Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Specific Story Disclaimers:

Violence –Yep - there is violence here. If you don't want hear graphic descriptions of bones crunching, and steel cutting into various body parts, don't go no further. Nobody out there watches Xena just so they can collect Gabrielle's Handy Housekeeping Hints. Be warned.

Subtext - Subtext. Oh, heck yes, there is subtext, maintext, supertext, call it what you like. This story is about two women who are in love with each other and we're not pretending any of this best friend/sister/mother/daughter stuff. Nothing is graphic, we stick to PG13, but if it gets your shorts in a wad to think about two female persons sleeping together, please try some other stories. There are lots of really good ones - check Xeno's listings under general fanfic.

And while we're on the subject, if you do read past the above warning, and are offended by the love described in the story, email me your snail mail address, so I can send you some nice rum balls. (it's the season for it.) Cause I feel bad for you.

Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

Melissa Good

The Longest Night - Part 1

By Melissa Good

The midmorning sun weakly patterned through the sparse leaves, speckling a rough hewn path that lead up into the hills above Amphipolis, and throwing shifting patterns of light and shadow across the moving bodies of a tall, dark haired woman and a large black wolf.

The woman carried a heavy pack across her shoulders, which was strapped down tightly to keep it from bouncing in time with her long, powerful strides. The wolf loped alongside, tongue lolling out, his ears pricked to the myriad of sounds coming from the surrounding brush.

"Not bad, Ares." Xena commented, glancing down at her companion. "Four big rabbits, a string of fish, and a pair of black foxes whose pelts are going to make someone very happy." She took a deep breath of the cold air, and sped up her pace, lengthening he strides and leaping over the rocks and small gullies in the path.

Gods.. this feels good. She sighed to herself. They'd been stuck indoors for a week, with ice storms pelting down and locking the water supply into a solid frozen block, and this had been the first day with any decent weather. Xena had decided to check her traps, reasoning that she really didn't know when she'd be able to get back out, as Gabrielle really hated when she went out in the storms.

And she hated when Gabrielle was unhappy, so that was pretty much that. She grinned privately to herself. Besides, she was human.. she hated being out in the weather just as much.. besides, she could always clear the floor in the inn, and amuse herself by sparring with the visiting Amazons.

It had been almost two weeks since a plunge under the ice had caused the Amazon regent Ephiny to get sick, and the blond woman was steadily recovering. As predicted, a delegation of Amazons had arrived a few days ago to provide her with a proper escort, with Eponin at their head, and Xena had immediately sent the dour Amazon into an indignant frenzy when she mentioned her surprise at the lack of stamina she'd been noticing in Eponin's compatriots.

The warrior chuckled quietly at the reaction.. she hadn't lacked for sparring partners since, but had, she privately smirked, proved her point by running them ragged at every opportunity.

"That's not nice." Gabrielle had chided her, as they snuggled quietly near the fireplace in their cabin. "You're driving Pony crazy."

Xena had nibbled her ear playfully. "I know." She'd whispered. "She'll live."

A sound.. so close to natural, it could have been an animal.. could have been the wind brushing two branches. Xena felt her instincts come live, sweeping across her body and making it sensitive to the faintest of signs.

"Well, Ares." Xena sighed, continuing her steady, purposeful jog. "Looks like we've got three of them."

"Roo?" The wolf looked up at her inquiringly.

"No, three." She corrected him, jumping over a boulder in her path. "Two on the left, and one on the right."

"Roo?" Ares bounded along happily.

'Yep, two. On the left." Xena playfully agreed. "One of those two is wearing a set of those bone necklaces the Amazons love, and other's wearing leathers that are way too tight."

"Argrhhoo." Ares muttered.

"Yeah, I hear em squeaking." Xena confirmed. "The one on the right… " She concentrated, then let out a low chuckle. "Looks like I lured out Eponin, Ares."

They were travelling alongside, and slightly ahead of her, and she could see a small, heavily leafed junction ahead that would be perfect for an ambush.

I could keep this going. Xena mused, considering. We could be trying to clobber each other until after Solstice. She consciously let her steps slow, and sensed her trackers slowing as well. Or I could just do this. She bounced to a halt, and ambled over to a convenient rock, seating herself on it, and shrugging off her pack. Ares circled around her twice, before curling himself around her feet and letting out a big sigh.

Xena crossed her arms and waited, leaning back against the rock face and checking her pulse idly. Hmm.. not too bad. She reflected, as she heard the bare whispers as the Amazons consulted. "C'mon Eponin." The warrior called out lazily, letting her head rest against the rock.

A rustle of underbrush, and Eponin was standing on the path, hands on hips, glaring at her. "Stopping for a rest?"

I have nothing to prove to anyone. Xena smiled at her. "Yep." She rummaged in her pack, and motioned the Amazon over. "C'mere."

Eponin narrowed her eyes, then sighed, and threw up her hands, walking forward and shaking her head. "What?" She growled, stopping in front of the seated warrior.

"Siddown." Xena indicated the rock next to her.

Eponin sat down, resting her elbows on her knees, and propping her chin on her hands.

"Look." Xena unwrapped the package she'd pulled out of her pack, and offered it to the Amazon. "Here… meat pies. Take one."

Eponin hesitated, then rolled her eyes and complied, taking a delicate bite and chewing.

"Look." Xena started again. "Can we cut out the ambushes?"

The Amazon's eyebrows rose. "S'matter, Xena.. we getting too close?" Her dark eyes held a sparkle of competitive humor. "You slowing down a little?"

A shrug "Maybe.'" Xena answered quietly. "I've tried to take things a little easier lately." She gazed at the startled Eponin. "I let my guard down when I'm here… I just don't want any accidents happening."

Eponin studied her for a long moment. "So.. you're afraid you won't react in time?" She asked cautiously.

Xena shook her head. "No." A brief smile. "I'm afraid I won't not react in time." She met the Amazon's dark eyes steadily. "You come from around a blind corner and surprise me, and my body will react all right.. only I may not be able to stop that before someone gets hurt."

A flicker of motion, and she was reaching behind her, long fingers grabbing thick leathers, and pulling with an overhand motion. In a clatter of limbs, one of Eponin's companions was dumped unceremoniously on her behind, and lay there gasping, blinking at Xena in startled disbelief.

Eponin sighed. "You take all the fun out of things, Xena." She gave the warrior a wry look. "I haven't had a challenge like you in I can't think how long." She peered off into the brush. "Ellis? Get out here before you get a broken arm."

Xena tapped her on the leg, and the Amazon glanced over. "She's over there." The warrior grinned impishly, pointing with one finger. They both watched the underbrush, and slowly it parted, and Ellis' freckled face peeked out.

Eponin rubbed her temples, then gave Xena a look. "Slowing down huh? "

The warrior shrugged modestly.

"Xena, they'd have to encase you in a sack of honey to slow you down enough for anyone to put a finger on you." The Amazon burst out laughing, and gave the warrior a little slap on the leg. "All right.. all right.. a truce."

Ellis rose to her feet and came closer, holding out a hand to help up her fellow Amazon. "C'mon Raina." The brown haired girl stood and dusted herself off with a wince. "Ouch"

"Sorry." Xena's lips twitched. "Here." She handed around the packet of meat pies.

"I shouldn't." Ellis sighed, patting her belly. "Between this weather and my appetite, I've about outgrown these leathers. " But she took one anyway. "Guess one more won't kill me." The redhead perched on a rock behind Eponin and thoughtfully took a bite.

They all munched companionably for a short while, Then Eponin glanced up at the other two Amazons. "You lot go on back.. we'll catch up with you."

Exchanging glances, the two younger Amazons bit off brief grins, then started off, giving them a wave goodbye.

Xena finished off her snack, and dusted her hands off lightly, waiting. Ok.. ok. Eponin.. you've got something to say, so.. out with it. I've got a bard to hunt berries for. "What's up?" She queried, giving the Amazon a tolerant look.

Eponin studied the ground for a minute, then looked up. " Just wanted to say thank you."

Xena's brows creased. "For what?" She let her mind wander over the past few days, searching for some hidden favor she'd done the Amazon, and coming up empty. Then she caught Eponin's expression and mentally slapped herself. "Oh.. Ephiny. Right." She lifted a hand and let it drop. "Right place, right time, I guess. Glad I was there."

"Right place, right time, right person." The Amazon answered quietly. "I couldn't have broken up that ice, and sure as bees fly those kids couldn't either." She sighed. "Damn.. and I had a feeling something was wrong with her, too." She shot a glance at the warrior. "You ever get those?"

Xena couldn’t keep the sudden grin off her face. "Uhm…No.. no, of course not." The warrior lifted a hand. "That would take an imagination, and, well.. you know me."

Eponin cocked her head. "What's that fox swallowed the hen's egg look for?"

The warrior bit her lip, and got her face under control, and shook her head. "Nothing.. "

The Amazon stood, and put her hands on her hips. 'Bears don't piss silently in the forest, and you don't smile for no reason, Xena."

"Hmm.. " Xena temporized, stuffing the rest of the package back into her backpack, and standing up, slinging the pack onto her broad shoulders and fastening the straps tightly. "Nothing.. really.. just thinking.. of those girls. They were.. really.. uh.. a handful."

"Uh huh." Eponin commented. "Well, I know they get a bit overexcited sometimes." She sniffed reflectively. "Except your Cait, that is." She paused. "You have loosened up a lot, you know."

"Have I?" Xena asked mildly.

"Yeah." Eponin gave her a brief grin. "You talk in full sentences now." Her eyes twinkled. "Took me a while to get used to.. Gabrielle must be rubbing off on you."

Xena snorted. "Uh huh." She rested one booted foot on the boulder and leaned on it. "I hear she had fun sparring with you all when she was out there." Completely unable to keep from tweaking Eponin, aren't you?

The Amazon warrior folded her arms and glanced away. "She surprised me." Eponin admitted. "I didn't think she really had the aptitude for that." Her lips pursed. "But she's… really, really good." A sigh. "Guess she found the right teacher." Now Eponin looked direct at Xena. "I couldn’t believe how changed she was the last time I saw her. Like a different person."

Xena studied her face for a minute, then gave her a little nod. "Yeah, I know." She agreed quietly. "She's been through a lot."

"Haven't' we all." Eponin sighed, rubbing her neck.

"Yeah." Xena ran out of small talk, and reached over, tapping Eponin on the shoulder. "Hey."

"What?" The Amazon asked, rubbing her arm. "Ouch."

"Race you." Xena winked at her, then took off jogging down the path, Ares bounding along next to her.

"Oh Hades codpiece." Eponin sighed, and took off after her.

***********************************************************

It was almost noon before Xena hit the muddy road that led into Amphipolis. She'd lost Eponin some time before, when she'd detoured to a favorite spot locked between two sheltering bluffs, finding a small cache of elderberries there, and snagging them up with a satisfied grin.

The courtyard was packed, she noticed, filled with villagers and what looked like travelers, beaten by the weather and gathered in tight around the entrance to the inn. Xena was about to go around to the back entrance, when she heard voices begin to rise, and spotted the sturdy, fair haired form who was smack in the middle of the crowd.

A few steps brought her to the edges of the crowd, and she peered over the heads of the tired looking strangers, sensing no immediate danger. Gabrielle was standing by the inn door, her arms crossed over her chest, and her head tilted in a familiar gesture of listening. The woman who was facing her wore a battered woolen tunic, and was covered with mud, as well as a liberal scattering of bruises and scrapes.

"Murderers, they are!!" The woman stated, emphatically. "They don't let you live.. our village was pounded near flat by the storm.. could they spare it? No." She lifted her hands and let them drop. "Every last blessed thing they took, and beat us besides."

"So.. they chased you all the way here?" Gabrielle asked, gently, feeling her partner's presence, but keeping her attention on the woman.

"No." The man next to her gruffly asserted. "They broke off a ways back, soon as they seen we were on our way here." His gray eyes studied Gabrielle. "They say raiders don't come to Amphipolis."

Gabrielle took a quiet breath. "That's mostly true." She admitted. "We have a strong village guard, and we watch our borders." Unconsciously, her eyes slid to the right. And, of course, there's that A grin tugged at her lips.

Xena slowly moved her way through the crowd, politely nudging aside the first few rows of onlookers, and then finding her way cleared as she made her presence felt. She stepped into the center of the crowd, and joined her partner, studying the refugees with a serious expression.

"Looks like the situation out there is getting worse." The bard commented, "Josclyn is trying to find shelter for them." She waited for Xena to move up next to her, then leaned on the warrior's shoulder.

Xena nodded quietly, and turned to the woman, who was gazing at her uneasily. "How far back did they leave you?"

"A day back." It was the man who answered, his scruffy beard bristling. "Been a long road."

Josclyn moved his way through then, giving Xena a brief nod, and winking at Gabrielle. "All right then.. we've got a small homestead just outside the pale here… it's been deserted since the woman who worked it died this past moon. If you're wanting to put some work into it, it's yours." He cast a quick glance at the bard, who smiled warmly at him. "It's not a prince's palace, but it's whole, and it's got a roof."

The woman smiled gratefully at him. "It's a gift of the gods." She shared a relieved look with the man, evidently her husband. "Mikae, we'll stay?"

The man let out a long sigh. "Aye." He took Josclyn's proffered arm, and shook it. "We're more grateful than I can say. We've got the children here.. " He jerked his head at the small, rough hewn wagon they'd been pulling by hand, where three small boys huddled. "And these few folk who managed to come with us." His look took in the two young women, who were clutching each other, and the older woman and younger man, evidently a mother and son who were watching with frightened eyes.

"There's room for the lot of you." Josclyn assured them. "I'll take you there." He glanced around. "Welcome to Amphipolis. This here is our inn.. we've been working with the innkeeper on kind of a joint larder this winter.. got some extra for you if you can us it. " He smiled at them. "And it looks like ye can." He exchanged smiles with them. "Come on.. I'll give you the tour on the way."

They moved off, not without several curious looks back at the grimly watching Gabrielle, and the tall, dark haired woman next to her. "Who were they?" Mikae asked Josclyn, as they rounded the corner of the inn. His wife leaned close, listening eagerly.

Josclyn smothered a grin. "The pale haired one, that's our storyteller. Name's Gabrielle.. she's a wondrous fair bard, and an even better bargainer." He cleared his throat. "The other.. well, that's Xena."

They stopped short, right there in the mud covered walkway. "Artemis' bright blessings." The woman exclaimed, shocked. "But I thought… you're harboring that lot here?"

Jos turned to face them, his hands on his hips. "Now look." He said, giving them a severe stare. "Ye asked why raiders stay clear of us….well, she's why." He paused. "We're not harboring anyone.. she lives here. It's her home."

Mikae held up a hand. "No offense intended, sir." He wiped the hand over his mud-spattered head. "I'll take any protection, at this fork in the road." He nudged his wife. "Right, honey?" He paused. "Leese?"

"Oh.. yes." The woman fluttered. "I'm sorry.. I just didn't.. well, I'm sure it's fine."

They trudged on, as a little silence dropped over them.

*****************************************

Gabrielle glanced up, as she felt Xena's arm settle around her shoulders, and slid a returning arm around the warrior's waist. "Hey." She sighed, staring after the refugees. "Those poor people."

"Mmm." Xena responded, grabbing the door to the inn and pulling it open. "They got lucky..C'mon."

They entered the inn, and Xena released her partner as she turned towards the kitchen. "Hang on.. gotta drop this off." She muttered, pushing open the kitchen door and entering. "Hey, Eustase.." The cook turned round and smiled at her. "Some more additions to your stores." She slid the heavy pack off her shoulders, and onto a work table, as Eustase bustled forward.

"Goodness…" She tugged at the pack. "What in Olympus do you have in here, ma'am?"

Xena gave her a dark, intent look.

"Sorry." Eustase dimpled a smile. "Habit." She freed the leather straps and opened the package, peering inside. "Lovely." She pronounced, with a grin. "Thank you, Xena."

That got a grudging smile back from the tall, dark haired woman. "Anytime." She gave the cook a pat on the arm, then turned and walked back into the inn, where she spotted Gabrielle perched on a corner of the table where the Amazons had gathered. She studied the bard closely as she moved forward, relieved to see Gabrielle’s relaxed posture, and apparent freedom from the nagging pain of her recently fractured ribs. The bard had, only yesterday, resumed some very limited, and very light work with her staff, and seemed to have suffered no ill effects from the workout. However, the close quarters and incessant squabbling that everyone seemed to want the bard to solve had put Gabrielle on edge, and her injury hadn't help.

"You’d think the weather would have kept down that kind of thing." Gabrielle commented, as her partner joined the small group at the table. "I don’t get it."

Xena chose a support post to lean against, and shrugged, exchanging knowing looks with Ephiny. "Probably more desperate than the villagers they’re after." The Amazon regent nodded in agreement. "They can’t have any settled hideout.. they’re more than likely using some of the caves in the low hills just north of here."

"They sound like they’re attacking the weakest victims they can find.." Ephiny commented. "They’re probably not much better off." The blond Amazon leaned back in her chair, and took a sip from the mug she held in one hand. "I don’t think we’re in much danger."

A chuckle traveled around the table, and Ephiny grinned, glad to be finally able to sit quietly and talk without being racked by painful coughing. She still felt exhausted, but she could walk around the inn by herself, and had even managed a few steps outside with Eponin and Gabrielle as hovering attendants earlier that morning. It had felt really good to see the sun, especially after the rough weather they’d been having.

Weather, she reflected, that had forced them all indoors, and half driven her fellow Amazons to distraction, until Xena had taken pity on all of them and took them on for some indoor sparring sessions that had relieved a lot of the tension. And provided her and the reluctantly sidelined Gabrielle with a memorable show, as the fitful lightning outside mixed with the ruddy torchlight in reflecting off the smoothly moving bodies, throwing sharp shadows against the walls as first individually, then as a group the Amazons pitted themselves against Xena.

Who had shunned her armor, and even her leathers, facing them in her padded gambeson that showed years of hard usage, and a pair of light, indoor boots that caused only minimal damage when the Amazons were incautious enough to be caught by one of her kicks.

She had been pulling her blows, Ephiny knew, and Gabrielle had pointed out in a soft whisper. And even so her deadly ability had been evident and caused long, late night conversations between the Amazon warriors that had even Ephiny rolling her eyes. But it had relaxed the tensions, and made the long evenings much more enjoyable, when they’d gather around one of the larger tables at the inn, and trade stories until the late hours. Except for Xena, of course, who would sit and listen, but prod Gabrielle into any storytelling that was required.

"No, probably not." Xena answered her droll observation. "But we should be careful anyway.. no sense in inviting trouble." Her eyes flicked to her partner, and a small grin crossed her face. "Not with you around, anyway." She gently bumped the bard’s shoulder, and got a mock glare in return.

A round of chuckles followed, and Gabrielle just shook her head in wry disgust. "Thanks." She muttered over her shoulder, then felt the warmth of Xena’s hand on her back, and the warrior’s closeness.

"Just kidding." The whisper gently gusted against her ear, and she allowed her annoyance to dissipate reluctantly, as she slid off the table and stood up, stretching a little and giving her partner a bump in the ribs in return.

"I’m going to get some lunch." The bard commented. "I have the villagers begging for a sparring session after that.. if the weather holds." She turned and headed towards the kitchen, aware of Xena’s silent presence next to her. She glanced up. "Don’t you dare."

The warrior blinked. "Huh?"

"You’re going to tell me not to do a session this afternoon." The bard said, flatly. "I can tell."

Xena gave her a look.

"See?" She commented, with a shake of the head. "I never realized why you hated people hovering before now. I’m fine, OK?" Gabrielle paused with her hand on the kitchen door, turning to glance back at her partner who hadn’t answered.

Found serious blue eyes soberly looking at her, glinting in the reflected pale light from the windows. "Actually, I was going to try and convince you to take a nice quiet walk up into the hills this afternoon." The warrior commented briefly. "But if you want to do drills with the villagers, that’s fine."

The bard had been showing signs of pent up tension, caused mostly by her injury, but also from being cooped up continually by the weather, and the constant toll on her diplomatic skills as she tried to keep everyone from snapping at each other. The drills, the warrior knew, would relieve some of that.

Gabrielle’s brow furrowed, and she let her hand drop to her side, as she studied her partner. "Are you saying you think I should do them?"

Xena nodded, and lifted a hand to gently straighten the bard’s collar. "Sure.. I think you’d feel better for it."

"What’s that supp…" The bard stopped, and crossed her arms, and looked down. Then she glanced back up and sighed. "So.. I’m in a really crabby mood and it shows, right?"

Xena smiled, and crossed her own arms, leaning back against the wall. "A little." She admitted.

Gabrielle let out a long breath. "Sorry… all these people.. and all the problems… and then with my side hurting.. I guess I just…" She gave Xena an apologetic look "And you were going to subject yourself to that this afternoon? "

The warrior shrugged lightly. "Well.. I found something I think you’d like.. and I thought it would be a nice change for you to get out.. it’s pretty nice weather."

"Something I’d like, huh?" Gabrielle felt an smile forming.

Xena nodded. "Yep."

"You won’t tell me what it is, I guess." The bard commented.

"Nope." The warrior agreed.

A long paused, as their eyes met. "I guess the villagers are going to have to wait until tomorrow." Gabrielle finally said, letting herself fall forward and lean against her partner’s warm body. "Can we go now? I’ll grab a picnic lunch."

Xena smiled, and slid her hand up, gently rubbing the back of the bard’s neck. "Sure… that sounds great." She felt Gabrielle’s body slump against her, and took a quick look around, and finding no one else near the entranceway, slid both arms around her partner and hugged her close. Not that anyone seeing her doing this bothered her, but they both took a lot kidding from the Amazons, who never lost an opportunity to tease when they could. No point in giving them yet more ammunition, she mused with a wry grin.

"Mmm." Gabrielle sighed. "Ok..Ok.. let me go get stuff, and pick up my staff, or we’ll never get out of here." Reluctantly, she separated from Xena, trailing her hands across the warrior’s body. Her eyes glanced briefly up at her partner’s. "Sorry I snapped at you."

Xena chuckled. "Gabrielle, after all the times you put up with my bad temper.. you’re entitled." She nudged the bard towards the kitchen. "C’mon.. I’ll go with you." She reached inside her pouch, still slung over her shoulder, and removed something, then circled the bard’s neck with one arm and offered her a berry. "Look.. I’ll even bring dessert."

Gabrielle’s eyes brightened, and she snapped up the berry with a flash of white teeth. "Mmm." She munched. "Where in Hades did you get that? With the weather we’ve been having?" She paused and looked back. "No.. let me guess. You have many skills?"

Xena raised an eyebrow and gave her a poke.

"Ouch." The bard poked her back. "Cut that out."

Not long after, they were quietly slipping out of the village, headed up a small, partially hidden path that led up into a gently sloping hillside covered with winter battered trees and foliage. The air was cold, but dry, and the fitful wind thrust the dried branches together, making a crisp background noise and scattering handfuls of dead leaves on the casually strolling pair.

"Think this weather will last?" Gabrielle commented, carefully using her staff to keep her footing on the steepening path. "I’d love to have a few days of sun for a change." She sighed wistfully, and tugged on her heavy, dark red tunic. "I’m getting tired of these."

Xena peered up at the sky, and sighed. "Maybe, for a little while." She glanced down at Gabrielle with a half grin. "Yeah.. I kinda miss sunning with you." She paused and studied the bard. "You doing OK?"

Gabrielle paused, and leaned on her staff. "Hurts a little." She admitted quietly, taking a deep breath and starting to walk again. "I can’t believe I’m this short of breath, though."

Xena moved closer and ruffled her hair. "Take it easy, OK?"

The bard gave her an evil look. "You are such a hypocrite, you know that?" But her expression was mild, and she didn’t object when Xena put a casual arm around her and gave her support on the upward climb. "Let me tell you, love, the next time I find out that you have this happen to you, I'm gonna stuff YOU in bed for two weeks."

Xena raised an eyebrow at her. "Who says I'd mind?" Her eyes glinted mischievously.

"Xena." The bard clucked at her, and poked her with an elbow. "I'm being serious."

The warrior shrugged. "So am I.' A quick sideways glance. "So long as you stuffed yourself there too." She grinned at the look on Gabrielle's face. "Besides, I kept you company, didn't I?"

"Mmm…" The bard smirked. "That's true." She snuggled closer. "And it was worth it.. to get you to actually sit in one place and translate two whole scrolls from Ardwyn's collection for me." She'd even managed to forget the throbbing ache for a while, listening to Xena's low, vibrant voice reading the stories from long past, with only a slight hesitation as she translated the Celtic language into Greek. They'd taken frequent breaks, for Xena to sip hot tea to relax a throat unaccustomed to such long use, and to listen to the harsh rattle of hail and ice against the walls of the cabin. "Hmm… was I complaining? Silly me."

Xena grinned down at her. "Uh huh.. how quickly you forget." She glanced up as they reached the top of the path, and motioned with her jaw. "There."

Gabrielle looked. "Xena, that's a cave." She commented.

"Yep." The warrior agreed.

"You .. dragged me up here to see a cave?" The bard gave her a look, then lifted a hand and felt Xena's forehead carefully. "No.. you feel cool."

"Come on." The warrior sighed, leading her towards the opening.

"Xena, what's this all about?" Gabrielle asked, ducking her head and following her partner into the cave, and glancing around as the warrior lit a torch.

"Come on." Xena repeated, and tugged her arm, moving down a long passageway that sloped lightly downward.

The bard strode along next to her in silence for a moment, then glanced up curiously. "You all right in here?"

Xena glanced at her. "Yeah. " She answered briefly. "I… I've been kind of.. practicing." Her eyes traveled around the passageway, then lit back on Gabrielle. "Little at a time."

Gabrielle linked her arm with Xena's and rubbed her cheek against the warrior's tall shoulder. "That's.. good to hear." She said quietly. "Now.. what's this all about?"

"Patience, Gabrielle." Xena admonished her.

"I'm crabby, remember?" The bard shot back, banging her head lightly against her partner's arm. "You're making me nuts… hey.. it's getting warmer."

"MmmHmm." Xena agreed.

"Why on earth would it be getting warmer inside this cave?" The bard wondered aloud. "I don't see the… oh."

They'd stepped around a final bend, and now Xena held out the torch, the flickering orange light outlining a roughly circular cavern, whose walls were patchworks of colors and stains. On one side of the cavern was a pool, which had steam lightly rising from it, and a sharp mineral scent floated over to them on the steam.

"Oooo." Gabrielle released Xena's arm, and walked over to the pool, kneeling, and testing it with a finger. "Xena, this is very warm."

Xena leaned back against the wall, and let a satisfied grin cross her face. "Uh huh.. thought you might appreciate a nice.. " She walked over and settled her arms around the bard's neck. "Hot.." She nibbled the bard's ear and got a soft giggle. "Mineral bath.'"

"Mmmm…" Gabrielle sighed happily. "You'd be right." She turned her head slightly and captured the warrior's lips for a long moment. "I don't suppose you have towels and stuff in that pack of yours."

Xena grinned, and unbuckled the belt on her tunic, and pulled it off, then folded the tunic neatly, and dropped it on top of the pack she'd eased off her shoulder and onto the floor. Then she stepped forward, and let her hands drop to the bard's' belt, and snugged her fingers in it. "Join me?" She unfastened the buckle, and let the ends drop, then unlaced the neck fastening and helped the bard ease the tunic off over her head.

Gabrielle let her eyes close in pleasure, and reached for the laces holding Xena's dark blue leathers closed, untying the top knot and freeing the ties, tugging them loose. The warrior slid out of the leathers, and stepped up next to her, sliding her hands across Gabrielle's body and pulling her close, then lifting her gently up and walking into the steaming pool, not stopping until they were both submerged up to their necks in the warm, swirling water.

The pool had an underwater inlet, and the stained rock on the far end showed where the outflow trickled, disappearing into the rock and leaving behind a multicolored pattern on the stone.

"Ohhhh.." Gabrielle sighed softly. "Gods, this feels good."

Xena smiled, as she cradled the bard's body in her arms, running her eyes over the fading, yellowish bruise that still colored her partner's chest and sighing soundlessly. She moved to the far end of the shallow pool, and leaned against the rock, letting the warm water relax her muscles. "Yeah, it does." She murmured, watching Gabrielle's mist green eyes open and lazily track to hers. "Was this an OK surprise?"

The bard lifted one hand out of the water and ran her fingers over Xena's face, tracing the strong lines, and smiling as the warrior gently captured her fingers in her teeth. "More than OK." She answered, then slid her other hand behind her partner's neck, and pulled herself up to meet Xena's lips again. She felt the hands cradling her begin to move, and smiled at the knowing, gentle touch that traced over her sensitive skin. She let the warmth, and the familiar scent and their vibrant connection sweep over her and take her into a sensual oblivion.

************************************

"When did you find this place." Gabrielle asked, comfortably leaning against Xena's relaxed body, one of the warrior's powerful arms holding her securely in place. She nibbled a berry off the bunch Xena' had handed her, and chewed with evident enjoyment.

"This morning." Xena replied, keeping her eyes half closed, just enjoying the warmth and the bard's closeness. "I was looking for some of those herbs I used for Ephiny.. I'm out, and you never can tell when we might need them." She forced herself to straighten up a little. "There's a nice spot just outside.. overlooks a lake.. where we can have lunch if you like."

Gabrielle rolled her head to one side, and gently tasted a droplet of water that was coursing down her partner's chest. "I like." She responded, then gave Xena an impish look, as she let her head rest against the warrior's shoulder. "Thanks." She sighed. "I really needed this."

Xena laughed, and kissed her nose. "Well, after a week of Amazons jumping out at me from every corner, so did I." She admitted wryly. "I had to tell Eponin to cut it out this morning.. I was afraid one of her little cubs would try an ambush in the dark some night and I'd belt them into next week."

"Eek." Gabrielle laughed. "That must have gone over like a sand filled waterskin." Then she poked Xena lightly in the chest. "It's your fault.. you started it. You had to go tease her, right?"

Xena lifted a hand, and let it fall back into the water, making the warm liquid splash outward. "I know.. I know.. but it's been fun sparring with them."

The bard chuckled. "Fun for you, that is. You didn't see them all comparing bruises." She peered at her partner, examining her water shadowed form. "I don't see any."

That got a low chuckled from the warrior. "There aren't any." She answered smugly. "Couldn’t let those Amazons think your champion's out of shape now, could I?"

Gabrielle grinned, and let her fingers trace Xena's smoothly powerful body. "Well, they could have just asked me." She planted a kiss along Xena's collarbone, where her strong neck muscles attached to her shoulders. "I'd be more than glad to tell them what wonderful shape you're in." She moved her way up the warrior's neck and ended up nibbling on her earlobe. "Would have saved them some aches and pains."

"Nah." Xena let her hands lightly trace the bard's ribs and move down her belly, feeling the muscles contract under her fingertips. "I think they enjoy it."

"Oh yeah." Gabrielle replied, sliding a finger along Xena's shoulder and down the curve of her upper arms. "It's like a badge of honor. 'I was kicked around by the Warrior Princess.'" She watched Xena roll her eyes and giggled softly in reaction. "You should have heard them talking about you… they're worse than those girls were."

"Gods." Xena sighed, as she stroked the bard's body lightly again, feeling her breathing quicken in response. "Amazons." She shook her head.

"Mmm..Xena?" Gabrielle shifted her body, and let her hands wander again.

"Yeah." The reply was soft and husky, and Gabrielle felt the her heartbeat increasing.

"To Hades with the Amazons." She whispered, as her fingertips ran lightly down Xena's thigh, and felt the powerful muscles just under the skin tense.

************************************************

Lunch, when it was finally arranged, was a leisurely affair. Gabrielle leaned back in total contentment, as she surveyed the winter bitten, but still beautiful vista below the grassy shelf they were snuggled on. The small lake below was choppy from the cold wind, and the colors were drabber, the trees barer than she was used to, but it had a wild beauty to it that appealed to her bardic imagination.

Or maybe it was just that she was leaning back against Xena's chest, with the warrior's arms wrapped around her, munching on some of her favorite things, having had a long, luxurious, sensual bath that was putting her into a great mood. With a sigh, she crossed her legs at the ankles, and offered Xena a bite of smoked meat wrapped around a bit of cheese.

Xena neatly captured the tidbit with her teeth, and chewed it, then leaned her head against Gabrielle's and sighed quietly. "So.. I guess Eph won't bother going home.. Solstice is so close, it doesn't make sense to."

The bard ate another tidbit, then assembled and offered Xena one. " That's the plan.. and Eponin's gloating - because she gets to stay for the ceremony and Solari doesn't." She exchanged a knowing smirk with Xena over her shoulder. "We're going to start getting our other visitors soon, remember."

Xena nuzzled the back of her neck. "Uh huh.. all those people.. all in one place… are you sure this is a good idea?"

Gabrielle's mist green eyes glinted. "You getting nervous already?" She teased gently. "Come on.. they'll all entertain each other.. we can just sneak out.. no one will notice." She closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the tickling sensation of Xena's lips against her skin.

"Oh.. " Xena laughed gently against the bard's hair, nicely scented with the herbal soap they used. "But your parents, my family.. Amazons.. Jessan's people, Herc and Iolaus.. Gabrielle, you do realize something's gotta happen."

Gabrielle thought about that, and realized, with a rueful grin, that her partner was probably right. "Yeah.. you're right. Maybe we should just skip out, and let them party by themselves. Whadda you think?"

"Hmm." Xena considered. "I think we'd never hear the end of it."

"That's true." The bard laughed, then sobered. "Listen.. how far do you think those raiders are operating?"

Xena studied her profile, then brushed her fingers through Gabrielle's windswept hair. "I don't know." She admitted. Hades.. what .. oh. "You worried about your family?"

The bard sighed. "A little. Yeah." She stared pensively off towards the lake. "I mean.. I'm sure they're ok, right? They're so close.. we would have heard. If anything had happened.. they'd have tried to get here, right?"

Xena paused, thinking. Probably the bard was right.. if anything had happened, either her family would have made it's way here.. or Xena's ears would have heard something. But.. And idea started to form. "Hey.. you know.. they are pretty close."

Gabrielle turned her head and regarded her partner. "Yeah?"

The warrior nodded slowly. 'Yeah.. what do you say we take a quick ride down there and check things out?" She thought a minute. "We can give them an escort back here."

The bard let a grin spread across her face. "Whoa.. a few days alone with you on the road? " Never thought I'd miss that.. but Gods.. I really do. "I like that idea."

"Yeah?" Xena asked, a pleased look on her face. "Thought you liked it in Amphipolis."

Gabrielle fiddled with the collar on Xena's deep green tunic. "I do." She answered quietly. "But.. I also miss being out there.. just the two of us.. doing stuff." I might as well admit it.

A slow smile crossed the warrior's lips. "So do I." She cupped Gabrielle's face and kissed her. "I was kinda hoping you felt that way."

"So.. after the weather settles down.. we can sort of…" Gabrielle mused.

"Uh huh." Xena agreed. "Then we can come back when we have enough of that for a little while. Sound OK?"

The bard grinned happily. "Sounds great." She took another tidbit and bit it in half, inviting the warrior to take the other half, which she did. "I like that plan." She considered thoughtfully. "You know.. we could even just walk over there.. let Argo relax here, being she's pregnant and all." And that will extend this little jaunt a few days… "I know I could use the chance to get some stamina back." She glanced over her shoulder, and saw the little quirk of Xena's lips that meant she was being seen through, but the warrior's eyes were sparkling with amusement.

"Well… that's true." Xena drawled. "If you promise to take it easy, and let me know when you get tired." Couple days walking couldn’t hurt either of us… she chuckled ruefully to herself. I think I'm liking this idea a lot.

"I promise." Gabrielle assured her, with a satisfied grin. "My parents will be surprised.. I bet.. but I'll feel better knowing they'll have a safe escort here." She nibbled another berry, and snuggled her shoulders back against Xena's warm chest. "And I can't think of a safer escort." She turned her head, and bestowed her best adoring look on her partner, who burst into laughter.

"Gabrielle… cut that out." Xena tweaked her nose.

"No way." The bard refused cheerfully. "I have a right to look at you like that, so cope."

The warrior rolled her eyes, but tightened her hold on her partner and let out a contented sigh. "We'll leave tomorrow morning, then." She confirmed, letting her gaze drift outwards towards the lake.

**********************************************

"A trip to Potadeia, huh?" Cyrene asked, looking over one shoulder at her daughter, who was busily collecting supplies. "If I didn't know better, I'd say a certain child of mine was just getting a little antsy about being cooped up."

Xena shot her an attempt at an innocent look. It failed miserably. "Gabrielle is worried about her family, mother. Really." She tucked some herbs into a small pouch and packed it in her bag. "Seemed like a good idea to me."

The innkeeper wandered over, and leaned against her. "Just kidding you, honey." She paused. "Is Gabrielle up to the trip? She still looks a little achy to me."

The warrior paused, and took a breath. "Yeah.. I think she'll be all right. We'll take it really easy." She gave her mother a fond look. "Just a quiet couple of days walk, that's all."

"Mmhmm." Cyrene murmured, studying her. "What if the weather goes bad again? I'd hate to think of the two of you stuck out there in a storm like we just had."

Xena finished packing away her supplies, and fastened the top flap of her saddlebag before answering. "We both know the area around here pretty well.. there are plenty of places to shelter in. We'll be fine, mother, really." She watched in wry amusement as her mother selected several additional packets and tucked them into the bag. "Mother!"

"Shut up." Cyrene advised her. "That's so you're prepared if you get stuck in the rain, and don't have time to hunt down some poor rabbit." She sighed. "You will be careful, right?"

Xena turned, and grasped her mother's shoulders, and met her eyes solemnly. "Mother… relax, all right? " She gave Cyrene a wry look. "We're just going on a very short trip, and we'll be back before the end of the week."

The innkeeper snorted. "You'd better be.. that's when all your guests are going to start arriving, remember?" She smiled at Xena's wince. "Come on.. chin up. You'll survive. " She fell silent for a moment, then put a hand on Xena's arm. "Listen.. I don't think I've told you just how glad I am you're doing this, have I?"

Xena just looked at her.

"Making Gabrielle family… legally, I mean." Cyrene continued quietly. "Because I think she's been that to you for a long time, hasn't she?"

Blue eyes studied her. "Once.. she was the only family I had." The warrior answered softly. 'But yeah.. she's been that for.. quite a while."

Her mother smiled, and gave her arm a little pat. "It's been good for my heart to see you so happy, Xena."

The warrior's eyes dropped, and studied the powerful hands resting on the leather saddlebags. "Thanks… " She replied softly. "After all I've done.. sometimes I wonder how I could deserve this." She paused. "Or what price there'll be that I just haven't paid yet."

Cyrene moved closer, and took a hold on her arm, a very concerned look on her face. "Xena.. you can't think that way.. sometimes things just happen because they happen." She searched the shadowed profile intently. "Happiness isn't something that's earned.. or expected.. when it happens, you just have to hold onto it for as long as you can."

Her daughter took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, finally meeting her eyes. "I know… sorry. I'm not sure where that came from." She gave Cyrene a tentative smile. "Hey.. do you have any of those stuffed nut things? I know she really likes those.. "

Cyrene nodded, and smiled back, obviously relieved. "Sure, honey. Hang on a minute, and let me pack some up for you." She padded over to a covered wooden case, and opened it, setting down a piece of cloth to wrap the goodies up in. "You know.. it's really funny, Xena… " She gave the warrior a half amused half embarrassed look. "I know you. I know your capabilities.. and yet I can't help worrying about the two of you out there alone.. isn't that silly?"

The warrior crossed over, and put her hands on her mother's shoulders, giving her a squeeze. "No.. it's not silly. And thanks." She chuckled lightly. "We’ll be fine.. I’m going to go by the river path, and I’m not going to let Gabrielle over do it."

Cyrene turned and pushed the bundle into her hands with a grin. "All right.. and I put a few extra in there for you, too." She gave Xena a gentle poke in the ribs. "So you two don’t fight over them."

Xena attempted another innocent look. "Fight? Us? Over these? Never." Her blue eyes sparkled. "Thanks, mother." She tucked the package into the saddlebag, and slung the strap over her shoulder. "Let me go finish packing, then we’ll be back.. Gabrielle’s promised to tell a couple of stories during dinner tonight."

Cyrene waved her off. "Go ahead… I’ll see you later. I have, totally by coincidence, mind you, made one of your favorites tonight." She grinned at her daughter’s indulgent expression. "And if you don’t mind.. I’ve got a little list to give you.. some herbs I saw in Potadeia that we just don’t have around here."

"Shopping?" Xena teased. "Oh.. I’ll give that to Gabrielle.. I’m sure she’d love to." She headed out the door, still with a grin on her face, and almost collided with the refugees from the morning. "Sorry." She apologized, stepping back and letting them pass, noting the half frightened, half fascinated look she got from them. Gods.. they always expect me to have blood dripping off my shirt.. or be gnawing someone’s ear, don’t’ they? "Hi." She commented, studying the man and woman quietly. "Sorry you had such a rough time."

The man nodded nervously at her. "Thanks." He took a firm grip on his wife’s arm, and gave Xena a nod as he tugged her further into the inn. Xena sighed, and shook her head as she pushed the outer door open and slipped out into the cold, sunlit courtyard.

"D’you suppose she’s a slave?" Leese whispered to her husband, as they huddled around one of the rearmost tables in the inn that night. Her eyes were fastened on the bard, who sat comfortably on a tall chair, reciting a light, but interesting tale.

Mikae gave her a look. "Don’t be silly.. Leese!" He whispered back. "She doesn’t look like a slave.. what makes you say something like that?"

His wife’s eyes flicked over his shoulder, coming nervously to rest for a bare instant on the silently watching face of the dark haired warrior sprawled in an armchair against the back wall. "I thought all warlords had slaves." She muttered.

Mikae let his stubbled chin rest in his hands and grunted. "You heard what the reeve said, lovey. She’s not a warlord anymore." He found his eyes glancing back at Xena as well, though, and forcibly turned his attention back to the pretty young bard. "They all seem pretty friendly with her here.. an it makes sense as to why the other lot leaves them alone."

"Hmph." Leese grumbled. "She makes me nervous.. and what about the boys?" She leaned forward. "Do you know what kind of stories I’ve heard about what her type does to innocent young things like that?"

They both watched as the bard finished her story, took in the resultant applause and hollers with a gentle smile, then held up her hand, and apologized, saying she had to rest for a while. She made her way through the crowd, stopping here and there to talk to people who held out a staying hand to her, and her soft laughter tinkled above the room’s buzz of talk like a bell.

Then she eased her way past the crowded tables, and pulled a chair out from the table where Xena was seated, and dropped into it, reaching a hand out and pulling the just set down plate from in front of the tall dark haired woman, and attacking it’s contents.

"Look at that!" Leese fumed. "Don’t tell me she’s not a slave.. she’s tasting all that food for her. I’ve heard stories about that… so that one can keep from being poisoned."

Mikae studied the two covertly, and noted that the warrior’s benign expression hadn’t changed, except that a smile was edging it’s way across her mouth. "You’ve got too much imagination, lovey." He disagreed, but there was doubt in his tone.

Across the room, the two newcomers were likewise being studied, by pale, Amazon eyes. "Hey Xena." Ephiny leaned over, and nudged the warrior. "You see those guys staring at you?"

Xena flicked a glance over, then pursed her lips and nodded. "Yeah."

"What’s up with that?" The Amazon muttered.

The warrior chuckled, and glanced up with a nod as the server replaced the plate Gabrielle had stolen from her with a friendly grin. "Thanks. " She turned to Ephiny. "They’re waiting for me to pull your arm off and start beating you to death with it."

Ephiny chewed this over for a minute, along with a piece of spicy sausage from her own plate. "Really?" She mumbled around the mouthful.

Xena pulled her plate closer, and took a large forkful of its contents. She chewed and swallowed, with a contented smile before she answered. "Yep, really."

The Amazon ate for a few minutes in silence, then: "Have you ever done that?" She took a sip of her ale.

The dark haired woman raised an eyebrow at her. "No." Then she darted a glance at the still watching duo. "Why would I? Be easier just to use a table leg or something."

"Xena… cut that out." Gabrielle muttered, giving her a little slap in the leg under the table. "You’re making me lose my appetite."

"Never." Both Xena and Ephiny answered in concert, then glanced at each other and chuckled, earning them both a withering stare from the bard.

Ephiny took another careful sip, and returned her attention to her plate, still smiling. "You sure you don’t want.. "Her mind searched for a politically correct way of saying this. "Some company on the road? I know the girls would love some fresh air."

"Nope." Xena replied, and Gabrielle shook her head in agreement. "I’d like to know this place is safe while I’m gone.. I think I can.. " Her lips twitched. "Take care of any problems we might run into." She ate quietly for a minute, then looked up, her brow creasing. "What’s going on with you guys, anyway? First mom, then you… Gabrielle and I traveled around for two years and no one worried.. why worry now? "

Ephiny studied her plate, then glanced up with a sheepish grin. "Good point.. I don’t know.. maybe it’s because we were so used to just seeing you both on the road all the time.. it seemed normal. Now.. " She raised a hand and indicated the room. "This seems normal, and you guys going off into the weather, into an area we know has raiders in it.. I don’t know." She shook her head. "Just being silly, I think."

Xena chuckled, and shook her head, then continued eating. Well.. she mused quietly to herself. That’s not a bad thing.. really.. to have folks start looking at me as something other than.. what I was. She noticed Gabrielle watching her out of the corner of her eye, and turned her glance towards her partner. "Hey." Her lips twitched in amusement. "Enjoy dinner?"

That got an impish grin from the bard. "Sure did.. I think this is becoming my favorite, too." She leaned back and folded her arms across her stomach. "I’m stuffed." She sighed. "I got stuff packed up, and ready to go tomorrow." Her eyes glinted softly, and her voice dropped to a low murmur, which she knew Xena’s hearing would pick up. "I can’t wait."

That got a sly look from amused blue eyes. "Oh really?" Xena teased, then let her hand rest on Gabrielle’s knee and gave it a squeeze. "Sokay.. me either."

Ephiny bit off a grin watching them, as she leaned cautiously back and surveyed the room. No one but the newcomers were giving them a second glance, and she realized that Amphipolis, at least, had accepted the warrior and her bard and were comfortable with their presence. As she was, now, she mused, studying Xena’s relaxed form in the chair next to her. Gabrielle had been right.. she’d said: "She’s really nice, once you get to know her."

Once you did. The Amazon sighed. They’d viewed Xena as a slightly threatening, uneasily tolerated ally for so long.. no one had been willing to want to ‘get to know her.’ Except Gabrielle.. that stubborn, sometimes naïve, mostly inexperienced village girl who had somehow decided she wanted to make this dark, sullen, usually angry woman into a friend.

And, against the odds, she had, and that friendship now allowed the rest of them to see the totally human side to someone a few of them had privately considered a heartless killing machine. Ephiny sighed. She was, as Gabrielle had told them, warm, and funny, and a good friend. The Amazon's eyes tracked to the bard, whose attention was focused on her partner. And a good teacher. They say love clouds your vision.. but.. in Gabrielle’s case, it seemed to have made hers crystal clear.

An elbow nudged her ribs. "Eph?"

"Huh?" The Amazon started. "Sorry.. guess I drifted off there for a minute." She returned her attention to Xena. "What were you saying?"

The warrior studied her. "What I’m saying now is I think it’s time for you to go to sleep." One eyebrow quirked. "What I said was would you keep an eye out for Herc and Iolaus? " She frowned. "I was expecting them before now.. hope they didn’t run into more trouble."

"Oh." Ephiny grinned. "Sure." Then her eyes shifted. "You know, those guys staring is starting to get on my nerves. How do you cope with it?"

Xena sighed. "Practice." She glanced up. "Hey.. want me to start choking you or something.. see if we can really give them something to stare at?"

Ephiny snorted. "Please, Xena.. haven’t you given Eponin enough of a fit already?" She looked over at the second table, where the Amazons were gathered, having a good time. "Look.. she’s eating.. you’ll make her swallow her tongue." She saw the devilish glint in Xena’s blue eyes and groaned inwardly. "Xena…. Don’t you dare." She pleaded, appealing to Gabrielle with a frantic look.

"Hey." The bard giggled, tugging her partner’s arm. "C’mon.. cut it out… you’ll start a riot."

With an aggrieved sigh, Xena settled back in her chair, and lifted her ale to her lips, taking a long swallow. She waited for Ephiny to relax in relief, then suddenly surged towards the Amazon, making her yelp.

"Just kidding." The warrior chuckled, as she settled back against the chair.

Ephiny tapped her fingers on the table, and regarded Gabrielle thoughtfully. "And you have to put up with this?" Gods.. she’s like a kid sometimes. "My respect for you just jumped up a cliff, Gabrielle."

The bard laughed gently. "Oh yeah." She spared the mock-insulted Xena an affectionate look. "But I like it."

Ephiny shook her head, and hid a smile. "Whatever."

Leese grabbed Mikae’s arm. "Did you see that? She almost attacked that other woman. I’m telling you, this is very dangerous, Mikae."

Her husband chewed his lip. "Well, this is the safest place until this weather’s over, Leese.. and no one else here seems scared of her."

"I’m worried about our sons." The woman hissed, then her eyes widened. "Look!"

The tall warrior had stood up, and was glaring down at the woman with curly blond hair, her posture one of quiet intimidation. The blond woman crossed her arms and lifted her chin, apparently defying the warrior.

The dark haired woman said something, then advanced towards her, arms spreading to either side.

With a yelp, the blond haired woman held a hand up, then stood, and backed off, moving towards the rear of the inn with a shake of her head.

"I told you." Leese whispered, looking around the expressions of benign amusement on the faces near them. "She’s got these people all snowed in. We’ve got to get out of here." She watched, shivering, as the warrior now turned her attention to the pretty young bard, and extended an imperious hand towards her. The bard reached up and took it, and was hauled to her feet, then released, and the warrior reached out and tousled her hair roughly. "How demeaning." She muttered, indignant. "And that poor young thing." The bard followed the warrior obediently out the door, and into the cold darkness outside.

"Gods.. did you have to threatened Ephiny." Gabrielle laughed, as she laced her fingers with Xena’s and walked alongside. "The look on her face."

Xena chuckled, and took a breath of the cold air, watching her exhalation mist before her eyes. "She needed rest, Gabrielle.. she’s as stubborn as.. "

"You." The bard supplied cheerfully, leaning into her and stifling a yawn.

"Well.. yeah. " Xena admitted with a grin. "Besides, she knows I’d actually do it.. I picked her up and carried her to bed right after we got back last time." Her brows quirked. "I figured a threat of repeat would get her moving.. .I don’t think she liked it too much when I did it the last time."

"Hmm….." Gabrielle mused, tucking her free hand into her tunic against the biting cold. "Not so sure about that. " She gave into a yawn this time, and blinked sleepily.

Xena stopped walking, and jerked them both to a halt. "Gabrielle, don’t start."

Green eyes surveyed her quietly. "I’m not.. but I think there’s something there." She resumed her walk, tucking her arm securely in Xena’s. "Which wouldn’t surprise me." She gave her partner a sly look. "You are pretty cute."

That got her a both eyebrows raised, blue eyes widened look, with a finger pointed at Xena’s own chest. "Me?" The warrior moved her hand and gently traced the outlines of Gabrielle’s face. "Oh no. my bard. YOU.. you, are cute." She touched the tip of her partner’s chilled nose. "I.. am not cute."

Gabrielle studied her closely, letting her eyes linger over the sharp planes of her face, and the disheveled dark hair whipping across her eyes. "Hmm. You’re right. " The bard murmured. "You’re not cute. You’re gorgeous." She sighed. "But you do some cute things." Now she tugged hard on Xena’s arm. "And you’re great for warming up poor freezing bards. C’mon."

They got back inside the cabin, and were greeted by a sleepy Ares, who yawned, and trotted over, lifting himself up and propping his big paws against Xena’s chest, struggling to reach her face with his tongue. "Ares.. cut that out." Xena laughed, grabbing his legs and pushing him back. He thought that was a great opportunity to play, and lunged forward, trying to jump up into her arms. Xena finally had to lift him up and cradle him, and let him clean her face before he was happy. "There." She sighed, letting him down. "Happy now?"

"Roo." The wolf answered, galloping over to where Gabrielle had collapsed on the bed, and attacking this much easier target.

"Augh." The bard yelped, trying to avoid a washing. Then she felt another, heavier body impact the bed, and she giggled. "That better not be Ares trying to nibble my ear." A deep chuckle answered her. "Gods.. I can’t move." She sighed. "I’m stuffed.. She watched Xena stretch out lazily next to her, and grinned. "Well.. maybe I can." A low mutter, as she grabbed onto Xena’s leathers, and pulled herself over on her side, snuggling up to her partner’s warm body with a contented sigh. "Mmm.. that feels really good."

"Yeah?" Xena asked, rubbing her back lightly in circles, watching the bard’s eyes close and feeling her body relax. "Hey.. " She started to protest, then fell silent as Gabrielle’s hands slipped softly under the fabric of her tunic, and began a gentle stroking. "Mmmm…… " She sighed, feeling a wave of sleepiness cascade over her. It was scary, sometimes, just how readily her body abandoned itself to Gabrielle’s touch, and she realized it was a sign of her total trust in the bard.. a trust she’d never allowed herself with any other person. It felt.. nice.

She slid a hand down her partner’s side, and unbuckled the snug belt on her tunic, feeling the bard snuggle closer and give a relieved sigh. Then she pulled the soft blankets up around them, and settled her other arm around Gabrielle, letting her fingers gently drift over the bard’s body under her now loosened clothing.

A glance down showed her a grin tugging at Gabrielle’s lips, and she replied in kind, letting the warmth of their connection invade her completely, and closing her eyes in sleep.

The next morning dawned clear, but cold, and they slipped out of town before most of the village was, as Gabrielle put it, awake and fussing. She hefted her staff happily, as she felt the hard packed dirt of the village road give way to the softer earth of the quiet, tree-lined path Xena had chosen. "Nice morning." She took a deep breath of the cold, frost tinged air, grinning when she felt not a twinge of pain from her ribs. "Good day for walking."

Xena strode along beside her, with a faint smile on her face, and looked around. "Yeah, it is." She agreed, as the sun’s first rays began to filter through the branches, sending rosy hued slivers across Gabrielle’s face. "You let me know if you get tired, right?"

The bard arched a brow at her. "Maybe." She sniffed, then broke down and grinned. "C’mon, Xena.. you always know before I can tell you."

The warrior snorted lightly. "That’s not the point." She glanced up and spotted something, then grinned and took two long steps, jumping off after the second and snagging a cluster of nuts over her head, removing them from their branch and landing lightly. She stripped the hard nuts off the branch, and settled a few of them in her palm, closing her hand and flexing the muscles of her forearm.

Gabrielle heard the muted crunch, then watched, amused, as her partner opened her hand and presented the contents.

"Want some?" Xena asked casually, with a faint, twitching grin.

The bard eyed the nuts, then delicately picked out a few of the nutmeats, and popped them in her mouth. "Showoff." She accused, chewing and swallowing. "Mmm. " She snagged another few. "On the other hand, we gotta make sure those fingers of yours stay strong, right?" Breakfasts were usually like this, when they were out on the road. A cup of hot tea to start.. or maybe a piece of smoked meat, then they’d break camp and start moving, depending on Xena’s foraging ability to start the day with. Sometimes it was nuts, like now. Sometimes, and especially in summer, it was ripe berries, or occasionally mushrooms. Nothing like at the inn, where the hard working villagers started their morning with a substantial meal, and Gabrielle had sometimes found that too much. She’d discovered she really preferred their trail mix, as she called it, and was now enjoying the familiar tastes.

They traveled downslope, towards the river, keeping in the quiet forest belt that went alongside the water. They could smell the river long before they saw it, the wind was coming that way, and the moisture on the draft was distinctive. Eventually, the path rounded it’s way alongside, and by now the sun was full up, and sending shafts of bright sunlight down through the leaves, dappling them both in a cascade of warmth and coldness, as they walked in and out of the shadows. Ares trotted in and out of the trees, examining everything with a still puppyish eagerness, his almost full-grown size bowing to youth with a fumbling grace. He disappeared into the brush, then came rushing back, whining and whisking his tail rapidly.

"What’s up, boy?" Xena asked, moving towards him. The wolf turned and ran back, and she followed him, with Gabrielle right behind, until they came to a small clearing, and a trap.

With a rabbit in it, a heavy pelted brown animal, whose leg was trapped firmly, and who, by the leaf disarray around the device, had been there for some little time.

"Hmm." Xena drew her blade and advanced. "Not one of ours.. but it hasn’t been checked in a while. " She was about to dispatch the rabbit when she felt a quiet hand on her shoulder and looked up. "Yeah?"

Gabrielle’s mist green eyes were fastened on the underbrush, and now, as Xena focused on what the bard was looking at, she saw three tiny faces peering out at her.

Baby bunnies, with tiny twitching noses, and floppy ears.

"Oooo." Gabrielle cooed, her eyes gazing at Xena in pathetic appeal. "They’re so cute…"

Xena sighed, and laughed gently, gazing down at the mother rabbit with a wry look. "I think you just got lucky, my friend." She cut the rabbit loose from the snare, and examined its leg, wincing at the harsh damage. Pulling her kit from her pack, she set the bag down, as Gabrielle crept quietly across the clearing, making small, soothing noises at the baby bunnies. "Be careful." She warned the bard. "Rabbits are pretty strong."

Gabrielle gave her a look, then settled down next to the three kits, gently pushing aside the wiry foliage and exposing their small bodies. "Oh.. Xena.. they’re shivering.. they must be freezing." She put out a hesitant finger, and touched the first one, starting when it started, then touching it again, this time with all her fingertips and more confidence.

"More likely they’re being scared to death by a huge, funny smelling giant. " Xena answered wryly, carefully cleaning the rabbit’s leg, and wrapping a linen bandage around it. "Who’s poking them."

The bard looked up, indignant. "I’m not poking.. I’m petting. " Her eyes glinted. "I do know the difference." She carefully picked up one of the baby rabbits, and cuddled it against her chest, stroking its soft fur and making tiny clucking noises at it. The bunny twitched its nose at her, and sneezed, then began to sniff her tunic curiously.

Xena rolled her eyes, and sighed. "You stay here, Ares.. no sense in scaring the poor little thing worse." She finished her ministrations on the mother rabbit, and carefully let the animal free, watching her gather herself up, and test her mobility before hopping slowly, and somewhat unevenly towards Gabrielle.

The warrior sat back on her heels, and gazed across the clearing, as the sun slanted through the branches and caught the bard in a golden haze, burnishing the fiery highlights in her hair, and bringing out the vividness of her eyes when she glanced up. She murmured a few more things to the bunny, then set him down carefully next to his mother, who was sniffing her fabric covered thigh suspiciously. The bunny took exception to being returned to the cold ground, however, and immediately hopped back over, and fumbled its way back into her lap.

Gabrielle laughed softly, and stroked his ears, while the mother rabbit nuzzled the other two babies anxiously.

It was a beautiful picture. Xena thought, as she sat there in the shadows watching. And had never felt the gulf between who she was, and who Gabrielle was so vividly. It was a cold pain, that grabbed her chest, and brought her heart into her throat, making the shade she was sitting in seem glacial in it’s chill.

"Hey.. c’mere." The bard chuckled. "Come meet my new friend." The bunny nibbled at her tunic hem.

Xena looked down, at the leaf littered floor. "You.. don’t want me over there, Gabrielle. I’ll just scare him."

"Don’t be goofy. Animals love you." The bard responded, looking up, and studying her partner’s tense form. "Xena?" Her voice dropped a note. "Xena? Come over here.. please?" She watched as the warrior slowly stood, and walked over, crossing from shadow to sunlight in a single, dappled motion and crouching down next to her. "Hey.." she asked softly, raising a hand to brush Xena’s cheek. "What’s wrong?" She was fine a minute ago.. what in Hades…. "Hey.. talk to me, OK?"

Xena took a breath, and sat down next to the bard, leaning back against the tree and lacing her fingers together. "Sorry.. I just.. you made quite a picture sitting there with your rabbit."

"And.. this made you upset?" Gabrielle asked, her brow creasing in confusion.

"No.. " Xena sighed. "It just reminded me, again, of just how gentle, and sweet, and kind you really are." Of just how opposite we are. "I would have killed that rabbit."

"Oh." Gabrielle could see the pain in her eyes, could feel it.. through their connection. "But.. you wouldn’t have.. if you’d seen the babies."

"Gabrielle." Xena’s voice was tired. "I would never have thought to look."

"Well.. " The bard took a breath. "I mean, I wouldn’t have either. .Xena.. I just happened to be facing in the right direction and got lucky." She lifted her hands, with the bunny in them, and leaned over, putting the small creature between Xena’s interlaced fingers.

The baby rabbit sniffed it’s new nest cautiously, tickling Xena’s fingers with it’s whiskers, and pricking her hands with it’s tiny claws, before it decided it liked where it was, and settled down, twitching it’s nose, and closing it’s tiny brown eyes contentedly.

"Funny." Gabrielle breathed, her face smiling. "That’s exactly how I feel."

The sunlight bathed both of them, and sparkled off the single tear that made it’s slow, silent way down Xena’s face. Gabrielle leaned over and intercepted it with a kiss, then slid both arms around the warrior and felt the aching tension slowly begin to dissolve. She breathed in the warm scent of wool and leather, and armor, mixed with the subtle herbal smell from the dark hair which flowed over and around her. "I love you." She murmured, right into Xena’s ear.

Felt the her breathing catch and restart. "I love you too." Came the low answer, then Gabrielle felt the gentle pressure as her partner leaned her head against the bard’s. They sat quietly for a little while, watching the kit sleep, as the mother gathered her strength and started marshalling her other two babies. Xena finally lifted her hand, and returned the baby to its mother, who snuffled it anxiously, then herded the small family away.

Gabrielle wrapped her hands around her partner’s arm and leaned against her shoulder. "You all right?" She asked quietly, searching the still face above her.

Xena thought about that for a minute, then she turned her head and kissed the bard’s forehead. "Yeah.. I’m fine. Sorry.. I didn’t mean to.. "

"Shh." Gabrielle freed a hand and pressed her fingers to Xena’s lips. "It’s all right." She snuggled closer. "We all have our moments of doubt."

That got a smile back. " Keep reminding me, all right?"

"Deal." The bard confirmed. Then she poked Xena very gently in the ribs. "Hey.. got any more of those nuts?"

********************************************

Nightfall found them in a protected dell, surrounded by tall, silent trees, and cut through by the gentle whistle of the wind as it would it's cold way down river. Xena had collected firewood, and made a good size fire, then bravely stripped off her boots and leggings, and, despite Gabrielle's heated protests, captured the bard two very fair size salmon, which she came wading out of the river with, one in each hand.

A raised, dark eyebrow, and the slightest tilt of her head, that had, forever, meant truce.. and Gabrielle felt her anger melt away, and an irrepressible grin forming on her lips. "You're lucky it was salmon." She informed her partner. "I wouldn't be so forgiving for perch, or trout." But it had felt good to be preparing the lovely pink fish the way she liked it.. and to smell it roasting over the fragrant oak Xena had collected.

It had felt even better to be settling down shoulder to shoulder with the warrior, there alone in the forest, with only the chuckling water, and the sighing wind for company, to eat the fresh caught fish.

To feel the heat of the fire on her legs, mixed with the cold breeze from the water, and hear no clatter of people, no footsteps.. only the soft rustlings of the night creatures, and the solitary hoots of a hunting owl.

To be able to slide her arms around Xena, and lay her head on the warrior's shoulder, and soak in the sweetness of their love for each other, with no witnesses except for the crickets, and what looked to Xena's excellent night vision to be a bat.

They lay on their bedrolls that night, staring up at a perfect, starry sky, in which Gabrielle could find any shape her mind could imagine. "No.. look.. really, Xena.. it's a rabbit." She pointed.

"A rabbit?" The warrior repeated, her voice rising. "Gabrielle, I think you're being influenced by your bunny pal."

"No. it's a rabbit." The bard insisted. "Look.. there are the ears. . see? And that's the little fluffy tail."

"Gabrielle, that does not look like a rabbit." Xena argued.

"What does it look like then?" Her partner challenged her. "C'mon, you've got an imagination, I know you do.. so ..??"

Xena sighed, and gazed upward. "It looks like…. " She tilted her head a little. "A goat."

"A WHAT???" The bard burst out. "Xena… " She rolled over and peered into the warrior's pale blue eyes. "Ok.. just checking…they still seem to be working." Then found herself not wanting to stop looking into them and had to force herself to roll back over, and put her head back down on Xena's shoulder. "A goat???"

"Sure." The warrior replied, imperturbably "Look.. there's the head.. see the beard? Then the body.. and there's the tail."

Gabrielle studied the pattern, then tilted her head much as Xena had, and studied it some more. "Sorry." She finally laughed. "Now I think it looks like a pig."

"A pig." Xena chuckled, looking up reflectively. "Ok.. I can settle on a pig."

The bard yawned, and snuggled closer, turning and sliding an arm across Xena's stomach, and giving her a squeeze. "A pig it is." She sighed. "Gods.. this is nice."

Xena's dark eyebrow quirked up. "Frosty cold, sleeping on the hard ground, in a ring of trees.. and you think this is nice?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yes, I do." She took a deep breath of the oak-tinged air and smiled.

The warrior grinned. "Good. So do I."

One green eye opened and peered at her. "Thanks for catching the salmon.. they were great."

"I'm forgiven then?" Xena teased.

"Uh huh." The bard mumbled as she dropped into sleep.

Xena smiled quietly to herself, her eyes searching the stars as she gently stroked the bard's soft hair. "A rabbit?" She whispered to Ares, who was curled up against her right side.

"Arggrorooo." The wolf mumbled sleepily, gnawing on her fingers a little. She scratched him behind the ears absently. "Maybe." She decided, then swept her gaze around the campsite, and checked her sword and chakram, close by her hand before she allowed herself to join the sleeping bard.

Remembering the first time they'd played that game… in an open field far south here. It had been a light day, mostly just travelling, with no encounters, and no fights, and they'd already finished their chores by sunset.

It had been hot, though, and Gabrielle had suggested a dip in the nearby lake, which they'd done, going on a lot longer than they'd at first thought, with Xena being coaxed into an impromptu fishing lesson. And then Xena had casually commented that the bard's hard work seemed to be paying off.

And Gabrielle had asked her what she meant.

So she'd walked to a shallower part of the lake, tugging the bard along, until they were both half out of the water, and she'd turned Gabrielle towards the fading sunset and quietly pointed out the newly defined muscles shifting under the bard's tanned skin, biting off a grin at the puzzled, then comprehending look on the girl's face.

"I didn't even notice." Gabrielle had murmured, examining her arm thoughtfully. Then she'd looked up at Xena shyly. "Nothing like your league, though." Her green eyes bashfully skittering over Xena's powerful form.

Xena had chuckled a little. "I've had a ten year head start," She'd clapped a friendly hand on the bard's shoulder. "Besides, you don't really wanna look like a broken down ex warlord, right?"

Given the invitation, Gabrielle had indulged herself in a long look, then her eyes had jumped up to meet Xena's, with her thoughts fairly evident to the surprised warrior. "Oh.. I don't know, Xena… I kinda like.. the.. the way.. um.. I mean.. " The bard had paused, and blushed. "You look just fine to me."

That had, against all logic or reason, put Xena in a good mood, which had lasted through the night.. she'd even loosened up to the point of telling a few jokes to the bard, whose jaw had dropped in amazement, and who had gone scrambling for her scrolls to write the ditties down.

Finally they were lying down on their respective sides of the campfire, both looking up at the clear, well-defined stars overhead.

"Hey.. Xena?" Gabrielle had decided to push her luck.

"Yeah?" The warrior had replied, in a relaxed tone.

"Do you see that pattern of stars.. just to the right of the North Star?" The bard had asked.

"Yeah." Xena had looked at it idly, then glanced over, seeing the bard's profile through the licking flames. "What about it?"

"What do you think it looks like?" Gabrielle inquired.

Xena had rolled half onto her side, and peered at the bard. "What do you mean, what do I think it looks like? It looks like a bunch of stars, Gabrielle." But her smile had taken the sting out of the words, and she knew it.

"No.. no.. I mean.. " Gabrielle had pointed. "It makes a pattern.. right? So.. what does it look like to you?"

The warrior had rolled back over, and obediently gazed up at the cluster of lights, staring thoughtfully at it. "I don't know.. Gabrielle.. what do YOU think it looks like?"

"A sheep." The bard had immediately answered.

"Huh?" Xena had rolled onto her side, then stood up, and walked over to where the bard was lying, crouching down and resting her arms on her knees. "A sheep?"

"Yeah.. look." The bard had sat up, and pointed. "There's the head.. and the feet.. and that's the tail.. and look.. those little stars could be a lamb following it."

"A sheep." Xena had laughed softly. "Gabrielle.. you do have some kind of imagination." Then the warrior had looked up. "What about that one, there?"

Gabrielle had leaned over, to follow the line of Xena's arm, and ended up with her head resting against the warrior's shoulder. "Oh.. that's the horse." She said, hastily drawing back after she realized what she was doing.

Xena had affected not to notice at all. "A horse? No way.. " She sat down, and wrapped her arms around her knees. "Looks more like a chariot to me."

A swift glance to her left had caught the delighted smile on Gabrielle's face before the bard glanced down and took a breath.

It's just a kid's game. She'd told herself. Why am I bothering with this? I should just go back and go to sleep. But the vision of that smile kept flashing in her mind's eye, and she suddenly realized how lonely it must be for the young girl.. leaving all her friends, her family behind.. to travel around with a mostly uncommunicative, mostly rude, always grumpy ex warlord. So.. it couldn’t hurt me to play along for a few minutes right? Give the kid a break? "What about that one?"

It had gone on longer than she'd intended.. and incredibly, she'd been able to lose herself in the game for a while, realizing that there was probably not one pattern they'd both agree on. That was all right.. it made for interesting conversation, and it gave her a few insights into her young companion.

Finally Gabrielle had been barely able to keep her eyes open, and had to laughingly give up the star chase, looking up at Xena with warm, happy eyes. "Thanks." She'd said, giving the warrior a quiet smile. "That was fun."

Xena had patted her cheek gently, before getting up to go back to her bedroll. "Anytime, Gabrielle."

"Really?" The bard had asked, hesitantly.

The warrior had nodded. "Sure." And had shrugged lightly. "I like.. word games and stuff like that.. makes you use your mind."

Another warm smile "Wow.. I know a bunch of those." She'd paused, then glanced up at Xena. "Hey.. today was a pretty good day, huh?"

Xena had considered this statement. "Yeah.. you know, it was." She'd smiled at the girl. "Did you have a good time?" Gods.. she'd thought.. am I turning into a tour guide at the Parthenon now?

Gabrielle had slowly nodded. "Yeah.. I did." Her eyes had focused on something outside the campsite, and her face had gone pensive.

Oh Tartarus... I should take her home.. what in Hades am I doing keeping this kid out here? "Gabrielle.. is.. are you all right?" And I'm just so good at this too, right?

"Yeah.. yeah.. I'm fine. Sorry." The bard had shook her head a little. "I was just.. I mean.. a poem..umm.." She gave Xena a sheepish look. "Sorry." A hand on her arm, warming the skin. "Thanks."

Xena studied her for a minute, then just went with her instincts, which were usually pretty damn good. She reached out and gathered the bard in, pulling her close in an unexpected hug. It was the first time she'd ever done that.. though she'd tolerated the bard's hugs on occasion. And she really had no idea why she did it.. except that a little voice inside her was telling her the girl needed her to.

"W.. wh.. what was that for?" Gabrielle asked, after the brief contact.

"No reason." Xena had answered casually. "Night." Then she'd gotten up, and gone to her side of the fire, and laid down, folding her hands across her stomach, and looking up at the suddenly friendly stars.

Knowing if she turned her head, she'd meet mist green eyes watching her through the flames.

Xena smiled now, remembering, feeling the warmth of Gabrielle's breathing against her neck. Then her brow creased, as she calculated time. Yes.. it had been near harvest… fall, but still warm.. how many days from… oh gods.

"Oh Gabrielle.." She whispered, closing her eyes.

Felt a stirring against her, then looked down to see sleepy green eyes peering up at her. "Hey.." The bard said softly. "Did you call me?" She blinked to focus. "Something wrong?"

Xena stroked her hair gently. "No.. no.. it's ok." She paused. "I was just thinking about the first time we played the star game."

The bard smiled. "I remember that." A warm glow suffused her face. She looked up as a hand touched her chin.

"That was your birthday, wasn't it?" The warrior asked softly.

A bigger smile. "Yeah.." She squeezed Xena. "And.. it.. it was the best one I'd ever had till then."

"I wish I'd known." The warrior sighed.

Gabrielle shook her head. "No.. you… Xena, you gave me more that day.. I can't tell you how much. And it was all the more special because you didn't know. There wasn't any reason for you to.. do.. the stuff you did." She paused, and sighed happily. "You just did it."

The warrior sighed, and hugged her. "I still wish I'd known."

Gabrielle reached and tousled her hair. "Go to sleep." She yawned. "I didn't need any presents." She resettled her arm, and snuggled back into Xena's shoulder

No. Xena mused, as she let her eyes close again. You didn’t. But you got one, didn't you, my bard? Funny.. I'd never had a.. best.. friend before.

*******************************************

The next day dawned very clear, but Xena's weather sense told her it wouldn't stay that way. "Let's get as far as we can, then find shelter." She advised the bard, who was kneeling by her bag, pulling a woolen overtunic out of it.

Gabrielle turned and nodded. "Sounds good." She stood and stretched, then turned and smiled. "Hey.. I'm not sore at all."

The warrior crossed over to her, and picked up her own pack, with a grin. "Were you expecting to be?"

"Weeell…. " Gabrielle let out a rueful chuckle. "I haven't exactly been very active lately."

Xena slid her arms around the bard from behind, and kissed the top of her head. "Takes more than two weeks to ruin that much hard work, love."

"Yeah..I know.." The bard laughed. "But I was still kind of expecting to be stiff.. glad I'm not." She turned around and leaned against Xena's warm body. "But then.. unlike the Amazons, my teacher knows how to properly condition her student." An impish pause. "Right?"

One dark eyebrow curved up in amusement. "Right." She confirmed cheerfully. "How's the ribs?"

Gabrielle thought about that, and took several deep breaths. "Seems fine.. they didn't bother me at all yesterday."

"Good." Xena smiled. "Let's get moving then." She fastened the straps on her pack, and shifted the weight until it was comfortable, then started up the small slope and out of the dell they'd been sheltered in, and back onto the path.

As soon as they were within sight of the river, Xena paused, and examined the rapidly running water with a faint sense of unease. The wind brought the scent of water to her, lots of it, but it also brought down a bare whisper of drowned things, animals, and vegetation. The level of the river was very high, and even now, the edges of the banks were gently crumbling, and the rich, dark soil was sending dark streaks down stream.

She knelt by the surface, and trailed her fingers in it, pensively staring. Gabrielle crouched by her side, leaning on her staff and watching in silence.

"River's really high." Xena finally said, glancing at the bard, who nodded. "If we get much more rain, it's likely to go over it's banks." Her eyes lifted up. "And if I'm not mistaken, we're gonna get more rain."

Gabrielle chewed her lip. "Is Amphipolis in danger?"

Xena shook her head. "No." She glanced upstream. "We're high enough up off the floodplain to be safe.. she took a quick glance at Gabrielle and let her arm rest on the bard's knee. "So.'s Potadeia, by the way."

Got a warm smile in return. "Thanks." Gabrielle dropped a hand off her staff and wound her fingers around Xena's. "I'm glad you know this stuff." She paused. "So.. we have to be careful, right? Maybe move up to a different path?"

The warrior nodded, giving her hand a squeeze. "Yep." She stood, and pulled Gabrielle up with her. "C'mon.. there's a branch up further.. we can take this to that fork, then head upland a little. She gestured up towards the path. "Some caves.. not big ones, but enough for us to shelter in when the rain comes."

"Ooo.." Gabrielle chuckled. "Being rained in with you.. what a hardship."

Xena gave her a look. "Pity we don’t' have one of Ardwyn's scrolls with us." She teased gently.

The bard smirked. "Who says I don't?" She patted her bag, and chuckled.

***********************************************

Cyrene looked up as the door to the kitchen opened and raised an eyebrow. "Hello." She said, seeing Ephiny's blond head poke in.

"Hi." The Amazon gave her a brief grin. "Um… can I come in?"

"Sure." Cyrene stopped what she was doing, and wiped her hands. "What can I do for you?" She gestured towards the fire. "I have some soup here.."

Ephiny waved her hands, and entered the room, shutting the door behind her. "No no no.." She walked over, folding her arms over her chest. "Um… actually, is there anything I can do in here to help?"

The innkeepers eyebrows quirked. "Um.. well, shouldn't you be resting?" She studied the Amazon, who still looked pale and drawn.

The blond woman sighed. "Probably. But not doing anything is driving me crazy, and they won't let me go outside." She sauntered forward. "Believe me, I know how to peel and chop things.. I can even boil water in a pinch."

Cyrene smothered a grin. "Oh, I see." She glanced towards the door. "Well, sure.. " She motioned to the worktable, which had three chairs around it. "Siddown.. I was just about to chop up the vegetables for the stew."

Ephiny walked over and washed her hands, then took a seat at the table, selecting a thin knife from the small pile in the center of it and attacking a potato with some competence. "I do want to thank you for hosting us all here." She commented, glancing up at Cyrene over the pile of vegetables. "The Amazon Nation will make good on all the hospitality when we leave."

The innkeeper gave her a look. "It's been a pleasure." She paused, and the two women exchanged knowing looks. "Mostly." She sliced a carrot skillfully and dropped it into the pot of water. "I'm not sure the goat has recovered."

Ephiny laughed in embarrassment. "Sorry about that.. they're not usually that obnoxious."

Cyrene chuckled. "Don't worry about it.. they're amateurs compared to my kids."

The Amazon's eyebrows creased for a long minute before she realized just who Cyrene was talking about. Her kids. That required a brain adjustment.. thinking of Xena as a kid of any kind. Then she remembered the warrior's antics at the table, and winced. "Were they terrors?"

The dark haired woman pursed her lips. "You.. could say that." Her eyes found Ephiny's "Don't believe it, do you?"

"Oh.. well… " Ephiny laughed. "Before this whole thing happened, I'd have to say no… but since I've been around Xena for a couple of weeks now… " She grinned. "I've gotten to see another side of her."

Cyrene smirked. "She's a brat." She diced a potato in a few quick strokes and dumped it in the pot. "But I think Gabrielle is responsible for bringing that side of her out again."

The Amazon nodded. "I think so too." She paused, and looked at her hands. "I've.. known them for quite some time now.. it's been good to see things turn out right."

A small silence fell, until Cyrene finally glanced up. "You were there… during that whole thing when she died, weren't you?" There are questions.. I can't ask them.. maybe this woman knows.

Ephiny sighed. "Yes." She neatly removed an eye from the potato she was peeling with a flick of her knife. "We.. heard.. about what happened, and decided to try and intercept Gabrielle on her way.. well, we knew she was headed here." She paused. "For two reasons, at least on my part. For one.. because I thought Gabrielle could use some support.. I knew they were very close.. and Gabrielle is very young."

"Mm." Cyrene murmured in an encouraging tone.

"Second, because.. I was hoping that I.. that we could convince her to stay with us.. both to give her a.. well, a family, and to change a situation that I could see was going to do us all harm." The Amazon went on slowly. "I didn't… I was glad when she agreed.. to stay with us. I thought it would be the best thing for her.. and for us. At least she'd be with people who knew her.. and who knew Xena, and who could give her.. I don't know.. comfort, I guess."

"Was she very upset?" Cyrene asked gently, still working on the vegetables.

Ephiny's eyes misted over, and she sighed softly. "She was devastated." Her pale eyes glanced up at Cyrene's. "She had this.. lost.. aching look in her eyes that just made me hurt for her.. " The Amazon fiddled with the carrot in her hand. "She was ok during the day, you know Gabrielle, she hid it pretty well, and carried on.. we were a good distraction for her, I guess." She paused. "But at night… " Every night. " She cried herself to sleep.. I could hear her.. and she would hug that little wooden sheep she has."

Ephiny slowly shook her head. "And she had these nightmares… gods.. she'd wake up from them shaking.. not screaming, just whispering 'No..' over and over again." She sighed. "She wouldn't say what they were about.. but I knew. " She took a breath. "When Autolycus first showed up.. she just refused to let herself believe what he was saying.. because it just hurt too much, I think.. and then, when he took the coffin.."

"Did you believe he was.. speaking.. for my daughter?' Cyrene asked curiously.

Ephiny glanced off into the distance. "I didn't know what to believe. But when he rescued that coffin, whatever he did made Gabrielle believe - I saw it in her face.. it was like this .. light came back into her eyes.. and I remember hoping to Artemis that what he'd said was true, because I think if she'd found out it was some kind of hoax.. it would have.." She stopped and blinked. "It wouldn't have been good for her."

"Didn't you think that was very unusual.. what he said Xena was doing?" The innkeeper inquired, in a quiet tone.

Ephiny looked up, and gave her a wryly amused look. "When it comes to Xena.. nothing surprises me anymore. I expect the unusual." She shrugged. "That she had the strength of will to try it.. no.. that really didn't seem unusual.. I was kind of shocked that she could take over other bodies.. with the precision that she did.. but again, this is Xena we're talking about." She shrugged. "And the plan worked.. Gabrielle was able to get enough ambrosia and give it to her, and.. she came back."

"Amazing." Cyrene murmured. "I don’t really understand it.. Gabrielle told me.. when she died, it was almost like she was giving up. What made her change her mind?"

The Amazon gazed at the table, then looked up with a reluctant smile. "If I told you what I thought.. you'd think I was a hopeless softhearted fool. " She peeled the potato and chopped it neatly, then played with the knife a bit. "But I think she did it for Gabrielle."

"Really?" The innkeeper asked.

Ephiny nodded. "Yeah.. that night, after we all settled down, and were getting some rest finally, I did one last check of the campsite.. I wandered by where they were and saw Xena was still awake, so I just stopped by to see if things were ok." She smiled. "Seemed like it.. Gabrielle was sound sleep all kind of wrapped up in Xena's arms.. and her face was so peaceful.. Anyway, I knelt down and told her what had been going on at night with the kid.. " Ephiny sighed. "She said she'd known.. and that she couldn't let that keep going on." A shrug. "She never did give any other reason for doing it…not that it's something anyone questioned her too much on."

"No..I suppose not." Cyrene sighed. "We heard.. the rumors. And then Gabrielle told me the whole story when they came by here after that whole thing with you all." She paused. "Thanks for filling in some of the details.. I don't like asking either of them much about it." She studied Ephiny's pensive face. So.. this was an Amazon. She mused. Didn't seem too different than anyone else. "How are you feeling?"

Ephiny shrugged, glad of the change of subject. "I'm all right… I still feel really washed out.. but it's getting better. "

They both looked up at a faint knock on the door. "Come in." Cyrene called, her brow creasing. "Who knocks in this place?" She muttered in an aside to Ephiny, who smothered a grin.

The door swung open, and revealed a tall, impossibly broad shouldered man with tawny hair and pale eyes. His gaze lit on Ephiny, and a spark of recognition flared.

"Hercules." Ephiny greeted him with a smile. "Xena said to keep an eye out for you." She motioned him in. "Cyrene, this is Hercules. " Her eyes went to the tall man's face. "Hercules, this is Cyrene, Xena's mother."

The pale eyes widened, and he stepped forward. "Um.. this is a pleasure." He smiled at Cyrene, who stood and took his offered forearm. "Hello, Ephiny.. I see you're feeling better."

The Amazon clasped his arm. "Thanks.. and I'm glad things worked out ok for you." Not that she had any details.. Xena had given a very brief synopsis, basically, been there, did that, it worked, end of story. And Gabrielle had refused to fill in any details - politely saying that it wasn't a story she wanted to relate.

"Uh.. thanks." Hercules nodded at her. An awkward silence fell. Cyrene decided to take charge.

"Xena told me you and your friend would be stopping by." The innkeeper assured him, walking around the table and laying a hand on his muscular arm. "She said to give you guys a room, feed you, and don’t ask any questions." Her eyes twinkled. "She and Gabrielle had to take a quick run to Potadeia.. they'll be back in a few days."

"Ah." Hercules looked relieved. "That's great… " Not ask any questions.. that sounds like her all right. "Was there trouble in Potadeia?"

Ephiny sliced the last vegetable and stood, sliding the pieces into the water. "No.. not really.. there's been a lot of brigand activity around here.. the weather and all.. Gabrielle was a little concerned about her family." She paused. "They live there.. so they decided to check things out.. and give them an escort back here for the ceremony."

Now Hercules looked a lot more comfortable. "Oh yeah.. Iolaus was telling me about some of the gangs he had to ride through on his way here." He crossed his arms on his chest. " We noticed the river was rising, too."

Cyrene nodded. "Yes - the scouts reported that this morning.. lucky we're on high ground here." She glanced out the glazed window. "Looks like we're going to get more rain.. I'd bet on the river coming out of it's banks." She gestured towards the door. "Let's go sit down and have some lunch, hmm? " She glanced back at Johan, who had just entered the kitchen via the back door, and was shaking the moisture off his cloak. "Johan.. did Xena talk to you about.."

The grizzled ex trader's eyes took in Hercules, and one corner of his mouth twitched up. "A room? Aye, she did." He ambled over and nodded at the demigod. "All ready.. last one, top of the stairs, right hand side."

Ephiny nodded. "I know where that is.. c'mon.. I'll show you.. "

Hercules followed her out, giving Cyrene a friendly nod. "Thanks."

Cyrene turned and looked at Johan in vague surprise. She opened her mouth to speak, but he forestalled her.

"Her request." He held up a hand, removing responsibility from himself.

"Really?'" Cyrene mumbled. "Hmm… what's she up to?"

Johan shrugged his burly shoulders. "Don't want to know, with that one." He shook his head. "It's a nice enough room."

"Oh.. " Cyrene chuckled. "I know that… " Then her thoughts turned speculatively to the Amazon who had just been helping her, and a thought occurred. She chuckled. "That scamp." Shaking her head, she picked up a tray of fresh bread and headed out into the main part of the inn.

******************************************************

Gabrielle settled back on her bedroll with a smile, letting her eyes roam around their snug little cave with something close to pleasure. Outside the opening, she could scarcely see the treeline due to the heavy curtain of rain, and the cold, damp wind brought in the smell of water, and bruised vegetation clearly.

But they had a cheerful fire going, and plenty of firewood stacked against the far wall, and she was snuggled inside her heavy cloak, so that was ok. A rumble of thunder rolled overhead, and she turned to find pale blue eyes gazing at her, in concerted memory. "C'mere." Gabrielle called softly, watching her partner as the warrior crossed the rocky floor, cloak swirling around her, and settled next to the bard on their double bedroll. I still like rainy days. She decided, as she snuggled into Xena's welcoming arms. "This is cozy." She commented, with a grin.

"Mmm.." Xena agreed, leaning back against the sloped wall, watching the rain come down. "Better than being out there, that's for sure." She rummaged in her pack and pulled out a small bundle, unwrapping it and offering it's contents to the bard. "Hungry?"

Gabrielle peeked at the items, and chuckled. "Mom strikes again." She picked up a nutball and munched on it. "I'm glad you took off the armor." She commented, leaning back with a sigh. "You're a lot more comfortable to use as a pillow without it." This with an impish look over her shoulder.

"Oh really?" Xena drawled. "I'll have to keep that in mind." She wound an arm around the bard's waist, and felt Gabrielle's fingers intertwine with her own. "Got that scroll?"

