapter and what's happened so far, that you won't think anything about it. Also, I mention stuff like depression, self harm and suicide, so trigger warnings for those of you who are sensitive to those types of things. I meant no harm and tried my best to handle them as best I could, but if I did something wrong and didn't realize it, let me know.

Leo is in this chapter, so some of you might be wondering where Calypso is, and my answer is; still sitting on her island waiting for people to return. I wanted to add her in the story, I really did, but I thought about it and because of a few reasons(such as the reason why Zeus closed Olympus, again) I decided that I just can't have her walking around camp with Leo, as much as I'd love that. So in this story Leo never got sent back to her island and they aren't together and he's more or less his usual, flirty self.

Thanks to everyone who replied to the QOTD, I had three or so correct answers. I won't say what the answer was, because I don't want to spoil anything, but I'm impressed that so many got it right. I'll be doing a QOTD and Fun Fact ever chapter now, so read to the bottom to check them out.

Well that's enough delay, onto the chapter! I'll see ya guys at the bottom. Don't forget to leave a Review!


Chapter 6 Part 2: Sneaking Out

(May 10, 2011 - Camp Half-Blood)

"All I'm saying is, you have to take into account all of the positives and upsides. This could really help you go up the ladder and open a lot of doors for you. This is a limited time offer, if you don't accept in time then I'll just have to move onto the next person in line."

"I'm still going to have to say no, sorry."

Leo blinked, not understanding why his offer of a lifetime was being turned down again. "But why?" He asked, following the person as they walked quickly away. "I mean, think about all the benefits-."

"I can't think of a single benefit to going out with you, Leo." The girl snided with a smirk. "Now will you stop following me? It's creepy. I need to get to archery class." The taller girl brushed past him and headed into the armory, Leo was going to follow her in but a hand grabbing his collar from behind stopped him.

"What did I tell you, Leo? No means no." Leo recognized the voice as a disgruntled Piper. He turned around to face the daughter of Aphrodite and put on the most innocent looking face he could.

"I don't know what you're talking-." He started to say but cut off when Piper raised her brow and crossed her arms over her chest. "Okay, maybe I was asking Taylor out again, but if she just agree to go out with me-."

"Don't you think that there's a reason why she, or any girl at the camp for that matter, won't go out with you?"

"Because they can't handle this sheer amount of irrisistableness- Ow!" Leo cried, rubbing his sore arm. "You didn't have to slug me, beauty queen."

Piper rolled her eyes. "How many times have I told you to stop calling me that?" She asked before letting out a breath, not knowing why she bothered. It seemed like every day now Leo tried to hit on one of the girls at camp and for some reason it was her job to deal with him. For not the first time this day Piper internally wondered where Percy was, he'd be able to set Leo straight, maybe. "Just leave them alone, okay?" She dropped her arms and looked at her friend seriously. "A word of free advice, Leo. If you keep acting desperate like this, no girl is going to go out with you."

Leo was quiet for all of three seconds and Piper had thought that she had actually gotten through his thick skull until Samantha from Nemesis walked by and Leo almost ran off after her. "Hey, Sam," He called, turning on the spot. "Lemme talk to ya for a sec- ah!" This time a different, stronger hand grabbed the back of Leo's collar and stopped him from running off, spinning him and making him face an irritated looking son of Jupiter.

"Is he chasing the girls again?" Jason asked Piper, not even looking at Leo, which irritated the son of Hephaestus. "I swear, he's worse than the Satyrs with the Nymphs."

"Like he does anything else these days?" Piper asked sarcastically from next to Jason, talking about Leo like he wasn't even there. "I know he's a senior this year and wants a girlfriend before he graduates, but he's turning really desperate. It's actually kind of sad."

"Hey," Leo said, pulling out of Jason's grip and facing the two. "I'm right here, you know."

"Shush, Leo." Jason waved him off. "The adults are talking."

"Ha, that's rich-."

"Anyway," Piper cut him off, looking at her boyfriend without paying Leo any mind. "We have some time free from Council meetings, right?"

Jason nodded. "Yeah, nothing until this evening, if I remember right."

"What do you want to do?" Piper asked.

"How about we watch Leonidas kick more Ares kid butt?" Leo cut in.

"How about you beat him and make all of the girls impressed? They'd be sure to go out with you then." Jason joked, but from the widening eyes and smile on Leo's face it seemed like the Latino elf took his suggestion seriously.

"You think that would work?" Leo asked, his eyes wide with hope. "Think I would win?"

"Not even close." Jason told him. "He would literally crush you."

"Hey," Leo whined. "Way to make a guy feel bad, bro."

"I was just being honest." Jason shrugged in a 'what did I do?' sort of manner. "But I would like to check out some spars, though. With the camp gearing up for the Games, everyone is putting in extra practice at the arena and training fields. It's always intense seeing Leonidas fight. Who is he fighting today?"

Leo thought for a second. "Hm, uh, I think Sherman and Nathan are the last guys standing from Ares, so probably them."

"He's already beat the rest of the cabin?" Piper asked, amazed. "But the Ares kids are some of the best fighters in the camp."

"But nothing when it comes to Leonidas, though." Jason told her. "You should've seen him the other day, Pips, he took out the entire Nemesis cabin out by himself at once in only a few moves."

Piper whistled. "Wow, has he been doing that a lot?" She asked.

Her boyfriend nodded. "Yeah, he's been taking on everyone that's even a decent fighter in preparation for the Games. Last I heard he's the top contender in several events this year. Pretty much everyone is putting their money on him to win."

"Are you competing this year, Jason?" Leo asked as they walked towards the arena to catch some training sparring matches. Camp didn't have any television or radios, so the only sporting entertainment the campers could get into were the sports they could do there. Basketball and volleyball were always big in the winter and spring, with archery and canoe racing usually in the fall months(not that the camp really had seasons, but they split sports up by season so that they had some variety). But the biggest event at camp was held during the summer: the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games were by far the biggest events of the year, as a society that worshiped and celebrated the Greek Gods, the campers respected and held the Games at the highest degree. One could say that the outside world took the Olympics seriously, sure, but not compared to the demigods. This was their history, religion, ancestry and an event so deeply rooted into their culture and lives that to say that they took the Games seriously would be a disservice. But unlike the rest of the world around them, the camp held the Games every year because of the young ages of the competitors, if they were only held every four years then some campers would only get one or maybe two chances to compete in their lives before either leaving camp or dying in a horrifyingly painful death.

Campers twelve and older were allowed to compete every year in twelve different events based on their abilities, with certain cabins holding more records in certain events compared to others, such as Percy with the swimming events where he was the undisputed champion. The first and most simple event was also one of the oldest sports in human history; Greco-Roman Wrestling. This event was normally dominated by the Ares or Hephaestus cabins due to their greater physical strength and larger size, but has now been rightfully claimed by Mika, the only daughter, and child, of Palaestra, the goddess of wrestling. The next events were Foot Races and were normally won by Hermes campers. Boxing, again dominated by the Ares kids. Chariot races, Discus Throwing, Long Jump, Javelin Throwing, Pankration(which was a combination of Boxing and Wrestling, think ancient MMA). Archery, Weightlifting, Sword Combat, either with a sword and shield or just with a sword, and finally Swimming.

Campers were allowed to compete in any and all events that they wished, as long as they had the ability to compete and the resolve to endure that much intense training throughout the year to maintain their abilities and physical condition. Also unlike the outside world, events weren't split by age, gender or skill, the demigods believing that anyone, regardless of who they were, was allowed to compete, as long as they were able to back it up. Many feared that this year that the Games would be subdued compared to previous years or even cancelled because of the disappearance of the gods. That was, until Leonidas came to camp and Percy returned and the camp regained most of their previous drive for the events. Speaking of the son of Poseidon, he usually competed every year and either placed very high or won in several events like Wrestling, Chariot Races, Weightlifting, Sword Combat and Swimming, with the last three being his best events as he had a mastery in the water and being a son of one of the Big Three and possessing the Course of Achilles granted him superior strength over most demigods. But word around the camp surrounding Percy and the Games this year was worrying the campers, because they said that he, for whatever reason, wasn't going to compete this year.

"Most likely." Jason answered him, shrugging. "With Percy not competing this year, I might have a chance to win in Sword Combat if Clarisse doesn't enter."

"Wait," Piper looked up to him, her eyes widening with surprise. "Percy isn't competing this year? I thought that was just a rumor?"

Jason shook his head. "Nope, it's true. I asked him myself the other day. He says that with all of the extra work he's doing leading the camp he doesn't have the time to practice or compete."

"I get that, but it'll suck this year without Percy." Leo sighed, disappointed. "It was always cool seeing him break his records from the last year."

"He also said that because Chiron's gone that he'll most likely have to lead and run the Games." Jason added. "And as one of the judges it wouldn't be fair for him to enter."

"That makes sense." Piper agreed as they entered the grounds around the arena where a dozen or so campers were practicing. "It wouldn't be fair. Who do you think is going to win the events he usually does?"

"I don't know how good he is at swimming, but my money is on Leonidas." Leo answered excitedly. "He's by far one of the best sword fighters we have and in any strength event I'd say he has first place in the bag."

"Anyone from your cabin entering this year, Pips?" Jason asked. It wasn't usual for the Aphrodite cabin to enter any events, but he was pretty sure that a certain son of Aphrodite was going to enter this year.

