A/N: Around 4500 words. Did anyone squeal with the update?

FRIDAY

"Ahem, candy?"

Reyna snapped from her daydream and shifted on the taxi's seat to turn to him.

"What?"

"Do you want some candy? You looked like you had a sour taste in your mouth."

She made a face, before hesitantly taking one.

"I do have a sour taste in my mouth, but I doubt a candy will help."

"Maybe an aspirin?"

The faintest smile crossed her face.

"Maybe a lobotomy. Regina has been giving me a constant headache for the past few days. How is Felix?"

"He has been good. A little tense, but nothing like Regina probably is."

Reyna closed her eyes, leaning back and massaging her temples.

"Tense doesn't it start to cover it."

***

Frank reached for his wallet.

"How much...?"

Reyna passed in front of him, handing the driver her money.

"I got it."

"Reyna..."

She stepped outside, being quickly followed by him.

"Don't even start it, Frank."

"You have to let me help."

She turned to him while they waited for the taxi driver to open the truck.

"To do what? Pay the cab? Don't worry about it, Frank. I'm not Hazel, you don't have to pay for my things."

"Still, we shared it. I should pay half."

"I would spend it to come here alone either way."

"Me too, and we should split it."

He took his bag from the driver, but when he reached for hers, one glare was enough to make him withdrew his hand and let her get her own suitcase. Walking side by side, they entered the airport.

"Frank, I'm going to visit my sister. SHE is paying for my trip, including the taxi to the airport. You met my sister. Do you think it would sit still with her that I need you to pay half when she can pay it all?"

He shrugged, uncomfortable with the memories.

"... I don't know. The only time I interacted with her, she put me away in a cage."

"What about after the battle in New Rome?"

He cleared his throat and looked away when she stared at him.

"Hm... I tried to keep away from the Amazons. Didn't want to tempt them to remember 'good old times' or something."

She didn't laugh, but he could see a smile playing on her lips.

"Afraid of some girls?"

"You know what they can do! How can you judge me for-"

She patted his shoulder, chuckling.

"Hey, I was kidding, relax! Trust me, I know what you meant. Now come. Let me put my luggage away, then we can do the same to you."

***

"I thought security would have stepped up by now."

Frank nodded in agreement. They faced no problems with Reyna's suitcase, but while on the line to do the same to him, a man cut the line to complain about missing his flight. They were far enough to not hear the agent's answers, but the man got louder each minute, punching the counter in anger.

"Reyna, don't."

She bit her lip and didn't look at him.

"I wasn't gonna do anything."

"Uh-hu. Let's just stay out of this."

***

For the nth time that day, Frank lost in an argument to Reyna, just accepting the meal she bought them while they waited for her flight, scheduled for an hour and a half. Quietly sipping his soda, he choked on it when a feminine voiced yelled behind him.

"SHAME ON YOU!"

Reyna wasn't much better. She jumped on her chair, dropping her fork to the floor.

"...What?"

"How dare you to not even bother calling me? I almost lost our flight because someone didn't even bother to call to know if I was awake. What a good friend you're. And that, my dear, was sarcasm."

Frank turned on his chair, and despite the tears induced by the burning soda on his nose, he was able to recognize the same gorgeous and tall girl who was friends with Niel. Checking over his shoulder, Reyna always looked surprised to see the glaring girl as well.

"What...? Wait, OUR flight?"

The girl huffed, annoyed and offended.

"Really? I insist that you try again with your sister and you think I wouldn't be there to help? Besides, there is no one I rather keep company during winter's break than you. Hi, we haven't officially met. It's a pleasure, Felix."

"You know my name?"

"Why such a surprise? Here, watch my bag while I go buy something."

She walked away with long strides, and Frank could see more than a couple of guys turning to watch her pass. Turning back, he saw Reyna still with a puzzled expression.

"Reyna? What is her name again?"

"Huh? Oh, it's Sierra. She's Regina's friend."

"The one who convinced you to paint your hair?"

She moved her hand to pull her braid over her shoulder, toying with its end.

"Yeah, that's her."

