It is night. Percy is slouched in his seat, leaning against Alicia who refuses to sleep again until he has. Truthfully he might pass out sooner than he likes. As it is he can barely keep his eyes open and their little boat drifts listlessly in the general direction they are meant to go. He doesn't even have the energy to keep himself upright. There have been a couple monster attacks, one of which gave Al the chance to show her skill with a bow. Where she got the weapon he has no idea, but she now keeps within arms reach and just of out view. 

Suddenly the wind picks up and they are nearly toppled from the boat. Above them a large mass of gray descends. Percy's eyes widen. It's some kind of aircraft. How did it manage to sneak up on them? Is he really that out of it? The craft stops just above them and someone is lowered on a rope latter. 

Nick Fury stares at the couple huddled in the small contraption that they are lucky floats. The helicarrier was flying over the Atlantic when a small unauthorized object appeared on the radar. Imagine his surprise when the cameras showed Stark's nephew and his girlfriend. He opted for greeting them himself, knowing that the incident over the summer will be a sore subject and that he has to be the one to make amends.

His brown eye stares into a pair of green. "There's a storm coming in a couple hours. If you don't want to be caught in it I suggest you hop on."

Percy's eyes flickered worriedly to Alicia. He knows of the storm Fury is talking about. He can feel it. He fears that he won't be able to shield her from the cold and rain. The boat will likely sink too. Al glares back at him. 

When the Director climbs back up the helicarrier the teens follow hesitantly.

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Fury sits across from Percy and Alicia in the conference room. Agent Hill stands by the door. The demigod is glaring at the older man. "So you want to explain the sudden change of heart?"

"It wasn't as sudden as you may think. I've had plenty of time to ... reflect on my actions." Fury says with a sigh.

"We're quite sure you have." Alicia says, propping her feet up on the table. "I think the main concern is whether or not we can trust you."

"Trust no one," Fury states leaning forward.

Percy shakes his head slowly. "That's your problem then. You have to trust or you'll end up alone."

"In the middle of the Atlantic?" the director retorts.

Sea green eyes narrow. "I wasn't alone."

"You weren't exactly being social either. Tell me, do you not trust your friends and family to protect themselves." 

Percy's eyes widen just the slightest bit and guilt gnaws at his stomach. It's not completely that he doesn't trust them to protect themselves. It's just that he fears their mortality. And he doesn't trust karma. Still he understands where Fury is coming from and he can't deny that part of the man's words do ring true.

"They'll come." Alicia says breaking the silence. At Percy's incredulous looks she shrugs. "What? Nobody trusts you to not get yourself killed and for good reason. So they'll come."

Percy scowls and Fury smirks. Agent Hill just rolls her eyes. 'Those two are nothing but kids.'

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Fury assigns the two to their own separate rooms, in separate hallways. He doesn't want to chance things with a pair of teens. He gives them a look before walking away. Percy shrugs and goes to take a shower. Alicia is already taking her own. Agent Hill stops him. 

"You're going to trust us just like that?"

He shrugs. "It's not trust, but I don't see any reason to be hostile towards the people who are giving us a place to stay and a ride."

She narrows her eyes. "How do you know that you're not going to try to get even for what happened?"

"Oh don't worry, I plan to back at Fury in full. Nobody makes me do something as tacky as running on a treadmill." Percy replies happily. "I am so going to prank him for as long as he lives and if I die first then I'll haunt him. It'll be great." And with that he ducks into his room and closes the door.

Maria Hill just stands in the hall, a lot more than slightly stunned. She can't understand how he can take his own kidnapping and near torture in stride. Needless to say she will not be warning her director of the upcoming pranks. On the contrary she's going to be ready with a video camera.

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(the following Italics will be Percy's dream)

The room is dark. He can only tell that it is in fact a room because of the musty confined feel. It's likely underground, a place he had a distinct disliking for after the Giant War. 

He hears a muffled noise and turns. A small light emits from a candle tucked behind two people, a man and a woman. They are huddled together, frail and shaking. The man has the woman tucked within his arms protectively. The flame that acts as their only light and warmth burns a strange purple color and the wax does now seem to be melting.

He yearns to move closer to distinguish their features, but as often happens he is unable to move in  the dream. So instead he watches from where he is rooted. In the candlelight he can just make out the walls. They're in a cave.

The woman shifts closer to the man as a tremor passes through her body. She looks so thin and frail. He pulls her tighter and whispers in her ear what Percy assumes is comforting words. They look so miserable and sickly. He wonders how long they have had to suffer here, alone in the dark. 

Percy makes a noise in the back of his throat as he struggles against whatever is holding him in place. He doesn't even know he would, but he want to help them.

The man's head snaps up and spins in his direction. He doesn't seem to see him. However Percy can finally see him. Though the man's face is hidden in shadow he can make out the shaggy mop of graying brown hair and the gleam of dark brown eyes. 

And he knows those eyes. He has known those eyes since he was fourteen. They are the eyes of Paul Blofis and the woman in Paul's arms his Sally, his mom.

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Exciting chapter right? 

Okay so Percy doesn't suddenly trust Fury or anything, but he's not one to hold grudges. After all he doesn't hate Luke and he didn't hold it against Nico that he wants betrayed him and turned him over to Hades.

Please tell me what you think, vote and I'll update and follow if you like my writing in general.

~Halie <3