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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

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

mailto:merwolf@worldnet.att.net

Leap of Faith - Part 1

By Melissa Good

The late summer breeze gently blew a scattering of leaves across the almost empty courtyard outside the inn in the town of Amphipolis, dispersing the heat from the afternoon sun and tinkling gently through the collection of colorful hanging crystals dangling outside the back door to the building.

The peace was softly broken as the door to the nearby stable opened, and a tall, dark haired woman slipped out, dusting her hands briskly and heading across the sun drenched yard towards the inn. She was dressed in a heavy rust colored linen tunic lined with leather padding, which gave protection to her chest and upper legs, and came almost to her knees in length. A large black wolf trotted at her heels, sniffing at the ground, and pouncing on a branch which had fallen from a nearby tree.

"Hey… gimme that." Xena ordered, seeing the stick firmly entrenched in the wolf's mouth. "C'mere…" She took a step towards him, and he dodged away, tail lashing furiously. "Ares!"

"Argrhro." The wolf growled through clenched teeth. "Grrr…" He shook his head, then jumped, as Xena sprang over him, coming down and pinning him neatly to the ground. "Argrohhh.."

"Gotcha." The tall woman grinned, and pulled the stick out, then tossed it across the yard, sending the wolf dashing after it. She straightened up and let out a satisfied breath, tipping her head back and absorbing the warm sunlight, which reflected golden highlights off her tanned skin. She stood for a moment, gazing around. Can't believe we've been here a month already. She shook her head as she continued on towards the inn, pausing to run her fingertips over the crystals, and listen to the pleasant sound they produced. Ares caught up to her, and sneezed, dropping his stick. "Roo."

Xena glanced down, and pulled on the tip of his ear. "Yeah.. roo to you, too." She reached up and pushed the door open, smiling as a gentle gust of air puffed out, carrying the scent of roasting lamb and sage. Oo… that smells great.. Her senses chuckled, as she eased in the door, spotting her mother leaning against the far wall discussing something with Eustase, the inn's cook. "Hey."

Cyrene glanced up, and beckoned her over. "Xena.. just the person I was talking about." She regarded her tall offspring with an affectionate look, patting her side as she ambled over.

"What did I do now?" Xena asked amiably. "If it was this morning, forget it.. wasn't me. I was working with the colts since just after dawn, and teaching the miller's nag not to throw him for the rest of the morning." She stretched out her shoulders in a long, relaxed motion, and yawned, pulling the fabric tight against her body, then shrugging to resettle it. "So blame someone else." She paused. "How about Toris?"

Her mother laughed. "You are very bad, Xena." She nudged her in the ribs a little. "I wasn't blaming anyone for anything.. though, come to think of it, why are you assuming that? What did you do?" She parked her hands on her hips. "Hmm?"

Xena raised an eyebrow at her. "Me?" She poked a thumb at her own chest. "Not a thing." She reached behind her mother and liberated a small piece of lamb from the cooling roast, and popped it into her mouth. "Mm." She chewed thoughtfully, enjoying the sage and pepper flavor.

The innkeeper shook her head. "Scamp." She leaned back against the wall. "We've got a little problem.. maybe you could help me out with it."

"Depends." Xena gave her a wicked look. "Do I get more lamb?"

Cyrene snorted. "Actually, the problem is this - the supply train headed out this way is stuck in Potadeia… and most of my stuff for the party is on it." She regarded her daughter. "You think you could take a ride up that way and see what the problem is?"

Potadeia, huh? Xena gave her mother a wry look. "Actually.. we were planning a trip up there anyway.. Gabrielle wants to see Lila's new arrival." She pushed away from the wall, and crossed her arms. "I don't see a problem with that." Problem? Mmm.. no.. a few days out on the road.. nice and quiet.. sounds pretty good, actually. "I'll ask Gabrielle. .maybe we'll head out there tomorrow."

Cyrene gave her a brisk nod. "That would be wonderful." She reached out and squeezed Xena's arm. "For that, you get an extra plateful of lamb.. but you'd better hurry.. you know you have a competitor."

Xena laughed. "Oh yeah.. I know." She gave the shyly quiet Eustase a grin, then headed out the door, and into the main section of the inn, pausing when she heard voices. She stopped in the shadows just before the entrance to the room and peered out, spotting her partner perched on the corner of a table, arguing.

A month.. She mused. Had done wonders for her slim, fair haired soulmate. Gabrielle had almost regained her former bubbly attitude, and appeared stronger, and healthier than she had in quite a while. Right now she was ready for staff practice, dressed in her skirt and a brief, white linen shirt that tied neatly under her ribcage, exposing her nicely tanned skin and smoothly muscular body to good advantage. At least to Xena's good advantage, she smirked quietly to herself, allowing her eyes to roam over her partner's form with idle pleasure.

"Mathias, you just can't do it that way." Gabrielle argued, crossing her arms. "They're not going to trade field rights just for a promise of us sending a trading caravan their way a couple of times a year."

"But.. " The stocky man grimaced, and leaned over the parchment on the table. "They really want our trade.. especially the cloth goods, and the ale Cyrene's been putting out." He chewed on a fingernail. "Damn if we can't use those fields, now, either… "

The bard leaned back, stretching her body and sighed. "All right.. how about we trade two casks of ale now, and a bolt of fabric, for the field rights, and a promise of later trade." She studied the document. "That might work…" She amended the writing, and bit the end of her quill, then glanced up. "OK?"

Mathias nodded. "All right… I think Eddres will go for that… " He tilted his head and smiled up at the bard. "Thanks, Gabrielle."

He stood and rolled up the parchment, then tucked it into his belt, and clapped his companion on the arm. "Come on then, Ethan… we've got time to get up there before dark."

The two men left, and Gabrielle paused a moment, letting a smile creep onto her face before she turned her head and spotted her partner lounging in the shadows. "Hey… whatcha doing back there?"

Xena sauntered over, and put both arms around the bard's neck, resting her chin on Gabrielle's head and hugging her. "Waiting for you to finish." She growled softly into her ear. "I've got a proposition for you."

Gabrielle's head tilted, and her green eyes sparkled softly at the words. "Oh really?" She leaned back against her soulmate's warm body, and sighed happily. "Go ahead… proposition me." She waited patiently, letting her gaze drift over her partner's tanned face in gentle pleasure. The last month had done so much for them.. and her partner especially, to the point where Gabrielle had recently begun to see subtle hints of her more open side reappearing, to her utter delight. They'd even started to banter a little with each other, nudging themselves with gently teasing remarks.

"Mother would like us to find out what's happening with her precious party favors." Xena replied promptly. "They're stuck."

A blond eyebrow edged up. "Um… ok…" Gabrielle gave her a puzzled look. "In a mud hole or something? " She let her hand drop to lightly fall on her partner's muscular thigh, and squeezed it gently. "She could commission a horse and cart.. I realize how strong you are, love, but…"

Xena grinned. "No.. in Potadeia." She caught the bard's sudden smile of comprehension. "Thought we could visit Lila and kinda take care of two things with one trip."

Mmmm…. Gabrielle loved all the activity and daily life of Amphipolis.. but a few days wandering with Xena.. now that appealed to her. "Oo… yeah… gives me a chance to actually shop for some joining gifts without mom latching over my shoulder." She agreed enthusiastically. "I like it." She swiveled around, and wrapped an arm around Xena's waist. "When do we leave?"

Her partner grinned back, and ruffled her hair lightly. "Tomorrow ok for you?" She glanced around. "If you can tear yourself away from your busy schedule."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "They'll cope." She tugged on the leather padding across Xena's chest. "Hey…can I interest you in joining me for staff class? " She coaxed gently, giving her partner her best wishing look. "Please? "

Xena pretended to consider the request, putting a lofty, speculative look on her face. "Well.. I suppose I could be convinced." She allowed thoughtfully. "What's in it for me?"

"Hmmm…. " Gabrielle deliberately let her voice drop into a sultry growl. "You.. can get some nice fresh air." She started, letting her fingers travel over the buckles on her partner's tunic.

"I get lots of fresh air, Gabrielle." Her partner replied, watching the bard's slow unfastening.

"Uh huh… " One buckle down. "But you'll get in some good exercise." Another buckle, and the fabric parted, allowing the bard to slip her hand inside and tickle the warm skin underneath.

"O…K…. " Xena let her eyes slide shut as Gabrielle's hands slid further, quietly insistent. "Well.. I guess that never hurts." She allowed slowly, as she leaned forward and found her partner's lips, indulging in a long kiss before her ears caught the unmistakable sounds of someone approaching. She broke off, and nibbled the tip of the bard's nose. "All right.. you're on." She agreed quietly, as the door opened behind them, and the bard muffled a giggle as she refastened her partner's shirt.

"Hi mom.. " Gabrielle realized her face was probably flushed, but the inn was fairly dark inside so she really didn't worry about it. "I hear we're going to go rescue your froo froo."

Cyrene sidled up in back of them, and regarded the two women with a knowing smile. "Xena, are you sure that buckle is supposed to be upside down? " She asked innocently. "My froo froo, huh?"

"Um…. Gotta go." Xena replied, patting her partner's cheek. "I'll go change, and pick up my staff… see you in the yard, OK?" She escaped past Cyrene's amused eyes, and ducked out the door.

The innkeeper watched her, then turned to the bard and shook her head. "So.. you looking forward to seeing your sister?" She put a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. "I know Potadeia has some mixed memories for you."

The bard settled back onto the edge of the table and crossed her arms. "Yeah.. I can't wait to see Lila.. and the baby.. and things have gotten a lot better with my folks. " She shrugged lightly. "It's not so bad… anymore." Nothing was, really… she had come to realize.. having been through the things she had.

Cyrene smiled. "Well, c'mon in the kitchen.. you'd better get some of that roast before your tall friend gets to it.. won't be much left." She put a friendly arm around the bard's shoulders, and guided her towards the door. "And Eustase made some of those little pockets you like… so.. "

Gabrielle laughed. "Mom.. you're really spoiling me… glad this place keeps me busy. I'd be in real trouble otherwise." Busy.. was a good word for it, she reflected, as she allowed herself to be led into the kitchen and eased down at the work table, where a plate of stuff appeared in front of her as if by magic. Between working on trade treaties, the sparring lessons, helping out.. and the quiet sessions she'd been having with the other women in the village, just… talking.. the days didn't seem long enough.

And she was glad.. in a way.. because that gave her less time to think about the past.. and what had happened to them.. and more reason to start to build on their future, which was beginning to look kind of lighter. Xena too, she noticed, had thrown herself into her daily tasks with what seemed to Gabrielle to be relief, and she was glad her partner had seemed to be able to allow this new life to absorb her interest. Working with not only Argo's two colts, but with six other young horses kept her busy, and add that to the hunting she was more or less informally in charge of, and the calls on her healer's skills…

Yeah. No time for brooding… and that was the best thing. Though they both seemed to find time in the late afternoons for each other, regardless of what else was going on at the time. She'd be finishing staff practice, or heading back after a long session with Josclyn, and like magic, Xena would appear, free of her own tasks, and looking for some quiet companionship.

Which she was more than glad to provide. They'd fallen back into their winter pattern of spending that time of the day together, usually squirreled away in their favorite hidden glen, just relaxing with each other. She'd started working on some new stories, and would sometimes rehearse snippets of them for her partner, or sometimes they'd just talk quietly about their day, or sometimes… Gabrielle smirked. Ok, most of the time, they snuggled together and let their bodies take control, there in hidden safety.

Nights were spent either peacefully in their cabin, or with the rest of the family, in group dinners that were restoring to Gabrielle, at least, a sense of family she'd never really had. Between Cyrene and Johan, Toris and Granella, and the two of them, there was plenty of opportunity for banter, and fun conversation. And of course, she was in high demand for stories.

The door pushed open, and she glanced up, to see Granella trudge in. "Hi…"

The Amazon waved a hello, and dropped onto the bench next to the bard, propping her chin up on one hand. "Gabrielle, I've got a bone to pick with you."

Cyrene's eyebrow raised, and she set a pitcher of cider down, then slid into a seat and waited.

Gabrielle merely looked up from her plate, and selected a small bone with some meat on it, then handed it to Granella. "Ok.. there you go." She replied brightly, continuing to chew. "Anything else you need?"

Granella delicately bit off some lamb. "Thanks." She remarked drolly. "Now, you mind telling me what you feed your partner?"

The bard blinked at her, then exchanged glances with Cyrene, who shrugged. "Um…. " She stared down at her plate. "Same thing as the rest of us. Why?" Then her face creased into a knowing grin. "Oh.. you start running with her in the morning?"

The Amazon sighed. "It's depressing." She grumbled. "I thought I'd managed to keep in pretty good shape.. despite the unbelievable cooking around her. " She grinned at Cyrene, who grinned back. "Then I have to go and challenge her to race."

Gabrielle laughed. "That was dumb." She told the Amazon cheerfully. "She's really competitive."

"No, really?" The Amazon gave her a wry look. "I never would have guessed that about her." Granella sighed, and pushed her fingers through her dark, short hair. "I caught her as she was heading out this morning.. I figured, it's nice and early, I was feeling pretty good…so we ran up that low ridge over the river.."

"She likes that run." Gabrielle took a sip of cider. "She got me to go on it a few times… but running isn't really my thing, and we usually end up… " She paused, and realized what she was saying. "Um.. we usually get sidetracked." She ignored the grins across the table from her. "So.. anyway.. what happened?"

Granella muffled a smirk. "Well, unlucky for me, I'm not you.. so she sure wasn't distracted.. we were halfway up there, and here I am, running along, figuring 'hey, this ain't so bad..'.. then she gives me this…. Look." She glanced at them. "You know the one."

"Uh huh." Gabrielle and Cyrene answered together.

"And BAM!" Granella slapped her hand down on the table, making them jump. "She takes off." She sighed. "Not that I didn't try to keep up, I did… but then to add insult to injury, she kind of lets me catch up, then starts into those flippy things of hers, up and down.. across these gaps… she got me seasick."

Gabrielle laughed. "Gods… sorry." She shook her head. "But I'm glad she's got that bounce back… she had me kinda scared for a few weeks." Two very long weeks, in fact, when she'd watched her partner battle herself, angry at her body for its creeping slowness in recovering from what Xena considered to be an insignificant sickness. Gabrielle had approached her with gentle patience, coaxing the warrior into long, peaceful stretches of time spent cuddling with each other under the pretext of healing some of the cracks in their relationship.

It had worked, for both things, really.. they'd continued to grow closer and closer again, and it gave Xena a chance to give her body what it was demanding, which was just plain rest, along with the relief from the stress that had separated them. Gabrielle had almost been able to see the progress from day to day.. and that had allowed her to let go of her own dark anxieties as her soulmate emerged with a more familiar sparkle in her very blue eyes.

"Hah." Granella snorted, but gave her a grin anyway. "Bounce.. is that what you call that?"

The bard smiled back. "Among other things." She deadpanned. "C'mon.. you can get your revenge.. I talked her into joining me for class." She stood, and tucked her plate away in the washing basin.

"Oh.. sure." Granella winced. "Gabrielle, in case you hadn't noticed, I can't get a step on you… much less her… " But she stood and joined the bard anyway. "Oh well.. maybe Toris'll come play.. and I can beat up on him for a little while."

"Hey.." Cyrene shook a spoon at them, and mock scowled. "That's my son you're talking about."

Gabrielle grinned. "Well.. it's better he spar with Gran here than his sister." She bit her lip. "After that last time.. ouch.. ."

Granella put a friendly hand on her back and pushed her towards the door. "Yeah yeah.. you're the only one who can go toe to toe with her and we all know it, my Queen."

Their laughter traveled outside the door and faded, leaving Cyrene with a warm smile on her face. "Never expected to have a houseful of children again, 'Stase."

Eustase smiled at her. "And a lovely handful of them they are, ma'am."

"Yeah.. " Cyrene sighed fondly. "Rascals.. they can't put anything over on me, though, that's for sure."

"No, ma'am." Eustase wagged her head emphatically. "Not you." She turned and stirred the pot on the fire industriously, hiding a tiny grin.

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

The pre dawn light filtered slowly into the cabin, nudging out the shadows and revealing the familiar interior, which took on warmth and color to Xena’s sleepily watching eyes. She wasn’t ready to move yet, though they’d decided to make an early start, and she snuggled down into the softness of the bed with a sense of decadent comfort.

Gabrielle was blissfully asleep, her warm body nestled against her soulmate’s, and Xena was just spending this quiet time of the day watching her, letting her eyes trace the soft lines of her face, and listening to her breathing. It was this peace, she knew, that was slowly healing the wounds inside her. The trust that Gabrielle had reinvested in their relationship, and that she had timidly returned… even now, just watching the soft smile that edged the bard’s face made a sweet warmth kindle inside her.

Every time she felt restless, every time the wild urge rose up in her, and memories of battles past stirred in her mind, all she had to do was look at the contentment in her soulmate’s face, and the feel the happiness that bubbled from her and it was enough to tame the darkness and send it back into the depths.

And that was happening less and less, she realized, as she let herself be written into Amphipolis’ daily life, as she became involved in the lives, and the dreams of the people who lived here, who looked to her now not only as their protector, which she was, but also as a friend, and as a trusted healer.

It was so.. so very strange.

I never expected to be a hero. Not after Caesar… then I knew, whatever I became, it would be hated. Feared. Once I went down that path, I knew there was no coming back.. no atonement.. I was lost. Lao Ma showed me what I had become, but at that point, I didn’t care. Hercules taught me a different way.. but I wouldn't have stayed on that path for long. I hated myself too much… and I knew everyone else did too. Even mother… everyone.

Except for Gabrielle. Her eyes traced her soulmate’s features. This gentle, sweet, innocent girl, who saw something in me that I never would have.

The light took on a rose tinge, and as it coursed through the window, picking up the faint dust motes on its way across the covers Xena felt her partner’s breathing change, and deepen, then watched in deep affection as the misty green eyes blinked open, and lifted to meet hers. "Morning." She said, in a low growly tone.

The tiny lines around her eyes crinkled as the bard smiled, revealing neat white teeth and the very tip of a pink tongue. "I was just having the nicest dream." The bard burred, sleepily.

"Yeah?" Xena replied, breathing in her warm scent.

"Mmm…" Came the contented answer. "Yeah… and then I woke up, and it wasn’t a dream." The bard tightened her grasp, and breathed out, warming Xena’s chest with her exhale, and the warrior’s soul with her words. "It was true."

Xena just hugged her closer, chuckling softly. "It’s getting light."

"No.. really?" Gabrielle propped her head up on one hand, and idly traced a pattern across Xena’s body. "I guess that means we gotta get up, and get dressed, and start walking, huh?" She yawned, and playfully nestled close again, sliding a knee over her partner’s legs, and changing the rhythm of her stroking, slowing it. "You ever wish everything wasn’t so far apart?"

"Huh?" Xena shook her head a little, dispelling the pleasant haze the bard’s touch had dropped over her. "Gabrielle.. cut that out.. you’re putting me back to sleep." She complained wryly. "Don’t you want to go visit Lila?"

The bard continued her tracing. "Oh.. yeah, sure I do.. I just don’t want to do it right this instant." She parted the soft fabric and let her lips taste her partner’s skin, then changed her pattern yet again. "Still putting you to sleep?" She queried innocently, feeling the change in her Xena’s breathing. A gentle hand slid up the back of her thigh, and she felt her own body react. "Guess not."

They started out later than expected.

The sun was well up, and beginning to heat the road’s surface by the time they headed down past the river headed towards Potadeia. Gabrielle had resumed her usual travelling outfit, and had twisted her hair back into a loose knot against the heat. Xena had deliberately forgone her leathers, sticking to a pale blue embroidered tunic that came halfway to her knees, and her short boots.

No armor. Her sword was strapped to Argo’s saddlepad, though, and the chakram was tucked neatly away there too, Xena not being one to tempt fate too often. Besides that , though, the warrior appeared to be just any villager out on a short journey.

Ok.. Gabreille mused. So.. not just any villager… even without armor, her partner’s six feet of length and muscularly fluid stride marked her as something else. And then there was the alertness, that hypersensitive awareness that hadn’t lessened a bit. That marked her too. "I bet that’s a lot more comfortable than those leathers." She teased gently, tugging on the pale blue hem. The tunic was really pretty..multicolored embroidered dogs chased each other around her sleeves and across the hem at her thighs, and the loosely laced neckline exposed a good amount of her tanned shoulders. "You look great."

Xena turned her head, with a surprised little start. "Thanks… " She brushed a fleck of nonexistent dust from her sleeve. "You look pretty good yourself." She cocked her head and touched a finger to the bard’s halter top. "I like this color." The rusty shade contrasted neatly with the bard’s tanned skin, and pale hair, and the fabric outlined her slim, muscular waistline in sensual detail.

Gabrielle grinned happily, and preened a little. "Thank you…" She twitched her skirt straighter, and took in a deep breath, letting it out with a pleased sigh. "What a beautiful day."

Xena glanced up at the lowering clouds, and blinked against the muggy heat. And smiled, knowing exactly what her younger partner was saying. "Yeah.. it is." She slid an arm over the bard’s shoulders, and kept walking.

They traveled steadily throughout the day, and didn’t stop until the sun was almost down, casting long shadows behind them. They found a nice sheltered spot to camp, and settled down, going through the familiar motions of arranging their resting place.

It was a small clearing, with a ring of thickly leafed trees around it, and bushes filled with small, sweet smelling blossoms that perfumed the air. A small creek bubbled past, its fast racing water sloshing and flicking over jagged rocks in its path.

Gabrielle stood up from setting out the bedrolls, and caught sight of her partner moving back in her direction, carrying a couple of fish and grinning. "Hey…" She called, squinting into the twilight. "Those aren’t what I think they are, are they?"

The warrior held up both hands. "Salmon.." She announced. "Interested?" She paused, raising an eyebrow, as a pale, errant rose colored ray of sun danced off the water droplets on her bare legs.

"Oo…" Gabrielle strutted forward, and took possession of the gray, speckled fish. "My favorite." She laid her cheek against the warrior’s arm. "Thanks."

Xena grinned. "Purely a selfish act, my bard. I like em too." She tossed her boots against the saddlebags, and removed Argo's currycomb, gently taking care of the patient mare's snarled mane and tail, and brushing her coat to a deep, gleaming gold, pausing every so often as a tantalizing wisp of their dinner drifted over her shoulder. "Smells great.. "

A gentle hand touched her back, and an arm wound around her body, as Gabrielle poked her head under one of her moving arms and smiled. "Yeah?" She stroked Argo with her free hand. "Well, they're ready, so…."

They sat down with their plates, and an attentive Ares, who settled down near Xena, and gazed at her with plaintive, yellow eyes. "You don't like fish." Xena informed him.

The wolf crawled a little closer, and put his nose up against her bare ankle, snuffling a little.

Gabrielle snorted softly. "He has you soooo…busted." She teased her partner, who poked a bit of her lower lip out. "Oo… I got a pout from you… " She leaned over, and kissed the body part in question, then stole a piece of fish from her partner's plate. "Heh."

Xena gave her a half grin, and broke off another small piece, offering it to the wolf. He sniffed it, then poked out the tip of his tongue and tasted. "Argrrrr." He rumbled, taking the offering delicately, and swallowing it. He blinked, then crept forward again, this time putting his big head almost in Xena's lap. "Roo?"

"Great." Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "Now look what you did?" She sighed, and leaned back against a low rock, balancing her wooden plate on her thighs. "So.. how much do you think I can get away with not telling my family?"

Xena stopped chewing, and gazed at her plate. "I… I don't know.." She lifted her head and gazed at her partner. "How much do you want to tell them?"

The bard let out a long breath. "Nothing." She replied, honestly. "But I'll probably give them an edited version of stuff.. I'll.. " She paused. "Leave Hope out of it."

The warrior offered Ares another piece of fish, and considered Gabrielle's decision. "It's… more natural for you to tell the truth." She answered slowly. "But… " Her lips quirked. "That would be a hard thing to explain to your mother."

Gabrielle felt the gentle insulation from the agony of her memories that the past month had given her. "Oh yeah.. " She was even able to step back and see its place in her life. "I had a hard enough time explaining you."

Xena smiled, and scooted back, disturbing the outraged Ares, then patted her chest, "C'mere."

The bard edged into place and leaned back, closing her eyes momentarily as Xena's arm settled over her midriff. Her anxiety faded, and was replaced with a sense of warm sureness, and she resumed her dinner, poking her partner to do the same. "You are not going to feed that to Ares, Xena… come on now."

The warrior relented, and finished her portion, setting her plate aside and wrapping both arms around her soulmate's body, resting her chin on the bard's shoulder, as the darkness closed in, and left them in a ring of golden light from the small fire, breathing in the scents of burning wood, and the flower's sweetness, surrounded by the never-ending rush of the water going by.

Amazon Village, early morning.

The sun grudgingly rose over the forested glade, which housed the Amazon village. In the quarters of the regent, a slim, curly blond haired woman stood with her hands resting lightly on the sill, gazing out. She turned as footsteps approached the door, and sighed inwardly as a familiar dark head poked its way in. "Good morning, Solari."

The Amazon warrior paced inside, and put her hands on her hips. "Ephiny… are you still planning on going?"

The regent put her own hands on her hips and gave her a look. "Yes, I am.. we've argued about this for two days, and I'm over it. I'm going, and that's just how it is." She walked over to where a pack was resting on the bed, and stuffed an extra shirt into it. "Solari, it's just for three days, and I really need to get these damn things signed." She carefully tucked a thick bundle of scrolls inside the pack, and fastened it. "It's no big deal."

Solari sighed. "Let me come with you… or at least wait until Eponin gets back.. you know she wanted to go down to Amphipolis with you… damn, Ephiny.. show some sense, all right?"

The blond woman sat down on the edge of the bed, and rested her arm on the pack. "Solari, you know you have to stay here.. I have to leave someone in charge, right? And Pony isn't due back for two weeks.. we need to get these treaties signed before the Harvest festival. I know I can send someone.. but I have a personal reason for going.. understand?"

Solari perched on the edge of the worktable in her regent's quarters. "I.. Eph, I know you wanna go make things up with Xena, but at least take a guard with you… huh?"

The regent shook her head. "No.. I can't… what message would that send if I showed up there with a bunch of featherheads?" She sighed. "Look.. this is a personal thing, Solari… I need to deal with it on that level. Anyway, one measly Amazon trekking across country isn't going to attract any attention., but a bunch of us would." She stood, and hefted the pack, slinging it over her shoulder and tightening the straps. "Anyway.. a couple days walk will do me some good… give me some peace and quiet for a change."

The dark haired Amazon sighed, and got off the table. "I don't like it." She grumbled. "But I'm not gonna stop you, I can see that.. so do me a big favor, ok? Be super careful."

Ephiny clapped her on the shoulder, and walked through the doorway, settling her burden more squarely on her shoulders, and heading down the neat path that lead out of the village. She turned as she reached the portal and waved, then disappeared under the broad-leafed trees.

Solari watched her go, and shook her head. "I got a bad feeling about this." She muttered, mostly to herself, surprised when someone answered.

"About what?" A tall, very slim pale haired girl was suddenly just.. standing there. "What a super morning."

The dark Amazon controlled her start. "Morning, Cait." She eyed the girl in some astonishment.

"Where's she off to, then?" The girl asked quietly.

Solari returned her gaze to the path. "Amphipolis.. to get the pending treaties signed by Gabrielle."

Cait studied the gloomy morning light. "She oughtn't go alone." She blinked at Solari. "It can be ever so dangerous."

Solari let out a long breath. "I know.. I know.. but she's a good, strong warrior, Cait.. she'll be fine.. she just has reasons she wants to go alone.. I don't.. " Personal loyalty to Ephiny got the better of her. "She's got her reasons, that's all."

Cait's ghost gray eyes narrowed a bit, then she put her hands behind her back and rocked a bit on her heels. "Right, then.. I'm sure she'll be fine." She nibbled her lip a little. "Say.. there's a nice string of traps I've got out on the west ridge.. is it all right if I go up and check them out?" She paused. "Might take a day or so."

The dark haired woman started out of her drifting thoughts. "What? Oh.. sure.. go ahead Cait.. be careful, all right?" The west ridge was a safe place to send even the youngest of the budding Amazons.. and Cait was far more than that.

The girl smiled. "Oh, don't you worry.. I will be." And then, she was just gone.

The forest's deep cover was a plus and a minus, Ephiny thought, as she walked in a steady, rhythmic pace along the barely seen path. A plus, because it blocked the overwhelming sun, and a minus, because it also blocked the cooling breeze. She wiped a layer of sweat off her forehead, and shifted her shoulders, moving the pack to a more comfortable spot. It was well after noon, and she had long ago past the high pass that led into the Amazon's territory, and was headed down range.

The path under her boots was merely a beaten track in the undergrowth, and the soft ferns brushed her bare knees as she strode through them, sending up a gentle musky scent. The forest was quiet in the almost breathless heat, even the birds were tucked away sleeping, and Ephiny found herself glad to be stopping when she veered off the path towards a fast running brook and knelt to drink from it. The water, at least, was cool, and she plunged both hands into it, and splashed a good amount of it onto her face.

Spotting a fallen log, she perched on it for a minute, taking out a trail bar and chewing thoughtfully as she watched two beetles chase each other on the dead branch next to her. "Hey." She picked up a twig and nudged one beetle, getting an indignant antenna wave in response. She watched them for a moment longer, then pulled a folded piece of parchment from her pack, and smoothed it out, studying the scrawled letters idly.

Greetings, Eph -

I know you 're expecting me to give you full and accurate reports on the Situation.. but I gotta tell you, information is scarcer than a three-legged rabbit in winter around here. All I can tell you is what I see with my eyes, and what I see is not too bad.

Been about a month since they got home, and we got here too. First week was rough - Xena was sick, and everyone was trying to just kind of get used to everything again. After that, it smoothed out a little, and by the third week or so, I could see things were getting back on track with them, and with them and all of us, too.

Gabrielle's gotten real, real, real protective of Xena. Not that she wasn't before, right? But now it's like, you don't trash the tall dark one unless you want Hades on hooves in your face throwing around all kinds of attitude. She even told her mother to back off, which, lemme tell you, is something I sure wouldn't do.

Maybe it's guilt, maybe it's just the way she's worked out things in her head, I don't know - lots of stuff goes on behind those green eyes that I can't begin to figure out. She's gotten quieter, that I noticed, and it takes more to get her smiling or laughing - she used to be pretty open and lighthearted. But that's even kind of started to come back a little.. and all the loyalty around here to them hasn't hurt either.

Xena.. I'm not sure what's going on with her. Not that anyone has ever known what goes on with her anyway, right? I think things are getting better.. she started with the morning runs again, and I'm going to see if I can join her for a while, maybe I can get an idea of how things are. She looks a lot less tense, though.. more like it was in the winter, so I think we're on the right track.

Them together.. well, that's the one bright note. I was expecting some kind of awkwardness or distance between them, and I gotta tell you, Eph.. it just ain't there. It's almost like they're only really comfortable when they're together.. kinda strange, but it's noticeable - with Gabrielle especially. She kinda makes a point of going over and touching Xena all the time, sort of like reassuring herself, I guess. But we got some jokes out of Xena last night, and she and Toris even teased each other, so it looks like, I'd say, things are pretty good.

It's safe, I guess, for you to come visit.. I talked with Gabrielle a little bit about what happened at the village - and I think she's way more pissed off than Xena is, just like you thought. C'mon down, when you get a chance, and we'll all take a long soak in that hot spring you told me about, and work things over. Besides, I'd like you here for the joining.. it's not going to be the huge production the last one was thank Artemis, but I miss you guys, and I'd like to have you, and Pony.. and whoever wants to come down be here.

Your undercover featherhead,

Gran

The regent smiled. "Well, that doesn’t sound too bad, right?" She addressed the beetle, who jerked at her voice, and scurried away. "Hah..everyone's a critic." Sighing, she stood, and tightened her pack straps again, then started back down the path at a good pace.

"So.. are you animal or plant?" Gabrielle asked, chewing on a handful of raisins. They had left the river far behind, and were heading across a thickly overgrown clearing, whose grasses rose to their waists and tickled them. She brushed one aside. "Yahhh… "

Xena gave her an amused look, then sighed, and unsheathed her sword, taking a long step ahead of her partner and clearing a path with whistling slashes of the weapon that severed the grasses and released a warmly green scent into the air. "Animal." She replied. "Ares.. .get back here."

The wolf came trotting back, a half-eaten apple in his mouth. "Argfh?"

Argo snorted, and nosed him, making him drop the apple, which the mare immediately lipped up and crunched.

Gabrielle's face crinkled into a smile, and she laughed. "That was smart, Argo.."

Ares gave them a pathetic look, as his ears drooped, and he sighed, then trotted off to find another fruitful victim.

Xena chuckled and patted the mare's shoulder. "That's my girl." She swung the sword cheerfully as she walked, and gazed up at the sun, more than halfway through its daily journey. "We're making pretty good time."

Gabrielle nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "OK.. you said animal… do you have fur, or feathers?" She was enjoying the walk a lot, she realized, after a good night's sleep, and a familiar waking up to the sounds of the wilderness and her partner's heartbeat. Home was wonderful, but this.. this was almost better, because she'd felt their estrangement so strongly in just this setting, and to have that be so changed now…it felt really good. "And hair is the same as fur, Xena.. so don't go splitting any with me."

The warrior laughed softly. "All right… feathers." She paused. "And sometimes fur." She paused again, muffling a grin. "And sometimes.. nothing."

The bard leaned on her staff, and gave her partner a confused look. "What?" She chewed her lip, and considered the problem. "Can you talk?" She asked, her eyes taking on a mischievous sparkle.

"Mm…" Xena thought about that. "Yeah." She chopped a thickly overgrown hedge back so Gabrielle could pass comfortably. "Sometimes, too much." She added with a smirk.

Gabrielle mentally went over her catalog of mythological beasts. "A gryphon!" She announced proudly. "They have feathers, and fur, and parts of them are bare."

Xena took a breath and pointed at her. "No." She leaned closer. "They can't talk."

"Some of them can." The bard protested. "Or so the stories say."

The warrior shook her head. "Nope."

Gabrielle thought again. "Medusa? I think she has feathers."

Xena snorted. "Not hardly." She muttered, then gave her partner a bright grin. "Nope."

"Feathers.. and fur.. and nothing.. and talks too much. .. Xena, nothing fits that description." Gabrielle finally decided. "You're making it up." Argo whuffled against her side, and she elbowed the mare. "Hey.. no critics."

"Me, make something up? "Xena's eyebrows elevated. "Oh no.. my bard.. that's your department." She flicked her sword out, and sliced off a handful of wildflowers, catching them I her free hand and turning to give them to her soulmate on impulse. "I have no imagination, remember?"

Gabrielle took the flowers, and gently sniffed them, enjoying the sun warmed scent and the sight of the long absent sparkle in her companions blue eyes. "Oh. Right." She nodded seriously. "I forgot. Sorry." She plucked one of the blooms from the bunch, and threaded it through Xena's dark hair, to rest behind an ear. "You're all business."

Xena raised an eyebrow and glanced at the flower, barely seen from the corner of her eye, but left it there. "You give up?"

That got her a snort back.. "Me, give up??? " Gabrielle chewed on her lip, curiously nudging at her. "All right.. what is it? What's got feathers sometimes, and fur sometimes, and nothing sometimes, and talks too much?"

The warrior gave her a dazzling smile "Amazons." They broke out of the overgrowth into a newly shorn field, and she sheathed her sword.

Gabrielle stopped, and put her hands on her hips. "Ohh… you're gonna get it for that."

Xena laughed, and correctly interpreted the bard's sudden movement, dodging the smaller woman's outstretched grasp and bolting away, with Gabrielle in hot pursuit. She kept just ahead of the determined bard, then she stopped, and reversed her motion, crouching and leaping over her partner's head and tumbling into a flip.

But Gabrielle leaped with her, and made a wild grab, getting a handful of her tunic , and tugging hard "Gotcha!" She yelped in triumph, as they collided, and dropped to the ground, among the soft stalks of leftover wheat. She rolled over and grabbed the warrior's leg, tickling her behind the knee without mercy. " Amazons huh??"

Xena was laughing so hard she had no defense. "Yeah.. " She gasped, as the bard's fingers found her most ticklish places. "Gods.. Gabrielle… " She reached a long arm around and got a hold of her partner's ribcage, tickling her back.

"Aughhh.." The bard squealed. "No fair… no fair.. ok.. I'll stop.. " She did, and felt the insistent fingertips go from tickling to a gentle stroking that ignited a totally different sensation. "Ummm…" She leaned back into the grass and let out a breath. "Amazons, huh?"

Her partner stretched out full length on her side in the fawn colored stubble, and propped her head up on one hand. "Fits." She shrugged, but smiled, then paused. "Hey.. " Her head cocked, as she detected a drumming sound coming closer. "What in… "

The ground vibrated with it, and Xena's eyes widened as she saw the grasses start to move. Instinctively, she rolled her body over her partner's and tucked her head down, as the sound increased.

The grasses parted, and they were engulfed in a sea of fur.

"Roo!" Ares yodeled in triumph, as he galloped closer, driving a herd of rabbits in front of him.

"YAAAA!!!" Gabrielle yelled, as tiny furry bodies climbed over them, squeaking.

"Ares! Cut that out!" Xena bellowed, ducking as a large male rabbit catapulted over her head. "Damn!"

Then the rumbling was gone, and they were left with a few broken stalks, bits of fur, and a breathless silence.

"Roo?" Ares sat down, looking disappointed with the reception of his gift.

Xena edged up onto her elbows, and peered at her partner. "You all right?"

Gabrielle spat out a bit of soft, fluffy fur and nodded. "Um.. yeah… you?"

An eyebrow edged up. "Oh.. just fine.. like I usually am after being run over by a pack of crazed bunnies." She rolled off and onto her side, then yelped. "Hey!!!" As she felt something scrambling inside her tunic. She wrenched the belt loose, and got to her knees, shaking herself vigorously as a small bundle dropped out, and sneezed, giving Xena a disgusted look.

"Yeah? Same to you, buddy." The warrior growled.

The rabbit twitched its nose at her, then hopped off in search of its family.

Gabrielle firmly clenched her jaw, willing herself not to laugh. "Well… " She lost the battle, and started giggling. "Could have been worse… you could have been wearing your leathers."

Xena struggled to keep a grin off her own face, as she checked her side. "I think it bit me." She grumbled. "And there sure isn't room inside my leathers with me in them for no rabbit, Gabrielle." She gave the bard a mock glower.

"Tch." Gabrielle got to her knees, and crawled over, slapping her partner's hands aside. "Let me look., you baby." She ducked her head and examined the smooth skin below Xena's ribcage. "Hmm… no, just a scratch from his claws, I think." She leaned over and kissed the spot gently. "There.. better?"

Xena chuckled softly. "Yeah.. if this isn't the craziest thing… " She returned the kiss on the top of the bard's head, and hugged her. "Thanks."

Argo snorted, and gave them both a bored look. "Guess that means it's time to go." The bard remarked, standing up and pulling her partner up with her. "I guess it would be fruitless to ask for rabbit for dinner, right?"

"Gabrielle…" Xena's voice dropped to it's lowest register.

"Heh." The bard chuckled, as they wound their arms around each other, and continued on.

The soft twilight settled around her shoulders, as Cait trotted along the path, following a very dim, very scarce set of tracks. Getting away had taken just forever, with one silly thing after another keeping her from her self assigned task, until finally she'd just gone to her quarters in the dormitory, collected her things, and disappeared from the village. She suspected she'd get in awful trouble when she got back.

She knew she was hours behind Ephiny, but the regent didn't seem to be in a terrible hurry, and she knew she'd catch up if she just kept going while the older woman would stop to rest at dark. The trail would be hard to find without light, but she knew where Ephiny was going, so that didn't matter much, and there were only a few easy, well trodden paths that led down from Amazon territory to the river valley that held Amphipolis.

Cait had never stopped to question why she'd decided to follow the regent.. it was only one of those.. feelings.. she got sometimes, which she thought made her very, very odd until she'd discussed them with the gruff Eponin, who had let her in on the fact that she, herself, the tough hard-bitten Eponin, did get these same sorts of things too. And she wasn't to worry about it.

The girl smiled as she thought of it. She rather imagined Eponin trying to explain a decision based on that sort of thing…no, the weapons master would probably come up with a round half dozen logical reasons instead. The sounds around her dampened, as the day's creatures went off to their rest, replaced by a quieter set that claimed the night. Birds chirping song eased into the low random hoot of the owl, and the night wind sprang up, bringing a refreshing breeze that rattled the leaves around her gently.

Even her own footsteps, though light, sounded loud in her ears, and she heard the vague, soft skittering as small creatures sensed her presence, and scurried away. Smart, that. She mused. If I catch them, they're dinner. The thought of eating almost made her pause, but she sighed, and pulled a bit of dried meat from her pack, and continued on.

It was close to midnight before she slowed, edging out onto the beginnings of the lowlands, and cast her eyes around to spot any likely stopping place for a tired regent. Ephiny was a canny hunter and tracker, and being alone, would find a snug spot to hole up in for the night. She stopped by a large boulder, and paused, resting one slim hand against its dark, cool surface.

Her nose twitched, and she closed her eyes, throwing her head back and catching the wind as it drifted towards her. Ah. A tiny, feral smile crossed her face. No smoke, no.. Ephiny was too careful for that, but she could smell the hot burning of the wood of a small campfire nearby.

Cait slipped forward, her steps soundless as she followed the scent, now mixed perceptibly with a vegetable hint.. leaves? Ephiny wouldn't be that careless.. green leaves meant smoke, and that was not a good thing. She crept closer, hearing now the soft ripple of water. With a cheeky grin, she slid right up next to a tall tree that bounded a tiny glade, and let her fingers touch it, the rough wood biting into her flesh, as she edged her body around the bole in bare inches, until she could see inside the glade.

She froze, an oath bitten off between her teeth that would have made Xena quite proud. Her first impulse was to rush forward, but wild instincts held her back, and she extended her senses around the area.

Nothing.. no one… she slipped into the glade, and crossed quickly to the center, where bleak evidence of a struggle marred the underbrush, and scattered bits of the fire into the surrounding bushes.

A bit of cloth caught her eye, and she knelt, touching it, as a grim, dark look crossed her young features. She stood and trotted over to the remains of a leather pack, and examined it, now sure beyond doubt of its owner's identity. The flap bore Ephiny's sigil, and had been torn open in haste, and spilled onto the ground, obviously searched for any valuables. Her clothing and tools remained, but everything else was gone.

And so was Ephiny.

Cait bit her fingernail, anxiously searching the ground and sniffing the air for any trace of blood. None.. that was good. She moved forward, and her boot kicked up a piece of folded parchment, which she lifted and opened, scanning the contents with a wary eye. If she'd had any doubt, she no longer had it, reading the message from Granella to her regent with a sinking sensation.

"Damn." She spoke aloud, knowing herself to be alone. "Damn, damn, damn" She gathered the regent's scattered belongings up, and tucked them in her own pack, then stood motionless, trying to decide what to do. She sighed. No choice.. she'd have to run for the village.. she woudn't be able to track the regent until morning light anyway, and she knew she'd need help for that. "This is just rot." She spat, shifting her shoulders. "Just rot."

Taking a deep breath, she faced about, and started back up the path, now moving along at a steady, even jog.

The sun was just setting as they topped the last rise, and started down the path leading to Potadeia. Gabrielle paused to regard it, and shook her head a little. "It always looks smaller than I remember."

Her partner paused beside her, and patted Argo's tall shoulder. "Yeah… I feel the same way sometimes about Amphipolis." She chuckled softly. "I think it's because you're all grown up now." She laid a hand against the bard's back, rubbing it gently.

"Maybe." The bard answered absently, as she gazed down at the village. "Xena… " She turned to her soulmate, and leaned against her. "I'm not going to say anything to them.. I just decided."

The warrior waited in silence, keeping up her kneading of the tense muscles in her partner's back.

"I'm just not up to it yet." Gabrielle went on. "Maybe.. in a while.. I can.. but not now." She let a breath out. "I want to let it get behind me." Her eyes lifted. "Is that horrible?"

Xena cupped her cheek, her eyes warm with understanding. "No." She sighed. "It's a natural feeling, Gabrielle… I.. " She glanced around, and back at the bard. "I'm kinda tired of the black cloud myself."

Gabrielle's face twitched into a smile. "That's exactly what it feels like, doesn't it?" She leaned against the pressure of her soulmate's hand. "This trip has made me feel…really good. I don't want to lose that." She hesitated. "I want to go forward."

Xena nodded in comprehension. "All right." She turned and circled the bard's shoulders as they started down the path. "You've got plenty of time to tell them later.. and enough other stuff to talk about in the meantime." She glanced up at the setting sun. "Who knows… maybe I can get my mother to tell your mother sometime.. she said to invite your family to the joining."

Gabrielle thought about that. "Mmm… " She gave her partner a regretful look." You don't know how appealing that sounds." Her voice trailed off for a long moment. "Was it hard for you to tell her?"

Xena stared straight ahead, collecting her thoughts. "It was…no.. it was a relief, really." She turned her head and gazed at Gabrielle with an almost surprised look on her face. "I'd been holding everything in so hard..I was so tense, I had these pounding headaches most of the time." She winced at the bard's shocked look. "It helped to talk to someone.. and she's… well, she knows the worst of me."

They walked along in silence, until Gabrielle let out a soft breath. "You told her it was all your fault, didn't you?"

Silence, and Xena refused to meet her eyes.

The thought should have angered her, but instead it started a warm spot inside her chest. "Still trying to protect me, no matter what, huh?" She asked softly.

Blue eyes lifted briefly and met hers. "Something like that, yeah." She mumbled, kicking a rock into the bushes with an oddly adolescent movement. She swallowed, obviously waiting for Gabrielle to lecture her.

The bard just smiled, and hugged her. "Thanks."

They paused just outside the village, seeing a scurry of activity within it. "Uh oh." Xena muttered, shading her eyes from the last rays of the setting sun. "Doesn't look like the normal pre dinner rush, there." They exchanged glances, and Xena turned, vaulting onto Argo's back and extending an arm. "C'mon… "

Argo's hooves scattered a flock of nervous chickens as they entered the village, where a crowd of agitated people were gathered around a cluster of wagons. The buzz of voices were strained, and Xena had to nudged backs repeatedly with her boot to get people to let them through. Then a voice cut through the crowd calling her name.

"Xena!" She turned, and spotted Tecdus the village smith, who pushed his way through the crowd and ended up at Argo's side. He glanced down at the growling Ares, who crouched between the mare's feet, then looked up at them. "Gabrielle… it's good to see ye both."

The warrior eyed him. "What's wrong?" She jerked a chin at the crowed. "What's going on here?"

"Gabrielle!" The bard's head jerked up as she recognized her mother's voice. She gave Xena a warm glance, then patted her side as she slid off the mare's back and dodged restlessly moving villagers to meet the oncoming Hecuba.

"It's the kidnappers." Tecdus put a hand on the warrior's knee. "It's terrible… we're afraid to go out anywhere, Xena… they've caught three dozen merchants in the area in the last moon and a half, and ransomed them.. it's sucking us all dry."

"What?" Xena kicked her boots free of Argo's stirrups and slid down, bringing her head even with the tall smith. "When did this start?"

Tecdus pursed his lips. "We heard rumors… three.. no four moons back, but from the north. People vanishing without a trace… then their people getting notes, asking for money..goods… you pay it off, they show back up, but they can't remember where they've been, or who took em." He paused. "Always well off folks, none of the field workers, or such like." He jerked his square jaw at the wagons. "Trading caravan's been here three weeks gone.. they're afraid to head out ."

Xena studied them. "They get anyone from here?" She asked idly, flicking her eyes back to his face.

His gazed dropped, and he handed her a piece of parchment. "Just came today… that's why the place is in such a state.. we'd sent west.. a bunch .. figured traveling in a group would be all right.."

Xena's eyes dropped to the parchment and scanned it, then read it closely. "Damn." She cursed softly. "Lennat."

"Aye." He murmured softly. "And six others." He rubbed his temples. "Xena, they had most of the summer's profits with em.. buying steel, and supplies for the winter. We can't pay that."

The warrior tapped the parchment against her hand. "No one knows where they're taking them?" She glanced at him. "That’s impossible Tecdus.. it must be local.. someone's gotta know." She felt eyes on her, and looked over the smith's shoulder, to meet her soulmate's serious gaze. A slight shake of her head, a slight nod of Gabrielle's, and it was decided. "All right… let's just keep calm, and see what we can figure out."

Tecdus looked pathetically relieved. "Gods, you have no idea how glad I am to hear that…" He sighed. "Reeve's called a meeting just after sundown.. will you join us?"

So much for not getting involved, huh Xena? "Yes." She told him quietly. "Go on… go siddown." She started as a hand touched her elbow. "Alain… "

"'lo Xena.. " The boy breathed, patting Argo's neck. "Glad to see ya." He turned his head. "'Lo Argo.." He giggled as the mare tickled his misshapen neck. "C'n I take her in for you? You staying?"

The warrior sighed inwardly. "Yeah.. g'wan." She gave Argo a slap. "Give her a good rubdown.. she deserves it. I'll pick up our stuff later." She watched as the hunchback led the mare away, and took a deep breath, as Gabrielle threaded her way through the crowd with Hecuba in tow and met up with her, putting a warm hand on her arm, and meeting her eyes.

"Trouble." The bard said succinctly. "What are we going to do?"

Xena felt a tiny smiled edging her lips, despite the situation. Maybe it was the absolute confidence in the 'we'. Maybe it was the absolute confidence in Gabrielle's eyes when she looked at her, rather than the doubt she'd seen there for so long. A thread of ghostly cockiness began to creep into her consciousness, before she really even knew it.

It felt.. She breathed out lightly. Good. It felt right. "Remains to be seen." She replied quietly. "We need more information.. there's a meeting after sundown." Her eyes drifted. "Hello, Hecuba."

The woman looked.. utterly relieved. "Hello, Xena." Her voice was nothing but warm, so different from the last time they'd shown up here. "They have our Lennat." Her eyes ached.

Xena put a hand on her shoulder. "We'll get him back." She replied with quiet confidence. "How's Lila holding up?"

Hecuba raised a shaking hand to her temples. "Not well.. she's been… ever since the baby.. I'm not sure what's wrong, the healers.." She took a breath. "It's been too much for her."

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged a long look. "All right.. let me go take a look at her." The warrior stated. "I think I know what might be the problem… it happens with new mothers." She turned to Hecuba. "So much goes to the baby.. you run yourself down. She needs some herbs.. some special foods.. I'll tell you what."

The older woman looked close to collapse. "Goodness… let's go."

Xena took her elbow, and started towards the small homestead where Lila and Lennat lived, and pulled up short as they almost collided with Herodotus.

He rocked back, and stared at them. "Damn.. " He looked directly at Xena. "Never thought I'd be glad to see your puss." He stated bluntly, then looked at Gabrielle. "Hello, daughter."

It almost.. almost.. made the warrior laugh out loud. She glanced to the side and saw the jaw muscles tense in her partner's face. "Nice to see you , too, Herodotus."

Gabrielle let out a light breath, and stepped forward, giving him a tentative hug. "Hello, da."

The childish name did something to him, Xena saw. The skin around his eyes whitened, and he blinked, as he let his arms close around Gabrielle's slim form, and she felt a grab at her own heart, reminded again of her partner's infinite capacity for forgiveness. She looked over at Hecuba, who was watching her husband and daughter with a look of bleak wonder. "Come on, Hecuba.. " She said quietly. "Let's get started."

Hollow sounds slowly intruded into the fuzzy darkness that surrounded her, along with a wildly pounding ache in her head. Ephiny tried to resist it, to let unconsciousness claim her again, but the pain was too vivid, and the sounds rolled around her head, echoing unmercifully.

She was, she realized, underground, or surrounded by rock. She could smell the dusty granite scent, and she tried to open her eyes, but found them bound tightly. Along with her arms and legs, which were also fastened to the wooden something she was lying on, that moved with the rhythmic rocking of a horse's pace.

She could smell the horse, too, and hear its hooves against the rock, and the slightly scuffing sound of boots walking alongside. A warmth to her right told her she wasn't alone, and she wearily cast her memories back to try and figure out how she got there.

It was a blank, she realized with a start. The last thing she remembered was sitting quietly next to her campfire, recording some thoughts about the treaties she'd been carrying. Then.. nothing. She felt her heart begin to pound, and became aware of a vague fuzziness around the edges of her thoughts. Drugged? Probably.. she flexed her muscles subtly, and winced at the stiffened ache as she wondered how long she'd been traveling.

The cart at that moment, chose to creak to a halt, and she heard footsteps approaching, heavy, and authoritative.

"Well, well.. what have we here?" A woman's voice rang out, making her ears buzz with its volume. It was deep, and arrogant, and Ephiny found herself disliking it immediately. "What's this.. an Amazon??? " The voice broke into delighted laughter. "Oh.. that's rich.. good catch, Gelan… we'll get a pretty penny for her." Ephiny jerked as a hand grabbed her chin and forced her head to one side. "Ohhh…. Got a little spunk, huh, Amazon? " The hand withdrew, and then returned, slamming against the side of Ephiny's face with stunning force. "Not for long. "

It was like an explosion right against her jaw, and Ephiny lost what the woman was saying as she concentrated on the pain, waiting for the stars to stop whirling around her blinded vision. Oh damn.. I'm in big trouble. She cursed softly to herself.

"Put her in the fourth holding pen… tell the boys, hands off. " The voice paused, and chuckled. "For now.. anyway.. until I've had my fun."

The cart started to move, and the bold footsteps receded, leaving her in a darkness that went beyond her lack of sight. Trouble indeed.

Gabrielle watched her partner stride up the path, escorting her still shaky mother, as she and Herodotus followed behind. She was unsettled by the news, yes.. but… Her eyes studied the faint, but perceptible to her, bounce that was returning to Xena's walk, and she'd absorbed the changes in her bearing that had coincided with the evident relief she'd seen in the townspeople's eyes as they walked through the village on the way to Lila's house.

Had heard Xena's name being whispered all around her, and seen the looks her partner was receiving, which ranged from timid to outright adoring. She remembered how she'd felt when Amphipolis had greeted her, and she realized Xena was getting that same wash of feeling, now, here in a place that had never been friendly to either of them.

It was, she reflected, an odd turnaround, but watching her soulmate soak in the quietly admiring glances made her understand something very important.

They needed to help others, in order to really heal themselves. Holing up in Amphipolis had let them recover to a certain point.. now to move forward they needed to let the past go, and to do that..

But Xena was determined not to go that route. They'd talked about it a few times.. she was tired, she'd said. Tired of hurting.. of hurting other people.. of seeing Gabrielle get hurt. She just wanted to retire, she'd told her soulmate, and live a normal life.. just try for some peace for a change.

Now, Gabrielle smiled to herself, as their footsteps crunched up the path. Faced with a crisis, she saw that part of her soulmate quietly reemerging, as she responded instinctively to the pleading eyes of the people around her.

Her father cleared his throat, and she turned to him. "This is really bad."

"Mph." Herodotus grunted agreement. "It's good to see you, Gabrielle. You're looking well." He looked off down the path. "We'd heard you went overseas."

"Britannia, and China, yes." Gabrielle answered calmly. "We've been at home for about a month." They mounted the single step up to Lila's house, and followed Xena and Hecuba inside. She looked up as she heard a gasp, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the low light inside the small cottage. Lila had just risen from the chair, and she was shocked at her sister's appearance. She was pale, and very thin, and Gabrielle acted on instinct, forgetting her own troubles. "Lila!" She bolted across the floor and grabbed her sister, who clung to her with a desperate hold.

"Bree.. " Lila hugged her tightly. "Oh gods.. it's good to see you… " Her eyes drank in Xena's tall form and produced a smile. "And you… Xena.. they took Lennat." Her voice was close to breaking. "They took him."

Gabrielle patted her back gently, and started to reassure her, but she broke off when a warm, strong voice interrupted.

"Lila." Xena came closer, and captured her sister's gaze. "I'll get him back here." The warrior put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry."

The bard felt her sister's body relax, and blinked back the tears that sprang into her own eyes. "See? Take it easy… they need him safe.. the only value is if you know you're going to get the person back in one piece, Lila.. kidnapping doesn’t work otherwise. He'll be fine."

She released Lila, and held her at arm's distance, watching her take a steadying breath, then glance over her shoulder at Xena.

And saw, in her sister's eyes, the echo of something she knew had once shone in her own.

Belief.

She felt the sudden jolt through their connection as Xena saw it, and didn't dare turn around and meet her partner's eyes. "Come on now.. sit down. You look lousy, Lila.. what's up with you?"

That broke the silence around them and Hecuba moved up to take Lila's other arm. "Yes.. sit down."

A fitful cry interrupted them, and Lila sighed. "He's so cranky today." She gently disengaged herself from them, and moved to a small wooden crib, bending over it and lifting a small bundle out. "Hey..hey.. come on.. " She carried the baby over, and bounced him a little, pulling back the light wrap of linen and exposing his tiny, furrow browed face. "I tried everything.. fed him..changed him.. rocked him… " She looked up at Gabrielle, and gave her a little smile. "Here.. you try.. you're something new, maybe that'll do the trick."

Xena stepped back and watched, as her partner gingerly took the small bundle, allowing a wistful smile to cross her face as the startled baby first scowled at her, then lifted a tiny fist and grabbed a handful of golden hair. The bard laughed, and gave the baby boy a smile, who blinked at her, then smiled widely back. He tugged her hair and giggled delightedly.

"See?" Lila sighed, and sat down. "I knew it…it's that smile of yours."

Herodotus glanced to his right, and snorted softly. "Yeah, it even works on big people." He shook his head, and headed out the door. "I'll be at the meeting."

Gabrielle tore her gaze from the tiny face, and glanced up at her partner, who was trying unsuccessfully to wipe a dumb looking grin off.

Their eyes met, and the grin came back, matched by her own. Oh well.. Gabrielle bounced her little charge lightly, and poked her tongue out at him. It's not like they don't know I'm head over heels in love with her. The baby stared entranced at her, then poked his own tongue out, giggling furiously. "What's his name?" She looked up at Lila and smiled.

Her sister looked up with a tired, but impish look. "Gabriel."

Gabrielle stared at her in absolute astonishment.

"Hey.. look.. " Lila sighed, glancing up as Xena knelt at her side with a quietly serious expression. "I got her speechless."

"Yeah." The warrior looked over her shoulder at her partner, who was still blinking in stunned disbelief. "Good choice of name." She turned back to Lila. "How are you feeling.. tired all the time?"

The girl nodded. "Yeah.. since… a little after he was born.. I'm not sure why."

"All right." Xena nodded a little. "Gabrielle, why don't you sit down with your friend over there, and I'll try to fix up your sister." She watched her partner cross to the low chair near the fire, and settle into it, cooing at the baby, while Hecuba sat down next to Lila. "Now.. " She gave Lila a look. "I'll give you a list of stuff you gotta eat." She looked up as Hecuba grabbed a parchment and quill from a nearby table, and wet the tip, waiting.

The fourth holding cell was a very dark, very damp place deep inside rock walls, with a thick lattice door. Ephiny was thrown inside; her limbs still half-paralyzed from the binding, and hit the floor with a painful thud, feeling the sandy floor bite into her flesh. She lay still for a moment, hearing the door slammed shut, before she rolled over, and sat up, looking around her. The faint light from the torch outside the door let bare shadows flicker of the walls of her prison, but from where she sat, she could see the dank moisture on the walls, and see darker spots where her cell opened out onto two others. She could see, barely, white smudges, which were fists, clenched around the bars between them.

"Hey." A low whisper carried across the floor, and she turned her head, as she rubbed her aching wrists. "Are you an Amazon?"

Ephiny edged closer, peering hard at the shadowy figure. "Yeah." She finally admitted, not seeing any point in lying, when she was there in her leathers, which marked her pretty thoroughly. "What's your question?"

A blur of pale hair. "You… you may know my wife's sister."

Ephiny sighed. Why did everyone seem to think Amazons would know every woman within a week's journey of their home territory? "Yeah?"

He hesitated. "She's a bard."

The Amazon froze. "A bard?" She paused. "Where are you from?"

"Potadeia." He pronounced the word carefully. "My name is Lennat."

Ephiny let her breath out slowly. "I know her." She answered softly. 'You're Lila's husband?" She was close enough now to see him nod. "I'm Ephiny."

His eyes popped open. "Oh…. " He motioned her even closer. "Do they know who you are?"

The regent shook her head. "I have no idea.. who are these people? What do they want?"

They both turned as the door scraped open, and two burly guards walked in. "C'mon." One of them gestured to her, the other stayed back, a cocked crossbow trained on her. "Move."

Ephiny stood, and tried to stretch her legs out, before walking towards the guard. As she came abreast of him, he grabbed her, and fastened a collar around her neck, then wrapped one end of the lead around his fist. "You make me trouble, I pull." He demonstrated, and the collar tightened, shutting of her breathing. "Got it?"

She nodded, and he relaxed the lead, allowing her to breathe. "He walks behind you, you make trouble, he shoots your leg." He gave the other man a nod. " Got it?"

She nodded again, and he nodded back, satisfied. "No talker, good." He led her out of the cell, and up several winding passageways, lit by scattered torches that fluttered gently in the breeze moving through the tunnels. Ephiny tried to work some feeling back into her limbs by the walk, and had some success before he halted in front of a lattice door, and pulled his dagger out, reversing the blade and knocking on the frame of the door. "Here."

The low, vibrant voice answered from within. "Come." He grunted, then sheathed his dagger, and pushed the door open, leading her inside.

The cavern was… Ephiny let her eyes dart quickly around it. Opulent, was the word she was looking for. Thick, embroidered rugs lined the rock walls, and the floor, and there was an alcove off to one side that held a huge bed. Nearer to the door was a brazier, and a rough built desk, and two skin covered, low slung chairs. Sitting on the desk was the owner of the voice, who was studying her with a look of feral amusement.

Oh.. gods. Ephiny took a breath, and let it out. The woman was easily twice her size, blond like she was, but with straight hair, and with a large, muscular body that was tending now a little towards chubbiness. She was dressed in a thick leather tunic that came down to her knees, and boots, and had a pair of very cold, very gray eyes.

"So." The woman drawled, standing up and walking over, making a point of towering over her captive. "You're an Amazon, huh?"

Ephiny nodded silently. No sense in provoking this one.. not unless I want a couple of broken bones to nurse, she mused. "I am." She added very quietly.

"You're tiny." The woman laughed.

"Most of us are." Ephiny replied, keeping her voice even. "We use tactics, and strategy, not brute force."

The woman grabbed her lead, and motioned the man out, tightening her grip as he left, and leaning forward. "Yeah? What's your strategy for this, Amazon?"

Ephiny closed her mind to the fear, and forced herself to remember who she was. What she was. "I'll die." She choked out past the strap.

The grip lessened, and the woman laughed, bathing her with the insipid smell of sweet wine. "Oh… no… no… you're more valuable to me alive, Amazon.. I'm gonna get a nice price for you…" She ran a finger down Ephiny's body. "Or maybe I'll just leave you here to amuse me, hmm? You're pretty." Watching the Amazon's face, she unhooked the top of her leathers and let them fall to the ground. "Hey.. how'd you get a scar there?" She snickered. "Lover get to enthusiastic?"

Ephiny kept her breathing even. "I got bitten by a bear."

The woman's brows hiked. "Oh really?" A playful smile curved her lips. "Sounds dangerous." She let her hands roam over the Amazons' body. "Very dangerous.. are you a dangerous person, Amazon?"

Ephiny met her gaze coolly. "I can be."

The backhanded blow caught her by surprise, and she felt her body taken off its feet and slammed against the bare rock wall behind her. A rapid motion followed, and her jaw was grabbed in a hard grip. "Oh no you can't, little bitch." The woman forced eye contact. "Not now, not here… you understand me?"

Ephiny blinked the painful shooting darts from her vision, and just looked at the woman. Her head ached from the slap, and from the contact with the wall, and she realized what a truly bad spot she was in. They don't know I'm missing.. and won't for days…not unless they send to Amphipolis. Damn. "I understand you." She admitted quietly. Survive. That was the important thing.

The woman laughed. "At least you've got a brain… more than the last dumb bitch they brought in here. " She called out. "All right.. c'mon in and get her outta here… " She took a step back, and picked up Ephiny's halter, tossing it to her with a sneer. "We'll… talk.. more after I go collect my ransoms." She glided forward and chucked Ephiny under the chin. "So.. how much do you think they'll pay for an Amazon queen, huh.. Ephiny, is it?" She laughed at the expression on the smaller woman's face. "Oh yeah… one of my boys recognized you." She watched the Amazon put her top back on with a soft chuckle.

The door scraped open, and she turned. "Put her back in the cell… I'll want.. " Her face took on a feral grin. "Her later." She gave Ephiny a light shove. "And send in my scribe.. I've got a ransom note to write."

"Yes, Paladia." The man answered respectfully, taking the lead from Ephiny's collar and tugging. "Come."

She was led back to her prison, and thrown in, this time with a touch more gentleness. "Here.." The man swung a bucket inside the chamber, the water sloshing over the sides and dampening the sand. "She likes hers clean, understand?" The man tossed a rough bundle at her, and she caught it, feeling the shape of a hard roll inside. Then the door slammed shut, and she was left in silence.

Hecuba left with her list, and Xena coaxed Lila back into bed, tucking the blankets around her. "Relax… Gabrielle's got things covered over there… you need to get rest." She watched the girl close her eyes wearily, and waited for her breathing to settle, then rose and walked over to where her soulmate was seated, rocking the baby gently in her arms.

"Hey." Xena crouched, and rested her hand on the arm of the chair for balance. "He sure is cute, huh?"

The baby blinked at her, and let go of the bard's golden hair, staring up at Xena in fascination.

The bard cocked her head, and gazed at her partner, seeing the reflected glints of scattered sunlight glinting off her eyes. "I think he likes your baby blues, love." She said softly, as the baby reached up to touch Xena's face. "We must be related, huh?"

Xena smiled her full smile, and moved her hand up to cover her partner's arm. "Must be." She replied in a low tone. The baby reacted to her smile with a delighted gasp, and bounced a little, reaching up both hands, his tiny fists opening and closing.

"Definitely." Gabrielle giggled. "Oh.. Xena, he's so cute.. I can't believe she named him for me." She gave her partner a wry look. "Why do people do that? I mean.. that's two in one week.. it's getting kinda crazy."

The warrior seated herself cross-legged on the floor, and allowed the baby to tug on her dark hair. "Because.. I guess they hope their children will be like you.. take on some of the magic that makes you who you are, Gabrielle." She replied, and felt the infant tugging joined by a soft hand, which gently combed through her hair. They sat in silence for a short time, then Xena sighed. "Some mess, huh?"

"Mm." The bard agreed absently, watching the baby curl his fist around one of her fingers. "Guess we got here just in time." She nudged her partner's shoulder a little. "Boy were they ever glad to see you."

Xena studied her boot, playing with the laces a little. "Thought I was giving up on this kind of thing." She ventured, raising her head and looking Gabrielle in the eye. 'Guess I just couldn't say no to your family."

Gabrielle studied her face for a long moment, reaching out and tracing the planes of her cheekbones with gentle fingers. "I wouldn't have wanted you to say no.. whether it was my family or not." She answered honestly. "Xena.. can I say something, and you won't think I'm an absolute goon?"

A hesitant, half grin met that. "I'd never think that of you, Gabrielle.. no matter what you said."

The bard looked around, then back at her. "It's nice to be taking care of someone else's problems, instead of remembering my own."

Xena chewed on that for a minute, then lifted her eyes again, and gave the bard a wistful look. "Yeah." She confessed reluctantly. "I'd almost forgotten what that felt like." It was a quiet ambivalence, she realized, half of her shying away from their former life, the other half reaching out for it again, needing it in some deep, insidious way. "I should have remembered that.. when we first started traveling together, I realized about the only thing keeping me sane was the fact that you kept me too busy to think about my past that much."

Gabrielle couldn’t hold back a startled giggle. "Really?"

A nod. "Really…you gave me something else to focus on." She leaned her head against the chair arm, and enjoyed Gabrielle's steady, rhythmic stroking against her hair. "At first.. it was just trying to figure out how to keep you out of trouble." They exchanged looks. "Then I…kind of kept my mind amused by trying to work out what you were thinking.. you were so different than anyone I'd ever known.. so different from me."

Gabrielle smiled fondly at her. "For me, thinking about you.. about your past.. kept my mind off the fact that I was out in the wilderness in these dangerous situations all the time."

"Mm." Xena's lips twitched. "Then one day I woke up and realized I was thinking about you just because I liked thinking about you." Her eyes twinkled a little. "And by then, it was too late."

They smiled at each other, and then at little Gabriel, who cooed back and kicked his feet. Xena reached up and tickled one of the tiny waving toes, and the baby giggled. "Definitely related." The warrior said dryly, then sighed. "I gotta go to that meeting.. you want to stay here and.." She nodded towards the child. "Kinda get to know him?"

Gabrielle gazed at the child. "I like this feeling." She replied softly, then looked up. "But I have a job to do… and someplace I have to be." She gently shifted the baby in her arms. "Hold him while I stand up, ok?" She put the child in her partner's arms before she could protest, and watched as Xena instinctively cradled him. The baby wriggled a little, then curled his hands into the fabric of her tunic, and closed his eyes, nestling his down covered head against the crook of her arm, sucking on his thumb with an air of blissful contentment.

The bard laughed softly, and put a hand on her soulmate's shoulder. "I'd say he knows a good thing when he sees it." Then she knelt, catching Xena's expression, and cupped her cheek. "Hey..you ok?"

Long, long moment of stillness, then Xena looked up, and there was a fire in her eyes that had been missing for what seemed to Gabrielle like forever, and it sent a warming thrill down the bard's spine, as she recognized its source. You can pretend you're not a hero, Xena.. you can tell everyone you're not, and I can stop telling stories about you, but it's not true.. and we both know that.

It was like washing in a clean spring, Xena decided. "This kid's not gonna grow up without his father around, Gabrielle." The fierce, almost wild determination washed over her, and she let it. "Not if I can help it." She added. "Besides.. these guys are dangerous.. I don't want them pulling their little scam so close to home." She hesitated. "If I'm gonna retire, at least it's gonna be safe there first."

"Right." The bard agreed wholeheartedly. "And I'm right there with you, partner." She watched as Xena stood without disturbing her sleeping charge, and walked over to the crib, gently settling the baby down. She followed her over, and rubbed her back as she straightened up, then slipped an arm around her. "Xena?"

"Hmm?" The warrior returned the hug, pulling Gabrielle's body close and kissing her head.

"I love you." The bard put her other arm around the warrior and squeezed hard. "More than ever." She heard the skip in her partner's heartbeat, and felt Xena suck in a deep breath.

"Thanks." The whisper surrounded her. "Same here."

They stayed like that for a short while, then broke apart, and headed for the door. "We've got work to do." Xena stated, as they hit the path.

"Yep." The bard answered. "People to see, thugs to clobber, problems to solve."

They looked at each other, and grinned.

It was near dawn before Cait stumbled past the first scout post, where whistles stopped her, and she bend over, grabbing her knees and trying to catch her breath. "Get word.. " She gasped, as the lookout swung down from her perch, and grabbed her shoulders. "It's awful.. "

"What is it?" The woman steadied her. " Cait.. what's wrong?"

The girl straightened up, and swallowed against a dry throat. "They've got Ephiny."

She answered raggedly. "It's awful Terrea.. I was… her camp.. she's gone."

Terrea, a short, stocky woman many years Cait's senior, threw her head back and let a call go ringing into the air. She flipped her silvered brown hair out of her eyes, and patted the girl's back. "Easy.. easy now… " She slung a waterskin off her shoulder and uncapped it in a single, fluid motion, handing it to Cait. "Here.. drink a little bit. Not too much."

Cait took a shaky breath, and sipped gingerly. "It was dark.. I couldn't track where she went… "

Terrea rubbed her arms. "No no.. you did the right thing, girl." Footsteps came pattering down the path, and she looked up. "Esta.. get Solari.. hurry." The girl who was almost to the post turned and ran without question. "Come on.. can you walk a little?" She saw a second form coming down the track. "Higdi, get up in that post and keep watch.. I have to get Cait back to the village."

The older girl nodded, and leaped for the strong vine pegged in place next to the lookout post, pulling herself hand over hand up into the tree.

Cait felt her breathing settle a bit as they headed down the path, walking in dark, in that silence that falls just before dawn, when the world is waiting for the new day. It was broken minutes later by the sound of pounding steps heading towards them, and they looked up to see Solari's unmistakable form running in their direction.

The dark haired Amazon pulled up, obviously newly woken, and jerked her head at them. "What's up?" She stared at Cait. "Aren't you supposed to be on the west ridge?"

"Bother that." Cait said, grabbing her arm. "Some rotted scum has got Ephiny." She watched the shock cascade across Solari's face. "It's true.. I followed her… when I got to her camp last night, it was empty.. there was a struggle.. this stuff was left." She pulled her pack off her back, and shoved a slim hand inside, pulling out some of the regent's things. "Here."

Solari reached out and took the cloth, turning it over in her fingertips with a sick feeling. It was the shirt she'd seen Ephiny pack the previous morning. "Oh.. damn." She cursed softly. "I knew it… damn her.. damn me for letting her talk me into giving in."

Cait studied her. "Not to put a fine point, but bother that, Solari.. we've got to get after her." The girl pleaded. "Who knows where they are by now?"

"Right." Solari blew out a breath. "Let's go.. Terrea… "

"I'm going." The stocky woman announced. "Damn it, Eponin isn't here, and I'll will not be around when she gets back." She rolled sturdily along the path, her jaw jutting. Eponin was actually a good friend of hers, and Solari suspected that counted more with her than fear of the weapon's master's temper.

"Me too." Cait announced, blinking at her.

Solari took one look at the stubborn set of Cait's jaw, and sighed, thinking fast. "Um… Cait.. actually.. there's something else I need you to do." She paused. "After you rest a little… I.. someone needs to go .. and tell Gabrielle."

The girl looked ready to protest, then subsided. "Right." She agreed.

That was too easy. Solari realized, but had no time to think about it as they reached the village, and she started calling out names.

"What are they asking?" Xena finally stood up, and braced a booted foot on the bench, after listening to a candlemark of blathering from the village reeve.

The man hesitated, then shielded his eyes against the candle's glare. "Ah.. yes.. Xena…" He cleared his throat. "Too much, is the answer to that question, I'm afraid." He waved the parchment in front of his face. "You see.. all our.. oh."

Xena had walked forward, gently nudging aside bodies until a path opened for her, and plucked the parchment from his fingers, turning it towards the light and studying it. The crowd fell silent, watching her. Finally she looked up. "They seem convinced you have plenty of dinars to spend." She commented. "Or can raise them.. this gives you a week."

The man nodded nervously. "Exactly..exactly… we'd send a lot of money out with those men.. steel costs.. supplies cost.. it's most of what we earned this harvest."

Xena grunted. "Hmph." She fingered the parchment. "You keeping this trading caravan here isn't helping.. they'll assume they're sticking around because there's money to be had."

"Whoa!" A fat, perspiring man in the rear stood up, and held up a pudgy hand. "Hold on.. we're not leaving here.. not going to risk that for ourselves." He looked around, and the small group of merchants seated around him nodded in agreement.

"Relax." Xena gave him a look. "We'll get you through to Amphipolis.. that's where your loads are headed anyway." She stared him down, daring him to object. He took a breath, then met those icy eyes, and subsided. "They were taken between here and there anyway.. I'll try to pick up the trail on the way out, and after we drop off these guys, follow it." She looked up. "How'd you get this?"

The reeve folded his arms. "Left on my doorstep.. that's the horrible thing, Xena.. no one sees these people." He hesitated. "What answer shall I give them?" He touched the paper. "It says I have to leave an answer under a rock in the south field by tonight.

Xena leaned back. "We could see who picks it up.. " She mused. "Nah.. they won't go back to their hiding place… they sound too smart for that." A feral grin touched her lips. "Tell em we'll be there, in five days, with the money."

"But… " The man spluttered. "We don't have it, I tell you!"

Xena folded her arms. "They don't know that." She explained. "It gives us time to work out a plan, and keeps those men safe."

"Oh." The reeve replied. "I see."

"Besides." The warrior let her eyes flick around the room. "I'll be delivering it. The last thing they're gonna be worrying about is whether or not the money's really there."

A perceptible chill ran over the room, and Gabrielle muffled a smile, as she absorbed the reborn confidence in her partner's low, vibrant voice. It was her dark side, no doubt about it, but Gabrielle had long ago reconciled herself to that part of Xena.. and now, in this place, in this time, it was almost like an old friend returning. Then the blue eyes met hers, and Xena gave her a tiny wink, which sent a bolt of warmth all through her. Things really were getting better, she realized. Going back to the way she remembered it.

"That should scare that scum out of any child bearing they'd hoped for." Herodotus commented gruffly. "So what brings you two this way?"

Gabrielle listened to the rising hum of discussion as a wave of relief passed over the assembled villagers. "We're looking for that caravan, actually." She told her father. "Toris and Granella are getting joined.. you're all invited."

He studied her intently. "Ah." He allowed. "Not as wild as yours, I hope."

Gabrielle laughed gently. "Gods, I hope not." She muttered, giving him a shy look. "I'm glad you all were there, though."

Herodotus glanced down at his hands, and sighed. "Gabrielle… I um… I know I said a lot of nasty things about Xena…" He gave her a sideways look. "I've.. had time to think about things… and I've decided she's not so bad after all."

The bard gazed at him in mild shock. "Really?"

"Mph." He grunted in assent, then lifted his head and regarded her partner, who was perched on the edge of the council table, discussing something with the lead trader, and the reeve. "She's um… " Another sideways glance at his daughter. "Quite a good looking woman."

Gabrielle bit the inside of her lip to keep from giggling. She waited a beat. "Well.. I think so." She agreed solemnly.

"Nice eyes." Her father ventured, watching her face.

"OH yeah." Gabrielle nodded. "To die for."

He fell silent, then shuffled his feet. " You know, Gabrielle.. I never.. um.. expected to be having this kind of conversation with.. umm.. you."

Gabrielle felt eyes on her, and she glanced up, to see Xena giving her a questioning glance, She rolled her eyes back at her. "No.. I know." She twisted her hands together. "Kinda weird, huh?"

"Yeah." He answered, clearing his throat a little. "Well.. at least.. um.. I'm glad we share.. similar.. ah.. tastes."

The bard clamped her jaw down tight, and smothered a nervous laugh. "So.. you think she's hot, huh?"

He leaned a trifle closer. "Don't say anything to your mother, all right?"

"Not a word." Gabrielle shook her head seriously, then looked up into a pair of questioning blue eyes. "Oh.. hi."

"Hi." Xena said, giving Herodotus a nod. "What's up?"

"Nothing." They both answered simultaneously.

Xena's eyebrows both rose.

"The inn's full with those traders." Herodotus suddenly blurted. "You two can stay by us for the night."

Looks were exchanged. "That's.. great.. thanks." Gabrielle replied, standing up. "Guess we'd better get going… " She tugged on Xena's sleeve. "We'll meet you back there?"

They walked outside, and Xena let several strides take them away from the noisy, crowded room before she cleared her throat. "So.. what was that all about?"

Gabrielle scratched her head. "He's um…" She gestured with both hands. "Realigning his perceptions."

Xena's brow creased. "What?"

The bard sighed. "He thinks you're hot."

Her partner slammed into a tree, and bounced off, grabbing at its bark with a startled yelp. "WHAT???"

"Ugh.. the conversation was just too weird." Gabrielle gave her a look. "Hey.. careful there.. " She examined the scraped skin on Xena's hands. "Come on..let's get our stuff. You get the honor spending a night in my childhood bedroom."

Xena brushed the bits of bark off her arms. "I think I liked it better when he hated me." She grumbled, following Gabrielle into the darkness.

Continued in Part 2

 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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

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

mailto:merwolf@worldnet.att.net

Leap of Faith - Part 2

By Melissa Good

Ephiny sat back against the wall, with her legs extended, slowing chewing on the roll she'd been given. It wasn't, all considering, too bad a roll, it had several different grains, and had been freshly baked. But she barely tasted it, only eating it because she knew going hungry was just stupid when you didn't have to.

She drew a knee up, and leaned her arm against it, gazing around her in quiet despair. I'm not getting out of this anytime soon. She told herself. At least, not before another session with the blond boar. She chewed the crust of the roll, and tried to decide how to handle that. She had two choices really.. either resist, and probably get a broken jaw or worse, or…

Ephiny's stomach turned. She was a grown woman, and a seasoned warrior, and she knew you sometimes had to do things that you didn't particularly like..she wasn't an inexperienced kid. But that woman… Ephiny sighed. Scared her, in a way she'd seldom experienced. There was an immorality about the brigand's leader, a cruelty that was more than she felt ready to deal with right at the moment.

"Psst… Ephiny?" The voice came floating out of the darkness near her. She turned and peered into the entrance to the further cell.

"Lennat?" She leaned over onto her side, and blinked, trying to focus on his face. "Are you all right?"

He came closer, and suddenly their eyes made contact. "Yes.. are you?"

Ephiny nodded. "Yeah.. for now." She rested her head against the bars and continued chewing her roll. "How long have you been here?"

Lennat sighed. "Two days." He chewed his lip. "They sent a demand on home… but I don't think it's any good. We had most of the village's dinars with us.. buying supplies for the cold season." He paused. "I don't know what they'll do with us if… that woman.. she's a demon."

"Mm." Ephiny agreed, slumping against the wall. "Lemme tell you, I can think of one person I wish was here." She tore her roll in pieces and handed one half to him. "Take it.."

The blond man took the piece and started munching it. "Thanks… they haven't fed us yet." He paused, and gave her an uneasy but sympathetic look. "Guess she likes you." He swallowed. "The person you're talking about tall, dark, and into lots of leather?"

The regent smiled. "Yeah…" She sighed, and rubbed a still sore wrist. "You know her, huh?"

Lennat stopped chewing, and sighed. "She changed my life."

Ephiny studied him seriously. "She's got a habit of doing that." She commented. "What did she do?"

"Well… " Lennat shifted a little. His cell was a half level below the Amazon's, and the difference put his head on a level with the seated Amazon's waist. "Gabrielle's father called her home, oh.. gods, almost a year ago, I guess." He nibbled on the roll. "He.. wanted to marry her off to a merchant.."

Ephiny's eyebrows shot up. "That's nerve."

Lennat blinked at her. "He'd the right.. or he thought he did..anyways." He paused, considering. "Deal was, if Bree went with this guy, he'd take Lila off Herodotus' hands in the bargain."

"Bree?" The Amazon queried. "I don't think I recall her being called that."

"Umph.. no." Lennat pursed his lips. "She doesn't like it.. but it's a habit of ours." He sighed. "Anyway…that was the deal.. and Lila was praying that Br.. Gabrielle would go along with it so she could get out of that house."

Ephiny turned fully to face him, and sat cross-legged, resting her elbows on her knees and rubbing her temples. "Wait." She put a hand out. "Why was Lila so desperate to leave?"

The blond man stared at her. "Same reason Gabrielle was… tired of their da beating on them." He hesitated, seeing the utterly shocked look on her face. "Oh. You didn't know." He continued in a small voice. "I'm… she.. she always describes you as a great friend of hers.. I thought…"

Damn. Ephiny felt pieces of the puzzle that was their Queen fall into place. "No.. I never… she's a very private person." The regent told him, with a tinge of regret in her tone. "She's.. more likely to find out what's wrong with you, than tell you what's wrong with her." And now, several cryptic comments from Menelda began to make sense. The bard must have broken down and spilled some of that to the healer during their last visit.

Lennat considered that. "You know, you're right." He smiled at her. "Anyway.. she did show up.. but Xena came with her, and that kind of messed things up for Herodotus."

"Eeeeeyah… she has a tendency to do that, too." Ephiny admitted. "No way was she gonna let Gabrielle get married off to some merchant, though."

"No." He sighed. "She… I don't know.. bought off, or talked to.. or .. " He shrugged a little. "Pounded on enough people so that the next thing I knew, I was being apprenticed, and had the standing to ask for Lila's hand." A soft breath. "Gabrielle… she.. I guess they made peace, because they talk now, and her family's kind of accepted Xena.. I think more because they knew if they didn't, they'd lose out on being part of her life." He chewed his lip. "Is she really the Queen of the Amazons?"

Ephiny nodded slowly. "She really is."

A banging interrupted them, and then the tall, burly guard was at the door. "Pota… Potacraps.. whatever you idiots are.. listen up."

"Guess that's us." Lennat snorted softly.

"You're in luck… your little hometown is gonna pay your ransom.. so we'll be in ta feed ya shortly." He laughed. "Now that ye're worth somethin.. you'll be here five days, then out you go..so be good little boys, all right?" He rattled the door lock, and pulled it back, letting in six men. Four of them spread out and guarded the prisoners, with cocked crossbows. The other two bore a black kettle swinging on a heavy stick. They distributed bowls to the men now sticking their hands through the bars, and dumped a portion in each one, then filled the last bowl and handed it to Ephiny.

She was somewhat surprised, as the bowl's contents emitted a delicious scent that started her mouth watering. This place doesn't make sense. Her mind puzzled. She accepted the bread the men were now handing out, and watched them, with a disturbed scowl, as they left, swinging the door shut behind them. "I don't get it." She glanced at Lennat, who hadn't wasted any time in starting to eat the stew with his fingers.

He looked up. "We're worth something to them.. did you hear? It's all a scam, a deal.. they get us, they ransom us.. in order for that to work, you have to send people back in good shape.. otherwise… what's the point?" He swallowed a big mouthful. "Don't understand that, though… Potadeia doesn't have that money."

"Maybe they found it." Ephiny mused, as she delicately fished a piece of meat from the bowl and chewed it. It was, she realized, as good as it smelled, and she shook her head. "Might as well get this down now.. I think I'm the after dinner entertainment." She commented, putting on a brazen front.

Lennat stopped eating, and stared at her. "Oh.. Ephiny… "

She gave him a shrug. "I'll be all right." She bit a piece of carrot in half. "We Amazons are pretty tough.. she won't have come up with anything I haven't seen." Yeah..her mind sighed. You keep telling yourself that, featherhead. Time to do the Xena special, I'm too tough for my leathers number, is it? "Don’t you worry about me."

Eyes the color of sea fog regarded her. "You sound like Xena."

Ephiny's lips twitched. "Wish I had that roundhouse punch of hers." She put herself to work finishing the stew, which sat heavily in her stomach.

"I saw her breaking wall planks with that in Potadeia" Lennat remarked. "It was scary."

A creak of leather, and the scuff of boots against the stone passageway. "All right." The guards bored voice rang out. "You're wanted." He pointed at Ephiny, and the door swung open again.

"Good luck." Lennat whispered, clasping her hand briefly.

"Take care of yourself, Lennat." The Amazon muttered in reply. "If you get outta here…tell Gabrielle it was an honor and a pleasure, all right?" She stood as the guard grabbed her lead, and followed docilely, as they turned out of the cells, and headed back up the long, silent hallway.

"Well." Gabrielle sat down gingerly on what was, until three years ago, her bed. "That went.. um.. better than I expected." Xena was slouched in the other bed, staring peacefully at the ceiling. "Right?"

"Oh.. yeah.. " The warrior drawled, rubbing her eyes. "And you just had to tell me about your father right before dinner, didn't you?" Xena gave her a pathetic look. "Was that fair? Gabrielle, he was staring at me the whole night."

The bard got up, and crossed to the other bed, settling down at her partner's side and patting her belly. "No he wasn't.. you're imagining it.. besides.. good pig's ears, Xena… guys always stare at you…and you know it."

"Guys… " Xena growled. "Are not your father." She gave the wall an evil look.

"Yeah.. well, at least they look at you." Gabrielle sighed softly. "They never look twice at me."

That snapped Xena out of her funk like magic. "Gabrielle." She let her voice drop to it's deepest register, the one she knew the bard loved to hear. "They don't stare at you because.. " She leaned over and delicately kissed the bard's lips. "They know they'll lose their eyeballs if they do." She grinned, and make a flicking gesture with her hand. "Plink.. plunk.. bye bye eyes."

The bard snorted and that dissolved into a giggle. "Oh Xena.. you're so romantic sometimes." She teased gently. "I just always figured I was outclassed."