Reyna smiled with a sigh, while looking over his shoulder, probably watching Sierra.

"Regina is happy to have her, so maybe the headache will become bearable again."

***

Once Reyna and Sierra left, he was alone again, just sitting bored.

Try to connect wifi again, maybe we're successful this time.

Maybe.

Frank barely got a hold on his cell when it vibrated with a text.

P: I can't sleep.

F: Why?

P: Time zone.

F: Where are you?

P: Right, I forgot to tell you, Greece.

F: When did you get there?

P: Yesterday. At least I feel it's only yesterday. I don't even know anymore, I just want to sleep!

F: Have you tried counting sheep?

P: I'm about to block you.

F: It was a valid suggestion.

P: It doesn't work.

F: Warm milk?

P: Nope.

F: Reading in bed?

P: Did you save my number as Annabeth or something?

F: Sorry.

F: Hey, how much hours of a difference?

P: Eight.

F: Wow.

P: Yeah, it's way past midnight, I'm supposed to wake up early tomorrow and can't even close my eyes for more than 2 minutes. I think I'm gonna make a sandwich. Bye.

That was random.

Nothing I wouldn't expect of Percy.

***

After over five hours of flight, which made his back very sore, he finally arrived in YVR. Retrieving his bag, he walked out, just to stop dead in his tracks when he saw who was there.

Oh. He had to wear the uniform.

What?

See that guy?

Which one?

Really big, in a uniform?

Yeah? What about him?

Felix, meet your father.

... Wait, you're serious?

Not bothering to answer, he just marched until he was in front of Mars, very uncomfortable in having to look up to meet his father's eyes.

"Hello."

A small smirk appeared.

"You know who I am."

"I... guessed."

"Smart boy, no wonder you're my son."

He really is...

Yeah.

Frank read the name in the dog tag before his father walked away in large strides, leaving him to run to catch up.

Māvors. Similar enough, I guess.

***

Frank almost didn't make it. Once he reached the truck, his father already had it on and was looking in the rearview mirror, getting ready to leave.

He would wait for us. Right?

Hm... it's better not to ask.

Frank?

I can't promise he would say what you want to hear.

After ten minutes of silent driving, Frank slowly reached for the radio, checking his father's reaction to see if it was outside limits. Since Māvors didn't acknowledge his movement, he turned it on, passing through stations. In one of the stations he passed was playing a popular peppy upbeat song. And though he passed to the next one, he kept humming the song under his breath, without noticing.

"WHAT are you doing?"

Frank paused, slowly turning to his father with a frown.

"Changing stations."

"Are you really familiar enough to that song to hum it?"

"Well, it's one of the Top 40 hits or something. It's everywhere."

His father raised an eyebrow in incredulity.

"And you heard it?"

Frank shifted uncomfortably, suddenly defensive.

"Top 40 hits are in the top 40 hits for a reason, they're catchy."

Māvors' expression shifted between shock, indignation, anger and unacceptance. Frank swallowed, before turning off the radio and looking out the window.

"Maybe it's best if we drive in silence."

His father grunted but didn't answer beyond that.

Someone has a temper.

Trust me, from the word around camp, and if you consider his Greek kids, it could be a lot worse.

***

Frank was dragged away from his daydream by his father's voice, and almost didn't catch the final.

"...yourself, because she doesn't look like before."

I'm sorry, what?

I'm thinking he's warning us that she's sick.

How could you know?

Just a hunch.

He shifted to face his father, squaring his shoulders.

"What does she have?"

"Cancer."

Though he was expecting something like this, it still hurt.

"Where?"

Māvors glanced his way quickly but kept focusing on the road, talking about his grandmother's health with the same tone he would use to talk about the weather.

"It started on her liver, but it spread."

Frank kept silent for almost a minute, before forcing the question out.

"How... how long?"

The man on his side didn't even look disturbed when he shrugged.

"Who knows? The doctors are amazed she's alive as she is."

***

The empty house echoed his footsteps. Māvors let him go first, for which he was thankful. The last thing he needed was to have their father judging if they crumbled at seeing grandma. The only light on was in his grandmother's room, and he entered it as quietly as he could. Her frail form was still in bed, and for a moment he feared the worst until seeing the smallest rise of her chest.

