Hey Guys! So, new chapter a bit sooner than I anticipated, but for good reason. I'm starting to write more, what with third term coming to a close in school, and my grades are decent(ish). I'm actually about to attend Ballroom Nationals at BYU in Utah, so that's kinda cool. I've already attended in previous years and know that when I'm not dancing, I can write. This is basically a week long ballroom/writing expedition, so writing is top priority. Or, second that is.
I had this crazy subplot idea... and I want people guessing what it is or not... Huge hints in this chapter, and then later the long-awaited Percabeth reunion! Ha, so much fun! If sleep deprivation doesn't get me, I'll be sure to post the next chapter sometime next week!
We still have a goal, guys: Fifty reviews by the end of the week. I check the reviews offline regularly, so if you guys hit... 675 by Sunday, I'll post the next chapter sooner. If you hit the goal before Sunday, I might post two chapters! Again, if you want to review and tell me what you like and don't like, then do it! I read them all, and I give credit to the ones who deserve it. I want you guys asking questions and giving me advice and suggestions. I'm planning a Percy/Hope chapter, and I know you've all been waiting for that as well.
People have been asking in reviews: I hate it when Percy just forgives Annabeth. I hate it when she cheats, because she would never do that to him. Why would you write them like that?
Okay, time for a rant.
When I was younger, I hated reading (Gasps). And then my teacher suggested Percy Jackson, and... I loved it. Like, this was the book series that I was going to become a super fan of. I saw the way that the characters spoke with one another, and the relationships formed, and I instantly decided that Percabeth was going to be my OTP. So, I remember that yes, Percy is loyal to a fault (a fatal fault) and Annabeth can confuse matters of the heart with logic. So... this it that story. Finding each other after they'd made mistakes. I want you to know that in the next chapter, Annabeth reveals her motives behind the breakup. I hope that your minds are blown and faces melt into tears and squealing.
Okay, rant over.
Enjoy this next chapter, and really give me some good feedback, please. I love you all, and hope that your days are as bright as mine seem to be this fine day.
Disclaimer: I'm not Rick, Marvel, or Joss. I'm me, and I'm proud.
Two Weeks Later:
Tony:
The room was cold and dark, the tinted windows on at full max, and Tony was both peeved and worried.
Worried that his best friend was going to be a depressed mess, peeved that his friend was suddenly acting like a moody teenager.
"Rhodey, seriously, I get that trauma doesn't disappear in a day, but two weeks is pushing it." Tony said, sitting in a chair facing the wall as he threw a foam ball against the wall and caught it as it came back. He'd been in the room every day since the 'accident', sitting down in the same chair and making smart remarks to his friend.
James sat in his bed, a book in his hands and the bed lamp, the only source of light in the room, shining brightly onto the pages. When James spoke, his voice was totally relaxed, ignoring the jab. "You know, you're gonna put a hole through that wall if you keep doing that."
Tony should've been thrilled at the normal banter between him and James, but instead the knot in his stomach wound tighter.
Of course, in the beginning Tony had been thrilled and relieved to see his best bud getting back to normal. But, then he realized James wasn't acting like his old self.
He'd get tired easily, opting to stay in bed later than get up. He'd stopped going to breakfast with them. He'd be completely unresponsive one moment, then would suddenly jump into whatever discussion was going on around him.
He was getting mood swings worse than Tony had had as a teenager. And the really problem… James still was the same. He still cracked jokes, told boring stories about fighting armies, and took two showers a day like the OCD weirdo he was. He still attended military meetings, and still reported to his superiors on time.
But Tony wasn't so sure.
When he'd brought the matter up with Wanda and Percy, the only two who could understand what was going on, Percy had taken Tony aside, saying: "I went through something similar when I got out of Tartarus. Just keep visiting him, letting him know you're there… Tartarus isn't just a place, it becomes a state of mind. Treat him the same way you always have. He'll get better."
"Doesn't matter. I can replace a wall. Or you can hang a picture to cover it up." Tony said. "Are you hungry? Because it's past lunch and I haven't had food since, like, third breakfast." Tony noticed how James grinned from where he sat.
"You can go grab something if you want, mom. Maybe I can get a few pages in without you constantly annoying me." James said.
Tony, however, heard an underlying meaning. He was sure that Rhodey was trying to get rid of him, offering food as bait (how diabolical). Tony didn't bite. "Nah, I'll be fine. But do you want anything? Something to snack on, or, like, some water?"
