Hey Guys!
So, if this chapter has been posted, it means that I'm off of my break!
In fact, it also means that I've written at least another three or so chapters in advance! I wanted to do that because you never know if I might snap. I actually started another story... Just a regular Percy Jackson fanfic, but I tried to make it a bit more angsty, romance-ish. I actually starting writing it while I was asleep... Anyways, I started it over spring break, and I can't wait to finish it. A bit of a shorter story, but I'm working on making details in stories more vivid.
Okay, so the actual story at hand.
Disclaimer: I am not Rick, the R Bros, or Marvel. Enjoy.
Clint:
He was sent in with Natasha and Maria for the interview.
Percy had insisted that only Natasha and Clint go in at first and nobody else, but then Maria had called Fury and gave Percy orders to allow her to sit in and record it.
That led to an hour long argument between Fury and Percy. Clint, who'd been with Natasha and Maria awaiting the final verdict by Percy's room, could hear Percy's angry yells about how they needed to keep Demigods off record and that the world's security agencies, SHIELD included, could not get even a smiggen of evidence suggesting the existence of Greek, Norse, and Egyptian deities. Fury kept himself in check, not yelling, but still arguing that Percy let Maria in.
From his perch on the top of the doorframe, he listened intently to what was going on inside of Percy's room.
He knew who Annabeth was. Clint had seen photos and researched her through the SHIELD database at least a dozen times. From the first moment Clint heard the name, he understood this girl was special. Not just to the Demigods, and not just to Percy. He knew that Percy believed she could change the world for the better.
Actually seeing her up close, the blonde had impressed Clint. She must've been in the elevator with them, tailing him and Natasha up the into the penthouse, without making a sound. He caught this look that she gave Percy, and he was reminded of Natasha, or Maria. Stone-cold killers with a lot more to them than meets the eye.
Natasha and Maria spoke to one another in hushed tones, probably discussing a game plan when they interrogated- interviewed her. He had decided to simply play the intimidation game, stand in the corner and make sure everything went smoothly. He could learn more if they asked the questions, anyways.
Still, after a full hour and Percy still not leaving the conference room a floor above them, Clint wondered if he'd get to meet the girl at all. He had his heels on the edge of the doorframe, trying to let his keen eyesight look into the halls and his ears pick up any noise inside of Percy's room. Somehow, it was silent.
"Fury wouldn't take this long." Natasha finally said, running her hands up and down her legs. "He's want the information as soon as possible. Not for us to let her gather her thoughts behind a closed door." She argued, and Clint could see her nervous energy trying to rationalize going into the room earlier than Percy might want her to.
"I agree. Even Percy wouldn't want her sitting in there for too long. He's the one always saying she's the smartest Demigod alive." Maria pointed out.
Clint barely switched his gaze. "I think he actually said 'person', not 'demigod'." He said, still straining to hear anything from the other side of the wall. "And Percy wouldn't want us to interview her without his say so. Last thing I want him to see is us talking with his ex without his permission." He reasoned.
"Relationship status doesn't matter to Percy, Barton. What Percy would want is results." Maria argued.
"If you didn't see the way he looked at her, then I don't think you should be making the decisions about it. We wait for Percy to give the green light when Annabeth is involved." He said.
Suddenly, the elevator down the hall opened and Percy Jackson began to stomp his way to them, a scowl still on his face. He looked like a college junior, stressing over exams and what he was studying. He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up further. When he reached them, his gaze drifted towards the door. His shoulders slumped.
"Maria is allowed in, but no recording. Natasha takes point, Clint makes sure she doesn't run, which is likely to happen if you say the wrong things." There was a sudden gleam in his eyes. "Be sure to say the wrong things."
Clint nodded in understanding, getting off of the doorframe and standing in front of his surrogate son. He held out an earpiece, but Percy shook his head. "She'll be baiting me the whole time if she sees that in your ear, Clint. I just need to know what she plans on doing… If we let her go." He said.
