Hey Guys! So, I heard you liked the last chapter.

I also noticed that we've hit 700. (Internal screaming) Guys... Really, I'm exploding on the inside. You people are the best! I actually did scream in the hallways at school, then I instantly covered my mouth. Still, I bet there were more than a few looks sent my way! I've recently hit a rough snag in my writing, and anyone who follows my other story, The Marauding Demigods, know that I haven't been updating recently. That's because, my dear readers, is I need a break from writing.

It might only be a few days, it might be a week or two, possibly a month, or maybe I'll just get right back onto the horse (I doubt the last one though). I know that a lot of you guys like my story because of how often I update, and I truly am sorry. I want to make this perfectly clear: THIS IS NOT A HIATUS! This is a short break, that I hope will benefit my writing. I've noticed what I've been writing is getting a little flat, and I hate it when that happens. I'm getting slower, and I didn't have my heart in it.

I'm going to take a break. For this stories sake, and my own. don't lose faith in me, because I will be back. I just need to focus on something else for now, such as fourth term grades and maybe actually trying to get a girlfriend, because I would enjoy having someone like that in my life. Maybe I can bring back good news hopefully? Again, this story is still going to be ongoing, I just need a break and to dive back into reality. College is around the corner, and I'm planning on attending community college for a year or so before going to a different place.

Okay, sad moment over. Shout outs:

Flint247: You are asking all the right questions. I plan on answering them all in time, just keep reading.

IamaGuest: I do plan on putting all those characters back in the story, and I can't wait for people to write them.

PISSED: Are you okay? I'm sorry if you don't like the way this story is turning, but I want to tell you right now: They're both still virgins in this story. I will be elaborating on that later. If you have any problems though, if you want to make an account and PM me, I'll listen. I promise.

Lizaloves: I'm glad you're so enthusiastic. Plz, read on to see what happens!

sangmswetank0: So, Antman will be making an appearance, definitely. No DC characters, sadly, but maybe some mentions. I am planning on an Arkham/PJO crossover, though. I mention it in earlier chapters.

Acheivement: I know a bit about Epic Fantasy, but haven't had the time (another thing I plan on catching up on). I'll be sure to give those recommendations a chance. Thank you.

dagger: Yes, of course Blackjack will make an appearance! He's the awesomest!

Imagination_running: So, I want you to know that this idea is amazing, and Annabeth will be making further reappearances, so not this chapter but later ones. Thank you, and everyone can find his (or her) idea in the reviews. It's a good one.

Catie Cat: So Annabeth is working on her own, not with the camps or gods. That's part of the reason she had those previous short chapter endings. I need to explain things better... ugh.

jodyowl11: Yes! Someone knows my joy! And embarrassment! I can't wait for the arc to start, but I need to finish this first, eh?

hi: You are seeing Annabeth in a way I didn't plan on it, but if I use your POV for Percy, would you get mad? Feel free to answer in the reviews, plz.

Aviendhaphiragon: I'm glad that I've got a big fan like you. I don't think Annabeth is stupid enough to not see what she has, but to let it go so they can both get better? Yep.

ColdMilkLover: So Percy is eighteen when he meets Clint, and I now see my mistake. I plan on correcting that soon, so plz be patient! Thank you for finding that! And I decided to make Annabeth's hat a bit more overpowered than it probably should be... hehe.

yinstark: The question I keep asking myself: would he join either side?

Berrybluexd: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope part 2 is everything you wanted.

Daughter of Ironman06: So, I just wanted to let you know I'm a dude. You're not the first to call me a woman, but I do enjoy that you think I'm cruel. Plz, continue enjoying this story.

