Author's note: A little filler chapter that I thought might be needed, if only to explain a few small details. Like what's happening on the Percy Jackson side of Serena's life. As per usual, these Notes are being typed up ahead of time, and it's rather...

I'm not all that sure what to say, but we're at a little over 3K in terms of views. In terms of reviews, favors, and follows... still kinda of lacking. There's no way to actually look up the story based on those filters, so if you don't have this story in any of those categories, you're kinda stuck with the filter "update date" in order to find this story.

That is, honestly, the main reason why I want you guys to review this story. Even if your review is just an emoji, it'll help make this story easier to find for those that are new to this crossover section and looking for something interesting/good to read.

On that note, a little bit of information that I'd like to share. When I first started Bitter Coffee, I didn't even look at how many stories were written for this category. It wasn't until I was at... about chapter 10 or so that I looked and found that it had 41 stories. Now though? Last time I checked this particular category, it was back when chapter... 20, I think, was uploaded. At that time there was over 400 stories! Talk about a massive increase!

Knowing that, I hope you guys are enjoying the story, I'd still like to know what I'm doing right or wrong in regards to the Marvel characters. Don't worry about the PJO characters, any OOCness is being explained in later chapters, but even then keep in mind that the Crossover universe, any Crossover universe, will involve a massive amount of characters to not only keep track of, but also to keep In Character. This gets even worse the more crossovers you stick into one universe.

For now, I'll content myself with just sticking to two universes, but eventually I might do a multi-crossover story. The way I have things planned for this story, I might do just that, if only as a side series meant for, mostly, "just laughs" and to see if I can make it blend together.

Let me know which category you'd like to see Serena have some misadventures in! ^.^

Disclaimer: If you can google it and find at least 20 pages of it, or recognize it, then quite obviously, I do not own it.


Bitter Coffee Chapter Twenty-eight

Serena had never looked forward to actually being on active duty until now. Steve was still, understandably, iffy in regards to SHIELD, but she had managed to get him signed up at a local gym.

Under a false name of course. Took a while to get that by him. Damn man was pickier than a vegetarian at an all you can eat buffet.

Running a hand through her hair, Serena pulled it back into a messy ponytail as she walked down the streets towards the park. Stormwing was here and Serena desperately needed to see her friend. Perhaps if she were lucky the day would remain dark and they could go for a quick fly.

Of course, what greeted her at the park crashed those hopes. Lord Hermes." Even disguised, she would always recognize the god for who and what he was.

"Serena." The disguised god greeted her. For once he wasn't in his uniform, nor did he have the customary electronic signature pad. Today he had a casual runner's outfit and his infamous caduceus was actually in hand. The sight of the silver staff with it's two snakes made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"I don't do quests anymore, Lord Hermes. I'm sure the other obedient half-bloods would jump at the chance for one if you're handing it out." It wasn't the best idea for anyone to poke at a god like that, but…

Serena had seen Luke before and after finishing that one, particular quest. Judging from the wince the god-of-too-many-things just had, he knew that she knew.

"You've spoken to Luke." Serena crossed her arms and stared at him.

"Would it matter if I did?" Half the reason she and Luke got along half as well as they did was because of their mostly nonexistent relationship with their godly parent. "As far as I'm concerned, whatever gets said between me and him isn't your concern. Or Apollo's." Just so they were clear on that.

"You're the only one he'll listen to." Please speak on my behalf. Serena could hear the silent plea in his voice. Some of it reflected in his eyes.

"What of that girl he showed up with? Athena's daughter if I remember right." It was never easy to convince Serena to do something she had no wish doing.

"He won't listen to her. Serena, you're his last hope. If you saw the path he was going down -"

"Do you think I haven't, Hermes? Do you think I would be like you or Apollo and just sit back do nothing?"

A rumbling growl was stuck in her throat as she glared at the god. "Let's make one thing clear, Hermes. Because of you gods I've lost everything that I held dear. The only thing left is Stormwing, and that's only because I got out from under your collective thumbs when I could. Luke doesn't even that."

"That's why I'm here. I love my son, but I -"

"More excuses? If you loved him as much as you claimed, why is it you never helped him? With all due respect Lord Hermes, you put him down this path and not even I can stop him now."