James raised an eyebrow, looking up from his book. "Are you offering to grab something from the kitchen for me?" He asked incredibly.
Tony snorted. "Of course not! Who do you think I am?" He asked.
James rolled his eyes, going back to his Tom Clancy book.
"But. I know that our amazing secretary would love to cook us up something to eat." Tony said, already pulling out his phone. James frowned.
"Secretary? Who're you-?" James put his book down with a slam, his eyes nearly popping out of their skull. "Tony, no! Not her! She isn't even-!"
Too late, Anthony Stark sealed his fate when he brought his phone up to his mouth. The PA system somewhere three stories beneath them crackled to life. James face contorted in horror as Tony spoke. "Will secretary Hill please report to the War Machine's man cave, please? Thank you, and step to it."
Tony put his phone back into his pocket, then stood up, moving towards the door. James did a double take. "NOW YOU'RE LEAVING!?"
"Have fun! Don't do anything I would do!" He said, leaving James in the capable hands and harsh glare of Ex- SHIELD Agent Hill. He smiled to himself, heading in the direction of the elevator, and more importantly his workshop.
He didn't realize his mistake until he was at the end of the hall as elevator doors began to open with a soft ding!
Tony only had time to realize that he'd been walking towards the elevator she was bound to be on as it opened, and she made eye contact with him.
Maria Hill looked pissed. Her hair was done up in a professional bun, with a few stray hairs sticking out here and there and the holo pad under her arm. Her dark eyes were pointed straight ahead, as they usually were, always ready to take notes or stomp faces, whichever came first. Tony didn't voice it, but she was the best secretary they could have. She got everything done, digging into a case like a pro and getting the exact information Tony needed. Fury had taught her well.
After SHIELD was gone, and the CIA decided that she was too loyal to an unknown third party (Fury) they couldn't hire her on. Of course, Tony knew that Fury would still keep in contact with her (they were pretty close) and therefore she'd keep an ear to the ground when the Avengers were trying to keep things a secret from him.
In turn, Tony kept an eye on Fury using Maria. Not that she knew, of course.
But now the agent, dressed in a plain black synthetic jumpsuit (her old SHIELD uniform) was angry. At him.
Tony was frozen in place as Maria Hill got in his face, toe to toe with him. She wasn't taller than him, but Tony felt a full foot shorter in her presence. And she was angry, did he mention that?
She, unlike so many other employees, had no fear of her boss.
That was one of the many reason she was in charge.
"If you ever call me secretary Hill EVER again, I will personally flay you alive." She informed him, her teeth bared and her eyes burning with malice.
Tony had to blink a few times, because dang, that lady knew how to scare a guy away. No wonder she was still single. He stuttered through a comeback. "Y-yes si- I mean ma'am! Yes ma'am. I was just on my way to the kitchen to make something for Rhodey and I didn't want him to be alone for too long."
Maria didn't seem convinced. "And you thought, by getting me angry and sending me to his room, he'd be better off how?"
Tony didn't make eye contact. "Percy said to be as normal around him as possible, and to act like everything's A-Okay, right? So, I just thought-"
"That by treating me like your magician's assistant you'd get a free pass?" She finished exasperatedly.
Tony blinked again. He was silent for a few moments, wondering what he'd been thinking. "... It sounds worse than it really is."
She threw her hands up in exasperation, almost dropping her Holopad. "You imbecile." She muttered, and Tony was so used to the insults he didn't care.
"Just- just make sure James is okay. He's been acting weird for the past few days, and I can't figure out what's so different-"
Maria smacked the open palm of her hand against his forehead, effectively shutting him up. Then she took her holopad out from under her arm, clicking between a few files. "Well, you wouldn't be wrong." She muttered under her breath. Her anger seemed momentarily replaced with work, and Tony almost saw an opening of escape.
But he chose not to take it. Miria had piked his interests.
"Wait, I'm sorry, what? Is there actually something wrong with Rhodey?" He asked quietly.
Maria, who had been messing around on her pad, gave Tony another serious glare. When she spoke, her voice was laced in anger. "Percy explained to me that dreams for a Demigod could mean anything, from hallucinations and nightmares to targeted attacks on the mind. Visions intended to hurt others. Cause paranoia and-" Tony stopped her, earning him another glare.
"What's up? What's happening to him?" Tony asked.
