A/N: A little bit late for it, I have a question to when you finish reading it: in chapters like this one or even some others, where I have a group interacting and mostly use only dialogues, is it too complicated to follow who is most likely speaking or not? I try to drop some hints of who is speaking to who, what they were doing before or are about to do, and relay even on the characters relationship (like Lucy is kind to Hannah, annoyed at Niel and banter with Nico), but I wonder if it's enough? I feel it would break the rhythm, but I can add more descriptions if it's confusing.

Leo's Flashback

WEDNESDAY, 25th January

"Are you listening to me or not?"

Leo kept staring at Nora like she had grown a second head, which in his opinion, she had.

"I would've said yes, except it sounded like you were trying to invite me over on Saturday, along with Erica and Callie, which would be less than impossible, so the answer is no, I wasn't listening."

She punched his shoulder and even if he tried to conceal as much as he could, it really hurt.

"Idiot. I know Harshad adores you for whatever reason and my adoptive parents like you too, so they might be happy to have you around. But if I'm going to hang around you all day, I need those other girls."

"You know, you could just admit that you enjoyed our company the last time, it's not that hard."

"And inflate your ego? God, no!"

Well, that sounds like an admission.

"And feed your pride by accepting excuses? Gods, no."

"Fine! If you don't want to come, don't."

"I never said I didn't want to come. I only asked for you to admit that you want me to."

Does she really think I'll be intimidated by her glare? I had Annabeth breathing down my neck. AND a pissed Percy, not even counting murderous Piper.

I also got some seriously pissed costumers. And we got Callie.

That too.

They just kept her stare off, both ignoring newly arrived Harshad's question of what was happening. It took several minutes for Nora to crack.

"Fine! I want you guys to come! Happy now?"

"Just peachy. So, what will we be doing? Like, do I need to bring something?"

"I don't know. Eat? I can ask Purnima to prepare something. Watch TV?"

She needs to learn how to plan a get together from Erica.

I absolutely agree.

"Ok, then. Do you want me to let them know?"

"Yeah, thanks. Let's go, Harshad.

"Ok!"

"See you, sis!"

She stopped on her way out to give him an exasperated glare.

"I'm not your sister!"

Leo's only response was a knowing grin, before turning to fix the mess before Ryan came for his head.

***

Callie exchanged a look with Erica, both turning to him in confusion.

"Are you absolutely sure that's what she said?"

Well, at least we weren't the only ones surprised.

"Yes, I am. I even asked her to admit that she WANTED us to come and wasn't inviting out of pity or whatever excuse."

Without the patience to get her board from the other room, Erica just mouthed 'but why'.

"Why she pulled the idea out of nowhere, you mean? No clue. And getting the admission that she was doing this out of her free will was like pulling half of her teeth out, so I didn't pry."

The cousins exchanged some words with ASL, too fast for Leo to even try and interpret.

"Did she even say what she was planning to do?"

"She said to eat something and watch TV. Yes, that was pretty much my reaction as well. Clearly, Duchess Sugarplum needs to teach her a few things."

Delighted with the compliment, Erica gave him a dazzling smile and started pacing in thought. After half a second, she signed a question to Callie, who vocalized.

"She's asking if you can cook."

"If I can cook? If I can COOK!? Girl, you're looking at Chef Supreme McShizzle Flameboy of Awesomeness!"

That earned him a groan from Callie and a silent laugh from Erica. She kept signing to her cousin, obviously too hyped to get her board.

"She's saying you should buy what you need and then we share the expenses among us. She'll be responsible for the dessert. And is asking if the... what is their last name?"

"Meunier. It's French."

"That's kinda obvious. But anyway, if they have a marble countertop. And yes, it's important to what she has planned."

"Hm... I've only been there once, but I'm pretty sure it's marble. So, should I want Mrs. Purr not to cook anything?"

Callie gave him a smirk.

"Only if you think you're not up to the challenge."

"Oh, it's on."

Flashback over, back to present

FRIDAY, 27th January

"OW!"

Leo rubbed his temple, where Niel had hit him with a bolt. Glaring at his friend, Leo searched for the screwdriver he'd dropped by accident.

"What is your problem?"

"You've been running around like you're manning the ship by yourself to avoid the gargantuan black hole that is the Kraken's throat. What is that about?"