JISLIN: I've saved your comment for last, because this is the one I most appreciated. I understand your concern, and agree that a 'happy' Percabeth reunion will only ruin this story, and want to make something perfectly clear for you: Forgiveness is not the same as letting someone back into your life. It's the lesson I want to teach this chapter, as I do with most of my chapters. I thank you for the support you've shown, since the beginning. Your comment isn't what told me I should take a break, but I hope that you will understand why it is necessary. That spark, the magic in my writing, is starting to flatline, and I'm going revive it before things get out of hand. Thank you for the luck, because I feel like I need it right about now.

Everyone wanted a new chapter, and I'm glad that you all enjoy this story so much. Please, keep reading and enjoying. If you didn't get a shout out, then i'm sorry. I prioritized the ones I thought were most important, and if you didn't get in then I am sorry.

Disclaimer: Not Rick, though the person that commented asking if I was sure seemed convinced I was. I take that as a complement. Not Marvel, either...


Percy:

Man, he was scared.

Six years later, and that glare had only become worse. Her hair was still curled to perfection, her steel grey eyes sharp, and her face in general perfect.

Why were the crazy ones hot? Why were they always demigods?

It was weird, though, taking her appearance in without the hud inside of his helmet making things distorted and blurry. If felt more real, more dangerous. He wished that he hadn't seen her barely three weeks ago in New Rome. When she'd baited him out with her arguing. For just a minute, everything felt normal. Just them, arguing over something stupid.

Gods above, she was still beautiful.

But beautiful things can be deadly, too. They usually were.

Looks did nothing for him now, even hers. She was now a threat to his safety, and he had to treat her like one. With Riptide still in hand, he levelled his sword at her. "Ms. Chase." He said evenly, hoping that the steely look on his face didn't give him away.

"Percy." She said, just as roughly, as if she'd eaten gravel before coming up the elevator, or however she got into the building. She still stood unarmed, and Percy checked his opponent for weapons. It didn't seem like she had any on her, but he counted her mind as a weapon. She was as smart as Jarvis.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, still keeping his blade poised to strike.

A conflicted look crossed over her face for a moment, and Percy noticed the bags under her eyes, and the paleness to her skin. It was below a California tan, almost as pale as James was getting. Her eyes flickered to his sword, then back to his face. "I'm not here to hurt you, I hope." She said. "But if you don't put your sword back, I'm going to have to."

Percy let out a single bark of laughter, then scowled. "You can't hurt me anymore, Annabeth. But if you try, then I might have to hurt you." He warned. He brought his blade up just the slightest bit. "Did Zeus send you to kill me? Hera, Athena, Ares? No, strike him off the list. You'd never take orders from Ares." He contemplated to himself, gauging her reactions. She didn't so much as bat an eye.

"Which god then? Or goddess? Maybe it was just a unanimous vote?" He asked. Still no reaction. "Who sent you to kill me? Who do I get to disappoint today?" He asked sarcastically. She flinched this time at his voice, as if it physically burned her.

"I was hoping we could just talk, Percy. No swords, no gods- just two adults talking out their problems with one another." Like old times.

It didn't have to be said. She knew he knew what she meant, and he shook his head. "You need to leave, Annabeth. You need to get out of here, because if you thought the gods could get angry, you haven't met the Avengers." He warned, letting just a small inkling of satisfaction leak into his voice.

She nodded, and for just a second he thought she was agreeing with him. "Okay, that's a good place to start. How… How do they treat you?" She asked carefully.

Percy was genuinely confused, but didn't show it. Instead, he remained silent. Annabeth rolled her eyes, then continued questioning him. "Are you happy here? Is Hope here with you, or Sally or Paul? Does anyone else know you're alive that you know of, or-" She suddenly stomped in frustration. "Dang it, Jackson, ANSWER ME! PLEASE!" She screamed.

Percy remained silent, and Annabeth rolled her eyes again. She began to walk towards him, and when he kept his sword level she didn't react. In fact, he felt nearly frozen as she stood not even a foot in front of him, inside the reach of his sword. She was… she was shorter than him now, by at least a few inches.

It would be so easy. He could flick his wrist and end things. He could block her from getting closer, or stop her from trying to speak to him ever again.

