The sun was shining on the city of New York. The usually beautiful skyline was marred by the larger then normal amount of cranes, while the harbor was filled with cargo ships laden with the materials needed to rebuild the great city. In the skyline rested Stark Towers, already on its way to being completed and remodelled. It rested empty thought. Neither Tony Stark nor Pepper Potts resided in the building at the current point in time.

Instead they were walking into the large cemetery on the outskirts of the city. The mood was sombre to say the least. Both wearing black neither dared fancy themselves up with expensive jewellery, sunglasses or fashionable hair. They were here for a funeral, not for a public appearance.

Another man stood a little away from the large crowd gathering in-between eh scattered graves. He was tall and handsome, his baby blue eyes and blonde hair gave him a rather approachable look. In a plain black suit he looked rather ill at ease.

"Rogers," Tony nodded his welcome.

"Stark," Steve Rogers nodded in return before addressing Pepper "I'm Steve Rogers, ma'am."

"Pepper Potts," She shook his hand "Tony's girlfriend."

Now wasn't the time to throw around fancy titles. The people who gathered weren't CEO's, billionaires or agents, but rather friends of Phil Coulson. It was rare to see so many agents gathered someplace that wasn't SHIELD classified. It was also dangerous. Bruce Banner arrived ten minutes later (the man had decided to stay at a reasonably priced hotel- not Stark Towers). Without a suit he had at least tried to make himself look presentable.

It seemed everyone was here. Except Thor of course. Tony scanned the crowd for the pair of master assassins, and after seeing a flash of red he followed it. Natasha broke through the crowd and walked towards the shade of an oak tree. Tony watched as she stepped into the shadows and gazed up at the branches. She spoke to someone he couldn't see- but Tony didn't need three guesses to know who. Clint Barton jumped down from the branches and straightened out his suit.

Tony watched as Natasha placed a hand on Clint's shoulder. That in itself seemed to mean a lot to the agent. They spoke for a moment longer before turning to watch as someone new joined them. The man was about 6'2 and even from a distance the darkness of his hair was evident. He must've known the two assassins well because he clasped Clint's hand before hugging him lightly and speaking to Natasha.

"Come on, everyone's taking their seats," Pepper said gently as they moved to the front row and took a seat.

Bruce and Steve sat near Tony while Natasha, Clint and the mysterious dark haired man took up the spare seats to the left. The man was in his early twenties and had hair that was neither messy nor neat. He wore a suit jacket and button up shirt that went surprisingly well with his jeans and Chuck Taylor high-tops. He had past signs of a tan and a handsome face. What threw Tony off though was his eyes. They seemed to mirror the sea, They were a deep green that flittered with emotion. Sadness, anger, guilt, nearly every dark emotion possible. For eyes so young they surely had seen too much. They looked haunted and empty- and yet at the same time alive and vibrant.

Tony was right about one thing. Percy Jackson had seen too much. He'd seen it all. Death, torture, rape, it seemed he hardly saw anything nice nowadays. As he gazed at the mahogany casket that was covered in an American flag, flowers and a framed picture of Agent Coulson he couldn't help but feel his heart break in two. After he'd joined SHIELD Phil had become his handler. They'd become close. Percy looked up to Coulson like he was a father figure. But now he was gone, just like every other father figure he'd ever had.

"We're here today to lay to rest Paul and Sally Blofis who were taken from us to soon…" the words echoed in his head as he stared at the coffin.

"We're here today to remember the life of Phil Coulson, who died for what he believed in," the speaker started off.

Died for what he believed in? What did Phil believe in? He believed in justice. He believed in trust. But most of all he believed in heroes.

"Without heroes earth wouldn't stand a chance," Phil would tell Percy.

"Agent Coulson always told me that he still believes in heroes," Fury said as he started his speech "he believes in those who are selfless and willing to take the bullet- no matter how much trouble or pain it may cause them. What Phil didn't realise was that he is a true hero. He wasn't born different, he didn't have a duty, no one killed his parents like they usually did in those comics he liked to read- but he is still a hero. What he did for his country will never be forgotten….."

The speeches went on. Percy sat in his seat and gazed at the casket. His overactive mind watched as Clint silently slid his hand into Natasha's-seeking comfort. Percy considered Clint a brother. He'd been sent on more mission with Clint then he could remember. Most of all Coulson had also been Clint's handler.

At the end of the speeches the flag was removed from the grave and folded up into a neat triangle. One of the finely dressed soldiers handed it to Phil's girlfriend who was crying silently. Then that was it. There would be gathering after. No time to gather around and talk about his stories. It was dangerous enough being in one place like this- a simple bomb could wipe out the whole of SHIELD.

"Drinks on me," Natasha stood up, hand slipping from Clint's.

"You and that crappy salary are going to pay for all of our drinks?" Tony Stark questioned "I'll pay. I know a place that's discreet."

It seemed to be some sort of unspoken agreement between the newly formed Avengers. They all stood up and stretched. Percy stood up and slowly and let his hand slip into his pocket. Natasha began following the others out of the graveyard, leaving Clint and Percy behind, staring at the grave.

"I slipped his trading cards into his pocket," Clint commented lightly.

Percy couldn't help but smile softly; "I slipped in the newest set."

"He'd like that," Clint returned the smile "you coming?"

Percy shook his head "not my place."

They began walking through the silent graveyard. Percy let his eyes travel towards the west were his parents had been buried five years ago. Averting his gaze he clenched his hands into fists as unbidden memories surfaced.