"I have only an hour to finish this and shower. Erica probably wouldn't mind, but Callie would kill me."

Tiny piece by tiny piece.

Slowly.

And throwing salt and pepper on the wound.

He suppressed a shiver.

"Didn't you know it's not nice to play with a fair maiden's heart, let alone two? Besides, Duchess Sugarplum and Rosebush? How did you convince both?"

Leo stopped for a moment to raise an eyebrow.

"Rosebush?"

"Thorny, that one."

He chuckled, searching for the last screw.

"I'm forced to agree. And it's not what you think. Mini-me's sister invited us to hang out tomorrow and since she REALLY sucks in planning, Duchess suggested we surprise her by cooking."

"Can you even cook?"

Really? Again?

"Why no one believes me? I'm Chef Supreme McShizzle!"

"Good, I'll let the missus know, and the next time you come to our port, you cook."

Leo stared at Niel, absorbing his words and reliving the conversation.

... we really walked right into that one.

"... That was a really obvious trap."

"Mhm."

"And I fell."

"Mhm."

He hung his head in defeat.

"Damn..."

SATURDAY, 28th January

To say Nora was surprised to find them standing at her front door with several bags was an understatement. When Leo had seen Mrs. Purr on Thursday, he'd explained their plans, asking if she was okay with them just taking over her kitchen. When she got over the fact that Nora had invited them over for Saturday, she was elated, much more that he'd have expected. But then, he didn't know Nora all that well and maybe Purnima had more reasons to be happy Nora was socializing than he could see. The girl herself was staring at them, mouth agape, sweaty and with her hand wraps tightly wound around her wrists.

Do you think it was a work out routine or she was burning steam to not kill us?

"Are you doing here?"

He could feel Callie's glare burning through his skull.

"You said she had invited us! Was it a prank!?"

Nora's eyes widened and she raised her hands in an attempt to either calm Callie down or be ready to save Leo's neck if she attacked.

"No! He was right! I invited you! It's just... I was... expecting you later? Like, for lunch, not before lunch. Purnima just left with Claude to buy something or another to cook lunch, Harshad is still in his pajamas watching TV."

"That's where you're wrong, sister!"

She scowled at his use of 'sister' but he just smirked.

"I already talked to Mrs. Purr and she was well aware we were coming now. I don't know why she felt the need to leave, but she knew she didn't need to buy anything because TA-DAM!"

He raised the bags full of food in his hands.

"Chef McShizzle is here to gift all of you ladies an authentic, outstanding, complete, memorable, unique, and downright earthshattering-ly delicious lunch straight from Mexican cuisine! And our Duchess, our one and only, has offered to bake us a cake, original recipe and design. So, move along, sister, is our time to shine!"

He forced her to take a step back and entered the house, finding Harshad standing close to the door and watching in amazement, dressed in his Batman pajamas.

"Come, mini-me, you'll be my assistant and I'll teach how to be a chef nationally recognized!"

Only nationally? Why not internationally?

I'm just being truthful. I'll have you know my cuisine is widely known and appreciated from New York to San Francisco!

... you mean Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter?

***

Leo raised an eyebrow at Harshad in mock reproach.

"You're not much help."

The younger boy looked up and offered him an unrepentant grin.

"No, I'm not."

Sassy little bastard.

No respect for his elders!

Purnima had called to say her and Claude were going to enjoy a date, and they should have fun among themselves, preferably without destroying anything. At Leoni's insistence, Leo had bought matching aprons of 'I cook as good as I look' for him and Harshad, even if the other boy was almost swimming in it. As he expected, this elicited some good-naturedly remarks from the girls, but he played it off with a smirk and a few jabs on his own. To his sister's dismay, Harshad was all too eager to answer for her when Leo asked what she could cook, jokingly suggesting a competition.

"Maan says Nora only knows how to cook black food!"

"Harshad!"

Erica had brought her board to write.

What is black food?

"It's nothing, just an inside joke."

Leo beamed at her because he could see the embarrassment creeping up from her neck.

That's just priceless.

Knowing she would hate him as soon as he opened his mouth, he did it anyway.

"I think it means to burns everything she cooks!"

He avoided the punch to his face that he'd known was coming.

"Shut up!"

"I knew it!"

"I said shut up!"

***

"Are you okay?"

