A/N: Thank you all very much for the positive response to Chapter One. Updates for this story will be sporadic, but it will be completed.

Disclaimer: Still don't own Percy Jackson. paradoxed has kindly offered his beta services for this story, and I will be fixing/editing chapters as the story progresses.

oOo

2

Azure Evanescence

Artemis watched him because he was interesting; because Zoe had once whispered to her that he taught her to love again. In her final words, she'd related how he'd proven beyond a doubt that not everyone was Hercules, that men could be caring, loving, and kind. That perhaps a relationship with a male wasn't doomed to end in failure before it even began.

Artemis had almost snorted at the thought. A relationship? A real, true, honest relationship filled with love and trust? Preposterous … right?

But now, years later, she watched him because sometimes, although she's reluctant to admit it aloud, she sees that maybe her former lieutenant was right.

After all, Zoe was rarely, if ever wrong in her judgements.

She didn't expect to actually care, though. Care about Zoe's analysis being correct, care about the fact that maybe her assessment of males does include exceptions. She didn't want to be proven wrong. She didn't want to care about the wellbeing of any member of the opposite sex.

'There is no need to care for him. He is a mere mortal, his lifetime a brief moment in time. He will be forgotten, as surely as Orion, or Hippolytus.' She thought.

But he wasn't like the others. He wasn't a mere mortal. He was Perseus Jackson, the renowned "Savior of Olympus". And she cared, despite her relentless attempts to convince herself otherwise.

How could she explain away the almost overwhelming need to comfort him after his girlfriend's death? For Hades' sake, she didn't do comfort as a rule.

Or how about the abject disappointment she felt as she watched him break the hearts of chaste girls in a futile quest for love? Or how relieved she'd felt when they talked; when he expressed his regret; when she reassured herself that Zoe hadn't been wrong about him?

Could she really say that he was merely a passing interest in the mortal realm?

This was… new. And maybe slightly concerning, but intriguing all the same. She'd watch him some more, she decided. Maybe even help him find happiness. Zeus knows he deserved some happiness.

She'd never really understood men though. Never understood their whims and wants, quirks and quiddities. How could she help him find happiness if she didn't even understand him? Or recognize exactly what it was that made him so quietly, but quintessentially happy with his fiancé?

Perhaps she could talk to someone who did know.

But who? Who really interacted with the mortals, in an age where Zeus had continuously demanded less contact with their children, with the rest of the world in general?

Aunt Hestia.

For millennia, she'd quietly tended to the sacred fire of Olympus, guarded the hearth and home, and watched mortals go about their daily lives through the sacred fire of Olympus. She would know.

Plus, she always welcomed anyone who happened to take a moment to eat a nice home-cooked meal with her.

And her cooking was good.

She hadn't visited her aunt in ages, she realized, a little guilt worming its way into her thoughts as she realized just how much she'd been neglecting her favorite aunt.

"Sometimes, when I watch Zeus, when I watch the rest of you go about your daily lives, I can't help but wonder what could possibly cause you all to be in such a hurry, Artemis. You're always rushing somewhere, trying to fit everything into one busy day.

Maybe sometimes if we just all took a moment, just a singular moment to appreciate the present, even in times of strife or despair, we'd be that much happier in the future."

Aunt Hestia always gave great advice too.

Artemis smiled, as she took the reins of her chariot, ready to perform her nightly duties.

She'd visit her favorite aunt after the night was done, and maybe she could provide a little more insight into young Percy Jackson.

oOo

Talking to Jasmine was proving to be a much more difficult task than he could've imagined. He'd thought that perhaps a simple message over Skype or a quick phone call would be the end of it. Except, well, every time he'd try calling, her friends would be the ones picking up, and they didn't refrain from letting him know exactly what they thought of him. She hadn't been online on Skype in ages either.

He'd begged and pleaded with her friends to let him talk to her, but was soundly rebuffed every time. There was nothing to it, it was almost as if Jasmine's friends lived with her at this point and were determined to protect her from him.

He winced at that thought. Maybe they were just being good friends. It wasn't as if he'd displayed model "boyfriend" behavior.

So the only course of action left to him was to actually go visit her. She'd left him her address once, although he'd never gotten a chance to visit.

That's why he was standing outside of her door, hands stuffed deep in his coat pockets, trying desperately to think of something to say.

