A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter, but be warned: I wrote it whilst depressed and listening to sad music. It may contain Leo feels.

Home

Leo stood on the threshold of Camp Half-Blood. It was the first time he'd been back in a year and he wanted to see how much camp had changed. He wished he had more time but he had to leave soon otherwise... Well, he didn't really want to think about the consequences. He shook himself. Enough time wasting; he had only three hours left. With a deep breath he stepped over the boundary.

Camp was much the same as it had been a year and a half ago when he'd first arrived. The sun beat down, the scent of strawberries wafted across the meadows, and the campers moved about everywhere. There were duels in the sword fighting arena, people scaling the climbing wall, mooching around in their cabins to cool off. Far more cabins had been built since Leo had last been there and far more campers had arrived too. He hoped the gods were still claiming their children. Leo remembered vividly when he found out he was the son of Hephaestus and being introduced to his cabin mates and getting that awesome bed. He wondered who had that now. Only someone worthy should sleep where the great Leo Valdez had once slept. He glanced at his watch and realised that he'd been stupid enough to stand around gawking for over half an hour. The only reason he had so little time was because he'd spent the majority of the day with Calypso. Now he wished he hadn't.

It was just like old times. Leo had found Jason and Piper and they had walked round together. He explained what had happened in the past year with him and why he couldn't stay. They had looked sad but had accepted it and not asked any questions, which Leo was grateful for. Instead they'd spoken about their year. How Percy and Annabeth had gone to college in New Rome, but were expected back soon. How Hazel was now the head of Fifth Cohort at Camp Jupiter and Frank was an excellent Praetor. How Jason had been working on shrines for the minor gods at both camps and how Piper had been excelling at helping out in camp.

They walked and talked and laughed and it was like the war had never happened. Like none of them had been left with invisible yet irreparable scars. They whiled away the time quickly, which Leo was all too aware of. When he had just one hour left he asked his friends if he could just go to a couple of places. They readily agreed, so he walked off, knowing that they knew better than to follow.

The first place Leo went was Cabin Nine. Inside, everything was just as he remembered it. Cogs and gears and wires were strewn everywhere and unfinished automatons were sitting on desks and the floor and beds. It felt like home.

It was Jake Mason, the now head councillor, who first spotted Leo. One by one, everyone else noticed him and the room fell silent. Leo glanced around nervously.

"'Sup, guys?" He asked.

Then the whole cabin positively shook with noise.

"Leo! Where've you been, man?"

"We've been waiting for you, you lazy idiot!"

"Your bunk's all ready for you."

"Whoa, guys," Leo held up his hands for silence. "I'm not staying. In fact, I've come to say goodbye."

In the next ten minutes Leo explained everything. Everyone looked completely crestfallen and Leo hated to leave. These people were his family. How could be be expected to say goodbye in just fifteen minutes?

All too soon, Leo had to go. Just as he was about to step out the door, he felt a tug at his sleeve. It was one of the new campers.

"Are you Leo Valdez?" The kid's voice was filled with awe.

Leo smiled sadly at him. "That's me, kiddo. Take care of yourself."

The final place he went was Bunker Nine. He remembered all that building of the Argo II that had gone on in here. He smiled as he caught sight of the banner that read:

All DA LADIES LUV LEO

Glancing at his watch he saw he had just 20 minutes left. Time to get to work.

He built furiously, knowing that this would be the last time he'd ever build in here. He built until Nico di Angelo cleared his throat at the door.

"Five minutes."

Leo nodded and Jason and Piper walked in. Piper tackled Leo into a hug and started crying. Jason stood behind her, patting her on the back.

"I'm sorry I can't stay guys. You know how it is. I'm lucky to have been given this one day. And we'll see each other again. I know it. It better not be too soon though," he joked.

"Take care of yourself," Jason told him.

"'Course I will. You know me: living life on the safe side."

Piper stifled a laugh. "We'll miss you, Leo."

"Me too. Before I go, there's some stuff at the back for you all. You'll know which one's which."

Before he could start bawling, Leo took one last look at the banner, now reading:

LEO VALDEZ, OVER AND OUT

and walked away.

He stood on the boundary of camp once more. He watched the campers go about the daily business for the last time. He breathed in deeply and sighed.

Elysium was good, but it just wasn't home.

A/N: I did warn you. Please read and review and tell me what you think. Cheers!