Maria frowned. "What's happening to them. That's the better question." She showed him a chart on her pad. "Percy, James and Wanda have been experiencing the same patterns of brain activity since the incident. But if you look closer-" she zoomed in, showing Tony the readings. "-James has been experiencing something a bit more… Extreme."
Tony frowned, not completely understanding and just a tad bit frustrated that he couldn't seem to help. "And what, is he going to keep getting tired faster? Is he going to get better? What do you mean by 'extreme'?"
Maria shook her head. "Honestly, I'm not sure. Percy couldn't explain to me the science behind Demigod dreams, but he did explain that you could experience strange encounters- meeting gods, seeing the future, the past… Percy would be better suited in explaining this to you."
Tony shook his head. Percy had his own problems, and Tony wasn't going to add to the list. "What's your prediction?"
Maria seemed… Disturbed. As if Tony never asked for other's opinions.
So what if he didn't…
"Okay, wow. I'm guessing that we keep an eye on James. We monitor his vitals, have him take a few tests… His eating habits are going down, and that isn't healthy. The fact he's in bed more often isn't a good thing either." She thought about it for a moment. "I'll have to run him through a few mental drills if I want a better idea of whatever effects being in Percy's head has caused." She reasoned.
Tony nodded, satisfied but still worried. He began to step around Agent Hill, poker faced. "Well, I'll just go make him that sandwich like I said I would."
Her arm shot out catching his upper arm. When their eyes met, Tony wanted to cower a little. Just a little. Her dark eyes stayed connected to his. "We are not done here, boss. You tell me to 'step to it' again, and Pepper isn't going to be seeing a whole lot of action anymore, you hear me?"
Tony tore himself away, coughing into his fist and trying not to let those mental images invade his nightmares.
No wonder she's single…
Maria:
She wanted to strangle her employer almost every time that she saw him.
This was a long line of half-insults towards her that Stark excelled at giving. She still considered him a… 'friend', what with hiring her when she was in a tough spot, even knowing that she'd be reporting Fury every time he made a move to do anything. (He'd even sent her a drunken email one night, saying that he didn't care all that much.) And that wasn't to say any of the other Avengers were like him. In fact, Steve and Clint were like family, somedays.
She had Percy to thank for that, of course.
But Stark was a piece of work. If he spent half the time he had curing cancer instead of pranking her and Fury, he'd have cracked it by now.
She realized she was still looking towards the elevator with malice, so she chose to make her way towards her intended destination: James Rhodes' room.
As she began to walk towards the room, she thought about her first impressions of Stark when she'd met him. Cocky and arrogant. Intelligent, but always acting uncaring towards others. He acted a lot, she knew. If Steve knew how much time Stark put into keeping the Avengers Initiative afloat they would probably get along better, without Percy having to step into the same room as them to cooperate.
Really, she could just leave a file laying around… Somewhere Steve would see.. But no. Her mission was to observe. Not to stop the childish acts and squabbles that made them a family. Even if they might be a closer family if they actually opened up to one another.
Tony Stark wouldn't share his protective feelings with anyone, because he felt the need to play the bad boy. Steve apparently needed to hold the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he expected everyone to at least act like friends.
Natasha and Clint were reclusive, Thor was disconnected from the reality they lived in, Bruce Banner hadn't even been seen for three years, or however long Percy claimed to have met him. James and Sam were trying to juggle keeping their respective military superiors happy (though Sam was more than happy to avoid those responsibilities), Wanda and Vision were riddled with insecurity, and Vision wasn't able to help Wanda through anything emotion wise.
Agent Hill had seen their self-destructive tendencies since the Ultron incident. She'd witnessed every fight, saw team members break down, and the inevitable silence that followed every argument. They should've destroyed themselves by now. Fury had voiced on more than one occasion why they had gotten better.
Percy Jackson was the glue that held them together. He was so innocent looking some days, making them all sit down and watch a movie together or the cooking their own meals (so many failed pizzas). Even Hill had to admit: Percy Jackson was a goof. He had all this power, and this secret, tragic past, and still he went out of his way to make everyone else happy.
Add the few days he'd bring Hope to the tower. Agent Hill had even cooed when she'd hugged Thor's leg. Who wouldn't have, really? And the way Percy would look at his sister… Agent Hill wished she could've had a brother like Percy.
She wished she could've had an anyone like Percy.
He was just- the Avengers Initiative was supposed to bring extraordinary people together and make them something more. They were there to be a team. Percy had taken them a step further- they weren't just a team anymore. They were a family.
