Revenge

Chapter 35

"Told you it wouldn't be that bad." Percy said with a smile as he parked the motorcycle. Beck rolled her eyes and pulled the helmet off.

"Right. Flying through the city on a thing that's five times smaller than anything else on the road. Absolutely fantastic."

He snickered and pocketed the keys, hooking his helmet to a little loop on the seat. Beck did the same with hers.

"So I'm meeting your mom?" She asked as Percy led her into the building and to the elevator.

"And Paul and my little sister."

"Paul?" Beck asked curiously.

"My stepdad. Great guy, he actually kind of knows how to sword fight and we practice on the roof sometimes. He's mortal so my sword goes right through him, it's a lot of fun. We've considered making YouTube videos and scaring the crap out of people."

Beck had to laugh. "I can imagine the conspiracy theories that would sprout into the world."

"Yeah." Percy chuckled as they stepped out of the elevator. He led her to a room and knocked lightly on the door.

"One moment please!" A woman's voice called from inside.

Percy shifted his leather jacket off and draped it over his shoulders.

"I'm actually kind of surprised this fits me." Beck said, tugging on Annabeth's bike jacket. "She's got good taste."

"In most things, yeah." He smiled. "She's dating me so she's not completely infallible."

Beck shoved him. "Oh hush. You two are great together."

A middle aged woman opened the door.

She was quite pretty, with a few grey hairs framing her face. Her face was surprisingly free of wrinkles, other than a few smile lines.

"Percy!"

"Hi Mom." He grinned and hugged her.

It made Beck smile. Big, scary Percy Jackson, the skater boy that grew up into motorcycles, the guy who was a punk but had the same amount of muscle as a lot of football players, the 'senior' who was always beating up bullies, was a mama's boy.

When they pulled apart, Percy turned to Beck.

"Mom, this is Beck. Beck, this is my mom."

"Hi, Mrs. Jackson." Beck smiled.

"Sweetie, call me Sally." She smiled and offered Beck a hug.

The daughter of Poseidon took it with a smile in response.

"And how do you know Percy?" She asked as she pulled away.

Beck smiled a little more. "He's my half-brother."

Sally's eyebrows shot up. "Well. You're as good as my daughter then. Come on in."

"She really hates it when she meets demigods." Percy explained quietly. "Mostly because she thinks it's unfair to them that they were born into what we have to deal with all the time. I bet Dad's gonna get an earful next time they see each other."

Beck chuckled. "I like your mom."

"She likes you too." He smiled and stepped into the living room.

"Percy!" A man who looked a bit older than Sally stood. He walked over, grinning, and wrapped the son of Poseidon in a tight hug. Beck smiled and stood behind him.

"How ya doin' Paul?" Percy grinned.

"Getting a little less sleep than normal, but Estelle's not quite to sleeping through the night yet so that's to be expected."

Percy nodded and turned to Beck. "Beck, this is my step-dad Paul. Coolest mortal you'll ever meet."

Beck chuckled. Paul offered his hand with a smile.

"I'm Beck. Percy's half-sister."

"Nice to meet you, Beck." Paul nodded.

"Paul, sweetie, could you come here for a moment!" Sally called from down the hall.

"I'll be right back."

"So did you grow up here?" Beck looked around. The apartment was nicely put together, clean and orderly.

Percy sighed and shook his head. "When I was little, before I knew I was a demigod, Mom was married to this real monster of a man. Worse than any actual monsters I've met, honestly. He was a drunk and... abusive. Generally sucky person. It was awful."

He shook his head, smiling a little. "When I was eleven I shipped Mom the head of Medusa and she used it to turn him into a statue, then sold the statue and bought a new apartment."

Beck laughed. "Wow. That's intense... I like your mom."

"I do too, she's great."

"Well I'd hope so." Sally walked into the room, a sleepy toddler on her hip.

Percy grinned and went over to her, taking the child. "Hi there Little Star." He murmured to the child.

Estelle whined a little and Percy sighed. "I know, kiddo." He kissed her head.

Beck smiled.

"Look how gentle he is." Sally said to her quietly, smiling. "My big intimidating boy."

Beck laughed. "Intimidating? He's a pushover."

"I heard that, Gibbson."

She grinned at Percy. "Good, I hoped you would."