And that hurt her more than she could, or would, ever say. Every time they met up and spoke or Iris messaged each other, Serena could see it. Could see the way she was losing her friend to Kronos' influence.

"Then you're not trying hard enough!" In that one moment Serena was reminded that she had been lashing out at a god. He seemed to become taller and his caduceus writhe, the shape seemed to twist and the snakes hissed loudly enough for her to hear them. "If you care for you you'd try!"

"I love him!" Serena snarled back at him. It took a few seconds and his stunned expression for her to realize what she had blurted out. Flushing darkly, Serena turned away from him.

"You… love him?" It was probably supposed to have been a statement, but Serena heard it as a question. "And yet… ?" A glance from the corner of her eye showed her that Hermes was back to his mortal disguise and looked very confused. "You're not shy or even quiet, and yet… we all thought you both were just… " He gestured with his free hand.

"We're friends, yes. I'd even go so far as to say best friends, Lord Hermes." Serena walked over to one of the few decorative ponds in this particular park and looked down at her reflection. "But he doesn't feel the same."

"Have you asked? I mean, you can't know that for sure, right?" Serena heard him walk up behind her and saw his reflection in the water beside her own.

"I don't think there's much room for misunderstanding when he called me his 'little sister' the last time we spoke." And that still stung.

"And you're in love with him." Serena could only nod her confirmation. "Well… that… " He scratched the back of his head. The two snakes untwined from the staff a bit and seemed to speak to Hermes a bit. Serena could only guess at the conversation.

"Sucks, for lack of better words." And it did. Serena had been barely thirteen when she realized it wasn't friendship or a familial bond she felt towards Luke. That had been her main motivation behind introducing him to her dad that year on a quest that the Oracle had given to Peter. As usual, Peter had gotten her and Luke to be his fellow questers for that.

"Hard to believe I'm eighteen now."

"Nineteen."

Frowning, Serena turned to look at the god of thieves, travel, communication, and a few other things. "No offense, but I think I know how old I am."

Hermes smiled and chuckled at her. "There's a reason I came to you instead of one of my quick drop-offs or even had a proxy do this." Now she was curious. He snapped his fingers and a small, but long, package appeared in his hand.

Frowning, Serena tilted her head to the side, staring at the box. Now that she was looking at it, the box looked like it might house one of those Fathead posters she had seen on those demo TVs. "Dare I ask?"

Instead of answering, Hermes merely gestured for her to take the box. Frowning suspiciously at the trickster god - who wouldn't, given that they had been lashing out at each other not even ten minutes ago? - Serena accepted the box. With a yelp, she ended up crashing to the ground. "What in the Nine?" The weight of it had surprised her. The snakes laughed at her. No translation was necessary and even Hermes looked down at her in amusement.

"Open it, and don't forget to read the card." Before she could say or ask anything, Hermes disappeared.

Sighing, Serena turned her head to the side and spotted Stormwing coming out of a wooded area. "Glad to see you arrived. Were you eating or something?" Instead of an answer, the dark grey griffon simply walked over to her, laying down behind her close enough that Serena could feel her body heat. "Who would give me anything? Everyone that would is dead."

Curiosity burned in her and Serena opened the box and shoved aside some of the wrapping. Her breath caught when she spotted the contents.

Two long, deceptively thin blades were in the box. They were, clearly, Celestial Bronze, but the handles looked like they were encased in steel, and then wrapped in such a rich leather that Serena could smell it. What truly caught her attention were the glyphs that glittered at her in the sunlight.

Her fingers traced over them and she found herself muttering their names. "Uruz, Thurisaz, Gebo, Wunjo, Hagalaz, Eihwaz, Algiz, Teiwaz, Ehwaz." Tears were gathering in her eyes as she looked for the card Hermes had told her about. She already had an idea who had sent it.

It didn't take her long to find it. Pulling it out, Serena read it once, twice... and felt the tears fall as she read it a fourth time.

Sorry I missed your 18th, but here's two to make up for it. You always did prefer two :) I know you'll understand the message, and hopefully they won't break like most of your other ones

Love,

Lu