" And now I am wishing that I was with him "

Chapter 11:

Some New Frenemies

It was three months before Tony Stark was found in the middle of Afghanistan. He was beaten down to hell with something blue glowing in the middle of his chest.

And Annabeth was in New York, giving her exams.

She was at some hospital in Queens, learning first hand from the doctors over there with her class partner— Stephen Strange.

Stephen was a good guy —handsome and all that— but he just happened to be extremely bitter. The hospital in which she was working at did not help Annabeth support this man's mood.

Just a few more months, Annabeth would keep reminding herself, and then I don't have to see his face ever again.

"If you would actually listen, Carter," Stephen snarked, "You would realize that the theory is over and we can go for a break."

Annabeth gave him one of her best poker faces— an expression she just happened to be an expert at.

"Well, Stephen, I find your interest in me listening to the class and well me, in general, quite... strange."

Stephen smiled at her sarcastically.

"Puns... how will I ever survive?" He answered rather dryly.

"You know you love me," Annabeth shrugged.

Stephen shook his head, "I wish I did, it would make you at least bearable."

"Ha ha," Annabeth laughed sarcastically, "Terribly funny, really witty."

Stephen looked at the girl in disgust, "Please tell me that you did not just make a Harry Potter reference."

"Wish I could, my dearest Stephen," Annabeth replied as the pair walked to the cafeteria, "But stranger things are yet to happen."

"So..." Stephen, surprisingly was the one to try and make conversation, "the weather's good huh?"

Annabeth laughed, "We don't need to talk, alright."

Stephen smiled lightly as the two turned their eyes on the small television in the cafeteria.

"TONY STARK: Is he just a memory now?"

"Good riddance," Stephen muttered.

Annabeth turned around faster that someone could say Palladium.

"Excuse me?" her eyes were filled with anger, "You can't just say that! Nobody knows if he is even alive. Just—"

Annabeth stormed out of the room— anger radiating off her as Stephen wondered what the hell just happened.

The rest of the day passed with Annabeth not speaking to anyone— keeping to her own self.

Now, this was none out of the ordinary but the next day too, passed on like this. She hardly spoke, even in class where she normally spent her time correcting her teacher.

Stephen soon realized that it fell on him to find out why considering he was the only one she would ever talk to.

"Psst... Annabeth."

She turned and the man noticed how tired she looked.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, generally concerned.

"What do you care? Annabeth replied back bitterly and Stephen was taken aback.

Annabeth had never spoke so spitefully to anyone— at least never in the month and half that he had known her.

"I don't," he lied, "But your manner of speaking and immortal silence is bothering me."

Annabeth ignored him.

"Is this about what I said yesterday? I didn't think—"

She had gotten up then, an accusing finger right at Stephen's face.

"That's right! You don't think," trying to calm herself, the young Carter ran her fingers through her short hair, "Do you ever wonder if you words can actually hurt someone?"

"I don't understand—"

"Nobody does! Tony was my best friend— I am in love with him and now I am not even sure if he is alive! I miss him and— and you say 'Good Riddance' but— I am sorry... I just— I, probably overreacted and freaked you out."

Stephen looked at Annabeth in shock. This was something he had literally no idea of. He was about to apologize when Annabeth's phone rang.

He barely caught the caller ID— "Pepper Potts"

"Hello?" Annabeth answered.

When Annabeth blew out on Stephen, she actually didn't expect to feel so much lighter. It was as if one more person knew— as if it wasn't much of a secret anymore.

Then her phone rang.

"Hello?" she answered noticing it was Pepper.

"Oh my God, Annie! Where are you?" Pepper had asked, sounding as if she had cried.

"At the hospital," Annabeth answered her best friend, her mind wandering to all of the worst scenarios, "Why? What's wrong, Pep?"

"Turn on the news."

With a frown on her face, Annabeth reached for the remote of the TV as Stephen stood right behind her.

"BREAKING LIVE," The reporter—Susan Williams spoke, "It seems that Tony Stark, who was officially declared missing three months ago was found last night in a dessert in Afghanistan. Details are yet to arrive on—"

Annabeth wasn't listening to the news anymore, because she had fallen on the floor, tears of joy flowing from her eyes.

"They found him," she whispered, "he came back."

And as unsure Stephen was of Annabeth's relationship with the billionaire, he was happy that she got a chance.

Stephen still couldn't stop being wary of him— sure, he didn't deserve what happened to him but the man was incredibly obnoxious.

Stephen watched as Annabeth got a few more calls and then left the hospital saying she was going back to Malibu as the man wondered how much of a mystery Annabeth Carter was.

tonystark LOOK WHO'S BACK BITCHES

liked by colonelrhodes, nothappyhogan, annabeth01 and 17.9 M others

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Colonelrhodes I did not give you an extra phone so you could post on instagram

-tonystark do i care? no

Pepperpotts Glad to see you back Mr. Stark... I hope you know that you are dead

-tonystark what?

annabeth01 ANTHONY EDWARD FUCKING STARK HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME WORRY ABOUT YOU? AND HOW DARE YOU YOU POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE EVEN GETTING BACK HOME?

-tonystark well at least someone missed me

So it just occurred to me that Instagram did not actually exist till 2010 (when i was like 6 lol) so just pretend it did please

ALSo— TONY AND ANNABETH REUNITE IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!