Gabrielle grinned. "Yep." She pulled her case over, and opened it one handed, digging around until her fingers closed on what she was looking for, and she drew it out. "Here we go.. " She fingered the roughly textured surface. "Wonder what this one will be about? " She mused idly, as Xena reached her other hand over and undid the fragile leather strip that held it closed. "That last one, about the two villages at war was really kind of interesting." She unrolled the top part of the scroll, and held it so Xena could see the dimly scribed words.

Xena started chuckling. "I think you'll like this one." She remarked wryly.

Hardly do I know how to set my hand to record this, as if Elevown knew I did so, her rage would sunder the earth from the sky. But I cannot help myself, as never before did I see my friend bested, and this by a simple cow, a beast no more thinking than this rock I balance myself against to write.

A fair had beckoned us, bringing my companion and I into one of the larger of the rough villages that surrounded the area we wandered. I was intrigued, and looked forward to spending a few of the coins I had on one or two luxuries, such as this primitive a place would have. The market was small, but a few booths had things to catch my interest, and Elevown left me at peace and went her way, armed with her fledging speech of these parts, and a few coins of her own.

Ah.. my eyes delighted on it - thick, colorful, well woven cloth, that sang of my homeland in it's patterns and weave. From far off, the trader said, not knowing half how true his words were. It was heavier by far than that these villagers were used to, so he was willing to let it go for a small price to me, and I laughed to myself as I stowed it away, thinking of the lovely, warm shirt it would make. Of how the rich blue, and bold red would stand out when matched with Elevown's fair hair, and light skin. And clothes.. those were a sober need - not frivolous, so I could give that with the knowledge that she would accept it, and perhaps even return a smile to me.

I wandered through the market, adding to my burden some soap, which smelled of summer herbs, and a packet of spices which, though native to this odd island, almost smelled like home to me. Well pleased was I with my day, until an angry shout raised my hairs, it's familiar ring calling my feet onward to a crowded square.

Taking gentle pushes, I make my way through, and stopped as my eyes drank in the sight before me. Oh Lady… twas a mud pit, churned to rough soup by the fitful steps of beast and man, and in the center was my companion, clutching a wee calf, whose eyes were agoggling, and whose tongue stuck out like a peacocks' tail as he brayed.

Elevown.. Lady, she was covered in the ill smelling muck from her boots to the top of her fair head, only her pale eyes making me recognize her. Facing her off was, I supposed, the calf's mother, a horned, great beast with wild eyes, whose back was higher than I am tall.

My ears took in the story.. the farmer who succored the cow challenged all who saw to get the baby away from it's wild mother.. and Elevown, a challenge there never was that she could turn from. Gotten the calf she had.. but now the beast had her penned in the corner, and with wagging tongue, and stamping hoof, was making to keep her there.

The cow made to charge, and I saw the desperate look in my friend's eyes, as her will battle with her pride, and as the huge beast lunged, she gathered herself, and tossed the calf, it's leg's splayed, it's tail straight up, into the arms of the farmer, knocking him over.

But the cow made for her anyway, and was upon her before she could stop it, knocking her down, and thrusting it's drooling snout into her chest.

I ran forward with my walking stick, and before the crowd could stop me, beat the animal about the rump, making it cry out and turn on me. But cows.. aye, cows are practically brothers of mine, so I yelled back into it's face, and got my fingers tight to it's nostrils, and it knew it's master well.

I had never seen Elevown so angry as I did when I looked to her, those eyes were colder than ice chips off my native coast, and her skin was pale as snow where it wasn't covered with muck. I knew I'd done a horrible thing.. to one of her kind, but.. what was I do have done? To let her be trampled by a beast.. that I couldn’t have borne. Better her anger at me.

She stormed off, and I saw her not the rest of that day, though the farmer gave me the price he'd offered, saying she had done the deed, and delivered him the calf, though by air wasn't what he's expected.

Twas a lonely fire that night, as I huddled against a small log, listening to the world breathing around me. I was looking up at one spot in the tree's shadows, when, as a faiery might, she stepped from the darkness and into the firelight, her clothes and hair damp with water, her eyes dim, and quiet, and thoughtful. Mad, or no, I was glad to see her, and hoped she would loose her anger, and come sit by the fire in silence, as was her way.

Come and sit she did, but down on my very log, where I could feel the cool chill of her skin against mine, and scent the soft river water she'd bathed in. She touched my hand, and turned it over, making my breath still, as her fingers closed on mine, and her eyes stole into my soul.

"Teach me that nose grab?" Her voice was lightly hoarse, but calm, and now I could see the faint twinkle in her eye that warmed me through. I was forgiven, more, I was being thanked, in the cold, and offhand way that was hers. I gave her the farmer's price, but her fingers folded mine back over it, and patted my hand, and later that night, when the owls were courting, I found tucked in my blankets a tiger's eye, cunningly threaded on a silver chain. I smiled my way to the dreamlands that night.

I am Ardwyn, she is Elevown, of the Northlands.

Gabrielle giggled softly as Xena finished reading, her mind turning over the story in delight. She cast a quick, mischievous glance back at her partner. "She was worse than you are."

Xena snorted softly. "I would have punched the cow."

The bard broke into laughter. "Oh gods.." She gasped. "You would have." She conjured up the vivid mental picture of an ornery Xena facing off against the hapless cow. "Damn.. that was funny. " She paused. "And sweet, at the end." She closed her eyes as she felt Xena's breath softly tickling her ear. "I wonder if they… " She paused. "Nah.. she probably didn't write that down."

Xena smiled, and tightened her hold. "Did you ?" She growled low in the bard's hearing. The blush answered her, as she felt the head rise up Gabrielle's neck and across her fair skin. "Then she probably did too." She nibbled the bard's jawline. "Mmm.. nice and warm."

Which only made it worse, of course. "Xena…" Gabrielle sighed, then giggled. "Oh.. you're probably right." Written it down.. oh boy, you bet I did. The bard reflected inwardly, as she carefully packed the scroll away, and half turned, snuggling into Xena's shoulder and letting her hands slide around her body. The firelight snapped steadily, and she let the incessant drumming of the rain lull her mind peacefully. Xena's hands were moving slowly over her body, and she let the sensations start to build, dismissing the outside world for a long, hazy stretch.

A dim roar was lost in the downpour, as rushing torrents of water from the hills joined the already swollen river, and began to move downstream.

Continued in Part 2

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The Longest Night - Part 2

Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

"This is nice." Iolaus remarked, approvingly, as he looked around the room Ephiny had led them to. The Amazon regent was leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest and a half smile on her face.

The room was a large one, a corner, and had two large glazed windows that let in the weakly filtered afternoon light, which seeped across the large bed, bringing out the rich harvest colors in the blankets, and turning the spotless wooden floors a creamy gold.

"Very nice." Hercules agreed, walking in and putting his pack down, running a finger along the top of the large wooden tub in the corner. "I like the looks of this." He turned and gave Ephiny a wry look. "Been two weeks of cold streams."

Ephiny gave him back a look of amused sympathy. "Been there, done that." She responded with a chuckle. "We have a nice big bathing room back at the village, that backs up right onto the smithy's hearth.. and boy, when you get back from a week's hunting… " She rolled her eyes and sighed. She saw the vision of a bunch of Amazons bathing go through their minds, and rolled her eyes for a different reason. Men. Then she stopped and reflected. Oh.. right, Ephiny.. and just HOW many people asked you to bribe Gabrielle into having her and Xena bathe at the village the last time? Hmm??? Don't be getting up on your high centaur, wench.

There were several large buckets nearby, the fireplace had a small shelf for heating the water, and the whole room had a pleasant scent of pine and linen.

Ephiny pushed off from the doorframe and gave them a little wave. "Why don’t you get settled.. then join us for lunch downstairs?" She offered, her eyes gently studying the both of them. Xena was right.. they could both use a break.. especially the big guy. Damn, I wanna know what happened out there that could drain a demigod like that. "Sound good?"

"Sounds great." Iolaus grinned. "Herc, you’ll love the food here." He dropped his pack to the floor, and strolled over to the wash basin, rinsing his hands and scrubbing his face in the cold water.

"Thanks." Hercules watched him in amusement for a moment, then nodded at Ephiny. "We’ll be right down.. "

The Amazon gave them another small wave, and headed down the stairs, keeping a firm hold on the rough wooden banister.

Hercules watched her go for a minute, then quietly shut the door, and let out a long breath, approaching the bed and putting a finger on it, pushing down experimentally. "Oh.. I think I’m gonna like this even better." He muttered, sitting down gingerly, then letting himself fall back against the pillow with a sigh. "I could sleep for a week." He commented to Iolaus, letting his eyes close.

Iolaus studied him covertly from the wash basin, using a piece of clean linen to dry his face off. "Why don’t you just relax then, huh?" He offered casually. "It’s safe here.. we’ve got all those Amazons downstairs.. damn if I don’t feel nice and secure… and how’d you like that alert system on the way in?"

"Yeah.." The tall demigod mumbled. "She seems nice enough."

"Who.. Ephiny?" Iolaus grunted. "Sure.. for an Amazon Queen.. and while we're on the subject, thanks a lot for telling me about Gabrielle. "

Hercules sighed. "You didn't ask." He rolled his head to one side and put one arm over his eyes.

"I didn't ask.." Iolaus looked at the ceiling in disbelief, throwing his hands up and letting them fall to his sides. "Just like I didn't ask about .. um.. them, right?"

"Uh huh." Hercules agreed. "But.. Iolaus.. EVERYONE knew about that.. even Callisto." He paused. "Though I'm pretty sure Ares hasn't gotten it yet."

"Oh.. and that's supposed to make me feel better?" The blond man asked caustically. "Nooo.. I had to have Xena herself tell me.. Hercules, do you have any idea just how embarrassing that was?"

The tall demigod peeked out from under his arm, and squelched a grin. "Yeah.. that must have been tough."

"Yep, it sure was" The blond man confirmed, walking over and tugging the blanket free, then settling it over his companion. "Go on.. sack out. I’ll bring you up a turkey leg or something."

"No.. no, it’s ok.." Hercules protested, opening his eyes. "C’mon, Iolaus.. that’s not polite."

The blond man raised one sandy eyebrow. "Oh.. so, you’re ready to face the Amazon Inquisition down there? I told you what happened to me with them.. you set for a thousand questions?"

Hercules hesitated, his blue eyes going a little round. "Uh… yeah… I see your point." Besides.. I really don't want to have any extended conversations with her mother.. not until I've had a chance to talk to Xena about what else I found out about that necklace… wonder if she realized it would have been safer to have Iolaus try to get it off? Probably not. No.. I'm sure that thought never crossed her mind.

"Yeah, so stay put, all right?" Iolaus finished, giving his arm a punch. "You’ve got time enough to face them all at dinner… I’ll go try and blunt their curiosity a little, OK? Besides, you look like Hades, and if that doesn’t change by the time Xena gets back, she’s gonna chase my tail all over this inn, and .."

"All right.. all right.. all right.. " Hercules waved a hand, hitting him the chest. "Enough.. I’ll stay here." He let his eyes close again.

"Good." Iolaus sighed. We took care of that labor mine.. but he hasn’t slept a whole night since.. Zeus only knows what those dreams are. Or that burn on his chest that hasn’t healed yet, that he won’t let me look at. "See ya."

"Uh huh." Came the sleepy response.

With a small shake of his unruly head, Iolaus backed towards the door, pausing in the entrance to cast one last look at the still form, before ducking out and closing the door behind him, then moving silently down the stairs.

"So.. that’s Hercules, huh?" Eponin mused, playing with her mug idly. "You been able to find out what happened?"

Ephiny shook her head, busy chewing a mouthful of beef. "Nuh huh." She confirmed, wiping her lips and leaning back slightly. "Gabrielle was absolutely tight lipped on that.. all she’d say was that the situation was resolved."

Eponin sniffed reflectively. "You think she knows the story?"

The Amazon regent let one eyebrow arch. "Oh yeah." She chuckled. "You think she’d let Xena keep that quiet from her? Not." She shrugged. "Must have been bad, then.. otherwise.. well, I guess we’ll hear about it when we hear about it." She picked up her mug and took a swallow of cider, letting out a sigh. "Rain again." She muttered, as a roll of thunder was heard.

"Mmm." Eponin chuckled. "Hope Xena finds some place to get under cover.. hate to think of those two out in a storm." She paused. "Oh.. well, on the other hand… they do pretty well in a storm don't they..?"

They exchanged knowing glances. "Oh.. " Ephiny grinned slyly. "That they do…… " She glanced up as Iolaus entered the room and gave him a nod, smiling as he walked over and pulled up a chair. "Hi."

The blond man sighed. "Afternoon, ladies." He ignored the raised eyebrows around the table blithely. "I see we’re in for rain again.. Zeus, I’m glad we made it here. I’m darn tired of being wet all the time." He looked up as a server put a big plate of meat and steamed barley in front of him. "Oh.. thanks.. that smells great." He took a forkful and sighed happily.

"Here." Ephiny passed a wooden platter with sliced bread on it over. On the other hand… maybe I can get the story out of old Iolaus, here… he looks like a nice guy.

"Mmm.. thanks." Iolaus grinned at her. "So.. how are you feeling?" A pause. "If it's ok for me to ask, I know we've never actually met, but I kind of feel like we know each other, I mean Xena told me what happened, and all that." Nine words. She fell in the water, I pulled her out. The bard thing was definitely Gabrielle's realm.

Ephiny chuckled, and extended a forearm. "Sure.. sure.. hello, Iolaus. I've heard a lot about you, too." She nodded. "Eponin, Raina, Ellis, and Marta." The Amazons grinned at Iolaus, he smiled a trifle nervously back. Ephiny leaned back and waggled her hand. "And in answer to your question…so so.. it’s been.. " She sighed. "Kind of rough.. what with all the excitement and all."

Iolaus stopped chewing, and glanced up at her. "What excitement?" He looked at all of them then focused back on Ephiny. "What'd we miss?"

Ephiny’s eyes glinted as an idea formed. . "Oh.. what with Gabrielle being kidnapped.." She trailed off. "You know."

Iolaus’ eyes popped. "What? What happened?" Kidnapped? Gods.. it's only been two weeks.. how could she have gotten kidnapped in what… the three.. four.. days Xena was gone?

The Amazon regent took a long sip of cider, and eyed him speculatively. "Tell you what, Iolaus.. I’ll trade you stories." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Eponin’s hastily smothered grin. "With all the trouble.. we didn’t get to hear what happened to you all… "

"Oh." Iolaus chewed his lip, curiosity eating at him. "Well, ok.. sure… " He glanced around. "Just.. keep it quiet.. Hercules is not real happy about it, OK?" It's gonna come out sooner or later.. better they hear it from a good source.. right? Right. "I'll trade."

Ephiny patted his arm gently. "You can trust us, Iolaus." She cleared her throat, and the other Amazons pulled their chairs in to enjoy the tale. "Well, it started the day after you left… Gabrielle took the girls out for a walk, and didn't come back.

Iolaus blinked. "You're kidding, right? Not only Gabrielle, but all those.. um… Amazonettes?"

Raised eyebrows around the table. "Well.. yes." Eponin grunted. "You could call them that, but most folks wouldn't."

Silence. "Sorry." Iolaus muttered. "Where did they go?"

When she finished, the blond man was sitting, holding his fork with a stunned expression on his face. He held his silence for a minute, then sighed. "Well.. I'm glad things turned out all right.. relatively all right, I mean. It's too bad Gabrielle got hurt and all." Damn… she could have died.. poor kid.

"Mmm." Ephiny agreed, studying her hands thoughtfully. "Your turn." She looked up, her pale eyes catching his. Unnoticed by Iolaus, Cyrene had silently entered, seating herself at the next table, and listening quietly.

"Oh." Iolaus let out a breath. "Right.. uh.. ok. Well, we left here, and traveled to the mountain, to a village just outside the mines where.. Hercules was."

Ephiny put a gentle hand on his wrist. "Iolaus, what was he doing there? What was wrong?"

A long silence. Finally Iolaus swallowed and licked his lips. "He was.. um… there was something wrong with him.. he.. " He sucked in a breath. "He was providing a service to the prince working them mines.. he was.. a jailkeeper."

Deathly silence this time. "He was.. punishing.. people who didn't do what the prince wanted them to do." Iolaus finished quietly, his eyes pinned on the table top.

Ephiny felt her heart lurch hard. No wonder.. Her mind sighed. No wonder Gabrielle wanted this kept quiet.. gods… I should have respected that. "Iolaus.." She said softly, patting his hand. "I'm sorry.. that must have been horrible for you."

He sighed. "It.. was. I didn't.. I tried to get him to snap out of it.. tried. But he didn't even know who I was. He.. " The blond man looked away, then back. "It was like he was someone else." Iolaus pursed his lips. "So.. when that didn't work, I knew I had to get help.. I needed someone who could help me break back into the fortress, who knew.. Hercules.. well enough to know this wasn't really him, and would be willing to help.. and.. um..I needed someone who could.. if nothing worked.. stop him."

Now it was their turn for silence. Rapid-fire glances raced around the table. "So.. you came and got Xena." Ephiny said, calmly. "Well, that makes sense. Good choice." She gave Iolaus an encouraging grin, hiding her surprise and unease. What made him think she could stop a demigod? Damn.. Xena's good, we all know that, but… that's asking too much, even from her. She could have been killed, if he really didn't know what was going on.

Iolaus gave her a weak smile back. "Thanks. " He sighed a little, more relaxed now that the hard part was over. "Anyway.. we got back into the mines…and Xena made sure we were taken to the punishment cell. "

"I bet." Eponin snorted quietly. "How many people did she take with her?"

Iolaus smiled. "I stopped counting." He shook his head. "So.. she kind of got in his face.. and he took her out for punishment.. and they fought." His mouth quirked. "She won."

"Sheeeesh." Ellis wheezed.

"Yeah.. and I lost 50 dinars to Gabrielle." Iolaus muttered, then shook his head. "Well, that was money well spent, anyway.. so she discovered this necklace around his neck.."

"A necklace?" Eponin asked, studying him quietly.

"Yeah.." Iolaus sighed. "Big.. golden chain.. had a ruby in it.. kind of.. overdone." He shrugged. "That was it.. she got it off him, and when he finally came to.. he was back."

"Just like that?" Ephiny breathed, fascinated. "How did she get it off him?"

But Iolaus just shook his head. "I don't know.. she sent me out of the room for that.. made me lock the door… " He hesitated. "Um..I think she was worried about what it might do to her."

"But it didn't do anything." Ephiny clarified. "Right?"

The blond man shook his head. "No.. but I think it took a lot.. she looked pretty shook up when I got back in there." He paused. "So.. then Ares showed up."

"The wolf?" Ephiny asked, her brows creasing.

"The God." Iolaus corrected her. "And, to be completely honest, it's the first time I was almost, sort of, maybe just a little bit glad to see him."

Ephiny exchanged glances with Eponin. "Really?"

"Really." Iolaus sighed heavily. "Xena asked him, point blank, if he was behind the necklace.. and he said no.. that it had just shown up.. and they, meaning the other gods, were worried about it. He.. thanked Xena for taking care of it… and to show his appreciation, he moved our horses to the closest exit and got rid of the guards for us."

"Really." That was Eponin and Ephiny in perfect chorus.

Iolaus nodded. "Yes… and then Xena took us to a cave nearby she knew.. so we could rest a bit.. and to give Herc a chance to recover a little.. he was pretty shook up by the whole thing." He sighed. "Then she took off.. said she had stuff to take care of.. now I know what that stuff was."

Ephiny's brow creased. "But she couldn't have known.. she… "

Iolaus was shaking his head solemnly. "She knew." He studied his hands. "The night above the castle.. something changed..I noticed it, but I thought it was just.. I don't know. She got really on edge.. and anxious to get things finished." He lifted his hands and let them drop. "Don't ask me how, don't ask me why, but she knew."

The Amazon regent settled back, and lifted a hand of her own. "Iolaus, that's impossible."

"No." Cyrene's voice drifted over, and they all turned to gaze at the innkeeper, who was leaning on the table, and sipping from a tall mug. "It's not.. I've seen it happen." Her eyes flicked to Ephiny. "So have you."

Ephiny stared at her, then her mouth twitched. "Damn… you're right… but I've never heard of anything like that before." She turned to Eponin. "Have you?"

The older Amazon was staring off over Ephiny's shoulder, apparently studying the rain hitting the inn window, at last she turned and met Ephiny's pale eyes. "Maybe." She smiled a little. "I'll have to think about it."

Ephiny's eyebrows rose, and she leaned closer. "You all right?"

A chuckle. "Fine." Xena.. you and I gotta have a little talk when you get back… Eponin poked her nose into her mug, and kept it there until Ephiny turned her attention back to Iolaus.

Then the roar of rain hitting the inn startled all of them, even Cyrene.. and they jerked around in surprise, half rising as the door exploded inward, but relaxing when a dark clad form staggered in and slammed the portal closed behind him.

"Damn." Toris gasped, blinking his stinging eyes, and wiping the dark hair back off his forehead. "It's evil out there, folks." He turned to Cyrene. "River's rising. Looks like it'll be up over its banks by suppertime." He took off his cloak, and left it's dripping length by the door, crossing over to the fire's warmth gratefully.

"Oh.. sorry.. " He detoured when he realized there was a stranger at the table. "You must be Iolaus."

The blond man glanced up, and offered a forearm, his eyes studying the tall dark haired man curiously. "And you must be Toris."

A familiar smile answered him, and pale blue eyes searched his. "Let me guess… family resemblance?"

Iolaus laughed. "Something like that, yes." He released the taller man's arm. "We didn't get to meet last time.. but an old shirt of yours about saved my life."

Toris chuckled, as he lowered himself into a chair next to the fire, and leaned back. "Glad it got some use finally.. it's been too small for me for a while." He looked up as Cyrene handed him a steaming mug. "Thanks, mom." He toasted the window. "Hope you're under cover, sis."

Cyrene snorted. "She will be… not for her sake, but…"

Smiles around the room.

Xena rested her head lightly against her folded cloak, gazing peacefully out at the sheeting rain, idly contrasting the cold, wet air from the outside with the cheerful warmth of the fire, which popped at irregular intervals, and sent the occasional spark drifting towards the dimly seen roof of the cavern.

Gabrielle was drowsing lightly, her body curled around her partner's, the rhythmic drumming of the rain insistently lulling them both into a lazy, golden warmth it was just easier to sink into and not try to get out of. This.. Xena mused to herself Is becoming a habit.

She thought about that for a minute, turning the idea over, and examining it carefully from all sides. What a nice habit. She eventually decided. I think I'll keep it. A yawn cut off her thoughts, and she relaxed into it, sliding her arms around Gabrielle and snuggling closer, reveling in the tingle of their skin on skin contact, and chuckling when the bard half woke, and started nibbling her chest. "You still hungry?" She teased gently. They’d recently finished a leisurely lunch, and had settled down to relax as the weather rolled in.

"Mmm…" Gabrielle nibbled further. "Still raining?"

"Yep." Xena informed her. "Coming down in cartloads."

"Good." Was the answer, as the bard's gentle attentions wandered across her partner's ribcage. "Sorry..I know we have some place to get to.." She rested her cheek lightly on Xena's belly, gazing up at her. "But I'm not going to lie and say I'm not enjoying every minute of this." She idly traced a fingertip down Xena's ribs, feeling the dips and hollows between them., letting her touch linger over the thin scar that ran down one side.

Fingers covered hers, and she looked up into warm blue eyes. "Me too." Xena answered softly, releasing the bard's hand and stroking her cheek, feeling Gabrielle smile under her touch, and gently outlining the curve of her lips. And that simple smile peeled away yet another layer of the darkness embedded in her, and sent it scattering before the cool wind. She felt it go.. driven before the rush of love in those green eyes. "It can rain all day for all I care." She let a smile curve her own lips. "There is no place else I'd rather be."

Xena felt the gentle warmth as Gabrielle exhaled, and felt the motion as the bard smiled against the soft skin on her stomach. "Me either." Her partner admitted, with a lazy chuckle, as she quietly worked her way back up Xena's body until their lips met, and the warrior slipped her hands down around the bard's waist, and lifted her up, settling her comfortably sprawled.

"Hey.. " Gabrielle mumbled, pulling back a space. "Gonna squish you.."

Xena snorted lightly, circling her arms across the small of the bard's back and squeezing "Not a chance… you overestimate yourself, my bard."

Got a snort back. "You just love showing off, don’t you?" Gabrielle gazed fondly at her.

"Aww.. " Xena purred. "That's not showing off." A devilish grin etched her features as she slid her hands further down and settled them on Gabrielle's hips, then pressed straight up, lifting the bard and grinning at her squawk. She lowered her slowly, and held her up just inches from her own chest before letting her gently down. "Now.. that.. was showing off."

"It certainly was." Gabrielle giggled, shaking her head and sighing, as she turned her head and idly watched the rain. "Gods.. that is quite a storm.. you think the river’s flooded yet?"

Xena considered the question, her hand moving in gentle circles on the bard’s back. "Mmm.. maybe, but probably not till dark sometime.. " Her lips twitched. "And I’m certainly not risking you out there in this weather… so I guess we’re stuck here until it’s over."

"Shucks." Gabrielle drawled. "I don’t know…" She yawned and stretched, sliding a hand down Xena’s warm body. "I’m starting to think this was planned."

Xena reached up and gently tickled her ribs. "By who, me? Nah.." She tickled the bard again, making her squirm. "I think you’re getting more ticklish." She grinned, using both hands this time.

"Augh." Gabrielle grabbed her hands, and leaned hard, trying to keep them from her sensitive skin. "Stop that…" One hand escaped. "Xena!! Aaaagggggghhh…"

Several minutes later, the bard finally collapsed, and groaned. "I surrender… " She gasped, trying to catch her breath. "Gods.." She let her head fall against Xena’s shoulder and waited for her heart to stop pounding.

Xena sighed softly and rubbed her back. "Shhh.. take it easy.. I shouldn’t have been so rough on you." She studied Gabrielle with a tiny, worried frown. "Your ribs ok? I didn’t hurt you, did I?"

Like I would admit it if you had. Gabrielle mused to herself. Like you need more guilt to carry around, right? "Don’t be goofy." She gave her partner a little slap. "Of course you didn’t." She took a deep breath, and snuggled up tight against Xena’s side. "I’m just out of breath.. all that lying around since I got hurt really caught up with me." She felt Xena’s hands start a light massage on her back, and sighed. "And you’re such a bad influence."

"Uh huh." Xena agreed amiably, feeling the bard’s body relax. "We could get up and do some sparring, if you’d rather do that."

Gabrielle thought about that. But not for long. "I should… " She sighed, already letting the warmth start to ease through her. "Maybe after dinner, huh?"

"Sure." Xena smiled wryly. "Just take it easy.. your body needs the rest, Gabrielle." She brushed her lips over the bard’s fair hair. "Healing is hard work."

"Hypocrite." Gabrielle mumbled, opening one green eye accusingly. "That’s double standards, Xena."

The warrior hugged her. "Yep, it sure is." She agreed cheerfully. "Sorry.. I reserve the right to take better care of you than I do of myself."

The bard gazed thoughtfully at her, then finally smiled. "Xena, there’s no point in your taking care of me if you don’t take care of yourself." She looked up into startled blue eyes, which widened slightly as she lifted a hand and traced her partner’s features. "Please.. take care of yourself.. for my sake." She paused. "All right?"

She felt Xena take a breath, and let it out slowly, then watched as the warrior let a rueful smile creep across her face. "I think… you got me." Her eyes glinted. "Very clever, Gabrielle."

"Yesss…." The bard chortled, triumphant. "You will, right?"

A moment of hesitant silence. "Yeah."

"Promise?" Gabrielle asked instantly.

"I promise." Came the solemn reply. Xena riffled her fingers through the bard’s hair and let out a tiny, satisfied sigh. About time I started doing that anyway… before it all starts catching up with me..right? It’s been nice not hurting in the morning.. hasn’t it?

Gabrielle settled her head down comfortably and smiled, closing her eyes and letting herself sink back down into a pleasantly sleepy haze, listening to the slow, inevitable synchronizing of their heartbeats.. of their breathing.. until she drifted off.

"Damn." Xena tugged the belt closed on her tunic, and wandered over near the opening to the cave, staring out at the rain. "You can’t even hardly see the river."

Gabrielle joined her, winding an arm around Xena’s waist and blinking out at the weather. "Wow…" She breathed, watching the trees bend under the force of the wind, glad they were in a protected niche. The air was icy cold, and she could hear the pattering of the rain as it turned to ice and broke itself against the rock walls around them.

"Feel sorry for anyone out in this." The warrior mused, shaking her head a little.

"Remember that storm.." Gabrielle began, then saw Xena's smile. "You do."

She did. It had been a bad couple of days.. no.. a bad couple of weeks, fighting every day, and the heat had been.. well, it was even getting to Xena, who usually could ignore that kind of thing. It had been dry, and dusty, and Gabrielle realized that all of the above were putting her companion in a more than usually foul mood.

Knowing that hadn't helped how she felt when Xena snapped at her for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, since she was just as hot, if not just as tired as the warrior was. But.. after all, Xena had done most of the fighting in their last encounter, she tried to rationalize, since she had been dazed when one of the raider's horses had slammed into her and hadn't shaken it off until the battle was almost over. And Xena had hesitated an unusually long time before shoving off from the tree she was leaning against and sheathing her sword.

Gabrielle suspected her companion was close to exhausted, but refusing to either give into it, or admit to it, and that's what was making her so grouchy. But knowing that didn't help either, because Gabrielle was pretty tired too, and she'd had just about enough of the sniping.

"Look." She'd finally said. "I'm going to go get a room at that inn we just passed. I don't really care what you do." And she'd turned and walked away, just like that.

And had immediately felt bad about it, so she turned back around, but Xena was already gone.

"Probably jumped at the chance." Gabrielle thought to herself, with a sigh. "This is probably a good idea.. we need some time.. away from each other right now." So she'd gone into the inn, and gotten a room, with a meal and a bath. That had felt better for a while, but after she'd been sitting very quietly in the tavern, sipping on a cold ale for a while, she found herself wishing Xena was there. Even if she was sniping.

Thunder rolled overhead, and her thoughts had turned to wondering where the warrior was.. and as the first drops hit the window, she found herself hoping Xena had found shelter.

Then she'd overheard two men talking about the golden warhorse stabled next door, and realized that could only be one animal they were talking about. Argo. She'd slipped from the tavern, and scooted across the small, dusty courtyard that was rapidly settling under an increasing patter of large drops, getting to the barn just before the heavy curtain of rain crashed against the wood.

It had been dark inside, with the musty smell of old hay mixing with the tangy scent of the rain outside, and she'd stood quietly, and let her eyes adjust before she tried to go any further.

Saw Argo standing quietly in a decent size stall, the mare's liquid brown eye turned curiously towards her. She'd moved towards the horse, seeing by her glistening coat, and neatly arranged mane and tail that Xena had taken her usual care with her grooming, and her tack was settled on the divider, the rich leather cleaned of it's coating of dust and grime. She'd run a fingertip over the warm surface, then glanced down into the stall and felt her breathing catch.

It had been obvious to her that Xena had taken time with Argo, but not with herself. The warrior was huddled in the darkest corner of the stall, still dressed in her leathers, and part of her armor, one of Argo's blankets pulled around her. On the straw next to her was resting her healer's kit, and if she strained her eyes, Gabrielle could just pick out the thin, bloodstained line on her forearm where she'd sewn up what looked to be a nasty slice. One that had put a thick cut in her leather bracer, which was tossed to one side.

Carefully, she'd opened the stall, and crept inside, giving Argo a silent pat as she moved around the big mare's side. Knowing just how tired Xena must have been because the warrior didn't wake at her approach, but the rustling of the straw as she settled quietly at Xena's side brought a pair of blue eyes studying her.

Gabrielle hadn't said anything, just sat there, her eyes mostly on Argo's hooves.

"What the Hades are you doing here." The warrior had asked, finally. "Don't you have better things to do.. places to be?"

The bard had bit her lip. "I guess I don't." She'd answered softly.

"Get out of here, Gabrielle." Xena had answered her, in a weary tone. "You don't want to be around me.. I know I'm making you miserable.. and I'm sorry.. I just.. " The warrior let her head drop back against the wooden wall, and tugged the blanket closer. "Just leave me alone."

It would have been the smart thing to do, Gabrielle had understood that. She'd seen Xena in these moods often enough, and when the warrior asked to be left alone, it was best to do what she asked.

But…

This was different.. Gabrielle couldn't say just how.. or why.. she only knew it was. So she'd sighed, and folded her arms on her knees. "No." She'd answered. Bracing herself for the response.

"NO?" Xena had repeated icily. "What do you mean, no?"

Gabrielle had taken a deep breath, fighting down the nervous roiling in her guts. "No, I'm not going to leave you alone when you're like this."

"Like what?" The sarcastic response.

"Look.." The bard had argued. "You're tired, and you're hurt.. you didn't even hear me come in here."

Xena's eyes had glittered. "That's what Argo's for. You got past. No one else would have."

That had stung. "Maybe." She shot back. "But I'm not willing to take that chance."

The faintest curve of that eyebrow. "YOU are not willing?" Xena's voice dropped a dangerous octave.

And the bard had grabbed her courage in both hands, and looked Xena right in the eye. "No. I am not willing to risk your safety." She'd hesitated. "No true friend would."

A long silence. "I thought you didn't care what I did." Xena remarked quietly.

The answer was stark, and almost whispered. "I care."

Xena had closed her eyes for a long moment then, and rested her head against the hand propped against her updrawn knees. "I'm sorry.. I've been such a bastard, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle had found she had to swallow a few times before she could get her throat to work. "It's.. all right. I.. haven't been much better."

The warrior had taken a breath, then a second. "Look.. there's.. no reason for you to put yourself through this." Another breath. "We're near Potadeia.. why don't you.. "

It ripped something inside her. Gabrielle had felt it go. It prompted a question she'd been afraid to ask.. for almost two years. "Do you want me to go home?" And.. she'd thought to herself. No matter how hard it'll be.. I'll accept her answer. I've learned enough about myself.. and about her, to do that.

Xena had stared straight ahead, between Argo's forelegs for a long moment, before turning her head, and resting her cheek along her arm. Her gaze had been sad, and gently compassionate, and the bard had clenched her guts and waited to hear what she knew Xena was going to tell her.

"No." A pause. "I don't." Another pause. "But that's not my decision, Gabrielle. It's yours.. and after what you've been through.. and how I've been acting lately. I wouldn't blame you.. if you did." Taking the responsibility for the failure on her own shoulders. As always.

Gabrielle had been so busy wrapping her mind around the "No." and the "I don't." that she scarcely heard the rest of the sentence. NO? NO???? Her heart jumped around in circles, disbelieving. Finally, she looked up, and found Xena's pained eyes on her, and realized how her silence was being viewed. Then the warrior's eyes had dropped to study the straw, and Gabrielle saw, in a sudden burst of lightning, the quiet, resigned expression on her face.

"Never." Her voice had cracked, and she swallowed hard. Seen the startled jerk of Xena's jaw muscle. "Friends stick with each other, Xena.. not just in the good times.. but in the worse times. That's what friendship is." She reached up and clasped Xena's arm. "You're stuck with me."

A loud crash of thunder, and the increasing roar of the rain made them both look up. "And.." Gabrielle smiled gently. "I think I'm stuck here."

They'd looked at each other, then the bard had slid her hand down Xena's arm, and clasped her fingers, and felt the warrior return the clasp with a half smile. "I guess you are." Had come the answer.

"You hurt anywhere else?" Gabrielle had asked, more to break the sudden, almost awkward silence.

No answer. "Xena?"

Reluctantly. "Yeah.. it's.. I.. " Xena had fallen silent, and touched a hand to her chest. "Bad spot.. I just.. "

Gabrielle had sighed softly. "Lie down." She'd pushed the warrior gently back down onto the clean straw, and carefully pulled open the now obvious gash in her leathers, removing the blood covered bandage pressed against her companion's chest. . "Oh Xena… " A sudden intake of breath, as a fresh flow of blood followed. The rich crimson fluid dropped to the straw, contrasting vividly with the dusty golden surface.

"Bad spot.. "The warrior muttered. "Couldn’t reach it. Think it needs some stitches." She had glanced up at the bard's worried face. "Take it easy.. it's just scary looking because of the blood.. it's not that bad."

She'd finished stitching, covering the gash with a linen bandage from Xena's kit, then pulled the blanket up and tucked it around the warrior's shoulders. Quiet blue eyes followed her in the storm lit darkness, as she tidied up the healer's kit, then made a nest for herself next to Xena, snuggling down on her side, with her head propped up on one hand. "Hmm…."

One eyebrow raised in question.

"I think it's cleaner in here than in that inn." She admitted, with an impish grin.

A half grin from Xena, and a feather light touch on her hair, as the warrior gently ruffled it. "Thanks."

A draft gently blew through the barn. "Looks like it's finally cooling off." The bard remarked, nestling deeper in the straw as the damp wind struck her bare sides. Then she'd glanced up as the warm wool of Argo's blanket settled over her. "Oh.. um…" A gentle wave of warmth spread over her, as much from the act as from the fabric.

"I don't bite." Xena commented casually. "Especially not with this many stitches in me. Relax."

It took a single moment to make up her mind, then she nestled closer, and laid her cheek against Xena's shoulder, wrapping her fingers around the warrior's upper arm. "I'm not worried." She looked up, to see a brow arch, but the corner of her mouth lift as well.

Gabrielle had smiled, and closed her eyes, feeling the anger, and the frustration of the last few weeks fading away, leaving her in a gentle, wistful peace, which shifted to a speechless wonder as she felt Xena's biceps tense momentarily under her fingertips as the warrior moved her arm, then felt the sudden warmth as her companion's hand settled in a light grip around her bent knee.

Xena sighed, and stroked Gabrielle's hair. "Damn..I was lucky you decided to come hunt me down.. probably would have half bled to death." She shook her head, then peered out. "Hey.. look upriver…"

They both saw it at the same time.. a brown speck traveling down the river, swirling in the dangerous current. "What.." Xena’s brow furrowed, as she focused her vision on it, feeling Gabrielle grab her arm in a sudden contrast of warm hands on her chilled flesh. "It’s a wagon."

The bard was silent for a moment, then a breath exploded out of her. "There’s someone in it."

Xena cursed, and hurled herself out of the cave, warding off the stinging sleet with one arm as she headed down the twisting path to the river. The cold blast hit her as she cleared the cliff, and only then did she realized Gabrielle was right behind her.

And.. somehow.. though she knew she should feel different.. that felt, right. "Careful… " She warned "Stay close." She felt a hand fasten on her tunic, and slid down the path, trying to shield the bard’s body as much as possible from the wind driven ice.

They were almost to the river, and now Xena could see the wagon more clearly, see the three frightened faces peering over the edge, as the wooden structure bobbed against the current. "Hang on!!" She yelled, seeing a pile of hastily discarded junk near the river, obviously abandoned or thrown up by the water. "Rope." A terse instruction, and Gabrielle was helping her loose the tangle of hemp snarled around the pile.

She tied a loop into one end, and slipped it over her shoulder, tightening it around her chest. Turning, she handed the other end to Gabrielle. "Tie this around that tree." She paused. "Tight."

A timeless meeting of glances, a soundless exchange, then the warrior was turning and launching herself into the dark coldness of the water, taking powerful strokes against the crosscurrent on an intercept path with the wagon.

The water was icy, and drove through her like iron spikes, tearing the breath from her lungs, and sending her heart racing. Gasping, she ducked her head, and forced her arms to move, dodging the floating debris as she pulled closer to the center of the river, wincing as a large branch sloughed across her back.

The wagon came closer, and now she could see the faces clearly.. one adult woman and two children, all frightened. She turned directly into the current, and pulled hard against it, feeling her teeth begin to chatter, as the cold cramped her muscles. Damn.

The wagon careened closer, and she gathered herself, letting the current take her sideways, then lunged as the wood came within a body length of her, and grabbed onto a wheel spoke, holding on for dear life as the cart bucked and surged under her weight.

The woman screamed, and grabbed the children, ducking down into the cart as Xena held on with one arm grimly, using the other to strip the rope off her shoulders, and slide the loop over the wheel hub, tightening it with a jerk. "Hold on.." She yelled, grabbing the edge of the wheel as the current sent the wagon heeling over on its side.

Then the rope came taut, and the wagon spun, wrenching Xena's hold loose and sending the warrior flying upstream. The racing water slammed into her body with shocking force, pushing her vision to the edge of blackness. The current took her, and she was helpless against it as she frantically tried to keep her head above the water, flinching as the surge threw her against a half submerged rock, and rolling over in the water, putting her arm up to guard her head.

She got a half lungful of air before she was sucked down again, this time feeling a weight roll over her shoulders as a downed limb pressed her deeper, the wiry branches tangling with her body, and raking sharp edges across her neck and the back of her head. Damn.. she cursed inwardly, struggling against the racing water, whose icy edge was rapidly leeching her strength and numbing her skin.

Then a hand grabbed her shoulder, and pulled the branch free, tugging her collar up and above the waterline, and she managed another gasp of air, coughing as it came with a mouthful of the freezing liquid.

"Xena!" Gabrielle's voice was colored with tense fear. The warrior felt warm hands grab her shoulders, and she slid onto her back, letting the current carry them, and taking hold of Gabrielle's shivering body.

A thousand things raced through her mind as she shook the wet hair from her eyes and met the bard's anxious gaze. Later, she decided. Let's just get out of here. "Thanks." She choked out, seeing the answering relief in her partner's eyes. "Gotta get out." She coughed again, expelling the river water she'd half breathed, half swallowed, and looked in front of them, seeing a current veering shoreward, towards Ares' anxiously racing form, and shoved them both into it.

Saw her mistake almost immediately, but had no time to correct it, as the racing water drove them directly towards a half sunken tree trunk, it's near edge being undercut by the rising river. Gabrielle's eye's widened, and she started to duck, but Xena wrenched them both around at the last minute, wrapping her arms around the bard and turning to take the impact of the tree on her own body.

It never came, as the torrent of water washed both of them down, under the emerging roots and slammed them both against a rapidly eroding earthen wall, with the river rising under them.

And the tree's bulk above them, trapping them helpless against the force of the incoming river.

The level rose, as they stared in stunned disbelief, the force of the water pinning them against bank, too strong for even Xena to make headway against it.

Xena cursed violently, eyes darting around their prison until she saw the faintest opening near the far edge, and lunged towards it, dragging Gabrielle with her. She shoved the bard against the root filled wall, and stood behind her, bracing her arms up against the bulk of the tree above them.

"Go on.. I'll.. push.. " She managed to get out, knowing by the sudden tension in the bard's shoulders that she'd been heard. "You should have just enough room to get clear.. but.. only for a second." A faint chance, but a possible one, if Gabrielle was lucky, and her strength up to it.

Gabrielle turned, and grabbed her shoulders, the water swirling around their waists. "What about you?" She yelled.

Silence was it's own answer.

"If.. " Xena finally said. "Only one of us can make it.. better for the world it be you, love." A jerk of her head. "Get ready." She shut her mind to anything.. everything.. else, gathering her strength.

Hands on her face, and she was forced to look, forced to meet those mist green eyes for what she knew was the last time. Now the water touched her elbows, and she released one hand from the roots to gently caress her partner's face. "No regrets, Gabrielle."

Unable to understand the complex look of sadness and joy, horror and relief that was in Gabrielle's eyes. "No." The bard whispered, clasping her arms around Xena's neck and hanging on. "Where you go.. I go."

The icy cold water, the roar, the aching numbness in her limbs faded back, until all she could feel was the pressure of Gabrielle's arms around her, and the warmth of the bard's body against her own. And the quiet, peacefulness of their souls settling together, hand in hand. She knew she should be arguing.. should be forcing the bard to get out. To escape. To live.

But she released her other hand, and turned to put her back against the earthen bank, as the water rose halfway up her arms and she clasped Gabrielle to her with all her remaining strength. Felt the bard return the pressure.

"No regrets, Xena." Came the quiet whisper in her ear. "Not one moment of it."

The water touched her shoulders, and she felt the numbness spread. She took a deep breath, and stared Death in the face, feeling no fear, only a quiet acceptance. She felt Gabrielle's arms tighten, and she rubbed the bard's back, resting her head against her partner's and feeling Gabrielle's breathing increase.

"I love you." Gabrielle uttered, her breath sending a tiny tingle of warmth through Xena's chilled flesh. "I always have.. from the minute I saw you.. and that's made it all worth it, you understand?"

A nod, as the water swirled to her chin. "Gabrielle.. I love you with everything that I am…and I always will.. no matter what happens now.. you remember that, all right?" Her voice broke. 'No matter what happens… promise me?"

"I promise." The bard gasped, as the water touched her neck. "But this isn't going to separate us, Xena. I won't let it." She clutched tighter. "Nothing ever will." She paused. "Promise me you believe that."

"I promise." Xena slid a hand up her partner's neck, feeling for the sensitive pressure points. The roaring increased, and the river poured into their prison faster, undercutting the bank, and sending a mud filled swirl around them. Her hands touched familiar places, and she waited a second more, before she put Gabrielle out, refusing to subject the bard to the icy terror of drowning.

One last moment, as she memorized the feel of her, and let her heart open wide, soaking in the gut deep warmth of their connection that defied the coldness of the water, and of the darkness. That would have to last her… forever.

Then the water exploded inward, driven by the relentless flood, roaring through the roots, and over the banks, as it claimed back the land with a mud filled surge., sucking the earth from under the tree.

The sound of sea birds. And the gentle roar of the ocean, were the two things she noticed first, along with the faintly spicy, faintly salty scent of the tide.

It was peaceful, and the surface under her feet seemed to be a soft, very pale sand, and she wandered down it towards the dawn. The light around her was the soft dove gray of the endless time before the sun rose, and she could see the faint, pearly coral tinged of the sky ahead of her that told of the coming light.

As she walked closer, the light moved from coral to a pale rose, and seemed to be coming from a single point on the near horizon, where her steps were taking her.

Then she was near the point, and saw it was a roughly edged opening, through which the rosy light poured, beckoning her. She knew she had to go through it.. that peace, and rest were on the other side. All she needed to do was walk there, and step inside.

A sea bird called, from behind her, and she turned to listen, hearing something familiar in its cry. Could that be her name?'

No.. not from the bird.. it came from the darkness behind her, a solid inky blackness that absorbed the light, and seemed to suck in even the paleness of the sand beneath her feet. It was a call.. one she was soul bound to listen to. It was pulling her back into the darkness, and away from the light, and she paused for a timeless instant, absorbing it. Wanting it. Needing it.

She started to run back, coursing over the sand faster and faster, heading back into the dark, and the cold, feeling the absence of light suddenly close over her, sending numbing tingles down her body, and exploding with a sharp lance of pain against her skull.

But the call never ceased. And she never stopped responding to it.

An arm around her chest, squeezing hard, and she drew breath at last, coughing the muddy water from her lungs and letting it trickle out of her mouth and onto hard, brown sand.

"Xena!" Now the voice was real, and near, and she forced her eyes open, feeling her body racked with shudders as it tried to rid itself of the water inside her. She half rolled over, letting gravity take her onto her back, and looked up into Gabrielle's exhausted eyes.

Which closed, on meeting hers, and the bard collapsed against her chest, her own form convulsing with sobs. Somehow, she got her arms to obey her will, and got them around Gabrielle's shaking body. "Hey.. ' Her voice was so hoarse she didn't recognize it. "Wha happened?"

Gabrielle took a deep, shuddering breath, and straightened a little, resting her weight against one arm, and gently stroking Xena's face with the other. "I.. I don't know.. " She sniffled. "I was… the water came in, and the bank collapsed.. then it went dark for a minute.. water over my head.. then.. I don't remember after that.. I think I blacked out. .. next thing I remember, I was up on the shore here, and you were…." She stopped, and rubbed her face, shaking her head. "I couldn’t.. you weren't.. oh gods."

"Shh…" Xena mumbled groggily, feeling her own labored breathing, and the aching cramps from the cold. "It's over… it's past."

A slow nod. "We gotta get out of here. I'm freezing."

Xena felt a numbing lethargy stealing over her, and struggled to focus her thoughts. No.. this was bad. Her mind sluggishly responded, but she was fighting a losing battle and she knew it.

Hands cupped her face, and she forced her eyes open again. "Xena.. I can't… you gotta get up.. please? I know you can do it." The bard's face tensed. "Please.. for me?"

For her. Yeah. Will alone forced her body to roll over, and she put her hands against the packed mud, pushing against it with a dogged determination. For her. Anything. Will alone, but somehow she was standing, and felt Gabrielle's arms slide around her in shivering support. For her..

A scrambling sound, then the familiar feel of fur against her fingertips. Whining. Paws against her thigh, almost taking her to the ground. Ares.. "Down." She managed, feeling the wolf drop, and peering blurrily at him, seeing his mud covered, but otherwise seemingly unharmed form through the still falling rain.

They made it, somehow, to a rock outcropping, which blocked the wind, and had enough overhang to shelter them from the rain, and collapsed under it, shivering uncontrollably. Xena managed to tug a large uprooted bush in with them, providing them with a tiny amount of cover, and Ares huddled next to them, bringing a very welcome warmth despite his damp fur. "Good boy." Xena whispered, as she leaned her aching body against the back of the overhang, and wrapped her shaking arms around Gabrielle.

The bard nestled silently closer, and Xena felt the silent sobs racking her body. "S'allright.. " She murmured to the bard. "Easy… easy.. "

"I'm all right." Gabrielle managed, in a shaky tone. "Just… reaction, I guess."

Very slowly, the warmth crept through both of them, and Xena felt relief from the sharp cramping of the cold, but not the painful rawness that made breathing agony. Part of that, she knew, was from the.. near.. drowning. Damn.. that was close. Her mind wandered over what she remembered, and her brow creased. Well.. later for that. "Hey.. " She whispered hoarsely. "Thanks."

Tired green eyes gazed up at her. "For what?"

A half grin. "Saving my life." She sighed. "Twice." Her eyes closed and she let her head rest back against the rock. "Good thing I got you here… not doing a good job on that promise to take care of myself, am I?"

Gabrielle gently combed the dark hair out of her partner's eyes, and gave her a faint, wistful smile. I guess I did… she mused wonderingly. "No.. not very, love." She murmured. "Guess I'll just have to take care of you, then, huh?" She looked up into Xena's dazed eyes, then studied her battered form, wincing at the scrapes from the river debris. 'Thank you.. for coming back to me, Xena."

A twitch. "Had to." A pause. "Different this time." She swallowed and closed her eyes. "Must have.. not been.. too close…"

Gabrielle gazed at her. "Why?? " She asked gently.

"Not like.. " Xena took a breath. "Must have been a dream. Ocean.. birds flying around.. sunrise.. " She felt Gabrielle's hand against her chest. "Hard to describe."

You don't need to. Gabrielle felt a lightness flood her. I've been there. She opened her mouth to speak, then slowly closed it again. This was not the time. "We have to get back up to the cave.. you have all those scratches… and we're gonna need the healer's kit."

A nod. "I know." Xena took a pained breath. "Little while." She hesitated, and forced her eyes open apologetically. "You OK?"

Gabrielle rested her head against the warrior's shoulder. "You made sure I was." She said quietly, remembering waking to find herself still wrapped in the warrior's protective arms, and turning to find Xena's still, unbreathing form behind her. She'd reacted instinctively, shaking the warrior hard, and getting an arm around her chest, pulling up with all her strength, then squeezing the water out of her lungs, six.. seven?… times before she felt a faint, answering gasp under her aching arms. It had been the most wonderful sound she'd ever heard.

The silence stretched on, as the rain slowly pattered to a halt outside, and the wind died down, and the storm was over.

Gabrielle waited until her tunic had at least dried to mere dampness before she reluctantly put a hand on Xena's shoulder. "Hey.." She called softly, watching the blue eyes flutter open and blink at her dazedly. "We gotta go, love."

A weary nod. "Yeah.. all right." Xena answered softly, lifting a hand and rubbing her temples. "Damn…" She gave Gabrielle an apologetic look. "Sorry… I'm still.. kind of fuzzy." Kind of fuzzy… um.. no.. I'm not really trotting on all hooves here. "I think my brain froze." A faint attempt at a joke, which earned her a smile from Gabrielle.

The bard stroked her cheek. "I can tell." She sighed softly, watching her partner struggle to keep her eyes open. "I'd let you rest longer, but.. Xena, it's still cold here, and I'm.." She felt silent as the warrior took a deep breath, and made an obvious effort to gather herself together. Afraid to let you go to sleep like this… at least until we're someplace safe.

"No.. you're right." Xena told her, motioning her to move out of their shelter. "Let's go." She tapped the wolf's back. "Go on, Ares."

Gabrielle scrambled out after the wolf, putting her hand on the rock overhang, and straightening her back with a groan, then turning to see her partner standing quietly behind her, leaning against the rain slick surface. The warrior's face was pale, even in the muddy fading sunlight that was very reluctantly peeking through the slowly lifting clouds, and Gabrielle could now see the angry cuts and scrapes that had ripped through her light linen tunic. "You look miserable, Xena." She blurted, then winced. "Sorry."

That got a tiny, wry smile from the tall dark haired woman. "I bet." She turned her face towards the subdued setting sun and ran a hand hesitantly through her damp locks. "Still.."

"You’ve had worse." Gabrielle finished for her, walking over and taking her arm with a smile. "Come on, you."

It was dark before they made it back to the cave, and Xena paused outside, holding Gabrielle back before they entered, her dark head cocked to one side. "Ares.. go on." She nudged the wolf with one foot, and waited for him to enter the cave, pausing for several long seconds before relaxing and giving the bard a squeeze on her shoulder. "Should be.. okay."

The fire was nothing but embers, but Xena had stocked the place with firewood, and Gabrielle gently led her partner over to where their things were. "Hold still.. " Xena stood without resistance, swaying a little as she let the bard strip off the tattered, muddy tunic. "Ouch." She flinched, seeing the raw scrapes across the warrior's back. "Oh, Xena…"

"Yeah." Xena muttered softly. "Stings." She took the dry garment Gabrielle had slung over her shoulder and shrugged slowly into it, as the bard sighed. "Just scratches, though."

Gabrielle put her hands on the long shirt's lapels, drawing them closed across her partner's chest and tying the belt around her waist. "Come on.. sit down here"

Xena complied, sitting down on the bedroll, and resting her elbows on her knees. Gabrielle crouched down next to her, and cradled her face in her hands. "Xena?"

The warrior's gaze was glassy. "Yeah." A deep breath. This.. is bad. I can't… oh gods.

"Love, I know it's hard.. but you need to stay with me, all right?" Gabrielle whispered. "I need you to tell me what to do for you…OK?"

A long silence, then finally Xena glanced down, and studied her hands. "Give me the healer's kit." She said quietly. No.. choice. Sleeping.. wouldn't be a good idea. She took the leather pouch Gabrielle handed her, and fished inside, pulling out a selection of five herbs, pinching amounts and adding them to a small pile in the center of her hand. At last, she nodded, and closed her fist.

Gabrielle put a hand over hers, and gently pried at the fingers. "Give me those.. I'll make you some tea, OK?" She stood and rebuilt the fire, putting the water pot over it as soon as the flames were warming the cave. The heat felt wonderful against her body, and she stood absorbing it for a minute, before turning to gaze at Xena, who was staring into the orange light, one hand idly stroking Ares' thick fur. The gnawing worry erupted in her chest again, seeing the far off look in her partner's eyes, and she shook out one of their blankets, and settled it around Xena's shoulders.

That got her a spark of amusement in those pale blue eyes, and a half grin. "Thanks mom."

Gabrielle crouched down again. "Very funny.'" But she smiled. "Xena.. " A breath. "Are you hurt anywhere.. I mean, other than the scratches? You're… I … "

You're scaring her to death, Xena.. you need to snap out of it. "No.. no.. " She sighed. "The water.. the cold.. I don't know.. I just sort of feel numb." She nodded towards the now boiling water. "That should help."

Gabrielle sat down, and worked on steeping the tea, pulling the jar of honey out, and raising an eyebrow at her partner. "Want some?"

A nod. "Yeah." Xena put a hand to her throat. "Hurts to swallow… feels like I was screaming or something." She paused. "Was I?"

Gabrielle stirred the tea thoughtfully. "No… " She said slowly. "Not that I remember…." But then.. how did we get out from under that tree? "Here…" She folded Xena's hands around the cup, and sat down next to her, guiding the mug up to the warrior's lips, and watching her drink several long swallows. "How's that?" She put a hand up against Xena's forehead and let out a tiny sigh of relief. "You feel cool.. no fever."

The herbs kicked in fast, and Xena felt her heart pound faster, and a flush color her skin, as her body responded to the stimulants. It was dangerous.. but not as dangerous as that creeping lethargy seemed to be. "Better." She nodded slightly, taking another few sips, and feeling her blood course wildly just under her skin.

The fog dissipated a little, and she drew the blanket around her shoulders, feeling her breathing increase, and faint tingle travel down her skin. It began to melt the core of ice she'd felt inside her since she'd woken.. or.. whatever.. near the river. That, and the fire nearby, and Gabrielle's close presence, her hand curled gently on Xena's knee, the bard's thumb idly stroking the soft skin, and tracing the smoothly curved muscles just under it.

It must have been the cold..she mused. And the shock of.. coming very close to the edge, yet again. At least she hadn't had to go all the way.. and feel the licking flames of Tartarus, the ache against her arms of the crucifixion, and the blinding agony of her shattered legs. No.. because Gabrielle had saved her.. She glanced up at the bard. "Hey.. you make a mean cup of tea, my bard."

"You look better." Gabrielle noted quietly, lifting a hand to brush her knuckles against her partner's cheek. "What is that stuff?" She felt an utter rush of relief at the returning intentness in that gaze, as the quiet, almost ghostly presence solidified into her soulmate's sharp intelligence.

Xena shrugged a little, lifting one arm and settling it, with part of the blanket around the bard's body. "Just something to kind of give my body a kick." The fog cleared further, and she felt her senses settling into an almost normal state. She put down the mug, and turned to Gabrielle, studying her intently.

Seeing the slow, silent tears running down the bard's face, and lifting wondering fingers to brush them away. "Gabrielle..what.. are you hurt? " She pulled the blanket aside, and started checking her companion for injuries anxiously. How could I have just let her….

Hands covered hers, and the bard snuggled closer, hiding her face against Xena's linen clad chest. "What… " Confused, she stroked the pale, tangled hair softly. "Gabrielle..what's wrong?"

'I thought I was losing you again." Came the tortured whisper. "You were drifting away from me."

"Oh… gods.. Gabrielle.." Xena closed her eyes in pain. "I wouldn't…" She stopped. But she had, hadn't she? If not for Gabrielle, she'd be back in Tartarus right now. Again. How could she have let go her life so easily.. knowing what it meant to her soulmate? What kind of a useless piece of… "I'm.. sorry.."

Gabrielle sighed. "No.. here you are hurt, and I'm going off all over you like a baby… gods.. I don't know what got into me, Xena… " She drew breath. "I'm just glad to have you.. back."

Silence for a moment. "Damned if I know why." Xena's voice was bitter with self-knowledge. "All I ever seem to do is cause you pain… you'd be better off.."

The impact of the bard's hand against her cheek shocked her speechless.

"Don't you EVER say that" The green eyes blazed fiercely. "Don't you ever even THINK it, do you hear me??? " Gabrielle shook her head violently. "Gods..Xena, how could you even… do you… " Her gaze fastened on Xena's still shocked eyes. "Can you honestly tell me you think I'd be better off having..never…" Her heart was breaking.. she could feel it. Knew by the sudden intake of breath Xena could too, through the link that bound them. "Oh.. no.. please…don't think…that..you can't… "

Hands on her face, and now she could feel Xena's heart pounding hard against the hand she had laid flat on the warrior's chest. "No… listen to me.. " That voice, which had a path straight to her heart. "I don't believe that.. I can't.. I know you wouldn't have been… I was… " An expelled breath. "Gabrielle.. I'm just so mad at myself.. for all that I keep putting you through.. I didn't mean.. that I wished we'd never… " She felt tears start in her own eyes, and ignored them. "How could I? Her face stung, where the bard had hit her. She ignored that too, intent only on the still face gazing at her. "You… have been.. the one miracle of my life." Just that simple.

Shaking fingertips brushed her cheek, collecting the tears and tracing the red mark there. "You've been the reason for mine." The bard whispered. "I figured that out a while ago.. we all have a purpose in life.. and I didn't have one until I met you. " She sighed and let her hand drop to Xena's arm, rubbing the warm skin there. "Sorry I hit you."

"It's ok.. " Xena gave her a hesitant smile. "I think I probably deserved it." She glanced down. "That was… an incredibly stupid thing to say. My brains.. must have been frozen. "

Gabrielle let her head rest against her partner's shoulder. "Xena?"

"Mmmm?" The warrior murmured, leaning back against the rock wall and pulling the bard with her.

"Can I ask you something?" And you won't get mad.. or…

"Sure." Xena replied. Uh oh.. She quietly sipped on her tea. "Anything.. you know that."

A long silence. "When you said.. just now… that you didn't believe it.. you said you can't, and that you knew I wouldn't have been.. "

"Yeah." Xena felt her heartbeat speed up, as she realized where this avenue was headed.

"How did you know?" Gabrielle took a deep breath. "I don't mean..I know you're right.. OK?"

There are much better times that we could discuss this. Xena's mind ached. "Gabrielle… we can.. talk about this tomorrow.. all right? I'm just… it's been a long day."

Green eyes stared intently into hers. "All right.. but… " Always a but. " You do know, don't you.. its not just something you think?"

The warrior closed her eyes, and let her head drop back against the cool stone, remembering. "I do know." She confirmed, opening her eyes again, and gazing quietly down at Gabrielle. "Tomorrow… I promise."

Gabrielle hesitated, then nodded, giving Xena a push on one shoulder. "Lie down."

The warrior obeyed, laying her head onto her folded cloak with a sense of relief. She watched the bard change into a familiar soft shirt, and then she snuggled down next to her partner, reaching and smoothing the hair out of her eyes.

"You must hurt all over, love.. I don't think.." A hand grabbed the front of her shirt and tugged hard, and she laughed softly, as she was pulled closer, and she slid an arm around Xena's waist, and laid her head down on the warrior's shoulder, where the heartbeat was loud and clear.

"So don't think." Xena said softly, settling her arms around the bard. "Hey… we forgot to have dinner." A tiny joke, and she felt the quiet snort as Gabrielle shifted slightly, and let her hand start a slow, languid drift down the warrior's midsection. "I definitely can afford to miss it." Xena chuckled ruefully.

Gabrielle smiled against the sweetly rich herbal scent of the linen shirt Xena was wearing, and gave her belly a gentle poke. "Liar." She let her finger trace familiar patterns. "Just for that, you get a big breakfast."

"Oh yeah?" Xena teased, kissing the top of her head.

"Mmm…" The bard replied. "Yeah." A pause. "Xena?"

"Yeah?" The warrior responded, taking a deep breath and letting it out.

"You gonna be OK?" A plaintive, hopeful question.

Xena closed her eyes, and bowed her neck, capturing the bard's lips in a long kiss, not breaking contact until she felt Gabrielle's body arch to meet hers. "I feel great." She mumbled, nibbling the underside of Gabrielle's jawline.

"Point made.' The bard smiled, and snuggled in close, letting her eyes drift shut.

But the fire's companion was a pair of blue eyes gone gray in the flickering crimson light, which didn't close until very, very late.

Hercules felt himself starting to drift up from the heavy covering of sleep he'd fallen into, becoming vaguely aware of the sounds and scents of the inn. The fire gave off a hint of oak, the blankets he was swaddled in smelled of sun and dried herbs, and he could hear the faint sounds of activity outside through the snugly closed windows.

And… splashing. His eyebrow quirked, but he kept his eyes closed. Splashing..and a soft.. humming. The kind of preoccupied, tenor, off key humming that could only be coming from Iolaus, who, though loyal, and funny, and courageous to a fault, was unfortunately tone deaf.

One eye opened, and he peered cautiously over the blankets, spotting his friend cheerfully puttering around the large wooden tub, moving buckets of steaming water over to it and gently sloshing the contents inside. He'd taken his vest and overtunic off, having apparently washed them, and was currently enjoying the warmth of the fire against his compactly muscular form.

"What are you doing?" Hercules asked, curiously, making no move to stir an inch other than his lips and tongue.

Iolaus glanced at him, then glanced down at the bucket in his hand, then back at his friend. "Y'know, I told you that you should have had your eyesight checked out by that healer in the last village, buddy." The small blond man shook his head, and finished his trip to the tub, tipping his bucket in, and sniffing the steam appreciatively.

Hercules became aware of a pleasant, spicy, musky scent that tickled his senses, and intrigued him enough to make him half sit up, bracing his elbows behind him, and watching Iolaus with interest. "What's that smell?" He asked, then glanced at the window. "Aw.. how long have I been sleeping?" The darkness outside intensified the cozy warmth of the room, and he resisted the urge to lie back down and let himself get sucked back into a pleasant sleepy haze.

Iolaus grinned. "You like it?" He tugged another bucket over, and rid it of it's warm contents. "Toris gave me some of these herbs.. he said the baths usually get scented by the girls around here.. " Iolaus' pale eyes twinkled. "But he keeps this stuff around so he doesn't end up smelling like flowers."

Hercules laughed. "I see his point." Then his expression sobered. "You haven't answered my question."

The smaller man glanced up. "Well.. I don't know… several candlemarks.. I guess.. they're serving dinner downstairs.. I thought you'd appreciate a bath before that." He looked up with a bright smile. "Hey..I found out some neat stuff."

The demigod yawned, and slid out from under the covers, standing and stretching his tall, muscular frame slowly. "You telling me I stink, Iolaus?" This with a wry look in his friend's direction. "What'd you find out?"

Iolaus put his fists on his hips and struck a pose. "Well.. first off, no you don't stink.. YOU were the one who said you wanted a bath, pal." He shook his head. "Second..I found out that not only are they getting joined.. " He stopped. "And, by the way, thanks for telling me about that, too." He muttered as an aside. "Not only that, but Solstice is…. " He paused for effect. "Xena's birthday."

Hercules stopped in the middle of removing his fawn colored shirt, and stared at his friend. "No kidding?" He snorted in surprise. "How'd you find that out? I asked her once.. and boy did I ever get one of those deadly looks back." He stripped his shirt all the way off, and draped it over the end of the bed, ignoring Iolaus trying to pretend he wasn't looking at the raw, angry red mark still circling his broad neck. "Thanks for the water.. by the way.. you're right. I do need a bath." He wrinkled his nose, and smiled.

"No kidding." Iolaus answered, then spotted the hurt look. "Oh.. no.. sorry.. I meant no kidding about the birthday." He laughed a little. "Her mother told me.. nice lady." He glanced up, as Hercules removed his trousers and boots and lowered himself into the water with a heartfelt groan. "They're all pretty nice here.. not what I expected at all." He pulled a small package out from their gear and unwrapped a bar of soap, which he flipped to Hercules casually. "Here.."

A big hand captured it in mid air. "Thanks.."

Iolaus leaned back against the hearth, and regarded him quietly. "I could ask Cyrene for some salve for your neck."

Pale eyes glanced at him. "Leave it." Hercules answered shortly. "It'll be fine."

The blond man pursed his lips and nodded. "Just offering." He commented, glancing at his boots, already having an alternate plan. "Those Amazons are pretty interesting, too.. remember how I said Xena looked really preoccupied before she left?"

Hercules studied him suspiciously. "It’s not like you to give up that easy, Iolaus.. what cockeyed plan are you hatching up?"

Iolaus walked over and rested his bare arms against the wood polished smooth from years of use. "Plan? No plan.. I'm just gonna tell Xena when she gets here." He gave Hercules a broad smile. "You can just argue about it with her." He poked his companion in one broad shoulder. "And frankly, I hope she ties you down and slaps poultices that smell like goats on your neck for a week." He gave Hercules a cocky grin.

Hercules glowered at him. "Thanks, buddy." It was, however, a potent threat, and he knew it. Iolaus he could put off.. though the smaller man had been getting more persistent the longer the injury remained unhealed. Xena, on the other hand… wouldn't take no, or even maybe for an answer. "You're a real pal."

Iolaus looked him right in the eye. "I like to think I am."

The demigod dropped his eyes, and played with the surface of the water for a minute, then looked back up. "You are… " He sighed. "It's just spooking me, that's all…" He raised a wet hand and touched the burn. "I never had something that just wouldn't…heal.. before.. most things don't even affect me." He shook his tawny head. "Maybe Xena'll know what to do." Then his brows creased. "What were you saying about her before?" He started scrubbing himself with soap, wincing as the burn pulled when he tried to get his shoulders.

"Here.. let me get that." Iolaus sighed, taking the soap from his friend and getting the hard to reach spots, careful to avoid the vivid burn. "I'm sure she'll come up with something.. she usually does." He kept his voice cheerful. "Hey… Gabrielle got kidnapped while we were gone."

Hercules turned his head, both eyebrows crawling up to his hair line. "What???"

Iolaus told him the story while he finished washing, then handed him a linen towel as he got out of the tub and dried himself, wrapping the fabric around his muscular waist. "Zeus, it's nice to be clean, and dry, and warm for a change." He commented wryly, crossing to their gear and pulling a clean shirt from his pack. He paused in the act of settling the fabric over his head. "Do they…"

"I told them the story. " Iolaus answered, not looking up from where he was digging out fresh clothing from his own store. "Not much point in not.. they knew where Xena was going. " He looked up. "And why." He gave his friend a smile. "It's all right.. they just wanted to know if you were OK.."

Hercules settled the shirt over his body, and stared unseeing at the fire for what seemed to Iolaus forever. "Yeah." The demigod finally said, blowing out a breath. "Well, better it comes from you." He glanced over at the still kneeling Iolaus, and froze, then walked over and crouched down behind the smaller man, grasping his shoulder and peering at his tanned back closely.

Iolaus cursed silently to himself. Damn it.. how could I forget that… "What's up?" He asked brightly, not moving.

"Where did you get these?" Hercules asked quietly, running a thumb over the vertical scars that ran across the blond man's skin.

"Um." Iolaus hesitated, racking his brains for a good excuse.

"Did I do that?" Came the tense, anguished question.

Sometimes, Iolaus.. He quietly reflected. Sometimes, there is such as thing as a merciful lie. "You??? No." He forced a laugh. "No.. no way.. no.. it was the guards that caught me down there…brought me to the dungeon." He half turned and gave Hercules a smile. "Didn't duck fast enough.. you know me."

The utter relief on his friend's face told him he'd made the right choice. And. It's not a lie.. that wasn't him. He told himself. "I told you… you didn't touch me." Not.. totally the truth. He took a calming breath. His body still remembered, though he'd managed to purge the memories from his dreams. Mostly.

"Thank the gods." Hercules sighed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Come on.. let's get moving." He pulled on a pair of clean, dark blue trousers, then sat down to pull on his knee length boots, while Iolaus changed into a long sleeved purple shirt, and gray trousers of his own.

"Cute shirt." Hercules commented, then sighed and shook his head. "Iolaus, comb your hair.. it looks like a squirrels nest."

"Ha, hah." The blond man replied sarcastically. "We can't all have perfect hair like someone I could name but won't." He ran his fingers through his unruly blond locks, and spread his hands. "Come on, I'm starving."

"So.. is Solari checking up on us?" Ephiny laughed, as Granella shook the moisture off her cloak, and settled herself at the regent's side, motioning Cait to do the same. "Not that it’s not good to see you two, but…"

Granella gave both her and Eponin a dour look, then unstrapped the leather case from her belt, and slapped it down on the table. "Here." She pushed it across the table at them. "Notes, missives, idle thoughts, a couple of shopping lists, a centaur in a nut tree, you name it." She eased herself back in her chair and sighed. "And that had to be the worst weather on record we just went through." She glanced to her left. "Right, Cait?"

"Gosh." The blond girl sighed. "It was awful. And the river is flooded.. we saw ever so many drowned animals." She looked up and smiled. "Hello, Toris."

"Hi." The tall dark haired man greeted them, dropping into a seat across from Ephiny and resting his forearms on the table. His eyes casually found Granella's, then glanced just as casually away. A faint blush colored the slim Amazon's skin, almost invisible in the dim golden light "Rain's stopped… looks like it's clearing." He shook his head. "We've been getting a bunch of flooded out folks coming down the road.. looks pretty bad further upriver."

A server arrived, bringing them an armload of wooden platters and bowls, and a steaming pot that she left on the table, along with a serving spoon. "There you are.. " She grinned cheerfully, setting down several loaves of warm bread, and poking a knife into one of them.

Toris stood, and dusted his hands off. "Can I serve you ladies?" He inquired, picking up the serving spoon and a bowl.

Silence.

"Oh, get over it." Toris rolled his eyes. "Amazons." He sighed in exasperation.

Ephiny handed him her bowl with a grin. "She taught you to say that, didn't she?" She caught Eponin's smothered chuckle and poked the older Amazon in the leg. "You've got the intonation and the eyebrow perfectly."

Toris raised his brow, and blinked at her. "I have no idea what you're talking about." He paused, and ladled some stew into her bowl, then glanced up as Hercules and Iolaus slipped through the dinner crowd and headed their way. "This'll be a nice change." He muttered, as he passed Ephiny's bowl back and started on Eponin's. "Evening.. " He greeted the two newcomers. "Have a seat.. join the party."

Ephiny introduced everyone who hadn't met each other yet, and settled back into her chair, slowly sipping on a tall glass of fragrant ale, and watching the interaction around the table, hiding a smile when she spotted Iolaus using a very slick redirection ploy and adding more stew to Hercules' bowl when the demigod was distracted. Not.. Ephiny mused to herself. That the tall, tawny haired man didn't look like he could use it… He seemed a bit shy at first, and she wasn't sure if that was his natural response, since he was in a group of strangers, or whether it was due to his recent trials.

Iolaus, teamed with an enthusiastic Cait, soon drew him out, though, as the slim young Amazon dredged up questions about his adventures that Ephiny was willing to believe he had totally forgotten. He seemed very sweet, and not at all like she'd expected, given his reputation.

Which, strangely enough, was exactly what Hercules was thinking about the Amazons.

They all looked up as the door opened and a small group of villagers piled in, half leading, half supporting a draggled looking woman, who was weeping in exhaustion, and putting a hand out to touch the forms of two small children, being gently carried in the arms of two of the villagers.

Toris stood, and excused himself, walking over to the group and giving the leader a nod. "Ectris?.. what's up?"

The woman looked up at him, and a curious expression crossed her face.

"Poor lass." Ectris sighed. "Flooded out, upriver some 30 leagues.. their wagon got swept up at a ford and carried down."

"We woulda been kilt." The woman gasped. "The wagon was headed down to the rough spots.. I knew we weren't gonna make it… but.. " Her eyes fastened on Toris again, then wrenched away and blinked around the room. "But then a goddess of the river came up.. and saved us."

By now a large group of the villagers were clustered around, and Toris felt, rather than saw Hercules' massive presence at his shoulder. "A river goddess?" The demigod queried, his brows creasing. "I didn't think.."

Toris smiled, and crossed his arms, looking at the floor then glancing up. "River goddess."

"Aye." The woman nodded, still staring at him from the corner of her eye. "Jumped right up onto that wagon, and got us tied good and tight to the shore.. we got off, and came up here."

"That's incredible." Hercules murmured.

The tall dark haired man chuckled a little. "No.. not really… " He gazed at the woman, pinning her with his pale blue stare. "Tell me.. this.. river goddess… she didn't, by any chance, happen to look..oh… like me?"

Thus invited, the woman now frankly indulged in a long stare. "Aye." She finally breathed. "I could never forget those eyes." Her face tensed in anxiety, and she looked around. "What kind of.. place.. is this?" Her eyes widened as she took in Hercules' massive form, then the Amazon's leather and weaponry.

Toris patted her arm comfortingly. "Relax. This is Amphipolis, that's Hercules, those are Amazons, and that wasn't a river goddess, it was my sister, Xena."

"Y..yo… your… sis…" The woman's eyes rolled up into her head, and she slumped, saved from a crash to the floor by Toris' quick grab, and Ectris' even quicker lunge.

"Whoops." Toris sighed. "That was a bit much, I think." He watched as Ectris and another villager got the woman's body up, and started to carry her out, followed by the two men carrying the children. The older of the two blinked at Toris, and gave him a tentative smile.

"We thought they were river goddesses.. cause they just disappeared down the water after they saved us.. and we didn't see them no more." The boy explained softly.

The men left, and they all looked at each other. "It's.. strange.. that they didn't come back to see if these folks were ok." Toris said, hesitantly.

Another silence. "I'm sure they're ok." Hercules ventured. "You know.. Xena's really pretty good at taking care of herself."

A longer silence. "If we go out after them, and they're ok, we're gonna get our butts kicked." Ephiny stated.

They all looked at Hercules. "Oh no.. don't look at me to protect everyone." The demigod raised a hand and shook it. "She's got one mean right hook."

Another silence. "We could say… " Iolaus drummed his fingers against the table. "We were… shopping."

Heads turned. "Shopping??" Ephiny and Hercules managed a duet.

"Yeah.." Iolaus grinned. "We were all shopping for.. birthday presents. And.. we heard Potadeia has a good market."

"She won't buy that for a second." Toris stated, positively. "But.. I'd feel better if we'd just check the river a little.. just to be sure they didn't.. lose their supplies.. or whatever."

Ephiny sighed. "I would to."

Hercules nodded. "Me three." He turned to Toris. "How'd you know it was her, anyway?"

Toris paused, distracted, then glanced up. "Oh.. well, people get this.. 'I know I know you from somewhere' kind of look when they meet me for the first time if they've met her first." He flicked his eyes towards the now closed door. "She had it big time."

Hercules studied him thoughtfully. "You do look alike." His face settled into a curious frown.

They moved back to the table, and sat down. "So.. " Iolaus took a swallow of ale. "Toris.. tell us some stories about your sister as a kid."

Carefully muffled delighted grins flashed around the table. "Yeah.. Tor, come on." Granella laughed, putting a light hand on his arm, where it rested on the table next to her. "I bet you have some really funny ones."

Toris felt a tingle go up his arm at her touch, and almost succumbed, but took a deep breath instead. "Um.. I do.. have a lot of shared memories of my childhood." He looked up and met their eyes. "But.. my sister doesn’t like to be talked about.. and I respect that."

Ephiny leaned forward. "C'mon Toris, Gabrielle does it all the time."

Pale, ice blue eyes pinned her in a familiar stare. "Those are different kinds of stories, and I'm not Gabrielle."

Hercules cleared his throat. "I think.. " He hesitated. "It's more that everyone's curious, Toris - no one knows much about Xena, she never talks about herself, or her family. We didn't even know you existed until a short time ago. "

Grateful looks surrounded him.

Toris sat back, mollified. "Well… I won't tell funny stories, but I'll tell you what it was like.. growing up." He smiled a little "With a younger sister who could take on anyone, and anything, and usually did."

Everyone leaned forward.

Gabrielle let her senses slowly become aware of her surroundings before she opened her eyes. She could smell the damp rock of the cave, and the dry cold air, which meant the weather had cleared. The fire was still a warmth at her back, and she could hear the steady, solid beat of Xena's heart under her ear, and feel the regular breathing that moved the arm she had thrown over her partner's stomach.

There are, she reflected fuzzily. Worse ways to wake up, even if we are in a cave somewhere out in the wilderness. She let one eye ease open, and found herself regarding Xena's profile, a sight which brought an immediate involuntary grin to her face. The warrior had her head turned slightly to one side, with errant wisps of dark hair drifting over her ear, and tangling with Gabrielle's own red gold. The bard took a deep breath, and released it, dismissing the memories of the previous day back amongst the shadowy would be terrors that only surfaced in her dreams.

She should, she knew, remove herself from this delightfully warm nest and get the fire stirred up, and get some water put on in case more of whatever that was Xena used last night was needed. That thought made her shudder, and as she did, she felt the arm that was curved around her back tighten its hold, and she glanced up.

A sharp blue gaze was looking back at her, with a dark brow lifted gently in question. "You all right?" Xena's voice was a little husky, but not strained as it was the previous night, and there was no vagueness in her glance.

Gabrielle smiled. "Just fine, thanks." She studied her partner. "How are you?"

The eyebrow twitched, along with Xena's lip on that side. "I feel like I was dragged down a rock filled, flooding river in nothing but a shirt, but other than that… " Her eyes lifted and glanced towards the opening. "Looks like a nicer day."

The bard didn't take her eyes off Xena's face. "Yes, it does." Then she laughed a little, and ducked her head against the warrior's shoulder. "Gods, Xena.. we can't even take a nice peaceful walk to Potadeia, can we?"

She felt Xena's muscles contract lightly as she chuckled. "I was just thinking that.. listen, we'd better just keep quiet about this little adventure.." She gave Gabrielle a wry look. "Or we'll never hear the end of it."

"And it's not my fault this time!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "You can't lay this one on me, O Warrior Princess, who jumps into raging rivers to rescue wretched refugees." She tickled Xena's belly, and got a real laugh out of her, a surprised, light, happy sound that touched the bard unexpectedly in a very deep place.

"Gabrielle! What else could I have done.. just let them go? " The warrior protested, still chuckling. "Wonder what happened to them.. we just saw the wagon when we came back up here." She paused when the bard didn't answer, and glanced down, riffing her fingers through the fair hair that half hid Gabrielle's face. "Gabrielle?"

"Um.. sorry." The bard apologized, gazing up with a gentle smile. "I was just… I .. don't get to hear you laugh like that very often, and I was.. oh, never mind." She laughed a little. "Have I ever told you, Xena.. that just being with you makes me really happy?" She dropped her gaze to Xena's linen shirt, and let her fingers drift idly over the warrior's ribs. "You really are an indispensable part of my life."

A hand gently descended and cupped her cheek, lifting her face up so she could see the quiet look in Xena's eyes. "I think you know that goes double for me, right?" Her gaze turned wistful. "What you chose to do yesterday… "

Gabrielle smiled a little. "Were you really surprised?"

An understanding gleam in those blue eyes. "No.. but.. "

The bard raised a hand and put her fingertips over Xena's lips. "No buts." Her eyes sparkled. "Besides.. I was looking forward to showing you around the Fields." A quiet joy began building in her, seeing the knotted look of confusion form on her partner's forehead. She doesn't know…she didn't realize… oh gods… this is going to be just the best.

"Gabrielle.." Xena sighed, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I don't think.. you'll ever get to do that, love." I can't let her think that's a possibility… it's not fair to her.

The bard hitched herself up on one elbow, and savored the moment. "Remember that dream you had yesterday?"

The warrior's brows contracted. What is she.. where… oh.. "Yes.. but Gabrielle, what does that have to.."

"A beach… right at dawn, the smell of the sea, pale coral light… birds calling… " Gabrielle prompted, a smile crinkling her face right up to her eyes. "Pale, very fine sand…"

I don't remember being that specific. Xena mused. "Um.. yeah, but how…"

"Xena, that was no dream." The bard whispered. "I know that place.. I've been there… once." She paused. "At Thessaly."

Xena lay frozen, staring up at her, forgetting to breathe. She can't be saying what I think I just heard. No way. That's not possible.. I know damn well it's not possible. But those green eyes were sparkling at her in gentle, sure knowledge.

"There was a bright spot.. a doorway… " Gabrielle breathed. "And beyond that, Xena… are the Fields.. I know.. I walked through it." She almost laughed at the absolutely stunned look on her partner's shocked face. "Happy birthday." This with a joyful, impish grin, as she ducked her head, and kissed her.

Could it…no.. how could it be? Xena's mind raced in circles. After all the horrible, disgusting, evil things I did.. that I was.. there's no way…no way… But old words of a wise soul drifted into her mind

Everyone thinks that hatred is the most potent of all emotions, Xena.. because it gives you strength, and fire, and the will to carry out almost anything. And they think love makes you weak.. because it saps your energy, and turns your mind to soft, gentle things.

But.. I will tell you this, that love makes things possible that hatred never will.. because it inspires you to greatness, and gives you a reason to live that is stronger that anything else can ever be in your life.

How could that be? Her mind still protested. I'm not that different.. I'm still a killer.. still.. full of that darkness… still.. Ares Chosen.

"It's what you use it for that counts." Gabrielle's words echoed. "If you use that to defeat evil, that's all that matters, Xena."

Maybe.

"You were evil.. you know evil.. now you can use that to fight evil. " M'lila's judgement swirled around her like fireflies in the dusk.

Maybe.

She looked up into Gabrielle's patiently waiting eyes, and, very slowly, felt a smile form on her lips. Mirrored by her partner immediately. "It's true?" She asked, wonderingly.

The bard delicately traced her face with a trembling fingertip. "Yes, it's true." She affirmed gently. "See? I told you that you were stuck with me."

Forever. The word suddenly took on new meaning. Her life did too, sliding across a ethereal scale from negative to positive. "I.. I… gods."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Yeah, it's true… whoa!!!!!!" She grabbed on tight as she was suddenly lifted skyward, and then felt her body tossed into the air with startling ease. "Hey!!!! " Her speech cut off as strong arms caught her, and felt the pulse of joy that came down their link, that sent her reeling to the edge of dizziness. She looked up, and found herself captured in a blaze of dark blue, and returned Xena's brilliant smile. "Not that, mind you, I want to do that tour any time soon."

Xena laughed, and closed her eyes, and breathed in the joy that surround them like a blanket. Energy sang through her, making her skin bristle with it, and she opened her eyes again, and bounded over to the cave entrance, where rich sunlight was pouring down, turning the slate gray rock to verdant silver. They both looked out onto the river valley, where the flooded river was reflecting the sunlight in mirror like darts, and broken vegetation was strewn about haphazardly.

Below them, a deer was timidly nibbling some shoots, and over head, a hawk soared, it's dark feathers stark against the cloudless blue sky.

"Beautiful day." Xena commented, grinning madly, glancing down at the happily prancing Ares.

Gabrielle didn't answer, she just slid her arms up around Xena's neck, and hugged her with all her strength. They stood like that for a few minutes, then Xena let out a happy sigh, and tucked the bard's head under her chin. "Hungry?"

Green eyes peered up at her with a sunny smile. "Of course… what about you?" Gabrielle ducked and put her head down. "I hear you grumbling there."

"Yep." Xena cheerfully agreed. "What are you in the mood for?" Her eyes sparkled with mischievous fun. She dropped the bard gently to earth, but kept a secure arm around her shoulders. "Hmm?"

"You." Gabrielle grinned impishly at her. "But I'll take whatever we have in our stock." She gave Xena a light tug. "C'mon.. "

The warrior smiled. "You go stoke the fire… I'll be right back." The urge to bolt off into the dazzling sunlight was almost overwhelming, and she was being hard pressed not to just let out a wild yell, that was perched in the back of her throat, waiting.

Gabrielle laughed. "Xena, you don’t' even have boots on, and its cold.. you goofy thing. Come on.. we've got stuff in here." She wrapped an arm around her partner's waist. "I'll spar with you to get rid of some of that energy, all right?" She giggled at the sheepish look on Xena's face. "Like I can't feel it.." She caught her breath at the way the sun lit up that dark profile.

"All right." The warrior gave in, still smiling, and let herself be led back inside.

"Ugh." Iolaus shielded his eyes from the painfully bright sun. How late did we stay up last night.. and how much ale did I drink? His brows contracted in agony. Too much. He remembered brief flashes of storytelling, himself, the Amazons, Toris… Gods, those Amazons knew some wild tales.

Cautiously, he turned his head to the right, to where Hercules was sleeping peacefully, curled up on his left side and hugging the pillow, as he usually did.