It feels like déjà vu.

She's still alive, right?

"Grandma?"

He barely whispered, but her eyelids fluttered open, lost at first, before focusing on him. At first, she didn't seem to recognize him, but when she did, she scowled.

"What are you doing here!?"

Despite her weak body, which looked so easy to break, her voice carried a strength of steel.

I think I know how she's alive. I wouldn't blame Death for turning tails and running if she decided to attack it like this.

"I came to see you, grandma."

She snorted, looking offended.

"Don't pretend that now you care about me!"

WHAT!?

"But I do care!"

"Nonsense, you ran away to live your life!"

What is she talking about? She practically kicked me out!

"What!? YOU said I should go! You and my father!"

She nodded, still looking angry.

"Exactly, which is a shame. You should have known by your own."

"... What?"

She all but snarled.

"You're grown up enough, too big to hide behind my skirts."

"Grandma, I'm not even legally an adult."

She scoffed while arranging her sheets around her. Frank took a step to help her, but one glare sent him two steps back.

"Maybe not here, but you're in many other countries. In some, kids with half of your age go to war."

"Which is wrong."

She narrowed her eyes, with a glint in them he couldn't identify.

"And?"

"What do you mean, and?"

She took a deep breath with her eyes closed, but he could almost see her rolling them. She looked at him again and motioned with her hand for him to continue.

"Well, you said it's wrong. And...?"

Frank switched his weight between his feet, uncomfortable beneath her stare.

"Hm... it just is."

"Then what are you doing about them, Fan?"

Fan? Is that your name?

It's that how she calls me.

"What do you mean?"

"If you think it's wrong, why are you not doing anything about it?"

"I..."

She didn't give him a chance to answer, not that he knew what to say.

"Or do you expect it to just fix itself?"

And does she expect me to do?

"But what can I do?"

She shrugged, turning her face away from him.

"How should I know? It's your life. You know yourself better than anyone else. Only you know what you're capable of."

Grandma focused her sharp eyes on him again.

"Just keep in mind, Fan, that you can-"

"Be anything I want. I know."

If she disapproved the tired tone he used to complete her sentence, it didn't show.

"You should be doing something for your life and from others as young as yourself, instead of worrying and trying to pamper an old woman who lived her fill."

His expression saddened.

"Grandma..."

Again, she cut her off.

"Oh, hush! I'm old, it's time you accept it like I did. My daughter went before me, which is wrong, so at least let me die before my grandson!"

For someone who is dying sick, she can sure scold me with the same energy as before.

SATURDAY

When in the next morning, Frank walked into the kitchen to find something to eat, he was surprised to see Māvors sitting there with a cup of coffee. Since his father didn't acknowledge his presence in any way, he did the same, searching through cupboards and the fridge, coming up empty-handed.

"What are you looking for?"

He almost jumped at his father's voice and turned to answer.

"Breakfast, but there isn't anything."

Māvors reached in his jeans pocket and threw something small to Frank. Caught by surprise, he tried to catch it but wasn't successful. Picking it up from the floor, he ignored his father, feeling a blush spreading across his cheeks and down his neck.

Great, I can't do one thing right.

He could've said 'heads up' at least...

He finally looked down to his hand and recognized the key to his grandmother's car.

"Here. Not a scratch."

"What?"

"You can drive, but it better not has one single scratch in the end."

Frank fidgeted with the key, not sure how to say it.

"Hm..."

His father leaned forward, narrowing his eyes.

"Spit it out."

He tried to mumble his answer, but it didn't matter.

"I don't know how to drive..."

"What do you mean, you can't drive!?"

Frank could feel Felix's annoyance.

It's not like I had a dad around to teach me, is it?

"Get your coat, we're going."

Going? Going where?

He isn't seriously thinking about teaching me. Is he?

Apparently, he took too long thinking this through, because when Māvors looked to him, it was to yell in his best military command tone.

"MOVE."