Or he could kiss her. That was an option that appeared in his head.

Before he could react, she grabbed his wrist slightly, lowering his sword to his side. She cupped his cheek with her other hand, and he wouldn't lie when he said that the touch sent his breath to come out in a sharp gasp. He had all these conflicting emotions that hadn't gone through his head in so long, and it confused and hurt and- Gah.

"Look at me, please." She asked quietly, her voice coming out as barely a whisper. Percy's brain complied, short circuiting when he realized that she even smelled the same. Strawberries and Lemons, with just a little vanilla. It was truly intoxicating. Her grey eyes met his, and the bags under her eyes were easily noticeable.

"I just want you to answer a few questions. I want honest answers. I swear on the river Styx, this is me talking. Not the gods, not the Camps… It's just me here." She said, and thunder met her oath. "How do they treat you here?"

He searched her eyes, looking for any sign of deception. He couldn't tell. He had to go by her oath. He wanted to believe her. He wanted to be able to confide in her.

But his career taught him the truth about life. It was unfair, and full of liars. He wasn't sure how, but these questions could compromise himself, the Avengers, and maybe even Homestead.

But the Styx was a hard oath to break…

"They're a family here." He muttered. "We look out for one another." He whispered.

She nodded, then asked quietly. "Can we sit down?"

He tried to find any ulterior motive, but came up short when he saw that she really just wanted to sit. Maybe she was tired, or sleep deprived or- He nodded, and he took a seat on the coffee table while she sat on the couch. She coughed lightly before asking her next question.

"Are you happy here? Do these guys… make you happy?" She asked.

He nodded. "We get along fine."

She nodded, biting her lower lip worriedly. "Okay, um, that's good. That's good. What about Sally, and Paul? Are they still alive as well, or do you know where they-"

"Dead." He said flatly. "Assassinated. The car got blasted into the river. They fried instantly."

Annabeth nodded, as if unsurprised. When she spoke again, her voice was wobbly. "I was afraid you'd say that." She explained, then rubbed her eyes quickly, sitting up straighter.

"And Hope? They never found her body, either." She said.

Percy nodded. "She's safe." He assured. He noticed her let out a shaky, relieved breath.

They continued their game of twenty questions, her occasionally asking if he had any questions for her. He answered no, saying that he didn't have anything he needed answering. Finally, Annabeth opened up her note. "I know it's a lot to ask, but you said in this note that you would explain later, and it's been six years now…"

He thought about it for a moment, about the repercussions of telling her the truth. About letting her know why he was where he was. He wondered… what would be the harm?

But then his instincts kicked in. "I can't." He said.

Her once calm, composed face flashed annoyance for the first time. She closed her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief. "I'm sorry, what?" She asked.

Percy didn't like her tone. In fact, it maybe annoyed him a little. "I don't want to tell you."

She looked him dead in the eye, her rage building higher than the tower. "So it's not that you can't, it's that you won't?" She clarified.

He nodded, still wondering why he said no but going along with the thought anyway. He had to own what he said. "Okay, if you want to take it there, then yes. I don't want you to know why I left." He said sternly.

Her mouth dropped open, and her face turned red. Her hand came forward, and before Percy could react she flicked his forehead. "Six years, Percy! I've been waiting for an answer for six years! This is the one answer you owe me!"

Percy felt his own face redden. Before he could speak up though, Jarvis' voice spoke from the ceiling. "Master Percy, Mr. Stark wishes to know why a wall currently separates his kitchen and living room."

Percy looked upwards. "Tell Tony to wait a few minutes, and I'll handle it!"

"Oh, you'll handle it, huh Percy? You're going to tell me off? Or are you going to explain to me why I don't get to know why you left us?" She screamed. "Why you left me?"

