In the hanger of the XCOM HQ, a grey-eyed woman stared indifferently at the Skyranger that was being loaded with six hand-picked soldiers for a suicide (in her opinion) mission. She had blonde hair curled to look like a princess, but if you told her that, she would most likely kick you where the sun don't shine ... well ... not if you were a certain green-eyed, raven haired man who happened to be her boyfriend. She was also outfitted in her grey combat gear that matched her calculating grey eyes. Usually these eyes gave no hint of emotion (unless in front of her boyfriend), but they were currently giving off an emotion that she could not contain this time.

Fear.

Fear because her boyfriend was one of the six hand-picked soldiers to go on this mission.

One that she feared he wouldn't return from.

They were going to invade a colony ship loaded with aliens (no doubt heavily armed) that's numbers could not be determined. They didn't know WHAT they would be facing! They were supposed to invade the ship, locate six generators throughout the ship and disable them. If they did this, then they could take over the ship and research the technology aboard so the XCOM can be better equipped to fight off the alien menace.

Her depressing thoughts were cut short by two arms snaking their way around her from her back. She was ready to flip this guy (or girl) that dared touch her in such a way until she saw the sea-green color of the armor sleeves.

She turned around and gave the man a playful glare.

"Percy...," she warned.

Percy just gave her an innocent smile.

"Yes Annabeth?" he asked innocently with that smirk of his.

Annabeth just rolled her eyes.

She had known Percy all her life as long as she can remember. From what their parents say, they had been playing together since they were only infants. They had become best friends when they started up school in 1st grade and have been dating since their freshmen year in high school. But they always had feelings for each other since the beginning of middle school. They were just too oblivious of each others feelings, not to mention Annabeth was jealous of the girl Percy had taken interest in in middle school, Rachael Elizabeth Dare. But that relationship ended when Annabeth had caught her kissing the school bully, Luke Castellan.

She had taken a quick picture with her phone and brought it to show Percy. He hadn't been surprised and told her he was suspecting her of cheating for quite a while. They broke up and Percy eventually confronted Annabeth with his untold feelings and they've been together ever since.

A few years after graduation was when the aliens came. They had attacked New York and Percy's house was destroyed. His step father, mother, and unborn sister had perished in the destruction. XCOM had shown up looking for recruits and Percy was eager to join. Not because he wanted revenge or vengeance, he wanted to stop this invasion so that nobody would ever have to go through what he did. Annabeth wasn't just going to wait around worrying about him so she joined as well, much to Percy's disapproval, he didn't want to lose anyone else to these unknown enemies.

But she just told him, "You're not getting away from me that easily seaweed brain."

She yanked Percy close and kissed him, ignoring the catcalls and teasing coming from Austin Crawfish and Dustin Blanton.

Austin was the one leading the mission against the alien ship. He was the most experienced soldier in the whole group, not to mention a crack shot with his sniper. He was always known as a loud (and sometimes obnoxious) person. But he was a pretty nice guy to get along with and had befriended the two almost immediately.

It wasn't long before he introduced his sniper friend (and second-in-command of the mission) Dustin. Dustin was known just as Austin was, loud and the center of attention. These two were twins in everything but blood and appearance. Dustin was short with black hair (not as dark as Percy) while Austin was tall with blonde hair (Annabeth wasn't completely sure though considering he was almost ALWAYS wearing his helmet).

Annabeth pulled away from Percy.

"Are you okay?" Percy asked.

"Darn him," she thought, "he reads me just like a book."

"I'm fine, just ... be careful, okay?" she responded.

She continued before he could respond.

"Brett's still banged up from the last mission so you'll be going in there without our commander."

Brett was, as Annabeth said, their commander. He was nothing like Annabeth had originally thought he would be. He was a bit quiet and shy around others at the HQ and not really the best shot. But on the field, he was an animal with his laser LMG and strategically smart when it came to setting up ambushes and moving troops into their positions. So much, that Annabeth discussed battle strategies with him and became best friends with him, Percy did as well with their "No man left behind" motto. He was always looking out for his troops safety. Brett had brown hair with a somewhat muscular build as well as a short mustache (matching his hair color) on his face.

He had been shot by an alien that had flanked him when they were securing a train that was overrun with aliens. He needed at least 15 days to heal up before going back on the field.

This was the first mission without their strategic leader and their most dangerous one.

She had faith in Austin to keep him safe, but it would still be his first time taking the role of leader.

"Don't worry about it," Percy answered her glancing at Austin, "Austin may be a rookie when it comes to having the leadership role, but he's saved my butt more times then I can count." Percy finished.

Maybe Percy was right, maybe she was just over-analyzing things again, something that Percy teased her about. But she couldn't help the nagging feeling in her stomach that said something terrible was about to happen.

"Just," Annabeth closed her eyes and sighed, "just ... come back to me."

Percy looked crestfallen that she was still depressed about his departure. He didn't want to tell her that he would come back because, no matter what, he could never be able to predict what would happen.

"I'll always be with you wise girl," he told her, hugging her close, "no matter where I go, I'll always be with you."