***

After eating breakfast, Māvors offered driving lessons. Less than one hour into it and it was already the worst day of his life. How he hadn't lost his breakfast so far was a mystery. Felix couldn't seem to stop screaming that they were gonna die, which Frank couldn't really blame him for. The first part wasn't as bad, except for the yelling that he didn't stop at red lights, that others could let him pass. He had tagged along sometimes while Percy was teaching Jason, so Frank had an idea of what to do, even if he hadn't sat in the driver's seat until this day, so his biggest challenge was to coordinate his feet, hands, eyes; and to be sure how to position the car correctly. Too bad for him, Satan sitting by his side (he couldn't see his father as anything else than the devil) decided to teach him new things. He tried to refuse until Māvors gave him a choice. Either followed his instructions and learned from inside the car, or his father would tie him in front bumper so he could have a front view. In one hour, his shirt was clinging to his back from his cold sweat and he could swear he would black out from stress at any moment now.

"Remember, keep your eye in the cone."

We're gonna catapult.

"When you almost touch the front bumper to it, then it's the time."

I'm gonna die. Sorry, Grandma, for going before you.

Frank closed his eyes to control the nausea and regretted when he was yelled again.

"Hand across the steering wheel!"

I want out of this!

"Prepare... now GO!"

His father accelerated and Frank couldn't hold on to the seat with enough force. How the car didn't lost traction with the ice he was sure there was in the road he didn't know, but he knew no way in hell he could be able to duplicate it. After a lot of protesting from his part, threats from his father and pleas from Felix, he accepted the fact that unless he learned the handbrake turn, his father would drop him in the middle of the snow and let him to walk home. So, he stepped out of the car and prayed that he would find someone to give him a ride, which was unlikely since they're on a deserted road. He put his hands in front of his mouth and blew, trying to warm them up.

So. Freacking. Cold.

The wars he went must have messed with his head.

Looking to the side, he could see Māvors driving at a slow pace by his side, ignoring him.

At least he didn't leave us here completely alone.

We're in the cold! And he'll only allow us to enter the car if we try to kill ourselves.

***

After walking twenty minutes in freezing temperature, Frank got tired and stopped.

Don't tell me...

We either do it or lose our toes, ears and who knows what else.

Satan also stopped and rolled the window down.

"Ready?"

"To go to the hospital and check if I'm not halfway dying from hypothermia? YES."

Māvors rolled his eyes but allowed Frank to sit shotgun and drove them home.

Please tell me we don't need him to teach us.

Never again.

Wait.

What?

We have nothing to eat tomorrow at breakfast either.

I guess we'll be driving tomorrow again.

But not with him!

SUNDAY

"Grandma, are you awake?"

Frank knocked on her door again, trying to listen for any sound that would clue him on her state, and wasn't really surprised to hear her shrill.

"Are you coming in or what? Do you need me to teach you how to open a door now?"

Shaking his head to himself, he entered her room, finding her in the same position as before, still glaring.

"Merry Christmas, Grandma."

She narrowed her eyes.

"I hope you're not expecting any gifts. Do I look like Santa Claus to you?"

Frank sighed and sat on the bed, reaching for her frail-looking hand, which still had an iron grip.

"I was just hoping we could spend some time together. You know, talking, maybe?"

The squeeze she gave to his fingers while rolling her eyes kind of hurt, but he didn't let it show.

"Go to the ceiling and get me my portmanteau."

"Your...?"

"It's a bag, Fan. Do I have to explain everything to you!?"

***

Frank closed his eyes as he felt another sneeze coming.

I wonder when was the last time someone came here.

I just hope we can leave soon enough.

Took him sometime, but he was able to find a couple of bags which looked old enough to be what his grandma referred to.

***

"What are you doing? You're all dirty!"

Frank deposited the portmanteau by her side on the floor, before looking to the old woman glaring at him.

"The ceiling was dirty."

"Just because of it, you need to be dirty too?"

What did she expect?

He opened his mouth to answer, but didn't get the chance.

"Go shower, now."

Sighing and rolling his eyes, he planned to do just that, after he got the other two down.