The warrior's expression went serious. "Not at all.. Gabrielle…people look at me because I'm just.. so different." She traced the bard's jawline with an idle fingertip. "But you… " Xena shook her head a little bit. "You've got nothing to worry about, my bard."

"Glad you think so." Gabrielle replied, with a slight blush. "And people don't just look at you because you're different, Xena.. you're beautiful." She leaned her head to one side and gazed at her partner. "You have.. the most amazing eyes…did you know that?" She sighed dreamily. "I mean.. I used to have to think up excuses to go say something to you so I could just look at them."

Xena gave her a rakish grin. "Yeeeaahhh…. " She rubbed her ear. "I used to make bets with myself as to what subject our nightly conversations were going to be on." She chuckled. "Towards the end there, they got sorta disjointed."

Gabrielle dropped her eyes to her hands, and smiled gently. "Yeah…" A sudden memory of the heady, almost overwhelming feeling of falling in love overtook her. "That was a really magical time for me."

The warrior took her hand. "Me too." She admitted quietly.

The bard looked at her. "It still is." She continued, simply.

Xena just nodded, and they listened to the frogs outside for a little, and the whirr of an owl's wing's as it headed on it's nightly hunt.

Finally Gabrielle exhaled, and decided to change the subject. "I can't believe he got you to tell that sailor story again.. gods.. he loves that.. and the baby was so good tonight.. I think Lila enjoyed the company too."

Xena produced a faintly embarrassed grin. "It wasn't too salty, was it? I saw your mother cringe a few times." She fiddled idly with the tie on the bard's halter, watching the gentle flare of Gabrielle's nostrils as her breath caught. "And sure.. the baby was great.. once you dropped him on top of me."

Gabrielle snuggled closer, and put her head down on Xena's shoulder. "You've just got a soothing effect on people, what can I tell you, love."

The warrior snorted. "I can give you a whooollllee list of names of people who would beg to differ, my bard." She twirled a lock of Gabrielle's hair in her fingers. "In fact… I can't think of anyone outside you who would agree."

"And Ares." The bard commented, as the wolf let out a deep sigh, his muzzle cradled on her partner's leg.

"Doesn't count." Xena countered.

"And that baby." Gabrielle went on.

"Still doesn’t' count.. he's too young to know what's going on." Came the answer.

"Uh uh….. " A finger wagged in her face. "And how many people do you let sleep on top of you?"

Silence.

"I see.. so that's… let me see.. one HUNDRED percent of the people who you let sleep all over you who would agree with me."

"Gabrielle."

"Ah ah ah… " A finger poked her chest. "You can't deny it."

Xena sighed, and changed the subject, conceding the point. "So.. this was your room, huh?" She looked around. "Didn't get to see much of it last time." The room was basically square, and had two roughly woven cabinets in it, along with the two pallets, and the table and chairs. The room was… drab.. the warrior realized. Totally unlike their cabin, which was filled with strong colors. "Kinda dull."

Gabrielle nodded against her chest. "That's how I felt here." She pointed with one hand. "I had a little table there.. I used to keep a few trinkets.. I had a small glass fish that would catch the candlelight.. I'd lay there watching it.. making believe it was coming to life." She shifted, and took a tighter hold. "I would imagine he'd bring magic water with him.. and we'd just float away from here."

Xena closed her eyes and just listened, sparing a long, aching moment for her soulmate's wistful dreams.

"And then.. sometimes… " The bard went on softly. "I would roll over, and look up at the roof.. the cracks let in some starlight, and I'd imagine that they were messages to me, little patterns.. and.. and if I could figure them out, I could say them, and I'd just.. be somewhere else." She let the flood of memory drift gently over her. "But.. my favorite, favorite dream was.. I had this soldier." Her voice had dropped to a raspy whisper. "My mother hated it.. she said it wasn't right for a girl to have a toy like that.. but I did.. and I would sit him up there, on the table at night, to watch over me." She paused, and closed her eyes. "And.. I felt that.. if I wished hard enough… really, really, really hard…and crossed my fingers, and just… that someday my soldier would be real.. and it would protect me, and take care of me… " Her voice cracked. "And make him stop hitting me."

The warrior let out a shaky breath. "Gabrielle.. I'm so.. so sorry."

The bard looked up at her with quietly adoring eyes. "Why?" She replied softly. "It worked."

Xena just looked at her for a long moment, a dozen self-deprecating comments springing to her lips. They stopped there, though, as she realized just how tired she was of feeling bad about herself. Enough. A quiet decision was made, and she took all the protests and locked them up, and let herself feel good about the fact that she had been Gabrielle's ticket out of here. And she did do her damnedest to take care of her, even if she failed sometimes. So she smiled, and gave her soulmate a kiss. "I'm glad it did." She replied in a clear tone. "And I'm glad it was me."

Gabrielle felt a little thrill of surprise at the reaction, prompting a grin. "Me too." She confided, tilting her head for another kiss, and this one she took her time with, closing her eyes and just enjoying it. She leaned back when she was done, and regarded Xena's face thoughtfully. "It's so good to hear you say that."

The warrior rested her head against the wall. "It felt good to say it." She admitted. "I guess I'm just… tired.. of feeling like I have to apologize for everything all the time.. like all I've done is make mistakes." She shrugged her shoulders. "I know I have… but…" She brushed her fingertips against Gabrielle's lips. "This isn't a mistake."

"No." A relieved smile split the bard's face. "It's not." She wrapped her arms around Xena's body and settled against her. "Mm."

"Hmm…. Gabrielle?" Xena commented, after a long period of just listening to the night sounds coming in the window.

"That's m'name." The bard mumbled against her shirt. "Brkfst alredy?"

The warrior just let out a short laugh, and shifted them both, reclining on the pallet with Gabrielle still wrapped around her. The bard hardly so much as twitched as she moved, snuggling closer as soon as Xena relaxed, and making a small mewling noise. "Hey.. don't you wanna sleep in your old bed?" Xena whispered.

Gabrielle lifted her head, and opened one clear green eye to peer at her in utter disbelief. The eyeball rotated to peer at the small cot next to them, then shifted to regard Xena's warm, and very comfortable body. The eyebrow above elevated.

"O..K." Xena pulled the thin blanket up and covered them both. "Hope this thing doesn't collapse."

"S'allright." Her soulmate purred. "You'll hit the ground first."

"Gee thanks." The warrior chuckled. "Nice to know I'm appreciated."

The bard blinked her lashes up, and rested her chin on Xena's collarbone, regarding her lovingly.

"Ok..ok.. I was joking." Xena mumbled.

Gabrielle patted her gently and put her head back down. Then her hands started a restless wandering. "You know… we could… "

A dark eyebrow curved up. "How are you going to explain the noise? Singing lessons?" She grinned at the blush that immediately covered the bard's fair skin. She touched the back of her hand to her partner's cheek, feeling the heat, then ducked her head forward, and kissed her, leaving her lips and working her way down Gabrielle's throat as the bard's abruptly quickened breathing warmed her ear.

"D…don't..start something we can't.. " Gabrielle swallowed a few times, then gave up and let her self loose, sliding up and against Xena's body, and allowing the tingling to spread from the center of her gut outward, until every inch of her skin was wildly sensitive to the warrior's lightest touch.

Then her jaw clamped, and she braced her elbows against Xena's chest, and wrapped her hands in the warrior's soft sleep shirt. "I.. " She stopped for a kiss. "Will.. " Another one, this time longer. "Never.. ever.. ." She gasped, banging her head against Xena's collarbone. "Live this down." Her chest was heaving, and she gave her soulmate a desperate, pleading look.

"Shh." Xena pulled her down, and stroked her back. "All right.. all right.. easy.. " She gentled her touch, easing the tension she could feel in Gabrielle's body with patient hands, pressure against points on a body she knew as well as her own. Gradually the bard's breathing calmed, and her eyelids drooped. "Easy now."

The bard blinked at her, in a state of sleepy peacefulness. "How.. how did you do that?" Then her eyes closed against her will. "Never mind.. many skills…" She let out a last, long breath, puffing up the fabric lying across Xena's chest, and relaxed into sleep.

The warrior watched her for a minute, then smiled, and reached up to tuck her folded cloak under her head for a pillow, and let her own body slow it's rhythm. Felt it alter, and change to match Gabrielle's, until her breathing and the bard's joined. Their heartbeats joined, as their sleeping souls mingled in silence of the night.

The long hallway seemed all too short, Ephiny decided, wishing it was a least one, or perhaps even two miles to go before she had to face that door, and what lay beyond it. She imagined being home, letting the vision of thick green leaves and the scent of the cookfires fill her awareness, and held the image close, reminding herself of a reason to just hold on, and survive. She thought about Eponin, a lot, the last little bit, wishing her gruff lover were there, or better, that they were both somewhere else.

Anywhere else.

She felt very alone, following behind the stocky, glowering guard, whose leather armor creaked from ill care. She was very aware of the low flutter of the torches, whose smoky residue tickled her throat, and the harsh scrape of their boots against the sandy floor, as she steadied her breathing, and willed her hands to stop shaking.

They stopped in front of the thick wooden door, and the guard knocked. A muffled response floated through the surface, and he lifted the latch, and shoved the portal inward. "Go." He jerked on her lead, pulling her forward, and pushed her past him into the room.

She stepped in past the door, and waited as it closed behind her, hearing the soft thunk as the carved lock fell into place. The candles were lower, now, a concept that prickled her back with unease, and she stood quite still as she let her eyes absorb the gently drifting shadows. Her nose twitched as a waft of air brought to her an odd scent.. not quite incense, not quite candle wax, that was faintly spicy, and a little sweet. She decided she didn't like it, but wasn't really sure why.

"Well." Paladia sauntered into the main chamber, from the darkened one to the left. She had changed out of her leather outfit into a soft, quilted burgundy short dress, which was loosely belted, and hung just shy of her knees. Her pale hair was damp, and she looked freshly scrubbed. "Come here." She picked up the lead, and tugged, drawing Ephiny after her towards the center of the room, where the two low slung chairs were. A huge fist reached out and shoved the Amazon down into one, then she tied the lead to a thick iron ring set into a heavy beam that bisected the room.

"You've got a choice, Amazon." She spoke in a low, even voice, as she studied Ephiny from behind. "You can make this rough, or you can make it easy." Paladia ran idle fingers through the smaller woman's blond curls. "Though I hear you Amazons like it rough."

Ephiny took a deep, steady breath. "Why do I have to make it anything at all?" She asked carefully. "Why not just ransom me like everyone else."

The tall woman edged around to the side, and dropped into the other chair, throwing one leg over the arm and giving her a somewhat cruel smile. "Because everyone else is little boys, and you're not." She reached over and snagged a wineskin, then poured some into a glass, paused, then poured another glassful and dropped the skin as she handed one over to Ephiny. "Boys are worth more.. didn't you know that? Villages won't pay for women." She leaned back after the Amazon reluctantly took the glass. "But you.. you, I'll get some hard dinars for… and some pleasure in the bargain."

Ephiny held the glass, trying to keep her stomach from rebelling. "Pleasure for you."

Paladia twirled the wine in her cup and took a deep swallow. "I'm the only one that matters." She eyed her captive, giving her a faint smile as she sipped the wine cautiously. "We don’t do too bad.. we treat the bastards all right, get our money, and send em back. No one gets hurt."

Ephiny swallowed gingerly, the rich, sweet taste of the dessert wine tingling with unfamiliar warmth on her tongue. "You'll run out of victims eventually." She ventured, in a cool voice. "Or someone'll find you."

Her captor chuckled softly. "Oh no.. no chance of that." She lazily leaned over and plucked a grape from the plate next to them, popping it in her mouth and chewing . "Even if they found this place, they couldn't get in here… we're snug and comfortable." Another grape, as she watched the Amazon finish off her wine. "And we've got enough supplies to last us all winter stacked away in here.. everything else is pure profit."

Ephiny sat back, putting the glass she held onto the table, and feeling the warmth of the wine spread through her. Not a good idea, Ephiny.. She realized. But saying no to her would probably have been a worse one. She was vaguely aware of her anxiety lessening, and attributed that to the wine, until she realized the insidious warmth was intensifying, and edging into another sensation all together. Drugs. Her mind acknowledged sickly, as she looked up and saw the knowing, predatory smile on Paladia's face.

The taller woman stood, and paced over, then knelt and rested her hands on the chair arm. "Relax.. it won't hurt you." She ran a light fingertip up the Amazon's arm, and noted the skin twitching under her touch. "You might even like it."

Ephiny felt her throat go dry, and she struggled to keep calm, as her world suddenly dissolved into a vibrant chaos. The scent she'd disliked before now filled her lungs, and she became aware of a dark uncoiling of desire that sensitized her to every breath of air, and the flickering warmth of the torches, and the teasing strokes her captor was running down her body.

"Feels good, doesn’t it?" The low voice vibrated in her ear, and her rebellious body surrendered, absorbing the attentions greedily. "That's it… just let go.. you're gonna like this… "

She did.. though her mind screamed in protest, in outrage.. it felt wonderful, and she stopped thinking.. stopped worrying.. all she could concentrate on was the trickles of fire that were moving over her skin, and the need that drove her hands to reach out, and touch and..

"Oh yeah… " Paladia felt the strong muscles surge under her, as released the lead, and pulled the Amazon down onto the thick, plush rug, never letting up her stroking. "You're gonna like this all right…" She felt Ephiny's mouth on her and sucked in a breath. "Maybe we won't ransom you after.. all."

"Morning."

Hecuba glanced up, startled, as the voice floated gently into the small kitchen area. "Oh… good morning, Gabrielle." She turned and smiled at her daughter, who padded into the room barefooted, pushing her hair back from her forehead with a hesitant hand. "I didn't realize you were up." Her worn face creased into a smile. "Certainly not this early."

The bard grinned back, leaning against the cabinet. "Well… Xena's been a good influence in that area." She stretched her back out. "She's out getting everything organized, and taking care of Argo, and probably several other things."

Hecuba sliced a fruit neatly, and handed her half. "Did you sleep well?"

Gabrielle chewed the fruit and hid a smile. "Just fine, thanks." She swallowed. "I’m going to go visit Lila before we leave… kind of reassure her that everything's gonna be ok."

Her mother bit her lip. "Will it?" She asked, straightforwardly. "Gabrielle.. I don't need to tell you that we're grateful to Xena, and to you of course, for getting involved in this..I couldn’t believe it when I saw you ride in."

"It'll be fine." Gabrielle reassured her. "Believe me.. they won't know what hit them after we get done."

Hecuba sighed. "I know… and I believe that." She patted her daughter's arm. "So.. tell me.. how is everyone? Your father says we're invited to another joining?"

"Yep." The bard agreed. "Toris and Granella.. and.. " She gave her mother a mischievous grin. "Cyrene and Johan, only they don't know it." She laughed at Hecuba's confused look. "I know.. but they don't think they deserve a party, and we think otherwise."

The older woman snorted. "I would think so!" She drummed her fingers on the table. "Well, we certainly can't miss that… Cyrene was so wonderful to us." She looked up abruptly, and caught Gabrielle's eye. "You do know your father hasn't taken a drink since she left, don't you?"

The bard blinked at her. "No..no. I didn't." She let out a surprised breath. "That's.. mother, that's wonderful." A glance over her shoulder. "I thought.. he was so different, but… " Damn…I should have realized…wow. "That's really great."

Hecuba sighed. "Yes." She nodded a tiny nod. "It's made all the difference." She fussed with Gabrielle's sleep shirt, straightening the collar. "How is everyone? You look quite healthy."

The bard's lips tightened a bit. "Well, I’m fine, yes… Xena was sick a few weeks ago, but she's ok now. Everyone in Amphipolis is doing great."

Weary eyes studied her. "But?" She waited. "Come now, Gabrielle.. you were never able to keep anything from me. Now is not the time to start."

A breath stirred the fabric of the bard's shirt. "There was… an accident." She replied very softly. "Solon died."

Her mother gasped, and covered her mouth. "Oh no…" She curled her other hand around Gabrielle's. "How horrible… he was such a sweet boy."

The bard could only nod.

Hecuba chafed her hand. "Losing a child.. that's… a terrible thing, Gabrielle. I’m glad you were there for Xena."

The irony almost made her nauseous. "We've.. gotten each other through a lot of things." She finally answered. "But it was hard.. she.. left him with the centaurs for all that time because she was afraid he'd get hurt… because he was her son." She let out a breath. "And that's exactly what happened."

"Oh my gods." The older woman breathed. "That poor thing." Then she studied the floor for a moment before looking up at her daughter.

"I know." Gabrielle answered quietly. "We think about that too." A pause. "It worries her a lot."

Hecuba put her hands on either side of her daughter's head and looked intently at her. "But you'll stay anyway."

Gabrielle nodded. "I have to."

Her mother smiled. "I understand." She hesitantly pulled Gabrielle into a hug, startled by the sturdy, muscular body under her hands. "Wisdom of Athena, Gabrielle..what are you doing to yourself?" She stepped back, and felt her daughter's shoulders, then let her hands drop. "I thought you were a bard."

"She is." The low voice rumbled past them, as Xena padded quietly into the room. "But she's also an Amazon Queen. " The warrior continued. "And my partner.. and she can take care of herself." Blue and green eyes met, and exchanged a gentle warmth. "I've made sure of that."

Gabrielle smiled. "Yes, you have." She slipped an arm around the taller woman and leaned against her, a little surprised when Xena didn't hesitate to return the gesture.

Hecuba's brow creased, and she pursed her lips. "Of course.. of course.. I wasn't…" Her hands lifted and dropped. "I think I'm just a little too old fashioned… I forget sometimes." She regarded the two wistfully. "Well.. here, Xena.. have some tea.. I think my daughter needs to get dressed, unless she intends to wander off in her unmentionables."

Xena cast an eye down her partner's slim form, and bit off a grin. "Right." She agreed solemnly. "They're ready to take off." She turned to Hecuba. "Actually, I'll pass up tea.. I just had some at the inn, and I've got to pack up our stuff anyway.. but thanks."

They left her still fussing with some fruit, and retreated back to the bedroom. "Besides.. you may need help dressing." Xena mumbled, nibbling her hair with a grin. "Can't be too careful."

Gabrielle slapped her lightly. "Yeah, right." Then she paused. "I… I told mother about Solon." She read the startlement in her partner's eyes. "No.. I mean.. that he…"

"Ah." Xena's voice held an understanding note. "I didn't think you.. "

The bard put her hands against the warrior's chest. "I didn't want her… or.. to ask you about him.. I.." She stopped speaking as warm arms closed around her, and she was immersed in the golden feeling that she'd come to associate with their connection. "I know that would hurt you."

"Always looking out for me, huh?" Xena uttered, her voice low.

"Always." Gabrielle answered, in an uncompromising tone. "Thanks for rescuing me, by the way.. I think I was about to get a lecture." She sighed, and released her partner, unbuttoning her shirt and shucking it off. "You don't think I look bad, do you?" She gazed speculatively at her body, then back up at Xena, and had to giggle at the taller woman's expression.

Xena put her hands on her hips, and raised both eyebrows, then made a show of slowly letting her eyes rake her soulmate's bare form from head to toe. "Gabrielle, you look great. And if you mother doesn’t like it.. well.. too damn bad." She leaned forward. "She doesn't have to look."

"Just checking." Green eyes twinkled. "It's nice to hear you say it sometimes." She pulled a skirt and halter from her saddlebag. "I used to feel so.. gawky.. I guess.. it's kind of hard to shake that."

The dark haired woman sat down on the next pallet, and knotted her fingers together. "Me too." She sighed. "I grew so fast when I was young.. I kept banging into things.. tripping over my own feet… gods."

Gabrielle's jaw dropped. "You?" She squeaked, unable to picture her graceful, assured soulmate that way.

A wry grin met her eyes. "Yeah." She held out her hands. "All arms and legs.. took me forever to grow into that."

The bard took her hand, and examined it. Xena's hands were so much larger than hers, with long fingers, and powerful muscles in the palms. "Wow.. I never… I guess I thought you just kinda.. "

"Grew up doing backflips?" Xena replied, with an amused grin. "Nah." She exhaled ruefully. "I was pretty awkward there, for a while."

"Hmph." The bard laughed softly. "I can't picture that." But she felt better, strangely, and she lifted the warrior's hand up and kissed it, never taking her eyes off her face. "Guess we'd better get going, huh?" She finished fastening her clothes on and packed up her saddlebag, which Xena tossed over one shoulder. "Let's walk over and say bye to Lila… and my little friend."

"Works for me." Xena agreed. "Let's go."

Ephiny felt like she was clawing her way uphill through boar dung. It was just that kind of mental and physical sludge, worse than a hangover, worse than.. just about anything she'd ever experienced.

She remembered everything. Everything.

The knowledge brought bile to her throat, and she retched helplessly, tugging against the restraints she felt constricting her wrists and ankles. The air smelled dank, and cold, and she wrestled one eye open to blink in unfocused anguish at the rock wall before her. It was dark, and silent, and she realized she was alone.

Gods. Her body felt very tender, and very abused, and she winced as she curled herself into a ball, and rolled over, peering painfully at the shadows around her. The cell? No. Her heart sank, as she was able to recognize the bare outlines of  Paladia's quarters through the roughly cut archway several feet from her. With a groan, she let her head fall back against the blankets she was laid on, and wished the room would stop spinning.

Another odor intruded, and she wrestled her head around to spot a small tray settled on the ground next to her, with two covered bowls, and a cup of what smelled like cider. She eyed the tray warily, wondering what lovely herbs Paladia had seen fit to insert in its contents, then realized it didn't really matter.. if the woman wanted to force something into her, she had little chance of stopping it.

The thought of eating almost made her retch again, but her common sense told her that her body needed fuel, and it would probably make her feel better in the long run. Unless it was poisoned, in which case…

Damn.

She dragged herself up onto one elbow, and reached over, lifting the cover off one of the bowls. Her wrists were manacled, and the chains attached to them were fastened to rings sunk into the cavern wall, along with the ones from her legs, but she had a fairly normal range of motion. With a sigh, she pulled the tray over, and grimly consumed its contents.

It did make her feel better, and was apparently unadulterated, so far as she could tell, anyway. Her stomach settled after a few minutes, and she was able to finish everything, including the ubiquitous hard roll they seemed to include with all the meals here. Must have a captive baker.. she mused, exhausted, as she laid her head back down, now having time to reflect on her circumstances.

She was in trouble. Big trouble. She shifted her body and bit off another groan as her stiffened muscles protested, and she slowly rolled onto her back, then pushed herself up into a sitting position. Hera's tits. Her mind cursed. It felt like she'd been stupid enough to go through Eponin's new conditioning course. Twice. There were bruises and… she closed her eyes. Bite marks and scratches up and down her skin.. none looked serious, luckily. Nice situation you've gotten yourself into, there, Ephiny… you must be hanging around Gabrielle too much.

At least her sense of humor was intact.. surprisingly. She knew she should feel horrified.. and disgusted.. and a dozen other things, but mercifully her practical mind was shunting all that elsewhere and letting her concentrate on the here and now. It had been the drug, and she was not responsible for what had happened.

Keep telling yourself that, Ephiny. Her conscience poked her, as a tiny, unhappy part of herself curled up in a ball of misery. Come on..come on..big tough warrior time… you're a big girl.. you can cope with this. It doesn't mean anything.. she's just using the physical part of you.

Yeah.

She let herself back down onto the blankets, hating the insidious scent of them that served only to prick her memory with flashes of sickening heat. Think of something else. She told herself, as she closed her eyes wearily. Think of.. She let her mind fill with an image of her favorite time of the day, early morning, when she'd get up just at dawn, and spend quiet, peaceful moments with a cup of pungently steaming herb tea, perched on the railing outside her quarters.

The trees always stirred gently at that time of morning, as the wind drifted in, and brought her wisps of smoke from the dining hall, and the fresh smell of running water from the creek. She let that pull her down into sleep, blocking out the dark reality for a little while.

Voices woke her, but she kept her eyes shut, and concentrated on maintaining a relaxed, even breathing. It was Paladia, and one of her lieutenants, she guessed, and they were in the main room, their words soft and burred with distance.

"About time.. I guess they figured out Potadeia's not going to be able to buy their stock out." The man's voice was humorous. "They moved out this morning.. our guy relayed the word a bit ago."

Paladia chuckled. "Right.. right… well, put some birds on them…we should be able to clean up with that lot, and I hear one's carrying some luxuries.. we could have a fine party." She paused, evidently settling into a chair. "Where they headed?"

A pause. "Downriver… not really sure where… probably pass through Amphipolis.. then who knows? Does it matter?"

"Nah." The woman's voice dropped into a purr. "They'll end up here regardless… does Mektus have enough men?"

He snorted. "For a pack of merchants? Sure." A pause. "You're in a fine mood today."

"Mmm." Paladia let out a low laugh. "Good night last night."

Ephiny clamped her jaw shut against a wave of nausea, but held out one tiny bit of hope. Amphipolis. If Paladia's raiders struck close to there.. they might have more to worry about than a bunch of wary traders.

Idly, she spent a few moments imagining a contest between Paladia and Xena. The kidnapper's leader was younger, true, and had the edge in sheer bulk, but Ephiny didn't think Paladia had ever faced the kind of brutal, violent power that the Amazon knew was buried deep in the dark haired warrior. And Xena had a strength that was out of proportion to her own, not inconsiderable size, that she tapped from a source that Ephiny suspected had little to do with her much vaunted drills and constant practice.

No, Paladia might hold her own for a few moments, as youth and energy kicked in, before that same youth started working against her, against Xena's experience which would move muscles faster than the burly blond could handle. Against a relentless power that would knock that superior grin right off her…

Now, now, Ephiny…. She chastised herself wryly. That's not very regently of you. But she kept thinking it anyway, because it was the most pleasant way she could think of diverting her otherwise gloomy thoughts.

Solari stood, dusting her knees off and examining the surrounding forest with a deep scowl. "Damn it.. the track just can't end." She exhaled in disgust, putting her hands on her hips. The clearing was full of Amazons, scouring the dirt, and leaf litter for signs of any trail, no matter how faint. "Spread out."

They'd been searching for hours, covering every square inch of ground outward from Ephiny's aborted campsite, combing the area for the least footstep. Unfortunately, the ground cover was very sparse, and mostly contained hard rock chips, which held no imprint. They'd found faint scuff marks against a few trees, as though something had been carried through there, but other than that, nothing, all the way to the road. Once on the path, they found cart tracks, but there was no way to figure out if they were recent or not…the path's twin ruts were worn deep into the soil, and they found no droppings that indicated any new passage. Solari rubbed her jaw, ignoring the red clay streaks it put across her chin and considered her next move.

There weren't many. They could continue to search, which some of them would anyway, or they could… no. Giving up wasn’t an option. Briefly, the dark haired Amazon pondered the odds of Ephiny just going off somewhere.. maybe forgetting her pack?

Zilch, and negative zilch. The question was, did the regent have an argument with someone.. another traveler, and get into a fight.. or was this something more sinister? She looked up tiredly as Cait approached, having stubbornly followed them from the village. "Well, Cait?"

The slim blond wrapped her arms around her chest and hopped once or twice. "It's no good." She admitted. "The tracks just go off to nowhere." She kicked a bit of rock out of the path. "Do you suppose they took her somewhere down this road?"

Solari ducked her head, and let out a sigh. "Possibly.. I don't know." She glanced up at the girl. "Listen, I know you wanted to stick this out, Cait.. but we're getting nowhere fast.. and I think someone needs to at least let Gabrielle know what's going on." She looked around carefully. "And not that I want to knock any of our trackers, but I wouldn't mind a certain pair of blue eyes taking a look at this place."

That brought a tight, unhappy smile to Cait's face. "Too right." She agreed quietly. "I've just had a bit of a rest… I'll go." She blinked "I know the way."

Solari hesitated, knowing the girl had been up all night, despite her claims of resting. But so had they all, really.. since the word had come in and they'd assembled a fast tracking party, and taken off. Besides, Cait really did know the way, and she was a sly, and canny hunter. "All right." She pulled on the girl's arm. "But you get something to eat first, hear?"

"Right." Cait replied, giving her a nod, and trotting off towards where a small group of her sisters were gathered, sharing a waterskin.

The clouds were lowering over the setting sun when they stopped for the night, camping next to the river in a cleared space that even the merchants felt relatively safe in. The caravan had made pretty good time, and Xena was estimating they'd hit Amphipolis by lunch the next day.

They hadn't seen another soul since they'd left the populated area around Potadeia, though her nape hairs had lifted a few times, sensing unseen watchers around them. No one had approached, but she'd been careful to stay mounted when they stopped for water, and left off bantering with Gabrielle to stay on the perimeter, between any possible danger and the caravan.

Now she kneed Argo for another precautionary sweep around the area, extended her senses to try and detect any kind of threat against the already nervous traders. They trusted her, more or less, and Gabrielle had been entertaining them most of the day with stories, some of which she played a ridiculously big part in, but the coming nightfall still worried them, since it was such a large group, and she was only one warrior.

Well, two, of course, counting Gabrielle. She corrected herself with a grin, as she watched her partner order the merchants around from the corner of her eye, followed by a loyal Ares. The murky sunlight cast the bard's shadow along the softly turfed ground and sent it traveling, and Xena cheerfully signaled Argo, who hopped over the dark line in surprise, snorting. The warrior grinned to herself, and put the mare through a few sidesteps, then reined her in near where she'd dropped off their gear, and vaulted off, landing with a little bounce. "Damn, Argo.. " She commented to the horse, who gave her an exasperated look. "Whadda you know…I think I’m actually in a good mood."

The mare snorted, and nipped at her shirt, tossing her head, then whuffling as Ares bounded over, yodeling happily.

"Guess everyone's in a pretty good mood but you, old girl." Xena teased, giving the mare a light slap. "Hey boy.. " She dropped to a knee and gave the wolf a quick tussle, delighting him, then looked up as a shadow slunk over her shoulder. "Hey."

Gabrielle sauntered closer, and leaned on her staff. "Ok.. everyone's as settled as they're going to get, I think…I've got them starting a fire, and getting supplies out.. I told them they owe us dinner for protecting them."

Xena rubbed Ares' ears and nodded. "Sounds fair." She agreed, as she stood up, and started stripping Argo's tack off. "Saw you wandering around the wagons.. doing a little shopping?" Her blue eyes twinkled teasingly.

Gabrielle put on a suspiciously innocent air. "Me? Nah…" She folded her arms and thought about the small packages she'd tucked neatly inside her bag. "Not a thing."

That got her an elevated eyebrow. "Uh huh." Xena mock growled, knowing the bard better than that, but keeping her tongue, since she was guilty of the same, and had several surprises stored away for a later time.

"Grrr." Ares answered, pricking his ears at her.

The warrior put her hands on her hips. "Who asked you?" She went back to her task, scanning the countryside over the mare's back out of habit. "Hey."

The bard responded to the alert tone, and went to her side, putting a hand on her arm. "What is it?"

Xena strained her vision, focusing on the upland treeline. "Don't know.. looks like someone moving in our direction.."

The faint figure spotted them, and altered course, heading their way, and after a few minutes, a suspicion started growing in Xena's chest. "Gabrielle… I think.. I think that's Cait." The adopted Amazon, originally an orphan from Amphipolis had a distinctive, bouncing stride that marked her.

The bard pulled herself up with one hand on her partner's shoulder, and peered over Argo's back. "I can't tell." She paused a moment. "Wait… " The figure bounded closer. "I think you're right." She gave a small shake of the head. "Why do I get the feeling this is not going to be good news."

"C'mon, Gabrielle.. think positive." Xena put a hand on Argo's mane, and vaulted aboard the mare, backing her deftly and using her knees to steer. "Let's go, Argo… move it." The horse edged into a trot, then a canter, navigating the boulders near the water. As the moving figure came closer, apparently they recognized both horse and rider, because their speed picked up as well.

"Cait!" Xena called, pulling Argo up as she came even with the running girl.

"How super." Cait gasped, almost colliding with the mare, and grabbing hold of Xena's leg to keep herself upright. "Just exactly who I needed." She took a deep breath, and let it out. "They've taken Ephiny."

Xena froze, staring at her. "What?"

The girl nodded wearily. "It's true… she was on her way to visit you.. and she disappeared."

Puzzle pieces clicked and slid into place. "Gods." Xena breathed, holding a hand down. "Grab on, Cait… this goes deeper than I thought."

They sat in a mostly silent circle, listening to Cait's tale, as she gratefully plowed her way through a plate of assorted trail rations. "It was quite dark." She explained, licking a finger. "I got to the campsite, and the fire was still neat, but I could see there'd been a scuffle."

Gabrielle leaned forward, clasping her hands together. "But you think she was ok, right?"

"Rather." Cait answered. "There wasn't any blood, you know, and no torn bits of body and whatnot." She chewed on a piece of smoked meat with cheerful gusto. "Solari thinks the same thing.. they spent all morning searching the area, but as much as they could find, only led to the road."

"That's what the pattern is." One of the traders grunted. "Trail only goes so far, then disappears." He shifted. "No body knows where they keep the poor buggers.. and when they get back.. they don't know where they've been."

Xena picked up a piece of jerky, and chewed it thoughtfully. "Has to be close, though." She let her eyes drift to Gabrielle. "Must have started up when we were out of the area."

The bard nodded. "Yeah." She rubbed her arms, and looked around uneasily. "Quite a little racket they have there." She nibbled her lip. "I guess Eph's pretty safe, right? They figure to get a bunch of dinars for her?"

Xena paused and thought, then nodded. "I think so, yeah." She finished her piece of beef and started on another. "Makes the stakes higher, though.. they might figure she's too dangerous if they find out what she is… most folks don't want to tangle with the Amazons."

"Hm." Gabrielle studied her hands. "Yeah." She gave Xena a quick glance. "So.. what do we do?" The words trickled from her, and she realized their meaning as she saw the quiet gleam enter those blue eyes, and the faint quirk move her lips. Still looking to her to solve everything, huh? She acknowledged the moment with a slight grin of her own. Guess some things haven't changed.

"First, we get these folks to safety." Xena slowly let her gaze travel around the ring of traders. "Then we need to find out where these people are." Her shoulders lifted and straightened. "And stop them."

Gabrielle looked up at the strong profile next to her, framed in dark, windblown hair. "Sounds like a plan." She commented with a smile. "Cait, what's Solari's intentions?"

The blond girl cocked her head. "As if she'd tell me?" But Cait smiled. "It's that old people habit... they don't tell you a thing if they don't absolutely have to."

The bard clapped a hand over her mouth hastily, studiously avoiding looking at her partner.

Xena just gave her a wry, sideways glance, and shook her head. "Does she want us to come up there?" The warrior ignored the soft snort from next to her. "She must have said that, at least."

Cait looked from one to the other in puzzlement. "Right… yes, well, she said I should let Gabrielle here know what was going on, and that she'd love to have Xena come up and find Ephiny's trail, but not to tell any of the other Amazons that's what she was doing." She chewed a bit of apple, crunching it enthusiastically. "I rather think she's worried about her reputation." She paused, and examined the fruit, then glanced at Xena. "They do worry about that so awful much."

Xena could feel Gabrielle's silent chuckles where the bard's body was pressed against hers. "Yeah… those Amazons." The warrior intoned with a mock sigh. "Egos the size of a cart horse."

"Too right." Cait agreed solemnly.

"All right.." Xena stood and brushed herself off. "Everyone get some rest.. we need to start at first light."

"Sleep?" One trader asked, glancing around into the darkness. "They could be out there right now!"

The warrior looked him right in the eye and smiled. "For their sakes, I hope not." She gave them all a nod. "I"ll keep watch… g'wan, get some sleep."

Cait opened her mouth to object, and got a genuine Xena glare in response. She subsided. "I could use a bit of a nap." She blinked meekly.

Gabrielle, however, started gathering up some of their stuff and tucking it away. "I'll keep watch with you." She told the warrior, in a no nonsense tone of voice.

Xena started to protest, then thought better of it. "All right." She agreed readily, which got her a suspicious look from her partner. "I'd like that."

They bedded the camp down, and Xena picked spot in front of the caravan, putting it between her, and the river. She settled her back against a tree, which featured a low underbrush that hid her mostly from view. Gabrielle got Cait all set, then joined her, gently tucking her cloak across her knees and Xena's, and leaning back against the tree's rough bark.

"You don't have to sit up with me." Xena remarked, conversationally.

"I know." Gabrielle answered. "But I want to." She wriggled around to get a little more comfortable. "I can tell you stories, if you get bored." She added. "It's a long watch."

Xena bestowed a very fond look on her, then reached over and tucked her arm around the bard's shoulders, and pulled her closer. "Here.. you might as well be comfortable." She waited for Gabrielle to lay her head down, then leaned her own head against the bard's. Less than a candlemark. She bet herself wryly. And she'll be sleeping like a baby.

"I'm worried about Lennat.. and Ephiny." Her soulmate's voice was subdued.

Xena stroked her arm gently. "I know.. I am too." She whispered back. "But these people.. Gabrielle, it really looks like they're using this as a moneymaker.. they haven't hurt anyone." She nuzzled the bard's hair, and enjoyed the faintly herbal scent, mixed with the oak wood smoke from their campfire. "Ephiny's a tough, seasoned warrior..she'll be fine."

"Mmm." Gabrielle sighed. "I guess.." Her voice dropped to a mumble. "Wind's picking up." She pushed her hair behind her ears, and snuggled closer, laying a hand across Xena's stomach.

"Yeah.." The warrior acknowledged. "Don't think it'll rain, though." She adjusted her sword, tucked into its sheath next to her, and moved the chakram slightly to the left, dropping her hand to rest on it. She focused her attention outward, letting the sounds of their surroundings soak into her hearing, identifying what was natural, and setting her ears to detect changes. Gabrielle relaxed against her completely, and she glanced down to see the bard struggling to keep her eyes open. A grin briefly crossed her face. "You know, I always like the sound of the leaves moving."

Gabrielle nodded dreamily. "Yeah.. it's so peaceful." She stifled a yawn.

"And the water going by." Xena added. "Really nice, even pattern.. you hear it?"

"Uh huh." The bard agreed softly, as her eyelids fluttered closed. "Just like your heartbeat. I love hearing that.. so steady.. and regular.. and..."

Xena smiled into the darkness, as she felt the bard's breathing change, and deepen. "Goodnight, love." She whispered, tucking the cloak around her partner's knees, glad of her warm, if sleeping company. Ares had settled against her other side, and she idly rubbed his furry head, which was leaning against her hip.

The darkness settled over her, and she became part of it, a still, quiet figure who breathed in the air, and listened to the sounds of the world, only the faint moonlight reflecting off sharp pale eyes indicating her presence.

It was the early hours of the morning when something nudged her defense. Grass moving, out of place. Xena felt her heart speed up, and her nostrils flared, sucking in the warm night air. Leather and metal, sweat covered, was carried gently to her, and she put a hand on Ares' back, seeing the wolf's eyes pop open. "Gabrielle." She uttered in a bare whisper.

The bard started, then blinked, stirring. "Wh…"

"We've got company." The warrior told her. "Move."

She stood up slowly, letting her pounding heart send blood to warm her muscles, drawing her sword in one hand, and fingering the chakram with the other. They were creeping closer, she could hear the rasp of boots against the short, dry grasses near the water, and she glanced aside as Gabrielle set herself evenly, lifting her staff. "Ready?"

"You let me fall asleep." The bard grumbled, giving her a look.

"Let you?" Xena laughed softly, tracking her closest opponent and feeling the battle fever start to edge along her veins. "A circus couldn’t have stopped you." She felt Ares start to growl, where the wolf was pressed against her leg. "That's right.. you hear em, boy?" Ahead of her, the gray and silver shadows sharpened, as her eyes tightened their focus, and she realized with a start that it was the first time, in a long time, that she was looking forward to a fight.

"Shouldn't we wake everyone up?" The bard asked, shifting her grip a little.

Xena shook her head, getting ready to move. "Nah.. there's only 8 of them…these guys'll just be in the way." She shifted her sword and twirled it lightly in her hand.

Gabrielle turned her head, and gave her a long, speculative look, then glanced ahead again, with a slight smile. Been a while since I saw that expression. She mused quietly to herself.

"Let's go." Xena growled, as she slipped forward to meet the oncoming men. "Hello, boys." She let a full smile take over her face, as she sauntered into the moonlight, and they froze. "Nice night."

They stared at her for a long moment, then in utter silence, attacked.

"For a bloodbath." Xena continued her thought, as she twirled her sword in her hand, and met them, disarming the closest with a quick feint, then smashing her elbow into his jaw with a satisfying crunch. She ducked under the next one's wild swing, and kicked him in the knee, hearing his scream of pain as the leg collapsed under him and he dropped to the ground. The blood pounded through her veins, and brought a fierce intensity to her, tapping it neatly from a lately neglected place.

The sound of wood against leather made her grin, and she turned her head a little, to watch Gabrielle efficently take her opponent out, slamming her staff into his head, then dropping down and sweeping her staff in a strong reverse motion, taking his legs out from under him.

"Nice." Xena muttered under her breath, as she grabbed an arm, and pulled a man half her size over her head, throwing him to the ground with a thump. Ares was worrying yet another opponent, and she finished off a man rushing at Gabrielle with a roundhouse right, sending a sharp crack across the silvery landscape.

One left, and he was moving away, but she didn't want that, so she sent the chakram after him, angling it so it would bring him down instead of cutting his head off. He landed in a heap, and she bounded over to him, picking him up by the back of his leather jerkin, and throwing him against a nearby tree.

It had been a quiet fight, only Ares' growls, and the sound of weapons hitting flesh had interrupted the quietly moonlit scene, aside from a few agonized screams, and in fact none of the merchants had even woken up. Gabrielle quietly went from one raider to the other with a handful of leather strips and bound their arms and legs. She looked up to see a backlit Xena watching her, glittering eyes eerily outlined in a shadowed face. "That was quick." The dark energy coming from her parter was almost palpable.

A flash of white teeth joined the silver blue of her eyes. "Guess I haven't lost my touch."

Gabrielle snorted. "As if." She shook her head, giving her partner an amusedly exasperated look.

Xena bounced on the balls of her feet a few times, then let out a satisfied breath. Not bad at all, actually. She decided, as she walked over to the last of her opponents and picked him up, shoving him back against the tree bark. "All right. " Two quick jabs, and she felt his body stiffen, and saw his eyes pop out. "Let me see if I remember how this goes." She paused. "I've just cut off the flow of blood to your.. " She peered at his goggling face, and waggled a hand. "Brain." She saw the comprehension. "Right, so you 're going to tell me what I want to know, or in thirty seconds, your head's going to explode."

His jaw hung open, but he managed to get out an "Ok."

"Good.. good." Xena dusted her hands off. "What were you doing here?"

"Get.. merchants… ransom… " He coughed.

"Figures." Xena gave him a disgusted look, and half turned as Gabrielle came up next to her. "They're our kidnappers, all right." She turned back to the man, who was turning purple. "Where's your hideout?"

"Dunno." The man gagged. "We drop.. someplace… someone else.. picks up."

Damn. Xena cursed softly. "Did you pick up an Amazon a few nights ago?"

The man nodded, gasping. "Yeah.. but… heard.. for nothing."

Xena had been counting seconds. She released the hold, and grabbed the man before he could fall. "Why for nothing? You might as well answer.. I can just do that again."

He took a moment just to breathe. "Heard… they're not ransoming her… leader's keeping her." He answered, rubbing his throat. Then he looked up . "You're Xena, aren't you?"

The warrior nodded. "Keeping her for what?"

"Damn.. knew we were getting too blasted close to Amphipolis." He cursed. "I dunno for what.. don't care.. I just deliver, and my family gets taken care of, all right? "

Gabrielle stepped forward. "By selling other people's life and liberty?"

He looked up at her. "Nobody gets hurt.. they can afford it, see?" He rubbed his arm. "I lost most everyone last winter.. it was hard… this.. it's only fair, those who got, give to those who don't."

"No." Gabrielle knelt at his side, and stared at him seriously. "It's not fair… some of the people you took last week weren't merchants.. they were hard working villagers just trying to get supplies for their homes." She took a breath. "And even if they were, it still wouldn't be fair."

"Is my family dying fair?" He shot back. "You look at them living all fat and happy.. and we were starving… don't tell me what's right, and what's not, little girl." His eyes pinned her. "I had to watch my son wither to almost nothing, before Paladia hooked up with us, got us started.. small at first… but it saved him. " His jaw jutted. "So I ain’t sorry for nothing."

They tied him up too, and turned him over to the now groggily stirring merchants along with his comrades. "We'll take them in for judging in Amphipolis." Xena said quietly, as she saw them trussed firmly up in one of the wagons, giving the grumpy Cait a wry glance. "Sorry Cait.. wasn't time to get everyone involved."

"It's not fair." The girl unconsciously echoed the raider. "Here you've had this perfectly lovely fight, and I didn't even get to see it. "

"Next time." The warrior promised, as she headed towards Argo, to get her saddled, her mind already elsewhere. Thinking about why an Amazon queen might be kept, and not ransomed, for one thing, and how need sometimes forced even good people into darkness for another.

She was halfway through the process, when a hand touched her back, and she turned as Gabrielle leaned back against Argo's body. "You about ready to take off?"

"Mostly." Gabrielle informed her, crossing her arms. "What'r you doing?"

Xena lifted a brow, then glanced first at her horse, then at her partner. "Saddling Argo?" She hazarded.

"Mm..hmm." The bard nodded solemnly. "And when your'e done with that, we're gonna load everything up, and take off, right?"

Blue eyes blinked in some bewilderment. "Yeah, right."

"No." Gabrielle reached out and took the saddle blanket from her hands, and folded it neatly, putting it over one shoulder. Then she folded her fingers around Xena's, and pulled her gently. "You rode all day, didn't sleep all night, just beat the stuffing out of eight guys, and now you're going to sit down and let me get you breakfast." She said this all in a polite, but decisive tone. "And then you can saddle Argo."

Xena sucked in a breath. "Gabrielle…I'm… "

The bard patted her middle, which grumbled as if on cue. "Hungry. Come on."

Damn. A grin forced it's way to the surface, and she let it. "I guess I can take a hint."

Gabrielle tucked her hand firmly into the taller woman's elbow, and led her towards the campfire. "Hint? That wasn't a hint, Xena." She sniffed. "That was an order."

Xena eyed her in startled amusement. "Ah.. ok."

"Heh." The bard chuckled her triumph.

A boot nudging her side brought her reluctantly to wakefulness, and Ephiny opened one eye, and peered up. Paladia smirked back, and rolled her body over with a negligent shove of her foot, standing back and regarding her with amused contempt. "Well." She eyed the empty tray next to the bound Amazon. "So..you’re not as stupid as the last one.. that’s a good sign."

Ephiny gazed up at her with a dispassionate look. "Stupid?"

The tall blond nodded. "She decided to starve to death." She sniffed reflectively. "So, did you enjoy it?"

The Amazon gave a mild shrug. "I didn’t have a choice." She returned her stare evenly, refusing to let her own battered nakedness embarrass her. "Did you?"

Paladia’s nostrils flared, and her eyebrows twitched up. "Not stupid and spunky on top of it? Imagine that." She crouched down, and rested her thick forearms on her knees, letting her eyes wander over the Amazon’s body, and producing a crooked grin. "Yeah, I did.. in fact…I decided to keep you around for a while."

Ephiny felt her gut drop, but forced her expression to remain mild. "They’re gonna miss me after a day or two." She commented cautiously. "What happened to getting a ransom?"

Paladia laughed. "They can miss you all they want, Amazon… they’ll never find you… and as for ransoms.. " She reached out and traced a line down Ephiny’s leg. "There are all kinds."

The Amazon concentrated on keeping her breathing even. "That how you do it? Every once in a while just skim off the top?" For a long moment, she thought the taller woman was going to strike her, but Paladia just finally ended up laughing.

"Sure.. can you think of a better way?" She reached over and tugged Ephiny’s curls. "I get to pick what I like, no fuss, do what I like, and then.. move on." She smiled. "No baggage, no whining.. no regrets."

"For you." Ephiny remarked.

"I told you, I’m the only one that matters." Paladia tapped a finger on her leg. "Come on, Ephiny.. you seem to be a realistic kinda gal.. you know there’s no such thing as love – it’s all what you can get out of the other person. At least I’m honest about it."

"That’s not true." Ephiny stated softly. "Love exists."

"Oh..no no no no… " Paladia shook a finger at her. "You’re not gonna tell me a big, bad Amazon like you falls for that." She leaned closer. "Because I sure don’t…I know better.. and so do you." She grinned when Ephiny didn’t answer. "See?" Then her eyes dropped lower. "Hmm…" She laid a finger on the long, precise scar that bisected her belly. "Where’d you get that one?"

Ephiny debated on the answer, then decided the truth wouldn’t hurt. "I have a son." She paused. "He.. had to be delivered somewhat unconventionally."

Paladia’s brows lifted. "Yeah?" She chuckled nastily. "Didn’t think you Amazons went in for the male thing.. but then.. I guess you gotta get babies somehow, huh?" She smiled. "This your royal duty?"

"No." She answered quietly. "I met someone, and fell in love, and decided to have a child by him."

The taller woman stood up, and snorted. "And here I was thinking so well of you." She leaned over and jerked one of the restraints holding Ephiny’s wrists, yanking her arm from her body. "Well, gods know I’ve played around with worse.. you’ll do for a while." She started to leave, then turned. "Wait.. I thought they didn’t allow men in the Amazon villages… what did you do with the kid?"

Ephiny pulled her arm back in and gazed up at her. "He lives with the centaurs."

"Oh." Paladia turned and walked out, then stopped at the entrance to the little alcove and looked back. "Centaurs? Why?"

The Amazon allowed a tiny smile to edge her lips. "Because he is one."

"Oh." The burly woman turned again and got a few steps further, then abruptly whirled. "What???" She took a few quick steps back. "You made love to, got pregnant by, and then birthed a centaur????"

Ephiny nodded mildly. "His name was Phantes. He got killed in the Thessalian War."

Paladia put her hands on her hips. "I was wrong. You are an idiot." She shook her head. "Get up and wash… I want to have dinner, then we’ll play some games."

"Dinar for your thoughts." Gabrielle leaned her head to one side, projecting her voice so Xena could hear it. They were riding double on Argo, and the bard had just coaxed her unusually silent partner into consuming some of their trail rations.

Unusually silent. Gabrielle thought to herself. Now there's a new concept applied to her. "Hmm?" She nudged the warrior, and felt Xena release a long breath under her snugly wrapped arm.

"Just thinking." Xena finally answered. "About how to find out where these people are."

Gabrielle rested her cheek against the sun warmed leather and brass that covered her partner's back. "Well.. .I thought you'd just… follow the guys that pick up the ransom.. right?" She traced a whorl in the armor. "I hate waiting that long, but… "

Xena shook her head a little. "I'm… " She sighed. "I don't know if we can take the chance… if they're that careful, if they think we're following them… " She half turned, and caught Gabrielle's eye. "I don't want them taking that out on Eph, or Lennat, for that matter."

The bard examined that statement. "But.. Xena, they haven't shown any inclination to be violent.. not based on what that guy said." She paused, thinking. "What makes you think they'd react that way?" Another pause. "Is it because that's what you would do?"

She felt the body she was resting against stiffen, but she didn't retract the words, feeling her way gingerly into a kind of conflict they'd been avoiding since things had started improving between them.

"Yeah, I'm sure that's it." Xena finally answered, in a remote voice. "Actually, I was thinking that they'd never been challenged before. Their targets are merchants.. people like that.. they paid what as asked, and never tried to find out who they were, or where."

That was true, Gabrielle realized. Xena was still very tense, and she leaned forward to do some damage control. "You mad at me for saying that?"

"No." Came the quiet answer.

"You're lying." Gabrielle replied, just as quietly. "It's all right for us to get mad, Xena."

A flash of blue as Xena turned her head to study her intently. "All right." The warrior exhaled. "Just say I have a feeling, ok?" She shifted uncomfortably in the bard's grasp. "It's not based on anything, just… I don't know."  

A plan had been nibbling at her attention for a while, only the bard knew it was going to meet with resistence, so she'd been hesitant to mention it. But… She quietly reminded herself. If we keep not admitting we have differences of opinion, where does that leave us? Time to sweep away the eggshells and stop walking on them. She took a deep breath, and tightened her one armed hold, bringing their bodies into secure contact. "Mm." Gabrielle patted her gently. "You know.. what you really need is someone on the inside."

Silence.

"They're certainly not going to kidnap you." The bard went on, holding her breath. "But if I let them take me, I can get in there and figure out what's going on.." Still silence, and now she was beginning to be nervously awkward. "And.. and you can find.. me, so..you don't have to stay close.. they won't know you're following."

Argo's hoofbeats sounded ridiculously loud in her ears. "Xena, talk to me." She finally pleaded. "All right, it's a dumb plan, I.. I'm just thinking out loud.. I don't… "

"No." Xena's voice sounded very tired, and very lost. "It's not a dumb idea." The warrior looked off into the distance. "It's a good one." She kneed Argo out of the field they were crossing, and up onto the road that would lead eventually into Amphipolis. Damn. Of all the options she'd been considering, getting someone inside had been one of her strongest. It was the who that had given her pause.. because what Gabrielle had said was true. The bard was strong, she knew Ephiny, she was used to dangerous situations, Xena could trust her, trust her judgment, and, in the worst of circumstances, could find her anywhere. Damn.

"It is?" Gabrielle asked, cautiously.

Xena played with the cream colored mane that fell softly across the saddlebow. "Yes.. it is. Look.. Gabrielle, we're… you're not…you're my partner, all right? Time I started treating you like it, and not…"

"Not like I'm an inexperienced kid with more guts than sense?" Gabrielle finished for her, then gently stroked the leather clad side. "Can I tell you a secret?"

Uncertainty colored the warrior's tone. "Um.. yeah.. sure.."

"I am an inexperienced kid with more guts than sense." The bard ducked her head under her partner's arm, and peered up at her face. "It's ok that you know that."

Xena looked down at her, and finally, grudgingly, a tiny grin surfaced.

The bard returned it. "Your first impulse was to say.. No way. Right?"

A slight nod. "Yeah… I.. don't think I'll ever get over not wanting you to put yourself in danger, Gabrielle." Xena studied her hands, resting lightly on the saddlebow, the reins tangled in her long fingers. "But I.. remember what you said in the cave, and…I.. I know I can't wrap you in wool."

The bard felt a deep sadness sink into her. "I wish you could, sometimes." She whispered, pressing her cheek against Xena's side. "Xena… I know I said a lot of things when I was angry.. and so did you.. but.." She hesitated. "That's not how I felt, most of the time." She fingered the fabric gently. "Don't.. let me do dumb things just because I think I should.. ok? We can argue about that."

Xena let Argo pick her own path, avoiding the deep ruts carved in the road by the rains and the traffic, while she considered her partner's words. Conflict with Gabrielle was something she still shied away from, and she suspected it would be a long time, if ever, that she felt comfortable in the half exasperated, half teasing arguments that used to characterize their relationship.

It had been… she searched for a way to describe it to herself. They'd been so sure of each other, that was what, she realized. So confident in their mutual love, so sure it bound them together in an unbreakable bond.

How heartbreaking it had been to find otherwise. How many months of confusion, and sinking realization, and pain. It was natural that now.. in this timid, tentatively growing belief in herself.. and in Gabrielle again.. that she wanted to stay as far away from those dark times as she could.

Wasn't it?

And yet, she knew instinctively that the healing between them wouldn't truly be complete until.. paradoxically, they could regain the confidence to disagree.

Damn. Xena sighed to herself. Why does life have to be so gods be damned to all Hades complicated? "Well, in this case, it's not dumb." She informed the bard. "I was thinking… we really don't know what's going on in there… much less where they are. I was figuring we could advertise that we captured this bunch, and we're holding them for trial."

"Mmm." Gabrielle mumbled, as she started to recognize the landmarks leading home. "You think they'll try a rescue?"

Xena regarded the horizon. "No… I don't think so.. I think what they'll do is try to get something of value from Amphipolis, and trade off."

"Something of value?" Gabrielle inquired. "Something like… the village bard?"

The warrior gave her a wistful smile. "Oh no.. the great, and well known, published in the Academy, charming, and infinitely talented Bard of Amphipolis, an incalculable treasure."

A blond eyebrow arched. "Get outta here." Gabrielle slapped her. "Besides, won't they know.. well, about us?"

Xena considered. "No… they don't go close to Amphipolis.. if that guy's attitude is any indication.. and most of them seem pretty young." She cleared her throat a little. "He had an idea of who I was, but he didn't know me, and probably had no idea who you were."

"Should I be insulted?" Gabrielle tried for a little humor, as she felt the awful tension start to edge out of Xena's body. She started a slow massaging with her fingers to aid the process, as she felt a nervous twitter start at the thought of putting herself into the hands of those creeps but… she had a feeling they weren't bad people, just misguided ones.

"No." Xena closed her eyes and blissfully enjoyed the bard's wandering hands. "That's a good thing… because if they know really who you are, they won't come within a mile of you." She let a long breath out, glad to see the familiar shape of Amphipolis looming in the near distance. Her eyes turned to the bard. "Having second thoughts?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "No.. I think… I'd like a chance to talk to these people, Xena.. maybe I could convince them to stop doing this voluntarily."

The warrior had her doubts, but kept silent on them. "Maybe." She agreed mildly. "Anyway.. .I think you're basically right.. they seem to be more interested in money than violence.. it's just their keeping Eph.. that.. kinda bothers me."

"Mm." Gabrielle agreed reluctantly. "Ok.. yeah.. I see your point."

They filed into the courtyard in Amphipolis, and she moved Argo up to the inn, where Cyrene was standing, hands on her hips. "Here's your caravan, mother." The warrior commented dryly. "As requested."

Cyrene gave her a brisk nod. "Thanks.. um.. " She watched as the wagon went by with it's load of trussed up raiders. "Didn't order that."

Xena slid down off Argo, and caught Gabrielle as she followed suit, sneaking in a quick hug before she turned to face Cyrene. "We ran into a little trouble." She muttered. "Nothing much."

"There's a surprise." Her mother sighed, giving them both a wryly knowing look. "Come inside and tell me about it." She paused, spotting a familiar face among the trudging traders, who were gladly heading towards the inn. "Cait?"

Granella had stepped out next to Cyrene, her eyes pinned on the tall, slim girl. She glanced up at Xena in question. "What's up?"

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged a glance, and a pair of matched sighs. "Let's go inside."

Ephiny forced the cloying fuzziness back, as noise forced her from her mostly dreamless doze. She swallowed painfully, shoving back memories of the 'games' of the previous night as she tried to focus on the here and now. It was dark, still, where she was in the alcove, where Paladia had tossed her after she'd finished, refastening the restraints on limbs too weak to protest, and still twitching from stimulation.

She'd woken once and choked down a tray of breakfast, then slipped into oblivion again, as Paladia laughed, telling her it just took a while for her body to get used to the stuff.

Then, the tall woman snickered. She might even start looking forward to it. She'd ordered one of the guards to give her another bowlful of something, then had her choke down a mugful of something else, which quelled her pounding headache but put her back to sleep.

Voices. She forced her mind to concentrate. Paladia, and another, deeper voice, agitated.

Captured… A jolt of awareness stirred, and she listened closer.

"We just heard, Paladia…the word just passed through the gate.. Minat and his whole crew were captured.. they're being held in Amphipolis for trial."

"What? Bastards…" The woman growled. "Why there? Why not in Potatohead?"

"Potadeia? Don't know…probably cause the merchants was headed there." The man answered, doubtfully. "Got a nasty reeve, does Amph… cousin of mine was hung there."

Ephiny held her breath, wondering. Amphipolis.. could that be a coincidence? A bunch of traders capturing well armed kidnappers.. a coincidence? Pigs flying on gossamer wings would be more of a coincidence. This had a certain.. scent about it. One she was pretty familiar with.

"Well, we can't have that." Paladia sighed in disgust. "Those are good, productive boys…lemme think… we got anyone that knows that area.. knows the people there?"

Shuffling boots. "We… not much recruitment from round there, Paladia.. they took care of they own during the winter.. not the friendliest types there, but I hear they did all right." More shuffling. "We damn stay clear of them… they keep watch.. don't like stealing… nasty, kind of… and b'sides, sometimes that Xena's round there."

Paladia snorted. "Oh please.. spare me tales of her. " She let out a breath. "She's old news.. disappears for months, I even heard she retired.. and you guys run from her shadow like she's some kind of mythic beast." She drummed her fingers against the chair arm, a rapid patter that Ephiny could hear clearly. "Need someone to get in there… scout the place out..here's the plan. We find a couple of valuable citizens.. maybe even that reeve you talked about, and snap em up.. then we'll trade em for our guys and maybe a bonus."

"I"ll send the word back… see what we can find out." The man said, a touch of doubt in his voice. "We could try just breaking them out.."

"Mph." The woman leader grunted. "They're on home turf…breakout could get tricky.. besides, we start using force like that, we get troops after us." She laughed. "A few merchants.. no law's gonna bother with us… if they do, we just pay em off like we did in the south."

"Right." The man agreed hastily. "I'll go now."

Ephiny considered the news and smiled grimly, as she pushed herself upright, and let herself drop back against the cavern wall as heavy footsteps approached.

"Hey." Paladia tossed a rough shift at her. "Here… get up and have dinner with me.. you get a break tonight. I need to think." She released the restraints, and nudged Ephiny with a rough kick. "Hurry."

The Amazon pulled the fabric over her head, wincing as the cloth caught on her scratches. She stood slowly, blinking, then moved quietly into the main cavern, where Paladia was slumped in one of the low slung chairs, busy with her plate.

Ephiny silently took the other chair, and started eating without comment, watching the obviously troubled woman across from her. "Problems?" The Amazon queried, in a carefully neutral voice.

Paladia glanced up, her mouth full. She swallowed half a mouthful, and pointed her knife at Ephiny. "You know Amphipolis?"

"Been there." The smaller woman acknowledged. "Small place, good inn, touchy natives." Inside, she grinned at the description, which was actually pretty damn accurate. Especially certain of the natives "Nothing special."

"Umph." Came the grunted answer. "They got something of mine… gonna grab a few of them an get it back… they got anyone out of the ordinary round there?"

Ephiny kept a grin from curling her lips with supreme effort. She shrugged. "Not really." She chewed her bread thoughtfully. "Not that last time I was there." And that's the truth, she considered virtuously.

"Uh huh." The woman waved a hand. "Hey… you ever meet that Xena?"

The Amazon gazed up at her quietly. "Who hasn't?"

A laugh answered her. "Good answer… she tough?"

Another shrug., and a waggled hand. "She's no Amazon." Another sterling truth "But I've heard stories."

Paladia grunted again. "Who hasn't?" She snorted disgustedly "Figures." She swallowed a huge mouthful of ale, and belched, laughing at Ephiny's wince. "So… Amazon… tell me some Amazon tales." She leaned back and set her plate on her stomach, propping her booted feet up on a small stool. "Make noise while I decide what I'm gonna trade for."

Ephiny cupped her hands around her mug and sipped it's contents gingerly, not wanting to subject her protesting body to any more stress. "All right." Her lips twitched, as she leaned back carefully and took a breath. "Once was an Amazon Queen who didn't believe in war…."

Gabrielle waited for the cabin door to close behind them, and watched her soulmate trudge over and collapse on the bed before she sighed, and rubbed her ear. "That was..um… quite a lecture." She walked over and sat on the edge of the soft surface, and chewed her lip. "I…wasn't sure who she was madder at, you, or me."

Xena rolled her head over and gazed at her. "She certainly has an opinion, huh?"

Cyrene had been, in stages, incredulous, disbelieving, and then furious that they were planning on quite deliberately arranging for Gabrielle to be kidnapped. And even more furious that not only was the bard intending on going through with the plan, but that both of them were actually pretty casual about the whole thing. Xena had finally had to stand up, and put an end to the debate, stating that Gabrielle was more than competent enough to make her own decisions, and that the bard was, after all, responsible for the leadership of the Amazon nation.

Which would fall to her, if Ephiny were not recovered, or if something happened to the regent.

That reminder seemed to settle her mother's outrage a little, and to tell the truth, was what was niggling her own conscience, because spending a lifetime with the Amazons… was not something she wanted for her future.

No sense in telling Gabrielle… and if it ever came to that.. well…

She'd adapt. Somehow.

Right now, she lifted a hand and traced a circle on the bard's bare skin above the waistband of her skirt, and smiled a little. "She'll get over it."

Gabrielle turned, and laid down on her side, propping her head up on her hand, and scowling. "Thanks for standing up for me." She picked up Xena's hand, lying quietly on the bedding, and fit its fingers with hers. "Does everyone else think I'm nuts, too?"

"No." The warrior gave her a wry look. "Everyone else thinks you're brave, noble, and selfless."

The bard rolled her eyes. "Give me a break." She examined the hand linked to hers. "It's nothing like that… it just makes sense, to figure out what's going on before we try to do anything."

Xena smiled at her. "All depends on your perspective, I guess." Her low chuckle sounded. "I always think the stuff I do is just practical.. then you go making stories about it, and I'm saying to myself, Self, what were you thinking?? You did WHAT???"

Gabrielle stuck her tongue out. "You do not."

"Yes I do!" The warrior protested. "What were you telling the other day.. oh yeah… the Cecrops thing.. and you were saying I jumped off a cliff onto a moving ship out in the water.. and my mind just said, there is no way I did that."

"But you did." Gabrielle replied, in a mild voice. "I saw it.. I was there.. and so did the rest of the crew." She paused. "And Xena, there's no other way for you to have gotten on board."

Xena shook her head. "I know." She lifted their linked hands and let them fall against the bed. "But I don't know how I did it."

Gabrielle shrugged, her good humor restored. "Magic." She pulled Xena's hand closer, and started to nibble on her knuckles. "I can always tell when you're going to do something like that too…you get this little…" She squinted up at her partner, and cocked her head. "Just kind of a..look…"

The warrior lifted one brow slightly, and grinned, just a tiny bit, a crooked half smile that brought a glint to her eyes.

"Yeah.. just like that." Gabrielle laughed in delight. "I always watch for it, because I know I"ll have something to write about real soon after." Seeing Xena's indulgent smile, she rolled over, and tucked herself neatly into the warrior's arms, which enfolded her gently. "Mmm." She pondered for a bit. "Everyone else seemed… kinda… "

"Excited." Xena supplied dryly. "To be part of 'a plan' - what a bunch of goofs.. did you see Josclyn practicing his little speech with Johan?"

Gabrielle produced a little giggle. "If he really calls me the Flower of Amphipolis, I'm gonna lose it, Xena."

The warrior snickered. "That was my idea, actually.. oof." A poke in the ribs stopped her. "Ok..ok… so you put on a command performance tonight, the town babbles about how priceless you are, and hopefully the kidnappers fall for it, and snatch you."

"Right." The bard snuggled closer, and stretched her body out, winding it neatly around her soulmate's. "Then nobody follows.. but the watch figures out which way they go.. and you pick up the trail after they do the transfer."

Xena nodded, nibbling on the red gold hair tucked under her chin. "Uh huh.. and when you get there.. you give me a signal…mad or scared, I come after you.. otherwise, I let you try to work things out." She paused. "For a day, Gabrielle.. got that?"

"Got it." The bard replied, taking Xena's earlobe between her teeth and biting down gently. "Mmm… your ear tastes like honey." She licked delicately.

Xena blinked against the barrage of sensation. "Wow..uh… must have been when mother grabbed me by it.. she was making cakes, I guess.. had the stuff on her hands."

"Heh…" Gabrielle conscientiously removed all the offending honey. "Can't let you get all sticky, can we?" She breathed into the now clean ear. "Your mom tugging you across the room was pretty funny, though." She explored for further surprises. "Oo… cinnamon."

The warrior surrendered to the touch, letting the sensual wave dissolve the worry she couldn’t help feeling. She was aware of the bard's hands working their way under her shirt, and sent a quiet, humble thanks to whoever was listening that they had regained this most intimate closeness, which had done a lot towards repairing some of the gaps that had separated them.

For a short while she'd been worried that they were using this as a way of avoiding dealing with painful issues… until she realized that they had to have reached a certain point before it had even become possible to attain the closeness.. and allow the vulnerability that intimacy demanded.

After that, she'd just relaxed and let herself drown in the intensity that always seemed to be present between them again. Like now, when Gabrielle's every touch, every breath sent jolts of pure fire over her skin, as she gently stripped the bard's clothing off, and felt the warm, sultry breeze drift into the window and brush against them.

She felt safe here, with her soul cupped gently in Gabrielle's loving hands, in a place she'd been sure, at one dark point, she'd never see again.

It was nice, Ephiny decided, to wake up with a clear head. She actually sat up and had her thoughts collected before Paladia barged in, grabbing the lead on the collar she was still wearing in lieu of her other restraints, and pulled. "C'mon… Amapet…see if you recognize any of these potential meal tickets."

Ephiny rose and took a long step forward to avoid being dragged, then followed the burly woman into the larger room, surprised when she kept going, and walked right out the door. With a sigh, the Amazon ran her hands through her curly hair, dredging up her coolest, roughest, most too tough for her leathers attitude and plastering it on her face.

The one she'd painstakingly copied from Xena, complete with the little sneer.

They traveled through the corridors, twisting and turning, until the close hallway opened up into a larger cavern, which echoed with the sounds of voices and movement. Ephiny gazed around, impressed despite herself, at the orderly stockpiles of supplies and the purposeful attitude of the men and women. All were dressed in well used, but clean cloth, and most were very young. Younger than she'd expected, actually, and younger in average than Paladia was, who herself was, the Amazon guessed, about ten years younger than Ephiny herself.

Eyes followed her briefly, then turned away, dismissing her with faint shrugs. One in a long series, Ephiny realized, swallowing a distasteful thought. She kept her gaze forward, maintaining her dignified air until she was jerked to a halt, as they reached a table where several people were clustered, peering at a piece of parchment. They turned and two of them stepped back, as Paladia shoved Ephiny up to the table, and pulled the parchment closer. "Here…this is what they reported."

Ephiny lifted the parchment, and studied it, then slowly turned it right side up and studied it further.

They gots good stuff here, good food, and lots of it Big harvest, and they gots four cellers stocked full fer the wingter.

Folks are alright, kinda snootey, they lissen to the reve, his names Jossylen, they rekin he knows what's what.

The taraders what were in the wagin train are stayin in the inn, an so we ate there too, reall good tuck, and saw they storyteler.

I rekin we kin take the storyteler, and they'd pay good for her - she's real pretty, and they all likes her a lot, and the merchants all paid extra to hear her tell storys.

They gots a good smith here, might be worth grabbin, and whoever done the cookin, cause I tell you it was reall good..

And they gots a real good healer.. folks talken bout her like she was some kinda priestess or somethin..but she's setten watch at a birthing, so's we didn't see her none.

Our guys are in a deep cellar, no ways to get close, but I hears two of em are hurt.

B

"Well." The Amazon stalled. No mention of Xena, which was kind of odd. She usually stuck out there like a rooster in a flock of doves, and her presence was almost always commented on by the villagers.

Maybe she wasn't there… Ephiny mused. She could have gotten called away.. gods knew there were more than enough people out there now who would call on her.. but .. without Gabrielle? The storyteller mentioned had to be the young bard. Then she reread the note. Healer? Amphipolis' healer, whom she was painfully familiar with, was definitely male.

So. What in Hades were those two up to? She drummed her fingers on the parchment, aware of the eyes watching her. "I've met Josclyn." She admitted. "He's tough, but a good guy." She glanced up. "And I've eaten in that inn.. he's right, it's good." She actually had extremely fond memories of her extended stay in Amphipolis. "I can't say I know the smith or the healer, but.. " She made a quiet decision. "I've heard the storyteller… she's the real stuff."

Paladia grinned, and took the parchment from her. "Good.. good…." She slapped Ephiny across the shoulderblades. "We'll get more than our guys back… I want more… I don't like these people thinking they can just hold some of us.. that's not good business." She looked around. "Hey.. how would you guys like a pet storyteller, huh?"

A chorus of happy agreement met her. "All right!" She answered back. "Good..send word back to get that reeve, and try for the smith.. and that storyteller. We'll trade the big boy for our guys, the smith for whatever they've got stocked up, and keep the pretty teller of tales.. right?"

Another rough chorus of cheers.

"Um… " Ephiny felt compelled to say something, though she realized just about anything she said would probably not be effective. "That bard… she's got some friends in high places.. you might want to think twice about that."

Paladia laughed. "Even better." She put the parchment down, and tugged Ephiny closer. "We can keep her around for the winter, then sell her off. We win, we win… I like that." She gave one of the men.. boys.. really, a nod. "Send the note off… I'm looking forward to this…they don't know what they've gotten themselves into."

Oh no. Ephiny closed her mouth, and folded her arms. It's you who doesn't know what they've gotten themselves into. I just hope I'm right, and there is a plan.

Somewhere.

"All right… let's have a show, shall we?" The burly leader spread her arms out. "Big dinner in here tonight.. they should be back by then.. we'll celebrate…and show our guests how we got to be as good as we are, OK?"

Wild cheers. "Kin we bring out Fuzzy?" One of the men asked, a tall, very broad shouldered giant with shaggy brown hair and intense green eyes. "C'mon.. please?"

Paladia grinned fiercely. "Yeah… we'll make him bleed… he likes that." She pulled harshly on the lead until Ephiny was right up against her. "Oh.. wait… " Her eyes slitted sensuously. "I forgot.. you like hairy men… maybe we'll put you in there with him… "

Ephiny kept her expression neutral, and clamped her nerves down tight.

And hoped these confident, brash children would find something else to amuse them before things got…

Dangerous.

Continued in Part 3

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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

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

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Leap of Faith - Part 3

By Melissa Good

Gabrielle lolled on the bed, crossing her ankles, and watching the still, tall figure at the window looking out. "Well?" She was dressed in a soft pink linen shirt, with gentle frills that made her feel almost adolescent, and a long skirt that Cyrene had, reluctantly and grudgingly dredged out of her linen press. It had been Xena's, when her soulmate was young, and she kept twitching the fabric with amused pleasure, allowing her mind free rein in imagining Xena in the rich blue green material. "I feel really dorky, Xena."

The warrior turned and leaned against the sill. "Nah.. actually, you look kinda like you did when I first met you." She tilted her head and regarded her soulmate fondly.

That got her a laugh. "Like I said…" Gabrielle fluffed her sleeves out. "I look like a kid." She rolled her eyes melodramatically. "I know I'm supposed to present an easy target, but…did we have to go this far?"

The warrior moved to the bed, and gazed down at her. "They're out there." She remarked quietly. "And yes, we did… it makes a difference, Gabrielle.. one of the reasons they didn't figure out who I was until they came at us was the way I was dressed… I didn't look very dangerous."

Gabrielle cocked her head and studied the tall form standing in a relaxed pose at the foot of the bed. She put aside her knowledge of who and what Xena was, and tried to view her objectively. "Hmm." Other than her height, which you really didn't notice because she was so well proportioned, until she was looming over you of course, and those eyes…you'd think she was a remarkably well favored, good looking, village resident. Maybe an innkeeper, like Cyrene.. or perhaps the wife of a prosperous merchant.

A warrior whose deadly skills were known from one end of the land to the other? Nah.. no way. It was her leathers and armor that made that so apparent. "Ok… I see your point.. it's a perception thing." Gabrielle admitted. "Right?" She eyed Xena further. "I still think they weren't looking close enough though." She muttered under her breath.

Xena nodded. "Right.. and I don't want them perceiving you as any kind of threat." She studied her blond partner and smiled. "Kinda like a disguise."

Gabrielle stood up and twitched her skirt straight. "Not much chance of that." She sighed, running her fingers through her hair and fluffing it, freeing it from under her collar. "Me, a threat?" She let out a nervous breath. "Well, I guess it's time to go."

The warrior gently arranged her hair, pulling it clear of her eyes, and tucking it behind her ears, straightening the two braids that added to her youthful air. "I guess it is." The braids fell down, and she tucked them back, to no avail. "Um.. hold on.. I think… " She ambled over to one of their saddlebags, which was tossed negligently down on the floor, and knelt, digging inside it for a moment, then pulling something out, and rising to cross back to where Gabrielle was patiently standing. "Here.. I think this'll…"

"Wait.." Gabrielle grabbed her hands, and took the object, examining it. "Xena…this is beautiful." It was a finely carved hair clasp, two wooden birds interlocked. "Did you get it from those traders?"

Xena quietly took it from her hands, and worked the bard's braids through it, adjusting them, then nodding in satisfaction. "No." She let her hands drop to her sides. "I.. um.. I made it.. on the way to China." She refused to meet the bard's eyes. "It.. has a little..pocket on one side....I wrote.. a note I was… going to pay to have it sent back." A dead quiet pause. "For you."

Gabrielle lifted a hand to touch the object, her eyes searching her partner's face. "Goodbye?"

A faint nod. "Something like that, yeah."

"But.. you didn't." Gabrielle uttered, softly. "You didn't have this in the palace."

Another faint nod. "I couldn’t.. I tried… gods know I tried… but doing that.. made it final. I couldn't."

"But you wrote it." The bard asked. "Didn't you?"

"Yes." Xena glanced up and over her shoulder, obviously losing her composure. "I.. sat there in the harbor.. where I hid my gear…" A shudder passed through her body. "It took a long time…I didn't know what to say to you. Nothing seemed right."

Gabrielle put a hand on her stomach. "Oh Xena." She whispered. "I'm…I…"

Her soulmate let out a long sigh, and cupped the back of her head, rubbing a thumb against her hair gently. "But I couldn’t send it… and I remember sitting there, trying to tell myself it was because I didn't want to hurt you.. any more than I had." Her lips tightened. "But that was a lie." She swallowed. "I was afraid to admit to myself that. ." Her jaw worked for a long moment. "Anyway…I.. tore it up..and just put that away… figured you'd get it eventually anyway."

The bard laid her head against Xena's chest, hearing the painfully labored heartbeat. "I would have?" She asked softly, confused. "Yeah.. I… " Xena sighed softly. "Shipmaster had instructions.. if I wasn't back within a certain time, he'd take all.. the stuff I'd left at the harbor and get it back here." She hesitated. "Swords worth something…it's custom built. And the chakram…it's one of a kind." She stared at the ground. "Would have let you live comfortably."

Gabrielle blinked. "That would have really hurt me." She imagined.. being here, and having some ship captain seek her out, and deliver what was left of her life to her. "How could you think I would…gods, Xena." It hurt just thinking about it.

"I didn't…Gabrielle, I was so confused…everything just hurt so much.." The warrior blinked back a stinging in her eyes. "I was afraid of dying.. afraid of crossing over and hearing the thoughts of the living.. of hearing your thoughts.. and knowing for sure that you… I just…" Xena knew she was losing it, and she had to fight her instincts to pull back. This wasn't the time to be doing this, damn it. "Look.. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to get into this right now.. I was just… in a very bad place.. and I really didn't know what to do." She grasped the bard's shoulder gently. "And I'm glad you came after me."

"For the wrong reason, Xena…" Gabrielle closed her eyes, and turned her head.

"I don't care." Came the stark answer. "You were there.. that's all that mattered." She paused. "You're all that matters to me now." Their eyes met. "I guess this is a.. kind of roundabout way for me to ask you to please… please… be careful." A long pause. "I need you." The admission came in a faint, hoarse whisper.

Gabrielle gazed at her, aching. "Xena… if you had died… all you would have heard was just how much I loved you, and how empty my life was without you, and how desperate I was not to lose you." She replied very softly, and took a shuddering breath. "And you wouldn't have heard it for long." She looked straight up into the misty blue eyes above her. "I'll be careful." One slim finger touched Xena's chest. "You be careful . I need you too." She let her hand go flat against the fabric covered surface, feeling the rapid pounding of the taller woman's heart against her fingertips.

The warrior nodded gently. "I will be." Her eyes focused briefly on the crystal necklace peeking out from between the ruffles on the bard's shirt, then shifted up and found Gabrielle's.

The bard was shaking her head. "I'm not taking it off." She replied in a slightly hoarse voice. "I thought about that.. for a really long time this morning, Xena, and I'm just not." She tucked her folded hands tightly under her arms. "I went through too much to be able to wear it again.. I'm not giving that up." She paused and flexed her hand. "Or this." Her thumb rubbed the band on her ring gently. "If you're right, they're not going to know what it means anyway."

The warrior interlaced her fingers with the bard's and gave her a quiet smile. " Probably not." She agreed, kissing the bard's nose. "Remember.. try not to haul off and bap someone.. you'll blow your cover." She conciously lightened the mood, pushing her own misgivings down deep.

Gabrielle snorted, and pointed a finger at her own chest. "ME???" She shoved the warrior playfully back. "Xena, I have no idea what…" She watched her partner rock gently back and forth on her heels, grinning, and groaned. "Ok..ok..ok….sedate poetess, I got you. " She tugged at the warrior's laces, and patted her chest carefully. "Sorry." She ran her fingers through her hair, and twitched her shirt straight, looking at Xena for approval. "Look ok?"

Xena flicked a bit of dust off her sleeve, and nodded. "Perfect." She took a step forward and gathered Gabrielle into her arms, kissing her with a confident intensity for quite a while. Finally they broke apart, and looked at each other, and smiled. "Go get em, partner." Xena advised quietly. "And you tell Ephiny, when you find her, that she's really gotta stop getting into all this trouble, all right?"

A big grin split Gabrielle's face. "You got it." She gave Xena a little slap on the side, and took a breath, picking up her scroll case and checking herself one more time in the mirror. "Sedate." She glanced back over her shoulder and quirked an eyebrow at her watching partner. "Right."

Xena watched her go, folding her arms across an aching chest and sighing ruefully. "They're not gonna believe that for a minute with that walk, love." She murmured, watching the rolling, powerful gait fondly. "But I'm not gonna tell you to change it." Slowly she walked over to the window, leaning against the sill and let her eyes follow Gabrielle as she traveled up the shaded path, heading towards her stated objective, earlier shouted with cheerful loudness to a patiently waiting Toris, the spring.

Towards where Xena's senses told her six raiders were waiting.

Damn. It took all the willpower she had in her to keep her standing here, fingers gripped around the sill, her breathing tight and rapid. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this.Her mind howled, as senses jerked, instincts screaming at the knowledge that she was about to let strange, rough hands take her beloved partner.

I must be nuts. She banged her head against the frame in frustration, until a gentle throat clearing made her look over to the door, to see her mother looking back at her. "Hi." She leaned against the wood, not bothering to dissemble. "She just left."

"Come on." Cyrene held out a hand to her. "Let's go wait for the watcher's signal over a glass of something cold." The innkeeper had her doubts, but right now she could see that her daughter didn't need to hear them. She crossed the room and took hold of the younger woman's wrist, feeling the unusual chill to her skin, and tugged gently. "Let's go."

Xena followed her in silence, her thoughts already far away.

What Gabrielle noticed first, was the silence. Birds, crickets… all the normal noises of the forest, and of this path she was as familiar with as the one that lead to her home were ominously muted. OK, Gabrielle, here we go. She took a breath in, and started gently whistling, as she tossed a packet of quills up and caught them, in rhythm with her walk.

When the first step came out of place, to her left, she heard it, and was wryly proud of herself. Your teaching stuck, Xena…wish it actually was doing me some good this time. Another crackle, to her right, and now she could almost sense them, smell their sweaty bodies on the soft breeze that was traveling towards her from the spring. Gross. She sighed. Can't scroungy bad guys ever take a bath first? She caught a bare glimpse of a dull greenish movement. Guess they wouldn't be scroungy then, huh? She whistled louder, and took the right hand fork in the path, starting the upward climb to the spring.

She was kind of surprised when she made it all the way there, hearing the absurdly conspicuous rustles all around her, and clamping her jaw shut on a muffled, tiny oath when someone slipped on the rich earth of the path. She put her scroll bag down, and looked around. Let's see…how can I make this easy…there's a bush… lots of cover for them to sneak up… She paced evenly over to the side of the spring, next to the thick underbrush, and knelt down, leaning on the rocks and gazing into the clear, cold water. Come on, you guppy toads… I can't make this any easier without knocking myself un…

She felt the sting as the dart hit her, and winced. Well.. she felt a rush of nausea. Beats being hit on the head, I guess. She felt a creeping numbness and didn't try to stand up, slumping onto the rock instead, and hearing the sound of rushing water get louder, and start to echo.. as the world exploded into darkening colors, and her senses faded out, until the only thing she could detect was a thin, golden warmth that pulsed in time with her heart. She held onto that fiercely, and was barely aware of the hands that grabbed her, and the sudden rush of air as she was taken.

The heat and movement nudged her to a sick consciousness, that and the disgusting smell of dirty burlap. She could feel the pressure of the stuff mashed against her face, and she realized she was hog tied, with a bag over her head, in the bottom of what must be… some kind of wagon. The rhythmic movement seemed different… she concentrated her hearing on the sound of the animal's footsteps, and chewed her lip. Oxen, not a horse, and two of them.

The sun baked down on her, and increased the nausea from whatever it was they got her with, and she tried to sense the time, as Xena could.. as Xena had tried to teach her.

Damn. Beneath the burlap, her eyes widened. Close to sundown.. she'd been unconscious for hours and hours. A cold fear buried itself in her guts.. would Xena have been able to follow her? Her heart started to pound, until she forced herself to breathe deep, and try to calm herself. Easy… easy… Gabrielle.. she'll find a way.. these guys are amateurs. She stayed completely still, and tried to sense her surroundings, realizing she wasn't alone in the bed of the wagon. Other bodies were pressed up against either side of her.

She sucked air gently through the musty burlap, pulling in the scent of summer browned hay, and the half rotten wood of the wagon. Ahead of her, the drivers were singing, young voices, raised in a bawdy traveling tune that she had, by some strenuous dint of effort, gotten Xena to teach her after they'd been traveling together for a while.

A finger pressed against her back, and she froze, until the barest whisper reached her straining ears. "Bags need a wash, don't they?"

Gabrielle felt a jolt of amazement and annoyance shoot through her. "Cait?" She whispered fiercely back. Damn it, Xena… I thought you trusted me. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't be mad." The soft, girlish voice answered, tickling against he back of her neck. "It was just too exciting…I had to come."

"Does… does anyone else… did Xena send you, tell me the truth, Cait… it's all right." The bard whispered back, biting her lip.

"Gosh no." Cait sounded utterly chagrined. "She'd be furious…and I had ever so hard a time getting them to take me.. I had to practically ambush them.. silly things." She leaned closer. "I couldn’t let the queen go off without a guard, could I? What kind of Amazon would that make me?"

"Cait…" Gabrielle sighed. "Now I have not only Ephiny and Lennat to worry about.. but you too?" She closed her eyes. "Damn.. Xena was right.. the simpler you make things, the more complicated they get."

"Fraid so, lass." Came a very low mutter to her right.

If Gabrielle could have banged her head against the wagon bottom, she would have. "Johan?"

"Makin like I'm Josc, aye." The trader whispered. "As a favor for a friend, who canna rest to see one she holds so tight to her heart go into danger all alone."

Cyrene. Gabrielle realized with a twinge. "I could be really insulted." The bard grumbled softly. "And Xena's gonna have a fit." She fell silent, as the wagon stopped, on it's long, upward trek, and she heard the sound of stone against stone. There was a long period of grinding, then the wagon started forward again, with cheerful salutes from it's drivers, and the sun's warmth was abruptly cut off, as the animal's hoofbeats, and the coarse young voices echoed against hard, close stone.

She could hear a heavy, roaring grinding behind them, then a booming crash, and the echoes intensified. They were in a cavern, she realized.. no… the echoes were very close. A passageway, that was leading inside a mountain.

"You what?" Xena stood, weapons in hand, staring at her mother. "Are you telling me they've got Johan?" She felt like throwing a tantrum, and just barely restrained herself from doing so. "Mother, how could you do that?"

"They think it's Josclyn." Cyrene replied, squaring her shoulders. "Xena, I wasn't about to let Gabrielle just go off into who knows what alone. If you weren't going to protect her, well then…" She watched in a frustrated, angry concern as Xena slid down the support post in the barn and cradled her head in her hands. "Xena? What's the matter with you?"

"So." The warrior pressed the heels of her hands against her temples. "Now not only does Gabrielle have Ephiny and Lennat to worry about, she has Johan too." She groaned softly. "Great.. just great." She let her hands drop to her sides. "Mother, did it… even.. remotely.. occur to you that Gabrielle is very capable of taking care of herself?"