Won't even have a hangover. Iolaus sighed in disgust. He never does. At least we got him to relax a little, though.. that was an accomplishment. He grinned at the bashful response of his friend when the villagers had shown a solid familiarity of his exploits, positive evidence that Gabrielle had been regularly telling his tales there. Good girl, his mind thanked her with warm gratitude. I think that helped him more than anything else could have.. poor guy.

Wincing, he sighed and eased out of bed, padding silently across the wooden floor and freshening the fire. The renewed warmth felt good on his bare chest, and he sat for a moment, staring into the tiny, burgeoning flames. He reached up and kneaded his stiff neck, rotating his head to ease the tightness, as he finally stood, and took a deep breath, then crossed to his pack and took out a bag of mixed herbs, rooting around inside them and dumping a few out in his hand. Well.. it's not what I need, but.. it'll do something. He sighed, splashing some cold water into a mug, then adding the mixture. He stirred it with a finger, then tossed the contents down, making a face at the taste. Ugh. He shivered, then rinsed the stuff off his tongue with some cold water.

After a few minutes, the stuff took effect, and he sighed, then scooped up more of the cold water and washed his face vigorously, wincing at the sting of the icy temperature. It woke him fully up, though, and after running damp fingers through his unruly curls, he pulled on his clothes and boots.

A sound from the bed turned his gaze, and he walked quietly over, wincing in sympathy as he saw the grimace of pain on Hercules' still sleeping face. The demigod's hands were clenched on the bedclothes, and he was whispering an agonized "No.. no.. "

"Hey.. Herc.." Iolaus took hold of one broad shoulder and shook it gently. Damn those dreams… "Hey… it's ok.. " He shook harder. "Come on, it's just a dream."

Pale eyes slowly opened, and he turned his head to gaze wearily at Iolaus. Then he buried his face back into the pillow and groaned. "Sorry." He muttered, then rolled over onto his back, and stared at the ceiling. "Morning already?"

"Only just." Iolaus injected a cheerful tone to his voice that he really didn't feel. "I gotta go get something for this head… " He rubbed his temples. "Hey.. I'll bring ya back some breakfast or something, how's that?" He gave his friend a soft punch in the arm. "G'wan, sleep in a little.. we're supposed to be on vacation, right?"

He didn't get the expected argument, and he wasn't sure if he was glad for that or not.

"Yeah.. I guess." Hercules rubbed his eyes. "Quite a time we had last night, huh?" He managed a grin. "We should party with Amazons more often."

Iolaus grimaced. "Not too often." He rubbed his arm. "That was one deadly arm wrestling match." He watched his friend's eyes close, and his face lost its good humor. "Listen, you.. just go back to sleep, all right?"

A tired nod answered him.

Iolaus walked to the door, and slipped through it, casting one final worried look back at the bed before closing the door quietly behind him, and heading down the stairs.

Ephiny stood quietly gazing out of the window in her room, her arms resting on the windowsill next to a gently steaming mug of hot cider. She smiled at the sunny weather, mentally wiping her brow at the prospect of getting her Amazons out from underfoot for a few days. "Nice day." She commented, casting a glance back at Eponin, who was slumped in the chair next to the fire, grimacing.

"Lovely." The older Amazon remarked, letting her head drop back against the chair. "You coulda warned me about that ale, Eph."

The regent smothered a grin, before she walked back over and patted Eponin on the shoulder. "Hey.. we all need to get centaurfaced every once in a while, Pony… if it's any consolation, even Xena watches herself when she drinks the stuff."

"Really?" Eponin squinted up at the blond Amazon. "You ever seen her drunk?"

Ephiny shook her head. "Nope.. don't think I ever will, either.. Gabrielle told me she never lets herself get out of control like that.. it's too dangerous."

Eponin grunted. "Mph. She's gotta point. Hate to think of her playing ring toss with that chakram on a dare."

The regent winced. "Ooo… never thought of that… "

Eponin sighed. "Glad the weather's better though.. a nice trip in that fresh air will do wonders for my head" She gave Ephiny a rueful glance. "And the kids are getting a little antsy.. "

Ephiny crossed her arms over her chest. "So am I.. I think I'm going to come along." She braced herself. Now.. I get.. No way, Ephiny.. I'm not risking you getting sick again.

"No way, Ephiny." Eponin sat up straight. "I'm not risking you getting sick again."

The regent rolled her eyes. "For the love of Artemis, Pony, it's a beautiful day. It's sunny, there's very little wind, and we're just taking a walk."

Eponin cocked an eyebrow at her. "GABRIELLE was just taking a walk the other week."

"Look.. I'll have you, and the warriors, and Hercules, and Iolaus, and probably Toris along with me. What could POSSIBLY happen?" Ephiny lifted both hands, and let them drop to her sides. "We're taking a stroll down the road, Pony… come on. .I'm going stir crazy here.. at least you guys got to spar with Xena.. you wouldn't even let me do that!" She let a hand drop to Eponin's shoulder, and gave her a wryly pleading look. "Come on.. huh?"

Eponin frowned, hesitating. She understood her queen's frustration, but… She glanced outside. It was really nice out. The fresh air would probably do Ephiny some good anyway…"Well.. but you'd better find something warmer to wear than that." She scowled at the light linen shirt Ephiny had belted about her slim form.

Ephiny smirked quietly. "Oh.. I've got something… I had the weaver here make it while we were just hanging around.. " She pulled out a richly embroidered, thick, woolen shirt, in deep blue, with golden trim at the sleeves and hem. "You like it?"

"Wow.." Eponin rose and crossed to her, fingering the fabric and smiling. "That's really nice, Eph…" She glanced at the regent curiously. "Didn't think you were much for fancy stuff."

Ephiny smiled, and glanced down, shrugging a little. "I'm not, usually.. just leathers, and whatnot. But it's nice to have one or two things.. don't you think?" She laughed a bit. "Xena pointed that out to me, believe it or not.. when I asked her about that dark green outfit she had on the other day."

"Well, she could bring off just about anything including a potato sack, but.. " Eponin chuckled. "Yeah, I think she's right.. and that should look really nice on you." She hesitated. "Hm.. well, I'd better get moving.. someone's got to organize this little expedition." She gave Ephiny a brisk nod, then stepped gingerly out of the room.

Ephiny smoothed the fabric of her new garment thoughtfully, then let a tiny grin form on her face. "It should look nice, huh?" Her eyebrow quirked. "We'll see."

Continued in Part 3

Return to Part 1

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The Longest Night - Part 3

Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

The road unwound before them, as they came out of the forest path, and onto the familiar route leading towards Potadeia. Gabrielle kept letting her gaze slip up to her partner's face, the constant smile there sending warm shivers down her back. She'd been treated to most of a day's worth of very high spirits on Xena's part, after their somewhat late start this morning.

There had been a leisurely breakfast, of course, then she'd lived up to her promise, engaging Xena in a spirited bout of staff work, pushing herself until she really was exhausted and breathing hard. Which had hardly put a dent in her partner's almost manic energy, but Xena had put the lid on it, and picked her up, settling down on their sleeping furs and rocking her gently until her breathing calmed, and her heart stopped racing.

Then they'd worked off some of that energy another way, which was much more relaxing, and which had led to them leaving after lunch, not before. But she didn't mind, and she suspected Xena didn't much mind either.

Right now, the warrior was off investigating some collapsed huts just off the road, Ares' dark form visible next to her. Gabrielle trotted over, peering around her partner's long arm into one of the structures. "They got out, huh?"

Xena nodded. "Looks like it." She pulled away a piece of the roof, exposing the mostly empty interior. "With most of their stuff, I think." She gave the bard a satisfied look and let the roof fall back into place. "Smart folks."

"Wonder where they went?" The bard mused, letting her fingers trail over the crumbling thatch.

They resumed their walk, and Xena settled a long arm around Gabrielle's shoulders as they strolled along. "We'll be near Potadeia tonight, if we keep moving." The warrior commented, using her free hand to tighten the straps on the pack she was carrying.

Gabrielle nodded. "Yep… " She gazed up at Xena. "How are you feeling?" She tugged on a strap. "How's the back?" She'd been keeping a close eye on her partner, mostly with what she thought were subtly hidden glances. The warrior seemed fine, though, the fogginess of last night was nowhere to be found, and her body seemed to be moving along with it's customary graceful ease.

Xena looked at her, and her brow creased. "What back?" Then she looked sheepish. "Oh.. right.. uh.. " An impish grin. "I don't even feel the scratches."

The bard gave her a squeeze. "No.. you're not feeling much today, are you?"

A wry look from those blue eyes. "Um… no, not really." Xena sighed happily. "Sorry..I just.. wasn't expecting that." Never.. expected that. I still can't believe it. I probably won't believe it until it actually happens.. but… oh.. gods… "I'll try to be less.. um… " I feel like I'm floating… what an incredible sensation.

Gabrielle chuckled. "Don't apologize… I think it's great.. I've never seen you giddy like this, and it's kind of cute." She snuggled closer. "I like that."

Xena laughed softly, then surprised the bard by picking her up, and whirling around with her. "Hang on.." She warned, and took several running steps, then catapulted into the air and did a lazy flip, landing with a jaunty bounce. "Guess I'm feeling pretty good." She grinned.

"I guess you are." Gabrielle giggled, winding her arms around her partner's neck, and pulling herself up, kissing the warrior soundly. "I really like that." So much so, Xena.. that I'm not going to even ask you what I asked last night. That'll wait for some other time.

But Xena surprised her. A short time later, while they were sharing a handful of nuts the warrior had stripped from a nearby tree, she felt the deep, steady intake of a breath.

"You asked me something last night." Xena said quietly, handing the bard another nut.

Gabrielle accepted it, chewing the sweet nutmeat thoughtfully. "I did.. but you don't have to tell me, Xena. It's all right." She looked up, watching the sunlight cast rich highlights on her partner's skin. "It's not… that important."

"Well… but you have a right to know, Gabrielle." Xena replied, in a quiet voice. "It was something.. I should have told you about a long time ago. I just… kind of kept it in the back of my mind.. it .. gave me comfort when things got bad." She paused, and glanced down the road. "Especially when my past… overran me. "

Gabrielle remained silent for a moment, then leaned against her. "What happened?'

Xena considered for a bit, where to start. "You.. remember that temple of the Fates?"

The bard's brow furrowed. "The.. um.. the one where we were fighting outside, and you let that kid go?" The one where you hugged me for no reason? Oh yeah, I remember that one.. took me days to get over trying to figure out what that was all about. "I remember that."

"Mmm… that's not how it happened the first time." Xena carefully answered. "I killed that boy.' She felt Gabrielle's body stiffen, and released the bard, moving her arm away self-consciously. A familiar pang gripped her heart, for an instant, until Gabrielle grabbed her hand, and wrapped her arm back around her body. "And.. Gabrielle, it all seemed so senseless to me… I went inside the temple, and.. told them it would have been better if I hadn't ever become.. what I am."

Gabrielle's face went very still.

"So.. they said.. they could help me.. go back." Xena continued. "Make it so.. I had that choice to make all over again." A deep breath. "They put me back home.. as it would have been if I hadn't fought off Cortese and become.. a.. warlord."

The bard swallowed, but still said nothing, feeling the singing tension in Xena's body through their contact.

"Lyceus was alive." Xena said quietly. "He'd grown up.. into a wonderful man." She paused. "Mother was dead, though.. and things were… different." A breath. "The Fates told me.. I'd stay in this timeline forever.. just as long as I never took a life.. again." She blinked. "I thought I could do that… find peace.. even with things being the way they were."

"What happened?" Gabrielle asked quietly. Knowing in her heart, in her bones what the answer was.

"I wasn't.. there, obviously, to prevent you from being taken by slavers, Gabrielle..and you were.. taken." Xena's voice was gentle, and sad, remembering those haunted eyes.

"Did I meet you there?" The bard whispered.

"Yes." Came the inevitable answer. "You did… but you were.. a very angry, and very bitter person.. they'd done.. horrible things to you."

"Did I know you?" Another whisper. Gabrielle was trying to imagine what it would have been like..

Xena remained silent for a moment. "Know me? No.. but… there was a connection between us.. even then, I could feel it." Painful truth. "Maybe in time… I don't know… you were not.. a happy person." The harsh sound of Gabrielle saying she hated her.. the bitter, angry look in those familiar green eyes… Xena sighed as she felt the hurt, and the misery of the moment all over again. She'd realized, at that moment, when she no longer had it just how much she'd come to depend on Gabrielle's friendship.

"So.." Gabrielle looked up. "What did you do?"

"There was a fight… Lyceus was begging me to help them.. I wouldn't." Xena's eyes drifted in memory. "But then I saw something that made me understand that there were some things beyond price, and I picked up a sword, and gutted the next man I saw." And remembered the sweet feeling of relief, as the world righted itself around her, with a friendly flash of green eyes, and a glimpse of Gabrielle's open, honest smile.

"And everything went back… Lyceus died… all of that?" Gabrielle said quietly.

"Yes." She turned to her partner. "And I have never, ever regretted doing that. Not for one single second." And whenever she let the past roll over her, the thought of this one, small thing.. that she had been able to prevent from happening.. this one, tiny bit of history she'd had control of, that had changed the life of one, very young, innocent girl..

"What did you see, Xena?" The bard stopped walking, and turned to face the warrior.

Hands cupped her face gently. "I saw you lose your soul, Gabrielle." Xena told her in a very quiet voice. "To.. to hatred, and anger, and violence. " She gazed into the bard's syes. " And that… was something I just couldn't live with."

A shaking breath. "So you traded your own soul, and Lyceus' life, for that?" A bare whisper. "For me?"

"In a heartbeat." Was the answer. "And I would again, without a second thought." One young, innocent girl.. who now walks beside me, her life inescapably intertwined with mine… in possession of my heart, my soul… I look back at that moment and thank the gods I had the strength to take what was, then.. the darker path. I had no idea what it would lead to.

Gabrielle felt a wave of dizziness pass over her, and she wavered, feeling strong hands grasp her shoulders, and ease her gently down on a boulder nearby. I never knew.. I never even guessed… I knew she was.. a little distant for a while right after that.. but it was more preoccupied than anything else. "Xena… I.. don't know what to say.." What do you say when someone admits to giving up.. peace.. a brother.. a whole new life.. just… for you? "Other than.. thank you.. "

The warrior seated herself cross-legged on the musty brown grass next to they boulder, and rested her elbows on her knees. She plucked a bit of the grass up, and twirled it around in her fingers, studying it closely. A hand touched her head, and she looked up, as the bard ran her fingers through her hair. "It's.. something I just… kept tucked away, for those times when I thought… anyway, it was proof, to me, at least, that something.. good had come out of everything I'd done.. everything I'd been through." She took a breath. "Right place, right time."

Gabrielle's fingers brushed her cheek. "Right person." She sighed gently. "Xena.. I.. wish you would have told me about that then."

"Why?" Xena asked, her eyes searching the bard's curiously. "I didn't want you to think.. you were.. " She lifted a hand and let it drop. "Indebted to me, in any way."

"I just wish you had." Came the quiet answer. Thinking of one decision, at least, that it would have changed. "But I'm glad you told me now." Gabrielle took in a breath of the cold sunlit air, and smiled. "You know.. for the longest time, I thought you just.. gods.. put up with me for reasons.. I couldn’t begin to understand, Xena. I thought… did you know my worst fear.. for a really long time was that I'd wake up one morning, back home.. because you'd finally gotten tired of having me around."

Xena blinked hard at the grass. "Did you really think I'd do that?"

Gabrielle let out a short laugh. "I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why you.. hadn't.. sometimes…"

It was a day when everything.. and she meant, everything.. had just gone wrong. It had rained in the morning, drowning the camp. Then they'd taken a wrong path, and ended up practically in a warlords camp because she.. convinced Xena to try a shortcut.

Only Xena's fighting skills had saved their lives, and gotten them out in relatively one piece, though the warrior had taken a few bad hits, and was unusually quiet, which was saying something, because a noisy person she wasn't.

Then she'd fallen into a quicksand pit, and Xena had needed to haul her out of there, then they'd almost gotten stampeded by a herd of frightened wild horses near the river.

Nothing she said was right, nothing she did was right… and what made it worse was that Xena didn't.. say… anything to her. Not her usual disparaging remarks.. not.. her sarcastic comments. Just.. a quiet, resigned nothing that weighed on Gabrielle's soul, and forced her to imagine that the ex warlord had.. finally… just had enough .

Of her. And.. for once.. she didn't blame the warrior, because as they trudged wearily up one last hill, and found a relatively ok place to camp, she was pretty tired of herself too.

She'd tried to just.. stay out of Xena's way that night… she'd left her dinner near her bedroll for her when the warrior came back from washing off all the quicksand and the rest of the gunk.. and had found herself a corner between two rocks, and wrapped herself up in her cloak, and tucked her body into it.

Wanting to hide from the world.. wanting to hide from Xena's quiet, introspective gaze, which, she suspected, was working out the logistics of taking a clumsy, half useless village girl back.. home.

She'd heard Xena out in the camp, rattling around, moving things.. arranging things… separating their belongings.. she imagined, as her heart settled heavily into the pit of her stomach. And after today.. you'd think I'd want her to do just that.. She'd thought.. but..

It hadn't been true. Even after that day.. even after everything.. a very large part of her resisted the thought of parting with her friend.

Footsteps approached, and she burrowed deeper into her cloak, postponing the moment when she'd have to look up, and see that cool, forceful gaze. Hear the words her heart dreaded… but that she couldn’t blame the warrior for saying.

The steps had stopped, and she felt a gentle displacement of air as Xena crouched down next to her, then put a hand on her shoulder. "Gabrielle?"

No.. no.. please.. Her tired mind had sobbed. Not now.. at least.. make it tomorrow.. one more night, what difference would it make, Xena? The hand shook her gently. No, of course not. "Yeah?" She'd looked up, finally, just waiting to hear the words, her heart aching.

"Listen…" The hand squeezed her shoulder. "Here.. I picked these up for you when we went through that last town."

A box, in her hands. "You've had a rough day." Now the hand patting her cheek. "You all right?"

She sat there, just.. frozen, for a long minute. "Y..you're not mad at me?" She'd finally stammered, her mind trying to make sense of the mysterious box, and the warrior's quiet smile.

Xena had glanced down, then pursed her lips. "Everyone has bad days now and then, Gabrielle…" A casual nod towards the box. "Gonna open it?"

Her fumbling fingers with the fastenings, then looking inside.

Tiny nut pastries.. her favorites. And, beneath them, the neatly carved wooden inkwell she'd been drooling over at that stand.. she hadn't even seen Xena watching her examine it. She'd looked up into those pale blue eyes. "Why?"

A casual shrug. "You're my best friend ." Such a simple, obvious answer.

Gabrielle had carefully closed the box, and untangled her limbs from her cloak, and without thought, or planning, threw her arms around Xena's neck, burying her face against the warrior's leather clad chest. "Thank you." She'd whispered into the nearby ear.

For once, Xena had returned the hug, letting her arms cradle the bard's tired body, and rubbing her back gently. And from the safety of those strong arms, Gabrielle had smiled, at the sun's last dying rays on what had turned out to be a pretty good day after all.

Funny how that was.

The warrior rested her head against Gabrielle's thigh, and gazed up at her. "I wouldn't have done that. " She gave a light shrug. "Even if I did think it was… probably the best thing for me to do sometimes." A lot of times.

"Why?" Gabrielle echoed her tone from moments before. "I kept.. " She shook her head a little. "trying to pull myself away from you because I thought… I could at least make it my decision.. and not yours."

Xena's lips tightened. "It.. was always your decision, Gabrielle." A quiet, simple truth.

The bard gazed at her, letting her fingers tangle absently in the dark hair. "It was?" She asked, in a wondering tone.

Xena nodded, gazing idly out into the surrounding forest. "It was a pretty big shock for me.."

A thump, and the bard was sitting on the turf next to her, their eyes almost on a level, Gabrielle's hands wrapping around hers. "What was?"

The warrior remained silent for a moment, then took a slow breath in. "When I woke up one morning.. and… realized just how shallow.. and how empty my life had been before." Blue eyes met green. "And just how much I… needed.. you." She glanced down. "I always… knew.. you'd leave someday, but…I never would have made you."

Silence from the bard, as a thousand little things suddenly settled into place. Xena always putting up with her babbling. With her arguments, and questions.. always rescuing her from whatever mess she'd gotten into . Always gently supporting her choices.. letting her go when she felt the need. Welcoming her back when she returned. Never asking anything of her.

Xena smiled a little and shrugged. "So.. you really never had anything to worry about,." A hint of wry amusement touched her face. "Um.. if we've had enough of me baring my soul for now.. I think we'd better get going." She glanced up. "If you want to make Potadeia by tomorrow morning." She gazed at the turf, a faintly embarrassed look on her face. "Sorry.. um..I've never been really good at this."

"Xena?" Gabrielle crooned softly.

"Mmm?" The warrior answered, resting her chin on one hand.

"You just made the last three years of my life make sense." The bard leaned over and kissed her soundly. 'Thank you."

Xena grinned. "You're welcome.' She stood, and offered a hand up to her partner. "C'mon." She grabbed Gabrielle's hand and tugged, pulling the bard up onto her feet and giving her a playful slap on the behind. "We can only extend this little jaunt so long."

"Hey.. " The bard backhanded her in the gut as they started walking. "Watch where you're hitting folks."

Xena snorted. "Look who's talking?" She bumped Gabrielle with an elbow, sending the bard reeling a step. "Tch tch… you're losing it, my friend."

Gabrielle regained her balance, and walked backwards a few steps, balling her fists and planting them firmly on her hips. "You'd better watch out.. don't you make me mad, now."

The warrior snorted. "Or… what?" Her blue eyes danced playfully.

A glower from the bard. "You'd better start running, Warrior Princess of snide comments."

Xena's eyebrows rose. "Like you could catch me." A devilish grin confronted Gabrielle, then Xena bolted forward, and dodged her defensively raised arms, giving her another good swat on the behind, and taking off, with Ares right behind her.

'You'd better run…" The bard growled, and gave chase, taking short digging steps until she was at full speed, and feeling the wind whip her hair back off her forehead. The dried grasses tickled her knees even through her leggings, and she threw herself forward, keeping a determined eye on the tall, dark haired form bounding along ahead of her. She's right. Her mind sighed ruefully. I don't have a snowball's chance in Tartarus of ever catching her… the brat.. she's barely giving it any effort. Still, she kept at it, feeling a welcome pull of effort against recently unused muscles, and soon realized her partner was deliberately slowing her pace, allowing her to catch up.

"Hey." She reached out and slapped Xena's arm as she drew even with her. "No fair.. you let me catch you."

"Roo!" Ares agreed, jumping over a log next to the path. "Arrrgggrroooo.. "

Xena gazed fondly at her. "Nah.. I'm just getting old… can't keep a pace like I used to." She paused and grinned at Gabrielle's rolling eyes. "Not buying that, huh?" A snort from her partner. "Ok.. ok.. how are you doing?" Her face sobered. "Ribs giving you any trouble?"

Gabrielle thought about that as she ran. "No.. they kind of ache a little bit.. if I breathe real deep, or I move the wrong way, but they're mostly all right." She paused and considered. "It feels good .. haven't done a lot of this lately."

Xena gave her an understanding smile. "Want to keep going for a little while? We'll make up some time… if it's not too much for you."

The bard tentatively checked her reserves, pleased at what she found. "Yeah, that sounds good." She agreed, matching strides with her taller partner.

It was less than a candlemark later when they saw the dark, oily smoke rising over the horizon, just to the left of where the road was taking them. They exchanged glances, and as though one mind moved, them, headed off the beaten surface and into the grass.

I think I just figured out why we get into so much trouble. Gabrielle reflected, as she dodged Ares's bounding form. It's simple.. really.. most people avoid situations like this. We go looking for them. With a sigh, and shake of her head, she kept on running.

"How's the head?" Ephiny asked, in a mock solicitous tone as she entered the inn's main room, buckling the belt closed on her new shirt, and dusting an errant fuzzball off the sleeve.

Eponin grinned, and held up a mug. "Fine.. Cyrene fixed me up."

The Amazon regent felt her brows contract, as she leaned over the table, and peered into the container. "Don't tell me she gave you more of that ale." She was vaguely surprised at the innkeeper.

Eponin snorted lightly. "G'wan, Eph." She took a sip from the mug. "This is some mixture she claims Xena swears by."

"Hmph." Ephiny removed the cup from the weapons master's hand, and sniffed. "Oh.. well, maybe…" She cocked an eyebrow at it. "Smells like.."

The burly Amazon gave her a dour look through her dark lashes. "Must you?"

Ephiny rubbed her nose, and let out a small grin. "All right.. all right.." She glanced up as bootsteps sounded on the stairs. "Good morning, Iolaus." She greeted the blond man cordially.

"Hi." Iolaus sighed, pulling out a chair next to Eponin and sitting down, letting his chin rest on his hands.

The two Amazons exchanged looks. "Are.. you all right?" Ephiny hazarded, seating herself next to him. "Iolaus?" She gently prodded when he didn't answer.

"What? Oh… " Iolaus jerked his attention back to the present. "I'm really sorry.. " He gave her a wan smile. "I think I had a little too much fun last night."

Another exchanged look between the two women. Eponin pushed her mug over in front of him. "Here." She gave him a nod. "It helps."

The blond man gingerly pulled the cup over, and sniffed its contents. "Ugh. That smells right." He sighed, and took a swig, then a second. He closed his eyes, and made a face. "My tongue feels furry."

Eponin's dark eyebrows shot up. "Well.. no offense.. but that's more information than I really needed." She leaned back, and stretched, wincing and reaching over to knead her right shoulder. "Ephiny, the next time I get the bright idea to challenge Xena to an arm wrestling contest, just shoot me with a crossbow, all right?"

The regent snorted softly. "I told you not to.. but no.. you can't resist a challenge and neither can she. Two peas in a pod." She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Iolaus. "Better?" She glanced up as Eustase bustled into the room, and beamed at them. "Morning." Ephiny greeted her.

"Lovely one, isn't it?" Eustase agreed cheerfully. "Would you like some cereal?" She brought over a small pot and some bowls. "Word's all over the village about those folks who came in last night.. is it true our Xena saved them?"

Our Xena? Ephiny mused inwardly. My, how things have changed. "We don't know, but Toris seems to think so." She shrugged. "Wouldn't surprise me."

"Me either." Iolaus mumbled, spooning cereal into a bowl. "When do we want to leave, by the way?" He started eating, as his glance darted from one Amazon to the other.

A small silence fell, as they remembered why they were journeying out. "Well.." Ephiny took her own cereal, and ate a spoonful thoughtfully. "Soon."

Iolaus nodded grimly. "Ok.. " He put some breakfast into a bowl, and took a spoon, along with a mug of hot cider. "I'll go get Herc." He ambled off, and disappeared up the stairs, leaving the two Amazons to their own breakfast.

Eponin regarded him thoughtfully, then turned her dark head and met Ephiny's pale eyes. "Breakfast in bed? Must be nice to be a hero." Her eyes took on a glint of amusement. "Wonder if Xena gets that treatment." She amused herself for a minute imagining just such a scene.

Ephiny snorted. "I doubt it." She shot a glance after Iolaus. "She'd never let Gabrielle get away with that.. you know how she is." Although.. lately… I wonder.. she's pretty indulgent with our queen.. Gabrielle's got her wrapped around her little finger, that's for sure.

The Weapons Master smiled s bit. "Oh..I dunno… even the toughest sort might like some coddling once in a while."

The regent propped her chin up on her hand, and let a tiny half smile twitch her lips. "Really?"

Eponin opened her mouth to answer, then felt a blush coming on and scowled instead. "It's just a theory." She grabbed the cereal pot, and dumped a portion in a bowl, concentrating her attention on the food. "Good stuff, huh?"

Ephiny ate a spoonful thoughtfully, sucking on the bowl of the spoon and biting off a grin. "Very." She agreed. "Listen.. I'm going to get my gear together… can I get you an extra shirt? It's pretty chilly outside."

"Nah" The dark haired Amazon waved her off. "I'm fine."

The Amazon regent glanced at the ceiling and counted to ten. "Well, you don't want to get what I had.. it's no fun, trust me." She leaned over the table, and captured Eponin's hand, forcing her to look up. "I'm pulling rank on you, Pony. You'll wear a extra shirt, and like it."

Carmel colored eyes gazed into hers for a minute. "All right, your Majesty." Eponin answered quietly. "If you put it that way."

Ephiny straightened up. "Meet you outside in half a candlemark." She turned and walked back to her room, very aware of the eyes on her back.

The room was quiet when Iolaus gently eased back into it, and set the cereal down by the fire to keep warm. Hercules was still asleep, his breathing deep and even, and Iolaus was loath to wake him up until it was absolutely necessary.

He paused, thinking. Was it necessary to wake him at all? It wasn't as if this was an especially dangerous, or even interesting little jaunt.. they'd just go down the river a bit, and make sure… what, that Xena and Gabrielle hadn't been washed ashore somewhere?

Nah. He scoffed. He knew both of them better than that.. Xena was a very strong swimmer.. and the bard wasn't that far behind. They'd just end up getting out into the fresh air for a little while.. and he'd had enough of that on the way in here.

He gazed at his friend's face. Better to leave him here, let him get some rest.. Zeus, he needs it. With a nod, he made his decision, scrawling a note on a scrap of parchment, which he tucked gently into the dozing demigod's hand.

Whose fingers caught and held his. "What are you doing?" One blue eye under an arched fair eyebrow regarded him. "Trying to sneak out on me, buddy?"

Iolaus sighed, and sat down on the edge of the bed, giving him a scowl. "I just figured you could use a little extra shuteye.. not go wandering around the countryside all morning, that's all.. "

Hercules opened his other eye and rolled both of them. "Iolaus, I'm not an invalid, so quit treating me like one, all right?" He tossed the piece of parchment his friend, hitting him the chest. "I swear, you're turning into a nanny goat."

Iolaus stood up, and walked to the window, putting his hands on the wooden frame and gazing out. "Yeah, you're right.. sorry about that. I don't know what I was thinking." He turned around with a bright smile. "Besides, it's a great day outside. " He nodded towards the fire. "Brought up some food for ya.. we're probably gonna be leaving pretty soon."

The demigod sat up, and swung his legs off the bed, then stood and stretched his large frame. "Thanks.. " He gave Iolaus a wryly apologetic look. "Sorry I snapped at you."

The blond man waved him off. "Don't worry about it." He went to their packs, and knelt down beside his own, rummaging in it. "Looks like Ephiny's coming along with us… " He glanced up.and grinned. "Though.. I'm not sure that's not just a case of cabin fever."

Hercules looked up from his breakfast, his blue eyes twinkling. "Oh, I'd say that’s a pretty good guess.. being she's an Amazon and all."

Iolaus rested his arm on his knee and took a breath. "You don't really think anything happened.. to them.. do you?"

The taller man ate several spoonfuls of cereal in silence before he answered. "Nah." He waved his spoon at Iolaus. "It would take more than a little flooding to get the best of Xena."

"Yeah.. you're right." Iolaus smiled. "Y'know, I'm really glad for her and Gabrielle." He pulled a belt with a carved horn hilted knife on it out, and strapped it around his waist. "It's a kick to see them both so wrapped up in each other."

Hercules laughed. "I'm looking forward to seeing that… I think I can get away with teasing her about it, too."

Iolaus snorted. "An advantage to being half god.. I wouldn't try it."

The taller man's brow creased, and he lifted a hand to touch his jaw. "Didn't help me much last time." He mused quietly. "I wonder how much of that was that necklace, and how much… was just her?"

"What?" The blond man walked over, and sat down in the chair facing Hercules. "I don't get it… I thought it was.. I mean, didn't she…"

Hercules gazed thoughtfully at him. "I don't know, Iolaus.. it kind of makes sense.. but if that's what it was, then that necklace didn't affect my strength until she got there."

Iolaus felt his chest tighten. "I thought you didn't remember what happened?" His voice was tense.

A bleak look. "Parts.. are starting to come back to me." The demigod admitted quietly. "I remember fighting with her.. and what it felt like when she hit me." He fiddled with the spoon idly. "Probably was the necklace." He concluded. The alternative was.. unnerving. "This is pretty good." He indicated the bowl. "Did you get some?"

"Yeah." Iolaus replied absentmindedly. Zeus.. what am I going to do if he remembers.. everything? "Um… you ready to go?" Briefly, he wished Xena was back, and made a note to tell the ex warlord exactly what had happened.. see if she had any good ideas as to what he could do as soon as he saw her.

Hercules finished the last of the cereal, and stood up, walking over and pulling out a fresh set of clothing. "Be just a minute."

Iolaus walked to the window, and leaned against it… feeling the sunlight gild his features, until a hand fell on his shoulder, and he turned. "Ready?"

Hercules gazed at him, a serious expression on his face. "Iolaus, I really do appreciate the fact that you c.. that you're concerned about me."

That got a hesitant smile from the blond man. "Hey.. that's what friends are for, right?"

The taller man took a breath. "Right." He looked like he wanted to say more, but just nodded instead. "Let's go."

They heard the flames before they saw them, and Gabrielle grimly increased her pace, watching her partner do likewise as they headed down through a stand of dry grasses, towards the inkily rising smoke.

Xena cleared the grass first, and bounced to a halt, throwing an arm out to halt the bard's progress as she assessed the scene. It had been.. a small village. Now, it was a collection of charred lumps, as the heavy smoke drifted through the town, and obscured the features of the remaining villagers who were scurrying around trying to salvage bits of their shattered lives.

Bodies were flung about, some charred, some brutally butchered. Xena spotted at least one that was missing a head, and she winced, then took a deep breath. "Let's see what we can do to help.''

Gabrielle nodded, and followed her into the center of the town, then grabbed Xena's arm and pointed. "There…" She called, over the ripping sound of the flames.

A cot had collapsed under the weight of it's own charred timbers, and a group of villagers were trying to lift the roof up, to get to it's trapped occupants. Xena nodded and broke into a run towards them, with Gabrielle closely following. They reached the hut, and the warrior put a hand on the shoulder of one older man. "Let me."

The struggling villager turned his head abruptly, then jerked in surprise, and backed off, leaving her space to get her hands on the rough hewn timbers. Xena crouched down, and took a solid grip on the wood, getting her legs well under her and taking a deep breath. "Get em out fast, I won't be able to hold this long." She muttered to Gabrielle, who nodded in understanding, and got herself ready.

One solid, powerful shove, and the roof lifted, as Xena got her body under it, and braced her legs against the strain. She closed her eyes, and willed her body to stillness, hoping the bard had taken her at her word.

"Come on." Gabrielle scrambled under the roof, followed by two of the villagers, and found three people trapped, a family, she guessed. She gently pulled the small boy out from under the remains of the table, and passed his feebly moving form to the villager behind her. "Here.. get him out of here.." She crawled further, glancing back at the powerful form backlit by hazy daylight. Hang on, love. She silently encouraged her partner, as she tugged the frightened woman near her free. "Can you move?"

The woman nodded shakily. "My husband.. " Her shivering arm pointed to a soot covered body in the corner. "He tried to put it out…"

Gabrielle put a gentle hand on her arm. "Go on.. I'll get him."

Xena swallowed, feeling the strain in her back and legs increasing, and she tapped her reserves, relieved when a wash of energy responded. C'mon, Gabrielle… I'm not Hercules, remember? She heard the villager's scramble backward, and shifted her grip, hearing her partner's voice faintly from within.

Gabrielle helped the woman to her knees, and pushed her towards the waiting helper, then turned her attention to the still form in the corner.

Her eyes closed in reaction, as she saw what was left of his face, and was almost relieved when a gentle touch confirmed that he was dead. Feeling sick, she scrambled away from the body, and gave the villager remaining a shake of her head. Reluctantly, he nodded, and backed out.

Gabrielle moved quickly after him, swinging around Xena's sturdy form and putting a hand against the warrior's back. "Go." She said, and felt her partner's body surge, as she pushed off against the charred wood, and backed up, letting it fall against the crumbling remains of the wall again.

It smelled of burned wood and grass, and the distinctly sickening smell of flesh, and Gabrielle swallowed hard to keep from throwing up. The thick smoke clung greasily to her lungs, and she blinked hard against it's cloying effects, ducking her head briefly against Xena's cloak as the warrior straightened up with a wince.

"You all right?" Xena rubbed the bard's neck gently, and watched the woman and child being quietly taken to a spot upwind. "Let's go see if we can help them, OK?" She walked over to where a small knot of discouraged looking men and women were gathered, most sitting on the ground with their heads in their hands.

"What happened?" The warrior asked quietly, crouching down next to one of the older men. "Who did this?"

"Bastards." The man croaked, wearily. "We didn't have what they wanted.. so they burned us out." He glanced up and met Xena's pale blue gaze. "Who was it? Who the Hades knows. Some damn bastard warlord or another.. there's no difference between em." He gazed at his arm, which was bleeding from a long gash. "To Tartarus with all of them."

Xena sat down cross legged next to him, sighing softly. "Did they have any identifying marks.. badges, anything like that?" She unclipped her pack from her back, and felt it lifted from her, as Gabrielle settled quietly at her side. "Thanks." She gave her partner a smile, as she pulled her healer's kit from the pack.

"Na.. " The man groaned, as he watched her take hold of his arm, and start cleaning the gash. "Just a rabble of them.. no order, no… just one thing. They wanted coin.. we had none. We offered food, supplies, cloth.. no. All the damn bastards wanted was coin." He spat on the grass. "I hope they all rot.. they're just animals."

Xena felt a quiet hand slip under her cloak, and rub in gentle circles on her back. She always knows… when I need that. The warrior mused gratefully. But I never would have done.. this.

"You folks.. merchants?" The man asked, curiously, now that Xena had finished tending his arm, and was motioning for another wounded woman to move closer. He studied her face in quiet inquiry.

Gabrielle felt her brow raising, then she gave Xena a sideways glance, and realized that, with her cloak draped over her longsword, and her armor covered in woolen cloth, her partner really did come across as anything other than the fierce ex warlord she was. The villager obviously had no idea who it was he was sitting across from, and the rest of the victims were gazing at them with a mixture of gratitude and pathetic hope.

"Um.. no.. not exactly. " The bard finally replied. "We live in Amphipolis." She chewed her lip. "We're headed towards Potadeia.. I've got family there, that I'm kind of worried about."

The name of their home town circled amongst the villagers with a sense of excitement. The man leaned forward. "I hear that's a safe place.. that these bastards don’t' go there. Is that true?"

Gabrielle considered the question. "Well.. yes.. I guess that's true. We… keep a good watch.. and.. they do generally stay clear of us." She smiled at the boy they'd pulled out of the hut, who had regained his senses, and was blinking at her in quiet awe.

The man slowly nodded. "That's what we heard.. though.. " He smiled wearily. "We also heard they've got better protection than that.. that the local trash is scared spitless of someone who lives there." He gazed at the bard. "That true, too?"

Gabrielle bit off a grin, and gave the silent Xena a sidelong glance. "You know how these stories get started… they get chased off by a few villagers with sticks, the next thing you know, it was really a giant, or some great warrior or… " She gave a light shrug. "My name's Gabrielle, by the way." She extended a forearm to him.

"Melachan." The man replied, taking it, and giving it a good squeeze. "You'd be the bard we'd heard of, then."

Now it was Xena's turn to give her partner an impish grin. "Yep.. she's the famous bard, all right." The warrior drawled, pausing in her wrapping of a nasty burn. "Careful with that.." She cautioned the woman. "Don't keep the bandage on.. you have to let air at it, OK?"

The woman nodded, and gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you.. for everything." Her eyes darted towards the collapsed hut. "Are you the healer, there, in Amphipolis?"

Xena shrugged. "Sometimes." She gave Gabrielle a warning look. "I do a little of everything."

Melachan gave her a look, then turned his attention back to Gabrielle. "Can we..offer you both anything? It's not often we get to meet decent folks like yourselves.. I know we don't have much, but.. and are you heading on alone? It's very dangerous… are you sure you want to do that?"

Gabrielle patted his arm. "Glad we could help.. " She let her eyes travel to Xena's quiet form and then looked back at Melachan. "I'm sure… it's.. " Her lips quirked. "Safer than it seems… my partner, here, makes sure of that."

The man gazed at the dark haired woman in surprise. "Are you a warrior?" He had no idea why both women found that funny. Certainly the tall, quiet healer was strong, gods yes, to have lifted that roof that way, but… he studied her out of the corner of his eye. She looked like.. he shrugged to himself. One of us.. except she's got some nice features on her.. beautiful eyes.. Then his gaze dropped to her hands, and he stopped there. They rested quietly together, fingers interlaced, but the powerful strength of them was undeniable.

And the wrists they were attached to were thick, and corded with tendon and sinew, and now with her sleeves pushed back a bit, he could see the thick leather bracers that covered her forearms. I guess she is… His mind jerked to a halt, as he slowly processed the fact that here was the Bard Gabrielle, who was very well known to travel with a certain Warrior Princess. Who was, most definitely,. both a woman and warrior.

He took an uneven breath. "You're Xena, aren't you?" He felt the shock run through the battered, and weary bodies around him.

Eyes of the palest, ice blue met his own. "Yes."

Xena waited for the inevitable response, feeling Gabrielle's hand curl comfortingly around her arm. Well, I used to be one of the damn bastards who did this to them.. and even if I walk the world for the rest of my life, trying to help people, that fact will always be true.

Melachan leaned forward, and gave her a shy smile. "You saved my brother's life, down south of here, a few months back." He held out a hand. "I owe you twice, now."

It was.. Xena mused, as she took the man's grasp and returned it. A very sweet moment. The faces around her reflected not fear and disgust, but weary excitement, and wonder. She felt Gabrielle squeeze her arm, and just let herself enjoy the sensation. "Glad I was able to help." She replied quietly to Melachan. "You folks better get under cover… I don’t trust this weather. " She lifted a hand and pointed. "There's a bunch of caves about a half day's walk from here, you can shelter there until you decide what to do."

They helped the villagers gather up their belongings, and watched them start the first steps down a long and exhausting road. Gabrielle leaned against her partner, and gave her a gentle nibble on the arm. "Bet that felt really good, didn't it?"

Xena arched an eyebrow at her. "What.. you munching on me?" She teased, then relented when Gabrielle gave her a look. "Yeah, it really did." She smiled, the sobered. "But.. it doesn't make sense, Gabrielle."

The bard's brow puckered. "What doesn’t'?" She moved away from the still smoldering ruins, patting her leg to call Ares to her. "C'mere, boy.. stay out of that place."

The wolf trotted over, and sniffed her kneecap, rubbing against her leg, and growling a little.

"If you're looking to raid.. "Xena explained. "You take what you can.. and leave them alone to build up more.. so it's there when you came back." She gestured back towards the village. "You don't just burn a place for no reason…it's a waste."

Gabrielle cocked her head. "Maybe they were just frustrated."

Xena shook her head. "Doesn't make sense.. it's like they did it just to do it - for the sake of just killing, and destroying." She pondered. "Evil.. like… " That necklace. Her mind finished. Something was going on, her mind decided. And I think we'd better find these raiders, and figure out what it is.

"Where are you going?" Cyrene asked quietly, coming up behind Toris where the tall dark haired man was slipping a few things into a pack. "The lot of you?"

Toris turned, and leaned back against the worktable, regarding his mother thoughtfully. Tell her? Or not. "The folks who came in last night… were pulled out of the river by someone who sounds suspiciously like Xena."

Cyrene studied him. "And?" Her pale eyes analyzed the information.

A breath. "And.. they didn't see them again." Toris rubbed his jaw. "I know.. she's more than capable to taking care of herself, of me, of you, of Amphipolis, and half of Greece."

His mother bit off a smile. "But.. she's your sister." She put a hand on his arm. "And you're worried about her."

He sighed. "Something like that. yeah." He glanced up. "Am I being silly?" He lifted a hand and let it drop. "I don't know.. since she's been home.. I mean, my brain knows how much stronger and more capable she is than I am, for the gods sake.. " He sighed again. "But.. " He let that trail off.

Cyrene nodded slowly. "But.. you've gotten to see a very vulnerable side to her, and that makes a difference." She paused. "Right?"

A lift of his hands. "Something like that.. yeah." He admitted again.

She patted his chest gently. "Me too." A small silence fell between them. "I'm sure they're fine.. but you all go on - it'll get me some peace and quiet around here for a day anyway."

He grinned, and slung the pack onto his back, giving her a quick hug on his way to the door. "We'll be back before nightfall.. we're just going to check upriver a little… maybe we'll check out how bad the flooding was." He called back over his shoulder, giving her a wave.

Cyrene crossed her arms, and leaned back against the table as the door closed, letting out a held breath. She exchanged glances with Eustase, who was quietly kneading a knob of dough in the corner. "For a while there, Eustase, I thought I was over being a doting mother." The dark haired woman sighed in wry amusement.

The cook smiled at her. "You've got a pair of lovely children, ma'am." She skillfully wrapped the dough into a knot, and set it on a clean cloth to rise. "You must be very proud of them."

Cyrene smiled quietly to herself. Life's a funny thing, isn't it? "Yes, I am." She admitted cheerfully, as she turned to her task of counting supplies.

"Ready?" Toris asked, as he let the door to the inn close behind him. "Oh.. hi." This to Granella, who was standing just outside the door. Ephiny and Eponin were a few bodylengths away, their heads bent together over a parchment, and Hercules and Iolaus were leaning against the hitching post. The day had remained very fair, and the sun was now pouring down into the courtyard, bleaching the still drying village and bringing out the musky smell of mud, and damp thatch.

Ephiny looked up, and nodded. "Let's go.. Toris, you're our native guide." The regent folded up the parchment she'd been studying, and bent to retrieve her pack.

Only to have her hands slapped aside by Granella, who slung the bag onto her own back, with a raised eyebrow. "I don't think so." The slim dark haired Amazon gave her a look, and exchanged glances with Eponin.

The regent rolled her eyes. "Gods." She sighed. "All right.. shall we?"

They started off down the road, ambling along in relative silence for a while, until Iolaus sighed, and moved his body into the center of the group, intent on playing social director. "So.. " He gave Granella a smile. "Have you heard the story about the talking Horse?"

"The what?" Granella almost tripped over a rock.

"The what?" Eponin asked, poking her head from around Ephiny's shoulder.

"Talking who?" Hercules chimed in.

"Oh yeah.. " Iolaus rubbed his hands together. "It's true.. I saw it. It was a couple of years ago, and I was…"

Ephiny let the story buzz past her ears, as she concentrated on getting her body accustomed to moving around after almost three weeks of very little activity. She felt a little lightheaded, and a touch shaky, but concentrated on keeping that fact from showing, as it would mean an immediate return to the inn by her solicitous companions.

And.. she was enjoying the fresh air.. even if it was tainted with the drying dampness, and the cloying earthy smell of mud. She took a cautiously deep breath, pleased at the lack of the dry, heavy pressure she'd been suffering from since her accident, and glanced ahead, to where the road angled downward towards the river.

A hand on her back, and she turned her head to gaze into Eponin's guarded eyes. "Yeah?"

The weapon's master shifted her gaze from Ephiny's face. "You look kind of pale. You doing all right?"

Damn.. damn.. to Hades with her.. "Of course I am." She answered briskly. "It feels really good to get out and move around… after all that time just sitting on my backside not doing anything." She put a little more energy into her strides, and forced a mild wave of dizziness down.

"Uh huh." Eponin grunted, then turned her attention back to Iolaus' amusing story.

The road edged it's way closer to the river, and they began to be able to hear the rolling crash of it's overfull passage.

"Damn.. look at that." Ephiny breathed, slowing her steps as they journeyed closer to the water. The road went to the edge of a new slope here, where the water had undercut the soil, and had almost taken out a section of the packed dirt road. They moved to the edge, and peered over.

"Wow." Iolaus snorted, gazing down at the dark mud left by the slightly receding river. "Look at that.. whooaa!!!!" His foot slipped, and he waved his arms wildly, trying to catch his balance, but the ground was far too wet and he dropped down the bank in a slithering slide with a startled yelp.

Landing with a resounding splat, as he fell into the dark, clinging, odorous mud left by the cresting river.

Gabrielle sighed happily at the cheerful campfire, surrounded as they were by solidly protective trees. She was curled up on their warm sleeping fur, with Ares' body pressed against her and her cloak tucked about her shoulders against the sharply cold air. She reached out a hand and scratched the wolf behind his thickly furred ears, grinning when he proceeded to carefully clean every inch of her hand that his tongue would reach.

"Thanks, Ares." She affectionately ruffled his fur, then turned back to her scrolls, which were spread out neatly in front of her, claiming her attention. She bit the tip of her quill absently, then refreshed the ink on it, and set down several more lines of neat, exact script. The rest of their day had been almost uneventful.. you really couldn't count the five raiders they'd encountered, who had provided a welcome light challenge to Xena's fighting skills which the warrior insisted were very rusty.

Gabrielle considered the charge, and shook her head. Not that she could tell.. she'd barely had a chance to engage one of them before the rest were handily dispatched by her partner, who took care of the last of them by leaping completely over his scrubby, thick coated gelding, and sweeping the outlaw right off his mount with a powerful forearm. Rusty. Umm hmm… The bard considered with a grin, as she watched her partner amble back into camp, carrying a pot of water, which she put on the fire. "Hey."

Xena looked up, and broke into a smile. "Hey yourself." She stood up and stretched. "How's the story coming?"

Gabrielle reluctantly shook herself free from watching the interesting shadows caused by the firelight gliding over her partner's body as she moved and glanced down at her parchments. "Not bad.." She twirled the quill between her fingers, and looked over her shoulder as Xena joined her on the bedroll, and settled down on her side behind the bard.

Who rolled over like a puppy, laying on her back and cocking her head to gaze up at the warrior. "We had a pretty busy day."

Xena reached out a hand and rubbed her belly gently, watching the bard's eyes close in quiet pleasure. "Yeah.. not bad." She drawled, grinning at Gabrielle's contented hum. "You feeling ok?"

"Unngghh… " Gabrielle mumbled. "I feel wonderful." She opened one eye lazily and gazed at the warrrior. "How about you?" She lifted one hand and stroked the warrior's nearby leg, lightly massaging the smoothly curving muscles above her knee. "No leftover fuzziness?"

"Nope." Xena took and released a deep breath experimentally. "Throat's not even sore anymore. Got lucky this time, I think." She regarded Gabrielle's happy expression thoughtfully, then rolled onto her back, and joined the bard in gazing up at the moonless sky, which was almost exploding with stars. The cold air brought a hint of frost to her sensitive nose, along with a tickle of smoke from their campfire, and the familiar gentle muskiness of the fur they were lying on. "Beautiful night." She commented, as she felt Gabrielle's fingers tangle with her own.

The bard turned her head and regarded her, watching the twinkling lights overhead reflect in the translucent pools of her eyes. "Yes it is." Her voice was quietly serious. She slid over onto her side, and snuggled up to Xena's shoulder, wrapping one hand over the top of it, and letting her cheek rest against the thick wool of her shirt.

"You cold?" The warrior asked, glancing at her.

"A little." Gabrielle answered absently, then sighed in contentment as Xena's arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer as the warrior settled a part of her cloak around her body. "Thanks."

She fell silent for a minute, letting her hands drift slowly over her partner’s relaxed form, slipping under her wool shirt and touching bare flesh. Smiling as she felt the steady respiration pause, then continue, as she gently explored the smooth curves and dips. Reluctantly, she remembered their Rule, and let her hand flatten to rest just below Xena’s ribcage, and felt the muscles shift under her touch as the warrior took a breath to speak.

"We’ll be in Potadeia after breakfast… you ready for that?" Xena’s voice tickled into her hearing.

Gabrielle thought about that for a minute. "Yeah… " She finally sighed. "It’s not like last time.. they’re not expecting us.. and it’s not like.. I just.. I feel different this time, that’s all." A lot more sure of myself, for one thing. She glanced up. More sure of us, too. "I’m looking forward to seeing Lila, and mother."

Xena nodded, tangling her fingers idly in Gabrielle’s soft hair and gently scratching the back of the bard’s neck. "I think they’ll even talk to me this time." She grinned as her partner arched her body into the contact and gave a little contented murmur. "Look at you.." She chuckled softly at the blissful look on Gabrielle’s face. Gods… it feels.. so good to see her happy. How long did it take me until that mattered?

The first few months were.. hard, Xena remembered. She was.. busy feeling sorry for herself, and trying to make sense of the mess her life was in. Gabrielle had been mainly a distraction.. though she hadn’t actually resented the girl’s presence, her constant questioning, and her knack for getting into trouble frequently set Xena’s nerves on edge, and made the warrior snappish and impatient.

It had been late one night, and she’d finished a long set of drills, and taken a swim in the nearby lake to get the sweat, and the dirt off of her. She had come back to the campfire, and stowed her gear, setting the sword down in it’s scabbard on her bedroll for later sharpening, and as she’d seated herself down next to it, she’d looked across the fire and noticed, for probably the first time, the quiet, almost sad look on the face of her traveling companion.

Gabrielle had been sitting on her own bedroll, her knees tucked up to her chin, and her arms wrapped around them, gazing at the fire. It had been a hard day for her.. Xena had reflected. They’d been on the move almost constantly, and most of it uphill, and she’d seen the girl stumble several times, and catch herself, and Xena had wondered, not for the first time, what kept Gabrielle at her side, what internal reason drove her to spend her days on dusty roads, and her nights sleeping on the hard ground, with a grouchy, testy ex warlord who barely spared her the time of day. She hardly ever smiles. Xena had reflected. Not lately, anyway.. wonder if she’s regretting.. her decision… I should ask her. She’d studied the tired young face across from her. I should.

It would have been so easy. But every time she opened her mouth to ask Gabrielle if she wanted to go home.. somehow.. something stopped her. And then she faced the quiet, shattering realization that there was some part of her that wanted the girl’s presence. That needed to know another human being was willing to stay by her side, even though there really wasn’t any good reason to do so. That was so dangerous.. but..

She looked up, and at the same moment, Gabrielle looked over at her, so their eyes met through the flickering light of the campfire. The girl’s lonely gaze touched something inside Xena, and she only knew at that moment that she wanted to do something.. anything.. to make the kid smile.

So she stuck her tongue out at her, and saw the green eyes blink in startled reaction, and a grin jerk itself onto her face. That felt pretty good, so she did it again, and that got a muffled giggle, and a distinct lightening of the girl’s expression. "That’s better."

Gabrielle gazed at her, with a lingering smile on her face. "What was that for?" She asked curiously.

Xena had shrugged. "No reason." Then she looked back up and saw the smile fade away, and felt a dim pang of regret. "Hey.. you wanted to know how to tie that knot I used the other day, right?"

The smile tentatively came back. "Yeah…"

"Well, c’mere." Xena motioned her over with a jerk of her head.

Gabrielle had scrambled to her feet, and walked around the fire, settling gingerly down at Xena’s side as the warrior pulled out a length of rope from her pack and held up both ends. She’d shown the girl how to work the knot, taking her smaller hands in her own and working them through the motions. After several tries, Gabrielle was successful in completing the knot on her own, and grinned at her hands in triumph. "Hey.. that works!" She laughed in quiet delight.

Xena had gazed at her wistfully. Yeah.. it does, doesn’t it. She’d thought to herself. "You’ve got good hands, and you learn fast." She informed the girl briskly, casually.

And had gotten back the most dazzling smile she’d ever seen from Gabrielle. It had lit up her face, and warmed her mist green eyes, and Xena had felt a small spot inside her warm right along with it.

So she’d invented three more knots to teach, including an old one, a weaving in and out of thin leather strips that was as much decorative as useful. Gabrielle had finally fallen asleep, still smiling, with the leather scraps clutched in one hand.

And three days later, Xena had found a small, neatly woven leather bracelet lying on her folded cloak when she got back from a very late workout. It had seemed a reward all out of proportion to the effort she’d made, but at the time, it had helped her move a step up out of the dark pit she’d built for herself.

"Hey… " Gabrielle’s voice broke into her thoughts. "Why so serious?"

Xena reached over, and pulled her pack towards her, flipping open the top flap and digging inside. She pulled out her hand, and dangled something in front of the bard’s eyes. "Remember this?"

Gabrielle’s brows creased, and she lifted a hand to touch the battered leather. "You kept this?"

The warrior nodded. "Yeah… " She dredged up a rueful smile. "I used to wear it hooked through the shoulder strap on my leathers.. under the armor." It was, she reflected, quite an admission.

The bard laughed softly, and rolled up onto her elbow, leaning over and kissing her partner. "That is so… you know, Xena.. no one would ever suspect you of being such a romantic."

Xena scowled and raised an eyebrow at her. "Gabrielle, I am no such thing."

The bard gently took the leather piece from her fingers, and waved it in front of her eyes, a mischievous smile shaping her mouth.

"That’s not… I didn’t… it wasn’t…" Xena let her protests run down, then felt a warming rush of blood color her skin. Every time she’d looked down, and seen that tucked against her skin, it had just.. Her eyes lifted and met the amused green ones still perched above her. "I’m busted, aren’t I?"

"Uh huh." Gabrielle agreed, with an impish grin. "Big time." She let her fingers brush against Xena’s warm cheek. "You do look very pretty when you blush, though." Then she bit her lip and smiled as the color under her touch darkened. "Yeah, like that." She ducked her head and kissed her partner, feeling a sensual jolt on the contact that started in her gut and moved up from there.

We shouldn’t do this. Xena felt the faint protest fade quickly before the tumbling wash of tingling warmth that flooded through her. Damn it.. we’re out in the middle of the forest, in an area full of outlaws. Reluctantly, she broke off their contact, with a little nibble at Gabrielle’s nose.

The bard sighed, and settled down with her body curled tightly up against her partner's. "Sometimes.. there are advantages to being home." They exchanged rueful glances. "Or in some nice, dark cave." She poked Xena in the side when she felt the warrior start laughing. "Or tucked away in a snug old barn."

Xena laughed and wrapped her arms around the bard, and hugged her. "I’ll make it up to you." She promised, feeling Gabrielle’s aggrieved sigh warm her chest.

"You’d better." Gabrielle mock growled, then sighed. "I’d better go put my stuff away.. before this wind blows it back to Amphipolis.

"Mm.." Xena agreed. "And I should really check the area around here."

A moment’s silence, as neither of them moved, then they looked at each other and burst out laughing. "We’re hopeless, aren’t we?" Gabrielle chuckled, burying her head against Xena’s chest.

"Pretty much." The warrior admitted, with a smile. "But it’s a nice kind of hopeless." She yawned and stretched, arching her back and settling her arms more firmly around the bard. "Here.. I can reach that stuff." She extended an arm over the bard, and collected her scrolls, putting them and the case on top of her chest where Gabrielle could reach it. "There."

"Thanks." The bard tucked her supplies away, and set the case down next to her staff. Then she resumed her comfortable position nestled into Xena’s shoulder. "I've decided something." She mentioned quietly.

Xena opened a pale blue eye and regarded her. "And that is…?"

Gabrielle let her fingers play with the laces on Xena’s shirt. "I'm not changing the way I act when I go to Potadeia." Not home, not anymore. Her eyes flicked up to the warrior’s. "With us..I mean. " She paused. "If that’s ok with you."

Xena thought about that for a minute, then shrugged lightly. "Fine with me." She decided. What the heck… my reputation’s been blown all to Hades anyway. Might as well. "Isn’t that going to be a little weird for your family, though?"

"Yep." Gabrielle replied, with a satisfied grin, as she wrapped a snug arm around her partner’s body. "It sure is." She settled her head down, and let her eyes drift closed, basking in the hazy warmth of their connection.

Well. Xena mused to herself. This should be interesting. She tucked her arms around Gabrielle, and pulled the blanket up over both of them, tossing one end of it over Ares’ slumbering form. The wolf woke up with a start, and peered over his shoulder at her, yawning and poking his tongue out.

"Roo." He commented, then settled his chin on her lower leg, blinking up at her with adoring eyes.

"Goodnight to you, too, Ares." She whispered, as she abandoned herself to sleep.

"Just hold still." Hercules sighed, as he peered down the embankment, shaking his head in bemusement. "Anybody got some.. oh, thanks." He gave Eponin a smile, as she handed him a coil of rope. "Iolaus, stop moving around.. you're getting stuck in that stuff."

"I can't help it." The blond man called up. "I'm sinking into this gunk… augh.." There was a sodden blooping noise as the mud sucked him down further. "It's like glue."

The demigod sighed, and uncoiled the rope, tossing one end of it down the embankment. "Grab that." The rope was short, though, and Hercules had to kneel down at the very edge of the bank and extend an arm out before his friend could reach the end of the rope. "That's it.. now just hang on."

"Here.. wait.." Eponin sighed, and moved up in back of him, grasping his shoulders firmly. "You'll overbalance.. I'll hold on."

Hercules half turned and gave her a smile. "Thanks.." Then he turned his attention to pulling the rope, flexing his brawny arms in a smooth motion, as he hauled Iolaus up foot by foot out of the sticky mud.

The goo reluctantly let go of it's prey, making little disappointed sucking noises as Iolaus shook the last of it off his boots, and hung on grimly until he was dangling above the mud pit, and approaching a thick overhang. "Hang on.. I'm going to have to kick off this a little." He called up, swinging his body out to clear the overhang.

"Whoa…" Hercules cautioned, then groaned as he felt the bank giving way under his knees. "Oh Zeus…" He fought frantically to keep his balance, but the rain sodden bank crumbled under his weight. "Let go, Eponin…" He yelled.

"No..wait, I think I can.." Eponin replied, then yelped as she was suddenly plummeting through the air, still gripping the demigod's thick shirt. "YaaaaahhhhH!!!!!"

The mud pit gave up three very satisfied glurps as it recaptured not only its original quarry, but to additional surprises as well.

Ephiny turned to Granella, and stood with her arms crossed for a long moment. "You know, I couldn’t invent something more bizarre than this."

Granella shook her head solemnly. "It's not funny."

"Nope." Ephiny agreed gravely.

They both burst into giggles. Then Ephiny slapped her hand over her mouth, and took a deep breath. "Ok..ok.. now we gotta get them the Hades out of there." She glanced around. "We'll need more rope."

"I'll find some." Granella offered, and trotted off, still giggling. Ephiny took a moment to compose herself into the proper attitude of concern, and crept to the edge of the bank, peering over. "Hey.. you all ok?"

Three mud covered faces looked up at her.

"Granella's going for more rope." She offered, biting down on her lip hard to keep from laughing.

"Ephiny?" Hercules called up, moving an arm cautiously to shade his eyes. "Can we agree on one thing right now?"

"Um.. sure." The Amazon regent replied.

"This doesn’t get mentioned when we get back." The demigod sighed. "Especially to Xena and Gabrielle."

"Yeah." Eponin sighed, wiping a glob of sticky black mud off her nose, and getting more on it in the process. "I don't wanna hear it."

"Sure." Ephiny promise, crossing her fingers behind her back. "Not a word."

"Hey." Iolaus said suddenly, jerking his body almost out of the mud.

"What?" Eponin and Hercules spoke together.

"There's.. something.. crawling.. around.. in here." The blond man squeaked. "Yahh!" He flopped around. "It bit me!"

"What?" Eponin thrashed her arms, clearing a swath of glooping black mud which filled itself in again immediately. "Bacchae!!" She yelled, sticking her hand down into the mud and grabbing something. "Yahg!" She pulled something up with a sucking sound, and tossed it from her. "Mud suckers."

"Hey!" Hercules' eyes widened, and he plunged a hand of his own down into the mud. "Ow.. they tickle!!!" He glanced up. "Help?"

Ephiny slowly rolled onto her back, and covered her face, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

"Hey, sleepyhead." The voice held a lilt of incredulous humor, and Xena eased one eye open to see her partner studying her in some bemusement. Bluff? No Bluff? What the heck.

"Hey." The warrior replied, taking in the early morning light with a touch of embarrassment.

Gabrielle gave her an easy out. "Guess you're still getting caught up from our little adventure." Now her gaze turned a trifle worried, and she put a gentle hand against Xena's forehead. "You're a bit warm."

Xena was tempted, but ruefully shook her head. "Nope.. I'm fine, love.." She opened both eyes and took a deep breath. "Just being lazy, that's all."

"Mmm…" The bard considered that. "Well, you're entitled." She decided, relaxing. "Hey.. I'll tell you what.. " She neatly tucked the blankets around her partner. "Why don't you stay right here, and let me bring you breakfast in bed. "

That got both eyebrows hiking up. "Gabrielle.. I don't think so." Xena laughed. "Not that I don’t appreciate the thought… " She captured the bard's hand in her own. "But we've got someplace to be, and I'm.."

Gabrielle silenced her with a kiss, and her body betrayed her by relaxing completely under the bard's gentle attack, as her partner began a familiar stroking pattern "We can spare a candlemark." The bard murmured, as they paused to breathe. "Not like Potadeia's going anywhere." She nibbled the warrior's jawline. "Please?.. You just spent the last two weeks coddling me shamefully.. it's my turn for one little morning." She raised her head and gave Xena her best pleading look.

Got that little quirk of Xena's mouth that always meant she was going to cave in, as she usually did when the request was mostly frivolous.. and didn't put either of them in danger.

So she did, heating up the water, and making them both tea, then warming up what was left over from dinner last night. "It's the right weather for something a little more substantial. " Gabrielle commented, as she joined her partner, settling down cross-legged next to the warrior. The morning had dawned colder than the day before, and the sky was thready with sheared off, muddy clouds that meant the weather was, yet again, changing.

Xena studied the sky and shook her head. "Glad we're headed into Potadeia." She commented, serving Ares his portion of breakfast, and watching him attack the bowl's contents eagerly. "That's good stuff, huh boy?"

"Grrrr." He answered, not looking up. She ruffled his fur and leaned back on an elbow, giving Gabrielle a quirky grin. "Thanks for breakfast."

"Anytime." The bard cheerfully assured her.

They packed up, and got underway, heading down the road ahead of the gathering clouds.

The sun had risen to near noon by the time they were closing in on the outer farm holdings in Potadeia, and a shifting, ominous quiet had settled over the landscape, as the air restlessly changed directions

"I don't know, Xena, what do you think about.." Gabrielle stopped, as a hand came flat against her chest, and Xena stiffened into a sharp attention. She remained silent, waiting for the warrior to let her in on whatever she'd heard or sensed, not asking the obvious questions.

Xena turned to her partner, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Sounds like fighting." She said gently. "You up for a little running?"

The bard took a grasp on her staff, and tightened the buckles holding on her backpack, and nodded grimly. "Let's go."

Xena's path took them off the road, and down through the trees that ringed the main part of Potadeia, and now the sounds of yelling, and the dull thuds of weapons striking could be plainly heard. Ares bounded along next to the warrior, his tongue lolling out and his tail waving, as he darted the occasional glance up at his leader.

They pulled to a halt just outside the village, and Xena heard Gabrielle gasp.

A ring of scruffy horses, mounted by leather armored outlaws circled a group of frightened looking residents, and there were several limp bodies lying about. One of the nearby huts was on fire, and a roil of oily smoke rose about the place, the wickedly snapping flames making the horses shift uncomfortably.

The leader was a tall, muscular woman, whose vivid red hair made her stand out amongst the rest of the rabble, though she was dressed in dully colored leather armor as they all were. Right now, she was pointing a crossbow negligently at an older man of middling height, who was standing with arms outspread in the center of the circle.

"That's the village elder." Gabrielle whispered fiercely into her partner's ear.

Xena nodded, her sharp eyes figuring angles. She stopped abruptly, and her nostrils flared, as she spotted two familiar faces in the small group. "Lila and Lennat" she said quietly to the bard, and felt a hand grip her upper arm. "All right.. let's break up this little party."

The tall redhead laughed at whatever the elder had said, and raised the crossbow, thumbing the release and aiming.

She never got to fire, as a high whistling sound suddenly screamed overhead, and the front of the crossbow vanished as something sliced through it. With a startled oath, the woman dropped the weapon, then jerked her head around, looking for its source.

There, in the space between two cottages, which had been empty mere seconds ago. Two villagers stood, one holding a ring shaped piece of metal that caught and reflected the dull storm shrouded daylight, the other grasping a quarterstaff with a solid familiarity. At their side bristled a large black dog.

Then they started forward, and as they moved, the outlaw knew they were no villagers. Both moved with the powerful, rolling gait of fighters, and the taller one, whose dark hair was whipping about her face in the wind, casually lifted the cloak off her right shoulder, exposing a dully gleaming sword hilt.

"This is no concern of yours." The outlaw yelled. "Be off with you."

The taller fighter stopped half the length of the courtyard from them, and put her hands on her hips. "Wrong." She called, her voice a low, rolling growl. "It is my concern, and you're the ones who'd better be leaving." The dog counterpointed her growl, and lifted his heavy ruff. The other fighter watched what was going on, and shifted her grip on the quarterstaff.

The woman must be demented, the outlaw realized. There were ten of them against two, and they were mounted. Well, if she wanted to be slaughtered… I'll be glad to comply. "Kill them!" She yelled, drawing her sword, and kicking her horse into a canter, heading straight for the taller fighter, who slowly shook her head.

Xena judged the speed of the galloping horses heading straight for her, and took two running steps, leaping into the air and crashing full into the outlaw leader, taking her off her horse and sending both of them tumbling to the ground.

The warrior rolled back up onto her feet, and kicked the sword out of the woman's hand, then ducked the spear of a second raider, and pulled him off his mount by grabbing the weapon, which he was stupid enough to hang on to. Idiot. Her mind sighed, as she kept moving, grabbing the reins of a third horse, and sliding under his neck, then blocking the rider's downward sword blow and taking a long step forward, then jumping up, and smashing him in the face with an elbow.

Now they were off their horses, and rushing her on foot, and she drew her sword and danced forward, feeling the delightful rush of blood and energy as her sword clashed against two of theirs, and her battle yell rang out over the cloud covered ground.

Three men were after Gabrielle, and the bard calmly let them come, catching the first with a smash against the bridge of his nose that sent blood flying across the courtyard, and taking the second one out with a quick sweep that pulled his feet out from under him and laid him flat on his back.

The third was more canny, and grabbed a pole to engage her with, sending a vicious swipe towards her head, which she ducked easily, then smashed her staff against his guard, and had the satisfaction of hearing him grunt in pain. With a grim smile, she dropped to one knee, and took him out with a powerful back sweep.

She looked up and around for Xena, and found her partner facing off against the outlaw leader, idly twirling her sword in one hand as she approached the tall woman. Gabrielle circled around in back of them, her staff held ready, watching Xena' s back. For a moment, she let her gaze lift over the two women towards the crowd, and found her eyes meeting her sisters. Hello, Lila. Her mind commented quietly. Lila grinned at her, and shook her head in Xena's direction. The bard returned the grin, and gave her a little shrug in response, then returned her attention to her partner.

Xena came to a halt, and stood easily, letting her sword rest on her shoulder and studying her opponent with icy calm, letting a quirk of a grin form when she saw the sudden, nervous shift of the woman's hand on her weapon, and the outlaw darted a glance around to her fallen companions. "You could be smart and just get outta here." The warrior remarked, casually. "And keep your scrungy buddies out of Potadeia in the future."

The woman's nostrils flared, and she took a better hold on her sword. "No body tells me what to do."

Xena laughed shortly, and shook her head, moving a few steps closer. "Take some advice from someone who is what you're pretending very hard to be, all right? Take off. Get lost." Now her voice dropped to its lowest register. "Before I let the fact that you were going to kill people here just because they didn't have what you wanted make me want to make sure that never happens again, got me?"

"Just who in Hades do you think you are?" The outlaw responded, flexing her long arms. "Why don't you shut up and start fighting?" Then she paused, and a look of comprehension formed on her face. "Wait a minute.. you're Xena, aren't you?"

The warrior nodded shortly. "Yep."

The outlaw snorted. "You don't look so tough. Half the districts scared to piss in the woods around Amphipolis because of you."

Xena didn't answer, but a small grin started forming on her lips. She waited.

The red haired woman threw back her head and laughed. "I've been looking forward to this." She lunged, and aimed a slice at Xena's head.

I tried. Xena mentally threw up her hands in disgust. She met the downward cut and deflected it, slipping to one side and allowing the woman to move past her, then turned and met her furious charge with calm skill. The woman was good, but Xena was Xena, and even as rusty as she considered herself to be, it wasn't really a contest. "You should have taken my advice." She advised the outlaw, as their blades ground across each other, and she shoved the woman back, making her stumble and catch her balance.

She drew it out anyway, wanting the work against muscles that had grown a touch lazy lately, until the woman was gasping and a look of panic had invaded her emerald green eyes. One step, and a negligent flick of her wrist, and the outlaw's sword was flying across the open space, to come clattering down at the feet of the nearly skewered elder.

Xena backed the outlaw up until her body was pressed against the side of the barn they were fighting in front of and remained silent for a moment, just letting the woman feel the force of her pale, icy stare. Finally, she spoke. "Did you nasty children torch a village just up the road here?" Her voice was calm, almost disinterested.

No answer. Xena sheathed her sword in one smooth motion, and grabbed the outlaw's leather armor, lifting her up and slamming her back against the barn with a rattle of wooden planks. "I asked you a question." Still no answer, and now Xena read in the minute muscles of the woman's face her intent. She released one hand from her armor and smashed the outlaw in the jaw with an elbow before she could spit. "Stupid move." Then she jabbed two fingers into the side her neck and saw her face pale.

"OK.. let's just go over this. You have thirty seconds to give me an answer, or you're gonna die because I just cut off the flow of blood to your brain." She paused. "Such as it is."

The woman hesitated for a bare instant, then rasped out a 'Yes."

Now Xena leaned closer. "Why?"

"They didn't have.." The outlaw began.

"You don't torch your source. So why?" Xena interrupted her, shoving harder against the woman's body. She knew by the growing paleness that she didn't have much time left, and now she felt the feather's touch of Gabrielle's hand against her back.

"Just.. got me mad. That's all." The woman ground out. "I didn't think about what I was doing.. just.. did it."

Two flickering motions, and the outlaw was slumped against the tree, her body released from the pressure point, and rendered unconscious by Xena's balled fist against her head. She let the battered form slide to the ground, and sighed as she turned to face Gabrielle. "Sounds almost like something's behind this stuff… something.. making these outlaws more angry.. egging them on." She said to Gabrielle, her gaze going thoughtful. Wonder if it has anything to do with that mess of Hercules?

Her eyes flicked around the courtyard, now filling with relieved villagers, some of whom were taking the downed raiders into rough custody. She grinned as a pair of familiar forms moved towards them.

Gabrielle turned as Lila and Lennat arrived, and threw her arms around her sister. "Hey..!"

"Oh..boy.. were we glad to see you two." Lennat sighed, as he exchanged arm clasps with Xena. "Talk about timing… this is the third visit we've had from this scum.. and I think they meant bad business this time."

Lila backed off from her hug, but kept her arms around her sister. "Bree, I couldn’t believe it when I looked up and saw you both standing there… " She studied the bard. "You look great.. come on.. let's get you back to our place." She slung an arm over Gabrielle's shoulders, and motioned them away from the barn. "What are you doing here? We were about to leave to come down to Amphipolis."

"I'll catch up." Xena said quietly, moving towards the elder who was headed shakily in their direction, followed closely by Ares

Gabrielle let her eyes follow her partner, then turned her attention back to Lila. "Well, we were kind of worried about all the attacks and things going on.. so we decided to come on down and give you guys an escort." She grinned at Lila's startled expression. "And it looks like it was a pretty good idea.. those outlaws burned a village just outside of here to the ground."

"Wow.' Lila sighed. "It's been a really rough winter." She gave Gabrielle a sidelong glance. "But not for you, I guess… gods, Bree, you look fantastic.. did you get taller or something? It looks like it."

The bard laughed. "Oh.. probably not. It's probably that I'm actually wearing a full set of clothes this time." She gave Lila a poke in the ribs gently, then reached over and patted her belly. "How are you doing?"

The girl blushed a little. "Just fine.. starting to show a little bit.. I thought I was going to be sick and all, but I wasn't.. it's been just kind of.. tiring, I guess." She looked over at Gabrielle's face. "So.. how's it been? Being over in Amphipolis, I mean."

Her sister broke into a happy grin. "It's been.. just great, Lila." She paused. "I'm looking forward to showing you the place.. and have you meet all our friends.." She glanced behind them to where Xena had now caught up and was strolling along next to Lennat, chatting civilly with him. "We've… " She hesitated. "It's been incredible."

Lila smiled, and gave her a squeeze. "You look really happy."

The bard gave a contented sigh. "I am.. " Her green eyes flicked to Lila's brown ones. "How've you been?"

The dark haired girl gave her a satisfied nod. "It's.. been good, Bree. I never much thought about what it would be like to be married.. but I'm really enjoying it.. and life's gotten.. a lot better."

"I'm really glad to hear that." Gabrielle replied. "How's mom and dad?"

Another slow nod. "Better." She gave Gabrielle a sideways glance. "She did convince him to go, by the way." Her eyes twinkled. "Boy, are they ever going to be surprised to see you."

Gabrielle smiled briefly, then glanced up, and felt a sudden knot form in the pit of her stomach. Coming towards them were the unmistakable forms of her parents. He still.. affects me that way. Her mind sighed. I wonder if he always will? She took a deep breath to settle herself, then felt a gentle wave of warmth crest over her, as two hands settled on her shoulders, and she felt the close presence of her soul mate bolstering her courage. She let herself fall back against Xena's sturdy form and smiled at the oncoming pair.

"Bree!" Hecuba hurried forward, and held out her arms, into which Gabrielle moved quietly, after getting an encouraging squeeze from her partner. "What are you doing here?" The older woman glanced over her daughter's shoulder. "Hello, Xena."

"Hello Hecuba." The warrior replied quietly. Then her eyes lifted and met the muddy green ones facing her. "Herodotus."

A quick nod in return. "Hello, Xena." Gabrielle's father answered in a quite civil tone. "We heard what happened.. we were out in the fields." He cleared his throat, and looked at his older daughter. "Hello, Gabrielle."

The bard stepped forward, and gave him a quick hug. "Hello, father." She stepped back into the shelter of Xena's closeness and felt the warrior resettled a comforting hand on one shoulder. "Yeah, it looks like we had pretty good timing."

"They came to give us an escort." Lila chimed in, giving them a sideways glance.

"Gabrielle was worried about raiders.. " Xena explained. "With good reason, looks like."

Hecuba smiled at her older daughter. "That puts my mind more at ease… and I we get to see both of you a little more." She shot her husband a look of mixed warning and entreaty.

The man hesitated, then nodded. "Much appreciated." He clipped out, letting his eyes briefly rest on Xena's face, which was quietly noncommittal. "We were going to leave in the morning.. that suit you?"

Oh.. goody. Only one night in lovely Potadeia. Xena's mind supplied. "Sounds fine." She answered the man. "Took us three days or so to get up here, but we weren't rushing, and we holed up during that big storm."

Herodotus nodded, and relaxed visibly a little. "Good.. good… you're welcome to stay with us overnight.. we've got space, where these two don't." His head jerk indicated Lila and Lennat.

Xena felt the muscles under her fingertips stiffen. "No need to put yourselves out for us, Herodotus.. and that's not fair to your innkeeper. " She gave the man an easy smile. "We've got the dinars.. let us put them to use here.. and besides, I know the innkeeper will be after Gabrielle for some storytelling soon as he sees her."

Thank you.. thank you.. thank you . .Xena… Gabrielle chanted silently It was incredibly civil of him to ask, but … The thought of spending a tense, awkward evening alone with her parents was making the bard's nerves jiggle.

Herodotus let his mouth quirk into a smile. "Good point." He relaxed further. "You'll have dinner with us then? And maybe we can all go listen to my daughter?"

"That would be really nice." Gabrielle answered, feeling the gentle squeeze of Xena's hand. "Save us from the inn's cooking." She grinned, and they grinned back, knowingly. "Thanks."

Hecuba gave them a quietly satisfied smile, and sighed. "Well, I've got things to do then." She gave her husband a quick look, and he nodded minutely at her. "I'll be off." She turned and headed back towards their home, leaving the five of them standing and looking at each other.

Xena found Herodotus's gaze fixed on her, and mentally sighed. He wants to talk. Yippee. "Gabrielle, why don't you and Lila catch up for while? I'm gonna get the room settled."

The bard gave her a look. "All right." She drew the answer out, quirking an eyebrow at her partner. "See you in a few minutes then."

"I'll walk with you over to the inn, Xena." Herodotus commented casually. "On my way there myself, to hear the news."

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged glances. "Sure." The warrior gave her partner a resigned look. "Meet you in a bit." She turned and started walking back towards the inn, a silent Herodotus at her side. She could almost feel the waves of uneasiness coming off the man, and sighed quietly to herself. This was.. not going to be an easy relationship to adjust to. For either of them.

"Been a bad winter." She offered, rolling the conversational ball around in her mind and realizing that was the most innocuous thing she could come up with.

Herodotus grunted in agreement. "Hear you took care of this crowd.. nasty lot." He glanced at her. "Nice timing."

Xena stopped walking and crossed her arms, pinning him with an intent stare. "Herodotus, you got something you want to say to me?"

Oddly, that got a smile from the man. "Not one for small talk, are you, Xena?" He stopped as well, and leaned against a nearby tree, folding his arms across his chest and glancing at the ground. "Look.. I know.. you don't like me." He glanced up. "And I don't much like you either."

Xena pursed her lips and sighed. "That's true." She admitted quietly. "I'm not as forgiving as Gabrielle is."

The wind blew softly between them, bringing a scent of damply charred wood from the central area of the village. "Do you have a right to hold a grudge in her behalf?" Herodotus asked.

Xena gazed into his eyes. "Yes." Then she sighed, and dropped her glance. "But.. that's not what Gabrielle wants… so… " Now she shrugged. "I'm willing to make an effort."

The man studied her in silence. "I still love her, you know."

Ice blue eyes flicked to his. "I know. And she loves you. " A small silence. "Or we wouldn't be having this conversation." She saw Herodotus swallow, as he took in her meaning.

"I don't understand this choice she's made." Herodotus stated, flatly. "What hold do you have over her?" Now his voice took on a tinge of anger. "You're a killer. What business do you have getting involved with someone like her?"

It touched every insecurity she had, Xena realized, with an unerring accuracy. And she had no reasonable answer for him. So she shrugged. "That's life, sometimes, Herodotus." Not denying his statements. "I don't pretend to understand it either." She took a deep breath. "I've stopped trying to." Now her eyes met his frankly. "She's the most important thing in my life, Herodotus.. there's no limit to what I'd do for her." She paused, and quirked a grin. "Even get along with you."

He studied her for a long time, then snorted out a quick laugh. "No accounting for the mysteries of love, I guess." He shook his grizzled head, then lifted his hands and let them fall. "All right, Xena.. a truce." His eyes studied her face. "Maybe someday we can find a common ground." He sighed. "For Bree's sake."

"Maybe." Xena allowed, starting to walk towards the inn again. "Gabrielle has a way of bringing people together."

Herodotus walked along in silence for a few steps. "You don't use her nickname. Why?" Blunt as usual.

Xena eyed him in wry amusement. "She hates it."

The man snorted. "Nonsense." A pause. "How do you know?"

"I asked her." The warrior stated, reasonably. "When we were here the last time."

Another long pause. "Really?"

"Really." Xena confirmed. "Besides, I like her name."

Herodotus mulled over that. "How come she never said anything?" Now there was real curiosity in his gruff tone.

Xena shrugged. "You know Gabrielle.. she hates hurting people's feelings." She was relieved to see the bulk of the inn approaching. The conversation was making her twitch badly.

"I see." The man mused. "She's named for a character in a story, you know."

That got Xena's full attention with startling rapidity. She turned and focused her sharp gaze on him, holding his eyes until he fidgeted. "Maybe you'll tell me the story sometime."

His eyes dropped, and he shrugged in a familiar manner. "Maybe."

Xena smiled, and pulled the inn door open, motioning him to precede her.

He waved a hand. "No no.. ladies first."

That got both eyebrows up in return, and a short laugh. "Herodotus, I'm the one holding the door. Just go."

Gabrielle watched her father and her partner walk off, and grimaced. "Hope that's ok." She muttered to Lila, who waggled a hand.

"He's been all right for a while, Bree.. and he's even stopped ranting about Xena most of the time. I think.. it's ok. I mean.. it's not like he can do anything about it, right? " She put an arm around her sister's shoulders and started steering her towards their small cottage again. "I think he's figured out he might as well make the best of the situation."

The bard sighed. "I guess."

"So.. what's been going on with you guys?" Lila asked, tugging at her tunic a little. "I like this color on you… it's really nice."

Let's see… Xena's almost died twice, I've been kidnapped, sick Amazons, Hercules in trouble.. "It's been pretty quiet." Gabrielle replied. "Just the usual stuff with us, you know… but the outlaws pretty much stay clear of Amphipolis now.. we've just been kind of relaxing, and getting ready for the ceremony.. we've got some Amazons staying by us for a while.. it's been really.. nice."

Lila laughed. "You and your Amazons… that one you sent here was really nice, though." She opened the door to the cottage and followed Gabrielle inside. "Here we are.. it's tiny, but I'll give you a tour."

Gabrielle allowed herself to be led around the small cottage, making suitably complimentary remarks about the neat and tidy room, while Lennat excused himself, saying he was due back at the smithy now that all the excitement was over. After the tour, she and Lila settled down in chairs next to the fire, Lila bringing over a platter of brown bread and cheese and setting it down with a sigh as she dropped into her chair.

"One side effect of being pregnant.. I can't stop eating." She gave Gabrielle a wry look as she took a portion of the bread and stuffed a bite into her cheek and patted her belly. "Not sure how much of this is baby, and how much is just me pigging out."

The bard laughed and took a piece of cheese, nibbling on it cheerfully. "I've never had that excuse." She tucked her legs up under her and leaned on the arm of the chair. "You must be really excited."

Lila took a deep breath. "I am.. it's.. kind of really scary, though." She swallowed, and played with the bread in her hands. "Mom and Dad are thrilled, of course." She hesitated, then fell silent.

"So.. at least one of us is going to give them grandkids?" Gabrielle asked quietly.

Lila gave her an apologetic look. "Something like that, yeah." She put a hand out and rubbed Gabrielle's arm. "At least they've accepted what you're doing… don't feel.. I mean.. did you want children, Bree?"

Gabrielle surprised her by laughing. "I'm not.. sorry.. they feel that way, Lila. But.. " Her eyes glinted. "We've talked about it.. right now, it's not in my plans. But if that changes.. I've got this little agreement with Toris."

Lila blew chunks of bread across the room and started coughing violently.

The bard got up and patted her on the back. "Sorry. Take it easy, all right?" Whoops.. that was little too much for her, I think… I forget just how conservative they are here. "Hey, he's not that bad. He's a little quick tempered sometimes, but… "

"Bree!" Lila wailed. "How can you just say that?" She stared at her older sister in some dismay, studying the serious, strong lines of her face, and the intent focus of her pale green eyes. "Sometimes.. I don't even know who you are anymore, I swear."

Gabrielle settled back into her chair, and sighed. "Look..I know it's hard for you… it's hard for me sometimes. I look in the mirror, and I… sometimes wonder who that person is looking back at me. But.. " She took a breath. "I can't pretend to be the girl who left here, Lila, because I'm not. I've.. seen too much… changed too much to do that." She dropped her gaze to the fire thoughtfully. "When I left.. I never expected to.. " Become a bard, grow into being an Amazon queen. Fall in love. "End up where I did. But I'm not sorry."

Lila nibbled her lip. "You scared me today.. I know. I've seen you practice that fighting stuff.. but this is really the first time I've got to see you use it for real." Her eyes found Gabrielle's. "I'm finding it a little hard to reconcile my sweet, loving sister with that intimidating person who clobbered a handful of raiders." She gazed honestly at Gabrielle. "I don’t understand."