Clint and Natasha nodded in understanding, but Maria frowned. "She broke into Avengers Tower. If we let her go-"
"She's desperate to get to me again, Agent Hill. So make sure she knows that there is no way to find me should she break in again." He said, gritting his teeth. Clint knew that he used last names and titles when he was angry, and to hear both meant that Fury must've gone off worse than usual.
Clint put a reassuring hand on Percy's shoulder. He looked Percy in the eye, trying to convey his sympathy for him. Percy's shoulders were tense, and the way his eyes kept glancing worriedly towards the door was indication enough for Clint. As if the way he'd looked at her hadn't already given it away. "Hey." He said, getting Percy's attention.
Percy let his emotions show, and he looked distressed, scared, frustrated… It was a set of conflicting emotions that flashed in and out, trying to find balance before one would flare up and start the process over. "We'll make sure she leaves us alone, okay? Then, we'll talk about retirement plans." He promised.
Percy gave Clint a weary smile, but Clint knew that Percy was more excited, albeit reluctantly excited, about retiring early. Percy had often discussed selling his apartment in the city and using the millions Tony and him had earned when they created the perpetual hydroelectric generator. More time at Homestead, more time with his sister.
And maybe, when all of this hero stuff was behind him, Percy could find a girl… Settle down and start a family… Clint was more excited about the idea than he thought. Percy was more like a surrogate son to him than a brother, and Clint liked to think Percy felt like he had a family with Lauren and himself, not just with the Avengers.
Percy took a deep breath, nodding his head. He made eye contact with each of them, including a jaw-set Maria. She reluctantly handed him her recording device, and when Percy raised an eyebrow in challenge, she handed him her phone as well. "Good luck in there. I want to say that you won't need it, but…"
Clint smacked Percy upside the head, then shook his head while Percy massaged the 'wound'. "We've got this covered, Percy. But if you hear us start to scream in agony… It's probably her reminiscing your old dating life."
Percy let out a loud, hearty laugh, throwing his head back. His smile was infectious, and soon the three of them were wearing grins too big for their situation. For just a moment, everything felt calm. Peaceful, even.
All too soon, Clint had open the door, the two women following him in.
…
She was napping.
Clint had opted to take his place in the corner of the room behind Annabeth, and was on his way there, when all three of them zeroed in on her sleeping form.
She was curled up on the bed, above the covers and facing away from them. She'd discarded her shoes in the corner of the room, but kept her socks on. Her hair was scattered all over the pillows, and she held fistfuls of the comforter in each hand, tucking it safely under her chin. Her breath was coming out in short puffs, shooting a few stray curls into the air.
Clint had interrogated hundreds of people in his career, and basic knowledge of criminal psychology is to let them sweat out for a few hours in a holding cell. You move in and take control of the interrogation while they're tired and off balance.
They'd left her in a bedroom...
… Who messed this up?
Natasha shrugged, moving towards the desk in the corner of the room and grabbing the chair there. She dragged the back legs, letting them grate against the floor like nails over a chalkboard. Clint saw the look of satisfaction she had on her face when Annabeth woke up with a startled yelp.
"Rise and shine." Natasha greeted, taking a seat parallel with the bed. Clint stood in the back corner, and Maria was leaning against the closed door. All of them watched the blonde's reactions carefully. Clint knew from Percy that this girl was capable of a lot more than her initial looks let on.
"She has an IQ of, like, a bajillion." He'd said.
… Clint was going to take his word on it.
Meanwhile, as the three of them inspected her, she did the same. She sat cross legged on the bed, her gaze flickering between Natasha and Maria, measuring them up. Clint distinctly saw something flash over her face when she saw Maria, and Clint filled the fact away for future reference. Anything to get an edge on this girl.