"No." Cyrene stated, unrepentantly. "And neither are you." She sat down on a hay bale and studied her daughter. "You're both being held together with moth eaten sheep's wool, and don't think I don't know that." Her eyes glinted. "I have no idea what these heroics are supposed to prove, but the only thing they're proving to me is that neither of you is thinking clearly."

Xena tilted her head back, and gazed up at the timbers, letting a sense of ridiculousness crash over her. "Mother, I resent that." She answered quietly. "You seem to forget that this is what Gabrielle and I do, or did you think all those stories are fairy tales?" Her voice chilled. "You just put her in more danger because she now has to worry about Johan's safety."

Cyrene caught her breath, aware that she'd gone over a line, by the now cool, guarded gaze she was getting from the tall, dark haired woman seated in the hay. She sighed. "All right… I'm sorry." She gave Xena an unhappy look. "I just… Xena, I care very much about you both, you know that."

The blue eyes found something interesting in the straw. "I know…" Her gaze softened, when she did look up. "Thank you." She played with a hay stalk. "Mother…I know you think this is crazy.. but it something we.. " She searched for words. "Something we had to do."

"Had to?" Cyrene replied carefully. "Xena, you're not in charge of saving the world, honey."

A faint smile. "No." She answered, on the end of a tired sigh. "But this is something that's important to both of us.. we can't just sit by when these people are taking and hurting family and friends. Don't ask that of me."

Her mother gave her an appraising look. "Is this part of your healing?" She asked the blunt question with gentle honesty.

Startled blue eyes jerked up and studied her in silence, then dropped, and Xena nodded awkwardly. "In a way, yeah."

Cyrene clasped her hands together, and gave a single, affirmative nod. "All right then..I'm with you." She replied quietly. "What's the news?"

Xena gave her a grateful look. "The signal came in a little while ago.. they transferred her to a wagon, and it's headed up the range.. I'm gonna get dressed, and take off after them."

The innkeeper shifted off her bale, and settled in the straw next to her daughter, patting her leg gently. "It was Johan's idea to pretend to be Josc…he figured he was as safe as any…and he just wanted to be there in case something unexpected happened." She leaned over confidentially. "In fact, he always volunteers for these things… frankly, Xena.. I think he enjoys it."

That got a smile from the warrior. "He's in the right family, then." She laid her hand over her mother's. "They'll be fine…I"ll make sure of that." She hoisted herself to her feet, then pulled Cyrene up with her. "Let me go see if I can dig up a set of leathers.. haven't seen mine for about a month."

She reached the door and pulled the handle, then jerked in surprise as Toris came barreling in. "Xena… oh.. great.. listen.. .there are a pack of Amazons asking for you.. Ares seems to have retrieved one of the kidnappers, and Cait's missing."

Xena gazed at him, then at Cyrene, then at the ceiling. "I need a vacation." She muttered, as she pushed her way past the door.

The wagon seemed to creak on forever, the haunting echoes fraying Gabrielle's nerves, along with the remembered scent of granite dust which still had the ability to raise nightmare visions before her eyes. She tried to stretch a little, to ease her aching muscles, but the bindings were too tight, and she only succeeded in earning a laughing slap on the back with a the driving crop the closer man was carrying. "No squirming now, ok?"

The motion stopped, and Gabrielle heard voices, several the same as she'd grown used to over their journey, and two new others, one male, one female. They traded jests with their captors, and the woman congratulated them. Interesting. Gabrielle mused. I wonder if she's in charge?

"All right.. bring them out." The woman ordered, confirming her suspicion. "Let's see if this little trip was worth it."

Hands grabbed her, and pulled her upright, holding her up with laughter when her legs almost collapsed. She forced her almost numb limbs to steady, as the hands untied the sack over her head, and lifted it off.

Her eyes took in her surroundings in a quick pass, just like Xena had taught her. A fair sized corridor, stone, with torches at intervals, her captors, and the two newcomers, a burly man, and a tall, heavyset woman. She focused her gaze on the woman, looking her right in her gray eyes, and studying her face curiously.

She was almost as tall as Xena.. and a lot… mm.. chunkier. Gabrielle kept a neutral expression as the woman swaggered over, and put her hands on her hips, staring down at the shorter bard. "So.. you're the famous storyteller, huh?"

Gabrielle thought that over. "I am a storyteller, yes." She replied quietly. "Why am I here? Why did you take me from my home?" A fist closed around her throat, and she was pressed up against the wall. Great. She felt her body react, sending a pounding rush of blood into her veins. She fell silent, but didn't take her eyes off the woman's tense face. Guess she's not into idle chit chat.

"I ask the questions here." The woman growled. "You just shut up until I tell you to talk, ok?" Her eyes scanned the bard's body. "You're just a damn kid."

The bard raised an eyebrow. "So are you." She remarked conversationally, letting her eyes drift. "Everyone here is. That's pretty cool."

Dead silence.

The grip around her neck released, and she dropped to the ground, remembering to bend her knees a little to take the impact. The woman leaned closer, studying her in fascination. "You're not scared, are you?" She muttered. "What's the matter with you? You crazy?"

Gabrielle smiled at her. "Should I be scared?" She straightened her back, trying to relieve the strain from her tied arms and legs. "Right now, I'm a lot more uncomfortable than I am scared." She sighed. "That was a long ride… and those bags could sure use a wash." She wrinkled her nose. "Uck."

"You talk a lot." The woman observed, with a frown.

"I'm a bard." Gabrielle answered reasonably. "It's kinda what we do."

"Oh." The woman muttered, with an unsure look. "Right." She rubbed her jaw. "You look pretty harmless… listen, I'm gonna take you with me, but if you try anything stupid, I'll put you through the nearest wall, got me?"

"Umm…sure." Gabrielle nodded. "Tied this way it's not gonna be easy for me to do much of anything, of course…walking might be tough. I could hop, though, if you want." She demonstrated, more to get feeling back in her legs than anything else.

"Stop that." The woman glared at her, then turned to the escort that had been riding with them. "Put these other two in with the Potatoheads."

"Potatoheads?" Gabrielle inquired, leaning against the wall. She could take a good guess, the amusement value of her hometown name being fairly well known to her. "I know a story about cabbage heads…you think they're related?" They all looked at her, and she smiled. "Just kidding."

They lifted Johan and Cait out, and she watched as they were taken off down a short corridor, then turned as the tall woman walked to her side and drew a sharp dagger out. "What's your name?" Her captor asked as she ran the knife's edge down the bard's cheekbone.

"Gabrielle." Came the immediate response. "What's yours?" The bard closed her eyes as she was spun around roughly, and shoved against the wall, feeling the harsh stone against her skin. A sliver of cold steel slipped between her wrists, though, and sliced through the rope, freeing her hands, which she brought up to hold her balance as her legs were cut free. "Thanks." She muttered, as she turned around, rubbing her wrists.

"Come on." The woman grabbed her sleeve and pulled. "And keep your mouth shut, willya?"

Gabrielle stumbled after her, willing her legs to work to prevent herself from being dragged. "Can I ask a question?" She asked after a few moments of dour silence.

An exasperated look was her answer. "My name's Paladia, is that want you wanted to ask, again?"

The bard absorbed the information. "No, actually.. I was just wondering…why on earth you'd want to kidnap a storyteller just to have them be quiet? I mean.. you could have gotten any number of people, who'd be glad to keep their mouths shut." She paused. "Paladia.. huh? That's a nice name."

Paladia stopped walking, and turned to regard her.

"Ok, so it's not.. you don't like it or something? You could change it." Gabrielle blinked calmly back at her, not even twitching when the woman grabbed the front of her shirt and slammed her back against the wall. "Just a thought."

"Look." Paladia growled. "I got you because you'd be worth something to those people in Amphipolis.. that's all." She twisted Gabrielle's shirt tighter, frustrated by the smaller woman's lack of terror. "I'm gonna trade you for something worthwhile.. if you live long enough and I don't beat you to death for being so damned annoying." She shook Gabrielle hard. "What is wrong with you? Why aren't you afraid?"

"Is that what you expect?" Gabrielle dropped her act, and simply responded, giving the taller woman a very direct look. "Let's just say I've seen enough of the world to know what to be scared of. I don't think you're going to hurt me, despite all your yelling."

Silence.

"You don't, huh?" Paladia asked, in a very soft voice.

"No." Gabrielle answered just as quietly. "Not unless you thought you had to, to make a point." She paused "You don't.. I know that you can." There was, the bard realized very quickly, a little bit of Xena in this young, rough, angry woman. The Xena she'd never known.. the one she'd described herself as in China.. rude, vicious.. cruel.. Gabrielle sighed inwardly. Hurting. It gave her certain insight into her captor, but she was careful not to take it too far, because Paladia was not her partner. "I'm no threat to you. I'm just a bard."

Slowly, the grip on her relaxed, as Paladia stepped back, still staring at her. "You'd better be.. you'll get to prove that in a little while in front of all of us." The woman smiled darkly. "If we like you.. maybe we'll keep you. If we don't.. " She chuckled softly. "Maybe we'll use you as target practice." She grabbed Gabrielle by the shoulder and shoved her down the hall. "Come on."

They traveled another few minutes, until Paladia jerked Gabrielle to a halt, then pushed open a closed door and herded her inside. "Get in there."

The bard stumbled in, and paused, glancing around. A fair sized room, probably Paladia's quarters, she realized with an uneasy start. The walls were bare, and the furniture was very basic, a table, a few chairs, a bed off inside a deep alcove, and a second, smaller area that seemed to have… Gabrielle froze, seeing a motionless form sprawled tangled in some fabric and furs in the shadow shrouded nook. "Is someone hurt, there?" She asked quietly.

Paladia laughed, as she flung herself down in a chair, and leaned back. "Nah… that's a toy of mine… I wore her out this morning.." The bard took a step closer, and blinked. No. Her eyes reluctantly identified familiar curly blond hair. Oh gods…no. "She looks hurt… maybe I can help." Without asking, Gabrielle crossed the few steps to the alcove, and knelt on the furs, her face tightening in anger as she saw the raw cuts and bruises on Ephiny's pale skin. She put a gentle hand on the regent's shoulder, and turned her head a little. "I think I know her."

Paladia drummed her heels against the floor, bored. "Yeah.. she said she'd seen you perform." The burly woman noted. "Leave her alone.. she's fine. Come over here and let me see how good a storyteller you are."

Gabrielle glanced back, and found pale eyes half opened, and gazing up at her. "Hey." She made it a bare whisper. "It's gonna be ok." She put pure confidence and compassion in her tone, seeing the despair and anguish in her friend's face. "We're gonna get you outta here."

Ephiny's lips moved faintly. "What are you doing here?"

The bard tensed hers into a brief smile. "Looking for you."

The regent shook her head in grieving disbelief. "Bad idea… damn it, Gabrielle..."

"Shh." Gabrielle touched her fingers to Ephiny's lips. "Let me handle this." She patted the pale, limp hand at her knee, and stood, closing her eyes briefly before she turned and walked over to where Paladia was impatiently waiting. "What did you do to her?"

A shrug. "Nothing she didn't enjoy… why.. you interested?" Mocking gray eyes studied her speculatively.

Gabrielle sat down and clenched her hands between her knees, taking a breath carefully. "No.. thanks.. I'm.. um.. taken."

The bigger woman lunged forward, and grabbed her hand, tugging it towards her. "Hey.. yeah.. lookit that. " She held Gabrielle's fingers up to the candlelight. "And you travel around? How'd you get him to agree to that?" She released the bard's hand, and settled back, resting her hands on her belly. "Or did you run off?"

"No… " Gabrielle drew the word out. "We have.. an understanding." She considered. "We travel together."

"Ah… " Came the jovial answer. "Then he'll understand if I add you to my little collection here, right?"

The bard shook her head a little. "No.. no… I'm afraid there won't be much understanding there."

Pale gray eyes lanced through her. "Too bad." A pause. "For him, that is… I think I like your attitude… it's kinda different."

Gabrielle stared at her. "Paladia…you don't have a right to keep me here." She gestured with a hand. "Why are you doing this? It's not right… these are people.. that woman there is.. I am… we're not your property."

A soft laugh met her words. "Oh yes you are… don't you understand? That's how it works, Gabrielle.. the strong take what they want, and the weak have to put up with it. " She stood, and paced over to the wall, putting her hand against it. "I learned that, the hard way." She turned and pointed. "Don't tell me about fair… my father had his hands cut off for taking food for us.. my ma died last winter when supplies ran out." Her face turned fierce. "You take what you want, Gabrielle, cause no one is going to give it to you." She smiled. "Survival of the fittest, you ever hear about that?"

The bard shook her head. "You can think that way if you want to… but you're wrong." She replied with quiet certainty. "I'm sorry about your family." She hesitated, then gentled her gaze as she looked up into Paladia's eyes. "It's hard to lose people you love."

Paladia flinched almost imperceptibly, and her attention focused suddenly on the harsh rock floor. She took several breaths, then edged her angry attention up again. "You're the one who's wrong… and I never loved them. "

She got up, and strode to the door, yanking it open. "Just be ready to blab, little miss bard.. I have things to take care of right now." She paused. "And don't try to leave this room, the guard will shoot you right in the guts."

Then the door closed behind her, and she was gone, furiously pounding steps receding down the long hallway.

"Mmph." Gabrielle ran a shaking hand through her hair, and stood up, making her way back to where Ephiny was huddled. The regent struggled up onto an elbow as she settled down cross legged at her side. "Hey… relax." The bard put a hand on her forearm. "How are you doing?"

Ephiny let herself back down, and rolled over, blinking at Gabrielle with bleary eyes. "Honestly? I'd be a lot better if I knew you were safely tucked away in Amphipolis, and not sitting here playing a damn dangerous game, Gabrielle." She groaned softly. "Why?"

The bard pursed her lips. "Eph… it's all right… it's all a plan.. we went to visit Potadeia and found out some of the town had been snatched.. my brother in law among them. Xena and I escorted a merchant train back home, and halfway there, Cait found us, and told us you'd gone missing."

The Amazon's brows creased. "The Amazons know?" She'd been wondering how Gabrielle had found out.. the bard hadn't seemed surprised at all to see her. "But… how.. I was headed to visit you .. "

Gabrielle dragged over a waterskin, and offered it to her. "I know.. but Cait followed you.. found your camp right after you were taken." She watched Ephiny drink in silence. "She came and found us.. we came up with a plan after we captured a bunch of these guys who were after the merchants and Xena persuaded them to talk."

A blond eyebrow arched. "Persuaded?"

Gabrielle shrugged. "You know.. the Ihavecutofftheflowofbloodtoyourbrain thing. "

Ephiny poked two fingers out in mime. "Ah."

"Right.. they told us you'd been picked up, but that they weren't going to ransom you.. that kinda concerned us." She put a hesitant fingertip on a long, ugly scratch down her friends shoulder. "With good reason.. are you all right?" She looked around. "Let me get something to clean these with."

Ephiny stared at the ground. "Don't bother.. they're nothing."

"Oh.. gods.. no.. don't you pull that on me." Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "What is that, lesson one, day one of the warriors are us academy?" She tsked in annoyance, gently tilting the Amazon's head up to examine a bruise on her temple. "Wow." Her mist green eyes flicked to Ephiny's. "What happened?"

The regent swallowed a few times. "She um… I.. she's got this stuff… you'd better watch out for it.. it's…it.. makes you.. not mind when she.. um… " Ephiny's eyes dropped to the ground, and searched it intently. "Look, I.. it's nothing, Gabrielle.. just a few bumps and bruises."

"Ephiny." The bard felt her way, carefully. "I… understand.. what you mean.. what she did." She reached out and folded her hands around the regent's. "I'm ..not as inexperienced as I look, remember?" She got a feeble smile at that. "If.. you want to talk about it, I'm here for you."

Ephiny squeezed her hands back. "Thank you, my friend." She gave Gabrielle an affectionate look. "Now that, much to my dismay, you are here.. what's the plan?"

"Oh.. right." Gabrielle grinned a little. "Well.. problem was, no one knew where they were taking you guys… I mean, not a clue.. no tracks.. no nothing… they couldn't find you."

"Yeah?" Ephiny stared at her. "So…?"

"Xena can find me." Gabrielle replied, simply. "I find you, she finds me, she kicks a little booty… you know how it goes." She kept her tone light, and confident.

The Amazon stared at her. "Just like that… that's the plan?"

A shrug. "That's it." Gabrielle sighed. "We figured.. we'd start off simple.. but us being us, it would get more complex after that.. and of course it did… Johan and Cait managed to get themselves captured with me." She fingered the cloth of her own sleeve. "And I was hoping I could talk these people out of this.. but.. well, maybe I still can."

Ephiny nodded slowly. "What if Xena can't get in here.? This place seems like a fortress." She didn't hold much hope in talking Paladia out of anything.

Gabrielle gazed at her. "Eph.. she'll get in here.. and if not, we'll find a way out." She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "It's gonna take more than this pack of really bratty kids to keep us apart."

Finally, that got a smile from the battered regent. "All right.. but.. please be careful of her, Gabrielle.. I don't want to see you get hurt." She studied the bard's face. "You look good." A shaky hand came up and captured hers, moving it so the light reflected off the signet that graced one slim finger. "Things are going all right, I guess, huh?"

A grin was her answer. "Very much so." Gabrielle confirmed quietly.

Ephiny smiled back. "That's really good to hear." She squeezed the bard's hand. "I had my fingers crossed for you." She noted the steady, deep sparkle that had returned to the clear green eyes. "Gabrielle…?"

"Hmm?" Gabrielle leaned closer, and rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. "Relax.. I've got this under control."

"Thanks." The regent gave her a rueful look. "Much as I hate seeing you here… it's good to have a friendly face around." She paused. "Just stay out of trouble, OK?"

Gabrielle laughed gently. "You know, Xena told me to tell you, when I saw you, that you really need to stay out of trouble."

That finally got a smile from Ephiny. "She did, huh?"

"Mmhmm." The bard confirmed. "She most certainly did."

"I'll have a few words for her when I see her ugly mug." Ephiny grumbled.

"Hey." Gabrielle gave her a mock scowl. "Watch who you're calling ugly, there, Amazon, those are my baby blues you're putting down."

Ephiny gave her a tired, but delighted grin. "All right.. but you have to promise to stay out of trouble yourself until we're outta here, right?"

Right. Gabrielle sighed to herself. That might be easier to promise than produce.

The soft rain fell, drenching the leaves that reflected the last feeble sunlight, and darkened the leathers of the grimly serious group that sheltered under makeshift woven mats on the lee side of a small hill. Xena sat a little apart, leaning against a half rotted tree stump, with Ares' damp head resting on her thigh, and her fingers gently stroking his soft, if waterlogged fur. It wasn't how she would have chosen to proceed.. but once the Amazons were there.. She quietly watched them huddle together, seeing Eponin's starkly pale face amongst the small crowd. She couldn’t keep them back, and there was no sense in telling them not to follow her.

She could have lost them. But one look at Eponin's eyes, and she'd told them all she knew, and waited for the inevitable squabbling, and let them come with her. They'd tracked the wagon to the bleak, open plains heading up into the mountains, when they had to stop or risk being spotted from lack of cover. Then it was her turn.. she'd led the tensely silent Amazons through gullies and over river washouts for hours without seeing any sign of their quarry, until she'd finally called a halt as the sun touched the western horizon.

They weren't comfortable with her, she wasn't comfortable with them, though she had exchanged a couple of moderately friendly words with both Eponin and Solari, and had inquired after Eponin's healed head wound. They made it clear, however, that their memories were long, and her presence really wasn't wanted in close quarters with them.

So she put up her defenses, and set up her own neatly made shelter, and tucked Ares close by her, mostly to keep him dry, she told herself. And tried very hard to pretend it really didn't matter to her. It was ludicrous, really.. here she was… out in the rain, having sent her partner into danger in their regent's behalf…

Damn. She shifted a little, and laid an arm across Ares' back. Can't change people, I guess.. no sense in dwelling on it. "Hey Ares… here you go.. " She tore off a chunk of the waybread she was chewing on, and offered it to the wolf, who took it neatly and bolted it, sniffing her hand hopefully. "Like that, huh?"

"Arrgrrrrr….." Ares agreed, squirming around and lolling his tongue out and swiping it across her bare thigh. His tail waved as she broke off another portion and handed it over.

"There you go… " She took a bite herself, and scratched his ears with her free hand. "Glad I decided to bring you along, boy… " She tickled his throat, and he wrapped his paws around her arm and chewed her fingers. "You're a good friend."

"Roo?" The wolf paused in his chewing, and panted up at her.

"Yeah, to me." Xena replied with a smile. "Here…hang on.. I think I have one of your grandma's treats here.. " She dug into her pack, and rooted out a small, nut covered pastry, chuckling a little as the wolf's bushy tail thrashed against her leg as he sniffed it. "Hey.. we'll share." She cut the pastry in half, popping part into her mouth, and giving Ares the other. "Mm."

"Arghrm." Ares chewed the tidbit quickly, and swallowed it, eagerly crawling up onto Xena's lap to look for more. "Roo?"

"All right.. all right… let me see if there are any more. " Xena laughed, aware of and ignoring the startled looks from the Amazons. She pulled the saddlebag closer, and fished around in it, discovering another pastry, and… her fingers paused over an unfamiliar object. She slowly drew out the pastry, absently handing it to the delighted Ares, then removed the second object, cradling it in the palm of her hand, and gazing at it with a quiet smile.

"You spoil that dog." A voice intruded on her reflection, and she glanced up, to see Eponin amble out of the misting rain, and duck under her shelter to crouch at Xena's side. "Never thought you'd be such a mushball."

Xena closed her hand around the small bundle, and tucked her hand under her other arm. "He's not a dog."

Eponin snorted softly, and sat down, leaning against the log Xena had chose to shelter next to. "Details.. details…" She remarked, letting her head rest back. She fell silent for a long space, then turned towards the warrior. "So.. we headed in the right direction?"

Xena gazed at her impassively. "Be wasting my time if we weren't now, wouldn't I?" She rubbed the small bundle with her thumb. "We're heading right." She finally added.

The Amazon nodded twice. "How do you know?" She asked. "Haven't seen tracks for hours… they could have gone in any of four directions."

The warrior gave her a look. "You'll just have to take my word for it." She opened her hand, and regarded what it held. "Or don't, Eponin… nothing says you have to follow me."

Eponin chewed her lip. "You ever heard the term 'best game in town' Xena?" She asked the taller woman with wry humor. "Sorry.. you know us Amazons.. we lead about as easy as a wild boar in heat." She sighed. "Guess I'm just… "

"Worried?" Xena inquired, giving her a faint, wry grin.

"No..no.. nothing like that." Eponin waved a hand. "Hey.. Eph can take care of herself…doesn't bother me a bit."

The blue eyes took on a gentle twinkle. "I'm worried, too." Xena announced blithely.

Eponin slid a glance at her. "Mushball." She rolled her eyes. "I tell you, Xena…that bard of yours has ruined you." She leaned over. "What's that?" She jerked her chin at the small piece of tied parchment the warrior was turning in her fingers.

Xena smiled, and gazed at it. "I dunno." She sighed gently and untied the bit of string holding it shut, and let the weight drop out, handing it to Eponin. "Here.. hold that." She unfolded the parchment, and studied it. After a peaceful moment, and a flickering smile, the warrior folded the paper up, and tucked it inside her leathers. "It's..a.. um… shopping list."

Eponin gagged. "Give me a break, Xena." She groaned. " A shopping list??"

"Mm." The warrior acknowledged.

I was sitting next to the spring the other day, Xena.. and I made a list in my head of all the things that were really great in my life… and I started out with you.

"Yeah… a list… you know Gabrielle.. she um…likes to write things down."

I think I realize now just how rare.. and how special what we have is, and I only know that because I almost lost it.

"Likes to kind of just say things."

And I just wanted you to know that, and to know that when I think of you, it makes me feel like the luckiest person on earth.

"Leaves me … reminders.. sometimes."

You are my love.

"Little stuff. "

You are my life.

"You know. "

You are the keeper of my honor, and the holder of my soul.

"Doesn't Eph do that?" Xena raised an inquiring brow at her.

I love you.

I love you too, my bard. She finished, silently.

"Nah." Eponin shrugged. "She makes sure I take clean shirts out hunting, that's about it." She paused. "So I don't scare off the game with the smell."

"Ah." Xena gazed out into the rain drenched night, and smiled, her eyes glinting in the reflected dull light from the small, protected fire between them. "Must be the bard thing."

Eponin grunted, then turned the small, speckled pebble that had been in the package in her fingers. "You really know where she is?" The Amazon looked up, right into Xena's eyes, an aching worry in hers.

Xena put a hand on her arm, and squeezed it gently. "I really do." She reassured the smaller woman. "Look at it this way, Pony… if Eph is in trouble.. Gabrielle'll find her, and then.. she's home free, because we both know if more trouble's gonna happen, it's gonna happen to that bard of mine."

The Amazon snorted a little. "Yeah.. well…you gotta point there." She looked up. "Don't think I don't… we don't.. appreciate what you're doing, Xena… what Gabrielle did… we do. " She paused. "I do… very much." She cleared her throat. "I know this ain't no picnic for you.. .and I'm sorry… Xena.. I am.. I know we're not being rays of sunshine here towards you."

The warrior shrugged. "It's all right… I'm used to it." She glanced over to where the other Amazons were seated. "You're getting dirty looks. "

The caramel colored eyes followed her gaze. "They can bite my britches." Eponin rasped. "The conversations better over here." She yelled, making Xena choke back a hasty snort of laughter. "So's the smell. " She confided to the taller woman. "One of those guys can't tan leather to save her life."

"Eponin… "

"Look." The Amazon ducked her head, and gazed over at her, now serious. "You and I aren't too different, right?" She shifted a little. "I respect you .. a lot."

Xena blinked at her. "Ep…"

"Shut up, and let me finish." Eponin growled. "This is a talking thing, and I hate doing it, probably as much as you do, so don't prolong my agony, all right?"

The warrior subsided, resting her chin on the arm she had braced against her armored knee. "Go ahead."

Eponin scowled at the ground for a minute. "Where the Hades was I..oh.. right.. right… " She took a breath. "Listen…I know you don't as a rule collect friends. But you got one here. " And she clamped her jaw down pugnaciously, and gave Xena a level stare.

The blue eyes blinked mildly back at her, with a barely perceptible twinkle in them. "Likewise, Eponin."

They considered each other for a period of silence, then Eponin dredged up a half grin. "Glad we got that settled."

"Mm" Xena agreed, turning and rummaging through her pack again. "Here." She tossed Eponin a pastry. "Damn if I know how these things get in here… " She muttered. "Gotta stop letting my mother near my gear. "

Eponin chuckled, biting into the pastry with evident enjoyment. "Yeah? I'd say she's got you pegged." She swallowed. "But then.. I wasn't really sure if Ep wanted to go visit just to preen your feathers, or indulge in your mother's cooking."

Xena eyed her, then let a quirky half smile shape her lips as she pulled yet another tidbit from her supplies and leaned back, popping it into her mouth and crossing her arms. "Probably both." The warrior admitted. "Your stuff's so damn bland."

"Hey.. it's not bland… it's… " Eponin searched for a word. "Um… well, you know.. it's predictable, and that's a good thing, Xena.. you don't want surprises in your mess hall, I always say."

"You do, huh?" Xena muffled a grin.

"Mmmhmm." Eponin nodded. "Got another one of those?"

Gabrielle patiently cleaned the nasty scratches on the feebly protesting regent's battered body, trying to keep her conversation light, while she dredged up and considered which stories to tell at her demand performance that evening. "Ephiny, hold still.. I swear to Artemis you're worse than Xena is." She tried to hurry, wanting to get this finished before Paladia returned. "Wonder where she went off to?"

Ephiny winced. "Ow… who cares?" She gave Gabrielle a weary look. "I'd rather she be out of here."

The bard sighed. "If she's not here, then I can't talk to her.. and try to persuade her that this is the wrong way to do things." She sat back and looked at her handiwork. "There.. I think that's all of them."

"Gabrielle.. forgive me, but I don’t' think you understand what kind of person this is you're dealing with. She's not just some misguided kid." Ephiny slowly pushed herself to a sitting position, and eased her back against the wall. "She's selfish, and does things to hurt people, and I don't think she has any intention of letting you leave here." The regent paused unhappily. "Or me either."

The bard gazed at her. "Eph…we're gonna get out of here, one way or the other." Gabrielle rested her forearms on her knees and leaned forward. "Either she lets us out, or, worst case, Xena gets in here and gets us out.. but we're not gonna stay here." Her brow creased. "What's up with you? You don't usually think the worst."

The Amazon let out a long breath, and rubbed her head. "I don't know." She replied quietly. "Maybe it's the stuff she's giving me.. I don't know..I just.. feel so damned overwhelmed." Her eyes blinked slowly. "I'm not used to feeling helpless."

Gabrielle put an arm around her shoulders, and squeezed. "Ephiny, it's gonna be ok." She told the regent soothingly. "I"ll try to keep her occupied.. maybe she'll leave you alone for a while."

The Amazon grabbed her arm, tightening her fingers. "Don’t you get trapped like this.. don't let her do this to you, Gabrielle.. please… " Ephiny's voice roughened. "Not after what you've been through.. I couldn’t watch that… please.. be careful."

The bard looked down, then back up at her. "Actually.. that all helps." She replied quietly. "I've… seen so much worse than her, Eph." One shoulder rose in a half shrug. "She's an angry, spoiled kid." The bard's back straightened. "I've had scarier things than her for breakfast."

Ephiny couldn’t help it, she smirked wanly. "And lunch, not to mention dinner from what I remember."

"Tch." Gabrielle rolled her mist green eyes and blushed. "Gods… that's not what I meant."

"Really?" Ephiny teased gently, feeling a lot better. "C'mon, Gabrielle.. stop blushing, for Athena's sake.. it's not like it's illegal or anything." She poked the bard very softly. "You're joined, remember? And.. whatever it is that Jessan's people do.. about the only thing you haven't gone through is an Amazon ceremony."

"I know.. I know.. " Gabrielle waved a hand at her. "I guess it's just my backwater upbringing.. my parents frown when we hold hands, and they practically lose it for anything else." She giggled. "After we got home.. a few days after that, I guess… we got… anyway, my shirt ended up outside the cabin and I haven't gotten over that yet - Cyrene teases me about it every chance she gets."

Ephiny gave her a tired grin. "So.. does she live up to her reputation?"

Gabrielle's jaw dropped, and she swallowed a few times, making incoherant squeaks.

The Amazon started laughing. "Oh gods…. Gabrielle, you are too much." She shook her head. "Never mind.. never mind.. I'll just take that as a maybe."

The bard scowled, and gazed down at her hands, then she raised her head and gave Ephiny a sideways look. "I..um… don't have much to judge against… " She muttered. "But it's like having your entire body turned inside out and held under a waterfall."

Now it was Ephiny's turn to squeak. Gabrielle grinned. Gotcha. "So.. let me take a look around this place." Shehauled herself to her feet, and strolled around the room, searching for clues to the mind of her captor. She'd gotten halfway around the walls, studying the crude wall hangings, when the door slammed open, and Paladia came striding in, spotting her immediately.

"All right, little bardy… let's get acquainted." She pointed to the chair, and waited for Gabrielle to seat herself, then she tossed something at the bard, laughing when she barely got her hands up in time to catch it. "First thing, you can explain to me what you got in there. " She snatched the bag back, and dumped it onto the floor, sending various things skittering across the floor. "Starting with that." She pointed.

A very battered, almost unrecognizable stuffed used-to-be purple rag. Gleefully scarfed from Cyrene's endless memory trunk, and probably her stoic partner's first, and most beloved toy. Oh.. damn.. I forgot I stuffed that in there. "Um."

"This better be good." Paladia announced cheerfully, leaning back. "Or you'll be doing your storytelling hog-tied tonight."

"That sounds like fun." Gabrielle collected herself. "It's a prop."

"A what?" The burly woman's brow creased.

Gabrielle picked up the toy, arranging it's ragged wings carefully. "A prop.. for stories.. kid stuff. You know." She cleared her throat. "This.. um… this is uh.. Flameball.. and I.. um… I have a story that kind of tells about a little girl who..um… thought he was real." She flapped the wings. "Flameball..um.. saved the little girl's life."

Paladia blinked at her. "Uh…right." She rummaged around. "What about this?"

The bard stuffed Flameball back into his dark cave. "Um.. well, those are blank scrolls.. or partly blank, anyway.. I was working on a story when I got kidnapped." She watched Paladia finger the small case she kept her quills in. "That's a quill case.. and that's the ink jar I use to write with." She offered without being asked.

The woman unrolled the partly completed scroll, and looked at it, then handed it to Gabrielle. "What does it say?"

Gabrielle took the parchment, and glanced at it. "It's…a story about a little boy, who grew up living with the centaurs.. it's an adventure he has where he saves his village from a wild boar." Her gentle tribute to Solon, whose name she'd enter into immortality by the publishing of this scroll, which she'd hoped to do during the winter. "I've been doing a lot of children's stories lately.. I'm not really sure why."

"Oh." Paladia looked bored. "You know any bloody stories?"

"Yes." Gabrielle answered quietly. "Do you want to hear about when the God of War stole the Metal of Hephastus?"

Her audience perked up. "That's more like it.. go on."

"Well." Gabrielle looked around the tiny… room… cell… whatever… Paladia had escorted her to, pushing her roughly inside, and slamming the door behind her, telling the bard to change, and that she'd be back in a candlemark to get her for her performance. "Could be worse." A tiny pallet was shoved against the rock wall, and there was a badly made, lopsided table next to it. That, and a dirty throw rug were the only things inside the room. The walls seemed to loom over her, and she dropped her bag onto the pallet, and sat down next to it, bracing her elbows on her knees. "So… Xena.. here I am." She muttered to the floor. "You were right to be scared for Ephiny… but I think I'm making some progress.. it looks like Paladia can't decide whether to think I'm crazy, or be fascinated by me."

She leaned back, letting her hands fall onto the rough wooden surface as she gazed around the small chamber. "At least I think I've given her something to think about except what she's doing to … gods, Xena… it's like a game to her."She'd decided to just speak her thoughts instead of writing them.. her diary had been left safely behind tucked in their cabin. "That would certainly blow my cover, huh?" She glanced wryly at the dirty rug, and kicked at it with one boot. "I had to make up a story about using that old toy of yours as a story prop, Xena… Flameball's gonna have to get his own tale now.. hope you don't kill me for that."

She ran through the short list of stories she'd planned on telling, bearing in mind Paladia's command that the tales be amusing, and 'not making us think too much.'. "Ok…the Trojan War, I think.. they'll like that.. it's mostly blood and guts.. maybe I'll slip one of Herc's in there, and, I think.. one of Xena's." She looked up sharply as the door opened, and kept her expression carefully neutral as Paladia entered, closing the wooden panel behind her.

'Is it a candlemark already?" The bard inquired evenly. "Didn't realize it." She studied the taller woman with guarded interest. Paladia was tall, with broad, sloped shoulders, and a small, but fairly well shaped head. Her hair was pale blond, and straight, cut short, but gathered back into a tiny knot at the back of her neck. She had a farmer's squarely built body, with long arms, and powerful legs, but her sturdy form carried a layer of softness that added an almost babyish quality to her features. Her eyes were dark gray, and blinked under thick brows, and her face had fairly broad cheekbones, and a small scar just to the left of her nose.

Paladia folded her arms. "So… you know Xena?"

Gabrielle felt a chill travel up and down her spine, and considered the question in frantic debate. "Yes." She finally answered. "I do." She kept her voice even. "Why?"

The woman shrugged. "One of my guards heard the two they brought in with you talking about her." She smiled. "A lot of people around here are scared of her."

The bard thought about that. "Well, I don't know… I guess she can be scary, yeah…but.."

"She live in Amfishywhatsis?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yes.. some of the time."

Paladia settled down onto the small table with a smirk. "I think I'm gonna have my guys try and snatch her."

The bard sighed inwardly. "I.. um… don't think she's there now." She looked up. "Why would you want to do that, anyway?"

"Cause I don’t think she's worth that rep she has, and I'm gonna prove it." The woman chuckled.

Gabrielle stood up, and strolled across the room, placing her hands neatly behind her back, and regarding the floor as she paced. "Paladia…you know, I've.. um… I've known Xena for a couple of years now, and… um…she's really pretty formidable."

A laugh. "Come on, bardy, she's ancient!" Paladia shook a finger at her. "She had her day… and I just want to make sure she knows to stay out of my path."

The bard suddenly, unexpectedly, felt a radical blast of emotion. "Well, I.. would certainly like to see a contest like that.. it would make a great story, huh?" Bad bard. Very bad bard. "I could um… really come up with a nice meter for that."

Paladia brightened. "Really?" She shook herself and glowered again. "I mean.. of course it would." She paused. "You'd..um… you'd make a story about that?"

Gabrielle nodded solemnly. "Yes, I would." Oh… yeah.. I sure would.. especially when Xena comes in here and spanks you all. "I've chronicled a lot of Xena's adventures.. it would make a nice addition."

A smirk. "Good." Paladia stood up. "Let's go..it's time for you to earn your food."

The bard stood obediently. "All right." She ran her fingers through her red gold hair, and straightened it, then twisted it back into the clip again, letting her fingers gently caress the warm wood. She twitched her skirt straight, and gazed over at the quietly watching Paladia. "Do I look ok?"

A faint blush colored the taller woman's face. "Uh… yeah, sure. Whatever." She stood up abruptly and waved Gabrielle towards the door. "Get going."

The bard tucked a smile away for later use, and padded sedately through the door. "Is Ephiny going to be there tonight?" She asked quietly, as the burly woman matched strides with her.

"Why?" Paladia asked bluntly. "She's nothing."

Gabrielle turned her head, and fastened her mist green gaze on the woman. "That's not true. She's a person, just like you are." She paused, seeing the darkening look of anger on Paladia's face. "You shouldn’t force people like that."

This time she was ready for it, and when Paladia slammed her against the wall, she relaxed, returning the woman's stare evenly. "You can beat me up, but that doesn't change the truth."

"You think you're so smart." Paladia growled, then suddenly a sly smile creased her face. "Tell you what, little bard… I'll let her off the hook.. I'll leave her alone, on one condition."

Gabrielle looked inside herself, knowing what was coming, and remembered the obligation she had towards the Amazons. Towards Ephiny. "What?"

"You take her place." Paladia crooned, with a chuckle.

I can handle this better than Ephiny can, right now. "All right." She replied quietly. "It's a deal."

The burly woman smiled, and lifted a hand to trace the bard's cheekbone.

Gabrielle closed her eyes, and let her anger, and shame, and fear take full rein, feeling it pour from her like water, in a hot, relentless wave, until her tormenter laughed. Then she opened her eyes again. You want to meet Xena? All right. I can arrange that. "Are we going?"

"Oh yeah.. " Paladia licked her lips in anticipation. "I know I'm going to enjoy this…what kind of story would you make about that, huh?"

The bard gazed back at her. "I don't make stories about that." She replied quietly. "Forcing someone to do something they don’t want to do is not the kind of thing I tell tales about."

The woman drew back, anger coloring her skin again. "Forcing huh? You think you're too good for me, I guess." Unexpectedly, she slammed a fist against the bard's skull, sending Gabrielle sprawling. Then she stooped, and grabbed at the bard's shirt, jerking upward and shoving the bard back against the wall. "Just keep your damn mouth shut." She pushed the smaller woman down the hall ahead of her.

Gabrielle let her eyes drift half closed, and imagined better times, conjuring up the sweet warmth of her partner's smile, and allowing the sensation of strong arms holding her to shut out the damply echoing corridor, and Paladia's audible breathing. I'm still gonna try, Xena… because I think I should be able to reach these people, but I'm not gonna pretend I won't be glad to see those baby blues.. or make believe I didn't wish you were here right this second.

"Hey." Paladia caught her up, grabbing her hair and pulling her to a halt.

Gabrielle kept silent, but turned to face her, letting a bit of her anger show in her darkened green eyes.

The burly woman released her. "Just… don't make me angry, all right?" She fiddled with the short crop she was carrying. "Real life isn't like those stories you tell…there aren't little heroes to save the day, just poor slobs doing what they have to do."

The bard straightened, and put her hands on her hips. "Do you know what a hero is?" She asked quietly. "It's someone who sacrifices themselves for other people." She paused, thinking. "And those people really do exist. I know some of them. I write stories about what they do."

"You're deluded." Paladia scoffed. "It's all about this. " She held a fist up.

"You're wrong." The bard replied, holding up her own closed hand, and putting it over her heart. "It's all about this."

The woman rolled her eyes. "Just move, and shut up." She pushed Gabrielle around and shoved her forward. "You and that Amazon… you should have heard her blabbing on about some dumb story about some Queen of theirs who didn't believe in war… what garbage."

Gabrielle smiled to herself. "Just a different point of view." She replied quietly.

Xena had let herself drift off a bit, ignoring the damp mist. The Amazons had settled down, and were dicing in idle boredom after they'd finished cold trail rations. Eponin had remained where she was, on the other side of Ares' dozing form, working on a couple of arrowheads, before she tucked her cloak around her, and pulled her hood over her eyes.

The warrior let her own eyes close, absorbing the surroundings and filtering it's sounds and smells, on guard for any intruders. The air was thick with moisture, and the familiar brassy scent of rain, which gently drummed against the rich brown earth, and mixed that loamy smell in.

She thought about Gabrielle, wondering what the bard was doing.. hoping she was safe. Gingerly, she probed the vague warmth that had gently resurfaced in tune with their growing confidence in each other. It didn't seem par…. A cold, sweeping rage, fear.. anger…"Damn." Xena felt her heart start pounding, as she caught her breath, and raised a hand to her head. No mistake.. it was there.. it worked… damn…

"Hey." Eponin put a concerned hand on her arm. "What's up?"

It faded, easing into the more normal barely felt tickle. "Um…nothing." Xena replied hesitantly. "Headache." Stay here? Go? She waited, listening to the faint rasp of the rain against the grass and felt nothing further out of the ordinary. And then…a gentle, caressing warmth, almost a hug that touched a raw spot inside her and made her breathing catch.

So. That meant, not an emergency.. but when you get here, don't wait. Just c'mon in. Xena sighed inwardly. All well and good, my bard.. .but you've just made it damn near impossible for me to do anything but fidget and worry until sunrise. A rueful smile touched her lips, as she clamped down with sheer will power against the almost irresistible urge to just stand up, grab her gear, and run. Especially now…unsure as she was of the bard's confidence in her.

"Xena?" Eponin's voice sounded hesitant.

She took a breath, and looked up. "Yeah?"

"You all right?" The Amazon queried. "You got a really weird look on your face."

I bet. The warrior ran a hand through mist dampened hair and nodded. "I'm fine.. yeah…just thinking."

"Of what?" Eponin asked with a hint of wry humor. "You look like your armor's pinching you."

That got a grim laugh from Xena. "Teach me to sleep in it. " She muttered, forcing her body to relax against the sodden tree stump, making a small show of adjusting the buckle that fastened under her right arm. She was wearing her dark blue leathers, which still hung a little on her, despite a solid month of rest and relative peace, and the armor fit a little differently than it did over the brown ones. "Need to rework that catch."

"Stuff looks as thought it's like wearing rocks." Eponin accepted the change of subject with philosophical grace. "Nice work, though."

Xena shrugged. "You get used to it." She thumped a knee guard idly. "Had people taking leg shots at me all the time before… cause I'm so damn tall. These help."

"Never thought of that.. " The Amazon studied the armor. "But then we do more archery and group work than hand to hand with the heavy stuff." Her eyes fell on Xena's hands, resting lightly against her muscular thighs. "How do you protect your hands? I'm always getting knicked.. I had to start wearing these." She held up her own arms, covered from fingertip to elbow in thick leather.

Xena turned her hands over, and studied the palms, then grinned a little. "Speed, I guess." She admitted with a wry look, glad of the distraction for once. "I try to catch stuff on the bracers.. " She ran a finger over the hardened leather and metal protector. "But if I wear even a half glove armor, it restricts my hand motion…here.. " One finger idly touched the joint where her thumb attached to her hand. "And here." She indicated her wrist, rotating it and flexing the tendons.

"That's important?" Eponin gazed at the hand in interest. "I mean.. don't you just grip.. " She flexed her own hand around an imaginary sword hilt.

"No." Xena reached over her shoulder and drew her sword, then held out her arm, turning the palm upmost to demonstrate. "See?" She shifted her hand, and the sword rotated, changing its angle. "It's all in the blade presentation.. " Her voice grew a touch more animated. "Depending how you move here.. " She tilted the weapon. "You can deflect a strike up, or down, or to one side or the other."

"Hmph." The Amazon peered down the blade, then studied Xena's hand motion. "So that's how you do it." She glanced up. "You do realize you've now given up your secret to me."

Xena grinned, and in a flickering motion, spun the blade in her hand, then sheathed it. "Theory's one thing… doing it's another."

Eponin snorted softly, then sighed, staring down at her lightly clenched fists.

The warrior watched her for a long moment, then fiddled with her bracer. "Something wrong?" She asked, somewhat awkwardly.

Caramel colored eyes raised reluctantly to meet hers. "Xena… do you…I mean, does it have to be light out for you to..um." She blew out a breath and fell silent. "Never mind."

A tiny, wry grin tugged at the taller woman's mouth. "No." She answered. "It works at night, too."

"What about.. rain, does that …" Eponin kept her eyes firmly glued to the ground between her knees.

"No." Xena replied solemnly. "Rain, shine, snow, sleet, you name it. Doesn't matter."

Eponin nodded gently. "Um… Xena… "Now she looked up. "Do you think…I mean… I don't know what it is, I just.. I've got this.. it's like.. kind of bugging me and.."

"You're telling the other Amazons." The warrior replied simply, as she gathered up her things and pulled her cloak closed. "I'd don't want 'em any madder at me." She felt a wave of guilty relief, as Eponin gave her a handy excuse to do what she really wanted to do anyway. She felt the day's weariness slip from her, as a pulse of energy replaced it, despite the damp mist, and the darkness.

Eponin took a huge breath, and released it. "Thanks." She looked up at Xena in simple gratitude. "I"ll go kick their butts… they won't hate me forever." She paused. "I hope." She rubbed her temples. "We're Amazons.. it's logical to want to find our Queen… both of them… as soon as possible." A small nod, and a glance up at Xena. "Right?"

The warrior gave her a quiet, understanding smile. "Right." She got up and tugged her cloak up over her head to block the rain, then settled her pack onto her shoulders, as she heard the rising groans from the other campfire.

A few short, sharp words from Eponin, though, and they were moving, and it wasn't long before they joined her at the head of the path, silent, wet, and annoyed.

Xena grinned, and shook her head, moving the wet hair from her eyes as she gave into her instincts, and headed to where her heart was leading.

The long, sloping path angled downward, and Gabrielle could feel the strain against her thighs as she walked, uneasily aware of the silent Paladia at her back. The passage seemed to be getting smaller, then it took an abrupt turn to the right, and a light streamed into it from an upcoming opening.

A dull rushing sound became evident as they stepped out into a much larger cavern, and the bard glanced around in surprise at the spacious room. "Wow." She commented, taking in the roughly built tables, and the cooking area off to one side, where steam was rising above an unmatched assortment of cooking pots.

The room was fairly filled with people, both men and women or, Gabrielle realized, boys and girls. Most of the inhabitants were very young, though some of them were older, and most of those seemed to be working at something or other. Wooden trestle tables were laid out in orderly rows, with benches next to them, and the walls featured garishly colored hangings, some of which depicted bawdy scenes and were damaged.

The air smelled like roasting meat and boiling vegetables, and she noted a jumble of assorted casks clustered against the far wall that were getting eager attention from crowds with mugs. The floor was granite, but scattered with sandy hay that absorbed spills, and could have used a changing. "Who are all these people?" She half turned to ask Paladia.

"Discards." The woman answered coolly, watching her face. "Displaced villagers…folks who lost everything last winter… who had to learn to take what they needed to live." She paused. "Kids.. from families who had too many." She shoved Gabrielle towards one table which was separated a little from the others.

"Which are you?" The bard asked, as they reached their destination, and she was slammed down onto the bench. She rested her arms against the table's surface, and watched as Paladia took the large, carved chair next to her.

"None of your business." Came the cold answer.

"Ok." Gabrielle shrugged, taking in her surroundings. "Just curious."

Paladia reached over and tugged her hair hard. "Don’t be so damn curious." She leaned closer, and peered at the bard. "I heard you had it pretty sweet in Amfishyless this winter."

The bard half turned and met her eyes. "It's Amphipolis."

The younger woman shook her head slowly. "You are really something else." She motioned an older man over. "Get some food over here."

"You know… " Gabrielle persisted tenaciously. "People like it much better if you say please."

Paladia propped her head up on one fist, and snorted. "He lost his homestead down south of here during the cold.. his village ran him out, put his wife, their two kids out to freeze… he stumbled in here half dead, his wife so sick with coughing sickness there weren't no hope, and the kids half gone." She spoke in a dry monotone. "He don't give a damn if I say please, so long as he gets fed, and someone takes care of those kids." She gave Gabrielle a disgusted look. "But you wouldn't know anything about that, right little bard? I bet you didn't starve, did you?"

Gabrielle held her gaze. "No." She admitted quietly. "We all worked together, and pooled our resources, and we did fine." Her eyes dropped to the table's surface, and she traced a woodgrain. "But I've been out on the road… and had to constantly wonder where and when the next meal was coming from.. I know what that's like." Not really, she privately admonished herself. Not when her companion was a hunter of Xena's caliber, who seemed to sense the exact spot to fish, to grab small game, to find berries.. nuts… roots.. shoots… the woman was amazing. She could find edible substances in the middle of a desert, and even when things had been really, really tight.. well…

She felt a tiny rush of shame. She hadn't been the one to go without. She knew Xena had, sometimes.. but the tall, taciturn ex warlord had just given her one of those looks when she protested, and simply said she wasn't hungry. And then, she hadn't had the guts to argue with her. Not like now, when she kept a solicitious eye on her partner to make sure she didn't give up too much either to Gabrielle, or the ever hungry Ares, and she didn't put up with that look, or the scowl, or that too tough for her leathers attitude anymore.

"Yeah?" Paladia leaned back, releasing her braid. "Well, maybe.. you sure don't look like you eat much." Her eyes studied Gabrielle appraisingly. "All frills and lace and.. " She poked the bard's arm, then paused, and her brows creased. She poked again, then folded her fingers around the fabric covering the surface she was prodding. "Hey."

Whoops. Gabrielle kept a mild, interested look on her face, and tried not to tense her muscles. "Yes?"

The tall woman slowly drew her dagger, and slashed the fabric through, exposing the tanned skin underneath. She peeled the sleeve back, and used the sharp edge of the knife to trace the well defined biceps, smiling when she raised goosebumps in its path. "Well, well.. what do we have here?" Now sharp suspicion colored her gaze.

Gabrielle tilted her head, and regarded her own arm, then glanced up. "Is it the wrong color or something?" Her tone was utterly innocent. "Oh… you mean the muscles…right.. well, it's tough out there on the road… " She flexed her arm. "I've um… gotten pretty good at arm wrestling…it gets real rough out there sometimes.. gotta get fed somehow."

Paladia stared at her. "You're telling me that you go out and arm wrestle for your keep?"

"Well… " Gabrielle laughed self deprecatingly. "If I can't earn it through storytelling, that is… most of the time that's how I do it." She folded her hands together. "But it's… there are some shady folks out there… you have to kind of be careful."

Gray eyes regarded her suspiciously. "I find that kind of hard to believe." She stood, and gripped Gabrielle's arm, pulling her up. "Let's' find out what the truth is… go on." She pushed her out towards the center of the room. "Tell a story… 'bard'."

Gabrielle brushed herself off, and moved to the middle of the tables, feeling the eyes settle on her. Bright eyes, in young, confident faces that watched her every move, her every expression. She took a deep breath, and got herself in order. "Wars are fought for many reasons.. " She began. "This is the story of a place called Troy…."

She started in on the tale, bringing them into it, making eye contact around the room as her voice strengthened, and gained confidence. They sat spellbound, as she described the city, and the lovely Helen.. and the siege broken with a gigantic sleight of hand.

When she finished, she let out a breath, as they whistled and clapped, and she put a hand out to a passing server and claimed a mug of whatever it was he was serving. It turned out to be cold juice, which she gratefully applied to her dry throat. "Stone dust." She glanced apologetically at the nearest table, clearing the hoarseness out.

Eyes shifted as Paladia rose, and sauntered around her table, arriving in front of where Gabrielle was standing, and putting her hands on her hips. "So." A faint smile was playing around her lips. "You really are a bard."

Gabrielle raised both eyebrows. "What'd you think I was… an Amazon Princess?"

Laughter rang out around the circle of tables, as they heard her, and their leader joined them. "Oh yeah.. that's what I thought.. right?" She slapped Gabrielle on the shoulder. "All right… you're.. all right."

But there was a faintly relieved tone in her voice that surprised Gabreille. "I've got a few more to tell… " She ventured, taking a sip from her mug.

They kept her up there for hours, until she was so hoarse she could barely speak, and then Paladia dragged her back up to the table and shoved a plate in front of her. The stories had gone well.. they'd laughed at the funny ones, and been properly amazed by the serious ones.. but she'd gotten the strangest response to the couple she'd told that were Xena's.

Oh, they liked them, all right… but not without nervous glances up at the head table, and Gabrielle realized they were worried their leader might take offense at the admiration. Especially when her own voice tended to take on a special luster when she talked about her soulmate, an added, extra warmth that she could feel pouring from her. She'd never realized it, until she'd been talking to Ephiny about a story she'd been telling at the village, and Ephiny had correctly identified it as a Xena tale… even though the bard knew she was way to far away to hear her.

She'd called Ephiny on it, and the regent had laughed, and told her she could have been speaking in another language, and Ephiny would have known it was a story about her best friend. Her face, Ephiny explained, just lit up when she told one.

She studied her captor's face cautiously out of the corner of her eyes, and wondered. "So… were the stories ok?" She asked carefully.

Paladia looked up from her plate, and scowled. "Yeah.. fine.. they were great." She stuffed a forkful of meat into her mouth. "Listen.. it won't be so bad for you here. You tell stories, I'll cut you some slack."

Gabrielle considered that. "Paladia… I have family back there.. people that are very important to me."

Cold eyes regarded her. "Too bad. Get used to it. We all did."

Oh brother. "It's not that easy." The bard replied. "Look.. I know you had a bad time.. and I'm glad you found these people…and made them into a new family, but.." Her body reacted before she could stop it, moving her out of the way before Paladia's hand could strike her. The larger woman overbalanced, and would have toppled off the bench if Gabrielle hadn't caught her arm, and steadied her. "Would you stop that, please? I'm not a punching bag."

Paladia gripped the edge of the table. "I could break you in half."

"I know." Gabrielle answered, with a vivid intensity. "But what's the point? You're not going to intimidate me."

Confusion was written all across the blond woman's face. "Just… stop talking."

"Why?" Came the gentle answer. "Because you know what I'm saying is true?"

Abruptly, Paladia stood, and stormed off, grabbing a few of the older boys, and yelling for others to get their weapons, organizing some kind of drill. Gabrielle leaned back, crossing her arms on her chest, and letting out a long, tired breath, as she watched them.

They clustered in the center of the room, and tables were dragged back, as the boys stripped out of their shirts, displaying youthfully bare chests that were nevertheless supple and muscular. Five or six of them grabbed iron bars sunk into the slight platform she'd been standing on, and tugged, their faces reddening with the strain.

What the… Gabrielle leaned forward, as the slab started to move, sliding to one side to reveal a hole in the floor topped by a lattice of uneven wooden poles. A faint, musky, feral scent rose, and as one of the boys jumped onto the lattice, a dull, angry roar emerged from the dark pit.

The other boy joined him, and they both turned to accept staves from the light ring of watchers, who then cleared back, and settled down to watch with evident enjoyment.

Gabrielle turned to the tall, lanky boy sitting next to her. "What is that?" She asked quietly.

He grinned, his uneven, gap toothed grin jarring. "Fuzzy." His voice was very deep. "They fight.. whoever loses, Fuzzy get's em." He stuck his boots out and folding his arms. "Most of us got scars from Fuzzy.. but he kills some." He displayed his arm to the bard, tracing an ugly, uneven scar that snaked up past his elbow.

Against her will, Gabrielle stood, staring at the darkened pit. "But… what is it?"

The boy shrugged. "Beats me.. some bear..animal or other… big thing, fur, fangs… some of the guys found it in the north woods, and captured it."

A roar echoed, and Gabrielle glanced up, to see the tips of a pair of curved claws reach out, and snag the boots of one of the boys.

The youth laughed, and hopped out of his grasp, balancing precariously on the wooden surface. "Not today, Fuzzy… " He dropped the end of his staff into the pit and Gabrielle heard a muffled contact. "Yah… getddown."

The other boy took the opportunity to get in a solid hit, which overbalanced his opponent. The ginger haired youngster struggled, and waved his arms, but lost the battle, and tumbled into the pit, losing his staff with a clatter against the wooden strips.

The crowd rushed forward, yelling, as the hideous roar echoed into the air, suddenly enhanced by a single, curdled scream.

"All right.. get him back." Paladia laughed. "Idiot." She stepped onto the wooden lattice, and picked up the staff, jabbing down viciously. "Back!"

A bloody arm stretched feebly up, gripping the bar. Two of the other watchers grabbed a hold of it, and hauled, pulling the ginger haired boy up and onto the stone ground.

Gabrielle felt her stomach turn, as the bright red blood ran off the boy's bare chest, welling from long, deep gouges in his flesh. A second gash was cut into his right thigh, so deep a flash of white bone showed briefly. Gods. She closed her eyes, then looked up at Paladia's laugh.

"Next?" The woman grinned, hefting the staff, and smiling at the eager response. "C'mon… I'll give it a turn" She pointed with the staff. "Get him out of here and patch him up.. he's a bad boy. No dinner for him." Now her eyes lifted and found Gabrielle's "Won't this make a good story?"

Eager eyes turned towards her, and she measured their cruelty. "Oh yeah." She replied quietly, but her voice carried in the sudden hush. "I"ll make a story out of this."

A cheer rose.

"But you're not going to like the ending." Gabrielle concluded to herself, as she sat down and grimly watched.

The grumbling really didn't start until the terrain started sloping upwards, as they followed Xena up dimly seen paths. The rain dripped down unceasingly, drenching them, and the soft leaves they brushed through, which now thickened as she lead them into the hills.

Xena cocked an ear back, and heard the stumble, then slowed her pace, and came to a halt near a cluster of rocks, waiting until Eponin trotted up, shaking her chestnut hair to move it out of her eyes. "Need a break?" The warrior inquired, glancing back over her shoulder to where the rest of the Amazons were clustered.

Eponin put her hands on her hips, and quirked an eyebrow at her. "If I say yes, I'll never hear the end of it, will I?"

Xena sat down on the nearest rock, and rested her elbows on her armored knees. "Not a word from me." She assured the smaller woman. "I could use a breather." Not exactly true, but Xena didn't see any point in saying that.. the Amazons were annoyed enough.

Eponin sighed in relief, and half turned. "All right.. let's take a rest…" She turned back around. "How far are we?"

How far indeed? Xena considered quietly. "I don't know." She answered honestly. "It's not like a map, Eponin.. more like a.. kind of an instinct." She dropped her gaze to the leaf littered ground, and flexed her shoulders. "I just…know."

"Mmph." Eponin considered that, regarding the dark looks she was getting from her sister Amazons with a scowl. "I gotta go kick some butt. Be right back." She left the warrior in her quiet contemplation, and walked over to the rest of the group.

Solari met her, with a grim look. "Eponin…do we really need to.."

"Yes." The chestnut haired woman answered, grabbing her leathers and pulling her close. "This is our Queen we're talking about, damn it, Solari, who shouldn't have been out wandering the countryside alone in the first place."

Solari's eyes dropped. "I tried to.."

"Not hard enough." Eponin seethed. "Even Xena thinks it was a crazy thing for her to do.. so we're gonna find her, and she'd better be in one piece." The weapon's master leaned close. "Because I'm gonna knock her into next month for doing something that stupid, and you all are gonna be taking a trip with her."

Her voice had risen, and she was shaking Solari hard, ignoring the woman's widening eyes. Her anxiety got the better of her, and she felt her control slipping, until a warm hand dropped onto her shoulder.

"Eponin." Xena's voice was far gentler than she'd expected. "Let it go."

She turned and started to snarl a protest, but found a startling compassion in the blue eyes gazing back at her. It drained the nervous anger from her, and she released Solari, letting her arms drop to her sides. A prickly silence fell. "Damn." Eponin finally said, her shoulders dropping. She turned and leaned an arm against a nearby tree, staring out into the misty darkness. 
"Sorry." She raised a hand and scraped it through her wet hair. "Don't know what's wrong with me."

Xena patted her shoulder awkwardly. "I do." The warrior sighed. "Just go siddown for a minute." She watched as the smaller woman paced over to the boulders, and seated herself, back to them, head cradled in her hands, then turned to face Solari. "You all right?"

Solari blinked at her. "Yeah." She straightened her leathers quietly. "Look.. she's right… we have to find her." She glanced around at the darkness shrouded group. "It's just… we've been going non stop for a couple of days, and I think we're about at the edge of what we can do." She looked up, as the fitful moonlight peeked out from the clouds, outlining Xena's profile in flashes of silver and gray.

Xena let out a breath, and nodded. "All right." Her eyes lifted, and searched. "There's a rock outcropping there.. " She pointed. "Take cover.. I'm gonna go scout around a little."

"I'm going with you." Eponin appeared at her elbow.

"Epon.."

"Don’t argue with me." The Amazon snapped.

Xena regarded her, noting the stark exhaustion in her blinking eyes. "All right." She moved with snakelike swiftness, jabbing two fingers into a certain spot on the Amazon's neck, before she could even twitch. She caught Eponin's body as it slid down limply, and hoisted the woman over her shoulder. "C'mon. Let's get you settled." She absorbed the frozen silence around her with an inward sigh. "She said not to argue. Let's go.. I can't hold onto her forever."

The frosty air around her got on her nerves, as she settled Eponin's quiet form against the back of the overhang. Solari approached and knelt down, twisting her hands. "She'll be ok, right?"

Xena let her hands still, and let out a disgusted breath. "Yeah." She muttered. "Don't worry.. I didn't do anything permanent." She checked the Amazon's pulse. "She'll be fine.. just needs a little rest."

Solari sucked in air. "I didn't mean… "

Blue eyes glared up at her. "Yes you did." Xena's temper snapped. "And I'm getting a little tired of it." Her glance shot over to the other Amazons, who were silent, and now watching her uneasily. "So you can stay here, or follow me, or drop off the face of the earth for all I care." Abruptly, she stood, and ducked out from under the rock, heading off into the rain as a long, low rumble of thunder echoed overhead. Ares blinked golden eyes gone silver in the darkness at them, then followed her in ghostly silence.

Solari let her head drop back against the rock, and closed her eyes.

"What… damn, she's got nerve.." The voices started to blurt.

"Shut up." Solari ordered, in a bark. "Just.. shut the Hades up."

"But.. " A chorus of protest.

The dark haired Amazon turned her head and glared at them. "Damn it, she's right." She muttered. "Gabrielle's in there, remember? She put herself in danger just to find Eph…. Xena's out here in this blasted weather trying to lead us to her, and we treat her like she's some kind of stray damn dog looking for scraps in the village."

"She doesn't care." Terra snorted, dropping down onto the ground with a disgusted look.

Solari looked up at her. "Maybe not, but I do." She shot back. "I care.. and I know Ephiny would… she was going to Amphipolis to make peace with her." She tightened her jaw. "And I'm going to honor that, damn it."

Xena left the tense scene behind her, wanting to put distance between herself and the Amazons, and a little disgusted with herself for overreacting. She shook her head angrily, as she slipped through the underbrush, heading up a steep slope which crested on a ridge topped with oak trees. Ares pressed close to her, his wet fur damp against her skin, and she let her hand drop down to curl itself in the thick hair, glad of his company. "Who needs em anyway, right boy?"

"Grrrr." Ares muttered, sniffing the air warily.

"Shh.." The warrior put a hand over his muzzle, and dropped down, her hackles lifting as she sensed the presence of strangers. She crept slowly up the ridge, and ducked under a fragrant, leafy bush, parting the leaves with careful hands, to peer out over the top of the crest, and down into the small valley beyond.

Rain blurred her vision, and she rubbed her eyes impatiently, spotting the fitful, errant flutter of torchlight ahead of her. "Well. Well.. " She mumbled to the attentive Ares. "What have we got here?" She eased forward, flat to the ground, creeping over the top of the ridge and down the opposite slope with infinite caution. The leafy ground's dampness muffled her passage, and plastered sodden grass to her body, but she ignored that, as she gained the relative safety of a small bush that gave her a clearer view.

Damn.

The valley lifted up into a tall, vertical wall of a mountainside, the sides funneling into where a small, ill grown path terminated at the rock surface. The dim moonlight showed a dark, uneven cut in the stone, bordered by a short outthrust, which sheltered what looked like a guard post. Two torches fluttered in the wind, half extinguished by the rain, and outlined the huddled forms of several bodies.

Lightning cooperatively flared, and revealed a stout iron studded surface closing off the opening, and niches to either side which held further clustered forms. Xena leaned close to the ground, and pressed her cheek against Ares' head. "Whaddaya think, Ares.. your other mommy in there?"

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr" The wolf growled very softly.

"Yeah.. I think so too." Xena confirmed, chewing her lip. The entrance had no cover anywhere near it, making any approach very obvious. Also.. she studied the portal uneasily. No way to open that without burning it out.. or hooking up a few chariot teams to it.

Both would give the inhabitants more than adequate warning of an attack, and that…was not a good thing. "Well, I guess we gotta find another way in, huh?"

"Roo?" Ares' ears pricked.

"Yeah, me." Xena whispered absently. "Your other mommy needs me, Ares… you know how that is."

"Agrrrroo." The wolf sighed, and settled down in the damp grass, chewing on Xena's fingers idly. The warrior glanced up, judging the time. "Almost dawn, Ares… guess I'll wait for then to start hunting.. better to see this place in the daylight, huh?" The soft rain drenched her, and she regarded her surroundings tiredly. "Good a place as any to hole up." She crawled into the center of the bush, with Ares wriggling in beside her, grateful for the partial protection of the leaves. She moved her head, and jerked, as a soft, dark object struck her face, and raised a hand to grasp it.

A very soft, very weary laugh escaped as her fingers identified the object as a blackberry. "Well." She curled up, avoiding the thickest brambles and plucked a few fruits. "It's almost dry, comes complete with a snack, and no Amazons… how could I beat that, huh?"

Ares snorted.

"Yeah." Xena nibbled on the juicy blackberry with a wistful smile. "Gabrielle could be here." She closed her eyes and let the image of her partner's face spring to mind. "Hang in there, my bard." She mentally whispered. "You can count on me.. you know that… " Her chest contracted. "Don't you?"

A sound behind her made her stiffen, and she half turned, eyes flashing as she scanned the terrain, her vision picking out details invisible to just about anyone else. She saw a fern rustle, then again, and slowly, a dark head lifted out of the grass, peering forward.

Xena sighed. Amazons. Shaking her head, she poked a fist out and signaled, watching the head flatten back against the ground, and waited, until the cover close to her moved and Solari appeared, putting a hesitant hand on the bush's thick branches, and squinting inside. "What?"

Solari jumped a little at her low, vibrant voice. "Gods." She breathed out. "Is that the place?"

"Yeah." Xena answered, stubbornly remaining curled up in her haven.

"Looks like a fortress." The Amazon whispered. "Is there another way in?"

Xena remained silent for a minute. "Guess we'll find out at daylight."

Solari dropped her head, and let the rain drip off her hair, dropping lightly onto the ground in front of her. "Look.. Xena… "

"Solari.. get outta here just leave me alone, all right?" Xena bit off the comment tightly.

Long silence. "All right." The Amazon finally muttered, unhappily. "I'll see you in a little while.. be careful."

"You too." Came the quiet response, as she reluctantly turned, and headed back up the hill.

It was very late when the battling finally stopped, and Paladia rejoined her at the table, throwing down a worn staff, and dropping into her chair with a sigh. "So." She regarded the quiet bard curiously.

Gabrielle played with the wooden mug in her hands, turning it over and over. "That boy got hurt pretty badly." She looked up. "Was there a point to that?" The long day was starting to wear on her, and she was dreading what else the night might hold. Fortunately, she noticed, Paladia seemed to have worn herself out with the sparring.. the woman's face was still flushed, and she was breathing hard, and Gabrielle speculated that maybe she'd get lucky.

"Of course there is." Paladia answered, annoyed. "We keep strong and sharp that way… nothing like a little danger to perk you up, right?"

"Ah." The bard nodded "Well, I'm glad practicing my craft doesn't require bleeding." Most of the time, she admitted, with a private, wry smile. "Paladia, I don't understand… you have skilled people here… why don't you just work together and make a community.. instead of breaking the law?"

A soft snort answered her. "What.. and grub in the dirt for roots and berries?" The burly woman loosened her belt a little, and leaned back. "We've had enough of that…scratching and scrabbling for everything. Why not let those damn merchants pay a little? They can afford it, Gabrielle… they suck the life out of most folks anyway, you know that's true." She dragged a cup towards her, and drank it down, then looked around at the chamber, which was thinning out as the residents went to their pallets, which were stacked against the walls. "But I don't expect you to understand.. you're not a warrior."

Gabrielle reflected on giving Paladia a critique of her quarterstaff technique, which the bard had found sadly lacking. The larger woman was strong, but she tried to use that to overpower whoever she was fighting against, and she wasn't in really good shape, which caused her reactions to slow as her body reluctantly responded. She wouldn't last a candlemark against most of the Amazons.

Or me, for that matter. The thought tickled her. "Well, yeah.. you're right, I guess." She agreed demurely. "But what are you going to do when you run out of people to kidnap? It's kind of a limited pool, right?"

Paladia chuckled. "No..see.. after we suck all we can from the merchants, we're gonna start charging for protection round here. I figure between all the villages they'll decide to support us, instead of having us ride them down and cut them to bits." She gave Gabrielle a cheerful look. "Better us than some of those warlords." She reached over and slapped the bard's arm. "Don’t worry, Gabrielle… you won't go hungry, I promise you."

The bard gave her a forced smile. "Thanks.. but… you can't keep this up, Paladia… someone will stop you."

"Oh yeah?" The woman leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table, and slitting her eyes. "Who?" She snaked out a swift hand and tangled it in the bard's hair, pulling her head to one side sharply. "No one's going to touch us, Gabrielle…let me show you why."

She stood up, yanking the bard by the hair after her, as she headed down a dark corridor.

"Hey." Gabrielle stopped, steeling herself against the jerking pain.

Paladia turned, a dark, wildly angry look on her face. "What?!!"

"I said, I'm not a punching bag." The bard stated, her eyes tearing from the pain of the pull on her hair. "Let go."

Paladia stepped closer, and wrapped her hand in the red gold locks, jerking Gabrielle's head up. "You're walking a real fine line, little girl." Her voice was thick with rage. "I could forget I like you."

Gabrielle moved towards her, and focused her gaze intently on the woman's face. "I'm not a little girl." She let her own voice drop to its lowest register, and summoned up all the lessons Xena had ever taught her about confrontation. "You can only go around beating up on people so long, Paladia…until eventually you find someone who that won't work with." She let a pause fall between them, seeing the startled confusion in the taller woman's eyes. "You have."

The balance wavered, and she knew she was as close to pushing Paladia over the edge as she'd dared to go. If the woman chose violence… No. Gabrielle told herself.I guessed right… she's not going to hurt me. I've got to believe that. A dark memory trickled over her, and she fiercely discarded it. She watched the pulse pound at Paladia's temple, as the woman's teeth ground against themselves, and the fingers in her hair tightened almost unbearably.

Then the hand released, and she was free, looking up at gray eyes which held whirling uncertainty. "Thanks… that's better. Now…what is it you wanted to show me?" She asked , feeling a quiet elation.

Paladia turned, and stalked down the hall in silence, and she followed. Eventually the path led upward, and the tunnel narrowed, until she could feel a faint breeze hitting her face, full of the rich dampness of rain. They turned a final corner and she saw a darker spot against the stone, which Paladia ducked through, and then they were outside.

It was dark, and windy, the rain drove against her but she closed her eyes, just relieved to be outside. Then lightning flashed, and she let her eyelids drift open.

And swallowed in shock.

She was standing on a small, irregular platform high on the wall of a sheer mountainside. Below her, far, far below she could hear the faint roar of water. To either side, the mountain curved away, to be faced with another sheer wall that rose higher, and blocked out all sight of a horizon. She turned to Paladia in confusion. "What…."

The taller woman let out a satisfied breath. "Now you see." She spread a hand out. "You're in the safest place in the world, Gabrielle…no one can find you. No one can reach you. She pointed, as the lightning flashed again. "That's the outer wall of a volcano.. this is the inner cone. The only point of entrance is the way you came in.. an old tunnel that's sealed in three spots, and guarded." The woman smiled, her good humor restored by the stunned look on Gabrielle's face. "We've got a running stream through the lower level.. and there's enough heat left in this old thing to even give us some hot springs." Her voice turned awkwardly coaxing. "Don't you see? It's perfect.."

Gabrielle looked out into the darkness, ignoring the sting of rain on her face that was also soaking her clothing. Somewhere out there her soulmate was waiting, listening… maybe even watching her as she stood here, outlined against the granite. She could feel it.. feel the warmth that trickled under the surface of her skin, despite the utter coldness she felt in realizing just what kind of trap she'd gotten herself into.

Xena. Her mind spoke clearly, quietly out into the night. I have no idea how you're going to get in here. But I want you to know something.. and I'm going to think this really, really hard…

I believe that you will. With all my heart. So I'm gonna do my best here, to keep things under control until you do, OK? Because.. see.. I could probably get myself out of here.. but there's Ephiny.. she's not doing so good.. and Johan, and Cait.. and Lennat.. if I get myself out, what happens to them?

Xena, I need you. I can't do this alone.

"Hey." Paladia moved closer, and peered at her. "You sick or something?"

Mist green eyes fluttered opened, and tracked to her. "No.. I was just thinking… rain always puts me in a.. kind of … creative mood."

"Yeah?" The burly woman replied doubtfully.

"Yeah." Gabrielle confirmed. "It makes me believe.. in possibilities."

"Oh." Paladia rolled her eyes a little. "Right." She turned. "Come on…" One hand raised to grab the bard 's arm.. then hesitated, and fell back to her side. "No games tonight… I've got things to take care of."

Gabrielle noted the exhausted set to her face, but said nothing, and was just grateful as she followed her captor through the dimly lit tunnels at her own pace, a small victory in a day long on adversity.

Paladia stopped in front of the small room she'd been put into earlier, and gestured awkwardly. "Get.. some sleep. Tomorrow you have to live up to your part of the bargain, remember?" There was a strange, tentative note in her voice that intrigued Gabrielle. It's was almost a questioning tone.

The bard put her hand on the door and gave her a brief nod. "I remember." She pushed the door open and let it close behind her, facing the rock walls with a heavy heart, hearing the solid sound of Paladia's footsteps as they faded away.

She trudged to the pallet and sat down, clasping her hands between her knees and letting out a long, tired breath. "Guess I'd better get these damp clothes off." She remarked to the wall, heaving herself back up onto her feet and peeling off the linen shirt, examining the ripped sleeve with a shake of her head. She spread the shirt out over the small table, and added her skirt to it, returning to her pack and pulling out the one sleep shirt she'd tucked into the bag, fingering the fabric as she opened it up.

A weary smile tugged at her lips as she settled the fabric over her head, and felt the softness cling to her skin. The sleeves dropped down below her elbows and the ends fell almost to her knees, and the most wonderful, rich scent wafted up from it, a mixture of soap and sunlight, and the freshening herbs from the linen press in their cabin.

"Could be worse, I guess." She murmured, as she sat back down on the pallet. "I could be in the dungeons.. I hope Cait and Johan are ok." She considered that. "Guess they're better off not involved in her and all this stuff."

There was no pillow or blanket on the pallet, so she tucked her bag under her head, and curled up into a ball, letting the silence of the mountain settle around her. There was a soft sound of pebbles trickling down, and far off, water running. Against the wall, the sconced torch fluttered, sending a coating of black soot against the stained ceiling, and releasing the smell of burned pine into the air.

It was too quiet, Gabrielle decided. She missed the sound of the wind, and the rustling of leaves that she could hear even outside their cabin.

And the sweet echo of her soulmate's heartbeat.

It reminded her of the long nights in Chin, waiting for Xena to get there. Even though they hadn't been close for months, she'd still missed her terribly, and she'd wistfully wondered if Xena would even..talk to her after the whole thing was over.

Of all of it, losing that close friendship had hurt the worst. She'd had a lot of time to think about that, cooped up in Ming Tien's palace, just waiting. A lot of time to remember, and count her regrets. She'd cried a lot.

Going down into that dungeon after she'd heard Ming Tien sentence Xena to death was at once the hardest, and one of the easiest things she'd ever done. Stepping into the dank, stinking water, and seeing that still, suffering form .. trying to make eye contact and failing.

Seeing the pain etched into every line of Xena's body, which had tensed as she started to speak, almost as though the words were a blow.

Maybe they were…but when that exhausted blue gaze had finally, finally turned towards her she'd fallen silent, unable to go any further, letting all her pain, and all the grief just erupt into her eyes.

It had felt like a gift from the gods, that softening in Xena's, and the gentleness in her voice when she answered at last.

The bard sighed. "C'mon, Gabrielle.. it's only been one whole day. " She scolded herself sternly. "You can't be lonely." She chewed her lip. "Yet."

She punched her bag, trying to find a comfortable spot, and flipped over, staring uncomfortably at the half hidden ceiling. "Ok, so I am." She admitted quietly. Her soul ached for it's other half, and she wondered what Xena was up to. Tucked away in some cave, she was sure.. nice and dry, and waiting for morning. What would she say when she saw the mountain?

Nothing good, that's for sure. But she'd find a way in.Gabrielle allowed her mind to create a vision of her partner, seeing the angular face outlined with midnight dark hair, and lightened by the startling clear blue of her eyes.

Allowed herself to hear that low, burring voice, and feel the sure, powerful grip of hands on her shoulders, and see that quirky half grin which lit up her partner's face.

This sure isn't helping. Gabrielle sighed, and hitched herself up on one elbow, fluffing her bag again fruitlessly. She opened the flap, and poked a hand in trying to find what was causing…oh.

Her hand came out with the ragged, bedraggled shape of a somewhat purple dragon in it. She looked at it for a long moment, then put her head back down on the bag, and tucked the toy under her chin, hugging it gently, as exhaustion finally eased her into sleep.

Continued in Part 4

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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

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

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Leap of Faith - Part 4

By Melissa Good

Ephiny leaned back against the harsh stone, and crossed her legs, regarding the empty room in front of her with relief. The day's rest had done her good, though she was continually worried about what was going on with Gabrielle.

Who seemed, she had to admit, to be dealing with Paladia in fine, true Gabrielle fashion. Which was to say, she was driving the woman completely crazy, much like her optimistic persistence had driven Ephiny crazy when they'd first met. She'd wondered for a long time after just exactly what it was that Xena saw in the young girl, why the grim, dour ex warlord patiently put up with the constant questions, and propensity for trouble that Gabrielle had as her stock in trade.

Now, of course, she knew.

Footsteps approached, and she took a breath, recognizing their weight. It was about that time… her inner clock was telling her it was well past the dinner hour, and she'd become aware of the night silence settling about the fortress. The door opened, and she kept a quiet, noncommittal expression on her face as Paladia entered, and went to her dresser, a pensive look on her face. The woman went to the basin of water, and splashed a couple of handfuls over her, then straightened, turning to peer at her captive with an unfathomable glance.

She walked over, and crouched down. "Hey.. how well do you know this bard?"

Ephiny considered the question. "How do you mean?" She asked carefully.

A hand slammed her against the wall. "Don't give me that line." Paladia snarled. "I wanna know everything you know about her, and I wanna know right now."

The Amazon remained silent for a long time. "She's a bard." Ephiny stated quietly. "She's an honorable person." She prepared herself. "She's a good friend."

"And?" Paladia persisted.

"And that's all I have to say." Ephiny replied.

"Is that so?" The voice was low, and dangerous.

The Amazon nodded slowly.

Paladia smacked her, drawing blood from the corner of her mouth. "I don't think so." She backhanded the bound woman. "I think you're gonna tell me about this little bitch before I let her take your place."

A chill ran down Ephiny's back. No. Her warrior soul took charge, and she narrowed down her options, knowing she had very few. I'm not gonna let that happen.. she's just getting back to a point where… no. Not after Hope. Not after Dahok.. I'm not going to let her do this.

Knowing shortly she'd be unable to do anything at all.

She coiled up her body, and focused in, ignoring Paladia's enraged face, and hot breath as she yelled, then moved, kicking out with both powerful legs, catching the larger woman in the groin with both booted feet, and slamming her back with a vicious, lethal crunching.

Paladia screamed, and fell over, curling up in a fetal position for a long, aching moment before she grabbed the tray laying on the floor next to Ephiny's blankets and whipped it around, catching the helpless Amazon across the face. "Bitch.. I'm gonna kill you."

Ephiny got a an arm over her head, but felt it jerked away savagely, as the tray slammed into her temple, sending a flare of heat and agony across her skull. She remembered two or three more blows, and then it all faded into darkness. But a core of fierceness in her remained.

She'd done what she could. All Gabrielle needed was time. Time for Xena to get here, and to take this gods be damned, swine infested pieces of centaur dung and break her up into so many pieces they'd need tweezers to collect them.

Even if she wasn't around to see it. "Artemis." She whispered, as the pain overwhelmed her. "Be kind to my Amazons…" A sharp jolt hit her midsection and she doubled over, as yet another blow slammed into her head. "Take care of Pony.. please… tell her I'm sorry."

Then her body was lifted, and she felt herself flying through the air, and the wall was just too close. Her last awareness was of the rough feeling of the rock as it scraped down her side.

Cait stirred, and lifted her head from its straw pillow as she heard footsteps approaching. She reached out a hand and touched Johan's arm, and he jerked awake, moving his head close to hers.

"Lass…what is it?" He whispered. They'd whiled away a very boring day mostly by telling stories.. Cait knew some really gory ones, and she'd taken great delight in telling them, along with a few about her favorite subject, which was Xena.

"Someone's coming." The girl muttered back, reaching back and shaking Lennat, who was curled up behind her.

The door creaked open, and she heard muffled voices. "C'mon.. get er in here.. just… "

"Zeus.. lookit the blood.. I thought she liked this one.. "

"Shh.. just dump her, willya? I want to get back to bed."

A dull thud broke the silence, and then the door creaked shut.

Cait crept forward, her nose already detecting the iron tang of blood. "Gosh.. I think someone's…" Her eyes, used to the dim light of the cell, focused on features that were almost familiar. "Oh gosh." She croaked. "Oh bloody damned Hades…give a hand you lot."

Johan scrambled to her side, kneeling next to the huddled, silent body that had been dumped into the room. "It's not… " His chest contracted in fear.

The girl sucked in a shaky breath. "It's Queen Ephiny. " Her hands were shaking badly, as their touch recognized the damage inflicted on the slim form. "She's awfully badly hurt."

"Gods." Lennat breathed, on the other side of her. "I'll get some water."

Cait ripped her shirt down the sides, and pulled off strips, dunking them into the water Lennat brought over and gently wiping the blood off the battered regent's head. "Gods.. this is rot.. this is no good at all. We need a healer." She glanced around. "We've got to get out of here."

"Well.. no chance of that until the next feeding." Johan commented, wincing as he rinsed out a bloody cloth, and dabbed at the red liquid seeping from the injured Amazon's ear. "We'll have to fix her up as best we can.. see what we can do when they bring us breakfast." He let out a gusty sigh. "Here.. bring over that stack of hay, lad." He stripped off his tunic, and stuffed it with Lennat's straw, tying the sleeves shut to make a pillow. "Lift her head up, Cait."

The girl gingerly lifted the regent's limp form as Johan gently put the pillow under her head, smoothing back the damp, curly hair from her very pale forehead. There were several lumps on the side of the woman's head, and bruising all down her cheekbones. She'd been bleeding from both ears, and from her nose, and she seemed totally unresponsive to her surroundings. "Poor lass." Johan breathed, his voice deepening in anger.

"When I find who did this." Cait stated, quite calmly. "I'm quite afraid I'm going to have to kill them."

Silence fell after that, as they gazed at her uneasily.

"Right." Cait took a breath, carefully feeling Ephiny's limbs. "Well.. one good thing.. looks like nothing's broken here." She gently pulled aside the half torn shift the regent was wearing and cursed softly. "Gosh." Bruises, cuts and scratches covered the muscular body. "We've got to get her to a healer. This is bad."

Lennat nodded slowly. "You're right.. I'm in with you.. but best not tell the others…they're nervous enough as it is."

A low groan got their attention, and Cait leaned over the feebly moving regent. "Ephiny… please… don't move around."

A whisper. "No… "

"Shh.. we're going to get you out of here.. all right? Just lay still.. you're ever so hurt." Cait laid a wet compress over the blond woman's head.

"Safe." Ephiny gasped. "Wait.. for Xena." Her voice trailed off into a mumble, then to nothing.

Cait set her jaw grimly, as she eased the sticky blood from the regent's fair hair. ""I'm afraid I simply can't do that." She uttered softly. "Xena says, sometimes it's all right not to obey orders, you see." She paused, and sighed. "Unless they're hers, of course.."

Lennat handed her more wet cloths. "I hope Gabrielle is ok."

The girl looked up, the dim torchlight catching in her pale gray eyes, shades lighter than his own. "Well, we've got to make sure of that, too then, right?"

They looked at her.

"Look.. we're in a fortress here.. what if Xena can't get in?" Cait stated, reasonably. "She's depending on us."

A long pause, then silent nods.

"Right." Cait wrapped a bandage around Ephiny's temple. "When they bring us breakfast, we get them."

"Get them?" Lennat queried hoarsely. "How?"

Cait slowly looked up, and met his eyes.

And smiled. "Leave that to me." She replied evenly.

Safely tucked in her thick ground shrub, with it's convenient blackberry bramble on one side, Xena waited until the sky was dimming to a faint coral gray before she unwound her long limbs and stretched carefully. She gotten a little fitful rest, ignoring the drip of the incessant rain, and now she yawned, and tugged on Ares' tail to wake him. "Hey."

"Argroo!" Ares yelped softly, whirling around to find his attacker, then poking her in the chest with his cold, wet nose.

"Aw, c'mon, Ares.." Xena sighed, snagging a blackberry and eating it. "I'm wet enough already.. and don't.. " She grabbed his ear. "You dare tell Gabrielle I did this, you got me?" She would get lectured for not sleeping, lectured for not eating, and really lectured for staying out all night in the rain. Her lips quirked wryly. And you love every minute of it, you fraud. "I'll get yelled at.. you don’t want that to happen, do you?"

The wolf blinked innocently.

"Here." Xena offered him a berry, which he sniffed and gobbled. "Ok..ok.. I got work to do." She burrowed further into the bushes, poking her nose out the other side and observing the entrance. It looked in daylight just as imposing as it did in darkness, and she sighed. "Damn."

She backed out, and slunk back up the hill, slipping over the ridge and down the other side in total silence. Even the small animals didn't realize she was there, only starting away at the very last moment as she placed her boots with unconscious skill, moving with the gently swaying leaves that brushed her skin lightly as the first rays of dawn crept through them.

Finding the Amazons was easy, though she doubted anyone else would have detected their snug hideout, but when she poked her head in, the small group was still dozing, exhausted faces barely outlined in the predawn light.

Xena sighed, feeling a bit guilty over her outburst from the night before and decided to let the women sleep a little longer, while she scrounged some breakfast and scouted the area. She didn't take long, but it was a good deal brighter when she slipped back into the clearing, and almost collided with Solari. "Morning." She muttered.

Solari rubbed her eyes, and leaned against the rock outcropping they'd been sheltering under. "Um.. yeah. Hi." She winced. "Not sure if that little nap helped or hurt."

