Just some ages and a brief time line of Percy's life so you don't get confused.
Death of Sally-Paul: Percy was 18 1/2
Annabeth Breaking up with him: 19
Kicked out: 19 ¼
Age Now: 23 (it's placed before August)
Shifting his six pack into his other hand he knocked on the door. There was the sound of the TV being muted and faint footsteps before the door was finally opened to reveal Clint. Dressed in a white singlet, a red flannel with rolled up sleeves, and simple jeans he looked like an average man. Holding out the beers as a sort of present he smiled at his friend.
"Hey," Percy said as he entered.
"Hey," Clint replied as he closed the door.
"Natasha in?" Percy asked as he walked down the hall. Clint lived in a two bedroom apartment in the upper east, about four blocks from Percy. It wasn't anything fancy (he could afford better with his salary), but like most high ranked SHIELD agents they didn't feel the need to draw attention to themselves with large apartments.
"She's coming with pizza at seven," Clint said from the kitchen.
Percy dumped his jacket off and rested his helmet on the table. Sitting down on the couch he caught the can Clint chucked at him and opened it. It had been a week since Percy's last mission with the Russian black market boss, and after a slow week of paper work and helping with New York clean up project (via SHIELD) he had another mission tonight.
"So, what's this mission?" Clint questioned as he sat down and unmuted the TV.
"You know about the attempted assassination on the Governor last week?" Percy questioned "apparently the governor still wants to attend that benefit ball for the clean up fund. Someone needs to watch him."
"I hate security gigs," Clint sighed as he sunk into the cushion "why not send in Franz or Trinity?"
Those two agents were called the 'bland band' back at base. They had been paired together for years and all of their gigs where for security or watch overs.
"Turns out Trinity got knocked up," Percy commented idly.
"By Franz?" Clint asked with a confused frown.
"By Aaron. Franz requested a new partner," Percy chuckled lightly "everyone else is dealing with paper work and file recalibration after the tesseract imploded the base."
"So they honestly sent you?" Clint snorted into his can "you'll be eating and tapping your foot like a mad man."
Percy glared at his friend playfully and felt words leave his mouth without a second thought, "apparently it was an arrow that was shot through the window. Landed just an inch away from his groin. Right between the governors legs. Apparently because it's as Fury puts it 'odder then usual' they see it as another reason to send me in."
"Why didn't you just say that at the start?" Clint questioned after some silence.
Percy felt suddenly guilty as the silence drew on "I didn't mean to say that."
"Well you did," Clint replied stonily "so explain."
Percy gripped his beer in one hand, "they're still a bit antsy. You know the lower agents don't know about the other arrow wielding freaks out there….and after what happened on the Hellicarrier-"
"I get it," Clint said shortly.
Percy wished he hadn't let his mental barriers fall. Usually he had a better grip on the things that came out of his mouth. Clint was still beating himself up internally because of what he had done under Loki's control. Percy and Natasha had tried to dig him out of the hole, and for all it was worth Clint acted like he was back up on level ground, but eventually everyone had to show some cracks.
"So they think it was a half blood," Clint said finally.
"Not many other people with bow an arrow skills like that for hire," Percy muttered awkwardly "they think I can recognise them- if they even turn up."
"Fury doesn't get that you want to leave that behind, does he?" Clint kicked his feet up on the table and grabbed the remote.
Percy shook his head before arching his neck to stare at the ceiling, "not like I can tell him no."
"You've been quieter this week," Clint commented "is it because of the teenagers at the hotel?"
That was something Percy had trouble doing. He couldn't turn the conversation around like other people could. He hated that. Clint, Natasha, and agents level seven or up are the only ones who knew about his life before SHIELD. Clint and Natasha were more tied into the emotional aspect though.
"I saw her," Percy said simply "at the café we go for breakfast at before meetings. She looks exactly like she used to."
Clint didn't even have to ask her name, "did she recognise you?"
"I don't know," Percy sighed wearily "I don't care. I shouldn't care."
"We need to get you in the clubs," Clint smirked.
"What would I say to them when they asked me what I did. 'Yeah, I'm part of a top secret agency that sends me out on missions that I have the possibility of dying on?" Percy muttered sarcastically.