Nora's worried tone piqued his interest and Leo raised his head from his plate to find both Callie and Erica's back ram-road straight. To her question, Callie pursed her lips but Erica nodded her confirmation, a bit too quickly.

"Are you sure?"

The first hiccup escaped from Erica, quickly followed by a second one, before Callie joined her in a disjointed symphony. Nora and Leo shared an alarmed look, quickly dissolving into laughter the more the girls hiccupped.

"Girls, we ASKED if you could handle spicy, why didn't you say you couldn't?"

"Well- hic- in our- hic- defense- we under- hic- estimated- hic- you."

"But I told you I was making authentic Mexican food!"

"And I mentioned that Purnima usually cooks Indian food. SPICY Indian food."

"Hic- yeah, too- hic- late- hic- now!"

"I don't get it, why only they get hiccups?"

While Nora tried to subside her laughter to a giggle so she could explain their predicament to Harshad, Leo got up, opening the fridge to get the residual ingredients and set to cook a non-spicy version for the still hiccupping girls.

Unbelievable.

Do you think they would mind if we made a video?

***

"No, Harshad, put it back!"

"What is it?"

"TWISTER! You never disappoint, mini-me! We're playing!"

"We're not playing it."

"See, Erica is with me!"

"I also want to play."

"Harshad, you don't get a vote. We're not playing it."

"Yes, we are. Callie, back me up!"

"No, Callie is with me. Right?"

Erica's constantly elbowing wore her down, and she sighed.

"Alright, fine. We're playing it."

"I knew it! I'll go first!"

It didn't take long for them to be all tangled. Since Harshad's smaller frame worked against his balance after being precariously distributed, he was the first one to fall and became responsible for the sorting.

"Nora, right foot on red."

"There aren't any reds lefts."

"There is that one."

Nora turned to Leo with incredulity in her eyes.

"What? But how do you expect me to get there?"

He could see the solution but left for Callie to suggest.

"You could go between Erica's legs."

The dark-haired girl sighed in defeat, already trying to find a new balance before shifting her foot.

"Oh, God... almost... almost..."

"There."

Nora sighed at Callie's confirmation.

"Thank God! Harshad, get the game moving!"

"Take your time, she won't resist much longer in this position!"

"Shut up, Leoni."

"Erica, right hand on blue."

Since Erica couldn't protest, this role passed onto Callie.

"Already is. Again."

"Left foot on yellow."

"Already is."

"Right foot on blue."

They quickly realized only one blue that would allow Erica to keep her balance. Nora looked between Leo and the other girls, with an expression of mild curiosity.

"... This should be interesting."

Once Erica got into position, Leo directed his eyes towards the ceiling.

"Well, this got awkward really fast."

"Keep your eyes averted."

"Humpf, I'll have you know I'm a gentleman."

"Next, Harshad!"

"Ok! Leo, right hand on yellow."

He got moving, eager to leave his awkward position, not even Nora's veiled warning on her voice able to stop him.

"Where are you going?"

"Yellow."

"Couldn't you go OVER my leg?"

"Not if I want to keep my balance."

"Fine, next!"

It kept going for quite some time, Leo monologuing to Erica's amusement and a chorus of 'shut up' from the other girls. It ended when Callie's right leg fell victim to a cramp, sending her tumbling onto Nora, who in turn brought down Leo and Erica. Once Nora left with Callie to her room, so they could massage the muscle with a special gel, Leo started another round with Erica and Harshad. The boy didn't take much space so it wasn't a challenge, but it was just to get him participating, as Leoni reminded Leo that he was the one to bring up the game.

***

Nora had invited only Callie and Erica to see her room, but he and Harshad shared one look before sprinting towards her room, knowing it would be harder to kick them out than to stop them from entering. Harshad most likely was taking a chance to enter territory that was usually forbidden for him, but Leo's reason was to take a look at the 3D printer he had seen the other time he had invited himself to her room. When the girls entered the room, Callie and Erica moving to seat on the bed on Nora's invitation, Leo was already circling it, curious and mentally talking with Leoni, but not touching it out of respect, showing the same level of courtesy he'd expect from her if she had visited him on Bunker 9.

"Do you already have a project you're working on?"

Nora sat on the chair next to her already powered-up computer.

"Not really..."

He snorted as she wasn't capable of maintaining his eyes.