Xena grimaced in sympathy. "Never hurts." She handed over a folded packet of leaves. "Here.. some fresh stuff.. thought you might add to whatever you've got for trail rations."

The dark haired Amazon took the packet and peered inside, then glanced up. "Thanks." A reluctant smile creased her face. "It'll be a welcome change." She paused, and looked awkwardly down at the leaf covered ground. "Xena.. I'm sorry about last night."

The warrior kicked a small pebble idly. "So am I. " She replied quietly. "This whole thing has me on edge… I didn't mean to snap like that."

"And we were all overtired.. and acting like whiney children." Solari answered, with a relieved look. "What you did for Pony was absolutely right.. and you're the only one who could have gotten away with it."

Xena chewed her lip. "She up?"

Solari winced. "Oh yeah." She sighed. "And feeling very feisty."

The warrior grimaced. "Great." She put her hands on her hips. "Well… looks like we need to find a way up and around that mountain.. I don't see us breaking in that portal."

The Amazon nodded. "I figured… we've got ropes for climbing.. you think we'll find a way in up above?"

Xena shrugged. "Something like that…I'm gonna look around while you get ready." She rocked her head back and forth. "Loosen up a little.. blackberry brambles aren't generally my choice of beds."

Solari nodded. "Right… we won't be long." She turned and ducked back under the overhang.

"So much for that." Xena commented to Ares. "C'mon.. let's take a walk." She slipped off down the path, heading for a small spring she could hear burbling nearby. She ducked her head under the water, letting the chill of the spring shock her fully awake, then cupped her hands together and scooped up several mouthfuls, wincing a little as the cold water hit her mostly empty stomach.

Straightening, she leaned against a tree, gazing for a moment out at the early morning scene, where the birds were dipping and diving over the spring, drinking pertly and snapping insects out of the sky. Then she sighed, and stretched, unsheathing her sword and moving it in a slow pattern, warming her muscles up in the flickering pattern of sunlight.

It was a little stiff at first.. given her long, uncomfortable night, but she settled down and things went more smoothly after that, as she progressed from basic patterns to her more usual acrobatic maneuvers.

She leaped into a back flip, reaching up to slice a cluster of tiny red flowers from the tree branch above her, then completed the flip, landed, and caught the cluster with a little, mocking, flourish. She turned and leaned against the tree, as a lone clapping sent birds off in startled flight.

Eponin sauntered into the clearing, still clapping. "Very nice." She snorted softly as Xena raised the flower cluster to her nose and sniffed delicately. "That was a lousy trick last night, Xena." She paused, gazing at the shadow patterned warrior. "But I probably deserved it, huh?"

That got her a quirky grin from Xena. "You were a little crazy, yeah." She glanced over Eponin's shoulder. "They ready?"

"'They're busy mooning over your technique." The Amazon informed her. "We climbing?"

Xena sheathed her sword with a whispering click. "Looks like it." She walked over and resumed her pack, shucked while she did her drills. "Let's go."

It was dark, where she was, and cold. Gabrielle blinked around in the shadows, her heart sinking as she realized she was back in this place again. Water dripped all around her, and she could smell the stench of dead things, and see the slime on the walls.

And, as always, she was alone. Not just physically alone, truly alone, because Xena had left her. Left her here, in this place, and she just spent all her time looking for the warrior, pleading for her to return.

She was so lonely. It hurt so much. The walls laughed at her, in voices that sounded very much like Dahok's. Like Hope's. She crept along, the mud sucking at her boots, little, unpleasant things running over them.

Xena.. come back, please? Her fingers scraped against the slimy wall and she stumbled, dropping to her knees in the filth, feeling the crawling things scurry away from her cringing hands.

She screamed in grief, and frustration.

And woke, heart pounding wildly, to see the dim, gray recesses of the small chamber that was her cell. Tears stained her face, and she hugged the battered stuffed doll to her, choking back sobs. Gods.. that hurts.. I hate that dream.

"Ok.. ok…" She got herself under control. "Come on now.. easy." Slowly, her heartbeat settled, and she sat up, wiping her eyes, and wondering what time it was. She'd lost track here deep in the mountain, but she was feeling somewhat rested, so she figured it had been a while, at least. She heaved herself off the pallet, and padded across the floor, working the latch on the door and pulling it open a little, startled when the guard outside, lurched to his feet, and pointed his crossbow at her. "Hey!" She held up a hand, and gestured at her dress. "I'm not a threat, here."

The boy blinked, and lowered his weapon, settling back against the wall with a grunt. "Uh.. sorry ma'am."

That surprised a giggle out of the bard. "What?" She hugged her arms to her. "What time is it?"

His eyes went everywhere but on her. "Uh…just short of first watch, ma'am."

"Stop calling me that." The bard rolled her eyes. "Does that mean it's almost morning?"

He nodded, absorbed in his bootlaces.

"Ok.." Gabrielle considered. "Is it ok if I go get some breakfast in a little while?"

The boy scratched his ear. "Um…yeah.. uh.. they said you… Paladia's gonna be tied up all day.. so's.. I'm supposed to.. um.. kinda watch you."

The bard's eyebrow rose. "She is, huh?" That wasn't he impression she'd gotten last night.. she wondered what had happened. "Ok.. so.. will you take me to the main hall?" She moved a step closer, and ducked down, to force eye contact.

He blushed, and stammered. "Oh..o..ok." He had softly curled brown hair, and gentle hazel eyes.

Gabrielle smiled at him. "Are you ok?" She swiveled around, and glanced up and down the hall "Everything all right?"

"Yeah.. yeah.. uh.. sure. Right" The boy seemed fascinated with the clasp on his shirt now.

"What's your name?" The bard asked.

He peered shyly up at her. "Brion."

Gabrielle digested that. "All right, Brion.. I'm gonna go change, and then we can go get some breakfast.. maybe you'll show me around.. is that ok?"

Blinking. "Sure." He looked around. "Just… I gotta watch you real close… Paladia said not to let you go outside.. or downslope."

The bard nodded. "All right.. I understand the outside.. but what's downslope?"

"Where they keep the b…the people." Brion finished awkwardly.

Hmm. Gabrielle ran over the information. Paladia was busy… she wondered briefly, sickeningly, if her business was with Ephiny. She hoped not. But it would give her a chance to scope the place out, and see more parts of it. "Ok.. I can live with that.. though I would like to see my friends.. the two people who got brought in with me."

Brion looked uncomfortable. "Can't.. specially not that.. Paladia said."

A thread of unease wound it's way through Gabrielle's conscience. Why? Was the larger woman suspicious? "Well, I'll have to ask her about that later, but ok."

He looked relieved. "Anywhere else.. I'll show you, I promise."

Gabrielle bestowed a charming smile on him. "Oh..I can see we're gonna get along great, Brion."

He blushed.

She grinned.

"I've changed my mind." Eponin sighed, as she rested against a convenient stump, and dusted off her hands. "I used to think you were part mule, part badger, and part wild boar." She gave Xena an evil look. "Now I'm convinced one of your lovely ancestors had conjugal relations with a mountain goat."

Xena arched a brow at her, and crossed her arms, glaring down from her perch on a boulder just over their heads. "Thanks." She growled. "Nice to hear." She'd been leading them steadily up the side of the mountain, moving cautiously ahead and finding solid spots for them to climb to, a thick hemp rope tied around her body that allowed them something to hang onto while doing so.

A tired chuckle circulated the small party at that. "No problem." Eponin grunted back, rubbing her wrists.

Xena drummed her boots against the rock, and regarded the Amazons, then tilted her head back and checked the sun's position, midway through the sky. "We're making pretty good time" She allowed, looking up at the still distant summit. "I think there's a pass below that point.. you see where the trees fold in?"

Eyes looked with weary interest. "Yeah.. " Solari hopped up onto the stump Eponin was leaning against and shaded her eyes. "I see it… that's not too far away." She looked up at Xena. "You think we can get through there?"

The warrior studied her hands. "I think so." She finally nodded, mentally crossing her fingers. The Amazons were pretty close to tiring out from the climb, which had been strenuous for even her well conditioned body. "Maybe we can find a hot spring around here to soak in after this is over."

Eponin looked up at that, and smirked, then her brow creased, and she rubbed a small trench in the soil with her boot. "Hot spr… is this a volcano?"

Xena nodded her head slowly. "Yep..an old one.. hasn't been active in a long time. I think their hideout's the old lava tunnels inside. " She leaned back onto one elbow, and detached her waterskin, taking a long swallow. "Grab some food, if you want."

A flutter of relief passed over the group, who settled down gratefully on the ground, and dug into their packs, pulling out stocks of dried meat and fruits.

Xena watched them for a moment, then let herself lay back down onto the sun warmed rock, gazing up at the fluffy clouds, idly finding patterns in them. "Look.. " She murmured to herself wryly. "It's a rabbit." Briefly, she wished Gabrielle was perched next to her, ready to argue the point.

"What?" Eponin was standing by the rock, lifting herself up on her toes to listen.

"Huh?" The warrior cleared her throat and glanced down. "Nothing… I was just…whistling."

The Amazon snorted softly. "Oh.. ok..sure." She handed up some strips of dried meat. "Here…chew on this for a while.. it's almost as tough as you are."

Xena laughed softly, but accepted the offering, biting of a small piece and chewing it for a minute. "Hey.. did you find this deer sitting in a rocking chair knitting or what?" She paused. "I've tasted softer boots."

Eponin leaned against the rock and snorted. "Everybody's a critic." She munched for a time, then gave Xena a sly look. "So.. you nibble on your boots.. or Gabrielle's?"

The warrior edged a brow at her, aware of the perked ears of the studiously nonchalant Amazons. "Boots?" She drawled. "I don't bother with her boots." She stretched out more comfortably on her rock, crossing her ankles and allowing a slow grin to shape her lips.

Eponin choked on her jerky, inhaling a bit and coughing violently, until Solari stepped up behind her and gave her a whack between the shoulder blades. "Smooth move, centaur butt." She cooed sweetly at the weapon's master.

The older woman gagged, and glared at her. "Who you calling centaur butt, you featherhead?"

They got moving a few minutes later, still bickering, and Xena shook her head a little as she made her way upward, heading for the still half hidden pass. Amazons.

"This is where we have the kids." Brion said softly, as he lumbered ahead of the interested Gabrielle. "We don't have so many, but there are a few…" He opened a thick door, and entered, holding it for the bard with awkward courtesy.

Gabrielle stepped past him, peering inside the good sized room. Small heads turned toward her, and round eyes watched as she strolled forward. "Hello." She smiled at them. There were about a half dozen assorted small children in the room, four boys and two girls, ranging from around two years old to what looked like seven or eight. "What's your names?"

The oldest girl looked at her, and gave her a shy smile. "Mercia.. " She pointed. "An that's Darren, and Micha, an Robri and Aleise." She looked down as the youngest, a sturdy looking toddler. "And Yercha."

"HI there. "Gabrielle crouched down, and put out a hand to the scowling Yercha, who wobbled forward, and poked it suspiciously. "My name's Gabrielle."

"Are you new?" The oldest boy asked, uncertainly.

"Kind of." The bard replied. "I'm a storyteller.. do you want to hear a story?"

Their eyes lit up, and the scrambled forward, to sit cross-legged in front of her, their suspicions forgotten. "Do you know any about Hercules?" The older boy, Darren asked, breathlessly.

Gabrielle grinned. "I sure do." She sat down herself, and motioned for Brion to relax. "As a matter of fact, not only do I know his stories.. I know Hercules himself."

Wide, round eyes. "Really?"

"Really." The bard assured him. "He's one of the nicest people I've ever met." She launched into a milder, funnier tale of the demigod's, that had the children laughing.

"Hey…" Darren bounced in place. "Are you gonna stay here.. and tell us stories?"

Gabrielle felt a gentle twinge. "For a little while, honey." She told him. "But then.. I have to go home to my family."

A quiet fell, and the children all grew sad. "We don't have families." Mercia said in a whisper, sucking on her finger. She looked up at Gabrielle with haunted eyes. "Nobody wants us."

The bard opened her arms. "Come here. " She pulled the girl into her lap, and hugged her. "Mercia, that's not true." She rocked the girl gently, as the other children huddled closer, and clung to her. "Let me tell you something about families..ok?"

She took a breath. "Sometimes, bonds of friendship tie you closer to other people than blood ever can.. the friends you make here will become family." The girl clutched her tightly. "That's what happened to me, you know… I couldn’t stay with my family.. so I went away, and I discovered a friend who became my best friend in the whole world." She stroked the girl's russet hair. "And now she's my family, and I love her very much."

Mercia blinked up at her, rubbing her eyes with one grubby fist. "Do you miss your mama?"

Gabrielle sighed. "Sometimes… but mostly I'm happy."

The children thought about that. "Who's your friend?" Darren asked, practically.

"Will get to meet her?" Mercia chimed in, apparently cheered up.

Gabrielle cast a quick glance at Brion, who was gazing dreamily at her, and decided she was pretty safe. "Well, my friend's name is Xena."

"Wow!" Darren blurted. "Not the Xena?"

The bard smiled. "Well, she's the only one I know.." She lowered her voice. "And I"ll see what I can do about getting you to meet her."

They left the children's room behind, and Brion scuffed his boots against the ground as he walked. "Is that really true?"

"Hmm?" Gabrielle turned towards him. "What?"

"You really know the Warrior Princess?" Came the shy question.

"Oh yeah." The bard laughed quietly. "It's true…after all, I live in Amphipolis, remember?"

"Right… " Brion nodded. "My da.. used to tell stories about her." He sighed. "About how she used to be so bad, then turned into a good person."

Gabrielle studied him quickly. "That's true… she's a wonderful person.. just really amazing." She looked behind her. "Where did those children come from?"

"Mostly their parents just… " Brion gazed at his boots. "They died, over the winter.. or they ran out of food.. so they… just kind of put the kids out." He winced at the shocked expression on Gabrielle's face. "Yeah.. it was pretty awful… we were always glad when we could find one of them."

"Brion…" The bard put a hand on his arm, and felt him blush under her fingertips. "Please… can I just go see my friends.. just for a minute? I won't tell anyone." Her green eyes searched his gently. "Please?"

He found himself mesmerized by her. "Uh… well.. all right.. but just for a minute." He decided recklessly, wanting her smile.

She smiled, and pressed his arm. "Thank you."

"All right." Cait whispered. "Are you ready? I hear footsteps." They were crouched down on either side of the door, in the dim torchlight which flickered, hitting highlights in both Cait's and Lennat's pale hair. "Super.. it's only two of them.." She cocked her head. "And not those big humongous ones, either."

"Good." Lennat replied, nervously. "I.. I'm not really a fighter, Cait."

"That's all right." Cait giggled softly. "I am."

The footsteps came closer, and they heard the soft, unmistakable jingling of the heavy keys as the rasp of metal on metal told them the lock was being drawn. Cait gave a quick, concerned glance back at the sill form in the hay, with Johan's tense figure crouched over it, gently dabbing at still seeping wounds with a stained linen cloth. Ephiny had not regained consciousness since she'd been dumped in there, and they'd all been very nervous when breakfast hadn't shown up as scheduled.

Had they been heard? But now the lock was turning, and she crouched, focusing her attention on the slim red line that was the outer light coming in as the door cracked open. An inch further, and then she was lunging forward, and getting her fingers inside the crack, jerking the door open and reaching blindly for the first person, grabbing fabric and pulling back with all her strength.

She toppled backward, with a startled, struggling body on top of her, and she got her booted feet up and into the gasping man's ribcage, kicking up as hard as she could, and throwing him against the wall. He slid down the surface without a sound, and she bounded up, reaching for the second, shadowy figure who abruptly grasped her hands, and hugged her.

"Cait?" Gabrielle's voice was tense.

"Gods." Cait breathed, letting her body go limp in the bard's strong arms. "Bloody rot.. it would be you."

"Yeah." The bard snorted softly. "Glad I stopped you.. poor Brion." Then her breath caught as she spotted Johan's kneeling form. "What… oh gods." She gently set Cait on her feet, then dashed forward, dropping to her knees in the dirty straw. "Oh gods… what happened?" She reached out a shaking hand to touch Ephiny's swollen face.

"Hoping you could tell us, lass. " Johan gave her an unhappy look. "The poor thing was left off here in the early hours last night… Gabrielle, she's hurt bad. "

"Eph… " Gabrielle's eyes closed. "Why?"

A faint fluttering of pale lashes, then the dull glint of torchlight against bloodshot pale eyes. "G…"

"Shh… " Gabrielle put a fingertip against her lips. "Don't try to talk.. that's an order." She curled a hand around the regents. "We're going to get you out of here."

"You… safe." Ephiny whispered. "Good." She struggled to open her eyes further. "Kicked her… hurt… can't do this… you.. give Xena time."

The bard cupped her cheek very gently. "Ephiny.. you're telling me you provoked her.. on purpose?"

Faint nod.

"Gods." Gabrielle groaned. "When we get out of here, I swear, Ephiny.. I swear, I'm gonna have an Amazon Council and tell every last one of them the story of the blue frosting.. with details.. you'll deserve it for being so damned… so…. So… augh. Amazons!" She used Xena's favorite oath. "Couldn’t you have just trusted me to handle things?"

Pale eyes filled with pain apologized. "Trust you." Ephiny sighed. "She wanted.. details.. about you.. no way out of it.. think she suspects." She squeezed Gabrielle's hand weakly. "Forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive." Gabrielle sighed. "Take it easy… it won't be long, Eph… Xena's close."

The regent's eyes fluttered closed, and she nodded a tiny bit.

"Aye.. but she's only one person, lass.. " Johan eyed her. "This place is swarming with the buggers."

"Don’t worry about that." Gabrielle put a hand on his shoulder. "One Xena is more than enough to handle this bunch." She studied Ephiny gravely. "Just keep her quiet.. keep her warm.. and you all just please.. please.. stay here." She gave Cait a stern look. "I've got to draw their attention .. and I don’t' need to worry about you guys too, ok?"

"But.. " Cait protested. "That's rot!"

"Cait." The bard let out a tired breath. "Someone has to guard Ephiny.. Xena will come here first.. you've got to help her get Eph out of here…that's the important thing. I'll be fine.. they haven't hurt me."

'That is not what Xena is going to think." Cait replied softly. "And you know that."

"That's fine." Gabrielle snapped. "You let me worry about that." She glanced towards the door. "Johan, you and Lennat drag my friend over there outside, I need to get going before someone finds us."

The two men rose and obeyed her without question, and she turned back to the injured regent. Ephiny's eyes drifted open again. "Gab?"

The bard leaned closer, and wiped a trickle of blood that had seeped from the Amazon's nose with a damp piece of linen. "I'm here."

Ephiny's gaze focused on her intently. "Take… care of Pony for me..ok?"

"Take care of her yourself. " Gabrielle replied firmly, feeling her heart sink. "You're gonna get out of here, Ephiny. I promise you that."

A shaking hand gripped her ankle. "Promise me.. you'll lead the Amazons… " Ephiny's voice rasped. "They need you."

Oh gods. Gabrielle found herself meeting Ephiny's eyes as the request hit home. "I promise." She replied softly.

Ephiny's eyes misted. "Give Xenon a hug."

The bard felt tears roll down her cheeks, and she ignored them. "I will." She interlaced her fingers with Ephiny's. "But don't you give up, Ephiny… don't you dare."

The regent nodded her head a fraction, and squeezed the hand holding hers. "Do my best." Her breathing slowed, and her grip slackened.

Gabrielle set her arm down by her side, and smoothed over the thin shirt she was wearing. "You do that." She murmured, gazing at her friend for a long moment, before she stood, and raked her fingers through her hair "All right.. here's the plan." They all looked at her. "When Xena gets here… get everyone in these cells out.. the corridor outside leads straight down to the entrance."

"Gabrielle… " Lennat walked over and hugged her gently. "Are you sure Xena will be able to get in here?"

Green eyes met his without flinching. "She'll be here." Gabrielle replied with utter confidence. "Get everyone out, then tell her I"ll probably be up in the main hall." She gave them a grim smile. "I"ll try to keep everyone occupied while you're all escaping."

"All right." Cait agreed reluctantly. "But be ever careful."

Gabrielle hugged her. "I will, Cait." She released the girl, and gave Johan an equally heartfelt hug. "Keep an eye on them, dad." She heard Johan's breathing catch, and released him, then padded to the door, and slipped out, gazing back at them for a long moment before she closed the door gently and walked over to where Brion was slumped. "Hey.. " She patted his cheek gently.

He spluttered, and shook his head, jerking his vision around wildly. "Wh..what .. what happened?"

"Good question. " Gabrielle replied with forced cheerfulness. "You passed out." She stepped back and offered him a hand up. "It's ok.. I just peeked in at them.. we can go now."

Brion let out a relieved sigh, rubbing his head. "Oh.. ok.. great…. " He turned, and led the way up the corridor, blinking a little. "Wow.. I never… did that before."

"Mm." Gabrielle paced alongside him, her mind whirling. "Maybe you need some lunch… can we?"

"Oh.. yeah.. yeah.. that's a great idea." The boy nodded. "I think I need a drink."

The turned the next corner, and stopped, as Paladia's bulky form filled the corridor. The tall woman watched them intently. "Get out of here, Brion." She finally ordered. "I"ll take her from here."

The boy gave her an apologetic look, then ducked around Paladia's big body, and escaped down the hall.

Gabrielle faced her, the anger building as she remembered Ephiny's battered features. "It's been a nice morning.. " She said, carefully. "I got to meet the children.. and Brion showed me around a little. "

Paladia regarded her uncertainly. "That's.. good… um… it's hard on the kids.. they kinda have to take care of themselves." She studied the floor. "Come on." She finally said. "You've got some explaining to do."

The bark of the tree scraped rough against her skin as Xena leaped up and over a small gully, catching hold of the rock ledge above her and muscling her way up onto it. She turned, and braced her boots, wrapping one hand around a protruding tree root. "All right.. c'mon.. we're almost there."

The slack on the rope tied around her played out, then she tensed, as weight pulled against her body. A moment later, Eponin's dark head popped up over the rock ledge, and the weapon's master grimly hauled herself up, getting her feet under her and clearing the way for Solari to follow. She wandered past Xena's braced form, and hopped up onto the next rock, peering over it and down through the pass at last.

A soft, heartfelt curse broke the air, and Xena turned to look at her. "What?"

Eponin didn't answer, she just slumped against the rock, and let her head rest against the stone in weary defeat. Solari scrambled up next to her, and choked back a cry.

"Hold it." Xena motioned the rest of the party to stay where they were, and untied the rope around her, looping it over the tree root. She then joined the two Amazons and stared over their shoulders.

Damn. Xena blinked in confusion and dismay. The mountainside they'd spent a laborious day climbing was merely an outer protective ring. There, leagues away, rose a stark inner cone, sparsely forested, that fell far down into the old crater of the volcano. Below, she could barely make out the rushing of a rain fed river, that emptied out finally into the valley beneath them. In silence, she vaulted the rock, and paced up the short ridge that overlooked the inner cone, going to it's very edge and letting the whirling winds blow her dark hair back.

Aside from the dim rush of water, it was silent. Overhead, two circling hawks lazily rode the thermal drafts, mocking her with their mastery of the air.

"Now what?" Eponin asked, with a weary sigh, coming up behind her and gazing across at the craggy rock face.

Xena was at a loss. She felt the vague unease that had been growing inside her erupt into a sick roiling, and for a long moment, almost lost her composure. She wanted to just sink down, and put her head in her hands, and have someone tell her what to do.

But all those eyes were on her, and Gabrielle was depending on her, and she just couldn’t do that. Question was, what could she do? Climbing down the inner face and back up the smaller cone was out of the question.. the depth went farther down than the plains she'd climbed up so far, and that had taken most of the day.

Her heart lurched. Now what… now what…. Her brow creasing, she paced along the ridge, thinking hard. "Help the rest of them up." She turned and addressed Solari. "Let me see what I can come up with."

The two Amazons gave her a long look, then left her alone, moving back along the rocky path.

Gabrielle… Her eyes searched the inner cone, seeing the unbroken, sloping sides. What am I gonna do? She walked to the edge of the ridge again, and folded her arms, breathing in the warm, richly pine scented air. The wind stirred the branches of the tenacious oak tree next to her, and she looked up at it, watching the limbs bend and flex, springing back into place with elastic energy.

Her eyes focused on that, then flicked to the path arching down from the pass. Then she gazed out over the space that separated the two rock walls, and spotted, further down from the level they were on, a half hidden ledge that protruded gently, hiding a dark, uneven opening in the rock face.

"Well?" Eponin came up behind her quietly. "Do we have a plan?"

Xena smiled grimly into the biting wind. "Yes." She collected herself, glancing down as Ares galloped over to her, and nuzzled her knee. "See that?" She pointed to the opening.

Eponin peered, and moved aside as Solari joined them, with the rest of the Amazons close behind. "Yeeeaaahh…. " She drew the word out. "Looks like a cave opening." She glanced up at the dark profile next to her. "You think it's an entrance?"

The warrior chewed her lip. "They have to have air ducts." She finally said. "Yeah.. I think it is… see the stains down that rock?" She pointed to the surface under the opening. "Looks like they dump stuff out of there."

Solari nodded slowly. "I see that… yeah." She looked over at Xena. "But how does that help us? We're over here.. not there."

"I know." Xena replied calmly. "That's gotta change." Thank the gods it's enclosed spaces and not heights that give me problems. They're not gonna believe this.. I'm not sure I believe it.. but… I'm outta options.

They all looked at her. "Xena… you don't mean climb down and up again.. that'll take forever." Solari ventured, cautiously.

The warrior laid a hand over her stomach, and let out a long breath. "We don’t have forever." Her nostrils flared. "I'm going to get over there."

Shocked silence. "How?" Eponin asked.

"Jump." Xena answered succinctly. "I'm going to use that tree as a catapult and hopefully end up not to far down the cliff face.

Utter stillness from the Amazons as they stared at her in uncomprehending disbelief. "Excuse us a minute." Eponin said, giving Solari a shove. "I need to talk to Xena."

The Amazons scattered, pulling back and clustering around the still stunned Solari.

Xena ignored them, measuring angles and testing the wind.

"If you think I'm gonna stand here and let you commit suicide, you're crazy." Eponin stated, in a low, serious voice. "So just cut it out."

The warrior glanced up, launching her body upwards and catching the lowest branch of the tree, flexing it gently, then releasing her hold. "Why?" She turned and looked Eponin right in the eye. "That ought to make the Amazons happy."

Eponin stared at her. "That's not true."

Xena gave a shake of her head, and measured distances. "Yeah, well… I don’t have time to argue with you, Eponin." She started to back off, counting steps.

The Amazon grabbed her, ignoring her own safety. "Xena."

The blue eyes bored right through her. "Let go of me." She dropped her voice, as the setting sun painted them in rich gold light.

"NO." Eponin growled right back. "Xena, think about it…. There has to be some way to get over there.. what is your falling to your death going to do to help the situation?" She shook the warrior hard. "What's the matter with you? What in Hades makes you think you can just fly like a damn bird across that gap?"

Xena reached up and circled Eponin's wrists with both hands, and squeezed, causing the Amazon's grip to release. She gently pushed her away. "Because Gabrielle's on the other side of it." She answered in a quiet voice. "And she needs me."

Eponin stared at her.

"Get out of my way, Eponin." Xena continued in that same quiet tone. She refused to think about what she was contemplating. Refused to consider the possibility of failing.

Of falling, despite her brave words to an almost sure death.

But she wouldn't do that.. Gabrielle deserved better. And she'd be damned to Hades if she wasn't going to come through this time.

Not like last time.

She had to. "Get out of my way." She repeated, flexing her hands, and judging the wind.

"Wait." The Amazon put a hand on her wrist. "Just a second." She glanced over Xena's shoulder. "Get the ropes. Tie them all together." She ordered the Amazons, who stared at her in disbelief. "NOW!!!"

Xena looked at her. "So you can pull me back off the rocks?" She remarked in bitter humor.

Caramel colored eyes full of respect gazed right back at her. "No." Eponin disagreed. "So you can tie it off to a tree over there and we can come with you." She let out a breath. "Gabrielle says… she believes that there's nothing you can't do." The Amazon nodded a little. "All right… I believe that too."

The blue eyes closed briefly, then opened. "Thanks." Xena replied softly, then knelt and ruffled Ares' fur. "You stay here, boy."

The wolf's ears drooped, and he whined pathetically.

"I'll bring him over with me." Eponin bit off a grim smile, as Solari trotted over, loops of hemp circling her shoulders. "Ok.. here we go."

Xena took the end of the rope, and tied it around her, then gave the two Amazons a tight grin. "See you in a little while." She faced the ridge, and took a deep breath, refusing the think about what she was about to do. She only focused on the result, which would put her on that rock face, near that entrance, that much closer to her soulmate.

No choice. Just do it. She rocked back then sprang forward, her strides gaining speed as the uneven path sped beneath her boots.

Counting the paces down, she angled towards the tree, judging her timing.. judging the wind… two steps, one.. then she was airborne, and landing on the outermost branch, letting her momentum bend the limb downward, pressing….feeling the recoil in the branch as it resisted her weight, and flung itself outward.

And she powered herself outward with it, using its force, and the coiled strength of her legs to shove her body outward and upward, into the thin, warm air.

The sun was hot, but the air cooled her, and an eerie silence blocked out almost all sound, save that of the wind rushing past her ears. She was falling, dropping with incredible speed towards the earth and only then did she consider just how stupid a move this really was.

Oh gods. She was going to die here.

No.

I am not giving up.

She closed her eyes, and reached her hands out as far as they would go, flattening her body, and willing herself forward. Towards the mountain. Towards Gabrielle. Towards the redemption of her soul.

Now the air was whistling past her, and the roaring matched the roaring of the blood pumping through her as she concentrated on only one thing, only one person, and the irresistible need that drove her through the air in an impossible arc.

Her senses barely warned her in time, as the mountain suddenly loomed before her, it's dangerous proximity ringing violent alarm bells as she got her hands in front of her just before she impacted into the stone with all the force of her motion.

She reeled on the edge of unconsciousness from the shock, the rock and brush tearing at her flesh until her hands clamped down with automatic strength and she somehow stopped her body's downward motion on the out thrust limbs of a gnarled bristlecone pine tree.

The pain was incredible. She felt like she'd taken unblocked battle mace blows along every inch of her body, and the lancing, violent shocks obscured her vision for a frighteningly long moment. Finally, they subsided, and she opened her eyes, blinking dazedly as pine needles swam into focus before her nose. Slowly, she turned her head and looked back, her gaze traveling up the reverse face to see a half dozen anxious faces staring at her in open disbelief.

I did it. The thought drifted wonderingly through her mind. Her hands were wrapped around the pine tree's rough branches, and her boots had somehow found purchase against the stone outcropping that supported the tree. The ledge she'd been aiming for was to her left and above her, but…

Not too damn bad. A tired, incredulous, almost silly grin creased her face momentarily, before she gathered up her strength, and hauled her body up and around the tree, flipping over onto her back and letting the hemp rope tangle around one leg. Her eyes found the circling hawks, and she impudently stuck her tongue out at them.

It hurt.. gods.. every bone in her body was protesting, but she shoved that aside, and fumbled at her waist, untying the rope and pulling it free of her body. Then she rolled over, and studied the bristlecone pine, lifting one leg and giving it a healthy kick. The tree didn't budge, and she nodded a little in approval before she tied the rope around it's squat bole, making careful knots. She tugged on the end, and watched it grow taut as the other end was reeled in and fastened, it's length wobbling along her line of sight.

The setting sun let a few reluctant spears into the densely wooded cone, drenching the ledge she'd so lately left and outlining the Amazon's busy figures. Xena let her head rest back against the rock, and folded her hands across her aching chest, watching as Eponin neatly lifted herself up onto the line, and rappelled rapidly down towards her, the Amazon's arms straining against her own weight and that of an annoyed Ares.

The weapon's master tucked her knees up, and landed with an oath, stumbling forward and ending up sprawled next to Xena's scratched and bleeding, but peaceful figure. "That had to be the damnedest thing I've ever seen." She announced. "All right, you ungrateful whoreson… get offa me." She untied the growling wolf, and let him down. "Just like a damned male."

Ares sneezed, and gave her an evil look, before he trotted over and started licking the raw scrapes on Xena's exposed skin. "Roo." He muttered.

Xena patted him gently. "Thanks." She turned her head towards Eponin and quirked a half grin.

"Don't you give me that look." Eponin groused, turning to watch as Solari started her crossing. "You got six new converts to the Xena cult." She shook her head, a brief spark of almost childlike wonder lightening her face. "You're the stuff they make legends out of, you know that? You really, really are."

Xena groaned, and rolled her eyes. "Don't start that crap." She growled, hitching herself up on an elbow. "That was a damnfool stupid stunt, and we both know it. I got lucky." She glanced down at herself. "See?" She wiped the blood of deep gouges that raked both of her thighs. "I'll never hear the end of this."

"Nope." Eponin laid a hand on her armored knee. "The dour Warrior Princess who leaps an impassible chasm all in the name of love.. nope." Her face broke into a wicked grin. "You ain't never, never living this one down."

"Eponin." Xena growled, her brows knitting.

The Amazon held up a hand. "Xena… seriously…don't be ashamed of that." She said quietly. "You just gave us a glimpse of what it is that Gabrielle sees when she looks at you…and it's an incredible thing."

Xena blinked, and gazed down at her scraped hands, idly tangled in Ares dark fur. "I just do what I have to do." She replied evenly, but looked up with a quirky grin. "Just works out sometimes."

Solari landed in a puff of rock dust, and stood with her hands on her hips. "Well. That sure beats climbing." She sniffed. "Thanks, Xena… "

The warrior put on her most nonchalant expression. "Anytime." She pushed the still stinging pain out of her mind, and stood, brushing herself off and walking to the edge of the outcropping they were perched on. "Not too bad." She started planning a route up to the opening, shifting her shoulders to settle her armor as she waited for the rest of the Amazons to rappel over. The gnawing anxiety now took over, and she took deep breaths, trying to be patient as Eponin helped the last of them onto the ledge, and they clustered at her back. "Let's go." She breathed, letting the nervous energy take over, and power her leap upward, to grab a handhold on the rock ledge, and pull herself onto it.

The path now was easy, and she led the Amazons up to where the dark opening loomed, shadowed in the twilight, a soft sigh of dusty, dank air emerging from it. They paused at the entrance, and she focused her senses down it, searching for any signs of life.

There were none, but the faint scent of burning pitch came to her, confirming her suspicions. She put a hand on the rock, and shoved the sudden sickening, familiar terror aside with grim determination. "All right… let's see where this leads us." She ducked inside, shunting aside her screaming senses and plunged into the mountain.

The room was small, just a table, and two badly made chairs, and one door, which was guarded by two very burly guards who avoided looking at her. She walked in quietly and Paladia followed her, and shut the door, which compressed the air in the room and sent a chill up and down her back. Without asking, she went to the table and sat down, folding her hands on the surface and waiting.

Paladia circled the table, and Gabrielle noticed she was limping slightly. She held out a hand to the nearer guard, and he put a stack of parchments into it. She looked at them for a long moment, then slapped them down on the table.

Gabrielle pulled them to her, and bent her head, pushing her hair out of her eyes with one hand. The writing on the scroll was familiar, and she felt a sinking sensation as she scanned the text, recognizing the terms as ones she'd negotiated between the Amazons and the Centaurs for a trading agreement.

It specified her as one of the signers, and.. her eyes dropped to the bottom. It was unsigned because Ephiny had apparently been bringing it to Amphipolis for just that purpose. Oh damn. She read it slowly twice, then went on to the next one, which was a similar document. She studied them all, aware of the tense, oppressive silence, then put them down, and looked up. "They're trade agreements."

Paladia put one boot up on the chair, her fingers fiddling with a short whip she was holding. "Is that your name on them?" She asked, in a silky, dangerous voice.

Gabrielle met her eyes squarely. "Yes." She glanced down, and put a finger on the first one. "I negotiated this on behalf of the Amazons."

The burly woman rubbed the tip of the leather strap against her jaw. "Are you an Amazon?"

The bard thought about that question. "Strictly speaking, no." She answered honestly.

Paladia moved swiftly, and slammed the end of the whip down against the bard's hand. "Don't play with me."

Gabrielle bit the inside of her lip to keep from yelling at the pain, ignoring the welt that was raising on her knuckles.

"I'll ask you again. Are you an Amazon?"

"I'm a bard." Gabrielle replied quietly. "I live in Amphipolis." She saw the nervous twitch in Paladia's arm, and sighed inwardly. "Look, what is this all about? Ephiny was carrying these to Amphipolis.. that's where she was headed.. to get my signature on them. So what?"

Paladia settled into the chair across from her, gray eyes flat and emotionless. "I think you're lying." She stated. "You're going to tell me what I want to know."

Gabrielle suppressed her fear with difficulty. "You hurt Ephiny."

Now a flash of anger crossed her face. "Bastard.. I told him not to let you near there." She growled. "She betrayed me."

The bard leaned forward. "She needs a healer." Her voice tensed. "Paladia…you can't let her die."

"Can't I?" The woman responded hotly. "You're wrong… yes I can… she turned on me, and the penalty of that is death." Her face tensed. "I'll deliver her back to her precious Amazons in pieces." She paused. "Is that why you're here, for her?"

Gabrielle leaned back cautiously. "You brought me here, remember?"

A knock on the door interrupted them. "Come." Paladia barked, turning as the wooden portal pushed open. "What?"

A tall, lanky boy poked his head in, breathing hard. "Paladia.. they spotted a group of warriors climbing up the outer wall. " He rubbed his head. "They said they's Amazons."

She stood. "Where are they?"

He ducked his eyes. "Lost them… we've got parties out looking."

Paladia turned slowly, and stared at Gabrielle. "Find them." She ordered quietly. "Bring them to me." The boy left, then she studied the bard with malevolent intent. "Tie her up. Bring her to the meeting hall. We'll hold a court, and show everyone how we deal with traitors."

"I'm not a traitor." Gabrielle objected. "You kidnapped me…I didn't join you."

The woman stared at her. "I liked you." She said softly. "I was starting to trust you." She hesitated. "I should have known better." Her eyes hardened. "I'll ask you one last time… are you an Amazon, or aren't you?"

The bard sighed, and studied the table. "Does it matter?"

Paladia lashed her across the face with the whip. "Gods damn you… " She lunged across the table and grabbed Gabrielle by the shirt, pulling her roughly across the surface. "Stop your games!"'

Gabrielle thought fast. "All right.. all right.. listen.. those Amazons are coming for Ephiny… do the right thing, Paladia.. just give her to them.. they'll leave you alone… they just want her back."

The woman wrapped her fist in the fabric of Gabrielle's shirt and lifted her off her feet. "Are you crazy?" She hissed, drenching the bard in warm, wine scented spit. "I give her back, what does that say to anyone else?"

"If you let her die, you'll be at war with the Amazons.. is that what you want?" Gabrielle countered, straining against the fabric half choking her.

Paladia choked her tighter. "How did they know she was here?" She countered in a low growl. "How will they know if she dies?"

Gabrielle didn't answer.

The burly woman released her, and laughed a short, humorless laugh. "Tie her up." She ordered the nearer guard. "Bring her." Her mouth twisted in disgust. "Don't listen to anything she says."

The darkness closed in around them, and Xena grimly felt her way forward, shutting out the queasy terror that was threatening to force her back, and turning her knees to water. She let herself focus on her soulmate, as she ducked under a constriction in the passageway, and turned a corner, breathing a silent sigh of relief as torchlight met her eyes.

Better. The hallway meandered downward, and she placed her boots carefully, not even raising a whisper against the rough stone. Behind her, the Amazons were strung, single file. Eponin's hand resting nervously against the scabbard of Xena's sword.

Rock dust. Xena swallowed. Gods I hate that smell. A brief flash of memory set her on edge, and she shivered. No time for that… cut it out, right now. She ordered herself in silence, as her ears picked up on oncoming footsteps.

She held a hand out, and stopped, cocking her head.

One set, ambling along, not in any particular hurry. She waited at the joint where their corridor met another one, until the sounds were so close she could smell the dirty leather, and fur of the clothes the oncoming stranger was wearing.

Another step, and she shot a hand out, grabbing his vest and pulling him around against the wall she was pressed up close to, slamming him into the rock roughly, then jabbing her fingers into well known spots in his neck.

He gagged, and slumped against the stone, staring at her in wild eyed fear, his breath coming in tortured gasps.

"Now." Xena said, in a very low voice. "You're going to tell me where you keep your prisoners." She paused. "Or I'm going to let you die."

"Right.. corridor… down… first door." He rasped out.

"Good boy." She released the hold, and caught him as he slid down the wall. "Now, say goodnight."

He stared at her in confusion. "G..good night?"

"Mmhmm." Xena agreed, then slammed an elbow into his head, knocking him unconscious. "Sweet dreams." The action had taken a brittle edge off her nervous energy, and she felt a little better as she slid down the path he'd indicated, and traveled the sloping path, her senses tuned for further intruders.

They got to an adjoining tunnel, and this one also sloped down, but was broader, and had ample evidence of wheel tracks marking the stone floor. She measured it mentally, and decided it was the main pathway out. "Convenient." She grunted, then peered around the corner, to see two guards stationed next to a tall, locked, wooden door. "No sense in doing the finesse thing." She muttered to Eponin, then slipped into the passageway, watching the guards start in shock. "Hello, boys."

"Wh.. who…" One started, drawing his sword and heading in her direction. "You can't.."

Xena kicked him into the wall, and disarmed him with another kick. "Sure I can." She grabbed the arm of the second, onrushing guard and threw her body around, swinging him around with her and into the wall with a sodden crunch. He slid to the floor in silence, and she brushed her hands off, as the Amazons swirled around her and started searching the bodies for a key.

"Gosh… " A voice hissed out. "Are we ever so glad to see you."

Xena went to the door, to see Cait's very pale face looking back at her. "Cait???" She barked out, confused. "What in… she peered past the girl, into the murky depths. Her senses already told her Gabrielle wasn't there, but she could see the strain on the young girl's face.

"Get this door open." Cait replied. "Oh, Xena… it's… " She let her voice trail off. "Hurry."

The warrior eyed the door, and then the girl. "Get back."

"No key." Solari growled, coming up behind her.

"Got one right here." Xena took two steps back, then leaped forward, into a front kick that nailed the door dead center, and sent it crashing into the cell, with a sound of splintering wood and screaming metal. They poured past her, and froze. "Aw… damn…" Xena breathed, bolting forward and dropping to the straw, where Johan was kneeling, Ephiny's battered face resting on his thigh.

A soft choking cry sounded behind her, and she felt Eponin's hands clench in her leathers, as the other Amazons clustered around them.

"What happened?" Xena asked, wincing, as she turned the regent's face to one side, and saw the dark bruises, and the misshapen lump that covered half her forehead. "We gotta get her outta here."

"We don't know.. really.." Cait knelt at her side, giving Eponin a worried look. "The awful woman in charge took into her.. we're not really sure why.. but Gabrielle said to tell you get Ephiny out, then she'll be diverting attention up in the main hall."

"Diverting attention?" Xena repeated slowly.

"Yes…" Cait said quietly. "And that lot outside were very angry because they weren't going to get a chance to see what they called 'the fun.'"

"The fun." The warrior mouthed, feeling the sudden jolt of fear sear her insides. "Eponin.. get… Ephiny out… of here. Down that corridor.. that's the door outside. " She stood, and moved towards the entrance, not seeing most of the room around her. "I have to.. "

Eponin looked up, from where she had taken Ephiny's hand. "Go." Her voice was rough. "We'll handle this."

Xena went, her boots pounding against the stone floor in abandon now. She let her instincts guide her, barely aware of her surroundings. Her senses blurred, and she thought she remembered drawing her sword.

Thought she remembered dark bodies, and yelling, and the slickness of blood as it ran up her arm, but she didn't let anything stop her relentless advance.

Finally, light, and noise, and the smell of warm bodies, as she ran up a short incline into a huge open space and her eyes picked out and focused on a lone, slight form halfway across the cavern, facing a man, and a whip….

And she jumped.

The hall was filled with nervous, excited voices, when they dragged Gabrielle in, and lashed her to a hastily erected post, just to the right of the pit which held their caged captive. The eyes, which yesterday had turned to her in interest and delight, now watched her with cold malice, the unthinking dislike of children who have had a favorite toy taken from them.

Children are cruel, she mused, swallowing nervously. They haven't gotten old enough to know the consequences of their actions. A memory surfaced, and she closed her eyes against it. No time for that, now.

She felt the rough wood of the post against her arms, and gazed out over the noisy crowd, seeing Paladia's grim form standing at the raised platform. As she watched, a squat, barechested man strolled over to stand by her, a long, dark stained whip clutched lovingly in one hand.

The torches fluttered, and she could smell the nervous sweat in the air, as the man smiled toothily at her, and caressed the end of the whip. "Bet I make you scream in five lashes." He oozed at her.

Gabrielle felt sick, as a tall boy with emotionless eyes took her arm from it's bindings, and fastened it to a chain hanging from the top of the post, stretching her body out. Then he pulled her other arm up, and just stood there, looking at her for a long moment. She ignored him, and turned her eyes to the man with the whip. "I bet you don't." She lifted her head, and gave her emotions full rein, ignoring the fear, and the sting of the lash welts on her face and her hand.

"I want to hear you yell for mercy." The man persisted, flicking the edge of the whip around her. "Little girl."

Gabrielle pinned him with a fierce look. "I haven't done anything to you."

"Your kind threw me out of my home." The man answered.

"My kind?" Gabrielle shot back. "I don’t have a kind.. I'm a person… and I haven't done anything to you." She raised her voice, cutting through the buzz. "Is this what your goal is?"

"Our goal is to survive." One boy yelled back.

"So… beating me achieves that exactly how?" The bard countered. "You've all had a hard time… but don’t take that out on other people.. it makes you as bad as the people who hurt you."

"Shut up." Paladia was somehow, just there. "You don’t' know anything."

"Anything?" Gabrielle took the wraps off her temper. "No.. it's you who doesn't know anything… I know that once you start down this path, you'll never come back. Is that what you want? You want to be known as a lousy bunch of criminals?"

The blow rocked her backwards, and she went with it, letting the force slide off her. "So..that's your answer? Someone disagrees with you and you hit them?" She was aware of the blood trickling from her mouth, but ignored it. "Don't you see what you're becoming?"

A storm of emotion behind those gray eyes. "I can't stop that now."

Gabrielle gentled her voice. "You can always stop that." She said softly. "Violence is not the answer."

For a moment, she thought she'd broken through. Then Paladia gave a tiny shake of her head. "Too late for that." Her hand lifted from her side, then dropped. "If I don't do this, I lose their respect, and without that… "

Gabrielle made one last try. "Paladia… don't do this. Let those captives go… you've made a family here.. lead them with honor… you can find another way to provide for them. These people have skills… you don't have to live this way."

"But Gabrielle… I want to live this way." She answered, with a sly smile. "I like it." She stepped back, and motioned the bare chested man forward. "Do yourself a favor.. don't wait too long to start screaming and begging.. because he will keep going until you do."

Perhaps she though it a kindness.

"You see, Gabrielle.. " She gave the man a nod, and he snaked the whip back. "We understand something that you don't.." There was only sad disillusionment in her gray eyes. "Something life's taught us, the hard way."

The bard kept her eyes locked on Paladia's face. "What's that?"

"There are no such thing as heroes." Paladia smiled cruelly. "They don't drop out of the sky to solve your problems for you." She signaled, and the leather snapped forward.

And then a booming echo rolled through the cavern, a high, savage yell that seemed to rattle the very rocks surrounding them, and filled Gabrielle with a sense of triumphant warmth as her body knew the presence of her beloved soulmate, even without the familiarity of that wild cry.

There was a rush of air displacement, then a dark, sleek form arced through the air and over their heads, landing neatly at Gabrielle's side, and sending a silver blur speeding towards her that cut the ropes binding her with a keening slice.

Shocked silence fell, as Gabrielle brushed herself off, and took a step forward. "Actually, Paladia.. in my stories.. yes they do." She turned her head and regarded her partner with warm affection. "Nice timing."

Xena shot a glance at her. "Like that?"

"Mmm.. " She moved up closer to the warrior, and winced as she spotted the scrapes and gashes stark against her soulmate's skin. She put a hand on Xena's side, and glanced over at the staring Paladia. "You wanted to meet Xena, right?" She mustered a grim smile. "Now you have."

The warrior still had her sword unsheathed, and she moved it in a circle, a dark warning in her eyes. "Back off." She growled.

Paladia sized up the tall, dark haired woman standing with calm assurance in their midst. "So.. you're Xena." She mused thoughtfully.

Pale blue eyes icily regarded her. "Yep." Xena's regard flicked over her, then turned elsewhere, watching the ring of fighters, who were moving closer. This… could be trouble. She tapped into the dark energies that fueled her battle skills, feeling them flow up and along her skin, bringing a familiar shiver with them.

The burly woman eased forward. "Saved me the trouble of bringing you in here."

Gabrielle saw the shift of her partner's weight, over the balls of her feet, and took a step back, clearing her reach. "Paladia… don't." She uttered a warning. Damn…She darted a look around, marking a staff within her easy grasp.

The woman drew her sword, and motioned her nervous guards back. "No… this one's mine."

A silent circle formed, around the two women warriors

"Xena… " Gabrielle started. "We don’t have time… "

"Amazons got Eph and the others out." The warrior told her, never taking her eyes off the slowly circling Paladia. Xena kept her sword resting lightly on her shoulder, and waited, her body now totally relaxed. "She the one who pounded her?"

Gabrielle debated briefly. "Yes."

Xena shifted her sword from her right hand to her left, and suddenly cut the distance between herself and the larger woman, whipping her arm back and unloading a roundhouse right hand into Paladia's jaw with a solid, evil crack.

The renegade leader stumbled back, crashing against the post Gabrielle had been tied to and almost dropping her sword.

"I'm gonna give you all one chance to walk out of here. " Xena said quietly. "One chance, where I'm not gonna think about what you did to a good friend of mine. " She closed on Paladia, kicking the sword out of her hand, then grabbing her shirt and jerking her upright. "One chance where I'm not gonna think about the fact that you laid a hand on my partner."

"P..par… " Paladia's eyes jerked over Xena's shoulder to find Gabrielle's still face.

"Whoops…guess I forgot to mention that." The bard commented wryly.

"One chance." Xena repeated, dropping her voice and shoving Paladia back against the post. "Or I'll let loose and start putting body parts all over this damned, stinking, scum filled cavern."

"Y..you're bluffing." Paladia growled.

Xena smiled, her full, deep, feral smile. "Sure I am, kid. Try me."

"I will." Paladia surged forward, taking them both to the ground, and trying for a grip on the warrior's body.

Gabrielle grabbed the first boy who rushed forward, taking his staff from his hands, and moving it in a blur, taking his feet out from under him with unerring skill. "Oh no." She disarmed another, and beat back two more, clearing a space around the battling women. "Don't be stupid."

They panted, staring at her in shock. She grinned, and darted a glance over her shoulder, where Paladia was trying vainly to pin her partner with her greater weight. "Trust me, that doesn't work." Xena flipped her off with ease, then pounced on her, and she heard a wrenching crack which made her wince. "I hate when she does that." Her attention turned back to the watching, edgy crowd, and she darted forward, taking the long pike out of a man's hands, and whacking him across the temples. "Back." She warned.

"She was right." One burly older man spat. "You are an Amazon."

Gabrielle disarmed a short, dark haired boy who was trying to come to his leader's aid. "What tipped you off.. the staff.." Whack. "Or the attitude?" Smack. "Gotcha.. now get back." Her temper was completely snapped, and she spared a quick look to where Xena whirled around and tossed her larger opponent back against the post, then grinned, taunting her with quicksilver moves that kept her just out of Paladia's reach. "Fast, isn't she?"

Paladia let out a frustrated growl, which ran in weird counterpoint to the low laugh from her opponent, and she made a last ditch effort to throttle Xena, throwing her body against the warrior's, and rolling them both over.

And into the pit, where a loud, triumphant roar greeted them.

"Xena!" Gabrielle yelled in horror. "Watch out!"

Now she tells me. The warrior sighed mentally, as she rotated her body in mid air, thrusting an elbow into Paladia's face, and freeing herself in time to land neatly on both booted feet. The pit was very dark, and she could smell something feral and musky, that seemed to match the wild roar that was echoing out of the darkness.

Paladia stumbled as she landed, losing her balance and falling towards the opposite side of the pit, then screaming as long, curved, filthy claws fastened themselves into her body.

Xena took a breath, and stood, balanced on a knife's edge of decision. She had no sympathy for Paladia… not since the instant she kicked the dungeon's door open and dropped to her knees beside the injured Ephiny, doing her best not to wince under the sudden death grip Eponin had put on her arm.

Especially none, on seeing the angry welt on Gabrielle's fair face.

She deserves this, right?

Claws punctured the leathers the younger woman was wearing, and she screamed again, struggling against the hold of the creature, who was growling hideously.

Damn. Xena sighed inwardly, and lunged forward, taking two quick steps, then launching herself in the air, kicking out when she was almost over Paladia's body, and feeling the shock of impact as her boots hit the creature's head.

Her momentum took them both down, and she grabbed for a hold, feeling its claws rip through the thick leather above her armor, searing hot flares down the skin of her throat. She got both fists into its neck, and opened her hands, clenching down on the beast's windpipe and tightening her grip with a bloodcurdling yell of her own.

The growls stopped.

She could hear Paladia's soft moaning. Her breathing. The creature's.

Then a low, guttural, rasping voice tickled her fingertips. "Chosen?"

The hold on her body released, and she dropped to the ground, feeling the shock in her knees as she loosened her own grip on the beast's neck. Her eyes strained to see through the darkness, and she made out, just barely, a form far taller than her own, vaguely human shaped. "Yes." She finally answered quietly.

A tired rasp answered her. "Never thought I'd ever be glad to see one of your Ares be damned kind.. but at least you know what I am."

Xena let out a breath. "Who are you?"

Paladia lifted up her head at that. "It's an animal.. what are you talking about?"

The warrior continued peering through the murky shadows. "Not nearly as much of one as you are." She replied in a cold tone. "Who are you?"

A tiny reflective flash of torchlight against fangs. "Kelten."

Xena nodded slowly. "Secan's successor."

"Yes.' Very stark.

"Xena?" Gabrielle's anxious voice floated down.

"S'allright." The warrior called back up. "You ok up there?"

The bard turned around, hefting her staff and regarding the rows of slumped forms in front of her. "Fine, thanks." She advised blithely. "We got some reinforcements." She looked up to see a line of grim, armed Amazons now entering.

"All right." Xena returned her attention to Kelten. "You chained?"

The forest dweller snorted softly. "Would I still be here if I wasn't?"

Xena stepped closer, and her nose twitched, as the smell of blood and infection rose to her. "You're hurt."

Long silence. "Yeah." Came the quiet answer. "Shackle's cut into my leg."

"What are you doing?" Paladia coughed.

"Shut up." Xena growled over her shoulder. "Or I'll rip your arm off and feed it to him."

A soft snicker reached her ears. "You sure you just don’t shave off all the fur, Chosen?"

The warrior pushed past him, and felt the thick metal chain that was fastened around one thick leg. His fur was slick with blood, and she could feel an unhealthy heat under her touch. "Not good." She wiped her hands on her leathers, and braced a booted foot against the wall of the pit. "All right…grab ahold of that chain, and when I tell you, pull."

"I tried that." Kelten growled. "For four damned moons."

Xena sighed. "Look.. I'm in a really bad mood right now. Either do what I say, or I'll just leave you here."

His hands fit themselves around the chain.

"Thank you." The warrior put her own hands around the metal links, and tensed, lifting her other boot off the ground and bracing it against the wall, suspending herself against the chain's countersunk bolts. "All right…pull."

Slowly she straightened against the metal, using her whole body against the thick links. Behind her, she could hear Kelten grunt with the effort, and under her fingers, she felt the odd, creaking motion as the metal links succumbed.

A squealing wrench, and she was tumbling through the air, landing on the pit's stinking floor with a thump. With an inward groan, she scrambled to her feet, intercepting Kelten who was advancing on Paladia. "Hold it."

"Chosen.. no… this is my hunt." The forest dweller crooned. "That one owes me."

Xena grabbed his fur and pulled. "I said no." She drew her sword and smacked him with it, pushing him back. "There's been enough blood in here." She advanced on Paladia, who had backed up against the far wall, and was almost invisible in the dim light of the pit. The warrior walked right up to her and laid the blade of her sword against the taller woman's neck. "You want to continued our little game?"

She could almost hear Paladia's pounding heart.

"No." The burly woman whispered. "But I will if you even the odds."

Xena smiled, the torchlight reflecting off her even, white teeth. "By how… cutting my head off?" She leaned forward, tickling the woman's skin with the edge of her sword. "You're outta your league, kid."

"Think so, huh?" Paladia rasped.

Xena met her gaze. "Yes."

"We'll see." The younger woman replied, unrepentant. "You'll never get out of here."

The warrior sheathed he sword, and put her hands on her hips. "Sure I will." She remarked conversationally. "But you first." She slammed an elbow into the burly renegade's jaw, knocking her head back against the wall, and sending her unconscious. "Gods." She sighed, marshalling her strength and pulling the woman over her shoulders, biting her lip as the weight put pressure on already aching joints. I'm gonna regret this. She spread her booted feet, judging her balance, and crouched, wrapping her hands around the wooden supports and hauling her load upward, hearing Gabrielle's curse as the bard dropped her staff and grabbed the body slung over her partner's shoulder, dragging it onto the stone floor of the cavern.

Xena followed, flexing her shoulders. "Damn, Gabrielle.. would have been easier to lift up Argo."

The bard reached over and rubbed her arm, as she took a moment, and glanced around the cavern. The room was deathly silent, watching her, as a small circle of Amazons trained crossbows on them with no nonsense expressions. Gabrielle touched her partner's neck with a gentle finger. "You're bleeding."

"Huh?" Xena glanced down, to where Kelten's claws had ripped her skin. "Oh.. " A shrug "Just a couple of scratches." She turned, and braced her boots against the wooden rails, and held her hands down into the darkness. "C'mon, Kelten."

Gabrielle jumped. "Ke…." She leaned over, putting a hand on Xena's shoulder for balance. "From Secan's clan?"

"Yep." Xena agreed, as the forest dweller leaped with a pained gasp and she caught his wrists, wrapping her hands around them and heaving up with all her strength.

The gasp traveled around the room, and the closed inhabitants scattered, as she managed to pull the furred body up and out of the pit, to lie, his face tensed with pain, on the rock floor of the cavern.

"Oh." Gabrielle said softly, kneeling down at his side and putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Wow… "

"Hold still." Xena ordered, drawing her sword. "Don't move your leg."

"If you cut it off, it'll hurt less." Kelten mumbled.

A rumble of surprise traveled around the room, as the forest dweller's voice was heard. Xena gave them all a disgusted look, then concentrated, and swept her weapon down in a short, savage arc, impacting the metal shackle that was fastened tightly around the fur covered leg. Sparks skittered over the floor and a keening sound split the heavy silence, then a soft, muffled clank came as the shackle fell off.

Xena winced unconsciously, looking at the infected wound that the metal had caused, cut deep in the forest dweller's flesh, which was an angry red. Yellow pus oozed out of the space, mixing with sluggish, dark blood. "Not good."

Kelten lifted his savage head, and gazed around him. "Just get out of my way and let me go." He growled in dark anger.

Gabrielle patted his arm. "You should let Xena dress that first."

The forest dweller pushed himself up into a sitting position, his face haggard, and his body so thin she could see the ribs plainly under his filthy dull gray coat. "No thanks." He struggled to his feet, towering over them, and blinked. "Chosen… I owe you a debt."

"Yeah?" Xena said, quietly. "All right.. I'm calling it in."

Kelten stared at her.

"Sit your damn fuzzy butt down." The warrior growled. "Or I'm gonna stand up, and kick you into the next valley."

Their eyes locked for a long moment, then Kelten dropped his gaze, and settled back down on the ground with a thump, resting his arms on his knees, and regarding the dusty floor quietly.

"That’s better." Xena sighed, pushing herself to her feet, and offering Gabrielle a hand up.

They faced the crowd, who stared back at them with unconcealed hostility. "All right.. so now what?" The warrior asked in a whisper. "I really don’t want to have to beat up all these kids, Gabrielle."

The bard eyed her. "They're not all… bad. Xena… most of these folks were driven from their homes during the winter.. there are even some children here."

The warrior put her hands on her hips and regarded her partner. "Gabrielle.. they were about to watch you be whipped."

"I know." The bard sighed. "They're just following her lead." She jerked her chin towards Paladia.

Xena regarded the floor for a moment, then looked up. "I want you all to get on out of here. Go home." She raised her clear, powerful voice. "Party's over."

One boy stepped forward, his jaw clenching and unclenching. "This is our home."

Voices raised in angry agreement. "You can't tell us to leave." The boy added, gaining confidence from the support.

Xena drummed her fingers against her thigh, considering. "Yes I can." She informed them with quiet menace, drawing her sword and advancing on them. They backed up, eyes widening, and she stopped, perplexed. What the Hades do I do with these people? She half turned and looked at Gabrielle, who gave her head a shake, and moved up next to her, gazing the crowd.

"You can't keep doing what you were doing." The bard said, slowly. "We can't let you do that."

The boy cleared his throat. "Didn't hurt nothin."

Gabrielle shook her head. "You're wrong… it did… "

Paladia groaned, stirring, and reaching for her head.

A commotion drew Xena's attention, and she half turned, seeing the crowd shoved aside as Eponin made her way into the center of the cavern, her eyes pinned on Paladia's slumped form.

She broke into a run, drawing her sword with one hand, murderous intent in ever line of her body.

Xena just barely managed to intercept her, leaping over Kelten's crouched body and crashing into the weapon's master with less finesse than brute force, and sending them both tumbling onto the ground, adding a fresh set of scrapes to Xena's collection. "Eponin… " She gasped, scrambling for a hold on the furiously struggling woman.

"Let me go." Eponin brought them both up onto their knees somehow, and fought to get to her feet. "I'm going to rip that bitch into ten thousand pieces. "

"No.. Ep… " Xena grabbed her and held on grimly. "You're not."

"Let me GO." The Amazon now turned her anger on the warrior, striking her hard on the side of the head with a forearm. "Damn it, Xena… you've got no right to stop me."

Xena shifted her grasp, getting ahold of Eponin's shoulders and forcing her to face forward. "Don't, Eponin… it doesn't help."

The Amazon grabbed her leathers, and shook her as hard as she could, her voice thick with rage. She was beyond sense.. oblivious of the danger she was in. "Let me go.. damn it.. no one the Hades stopped you, did they?"

That hurt, but Xena captured her face, and gazed into her eyes with violent intensity. "NO… they didn't.. " She let out an anguished breath. "..and I lost something because of it that I will never, ever get back., Eponin." She paused, and swallowed. "It doesn't make you feel any better.. don't you fall into that trap."

Caramel colored eyes misted over. "Damn you to the deepest level of Hades, Xena." Eponin growled.

"Yeah." The warrior replied, in an achingly quiet voice. "I made sure of that, didn't I?" She let a meaningful quiet drop between them. "And it's a bitch to have to live with."

Silence. Then Eponin's shoulders slumped. "She's… I think you'd better come look." She released Xena's leathers, and gazed at the floor.

Gabrielle stepped forward, and put an arm around her. "We need to get out of here." She looked up at Xena. "Just tell them they have to find another way to make a living, Xena. Throw in a few threats. You know how to do it."

Eponin's head shot up. "And she gets away with this?" Her eyes glared accusingly at the bard.

But Gabrielle was shaking her head, and motioning some of the other Amazons forward. "No." She turned. "Tie her up… I want her to be taken back to the village.. and tried in an Amazon court." She saw Paladia's eyes spark at the decision, and met the burly woman's gaze evenly.

Terrea glanced at her with quiet respect. "Yes, my queen." She and two other Amazons approached Paladia's sprawled body with grim intent.

Paladia's glazed eyes sharpened. "Queen?" She looked nervously at the three Amazons, one of whom drew her dagger, and touched the edge to her throat.

Gabrielle turned and looked at her. "Whoops.. I guess I forgot to mention that, too." She glanced at Eponin. "All right?"

The weapon's master studied her. "If it were up to me, I'd end it right here."

Steady green eyes raked her. "I know. But that's not how I do things." Briefly, her gaze touched her partner, standing in dark shadowy menace at her side. "Vengeance is not the answer."

Eponin dropped her eyes.

Xena let a tiny smile tug her lips, then raised her voice. "All right… the Queen of the Amazons has spoken." She ignored the tiny eye rolling from her partner. "If you want to stay here, fine.. but you find some other way to earn a living." She paused, and looked around, seeing the guilty relief in their eyes. "This is my backyard, and if I hear of anyone getting taken around here, I'll be knocking on the damn door in a heartbeat, you got that?"

The squat whipmaster edged forward. "What if we don't accept that?" He looked around at the crowd. "There's more than enough of us here to handle you."

The warrior let out a tiny sigh, and reached for her sword, but Gabrielle's hand on her arm stopped her. She looked at the bard in question.

"Mind if I handle this?" Gabrielle requested innocently.

Xena hesitated a second, then shrugged. "Sure."

"Thanks." The bard hefted her acquired staff, and slid in front of her partner, facing the stocky, dark skinned man. "You know, the problem is.. " She moved her hands in a blur, taking the whip out of his hands and sending it flying into the pit. "You guys couldn't handle me… " She dumped him on his butt with a quick reverse sweep. "Never mind Xena.. are you nuts or something? Or are you all just into pain?" She half turned and pointed to her partner with her staff. "This isn't a game.. it's not fun, and people get hurt." She paused. "A lot." She looked around, having captured their attention. "You can't go around kidnapping people and ransoming them and not expect retaliation.. you're really lucky… we could be a warlord hired by the merchants just to bump you all off." She gave them a grim smile. "That happens, you know."

Eyes shifted in chagrin.

"We aren't." Everyone's eyes were pinned on her now. "I'm from Potadeia… you took some of my family… and one of my best friends… and I decided to come here and stop you." She leaned on the staff. "And I did." Her eyes drifted, and warmed. "With a little help."

Xena grinned back.

"You have a lot of talent here.. put it to good use… find a way to live that doesn't involve hurting other people."

"Lass." A deep, male voice broke in, and they looked up to see Johan and two of the Potadeians entering. "Maybe we can help." He walked to Gabrielle's side, and patted her shoulder. "They were turned out by their own… I think they just need some good, honest guidance."

"Johan.. if we come back without you, I'm toast." The bard gently reminded him.

He laughed. "Nah.. not me, but these lads here.." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at two older men who were quietly standing behind him. "They'll stay and see what they can do."

Gabrielle blinked. "Wow.. sure." She smiled at the two. "But won't you be missed at home?"

The taller of the two stepped forward. "Gabrielle.. we came to Potadeia after you left… our village was burned out by Draco's men. We know how this lot feels… we were turned out of four places before we got taken in there."

The bard glanced at her silent partner, who raised a brow, then gave a brief nod. "Sounds great…you let us know if you need anything."

"C'mon." Xena put a hand on her arm. "Let's get outta here." She turned. "Kelten… I've got a kit.. let's get to some water, and I'll patch up your leg." She helped the reluctant forest dweller up, and they made their way out of the cavern, and down the narrow passageway.

Gabrielle kept an eye on her quiet partner, letting the rest of the party go on ahead a little, while she fell back and gently tucked Xena's hand inside her own. The long fingers tightened around hers, and Xena gave her a quick, sideways glance.

"Glad that's over. " The bard sighed. "Boy.. was I ever, ever glad to see you."

Xena rubbed a thumb over her knuckles. "Likewise." She half turned, and lifted a hand, touching the red mark on the bard's face. "Gabrielle.."

The bard grimaced. "Yeah.. ow." She plowed along, moving her staff forward as she walked in a natural rhythm. "How's Eph?" She asked in a very low voice.

Xena sighed, and slid an arm around her shoulders. "Not good." She felt Gabrielle's body tense. "It was pretty brutal."

Gabrielle leaned against her. "She thought she was protecting me." The bard muttered. "Xena, she can't die."

The warrior gazed ahead of her, and said nothing.

They exited the lower entryway, anxious to get out into open air. The Amazons and the rest of the villagers were waiting for them there, along with Ares, who was being held firmly by Cait. Solari had gotten the injured regent strapped to a litter, and was kneeling next to her, casting an anxious glance back towards the entrance. She closed her eyes in relief when she saw the party emerge from the dark hole and the silver moonlight outlined their distinctive forms.

Xena released her soulmate, and nodded to Cait, who released the whining Ares. She suffered the wolf's ecstatic greeting, then nudged him towards Gabrielle, and dropped to a knee beside Ephiny. She let the swirl of activity pass her, and touched a careful hand to the Amazon's head.

She swallowed hard. The flesh beneath her fingertips was hot and very swollen, and she could see the faint, ragged breaths that shook the regent's slim frame. A small silence fell, and she glanced up, to see all eyes on her, tense, and fearful.

Xena glanced down, feeling a heaviness in her chest, and touched the pulse point on Ephiny's neck, closing her eyes against the faint, rapid flutter she felt there.

She looked back up, and right into Gabrielle's stricken gaze.

Not a word passed, just the silent, wistful pleading in the mist green eyes crossing with the weary, sad knowledge in her own.

They were all looking at her, all expecting her to pull some miracle out of a saddlebag.

They expected it. Gabrielle… expected it. The bard's eyes held only hope, and a desperate confidence in her that made her look down at Ephiny's dying body, and set her mind furiously in motion.

I can't let her down. The thought firmly ensconced itself in her mind.

The blue eyes raised up, fastening on Paladia's drawn, closed face. "Where's the nearest cold spring." She asked directly, getting back a sullen silence.

Xena stood, moving with startling speed, and grabbed the bigger woman, jamming her fingers mercilessly into her neck, and watching as her veins popped out from the pressure. "No bluffs. You tell me, or you die right here. " Her voice was flat, and very cold.

Paladia gasped, and shuddered, her eyes rolling wildly. "Round that bend." She gargled out. "Under the rock face." Two quick jabs released her, and she collapsed onto the ground.

Xena didn't even look at her. She knelt again, and lifted Ephiny's still form, heading in silence for the place. It was, she breathed a sigh of relief, right where the renegade had stated, and she half ran, half slid down the gravelly path, skidding to a halt next to the water's edge, and dropping to both knees with a wince.

Solari and Eponin were at her side instantly, helping her lay the regent down on the slope, and immerse her head in the clear, cold water, until it covered Ephiny's ears, and cascaded gently over her throat, sending silver trickles snaking over her pale skin.

"Now what?" Eponin whispered, gently, hopelessly running hesitant fingers through the curly blond hair floating free in the water, not even aware she was doing so.

"We wait." Xena replied quietly. She looked around. "Good a place as any to pitch a camp."

They tied Paladia up, as Kelten moved ghostlike down to the water's edge, crouching next to it, then falling heavily onto his side as his leg gave way. Xena removed the kit from her back, and began cutting the fur away from his wound, sparing a glance every few minutes back to the regent's still face.

Gabrielle got camp arranged, directing the Amazons and villagers with quiet commands, starting a neat fire, pooling the resources they had for food. "Not much." She remarked, with a grimace. "But it'll do, I guess." She borrowed a cooking pot from Solari's kit, and poured the assorted dried meats, fruits and vegetables into it, covering it with water and setting it onto the fire. "It'll be a weird soup, but it'll be edible."

Xena glanced at her, from where she was gently washing the forest dweller's leg, while his fingers curled and uncurled from the pain. She reached behind her, and dropped an arm into the water, and closed her eyes.

A light splash, and she was drawing her hand from the spring, and glancing at the wriggling form depending from it. "Here." She tossed the fish to her partner, who caught it with an absentminded skill and knelt, cleaning and dividing the fish, adding it to their makeshift dinner without really paying attention to what she was doing. Her focus.. all of their focus.. was on the still, silent form at the water's edge.

Kelten gazed at her, his pale fur almost white in the moonlight, but stayed silent, along with the rest of them. It made a ghostly tableau, there by the water, with the Amazons in a ring around their regent, and the villagers huddled quietly on the other side of the fire, just watching them. Xena sat on the spring's edge, working on the forest dweller's wound, her dark hair brushing over her face in the breeze, and her leathers almost black in the mixture of silver and crimson. She moved methodically and clipped the area around the injury, then washed it, and dusted it with powdered herbs from her kit, fastening a light bandage around it. "There." She finally muttered, her voice sounding unnaturally loud in the oppressive silence.

"Thanks." Kelten grunted in reply.

Silence fell again over them, broken by the lick of the flames, and the muffled noise of Gabrielle's restless stirring of the soup. The spring sent soft chuckles into the clearing, as they mainly sat, and watched, and listened to the ragged, faint rasp of Ephiny's strained breathing.

Gabrielle gave up her task, and walked over to her soulmate, sinking down next to her, and wrapping a hand around the warrior's upper arm, laying her cheek against the warm skin, as Xena's fingers interlaced with her own. They waited.

An owl hooted, it's wings rustling in the darkness.

The leaves chattered, as the breeze passed over them, with a gentle, finite, sigh.

Then the rasping stopped, along with a ring of hearts surrounding it. Gabrielle's eyes closed, and she gripped her partner's arm hard, her jaw clenching as she bit down on her inner lip. Xena squeezed her hand gently in return.

Into the stark silence, a soft, aching groan escaped Ephiny, and she stirred, reaching feebly for her head.

"Hey.. hey.. "Eponin grabbed her hand, her voice unsteady. Solari put a hand on her back in support. "You got clocked, Eph… take it easy."

Xena reached out and touched the regent's head, and let out a long, disbelieving breath. "Swelling's down." She watched the Amazons blink in relief. "I knew she was tougher than that."

But they all looked at her, knowing the truth. Solari put a hand on the warrior's knee, gazing at her in simple gratitude. It was a sweet moment of acknowledgment, after having them freeze her out since she and Gabrielle had rejoined each other. There was no ice in those watching eyes now, only relief, and what might be a touch of guilt.

"It worked." Gabrielle breathed, then buried her face against her soulmate's arm.

Ephiny blinked her eyes half open, as her brow contracted in confusion. "Wh… " Her gaze tracked dazedly to Eponin's drawn, exhausted face, and her lips twitched faintly. "Didn't wanna bath that bad." She mumbled, squeezing her lover's hand. "Can I drink.. some of this?"

Xena leaned her head against Gabrielle's paler one, feeling the wet warmth of tears against her skin. She kissed the bard's head, and sighed in relief. "Give her a little water." She felt the Amazon's pulse, and sent up a quiet thank you to whatever unknown god was watching this particular moonlit clearing. "Eph…take it easy."

The blond head edged sideways, blinking against the gently lapping water that tickled her eyelids and regarding the dark haired warrior. "Easy for you t'say." She blinked again, as the water edged up her face. "C'n I get outta here?"

They moved her out and onto a hastily made pallet, voices now buzzing with relief, and Xena watched them, letting out a long, long sigh. She leaned over, and splashed handfuls of water over her face, then stood, stretching the kinks out of her stiffened muscles with a grimace. Gabrielle was helping the Amazons, and Kelten had crawled away from the water, and was now curled up in a ball, his head resting on his arm in utter exhaustion.

Strange bedfellows, huh? Xena mused to herself, as she trudged across the small clearing, finding a patch of soft grass and dropping down onto it, pulling her pack across and leaning back against a rock, letting the emotion she'd been resisting all night cascade over her. It was over. Her eyes lifted. Gabrielle was safe, Ephiny was alive, and the kidnappers were broken up.

Just an average day, right?

She felt a little proud of herself, though. A quite satisfying jolt of inner warmth warmed her heart, riding on the knowledge that today, she'd made a difference. She had, in a way that no one else could have, and it made her feel really good.

Not that she'd admit it. Bad for the image. She grinned quietly, and let her arms rest on her knees, feeling the scrapes and cuts and bruises finally. Oh gods… She cast an eye on the scratches, liberally coated with dirt and mud. Gotta clean those. But she couldn’t muster, suddenly, the energy to move, and instead just quietly watched the Amazons, hearing their low, almost sobbing laughter, and the now almost normal buzz of conversation from the villagers, who were giving her barely veiled admiring stares. Mmm.. yeah.. this feels pretty damn good.

And then there was Gabrielle, who was kneeling next to Ephiny's body, and who kept shooting her these.. really wonderful.. just… sweet.. nice… adorable looks that were making her completely forget the sleepless night, and the pain from her collection of bangs and dents.

She felt ridiculously, almost giddily pleased.

In a reserved, uncommunicative, dour, Warrior Princess kind of way, of course.

Gabrielle gently dabbed Ephiny's cuts with a touch of salve, watching the regent's eyes flutter and track to her. "Hi there." She smiled at her friend. "Told you we'd get out."

Ephiny managed the tiniest of grins. "Brought the troops I see."

"Yeah… a hundred wild children against six Amazons and Xena." Gabrielle informed her drolly. "No contest."

The regent's eyes glinted. "Feel like centaur poop." She mumbled.

"I know." Gabrielle sighed. "Anything I can get you?"

Ephiny blinked a little. "Pillow." She joked faintly.

The bard snapped her fingers. "No problem." She pointed at Eponin, who was hovering. "Sit."

The weapon's master gave her a startled look. "Huh?"

"Sit." Gabrielle reached out a hand and snagged her leathers, pulling her down with a squawk. "There." She put a hand on Ephiny's shoulder, and motioned to Solari and Cait "Help me lift her up a little.

They did, and the bard gave Eponin a look. "Scoot."

The older woman's jaw worked for a long instant, then she sighed, and eased herself under Ephiny's head, and let them lay the regent down into her lap. She wrestled a scowl onto her face, and blushed, as she was unable to prevent her fingers from gently stroking her lover's hair, and Ephiny captured her hand and kissed it.

Gabrielle gave them both a satisfied grin, and shot a glance around the small ring of Amazons, who were also smiling, giving Eponin sly looks and chuckling. "There.. that better?" She asked Ephiny, who was gazing at her with a weary, relieved look. She put a hand on the regent's shoulder. "Now you relax, ok?"

The Amazon nodded a tiny bit, and let her eyes drift closed, as her fingers did likewise over Eponin's.

"Soup smells good, my queen." Solari murmured, as they sat back. "It's been a long, long day."

Gabrielle nodded, stealing a glance across at her soulmate, who was seated in the shadows, the firelight sparkling off her pale eyes, and picking out the dark streaks of blood and dirt that mostly covered her. "What happened, Solari? Why does Xena look like she had an argument with a rockslide?" She asked quietly, looking over at the dark haired Amazon when she didn't answer. "What?"

"Um." Solari picked at her leathers, and peeked over at the peaceful looking warrior. "She.. " Solari's jaw worked a couple times. "We… there was this…"

"Chasm… and.." Terrea started in. "It was… we were on this outer…"

"Wall." Eponin let out a grunt. "We were on the outer wall, and we needed to be on the inner wall."

Gabrielle looked from one to the other. "And.. you… what?"

"She… " Solari glanced at Eponin, who shook her head. "Um… " She lifted her hands and let them drop. "She jumped between them.. just.. " Her hand lifted again, and described an arc. "And she hit the other side… it was kind of rough. That's where the scrapes came from."

The bard blinked. "Wait." She rubbed her temples. "You're telling me she hurdled that huge space between the mountain where we were, and that outer section?"

Nodding heads. "It… was pretty damn amazing." Eponin confirmed.

"I bet." Gabrielle said, faintly. She gave a faint laugh. "I.. don't know how she does it sometimes."

They all looked at her, with sudden, bashful smiles. "Actually." Solari chewed her lip. "She kinda explained that."

The bard looked up, a puzzled frown on her face. "She did?"

"Yeah." Eponin's voice was unusually gentle. "She said… she knew she could get over that gap.." The older woman paused, and cleared her throat. "Because you were on the other side of it." A brief smile. "And you needed her."

Gabrielle felt a lump rising so fast she couldn’t stop it, and she dropped her head, biting her lip as the emotion washed over her. It had never been stated so clearly, so openly, and this to people who viewed her as some kind of dangerous monster. That was her partner. Her quiet, proud warrior, who was a little light, a lot dark, and an eternity of in between. "Oh." She finally said, lifting her eyes, and seeing their stolid acknowledgement. "I guess it's just that simple."

A pensive silence fell, as they studied the ground, and Eponin idly arranged the disheveled curls resting in her lap. "Gabrielle." She finally said, looking right at the bard. "You've got one Hades of a champion there."

Gabrielle read the many levels of that statement with little effort. "I most certainly do." She let a brief, sweet smile cross her face. "And um… " She looked down at her hands, then back up. "I gotta go put a couple of patches on her."

Furtive glances shot across the campsite, regarding the tall, dark haired figure who was sprawled in apparent comfort, with a look of calm interest on her face. "She looks fine." Solari offered, giving Gabrielle a quick grin.

"Yeah." The bard replied, seeing an exhausted, tense form in what was to her obvious pain hiding behind the warrior princess shield. "Well, looks can be deceiving." She gathered herself up and stood, motioning towards the fire. "I think the soups ready. " She was aware of Johan coming up to her left. "There's enough for everyone."

Xena was just considering getting up and moving to the spring when footsteps made her look up, watching the silver moonlight backlight Gabrielle's approaching form as the fire cast warm highlights on the bard's tanned skin. She blinked, seeing the two bowls her soulmate was carrying.

"Here." Gabrielle handed her one, which released an intoxicating scent comprised of fish and the smokiness of the dried meat, and the sweetness of the fruits. "Now, come here, and hold still."

Xena realized the second bowl wasn't soup, but warmed water, and that the bard had torn linen and her healer's salve.

She was about to protest, but Gabrielle put a fingertip against her lips, and she subsided, meekly inhaling a spoonful of the soup as the bard's hands gently cleaned the collection of scratches and cuts.

The warm water, and her soulmate's touch were both very welcome.

"Gods." Gabrielle winced, as she dabbed at the ripped skin, and studied her partner. "Been quite a day, huh?"

"Mm." Xena mumbled, swallowing a mouthful. "Yeah.. not too bad."

The bard rolled her eyes, and unbuckled the clasp on the warrior's armor. "Here…you've got a bad cut on your neck." She reached around, and undid the other buckle, then lifted the metal plates over Xena's head, and set them down. "You were pretty impressive, you know."

"Nah." The warrior objected. "Didn't do much.. just got in, found Eph, found you, got out." A shrug. "No big deal."

"Really." Gabrielle mused, cleaning around her collarbone. "Just that simple, huh?"

"Uh huh." Xena agreed. "Nothing special.. you were the impressive one."

"Ah." Her partner commented. "So… then the fearless leap over the chasm was a figment of.. let me see… Eponin's imagination." She paused. "Incredible.. Ephiny is gonna be so happy she's developed one."

Xena found a small, helpless, hopeless grin forming. "Oh.. yeah, well.. there was that." She tried for a self deprecating expression, and failed miserably.

Gabrielle gazed at her, seeing the gentle wrinkling about her eyes as she struggled not to smile. "Yes, that." She replied, letting her fingers trail down Xena's neck. "Did you really say you knew you could jump over that chasm because I was on the other side?"

Her partner's dark skin flushed. "Um… " She peeked up at the shyly delighted green eyes. "Yeah.. I guess I did." She paused, and smiled, finally. "I meant it."

The bard smiled back. "I know." She tucked her hand into Xena's, and interlaced their fingers. "I knew you'd find a way in."

Xena reveled in the sensation. "You did, huh?"

"Oh yeah." Gabrielle acknowledged. "There wasn't one single second when I doubted that at all." She gazed peacefully at her partner, then glanced down. "I did have a few scary moments though."

"You?" Xena replied with a wry smile. "Gabrielle, I have no idea how I got from that cell to where you were, do you realize that? I think I remember fighting with a few people, but… " She shook her head ruefully. "Couldn’t tell you for sure." She lifted the bowl to her lips and took a swallow. "That's pretty good."

"Mmhmm… " The bard carefully cleaned the deep scrapes on Xena's thighs, gently smoothing a herbal salve over the red, angry looking skin. "When was the last time you ate?"

Total silence, and Gabrielle looked up to see the adolescently guilty look on Xena's face. "We… were busy." The warrior mumbled. "We had some stuff on the trail."

The bard examined Xena's leathers. "You've got blood all over here." She touched the front of them, with a cautious finger. "Yours?"

Xena let out a careful breath. "Some of it." She admitted quietly.

Gabrielle sighed, and took the bowl from her hands, pushing her back against the rock and working at the laces holding her leathers closed. She felt the flinch, and as she looked up, saw the tensing around Xena's jaw, and the brief flaring of her nostrils. "You should have told me about this earlier." She told her partner sternly. "You never learn, do you?"

"It's… there was a branch sticking out when I… it's not that bad, Gabrielle.. I just… I forgot about it." The warrior defended herself, as the laces came loose, and the bard gently pulled them aside, sucking in a breath when she saw the swollen puncture wound just below Xena's ribcage.

"Xena… " Gabrielle's face tensed. "Ok.. ok… " She rinsed out a fresh piece of linen in the warm water, and washed the spot, carefully soaking up the seeping blood and cleaning out the small bits of bark that were embedded in the tanned flesh. She squeezed the water over the wound, getting all the dirt and debris out, then dusted the area with an abundance of a powdered herb she knew Xena always used. Then she folded a piece of fresh, clean bandage over it, tugging the laces closed to hold it in place. "There."

"Thanks." The warrior grinned briefly. Now that the excitement was over, the long days, and the battering she'd taken was starting to catch up with her, aches she'd previously ignored were raising their nagging heads. "How about you?" She touched the bard's hand, where a purpling bruise covered her knuckles.

Gabrielle studied her. "No.. I'm fine… " She flexed the hand. "I got lucky… just these two, and a few bumps." She dug into Xena's pack, and pulled out the tightly folded light cloak, which she shook out and settled around her partner's body. "Why don't you get some sleep?"

Xena shook her head vigorously. "Nope… I want to take another look at Ephiny.. and this area is pretty open… I don't trust it."

The bard drummed her fingers on the muscular thigh she was seated against, and sniffed. "All right… " She watched as Ares shifted his position, and resettled his muzzle on Xena's shin. "I'm going to make some tea.. I'll bring you a mug." She got to her feet after giving her partner a little pat, then moved to the fire again.

Xena gazed after her affectionately, and settled back, forcing her creeping fatigue back down, and picking up her chest armor, examining the shoulder clasp and shaking her head. "Gotta fix that." She muttered, digging in her pack and pulling out her repair kit.

Gabrielle padded quietly over to the fire, giving the Amazons and villagers around her a quiet grin as she put the small water pot she'd retrieved from Xena's gear and filled with spring water over the flames.

"It's lovely." Cait spoke up from behind her, and she turned to look up at the young girl. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

Gabrielle gave her a look. "I should be." She muffled a chuckle." Cait…part of being an Amazon is learning to follow orders."

"Why?" The girl asked, with a practical innocence. "No one else there does." She sucked on her spoon, and crouched down beside the bard. "They just go off and what they like.. you know it's true."

Gabrielle couldn’t help it, she started laughing. "Well… they are kinda stubborn…"

Cait smiled back. "Right… and now I'm mad because I didn't get to see Xena's lovely leap." She sighed aggrievedly. "I would have liked to have seen that."

"See?" The bard shook a finger at her. "Next time, follow orders, and you'll end up in the right place."

The young girl rolled her eyes. "Bother that.. if I'd followed orders, I'd be up on the west ridge right now plucking bunny tail fur, and you lot wouldn't have known about Ephiny."

"Hmm." Gabrielle mused, as she poured the now hot water over the herbs she had sifted into two mugs. "You've got a point there, Cait."

Cait nibbled a bit of carrot, and lowered her voice. "Queen Gabrielle.. what's going to happen to her." She shifted her glance over to the sullen Paladia, who was tied tight to a nearby tree. "Are we going to get to kill her?"

The bard stopped her stirring, and gave Cait a look. " She'll be tried in an Amazon court, for what she did to Ephiny.. the penalty can include death, but I don't know what the outcome will be."

"Mph." Cait nodded. "She's a bad lot."

Gabrielle nodded, and picked up both mugs, then stood, and instead of returning immediately to her partner, she detoured to where the renegade was half sitting, half lying. "Do you want some soup?" She asked evenly.

