***Hi all! Thanks again to everyone who reviewed! Here is Chapter 36, featuring Leo—I hope you enjoy it! Hard to believe there are only four chapters left—Frank, Percy, Piper, and Annabeth. Chapter 37, which features Frank's POV, will be up by Monday, July 7. Have a great rest of the week and weekend, everyone, and to all my fellow Americans, hope you have a happy and fun Fourth of July weekend!***

XXXVI. LEO

Leo didn't exactly want to wake the wrath of the gods, especially not right now when they all seemed so chill, but he'd made a promise and he intended to keep it.

"Calypso," he said. "You were supposed to free her."

A few of the gods, including his own dad, Hephaestus, shifted uncomfortably.

Juno sniffed. "Well, it's not like we can just go around freeing our enemies. How would that look?"

"It was part of our agreement after the Titan War," Percy said. "You swore on the River Styx."

"The boy has a point," Athena said. She pursed her lips as she looked from Percy to Jupiter. "It is not always wise to allow one's enemies to roam freely, but Calypso poses no threat. And it is definitely unwise to break an oath made upon the River Styx. Isn't that right, Uncle?" She turned to Pluto.

"Very true. I recommend we honor an agreement made on the Styx," Pluto said smoothly. "When those oaths are broken, we end up with problems like these." He gestured to Thalia, Jason, and Percy.

"Hey!" Thalia and Percy both said.

"Hades makes a good point," Poseidon said.

"Gee, thanks, Dad," Percy muttered.

The sea god winced. "I didn't mean—oh, never mind. The point is, we should honor our word and free Calypso."

Jupiter looked around at the assembled gods. "Does the council agree?"

Most of the gods and goddesses nodded, though Leo noticed that neither Juno nor Demeter did. He tried not to feel too annoyed by that.

"Then it's settled," Jupiter announced. "We will free the Titan's daughter from Ogygia, as we swore to do on the Styx."

Leo half-expected Calypso to immediately walk into the throne room. When she didn't he asked, "So, uh, when is this happening?"

Jupiter snorted. "It takes more than a few minutes to undo three thousand-year-old magic, boy."

Leo raised his eyebrows, but before he could respond, Hephaestus cut in. "Don't worry, Leo. I'll personally make sure the girl goes free."

Leo was surprised, but grateful. Out of all the Olympians, he trusted his dad the most. Which maybe wasn't saying much, but Hephaestus had helped him out in several situations. "Thanks, Dad."

Hephaestus nodded gruffly to him as he swatted out a stray ember in his beard.

"Good. Now that we've settled that issue," Jupiter rose to his feet and Leo was surprised to see a twinkle in the sky god's eyes, "I'd say it's time to celebrate!"

Leo had to admit, the Olympians knew how to party. It was like spring break combined with New Year's Eve in Times Square, with a little bit of a frat party thrown in. There were drinks, food, good music, and dancing. Honestly, Leo thought it was all a little over-the-top, but hey, everyone was celebrating their victory over Gaea, after all, so he figured he'd try and have a good time.

Leo got separated from his friends when some nature spirits whisked the seven of them off to get cleaned up and changed; they were all still covered in battle grime from Greece. He met back up with Jason a little while later over by the buffet table.

"Can you believe this party?" Jason asked.

"It's a pretty serious shindig," Leo agreed.

"Yeah." Jason frowned. "Don't you think it's a little too much?"

"Maybe," Leo admitted. "But, dude, we took down three giants and Gaea today and stopped a war between the camps. I think we've earned some party time. Plus, have you seen this food?"

Jason grinned. "Good point."

They loaded up their plates and sat down at a nearby table to eat. Leo hadn't realized just how hungry he was. Of course, he hadn't eaten since, what, last night? And he'd fought two battles since then. He dug in.

It took a surprisingly short amount of time to clean his plate. Around them, the party was getting into full swing. Across the garden, Leo saw Hazel and Frank dancing. Frank was bright red; it looked like he was apologizing, maybe for stepping on Hazel's foot or something. Leo shook his head, amazed that a guy who was so good in battle could be so uncoordinated everywhere else. Hazel just laughed, though, and gave Frank a kiss on the cheek.

"Nice one, by the way," Leo told Jason. "About the reward and Hazel."

"What?" Jason followed his gaze over to where their friends were dancing. "Oh, yeah. Well, it was the best choice. Besides, I didn't want to be immortal, did you?"

"Nah, I'm good," Leo willed flames to dance along his fingertips. "But I think I would've made a pretty hot god."

Jason shook his head. "Dude."

At that moment, Zeus and Hephaestus walked up to their table. At least, Leo thought the sky god was in Zeus form; he looked a little more laid back than he had in the throne room.

"May we join you?" the lord of the sky asked.

Leo and Jason exchanged looks, then Jason gave the only acceptable answer. "Uh, sure."

The two gods sat down and Leo decided to chalk this moment up to one of the strangest he'd ever experienced; which was saying a lot, since he'd had a ton of weird experiences.

Zeus turned to Jason and said, "I'm sorry for what happened in the throne room."

Jason looked taken aback. Zeus continued, "After what happened last August, it's hard to admit we needed the help of our demigod children again. But I am proud of you, Jason, and of what you've accomplished."

Leo had never seen his friend look so stunned. For a moment, Jason just sat there, staring at his dad. Then, he swallowed hard and said, "Thanks, Dad."

Zeus nodded. "You're welcome."

Hephaestus leaned back in his chair, stretching out his braced leg. "That was quite the ship you built, Leo. Very impressive piece of workmanship, if I do say so myself." He fixed Leo with a beady stare, though there was also a hint of pride in his eyes. "Your mother would have been proud."