Hill almost, almost regretted not taking Percy's offer when he'd given it.
"I'm not saying you leave Fury alone in the dark, because I won't ask you to do that. He's got enough problems to go around." He'd said, nearly a year ago. "I wish he could be more open to the idea of joining up too, actually. What I'm trying to say is… You're as much a part of this family as I am. If you really want to, be a part of the family, I mean… well, I'll be there to put in a good word."
She reached the War Machine's 'man cave'.
Again, her thoughts turned to the charts on her holopad. The data she'd gathered, and the abnormal brain activity displayed by James was unique, yes, but something about it seemed familiar. Hill couldn't place it, but decided not to shrug it off either. Fury had taught her how to follow a lead until she'd either find a conclusion or ram full speed into a dead end.
She didn't knock. She had to be herself around James, if what Percy was saying was correct. Demigod dream mechanics didn't sound like a science, so she'd researched it like a history lesson: find every available resource she could. Percy was the most reliable. She'd talk with him later.
The door didn't creak, and maybe that would've been less offsetting than the silence that James kept himself surrounded in. The room was dark, besides the lamp that sat right beside James' bed. The tinted windows left no natural light into the room, and the warm glow of the lamp was all that was left. It was the only warmth in the room, it seemed. Hill felt that if she deliberately let out a hot breath, she would see the vaporous trail wisping away from her lips.
James looked… Normal. Sure, he was a bit skinnier, but Maria wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't been keeping track of his well being. His skin was a bit lighter, from a rich coffee color to milk chocolate brown. It was just barely noticeable that he had bags under his eyes.
His casualness was what really sold it. He read slowly from whatever paperback he had in his hands, turning each page every few minutes. His eyes squinted at the page, and although it tickled the back of her mind, she didn't linger on the details.
"Stark said to report here. What is it that you need?" She asked, keeping her tone flat.
James jumped lightly where he laid, his eyes widening when he saw her. "Oh, sorry! I didn't hear you come in…" He apologized awkwardly. Maria frowned, waving her wrist in an annoyed motion.
"It's fine. What is it that you needed, though?" She asked.
James coughed into a closed fist awkwardly, then turned back to his book. "Oh, nothing. It was just Tony playing a stupid prank, you know? I'm sure you have more important things to do than babysit the sick Avenger." He said, continuing to squint down at the pages in his book.
Maria crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. James was being a bit too casual. His pursed lips and slack face, and the way his hands were completely still while still being on the book. "I'm sure you can think of something. Besides, I ran into Stark in the hall. He said he would be making you a sandwich, and I'll make sure that it gets here." She said.
"But what about work downstairs? I'd think, with all this stuff about Percy being Demigod, Fury would have you spilling over Mythology." He said, shrugging the comforter farther up his t-shirt clad stomach.
"My research isn't for Fury. It's for the team." She lied flatly, not putting much effort into it. It wasn't as if they'd intercepted a few dozen emails, or heard the same excuse that 'He was just checking up on you' before. James rolled his eyes.
"Sure, sure. But I'm not wrong when I say you've been doing your research?" He asked. She raised an eyebrow, but nodded.
"Of course." She said.
James kept his nose in his book. "Good, good." He muttered, flipping a page further into his book. Maria frowned, unsure of what he meant, because wouldn't everybody on the team be doing research on this new topic? It didn't make sense. She was about to further ask what he meant when he dropped his book.
He suddenly winced and a hand came up to his head, clutching at his temple as if to alleviate the pain. Maria stood up straighter, taking a few steps towards him. She placed a hand on his forehead. "Are you alright?" She asked.
His face contorted into a very un-James-like scowl. It reminded Agent Hill of the War Machine mask: dark and brooding, sinister. His hand wrapped around her wrist and threw it away from himself. When he spoke, it didn't sound so much as feel like another voice was layered over top of his own. "Don't. Touch. Me." He said threateningly.
Maria felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and she took a step back, slowly examining James.
He blinked once. Twice. Three times, then winced again and put his hand to his temple. He hissed quietly, gritting his teeth. He reached out for his book, violently throwing it into the corner of the room.
Maria's hand twitched for her taser, just in case something went wrong. She would have to replay every heartbeat and brainwave when she got back to her desk. "James, what's wrong?" She asked.
The question reminded her of a kindergarten teacher, and she wondered if that was what she would have to think of him as. A poor, näive little boy with no answer to give.