The pale gray eyes stared up at her with unconcealed hostility. "I'd rather eat dirt."

The bard shrugged. "All right." She replied in a gentle tone. "Just thought I'd ask."

Paladia shifted in her tight bonds. "Why didn't you just let them kill me? That bitch over there wanted to."

Gabrielle gazed at her. "That's not my style." She commented. "Maybe I think you can still learn something by this."

A short, ugly laugh. "I learned not to trust pretty little liars."

The bard turned to go, taking a sip from her mug. "Paladia, think about it. I never lied to you.. not even once. You just refused to hear the truth."

"You said you weren't an Amazon." The woman stated, with bitter triumph.

Gabrielle smiled at her. "Strictly speaking, I'm not." She replied. "I'm a bard, and I live in Amphipolis.. and I travel around sometimes chronicling the life and adventures of Xena." S he paused. "Some time ago one of those adventures resulted in my receiving the right of caste from a dying Amazon Princess. " She shrugged. "So I end up inheriting.. but Ephiny really rules them."

Paladia stared at her. "But you said…" Her eyes flicked to the dark, watchful form across the fire.

"That I knew Xena? I do." Gabrielle responded reasonably. "I just never said how well I knew her."

"But.." Now her eyes touched the bard's slim hand, curled around the handle of Xena's mug.

That got a gentle twinkle from mist green eyes. "It's her crest." She shrugged. "It's not my fault you didn't recognize it… you young people today just don't know your history well, I guess."

She shook her head, and made her way back around fire, towards where her partner was patiently working at a bit of her armor, dark head cocked lightly to one side. She settled carefully at her side, and set her mug down, gently removing the armor from Xena's hands and putting her own mug there in it's place. "Here."

Xena's hands curled around the wooden cup, as she put her tool down, with a little sigh, flexing her fingers. "Thanks." She took a long sip, and closed her eyes as the warm liquid settled in her belly. "That feels great." Then she blinked, and regarded her soulmate. "Saw you chatting with our prisoner."

"Mmm." Gabrielle acknowledged, nudging the armor aside, and moving closer, curling up with her body tucked neatly against Xena's, as the warrior circled her with one arm. "Thank you for stopping Eponin, by the way." She glanced up at the fire shadowed face. "I think this will end up being the better solution for her."

Xena took another sip, staring out into the darkness of the campsite. "I didn't do it for her." She replied slowly. "I did it for Eponin."

The bard sucked in a long breath. "Yeah.. I know.. but it worked out." She paused. "She hates me."

The warrior pulled her closer, and tucked her fair head against one shoulder, soaking in the warmth with a sense of peaceful relief. "You did the right thing."

Gabrielle turned her head slightly and kissed the bare skin she was resting against. "I know…" She breathed in the familiar scents of leather and brass with pleasure. "It was the right thing for the Amazons too… after what happened to Eph."

Xena sighed. "There are a lot of Amazons who think I should have been judged in one of their courts too, Gabrielle."

Her soulmate smiled gently. "Not any more.. not for those guys." She nodded towards the small group across the fire. "And you know how it is.. you want something known, tell an Amazon." She looked up. "Besides… Ephiny didn't have a leg to stand on.. and she knew it." Her voice dropped a little. "I told her not to try and stop you."

The warrior blinked at her. "You did?"

Gabrielle nodded quietly. "Yeah.. I didn't… really care what you did to me, Xena. I just couldn’t stand being alone anymore." She swallowed. "I would rather have died at your hands, than lived like that."

Xena thought about that, and put her cup down, folding her arms around her partner's body and hugging her. "We both survived." She replied simply.

"Mmhmm." The bard agreed, with a peaceful sigh. "Maybe just being around people who love each other will help Paladia.. do you think?"

The warrior considered the question, studying the sullen woman, watching as Cait crossed over to her and settled down on watch. "Couldn’t hurt." She finally decided. "It's easy to fall into anger and hatred if that's all you've known."

"Xena… " Gabrielle half turned, resting a hand lightly on her partner's chest, avoiding the scrapes. "She did… other things to Ephiny." The bard let out a perplexed breath. "And I don't.. I don’t think… " Her green eyes lifted and searched the pale blue ones above her. "She gave her stuff.. like Rurik was going to give to me."

The warrior stiffened, and blinked, taking a quick glance over across the fire, then back at Gabrielle's face. "Damn… I didn't think… "

The bard went on. "I think.. that's … I kind of made a deal.. told Paladia that I'd .. take Eph's place."

Xena's eyes widened.

"Sh.. I knew you'd be there in time." The bard put a fingertip on her partner's lips. "But.. Eph found out.. I guess Paladia told her.. and.. she attacked her. That's why she got beaten up so bad." She could feel the tense upset in Xena's body, and took a nervous breath. "Look.. I had to.. she was.. it was really getting to Eph, Xena.. I couldn’t let her just… but…"

"Gabrielle." The warrior let out an explosive sigh. "That was a really stupid thing to do… "

"It wasn't!" The bard argued, not budging an inch. "She was being ripped apart, Xena… I didn't have a whole lot of options, and.."

"Ephiny's a grown woman, Gabrielle." The warrior shot back. "She knew the risks.. and she obviously felt she was better able to handle them.. or she wouldn't have risked her life to protect you from that."

"It was my choice." The bard replied firmly, angrily, then stopped, in sudden, startled wonder. "Hey."

"What?" Xena barked, her brows knitting in annoyance.

A dazzling smile beamed up at her. "We're fighting."

A dozen heartbeats in which their breaths mingled, and they stared at each other. Xena scratched her ear and allowed a grudging, rueful smile to shape her lips. "Guess we are." She answered sheepishly. "Wonder how that happened."

Gabrielle leaned forward and kissed her, completely ignoring the fact that they were in the middle of an active campsite. "You're right." She conceded, when they broke apart. "It was a dumb thing to do.. and I'll try to think things through better next time."

Xena chose to be oblivious to the stares and grins from across the fire. "You did what you thought was right, my bard." She nibbled the tip of Gabrielle's nose. "It was brave of you to do that… you couldn’t predict how Ephiny was going to react."

Gabrielle snuggled closer, and carefully hugged her. "I love you." She murmured softly.

The warrior smiled into the darkness, and stroked her soft hair. "I love you too." She replied, with a contented sigh, letting her eyes drift closed for a moment. "Gotta go check Eph." She commented, in a weary tone.

"Mmmhmm…" Gabrielle agreed, making her breathing slow and even, and letting her fingertips move in subtle pattern over her partner's skin. "Pony's going to kill me for pressing her into pillow duty."

"Nah." Xena replied. "She loves it." The warrior paused. "But.. I think you should.." She hesitated briefly. "Let Eph and Pony talk about what happened with.. in there.. before you say anything."

"Ooo." Gabrielle eased closer, feeling the tension start to wind it's way out of her partner's coiled body. "A sensitive, perceptive suggestion from my tougher than a wildcat warrior… I'm swooning."

"Tch." Xena lifted one eyelid to regard her. "Am I that bad?"

The bard smirked softly at her. "Only when you're being extremely frustrating, and insisting on forcing yourself to stay awake when you're exhausted and hurting."

Xena's eyes popped open, and she blinked, then sighed. "Busted, huh?"

"Big time." The bard confirmed. "Close 'em, tiger."

The warrior obligingly did so, but not before also closing her teeth gently on Gabrielle's ear. "Grrrrr."

Ares' ears pricked, and he growled back, causing them both to chuckle. Gabrielle nestled her head down more snugly on her partner's chest, and sighed. "You're much more comfortable to sleep with than Flameball."

Two blue eyes popped wide open and went very round. "What?"

Gabrielle dug into her pack one handed, and pulled out a ragged bit of cloth, then tucked it against Xena's chest with a satisfied sigh.

The warrior gingerly picked up the stuffed toy, and examined it. "Oh… Hades… where did you get this?" Her voice was colored with a touch of wistful wonder. "Haven't seen this in.. wow." She winced at the realization of just how long it really had been. "In a very long time."

"Your mom had it.. I mean him." Gabrielle answered, in muffled mumble. "I forgot I stuffed him in my bag… had to make some goofy story up to explain what he was for." She wrapped an arm around Xena's body, trapping the dragon against her chest.

"Uh… Gabrielle?" Xena cleared her throat.

One green eye slid open and regarded her. "Oh." A quick grin. "Sorry.. the image.. I forgot." She snuggled the ragged toy against her own shoulder, and replaced her arm. "There."

Xena opened her mouth to protest, then shut it, charmed by the adorable sight of her partner sleeping with her childhood favorite. What the Hades. She let a relaxed grin etch her face, and leaned back against the rock, trying to keep her eyes open.

But the gentle rhythm of the bard's breathing, and her hypnotic stroking defeated her best intentions. Her eyes closed against her will, and she couldn’t muster the energy to open them as she slid into a warm, hazy place, and the campsite receded. "No… no… " She willed herself back, blinking her eyes open.

"Xena." Gabrielle's voice was quiet, and very serious. "You need to go to sleep, ok?."

"Not safe." She shook her head, tapping reserves.

"Shh." The bard started a gentle massage. "Ares and I are keeping watch… it's gonna be a long day tomorrow, ok?" She watched the blue eyes close again. "That's good.. come on now.. it's going to be all right.. c'mon.. you have to be in charge bright and early, partner… that won't work if you don’t' get at least a little rest."

Finally, a nod in agreement. Gabrielle let the breath she'd been holding in release, as she felt Xena surrender to her coaxing, and allow sleep to finally claim her. Stubborn…oh boy.. was she ever. The bard looked up and studied the barely lit profile. Whew. She let her attention wander over her soulmate's features for a long moment, then she turned her attention to the rest of the camp.

The Amazons were bedding down, tucked into a tight, protective circle around Ephiny, who was dozing in Eponin's arms. Paladia was staring into the fire, ignoring Cait, who had apparently appointed herself guard. Kelten was still curled up on the far side of the fire, his draggled fur almost copper colored in the firelight.

Eponin glanced across, and met her eyes, dredging up a tiny smile. Gabrielle smiled back, one ear glued to the music of Xena's steady heartbeat. Tomorrow, they'd have to get back home.

Get Ephiny home.

Try Paladia.

She realized she would have to make the decision on the woman's fate. 

Green eyes gazed into the fire for a very long time

Continued in Part 5

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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

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

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Leap of Faith - Part 5

By Melissa Good

Gabrielle watched, as a lizard, encouraged by the warm night air, meandered across the rock she and Xena were leaning against. The camp was very quiet, only the snapping of the fire, and the labored breathing of the tired sleepers was evident, along with the odd owl's hoot, and rustle from some small animal searching for a meal.

Xena was fast asleep, and she wanted to keep it that way, so she stayed curled up snugly against the warrior's warm body, even though keeping herself awake in that condition was pure, unadulterated torture. A state of dreamy contentment kept trying to lure her into it's clutches, and she was very hard pressed not to give in, and join her partner's peaceful dozing.

Cait was keeping watch, having slept well the past two days, but she promised Xena she'd keep an eye on things, so, damn it, she was going to do just that. Despite it being halfway near impossible.

And even if it meant she was going to be Hades on hooves to deal with tomorrow, lack of sleep always making her cranky and touchy, and she knew it. Oh well. She gazed up at the peaceful face above her and smiled contentedly. It's worth it… look at her.

She jumped that chasm. O… my gods.. how am I going to put this one into words? Gabrielle laughed to herself, fiercely wishing she'd seen it. The Amazons had been talking about nothing else since they'd stopped, and if she knew them, the entire Nation would hear about it as soon as they got home. Good. The bard nodded to herself. That'll do more to ease that frostiness than any rules I could hand down.

Her thoughts drifted back to the cavern, and looking up to see her hurling herself over those kids bewildered heads, landing as if on cue with Paladia's words…what more could a bard ask for?

She looked up at her partner again, tracing the sharp, angular features with loving eyes. What more could anyone ask for? The jagged claw marks from Kelten's attack were subtle, dark lines against her skin, and.. Gabrielle peered closely. Already fading.. good.. that seemed to be back in order, and aside from a few cuts and scrapes, Xena apparently had made it through a pretty rough ordeal in her usual sturdy fashion.

In fact.. Gabrielle regarded her partner thoughtfully. She looks pretty damn good… not like when we first got home.. gods.. she scared me. Xena's abnormally slow recuperation and her general lack of energy had made the bard nervous, and she'd wondered privately how much of it was the fever, and how much of it was the almost unbearable stress of the preceding few months. She had felt that herself, but on her normally robust partner, it had seemed…a lot more obvious.

At least things are getting back to normal… She mused, as her fingers traced the lines of Xena's dark blue outfit with a feather touch. Mm… I do like her in leather. She admitted wryly, letting the rich scent fill her lungs. It.. just fits her somehow. Her eyes tracked the slow, even breathing under her cheek, enjoying the subtle curves, and the distinctively spicy smell that was just part of Xena's natural scent. My warrior. She let the thought percolate through her mind, loving the warmth of it.

I missed this so much. Her lips tightened. It had been like being addicted to something.. and then not having it anymore. It had just.. gone.. and it had been such a strong, physical craving, one that almost drove her crazy. She'd known Xena had felt it too, because the warrior would have to catch herself, constantly, from reaching out a hand to touch her, stroke her hair, tickle her.. things that had become second nature to both of them, and now were perceived to be unwelcome.

And how many times had she seen Xena just walk over and hug Argo? Just bury her face into the horse's mane, with a look of forlorn confusion in her eyes.

I wonder what would have happened if we'd just given in to that? She considered the thought. I was suffering, she was suffering… that physical closeness bridges some of the differences we've always had. A blond eyebrow quirked. And we still do.. only now we're more aware of it.

Thank the gods, that was over. Gabrielle idly played with a loose lacing, then gently pulled aside the edges the laces held shut, and peeked under the bandage she'd tucked over the awful puncture in her partner's chest. "That's my girl." She whispered lightly, smiling at the neatly healing wound.

Then she lifted her head, and listened, her brows contracting lightly.

Silence. More than there should be. Her hand tightened on Xena's arm, and she took a breath to speak, then a low, burring voice tickled her ear.

"I hear them." Xena told her. "About a dozen, clustered around us."

Gabrielle peeked up at her. "How long have you been up?" She said suspiciously.

A faint grin answered her. "Long enough." The warrior growled softly. "But I've been enjoying the attention." She added teasingly.

"What are we going to do?" The bard tried to ignore the blush covering her face.

"Easy… just slide off me.. free up my left arm." Xena told her, one hand slipping out and touching the sheathed sword at her side. Her heartbeat was already up, pumping blood through her body and dispelling the lingering clutches of the sleep she'd so recently abandoned. "Must be friends of our prisoner… they can't keep quiet to save their lives."

Gabrielle winced, considering just how true that statement probably was, given that this was Xena they were going up against. She reached out and curled her hand around her adopted staff, disliking it's balance, but deciding it was better than nothing. "Should we just yell, and wake everyone up? Maybe they'll run away, and not attack."

Xena drummed her fingertips against her chakram, and pursed her lips. "You're no fun sometimes, you know that?" She grumbled. "Oh all right."

She took a breath to call out, then abruptly blurred into action as a shower of dark tipped darts flung themselves into the clearing. Her sword caught most of them, deflecting the tiny missiles away from her and from Gabrielle, who rolled up against the rock in startled response. "Damn." She realized the other members of their group had been hit. "Looks like it's you and me, Red."

The attackers counted, then rushed the clearing, expecting to find sleeping opponents.

Well, most of them were. But they were met near the fire by a tall, dark haired, laughing nightmare whose silver blade sent the leading body's head from it's shoulders, and showered the clearing with bright red blood.

And those behind, who scattered, were met by a long, flickering movement of a staff in the hands of an expert, who took their weapons from their grip with stinging slaps, and knocked them off their feet with solid jabs, and powerful sweeps.

Xena stood her ground, braced in front of where Paladia was, knowing that was their goal, and sent attackers sprawling with well placed kicks. The two who were stupid enough draw steel on her and descend on her tall form with slashing cuts were gutted, the solid, distinctive sound of a sword's length puncturing bone and muscle echoing across the clearing.

One came at her from behind, and got an elbow to the throat, crushing it, and dropping him to the ground with a gurgling scream.

Another one from behind, who never reached her, grabbed by a slim, pale arm that held a cruel blade whose edge severed his throat with a deadly professionalism. Cait tilted her head back and laughed. "Now, that's the ticket." She hurled herself to Xena's left, and intercepted a squat, heavy figure who was aiming a dagger at the warrior's leg. "Gosh no… you won't do that." The girl dodged his arm, and slashed at his wrist, cleaving the skin all the way to the bone and causing him to drop the weapon. "Right." Another cut, and his crossbow was gone., sent flying by a kick from a slim, booted foot.

Hoofbeats broke the eerie silence then, coming in hard and fast, and Xena jumped to one side, grabbing Cait and tossing her out of the way. She waited, seeing the dark form on the horse's back by the fitful firelight.

Saw the edge of the spear couched against his shoulder, the deadly point, dripping with a dark substance, headed right for her chest.

Only a second, in which she had to decide what to do. If she let him thunder past, he was headed right for where Ephiny and the Amazons were lying. She sighed, and hoped her grab would be accurate and reached for the spear.

Her hands closed around the shaft, feeling the rough splinters scrape her skin, and the jolt as his motion was suddenly arrested. She pulled hard, dropping down off her feet to lend her weight to the effort, and he struggled, trying to jab her with the tip.

"Oh no." She got a hand up onto his pommel, and pulled violently sideways, mentally apologizing to the horse. With a squawk, he fell heavily, pulling himself, and the horse, down on top of her.

There was a flurry of blows, and then she got a fist into his abdomen, resulting in a hoarse gurgling. Someone pulled the horse forward, urging it onto it's feet, and that freed her legs, allowing her to roll up onto her knees, and lift her hapless opponent, tossing him from her against the tree Paladia was tied to. "Bastard." She spat, tasting blood inside her mouth, and realizing she'd bitten the inside of her cheek.

Gabrielle was at her side seconds later, running a hand up her arm. "You ok?"

Xena spat again, ridding herself of some of the metallic tang, and nodded. "Yeah.. I'm fine.. you? Cait?" She climbed to her feet, and brushed her leathers off.

"Super, thanks." The girl answered, cleaning her slim, deadly blade on a victim's dirty surcoat. "Lovely exercise."

"Fine here." Gabrielle answered easily, giving Cait a little, sideways glance.

They turned and looked at Paladia, who was writhing against her bonds, freezing when she realized their attention was on her. "They'll never stop." She crowed, triumphantly. "You'll never keep me."

Xena retrieved and sheathed her sword, then sauntered over and dropped down to a crouch next to her, resting her powerful forearms on her knees. "Listen. These are just damn kids." The warrior dusted her hands off, and glanced around. "Seven of them just died." She leaned closer. "You could put a hundred of them up against me and they'd still die." One eyebrow quirked." Is that what you want? Them all dead?"

"You can't.. " Paladia protested.

"Ah.. but I can." Xena replied, with a smile. "And I will." Her voice dropped a bit. "I'm just that kinda girl." She stood. "Do your buddies a favor. Tell them to get lost." She shook her head, and walked back towards the fire, where Gabrielle was standing, leaning on her staff. "Morons."

The bard gave her a wry smile. "Not really, Xena. If it had been anyone other than you here, it woulda worked."

Ares growled agreement, licking his jaws of the blood he'd acquired in wrestling down an opponent of Gabrielle's.

"Hmph." Xena grunted. "Maybe." She set to work, picking up the dead victims and dragging them away from the camp, putting the final two on top of the hapless horse and giving him a slap. The injured attackers had limped off, and she let them go, hoping their tales of horror would keep a repeat attack from occurring.

When she got back from her task, Gabrielle had checked the groggy Amazons, who were in turn, puzzled, outraged, and embarrassed, and settled next to Ephiny, who had escaped the darts somehow and who was fuzzily conscious. "Hey.. you missed the party."

Pale eyes gazed wearily up at her. "Story of my life." She cleared her throat a little, wincing. "You guys ok?"

Gabrielle laughed gently. "Us? Sure… what's a dozen guys when you've got Xena there pulling horses down single handedly." She curled her fingers around the regent's, and took a breath. "How are you feeling?"

"Ugh." Ephiny responded, turning her head to watch Eponin and the others stretching themselves out, shaking off the effects of the darts. "Like I fell off a cliff." She moved her head a little. "But a little better.. I think."

"Good to hear." Gabrielle replied.

"Gabrielle?" Now Ephiny's eyes fastened on her, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Do you… do you remember Thessaly?"

The bard paused for a long moment. "Well.. yeah.. of course I do." She finally answered, in a puzzled tone. "What about it?"

Ephiny's eyes flicked to hers. "When you got really sick…when you.. um.. "

"Died?" Gabrielle supplied, with a grimace.

"Uh. Yeah." The regent agreed. "When that happened.. what was it like, for you?"

Gabrielle thought about the question. "Well.. at first it was really scary." She reached up and scratched her nose reflectively. "I knew… well, it was painful, then it got really dark…" She swallowed hard. "And then.. I was on this seashore.. and it was really peaceful… there was a.. kind of a door.. all light.. and I went through it." She glanced at Ephiny. "I saw people I knew there.. my uncle.. "

The Amazon blinked at her. "But you came back."

Gabrielle closed her eyes, and nodded a little. "Yeah.. I did.. I.. there was something missing." A long pause, and a little smile. "Someone."

Ephiny squeezed her hand. "Even then, huh?"

"Yeah." The bard let out a long breath. "Even then.. she called me, and I came back."

The Amazon nodded quietly. "I was there." She hesitated. "And now I've been where you were."

Gabrielle studied her. "But you came back."

Ephiny managed a tiny smile. "Yeah." Then her eyebrow edged up. "Hey.. we can start a club. Xena can be the president.. how about it?"

That surprised a snort of laughter out of the bard. "I guess we could." She turned her head. "Speaking of which.. I'll let Eponin take my place here.. I need to go make sure Xena didn't rip open any of those cuts."

They settled down, this time with two of the Amazons on very obvious watch, and Xena returned to her rock, thumping down onto the earth, with Ares, who immediately crawled up into her lap and started chewing her laces. "Ares!"

"Agrrrrrophf." The wolf licked her, then rolled over, wriggling as though trying to rub her scent all over his thick fur.

"Would you cut that out?" The warrior spluttered, exasperated, looking up and seeing amused glances go skittering away out into the darkness. "Damn.. go chew on your other mommy's boots, all right?"

"Hey!" Gabrielle laughed, as she wandered over. "Not unless you want to cough up the dinars for a new pair." She dropped down to her knees, then collapsed onto her side, resting on one elbow as she played with the delighted Ares with her other hand.

"Mmm… " The warrior mimicked her partner's sprawled posture, leaning on her own elbow, and regarding her thoughtfully. "How about.. a nice pair in black leather.. up to here." She drew a fingertip across her partner's knee.

"Xena." The bard rolled her eyes. "In case you had never noticed.. I've got short legs. Knee high boots would look ridiculous on me.. I remember when I had to wear yours that one time."

Xena grinned, in a good mood despite the attack. Or maybe because of it. "Aww…I thought you looked damned cute in that outfit."

Gabrielle rested her chin on her hand and sighed. "I felt idiotic.. everything was too long on me." She reflected. "And then I got back and stopped caring if it was."

A little silence fell, then Xena rolled onto her back, and held her arms out. "C'mere." She scooped the bard into a warm hug, then pulled her down into her favorite spot. "Your turn for some sleep, I think."

No argument from Gabrielle, who obediently closed her eyes, and threw a secure arm around her partner's stomach. "Didn't get much in there.. " She mumbled. "Kept having that nightmare.. when I'm back in Chin.. just looking for you." Her voice caught. "But you're gone.."

"Shhh." Xena stroked her hair gently. "Gabrielle.. that's never gonna happen, ok? I'll never leave you."

Green eyes flicked up to study her. "You mean that."

The warrior nodded. "I do… in life, in death… no matter what."

Gabrielle blinked. "Forever."

Xena smiled peacefully. "Forever."

The bard let a relaxed grin cross her face, as she snuggled closer, and let out a contented sigh. "Mine."

That got a wistful, sweet smile from her partner. "You got that right."

Ares rolled his eyes and yawned, then let his muzzle rest on Xena's thigh.

Cait settled down cross-legged next to the fuming Paladia, and tucked into a bowl of the leftover soup from their sparse dinner. "That was outstandingly stupid." She informed the burly woman, biting into a piece of fish with evident relish.

"Shut up." Paladia snarled, trying to find a comfortable spot against the bole of the tree she was tied to. "Who asked you?"

The slim blond gave her a disgusted look. "You're not only stupid, you're rude." She told Paladia. "You'd better wise up."

The much larger woman stared at her. "You can't keep hold of me."

Cait leaned forward, chewing a bit of fruit from her bowl. "Are you a total idiot? Didn't you just see what happened to all those people?" She shook a finger. "They're dead, most of them." Another mouthful. "Don't you know what dead is? Have you never killed anyone?"

Paladia blinked. "Of course I have.. " She boasted.

"I don't think you have." Cait informed her. "Because you think this is nothing but some kind of a game."

"Oh.. " The woman snorted. "And how many people have you killed, you little runt?"

Cait nibbled a piece of apple. "Six, now." She replied casually. "Did you see that last one? Lovely."

Paladia gazed at her. "You're serious." She mumbled.

"Quite." Cait answered. "I know what death is, you see." She poked for more fish. "My folks were killed by raiders.. I got quite upset, and went to take care of the person who'd done it." She swallowed, and wiped her mouth. "And then, I just hung around Amphipolis.. catching small game, and trading it for food.. whatnot."

"They didn't run you off?" Paladia asked, surprised.

"What, that lot? Gosh no… " Cait smiled. "They're lovely… Cyrene would always leave bits and things out for me, no charge .. she's super." She tipped the bowl to her lips, and took a long swallow. "Then Xena came back.. "

"Gods.. don't start in. I'm tired of hearing about that bitch." Paladia spat.

"Well, you ought to get used to it, really… where you're going." Cait told her, practically. "She can't help it, really.. she breathes and someone tells a story about it." She set the bowl down. "At any rate, she came home.. and I got her to let me go off to the Amazons."

"Let you?" Paladia laughed nastily. "Why didn't you just go?"

"Well." Cait settled down, resting her elbows on her knees. "I needed an intro, you see.. so Xena sent me back with Queen Ephiny, to guard her on the way home from this really nasty Amazon that was trying to kill her."

"What?" Paladia asked, in cautious interest.

"Right…that happens sometimes, with those Amazons.. they get all out of whack.. Xena says it has something to do with them cycling all at once." Cait drummed her fingers against her chin. "Where was I.. oh, right.. anyway, I got back just in time to see Queen Gabrielle's defense of the Centaur Village."

Now she had Paladia's attention, and the gray eyes fastened on her. "Waitaminute… whatsherface over there was telling me about some crazy story about an Amazon Queen who fought off some other Amazons for some Centaurs or something.. that was her??" She jerked her jaw towards the shadowy form against the far rock.

"Oh yes." Cait confirmed. "It certainly was.. she stood up to those nasty centaur butts quite nicely, actually… but I got to see Xena come diving to the rescue.. and that was just super." She waved a hand in pantomime. "She flew.. just like a bird, and caught the crossbow arrow just before it hit the Queen." She paused, and sighed. "Lovely."

Paladia gazed across the camp, regarding the two women resting in the fire's bare light. Xena's eyes were caught by errant flickers as she watched with quiet alertness, her arms wrapped protectively around the fair haired bard who was sleeping soundly cuddled against her chest. "So that's the great Xena." She mused. "Not what I expected."

Cait considered that. "She's quite nice once you get to know her."

Paladia snorted. "I have no intention of getting to know her." She turned her head and rested it against the bark. "They won't trick me again."

The blond Amazon sucked on her spoon and studied her charge. "Look here, you went and stole away people.. what were you expecting would happen?" She asked reasonably. "Didn't you think they'd ever mind?"

Paladia swallowed, and gave her a quick look. "Didn't hurt anything… it was just a way to get back some of our own."

Now Cait got mad. She put her bowl aside, and slid closer. "Didn't hurt? What do you call what happened to Ephiny, then? "

The larger woman jerked back. "She attacked me!" She protested. "She deserved what she got!"

In a flash, Cait was on her, the girl's slim frame which camouflaged a steely strength leaning against Paladia's, her fist wrapped in the woman's leather and fabric tunic. "You are a vile beast." Came the startlingly low growl. "You did horrible, disgusting things to her, and when she fought back.. when she tried to protect Gabrielle, you beat her rotten." A knife appeared from nowhere, and pressed against the flesh of Paladia's throat. "I would love to just kill you, I would."

"It… " Paladia's face showed confusion. "Wasn't horrible.. it… I didn't… it was just a… "

Cait sat back, and dropped her hands. "My gosh, you really don't know how just awful you are, do you?" She slowly shook her head. "Did you think giving her drugs made it right?"

A shrug. "She didn't mind."

"Of course she did.. or Gabrielle wouldn't have tried to protect her by changing places then, would she?" Cait spat back.

Paladia snorted. "Thought she was… " Her voice trailed off. "She enjoyed it."

Cait slapped her. "She hated it so much she was willing to risk her life to keep that from happening to anyone else." She shuddered. "Ugh.. you make my skin crawl."

The tall woman stared at her. "It's just pleasure… it doesn't mean anything."

Cait glared back. "My gosh, you are an idiot." She burst out. "It's part of being in love.. of course it means something."

Paladia rolled her eyes. "Oh..ok.. that's the problem. You think there's such a thing." She shifted. "Get off me. I know better.. I learned the hard way love doesn't exist.. it's just what you do, and who you do it to."

The Amazon rolled to one side, and looked back towards the fire. "How can you say that?" She dropped her voice. "Look at them… how can you say love doesn't exist?" Even in the dim light of the fire, they could see the sleepy look of contentment on Gabrielle's face, as she shifted slightly and burrowed closer into the embrace of her taller partner. Xena glanced down, and whispered something, a grin creasing her face, then leaned her chin against the bard's head, and returned her gaze to the fire. "It simply doesn't get any realer than that."

Paladia didn't answer.

"Everybody ready?" Gabrielle hitched her bag onto her shoulder, and surveyed the small group. The rest of the evening had gone by without incident and she'd reluctantly pried her eyes open just after dawn to see Xena's indulgent grin sparkling back at her.

Breakfast had been very sparse, but no one had much cared, being just grateful to be out of the caverns, and on the way home. The Amazons were packed up, and had rigged a set of straps to carry their injured regent, who was conscious but in pain, and whom Xena had given.. ok, forced her to drink.. a solution that put her in a mildly hazy state.

The villagers were more than ready to head out, and Lennat was waiting for her to join him.. casting uncertain looks at the towering Kelten who had tamely submitted to Xena's touch and was gingerly walking around in small circles, stretching out atrophied muscles, and fluffing his newly washed fur out to dry.

He was, she thought, almost pretty, with his silvery hair, and she decided to set aside her remembered dislike for him, at least for a while. He had said he would amble along with them for the rest of the day, seeing as how their paths lead together, then head off towards home. She wondered why, really.. since he hated humans, but she suspected it was because he was fascinated by Xena.

Like no one else around here is, right? She flicked a glance around, silently amused by the number of furtive looks in the direction of the spring that her partner was just strolling back from barelegged, and dressed only in her leathers. The sun was glistening off the droplets of water that covered her skin and she looked… Gabrielle felt a faint smile tugging at her lips. Mmm…

Seemingly oblivious to the attention, Xena finished squeezing the excess water out of her hair, and ran her fingers through it, tossing her head back and sending a faint mist out in all directions. She padded through the ankle high grasses and ended up next to Gabrielle, who was standing quietly and idly tossing one of her leather arm bands. "Hi."

The bard twirled the bracer on one finger. "Hi yourself."

Xena registered the silence at that point, and looked around, her brows creasing at the suddenly averted glances. "Something wrong?" She returned her attention to the bard, with a puzzled frown.

"Nope." Gabrielle smiled. "Not a thing that I can see." She batted her blond eyelashes at her soulmate, and slipped the arm protector up her arm, settling it into place around Xena's biceps, unable to resist tracing the smooth lines of the muscles with a languid finger.

The warrior gave her a suspicious look, then shook her head and picked up her chest armor, dropping it over her shoulders and adjusting the buckles. "Can you get.. " She winced, as the still tender wound in her gut pulled when she tried to reach too far. "Damn."

"Sure." Gabrielle slid her hands over the warm leather surface, and worked the strap, giving her a little pat when she was done. "There you go." She let her touch linger, reveling in the soft texture of the hide's surface.

Xena leaned closer. "You all right?" She asked, with a touch of curiosity.

The bard sucked in a long breath of air, a mixture of damp leather and sun warmed skin and grinned. "Uh… yeah… " She paused. "Why?"

The warrior's breath tickled past her ear, and almost made her legs give way. "Because you're turning a really nice shade of pink." She ran a finger up the bard's neck, tracing the soft flush, and leaving a trail of goosebumps behind her.

"Xena?" Gabrielle clenched her teeth, blinking hard.

"Hmm?" Her partner arched an eyebrow. "Yes, Gabrielle?" She let her voice drop to it's lowest register.

"Cut that out or you're gonna be part of a spectacle." The bard warned wryly.

Xena sighed, and walked past her, sitting down on the rock, and tugging her boots on, pulling the laces tight, and tying them off around her leg. "Been thinking." She started, then fell silent as she heard footsteps approaching.

Gabrielle picked up her left leg armor and handed it to her, as Eponin wandered over. "Yeah?" She half turned. "Hey Pony… Eph doing ok?"

The Amazon nodded quietly. "Eeeyah… I guess.. bitching about whatever it was that Xena gave her.. but I told her there's worse ways for her to get knocked out." This with a glare in Xena's direction. "I still got a sore neck from that little trick, I'll have ya know."

Xena finished fastening her leg armor on, and stood, stamping both feet to settle it into place. "Yeah.. well, there are worse ways than that, too." She shouldered her own pack, and motioned with her head towards the slope leading down. "C'mon.. let's get going." A glance up." Weather's not gonna cooperate forever."

They moved at a slow pace, to accommodate the pallet bearers, and Paladia's bound limbs, which allowed her only a shortened stride. Eponin led the way, with the villagers and the litter after her, carried by two Amazons, then Solari and Terrea, pacing in front of their prisoner, followed by Cait, Johan and the other Amazon. Kelten traveled watchfully after them, with Xena and Gabrielle bringing up the rear.

The warrior kept a wary eye on the surroundings, her hackles raising several times as she sensed watchers. A whistle sent warning to Eponin, who raised a fist in acknowledgement, and the Amazons fanned out, loosening their swords in warning, and Ares circled them, sniffing suspiciously

They were left alone.

The sun rose higher, heating the warm, humid air until they all were sweating freely. Xena kept an eye on the time, and called a halt after noon, moving up to check on Ephiny, with Gabrielle trudging behind her. The warrior pushed dampened hair out of her eyes, and knelt at the side of the litter, laying a gentle hand on the regent's forehead. "Eph?"

Pale eyes fluttered open, and tracked to her face. "Ugh."

Xena's face twitched in sympathy. "Look.. I know it hurts.. I can give you more stuff.. "

A weak hand wave stopped her. "Not hurts… seasick. "She rolled an eye towards her abashed litter bearers. "Haven't been this nauseous since I went sailing on that lake over near us and hit a windstorm."

Gabrielle smiled, and crouched next to her partner, taking one of Ephiny's wrists in her hand. "Let me show you a trick I learned a while back, OK?"

Ephiny watched in interest, as the bard tapped a spot on the inside of her arm. "Hey… " She paused, then tilted her head. "That works." A note of tired surprise colored her voice, then she regarded Gabrielle with faint interest. "You're taking me back in time, my friend." A smile touched her lips. "With that outfit.. meant to tell you before…."

The bard stood, and wiped her brow. "No kidding.. and this one's just as uncomfortable as the old one was." She glared up at her soulmate, who muffled a chuckle. "What'r you laughing at?"

Xena poked a thumb at her own chest. "Me? Not a thing… but…" With a flourish, she drew her dagger, and advanced on her partner, twirling the knife in expert fingers. "I just may have a solution for your little problem."

Gabrielle put her hands on her hips, and cocked her head. "Oh yeah?"

Slowly, Xena knelt, then delicately ran the dagger around Gabrielle's thigh, slicing through the fabric. She leaned forward, and circled around the backs of her legs, then came fully around her other thigh, separating most of the bottom of the long, and now bedraggled skirt. The fabric fell to the dusty path and the bard stepped neatly out of it, trying very hard to bite down a laugh.

She wasn't really sure whether to be embarrassed, pleased, stimulated, or what… Xena's whole attitude was gently teasing, odd and rare in the extreme in public for the normally stoic warrior.

The breeze felt good on her bare skin, though.. so she waited, watching as Xena got to her feet, then moved closer, tugging at the shirt she was wearing, and pulling it's ends from where they were tucked into the waistband of the skirt.

The soft sounds of fabric parting, and the shivery feel of the dagger against her side, as Xena split first one seam, than the other, then brought the ends forward, and tied them neatly into a knot above her navel. Then she completed the outfit by efficiently slicing off the sleeves, rendering the effect not too far off what she usually wore.

Except the frills.. which looked really silly.. and the playful slits Xena then made in the top of the skirt, which exposed her muscular legs almost to her hips.

When she was done, the warrior stepped back, and raised her hands in question. "Well?"

The Amazons clapped and laughed, even Ephiny, who bit her lip because laughing hurt. "Much, much better. " The regent nodded. "Xena.. you missed your calling."

"Oh yeah." Xena snorted lightly. "It called.. but I couldn’t hear it over the sound of my sword beating the crap out of someone." She turned her attention back to her soulmate. "Better?"

Gabrielle reached back, and twisted her hair off her neck, glancing down at her new, abbreviated outfit. "Much." She grinned. "I won't be tripping over it, at least." She pushed past her partner, and headed back towards the rear, shaking her head in amusement.

Xena resumed her checking of the regent's wounds, completely ignoring the smirks on the Amazons' faces. "This sun bothering you, Eph?"

"No." Ephiny drawled weakly. "Is it bothering you?"

Xena looked at her, then up at the circle of grinning warriors. "I don’t know what you're talking about." She muttered, standing up, then dusting her hands off, and nodding down range. "Weather's building… we've got two choices."

Now the smirks and chuckles stopped, and they paid attention. "We can head up the route towards Amazon territory.. find someplace to hole up for the night."

Concern colored their glances. "Yeah, I know." Xena sighed. "I think we're gonna get jumped again too, and I'm a little tired of it." She gazed off into the distance. "We could make Amphipolis before nightfall, if we push it."

Home. Gods.. seeing their familiar cabin, and imagining falling into it's soft bed with Gabrielle was a very welcome thought right at the moment. And wasn't that pathetic? Xena chastised herself wryly. "We can have Josc keep her.. " Here she motioned towards Paladia, who was listening with a stony look. "In the lockup cellar for a few days.. you can stay for Gran and Toris' joining.. Eph can get back on her feet…"

"Xena." Ephiny blinked.

"What?" The warrior replied.

"You don’t have to sell us on your hometown." The regent mumbled dryly. "B'sides… that's where I was heading to begin with."

Quick glances sped among the Amazons, who nodded finally. "Sounds good to me." Solari yawned. "Let's get going."

They started moving again, this time a little more cheerfully. Xena dropped back to where Gabrielle was strolling, and fell into step behind her. "Settled."

"Home?" The bard inquired, having discussed the issue with her previously. "You got them to agree in that short a time? Gods, Xena.. maybe you should be the Queen of the Amazons."

"Spare me." Her partner rolled her blue eyes.

"Maybe you should go up there and.. um.. teach them marching song or something.. cement this leadership role thing." The bard continued, seriously. "It could be good for them." She paused. "And for you." She caught the swift flash of uncertainty in her soulmate's gaze and put a hand on her back. "Just kidding."

Xena maintained her silence for a bit, then blinked and tilted her head to regard her partner. "Nah..I like the view back here much better." She ran a teasing touch up the bard's bare thigh.

Gabrielle blushed, and slapped at her hand. "Would you cut that out? It's bad enough I've got you and your leather right here next to me… don’t make it worse, all right?"

The warrior dropped her bantering air, and drew a little apart, walking on in silence. "Sorry." She replied quietly.

The bard shot a glance at the now serious profile, and winced internally. "Hey.. " She slid closer and bumped Xena's arm gently. "Didn't mean that the way it sounded."

A shrug. "It's all right." Xena's voice was even. "I was being a little silly." She rubbed her temples. "Not sure what got into me."

Gabrielle tucked her hand around her partner's warm arm, and leaned her head against the tall shoulder. "Same thing that got into me.. and is making me want to drag you off into the bushes." She replied with a sheepish smile, blushing when Xena raised both eyebrows at her. "I'm.. um.. really glad we're going home tonight instead of heading towards Amazon country."

Eyebrows edged even higher.

"Augh." Gabrielle bounced a little in her walk. "Stop that look, already.. I can't help it."

Finally, that got a smile from her dour partner. "You'd better stop that yourself."

"What?" The bard gazed at her. "This?" She bounced.

"Gabrielle." Xena muffled a chuckle.

"Nah nah nah.. " The bard bounded like a rabbit, poking her tongue out at her partner, unable to resist the sudden inexplicable craving she had to indulge herself in this sweet playfulness.

The warrior covered her eyes. "I think we both had too little sleep last night." She announced. "We're losing it." She peeked through her fingers, to see Gabrielle's broad grin. "You'd better cut that out…" But the teasing sparkle in the bard's eyes got all inside her, and stirred up a powerful warmth she'd half forgotten.

A rolling wave of giddiness that threatened to sweep her from her feet all over again, as she sensed herself falling down a steep path whose last ending had only meant unbearable pain, and she was helpless to stop… part of her desperate for it, part of her terrified of it.

She'd never expected, at her age, to fall so totally, give up so much of herself in an uncontrollable tumble into love. And she'd paid for that.

Dearly.

Now here it was again, holding out it's hand, tantalizing, tempting… terrifying.

It would be so easy to back away.. their relationship was knitting itself back together. She didn't need this.

No. She didn't need it. But oh.. gods.. she wanted it.

The bard stuck her tongue out again, and almost lost it, when Xena neatly ducked her head, and captured it in her teeth, melding that into a long kiss, allowing her senses to find places for their boots, praying that she wouldn't end up head first down the trail. She finally broke that off, glancing guiltily ahead of them, relieved that the column seemed to be moving on stolidly.

"Whew." Gabrielle commented, taking a deep breath, and releasing it. "Gonna be a loooooonnnnnggg day."

"Mmph." Xena agreed, wrapping an arm around the smaller woman's shoulders, and grinning recklessly

Letting the wind which screamed by her on the brink where she stood sweep away her doubts, and with a simple, fearless bound, threw herself back out into space.

Overhead, the clouds were gathering, and in the far distance, a low rumble of thunder stirred the air, the wind turning fitful as the leaves around them danced unpredictably.

The thunder was louder, and much closer, the vibrations rumbling through the ground they were walking on by the time they entered the river valley, heading towards the bridge that would cross over into the territory around Amphipolis. The wind had picked up considerably, and the light had taken on a peculiar, russet light that enhanced the vivid green of the river grass they were walking through

"Creepy." Gabrielle commented, as they stopped for a quick rest, and she dropped down cross-legged onto the ground with a brisk rustle of dried vegetation. She jumped a little, as a cricket took her arm for a path, and hopped down onto her leg, pausing there and waving it's tiny antenna. "Hello."

Ares trotted over and sniffed at the green tinted creature, then sat down, and cocked his head at it. "Roo." He yodeled softly, and the cricket maneuvered its legs around to keep an eye on him, rattling its stiff carapace and making Gabrielle jump again.

"Yaa." The bard nudged the insect with a fingertip, trying to encourage it to continue its journey.

Xena glanced down from where she was uneasily studying the weather, and smiled, letting her hand drop down and tangle it's fingers in the bard's fair hair.

Gabrielle forgot the cricket for a moment, and looked up, returning the smile. "Not far, huh?" She asked, after what seemed like a really long moment of them just looking at each other. What the heck's gotten into us today?

The warrior blinked, and shook her head as though to clear it. "Um… " She glanced over at the horizon. "No.. not very.. I hope we make it in… I don't like the way the sky looks."

The bard sighed, and leaned back on her hands, her pale green eyes studying the clouds. A rustling to their right made her look over, as Kelten brushed through the long grasses and faced Xena.

"I’m heading home, Chosen." The tall forest dweller advised her. His face was less haggard, and, clean, he appeared far healthier than he had when they'd first released him . "I'd say it's been a pleasure, but it hasn't."

Xena snorted softly. "How'd you get caught by these kids anyway?"

Kelten glanced off into the distance. "Life's tough sometimes… " He turned his silver hued eyes on her. "I got challenged, I lost." He wrinkled his nose. "Guess he thought sparing me was a kindness." He laughed unpleasantly. "I figured I could find some out of the way place somewhere…found a wild boar instead."

Xena let out a breath, putting her hands on her hips and glancing at the ground. "That's rough." She commented. "What are you going to do now?"

He shrugged. "Doesn't really matter.. find a cave… maybe slaughter a few small animals for fun just for old time's sake." His fangs showed in a feral grin. "You know."

"Be careful." Gabrielle said quietly.

He looked at her. "That would defeat the purpose now, wouldn't it?" His eyes drifted to Xena's quiet face, and they exchanged silent, understanding nods. "Ares watch over you, Chosen." His muzzle wrinkled into a wry look, as he turned, and parted the tall grass with his hands.

"Who took you, Kelten?" Xena asked, folding her arms.

He glanced back over his silver shoulder at her. "That kid you scared into wetting his fur.. " His eyes showed pained disgust. "Life bites hard sometimes." Then he shook his head, and slowly dissolved into the underbrush, heading towards the treeline which ringed the low-lying hills they'd just exited.

"Mmph." Gabrielle murmured softly, gazing at her cricket, who had apparently decided he liked her knee very much. The legs tickled, though. "A little poetic justice, I think."

Xena studied her boots. "I guess I can see through his eyes a bit more than you can…" She sighed, and shook her head. "If it were left up to poetic justice, I'd hate to see where I'd be right now."

Ouch. Gabrielle winced. Good point. She gently moved her cricket to a cattail, and stood, brushing her skirt off and strolling over to her pensive partner. "Well.. I guess it's good you hooked up with a poet then, huh?" She put a hand on Xena's arm. "Your justice is you have to listen to me babbling all the time."

The warrior eyed her for a split second, then relaxed into a grin. "I"ll take it."

"Good answer." Gabrielle informed her, as they started walking towards where the rest of the group was sitting. She wrapped an arm tightly around her partner's waist, and smiled as Xena draped her own arm across the bard's shoulders. "Come on, guys… let's get moving, or we'll all end up wet." She called out to their resting companions.

Chuckles met her words from the Amazons, and she gazed at them, puzzled. "What?" She turned and glanced at Xena, who was covering her eyes with her free hand and biting her lip. "What???" She went over her words, then rolled her eyes and groaned. "Gods.. you people are disgusting." She disengaged her arm from her partner's body, and backslapped her in the abdomen, then stalked off towards where Lennat was kneeling next to Johan.

"Ow." Xena rubbed the spot, then unshouldered her pack, and crouched down next to Ephiny's pallet. "How are you doing?" She turned the regent's head with gentle fingers, and studied the bruising that stained half her face.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd not try to make me laugh like that." The regent mumbled, her pale eyes glinting through half closed, swollen eyelids. "Can't you do the humorless stoic routine until I feel better?"

Xena edged an eyebrow up, and bit back a grin, trying to force a sober expression onto her face. "Right." But the faint grin kept tugging at her lips anyway. "You want more stuff for the pain?"

Ephiny thought about that for a minute. "No…" She took a deep breath, and let it out. "I'm tired of feeling like I'm wrapped in a cloth shroud." She blinked her eyes a few times. "Vision's pretty blurry."

Xena's brow creased. "Well… " She examined the bumps on the regent's head. "There's a lot of swelling.. maybe that's causing it." Her eyes lifted, and found Eponin's very worried ones looking back at her. "Yeah.. that's probably it.. give it a few days." She chewed her lip a little. "Listen, Eph.. I know…"

"Hey." The regent held up a hand weakly. "If you start trying to be comforting, you're gonna scare the feathers off me, so cut it out."

The warrior looked down. "All right." She relented. "Let's get going… this sun's not doing you any good, anyway.. and getting caught in a storm sure as Centaurs won't." She removed an herbal salve from her kit, and started applying it to the jagged cuts that crossed the Amazon's face.

Lennat glanced up as he heard footsteps, and grinned as he saw Gabrielle approach. "Hello…" He patted the rock next to the one he was sitting on, among the cluster of Potadeians. "Sit down… at least for a few minutes."

She did so, curling her legs to one side and resting her forearms on her thighs. "You guys doing ok? I know we're pushing it.. but Xena wants to get under cover before this storm hits."

"We're fine." Lennat informed her, glancing at his companions. "We're just really glad to be out of there.. though they were supposed to let us go anyway.. not sure how that was going to work."

"Oh." Gabrielle slapped her head gently. "Right… well, Xena was going to be the one delivering your ransom." She explained. "That was before we heard about Ephiny."

They looked at each other. "Wow… " Lennat laughed nervously. "We wondered… we had most of the years fees with us…don't know what we're gonna do about that."

"Oh." Gabrielle said again, with a very sheepish look on her face. "I must be losing it… here." She dug in her bag, and pulled out a worn, leather sack, decorated with woven wheat sheaves in rust and ochre. "This was in Paladia's room… I recognized the village sigil."

Lennat burst into a big smile, as he hefted the sack. "Gabrielle!!!" He exploded into delighted laughter. "You're the best!"

The soft skin at the edges of his sister in law's eyes crinkled, as she smiled back. "You're welcome." She let her gaze drift over them, to where Paladia was slumped against a fallen tree, with Cait perched alertly nearby. "Excuse me a minute." She stood up, and crossed over to them, giving Cait a smile and a nod, and studying Paladia seriously. "Those cuts are getting infected. I'm going to put some herbal stuff on them." She set her bag down, and knelt on one knee.

"Don't touch me." Paladia growled softly. "I don't need help."

Gabrielle ignored her, and removed the small jar of salve she'd used on Xena earlier from her sack, and dabbed her fingers in it. "This won't hurt." She reassured the burly woman. "Just hold still for a minute."

Paladia went silent for a second, then lunged forward, and got her bound arms around Gabrielle's neck, pulling her bonds tight around the bard's neck. "You bitch…I may die, but I'll take you with me."

Cait froze, half sitting, half standing.

Gabrielle felt her breathing cut off, and she struggled, slamming her elbows back into the taller woman's ribcage. She got her feet braced against the ground , and shoved back wards as hard as she could, throwing Paladia off balance, and causing her to loosen her grip a bit. She'd just gotten time to suck in a much needed lungful of air when the entire world came down on top of her.

She heard the sound of bones cracking, as Paladia fell on her, and bore them both to the ground, and the renegade's scream etched it's way into her hearing . Moments later, the weight lifted off her, and she heard the sound of something heavy hitting the ground.

Then there was silence, and a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Gabrielle?"

She coughed, then rolled over onto her back, and forced her eyes open, gazing straight up into a pair of tense blue ones. "Whoa… " She gave her partner a forced grin. "I liked it better when they just held me at knifepoint." She cleared her throat. "Thanks…"

Fingers delicately probed her neck, then turned her head from side to side. She lay quietly, absorbing the attention gratefully. "I'm ok." She finally told her partner, who nevertheless carefully helped her to her feet, and dusted off her body with solicitous hands.

Xena let herself breathe again, as her heart slowly, very slowly started to settle back into its normal rhythm. She reassured herself that the angry red marks on her neck were her beloved soulmate's only injury, then turned her attention back to the woman writhing in agony on the ground.

Not surprisingly, since her arm was at an impossible angle from her body, and the upper bone was snapped in half, the top portion emerging from the skin in an ugly contrast of white and ochre bone against the oozing dark red of blood around the break.

A bare foot higher, and Xena's savage kick would have broken her neck, and briefly, the warrior wished it had to spare her the aggravation of now dealing with a seriously injured prisoner.

Sometimes, she reflected very darkly, the old ways had their moments. Damn… damn damn damn… she cursed softly to herself, casting a disgusted eye up at the clouds. "All right.. I'm gonna need a couple of straight sticks for a splint.. and we'd better put a shelter up.. we're not gonna make it into town before this damn storm breaks."

She took two short steps to Paladia's side, and dropped heavily to one knee, pulling the woman over by her shoulder with rough attention. The woman screamed, and Xena viciously jabbed two fingers into the joint where her neck met her shoulders, and the scream cut off. "Now, you shut up, and if you make one little move while I'm doing this, I'll break the other one. You got me??"

Paladia's breath was coming in tiny gasps, and she looked up at Xena now in real, unfeigned fear. She averted her eyes, panting, as the warrior used brute strength to pull out, and realign the bones, which she could no longer feel.

Gabrielle grimaced, glad when the white, eerie bone disappeared beneath the flesh, and she turned, to give the grim looking Amazons, and the horrified Potadeians a wry look. "Ok.. Xena's right.. let's get moving on a shelter." She motioned to Johan. "We'll need springy branches, and a bunch of this tall grass to weave inside them…." She jumped a little as a streaking sliver of lightening cracked through the dark purple sky, making the green river grass almost glow in the sunlight that the clouds hadn't totally blocked out yet. "We'd better hurry."

Well.. Xena listened to the first, wild scattering of droplets against the woven thatch above her with pensive concern. At least it's something. The Amazons had dragged Paladia under one part of the shelter, making no pains not to treat the burly woman roughly, but Xena thought she was probably beyond caring. She'd set the renegade's arm, and splinted it, but released the nerve block and knew the injury was causing a great deal of pain.

A blast of thunder overhead brought Gabrielle nestling closer unconsciously, and she gave her partner a sideways glance, noting the tinge of pallor in her face, and the taut lines of her jaw and throat. "Hey."

Mist green eyes gone almost hazel in the dim light regarded her. "Hi."

Xena blinked. "You ok?"

A faint nod. "Yeah… " But she moved even closer, pressing her body up against Xena's. "Just don't like the loud stuff, I guess." She glanced up as a sheet of lightning lit the darkened sky, flickering through the clouds in a weird, shifting wave. The wind was whipping through the grasses, shifting crazily from one direction to the other, and just the faint howl was raising the bard's hackles in a thorough, chilling manner.

Xena put her arm around her partner, and hugged her. "No landslides here, love." She muttered softly, letting her other hand rest on Ares' back, where the wolf was pressed against her leg.

Gabrielle took in a breath. "How'd you know that's what I was thinking about?" She asked softly, wrapping both arms around her partner's body, and holding her close.

A faint smile creased Xena's face. "I just knew." She replied, gazing out over Gabrielle's head, and regarding the group critically. The Amazons were in a tight circle, with Eponin against a fallen log, and Ephiny, with a faint smirk on her face, leaning gently back against the weapon's master's chest.

Johan was on Ares' other side, his big, powerful hands resting lightly on his knees, as he patiently chewed on a piece of the river grass. The Potadeians were on the other side of Gabrielle, and most, being people of the land, and used to storms, had taken the opportunity to nod off.

Thunder rumbled again, and she felt the faint shudder run through Gabrielle's body. She lifted her free hand off Ares' back, and curled it around the bard's head, pulling her closer and settling her powerful grip around her protectively.

Gabrielle let out a little sigh, and let her eyes trace Xena's strong profile, focusing on the dark eyelashes, which flicked and moved as the warrior's attention roamed over the small group. Tiny muscles near her eyes twitched also, and her ears moved, just a little, as she absorbed information from her surroundings like a large, leather clad sponge. The bard yawned a little, wincing, as her throat ached at the pull against it.

As though sensing it, the warrior glanced back down, turning her attention onto her partner with a total absorption that was rare outside the safety of their home. One hand released, and tipped her chin up, as Xena studied the raw, red scrapes on her skin. "Whore… I shoulda broken more than her arm." She breathed.

"Tch." Gabrielle scolded gently. "It's a couple of scratches, Xena… take it easy."

"Grrrr." The warrior growled, low and deep, with a warm ferocity that surprised the bard.

"Hey.. " She smiled quietly. "That's my tiger, huh?"

An eyebrow curved up, along with one half of Xena's mouth. "Sorry." The warrior mumbled, brushing her cheek with the backs of her fingers. Their eyes met, and they both felt the strong pull of their connection, which blocked out for a moment, their surroundings.

"Xena… " Gabrielle couldn’t move her eyes from the compelling blue ones just above her. "I would be willing to bet everyone's staring at us."

Xena smiled slowly. "I don't give a flying pig's butt if they are, Gabrielle."

The bard grinned sweetly. "Flying pig's butt.. how do you suppose that would happen? You think the pig would just wiggle his butt, and his tail would start spinning and lift him up?"

They looked at each other for a long moment, then burst out laughing. Xena let her chuckles trail off, before she reluctantly tore her eyes from her partner and sent a glowering look around the shelter.

Expressions ranging from awe to envy met her eyes, as everyone scrambled to find something else to look at. A crack of lightning provided a convenient diversion, and Xena settled back, letting out a satisfied sigh and resting her head against Gabrielle's.

The air crackled around them, and the wind gusted stronger, the flashes of lightning were almost constant, and, as Xena tilted her dark head to one side and observed the sky, she noticed an odd tinge to the clouds. Against her leg, she felt Ares growl, and the wolf lifted his head, his eyes stark yellow against his dark fur. "Easy boy."

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr." Ares ears flattened back against his head. He pressed closer to the warrior, and opened his mouth to pant nervously.

Xena suddenly felt like doing the same thing, as her hackles rose, and a chill shuddered down her body. "I got a bad feeling about this." She muttered, feeling Gabrielle start, and tense at her words.

The wind rose, and a faint howl filled the air, a noise that started strong, urgent alarm bells ringing in Xena's head. She ducked her head outside the shelter, oblivious to the gusting rain, and stared around, feeling her pulse jump. The wind whipped her hair in a stinging lash against her face, and she lifted a hand, impatiently pushing the strands out of the way.

She looked front, and then back, to her right, then lifted herself up and peered over the top of their shelter.

And froze, a dozen curses in four different languages fighting for utterance. The roaring sound had its source. "We gotta get outta here." She yelled, pulling both herself and Gabrielle out into the rain. She whirled about, and spotted a small overhang. "Over there… move it!"

Gabrielle took one look at what was coming, and moved, pulling the edge of the shelter back, and grabbing Cait's arm. "Come on."

"Gosh." Cait's eyes popped, seeing the dark, furiously whirling cone that was approaching. "Too right."

They moved, Solari scrambling to Eponin's side to help her with the injured Ephiny, and Johan taking charge of the terrified villagers. "What is that?" He yelled towards Xena, who was herding them with a stark, nervous air.

"Tornado." Came the crisp, staccato response. Xena shoved the last of the Amazons forward, then turned and regarded Paladia, who was hunched over, staring at the oncoming storm with wide, uncomprehending eyes.

Another moment of decision, and Xena cursed herself roundly, but bounded over in a few long strides, and dropped to the renegade's side. "I don't have time to be nice." She rasped. "I'm going to put you on my shoulders and get you outta here, but so help me Ares, if you so much as twitch, I'll toss your worthless hide right into the center of that thing."

Paladia ripped her gaze from the onrushing tornado, whose roaring sound now overwhelmed everything else. She managed a tiny nod in response.

"All right." Xena jabbed a practiced finger into a pressure point, numbing the woman's arm , then grabbed both of her wrists, and hauled her up, pulling her body over her shoulders, and balancing her with rough, grim strength. "Don't move."

The wind was pulling with such power by then that Xena had trouble making her way to the overhang. The suction kept wanting to pull her back, greedily inhaling and impeding her progress. Just short of the haven, she felt hands grabbing Paladia's shaking form, and she relinquished it, staggering to one side as the weight was hauled off her shoulders. A gust of wind blew her against a tree, and she steadied herself against it, curling her hands around a low, bark covered limb to hold herself upright.

Damn. Her eyes followed the huge, whirling cone, now so close she could see objects moving in its winds. She squinted, unable to resolve the impression that she'd seen a cow up there. It ripped through the grasses, and sucked river water up into itself, seeming to follow the line of the water. "I think it's gonna miss us." She yelled, not sure if the frightened, huddled people under the over hang could hear her.

Then it shifted, and the wild fury tore through the field. Xena released her tree, and started towards the overhang, but a sudden gust blew her back, and a huge downed limb tangled in her legs, throwing her sideways.

She frantically fought for balance, but the suction was too great. It started pulling her along the ground, raking her over rocks and through the whipping river grass as she tenaciously curled around, reaching out for a handhold on anything she could grab.

The roaring engulfed her, and she felt angry biting hands pulling at her, jerking her body up off the ground. Desperately, she fastened her fists on the earth, the roots.. anything.. but they tore loose in her fingers.

She never heard any approaching footsteps, the humming roar was too much.. but one moment she was tumbling through the grass, the next she was pinned into place by a warm, solid weight, whose grip fastened on her in sure strength.

In reflex, she wrapped her arms around what her body recognized instantly as her soulmate. "Damn it.. "

"Shut up." Gabrielle yelled, holding on tighter. "If I told you once.. I've told you a hundred times.. where you go, I go."

The wind redoubled, and picked them both up, and then they were in the air, and moving, being thrashed by other windborne debris. Xena sighed, and wrapped her limbs around her partner's body, and just held on for dear life.

Time stopped having any meaning, Xena realized, as the only thing that mattered was holding on to the terrified Gabrielle, and mentally trying to slow her frantically racing heartbeat. She's afraid of heights. Her mind nervously reminded her. "Easy!"

The force of the wind tossed them back and forth, dropping them in sickening lurches, only to rise again. The warrior felt objects striking her body, and she winced as she tumbled in mid air, trying to protect as much of her smaller partner's skin as possible. The roar was incredible; a horrid, moaning sound that blocked out everything else as it whirled around them.

Xena forced her eyes open against it, bravely taking a look down, and seeing flashes of green, and then of brown below them. A strong impact knocked them sideways, and she felt the pressure of the air lessen, dropping them in a long, horrible lunge. She felt Gabrielle's hands clench, and she swallowed hard.

The tornado chose that moment to shift, blasting them upward for a scary moment, then, suddenly, it whipped towards the river, and they were free of it.

Falling towards the ground unchecked.

Oh. Damn. Xena closed her arms tighter, and brought the bard's head nearer to hers. "Just hang on, ok?" She maneuvered her body around in mid air, so that she would hit whatever was coming up first, then angled downward, spotting a thick, thatch roof just under them.

Well. She eyed the ring of unfriendly trees and fencing that was it's alternative, and sighed, then made a mid flight correction, and sent them hurtling straight for the brown, stiff surface. "Brace yourself.. this is gonna hurt." She warned Gabrielle, and felt the bard take in a big breath.

She hit on her back, and rolled one side helplessly, as the wooden supports refused to bear her weight, and shattered on impact.

That probably saved their lives, as they tore through the thick thatch, ripping through the woven surface and the light wood underpinnings. A dark mustiness assailed their senses just before they bounced off the edge of a rickety hayloft, and plummeted down.

The impact was somewhat less painful that Xena had expected, as a cacophony of sound exploded around them, with shoving, frightened bodies scattering out of the way allowing them to fall unhindered into..

Muck.

A spray of dark brown, glutinous matter covered them, in concert with an ungodly squealing that set Xena's nerves right up on edge.

She waited for the world to stop spinning , and cracked an eyelid open, to survey her surroundings.

A pigsty.

Gabrielle had rolled off her, and was sitting at her side, looking around in a dazed fashion. They were on one side of a badly made, evil smelling sty, and on the other side..

A pig cluster. Led by a red eyed, bristle snouted sow, whose skin was a mottling of brown and gray, and whose jowls were quivering with rage, making the strings of saliva drooling from her mouth shake.

Gabrielle blinked at her. "Nice piggy."

"Uh." Xena felt her throat go dry. "Gabrielle… get out of here."

"Why?" The bard asked, reasonably. "I just dropped in." She peered at her partner. "You ok?"

Xena moved a little, and the pig squealed, glaring at her in outrage. "Sure, I'm great." She shook a clump of pig poop off her hand, and tested her body, relieved to find nothing broken. "Stay back." She warned the pig.

The sow grunted, and pawed the ground, snorting in an agitated fashion. Behind her, a litter of tiny piglets squirmed. One scuttled under it's mother's belly, and trotted over to Xena, sniffing her boot with interest.

"Go away." Xena growled, nudging it.

The sow squealed, and rushed her, long yellow teeth bared.

"Ares balls.. " Xena yelled, lunging out of the way, and plowing headfirst into the muck, then rolling up into a kneeling posture, grabbing Gabrielle by the waist and tossing her to one side. The pig stumbled to a halt, and reversed her course, thundering towards the warrior, crashing into her and sending them both rolling into the deep corner of the sty.

Xena got her arms around the thick, bristly neck and rolled over, pinning the pig down. "You'd better cut that out." She yelled, "Or you're looking at making bacon, buddy."

The sow snapped her teeth, chomping down on a piece of Xena's leather skirting with vicious intent. The warrior got an arm free, and brought her elbow down on the animals' head, stopping the squealing, and the furious struggling beneath her.

She let out a long breath, and rolled off the animal's back, leaning against a sagging support post and extending both legs out into the muck. Then she rolled her head to one side, and spotted her partner, who was seated on an overturned bucket, cuddling a piglet in one arm. "Gabrielle!"

The bard smiled. "Isn't he cute?" She held up the tiny animal, who snorted and wiggled his hooves.

Xena gazed at her. "His mother just tried to kill me."

"Tch." Gabrielle wagged a finger. "It would take more than a pig to overcome the great Warrior Princess."

They looked at each other, then up at the ceiling.

"You know, Gabrielle… " Xena crossed her legs, flicking poop off her knee, and capturing a huge horsefly who was about to make a meal of her. "I've been.. a warrior.. a pirate… fought the legions of Rome… conquered cities and states.. roamed the world… "

"Yeah?" The bard leaned forward, petting her little friend. "I know all that."

"Mm." The warrior nodded a little. "But I never knew how exciting life could be until I met you."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "Xena, it was a tornado.. an act of nature.. it wasn't my fault." She stated, with joking vehemence. Then her expression softened. "Are you really all right? We hit that roof pretty hard." She set the piglet down, and stood, walking over to her partner, and kneeling down to examine her.

"Other than being covered in pig crap, and a little sore, I'm fine." Xena assured her, putting a gentle hand on her knee. "Sorry about that.. I know you must have been scared."

Gabrielle looked down at her filthy boots, and pursed her lips. "In a way… because you know how much I hate heights..but… " Her mist green eyes lifted, and fastened themselves on Xena's blue ones. "I was with you… and that made whatever happened… ok."

Xena mustered a genuine smile at that. and sighed. "Let's go find some water, ok?" She pushed herself to her feet, and stepped over the sty railing, then helped Gabrielle do the same. They both turned to look at the sty, where the sow was starting to regain her wits, and scrambled up, dazedly swinging her heavy head around and spotting them.

She squealed and lunged, banging her head against the support railing, and reaching through, snapping her long teeth at Xena's knees.

"Damn." Xena stepped back, shaking her head. "That's some pig."

Gabrielle leaned over the railing, to where the little piglet was sniffing at her hand and patted him. "This one's nice."

The warrior looked over. "It's probably you who's nice, my love." She spoke the word with gentle certainty. "He's just responding to that." She shot a glare at the sow, who was chewing at the wood, trying to get at her. "Now me, on the other hand…"

Gabrielle snorted softly, then scooped the piglet up, cuddling him against her chest as she crossed the barn and settled him into Xena's arms. The piglet sniffed at her, tickling her chin with his tiny, soft whiskers, and grunted very quietly, then snuggled down and closed his eyes.

"Oh for… "The warrior let out an exasperated groan. "Gabrielle.. get this thing away from me.. the way I smell, he probably thinks I'm his mother."

The sow squealed in absolute rage, and started banging her head against the wooden supports.

Gabrielle giggled, but complied, settling the now disgruntled piglet down into the sty. "You stay there, Wilbur."

Xena turned, brushing herself off and headed for the door. "Wilbur?" She turned and stared at her partner who had caught up as they reached the exit. "Why Wilbur?"

The bard shrugged. "Why not?" She opened the door, and they stepped out.

Into a fierce, driving rainstorm, that nearly blew them back into the barn.

"Well." Xena sighed, closing her eyes, and flicking her fingers through her dark hair. "I wanted water."

Gabrielle chuckled, and turned in a circle, holding her arms out away from her body, and letting the huge droplets rinse the pig muck from her skin and sparse clothing. "Xena, that… really was amazing..wasn't it?"

The warrior stopped in the middle of removing her armor, shaking clumps of dirty hay and muck out from it. "What was.. .me wrestling a pig, and winning?"

"Tch." Gabrielle slapped her. "Being picked up by a tornado, and dropped in mid air, and surviving it." She let her gaze unfocus, considering it. "Wow.. this is going to make a fantastic story."

Xena winced. "Oh… sure… " She wrestled out of her boots, and knocked them together, letting the rain rinse off the dirt, then walked in the rain to the heavy wooden trough that was resting outside the barn, and plunged her head into it, scrubbing briskly, then surfacing, and letting the collected rain water sluice off her back.

Gabrielle joined her, then let her hands rest against the wooden rim of the trough. She watched Xena trying without much success to scrub her leathers clean, and smiled. "Sometimes, cloth has it's advantages." She tugged at the edge of her cut off skirt.

The warrior ceased her efforts, and regarded Gabrielle speculatively. Then she grinned. "Oh.. yeah.. I agree." She gave her partner a sultry grin. "Especially fabric that gets..um…. " Her eyes twinkled. "Transparent."

Gabrielle glanced down, startled, then blushed. "Oh Hades." She muttered, crossing her arms across her chest, and looking around for other spectators.

"Don’t do that." Xena dropped her boots down next to her armor, and gently took her hands in her own, lifting them up and kissing them. "You've got nothing to be ashamed of, my bard." She moved closer, and released her partner's fingers, which dropped to curl around the warrior's upper arms as she ran her hands through the wet, reddish gold hair.

The sound of the rain drumming against the ground faded out as they gazed at each other, warm memories surfacing. "Hey.. do I get a hello?" Xena teased gently.

"Mmm.." The bard responded, stepping forward and bringing her body into contact with her partner's. "You get a hello.. " She planted a kiss on the skin just above the edge of Xena's leathers. "You get a thank the gods you're here.." She moved higher, sucking gently against the pulse point, which fluttered under her lips. "You get a.. I have never been so.. so.. glad to see anyone in my life.. " Her hands move with subtle insistence against Xena's body. "And you get an I love you." She nibbled her partner's chin. "Did I leave anything out?"

Xena ducked her head and found the bard's lips, closing her arms around the wet body whose warm length was edging hers, and bringing a tingle to her skin. This is insane. Her mind objected, as Gabrielle's hands slipped under her unlaced leathers. Hey.. how did that happen? The touch moved enticingly up her ribcage, tracing the lines of her body, then edged up over the curve of her breasts. That's it..I'm certifiable. We've just escaped a tornado, been attacked by wild pigs, and are in the middle of a violent storm.

"Mm.. " Gabrielle leaned closer, nibbling with abandon, as the warrior's hands wandered over her, loosening her linen shirt, and sending jolts down her skin. "This is crazy, isn't it?"

"Uh huh." Xena agreed readily, then sighed, and broke off, and leaned her forehead against her partner's.

Gabrielle gazed up at her, a touch of hurt in her eyes. "You don't… " She let the thought drop, along with her glance.

A hand touched her chin, and lifted her face up. "Oh.. I do… most definitely, my bard." Xena gave her a wry, frustrated look. "But there are a dozen people out there who probably think you and I have been smashed against the rocks… we gotta go find them." She folded her arms around the smaller woman. "We gotta be responsible, Gabrielle."

The bard nestled against her, playing with her laces. "Being responsible sucks piggy tails sometimes, Xena." She grumbled.

"I know." Her partner agreed with an aggrieved sigh. "C'mon.. let's get the Hades home.. I want a nice long bath, a warm, soft bed, and you." She paused. "Not necessarily in that order."

The bard sniffed delicately at her leathers. "Yeah, in that order." She joked, giving her partner a nudge. "You mind if I wear your armor? I feel kind of…" She glanced down. "Conspicuous."

They chuckled, and collected their things, moving away from the barn after Xena tied a couple of coins to the door latch to pay for the damage. "Not my fault, exactly, but… " She shrugged. "Not fair for this poor farmer to have to pay for it."

Gabrielle finished tying her wet hair back off her face. "Right." She agreed, as she joined her partner, letting the taller woman break the curtain of rain, as they walked across the muddy ground and headed back towards the river.

"Get down!" Eponin yelled, full volume, which barely made a dent over the unearthly howl. She grabbed Cait's leathers, and pulled, as the girl was frantically trying to get loose and chase after Xena and Gabrielle. "Damn it, Cait… cut that out!"

"Let me go!" Cait insisted, twisting around and fighting. "Did you see that? It took them away! We've simply got to go after them!"

Solari turned from her position with her back flat against the far wall, where she had Ephiny and Paladia braced, and the villagers clustered around her. "Don't be an idiot, Cait… we will go.. after that thing moves a little.. what good would us getting caught up in it be?"

Johan looked up, from where he was practically sitting on the hideously growling Ares, who was desperate to break free and follow his beloved mistresses. "Geddown, damn ye." He tightened his hold on the wolf. "The last thing they need is to be worrying about you, so just hold still." He meant his words for more than the wolf, and Cait subsided as well.

A loud crack startled them, as a tree slammed into the outcropping they were huddled under, sending shreds of pungently scented bark into their hideout. The outcropping actually extended over a small depression, almost making a tiny cave, and though the wind ripped at the entrance, and poured gravel, dirt, and tattered leaves inside, they were relatively safe.

Just as suddenly as it appeared, the howling vanished, and the wind dropped, now the only sound being the wash of rain against the rocks, and the distant complaining rumble of thunder.

"It's gone." Eponin said, quietly, releasing her hold on Cait, who bolted outside into the storm.

The girl was back in an instant, crouching to rest a slim hand against the granite. "So are they."

They all looked at each other in silence for a long moment. "Gods." Solari sighed, resting her head in her hands. "This can't be happening."

Eponin slumped against the wall, letting her hands drop in frustrated disbelief, as Johan let Ares go. The wolf scrambled up the small lip which lead down into their hideout, and trotted outside. They lost sight of his dark coat for a short while, then, suddenly, a mournful howl broke through the rain, chilling them.

Johan glanced at the ground, then at his hands, clasping them.

A dour silence spread. "Damn." Terrea said softly.

"You know what your problem is?" Ephiny voice floated weakly out into the oppressive atmosphere.

They all looked at her. "You have no faith." The regent accused. "I'll believe something bad happened to them when you show me the bodies."

It was blunt, and stark, and lent evidence to Ephiny's exhausted state of mind. But the air lightened, as Eponin crossed to crouch next to her, clasping her hands together. "She's right." The weapon's master affirmed quietly. "We'll wait for the weather to settle a little, then go find them."

Paladia stirred from her corner. "What makes you think there'll be anything left to find?" She asked, maliciously.

Eponin looked right at her. "If Xena hadn't stopped to pick up your worthless carcass, we wouldn't be asking the question now, would we?" She growled softly. "So keep your disgusting mouth shut."

Paladia stared at her, then at the tense, angry glances she was getting from the rest of them and shook her head. "You people are crazy."

Cait thumped down into their hideout, dragging Ares behind her, and blew the wet, blond hair out of her eyes. "It's just rot." She spat, exasperated and angry. "This rain has simply got to stop." She gave the weather a glare, then settled down, pulling the wolf down next to her. He dropped to his haunches, and put his head down on his paws with a pathetic droop to his ears. "We'll find them, Ares… " Cait patted the dark head comfortingly. "Don’t worry."

"Roo." The wolf sighed, blinking.

It was a good time later before the sheeting rain slowed, and they emerged, glancing around at the destruction caused by the storm. Trees had been uprooted wholly, and tossed across the landscape, a few plunging into the river with their roots upmost. The ground was littered with scraps of leaves, and branches, and the wind caught bushes that had been ripped from the ground and tumbled them across grasses.

"Damn." Eponin let out a long breath. "What a mess." She looked up, to where the clouds were breaking apart, and shook her head.

Ares trotted out, and went to the spot they'd last seen Xena and Gabrielle, and sat down, sniffing with a dejected air. "Agrrrrrhhooo." He tipped back his head and howled, then turned and looked at them.

"Shhh.." Ephiny held out a hand to him, from her pallet. "It's gonna be ok, Ares… " The wolf loped over, and nudged her arm, licking it. "You know your mommies better than that…come on now."

The sun made a pallid appearance, from it's lowering position in the west, and they turned towards it gratefully. "Lookit how red it is." Terrea mused, blinking. "Wow."

The sky was a pale purple on the horizon, with streaks of light blue intersperse, and in the center, the sun was a glowing, red ball, casting a sheet of crimson over the landscape. A light wind sprang back up, bringing the scent of bruised vegetation to them, and the cool, clean smell of water washed rock.

Solari sighed, running her fingers through her damp, bronze hair, then turned. "Well, we sh…. " She stopped and looked up the long, grassy slope that led to the east. "Oh.. for Artemis' sake."

They all turned, startled, and spotted what she'd seen.

Solari fixed the picture in her mind, and it became her favorite memory of these two people. Down the slope, treading through the long, green grass, into the warm red sunlight came Xena and Gabrielle, as though taking a casual stroll after dinner at home.

The warrior had her sword drawn, and was making playful swipes at the turf, and Gabrielle was relating something or other, her hands moving in emphatic exposition. The light reflected off the droplets of rain still dampening their skin, and the wind blew the dark and pale hair back.

Xena was smiling, that quirky half grin of hers, and Gabrielle's face was alight with whatever story she was telling, her eyes fastened on her taller partner's features as they walked along.

Their differences never so apparent, in darkness and light, Xena's armor and weapons against Gabrielle's voice and gentle gestures, her tall, imposing stature against the bard's compact energy. Like night and day.

Never had that seemed so clear to the watching Solari. Opposites, bound by something that drew them together so powerfully, she could almost see it, here in the dying sunlight of a long day.

Walking into the light, the Amazon realized, and a queer shiver took hold of her. Together.

They were legends, she felt the knowledge settle deep inside her. Larger than life, bound by no rules, heading confidently into an unknown future. "Wow." Solari turned and smacked her head with one hand. "I gotta stop drinking that cherry ale of Lida's.. it's making me think too much."

Eponin let out a yell, and waved. "Damned idiots.. look at them strolling along.. didn't they know we were half out of our.." She raised her voice. "Nice of you to take your time!"

Xena lifted both hands in a shrug. "Sorry." She tapped her sword against her boot and sheathed it, dusting her hands off against her still damp leathers. "We got carried away." She knelt to greet the ecstatic Ares, who bounded up against her and knocked her down, straddling her buoyantly and licking her face. "Aw… Ares… cut that.. " Xena wrestled the wolf off her, and spat a mouthful of fur out. "Pah."

A groan went up. "Gods.." Ephiny muttered wryly. "Someone check me for fever. She's making jokes."

Gabrielle went past them, and collected her bag, thrown hastily into the shelter, glad that the sun, and the newly sprung up wind had dried her clothing almost completely. She slung the sack over her shoulder, and retrieved her borrowed staff, then climbed back up next to where Ephiny was lying. "Well… let's go… it's not that far, and I gotta tell you.. I'm starving."

Ephiny glanced up at her. "Oh.. that's different." She chuckled weakly, reaching a hand out and patting the bard's knee. "Glad you both made it ok." She paused, and blinked. "How did you do that, by the way?"

Gabrielle waited until the other Amazons had lifted the litter, and they were moving before she answered. "Oh..well… we kinda got picked up, and it went a little ways.. then it let us back down again. We waited for the rain to slow up, then headed back." She examined the wood of her staff intently. "No big deal."

Ephiny eyed her. "Uh huh."

"No, really." Gabrielle protested. "Xena landed in some mud.. it was soft enough."

"What about you?" The regent countered.

"Oh." The bard chuckled softly. "I landed on Xena." She grinned, and shrugged. "No problem."

As the last reddish rays colored them, and the air turned from gold to purple blue, they crossed the river and moved up the slope onto the road that would shortly put them into Amphipolis. As they got closer, Xena started anxiously watching for signs of damage, hoping the storm that had gone over them hadn't touched their hometown.

One final bend, and they were within the precincts of the village, and loud whistles of welcome suddenly echoed across the waving fields of thick golden wheat gone almost chocolate in the twilight. A sentry burst out of the culvert on one side of the road, and trotted towards them, making a beeline for Xena.

"Eren." The warrior greeted the sentry, and short, stocky boy with curly dark hair and a clear, open expression. "Everyone all right?"

He nodded. "Fine..fine.. " He peered around. "Ah.. all present and accounted for I see.. " His eyes flicked over Johan and Gabrielle, and he smiled. "Been some excitement round here… Cyrene'll be glad you're back."

"Did you see the storm?" Gabrielle asked, coming up next to her partner and putting a hand on her back. "Was there any damage?"

"Aye." The boy answered. "Storm came through here all right… tore up some stuff, a little, and.. mm… dropped us some unexpected presents." He nodded towards the town. "G'wan… see for yourself." His gaze picked out the silent, dour Paladia, and the injured Amazon silently. "I'll send word ahead." He exchanged understanding nods with Xena. "You're mother's in the courtyard.. trying to figure out how to get the cow offen her roof."

Xena's eyebrows shot up. "Cow?"

Gabrielle muffled a giggle. "Roof?" She tickled her partner gently in the ribs. "Guess she knows how to build a sturdy one."

Cyrene stood, ankles deep in muck, outside the inn peering up. Several curses occurred to her, and she wondered what the response from the chattering village women around her would be if she uttered them.

It was almost dark, and she still had no idea how she was going to remove the god's be blasted irritating cow from off the roof of the inn. The animal was stomping around nervously, bellowing, it's eyes rolling in its head in confusion and fear. Two men had tried to go up onto the building to try and calm it, but the animal just moved in agitation, getting it's hooves caught up in the heavy thatch.

Granella and Toris were over at Joscyln's, trying to remove the goat from his chimney, and she found herself fervently wishing the rest of her family were back, safe and sound.

Hands dropped onto her shoulders, and she jumped, then turned, to see Johan's face in the gloom. "Go… Johan." She coughed out, grabbing him and hugging him close. Over his shoulder, she spotted the unmistakably tall figure that had to be Xena, and next to her… ah. Cyrene smiled in relief. Gabrielle's distinctively bright hair. "Thank the gods." Her gaze slipped past Xena, to the group huddled behind her. "Wh… "

Xena walked forward, still glancing up at the cow. "We've got some guests." She replied tersely. "We'll need Josc's cellar." Now she met her mother's eyes. "And your back room again."

Cyrene winced, and disengaged herself from Johan's arms, spotting the litter. "Oh.. " She recognized the pale form on it. "Honey… " She blew out a breath, and put her hands on her hips. She'd been angry…no, she'd been furious with Ephiny, when the Amazon had visited, and 'warned' Granella about her daughter. Furious? Oh… Artemis.. that hadn't come close, not after what Xena had done for the woman over the winter.. not after Xena had risked her life to pull the Amazon from the frozen creek..

What her daughter had done… had troubled her. But she'd seen it a little differently than Ephiny had…Xena finally going to Gabrielle and taking her away… violent, yes. Frightening, of course. But it was.. Cyrene sighed. She understood that these two had to be together. And she had faith in her daughter, at the bitter end, to protect Gabrielle from harm. Even from Xena herself.

And so she had. But Gabrielle had allowed herself to be gently coaxed to relate their initial reintroduction to the Amazons, and that…

Oh, Cyrene had been livid. Livid. She'd felt like going out and finding some of the Amazons herself and just.. pounding them. But, looking at Ephiny's battered face, and the obvious concern of the other Amazons, and that of her daughters…

Oh well. She sighed, pushing her resentment down deep. Time for that later, I suppose. "All right… take her inside… " She glanced to where Josclyn was just appearing from the gloom. "Josc.. we need a holding spot."

The reeve dusted his hands up, and looked behind him to where Toris and Granella were running towards them. "Right.. " He motioned. "Follow me." Two Amazons pushing Paladia before them complied, as a cacophony of greetings commenced.

"Sis.. " Toris reached Xena, and patted her shoulder. "Got them, did you?"

"Yeah." The warrior replied. "Kidnappings stopped, victims rescued, story over." She studied the area. "Looks like you've had quite a time here."

"Gods yes.." Her brother pushed his dark hair out of his eyes. "It was horrible… damn thing tall as a mountain.. and the loudest thing I'd ever heard. Good thing it missed you ."

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged a long, communicative, understanding look. "Well.. we saw it." The bard explained, putting her hands behind her back. "We thought we'd better get here, just in case."

"Good thing." Toris sighed, eyeing his betrothed, who was kneeling at Ephiny's side. "Glad you're back safe."

Cyrene looked at the exhausted party, then flicked an appraising glance over her daughter. "So.. you solved the problem?" She inquired.

"Yep." Xena answered, crossing her arms.

"Captured the bad guys, saved the good guys, made everything right?" Her mother persisted.

"Yep." The warrior replied again.

"Good." Cyrene nodded briskly. "Fix that cow." She jerked her head towards the roof, then took Gabrielle's arm. "C'mon honey, I've got a crock of something I bet you all could use." She motioned for the Amazons and the Potadeians to precede here. "Everyone inside."

Gabrielle disengaged her arm, and stopped. "I'll stay and help Xena." She told the innkeeper, a little nettled at the brusque treatment of her soulmate.

Cyrene tugged her. "Come on.. she can handle a little cow.. you must be hungry."

The bard's eyes met hers, and sparked. "So's she." A quiet hand dropped onto her shoulder and she flicked her glance to her partner's face.

"It's all right." Xena told her, feeling the tension. "You go on.. I'll take care of this, and be right there."

"No." The bard replied evenly. "Come on.. let's get started."

Cyrene's lips pursed, recognizing too late the fiercely protective streak present in the feisty bard. "All right.. all right.. I'm sorry… "She held a hand up. "That was ratty of me… but please, Xena..I know you can find a way to get that damned animal down…I'm out of ideas."

The warrior gave her a nod. "Yeah.. I can handle that… " She kissed the bard on the head. "Go on…please? Get some rest.. get some food…I'll make this quick."

Gabrielle hesitated, then her jaw muscles tensed. "No." She said, with finality. "I want to help."

Xena gave her mother a shrug. " See you inside, mother." She took a few steps back, and regarded the unhappy cow.

Cyrene studied the two of them in the shifting torchlight, her daughter with her hands on her hips, looking up, and Gabrielle with her arms folded, head cocked to one side, waiting. She took a step over to the bard, and leaned against her. "Sorry."

Mist green eyes turned hazel in the torchlight blinked at her. "It's been a rough couple of days, mom." She glanced towards the inn. "Ephiny's been through a lot.. .we all have." Her glance followed her partner, now circling the inn in studious thought. "I hope this doesn't take long."

Now the innkeeper felt horribly guilty. "Gods… you're right." She started off after her daughter, only to have the bard haul her down. "Wh… Gabrielle, make up your mind, honey."

The bard sighed. "She started this.. I can see the wheels turning.. just let her finish." She trotted after her partner, catching up with her as she studied a pile of boards, haphazardly dropped by the tornado in the inn's courtyard. "Got an idea?"

Xena glanced at her. "G'wan inside…" She ruffled the bard's hair. "I can take care of this."

Gabrielle immediately circled her with a pair of warm arms. "I know you can.. but I was just looking for an excuse to get you alone." She nuzzled the smooth skin above Xena's leathers. "Got a problem with that?"

Xena felt a stupid grin creasing her face. Maybe it was because she was so damn tired. "Um…no.. no .. not at all." She fell silent for a moment, breathing in her partner's closeness. "Thanks… " She murmured into the nearby ear. "Felt good to hear that."

Gabrielle smiled, and gently nipped her skin. "Come on, tiger… let's get this done, and over with." She rested her chin against Xena's collarbone, and glanced around. "What's the plan?"