"And on your way back, bring me something to eat!"

***

He tried convincing his grandmother to eat something more health, maybe a soup or boiled vegetables. However, when she used the argument that was cancer killing her, and not grease or sugar, he gave in and made cookie dough for both. Dressed in sweatshirts, sitting by her side on the bed and having small spoon battles when she tried to get the dough all for herself, they started to rummage the contents of the bags. Frank took a black and white pic, already fading, of a pre-teen.

"Who is this?"

"Who do you think? It's me!"

Frank's eyes went round, and he brought the pic closer to see it better.

Wow, it's weird to think of grandma as a kid. Do you think she was as vicious as she is now?

I wouldn't bet against it.

"You? Where was it taken?"

"China. Have you forgotten where I was born already?"

Frank smiled sheepishly, still admiring the pic of his grandma when she couldn't be older than 13.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or anything. Why did you come to Canada, anyway? And how old were you?"

She took advantage of his distraction and pulled the cookie dough all to herself. When Frank tried to reach for it again, she hit his knuckles with her spoon, hard. He quickly pulled his hand back, frowning.

"That hurt."

"If you want me to tell you my history, I need energy. Now, don't interrupt me."

Why does she bother to come up with excuses when we all know she have enough energy for both of us?

Frank sighed and got comfortable to hear her.

"I left China when was 21, in 1959. Have you heard of Mao? Obviously not, kids these days never learn anything."

Frank didn't bother trying to say he knew who Mao Tse-Tung was, only continue to pass by old pictures.

"In 1957, he launched the Great Leap Forward. Now pay attention, Fan. This campaign aimed transform China's economy from agrarian to industrial. In 1958, Mao imposed insane targets on our grain production. His idea was to extract funds from agriculture to finance rapid industrial growth. This caused a catastrophic agricultural failure in China and around tens of millions of our people died of hunger. I wasn't planning on dying like that, so I left. My parents would never leave their land, they rather die there than survive somewhere else."

She continued telling him on how she left China, at first with a cousin, who unfortunately died of the smallpox, which hadn't been eradicated by that time. After his death, she traveled by Europe on her own. Being so soon from the World War II, all of it was still feeling the after-effects of the war. At first, she had thought about going to USA, and it was to where her ship was headed. Talking to a French woman who slept beside her was how she heard of Canada, and decided to follow the woman up, after the ship docked in Washington. They split up soon after, and apart from suffering from the cold she wasn't used to, his grandmother faced obstacles surrounding her nationality and the language. Less than three years in Canada was when she met his grandfather, who had Chinese roots.

"Not the talkative type, but hard-working and proud. He was a good father to your mother. Now, Fan, I believe I don't have energy to keep talking."

She waved the empty bowl, with a raised eyebrow as a suggestion.

"Too bad; I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to hear the rest of it, huh?"

He grinned when she glowered at him.

***

"FAN!"

He ran inside her room, scared.

"Something happened?"

Without looking at him, she handed him a small case, of beautifully embroidered silk and a jade fastener. He took some more steps and carefully held it.

She almost scared me to death!

When she doesn't say anything is when you should worry.

"What is this?"

Still not looking at him, she answered.

"It's a handscroll your grandfather gave me for our wedding."

Afraid of damaging it, Frank gently spread the scroll, where a landscape of mountains, forest and a river cutting it, delicately painted with black ink was displayed.

"It's beautiful."

"It's your Christmas' gift. Now leave, I'm tired."

Concealing his smile, he did just that.

MONDAY

Thanking that wherever his father had left to, he was still there, Frank took the car's keys and left to buy something to cook them lunch. While driving, he passed by a building that triggered Felix's memories.

Your school?

Yeah...

Do you miss it?

Yes and no. It was hard to leave, but I'm starting to think I'm better where we are.

Did you have a lot of friends?

You should know the answer was no. I was as shy then as I am now. People usually came to me to ask for help to study.

Asian stereotype?

Yeah. It was a bit annoying to spend the night studying, score high and hear my classmates dismiss it as Asian DNA.

***

"What are you doing, Fan?"

