A little short, but gets the job done. It's getting quite interesting, isn't it? I'll get to Papi Version Two again, but the muses want me to write about this story atm :)

Saspie: 21

Espark: 19

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize as canon. Kids/Teens are mine.


XV

LEO

Leo watched as Tulio proudly led the way to the Argo II, still wearing his TEAM TULIO t-shirt, suspenders and jeans. Frank, being the heavy guy he was, was supported between Jason and Sammy Leo. Esperanza trailed behind, carrying a big bag, a look of happy annoyance clear on her face.

Tulio bounded up the gangplank and ran over to Icarus, recounting his tale with glee. Leo rolled his eyes.

"So you'd rather say hi to Icarus the dragon head than your own father," Leo observed loudly. "I see how it is! I'm always unloved!"

He posed dramatically. "Ignored by my own son!" he wailed. He collapsed against the rail limply. "My life is just too hard!"

Frank huffed when he reached the deck. "Give it a rest," he grunted. "You're giving me a headache."

Leo reached in his tool belt and brought out a sandwich. He tossed it to the son of Mars.

Tulio went up and hugged Leo. "Sorry, Papi. I've got so much to tell you!"

"I saw the whole thing," Leo said. "It was like watching an American Idol finale! That stage! Your flames! Your voice! Mijo, you were amazing!"

Tulio sheepishly smiled. "It felt weird being able to sing like that. Mark gave me a better voice with his charmspeak. I don't think I can do it again, though…"

Leo smiled. "And those flames?"

"They were mine." Esperanza was suddenly by Leo's side. "I was controlling the flames the entire time from the audience!"

Leo hugged his twins. "That was certainly an interesting way to rescue Frank. I was expecting Sammy to burst up to us saying how he beat up a monster or an enemy. Wasn't expecting you to sing at all, Tulio!"

Frank huffed in annoyance. "Can we move on to something else? Like, where's Hazel?"

Sammy shook his head. "We don't know, Dad. Her key hasn't shown up yet."

"Speaking of which," Jason said. "Frank, check your pockets. Someone's key is on you."

Frank patted his pants and pulled out a black key. It was topped with a huge diamond.

Sammy immediately grabbed for it. "That's Mom's key! Dad, give it!"

Leo was expecting the key to actually do something this time around. Last time, it hadn't reacted to Sammy's touch. Leo was hoping he would at least be able to activate Hazel's key.

But the black key didn't do anything.

Sammy Leo deflated. He handed the key to Tulio and retreated below deck without another word. Leo sighed, knowing the poor Roman's pride had been wounded.

"Alright," Annabeth said. "Everyone take a turn holding the key. Someone will activate it."

Obviously Tulio was out. The key wasn't doing anything in his hands. He handed it to Mark. Nothing. Next came the Jackson siblings. Nothing for both. Esperanza took it last. Nada.

Annabeth ran a hand through her curls. "Okay…Why don't we give it a try?"

She took the key and examined it. Next she gave it to Jason. When nothing happened, he handed it to Frank. Frank shook his head and motioned for Leo to take it.

Leo took it and rolled it in his palm. He shook his head and gave it back to Frank.

Annabeth sighed. "Then I guess we're stuck."

"Maybe this means we need to go back to camp and get Gus," Jason said.

"That's so far away," Leo whined.

"It's the only lead we've got," Tulio conceded. "I'll tell Icarus to set a course for Camp Half-Blood."

He went back to the mast head.

Leo ran a hand through his curls. "We're going around in circles," he complained.

"Papi," Espie said. "I got something that might lift some spirits!"

Leo perked up. "Presents?"

She nodded. She handed Leo the bag. He rifled through it.

Within it was a T-shirt with TEAM TULIO scrawled on the chest, a poster that advertised Stage in Flames, which had Tulio himself in mid-dance with flames curled around him, a DVD of the show, and a couple random items and knick-knacks with either TEAM TULIO or Tulio himself adorning the products.

Leo curled his lip. "These are supposed to make me feel better? Team Leo is way better!"

Espie chuckled. "I never said it'd make you happy. I figured Mom might want some proof of Tulio doing that and showing Team Leo up. Team Tulio is where it's at, Papi."

Leo frowned. "Traitorous daughter," he growled.

She smiled and giggled.

Leo was about to say something else when suddenly his lunch came up to meet the world. It came without warning, ending up within seconds on Espie's shoes.

Espie squealed and backed away. "Papi? What the Hades!?"

Jason was suddenly supporting Leo. The son of Hephaestus groaned and held his head. The whole world was spinning, turning yellow.

Jason led him downstairs. Leo couldn't remember even getting to the infirmary, much less lying down. Jason was above him, as was Annabeth. Leo felt his stomach heave painfully. The world felt bigger to him now…why was that?

He closed his eyes, trying to make everything stop spinning. Words were jumbled in his brain. He couldn't hear the blondes in the room anymore. The only thing he could hear was the blood roaring in his ears.

His clothes suddenly felt looser than before. Now they seemed huge on him.

Leo blacked out.


A/N: Well, shit. Leo's got a problem...

I'm still on Team Leo. But NOW I have to support Team Tulio, being the founder :D Any Team Tulio fans out there?