They put two planks up against the low edge of the roof, and Xena casually walked up them, ending up on the inn's thatch along with the nervous cow. "Gabrielle.. I sure hope you're right about animals liking me.. or I'm gonna go up close and personal with this cow's butt."

"Wait.." Gabrielle hopped up onto the planks, and balanced gingerly, then edged her way up to join her soulmate. "Ok.. so.. now it has two targets." They stood quietly, regarding the cow. The cow looked back, then ducked its head, and munched on a bit of the thatch.

Xena regarded it. "Wonder if I blindfold it?" She turned. "Maybe I could walk it down like that."

Gabrielle considered that, then carefully ripped most of the bottom of her remaining shirt fabric off, and handed it over. "Try it."

The warrior grinned, and tickled her now very bare ribcage. "Mmm.. don't mind if I do." She watched the bard roll her eyes. "Oh..right.. the cow." Cautiously, she approached the tired animal, who raised it's.. She ducked and looked. Her head, and warily watched the approaching warrior. "Easy." Xena muttered, putting her boots carefully on the support beams under the thatch.

The cow chewed its cud, snorting bits of thatch at her as she moved up close. "That's a girl.. easy now.. " Xena reassured the animal, reaching out a hesitant hand to scratch the cow's nose.

"Moo." The animal lowed, taking a step forward and butting her in the belly.

"Stop that." Xena muttered, catching her balance.

"Mooooo." The animal advanced again, butting her harder, and lipping at the laces on her leather armor.

"Hey.. " Xena grabbed the cow's head to steady herself. "Now come on.. this wasn't anyone you knew, all right?"

"Moooo." The cow eyed her in obvious disapproval.

"What is it with me and animals today?" Xena sighed. "Gabrielle.. c'mere.. maybe she'll like you better." She waited for her smaller partner to join her. "You don’t smell like a long lost uncle of hers."

"Tch." Gabrielle clucked gently, crooning at the cow. "Hey.. nice cow… "

The animal opened its mouth all the way, and poked its large tongue out, braying in outrage.

"Maybe not." Xena bit her lip, but managed to get the blindfold around the cow's eyes. "Now.. come on.. " She grasped the cow's neck, and urged her forward. "Don’t make me get rough with you."

"Mooo!" The cow protested, but stepped forward, placing her hooves uncertainly.

They got the cow to the planks, and halfway down before an unexpected visitor put a knot in the process.

"Roo!!" Ares bounded up the right plank, his weight flexing the already overstressed wood to the breaking point.

It broke, sending cow, warrior, bard, and wolf into the inn's fertilizer pile.

"Moo!"

"Roo!"

"Poop."

"That's an understatement." Xena sighed, giving her partner a long-suffering, pathetic look. "Red, take me home, ok?" She removed a piece of unidentifiable debris from her shoulder. "I don’t' wanna be a hero any more today."

Gabrielle dissolved into a fit of exhausted giggles. It was just too much.

They got the upset and aggravated cow into the barn, and waved hello to Argo and her colts, who sniffed at them and turned their noses up. "Oh.. great." Xena gave them a sarcastic look. "It's your poop, lady."

Argo snorted, and went back to her hay crib.

Never had their cabin looked so damn good. Xena realized, as she lifted herself up the stairs, and pushed the door open.

"Ah ah ah." Gabrielle pulled her to a halt. "Leave the armor, and the boots out here."

"Mph." Xena sat down on the porch bench, and did as requested, pulling off her armor with rampant disregard, and tossing it in a pile, to be followed by her boots. She stood in her bare feet, and padded into the cabin, where she could hear the sounds of splashing in the back alcove she'd built to hold a small tub that removed them from the curious eyes of the village in the communal bathing house. She stopped for a moment to light several candles, sending the scent of warm, herbal scented beeswax through the room, then ambled into the alcove.

Gabrielle had lit the candles in here, and they outlined her slim frame in mysterious shadows and highlights, catching friendly golden glints off her pale hair. "Leathers off." She instructed, continuing in her task of dumping buckets of water into the tub.

"Here.. let me… " Xena started to help her, but found her hands slapped. "Whoa.. .hey.. take it easy."

Gabrielle turned on her, and put her hands on her hips. "YOU take it easy, Xena." She gave her partner a severe look. "Don't argue with me. Get those leathers off, and get in this tub, right now!"

Wide, round blue eyes blinked at her. "Did I do something wrong?"

The bard's eyes softened, and she moved closer, lifting her hands to the laces on her partner's leathers. "No… " She brushed Xena's cheek with her fingertips. "You did everything right.. I just want to get you clean and comfortable."

"Oh." Xena smiled, and let out a sigh of relief, as she pulled her damp, soiled garment off, and watched the bard carry it outside. She went to the tub, and lifted herself over the edge, letting her body down into the water with a groan.

Gabrielle reentered the room, and stood at the side of the tub, taking off the remains of her by now really tattered and sadly disreputable outfit, pausing before she gathered the energy to enter the water.

"Mm." Xena let a sly grin edge her lips, watching her partner strip. "I feel much better already."

Gabrielle smiled, and joined her in the water, lifting up a chunk of herbal soap and started to rub her partner's skin with it. "Gods, Xena." She winced, going gently over the healing wound in the warrior's chest, and trying to be careful to avoid pressing on the bruises which covered a good portion of her torso.

"Hmm… " Xena glanced down at herself appraisingly. "Looks like I went headlong into a cliff." She remarked wryly. "Imagine that."

Her partner sighed. "Roll over on your side, please." She waited for Xena to reluctantly comply, then smoothed her soapy hands down the tanned back presented to her. "Xena." She sucked in a breath, seeing the long, wicked scrapes oozing blood, and the horrible dark bruises. "My gods." She saw Xena lean her head against the edge of the tub, and she put a gentle, comforting hand on her shoulder. "Was that from the fall?"

A nod answered her. "It.. um.. " Xena cleared her throat a little. "It hurts." She admitted quietly.

"And you wouldn't let on to that in front of the Amazons, or your mother, would you?" Gabrielle scolded her gently. "What am I going to do with you?" She finished cleaning the area, and Xena rolled back over, ducking her head down in the water and surfacing back up with a splash.

"I already answered that." The warrior insisted, plucking the soap from Gabrielle's fingers. "Your turn." She motioned with her hand in a circular gesture. "Turn around… it hurts, but I'll live.. you know I've had worse."

Gabrielle sighed, but turned around, closing her eyes as the familiar touch slid over her skin. "I know." She felt Xena's practiced hands work the knots out of her shoulders and abandoned herself to the comfort. "But I hate it when I see you hurting."

"Likewise." The warrior burred in her ear, nibbling its edge. She slid her arms around Gabrielle's body, and pulled her backwards, until they were resting against each other, then she continued her soaping, sliding across the bard's belly, and up around her breasts.

She felt Gabrielle's breathing deepen, but he bard half turned towards her. "You don’t have the energy for that."

Xena smiled, a deep, feral smile. "Gabrielle.. it's kinda like you always having room for dessert." She rubbed a slow circle over the bard's abdomen, then patted it. "I always have the energy for this."

"Oh." Gabrielle turned fully around, and wrapped a hand behind her partner's neck, tasting her with tentative lips. "Well then." She breathed contentedly, letting her body's reactions run rampant. "I guess dinner's gonna have to wait."

"Nah." Xena growled, as she stood up, shedding water with abandon. She lifted the bard out of the tub, and wrapped linen about them both, reveling in the sensation of being clean at last. She started working her way down Gabrielle's throat as she carried her into the main room of their cabin, breathing in the friendly smell of the candles, and the sun dried linen on their bed, and her soulmate's skin.

Then the scent of rich, meaty stew also attracted her attention, and she peered over her soulmate's shoulder, spotting a tray with a covered pot on the small table, along with a pitcher and a note. Ares was also curled smugly up on the hearthrug, his tail beating gently on the surface as he spotted them. "We've had a visitor." She mumbled in Gabrielle's ear.

The bard peeked, and giggled. "So we have." She reached out over Xena's shoulder and plucked the note off the table, opening it with damp fingers. "Mom."

"What a surprise." Xena sighed, and let them both down onto the bed, reveling in it's clean softness. "She's sooooo subtle."

A soft snort answered her. Gabrielle gently wrapped her legs around the warrior's as she cleared her throat and read the scratchy handwriting. "Kids - " She grinned, as she felt Xena exhale. "Sorry about the cow, hope this makes up for it. I'll keep everyone out of your hair until the morning. Don't poke your noses out of there until breakfast or else." She paused. "Love mom."

Xena chuckled. "Gotta love her." She plucked the note from her partner's fingers, and put it aside, then rolled over, pulling Gabrielle effortlessly up and settling her into a comfortable spot against her ribs. "Mmm… " She captured the bard's earlobe, and tugged on it gently. "Tasty."

"Oh yeah?" Gabrielle felt a laugh bubble up, and she put her mind to cleaning off all the errant water droplets on Xena's skin that were within her reach. Then she went for the ones that weren't, pulling aside the drying linen, and drawing the action out into a long, sensual building of excitement as she traded licks and touches with her soulmate.

Xena had, it seemed, more than enough energy, Gabrielle fuzzily realized, as she found herself losing track of where she was, under her partner's sensual, relentless attentions. She let herself absorb the sensations completely, and set her body free to enjoy the cascade of wild, shivering reactions.

The candles had burned lower as they rested quietly afterward. Gabrielle had resolutely refused to waste the dinner Cyrene had left, and had very reluctantly left her warm haven to drag the tray over, and set to work patiently feeding her somnolently agreeable partner. "Open up." She coaxed, watching a slice of blue appear as Xena peeked up at her from one mostly closed eye.

The warrior did so, amiably chewing the mouthful of stew Gabrielle deposited and swallowing. "You too." She mumbled, blinking, and curling her arms more snugly about the bard's body. "I can hear your stomach growling."

Gabrielle laughed quietly. "Considering where your head is, I'm not surprised." She smoothed the dark hair that was cascading over her chest down, tracing Xena's ear lightly as the warrior pillowed her head comfortably on the bard's belly. She took a spoonful for herself, then badgered Xena into another one. "Come on… "

"Mmph." Xena chewed, and closed her eyes in contentment.

"Xena?" Gabrielle took a sip of the ale she'd poured, and set the cup back down on the table next to the bed.

"Uh?" The blue eye opened again, and regarded her.

"What… I mean… what do you think I should do about Paladia?" Not really a good time to ask.. but… I gotta start thinking about it.

"Well… " Xena licked her lips thoughtfully. "Drawing and quarter is always a good solution."

Gabrielle sighed. "Xena."

An eyebrow arched at her. "For some reason, Gabrielle, people who try to strangle you just get on my bad side. I don't know why." She replied, with a touch of asperity. "Not to mention what she did to Eph."

"I realize that." The bard combed her fingers through her partner's hair again. "So .. you think I should sentence her to death?"

Long silence. Xena's eyes, alert now, studied the guttering candle across the room. "No." She finally answered. "I don’t."

The bard gave a slow nod. "So.. you don't think she deserves to die for what she did, then?"

Another long silence. "Yes, I do." Xena finally, honestly, answered. "But I'd rather take her out into the woods and cut her up into a dozen pieces, and leave them for the vultures rather than have you live with that decision."

Gabrielle thought about that for a long, pensive while, absently alternating between feeding her partner and herself. "She didn't kill anyone, Xena." She quietly objected.

Xena sighed. "I know.. but she could have, and she wanted to kill you." She glanced up. "Given a lucky dart, her soldiers could have killed me."

"Mm." The bard studied her face. "But that didn't happen."

"No." Xena admitted. "It didn't."

"And I really can't sentence someone for something that might have happened, can I?" Gabrielle persisted. "Because… you had the chance to do worse than you did to her, and you didn't." She paused. "Why? She was choking me.. no one would have said a word."

Xena looked inside herself, never a favorite task. "I don't know." She finally confessed. "Maybe because I knew you wouldn't want that." Her blue eyes seemed to deepen in color. "Maybe.. I don't know… after all this time I… I've just started to think differently."

Gabrielle smiled, satisfied with the answer. "I think she can be turned around, Xena."

The warrior regarded her soberly. "Because I was?"

The bard waggled her hand. "No.. not exactly.. you're smart.. I mean, you're really smart.. when you do things, it's because you've thought about them, and there's a whole lot of intelligence going on in there." She tapped her partner's forehead. "She's not really smart… but she's had a bad time, and I think maybe a friend or two would do wonders for her."

Xena gave a little shrug, and tightened her hold again, nibbling at the bard's navel. "Gonna be kinda hard to come by those around here."

Gabrielle closed her eyes, letting the shivery sensations run from her groin to her breastbone and back. "I'll have to see what I can work out." She breathed, setting the bowl aside, and tangling her fingers in Xena's dark hair. "Tomorrow."

A low chuckle greeted her words.

Continued in Part 6

 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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

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

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Leap of Faith - Part 6

By Melissa Good

The thunder woke her, a long, sharp rolling boom that rattled the wooden rafters of the cabin, and brought Gabrielle blinking and awake in the pre dawn gloom. The candles had burned down, and the only light was from the deep gray sky that was just visible through the window.

A damp, musky breeze traveled in, bringing the scent of rain to her, and she sighed, then snuggled closed to the big, warm body she was sharing the bed with. A soft dance of rain rustled the thatch roof, and pattered on the wood porch outside, drumming rhythmically, and tugging her back towards sleep, but she resisted for a minute.

She waited for her vision to adjust, then peered up, half smiling at the relaxed, almost childlike look of peace on Xena's face. She trusts this place. Gabrielle realized. She feels safe here.. which is good, I guess.. because I do too. Another long roll of thunder rattled the air, and she watched the muscles in the warrior's face slowly acquire tension, then the dark eyelashes fluttered, and she was peering up into sleepy blue eyes. "Sorry.. did I wake you up?" Gabrielle asked teasingly.

"Nuh." Xena shook her head a bit. "Storm." She gave the window a speculative look. "Rainy day."

"Mmmhmmm.' Gabrielle agreed. "Perfect for sleeping in." She smoothed her fingers down Xena's naked form. "Unless you want to go roust out the Amazons and help decorate for the joining."

"No way." Xena stated firmly, pulling her closer. "Someone else can go be the warrior princess today… I'm not budging."

"They're gonna tease you." Gabrielle objected idly, enjoying the banter, and the warm, skin on skin contact.

"They can hump hairy goats." Xena replied blithely.

Gabrielle burst into gentle laughter. "Oh.. Xena.. Xena… that was a mental image I really didn't need to have." She tickled the warrior across her belly, making her squirm. "Amazons and goats… where would they put the fur? I guess they could tack on little fake beards… "

Xena chuckled with abandon. "You yell at ME for unwanted images.. ech.. bearded Amazons… what are you thinking??" She stretched her body out with a slight groan. "Gods.. that's sore." She flexed her shoulders. "Remind me not to do that, will you?"

Gabrielle slid her hands around her partner's back, and started a gentle massage on the stiffened muscles. "Remind you not to do what, love… jump off mountains, fight pigs, rescue cows, get sucked up by tornadoes.. you gotta be specific here ."

"Mm." The warrior mumbled happily "I think it was the roof that did me in." For no apparent reason, she scooped Gabrielle up, and hugged her fiercely for an endless moment, then released her, and let out a breath.

"What brought that on?" Gabrielle inquired, resting her head on the warrior's shoulder and gently tracing the curve of her breast. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you."

A shrug. "No reason.. just felt like doing it." Xena answered, her eyes flicking to the window as a flash of lightning, accompanied by a boom of thunder lit the room. "I was thinking about all the times when we first met that I wanted to do that, and didn't…and I decided.. I guess… that I'm not going to ever want to do that, and not do it, ever again."

Gabrielle spent long moments dissecting this unusually lengthy statement . "How many times was it?" She finally asked, curious.

"Oh… " Xena rolled her head slightly, to observe her companion's face. "You have this.." She put a judicious fingertip on the bard's lower lip. "You kind of bite your lip a little.. and you look down.. I can't really describe it." She stroked the bard's cheek. "But I know.. it's when you're sad.. or.. something's bothering you… and every time I saw that, I wanted to just go over and hug you."

The bard blinked. "Xena.. that was an awful lot of times." She confessed.

"I know." The warrior sighed.

"Well.. " Her soulmate considered. "I kinda… " She stopped, then started again. "With you.. it's really hard to tell when something's wrong…but you fidget."

Dark brows contracted. "Fidget?"

"Yeah.. " Gabrielle bit off a smile. "You do things with your hands…Oooo " She giggled softly as a knowing touch slipped up her side. "Not those kinds of things… but you don't have to stop." She lost her train of thought for a moment, then recovered it. "Things… like play with your gauntlets…fiddle with stuff… adjust your armor… juggle rocks.. sharpen your dagger…just.. fidgety things and after a while I figured out that you did that when you were upset about something."

"Oh." Xena pondered the thought. "I never realized.."

"Mm." Gabrielle reached up and touched her forehead. "And.. this one took me forever to figure out.. but when you're really tired, or hurting.. you get this little furrow right here."

"I do?" The warrior asked, slightly amazed.

"Mm hmm." The bard confirmed it. "I had to study you, Xena.. it's not like you'd just tell me when something was wrong, you know."

The blue eyes dropped. "I know." She captured Gabrielle's thumb, and kissed it. "It's that ego thing." She shrugged a little. "Big bad warrior.. we're not supposed to hurt, or get tired, or admit to weakness of any kind." She paused. "It's kind of stupid when you think about it."

"You don't like being vulnerable." Gabrielle stated a fact.

"No." Xena confirmed it. "I hate it.. it makes me feel out of control in a situation."

"Mmhmm.. and you really hate that."

"Yeah." The warrior admitted honestly.

"But you do that with me all the time… let yourself be vulnerable." Gabrielle said softly.

Long silence. "It's different." Xena mumbled, at last. "It's…Gabrielle, why are we having this conversation now? We could be.. " The mist green eyes bored into hers silently. "We…I.." Silence again. "With you it's different. I trust you."

The bard let out a soft sigh. "Thank you." She kissed Xena's shoulder. "You have no idea how much that means to me." She realized she'd gently pushed her soulmate as far as she was ready to go on this point, but she'd gotten the answer she was looking for.

They listened to the rain in quiet for a time, exchanging gentle kisses, and touches that were half stimulating, and half comforting. Gabrielle let her lips meander up and down her partner's body, tasting and nipping with seductive playfulness as Xena reciprocated, letting out small, purring growls that the bard found… "Mmm… " She tickled the warrior's navel. "I like those sounds."

"You do, huh?" Her partner teased. "C'mere.."

She rolled over, and laid the bard gently on her back, leaning over her and beginning a slow, thorough exploration of her skin, grinning wickedly when Gabrielle's hands started to clench convulsively at her as she barely reached the bard's shoulders. "Mmm.. " She paused, and cocked her head. "Now.. I like those sounds."

Gabrielle obliged her with a few more of the sub vocal utterances, and closed her eyes, reveling in the seductive sensations her partner was evoking. Her hands slipped out of her control, restlessly roaming over the lithe, shifting body moving over her and pulling her closer, craving the intensity.

Xena complied, letting their bodies teasingly drift against each other as she continued her slow progress, chuckling softly against the bard's warming skin as she was rewarded with yet more sounds. "Mmm…. " She nipped lightly at a particularly sensitive spot. "That's a new one." She felt Gabrielle abandon control up completely to her, in a simplicity of trust that carried it's own, poignantly profound meaning. She slid her body up a little, and let loose a tiny growl right into the bard's flushed ear. "Mine."

A faint grin tugged at the bard's mouth. "Body, heart and soul." She whispered hoarsely. "Always have been."

Gabrielle was aware of falling back asleep after that.. long after that, in fact, she realized, in a warm, sated haze. The rain was still coming down outside, and Xena seemed to be holding to her decision to laze around in bed all morning. Not that she was complaining. She was vaguely aware of fitful sounds outside indicating a small amount of activity, but nothing that led her to believe their presence was essential.

No, not that she was complaining at all, curled up here in a very nice, soft bed with Xena wrapped around her, a storm outside giving them the perfect excuse to stay right where they were, and Xena actually wanting to stay right where they were, indulging her seldom uncovered lazy streak to an unusual extent.

Maybe her back was really hurting her. Gabrielle mused, a tiny, worried frown creasing her brow, as she ran gentle fingertips over the healing puncture wound on her chest, and winced at the now visible, and ugly looking bruises that covered half her torso. My poor, brave, warrior. she sighed, and tugged the blankets up around Xena's shoulders. They never do get to see the price you pay for all those heroics, do they?

Gabrielle closed her eyes, and let her thoughts drift, calling up the events of the past few days with the intention of recording them. Xena blinked sleepily at her, and nuzzled her neck, then closed her eyes again and began a gentle tracing against the bard's skin, causing her partner to peer intently up at her. "Hey… how are you doing?"

Xena kept her eyes closed. "Fine… fine… " She mumbled softly.

"Is you back ok? You hurting?" She questioned gently, smoothing the disshevelled hair back.

The warrior remained silent for a bit, then shrugged finally. "A little.. just stiff mostly.." She stretched, then relaxed again onto the soft surface of the bed. "I’m definitely getting too old for this. " She added in a grumbling tone.

Gabrielle snorted, and rolled her eyes. "Oh.. don't you start with that centaur poop, Xena."

Another shrug. "It's true." Xena let out a soft sigh.

"Oh." The bard smiled, and looked fondly up at her. "So.. you're telling me in your younger days… you could..oh.. go a couple of days without sleep, climb a few mountains, jump off a cliff, fight a couple dozen people.. get picked up by a tornado, wrestle a pig, save a cow, and pick up a couple of people twice your size.. and not feel it." Long pause. "Right?"

A blue eye peeked at her.

"Wow." Gabrielle patted her side. "You must have been really something. I'm glad you slowed down, or I'd never have been able to keep up with you."

That got her one of those charming, sheepish smiles she loved, the ones that extended from Xena's mouth right up to her eyes, and transformed her face from it's usual dour expression to a mischevious, childlike glee. It triggered a like response in her, and she grinned back, wagging a finger at her soulmate. "Busted."

She spent a while longer idly daydreaming, then crawled out of bed and donned a nightshirt as she lit the candles again and stretched. "I gotta update my diary." She explained, giving Xena regretful pat on the thigh. "Be back."

The warrior opened one somnolent eye, and regarded her. "Good idea." She put her hands behind her head, and yawned. "You can fill me in on all the details while you do it."

Gabrielle picked up an apple from the small supply they usually kept in the cabin for snacking and bit into it. "All right." She conceded. "But then you have to tell me all the stuff that happened to you, and none of this "Oh, we just climbed the mountain, jumped the ravine, found the dungeon and that's all kind of centaur poop, Xena."

Xena grinned, and rolled over, sighing. "I'm not good at describing things like you are, my bard." She got out of bed, and padded over to the linen press, pulling out an old, crimson cloth tunic and putting it on. "But I'll see what I can do." She went to the fireplace, and arranged kindling, then retrieved her flint and striker from her pack and started a small, cheerful blaze going. "I gotta clean that damn armor.. probably caked into a solid ball by now."

Retrieving the small water pot from the back room and filling it from the cistern just outside, she set it to warm on the fire, then ducked outside onto the porch to retrieve her armor. "Ugh." She shook the waterlogged stuff out. "Well.. at least it got a decent washing." She glanced up to see two cloaked figures sloshing their way, and waited. "Morning."

Toris shook his head and scattered droplets everywhere as he gazed at his sister. "Only just." He replied teasingly, stomping up onto the porch with Granella stepping neatly next to him. "Mom wanted us to make sure you guys lived…not than anyone else is up and around either, though."

Xena stifled a yawn, and pushed the door open. "G'wan inside.. I'll be right there." She crouched down and started to sort the armor, setting aside the bracers and armbands, and shaking out the tangled chest pieces.

Toris watched her for a moment, then entered the cabin, and gave the steadily scribing Gabrielle a wave. "Hello."

The bard glanced up and smiled. "Hi…" She chewed on her quill. "C'mon in.. sit down."

Granella took her cloak off, and hung it on the hook, alongside Toris' longer one. She joined the tall, dark haired man who had taken a seat on the couch and regarded Gabrielle quietly. "So…" She crossed her arms. "Let's have the story, ok? We keep asking the rest of that bunch, and all I'm getting is the nervous "ask Gabrielle'' line." She kicked one booted foot out. "So.. I'm asking, Gabrielle."

"What she said." Toris nodded.

Xena judiciously chose that moment to reenter the cabin, carrying her shoulder armor and ambling over to the fire, dropping down onto the hearth rug and setting the leather and metal bits out to dry. Ares joined her, curling up on the rug with a sigh.

"Where should I start." Gabrielle mused, leaning back in her chair.

"The beginning's fine." Granella replied, practically.

Xena cleared her throat. "How's Eph doing?"

The Amazon waggled her hand. "She's very sore… and her vision's real blurry. She's worried like anything about that." Her eyes searched Xena's face. "Anything you can do to reassure her would be great."

The warrior studied the armor bit in her hands. "Not sure there's much I can do." She replied quietly. "Those were bad hits she took.. and they'd swollen up a lot before I got there."

An awkward silence. "But that'll get better, right?" Gabrielle asked, tentatively.

Xena took a breath. "I don't know." A tiny shake of her head. "It might.. it might not." She went back to studying the armor. "We'll just have to wait for a while."

Granella folded her arms, and let out an explosive breath. "Damn." She gave Gabrielle a worried look. "Well.. what happened?"

Gabrielle folded her hands on top of her diary. "OK… well, they took me… and I ended up bypassing the dungeon, and going right to Paladia's living quarters."

"Who?" Toris asked.

"The prisoner we threw in Josc's cellar." Xena supplied, as she mixed herbs into several cups she'd laid out in front of her knees. "She was running the operation."

"Ah." Her brother responded. "Thanks." He turned back to Gabrielle "Sorry."

"It's all right." The bard smiled. "Anyway, she .. um.. she told me that they'd taken me, and the others to trade us for the people we'd captured in that raid on the merchants." Gabrielle straightened her shoulders, and looked carefully at the cover to her diary. "And Ephiny was there.. she… was not in really great shape." She blinked. "Paladia was… "Unconsciously, her eyes drifted to Xena in supplication.

"She'd given Eph drugs, and taken her against her will." The warrior stated, bluntly. "Whore."

Granella's face flushed with anger. "What?"

Gabrielle gave her partner a look and nodded. "That's true." She confirmed quietly. "So.. I tried to distract Paladia as much as possible… I kept challenging her to look at what she was doing." A wry twitch. "It wasn’t' really effective.. I guess…I tried to get her to leave Eph alone.. and she told me the only way she'd do that is if I'd take her place."

Both Granella and Toris stared at her in shock. "No… "

"Yes." Gabrielle lifted her pale head. "And I said I would… because she was having a really rough time, and I thought I could handle it."

"Gabrielle…" Toris breathed. "That's…"

"Stupid, I know." Gabrielle studied her hands. "But it was all I could do, and so I did it.. I thought that would buy her some time.. and I… "A tiny smile tugged at her lips. "I knew help was on the way."

Eyes flicked to the fireplace, where Xena was pouring the now boiling water over the herbs. "Well… that's true." Granella allowed, still angry. "But damn.. what a pig."

"Pigs are lighter and friendlier." Xena muttered, stirring. "It's a damn good thing Gabrielle didn't tell me all that before I put my self in front of those claws in that pit.":

"What?" Toris asked, startled.

"Xena, you're the fighter, I’m the talker, remember?" Gabrielle sighed. "Let me tell it." She rubbed her nose. "Where was I.. oh. Right… well, the next morning Paladia wasn't around.. and I got my guard to take me on a tour… and had him let me into the dungeons, so I could see if everyone was ok." She looked up as her partner handed her a steaming mug. "Thanks."

Xena delivered similar cups to her brother and Granella, then went back to her seat on the hearthrug and folded her long hands around her own portion.

Gabrielle took a long swallow, and regarded the liquid pensively. "I found Ephiny there." She said, in almost a whisper. "She'd been beaten.. I knew it was bad. She told me she'd done it on purpose.. she'd attacked Paladia, hurt her.. so I wouldn't…have to.. um… "

"Artemis." The Amazon breathed. "That was brave."

The bard nodded slowly. "Yes, it was…but she paid for it." Now her mist green eyes lifted. "After I left them… Paladia interviewed me.. I think I blew my cover." She sighed. "So she took me into the big cavern they had…and.. um.. I guess I was going to be whipped."

"You were." Xena muttered. "Bastards."

"So what happened?" Granella asked quietly.

Gabrielle twirled her quill in her fingertips. "Well, there I was, tied up like a hog, and there was Paladia telling me how dumb I was to believe in heroes, and that they just didn't drop out of the sky to solve my problems for me." She glanced sideways and saw the tiny smirk touching Xena's lips. "So, of course, Xena drops out of thin air and proceeds to wipe the floor with everyone."

"Nice timing, sis." Toris said gently, watching her.

The warrior shrugged. "That's just how it worked out." She paused. "We'd gotten into the caverns.. and found Eph.. I had the rest of those guys getting her out, so I … " A smile. "Went to go find my troublemaking friend, here."

"Oh." Gabrielle waved her hands. "Listen to her, will you?" She stood, and strutted over to where Toris and Granella were sitting, and put her hands theatrically on her hips. "Just listen to that.. just this casual yadda yadda stuff." She turned to face them. "Their hideout was inside a volcano.. it was a maze of these tunnels and stuff.. and there was only one entrance.. which was a bunch of feet thick, and had all these guards., right?"

"Gabrielle.. " Xena sighed.

"Right?" She looked at Toris. "Right… and the volcano was like this… " She made a circle in the air, then a larger one. "And it had an outer wall, between the inner cone and the outer cone, you see?" Her eyes sparkled. "So there's no way to get in!"

"Gabrielle… " The warrior sighed again.

"No.. no wait, it gets better." The bard promised. "So.. she jumps.. get this, she JUMPS… from one wall to the other, in the air, across this huge gap, with nothing under her but thousands of feet of rock… she jumps across and grabs hold of this tree, and ties on a rope so the rest of the Amazons can follow her."

They stared at Xena, who bent her attention fiercely on her armor piece, working intently on fixing a bent pin. She refused to look up, and she was glad the exterior gloom hid the strong blush that was heating her skin. Put like that.. it sounded…

Impossibly stupid. Short sighted, risky, foolish… what if she'd missed? How could she have been that dumb?

"Eponin told me." Granella stated quietly. "That it was the most courageous thing she'd ever seen done in her entire life." The Amazon let her lips quirk. "And that's saying something from that old piece of centaur hoof."

Xena kept looking down, aware of their eyes on her.

"Well… that's Xena.. you know." Gabrielle made her voice casual, and almost offhanded. "She's always doing stuff like that… makes my job really, really easy." She collected their attention, drawing it from her obviously embarrassed soulmate. "So, anyway.. Xena comes dropping in, and tosses Paladia around a little.. then we kicked butt, and took prisoners of our own, and got out of there." She twirled her quill again. "Eph.. wasn't doing really well… the swelling was really bad.. Xena put her down in a cold spring.. that brought her around after a while. Then we got a little rest.. fought off an attack, and headed back here in the morning." She shrugged a little. "That's it really.. oh.. well, yeah, we saw the tornado."

"Uh." Toris was still goggling at her.

"Up close and personal, actually.. it picked us up, and we kinda got carried a little ways, but it let us back down, and then we showed up here." The bard finished, waving the quill. "Just… one of our average days, I guess." She bit the end of the quill, and gave them a bright smile.

Toris and Granella looked at each other. "Well." Toris chewed his lip pensively. "Um…I'm glad everything worked out all right." He hesitated. "More or less.. I mean.. I feel horrible about Ephiny.. she's had such rotten luck lately."

"Mm." Gabrielle resumed her seat. "Yeah.. me too." She studied her hands. "I think she'll be ok, though.. we'll keep her here for a few days rest.. she'll get to see your joining.. it'll work out."

The two blushed, and smiled at each other. "Ok.. we've got everything settled, then." Toris finally said. "Josc is going to do our ceremony, then call up mom and Jo for theirs.. he's got the paperwork all drawn up.. we're hiding their presents over in our quarters.

Toris had two small rooms off the main inn, close to the hall he shared with Cyrene. Xena wondered, idly, if he wasn't a little resentful of their mother's having this cabin built.. she knew she'd have been. "You guys picked a spot to build, yet?" She asked casually.

Granella stared at her blankly. "Build what?"

The warrior leaned back, and stretched her long legs out onto the rug. "A place to live.. you can't hole up in Toro's baby bedroom… c'mon now." She gave her brother a sideways glance, noting the faint flush. "You pick a spot.. we'll help put a place up for you." She caught Gabrielle's eye. "Right?"

The bard caught her cue perfectly. "Of course… where else are we gonna put all the stuff you're gonna get?" She asked reasonably.

Toris exchanged looks with his betrothed. "Uh.. I hadn't… um… I didn't even.. "

"Obviously." Xena gave him a wry look. "Start thinking of it." She was glad the attention had been turned from her, and she put her poor, well worked over piece of armor down. "What'd ya get for mom?"

"A new linen press." Granella promptly replied. "Complete with linens."

"Gods.. " Xena laughed softly. "You mean the rags she's been patching all these years will actually get to be rags now?"

"That's really nice." Gabrielle added, enthusiastically.

"You?" Toris raised an eyebrow at them.

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged conspiratorial looks. The warrior jerked her head in the direction of their own cabinet. "G'wan.. show em."

Gabrielle obediently rose, and went to the press, pulling out two small bundles, and handing them over to her soulmate's brother. "Xena knew.. their big objection would be.. no rings.. so… "

Toris unwrapped the bundles, and laid the two rings on his large palm, shaking his head lightly. "Gods.. sis.. they're perfect."

Filigreed gold and silver, intertwined in running, clever knots that completed each other, never ending, the rings were identical in design, differing only in size. Xena had called in an old marker to get their completion as fast as she had, and she was, not unreasonably, subtly proud of herself for doing so. "Yeah.. nice work." She offered as a comment. "We ready otherwise?"

Toris grinned. "Yeah.. Gran coerced her mates there to help us decorate.. the inn's ready for tomorrow.. so you're off the hook." He leaned back, and laced his fingers behind his head. "She's gonna kill us.. but it's gonna be worth it."

Grins went all around, as the thunder rolled incessantly outside.

I should hate this damn room. Eponin mused silently to herself. She had dragged the big chair over next to the bed Ephiny was lying on, and had slept there; dozing fitfully wrapped in a soft, pale blue blanket Cyrene had given her. But I've got a certain soft spot for it.

The weather outside was nasty, and a damp wind was blowing into the window. Eponin tugged her blanket more firmly around her neck, and reached over to do the same for her sleeping lover. The marks on Ephiny's face had scabbed over, and the bruises were beginning to hold the faintest tinge of yellow and green, indicating a healing, but she felt the anger start to rise in her again as she studied them.

Bitch. The weapon's master indulged herself in a long moment of well thought out disgust. I'd love to just… She took a deep breath, and let it out, then a second one.Thought for sure Xena was just gonna get it over with after that damn pig grabbed Gabrielle.. damned if she didn't pull that kick at the last second.

It had been so.. fast. One second, Paladia was choking the life out of the startled bard, then next… Eponin rested her chin on her updrawn knee, and gazed out through the open window, noting the rich green leaves that dripped moisture down on the sill. She'd heard the solid crack of bone breaking, and realized, in a moment of memory, exactly what the tall, dark haired warrior could have done to her outside that barn a few months ago.

That Xena had chosen to drop her defenses, and allow Eponin to hit her unhindered spoke volumes, since that defensive reaction was sunk into her bone deep, not requiring thought, or planning….

"Hey." Ephiny's voice drifted over.

"Huh…" The weapon's master jerked her attention to the bed, and eyed her lover anxiously. "You need something?" She pulled her blanket aside and knelt by the side of the bed. "You hungry.. or thirsty, cold.. hot… what?"

Ephiny rolled her head to one side, and gave her a wryly tolerant look. "You're mumbling to yourself… I got nervous."

"Oh." Eponin rubbed her nose. "Sorry."

The regent smiled quietly. "But I am a little hungry." She lifted her head a little, and raised an eyebrow, then rolled very slowly up onto an elbow, with Eponin's nervous hands hovering over her. "Hmmm… not bad." She drew in a breath and blinked. "Still fuzzy."

"Um…" Eponin awkwardly fluffed the pillow up behind her. "Don't.. move around too much.. ok?" She pressed Ephiny's shoulders back down onto the bed. "You might…"

"Puke?" Ephiny replied mildly. "Maybe." She settled back, hitching herself up a little higher. "Think they'll restrict us to bread and water?" She put a hand on Eponin's arm. "Listen.. they were pretty angry with me here…don't get mad if they give you any attitude, all right?"

"They have no right to be mad at you, Eph!" Eponin protested. "You're the one who got the broken arm, remember? She should be mad at me if anything." She glanced down. "I was the one who wanted her blood, not you."

Ephiny lifted a hand and gently brushed her cheek. "Pony, let it go… all of us made mistakes in that whole mess.. Cyrene's her mother, I don't blame her for trying to protect Xena." She pulled the tawny head down, and kissed it. "It's been hard for all of us."

Eponin's brow creased. "Oh yeah… that reminds me…" She straightened up, and crossed her arms, fixing a stern look on her face. "What were you thinking of, coming out here alone????"

"Mmm." Ephiny closed her eyes. "I feel a fainting spell coming on." She reported. "But I was wondering when you'd get around to yelling about that." She cracked an eye open. "Be gentle."

Eponin's attitude went to pieces. "Aw… Eph.. that's not fair." She mumbled. "You coulda waited for me to get back, at least…. Talk about an unpleasant homecoming."

The regent opened her other eye, and studied her lover. "That reminds me." She tapped her fingers against the soft blanket covering her. "What are you doing here?" Her brows contracted. "You're not supposed to be back for a week and a half."

Silence, while Eponin earnestly examined her own hands, fingers knotted around each other. "I.." Uncomfortable, she stood, and walked the window, leaning against the sill and gazing out at the steadily falling rain. "Hunting wasn't going well… I.. I don't know.. I just.. decided to come back early." She finally replied, in a slightly husky tone.

Ephiny acquired a slightly puzzled look. "Well.. no complaints or anything.. I was just curious."

A soft knock on the door interrupted the tableau, and Eponin moved gratefully forward and opened it.

Stepping back uncertainly when she found herself looking into Cyrene's cool, appraising eyes. "Um.. sorry.. I.."

The innkeeper glanced past her, then pushed the door open wider. "Just relax." She said quietly. "Didn't think I'd see you back in here this soon." This was directed at Ephiny. Cyrene turned her gaze to Eponin. "If you go into the kitchen, there's a tray made up… "

The weapon's master nodded briskly. "Thank you." She answered in a hesitant tone, then slipped out the door, not without a last, concerned look towards the bed.

Cyrene strolled over, and seated herself in Eponin's abandoned chair, and rested her elbows lightly on her knees. "Xena said you were on your way here."

Ephiny eyed her warily, blinking to try and bring her features into focus. "Yes." She took a breath. "I… owed you an apology." She stated quietly. "And um… "

"No." Cyrene said, with a sigh. "You don't owe me an apology. I owe you one. You were right to be concerned for Gabrielle." She looked at the floor. "Xena is my daughter, and I love her, but I'm not blind to what she is." She paused. "Or what she's capable of."  

Ephiny found a smile trying to work it's way onto her face. "Don't say that to Gabrielle." She replied wryly. "She'll kick your butt."

Cyrene's eyes lifted, and she quirked a very familiar half grin. "Isn't that the truth?" She hesitated, then went on. "It appears that they've put each other first, and that's good enough for me."

The regent nodded slowly. "Me too." She paused. "So are we ok?"

The innkeeper patted her arm. "We're ok."

Eponin reentered the room, glancing at them uncertainly. "Hi."

Ephiny muffled a smile. "It's all right - I’m not dead." She shot a look at Cyrene. "We.. made peace."

The weapon's master set the tray down, and carefully wiped her hands on her leathers. "Oh.. great… um… her caramel colored eyes intently searched the room and finally settled on Cyrene's face. "Look…I was really mad at her.. for what she did to Eph.. and I was scared for Gabrielle.. she's such a nice kid." Eponin took a breath. "Maybe.. I… she let me hit her.. and.. "

Cyrene held up a hand. "Consider yourself lucky." The innkeeper drawled. "She hasn't let me do that since she was seven."

They looked at her. "Seven?" Ephiny asked slowly. "She didn't… "

"Hit back? No.." Cyrene laughed. "Little rascal was faster than a ferret. She had a favorite trick of heading out to the courtyard when she knew I was after her for a spanking.. she'd get around that big tree.. she knew I couldn’t catch her." She sighed. "That or she climbed up the damn thing…fell asleep one time up there when I was really mad."

Ephiny chuckled in surprise. "Somehow.. I can't picture.. " Eponin was rapidly shaking her head, causing her hair to fluff around her.

"No." Cyrene's face went serious. "Most people can't - they just see the tough act, and the anger, and the fighting. But that's my daughter under all that.. and she's a lot smarter, and a lot more sensitive than anyone ever gives her credit for."

Ephiny studied her gravely. "Except Gabrielle."

Cyrene nodded. "Yes." She stood up, and brushed her hands off on her apron. "No sense in poking your heads out now - it's vicious outside. I've sent everyone I could get my hands on back to get some rest. " She peered at Ephiny. "Renas has been here this morning?"

Ephiny nodded. "Yeah.. " She gave her a half smile. "He sure remembered me." She fell silent. Renas had been gentle, and cleaned her various cuts and scratches, but had no encouraging words to reassure her of any lasting injury.. or if her eyesight would come back. Right now, the room was mostly a blur, with halos around the flickering candles, and dark shadows which moved and resolved into Cyrene and Eponin.

She was scared, and didn't mind admitting it to herself. She still had a nagging headache, a pounding from inside that sent jolts of agony down her back, and the swelling made even talking painful. But there was no sense in getting frantic, right? She might as well just lay back, and enjoy the soft bed, and the good food, and see what the near future would bring. "Thanks for the breakfast." She commented softly.

"Poo." Cyrene snorted. "This is an inn, and I'm an innkeeper.. what did you expect?" Her eyebrows jumped. "Bread and water?"

Eponin coughed.

The root cellar was damp, and mostly silent. Around Paladia were strung the summer's bounty, stored away for the cold months to come, and she was alone. At first they'd taken her to a second holding place, but after a short, whispered conference, she had been put in here. A healer had come in, and taken a sober look at her arm, changing the bandages and smoothing on a pungent smelling salve over the broken skin. The two Amazons stood watchfully, their hands not leaving their weapons until the healer had finished, and left the cellar.

Then they had left too, locking the hatch behind them with a rasp of heavy iron. They had left a tall candle, far enough away from her that reaching it bound as she was wasn't possible, and that had been her only company through the long, humid night.

That and the pain of her arm, which ached, and ached, and throbbed so much she could see the red afterimages of the beats against the inside of her eyelids.

She'd thought.. surely.. she could kill that little… before anyone could stop her. She never even saw Xena move.. just.. an impact, and pain… No one mortal could move that fast.

She was hungry, and thirsty, and… the dark, damp earth walls pressed silently closer. Lonely. Even in the caverns, she'd always had company when she'd wanted it.. either in the big room, where they'd tell stories and play games until they fell asleep, or in her own quarters, where there were no shortage of volunteers, eager to gain favor with her, when she didn't have a captive.

At home, there had always been her brothers and sisters, but… last winter had ended that. She had no idea where they all were. She missed her sister.. Ephiny had reminded her of her.. a little. Maybe it was the curly hair.

Now, she wondered what was going to happen to her. Would they kill her? That one Amazon sure wanted to. But Xena had stopped her.. and it sure seemed like Gabrielle had agreed with that.

Gabrielle.. she hated her. That smug face, and the oh so superior moral air.

Somehow, she'd drifted off until the sun rose, letting a small stream of gray light into the narrow, glazed window almost at ground level. It was raining out, she could hear the drumming of the water on the soil, a sound familiar from childhood, when her parents had worked the land, a poor family, always barely having enough to eat.

Now, ironically, she was surrounded by food, and couldn’t touch any of it.

Footsteps approaching, very light ones. The door opened, and that damn crazy girl slipped in. "Go away." She sure didn't want to see her ugly, skinny face. The girl ignored her, and settled down, putting a tray of something in front of her. Oh. Food. Should she eat it? Not eat it? Aw, crud.. might as well. She maneuvered her good hand in front of her, dragging the shackles that bound her to the links set deeply into the hard packed earth.

The tray held bread, with bits of fruit in it, so far as she could tell, and a bowl of thick, nutty smelling cereal. It was good, and she ate it all, ignoring the somber, watchful face of the crazy girl.

The food made her feel better, less light headed, and even the pain in her arm seemed to quiet down some, though it might have been the distraction of her little friend. She hoped she wouldn't start talking, her voice made Paladia's head ache almost as bad as Gabrielle's. It was a voice you had to listen to, pay attention to, because it had interesting sounds, and different ways of shaping words. She hated it.

Oh gods.. she was going to talk. Paladia sighed inwardly. Well, it'll make the time pass, at least.

"Here." Cait had finished mixing something in a cup. "Renas said you could have this, it's for the pain." She handed the cup over.

Paladia eyed her suspiciously, and sniffed the contents. "What is it?"

The girl shrugged. "I'm sure I don’t know.. he's the healer." She collected the dishes onto the tray. "You can drink it or not.. but it's certainly better than what it must feel like without it. "

Paladia had to admit that this was probably true. She took a sip, then winced, and drank the gunk down, feeling the tickle of fragmented herbs as they went down her throat. "Ugh."

"Yes, well.. " Cait dusted her fingers off. "It won't kill you… never fear. I would have done that myself if that was the plan." Her cold, gray eyes raked Paladia's face. "You're quite lucky Ephiny is recovering.. and nothing happened to Gabrielle last night."

The taller woman snorted. "You call this lucky?" She blinked. "I'm shocked your precious Xena didn't take care of that little detail.. she's supposed to be so deadly and all."

Cait smiled her calmly ruthless smile. "Rather.. if she'd wanted you dead, you'd be that way." The girl folded her hands. "The Queen simply doesn't like killing though, I can't think why not."

Paladia gazed at her. "Who decides what happens to me?"

The slim blond Amazon let a slow smile cross her face. "She does.. and she's ever, ever so fair." Then she stood, and picked up the tray, and walked to the door, tapping on it.

After she left, the silence, and the rain settled back in, and she was left with nothing but the pain, and her thoughts, and the smell of damp earth.

"Xena, come over here." Gabrielle looked up, from where she'd taken a clean tunic out of their linen press. "Xena?"

The warrior started, then turned from her lazy position leaning against the windowsill. "Um? Sorry.. " She padded over to where Gabrielle was standing. "What's up?"

The bard tilted her head in faint puzzlement. "Not you, that's for sure." She put an exploratory hand up and felt Xena's forehead. "Well.. you don't have a fever.." Her green eyes twinkled. "What's going on with you?"

Her partner favored her with a relaxed grin. "I don't know… I'm just in a good mood for a change, I guess." She allowed Gabrielle to strip off her soft shirt with gentle hands, and drape the fresh tunic over her body, fastening it and tying the belt with a teasing flourish. "Thanks."

Gabrielle gave her ribs a little pat. "Go put your boots on, OK?" She gave her a push. "I'm hungry."

Xena chuckled, and circled her waist with strong hands, lifting her up and into a long, leisurely kiss. She felt Gabrielle's hands circle her biceps, and smiled a little, as she broke gently off, and studied her partner's peacefully closed eyes. She touched her lips to the trembling eyelids and watched as her soulmate's clear, green pupils appeared. "Me too."

"Mm." Gabrielle released her grip on Xena's arm, and lifted a hand to stroke the warrior's face. "You too what?"

Xena laughed easily, and gave her an unexpected hug. "C'mon.. .I can hear your belly rumbling from here." She let the bard down reluctantly. "We promised we'd meet them over there for dinner.. I can just imagine the poop we'll take if we don’t' show up."

Gabrielle moved closer with a gentle swagger, running her hands over her partner's sleek body. "They can bite my bardic butt, Xena."

"Hmmmm??? " Xena's eyebrows jerked up. "Not unless they want their lips taken off and hung over my mother's fireplace, Gabrielle."

They looked at each other, and burst into laughter. "Oh… that was a good one." The bard slapped her in the chest. "Fireplace, huh?"

"Bardic butt?" Xena repeated, giving her a slap on the aforementioned bodypart. "Come on.. lets get wet. "

Gabrielle snuck her way through an opening in the front of her partner's shirt, and licked her skin. "All right.. if you say so."

"Ga… " Xena's voice lurched. "Whoa." They looked at each other again, and laughed. "Oh boy.. we're not getting to far, are we?"

The bard let out a mock sigh. "Oh.. all right… " She lifted her cloak from the table, and handed Xena hers. "Put this on… you are not spending the whole night damp."

A dark eyebrow curved up suggestively, accompanied by a wicked grin.

"Xena." Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "Come on." She walked towards the door, tugging her partner behind her. "Listen.. I want them to bring Paladia in from that cellar..to have dinner in the inn with the rest of us."

Xena stopped short, almost pulling Gabrielle off her feet. "What?"

The bard turned and put a hand on her chest. "I know.. it sounds crazy… but I've got a feeling there's a person inside there, Xena… and if I have to pass judgement on her, I want to know for sure."

The warrior's forehead creased. "And having her eat dinner with us does this.. how?"

"It doesn’t… but it puts her in a more normal setting.. I don't think she's ever had that." Mist green eyes pleaded with her. " Do me this favor, please?"

A half smile. "You're the queen." Xena muttered. "All right.. but I'm telling you, Gabrielle.. she so much as twitches in there and I'm gonna…"

"Shh." The bard pushed her back a little. "Xena, she has a completely fractured arm.. how much trouble do you think she's gonna be? That you can't handle? Hades.. that I couldn’t handle?"

"Rrrr." Xena growled. "All right."

A pat on her ribcage. "That's my tiger."

"Um… " Xena rubbed her jaw. "Try not to call me that in front of Toris, ok?"

"Heh." Gabrielle grinned, her full, mischievous grin. "Ammunition.. I like it."

They went out into the rain, with Xena tugging up the hood on her oiled cloak, and doing the same for her partner. "Y'know.. " The warrior commented quietly, watching Ares frisk about in the rain. "Gabrielle. I'm not sure bringing her in with Ephiny there is a good idea."

The bard looked up at her, flipping the edge of her hood out of the way. "She's not stupid enough to try anything."

Xena kicked a rock, and watched it splash across the puddles. "No.. I know.. I was thinking of Eph.. she kinda had a rough time with her."

Gabrielle considered that. "Well.. yeah.. ok.. I see your point." She chewed her lip. "I'll tell you what.. let me talk to Eph first.. sound her out, and see how she is before we do it, ok?"

The warrior nodded, relieved. "Ok."

A gentle bump against her hip. "You're getting very sensitive in your old age, Xena."

Xena gave her a dark scowl. "It's not.."

"Shh." Gabrielle patted her arm. "I was just kidding." She interlaced her fingers with her soulmate's. "Actually, I think I’m slipping.. I should have realized that without you saying anything.. that was pretty stupid and insensitive."

They walked along in silence. "You get… focused." Xena said finally, as they were approaching the inn, half hidden in sheets of misting rain. "But I do that too, sometimes." The sodden wood of the steps into the inn sounded a suppressed squelch as their weight hit them. "I forget about important things.. like people's feelings."

The bard reached out and grabbed the door pull, hauling it back to allow them to enter. "I didn’t used to be like that." She stated quietly. "I don't like it." Or is it that I'm so convinced I can turn people around? She added in silence. Wow.. get a grip on yourself , Gabrielle..is that what this is all about?

A sinking sensation covered her as they entered the inn. I was so sure I could change Paladia's mind.. what was I going to do if I couldn't? Would I have been able to handle it if she'd done to me what she did to Eph? Her heart lurched. If I'd just left things the way they were…and not tried to change places with her, she wouldn't have been forced to do what she did. Damn. But I was so sure, wasn't I? Just like I was so sure about Hope. Her shoulders slumped, and she felt a warm pressure on them.

"Hey." Xena's voice interrupted her self-introspection. "Gimme your cloak." The warrior pulled the fabric off her, and tucked both cloaks on the shelf near the door, before putting a hand back onto her neck, kneaded the suddenly tense muscles there. "Let's go say hello to Eph."

Gabrielle nodded silently, and felt the gentle pressure increase.

"Gabrielle?" The warrior's voice sounded hesitant.

"Yeah." She took a breath, and looked up at her partner. "I think I made a big mistake back in that cavern."

Xena's thumb brushed her cheek. "Don't second guess yourself, love." A wry smile. "It doesn't do any good.. I should know." She guided Gabrielle down the short hallway that led to Ephiny's temporary quarters, and knocked lightly.

"Come." Eponin's voice was casual sounding. The door opened inward, and the weapon's master stepped back, with an instinctive smile. "Hey.. look what the storm blew in."

They entered, and Gabrielle crossed immediately to Ephiny's side, and sat down on the small stool next to the bed. "Hi there."

The regent was half sitting, half reclining, and looked remarkably alert. "Hi there yourself." She answered. "What have you two been up to all day?"

Xena leaned back against the wall and crossed her ankles. "Not much." The warrior confessed. "Renas came by.. said he'd been in to see you three times.. figured you probably didn't need me hovering around here too."

Ephiny gazed at her, then smiled. "Hey.. I can see the baby blues.. that's an improvement." She remarked, in a bright tone. "Things are getting clearer."

That got a big grin from all concerned. "Good to hear." Xena replied, in a relieved tone. "Mom been keeping you fed?"

Eponin snorted quietly. "Yeah.. you could say that." She licked her fingers, and gave Xena a guilty look. "She's been great.. brought in these little balls.. " She held out a mostly empty basket to the warrior. "I think they have liquor in them."

Xena sniffed delicately, and smiled. "Um… yes." She plucked one out, and popped it into her mouth, taking a bite. "Hmmm….. " Her brows lifted. "They certainly do."

"Hey." Gabrielle gave her a slit-eyed look.

The warrior grabbed another pastry, and tossed it over, watching in amazement as Gabrielle caught it neatly in her teeth.

"Mmm.." The bard munched happily, then turned back to Ephiny. "So… you feeling better?"

The regent glanced at her hands, folded on the blanket, and nodded slowly. "A lot. .yeah.. the rest helped. My head doesn’t hurt anymore.. it's just kind of stiff." She stretched a little. "Otherwise.. heck.. I feel pretty good."

"Hm." Gabrielle looked pensively at her, then shot a glance at her partner.

Eponin sighed. "C'mon, Xena… let's go compare bow techniques or something." She exchanged a wry glance with the taller warrior. "I sense a 'leave us alone' royalty smell around here."

"Hey!" Gabrielle and Ephiny protested together.

Xena let an amused smirk cross her lips. "I got a better idea.. let's go find more of those little snacks." She pushed off the wall, and grabbed the door handle, quirking a brow at Eponin. "You interested?"

"Oh yeah." Eponin responded quickly. "Right behind you."

"You better bring some back here." Gabrielle warned, trying to keep a smile off her face. She watched the door close, then turned back to Ephiny, and shook her head. "Subtle, aren't they?"

Ephiny suppressed a smile. "Did you get her to relax a little today? You look better."

The bard rubbed her nose. "Yeah… I didn't have to do much work, though.. she got pretty banged up. " She replied. "But we're fine.. how are you really doing?"

The regent studied her hands. "I've had a lot of time to think… probably too much time." She lifted a hand and gingerly pushed her hair out of her eyes. "I.. haven't told Pony yet what she.. did."

"Mmph." Gabrielle made a soft sound of sympathy. "Is it really bothering you?"

Ephiny paused. "The more I think about it… I.. I mean, I guess.. when it was going on, I was in react mode, you know?"

Gabrielle nodded.

"So.. it was just.. well, survive, and worry about it later." The regent muttered.

"Been there." The bard replied softly. "Done that."

Silence. "I guess you have, haven't you?" Ephiny finally whispered. "Did… did you feel dirty, Gabrielle?"

The bard nodded slowly. "I felt angry.. and scared.. and.. " She paused. "And guilty.. like it was my fault." She took a breath. "Like I'd done something to deserve it."

Ephiny let out a long, held breath. "I.. I feel ashamed." She twisted her hands together, and Gabrielle reached over, and clasped her fingers with a warm grip. "I… should have been able to stop it.. to do something…I just.. damn it.. "

"Eph… it wasn’t your fault." Gabrielle insisted quietly. "You weren't responsible for what happened in there."

"My mind knows that." The Amazon replied softly. "I’m a practical person, Gabrielle.. I keep telling myself that, but…"

The bard gently patted her on the stomach. "But it hurts in here…. Your heart doesn't understand."

Ephiny nodded. "Yeah." She admitted, hanging on to the bard's hand. "I feel like I let everyone down.. like I let myself down, being captured.. gods.. Gabrielle.. how careless could I have been out there? These were damn kids."

Gabrielle gently put an arm around her shoulders and hugged her. "You warriors are all alike, you know that?" She told her wryly. "It's that damn pride."

Ephiny let her body relax, and rested her head against Gabrielle's muscular shoulder. "It's an Amazon thing.. you get issued the attitude along with the leathers and the beads." She paused. "Gabrielle.. I don’t.. I’m having trouble finding a way to tell Pony what happened." She admitted quietly. "I don't think I can."

The bard sniffed reflectively. "Well.. unless I'm really off my guess… you won't have to."

Ephiny blinked. "Xena?" She rapidly tilted between anxiety and relief.

"Mmhmm." Gabrielle responded. "She's um…" The bard paused. "Probably giving her some advice." She hesitated, then went on. "She… I didn’t really expect understanding.. from her. Because she's so self-reliant.. it's… well, anyway.. I didn't expect that. But… she's got a.. way of…" The bard paused, grasping for words. "She sees truths in me… that I… just don't.. sometimes.. I guess I do for her too.. but after we got back together… she really helped me out."

Ephiny was silent for a moment, digesting that. "Listen.. I'm sorry about that whole thing with us."

"Don’t you be sorry for that." Gabrielle responded quickly. "Ephiny.. the more I thought about it… I'm glad you did it.. it was the right thing.. it was the only, logical thing for you to do. You had no way of knowing what was going on, and she's a very, very dangerous person. I… could have been in a lot of trouble."

"But… "

Gabrielle sighed. "I know.. I yelled… but I was just coming out of a really dark place right then… we'd just.. only just.. managed to start putting things back together.. and I knew how much she was hurting." She sighed. "I … know I overreacted."

Ephiny blinked. "It was your heart talking."

That got a tight smile from the bard. "Yeah… it was..but you did the right thing, and I owe Pony and Solari an apology, too." She sighed. "It means a lot to me that they were willing to risk their lives to help me out."

The regent let out a breath of relief. "It's good to hear you say that." She tightened her grip on Gabrielle's fingers. "Pony likes her a lot… it… wasn’t easy for her to do what she did."

Gabrielle bit her lip. "I know." She replied softly. "Xena understands.. she said she would have done the exact same thing in your place." She let her head rest gingerly against Ephiny's. "Sometimes my heart blinds me to her." She paused. "I think.. maybe she'll.. let Pony in on what happened.. and keep her from going off the deep end right away."

Ephiny winced. "She's gonna go wild.. she's almost as overprotective as you are."

The bard blinked. "ME?"

Ephiny looked up at her at close range, and painfully edged an eyebrow up.

Gabrielle made a conceding noise. "Ok..ok… so… are you up to coming outside and having some dinner, or… "

The regent chewed her lip. "I… yeah, I'd kinda like to be around people… it's too quiet in here. Too much time to just.."

"Think." Gabrielle supplied.

"Yeah." Ephiny confirmed. "Gabrielle, can I ask you a question?"

The green eyes flicked to her face uncertainly. "Sure."

Ephiny released her, and leaned back, studying her curiously. "Why do you always, always smell like leather?"

The bard's face blushed a deep crimson, and she let out an embarrassed laugh. "Uh… well, actually in this case, it's because this shirt was in the same drawer as Xena's other set of leathers."

"Uh huh." Ephiny tapped a finger on her arm. "What about every other time I've been near you?"

Gabrielle looked down, then laughed again. "C'mon, Eph… what kind of question is that? Xena wears leather most of the time just like you guys do." She smiled sheepishly. "And I'm always around her.. or leaning up against her. You know she makes a great backrest?"

"All that touchy stuff is important to you, huh?" Ephiny asked quietly.

A shrug. "I guess.. yeah… it is.. it was one of the things… I missed the most when we were drifting apart.. it's what finally let me put that whole thing behind me, I think… I was afraid, for a long time, that I'd never be able to …um.. " She lifted a hand and let it drop. "Be close with… well, with anyone.. without reliving what happened to me." She let out a breath. "But that's not what happened… I found that out once we started getting closer again."

The regent nodded once, and emphatically. "I realized that.. and Gabrielle, understand me.. that's why I did what I did." She gripped the bards arm. "I couldn’t watch you go through that.. not now.. not after what happened to you." She gave the bard a tiny smile. "I don’t regret that."

A deep breath. "Thank you." Gabrielle looked her right in the eye. "You were probably right.. and that was a really brave thing you did."

Ephiny gave her a lopsided grin. "Mm…. I have to admit to you.. it felt great to do it." Her pale eyes twinkled. "It was worth what happened… she squealed like a pig." She paused. "She's one really screwed up kid."

They regarded each other soberly. "So.. are we gonna try to turn her around?" Ephiny asked, in a mild voice.

"You think we can?" Gabrielle asked, tilting her head to one side.

The regent shrugged. "Worth a try… there were times I thought I was almost getting through to her… and if anyone could find a silver lining in that dark cloud, it'd be you." She paused, and fiddled with the blanket drawn up around her waist. "I don't much like her, Gabrielle…I.. would have been happier if you'd let… well, if you hadn't decided to bring her back with us." Now her pale eyes rose, and a quiet, aching look entered them. "I'd rather not have the entire village knowing what happened."

Gabrielle sat back, nonplussed. "I…" Hadn't thought about that. "Assumed you wanted her brought to justice."

Ephiny gazed at her unhappily. "Justice only requires an adjudication." She sucked in a breath. "And that only requires you." She closed her eyes, and dropped her head. "Gabrielle.. please… I don't want to deal with facing all that." She looked up. "I can't."

The bard put a hand on her shoulder. "Ephiny… I…" Her words failed her, and she fell silent. "All right." She finally said. "It stays out of the village."

The regent let her head drop back against the pillow, and gave her friend a grateful look. "Thank you." She looked pensively at the wall. "I amused myself imagining Xena pounding her, you know." Her eyes met the bard's wryly. "I remembered what you did when Arella was pestering you all that time." Her voice trailed off. "It felt good."

Gabrielle winced internally. "Well, that's what she did." She answered quietly. "Hey… let's get a shawl around you.. and go find those two, huh? I'm sure they've eaten everything in the kitchen by now."

Ephiny let a trembling smile crease her face. "Oh… that'll be worth a tease…Pony was griping for half a moon after we'd gotten back from here the last time about how much weight she'd put on from Cyrene's cooking… I gave her such a hard time." Her smile slipped, and she glanced down.

The bard slipped her arms around Ephiny's body again, and hugged her gently. "It's gonna be ok, Eph." She felt the muscles contract under her touch as the regent fought against breaking down. "You're gonna be all right.. just give it a little time."

A shaking breath, and then a second, and Ephiny straightened up. "Yeah.. I know." She cleared her throat. "Thank you, my friend." She tightened her jaw muscles, and raked a hand through her curly hair. "Let's go find those guys, shall we?"

 Xena poked her head into the kitchen, then gave a short chuckle, and pushed the door open, slipping inside and holding it for Eponin. "There we go." The room was empty, a large pot bubbling gently on the fire, and various baked goods on trays cooling all over the place. "Mmm." A crooked grin appeared on the warrior's face.

"Smells great in here." Eponin muttered, wandering over and peering into the simmering cauldron. "What's this?"

Xena joined her, glancing judiciously into the container. "I have no idea." She picked up a stirring spoon and dipped it in, observing the contents that emerged. "Vegetables… meat.. oh, I think that's venison… " Looking around, she spotted a half loaf of bread,and tore a corner off, then dipped it into the pot and munched it thoughtfully. "Uh huh." She was suddenly made aware of the fact that she hadn't eaten anything yet that day, and purposefully scrounged two bowls, dipping them both out portions. "Here."

"Bu…" Eponin considered, then smirked wryly and took hers without any further protest, joining Xena as she moved to the small worktable, and set the bowl, and the half loaf down. "Xena… I.. um.. I've got kinda a weird question to ask you.."

The warrior took one look at Eponin's fidgeting hands, and sighed. "Hang on." She ducked out of the kitchen, and grabbed a pitcher, filling it from a tapped cask outside the door with negligent skill. She caught up two mugs with her free hand, then kicked the kitchen door back open, and went back in. "Ok." She set the ale down on the table, after pouring to healthy portions, and pushing one across to Eponin.

The Amazon raised a brow at it. "Hey.. I'm not asking you the meaning of life here."

Xena sat down, and pulled her bowl over, spearing a piece of meat from it with the tip of her dagger, and chewing it. "So?" She swallowed. "What's the question?" She had a pretty good idea already, but it never hurt to let people voice their thoughts. Besides, if she's talking.. Xena decided. I can keep eating.

"Um." Eponin took a piece of the bread, and dunked it, then nibbled the edge. "So.. has.. Gabrielle told you the whole story of what went on in there?"

Bullseye. Xena sighed, and fished out a carrot, which she bit in half. "Yeah." She chewed. "Wasn't real pleasant."

Eponin nodded uncertainly. "Well… yeah.. I guess.. " She grabbed her ale cup, and took a sip. "Did um…well…" She blew out a breath. "Did something happen other than.. I mean… I just.. well, it sound stupid, I know.. but I just got this…"

Xena stopped eating, and put her dagger down, folding her hands around her bowl, and gazing over at the Amazon. "Look." She drew the word out. "Something did happen.. but I'm not sure I'm the one who should be telling you about it."

Eponin's hands tightened around the mug, and the warrior saw her breathing suddenly increase. "I.." She swallowed. "All right." She muttered finally. "I don't think she's gonna tell me, though."

The warrior drummed her fingertips on the table. "Maybe not." She mused. Damn…do I tell her? Gran knows… Gabrielle knows… would I want to know if that had happened to her? Xena reflected unhappily. Yeah… of course I would… but it's easier for her to tell stuff like that.. what would I do? Would I tell her? She examined the thought carefully, wincing at the self knowledge. No. I'd just…bury it. She sighed inwardly. Aw Hades… I hate doing this. "All right.. listen to me."

Eponin raised her eyes guardedly. "You don't havta."

The warrior took a long drink of the cold ale, and licked her lips. "Just shut up and listen." She set the cup down evenly and precisely. "It was ugly in there. Paladia's a pig bastard… She got ahold of some herbs… junk .. and she gave them to Eph.. and she.." She hesitated, remembering that Eponin was her lover. "It wasn't Eph's fault.. she had no choice, all right?"

Eponin stared back at her, confusion slowly, achingly melding into a sick, anguished comprehension. She let out a soft sound of animal agony, and dropped her eyes to the table, searching the woodgrain as though it were a scroll that could give her other answers.

Xena shifted awkwardly. Damn..I hate this.. I hate this.. I hate this. "She's all right… she's gonna be.. all right… it's just rough.. you understand?"

The Amazon's jaw moved a few times, but no sound came out.

The warrior took a breath, and slapped a hand down hard on the table, making a sound like a thunderclap. "Look!" She consciously deepened her voice, catching Eponin's eyes as she looked up, startled. "You can't go to pieces, ok? You gotta give her support." She blinked, somewhat surprised at her own vehemence. "It's… " She paused for a long moment, choosing her words gingerly. "Important that you be there for her."

Eponin just looked at her.

Xena looked down at the table's surface, not even seeing it. "I wasn't… for Gabrielle." She admitted, in a quiet, almost toneless voice. "And it ripped her up inside until I was." Now she raised her eyes, expressionless. "Don't you do that."

The Amazon stared at her, hardly breathing. "I.. I won't." She whispered, gaining a whole new level of understanding of the complicated person sitting across the table from her. "But I don’t know what to say to her."

Xena went back to eating, apparently unconcerned. "You don’t have to say anything." She kept her head down. "You do it with touch.. and.. look, just be there for her, OK?." She dipped a piece of bread into the stew, and chewed it a long moment. "You'll be all right." It was taking all her concentration not to shake, to keep her voice even, her movements casual.

Eponin slowly took a mouthful of stew, oblivious to it's contents, and chewed it, obviously deep in thought. "Thanks." She said, finally, after swallowing. She sat in total silence for a long moment, then put her hands abruptly on the table and pushed herself up. "I’m gonna go kill that bitch."

Xena was ready for it, having read her body posture with unerring accuracy. She dropped her spoon, and snaked a hand out, grabbing Eponin's arm, and slamming her back down into her seat with stunning force. "No, you're not."

"Xena.. I"

"No." The warrior shot her a look from under drawn brows, and let her voice sink into it's deepest, most no nonsense register. "You are not going to do anything like that."

"She's not getting away with that, damn it, Xena.!" The weapon's master growled, tugging against the iron band that was holding her down.

"She won't." The warrior replied, not letting go. "You're gonna do what.. go beat up a shackled prisoner who can't even defend herself? That makes you better?"

Eponin stopped struggling, and stared at her, panting. "Why the Hades didn't you kill her? You knew what she did.. she was trying to kill Gabrielle.. if ever there was a justified… for the sake of the gods, Xena!"

Xena gazed at her evenly. "That's what everyone expects of me, isn't it?" She released the Amazon's arm, and sat back, letting her hands drop into her lap. "Even Gabrielle asked me that."

Eponin blinked, and took a slow, uneven breath. "I… " She stopped, unsure of what to say.

The warrior stood up, and walked to the fire, adding more stew into her bowl in a mechanical motion. Then she came back and sat down, propping her head u p on one hand while she poked at the bowl with her spoon. "It's all right." She gave a light shrug. "It's what I'm good at, I guess." She gave Eponin a wry look. "Honestly.. I told Gabrielle I just must have figured she didn't want Paladia killed.. but the truth is, I slipped." She paused. "I think."

Eponin opened and closed her mouth a few times, then cleared her throat. "What?"

Xena sniffed reflectively. "I slipped. The ground was wet.. when I kick out like that I plant my weight on my right leg." She let a hand drop to her thigh. "And I slipped in the mud.. threw my aim off." She played a little bit more with the stew, but didn't eat it. "So.. there's your answer. She just got lucky."

The Amazon subsided, folding her arms across her chest. She looked at the table for an achingly long time, then let out a breath. "I don't believe that."

The warrior went still, then lifted faintly startled blue eyes up to meet hers. "What?"

Eponin shook her head with a stubborn frown. "I don’t believe it… mud, ice, water, tidal waves.. if you'd wanted her dead, she'd be dead." She drew in breath. "I think what you told Gabrielle was the truth… " Now she sighed. "Because that's true - she wouldn't.. just like Eph wouldn't want me to go beat up some damn, pig natured kid." She admitted quietly. "Even if it would make me feel a lot better."

Xena thought about it. It hadn't been a conscious choice, that much she did know. She'd seen Gabrielle in danger, and her body had reacted. Period. "Maybe." She allowed. "But you're not gonna do that."

The Amazon gazed at her. "No." She allowed a faint grin to tug at her lips. "Besides.. you'll kick my butt, and I don't feel like getting my butt kicked today. " She squared her shoulders, and took a long gulp of ale, then let out a breath of relief. "Thank you… for telling me."

The warrior slowly munched a piece of carrot. "No problem." She glanced up as the door swung open, sensing a familiar presence, and wasn't surprised to see Gabrielle's fair head poke through. "Hey."

"Ah hah." The bard gave her a tiny grin. "Knew we'd find you two where the food is." She held the door open carefully for Ephiny, who was wrapped in a soft, fluffy shawl. She used the motion to disguise a look behind the regent to her partner, where a raised brow, and a faint nod was exchanged for her look of gratitude. That's my tiger. She said silently, as she settled Ephiny in the end seat at the table, and moved around to join Xena. "So.. what's this?" She pointed at the warrior's uneaten bowl of stew.

"Snack." Xena replied, watching the two Amazons glance at each other from the corner of her eye.

"Don't mind if I do." Gabrielle replied, pulling the bowl her way, and deftly removing the spoon from her soulmate's grasp. She took a bite, and gave her the barest hint of wink. "Mmm.. you didn't like it?"

"My second bowl." Xena explained, leaning on her forearms and playing with her mug. "Good to see you up and around, Eph." She turned her attention to the regent, who was investigating what goodies Eponin had. "Pardon my manners." She commented, rising and snagging another bowl, and dishing up Ephiny a portion. "Here." She pushed the stew across the table and reseated herself.

Gabrielle reached out with her feet under the table and wrapped them around her partner's leg, watching a smile tug at Xena's lips as she felt the contact. Across the table, Eponin was whispering quietly to her regent, tucking a hand around her arm. The bard leaned her head against her soulmate's shoulder. "Everything ok?"

Xena moved unconsciously closer, and raised an eyebrow in answer. "More or less. You?"

The bard waggled a hand. "We'll talk later." She sighed, and rubbed her cheek against Xena's upper arm. "I need advice."

They all looked up as the outer door slammed open, and Johan staggered inside, carrying a very bedraggled chicken. "Ah." He sighed explosively, seeing them. "Would any of you lovely lasses be knowing how to get these damn things out of a chimney?" He turned to Xena. "Ye're mothers up on the roof poking at them with a broom stick, and they're about wild."

They looked at each other in alarm. "My mother?" Xena asked sharply.

"On the roof?" Gabrielle questioned. "In this weather?"

Eponin grunted. "Must be some broomstick"

It was, Xena mused, a good opportunity to leave Eponin and Ephiny alone. She certainly wasn't an expert on the subject, but she suspected a 'talk' was in the offing, and besides, what could be better than escaping outside into the rain with Gabrielle, with the prospect of wet chicken feathers added?

"Uck." Gabrielle pulled her boots gingerly from the mud, and glanced up at her. "This couldn’t have waited until it was drier?" She was about a pace ahead of her soulmate, as they rounded the back end of the inn, and peered up at the sodden thatch roof. "Mom!"

Cyrene, up to her shoulders in the chimney, jumped, and almost lost her footing. She withdrew her head from the opening, and glared down at them. "What??"

Gabrielle swiped the damp blond hair from her forehead, and gave her partner a look. "You gonna just stand here?"

Xena had been.. standing there, in fact, with her fists planted firmly on her hips, a speculative look on her face. "Yeah, yeah… " She shook her dark head, then backed up one step and started a short run towards the inn, launching herself up onto the wood shed, then up onto the roof in a neat flip. She landed smartly about a body length from her mother, and sauntered up the roof to where the chimney broke its line. "Hi."

"Showoff." Cyrene sniped. "Hop skip jump.. you're worse than a rabbit on wildweed, sometimes." The innkeeper was in a feisty mood, and the rain wasn't helping.

The warrior leaned her forearms on the top of the chimney, and lifted her body up, peering over the edge and into the dark opening. "Climbing up the ladder takes too long." She commented absently, shading her eyes. "How many of the damn things are down there?"

"Six." The innkeeper sighed. "To tell you the truth, munchkin, I'd rather just stoke the big fireplace up and roast them out, but I'm afraid they're blocking the flue, and I'll back the smoke up into the kitchen."

"Mother?" Xena tilted her head, then reached down, figuring distance and angles.

"Hmm?" Cyrene joined her.

"You haven't called me that since I was ten years old." The warrior peered at her, with an expression that hovered somewhere between chagrin and amusement.

The innkeeper snorted. "Damn right… couldn’t call you that after you grew up taller than I was, now could I?" She gave Xena a slap on the thigh. "But I figure you'll forgive an old woman's whims."

Blue eyes gazed at her. "Only because you're my mother.. and please.. don't call me that when.."

"Call you what?" Gabrielle emerged from the other side of the roof, picking her way very carefully over the rafters and joining them. "The ladder works just great, Xena."

Cyrene smiled a pure, devilish grin. "Munchkin." She patted Xena's cheek.

The bard's green eyes lit with delight. "Ooo."

Xena sighed, and rested her forehead on her hand. "Can we get these damn chickens out of here, please?" She pleaded pathetically.

Gabrielle and Cyrene exchanged smirks, then joined her in peering down. "Did Gabrielle ever let you read the lovely little stories she wrote about your childhood, dear?" Cyrene asked, innocently.

Xena straightened up, and peered at her partner. "Noooo… " She drew the word out. "I don't think she has."

The bard plastered a bright smile on her face. "Heh." She glanced at the chimney. "Chickens?" She braced her arms on the chimney and lifted her self half over the opening. "Here.. chicky chicky… cluck cluck…"

The kitchen was very quiet after Xena and Gabrielle left, only the soft crackle of the fire under the stove broke the silence, along with the faint scrape of wood on wood as Ephiny finished her stew. She put the spoon down, and folded her hands around her bowl. "So." She turned her head, and regarded her lover's planed, angular face.

Eponin thought about what Xena had said, and nodded to herself once, then reached over and intertwined her fingers with Ephiny's peacefully. "If you wanna talk about it, I'm here." She enunciated the words as though carefully tasting them as she spoke. "If you just want a hug, I'm here for that, too." She took a shaky breath, then blinked, and peered timidly at Ephiny's face. "And.. if you want me to take a really blunt knife.. and start carving Amazon law into her body, I'll.. do that."

Ephiny tightened her fingers, then slowly leaned against her lover's body, resting her head against one leather clad shoulder. "I hate her." The regent whispered. "Like I hated those Thessalean bastards who slaughtered Phantes."

Eponin sucked in a breath, and half turned, circling Ephiny with her arms. "When we get her back.." Her mind started running through possible punishments. "I swear, I'll…"

"No." Ephiny mumbled, into her skin. "Gabrielle promised me she'd settle things here. I don't want the entire Nation front and center knowing what happened." She took a breath. "I'm all right…I just want to put the whole thing behind me."

The weapon's master fell silent, awkwardly patting her neck. "All right.. " She finally said. "I can see the point of that, yeah." She heard a thump above them, and glanced up, watching a bit of cobweb drift down, and drape itself haphazardly across Ephiny's pale curls. Irritated, she blew it off with a puff of air. "I'm gonna make sure the Queen knows her options, though." She finally growled softly. "All.. her options."

Ephiny nodded silently. She stayed quiet for a time, then patted Eponin on the leg. "Thanks."

"For what?" Eponin asked gruffly.

"Just for being here." The regent smiled up at her. "I needed a friend… and you're a good one."

Eponin smiled back, chucking her well developed attitude for once. Her face relaxed in a gentleness very rare for her, as she met her lover's eyes squarely. "You're really special, Eph… and I'm gonna work real hard from now on to keep you outta trouble."

That got her a wry, pained grin. "You got a deal."

A loud thump drew both of their attention up, and they glanced towards the ceiling, where more cobwebs, joined with dust, and bits of thatch were now drifting downward. "Um." Ephiny glanced around. "You'd.. better cover that pot, hon."

The weapon's master reluctantly untangled herself from Ephiny's body, and stood, picking up a wooden paddle and sliding it over the pot bubbling on the stove. "What in the name of Artemis are they doing up there?" Curious, she wandered over to the fireplace, now cool and dark, with it's stack of waiting cordwood, and ducked down, dropping to one knee and peering up.

A single, lonely yellow and black feather drifted down, landing on her knee. Eponin picked it up, and examined it, then leaned further forward, and yelled up the chimney. "Hey!!!"

A loud, frustrated, strangled sounding squawking answered her. She cast Ephiny a look, then shrugged, and ducked back under the opening to the chimney, and stood up inside it, poking around with one arm. "Yow!" She yelped.

Ephiny heard a slapping sound, then Eponin reemerged, sucking on her thumb with a feather lodged in her dark hair. "Damn thing bit me." She turned. "Stay up there, ya snot nosed feathered git bucket!"

Just then the door swung open, and Ares bounded in, scrambling first to Eponin, who he sniffed thoroughly, then to the fireplace, where he trotted with definite, wolfish purpose, smelling tasty victims. He stood up on his hind legs and lunged upward, growling enthusiastically.

A wild, frantic struggling sound came from the opening, then a loud cackle, and furious fluttering of feathers, which drifted down and dotted the black wolf's coat. The sounds were drowned out by yells, then a loud series of thumps, another yell, and a crashing sound.

Silence fell.

A single, lone, white feather slowly descended, landing on the ashy ground next to Ares' paws.

"Roo?" He peered at it, then licked his chops in disappointment.

Ephiny uncovered her eyes, and looked at Eponin, who was wincing, and glancing hesitantly towards the door. "I… think… someone else… got into trouble.. this time." The regent commented.

Eponin dashed for the door and pulled it open, poking her head out into the gray mist, blinking against the wetness, and not seeing anyone there. She moved further out, then trotted around the corner of the inn, and stopped short. "Uh."

Xena was sitting on the ground, holding a chicken under one arm, and flexing her other hand with a painful grimace. Two more of the birds were perched on the roof, looking down at her in disapproval, and the remaining chickens were bobbing about in the rain, pecking at small insects wriggling in the mud.

The warrior was covered in soot, as were the chickens, black smudges darkening her skin and its feathers with equal thoroughness. Eponin clamped her jaw shut, determined not to start laughing, and got herself moving to see if the warrior had by any chance hurt herself during her tumble from the roof, but footsteps splashed in back of her, and she turned as Gabrielle bolted past, skidding to a halt beside her partner with a look of concern on her face. "Hey... "

The warrior looked up. "I'm ok.. I hurt my pride more than anything else." She gave the bard a wry look. "Been a long time since I fell off a roof involuntarily." She peered at the chicken, who peered, one eyed back up at her. "See what you caused?"

"Cluck." The chicken pecked her, and she let it go, with an indignant yelp. "Hey!" Her dark stare pinned the unrepentant bird. "Some thanks I get."

"Cluck!" The chicken pecked her boot viciously, then waddled off, shaking it's feathers.

Gabrielle put a gentle hand on her shoulder, and turned as Cyrene sauntered up, dusting her hands off neatly. "Well, mom.. the chickens are out." She observed the strutting birds. "Do you breed them for crankiness or something?"

Cyrene joined Eponin, who was standing next to them, and sniffed reflectively. "I've been accused of that before." She let her fingers drop and rest on her daughter's dark head. "But not about chickens."

"Hey!" Xena protested, glancing up.

"Are you all right, dear?" Her mother relented, biting off a smile. "That was a pretty hard fall."

The warrior scowled. "Yeah, I'm fine." She got her feet under her, and stood, shaking herself, very obviously uncomfortable and embarrassed. "I'm gonna go rinse off and change." She turned on her heel and stalked off without further comment.

The three women looked at each other. Gabrielle sighed. "I'm…" She rooted around in her mind for an excuse to go to their cabin. "Um.."

"Oh, just go." Eponin rolled her eyes, then turned to Cyrene. "Need some help with the firewood?" They watched the bard trot off, determinedly dogging Xena's footsteps until the warrior slowed and allowed her to catch up.

It was all in the body language, Cyrene mused, as she watched her daughter's tense, abrupt gestures relax and modify, as Gabrielle applied her gentle words. Watched the shoulders relax, and even from where she was, saw the distance close between them, as the bard slipped a companionable arm around the taller woman's waist, tugging her towards the cabin seen dimly in the mist. "Sure… I'd love some help with the firewood." She answered absently.

"They really work together, don’t they?" Eponin remarked practically. "Damnedest thing."

The innkeeper smiled. "It certainly is." She shook her head. "C'mon, let's get out oft his dratted rain, and get dinner started." She turned to Eponin. "How's Ephiny doing?"

Caramel colored eyes peered at her shyly. "All right… " She mumbled. "Thanks for asking." She paced alongside the innkeeper as they reentered the kitchen.

"Hey." Gabrielle hastened her steps, trying to catch up to the rapidly moving warrior. She knew Xena heard her, with those ears she could hear a rabbit trying to sneak up on her from 20 paces, but her soulmate didn't slow down, and she could see the anger marked in the stiffness of her bearing. "Xena…"

Finally, the long strides hesitated, then slackened, and she caught up, glancing to her left to see Xena's quiet, set face. "Mind if I join you?" It was a half-joking request, but she felt her insides tense when she didn't get an answer. "Xena?"

Blue eyes sullenly met hers. "Yes?" The warrior kept moving. "I think I can just manage to change by myself without help, Gabrielle."

Was a time, the bard mused, that I would have been devastated by that. "Reached the teasing limit, huh?" She replied in quiet sympathy. "Sorry."

A muscle in Xena's jaw twitched, and she blinked. "Wasn't that." She lied. "I.. just hate…"

"Looking like a fool in front of anyone." The bard supplied helpfully. "I know." She gave her partner a little smile. "If it's any consolation, it was the most graceful fall from a roof that I've ever seen." Ah.. Xena's shoulders relaxed, and she gave the bard a wry, sideways glance.

"Wasn't you fault Ares scared the feathers off those stupid chickens and they came out of the chimney like that." Gabrielle moved closer, and slipped a friendly arm around her partner's waist. "If you hadn't grabbed us both, we would have fallen off with you, and I doubt I would have survived nearly as well.. not to mention what that would have done to your mom."

"Hmph." Xena grumbled, as they reached the cabin steps and moved up them. "So.. how'd it go with Eph?" She asked, as she opened the door and Gabrielle let her go long enough to enter.

The bard smiled to herself. I'm getting a lot better at handling this stuff.. wonder if she knows how cute she looks when she's grumpy to me now? I just want to cuddle her, and pinch her cheek. Gabrielle imagined the reaction if she did just that. No.. maybe not. "Well… " She waited for Xena to close the door and turned to face her partner, unbuckling the belt on her muddy tunic and loosening the ties. "Xena, I think this whole thing is bothering her more than she's letting on."

Xena stood quietly and let the bard work, while she examined the scraped and now reddening bruise on her wrist. "An Amazon warrior hiding her feelings? Couldn’t happen." She remarked with a droll smile. "You're probably right, though."

Gabrielle stripped off the wet and dirt covered fabric off, and tossed it over the back of a nearby chair. "Very funny." She muttered. "I was serious, Xena… she doesn’t want to take Paladia back to the village." The bard grabbed a piece of soft, dry linen and gently set about removing the water from the tanned skin facing her. "I promised her I'd deal with it here."

Xena took in a deep breath, and released it, then raised her hands and set them on Gabrielle's shoulders, lacing her fingers into the damp, pale hair and fluffing it a little. "What were you planning on doing?"

The bard stayed silent for a while, running her hands absently down her partner's body in a soothing gesture. Finally she looked up, into Xena's patiently waiting eyes. "I was planning on asking you for advice." She answered honestly. "Because.. right now.. I'm not sure I trust my judgment."

The warrior slowly nodded, then disengaged her hands, and walked over to the clothing press, opening a drawer and pulling out a dry tunic, slipping it over her head, and letting the folds drape neatly over her muscular body. "You want to salvage her." It wasn't a question, but there was one implicit in the asking.

Gabrielle tucked her hands under her arms, and blinked a little, gazing up at the rafters in contemplation. "My answer to that should be yes." Her mist green eyes were a little bleak, and very serious. "I just don't know why I assumed I could." She paused. "You'd think I'd have learned by now that people don't just change because I want them to."

Xena slowly sat down on the edge of the bed and dropped her head, studying the floorboards. That one sentence just about covers it, right? Her conscience bitterly reminded her. You are never going to be able to restore that facet of her faith, no matter how long you try. Never. "I guess so." She acknowledged softly.

A quiet, contemplative silence fell between them. Finally, Xena straightened up, feeling suddenly twice her physical age. "Well, you've got a few choices." She was aware of the faint husky rasp in her voice, and cleared her throat before continuing. "You can turn her over to the authorities for judging.. because it wasn't just the Amazons who were affected.. a lot of other towns were too." Her eyes flicked to the window, where the rain was still falling. "Or you could sentence her according to Amazon law."

Gabrielle glanced up, trying to decipher the strange note in her soulmate's voice. Oh.. Hades… she suddenly realized. She thought I meant her when I said… Quickly, she crossed to the bed, and dropped to a knee, resting both of her hands on Xena's thigh. "What are her chances, Xena?" She ducked, capturing the hesitant blue eyes. "I trust you to tell me… can she turn around?" She took a breath. "I guess I take it for granted, after living with you."