"Esteban's competing in Wrestling, Boxing, Pankration and maybe Weightlifting, I think, though he hasn't decided on the last one yet." She answered, thinking about the eldest boy in the cabin as well as her second in command. He was from Spain and was by far the most athletic person in the cabin, holding a black belt and several awards in Krav Maga and Muay Thai from high school in state and regional competitions. He may look like an underwear model with his perfect teeth, styled hair, attractive eyes and flawless features, but he is able to kick your ass seven ways to Sunday without breaking a sweat. "I'm doing Sword Combat again this year, but I don't think I'll be able to win. Especially with Clarisse, Leonidas and you competing, Jason."

"I'm sure you'll do better than you think, Pips." He smiled before looking over to the main practice area surrounded by a dozen cheering onlookers.

"Are they doing hand to hand or sword fighting today?" She asked right before a yelling camper was thrown over the ducking heads of the crowd and tumbled to the dirt, moaning but seemingly unhurt.

"I'm going to say hand to hand," Jason said to her, looking back to the dirt patch where a mammoth man of six foot eight(203.2cm) and four hundred and fifteen pounds(188.2kg) stood in the center, his arms still extended from a throw. He wore oversized sneakers, black shorts and a giant sleeveless muscle shirt that showed off his chest and arms. A slightly disappointed look was on his usually jovial face.

"Was that the best you could do, son of Ares?" He called out to the dizzy camper as he slowly climbed to his feet. "I thought that you said that you placed fourth last year in Pankration? So far I haven't seen any sign of your talent yet."

Said son of Ares, also known as Nathan, looked like he was going to say something that might get him thrown again but a voice from the edge of the circle called out, cutting him off. "That's 'cause he solely relied on his strength to get so far last year, he lacks any skill whatsoever in wrestlin'." A tall, large and muscular girl of eighteen stepped forwards. She was built like a powerlifter and looked like she belonged in a video game or movie as a barbarian or Amazon warrior with her towering height, muscular build and habit of wearing nothing but exercise clothing like shorts and large muscle tank tops over a sports bra around camp 24/7. Which is why Leo had started jokingly calling her Xena: Warrior Princess after the old tv show until she caught on and threatened to turn him into a human pretzel. She was by far the largest and strongest girl at camp and was only beat in size by Leonidas- but beaten in skill by Clarisse- so she wasn't easy to miss and everyone could recognize her on sight.

Leonidas turned to the muscular girl walking up to him, examining her as she approached- but not in the lecherous way that some guys (including Leo) looked at her when she trained or competed, not that she ever really seemed to care beyond scaring them off so she could focus- like he was sizing her up as a worthy opponent. "It's Mika, right?" He asked her once she stopped a few paces away from him, crossing her muscular arms over her sizable chest. "Daughter of Palaestra?"

"The one 'n only. Yer forgettin' current champion in Pankration and Wrestling, big guy." She smirked, looking to Nathan as he glared at her before facing back to Leonidas. "If ya want a real challenge then I'd be up fer it." She didn't wait for a response and made her way to the starting spot opposite of Leonidas and dropped to her stance. "Standard Pankration rules, 'ight, big guy? Show me what ya got."

Leonidas' face grew a little uneasy, his voice a little softer than normal. "I've never wrestled a girl before-."

"And what?" She cut him off, a confidant, mocking smile on her face. "You scared to fight a wittle girl like me?" She asked, referring to herself as a far cry from her appearance, she stood at 6'5"(195.9cm) and weighed in at almost exactly 200 pounds(90.7kg) at the weigh in at the Games last year and was far from being able to be called a 'wittle girl'.

He blinked, shaking his head slightly. "No… Scared I might accidentally grab something I'm not supposed to by-."

"Just promise ya won't get too handsy and it's good enough fer me. I don't care, the only girl I've ever fought was Clarisse anyway, since the rest of the competition was filled with guys last year." She held her hands out in front of her in a boxing stance, ready to spar. "'Sides, if ya plan on entering you'll have to fight me at some point. Better get used to fightin' girls, big guy, Clarisse and I are two of the best fighters at camp. We'll see ya in the finals fer sure."

Leonidas hesitated for a few seconds before apparently deciding that he couldn't pass up the opportunity to spar against the best wrestler at camp and nodded. "Alright, then," He took his spot across from her in the center of the dirt circle, raising his hands on front of him. "It would be an honor, daughter of Palaestra. Show me why you're the best at camp."

The crowd cheered as the two giants got into position as an Ares kid went over the few rules for the match, no biting, no striking the groin or other sensitive areas, kicking or striking the face, etc and started the match. "Round one. Aaand… BEGIN!"

The two towering titans danced around each other as they circled the dirt ring, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Neither of them looked like it, but they weren't the type of fighters that attacked recklessly. They instead listened, waited and watched for the best moment to strike. Mika seemingly found an opening because without warning she charged Leonidas and sent a kick at Leonidas' side, hitting just above his waist with her shin.

Leonidas wasn't fazed, however, because he dodged her second and third kicks before dashing forwards and throwing a fist at her stomach. The blow didn't have much power behind it, because Pankration was about scoring points and not just knocking out your opponent with one powerful punch to the face like Muhammad Ali, something that both Leonidas and Mika could easily to but normally chose not to when sparring or fighting in matches because it was kind of cheap.

Mika shook off the strike and launched a powerful heel kick at the center of Leonidas' chest, slightly pushing back the man enough for her to charge in and deliver three more fast strikes into his midsection. Mika jumped to the side to avoid any retaliation but was caught by Leonidas' superior reach over hers, grabbed and tackled with a bear hug and driven to the ground.

"You got her, Leonidas!" Leo cheered with the crowd as the two behemoths wrestled on the ground, fighting for the upperhand. Leonidas was currently on top of the girl and pinning her arm to the side as he tried to force both her shoulder blades to hit the ground, ending the match and granting him victory. But at the last second Mika flipped them over, changed direction and squeezed Leonidas' head with her powerful thighs and put him in a shoulder lock, his arm locked behind him painfully.

Mika spoke, her words separated by deep, long breaths. "Give up… big guy. I'd… rather ya not stay… down there too long…, it's kinda awkward." Mika grunted out between breaths as she increased her hold of Leonidas' head in between her muscular thighs. "'Sides, You're not… gettin' out an' I… ain't lettin' in neither. Yer gonna pass out… if ya don't tap out."

Leonidas spoke, his words separated by deep breaths and gasps, his face pulled to the side allowing him to breathe as well as avoid having her butt and 'lady parts' as he called them right in his face. It was by far one of the most awkward positions he had ever been in. ""No retreat, no surrender; that is… Spartan Law. And by Spartan Law… we will stand… and fight… and die."" As soon as the last word escaped his lips, Leonidas threw himself forwards and sent the girl face first into the dirt.

Several winces and 'oohs' among the crowd could be heard as the dust settled and revealed Leonidas holding the girl in a headlock with his arms as his leg draped over her waist, holding her down even further. The two looked like they were going to keep wrestling but the same Ares kid stepped into the ring and blew a whistle. "Time! End of round one!"

Leonidas promptly let the woman go and rolled to his feet before holding out his hand and offering her help up. Mika looked at the outstretched hand for a second before a wide grin washed over her face and she accepted the helping hand. Once they were both up she lightly socked him on the arm in a friendly manner. "Nice one, Leonidas." She smiled, raising her large arms over her head as she attempted to catch her breath. "I thought I had ya for sure."

"I thought the same for a second," He admitted, smiling in return before it dropped and he turned a little anxious. "I'm sorry if my… face… uh, got too close… down there," He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I've never fought a girl before so I had to remember to-."

"Nah, you were fine." She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "I don't mind as long as you're just fightin' and not using it as an excuse ta touch me, it's part of the sport, I'm used to it. I used ta wrestle on the boys team at school, stuff like that happened all the time, I could tell ya stories, believe me." She paused to rotate her shoulder a few times. She lowered her voice and leaned in a little closer to Leonidas, her hand covering her mouth like she was telling him a secret despite them being watched by a crowd. "I'll admit, I've used that move on a few guys before because some of 'em freak out an' I use it to pin 'em down." She wore a sly grin, putting her other hand on her wide hips. "I ain't afraid ta use my 'feminine wiles' to gain the upperhand." She chuckled, saying the last part with air quotes. "That's how I got outta a pin by Percy last year. I woulda won anyway, mind ya, but I knew a nice guy like that would freak."

"Are you guys gonna go for another round or are you done?" The Ares kid acting as referee asked. "'Cause if you're done then we'll begin the next match."

"I'm done." Mika said, surprising the crowd and Leonidas. "Not that I'm afraid or nothin', 'kay?" She looked to the crowd with a glare that told them not to think she was weak or scared. She looked back to Leonidas and held out her hand. "I just don't like fightin' my future opponents too much before the Games. Don't want ya to figure out a strategy to use against me, y'know?" She paused when Leonidas shook her hand after a few seconds. "But I wanna see ya at the finals, ya hear me, big guy?" Leonidas nodded and she smiled. "Then ya better bring yer A game 'cause I ain't gonna go easy on you just 'cause you're new."

