***This chapter was, for some reason, a colossal pain in the podex to write, but after some intense editing, I think it turned out okay. Hope you guys enjoy it. Thanks again for all the fabulous reviews, they make my day! Next chapter is from Percy's POV and yes, there's some Percabeth stuff. Chapter 38 will be up by Thursday, July 10.***

XXXVII. FRANK

Frank was having problems. Take down a giant or a primordial goddess? No problem. Dance with his girlfriend without stepping on her toes? Much harder. He was grateful when Hazel suggested that they take a walk.

Wandering around Olympus holding Hazel's hand reminded Frank of walking around New Rome with her after they'd defeated Polybotes and his army. He'd been thrilled when Jason suggested that the gods grant Hazel a reprieve; his only regret was that he hadn't immediately thought of it himself.

Hazel seemed to be thinking along these same lines, because she said abruptly, "We should have asked about your firewood."

"What?"

"Your firewood." Hazel's golden eyes were dark with thought as she stopped walking and turned to look at Frank. "We should have asked the gods for a reprieve on that, too. I should have thought of it. I'm sorry."

"Oh." The thought had never actually crossed Frank's mind, which maybe was a bit ridiculous, but it had been a long day. It never occurred to him that the gods could get rid of his fatal weakness as a favor. "Nah, it's okay."

"It's not," Hazel insisted. "You guys agreed to save me, but we should have helped you, too."

"I don't think it works that way," Frank said gently. "My lifeline is my weakness, yeah, but it's also part of who I am. I don't think it can go away."

"But it's not fair."

"No, it's not," Frank agreed. "But that's okay, too. Look," he said, before she could argue again, "maybe my life will be short. But I'm done being afraid. I'm just going to enjoy whatever time I have. That's all we can do, isn't it?"

"Spoken like a true warrior, kid."

Frank jumped. He hadn't realized anyone else was around. But there was the war god, Mars, leaning against a pillar.

"Father," Frank said stiffly.

Mars grinned. "Still not happy to see me? That's alright. You did me proud on the battlefield today, Frank. You put your duty before everything else, even your own life. Just like your mother."

Grief hit Frank like an unexpected punch to the chest. His throat was so tight, he couldn't have answered even if he'd wanted to, so he just nodded.

"It never gets easier," Mars said softly, "but time will give the pain a little distance."

"What do you want?" Frank croaked.

The war god raised an eyebrow. "Just having a talk with my son. That a problem?"

"It's unusual," Hazel said. "The gods spend most of their time ignoring their children."

For a moment, Frank was terrified his father was going to incinerate his girlfriend. But after a few seconds of silence, Mars grinned again. "I like this one," he told Frank. "She's a fighter."

Hazel's eyes flashed. "Yeah, I am."

Mars chuckled. "No need to break out the sword, girl. I just came to give my kid some advice, but it sounds like he already knows it."

"And what's that?" Frank asked.

"Like I told you before, life is only precious because it ends, kid. So enjoy the time you've got."

"This coming from an immortal god of war?" Frank said.

"Exactly. So I know what I'm talking about. One day, Frank, that stick will burn. But until then," Mars slapped Frank on the back, "keep up the good work."

The war god disappeared in a column of flame, which Frank thought was a bit rude considering what they had just been discussing, but whatever.

Before they could discuss what Mars had said, Percy ran up to them. "Hey, guys."

"Hi." Hazel smiled. "Where's Annabeth?"

Percy raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. "That's it? No 'good to see you, guy we traveled to Alaska and hid under a blue giant's butt with?' Just 'hey, where's your much cooler girlfriend?' Geez, I feel loved."

"You are," Hazel reassured him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "But we also like your much cooler girlfriend."

Frank snorted a laugh. Percy grinned and said, "Yeah, me too. But she's talking to her mother right now. And since Athena's not exactly my biggest fan, I figured I'd better leave before she found an excuse to blast me."

"Athena still doesn't like you?" Frank asked. "Even after what you did for Annabeth in, you know, Rome?"
Percy shrugged, like falling into Tartarus for his girlfriend was no big deal. "She would've done the same for me. Anyway, how are you guys doing?"

Hazel squeezed Frank's hand. Her smile made him feel warm all over. "We're good. I'm looking forward to going back to New Rome, though."

"Yeah." Frank felt butterflies in his stomach. "Hard to believe I'm going back as a praetor."

"You'll be amazing," Hazel said.

"Definitely," Percy agreed, clapping Frank's shoulder. "But you guys are staying around Camp Half-Blood for a few days, right?"

Frank nodded. "Yeah, it'll take a little time to get the legion organized. Plus, we need to figure out how things are going to go between the two camps. I just hope everything goes smoothly."

"It should, now that you've put Octavian in line," Percy said, grinning.

"What are you going to do?" Hazel asked Percy.

"Stay in New York, for now. I still have two years of high school to finish. After that, we'll see. But I'm definitely coming to visit Camp Jupiter. The three of us need to team up for the war games again. I'm still part of the Fifth Cohort, right?"

"Absolutely," Frank said. "And I agree; we need a repeat victory."

"Ah yes, quite an impressive victory last time," a new voice said. "I especially liked the trick with the water cannons."

The man walking up to them had dark hair, sea green eyes, and was wearing a Tommy Bahama shirt.

"Hey, Dad," Percy said cautiously.

"Hello, Perseus." Poseidon nodded to Frank and Hazel. "I wanted to thank you both for delivering my message. And congratulations. You all did admirably in the final battle."

"Thank you, sir," Hazel said.

"Uh, yeah, thanks," Frank echoed.

"Now, I hate to interrupt," Poseidon continued, "but, Perseus, I was hoping I could speak with you for a few minutes."

"Sure," Percy said. "I'll catch up with you guys later. You'll be at the bonfire tonight, right? The s'mores are awesome."

"We'll be there," Hazel promised. She gave Percy a hug, Frank shook his hand, then the two of them continued down the street, leaving the son of the sea god with his father.

Music was still playing, partygoers were laughing and talking, and the smells coming from the myriad buffet tables were making Frank's mouth water. Olympus was pretty amazing, but a part of Frank's mind was three thousand miles away, on the other side of the country.

"So, what's the first thing you want to do when we get back to Camp Jupiter?" Frank asked Hazel.

She considered for a moment. "Honestly, I'd like to visit Hannibal and maybe the unicorn stables. Then, I want one of the chocolate chip muffins from that coffee shop near the Principia."

"Those are the best," Frank said.

"Do you want to join me?" Hazel asked, almost shyly.

Frank squeezed her hand. "It's a date."

Hazel beamed. "Good." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, which pretty much made Frank's day perfect.

As they started walking again, Frank felt hopeful. The war was over, he, Hazel, and their friends had all survived, and they were going home to Camp Jupiter. One day, he knew, his piece of firewood would burn. But until that happened, Frank decided, he was going to focus on living his life.

***Quick note: I have absolutely no idea how Rick Riordan is going to resolve the Frank/lifeline business. Obviously, from this story, I'm hoping Frank survives and he and Hazel will be happy. But I guess we'll just have to wait and find out on October 7—which, as of today, July 7, is exactly 3 months away! So close and yet so far.***