Chapter 1-Ghost

She had been seen as a hero, she had been seen as a murderer, and now all she was was a ghost to those who knew her best. Maybe that was for the best though, because Persephone Jackson wished for peace. After two wars, Tartarus, and having her identity taken away, she was more than aware that peace was only temporary. That was why, when Olympus had asked Camp Halfblood for a night guard, she had graciously agreed to the job.

She was to hitch a ride onto Olympus with Dionysus each evening after dinner. He grumbled that if she was even half a second late, he would leave her behind. Persephone took her job seriously and because of this, she had been the one waiting on him as he prepared himself for a long night on Olympus.

"You ready to go?" he grumbled, coming to stand beside her. His hair was slicked back and he was in a suit and tie.

"Is that what you normally wear to a party?" she frowned, turning towards him as he rolled his eyes and fixed his sleeves.

"If you must know," he drawled "I am going out with my wife, I am not going to some party for teenagers." he spat the word as if it were poison on his tongue and Percy was taken back.

"I thought you lived for the parties and the glamour." she tilted her head as she stared at him and he grumbled under his breath about irritating demigod daughters of Poseidon.

"Persia, you have so much to learn." he reached out his hand and gripped her shoulder. As she squeezed her eyes tight, she muttered

"It's Percy."

Xxx

Dionysus ditched her outside one of the main party buildings, one that Zeus apparently frequented regularly.

"You stand her and do not move, got it?" he snarled, apparently late for his date. Percy nodded, pulling her helmet on as he swiftly spun on his heel and stalked away from her.

She stood guard exactly where he had told her and it wasn't long before the party goers began showing up. Her helmet hid most of her stoic expression, but most of them still recognized her and some nodded respectfully. She just held her position, pretending not to notice as they came and went.

"Good evening." she flicked her eyes towards the voice and raised an eyebrow. Hermes stood watching her with a curious look. "I swear I saw you training today when I dropped something off for Dionysus, don't you ever sleep?"

"I sleep less than you breathe." she answered, keeping her voice monotone as she watched several minor gods approaching, their drunken stagger not at all worrying to her.

"That is impressive." Hermes stepped out of the way of the gods with a look of disgust, sitting down on the bench in front of her. "Why would you do that?"

"My mind has the terrifying capability of being dark and demented." her eyes grew shades darker as she said this and Hermes paused before answering, glancing around them.

"It is a very sad fate to be afraid of your own dreams." Hermes sighed,

"Yes, it is." she flicked her eyes to him again "Why did you look at those gods in disgust?" she knew it was a brave move, questioning a god, but she figured she'd done enough for Olympus that she could get away with the question.

"You noticed that, did you?" he grinned and leaned forward, running his hand through his hair "This whole party scene doesn't really agree with me."

"Really?" she snorted and looked back out at the path. More gods were coming, this time it was Zeus and Hera. "I'm pretty sure you shouldn't be talking to me so Olympian alert." she muttered, flicking her eyes to him. Hermes glanced behind him and stood smoothly.

"Thank you." he murmured back, nodding his head respectfully as he fixed his suit jacket and entered the building. Persephone didn't give him a second glance, just watched the two approaching as she bowed respectfully to the king and queen of the gods. Hera flowed right by her, not giving her a single glance, the way most gods had been after they had seen her standing here a few nights in a row. Now she was a normalcy to them, hardly worth noticing. Zeus slowed his walk, but didn't pause in front of her and his gaze only flicked over her once.

"Slow night." she muttered to herself as the path soon became clear. She glanced up at the stars and was greeted by the Ursa Major, "You guard the sky and I'll guard the ground, got it?" she murmured, eyes glittering lightly as she studied the constellation.

xxx

"Ready to go?" Dionysus's rough voice startled her and she spun to see him standing in the doorway, watching her.

"Yeah," as she moved, she stretched her tired, sore muscles. They were not used to holding one position for so long and she winced as they cried out in protest. Hoping Dionysus didn't notice, she frowned when he turned away from her and began walking away striding quickly down the steps.

"Where are we going?" she pulled off her helmet and jogged to keep up with him. Dionysus didn't answer, just continued forward, not giving her a single glance.

"I'm dropping you off at the elevator, Argus is supposed to meet you downstairs." He paused before drawling "That is if the Stoll brothers remember to tell Chiron."

"I'll just head home if Argus doesn't show up." she shrugged, keeping pace with the god rather easily when he finally slowed to a normal speed. They walked for several minutes through the streets, making their way quickly because of the lack of people.

"If that happens, be sure to be back here by six." he paused as they reached the elevator "Don't get yourself killed." with that, he disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. Persephone rolled her eyes, used to the god's shortness.

"Yeah, I'll try not to." She grinned as the elevator dinged open and then frowned. "This blasted music better not last the entire trip."