"Then you have my word, I'll see you in the finals, Mika." Leonidas said before the two left the dirt ring and headed their separate ways, Mika going over to to the large pile of tractor tires to work out while Leonidas stopped at a wooden bench where he grabbed his stuff, put an elbow, two knees and a wrist brace on his joints and promptly headed off down the dirt path, nursing a large, soft ice pack over his left elbow as he walked quickly away. And because Jason and Leo were curious to find out from the big guy what events he was going to do, they, along with Piper, followed Leonidas down the dirt path and into the trees around camp.

"Where do you think he's going?" Jason asked as they tried their best to follow the large man without just bursting into a run or yelling out to him. "To practice archery maybe?"

Leo gave a shrug. "Dunno, but I heard he likes to spend a lot of time in the woods."

"Why?" Jason asked.

Piper shrugged this time. "Maybe he just likes it? He spent most of his life in the woods, right? Maybe he likes it better than being constantly surrounded by people. It could be overwhelming for his sometimes." She looked to the two boys. "Maybe we should just let him be, we don't want to bother him."

"We're not bothering him," Leo replied. "We're just asking him what events he's going to do. And maybe ask him to give me a few lessons so I can attract the ladies."

Piper rolled her eyes as Jason cocked his head to the side, looking at Leonidas momentarily stop down the path in front of them. "What's he drinking?"

"What?" Piper asked, following his eyes to the mammoth man that was currently taking a swig from a metal flask he took from his pocket. After downing the liquid, his face briefly contorted like the drink was vile before promptly putting the flask in his pocket and heading further down the path through the trees, getting ever closer to the barriers of the camp.

"He just drank something from a metal flask." Jason told her, watching the man walk off.

"Maybe it's just water?" Piper suggested.

"Then why did he have it in a tiny metal flask?" Jason asked, motioning for them to keep following the man. "And did you see his face? He acted like it was disgusting."

"Did you see how he was walking?" Piper added. "He was almost stumbling like his legs couldn't hold his weight."

"Maybe it's liquor?" Leo shrugged as they quickly- and more quietly now- walked down the dirt path after Leonidas. "He could be drunk."

Piper shook her head. "I don't think that's it. Leonidas doesn't seem like the kind of guy to get drunk anyway."

"Well, whatever he's doing I want to know." Jason said as the three of them paused behind a bush. The had reached the spiked wooden wall that ran the length of the camp's borders and Leonidas was looking around him like he was checking for something. "What is he doing?" He whispered.

Piper was about to reply when without warning Leonidas bent his knees and jumped over the spiked wall. Easily clearing the twelve foot barricade without breaking as sweat and landed without a sound on the other side, or, at least Piper assumed that he landed, but since she didn't hear anything it was hard to tell.

"Now I really want to know what he's doing-."

"Know what who's doing?" A voice from behind the three asked, scaring the demigods and causing Piper to let out a yelp.

Jason pivoted in the dirt to find Chris Rodriguez from Hermes standing there, a curious look on his face. "What are you guys doing? Why are you all crouched behind a bush whispering? If you weren't here, Piper, I'd think these guys were spying on girls."

Blinking a few times, Jason stood, holding out a hand to help Piper as he waved for the older boy to follow them. "We were following Leonidas and he just jumped over the wall, come on, we're gonna follow him."

"He's sneaking out?" Chris asked as they made it to the wall, looking in every direction but not seeing a gate. "But how are we going to follow him? The wall has spikes, not to mention enchantments set up by the Hecate cabin, if we touch it we'll fall asleep."

"We'll do what he did and go over." Jason snaked his arm around Piper's waist and flew into the air. "I'll take you guys over one at a time."

Once the four of them cleared the wall, Chris used the stealth and tracking skills he knew from the classes he taught and more or less had an idea of where Leonidas went. But, as Leo pointed out, was obvious since the big guy accidentally snapped a tree branch as he ran off, besides, it was the only direction that wasn't surrounded by large rocks. After tailing the man for fifteen minutes, the four demigods reached the edge of town and found the man they were following crossing the small, almost empty street and heading for the several shops. Jason was familiar with this town, as it bordered the woods around the camp. It was small, mostly reserved for the few farming communities around the area and the campers would often come here for supplies in the past or if they wanted to escape the business of the camp and had permission to leave. But Leonidas didn't have permission for either, as far as Jason was concerned. Percy had closed off the camp borders and prohibited anyone from leaving camp. Whatever Leonidas was doing, couldn't be good.

"What do you think he's here for?" Chris asked as they made their way into the town and began walking down the sidewalk next to the small shops. "He run out of clothes that fit him?" He joked.

"He could just be out for a walk." Leo suggested, looking at Piper. "You said that camp might be overwhelming for him or something, maybe he's just getting away for the afternoon."

"I don't know…" Piper shook her head. "If you ask me he'd just relax in the woods if he was overwhelmed by the crowd at the arena. Why would he sneak into a town with more people?"

"He might be spying on us." Jason said, his voice suddenly turning very serious. Piper noticed him grip the coin that held his sword. "And he might be here to tell whoever sent him about us."

"What are you talking about?" Leo asked, a confused look on his face. "Leonidas isn't spying on us. He's awesome, he wouldn't betray us. He's our friend."

Piper spoke up before Jason could. "Jason's just still upset that Leonidas got in his face a few days ago when Drew tried to Charmspeak him." She told Leo, giving Jason a look out of the corner of her eye. "It was just a misunderstanding."

"I'm not upset that Leonidas got in my face." Jason quickly came to his own defense. "I'm just weary of random strangers we know nothing about coming to camp out of the blue."

"You mean like us? The camp didn't know anything about us when they found us at the Grand Canyon, but they took us in anyway. And we should do the same for him." She told him quickly, her brow raised. "Just because he doesn't like talking about himself, doesn't mean that-."

"Uh, guys?" Chris cut them off, pointing to a small alley between two shops. "Leonidas just went into that alleyway." The four demigods were about to run over to the alley when Leonidas stepped back out of the alley a half minute later later, dressed in a large, blue button up dress shirt and black slacks. Fumbling with the small latch of his bag with his large fingers, Leonidas threw the muscle shirt he had been wearing previously into the bag and continued on his way down the sidewalk towards more shops and restaurants. Chris blinked in surprise, as did the other three people in his group. "Did he just change into a dress shirt and pants?"

"I think he did." Leo confirmed. "Unless I've gone crazy."

"Its possible," Jason mumbled. "But that would mean I've gone crazy too."

"Ooh, satin silk, nice choice. It goes well with his defined cheekbones and handsome face, he cleans up a lot nicer than I imagined. Though, I would have rolled up the sleeves a half inch higher and pressed the shirt before putting it on. The shoes aren't right though, you can't wear sneakers with silk. Leather dress shoes would have been a better choice." A voice popped up, only being able to belong to a daughter of Aphrodite. The three boys gave the girl blank stares. "What? I can't appreciate a handsome guy in some nice clothes? At least I wasn't like Leo here and was watching Mika wrestle Leonidas with drool dripping from my mouth."

"Hey," Leo whined. "I wasn't drooling. And what's wrong with looking at her? I think she's hot, so what? Can't I fawn over a girl I want to ask out in peace?"

"No, you can't." Piper denied quickly, shaking her head. "Because it's gross and inappropriate."

"And besides," Jason cut in as they followed Leonidas from a distance and watched him stop at a flower cart and begin to talk to the old lady behind it, smiling. "I don't think it's a good idea to ask her out. The last interaction you had with her almost ended up with her snapping you in two." Jason blinked in disbelief when Leonidas handed the old woman behind the flower cart some money and received a small bouquet of flowers in return, said a few last words to the smiling woman and continued on his way before turning down another street. "Did he just buy a bouquet of flowers from an old lady?" He asked in disbelief.

"I think he did, though my eyes may be deceiving me." Chris muttered next to him. "What on earth is he doing?"

"I honestly have no idea…" Jason mumbled. They turned the corner and continued to follow the large, strange man down the street as he casually looked in the shop windows with mild interest, smiled and waved to the kids with their parents as he passed and nodded his head in greeting to an old balding man and his wife with a cane, helping the husband load their groceries into their car. After exchanging a few words, he handed a rose to the old woman with a smile and went on his way, waving off the dollar the old man offered him as thanks. Leonidas had a great deal of respect for the elderly, it seemed. And was also able to charm old ladies, apparently.

From beside him, Leo continued his blushing about Mika as they walked. "What do you mean? She's just my type, hot, fit, totally out of my league. She'd be great Leo material."

"You're forgetting that she totally hates you with a burning passion, as usual." Jason deadpanned. "Have you forgotten that you filled the dirt wrestling ring with water, turning it into a mud pit and sold tickets to an 'everything comes off mud wrestling match' between her and Clarisse last month?" Jason asked in disbelief, doing air quotes when talking about the mud wrestling match. "Because I don't think she has, and neither has Clarisse. She almost impaled you with her sword when you asked her to put on a bikini to wrestle Mika."

"I offered them a cut, what's the problem?" Leo asked, an incredulous look on his face. "So it was eighty for me and twenty split between them, I offered to raise it to thirty percent but Clarisse and Mika still almost ripped me in half." He gave a shrug. "All I'm saying is, we would have made a killing, two hot, muscular girls wrestling in a mud pit, the entire camp would have showed up. And since neither Chiron or Percy were there we wouldn't have been interrupted if Clarisse and Mika had cooperated and put on the bikinis like I asked."