It was Leo's turn to swallow the sudden lump in his throat. He hated to admit it, but the praise from his father meant more than he'd expected. "Yeah, well, it's all about choosing the right tool for the job."

Hephaestus nodded. "That's the truth." He looked across the garden and grunted. "Looks like my wife's coming over. Time for me to go. Keep up the good work, boy." Hephaestus clapped Leo on the shoulder as he got to his feet.

Zeus, too, stood up. "Enjoy the party. You've earned it."

The two gods walked away, leaving Jason and Leo in stunned silence.

"Huh," Leo finally managed.

"Yep," Jason replied.

Before they could continue that discussion, Piper came up to their table. Her hair was braided with a white feather and she was wearing a turquoise dress similar to the one she'd worn when they battled Enceladus last winter on Mount Diablo.

"Wow," Jason told her, "you look great."

Piper wrinkled her nose as she sat down beside him. "Thanks. My mom picked it out. And forced me to wear it."

"Your mom has good taste," Jason said.

"That's so sweet of you to say." A gorgeous woman who could only be Aphrodite smiled at Jason as she walked up to their table.

"Hi, Mom," Piper said glumly.

"Oh, don't worry, Piper, I won't stay long." Aphrodite beamed at the three of them. "I just wanted to stop by and congratulate you kids."

"On defeating Gaea?" Jason asked.

"Oh, yes, well, that too." Aphrodite waved her hand as if taking down a primordial goddess was no big deal. "But mostly on your love stories. They've been so interesting to follow. I love twists and turns in a love story. But I also love happy endings." The goddess winked at Leo. "Which reminds me, I think someone's looking for you. Enjoy the party, my dears!" Aphrodite wiggled her fingers at them, then disappeared into the crowd.

Leo's heart was thumping. He blamed Aphrodite—she'd said someone was looking for him and he sincerely hoped it was the "someone" he was thinking of. He looked in the direction the goddess had gone just as a familiar girl walked into the garden.

Leo's vision tunneled. He forgot how to breathe. Calypso's hair was pulled back in a ponytail, with a few loose strands framing her face. She was dressed simply in jeans and a white t-shirt. Leo thought she had never looked more beautiful. Until she spotted him and her entire face lit up as she smiled.

Leo stood up and stared like a zombie as she walked towards him. "You're here," he said, which seemed stupidly obvious once the words left his mouth.

"I'm here," Calypso agreed. They looked at each other for a moment. When Leo didn't move, Calypso rolled her eyes, pulled him forward, and kissed him. Leo's brain was short-circuiting again, but he decided right then that this was pretty much the best party ever.

"So, you're free," Leo said when he could breathe again. "How's it feel?"

"Amazing." Calypso's dark eyes sparkled. "I can't quite believe it yet. Are these your friends?"

Leo had completely forgotten that Jason and Piper were still sitting there. "Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry, guys. Calypso, this is Jason and Piper. Guys, this is Calypso."

Jason waved. Piper smiled and said, "It's nice to finally meet you."

"You too," Calypso said as she and Leo sat down. "Leo told me about your adventures with Festus the dragon."

"Oh yeah, freezing to death, crashing, almost dying—good times," Leo said.

His friends laughed. Sitting here with Jason, Piper, and Calypso, Leo felt like he was on top of the world. Which, he guessed, he kind of was, being on top of Mount Olympus and all.

"So, you're a goddess, right?" Jason asked. Leo and Piper both gave him a look, like, Really?

Calypso hesitated. "I was. I mean, technically, I suppose I still am. It's hard to say, though, without the immortality."

"Wait, what?" Leo was sure he'd heard her wrong. "What do you mean 'without the immortality'?"
"I gave up immortality when I gave up Ogygia." She shrugged like it was no big deal. "My power was tied to the island. Without it, I'm mortal."

A wave of guilt rushed over Leo. "Calypso—geez, I'm sorry—I didn't—I mean, I didn't realize—"

She placed a hand over his mouth, effectively cutting him off. "It was my choice to leave, Leo. Besides, I would rather live one mortal life with a hero who loves me, than spend eternity falling in love with ones who always leave."

Leo processed her words on a delay. When he finally realized what she was saying, he squeaked, "Me?" Super smooth, Valdez, he thought.

Calypso smiled again and took his hand. "Yes, you, you idiot." The tiniest glimmer of doubt crossed her face. "If, you know, you want me."

"Definitely," Leo said hurriedly. "That—I like that plan."

His friends laughed. Leo's brain was still running a little slow, like it needed a tune-up, but he managed to ask, "What's so funny?"

Piper grinned. "Your expression right now is priceless."

Leo couldn't think how to answer that, so he just said, "Oh."

Calypso kissed his cheek. "So eloquent."

"Yeah, well, I'm better with my hands," Leo said.

Jason choked on his drink. Calypso raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

It took Leo a second, but when he realized what they were thinking, he felt heat rise in his cheeks. "That's not—I wasn't—aw, shut up."

Piper, Jason, and Calypso were all cracking up. Leo joined in. It felt good to just laugh with his friends, without the eminent threat of death hanging over them, at least for the moment.

Calypso grabbed his hand. "Come on, you dolt. Let's dance."

"Okay," Leo said. As she led him to the dance floor, Leo couldn't erase the ridiculous grin from his face.

A slow song came on. "Don't get the wrong idea, Valdez," Calypso said as they swayed back and forth. "I still hate you."

Leo grinned. "You love to hate me."

"Something like that." She kissed him again and Leo decided he really liked winning wars.