Perseus jerked awake. His chest heaved with every breath. It took only moments for Perseus to realize he'd been dreaming. He leaned back against the ruder of the boat. He looked out in front of him. Spyros and Io lay on the small deck in front of him, sleeping peacefully. He sighed deeply and closed his eyes.

"Perseus?" came a soft voice.

Perseus opened his eyes once more. Io sat on the edge of the deck in front of him. She wore slim dress, holding a shawl around her shoulders. Her dark hair was down, but hung over her right shoulder.

"Is something wrong?" Io asked.

Perseus shook his head, unknowingly rubbing his hand over the Harpy's scar. "Just a dream."

Io's face softened, knowingly. "The Harpy?"

Perseus nodded.

Io rose from the edge and moved to Perseus' side. "That day still haunts my dreams as well."

"We nearly lost Spyros that day." Perseus said.

Io placed her soft hand on Perseus' forearm. "I nearly lost you both."

Perseus looked down to Io. He could see the fear she still held. It had been her that saved him. Io had to bring him back to their home and tend to him, while still tending to Spyros.

"Mother, father?" asked a small voice.

Io and Perseus both looked up. Spyros stood, his small arms wrapped round his small body.

"What is it son?" Perseus asked.

"I couldn't sleep." Spyros answered.

Perseus nodded. He raised his hand, beckoning for his son to join them.

Spyros slowly made his way to his father and mother. Perseus lifted his son onto his lap. His eyes scanned over the scar Spyros bore on his cheek, a permanent memory of how close he came to death.

"Does the sea cloud your courage, son?" Perseus asked.

Spyros shook his head. "Not the sea, father."

"Then what?"

"I fear our nets will be empty." Spyros said.

"The fears of a true fisherman." Io said.

Perseus smiled. "An empty net is nothing to fear, Spyros. The fish come and go as they please. One day our nets may be full, and then empty. But it is nothing to fear."

Spyros nodded.

Perseus kissed his sons head. "Off to bed with you."

Spyros rose from his fathers' lap. Io took her son into her arms and hugged him tightly, placing a kiss on his head.

"Good night, Spyros." Io said.

"Good night mother. Good night father." Spyros said. The boy walked back to down to the lower deck and buried himself beneath the blankets.

"One day our nets maybe full, and another they are empty." Io said. "Just like life. One day life may be with you, and the next it ends."

Perseus said nothing. He knew how short life could be. As did Io. They had both witnessed loved ones die before them.

Io rose from beside him. "Still, that does not mean life should be feared."

Perseus looked up. Io was smiling. She bent down and kissed him quickly. Io walked to the lower deck and settled herself beside Spyros. Io wrapped her arms around Spyros, who buried himself against her.

Perseus smiled. There were only few times he could watch his family sleep safely, peacefully. But some Io said still stirred within him. All his life he'd watched life from afar; his family, Argos, the legion, Io and Spyros. He had been with them yes, but never has he been able to live with them. He was always protecting them.

Perseus rose from his seat. He secured the rudder so hold their course. Perseus turned from the rudder and moved down to the lower deck. He lay down on the other side of Io, placing Spyros between them.

Io looked across at him, smiling. From her arms, Spyros moved slightly outward, leaning into Perseus. Io's smile widened and she moved closer to him.

Perseus smiled, drawing the blanket over them all. And with Spyros between them, Perseus closed his eyes.