"You're a lousy liar. Besides, I can see your discarded bin over there and there are several similar pieces, so I'm guessing you haven't found the right measurements. Can I take a look? Thanks!"

Before Nora could protest, Leo had already reached for the bin and dumped its contents on the floor, sitting down next to it and started trying to assemble it, knowing there were several extra pieces. He knew he must've looked crazy, switching seemingly identical pieces, nodding and shaking his head several times a minute, mumbling to himself while going over possibilities with Leoni. He could hear them talking, but was too dedicated to the task at hand. It took him almost four minutes to fully crack it and stared at Nora in honest admiration.

"You're building an arm. A small, but very complex prosthetic arm. Who is it for?"

Wordlessly, Nora turned in her chair to open a picture on her computer of a little girl, with both arms missing from above the elbow, although on different heights.

"Her name is Dolinde, she was born with only her right arm, which she lost to a forgotten land mine when she was six. She'll be nine this year."

"Where does she live?"

"Congo. I heard about her story through an NGO, a very serious one. I was able to get into contact with her family and even spoke briefly to her over Skype. Five months ago, I promised to make her at least one arm. But with moving here, and starting a new school and all that, I've been forced to constantly push the deadline. I've explained the situation for them and they said I don't need to apologize, that I'm doing them a favor but... I still feel like shit."

Erica was quick to cover Harshad's ears, who looked at her in confusion.

"Besides, I've never done a prosthetic arm before and it's being harder than I thought. I try to change the measurements, alter the design a bit, but the pieces still don't fit! It has been driving me crazy for MONTHS! Sometimes I wonder if I am capable of doing a prosthetic anything..."

Callie's voice was soft.

"I'm sure you'll be able to keep your promise."

"I mean, it would REALLY suck if you couldn't."

Callie and Nora sent him death glares, and Erica's expression was mildly disapproving. He pretended not to see, adopting a nonchalant posture against Nora's desk and sending her a side glance.

"However, that would be less likely to happen if you could consult with someone who knows a bit of both engineering and mechanics."

He could see how important this was to here when instead of arguing or refusing, she fully turned her chair to face him in consideration.

"What do you know about prosthetic arms?"

"Prosthetic? Not a thing, never did it. Mechanical arms? Enough to knock you off your feet with just a sample."

"Do you really think it could be applied to my case?"

"Only one way to know."

Leo saw her nod to herself, her eyes lost and already in another place and time, starting to think the details of how they could work together.

"Fine."

"I'm waiting for the magical word..."

He smiled at how obviously pissed at him she was, but waited, as he knew there were some things they needed to clear.

"Ugh! Leoni, would you PLEASE help me build this arm?"

"No."

She stood up, seething.

"WHAT?"

Leo turned to fully face her, showing Nora how serious he was taking this. Even if he suddenly left, he knew Leoni had more than enough knowledge to help her out, not counting the folder with Leo's own sketches he had done in the first weeks to explain to Leoni about the Argo II, or their blueprints to Iron Man's costume.

"I'll teach you what I know, I'll help you fill notes and I'll give you my input. But you're going to build it yourself. Your project, your design, your promise; you build it. I'll only be the cricket on your shoulder."

Her shoulders sagged in relief and she even gave him a grateful smile.

"... Thanks."

"But not today! I remember a certain duchess promising us dessert, hm?"

Erica jumped in excitement, clapping her hands, and smiling. Taking Harshad's hand on her own, she left the room followed by Callie. Leo stopped Nora before she could leave and lowered his voice.

"I get that this is important for you and I admire your tenacity. That little girl is lucky to have met you and I know she's in another continent eager to see what you come up with, and as a child, she deserves the world. But I can also see a little boy in this house who's eager to see one of your rare smiles or joke with you at the dinner table and who also deserves the world. As dedicated as you're to help little Dolinde, don't let it blind you to the fact that you've been allowing it to develop into an obsession that has been pushing Harshad to the sidelines when he has done nothing to deserve it."

He left without waiting for an answer, and let her absorb his words.

***

It had been almost five minutes, but Erica was still taking out things from the bags she and Callie had brought, concentrating while she organized everything in a pattern Leo could not understand.

"What's all this?"

"Her tools."

"What is she trying to bake that needs all that? Frankenstein?"

That earned him an elbow to his ribs from Nora.