A very tiny, very timid sparkle grudgingly returned to the eyes she was staring intently into. "I guess I shouldn't, huh? Not everyone has the strength you do."

Slowly, the warrior let a smile tug at one corner of her mouth. "No… not everyone has someone like you, Gabrielle." She lifted the bard's hand up and kissed it. "I think, with the right influence, she could change."

Gabrielle gazed at her seriously. "I put Ephiny in a lot of danger."

Xena considered that. "Ephiny loves you, Gabrielle, and she chose to put herself in danger rather than see you hurt." A tiny grin. "I can't say I could.. personally.. argue with that sentiment." She fiddled with a lace. "I'd have done the same thing." She considered further. "And.. to tell you the truth.. I think what Paladia was doing.. was causing her more agony than when she got attacked.. maybe it was a way for her to get away from that, too. "

The bard sat back on her heels, and ran her hand through her pale hair, moving it back behind her ears. "I didn't think of that." She admitted. "Kind of a drastic solution."

The warrior rocked her hand from side to side. "She had to make a choice.. she made one." Xena chucked her chin. "I don't think what you were trying was wrong, my bard."

Still serious. "Really? Honestly, Xena?"

"Honestly." Her partner confirmed. "Don't lose faith in yourself, Gabrielle." She slid a palm against the bard's warm cheek, and felt the pressure as Gabrielle leaned into the contact. "Don't stop looking for the best in everyone, please? Where would I be if you did?"

"I'm sure you'd be fine." Gabrielle sighed.

An eyebrow quirked. "I'm sure I'd be dead, at the hands of the people living in this very village." She gently reminded her partner. "Gabrielle, don't you ever doubt the incredible difference you've made in my life.. don't you dare discount the influence you've had." She paused and let her hand drop awkwardly. "So many people touched my life… but you're the only one who out and out changed it." She examined the statement, then looked back up into Gabrielle's startled eyes. "Thank you.. for that."

The bard let a long held breath trickle out slowly, and crawled forward, sliding her arms around Xena's body and settling into her inviting embrace. The warrior's body was warm, and incredibly comforting, and she let herself sink into that with a feeling of relief. "Thank you." She mumbled against the soft fabric.

They stayed like that for a while, then Gabrielle licked her lips. "What options to I have for sentencing her under Amazon law?" She wondered. "I studied all their territorial and procedural traditions when I was there, but not that."

"Ah." Xena rested her chin on the bard's head, and considered. "You could sentence her to death for attempted murder of both the Amazon regent, and yourself." She felt the shudder run through the bard's body and hugged her closer. "You could sentence her to labor, or to close confinement, or to a whipping." She let a breath out. "I don't know, Gabrielle.. I might let the civil law take care of her… I don't know how you'd do it legally without disclosing everything that happened to Eph."

Gabrielle chewed her lip. The thought of making it someone else's problem was very tempting. "What would the law do to her?"

"Jail her." Xena answered promptly. "Probably for a long time, or use her in hard labor." She paused. "She hasn't killed anyone… they won't hang her."

Gabrielle looked up at her intently.

A quiet knowledge looked back at her. "A dozen times over, Gabrielle." Xena answered. "And there are places in Greece that would still be more than glad to throw me in irons and try me."

"You're not.." The bard started, hotly.

A fingertip covered her lips. "Oh yes, I most certainly am, Gabrielle, and we both know it." She answered softly. "I've done far, far worse things than Paladia ever did."

They stared at each other. "Did you ever to do anyone what Paladia did to Ephiny?" Gabrielle asked outright.

Xena blinked, and thought. "No." She replied quietly, noting no change in Gabrielle's stance. "You knew that."

A gentle smile. "I knew that."

"But I used people, and used their attraction to me to get my way, Gabrielle." The warrior admitted softly. "In a way, I did worse than Paladia, because her victims could always fall back on the knowledge that it wasn't their fault.. that they had no control over what they were feeling."

"I don't think that's worse." Gabrielle debated gently.

"Don't you?" Xena countered. "What if you found out, right now, that I was just using you to.. say.. gain influence over the Amazons?" She crafted the words carefully. "And that I never cared for you at all?"

Utter silence.

The bard's throat worked a few times before she actually spoke. "That would kill me." Gabrielle said very softly. "Did you really do that to someone?"

Xena blinked. "Yes."

The bard bit her lip, and stood, walking to the window and gripping the frame tightly. "Were you as close to them as you are to me?" She finally asked, in a strangled voice.

The warrior gazed at her, in sad compassion. "Gabrielle, I have never in my life, by half, been as close to anyone as I am to you." She said. "I could never do to you what I did to that person… in fact.…for the first time in my life, I've put myself in a position to have that done to me." She stood and walked to the window, standing next to the bard but not touching her. "Sometimes… I think maybe I deserve that." She dropped her voice. "I know I've never done anything to deserve you."

Gabrielle felt her world right slowly. She'd been right about Xena, despite all the evidence to the contrary. And what about Hope? Had she felt that same core of sureness? She examined the truth with an inner sigh. No. She'd… "Xena?"

"Mm? " The warrior had clasped her hands in front of her, and was studying them.

"How did you know… about Hope?" She stammered on the name. "Did you.. was the evidence.. or…"

Xena let her body sag against the wall. "I… " A faint shrug. "It's.. like when I can sense Ares… I guess.. just a nasty feeling I get… I can't really explain it." She rested her head on the wood. "I.. tried not to feel it, Gabrielle… I saw how happy you were playing with her… it hurt so much when I looked at your face, and then hers.. and I got that feeling."

Gabrielle considered that. It made sense, based on what she knew about her partner, and what she, herself, had felt. "What about Krafstar?" She looked up curiously. "How could he trick you?"

The last, dirty secret. Xena closed her eyes, not willing to see the expression on her soulmate's face. "He didn't." she swallowed. "I just convinced myself it was something else."

Total silence from Gabrielle. She kept her eyes shut, and simply waited, feeling the horror, and the shame she'd lived with ever since she'd rounded the corner into that damn temple and seen Gabrielle on her knees in agony.

"You were jealous." Gabrielle's voice was faint with disbelief.

The warrior just nodded.

"Xena, how could you…" The bard's voice abruptly stopped, then after a long pause, went on, much more softly. "How could you… no.. how could I be so stupid." A scene flashed into her mind, of the rocking ship, and Xena calling her over, and her sniping response. "What's up?"

Xena's face should have told her. It had… that long moment of quiet hurt that she'd seen.. she'd seen, damn it… "Does something have to be up?" Xena had given her every clue, with that question, and it's so, so obvious conclusion. Did something have to be up for her to want to talk.. to be with .. the person she considered closer to her than anyone else? "Oh gods."

"You?" Xena put a hand out in confusion, and touched her. "No.. it was me that was being stupid… Gabrielle, don't you understand… it's my fault. That whole damn thing.. was my fault."

"No it wasn't." The bard responded heavily. "I was mad at you for going after Caesar, and I was doing that on purpose." She looked up and caught Xena's shocked expression. "Didn't think I had it in me, huh? That's all right, Xena. Neither did I." Her voice was very bitter.

Hands slowly closed on her shoulders, and tugged, and she collapsed against Xena's silent form. The warrior curled her arms around her, and let out a long, deep sigh. "Oh Gabrielle."

The bard sniffled. "Did you know…after it was all over…and you were holding me in that rubble.. the only thing I was feeling was just that I was glad to be close to you again?" She sobbed as her partner grabbed tighter. "I just tried to push Dahok and Meridian out of my mind… because that was all I had left." She took a shaky breath. "You were all I had left.. and I remember you just apologizing over and over again."

"I let that happen to you" Xena whispered brokenly.

"No." Gabrielle lifted a hand and cupped her partner's jaw, tilting her head so their eyes met squarely. "You will not blame yourself for that, Xena, not anymore. It's as much my fault as yours, and you need to accept that." She blinked and let the tears trickle down her face. "Because I accept that." She hesitated again. "Xena, you are all I have."

A shaking hand brushed her face. "All right." Xena's voice burred low. "I accept that we.. are responsible for what happened … to us."

"I've hurt you, Xena." The bard said quietly. "I think about that sometimes… and no matter how many times I apologize, it never seems like it's enough. Is that how you feel?"

Xena nodded a little. "Yes." She pulled the bard closer. "That's exactly how I feel."

"But you forgive me." Gabrielle stated.

"Yes… and you forgive me." Xena answered.

"Yes." The bard laid her head down on her partner's chest. "I guess love finds a way."

Xena sighed. "I guess it does." She paused. "You ok?" Her fingers moved against the bard's back, soothing the tension.

"Yeah." Gabrielle let her breath ruffle the loose fabric of the warrior's shirt. "All that hysteria, and it made me feel better, for some reason." She listened to the steadying heartbeat under her ear. "Guess I've been wanting to get that off my chest."

The warrior closed her eyes. "I feel better too. Sorry I was so grumpy before."

A brief smile." Me too." She paused." I think you're right. We should let the civil law take care of Paladia." She decided. "But they'll take awhile to get out here and take her into custody, and that'll give me time to work on her."

The warrior smiled. "I think that's a good decision."

 Gabrielle kissed her shoulder. "Tease threshold up again?"

Xena regarded her warily. "Um… I guess."

The bard lifted her head. "Ok, munchkin, then let me see that hand." She eyed her partner. "It must be killing you."

With a silent, dazzling grin, Xena surrendered it.

Ephiny glanced up, spotting Granella's familiar form entering the inn, and caught her eye from where she was carefully ensconced at the rearmost table, nursing a small cup of cold cider. Cyrene had chased them from the kitchen, after Eponin had dutifully helped build and start the fire, and they'd decided to relax in the nearly empty inn until the dinner hour started. "You look flustered." She commented, as the slim, dark haired Amazon joined them, and dropped down into a chair with a thump. "You nervous about tomorrow?"

Granella propped up her chin on one hand. "Tomorr…oh, the joining.. heck no." She waved off her two friends, who gave her knowing smirks. "Aw, cut that out." She rolled her eyes at them. "But.. by the way, I'm glad you guys are here."

Ephiny smiled. "Wouldn't have missed it." She took a breath, and a sip of cider, and waited for a mild dizzy spell to clear. "Though I was hoping for a less eventful trip down here." She observed her ex scout mildly. "Gonna be strange seeing you joined."

Granella sighed. "Strange for me, too… I never thought… " She let the words drift off, then shook her head a little. "And certainly not into this particular family." She glanced around. "But.. I really like it here…if it were just any village, I probably wouldn't, but these guys are so used to having Xena and Gabrielle around, that strong, independent women seem normal to them."

"Hmph." Eponin removed her face from her mug of ale, which she'd been industriously attacking. "Imagine.. Xena a role model." She snorted softly. "I'll have to bug her about that."

Ephiny took a sip. "Mmm… better give that a rest for a while.. from what you told me, she's in no mood for any more teasing right now."

Granella laughed. "Gab will fix that." She gave her friends a relaxed grin. "You should watch her sometimes.. she's slick.. she's really good.. she plays Xena to perfection, she just kind of coaxes her out of those funks she gets into sometimes…and if the talking doesn't do it, she kinda puts her head down on that one shoulder, and gives Xena that puppy dog look." She snapped her fingers. "Works like that."

Eponin leaned on one hand. "You like her?" She asked idly. "Xena, I mean."

The dark haired woman considered the question. "Yeah." She finally answered, with a slight nod. "Once you get under all that mean, cold, toughness, there's a pretty good person under there." She laughed a little. "Sometimes she can be easier to deal with than Gabrielle.. because she's so straightforward."

"Mm." Ephiny nodded a bit. "Yeah..I know what you mean… our Queen has a habit of coming at you from around a blind corner sometimes." She took a slow swallow of ale, and glanced over Granella's shoulder, as the door opened and the subjects of their conversation strolled in. "Looks like she worked her magic all right.. lookit that grin."

Eponin snorted a little at the fondly affectionate look plastered on Xena's normally stoic face as she followed her partner across the room. "Saved ya a feather." The Amazon greeted her, twirling the object in her fingers.

Xena just gave her a wry look, and took a seat, dropping down into it and laying her forearms on the table. One hand was wrapped neatly in a linen bandage, and she flexed her fingers a little against it's constriction. "Thanks."

"You ok?" Ephiny nodded a little at the hand.

"Sprained wrist." Gabrielle informed her, patting it gently. Then she placed her hands precisely on the table, and studied the three Amazons. "Listen.. I've decided that the best thing to do about Paladia is to turn her over to the law. There's a traveling judge due through here in about two weeks, and that will give representatives from Potadeia and the other towns time to get here and press their charges too."

"But.." Eponin's face contracted, then she spared her lover a sideways glance and subsided. "Yeah.. I guess you're right… that'll make sure she gets put away for a long time." She considered. "She should have to pay for the other stuff she did…not just what she did to Eph."

Gabrielle nodded. "My thoughts exactly." She was warmly aware of the gentle pressure of Xena's hand cupping her knee, and the sensation as the warrior's thumb brushed against her skin. "They have a right to compensation too.. maybe they can go to the stronghold, and reclaim some of their goods."

The room started to fill, as the sun ducked down onto the horizon, spreading a pallid, orange light that just managed to squeak through the slowly separating clouds. A few spears of it entered the window they were seated against, and danced across the table, painting stripes that gilded Xena's already tanned skin, and catching fiery highlights in Gabrielle's hair. The enticing scent of roasting meat began to filter in from the kitchen, and a low buzz of conversation rose around them. "Guess it was worth hauling those chickens out." The warrior commented, sniffing appreciatively. She looked at Gabrielle.

The bard looked back, and their eyes met for a long moment, then she tilted her pale head, and nodded.

Xena rose, and walked out, moving gracefully around the clusters of tables, giving brusque nods as greetings came her way.

Eponin leaned forward. "Do you guys read each other's minds or something?" She muttered curiously. "I gotta know.. cause it sure does look like it sometimes."

Gabrielle blinked at her. "Um." Her brows creased. "No.. of course not." She glanced over her shoulder, then back at the Amazons, who were all watching her curiously. "We'd… talked earlier about bringing Paladia in here.. kind of letting her see what normal life is like…"

"And.. we… "Ephiny waggled a finger at herself, then the other Amazons, then at Gabrielle. "Are supposed to be examples of normal life?"

The bard clucked at her. "You know what I mean." She sighed. "That was me telling Xena to go ahead.. let's give it a try, so we can say we did." She paused. "And her saying ok.. "

"I think you're wasting your time." Granella informed her bluntly. "I've been talking to Cait.. this one's a lost cause."

"Maybe." Gabrielle conceded. "But we won't know for sure unless we try."

Dark was coming down again. Paladia edged closer to the tiny window, where a few stray bits of light entered, putting a small pool right at her feet, and picking up the swirling dust motes that sparkled and turned in the dim beams.

It had been a really long day, with nothing to do but sit, and hurt. She'd even been sort of glad when the annoying girl came back with lunch, to babble more of her strange tales and stuff, in that frustratingly irritating voice. Otherwise it had been mostly silent, only the faint creaks of the wood over her head, and her own breathing keeping her company.

Sitting here, with plenty of time to think, she'd started to realize that she wasn't going to get out of this. Her boys weren't going to rescue her, and she had no one, really to turn to for help.

Sighing, she wished, briefly, that the annoying girl would come back. At least she was something to listen to and watch, and she was, Paladia reflected reluctantly, almost kind of pretty. In an puny sort of way.

She raised her head and footsteps approached, then winced, as their weight meant it wasn't the irritating Cait. A rasp of metal on wood, then the lock was pulled, and the door swung open, allowing a tall, broad shouldered figure to sidle in, and close the door behind her.

Xena. Paladia was too tired, and too sore to speak, and so she just looked at the warrior, who looked expressionlessly back at her. Even in the semi darkness, Xena was impressive looking, she finally admitted.

It wasn't that the bitch wasn't pretty. She was, sort of. Well, not exactly.. her face was too strong.. to angular to be what Paladia considered pretty, but she was interesting looking, with her high, planed cheekbones and shadowed eyes, that turned out to be a startlingly bright blue.

That's weird. The renegade considered dimly They should be dark. All the dark haired people she knew had dark eyes. Brown, or hazel, or sometimes almost black. Not her. Maybe it was because she was a god. Or whatever it was she was. "You want something?" She finally asked, tiring of looking at the silent, watchful warrior. "Or did you just come to look?"

Xena reached over and lit a candle, dripping a bit of wax on the shelving at her back and sticking the flickering light to it. Then she sat down on the small bench Josclyn used as a step stool and rested her clasped hands on her knees. "How's your arm." She asked evenly.

Paladia blinked. "What the Hades do you care?" She almost, almost laughed. "You broke it."

Xena shrugged. "Idiots who choke my best friend generally put me in a real bad mood." She responded. "Generally I don't stop at their arms."

The renegade looked at her. "You think you're so tough."

The warrior couldn’t help it, she laughed. "Listen, kid… when I was your age, I thought I could go out and conquer the world."

Paladia felt an unusual sensation. "So what'd you do about it?"

One dark, ragged eyebrow curved up, and the lips followed, exposing neat, white teeth. "I went out and conquered the world." Xena let her voice drop "And I found out just how little that means." She rocked back a little, and crossed her legs. "I've lead armies, I've ruled distant lands, I've kicked butt on three continents.. and you know what?"

"What?" Paladia found the word leaving her mouth without her permission.

"Doesn't mean a pile of centaur poop in the sun." Xena replied.

"You're crazy." The renegade stated, flatly.

"Nah." The warrior replied. "I've just been everywhere, and done everything.. and now I'm sitting here in this rank hole faced with some butt dumb kid who wants to go prove that all over again." She leaned forward. "Except you aren't as good as I am, and you're gonna die." She paused, and studied her victim. "You're in big trouble, kid."

"Shut up." Paladia growled. "I'm not a kid."

The warrior snorted softly. "You're gonna be turned over to the law, so all these nice villagers and merchants you kidnapped can get a piece of you." She leaned closer. "If I were you, I'd start learning to keep my mouth shut. Those judges can get nasty."

Paladia almost held her breath in anxiety. Gods.. she'd spend the rest of her life in some damn, disgusting prison. Her eyes searched the dark face across from hers, and she was forced to admit that like or not, Xena was the real thing. She exuded an edgy menace, and a dark, almost sexy energy that was so thick she could have cut it, if she'd had a knife.

And hadn't been tied up like a dog. Or had her arm shattered and aching.

All of a sudden, all Paladia wanted was just to lie down on a blanket, and go to sleep.

And never wake up. This.. this lanky, self-assured fighter was everything she'd always wanted to be.. who'd done everything she'd dreamed of.. and now the bitch was sitting her and telling her it all wasn't worth crap. Then what was the point? "What do you want?" She finally asked, in a disgusted and discouraged voice. "If you're done lecturing me, I'd like to make some mud puddles or something here.. it's leaking in this corner."

The crystal blue eyes studied her in silence. "You're gonna come with me. The Queen wants you to join us for dinner."

The renegade's face tensed in utter puzzlement. "You people are just nuts." She looked at Xena. "I tried to choke her."

The warrior rose, and dusted her hands off, moving to the shackles fastened to the far wall. "Yeah.. I know." She unlocked them, and gathered them up in her wrapped hand, extending the other one down to the larger woman. "And if you try that again, I'll break every single bone in your body. " She stated, then paused. "Slowly." Another pause. "C'mon, grab hold."

Paladia stared at the hand as though it were some strange growth. She hesitated for what seemed to her a long time before she finally, grudgingly reached up with her good hand and took hold of the warm, strong fingers hovering in mid air. Xena's grip tightened, the warrior leaned back, and she found herself being hauled to her feet. "Watch your head." Xena noted, releasing her. "Let's take it easy… don't do anything stupid, all right? I'm not in the mood for it."

Paladia waited in silence as she opened the door, and climbed up the stairs, turning and waiting for her prisoner to follow. "What happened to your hand? " She asked, gruffly.

Xena glanced at her, before heading toward the inn. "Fell off the roof trying to save a couple of chickens."

Dead silence. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Paladia finally said.

The warrior shrugged negligently, as her eyes fell on the distinctive, slim form watching them from the porch. "Being one of the good guys is a pain in the butt, but it does come with great side benefits." She watched the bard's face crease into a gentle smile, and she returned it.

Paladia just looked at her. "Whatever." The renegade muttered. "She must be something in bed."

Xena stopped, and turned to face her, all traces of humor and most of her humanity gone from eyes turned as cold as sea ice. "You can say whatever you want about me, but you don't insult her, not with one word, or one look, you got that?"

The renegade's jaw muscles clenched, then she looked down.

"Right." Xena growled softly "Now that we've got that covered. " She walked on, as the last rays of light faded, and the air moved softly from golden amber to violet.

Concluded (really) in Part 7

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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

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

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

 All right… I know I said Part 7 was the end, but I lied. OR.. more to the point, I was told the characters just were not ready to shut up yet. You all can go argue with the Amazons.. I already have the Amazon secret police out after me for Ephiny abuse.

Leap of Faith - Part 7

By Melissa Good

Paladia looked around nervously, as she followed Xena through the inn, where eyes flicked to her, and then away, fastening instead on the shorter warrior striding in front of her. The inhabitants of Amphipolis were not too different from what she remembered from home, a bit more prosperous, maybe.. she didn't see many rough homespun shirts here, mostly well made, stoutly belted garments, with a bit of embroidery to them.

They all seemed to be not above spending a dinar or two, either, she noted enviously. Besides the merchants they'd been after, there were obviously village residents here, regulars, whose calls back and forth across the candlelit room showed complacent familiarity. Against the back wall, where Xena was leading her, were two fairly large tables, well made, containing people she sort of knew.

I guess Curly didn't croak. She mused, seeing Ephiny's pale eyes gazing at her with an expressionless intentness. Point for me.. guess I don't get hung. The Amazon was surrounded by her sisters, with the annoying girl at one end, and the one who'd tried to kill her next to her. There was also a smaller, dark haired one, and the two she'd had as guards most of the trip.

The table she was being directed to held a tall, broad shouldered man, whose dark hair and blue eyes reminded her strongly of Xena, and a slim, dark haired woman seated next to him, and of course, the bitch Queen who had preceded them into the room.

"Siddown." Xena pushed her into a corner seat, and let the shackles drop to the ground loosely. She pinned Paladia with a searingly intense look, which carried a clear, unmistakable warning. "Don't try anything stupid." The warrior rasped, then pulled the chair out next to her and sat down, resting her elbows on it's arms, and extending her booted legs out under the table, lapsing in to a brooding silence.

Gabrielle took the chair next to her, and rested her folded hands on the table. "We thought maybe you'd like to get out of that cellar for a few hours." She said evenly. "I guess I should introduce everyone.. " This with a wry, swift glance at her glowering partner. "You know Xena already... and this is her brother Toris, and his betrothed, Granella. They're getting joined tomorrow."

Paladia carefully shifted her eyes first to one, and then the other. "Congratulations." She muttered sourly.

"Thanks." Toris answered cheerfully, as though she'd been a casual acquaintance. He pulled a tray of newly delivered bread over, and sliced off a few pieces, offering them around. "Here.. might as well get my cutting prowess while I can.. if we get a joint, I know I'll get booted outta here." He directed a frank grin across the table to his sister, who lifted an eyebrow at him. "Right, sis?"

"Right." The warrior replied, then looked up, her eyes slipping to the door. A faint half grin tugged at her lips, and she nudged Gabrielle, who was deep in conversation with Granella. "Hey... "

"Hmm?" The bard looked at her, then turned and looked at the door, where her partner was pointing. "Hey!" She broke into a big grin, as she spotted Lennat crossing the room, followed by Lila and their son, and her mother and father. "Wow.. they made it. " She stood and met them, throwing her arms around Lila enthusiastically.

Paladia studied them. A stocky, broad shouldered man brought up the rear, with grizzled brown hair and paler eyes. In front of him was an older woman, with a careworn face, and gray hair, and somewhat stiff movements. The girl the bitch was hugging was taller than her, and had dark brown hair. The blond man leading them, who looked vaguely familiar, was carrying a baby. Oh. Right. She recognized him now. One of the merchant sheep from Potacraps. No wonder... She snorted to herself softly. Just her luck to have swiped family of that damned, annoying bitch of an Amazon Queen.

"That's Gabrielle's family." Toris provided her in irritating helpfulness. "Her sister Lila, and her little nephew Gabriel, and her mother and father." He paused. "I think you know her brother in law Lennat."

Paladia was about to make a scathingly rude comment about their looks, then caught Xena's expression, and bit her tongue instead. "Nice." She muttered, not wanting to rouse the warrior's temper any further. Her arm hurt like Hades, and she just had a feeling that if she pushed a little, Xena would take a lot of pleasure in thumping it. "That why you're involved?" She asked the ex warlord, more to hear something other than their own breathing than anything else.

Xena turned her head, and gazed at her. "That's how we heard of it, yeah." She replied gruffly. "But it didn't have to be Lennat... we woulda come after you anyway. I don't like creeps in my back yard."

"YOUR backyard?" Paladia asked.

The warrior nodded. "Mine. This is my home." She looked around. "These are friends and family of mine... no little wannbe scum comes in and takes what's theirs as long as I can do something about it."

The renegade didn't understand the looks that passed between the tall man on one side of her, and Xena. Didn't understand the almost sad, wry smiles that etched almost at the same time onto their faces. She only knew that now, at last, she at least had something in common with her. "That's what I was doing."

Twin pairs of blue eyes studied her.

"Those people in that cave were my friends, and my family." She explained. "Everyone else gave up on them."

Toris leaned on one arm. "That doesn't give you the right to take other people."

Paladia looked him in the eye. "It's survival of the fittest... you don't understand." She took a breath. "We had to survive...no land to grow things.. most of us too young for skills, or too old to work.. we took what we could find."

Xena gazed at her, those vivid eyes searching, calculating.. "But you didn't stop there." She concluded quietly. "Even when you had enough.. you kept on, because it got to be a kick... didn't it?"

The renegade took a breath to protest, then paused. There was something in that expression that warned her off lying. Something that knew parts of her with a frightening thoroughness.

Something that understood, more than anyone else ever had. "What if it did?"

Xena was spared from answering by the arrival of Gabrielle's family at their tableside. The bard was getting them situated at the table next to them, and she stood to exchange greetings with Lila, who walked over and hugged her with no hesitation.

That's a change. The warrior sighed to herself, as she returned the younger girl's heartfelt squeeze. "Hello, Lila, glad you made it down here." She surprised herself by actually being glad to see Gabrielle's younger sister.

"Don't give me that." Lila whispered, pulling back and looking at her. "You did it. Again."

Xena shrugged. "We did it." She corrected gently. "Your sister did most of the work."

Lila laughed. "That's not the story she's going to tell, I bet." She smiled, and bit her lower lip, almost, in that moment, looking very much like her older sister, with her eyes sparkling like they were. "Thank you." She lifted Xena's wrapped hand. "Did you get hurt?"

The warrior half chuckled. "Doing that? No." She turned her hand over. "Just a little mishap here." Her eyes drifted over to where Gabrielle was standing, cradling little Gabriel in her arms, and cooing at him. "How's your son doing?" She asked absently, watching her soulmate's smile broaden, as the baby giggled and kicked at her. "Looks healthy."

Lila let out a pleased sigh. "He's doing great.." She laughed gently as she watched her sister. "He sure likes her." She glanced up at Xena's shadowed face, and saw the poignant wistfulness there. "Mother told me about your son.. Xena, I'm so sorry."

The warrior tore her eyes from Gabrielle, and gazed at her quietly for a long moment. "Thanks." She replied softly. "It's been tough."

Gabrielle raised her head at that point, and looked over, a gently questioning look in her eyes. She walked over, rocking Gabriel gently, as she came even with her sister and her soulmate. "Hey... someone wants to say hello to you. " She put the baby in Xena's reluctant arms, and turned to her sister. "So.. did we perform as advertised, or what?" She pushed Lila down in the closest chair at the next table, and sat down in her own, so that their knees were brushing. "Wait till you hear what Xena did."

Lila giggled, and shot a glance towards the warrior, who had reseated herself, and was giving Hecuba and Herodotus nods over her head. "I thought so... "

Gabriel reached out eager hands and captured locks of her dark hair, and tugged, opening his eyes wide when she smiled at him. His snub noise twitched at her, and he seemed mesmerized by her face. His fingers unwound from the black, silky hair and stretched up, touching her jaw, then slapping at it. Xena let his fingers clutch her injured hand, and returned Hecuba's grateful, almost enthusiastic smile.

Paladia watched all this with enigmatic eyes. So.. She furtively watched Xena's face, seeing the gentle softening as she idly played with the baby, and then caught Toris and his tart also watching her, with weird looks on their faces. Maybe they thought she was going to just take a bite out of the brat.. wouldn't that just stir up this happy little family gathering?

She'd never really liked babies.. they seemed more trouble than they were worth, and she'd seen her mother work herself to exhaustion taking care of her younger brothers and sisters, with little resources and less help. Each one seemed to suck more life out of her.. enough so that when that last, ugly winter had come, she'd just sort of.. faded out. They'd found her one morning, cold and still, in the tiny, empty kitchen.

Then their father had come in, and just looked, then left. He'd never come back, and the town, cheated of his contributions of skill, and his small patch of land, had thrown them out.

The three youngest had died, almost together, that first week. They'd fallen in the creek, and had barely been able to crawl out and lay on the frozen ground. She'd found them hugging each other for warmth, but too late. She'd had to burn them.. the ground had been too hard to bury, and damned if she was going to let the wolves have them.

So, who was this Xena, to tell her what was right? She had a nice place here, with her little family, and all these jerks hanging on her every word and move like she was some kind of royalty. She had no right to say anything at all.. so what if she'd.. well, started raiding for the fun of it.. for the spoils, instead of sheer necessity of it? She'd been entitled.. they'd all been entitled.. after what they'd gone through.

The scent of roasting meat got much more apparent, and she looked up, seeing servers now moving into the room carrying platters of the stuff. She felt her mouth start to water, and she swallowed, wondering if Xena was going to let her eat the junk, or just keep her sitting here watching.

The warrior stood, in a smooth, muscular motion she idly envied, and passed the child over to her mother, with a wry half grin. The baby took exception to this, and his brow creased, his little mouth puckering and opening in an angry grimace, as he waved his fists around, and clutched the air in Xena's direction.

Lila looked at him, then at Xena, then at Gabrielle, who hid her eyes behind a hand. "Don't you duck out on me, big sister... this is very obviously your nephew, here." She chuckled. "He definitely shares your tastes."

Gabrielle giggled, and turned her eyes to her partner, letting her feelings show for a long, golden moment, as their glances met, and that coaxed a grudging smile from her grumpy soulmate.

Paladia almost turned away. No one had ever looked at her like that. Gabrielle's face seemed to glow from within, as the tiny lines close to her eyes crinkled, and the candlelight captured deep sparkles in the deep green depths.

She rolled her eyes, and looked over at Xena, who had a tolerant grin on her face. Gabrielle was a gullible little fool. Then she took a second look at the warrior's suddenly unguarded eyes. Wasn't she?

The server delivered their portions, and to her mild surprise, she was allowed to eat the stuff, finding it incredibly tasty, as did the rest of the crowd, apparently. She was even given a cup of ale, which she found to be cold, and sweet, and very, very smooth, and she spared wistful thought that at least if she was going to be stuck here for a while, she wouldn't starve.

That had been a problem in the winter, before they finally got their acts together, and found the caverns. She'd gotten so thin she'd stopped looking at herself in the still pools of water they'd found.. the sunken eyes looking back at her had reminded her too much of her mother. After they'd finally gotten settled she'd made up for it. She glanced down. A little too much, actually.. but it had felt so good not to be hungry all the time, she couldn't help herself.

Paladia glanced around. No one here seemed to be going hungry.. though both the Amazons, and Xena and Gabrielle seemed to have a lean muscularity that pointed to a fairly active lifestyle. That was what had triggered her initial suspicions about that damn bitch... one look at those arms and she'd known she wasn't no damn storyteller. And the way she moved.. oh no...she might be wearing those frilly, little girl clothes, but that solid, confident walk and the way she just held herself told a different kind of story.

But then.. the bitch had performed! It had thrown her way off.. listening to her stupid stories, and she'd let herself get lost in a dream of how happy it would make all of them, to be able to hear stuff like that all the time. Looking around the inn, at the happy faces, and the friendly conversation, she found herself missing the others. Her family.

What now? Oh.

The crowd was turning their way, and Gabrielle, who'd been leaning lazily back in her chair with her hands clasped over her belly straightened, and held a hand up. "OK.. hang on." She turned a questioning eye on Xena. "Any requests?"

The warrior blinked at her, appearing fairly relaxed. "Yeah, but you won't honor it." She drawled, with a rueful grin. "So just take it easy on me, ok?"

Gabrielle stood up, and stretched, then put her hands on Xena's shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "I promise." She pressed her cheek against the warrior's. "I'll only make you look only slightly bigger than life, how's that?"

Xena sighed, and butted her head against the bard's side. "I'll have to take it."

"Yep." Gabrielle agreed, giving her shoulders a squeeze. "I'll be back."

Paladia didn't know what to make of it. But she understood why Gabrielle wasn't scared, there in the caverns. The crazy woman played with fire on a daily basis.

They watched her move slowly to the front of the room, as friendly greetings and eager requests followed her, and settled back to listen.

Gabrielle had gotten through four stories, and a poem before she heard a scuffle outside, and broke off, half turning towards the door. Xena had heard it too, and stood, her previous attitude of relaxed attention gone. The inn door opened, and two of the outer guard entered, wrestling a tall, well built man between them. All three were liberally coated with mud. The captive was snarling, and fighting them, and he was almost too much for the two guards to handle.

Xena darted a glance at Paladia's face, and saw a flash of recognition there, then strode forward, hardly noticing it as the patrons moved out of her way with knowing speed. She reached the three men, and the two guards gave her grateful, welcoming smiles. "Problem?"

The man twisted out of their grasp, and swung on her. She caught his hand, and tightened her grip, stopping him in mid swing, then threw an elbow at his jaw, slamming him backwards. "Dumb move. Wanna try another?"

The room was avidly watching them, almost enjoying this unexpected end to their evening. Xena noticed the man's quick glance over her shoulder, and the slight widening as he recognized Paladia against the back wall. She turned her head slightly, and found Gabrielle watching her, her arms crossed over her chest, standing in a relaxed posture. So. I get to do this my way, huh? Xena turned to her captive, and shifted her grip from his arm to the neck of his tunic, twisting it around her fist and bringing them closer. "C'mere."

She dragged him across the floor, their footsteps loud in the suddenly silent inn. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted her mother, wiping her hands on her apron, having come out of the kitchen to see what was going on. Mentally she willed her to stay near Gabrielle, and continued on. She stopped at their table, and commanded Paladia's attention with an icy stare. "All right. You listen, and you listen hard." She snarled, lifting up a little and half choking the man, who scrabbled at her arm ineffectively. "Unless you want me to go out, and personally.. " She smiled. "Discourage all these nice, brave, stupid kids, you tell them to back off. "

Paladia looked at her, then at Elesran, who was staring at her in obstinate pride. She liked him, and suspected he really liked her, and he obviously was leading the group doggedly trying to set her free. Gods, she wished she was back there with them.. they'd sit around the campfire, and tell lies about the animals that had gotten away from them.. the little hunting parties..

She sighed inwardly. Elesran would keep going, he was just that kind of guy, too. Then she looked up into the inflexible, cold blue of Xena's eyes, and understood that the ex warlord wasn't bluffing. She was offering her a choice, her, or them.

 Her, or them. She looked up into his eager gaze, knowing she'd probably never see him again. "Elesran.. go home." She growled, giving a hand sign he knew.

His eyes showed shock, and profound hurt. "Go on.. go take care of everyone else, ok?" She swallowed the bile suddenly in her throat. "You can't beat these people."

Silently, he dropped his eyes, and released his hold on Xena's arm, and a whisper of comment edged about the room as Xena let go her grasp, and flexed her fingers. "Good choice." The warrior said quietly. "Now, get out of here, and I don't want to see you, or any of your friends around here, you got me?"

He looked at her with a depthless hatred. "I'll pay you back for this someday."

Xena favored him with a world weary grin. "Buddy, you've got a long, long line to stand in." She informed him. "Don't waste your time." She gave him a shove towards the door, and watched him closely as he stumbled out, followed by the two guards, who turned at the door, and gave her enormous, worshipful grins, before dutifully escorting the man away.

The warrior resumed her seat, draping her long arms over the chair arms, and hooking one leg over the arm as well, as the buzz of conversation rose again.

"Well." Gabrielle mused, uncrossing her arms. "That's all for me tonight, folks... my voice is going." She announced, as Cyrene straightened up from her position against the wall, and slid an arm around her shoulders. "Hi mom."

"Hey cutie." The innkeeper smiled at her. "I see your family made it out here.. that was nice of them. "

Gabrielle nodded absently, her eyes glued on her partner. "Yeah.. it was.. it's nice to see them." She finally glanced sideways at Cyrene. "That baby loves Xena." Her face crinkled into a smile. "She's really good with kids.. but she won't admit it."

Cyrene sighed, and nodded. "I know...I wish.. " She left the sentence unfinished, then took a deep breath. "C'mon.. let me go say hello to your mother.. she looks petrified. I'm afraid my daughter's done her usual good job of intimidation."

The bard allowed herself to be tugged along, as she kept her eyes down, studying the floor in absorbed silence.

The cabin was invitingly quiet when Gabrielle took leave of her family, and headed back there, Xena having gone on ahead of her a candlemark or so before. The warrior had escorted their silent prisoner back to the root cellar, then told Gabrielle she was going to go out and scout around, to make sure the renegades had listened to Paladia's command.

So she entered into the peace of her home, without even Ares' silent presence, the wolf having gone off with his mistress in delight at the thought of a night run. Xena had lit the candles though, and changed from her light fabric tunic to leathers and armor. The tunic was draped neatly over the chair, and the bard lifted it idly as she passed, bringing it to her face and breathing in her soulmate's essence with wistful pleasure.

She spotted the cup standing by the fireplace, and saw the water left to warm, and it brought a grin to her face as she seated herself on the rug and tugged her diary towards her, from where it was resting with her quills as she'd left it earlier.

The faintly musky scent of the rug tickled her senses, along with the wonderful smell of the crushed herbs Xena had put in the bottom of the cup. She brought it to her nose and drew a deep breath in, recognizing nutmeg and lemon rind, and the sweet tang of raspberries. She let the cup fall to her knees, and studied it, running her fingers over the carved pattern on it's outer edge.

It had been nice seeing her family, although.. her mother had drawn her aside and told her she'd.. they'd.. heard some stories that had upset them a lot. Gabrielle let out a long breath. A lot. She'd had to confirm them, and only Cyrene's steadying presence had save the situation, when the innkeeper had neatly captured her mother, and spirited her away into the kitchen, leaving her with her sister, and Lennat, and her father.

An awkward silence had fallen, until her father had cleared his throat, and fiddled with his cup of cider, then glanced at her. "Well... " He'd licked his lips, and shrugged a little. "You handled it... you lived through it... it's your life, daughter, but if you ever need your family, we're here for you."

Just like that. Even Lila had just gripped her hand hard under the table, in an instinctive gesture of support. She was, actually, proud of them. They'd hated hearing what happened, but Lennat already had, from Cait, and they didn't yell at her, didn't criticize, didn't try to get her to leave here. Though she hadn't told them everything, just the bare details. That she'd been attacked in Brittania.. that she'd borne a child, who had turned out to be a manifestation of an evil god.. and that it was that child who had killed Xena's son.

And that she'd poisoned Hope, to keep anyone else from being hurt.

That she and Xena had… somehow… worked things out between them.

Sighing, she put the cup down, and poured some water into it, then picked up her quill, and flipped open the diary, pausing as the candlelight shone down on what she'd taken to be her old placemarker. A slim, very supple piece of leather was in it's place, dyed a deep, forest green, the edges very neatly wrapped with golden thread, and a fanciful letter G stamped into it's surface.

Around it was wrapped a piece of parchment, with a familiar handwriting on it, which she unwrapped and flattened out, as the wisps of fragrant steam from her cup rose up and misted her sight.

Hey.

I needed my armor bit back, so I replaced it.

And in case you're gonna give me grief because it was such a meaningful piece of my old leather for you, this one's mine too. It's just from a old set that hasn't fit me for years, so relax.

X

Gabrielle felt a smile stretch her face, as she ran her fingers lovingly over the soft surface, and examined the neat, perfect edging. Xena never did things halfway, right? She raised the leather to her nose and sniffed, and sure enough, detected the faint but perceptibly familiar scent of her soulmate's skin on it. She laughed softly, and picked up her quill, dipping it into the ink, and pressing letters into the page. The soft scrape of the quill's edge rasped gently in the silence, competing with the candle's flutter, and the soft hoot of an owl just outside the window.

Today was kind of a mixed day, both good and bad. On the bad side, my family knows what happened to me in Britannia, and what happened after we got back. They know about Hope... and they kind of surprised me by not freaking out as badly as I thought they were going to. Da... really surprised me. I don't think they're happy, and I know this makes them even more nervous about Xena, but... I think they realize that I'm not leaving her, not for them, not for anything, so they figure it's better to support me, and that's kind of that.

It was kind of a relief to have them know, though, so I know how Xena felt after she told her mother about it. It hurts, but it feels better to have things out in the open. I like that better. Xena said I would.

We brought Paladia in for dinner, and that was weird, and kind of uncomfortable, because it put Xena way over on edge and into her surly, I'm the toughest thing to walk the earth mode. She's so cute when she's like that, but I can't say that to her, because it kind of ruins the effect, you know? It was like she was trying to out tough Paladia, and I think it may have worked. For a little bit, once or twice, I kind of felt sorry for her.. she looked so overwhelmed, and I think she felt really bad about sending that guy away. Kind of like she was cutting her ties to them, and that must have been hard. She doesn't have any other family, I think.

If she hadn't done what she did to Ephiny... I'd work on Xena to just.. find a way for those guys to live, and let her go. If it was just the kidnapping of merchants.. and the road stealing.. and stuff like that. Because I can see how she'd feel, how she was desperate to get food and stuff for all these guys.. maybe I would have done the same thing.

But not what she did to Eph. I know.. Xena said she's done worse.. but... in one way it's not worse. Xena did.. what she did for a purpose. If.. she used someone.. it was part of her objectives.. because she needed something, and this was the way she chose to get it.

Paladia did it for her own pleasure, and no other reason. Is that splitting hairs? Yeah. Am I trying to find justification for Xena because I love her, and I'd rather see her in a better light? Yeah. But I think that's true anyway.

Xena is.. so driven... that people become obstacles to her, or a means to an end. She doesn't stop to think how they'll feel, she just goes - and people get hurt. That's exactly what happened to me.. isn't it? Sure it is. The difference is, I distract the Hades out of her. Even in Britannia, during that whole thing, she kept getting sidetracked finding out where I was.. planning a rescue.. and even with Caesar's army on the field, and her about to light in to them... I heard stories in the camp after they rescued us about how she just walked into Boudicca's tent, and flattened her when she figured out she'd been lied to about where I was.

I was pretty proud of her right then. Even with Dahok's influence, and facing Caesar, and having to deal with Boudicca, and knowing I... knowing that it looked like I was choosing Krafstar over her.. his way over hers.. still.

Still. But I know she doesn't see it like that. She believes, deep in her heart, that she abandoned me, and because of that, bad things happened.

If I could turn back time to one single moment in my life, it would be to choose, after we liberated the temple, to go with her, instead of with Krafstar. That was the point.. I think.. where it would have made a difference. I would have been at her side, even if she didn't really want me there, and if she'd fallen in battle.. well, I would have been there, standing over her with my staff until they took me down too. And that would have been that. No Dahok, no Hope.. I wouldn't have killed Meridan.. and if we came back Solon would be living with us right now.

My gods.. that hurts to write. Xena says...there are some things in life that you just wish and wish and wish you could change. I guess this is one of those things. I think she has lots of them, but I guess it's one of the things she'd want to change too.

Well.. one thing.. I talked to Toris tonight. We took a little walk out behind the inn, and sat down, in the moonlight that finally appeared since this rain stopped. I told him after his joining.. and when he felt he was ready, that I was ready, and we could.. go ahead with our agreement. I think he was a little surprised, but he hugged me, and told me he was really glad I'd decided to do it. He said he was watching Xena tonight with little Gabriel, and all he could think about was Solon, and what it might have been like if Xena had been able to raise him. He thinks she'll be a good mother, and that I will too.

I couldn't help thinking about Hope when he said that. I still dream about her sometimes. I could have forgiven her almost anything.. but I know she killed Solon.. and she did it specifically to fracture my love for Xena.

That I can't forgive. Not even if it's my own daughter. Because it almost worked.

Almost.

She felt Xena's distinctive presence a few seconds before she heard the rhythmic sound of her footsteps against the wood, and she turned as the door opened, revealing the windblown features of her soulmate, along with the happy looking Ares. "Hey there." She watched as Xena padded in, dropping her sword and chakram on the table. "Everything quiet?"

The warrior ambled over, and dropped down onto the rug next to her, looking pleased with herself for some reason. "Yep." She lay down, extending her legs and crossing them, and putting her hands behind her head. "Nothing around for miles."

Gabrielle closed her diary, and took a long swallow of tea. "How far'd you go?" She asked, curiously.

Xena regarded the ceiling. "Most of the way back to the caverns." She admitted. "Just felt like a run, I guess." She gave the bard a sheepish grin, obviously very relaxed. "Took the edge off."

"Mmm." Gabrielle rolled onto her side, and rested her head on the warrior's leather clad stomach, gazing up at her over the curve of her armor covered breasts. "My folks know about.. stuff."

Black eyebrows edged up.

"Lennat heard it from Cait.. so.. " Gabrielle shrugged a little. "They were sort of ok.. but mom had to take my mother out back and kinda work her over a little."

The brows dropped.

"I made a date with Toris."

Brows shot up again, and Xena dropped a hand to her face, stroking it gently.

Gabrielle turned a little, and kissed the fingers touching her lightly. "I really want this."

Xena traced the tiny lines her face and breathed out slowly. "Gabrielle.. " Her voice was very gentle. "Our lives.. are still pretty dangerous."

Gabrielle looked her right in the eye. "I spoke to your mother, Xena.. and to Toris and Granella. If anything happens to us, our child will be taken of." She drew in a breath. "And Ephiny, Solari, and about a half dozen other Amazons have also offered.. so .. I'm not going to let that stop me."

Blue eyes softened, and Xena smiled at her. "All right." She agreed. "I'm with you."

The bard smiled back. "You'd better be...even chances are that baby's gonna like you better anyway." She teased gently. "You attract them like bees to a flower."

The warrior chuckled. "I do , huh??"

Gabrielle's eyes glinted. "Oh yeah.." She made a faint buzzing sound, and rose up on her elbows, skimming above her partner's body with a look half teasing and half enticing. "Bzzzzzzz.. mmmm." They ended up kissing, and she let herself down gently, feeling Xena's hands slide up and come to rest on her waistline, as the warrior's thumbs traced gentle circles against her skin. "Just like a bee to a flower... " She closed her eyes, savoring the taste of her partner's lips. "Or a moth to a candle." She released the right catch on Xena's armor and slid her fingers under it, touching warm skin. "Or a river to the sea." She got the left catch undone, and moved the armor out of the way entirely, sinking down and nuzzling the warrior's throat, nipping lightly at her pulse point, which was pounding hard under her lips.

Xena's hands moved up higher, loosening the annoying fabric that covered her body, and making her suck her breath in suddenly as the warrior's touch hit sensitive spots that caused a slow shudder to make it's way down her back.

Gods.. Xena's body generated heat, she could feel it even through the leathers, which her hands were peeling slowly back, exposing the warm skin that released a heady scent that was part sweat, and mostly desire up to her. She let her hands run over the familiar contours, reveling in the solid play of muscles just under the surface that shifted and moved with her breathing, feeling a low, soft chuckle move from her throat as she felt the rain cooled air glide over her now bare body.

Then they were touching, skin on skin, and she felt like she was on fire, except for little shivers that followed wherever Xena's hands moved, and slid, and she gave herself up to the moment, gazing down at eyes gone dark blue and slitted, and feeling the sheer intensity of their connection as something so strong, she could almost.. almost... see it.

Almost.

Cyrene yawned, as she pulled her robe about her, and padded out of her rooms in the back of the inn, heading towards the kitchen. It was predawn, and she knew without really thinking about it that she was the only person awake.

That was all right, she decided, as she pushed the time scarred wooden door inward, and entered the quiet, still room. The fireplace was cold, and the oven also, except for the low, banked night fire that she crossed to, and stoked with experienced hands. She waited for the new kindling to catch, then set a small pot on to heat as she leaned back against the low working counter, and gazed thoughtfully out the window across from her.

Her short walk through the inn had reassured her that all was in order for the joining ceremony later that day, and she mentally went over her supplies, and preparations. A satisfied nod moved her hair, and she turned, pulling down a cup and carefully measuring herbs into it, then poured the hot water over them, and let them steep, bringing the cup to her nose and breathing in the rich, floral scent of the steam.

Glancing around she let a half smile quirk her lips, then spoon a generous helping of honey into the cup, stirring it, and carrying it over to the worn kitchen table, setting it down, and seating herself with a sigh. I like this time of the day. She mused in silence, taking a deep breath of the pre dawn air gently wafted in the window. There was no moisture evident, and she suspected that they might, perhaps, have decent weather for the day. In fact.. she took another breath. The air was even a little cooler, giving the first, gentle hints of the coming fall in the rich harvest scents it carried.

She took a slow sip, and felt the peace of the morning seep in to her. She'd left Johan still sleeping, and decided she wanted a little while of solitude before the ceremony of joining that would seal the life of her eldest child to that of a young girl she'd grown to like very much. As an Amazon, Granella brought a refreshing, different perspective, having lived all her life in the warrior's cloister, and who now sometimes viewed their traditional ways with deep puzzlement.

Was a time, she thought. I never expected to see a joining here.. when Toris went off to go chase down Cortese, and then of course... She pursed her lips. Didn't I once say I'd rather have had her die, then have had to live through what she'd become? Just goes to show you.. it does no good to give up on people. Gabrielle taught me that.

Ah.. Gabrielle... Cyrene took a deep swallow of tea. Hecuba had taken most of her late evening to calm down, and she'd had to get a little testy with the outraged woman. "Hecuba... you need to get a grip on reality. "She told her. "I know its horrible.. it's horrible for me, too."

Hecuba had broken down, then, and cried, for a daughter she hardly felt she knew. Cyrene had done her best to comfort her, and tried to make her understand at least what she had figured out about her daughter, and the Potadeian's. "It's hard, and it's dangerous... gods, I know that." She'd finally told her. "But.. Hecuba.. let me explain something to you. It's about.. what people are."

Some people were like they were, simple folks, who worked the land, and suffered the weather, and the vagaries of rampaging warlords, and the shifting tides of power. Some people were kings, and rulers, who made the laws, and directed their society.

And some people were the ones who shifted fate, who stood in the winds of time and deflected the dangers of the world by attracting them to themselves. Some of them did it on purpose, some of them did it just because they were who they were, and because no one else could. They were captains of war, and princes, prophets, and seers. Most of all , they were heroes.

Like Xena. Who was a hero despite herself, reluctant, denying it, but unable to keep from standing in that wind, and attracting those dangers. And Gabrielle was as much an essential part of that as a root system was to a tall tree. They were inseparable, and all they could do, as mothers.. as friends, was support them.

Hecuba hadn't liked it, but finally, reluctantly, she'd been persuaded to it, buoyed by the fact that Herodotus had gruffly told her to leave off trying to convince their older daughter otherwise.

Secretly, Cyrene suspected the gruff Potadeian was proud of Gabrielle, on a lot of levels.

The sky outside slowly shifted it's tint from black, to faintest gray, heralding the coming dawn, and perking the first, tentative trills of waking birds.

Cyrene's head tilted to one side as she heard soft footfalls, and her heart started pumping as she realized they were headed right for the outer kitchen door. Those renegades? She silently stood, and reached behind her, gripping a heavy handled iron skillet, then tiptoed around the table, and edged her way towards the door.

The footsteps grew positively stealthy, and she took a deep breath, raising the skillet as the sounds halted, and she heard the faint rasp of skin against the outer door pull. Adrenaline surged, and she poised herself, cursing in several silent languages to encourage herself, watching the slim line of pearl gray light as the door cracked open.

With a powerful lunge, she yanked the wood open, and swung, aiming for the most likely target of the intruder's head.

A startled yelp met her efforts, and she felt the skillet's motion halted, freezing her arm in place clutched in a very strong grip. "Mother!"

Cyrene opened her eyes, to see Xena's outraged blue ones glinting back at her. "Whoops." She released the skillet, and dusted her hands off. "Glad that was you, dear... it would have been tragic if it had been your brother."

Xena let her own hand fall, with the skillet in it, and let out a breath. "Lucky I was paying attention.. what in Hades seven levels were you doing?" The warrior moved all the way into the kitchen, and let the door close behind her. She was dressed in a light tan outfit, and her skin was beaded with water, which was also dripping from her dark hair.

"Well, honey.. " Her mother eyed her appraisingly. "With all these kidnappers around.. you can't be too careful. I wasn't.. expecting you." She gave her daughter a teasing tweak. "You've been getting up a lot later these past few weeks."

The warrior raised an eyebrow at her, then set the skillet down gingerly. "Gabrielle's sleeping in a little. "She allowed a rakish grin to crease her face. "We got a little.. preoccupied last night. "

Cyrene chuckled, and tugged at her hemline a bit. "So you decided to leave her alone? That's silly."

Xena grinned. "Not exactly.. I promised her breakfast in bed."

Her mother let out a delighted laugh. "Ah, I see!" She stifled a yawn. "Well, I think I can help with that.. what do you have there?" She nodded to the pouch Xena was carrying., which the warrior amiably opened to show her. "Mmm... Xena.. where did you find those?" She plucked a ripe strawberry from the pile, and bit into it. "Wow... " She tried to catch the juice. "I love these things."

A grin. "Yeah.. so does Gabrielle, and I don't find them often." Xena snuck a berry herself, and sighed happily. "So.. what are you doing up this early?"

Cyrene went to the stove, and poured a second cup of tea, which she pointedly dropped a few spoons of honey into, before mixing it and handing it to her tall daughter. "Just enjoying the peace and quiet...I don't think we'll have much of that today.. though I'm looking forward to it. " She patted the chair. "Here.. sit down. I'll heat up some muffins and cereal for you."

Xena set the pouch down, but perched on the edge of the table instead. "Mom... you don't have to do that. You've got enough stuff going on today. I can just take these, and some bread and cheese, and we'll be fine." The warrior absorbed the maternal glare with a wince. "No.. really... we will.. it's more than we ended up with most mornings."

"Mmm." Cyrene ignored her, and set a pot on the fire. "That explains why I could practically see through you when you got home this time, hmm?" She gave her daughter a look over her shoulder. "You both looked like you hadn't eaten for weeks."

Xena glanced down, and played with the edge of her pouch. "We were too.. upset." The warrior finally sighed. "Everything that happened... I think it was just tearing us up inside." She looked up to see her mother's sympathetic eyes on her. "I know it was for me."

Cyrene finished dumping ingredients into the pot, and gave them a stir, then walked over, and gently grasped Xena's arms. "I know... after you came home for Argo, I was very worried about you." She smiled at her. "You look so much better now."

Xena shifted awkwardly under her scrutiny. "I feel like a different person. " She admitted quietly. "I think back to that whole time.. and it's like one long nightmare. "

Her mother nodded. "And now you're awake."

The warrior sighed. "Something like that, yeah." She shook her head. "I keep going back to how could I let that happen.. just over and over again."

Cyrene patted her ribs comfortingly. "Honey, don't torture yourself. It happened.. and now it's over, and you two are back together. That's the important thing - not whose fault it was."

Xena reluctantly raised her eyes, and studied her mother's face for a long moment, then she stood up, and wrapped her arms around the older woman, and gave her a fierce hug.

The innkeeper returned the embrace, feeling the solid strength in her daughter's tall body. She patted her back gently as Xena released her, and sat back down on the edge of the table. They looked at each other in vague embarrassment for a moment, then both smiled. "Well." Cyrene reached up and straightened the warrior's collar. "And what have you gotten your brother for his joining, hmm?"

Xena was as glad as she was for the change in subject. "Granella didn't bring much in the way of householding stuff with her.. the Amazons are a communal society.. so we got them just a whole bunch of practical stuff.. brushes, cleaning stuff, cooking stuff.. you know."

Her mother nodded. "Good girl." She patted her knee. "Jo and I are giving them a new bed."

A twinkling glint entered Xena's eyes. "Is that a hint, mother?"

"Tch." Cyrene clucked at her. "Such a mind."

They both fell silent, then looked at each other. "Gabrielle had an interesting chat with me yesterday." The innkeeper commented evenly.

Xena took a deep breath. "She told me." She answered. "It's... something she really wants."

A weathered hand covered hers. "Honey.. forgive me for saying this, but are you sure she's not just trying to.. "

Give me my son back? Xena tipped her head back, and regarded the ceiling. "I think part of it.. is what you're thinking.. but most of it is.. this is.. it's something she really wants.. something her heart's craving.. and I can't say no to her." She hesitated. "I don't want to say no." She finished, in a low voice.

Cyrene nodded slowly "All right." She took Xena's hands in hers, startled again at just how much larger, and more powerful they were than her own. "You know you have my support." She released her daughter, and went to the stove, stirring the pot of cereal, now emitting a nutty, sweet aroma. "I'm not going to pretend I wouldn’t welcome that, Xena." She said over her shoulder, as she moved some of the cereal into a smaller pot, and covered it, putting a package of sweet rolls on top of it and swinging around, to set the pot down on the table next to the pouch. The motion disturbed the folds of the leather sack, and they fell open, exposing the merrily winking fruits, and a handful of wonderfully colored wildflowers. Cyrene put her finger on one, and glanced up at her daughter, who was scowling and blushing all at once.

"Must have just gotten in there somehow when I picked em." Xena muttered.

Her mother laughed gently. "I always suspected you had a romantic streak in you, dear." She paused, giving Xena a soft poke in the ribs. "But I won't tell a soul, I promise.. I know it will wreck your image, and goodness knows we don't want that to happen."

Xena was caught between embarrassment and laughed, and let laughter win. "Let me get outta here.. before I get in any more trouble." She hefted the pot up, and tucked her pouch away. "Thanks... we'll be back to help entertain the guests... did.. um. things go ok with Hecuba?" She and Cyrene exchanged wry looks.

"Eh." The innkeeper waggled a hand. "She'll... she's very upset, but mostly I think it's because she thinks Gabrielle has moved so far from her.. that she's losing touch with who she is."

"That's true." Xena said, quietly. "But that's been true for a long time now." She paused. "In the back of their minds, I think they'll never, ever forgive me for taking her away from them. "

Cyrene nibbled a piece of roll. "Did you?"

Xena thought about that question. "Did I? I guess I did.. kind of.. I could have forced her to go back home. " She chewed that over. "I think.. she's pretty stubborn. But she wanted so badly to come with me, and I ... "She sighed. "I just couldn’t say no to her." A wry grin. "Still can't."

The innkeeper smiled, and patted her arm. "Don't worry.. Hecuba will adjust... it'll just take a little while. "She glanced up as the door swung open, allowing the bulky form of Eustace to enter, along with the first faint hint of dawn. "Morning, 'Stase."

"Hello, ma'am.. " Her eyes flicked shyly over the warrior. "Ma.. Xena."

The warrior favored her with a quirky grin. "Morning Eustace... "

Cyrene chuckled, then tugged her daughter’s arm. "Wait… give me those berries a minute."

Xena hesitated, eyeing her. "You’re not going to eat them, are you?" She hazarded.

"Tch.. .Xena." Cyrene snatched the bag from her. "As if I’d steal Gabrielle’s berries. Really." She took them to the counter, and spilled them out, then took a bowl, and poured a few sticks of honey into it. Then she went to the pantry and took a small bag from a high shelf, and glanced inside. "Did these yesterday.. I think they’re small enough.. let’s.. see.. " She mumbled to herself as she worked, dunking the berries lightly in the honey, then dropping them into the bag, and shaking it. She opened the bag and removed one, handing it to Xena. "Here.. try that."

The warrior peered at the berry, now coated in something vaguely nutty smelling. She took a tentative bite, then grinned uninhibitedly. "Wow… pistachios.. " She downed the rest of the berry. "You’re making it very hard to be selfless here, mother."

Cyrene finished coating the rest of the berries, and packed them back up in their flower nest, tucking the bag into a small basket along with the sweet rolls. "I have to save the rest of these for the pastry I'm making for later.. but you go on now, enjoy." She gave her daughter the basket, and a shove, and watched her pad out, followed by an attentive Ares. Her gaze drifted out the window, following the tall form until it disappeared, then she shook her head, and briskly dusted her hands off. "Well, you ready for today, ‘Stase?"

The cook beamed at her. "Yes ma’am.." She was already working at mixing flour for bread. "It’s going to be a lovely party."

The innkeeper crossed her arms. "It’s good for the youngsters to have celebrations like this.. and now that all the trouble’s finished… we can relax and have a good time."

Eustase glanced at her. "I'm glad everything worked out all right, ma’am.. is it true Xena brought the ruffian who was responsible for everything back here for trial?"

"Yep." Cyrene rolled up her sleeves, and finished off her tea. "She made things right."

The cook turned and focused on her work. "She certainly is wonderful."

A dark eyebrow rose, as Cyrene regarded the cook’s broad back, then she smiled to herself, and set to work.

It was dark, and slimy, and she hit the floor with a bang, feeling the stagnant water splash over her in a stinking wave. A ghostly laughter followed her, and she cringed, as the trap door she'd fallen into slammed shut, showering her with bits of rotten wood.

A worm crawled over her hand, and she shook it vigorously, sending the creature against the wall with a tiny splat, as her eyes took in her surroundings in depressing knowledge.

She was alone. Again.

It was that heart wrenching loneliness that mocked her with the realization of her abandonment, of knowing she was not only alone here, she was lost. To herself, to her partner.. it was cold, and her soul rang with the emptiness she'd known before, after Xena's death.

In despair, she stumbled along the wall, flinching back from the slimy surface, and feeling the stinking muck pull at her boots, some of the surface moving under her and making her footing very uncertain.

"Xena?" She whispered, hearing only the echoing laughter come back at her. There was no warmth here, no sense of her soulmate, just.. nothing.

A winged creature swept by, catching the edges of her hair, and yanking strands from her head, and she screamed in startlement, ducking as her yell caused a flood of flying things, some tiny, some large, soundless, and hissing.

Bugs landed on her, and she writhed, shaking herself in disgust and terror, dropping close to the ground and curling herself up in a tiny ball, panting.

More bugs. She screamed, as a thick , searching tendril curled itself around her leg and started sucking her forward, and she fought it, fought the insects who were crawling over her skin, and now starting to nip... in horror she called out.. called the one name foremost in her mind...

An answer came, so gentle. Gabrielle...

The howling stopped, the biting stopped.

The grip loosened from her ankle.

Gabrielle....

A hand touched her face, warm and real, and she blinked up into the darkness, to see pale, glowing eyes gazing back at her. But she wasn't afraid, because she knew them. "Help me." She whispered. "I'm scared."

"I know." The voice answered gently. "Come on."

She was lifted, and surrounded, and guided to a small stair, one she'd never seen before in her dream. The steps were slippery, but she stumbled up them, as the air grew drier, and the stench of the dungeon faded slowly, until they came to a door, and then stopped. She looked up, seeing the shining eyes. "Can we go out?"

The eyes studied her. "You have the key, Gabrielle."

"I do?" Gabrielle asked softly.

A nod. "All you have to do is decide to never come back here."

"I don't come here on purpose." She objected. "I hate it." A faint sound of flapping wings drifted up to them. "Make it go away.. I know you can."

Hands cradled her face, and a flood of loving warmth covered her. "Let the light in, Gabrielle.. just open the door."

And so she did, touching the latch and pushing the door wide, to let sunlight come streaming in and bring the world back to her. They stepped out onto a lone, high plateau, whipped by the cool, dry wind, and watched the door slam shut behind them, and Gabrielle wrapped her arms around her tall, dark haired companion and buried her face in the familiar leather. "Thank you."

"I didn't do anything... you did it." The warrior uttered gently, right into her ear.

"You came back for me." The bard sobbed softly. "You were there when I needed you."

"Yes." Came the low response. "I love you." A hand gently stroked her hair, and she felt the warm sun on her back, and the cool wind brushing the tears off her cheek, and far off, at the edges of her hearing, she could swear she heard the sound of waves breaking.

A seagull called.

The sun got warmer, and the wind faded, but the sense of being surrounded by love did not, as the rarified air slowly got richer, and took on the distinctive scents of clean linen, and wood, and green smell of summer.

She was being held securely, her head tucked against a cloth covered chest, and a gentle stroking pressure moved her hair, and soothed her.

She opened her eyes, blinking a little as the early morning sunlight hit her face, and illuminated Xena's eyes as she watched her in brow knotted anxiety. "Hey... you all right?" The warrior whispered, in a worried tone.

Gabrielle stayed totally still, and just drank in the sight of her face, and the brilliant sparkle of the sun that made her blue eyes glow. "You came for me." She breathed.

"Well.. " Xena glanced over at the tray she'd hurled on to the table in haste, as she'd felt and seen her soulmate's dreaming terror. "You were yelling out... I guess you had a bad dream."

The bard's eyes widened. "You don't remember it? You came and got me... I was so scared... I called out for you, and you saved me." She reached out a shaking hand and touched Xena's sun warmed skin. "It was you, Xena... you talked to me and everything."

Xena laughed faintly. "Me, talk? Must have been a dream then, huh?" She tried to lighten the atmosphere, seeing the edges of remembered terror in her soulmate's mist green eyes. "You were struggling.. and you called my name... so I just.. " She shrugged lightly. "Kind of grabbed on to you, and told you it was ok.. you got quiet, then you just woke up."

Gabrielle let her head rest against Xena, listening to the strong, and steady heartbeat. "I was in that dungeon.. " She muttered. "It was... oh gods... there were bugs, and something grabbed me...I.. I was so scared... I called your name, and then... " She looked up. "You were there...you led me to a stairway.. and we went up to a door. You told me I had the key to open it.. and that I just had to decide not to come back here again."

Xena looked at her in bewildered amazement. "I did?"

The bard nodded gently. "You told me to just open the door.. and I did.. and we were outside... and I said thank you... and you told me you loved me." She took in a breath. "It was so real.. I remember hearing your heartbeat.. just like I am now.. and I could feel you there.. " Her eyes closed. "I felt so safe."

The warrior petted her softly, running her fingers down her soulmate's arms, and brushing her hair back. "Well, you're all right now." She assured her. "That sounds like a nasty dream, love...I hope you don't have it anymore."

Gabrielle let her eyes drift open, and she studied the angular, sunlit face above hers. "I don't think I will." She answered quietly, as a slow, relieved smile shaped her lips. She waited a bit, then eyed her partner. "So.. where've you been?"

Xena grinned, and reached behind her, tugging the basket over. "Close your eyes."

Gabrielle gave her a mock suspicious look, but complied.

"Open your mouth." The warrior added.

Like a bird, the bard did.

Xena plucked one of the honey and nut covered strawberries from the container and put it neatly between Gabrielle's teeth. "Bite."

"Mmmmoohhhhhh.... " The bard let her eyes flutter open, as she chewed. "Wow... " She swallowed her mouthful, and took another nibble. "That is fabulous."

Xena smiled in relief, glad that her partner seemed to be getting over her nightmare, but tucking aside a slate of questions to think about at a later time. "Good... got a whole bunch of em."

Gabrielle smirked, then leaned back in utter relaxation, folding her hands across her stomach, and opening her mouth in impatient anticipation.

Paladia blinked slowly, as she rolled her head to one side, and regarded the early morning sunlight streaming in the small window. She’s actually slept the night through, after drinking most of a pitcher of ale that, to her utter and complete surprise, Xena had left with her. The ale had taken the edge off the pain in her arm, and made her sleepy enough to ignore the discomfort.

The warrior had silently changed the bandage on her arm, too, and wrapped it a different way, so that it didn’t pull so much. She had no idea what Xena was up to, and didn’t hold out any hope for the decent treatment to continue, but it had been nice, and the ale was real good. She stretched her long legs out, and shifted a little, kicking her heels in a bored manner against the packed earth floor, wishing she could at least see out the window. She’d always liked watching birds.. it was one of the few things she’d really missed inside the caverns.. though she’d spent a good bit of time out on the ledge, watching the hawks and eagles soar high above them.

Glancing to her right, she spotted a small stack of whittled wooden skewers, and she tilted her head, then reached her unhurt arm out, and managed to get one from the pile, examining it with stolid interest. Soft footsteps alerted her, though, and she quickly tucked the skewer under her thigh, and leaned back. That sounded like the annoying girl.

Sure enough, the door edged open, and Cait slipped inside, with her breakfast tray. The slim Amazon set the tray down, and settled down next to it, cross legged. "Good morning." Cait picked up a piece of bread and munched it. "Did you have a good time last night? I think it was idiotic for them to have you to dinner, but there you go."

Paladia glowered at her. "Who asked you?" She snarled, picking up a muffin and biting into it. "I didn’t ask em too." She crammed the rest of the muffin into her mouth and chewed it, watching as little crumbs dropped and fell onto the dirt floor.

"I really don’t understand the Queen sometimes. She’s much too nice. I’d have let you rot in here." Cait informed her cheerfully, nibbling a grape. "But Queen Ephiny’s getting better, so I suppose you got a bit lucky there."

Paladia just continued to glower at her, as she pulled the wooden bowl towards her one handed, and manipulated the spoon, poking at it’s contents. "What the Hades is this?"

Cait peered. "Eggs." She took her own portion. "They’re ever so nice… they won’t hurt you.. haven’t you ever had them? Cyrene makes lovely ones, all full of nice ham." She scooped up a mouthful and chewed it appreciatively. The renegade peered at the substance. "Who’s Cyrene?" She poked at a bit, then sighed, and lifted it to her mouth, eating it gingerly.

"Xena’s mother, of course." Cait answered.

Paladia stopped chewing. "She has a mother?"

Cait just looked at her, the blond brows dipping over her pale, almost colorless eyes. "What kind of an idiot are you? Of course she does.. what did you think.. she hatched out of a chicken egg or something?" She poked the empty pitcher with her boot. "Did she leave you that?"

The renegade shoved a spoonful of eggs into her mouth. Damn girl was right.. they were good. "Yeah." She grudgingly admitted. "Damned if I know why."

Cait crossed her legs, and rested her elbows on her knees. "Because she's a good person." She explained, as though to a child. "She's ever so horrid when she has to be, but I think she'd rather be nice."

Paladia snorted. "I don't think so.. I think she gets one big kick out of beating the crap out of people."

The girl rolled her eyes. "Of course she does…who doesn’t? But only when they deserve it." She gave Paladia an irritated look. "She doesn't go about doing ratty things to people for fun, like you did."

"Get off my back." The larger woman snapped. "You don’t know anything about it, so just shut up."

Cait drew her dagger and thumped it into the earth, driving it almost to its hilt. "Rather, I do… what you did to Ephiny was just rot, you hear me? She's had a rotten time.. what with Phantes being killed, and then all that horrible stuff with Velasca and Xena dying, and then.."

Paladia put her bowl down and waved a hand. "Stop." She yelled.

Cait did, and waited.

"Died?" The renegade repeated. "You're cracked. She's not dead."

"Well." Cait snorted. "Of course not…. She couldn’t stay dead.. Gabrielle needed her."

Paladia clutched her head. "You're nuts. She's nuts, everyone here is out of their chicken plucking mind." She said through clenched teeth. "When people die, they're dead, ok? Dead.. D E A D… worm food, gone, rotten, goodbye. "

Cait shrugged. "Not if you're Xena." She answered placidly. "At any rate, Ephiny's had a tough time, and she's just settled down nicely with Pony.. "

Paladia squinted at her. "Yeah.. I hear she's into horses." She sniggered.

Cait stopped, and coughed in disgust. "You really are a pig." She stood, and dusted herself off. "I don't know why I bother talking to you." She went to the door, then turned. "You're not worth a bit of dirt for her to walk on."

The door slammed behind her, and Paladia was left in silence again. For a few minutes, she tried to convince herself that she was better off without Cait's noisy company, but she eventually sighed, and looked down at her hands. The injured one rested limply on her thigh, and the other bore scrapes of dirt on it, and she found herself wishing she could just go to sleep, and wake up back in the caverns. She'd take a bath, and put on clean clothes, and maybe go down to the kitchen and talk to Helena, the black eyed, button cheeked wanderer who they'd taken in, and who'd taken over their kitchen. She'd always had something nice to say, and a cookie to tuck into Paladia's pocket. "For later." She'd always said.

For later. She took in a shaky breath, and let it out. No more later.

With a sigh, she retrieved her skewer, and studied it, noting the neatly tapering point. She licked it, and tested the point against her tongue, wincing a little. Then she withdrew it, and dropped her head, as the sunlight draped the dirt floor in faded gold, and reversed the point in her hand.

It was tricky, because she had such limited motion, but.. her hand moved, hesitantly at first, then more steadily, as she pressed out a pattern in the dirt.

A tree, this time, maybe. With leaves, and maybe some apples.. maybe a bird. Maybe two.

A soft bird call penetrated Ephiny's sleep, bringing her to a hazy awareness, of warmth, and coziness that almost persuaded her that she was home. But the smells were all wrong, and the sounds were not that of the village, so she cracked an eye open, and recognized her surroundings without effort.

Definitely an improvement, she mused, turning her head to view Eponin's drowsing form, cuddled neatly next to her on the relatively small pallet. The weapon's master was on her side, with one arm thrown protectively over Ephiny's body, and her head resting on the regent's shoulder.

Gods. Ephiny studied her. She's been soooo snuggly the past day or so. Not that I'm gonna bitch… She sighed, and nestled closer. No… it was something she really… She bit her lip a little, and admitted it. Something she needed.. the warmth and the security that was putting a patch on the ragged wounds her ordeal had opened inside her.

She yawned, and blinked, then looked over as Eponin stirred, and her golden brown eyes opened, or rather one did, and peered at Ephiny in grumpy affection. "You hungry? Thirsty? Hot? Cold?"

Ephiny tilted her head and gave her a light, hesitant kiss. "I'm fine." She slid a hand up and curled it around Pony's arm. "Thanks for just being here."

Eponin tightened her clasp, and let out a gentle sigh. "You need a full time bodyguard, Eph." She mumbled in her ear.

"Mmhmm.." The regent agreed, letting her eyes drift closed. "You applying for the job?"

"Yep." Came the answer, as Pony's lips nibbled her ear, and brought a roguish grin to her face.

"You're hired." The regent sighed, feeling a tension relax inside her. "Wanna hear the perks?"

Eponin let her hands gently wander, sliding under the blanket quietly. "Think I found a few." She murmured softly into the warm ear next to her face, pausing as she felt her lover's indrawn breath. "You ok?"

Ephiny's eyes closed, and she half rolled over, burying her face into Pony's sturdy shoulder. "Hey." The dark haired Amazon crooned softly, patting her shoulder. "Easy." She swallowed, feeling warm tears against her skin, and hugged the regent closer, mentally reviewing all the possible ways she could cripple the person who'd done this to her lover. A broken arm wasn't nearly enough. "Eph… ?"

A shuddering breath, and Ephiny cleared her throat a little. "Sorry.. " She sighed. "I just can't deal with that.. it's just too close."

Pony bit her lip. "Hey.. it's ok… take all the time you need, all right?" She studied the haggard look on the regent's face with a growing anger. "I'll be here for you."

Ephiny rested her cheek against Pony's shoulder. "I know.. and it means a lot." She blinked, brushing the weapon's master's skin with her eyelashes. "It really does." She dropped back off into an uneasy sleep, leaving a pair of caramel colored eyes to study the wooden raftered ceiling, their texture hardening into a glittering amber sharpness.

"Nervous?" Toris asked, as he slid a platter down, and thumped into the chair next to his betrothed.

"Very." Granella answered, propping her chin up on one slim fist.

"Really?" The tall, dark haired man looked at her in surprise.

"Uh huh." The Amazon answered, tilting her head to look at him. "In a few candlemarks, I'm gonna have to get into ceremonial Amazon garb, and thanks to your mother's damn cooking, that's a very, very scary prospect."

Toris laughed. "Relax… you'll look great." He leaned over and kissed her. "I heard Gabrielle trying to talk my sister into wearing some Amazon stuff they got from the village last time… I'd love to see that."

"Ooo… " Granella snickered. "That would be choice.. it would certainly get me off the hook for visual interest… wonder if I could help Gabrielle out in convincing her…"

"Hmm… " Toris considered. "My sister.. half naked." He shook his head. "Bad idea.. we'll have people walking into the inn walls, and tripping over the benches. Not a good thing."

They both laughed. "Oh.. all right." Granella groused. "Actually.. does that mean Gabrielle's going to wear her official gear?"

Toris shrugged. "I think so.. why?"

The Amazon let her brow raise. "Hmmm… she does nice things to that leather and feathers."

The dark haired man looked down, and studied the table.

Granella put a hand on his arm. "Toris.. listen… I know this is awkward, ok? Don't feel bad if you're attracted to her.. half the Nation is, and the other half moons over your sister.. it's all right."

Toris looked up, an embarrassed expression on his face. "I'm not being asked to father a child for half the Amazon nation, Gran." His brows contracted. "I know it's all right with you.. it's just… "

"Hey." The Amazon patted his arm. "She trusts you like crazy, Tor…that's the important thing."

He sighed. "I know." He lifted her hand, and kissed it. "Thank you for being so understanding."

A faint shrug. "Comes right down to it, she's my Queen, Toris… sometimes we Amazons find ourselves someone we want to make a child with, to keep the Nation growing, and that's all right, but we know we can't make it a lasting thing, and still remain part of the Amazons." She rubbed a thumb alongside the back of his hand. "But she's lucky enough to have found someone who she loves, and who she respects.. and she has a chance to try and bring a life into this world who will be the closest thing she can get to being a part of the person she loves more than anything else on earth. It's.. " She sighed. "Toris, if you can do this for her, for your sister… I'm so glad."

He ducked his head. "I know." He muttered. "I just hope I'm up to it."

Granella smiled, and chucked his chin. "You'll do fine.. we've got time to practice on your technique." She teased gently, watching him blush. "Or you could ask your sister for tips."

Toris turned beet red.

Granella cheerfully munched on the sandwiches he'd brought, her good humor restored. Outside, the sounds were picking up, as the village came to life, an air of revelry already apparent in the raised, happy voices.

"Xena, could you..?? " Gabrielle gave the fastening on her shoulder a glare, and sighed, as Xena stepped up behind her and took over the job, arranging the clasp neatly. "Thanks." She glanced into the mirror, then back at her partner. "Do I look ok?"

Xena moved around in front of her and grasped her shoulders, turning her slightly into the light, then leaned back and studied her attentively. A smile edged it's way onto her lips as she took in her soulmate's fidgeting form, and the soft, rust colored leather garments that graced it. The Amazon outfit definitely looked... "You look great." She assured the bard, adjusting the leather arm bracers that circled Gabrielle's biceps, and giving the low cut skirt's waistline a twitch.

Gabrielle fiddled with the soft leather arm gauntlets and pushed a braided lock back from her face, blushing a little. "Thanks... I always feel kinda weird wearing this."

Xena straightened the carved flint feather necklace, and brushed a bit of dust off the shoulder, letting her smile broaden. "Don't worry... you don't look weird." She reassured her again, enjoying the play of the sunlight on the bard's tanned skin. "Trust me."

That got her a smile back. "I can't convince you to join me, huh?"

Xena snorted lightly, and let her silk dress fall open a little, pointing to her chest. "Gabrielle.. honest.. I look like I was run over by a centaur in rut... that would be pretty distracting, doncha think?"

The bard regarded her. "It would be distracting either way... " Her lips twitched. "But I see your point." She had to reluctantly agree. "I wish I had that excuse."

The warrior's brows drew in. "I thought you liked this outfit?

Gabrielle moved away, crossing to the window and leaning out into the sunlight. "I... I do." She answered quietly. "Now.. anyway.. I... I just remember what it felt like when I put it on to take the mask." She paused, aware of the silent, watching presence at her back. "How it seemed like putting this on really meant I was going to have to say goodbye to you."

She closed her eyes as the remembered bittersweet ache of that moment came back. "And gods.. gods.. I didn't want to do that."

Xena let out a quiet breath, watching the play of tension run across the bard's mostly bare back. "You know.. I .. was so proud of you when you faced down Velasca and claimed that mask, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle's jaw clenched, the sun rippling shadows down her face at the motion. "Were you?" She whispered. "I was hurting so much inside I guess I forgot to be scared." She blinked, still looking out at the courtyard. "Nothing Velasca did could have made me feel worse."

A long silence. "It made me stop and think about what I was doing... " The warrior finally said. "About whether or not... you wouldn't be better off if I just..." She paused. "Especially after you came in after... and what you said.. I thought... maybe this was what you really needed."

Gabrielle slowly turned and looked at her.

"I thought maybe trying to come back was selfish of me." Xena continued softly. "That I should let you find your future like you said you were going to."

The bard leaned back against the windowsill, slowly shaking her head. "Xena.. the only reason the Amazons were even an option for me is because I didn't know what else to do...I couldn't go home.. I couldn't just wander around... " She fell silent for a moment. "What changed your mind?"

Xena fastened the forest green silk dress around her with a mechanical motion. "After they lit the pyre, I heard your thoughts."

Gabrielle looked down. "Oh." She remembered looking at those flames, and knowing she was giving up the other half of her soul to them, knowing that she'd never regain that, and reconciled herself to living with the aching emptiness that even then, on that platform, threatened to overwhelm her. Her soul had cried out in agony.

"I had just a split second to decide..." Xena took a breath. "And I looked up, through those flames, and into your eyes, and I saw.. this…light kind of go out in them."

A very slow nod. "Yes, you did." Gabrielle confirmed, in a whisper. "That would have taken away something very precious in my life." She took a shaky breath. "I was really hurting."

The warrior glanced down. "I couldn't let that happen."

They just looked at each other for a while. "Thank you." Gabrielle said, at last.

Xena gazed back at her peacefully. "You're welcome."

The bard pushed herself off the sill and arranged the light silk that was draping her soulmate's lean body. "A lot of stuff has happened to us this year."

Xena laid her forearms over the bard's shoulders, and laced her fingers behind Gabrielle's neck. "Yes, it has." She leaned her head forward until their foreheads touched. "Thanks for hanging in there with me."

Gabrielle smiled. "You're welcome." She stood there, absorbing the sunlight and the warmth of their connection blissfully for a while, then sighed. "C'mon.. let's go party." She kissed her partner. "I promised I'd help Gran get into her leathers."

Xena straightened up, and let her eyes wander over the smaller woman for a bit. "After you, your Majesty." She mock bowed, gesturing towards the door.

"Hmph." Gabrielle poked her nose in the air. "Follow me, you measly Warrior Princess." She walked towards the door and Xena strolled after her, letting loose a low, seductive chuckle."Oh.. anytime." The warrior purred, enjoying the view of her partner's distinctive little swagger.

Gabrielle glanced over her shoulder. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Blue eyes blinked innocently. "Nothing." Xena replied, her voice oozing sincerity. "I.. uh.. just meant I'd follow you wherever you wanted to lead me, Gabrielle."

The bard turned, and put her hands on her hips, ducking her head and raising an eyebrow. "Oh.. right." She paused. "Did you draw a funny face on my back or something?"

The warrior poked a thumb at her own chest. "Me?" A shake of her head. "Nope... there's nothing that.... " She arched her neck and peered at the bard's back. "That nature didn't put there." She blithely assured her, running her fingers lightly down the exposed spine. Her eyes twinkled, and she gave the bard a little pat on the butt. "Get going."

Gabrielle continued on, but stopped as they got out the door. "Stop smirking." She warned.

"I'm not!" Xena protested, with a chuckle. "I'm not even looking at you. I'm watching a squirrel."

The bard continued walking. "What color?"

"Huh?" Xena replied. "What color is what?"

Green eyes whipped around and pinned her. "Gotcha." She poked Xena hard in the side. "Busted... you were smirking."

Xena laughed. "Yep.. you got me." She dropped an arm across the bard's shoulders, and steered the way towards the inn.

"Gods ankles and little fishes, Granella.. would you please relax." Eponin rolled her eyes, as she adjusted the nervous Amazon's ear cuffs for the sixth time. "Eph... conk her, willya?"

Ephiny crossed her ankles and settled back into her very comfortable chair. "Thought you weren't scared?" She drawled, letting her head rest against the chair's high back. "Gran, calm down, ok.. you look great." She surveyed the slim, dark haired Amazon with a smile.

Granella had let her hair grow out a little, and it now touched her shoulders, and was long enough for Ephiny to have braided several neat braids that were dangling in front of her ears. She was wearing their traditional leathers, and despite her grumbling concerns, the garments fit quite nicely, emphasizing her lithe build although, and Ephiny kept this strictly to herself, she really had acquired a few more curves in the months she'd been living in Amphipolis, a subtle softening that made her appear younger.

The leathers were a creamy tan, decorated with turquoise stones, which matched the turquoise and amber ear cuffs that Eponin was working on attaching. "Believe me... you really do look fantastic." Ephiny reiterated. "If you'd just CALM DOWN."

Granella tugged on her bracer and sighed, then took a deep, deep breath, and let it out. "Thanks.. thanks... I don't know what's gotten into me." She glanced up as the door cracked open, and a red gold head poked itself in. "Hello, your Majesty."

"Hi." Gabrielle opened the door and walked in, giving her a big smile. "Wow.. you look great."

"So do you." Ephiny and Granella managed to say simultaneously, getting a blush out of the bard. "Did you win or lose your argument with Xena?" Ephiny asked, with a gentle twinkle.

The bard sighed. "Lost.. but she's right... she's all over bruises and has a nasty cut from that jump.. I think it would weird everyone out." She grinned. "Maybe next time."

Eponin glanced up from her task. "Didn't know she got hurt."

Gabrielle settled down on the corner of the table in Ephiny's small room, where they'd sequestered themselves, and gave her pale head a little shake. "Yeah, well.. you know Xena." She commented wryly. "You ready? The crowd's all here."

Granella glanced at herself the mirror, and made a few final twitches. "I guess... " She muttered. "Where is Xena, anyway?"

Gabrielle stood up and adjusted one of her leather bracers. "She's convincing her mother to put on something other than an apron." She paused. "Tactfully."

Dead silence.

The bard held up a hand. "I know... I know." She glanced at Ephiny, who darted her eyes towards Granella, then at Eponin, then cocked her head to one side in mute appeal. "Hey.. Pony… wanna help me bail her out?"

The weapon's master shrugged agreeably. "Sure.. I could use a cold drink too… " She joined Gabrielle as the bard walked towards the door. "Meet you guys outside."

A little silence fell after the door closed behind them, as Granella fussed over her bracer, keeping her eyes on it, and Ephiny gravely studied her. "You all right?" The regent finally asked.

The dark haired Amazon took a breath, then turned and walked over to the chair Ephiny was resting in, kneeling at her side and putting her hands on the arm of it. "I'm scared."

Ephiny rested her hand on the younger woman's arm. "Yeah.. I was too." She leaned back. "I knew marrying Phantes meant cutting off my life with the only family I'd known since I was very young.. it meant a lot of change, and a lot of unknown stuff."

Granella considered that, and put a hand over the regent's. "Eph.. do I have your blessing on this?" Her voice was very serious. "You know I never… " The words trailed off. "I didn't ask… or.."

Ephiny leaned forward, and cupped her cheek gently. "Listen, you featherhead… I'd be the last person in Greece to stand in the way of two people in love, and you know that." Her eyes gentled. "I'll miss you, Gran… but it makes me glad to see you happy." She smiled. "Besides… it's not like you're lost to us, right? Amphipolis is a great place to visit." She paused. "And… considering his family, I think we could maybe make an exception if you wanted to bring him up and visit with us for a while."

