:O

Leo opened his eyes groggily, met with the light of a clinical room that smelt too 'hospital' for his liking. His stomach and his head hurt like hell. He moved his arm feebly to shield his eyes, but the lights dimmed and didn't hurt his eyes as much.

Lowering his arm, he looked round, recognising a pair of glittering sea green eyes staring at him from the semi semi-darkness.

"Hi." He smiled weakly. "Are you OK?" She nodded, sitting next to him. "What'd I do this time then?" She smiled.

"Got stabbed." Leo's heart nearly stopped.

"I knew it. I'm dead." He looked at her. "You talked." She nodded. "Bloody hell…" He tried to sit up, but pain flared in his stomach. She pushed on his shoulders, forcing him to lie down again. Leo complained and closed his eyes again.

A few seconds passed before he brightened and propped himself up on his elbows. "You owe me a kiss." She blinked at him before scowling and mouthing a curse. She snatched up a pen and notepad a doctor had left on the bedside table and scribbled something. She tore the paper off and shoved it in his hand:

I O U 1 kiss.

Leo grinned. "I like the way you've underlined the one." She didn't respond, folding her arms and hunching her shoulders as she sulked. Leo tucked an arm around her waist, laughing. "Aw, you love me really." She sighed.

"Git." Her voice was hoarse. Not having spoken in years, obviously it was going to be.

"You didn't deny."

"I'll kill you." Leo just smiled, rereading the paper again.

"Oh gods, I've just thought of something." She looked at him quizzically. "Everybody thinks you're mute, right?" She nodded slowly. "You could really freak people out then. Be the 'mysterious voice' saying creepy things in dark rooms or something." She checked his forehead. "Oy, I'm naturally this amazing. I'm not ill."

Leo had lots of visitors that day. Louisa didn't talk around them, falling silent again. Leo didn't say anything about her talking, even though he was bursting to. He kept the sheet of paper under his pillow.

"Trust you to get stabbed!" Jason grinned, ruffling Leo's hair.

"Why are you the only one enthusiastic about that?"

"Nico was. He laughed when he heard and then asked if you were going to be OK."

"I need words with that guy. Stern words."

"Leo, you don't do stern."

"I can try, shut up."

The girls were (obviously) tearful, but were relieved when they saw he was recovering. He got plenty of female attention then- lots of hugs. Louisa just rolled her eyes and left.

"Aw, she's jealous." Leo smirked.

"Don't say that around her." Annabeth smiled.

"She'll smack you one." Piper giggled.

"But… I'm injured."

"Lou won't care." Hazel told him, smiling.

"Oh, charming." Annabeth shrugged.

"That's Lou for you." She said. "Strange person."

"Can't blame her really though, can you?" Reyna looked at the women. They nodded in agreement. Silence reigned for a few seconds before Leo broke it asking where baby Tobias was.

"Ugh, he was early and the doctors decided he needed to be here to, uh, be pumped with steroids or something to make him stronger." Annabeth pulled a face while Percy frowned. "We're not allowed to see him." She sighed miserably.

"I can cause a distraction if you want to sneak in and see him." Leo offered. Annabeth smiled weakly.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks." Leo nodded.

"Why won't they let you see him?" Frank asked.

"He's 'fragile'." Percy marked out air quotations. "Fragile my ass." He muttered.

Louisa walked in at the moment, hearing her brother say 'my ass'. She looked at him strangely. "What?" Percy frowned. Louisa's expression didn't change and Percy started laughing nervously. "What?"

"She just thinks you're weird."

"You know it's true, Percy. There's no denying it."

"Shut up, Jason."

"Make me."

"Will."

"Boys, I'm sure you'll both be very good at killing each other," (I know, had to add it in!), "but Leo doesn't want to see you cat-fighting." Piper smiled.

"Oh no, please. I want to get it on video." Jason and Percy glared at him. Leo gave an angelic smile, but was distracted. "Oy, where's my coffee?" Louisa smirked, raised the takeaway cup in a mock toast before drinking pointedly. "Damn you." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Lou, go and get him a coffee." Annabeth demanded. Louisa shook her head. "Now." Louisa refused, pulling a wad of paper from her pocket. She handed it to Annabeth. "What's that?" Louisa shook the papers pointedly. Annabeth took them warily. "Oh my gods… how did you get these?" It was Tobias's medical papers. Louisa gave a knowing smirk, pulled up a chair and sat down.

Annabeth and Percy stood to the side, going through the papers. Neither of them seemed too happy with what some of it read, but they didn't share with the group.

Hours later, Louisa was the only one left. She refused point blank to leave, annoying the doctors. Security wouldn't lay a finger on her, considering she was a high ranking legion and female.

With everybody gone, Leo tried to get Louisa to talk more. She didn't answer most of his questions, eventually threatening to duct-tape his mouth shut if he didn't shut up now.

"You are violent."

"Well done, genius." She said sarcastically.

"How about that kiss then?" She rolled her eyes, not replying. "Oh, Lou, please. I'll stop nagging."

"Ya won't."

"Will. Promise."

"Bull." She told him. Leo smiled.

"It's better when you talk." She just nodded. "You could just get that kiss out of the way now." He tilted his head to the side, smiling innocently. "Unless you're worried you would want another afterwards."

"D'ya not have an off-switch or somethin'?"

"Nope."

"Dammit…" Leo chuckled.

They sat in silence for a short while. Leo found he was happy just watching her. Different emotions played through her eyes as thoughts swirled around her mind. Some emotions looked worrying, but Leo didn't dare ask anything. He was in enough pain already.

"Lou?"

"Mm?"

"Why did you stop talking?" She looked at him and he saw pain exploding in her eyes. "I mean, I know what happened… that day. But Annabeth said it was like somebody had thrown a switch and your voice just stopped." Annabeth had also told him that Louisa had psychiatrist visits four times a week for two years, but it hadn't helped. Louisa's mind had shut out words and talking with anyone as it was a form of sharing feelings and ideas. Louisa hadn't shared anything with anyone other than Jessica. By falling silent, Louisa didn't have to say anything to anyone, but it was also a sign of trust issues.

Louisa still hadn't answered his question. He doubted she ever would.

That's when the door opened.

Louisa jumped to her feet immediately, standing to attention and saluting.

Leo didn't register what was happening straight away, but he took in the visitor's uniform and noticed the high ranking symbol. This was probably the General. He was in charge of the entire Legions formation; keeping it running, funded and organizing teaching lessons to new recruits. He played a very important role in the District's security and was high up in the Government to increase the Legions' potential and performance.

"Stand down, Smith." Louisa stood at ease.

Leo also knew the General didn't talk to normal civilians unless it was something drastically important and potentially life-saving/ changing.

Something didn't sit right with him…

So- Leo's alive, Lou's talked and we have a new character (who will be a very minor character).

Let's see what you guys come up with- what will happen next? :)