The bard stared at her for a long moment. "I guess I can see that, Lila." She answered quietly. "I stopped looking at outside appearances when I met Xena." She hesitated. "I guess we're all a mixture of things… when I realized there was a big part of her that was.. warm, and loving and gentle.. I understood that there must be a part of me that was.. capable of fighting and hurting people who were trying to hurt me, or people I care about." She blinked. "And there is… I don't.. like hurting people. But I'm glad I can defend myself, and my friends."

Lila sighed. "I never looked at it that way." She gave Gabrielle a gentler look. "I guess we're all capable of that, at some level.. if you're defending your home.. or your family. " She stroked her belly thoughtfully. "Have you ever.. " Her voice trailed off.

"No." Her sister answered quietly, then paused. "Not that I know of, anyway." She amended honestly. "I mean.. I don't think about that when I fight.. and I use a staff, not a sword, but… you never know." Another pause. "I don’t think so."

"Xena said.. you were physically capable of it, but not… mentally." Lila finally said, reluctantly, then reached over and squeezed Gabrielle's biceps. "I guess that's true."

Gabrielle smiled. "Probably." When did she say that, I won.. oh. Right. The last time we were here. A memory flash of her staff connecting with her father's head. "Though I've been doing more talking that fighting recently." She leaned back in the chair and took a breath. "I know I've changed a lot, though."

Lila studied the strong, confident woman who had grown from the unsure, desperate girl who had left their shared bedroom that night and smiled. "Yeah, you have.. but.. it's a good thing, Bree." She patted her sister's arm. "I'm really proud of my big sister" She nodded a little. "You took a gamble, and it paid off, Gabrielle."

"You think so?" The bard asked softly, but she was smiling, as her senses picked up a familiar presence approaching. "I'm glad." She winked quietly as the door opened. "I think so too."

Xena joined them near the fire, and crouched down next to Gabrielle's chair, resting a steadying hand on the arm of her chair. "Well, looks like a truce." She commented, giving the bard a wry look.

"Roo." Ares snorted, as he settled down at Gabrielle's feet, panting.

Gabrielle hesitated, then remembered her resolve, and curled a hand around Xena's upper arm, rubbing her thumb against the soft wool. "Good to hear." She commented, glancing up as a patter of hail hit the roof. "Ugh."

Lila sighed. "Again? Great Hera." She stood up and put a small pot of water near the fire. "Glad you two made it here.. hate to think of anyone out in this disgusting stuff."

"Hey..watch that sword." Granella gave Eponin a mild shove. "It's close enough in here."

They all glared at each other, in the close quarters under the small shelter they'd been able to rig as the weather turned foul again. "Watch your own self, you sprout." Eponin growled, shifting uncomfortably in her mud stiffened clothing.

The smell was.. indescribable. But no one mentioned it.

"Whose idea was this, anyway?" Granella groused.

"Don't start." Eponin warned, with a glower.

"Hey. Cut that out." Ephiny finally said wearily, rolling her eyes. "It was all of ours." She was seated against the fallen tree trunk they'd used as a shelter, and had all of their gear piled around her, with various articles solicitously stacked against her body by Eponin to keep the wind off her. She felt.. idiotic. "How are those bites?"

Three pairs of eyes glowered at her. "Thanks for the reminder." Iolaus muttered, scratching his leg furiously.

Hercules merely closed his eyes, and leaned back against the tree.

"How did we get into this?" The blond man spoke up again. "I know.. it must be.. the Gabrielle effect."

Eyes turned to him. "What?" Toris moved surreptitiously closer to Granella, and was gratified when she casually leaned back against him. "The what?"

"The Gabrielle effect." Iolaus growled, scratching his back.

"Stop it." Hercules advised him, still with his eyes closed. "You'll scratch yourself raw."

"We all can't be half god, buddy." The blond man snapped. "I figure.. she always gets into stuff.. it must be kind of a.. cloud.. that hangs around her. So..here we are, right near Amphipolis.. so we're affected by it.' He paused and scratched. "Right?"

Hercules reached over and grabbed his hands, holding them firmly. "I said, stop it."

Eponin and Ephiny exchanged glances. The regent's lip quirked. "Somehow..I don’t think this.. is kind of situation our Queen gets into."

"Hey.. let go." Iolaus tugged his hands to no avail. "C'mon, Herc..it itches."

"Don't think about it." The demigod advised him, not letting go. "Anyway, it could be worse."

Five voices answered him. "How?"

Hercules opened a pale blue eye and gazed at them. "It could be snowing."

A single, delicate snowflake chose that moment to drift in, and land lazily on the demigod's mud encrusted arm.

Continued in Part 4

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The Longest Night - Part 4

Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

"I can't believe it's still snowing." Hecuba sighed, as she peered out of the glazed window into the darkening outdoors. She turned and glanced back into their home, where her guests had settled quietly in the larger living area after they'd finished a leisurely dinner.

It has been.. all right, she mused. A little tense, but that was to be expected… and surprisingly enough, it was Xena who relieved some of that tension by coming up with gently amusing remarks, and allowing herself to be talked into telling a pirate story that was, frankly, ribald and hilarious, and almost made her husband choke on his soup. She had been scandalized, but she'd caught Lila snickering, and Lennat had been taking obvious notes for retelling to his mates at the smithy.

Her older daughter had taken the opportunity to eat her dinner, sneaking her partner quick, encouraging looks from time to time but remaining silent, until the story was over, when she leaned over and whispered something to the taller woman which brought a slight, but noticeable blush to her dark features. That little touch of humanness suddenly made her seem younger, and Hecuba had slowly started to see past the intimidating persona and catch a glimpse of the wryly witty and mischievous person her daughter chose to make her life with. It had been.. a learning experience.

Now she watched Gabrielle pour hot water over a large pot of tea, smiling as her daughter lifted a hand and moved the pale hair out of her eyes and behind an ear in an absent gesture. She's grown so. Her mind sighed. Physically she even seemed taller, though Hecuba suspected that was more an indication of self confidence than anything else. Certainly, she seemed very comfortable in her body, and she held herself with a muscular poise that seemed very strange to Hecuba's motherly eyes. Gone, too, was all the adolescent awkwardness that had still been very much a part of her before she'd left home, and along with it the air of brashly youthful inexperience.

The candlelight in the room clearly defined the graceful, sure movements as Gabrielle let the tea steep, and took cups to the rest of her family, saving her own and her partner's for last. She was dressed in a woven wool outfit, that outlined her slim form with delicate precision, and caught the warm highlights of the room on the linked metal belt clasped around her waist, the filigreed ring that graced her hand, and the faceted crystal necklace she wore around her neck. She was, Hecuba noted with some pride, quite beautiful.

And looking surreptitiously to her right, she noticed that she wasn't the only one who thought so. Caught in a single, unguarded moment, she found a quietly adoring look on Xena's face, as she sat with her back against the hearth watching Gabrielle. It dissappeared as the warrior blinked, and focused her eyes on fire, but Hecuba knew what she'd seen.

"Any idea where all these outlaw groups are coming from?" Herodotus asked idly, leaning back in his favorite chair as he watched his older daughter settle down on the hearth rug next to Xena, taking back her mug from her partner's waiting hands.

Xena stretched her long legs out, and slid one arm to the side, allowing Gabrielle to lean back against her. She ignored the startled glance from her partner's parents, and cheerfully settled the arm snugly around the bard's waist, taking a sip from her mug before answering. "Weather might have something to do with it." She reflected thoughtfully. "They seem to be younger kids mostly… maybe their villages just didn't make it."

An awkward silence fell. "That's a possibility." Lennat said, smoothly slipping both arms around Lila and pulling her closer to him on the chair they were sharing. "They didn't look really old.. even their leader, that woman, looked pretty young."

"She was snotty." Gabrielle pronounced, sipping her tea and relaxing into the safety of Xena's arms. She made a note to give Lennat a special thank you later, because his obvious acceptance of their snuggling had made her parents relax noticeably She turned her head towards her partner. "Imagine.. her thinking you didn't look very tough."

One dark eyebrow curved up. "Must be all that coddling I get from you." The warrior drawled in an amused tone. "Turning me into a pile of lamb's wool." They exchanged grins, then Gabrielle bounced gently against Xena's sturdy shoulder and shook her head.

"Long way to go for that." She teased, giving the warrior a poke in the belly. "Ow." Getting a raised eyebrow in return, and poking the tip of her tongue out.

Xena rolled her eyes and gave an aggrieved mock sigh. "Any of them familiar from around here?"

Herodotus pulled his lip between his forefinger and thumb. "No.. not that I can recall." His eyes kept fastening on them and then darting off. "They don't even seem very organized.. there's just a lot of them." He watched Gabrielle let her head drop back to rest on the warrior's shoulder, treating her partner as though she was nothing but a large pillow specifically put there for her convenience. He found that the sight made him.. uncomfortable, though he wasn't really sure why.

Then he realized what it was. He hadn't believed before now that what his daughter felt for this dark, cold person could possibly be love. Hero worship, sure. An adolescent crush, sure. Love? No.

But looking at the expression on Gabrielle's face, and, he admitted, on Xena's, he had to force himself to realize that what he was looking at was.. love.

"So.. " Hecuba decided to change the subject. "Tell us, Bree.. what have you two been up to?"

Hmm. Gabrielle swiftly ran over her latest exploits. Xena's cave in.. no. The soul bonding ceremony. No.. Hercules' capture.. no.. her kidnapping. Definitely not. "Um.. it's been really quiet since we saw you." She felt Xena chuckle silently. "Right?" She poked the warrior in the ribs.

"Right." Xena replied dutifully. "Very quiet. We've just been lounging around at home."

"Really?" Hecuba replied, folding her hands in her lap. "That's very nice.. I thought you were always out and about.. what made you decide to settle down?" Her brow creased. "Not that I think that's a bad idea, right?" She glanced at Herodotus. "Right?"

"Right." Herodotus agreed, drawing the word out thoughtfully.

"Um.." Gabrielle hesitated, trying to decide what excuse to use. Damn.. we should have thought about this…

Xena came neatly to her rescue. "Actually, it was my idea." The warrior informed them. "I knew it was going to be a bad winter.. and I thought it would be best if we stayed close to Amphipolis.. my mother's getting on now, and we just wanted to make sure things went ok for her."

Gabrielle almost bit her lip through to keep from giggling. Well, it was better than telling them the truth, she decided. Gods.. they'd go crazy. "Yeah, and it was a good thing, too.. you know, the harvest failed, and Xena's really been making sure folks around there stay fed." She gave her partner a little pat on the leg. "And then, well, the Amazon regent, Ephiny, had a little accident, and she's been staying by us for a few weeks now." There.. that was a safe thing to tell them.

"Accident?" Lila asked. "What happened?" She leaned forward, her eyes alive with interest.

"Hmm.. well, " Gabrielle composed the story. "She was.. out hunting with a group of younger Amazons.. and.. she fell through the ice into a half frozen river."

Gasps all around. "My goodness." Hecuba exclaimed. "Was she all right?"

"Oh.. sure." Gabrielle reassured her. "See, Xena was there, and she just dove in and got her."

Eyes flicked to the warrior, who affected a bored expression. "She hadn't gone far. Under the ice." Xena supplied helpfully. Whoops.. she realized, seeing their widening eyes. Wrong thing to say.

Gabrielle gave her a playful slap. "Who is telling this story?" She sighed. "Anyway, Xena got her out.."

"Were you all right?" Lennat asked, having some idea of what she'd done.

The bard snorted. "Who, Xena? Sure.. she swims like a fish. Anyway.." She ignored the flutter as she felt Xena's silent laughter again. "She got her out, and had one of the Amazons ride back to Amphipolis with Ephiny, while she brought the rest of their group in. But Ephiny was already sick before she got wet, and she got really bad with the coughing sickness, so it's been a hectic couple of weeks." There.. that should hold them.

"Wow.." Lila shook her head in sympathy. "That's bad… do you have a healer by you?"

"Yep.. we do, but. " Gabrielle's eyes wandered back to her partner. "My friend here is a pretty good healer herself.. and besides, she had a good supply of the stuff we needed.. " Uh oh.. another near death experience we can't tell the folks. "Um.. because she just.. um.."

"Likes to be prepared." Xena supplied, patting the bard's stomach. "Right?"

"Right." The bard agreed, turning her face so that only Xena could see it, and biting her lip in wry humor. She took a breath, and turned back towards them. "But other than that, it's been very..um.. peaceful." A glance at Xena. "Right?"

"Right." The warrior agreed amiably.

"I see." Herodotus studied them for a moment, then rubbed his nose. "So.. it was some other Xena, then who broke up a slaver ring just south of Amphipolis?"

"Oh." Gabrielle said. Centaur poop.

"That." Xena added. "Well, no.. that was me." Her eyes flicked to his. "Us, actually."

The older man's eyes glinted. "Did you know two of those kids were from here?"

You sly devil. Xena chuckled internally, letting her amusement show as a twinkle in her eyes.

"You know, I was wondering.. " Herodotus studied them. "If that.. incredibly brave Amazon princess they were describing might possibly have been my daughter." He paused. "The description fit."

Gabrielle turned brick red, and just hid her face in Xena's shirt. "Gods." She muttered, and felt her partner's arms close around her in a comforting hug.

Xena gave Herodotus a wry smile over the bard's shoulder. "She hates being the subject of her own stories." She remarked quietly, noting Hecuba's shocked expression, and the stunned look on Lila and Lennat's faces. So.. he didn't tell them, either, huh? "She got herself, and those kids out of there.. I just.. " The warrior gave a light shrug. "Made sure it wasn't going to happen again."

"What.. wait.. just a minute." Hecuba held up a hand and turned towards her husband. "What happened? Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Herodotus lifted a hand and let it fall. "Didn't know for sure."

"Well.. tell me now!" The woman exclaimed, exasperated.

Gabrielle took a breath, and pushed herself away from the safety of her partner's embrace. "It's.. not that big of a deal." She sighed. "I just didn't want you to worry." She combed her fingers through her disordered hair, and, after a moment to compose herself, started to speak.

Hecuba was gnawing on her knuckles before her daughter finished, in a quiet, gentle voice, telling of her dark and harrowing adventure. That cool, clear tone shaped the horror of the camp, and the danger of the slavers in skilled detail, downplaying her part in the story with natural modesty.

"So.. then.. I just.. I got tired.. " She finally wound down. " He got my staff away from me, and then he stood over me and asked if I was ready to die."

Dead silence from the room, as her family stared at her in absolute horror.

But a smile etched across her face. "And then, out of the darkness, there came this voice… " She twined her fingers with Xena's. "And it said. "Are you?" " Now the bard was openly smiling. "And I looked up, and I saw the most wonderful sight in the world." She gave a light shrug. "And that was that." She yawned. "I was safe.. except that I was dumb, and tried to help out in the fight, and got a few cracked ribs." She looked up and caught their expressions. "Don't look at me like that.. this wasn't even out on the road someplace.. it happened right here. It could have been anyone."

"Gods, Bree." Lila breathed. "Weren't you scared?"

Her sister gave her a look. "Do you think I'm stupid? Of course I was scared."

Herodotus studied her quietly, thinking of the things she'd left out, that the two kids, young men really, who had witnessed it had told him. Of the long day spent strung by her neck in the rain, which she had stood with silent dignity. Of her victorious staff battle, and the courageous dash for freedom. That most elusive of gifts, courage, than ran in his slim, strong daughter in a measure he'd never expected. He chuckled quietly to himself. That story was an evening favorite at the inn.. the two lads were always asked for it. He was going to enjoy filling them in on the identity of their mysterious heroine.

"Gabrielle, :I'm appalled." Hecuba fumed.

"Leave her be." Herodotus ordered quietly, forestalling the warning glint in Xena's very blue eyes. His wife subsided, but her eyes were still angry.

Xena felt the fierce tension in her partner's body, and sighed. "Listen.. we need to get an early start tomorrow.. we'd better get back to the inn."

Herodotus nodded. "We've got a wagon set to go with us.. best go early, with this gods be damned weather."

"Tch. Hero." Hecuba gave him a look.

He raised both eyebrows at her. "I think they've both heard that term before, wife."

"Oh yeah." Gabrielle muttered as she stood, and reached for her cape. "In fact, Xena can say that in..oh.. nine or ten different languages.. along with other choice little tidbits which she refuses to translate for me."

That, finally, got a chuckle from all of them, including Xena, who was fastening the clasp on her own cloak. "You have very tender ears." The warrior joked, sharing a grin with Lennat.

"Right.." The bard answered, with a touch of sarcasm. "Remind me to entertain you sometime with stuff I learned on Cecrops ship."

"What.. playing with the squid?" Xena teased gently.

"No.. but it has some.. of the same characteristics." The bard replied sweetly, as she neatly draped the long cloak over her partner's shoulders and fastened the clasp.

Xena gave her a look, then chuckled. "Thank you for inviting us over." She said to Hecuba, who still looked rattled over the bard's story. "I'm glad we had a chance to.. um.. visit."

Herodotus rocked on his heels, clasping is hands behind his back. "Eh.. yes. It was very nice." He cleared his throat. "Glad you'll be keeping us company on the road."

Xena sighed ruefully to herself. I never had to.. go through this before. The warrior quickly ran though all her previous relationships. No.. no… no nervous parents, no uncomfortable dinners.. just whack them on the head and throw them over the horses hindquarters. A very brief, nostalgic wave traveled through her. Then Gabrielle's mist-green eyes caught hers, and she let a rakish smile shape her lips. On the other hand…none of the others were worth going through this for, were they? "Well, we're glad too." She curved an eyebrow at the bard. "Right?"

Gabrielle swallowed a giggle at the expression on her partner's face. "Right." She agreed solemnly. "Night mom.. night dad."

Hecuba gave her a hug. "Goodnight, Bree. Keep warm."

"I always do." Gabrielle answered without thinking and caught her sister's scandalized look from the corner of her eye. "I mean.. um… Xena's.."

"Very good at making campfires." The warrior completed her incoherent sentence, and grasped her by an elbow. "Night."

They walked out into the still snowing weather, though the flakes seemed to have slowed considerably, and now were just laying a dusting on their heads. Xena stopped for a minute, shaking her head to rid her dark locks of the covering, and drew up Gabrielle's hood. "Glad we left Ares in the room.. he'd be going nuts out here." She commented wryly, as they started walking again.

Gabrielle bumped her gently. "Nice dinner." She mouthed, barely audibly.

Xena rolled her eyes, and gave the bard a behind the back kick in the behind, somehow managing to neatly ruffle her cloak and not entangle her legs. "You always keep warm, huh?"

The bard giggled softly. "I can't believe I said that."

They walked Lila and Lennat home, exchanging small talk with them, leaving them with a cordial good night and heading towards the inn. Xena gazed quietly down at the frost dusted head bowed thoughtfully at her side, and put an arm around her partner’s shoulders. "You OK?" Gabrielle had grown very quiet since they'd left her parents house.

A short nod from the bard. "Yeah."

They walked a few more steps. "You’re lying." Xena remarked casually. She felt the shoulders slump under her arm. "Hey.. it’s not so bad being a hero.. that’s what you tell me all the time."

"I don’t feel like a hero." The bard muttered, letting out a big sigh, and leaning against Xena’s warmth. "It feels weird."

Xena gently blew the snowflakes off her cloak and smiled. "Can I tell you a secret?" She whispered.

Gabrielle glanced up, an unwilling grin etching her face. "Sure."

"I never do either, and it always feels weird for me, too." The warrior confided, watching her breath come out as frost in front of her, and listening to the unfamiliar crunching of her boots against the snow dusted walk. The snowflakes continued to fall, and she watched Gabrielle lift a hand, and catch a particularly big one.

"I"m glad." The bard finally said, gazing at the lacily filigreed flake, which melted to nothing against her warm hands. "That does make me feel better." Another flake dropped in front of her eyes, then was gone, as Xena snapped it up with her tongue.

She giggled, watching her partner catch a few more, then tried it herself. "Ooo.. that feels.. " The cold of the snow was abruptly replaced by the warmth of Xena kissing her, and for a long moment, the cold weather just… vanished. "You know.. " She sighed, as they paused. "That always makes me feel better."

Xena chuckled deep in her throat. "I should hope so." She teased. "C’mon, let’s get out of this stuff before we freeze solid." She guided the bard through the empty, silent paths of the half frozen village towards the solid bulk of the inn. The trees in the courtyard were empty and stark, and even the wildlife seemed subdued, only a solitary, well fluffed owl was perched high on a limb, it's beak tucked firmly against it's chest. It hooted solemnly as they passed, it's round eyes watching them with idle curiosity.

The wind had died down, and a gentle flurry of white cascaded around them, frosting Xena's dark head and laying a blanket across their wool covered shoulders. "It's so quiet." Gabrielle murmured, tucking her arm firmly into the crook of Xena's elbow. "Noticed you didn't eat much dinner." She observed. "It wasn't that bad… was it?"

Xena shrugged. "We snacked all damn afternoon at your sisters… " She grinned at her partner "I think she even out ate you, though."

Gabrielle laughed gently. "Yeah, she said being pregnant was making her pig out.. " She shook her head. "It's weird.. she always teased me about being the one who's constantly eating." Her lips quirked. "I get my revenge now, I guess."

Xena chuckled as she guided her up the steps to the inn, and pulled the door open. "Don’t be too mean, Gabrielle.. she can't help it."

"Oh.." The bard snorted, as she preceded the warrior up the stairs. "Like I can?"

"I didn’t say that." Xena objected, smothering a grin.

"You implied it." Gabrielle growled, as she pulled open the door to the room they'd rented.

"I did not." Came the instant response, as Ares came bounding over to greet them. "Hey boy.."

The bard turned, and put both hands on her hips, raising one eyebrow. "You got a problem with how much I eat, partner?"

"No." Xena replied, bursting out laughing, ruffling the wolf's fur with one hand.

Gabrielle strolled forward, putting a finger on Xena's chest and poking her. "You eat as much as I do."

The warrior stepped up next to her, and made the most of their height difference, putting her own hands on her hips and looking down. "I should hope so." She drawled, looking the bard up and down. "Considering how much bigger I am."

Pale brows knitted. "Are you trying to intimidate me?"

Xena poked a thumb at her own chest. "Me? Intimidate? You?" She arched an eyebrow.

"You got the essentials." Gabrielle's green eyes sparkled at their banter. "Guess you haven't been hit one to many times in the head after all." She sensed the movement before she saw it, and took a breath. "Just… " Kidding. "Ooof."

Xena slid two strong hands around her waist and lifted up. "Here.. c'mon up here where I can see you." She grinned when she felt Gabrielle's arms circle her neck. "You squirt."

"Who are you calling a squirt?" Mock outrage and dancing eyes. "You calling me a squirt?"

Xena gazed at her. "Yep.. but you're my squirt." She laughed as Ares gave them both a snort, and curled back up in front of the fire, tucking his nose under his tail and sighing.

Gabrielle's eyes and voice softened. "Oh.. have you ever got that right." She slid her fingers up to tangle in Xena's dark hair and pulled herself closer, letting her lips meet her partner's, as she felt Xena's arms draw them closer into an embrace. She lost track of time, and had no idea how much later it was when she finally pulled her head back and gazed dreamily into the blue eyes facing her. "You can let me down now."

"Huh?" Xena mumbled, taking a deep breath. "Oh.. right. Sorry." She gently set Gabrielle down onto her feet, and untied the bard's cloak. The room was lit by a double handful of candles, and the warmth of the fire, which gilded them both in crimson highlights as she removed her partner's cloak and took her own, and tossed them lightly over the back of the rough hewn wooden chair that stood sturdily near the bed.

Then she lifted a hand and traced the fine planes of Gabrielle's face with gentle fingers, and the bard leaned into her, letting her hands start to work on Xena's heavy shirt, tugging at the laces that held it closed as the warrior let her free hand fall to the linked belt at her waist and unclasped it.

"Xena.." The bard murmured, as she felt the knowing touch through the roughly nubbled texture of her shirt.

"Mmm?" The warrior responded, smiling as she felt the bard's body arch against her touch.

"It's freezing cold outside.. how come you got such warm hands." The bard breathed against her ear, as she nibbled down Xena's jawline.

"S'easy." Xena lifted her up again, and sauntered over to the bed, falling onto her side, and rolling over, settling the bard's body on top of hers. "I just think of you. No problem."

"Ooo.." Gabrielle giggled softly. "It's the Warrior Princess of Romantic lines… " She deftly unlaced Xena's shirt and started nibbling at her belly button.

"Gabrielllleeee.." A low, raspy, rumbling growl.

"That.. was a snowflake." Eponin speared Hercules with deadly hazel eyes.

"No it wasn't." Hercules shook his head. "See? There's nothing there." Another flake drifted in and lodged itself in his tawny, but mud streaked hair. "Um."

Ephiny sighed. "You know, I'm getting the feeling that I might be caught in some odd, fevered dream here. " She paused and looked around. "Right?"

No answer.

She sighed. "Well, it was a thought. Ok.. I think we'd better get going back to Amphipolis.. even if we could find Xena, which, when I think about it, is a pretty unlikely thing, we'd probably do more harm that good at the rate we're at." And oh, do I ever not want to stumble onto them when half of us look like a bad experiment from a hearth cleaning expedition.

Eponin laid her dark head back against the tree and sighed. "She's right." She rotated her neck to loosen the crick she'd gotten from being pulled up the ridge and rubbed her temples, smearing yet more mud over herself. "It's just not our day."

Ephiny chuckled softly, and reached a casual hand over and massaged Eponin's neck, feeling the muscles tense tighter for an instant, before they responded to her strong fingers. "Relax.. we'll get back, and have a nice mug of ale, and it'll all seem.. um.. funny."

Hercules lifted a hand in agreement, and let it fall against his leg. "We'd better get going before the weather gets worse, then."

They scrambled out of the shelter, and set off down the trail, Hercules leading the way and taking the brunt of the wind and weather on his tall frame. Toris strode along next to him, one arm raised to block the snow. The rest of them clustered closely behind the two larger men, and Ephiny found herself firmly enclosed between the other two Amazons. She briefly considered objecting, then just shook her head, and kept her silence, glad for the warmth of her companions.

"The Gabrielle effect, huh?" Ephiny muttered, and saw Eponin's lip quirk. "I feel like I've been under that blanket since I… " Almost died. Her mind finished quietly. Another few minutes.. She'd found out that the soreness in her ribs wasn't totally due to her coughing, when Gabrielle had gently explained that Xena had been forced to.. Damn. This isn't the time for that, you idiot.

"Hey." Eponin's voice ghosted near her ear. "You OK?"

Ephiny quietly locked that nightmare away, for another time. "Sure.. just thinking." She gave Eponin a smile as she blinked against the falling snow. Forget it, Eph. It didn't happen. "Hot wine'll taste good tonight, won't it?"

Eponin's warm hazel eyes studied her, and a tiny, worried crease appeared in her forehead, but she didn't press the issue. "Sure will." She moved a bit closer, and tugged Ephiny's cloak further up around her neck. "Damn, Eph.. whose idea was this nutty caper anyway?"

The regent rolled her gray eyes. "Pony.. just.. don't go there, all right?" She blew the curly blond hair out of her eyes with a puff of breath.

They never felt the ground drop out from under them. One moment they were stumbling along, the next they were falling through space into a well dug, oderous pit, the cold and startlement freeziing even the honed, experienced bodies of the Amazons.

Thorns bit them, piercing flesh and delivering their insidious cargo, which sent even Hercules into first a fuddled fog, then a helpless sleep in a matter of minutes.

The demigod fought against it, clawing his body around to glance up, and seeing through blurred vision the shattered poles settling down on top of them, providing, at least, a little shelter from the now insistent snowfall.

He felt a freezing lethargy stealing over him, that numbed his limbs, but his mind stayed fuzzily aware. He was on his back, and Iolaus was sprawled next to him, one hand loosely clutching his shirt, the blond man's breathing labored. He moved a hand with agonizing slowness, fumbling his fingertips against his friend's pulse, and feeling the reassuringly steady beat.

He blinked, and managed to focus on the silent still forms of the Amazons, Eponin huddled protectively over her regent, and Granella curled up in a ball next to her. Toris, he noted, was still feebly moving, edging his body forward with a grim, fierce, and very familiar determination.

A trap. His mind howled. But..why? He panted, and then suddenly stiffened, as a dark, oily wave of memory ooozed over his dazed thoughts. They'd been coming more frequently.. short, nightmare flashes of things.. and places.. and.. feelings he could scarcely believe were his.

The dungeon. He was learning to hate the sight of that place. A woman's face, begging him. Her eyes widening.

The ethereal sound and intense tactile feel of bones crunching under his fingertips. No.. the whisper was wrung from his numb throat. "No..I didn't do that… please.."

Now a darker scene… flickering torchlight reflecting on a back facing him, slick with blood from the flexible leather whip in his hand. Hair drenched with sweat and stained rusty trailed in lank curls, bisecting the raw stripes he'd carved there.

His stomach rebelled, and his whole body arched, as he fought the retching in his guts until dark flashes took over his vision, and he surrendered at last to the horrible pit his mind was constructing.

Bunnies. Gabrielle relaxed into her dream, enjoying the soft grass under her tucked legs, and the several bunnies clustered around her, nibbling the milky green shoots eagerly. She lay down on her side, and propped her head up onto her hand, and just watched them in simple delight.

One of them hopped up next to her and flicked his ears, sniffing curiously at her bare midriff. She giggled gently as his whiskers tickled her skin.

He sniffed again, and she giggled harder, loving the warm feel of his soft, furry body against hers. Curious, he licked her belly button, just barely emerging from her tan Amazon style wraparound skirt.

Wait a minute. Gabrielle thought fuzzily. Licked?

She let her eyes drift open, and was treated to the sight of her partner's smiling face, nestled against her belly, with a mischevious glint in her blue eyes. "Did you just lick me?" The bard asked, in a softly incredulous voice.

Xena just grinned. "Had to get you up somehow." She drawled softly, watching goosebumps travel up Gabrielle's bare stomach in the wake of her warm breath.

"Mm… " The bard yawned, and gently untangled Xena's unruly hair. "I was dreaming you were a rabbit." She regarded the warrior with fond thoughtfulness. "He was cute, but you're cuter."

Xena snorted softly. "Thanks." She replied, sliding up along the bard's body until she was settled next to her, resting easily on her side. Gabrielle immediately rolled over and snuggled up against her, letting her body find familiar spots and letting out a contented sigh. "We really have to get up, Gabrielle." The warrior muttered.

"Uh huh." Her partner agreed amiably, gently nibbling on a convenient earlobe. "Whatever you say."

Well.. a few more minutes wouldn't hurt, Xena considered, reasonably. The sun was just lightening the eastern sky, and silence still reigned out side their window, and it really was just easier to curl her arms around Gabrielle's warm body, and let her soul bask in this wonderful peace for a little while longer.

A glance down showed her the tiny, impish grin on Gabrielle's face, that found a mirror on her own, a she tucked the bard's head under her chin and closed her eyes, reflecting again on just how wonderful this felt. She watched the sky pale from black, to gray, to a sombre pale pink, letting the peace of their connection invade her soul before she finally gave Gabrielle's back a gentle pat. "C'mon, Red."

That got one very sharp, very unsleepy green eyeball staring at her. "Y'know.." The bard mumbled against her chest. "I'm gonna have to come up with something.. reallly.. really.. good to call you."

Xena shrugged. "I'll answer to just about anything, love… I think someone's called me just about everything there is."

"Mmm.' Gabrielle considered this. "Bet no one ever called you.. Cuddles."

A hand slid up, and grasped her chin, lifting it and making eye contact. "I bet you're right." The warrior snorted. Both of Xena's dark eyebrows were almost invisibley hidden in her disordered hair. "More than once, anyway. Or that lived."

Gabrielle poked out her lower lip in a pout, and turned her gaze wistful.

Xena sighed. "Why do I think I'm going to make an exception for you?" Cuddles? Oh gods… I know I'd sacrifice anything for her.. but… Hades.. that's.. Ewww…

The bard grinned.

The warrior tucked her lips down near the bard's ear. "You call me that in public, and you realize I'll have to go and do something horrible and warlordlike such as strangle a rooster in cold blood, right?"

Gabrielle convulsed in silent laughter. "Oh gods." She finally gasped. "What a way to wake up." She gave her partner a gentle belly rub. "Ok.. don’t worry.. no cuddles. But I've got to think of something." Her lip quirked. "I know you don't like to shorten your name…let me think about it."

"Mmm… " Xena forced her eyes back open. "Roosters all over Greece are thanking you." Reluctantly, she released the bard, and sat up. "C'mon, we really gotta go."

They got dressed, gathered their stuff and Ares, and headed downstairs.

Eponin thought, for a minute, that she was trying to swim through honey. That's what it felt like, her brain all gluey and full of fluff, and the effort it took just to force one eyelid open.. gods.

But she did.. and realized it was mostly dark. And very, very silent. Memory slowly filtered through, and she remembered what had happened, and a frantic hand darted out, colliding almost immediately with a warm arm inches from her. She let her fingertips explore, feeling the size of the arm, and the smooth, firm tone of the muscles under the soft skin, and let her hand slide down until she felt the pulse point at the wrist, and let out a tiny sigh of relief.

"P.. pony?" Ephiny's faint voice responded to her touch. "Oh.. Artemis.. " The regent groaned softly. "What in the bloody Hades boots happened?" And she'd thought having the coughing sickness felt bad. Oh no..that was a picnic compared to this.. it felt like a centaur had pooped on her head, then sat on it for good measure.

"Ugh." The weapons master grunted. "Fell.. in a pit." She peered into the darkness. "Boar pit, I think."

She heard a faint, light, thump as Ephiny let her head fall back against the beaten earth. "We fell in a pig trap." The regent sighed. "Pony, I want my mommy." That got a faint, muffled snort from Eponin. "Or at least, I want my stuffed duck, and a blanket."

Another muffled snort. "Sorry." Eponin sighed wearily. "I can't believe this is happening." Agonizingly, she pushed her body upright, holding her head in one hand. "Good gods and Bacchae, what was on those damn thorns?" She felt around her for her pack, and pulled a torch out of it. "Got your striker?"

Ephiny rolled over, and fumbled with her belt pouch for a minute, then handed Eponin the requested item. She heard the sharp blow, and smelt the tangy sting as the torch ignited, bringing their dark prison into shadowy relief. She blinked and peered around them, letting her lips quirk into a weary smile when she spotted Granella's still form, protectively encircled by Toris' long arms. Then her eyes flicked over and spotted Hercules, slumped against the pit wall, with his friend stirring feebly next to him. "Iolaus?" The regent called.

"Ungh." Came the fuzzy answer. as the blond man grabbed his head and moaned. "Zeus.. whatinthe Hades happened." He dragged himself up onto his elbows, and lifted his eyes, gazing first at them, then over at his companion. The demigod's eyes were closed and his breathing seemed uneven. Iolaus dragged himself closer, and shook Hercules' shoulder gently. "Hey.. Herc..." No response, so he shook harder

One pale, bloodshot eye opened, and stared dully at him, then it blinked, and both eyes opened, this time recognizing Iolaus. "This.. " Hercules' voice rasped. "Is not turning out to be a good day." He got both hands under him, and shoved himself upright, letting his back slump against the earthen wall and gazing out at them. "Can I just go back to bed and start over?"

"Good idea." Iolaus muttered. "Y'know, I did offer..."

"I know." Hercules sighed, as he looked up. "How long have we been here?"

"It's... after midnight." Toris answered groggily, rolling over and onto his back, and gazing through the small openings in the collapsed roof of their prison. "Where are we?"

"A pig trap." Ephiny replied, pulling her pack towards her and dragging out a packet of waybread and dried meat Cyrene had given her before they'd left. She handed out the food, and Granella passed around a waterskin, wincing at a pulled muscle in her shoulder.

Toris made a faint squealing sound. "My sympathies to the pigs." He looked up. "Good thing this stuff collapsed on top of us.. we'd have frozen otherwise."

"Good thing we aren't sharing this with any real pigs." Eponin replied, taking a bite of her waybread and chewing. "I hate pigs."

Dead silence fell.

"You know." Ephiny sighed. "If a damn boar had dropped into this pit, Pony, we'd have to have killed you."

The warrior snorted. "It's midnight, Ephiny. It's snowing, and it's the middle of a damn forest. Where would a boar come from?'
The snow suddenly cascaded down on top of her, hiding the surprised weapons master from view, and a furred, scrambling form landed right in her lap.

"YAAAAA!!!" Eponin yelled, throwing the creature from her, and towards the back of the pit.

Toris scrambled up, pulling his sword out and holding it in front of him, wavering on unsteady legs. "Careful.." He yelled, as the rest of them ducked.

The animal sat up, and chittered angrily at them, lofting its bushy tail over it's head.

The tall dark haired man sat down with a thump. "Squirrel." He put his aching head in his hands. "Damn."

Granella put a hand up and gently massaged his neck. "I felt safe." She bumped him with an elbow. "You go, Tor."

Everyone laughed in silly relief, except Hercules, who sighed heavily and let his tawny head rest back against the muddy wall. He held the waybread in his hands, finding no desire to eat it, and trying to force the ugly memories that had begun to surface out of his thoughts.

"Not hungry?" Iolaus asked, scooting over and putting his back against the wall next to him. Just pretend everything's fine, Iolaus... don't ask him if he's OK. He passed the waterskin over. "Here..have a drink."

The demigod took the waterskin, and unstopped it obediently, taking a long drink of water and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, staring at his mud stained skin thoughtfully. "Thanks, buddy." He glanced up and regarded Iolaus' tired face, and felt a gentle gratitude for the uncompromising friendship that was providing a lifeline for him at the moment.

Ephiny let her forearms rest on her knees, and hastily stifled a cough. Gods.. let's not start that up. "After we all feel a little more human, we'd better get started back there." Her eyes lifted and met Hercules' in wry candor. "I really don't want to be the subject of yet another search party."

The demigod laughed softly. "With our luck today, they'd fall in here too." Then he clapped his hand over his mouth with a comical expression.

Dead silence and widened eyes

Lila snugged her cloak closer about her body as she cast a sidelong glance at her sister, who was walking alongside her down the wind swept road leading away from Potadeia. "Where did Xena get off too?" She asked in a low voice, looking around as though she expected the warrior to pop up from under the wagon rumbling at their heels.

Gabrielle shrugged. "Checking things out." In point of fact, she knew exactly where her partner was, could feel her warm presence just off to her left in the deep thicket they were passing. "You know, scouting around, looking for bad guys, that kind of thing." Looking for nuts, actually, since she'd heard the bard's belly rumbling after the long hours of walking they'd endured so far. "Can't be too careful."

Lila nodded earnestly. "That's a good thing, then." She walked a few more paces. "Bree, don’t you .. get.. tired, or anything?"

"Hmm?" Her sister looked up, surprised. "What? Oh.. well, sure." She laughed a little. "All the time.. I mean, we all do, right?"

Lila combed her hair back off her forehead and sighed. "Well, we've been going all morning, and I've had to stop and get on the wagon five times." She gestured to Gabrielle's easily moving body and smiled. "But not you…"

Gabrielle considered that for a minute. "Not a fair comparison, Lila.. after all, I mean, you're pregnant, and I… " She took a breath. "This is what I do, remember?" She moved her staff ahead of her, in a smoothly familiar motion. "Anyway, I've been kind of taking it easy this trip.. I'm still a little sore from that.. fight."

They walked in silence for a bit. "Mom and dad are really upset about that." Lila finally said. "They think.. they're really scared about.. you.. and stuff."

Gabrielle swallowed, and took a deep breath, feeling the faint ache against her chest. "I know." She admitted. "That's why I didn't say anything about that whole thing."

"I figured." Lila replied softly. "So.. what else aren't you telling us?"

The bard gazed at her, feeling a knot form in her gut. "You know, it's really funny." She commented. "I used to never understand why Xena never wanted me to tell… a lot of our tales when we're at home." A slight nod of her red gold hair. "Now I do." Her green eyes met Lila's hazel ones. "What would be the point, Lila? To get you all even more upset? I'm not going to stop doing this." She darted a glance at her parents, who were seated comfortably in the wagon, her mother with her hands folded neatly in her lap, and her father holding the reins loosely in his big hands. "Sometimes.. it's better not to know."

Her sister studied her. "So there are things you… don't mention."

Gabrielle prodded a stump with her staff. "Yeah." She quietly admitted.

Lila grasped her arm. "Look, Bree.. I just.. if anything happens.. like, I mean to Xena or ha.."

A hand gripped hers with an iron clasp. "Don't." Say that. Gabrielle's mind closed.

"Come on, Bree.. its not like you guys are.. merchants.. or.. I mean, it's possible.." Lila insisted

Gabrielle stopped in the road, and let the wagon pass, ignoring her father's startled look, and cradled her staff, grabbing Lila's upper arms and looking directly into her eyes. "Lila, don't make me say this twice, all right? I know.. what could happen. I live with that possibility every minute of every day." She took a breath. "I lived through it once, and came close I can't tell you how many times. Just… drop it, OK?:

Lila stared at her. "I.. just want you to know, Bree.. you've still got a home with us, if you need one." She finally said, very quietly. "That's all."

The looked at each other for a timeless moment. "Thanks." Gabrielle sighed, and released her. "And..if anything ever happens.. you have the same with us." She curled her lips into a wry smile. "Because I intend on living a long time. And so does Xena."

Lila let out a slow breath, then nodded. "I'll hold you to that." She reached out and straightened the collar on Gabrielle's heavy tunic. "You're the only sister I have."

Gabrielle turned, and tugged her arm, leading her after the slowly rumbling cart. "Well.. not technically." She grinned slyly. "Not if you count the Amazons."

"The Amazons?" Lila repeated, in a startled voice. "All of them?"

The bard chuckled. "Yep." She turned her head and watched as Xena came loping out of the trees, with Ares bounding next to her. The warrior's long, powerful strides ate up the distance between them, and Gabrielle found her eyes glued to her partner. "Hey." She smiled as Xena slowed to a halt and joined them.

"Hey, yourself." Xena replied, pulling out a handful of walnuts and juggling them. "Look what I found."

Lila laughed. "But they're in a heavy shell."

Gabrielle and Xena exchanged looks, and Xena smirked, as she held up a hand with several of the nuts in it, and closed her fist, tightening her grip and producing a series of loud cracks. She opened her hand, and presented Lila with the neatly split nuts. "No they're not."

Lila took one, then glanced up as Xena's body stiffened, and her expression came alert. "What?"

The blue eyes were fixed on the road ahead, and Xena muttered a curse as her vision picked out the approaching band of roughly armored men approaching. The warrior shook her head and sighed. "Well, I wanted a workout." She poured the rest of the nuts into Lila's startled hands and dusted her fingers off, giving Gabrielle a somber look. "There's only a couple of them.. you want to pass?"

Gabrielle felt a smile pluck at her lips. "Nope." She hefted her staff. "I need the work more than you do."

Xena hesitated, then ducked her head slightly in reluctant agreement. "Ok..let's go get this over with." She gave Lila a look. "Stay close by the wagon, all right?"

Lila nodded, as they came even with the cart, which Herodotus has stopped on seeing the approaching men. "Trouble." He grunted, tying the reins off against the footboard and preparing to get down.

"Don't worry about it. "Xena advised him as they passed. "This won't take long." She headed out down the path, very aware of Gabrielle's sturdy form pacing along just behind her. "You know, I really can handle this…" She stopped when she felt the light sting of the bard's staff against the back of her shoulder. "Ouch."

"I know you can." The bard muttered, as they drew close to clustered riders, who had stopped in the middle of the path, and were watching them approach with amused looks on their faces. "That's not the point."

Xena shrugged her shoulders, moving her cloak back and exposing her sword hilt. "All right… just… " She blew out a breath. "Be careful, OK? You haven't done a whole lot of this lately." "

"You too." Gabrielle muttered. "And stop coddling me."

Damn. Xena sighed to herself, sizing up the more or less leader of the bunch of outlaws, who was kneeing his scruffy looking horse forward to meet her. She's right.. I need to cut this damn mother hen act out before she gets crazy with me. "Hello, boys." She remarked to the raiders.

"Well.. what do we have here?" The man drawled, studying her closely.

"More trouble than you want to get into this morning." Xena answered dryly. "Take off."

"Grrr." Ares agreed, lowering his ears, and staring up at the raider with slitted yellow eyes. His heavy ruff stood up, outlining his big head, as he watched the man make a threatening gesture towards Xena.

"Insolent.." The man raised his mace, and aimed a blow at Xena's head, swinging the weapon down and grabbing suddenly at his horse's mane when the attack missed, and he overbalanced.

"I'm really not in the mood for this." Xena growled, grabbing the back of his dirty leather coat and pulling him off the animal's back. She dumped him on his head, then picked him up and tossed him a few yards, where he landed on his back in a small puff of dirt.

With a scramble of hooves, the rest of the group charged, and Xena found herself in a circle of slashing swords and yelling men.

Damn.. damn.. damn.. She sighed. I really don't want to cut this scum to pieces in front of her family. Leaving her sword sheathed, she grimly dodged a snorting horse, feeling the sharp impact of a pike blow against her back, and moving with it, reaching up and grabbing the weapon, then pushing back against it and throwing it's owner out of his saddle, hearing him hit the ground with a satisfying thump.

She turned and ducked another blow, catching the man behind the sword with a savage jab in the kidneys that made him double over. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gabrielle neatly unhorse one of the others with a skillful sweep, and bit off a grin at the man's look of astonishment. The bard glanced quickly towards her, and winked, then started working on the last raider, who was trying to bash her over the head with a mace.

Xena returned her attention to two of her now unmounted adversaries, who were attacking her with swords, which she ducked under, then leaned back and kicked the first's out of his hand. "Told you to take off." She growled, grabbing the man's arm and nailing him in the chin with an elbow. He grabbed onto her, and swung around, putting her in the direct path of the other man's sword.

Ares rushed past them, and launched his furry body through the air, grabbing the raider's sword arm in his teeth and shaking his head hard, sending his adversary stumbling forward, and screaming with pain.

Xena slugged her tenacious opponent in the jaw, and had the satisfaction of seeing his eyes glaze as his hands uncurled from her shirt and he slid down her body bonelessly.

Gabrielle pinned Ares' victim to the ground with the end of her staff. "Ares." She called. "I got him."

The wolf released the raider's arm and backed off, growling hideously. Xena dropped to a knee next to him, and stroked his fur. "Good boy." She said softly, and he relaxed, his tail sweeping up and his ears cocking forward. He turned his head, and licked her hand with a tiny grumbling noise. Slowly she stood, and put her hands on her hips, studying the mostly still, groaning forms scattered around them. Four for me, two for Gabrielle, one for Ares. Not bad. "Now, unless you want me to render you all unable to move, you'll take my advice, and take off." She pitched her voice in a low growl, and most of the men started scrambling away.

They stood and watched them limp off, then turned and walked back towards the wagon. "Nice sweep." She offered, giving Gabrielle a quiet look, and clamping her jaw down on her almost unconscious urge to see if the bard was all right.

"Thanks." Her partner replied, then winced and pressed an elbow against her side. "I should have listened to you, though.. " She sighed. "I don't think I was ready to go full out yet." Her look turned apologetic. "Sorry.. I was so stubborn.. I don't.. I just wanted to.."

A hand against her back, rubbing gently. "It's all right. I'm guilty of that myself once in a while."

They looked at each other. "OK, a lot." Xena amended, with a rueful grin. "Let's find a place to take a break and grab some lunch." She gave Herodotus a nod, and he picked up the reins and slapped them on the horse's back. "You all ready to stop for bit?"

Hecuba leaned down and gazed at her daughter. "Are you all right?" She demanded, her voice tense.

Gabrielle gazed up at her with unconcerned cheerfulness. "Sure… I'm great. Just hungry." She yawned, and bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. "Maybe it's all this fresh air." Knowing that would, at least, get a laugh from Xena, and it did.

"Oh.. yeah.. right.. " The warrior snorted, slinging an arm over her partner's shoulders and steering her off the path. "C'mon.. there's a nice spring inside that stand of trees."

"All right." Ephiny sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "We'd better get going."

Hercules stood slowly, and leaned against the dirt wall, gazing up. "Ok.. I'll boost you guys out of here." He lifted a hand and moved aside a piece of the thin lattice that they'd fallen through, allowing a cascade of snow to pour in and cover him. He let out an exasperated breath, sending a small cloud of fluffy wet powder gently spraying over Iolaus.

They looked at him, and Ephiny clamped her jaw down hard to keep from laughing. He looked like a snowman, with little wisps of hair poking out from the wet white blanket, and frost clinging to his sandy eyebrows.

Iolaus snorted, then clapped a hand over his mouth. "Sorry, big guy. " He apologized, reaching up and dusting a layer of snow off his friend.

Hercules gave him a look then, suddenly, shook himself vigorously, and scattered snow all over them.

"Hey" Eponin yelped, as she was hit in the face with a white blob.

"Yow!" Iolaus hopped up and down as he tried to get the snow out of his shirt.

The demigod grinned. "Sorry." He apologized, then turned and glanced up again.

A wild, feral face looked back at him, with glowing eyes, and large fangs.

Hercules swept his arm back, and tossed Iolaus against the back of the pit, as he moved backwards, spreading his arms wide in a protective gesture in front of the rest of his companions. "Zeus.. what is that?"

The beast glared at them, then lifted itself up and jumped down into the pit, scattering a pile of snow everywhere.

"Stay back." Hercules warned, feeling his heart begin to race. Eponin stepped up next to him, and put a hand on her sword, swallowing hard.

It was a wild tableau, the six of them outlined by the torchlight, facing the tall, thickly furred creature who studied them with evident intelligence, and who towered over even Hercules, and dwarfed the demigod in sheer size and weight.

Then it smiled, and showed inch long fangs in a powerful jaw and spread its muscular arms out wide, displaying heavy claws at the end of huge hands. "Amazons. How cool is that?" Its voice was deep and raspy.

Ephiny opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again, and turned to look at Eponin. "Did he just say what I think he just said?" She muttered in a low voice.

Eponin tore her eyes from the frightening creature and nodded.

The creature put it's hands on it's hips and studied them, swaggering forward until it was about a foot from Toris, and peering at him. "I bet your name's Toris."

The tall dark haired man forced a grin. "I bet you know my sister."

The creature grinned right back. "I bet you're right." He glanced around. "Relax..I'm not gonna eat you." He stuck a hand.. paw.. whatever.. out to Toris and blinked. "My name is Jessan."

Toris cautiously took it, and shook gingerly. "Hi.. Um…" He sniffed. "This is.. mm… Ephiny, and Eponin.. and Granella.. " His hand moved and pointed in back of the tall creature. "And that's Hercules and Iolaus."

Jessan wheeled around, his eyebrows hiking up. "No centaur poop? How cool!" He grinned. "You guys here for the party?"

Party..party.. Hercules' mind tried to deal with the concept. Oh.. right. "Uh.. yes." He moved closer. "Um… what.. I mean.. " He stopped. "You are.. a friend of Xena's, I take it?"

The furry creature nodded. "Yep.. well, actually, they're both members of our clan." He paused, and blinked. "Can I ask.. uh.." His eyes roamed curiously around the pig trap. "Why you are.. um.."

"No." Six voices chorused.

"Ohhh Kayy… " Jessan lifted a hand in defense. "Got that." He turned and walked to the edge of the pit. "Hey dad… you'll never guess who I found in here."

"Dad?" Iolaus whispered to Hercules. "Do you have any idea who.."

"No." The demigod whispered back. "Leave it to Xena." He sighed. "Never a dull moment." He shook his head. "She's got some of the weirdest friends." Abruptly he glanced around. "Present company excluded, I mean."

They edged closer, staring up as the stars overhead were suddenly blocked out by a large, fanged head. "Ares' balls.. what have we got h… Beg your pardon, ladies." He poked a long, powerful arm down into the pit. "Want a hand up?"

Eponin slipped closer to Ephiny and watched as first Toris, then Hercules were hoisted up as easily as if they were children. "Do you know who.. these.. people.. are?"

The Amazon regent cocked her head thoughtfully. "I think so, yeah." She murmured. "Gabrielle told me.. something about how she met Jessan.. and they visited them not too long ago." So.. these are the friends she went to .. who helped dig Xena out of that damned mountain. Wow.I see why.. they look like they could move a pile of rocks in a hurry.

"Next." Jessan called, glancing back into the darkness of the pit. "C'mon.. I don't bite.."

Ephiny strode forward, beating Eponin by a few steps before the weapons master could forestall her. She walked right up next to Jessan, and gazed up at his face. "Y'know, Gabrielle said you were cute."

Even in the semi darkness she could see his muzzle color, and she smiled.

Cyrene stirred restlessly in bed, and sighed, glancing out the window in irritation. "Where in the Hades are they." She spoke to the ceiling, not expecting an answer. It wasn't bad enough she had to worry about Xena and Gabrielle off somewhere in the wilderness. No.. now she had six other people to worry about in addition. "What did I ever do to deserve this?" At least Xena, she knew, was completely able to take care of herself, and her partner.

Right? She sighed, uncomfortably aware of her growing understanding of just how fragile her seemingly invulnerable daughter really was. And, she reflected, physically she had no fears for her.. Xena was, and always had been a tough, strong, very resilient person as far as that went. But emotionally.. Cyrene thought about the night she'd come back, with Gabrielle missing, and had sat in her kitchen one slim footstep away from shattering into pieces, because her relationship with the young bard was the only stability she'd allowed herself in half a lifetime.

Xena had, Cyrene knew, blocked everyone and everything out with brutal thoroughness for a very long time, and now that she'd finally let those barriers down, she'd opened herself up to an almost painful extent, and the depth of her emotional attachment to Gabrielle above and beyond their romantic relationship was almost frightening in it's intensity.

As for the bard… Xena was her one port of safety in a very unsafe world, and despite her happy and confident nature, the innkeeper knew that Gabrielle depended very much on her daughter's powerful presence in her life, and would be lost without it.

It was both charming, and scary; beautiful but frightening. On one hand, she was incredibly happy to see they joy they had in each other. On the other hand, it scared her half to death thinking about what would happen if anything befell either of them.

Of course… Cyrene wryly admitted to herself, I could have not let her back into *my* life.. and then I wouldn't have to worry about any of this. She reflected quietly on that. But no, it was worth it, a thousand times over, and I bet she'd agree with me.

With a sigh, she pulled the covers back, and got out of bed, shrugging a thick wooly robe on and snugging the belt closed, smiling as she rubbed a thumb along the collar of the cheerful crimson fabric, a recent surprise gift from Xena. Then she padded out of her room, and into the kitchen, moving towards the hearth and putting a pot on the fire.

She walked over to the window while she waited, and gazed out, seeing the dim reflection of moonlight against the soft coating of snow that made the courtyard almost unrecognizable. She could feel the cold through the glazed window glass, and her breath frosted against it as she stood quietly, watching. Gods.. it's late.. midnight's long past. Where in the Hades are they? I can't believe they got… ah."

Her eyes had caught the sight of dark, shrouded forms moving towards the inn slowly from the road. Then her jaw tightened. Too many.. and the silhouettes were too large.. and mounted. But no alarm… then she saw the guards pacing along with them, the fluttering torchlight giving her very brief glimpses of huddled forms. She cursed softly, and headed towards the door, reaching it just as the small group arrived at the entrance to the inn.

The small clearing in a sheltered dell was mostly clear of snow, Xena mused, though the cold air still bit, even through her thick shirt and leathers. Herodotus had pulled the cart neatly under a thickly branched tree, and had unhooked the horse who was pawing a layer of snow off the mostly dead grass, while Hecuba had arranged sleeping space for herself, Herodotus and Lila in the bed of the cart.

Xena had forestalled his embarrassed question by casually stating they'd be setting up their stuff on the far side of the firepit she'd dug, in a sheltered nook surrounded by dense, stubborn bushes. That had gotten her an impish smile from Gabrielle, who had cheerfully unhooked the pack from her partner's back, and carried it over to the specified spot, dropping to her knees in the dull brown grass and starting to spread out their bedrolls.

The atmosphere was.. tense. Xena realized they were upset about the raiders, since knowing Gabrielle did that sort of fighting was one thing.. witnessing it was quite another She collected wood and started a fire, then crouched quietly, watching it flicker as Hecuba hesitantly approached bearing a small pot. "You want to set that here? " She asked the older woman.

"Well, yes." Hecuba paused, then watched as Xena expertly drove two forked sticks into the packed earth, and held up a third. "Here.. put the handle on this." She waited patiently for the woman to hand the pot over, then suspended it above the fire.

"It's soup fixings." The older woman commented. "You're welcome to have some."

Well, that was civil at least. Xena mused. "We brought, thanks." Mostly dried trail rations.. her eyes flicked to Gabrielle's quiet form. She needs more than that. Now she studied her other charges. So do they. "I'll be back." She stood and dusted her hands off, then crossed to their bedrolls, and dropped to a knee beside her partner. "Listen.. I'm gonna go get something hot for dinner."

Gabrielle looked up, surprised, from the scroll she was working on. "What? Oh.. Xena, you don't have to.. we've got stuff.. "

The warrior reached out and smoothed the hair from her partner's eyes. "I know.. but they only have some soup.. it's too cold for that. Our bodies need more."

The bard paused, and studied her face. "You're not going..oh.. fishing.. by any chance?" Her green eyes twinkled.

One eyebrow curved up suggestively. "Why do you ask.. " She slid a hand up Gabrielle's leg and tickled her side. "You in the mood for some fish?"

Gabrielle muffled a laugh and slapped her hand. "Stop that." She glanced over Xena's shoulder. "You're going to scandalize my parents. " She paused and sighed. "More than they already are."

Xena's eye's dropped, and she took a breath, then released it. "Sorry." A hand curled firmly around hers, and she looked up, to see the wry look on her partner's face. "I know I.. "

"Not your fault, Xena." The bard said gently. "They'll get used to it.. they're just not… they're just scared for me." She let her face relax into a grin. "Besides.. to be honest.. I'm glad you're going fishing.. or whatever."

"Yeah?" Xena replied, with a slight smile.

"Yeah." Gabrielle sighed. "I forgot just how hungry I get when we're out here." She gave Xena a little embarrassed grin. "I wasn't really looking forward to dried venison."

The warrior chuckled. "Your wish is my command, your majesty" She teased gently, tickling her again. "Be right back."

Gabrielle watched her stalk out of the campsite, Ares trotting happily at her side, ignoring the sideways looks she was getting from Herodotus and Hecuba. The bard sighed, and bent her attention back to the scroll in front of her, biting the tip of her quill lightly She'd gotten a few more lines inscribed, when she heard quiet footsteps approaching, and glanced up to see Lila standing a few feet away, her hands gripped in front of her. Damn. "Hey.. sit down." The bard patted the soft surface of the bedroll next to her.

Lila hesitated, then settled herself on the very edge of the bedroll, and took a deep breath. "Hi." She'd hardly spoken to her sister all afternoon, having spent most of the time riding in the back of the wagon while Gabrielle and her partner ambled on ahead. "So.. where'd she disappear to now?" An attempt at light humor.

"Fishing." The bard answered, scribbling a few words more, then blowing her parchment to dry it, and rolling it up. She glanced up to see Lila's surprised look. "For dinner."

Her sister's brows creased. "Bree, she wasn't carrying a fishing pole."

The bard wiggled her fingers in front of her sister's eyes. "Nope.. she just uses these." She grinned as Lila's jaw dropped. That's better.. the bard mused. "I'll have to get her to do it for you sometime..it's really something to watch. "

"Wow." Lila laughed. "You're on." She paused, and glanced at her hands, twisting into each other, then looked up into Gabrielle's eyes. "They're pretty spooked." She gave her sister a rueful glance.

Her sister sighed, and rolled over, staring up at the sky. "Why? By a couple of dumb outlaws? They were nothing.. Lila, nothing." She lifted a hand and let it fall on the fur. "It was hardly even a challenge… you saw Xena, she could have done that asleep."

"Mmm.. that's true." Lila agreed. "It wasn’t Xena who spooked them, Bree. It was you." She lifted an idle hand, and gave Gabrielle's shirt a tug. "Have you… no. .that's dumb. You haven't ever seen yourself do that, right? It's scary.. you move that stick so fast…"

The bard rolled onto her side and settled her head on her hand. "Me?" She shrugged. "No I don't.. it's just…I mean, I'm all right with it, but …"

Lila shook her arm hard. "Stop it.. stop it, Bree.. I was there.. I saw it, remember? You… you have to understand what it looks like to us.. or… I mean, I expect that from Xena. Not from you.. not from my gentle big sister… it.. scares me."

Gabrielle sighed, and closed her eyes. "Lila..you.. it's like this. Being gentle and kind doesn't do you any good sometimes when people are trying to bash your head in OK?" Her brow furrowed. "Look.. I don't enjoy doing that.. but it's part of the price I paid to stay with Xena. " She hesitated. "Because we do live with a lot of danger.. and Lila, if I can't take care of myself, that means she has to, and it makes it a lot more dangerous for her." She bit her lip. "Bad enough she keeps one eye on me in a fight as it is."

"Yeah, I noticed that." Lila said quietly. "She always kept you in her line of sight."

Gabrielle laughed softly. "I forget that sometimes.. and I'll just be whacking away… and all of a sudden this elbow will come flying in.. and bam, I have an ex opponent." She sighed. "She's… really, really good at that… I mean, more than just any average veteran fighter would be."

"Did she ever… I mean, you guys practice together, you said.. did she ever.. hit you?" Lila asked carefully.

Green eyes became lost in a memory. "Only once." The bard sighed. "And that was my fault."

"Bree… " Lila started.

"No.. no.. " Gabrielle held a hand up. "It really was… and it scared her so bad she wouldn't spar with me for over a month.. until I finally just kind of forced her back into it."

A midsummers day, with a high, warm sun, and a half day with nothing to do. They'd taken care of one small matter in the morning, then had the afternoon free to themselves, and decided to just relax and spend a little time getting caught up on chores, and a host of little things that had piled up waiting for a space of time to do them in.

Gabrielle had updated all her scrolls, and fixed some stuff that needed it, watching Xena go through her own tasks. Then she'd coaxed the warrior into a hand to hand sparring match, her feeling very feisty, and Xena a touch on the distracted side. They'd wrestled and played for quite a while, when Gabrielle had gotten it into her head that she wanted to try some of the roundhouse kicks Xena was so very good at.

Unwilling, but in an unusually amiable mood, Xena had finally allowed herself to be coaxed into a coaching role, and they kept at that for a while, then Gabrielle decided to try her new skills out on her sparring partner.

She was never sure, later, whether she did the move wrong, or she was out of position, or what… but one minute she was going through the motion, full speed, and the next thing she knew, something exploded against her face with a force so strong it rattled every bone in her body. A dull red flare burst behind her eyes, then darkness slowly took her.

She came slowly back to awareness, disoriented by the darkness around her, and realized it was now night. Her head throbbed agonizingly , and she couldn't move her jaw without bright sparks of pain dancing through her skull. She heard a quiet movement to her left, and slowly turned her head, to see Xena seated cross-legged on the ground nearby, her elbows resting on her knees, and her hands loosely clasped between them.

Then her eyes lifted and she saw the expression on the dark warrior's face, and it almost wrung a cry from her. It was a look of combined anger, self-disgust, and an almost aching grief, and when Xena turned her head, and their eyes met, the warrior flinched and looked down, unable to maintain the eye contact.

It hurt, but she forced her throat to work, and made her jaw move and whispered her friends name, seeing the skittish flinch as Xena heard her. Another call, and now the warrior had to look up, and she did, and Gabrielle stretched a hand out with a pleading look.

Reluctantly, Xena complied, moving close enough for Gabrielle to touch her, but not reaching out to take the bard's hand. So Gabrielle let her fingers fall on the warm knee, and closed them, feeling the skin flinch under her grip. "Guess I forgot to duck, huh?" She managed to get out, rubbing the soft skin with her thumb. "Xena, that wasn't your fault."

No answer, while warrior just sat, and stared at her hands, fairly radiating guilt. Finally she'd started to speak. "I had.. this .. there was a dog, in the barn, who had puppies." Her voice was almost unrecognizable. "And.. I was… just petting them.. that's all.. and I picked one up, and.. " She stopped speaking for a long minute, and Gabrielle could see her chest heaving with uneven breaths. "I.. should.. just stay away from little, gentle things.. Gabrielle. " A long pause. "They just end up getting hurt."

Gabrielle had ignored the pain, and the pounding in her head, and had rolled up onto her elbow, taking Xena's big hands in her own, and ducking down to force eye contact. "Listen.. you… " She'd said, firmly. "I asked you to do that, all right? It was my fault, Xena.. my fault, for being in the wrong place, and getting in your way, when I know better." She tried to lighten her tone. "Hades, Xena.. if that's what it feels like to get hit by you, it's no wonder nobody ever gets up for a second round."

No answer. "Xena?" Gabrielle said softly, curling her fingers around the warrior's unresponsive ones. "Hey?" She gave the hand a tug. "Don't make me chase you down.. wherever you got off to, OK? "

At that, strained blue eyes lifted and searched her face wearily. "Gabrielle, I'm so sorry."

"It's all right." The bard had assured her. "Really, Xena.. I mean that. It's all right." She reached up and gingerly felt her jaw. "You gotta teach me to duck those, OK?"

The warrior had gazed at her, then shook her head. "No more, Gabrielle." She'd replied quietly. "No more… I can't….."

"Sure you can." The bard had answered. "But not tonight, I've got the worst headache."

A tiny joke, that managed, finally, to coax the tiniest of hesitant smiles from Xena, who had finally just curled up and fallen asleep where she was, leaning against an old oak log, with Gabrielle's fingers clasped firmly inside her own.

Lila chewed on that for a while. "Why her?" She finally asked, quietly. "Don't get me wrong, Bree… I owe her everything. But..you two are so different. Why her?"

A sigh. "Oh Lila." Gabrielle shook her head slowly. "You don't choose who to fall in love with.. it just.. happens. I felt something the very first time I saw her."

"I remember." Lila replied softly. And she did, the slavers, and the hot, dusty day, and her sister bravely standing up for them. And then the tall, dark haired woman had appeared, as if from the ground itself, and laid waste to their captors, and in the middle of that swirling, dust ridden mess, she'd seen her sister and the woman fighter lock eyes. For a long enough time to let a lucky slaver bash Xena on the back of her head and take her down.

Now, years later, and knowing who, and what Xena was, she realized just how significant that one, lone, frozen moment had been. "No, I suppose you don't." She finally admitted. "So.. how come it took you two so long to mmm…"

Now, Gabrielle smiled. "We're both pretty stubborn." She chuckled. "And.. well, she was afraid of exactly what you and mom and dad are afraid of.. that me being with her is dangerous." It felt.. good.. to be able to talk openly like this with Lila, she realized. "But I finally convinced her I wasn't going to go away, so…" She cast a glance at her parents, who were seated in somber solitude on the other side of the fire. "Wish they'd chill out about it, though."

Lila sighed, and relaxed onto her side next to her sister. "Well.. give em time, Bree." She counseled. "Remember.. wasn't that long ago that they were determined to marry you off to someone completely different." She gave Gabrielle a wry grin. "At least they talk to her now."

"Mmmm… that's true." Gabrielle admitted, stifling a yawn. "Listen.. I know you guys worry.. and I appreciate that." She covered Lila's hand with her own. "But.. life anywhere is kind of dangerous.. and when I'm with Xena, I feel as safe as I could possibly feel." Time for a change of subject, I think. She considered. "So.. think of any names yet?" She reached out and gave Lila a gentle poke in the belly.

Lila seemed to welcome the change also. "Nope.. not yet..we haven't even started talking about that yet; Lennat thinks it's bad luck." She chuckled a little, and patted the barely noticeable bulge. "I can't decide if I want a boy or a girl more."

"So long as it's healthy, right?" Gabrielle smiled. "Well, he or she will have lots of doting aunts and uncles, you realize." She almost laughed at Lila's consternation. "Besides me and Xena, there's Toris, remember."

"Oh yeah.. " Lila replied in a surprised voice. "Forgot about him.."

"Right.. and he'll probably have an uncle Hercules, and an uncle Iolaus… " She hesitated. "And an uncle Solon."

Lila's eyebrow quirked. "Who's Solon?"

"My stepson." Gabrielle replied, with a deadpan expression.

Long silence from Lila. Then: "What??"

The bard shrugged and grinned. "You'll get to meet him at the ceremony. You'll like him.. he's really cute. He's got Xena's eyes, and her sense of humor."

Another long silence. "You're doing this just to drive me crazy, aren't you?" Lila finally responded, collecting her jaw from the bedroll.

"Not really." Gabrielle laughed. "I just didn't want you to be totally surprised when you see this kid calling Xena mom in Amphipolis." She let one hand play idly with the fur. "He's twelve… when he was born, Xena was.. " A shrug. "Not really into raising a child. She gave him to Kaleipus the Centaur, who's raised him since then." She gazed up into Lila's shocked eyes. "It's.. it was the right thing to do, Lila. " She paused. "We met him a year or so back.. rescued him and the centaurs from the Great Centaur.. and I think he kind of guessed.."

"You mean he didn’t know?" Lila managed to reply.

"No." Gabrielle confirmed. "He.. well, he heard we were living in Amphipolis and decided to come visit.. he was picked up by the same slavers we were.. and he ended up back home with us."

Lila kept silent.

"So.. Xena decided, since you can pretty much guess to look at him whose kid he is, that she'd better tell him before someone else did." She took a breath. "So she did."

"And… he.. what?" Lila asked slowly. "Still lives there.. or??"

The bard sighed. "No.. we talked, and we all agreed that it's not really stable enough for him to be with us. " She considered. "Yet… but.." Her grin returned. "It's looking more and more like we're really going to settle down there. So.."

"Really?" Lila asked curiously. "I mean, that's great, Bree.. but I didn't think.. " She sighed. "Well, it's going to be an experience, seeing your.. home."

Gabrielle didn't answer, as she turned her head and gazed into the darkness of the surrounding forest, a smile etching her face as the leaves parted, and Xena glided into the firelight, which danced silvery shadows off the six fish she was carrying, and glittered of the dampness of her legs and lower arms. "Well, well. " The bard drawled. "Quite a catch." She caught her father's eyes watching in idle interest and grinned.

"Oh yeah? You can come over here and fix them up." Xena replied, holding up the double string of fish.

"Roo!" Ares agreed enthusiastically, bouncing up and down next to her and leaping for the catch.

"Ares, cut that out." Xena held the fish up out of his reach. "Gabrielle.. " She turned her eyes on the bard, who scrambled up from her comfortable nest and took the strings from her.

"Nice." She complimented the warrior, giving her a wink. "One for each of us." She let her gaze travel up Xena's windblown form, and finally rest on her fire-shadowed face, where she could see a twitching half grin forming. "Too bad you didn't snag some lemon grass while you were at it."

Xena smirked, and dipped a fist into her belt pouch, pulling out a handful of green stuff, and waving it at her.

The bard laughed, and quickly prepared the fish, gutting, then stuffing them with the herbs, and setting them on sticks to cook in the fire. She found herself crouching next to her mother, and gave Hecuba a quick smile. "Xena thought.. with this weather, we'd better have something more substantial than our trail stuff, and soup."

Hecuba put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "That was very thoughtful." She said softly. "Gabrielle.."

"It's my life, mother." The bard answered quietly, staring into the fire. "Don't tell me how strange, or how dangerous, or how different it is, OK?" She turned her head, and looked right into Hecuba's eyes, and had the satisfaction of seeing her mother drop her gaze first. "I chose this."

The older woman sighed heavily. "All right."

It was a quiet dinner, though Hecuba and Herodotus were almost effusive in their compliments on Gabrielle's fish, which got an embarrassed grin from the bard, and a smiling agreement from her partner.

Gabrielle took a couple of her older stories out of the cupboard and had them all finally chuckling, especially over the tale of Sentaclese, which she loved telling at this time of year.

"You bought a donkey?" Lila giggled. "Oh, Bree.. how could you?"

"I couldn't let him go to the tanners, could I?" The bard protested, spreading her hands out. "He was so cute.. he was all furry, and had really soft ears."

Her sister rolled her eyes. "Oh gods… " Now she turned her gaze to Xena. "Didn't you want to kill her?"

Blue eyes regarded the storyteller thoughtfully. "Nah." Xena laughed. "It was too much fun watching Gabrielle talk to it."

"Him." The bard scolded, giving her a poke. "And you deserved me buying a donkey for not telling me it was your birthday."

Three pairs of eyes turned to the warrior. "Winter Solstice's your birthday, Xena?" Lila asked, with a surprised tone.

An aggrieved sigh. "Yeah." Xena gave Gabrielle a mock-annoyed look. "It used to be a nice, quiet day. Now half of Greece knows."

The bard poked her tongue out impudently, then settled back against Xena's chest with a contented look. The warrior gazed at her with amused tolerance, and slid a protective arm around her waist.

Hecuba and Herodotus exchanged looks, and Herodotus cleared his throat a touch nervously. They were seated around the fire, the older people seated on logs, and the rest of them on the ground, and the cold settled like a frost blanket on their backs as they warmed their faces by the flames.

"Herodotus." Xena drawled, out of the semidarkness.

"Yeah?" The man replied, shifting a bit and putting his elbows on his knees.

An ethereal smile from the warrior. "You said Gabrielle here was named for a character in a story." She felt the sudden jerk in her partner's frame, and felt the gently wandering fingers suddenly clench on her hand.

"I guess I did." Herodotus replied, stiffly.

A feral grin that glinted up into her eyes, as her hand quietly stroked Ares fur where the wolf was lying curled against her. "So.. let's hear it."

His murky green eyes fastened on hers in hostile intent. "I'm not a storyteller."

She shrugged. "So? Neither am I, but you got one out of me last night." She felt Gabrielle's whole body tense, and rubbed a gentle thumb against the bard's belly. Shh.. it's all right, love.. take it easy. I know what I'm doing here. A niggling thought bothered her. I hope. "What about it?"

Their eyes fenced, through the licking flames. His nostrils flared, then his eyes closed, and his head dropped. "All right." He finally said, lifting his gaze again and taking a deep breath.

Xena smiled, and took a sip of her tea.

Cyrene blinked. Then she rubbed her eyes, and blinked again. What on earth… Pounding footsteps, and then Johan was standing at her side, also staring. Also blinking. They looked at each other.

Three Amazons, covered in mud. One demigod, ditto. One demigod's friend, ditto, with the added bonus of having been rolled in hay bits, which were sticking out all over his head. Her son, who just looked exhausted. And.. and…

"What are those?" She whispered fiercely to Johan.

"Damnedest thing I ever saw.. looks like big stuffed kid's toys. " He paused. "With fangs and claws."

Toris trudged up onto the porch and sighed. "Hi mom. I'm home."

Cyrene reached up and pulled his ear down. "Listen, I know I used to be very tolerant with your sister about bringing.. things.. home, but honey, this is ridiculous."

Toris gave her a wan smile. "They're friends of Xena's, mom."

Cyrene closed her eyes, and muttered several things under her breath, then stepped to the edge of the porch. "Hello. " She gave the creatures a brave smile, then glanced down at Ephiny. "You look.."

"Don't say it." The Amazon queen warned. "Please?" She'd never been so exhausted in her life, and wanted nothing more than to collapse on that nice soft bed she'd grown used to the last few weeks. She'd made the last little bit into the village on pride and will power alone, and she'd been working hard at not allowing herself to cough, lest Eponin catch on as to just how exactly lousy she felt.

The innkeeper nodded. "OoahhKay." She gently grasped Ephiny's arm. "Come on inside, all of you." She watched them file past, even Hercules looking beat, and then held her breath as the tall shaggy forms came up onto the porch.

She found herself staring up into a pair of deep mahogany eyes, whose intelligence belied the fierce exterior. "Hello." She said quietly. Friends of Xena's. Oh boy, am I going to have a word with that girl when she gets back here..

A massive hand appeared in front of her. "You must be Cyrene." The voice was deep, and rumbling and made her ears vibrate. "My name is Lestan." He took her hand and gently gripped it. "This is my lifebond, Wennid."

Now her eyes found a shorter, more delicately made.. person. She smiled at her.

"And this is my son, Jessan, and his lifebond Elaini." Two more tall figures came up the steps, and Cyrene extended an arm first this time.

"Mm.. Xena has spoken of you." Her lips twitched. "She just never mentioned.. well, but that's not unusual." She sighed. "Welcome… come on inside. I've got some soup on."

Ephiny felt a grip on her arm as she crossed the threshold, and turned her head to see Eponin's concerned eyes inches from her. "Hey." She considered bluffing, but decided she was just too tired. "I'm beat."

"So I see." Eponin moved closer, and slid an arm around her shoulders. "C'mon.. to bed with you, before you fall down."

The Amazon regent hesitated, then bowed to reality and her rubbery knees and nodded her head. "Right." She allowed herself to be led into the small room she'd been calling home the last few weeks, and gratefully collapsed in the large chair near the fire. "What a day."

Eponin snorted softly, and shook her head, as she walked to the fire and stirred it to life. "A day and a night. " She put a water pot on to heat, and hefted a bucket, glancing at Ephiny in question. "Want to some hot wash water?"

The regent pried one eye open and gazed at her, then let her lips quirk. "Well.. I wasn't the one who fell into a mud bath… you might want to use some first." The weapon's master's skin was stained almost a dark purple from the river mud, and her leathers were coated in the stuff. "And get out of those leathers before they stiffen up so bad you can't move."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Eponin grumbled. She fiddled with the fire a bit more, then sighed, and sat down with her back against the warming stone of the hearth, wrapping her arms about her knees and letting her head rest back. "Artemis the Mighty… have you ever seen anything like those.. mm.. people?" She paused. "They really friends of theirs?"

Ephiny coughed lightly, unable to suppress it any longer, and let out a soft breath. "Yeah.. they really are, if what Gab told me was true, and I'm sure it was." She coughed again, and glanced up, startled, as Eponin put a hand on her knee. "What's wrong?"

"You are." Eponin growled, starting to work on the laces of one boot. "Damn it, Eph, if you get sick again from this, I'm gonna go crazy." She stripped off the leather boot, and started on the other. "Besides which, Xena's gonna kill me for letting you romp around out in this damn weather."

I should make her stop. Ephiny mused, closing her eyes, and letting her fingers come lightly to rest against the weapon's master's hair. "Pony, now I know how Gabrielle feels.. "Really.." She sighed. "I was only going for a walk.." She felt the other boot slide free, and gathered her energy to stand up and make the short trip to the bed. "Wonder if I can use that same innocent look.. nah.. wouldn't be the same."

Eponin got an arm under hers, and half lifted her up. "C'mon, your majesty. Bed time for Amazons." She paused as Ephiny wrapped an arm securely around her waist, then took a deep breath and moved the few steps to the cot. "Down you go."

Ephiny slowly let herself relax against the soft surface, guiltily glad she was here in Amphipolis, and not home at the Village, where, she knew, the village healers would be crawling all over her. Literally. Bad enough Eponin seemed to have developed a severe case of mother hen… Curiously, she gazed at the dark head, which was bowed next to her as the weapon's master tucked the covers in with infinite precision. Or was it? A delicate warmth began to trickle down her spine, and she let a small, very wry grin shape her lips. Let's just see.. hmm? "Hey Pony…"

The dark haired Amazon looked up, blinking her eyes a little in the firelight. "Huh?"

Ephiny reached out and brushed a stiffened bit of mud off her face. "Thanks for taking care of me." Her smile twitched a bit broader when she saw the flush of color creep up the other Amazon's cheeks. Well, well.

"No problem." Eponin replied gruffly, taking a last twitch at the blankets. "Go to bed, would you?" She stood and moved away, kneeling by the fire and moving the bucket around. "I'll uhm…."

"Don’t' go far." Ephiny smiled up at the ceiling. "There's an extra cot over there… feel free."

Silence for a minute, then the quiet trickle of water as Eponin washed the mud off herself. "Well, sure.. especially with all these strange people around.. can't leave the Queen unguarded." Came the answer finally, and Ephiny let her held breath out.

"Right." She briskly agreed, and bit her lip. "Umm.. there's a couple of old sleep shirts in that press… help yourself. " She paused. "I'd get one.. but I'm just too beat."

The slithery sound of the leather catch on the press opening, and then the faint rustle of linen being shaken out, and put on. She heard the quiet pops as Eponin's joints protested the overhead motion. "Ouch..I heard that." The regent called out casually.

"Ugh." The dark haired Amazon grunted. "Tell me about it… I see those kids and it reminds me of just how old I am."

Ephiny chuckled ruefully. "Oh ..don't I know it." She glanced up as a shadow fell across her face, and cocked her head as Eponin knelt at her bedside. "That looks better."

"Yeah.. " The weapons master nodded. "You sure you don't want to.. " She held up a second shirt. "That looks a little uncomfortable."

The regent sighed, and regarded the shirt. "Yeah, I probably should." She concluded, and raised her self up on an elbow, then stopped as a sharp coughing fit took her, tearing at her lungs and leaving her breathless. "Damn." She gasped, holding onto the arm Eponin had thrown around her in support. She closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing. "Think I'd better get down some of that nasty stuff."

Eponin eased her down gently, and stood, moving to the small table. "Is it these packets?"

"Yeah." Ephiny wearily unlaced her thick tunic, and tugged it over her head, replacing it with the thin linen shirt, which felt worn and comfortable against her skin. Wincing, she eased her leggings off, and folded both neatly, putting them on the floor next to the bed. "Gods.. you were right.. this feels a lot better." She started coughing again, and gripped the bedframe until the spasm left her.

"Here." Eponin said, her voice a touch nervous, as she knelt back down beside the bed and offered Ephiny a mug. She slid an arm around the regent's shoulders for support while she cautiously drank the brew, then took the cup back, and studied the blond Amazon's face anxiously. "Stuff smells like dead cats."

Ephiny's pale eyebrow curved up. "Thanks." She joked weakly. "Works though.. " She felt her eyes drifting. "Better put me down before I pass out."

Silence so thick she could hear own heart beating. Then Eponin spoke hesitatingly. "Um.. well, now.. I had always heard it's bad to lie flat with this kind of thing..I could um.. well, that is.. if you .. "

Ephiny smiled as she let herself relax against Eponin's shoulder. "Nope.. not unless you mind." She replied softly, as the herbs overrode her conscious will, and took her into a warm fog of sleep.

The fire popped, benign sentinel over the small room as a peaceful quiet descended, broken only by the whispery harsh clicks of dead branches dancing outside the window, and the patter of leaves against the wooden walls.

"It.." Herodotus started, for the fifth time. "It's not a story I heard." He finally continued, not looking at any of them, but rather at the tall guardian trees that ringed their small campsite. "Just.. something I remembered."

Now he stood, and paced into the cold wind, while silence waited for him. "There was.. a kingdom. A long, long time ago."

Gabrielle was holding so tight to her partner's arm, it was a wonder Xena hadn't lost feeling in her hand. She put her cup down, and brought her other arm around the bard's body, surrounding her with warm strength.

Herodotus caught the moment out of the corner of his eye, but ignored it.

"And the kingdom was ruled by a very dark, very wicked king.. who had killed his own father for the throne, then conquered the next kingdom over, and stolen the most beautiful princess in that realm to be his wife."

The queen was very young, and very frightened, but she was of noble blood, and so she survived the capture, and the forced wedding.. and became with child to the evil king, who was well pleased with her, having a need for an heir, and because she was very lovely to behold, having pale blond hair, and beautiful gray eyes."

Herodotus paced, casting back through the darkness for the details long forgotten.

"The king went about his kingdom, with a bunch of his soldiers, and he extracted a birthing gift.. thirty percent of everything his subjects had, in honor of his child. They bled, his people did.. but they paid the fee, for they knew the penalty would be dire. "

A deep breath, then he went on.

"Then.. the child was born, and the king was furious, for it was a girl child, and in his rage, he almost dashed the tiny infant to the earth. But the princess begged and pleaded with him for her life, saying she would put the girl aside and bear him a male heir as surely as the sun rose in the morning."

"So the king spared the child, and gave her back to her mother, saying he wished not to see her face, nor hear her voice, for as long as she might live. "

He cleared his throat self consciously, and stared out into the forest.

Xena felt Gabrielle's body slowly relaxing, and she rubbed the bard's chilled arm and squeezed her fingers, getting a squeeze back in response.

"Her mother named her Gabrielle." Herodotus continued, sparing a glance for his eldest daughter, whose attention was totally focused on him. "For in the language of that time, and that people, it meant "Strength of the Light." And that's what the princess thought her daughter would need, to withstand the cruelties of the world… ' His voice faltered a little. "And the evilness of her father."

He paced some more.

"The princess was as good as her word. She bore the king a son the next year, but her confinement was dire, and she died not long after he was born." He paused. "And the girl, Gabrielle, was brought up by the castle staff, being hidden amongst them and raised as a villein, all unaware of her royal parentage."

Now he sat down, and stared at his hands, idly rubbing his fingers together. Hecuba sidled closer, and watched his face anxiously.

"She was a lovely child, and grew into a beautiful woman, as her mother was." He glanced up, caught by a mist green gaze that seemed to bore straight through him. "But she was sad, because the evil king was very hard on his people, and took from them without giving even the barest of law in return."

His head cocked. "And then one day, a prince came from a kingdom on the other side of that land, and saw her going to market with some of the other servants.." A barest quirk of a smile. "The prince was a very great warrior, and he was very much feared on the field of war. But he was a smart man, and one who ruled his people with kindness, as well as strength. "

Gabrielle swallowed, and wrapped her hands more firmly around Xena's, glad for the warm security of the warrior's body behind her. Her eyes flicked to Lila, who was seated next to Hecuba with her arms wrapped around her knees, just listening in quiet amazement.

"The prince took a liking to the girl, and found a way to slip into the castle, posing as a merchant, to see her. She fell in love with him, admiring his strength, and his honesty, and his honor, for he told her who he was as soon as he saw how it was with her, and how he knew it to be with him. He didn't promise her a kingdom, for she was a servant, but he did promise her his heart, and for her, that was enough."

He paused.

"And then, the king caught them, down in the cellar, making plans to get away. He threw the prince out of the castle, and punished the girl, chaining her up in the dungeons, hoping she'd wither away and die there."

He stood and paced again.

"But she was named well.. and her heart was strong with the love she felt, and she survived, until the prince came back with a mighty army, and captured the kingdom, felling the king himself over the richly carved throne that had cost many of his subjects their lives from starvation. "

Gabrielle felt a tiny grin forming, as she glanced back and saw the look of angry indignation on Xena's face. That.. would be you, love.. do you realize that? She snuggled a little closer into her partner's chest, and sighed contentedly.

"So the prince rescued the girl, and was going to carry her out of the kingdom, and back to his own, when a very old servant stepped forward, and revealed the truth, and said that the girl's place was with her people. " He paused. "And the prince could see the right of it, but it broke his heart to think of leaving her there."

He sat down and clasped his hands between his knees.

"But the girl.. she said she'd give up her crown, and the kingdom, and the riches of the castle to go along with him just to be a servant in his own kingdom, because she said, love, is all the wealth I have ever needed."

Now he stopped. Silence fell, and lasted a good long while.

"So.. what on earth happened?" Hecuba asked in an exasperated tone.

Xena's low, vibrant voice eased across the campfire. "He took her home, and made her a princess of his own kingdom, and they lived happily ever after."

Herodotus bit his lip, but couldn’t prevent a slight, almost impish grin from forming. "You've heard the story." He remarked dryly.

The warrior gazed at him. "I always like the ones with a happy ending." But her eyes twinkled with suppressed amusement. "Thanks, Herodotus." No.. I haven't heard that one.. but… I think I'm living it. Wonder if he realizes. She took a close look at his shadowed eyes. Hmm…

He shrugged. "It's just an old wives tale." He remarked briefly, then glanced at Gabrielle. "I liked the name, so…" Abruptly he stood and stretched. "I'm going to get some water." He grabbed the pot, and strode out of the firelight, headed towards the river.

