Chapter Text
Percy Jackson stepped into the bustling building with a deep breath. This was it. Two years overseas with the Navy SEALS, and four years of an accelerated medical degree, he was finally here. LA Metro SWAT HQ. When Annabeth had told him he could help officers – fighters, heroes – and keep them healthy, Percy did everything he could to get the job. He wanted to help the people helping others. He never really had that for himself. Back at camp they patched themselves up, but the war was rough, and they lost a lot of campers.
They lost a lot of heroes.
Percy didn’t want more heroes to suffer.
He reached out to Apollo, who owed him a few dozen favours, and got him to help with finding a medical program and putting in a good word for him. He wasn’t completely sure Apollo didn’t brainwash the chief of police, but he decided not to ask. Plausible deniability and all that.
He walked up to the front desk and smiled at the secretary, “Hi, I’m Percy Jackson, the new medic. Could you point me towards Commander Hicks’ office?”
The secretary had bright red hair, dark blue eyes, and a wide smile that showcased the whitest teeth Percy has ever seen. Seriously, they were practically emitting light. He wondered if they were glow-in-the-dark. She eyed him, seeming to assess if he was who he said he was. Finally, she answered, “I’ll need your ID, proof of employment, and the badge you received in the mail.”
She stuck her hand out, and Percy quickly slung off his backpack, digging through it to find the necessary documents. He handed over his ID, the official letter of employment, and the shiny new badge that still felt surreal in his hands. The secretary scanned them with a meticulous eye, then nodded and handed them back to Percy.
"Commander Hicks' office is on the second floor, third door on your left. He's expecting you," she said, her tone professional yet friendly.
Percy thanked her and headed towards the stairs, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The building was alive with activity, officers moving briskly, engaged in conversations, or heading out on calls. He passed walls adorned with commendations and photos of teams, each image reminding him he was surrounded by the elite of the elite.
Reaching the second floor, Percy found the door marked 'Commander Robert Hicks.' Taking a deep breath, he knocked firmly.
"Come in," a voice called from inside.
Percy entered and found himself facing a man who exuded authority and calm. Commander Hicks was behind his desk, his gaze sharp but not unkind. "Percy Jackson, I presume?"
he asked, standing up to shake Percy's hand.
"Yes, sir. It's an honor to be here," Percy replied, feeling a surge of determination.
“It’s an honour to have you. You have an impressive record, Jackson. You’ll be a welcome addition to the station.” Percy smiled and shook the Commander’s hand. He was surprised by the strength of his grip.
“I hope so,” Percy said sincerely, before sitting down in the offered chair in front of the desk.
“So,” Commander Hicks huffed as he sat in his own chair, “You’ll have the med bay, and a small office, and an attached apartment already furnished. Feel free to make yourself at home. You can let me know personally if there are additional supplies you need, or health plans for the teams.”
Percy was initially surprised by the freedom and voice he had, but shook it off quickly, “I’ll be sure to let you know, thank you sir. I uh… I do have one protocol I’d like to put in place, if you wouldn’t mind?” Hicks gestured for him to continue, and Percy straightened. “I’d like each officer to have a weekly meeting with me. Mandatory. I’ve seen so many good officers ignore health or mental health issues, thinking they were fine.
“These people,” Percy gestured vaguely to the door, “they are sometimes blind to their own struggles because they’re always dealing with other people’s. Weekly meetings, even if they are five minutes, give them time to focus on themselves. I think it could help us catch problems before they become a real issue.”
Commander Hicks nodded thoughtfully and handed him his card, “Tell you what, type it up and send it to me by tonight. I’ll have it initiated by morning.”
Percy grinned brightly, “Thank you sir.”
Hicks replied with a raised eyebrow, “You do know this won’t make you the most popular around here? I can think of many officers who won’t appreciate having to get a check-up every week.”
Percy shrugged.
“I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to keep everyone healthy. Sometimes that means dealing with people’s egos.”
Commander Hicks’ mouth twitched upwards, and Percy thought e may have gained some respect from the seasoned officer. “Fair enough. Great to meet you Jackson,” he said, standing up, and Percy followed smoothly “I’ll find someone to show you around – Alonso!”
A woman dressed in a SWAT shirt and pants turned as she walked past the office door and came into Hicks’ office. She had short black hair and a serious expression on her face. Her eyes trailed over Percy, seeming to size him up before resting her eyes on Hicks.
“Yes sir?”
“This is Doctor Percy Jackson, our new medic. Show him around, will you? It’s his first day.” Chris nodded with her hands clasped behind her back, the picture of obedience.
“Yes sir. Am I dropping him off in the med bay after?” Hicks nodded, and the woman turned to Percy. “Christina Alonso,” She introduces, and Percy walked over to shake her hand, “Just call me Chris, everyone does. Nice to meet you, Doctor.”
“You too. And please call me Percy, Doctor sounds way too formal,” Percy joked with a grin, and Chris gave him a small smile and led him out of the office to start the tour.
~*~
As Percy followed Chris down the bustling hallways of LA Metro SWAT HQ, he felt a growing sense of anticipation. The officers they passed nodded courteously at Chris, casting curious glances at Percy. He returned their nods with a friendly smile, already feeling a part of this new world.
The med bay was in a quieter section of the building, near the kitchen. Chris punched in a code on a keypad, and the frosted glass door clicked open, revealing a space that was a blend of modern technology and practical design. The room was spacious, with clean white walls that had a couple of windows, letting natural sunlight shine through the blinds, bright LED lights overhead, and state-of-the-art medical equipment. There were two hospital beds, neatly made, and cabinets filled with medical supplies. A desk with a computer and a couple of chairs for people to it in sat in one corner, and there was a small adjoining room, which Percy assumed was his office.
"Here's your kingdom, Percy," Chris said, gesturing around the room. "If you need anything, just let us know."
Percy stepped inside, his eyes taking in every detail. The med bay was well-equipped, more than he had expected. He could see an advanced defibrillator, a ventilator, and an array of diagnostic tools. There were shelves stocked with medications, bandages, and other necessary medical supplies.
He walked over to the desk, where a stack of paperwork and a digital tablet lay. He powered on the tablet, noting that it was loaded with medical software for patient records and diagnostics. It was clear that the SWAT team valued their medical operations highly.
He then moved to the cabinets, opening each one to familiarize himself with their contents. Everything was meticulously organized, with labels and clear sections for different types of supplies. He appreciated the attention to detail; it would make his job much easier.
As he checked the equipment, Percy thought about the protocol he had proposed to Commander Hicks. Weekly meetings with each officer would give him a chance to understand their physical and mental health better, to be proactive rather than reactive. He knew it might be met with resistance, but it was essential.
Chris watched him for a moment before speaking. "You seem to know your way around this stuff pretty well."
Percy looked up and smiled. "Yeah, I've had a bit of experience. But this," he gestured around the med bay, "this is impressive."
Chris nodded. "We take care of our own. And now, that's your job."
Percy felt a weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders, but it was a weight he was ready to bear. "I won't let you down," he said, more to himself than to Chris.
She gave him a nod, as if approving his resolve. "I'll leave you to it then. If you need anything, I'll be around."
With that, Chris left, and Percy was alone in the med bay. He took a deep breath, feeling the quiet energy of the room. This was his new domain, a place where he could make a difference, where he could ensure that no more heroes suffered unnecessarily.
He sat down at the desk, opened the laptop, and began typing up his proposal for the weekly meetings. He was determined to make his mark here, to be a guardian for these guardians. As he typed, he couldn't help but feel that this was exactly where he was meant to be.