Piper eyed the son of Hephaestus with narrowed eyes. "You are disgusting and despicable."

Leo looked like he was about to reply when Leonidas stopped in front of a small cafe, talked to a waiter before sitting at a small wooden table outside, putting the flowers down next to his feet. "Is he sitting at a cafe and ordering a coffee and a small croissant?" Jason asked as the waiter returned, giving Leonidas a small insulated cup and said french pastry before writing something else down on his notepad and walking off.

"Looks like tea to me." Piper spoke up as they crouched behind a flowering bush outside of a small shop that sold talking plastic fish on trophy walls. "See how the cups the other people are drinking have little pictures of coffee cups on them? His doesn't, so it might be tea."

The three boys were completely silent for half a minute as they watched Leonidas patiently wait at the table, watching people as they passed, that is, until Chris held his hands out in front of him in a 'you gotta be kidding' gesture, a disbelieving look on his face. "This guy just keeps getting weirder and weirder the longer we follow him. What's next, he stops by the pet store to play with the puppies?"

Piper was just about to mention how cute that would be when something caught her eye. A tall, striking young woman in her early to mid twenties stepped out from around the corner in front of them and made her way down the sidewalk towards the cafe where Leonidas sat. She was dressed in a simple yet stylish soft, light red sundress with yellow streaking patterns running up the dress from the hem, giving off an impression to Piper that it could have been a stylish representation of a shining sun in the early morning light. The dress stopped at her fingertips and was extremely modest, showing off some of her collarbones but stopped before it showed any cleavage. The stunning woman glided down the sidewalk in her beautiful golden heels like a runway model. Her strawberry blonde hair, sticking out of under a large, black beach hat on her head, flowed freely down her back and swayed elegantly in time with the light breeze that Piper only now noticed. She must of also been wearing really strong perfume because the soothingly swirling breeze brought with it the distinctly sweet smell of delicious saffron. Her flawless skin was young and healthy, with a rosy tinge to it that made the woman appear like she was constantly blushing. Piper tried to get a good look at her face, but if the angle wasn't right or someone or something was in the way, she couldn't get a look at the woman's face, almost like her eyes couldn't focus on it properly. The woman paused outside of the cafe, enjoying the smell of the coffee and fresh bread before silently wafting her way over to where Leonidas sat like she could hover over the ground, her posture perfect as she practically floated over the ground.

"No. Effin'. Way." Leo forced out as the woman approached the table, Leonidas now rising to greet her. "Don't tell me… she can't be…" The dazzling woman leaned up to place a quick peck on his cheek before allowing him to envelope her with his large arms in a tight embrace. "She is… oh my gods… the lucky bastard." Leo's jaw was on the floor as Leonidas helped the girl to her seat, sat across from her and presented her with the bouquet of flowers. The same waiter came by and delivered another, larger tea to the woman, offering her a big goofy smile before leaving, most likely fallen for her good looks.

"I literally cannot process what is happening in front of me right now." Leo groaned from his spot hiding behind the bush. "Who is she and how do I get her to go out with me?"

The other three demigods ignored the son of Hephaestus as Jason voiced his question. "I don't get it… is she the person he's telling our secrets to? Or are they waiting for someone else to arrive?" The group was quiet for all of fifteen seconds until Piper smacked the back of his head, causing the son of Jupiter to cry out in surprise and pain. "Ow!"

"Are you really that much of an idiot?" She demanded, giving her boyfriend a disbelieving look. She pointed to where Leonidas and the unknown woman sat as they laughed at one of his jokes. Piper couldn't hear them because of the distance, but she knew that the woman had to have a beautiful, crystalline laugh if her appearances were anything to go by. "What do you think they're doing down there sitting at the cafe, drinking tea and sharing a croissant?"

Jason blinked. "Ensuring that they have a good cover-ow!" He let out another cry when Piper smacked him in the head again. "What? What did I do? Why are you hitting me?"

"Because you're an idiot." She mumbled under her breath, sighing. "Its obvious what's going on."

"What's that?" Leo asked, voicing both his and Jason's question. He received a narrowed look from Piper and he recoiled. "What? I don't get it."

"You two are hopeless." Chris breathed out, putting his head in his hands and shaking it slightly. "They're. On. A. Date." He enunciated each word perfectly, giving the two other guys disappointed looks.

"And how do you know that?"Jason asked quickly. "She could be in disguise-."

"Because I've taken Clarisse there several times." He cut Jason off, giving him an exasperated look. "It's her favorite place, girls love it. We used to go all the time before Chiron left, she would always get this fancy tea that I could never remember how to pronounce. And she would always read off the menu at our table in a terrible french accent, it was always adorable but her french was awful." He gave Jason another look before giving Piper an apologetic one. "I'd expect this kind of thing from Leo, since he's hopeless in relationships, but you, man? You're in a relationship." He pointed to Piper. "Your girlfriend is right there. How can you not recognize a couple out on a date?"

"How do you know they're a couple?" Leo asked, his voice like he wanted to go down there and challenge Leonidas for the woman, something that would most likely get him squashed like a bug by the large man. "Maybe it's a first date."

Chris rolled his eyes. "With how they greeted each other? You don't kiss on the first date before it even starts, are you crazy? Then look at their clothes, dress shirt and pants that are, what did you say, Piper, satin silk or something?"

The girl nodded. " Yep."

Chris continued. "Leonidas always wears two types of clothes, exercise ones and armor, he wouldn't dress up that much for a first date. Then look at her, she's flippin' breathtaking, I don't care how much a girl wants to impress a guy, she's not spending that much time on herself for just a first date." He then gestured vaguely to the couple. "And do you see the hand holding and laughing? No," He shook his head. "That's not a first date. They've obviously been going out for some time."

Jason blinked and Leo whistled, "Since when were you a son of Aphrodite, Chris?" He asked jokingly.

Chris gave him a look. "Since I started dating Clarisse and learned how to be romantic. What, do you think that she just keeps me around because of my good looks?" He let out a few chuckles. "You might want to take notes, Leo, and so should you, Jason, on how a guy takes a girl out on a date." He then looked to an impressed looking Piper. "Anything to add, Piper?"

"Nope." She shook her head. "I think you've just about covered everything. Very well, I might add."

"Thanks, I must have spent weeks praying to your mom for advice when Clarisse and I started dating. I had no idea what I was doing but didn't want to mess it up."

Piper smiled. "I see why Clarisse likes you, you're really sweet deep down, aren't you?" She looked like she was going to add something else about it when she let out a girly shriek and pointed towards the couple, causing the three guys to follow her finger. Leonidas was currently kissing the knuckles of the woman as she giggled behind her hand. "Did you see that? Oh it was sooo cute!"

Leo tapped his ear, mumbling under his breath. "And now I'm forever deaf in that ear, thanks for that."

"We should leave." Piper said suddenly, causing her boyfriend to look at her with a confused face.

"Why?" He asked. "We just got here. Leonidas is breaking the rules by leaving camp. We should make sure that he doesn't do anything-."

"Oh will you just drop it?" His girlfriend cut him off, a slightly irritated expression on her face. "He's on a date, Jason. What's he gonna do? Treat her to more tea and croissants? Take her out shopping at the little shops? Buy her some ice cream when she mentions the heat? They're on a date, he's not plotting anything. You need to let go of your childish grudge and realize that Leonidas wouldn't hurt a fly. Look at him down there," She pointed to the large man as he sat- most likely uncomfortable on a seat half the size of his rear, at a table that was thinner than his shoulder width, drinking from a cup smaller than his hand- at the table, sat across from the woman, silently listening to as she talked, nodding along as she went. "I've never seen him so happy before, he can't stop smiling. Do you want to ruin that?" After Jason didn't reply after a few seconds she nodded. "I didn't think so. Now, let's get out of here before he notices us and we ruin his date."

"But shouldn't we tell Percy that he left camp?" Jason asked as she pulled him down the sidewalk and away from the couple.

" And say what, exactly?" She asked. "That we saw him on a date? No, let's give him his privacy. Besides, we broke camp rules too chasing after him. Do you want to tell Percy that?"

Jason didn't say anything as they headed back to camp, flew back over the wall and headed in their own directions. Chris back to his and Clarisse's apartment, Piper back to her cabin to make sure that no one was drowning the other in nail polish remover again, while Leo and Jason ran straight to Percy to tell him what they saw for completely different reasons.

oooOooo

(May 10, 2011 - Big House, Percy's Office)

Percy eye ticked in mild irritation, blinking once, then twice, then again. "I'm sorry, what?"

Jason sighed. "I said, we saw Leonidas leave camp and-."

"No no no," Percy waved him off, looking to Leo that stood across the desk from him, standing next to Jason. He was practically jumping in his spot. "I got all that. You saw him leave camp, so you followed him to town and saw him on a date-."

"With the single most beautiful chica in the world." Leo cut in helpfully.

"I think I've gathered that from how you described her legs for five minutes straight, thanks." Percy scratched his head, shuffling the papers on his desk in an attempt to forget that he still had so much work to do. He looked back up to his friends, a look of confusion and mild irritation on his face. "I guess what I'm not understanding is, why you're telling me?"

Jason hesitated. "...Because he broke the rules and left camp?"