'Should've brought carnations, they were her favorite' he thought to himself, as he paced back and forth on her doorstep.

He struggled with himself for a moment, before taking a deep breath and ringing the doorbell.

A portly, middle-aged woman opened the door, wearing an apron with floury hands and a kindly expression.

"Oh, hello! I can't say that I've seen you before, are you looking for someone?"

Percy, surprised by the lack of either screaming obscenities, tearful breakdowns, or merely a slammed door in his face, took a moment to respond.

"Oh, erm, I was looking for Jasmine. Jasmine Adams. Does she live here?"

The woman's face fell slightly for a moment, before saying, "Ah, no, she's my neighbor, she's the house to my right. Are you an admirer of hers or something?"

Percy hesitated.

"Of sorts, I guess."

Her expression turned almost pitying, in a way.

"Oh, well, maybe you'll have some better luck than others. She's had quite a few admirers, you know, but she's been hung up on this boy for a while now. She's been really dejected lately and, well, it's a shame because she used to be so much fun to be around. Why, I remember when she first came to the neighborhood, she went around introducing herself and giving everyone little boxes of chocolate. Even old Mr. Andersen over there opened his door and he never –"

Here, she clapped a hand to her mouth, blushing a little.

"Oh, I don't mean to speak ill of anyone."

"No, no it's okay." Percy said distractedly. "But, uhm, Jasmine… is she okay? Doing alright? Is this maybe not the best time?"

"Oh, she's just dealing with some relationship issues, dearie. I'm sure that it couldn't hurt to go and try to talk to her. Are you a friend of hers?"

"Oh, we met by chance and, well, I wanted to get to know her better and here we are." Percy said, surprising even himself with the half-lie he came up with.

"Ah. Well, maybe you're just the one she needs to cheer her up! Go on, good luck!"

Percy half-smiled. If only she knew.

"Well, thank you, I'll head over there now."

"Best of luck, dearie!" she said, some of her former cheer returning before she closed the door behind him.

He slowly trudged his way towards her house. It was fairly new, the garden clearly well-tended to, and there were even some Christmas lights strung up.

Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and rang the doorbell, still wondering what exactly he would say.

Before he could really think about it, though, the door opened.

A pretty face, dark brown eyes, and an expression of shock quickly morphing into anger and sorrow greeted him before she attempted to slam the door shut.

On instinct, he stuck out his foot, and the heavy mahogany door crushed his poor foot into the doorframe.

"OUCH!"

Seeing that she couldn't keep him out, Jasmine fled.

Percy hopped around, trying to relieve the burning sensation in his foot. Quickly digging through his bag, he found his emergency baggie of ambrosia and ate a couple crumbs, his foot immediately feeling better. Finally, assured that he could walk with both feet, he pushed open the door carefully and looked around, taking in his surroundings.

Not much had changed. Her workstation was still as cluttered as it had always been. The painting by her niece still hung by the windowsill. And, was that their picture hanging on the wall?

"C'mon!" she laughed, dragging him into the booth. "Smile! This is all part of the experience, Mr. 'I've never done anything fun in my life before.'"

"But Jas, photo booths are so corny." He said, half-heartedly struggling against her while laughing.

She merely rolled her eyes, and replied, "Stop whining and just enjoy yourself!"

"Fine fine." He grumbled, looking at the camera and trying to fake a smile.

It looked like a grimace.

Jasmine pouted at him. "At least you could look like you're having fun."

She was just too adorably cute for her own good. He softened and a smaller, more genuine smile played on his lips.

And then she put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek just as the camera flashed.

"Interested in the artwork, huh?" a small voice said bitterly behind him.

He whirled around.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice thick, not looking up at him, no doubt still attempting to hide the true extent of her feelings from him.

It killed him.

"I … I – Jas…"

"Well, it's nice to know that you don't even have anything to say to me, after all this time."

He winced.

"I was a fucking idiot, Jas, okay? I messed up. And, I probably should've told you the whole story, but you … you made me happy. And you helped me get through it all, and I just … I fucking used you to get past my sorrow and I can't ever forgive myself anyways. You're too fucking good for me, you know that?"

She was silent.