Gabrielle tapped her partner's hands, and felt their grasp loosen. "I'm.."

"Be careful." Came the quiet response.

The bard gave her a small grin, and stood, grabbing her staff and trotting after her father's stocky form. "Hey..wait up." She heard, rather than saw him stop and half turn towards her. "It's dangerous around here." She fell into step beside him as he turned and walked on.

The fire crackled, and sent up a shower of sparks as the logs fell into each other. Xena pulled a knee up, and circled it with a long arm, as she gazed at the equally silent Hecuba and Lila. Oh boy. Isn't this fun? What small talk can I come up with.. So, Hecuba, what are eggs going for these days, huh? Xena sighed inwardly. "We should be in Amphipolis by dark tomorrow, if the weather holds." She finally dredged up.

"Bet you'll be glad to get home." Lila offered, with a wry smile.

Xena stopped and thought about that for a minute, letting her fingers idly play with Ares' fur. "Yeah, I will." She answered finally, surprising herself. She was suddenly aware of just how comfortable she'd become having her family around her again, and how secure she'd started to feel there. It was a very scary thought. "Thanks for coming.. I know it means a lot to Gabrielle." She finished quietly.

Hecuba stood and dusted her hands off, then walked quietly over to where Xena was sprawled on her bedroll and stiffly knelt down until she was looking the warrior in the eye. She folded her hands together, and stared at them for a moment, then sighed. "Xena…I know this is a little difficult for all of us." She peeked up into the quietly watching blue eyes. "And… I want you to know that.. if we seem upset, it's not you we're upset at." She took a breath and went on. "I don't.. we don't.. I understand that my daughter cares very much about you.. but it's very hard for parents to watch a child change.. the way she has. And to know she goes into danger all the time.. we've very frightened for her."

Xena regarded her thoughtfully. "I know." She fell silent for a moment. "And sometimes I think.. it would have been better for her if she'd never met me." Stark honesty. "Or.. more to the point, since our meeting had a purpose in her life, it would have been better if I'd never let her go with me.. if I'd returned her here all that time ago."

Hecuba studied her, seeing the quiet bleakness in that ice blue regard and swallowing with difficulty. "In some ways… I think that's true." She admitted.

The warrior nodded slowly, then sighed. "But I didn't." Her eyes met Hecuba's. "For.. whatever reason… I let her stay until it was too late." She took a breath. "Until we became a part of each other. "

Hecuba bit her lip. "Did she ever want to… come home?"

Xena tilted her head. "She did.. once, and I didn't stop her. And again with Perdicus.. I never wanted her to share this life, Hecuba." A lift of her hand. "But I never stopped her from coming back, either.. not sure I could have."

The older woman blinked, then sighed. "She's a very stubborn girl." Now her eyes found Xena's, and there was a little twinkle in them. "And when she wants something, nothing stops her."

That got a wry grin from the warrior. "Very true."

"I said..in some ways what you said was true." Hecuba went on. "But in a lot of other ways, important ways…and much though it hurts me to say this, I think.. her finding you… was the best thing that ever happened to her."

Xena blinked at her, stunned.

"I know, you didn't expect me to say that." Hecuba smiled shyly. "But I had time to think about it.. after you two left us.. and I realized something." She sighed. "It had been a very.. long… time since I'd seen Gabrielle happy.. and, Xena, you make her that way." She shrugged lightly. "Everything else.. I just have to hope for the best for."

Well, I'll be damned. Xena sighed to herself. "Um.. thanks." She replied, feeling a light flush color her face. "I'll try to keep her out of trouble."

Hecuba patted her shoulder, hesitatingly. "Good luck." She smiled, and stood, walking back over to the wagon and beginning to prepare their sleeping pallets.

Xena watched her go, then exchanged glances with Lila, who gave her a shy smile, then got up and went to help her mother. "Well, Ares…"

"Roo?" The wolf looked up at her inquiringly, then crawled over to her and started licking her face with energy. "Arufghhtt." He mumbled, shoving his nose against her belly, and snorting.

"Hey.. cut that out." Xena laughed, grabbing his nose. "Ares…"

"Argggrrrroooo.." He scrabbled forward eagerly, knocking her over onto her back and getting both paws onto her shoulders, as he pursued his facial cleansing. "Grrr…"

"Augh.. Ares… come on.." The warrior sighed, trying to evade the huge pink tongue. She was startled by a thump and squeezed one eye open to see her partner's grinning face inches from her. "Hi."

"Hi.. need a rescue?" Gabrielle teased gently.

"No..no.. I'm fine." Xena assured her, as the wolf moved his attentions to her left ear. "Ugh… loving every minute of it."

The bard glanced over at the wagon, where her parents were snugging down to sleep, and inched closer. "Mmm…'' She mumbled, as she started in on Xena's right ear. "I see why he likes this.. tastes sweet.."

Xena blushed a dark red, pulling aside the wolf's foreleg to peer across the campsite. "Gabrielle!!!" She lifted Ares off her chest, and held him down, but the warm, soft, licks continued, sending jolts down her spine. She turned her head to take her ear out of the bard's range, and found her lips being explored instead.

Oh.. damn.. um…. The assault was so sudden, and so unexpected, it slipped past her defenses with seductive ease and she felt her hands slide up to cup Gabrielle's face, brushing her hair back, and drinking in the scent of her warm skin. "Um.. you know.. "

"Shh." Gabrielle's fingers slipped under her tunic and touched bare flesh, letting her hands explore for a few aching moments, then she sighed and tucked herself up tight against Xena's body. "Sorry."

"Why?" Came the husky answer. "You all right?" Xena's body arched as she lifted herself up and peered across the campfire. "He didn't…"

"No." The bard mumbled, squirming closer. "He just… he makes me feel like a little kid sometimes… like a punk tag along."

Xena growled, deep in her chest, an eerie sound that was echoed by the suddenly alert Ares. "Let your mother work on him." Was all she said, though.

Gabrielle arched her neck, so that she could look her partner in the eye. "What?"

The warrior drew their furry blanket up around them, sleeping in her leathers as she did sometimes when they were in a dangerous area. "Mmm… yeah, we had a talk while you were gone.. seems she thinks I've been.. um.. good for you."

A small, delighted giggle exploded gently from the snuggling bard. "Snowballs must be falling in Hades. You'd better ask Hercules to check." She idly began playing with the laces in Xena's leathers. "Here… let me make you a little more comfortable." She commented, loosening them, then laying her head down against her partner's shoulder, where she could hear the steady, powerful beat of Xena's heart. "Xena?"

"Mmm??" The warrior was rubbing her back gently.

"You don't.. think.. um.. still think I'm a kid, do you?" Came the tentative question.

Xena's brows creased, and she half lifted her body up to stare down at her partner. Then she let herself down, and shook her head. "Gabrielle.. you're an Amazon queen, a respected bard, a skilled negotiator, and the partner of one of the most feared fighters in all of Greece." She pronounced in drawl. "Pretty precocious for a kid."

"Oh.. so.." The bard smiled against the spicy scented leather.

"No." Xena assured her. "I don't." She slid her hand up to Gabrielle's neck and scratched gently. "What brought that on?"

"Nothing." Was the quiet answer. "Just feeling a little insecure, I guess."

Xena regarded her half hidden face for a moment, then stretched a little, and wrapped her arms more securely around Gabrielle's body, flexing her shoulders, and squeezing the younger woman tightly, hearing the subtle pops as her spine cracked all down it's length.

"Oughhh…" Gabrielle moaned, burrowing closer. "That felt great." She nibbled her way through the loosened laces and gently nipped Xena's neck. "I won't admit it to Lila, but that all day walk's got me aching."

"Tsk." Xena slid her hands down her partner's back and began a gentle massage. "Why didn't you say something?"

"Mmmmm…" The bard sighed, flexing her fingers against Xena's chest. "Waited till you could do something about it.. besides.. I didn't.. um…"

"Want to admit that in front of your family." The warrior finished, giving her a knowing grin.

Gabrielle nuzzled her. "Something like that." She confessed. "It's that image thing." A pause. "You know."

This got a darkly amused look from Xena. "Yeah, I know." She worked her fingers up across the bard's shoulderblades. "I think they'd understand, though.. I mean, they know you were hurt and all."

The bard let out a long breath. "I don't want to go into that either." She mumbled. "Now I know why you never want me to tell stuff to your mom."

"Mmhmm." Xena agreed, working back down the bard's tense spine. "They worry too much." She fell silent for a bit. "Took me a while to get used to that…" A tiny grin crept across her face. "Now I… kind of like it." That last in a soft mumble.

Gabrielle suppressed a giggle, and peeked up at her. "I don't believe I'm hearing this." She said softly. "Gods, are you ever mellowing out." She felt Xena draw in breath, and slowly let it out. "Does that bother you?"

Long silence, with only those powerful hands working on her, and Gabrielle almost thought her partner just wasn't going to answer.

"It.. scares me, a little." Xena finally admitted, in a low voice. "I get.. worried that if I let my defenses down too far something will happen.. and I won't be ready for it." She swallowed, and felt Gabrielle run her fingers lightly down her arms in a comforting gesture. "But.. it feels so good just to live.. " She paused, searching for a word. "Almost normally… that I can't.. I don't think I want to give that up again."

Gabrielle thought about that for a while, as she let the warmth of their connection sink through her. "Good." She finally said, with a contented sigh. "Because I don't either.. and I like what being home has done for both of us." She rested her chin on Xena's chest and gazed up at her. "It makes me feel really good when I see you happy." She grinned. "And I like feeling good."

The warrior gave her an affectionate look, and brushed a few wisps of hair out of the bard's eyes. I can do this for her.. and if I'm really honest with myself, I'd admit just how little of a struggle it's been to accept. She studied Gabrielle's healthy, relaxed face and sparkling eyes and smiled in quiet acceptance. This was the right thing to do. "Guess we'll have keep it up then, huh?"

The bard beamed quietly at her, and rubbed her cheek against Xena's leather clad stomach. "I love you."

Xena tangled her fingers in the long, red gold hair spilling across her chest, as she felt her body begin to relax into sleep. "I love you too, my bard." She whispered, as Gabrielle inched further up, and settled in her familiar spot tucked up against one shoulder. In a short time, she felt the world begin to slip away, leaving only Ares' watchful eyes over the campsite.

Continued in Part 5

Return to Part 3

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The Longest Night - Part 5

Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

Cyrene lay for a while, just regarding the sunlight streaming in the window of her room, bringing to life the rust and forest green blanket that draped the sturdy bed, and painted a mellow stripe across the wooden floor that was broken up with woven rugs whose color matched the bedclothing. She mentally reviewed what still had to be done for the party they were planning.. now, she mused, that most of the guests were here.

And able to be drafted to help, she grinned quietly to herself. It would be fun, if hectic time, with the joining, then the celebration, which would also be a birthday party for her somewhat reluctantly agreeable daughter.

Gabrielle had wanted it to be a surprise, but… Cyrene knew Xena, and managed to convince the bard that if her partner knew in advance, she might possibly be persuaded to enjoy herself. A surprise.. with that many people.. and Xena in the limelight… ah… no. Not a good idea.

And at first, the warrior had resisted, stating that the joining should be reason enough to celebrate.. on top of Solstice itself. But little by little, they'd worn away her resistance, until just last week, she'd shown very muted, cautious interest in the plans, especially when Cyrene revealed all the goodies she was planning on making for the party.

She'd kept that stolid, reserved, almost bored expression during the discussion, but she couldn’t keep the little sparkle from lighting up her eyes, or prevent that little half grin from appearing, despite her best intentions, and Cyrene had winked at Gabrielle, who had mouthed a silent "Got her." In return.

Now, she yawned, and turned the covers back, easing reluctantly from her warm bed and shrugging on her robe against the chill, sighing against the ache of her aging bones and moving slowly across the room to put the water pot on the fire.

Then she heard a thump.

A loud one.

Followed by another thump, and a muted scream. Casting her eyes to the ceiling, she ran her fingers through her silvered dark hair and headed for the door which lead into the small passageway that separated hers and Toris' rooms from the main part of the inn. She padded down the hall, and turned right, then pushed open the kitchen door and barreled inside, stopping short at what she saw.

Eustase was backed against the storage shelves, holding the coal shovel in a very threatening position, aiming with deadly intent at the tall, menacing fur pile that was facing her.

"Look.." The furry form was saying, spreading his large arms out in an apparent attempt at reassurance. "All I wanted was some oatmeal. Honest.. I don't eat people.. especially not in the morning. It's really bad for your digestion."

"Get out, yer beastie thingie ye!!!" Eustase huffed, making a move with the shovel.

Cyrene sighed, and rubbed her temples. "Eustase, put that damn thing down."

The cook's eyes widened. "Careful ma'am! He's dangerous!!!"

The innkeeper studied her guest. "Are you?" She asked mildly. "Dangerous?"

The forest dweller straightened up and poked his chest out. "Of course." He smiled, showing all his fangs to their best advantage. "But only after I've had breakfast." He patted his stomach, and wrinkled his muzzle at her, a twinkle apparent in his golden eyes.

"Mmm… I see. '" Cyrene muttered wryly. "Eustase, please calm down. This is.. " She peered closely at him. "Jessan. He's a friend of my daughters."

The cook stared at him in disbelief, but slowly put the shovel down, with a metallic tang as it hit stone floor. "Mercy of the gods on us." She breathed, leaning against the shelving. "Gave me quite the start, he did."

Cyrene put her hands on her hips and sighed. "Do you always snoop around in the morning and scare people, Jessan?"

The forest dweller blinked at her. "Um.. no, actually." He gave her a sheepish look. "I really didn't mean to be scary." He perched on a corner of the table and cocked his head. "I left Elaini upstairs to sleep a little longer." He grinned. "She's expecting, and she needs the rest."

The innkeeper's eyebrows jerked up. "Oh.. well, isn't that nice… " She collected a pair of bowls, and scooped some of the cereal bubbling untended on the stove into a smaller pot. "Well.. will you join me for some breakfast, Jessan?"

The toothy grin startled her. "Sure." He stood, and towered over her, then gently took the pot and bowls from her hands. "I'll get that."

They walked into the deserted dining area, and sat down at one of the tables near the fire. Cyrene neatly served two portions into the wooden bowls, and pushed one over to him, then handed him a spoon. "Here you go." She sat down and took her own, absently taking in a spoonful while she watched him do the same. In the light of day, she was able to get a better look at his features, which had mostly been hidden in firelight and shadows the night before. He was.. She knit her brow. Interesting looking, was the best way to put it. His head was large, and covered with fur, his jaw protruded slightly with his nose to form a muzzle, and his thick beard flowed down his neck onto a massive chest and shoulders.

But the eyes were intelligent, and now that she was watching closely, his face did shift and move, expressing his emotions in a manner not unlike her own. "So… Jessan." She said, taking a bite of cereal and chewing. "How was your trip here?"

The forest dweller looked up, and grinned at her. "It's ok…you don't have to pretend I'm not a seven foot tall walking carpet with fangs." He swallowed his mouthful, and glanced across the room, where a server was hesitating, carrying a pitcher. "I swear, I just eat oatmeal. And carrots."

She looked at him.

"Ok, and steaks." He admitted. "But I like them well done."

Cyrene let a smile form on her lips. "I can see why you and my daughter get along." She motioned the server over. "Come on.. before we die of thirst here."

Jessan kept chewing, and waited for the server to leave before he cleared his throat a little. "Thank you.. this is really great." Another mouthful. "I kind of… well, let's just say my parents are letting me be the.. uh… "

"Icebreaker?" Cyrene supplied, taking a sip of her cider.

He rocked his head from side to side in a yea/nay gesture. "Sort of.. they're not used to humans.. it's a little spooky for them."

"I see." The innkeeper sucked on her spoon thoughtfully. "And you are? Used to humans, I mean?"

Jessan gazed up into her eyes, all traces of humor now absent. "I had a very… very.. good teacher." He paused. "Someone who taught me that.. our differences don't mean nearly as much as our similarities."

Cyrene nodded in understanding. "I believe I owe you a debt of gratitude."

The big forest dweller twirled his spoon in the cereal for a moment, then scooped up a mouthful and ate it. "I am.. really glad I was there." He mumbled, his muzzle coloring slightly. "But she did it more than I did."

They ate for a short while in silence. Then Jessan paused. "Did Gabrielle…"

"Yes." Cyrene answered shortly. "Right after they got back here." She tapped her fingers on the table. "But..she tends to leave out parts she thinks will upset me. So.. why don't you tell me what really happened?" Glancing up, she captured his eyes with her own, and waited.

Jessan carefully laced his fingers together in front of his bowl, and rested his weight on his elbows. "Are you sure you want to hear? It's over… no offense, and there's really no need…" Oh..oh.. I'm in trouble.. I should have stayed upstairs and just nibbled on the nuts in my backpack, I knew it.

Cyrene reached out and put her hand over his, feeling the unfamiliar coarse texture of the fur and the warmth of the skin under it without flinching. "She's my daughter, Jessan. Yes, I want to know."

So he told her, all he knew, sparing nothing. His voice was low, and raspy, and at certain points strained with emotion. When he finished, he just sat there quietly, staring at his hands, then sighed. "So.."

The innkeeper finally started breathing again, gazing over the tall forest dweller's shoulder as she tried to absorb all the details he'd given her. She'd known it was bad, yes.. but… oh, Xena.. how hard that must have been on you.. "Thank you." She said softly.

An awkward silence fell, until Jessan finally cleared his throat. "Do me a favor?"

That got a startled look from Cyrene. "Um.. sure.. if I can…"

He shook his head. "Don't let on that I told you.. ok? She'll kick my butt." His muzzled wrinkled up into a rueful grin.

The innkeeper's eyebrows rose, and she looked Jessan up and down. "Really?"

He propped his jaw on his hand, and gave her a wry chuckle. "Uh huh." He sighed. "She's awesome."

Cyrene smiled at him, then glanced up as footsteps sounded across the room and she spotted Toris ambling in, rubbing his face and yawning. "Morning." He sat down and propped his chin up on both hands. "Hi Jessan."

"Hi." The forest dweller replied with a grin. "So.. like, what happened yesterday? I know I found you guys in a pig trap, but…"

"Pig trap?" Cyrene interjected, her lips twitching. "I didn't get to hear this."

Toris sighed. "Well, we were trying to get home after getting caught in that snowstorm… and that was after the mud bath thing, so we were kind of stumbling along this.."

A hand on his arm. "Mud bath?"

He let out a piteous groan. "It was nasty. All fishy..and clammy.. cold.. ugh.. then we hid in a log, but it started snowing, so then we headed here, but someone must have trapped the path, because we fell in, then there were these thorns, and they had some nasty stuff on them, and it kind of knocked us out for a while.. " He looked up to see both his mother and Jessan staring at him. "What?"

Jessan cocked his furry head to one side, and blinked his golden eyes. "It's a family thing, right?" He looked inquiringly at Cyrene. "Right?"

"Oh no." Cyrene held up a stern hand. "You're not blaming me for this, sorry." She stood up and dusted herself off, her fluffy robe making this gesture a bit too cute for good effect. "I'm going to go get dressed, and get things started for tomorrow." She gave Toris a pointed look. "You have stuff you promised to do, my son. I don't want to find you out.. giving tours." A meaningful eyebrow.

Toris winced, and gave Jessan a wry look. "Yeah..I'm the decorating committee. I know." Then his eyes brightened. "Hey.. wanna help?"

Jessan grinned and stretched a long arm up. "I'm great at hanging banners." He stood up, as Toris did, then glanced aside. "Just don’t ask me to make any of those little paper things." He paused. "You know what I mean."

"You mean the folded thingies." Toris replied.

"Yeah, those." Jessan agreed. "It's.. I just end up making something that looks like a cow pattie."

Toris laughed. "No.. that's ok.. Nella said she'd do that for us."

Cyrene's head oozed between them. "Who?" She inquired archly, sounding like a doting owl.

"Um." Toris blushed.

"That's what I thought." His mother chuckled, giving him a pat on the belly. "You know, you blush just like your sister did when I let her know I figured her out, too."

"Mom…" The dark haired man muttered. "Cut that out." He reached out and tugged Jessan's roughly woven dark blue tunic, which matched the cut of trousers he was wearing. "Come on." Then he looked down. "Hey.. don’t your feet get cold?"

"Nah." Jessan assured him, as he ambled alongside towards the door. "Fur is where it's at."

A sharp glance thrown at him. "Right." Toris murmured. "I'll have to remember that." He added, as they opened the door and passed outside, heading for the small workshop where he'd stored his decorations in progress.

Lila wasn't really sure why she'd woken up.. though, she reflected wryly, it might have been anything, from the unusual place she was sleeping, to Lennat's absence, to some weird noise… whatever.

She lay quietly on the straw in the back of the wagon for a while, listening to the very early morning sounds outside, which consisted mostly of the distant chuckling of the stream, and the wind brushing through the dried branches overhead. Turning on her side, she lifted the flap of the canvas covering the wagon, and poked her nose outside, wrinkling it at the damp cold she encountered. Oh gods.. not another storm. She sighed, and snuggled back into the hay, wishing Lennat hadn't had to finish that big job and been able to come with them.

Then she cast an eye at the interior of the wagon, and grinned wryly. Of course, there really wouldn't be any room for him… her parents were lying quietly asleep towards the front of the cart, up against their bags, and she was at the other end of the cart. Not much space left.

Sighing, she returned her attention to the outside, peering into the fog shrouded air at the first glimmerings of a gray dawn. She could see the remnants of the fire glowing through the eerie mist, and then shyly glanced further, where she could just make out where her sister and her partner were sleeping.

Wryly, she spared Gabrielle an envious thought.. though she was settled into this mostly warm, and fairly comfortable wagon, she had no doubt the bard wouldn’t have changed places with her for any amount of dinars. Her sister was sprawled half across Xena's body, using the warrior like a body pillow, and Lila could see the blissful grin on her face from where she was. Then her eyes crept up and she froze, when they were met by a steady blue stare.

But Xena merely raised an eyebrow, and stretched a little under her thick fur blanket, then let a half grin cross her face, daring Lila to object, as she pulled Gabrielle a little closer.

Lila smiled back, and ducked under the canvas, shaking her head a little and settling back into the straw with a sigh.

The warrior chuckled quietly to herself, and let out a quiet sigh as Gabrielle mumbled a little under her breath, and tightened her grasp, tangling her fingers in the loose leather laces that were dangling down the front of Xena's chest. She looked fondly down at her partner, admiring the way the growing pearl gray light was slowly revealing the smooth lines of the bard's face, and catching tiny sparkles in her eyelashes.

She loved watching Gabrielle sleep.. she always had, when just the sight of the bard's peaceful face would bring her some much-needed peace of her own. Because then she could let down her guard, and be free to gather in the warmth of what she felt for the girl, and let it wash over her, knowing Gabrielle was safely dreaming and unaware.

It had been a bittersweet feeling, especially after the whole mess with her being.. killed, and Velasca and all that. When she knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the depth of the feelings that Gabrielle had for her in return, which had made things much harder in one respect, but.. Xena smiled, remembering that night after she'd come back, when she'd spent the long hours before dawn just holding Gabrielle in her arms, letting the exhausted bard sleep peacefully, her hands gripping Xena's leathers. She'd thought about a lot of things then.. but her mind kept coming back, like a little kid's, to the single wondering revelation that Gabrielle was very much in love with her.

It had been worth coming back for, that long night when she'd let all her defenses down, and accepted what she felt between them.. though the following hardships had almost wrecked that, again. But it had felt so good, that night, just to know.. that she'd come back for the right reason.

And it had felt.. so right.. so real it was almost painful in its intensity. That Gabrielle had been in such pain.. and she'd been able to take that away, and leave in its place that little, wondering smile that broke down all her defenses, that was the best feeling in the world.

And now.. Xena mused happily. I get to feel that all the time. Where do I come off being this lucky? An incredulous little grin formed on her face. I don't deserve this.. but mother was right. When happiness comes along.. you just gotta grab it and hold on.. and ride it for as long as it takes you. Damned if I'm not going to do just that. She let her head rest back against her folded cloak, gazing up at the cloudy sky with an irrepressible sense of well being, as she felt Gabrielle's body stir gently against her own.

Sleepy green eyes blinked up at her. "Morning… "

"Hey." Xena replied with a grin. "How are you feeling?"

The bard stretched her body out along Xena's length, then relaxed again with a satisfied smile. "Great." She playfully nibbled her partner's collarbone. "Do we have to get up?"

"Weeeelll.." Xena chuckled, "You know there's nothing better I'd like to do than spend a nasty, cold, rainy day like this is going to be snuggling in bed with you, but.. um… " She bent her head and got her lips down near the bard's ear. "I think your parents would be a little uncomfortable with the idea."

"Centaur poop." Gabrielle giggled. "I forgot about them." She turned her head and cast a glance back at the silent wagon. "Oh well." She returned her eyes to her partner's face. "And besides, we gotta get home.. tonight's Solstice Eve." She slipped her hand inside Xena's leathers, and stroked the smooth skin lightly. "Mmm.. you're warm."

Xena chuckled and took a deep breath, trapping the bard's fingers inside the snug-fitting garment. "Gotcha." She teased playfully.

"Oh yeah?'" Gabrielle challenged with an impish grin. "Just how long do you think you can hold your breath?"

A feral smile answered her. "I dunno.. let's find out." She ducked her head and captured Gabrielle's lips, keeping up a teasing exploration until the bard was forced to break off and take a quick breath.

"You win.." Gabrielle admitted, as the pressure on her hand lessened, and she felt the smooth ripple of muscles under her fingertips as Xena pulled herself up a little bit and glanced around at the damp and foggy morning. "Time to make the tea, huh?"

"Stay here." Xena smiled indulgently at her, brushing the top of her head with a light kiss. "I'll do it."

"Mmm…. " The bard protested. "That means I gotta let you go, right?" She sighed, and gently tugged the Xena's laces closed, fastening them lightly. "I'll get up and help.. no sense in getting teased by Lila more than I have to. " She gave Xena a wry look. "I was never a morning person."

"Really?" Xena asked, in an ingenious tone. "I never would have known." She chuckled at the bard, who poked the tip of her tongue out in response. "And speaking of teasing.. " She plucked Gabrielle's sleeve. "I thought your ribs didn't hurt you anymore."

The bard gave her an indignant look. "They don't!"

"Uh huh. " Xena drawled. "So.. you're still wearing my shirts because… ??"

That got a blush, and a sheepish grin. "I like them." She stuck out a lower lip and pulled the collar of the sleep shirt up around her neck. "You got a problem with that?"

Xena studied her, then burst out laughing. "No… but you kind of have to leave me one or two so I don’t have to walk around in this weather naked, OK?"

Gabrielle sniffed reflectively. "I'll think about it." She replied, in an arch tone, as she reluctantly rolled off her comfortable spot, and sat up. "Though..I don't know.. you.. naked… there's a concept there somewhere…"

Xena rolled her eyes. "Gabriellle…."

"Yeah, yeah.. I know.. I'm moving.. " The bard replied cheerfully, as she scooted out from under the blanket, and shivered. "Ugh."

Xena also stood, and draped the fur over her partner's shoulders. "Here… go siddown by the fire, ok? I'll go get some water to heat up." She glanced down at Ares, who was still curled up on the edge of their sleeping fur. "You coming?"

The wolf untucked his nose from his furry tail, and wagged it. "Roo." He scrambled up and trotted over to her, nuzzling her knee affectionately.

"Yeah, roo to you, too." Xena chuckled, as she slipped her boots on, and tugged the laces tight. Then she grabbed a pot and ran her fingers through her hair, settling the long locks into some semblance of order. "Be right back."

Gabrielle watched her trot off, then break into a light jog as she headed into the gray mist that hugged the ground around their campsite. The thick billows swallowed her up, just as the first feeble rays of sun started to try and slither through the building clouds. Sighing, she exchanged her blanket for a warm tunic, another one of Xena's older, heavier ones she noted with a giggle, and started building the fire back up. At the sounds of wood hitting wood, Lila's head popped out, and she stared at her sister in amazement.

"You're up?" The dark haired girl asked, in an incredulous tone. "Gabrielle, it's not even sunrise." She scrambled out of the wagon and walked over to where here sister was crouched, adding wood to the slumbering campfire. She'd put on her own heavy jacket before emerging, and now hugged it to her body as she approached. "What's gotten into you?" She gazed at her sister's slim form appraisingly. "Where do you get all that energy?"

Gabrielle finished her task, and straightened up, holding her hands out over the fire and rubbing them together. "Well.. we kind of compromised… " She smiled. "I like to sleep late, and Xena always gets up before dawn. So.. we kind of settled on just after sunrise.. and we both just kind of.. adjusted." She went to their supplies and pulled out a couple of the cooked fruit, nut and grain bars that Xena had made for trail snacks, and offered her sister one. "Here… and needing all that energy is why I eat all the time.." She grinned.

"Wish I had that excuse." Lila took one gingerly and nibbled the end, then smiled. "Wow.. that's pretty good…what's in it?"

"Berries… nuts… some cooked grains.. honey… " Gabrielle smiled. "Xena makes them up.. it's one of her three or four specialties." She took a big bite of hers and chewed, enjoying the familiar taste. "Mmm… " She licked her lips appreciatively. Xena had put a touch more honey in this batch, throwing up her hands and surrendering wryly to Gabrielle's teasing pleas, then having the grace to at least blush when the bard caught her sucking the excess honey off her fingers a short time later.

Hecuba and Herodotus chose that moment to climb out of the wagon, wincing and blinking in the now misty sunlight. "Morning." Herodotus said gruffly, straightening his back with a groan. "That wagon's a poor excuse for a bed." He glanced up at his elder daughter. "To think of you on the cold ground, Bree… for shame."

Gabrielle let a grin curl her lips. "Oh.. no, actually, I slept just fine…" She fiddled with the fire a bit, then handed around trail bars. "I guess I'm just used to it."

Lila snorted softly, and poked her in the ribs. "Yeah.. and if I had that kind of mattress, I'd be pretty comfortable too, big sister." She whispered. "I saw you guys…"

Gabrielle blushed. "Lila…" She blurted, giving her sister a slap on the leg. Gods.. not in front of them, for Hades sake, Lila…

Lila laughed, and chewed on her bar much more cheerfully. "Aw.. it was cute, Bree… you had the goofiest smile on your face."

The bard flushed a deeper shade of red. "C'mon… cut it out." She saw her parents staring at her out of the corner of her eye, and winced. Damn… now's not the time for this.. Her stomach lurched.

"Oh no.. " Her sister chuckled. "I'm going to enjoy this.. what a cute shade of.. "

A voice whispered into her ear, sending ice-cold shivers down her spine.

"If you don't stop teasing her, I'm gonna introduce you to this really big pot of really cold water."

Lila swallowed. "Uh.. hi…sure… um… I was only joking." She eased away from Xena's menacing form, and sat down on the other side of the fire, chewing her bar with a chastised look on her face.

Xena hefted the water pot onto the fire, and gave Hecuba and Herodotus a nod. "Morning."

Hecuba looked up from her bag, where she was digging out something. "Oh.. good morning to you, too, Xena." She gave her a game smile. "Sorry.. we're not really used to this outdoor life."

Herodotus walked over and rubbed his hands over the fire. "No.. been a long time since I've had to sleep under the stars." He sighed. "Breakfast here, then on the road, I take it." He cordially deferred to the warrior.

"Mmm..'" Xena agreed, measuring a portion of herbs carefully, and putting them in the bottom of a pot they kept for tea. "You can use this water to wash up.. once it's heated."

The man looked at her damp hair in question. "What did you use.. no.. the river?" He snorted. "Hades balls.. it's half frozen."

The warrior shrugged. "I'm used to it." She finished her task, and seated herself on a half log next to Gabrielle, holding the pot loosely between both hands. Think..I overstepped the protective bit there… guess I should apologize. "Hey." She said softly, as the others bustled about pulling out clothes. "Listen, sorry about.."

A hand on her leg stopped her, and Gabrielle raised her eyes to meet her own. The reluctant sunlight caught the depths of them for a moment, bringing out the golden sparkles that winked in the soft green "No.. don't apologize." She answered, very quietly. "Um.. yeah, I can take care of myself, and that's my sister, and she was just joking, and it wasn't meant to hurt.." The hand squeezed gently. "But.. it came from around a blind corner, and I was really glad you stopped her."

"Oh." Xena took a relieved breath. "Well.. anytime.. all right?" She felt a little smile cross her lips. "I think I scared her, though."

Gabrielle grinned, and finished packing up the sleeping roll. "Probably. Don’t worry.. she'll live."

They finished a spare breakfast, and headed out, the wagon driving the fog aside in lazy billows, their cloaks pulled tight to keep the clammily cold air from chilling them, as the sun grumpily faded back behind the growing clouds, and the wind began to pick up.

"To the right." Granella said, holding up two hands and framing a sign between them with a calculating eye. "No.. the other right." She corrected the movement. "Yeah.. that's better."

Toris climbed off the chair he was standing on, and stretched his back out. It was late afternoon, and most of the decorations were done. "Looks good." He decided, putting his hands on his hips, then turning his head as a waft of air from the kitchen drifted out into the dining area. "Gods.. that smells great." He sighed. "She must be baking those little cakes."

Granella wandered over and took a whiff. "Oh.. wow… " She groaned. "We have to wait until tomorrow to eat those?"

Toris waggled his eyebrows. "Maybe not.. let me go see what I can mooch." He gave her a virtuous look. "After all, we've been working hard all day, right?"

She nodded solemnly. "Right."

The door opened, admitting Hercules, Iolaus, Jessan, and Elaini, with Elaini being the only one uncovered by smudges of rich brown earth. "Ok..ok.. now explain to me what that was for, again?" Jessan asked, as he settled his bulk a chair carefully, wincing at the protesting creak.

"It's a roasting pit." Cyrene answered him, as she pushed the kitchen door open and joined them in the main part of the inn. "Eustase showed me an old recipe her people used to do.. and it seemed like a really good thing to try for a big party."

"Uh huh." Hercules rubbed his jaw, turning it a dark brown. "You do.. uh.. realize the weather's getting.. kind of bad again, right?"

Cyrene sat down with a sigh, and put her elbows on the table. "No problem." She waved a hand at them. "I've got Johan and two of our kitchen people loading the bottom of it with wood right now.. you start the fire, and let it burn all the way down.. then you wrap whatever you want to cook in wet straw, and put it in there, then cover the whole thing up with dirt."

They all looked at each other. "Dirt?" Iolaus' brow furrowed. "Uh.. but… I don't.."

"Hey.. " Eponin took a chair out from the end of the table, and turned it around, settling on it and resting her arms across the top. "You doing a pig roast?"

Cyrene nodded.

The older Amazon grinned. "Whoa.. haven't had one of those since I was a girl."

Eyes shifted her way.

"Don’t say it." Eponin warned.

Eyes shifted away in silence. "That's great.. you take a pig…" Eponin explained.

"A whole pig?" Jessan inquired, with a fascinated look on his face.

Eponin nodded, waxing enthusiastic for a change. "Sure… and you gut it, right? Then stuff it with fruits and stuff.. and sew it back up. Then you put it in the pit, and put herbs all around it, then cover it up and let it cook slow."

Iolaus drummed his fingers on the table. "That doesn't sound half bad." He glanced at Hercules. "Huh?"

"No… " The demigod said slowly. "Not bad at all.. in fact, that sounds pretty damn good."

"Think so?" Cyrene asked, casually.

They all nodded.

"Great." The innkeeper smiled at them. "Who wants to kill the pig?"

Toris suddenly looked at his mother. "Oh.. gods.. not.. that… pig…??"

His mother shrugged. "Gentius donated it for the party.. I'd hate to disappoint him."

Hercules exchanged glances with Iolaus, then with Jessan. "Um.. how bad could a pig be? I mean.. I guess I could… "

"Hera's right bosom." Hercules breathed, shocking Iolaus. "Son of a stinking bacchae… would you look at that."

Pig was a relative term, Iolaus thought, as he hung over the second railing around the sturdily built pigsty on the far boarder of the town. As in, this was a relative of a pig.. relatively the size of a small hut. The animal's back reached to Hercules' waist, and it was longer than even Jessan's outstretched arms. The forest dweller had joined them, accompanied by Elaini, and a silent, but raised eyebrowed Lestan.

"Ahem." Lestan cleared his throat. "That's um… "

"Yeah." Hercules agreed. "It certainly is."

The pig stared at him with an evil eye, then suddenly charged at the demigod, whose more than human reflexes were the only reason he managed to remain standing. He hopped up onto the railing, and let the pig thunder underneath him, and crash into the sty wall, throwing Iolaus back several feet right into Elaini, who caught him gingerly.

"Whoa." Hercules breathed. He decided to stay where he was for the moment, and considered his options. Then realized he had very few. "Ok.. so.. I'm open to any good ideas." He winced, as the pig snorted right under him, snuffling at his boot heels with unconcealed hostility.

Iolaus wandered closer. "Don't suppose this is a good time to mention those are pigskin boots, right?" A little.. humor? To lighten it up here…

"No.'" Hercules glared at him.

Eponin sniffed reflectively, and drew out her long belt knife, testing its edge carefully. "Well, we need to slit its throat."

Hercules glanced at her. "Ladies first." He muttered.

She glanced at him, and bit off a wry grin. "OK.. I'll do it.. but you've got to hold.. She peeked, "Her still." She half turned as Ephiny arrived, a thick woolen muffler firmly wrapped around her neck. "Um.. hi, Eph."

"Hi." The Amazon regent regarded the scene quizzically. "What's up?"

They all looked at Hercules, who sighed, and put his hands on the top railing. "We're trying to kill this pig."

Ephiny studied him. "By jumping on it?" She heard a muffled snort, and saw Elaini clap a hand over her mouth quickly. "Well, that's different." She leaned on the railing next to Eponin. "Hey." That, softly, to the weapon's master.

Eponin grinned a little. "Hey.. what are you doing up?" She glanced up. "Thought you'd stay in on a nasty day like this."

Ephiny gave her a gentle smile. "I got bored.. and I heard the lot of you were out here… it's ok, I'm just tired." She took a cautious breath, and was relieved when there was no urge to cough. But the unnerving exhaustion that she'd been plagued with the last few weeks was back, and she felt somewhat lightheaded.

But not as disoriented as she'd been when she'd woken up, still cradled in the sleeping Eponin's arms. Her body hadn't known what to do with the myriad of signals dancing across the surface of her awareness, and had simply shut back down, slipping her back into a twilight realm that had swirled with warm currents. When she'd woken again, she was alone on the bed, and Eponin was fixing more medicine in a brisk, but somewhat flustered manner.

They'd been delicately dancing around each other since, and Ephiny was finding the situation equal parts funny, and arousing.

"Well, don't overdo it." Eponin reminded her. "Now.. I gotta go help kill this damn pig." She grabbed the top bar of the sly, and hoisted herself up, swinging her legs over and sitting on the bar, waiting for Hercules to make the first move. 'Well?"

Hercules hesitated. "I'm not sure…"

Eponin sighed. "Come on, Hercules..you're half god, for Hades's sake."

"And that's all killer pig." The demigod reminded her. "It's my other half I'm worried about."

Jessan wiped his face with one hand, as though trying to wipe the scene out of his memory. "Ok..ok.." He vaulted the top rail and landed in the pit. "Come on.. I'll help."

He lunged for the pig, and Hercules dropped down from his perch and lunged at the other side. The pig squealed angrily, and made a rush at the bigger Jessan, who jumped over its head, and got an arm around its neck, trying to pull it down.

But the pig had an excellent center of gravity, and it just kept moving, dragging a surprised Jessan behind it for several yards of muck before Hercules caught up and threw an arm over its neck from the other side. This was too much for the pig, and it bucked, kicking out with its sharp hooves and landing several effective blows before Jessan, in desperation knocked its legs out from under it and the pig half jumped, half rolled over on top of him.

"OOF!!!" He grunted, winding an arm around one front leg. "Help!!!" He felt himself sinking down into the ooze, and briefly considered the possibility of drowning in pig muck. "Help!!!" His cries were drowned out by the furious pig, who was squealing at the top of its lungs.

Hercules got a muscular arm locked around the pig's other front leg, and got his leg around its hind one, pinning it on its back in outrage. "Hurry!!!" He yelled, closing his eyes as the pig thrashed from side to side, its slavering snout and sharp teeth searching for his flesh.

Eponin's boots landed inches from his head, and he heard the grunt as the Amazon grabbed the pig's waving snout and pulled it towards her, then heard the tearing rasp as the knife plunged home, showering him in a sudden bath of warm, harshly metallic blood.

Abruptly the pig stopped struggling and went limp. Hercules cautiously let go his holds, and slipped out from under its huge body, letting it roll off Jessan.

Blood. Hercules shivered as the scent traveled up his nose and into his brain, bringing a wave of seductive memories, of sweat soaked skin, and this same, brassy tang. He heard the anguished cries echoing… and remembered being excited by it.

A hand touched his arm, and he looked down, startled, at Iolaus' concerned face. "Um.. hi."

"You all right?" The blond man asked quietly. "Did it bite you.. or… "

Hercules glanced down at himself and wrinkled his nose. "No.. no.. I.. it.. I'm fine.. just a mess, Iolaus." Firmly, he pushed the memories out of his mind, and looked around. Jessan was slowly getting to his feet, his fur plastered with pig poop, mud, and rusty splotches of blood. "Well, that's done."

Eponin wiped her blade neatly on her boot and sheathed it. "Nice pig." She muttered, giving it a prod with one toe. "Guess we' gotta get it back to the Inn now, huh?"

They all looked at each other. Finally, Elaini fingered her pale, golden beard. "I'll go get Eris."

Jessan nodded. "Good idea."

"Eris?" Eponin queried

"My horse." Jessan answered. "To pull this thing."

The weapons master considered this. "Damn good idea." She paused. "I suppose we'll figure a way to get it through the door?"

They all looked at her.

"Maybe not." Eponin amended.

"Seems very quiet." Xena commented, as she glanced around her at the restlessly stirring branches. The weather had begun to worsen, and the air was so heavy with moisture, it felt like a wet, cold dishcloth was being run over their bodies at every step.

"Everyone's inside by the fire." Gabrielle commented, with a sideways glance at her partner. "Roasting chestnuts, probably."

"Think so?" The warrior idly asked, pulling a pair of chestnuts from her pouch and cracking them open for the bard, presenting them with a flourish. "I'll save some of these for later tonight..when we're home then."

Gabrielle munched on the nuts, watching her partner from the corner of her eye. "You're in a good mood." She commented, briefly glancing back to the huddled forms in the wagon following them.

Xena considered that. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I am." She cracked open another nut and handed it to the bard, then ate one herself. "In spite of the weather, and the glares I keep getting from Lila." She gave Gabrielle an apologetic look. "I think I really ticked her off."

The bard bumped her gently. "Nah.. you just did a Warrior Princess on her, and she wasn't expecting it..I think she'd kind of gotten out of the habit of thinking of you that way." She gave Xena an affectionate look. "That happens to me sometimes."

Xena let out a breath slowly and turned her head. "What do you mean?"

A light shrug. "Well, its just sometimes I forget… " She paused, and smiled a little. "A lot of times, lately… I mean, you're just you.. my.. friend, my.. partner… you're funny, and nice, and sweet.. " She gave a short laugh. "I forget the rest… and I start doing dumb things like worrying about you going out into the forest hunting all alone.. until I have to kind of stop, and hit myself, and say what am I thinking??"

Xena walked along in silence for a while, thinking about that. Mom did that too… and Ephiny. She mused thoughtfully. Have I changed that much? She glanced down at herself doubtfully. I look the same.. I think… oh Hades, I'll just ask. "Gabrielle?"

"Hmm?" The bard looked up at her.

"Have I… um.. changed that much?" Her eyes flicked to Gabrielle's face. "Mom's started doing that too, and.. I'm wondering."

Gabrielle remained quiet for a time, considering her answer, and Xena just waited. Finally the bard took a breath, and moved closer to her. "Not.. I mean.. oh, gods..it's so hard to explain." She knitted her brow. "You smile more." She said quietly. "I used to.. oh.. just wonder what you were thinking a lot of the time.. and.. now I don't wonder.' She paused. "I know.. but I'm not sure if that's something different about you.. or something that's changed in me." She let out a sigh. "Yes, you've changed.. but.. I think it's just that other people are getting to see a side of you that I've been lucky enough to know for quite a while now."

She watched Xena absorb this, and saw the gentle shift of emotions across her face. "Does that bother you?"

Gods know it should… Xena mused, and for a minute, she tried to force a concern that somehow..she just didn't feel. "No… " She felt a smile coming on and just let it happen. "I.. for a while, you know.. I thought I was putting on this.. nice act.. and sooner or later.. you'd all see through it.. and find out… " She stopped. "Anyway.. somewhere along the line.. I realized.. um.."

The bard gave her a smile. "That it's not an act?"

A rueful half grin. "Something like that. yeah."

Gabrielle laughed. "You could have just asked me, you know.. I figured that out a long time ago."

Blue eyes sparkled at her. "Yeah? When? I used to treat you pretty bad, my friend." A spear of honest regret there now.

The bard tucked her hand around Xena's arm. "When you let me convince you to let me stay with you." She glanced down the road, seeing the beginning of the curve that would lead them down by the river, and then home. "Why did you?"

Xena smiled and shook her head. "Damned if I know… " She fell silent. "No.. I guess I do know.. I think it was because I had convinced myself that there wasn't much worth left in me.. and when mother… " She sighed. "It was just confirmation.. when that mob came in, I.. thought I deserved whatever it was they were going to do to me." A room full of hostile faces, and her mother's not the least of them. It had been the final straw piled on a will that had finally, quietly given up the struggle, and bowed to the realization that her debts were about to come home to her. And, wearily, fatalistically, she'd been ready to offer up as payment all she had. It would have been fitting… she'd thought, to have ended it right there.. where it had, really all begun.

And then..into all that anger and hostility had come Gabrielle. Whose eyes had held faith, and belief, and who had offered up to her a friendship she knew she had no business accepting.

Gabrielle turned her head to stare. "Xena, they would have stoned you to death."

Her partner looked straight ahead. " Yeah, I know."

"You would have let them.." A soft whisper.

Xena nodded and swallowed audibly. "Yes." She studied the ground before them and idly kicked a pebble out of her way. "And then.. a relative stranger came in and stood up for me when even my own flesh and blood wouldn't." She reached over and covered the bard's fingers with her own. "So when you asked me to help change your life… how could I say no? You'd already changed mine."

Gabrielle twined her fingers with Xena's and smiled. "I'm glad I was there." She glanced up at her partner's relaxed face. "I must have driven you crazy, though, right? "

Xena shook her head wryly. "No..I drove myself crazy… I had all these arguments as to why I should take you back to Potadeia.. but…you'd just say something or do something.. and they'd just evaporate." She made a little flicking gesture with her free hand. "Just like that.. I had no idea what the Hades was going on with me."

The bard sighed, chuckling a little. "I don't know how many times I'd wake up, and wonder what in the world I was doing.. out there, on the ground.. " She rubbed her thumb against the back of Xena's. "Then I'd just look over at you… and there was no place else I wanted to be." Her lips twitched. "I wondered what the Hades was going on with me, too."

One raised eyebrow. "I guess we know, now."

Gabrielle let out a burst of laughter. "I guess we do."

They smiled at each other, and walked along on in silence.

"Herc?" Iolaus looked up from his position prone on the bed. "Hey, Herc???"

"Ugngh" The grunt wafted over, along with the slight sound of water moving. "Huh?"

Iolaus glanced at the ceiling, and sighed, then rolled over, and got to his feet, padding barefoot over to the large tub and tapping one apparently lifeless arm. "Hey… come on.. don’t' fall asleep in there.. you'll drown or something." Interesting question.. can a demigod drown? Iolaus eyed his companion thoughtfully. Let's not find out. "C'mon.. wake up."

Hercules rolled his head to one side, and pried open an eye to regard his friend. "Wha?? Oh." He blew his wet hair out of his eyes, and dragged himself upright, blinking, and yawning. "Sorry." He levered himself out of the tub and grabbed a linen towel, drying himself off then tying the fabric around his waist and running his hands through his shoulder length hair to start it drying also. "Did I get all the gunk off?" He turned in a circle, then peered back at Iolaus with a questioning expression.

"Ummm… " Iolaus checked twice. "Yeah, looks like you got it all." He walked over to their packs and knelt down, digging in his. "That was some pig, wasn't it?"

Hercules groaned, then glanced up. "Hey.. is that a spider?"

Iolaus came to stand next to him. "Nope.. just a crack in the wood."

The demigod rubbed his eyes. "Could have sworn I saw a spiderweb. Oh well.. " He trudged over to the bed and flopped down on it. "You think Xena'll make it back here on time..or is she deliberately dodging this little party?"

Iolaus laughed, and sat down on the bed next to him. "Ehhh….. no bets from me, big guy." He shook his unruly head. "But… I really don't think she'd deliberately give this a miss.. not with all of us here. They were probably just held up by the weather."

Hercules closed his eyes, but nodded. "Yeah.. you're probably right."

Iolaus hesitated, then picked up something he'd taken from his pack and cleared his throat. "Um…. Herc?"

The demigod opened a lazy eye and peered at him. "What?"

"Well.. it's nothing really… I was just, well, you know how it is, what with all the stuff going on here..and tomorrow's Solstice, and.."

"Iolaus.. get to the point." Hercules laughed. "What's going on?"

"Umm.. well, like I said, tomorrow is Solstice, and we'll be real busy,so… IguessI'lljustgivethistoyounow." He rattled off the last bit, then put a small, wrapped bundle down on Hercules' broad chest. "Here." He sat back and crossed his arms, waiting.

The taller man stared at the bundle, blinking. Then turned his pale blue gaze on Iolaus. "Iolaus, you didn't have to get me anything… "

"Yeah, yeah..I know… but it's all this partying, and preparing… it's contagious." Iolaus waved his hands around. "And I was out with Toris and Granella getting something for Xena for her birthday, and well…"

"Did you?" Hercules asked, fingering the wrapping curiously. "Get her something?"

Iolaus gave him a rakish grin. "Um.. yes."

"Good..good.." The demigod answered absently, as he unwrapped the bundle, and shook out a small leather bag. He raised an eyebrow in inquiry at Iolaus, who nodded. With a slight grin, he untied the laces and opened the neck of the bag, and shook out its contents.

"Oh.. wow..." Hercules turned the silver piece over in his fingers and studied it. It had blue stones of many hues set in the face, all faceted to reflect the light, and interlaced with thin wire filigree, in the shape of a soaring bird. A clasp in the back would allow its use as a pin, or a cloak fastener, and the sight of it brought a warm smile to the demigod's face. "It's fantastic… " He looked up. "Thank you, Iolaus… "

The blond man gave him a satisfied grin. That worked better than I expected…I'll have to take Toris' advice more often. He watched as Hercules got up, cupping the pin in his hand, and walk over to his bag, kneeling down for a minute, then straightening up again.

"As a matter of fact.. it must be contagious, because I picked up something for you, too." Hercules said casually, tossing him a wrapped package.

The item hit him in the chest, surprising him with its weight. "Oh.. uh.." He felt a light blush creeping up his neck and hoped his friend didn't notice. "Hey.. thanks.." Like a kid, he pulled the wrapping off, and blinked. In his hand was a new belt knife, with an intricately tooled leather sheath, and a carved bone handle. "Wow…" His face broke into a broad grin. "Just what I needed!"

The demigod shrugged. "I knew you lost yours during that fight.. figured you needed another one." He pulled out a fresh set of clothes, and put them on, using the linen wrap to towel his hair dry. "Well, let's head on down..I think we earned our dinner today, right?"

"Right." Iolaus answered absently. "Umm… thanks." He looked up with a grin, then joined Hercules at the door, tugging at his belt to add his gift to it as he walked.

"I'm really glad that's over with." Eponin sighed, as she half dropped half fell into the large chair beside the fire in Ephiny's room. "Good Artemis, Eph…I've never seen a pig that huge in my life… that'll feed the entire lot of us for six days." She laughed and lifted her hands, letting them fall against the chair arms with a thump.

Ephiny was tinkering with the small packets and jars on the worktable, and glanced up. "You're right.. listen, Pony.. can you do me a favor?"

The dark haired Amazon was on her feet and at Ephiny's shoulder in an instant. "Sure.. what is it?"

The Amazon regent held up a small jar. "Could you ask Cyrene if she has any more of this?"

Eponin shrugged. "Sure… " She took the jar and turned to go.

"Oh.. and ask her what time the party's going to start tomorrow." Ephiny drummed her fingers on the table. "And..uh.. can you find out what Cait's been up to? I haven't seen her since yesterday, and I'm getting a little worried."

"Right.. sure.. ok." Eponin nodded, then slipped out the door.

Ephiny turned and leaned back against the table, crossing her arms and counting under her breath. At thirty, a soft knock came at the door. "Come." She called, grinning when the door cracked open and Cait's blond head poked in. "C'mon in, Cait."

"Hello." The girl smiled, as she moved all the way into the room. "I''ve got it." She held up a package with a triumphant air. "Is that the one you were thinking of?"

Ephiny took it from her, and smiled. "Exactly the one.. good job, Cait." She examined the fabric with a chuckle. "Everyone should have at least one nice set of clothes, right?"

Cait smiled back. "Yes..and that's super… it'll look ever so nice on her." The girl's eyes twinkled, then sobered. "Oh..look, but I've got some other news.. the outer watch post reported a large bunch of folks headed this way… and they don't look happy."

Ephiny's head snapped up. "What?" She sighed, and carefully folded the brightly colored fabric, tucking it away in the bottom of the clothing press "Gods.. it's always something, isn't it?" She rolled her eyes. "Now what???" Her brow creased. "And where the heck is Xena?" She eyed Cait. "After all this, that woman had better not miss this party."

Shaking her head, she circled Cait's thin shoulders with an arm, and steered her towards the door. "C'mon.. let's go see what's going on."

Toris was standing near the door, his cloak wetly wrapped around his legs and a grim expression on his face. A lightly drenched Jessan was standing next to him, with his fur plastered down against his body.

"Is it raining??" Ephiny asked, as she and Cait came even with them.

Jessan glanced her way. "Not yet.. I was just trying to get all the crud out of my fur." He sniffed. "Excuse me a minute." He walked outside the door and shook himself vigorously, scattering water droplets all over the porch, then he ambled back inside. "That's better."

Ephiny chuckled. "Glad you didn't do that in here."

The forest dweller raised a fuzzy eyebrow. "You think my mother raised me in a tree?" He turned to Toris. "Any further word?"

Toris had his head cocked in a listening attitude. "No.. but a scout's on his way in to give us the details.. I have no idea what this is. Just a big group of mad people headed this way."

Now a crowd was gathering around him, and Cyrene pushed her way through. "What's going on?"

Toris wiped the hair back out of his eyes and shook his head. "Who knows? The outer watch just reported a big group of strangers headed this way, with torches, and weapons, mostly pitchforks and staves and the like."

They all looked at each other. "Headed this way? What did we do?" Johan asked, from behind Cyrene's shoulder. "D'you think this has anything to do with… "

Cyrene gave him a sharp look. "After all these months? Why?" She let out an exasperated sigh. "On Solstice Eve, yet. What gets into people? All right.. we'd better get ready for whatever this is." She gave Johan a grim look. "Josclyn told me that group of people that settled her a week back has been stirring up some trouble..they seem to think we're in some kind of danger from my daughter."

They all looked at her. "I know." Cyrene waved them off. "But they don’t know her."

Johan snorted. "Idiots.. and I bet this is another pack of them.. well, I'll call out the guard."

Hercules held up a hand. "Wait.. maybe we can talk to them… find out what the problem is."

"Great.. you're elected, then…." Cyrene muttered. "They'll listen to you… right?"

A shadow crossed the tall demigod's face. "We’ll see."

They looked out the window, where the wind was whipping the dead branches in fitful starts, and the setting sun was firmly tucked behind heavy clouds. Torches were already being lit around the courtyard, and villagers were beginning to head towards the inn with nervous, but purposeful strides.

Xena, of course, heard the sound first. "Someone's coming." She muttered, cocking her head to listen. She idly played with the cart horse's mane, darting an occasional eye towards the two dimly seen figures standing under a mostly dead tree just off the road. Gabrielle had finally taken the bull by the horns, so to speak, and was talking with Lila.

Hecuba was rummaging in her pack, while Herodotus was leaning against the horse's other side, chewing on a thick piece of bread his wife had handed him. They'd decided to take a short break, before starting the last short distance into Amphipolis, and now Xena straightened up as the sound began to take on a familiar pattern. "Centaur." She muttered. Can't be.. but then, with our usual luck, it probably is.

Out of the gathering gloom on the fork they'd just past, a shadowy figure was slowly resolving, and Xena heard Herodotus stop chewing and let out a soft curse. "Relax." She turned her head and advised him, in an expressionless voice. "He's a friend."

"A friend?" Hecuba peered nervously down the road. "Oh.. my goodness."

Now the trotting Centaur was close enough for Xena to see the slim arms clasping him around his waist, and she felt a warmth start in her gut as she spotted Solon's head slip around his father's shoulder, and peer ahead.

She stepped away from the wagon, and put her hands on her hips, letting a grin cross her face as the Centaur pulled up, and waved, and Solon slipped off his back and bolted for her with a delighted yell.

"Mom!!" He launched himself at her from several feet away and laughed in delight when she snatched him out of mid air and tossed him up, then caught him into a big hug.

Hecuba looked at her husband, who looked back, his half-chewed bread forgotten in his mouth. "Did that child just…" She blurted. Herodotus nodded, then belatedly finished swallowing. "Oh my." The woman muttered.

Xena indulged herself in a long hug of her son before she let him down and extended a forearm to the chuckling Kaleipus. "We meet in the strangest places, eh?"

The centaur laughed. "Nothing surprises me with you anymore, Xena." He returned the clasp, then cocked his head inquiringly at the cautiously watching older pair.

Oh boy. Xena took a breath. "Hecuba, Herodotus, this is Kaleipus.. "She tilted her head towards the centaur, who gave them grave nods. "And this is my son, Solon." The words tasted strange and sweet on her tongue. She put a hand on Solon's shoulder. "Solon, this is Gabrielle's mother and father."

The boy grinned and stepped forward, gravely offering a small hand. "Hello." He took first Hecuba's, then Herodotus's gingerly extended hands and gripped them firmly, then glanced shyly over his shoulder at his mother. "Where's Aunt Gabrielle?"

Xena saw the twin flinches on the bard's parent's faces and sighed inwardly. "She'll be back in a minute, Solon.. she's just over there talking with her sister, Lila." She picked him up again, and settled him against her hip, cradling his body easily in the crook of one arm. "See?"

Solon draped his arms happily around her neck and nodded. "I see. " Then he put his head close to hers. "H'come those people look like they got the colic?"

Xena bit her lip and hugged him. "Well.. it's been a rough few days.. they've been sleeping on the ground, you know how it is." She whispered. Perceptive little rascal, isn't he? "I see you're dressed nice and warm." She grinned at the deep blue woolen tunic that matched his eyes, and hers.

He grinned and hugged her. "Yeah.. thanks… that was a great surprise." He peered over her shoulder. "Oh.. here comes Aunt Gabrielle… hey.. she's lots prettier than her sister."

"Shh." Xena scolded him. "That's not nice." She paused as their eyes met, and quirked an eyebrow.

"Yeah.. but it's true." Her son giggled, bouncing in her arms.

Xena's eyes twinkled. "Go say hello." She let him down, and watched as he broke into a run towards the oncoming bard. She sighed, shaking her head and giving Kaleipus a look.

The centaur held up his hands and shook a finger at her. "Ah..ah..ah.. don’t look at me, Xena." He trotted closer and patted her back. "He's… definitely… your son."

The warrior sighed. "You ever going to forgive me for this, Kaleipus?"

The centaur shrugged. "Depends on how good the party is." He sniffed. "Thanks for the clothing for him, by the way. He outgrows his every few weeks, it seems."

They both realized Hecuba and Herodotus were staring at them. "We ready to go?" Xena asked, blithely ignoring the looks.

"You want some of this?" Gabrielle offered Lila half of her trail bar, watching her sister's tight, closed expression carefully.

"No thanks." Lila answered, making a show of examining the bark of the tree they were standing under. "What's up?"

Gabrielle leaned against the tree, and crossed her arms. "That's my line, right?"

Lila gave her a quick glance. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The bard rolled her eyes and sent a quick prayer to the gods for patience. "Look.. don’t be mad at Xena, all right? It's like this reflex she has… this over protective streak.. we argue about it sometimes."

The dark haired girl snorted, and shook her head. "Bree, I'm your sister. I shouldn't have to worry that someone is going to knock me around if I tease you.. all right? She's real good at that intimidation thing… makes me wonder about the two of you." That was out before she could think about it, and she saw the cold anger respond in Gabrielle's green eyes. "No no..wait.. I didn't mean that." She waved a hand.

"Yes you did." The bard snapped. "It's what you think.. it's what we were brought up with after all, right? That she has me scared of her… so I'll do whatever she wants.. maybe she kicks me around a little.. maybe I like it that way??" Gabrielle's voice dropped into a deep, angry pitch.

"Bree…" Lila put a hesitant hand out.

"Don't call me that." Gabrielle spat back. "I hate it."

They stared at each other, breathing hard. "Gabrielle… " Lila started again, uncertainly. "Gods.. uh...wait." She sat down, and hugged herself. "Look.. no.. I didn't mean that… I really, really didn't.. I know.. your relationship isn't like that.. honest, Br.. Gabrielle, please, believe me… "

Gabrielle stared at the ground, trying to control her anger. Where did that come from? Come on, Gabrielle.. for the gods sake, this is your sister. "Sorry…I'm… Lila, I know you don’t believe that." Slowly, she slid down the trunk of the tree, and wrapped her arms around her upraised knees. "Look.. Xena knows.. I have.. some unresolved issues with.. what happened to me at home. And with dad.. and… " She took a deep breath. "And she.. does feel very protective of me. . sometimes .. that drives me a little crazy" She paused. "But sometimes I like it.. and this morning was one of those times."

Lila stared at her with a quivering lip. "Did you… I was only teasing, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle sighed. "I know you were.. but… " She paused for a long moment. "I'm still trying to get used to us.. and you know it makes mom and dad uncomfortable."

Lila looked at the ground. "I know.. I'm sorry." She sighed. "I wasn't thinking.. I just sort of forgot about that.. I mean, it didn't seem strange to me.. just kind of.. um.. cute."

The bard glanced up at her, with a faint smile. "It's… weird. We decided.. actually, I decided on the way here that I didn't want to have to worry about… acting differently than we normally do." Her expression turned a bit rueful. "But I don’t' want to rub their noses in it."

Her sister picked up a bit of twig, and twirled it in her fingers. "Yeah… Lennat and I have talked about that… we feel kind of uncomfortable doing anything other than holding hands in front of them."

Gabrielle looked up, with a surprised chuckle. "It's not just me, then?"

Lila shook her head. "No.. but they won't snipe at you.. like they do us." Now it was her turn for a rueful smile. "Sometimes the intimidation is a good thing, you know?" She sighed. "It was.. I was more embarrassed than anything else, Br.. Gabrielle." She dropped the twig and dusted her fingers off. "It was like.. I was mad because she was acting like she had a right to get between us.. like she knew you better than I did."

Gabrielle started to speak, then stopped.

Lila gazed at her. "Then I kind of realized.. well, she does." A light shrug. "Maybe I'm jealous of her.. of that."

That.. was probably true, the bard reflected. "You're still my sister, Lila… you know that hasn't changed." She put a hand lightly on the dark haired girl's arm. "That wasn't a serious threat… she just wanted you to stop teasing me.. and sometimes her approach is kind of.. um.. direct."

Lila studied her hands for a minute. "I guess she doesn't do tactful comments, huh?"

Gabrielle's lips quirked. "No…not very well." She admitted. "I kind of do the sensitive chat thing."

"Like now?" Her sister hazarded, a tiny smile beginning to form.

The bard sighed. "Well, I'm not sure how sensitive this has been.. but yeah." She paused, and glanced up. "Can we just start this conversation over?"

Her sister smiled. "Just like we used to?" That was the way fights were ended between them. "Yeah… we'd better, before they come looking for us." She stood, and peered across the windswept ground. "Is that a Centaur?"

Gabrielle jumped up and looked. "It's Kaleipus." She smiled. "C'mon.. let me introduce you to him, and Solon."

"Your stepson." Lila said, straight faced. "Right?"

The bard smiled. "Right."

Cyrene looked nervously out of the window, hearing the beginning sounds of a large number of people approaching. The wind had really picked up, and the torches were fluttering all over the courtyard, and random pieces of debris were rolling across the hard, bare ground. As she watched, the growing glow of approaching firelight appeared from around the bend, then a large, marching group entered the wide, open area.

"All right… let's go see what this is all about." Hercules remarked, and opened the door, moving out onto the porch with Iolaus and the Amazons. The forest dwellers, by common consent, remained comfortably seated inside the inn, sipping ale.

The demigod stood by the porch railing, and waited. Eventually the huge mob ground to a halt, and they observed each other before one large, bearded man stepped forward. Apparently a spokesman.

"Now look here." The man stated, putting his hands on his hips. "We've been suffrin all this winter from bandits of all sorts.. and we know the one place they don't ever go is here." There was a palpable sense of anger rising above the group of people that put Hercules' nerves on edge.

The crowd muttered their agreement. Johan and Cyrene joined the group on the porch, along with Josclyn, who stood quietly near the innkeeper, his dark eyes watchful. Around the peripheries of the crowd, the Amphipolis watch began to form a loose cordon, hands holding worn staves with rough familiarity.

"That's right." Johan cleared his throat. "So what's yer point? We've worked hard to make it that way."

The man snorted. "I don't think so.. in fact, we've figured out your little trick, laddie." He looked around, taking courage from the angry faces around him. "They don't come here, cause ye're giving them a home. And we've come to stop it."

Silence fell, as they all regarded each other. "You're crazy." Johan laughed. "We're not giving any outlaws safe harbor here."

"Don't you lie to us, you bastard." The man snarled, and now the mob moved forward a few paces. "I can see what you've got staying here." He gestured at the warily watching Amazons. "We've had enough… "

Hercules held up a hand. "Hold on here… no one from this village has done anything to you."

The man's already small eyes narrowed, and he casually spat on the ground. "And we've heard about you, too." The crowd moved closer, an angry growl beginning to rise. "My brother's wife got caught in that damned mine."

The demigod paled, and took a shaky breath. Iolaus crossed behind him, and laid a hand on his back in unthinking comfort, his normally open, agile face tightening in to a frozen mask of anger at the words. "Bastard." He growled under his breath, not seeing the quietly startled look from the demigod.

"Come on, let's get this over with." The bearded man turned to the crowd. "We burn this place, we may last the winter out. You with me!"

A huge roar answered him, and he turned and took a step towards the porch, raising his pitchfork.

And found his way barred, and his weapon no longer in his hands, but sailing sideways, to come clattering down on the hard ground not far away. A gentle sigh of relief went through the Amphipolis residents.

The silvery point of a sword rested against his chest, and he looked up, into ice blue eyes that studied him as though he were an insect, in a face that was all planes and angles, framed in a mass of dark hair that whipped about in the wind.

The crowd stopped short, and a silence fell, where they stood frozen, eerie plumes of vapor trailing from their open mouths. Xena had stripped off her tunic, and stood in her leathers and armor, wanting to be sure that there was no mistaking her intent, as the torchlight glanced off her in metallic glints, and bronzed her skin to a deep, burnished glow.

"You know.. " Xena said quietly. "You're lucky you're wrong." She sheathed her sword in one quicksilver motion, and grabbed his tunic, lifting him off his feet in one surge, and tossing him back, to land on his rear with a sodden thump. "What were you gonna do if you were right?"

She stepped forward, the crowd stepped back, an uneasy murmur beginning to rise.

"I'll tell you what you were going to do." She continued. "You were going to die, all of you." She looked at them. "What was the point?" Damn.. that was… idiotic… what's gotten into these people?

"We would.. we should…. We have to…" The man spluttered, a confused look coming onto his face. "They said.."

Xena crouched down next to him, very aware of the ring of still armed, still angry villagers, and feeling the warm security of Gabrielle's watchful gaze at her back. "Who said?" She pinned his eyes with her own, focusing on him.. trusting Gabrielle's solid skills to make sure the crowd didn't take it into their heads to attack her while she was distracted. She felt the gentle displacement of air and the soft whistle of the bard's staff moving and sensed the crowd moving back a step. And smiled.

"Tthhey said.. we'd… it was the only way…" He stammered, looking around him for support.

"Who said?" Xena repeated softly, grabbing his collar and pulling him closer. The torchlight skittered rippling reflections off her body as she moved.

His eyes turned inwards. "I don’t…" A nervous glance. "remember." He finished. "Just.. someone said that this was the place causing all the raids… and.. we'd have to…" He stopped speaking, and rubbed his eyes hard.

Xena let him go, and straightened up in one smooth movement. "Go home." She told the crowd, planting her fists firmly on her hips and giving them all a look. "And just be grateful you got lucky.. and it wasn't true. Whatever.. or whoever.. is causing these raids isn't from here."

Another man edged forward, holding a torch, and a short scythe. "How do we know you're telling the truth?"

Xena just looked at him. "Because if I wasn't, I'd have just ordered my… '" She rolled her eyes and cast a glance over her shoulder. "Army here to just make fertilizer out of you." She slowly stepped back until she bumped into Gabrielle, who grounded her staff, and leaned on it.

"Xena, what the Hades is going on?" The bard whispered fiercely. "These people.. it's like they're infected with anger… I don’t' understand."

"Yeah." The warrior muttered back. "I don't know what's happening, but I think we need to find out." She sighed, as the Amazons joined them at the foot of the stairs, along with a very quiet Hercules and a nervous Iolaus. "Hi." She patted Iolaus' knee lightly. "Glad you guys could make it."

The crowd slowly, grudgingly dispersed, beginning to head back down the road they'd came from, and Josclyn joined them, his hands shaping an argument as he escorted them away.

Cyrene had slipped off the porch once Xena had things in hand, and retrieved Hecuba, Lila and Herodotus, along with Kaleipus and Solon whom she'd spotted at the back of the crowd and urged back to the inn, and now they all met at the stairs. "Come on, all you lot." Cyrene muttered. "Inside.. it's freezing out here." She plucked at Xena's leathers. "And you, put a shirt on, for Hades sake." She glanced down at Solon, who was hanging onto her hand and smiled. "Come on, honey.. I have some cookies for you."

Xena spared her an amusedly tolerant look. "Yes, mother." She turned and motioned for everyone to precede her. "You OK?" She said in an undertone to Hercules as she stepped up even with him on the stairs.

"Yeah." The demigod answered shortly. "Nice timing." He held the door and ushered her into the warmth of the inn, where he was surprised by Xena's letting out a delighted laugh.

"Jess!" The warrior broke into a real smile, and crossed the room, to be engulfed in a massive hug. "Wasn't sure you guys were going to make it."

Jessan squeezed her hard. "Wouldn't have missed it." He whispered in her ear, then released her and held her out at arms length. "Wow.. you look great." His golden eyes twinkled. Ah.. Xena… my friend… what a change I See. "This place has been good for you, huh?"

The warrior gave his chest fur a tug. "It's been a trip, I'll say that." One eyebrow curved up. "How's everything by you?"

He leaned close. "I'm gonna be a daddy." His furry muzzled tickled her ear.

"Oh yeah?" Xena whispered back. "Well, c'mere and let me introduce you to my son."

They both looked at each other and burst out laughing. "Ok..ok.. you win." Jessan admitted cheerfully.

Hugs were exchanged between the rest of the forest dwellers and both Xena and Gabrielle, as the inn's servers bustled around, pushing tables together.

"Lucky." Xena shook her head, then pulled a seat out and put a booted foot up on it as the rest of them settled wearily into chairs. "So.. sorry it took us so long." She apologized. "How's everything been here?"

Ephiny looked at Eponin, then at Hercules, then at Cyrene. "Um.. quiet. Very quiet." Her hazel eyes flicked to Toris. "Right?"

Toris rubbed his nose. "Uh.. yes. Very quiet." He forced a grin. "How about you guys.. nice trip?"

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged glances of their own. "Oh.. yeah.. very peaceful. No problems."

An uneasy silence fell, until Cyrene slapped the table. "Come on, everyone sit down and let's have some dinner. We can talk about all the news later."

It was much later, and Xena was leaning back in her chair, regarding the crowd around her with some bemusement. What a mixture of… people. Her mind speculated quietly. To her right, Gabrielle was leaning against the table, listening to Jessan and Elaini fill her in on what had been going on with the forest dwellers the last few months. To her left, Hercules was listening quietly to a story Eponin was gruffly relating, and casting the occasional glance down the table to where Cyrene was trading news with Gabrielle's parents. Lila was deep in animated conversation with Granella and Toris, and Kaleipus was having a quiet discussion with Ephiny.

She herself had just taken Solon up to a guest room, and put him to bed, after she spotted him valiantly trying to stay awake and listen to the conversation from his seat next to Cait. He had made a token protest until she picked him up and carried him up the stairs, then he snuggled happily into her arms, and wormed a short tale out of her before he consented to be tucked in.

Introducing everyone to everyone else had been… oh gods. She was glad Gabrielle was there, and had taken charge of that, because the constant confusion and din were starting to get to her, and she was content to just sit back, and watch the unforeseen interaction between her friends.. and her family.

Friends and family.. was a time.. She sighed quietly This would have been a pretty empty table. Now, with the impression of Solon's warm body still fresh in her memory, she looked down the table and smiled. Cyrene caught her eye and smiled back, then got up and sauntered around to her chair, leaning against Xena's back and putting her mouth close to her daughter's ear.

"Nice group of friends you have here, dear." She gave her a little pinch. "You could have given me a tad more warning about Jessan and his family, though." She reached across and picked up the ale pitcher, pouring some into Xena's almost empty glass.

The warrior put a hand on her arm. "No more, mother.. I've had more than enough." She'd felt the faint, disconnected buzz starting in the back of her mind as she was finishing her last glass, and had no intention of getting drunk in front of all these potential teasers. That, I'll never live down. She reminded herself, but took a sip of the fresh ale anyway. "And.. sorry about that… we just tend to.. um.. forget how different they are sometimes."

Cyrene patted her shoulder. "I'll cope." Then she paused. "So.. it was a quiet trip?"

Xena felt a prickle of conscience. "Mostly." She glanced up at her mother's face. "We.. pulled some folks out of the river first day.. and.. ran into some raiders, small stuff."

The innkeeper let out a long breath. "Yes.. your river victims showed up here." She gently brushed off Xena's leathers. "I was.. a little concerned… you hadn't gone back to see how they were."

Xena's fogged mind struggled to come up with a good answer. "Um.. we .. got carried downstream a ways.. I guess.. we didn't see them when we walked back up the road." True, all of it. Just not all the truth. "Glad they made it up here safe."

Cyrene squeezed her shoulders, and reached behind her to the service bar, picking up a flaky pastry and putting it down on the plate in front of Xena. "Here.. you deserve it for being such a hero." This in a very low voice.

Xena rolled her eyes. "Mother." She sighed, but couldn't keep a grin from quirking across her mouth.

The innkeeper chuckled, and brushed the top of her dark head with her lips. "I need to go get some sleep." She straightened up. "I'll get Gabrielle's parents and Lila settled, all right?" She moved off, stopping at Hecuba's chair, and leaning close to speak.

"Your mother's very sweet." Hercules said quietly, cupping his big hands around his ale mug, which had been drained quite a few times that night. "Everyone here's been great… I'm glad I got a chance to meet them all."

Xena studied his face carefully. "I'm glad they got a chance to meet you." She replied in a gentle voice, recognizing the anguish evident on the demigod's face. "Herc… listen, I know that jerk upset you."

Pale blue eyes lifted to meet hers. "Upset me? Why should it?" He dropped his gaze back to his mug.

A hand wrapped around his wrist, and tightened. "Hey, try that routine on someone who doesn't know what it feels like OK?"

Grudgingly he looked back at her. "Ok.. " He sighed, and rested his head on one hand. "I'm not sure how to cope with this. I''ve started.. remembering.. what it was like.. what I was like."

Xena winced. "Gods.. " She blew out a breath. "Herc, I'm sorry."

He gazed into her eyes. "How do you stand it?"

She took a breath, then another. "I.. " A shrug. "Sometimes I don't." She fiddled with her own glass, and took a long drink of its contents. "Sometimes.. the past comes up and just… swallows me whole." She slowly shook her head. "The only thing you can do is hang on to the positives." Now she looked up at him. "And you have a whole lot of those, my friend. "

He thought about that for a minute, taking small sips from his glass. "I'm afraid to sleep at night." A quiet admission. "I keep seeing.. things.. I did."

Xena clasped a hand over his in sympathy. "Why don’t you… have you spoken to Iolaus about it? He's your best friend.. maybe it would help.." She broke off as the demigod slowly shook his head. "What?"

"I can't talk to him." Almost a whisper. "Xena..I think.. I may have.. one of the memories…" He turned heartsick eyes to her. "He's got these marks on his back.. and.. he says guards did it.. but.. I have a memory of me looking at.. someone.. with those same marks." His voice broke. "And I made them."

Xena felt her heart speed up, as she tried to figure out what, if anything she could tell him. Damn..I hadn't expected…he never said word one… oh Hades balls. "Herc.. he told me you never touched him." She assured the tawny haired man. "I.. don't think he'd.. I mean, there would be no point in him lying to me." A subtle squeeze on her knee told her Gabrielle was following the conversation and she felt a rush of gratitude for the bard. "And.. even if you did.. he knows that wasn't you."

A long silence, while he turned his gaze inward. "Yeah." He finally said, sighing deeply. "I guess you're right." He paused. "But… I.. don't want to remember that." He hesitated, and almost whispered. "I don't know if I could live with it."

Xena's face tensed in commiseration. Gods.. are there ever things I wish I could just forget… "Do.. do you want me to find out.. I mean.. ?"

He winced. "I.. I think I have to know." He finally got out, giving her a grateful look.

The warrior nodded quietly. "All right.. we'll get this sorted out." She put reassurance in her voice. "In the meantime.. just relax… it'll work out, Herc."

That, finally, got a hint of a smile on his handsome face. "Or else, huh?" He squeezed her fingers. "Thanks for inviting me.. it's been.. really nice just being here with all the friendly faces." He cocked his head. "And that's a great kid you got there." Now he really smiled. "He looks just like you."

Xena chuckled a little, relieved, and ducked her head. "Thanks." She finished off her ale. "Watch out for him though.. he's got a mean sense of humor."

"Really?" The demigod asked, with a quiet grin.

The warrior gave him a raised eyebrow. "Imagine me at twelve."

"Ooooo.." Hercules laughed gently. "Warning taken."

They looked at each other. "Well, I think it's time we wrapped this up." Xena said, gazing down the table, where most of the occupants were obviously trying to stay awake. "Hey… go to sleep, all of you." She ordered in a crisp tone.

A hand circled her wrist, and she glanced to her right, to see Gabrielle's mist green eyes pinned on her. "You too." The bard warned, in a quiet voice.

"Only if you join me." Xena replied, watching the blush travel up her partner's face with an affectionate look.

"Someone's got to make sure you make it back there all right." Gabrielle laughed. "I think you're..''"

Xena put her fingers over the bard's mouth. "Shh." She glanced around. "Don’t say it." Slowly she removed her hand, and the bard gave her a look.

"Why not?" Gabrielle whispered.

Xena propped her chin up on one hand. "Because if you do, then the Amazons are going to start something, and I'll have to do something stupid like win a knife throwing contest to prove I'm not."

Gabrielle chewed her lip. "Good point." She gave Hercules a smile, and he started laughing. "All right.. come on everyone.. bed time."

Xena stepped outside into the cold, wet air, letting the icy fingers shock her into a semblance of alertness, and clear some of the alcohol fog from her brain. Several deep breaths, and she felt her senses settle into a more normal range, as she waited for Gabrielle to finish one last exchange of plans with Ephiny, and join her for the short walk to their cabin. The bard stepped up next to her, and tucked a hand firmly into the crook of her elbow as they started to move.

"That was really nice.. I can't believe we have all of them here in one place, Xena." The bard kept an eye on her partner, relieved when Xena showed very little signs of the ale she'd been drinking all night. "Did you have a good time?" This with a teasing grin.

Xena wrapped an arm around her shoulders and smiled. "Yeah.. except I'm kind of worried about Herc."

Gabrielle pursed her lips. "Hmm.. yeah, I was listening.. what are you going to do?"

"Wait until tomorrow, when I can think straight." Xena confessed, giving her a relaxed grin. "I shouldn't have had that last glass."

The bard giggled. "So you are drunk." She wound her arm around Xena's waist.

The warrior waggled a hand. "Not… well, let's just hope Pony doesn't decide to try an ambush tonight." She chuckled softly. "One of us is going to regret it."

"Ahh.. no chance of that" The bard smirked. "She doesn't leave Ephiny's side."

They exchanged significant glances. "Oh.. really?" Xena grinned. "Well, they have been busy…haven't they? Gran's attached herself to Toris, or didn't you notice?"

Gabrielle led her up the porch to their cabin and opened the door. "You know, we really shouldn't be indulging in gossip." She stated. "But… " She slid around and waggled her eyebrows at Xena. "Did you see that nifty pin Herc was wearing?"

Xena let herself collapse on the bed, and cocked her head. "Yeaaaahhh…" She drew out the word as she let Ares greet her enthusiastically. "Hey.. Ares.. take it easy.. "

Gabrielle slid onto her side next to her, and propped her head up on one hand. "Solstice gift.. from.. " She paused dramatically. "Iolaus."

The warrior considered this, and gave her a half grin. "Doesn’t mean anything." She sniffed. "Ummm…. Maybe he just likes blue." Her eyes danced.

"Mmmm… " Gabrielle lifted a hand to brush the tangled dark hair from her partner's forehead. "I don't know about him.. but I think it's become my favorite color."

Xena trailed a fingertip across the bard's cheekbone. "Funny..I prefer green, myself." She replied lazily, then shook her head. "Gods.. I gotta get up and get out of this armor before I pass out." Rolling over, she pushed her body upright, and got to her feet, reaching for the buckles and unsnapping them with practiced hands.

"Here…" Gabrielle stood and padded over, followed by a curious Ares. "Let me help." She unlaced a bracer while her partner lifted the heavy chest armor off, and laid it gently on the worktable.

"Gotta make some adjustments on that." Xena remarked idly, while working off an upper arm protector as the bard set upon the other bracer. She waited until Gabrielle was finished, then sat down and started unbuckling the leg armor, feeling the familiar scrape of the worn leather straps against the iron buckles as the heavy pieces came free, lifting the familiar weight off her legs.

She put the pieces next to the chest piece on the table, then started unlacing her boots, looking up as Gabrielle wandered over and draped a clean scented linen shift over her shoulder, and slid her arms around Xena's neck, working the laces on the top of her leathers. "Glad we're home" She mumbled into the warrior's nearby ear. "It just started… either raining ice or snowing, I can't tell."

Xena finished pulling off her boots, and stood, pulling her now loosened leathers off and laying them over the chair, then doing the same with her undershift.

Gabrielle sucked in a breath, and traced her fingers gently over an ugly bruise between her partner's shoulder blades. "Xena… damn.. why didn't you tell me you got hurt?" I thought.. we were past that already. Guess not.

The warrior blinked, and looked over her shoulder in puzzlement. "I don't… oh, Hades.. that pike hit. Yeah.. I forgot." She flexed her back and winced. "Thought I was just stiff… didn't realize… sorry."

The bard slid her hands over the smooth skin, then bent forward and kissed the spot, "You gotta duck faster, love." She laid her cheek against Xena's back and let her hands slip around to circle her waist in a hug, then released her with a gentle pat.

Xena pulled the clean sleep shirt over her head and sighed as the fragrant fabric settled over her body. "You'd think I'd have learned that by now." She gave the bard a wry look, and watched as the smaller woman changed into her own shirt. Or to be more precise, another one of Xena's. It brought a somewhat silly smile to her face, and she had to work to wipe it off before the bard turned around.

Then she decided she really didn't care, and just left it there, accepting the responding giggle she got in return. "Oh.. yeah." She remembered one detail she'd been meaning to take care of. "Uhm.. m tomorrow's going to be a pretty busy day."

Gabrielle poured two large glasses of water and handed one to Xena. "Here… you're always telling me to drink water."

Xena accepted the glass, and took a long swallow. "Thanks." She studied the liquid. "Anyway, um.. " She walked over to the small chest on the linen press and tugged out the bottom drawer, pulling out a piece of parchment and looking at it. "I know.. I mean, I'd like to give this to you now, because.. well, tomorrow's gonna be kind of busy, and…" Running out of words, she simply shut up, and handed Gabrielle the folded parchment. "Solstice gift."

Gabrielle gingerly took it from her, and watched as Xena wandered over to the bed and sat down, leaning back against the headboard and waiting, her long hands folded quietly on her stomach. Slowly, the bard unfolded the parchment and read it, having to go back and reread it three times before the meaning began to sink in. She looked up. "Xena? This is from the Academy" She paused. "In Athens." She ran a finger over the ornate seals on the bottom.

A slight nod. "I know."

To the most excellent bard, Gabrielle, (it said)

This is to advise and confirm to you that your original story scrolls, submitted to this institution, have been accepted and approved for both teaching texts, and for distribution as part of the curriculum of the Academy of Bards, in Athens.

We wish to inform you that we are very pleased, and honored that you have chosen to submit the texts to us, and hope fervently that you continue to do so. Please understand that you will be given full, and complete credit for these stories no matter where they might be related.

Congratulations on your fine work, and may the Muses always smile upon your talent.

Gabrielle slowly walked over, as if in a daze, and sat down next to her partner on the bed. "Xena?"

"Yes?" The warrior gazed at her.

"My stories?" The bard's voice was no more than a whisper.

"Yes." Xena confirmed. "I thought.. well, I wanted to get you something kind of.. " She paused. "Having your name be passed down through the ages.. well, that seemed like a good thing to get for.. you.. it's a kind of.. um.. immortality, I guess, and I thought.. uh…"

"Xena?" The bard interrupted her.

"Huh?" The warrior peeked at her, wistfully. "You're not mad, are you?"

Green eyes met hers, brimming with tears. "How?" She managed to blurt.

Xena relaxed a little. "Oh.. well, it was.. all I had to do was get copies made.. so.. I did, and then.. just get someone to go to Athens, and I did that..wasn't much." She paused. "Really." She took a breath. "I mean..I've got some other stuff for you.. but I kind of wanted to give this to you while we were alone.. I wasn't sure how you were going to react so.. oh."

The bard had carefully put the parchment aside and launched herself at her partner, catching her in a bear hug and burying her face into Xena's chest. "Guess I did ok, huh?" Xena grinned at Ares, who wagged his tail back. She felt a bubbling buoyancy fill her, as Gabrielle's mixed tears and delighted laughter fell on her ears and she squeezed Xena's ribs so hard the warrior could swear she heard them creak.

It took a long time before Gabrielle finally lifted her face and gazed up at her smiling partner. 'Thank you." She said, simply.

Xena grinned happily at her. "You're welcome." She stroked the bard's face gently, and tugged the covers up over both of them. "C'mon.. we've got a big day tomorrow."

Gabrielle studied her. "Is it after midnight?:

The warrior cocked her head slightly, puzzled. "Mmmm…yes."

