The One-Seven

Chapter 15: A Hazy Memory

Percy let out a jaw-breaking yawn as he stumbled out of his room. They had been up most of the night, as the kids filled him in on everything they knew about Meg. When they were done, Percy used some of his mist-magic and knocked the kids unconscious. They'd wake up thinking they'd simply fallen asleep. He'd also zip-tied them for good measure. He couldn't be too careful after all. Un-cuffing the kids, Percy disposed of the restraints, and snapped his fingers. The kids jolted awake in an instant. Even the previously injured David.

"I don't even remember falling asleep," James said, rubbing tiredly at his eyes, "What time is it,"

"Six in the morning." Percy said, as he walked back to the kitchen, "Your ride will be here in a bit, so get yourselves packed up. And catch Dr. Doolittle up to speed." He then busied himself with making coffee, and his breakfast. As the pot began boiling, he went into his room, and changed into his work clothes. Taking his smoothie off the blender, and poured it into a cup. He downed the entire thing in one go, before pouring his coffee into a thermos. He poured a healthy dose of creamer into the thermos before capping it. He threw his sport coat on and walked back into the living room as he got a text. Looking up at the waiting teens, he nodded at them,

"Your ride's here, come on. Follow me." Percy said,

"You really are a cop, aren't you?" Terri said, a note of disgust in her voice,

"Yup," Percy said, "And I'm going to be late for work if you don't hurry up. Come on," He urged them out the door. They climbed down the stairs and turned around the corner to the street below. Stepping onto the street, he was unsurprised to see a large, black, SUV on the curb. There was a man leaning on the hood. Tall, taller than Percy by a touch, with bright golden hair, and a powerful body. Dark sunglasses

"Oh shit," Terri muttered, as she laid eyes on the man.

"Yeah that seems to sum it up rather nicely, doesn't it?" Said Jason Grace, as he stepped away from the car, pulling his sunglasses off his face. He was glaring at the group of children. It had been years since Percy had seen that look, it was the one Jason had used with the troops. Percy had seen it cow even the hardiest of veterans into submission. The kids had no chance, and shrank into themselves slightly,

"That's what I thought," Jason glowered, and jerked his head towards the car, "Get in," The kids did as they were told; as she got it, Terri gave Percy one last meaningful look. Jason and Percy watched as the kids closed the doors behind them. Before Jason turned to Percy. He looked Percy up and down, appraising him. Percy met the man's gaze evenly. A shimmer of something on the man's hand caught Percy's attention, and he briefly looked down to notice the ornate looking wedding band around the man's finger.

"You missed it," Jason said,

"I'm sorry?" Percy said, feeling confused,

"The wedding," Jason clarified, his thumb rubbing against the ring slightly, "You missed it,"

"Sorry," Percy said again, this time actually meaning it, "Didn't want to, but I was on deployment." The sound of a car door opening drew Percy's attention away from Jason. And he watched as a very pregnant Piper McLean stepped out of the car, and beamed in his direction.

"Apparently that's not all I missed," Percy said,

"Percy!" Piper said in excitement, as she hobbled over. She reached around and gave Percy a hug. Percy raised his coffee into the air in an attempt to avoid spilling it all over the woman. "Good to see you too Piper." Percy said, giving the woman a kiss on the cheek. She then tightened her hold around Percy's neck, and whispered into his ear,

"If I wasn't pregnant I'd knee you in the balls," She hissed, and Percy let go.

"I see you haven't lost your...free spiritedness," Percy said politically,