Sammy's turn, ladies and gents! Let's go ahead and get the ball rolling!

Sorry it's short, but it'll have to be.

Matt: I've no idea what gives you the right to tell me what I can and cannot write. Where did I mention that fire imps cannot die? I never said he wouldn't be able to be with his family after death. And I also never said ANYWHERE that I would be doing this story with the imp version. That's redundant and stupid and a waste of everyone's time.

Yay: I LOVE THAT PLOT TWIST! That was great, though I won't be doing that. It sounds like something I'd do, but not for this story :P

I own nothing you recognize as canon.


XXIX

ESPERANZA

Finding Sammy Leo proved to be a bit more difficult.

For one thing, he was a descendant of Pluto, so when he wanted, he could be quiet and hide in dark places easily. His uncle Nico must have taught him how.

For another, he didn't loudly drown out his sorrows in ice cream; he brooded.

Espie finally found him in the crow's nest—Hazel had suggested trying there, since Nico spent his brooding time there after Rome.

Sammy Leo was sitting with his elbows resting on his knees. His head was bowed, his face covered by his mini afro. Espie couldn't hear crying or see sobs racking his muscular form. He was breathing deeply.

Why is it all the muscular guys gotta go for that 'broody' cliché? Espie shook her head and plopped her butt down next to the legacy of Mars.

Sammy lifted his head slightly. Espie saw one golden eye peek at her for a moment, then bury itself back in his hair.

"Hey," she tried.

"Hi." Sammy's voice was more of a groan.

Espie placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not mad at you. You two just surprised me, that's all. Don't beat yourself up over it."

Sammy shrugged. "It still kinda hurt your feelings…"

"Mark's the one who asked. You just stood there looking like a goldfish!"

Sammy hummed in amusement.

Espie smiled. "Okay," she started. "Here's the deal; I would like to know why you like me. What about me has you so infatuated?"

Sammy looked up at her. Espie frowned. His eyes were red and puffy, tear tracks obviously stained on his cheeks.

So much for just brooding, she thought.

Sammy arched an eyebrow. "What makes you ask?"

"I obviously need to decide between the two of you, so I'm asking you individually. I've already talked with Mark."

"And?" Sammy Leo looked hopeful.

She frowned. "Not your business. So, your turn. Talk."

Sammy's cheeks darkened in what Espie assumed was a blush. "Okay," he whispered. "I…I know we're pretty much best friends. I mean, we've grown up together. When we were kids, you knew how to make me feel better. How to comfort me."

Going in the same direction as Mark, she thought worriedly.

"But then," he continued, "I had to go to the Wolf House and be a Roman. When I left, I felt like there was a hole in my heart. I didn't know why I felt so empty. Then I got CHB Leave for the first time. I saw you and…fell apart. You're so beautiful and smart. You're powerful, sure, but that's not what makes me love you. Your sense of humor, the way you laugh, how you're always there to comfort people first. Everything about you…is what I love."

Espie couldn't speak. Sammy's golden eyes were so intense, they might as well have shot a laser through her heart.

"You've like me for that long?" she managed. "How come you never said anything?"

Sammy scratched his neck in embarrassment. "Um…well…every time I get up the courage, I sorta freak myself out or you distract me and I…choke."

Espie remembered how, a few weeks back, Sammy had come up to her, stared at her for five minutes, spouted out some random crud about Hermes's sacred turtle, and ran off. That's what he wanted? That's what that was about?

"I make you choke?" she asked.

Sammy nodded. "Yes. In a good way. I love you so much, Espie…You have no idea how much it hurts when I have to say good-bye when CHB Leave is over."

It hurts him?

Espie looked down at her shoes. "I…I'm not that important."

Sammy gripped her shoulders. "I meant every word I've said. Esperanza Valdez, you are more important to me than air. If I could, I'd give up my Mars gift just so we could be together."

Espie blushed. "O-Okay," she squeaked, still not meeting his eyes. "I think that's enough. I…I need to think. Excuse me."

She somehow managed not to trip down the rope ladder. Her head was spinning. Sammy Leo had just offered her one of the most cliché lines, and it hit her hard.

Espie rushed back down to her room and slammed her door. She heard a knock about five minutes later.

Leo poked his head in. "Hey, mija," he tried softly. "How'd it go with the boys?"

Espie waved him off. "Go away, Papi," she said sternly. "I need to think."

"I'm right outside if you need me."

He shut the door. Espie heard a soft thump, which meant she now had a 37-year-old guard dog sitting outside her room.

"Focus, Espie," she told herself. "Now, let's get to the bottom of this. You know who likes you more: Sammy. He's been like that the longest. Who has better potential? Mark, probably. He's an Aphrodite kid; he knows how this stuff works. He'd probably last longer…"

She ran down a personal list of pros and cons for each boy. Which one would be better for her in the end?

Finally, after a few hours of mulling it over with herself, she felt ready. She knew which boy she liked.

She knew her choice.


A/N: SUSPENSE!

But I bet most of you will know ;3