The moment you've all been waiting for since chapter ten, guys! THE BIG REVEAL!

Who's ship will sail?

Let's find out!

I own nothing you recognize as canon.


XXX

ESPERANZA

Espie waited on the deck for her two suitors to arrive. She had ordered everyone else to go away.

And of course, everyone else's version of 'go away' meant 'find a hiding place to watch what happens'. Espie was tempted to shoot fireballs at Hazel and Jason up in the crow's nest. Leo was nonchalantly working on something at the control center, one ear inconspicuously turned toward her. Frank was a parrot perched nearby on Icarus. Percy and Annabeth were ducked behind two barrels—in their defense, Espie wouldn't have seen them if she hadn't been looking; She had spotted them last. Bobby and Lacy were standing behind the door to the stairs.

The only person—besides Mark and Sammy—who wasn't present was Tulio, who was still sound asleep in the engine room.

But Icarus is probably gonna tell him anyway, she thought, sighing. What is this, the royal wedding? This is not their business!

Finally, Mark and Sammy appeared. Both of them looked extremely flustered. They kept glancing at each other like one would bite the other's head off.

When they got to her, Espie nodded. "Okay, guys. You both know why you're here."

Mark was sweating. "Um…Espie, I just wanna say I'm so sorry for before."

Espie smiled at him. "I know. You said that, and it's all in the past. Right now, it's time I told you who I choose."

She looked at Sammy Leo. "Sammy," she began. "I know you've loved me longer. I admit that a lot of times I look at you, my heart does a flip, too. You're a great leader, and my oldest friend. You're clever, funny, modest…I like you a lot—from your golden eyes, to your bouncy hair, to your huge feet. I like you Sammy."

Sammy smiled, his eyes hopeful. Then he frowned and looked at his shoes. "Huge feet?"

Espie giggled and turned to Mark. "Mark, you understand the aspect of love better than anyone currently on this ship, thanks to your mother and grandmother. You're extremely handsome for your age and I'm sure you'll grow into a very beautiful man, whether you like it or not. You're cute when you act all dramatic, sweet and sensitive, and have a wonderful sense of humor. I like you, too, Mark. From your scruffy hair to your insecurities."

She faced both of them again. "But I can only have one of you."

"Mark," she said. The legacy of Jupiter's blue eyes glowed with hope. A smile was threatening to break loose.

Espie held his hand, her eyes sad. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "But you're just not the right one for me."

The smile vanished and his eyes showed hurt. He looked down, devastated.

Espie hugged him tightly. "Please don't be upset. You're a great guy. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right lady for you, easy."

Mark hugged her back. Espie felt a tear drip onto her shoulder. "I'm okay," he muttered. "You and Sammy deserve to be together. I saw it before the quest started. I still see it now. I'll be fine."

Espie gripped him tighter just a little longer, then let go.

Mark's smile made her happy. He was truly accepting this.

Espie faced Sammy Leo, who looked stunned.

"Me?" he stammered. "You're choosing me over him?"

Espie nodded, taking out Piper's key, which was still spinning slowly, never stopping. "Yes. I am."

She took Sammy's hand and pulled him closer. His eyes went wide as Espie closed the gap between them with a warm kiss.

Sparks flew out of Espie's hair. Sammy smelled like heated metal, a smell she'd loved ever since her Papi brought her and Tulio into his forge. Espie never wanted to break away.

It's always been Sammy, she heard someone in her head say. Maybe it was her inner voice, or maybe it was Aphrodite herself. Who knew for sure?

The key flew out of Espie's hand and shot into the air. It hovered ten feet off the ground, pointing directly down.

Sammy and Espie stopped kissing to look at where the key was pointing.

A beam of light began shining on the ground. It got brighter and brighter. Espie shut her eyes, almost blinded by the white light.

Darkness resumed behind her eyelids. A soft plink resounded.

When she figured it was safe, Espie opened her eyes.

Piper Grace was lying on the deck, in pure white chains, next to her fallen key. She looked like she was sleeping soundly.

Espie picked up the white hot key and handed it to Sammy. She smiled. "I believe it's your turn."

Sammy grinned and took the key. He unlocked Piper, stepping back as her chains disappeared.

Piper shifted and groaned. Her kaleidoscope eyes opened slowly. "Huh? What…where am I?"

Jason flew down from the crow's nest. Mark pushed past Espie to crouch next to his mother. Piper looked at them both with wide eyes.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Jason and Mark laughed and hugged the weak daughter of Aphrodite, who was bewildered beyond reason.

Espie felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw her father standing there, a sad smile on his face.

She side-hugged him. "Mom's next," she promised.

Leo smiled. "Finally. And, by the way, Sammy was the one I was rooting for."

He looked over at parrot-Frank. "Still not gonna accept me into the family, Frank?" he called.

Frank shifted into human form and scowled. "Maybe Tulio, Esperanza, Calypso, Zac, and Aria. But not you."

Leo clutched his chest in mock-pain. "That hurts!"

Espie smiled as Leo went over to the son of Mars to start an argument. Sammy walked back towards her.

"So," he drawled.

"So?" she repeated.

He coughed. "Um…I know we just had a big moment back there, but…let me at least make this official."

"Okay?"

Sammy Leo took her hand and looked at her with soft golden eyes. "Esperanza Valdez…will you be my girlfriend?"

Espie giggled and blushed. "Of course, stupid."

They kissed again. More sparks flew inside Espie's head. She knew her curls had ignited now. Did she care? Nope.

"So all that's left is Calypso's key," Jason finished. Apparently he had been explaining the situation to Piper, who looked a little better now that she'd had a snack—courtesy of Percy, who was willing to share one of his snacks from the Hoover Dam.

Piper nodded. "Okay, so it should be…" she started patting her pockets. Her eyebrows furrowed. "I should have it, right? That's how it goes?"

Annabeth, who had also joined the Graces at Piper's side (along with Lacy and Bobby), nodded. "It's how it's always been. I'm sure it's there somewhere."

Piper checked and rechecked her pockets. She looked up in alarm. "I don't have any key. All of my pockets are empty!"

"Argh!"

Espie's neck hair stood on end. She looked over at Frank and Leo, who had been joined by Hazel. Leo was on his knees, breathing heavily. One of his hands was clawing at his chest. His face was contorted in pain.

Leo groaned in agony.

Espie ran over to his side. "Papi, what's wrong?"

Leo looked at her with dark eyes. "Your mother," he whimpered. "My connection to her…it hurts…"

His body lurched and he yelped in pain. Frank and Hazel tried to steady him back to his feet, but Leo collapsed.

Espie exchanged a glance with Sammy Leo.

"We need to find my mother!" she exclaimed.


A/N: SASPIE is the ship! And it is sailing!

I've wanted those two together since before the story started. Originally, it was going to be a four-way: Sammy, Mark AND Bobby go after Espie. But I cut Bobby out since he's the youngest and JUST became a teen.

More suspense, though! D: Short-lived happiness for Saspie...