"You're twenty-three, get in the clubs," Clint said.
"You're young as well, I don't see you hitting the clubs."
Suddenly the door opened down the hall and the two agents turned. Natasha offered them a small smile as she walked down the hall, dressed in blue jeans and a singlet. Putting the pizza's on the table she looked at the beers in their hands.
"In the fridge?" she questioned.
"Yeah," Clint replied.
Once Natasha had entered the kitchen Percy couldn't help but smirk at Clint.
"Wonder what the reason for that is?" he sipped on his beer.
"It's never going to happen," Clint sounded almost wistful.
"What's never going to happen?" Natasha asked as she came in and sat down on one of the couches.
"House is never not going to solve a case," Percy gestured towards the TV were the character was limping around "he's like a manic genius."
"Wilfred is on," Natasha snatched the TV remote up "I'll be damned if I'm watching anything else."
Clint sent a small grateful smile towards Percy as he leant forward and spread out the pizza boxes. Percy grabbed himself a slice and began a new conversation with the red headed spy. Many people (mostly Tony Stark) figured that Natasha was cold and heartless. Most of the time she was cold- but heartless? Never. She was a good friend, trust worthy and painfully honest at times.
A while later he gazed at his watch and stood with a groan, "here comes four hours of hell." He said.
"Good luck," Natasha smirked "you'll need it."
"Why?" Percy grabbed his things.
"Starks going," Natasha cracked open a new can of beer "Fury roped Rogers into it as well."
"They're going to be at each others necks all night," Percy ran a hand through his hair before slipping on his jacket.
Once he left he jumped on his bike again and began riding to the venue. It was some fancy ballroom in some grand hotel. Parking his bike a little down the rode he passed through security easily with the single flash of badge. It wasn't his SHIELD badge, but rather a fake one made up by SHIELD so he could pass for a normal security guard.
In the change rooms a bustling organiser chucked his suit at him along with an ear piece. The ear piece was nothing like the usual discreet SHIELD one and it felt bulky and out of place in his ear. The suit was a simple black and white affair, nothing fancy nor interesting about it.
"You're on the second level," the organiser said to him "get going, guests will be arriving soon."
Sweeping out the change rooms he climbed up the marble steps and onto the second story. The other security fanned out and Percy took the moment of serenity to call in back to base.
"Jackson in. Clear so far. Securities covered windows, exits and entrances covered," Percy said into his phone.
"Roger that," the person on the other side responded "keep the vantage point"
Percy did he continuous walk around the balcony of the second floor as people continued to file in. The high class people of New York's society drank their champagne and scotch while they chattered away effortlessly. Percy noted that Steve arrived perfectly on time (looking rather out of place), while Tony turned up half an hour late, as if he had forgotten about the venue. No doubt from the light scowl on Pepper Potts face when she first entered on the billionaires arm, Tony had forgotten about it.
As he was making another round near the marble stairs he had to pause to make way for a pair of girls. One was a girl with deep scarlet hair and a rather frightening amount of makeup while the other had deep black hair and a naturally beautiful face.
"Watch it, hon" the dark haired one said as she passed.
That simple action gave Percy a good look at her face. She was of obvious Asian decent, most likely Japanese. She was tall and had thick ringlets surrounding her pale face. Her eyes were surrounding by pink eyeliner that matched her pink dress perfectly. For a moment Percy felt a slight need to call her beautiful or compliment her, but he quickly shook it away.
"My apologies, ma'am," Percy said the word ma'am with absolute disdain. He had never been a fan of Drew Tanaka. Even in adulthood she seemed as much of an tyrant as always.
As the girls walked away, Percy pulled out his phone again.
"We have a possible suspect," he called it in "Drew Tanaka. Asian decent, black hair, pink dress, currently on the second floor."
"Roger, we've got her," came the reply.
Percy hazily remembered Drew complaining about archery when at camp. Apparently she would get blisters from the strings. Could Drew be the assassin? Percy doubted it. She seemed to have favoured knife work over archery. He gazed around onto the floor once again, trying to see if there was anyone there that rang a bell.
"SHIELD doesn't pay well enough I take it," Percy heard Stark say and he turned around with a sigh.