Percy felt his vision go red on the sides, and his fists clenched. They were both standing now, and he was right in her face. Meanwhile, Percy could hear some sort of banging on the other side of the cable wall. "I left you? You broke it off with me so you could be with Mr. Sunshine, Annabeth! You left me in the dark, and I had to find my own way back! That's where I was, okay? Do you understand?"

Her face was turning a dark purple, a vein in her forehead throbbing. "NO, I DON'T UNDERSTAND, PERSEUS! I WANT TO KNOW! I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY YOU LEFT, AND I WANT YOU TO COME BACK!" She screamed, shoving him roughly. His legs hit the coffee table and he fell down hard, leaving a crack in the glass. She was nearly on top of him, her forearm at his neck and her other hand poised to punch him in the face. They were face to face, and Percy realized that something hot was falling onto his face.

"Come back, Percy. Please, please come back." She begged, tears falling down her face and onto his. Her closed fist rested against his chest lightly, and she tried to blink back the tears threatening to spill down her eyes but they kept falling onto him. "I'll put in a good word for you. We can explain to the gods that you weren't hurting anyone, or that you've changed. I don't care. Just- Just don't leave again."

Percy almost... almost took her up on the offer.

But he couldn't explain, for some reason. The gods would kill him without a second thought. Zeus would finish the job, killing him and finding Hope and… No. No one was going to hurt his baby sister.

He'd finish Kronos' promise to Luke before Zeus could put a hand on Hope. He'd tear Olympus down brick by brick if he had to. Whatever it took to keep his sister safe.

"I can't, Annabeth. I won't. The gods are going to kill me, and I have to make sure that my family doesn't get hurt." He said. "I have to go." He said.

A new round of sobbing sprung out of Annabeth, echoing in the quietness of the living room. The banging of whatever was hitting the wall grew louder, and Percy knew that the Avengers were trying to get in.

"I'm your family, too." Annabeth insisted. "I made a huge mistake because I thought I was helping, but all it did was make things worse and then I thought you were dead and I thought I got you killed and I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry." She said, suddenly pulling herself closer and burying her head in his shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

Percy stood slowly, kind of half hugging her and making sure that she didn't fall over. He kept her half tucked under his arm, and when he finally had the right angle he helped her sit back onto the couch. Percy looked towards the wall, seeing that whatever they were doing on the other side was working. They were burning a hole through the wall.

Can't wait to point out they could've used the window.

He shook all the jokes out of his head, looking back at Annabeth. There were so many reasons he didn't seek out his past life. So many times that Annabeth popped into his head, or that Natasha would make a joke that sounded as bad as Leo's. But here she was, and she just kept confusing him. He felt angry, because it was suddenly her, dumping all her problems onto him. They weren't even in a relationship anymore, and he was still playing boyfriend?

"What are you talking about, making a mistake? Annabeth, you broke it off. You wanted to be with someone else, and I get that you feel guilty about it. But you know what? You're forgiven! I made peace with that, and I'm going to live out the rest of my short, miserable life the way I want to. But you have the future here! Go, finish your degree! Marry that ray of sunshine before he slips out of your life, too! I really, really could not care less! Just… Just STAY AWAY FROM ME!" He screamed, the slightest bit of sarcasm leaking his voice.

She went from sobbing to silent tears in the time it took for him to finish yelling, and the face she made was enough to make Percy feel a stab of regret touch his own heart. It hurt him, yes, but it still had to be said. "You don't mean that. You don't mean that." She said.

"Go home, Annabeth. I'll send you a postcard when I hit Tartarus." He said, turning away from her. He knew that the object that created the wall must've been one of Leo's toys, so all Percy had to do was-

Something really heavy, and really angry smashed into his back, sending Percy on a short trip to the carpeted floor with a loud 'OOMPH!'. His arms were pinned at his side and he felt a series of punches smash into his back with as much force as the blonde could muster. "You IDIOT! You selfish, little, conniving jerk! I don't want to be with him, and I never wanted to! It was always you! Only you, Percy! Now get out of your pity party and-"

He roared, standing up with her still on his back and launching her onto the couch. He jumped so that he hovered over her, pinning her legs and arms to her body and looking her directly in the face. "Stay away from me. Stay away from my family, and when the time comes, stay out of my afterlife." He hissed into her ear. She was incredibly still underneath him, but when he made eye contact with her all he saw was the burning hatred that took over her face.

