To Riordanlover16- Popadom is from Lou's past, he's in there somewhere. Basically, he's this dryad who kinda maybe went off the deep end and started dabbling dark magic. For whatever reason, Neptune tasked Lou with fighting him and then when she sassed him, he tied her to Popadom's tree so she would be its guardian. Popadom doesn't like this or his name (Lou was six when she named him and she calls him Popadom because he has a pompadour and got the word wrong :P) He has never revealed his real name (translation, I can't think of one :O ) and insists on making her life hell. He's fun XD

To all, some good news and some slightly better news! Good news, I got my rights back on Eyes of Violet (my own book, it's really good ;) ) Slightly better news, I will be re-releasing it AND THE SEQUEL some time next month! I will keep you all updated if you ever want to give me your wallets, hint hint, nudge nudge, much love :3

Leo made them tea. Maybe to delay being turned into the aforementioned flotsam, but also because he needed something sugary. Neptune raised an eyebrow as he heaped in spoonful after spoonful. Leo didn't comment on it and neither did the god.

"Sit," Neptune instructed. Leo sat, maybe a little too hard as his tea slopped over the edge. Neptune sipped his own. "I will not turn you into flotsam."

"Are you sure?"

"Or kelp."

"I appreciate that."

"Well," Neptune turned his cup in his hands, "there are few souls strong enough to withstand my daughter. I would hate to dispose of one into something so meaningless."

"Withstand?"

"Hm. Maybe not the correct word." He mused on it for a moment. "I'm sure you've noticed the difference between my twins? Each one represents the opposite sides of the sea." Leo nodded. Both twins were terrifying in their own right, yet he knew where the god was coming from. Percy was the calm side of the sea, the glittering beauty of a beach day, the soft lull of the tides, the deceptive enchantment before the tsunami hit. Louisa was the sea that wrenched boats on mountainous waves and bedecked the ocean floor with their wrecks, the torrent that swallowed land and life without a care, unapologetic and brutal from the get-go.

Neptune was examining his face. Leo remained still. He could see elements of the twins in the god, from the obvious like their hair and eyes and to the not so— the way Neptune's eyes crinkled at the corners in thought, that slight scrunch to his nose; the way his mouth set with a decision made and the way he tilted his head. He even sat like them, somehow upright and proper and at peace. He was a stern man comfortable with his tea.

Eventually, Neptune nodded. "I will not blast you, Leo Valdez. Not today."

"Thank you. Sir," he added quickly.

"Should you betray my daughter, on the other hand, hurt her in any way… I will view it as a slight upon my name as well as hers. You understand, don't you?"

"I do, sir."

"A smart lad."

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Ah." Neptune set down his cup, lacing his fingers. "Louisa is hurt. Anguished. She has not had an easy life. I do not know how much you know. Not just of recent events, but all her torment." Leo hesitated. He knew scraps. Things he had been told himself, things he had pieced together listening to others, things he had observed. It was not much in the grand scheme of things and Louisa remained an overall enigma. Nevertheless, here he was and here she was.

Neptune seemed to pick up on his thoughts. "Maybe she will tell you more, in time to come. It is for her to reveal her past, not me." Leo nodded in agreement. Neptune's expression darkened. "I wanted to tell you the truth, Leo Valdez. About… recent events. About my grandson."

"Bradley's OK, isn't he? You did that green magic thing."

"Louisa may not want to hear it, but he will be a monument to her. He is a legacy with every possibility of one of my own children. He will be powerful, like his mother. He will not be plagued by the darkness, you can be rest assured about that."

"Thank you."

"You signed the birth certificate."

"Why does everyone sound so surprised?" Leo muttered into his cup. Neptune's mouth twitched in what might have been a smile.

"You have taken on a child that is not yours."

"He is," Leo defied. "He is mine. Sir."

"He is now, by any means. Is that what you wanted?"

"Yes." Leo tried to hold his gaze, though wavered and settled for the god's forehead instead. Maybe it was a stupid thought, a long line of stupid thoughts, but Leo had wanted this from the first day he held Bradley. He had wanted a family of his own one day, his own kids, and then he had met Louisa. Or, at least, Jason's face had met Louisa's fist and Leo had fallen head over heels in love. So what if he had daydreams of a future that might or might not have happened then? So what if he still had those daydreams to this day? He was allowed.

"I see," Neptune said sagely. "Even with what has happened to her?"

"That wasn't her fault."

"It was."

Anger flashed through Leo and he clenched his fists. Neptune raised his hand. "Before you throw anything at me, you misunderstand. Louisa is not to blame for that creature's torture, not by any means. What I mean to say was she angered the Fates years ago and they have long memories."

"Angered the Fates?" Leo echoed, still envisioning throwing a flaming spanner at the god. "How? Why?"

"Jason Grace was supposed to die that day, by Caligula's hand. Louisa saved him."

"But that's a good thing!"

"Not to the Fates it's not. They do not like people meddling with their affairs and their plans. They plotted for something foul to befall Louisa one day and now it has come to pass. This is her… punishment, for lack of better word, for contradicting the Fates themselves."

