Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Story: Guardians of Light and Justice

Chapter 1: Sadness and Loss

AN: This is a slight AU - Percy and Annabeth never kissed after TLO instead a tragedy occurs that sends Percy and Annabeth on separate paths.

Annabeth's POV

My name is Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, I'm sitting in my office on Olympus. You see I'm the architect of Olympus, yes the home of the Greek gods. As I look over my plans for a new addition to the Olympian throne room I remember the events of five years ago after the end of the second titan war. Percy Jackson, the hero of Olympus had turned down godhood, so that the gods would claim their children and participate more in their lives. I hoped that he had also turned it down because of me, but that was just wishful thinking on my part. After the shroud burning and the ceremonies involved we were to have a camp fire and a sing along led by the Apollo cabin. I had decided that I had to tell Percy how I felt about him and considering today was his 16th birthday I thought a little celebration was in order as well.

Tyson, Percy's cyclops half-brother helped me bake a giant cupcake with blue icing, it looked like a large brick, but hey its the thought that counts. I was about to take the cupcake to seaweed brain when I saw Chiron gallop toward him. He bent down and whispered something in Percy's ear. Percy immediately stood up and ran, I heard him say no right before he left Chiron. He ran toward the stables, I ran after him, but I was too late. The last time I saw him, he was on the back of his Pegasus flying out of camp. I ran to Chiron and asked what happened. What Chiron told me shocked me completely. Percy's mom and fiance were found murdered in their apartment. I told Chiron about Percy leaving camp and he did not seem surprised. He said that we needed to give Percy some time to grieve.

Days later when Percy never returned to camp we initiated a search for the seaweed brain. No one not even the satyrs were able to find any trace of Percy Jackson. It was like he dropped off the face of the earth. After several months of grief, sadness and loneliness I went to Olympus to talk to my mother. We had discussed the fact that the rebuild of Olympus could take several decades and that she felt it appropriate to grant me the position as the immortal architect of Olympus. I accepted the role and I was transformed into an immortal. I kept myself busy over the past five years with my designs and construction activity, but once and a while I would think of Percy and what my life could have been if he never disappeared.

I would still go to camp a couple times a year to see my friends. Thalia remained with the hunters and Grover was the immortal Lord of the Wild. Nico son of Hades disappeared a year after Percy and no one was ever able to find him. I knew Thalia was sad about this, she had grown close to Nico during our search for Percy. Sometimes I wondered if she was more than just friends with him, but she's a huntress so that could never happen.

I heard a knock on my door and I was immediately jolted from my memories.

"Come in." I said. The door opened to reveal my mother Athena the goddess of wisdom.

"Mom, how are you?" I said as I stood up and hugged my smiling mother.

"Annabeth, you have done an incredible job with the new designs and construction. I'm very proud of you." Athena said.

"Thank you mother." I said sincerely. My mom just stared at me with a sad look on her face.

"Now I know I'm an eternal maiden because of my oath, but you took no such oath. Are you ever going to try to find love for yourself?" Athena asked. She must be worried about me if she's asking me about my love life or lack there of.

"No mom, I've been too busy to go on dates and such, plus I get tired of Apollo, Hermes and some of the minor gods advances." I said. My mom just gave me her patented look of worry. I sighed heavily. "Mom, no one ever matches up to Percy, we've talked about this before. No one is as caring or as loyal as him."

"My dear Percy is gone you must move on, it might be hard, but your an immortal. Eternity is a long time to be alone. If it wasn't for my affairs of the mind I would go crazy with loneliness." Athena said.

"I'll think about it mom." I said half-heartedly. My mother just shook her head and walked out the door. I knew she was right, but I don't believe there is anyone out there for me. Certainly no one like Percy Jackson. A lone tear escaped and rolled down my cheek, I cried for my lost love the one that I never had the opportunity to tell how I felt. If only there was such a thing as second chances, I thought and prayed.

AN: I know a short beginning chapter, but this will setup for future chapters. I had a few requests to start a new series and this just came to mind.