It was the last week of school, and I could tell that no one was interested any longer, but being a teacher for so many years I have come to expect it.

And this year I have had my fair share of worries my stepson; Percy, has gone missing it was big news at the school.

He is known for disappearing for weeks on end but he always seems to return. It was usually my task to come up with some lame excuse. Since he never seemed to give me a heads up, my colleagues figured out I was lying.

This time I wish I had an excuse, because never in the time I had been in Percy's life had he been gone for so long.

Usually he will return in a week or two and say Oh I was in the underworld, or I took my girlfriend to Paris for our anniversary. You know normal teenage things.

But now I had no idea when he was returning.

He was my family and he was gone. Ever since the phone call he has invaded my thoughts. It's been two weeks without any contact.

I know quests are dangerous so the fact that he hadn't called had me worried.

I looked to the faces of my students and began to talk.

"This year had been great to teach, from now till the end of the year we will be watching movies seeing as we have finished. Enjoy." Honestly teaching had been my only distraction, not a good one, because I expected to see Percy in the back half asleep, but teaching did keep you busy.

It was a normal day. Then he walked in my jaw dropped. I could hear the whispers immediately.

But I was to focused on the figure standing in front of me.

"Percy?" I said it was a faint sound, I was so shocked. I had expected him to just call, and say I'm ok and coming home, not to just show up.

"Hey Paul" hey Paul after he disappeared just hey Paul you could say I was frustrated with this greeting.

"Just Hey, Paul where have you been? What have you been doing? HOW COULD YOU DISAPPEAR?"

I regretted my words immediately he looked hurt.

"Look Paul I didn't mean to disappear it's a long story."

He looked good, healthy he was still wearing a leather jacket and worn t-shirt he looked a little older but still he looked like Percy.

I hugged him and held on for dear life. I could tell that Percy felt the same way.

Percy is not one for public displays of affection unless it's Annabeth but this was different.

"Paul I told mom the whole story I just left but I need to tell you something else."

I nodded. Just as Percy started talking "I'm leaving again, but this time I don't know if I'll be back" We walked out of the classroom so the conversation could be private.

If not when that had me worried "What do you mean if?" he looked at me as if he was an old man and I was a child.

"That's what I came to talk about Paul this time it's different. My chance of survival is bad, like not at all it's like my chance of getting an A in math"

He was joking about his life but then again this wasn't new. "Why is it different?"

I couldn't keep the worry out of my voice.

"I'm not invincible. Paul I have played Russian roulette with my life for so long, what are the chances I survive another round when the stakes are even higher?"

How could he be so calm, "Did you practice this speech Percy?" He smiled sheepishly the same look he use to get and nodded then continued.

"I want you to take care of mom, and help her move on. Tell her I made my choice. I could have said no and forgotten this life, but I chose to fight."

I never understood why my stepson did this. I mean when do you come across a sixteen year old with such a sold set of morals? Who fights for the safety of the world?

"Why?"

He laughed "I already won once I'm not going to let anyone mess up all my hard work." I laughed. I could see that Percy was still the same and hadn't given up. But just to be sure.

"Please tell me you haven't given up."

Percy looked shocked "Paul I'm going to fight, when I don't die it makes the people who hate mad, so it's worth living just for that. Plus I'm telling you this because I learned what my disappearance did to people. I just want you and mom to be happy in case."

"You sound wise you know that Percy."

He chuckled "can you tell that to everyone else seeing as they all think I'm a seaweed brain."

I couldn't help but chuckle as well. "So you will probably survive?"

He had a sad smile "Paul the fates are cruel, apparently I have another decision to make. I'm not sure I will make the right one or what the price will be. All I can promise is I will do my best."

I nodded. Trying to get a hold on my emotions, Percy was right the fates were cruel.

"Paul don't be sad, I've always known that the life of a hero is a tragic one, but I'm ok, in fact I'm usually happy so you should be too." That's Percy he is the one in a terrible situation and he is trying to make me feel better.

"Stay please just till class is over and we can see your mom and have one normal day as a family."

He smiled and said "That sounds great." I opened the doors to the class. The whispers grew so loud that I could hear and I was pretty sure so could Percy

"Where do you think he was?"

"I guarantee he was in Juvie or something?"

Percy laughed "I'm guessing everyone noticed my absence" that got everyone to shut up.

I nodded. "Have a seat Percy."

I smiled to myself I was so glad to have Percy back, but I knew in my heart it could be a long time till he was back. But I always guessed that this was going to happen in his life. I just prayed that he would be OK Percy was too good to die he deserved to live.

Percy POV

It felt so weird to be back at Goode. I had been gone for so long but it seemed the same. I know Paul was worried, but everyone had been on my case to prepare my parents. I couldn't tell my mom when I went home she was too happy, so I told Paul before I lost my nerve.

