Hey guys! So, I know I'm not sticking to my schedule... but at least I'm not updating late, right? Anyway, I thought that it would be great if I could finish this story before the House of Hades came out, because only Mr. Rick knows whats happening in that book. And I don't know what I would do if everything changed... you know? So yeah. Expect a lot of chapters coming very soon.

Review Replies:

Purpleflower362: Moohwahwahwa! You will never know! Jk, enjoy this chapter. I hope it's just as much of a page scroller as the last one.

Luna082: I totally understand what you are saying. Maybe I'll do another fic of them when they are older.

Chapter Seven

Reyna just didn't understand why people thought this was her fault. It wasn't like she programmed her dogs to purposely attack Leo and give him a concussion. Although Reyna would never say it out loud, she did nothing half way. If she wanted to kill Leo Valdez, she would have done so already. Without any proof that she was the one who did it.

Plus, she didn't hate the Greeks, contrary to popular belief. She liked Percy well enough, and was amiable to Annabeth. She actually respected Piper and so many other Greeks that had come to stay in New Rome. The only Romans that didn't like the Greeks were Octavian and a few nervous followers.

Still, rumors spread like wildfires. Remember, they all said, when Leo was possessed by the eidolon? He attacked camp! And Reyna was furious! What about the time, they gossiped, Leo accidentally jumped on her in the arena? No wonder she hates his guts.

Reyna didn't hate Leo's guts. She was actually very indifferent to them. His guts, that is. No one knew, it seemed, about their little apology session at her house. No one knew that Reyna had already put those matters behind her.

It didn't seem to matter. Just an hour after Leo was taken to the hospital, she began to receive dirty looks from people. As Praetor, it was her job to do what was best for her people. However, the job of Praetor came with an unspoken rule: People must like you.

So, Reyna decided, probably putting about five minutes of thought into the decision, that she would do everything in her power to help Leo. Maybe, if people saw how nice she was being, the bad propaganda would vanish.

Maybe.

…

Leo's head hurt. A lot. He really felt like someone had switched his brain and his heart, his head thudded constantly. He was so groggy and at the same time, so much in pain. All he wanted to do was…

What was that? That voice? Leo strained his ears and heard a deep male voice saying, "He's in critical condition. Not only does he have a severe concussion, but he also broke several ribs, dislocated his shoulder and sprained his wrist."

"I don't care what happened to him," A slightly more feminine voice snapped, "I just want to know if he will be okay!"

"I can't promise anything, but if the Gods wish it, he will live." The deep voice responded.

"Si di illud… That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Do you know how many people are waiting in the waiting room for him outside? Almost the entire camp!"

"As I said before, I will do what I can. All we can do now is give him ambrosia and let him rest."

"Fine!" The voice snapped. "Fine." She repeated more dejectedly, "I'll leave now, but I will be back tomorrow morning. I expect a detailed report."

"Of course Praetor."

Praetor? Reyna was there? Leo attempted to sit up, but his body didn't respond.

Reyna! He tried to call out, but no voice came to him.

"Did you hear that?" Reyna asked, the frown of disbelieve evident in her voice.

"No, I didn't hear anything." The deep voice, probably the doctor, said, concern seeping in.

"Oh. Never mind." She said quietly. All Leo remembered was the sound of her rapid footsteps becoming quieter before he fell back into unconsciousness.

…

"Look at him; he looks so cute when he's unconscious!"

"Piper, really?"

"Sorry Jason, I was trying to lighten the mood. Everyone's depressed and… and..."

"Yeah, I know."

"Especially Reyna, everyone thinks it's her fault." There was a pause. "I don't think it's her fault. Not really. She's been here three hours a day, every day since the accident. I really think she cares. You know?"

"The Vulcan kids did say that her dogs really had malfunctioned. She must have skipped a tune up."

"She's a busy person. It probably slipped her mind."

"Yeah, but look at the cost. I lost my best friend."

"Jason! You haven't lost him yet!"

"I don't know what I would do if—"

"Jason, he's my best friend too! And you know what he would say if he saw you in this state? He would say that you're acting un-Roman. He would tell you to man up until the real man, Leo Valdez, King of Microwaves, came back."

Jason chuckled sadly, "You're right."

"I always am."

…

"Reyna?" Reyna frowned and nestled deeper into the couch. "Reyna!" The voice was hoarse and weak, but slightly cheeky at the same time. "Don't tell me you've been here all night."

"Go away." Reyna mumbled, pulling her dark purple sweater tighter around her.

"I would, but I'm attached to these wiry things. I think it's going into—is that my blood? That's nasty."

"Leo Valdez, I swear, let me sleep or so help me—" Reyna stopped mid shout and opened her eyes. Leo Valdez? She found the Latino boy attempting to sit up in his bed. Rubbing her eyes, she stood up quickly and walked over to Leo. She held his forearm and helped him sit up, propping some pillows behind him. When she finished, she looked over to see Leo grinning at her.

"So, should I know why the Praetor of New Rome is asleep in my room?" He waggled his eyebrows.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." Reyna replied, matter-of-factly. It wasn't like his other friends hadn't slept on the uncomfortable chair placed awkwardly in the hospital room. It was perfectly normal for her to sleep there. As Praetor, she should care about the people who landed in the infirmary. It was part of the job description. Or, so she told everyone around her.

Leo laughed, "Why wouldn't the great Leo Valdez be okay?" attempting to flex his arm muscles. As soon as he lifted his hand up, a jolt of dizziness swept through him, and he leaned back into his pillow.

"Well," Reyna began, "the great Leo Valdez has been unconscious for almost two weeks."

"What?" Leo sputtered, "I was out for two-freaking-weeks?"

"Yes. Two-freaking-weeks." Reyna replied seriously. "Everyone thought you wouldn't make it." When she saw Leo's confused look, "you weren't recovering at all, you hadn't woken up… your best friends almost gave up on you. It wasn't looking too good for you."

Leo suddenly looked less cheerful and looked toward the beeping machines. He knew what it felt like to lose somebody. Imagine what his friends had gone through...

Reyna watched Leo's gaze shift and a sullen look settled upon his face. "Leo, it doesn't matter. You're better now, I'll go call the Doctor." Reyna turned toward the door and glanced at her watch: 2.57 am. With her luck, no one would be awake. Luckily for her, she didn't have to find out.

"Reyna. Stop." She looked back at Leo, who was obviously deep in thought. "Don't tell anyone until morning. I… I want to think."

"About what Valdez?" Reyna said, impatiently.

"About how beautiful you look when you're asleep." He replied cheekily. After a quick glare from Reyna, Leo sighed. "I just want to rest a bit more. If we call the doctor, everyone will know I'm awake and I won't be able to sleep."

"Really Leo? You've had thirteen days of sleep."

"Yeah, so three more hours won't hurt." Leo's eyes widened and Reyna's heart [despite her best efforts] dropped a little. She sighed and sat back down on the chair.

"Fine, but if anyone gets mad at me, it's totally your fault." Reyna pointed out. All she heard in reply was: "I can't believe it...Two-freaking-weeks."