"The Avengers isn't an exclusive club you know," Clint stopped by the gates "Coulson didn't like it when you isolated yourself."

"Says the man who spends two thirds of the day in the rafters," Percy chuckled weakly "and the other third with Natasha."

Clint smiled at that "One drink."

"As long as Natasha isn't playing bartender, I'm fine," Percy remembered the last time he had let Natasha mix a drink for him. It had not ended up well.

Walking over to his bike he fished out his keys and started it up. It grumbled loudly as it jumped to life. Next to his bike was another bike, though unlike his which was a sleek new model, the other one was an older low lying model. Slipping on his jacket he watched as the one and only Captain America came and swung onto the other bike.

"Nice bike," the blonde man commented.

"You too," Percy jumped on the seat and grabbed his helmet.

"I'm Steve Rogers," the man held out hand.

"Percy Jackson," he shook the hand before slipping the helmet on. Kicking up the stand he rolled out the car park.

He followed close behind Natasha's sleek SHIELD standard car. The sun was beginning to set over the iconic city and Percy let his gaze fall to the river that moved lazily in the dying light. How long had it been since he'd swum in anything but a pool? He missed the saltiness of the sea, the sweet breeze it would bring. He couldn't swim in the water though. Not a river, a lake or an ocean. Ripping his gaze away from the water he followed Natasha into the heart of the city.

They stopped outside a bar. It looked odd next to the apartments and expensive cars. Pulling off his helmet he gazed at the sign.

The Drunken Yank the sign read.

"Let's get shit faced," Clint said as he climbed out the car.

Inside looked like a traditional bar. A pool table rested in the centre of the room, while booths and stand up tables were scattered around the room.

"Trevor, my friend," Tony walked up to the bar were a middle aged man worked. Tony pulled some money out of his wallet and placed it on the bar "usual deal?"

"Of course, Mr Stark," Trevor smiled as he slid the money into the till "the bars yours."

After turning the sign on the door to 'closed,' Trevor merely left. Bruce sat down at the bar looking ill at ease.

"Found this little gem after a meeting. No one would expect the likes of me to be in a place like this," Tony jumped the bar "apple martini for Potts, Vodka for the assassins and scotch for the men. And I have no idea who you even are, but you look like a beer man."

The end of the sentence was directed at Percy. The agent blinked in surprise.

"Vodka," he corrected as he leant on the bar "the names Percy Jackson."

"Tony Stark," Tony smiled as he pulled out three tumblers and a bottle of Vodka "you a SHIELD agent?"

"Yeah," Percy picked up the glasses.

"Bring the bottle!" Clint called from were he was setting up the pool table.

"Duty calls," Percy carried everything over to the table and poured the drinks.

There was a feeling of calm around the bar. Bruce and Tony had begun talking about particle collision while Pepper had began to talk with Steve. The Rolling Stones played out of an old fashion jukebox in the corner- making the room seem lighter.

"To Phil," Clint raised his glass.

"To Phil," everyone echoed before downing their drinks (Bruce excluded, he seemed rather against drinking).

After the game of pool was finished Percy sat down at the bar and nursed a glass of Vodka. Alcohol didn't have much affect on him now. He really drank it for the taste (Vodka had an odd taste- but the burn felt nice). He was just about to crunch down on a bit of ice, but his phone began to vibrate.

Pressing it to his ear he answered. He didn't have to worry about phones now. Monsters didn't come near him- if anything they seemed to avoid him.

"Agent Jackson," he answered.

"It's Hill. We've got a situation. A Russian black market ring has gotten their hands on Chituari weapons. Our sources tell us they're selling them tomorrow. We need Romanoff to distract him while you get the weapons" Hill said and Percy frowned.

"And when did you find out about this?" Percy grumbled as he pushed his drink away.

"Two minutes ago," Hill said in a snappy reply "you and Romanoff need to come in."

"Not Barton?" Percy slipped into using last names again.

"No," Hill said "briefing is in fifteen minutes."

Hill hung up and Percy slipped his phone back into his pocket. Sidling up to Natasha he explained the situation.

"I am not in the mood," Natasha set her glass down.

"I don't think he'll accept the 'I have a headache excuse'," Clint couldn't help but smirk.

"Don't push it, Barton," Natasha said with a steely glare before beginning to walk towards the door.

"Where are you goin Romanoff? The party's just starting?" Tony asked from behind the bar.

"Unlike some people, I actually work," Natasha commented lightly.

"I take offence to that-"

But Natasha closed the door on him before he could finish. Percy grabbed his helmet and passed it to Natasha.

"We have to leave Clint the car," he took off his riding jacket then took off his suit jacket. Handing the suit jacket to Natasha he put his leather jacket back on.

Getting onto the bike he felt Natasha wrap her arms around his waist. Starting it up he pulled into the light traffic and began towards SHIELD's headquarters on the ground. It was in a rather non-descript skyscraper. This was where all the pencil pushers worked and filers worked. Percy refused to step foot on the Hellicarrier.

Walking into the building they swiped their cards and went up to Agent Hills office.

"This is Dimitiri Yelovana. He runs a small but potent black market ring in Russia that trades out of America," Hill slid the file over "he recently called for a call girl- Russian, to be exact. We need you to distract him Agent Romanoff while Agent Jackson breaks into the safe."

"You get the easy work," Percy smirked as he picked up the file.

"Like to see you seduce a guy in under ten seconds," Natasha smirked in return.

"I don't need those mental images," Percy commented lightly.