"SHIELD pays fine," Percy replied as he continued on his rounds, hoping to shake the billionaire off his tail.
"Ahh, so this is a mission," Tony easily matched his stride.
"That's none of your business," Percy kept on walking, "shouldn't you be talking up some other billionaire?"
"I find you more interesting," Tony smirked as he sipped on some scotch.
"I'm flattered," Percy deadpanned.
"No sword tonight? Finally decided to drop the Knights of the Round Table façade?" Tony commented.
Percy clenched his fist, "yes, Stark, I did. Now can you go? Go pick a fight with the Captain for all I care."
"I need a new drink anyway," Tony glanced at his empty glass.
The red headed girl that had been walking with Drew walked past him. Drew was absent though. While Tony began walking away to refill his drink Percy tried to spot the daughter of Aphrodite. When he did spot her though, he didn't like what he saw. She was walking in her silver high heels on the other side of the balcony. Her hand reached for the flower hairclip that resided in her curls and Percy felt a sense of dread as he saw it transform into a bronze gilded bow.
"Get down!" Percy yelled as loud as he could.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Stark instinctually drop down. The others guards turned to him as if waiting to see what he would do. Pulling out his gun he made unsteady aim on Drew and fired off one shot. Percy had never been one for aim though. The bullet went stray and shattered a vase just to the left of her.
Other guards began firing but Drew already had the arrow knocked on the string. Percy ran as fast as he could towards the daughter of Aphrodite, and watched as if in slow motion as the arrow was loosed from the string. He tackled her just as the arrow was released and he swore mentally.
"Someone call an ambulance!" he heard someone on the lower floor shout.
Percy looked down at Drew, surprised by the lack of struggle. It didn't take him long to figure out why though. Blood was soaking through his suit pants and pooling on her pink dress. Her eyes were slightly out of focus and her breathing had already begun to become laborious. It was a bullet wound to the stomach, she wouldn't last long.
"Drew," Percy tapped her cheek slightly "Drew."
Her glazed eyes gazed around her as if trying to focus. Unfortunately when they did, it was on her dress.
"This is designer…." She sighed in a soft voice.
"Drew, stay with me," Percy got off her and pressed his hands against her stomach in an attempt to stop the blood flow. Other security members waited around, waiting to see what would happen "get the guests out of here and secure the perimeter, I've got this." He ordered them.
They didn't want to move and Percy reached behind with bloody hands and pulled out his SHIELD badge. Flashing it in one of the guards face he repeated the orders again.
"Go!" he shouted.
Chucking the badge down on the floor he put his hands back on the wound. If it didn't hit the stomach they could get her in an ambulance and to the hospital in time to save her. If not…
"Drew, stay with me," Percy repeated "tell me why you did it. Tell me what happened. Just keep talking."
"W-w-w-what," she stuttered out in a shaky breath, "w-w-w-what happened?"
"You were shot," Percy figured she was going into shock "I just need you to stay awake okay?"
"Do I know you?" Drew questioned, eyes fading in an out of focus.
"No," Percy gazed around and suddenly locked eyes with Captain Rogers. Dressed in a suit he looked rather out of place and awkward in the current situation.
"I do," Drew breathed "I can't forgot eyes like those, hon."
"What can I do?" Rogers finally decided to ask.
"Find out where that ambulance-" Percy suddenly swore as he felt as if his hands and knees were being burnt with acid. Beneath him Drew screamed so loudly Percy could almost feel her pain. As the pain intensified in his hands and legs he had no choice but to push away.
"Percy," Drew said in a painful moan.
Percy risked a glance at his still burning hands. Blood pulled in the probably third degree burns and he swore profusely in every language he knew. Despite the pain he still moved forward into the pile of visibly sizzling blood and gripped Drew's hand as she whimpered painfully. Percy may not have liked Drew at Camp, but he just couldn't leave her as she basically visibly burned to death in front of him.
"Make it stop," Drew whimpered.
Percy dug out his phone and chucked it towards the Captain; "go to the contacts and call Fury now. Tell him to get the chemical division, some agents and whatever lab squints available down here right now."
"Make it stop," Drew whimpered again. Percy could see her skin begin to almost bubble and burn before his eyes. "Just kill me."