"What he means is, can we help?"

"Don't bother. Not even I can enter her sacred space."

I mean, Duchess already forgot we're here, right?

It seems like it.

Since I won't be able to properly taste it, do you think I'll be able to convince her to do it again after you leave?

If you ask nicely.

Erica is so kind that I think she'd do it even if I didn't. Not that I have any intention of not asking nicely!

That part was to avoid Callie's nagging.

Ah...

As different as her tools are from our own, I can see her as Cabin 9 member.

... I can understand Nora, but why Erica?

They called it baking, but look at how she moves, how she has a tool for each purpose, how easily she moves around them, switching between those meant to be used with force, and those for small details. She's not putting a bunch of ingredients in a bowl and calling it a day.

I see...

She has a project. You can almost see a blueprint behind her eyes, detailing each stage, which tools are needed, the correct measurements, and possible adjustments. She isn't simply baking; she's building a cake. I don't know what to expect of the final result, but she isn't an amateur in this.

I can see that. She's calm, but confident in a see of ingredients and tools. She did say it was an original recipe, so I can see why you said she has a project in her mind.

I don't even care about the flavor, I'm just fascinated in watching her work a cake like we work a machine.

Liar, you can't wait to taste it.

Stop calling me out!

***

On his right, Nora raised her eyes from the paper where Erica had written the details of the art sculpture sitting in front of them.

"I mean, what even IS a... what did you call it? A raspberry reduction?"

"Is that what you're caught up with? I mean, when you say lavender, you mean the flower? And you put it in there? Is it edible?"

"If she's put it there, it obviously is!"

"I know, but won't it taste like a plant?"

Standing by the table, Callie waved her hand in impatience.

"Do you two want to keep discussing the details of Erica's recipe or do you want to eat?"

"Do we have to eat it?"

Callie gave him a look that said she was debating between thinking he was an idiot and thinking she should kill him.

"... You don't want to?

"But it's so beautiful. It's like art!"

Nora nodded beside him; her demeanor friendlier now that he had promised to help him with her pet project.

"I agree with him, it looks too pretty to destroy."

Callie rolled her eyes at them.

"Well, food doesn't last forever, so it'll get ugly if we don't eat it."

"Fine! But don't laugh at me if I cry."

"Can I eat that chocolate leaf?"

"Yes, you can, Harshad. Ready, Erica?"

When she stepped forward with a professional-looking knife, Harshad stood up on his chair and threw himself forward, arms around the cake like he was trying to protect it.

"Wait! You can't cut it!"

"You too?"

"Why not?"

"We need to first put the candles on the cake!"

Callie and her cousin were paying attention to the little boy, so they didn't hear Nora's sudden intake of breath like Leo did.

No. Way.

"What candles?"

"Because Nora needs to blow them!"

Leo turned to see Nora's body rigid, eyes avoiding anyone else's. Leo got over his surprise before Callie.

"Wait! Hold up! Is today your birthday?"

"Harshad, I'll kill you."

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"What difference does it make?"

Leo could see the almost belligerent defensiveness and could also see shame.

"I knew it! The second decade of life and you're already hiding your age. Women are so complicated! I wonder, is it a personal decision or are there rules to follow? Like, do you get a handbook with this kind of rules or are they printed inside your brains by the mothership? Can I see the mothership? Can one of you get me a visitor's pass? Harshad! Do you want to go see an alien ship?"

"YES!"

Nora punched him hard on the shoulder, fighting a smile.

"Shut up, you idiot."

He huffed.

"It's not an idiot to want to see a mothership, I'll have you know it's my childhood's dream!"

"I want to go too!"

"Harshad, no one is going to visit a mothership."

"Awn..."

"And no one is going to escape the embarrassment of not knowing what to do when people are singing Happy Birthday. Should you sing? Keep quiet? Smile? Cry? Clap your hands? Hide them beneath the table? And how embarrassing it is when you make eye contact with someone!?"

She punched his shoulder again, harder this time, but she was smiling.

"I hate you."

"I'm pretty sure you say that to everyone."

"I hate everyone."

Leo stood up and could see Erica beaming at him and even Callie nodding in approval.

"Mini-me, let's get some candles and embarrass the hell out of our sister with our best performance of the birthday song!"

"YEAH!"