Natasha sat leisurely in her chair, staring down Annabeth like a professional agent, trained in the red room. "So, you're the girl our Percy seems to have so much trouble with, huh?" She began. Clint saw irritation flicker in Annabeth's face. "I'm Agent Romanov. These are my colleagues, Agents Hill and Barton. Agent Jackson has asked us to conduct this interview." She informed Annabeth.
She didn't speak, this time turning her head until Clint had a better view of face. Dark, shining grey eyes met his icy blue ones, and he felt a warning bell go off in his head. Judging by the way her expression hardened, she had the same impression. This was someone you do not play around with. "Interrogation." She said, looking back at Natasha. "Not an interview. An interrogation."
Natasha simply shrugged, looking indifferent about the whole situation. "Call it what you want. I'll be asking you questions, you'll give me the answers. That's what Percy wants at the end of the day." She said. Clint understood that Nat was using Percy's name as a trigger. Something Annabeth might take as reason to cooperate more.
The blonde looked less than impressed. "Percy, against popular belief, doesn't know what he wants half the time. Besides, I don't have any answers to give him. Or you, for that matter." She said, raising an eyebrow in challenge. Clint was a bit surprised by her bluntness, but hid it well.
"Let's start asking questions anyways, and maybe Percy will let you know if you get to go free, or get sent to our friends in the government." Natasha said, not batting an eye.
Annabeth scoffed. "He wouldn't dare." She said, completely sure of herself.
Natasha was the one raising an eyebrow this time. "Dare to do… what? Expose demigods? Send you to prison? Shoot you, and be done with all of this? Should I remind you that he put you in this room. Not a cell, like he should've. He let you stay in his room."
Annabeth laughed, and Clint could see her shoulders shaking. "Look, Agent Romanov, I get that you're supposed to play on fears, but at least figure out what I'm afraid of first before threatening me." She said, lifting a finger up. "I'm not afraid he'll expose demigods because Percy knows that that would only make demigod life harder. It's the same reason mortals don't know gods exist."
She put another finger up. "No prison can hold me. That's not me assuming you're stupid, or that I'm going to dig my way out. I've been in much worse places than prison." She said. Her third finger came out. "And shoot me? Percy could've killed me a dozen different ways when we were talking in the living room. He doesn't kill because he wants to. It's because he has to."
Finally, her fourth finger went up. Clint didn't need to see her eyes to know that they were glaring. "Lastly, the reason I'm not in a cell is because Percy can't physiologically Hotwire into his head when an enemy becomes a friend and vice versa. He's loyal to a fault without knowing it sometimes. I bet he even mentioned letting me go after all of this is said and done, didn't he?" She curled her fingers into a fist, resting it on the table.
She did a sweeping gaze around the room, and when her glare landed on Clint he had to be careful not to show his emotion. "Didn't he?" She demanded. His silence was answer enough for her, apparently. When she spoke again, her voice was softer. "He's too soft for his own good sometimes, you know? I bet he has nightmares still, doesn't he? He can't stop, or won't let anyone get too close."
Clint refused to react. He refused to acknowledge that everything she'd just said was true. It was almost awe inspiring how long they'd been out of touch, yet Annabeth knew who Percy was. She still understood him as a person.
Natasha kept her emotions in check, and Maria followed her lead. "Percy is fine. What we want to know is how you got into Avengers Tower. Or how you put a wall between us."
Annabeth didn't waver under the assassin's stare. She matched it for intensity, and Clint almost blinked when he thought he saw Percy flash into his mind. "I walked right in through the front door. Call reception, if you'd like." She challenged. Clint had already known that. They'd scoured video footage and briefed themselves in the hallways. Still, Annabeth explained how she'd found Natasha and himself in the pool area and followed them to Percy.
"As for the wall, it's an Archimedes Sphere: a gift from a friend. Percy had a matching one, last time I checked." She said. Clint knew what she was talking about. Leo Valdez had made them. He subconsciously nodded, and Natasha saw it.
"Why are you here? Who sent you?" Natasha asked.
