To RandomFanAuthor- I've added the McDonald's date to my list of to-writes! I may do more Hazel-catching-up one-shots, but I had the urge to write something else Frazel today! ^_^

To zantarak- thank you! And he is TOTALLY NAPPING, I drafted my WAKE UP JASON chapter earlier! And two other scenarios that I'm still debating... O.o And I'd love to do a Jason jealous of Piper admiring Lou, I have an idea! Keep an eye out, I'll try and put a note in to say when it's your request!

To HoO Fan- welcome back! ^_^ I'm going to do as many as I can until I catch up with the ToA rewrite. I've not read Tyrant's Tomb yet, it's still sitting in the packaging. I had the urge to re-read Burning Maze before I read it, you know, a bit of pre-torture before everything blows up, I'm guessing. IF I GET ONE SPOILER, I WILL KILL THEM ALL! See Frazel below! And the Magnus Chase rewrite will go into the works once I've got up with the ToA, still considering the cross-over I think we talked about, will see how things pan out!

To KotlcExpert521- I can do a Pernico/Percico, may be angsty though... undecided. But thank you! ^_^

"You do realise, bringing your own food when someone has invited you over for lunch is extremely rude and disrespectful." Nico frowned. "Not to mention a kick to my self-esteem."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Hazel laughed. "But you cook as well as Lou does, I do not want food poisoning today."

"I didn't cook. Will did."

"Well in that case-"

"I could just not invite you in." Nico deadpanned. Hazel giggled, pinching his cheek.

"My dear brother, as if you could turn me away." She smiled angelically. Nico huffed, waving her hand away and motioning with his head. Hazel beamed triumphantly, Frank two steps behind her as they followed Nico in. Will was humming to himself in the kitchen, stirring away at a pan. He called out a greeting.

"Dinner won't be long!" He assured. Hazel set her tray on the table, one of her homemade spiced fruit cakes. Nico was staring at it and she could see the debate going on behind his eyes- could he justify saving it for himself?

"You have to share." Hazel instructed. Nico's gaze cut to her and he huffed.

"Fine." He spun on his heel and went to help- hinder- Will. Frank sat at the table, picking up the discarded newspaper. They could hear Nico muttering, Will laughing and teasing his partner. "I am a brilliant cook!" Nico protested. Will cracked up and Nico stormed out, cursing in Italian. Hazel raised a brow at him. "You shush."

"I said nothing."

"And it'll stay that way." He nodded defiantly. Will stuck his head out.

"Oy. I said lay the table."

"I did."

"You put one fork out."

"I got distracted!"

"Lay the table." Will swept two fingers from his eyes to Nico and then disappeared. Hazel breathed in, stomach growling at the scent of the meal.

"Jambalaya?" She asked. Nico nodded, examining the one fork he had set out.

"Will likes trying different recipes, realised he hadn't done one from New Orleans. So, yes. Jambalaya. He's rather proud of it." He put the fork down, taking a moment to focus on his sister. "Don't judge him too harshly, this is his third attempt."

"Oh bless him. I'll be nice." Hazel promised. Nico gave a wobbly smile.

"Lay that table, Nico!" Will yelled. Nico slowly turned a challenging glare on the door. "And don't even think about trying to shadow me away! You're still under doctor's orders!" Frank looked up from the newspaper, bemused.

"What did you do?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Tell that to the five year old girl celebrating her birthday!"

"It was an accident!" Nico protested. "Besides, you made me jump, it's your fault!"

"Whatever makes you feel better!"

"Remind me why I'm nice to you." Nico grumbled.

Will served dinner up, putting the first plate before Hazel with a tentative smile and a squeeze on her shoulder. Frank was next, then he disappeared to bring back his and Nico's meals. He set Nico's plate down a little too forcefully, shooting him a warning look. Nico sighed. "I'm not a child, Solace."

"Empty Plate Club!" Will beamed. "Now, Hazel, I want your honest opinion. And don't look in the kitchen, I may or may not have made a mess that Nico so kindly volunteered to clean up later."

"I did?"

"You did. Do I need to check you for amnesia?" Nico made a rude hand gesture. Hazel kicked him under the table, Will elbowing him as he sat down. Hazel was aware he was watching her as she tucked into the jambalaya. Flavour rippled over her tongue, stirring memories from when she was young. She had no words, shovelling more into her mouth. Will brightened, practically grinning from ear to ear and mighty pleased with himself. "What'd you think, Frank?" Frank looked up, mouth also full. He nodded vigorously, giving a thumbs-up. Nico tried a small portion.

"Mm. Hazel's is better." Will glowered at him sidelong.

"Well, of course Hazel's is better, she's magic at cooking." Will smiled. "I guess congratulations are in order."

"What, for my cooking?"

"Um, no? For the baby." Hazel inhaled sharply, immediately choking on her food. Frank froze, dropping his fork.

"The… the what?" He stammered, paling. Will looked from one to the other, biting his lip. Nico rose to hit his sister on the back helpfully, torn between glaring at Will and laughing at the look on Frank's face. Hazel raised her hands to her face, thick tears welling in her eyes as she coughed and spluttered. Will pressed his fingertips together, humming nervously to himself and looking around for a way out of the hole he had dug himself.

"Something tells me you didn't know…"