"That's not fair," Leo mumbled. "That's not fair," he repeated in a stronger voice. "Jason… Jason didn't deserve to die, he was… he was only… he…" Leo exhaled sharply, fingernails digging into his palms. "He was going to help all the minor gods, going to help everyone get their recognition, has gone on to do that, and the Fates were going to kill him. He's Lou's cousin, they've known each other for years. How could she not save him?"

"It cost her dearly."

"That's not fair."

"Fair is neither here nor there, Leo Valdez. This is the Fates at work. They do not take kindly to interruptions." Leo put his head in his hands, mind awhirl.

"What do I tell Lou?"

"You do not," Neptune said simply. "At least for the time being, if that is how you feel. Someone needed to know the truth and I thought it should be you."

"Why?"

"Because you are a strange one. I won't pretend to understand how you have secured yourself at my daughter's side. She is, and forgive my sounding harsh, out of your league. That is how the kids say it these days, is it not?" Leo fumed at him, imagining a few other flaming tools bouncing off his head. "I mean no disrespect, lad. At first, I was not best pleased that a son of Vulcan… no, a son of Hephaestus had caught her attention. A Greek and a small one at that."

"I've grown," Leo countered childishly. Neptune gave a wry smile.

"Yes, you have. I will not impede Louisa's decision to keep you with her, though you'd best heed my earlier warning. I'm sure I can think of something more lucrative than flotsam to turn you into, should the need arise."

Leo glared at the table, at his half-empty mug.

"Yes, sir," he muttered.

"Besides," Neptune stood, "it is not me you have to impress. Correct me if I am wrong, but you have wangled your way past the Entourage?"

"You know them?"

"We've met, once or twice. You've also got past her mortal sister, that Elizabeth. She seems to like you." Leo thought of Lizzie's singing and teasing and the cheeky grins. "You have proven yourself to Percy and Sally, they do not argue your advances." Leo wasn't sure about that, aware Percy was keeping a very close eye on him. "And, most importantly of all, you have surpassed Jessica's expectations. She, as you are undoubtedly aware, is a remarkable woman. She is unafraid of much, even us gods, and has passed such traits down to my daughter. I am not sure if it was for the better, but I knew that Louisa was best left under her care."

Leo traced a whorl in the wooden surface, biting his lip.

"Are the Fates going to leave her alone now?"

"They are appeased," Neptune nodded. He looked as happy with that statement as Leo felt. Leo had to clench his fists in his lap to stop himself accidentally burning the table down.

"What about Jason?" he eventually asked, battling to keep his anger lidded.

"He has done much in the name of the gods, from us Olympians to many, many minor gods. Maybe they will not be so hasty with his life for now, maybe they will. That is not for me to decide."

"Do I tell him?"

"What good will it do?"

"Same as you told me. Someone needs to know the truth."

"It is not a good truth," Neptune sighed. "I know it will weigh heavy on you. Think on it, let it sink in. Then, perhaps, you will decide from there. Tell Louisa and Jason or don't. I cannot stop you."

"I'll look after her, sir. Her and Bradley."

"You had better." Neptune's eyes glowed momentarily, a hint of power. Crashing waves as tall as skyscrapers, the earth tearing itself asunder, hurricanes decimating entire towns. Nothing was left but water and carnage and broken bodies.

Leo blinked, shaking his head to dispel the images. Neptune's eyes returned to normal, his job done. He had wanted to remind Leo that his domain coated two-thirds of the planet and he had done that in the span of two-thirds of a second.

Neptune looked out the window. "I believe I have outstayed my welcome. Do not disappoint me, Leo Valdez. It will be most unpleasant if you do." He started to glow. Leo looked away, the flash of light accompanied by the overpowering spice of an incoming storm, something bitter and sharp and clear.

Louisa awoke with a start, that horrible stomach-flipping sensation of falling. It took a moment for her world to right itself, her room materialising. She blinked, coughed. Gods, her mouth was drier than a desert.

Her gaze alighted on a cup of water on the nightstand. She hadn't put it there, she was sure, but it was still cool and biblically soothing. She drank the lot in one go.

"Feeling better?" She looked round, wiping her mouth on the inside of her wrist. Leo smiled at her, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. Something was wrong.

He held Bradley, feeding him a bottle. Bradley seemed fine, guzzling at his meal with those hungry little noises he made. Leo had him partially wrapped in a blanket, warm but not restrictive. He looked down to check the teat wasn't too full, smiling. "He's gotten big already, hasn't he?"

It was true. A month old now. Still bitty, but not the tiny squalling thing he had been. He was getting bigger every day.

Leo tipped the bottle away, Bradley opening and closing his mouth. Milk dribbled down his chin and he grumbled. Leo smiled. "You are," he said happily. "Feeding you too much, I'm sure." Bradley scrunched his face and Leo returned the bottle for the last half. "At this rate, he'll be the size of a house."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." He smiled again, but again it didn't light his face like it normally did. She scanned his face, dithering to the blotchy, jagged scar curved on his neck. "How are you feeling?"