Percy let out a sigh, rubbing his eyes, what time was it? Four, five? Then why did it feel like his eyes were going to fall out of his skull? He looked down at the pile of papers on his desk and gave them the stink eye. He always knew paperwork was evil. He looked back up to Jason with a slightly irritated face as he massaged his temple. "And you thought that you needed to burst into my office, after Amethyst told you not to, that I was busy, just to tell me that someone went out on a date, bought flowers from an old lady and helped an elderly couple load their groceries in their car? What part of that was urgent?"

He let out a breath through his nose before lightly shaking his head. "I've been awake since three in the morning, Jason. And I've been sat in this office since four, trying to finish all of the preparations for the Games. Do you have any idea how much work goes into planning this event? I have to write the rosters, make sure the courses are ready, make sure we have enough security around the camp while everyone is watching the Games, something that no one wants to miss,by the way, among a million other things." His tone started to turn a little harsher. "So, tell me, what possessed you to come barging into my office yelling about someone on a date, interrupting me and preventing me from getting any work done!"

Jason flinched and Leo backed up slightly, taken back. Percy had almost just yelled at them. Percy. That didn't normally happen. Jason cleared his throat. "... Are you… okay, bro?"

"No I'm not okay!" His voice was just under a yell, his eyes harsh. "I'm tired, hungry, have the worst splitting migraine and I have less than an hour until I have to head down to the pavilion to make the daily announcements at dinner then run back up here to try to get this pile of work done so I can go home before ten!" He banged his palm on the wooden desk. "But who am I kidding? I won't get out of here until twelve at this rate."

The small room was silent for a full minute, the two boys watching Percy with worried expressions as he began to read through a paper in his hands. After a few more seconds Percy let out a low growl in his throat, his eyes shooting up to the two without moving his head. "What are you still doing here? Go make yourselves useful somewhere else." He pointed to the door behind them. "Close the door on your way out. And apologize to Amethyst for ignoring her when she told you to leave me alone."

Jason grit his teeth, something was wrong with Percy. He never acted like this no matter how tired or stressed he got, maybe… maybe something was happening at home? Jason knew that Percy was putting in extra hours recently since it seemed like he was always here, but he didn't know it had gotten this bad. He needed to talk to Annabeth about him. Deciding to not say anything to avoid an argument, he took Leo's arm and pulled him out the door without a word, slamming it a little louder than necessary before promptly apologizing to the daughter of Iris that sat at a little desk right next to the door, her own stack of papers of her own in her hand.

Percy slumped back in his chair, maybe he shouldn't've raised his voice, but he was so stressed and tired at the moment that his hand was literally shaking as he reached for his cup of coffee only to bring it to his lips and find it empty. Letting out a groan, he rose from his chair, his knees wobbling from the action after not being used to walk in hours, and made his way to the side of the room where a folding table was set up with a coffee maker, microwave, toaster and an assortment of paper plates, cups and plasticware. Amethyst had set it up last week so that he was able to eat in his office to cut down on his travel time to the pavilion for food. At this point he had half a mind to just set up a sleeping bag in the room too, since he rarely got any decent amount of sleep these day. His dreams had gotten worse since the other night when he caused the glass of water to explode in his sleep, a pool of dread and anxiousness sat in his stomach whenever he closed his eyes nowadays. Reaching the coffee maker he made another terrible discovery that irritated him even more: he was out of coffee.

Letting out another groan, he tossed the foam cup on the table and made his way back to his desk, collapsing in his chair. After massaging his eyes, he looked at the room around him, the walls lined with Celestial Bronze, not wanting to do any work at the moment but knowing that he was only delaying the inevitable. He was in the small room that used to hold the only computer and phone in camp, except it had now been turned into his own private office after he kept getting bothered so much when he tried to get any work done in the Council meeting room. The room was insulated by Celestial Bronze, meaning it was soundproof and one of the most secure places in camp, so Percy assumed that he would have all the peace and quiet he could ask for when he took the room for his own. Some people on the Council had suggested that he just use Chiron's office, but Percy couldn't make himself move into the room. Doing so just felt… wrong, like he was… replacing the old centaur. Even if Chiron was on Olympus with the gods, that didn't mean he wasn't coming back, so Percy ordered that his office and apartment not be touched. He would come back one day, Percy knew, he had to, Percy couldn't run this place by himself.

Letting out another breath, he reached over to grab the medium sized handheld radio- something he used to call a walkie talkie as a kid- and brought it to his face and pressed the button. "Amethyst?" He called into the radio, it was just an old, two-way radio that Chiron used to use to keep in touch with the retired campers that helped during events or capture the flag, but recently it had been used to allow Percy to talk to the daughter of Iris without either of them having to leave their seats. A half second later a voice answered.

"Yes, Percy?"

"Did Jason apologize for barging in here?" He asked, slumping back in his large chair, running a hand through his hair.

"He did." She answered calmly. "Is there anything you needed?" Since he took over as the head of camp, Amethyst had been helping him in the Big House, ensuring that he had the papers he needed, kept to his schedule and prevented people from interrupting him as he worked. One sleepless night in bed it occurred to him that she had practically been turned into his secretary, she even made a deal with Fleecy to receive and answer all of his IM's because it seemed like everyone and their mother needed to contact him about every little thing. One day he received a total of seventeen IM's and it was also then he had had enough on them. When he told Amethyst about his realization the next morning when she arrived to start work for the day an hour or so after he arrived, she chuckled to herself and said it was fate, because both of her moms were secretaries so she was just following in their footsteps. She also reassured him that she didn't mind being his secretary and actually found it kind of fun. That thought made him groan, he had a secretary. At eighteen. What was he, a flippin' CEO? Gods kill him now.

"Can you call Leonidas to my office, please? I need to speak with him."

The reply was slightly hesitant, Percy only noticing because Amethyst was always quick to reply. "I'm sorry, Percy, but did you say to call Leonidas up here? I thought that you didn't want any visitors?"

"I didn't," He sighed. "But Jason and Leo told me something and I need to speak with Leonidas about it. So, can you IM him and tell him to come here?"

"Of course, boss." She replied, calling him 'boss' in a joking matter, causing Percy to slightly roll his eyes, not having the energy to fully roll them. "Sorry if I'm not supposed to ask, but did Leonidas do something wrong? Should we tell the Council?" Since Amethyst was a member of the Council as well, it seemed like she was concerned that something had gone wrong or something.

"No," Percy reassured her. "At least, not really. I'll talk to him about it and if I have to, I'll tell the Council. But if what Jason told me is true then we won't bother. It was nothing."

"Alright then, I'll IM him right away."

"Thanks, Amethyst." He told her before putting the radio down, picking it up a second later. "Oh, and Amethyst?"

"Yeah boss?"

"I'm out of coffee."

"I'll bring in a fresh pot at once." She happily replied. Percy didn't understand it, but it seemed like that girl was unable to frown or ever get upset. He felt bad having her doing things for him, he really did, but if he was honest with himself, he needed the help and she was always more than happy to help.

"Thank you. And one more thing, take the rest of the night off once you do." He told her, rubbing his strained eyes. "I know we agreed that you'd work after dinner but you've been here long enough. Go home and get some rest."

Her reply came two seconds later. "If you're sure, Percy. Then I will. I'll head back to my cabin after I get your coffee and get a hold of Leonidas." The call ended and Percy thought she was going to put the radio down, but the radio clicked after another second. "But make sure that you get some rest too, Percy. You've been here all day, make sure that you aren't pushing yourself too much. You're just human, more or less, don't send yourself to an early grave just because you're not taking care of yourself."

He let out a long breath before replying. "I'll be sure to do that." He lied. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes, there is. Don't forget about your… appointment with Katie tomorrow after dinner on the ground floor."

Percy let out a long breath, he had completely forgotten about that. Annabeth had talked him into attending one session with Katie, she'd kill him if he didn't go. He was already dreading it. "...I won't." He said after a few seconds. "Thanks again, Amethyst. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, boss man." He could imagine her smiling to herself, thinking she's funny. "Make sure you get some rest, I don't want to see you in your office before I get here at seven. You could use the sleep." With that the girl ended the conversation, calling Leonidas as Percy got as much work done in the short amount of time as possible.

oooOooo

Several minutes later the radio on his desk chirped right before Amethyst's voice came over it. "Leonidas is here, Percy. Shall I send him in?"

Slowly grabbing the radio because he honestly didn't have the energy to lift a finger, he replied. "Yes, thank you, Amethyst. I'll see you in the morning."

"Not too early, I hope." Was the girl's reply. Putting the radio down Percy inwardly debated installing an intercom but then instantly recoiled, did he want to become 'CEO Percy'? No, he did not, the radio was fine.

A few seconds later his door opened and a giant man entered, looking around the room curiously before turning to Percy. "Your uh… secretary said you wanted to see me?" Leonidas asked as he made his way into the small room and stood in front of the desk.

Percy groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Please don't call her a 'secretary', I know she basically is, but I never wanted a secretary." Leonidas looked confused for a few seconds as he waited for Percy to speak, he pointed to a chair along the wall. "Oh, sorry, take a seat."