Percy ran his hand through his hair. "Look, half a year ago, my … my fiancé got on a plane back to the States. She never got off. And I … I was a wreck. I was barely functional. Every day I couldn't get past it. I'd see a picture of her and it'd set me off again. And then, three months ago, you walked through the door at the aquarium. I didn't expect anything. It was just another day at work, and I was looking forward to getting absolutely pissed later. But then, in the span of only a few short months, I felt almost whole again. Like a real person. You were fun, funny, beautiful, and you helped me forget. But then I fell off a cliff. I should've never entered into any sort of relationship when I was hurting that much. When I wasn't even sure what I was feeling and all I wanted was for it to stop hurting. It was wrong, and I'm not making any excuses. You hate me. You probably should fucking hate me. Hades, even I hate myself, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll say it a million times. I'm sorry."

She still didn't say anything, and she resolutely refused to look at him.

He sighed, "I'm sorry for bothering you. I just … I just wanted to let you know. About everything. You deserved that much. I owe you my life, Jas, so, you know, if you ever aim to collect that debt, know that I'll always be there to try to make it up to you. Even if I never can."

"Please leave." She said quietly, her voice cracking.

"I … I want to help, Jas."

She whirled around on him, and shouted, "If you want to help me, then please, just leave me alone!"

He backed away, holding up his hands.

"I'll go. And I'm sorry Jas, for all of this. I really, truly, didn't mean for it to turn out this way, and I miss you. Please … forgive me."

He quietly let himself out.

oOo

Winter in New York was beautiful, Percy decided. Snow fell softly all around him, as he stood at a street corner, with his coat zipped and hood flipped over his head, staring up at the Empire Street Building.

It was time for the annual Winter Solstice gathering, and the Gods would be congregating within the hour on Olympus to conduct their yearly meeting. Demigods were already tumbling out of the white vans that ferried them from camp. A couple of the elder campers helped Chiron out in his wheelchair, while most of the newer campers looked around in wonder.

Sometimes he forgot just how many of these demigods were new. And how many had died in the wars.

And of course, the dull ache from her still remained.

They were here for the party of course. The biggest social gathering of the year for demigods. The Winter Solstice Party. Food, music, and most importantly time with their parents, which could be worth more than all the drachmas that they would ever own.

Percy wasn't sure he wanted to go.

It was so peaceful, leaning against a lamppost, reveling in the snow that was quickly accumulating all around him.

Sparkling laughter sounded as he bent over, frantically trying to dislodge the snow from underneath his hoodie.

Sure, he could've probably managed to will the snow to melt and evaporate from his hoodie. But, just because he was the son of the Sea God didn't mean that he couldn't feel cold and his back was now freezing.

"Annabeth!" he growled, looking around for his girlfriend only to find her already sprinting away.

He gave chase, his longer legs eating up the distance between them. She was extremely agile though, ducking between campers and dodging satyrs who bleated in protest as she evaded him. He finally caught her before she reached the forest, and tackled her to the ground.

She giggled, trying to push him off, but he put a stop to all of that when he bent down and captured her lips with his, and she melted in his arms.

"Travel safely, and have fun rebuilding Greece." He whispered against her lips.

He didn't want to go upstairs. Mingling, talking, partying, fielding difficult questions about how he was doing. None of it was appealing.

He watched the demigods group together and walk through the doors, no doubt headed towards the annoying security guard with the elevator key, before turning his gaze upwards once more, to where he knew Mt. Olympus was hidden above the clouds.

"The heavens are beautiful tonight, are they not?"

Percy turned, surprised that anyone would address a random hooded stranger. When he got a glimpse of who it was, he relaxed a little and smiled.

"Well, milady, I was considering going on up, but I feel that perhaps it would be … too much for me at this time. Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be discussing us mortals and what we've done for the past year?"

Artemis chuckled a little, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth as she laughed.

"My, my. Perseus, after all this time, you still forget that we Gods can be in many places at once. Yes, I am currently attending the Olympian Council Meeting, but a part of myself is concentrated here, pondering why you insist on not joining the festivities."

"Oh." Percy responded sheepishly. "So … uhm, talk about anything interesting?"

This time, her laughter rang louder.

"No, Perseus. Nothing of note has occurred in your realm. It is an unimaginably dull meeting. But enough on that. Why do you not wish to join us?"

"Meaning no offense, but I don't think I can handle a night of partying right now. Also, I am afraid I don't have the best of relationships with many gods."