"I can't see." He muttered sadly, just loud enough for Maria to hear him. He looked at her, his large, brown eyes glistening. "I can't see the words anymore." He whispered.
Maria didn't know what to say. She wasn't the comforting type, and that seemed to be what James needed. She was a realist. She could give facts. That's what she chose to do. "Your mind could just be readjusting still, James. Maybe this is temporary-"
"Wanda tested positive for ADHD when she couldn't focus like before. Percy has Dyslexia… What if the dreams, vision, whatever you want to call it… What if Percy somehow gave me Dyslexia? The same way Wanda has ADHD now?" He asked.
Maria… Didn't know what to think. "I'll run a scan, okay? In the meantime, I'm sure Percy can-"
James shook his head, his hands now fisting into his comforter like a scared child. "He has enough that he's going through, and he doesn't- no, he can't know about this." His right hand suddenly reached forward, grabbing her wrist once again. She wanted to grab her taser still, but his pleading eyes made her pause. "Promise me, please. Percy can't know. He'll blame himself, or start to worry about…" He trailed off, going silent.
Maria had to report this. James didn't act like this. He used sarcasm and humor to deal with his problems, not promises that she wasn't able to keep. He'd been acting so strange, being bedridden and still trying to act like everything was alright… No, he wasn't stable.
"I want you to eat whatever Tony brings up for you. Then, after a few hours of sleep and some tests, I'll have a doctor diagnose if you even have Dyslexia." She paused. "And… I won't tell Percy. At least until he isn't as busy as he is currently." She said.
James took a deep breath, sighing in relief. His half lidded eyes fell the rest of the way, closing in what appeared to be bliss. "Thank you." He breathed.
She nodded curtly, then went and picked his book off of the floor. She straightened the pages, running her hand over the cover and noticing that it was written by Tom Clancy. She felt an odd thrill of satisfaction, seeing the book. Tom Clancy was a great author.
She put the book on his bedside table, then sat down and waited for Tony to reappear with his sandwich. Her eyes never left the man in the bed, running the disturbing scene in her mind over and over again. Those dark eyes and ominous tone…
Percy was the best person to ask about this weird behavior. He could help, and her hollow promise would end up helping James further along the road to recovery.
But until then...
James had to be reported to Fury, and if he failed whatever test Fury put him up to, he'd be suspended from the Avengers.
Annabeth:
She stood on one or the busiest streets in New York, looking up at the glimmering glass and steel structure just a block away. The cars going past her, including the taxi that she'd just paid for. Vendors sold newspapers and magazines from their stalls, including the articles of the newest 'hero' in the Avengers team. He was making headlines on every newspaper, she was sure. People walked past, hundreds of faces and thousands of noises. She'd expect nothing less from, what was in her opinion, the greatest city on Earth.
She bit her lip for what felt like the hundredth time in the past twelve hours. The sunny day around her and the cloudless sky wasn't matching her conflicted mood. If anything, it added another layer of frustration and doubt of what she had to do.
No, not had to do. That sounded like a chore.
She needed to do this. Percy Jackson wasn't a chore. He was a danger. Possibly even to her.
She shook that assumption out of her head. Casting another gaze skyward. She… She couldn't believe that. Percy Jackson wouldn't- couldn't hurt her. She had to believe that.
It was the only thing keeping her going.
She tried distracting herself, thinking about anything besides him, and her greatest distraction was right in front of her.
Eighty stories, thirty offices, fifteen conference rooms, ten care centers, three ballrooms, twenty suites, two garages, two swimming pools, twenty kitchens, a personalized gymnasium, plane hangar, and bathrooms that supposedly put the Romans to shame. All self powered by an ARC reactor, personally made by the inventor himself, Tony Stark. It was Annabeth's ambition to build something like Stark Tower, though most called it the 'Avengers Tower'.
She'd been lucky enough to get her hands on the blueprints, though they had been under lock and key. Lucky for her, Malcolm had received a week long internship to one of the many assistants or something like that. He'd investigated the building like a bloodhound, drawing everything he remembered. Then, he'd mailed them to her.
She'd spent two weeks in an overpriced hotel, pouring over the sketches and drawings her dear brother had made. They were… Good, yes, but accuracy was the real problem. Annabeth had no idea if Malcolm was right or not, but she had to trust him. Even if trust could lead to disappointment.
She shouldered her backpack, took a deep breath, and started walking.
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