She leaned her neck up as far as she could, until her eyes stared right into his, her lips almost, almost pressing against his. Her hot breath washed over his lips, sending a shiver down his spine. Her eyes searched his, and he tried desperately to not let her see through him, because he wasn't even sure what he was thinking.

So, did she still love him? Had she ever stopped? Had he ever stopped loving her? He avoided answering that question. After six years, and he never truly answered that question for himself. He had a family with the Avengers, and with the Bartons. He might as well have been a father, considering Hope was always in the picture.

Before he could figure out his feelings, let alone hide them, Annabeth whispered into his ear. "No. You're a liar, Percy Jackson. And I won't leave until you're honest with yourself." She seethed, her voice a hiss.

At that exact moment when Percy knew Annabeth wasn't going to rest until he admitted he needed her (as if he was sure), there was a whirring sound, followed by a Pop!, and the wall began to retract back into Leo's sphere.

"Ha! That did it!" Tony's voice said, but Percy didn't trust Annabeth to not pull something. He did hear about a dozen people entering the living room. And Percy was covering his ex-girlfriend. With his body.

… Tony was never going to let Percy forget this.

Annabeth suddenly forced a her knees upwards, driving a wedge between his own, but luckily not going too far upwards. Then, her hips rolled and they both ended up on the ground instead of the couch, but she was on top, straddling his waist. She put her forearm back on his throat. "When you're truthful with yourself, you'll see, Percy." Her eyes suddenly got really, really sad looking. "You'll see what an idiot I really am."

Before Percy could react, and before the Avengers could fully understand what was going on, Annabeth stood up and off of him, then stretched as far as she could, grabbing Leo's sphere from off the ground. She lifted her arms, as if giving up. "I surrender. You can take me prisoner now." She said, her voice even. Her eyes were still puffy from crying, and her clothing was disheveled, but she held herself like a goddess.

Percy heard Wanda's gasp. As he stood, not taking his eyes off of Annabeth, he could just feel Clint and Natasha's gazes falling onto him, as if in question. He nodded, not taking his eyes off of her, in case of whatever she planned on doing.

Maria, ever the first to react, stepped forward and cuffed Annabeth, forcing his ex girlfriend's arms behind her back. Annabeth didn't react when the metal slid onto her wrists, and instead held his gaze, as if daring him to speak up.

As Maria began to take her away, Percy held up a hand to stop her. "Wait." He said. Maria reluctantly stood still, trying to look at both Percy and Annabeth, though they were entirely focused on one another.

Percy stepped closer to her, and the fact he had at least two inches on her made him feel the slightest bit better. Still, as he stood at her toes, he felt as if they still were eye to eye.

He took Leo's sphere out of her hand, and her hat out of her back pocket, putting it into his own. As his own sphere felt, it was uneven in his mutilated hand. The gap his extra finger left sagged, and he saw Annabeth's eyes flicker to the missing digit for the first time.

Shock. Horror. Anger. Pity. Then, she wasn't looking at him anymore. He stepped back, though, her sphere in his grip. "Keep her in my room, under guard until I say otherwise. We'll talk about this later." He said.

Maria nodded, escorting Annabeth out of the room and towards the penthouse rooms. As soon as the two were out of sight, Percy felt himself slump over. His shoulders sagged, and a weariness he hadn't felt in a long time settled into his bones. When Clint put a hand on his shoulder, Percy wanted to drop.

All the while, Thor was bug eyed with his mouth hanging open. Finally, he spoke up. His voice reminded Percy of a Hope at Disney World. "Was that the lady Annabeth Chase?"