Frank stilled his moves, glancing at his grandmother's scowl.

"Removing the leaves."

"You don't remove the leaves from green tea, Fan. Now stop trying to do stupid things and just drink it."

He took a sip and grimaced at the bland taste, but one glare from her and he kept drinking.

***

Frank chuckled at the picture in his hand.

"Mom was a chubby baby."

"And you think you were that much better? Here, this is your mother in one of her few ballet classes."

What? I never thought I would hear these words in a sentence.

"Mom took ballet classes?"

"Her best friend convinced her to try. Six classes convinced her ballet was not in her fate."

TUESDAY

Frank opened his eyes when he felt his covers being pulled and groaned at the sight that greeted him.

Oh, God, not him again!

Frank rolled to lay in his stomach and grumbled a question.

"What do you want?"

"I decided we should bond like father and son."

Frank turned his head slightly so he could glare with one eye.

"Why don't I believe that?"

His father grinned.

"Get dressed. I promised your grandmother we would 'bond'."

***

Frank looked around the empty kitchen, frowning.

Do you think he gave up?

Do you think we're that lucky?

Point taken.

After eating his breakfast, he went back upstairs.

Should we talk to grandma?

Probably.

What do you think he wants to 'bond' over?

I have no idea, but I doubt it would be something we will like.

Entering his grandmother's room, he found his nightmare standing by her bed, waiting for him.

You were right, we're not that lucky.

His father looked him over.

"Choose something warmer. It's cold where we're going."

Frank groaned.

"I don't suppose you would tell me where we're going."

"Snowboarding."

Frank paused, not ready to such a direct answer.

"Snowboarding?"

His father sighed, and spoke slowly, like Frank was mentally challenged.

"Yes, you know how to, I believe?"

Before Frank could answer, Grandma did it for him.

"I believe he learned with a couple of friends some time ago, so yes."

Did you?

No!

No!?

I tried, but my balance was terrible and I didn't want my few friends laughing at me, so I gave up.

He barely focused in time to hear his father.

"Then I believe we can go a little higher, so he can improve his skills."

Is he insane!?

Frank raised his hands, trying to make them slow down.

"Wait, what? No, no! Let's start with the basics!"

"No need for it, you'll catch up faster this way."

"Or I can end up with a broken neck. Don't you agree, grandma?"

She tapped her bony finger in her chin, thinking it through, before smiling slyly.

"Well, starting with a difficult level sounds like something a responsible parent wouldn't want you doing... Good thing I'm a grandmother!"

Oh, great...

***

Frank raised his head, which was already half frozen and blew his nose, trying to remove the snow that had entered when he fell, again.

What happened to our promise to never let him teach us anything again?

I didn't hear you giving any ideas of how to escape this.

"Get up, we'll never get to the bottom if you keep throwing yourself in the snow."

Do you think he's trying to get us killed and make it look like an accident?

***

The warm water from the shower on his skin felt like boiling. He squinted his eyes from the pain and forced himself to stay under the water flow.

We need to check to see if we didn't lose any toe.

Dully noted.

THURSDAY

"Fan, what is taking you this long!?"

Frank startled with her voice and almost lost the precarious balance he had of the popcorn bowl and soda cups, again with all the snacks from Canada he missed so much.

Who would know grandma would rush us to watch a hockey game.

It has been a while since I felt this Canadian.

SUNDAY

His father drove him back to the airport. He spent the last days trying to spend the most he could with his grandma, since both doubt he would have another opportunity. The drive was quiet, since Frank didn't trust his voice not to waver from the tears he was so desperately trying to hold on.

I don't know if I'll be able to return to Canada if Grandma isn't there anymore.

Maybe this means your life is not there anymore.

A/N: Ta-daaaaam! I'm not dead, just had two part-time jobs, zero time to write and a serious writer's block. Do you have any idea how hard is too find any headcanon about Frank? And yeah, it got shorter because I didn't know what to write about him. Just saying, the sequence (most likely) is gonna be Jason, Reyna, Annabeth, Will, Percy and Piper. After that, shorter chapters, finally!