I wonder how she does in school. I mean, she isn't close to her brother, argues with us every time we see each other, only saw Callie and Erica once, and still, she chose to spend her birthday with us.

And without telling us.

Maybe she feared we would've refused it if we knew the reason?

Or she didn't want to explain why she only had us to invite.

***

Leo and Nora's moans at their first taste were in sync.

"Sweet Rhea, this is amazing!"

"Amazing? That doesn't even cut, it's divine!"

"If I had to choose a last meal, this would be it."

"I mean, this cake is so good I could use it to stop a war!"

"Or starting one! Can I take a slice home?"

"Try to leave with my birthday cake and I'll end you!"

"Thanks for proving my point."

Leo gave Nora a side glance, before mumbling.

"Selfish."

"Idiot."

"Violent."

"Weakling."

"Boar-headed."

"Hare-brained."

"We get it, you both love each other."

While Nora was sending Callie death glares, he turned to stare at Erica, who was still beautifully blushed from their compliments.

"Wait, why are you working in a flower shop? Why not open your own bakery?"

With a side look that showed how much Callie already had this discussion with her cousin, she answered.

"She first wants to finish her studies."

"Didn't she switch to a virtual school some weeks ago? Why not work in a bakery, at least? You know, before opening one."

"She doesn't think her cakes are good enough for it."

He slapped both hands on the table.

"WHAT?"

"That's the biggest pile of bu-"

A glance at Harshad got Nora changing speech.

"- of idiotic declarations. Not good enough? NOT good enough? I have Claude bringing a different pie or cake every two weeks from nearly every bakery in town and none of those even compare to this one. If I get him to try this, I'm sure he'll insist on having you sell a cake to him at least once a week!"

Leo saw her hand raising to her throat unconsciously.

"Duchess, you know that being mute isn't an obstacle as big as you think. We've all adapted. If you can make friends, you can follow your dreams."

"Forget speaking, your cake SINGS. I suspect you could communicate whatever you want through baking."

Erica's blush went from a pretty tint on her shoulders to beet-red all the way to her neck.

"You see? They aren't your family but they still agree with what I've been saying for years. You have talent. Don't waste your destiny with flowers when you can offer things like this cake to the world."

***

Callie had offered to do the dishes and Harshad had pulled Erica to his room, wanting to show her his drawings, leaving Leo alone with Nora. He expected her to start setting a schedule to work on the prosthetic arm, but she surprised him.

"Why do you call me sister sometimes?"

"Does it annoy you?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I think you're doing it as a constant reminder of how inadequate I am as Harshad's sister."

She's braver than I gave her credit for; admitting it without attacking or defending.

"It's not. It might sound cliché, but I see something of myself in you. I can understand how it is to have a project that you can't execute. How nerve-wracking it is to have a deadline and fear not being able to respect it. How stressing it is to know there is just one small detail stopping it from work and you just can't find it. I also know how fantastic is the feeling when you finally fix it. When you see your pet project in its final form. The amazing feeling of knowing your little hobby helped someone, how light your soul feels when you get the proof that you're useful and important; that you aren't a disposable seventh-wheel. I feel like, in another life or another world, we could've been siblings."

That's one way to put it.

"That's why I sometimes call you sister. Even if I don't approve of what you do or not to Harshad, I wouldn't resort to doing something like this. Wait, is this the 'passive-aggressive' thing everyone talks about? Wow, it kinda sucks."

Nora laughed uninhibitedly.

"Come, let's rescue Erica before Harshad fries her brain overloading it with cartoons trivia."

SUNDAY, 29th January

"Hi, Leo."

Recognizing the voice, he raised his head with an easy smile.

"Claire! Now, that's a surprise, what are you doing here?"

"Huh... sorry, but I'm afraid I'm here for very selfish reasons."

"Not a problem for me. Shoot."

"It's... do you... I mean, would you know if there was something wrong with... Piper?"

What do you think happened?

Nothing grave or we'd have heard about it.

"What do you mean?"

"She's... acting weird. Not Trish weird, that is obvious, just... Piper weird?"

She saw his blank stare and let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Sorry, I know I'm not making any sense..."

"Do you want to sit?"

"Thanks."

He took her to the back of the shop and offered her the cleanest chair. Apart from a raised eyebrow from Dylan, no one said anything and he knew none of the guys would bother them.