That got a slight nod from the bard, as she slid up and wrapped her fingers in Xena's dark hair, pulling her partner's head down and kissing her, letting long candlelit moments pass as she felt their connection wash over them.

"What was that for?" Xena asked softly as they took a second to breathe.

"Your birthday." The bard answered, starting on the warrior's left earlobe and working down, giving her tiny nibbles. "I'm gonna make sure it's the best one ever."

Xena felt her fatigue vanish instantly, as her body responded to the bard's familiar, gentle touch. She let her hands slip under Gabrielle's shirt, and felt the bard's breathing change as slid her fingertips up her ribcage. "It already is." She breathed into the nearby ear. "I love you."

She felt the sudden warm moisture of Gabrielle's tears against her cheek, and smiled, as she removed the rest of them, glittering in the candlelight against her lashes. "Always getting me wet for saying that… huh?"

That got a gentle, half sob, half laugh from the bard, as Xena reached out and doused the candle, leaving them in shadowy darkness, with only the fire's deep glow to cut the night.

Continued in Part 6

Return to Part 4

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The Longest Night - Part 6

Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

"Ma'am, it's snowing out.' Eustase fluttered over her shoulder, as Cyrene finished tying the strings on the last package in a small pile next to her on the table.

"Thanks for the weather bulletin, 'Stase. " Cyrene muttered absently, as she gathered the bundles into a basket, and crossed an item off the list she had on the table. "I appreciate it."

"But.. ma'am.. surely you're not going out in this weather?" The cook protested. "The sun's not even up yet."

Cyrene looked up. "Of course I am. " The innkeeper gave her a look. "Great Hera's undershorts, Eustase, I'm just going across the courtyard.. I'll be right back." She got up and wrapped her cloak around her, pulling the hood up, and fastening the clasp. "I haven't had a chance to do this for Solstice in far too long.. I've already dropped off Toris', and Solon's.. I'm just going to bring over my daughters.. and I'll be right back."

She picked up the basket, and edged out the door, raising an arm against the whipping snow, and forcing a determined way towards the cabin, whose dim outlines she could barely see in the faint light reflecting off the snow covered ground. She moved along carefully, mindful of the ice patches, until she gained the relative security of the cabin's porch. Great Hera's undershorts indeed.. her mind marveled. Glad everyone 's here.. it's a perfect day to stay inside and have one, big, all day, warm party. And what a coincidence.. that's exactly what we're going to do. She chuckled softly, thinking of the pit they'd already loaded with pig and sealed before dawn.

She pushed open the door, and slipped inside, closing it after her carefully, and put her basket down on the small table, where she ran her fingers lightly over the gleaming armor before glancing up towards the bed, which was very dimly lit by the dull red glow of the fire, and the first pale indications of the coming dawn. Ares was sprawled across the foot of the bed, his dark head resting on his paws, his eyes a glint of light as he watched her. His tail stirred lightly, but he remained still, as she moved a little closer, and studied the other occupants of the bed with a warm smile.

Seeing her daughter's peaceful face, the strong features relaxed in sleep, with Gabrielle's fair head tucked against her shoulder. The faintest of smiles on both faces that brought a fond echo to Cyrene's own.

So unlike that last Solstice before Cortese. Cyrene sighed in memory, dredging up a quiet image of gently entering her young daughter's room, to find her huddled, sleepless and silent in the pre dawn darkness.

There had been, she knew, no way to warn Xena of the dangers of the heart.. what would one say? Not to trust? Not to let your heart open up to another? She could have said, she supposed.. but.. that was a risk everyone took, and most learned, after a while, to guard themselves more closely or endure the pain of it.

Xena's problem had been that she'd believed others would do as she did, to trust in all honesty and completeness, with no thought to deceive.

It had been.. hard on her to find out how quickly an offered hand of friendship could turn to a mocking slap, a warm smile become a jeer, and her first venture into love had been thrown back into her face as nothing but a dare taken.. a bet won by a lad put up to it by his mates to see if the girl none of them could beat in the youthful sparring lists could be won over another way.

Lyceus, of course, in his adolescent ardor had bristled and half run out of the house when he'd heard.. intent on extracting a price for the hurting of his precious sister. But Xena had stopped him, a strong hand gripping his sleeve and her voice quietly toneless. "I took care of that." And had just let him go, and gone to her room, curling up under the covers and shutting them all out.

Now she'd gone to the bed, setting down her little bundles, and sat on its edge, gently stroking the soft, dark hair back out of those pale, bleak eyes. "Honey, it won't always be like that." She'd told her, gently. "You'll see."

But Xena had shook her head, minutely, with a child's absolute determination. "Never do that again."

And for that disillusionment in her daughter's eyes, Cyrene could have gone out and killed that damn kid herself. And knowing how the girl was hurting had made what happened after much worse.. seeing the coldness settle over those eyes, and her good nature turn to anger, and ruthless savagery…

Cyrene sighed, and let the image evaporate, replacing it with what she saw before her now, that young girl who had somehow.. reached back inside herself and opened a door long closed, taking a fearful risk on the off chance that what Cyrene had said might possibly be true. And it had been true, thanks to the Fates, and Gabrielle.

After a silent moment, she turned, and gently opened the basket, setting out its contents on the table quickly, then closed it again empty, and moved towards the door, stopping with her hand on the surface to turn and look back, committing the sight to her memory. Then she smiled, and slipped out the door, back out into the cold of an early Solstice morning.

Iolaus reluctantly allowed the real world to intrude on his mostly pleasant dreaming as he sensed morning approaching. He became lazily aware of his surroundings, the pleasant soft popping of the banked fire, the clean, comfortable blankets tucked around his nice warm body, the faint patter of snow hitting the glazed window.. Hercules' fingers wrapped firmly around his upper …

Pale eyes popped open so fast the room spun, as Iolaus felt his heart almost come out of his ears in its haste to get blood to his brain. Cautiously, he rolled his head to the left, and blinked at the tawny hair tucked against his shoulder in a vague sense of panicked shock.

Breathe. He sternly instructed himself. He was drunk or dreaming, it's nothing. Just calm down. Breathe. That's it…in, out, in, out….ok. Slowly his racing pulse settled, and he took a second look. Ok.. ok.. it's no big deal… he just rolled over in his sleep and grabbed onto something by reflex.. it's just my arm. Nothing exciting here… move along, move along, that's better.

Ok. Now he stared up at the ceiling, and considered his options. He could.. move, and wake Hercules up, which would cause a scene and embarrass his friend a lot. He could..gently wake the demigod up.. and have the same effect. Or he could.. just go back to sleep and pretend nothing happened. When Hercules woke up, he'd extract himself with a minimum of embarrassment to both of them.

He studied the tense, exhausted look on the demigod's face, and sighed, wishing there was something he could do for Hercules.. but the man wouldn't even talk to him about what was bothering him.. he'd hoped maybe Xena… well, he'd seen them talking last night, and Herc seemed a little more cheerful after that so…

Go back to sleep.. That seemed… Iolaus considered. to be the best possible solution. He let his eyes slide shut as his body started to relax again, soaking in the warmth from his companions larger body in idle pleasure. Well, this seems harmless enough.. his mind muzzily decided, as he fell back into a light doze.

Xena was vaguely aware that she was dreaming, in an odd, and off center kind of way when the fluffy stuffed animal she was holding started to talk to her. She listened to it for a minute, but it was only reciting a recipe for sausage, lamb sausage, which seemed pretty dumb to her since it was a stuffed lamb that was talking.

She put it down, and wandered around in her dream, chasing a few ducks, which incongruously were wearing scarves, and finally sitting down in a pile of flower petals, which wafted up and half covered her with their fragrant softness. She laid back, and let the warm sun soak into her, hardly realizing it when the dream drifted into reality, and the warmth of the sun was replaced by the warmth of the fire in their cabin, and the flower's softness eased into the gentle pressure of Gabrielle's lips on hers.

She opened her eyes, and gazed right up into mist green pools looking back down at her, and smiled in pure reflex. "Hey." She cleared her throat gently, blinking sleepily at her partner. What a nice way to wake up.. "Morning…"

Gabrielle smiled back, and kissed her again. "Happy birthday.. happy Solstice." She replied, as she leaned back and propped herself up on an elbow, studying her, then cast a glance over her shoulder at the window. "You won't believe the weather."

Xena tilted her head and regarded the window, then slowly raised her body up and peered outside. "Good." She grunted, and let herself back down again, pulling the bard closer. "If that's the worst thing that happens to day, I'll take it." She felt a dreamy lassitude nibbling at her, and relaxed into it, enjoying the simple sensations of the bed's warmth, and her partner's presence.

Gabrielle's eyebrows curled up, as she snuggled closer and slid her hands over Xena's relaxed body, running sensitive fingertips over the faint scars across her ribs. "You think something bad's gonna happen?" She tickled the warrior's belly button gently, and saw the brief grin that crossed her face, which she echoed on her own.

The warrior shrugged. "With our usual luck… sure." She chuckled. "I'll take a snowstorm.. what about you?"

The bard nibbled her collarbone. "Mmmm… good point." She glanced up, then her brow creased ."Xena?"

"Hmm?" Came the lazy answer. Gods..I need to get moving here… c'mon now.. She forced her eyes open and turned her head towards Gabrielle, admiring the firelight's twinkling refection on her face.

"What's that on the table?" The bard's eyes went in that direction, and she edged up onto an elbow again. "Wasn't there last night."

Xena blinked, then looked, then blinked again. "Um." She sat up, then swung her legs off the bed and stood, walking over to the table and putting her hands on it, studying its contents. "Um."

Gabrielle joined her, rubbing her cheek against Xena's upper arm and sliding a hand across her back. "You said that already." She commented. What's up with this?

The warrior gently touched the packages, and sighed. "I don’t… oh damn.. I haven't… " She sat down on the chair next to the table, and rested her forearms on it. "She used to do this for us when we were little." She looked up at Gabrielle, who had taken the seat next to her, and was examining the small piles with interest. "It's.. they're just little things.. frivolous stuff… a bag of nuts, a little toy.. that kind of thing. We used to wake up on Solstice morning and have these on the ends of our beds." And she got these in here without me knowing.. damn. I must have been drunker than I thought. She looked accusingly at Ares. "Not even a growl?"

The wolf wagged his tail, and nuzzled her elbow, begging for a treat. Xena sighed and scratched his ears. "You're getting to be as lazy as I am, boy." She gave Gabrielle a faintly sheepish look. 'Mom must have brought these in this morning."

The bard laughed in delight. "That's really sweet." She touched the packages with a fingertip. "We never did that." Her smile slowly faded. "We didn't do much.. for Solstice." Her eyes dropped to the ground. "We'd.. kind of get up, and.. get.. oh, judged, I guess. If we'd been good, we got something, if not… " She shrugged. "I didn't get many presents."

Except that last Solstice.. the one before she'd met Xena. He thought he'd broken her that year.. she hadn't told anyone a story since before Spring, and she'd kept to her assigned routine. Cleaning. Helping. Speaking when spoken to.

She'd gotten up that morning and gotten dressed, before anyone else was up, and sat quietly in the front room, looking out the window at the fitfully blowing trees on that gray Solstice morning. Feeling as gray as the clouds overhead.

But she'd gotten presents… new skirts, and shoes.. an apron.. some ribbons for her hair. She'd thanked him carefully, tucking them away, and sitting in quiet stillness, looking at the floor. And later, after he'd gone to the inn, Lila had crept up next to her where she'd sat on her bed in their room, and begged her in a whisper for a story.

And none had come to her.

She'd just felt.. empty.

Xena took her hand in her own and rubbed it gently. "I think that's about to change, love." She smiled at her partner. "Why don't you start on these while I get some water on? I think.. " She peeked inside the basket on the table. "Uh huh.. mom also brought some goodies." She pulled a muffin out of the basket and offered it to the bard.

Gabrielle's face slowly eased back into a smile, and she took the muffin, nibbling an edge. "You're on." She leaned back in the chair, and pulled her legs up, crossing them and piling the small bundles with her name on the into her lap. Xena set the water pot on, then lifted a shawl from the linen press and tucked it around Gabrielle's shoulders, as she joined her partner in opening the little presents.

A gentle chuckle. "Oh.. Xena look. " Gabrielle held up a tiny squirrel grasping a quill. "It's sooo cute.."

Xena examined the stuffed toy with interest. "Hey… it kind of looks like you." She teased, then held up her own toy, a fierce looking rabbit holding a miniature sword. She set the rabbit down next to the squirrel, and they both laughed at the sight. "Gods." Xena sighed. "I guess that's us, huh?" She stood and poured the now boiling water over the herbs she'd set into two large mugs, and stirred them, while Gabrielle continued her exploration, munching on a muffin with one hand and unwrapping with the other.

She sat back down, setting the bard's tea down on the table, and just watched her for a while, fingering the packages on her lap, but really preferring to enjoy Gabrielle's delight. The bundles were, as she'd remembered, little frivolous things, bags of roasted nuts that had been rolled in honey and spices, carved bone buttons, the stuffed toys… and then Gabrielle unwrapped a tiny bag, which she opened, and emptied out onto her palm.

It was a small brass key. The bard's brow creased. "I don't… Xena, what do you think this is for?" She looked up, into a pair of warm blue eyes, which dipped to gaze at an item in the palm of Xena's hand.

"I think it's for this." The warrior quietly replied, holding out the tiny brass heart shaped lock. She watched as Gabrielle gently inserted the key, and the lock sprang open.

They looked at each other. "I guess that about says everything,." Xena said, with a little smile, as she took the key back out and handed it to the bard. "C'mon.. let's get dressed and get over there.. everyone must be up by now."

Gabrielle nodded, then took the key, and carefully unfastened her silver necklace, stringing the key onto it and refastening it around her neck. Xena grinned, and did the same with her tiny lock, then stood and held out a hand to her partner. "Shall we?"

"Mmm…" Gabrielle allowed herself to be hauled up. "We'd better… all those guys trapped inside that one small inn… this could get crazy." Then she stepped forward, and threw her arms around her partner, squeezing as hard as she could. "This is going to be the best Solstice ever."

"It's snowing." Eponin announced, as she gazed out the window in Ephiny's room.

"Mmhmm." The regent agreed solemnly, as she buttered a muffin, then drizzled a little honey on it and handed it to the dark haired Amazon. "Here."

"Thanks." Eponin sighed, as she returned her gaze moodily to the window. "I wanted to get out for a run… looks like I'd freeze solid trying, though."

"That'd be a bad idea." Ephiny commented, walking up behind her and studying the window. Let's see.. I've about had enough of this adolescent flirting. Time to put my Regent's dinars where my mouth is. "You'd look really dumb frozen, Pony. We'd have to thaw you out, and that could get ugly."

The weapon's master laughed softly. "Yeah, you're probably right.. I just get antsy stuck indoors all the time." She nibbled on the muffin thoughtfully.

"Hmm… " Ephiny leaned against the wall, moving her body closer. "I think you need to develop a hobby, Pony."

The nibbling stopped, and wary caramel eyes were regarding her. "Yeah? You mean like… carving.. or something?" Another nibble, and a swallow. "Or cards?"

Ephiny moved closer, and saw the flutter at the dark haired Amazons' pulse point. And grinned. Now or never.. hope I'm not wrong about this. "Nah..I was thinking something more along these lines." She leaned over and kissed her gently, enjoying the subtle taste of honey still on her lips from the muffin.

Then had to lunge forward and catch Eponin, as her legs gave out and she headed towards the floor. They ended up in a heap, with Ephiny laughing. "Well.. I gotta tell you.. that's certainly never happened before." She commented wryly, studying the newly pale face in front of her. "Hey.. you ok? I didn't meant to.. "

Eponin's face flushed, and she ducked her head, mumbling something incoherent as she struggled to sit up. "I… uh… " She stammered, refusing to meet Ephiny's eyes.

"Hey.." The regent cupped her face with one hand. "It's ok… listen, I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."

Eponin stopped struggling for a minute, then glanced up, meeting Ephiny's eyes shyly. "I'm not." She waved a hand. "You.. just caught me by surprise.. that's all."

"Oh yeah." The regent chuckled softly. "I forgot.. you hate surprises." She reached up and rubbed the back of Eponin's neck, and smiled as she felt the dark haired woman's body shift. "Now that you've been warned.. and since we're already on the floor, wanna try that again?"

Eponin's hand slid up her arm for an answer, and she ducked back down, tangling dark hair in her fingers and pulling the other Amazon closer, and this time Eponin responded enthusiastically. Ephiny had no idea how much time had gone by before they paused, curled up with each other on the soft rug near the fire.

"Think you were right about that hobby." Eponin muttered.

"Glad you think so." Ephiny breathed in response, as she stretched out onto her side, and ran her fingers down Eponin's ribcage. "I think I'll take it up too."

Xena pulled the cloak around her and headed into the snowfall, one arm tucked around Gabrielle's woolen clad form, the other shielding her eyes against the wet snowflakes. Ares trotted ahead of her, sneezing as the snow landed on his nose, and shaking his fur rapidly to rid it of its covering.

"Hold up." Xena steered her partner over to where she'd spotted a small group clustered around an area in the back of the kitchen. "What's going on?" She poked her head forward. "Mother?"

"Just checking the pig, dear." Cyrene idly tossed a wad of snow at her daughter's face, unsurprised when it was deflected neatly away by a casual swipe of one hand.

Xena peered down at the half-uncovered pit in the ground curiously, and exchanged a bewildered look with Gabrielle, who shrugged under her heavy cloak. "Uh… mom.. that's a hole in the ground."

Cyrene crossed over to her, and stood in the convenient shelter of her tall form. "Yes, I know.. and in that hole is a pig, on top of a long smoldering fire, stuffed with all the dried fruits I could scrounge, and wrapped in wet straw."

"Oh." The warrior gave a surprised chuckle. "And by the way.. " She enveloped her mother in a hug. "Thanks for the stuff."

Cyrene smiled against the thick fabric of Xena's cloak. "Brought back good memories.. " She released her daughter and was immediately enveloped in a second hug from Gabrielle. "Hey, cutie.. did you like the squirrel?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yep… I loved everything… that was really nice." She sighed happily. "How are things going in there?"

Cyrene pursed her lips. "Well… I've got two additional helpers… your mother, and Jessan's mother, who is very nice." She eyed them. "She's been telling me some very interesting stories."

Blue and green eyes met. "Oh no." They muttered in concert.

The innkeeper put a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. "Honey, I don't think your mother is quite.. um… as used to the kind of things you girls get involved in as I am."

"Um… no.. no.. she's.. pretty sheltered." Gabrielle winced. "Whoops.. I forgot about that."

Xena slung an arm around her and pulled her close. "Well, look at it this way." She let her head rest against the bards. "After this party.. you probably won't have to worry about it."

"Mph." Gabrielle backhanded her in the stomach. "Thanks." She sighed. "C'mon.. let's go inside.. I'm freezing."

The warrior immediately enveloped her in her cloak, wrapping her securely in fabric, and bringing their bodies into contact. "Better?" She inquired, ignoring her mother's smirk. "Everyone up?" She directed the question to the innkeeper.

Cyrene studied them with an affectionate look. "Well, no.. actually… you're some of the first, as a matter of fact." She tugged her own cloak close, and steered them towards the kitchen door. "I was kind of surprised… I guess everyone's sleeping in today.. must still be tired after all the trouble the past few days."

Xena held the door open, and exchanged a wry glance with her partner. "Um.. trouble? Fill me in.. we haven't had a chance to catch up on the.. uh.. news yet." She glanced up and gave Hecuba an nod, and smiled at Wennid, who was slicing vegetables into unlikely shapes with a wry smile on her face.

"They haven't told you about the pig pit then?" Wennid asked, casually, flicking a bit of root into a pot of water next to her. "Mmm…. "

Hecuba perked up. "Pig pit? I haven't heard about that either."

Xena shed her cloak, and relieved Gabrielle of hers, as the bard joined the two women at the table and picked up a bit of carrot, chewing on it thoughtfully. "No.. haven't heard that yet… I hear our guests are sleeping in today.. must be the weather." The fair haired woman commented, brushing a bit of remaining moisture off her rich green woven shirt.

Significant glances all round. "Who's still in bed?" Xena casually asked, poking her head out the door into the dining area and counting heads. "Hmm.. Herc and Iolaus.. Ephiny and Eponin.. and Toris and Granella." Her lips twitched, as she spotted Kaleipus deep in conversation with Herodotus and Lestan in the corner, and Cait entertaining her son with.. Her eyes strained. Hmm. A trap laying lesson. Oh well.

She turned her attention back to the kitchen table where there were smirks all round, and raised her eyebrows. "C'mon, folks.. it's a great day for sleeping in.. the weather, we had a late night last night…" She made a show of straightening the cuffs on the burgundy tunic she was wearing.

They all looked at her with wry expressions.

Xena shook her head with mock severity. "Such minds we got here… I had purer thoughts around me when I was leading my army." Been a long time since I could joke about that.. But she saw only an indulgent expression on her mother's face, and a muffled grin from her partner.

Wennid snorted softly. "Do you want to hear about the pig pit or not?" She scraped a carrot into little curls, and set them into a bowl of water.

Xena leaned back against the counter, and crossed her legs at the ankle, picking up a muffin and nibbling at it. "Love to."

"Where are you off to?" The question surprised Jessan, who was just tying the laces up on his thick woolens shirt. He turned and glanced down.

"Oh.. hi Iolaus." The forest dweller's brow creased. What was up with him? "Um.. I was going out to check the horses.. why?"

"I'll join you." The blond man stated, with a nervous nod. "Let's go."

"Uh.. sure.. " Jessan said, gesturing him down the stairs. "Uh.. are you .. um.. sure? I mean, it's snowing pretty hard out there.. uh…it's kind of deep in some places.."

Pale eyes glared at him. "You saying I'm short?" Iolaus growled.

Jessan widened his eyes. Boy does he look hot and bothered. "Uh.. no! No.. um.. not at all.. well, most humans seem that way to me, y'know.. I mean, here I am, right? Seven feet tall…" He peered at Iolaus' face. "You feeling OK?"

Iolaus took a deep breath, feeling a strong flush still going through him. "I'm .. fine.. " A warm thought skittered down his spine seductively. "Just need some fresh air." Going back to sleep had been.. a bad idea. He shivered.

"Ah." Jessan half closed his eyes, and extended his Sight, then quirked a furry eyebrow and smothered a grin. "Sure… no problem, Iolaus.. let's go." He clapped the smaller man on the back, and steered him out the door and down the steps, ducking his head against the snowfall.

They plodded along in silence until they reached the barn, and slipped inside, and Jessan smiled as his nose was assaulted by the warm smells of hay and horses. "Hey guys.."

Eris whickered, and picked his head up to snort at the two humans, then hung his neck back over the stall partition and nibbled at Argo's wheat colored mane.

Iolaus rubbed his hands briskly, and laid them onto the rough wood of the stall. "They know each other" He asked Jessan, more relaxed now.

The forest dweller patted the black stallion affectionately. "Yep.. Xena bred her to Eris when she came into season last. " He ruffled the stallion's mane. "So they're an item… " Then his eyes took on an amused glint. "Lot of that going on around here, I noticed."

Iolaus gave him a cold stare. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Innocently blinking golden eyes faced him. "Um… nothing.. well, you know I noticed Xena's brother and that Amazon… and those other two Amazons.. it's kind of cute." He grinned, showing the tips of his fangs.

"Oh. Right." Iolaus laughed in relief. "Yeah, they do make nice couples… " An awkward pause settled. "Um.. so, how long have you known Xena and Gabrielle?" He settled himself on a hay bale, and chewed on a bit of it.

Jessan set to work feeding the horses. "Well, not that long, actually. We kind of met by accident."

Iolaus relaxed further. "That happens a lot." He nodded. "They get around."

The forest dweller smiled unseen. "Yeah..so I hear. Anyway, I got myself into a little bit of trouble and Xena happened along and got me out of it.. "

A soft snort from the blond man. "That happens a lot us, too."

Jessan glanced at him. "I've heard that, also." He settled some grain into a bucket for Eris and Argo to share, then went on to his father's horse. "They ended up visiting us a few times… and we all just got to be friends." How's that for the short version?

Iolaus nodded quietly. "We heard about Cirron." He kicked his boots against the haybale, then jumped off of it and walked to the hayrack. "Here.. let me give you a hand with that." He lifted some hay up and walked over, settling it in the manger, the repeated the act for the next stall.

Before he knew it, he was talking, telling the forest dweller the whole of what happened in the mine, to a silent audience who padded about the barn, listening but not interrupting. "That's.. what that comment was about yesterday.. " He finally wound down, as he sighed, and stroked Argo's smooth sides. "I know it's killing him.. I just wish there was something I could do."

Jessan sat down on a bale, and laced his big fingers together, thinking. He'd heard the bare bones of the story from Toris while they were decorating the day before, and had been meaning to ask Xena about some of the details. Especially Ares' involvement. But this… what kind of thing could that have been to have subverted a person like Hercules? And.. his mind added quietly, been beaten by Xena. "Iolaus.. " He shook his head slowly. "This is way past my experience.. what does Xena say?"

The blond man lifted his hands, and let them drop. "They talked last night.. I don't know.. " He gave Jessan an apologetic look. "Sorry.. didn't mean to take up your time here." He glanced around. "Looks like we'll have to get water."

The forest dweller nodded. "Yeah.. I'll get some buckets." He paused. "And.. you didn't waste my time Iolaus.. .I wish there was something we could do.. but your best bet is to let Xena deal with it." He gave the smaller man a wry look. "She's really good at that kind of thing." He paused. "Problem solving.. I mean.. she sure was for us. "

Iolaus considered that, and felt his anxiety ease a little. "Yeah.. I know.. it's kind of strange though.. we're usually the ones solving the problems. " He let out a worried little sigh. And what am I gonna do if he remembers everything that happened? He chewed his lips. The marks on my back.. yeah.. but what about the rest? He closed his eyes wearily, starting when he felt Jessan's hand on his shoulder. "Sorry… buckets, right?"

Jessan studied him quietly. He needs to talk to someone. An image formed in his mind of fiery golden hair and smiling green eyes, and he felt a sense of relief. Yeah… that's the ticket. "Uh.. buckets. Uh huh..if you want to grab those two, I'll get an axe for the ice."

"Wait a minute." Gabrielle held up a hand, laughing softly. "They fell into a boar trap, after falling into a mud hole?"

Wennid flicked a carrot into the water. "Apparently." She sniffed. "They certainly smelled like it when we found them." She wrinkled her muzzle at them. "Imagine my surprise.. here we are, marching through the snow, and we find.. a hole in the ground filled with heroes and muddy Amazons." She paused, and glanced up at the silently listening Xena. "And your brother."

Xena laughed, and eased her body off the counter, snagging another muffin and tossing it in the air. "I'll be back." She advised them, as she exited the kitchen, and entered the main dining area of the inn. Solon spotted her immediately, and scrambled to his feet, heading over and throwing himself into her arms with childish abandon.

"Happy Solstice, mom." He grinned, then scowled at her, and tugged at her tunic collar. "You didn't tell me it was your birthday." He accused.

Xena sighed, and carried him over to a chair in front of the fire, settling into it and curling her arms around him. "I know.. sorry.. " She stared pensively at him. "I'm not really used to everyone knowing."

He seemed to accept this, and snuggled down into her arms. "Grandma gave me a bunch of neat stuff." He looked up at her. "It was really cool."

That got a smile from his mother. "Yeah.. she gave us some neat stuff too." The warrior answered, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "We've got some stuff for you too… for after the ceremony." She grinned as he bounced excitedly on her lap. "I'm glad you could come."

He beamed at her. "Really?"

She touched his nose with a fingertip. "Yeah." Guess I can give him one thing now.. Hope Gabrielle was right, and it's something he really wanted. Her eyes studied his. "Listen… um…we've got some stuff to do in the summer.. maybe in the fall you could come back here.. stay with us for a while."

She felt his breathing catch, and saw his eyes widen. "You think you'd like that?" She asked softly, wistfully.

"Yes." He answered in a choked tone, and buried his face into the fabric of her shirt, his hands clenching on the soft wool.

Xena hugged him close, and tucked his head under her chin, rocking him slowly back and forth. "Solon.. I'm sorry.. for a lot of things." She sighed. "I'll try to make it up to you, I promise."

He clutched her tighter, and sniffled. "You're the best Solstice present." He mumbled softly.

The warrior smiled sadly, and gazed into the fire for a long moment, until hands dropped lightly onto her shoulders, and she looked up into Gabrielle's concerned eyes, colored a pale amber in the soft firelight. "Hey."

Solon looked up too, and smiled. "You guys are getting joined today, right?"

Gabrielle nodded. "That's right… well.. officially." She exchanged a grin with her partner. "Why?"

His eyes brightened with mischief. "So.. after today, can I call you mom, too?"

The bard laughed softly. "Sure.. why not? " She reached over and tweaked his nose, then gave Xena a wry look. "My parents can't get any more freaked out than they already are." That's.. going to feel very strange the first couple of times, I think.. but… She let a shiver pass down her spine. Kind of nice.

Solon gave her a satisfied grin, and nestled back down into Xena's arms.

Xena peered down at him. "So.. this all going according to plan?" She asked, with a sly grin.

He blinked up at her with innocent blue eyes. "Plan?"

She cocked an eyebrow at him, and he giggled.

Gabrielle leaned over and pinned him with a stare. "Solon.. you may be a really smart kid.. " Her voice dropped to a whisper. "But don’t forget where the smart came from, OK?" She winked, and jerked her head in Xena's direction. "Don't try to fool her. It doesn't work. I should know."

He giggled harder. "Ok." He blushed a little, and peeked up at his mother, who was smiling at him. "Yeah.. it's going just like I wanted it to."

Xena kissed the top of his head. "Good." She tilted her head back and regarded Gabrielle's face. "You done gossiping in the kitchen?" She teased gently. "Think it's time to.. wake.. Eph up?"

"Mmm…I probably could get away with that." Gabrielle grinned, spotting the yawning Amazons descending from the upper floor of the inn. "Before the rumors start flying rampant." She cast a glance over her shoulder to where Lila and Elaini were comfortably sitting and snacking. Probably exchanging pregnancy tips. The bard mused, then eyed her father, still in conversation with Lestan and Kaleipus. Hey.. this might actually work out. "Ok.. I'll go do the dirty deed."

Xena watched her moved towards Ephiny's room, idly admiring the way the firelight slid over her form and collected as a glow in the gold of her hair, and the way the snug fitting tunic outlined the slim lines of her body. Gabrielle's walk had a… her mind searched for a comparison. Almost a seaman's roll to it, a rhythmic, gentle swagger that had more to do with her growing mastery of her body than anything else. Xena found it cute in the extreme, but knew better than to mention that to her partner, who tended to be a little self conscious sometimes. Right now, it just brought a private grin to her face as she watched.

Solon's voice tickled her ear. "I think she's really cute."

Xena muffled a surprised laugh, then glanced at him. "You do, huh?" She ruffled his hair and ducked her head close to his. "So do I." They grinned at each other conspiratorially.

Then her ears cocked, and Solon felt her body stiffen. He listened too, but… "Is that a wolf?"

Xena stood up swiftly, and let him down, listening intently. The rest of the inn had paused, seeing her sudden motion, and Gabrielle started back towards her with a concerned look on her face.

The sound came again, and now she was sure. "Ares." She muttered, breaking into a run towards the door, as people began to move in confusion around her. She dodged them, and launched herself over the table blocking her way, twisting her body into a flip that landed her near the door, then she worked the latch and dove through it, out into the thickening snowfall.

The wind hit her full force as she hurdled off the porch, and started towards the sound at full speed, her boots sending clumps of snow flying as she dug through the knee deep drifts that mounded across the courtyard.

Another couple of steps, and her body's reactions caught up with her, sending a surge of energy into her limbs that neatly combated the icy chill, and drover her forward at an ever faster rate. She cleared the courtyard, and headed down the river path, angling towards the sound she'd heard faintly, a howl from Ares, abruptly cut off.

Her steps almost faltered as, unbidden, a dark memory surfaced, one of her at a much younger age, rounding the edge of the inn into the very same courtyard, to see the tiny, scrap of unmoving fur that was her little Digger. No. Her mind firmly locked that out. No time for that now.

Resolutely, she pushed the memory down, and hurdled a downed tree, which had collapsed under the unexpected snowfall. As her boots hit the ground, she slipped, and lunged, flipping in mid air and catching her balance, then landing, keeping her body moving towards the water.

Concentrating, she kept her strides loose, trying to anticipate the slippery patches, and managed to keep at almost full speed until she topped the rise that lead down to the river basin, and saw moving forms.

A number of them, attacking a tall, furred figure who was sweeping the area around him with a bare branch, as a dark, swirling body lunged underneath him and snapped at their armored adversaries.

Now energy of another sort bolted through her, lifting the hairs on her neck, and sending a wave of shivering anticipation through her muscles that also brought a wild yell to her lips. "Jessan!" That got the forest dweller's attention, and he swung with more determination, stepping forward and driving his now distracted enemies back a pace.

She picked up a branch as her strides brought her within reach of the closest of them, and as he turned and swung his sword, she caught his wrist with the end of the branch, and heard the sodden crack as the thick wood hit yielding flesh and bone. He dropped the weapon with a scream, and drew a dagger with his other hand, but she was already on him, and her elbow was smashing his jaw with all her momentum behind it.

He dropped like a stone and she jumped over him, deflecting the sword thrust of the next with a downward sweep, and using the other end of her branch to slam into her adversary's head. She caught the next one, rushing forward, on her boot, and kicked him backwards, sending him and the man he crashed into sliding to the ground in a heap.

Another kick, and she was facing the nominal leader of the bunch, who circled with her in deadly intent, his sword held with a master's skill.

Dancing blade against unbalanced wood, but still she prevailed, as her strokes deflected his with casual grace, her weight easily withstood his powerful lunges, and his speed was matched with her own.

Finally, his blade caught in the wood's bulk, and she jerked his weapon hard, disarming him and sending the sword flying past where Jessan had finished with his last adversary and was now kneeling in the snow. "Jess.. you all right?" The warrior called, keeping her eyes on her still dangerous opponent, who had drawn a long, curved belt knife.

"I am." The forest dweller replied wearily. "But Iolaus isn't. You'd better hurry."

Damn. Xena heard the approaching footsteps as help finally caught up with her, but kept her attention on the man before her, whose dark hair and dark eyes seemed to absorb the wan light. He was dressed in dusty leather armor and dark furs, but the blade he held was well cared for and glinted in the light reflected off the snow with an uneasy glare.

He lunged, and his hand moved like quicksilver towards her body, but she dropped her limb and caught the hand instead, surprising him. "This has been fun. "She growled, as she twisted the powerful wrist and he dropped the knife with a yelp. She released him, and flung his body back against the tree, stooping and picking up his blade before advancing on him. "But I'm outta time. So let's just get some questions answered. What are you doing here?"

Dead eyes looked back at her, and the man laughed. "Killing him." He said, with a voice that was half growl, and half rasp.

Xena moved closer, and touched the tip of his blade against his chest. "Why?"

"Why not?" Came the taunting answer.

The blade tip pressed closer. "Who sent you?"

A nasty smile. "You don't have the capacity to understand even if I told you. So I won't."

Xena leaned into the blade, slicing through his leather armor. "You won't have the capacity either if I cut your head off." She gave him a feral grin. "So why don't you just try me."

He laughed again. "They said you were good." He spat on the ground. "But don’t worry.. your turn will come." He leaned back against the tree. "My part's done.. your little friend there has gone to your… Hades."

"You're right." Xena softly answered, as she heard the sounds of several voices, then was aware of the solid, warm presence at her back. "Your part is done." She raised the sword, and he closed his eyes. Her muscles tensed, and the dark energy flowed as she prepared to exact justice.. or was it revenge? Did it really matter?

Then a cool thought interrupted. He wants me to kill him. And that spawned the inevitable question. Why? Slowly, like a pot taken from the fire, her anger simmered down, and became a cold, icy burn.

With a solid sureness, she powered the weapon around, slamming it into the bark of the tree he was standing against and sending a cascade of wet snow down on top of him, burying the blade of the weapon inches deep in the wood, and trapping his thick armor under the blade, pinning him in place.

A moment's silence, then Xena stepped back, and released the hilts, leaving the weapon buried in the tree. "You're wrong.." Her voice was quiet, and drifted to him like one of the sluggish snowflakes. "There'll be no dying today." She dusted her hands off. "The law can take care of you for all I care."

And she turned her back on him, and walked to where several huddled, snow covered forms were clustered around Iolaus' still body, her eyes meeting Gabrielle's, where the bard was standing with her staff ready, watching the snow covered raider's form. Ares crouched at her heels, growling weirdly at the dark figure, the wolf's heavy, snow dusted ruff thickly raised around his head.

Xena dropped to her knees in the snow, pressing aside Toris' shoulder to get a better look at Iolaus. Aw Damn…She winced in reflex as she saw the blood stained snow and the horrified look on Hercules face as he cradled his friend in his arms. Saw the pale skin, and erratic breathing, and the surge of blood from between his fingers at every heartbeat that made her own heart sink low. The sword cut had entered just below his ribcage, and he was losing too much blood, too fast.

No chance. Her mind cried softly. But she took a double handful of snow, and piled it over the wound. "Pack as much snow in there as you can, and get him back to the inn." They scrambled to do her bidding, with Jessan lifting the smaller man easily in his huge arms and Hercules walking alongside, putting pressure on the snow with his hands.

Gabrielle watched them go, and put a hand on Xena's arm. "You can save him right?"

Blue eyes gazed sadly at her. "Go on. I'll be up there in a minute." After I make sure this guy remembers what he did here.. for a very, very long time. She lifted a hand and stroked the bard's stricken face. "Go be with him."

The bard put her hands flat on Xena's belly, and leaned close. "You come too.. don't.. " Her eyes flicked over Xena's shoulder. "Leave this… they need us more.. than you need to… " She stopped speaking, and reached up to gently stroke Xena's face. "Please?"

Xena felt the wolf come tamely to Gabrielle's gentle hand, and she let her anger go, feeling the sorrow seep in and chase the dark fire out. "All right." She put an arm around the bard and hugged her close for a long moment. "Let's go."

From the whiteness of the drifts, came a clapping. Xena turned, as she felt a familiar presence, and moved away from Gabrielle, putting her hands on her hips as the dark, shrouded form came close. "Well.. might have expected you."

Ares sauntered up to her, giving Gabrielle a fake little smile over her shoulder. "Good work. " He gazed at the trapped raider. "Been trying to catch one of these guys for a while." He gazed appreciatively at Xena. "You're having a party, and you didn't even invite me. I'm shattered, Xena."

Ares the wolf came trotting over, sniffing at his namesake's boots and wagging his tail. He stood up on his hind legs, and put his big paws against Ares' leather clad chest, snuffling at him with a friendly whine.

"Cut that out." The god hissed, but scratched his ears, and got a lick on the nose for his trouble. "Xena, you trained him to do that." The god looked up and saw the grim look on her face. "What's the matter, sorry you missed out on killing someone?" He patted her on the cheek. "Don’t' worry.. it was a good thing." He glanced at the closely watching raider, who now had a distinctly nervous look on his face. "You did me another favor, Xena.. this is getting to be a habit of yours."

"You want him." Xena asked, tonelessly, jerking her chin towards the still trapped raider. An idea was forming.. it was.. dangerous.. and possibly.. stupid. But it was the only chance Iolaus had.

Ares nodded. "You got it, babycakes." He turned to move towards the raider, but was stopped by a strong hand on his shoulder.

"There's a price." Came Xena's voice, soft and dangerous.

Ares stopped, and stared at her. "You.. are going to ask a price of ME?" The god sauntered over to her, and stroked her cheek with the back of a knuckle "What did you have in mind, blue eyes?" He smiled. "You wanna ravish me? That'd be a price I'd be willing to pay.. hmm? Tired of your little girlfriend there?"

Those eyes looked right into his. "The price is a life."

A thickly dark eyebrow raised, along with a corner of his mouth. "Wh.. oh, Xena.. no no no.. not the little man there, no… can't do it, baby.. he's like this with my brother, and you know.. we just don't get along. Nope.. sorry, can't do it."

"Come on, Ares. I know you can do it. "Xena asked quietly, a tiny quirk twitching her lips. "Consider it.. a birthday present."

The War God opened his mouth, then shut it again. Then opened it. "Xena, do you have any idea how much trouble I could get into with Hera for doing this?" He shook his head. "Nope.. sorry, kid."

"But.. his death serves their purposes, Ares." Xena tried her next to last card. His face remained expressionless. She pulled out the last one. "Please?" Consciously softening her voice, and gently tugging on the darkling strings that bound them together. Dangerous.. oh boy was it.

Their eyes locked for a long moment, while snowflakes drifted between them.

"Birthday present, huh?" Ares finally sighed. "All right.. but if any word of this gets back, you're all in for a six month tour of the ugly side of Tartarus. Got me?" He stomped towards the inn, then turned and threw a bolt of energy at the tree, slamming the raider to it. "Don't go anywhere." He patted Gabrielle's head as he passed. "Hi kid." Then he glanced at Xena. "Someday, you're gonna let me in on just what you see in this little brat, right?"

Xena gave him a look, and he laughed. "Ares, I'd bother to explain, but you'd never understand." She rolled her eyes. "Just what the Hades is going on with all this.. " She gestured around her "Weather, and these damn raiders, and that necklace.. it's all connected, right?"

The god stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That's.. what I'm trying to find out. " Now his deep voice was serious. "And.. if it's what I think it is.. well, you might want to reconsider rejoining me, sweet thing. Cause I think we're gonna need each other."

Xena flicked a glance at him, aware of the sudden pressure of Gabrielle's fingertips on her elbow. "Nice try, Ares."

Surprisingly, the god didn't answer, he just kept walking, as the wooden planks sounded hollow under his boots on the steps leading to the inn.

Cyrene opened the door as the small group approached, her heart in her throat as she spotted the limp form cradled in Jessan's huge arms. "Good gods.. what happened?" She hurried ahead of them, and helped Ephiny move the hearth table out of the way, so they could put him down next to the fire, on the thick rug. Hercules dropped to his knees and let the blond man's head and upper body rest in his lap, as he kept pressure on the wound.

Elaini opened her healer's kit, and set it down, gently moving Hercules' fingers. Her face went still, and she let out a soft breath in dismay at what she saw, but remained silent, and just took out a pad of clean linen, and pressed it against the gaping slice under his ribs. Her eyes lifted and met Jessan's, and he, too, sighed softly.

"They were after him." The forest dweller said heavily, looking up at his father's touch on a shoulder. "We just went to get some water.. for the horses." He shook his big head. "One minute, they weren't there, the next… and gods.. it was as if I wasn't even there."

"Who were they?" Cyrene asked quietly, her eyes fastened on the pale, silent face.

Jessan shook his head. "I don't know." He watched Elaini carefully pack the wound with moss, and cover it firmly with a bandage. Knew it was useless. "Maybe Xena knows now." He looked up at Hercules' tense face. "Why were the after him?"

The pale eyes blinked. "They weren't." His voice was ragged. "They were after me." He paused. "They always are."

Ephiny laid a hand on his shoulder, and rubbed it gently. "Everything's going to be all right, Hercules."

He looked at her. "No it's not. His heartbeat's fading." He clasped a hand on the smaller man's shoulder. "Xena knew. She just… didn't want him dying out there in the cold." His voice fell to a whisper, as the sudden, ugly burst of memory that had caught him unaware outside returned.

And he remembered what he'd done to the blond man, who rested now so trustingly in his hands. Iolaus was bleeding on the outside. Hercules was bleeding on the inside, aching with the knowledge that any apologies were now probably going to be made in another place. Another time.

"No." Cyrene settled on the other side of him, and put a hand over his. "She has a plan, or she'd be here. You have to believe that." I know my daughter. "Hang in there."

A heavy silence dropped over them, until it was broken by the sound of footsteps outside the door. All eyes went towards the sound, as the wooden portal opened, and three people stepped in. Two, they knew. The third.. dark haired, dark bearded, a hawk like profile and cruel eyes, sent s shudder down all of their backs. Save Hercules, who felt only weary hatred. "Ares." He said the word like a curse.

"Let's get this over with." Ares grumbled, waving a hand at them. "Hi, hi, howareya, rotten to see you, Hercules, hello." He pushed Ephiny aside, and dropped to a knee beside the stricken Iolaus, pulling aside the hands pressing his wound closed. "That's messy. " He looked up. "Nobody get any ideas, all right? This is a private thing between the Warrior Princess and me, so don't expect any repeats, or think I'm getting nice, or anything. All right?" With a disgusted look, he put a hand over the wound, and concentrated, his eyes closing half way, and his lips moving in set of syllables that none of them could catch.

When he pulled his hand back, the wound was gone.

"There. All done. Have a rotten Solstice, everybody." He looked up at Hercules, who was staring at him. "Especially you." He blew Herc a kiss, then stood and backed, right into Xena. "Whoops.. oh, it's you." He turned and grinned. "You can put your hands on me, any day blue eyes."

Xena gave him a long, appraising look. "Thanks." She finally said, letting a smile cross her lips. "Happy Solstice, Ares."

The tiniest quirk of a smile twitched at his face. "Happy birthday, Xena." Their eyes met, and his right one barely winked, then in a flash of blue he was gone, leaving behind a set of stunned faces.

Xena's eyes met Hercules, over Iolaus's still form, and she gave him a little shrug. "Called in a marker." Her eyes dropped. "Sorry if it's not quite the route you would have taken."

The demigod, put a hand on his friends steadily moving chest, and swallowed. Talk about the end justifying the means.. he hated owing Ares.. but.. damn it… "Xena.. I don't care. It worked." He let out a shaky sigh. "Does he have any idea what in Hades is going on?"

Xena pulled out a nearby chair, and dropped into it, running a hand through her disordered dark locks and shaking her head. "No… he's trying to find out." She looked up as Solon circled her arm with his small hands. "Hey there… "

The boy gazed at Iolaus, then at her. "That was scary." He sniffed. "But grandma said you'd make everything ok, and she was right." He looked at her with bright eyes. "Did you beat up all the bad guys?"

A shaky, relieved chuckle ran around the room. Gabrielle settled down on the chair next to her partner's and put a hand on her back. "She sure did, honey." The bard assured him. "No problem." She moved her fingertips in a gently circular motion, and felt Xena take, and release, a long, steadying breath.

Cyrene walked over. "I've got a plate of cookies to settle everyone down. Would you help me get them out here, Solon?" She held out a hand to the boy, and gave Xena and Gabrielle a tiny wink when he took it. "All right folks.. excitement's over.. we've got a party to get rolling."

Iolaus became foggily aware of his surroundings as he felt his body being moved, and then felt a soft surface yield under his back. He forced his eyes open to see Jessan's distinctive head backing away, to be replaced by the concerned face of Hercules. ".." He reached for his head. "Wha happened?"

Then a familiar voice cut in, and he felt the pressure of a hand against his shoulder. He looked over and recognized Gabrielle's gentle gaze. "Iolaus, what's the last thing you remember?"

He blinked at her, then looked around. They were in the room Ephiny had been using, and he realized he was tucked in her bed, with Gabrielle kneeling at his side. Hercules walked over to the chair in the room, and quietly sat down, next to where Jessan was seated on the rug. "Uh… well.. " his brow creased. "We were.. hmm… getting water… right?"

Jessan nodded. "That’s right."

He closed his eyes against the lightheaded feeling that cascaded over him. "Right.. and.. uh… oh! We were attacked." He rubbed his head. "Who were those guys?" He muttered. "Well..I remember getting hit.. " Slowly, his hand drifted to his ribcage, and touched the smooth skin there, then he lifted his head, and stared down. "I thought I remembered getting hit." His brow creased. "What… "

Gabrielle rubbed the edge of her thumb against his bare shoulder, and looked over her own. "Can you guys excuse us for a few minutes? I'll bring him up to date."

Hercules looked relieved. "Sure.. sure.. that's a good idea." He rose and gave Iolaus a wave. "Take it easy, buddy." He waited for Jessan to walk through the doorway, then followed him and closed the door behind them both.

A small silence fell, as Gabrielle and Iolaus regarded each other. "So… what's up?" Iolaus asked, guardedly. "You're making me nervous.. the fact that it's you here.. means something needs to be broken to me gently, and that's very scary, Gabrielle." He took a shaky breath. "Cause if it was no big deal, Herc woulda just said, or I'd have Xena in here with her usual 'this is what it is so just get used to it' style."

Gabrielle pulled the covers up and tucked them around his chest. "All right." She smiled. "I guess you've got a point there. " She took his hand in hers. "You were hit… and they kept fighting with Jessan and Ares until.. I guess.. Ares must have howled, and Xena heard him. So she took off and found you guys, and did her usual bag of tricks.. but.. mm… you'd been hit pretty bad."

"O..K…" Iolaus felt his midsection with a puzzled look. "So… what happened?"

"They.. took you back up here." Gabrielle answered carefully. "Um.. you were dying, Iolaus."

His eyes widened. "Oh." Then he felt his stomach again. "Um… so.."

Gabrielle gave him a little bright, comforting smile. It scared the daylights out of him. "Well, Xena kind of… um… called in a favor." She waved a hand. "And.. sort of got you healed.. you know Xena.. she's got lots of folks out there that owe her one. " She paused. "Or several."

"Healed me." Iolaus said slowly. "Gabrielle, that required a god."

The bard drummed her fingers on the edge of the bed. "Uh.. yeah." How do I get talked into doing this stuff? I gotta stop falling for that 'you do the sensitive chats' routine. "That's right."

"Well." The blond man closed his eyes. "That's… " His eyes popped open, and found Gabrielle's in horror. "Oh no.. don't tell me.. " Only one god I know of who's likely to just pop by at Xena's request.

She patted his arm gently. "Weeeelll…. " The bard sighed. "He happened to show up.. and.. he does owe her one..and…she kind of talked him into doing it as kind of a birthday present."

"A birthday present." Iolaus echoed, shaking his head. "He really does have a soft spot for her, doesn't he?"

Gabrielle pursed her lips and sighed. "Yeah, I think he really does, sometimes. When he doesn't want to kill her, or get her back to his side." She let the silence settle between them again for a few seconds. "So… how's it going with you guys? I haven't had much of a chance to talk to you since we got back."

His eyes shifted away from hers. "Fine..we're fine… how'd things go for you?" He cleared his throat gently. "I heard you had a little adventure while we were gone.. you know, Gabrielle, you really do have a knack for that kind of thing. " Now he gave her a brisk smile. "Glad you got out ok."

The bard settled down next to him on a small stool. "Thanks.. yeah, it was pretty scary, but it worked out all right." She took his hand in hers. "How's Hercules doing? Xena told me what happened."

His jaw tensed. "Oh.. he's.. doing all right… I guess.. you know, it was a pretty big shock for him, and… but he's a tough guy.. he'll be fine."

"Iolaus?" Careful now, Gabrielle… don't spook him.. but he's off balance right now.. maybe you can get him to open up.

"Yeah?" He gave her a wan smile.

She leaned on her elbows, and gazed at him. "What really happened to you in the mines?"

He was trapped there, caught in that mist green regard that seemed to look right through him. "Wh…what makes you think anything happened?" Try a bluff first.

"Hercules thinks something did." She answered gently. "And so does Xena, who has the imagination of a sea turtle." She chafed his hand lightly "C'mon, Iolaus.. this is me, remember? We do the same thing… right? Maybe I can help.. I've got the insight.. the sidekick thing down pat, OK?" He remained silent, staring at the wall.

Damn.. damn… ok.. time to bring out the big stick. "Iolaus, I know how you feel." She put a gentle hand on his chest. "I know what it feels like when someone you love and trust hurts you."

Slowly he turned his head. "Xena would never do that to you, Gabrielle "

The bard's eyes glittered with unshed tears. "No.. she wouldn't.. Iolaus.. but someone did.. and I know how much that hurts." She gazed at him intently. "C'mon.. talk to me."

His eyes blinked slowly. "It wasn't his fault." It came out in a whisper. "I was just… another .. prisoner." He let out a shaky breath. "Just… another.. adjustment. " He felt a squeeze on his fingers and returned it. "I got.. whipped." He shrugged and turned his head. "Knocked around.. beat up a little." He paused. "Then.. he put me in this cage.. kept dousing me with cold water all time… I lost track of when.. where… of who I was for a while."

Gabrielle gently stroked his arm, but kept silent. Damn.. Xena was right… poor Iolaus.

"Came to a point.. I had to choose between.. " His jaw worked for a few seconds. "Giving in..and becoming.. something.. I don’t want to think about.. or hating him.. or escaping, and finding some way.. some…person.. who could stop him." Now his eyes met hers. "And one night.. when I was in that stinking cage, freezing… shaking so hard I couldn’t sleep.. I realized that I.. did.. know.. a person.. who.. could stop him." He stopped, then went on. "And.. I hung onto that thought…did what I had to do to get out of there."

The bard sighed. "Iolaus.. did he.." Her eyes unhappily found his. "Force you?"

He blushed. "No.. no… wasn't his.. style."

So. She mused. Xena had been right about that, too. One good thing. "I'm glad." She squeezed his shoulder. "And you're right.. that wasn't him.. it wasn't his fault at all, Iolaus.. you know Hercules would never hurt you.. not on purpose."

He nodded . "I know.. but.. Gabrielle, that's what's scaring me.. if he remembers this.. what will that do to him?" He gazed at her in distress. "What am I going to do.. I can't tell him… he feels so bad about the whole thing to begin with."

Gabrielle patted him soothingly. "Let's let Xena deal with that."

Iolaus' expression brightened slightly. "She has a plan?"

Now the bard smiled. "She always has a plan."

The blond man gave her a relieved grimace. "Gabrielle.. does… Xena know what happened to you?"

She nodded quietly. "Yes.. it happened before I met her.. in fact, it was one of the reasons I left Potadeia in the first place." She paused. "But.. it was a long time before I.. told her.. just recently, as a matter of fact."

Iolaus absorbed that for a minute. "Did it.. were you relieved when you did?" He gave her a crooked smile. "It sure just made me feel better.. just to tell someone."

Gabrielle paused and remembered. "Yeah… it did.. and it was kind of a… well, I always trusted Xena with my physical safety, right? I mean.. I always knew she'd do her best to make sure I didn't fall off a cliff.. or if I did, she'd just catch me.. know what I mean?"

Iolaus smiled. "I know exactly what you mean."

The bard nodded. "But.. I learned not to trust anyone with what was really inside me.. because when someone knows all that, it's really easy for them to hurt you with it." Her eyes drifted around the room, then returned to Iolaus' face. "I was really scared.. when I told her. Because it was like giving up a part of myself."

"What did she do?" The blond man asked curiously.

Gabrielle smiled. "About what you'd expect. She got really, really mad that someone had done something to hurt me, and she couldn't do anything about it." She got up and scooped a bit of hot soup into a mug, then returned and kneeled back down, handing it to him. "Here.. Xena says you need to get some liquids into you.. there's kind of.. a lot of blood missing in there." She tapped his chest. "And.. of course.. " She continued her previous statement. "She went and made it very clear to the person who had done the.. well.. you know Xena.. she did her best to make sure it wouldn't ever happen again."

Iolaus sipped his soup, and gazed at her. "I'm surprised.. I mean, forgive me, Gabrielle.. but I'm surprised she didn't just… um… " Take a more direct approach.

The green eyes met his quietly. "It's my father."

Iolaus' face stilled into a gentle anguish. "Oh.. Gabrielle." He put the cup down, and reached for her, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so sorry." He rubbed her back as she returned the hug. "That's rotten."

She released him, and smiled quietly. "It's all right.. we've.. kind of worked things out, mostly." She gazed at him. "But.. being able to tell Xena.. that really helped me to come to terms with the whole thing.. she.. gave me a safe place to be in that made all the difference." Now she clasped his arm. "So.. remember that your friends are here for you, Iolaus… there's a safe place if you want one."

The blond man studied her for a long while, then smiled a little. "Thank you, Gabrielle." He dropped his gaze and blushed a little. "I think I owe you an apology, by the way.. I um… I though you were.. um…"

A soft laugh reassured him. "I know.. Xena told me." She patted his shoulder. "It's all right.. " She put the soup back in his hands. "Sorry you had to find out that way.. but Xena certainly did enjoy herself doing it."

Iolaus rolled his eyes. "She sure did." He sighed, then gazed at her attentively. "Hey.. I heard you got hurt during your little adventure.. you feeling OK now? " He gently patted her ribs, then his eyebrows rose. "Wow.. you're pretty solid!" He laughed. "What have you been doing, lifting logs?"

That got an impish grin back. "Yep.. I'm fine, thanks.. just a few cracks… spent a week in bed and that was about it." She stretched. "And as for the other.. well, yeah, I've been working pretty hard.. takes a lot to keep up with Xena." She chuckled. "But then.. you should know about that, right?"

The blond man took a big swallow of soup. "Oh.. yeah." He took a deep breath. "You got that right.. hey, so tell me.. was Xena just trying to impress me, or does she always go non stop like that?"

Gabrielle stretched her legs out in front of her and leaned back on her hands. "Always. She's like this unstoppable never-ending energy ball." She yawned. "I get tired just watching her.. especially when she's taking off and doing backflips and stuff while I'm still trying to open my eyes." Her gaze dropped, and her face took on a pensive look. "But.. she was probably in kind of a hurry coming back."

Iolaus took her hand in his and rubbed it. "Can.. I.. Gabrielle, do you two…um.. it seemed to me like Xena somehow.. knew.. about what was going on with you.. hey, I know that's crazy sounding but…" He let the sentence drift off, and watched her face.

The bard hesitated a long moment before answering. "Um… " Unconsciously, her fingers went to her throat, and curled around her necklace. "Yeah, well.. it.. we… it's kind of hard to explain." She finally finished, somewhat lamely. "But.. um.. yeah, we can usually tell when stuff is going on."

"Stuff?" Iolaus asked cautiously.

"Stuff." Gabrielle confirmed. "Real strong stuff.. like.. " Her eyes found his. "I felt it when she touched that necklace."

His eyes widened in amazement. "Really?" He let out a breath. "And she knew you were in trouble."

Gabrielle nodded slowly. "Yeah."

"Wow." The blond man sighed. "That's really strange."

The bard smiled a little. "Strange.. I guess.. but.. it's also kind of nice." Her face relaxed into a grin. "Certainly comes in handy sometimes."

He laughed. "I see your point." He slowly sat up. "Hey..I better get you back out there.. aren't we supposed to be having a joining ceremony?"

The bard got to her feet. "You sure? I mean.. it's OK, Iolaus.. you probably need to rest."

He waved her off. "Nah.. I'd rather be out.. " His voice faltered a little. "Out there where all the action is…besides, I don't want to miss this… " He carefully got his feet under him, and stood, wavering a little until Gabrielle got his arm slung over her shoulders and wrapped a supportive grip around his waist. "Wow.. " He laughed, squeezing the muscles in her upper arm. "You could probably just carry me out there."

"Iolaus." The bard sighed, and rolled her eyes.

"Can I get you to beat people up for me?" He teased her.

"Iolaus!" She growled in return, as she got the door to the room open.

The inn was now packed, with villagers and guests, most of whom were scattered about in small groups chatting, and enjoying ale and cider, which they used to wash down an assortment of tidbits supplied by Cyrene's kitchen.

"Nice crowd." The innkeeper muttered to herself, leaning against the service bar, and studying the shifting groups. She spotted her daughter sitting quietly in the corner, sprawled on a heavy bench, listening to Kaleipus relating some tale or other.

Solon was sitting next to her, his legs tucked up under him on the bench, his head resting against her shoulder, and one arm wrapped around Ares, who was curled against Xena's side with his dark muzzle laying on her thigh. Cyrene smiled at the picture they made, feeling her heart twinge again at the boy's uncanny resemblance to Lyceus.

Then her mind turned to recent events. So.. She mused. That was the God of War. Her brows quirked. She'd heard rumors about her daughter's involvement with him for many years… and certainly, there had been a… mmm.. certain air of mutual.. not respect, but a kind of acknowledgment between them. He had, after all, wished her a happy birthday, and she had, somehow, talked him into saving Iolaus' life.

Interesting. She sighed, as she eyed Hecuba's still upset face. The woman was standing next to her, watching the activity with a disturbed expression. "Hecuba, will you please calm down."

Gabrielle's mother turned to her in outrage. "Cyrene.. that was the God of War."

Cyrene shrugged. "I know." She sniffed reflectively. "I dunno.. I kind of like a nice beard on a man. He's kind of cute."

Hecuba stared at her. The two women had become fairly close during Cyrene's visit to Potadeia, and Hecuba liked the innkeeper a lot, but sometimes her sense of humor was a bit.. on the startling side. "What?"

"You don't think so?" Cyrene smirked quietly. "I know his reputation.. but after all, he did save poor Iolaus."

Hecuba drummed her fingers on the counter. "But…"

"C'mon..c'mon… you didn't think he was good looking?" Cyrene coaxed.

Gabrielle's mother glanced around cautiously. "Well… " She sniffed. "That was a lovely vest he was wearing." She admitted grudgingly. "And he has interesting ears."

Cyrene's dark eyebrows arched towards her hairline. "You noticed his EARS?" A wicked smile crept across her face. "Why.. Hecuba.. I never figured you for an ear woman."

Hecuba gave her a little, stuffy sneeze. "Hmph." But her expression relaxed a little and she sighed. "I suppose I'm going to have to get used to all this." She lifted a hand and gave it a little wave, indicating the room. "It's.. just very strange."

They both turned as the door to the small room opened, and Iolaus and Gabrielle emerged, the fair haired bard supporting the still pale Iolaus as they moved slowly across the room, where he was greeted with enthusiasm by their friends. Gabrielle got him settled right next to Hercules, who leaned over and clouted him on the shoulder with rough affection. The bard watched for a minute, then patted the blond man's shoulder, and headed the short distance to where her partner was lazily sprawled.

Solon had gotten up, and was headed across the room towards them with Cait, both of them giggling as they dodged the groups of people between.

"Your grandson is quite handsome" Hecuba leaned over and mentioned to Cyrene, as they watched the two children approach.

Cyrene smiled mischievously. "Well.. Hecuba.. you do realize that after today.. he's your grandson also, right?"

Hecuba gave her a stunned look. "What?"

The innkeeper gave her a cheerful smile, and turned to greet the two. "Hi you two.. what are you up to?"

"You were right." Gabrielle sighed, as she slid onto the bench next to her partner and leaned back. "On both counts."

"Mm." Xena acknowledged, sliding an arm across her shoulders and pulling her closer. "Figures." She stretched out her long legs and crossed them at the ankles. "All right.. I'll … talk to him tomorrow.. no sense in doing it today." She reached out a hand and plucked a tidbit off the tray at her elbow, and offered it to the bard.

Gabrielle accepted the treat neatly, and chewed. "Mmm…" She opened her mouth for more and smiled around a mouthful as her partner complied. "Gods." She sighed, as she swallowed, and nestled her head against Xena's shoulder. "I gotta stop that.. I'm gonna explode before the end of the day otherwise." She plucked at her tunic. "And this doesn't have a lot of spare room."

Xena ran her eyes down the bard's body. "Hmm..no.. but it does look good on you." She dusted a few specks off the bard's sleeve. "Save some space in there for that pig mom has roasting.. I stuck my head out the door a little while ago when they were testing.. gods, that smells great."

Gabrielle smiled and wrapped an arm around her, glancing up. "Well, you worked up an appetite.. " She looked across the room to where Jessan was seated, gesturing with one fist in an animated conversation with Eponin. "You should have heard them cursing when you took off. " She snitched another tidbit and nibbled it, then plucked another and popped it into Xena's mouth. "It was funny… I mean… well, so did I… " She paused, giggling at Xena's raised eyebrow. "Take off, I mean.. not curse at you.." She bit her lip. "I grabbed my staff and jumped over that table.. and I beat Eponin AND Granella out to where you guys were." She stopped and gave Xena an impish look. "Eph's been having a really good time teasing them ever since… if they don't eat a thing tonight, it's because she's been hinting that all this lazing around is starting to slow them down a little."

Xena laughed. "Oh.. great…poor Eponin… first me, then you…" She offered the bard another snack. "Bet you felt good about that though, didn't you?" Her eyes regarded her partner with a twinkle of pride. "They'd better work harder if they want to keep up with their Queen."

The bard chuckled. "Uh huh.. and you should have heard them talking when you were taking that guy on with a piece of wood.. they went on, and on, and on.. and finally, Jessan shut them up by telling them that was nothing.. they should have seen you take on three hundred slavering wild six armed soldiers at Cirron."

Xena winced. "Three hundred? Six arms? " She groaned. "Gabrielle!!!."

"Mmm…" Gabrielle rubbed her belly gently. "Of course, they all turned to me to see if it was true or not."

"Oh.." Xena chuckled. "So… you said…?"

The bard looked up at her affectionately. "I said yes, absolutely."

The warrior gave her an outraged look and got a mischievous little giggle in return. "You're gonna get me in trouble one of these days, bard." Xena sighed, but couldn't keep a grin from appearing on her face. She looked up as footsteps approached, and gave Josclyn a quiet nod.

The village reeve settled in a chair across from them, and pulled out a stack of parchments. "Well.." He gave Xena a straightforward, but slightly shy look. "Would you like to get the paperwork out of the way now?"

Xena nodded, and straightened up, leaning her elbows on the table's surface and lacing her long fingers together. "Good idea… I think it might get a little.. " Her eyes traveled around the room. "crazy around here later."

Josclyn chuckled, and cleared his throat. "Glad to be inside today… it's worsening out there.. and I fear the night will be indeed a long one tonight.. your mother is preparing some extra pallets and things in case we have to house folks overnight here."

The warrior grunted an agreement and waited patiently for the reeve to assemble his parchments, as Gabrielle watched curiously over her shoulder.

"Aye.." He pulled out a quill and ink, and settled them, carefully sharpening the quill and dipping it precisely into its stain. He pushed a few strands of gilded silver hair out of his iron gray eyes and cleared his throat again. "Xena, I know you were born here…" He made a mark. "And you're from Potadeia, is that right, Gabrielle?"

The bard nodded. "That's right."

"Mmhmm. " The reeve made another mark. "Xena, you know your mother has named you and your brother as equal heirs to all her land holdings here, right?"

"Yes." Xena answered quietly. "Have you drawn up the document I asked you about?"

He nodded, and drew out a cleaner, newer piece of parchment, scanned through the writing once, and handed it to her. She read through the language, and gave a little nod. "Fine."

"Wait." Gabrielle put a hand on her arm. "Xena, what is that?"

Xena took a breath, and studied her hands a minute. "My will." She answered, giving her partner a brief smile. "Not that I have much… well, not that I have many possessions to leave."

The bard took the paper from her, and examined it. "You need to change this." She finally said, quietly.

The warrior's brow creased. "Gabrielle.. it's…. I have to leave this.. stuff.. to someone."

Serious green eyes met hers. "I know." She paused. "But it should be someone who's going to be around to take it." She swallowed. "Leave it to Solon."

Just like that. Matter of fact, and straightforward and it took Xena's breath away. It sent an ache through her, a sense of pain that Gabrielle had actually looked inside herself to make that decision.

What would I do? Suddenly the room closed in on her, and she closed her eyes. No question. She let her eyes open and met Joscyln's concerned gaze. "Amend it." She said in a very soft voice, as she felt Gabrielle's hand curl around hers and squeeze.

The reeve nodded, and took the parchment from her, bending over it, and concentrating on changing the text.

"Sorry." Gabrielle whispered. "Xena, I didn't mean to… "

Xena leaned over and kissed her lightly, stopping her speech. "No explanations, Gabrielle." She answered back. "I should have thought about that, and spoken about it with you." A quiet pause. "I'm sorry."

Gabrielle remained silent for a few breaths. "You still don't believe that would be my choice, do you?" She finally asked, a note of pain in her voice.

Xena stared at the table's surface, counting the cracks in the woodgrain with infinite concentration. "I do believe that, Gabrielle. What I don’t believe is that I'm worth that decision."

The bard studied her partner's quiet profile until the parchment was ready. Then she took it from Joscyln's hands, and put it between them carefully. "You don't have to believe it, Xena. I believe in it enough for both of us."

A cock of that dark head, that allowed her a glimpse of crystal blue eyes and a hint of a smile. "I know." She replied, then took the quill from the reeve's hand, and inscribed her signature on the paper, blowing gently on the ink to dry it before handing the parchment back.

"Right." He said with a sigh, slipping the document into his leather case. "Gabrielle, do you wish to become a citizen of Amphipolis?"

The bard nodded. "Yes." They'd talked about that before today. "I.. um.. I know I don't have a lot to.." She jerked to a halt as Xena covered her mouth with a hand.

"Mark down that Amphipolis is now host to an Amazon Queen, and a published scholar of the Performing Bards Academy in Athens." She smiled at the blush she now felt coloring the bard's fair skin.

Joscyln's mouth twitched, and he glanced at Gabrielle with a look of fond amusement. "Can't slip past that one, your majesty." His gray eyes twinkled. "Gabrielle, you would have been welcome here had you been a common milkmaid, never you fear. But don't sell yourself short, lass. "

Gabrielle bit back a smile, and gazed shyly at the tabletop. "I.. know I tend to do that." Now her eyes turned to her grinning partner. "But I don't get away with it much anymore."

Xena's eyebrow rose. "Three hundred? Six arms? Fair is fair, my friend."

Josclyn laughed, and passed a short document over to Gabrielle. "Sign this, if you please." The bard did so, in her small, neat hand. Citizen of Amphipolis. She giggled quietly to herself. I like the sound of that. Then she caught sight of the gentle, wondering look on Xena's face and realized that all her worldly experience notwithstanding, her partner was as new to this process as she was.

Now the reeve's face became quietly serious, and he pulled a last document from the case, holding it in his hands as he looked Xena right in the eye. "Xena… there's a lot of water that runs under the bridges we're standing on."

Xena felt a touch of nervous tension tighten her gut. Well, I knew the past wouldn't stay buried forever. Amphipolis.. has a big claim on me.. if they want to press it. "That's true." She replied softly. Didn't think he was going to.. but… I guess I deserve it. Gabrielle must have felt her sudden worry, because the bard slid a hand to rest on her knee, and she felt the gentle pressure of her partner's thumb rubbing in a comforting motion against her skin.

Josclyn nodded. "I am the reeve of this township.. and that means I represent the law here, Xena. You know that. It falls to me to judge the claims of the law against any of the citizens here, and pursue them to justice."

Xena took a deep breath, and returned his gaze evenly. "I acknowledge that." She felt tension coil down her spine but stayed motionless. "I submit to your judgement." A razor's edge of uncertainty pressed at her, knowing by law, by the things she'd done, Josclyn could pronounce a penalty of.. anything. Even death, but she didn't think that's what he had in mind, else he wouldn't have waited until now to do so.

"Xena." Gabrielle's voice was sharp, and worried. She glanced at Josclyn in building outrage, her green eyes beginning to snap with a fiery indignation.

The reeve looked up in surprise as Gabrielle stood, and bristled, her temper beginning to flare. Xena reached up and clasped her shoulder, pressing her back into her seat. "Gabrielle.. please."

The bard subsided, but her eyes held his with unnerving sharpness, and he smiled inwardly at the Warrior Princess' unlikely champion, as he turned his attention back to the paper he was holding. "Xena… I studied the past, and reviewed the present, and thought about the future, because Amphipolis has charged me with the responsibility for that. " He paused. "It seems to me that my scales are balanced… what happened in the past is long gone, and what is happening in the present counterweights that. As for the future.. " Now he smiled at her. "I think Amphipolis does well to have you amongst us.. and my charter is well served when I set my name to this scroll that gives you right to free and clear citizenship here. "

He took a breath, and let a small silence settle, then he laid the parchment in front of her, with small, precise movements as he looked back up. "Welcome home."

Xena sat there and let the words roll over her, unsure of how to respond having never remotely considered the possibility of hearing them. Her eyes tracked to the parchment, seeing not only Joscyln's name, but the elder council's as well. Most of who had good reason to know her crimes firsthand. I can't believe this. Her mind whispered. It can't be happening. This all must be a dream.

Gabrielle's cheek pressed against her shoulder, and she felt bard's grasp tighten on her, anchoring her in a swirling sea of glad chaos. . Oh.. gods.. if it is a dream.. please.. don't let me ever wake up. She sent a silent, heartfelt plea up, then managed to regain control of her voice. "Thank you."

Josclyn nodded quietly. "You're welcome." There had been.. far less debate than he had thought there might be.. even from the elders, who certainly remembered what she'd cost them. In fact, he'd detected a very faint, well-hidden streak of half-guilty pride in her that had.. surprised him. And most of them had newer memories to consider… of her saving them from Draco.. and again.. of Xena's tireless efforts to feed the village this winter.. and her dauntless courage in defending them, especially that dark night when two outlaw bands had descended on them.

She'd stood out in that courtyard, armed with nothing but her blade and a thin tunic, and stood off all of them, fighting like nothing they'd ever seen. Or would again, he hoped. Never stopping until the last ragtag of them ran like weasels from the village, leaving behind injured comrades and frightened horses.

Never once touching her. And she'd picked up the outlaw leader, and shook him like a dog. "This is my home." She'd told him. "And nobody comes in here. Nobody. Got me?"

From that day forward, no one had.

And it had been what one of the outlying farmers had told a visiting merchant at the bar. "Sure.. she's dangerous, that one. She's a right terror, no doubt about it." He'd said. "But she's our terror."

That had about said it all. In a dangerous world, you took what safety and security you found and were glad of them. And he was glad of her. "If you citizens are ready, I'll get me things together, and we can put the ceremony behind us, so I can start taking part of yer mother's fine ale."

Xena smiled, and studied her hands, then glanced towards Gabrielle. "You ready?"

Her answer was a laugh. "Am I ever."

"Is it still snowing?" Hercules asked, peering cautiously outside the kitchen door.

A slithering sound greeted him, and he yelped as a pile of snow cascaded off the roof and landed on his head.

Cyrene turned, from where she was poking a cautious prong into the ground. "Yes." She deadpanned; gazing in startled amusement at the snow covered demigod, who was licking the frosty stuff off his nose. "Here." She walked over, and used a piece of linen to wipe the ice crystals off his head. "Don't suppose you want to help me get this pig out, huh?"

Hercules gave her an easy smile. "As a matter of fact, that's why I'm here." He brushed the snow off his muscular arms and sighed. "Xena said you probably could use a hand.. though..I think she's just kind of trying to get everyone out of the way in there."

"Hi." Jessan popped his head out.

The demigod glanced over his shoulder. "You get sent out here too?"

The forest dweller grinned. "I think we're too big… " He eased out the door. "It's getting a little close in there."

"I bet I know who'll end up out here next." Hercules laughed gently, shaking himself to rid his thickly clad shoulders of incessantly falling snow.

"Bet you don't" Xena's dry voice cut through the weather. The tall warrior slipped outside the door, and joined them. "Oh..mother.. um… " Xena glanced over her shoulder, then back at Cyrene. "Just..what.. were they supposed to be doing with that cake frosting?"

Cyrene straightened up with a jerk. "What?"

The warrior solemnly licked off a thumb. "And how did you get it that color?"

The innkeeper brushed by her, giving her daughter a slap on the leg. "They'd better not have dropped that bowl." She paused, and tugged on Jessan's tunic. "Give me a hand for a minute, will you?"

Jessan gave Xena an amused glance, then followed her inside, leaving the two of them quietly looking out at the falling snow.

An awkward pause fell, then Hercules cleared his throat. "You holding up ok? It's.. kind of crazy in there." He gave her a tentative smile. "I know how much you love crowds."

Xena leaned back against the wall of the inn, and crossed her arms. "Yeah… just needed a little fresh air I guess." She studied him. "How are you doing?"

"Me?" The demigod shrugged, and crossed his own arms, leaning back next to her and gazing out at the snow. "Fine.. fine… why?"

Her cool, analytical gaze swept over him. "You flinch every time you look at Iolaus."

He looked down at the ground, and pushed a clump of snow around with his boot. "I.. um… " He closed his eyes. "Remembered.. what I did." His speech halted. "To him."

The warrior sighed. "After the fight?" She hazarded a guess, remembering the sudden wave of horror that had swept over his face.

He nodded. "Yeah… when he was lying there, in his own blood." The demigod slowly shook his head. "Xena, I can't look him in the eye.. what am I going to do? For the sake of the gods, he's my best friend."

Xena pursed her lips, and considered the problem. "He.. told Gabrielle this morning." She said slowly. "And.. she said.. he was more worried about how you'd take it than what had happened." She put a hand on his shoulder. "He's a good friend, Hercules… he knows that wasn't you.. that it wasn't your fault." She paused, then went on carefully, picking her way with caution. "It.. could have been a lot worse."

"Yeah? How?" Hercules asked shortly, letting out a heavy breath. "How could I possibly top beating, than caging someone who's supposed to be a close friend of mine?"

The warrior rolled her head to one side, and regarded him. "If you don't cut that self pitying crap out, I'm gonna havta knock you around a little, Herc." She spoke the threat with casual menace. "You could have done.. a lot worse to him.. and to those others. What you did… nothing was.. permanent, all right? It was.. nasty, sure… uncomfortable.. but.. you didn't kill anyone, and everything you did was fixable."

Hercules' gaze turned as frosty as the weather. "As opposed to what?"

Now Xena turned to face him, and captured his gaze with her own, leaning forward and letting the wolf loose at will. "As opposed to what I.. would have done. " She stepped closer, poking his chest with a long finger. "You're a good person, Hercules. Nothing can change that.. even in the worst of circumstances.. so don't you forget it." She let her voice drop. "It's over… it happened, but it's over.. Iolaus forgives you.. he understands what happened. If you let this come between you..if you let it destroy your friendship, then you'll hurt him a whole lot more than anything you could do to him physically, got me?"

Hercules remained silent, his face tense.

Damn. Xena cursed silently. I am not good at this. "Look.. he cares about you, Hercules. That hasn't changed."

Now the demigod's eyes lifted and met hers. "I know.. " He clenched his jaw. "That's a problem too."

Xena's eyebrow rose. "What?" I knew there was something else going on with them….

"It's.." He lifted his hands and let them drop against his sides. "People assume things, Xena. You.. should know that better than most."

Now her eyebrows contracted. "Well.. um.. sure… I do know that.. but.. " Where is he going with this???

"No buts." Hercules said with a sigh. "Idle talk.. but it's gotten back to both of us.. that the rumors are.. uh…. " He stopped, and his face colored.

Xena wiped a grin off her face. "That you two are lovers?" She asked quietly.

His face now turned brick red. "We're not."

The warrior put a calming hand on his arm. "Relax. It never crossed my mind.." She smiled at him "You two.. are really not.. um… each other's type." She finished kindly. They're both cute, but they have as much chemistry together as a duck and a pig would. No.. sparks.. there.

He peeked at her. "Really?" He cleared his throat. "I mean, of course not." He waved his hands. "But it's… " He sighed. "Xena, I envy you."

An eyebrow curved back up. "Me?" Xena pointed at her own chest.

He nodded. "Yeah..look.. you're tough.. you're mean.. nobody in his or her right mind would look at you cross-eyed and live… but you can just.. " He stopped and gazed unhappily at her.

Ah.. I see his problem. She stroked his arm gently. "I can do that."

Hercules nodded. "Yeah.. and not have to worry about your image."

"Mm." Xena considered this. "It's a girl thing, Herc."

He sighed. "I know." Now he tramped around in the still falling snow, shaking his tawny head to clear the flakes. "But it's getting us both paranoid.. it bugs me, and I know it bugs him.. it's gotten so that I don't even go near him without us both getting this uncomfortable…." He paused. "And it's not… damn, Xena! Friends should be able to.. " He put a hand on the warrior's shoulder, and squeezed it. "Do that, without feeling guilty.. or ashamed.. or.."

Xena ran her fingers through her hair, scattering snowflakes around her body. "Have you talked to him about it?" That seems like a reasonable thing to ask… but boy, oh boy, am I out of my depth here.

The pale eyes blinked at her. "Talk to him?" His voice rose in amazement. "About this?"

Xena walked over and tucked her arm into his. "Let's go inside before we freeze into statues.. and yeah, talk to him. " She paused with her hand on the door. "You guys do talk to each other, right?"

Oh.. this is rich.. me giving him a lecture on communication. Gabrielle would be rolling in the snow if she'd heard me. "Right?"

"Uh." Hercules gazed at her, an embarrassed look on his handsome face. "Not.. exactly." And found himself gazing into appraising blue eyes. "Well… I… Xena, it's a guy thing. We just don’t' talk about stuff like that."

She opened the door, then remembered something, and paused, pushing him gently against the frame. "Hold on." She said quietly, unlacing the collar on his tunic, and pulling the fabric aside.

"Xena I…" He fell silent as she hissed under her breath. "Yeah.. I.. it…"

The warrior rolled her eyes. "Come on." She tugged his arm. "This'll only take a minute, and I wanted some fresh air anyway." She headed away from the inn, leaning forward and moving with determined steps through the thigh high drifts towards their cabin.

"So.. you having fun?" Gabrielle asked, as she slid herself down into a seat next to her sister. "Elaini's pretty neat, huh?"

Lila grinned. "I was.. kind of intimidated at first… gods, Br.. Gabrielle.. " She got no further, as her sister, laid a hand on her arm."What?"

A shrug. "You can call me Bree if you want to, Lila." The bard sighed. "It's all right."

Her hazel eyes met Gabrielle's mist green ones. "But you said you don't like it." She paused. "Xena never calls you that."

Gabrielle studied her hands. "No.. she doesn't.. she.. asked me if I wanted her to, and I just said.. no. " A glance at Lila. "I just like my whole name better.. "

Her sister smiled. "Especially the way she says it… gods… you guys don't have nicknames for each other, do you?"

The bard shook her head. "No.. sometimes when she wants to be extra irritating, she calls me Red. But… otherwise.. no.. " She paused, and grinned. "And yeah.. I love listening to her talk. I've got these.. scrolls, in another language, that she translates for me.. and just sitting there listening to her.. " A dreamy grin crossed her face. "I just love it."

Lila smiled at her "You've really got it bad, don't you?" She gave her head a minute shake. "What a goofy look."

Gabrielle leaned her head back against the wood of the chair and let out a happy sigh. "Yeah, I know." She laughingly admitted, as she selected a tiny sandwich from a tray resting near Lila's elbow and munched on it, reaching down with her free hand to tickle Ares' ears, as the wolf curled up around her feet. "Hi, Ares.. where'd your mom go?"

"Roo." The wolf lifted his head and licked her knee. "Arrggrrrr." He eyed her with a hopeful look, and wagged his tail when she offered him the end of her sandwich. "Grrr." He delicately took it with his teeth, and swallowed it down without chewing.

She laughed gently at him, then glanced up at her sister's indulgent look. "He's cute, isn't he?"

Lila smirked. "Yeah, he's cute…and he's got you wrapped around his little paws."

The bard snorted. "Me?" She indicated herself with a finger. "Oh no.. you should see him with Xena. He gets about half of every meal she eats out of her." She looked down at the shaggily dark wolf whose ears had perked up at the sound of Xena's name. "Yeah, you know who I'm talking about, don't you?"

"Grrrrrr.." Ares replied, settling his muzzle down on her foot with a little sigh. Gabrielle eyed him a minute longer, then looked up to meet her sister's appraising eyes. "So… how was the freak out level when Ares the Elder showed up?" She asked wryly.

Her sister waggled her hand. "Weeel… Da was all right with it.. he just kind of crept up in back of me and sort of watched with that kind of 'I'm interested but pretending not to be' kind of look." She replied slowly. "Mom.. almost passed out, but Cyrene took hold of her and dragged her off somewhere." She took a breath. "I was…kind of .." She pursed her lips. "He scared me."

Gabrielle nodded solemnly. "He scares me too." She fiddled with her belt clasp. "He even scares Xena."

Lila raised an eyebrow. "Couldn’t tell."

The bard gave her a half grin. "She's got that "I'm too tough for my leathers' routine down pretty pat." But I know every twitch.. every breath that's out of place now…

Her sister thought about that for a minute. "So.. that's all an act?"

Gabrielle eyed her. "Well.. no, not really. She really isn't afraid of a whole lot… but she knows people expect her to act a certain way, so she does, most of the time." They stopped to watch Josclyn start to clear a small area near the fireplace, and put out his scrolls, along with a strip of very white linen, and some other small items they couldn't distinguish. "Guess it's almost time." She took a steadying breath. "Um… you ok here? You need a drink.. or more of this stuff?" She indicated the sandwich platter.

Her sister rolled her eyes, and gave Gabrielle a rueful look. "I have one question."

Gabrielle cocked her head inquiringly. "Yeah?"

"You've been here for.. what..over two months?" Lila asked.

Her sister nodded, puzzled. "Um.. yeah.. " She selected another sandwich and bit into it. "What's your point?"

"My point is.. with all this great cooking around here.. I want to know what the Hades you do to stay so skinny." Lila cocked an accusing eyebrow at her. "Don't tell me that life on the road story, sis… cause you're not out there now."

Gabrielle blushed lightly, then glanced up at Lila, and gave her a little, crooked grin. "Do you have any idea just how much energy it takes to keep up with my partner?" She laughed gently. "Seriously.. I do put on a couple now and then.. it just never sticks… we're just constantly getting involved in stuff.. and then I have to fight just to stay even." She yawned and leaned back. "And Xena's worse… " She closed her eyes and imagined her partner's sleek, muscular body, and felt an appreciative grin tugging at her lips, along with a gentle warmth tingling up her spine. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and turned her head to face Lila. "We just keep busy."

Lila sighed. "I'm jealous." She shook her head. "You're disgusting."

The bard snorted. "Thanks." But they grinned at each other.

Lila leaned forward. "I know she gave you that ring… you going to give her one?" She asked, curious, watching Gabrielle's expressive face. "You are.. aren't you?"

The bard dug into the small pouch attached to her belt, and came up with something, which she studied, before opening her hand fully and extending it towards her sister. "Yeah." She bit her lip as Lila gently took it in a thumb and forefinger and brought it closer to her eyes for an inspection.

"Oh.. my gods….. " Lila breathed, staring at the glittering piece. At it's interlaced and woven gold, which cradled two brilliant diamonds, bracketing a richly blue sapphire. "Gabrielle, that's gorgeous." She looked up at her sister, astounded. "Where in the world did you get it.. and gods, it must have cost the earth!"

Gabrielle folded her arms across her chest and gave her a tight smile. "Yeah.. took a long time, and a lot of saving up from telling stories across half of Greece for that.. but… I think I picked one that she'll like." She let out a long breath. "It was a really hard decision.. cause she doesn't go in for jewelry at all."

Lila carefully put the ring back into her sister's palm. "If she doesn’t… she's crazier than I think she is." Then she looked up, impishly. "So.. what else did you get her?"

The bard tucked the ring away and laughed. "Oh.. a whole bunch of little stuff.. practical things.. stuff I know she needs.. you know."

Lila nodded. "Yeah.. Lennat and I exchanged ours before we left… he got me a bunch of new.." She rolled her eyes and stroked her belly gently. "Bigger tunics and things… stuff like that. I got him new work clothes, and a new leather apron." Her eyes examined Gabrielle curiously. "Is that a new outfit??" She grinned. "It looks really good on you."

One hand drifted down and touched the soft, woolen material. "Yeah.. one of my early Solstice presents from Xena." She grinned impishly. "She hates waiting."

Lila's face lit up. "Oh really? What else did you get?" She scooted forward, and leaned towards her sister, glad for this chance to exchange normal sibling talk.

"Mmm… well, stuff I needed.. lots of parchment, and quills.. a little kind of lap board so I can sit out in the grass and write.. if this weather ever clears up.. " She rolled her eyes. "Um… and a surprise she pulled on me last night.. " With an embarrassed blush, she pulled out the much folded piece of parchment Xena had handed her and gave it to Lila, playing idly with Ares fur until she heard her sister gasp.