Once Leonidas was crammed on top of the tiny metal and plastic folding chair, Percy pushed some his papers to the side so he'd have some space clear to rest his elbows. "I'll be honest, I'm tired and it's almost dinnertime, so I'm gonna keep this short so we can get back to other, more important things." He paused to rest his elbows on the desk, too tired to be able to do two things at once. After letting out a sigh he started. "Jason told me that you snuck out of camp." Leonidas instantly stiffened, but so slightly that Percy barely noticed in his tired state. He continued. "Now, normally that would mean I'd have to think up some punishment for you and run an investigation into what you were doing… but he also told me that he followed you and saw what you were doing." Percy brought his eyes to look right at Leonidas', a small smile forming on his face after a few seconds. "Congrats, by the way, Leo told me that she was beautiful, a lot."

Leonidas let out a held breath, a smile forming on his own face as he rubbed the back of his neck. "...They saw that, huh?" Percy nodded lazily. "I- I wasn't planning on sneaking out, I swear, but… something came up."

"What's her name?" Percy asked. "I guess that she was what came up?"

Leonidas hesitated for a second but dropped his hand, answering. "Emily." He told him. "She and I, we, have been seeing one another for a few years now, since I was sixteen." He nodded as he sighed. "And you're right, she's what came up. You see, she knows of the Greek world, but she's not a demigod or anything, she's…"

"Clear Sighted?" Percy asked, supplying the words. "Like Rachel, our Oracle?"

The large man nodded. "Yeah, she is. We met years ago after I had been attacked by a large horde of Monsters, I was… on the point of dying and she… saved me. She found me in the woods and nursed me back to health. And since then we have been together."

"That's nice." Percy smiled, genuinely happy for his friend. "I didn't know you were the kind of guy to date, though." He waved his hand. "I mean- not that I don't think you could or anything. It's just that-."

"I don't seem like the type?" Leonidas asked, chuckling. "I'd have to agree with you, brother. For some time I didn't want to pursue any type of relationship, but when I met her, everything changed."

Percy sensed that something had happened in his past, hesitantly he asked his question. "Did uh, it sounds like something happened. You don't have to say anything, but I could hear it in your voice."

Leonidas let out a breath, taping his hands on his leg. "When I was fifteen, I ran across a family in Kansas and ended up spending a month with them. They- they had a daughter… Mary." He then proceeded to tell Percy about his month with the Johnsons, including how he met Mary and fell for her, only for her and her family to be killed right in front of him. Once he was done, he looked to Percy. "I know that years have passed and I'm with someone else, but I still have feelings for her. I love Emily, don't get me wrong, I want to marry her one day soon, but I still wonder 'what if?', what if she hadn't died? My life would be drastically different, my goals, ambitions, dreams, would all have changed."

"I know what you mean." Percy said, surprising himself. "You know I love Annabeth, more than life itself, but I had feelings for someone before her, Rachel, our Oracle, actually." He admitted, remembering the time before he and Annabeth got together and when he and Rachel were almost a couple for a summer before the Battle of Manhattan. "We both had feelings for the other, but I was oblivious as usual, as well as oblivious that Annabeth liked me. I used to think as I stayed up late at night, what if I had gotten together with her? Or Calypso?"

"Calypso?" Leonidas asked, his eyes widening. "Do you mean the Titaness Calypso?"

Percy nodded, a small smile forming on his lips as he remembered his time on her island. "Yeah, that one. Since you know her name, I'm guessing you know about her curse?" Leonidas nodded. "Then you know that it wouldn't have worked. I was destined to leave her and return to the love of my life, Annabeth. But I've often wondered, what if? What if I stayed on that island with her? Lived in peace on a beautiful island with an even more beautiful girl? I wouldn't have had to fulfill a prophecy, battle Titans, have my memories stolen by Hera, go to New Rome, get thrown in Tartarus, or deal with anything I've had to in my life since then." He looked up at the ceiling, wondering what the girl was doing right now. Was she still sitting on that island waiting for him to return? Someone else? Had she given up hope? Had the gods actually granted her freedom like he asked? He didn't know, and he probably never would. Shaking his head slightly, he faced Leonidas. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, I know what you're talking about, but sometimes, we have to wait to meet our true loves. I did with Annabeth, gods know I waited to tell her how I felt, probably a little too long, but I did."

Leonidas was silent for a minute as he processed what he heard. After looking up to Percy he continued. "Emily IM'd me this morning, I taught her how to years ago after she had to return home and we couldn't see each other." He explained, his voice faltering like he was remembering something he didn't wish to. "Her father… died two years ago, here in New York. And it's close to the anniversary and she-."

"You don't have to say anymore." Percy cut him off, offering him a kind smile. "She needed you and you went to her. I don't need to know anything else, I understand." He reassured the older man. "How was she? I mean, with today and all?"

Leonidas let out a breath. "She and her father were… never close. He… was a well known, powerful man, but cruel. Worst than any Monster I have ever slain, if only I could have run him through with my blade." His eyes hardened as he remembered the man, Percy thinking that he must have hated the man since he didn't think Leonidas was a violent type of person. "I never got to meet him, but she, Emily, told me about him. He did terrible things. Abused his name and power, hurt a lot of people… his children. Her mother, a wonderful woman that I wish I could have met, died many years ago when Emily was still young." Percy eyes widened, sorry for this woman named Emily, but also for Leonidas, no one should have to go through that.

"She's all alone now, her entire family is gone." Leonidas continued. "Her mother, brother and sister all died years ago, and now her father… she's all alone." He bit his lip and his jaw tightened, one of the only times Percy had seen him this worked up, he must really care for this girl .

"But at least she has you." Percy reassured him. "You sound like you're in love to me."

Leonidas wore a smile, though it didn't meet his eyes and Percy inwardly wondered if he had said something wrong. When he spoke, his voice was so low and his eyes looked to the ceiling above them, making Percy wonder if he meant to say it outloud. "...Yes, but not for long."

Percy hesitated, not knowing if he should say something or not, but deciding to try to understand what his friend meant to in order to try to help him. "...What do you mean, 'not for long'?"

Leonidas stiffened in his chair and Percy instantly realized that he was not meant to hear that. After clenching his fists and shaking his head, he answered, his voice low and hollow, like he had almost lost all hope and none of his usual cheerfulness existed, like it was just an act he put on all the time to make himself seem more put together for everyone around him, something that made Percy wonder just how bad of life Leonidas really had. Wonder what kind of person he really was if his happy nature was just a facade. "...Nothing lasts forever." He finally said after a few minutes. "We're not immortal… life, our bodies," He clenched one fists and held his other hand up to his eyes, examining it like he could see something Percy didn't. "Have limits, and soon, they'll be reached." He suddenly stood up in his chair and turned to the door. "I'm sorry, brother, but I can't talk about this anymore."

"Wait," Percy called out, the man stopping, his massive hand on the doorknob. "...Is something, is Emily going to…?" He didn't know how to phrase it in a way that didn't sound tactless, but with what Leonidas told him about her family, it made him wonder if the reason why Emily's family died was also the reason for Leonidas' heartbreak. Was she terminal? "Is she going to… die?"

"In time. She grows weaker by the day. I had hoped to cheer her up today." He answered, his voice low and rough, like he was trying to hold himself together. He gave Percy a look over his shoulder as he opened the door, his face hardened into a mask of forced calmness. "And unless I can fulfil my goals, we will both be forced to live without the other for eternity, never allowed to see each other again, even… in death." He paused when a small- blink and you miss it- drop rolled across his cheek, falling to the floor. He sniffled briefly. "I ask that you don't tell the others what you heard, brother. They… I- I don't want them to know that I… about what will happen if I fail." He stepped one foot out the door but Percy called out and stopped him again.

"What goal, Leonidas?" He asked to the man's back, Leonidas not turning to face him. "Maybe- maybe I can help. I have resources, I know people, people who can help, satyrs, nymphs, healers, gods, maybe they can-."

"You cannot fight time, Perseus." Leonidas cut him off, his voice soft and subdued. "Nor can you stop Fate, gods know I-." He cut himself off quickly before starting again. "But… I appreciate the offer, you- you don't know what it means to me. But this road I walk, I must walk alone… I see my destiny in front of me and I must run towards it in order to achieve it… and live."

With that, the giant man closed the door and left Percy to slump in his seat, silently sitting still for nearly an hour, thinking about what Leonidas had said. Emily was going to die? Her family had all died in the last several years it seemed, did they have a terminal disease that caused their deaths? If so, then what was it? Did she really have to die, could it not be prevented? The love of his life? After the first girl he loved died in front of him? And he, Leonidas, was going to die too from what it sounded like. Why? What goal did Leonidas have? What was his destiny? And why couldn't he let people help him? Percy would have sat thinking these things over and over in his mind all night if he hadn't eyed the clock and realized he was already late for dinner. Letting out a curse, he rushed down to the pavilion to give his daily announcements to the campers before heading home, suddenly feeling like he was going to collapse from exhaustion and falling asleep the second his head hit his pillow.

oooOooo

(AN: How was that last scene? Let me

know in a Review. I had trouble with it.