Artemis sobered at that.

"Understandable, understandable." She murmured.

Perhaps understanding his inner turmoil, she changed the subject.

"I am glad, Perseus, that you have talked to those whom you have hurt and wronged."

"Who – Oh, you mean Jas?"

Artemis dipped her head.

"She hasn't responded contacted me since my visit, and she hasn't responded to any of my calls or texts. I'm not sure if I could ever mend that relationship." He looked down, because he still did not feel absolved of all guilt.

"She can understand now, although mayhaps she will refuse to accept your decision. You will see her again, if you so wish."

"Oh, uhm, thank you, Lady Artemis."

Artemis waves off his thanks.

They lapsed into silence.

Percy surreptitiously glanced at the goddess standing beside him. Why was she here, of all places? Didn't she have places to be? People to talk to? The winter solstice was the largest social gathering of the year; surely she had somewhere more important to be? Hades, even just relaxing and enjoying herself with her Huntresses was probably a … more appealing place to be than here, out in the snow with him.

"How … are you, Perseus? Are you really in good health as you have led the world to believe?" the goddess spoke up, almost hesitant, surprising even herself.

"I am … functioning, I s'pose."

"The pain of loss does lessen, Perseus. Do not allow it to consume your being."

"Uhm, Lady Artemis, not to be rude, but why are you always so concerned with me? I mean, I just always imagined, ever since I first met you, that there were so many other things you could be worried about."

Artemis regarded him for a moment. "You have preserved Olympus thrice now. Perhaps even more importantly, you have saved me, confined as I was under the Titan's Curse. You took the burden of the sky from me, to give me freedom and the rest of the world a fighting chance against the Titans. You trusted me, an immortal being who could abandon the battle at any point, to help save you all. Perhaps even more incredibly, the weight of the world did not crush you, and you lived to tell the tale. I do not forget, Perseus Jackson, the deeds you have done, the great lengths you have went to ensure Olympus's continued survival. Perhaps some have forgotten what you have done, but I remember."

Percy rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.

"I intend to repay the great debt I owe you, Perseus. I am here because I wouldn't be doing a very good job of that if I left you alone out here in the snow."

"It wouldn't have been that bad, Lady Artemis." At her raised eyebrow, he hurried to add, "No really! I'm doing a lot better, but thank you. Really, up until this point I never really felt that any of the Olympians besides my father really cared about my wellbeing."

Realizing what he'd just said, he blushed.

"Uhm, I just mean – "

"Relax, Perseus. We Gods are not known for our concern for mortals. Your sentiments are understandable."

"Thank you, Lady Artemis."

Silence fell between them once more, although it was a comfortable silence. Percy could finally relax by the goddess's side, and it was peaceful.

He hadn't realized how lonely he'd felt, standing out in the snow, watching the Campers laugh and tease each other as they'd joined the party upstairs. He hadn't realized how much he'd needed this.

He sighed, his breath coming out in white puffs, disappearing into the night sky. "I … I won't forget her, right? I'm not saying that I'll never give her up, because I have to, and I know she'd want me to, but I'll never forget her, right?"

The goddess regarded him silently for a couple moments. He didn't know what he'd said wrong, but as he was on the verge of apologizing, she reached out and grasped his shoulder.

"Perseus, I have negligible experience with love, but considering your attachment to her, after all this time, even beyond death … You should be fully aware of the answer to your question."

"So … what should I do, then?"

"I cannot tell you what your future actions should be. You want to be happy, and only you alone can decide your path to happiness. It won't be easy, both to forget and to move on, but the world will not seem such a dark place next year. And it will become even easier after that. You will grow older, perhaps find someone new. Live life to the fullest, Perseus, that is all the advice I can give."

He nodded, seemingly too overwhelmed for words. She contemplated him once more, and then, seeming to come to a decision, she held out a hand, beckoning him to take it.

At his questioning gaze, she gave a slight smile and said, "We have discussed such depressing matters for far too long. Allow me to show you a happier place; a place of escape, of enjoyment, of happiness, if only to remind you that the world holds both joy and sorrow in equal parts. It is my escape from the petty troubles of the world, and can be yours should you require it."

He reached out and grasped her hand.

oOo

Thank you for reading. Please review.