She leaned up and kissed him passionately once more, pouring all her love for him into the kiss as Percy responded the same way before they heard a siren go off, signalling that it was time for the six soldiers to leave.

They, reluctantly, separated from their kiss.

Percy gave a laugh.

"You are SO not making this easy." Percy accused her with a soft smile.

Annabeth smiled

"I am never, ever going to make things easy for you, Seaweed Brain. Get used to it." she whispered as she playfully, albeit reluctantly, pushed Percy toward the Skyranger.

Percy turned toward her one last time.

"I love you"

Annabeth held back tears as she responded, "I love you too."

Then Percy walked into the Skyranger with Austin and Dustin on both of his sides whispering words of encouragement to him that he would see her again.

How wrong they were.

They received word of the XCOM's success about a week later. The ship had been secure, the generators shut down, and the aliens on-board had been exterminated. But they had yet to recieve casualty reports, something that made Annabeths nervous, scared, and worried.

She had mostly spent time with Brett in the infirmary. They had discussed battle strategies and strategic positioning that Annabeth could inform Percy of. He had also reassured Annabeth that Percy would be fine. He was tough and Austin cared for his troops too. Brett had basically become a brother to Annabeth and Percy not long after Annabeth got Percy to admit his jealousy of Brett thinking he was interested in her. But after a long conversation, Brett convinced Percy that he wasn't interested in courting Annabeth and the two grew as close as Annabeth had with him.

Him, Annabeth, and many others in the XCOM HQ waited for the Skyranger to arrive. The ship was spotted not that long after and it landed in the hanger. As soon as the doors opened, applause and cheers were being given to the troops that had returned from their mission that had given a significantly great advantage against the aliens.

But when they emerged, Annabeth did a head count.

There were five of them.

Six had gone.

And Percy was nowhere to be found.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Brett giving her a comforting smile, but she could clearly see in his eyes the worry he had for Percy's well-being.

Austin walked toward them, ignoring the applause, which made Annabeth even more worried. Usually Austin welcomed the applause and would show off for them, but he appeared ... sad?

No.

He looked up at her once he reached her, tears in his eyes. He was opening and closing his mouth as if he was trying to say something to her, but was reluctant.

NO.

He finally seemed to calm down enough and looked her straight in the eye and said two words that shattered her heart.

"I'm sorry"

Annabeth watched with tears in her eyes and a broken heart as Brett pinned a picture of Percy on the memorial wall.

Once Austin had told them that Percy had died, Brett had asked what had happened because Annabeth was too busy sobbing over her lost love.

They had gone through a corridor after emerging through a shield-like door only to be ambushed. They weren't goofing off or anything, they were actually well prepared for an assault or ambush. But this enemy that attacked them was new. It was a disk-like machine that dropped from above with lightning speed and their shots went wide as the machine was just too quick. They managed to heavily damage it but it had just enough time before it's destruction to fire off one last shot.

It had shot Percy in the heart, killing him instantly.

Austin had apologized several times but Annabeth knew it wasn't his fault, he hadn't been the one to pull the trigger.

Annabeth at least took solace in the fact that Percy had felt no pain and had been given at least that luxury.

Annabeth stared on sadly, with a heavy heart, at Percy's picture.

It read:

Percy Achilles Jackson

1987-2015

The picture was him in his sea-green uniform making a ridiculous face.

Annabeth smiled through the tears. She had been there for the photo and couldn't help herself from bursting out into hysterical laughter when he did it. She liked how they used this photo, Percy should be remembered of how laid-back and humorous he was. She was also thankful they hadn't used his real name, Perseus. He hated being called that.

Brett stood beside her with Austin on her other side. Austin was staring at the photo with guilt, still blaming himself for his death. Annabeth knew that no matter what, Austin would always feel guilty. He died under his command after all but Annabeth knew he couldn't have done anything. The android was too quick for them.

Brett had his eyes closed with his hands held behind his back, but Annabeth could hear his uneven breathing that gave away his sadness as he sobbed silently. The three of them had been closer then anyone else and to have a part of their family ripped away ... saying that it hurt them would be an understatement.

Annabeth glanced down at her hand where a diamond engagement ring was on her ring finger. Brett had given it to her, saying that Percy had planned to propose to her when he had returned and had told him to give it to her if anything should happen to him. Annabeth had never taken it off since she got it, almost a week ago.

Austin was the first to turn away and walk out the room after whispering a prayer. Brett and Annabeth had done the same as Brett led her out, after she pinned a sea-green flower to his memorial photo, and the music continued to play behind them in loving memory of Percy Achilles Jackson.

Amazing Grace

How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch,

Like me!

I once was lost

But now am found,

Was blind,

But now, I see!

Authors Note: I actually experienced this in my own XCOM game. I named two characters Annabeth Chase and Percy Jackson. That floating machine came down from above and, even with all six of my troops in overwatch AND all firing at the same time, it wasn't destroyed and landed in front of Percy and shot him point-blank, killing him instantly. Even though it wasn't REALLY Percy, I still felt a pang in my heart and even more so when I thought about Annabeth (Again, even if it wasn't Annabeth). But anyway, thanks for reading and be sure to give a review, I always appreciate that.