But don't worry, we'll get answers soon)

oooOooo

(May 11, 2011 - Big House, Katie's Trauma Therapy Meeting Room aka Old Storeroom)

It was after dinner the next day and Percy headed down from his office to the first floor of the Big House and made his way into the old store room that Katie had renovated into the Trauma Therapy room back way back before the Battle of Manhattan. He had been in here once before, back when he helped clear the junk to the side so that they had room to sit, there hadn't been a meeting going on at the time but walking into the room now, it was just as he expected. An array of metal folding chairs sat in a medium sized circle at the center of the room, and if the number of chairs folded up against the wall were anything to go by, then a lot more people than he thought attended the meetings. But something a few paces away caught his eye, a folding table setup with an assortment of multi colored doughnuts- no doubt baked by Katie herself that morning- but the sugary baked goods weren't what made him walk over to the table, it was the large pot of coffee.

As soon as his hand touched the machine a voice called from behind him, scaring and causing him to spill the hot liquid on his skin. "Put the coffee down, Percy."

"Wha- Ah! Ow!" Percy bit his tongue as the delicious liquid washed down his arm. After grabbing a handful of napkins and running them over his skin, he turned around to find the person who had snuck up on him. "Katie? I nearly spilled the whole pot. What's the big idea?"

The eldest daughter of Demeter had the audacity to look amused as she watched him soak up the coffee from his skin. "I'm sorry, honestly, but if you would have been paying attention then you would have seen me sitting right by the door."

Percy blinked. "You were sitting right there?" He asked, not knowing how he missed her. He must be more tired than he thought, he was usually more aware of his surroundings than that. "You mean you didn't just sit down?"

She shook her head once, smiling. "Nope. I've been here for fifteen minutes, waiting for you."

Percy eyed the clock, he was hoping she didn't notice that he was late. Honestly he was just hoping that she just didn't remember that he was supposed to be there, but no such luck. "Sorry, I got held up with some work in my office."

"It's no problem," She told him, gesturing to the ring of chairs. "How about you take a seat? Feel free to sit wherever you want, but leave the coffee there."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to fill another cup. "Why?"

"Because I'm told that you're having trouble sleeping." She told him simply, no doubt getting that information from Annabeth. "And seeing as it's almost seven, it's too late for coffee. If you drink it now then you won't be able to sleep tonight."

Her logic made sense, Percy had to admit, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Putting down the coffee, he made his way to the circle of chairs and sat at a chair one space away from Katie, feeling that sitting right next to her would be uncomfortable, this way he could look the other way and didn't have to see her watching him. After he was settled she started. "Now, Percy, I want to start by saying that you have nothing to worry about. Annabeth told me that you were worried about your inability to sleep getting out. But nothing leaves this room. " She told him, looking right at him while he looked straight ahead, watching her out of the corner of his eye. "What we say in here," She gestured around her. "Stays in here. I won't tell anyone what I heard, I won't judge, I won't force my opinions down your throat, I'm just here to listen to you and offer some advice if I think you need it. But mostly, I'm just here so that you have someone to talk to."

Percy let out a sigh, still looking forward, his body slouched in his seat. "Then let me start by saying that I don't need to be here. The only reason why I'm here is because Annabeth wants me here."

If Katie was put off by his tone she didn't show it. Her smile didn't falter as she replied. "Then how about you tell me why you think Annabeth wants you to be here?" Percy opened his mouth but she held up her hand calmly, indicating that she wasn't finished. "Not why you don't think you need to be here, but why she thinks you need to be here." She then gestured for him to speak.

Crossing his arms over his chest he answered. "...She's worried because I have trouble sleeping."

"Oh?" She brought up her pen, holding it above a notepad. "And why do you think that is?"

"Can we not do the psycho bullshit, please?" Percy nearly snapped, his hand hitting his leg. Katie's smile faltered slightly as she watched him, most likely surprised that he yelled at her as he had never done that before in all the years they'd known each other. "Sorry," He dragged his fingers through his hair. "I didn't mean to yell."

Her kind smile returned in full force. "That's alright, you're stressed, I can tell." She put her pen and notepad down, correctly guessing that they were what made him snap. "Then let's just talk about what got you upset, okay? Why don't you want to be here?"

Percy let out a breath, uncrossing his arms and sitting up a little straighter. "I just… don't like therapists." He said before turning to her for the first time, waving his hand. "I mean, not you, I like you just fine. I…"

"Have had some bad experiences with them?" She guessed correctly, tilting her head slightly.

Percy nodded. "Yeah."

"I didn't know that you've had a therapist before."

"Does it not mention that in your files?" He asked a little rudely.

She only shook her head at his anger, looking down to the notepad that sat on the floor. "I don't have any files on you, Percy." She told him honestly. "I just use the notepad to make sure I remember everything you said." She tapped her head, a slight smile on her face. "I have so many patients it's hard to remember everything sometimes."

Percy faltered slightly. "How- how many people come here?" He asked, once again looking at the extra chairs in the room. "How many sessions do you do a day?"

"It depends on the day, since different people see me for different reasons or for different groups, but on average I have at least one to four groups a day."

"And how many people come see you?"

She raised her finger to her chin in thought for a few seconds before answering. "Let's see, last I checked I have a total of twenty seven people who see me weekly. Not all of them come every day of course, but at least once a week. Some groups meet more than others. And some people just come for a single session. But I have twenty seven people right now."

Percy's heart dropped, he had no idea so many people at camp were having problems. He knew that some people had lost some close friends or loved ones during the last two battles, but he didn't expect that many. He looked up to Katie. "I- I had no idea… Why are they all here?" He asked softly. "They can't all be here because of the Third Titan war, right?"

She lightly shook her head. "No," She started, sitting back in her chair slightly. "But a good number of them are. A lot of campers lost people that day. It was a hard day for us all. But to answer your question, everyone comes here for a different reason. Some people lost someone, others can't eat, some can't sleep." Her eyes looked at Percy for a second before removing them. "Some people are having problems at home, some had problems at home and are still dealing with them. While some people, and I can't say who, haven't told me why they're here but come every week just to listen, never sharing or saying anything." She turned to him, offering a reassuring smile. "You don't have to talk if you don't want to, Percy, but I'd like to hear why you don't like therapists. Like I said earlier, I didn't know that you had one before, not because I have it written down, but because you hadn't told me before."

Percy let out a breath, not answering for nearly a full minute. "...I had a therapist back in fifth grade for an entire year. I don't tell a lot of people that, okay? Out of everyone at camp, only Annabeth knows."

"If you don't mind me asking, Percy, would you tell me about it? If I know why you didn't like that therapist then I'll know what not to do and be able to better help you."

Why does this girl have to be so helpful and concerned? Percy thought to himself. Why did it have to be Katie? I'd rather be here with Clarisse, she'd slap me on the back, tell me to get over it and send me on my way and I'd be able to get some work done. After letting out a sigh and clearing his thoughts, he answered. "I told you about Gabe, right?"

Katie's unwavering gaze faltered for a nano second, she was one of Percy's oldest friends at camp, so she knew Gabe. "Somewhat, I know that you don't like talking about him often, but you've told me a few things."

"Well, it was because of that bastard that I got put in therapy for a year." He told her, remembering the days before camp. "I got in a lot of trouble at school, but you knew that, I would also pick fights from time to time. One of my teachers at the time thought I was seeking out for attention of something like that, so he pulled me aside one day and asked me about my home life and I stupidly told him about Gabe, I don't even remember what I said it was so long ago, but before I knew it I was thrown in the therapist's office at school and forced to sit there for a year."

"Why don't you like therapists though?" She asked. "Just because you were forced to be there?"

"No, because after a year of sitting in that room nothing changed." His tone was a little sharp, he didn't mean to get upset at Katie, she was one of his closest friends, he was just on edge a lot these days and was easily irritated. "I talked to that lady for a year but nothing happened. Gabe still drank all day and came home wasted, my mom still never smiled, or when she did they weren't real, and I still had problems at school because I was different. It was only when I was twelve when I realized why I was different."

Katie let all of this sink in for a minute, looking contemplative. "You don't like therapists because you don't think that they do anything." She stated, fully understanding him. "And you think that you're wasting your time sitting here with me." Again it wasn't a question, she knew.

"Well when you say it like that it makes me sound like the bad guy."

"I don't think that, Percy." She smiled reassuringly. "I get where you're coming from. When I started this I honestly didn't think that I'd be able to help anyone, gods, I didn't think anyone was going to sign up. But the day after I opened this group I had one person, one person, come to me asking if they could talk. And do you know what happened?"

"You discovered your life's calling?"

"No," She answered, shaking her head lightly, smiling before it instantly dropped, replaced with a hurt look. "I learned that one of my friends, someone I had known and spent time with for years, was cutting their wrists." Percy eyes widened as he faced Katie, her own usually bright eyes dimmed. "And that this person had felt like they had no one in the world to talk to and had been doing it for months. I nearly burst into tears when I heard what they were thinking of doing," She paused briefly to dab her eye with a finger. "This person, who we all thought was strong and kind and warm and open, was really just putting up a front to help everyone else. To hide that they didn't know what to do. And do you know what happened?"

"..." Percy had no words, he couldn't even shake his head.

"That person and I sat in this room all night, talking. Just talking." She smiled to herself like she was trying to reassure herself that everything was alright now. "We talked about our friends, hobbies, our favorite foods, color, anything. And after this person didn't want to talk anymore I just told them about myself, how I had lost people too and how I, even though I had set up this group, didn't know everything. I didn't have any answers and I didn't have everything figured out. Do you know what I learned after sitting and talking to that person for almost five hours?"

"...I- no." He admitted.