"Ok, try to start from the beginning, I have time."

"Right. Oh, by the way, hi, Leoni, sorry I forgot to salute you before."

"He says it's fine."

"So, I know Piper isn't the same as Trish. I've noticed several differences and that's why she told me."

"I remember. And Jason supported her decision."

"And all was fine, I mean it. I know Trish so well I can almost hear her thoughts through Piper's expressions. But this last week they seem... I don't know, out of it?"

He waited for her to continue.

"She's distracted. Not distracted like bored. She's worried, really worried about something. I have tried to talk to her, but she just says it's something she needs to fix it by herself, that is not about me. And I don't think she's lying, I just... I guess I'm afraid. Afraid it's something she feels she can't tell me."

"Like what?"

"Leo... I... please be honest with me."

"Of course."

"Is... Leoni always there?"

"Yeah, do you want to ask him something?"

"No, sorry, I just thought... you didn't lose him, right?"

"Lose him?"

"Like... he disappeared. Out of nowhere. And you couldn't find his voice anymore. Maybe not forever, but for a while."

"You think Piper lost Trish."

Is that even possible? I mean, if you disappeared, it would mean you went back to your world, but what if I disappeared? Would I go to your body? To someone else's body? Or simply cease to exist?

You're not going anywhere, except back in control of your own body. Not if I have anything to say about it.

I wish I had your confidence.

Man, I defied DEATH. I'd like to see a weird little body mishap try and stop me.

"I didn't want to think that, but I started to get really worried and she won't tell me and then I started to think-"

"Claire, stop. Look at me."

Once he was sure he had her attention, he continued.

"I know Piper, ok? She's pretty much my best friend. She's as honest as she can be. This theory that she would keep Trish's disappearance a secret from you would only work if she was still hiding the fact that she's actually Piper because that'd be really tricky to explain after Trish left."

"Then why-"

"Let me finish. She told you about us, right? She trusted you to keep your cool about a very bizarre secret. She knows how much your friendship means to Trish and vice-versa. If she'd lost Trish, you'd have been the first person to know. If someone could think of a way to get Trish back, to provoke her into coming back, it would be you and Piper knows it. I think it's safe to say that Piper would not keep a secret from you, at least one about her or Trish."

"But why is she hiding something? I know she is, she admitted that."

"Because it's not about her or Trish, but someone else. I don't think it's the demigods either. I haven't heard anything and if it was really that worrying, they would've said something. It could be about one of the other guys - you know, like Leoni or Trish – and about something they wanted privacy about or even someone else entirely. I get that Trish is your best friend, but Piper is like my sister and I know she would keep someone else's secret if they wanted her to, even from both of us."

Claire maintained his eyes for a few moments, before sighing and dropping her head.

"Thanks, I needed that. I guess my fear for Trish got so big that it trampled my trust in Piper. Thanks, Leo, you're a good guy. And sorry for coming here only for this."

"Hey, I understand."

"Hm... if you're free tomorrow, I could thank you? I know a place with awesome fries and salsas. I would like to hear more about your life and Leoni's... I mean, if that's okay with you, you don't need to feel constricted."

"Wendy, you had me at fries."

Piper lucked out on her weird little body mishap, with a friend like this.

I know, Claire is something else.

A/N: Am I smiling now that Leo's chapters don't feel like a chore because he found friends on his own (which was trickier since he didn't go to school) and their interaction is so light and at the same time so tightly woven? To the point where even Leo and Nora are starting to act more like siblings, which would've taken ages without the debuff supplied by Callie and Erica? And now there are two others joining Callie in convincing Erica to follow her dreams? And Leo helping Nora's projects? And Nora and Harshad getting closer? No, I'm not smiling. I'm GRINNING.

And giving Leo and Claire common ground and time alone to start their friendship? Hell yes! And to anyone willing to protest I'm only giving him girl friends (apart from Niel), must I remind you that Leo IS a ladies' man, just not how he thinks? He finds easier to get closer to Annabeth than Percy (and I doubt it's only because she dabs on engineering), treats Piper as a sister but Jason only as a best friend, can talk with Hazel for hours and barely keep a conversation with Frank, even 90% of his interactions with Calypso were in a friendly manner (ToA apart). He finds it easier to connect with girls than guys and you can fight me on that.