"Shit," Louisa sighed. She picked at her bedding, scanned her room. "Where's Dad?"

"He left."

"Oh." It was the longest she had seen him in… who knew how long. And he had done that magic to keep Bradley safe. She should be grateful, was grateful, but… it would have been nice to see him a bit longer. They hadn't seen eye-to-eye over the years, not always, often clashing, often wondering who was going to maim who. It was only as she got older did Louisa realise why— she was too much like him.

"Do you need anything?" Leo asked.

"How… how did I… I was goin' out. Why am I here?"

"You, uh, passed out. Had a funny turn, I think."

"A funny… no." She shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

"Clearly," he remarked, eyebrow arched. He was unfazed by her glare, setting the empty bottle aside. He sat Bradley on his knee, cupping his head gently, and began patting him on the back. "For something you say so often," he said without looking up, "I don't think you actually believe it."

"I'm fine," she insisted. "I am fine."

"Are you?" It was a challenge, his eyes flicking to her face. Not a harsh challenge, nothing cruel or vindictive. It was a softly spoken call-out, concerned.

Louisa hung her head, fingers twisting in her bedding.

"No."

Leo nodded. Bradley burped, squirming.

"Uh oh," Leo said. "Someone's messing his diaper. You'd better not poop on me, chiquito." He could feel the weight of Louisa's stare, looking up with a smile. "You're not fine," he agreed, the relief that she had finally admitted it evident, "but we'll get you there, chica, I promise."

He passed Bradley to her once he was winded and changed, toting the used diaper out at arm's length. Louisa stayed put on her bed, rocking her son to sleep.

Jessica was in the kitchen, stirring a pot of stew.

"I haven't made stew for a while," she said, "I think I've put enough carrots in." Leo leaned over.

"Is this stew for Storm?" he asked. She tutted at him, waving him away.

"Carrots are good for you. They help you see in the dark."

"There's seeing in the dark and then there's seeing into the endless void of space." Leo pedalled the bin and dropped the stinky diaper in, turning to wash his hands at the sink. Jessica was primed with a spoonful of steaming stew, clearing her throat to get his attention. Leo, even though it looked to be all carrot, was not brave enough to decline being her taste-tester.

He hummed in thought. Some of the carrots were cooked, some were still crunchy in the middle. He made a great show of swallowing, thumping his chest and coughing loudly. Jessica smacked him with the spoon.

"Less of the cheek!"

"Less of the carrots!"

"No, deal with it." She went back to stirring, lips pursed. Leo worked a bit of carrot off his tooth with his tongue, coughing for extra measure. "I'll put you in the stew," she warned. "What did Neptune want to talk to you about?"

"Oh." His smile dimmed and he wiped his hands on his shirt. He glanced at the door, pushed to almost closed. "Um… you remember how Lou saved Jason that time? From that emperor guy?" Jessica nodded. Leo was pulling scraps and wires from his toolbelt, fiddling. He wouldn't look her in the eye while he quietly recounted what Neptune had told him.

Jessica didn't say anything once he was finished, considering her pot of carrots. She stirred it twice more, sighing. Leo hunched his shoulders. "I… I don't know if I should tell Lou or… or even Jason, but I had to tell someone, you know?"

"I know." Jessica lowered the heat on her pot and put the lid on. "I also know that Lou would stand by that decision. Don't you think?" Leo nodded. He knew little of Louisa's past, but he knew enough. She would not let another friend die if she had something to say about it.

Jessica gave a start, pulling Leo from his thoughts. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked.

Louisa stood in the doorway, face pale and drawn. She still held Bradley, the mite snoring softly on her shoulder. She stared at them both, unreadable. Jessica rubbed her jaw. "Lou—"

"I would," Louisa muttered. "I would do it again." Neither of them said anything so she continued, frowning stubbornly. "I'd save Jason again 'n' I'd save Tobias again. What happens ta me is small fry."

"It's not—" Leo began. She shook her head. Despair spiked in Leo's chest, prickling his eyes.

Louisa walked away. Leo dug his fingers into his eyes, forcing himself to take a deep, albeit shaky breath.

Jessica's hand on his shoulder.

"That's a losing battle," she said quietly. "I've been asking her for years to put herself first, just once, but she never does. There's always a war or a fight or a monster or someone trying to destroy the world and people always need her. She's Big Three, she's powerful, she can fight like no-one else can. She's saved many lives, but… she only ever sees the ones that were lost, she only ever blames herself."

Jessica blinked, surprised at her own tears. "I… I thought this time… this time I had lost her. Lost her for real, lost her forever. There's only so many times she can turn back up at the door, you know? Only so many times I'll hear that she's OK."

"But she's not OK," Leo said miserably. Jessica nodded in agreement, sniffing.

"I'm going to talk to Nico," she decided. "Maybe… maybe he'll know a way to help. Watch my stew."

Leo did watch the stew. He also fixed the stew, fishing out carrots (which he ate to hide the evidence) and adding in a few other ingredients, a bit of meat, some potatoes and greens, evening out the components so it actually resembled a meal.

If only everything else was as easy to fix as the stew.