A Lofty Choice

Chapter 9

Percy was coming back from his mom's house with Cookies. He then met up with Annabeth. On the way he got attacked, but they immediately dispatched the monster.

It was just a normal day, if you do not count that he was walking his girlfriend to meet his mother who happens to be an avenger.

He knew what an avenger was because his mom told him about it. He was out in another country when this happened, but it was hard not to hear. The schools like to talk about them a lot, and there were a lot of people dressed in costumes.

When he first walked back into New York he noticed people painting their skin green. Another person with a blue, red and white shield with a star. Then there was the one with the hammer who kept screaming "he was a god." Percy looked at that one warily. Sometimes they were nuts, but on the off chance that he wasn't he made sure the distance widened.

Of course he didn't pay attention enough to recognize Natasha when she introduced herself as the black widow. Percy should have gone to his dad and asked him to explain it all, but if his dad wanted to skip out on him he had no problem doing that. He was already showing a lot more attention than the other gods. 

He was surprised when he was stopped by security and led to the elevator.  Annabeth gave him a "what did you do look," with her eyes.

Percy shrugged.  He didn't do anything this time.   Annabeth nodded to him. 

"Follow me," the security guard said.

"Why," Percy asked. 

The security guard didn't answer, but since they were taking them up Percy had an idea of where they were going.   He didn't know why his mother would do this though.

"Did you leave a note when you left," Annabeth asked.   She had been silent when they were stepping in the elevator.   Probably coming to this conclusion.

"No," Percy said.  He realized that she probably thought he was kidnapped.

"Your mom is probably paranoid because of her job.  Suddenly getting a child like you would worry any normal person.   I can understand why she reacted like this," Annabeth said.

"Did you just call me a child?  Doesn't that mean...."

The elevator door opened up to stern faced adults.   Well except for Tony who was grinning.    Natasha looked a little to casual.  She raised her eyebrow and smiled.  Even though she looked pleasant there was a lot boiling under the surface waiting to bubble up.  "Hey Percy, how was your trip," she asked casually.

"I am sorry for not writing a note." Percy was hoping that would end her lecture.

"You think that is why I am upset?" No, it did not end the onslaught of words that were going to spill.

"Yes," Percy said. 

"Seaweed brain," Annabeth said.

Natasha turned to her and smiled at Annabeth. "Hi, are you Percy's girlfriend?"

Annabeth studied Natasha who was studying her. Annabeth had heard her voice turning to face Natasha.

"Yes, but you clearly knew that."

They stared at each other for a few seconds.   "Yes, I did know that. Since you seem to know a lot can you explain to Percy why I am upset."

Annabeth turned to Percy. "She just found out that she had a son who has been kidnapped a lot of times.  She doesn't know if you can handle yourself in the world with people always attacking you."

Any sane parent would be concerned with their children's safety.  Not to mention on top of his father's enemies she had some of her own.  Natasha could not have him walking so carelessly.  She didn't want to seem like the over protective parent, but she was afraid of losing him.   That would hurt deeper than any wound she could receive because it pierced into her very essence.

"Oh, so you think I can't handle myself in a fight.   That's why you are upset," Percy asked.

If Natasha thought about it, it made sense that Percy had some sort of self defense.  He had been through multiple attempts of murder.   It wasn't just luck that made him stay alive this far, but it wasn't at her level.  At least that is what she thought.   She did not know the extent of Percy's fighting prowess. 

Natasha looked at Percy.  "It makes sense that you know self defense, but I would like you to go and spar with Steve."

Steve stepped up and nodded in acknowledgment.  "Let's go kid."

Tony was grinning.   "I am going to make popcorn."

Bruce was looking unsure.   He did not look comfortable in his own skin and he was looking around.   "Are you sure that this is okay?  I mean Steve is an avenger, and the kid..."

"I won't go hard on him," Steve said.  

"I wouldn't hold back," Annabeth said.   She grinned wickedly.  

"Aren't you supposed to be on his side," Tony called Annabeth out.

"Yeah that's exactly why I told you to go hard on him.  He can take it."

"Why is your girlfriend so angry at you," Tony asked Percy.

Percy sighed slumping.   Steve's misinterpretation of the slump had him patting Percy's head.   "It's okay I won't go hard on you."

"Hey, since you are so hard on my son, why don't we spar," Natasha asked.

Percy's eyes widened and he got out of his slumping position.  Oh no, this was bad.  That was all Percy could think of when he saw their interaction.

Annabeth smirked.   "Bring it."

And that was the calm before the storm.   The clouds were starting to come in with the grumbling.   Soon their would be a down pour that would drench the streets.   (  The metaphor just means the fight is the storm.  Their talking was the clouds forming before the eventual downpour.)