"I can't do that," Percy said softly as he listened to Steve making the call.
"Please," Drew whimpered. It was the whimper that wormed its way into his soft spot. How much pain must she had been in? She seemed to be burning from the inside out. Pulling out his gun he pressed the barrel against her head gently. But before he could even pull the trigger he felt her hand grow slack in his and slide from his burnt grasp.
"Drew?" Percy dropped the gun on the ground and pressed his burnt finger tips against her neck. There was no pulse.
A medical team was just making their way up the stairs and Percy waved them away.
"Don't send anyone up here, this a biohazard zone," Percy stepped away from the body and glanced down at himself. It seemed like every place Drew's blood had touched was no severely burnt. Swearing some more he glanced at the Captain who was awkwardly holding his phone.
"He said to tell you protocol Omega-Brian is in affect?" It sounded more like a question then a statement.
That meant they were sending out the largest biochemical team available along with agents to secure the area. Percy nodded and sat down. With burning finger tips he grabbed a shard of the broken vase and cut away the damaged material of his clothes.
"Mary mother of Jesus," Steve breathed as he saw the extents of the burns "why did you send the team away?"
"Biochemical hazard," Percy gritted his teeth, "you have to go."
"I can't just leave you like this," the Captain nimbly avoided the puddle of blood but paused by Drew's face. He hesitantly knelt down and gently closed her eyes. The upmost respect of which he did it surprised Percy. He then stood up and shook his hand. Percy didn't see any burns though.
"Let's see what we can do about these," Steve said nervously as he knelt next to Percy, "I'm not very well trained in the medical field."
"You have to cover them," Percy was managing to get a grip on the pain, "that'll last until SHIELD gets here."
Steve ripped off parts of his own jacket and tied them around the burns on Percy's knees. It took only about five minutes for SHIELD medicals teams to show up. One of the larger medics hefted a hand under his armpit and pulled him to his feet.
"Right, will water get this done?" This was the usual medic who took care of Percy when he was injured on a mission. He was a man of about thirty-five called Carl. He was deeply fascinated in Percy's healing ability and had become his primary doctor.
"Possibly," Percy glanced at Drew's body, watching as medics and agents attempted to find a way to move her without sustaining burns.
In a SHIELD van outside Carl pressed salt soaked bandages onto the wounds. Almost immediately the pain began to ease. He was taken to SHIELD headquarters and he limped to his small quarters and placed new salt bandages on his wounds. Usually they would be healed by now, but it seemed to be moving stubbornly slow.
In the morning he awoke at eight. His wounds had healed without a scar and but the affected areas still tingled like they where still healing. After a shower and getting changed he walked down the halls to where he knew the SHIELD morgue labs where. What happened to Drew wasn't normal- even for a Demigod.
Drew lay on a slab of cold metal in the centre of the even colder room. A sheet was pulled up across her breasts, leaving only the top of her shoulders and head out. Her once beautiful face now looked like it had been set on fire, but her black locks of hair still remained. Percy was surprised to find Dr Bruce Banner standing over her, holding a slide up to the harsh fluorescent light.
"Doctor," Percy said in welcome and Banner jumped slightly.
"I didn't hear you come in," he commented as he set the slide down.
"I get that a lot," Percy glanced at Drew's mangled face. The confusion and raw emotion must've been evident on his face, judging from Banner's question.
"Were you two friends?"
"No," Percy put his hands in his pocket "we used to loathe each other."
"Is she an agent? The director won't tell me much," Bruce questioned politely.
"I don't know what she was," Percy wondered briefly if responsibility to make a burial shroud would fall on him- but he quickly shook the thought away. "Do you know what happened to her?"
"Judging from little I can see without a lab, I would have to say some sort of extremely intricate acid in her blood," He held the slide up again, "I better be going. The director wants a report on whatever did this to her as soon as possible."
Percy just nodded and watched as the doctor left. Pulling out his wallet he looked at the contents and slid out five of the biggest bills had in there.
"I hope you still like Italian suits, Charon," Percy stared at the money and watched as it seemed to melt away. "I take that as a yes."
Sorry if Drew was a bit OOC