Annabeth, Jason, Clarisse and Thalia all said that it was unfair of me to let Paul and my mom believe that I would win because apparently if I died it would be worse for them. Let's face it, this wasn't a normal quest.

I would not let my mom be hurt if something happened to me because I was going to fight Gaea.

This was really getting on my nerve I wish I didn't have to hurt the people I care about. I was going to make Gaea pay.

The past week at Camp Jupiter had been awkward at best. I think my heart burst when I saw Annabeth but reality sunk in. I have to be back to start planning an attack.

But being with Annabeth reminded me why I was fighting I'm so glad that things are still good between us, and she still loves me the way I love her.

I sat down next to a kid I couldn't remember ironic right.

I took of my jacket and relaxed. I mean when was the next time I would get to see a movie. I was completely relaxed when I felt Paul stare at me like something was off.

Seeing as I'm a demigod I was completely paranoid I looked around immediate I didn't need a repeat of the Mrs. Dodd's experience.

Some people had noticed, that's when Paul walked right to me and said "YOU GOT A TATTOO!"

Opps I forgot about the roman marks on my arm, Paul must be thinking I stopped off to get a tattoo.

"Yah long story" he stared at me. A few people started to snicker this must be funny.

"Perseus Jackson" erk I hate when people use my full name. "Does your mother know?"

The guilty look on my face must have been hilarious, because people were laughing out right one kid whisper yells "Looks like he isn't so tough now afraid of his mom." I guess I still have a tough guy reputation. I wonder for how much longer.

Oh Gods if someone from either camp found out.

"Not exactly." I knew that my mom wasn't the biggest fan of tattoos, and I didn't want to say anything to make her unhappy.

He did not look happy.

"So in the time you were gone you stopped off to get a tattoo but it never crossed your mind to call!"

When he put it like that I could see why he was a little pissed.

"Relax its not a big deal. Come on compared to everything else a tattoo is nothing."

People were watching like this was a TV show.

"You're telling your mother." Paul said in an exasperated voice.

He looked at me and then said "Why those symbols, I know the trident but the rest."

"The strip is a long story. The letters are a Latin acronym that I will explain later." Hoping he understood that it was a complicated answer and that the tattoo was not something I just did on a whim.

"Like you know Latin Jackson" some kid giggled.

Paul seemed to take offence unlike me who was use to it.

"Percy just because you're fluent in other languages doesn't mean." I cut him off. "Paul it's not a big deal. Remember a tattoo is better than a scar, plus seeing as its permanent we can't do anything about it."

"Teenagers" At least he was no longer mad at me judging by the look on his face.

With that he sat down. I smiled to myself it's nice to have a dad worry about you. Poseidon still hadn't contacted me.

When the period ended I walked out with Paul. People were starting, but I didn't care I was happy at this moment.

"Please say the tattoo is the only change to your body it's the first cliché delinquent thing you've ever done"

I laughed "Me a delinquent I'm hurt" Paul laughed too "then I shouldn't tell you about the police car I stole"

Paul laughed and then his face froze "You aren't serious. Right?"

I laughed and said "long story."

He started laughing with me and we walked towards home.

It felt so nice to say home.

Paul POV

Yesterday was the best day I've had in a long time as always it ended in some strange way a giant warship picked Percy up at our window.

I knew that when Percy told me to take care of his mother it meant that he trusted me with the most important person in his life.

I knew after everything he told me he was in a tough situation, but if anyone can get out, its Percy.

I was smiling as I entered my classroom.

"We will continue with yesterday's movie."

That's when Derek a student I knew never got along with Percy said "Where's Percy and did he really steal a police car?"

I stood there for a second recalling the memory and I laughed "I have no idea what you're talking about Percy will be visiting his father in his home."

Greece was technically his homeland. Percy had given me pointers on how to lie to people.

Maybe my life was going back to normal.

As normal as it could be as the stepfather of one of the most important demigods on the planet.

I had faith in Percy he would be back because I have seen what he can do, Gaea had no idea who she messed with.

The End


I cant believe the story is over. i want to thank everyone who read this fic and took the time to review, it was truly amazing.

i have had so much fun writing this. I really hope you like the conclusion.

i think that mark of Athena will be a lot more serious and seeing as most demigods don't really worry about what will happen there parents i thought i should highlight the fact that Percy is super close to his.

oh and i really just wanted to put Percy point of view to fill in some gaps and his reaction to being back at Goode.

As a reminder Percy Jackson and his whole crew belong to Rick Riordan who will be soon be releasing Mark of Athena (Super excited)

Anyways i hope you like the final chapter :)