Between the battles: Heroes of Olympus one shots

Her Last Name

LEO

Leo pushed his hair out of his eyes as he concentrated on his project.

He was in Bunker 9, working on a prototype for an updated version of the Archimedes spheres. He was using the basic design of the old spheres, then adding some new twists.

He gingerly connected two wires, and jumped back as the half formed sphere exploded. A huge fireball erupted from the metal contraption, leaving Leo's hair smoking and his face covered in ash.

"Just great." He muttered, sighing. He flopped back into his favorite swivel chair, and spun around in a circle.

This was his twenty third failed improved sphere, and yes, he had been keeping track. He could make regular spheres just fine, but when it came to making upgrades to them? Boom

Buford the table came clattering over, and offered him some Lemon Pledge Moisturizer. Leo took it and polished Buford's tabletop, making him whir happily. He nuzzled up to Leo's leg, and seemed to try to comfort him.

"Thanks buddy. We'll get it next time right?" Leo said to his table, which squeaked in affirmation.

Leo heard the newly installed doorbell to bunker 9 ring, and he groaned. He was all the way in the back of the bunker, where he did his more dangerous work.

He pressed the intercom button on the wall. "Coming!" He yelled, and started the dangerous journey to the front of the bunker.

"Leo! Hurry up!" He heard a voice yell, and he grinned when he realized who it was.

After almost dying twice, not counting the near decapitation, Leo finally made his way to the Bunker entrance, and found Calypso waiting for him.

She was leaning against one of the shelves, examining a miniature model of the Argo II. She turned when she heard Leo approach, and said "What happened to you? There is ash all over your face!"

Oops. He had forgotten about that. He grabbed a cloth out of his tool belt and wiped his face, hopefully getting rid of the worst of the grime.

"Better now?" He grinned at Calypso, who rolled her eyes. "You just succeeded in smearing it all over your face. Honestly Leo, you should really have learned how to clean up soot by now."

Leo laughed, and pulled himself up on one of the tables. He sat down, clearing a space besides him for Calypso to sit. She hopped up besides him, and for a moment they sat in silence, just enjoying each other's company.

"So what's up chica?" Leo asked, swinging his legs back and forth like a little kid.

"I wanted to ask you something actually." Admitted Calypso, looking at the ground.

"Well ask away then. Oh, and don't put your hand there. The hammer next to you may or may not be explosive. I really need to label my tools." Leo said, gingerly reaching around Calypso and nudging the hammer away.

Calypso scooted closer to Leo, away from the possibly explosive hammer. "Really Leo? One of these days I am going to sit you down and help you organize Bunker 9."

Leo rolled his eyes. "A mechanic's workspace is a masterpiece, not to be disturbed. And organizing this place," he gestured all around him, "Would take a lot more than a day. More like a year."

"That's true. But anyway, the question. You might have noticed, I don't exactly have a last name." Calypso said, looking a bit nervous.

Huh. Leo had never really thought about it that much.

"And, well," Calypso continued. "I thought I kinda needed one. Every time I go into the mortal world, they all ask for first and last names, so I always end up blurting out something ridiculous."

Leo laughed. He remembered the time they had gone out for dinner, and she had ended up being Calypso Tablecloth. "So what do you wanna pick? I could look up some last names on the internet if you wanted me to. I could ask Chiron for permission to use the Big House computer."

"Umm, I actually already had one in mind," Calypso said, fiddling with a piece of hair that had come loose from her ponytail.

"Let's hear it then." Leo said.

"Well, actually... Ooh I'm going to sound ridiculous." Calypso said. Her face had turned red, and Leo started to grin, anticipating what would come next.

"I was wondering if I could use Valdez?" Calypso asked hesitantly. Leo grinned, and out his arm around her shoulder.

"Of course you can! That's awesome!"

Calypso looked relieved. "Thanks, I mean I wasn't sure, you know because we're dating and everything, and I didn't want to give the wrong impression,"

Leo cut her off with a kiss. They broke apart quickly, and Calypso smiled.

"So, Calypso Valdez. Has a nice ring to it." Leo said, grinning.

"Eventually it will be official." He said, taking Calypso's hand. "But for now it will have to do."