He'd always had a feeling it would end like this, in fire and in death. One in his profession could never be sure of one's life expectancy and when one's life would end. Perils of the job. Though, to be honest, he never expected this job to get so out of hand.

There was a lot more collateral damage than he was used to (not that he could bring himself to care (a young child, lying lifeless and pale; a rush of guilt he ruthlessly crushed; what's done is done), he never had a strong moral code; living on the streets did that to a person). Nevertheless, he had completed the job, having cornered his target on a rooftop next to the sea, when a shot came out of nowhere and hit him in the chest, causing him to fall off the roof. He knew immediately that he would not live. The bullet had hit too close to his heart.

It was fine, though. He never really had anything to live for, having been an orphan and no close ties with anyone, and he always made sure all his loose ends were tied should he die during a job.

Besides, he was falling into the sea. He had always loved the sea, and dying in its embrace would be fitting.

He closed his eyes and smiled softly as he hit the water.

It was quite a shock to suddenly go from a feeling of drowning to being dragged into a bright place. He had thought at first that someone had pulled him out of the water, and immediately started struggling, when the voices around him finally registered.

"He's an active one, alright!"

"But he isn't crying; is he mute? Is he sick?"

"Don't worry Ms. Jackson, I heard some whimpering (he whimpered?). However, we'll do some tests just to make sure. What would you like to name him?"

"Perseus. His name will be Perseus."

It took him an embarrassing amount of time before he realized what had happened.

He honestly was not expecting to wake up again, much less somehow be reincarnated.

He had always been an atheist (it was hard to find a deity to believe in when one was alone on the streets), but since he was reborn he might have to change his beliefs.

Sally Jackson was a sweet enough woman. She worked hard to provide for the two of them, and she always tried to make sure he was happy. He (he was Perseus now wasn't he) was sure that she worried her, given that he barely cried (he had no choice but to cry if he wet his diapers, how mortifying) and barely made any noise.

Perseus figured that she would be a nice enough mother. Then again, he had no idea what a mother was supposed to be like.

He had wondered for a time who and where the father was, as Sally was alone during the birth and the time after.

He had found out soon enough (though it didn't really answer the question of who or where as he didn't know the man's name nor where he was).

It was in the middle of the night when the air around him shifted. Given what he was in his previous life, he immediately woke up. He opened his eyes a sliver, noting a somewhat salty smell in the air, before they opened wide at the picture before him. A man dressed in khaki shorts and the biggest eyesore of an Hawaiian tourist shirt he had ever seen was standing next to his crib.

His eyes travelled up the man's body to see his face, noticing scarred hands and toned arms. When he finally reached the man's face, he froze.

The man's expression was full of kindness and wonder. He was smiling and his eyes...his eyes were a striking sea green, like the ocean Perseus (still) so loves. Distantly, he wondered why Sally hadn't woken up, or why he wasn't making a noise. There was just something about this man…

Perseus involuntarily let out a small noise as he was picked up and started struggling. The man made some shushing sounds before carefully and securely cradling him to his chest. He struggled a bit more (his body was so weak, he used to be able to throw governments into chaos with the right throat slit) before grudgingly settling down. He didn't know why, but he trusted this strange man. Perseus stared up at him, trying to figure him out.

The man stared back, his expression somehow even softer than it was before. Perseus tensed as the man lifted an arm, but the man only stroked his face. The touch was soothing, and Perseus found himself drifting off. When the man spoke, his voice was so soft that Perseus almost missed it.

"I'm sorry, my son, for the life you will have to live, and I'm sorry I won't be able to be there for you."

Perseus let out a sleepy inquiring noise.

Of course, the man didn't elaborate. The man only kissed his brow before setting him back in his crib.

"Rest now, Perseus. No one will harm you while I'm here."

And despite not wanting to sleep, despite wanting to learn more about the strange man who called him son, Perseus' eyes closed and he fell asleep.