"You brat!!!" Lila squealed, giving her a slap. "Da!" She called, spotting their father crossing the room in search of a hot mug of something. He detoured and paused by them, resting his hands on the back of Lila's chair. "I can't believe you've been sitting on this all day and didn't show anyone." The dark haired girl groaned in exasperation, as she handed their father the parchment. "Da, will you look at what this little brat has been hiding?"

I'm going to kill her. Gabrielle sighed inwardly. I didn't want him to… oh well. Slowly, she looked up, feeling her gut twist as she studied his quietly inexpressive face, suddenly wanting her partner's comforting presence as she felt her mouth go dry.

Herodotus read through the document several times, as she herself had, then glanced down at her, folding the parchment and handing it back to Lila. "Go show this to your mother." He said in a gruff voice.

Lila gave him a wary, suddenly uneasy look, but stood and edged around the chair, her eyes catching Gabrielle's in silent apology.

The bard closed her eyes briefly in acknowledgement, and jerked her head a little, letting her eyes follow her sister as she gently eased through the gathering crowd towards the kitchen. Then she swiveled her head, and met her father's gaze.

They examined each other for a long, silent moment, while the happy din of the room rose like a curtain around them, and the fires subtle popping seemed to sharpen.

Herodotus rubbed the side of his nose, then studied his interlaced his fingers thoughtfully. "You look very nice today." He commented dryly.

Gabrielle studied the floor. "Thanks." She replied quietly. "Are you having a good time?"

Her father nodded shortly. "Some very interesting people here." He glanced around. "They all have a very high regard for you."

Yeah… and how far away from home did I have to go to find people who did? "They're… all good friends." She replied in an even tone.

Her father sighed softly, and regarded his thumbs. "And I'm not a friend… I know that."

She didn't answer, just watched him, her guard firmly up. Under her drifting fingers, Ares lifted his head, and stared at Herodotus, his ruff puffing up as he sensed the roiling emotions just under her tightly held reserve. The wolf's lip curled, exposing his white, sharp teeth as an almost soundless growl vibrated his body.

Herodotus studied the wolf in silence. Then he grunted. "He think he's your protector?"

Gabrielle stroked the wolf's coat soothingly. "He takes after his mom." Now she looked up, meeting his gaze squarely.

He nodded slowly. "She made that pretty clear." His voice was calm. "Gabrielle, I'm not going to bother apologizing to you.. because that really wouldn't mean anything.. I did what I did, and I can't change that." He cocked his head at her. "To say I would have.. is probably not the truth, and we both know that."

The bard regarded him quietly. "I don't want an apology from you."

He sighed. "This isn't.. the life I would have chosen for you.. but you know that." He swallowed. "I've.. come to terms with the fact that, for better or worse, you've chosen a hard.. dangerous path.. one that puts you in harms way for reasons I can't begin to understand."

Gabrielle ducked her head in quiet acceptance. "I… don't expect you to understand it."

The sound of his intake of breath, and the soft scrape as he rubbed his hands together. "What you've become.. is your own doing, and none of mine." He stated quietly. "But.. regardless of that.. and of the unhappiness that sits between us and probably always will, I find myself.. to be very.. " He hesitated, and waited until she glanced up, until their eyes were fastened on each other. "Very proud of you." His mouth twitched. "I'm.. glad you asked us to be here.. and that I've had an opportunity to get a glimpse of your life."

She sat, hardly breathing, unable to believe what she was hearing. What she'd wanted to hear for so long she couldn't…

He sighed. "You're a remarkable person, Gabrielle. I wish I could take some kind of credit for that, but I can't.. all I can do is regret a lot of things.. and hope that one day, maybe, you'll look at me and not see only a person who hurt you."

Gabrielle absorbed the words, as she looked down and riffled her fingers through Ares thick fur. The only way to break the cycle of hatred and violence is through love..and forgiveness. Isn't that what I said to Xena? Isn't it? She took a deep breath, and looked up, right into his warily guarded eyes. "I already do." Her Solstice gift, in a way. "You're my father, and I love you."

She caught him by surprise, she knew… his jaw sagged quite outside his control, and she could see the startled, blinking reflex as his eyes widened. She almost would have giggled if the situation hadn't been so deathly serious. "I need to go talk to Josclyn.. " She stood and pressed a hand against his shoulder. "Thanks."

And she walked away from him, giving him space, and a chance to collect himself, and to think about what had just happened. Because she needed that too.. needed a moment's peace to settle her thoughts and to savor the quiet sense of redemption his words had given her. Solstice.. she reflected quietly Was a good time for that.

Continued in Part 7

Return to Part 5

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The Longest Night - Part 7

Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

"So.." Hercules gazed around the cabin, a look of interest on his face. "This is your place, huh?" He was seated on a chair next to the fire, his shirt unlaced, as he watched Xena mixing something or other at a small table nearby.

Xena dusted a pinch of powdered herb into the mixture she was working on and nodded. "Yep."

Well. The demigod let his eyes linger over the inside of the cabin. "Nice." He commented, noting the large, comfortable looking bed, and the warm colors of the bedclothing and scattered woven rugs.

Xena looked over her shoulder, and gave a low, deprecating chuckle. "Never considered myself the domestic sort.. but it's not bad here." She finished her work, and stepped over to where he was seated, dipping her long fingers into the ointment she'd worked up, and gently daubing it onto the raw, angry red burns that still graced the demigod's neck. "These must be driving you nuts."

Hercules closed his eyes at her skilled touch, wincing at the sting of the ointment. "You could say that." He muttered, pleasantly aware of the tangy scent of the stuff, along with the warm, tickly smell of the woolen outfit Xena was wearing.

"I just did." The warrior dryly advised him, moving his shoulder length hair out of the way to get at the burns on the back of his neck. "You know, you coulda said something about this earlier." Her voice tickled his ear. "You're not going to pull that noble silent hero routine on me, are you?"

Against his will, Hercules felt a grin tug at his lips, and he let his head rest against her belly as she worked on the back of his neck. "Takes one to know one." He retorted, giving her a light slap on the knee, and feeling the chuckle that rumbled through her before it ghosted past his hearing. "So.. you decided to settle down here for good?"

Xena finished her task, and stepped back, folding his shirt back into place and giving him a critical look. "I wanna check that later.. I'll bring this stuff with me." She juggled the container of ointment in one hand. "We're staying around through the winter, yeah. After that… " She shrugged lightly. "We'll probably bump into you guys out on the road."

He nodded slowly and stood up, wandering around the cabin with gently curious eyes. He stopped next to the table, and stared at the two tiny stuffed toys propped up next to each other and picked the squirrel up, turning and looking at her with a wide grin.

Xena winced. Oops. Let's see.. can I get away with a bland stare? She tried one, but he just started laughing. Nope.. She sighed, and let her arms lift up slightly, then drop down again. "My mother's idea of a joke."

"She's got quite a sense of humor." The demigod remarked, putting the toy down and resuming his walk. "Hey.. these are nice.. " He ran a finger over the painted woven mats on the wall.

"Gabrielle's work." Xena told him in a quietly proud tone, as she stowed her supplies back into her healer's kit.

He studied the paintings for a moment, then shook his head a little. "She's a very special person." He wandered over to the linen press, chuckling a little as he picked up the tiny carved turtle from amongst its playmates. "This her work too?"

Xena felt a faint blush coming on, and she scowled a little. "Um.. no." Damn.. what possessed me to drag him in here? She glanced furtively up at him, seeing his smiling eyes watching her, waiting, one eyebrow cocked in question. Oh… centaur poop. Her mind sighed. "Mine, actually." She finally muttered.

Hercules' felt his square jaw drop, and he let out a startled blurt of laughter. "Well..well…. talk about surprises. " He set the turtle down, and crossed back over to her, bumping her shoulder with his own, and giving her a gentle slap on the back. "Relax.. I won't tell anyone."

"Thanks." Xena growled. "C'mon, we'd better get back… Josclyn wants to get the ceremony rolling."

Hercules abruptly lost his good humor, and he glanced down, before putting a hand on Xena's shoulder. " Can we… sit down and talk for a minute first?"

She picked up his tension and felt her own gut tighten in response. "Sure." She gestured him towards the chair next to the fire, and seated herself in the other one, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees, clasping her hands between them. "What's up?"

The demigod leaned back in the chair, feeling the peace of the place as a tangible thing. "Listen.. I.. found out something about that necklace. " He began, then paused. "I.. think you should know."

Xena studied his face, seeing the strain and exhaustion there. "Go on." She said evenly.

"Ares… was.. not telling you the whole truth." Hercules replied, quietly. "Or.. " He lifted a weary hand. "He didn't know.. I don't… know which. But the fact is.. that necklace.. affected me.. because of who my father is."

Xena's brow creased. "Wait.. it affected you because Zeus is your father?" That makes no sense…"Someone got something out for him?"

Hercules sighed. "No.. not.. exactly. It affected me because.. I'm half god." He leaned forward. "It only affects people who are.. like me." He paused. "Or.. of course, full gods." He chewed his lip. "That's.. why Ares was so concerned."

Oh. Xena bit her lip in concentration. "I see."

"Do you?" Hercules asked quietly. "Xena, I talked to Iolaus.. I know that thing affected you somehow."

Xena studied her strong hands intently. "It's.. not.. something I haven't considered, Hercules." She looked up, and met his eyes squarely. "But I think it's just coincidence in this case." She paused. "I am, after all, mortal." Her lips quirked. "I died, remember?" Now her humor turned dark. "And I certainly didn't end up in Mount Olympus" A quick memory of the seashore flickered through her thoughts then, and she smiled inwardly.

He nodded slowly. "And you came back." He answered, reaching over and taking her hand. "I can't offhand think of many people who could have done that."

She shrugged. "I was lucky, and had a lot of help." And one overwhelming, undeniable need.

He looked at her, his eyes sad but intent.

Xena looked at their clasped hands, then raised her gaze to his again. "I'm not like you, Hercules… when I get cut, I bleed.. when people hit me, I hurt. " She sighed. "I've got the scars to prove it. "

"So do I." Hercules answered quietly. "But I can cross the boundaries between life and death, my body heals with incredible speed.. I'm stronger than just about anyone I know.. and gods keep meddling in my life." He paused, and gave her a wistful smile 'Sound familiar?"

A quirk of one dark eyebrow. He was right.. and it wasn't something she hadn't considered more times than she could count. Even Gabrielle sensed it.. only the bard called it her special 'magic'. "Yeah." She finally said, with a deep sigh. "It does." A darkling though crossed her mind, and almost.. almost made her chuckle wryly out loud. "But.. it's water under the bridge… nothing I can do either way." She advised him. "Just something else I gotta live with."

He ducked his head. "True." Then gave her a wry look. "Listen.. sorry to spring this on you today.. I just.. I haven't really had a chance to talk to you since… "

She smiled. "Don't worry about it… like I said.. it's not something I haven't considered." She shrugged lightly. "Matter of fact, Gabrielle and I talked about it a few weeks back."

Bare days after the bard had returned from the slavers camp, when they'd lain snuggled together after a long translating session, with bard's slowly healing ribs giving them an excuse to while the lazy hours away with each other. Like they really needed an excuse.

"Xena?" Gabrielle had said, tentatively, from her position cradled against her partner's chest.

"Mmm?" Xena had answered in a half asleep mumble, shamelessly allowing the patter of icy rain on their roof to lull her into a dreamy daze, and reveling in a sense of guilty pleasure at the feeling.

"I was.. just thinking." The bard had started, with an uncertain tone in her voice. "About.. you."

One blue eye opened, and regarded her fiery gold head thoughtfully. "What did I do now?"

"Nothing." Gabrielle answered. "But I was thinking about.. how much this hurts.. " Xena's arms cradled her more securely. "Thanks.. but I can't help feeling kind of depressed at how long it's taking to heal." She'd turned her head and gazed up at her partner. "Because it's not like that for you."

Xena had regarded her thoughtfully. "No.. I guess it isn't."

Green eyes had pinned her. "Why not?" Fingers had reached up and delicately traced her face. "You… I know you work really hard, Xena.. but you can do things other people just can't .. why? Are you.. " Her voice had faltered. "I mean.. "

Xena had sighed. "I don’t know." She'd finally, honestly, answered. "Does it matter?" This last as an aching, scared question.

Gabrielle had nestled closer. "Not to me." Warm affection colored her tone. "I was just curious." She'd sighed, and winced. "Whatever it is, I wish I could borrow it for a few candlemarks."

And Xena had smiled ruefully, and gently wrapped her in warmth, coaxing her back into a healing sleep. Which had.. in some strange, mystical fashion, seemed to have worked, despite the bard's impatience. Gabrielle's ribs had healed much faster than they should have.. though Xena hadn't told her that.

She'd just accepted it, like she accepted her own abilities. And tried not to think about them too much.

"Yeah?" Hercules replied. "What does she think?"

Xena shrugged. "She.. thinks.. whatever the source, it's a useful thing."

The demigod laughed softly. "Practical." He stood, and extended a hand to her. "C'mon, my friend.. let's go get you hitched." He rubbed his stomach. "I want to try some of that roast your mother is doing.. Knickers of the gods, Xena, she sure can cook."

The warrior chuckled, and wrapped an arm around his broad back, as they fastened their cloaks and prepared to force a way through the thickly falling snow back towards the inn.

Xena felt her partner's presence just inside the door to the inn, and she smiled as she pushed the wooden portal open, glad to get out of the driving wind that whirled fiercely through the weave of her cloak and blew wet snow down the back of her neck. Sure enough, there was Gabrielle, her pale hair collecting the flickers from the torches, waiting for her. "Hey.. " She stepped aside to let Hercules go past her, and ducked her head down towards the bard. "Had to get some ointment for his neck."

Gabrielle wound her fingers around the warrior's arm. "From the necklace?" She asked, in a low voice.

Xena nodded. "Yeah.. we ready?" She felt an odd nervous sensation deep in her guts that surprised her. Damn.. don't tell me I'm getting spooked at this.. not at my age for Ares' sake.

The bard smiled. "Yep.. we are.. but… " She tugged Xena towards the kitchen. "Can I.. just.. talk to you alone for a minute?"

Xena willingly allowed herself to be ushered through the door into the now empty and quiet kitchen. "Sure.. " She gently cornered the bard against the counter, and kissed her, feeling Gabrielle's light, surprised laugh against her lips. Then she relaxed, and leaned against the cupboard. "Now.. you had something to say?"

Gabrielle regarded her fondly. "You're such a brat." She lifted Xena's hand, still clasped in her own, and brushed the knuckle against her lips. "I.. wanted to give something to you.. and.. I'm not sure if you're going to like it, so I'd rather.. um.. "

Strong hands gently grasped her face, and tilted it up. "Gabrielle… if you gave me a polished, petrified centaur poop I'd love it."

The bard's eyes glinted with sudden, impish humor. "Really?"

Xena brushed her fingers against her partner's soft cheek. "Really." Then she cocked her head in inquiry as her hand was captured and held, and found herself drowning in Gabrielle's eyes as the bard's hands moved, and she felt a cool constriction settled around a finger, along with the gentle warmth of Gabrielle's touch.

She looked down at their clasped hands, and felt her knees give out, forcing her to grab awkwardly for the counter, as Gabrielle's steadying grip found her. She was vaguely aware that the bard was saying something, isolated words kept filtering through her astonished awareness, but.. 'Gabrielle."

The bard stopped speaking, and waited, her mist green eyes anxiously searching Xena's face.

"Its.. beautiful… I don't… how did you… " Finally she gave up, and just closed her eyes, and reached out, grabbing Gabrielle's shirt and pulling her close. Burying her face into Gabrielle's sweet smelling hair and just holding on to her.

"I.. I wanted to.. um… " Gabrielle was stammering softly. "I know.. you don't like jewelry.. I know.. you said because of the fighting and stuff, you don't wear it.. but…I just wanted.. I mean, you don't have to…"

A hand gripped the back of her neck and kneaded softly, and she stopped speaking, recognizing the gentle pressure for what it was. She let her body melt against her soulmate's, and felt a happy smile start to edge across her face. Guess I did OK. The less she talks, the more she feels about something.. and when she stops talking, and just reacts.. I hit the bullseye.

Finally, they released each other, and Xena leaned back, keeping her partner wrapped loosely in her arms. "Thank you." She gave the bard a dazzling smile. I can't believe she did that.

Gabrielle smiled back. "Listen.. I know you don't wear that kind of stuff."

The warrior spared a glance for the glittering circle on her hand and chuckled softly. "Guess I'll get used to it." She brushed a wayward strand of fiery gold hair from the bard's cheek. "You didn't have to do that, you know."

The bard quirked a grin at her. "I know." She played with the satin laces at Xena's throat idly. "I.. there's nothing material that will ever express what.. you mean to me, and you.. know that, right?" She saw Xena's small nod and gave one back. "This is just.. something I really wanted to do."

A knock on the door cause them both to jump a little, then grin as the wooden panel moved inward, and Cyrene poked her head in. 'Hi mom." They managed to say in concert.

The innkeeper slipped all the way in the room, and put her hands on her hips. "Excuse me!" She snorted softly. "You two have the rest of your lives to cuddle with each other.. you mind if we get this party going?"

"Oh gods." Gabrielle softly groaned, and just buried her face in Xena's shirt. "I'm gonna die." She burst into a helpless giggle.

Xena felt a blush coloring her own face, but she maintained her composure, and gave her mother a wry look. "Ok..ok.. " She gave the bard a gentle nudge towards the door. "G'wan, I'll be out in a minute."

Gabrielle gave her a smile, then pushed off her, and edged past Cyrene, biting her lip when the innkeeper gave her a knowing poke.

Cyrene watched the door closed, then sauntered over to where Xena was standing, arms crossed. "You two really don't have to sneak around like that, you know… it's not like everybody doesn't know, right?"

Xena sighed, then gave her mother a fond look. "Yeah.. I know that. .she just wanted to give me something.. kind of hard in that circus outside." She let out a breath, trying to relieve the gnawing feeling just under her ribcage. "I.. was just…"

Cyrene moved closer, then curled her fingers around Xena's hand and tugged it away from her chest. "Gods." She laughed softly. "Would you look at that." Then she noticed the slight tremor running through the long fingers and glanced up. "Are you all right, honey?"

Xena clenched her hand into a fist, and swallowed. "Yeah, I'm fine." She answered in a slightly husky voice. "Just a little surprised."

Her mother regarded her quietly. "And a little nervous." She gave her daughter a gentle pat. "That's a beautiful gift, Xena."

The warrior tucked her hand back against her chest and gave her mother a tight smile. "Yeah.. it sure is." Then she took a deep breath. "Well, better get this moving."

Cyrene chuckled softly under her breath, and circled her arms around the taller woman. "C'mere." For an instant, Xena's body remained rigid, then she relaxed, and returned her mother's hug. "That's better." The innkeeper rubbed her daughter's back soothingly. "Take it easy… I know there's a lot of people out there, but it'll be over in a few minutes, and you can go back to your corner and glower at everyone again."

She felt a movement as Xena started chuckling. "You know me pretty well." The warrior sighed resignedly, but her voice sounded much calmer.

Cyrene snorted. "I *am* your mother." She gave her a pat on the back and released her. "Besides.. I felt the same way."

"Yeah?" Xena queried, putting an arm around her shoulders and steering her towards the door.

Her mother waved a hand. "Oh yeah.. mine was a real circus… though.. " She peeked out the door at the very eclectic crowd "I think there was less.. um.. fur." She paused thoughtfully. "And no Amazons."

Hecuba fussed over Gabrielle, who was standing quietly with her arms crossed near the table Jocelyn had commandeered. The older woman was brushing non existent specks of dust off her daughter's shirt, and twitching at her belt. "This is very nice." She commented dryly, looking the bard up and down. "But it certainly is.. um.. well, it doesn't leave much to the imagination." She finished, with a hint of disapproval.

"Yeah, your majesty. " Ephiny drawled, coming up behind her and tugging at her collar. "We're used to seeing you in so much.. er.. less." She teased wickedly. "This seems positively.. decadent."

"Thanks guys." Gabrielle sighed, rolling her eyes and exchanging amused looks with Jocelyn.

"What does she mean?" Hecuba asked, puzzled, then her brows creased. "Oh.. yes.. that other outfit you seem so fond of." Her voice left no doubt of her opinion of the outfit in question. "Disgraceful."

"Hey..!" The bard scowled. "What's disgraceful about it? It's nice and cool in the summer."

Her mother clucked her tongue. "Really, Gabrielle.. you can see… everything."

The surrounding Amazons all hummed in approval in concert. "Yes, you certainly can." Granella drawled.

"Thanks guys." Gabrielle muttered, through clenched teeth, as she flushed a deep crimson. Gods… what on earth possessed me to ask both my parents and the Amazons to this thing? Did I get into some fermented nutbread that day or what?

"Ooo.. " Ephiny chuckled. "Look at that blush… very impressive." Her pale eyes danced. "Actually, I always thought that outfit was Xena's choice."

Now the laughter proliferated, and Gabrielle thought she was going to just sink through the floor of the inn. She felt intensely uncomfortable with the knowing scrutiny, despite it's harmless nature, and bit her lip at the sight of her mother's darkening expression.

Then three things happened. The laughter abruptly stopped, a silence fell, and two arms slid around her neck and clasped her securely.

"I'm sure I didn't hear anyone making fun of my best friend here." Pause. "RIGHT?" Xena's voice was silky with dark menace, and her ice blue eyes lanced into them. Even Ephiny's eyes widened. Hecuba took a nervous step back.

The Amazon regent rubbed her nose. "Um.. no… no.. of course not. We were just.. admiring Gabrielle's outfit." She gave the bard an apologetic look. "Right?"

Gabrielle let them sweat for a minute, getting a guilty enjoyment of turning the tables on them, then relented and grinned. "Yeah, it's ok." She patted Xena's thigh lightly. "They were just razzing me.. it's no problem."

Everyone got a raised eyebrow stare, then Xena relaxed, and turned towards Jocelyn. "We ready?"

The reeve nodded, pinching his lips to keep the smile off of them as he opened his leather bound ledger, and put his hands lightly on the faded pages.

Ephiny mock wiped her brow as the two of them turned and faced the reeve, exchanging sheepish looks with Granella. "Forgot about that damn protective streak. " She muttered softly into Eponin's ear. "Whoo.. that icy stare sure hasn't lost anything."

Eponin grunted in agreement, then leaned back against a support post and smiled bashfully when Ephiny did the same, slipping an arm around her waist and settling down to watch the ceremony. She did her best to ignore the darting looks going back and forth between the other Amazons, and kept her eyes forward, watching the rest of the guests gather close to witness the rite. Finally, she turned her head. "You're scandalizing the children." Her voice a bare whisper.

Ephiny smiled. "They'll survive." She whispered back, giving Eponin a quick nip on the nose. "Whoops.. there go Granella's eyeballs…"

Xena tore her distracted attention from the whispering going on in back of them, to focus on Jocelyn's voice, which was running through the legal obligations of the joining. She was very aware of Gabrielle's slim, silent form next to her. Very aware of the ridiculous pounding of her own heart, and the chills that were making her knees shake. This.. is out of control. She sternly told her body. I have stood up in front of gods and kings without turning a hair. I am *not* going to pass out in my own mother's inn at my own damn joining ceremony in front of every damn friend I have because I will never, ever, ever live that down.

Fingers gently twined with hers, and she concentrated on the warm sensation, letting the reassuring presence of her soulmate work it's magic, calming her down and bringing a measure of peace to her slightly frazzled mind. Her heartbeat slowed, and the closeness of the room receded, and now she could concentrate on what Jocelyn was saying.

Gabrielle watched her partner out of the corner of her eye with a touch of amused concern. The hand clasped in her own had been chilled, unusual in the extreme for her normally warm blooded companion. Gods… I think she's nervous. That's a first. She saw Xena visibly relax a little, as she gently rubbed the warrior's fingers. Yeah.. and it's really close in here.. that can't be helping. She squeezed the hand wrapped around hers, and was rewarded with the perceptible relaxation of Xena's shoulders.

"Gabrielle, as a newcomer to our village, I'll explain to you how we do this." Jocelyn gave her a friendly look. "These are the legal documents of your joining. " He indicated the two sheets of parchment. "They spell out the requirements and responsibilities that this step you're taking entails.. and what your rights are."

The bard nodded, having reviewed this with Xena days before. "I know." She grinned impishly. "Where do I sign?"

Jocelyn smiled back at her. "Do you agree to take responsibility for all your life long for your partner here?"

Gabrielle's eyes took on an inner glow. "Longer than that." She felt the grip on her fingers tighten, and smiled.

The reeve gave her a little nod. "Do you agree to share legal responsibility for your life together, and any contracts or agreements you decide to enter into?"

That.. Gabrielle felt the weight of that settle onto her, knowing that she might not know, or suspect the breadth or depth of the things Xena had done, or would do in the future. But there was really only one answer. "Yes." She said quietly, firmly, and received another nod from Jocelyn.

He gently pushed the parchment towards her, and handed her a quill, which she took in wondering fingers, leaning forward a little to inscribe her name in a steady hand. It was a curious feeling.. she reflected, after she'd straightened up, handing him back the quill, and listening quietly as Xena made the same responses to the same questions. Then the warrior was releasing her hand to take the quill herself and sign the parchment, twirling the writing instrument in her fingers briefly before handing it back, and the thing was done. Just like that, she marveled.

And then she was extending her hand, and so was Xena, and Jocelyn was taking a deep breath for this, the most symbolic part of the ceremony. He took up a small dagger, with it's bright, glittering blade and hesitated, glancing at Xena for permission. Very aware of just who it was he was approaching with bared blade.

The warrior nodded quietly, and watched with only a tiny flinch as he took her hand in his own, and swiftly nicked a cut in her palm. Then he did the same with Gabrielle, whose jaw jerked at the pressure but who made no sound.

They clasped hands, mingling the trickles of blood, and Jocelyn took up the white linen, binding it around their fingers in a tight bandage. "This is our way." He said softly. "As your blood is joined, so your hearts are joined, and as this fabric binds your hands, may the Fates weaving bind your lives together for as long as you both shall live."

Xena could feel the harsh fire of the cut, and focused on it, ignoring the faint trembling that started in her knees and was working it's way up. The linen felt cool, then warm as it took on their body heat, and she felt Gabrielle's fingers clasp hers in gentle reassurance. She found herself unable to lift her attention past her partner, and let her world narrow down, until it included only herself, and Gabrielle, and Jocelyn's ending murmur, which spoke words her brain surely recognized, but which made no impression on her hearing.

Then she was in a pool of expectant silence, and Gabrielle's mist green eyes were focusing on her, the bard turning so they faced one another.. and here was Gabrielle's biggest nightmare, one that she'd mumbled confession of, and Xena had gently teased her about, reminding her that she'd already kissed the bard in front of a crowd.

But this was different, as Xena also realized. And now it was her turn to reassure her partner, and make this ending of the ceremony as gentle, and as wonderful as the rest had been.

She let their bound hands dropped to the side, and lifted her free one, interlacing her fingers into Gabrielle's fiery gold hair and capturing her eyes. Watching as the bard let the room fade out as she focused her attention on Xena, and leaned her cheek in to the palm caressing her face. And then she ducked her head and kissed her, seeing the bard's eyes flutter closed as she responded to the familiar touch and her free hand drifted up to curl around Xena's waist, sliding a hesitant thumb up the line of the warrior's ribcage.

She took her time, they both did, letting the watching crowd dissolve into a mist that left them alone in each other's eyes for a long, breathless, peaceful slice of time.

Then the sound of clapping, and cheering slowly broke in, and they glanced at each other, exchanging wry grins, as the crowd clustered around them, and hands reached out to give friendly congratulations.

They endured hugs from everyone, and even Gabrielle was feeling the faintest protests from her normally open boundaries by the time they'd made it across the room and to a fairly open spot on the floor. A glance sideways told her that her partner was enduring the trial by will alone, her seemingly calm, almost friendly expression betrayed by the tension the bard could feel radiating down into their still joined hands, and Gabrielle nudged her gently towards the table that had been set up for them. "C'mon… " Getting no protest from her silent companion, who followed her willingly to the relatively quiet corner and settled down next to her on the wide, padded bench against the wall.

She waited for Xena to lean back, while she accepted two mugs from a smiling server and put them down on the table. "Thanks." She grinned up into the short, stocky man's eyes and he laughed. Her eyes scanned the room, noting the knots of talking people, now beginning to move towards tables, and the servers who scurried around the room putting down platters and cups. The inn's rafters had been draped in the same colors which graced their cabin, and the rising din of happy noise made her sigh in some contentment. It hadn't been anything like what she'd imagined.. and nothing like what her marriage to Perdicus had been.

Maybe because.. in most joining ceremonies the two people being joined hoped they'd be able to merge their separate lives into one.. and in hers, that was no longer a question, making the ceremony more an affirmation than a promise.

Her hand stung lightly, and she flexed it inside its linen wrap, and smiled when Xena's fingers tightened their grasp, making her look up and over at her partner. "You all right?" She muttered, in a low voice, leaning closer to Xena.

The blue eyes blinked a few times, then a corner of Xena's mouth tugged into a grin. "Yeah.. I just… I realized when they did this.. " She raised their linked hands. "That this is… all real."

Gabrielle slid closer, her brow contracting a bit. "What did you think it was before?" She asked, keeping a light tone in her voice. "A rehearsal?"

Xena gazed at her. "A dream." She answered softly.

"Oh no." The bard replied in a whisper. "This is very, very real." She smiled and laid her head against Xena's shoulder, letting out a happy sigh. "It's the most real thing that ever happened to me."

That brought a smile to the warrior's face, and she rested her cheek against the top of her partner's head. "Oh yeah." She breathed, on the end of a gentle laugh as the rich warmth of their connection swept over her. This… she felt it bubble up. Was happiness. She closed her eyes and let it surface, flowing over her in a wave so intense, it blocked out everything save the solid warmth of Gabrielle's body pressed against hers, and in that moment, she didn't care about the past, or the future as both faded into a blurry haze while the single moment of now came sharply to focus.

She felt a slight poke in her ribs, and opened her eyes, gazing down at Gabrielle. "Huh?"

A giggle from the bard. "You're not falling asleep on me, are you?" Her eyes glinted impishly. "You'd never live that down, love."

Xena laughed ruefully, letting her eyes flick out over the crowd. "You're right." She admitted. "But no.. I wasn't dozing off.. I was just thinking."

"Uh huh" Gabrielle teased. "So.. remind me again, how long do we have to keep this on?" She lifted their joined hands. "Not that I'm complaining in any way, right?"

The warrior stretched her legs out, and felt her body begin to relax. "Hmm… well, we're supposed to keep ourselves tied together until.. " She let the sentence trail off, and just jerked her head towards the door. "You know."

"Ah. I see." Gabrielle mused.

"It's.. supposed to be so that the newly joined couple.. " Xena felt a warm giddiness shiver down her spine at the words, and scolded herself in outrage. C'mon, now.. we're not kids here! "Um.. anyway, so that they start learning to work as a team." She lifted their hands and smiled. "It can pose some problems… walking… eating.. that kind of thing."

Gabrielle's fair eyebrows rose and she chuckled. "Not for us." She reached over and clasped Xena's free hand. "I think we've gotten some practice in working as a team already."

"Mmm.." Her partner agreed. "I don’t think they had us in mind when they wrote that bit." She shrugged lightly. "Well.. I m… " She gazed at Gabrielle's head, tucked firmly into her shoulder. "We could take it off if you want."

The fiery golden hair moved as she shook her head. "Nope." Now an impish twinkle appeared. "I intend to dance, and party, and have a great time tonight.. and if you're tied to me.. I guess you'll just have to do that too."

A darkly dangerous eyebrow curved up. "Oh really? You think you can drag me across that floor, little bard?"

Gabrielle grinned devilishly. "Hey.. I'm not that little anymore.. and yep, I do."

Xena settled back with a grin. "Well.. it's going to be fun to watch you try." But she winked at her partner. She glanced up as a shudder of wind rattled the timbers of the inn, and her brow raised again. "Looks like it's a good thing we're indoors, though."

"That was nice." Ephiny commented to Toris, who was moving some chairs around. "It's.. an interesting tradition."

The dark haired man glanced up, and motioned her to sit down. "Yeah… I wasn't sure if she was going to go through with the whole rigamarole.. I mean.. the wrapping stuff is mostly a fun thing, because usually the two people don't really.. well.. know each other that well, and to be stuck tied to someone all night.." He glanced the short distance to where his sister and her partner were seated. "But I don't think that's a problem in this case."

Ephiny smiled quietly at the gentle shine in those blue eyes, and the look of unabashed joy on Gabrielle's face as she rested her cheek against the warrior's shoulder. They turned to look at each other, and the emotion was so strong between them, it was almost a physical thing that Ephiny could sense readily. She sighed. "You don't get to see that very often, Toris."

Toris grinned briefly. "No.. you really don't." He chuckled. "I always said if my sister got defeated.. it wouldn't be by force of arms."

Ephiny regarded the pair thoughtfully as she sat down, and felt Eponin settle to one side of her, and Granella to the other. "No.." She met Toris' blue eyes. "That wasn't a defeat." Her lips twitched. "It was a willing surrender."

A sound made them all turn, and watch as the door to the kitchen swung open and Hercules edged his wide shoulders out, followed by a grinning Jessan. The demigod was brushing snowflakes off his thick shirt, and gave them a nod as he pulled a chair up to the end of the table, and sat down in it. "Hi."

Jessan joined Elaini at the table next to them, and patiently sat as his lifebond plucked bits of straw out of his golden fur. "So.. you guys get the pig out?" Elaini asked idly. "Um…" She realized how odd that sounded. "I mean… did you help.. oh.. Ares boots."

Jessan sat back, and crossed his arms. "You know, I think I resent that." He eyed Hercules, who blinked. "How come everyone always thinks big guys like us are only good for hard labor? Like dragging some pig up out of a hole in the ground?"

Hercules' mouth twitched. "You know, you're right." And so had Xena been, he mused, when she'd told him things could have been worse. Knowing… He decided firmly was better than wondering, and since he couldn’t change what happened.. at least he could be grateful that it.. hadn't been as bad as his mind had imagined it to be. "How do you know we weren't' in there.. um… baking cookies."

Iolaus leaned forward and rested his short forearms on the tables. "You.. baking cookies?"

The demigod crossed his arms on his muscular chest. "Yes, Iolaus."

A tiny silence. "Well." The blond man scratched his head. "If we get attacked, we've got ammunition, then."

That got laughter from everyone, even the idly listening Xena and Gabrielle.

"Did you.. talk to him?" The bard whispered to her partner.

Xena nodded. "Yeah.. I did.. I think it's ok now.. I kind of knocked him around a little."

"Really?" Gabrielle mused, as she picked up her glass of ale and sipped slowly.

"Yeah.. and, oh, by the way… they're not." Xena commented, sniffing reflectively.

A splutter, and she felt droplets of ale hit her as the bard choked on her drink. "Hey.. easy there.." Xena patted her back, concerned. "You OK?"

Gabrielle cleared her throat, giving the curiously watching group a reassuring smile. "Fine.. fine.. no problems here.. just drank too fast." She ducked her head against Xena's shoulder again and lowered her voice. "I'm gonna kill you for that."

"Me?" Xena asked plaintively. "Damn.. all I do is pass along a little information, and what does that get me? I'll just keep it to myself next time." She picked up her glass of ale and sipped it, watching her mother direct the crowd of servers.

"Did you.. just… ask.. him???" The bard whispered curiously.

Xena shrugged. "Nope.. he volunteered it.. I was giving him some tips on communicating when.."

Gabrielle banged on her chest with her free hand. "WHOA!!!!!"

Everyone turned around and looked, at Xena frozen in mid drink, and the bard with her fist clenched firmly in the rich wool of her partner's shirt. The warrior swallowed and gave them all a dour look. "It's all right.. she just gets a little excited now and then." Ignoring the drumming of fingertips on her breastbone blithely. "Hey… would you look at that pig."

Eyes went that way, and now she grinned impishly at Gabrielle, who was biting her lip in outrage. "Hey… you're really cute when you're mad."

The bard made a low, rumbling, growling sound that was immediately echoed by Ares, who was curled up around Xena's feet. "I.. am.. going.. to… tell.. every. .single.. person.. in.. this..room.." Gabrielle breathed. "Exactly where your ticklish spot is, and I bet..I just bet we have enough people here to hold you down and make your life… "

She was stopped by a kiss that claimed her soul with its warm suddenness. Gabrielle felt her body respond with sensual abandon, making her forget her surroundings for a long, wonderful moment. Then she broke off, and took a breath, licking her lips thoughtfully. "Why do we always do this in a crowd?" Aware of the husky tinge to her voice, and the slow movement of Xena's hand against her upper thigh.

"They're all busy looking at the pig." The warrior chuckled softly.

"Mmm.. bet they aren't." Gabrielle disagreed, knowing her audience.

"Bet they are." Xena replied.

"Five dinars." The bard immediately responded.

"You're on." Xena agreed cheerfully.

Gabrielle looked, then gave her partner a speculative glance. "How'd you know?"

A lift of those dark eyebrows. "I have.. many.. skills, Gabrielle."

The bard laughed. "You were just waiting to say that, weren't you?" She sighed, and snuggled closer, turning her head to watch the servers bringing around platters of the fragrant meat. Her head cocked slowly. "Yeah..I never really thought they were." She studied Hercules and Iolaus with gently speculative eyes. "I can't believe he just told you, though."

Xena sipped her ale. "Well… he's kind of worried about his image."

Gabrielle blinked. "What? Oh… " She giggled softly. "I get it..it's that tough macho guy thing." She thought about that for a minute. "You think it drives them nuts that the toughest guy in this place is you?"

Xena's turn to send ale flying.

The bard glanced up and grinned. "Gotcha."

A tug on her sleeve, and Xena glanced down. "Hey… " Her face broke into a smile at the sight of her son. "You having fun?"

Solon nodded vigorously. "Cait's teaching me all kinds of stuff."

Xena winced internally. Oh.. boy… that. could be dangerous. "Oh yeah?" She inquired. "Like what?"

The boy climbed up onto the bench and snuggled up next to her, peeking around her chest to see what Gabrielle was up to. Satisfied that the bard was occupied in conversation with her sister, he returned his attention to his mother. "Umm… neat stuff.. like.. " His eyes darted around and he lowered his voice. "How to fix a saddle so it falls off when you try to get into it."

Cait.. you're bacchae fodder. The warrior cursed silently. He doesn't NEED any help being sneaky. "That's nice… um… you're not going to do that to Argo's tack, right?"

His blue eyes widened. "No way!" A short pause. "Sides.. you'd check."

Xena raised an eyebrow at him, then let herself relax into a grin. "You're right." Oh.. the world's not ready for this. Not for two of us. She slipped her free arm around him in a hug, much to his evident delight.

Solon remained quiet for a minute, fingering the fabric of her shirt before he looked up into her face again. "You look really pretty today." He paused. "All glowy and stuff."

The warrior smiled at him. "Thanks." She idly push the hair back off of his forehead. "You look very nice yourself." Then her mind went back over what he'd said, and she paused.Glowy? Gods…

"Hey Solon.. " Gabrielle's voice broke into her thoughts, as the bard leaned across her and ruffled the boy's hair.

He grinned at her ."Hi mom.. you gonna tell any stories tonight?"

Gabrielle laughed softly. "Um… well, I've been told I've got the night off from that." She cast a glance at her partner, who was chuckling. "Because I .. tend to use my hands a lot, and um… " She lifted their linked hands and gave Solon a grin.

It had been a fun afternoon, the bard reflected. And their linked hands had given them a perfect excuse to spend it practically in each other's laps, as they took turns feeding one another. Though.. Gabrielle reflected with a grin, she was glad the binding had taken her left hand and Xena's right.. because the warrior's left-handed coordination was a lot better than her own would have been.

And the pig roast had been… Gabrielle sighed in contentment. Fantastic.. to the point that she was sure if she tried to eat even one more bite, she'd pop like a soap bubble. Right now, she really wanted nothing more than to lay her head down on Xena's shoulder and take a nap, but her eyes flicked around the room ruefully. Uh… not likely. The musicians were setting up, and a space was being cleared in the middle of the inn for dancing. Idly, she watched the antics of the Amazons at the next table, where the ale was flowing.. very freely.

Xena noticed the same thing, because she gave her partner a nudge. "Hey… your majesty.. can I beg a favor?"

The bard cocked her head, and gave Xena an intrigued look. "I can't wait to hear this. Go ahead." She grinned at Solon, who giggled in return.

The warrior sighed. "Listen.. they're gonna get drunk." She jerked her chin towards the party Amazons. "And you know how they get."

"Mmm… " Gabrielle hummed thoughtfully. "Oh.. yeah, ok. I see what you mean.. Eponin especially.. wants to go around challenging everyone to a fight."

Xena's eyes twinkled. "You get the night off.. I get the night off, OK?"

The bard's fair brows contracted. "Huh???" Then she chuckled. "Oh.. right.. I get it.. I don't have to tell stories, you don't have to beat anyone up, right?" She nodded. "Ok.. ok.. anyone challenges you, I tell them to get lost." She considered the thought. "Though.. this might be a good opportunity for you to prove the claim that you can beat anyone with one hand tied behind your back." Green eyes blinked helpfully at her.

"Gabrielle." Xena gave her that look.

"Just a thought." The bard laughed. "Not that I have any doubts."

"Me either." Solon agreed.

"Roo." Ares poked his head up from under the table, and gave Xena's knee a lick.

Xena sighed, and rolled her eyes.

Cyrene leaned back against the pantry, as a wave of exhaustion hit her. Long.. long day. She sighed. But.. it was worth every minute of it. She was alone in the kitchen, taking a moment's peace out from the party still going strong inside. She could hear the music leaching in through the door, along with the scent of the mulled cider and wine that was being heated and served.

She looked up as the door creaked open, and smiled as Ephiny edged into the room. "You taking a break?" The innkeeper hazarded, with a twinkle. "Looks like you're having a nice time out there."

Ephiny ran fingers through her fair, curly hair and laughed gently. "Oh yeah.. great time." Especially that last dance… her body tingled remembering it. "Just.. came in to see if there's anything I can do to help.. I feel rotten that we're all here having a good time, and there's work to be done." And.. a few minutes breathing space wouldn't do anyone any harm.. she'd gotten a bucketful of razzing from Granella about the.. sparks.. they were throwing off on the dance area, until Xena and Gabrielle got up, and that had shut everyone up really fast. She smirked quietly, and made a mental note to tender her thanks to the bard later. Much later.

You always thought of Xena as being.. well, she had a lot of power, and when she fought, that was almost like watching a kind of dance, it was so smooth, and fast. But graceful? And who knew Gabrielle knew how to move like that? Well well.. an educational evening indeed.

Cyrene's mouth twitched, and she went to the storage area, coming back with a tall glass. "Here." She handed it to the Amazon. "You look like you could use something cold to drink." She studied Ephiny. "How are you feeling? "

She got a wry grin in response. "A little tired, but please.. don’t say a word.. they'll chase me off to bed, and I'm really enjoying myself." Ephiny pleaded. "How often does something like this happen?"

Cyrene gave her a quiet smile. "Once in a lifetime, I think."

The door swung open and Jessan staggered inside, closing it after him, and lurching to the table. "Ares' balls." The forest dweller groaned, as he sat down and cradled his head in his big hands.

Cyrene and Ephiny exchanged alarmed looks, and hurried over. "Jessan? What's wrong?" The Amazon put a hand on his arm, which was very warm. "Hey.. you running a fever?"

Jessan glared blearily up at them. "Don't ask."

"We're asking" They both stated in chorus. "Here.." Ephiny handed him her glass. "Cold drink?"

Cold. Jessan eyed the beverage. Good idea. "Thanks." He downed the contents in a single draught, and licked his lips. "Hey. Milk. I like that."

Ephiny smothered a giggle at the white froth staining his golden muzzle and patted him on the shoulder. "Better?" What on earth was his problem? Yeah.. it was a little warm in there.. all those people.. all that dancing.. but…

The forest dweller sighed. "A little." He glanced up at them. "Um.. I.. um.. just kind of got a little… uh.. overheated." It had been a very, very bad time to see exactly what impact four mugs of ale had on his Sight. And a very, very, very bad couple to experiment on, seeing that he could almost sense the waves of energy coming off them even without his talent.

It had surged through him, sweeping his defenses down, and starting a burning ache in his guts that had set his fur to standing straight up. Dumb, dumb, dumb, Jess. He concentrated on breathing. In, out, in, out.

"Jessan.." Cyrene stepped closer, and touched something at his throat. "What is this?"

In, out, in… uh oh. Uh big time oh. His lifebond necklace. "Uh… " He peeked up at Cyrene. "What is what?"

Her eyebrow curved up, and she lifted the crystal up in her fingertips. "This?"

"Oh.. uh.. that." His mind struggled to move through the fog towards a reasonable answer. "It's.. um… a necklace."

Ephiny settled in the chair next to him, and waited. She recognized the stone as well as Cyrene had, and wanted to hear the explanation. She'd made a comment about Gabrielle's and the bard had brushed her off lightly, claiming it a memento.

"Thank you." Cyrene commented drolly. "I'd gotten that far myself. What kind of necklace is this? Is it something specific to your people?"

Lie? Truth? Lie? Oh Ares toenails. "Yes." Jessan finally said, slowly. "It's.. something specific to.. some.. of my people." He was in trouble, and he knew it, from the suddenly alert looks on these two human's faces. "Look..uh.."

"Jessan?" Ephiny gently put her hand over his. "When we met you.. you introduced Elaini as your lifebond." She paused, as he looked up, his eyes round. "What is that?"

The forest dweller lowered his gaze, and examined the tabletop, one finger tracing the woodgrain quietly. "It's.. hard to explain." He temporized, then made his decision. Someone had to know.. in case. "A lifebond is.. a special kind of partner." He chose his words carefully. "It's someone who becomes a part of you.. who is essential to your well-being." He hesitated. "If something happens to Elaini.. I feel it. If.. she gets hurt, I hurt." He tried to inject a little humor. "When she gets food cravings.. " He smiled ruefully and patted his belly. "I'm showing it." He took a breath. "When we're apart, it's like half of me is missing." His eyes flicked from one human to another. "That's what a lifebond is."

"And.. " Cyrene asked slowly. 'This is something that only happens to your people?"

Jessan sighed inwardly. Xena was going to kill him for this. He just hoped she did it fast. "We always thought so, yes."

"But?" Ephiny asked, a faint smile playing around her lips. "There are exceptions?"

His golden eyes lifted. "Yeah." A quiet admission. "Looks like it."

"Hmm." The Amazon regent considered the information. "That explains a lot." She patted the forest dweller's arm gently. "Jessan, it's all right. I'm glad you told us.. it's something I think we needed to know."

He gazed at them. "It wasn't really my thing to tell." He admitted slowly, unhappily.

Cyrene crossed over to him and gently stroked the fur on his head. "No.. but if we waited for Xena to tell us, honey, we'd never know a darn thing."

Ephiny couldn’t help it.. she burst out laughing. "Oh.. gods, that's so true." She sighed, and shook her curly head. "I can't imagine what it would take to get her to open up."

Jessan let a tiny grin show the tips of his fangs. "I can." He said quietly.

They looked at him.

He held out his hand. "Bout..oh. this tall, red hair, green eyes…?"

That brought a round of laughter, and even Jessan joined in, his deeper chortles contrasting oddly with the human women's. Then he sighed, and stood. "I need a little fresh air." He admitted. "It's.. kinda warm in there."

He walked to the door, and pulled it open.

A cascade of snow buried him, from a thick drift piled up against the door.

"Uh oh." Cyrene muttered, hurrying to help the spluttering forest dweller up. "I think we got a problem."

"C'mon Xena…" Eponin's hands landed on the table in front of them. "I'm in th mood for some boxin."

Gabrielle looked up from her very comfortable spot, cuddled against Xena's chest and wagged a finger. "No no.. Pony. She's off limits tonight."

A grin tugged at the corner of Xena's mouth, but she remained in her sprawled position with her eyes shut, enjoying the sensation of Gabrielle's body pressing against hers. "Find another sparring partner, Pony… I'm busy." She muttered happily.

The Amazon snorted. "You gonna let her get away with that? C'mon Xena… you hiding behind her skirts?"

One blue eye lazily opened and peered at her. "Watch it, Amazon.. she can kick your butt." Xena gave her a dazzling grin. "So.. yep.. I'll hide behind her skirts any day."

Eponin shook her head in disgust. "You're turning into a house cat, Xena." She shoved off from the table, and started to move away, but found her feet entangled in something and headed floorward instead. "Yagh!!!"

A sodden thump followed, and Xena prudently tucked her boots back under the table, peering innocently up at Gabrielle's knowing smirk. "You just can't resist, can you?" The bard covered her eyes with one hand and sighed.

"Mew." Xena made a tiny, kittenlike sound, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"And it's not even the ale." Gabrielle gazed at her in amused disbelief. "You've only had the one cup."

That got a broad, relaxed smile from her partner. "Nope..I wanted to make sure I didn't forget one second of this day." She shrugged. "I'm just in a good mood." An eyebrow arched. "Got a problem with that, bard?"

Gabrielle riffled idle fingers through her dark hair. "Nope." She replied quietly. "Not in the least." She laid her head back down on Xena's chest and put her hand over the warrior's heart. "It feels so good to see you happy."

Xena gazed down at her. "Likewise." She settled her shoulders more comfortably against the padded back of the bench and sighed. "Besides… she's right. I feel just like a nice, soft, well fed cat, curled up in the sun."

Gabrielle pressed her ear to Xena's chest. "Are you purring?"

The sound got louder. "Yet another of the many skills." The bard giggled, then poked her experimentally. "Hey.. you are getting kinda soft."

The purring stopped, and an eyebrow arched. "Just kidding." Gabrielle teased gently, giving her a little pat on the belly. "Some house cat.. panther more like it."

She'd touched a panther once… a captive, somnolent creature in a king's court. And it.. he.. had felt very much like her partner, in fact. All soft, beautiful fur on the outside, silky and gentle to the touch, but underneath.. steel and whipcord muscles coiled with menacing power. Beautiful eyes.. and four inch fangs. Soft, gentle pads, and steel claws. "Not that it would matter if you were." She added, as an afterthought.

"Mmm..'" Xena mumbled. "It would matter if I have to have that armor rebuilt…" She advised the bard. "Expensive stuff."

Gabrielle snorted softly. "I wouldn't care if you never wore that armor again." Then bit her lip as she realized what she'd just said, and she felt Xena's steady breathing pause, then resume.

"Neither would I." Came the response, with a faint, but clear note of surprise in it.

The bard raised her head, staring at her partner in shock. "You mean that, don't you?"

A wry grin tugged at the warrior's mouth. "Yeah.. I do… but there's not much chance of that happening, so I think I'm stuck with the stuff for a while."

Gabrielle rested her chin on her partner's collarbone for a long moment, then sighed. "Yeah.. I guess you're right." She paused. "For a while."

The purring resumed, and Gabrielle put her head back down, letting the sound fill her senses. Then it stopped, and she glanced up. Xena's eyes were flicking across the room, and she could feel the alertness seeping back into the relaxed body under hers.

"Uh oh." The warrior muttered.

Gabrielle's eyes followed hers, and she saw Cyrene emerging from the kitchen, a concerned Ephiny and damp looking Jessan in tow. "What's up with that?"

Xena's brow creased. "Dunno.. but I think we're about to find out." She watched Cyrene cross the room, and end up with her hands on Xena's table, and her face grim. "Hi."

"Hi." Her mother said crisply. 'We've got a problem."

Xena's eyebrow rose. "We out of firewood?"

"No" Cyrene stated.

"We… out of food.. that's kind of hard to believe. " Xena then guessed.

"No." Her mother answered impatiently. "We're snowed in."

Xena blinked. "What??"

Her mother took a breath for patience. "What part of that wasn't clear?"

The warrior's eyes flicked to the window, and them back at Cyrene. "How far?"

Toris stood and went to the front door. "Can't be that bad.. it wasn't snowing that.." He opened the door, and a mini avalanche of snow came crashing in on him, effectively silencing his speech.

Silence descended for a long moment, then Xena sighed, and stood up, brushing herself off lightly with her free hand. She surveyed her position, being somewhat trapped behind their table, with people and chairs and tables clustered all around.

One eyebrow cocked, then that grin appeared, and she slipped her arm over Gabrielle's shoulders, settling it around the bard's waist. "Mother?"

Cyrene eyed her. "What?"

"Move." Came the quiet request, as Xena tensed her arm, and lifted a surprised Gabrielle up, then took one long step and launched them both upward onto the bench, pausing for just an instant before she leaped over the table, hurdling into the air and doing a lazy half turn that landed both of them neatly next to Cyrene's hurriedly shifted form. "Thanks."

Gabrielle let out her held breath, and sighed. "Some house cat." She muttered under her breath

They strolled over to where Toris was digging himself out of the white drifts, and regarded him thoughtfully. Ephiny joined her, putting her hands on her hips and chewing her lip pensively.

Xena stepped forward, and poked at the wall of snow blocking the doorway. A bit of it fell fee at her motion, and dropped onto the floor, where it started melting from the heat inside. She poked again, and more fell. An eyebrow rose. She scooped a handful of it out, and quite a bit fell inside the inn.

She looked at the handful, then looked at Gabrielle. "You know.. it's kinda like the Amazons.. if we don’t leave, nobody leaves." She ignored the faint dripping of the melting ice in her hand.

"Uh.. yeah?" Gabrielle replied warily. "Well.. I was.. um.. getting kind of.. mm.. sleepy…"

"Hmm." Xena mused. "Guess I gotta get you off to bed then, huh?"

A round of tipsy giggles greeted her words, and she cast a sardonic look around the room. Solon had been put to bed earlier, and some of the older townsfolk were snoozing in the dark corners, but most of their friends were still up and about. Xena observed Eponin trying to braid Kaleipus' tail and her eyebrows both rose, especially when she noted that the centaur appeared to be helping. Well, mostly up and about.

"Xena.' Gabrielle sighed, and bumped her head against her partner's shoulder. "Don't you start."

The warrior bounced a little on the balls of her feet, and let a tiny, wicked grin start to play around on her lips. "Well, I guess we'll have to dig ourselves outta here." She scooped up a second handful of the white icy stuff and paused.

Gabrielle suddenly spotted the nasty little twinkle in her eye and cursed silently. Oh.. gods.. no no nononononnoon. She ducked just as Xena swiveled and let fly, catching Eponin in the face with unerring precision.

Eponin yelped, and tugged hard in reflex, pulling Kaleipus' tail. The centaur jumped, then slid in the water from the melting snow and ended up tangled with the Amazon on the floor.

"Oops." The warrior grinned. "Guess its time to cool off a little in here." She dug in for another handful, and watched eyes widen with realization as she set to work. "There you go.." Splat. "Sorry Eph..' Splat. "Whoops.. sorry mom.."

Handfuls of ice went flying, as everyone started scrambling out of the way, or scrambling towards the door for ammunition.

"Xena!!! " Hercules yelled in outrage, as a snowball hit him squarely in the chest.

"Sorry.. big target." The warrior teased, ducking a thrown handful from a spluttering Ephiny, and managing to nail the demigod again, this time in the face.

Windows were pulled open, and now it resembled an indoor hailstorm, as the Amazons got up to full speed, and were chucking fistfuls of snow at Xena's dark form. The warrior managed to dodge most of them, keeping her body positioned to intercept any that were bound for her partner. "Granella, you couldn't hit the broad side of a… " Her eyes flicked over Kaleipus. "Barn." She whipped a handful of snow at Jessan, who ducked, causing the ice to fly over his head and nail his mother. "Oh oh."

Xena glanced behind her, to where a very fair dent was being made in the snow blocking the door and grinned. "Not bad." She whispered to Gabrielle, who was doing her best to stay out of range, and out of the fight.

Then the bard caught sight of a slinking Ephiny about to dump a handful down Xena's back, and gave a little resigned chuckle. "Sorry.." She whispered under her breath, as she lunged over, and smacked Ephiny's hand, causing the snow clump to be delivered into the regent's surprised face.

"Traitor!!" Ephiny sputtered, wiping her face and glaring at the bard.

"Told you, Eph.. pays to have the best watching your back. " Xena drawled, ducking a thick wad of ice tossed her way by her brother.

"Hey.." Eponin called. "If we all jump her at once, we can wash her good with this stuff."

"Uh oh.." The warrior whispered. "Time to go, love."

Gabrielle muffled a giggle "You chickening out??"

"Yep." Came the surprising answer. "It's an old warlord trick." She ducked a flying snowball, and dodged into the opening she'd made in the snow drift, grabbing Gabrielle securely, and plowing up through the thinning layers, then crouched and launched herself skyward, breaking through the top layer of snow, and out into the clear, cold air of a newly starry night.

"Whoa.." Xena laughed, as they landed on their backs, sinking into the cold drifts, and looking up at a veritable explosion of stars. "Sure is a lot quieter out here."

Gabrielle felt the cold of the snow soaking into her hair, but as yet, it only felt refreshing after the overheated inn. She turned her head to watch her partner scan the sky, as her breath made small puffs of fog and sounded loud in all that stillness. She could hear the growling ruckus faintly from inside the inn, but as yet, none of their friends had made the climb out into night, and she found herself reveling in the peace of the crisp, empty courtyard, and the close presence of her soulmate.

They rested there for a minute, gazing at each other, before Xena sighed, sending a plume of fog drifting softly up, and smiled. "Guess we'd better get going.. before we either freeze here or melt a hole in the snow."

Gabrielle rolled over onto her side, and gazed at her. "How would we do that?"

Xena flexed her left hand, and reached over her body, running her fingertips lightly over the bard's face, smiling lazily as the skin warmed under her touch and Gabrielle's eyes closed. "Oh.. I think we could think of something."

Gabrielle grinned, and let her eyes flutter open. "Let's go home." She sat up, and waited for Xena to join her, as they both rose started plowing their way towards the cabin. An irritated yelp stopped them, and the turned to see Ares scrambling out of the drifting snow that covered the inn door, his paws fighting frantically for a hold on the icy surface.

"Hey boy..'" Xena laughed, as she jogged back over and grabbed the wolf's ruff, hauling him up onto the snow. She peeked down into the hole and grinned, as Eponin's face scowled back at her. "Hey…."

The Amazon tossed a snowball at her, which was neatly deflected. "I'll get you for this, Xena." She hiccuped, which ruined the menace of the threat neatly. "M' all wet."

The warrior rested one hand on her knee, and grinned. "There's a nice fire in that back room, Pony… " She watched a blush cover the Amazon's face. "Good night."

Gabrielle rubbed her cheek against her partner's arm. "We should have said goodbye. "

Xena slipped her arm around the bard's shoulders again. "They'll forgive us."

The walk back to the cabin was tedious, as Xena plowed her way through the chest high snow, clearing a path for Gabrielle with a dogged determination, mounting the stairs to the cabin and spending quite a few minutes clearing path to the door with powerful sweeps of her arms. "Damn… didn't think I'd end the night up with a workout." She commented wryly, as she finally tugged the door open, and nudged the bard inside.

The door closed behind them, and they were in a cool darkness, the fire having gone out. It was silent, save the gentle creaks of the wooden walls around them, and the soft clicks of Ares' claws against the surface. Xena walked slowly to the table, trailing her partner via their still joined hands, and paused. "Gabrielle, I think we're going to have to take that off now.. striking a light's gonna be tough."

The bard's voice came quiet and disembodied from the darkness. "Bet we can do it." She picked up the flint in her right hand and poised it over the candle. "Go ahead."

Xena lifted the striker and paused, closing her eyes and trying to sense where Gabrielle had her hands. The darkness was so complete, she couldn't even see the barest outline of her partner's body, though by the heat, and the gentle sounds of her breathing, she had a good idea of her general position. This isn't going to work.. I can't… "Gabrielle.. I don't want to hit you.. this can hurt." She hesitated.

"You won't." The bard's voice was utterly confident. "Go on."

"I can't even.." Oh Hades… Xena let out a breath, and just let her instincts take her, moving her hand in a sudden blur of motion, and feeling the sharp crack as the striker hit the flint, sending a spark down to light the candle as easily as if she'd held both herself. It was an almost dizzyingly good feeling.

The wick caught, and a globe of friendly, golden light was born, slowly revealing Gabrielle's gilded hair, and the green eyes gone amber in the candle's glow. "Told you." Came her gentle voice, sliding down Xena's hearing like a verbal caress. "But I guess we can take this off now." She grinned, as she carefully worked the tucked linen loose, and unwound the bandage that bound them together. "Did this drive you crazy all day?"

"No.' Xena replied in a dreamy voice. "I .. thought it would… but .. " She shrugged lightly, as the bard unwound the last wrap, and their hands were freed. She unlaced her fingers from the bard's slowly, feeling the odd coolness of the air against her skin, and the dull sting of the cut Jocelyn had made. "Dancing was fun."

Gabrielle smiled. "Mmm…yeah, it was.. did you see Ephiny's face?" She giggled, as she took up the candle and moved around the cabin, lighting the other tapers scattered about the room. The familiar outlines of their home came to glowing life around them as Xena knelt at the fireplace, and built a small fire with expert hands. Once she had it going, she stood, and dusted her hands off, turning to take the candle from Gabrielle's hands, and set it on the table.

The bard smiled, and ran light fingers down the front of Xena's shirt. "Did you have a good time today?"

Xena nodded. "Yeah.. I did.. I was glad we made everyone bring the presents in here though.. " She waved a hand at the pile of mysteriously wrapped bundles they had yet to open. "Knowing our friends.. I'm not entirely sure opening all of them in public was a good idea."

Gabrielle's eyebrows quirked. "Oh.. really?" Her eyes went to the pile speculatively. "Is this just guessing on your part or…??"

A rakish half grin met her gaze. "Weeeell…. I did hear about this… " Her gaze drifted lazily down her partner's body. "One.. little… outfit… in there for you.. that I'd… appreciate."

Gabrielle glanced down, as a gentle blush covered her face. "Oh.. gods." She laughed softly. "They're so bad."

Xena moved closer, and cupped the bard's face in her hands. "They have no idea." She kissed her partner gently. "Of what its like.." Kissed her again, as Gabrielle's eyes closed "To love you." She laced her fingers behind her partner's neck, and ran her fingers down the soft skin, feeling Gabrielle's knees give way as the bard collapsed against her in sensuous abandon.

After a few moments, though, Xena broke off regretfully, her breathing gone ragged. "Hold that thought for a minute.. " She groaned. "I gotta go check the horses.. meant to do that on the way in here."

Anything else, and the bard would have lost it. But helpless creatures under her responsibility? Gabrielle sighed gently. "Hurry up." She traced a lazy set of loops on Xena's chest. "And say hi to Argo for me."

Xena captured her hand, and kissed her fingers. "I will." She promised, then reluctantly let go, and slipped back out the door in the cold night.

Damn.. she gazed around her in disbelief as she pushed through the drifts again, heading for the barn. I can't believe this snow… but then.. I did say I'd settle for a storm, right? She laughed silently at herself. Guess I got what I asked for… She cleared a little space around the door to the barn and pulled the door open enough to slip inside.

Only her innate instincts saved her life, as a dozen dark forms descended on top of her.

Hands grabbing her, and heavy blows hitting her body, as she rolled, and tucked herself into a ball, and swirled out of their grasp, kicking out and hearing the satisfying crunch of bone as her boots impacted one of her attackers.

It was dark, and it was silent, the figures moving in a eerie quiet that almost unnerved her, but then she had no time for that, since they swarmed again, and she was fighting to keep her footing in the slippery straw. An elbow, and one dropped, as she grabbed onto an arm that was choking her and flipped a second over her head.

A club struck her in the side, and let loose her temper, and now her blows had a surge of angry energy behind them. She grabbed an arm and twisted, feeling bones separate under her powerful hands, and kept moving as her attacker let out an agonized howl and fell to the ground. Three down, and another club was slamming into her, taking her breath away with the sudden, sharp shock of it. She brought her knee up savagely, and the figured slumped over her leg, making harsh snorting sounds as she took the club from him.

Then they were in trouble, and knew it, as she swung the thick club in a short circle, smiling as it impacted, with the shivering crunch of bone shattering.

Hands at her neck now, and she felt her nape hairs lift, at the close proximity of something.. dark.. and queasily familiar. Cold links brushed her skin, and the dark energy surged, as her body recognized the touch of the evil that had taken over Hercules.

No!!!! Her mind yelled in horror, as she twisted her body violently, throwing off two of her determined enemies, but she felt her legs go out from under her as the rest piled on, and again felt the bite of harsh, angry metal at her throat as they tried to get the necklace over her head.

The gem grazed her, and she felt it's seductive tendrils inserting themselves into her thoughts. Just give in… accept it, and they'll stop hurting you.

It was the wrong thought, and Xena shut it out without trouble, gathering herself up and preparing to shove off from the ground despite the weight of six adversaries half crushing her.

Then a blast of cold air hit them, and she heard the solid crack of wood hitting flesh, then the warm menace of the necklace was just.. gone. With a growl, she pushed off, and sent four of the enemy flying, and grabbed the fifth, slamming his head against the stall partition and tossing the suddenly limp body against the wall.

Silence, then a torch exploded into life, and revealed Gabrielle's very pale face, as she put the torch into a holder, and picked her staff back up, warily examining the necklace hanging limply from her other hand. "You all right?"

Xena scrubbed her face with one hand, and ran her fingers through her hair. "Yeah.' She quietly assured the worried bard, as she examined the slumped forms. She found one still conscious, and lifted him up, shoving him against the barn wall and holding him there.

Bleak, gray eyes looked back at her in an expressionless face. "Come here, Gabrielle." Xena asked softly. The bard walked up behind her, and peered at the man, still holding the necklace. "Give me that." She held out her other hand.

Gabrielle gave her a wary look, but put the cold links into her hand. "Here.. it seems.. kind of harmless."

Xena felt the darkly seductive power of the thing, but with Gabrielle this close.. it had no hold over her, and she ran the links through her fingers, casually examining the stone before the man's eyes. His nostrils flared in surprise, and he stared at her. "Take this.. back to whoever gave it to you.. and tell whoever that is… " She moved closer and got into his face, letting her own anger loose. "Don't come after me again.. " She wrapped her hand around his throat and lifted, choking him. "Or next time.. it won't be you bringing the message.. I'll bring it myself." His chest heaved, trying to get breath into his lungs. "You got me?" She let his throat loose.

"You can't win" He choked out. "They'll find another way."

"Just take the message." Xena growled, shoving the necklace into his gloved hands, and releasing him. "And take your friends with you." He backed away from her, collecting his colleagues as he walked, and disappeared through the door.

Xena gathered the bard into her arms and hugged her, tucking Gabrielle's head underneath her chin, and sighing, as she felt the bard's touch encircle her waist. Damn.. if this is what it's going to be like..I gotta start those drills up again. I can't afford this. Though.. she let her eyes scan the interior quietly. I didn't do so bad.. score me, eleven, Gabrielle, one and a necklace, and them, zero. "Thanks."

"For what?" The bard mumbled, letting her breath warm Xena's chest. "There were bodies all over the barn by the time I got here… you didn't leave me much to do."

Xena sighed silently. She didn't even get a twinge off that thing… damn.. Hercules must have been right. "Let's check the horses, and get outta here." She said softly.

Gabrielle lifted her head. "What was that all about?' She stared at Xena, puzzled. "Were they trying that necklace thing again? Didn't work.. it just felt like an old necklace to me."

The warrior closed her eyes, and let out a slow breath. "Yeah.. well.. " Can I lie to her? She said it didn’t matter… but I don't… oh gods, Gabrielle. "As good a person as you are, I'm not surprised." She leaned back a little, and rested her forearms on the bard's shoulders, lacing her fingers behind Gabrielle's fair head, and gazing at her with a quiet, wistful expression. "I felt it calling to me."

Green eyes reflected the torchlight. "But you didn't answer."

"No." Xena replied, then took a deep breath. "Gabrielle… that necklace.. and the one before.. it um.. it affects people.. that.. " She hesitated on saying the words, as if speaking them would prove the truth of it.

"That have the blood of the gods?" Gabrielle asked simply.

Blue eyes blinked in startlement. Damn.

"You know, Xena.. you're better than I am at math, but I can add two and two." The bard informed her, with a slight smile. "Gee, I'm so surprised." She sighed when her partner glanced down at the ground, and refused to meet her eyes. "Look.. it can't be much, right?"

Xena's brow creased. "Huh?"

Gabrielle let her head fall forward and bump gently against her partner's chest. "You know, I really, really do love you, but sometimes you're just … "

"Focused." Xena supplied, but chuckled wanly. "Single minded? Dense?' Unable to see the forest for the trees? "

"Too critical of yourself." Gabrielle quietly answered. "Look this thing took over Hercules, body and soul, until you ripped it off his neck. It bothered you.. yeah, but you had almost no problem breaking free of it, Xena… if you do have.. some of a god's blood running through you.. well. it can't be that much." She sighed. "Just enough to.. " Her voice dropped. "let you do things like.. heal fast.. and.. drive yourself past anyone's expectations.. " She lifted her hand and cupped her silent partner's cheek. "Or come back to me from.. " She stopped.and her eyes closed, shedding tears at their corners. "from the dead." She finally got it out. "Ssso I thank the gods daily, Xena.." Her fingers slid up the warrior's arm and gripped it. "That some ancestor of yours decided to find out what it would be like to be with a god."

Damn. Xena reflected somberly. She's right. She touched her forehead to Gabrielle's. "Another lesson learned from my best friend." They gazed into each other's eyes quietly. "Let's go home." She wrapped an arm around the bard's shoulders, and edged around the barn, making sure Argo and friends had enough water and hay.

Gabrielle ran a hand down the mare's smooth sides, and smiled. "She starting to show a little bit, I think." She laughed softly. "Like Lila."

Xena studied the mare, as she scratched her behind the ears. "Yeah, a little." She admitted with a grin. "You gonna have a colt or a filly, huh girl?" Her eyes twinkled gently. "If it's a filly, wanna name it after my bard here?"

Argo dropped the hay she was chewing, and snuffled at Gabrielle's chest, blowing chaff all over her.

"Thanks." Gabrielle rolled her eyes and brushed herself off, then tugged Xena's sleeve. "C'mon." A swift glance at Argo. "No offense, ok? But there's this nice, warm bed that's just calling my name."

Xena doused the torch, and tucked the bard neatly under a protective arm, as they made their way back towards the cabin. "We can tell the rest of them tomorrow.. no sense in ruining their mood."

"Mmm.." Gabrielle mused, as they reentered the cabin, and she started nibbling gently up Xena's arm. "What kind of mood do you suppose they're in?"

Xena smiled as she slid her hands down the front of Gabrielle's shirt, and let her fingers rest on the belt, tugging at it gently. "I hope.. " She undid the clasp and started on the ties. "they're in half as good a mood.. " She reached the warmth of her partner's bare flesh just as Gabrielle's nibbling brought her lips up to the warrior's own "As I am." She breathed a finish, as she spent a few minutes improving her mood.

"But I doubt it." She commented teasingly, as they finished undressing and scooted under the covers.

"Mmm… " Gabrielle mumbled, as she happily explored her partner's bare skin. Then she stopped, and rested her cheek against Xena's belly, gazing up at her. "Why?"

Blue eyes blinked innocently at her. "Oh.. no reason."

One fair eyebrow inched up. "Xena, what did you do?" She gently nipped the soft skin around her partner's navel, smiling a little at her sudden intake of breath. "Hmm?"

"Uh… " Xena shook her head a little, and let out a sigh. "Nothing.. how could I have? I was tied to you all night."

Gabrielle considered that thoughtfully, continuing her gentle exploration, and feeling the rough uneven texture of a scar under her lips. Experimentally, she gave it a lick, and felt the unconscious flinch of the muscles just under the skin. "Ooo.. ticklish." She grinned. "So you didn't do anything, huh?"

Xena bit her lip. "Nope." She replied calmly. "Couldn’t have."

"Hmm.." Gabrielle nibbled the spot again, and saw her partner's jaw clench. "Heh." She grinned. "Nothing?"

"Nope… augh.. Gabrielle!" Xena gritted her teeth as the bard targeted her most ticklish areas unmercifully. "All right.. all right.. "

"Hmph." The bard chortled. "You're so easy." She relented, sliding up and fitting her body against Xena's, reveling in the warmth of their contact. "Spill."

Now it was Xena's turn. She let her hands find familiar places on her soulmate's body, feeling the heat of her breathing suddenly intensify. "You sure you want to know?" She traced the outline of one ear with a teasing fingertip.

Gabrielle had to take a breath before answering, as a warm flush washed over her. "Uh… how bad is it?" She realized she was losing the desire to find out, and struggled to keep her head above the sensual wave washing over both of them.

"Dunno." Xena mumbled, as she kissed her gently. "Depends on how Eph feels about the color blue."

Gabrielle squeaked, then let her head drop onto her partner's chest.

"M gonna killer." Eponin mumbled, as she brushed the snow off her head, and stumbled, loose kneed back into the center of the room, hanging on to a roof support with grim determination. "Don't care if it is her birthday."

"Pony.. shut up." Ephiny laughed gently, as she took a casual grip on the weapon's master's arm. "C'mon, it's your bedtime." She let her eyes run indulgently over her friend, smiling at the way the fiery copper silken outfit clung to the dark haired Amazon's body. Gods.. her face… Ephiny's mostly sober mind remembered.

"I can't wear that." Eponin had stated, flatly. "Ephiny, you're crazy." Then she'd glanced down. "I mean.. it's very nice… but um… "

The regent had sighed. "But what? You don't like the color?"

"Nnno… " Eponin had hastily protested. "No.. no.. it's.. I do like it." Her fingers had tangled in the soft, slinky fabric. "It's… " A tentative, half grin. "really slick."

Ephiny patiently cocked her blond head to one side. "So… what's the problem?" The regent had aimed a thumb at her own outfit. "Look.. if I can ditch the leathers for one night, and for the sake of Artemis' underwear, If XENA can ditch her 'If I was any badder I'd have metal spikes on my chest' intimidation central number, you can wear this."

"But…" Eponin groaned. "Eph…."

"S'matter, Pony.. you scared?" Ephiny asked casually, stepping a pace closer, and putting a hand on the other Amazon's shoulder. "It's just a party.. these are all friends."

Dark eyebrows jerked up. "Scared? You're cracked, Eph." A pause. "It's just… hey, these are comfortable."

Silence. "Well, they are!"

Pathetic sigh. "Bacchae's bitten bottoms."

Ephiny had grinned seductively, and proceeded to strip Eponin of her beloved leathers, and distract her enough to get the copper silk number over her head and settled around her body. "There.. was that so bad?" She bit off a smirk as she twitched the folds neatly, and sighed at the scowl on Eponin's face. "Hey… " She dropped her amusement and took one of Eponin's restlessly moving hands in her own. "That really looks nice on you."

Eponin paused, and eyed her doubtfully. "Really?" She glanced down at herself, touching the fabric cautiously. "It's.. kind of gaudy, isn't it?"

The regent patted her cheek. "Really." She laughed softly. "And it's not gaudy at all."

"Hmph." Had come the grumbling answer.

But Ephiny had caught her eyeing herself in the room's small mirror twice, and she's certainly not lacked for compliments when they joined the rest of the group for the ceremony.

But they'd gone and had a drinking competition, and that had lead to a favorite Amazon drinking pasttime.

Challenges. Ephiny winced, and flexed an arm. Eponin was without question one of the tribe's best warriors, and had a good head for drink. But she also had a tendency to get a little… belligerent. And go for the biggest opponent she could find.

Who was off limits tonight, which was frustrating Eponin no end. "C'mon, Pony…" She sighed, and tugged on the taller Amazon's shoulder. "You can go after Xena tomorrow."

"She's a chicken." The Amazon grumbled, allowing herself to be led off.

Ephiny sighed, and wrapped an arm around her. "No, Pony.. she's not a chicken.. don't call her a chicken, she'll lay an egg right on your head."

"A…an egg?" The Amazon warrior queried. "I like eggs." She fell silent for a minute. "Hey..wanna have an egg throwing competition?"

"No..not now." Ephiny soothed her.

"You're a chicken." Eponin accused, with a hiccup.

"Cluck." The regent warbled, as she pushed the door open and guided her companion through it., leaving the bustle of the slowly dispersing crowd and entering the soft, candlelit quiet of the small room she'd come to regard as a home away from home. "Here.. siddown.." She pushed Eponin towards the big chair, and went on to grab a water pitcher and couple of mugs. "Better get this started."

Eponin sprawled obediently in to the chair, and glanced at the low table next to it. "Hey.. what's this?" She pulled a earthenware bowl towards her with one hand, and peered in. "Hey… " She dipped a finger into the cool, fluffy contents and brought it to her mouth, tasting cautiously. "Mmmm…"

Ephiny wandered over, setting the pitcher and mugs down and dropping into the seat next to the dark haired woman. "What've you got there?"

"Dunno." Eponin answered, tasting another mouthful. "But I like it."

The regent peered at the bowl's contents, then intercepted the next scoop and sucked its contents off Eponin's fingers. It was smooth, and sweet, and cool. "Mmm… me too." She bit down gently on the other Amazon's fingertips, and heard her sharp intake of breath. Playfully, she dipped her hand into the stuff, and brushed it lightly on her companion's face, then set to work cleaning it off.

She didn't really remember them getting undressed, only a slow series of touches that left trails of honeyed sweetness behind, until the bowl's contents were gone, and they were huddled warmly in each other's arms as the cold, crisp night outside settled into a snow covered silence.

"Iolaus." Hercules took a breath nervously. He was seated on the bed, his shirt unlaced and his boots off, a small jar in one hand. He juggled it a little as his companion turned around from his crouch by the fire and stood up.

"Yeah?" The blond man stretched, and yawned. "Boy, that was some party, huh?" He wandered over to where the demigod was seated and hopped up onto the bed, swinging his legs a little. "D'ja have fun?"

Hercules thought about that for a minute, filtering his answer through a goodly portion of ale. "Yeah." He finally decided, with a slightly lopsided grin. "Even the fight at the end." He paused awkwardly. "Um.. look, can you do me a favor?"

Iolaus regarded him in some mild astonishment. "Sure buddy… name it!" He spied the jar in his friend's hands. "Oh ho… Xena cornered you, huh?" He smiled widely. "Knew I could count on her."

Hercules gave him an embarrassed half nod. "Yeah.. well, she gave me this stuff.. I can't really see to get it on the right spots.. would you.. uh.. " A faint shrug.

"Ah..oh.. sure." Iolaus gingerly took the small jar from his hands. "Um.. you need to uh.. get your shirt off." Unaccountably, he blushed.

"Right." Hercules agreed, pulling the damp linen over his head, and wincing as it caught on the burns. He sat quietly as Iolaus cautiously daubed the wounds with the tangy smelling salve. "Weird smell, huh?" He commented, more to break the silence than anything else.

"Mmm.." Iolaus replied absently, as he concentrated. "Y'know, I think these look better…" He cleared his throat. "Hey.. wasn't that some ceremony?"

The demigod smiled quietly. "Yeah, it was… it.. makes me glad to see two people come together like that.. and.. I'm really happy for them." But his gaze unfocused, and his face look on a wistful expression.

Iolaus finished his task, and studied his friend's face. "You… it reminds you of your family, doesn't it?" He asked quietly. "I.. know you must miss them."

Hercules turned his head and regarded the smaller man for a long moment. "Yeah it does." He paused. 'And I do." He flexed his shoulders. "That does feel better." He took a breath. "Thanks."

The blond man carefully covered the jar and handed it back him, rubbing the excess salve off on his trousers. "Anytime."

An awkward silence crept in, while the two friends sat glancing sidelong at each other.

I'm drunk.. or half that… it's late, this isn't the time to talk about this. Hercules had decided. He opened his mouth to make a light comment.

And was surprised when a stammered apology came out. Then he reflected that maybe half drunk wasn't a bad time to do this after all.

"Look.." Iolaus replied, with a heavy sigh. "I know.. I should have told you what happened right up front, but I just couldn't, see? It wasn't any big deal..and I knew you felt lousy about the whole thing to begin with.. so…" He lifted his hands and let them drop. "So let's just forget it, OK?"

Hercules considered that. "I'll try." He gave Iolaus a sheepish look. "Oh yeah..and one other thing."

"What?" The blond man asked.

"Stand up." The demigod requested, as he slid off the bed and got to his feet.

Iolaus did, and stood there, warily. "Ok."

"Don’t freak out." Hercules warned him. "I talked to Xena."

Puzzled look from Iolaus. "Yeah?" What's up with him? I know he talked to Xena.. but…waitaminute. "Talked about what?"

Hercules' face contracted. "You know."

"I do?" Iolaus replied in bewilderment, then he winced. "Oh. Right. I do." The Situation, which they'd been dancing around for a while before that whole mine incident. He felt a blush start. "Uh.. what did she say?"

A similar blush was reddening Hercules' face. "She said we should talk."

Iolaus' very blond eyebrow crept up to his hairline. "She said to talk?" Xena, the Warrior Princess of glum, dour silences is giving this advice? No way. "About what?"

Hercules chewed his lip. "I dunno." He hesitated. "But you know something? "

Warily. "What?"

"Funny thing about Xena.. she doesn't really give a Bacchae's butt about what other people think." Hercules commented. "She just lets chips fall where they want to, and does what she does. You know?"

"Yeah." Iolaus agreed hesitantly. "That can be a good thing." He waggled a hand. "And sometimes a bad thing." He relaxed a little. "On the other hand, that kiss she gave Gabrielle got my toe hairs curling." He smirked.

Hercules rolled his eyes. "Iolaus." He sighed. "What I'm trying to get at, is that I think we need to just chill out and not worry about.. it."

"It?" Iolaus hazarded. "Oh.. it." Right. "Absolutely, Herc. I agree. Let's not."

The demigod nodded. "OK.. good..so.. we're ok, right?"

"Right." The blond man confirmed.

"Good." Hercules breathed a sigh of relief. He paused. "Glad we got that settled."

They looked at each other. "Herc?" Iolaus ventured, tentatively.

"Yeah?" The demigod answered, rubbing his head with one hand.

"Um.. you don’t actually think.."

"No!" Came the immediate response. "No..no.. I even asked Xena about that, and she said no way."

"Oh." Iolaus smiled. "Well.. that's relief.. I mean, if anyone would know, she would, right?"

"Right." His companion agreed. "Listen.. glad we talked about this."

Iolaus grinned. "Me too."

A pause. "Iolaus?"

"What?" The blond man clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels a bit.

"Come here." Hercules felt a tiny grin tugging at his mouth.

Iolaus edged forward cautiously. "Why?"

"Just come here." The demigod repeated the request.

"You're not going to do something weird are you?" Iolaus asked hesitantly, as he moved within striking distance.

Hercules rested both hands on his companion's shoulders. "Iolaus, I just want to say thank you. For standing by me when you really had no reason to."

Blinking, pale eyes stared back at him. "Hercules, I had every reason to. You're my friend." He shrugged lightly. "You would have done the same for me."

The demigod smiled. "It's good to have a friend like you." And he pulled the startled Iolaus into an unexpected hug, wrapping his long arms around the smaller man and crossing his fingers that the blond man wouldn't freak out.

It was a tightrope walk for a minute, as Iolaus' body fought between simple, childlike pleasure, and a startled shying away. The child won, and he let himself in for a moment of quiet peace, before they broke apart, with hearty back slaps.

"So.. how about those gladiators?" They asked in concert.

And broke into helpless laughter, as the candles burned down, and they fell into bed and let the darkness close over them.

Continued in Part 8

Return to Part 6

Return to my Fan Fiction Page

The Longest Night - Part 8

Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

Cyrene quietly gazed out the kitchen window, basking in the sunlight pouring into the room as she absently stirred a steaming cup that sent up the tickling scent of mint to her senses. Sleeping in had felt… very good. She let out a gentle sigh, and leaned against the sill, slowly sipping the tea and hugging her robe to her, enjoying the quiet, peaceful stillness of the inn.

All in all, she reflected a good party. Despite the weather, and her daughter's evening ending, wildly chilling snow fight, which had sent a slide of the icy stuff down her own back, not to mention everyone else's, and resulted in a lot of… seeking of warmth after the two celebrants had left.

The innkeeper chuckled softly, thinking of her own, unexpectedly active bedtime. Who knew Johan had such skilled…hands? Definitely a pleasant surprise, once they'd both gotten over the almost goofy adolescent bashfulness of the moment. What had gotten into them? She took a sip of tea and sighed happily. Who cares?"

Must have been watching that dancing, she reflected with a rueful grin. Good grief, those Amazons shook things she never thought were meant to move in quite that manner. And her daughter… Well, Cyrene mused, those muscles must come in very handy for things other than fighting.. She let that thought force a muffled snort, then paused. Had she heard something?

"Pssst."

She had. Cyrene slowly turned, and her eyes widened as a hooded and cloaked figure edged its menacing way through the door. Grimly, her hand felt behind her for a knife, and she felt her fingers curl around a familiar thick shaft. "What do you want?"

The figure paused and thrust a bowl towards her. "What was in this?" Came a muffled voice.

Cyrene's eyebrows hitched. "Ephiny?" She dropped the knife hastily behind her and set her cup down, padding across the floor and examining the bowl gingerly. "What… what's going on? This is my frosting bowl.. I was wondering where it disappeared to last night." She took it from the Amazon's hands, then paused. "Uh… " A glance up. "It's empty."

"Yeah." Ephiny muttered. "Um… what was in it?"

The innkeeper studied her shrouded face. "Why?" Then she glanced down and laughed gently. "Oh.. goodness.. did you.." She sighed. "Well, if it didn't give you a bellyache by now, it probably won't kill you." She tried to glanced up under the hood of Ephiny's cloak. "What are you doing all bundled up like that?"

The Amazon held her silence for a long, suspenseful moment, then reluctantly put a hand up and swept the hood back.

Cyrene clapped a hand over her mouth and bit her lip. Ephiny was covered with… stripes. Sort of .. wavy, kind of almost artistic.. stripes and dots, and.. oh, was that a little curly cue? All in mottled shades of blue, which contrasted oddly with her pale hair and eyes. "What.. on.. earth????"

Ephiny ground her teeth. "Just…tell.. me… how.. to.. get… it.. off." She said the words slowly, enunciating each one as though tasting it.

And it must have tasted very bad, judging from the sour expression on her face.

"Um." Cyrene looked at the bowl, then at her. "Well… it's um… "

The door swung open, and Jessan ambled inside, stifling a yawn behind one huge hand and stopping dead in his tracks when his golden eyes fell on Ephiny.

"One word, and you're a rug." The Amazon regent stated calmly.

A squeak issued as Jessan closed his mouth so fast he forgot to pull his tongue in and it ended up sticking out in a comical gesture, poking from between his curved fangs.

Cyrene rubbed her temples, then clasped her hands together. "Were you.. um…oh.. I…" She watched a slow, helpless, pleading look leak into the blond woman's eyes. "Practicing… Amazon.. um.. traditional.. body decorations?"

A dead silence, then a sigh from Ephiny. "Hadn't thought of that one." She admitted, sitting down on the bench with a thump. "Ok..ok.. um… m.. Cyrene, how do I get this stuff off?"

The innkeeper straddled the bench across from her and rested an elbow on the table, studying Ephiny's face. "Oh boy." She sighed. "Well, it's oil based, unfortunately."

Jessan slowly sank down on the other side of the table, and rested his chin in his fur-covered hands, peering with interest at the side of the Amazon's face. "Gosh.. how'd you get that stuff all the way in there?" He asked curiously.

