(Hey guys, sorry this took so long to update. Huge thanks to michellexjones AKA Heroes_are_us' new username.)

Annabeth

I didn't plan to follow my mother's wishes. Truth be told, I loved every minute I spent with Percy, and my mother was not going to mess that up. The only problem was Princess Rachel. Rachel was pretty cool, and maybe her and I would have been friends in another situation, but it was pretty clear that Rachel was head over heels for Percy.

So, I couldn't help myself one day, as she was strolling through the grounds, to eavesdrop on Percy and Rachel as they were in what looked like a heated argument. Percy was throwing his hands up and saying something like, "You're impossible!"

As I neared closer, I heard Rachel respond.

"Impossible? No, Percy, you're impossible. I'm trying to keep our relationship together, but if you don't- if you won't- stop making out with that snooty princess, just break up with me now!"

"Annabeth- Annabeth and I are just friends!" Percy spluttered, and Rachel rolled her eyes.

"Who do you think you're kidding, Perce? Look, if you want to keep seeing Annabeth, break up with me right now. I'm serious. Let's get this relationship over with if you're not committed." Percy stares at her. I paused. I wanted to see what Percy would do.

"Well?" Rachel demanded, and Percy put his head in his hands.

"I'm so, so sorry Rachel. It's not you-" Percy starts.

"Whatever. Thanks for being honest, I guess," Rachel said quietly, then turned and stalked off.

Now, I stare into the distance, jaw dropped in shock. Percy walks off looking slightly dejected, but looking closely, I see that he looks lighter, brighter, like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

I still stare in shock.

He chose me. He chose me over his childhood love. He chose me over another princess. He chose me over a clear-sighted mortal. He chose me over a gorgeous girl who would be just as worthy of him. He chose me...

"HIYA, PRINCESS!!" Someone yells in my ear, making me jump.

I spin around, my jaw slamming shut, to find Leo Valdez beaming at me with a twinkle in his eye.

"Nice bush you're hiding behind, there." He says, raising an eyebrow.

I blush scarlet, and say, "I was... examining the leaves of the bush. Umm... they are very... umm... beautiful fauna."

"Well, that's a load of goat dung." Leo retorts. "Now, we all know you have a thing for Percy, and I am not going to pretend that the fact that I never even had a chance with you doesn't hurt, but I am glad that you have found someone. I just want to let you know that if you have me drop off, if you eliminate me, I will be fine with it. I mean, Jason is already a prince, and Percy is about to be one, invite me to the wedding, by the way,"

"We aren't-" I interject, but Leo keeps rambling.

"Shh.. and I am an 8, I just never had a chance. I shouldn't even be talking to you like this, you're a princess, and I just. I am sorry, I try to be cool, and make people laugh, because if other people can laugh at the things I says, then that means I have accomplished something. I feel like I am so worthless, and I don't even know why I am talking to you, but you are a good person, and I trust you more than so many people. I'm sorry."

"Leo, you are not worthless, I have kept you in this selection because you are a very good candidate to be king. You are funny, kind, and very intelligent. I would be happy to sit next to you on the throne." I say.

"Thanks, princess." Leo says, smiling again with his usual cheer.

"Oh, my Gods!!! That was so sweet!" a voice says behind us. Suddenly, Leo bursts into flames, jumping up, and yelping.

I watch as he jumps around, laughing with the person who scared him, Calypso.

Finally, Leo jumps into a pond, which appears to snuff out his flames.

Leo pops his head out of the water, eyes wide in shock, "What just happened?"

"Leo, I believe that was your power." I say, still laughing a little.

"Umm, well... that was AWESOME!" Leo yells, "I finally have a power!! This is so cool!!" Leo pumps his arms and stands up, he is shirtless, his shirt must have burnt off from his fire. Calypso looks away, blushing and giggling like a schoolgirl (I'll have to talk to her about that later). Leo looks down, and jumps back into the water.

"Umm... maybe, it is not entirely perfect. Could somebody get me a towel? And some clothes?" Leo says.

I laugh, and walk off to find what he needs.

3rd Person POV

Calypso stands at the edge of the pond, blushing slightly. After Annabeth left her alone with the unclothed boy covered only in water, she couldn't help but feel EXTREMELY embarrassed. She continues to briefly look towards him, make eye contact, then immediately look away. Meanwhile, Leo just stares at her. "What are you looking at, Sunshine?" he asks.

"Umm... I am just, umm... you know, you were so nice when you were talking with Annabeth!" She says, covering up her embarrassment.

Leo narrows his eyes. "How much of that did you here?"

Calypso smiles, "All of it. You really need to watch your surroundings, especially with a war going on."

"You weren't supposed to hear that." He says in a low voice.

"Look, Calypso says, "I get it. I never knew my mom, and my dad, apparently was a... titan. I didn't grow up with parents, so I isolated myself from the people around me. Mostly, I just stayed here, on Ogygia strolling the streets. I actually had a pretty good life, I got lots of money by working sewing jobs and my baking for the rich, but sometimes I felt like they were just toying with me. I got enough money to live, and dress so that people would hire me, I was able to hire poor girls as assistants, some who would stay out of sight from others until they were finally needed, and I was able well. I was very grateful for the life I had, but I just wanted to get off the streets. Finally, I met Annabeth when she snuck out of the castle, and she offered me a job here, with free range to do almost anything, and I am so thankful for the life I have gotten here. I finally got a life where I didn't need to constantly look behind my back. A place where if I ever wanted kids, I could have them and raise them in a safe environment."

Leo looked at her in awe. "You trust me?"

"What? Of course! I didn't mean to ramble like that, but, yeah." Calypso says.

"No one has ever trusted me, especially with something like that. I mean, except Perc- but that's a different story. Thank you." Leo says finally locking eyes with a blushing Calypso.

"Hey, guys," Annabeth calls from near the castle, walking towards them, and breaking their stare.

She is carrying a bundle of clothes.

"By the way," Annabeth adds. "What were you guys really doing when I found you, Jason, and Percy in Percy's room?"

Leo's face goes as white as a sheet, and Calypso raises an eyebrow.

"I-we-I-we were just eating cookies." Leo says, eyes wide.

"Come on, Leo. I am not an idiot, I know it wasn't nothing. I suspected something right away. I will find out one way or another." Annabeth says, by then, Leo was drying off. With a towel around his waist, he was now putting on his new, borrowed shirt. This caused Calypso to blush, tremendously. 

"Ummmmmmmmm............................no comment.........." He says and sprints away. "ASK PERCY!!!!" He yells over his shoulder.

I shake my head and walk away, leaving Calypso to ponder her wandering thoughts.

(I was in an updating mood today. I hope you enjoyed. Thank you for your patience!

Love,

Leah