I'M BACK, BABY!

I am so, so, so so so, sorry for how long this had taken. I have absolutely no excuse.

But hey, I'm back and better than ever. And so is CABTH, I really hope you guys enjoy this new version of the story because I think I'm really gonna enjoy writing it.

For some background, I did some math so I could make this a bit more realistic (even though it's fanfiction and no one really gives a shit about making things realistic). This fic starts right after the Avengers because it takes place in 2012 and that's when Percy would have been 19 years old story wise. So...yeah, that's where I'm starting it, plus I think it'll be more fun to write it this way.

Also, if anyone is willing to beta this story, hit me up, it would be greatly appreciated. :D

ENJOY THE STORY!

Percy has no idea how he got into this mess.

Actually, scratch that, he does. Kind of.

All he knows is that he wanted to sign up for a small job as a tour guide in a local aquarium. And the next thing Percy knows, he's sitting in front of the most intimidating woman in the world for an interview to work for the biggest company in existence.

How, exactly, did that happen? He has no idea.

Ms. Potts gave him a kind smile, "So, Mr. Jackson, what do you say?"

"Uh…me?" Percy asked dumbly, internally kicking himself.

Ms. Potts gave a light laugh, "Yes, you."

"So let me get this straight. You want me, Percy Jackson, the least qualified person in the world, to be your personal assistant? Me?"

"No of course not." Ms. Potts assured.

Not going to lie, Percy did feel a little hurt at that.

"I want you to be Tony's personal assistant."

His jaw dropped to the floor, "I…what? Tony? As in Tony Stark? As in fucking - I mean - freaking Iron Man?"

Potts gave another one of those tinkling laughs, "Yes, that Tony."

"I - no."

The woman startled, blinking as if she did not expect that answer, then again, it's not every day a teenager denies working for a superhero. "No?"

"No."

"Can I ask why?

Percy sighed, "Ms. Potts, I appreciate the offer, really, I do. But I am the least qualified person you could have chosen. I applied by accident. All I wanted was to work for the aquarium. I don't even have a college degree."

"Neither do I."

Percy stopped, "What?"

The woman shrugged, "I never went to college, my family couldn't afford it, so I went straight into the workforce instead. Albeit I got very lucky compared to others, but look where I am now."

"But why me?"

Ms. Potts leaned forward and placed a comforting hand on his fidgeting one, a gesture that reminded him of his mother, "Percy, accident or not, when I saw your application I knew you are the most qualified person for this position."

Percy blinked at her owlishly, not knowing what else to do. What is someone supposed to when one of the most powerful women in the world tells them something like that? "But - I - have you seen my record? How can I be -"

"I believe I can answer that for you, young sir." A British, male voice sounded from somewhere around him. The demigod jumped, not expecting the sudden voice, and had to fight down a curse in greek.

"What the Ha–hell was that?"

"My apologies, Mr. Jackson. I am JARVIS. Just A Rather Very Intelligent System. I am an Artificial Intelligence Mr. Stark created to lend help to his daily life, as well as his little endeavors when he assumes the identity of Iron Man. I also help Ms. Potts run Stark Industries to the best of my ability."

Percy stared up at the ceiling in awe, "An AI? I didn't know he made one! That is so cool! How did he do it?"

If artificial life couldn't chuckle, what ever JARVIS sid in response to the teen was about as close as it could get, "I believe that is a terrifyingly long process that will take much to long to explain. Shall we get to the matter at hand?"

Pepper interjected, "Yes, JARVIS, will you please inform Mr. Jackson here of what you found during his background check?"

"Of course, Ms. Potts. Mr. Jackson, if you could please direct your attention to the screen to your right."

Percy did so as said screen came to life with endless files about him. From his vaccination files when he was a baby, to scans of his embarrassing artwork from elementary school, to news articles from the several times he was on the run from the authorities (some demigod-related and some…not). Until it landed on a very specific document: test scores.

JARVIS stared speaking again, "Mr. Jackson, are you aware that your mother, Sally Jackson, requested to the faculty at your school to give you an IQ test when you were in 5th grade?"

Percy made a face, "No, I–" Then it hit him, he does remember taking a test. "I am, but I just assumed everyone else was doing it too. I mean, it wasn't that hard."

"Yes, well, I believe I understand why." JARVIS zoomed in on the final score, a bolded 275 standing out from the screen.

The teen stared at the screen in confusion, "I don't get it, what does that mean?"

Ms. Potts leaned foreward again, fingers threaded together as she rested them on the desk. "Percy, it takes a score of 160 on an IQ test to be considered a genius, Tony's is 270. You are currently the smartest man on record in the US."

Percy stared at the women, mouth opening and closing like a fish as he struggled to find something to say, "I…what?"

Percy wanted to believe it, really he did. But there was no way, there was absolutely no way that he is smarter than the Tony Stark. For the gods' sake, his ex-girlfriend made up a nickname for him that she used everytime he said - or did - something stupid. Yes, is was used fondly, but it still hurt a little. This, though, whoever had the score that he's seeing in front of him, it's not him.

"I-I'm sorry, Ms. Potts, you got the wrong guy." He got out of his chair and paced to the glass door.

He heard Ms. Potts get out of her chair, "I don't believe I do, Mr. Jackson." When Percy turned to look back at her she sighed and sat back down, "Look, because of…recent events, as I'm sure you've seen on the news, Tony and I have fallen out. And because of that I'm stepping down as CEO and moving back to Malibu, meaning Tony has to take back his mantle. But it's been proven in the past that he cannot do it alone, not well, at least. So I need to choose my successor to help him, one that can keep the company on it's feet and keep him alive, just as I did. And I believe that successor should be you."

Percy looked down at his feet, considering her words. All he wanted to do was work in an aquarium, and somehow he ended up in this mess. But it wouldn't be so bad, would it? He'd be working for an actual superhero who is also Tony Stark, the genius that he has idolized for literall years. Who knows? Maybe he'll be introduced to Thor.

JARVIS's voice tuned in again, "If it helps, I believe Sir himself requested you before Ms. Potts saw your file."

Percy looked at Ms. Potts in the eye and smiled, "I'm in."

Did you like it? If not it's fine, I'm down for some constructive criticism. Plus im leaving chapters for the old version up so feel free to enjoy those too! Just know I'm not continuing it.

Update: I feel as though I didn't explain as well when I first posted this update, but this is a prologue to a new version of this story I am writing. I can delete the old chapters to make it less confusing. Also, to answer a comment from earlier, this story is not Percabeth, I love that ship to bits but it is not for this story this time around. I'm sorry for those who were hoping for it!

Anyway, I love you all, thank you for reading this. See you next chapter!

-LittleMissReadsTooMuch