Ephiny glared at him. "Don't you have something more interesting to do?"

The forest dweller grinned, showing the tips of his fangs. "More interesting than this?? Gosh no." He poked the tip of his tongue out at her. "Blue painted humans before breakfast just tickle my furry ears."

Cyrene sighed. "Well.. I'd better go get our healer.. maybe he.."

"Uhhhh… no.. no… please." Ephiny winced. "I don't wanna have to explain this to…um… a guy."

"Hey!" Jessan objected, his muzzle coloring. "I'm a guy!"

"You don't count." The Amazon growled.

The innkeeper nibbled her knuckle. "Well… then there's only one person really who… might be able to come up with something."

Ephiny closed her eyes and let her head rest on one hand. "I was afraid you were going to say that."

Cyrene lifted her hands and let them drop. "Well, dear, she does have many skills." She turned her head towards Jessan. "You want to go wake her up?"

Golden eyes flicked from one woman to the other. "Uh.. no." Unless.. well, maybe they're already awake.. He focused his Sight quickly. OH…bloodystripedoneballedhorseshooves."Uh…" I think my fur is smoking.

Ephiny's eyebrows quirked. "Oh.. come on.. she's not that bad to wake up.. you don't have to do much.. just.. oh, breathe, thirty or forty feet away."

"She's up." Jessan muttered, his muzzle flushing a dark red. "I'll just… uh… ok.. uh.. fine.. I'll be right back. " He stood, and bolted out the door, slamming it behind him.

Ephiny and Cyrene gazed at each other in silence. "Kind of.. skittish.. for someone that ferocious looking." Cyrene commented wryly. "Um… do you mind if I ask.."

Pale eyes gazed plaintively at her. "Yes." She groaned, then her shoulders slumped. "Oh.. Hades… we were just.. " She let her hands lift and drop. "Playing around." She drummed her fingers on the table, wondering just how long the fuming Eponin would last before she stopped trying to scrape the stuff off with a piece of soapy leather and decided to come storming out here. Not.. Ephiny had to privately admit, that it wasn't funny.. it was.. she just wished it someone else it had happened to.

Serves us right for being such hedonists, the Amazon sighed, having told Eponin exactly that when they'd woken to mutually widened eyes and horrified expressions. Oh well.. She looked up as Cyrene set a large bowl of steaming, nutty smelling cereal in front of her and handed her a spoon. "Might as well, huh?"

Gabrielle idly watched the stripe of sunlight move lazily across the room, sneaking up the side of the bed and slithering across their cuddled forms like an ethereal serpent, painting a golden warmth along her arm and highlighting the fine, pale hair. A few dust motes drifted indolently in the light, and the bard merely watched them float, not having the inclination or desire to move a single inch.

Instead, she let her gaze drink in her partner's sleeping form, enjoying the sun's patterns which alternately brought out the mahogany highlights in the dark hair, and threw shadows across her sharp profile, which, even relaxed in sleep still held a hint of tension, the faintest twitch of a muscle just under her skin on the side of her face paying witness to the fact that on some level, there was awareness there. Of her, of the cabin.. of birds outside, probably.

"How do you do that?" Gabrielle had asked, in all innocence, when they'd just been travelling together a short time.

Xena had looked up, with that sharp, impatient look she sometimes… a lot of times, got. "Do what?"

She'd been ambling along on Argo, and suddenly pulled the mare off into the shadow of a few trees, dragging Gabrielle by the shirt along with her. Long minutes had passed, and Gabrielle had been about to burst into a demand for explanation, when the warrior had unceremoniously clapped a hand across her mouth.

Then, at the very edge of her hearing, she'd detected hoofbeats, and they'd watched in silence as a legion of king's guards rode past, their ribald manner indicating a meeting would not have had a happy conclusion.

"Wow." She'd said, in laughing delight. "That was amazing." And she'd asked. "How do you do that?"

Xena had given her a dour look, and hadn't answered, just started off again.

But much later, that night, when they'd been lying on their bedrolls for a while, she'd heard a quiet, almost discorporeal voice float across the campfire. "It's.. not magic, if that's what you're thinking."

Gabrielle had had to dig through her memory to figure out what the woman was talking about, then nodded quietly to herself. "No.. well.. I mean, I really didn't think so, because… I don’t know.. it's just like… you just do it."

A sigh. "I had to learn to do it. When.. I was… well, before… just about everyone around me was an enemy." Xena had explained in an almost toneless voice. "I learned to.. always keep a guard up.. so if .. someone came after me.. or tried to.. in the dark.. or when I was asleep, I'd have a chance at stopping them."

It was one of her longest speeches ever, and Gabrielle gave it a respectful period of silent contemplation. "I won't ever try to hurt you." She finally said, glancing across the flames, seeing the quirky half grin that briefly lightened the warrior's face.

"I wasn't really worried about that, Gabrielle." Xena had answered, with a touch of wry amusement. "But… um… you don't have to worry about anyone jumping you at night either.. it kind of covers you too."

The bard had rolled over onto her side, and gazed at her friend. "I never worried about that." She'd even laughed a little. "You always make me feel safe.. I trust you completely." It had seemed.. then.. an obvious statement, and Gabrielle hadn't thought twice about it.

But Xena half raised her body, the firelight gilding her dark features, and looked at her. "Gabrielle.. you hardly know me." The warrior had protested.

And she'd just shrugged. "I know.. but I can't help it. I feel like I've known you forever."

The warrior's eyes had studied her for a long, expressionless moment. Then the lashes had dropped, and she'd tilted her head and gazed at one hand, absently ruffling the fur of the bedroll she was lying on. "That's a crazy thing to say." Xena had said, softly, then looked back up. "I'm glad you haven't."

And Gabrielle had understood what Xena had meant, but had tried to put her whole heart into her answer, hoping her taciturn, and often cold companion would understand her. "It wouldn't have mattered. We'd still have been friends."

That.. had gotten her that little half smile as the firelight reflected off those clear blue eyes of hers. "Think so?" Xena had commented wryly.

"Yeah." Gabrielle had answered with quiet confidence. "One way or another."

And Xena had just nodded, a little.

Now the echo of that simple statement reverberated around her, and she smiled, breathing in the familiar scent of her soulmate, and reveling in their close contact. That's never changed. She mused, with a contented sigh. This is still the safest place in the world.

Her eyes slid down her partner's body, taking in every line and curve, resting lightly on the faint scars, and the notch her thumb could barely feel in her bottommost rib that had been broken months ago. Her chest rose and fell with a strong, rhythmic regularity, one which Gabrielle's own breathing matched perfectly, and now the bard felt the subtly coiling tension start in the muscles resting under her arm that meant her partner was waking up.

Sure enough, when she tilted her head and looked up, sleepy blue eyes were gazing back at her, and a lazy half grin was shaping Xena's lips. "Morning." The warrior drawled, sliding a hand up the bard's back and gently rubbing it.

"Uhnngh.." Her partner groaned. "Too much dancing last night… gods, I'm stiff." She arched her back under Xena's touch and stretched against the dull ache.

Xena let the grin proceed, as she attended to the tight muscles she could feel under her fingertips. "Look at you…" She clucked under her breath as she worked. "Dancing, huh?"

"Mmmm… yeah.. dancing.. and other things.." Gabrielle mumbled blissfully, closing her eyes and sighing. She let her body slowly move against Xena's, and rubbed her cheek against the warrior's shoulder. "I think I'm the one turning into a house cat." She confessed. "I feel.. very spoiled right now."

"Oh yeah?" Xena rumbled, deep in her throat, a sound more felt than heard. She let her other hand join it's mate, and expanded her gentle massage, teasing and touching until Gabrielle was warming her chest with her breathing, and the bard's own hands had begun to roam, gliding softly across the warrior's hip and down her thigh.

"Xena?" The bard whispered, as she nibbled the warrior's jawline, and felt the flutter of her pulse under her lips, which twitched into a smile as she sensed the coil and shift of muscles under her fingertips as they moved.

"Uh..?" One blue eye cocked its attendant eyebrow at her.

"H'long you think we got.." Gabrielle's lips moved on, capturing a tasty earlobe. "For Eph comes after us?"

Xena just shook her dark head, and chuckled deep in her throat. "Dunno.. but anyone comin barging in here's gonna get a chakram up their.."

"Xena!" Gabrielle growled in a giggling manner.

"Nose." The warrior finished, gently biting down on her partner's, then kissing it. ""Sides…she won't come out in public."

Gabrielle had to take a few moments to breathe, completely distracted, before she had the presence of mind to think about that. "What.. how much.. um.. uh.. oo.. that's nice. Um.. blue stuff did you put on her?"

"Dunno." Xena said again. "Depends on how creative Pony was."

Gabrielle paused, and looked down into her clear, blue eyes. "Xena.. she was drunk." In a faintly scolding tone

A dazzling, mischievous smile. "I know." Xena then took the opportunity to investigate her partner's navel, which she privately regarded as quite cute, besides being one of the bard's most ticklish spots.

"You… are a very, very bad girl." Gabrielle informed her, struggling to maintain a severe expression. "Auggh… Xena..stop that!!!" She bit her lip to keep from giggling helplessly. The truncated noise came out as a gurgle.

"Heh.. you bet your bardic butt I am." Xena chuckled, nibbling a path up the bard's chest and listening to her helpless giggles. "Relax… I have something that'll get the stuff off.. " She reassured her partner. "Let's just see how long it takes em to break down and ask for it."

"Oh.." Gabrielle ducked her head to one side, and gently nuzzled her partner's neck. "So it's not permanent?" That came out very muffled. She let out a half incoherent growl as Xena's hands slid across her.

Then her head cocked gently, and she listened for a moment. "Hmmm… " No further sound came, and she chuckled, then captured the bard's lips , giving it her full attention for a long space of time, sparing not one thought for the drowsing fur covered form sprawled indolently on the porch of their cabin.

He really hadn't intended on falling asleep, but the sun, and the cold, crisp air and the late night previous combined to allow his senses to drift off, as he curled up on the now snow free porch. He found himself dreaming, little, nonsense dreams of times spent with his friends in childhood, bounding around the high grassed clearings near his home village.

Squirrels were fun to chase, and they had, racing through the chest high river grasses that whipped against his thick fur as the scent of summer warmed earth rose to his acute sense of smell, the slightly musky hint of the river joining it. He padded to a halt, breathing in the warm air and feeling the grasses tickle his face around him.

He brushed them back, but they persisted, managing to get inside his left ear and nearly drive him to distraction.

His eyes popped open, and he jerked his head around, slapping at whatever was tickling him. A low laugh answered, as his eyes met Xena's, who was reclining next to him on the porch, a bit of straw neatly tucked in hand. "Oh..uh…hi."

The warrior regarded him in some amusement. "Hi." She reached out and tickled his nose with the straw, beating his reflexes easily. "Thanks for waiting." She bared her teeth in a devilish grin, chuckling as she watched his muzzle darken, and his lips scrunch up in a scowl.

Jessan sighed. "You knew I was out here, huh?" An eyebrow cocked at him. "Never mind.. scratch that. Of course you did." He felt his blush fade and drew a knee up, wrapping his long arms around it. "So.. um.. good morning!"

Xena stretched her shoulders out and gazed across the courtyard. "Yeah.. it is." She returned her glance to the forest dweller. "Haven't had a chance to talk to you… it's been kinda busy." She studied the straw bit in her hands. "Glad you guys could make it."

Jessan smiled. "Glad we could too.. it's been fun.. even mom and dad are having a good time." He rubbed his nose. "My mom really likes your mom."

They eyed each other. "That could be dangerous." Xena commented wryly, then gave him a light slap. "I hear you're going to be a father."

The forest dweller sniffed at her in mock outrage. "Oh.. yeah? Well, I hear you're a mother!" He snorted. "Talk about keeping secrets… damn, Xena!" He grinned at her faint blush. "He's really cute… looks just like you."

She shrugged lightly and laughed. "Yeah.. well… I.. " She sighed. "He makes a good target, Jess." She nodded a little "He's better off with the centaurs.. at least for now."

One golden eyebrow arched slightly. "For now?" His eyes glinted at her. "So.. how're you liking this taste of retirement?" That with the barest teasing barb in it, as his Sight flicked over her. Ah… my friend… so you've known peace here, have you? For a little while, at least. It does my heart good to see that. "Not that I blame you.. it's nice here."

The warrior gave a negligent nod. "It's.. been all right." She allowed. "I did it mostly for Gabrielle.. " A slight quirk of the lips. "It's been good for her." A waggle of a long fingered hand. "Settling down in one place for a while.. I think she's missed that."

Of course. Jessan gazed at her in wry knowledge. And Gabrielle would insist on the opposite, naturally.. but that was a harmless self deception on both parts. "Oh.. and poor Xena's just been grumping along, right?" He bit his lip, and gave her a teasing grin.

A low chuckle. "Nah.. all right.. I've been having a pretty good time, too." She glanced up as Ares came trotting up onto the porch, and settled behind her, resting his muzzle on her side and glaring at Jessan. "Hey boy.."

"Rrrrr.." The wolf rumbled at Jessan.

"Rrrrrrr." Jessan rumbled right back, lifting his lips and exposing his fangs.

"Cut it out, both of you." Xena sighed, giving Jessan a poke. "Don't start with him." She idly scratched the wolf's ears. "So… what'd you think of Ares?"

Jessan stopped growling, and blinked. "Well.. he's cute… " He remarked. "Why do you ask?"

Xena rolled her eyes and glanced at the ceiling. "I meant the God of War." She sighed.

"Oh." Jessan muttered. "Um.. that was.. unexpected.. I knew..I mean, I'd heard you guys.. kind of knew each other.. but I thought it was um… a little more.. uh.." He waved his hands. "Formal?" He sighed. "He was just.. kind of like one of us, except that he disappeared in a blue flash, and healed Iolaus." He paused. "It was… just kind of weird." He paused again. "Dad was impressed."

Xena snorted softly. "He.. " She sighed. "Every once in a while.. it pays to know him."

"Mmm." Jessan agreed, studying her profile, and remembering the shivering sense of likeness he'd seen as his friend and the god of War had stood facing each other, in their build, and stance, and the hawks sharpness of their eyes. "Yeah, but that can go both ways."

The warrior sighed. "Don't I know it." She stretched again, and twitched the edge of her tunic into order, arranging the rust colored fabric with idle fingers. "So.. you camping on my porch for a reason, or is it too noisy over there?"

"Ah." Jessan settled his wide shoulders more comfortably against the wall of the cabin, and rolled his head towards her. "Well..um… there was a kind of… accident."

A dark eyebrow rose. "An accident?" Xena's gaze grew thoughtful. "What kind of.. accident?"

The forest dweller opened his mouth, then shut it a few times, then uncrossed and recrossed his arms and sighed. "Um…well, apparently your mother left some of her… I have no idea what it was but it was blue.. something or other.. and apparently… a couple of the Amazons kind of..um… "

Xena grinned. "Were practicing ceremonial body painting?"

Jessan let out a breath. "Yeah.. how'd you know?"

"Old custom." Xena assured him soberly. "So… you came to get me to do… what?" She paused. "Judge the competition?" Oh..gods.. this is almost as much fun as beating up people. And I end up with less aches from it.. unless you count the stomachache from laughing.

The forest dweller giggled. "No no.. your mother was hoping you'd know some way to get the stuff off."

"Hmm." Xena glanced up as Gabrielle appeared, closing the door and walking over to them, dropping down to settle cross legged on the wooden floor. "What do you think?"

"About what?" The bard asked reasonably, her green eyes sparkling in the sunshine. She was dressed in a pale blue shirt whose sleeves were rolled halfway up her arms, and whose ample folds were gathered in at her waist by a leather belt.

"They want me to come up with some kind of concoction that'll remove blue pigment from skin." Xena explained with a deadpan expression. "Apparently some of your Amazons got into mom's frosting."

"Really." Gabrielle drawled, matching her expression with delicate grace. "Um.. well, you know, Xena.. I really can't have.. uh.. MY Amazons parading around in..um… " She glanced at Jessan.

"Stripes." He supplied succinctly. "And.. some dots, a few swirls… one really interesting curlicue.."

Xena and Gabrielle gazed at each other, identical muscles jerking in both sets of jaws.

"Right." Xena stood and brushed herself off. "Gotta go." Oh..I gotta see this…

"Me too." Gabrielle agreed, rising with her. "Moral support."

Xena chuckled, then put a hand on the porch railing and vaulted over it, landing lightly in the still banked snow and plowing a determined path towards the in. Ares scrambled after her, bounding in her shadow with an eager growl.

Gabrielle laughed softly, shaking her head, as she exited the porch the more common way, with Jessan ambling at her side.

"So..um.. Ephiny… I guess you all will be heading home now." Cyrene paused, and chewed a mouthful of cereal. "Once we get you clean… um… fixed up."

The Amazon sighed, a faint smile twitching at her lips. "Yeah.. we were packing stuff.. time for us to get back to the village.. see what's been going on there." She glanced up. "Thank you.. for extending your hospitality, by the way. I know we've been a pain."

Cyrene did her best not to let the blue dot on the point of Ephiny's nose force her into helpless giggles. "It's been fun, actually.. been a while since I've had so many young folks around the place." She patted the Amazon's arm. 'You've given me a lot of good memories to think about."

Ephiny smiled quietly. "Thanks…same here." She ate another spoonful. "They've been telling me I needed to take a break for a while.. this wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but.. but um…" Her eyes sparkled gently "It's something I won't forget very soon."

The innkeeper chuckled. "None of us will, I think." She fiddled with her spoon. "Do you.. have family.. back home, Ephiny?" Do they have families in the Amazons? I should have asked Gabrielle…

"Besides the entire Nation, you mean?" Ephiny replied with a smile. "I have a son, yes… " She glanced up at Cyrene. "His name's Xenon, as a matter of fact." She smiled at the innkeeper's look of surprise. "Named for the person who helped bring him into the world."

"Hmm…" Cyrene remarked. "I don’t think I've ever heard that story… " Then she chuckled. "Gabrielle must have not been there."

Ephiny stopped eating, and stared at the table, remembering. "Oh.. no, she was there." She replied carefully. "It.. was in Thessaly.. during the civil war there. She got.. hurt."

Ah. Cyrene considered that. "I had heard.. that war stopped suddenly.. right when the Minoans were about to declare a total victory. Marmax just.. stopped.. his troops and sued for peace."

Ephiny nodded. "Oh yes.. he did.. he got his brains rattled by a certain mutual acquaintance of ours until he was made to realize what price he was paying for victory." She took a breath. "In a healing temple.. Xena stabbed him, and brought him there to see if she couldn’t get him to turn his attitude around. " She paused. "She did."

"Oh.. well, I'd think she'd be quite proud of that." Cyrene stated, reasonably. "It certainly saved a lot of lives."

Ephiny took a breath, and pursed her lips. "But it almost cost her Gabrielle." She replied quietly. "And I don’t think she would have counted that an acceptable trade off." She sighed. "I don’t think she likes to talk about it because of that." Then she brightened. "But.. she did manage to put everything right.. and I ended up with little Xenon.. " She glanced down with a smile. "And a scar to prove it."

Cyrene's eyebrows jerked up, as she was distracted from thinking about what had happened. "She had to… oh.. goodness." She patted Ephiny's hand. "You poor thing."

"Well..' Ephiny admitted, frankly. "His father was a centaur.. I'm not sure it wasn't for the best."

Cyrene's jaw dropped, as her mind tried to imagine just how… "A… centaur??"

The Amazon smiled sadly. "Phantes.. yes." She looked up as the kitchen door opened, and winced as a familiar pair of ice blue eyes met hers. "Oh.. hi."

I am a warlord. Xena reminded herself fiercely. I have been fighting since I was fifteen. I have stood up in front of the God of War himself and kept control of myself. I am NOT going to burst into giggles. I am not. "Hi." One eyebrow quirked up. Breathe… no giggling.. breathe… "Nice..stripes." Breathe… "Morning mother." Get the scowl in place, that's it. Whew.

Cyrene got up, her mind still busy contemplating centaurs, and pushed Xena towards a chair. "Sit down, dear." She moved around towards the stove, almost colliding with Gabrielle and Jessan, who entered and stopped short.

"Whoa." Gabrielle blinked at Ephiny, who was blushing, making her blue stripes stand out vividly. "Um.. Eph… those are… um.. " Abruptly, she turned to her partner, who had seated herself across from Ephiny and was seriously engaged in appearing as though Amazons with painted faces sat in her mother's kitchen every day. "You know, Xena.. I think it reminds me of that fish you caught from the ocean that time." She smiled sweetly at her partner. "You know the one. With the puckery lips."

Xena closed her eyes. Thanks, Gabrielle. You had to remind me of the clown fish.. right? And it's little, comical face and it's goofy bugged out look. She lifted one hand and covered her mouth, then peeked over at Ephiny's face, biting her lip to keep from laughing.

Ephiny dropped her chin into her hand and sighed. "Go ahead, laugh." She gazed at the warrior's twitching face. "I deserve it… I can't believe I did something this stupid."

Xena felt a sharp prod against her ribs, and sighed inwardly. "Hey.. Eph.. I.. uh.. got some stuff to take that off." Another prod. "Uh…I'll go get it." She felt the bard's forearms settle on her shoulders, and leaned back, feeling the gentle warmth of Gabrielle's body pressing against her own. She resisted the urge to close her eyes and belatedly wiped the silly grin from her face when she saw Ephiny's smirk. Gods.. I gotta put a lid on that. What kind of reputation is that going to get me? Xena, Warrior Mushball.

"I've got a better idea." The bard commented. "How'd you like a nice, hot mineral bath?"

"I can't believe you talked me into this." Eponin growled, as she pulled her hood closely around face, and kicked viciously at a rock that dared to be in her path. "I don’t want them to see me."

Ephiny sighed. "Would you relax, please? It's just Xena and Gabrielle." She cast a glance at their two companions, who were strolling ahead a few bodylengths, talking in low tones to each other. "And Xena's got the stuff to get this crap off. So.. just take it easy. They've already seen it.. they don't care."

"Xena.." Gabrielle moved closer, and tucked a hand around her partner's arm. "Will that stuff really take the blue off?" She glanced behind them. "Pony's really pissed off." She paused. "I can't believe you did that."

Xena let out an exasperated breath. "Gabrielle, I didn't do ANYTHING… I really was tied to you all night, remember? All I did was.. um.. leave that where it was.. accessible. I didn't MAKE them eat it.. I certainly didn't MAKE them use each other for… artistic.. purposes."

Gabrielle giggled softly. "I know..I know… " She tightened her grasp and sighed. "Maybe this'll make it up to them."

They reached the cave with little incident, and even Eponin's grumpy mood improved when she saw the steaming pool and let the spicy scent fill her lungs.

"G'wan" Xena motioned for them to enter the pool. "I've got to mix up this soap." She spread her supplies out on a flat rock, and knelt beside it, unclasping her cloak and laying it to one side. She concentrated on her task, aware on the periphery of her senses of the subtle whispers of fabric against skin and gentle murmurs as her companions took off their clothing, then the arrhythmic sound of the water being disturbed as they entered, along with soft mutters of pleasure at the sensation.

She smiled quietly, casting a quick glance over her shoulder at the blissfully sighing Amazons and the fondly amused look on her partner's face as she watched them. Gabrielle was leaning against the near wall, her arms outstretched on the edge of the pool, and Xena took a moment to appreciate the supple and graceful body the bard was swiftly growing into.Damned if she doesn't put those Amazons to shame. The warrior chuckled quietly to herself.

Her hands shaped the ingredients into a soft soap, and she stood, enjoying the sweet, pungent scent of the stuff before she crossed to the pool, and dropped to one knee, offering the soap to Eponin, who was closer to the edge. "Here."

Eponin cocked a dark eyebrow at her, and reached up, taking the soap gingerly, then in a flickering motion, snapped her other hand up and grabbed Xena's arm, pulling hard, baring her teeth in a feral grin.

Xena felt her body jerk off balance, and compensated automatically, tensing her thigh muscles to hold her in place. She returned Eponin's grin, which widened as the Amazon let out a disgusted breath and released her. "Nice try." She drawled, shaking her arm to rid it of the water droplets from Eponin's hand. "Be glad.. if you'd dragged me in, and made me walk back in this weather in that wet stuff, you'd have the wrath of her majesty there to face." She jerked her jaw towards Gabrielle, who smirked.

"She's right." The bard agreed, leaning back indolently, and resting her head on her hands. "You joining us?" This was directed at her partner. C'mon, Xena… I love showing these oh so tough Amazons what the baddest thing going looks like. She let a half grin quirk her mouth, and was rewarded by its twin appearing on Xena's face.

"Yeah.." The warrior rose and dusted herself off, then crossed to where she'd left her kit, and packed it up, setting it to one side as she unbuckled her tunic belt and pulled it off over her head.

"Here.." Ephiny shook her head and scrubbed the soap over Eponin's face, leaving a blue tinted lather behind. The caramel eyes glanced sheepishly at her. "You just can't resist, can you?" The regent muttered softly

"I had a good chance…" Eponin mumbled back. "Can't help it if the damn woman outweighs me." She sighed in relief as the soap removed the blue stains on her arms. "That was starting to itch."

The suggestion immediately made a ticklish shiver run up Ephiny's spine. "Thanks." She gave Eponin a wry smile. "I needed to hear that."

"Sorry." The weapons master mumbled. "Here." She handed Ephiny half the soap, and scrubbed herself industriously, glancing over Ephiny's shoulder and pausing. "Damn." One eyebrow rose.

Ephiny's brow creased. "What's wrong?" She looked over her shoulder, then chuckled. "Oh." Xena was entering the pool, her attention on her partner, who was dodging flicks of water from the warrior's fingers.

The regent took the opportunity to study the long, lean body with suitable appreciation, having lived her life amongst warriors and having an eye for the subtle strength of a female form. It was, she mused, the proportions that were just so right about Xena… she wasn't overwhelmingly muscular like some of the Amazons.. like Arella, for instance. But all her parts were of the right size, and the right length, and she fit together with unerring precision, with a sense of solidity that spoke of long years of constant use of her body.

Taller than average, sure… a good part of that length her legs, which were so muscular they might have looked ungainly, save that her upper body was long enough, and well developed enough to balance that off neatly, and had the odd contrast of a woman's curves, overlaying the shadowy shift and movement of a warrior's uncompromising power underneath.

Seductive and scary, alluring and intimidating… she stood there half submerged, her skin collecting the firelight of their torches like some kind of bronze statue. Totally unconscious, Ephiny mused, of the sense of power she was giving off.. her attention riveted solely on Gabrielle, as she allowed the bard to tackle her, and take them both into deeper waters.

Fearless. Ephiny shook her head, as she watched Gabrielle maul her partner about like a favorite plaything, grinning as she ducked Xena's dark head under the water. The most dangerous fighter in this, or any other part of Greece, and the girl just pounces on her like a kitten with a ball.

"Hey." Xena spat out a mouthful of water, and shook her dark head, scattering drops of warm water everywhere. "Was that necessary?" She gave the bard a sly look, then splashed her with a quick movement. "Look.. no more painted Amazons." She observed, leaning back against the far wall of the pool, and folding her hands across her stomach. "You're lucky we got outta there before everyone else woke up."

Eponin grunted. "For sure." She gave Xena an evil look. "Word of this gets out, and I swear…"

Xena snorted softly. "Well.. let's see.. mom knows.. she's pretty good at secrets."

"Is that where you get that from?" Gabrielle asked innocently, as she settled in by Xena's side.

'Gabrielle… would you like your mother to hear about the Bacchae?" Xena threatened.

The bard grimaced. "Ok..ok..I'll be good." Noo…. I think we'll skip telling the folks about that one… it still gives me the willies.

"We'd like to hear about the Bacchae." Eponin and Ephiny stated in perfect concert. "Please?"

Gabrielle sighed. "I'm gonna hurt you." She paused. "Or better yet. .I'm gonna tell them who it was that left that bowl in their room." The words slipped out before she could think better of them, and she winced in reaction. Centaur poop. Sorry love… Her eyes apologized as she saw the warrior sigh.

Xena gazed at her in silent appeal, as she peeked over the bard's shoulder and spotted two really mad Amazons rising up out of the pool. Well.. I had my fun…. She slipped out from under Gabrielle's grasp, and ducked under the water, as two flying bodies hit the space she'd been in. C'mon, girls… gotta be faster than that.

Laughing, she surfaced and faced them. "Hey.. I didn't make you eat the stuff." She ducked again as Eponin lunged at her, water exploding everywhere as she slid under the water, and kicked off the side of the pool, gliding under the thrashing bodies and coming up on the other side. "Or use it for… finger-painting."

Then she was out of space, and they had a grip on her, as she flung herself across the water, dragging them behind. It was deeper here, and abruptly she realized her mistake as a heavy body landed on her shoulders, forcing her underwater, and the darkness closed in on top of her. No!

She barely heard Gabrielle's warning yell before her body lost the ability to tell the difference between friend and enemy, and her senses reacted to the sudden sensation of being trapped and unable to breathe. The force holding her down became more insistent, and she could feel hands gripping her neck with savage power.

Xena freed an arm, and hooked it around the body on top of her, pulling down with all her strength, then shoving her opponent away, as she broke the surface of the water and took a ragged breath, which was expelled as a growling roar. Her senses automatically found a target, and she surged half out of the water, heading towards the far wall.

Then arms were around her neck again, but this was a touch her body recognized and she made no move to stop Gabrielle from sliding inside her defenses. No move to stop her hand from stroking her cheek gently, either, as she fought to get her rage under control. "Easy.. easy…" The bard breathed softly into her ear. "It's all right.. it's just Pony.. she got over enthusiastic… "

Xena felt her body start to relax, fighter's instincts subsiding as she gazed coldly over her partner's shoulder, to where the stunned Eponin was blinking quietly in Ephiny's grasp, having slammed off the cavern wall and back into the water from the force of the warrior's movement. "That was really stupid." Xena spat out. "What the Hades were you thinking?"

Gabrielle sighed, as she half turned, and gazed at the other two Amazons. "That really was dumb." She kept up a gentle, soothing rub against Xena's side, feeling the deep, almost involuntary twitching begin to ease. That's it… easy there, love… She waited for her own nerves to stop jerking, and her heart to slow its rapid pace that had started up as soon as she realized what Eponin was doing. Ephiny had started to help, but Gabrielle had grabbed her, and thrown her out of the way split seconds before Xena's powerful body had erupted out of the water, flinging Eponin like some kind of child's rag toy across the pool. "Really dumb." She repeated, meeting Ephiny's shocked eyes.

"Gods.. sorry.." Eponin coughed. "Xena.. sorry.. I didn't realize what in Hades I was doing." She lifted her eyes and met the warrior's cool blue ones. "I didn't mean to trap you under there.. I wasn't thinking.. I… forgot who I had my damned hands on." She glanced at them. "Lucky I still have them." She gave Xena a wry, frankly apologetic look. Whoa. That shove had felt like being fired off a catapult, and the Amazon winced as she moved her shoulder, which had crashed against the rock wall. Of all the idiotic, crazy things I coulda picked to do.. that ranked right up there. She exchanged a grim look with Ephiny, who was watching Xena with wary eyes, aware of the still palpable, still edgy tension rolling off the warrior in waves that reached across the pool with ease. "Sorry." She muttered finally, softly.

Xena leaned back against the wall of the pool, as a wave of weary relief overtook her. I could have killed Eponin. Her mind dully noted. She had no idea what she was doing to me. Her eyes lost some of their icy hardness, and she sighed almost soundlessly. It's been… so easy.. to forget just how thin the veneer is .. I think I almost even fooled myself into thinking I could just be… oh damn.. just forget it. "It's all right, Eponin." She finally said, quietly. "My fault."

The Amazon snorted softly. "I don't think so." She eased back into a sitting position, trying not to wince. "I was the stupid one who decided to jump on your back and hold you underwater. I think I've been hit in the head one too many times." She moved the wrong way and groaned.

Xena eyed her pensively. I owe them an explanation. Damn. She glanced down into Gabrielle's concerned eyes and gave her partner a smile she hoped was reassuring, then raised her gaze up to meet the wary faces across the pool. They're my friends, right? I can't keep this hidden forever "I… have a problem with enclosed places." Xena finally said, in a quiet tone, and felt the start run through Gabrielle's body at the words. Didn't expect that, huh, my bard? "I've.. had it since I was a kid. I can't always control my reaction to it… you got lucky." She finished, and felt the bard's arms tighten in a strong hug around her, bringing a tiny smile to her face.

Eponin blinked at her in startlement. I can't believe I'm hearing that. Did she just admit to being… Damn..I think she did. She felt Ephiny's astonishment as she and the regent exchanged glances. Wow. That took guts. Of a sudden, her mind slipped sideways, as she tried to readjust her mental image of the tall, dark haired warrior across from her. I had a cousin who had that… couldn’t stand crowds.. small rooms.. Her eyes flicked around the cavern, and remembered the close quarters of the party last night, and a new respect dawned her eyes as she gazed at Xena. Damn.

Ephiny had an abrupt flash of memory, of Gabrielle's gentle voice relating their last adventure, and now it took on new meaning, as she realized the hidden toll it must have taken on Xena. Courage, her mother had once told her, was not simply the fact that you weren't scared of anything.. it was being scared, and doing whatever it was anyway. Courage was dealing with your fears, and not letting them rule you. She'd found that out for herself… might as well share her own burden "Yeah well… " She met Xena's wary eyes. "I've got a problem with heights. Makes all that tree climbing business a pain in the ass."

Gabrielle laughed gently, leaning against her partner. "Me too." She laid her cheek against Xena's arm, and kept up her quiet, gentle stroking, as she felt the warrior's body relaxing. "I think everyone has something." Thank you Ephiny… her eyes sparkled at the regent.

They all looked at Eponin, who shifted to more comfortable position in the water, and scowled. "Bugs." She finally muttered. "But don't you dare tell anyone.. or I'll have all the damn squirts in the village putting beetles in my bedcovers."

Xena let out a low burst of laughter, and the tension surrounding them dissolved, as they all joined in. "Sorry.. Pony.. " Xena finally sighed. "Hope I didn't shake you up too much." She slid an arm around Gabrielle's body, and let out a long held breath, feeling the bard's fingers move in a light tickle across her ribcage before resuming their slow patterns across her belly.

The Amazon grunted. "Nah.. in fact, I think you did me a favor.. knocked my damn spine back into place. I had a crick in it since this morning."

The warrior gave her a wry look. "Always glad to help."

Ephiny cleared her throat. "Now.. about this blue stuff??" She put her hands on her hips, and gave Xena a stern look. "That really wasn't nice, Xena." Let's change the subject, hmm? Besides… She watched Xena's calming expression with somewhat amused interest. Looks like Gabrielle knows exactly how to handle her.

"Hey." Gabrielle forestalled her partner's speech. "She just had to find a safe place for that bowl… I didn't see her forcing anyone to consume the contents." She faced them squarely with a challenging expression on her face. "And..um.. she certainly didn't give any… direction.. as to the placement of the.. decorations." One hand drifted out of the water and shook a finger at them. "So.. knock off the accusations." She folded her arms. "Or else."

They all looked at her, Ephiny and Eponin with bemused expressions, Xena with a delighted grin.

"Besides.." The warrior commented, sliding both arms around the bard's midsection and pulling her closer. "I didn't have to do a thing.. just provide the.. means.. and let human nature take its course." Her blue eyes twinkled.

The two Amazons gazed at each other. "She's right." Ephiny sighed. "Serves us right for being hedonistic little piglets." She grinned at Eponin's scowl and blush. "So.. next subject… " She glanced around the chamber. "You.. wanna compare scars or something?"

"No fair." Gabrielle objected, with a mock scowl. "I have a disadvantage."

"Mmm.." Xena agreed, touching the single, deep scar on her neck, and letting her hand trail down to the smaller, lighter one on her biceps. "I intend to keep it that way."

Ephiny snorted. "Here here." She leaned back. "Besides, my biggest one you gave me." She glanced down at her belly, and traced the slim, neat line with her eyes. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you." She yawned, and raised an arm out of the water, gazing at her own shoulder. "This one, on the other hand, was from a wild boar."

They looked at her with respect. "Really?" Eponin grunted, examining the pale pattern on Ephiny's tanned skin. "Bit you?"

Ephiny pursed her lips for a minute, then smiled. "Ran over me. I tripped and fell in front of it.. damn thing was running away from a forest fire." She gave them all a sheepish grin. "So that's my most embarrassing one." She turned her head. "You?"

Eponin scowled, then sighed, and lifted one leg out of the water, exposing a muscular calf and pointing to a half moon shaped scar . "I was out hunting… and I found a honeycomb up in a tree. Climbed it, smoked the bees out, and had my hands on it when a damn magpie flew right into my face and made me lose my grip on the damn tree."

"You scrape you leg coming down?" Xena queried, with a grin.

"No." Eponin gruffly answered. "Didn't want to let go of the honeycomb, so I.. uh.. .bounced a little…" She ignored the quickly muffled snorts of laughter from the others. "Rolled down the embankment, and into a gully."

"And you.. cut yourself on a rock?" Gabrielle hazarded.

"No." Eponin replied. "Shot across the gully, and landed in a rabbit warren."

"Umm.. branch punctured your leg?" It was Ephiny's turn, and she carefully examined the scar after she asked.

"No." Eponin grunted. "Rabbit bit me."

They all looked at her. "Rabbit." Xena repeated. "They can be dangerous."

"Right." Ephiny nodded sagely. "Vicious."

Gabrielle just burst out laughing. "Oh… wow… a bunny bite." A giggle. "That's berry bunny."

Eponin sighed in a martyred fashion. "Knew I shouldn’t have told that one."

Xena gazed at her with some sympathy. "Don't mind her." She casually dunked the still giggling bard under the water, and pulled her up spluttering. "Really."

Gabrielle splashed her. "Ok, Warrior Princess of snarky remarks, which is your most embarrassing scar?" Then she wondered briefly if Xena was going to let her get away with that… sometimes, she knew, she walked a fine line between getting her partner to loosen up, and pushing too hard at Xena's sometimes unpredictable sense of personal dignity. The body under her hands didn't tense, though, so she figured she got away with it this time.

The dark haired warrior contemplated her in silence for a long moment, then let a faint grin quirk her lips. "Well…" A shrug. "First time I ever got drunk.."

Eponin groaned softly, and studied the ceiling. "Oo… don't go there."

Xena chuckled. "Yeah, well… it was here.. at home. A bunch of merchants came through, we had a big festival.. things got kinda out of hand." She paused, remembering. "It was… couple years before Cortese, I guess… one of the merchants was a knife thrower on the side.. bets, that kind of thing."

Gabrielle rolled her head back and gazed up at her partner's profile. "Let me guess… you challenged him."

She got a mild look back from the warrior. "Nope." Xena cheerfully disagreed. "He challenged me." A twinkle of blue eyes. "I won."

"Ooo.. big surprise there." Ephiny laughed, sending over a splash of warm water.

The warrior grinned. "But on the downside, I got bought a lotta drinks… which wasn't a good thing. So.. I managed to wander out of the inn and went into the stable.. intending to hide out until my head stopped spinning." She sighed and shook her head. "I forgot I'd just gone through a growth spurt.. and managed to walk right into a pitchfork." One hand dropped to rest on the curve of her right breast and tapped the small scar there. "Damn, did that ever hurt."

Gabrielle winced, and examined the scar. "I always wondered about that."

A snort from the warrior. "Yeah.. I was too embarrassed to get mom to look at it.. so I tried to sew it up myself." She grimaced. "Not a success."

Eponin laughed. "Bet you were cursing a streak." She watched Ephiny bite her lip as she imagined the scene.

"Oh yeah." Xena rolled her eyes, then let them rest on Gabrielle's damp head. "What about you?"

Gabrielle smiled, and let her head rest against Xena's shoulder. "Hmm… I don't think I have any permanent marks that are.. embarrass…oh… well… " She blushed. "Remember Tympani?"

"Your pony." Xena provided, exchanging a grin with the Amazons. "Gabrielle had a pony once."

"Really?" Ephiny crossed her arms. "Thought you didn't like horses."

"He bit me." The bard replied solemnly. "Probably that's why I have this thing about them."

"Bit you???" Xena sat up and regarded her. "Gabrielle, I gotta tell you.. I've NEVER had a horse bite me."

The bard snorted. "I'm sure you haven't.. oh Warrior Princess of all stubborn animals. They all love you." She flicked a bit of water across the surface of the pool, then realized what she had said, and how that might be interpreted, and winced, seeing the highly amused looks on her friends faces. "I am not stubborn."

Even Xena laughed, fending off Gabrielle's attempts at splashing her. "Hey.. hey.. you said it!!" She protested, then ticked the bard underwater. "So.. where'd he bite you?"

"Yeah.. where?" Ephiny asked, putting her hands behind her head and floating contentedly.

Gabrielle's face screwed up in an embarrassed half grin. "Um." She chewed her lip. "On my butt, actually."

A momentary silence, then they all started laughing, causing Ephiny to half submerge and get water up her nose. She surfaced coughing. "Gods."

Xena watched the blush trace up her partner's neck, and briefly considered the notion of displaying the scar. Not. "So.. that's what that is." She drawled instead.

The bard's blush deepened, and she ducked her face against the warrior's shoulder. "I can't believe I said that." She muttered, in a low tone.

"S'allright." Xena murmured back, her voice covered by the laughter and spluttering from across the pool. "It's cute." She slid a hand down the bard's back and gently traced the scar in question. "I've been meaning to ask you about it."

They floated for a while longer, until Xena realized how late it was getting. "Hey… they're probably waiting for you two." She commented, as she nudged the half dozing Gabrielle, who was snuggled close, with her arms wrapped loosely around Xena's waist.

Ephiny rolled her head over and gazed at the dark haired warrior. "Yeah.. hey.. if you two are going to be around here so much.. you'd better visit us more often.. no excuses."

"Right back at you." Gabrielle shot back. "But not so dramatically next time, ok Eph??" She gurgled in surprise as Xena stood up, cradling her and walked out of the water towards where they'd left their stuff. "Show off." She hissed at the smirking warrior, giving her a poke. "Let me down."

"I'll try." Ephiny groaned, as she hauled herself out of the pool and took the piece of linen Xena was holding out, toweling herself dry vigorously. "Believe me, I had no intention of causing myself an enforced vacation for nearly a moon." She glanced up. "Not that this last bit hasn't been fun."

Xena glanced up, a wicked glint in her eye. "Even falling in the mud?" She chuckled at Eponin's mortified expression. "Weren't going to tell us about that little escapade huh?"

"Damn." The dark haired Amazon growled. "All right.. who squealed… " She pulled her shirt on over her head and tied it off with a jerk. "Hercules??"

Xena shook her head. "Nope.. he's the soul of discretion." She informed the woman soberly.

"Iolaus?" Eponin's next guess.

"Nope." Xena replied, getting her own clothing fastened, and handing Gabrielle hers.

"Well… " Eponin suddenly turned and glared at Ephiny. "It was…"

The regent held up her hands. "Not me, my friend." They looked at each other, then both turned and looked at Xena. "Toris."

Xena grinned.

"He's toast." Eponin rumbled, getting her belongings together. "I'm gonna go find him and…"

Xena held up a hand. "Ah ah…. Hold up…." She wagged a finger at Eponin. "He's my brother.. and I'm not gonna stand by and watch someone clean the floor with him." She paused. "That's my privilege." She paused and gave them a sly grin. "Besides… I think there'd be another Amazon standing in your way."

Ephiny sighed, but smiled. "We're losing another member of our Nation to Amphipolis, aren't we?"

Gabrielle laughed gently. "Think of it as… um… a kind of permanent outpost… how about that?" She flicked her hair out to start it's drying. "At least we can send messages faster."

The regent considered this, and finally nodded. "All right… " She started out the tunnel. "C'mon, Pony.. let's go home."

Lila sighed, as she tied up the last item in her pack, and secured the flap. Their stuff had been loaded on the wagon, and now as she looked up, she spotted her sister returning from some place up in the hills, accompanied by her partner, and two of the Amazons.

For a long moment, she envied Gabrielle, envied her the freedom she so obviously had, and the total acceptance of who and what she was that was very evident here. Her home, Lila realized sadly, in a way that Potadeia never had been, where everyone respected her, and where Xena's family loved her as one of their own. Where no one made her be something she wasn't, or punished her for being something she was.

Not that Lila would have wanted that life, no.. she was happy with Lennat, and content with her future as his wife. It was just that…kids have dreams, of what they want to do when they grew up. Hers had been of being a princess.. in a castle far away. Gabrielle's had been of adventure, and storytelling, and meeting famous people and going amazing places. And damned if she wasn't living those dreams.

It had been.. damn.. it had been the night before the slavers had caught them. They'd been in their room, watching the moonlight track across the floor from the high, small window. It had been a pretty good day, because their father had been away to market, and wasn't due back until tomorrow morning. Gabrielle had even relented, and told her a story that night, a short, wistful one about a boy who had gone out adventuring and found his destiny.

"It's a nice story, Bree." She'd whispered, peering at the pale, quiet face on the other bed. "I like the bit about when he finds the princess and slays the dragon. " But she had been a bit anxious about her older sister.. who had recently gotten very quiet. Some of the sparkle had gone out of her pale green eyes, and Lila had caught her simply sitting on a rock overlooking the river, just gazing into nothingness several times recently.

"Thanks." Gabrielle had said, in a toneless voice. "I think I'm going to stop telling these dumb stories though." She had finally admitted.

Lila had sat up, and leaned over, grabbing at her sister's arm in disbelief. "No. Bree! You can't.. they're so cool.. how could you just stop telling them?"

Her sister had closed her eyes, and shook her pale head. "Lila.. I can't.. it just hurts too much.. telling stuff about things I can't ever see.. or ever feel." Then she'd propped her chin up on one hand and gazed at the younger girl. "I'm tired of fighting all the time, Lila.. it's just too hard."

"But… " Lila had protested. "Bree, they're just stories… what's the big deal?"

And her sister had chewed her lip a minute before answering. "Just stories.. to you. But not to me.. to me, they're real, Lila.. they're these.. amazing.. vivid.. pictures in my head of something I can't have…" Her eyes had filled with tears. "Places I'll never see.. emotions I'll never.. feel.. Lila, I want to go out and find treasures, and do things.. and be.. I want to make a difference to someone.. to anyone… "

"Bree.. you make a difference… you make a difference to me.. and to mother.. and someday you'll be married, and.. you can make a difference there too." Lila had said, thinking to comfort her older sister.

Never understanding the bleak, far off look in Gabrielle's eyes. "Yeah." She'd finally sighed. "You're right, Lila.. I'll.. just do what I can with what I've got, right?"

But a light had gone out, somewhere deep inside those pale eyes that were so different from her darker ones, and Lila had felt, in her heart, that her sister was losing something…hope, maybe.. or she didn't know what. And she knew… it would be easier on Bree if she did cut out her storytelling.. and just settled down, try to fit in, and not make waves.

Then that following night, when she'd woken to see Gabrielle packing her few, meager belongings. "What are you doing?" She'd whispered, frantically. And when her sister had looked up, and faced her, that light had returned, and was blazing so brightly she could hardly stand to look Gabrielle in the eye. It was as though all the stories.. and all the dreams had come back, and were burning inside her.

"You know I'm not like anyone else in this town, Lila." Gabrielle had said, and her sister had wondered how much of that was true, and how much if it was what Gabrielle had wanted to believe. Everyone wanted to think they were special.. but her sister had gone farther than that. She'd seen a picture of what she wanted to become.. and then.. just gone out and threw herself into the becoming.

It had been a desperate act, a shocking one. But now, as Lila gazed around the courtyard, which was filled with Amazons, and forest dwellers, and the centaur, who mingled with her, and her family with easy familiarity she almost had to laugh. "Was this what you had in mind, Bree?" She mused with a shake of her head. She would have to ask her sometime.

They'd thought, for a long time, that Xena had lured the young girl away. That she had kidnapped her for her own, dark purposes. But Lila had finally understood that it was the other way around, and the purposes were far from dark.

Now she stood by the wagon, and watched them approach, focusing her gaze on her sister's strong, confident stride as she matched paces with her taller companion. Gabrielle fairly radiated with both self confidence and happiness, and she once again found herself feeling jealous of Xena. She missed her sister.. missed having her around to confide in, to plan with.. She sighed. I'm glad she's happy… that's the important thing.

"Ah.. there's your sister." Hecuba commented, as she tucked a few things away in the wagon. "I was wondering where she disappeared to." Cyrene had been.. vague.. about where the bard and her partner had gone.. something about Amazon rituals, and bathing. She wasn't sure she wanted to know any further details, having come to the conclusion that there were some things about her daughter's life that she had no interest in knowing.

Gabrielle and Xena changed their direction to meet up with them, while the Amazons went on to where the rest of their party were gathered, assembling supplies.

"Looks like your family's waiting to take off." Xena said softly, giving her partner a nudge towards where the wagon was waiting. "I'm going to go dig up my son."

Gabrielle sighed. "Is he buried somewhere?" She asked facetiously. "Never mind… I'll catch up with you in a bit." She savored the quick touch on her neck of long fingers, then headed towards her sister.

"Hi." Her eyes found Lila's, as she came even with the wagon. "You guys about packed?" She leaned her forearms on the edge of the wooden cart, and laced her fingers together, studying her sister with a mild expression. "Did you.. have fun last night?"

Lila hitched herself up onto the backboard of the wagon, and swung her feet. "Yeah..I did.. " She gave Gabrielle a smile. "You certainly have an interesting bunch of friends." She looked around. "And.. it's nice here."

The bard grinned. "Hey.. we've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to show you our place… c'mon."

Lila hopped down and followed her sister willingly, as they kicked through the knee high snow towards their small cabin. "It.. was a surprise.. when we got back here." Gabrielle explained, as she led the way up the stairs and opened the door, standing back for her sister to precede her, then followed her inside.

"Oh…" The dark haired woman let out a surprised laugh. "Gabrielle.. it's so cute!" She turned around in a circle. "I like the colors." Her face broke into a smile as she walked around the room, touching a few knickknacks with gentle fingers. "Oh.." Her eyes trailed respectfully over Xena's sword, in its scabbard on the linen press, and the heavy armor draped over a small chair next to it. She lifted the edge of the armor, then dropped it. "Wow.. that's… how does she ever wear that, Bree? It's heavy as all get out."

The bard chuckled softly, and joined her, lifting a piece of the armor up lovingly. "She says.. it weighs less when you wear it.. but.. I had to do that once, and it felt like I was being driven into the ground, so I don't know."

Lila blinked at her. "You had to wear it?" She lifted the breastplate up and held it up against her sister's body. "You're joking, right?"

Gabrielle pulled a bracer on and grinned. "Nope." She waggled and eyebrow at Lila. "You should see me with dark hair.. and dressed in those leathers."

Her sister laughed. "Why on earth did you have to do that"

A shrug. "Well.. I had to.. I mean.. she couldn't.. and I.. " She fell silent.

"One of those things you don't mention?" Lila replied quietly.

Callisto, and the dart, and that dark, horrible moment when she'd thought she'd lost Xena. "Something like that." She admitted in a small voice.

Lila rolled her eyes. "Gods, Gabrielle… do you think I'm a kid? I can take it.. what's the problem?"

The bard turned and faced her, giving her sister a direct, open stare. "Can you? Can you, Lila.. hear stuff like the fact that I was almost taken by Morpheus, or survived two Amazon challenges, or was almost burned alive by some corrupt wanna be king, or got shot in the Thessalean civil war.. can you hear that and not freak out?"

She held her bracered arm up. "I had to do this because Xena had been shot.. by the person who killed Perdicus." She paused and stepped closer to her sister, who was standing with a frozen look on her face. "Callisto, who almost killed me.. what.. twice now? And then there's Velasca, who I took the Queen's Mask from and who became a god, then chased me half across Greece before Xena figured a way to get her and Callisto trapped in burning lava." Another step. "You wanna know what my life's like, little sister? Do you? Really?" And then held her breath for the answer, hoping Lila wouldn’t back down.

Lila swallowed, and stared at a face gone strange, and eyes that bore no resemblance to the ones she'd thought she'd known. "How do you stand it?" She asked softly, wanting to understand the person her sister had become. Afraid that the gulf was too wide for her to jump, even now.

Gabrielle smiled. "I love it." She said in a half whisper. "I love the challenge… I love finding a way to fix things. I love.. winning." She let out a long breath. "I love making a difference… in my life, in other people's lives… changing things for the better… I love.. making the stories." How else to explain the wonderful feeling she had at the end of a long, dusty day, when she was tired, and sore, but could look back on the faces of people she'd helped? Or see the look of bemused wonder on Xena's face when some little kid came up and hugged her.. for saving his family's only mule?

That had been during a flood, she remembered. And.. oh.. gods… for four days they'd done nothing but digging out this one small village which had been mostly buried in mud.

Black, nasty, clinging, stinking mud which had become her whole world, until she'd have been very happy to never see another clump of the stuff ever. Xena had taken off her armor, and was working in just an old, ragged tunic, as she doggedly pulled out item after item, working alongside the villagers but outstripping them in both strength and stamina.

They'd looked at her in uneasy fascination, knowing who she was, and Gabrielle had seen those shoulders tense, and the muscles in her jaw clench as she tried to ignore the barely suppressed anxiety. It had made the bard angry, and she'd set to work going person by person, and relating stories that painted Xena in a different light than the one their memories shone down on her. And as the days went by, and they watched her, the attitude shifted quietly.

The mule, though… gods. It had been mired up to the shoulders in mud, and unable to move… and it had panicked, plunging up and down in the sticky stuff until it was exhausted, then struggling wildly again once it had caught it's breath. Xena had taken a quarterstaff, and cleared some space around the edgy animal, then simply jumped down into the mud with it, trying to calm it down so she could work it's shaking limbs free of the sucking ooze.

But the mule… didn't understand she was trying to help, and started kicking. Gabrielle had lunged forward, seeing her companion go down under it's hooves twice, but Xena held onto it's scrawny neck grimly, and finally got the animal to still, then with steady, patient digging, managed to get it free.

She'd never seen Xena look quite so exhausted as she had when the warrior had glanced back up at her out of that stinking pit. She'd put her hands on two half mired pieces of wood, and hoisted herself up, but Gabrielle had seen the limp, quickly disguised, when she started walking back towards them. The mule had kicked her twice, and the bard could see one angry mark, just above her right knee that was seeping blood, almost invisible against her mud darkened skin.

But a patter of tiny footsteps had caught both their attentions, and Xena had stopped walking, and watched, warily, as a small girl, dressed in woolen tatters pattered over, and flung her arms fearlessly around the warrior's mud encrusted knees. "Dank you!" The child warbled, as Xena dropped to one knee to study her. "Nice lady!"

That got a wry grin. "That your mule?" The warrior asked quietly.

The girl nodded vigorously. "Wrocked."

Xena quirked a brow. "What? Is that his name?"

"Wrocked." The tiny tot reached way up and rapped a small fist against Xena's dark hair. "Wrok.. head."

"Rock head." The warrior repeated with a smile. "That fits." She glanced over at the tot's parents, who were watching with timid smiles. "Better go wash him."

"Stinkies." The girl agreed, and pattered away, catching up to the mule and hanging on to it's ragged tail.

Xena had slowly stood up and gazed after them, then let her glance idly drift around the rescued village, where the looks now turned on her were ones of gratitude, and subdued admiration. Then she'd looked up as Gabrielle had drawn close, and given the bard a weary half grin "I'm about ready for a long bath in the nearest source of water I can find."

And later that night, much later, after hours spent removing mud and letting the cool, running water soothe aches that Gabrielle swore were bone deep, they lay at last, in a fragrant, newly sprung meadow, where the scent of jasmine and clover finally took the stench of the river out of their noses.

Where the stars twinkled overhead, and the campfire crackled nearby, as the bard curled up next to Xena on their bedroll, and gently replaced the cold water soaked cloths over the ugly bruise from Rockhead's errant hoof. "That looks like it hurts a lot." She commented, watching Xena struggle to keep her eyes open, for once not even dragging out her tough warrior routine.

"Yeah." Her companion sighed. "But Gabrielle.. those people.. they have.. almost nothing.. it was worth it to get them back some of what they worked all their lives for." Unfinished, was the sad knowledge that she had once spent her time taking just that something away from just this kind of people, quiet memories shadowing the bright blue of her eyes.

"I like that part too." Gabrielle had replied, scooting over and patting her lap. "Here… put your head here and let me put a stitch into that cut on your head.. it's still bleeding a little." And for once, she hadn't gotten an argument, as she felt the weight settle quietly onto her legs. "Is that why you do this? Because it makes you feel good?" She asked, more to distract Xena from the thin needle in her hands than anything else. The warrior was skittish about sharp objects near her face, though the bard knew she trusted her completely.

Xena had remained quiet for so long, eyes closed, that Gabrielle had thought her sleeping, as she carefully stitched up the spot where the mule's kick had sliced through part of the skin covering her temple. She found herself wistfully enjoying the feel of Xena's clean skin under her hands, and the cool dampness of the warrior's river chilled back against her thighs. Finally, Xena took a deep breath, and glanced up at her, and Gabrielle realized she'd been thinking about the question the whole time.

"No." Came the thoughtful answer. "I used to think I was doing it as some kind of punishment.. for all the stuff I'd done before." A slight shrug. "Then I thought… I had an obligation to do it.. to Hercules.. to you… to all the people I hurt."

Gabrielle had stayed still, only her fingers idly moving, riffling through Xena's dark hair absently. "And now?"

Another shrug. "Now.. I just do it because.. it feels like the right thing to do. I .. I don't really think about it." She'd glanced up. "Crazy, huh?"

"Nope." Gabrielle had answered, then stopped, realizing what her hand had been doing, and knowing it was just the warrior's sheer exhaustion that was keeping her from reacting. Awkwardly she stilled her movement, then took a deep breath. It was getting.. so.. hard not to do that. "I think… um…I mean I don't…" It had been no good.. those blue eyes had captured hers, and rendered her tongue tied. "Uh." Frantically, she grabbed control of her tongue back. "Hey.. that's why I do it too. It feels like the right thing to do."

One dark, teasing eyebrow curved up, and a corner of Xena's mouth twitched. "It does, huh?"

"Uh.. yeah." Gabrielle had answered, not really sure of where her companion was coming from.

"Then you should keep on doing it." Xena had replied, gravely, as she closed her eyes and folded her hands across her stomach.

Gabrielle had sat there, bemusedly wondering if it was remotely possible that she was being flirted with. Nah. She concluded, but then one blue eye popped open and regarded her, with a very suspicious twinkle. Tentatively, she resumed her gentle riffling, and the eye closed contentedly. "I will." She'd whispered softly, and seen the gentle grin twitch across Xena's face in answer.

Lila set the piece of armor down, and took a breath. "Gabrielle.. this .. all .. scares me half to death, I won't lie about that." She met the intense green eyes with determination. "But.. I still want to know.. about what you do, and the things that happen to you. No matter how scary they are.. I want you to know you can always tell me about them." She stepped forward, towards Gabrielle, and lifted a hand, putting it on her sister's cheek. "You're my sister.. and I don't care how many gods there are after you, or how many warlords… I'm not going to let that change."

Gabrielle smiled. "Thanks." She replied, simply. "I was hoping you'd say that." She wrapped her arms around Lila and hugged her. "Maybe.. when we're here.. we can visit more often."

Lila returned the hug, feeling the sleek, muscular body under her hands and shaking her head a little. "I'd like that." She replied as they released each other and stepped back. "So.. where do you guys go off to this morning?" She took a step and sat down on the edge of the bed, bouncing a little. "Hey.. pretty cushy, sis."

The bard grinned, and sat down next to her. "Yeah.. it is, I know.. Xena gave me a hard time about that when we first got here.. but I think I've gotten her addicted to it now." She patted the fabric. "Um.. well, there's this cave that has a hot spring.. we kinda went up there just to unwind a little."

"Ah." Lila commented. "So.. that whole rigmarole about the Amazon rites was just squirrel droppings right?"

Gabrielle rubbed her nose. "Well.. kind of. Ephiny and Eponin had gotten some of m.. Cyrene's blue dye on them.. they had to get it washed off." No sense in shoving that in her face… right? "It was kind of a.. practical joke."

Lila's expression perked up. "Really? Who'd have the guts to play a practical joke on those two?"

The bard gave her a wry look. "Who do you think?" She stood and stretched. "Come on.. mom and dad will be wondering where you got off to."

Lila got up and put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Wait a minute.. you're not telling me Xena does that kind of thing are you?" She waved her other hand. "No way, Bree,, she plays jokes??"

Gabrielle sighed, and tugged her along. "Oh yeah… big time.. she's the worst." She felt Lila stop and turned to look at her sister's confused face. "Look.." She lifted a hand and let it fall on the brass armor "She didn't.. I mean, she's been fighting most of her life, Lila… since she was just a kid…and sometimes, when I first met her, I'd look into her eyes, and if I was lucky, and really quick, I'd see that kid kind of wistfully looking back out at me." She paused, and traced the swirling patterns on the armor idly. "But I thought.. the same thing you did. That there was just no way this tough, mean fighter could ever let her guard down enough to even enjoy.. " She waved a hand. "A sunset.. or.. a beautiful flower." She sighed. "Much less play jokes on anyone."

"So.. what happened?" Lila asked gently, curiously. "You know.. you're kind of like that too." She hesitated. "A little..I mean, not cynical, or anything.. but.. you always acted grown up."

Gabrielle stared thoughtfully at her. "Yeah, I guess I did." She let a smile shape her lips. "There was just this one day.."

It had been a very quiet, very beautiful day, in fact. They'd been walking through a wild section all day, and not seen a single other person. And that had been all right with her, really.. no people meant no one annoying Xena, and that was always a good thing.

Just curious squirrels, the odd rabbit or two, birds keeping an eye on them…and the intoxicating scent of the spring's first flowers rising over them as they walked through the newly colorful wild fields, the cool breeze bringing a smile to even Xena's dour face.

She'd just felt like.. it had just felt so good to be alive, and there.. breathing that air, and feeling the sun shower over her, that she'd grabbed up a handful of the compact purple and white flowers she'd named snowballs, because of the fine, feathery outer leaves which detached and floated away at the slightest breath.

Then she'd walked right up to Xena, who'd been standing, leaning against a moss covered tree and watching Argo drink from the nearby brook, and.. without really thinking about what she was doing, she blew the whole handful of the things right into the warrior's face.

Where they'd lodged in her dark hair and brought a startled look to those usually cool blue eyes.

They'd stared at each other for an endless moment, and Gabrielle had held her breath, realizing she was walking a tightrope between a very bad mistake, and something… else.

Then one dark eyebrow had edged up, and a tiny, wicked little grin had taken over that oh, so serious face, and the next thing Gabrielle knew, she was being rolled in snowballs, the fluffy white stuff coming down over her like a cloud as she was picked up and gently tossed into the nearest cluster of them, surprised by the solid thump as Xena landed next to her, as the petals floated like snowflakes between them.

And then she was regretting that damn new Amazon style outfit, that exposed her belly because Xena was tickling her unmercifully until she was gasping for breath from giggling, realizing that Xena was laughing too, trying to defend herself from Gabrielle's wild thrashing.

It had felt so good, it had almost brought tears to her eyes. They'd finally both collapsed in the grass, looking up at the cloud scattered sky, as the last of the snowball's fluff settled around them. Gabrielle had taken a half guilty peek at her companion, sure that Xena was going to be mad that she'd egged her into letting her guard down, hardly believing that it had worked in the first place.

Her breath had caught in her throat, though, at the sad, almost lost look she'd seen looking back at her, that had disappeared in the blink of an eye, to be replaced with a more normal, daunting glint. She watched the kid slowly fade back into whatever dark place Xena kept her, and felt a pang of loss.

Which must have shown in her eyes, because the kid stopped, with the door almost shut tight, and hesitated. Then left the door just.. slightly… open.

"That was fun." The bard commented.

A quirk of that damn eyebrow was the answer, and the barest hint of the return of that wicked grin.

"After that… it got easier.. I just kept digging and digging and just got her to open up. " Gabrielle sighed happily. "It was pretty tough.. but it was worth the effort."

Lila smiled. "So I see." She tucked her hand into Gabrielle's elbow and moved towards the door. "I'll have to remember that.. and watch out for her." The dark haired woman laughed softly. "You guys will.. come visit sometimes, right?"

"You bet." Gabrielle assured her, as they exited the cabin.

Xena paused, as she put a hand on the door to the stable, her senses coming alert at the tiny, squiggling sounds of a small body hiding inside. A grin etched itself across her face, and she pulled the door open, sauntering inside with a blithely unconcerned air.

She made her steps towards Argo measured and deliberate, letting her hearing filter the soft sounds of hay moving stealthily, and the almost silent breathing, and the whisper of cloth against skin.

"Hey there girl." She greeted the mare, who whuffled and shoved her nose into Xena's belly. Now soft boots were creeping across the barn floor, the soles oh so gently rasping against the loose hay and chaff scattered about. "You in the mood for a little ride later?" She bent her head down to the horse's forehead. "I know..I hear him." She whispered into the golden ear, which was flicking forward and back.

A rush of soft footsteps, and she waited until her silent ambusher was almost on her, then launched herself ceilingward, flipping into a backwards summersault as a small body rushed under her and collided with an amused Argo's forelegs. She landed with a springy hop, and grinned as Solon put his small hands on his hips and glared at her.

"No fair!!" He accused. "I was being really quiet."

Xena matched his stance, putting her own hands on her hips and giving him a raised eyebrow stare. "Oh yeah? You'll have to practice more than that… let's see, you started out behind that saddle over there, then crossed over to where the table is, then ducked under the railing." She grinned. "Right?"

He grinned back. "Wow.. you are the best." He ran at her and leaped, laughing as she caught him, and tossed him up, then gently launched him into the loose hay, diving after him and starting a long, exhausting, thorough, tunneling tag game in the haybale, which resulted in both of them coming out the other end covered in hay dust and bits of loose grain.

Solon blew his hair out of his eyes and grinned in delight, then scrambled across the shifting surface and snuggled up against his mother, who wrapped long arms around in obligingly and settled back into a comfortable nest in the hay.

"So… you all ready to go?" Xena asked quietly, reveling in the warmth of his small body tucked against hers. "You'll have lots of company on the way home."

He let out a sigh. "I'd rather stay here with you." His blue eyes looked up plaintively at her.

Damn. Xena brushed his hair back gently. "Soon, Solon… Gabrielle and I have some stuff to do.. places we have to go to and we'll be leaving here pretty soon. But when we get back.. " She smiled tentatively at him.

"I can come live here?" He asked softly. "Really?" He wriggled a little. "It's.. mom, it's not that I don't love pappa. I do." He scowled. "And.. I like the centaurs.. a lot.. and all my friends.. and even some of the Amazons." He paused, "Sometimes."

Xena smothered a grin. "Yeah.. me too." She admitted. "Sometimes. But they can get a little weird."

"Yeeeaaahh.." He agreed, with an impish look. "Boy.. do they ever like you." He informed her, momentarily distracted. "They think you're hot."

"Solon!" The warrior found herself blushing. Gods.. he is growing up.

He giggled. "They do!!!" He quieted suddenly. "Mom?"

Xena caught his change of mood and peered at him. "What?"

His hands played with her tunic laces and he focused his gaze on her collar. "Um.. I heard Iolaus talkin to Hercules.. last night. He was talking about Gabrielle.. and he said.." His voice stopped.

The warrior gently cupped his chin and tilted his face up. "What, Solon.. what did he say?"

"He said her pappa hurt her." The blue eyes searched her face anxiously. "That’s' not true, right?"

Oh boy. Xena swallowed, suddenly out of her depth. "Um…" She blew out a long breath. "Solon.. that's… " I have so many unresolved problems with that.. gods only know how she feels about it.

He blinked slowly at her. "It is true." His face fell. "I don't want it to be.. that's not right."

She nodded unhappily. "Yes.. it's true.. but Solon, you can't say anything about that.. please… especially not to Gabrielle." She hesitated. "She's.. it's something that bothers her a lot."

"I won't." The boy replied slowly. "Mom.. she's so nice.. how could anyone want to hurt her?"

Why. Damn good question. "I.. don't know.. " She finally said. "He's.. he was an angry person, I guess.. and he just.. struck out at anyone.. and at anything he could. " She sighed deeply. "And.. she was just… a target." It's why I gave him to Kaleipus, isn't it? Wasn't I afraid I'd do.. worse?

Solon snuggled his head against her shoulder. "Are you mad about it?"

"Yeah." Xena replied quietly. "Mad that it happened, and that I couldn’t prevent it… yeah."

"But.." Solon's brow creased. "He's here.. so.. is it ok now? How'd she get him to stop?"

The warrior smiled a tiny smile. "Well.. Solon.. um.. she left home, and she found this.. grumpy old warlord to hang around with." She let out a soft sigh. "And um.. well, she knows.. and.. um he knows, that I'm not ever going to let that happen again, all right?"

He looked up at her soberly. "I think she made the right choice." He announced, studying her face. "And I don't think you're old and grumpy at all."

Xena smiled gently at him. "You don’t, huh?" '

"Nope." He shook his head vigorously, then gave her a sly grin. "And I bet Gabrielle doesn't think so either" His face grew serious again. "You… won't let anyone hurt her again, right?" He screwed his face up into a scowl. "Cause I really like her, and I don't want bad stuff to happen anymore."

Xena tucked his head under her chin, and rocked him quietly. "Son.. what we do.. what.. Gabrielle.. and I do.. we.." She hesitated. "We try to make things better for people who can't do that for themselves." She felt him nestle closer, and sensed he was hearing her. "And sometimes.. that's dangerous for us.. but.. we have to do it anyway.. because we think.. that it's worth our risking stuff so that other people can have better lives." Do I really believe that? Good gods… I can't believe I just said it. "Do.. you understand what I'm saying, Solon?"

'Yeah.." He mumbled softly. "I know.. but.. I.. I.. was scared.. when we were in those cages.. they were so mean to her.. and she was so brave.. I don't want anything to happen to her.. or to you.. not.. not now." His voice caught. "I.. I want.." His hands clenched on her tunic. "Mom.. I just found... you.. I don't want to lose you again."

Xena felt her heart jump, then stumble forward. "Solon.. hey.. " She sighed. "Look.. I promise you. .I'll do the best I can to make sure that nothing happens to either of us.. OK?"

He looked up. "You promise?"

The warrior nodded seriously. "I promise."

"Mmm.." He thumped her shoulder a little. "That's ok then.. cause you're the best there is." He looked up with a determined air. "Nobody's tougher than my mom."

Xena squared her shoulders under his worshipful gaze. Yeah.. maybe. Now all I have to do is make sure it stays that way. She sighed inwardly. "I do all right." She allowed, giving him a hug. "Come on.. let's get you cleaned up and ready to go." She stood up with him in her arms, and bounced out of the hay pile, making him giggle in reaction, then let him down and brushed him off before guiding him out the door.

"Hey.. Cait!" Solon called, as he got outside and spotted his friend. "She's all right. For a girl." He confided to his mother.

"Oh really." Xena commented, as the thin blond came trotting up. "Hello, Cait."

"Hello… super party." The girl smiled. "Do I ever have stories to tell the others when I get back.. it'll take me days."

Xena winced. "Um… well.. great." She sighed. Great. Just.. wonderful.. I always wanted to be story fodder for a pack of moon crazed Amazonettes. "You..um.. take care on the ride home, OK?"

The girl grinned. "I will.. don’t you worry." Her eyes found Xena's and they shared a quiet exchange. "Come on, Solon.. give me a hand with our stuff, will you?"

Xena knelt, and Solon threw his arms around her, hugging her fiercely. "Remember.. you promised.. right? " He whispered fiercely in her ear.

The warrior let her eyes close, and tried to memorize the feel of him against her. He felt so.. small.. and fragile. "I remember." She said into his ear. "See you in the fall." She paused. "Or maybe sooner.. you never know."

He gave her one last squeeze, and broke off, grinning at her. "I love you, mom."

She smiled at him. "I love you too, Solon." And stood, watching him run off to join Cait, who was struggling to lift a heavy Amazon pack up onto one of the horses. She turned to see Ephiny watching her. "Hey."

The Amazon walked over and stood next to her. "He's a sweet kid, Xena."

The warrior glanced over at her. "Can't believe he's mine, huh?"

Ephiny snorted. "Something like that.. he's kind, loving.. innocent.." She was enjoying a rare moment of having Xena off balance.

One dark eyebrow curved up. "He's the one who put the bowl in your room." Xena drawled, crossing her arms and bouncing a bit on the balls of her feet. Heh. Gotcha.

Dead silence for a minute. "Damn." Ephiny finally laughed. "Nut doesn't fall far from that tree, does it?"

Xena slowly turned and gazed at her. "I hope that's the only similarity we'll ever have."

Ephiny stepped forward, matching her serious expression. "Too late for that, Warrior Princess." She looked Xena right in the eye. "He's brave, and loyal, and loving, and has a great heart. And I know exactly where he got all of those things from." She paused. "Even if you'd rather ride a Bacchae bareback than admit it."

The warrior studied her in silence, the barest flickering of emotion crossing her face. Then the cool look dissolved into a warm grin, and she clapped Ephiny on the shoulder. "Thanks, Eph." She jerked her chin towards the rapidly assembling party. "You got everything you need?"

"Yeah." The Amazon nodded, then looked down. "Listen.. I also wanted to say thanks." She looked up at Xena's face. "Thank you for saving my life.. and risking yours in doing it." She blinked. "The Amazons owe you yet, again. "

A shrug. "Glad I was there, Ephiny…sorry you had to end up getting so sick.. I know that was rotten for you."

"Mph.." Ephiny waggled a hand. "Being sick wasn't fun, no.. but… " She leaned back against the stable wall and crossed her arms. "I've been feeling kinda lousy lately.. just real tired, and I kept getting these headaches all the time." She admitted quietly, glancing up and grimacing at Xena's concerned look. "Yeah, yeah.. I know.. .don't bother.. guess it was my body's way of telling me I needed a break. Well.. this wasn't what I had in mind.. but it seems to have worked.. besides the coughing, I feel great." She shrugged. "So..I dunno.. maybe it ended up being for the best."

Xena studied her closely. "Maybe." She drawled slowly. "You'd better take care of yourself.. or I'll have to tell your boss about that."

Ephiny arched a pale eyebrow at her, and snorted. "MY boss?" She snorted softly. "As if… as if she doesn't have you wrapped around her little finger." She bumped Xena gently with an elbow. "C'mon..admit it."

The warrior raised an eyebrow at that, but said nothing, preferring to gaze across the courtyard at the activity around the assembling group.

Whoops.. a little too far, I think. Ephiny sighed to herself. Me and my big mouth. "Look.. sorry.. inappropriate comment"

Blue eyes suddenly caught hers, then Xena's mouth twitched into a wry, reluctant grin. "No…you're right." She lifted her shoulders in a light shrug. "Just takes some getting used to.. it's a first."

Ephiny blinked at her. "C'mon, Xena.. surely you.."

A hand interrupted her, touching lightly on her shoulder. "Not like this." She hesitated. "Listen.. Ephiny.. can I ask you a favor?"

The Amazon's brow contracted. "Sure.. you know you can."

Xena's face went still for a long moment. "Look… things happen, right?" She said, in a low voice. "Ephiny, if something ever happens to me, she's going to need a friend. Would you.."

"Stupid question." The Amazon regent replied shortly. "You know better, Xena." She paused, and put a hesitant hand out, then drew it back. "But.. let me tell you something, OK? I was there.. the last time.. and… I felt pretty helpless."

The flickering light of the candles revealed a quiet, somber form to Ephiny's eyes as she entered the Queen's quarters, just after sundown. The mask.. had just been taken.. and now all that remained was Xena's funeral pyre the next sunrise, and then…

But looking at Gabrielle's still face, Ephiny had realized that things were far from being resolved in her young friend's mind. She'd noticed how pale the bard was, and how dark the circles under her eyes were, and how she hugged herself unconsciously as though she were in pain.

Which, Ephiny sighed. She was. And she realized it would take a while.. Great Artemis.. the two of them were close.. an unlikely pair of friends, but friends they had been, connected by their travels and adventures, and by a deep, underlying current of affection that disregarded their differences as a pay no mind.

She'd walked over, and put a gentle hand on Gabrielle's upper arm, startled to feel how chilled she was. "Hey..you OK?."

For a long moment, Gabrielle hadn't answered, then she swallowed, and nodded. "Yeah.. sure.. I'm fine. Go.. on to bed, Ephiny.. it's going to be a long day tomorrow." Her voice had sounded a touch strained, but she'd managed a smile for the Amazon, which somehow hadn't been convincing.

"You.. sure you don't want someone to stay here with you?" Ephiny had asked quietly. "It's no problem, Gabrielle.. this must be pretty strange for you."

The bard had looked up into her eyes. "Everything's strange, Ephiny. I ..I just have to get used to it, that's all."

She had felt deep compassion for the girl, and was quietly amazed at her bravery. "Gabrielle.. I know it's very hard for you right now.. but.. things will get better… it just takes a little time."

The bard had nodded slowly. "I know.. someday it'll hurt less." She'd paused. "Someday I'll stop listening for her voice."

Ephiny had felt like a fist had grabbed her heart, but she stayed silent, and waited.

"Someday, I'll stop looking up and expecting her to be there." Gabrielle went on, in a soft, almost distant tone. "Someday I'll stop waking up and wishing I hadn't." She'd stopped talking, as s gentle tear rolled down her cheek. "Ephiny, I miss her so much." This last came out in a rough whisper, and the Amazon had put her arms around the younger woman, and just hugged her.

"I know you do." She'd answered sadly. "And I think she knows that too."

"I'd give anything to have her back." Gabrielle had cried softly. "Even.. just for a minute… just so I could.. just.. say goodbye.. there's just so much.. I want to say to her."

"I know." Ephiny had sighed, and rubbed the bard's back lightly. Poor kid. She'd thought. She really did love the old war horse. "Hey.. you need to get some rest…why don't you come back to my place, huh? It's not good for you to be all by yourself like this."

She'd felt the bard take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "No." Came the calm, almost distant answer. "That's something I have to get used to."

The Amazon had backed away a step, and grasped her by the shoulders. "Gabrielle, you won't always be alone.. you know that."

And those green eyes, older now by far than the ones she'd first known, had looked into her own. "Part of me always will be, Ephiny." Her eyes had then focused on something distant. "The part of me that's her… that's gone now." Then she'd squared her shoulders. "Go on.. you get some sleep."

Ephiny had nodded, and released her hold. "You too." She'd said, but as she'd walked out, leaving behind that silent, lonely form, she'd had a feeling her advice would go unheeded.

Xena waited for the Amazon to finish speaking, to finish relating events which she.. had been a silent witness to. "I know.. she was having a really rough time." She said quietly, remembering herself looking down on the bard after Ephiny had left, watching her curl up in a huddled ball with her little sheep. Wanting so desperately to reach out.. to do something.. anything… hearing every lonely thought in the bard's exhausted mind because they were, almost all of them, directed to her.

Ephiny regarded the warrior's face. "That's… it's why you came back, isn't it?" The question was out before she could censor it, and she winced.

Xena studied her for a long moment, her face an expressionless mask, then she sighed, and he blue eyes closed, and Xena ducked her head in a minute nod. "That's the only reason that mattered." She answered quietly, then paused as a familiar presence made itself felt.

"Hey!" Gabrielle's voice broke the silence. "What're you two looking so serious for?" She glanced from one to the other, before she slipped in next to Xena, and tucked a hand around her partner's arm. "Please come say goodbye to everyone.. they think you're sulking. " She paused. "About what, I have no idea."

"Me? Sulk?" Xena took a steadying breath, then gave her a hurt look. " Nah. C'mon, Ephiny."

The Amazon smiled quietly, and headed towards the departing group, leaving them to walk more slowly behind. "Everything… all right?" Gabrielle ventured, her brow creasing a bit. "You looked pretty grim." She hesitated. "And I um… " She patted her belly in the unconscious signal they both used for the connection between them. "I thought something was bothering you."

The warrior walked a few steps in silence. "Yeah.. Eph was just thanking me." Xena replied slowly. "You say goodbye to your folks already?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah.." Subject change.. do I let it go? Yeah.. for now. "It's been nice seeing everyone." She paused.

"But?" Xena prodded, with a knowing grin.

The bard let out a gentle sigh. "Peace and quiet's nice too."

"Mmm." Her partner agreed solemnly. "You think I could interest you in a nice, quiet evening by the fire?"

Gabrielle grinned quietly to herself, thinking of the first night they'd spent in their new home.

"Xena, get over it." The bard had sighed, rolling her eyes at her grumpy partner, who was pacing back and forth across the newly laid floor of the cabin. "C'mon… it's nice here." It was long after dinner, and she'd coaxed the warrior back to the cabin, where Xena had started grumbling about the soft comforts her mother had provided.

"I didn't say it wasn't." Xena had growled. "That's not the point.." She'd waved her hands around. "I can't believe I let myself be talked into this." Tension had rolled off the warrior like water, splattering to the floor and making Gabrielle wince in reflex.

She known talking wouldn't do it… so she'd quietly just gotten out of the way, and set a pot of water on, measuring out and pouring herbs into two cups while her partner continued to pace, and fume, and shake her head.

Waited till the water boiled, she had, then let the herbs steep, mixing in a couple of spoonfuls of honey for good measure. Then she picked the cups up, and walked over to the low table in front of the fireplace, and set them down.

"Xena?" She had absently fluffed one of the pillows on the comfortable looking couch.

"What?" Had come the exasperated reply from the still pacing warrior, who walked over and glared at the bed, poking it and shaking her head.

"Could you come over here a minute?" The bard had asked softly.

The warrior had let out a raspy sigh, then stomped over, putting her hands on her hips and cocking her head at Gabrielle. 'What?" She asked again.

Gabrielle had seated herself, putting her hands in her lap and peering up at her partner with a quietly pensive look. It had worked. Xena had dropped down onto the couch next to her, setting her elbows on her knees, and studying her hands. "Sorry." She'd apologized after a tensely silent moment. "I must sound like an ass."

The bard had bit off a tiny grin. "No.. you sound scared." She'd paused. "Is… this all too much for you?"

Dead silence had fallen for a long time, while Xena had gazed at the wooden floor. Then she'd finally lifted her head, and propped her chin on one hand. "Maybe." She'd blown out a long breath and looked around, drinking in the cozy space, then letting her eyes rest on Gabrielle's firelit features. "Been a long time since… home… meant anything."

Gabrielle had slid close, picking up one of the mugs and holding it out, then folding Xena's fingers around it. "I know." She had answered simply, watching her partner take a sip, then glance around the room again. "But.. give it a little time. I think you'll get used to it."

Xena had leaned back slowly "I don't know about that, Gabrielle.. I think I've been living rough too long." She'd sighed. "I don't think I can handle the domestic life." She'd taken another sip, then glanced at the bard. "Mm…" She stretched out her long legs and crossed them at the ankles. "This tastes great." She'd sighed and let her head rest on the couch back.

Gabrielle had studied her sprawled form with some amusement, watching the blue eyes blink sleepily at the friendly, crackling fire. "Well, Xena.. I'm sure you'll give it your best effort." She'd commented, taking a sip of her own tea. "It'll be tough for you."

"Yeah." Came the soft response. "Could take a while."

"Mmmhmm." Gabrielle had answered, as she slid her free hand down the back of the couch and gently kneaded her partner's neck. "Well, you just work on it."

"Uh huh." Xena had mumbled, her eyes slowly closing. "I'll try."

Now the bard laughed to herself. "I'd love to." She sighed happily, and leaned her head against her partner's shoulder, as they walked over to say goodbye to their guests, who were mounting up and making ready to go out along the road.

The weather was.. perfect. Naturally. The sun had burned off a great deal of the drifts, and what was left was a healthy, but manageable covering that draped off the buildings and the stark branches of the trees. The wind was light, and though the air was cold, it was tempered by the sun, which peeked merrily out from between sparse white clouds.

They endured a round of hugs from Jessan and his family, the tall forest dweller stopping short from lifting Xena off her feet as he remembered getting the same treatment the last time he tried it. "I really don’t' want you picking me up in front of all these Amazons." He whispered into her nearby ear. "Bad for the image."

"Yours or mine?" Xena muttered back, with a feral grin, as she gave him a slap on the side and released him. "Thanks for making the trip, Jess. I'm glad you were here."

"Xena.." He laughed softly, fangs flashing. "I wouldn't have missed it… and what stories I have to tell when we get home."

She winced. "Oh.. great.. Not you too." She sighed and accepted a hug from Elaini. "Take care of him all right?"

The forest dweller grunted. "I'll try.. it ain't easy." She snorted softly "You warrior types are a pig's hind foot to deal with."

Gabrielle gave her an appreciative glance. "Oooo… Elaini.. good one. Can I use it sometime?"

At last, they were off, and clattering down the half frozen road, bits of snow being driven out of their path home.

Xena sighed, and settled an arm around Gabrielle, as she let her other hand drift down to rest on Ares' dark head. "That.. was quite a party." She yawned. "Wonder what was up with Hercules.. Toris said they got some message right after dawn and took off."

The bard shook her head. "I'm sure we'll hear about it." She gave Xena's arm a gentle tug. "C'mon.. I hear lunch calling."

A soft snort. "You always hear lunch calling." But Xena allowed herself to be steered towards the inn. "What about that sparring you wanted to do?"

"Mmm… after lunch?" Came the innocent answer. "We could go for a walk up in the hills.. there's um.. some… rocks I wanted to show you."

"Rocks." Xena stated, giving her a look. "Why do I think this is a thinly veiled excuse to spend the day loitering around with you in the forest?" She clucked her tongue at the bard. "You're getting pretty lazy, there, Gabrielle."

The bard bumped her lightly. "Complaining?"

A low, throaty chuckle was her answer. "Nope… loving every minute of it." Xena replied, as she opened the door to the inn and gestured for Gabrielle to precede her. She followed the bard in, then almost crashed right into her. "Hey!"

"Uh." The bard was standing just inside the doorway, hands on hips. "Xena?"

Toris and Granella were seated at a nearby table, arms crossed, glaring at them.

Eyes vividly in relief against blue faces.

Toris stood up, and grabbed a bowl on the table, dipping his hand inside it. "Y'know sis.." He started to walk towards them. "I just got this.. urge…. "

"Toris." Xena growled in warning, counterpointed by Ares nervous accompaniment. "I didn't do it."

"Of course not." Her brother smiled, getting a large glob onto his fingers.

"Uh oh." Gabrielle muttered. "Hi Gran."

The Amazon glared at her. "Gabrielle, I am blue where… people.. really.. shouldn't.. be… um…"

"Blue." The bard finished. "Xena?"

"Gotcha." The warrior replied, and bolted out the door, hauling her along easily "Maybe a walk in the hills wasn't a bad idea."

Gabrielle glanced behind her, to see Toris and Granella pelting out of the inn. "Walk?" She tugged on Xena's sleeve.

"Right." Her partner answered, as they both broke into a dead run, and headed up the snow covered path out of the town.

"Did you…" Gabrielle started.

"Nope." Xena replied shortly, lengthening her powerful strides.

"Then..?" The bard asked, keeping a nervous eye on their pursuers.

"Solon gets it from me." Xena muttered.

"Yeah?" Gabrielle answered, confused. "So?"

"Where do you suppose I get it from?" Her partner sighed, as they rounded the corner and started up the steep path away from Amphipolis.

The End. - Thanks for hanging in there folks….see you again shortly.

PS - No, Toris and Granella didn't catch them. They tripped, and ended up throwing the contents of the bowl over a sheep. Cyrene decided not to try and get the color out, and sheared the sheep instead, then had a weaver make a sweater out of it.

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