He let Clint and Natasha explain his past relationship while he ate blue ice cream on the sofa.

It wasn't his idea, actually. But when Percy uttered the word 'ex girlfriend', the room exploded into pandemonium. Tony (still in his Iron Man suit from trying to get through the wall) had joked that he'd been through worse encounters with ex's, Steve had tried to stutter through an apology that wasn't necessary, Wanda had instantly looked towards the hallway with contempt, and Clint and Natasha sat Percy down on the couch while they, the experts in his nonexistent love life, explained who she was.

The blue ice cream was a nice touch, though. Even though his appetite was gone.

So, like the younger brother they thought he was, he decided that he needed to work out his own problems while they caught each other up to date.

He retreated into his own thoughts, trying not to look as shaken up he felt, but boy was it a hard act to keep. He had to think about Annabeth and make sure he didn't make any weird faces. He tried to remain passive looking while they spoke about Annabeth.

Clint and Natasha were experts, of course. He'd told them everything her knew about her. Everything he knew about the breakup.

Or, at least what he understood.

"I made a huge mistake because I thought I was helping."

"It's was always you, Percy!"

"When you're truthful with yourself, you'll see what a real idiot I am."

What could that mean? Why was Annabeth talking like that, saying that it was a mistake to breakup with him? How would breaking up help him, or was that even what she was talking about? Was there just another layer to this, confusing him further? Worse still, was this a one time thing, or were other Demigods going to start showing up? When would it end?

"Percy?"

Percy's thoughts dissipated as he realized that he'd started making a face, and Steve had noticed. Now, everyone was looking at him. All of them looked concerned, as if just noticing him. "Hmmm?" He hummed in question, trying make it seem like he'd been caught not paying attention during a briefing.

Steve didn't look convinced by his fake cheery attitude. "Are you okay? I know that this girl was important to you, and it can't be easy seeing her again." He said, and everyone waited for Percy's answer. Maria, who had joined them, seemed a bit too interested, and Percy wasn't sure what that could mean.

"I'm fine, really. I'm just- I'm worried what this could mean, beyond the fact my ex knows I'm still alive." He explained, giving half of the truth. He wanted to think about Annabeth without their stares, and now he had to mention what else was bothering.

Natasha seemed to tense at his side, and Percy knew what she was thinking. Sam frowned, not understanding. "What do you mean?"

Percy shrugged. "I know Annabeth came in here alone, and without telling anyone what she was doing." He explained. "But Annabeth isn't going to be the only one. She's… She's only going to be the first."

Tony put up a hand, squinting his eyes and cocking his head to the side. "Hold up. Are you saying that we're suddenly going to be swarmed by Demigods?"

"And monsters. Gods, goddesses… I'm back on the grid." He said, making eye contact with each and every one of them. He didn't disguise the fact he was a little scared. He knew they wouldn't judge him for that.

Wanda visibly paled, still able to understand more than anyone else. Her leg began to bounce involuntarily. "How soon, do you think?" She asked.

Percy shook his head. "Annabeth knows, but that's to be expected. I can't imagine the gods being too far behind. Chiron probably knows, and the praetors… Gossip spreads fast in the camps. I bet by the end of the week, they all know." He said gravely. He felt Natasha's hand on his shoulder.

They were all quiet, and the silence felt final. Endless. No one was going to break it, and no one tried to.

Steve and Tony understood. Clint, Wanda, Sam, Vision, Natasha, Maria… They knew what Percy was going to say.

Percy Jackson was no longer safe in Avengers Tower. He wasn't safe as an Avenger.

Percy Jackson had to leave the Avengers.


Read, Review, Favorite & Follow!

Again, just a short break. I promise, I'll be back soon.

To anyone who thinks that Percy forgiving Annabeth is the same as letting her back into his life, then you're wrong... But if she forcibly inserts herself back into his life, that's another matter altogether. Maybe in later chapters.

LHG :)