"That some people just need someone there for them, to listen to them, or, if they don't want to talk, someone there to talk to them." She played with her hair absentmindedly. "And do you know what? That one session didn't solve this person's problems, it didn't make them not miss their loved ones anymore, it didn't do anything big like change their life or anything, but do you know what it did do? What this person did after they left?" Percy shook his head, just letting her tell her story, not able to interrupt. "This person thanked me for listening and went to their friend that they knew was having problems and talked to them. Then two days later when we met back up, this person told me that their friend was alive that day because they had enough strength to do for them what I did for them: listen and talk." Percy's eyes widened, he had no idea anyone at camp was think of… his heart sunk even more. Katie's smile tried it's best to stay on her face as she wiped a tear away. "Then they both came the next time and every week now until today, more than a year later, they both come to group to share, always offering their support to the other people. Talking with them, listening to them, crying with them, whatever they need. I've heard from so many people how these two have helped them, and it always brings tears to my eyes remembering where they started from." She turned away slightly to wipe her eyes, giving Percy an apologetic look once she faced him again. "Sorry, I don't normally cry in meetings, I usually try my best to stay professional. I… I've never told anyone that before."

"It's okay," He told her, understanding. "I get it."

After composing herself, she continued. "And do you know what I did after these two people came to me, way back then?" She asked, Percy only shaking his head again. "I went to Chiron and told him some of what happened, nothing specific and I didn't give any names, but I asked him if I could continue my group so that one day, I could talk to everyone at camp. And with tears in his eyes, he gave me this room to use for as long as I needed." She looked around the boxes of storage, armor, dusty bins of junk older than her and smiled fondly at it. "This room is a piece of junk, but it's ours. Somewhere we can all come to talk or to listen. To help one another." She smiled to Percy, the smile finally reaching her eyes. "And do you know what happened then?"

"No."

Her smile widened. "I found my life's calling." She answered, echoing his own words from earlier. "After the Battle of Manhattan and the Third Titanomachy, this room has seen more people than ever. At one time or another, I've had every person in camp in one of these seats. And I'd like to think that after they got up out of that seat, that I helped them in some way or another."

"The mandatory therapy sessions after the war, I remember that." Percy nodded. "Everyone had to attend one."

"And you still didn't want to talk back then either. From what I recall you just ate all my doughnuts and drank half a pitcher of coffee." She smiled, crossing her legs in front of her. "And I'll say the same thing now as I did back then, you don't have to talk if you don't want to, but the first step is always admitting that something is bothering you. You can act all tough and manly all you want to make the rest of the camp think you're this perfect leader figure so that they can have someone to look up to all you want, but to me, in here, you don't have to keep that act up. We can talk about your problems sleeping, your arguments with Annabeth, she told me about some of the tension between you two recently, or we can just talk about what you did today. We can start wherever you want."

Percy took it all in. He knew he had a problem, but admitting it was harder than he thought. He couldn't remember a time that he had been this angry, or a time where he snapped at so many people, specifically Annabeth. Letting out a long breath, he started. "I'm overwhelmed." He admitted, biting his cheek, drumming his fingers on his knee as he looked around the room, trying to not focus on her eyes as she watched him. "I'm angrier now than I ever remember. I have this… pit in my stomach. I have this feeling of… dread and anxiousness all the time, irritating me, driving me crazy, keeping me awake, like- like every bone in my body, every muscle, every… fiber of my being is constantly on fire and shooting me with electricity. I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't focus on anything and I can't tell anyone because then they'll say it's the stress and they won't let me lead camp! They'll make me step down!"

Katie gave him a cautious look. "You feel that the others in the Council will take your spot?" She asked, sounding a little confused. "You want to lead the camp?"

"Gods no!" He yelled suddenly, throwing himself to the edge of his seat before sitting back in his chair and giving her an apologetic look. His voice turned lower, a little softer but Katie could still hear the tension in it. "I don't want to lead camp." He admitted. "This job, this responsibility that I have now?" He looked at her. "It's too much."

He was quiet for a minute before continuing, Katie not saying anything and only watching him. "Seventy six." He said under his breath before looking back up at her. "I have seventy six campers to look after. Seventy six people to make sure are fed, protected, looked after, taught, trained, clothed… I'm… I'm not Chiron, I- I can't do this by myself." He admitted, biting his lip and lightly hitting his fist against his leg, looking off to the side. "But if I don't, then who will? I heard how bad the camp got after Chiron left, I can't let that happen. This camp is my home… and the campers are my family, I won't let them down. So if I have to endure some sleepless nights and headaches then I'll gladly endure them if it means that everyone else is taken care of."

Katie reached across the empty seat in between them and put her hand over his, looking up to him with a reassuring smile when he faced her. "You have always put others before yourself, Percy. That's what I admire about you…" She lightly shook her head, squeezing his hand. "But you have to make sure that you're taken care of too. We, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Nico, Clarisse, me, everyone at camp is here for you." She told him, tilting her head to the side slightly. "Let us take care of you for once, Percy. You've given so much for this camp, let us return the favor." She let go of his hand after patting it a few times, pulling back and sitting up in her seat.

"You're right," She continued. "We're a family, and in this family we look after each other. We balance each other, protect each other, are there for one another when they need us, that sense of loyalty you have for us, Percy? Well we feel the same for you. So let us help you."

Percy let out a breath through his nose before nodding to himself and looking to her. "...Okay." He said softly, barely above a whisper. "You're right… I… haven't been thinking about myself." He turned his chair so that it was facing her, giving her his full attention. "What do you think I should do?"

She smiled, turning her chair to face his as well. "I'm glad you asked, Percy, I'm happy to help." She told him honestly, happy to see him making progress so quickly. "Let's start with your dreams, tell me what you think they mean, why you think you're being shown them. Then, after that we can find a way to lighten your workload. Divvy up the work among the Council so that it's not all on you. Then, if you want, we can find something to help take your mind off of the work, something fun. Tell me, are you going to be competing in the Games this year?" He shook his head, telling her that he didn't think he had the time and that as a judge that he didn't think it would be fair for him to enter. She nodded before continuing. "Well, I think that the Games would be a great opportunity to get you out of the office for a few days. I think that just letting go and having fun with your friends would be good for you."

He nodded. "Alright, if you think it'll help. I'll try it."

She smiled. "Great, then let's get started. If we don't finish tonight then you can always come back tomorrow, or whenever you have the time or need to talk. My door is always open, well, not this one," She smiled as she looked to the door. "Since Will uses it to train the healers from noon to three, but you know what I mean. I'll always be here to talk if you need it."

He fully smiled for the first time all day. "Thanks. I'll be sure to."


(Author's Note)

How was that last part with Percy and Katie? I hoped that I handled it right, stuff like PTSD, depression, self harm, suicide, are touchy subjects and are the hardest to write, but sometimes they just need to be explored. I hope I did it justice. This'll probably be the last session we'll see, but that doesn't mean that it's not happening off-page. You guys have to remember that time is going by, it's been just over a month since Percy returned to camp and we'll be getting another big jump soon.

On an equally as somber note, what did you think about the Leonidas section with him talking to Percy? I won't give anything away because I don't want to spoil anything since we'll be getting some answers soon, but I'd like to talk about it.

So, Leonidas has another girlfriend, what do you all think about that? I'll tell you something, I didn't have Mary planned until I wrote that chapter, I have the entire story planned out and I normally stick to it. I had his current girlfriend, Emily, planned to be his only love interest, but I thought that it would add stuff to his character for him to lose people close to him since he wasn't close to his mom and has never met his dad. Let me know what you think about Emily. Just to clarify, so some people don't think he's lying, what Leonidas said was true, Emily is dying and if he doesn't find a solution soon, they'll both die. But no more, I don't want to give spoilers.

Can I ask something? I've heard from a few people that they apparently didn't read the Prequels and haven't been reading the Leonidas backstory chapters, only skimming them. I'm not trying to call anyone out, since I already talked to someone who told me about it, but are some of you guys not liking Leonidas? I've only had one person say that they had a problem with him and I figured that if someone thought it then other people had to but weren't saying anything. If you don't like him for any reason, please, let me know, I want to know why. I won't get upset or anything, I just want him and this story to be as good as possible.

You guys all know the drill by now, follow, favorite, Review and all that jazz. I'll see you guys around Wednesday for the bonus chapter. Ch7 will be out the following Saturday, March 2nd.

Fun Fact: Leonidas likes tall, slender women with a regal aura around them and a lively, down to earth personality. They just can't be a pretty face, however, since he is highly resistant to all forms of Charmspeak and love magic as well as batting ones eyelashes. She must be smart, kind and a genuine person as well. He's also secretly a sucker for long legs.

Bonus Fun Fact: Mika, the daughter of Palaestra, the goddess of Wrestling, is named after R. Mika from Street Fighter. She has long, blonde hair like her and isn't afraid of showing off skin either. If you want an idea of what Mika looks like, picture a combination of R. Mika from SF and the famous female wrestler Chyna. Chyna is where Mika gets the appearance of looking like an Amazon Warrior from. Also, if it wasn't obvious, Leo has a huge crush on her but she'd rather date a smelly gym sock.

QOTD: 'What do you think Leonidas' goal is? What is he trying to accomplish? What is wrong with Emily and how is he going to save her and himself?'