Annabeth hesitated before speaking, and her answer was measured. "I came alone. No one else knows I'm here, either. And… I can't really explain why I'm here. I needed to know if it was him." She said. "I haven't stopped looking for him for five years."
Clint could tell it wasn't a lie. Her voice gave nothing away. Natasha understood this as well, and Maria was giving Annabeth a calculating stare. "Did you think he was dead? Did anyone else think he was alive?" Natasha pressed. This was an important question. One that Clint needed to know. Was Percy compromised?
Annabeth shook her head. "There were seven of us there when Nico Di Angelo told us that he hadn't been able to find Percy's soul in the Underworld. Personally, I didn't think Percy was dead, but after a few months everyone else decided to stop looking for him. They all decided he must've been dead." She said.
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "And you, after five years, never stopped looking for Percy?" She challenged.
Clint saw Annabeth's teeth gritting, and he began to circle closer to the door to get a better look at her face. He wanted to see the truth in her eyes when she spoke. "Everyone thought I was crazy. Everyone. For a few weeks, I lost hope… then Poseidon shows up, tells everyone that he needs to send three demigods to find his dead son."
Clint couldn't detect a lie, but Natasha was vicious. "Hard to believe, seeing as he was gone for nearly five years. Did you just stop dating? Stop studying? You spent every. Waking. Hour looking for Percy Jackson?"
Annabeth's eyes were shattered. The cloudy exterior seemed to break, and her breath hitched. Clint saw her holding back a scathing comment. "I stopped living, Agent Romanoff. I didn't even consider dating. I didn't study for months. I was lucky I passed high school with an A- average." She said, her tone dripping with venom. "I spent weekends, holidays, vacations- my whole summer for the past five years was one giant Easter Egg hunt in the Underworld!"
Her palms slammed against her lap with a smack, and her eyes took on a dangerous gleam. "I debated jumping back into Tartarus a dozen times for the past five years, just to find a body to bring back so we could burn it. So, yeah, Agent Romanoff. Believe it." She said, folding her arms and just daring for Natasha to talk back.
Clint was not one to usually hear people talk back to Nat like that unless they wanted a painful death. He'd seen it happen, yes, but all those men were idiots. Clint had put arrows in a few of them. Demigods, or at least Annabeth Chase, must've been made of sterner stuff.
Natasha seemed to be swallowing the answer, seeing no detectable lie in her statement. Clint could see the gears in her head turning, and the next question was definitely uncalled for, and completely off topic, but even Clint saw it coming.
"Then why, daughter of Athena, did you break up with him in the first place?" Natasha asked.
She remained silent, even going as far as to duck her head away from them. When she spoke, her voice was controlled. Robotic. "That was what I was hoping to discuss with him personally, but we were interrupted." She said, folding her arms. She looked up, making eye contact with Clint. "I didn't come here to hurt him. I wanted to explain my actions and ask if he was doing well here. Ask him. It's what we talked about."
Clint was almost entirely off balance, just hearing this girl speak in such a confident, stubborn way. He had to push everything out of his head, leave it all blank before Annabeth realized what she was doing to them. He completely forgot Natasha was taking point. "What do you plan to do, if we do let you go?" He challenged.
Those grey, intelligent eyes washed over Clint like the shrapnel from an explosion, tearing away at his mind and trying to dissect him: his motives, his morals, his relation to Percy- everything.
"I'll keep coming back until I finish what I've started." She admitted, not sounding the least bit ashamed or uncertain. Her tone was defiant. Insistent. Unwavering. "I won't stop until I talk to Percy and help him find a way out of whatever mess he, or I, might've gotten him into."
They continued on for some time after that, asking about the camps, her role in them, how they might operate, because they didn't know if Percy was entirely up-to-date, but all Annabeth gave were vague answers and half-truths when it came to halfblood information. Eventually, they simply left her in the room, the door locking behind her.
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