Granella ducked her head, and blinked. "Toris in a village full of Amazons… oh gods, Eph.. I think he'd go crazy.. but thanks." She sucked in a breath. "I like it here." It was a quiet, sure admission. "I didn't think I would.. it's so.. so…normal.. just a daily routine, all that.. but damn.. you know, I do." She sighed. "It's even nice to have a mother again.." Now her look turned wry. "Never thought I'd ever say that."

The regent laughed softly. "C'mon, my friend… let's go get you joined, so we can get this party started." Her teeth glinted in a rakish grin. "You know I love a party." She stood slowly, biting off a retort as Granella solicitously assisted her. "You ready?"

The slim ex scout straightened, and gave her regent's collar of office a twitch. "Yep.." She smiled a little. "As I'll ever be." She smirked a little. "Hey.. at least at my joining we won't have to suffer through hail, being snowed in, an attack by renegades, a visit from Ares, or falling in a pig pit."

"Shut up." Ephiny growled, pointing towards the door. "Get moving, or you'll jinx it, and something'll happen."

They both paused, and looked at each other in expectant silence, and waited a beat.

"Whew." Ephiny weakly chuckled.

"No kidding." Granella agreed, mock wiping her brow. She hesitated, then pulled Ephiny into a gentle hug. "Gods.. I'm gonna miss you."

Ephiny closed her eyes, and held on, patting her friend's back rhythmically. "Hey… " She felt the unevenness of Granella's breathing, and realized she was crying. "You're gonna do fine… you know how it is with us, Gran.. you'll be seeing us all the time, now." She reassured the younger woman. "Come on now… take it easy."

Granella sniffed, and released her, wiping her eyes on the back of her leather half gloves. "Sorry.." She gulped. "I told myself I wasn't going to do this." She leaned back, and got herself under control, looking up as Ephiny reached over, and handed her a mug of water. "Thanks."

The regent patted her arm. "It's all right.. relax." She reached a thumb up and wiped away the last traces of tears from her face. "If it's any consolation to you, everyone goes through this." She glanced around, and lowered her voice. "Gabrielle told me Xena was so nervous she almost passed out."

Granella's eyes popped open wide, and her jaw sagged a little. "Really?"

Ephiny grinned, having successfully distracted her. "Yep.. really." She pushed the door open, and nudged Granella forward. "Gab said the only thing that kept her going was knowing she'd never live it down if she didn't."

The dark haired woman nodded, as she moved out of the short corridor and into the main part of the inn. "Know the feeling."

The inn was crowded, smiles spreading amongst the combination of villagers and guests, as they awaited the short ceremony that was giving an excuse for an early harvest celebration. Gabrielle slipped through the crowd, giving friendly hellos, and studiously ignoring the raised eyebrows and gentle murmurs as her friends and family caught sight of her Amazon clothing. She felt Eponin close by her shoulder, and glanced behind her as the weapon's master caught up to her. "Nice crowd."

Eponin flicked her eyes around, then gave her Queen a wry look. "I think they like your feathers."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes, and rubbed her temple with one hand. "Eeeyah… I don't think they've seen this partic… "Her eyes met her mother's. "Uh oh."

Instant alertness, as Pony looked around, and tried to find the source of Gabrielle's sudden apprehension. "What?"

The bard sighed. "My mother…"

Pony winced. "Oh." She straightened, as the older woman made her way with stolid determination towards them. "One Amazon guard of honor for her Majesty the Queen.. comin right up." She put on her special, reserved for possibly hostile but potentially clueless people look, and stood in the guard position, just to Gabrielle's right.

"Hey.. it's my mother… not a Persian soldier." Gabrielle hissed, from the corner of her mouth.

"All the more reason." Eponin hissed back, poking her chest out. She allowed her caramel colored eyes to fasten on Hecuba, as the woman finally broke through the crowd, and bustled towards them. As she suspected, Hecuba slowed, and came to a halt, uncertainly, and didn't put a grab on Gabrielle, as had been her very obvious intention.

"Hi." Gabrielle said, conversationally. "I just saw Lila.. she looks great."

Hecuba glanced at her daughter, then at the silent, bristling Amazon to her right. "Ah… "

"Oh.. " Gabrielle half turned. "Mother, this is Eponin, she's one of the Amazon's finest warriors." She smiled, seeing the creeping red line etching it's way up Pony's neck. "She taught me how to use my staff."

Her mother hesitantly extended an arm. "Um… very nice to meet you."

Eponin gave her one of her best squint eyed looks, and took the hand, clasping it briefly then letting it go. "It's nice to meet our beloved Queen's family. " She added one of her more social looking smiles, and heard an odd, choking sound coming from the bard. "A great honor." She added.

"Yes… um.. " Hecuba eyed her daughter unhappily. "Gabrielle.. may I speak with you a moment?"

The bard crossed her arms and shrugged. "Sure." She cocked her head to one side, and waited. "Granella's family is the Amazons.. so Ephiny and I decided it would be great if we were both there.. in our fancy stuff." She glanced down. "You like it?"

Hecuba's eyes dropped slowly down her daughter's leather clad form, and winced. "Well… " She finally sighed. "You do have a lovely tan. "

Eponin made a tiny, squeaking noise, as she bit down on her tongue to keep from laughing.

"Thanks.." Gabrielle elbowed her in the ribs. "It's not very different from my usual.. in fact, that's based on traditional Amazon gear.. but it makes a nice change." Then, having postponed the inevitable for as long as she thought she could get away with it, she turned to Eponin. "I'll be right back." She motioned her mother towards the small, darkened hallway that led into the kitchen, and stopped as they both entered it, giving them a small degree of privacy. "Is something wrong?" She asked quietly, wishing she didn't know the answer.

Hecuba hesitated, her eyes studying Gabrielle's face. "I'd like you to do something for me."

Mist green eyes under drawn brows gazed at her. "Sure.. if I can.. name it."

The older woman lifted a hand, and gently touched her cheek, with a tiny shake of her head. "After this all settles down.. do you think you could come by.. just for a few days, Gabrielle? I'd like to spend some time with you."

It was the last thing she expected, and it threw her off balance. She blinked a few times, then exhaled. "Sure." She answered very softly. "If you want me to." She looked down. "I know there's.. some things that have happened this year… we couldn't really go into them before, we didn't have time but.. "

Hecuba held up her other hand. "Gabrielle… I think I've finally gotten it into my head that… you're not my responsibility anymore." She pursed her lips. "I'm not going to… ask for explanations.. I'm not going to criticize your life, or your choices.. I just… " She patted the bard's arm lightly. "I just want to talk to you, a little."

Gabrielle leaned against the roof support, and let out a breath. "I'd like that." She admitted in a low voice. "We… had planned a trip out past Potadeia before winter… maybe we could stay over a few days."

Her mother tentatively smiled. "I'd love that." She took a deep breath, and reviewed the slim, muscular figure before her. "And I think you look wonderful."

Now, at last, Gabrielle smiled, letting the emotion reach her eyes, and she let a laugh escape. "I feel ridiculous, honestly." She confided. "All these feathers… and I don't know.. I don't do leather nearly as well as Xena does." She held up her arms, displaying the vambraces. "But I don't get to wear it often, so.. "

Hecuba gave a relieved sigh, and studied her. "That's a very interesting color on you.. " She twitched the skirt, then peered at her daughter's navel. "Goodness… did you get hurt?"

Gabrielle looked down, then blushed, and tugged the waistband up a touch. "No.. no.. I.. um… " Her mind scrambled wildly. "Bee sting." She finally blurted. "Nothing serious."

"Oh." Hecuba sniffed, then glanced over to where Joscelyn was now setting up his parchmentwork. "Strange… it looked like a hickey to me. " She commented in a dismissive tone, then stepped forward into the crowd. "Hero!"

Gabrielle stood by the door, with her mouth open.

"She gotcha." A voice purred into her ear.

The bard turned her head, with her mouth still ajar and found her lips quickly captured and engaged. "Buhh.. " She broke off, and blinked at her partner, who had appeared out of thin air. "Wh.. ah.. " She licked her lips. "Mmm…." One hand snaked out, and wrapped itself around Xena's neck, pulling the taller warrior's head down so she could sample the rich, sweet taste again. "Hey… what is that?"

Xena grinned at her, and glanced over her shoulder. "We could step inside the kitchen and I'll just show you."

"Or?" The bard let her eyes close, as she breathed in her soulmate's presence.

"Or we could stay out here and continue to provide the village with a spectacle." Xena burred gently.

A quick glance back. "Ah." Gabrielle put a smile on her face, and pushed her partner backward through the kitchen door. "Did I hear my mother right?" She asked, when they were safely out of sight in a corner of the busy kitchen. "Gods…"

Xena laughed. "Yeah.. she surprised me, too." She leaned forward and brushed a finger over the red mark on her soulmate's belly. "Sorry about that… "

Gabrielle glanced down, and grimaced. "I forgot about that." She admitted sheepishly. "How'd it go with mom?"

The warrior buffed her nails on her shirt. "I.. " She waggled her eyebrows. "have many skills." She reached behind Gabrielle and picked up a tiny confection, offering it to the bard. "Here… we'd better get out there." She popped the treat into her partner's mouth, then took her by the elbow. "Toris is about to dissolve into a puddle."

"Mmmmmmmmmmmm…." Gabrielle chewed enthusiastically. "Let him.. more of those for me." She grabbed a second before allowing Xena to steer her back out into the main room, and clear them both a path to where she could see a nervous Toris fidgeting.

The room quieted, as Xena released her arm, and she stepped forward to join the rest of the Amazons, standing in a semicircle around an equally frazzled looking Granella. Ephiny and Eponin quietly moved over and gave her a smile as she joined them, and she stood a little straighter, aware of herself, as she so seldom was, as not only an Amazon, but the ruler of their Nation.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Xena move silently into place next to Toris, her forest green outfit neatly complimenting the rich golden tan embroidered shirt he was wearing. He glanced aside as she joined him, and quirked a brow at her, and she, too, straightened, letting her hands rest quietly against the tops of her thighs. Ares sat down next to her leg, his dark fur stark against the green fabric of her dress, and his tongue showing a bright pink as he panted.

Cyrene joined them at that point, fussing over a beautiful, dark blue dress, obviously new, and giving her daughter dour looks. Gabrielle caught the innkeeper's eyes, and widened her own, mouthing a 'wow' at her, and winking.

The innkeeper tried to maintain a scowl, but ended up brushing a bit of dust off the glistening fabric, and turned her attention to her children instead.

Joscelyn cleared his throat, and glanced down, settling two piles of parchment neatly on the table, and giving the crowd a dignified look. "This is getting to be a habit around here." He said mildly, and was rewarded with a round of chuckles. Then silence settled down. "Toris?" The tall, dark haired man stepped forward, straightening his shoulders self consciously. "Granella?"

The Amazon joined him at the table, her fingers unconsciously tangling with his as they stood side by side. Her leathers matched his tunic in color, though her head barely topped his tall shoulder, and they exchanged quick glances as the reeve cleared his throat.

"Hmm." Josclyn studied the parchment in front of him. The tense expectation in the room rose, and Xena rocked a little on her heels, catching Gabrielle's eye and suppressing a smile. "You know.." The reeve shuffled a piece, then another, clearly enjoying himself. "I do believe I'm missing something here."

"What the Hades is he about?" Cyrene whispered, knowing Xena would hear her. The warrior shrugged.

"Ah." Josclyn settled a second piece on the table, and rested his fingers on it. "Yes.. here we go.. it seems I need two other people to join us up here." His hazel eyes twinkled brightly as he looked up. "Cyrene?"

Xena grinned fiercely as she heard the startled squeak from her mother. She put a hand on the innkeeper's back, and pushed gently.. "G'wan, mother… you're not getting outta this."

Josclyn smiled. "Johan?" His eyes found his old friend's, who was staring at him in utter shock. "Well?"

Cyrene finally found her composure, and turned, giving her daughter a slap in the belly. "I am going to get you for this, you colossal sneak." But she moved forward, as Johan joined her, his grizzled head slowly shaking. "Did you know they were doing this?" She asked plaintively.

Johan laughed softly. "Me? Ah, no lass… " But he took Cyrene's hand in his, and smiled. "But I'm glad they did."

The crowd closed in around them, now in very high spirits, and Xena managed to work her way around in back of her partner, and surreptitiously brushed her lips on the top of the bard's head.

Gabrielle leaned back against her, and sighed happily as she felt warm hands slip around her waist and tighten, and she interlaced her fingers with Xena's as they settled down to watch.

"This is… " Cyrene made a token, futile protest. "We don’t have rings.. we didn't.. " She was aware of someone standing behind her and turned, to see Xena, a half grin on her face. "Don't you dare."

"Sorry, mother." Xena replied, to laughs and cheers from the crowd. "This is from Gabrielle and I… guess we get a jump on the presents" She slipped a hand between them, and opened it, letting the sunlight coming in the window reflect off the two bands resting on her palm.

Cyrene just looked at them, and then up at her. "Xena." She breathed, gazing up at her daughter. "I'm going to kill you."

The warrior smiled. "You're welcome." She waited for Johan to gingerly lift the rings from her hand, and stepped back to rejoin her soulmate, absorbing the grins and nudges of the Amazons. She returned her arms to their comfortable position around Gabrielle's warm body, as the bard leaned back against her and gave Josclyn a quiet nod.

He nodded back, and smiled at his victims. "Well, now… let's get started."

The late afternoon light speckled her picture, and she let herself become completely absorbed in it, getting her mind off the loneliness, and the pain, and just concentrating on shaping the leaves, and the tiny birds… she'd put a flower near the ground, and she was just crouched over the dirt, focusing hard, putting the petals on when a voice nearly sent her through the roof of the cellar.

"That's quite lovely."

She jumped, and jerked back, staring at Cait's quiet form crouched nearby, her knees drawn up and her arms wrapped around them. "How in Hades did you get in here?" She snarled.

Pale eyes regarded her thoughtfully. "Through the door, of course." She replied.

Paladia glared sullenly at her, and made a motion to smear her work out, but found her hand held in place by a slim, steely grip. "Let go of me." She growled, tugging hard.

"Oh, leave off." Cait snapped, moving around closer to get a better look. "Stop being such a silly goat." She peered at the ground, tracing a line with a slim finger. "Gosh.. that's really quite nice." She looked up at Paladia's face. "Do you do this a lot? I mean with dirt and all."

The bigger woman scowled. "Of course not, you little jerk." But she didn't try to pull away again. "I used charcoal bits." She went on grudgingly. "On the rocks in the cave." She blinked a little, feeling suddenly exhausted, and let her body slump back against the dirt wall. She was aware that Cait still had her fingers clamped around her wrist and now she felt the grip shift. "You can let me go. I'm not gonna trash it."

Cait dropped her hand, then reached behind her and pulled forward a tray. "I brought some stuff over with me here.. they've got lots of things over at the inn. The joining's going on, and it's quite frantic over there."

Paladia regarded her. "I'm not hungry." She rested her head against the wall, as the pain in her arm came back full force, the throbbing making her sick to her stomach.

"Here." The annoying girl was mixing something in a cup. "Xena said for you to have this."

The renegade looked at her in weary annoyance. "If Xena said to jump over a cliff, would you do it?"

Cait looked up. "Of course. " She answered cheerfully. "But she wouldn't ask, she'd just do it herself."

Paladia took the cup and drank it. "You people are all crazy." The herbal mixture was sharp tasting, but not totally unpleasant, and she realized how thirsty she was. "You got water there?"

Cait poured her some from a waterskin she'd had slung over her shoulder, and passed the cup back, watching her gulp the liquid. "Let me see if I can shift that bandage a bit. " She set down the tray, and started working on the wrapping. "Hold still."

The renegade squirmed. "That hurts."

The young Amazon looked up. "I'm sorry." She said quietly. "I'm not doing it on purpose."

Their eyes met, and Paladia blinked. "Didn't think you were." She muttered, dropping her eyes sullenly to the dirt, but holding still until Cait finished her task. The herbs were starting to take effect, and she felt a gentle buzz starting in the back of her head as the pain slowly subsided. She stretched her back out a little, having gotten very stiff from her time spent crouching over the dirt and leaned back against the wall again, with a disgruntled sigh. "Tired of sitting." It came out unplanned, and she wondered why she was bothering mentioning it to the unbelievably irritating girl who was now sitting back and studying her with those nasty pale eyes. She snuck a look at her.

Cait blinked like an owl at her, several times, then silently put the things she'd brought back into the small basket she'd carried them in. "Stand up." She ordered quietly.

"Why?" Paladia asked.

"Well." Cait stood herself, and dusted her bare legs off. "I could tell you just because I said so, or I could take my knife out and make lovely designs in your hand until you did, but actually, I thought you might like a bit of a walk."

The renegade stared at her, then just shook her head. "Nuts… you're a kook." But she stood carefully, wincing as her back seized up, and standing motionless until the muscles grudgingly relaxed, watching as Cait unfastened the shackles. "I could just knock you over and take off." She said.

Cait looked over her shoulder, and lifted one pale brow. "You certainly could try that." She agreed. "But I wouldn't if I were you." In a flickering motion, a blade was in her hand, and pressed against Paladia's throat, then it was gone, just like that. "But come on then, I know a nice spot we can walk to."

This turned out… all right. Xena mused, as she wriggled her shoulderblades into a more comfortable position against the back wall of the inn, and stretched her long legs out under the table, crossing them at the ankles. To her right Gabrielle was deep into a story, with a collection of eager listeners, including the two sets of celebrants. The bard was sitting up straight, and occasionally lifted a hand to push the braided locks on either side of her face back behind her ears from long habit, and the warrior spent a few minutes pleasurably reflecting on just how cute she looked in her Amazon gear.

She even held herself a little differently in it, maybe because it was so much less flexible than the usual fabric she wore, and Xena lifted her cup, draining it as she idly watched Gabrielle's breathing move and shift, pressing against the leather. Then she glanced at the cup, trying to remember how many times she'd emptied it, and bit her lip when she realized she absolutely had no idea. No wonder I feel so relaxed. She mused wryly. Better not try standing up.

A faint scrape made her turn her head away from Gabrielle, to see Josclyn sitting there, folding his strong hands on the table. "Potadeian you left with those kids came in a while ago." He told her softly. "He's got them returning what they could find back to the villages it came from."

Xena nodded quietly. "That's good… but they should take those kids in, Josc… a lot of them were just looking to survive."

The reeve exhaled. "I know…I guess I didn't think about what it might have been like outside of here, Xena… we got some folks in, but.. a lot of people died last winter."

The ex warlord gazed at him quietly. "Can't save em all, Josc." She commented. "Lot of those kids were just abandoned.. I can't agree with what they did after, but I don't know.. if it were my friends in need like that.. I might have done the same." She paused. "I would have done the same… maybe worse."

The reeve studied his hands. "You see yourself in them, eh?"

Xena nodded slowly. "I started off just wanting to protect this place." She felt a wave of regret roll dully over her, and realized the ale wasn't helping. "Maybe if someone had stopped me after Cortese." She let the thought drift off. No sense in revisiting that, again. "They probably hate my guts right now, but when they all have grandkids, maybe they'll look back and say thanks."

Josclyn gazed at her in gentle understanding. "I think they will." He ran a hand through his grizzled hair, and stroked his close trimmed beard restlessly. "The kids are cooperating.. even the lot that came after our prisoner.. they just want to keep their place.. if the stuff goes back, do you.." He hesitated, eyeing her thoughtfully.

The warrior lifted a brow lazily at him. "You asking me for an opinion? You're the law here, Josc.. you and the Potadeian reeve, and the rest from down river." She shrugged. "If you think reparation was made.. that's up to you."

"Mmph." Josclyn drummed his fingers. "After all, you've got the real planner and all under arrest here.. I don't see any sense in dragging all those kids and elders into the law." He nodded briskly. "Thanks, Xena."

"Didn't do a damn thing." Xena protested, waving a hand at him, as he stood and edged his way through the crowd. She turned back and found her cup filled again, and she fitted her hand around it, and stared into its amber depths.

She was on the edge here, she knew. One more cup and she'd go over, going past rigid limits she'd placed on herself, and for a long, aching moment she really wanted to. It had been a long, long time since she'd allowed herself to get this drunk, to lose control over her thoughts and actions.

The pale liquid winked up at her enticingly, the scent pulling her forward in an almost hypnotic manner, and she lifted the cup to her lips, and let the fluid touch them.

Then with a quiet smile, she set the cup back down, and released it, folding her arms peacefully across her chest, and exhaling. No. These people didn't deserve to be subjected to that side of her. She looked down as a warm hand curled around her arm. "Hey."

Mist green eyes filled her vision, sparkling with gentle affection. "You doing ok?" Gabrielle slid closer, dropping a hand to rest on her thigh. "You look a little tired."

Xena smiled. "Just glad everything went off all right… " She put her hand over the bard's and squeezed it. "Even if mother's gonna be out for revenge." She glanced around, at the silvery moonlight that sent ghostly beams in the windows, rivaling the warmth of the candles on every table. "I see Granella calmed down."

Her new sister in law was snuggled down in Toris' lap, her arms wrapped around his neck as she listened to him trade half drunken quips with Johan, who kept glancing at the ring on his finger with a look of puzzled disbelief.

Gabrielle let out a soft chuckle. "Oh yeah.. she looks really relaxed there." Her eyes drifted around to where small groups of people were talking, spotting her mother and father in amiable conversation with the miller and his wife, and Lennat and Lila showing off silly baby tricks to a trio of young girls who were laughing at Gabriel's antics. "This really did turn out nice." She turned her gaze back to her partner, noting the faintly disjointed look to her clear blue eyes. "You've had some ale, huh, tiger?"

A relaxed grin appeared. "Oh yeah." Xena admitted wryly. "Please don't ask me to demonstrate any of my many skills at the moment, ok?"

Gabrielle laughed in gentle delight. "None of them?" She asked, teasingly, easing out of her chair and perching on the arm of her soulmate's. She brushed the long, dark hair back, then impulsively leaned over and kissed her, intending on it lasting a brief, unnoticed second.

To her shock, arms curled around her precariously perched body and pulled her down into Xena's lap, as the warrior returned her kiss with remarkable enthusiasm. She gurgled in surprise, then just relaxed and enjoyed it, finally breaking off when she felt the silence of the room beating against the back of her head.

She looked up, to see Xena wrestling a raised eyebrowed, droll expression onto her face as she returned the somewhat startled looks they were getting.  

Eponin cleared her throat from the next table over. "Huh… guess it's good to be the Queen." She offered, into all that quiet, giving the two a wry roll of the eyes.

That broke the tension, and a relieved chuckle ran around the room.

Gabrielle looked up at her partner's amused eyes and sighed contentedly as she wrapped her arms around Xena's neck, and laid her head down against her silk covered shoulder. "Another adventure in the bag, huh?" She commented quietly. Their first, really, since.. Her mind deliberately sheered off thinking about the recent past. "That felt good, Xena… rescuing those people, and stopping the kidnappings."

The warrior circled her with long arms, and breathed out softly against the bard's skin. "You telling me you want to keep doing it?"

Gabrielle nodded gently against her shoulder. "I just want to live our lives, Xena… I want to try and have a child, but I don't want to back off from helping people, and not do things that I know we could just because I know it's dangerous."

Xena was silent for a moment, then sighed and pulled the bard closer. "Yeah." She decided. "I'm with you." She exhaled softly. "So be it."

The bard relaxed, and yawned. "Gods, I'm stuffed." She complained, letting out a breath.

The warrior gave her a gentle squeeze around the middle. "So I see." She chuckled softly, patting her belly. "Did you get enough of those little pastries?"

"Mmm… " Gabrielle thought about it. "I don’t' think so." She decided. "Wanna go find some?"

Xena grinned.

Really, truly, will be concluded in Part 8 Or Else.

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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

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

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Leap of Faith - Part 8

By Melissa Good

Hades codpiece. Xena kept her eyes closed, her brow wrinkling against the dull pounding just behind them. Now I remember why I don't do this. She kept her breathing slow and even, trying not to disturb her aching head more than necessary. Hope I remembered to…

Her hesitant fingers touched on a waterskin, slung around the headpost of the bed she was lying on. She concentrated on pulling it over, then gingerly eased her head to one side, and pulled the stopper out, sucking the contents with a grimace. Oh.. and I even remembered to put the herbs in there… not bad, Xena, not bad.

Gabrielle was sprawled half over her, both of them quite naked and tangled together in the same position they'd ended up after finishing a lengthy, and, if Xena was remembering correctly, rather pleasant exploration of each other. She cautiously squinted one eye open to check her partner, and seeing the satisfied grin still plastered on her partner's face led the warrior to conclude that her memories were probably fairly accurate.

She closed her eye again, and waited for the herbs to start working, the water they were mixed with already helping a little by hydrating her abused body, and she drank more of it, ignoring the bitter tang of the additional ingredients. After she drained it, she just lay there, until the violent pounding started to slow.

Predictably, Gabrielle began to stir, flexing her hands against the warrior's sensitive skin, and breathing out, sending a warm stream of air up her breastbone. "How're you doing??" The bard's voice fuzzily intruded into her hazy senses.

She lifted a hand and waggled it from side to side, then let the hand fall to the bed.

"Mmph." The bard licked her navel speculatively, and watched the muscles under the skin writhe in reaction. "Reflexes are still working, I see." She lifted her head, and studied her partner's prone body, and noting the waterskin still lightly gripped in her hand. "You were prepared, huh?"

Xena smiled, and finally pried her eyes open, glancing down the length of her body to where Gabrielle was curled up with the bard's fair head resting against her abdomen. "I should know better than to do that." She admitted wryly. "I always end up paying for it in a big way."

The bard ran her hands up her soulmate's sides, watching her eyes flutter closed in reaction. "How often do you get to celebrate a double joining, Xena? C'mon…" She started a gentle rubdown of her partner's body. "I had a great time."

The warrior took in a big breath, and released it. "Yeah… " She admitted grudgingly. "I did too." She stretched out slowly, working the stiffness out of her neck, and wincing as a sharp pop indicated bones moving reluctantly back into place. "Ouch." Reluctantly, she half sat up, and propped herself up on her elbows. "Need to stand, love."

Gabrielle released her, and rolled over, stretching out on her side and resting her head on one hand. She watched as Xena got up, and rolled her head down and around, causing more popping noises, which made them both grimace. "Ugh." She commented wryly. "That sounded evil."

Xena walked back into the bathing area of the cabin, and ducked her head into the basin of water there. The night cooled liquid sharpened her senses, and she let it trickle through her hair and down the back of her neck, feeling a little more alert. Yawning, she walked back into the main room, and lifted her gambeson from it's hook on the wall, shrugging into it and running her hands under her hair to pull it from under the collar.

She stopped in front of the mirror, and gazed at her reflection pensively, straightening her bangs out with impatient fingers. A pause, then she leaned closer to the reflective surface, riffling her hair with morbid curiosity.

"Something wrong?" Gabrielle rested her chin on her partner's shoulder, peering at their reflections with interest. The bard was now dressed in one of Xena's shirts, which hung to her knees.

Blue eyes met green in the mirror, and Xena's mouth twitched in a faintly embarrassed grin. "I keep wondering when I'll see the first grays."

The bard shot her a surprised look, then tugged her head down, and peered intently, sorting the black locks while Xena waited in silence. "Weeeeeeellll… " She kissed the top of the warrior's head. "Not today." She ruffled Xena's hair playfully. "All dark." She ran her fingers over her scalp. "But I think you're gonna look great when you do… I love that mix of white and black…" She tilted her head, regarding her partner with warm admiration. "Especially right along here.. " Her finger moved teasingly across Xena's temple. "You'll look very distinguished."

Xena blinked, considering the prospect. "I.. " She stopped, and started again. "I never… thought I'd ever live long enough to find out." She reached up and touched the side of her head. "You really think it'll look good?"

Gabrielle smiled sweetly at her. "I really do." She reassured her, charmed by the unexpectedly vulnerable questioning. Xena wasn't what she would consider a vain person.. she was good looking, and she knew it, but she never made a big deal about it. She was more concerned about the state of her armor, than the arch of her eyebrows.

Which, Gabrielle ran a finger over one. were perfect, of course. She let her touch slide down, across the high, planed cheekbone, as the deep blue eyes flicked to hers in question. "I'm very much looking forward to seeing that." She leaned forward and rested her head against her soulmate's. "I want to watch you spoil our grandchildren rotten."

A slow, gentle smile rewarded her. "All right." Xena replied in a low voice. They stayed like that for a peaceful while, then the warrior let out a sigh. "I'm gonna go for a little run…get the fuzzies out." She told Gabrielle. "Meet you up at the inn in a candlemark? I know your folks would like to see you a little."

Gabrielle nibbled her ear. "Ok." She stifled a yawn. "Actually, I'm going to go see how our prisoner is doing." She straightened up and walked over to where her boots were, sitting down to pull them on, then standing and tying a brightly embroidered belt around her slim waist that hiked the shirt up a little.

Xena looked up from lacing her own boots, and chuckled. "You run out of clothes again, Red?"

The bard stood, and put her hands on her hips. "Nope.. I just prefer yours." She stuck her tongue out and turned on her heel, almost escaping before Xena cleared her throat. She turned. "Yes?"

"I seem to remember… " The warrior snaked a long arm out and caught the end of the belt circling her soulmate's waist. "My mother saying something about childhood stories of mine you'd written?"

"Ah." Gabrielle plastered on a bright smile. "Did she say that?" Oh… centaur poop.. thought she'd forgotten about that.. I shoulda known better.

"Mmmhmmm." Xena quirked an eyebrow at her. "I don't recall telling you any of those."

Gabrielle nibbled on her lip. "You didn't. I made them up." She tugged on the belt. " Can I go now?"

Xena didn't let go. "You ma… " She stopped, intrigued. "You gonna let me read them?"

The bard edged back. "Sure.. sure… later." She nodded vigorously. "They're.. um… I put them away.. somewhere.. I don't know.. I'll have to find them.. I guess. .I… "

"Gabrielle." The warrior let her voice drop.

Blinking, sparkling, very innocent green eyes faced her. "Yes?"

"They're…. 'cute'… aren't they?" Xena's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Gabrielle gazed at her, then moved forward, cupping her face in both hands, and bathing her with a look of pure adoration. "No.. they're adorable." She whispered, brushing her lips against her partner's forehead. "And so are you."

She watched the blue eyes melt, and felt the grip on her belt relax as she leaned forward and kissed her soulmate on the lips this time, letting the warm roar of their connection ease through her. Then she gave Xena a pat, and skipped back out of range with a grin. "Bye." And dashed out the door before the warrior could say another word.

Xena sighed, and shook her head bemusedly, still feeling the tingle of their contact. "You take shameless advantage of me, Gabrielle." She commented to the sunlight pouring in the window . "And don’t I just love it." She concluded wistfully, letting out a tiny, happy sigh.

Then she leaned back, and rested her hands on the chair arms. "Whadda ya say, Ares.. " Xena addressed the wolf, who was sitting at her side, tongue lolling. "You want to go for a run?"

He turned his head and licked her knee, gazing up at her adoringly. "Roo?"

Xena riffled his fur gently. "Yeah, with me." She answered idly. "What do you think… me, a grandmother?"

The wolf sneezed. Twice.

"Yeah, me too." Xena laughed in amazement. "But you know what, Ares? I think I like that idea." She stood, and bounced once, regretting it as her head protested. "Whoa.. let's not try that again…" She walked out the door and into the sunlight, taking a deep breath of the cool morning air that promised the coming fall, and was full of the scent of the fields, coming near to harvest. The smell of the earth under her boots lifted to her as well, a rich, sweetness that brought back unexpected memories of her childhood.

If she closed her eyes, she could almost see it, herself kneeling in the dirt, her attention focused on two beetles, who were locked in battle. Lyceus playing nearby, with a small, dirt covered wooden horse he loved dearly, and which he was pounding around in a circle pretending a chariot was behind it.

She'd been trying to figure out how one beetle, a blue one, kept beating all the other beetles she'd seen in the courtyard, and had just noticed his sharp head horn was just a little closer to the ground, when she'd heard Lyceus give a little gasp.

Annoyed, she'd turned, to see him writhing on the ground, one hand grabbing at his throat. She'd scrambled towards him, yelling at the top of her lungs for their mother, and, in terror, had instinctively slapped her younger brother as hard as she could on his back.

A small rock popped out of his mouth, and he started howling, partly in fright, and partly because, even at that age, Xena had quite a wallop when she wanted to.

Cyrene had found them that way, Lyceus bawling, herself upset, and uncertain, and the only explanation Cyrene had gotten out of them was that Xena had hit her brother, causing him to cry.

She'd gotten a spanking for that, despite her indignant protests, and she remembered curling up under the porch, finally having escaped from Cyrene's clutches, and that same smell of the earth had surrounded her as her tears had drenched it.

Now, all these years later, Xena paused, and looked across the sun drenched yard to the small space under the porch, and remembered, and a pained smile crossed her face. Life's just not fair sometimes, huh? She shook her head and let out a breath, then turned as soft footsteps sounded behind her.

"Dinar for your thoughts." Her mother's voice drifted over her shoulder.

The innkeeper was leaning against the barn wall, and now pushed herself off, and walked forward, coming up next to her daughter.

Xena gazed down at her. "You mad at me?" She asked quietly, folding her arms across her chest.

Cyrene glanced down, and flexed her hand, gazing at the ring on it. "How could I be?" She sighed, and shook her head. "Did everyone know about this but me? You know Hecuba brought us both lovely, embroidered cloaks."

Her daughter smiled. "Just about." She informed her. "You deserve it…I knew you'd never do it for yourself, so… "

Cyrene gave her an affectionate look. "Turnabout is fair play, huh?" She put a hand on Xena's arm. "To make it official, thank you." She paused. "Now.. my original question.. what was just on your mind?"

Xena hesitated. "Nothing… just.. I was thinking about when we were kids, that's all." She looked around. "Old stuff.. just Ly and me playing in the dirt, here."

Her mother hooked a hand around her elbow, and steered her towards the inn. "I've been doing a lot of that myself lately." She admitted. "When I saw you standing there, it made me realize just how long ago that was." A tiny laugh escaped her. "Sometimes I still think you're just my little girl, and then have to look up, and wonder when you got so tall."

Xena chuckled softly. "Yeah.. me too." She opened the door for Cyrene, then paused. "I'm gonna go for a little run.. I'll be right back. "

The innkeeper shook her head. "You never stop, do you?" She put a finger against her daughter's chest, and pushed. "Go on with you… 'Stase has some of that sweet bread you like on, so stop back here when you're done getting yourself all sweaty." She paused. "Oh, and Xena?"

The warrior stopped, and looked back. "Yeah?"

Her mother smiled. "Say something nice to 'Stase, all right? She's got a crush on you."

Xena sighed, giving her a wry look. "Why can't they ever pick on Toris?" She asked plaintively.

Cyrene shrugged, with an impish grin. "Must be that warrior mystique, dear." She waved her off. "Be careful." She watched as her daughter moved off onto the path up into the woods, her pace moving from a bouncing walk to a run with smooth efficiency, with Ares bounding alongside. "You're just some piece of work, kiddo." She told the retreating back., then turned and went into the inn, which was quiet, if a bit bedraggled from the party the preceding day.

She settled down at the table next to the window, and poured herself a mug of cool cider as she spent a few minutes just daydreaming. Xena's mention of her younger brother brought back warm, if sometimes frustrating memories, as she'd had to deal with raising three very active children pretty much by herself.

Xena had always been.. well, the most trouble, she wryly acknowledged. Toris had mostly been just bluster, and Lyceus a sweet child who tended to follow his older sister inevitably into mischief, as well as be involved in little childish scuffles with her from time to time. She'd had to keep a lid on Xena's aggressiveness, and her daughter had been the subject of many a spanking when she'd lose her temper and use her small fists to make a point.

She remembered one particular day, when she'd had it up about up to her eyebrows with uncooperative traders, and a broken stove, and then had to deal with one of their little fights.. Xena had half knocked the senses out of poor Lyceus, and she'd felt her temper snap as she ignored the girl's attempts at explanation, and laid the law down in no uncertain terms to her. It had hurt her probably more than the child.. who had bit her lip almost in two keeping the tears back, then run off to some hiding place for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe, she remembered thinking, maybe she'd gotten through to her this time.

And then Lyceus had come dragging into the kitchen, kicking his feet against the table and complaining that his throat hurt. With a sigh, she'd combed through his curly blond hair, and searched her cabinets for some bit of sweet for him to suck, hoping he wasn't coming down with the coughing sickness, again. He'd looked up at her with his round eyes, and beautiful, fair eyelashes, and poked a lip out.

Giving her the rock, and telling her she should smash it, because it was what made his throat hurt. It had taken her almost a half a candlemark to get the story from him, and when she did, she'd just stared at the stone in her palm, with a sinking sensation in her chest.

What could she do? Everything she'd told Xena that day about not hitting, and all that.. it had been true, and in a hundred other cases, her young daughter would have been undeniably guilty of doing exactly what she'd been punished for. Would taking that back now help? She'd thought about it the rest of the day, until that night, when she stood in the doorway of the small room the three children shared, and looked at their peacefully sleeping forms.

Xena had, apparently forgotten about the entire thing, coming back before dinner with her typically feisty attitude and had gone to bed after playing with Lyceus in complete unconcern. Cyrene had stood for a few moments, studying the small body curled on it's side, one arm tucked under her head, the other wrapped around her favorite plaything, the restlessly active child apparently at peace, for once.

Leave well enough alone, she'd decided. No sense in confusing the girl.. she'd taken her licks, and gotten over it, and maybe, just maybe next time she'd think before striking out. She'd gotten lucky this time.. but things had just worked out for the best.

So she'd never said anything to Xena, never told her she knew that for this one time, on that one, long ago, late summer day, that her actions had saved her brother's life, whether she'd intended it or not. Funny, how seeing her daughter all these years later, standing there in the courtyard, had reminded her of that. Certainly, Xena didn't remember it at all.

With a gentle sigh, she sipped her drink, and enjoyed the light breeze. She'd done the best she could.

Hadn't she?

"Hello."

Gabrielle turned, and spotted Cait trotting to catch up with her. "Hey… morning Cait. How's our reluctant guest doing?"

The slim Amazon's face scrunched. "Gosh… she's ever so annoying." She fell into step beside the bard. "Are you sure we can't just pound her a bit, not hard, just a bit to knock some of the really nasty parts out of her?"

Gabrielle gave her a look. "No progress, huh?"

Cait lifted her hands and let them drop. "I have tried, you know… look, I even took her out for a walk yesterday, and we had a picnic thingie.. like you told me about, and the blasted pighead just does nothing but says nasty things and insults me."

The bard patted her shoulder. "I appreciate you trying, Cait… you're the closest person to her age- wise.. I thought maybe… you could get through to her."

Cait snorted. "Not likely… that needs your touch." She hesitated. "Though.. for just a bit, I thought I might be getting somewhere yesterday.. I caught her drawing in the dirt with a bit of a stick, you know.. a lovely little scene."

Gabrielle stopped, and put her hands on her hips. "Really?" She mused. "So.. maybe I was…" Right, after all. Could she trust that instinct? "All right.. let me go talk to her."

The Amazon chewed her lip. "She doesn’t like you much." She eyed Gabrielle unhappily. "Be careful."

Gabrielle gave her an absent nod, and strode towards the cellar, taking a deep breath, before working the latch and stepping inside.

Paladia was sitting quietly in the back corner, cradling her injured arm, and resting it against one upraised knee. She stiffened when she recognized her visitor. "What do you want?" She asked dourly.

The bard settled herself on the small stool near the door and studied their captive. There was a small basin of water and a linen rag next to her, and apparently she'd used it to clean herself, but was still dressed in the filthy clothes she'd been captured in, and her face was haggard from strain, and the lack of sleep in the small enclosure.

"I just want to talk to you a little bit." Gabrielle answered quietly, sorting through her options. Maybe some gentleness would get through where Xena's intimidating threats hadn't. "Tell you what…it's nice outside… take a walk with me and I'll get you a change of shirts, at least."

The renegade stared at her. "Why?" Her voice was heavy with suspicion.

Gabrielle shrugged. "Because I want to." She answered simply. "Come on."

They emerged into the warm sun, and walked across the still empty courtyard, though Gabrielle was aware of Cait's shadow tracking them. She led the way up into the cabin, and pointed towards the chair next to the fire. "Sit down.. I know we've got a few pieces of extra stuff we picked up somewhere, and I think it'll fit you."

Paladia sat, her eyes roaming around the room. "This your place?" There was a vague touch of envy in her voice.

Gabrielle was kneeling in front of the clothing press. "This is our home, yes."

The renegade's glance took in the neatly arranged armor draped over the other chair. "You and Xena?" She seemed to find this amusing for some reason.

The bard pulled a thick tunic from the drawer, and turned. "Yes." She studied the woman. "Stand up a minute… I'll help you get this on."

"I don't.. " Paladia protested. "I don't want your help." But the thought of a clean, dry shirt enticed her, and her voice showed it What could it hurt? She offered, right?

"Look." Gabrielle sighed. "Stop fighting me, ok? I don't want to hurt you."

They stared at each other for an endless moment, then Paladia's shoulders slumped, as she gave in, and slowly stood, refusing to look at the bard as she helped her shrug off the filthy shirt and settle the new one around her body.

The scent of the clean fabric reminded her very much of her old home, and she blinked a little, finally raising her eyes to meet the steady green ones across from her. There was no animosity there, much to her surprise, only quiet, intense curiosity. She sat back down, and cradled her arm, looking around to cover her loss of composure. "What'd you want to talk about?"

Gabrielle poured her a cup of cider, and one for herself, and settled into the other chair. "The people at the cavern.. they're being taken care of." She said quietly, feeling her way with tentative skill. "Potadeia and the other towns are getting back their stuff.. no one is going to get into trouble there."

Paladia looked up, caught off guard. "They're all ok?" She blurted, then dropped her gaze.

The bard nodded. "They're ok." She paused. "Thank you for telling them to back off.. I didn't want to see anyone get hurt."

The renegade nodded slowly. "That's good."

"They're your new family, aren't they?" Gabrielle asked gently. She saw the muscles in Paladia's jaw tighten. Just like Xena. She mused wryly. "I know how that feels… when I left Potadeia, I felt like I was leaving everything behind. I had to make a new family too."

Paladia looked up. "Why'd you leave? Did they kick you out?" She put a slightly mocking tone in her words. "Black sheep of the family or something?"

The bard laced her fingers together. "No… I didn't have a very… gentle.. life at home. I left because I thought I'd get the opportunity to grow, and become a different person than what I would have if I'd stayed there." She drew in a breath. "And I did…Xena became my family…I know what it feels like to lose that." Black sheep of the family… mm… yeah, maybe I am, at that. It was an odd feeling.

The renegade eyed her. "That crazy girl said Xena died. That true?"

Mist green eyes studied her. "Yes." She took a sip of cider. "She .. had an accident.. while she was saving a little girl's life, and she got hurt really badly." She locked off the memories and forced herself to finish. "And she died, yes."

Paladia's face scrunched. "But she came back?" Disbelief colored her voice.

"Yes." The bard replied, simply. "She found a way."

"Why?" Came the incredulous response. "Dead is dead… nobody comes back."

Gabrielle straightened a little, and met her gaze. "Well… she had things she needed to finish doing.. it just wasn't her time to go, I guess.. . there were people who needed her help." She paused, and looked into her mug. "And I very badly wanted her to come back." She looked up and shrugged a little. "So she did."

"I don't get it." Paladia shook her head. "People just don't come back from the dead because you want them to." She glanced at the floor, and scowled.

Gabrielle gave her a sympathetic look. "Mostly not, no." A faint smile etched the smaller woman's face. "But Xena's a very special person." She scratched her nose. "She can do things that very few other people can do…and she has a very strong will. She decided she wanted to do this, and then just planned a way to get it done."

Paladia seemed lost in thought for a long moment. "I just don't get it." She finally replied.

The bard sighed. "No, you don't, do you?" She leaned forward and cupped her hands around her mug, taking a sip from it. "That's all right… it's not like it happens every day. " She glanced up. "Don't discount love, Paladia.. it's the most powerful force there is."

"That's crap." Paladia felt herself regaining her balance. "You're deluded."

Gabrielle smiled. "Maybe… but I'll take my delusion over your reality any day."

Paladia leaned forward. "No… it's you who doesn't get it… you've got all these romantic horsecrap notions about people, and the truth is everyone's just out for themselves, Gabrielle."

The bard regarded her steadily. "They why did you care when I told you about what happened to your friends?"

The renegade's jaw worked a few times. "I'm responsible for them" She finally answered, stiffly. "That's all."

Gabrielle's eyes crinkled gently. "That's not true, and you know it." She said. "Though.. for a while at the beginning, I think both Xena and I… well, her mostly, thought it was a feeling of responsibility that kept us traveling together." She fiddled with her hands. "I still remember really clearly one morning.. " Her voice shifted unconsciously into her storytelling timber, and she ignored Paladia's rolled eyes.

"It was fall, like now… we were in the far west, in thick undergrowth and it was a little chilly. I remember I didn't want to get up.. I was rolled into my sleeping furs and listening to Xena do her usual morning thing.. getting the fire moving, putting water on, talking to Argo."

"Who's Argo." Paladia asked, in a bored voice. "Her boyfriend? "

"Her horse." The bard answered dryly. "Anyway.. she finished all that and came over, and knelt next to me to wake me up. " She reflected. "That was kind of unusual…she usually just kept calling me." A smile etched her face. "So I felt her take hold of my blanket, and pull it back a little, until she could see my face…and I looked up at her, with all that kind of shadowy green sunlight behind us, and.. I felt this warmth. " She put a hand over her chest. "All in here." She fastened her eyes on Paladia. "It was a lot more than responsibility, Paladia…I cared about her, and what happened to her, beyond what had anything to do with me."

The renegade just looked at her.

"It wasn't romantic, and it had nothing to do with a physical relationship.. but there was a part of me that became a part of her, and it felt really good." The bard watched her prisoner's face carefully. "We were friends a long, long time before we.. went any further than that, Paladia.. and that friendship has been one of the cornerstones of my life. So don't you tell me about foolish romantic notions.. what I felt.. what I feel now, is real." She paused. "and I think you know that. I think you feel that same thing towards those people, who became your family."

Paladia's gaze dropped, in the thick silence that followed.

"They asked about you." Gabrielle went on, quietly. "They're worried about you too." She'd gotten through, and she knew it.

"Doesn't do me any good." The larger woman rasped bitterly, then looked up. "Does it? By the time the law lets me out, they won't even remember who I am." Then, disgusted, she glanced off towards the window. "Should have known better… getting close to anyone always gets you hurt." Her voice dropped off and she looked down at the floor again.

The bard let out a long, held breath, feeling a sense of quiet vindication. I was right. "That's true." She admitted quietly, surprising Paladia. "But the joy that comes with it, makes up for that."

Paladia looked up at her, eyes darkened in anger. "Do you really believe that crap?"

A hundred scenes flashed in Gabrielle's inner vision, and she felt tears sting her eyes. "Yes, I do." She replied in a whisper. "It's worth everything."

The renegade shifted awkwardly, staring at her in uncertain puzzlement.

The bard exhaled, and rubbed her temples. "The villages have decided not to press charges." She looked up at Paladia quietly. "So that means your judgement falls back on my shoulders."

A sudden spark of hope, quickly squashed, flared in the pale gray eyes across from her. "You?"

Gabrielle nodded. "For the kidnapping, forcing, and assault on the regent of the Amazons."

A small silence fell. "Cait?" Gabrielle called over her shoulder, smiling grimly when the door swung open immediately, and the slim, blond Amazon bounded in. "Take her back to the cellar, please." She stood, and dusted herself off. "I'm going to take a walk."

"Right." Cait put a hand on the shackles hanging from Paladia's arm. "To the spring, then?"

That got her a sideways glance. "Yeah." A place she loved to visit, when she had thinking.. or deciding to do. A shady spot, with the clear, cold ripple of water, and the ever present breeze. And a measure of peace, for her to sit and think in.

The newly fallen leaves crunched lightly under her boots as Xena headed up a long, mostly overgrown path she'd picked to coax her complaining body out of it's funk. She pushed through the initial stiffness, until the blood started flowing, and she loosened up, settling down into a familiar rhythm.

Better. She decided, feeling the dull pounding in her head recede, and she looked around at the forest going by, idly enjoying the rich smell of the leaves as they brushed her body in passing. Ares loped alongside happily, his ears pricked and swiveling as he kept even with her knees.

She'd crested the ridge, leaping over it's edge and into a forward flip before she detected someone trailing her, and she paused, bouncing lightly, turning her ears and nose into the wind as the sun poured down over her. A perfect target. She reminded herself wryly. Hope that arrow catching skill is up to par, just in case.

The faintest hint of rustling came to her, and she closed her eyes, concentrating, throwing her head back and listening intently. Ah. A brief grin creased her lips. She took a breath, and started out along the ridge, running easily, feeling an unexpected surge of energy pour into her that manifested itself into a few lazy flips, as she found the soaring sensation particularly pleasant.

Gods… She ran up a short slope and launched herself forward, jumping over a very overgrown, narrow ravine that bisected the hill, and laying over onto her back as she tumbled in mid air, flipping over and landing on the far side, then exploding straight up, tucking into a tight somersault than ended with her landing on her hands, and balancing neatly, extending her legs up straight in a long, satisfying stretch.

She pushed up and flipped again, this time landing on her feet, and hopped once, as Ares caught up to her and jumped up, thumping his paws against her chest and yodeling at her.

"Roo!" He complained aggrievedly.

"Not my fault you can't keep up." Xena wagged a finger at him, cocking her head and listening for her pursuer. "Heh… or you either, Pony. " She mumbled to the wolf, who licked her nose. "Whadda you say.. should we let her catch up?"

"Roo?" The wolf sneezed. "Agrrrroo."

"Oh, all right." Xena released his paws and patted his head. "C'mon.. let's get a drink.. it's getting pretty warm up here." She felt a layer of sweat underneath her gambeson, and pushed damp hair from her eyes with a long breath.

There was a spring fairly close, a tiny one, and she ambled over to it, sinking down on a rock next to the water and scooping up a double handful, drinking several mouthfuls then splashing the rest over her head. The liquid was sweet, and very cold, and she leaned back against a tree stump as it cooled her, and folded her long arms across her chest to wait.

It took longer than she'd thought, until she heard the faintest rustle, and fixed her eyes on a spot in the surrounding underbrush. After a long moment, she heard a disgusted sigh, and Eponin pushed her way out from between the ferns, and put her hands on her hips.

Xena smiled. "Took you long enough.. I was about to take a nap." She drawled teasingly.

The Amazon exhaled explosively, and walked across the leaf littered clearing. "Had to find some way around that damn ravine, Xena.. I can't fly like you can." She glanced at Ares, who was seated at Xena's feet. "How'd you teach him to jump like that?"

Xena shrugged, looking down at the wolf. "He just follows me, I guess.. I never thought about it." She patted the turf. "Siddown… water's pretty good."

Eponin dropped to the earth, and took a handful of the water, sucking it down slowly. "I wasn't trying to ambush you." She looked up over drawn eyebrows at the warrior.

"Oh?" Xena replied. "What brings you out this early then?"

Silence. Eponin took another handful of water, taking her time in swallowing. "I.. um… " She wiped her hands against each other, not looking at Xena. "I could use some advice." She finally said, forcing her eyes up to meet Xena's now serious ones. "It's kinda personal."

Oh boy. Xena tucked her boots under her, and leaned forward, lacing her fingers loosely together. "What's up?"

Pony rearranged herself, sitting cross legged and plucking a bit of the trailing vine from the ground, playing with it. "It's Eph." She spoke slowly, taking her time and pausing between words. "I think.. what happened really messed her up." She tore a leaf into tiny shreds. "She's trying to…pretend everything's ok.. but.. she can't.. " Here the words failed her, and she fell silent. "I.. don't know what to do.. and she doesn't want me to tell anyone at home what happened.. I…"

Xena raised her linked hands and rested her chin on them, considering. It was a tough situation, and she didn't feel either of them were really suited to deal with it. "It wasn't her fault." She offered, cautiously. "I know what herbs they used.. she'd have been out of her senses, Pony… not her fault."

The Amazon sighed. "I know." She shook her head sadly. "She's just so ashamed." Her caramel colored eyes raised at last and met Xena's shadowed blue ones. "She thinks that … at some level, she must have wanted to do it… it's really eating at her."

"Mmph." Xena grunted softly, a perplexed look on her face. "I don't know how… "She paused, thinking. Ah. Scattered puzzle pieces started to rotate, and slide gently into place. "Let me think about it." She finally continued softly.

Eponin watched the pale eyes go inward in silent fascination. You so very seldom got to see this side of Xena.. mostly what you saw was the fighter, or the dour ex warlord, or, on very rare occasions, the playful companion of Gabrielle the Bard.

This, on the other hand, was the strategist who at one time held half of Greece under her rule, who had a coolly intelligent mind sometimes grossly at odds with her fierce, wild personality. Now, she saw a faint, confident half grin tug at Xena's lips, and felt a lot better. "So?"

The warrior patted her arm. "Let me see what I can do." She considered further. "No guarantees.. but I think I can come up with something." Now she stood, and stretched. "I'm gonna go find Gabrielle."

The oriole hopped from branch to branch, pecking at tiny insects, and ignoring the slim, pale haired woman who was seated at the edge of the spring, her bare feet dabbling in the water, and one hand idly tossing pebbles into it.

I don't know if I can make this decision. Gabrielle studied the dappled water seriously. All my instincts are telling me this woman can be salvaged…but how can I not punish her for what she did to Ephiny? If I do, the only sentence that I.. that I, Gabrielle, could agree on is confinement, or enforced labor.

She sighed, and leaned back on her hands. Ordering someone whipped.. or beaten.. I don't have that in me. And if I order her put away.. the person who is going to emerge from that is not going to be any better.. and probably is going to be worse than when she went in. So what do I do? Let her go?

She thought about that. I'm not sure I can judge her in any case.. how can I condemn her, and not do the same for Xena? How can I apply different standards to them? Either I have to judge them both equally, or not judge either of them. And who am I to be judging Xena in the first place?

Her eyes were focused on the spring's surface, and she blinked suddenly as the shiny surface reflecting the surrounding trees fluttered, then echoed back to her a tall, dark haired figure with piercing blue eyes. She jerked her head up, to see her partner standing quietly on the other side of the spring, watching her. "Hey!"

The warrior jumped nimbly from rock to rock, followed by Ares, until she ended up at Gabrielle's side, and joined her, settling cross legged on the rocks. "You looked pretty deep in thought." Xena commented.

Gabrielle kicked her foot a little, startling a small fish that had been nibbling at her toes. "I was." She admitted. "I didn't even feel you near." She paused. "I got a chance to talk to Paladia…I think I got through to her a little bit… she's… mostly just a kid who's had bad stuff happen to her."

Xena poked a finger into the cold water. "Like you thought."

The bard looked at her. "Like I thought, yes."

The warrior nodded. "Not surprised.. you're a good judge of character." She commented easily.

Green eyes bored into her. "How could you possibly say that." Gabrielle snapped. "Don't patronize me, Xena."

Xena opened her mouth to answer, then closed it, and just looked down at her hands, blinking. "I.. I wasn't." She stammered softly, totally unprepared for Gabrielle's reaction. "I mean that." Her chest moved as she took a deep breath. "Look… if you keep telling me that it was Dahok's influence that… " A breath. "That brought out my dark side, then you have to accept that he could have been influencing your judgement, Gabrielle… he knew what buttons to push.. what was calculated to make you react."

Gabrielle silently studied her partner's face as thought whirled through her head. It was.. tempting.. to let Dahok take the blame. And part of her knew, instinctively, that what Xena was saying was, at least partially, true. It almost made a scary kind of sense. "Maybe." She admitted softly, eyeing the water. "I was just trying to figure out what to do about Paladia."

Xena took a breath. "Trying to come up with a way of dealing with her.. and not having to deal with me?"

The bard's nostrils flared. "That's not an issue."

"Isn't it?" Her soulmate countered. "In the eyes of the Amazons it is."

Gabrielle looked at her, a sad knowledge in her eyes. "Xena… " she sighed, taking the warrior's hand in her own and rubbing it gently. "What sentence could anyone possibly pass on you that would be tougher than the one you've already passed on yourself?" She waited a beat, watching Xena's face. "There is none, I know it, you know it, and the Amazons know it." The warrior's fingers flexed against hers. "Isn't it bad enough that every time I look at you, I have to live with the knowledge that there are things now.. that will always be between us?" She sighed. "Let's save our anger for Dahok, all right? I'm not, ever, going to bring up what happened in that Amazon village ever again."

She realized she'd just made the decision, and it startled her. "Except for this." Xena's shoulders stiffened. "Do you remember what you told me.. about how you felt when you saw me in Chin?"

Xena nodded slowly. "Yes."

"That’s how I felt when you showed up in the Amazon village." She lifted a hand and turned Xena's face so their eyes met. "It hurt… seeing you so angry hurt.. knowing that even after I'd done the hardest thing in my life… to try and make things right, you still hated me. But it was like a lifeline, Xena…please believe that.. given a choice of you taking me, and you leaving me there… " Her eyes misted. "I'm glad you came."

The warrior just.. let it go. She put her hand over Gabrielle's, still resting on her cheek, and smiled tentatively. "I'm glad you came to Chin." She hesitated. "And.. no matter what I felt.. I shouldn’t' have left you alone after that, Gabrielle. I'm sorry."

They both nodded, once, at each other, as another, subtle healing happened. "So." Gabrielle shifted, and leaned against her. "What are we going to do about Paladia?"

Xena let the quiet relief flow over her, and rested her head against the bard's. "Funny you should ask that." She muttered quietly. "I think I've got an idea to kill off two birds with one arrow."

"Yeah?" Gabrielle glanced up.

"Mm… Pony found me.. she's worried about Eph." Xena related to her. "I think she needs some kind of resolution.. and I think Paladia needs to get it through her thick skull that victims are people too." She tilted her head, and met Gabrielle's eyes, then unexpectedly tipped a little further and kissed her. "Mmph." She broke off, with a faintly surprised look. "Not sure why I did that."

Gabrielle couldn't help it, she laughed. "I know why.. it feels great." She gave her partner an odd look. "But you've been doing that a lot lately.. not that I'm complaining or anything." She snuggled closer, sighing in contentment as she practically buried herself into Xena's embrace.

"You've been doing this a lot lately." Xena replied gently, hugging her.

The bard fiddled with a catch on her gambeson and thought about that. "I know.. I realized.. I guess I … it's kind of a reassurance, I think." She glanced up. "Does it bother you?"

"Not at all." Xena admitted. "I.. um…I really missed that." She paused, seeing the look of surprise on her partner's face. "I know.. I know.. it took me so damn long to get used to it… but then it was…" She bit the inside of her lip. "I'd never felt that cold before." She finished in a remote tone.

Gabrielle thought back to those long months of silent campfires, and sighed. "I know exactly what you mean." She glanced across the spring. "So…what's the plan?"

Xena accepted the change of subject quietly. "I think we need to get Ephiny and Paladia together."

Gabrielle's brows contracted, and she jerked her head up, staring at her partner as though the warrior had grown a horn in the center of her forehead. "What?"

The warrior circled her gently with her arms, and stroked her back, feeling the tension. "Give me a chance here… ok?" She arranged her thoughts. "Paladia needs to see the consequences of her actions…I know what kind of impact that makes. "She fell silent for a long moment. "And um. Ephiny needs someone to acknowledge that what happened to her was not her fault.. Paladia needs to apologize."

Gabrielle put a hand up instantly, feeling her partner's forehead. "Funny.. you feel nice and cool. " She muttered. "Listen.. Xena.. you're not going to get Paladia to apologize any time in this millennium, ok?" She paused. "Not that I don't think you're right… but.. putting those two together is like asking for trouble."

"You got a better idea?" Xena inquired. "Because otherwise, you either have to let her go, or sentence her to Amazon prison, and that means everyone will find out what happened."

A beat. "I could demand that nobody tells." They exchanged looks. "Ok.. ok.. Amazons, right…" Gabrielle waved a hand. "I don't like it.. Xena, I don't want Ephiny to get hurt any more.. and I can't see where she won't."

Blue eyes captured hers. "Trust me?"

She returned the look steadily. "On one condition." She took a breath. "Ephiny has to agree to it - no surprises, Xena."

A nod. "Agreed."

The porch was a nice, peaceful place, Ephiny thought, as she leaned an arm on the railing, and rested her head against her hand, idly taking in the traffic crossing the courtyard. She'd managed to get rid of her headaches, but now her energy level seemed to have hit rock bottom, and she found herself unwilling to do more than sit quietly, watching the world go by her.

She'd yelled at Eponin that morning, and she winced, thinking about it. Told her to stop fussing over her and leave her alone, and the older woman had disappeared silently out the door before she could call her cross words back.

Ephiny closed her eyes, just wishing they were back home. Away from here, and from recent events, back in the village where she could get her mind off what had happened and concentrate on the day to day problems she'd learned to deal with as part of her duties as regent.

A creak behind her made her look up, to see a worried looking Solari slowly approaching. She shoved down her annoyance and gave her a nod, watching as the dark haired Amazon slid into the seat next to her, and leaned forward, studying an arrow she'd been fletching and now carried in her hands. "I want to get started home tomorrow." She said quietly, in a voice she hoped would quash any argument.

Solari just nodded. "All right." She answered softly. "I… think we could probably borrow a horse from here.. it would be better if you rode, and didn't walk."

"No." Ephiny refused, stubbornly. "We don't have to rush…I'll be fine." She straightened up, and leaned back in her chair. "I just want to put this behind me… and Solari?"

Dark eyes lifted and met hers. "Nobody talks about this when we get home."

Solari nodded. "I understand." She fell silent for a long moment. "Eph?"

"What?" The regent replied a touch more sharply than she really intended.

The other woman sucked in a breath. "Nothing. I'll tell everyone to be ready to leave at first light." She got up and crossed the porch, leaving Ephiny in peaceful silence again. She turned her head and followed the progress of a chicken as it pecked it's way around, gobbling up bugs, and for a long, wistful moment wished she could change places with it. So simple, it's life. You got up, you laid an egg, you ate some bugs, you went to sleep.

You certainly didn't have to worry about Amazons, and treaties, or being kidnapped, or aching holes inside you that seemed to be getting bigger and bigger.

The wood creaked behind her again, and she looked crossly over her shoulder, expecting Solari's presence.

Surprised when piercing blue eyes returned her gaze. "Hi." She made an effort to pull herself together, and address Xena, who really wasn't someone you could just snap at for no reason.

The warrior lowered her tall body into the nearby chair, and leaned back, bracing one booted foot against the railing, and lacing her fingers behind her head. "Hi."

Ephiny studied her idly, noting the sweat-dampened gambeson with some bemusement. "You out doing drills in this gods be damned weather, Xena?"

Xena rolled her head to one side, and glanced at her. "Nah.. I overdid it a little last night… I was just out getting some of the aches out of my system." She tensed the muscles in one thigh, and observed them absently, rubbing a bit of mud off her bare knee. "Did you have a good time last night?"

The Amazon eyed her warily. "Xena, no offense, but when you start doing the small talk thing with me, I get real nervous." She commented. "So what's up?"

Dark brows lifted. "You're in a good mood today." Xena replied bluntly. "I hear you all are taking off tomorrow morning."

"Problem with that?" The regent asked, her voice crisp. "I figure you've got enough guests around here.. time I got back to where I belong."

Xena leaned on the arm of her chair, and pinned Ephiny with her piercing gaze. "Ephiny, no offense, but you're as prickly as a hedgehog, and acting moodier than me, so what's up?" She paused. "I figure you can either tell me what's going on, or I'll have to sic Gabrielle on you for the kinder and gentler treatment. Your choice."

Ephiny felt her temper boil up, and fizzle out into nothing, as she met the warrior's inflexible stare. She exhaled in disgust. "I just want to go home, is that a crime?"

Xena waited.

The silenced seeped into the Amazon, and she looked down at the wooden planking. "I.. just want to forget the whole thing, Xena… I can't do that here." She finally said softly. "It's chewing at me."

The warrior dropped her boots to the floor, and shifted her chair, until they were knee to knee. "Look." Xena considered her words. "Don't… lock people out, Ephiny… it just makes it worse."

The regent gave her a hard look. "You're one to be saying that."

Blue eyes blinked. "That's why I'm saying it."

Ephiny plucked a splinter from the railing. "Do you want something from me, Xena? If you do, just spit it out. I'm not in the mood."

The warrior studied her folded hands. "All right.. I want you to talk to Paladia."

The regent's gray eyes snapped up to her face, and hardened. "No way. You can kiss my feather covered butt if you think I'm saying word one to that gods forsakened bitch."

Xena raised a hand. "Wait.. let me.."

"No!" Ephiny half stood. "Just stay out of this, Xena… I don't want any part of whatever damn plan you've got in your head. " She broke out into a sweat, and felt her body start to shake, as she let herself down into her chair again. "No."

Silence descended, as they both sat quietly.

"You've put Gabrielle in a pretty tight spot." Xena finally said, calmly. "She can't.. in good conscience let her go, and if she sentences her to confinement, you have to take her back to the village with you."

Ephiny stared straight ahead. "She has other options." She said in a remote voice. "She can use them. She's not coming back with us."

Xena stared at her. "Ephiny, you know Gabrielle better than that.. she can't order someone beaten.. or.. "

Cold gray eyes looked back. "Sure she can. She's spilled blood." Ephiny snorted softly. "She's not your innocent little girl anymore, Xena." She watched Xena's facial features shift into a mask. "Or did you forget that…?" Her bitterness took over. "Like you forgot about her after she had to kill her own daughter?" She stood, and steadied herself against the back of the chair she had been sitting on. "Just leave me alone."

And then she left, abandoning the still form whose hands curled precisely, and evenly around the arms of the chair.

A soft wind crossed the courtyard, blowing back dark hair from a pale, expressionless face, and the silence of a late summer afternoon was suddenly broken by the harsh, explosive sound of breaking wood.

And then bootsteps that crossed the porch and stopped at her side. "Xena?" Gabrielle glanced down and her eyes widened as she saw the splintered wood in her soulmate's powerful hands. "What the.. " She dropped to a knee, and pried at the rigid fingers. "Xena.. let go." Her eyes lifted and searched the calm, almost distant face. "Hey…"

Slowly, the tendons under her hands relaxed, and she pulled the wood out, slipping her own hand into it's place, and curling her fingers around the warriors, her eyes never leaving Xena's quiet features. "Hey…." She whispered, relieved when the blue eyes turned towards her, and met her gaze, but shocked at the weary anguish she saw there. "What happened?" She lifted a hand and touched Xena's face. "Xe?"

"I'm all right." The warrior finally answered, flexing her hands. "I guess my plan's not gonna work." She admitted softly. "I'm sorry."

Gabrielle stood, and slid onto the remaining part of the chair arm. "Don't worry about it.. we'll come up with something… I'll have Josc charge her with the stuff she did to me, and Jo." She gently stroked her soulmate's hair, watching the faint flaring of her nostrils as Xena fought to keep her composure. "No problem."

Xena nodded absently, leaning her head against the bard's side. "That's a good idea." She paused. "Wish we'd thought about that before." She looked down at her hands, reddened from the contact with the wood. "Y'know, Gabrielle… strong as these are… strong as I am… it's nothing.. compared to the power of a few words." She swallowed, and closed her eyes. "But.. I guess you know that, huh?"

Bewildered, Gabrielle could only offer comfort, in the form of gentle touches, and soft reassurances. "Hey.. you wanna tell me what happened?" She wrapped her arms around Xena's shoulders, and hugged her, kissing the top of her head softly. "C'mon…"

Xena pulled herself together. "Eph just… she got mad at me, I guess.. she's pretty tense.. it's ok, Gabrielle.. she just caught me off guard, that's all."

Strong fingers fastened on her jaw, and turned her head, to meet Gabrielle's intense eyes. "What.. did… she… say.. to.. you." The bard asked slowly, spacing the words out.

"That's.. not important." Her partner replied. "She's had a rough time."

The anger built in Gabrielle's expression, and tensed her body. "Oh really? And just how does that stack up against what you and I just went through?"

Gotta get her calmed down. "Gabrielle?" Xena said the word softly, in a low voice.

"What?" The bard snipped, boiling.

"You're beautiful when you're angry." Xena replied quietly. "Especially when it's in my behalf."

She saw Gabrielle's chest heave with an indrawn breath, and the bard's body reluctantly relaxed against her. "It's not funny, Xena."

"I know." Her soulmate answered with a sigh. "But it was the truth.. and she's in a lot of pain… I'll live." She looked up. "I'm glad you found me."

"Are you?" The bard asked, examining her hands for splinters. "Mom must think I'm nuts.. I bowled over Eustase and dumped an entire bowl of grain tearing out of the kitchen." She pulled a tiny shard of wood from under her partner's skin. "Guess we need a plan B, huh?"

The warrior took a deep breath. "Even if Eph said no.. I still think she's in trouble."

"So do I." Gabrielle cast a glance towards the inn. "I just ran into Solari… she's been snapping at everyone from Eponin on down all morning."

"Mmph." Xena felt obscurely better. "I guess that explains it."

The bard patted her shoulder, and kissed the top of her head. "Maybe, but she's not going to snap at me." She stood, and twitched her tunic into place. "Be back."

She was gone before Xena could stop her, and, the warrior realized, she didn't really want to. Part of her felt a tiny, ridiculous thrill in the knowledge that her soulmate was charging to her defense.

Another, guilty part of her wanted to strike back at Ephiny, against the pain her words had caused, but that was balanced by her rational mind knowing that the regent was not thinking clearly.

They were only words, right?

Ephiny sat down slowly on the bed, then rested her head in her hands. Gods. What did I just do?" She ran over her words in her mind, and felt a dull nausea spread. How could I do that? "What in Hades is happening to me?" She whispered.

She sat there, shaking, until the door opened, and she looked up into intense, green eyes.

Gabrielle slowly shut the door behind her, and walked across the room, sitting down in the chair across from her, and watching her in absolute silence.

Ephiny couldn’t hold the glance, and dropped her eyes to the floor. "You here to tell me what a bitch I am?"

Gabrielle shifted slightly, and clasped her hands together. "I'm here because you cut her, and I'm bleeding, and I want to know why."

"She's wanting to try some damn, idiotic, mind experiment .. and I want no part of it, Gabrielle." Ephiny told her. "I don’t want to see, or talk to that she boar, you got me?"

A cock of the pale head. "You know… when Xena first told me she wanted you to try and talk to Paladia.. I thought she was crazy."

The regent snorted, and lifted her head. "Hey.. whadda you know."

Gabrielle sighed. "Now, I think I understand what she was driving at.. and it makes a lot of sense to me."

"What are you talking about?" Ephiny growled.

The bard moved closer. "What I'm talking about is that I see you here, shutting all of us out, pushing us away.. even Pony… and I see a good friend of mine slipping further and further out there." Gabrielle took a breath. "I see you tearing yourself apart, and I don’t' want to watch that."

"I'm fine" Ephiny countered. "I just need to go home."

Gabrielle reached out and captured her hand, hanging on when she would have pulled back. "Ephiny… you can't run from this." She tightened her fingers. "It just follows you, and never lets you go."

The Amazon looked at her.

"Go on.. what are you going to say?" Gabrielle lifted her chin. "That I'm just a naive village girl? That I don't know what I'm saying? "

Ephiny's eyes closed.

"Eph… " The bard's voice was quiet, and a little tired sounding. "I've been through some rough times recently."

"I know." Came the low answer.

"There were times when I… hated Xena.. and times when I .. hated myself even more." Gabrielle went on. "And I found out that… forgiving myself was a lot harder than forgiving her." She sighed. "But it was the path to finding peace inside myself again."

Gray eyes drank her in. "Are you telling me I have to forgive Paladia in order to get over this?"

The bard blinked. "Essentially, yes."

Ephiny shook her head. "You don't ask for much." She replied quietly. "I don’t think I can do that. I'm not… as forgiving a person.. as you are." She examined their linked hands. "I just want to kill her."

"Do you?" The bard replied. "All right." She watched Ephiny's shocked eyes lift to hers. "I can order that. Xena would do it for me if I asked her to." She waited. "Would that close things for you?"

"You can't do that." The Amazon whispered. "Can you?"

A shrug. "I don't know. I never tried." Gabrielle replied. "But if you think that will bring you peace, then I will." Her chin lifted again. "I am, after all, the Queen of the Amazons, and it's within the law.. which someone helpfully left for me to read yesterday." She released Ephiny's hand. "So.. you think about it, ok? And let me know."

She stood, and rested her hand briefly on Ephiny's bowed head. "I'll be at home… just come on over when you're ready." She turned to leave, looking back over her shoulder when she heard Ephiny shift.

"Gabrielle?" The blond Amazon spoke the name very softly.

"Mm?" She waited.

"I'm sorry about saying what I did to Xena. She didn't deserve that." Hazel eyes met green.

The bard released a breath. "In her mind she does." She replied quietly. "But thanks." She turned, and left, pulling the door closed behind her, and letting out a long sigh of relief. Oh boy, Gabrielle.. that's quite a bluff. Let's hope she doesn't call you on it.

A dark, furry form scrambled out of her way, and sat gazing unhappily at her, ears drooping. "Hey Ares.."

"Agrrrrrrr." The wolf stood, and looked at the door, then at her.

"How come you're not with your mom?" Gabrielle asked gently, kneeling beside the wolf and petting him. "Hmm? I bet she could use a friend right now, huh?"

"Rrrrr." Ares gently took her sleeve in his jaws, and tugged.

"Oh.. I get it." She stood and motioned towards the inn door. "All right.. let's go find her."

 Even the stable was too crowded. Xena let her slowing strokes ease, as she fingered the currycomb she'd been using on Argo's already gleaming coat. The walls seemed to press in against her, and she sighed softly, then rested her forehead against the mare's neck. "I think I need to just go for a walk, ok girl?" She murmured to the horse, who whickered in response. "I know.. I'll be ok, I'm just a little down."

Argo craned her head around, dropping the mouthful of sweet hay she'd been chewing, and nuzzled her rider in the side, her down soft nose pressing against the worn gambeson, and her breath penetrating to warm the warrior's skin.

Xena scratched her ears, and under her broad, flat jawbone, gently moving the thick blond forelock to one side. "Would you like a run later?"

The mare snorted, and butted her chest hard. "Yeah.. yeah.. I know.. I've been neglecting you…" She circled the mare's neck and gave her a quick hug, then pulled a bit of carrot from her pocket and offered it up, watching with a wistful smile as Argo nibbled the treat eagerly. "You wait here, ok? I'll be back soon." She gave the mare a last pat, then stood for a moment, indecisive.

Oh.. right. I know. She nodded once to herself, then ducked out the back door, and headed directly up the ridge that dipped into Amphipolis, taking a moment, then finding a old, and very overgrown path, barely large enough for her to pass, so closed with foliage that soft, flexible leaves whispered over her body and left trails of green scent in the air as she passed.

It took a while, until she'd gotten up over the crest, and reached an impasse, an old, dried creek bed that bisected the landscape, with moss covered boulders in it's base, and long, trailing vines that almost overran it. Xena stopped, and put her hands on her hips. I could jump this, now. She pursed her lips, remembering the seemingly endless time it had taken her to defeat this obstacle as a small child.

She'd decided, she remembered, that the other side was just much better than this one. Why? Who knew? Kids just.. did that kind of stuff. But she'd made up her mind, and she wasn't going to let no old river stop her.

No, ma'am. Xena's eyes tracked along the edge of the bank, almost as though she could see the rough handholds she'd patiently, stubbornly hacked into it. A step forward, and she peered into the ravine, seeing a small, overgrown ridge sticking out from the wall, and in a flash, remembered her shaking legs balancing on it, as she'd made it down that far.

And gotten stuck, because she hadn't the strength to go back up, and couldn't find any way down. She'd huddled there until almost dark, frightened, and exhausted, waving her hands to chase away the huge horseflies that swarmed around the gap, born in the tiny trickle of water that still traveled down it's meager length.

Finally, she'd spotted a vine, an arms length and more beyond her reach, which might, if she swung hard enough, get her over to a second ledge, that was near a more easily climbed part of the bank.

It meant jumping, though, over the open air, and the possibility of missing her grip, and falling to the rocks below.

But she was young, and foolish, and didn't really understand what death was, or what fear felt like, so she gathered herself up, and took the one, halting step the rock shelf allowed her, and flung herself into space, reaching for the elusive green haven.

She'd never forgotten the feeling of that rough, sticky surface under her hands, as she grabbed frantically at the vine, and somehow got a grip on it. Her small body's weight carried her forward, swinging against the bank with a rude bang, and almost knocking her silly.

But she hung on, somehow, and got to the other ledge, and sat there for a long time, until her heart stopped pounding, and her legs stopped shaking in reaction, until she managed to drag herself up the bank, and onto the solid ground, just as the fading sunset painted the green undergrowth to a russet brown.

If Xena concentrated, now, she could still feel the scratchy bite of the undergrowth against her bare legs as she sat on the bank, one thought only running over and over again through her mind.

Wow. Even now a grin found it's way onto her face, as the memory hit. That was fun.

She had, eventually, found a way across, but not before she'd experimented with every single vine she could swing on in a variety of different ways. It had been an early start on building upper body strength that now allowed her to behead a man with a single sword cut, or press her own body weight up using the power of her arms alone, something most men she knew wouldn't even try.

Xena sighed, and rested her hands on her hips, feeling the contrast between her child's struggling, and the mature, confident strength of the body she inhabited now. Glancing around, she took a few steps back, then bolted forward, reaching the edge of the ravine and leaping outward, feeling the vine's rough bite against her palms, as she let her momentum take her forward, swinging out, and down, then back up at the vine's limit.

And she released her hold, stretching her long body out, and tumbling into a lazy flip that carried her over the other bank, where she landed neatly on the edge of the continuing, overgrown path. She turned, and looked back, and smiled. Wow. That was still fun.

The smile faded after a beat. Easier to think about that part of my past, I guess. She sighed, pushing recent, angry words out of her consciousness, as she turned back and walked along a path she'd last trod before Cortese.

Ephiny leaned back in her chair, and braced her booted foot against the fireplace, her eyes gazing absently out the window, as she tried to make sense out of the previous few candlemarks. Gabrielle had surprised her, and she kept hearing the bard's words running through her head, try as she might to push them out.

She was sorry about that whole scene with Xena. Not that she didn't admit to still being angry with the warrior for exactly what she'd mentioned, she was. But her mind acknowledged that Xena wasn't able to go back and change what happened, and that she probably was carrying more than enough guilt about it without Ephiny adding to that.

That didn't stop her from being angry with the warrior for presuming to judge what she, Ephiny, should or shouldn't do, and also for forcing Gabrielle to become involved in it.

The door edged open, and she rolled an eye back, spotting Eponin's dark head peeking in. "Yeah?" She knew she was being short with everyone.. she just couldn't seem to help it. That put a barrier between her and what had happened, and she needed that, right now. Didn't mean anything was wrong with her.

"Hi." Pony quietly came in, and took the other chair. "Everyone's ready to move out tomorrow early." She kept her hands clasped in her lap, and regarded them in pensive silence.

"Good." Ephiny let out a long sigh. "Be good to get home." She studied her lover. "Guess you heard what happened out there, huh?"

Eponin met her eyes. "Everyone did." She commented evenly. "We were inside the inn."

Ephiny shook her head. "I don't know what got into Xena anyway.. don't know why she decided to get involved… I guess I'll have to go find her and apologize or something."

An awkward silence fell, as Eponin seemed to be checking the ridges on her fingertips. "Um." She finally exhaled. "I asked her to."

Ephiny felt a shock travel down her spine, and now, at last, Eponin's tense posture and strained voice registered. "What?"

The weapon's master straightened her shoulders and met her gaze evenly. "I asked her for help." Her jaw tensed. "You're eating yourself up, and I didn't know what to do. So I went and found her, and asked." Her eyes dropped. "So if you're going to be mad, be mad at me. Not at her."

The regent looked at her in bewilderment. "You?"

"Yeah." Eponin edged her chair closer. "Remember me? The featherhead who's kinda gone on you?" She let out a long sigh, the air blowing her hair up and out of her eyes. "Looks like I messed up big this time."

Ephiny cursed silently to herself. It was all just too complicated, and she didn't really feel up to dealing with any of it right now. "Pony.. "

"Mm?" The caramel colored eyes were fastened firmly on neatly tied leather boots. "Y'know… I've never felt so damn helpless in my life than I did after I got home.. and they told me what happened." She went on quietly. "All I could do is go along.. go along.. and hope like Hades that old Xena could pull some goddamn rabbit out of her goddamn saddlebag, and… " She lowered her chin to her fists. "I felt so lousy on the way up there.. everyone was treating her like crap.. and she just took it, and got behind those walls she has."

The regent leaned forward and put a hand on her arm. "Hey… "

"And then.. you know.. she practically pulled us up that stinking mountain.. and after we got up there, and saw that chasm… I would have given up." Pony slowly shook her head. "She never did."

"If you're trying to make me feel guilty about saying what I did, it's too late." Ephiny held up a hand. "All right, already."

"I'm not." Eponin replied quietly. "What you said was the truth." A breath. "We all know it." She slowly shook her head. "What kind of heart must it take to be able to hold up under all of that?"

A bird call insinuated itself into the silence.

"Pony… are you trying to distract me?" Ephiny finally asked.

"Yeah." Her lover answered.

"Trying to make me realize there are folks worse off than I am??" The regent continued.

"Yeah." Pony admitted. "Did it work?"

Ephiny sighed, and propped her head up on one hand. "Is it so awful that I just want to forget all this? " She asked in a weary voice.

"Eph… we're here for you.. to help you work through this.. " The dark haired Amazon started, awkwardly.

"You don't understand." The regent gripped her forehead. "I don't want to deal with it. I don't want to work through it. I just .." She paused, and closed her eyes. "Want it all to go away." She sensed Eponin's movement, and opened her eyes as her lover knelt gingerly in front of her.

Solemnly, wide eyed, Eponin carefully pulled a pair of roses from her belt, and offered them up. "I can't fix what happened.. but I can let you know how much you mean to me." She held her breath, crossing her mental fingers and hoping like Hades that Xena had been right. Again.

The gentle, spicy scent of the flowers tickled Ephiny's nose, as she stared at them, then lifted her eyes to the earnest ones blinking back at her, and felt something snap inside her. She lifted a shaking hand and took the roses, then slipped her other hand around Eponin's neck, and pulled her close, burying her face in the dark hair.

Damn. Eponin mused, as she gingerly attempted a gentle hug. For someone as wild and wooly as Xena is, she's got this warm and fuzzy stuff down pretty damn pat.

The path had almost faded out in places, but Xena found her memories resurfacing as she edged along it, and eventually she broke out onto a plateau, which overlooked the next valley over, where the river ran off into the horizon and the far edges of a deep forest collected a trim of hazy sunlight.

The wind was capricious up here, and blew Xena's dark hair across her face as she pushed through the knee high grasses, to a huge, lone tree that seemed to loom over the edge of the plateau, overlooking the valley.

Xena laid a hand on the bark of the tree, and gazed up. The branches wound in and among themselves, spiraling up towards the sky in a mindless pattern. With a faint smile, the warrior jumped lightly up, and caught the lowest branch, then pulled herself up onto it, stirring memories from what seemed a lifetime ago.

Up and up, further, until she reached a central point in the structure of the tree, where the limbs all curled together, and formed a small, cuplike area. Xena put her hands on the edge of one of the walls, and boosted herself over, into the welcoming interlaced branches, and settled down, limbs sprawled to take her weight on the uneven surface.

Gods… it was smaller than she remembered. A wistful smile crossed her face. But it was still comfortable here. She rolled her head to one side, and looked out over the misty vale, feeling time slip away from her.

This was a place that had been hers alone. Not even Lyceus had been up here, because he never could muster the nerve to climb this high. Xena looked around, running her fingers idly through the faint ruins of small toys, and bits of wood, and remembered the many hours she'd spent playing up here. Moving around her toy soldiers, and daydreaming of her future.

Her hand found a larger piece, and she pulled it out from under years of leafy debris, holding it up to the sunlight. A crudely carved horse's head looked back at her, the uneven eyes and scowling mouth bringing a tiny, sad smile to her face.

So many dreams she'd had. So many things she was going to do. Xena laid her cheek against the smooth bark of the tree, and studied the clouds drifting overhead. How damn far she'd drifted .. how she'd betrayed every promise she'd ever made, ever dream she'd ever had for who she wanted to be.

Her eyes found a sheep in the large, fluffy cloud that drifted between the sun and herself, dappling her body with green tinted shade.

Strange, that the one thing she'd never dreamed of now made the disappointment, and the shame of self knowledge bearable. Her daydreams had never addressed falling in love. Never considered the possibility that another person could so easily defeat her fiercest defenses and earn a surrender of self so complete that it made living with her past a weight she could handle.

Except when the thought about the damage she'd visited on Gabrielle.

Then, only the knowledge that Gabrielle needed her kept her going. She took in a deep breath of the bark scented air, and squared her shoulders a little. And that's all there is to that. She reminded herself quietly.

The afternoon sun peeked back out from the clouds, and warmed her, and she felt the tension slowly start to relax, as she shifted her boots, and the brisk wind lifted her hair and rustled the leaves.

It was so peaceful here. No Amazons, no renegades.. just her, and the tree, and the wind. And the sun that glinted through the leaves and dazzled her eyes, which she obligingly closed, willing herself to remember better times.

Vague scenes of past times spent here drifted gently in her mind's eye, and she shifted her head, resting it more comfortably against a patch of leaves. The day she'd finally gotten all the way up here, after falling.. how many times? A faint grin touched her lips. No wonder her head was hard as a rock.. she'd fallen on it just about every day for three cycles of the moon before she'd figured out a way up here.

But.. when she did, and ended up standing here in the hollow, and looking out over the world as if she'd owned it… ah. That had been sweet.

Her aching chest loosened, and the sun and wind captured her, luring her body seductively into a warm haze that swiftly, irresistibly, deepened into sleep as mental exhaustion just simply took her over.

The candles flickered, as the cool night breeze entered the inn, sending shadows dancing across the walls. Gabrielle folded her hands neatly on the table and cocked her head in a listening attitude, as the conversation around the table centered on recent doings in Potadeia.

It was taking all her willpower, though, to stay seated, in a circle of her family both birth and adopted when her heart was wandering around out in the darkness somewhere. Following her absent soulmate, who had disappeared after her talk with Ephiny and even Ares had been unable to locate her.

The trail let off at a deep, dry ravine, as much as Xena saying to them - no further. Gabrielle had stood at it's edge, and peered across, seeing the tiny fragment of a path leading outward. She was all right, Gabrielle kept telling herself, or surely she'd know it, but it was unlike Xena to deliberately just vanish without a word to her, and stay gone this long, deep into the night.

She was worried, and for all her simulated attention to what was going on at dinner, and her casual explanations of her partner's absence, she was getting more and more concerned with every passing candlemark.

A hand rested gently on her shoulder, and she turned, to see Cyrene's eyes studying her. "You ok, cutie?" The older woman lowered her voice. "You look a little bothered."

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah.. I'm fine.. just listening. My throat's a little sore tonight.. not much into talking." She picked up her goblet and took a sip of ale, then nibbled on a piece of flatbread from her plate.

Cyrene regarded her in silence for a second, then squeezed her arm. "She'll be fine, honey.. sometimes she just… "

Green eyes met hers in wry understanding. "Needs time alone. I know." Gabrielle agreed quietly. "She can take care of herself."

They looked at each other, and then Cyrene's eyes dropped to the bard's mostly untouched dinner, paused, and lifted back to her candlelit face. "I think you both take care of each other." She commented, suppressing a smile. "And it's a good thing, too."

Gabrielle ducked her head, then gave a little, sheepish shrug. "Yeah.. " She took another long sip of ale, and set the cup down. "I'm a worrywart.. I admit it." She glanced up. "I know it drives her crazy, but I can't help it."

Cyrene rested her elbow on the table, and leaned closer. "Honey, let me let you in on a little secret, ok?"

The bard moved her head towards the innkeeper, and waited. "Ok?"

"She loves every single minute of it." Xena's mother whispered in her ear. "Don't let her fool you."

Gabrielle smiled in reaction, and let out a small, tense chuckle.

"Hey, sis…" Lila called her, and the bard looked up, to meet her sister's dark eyes. "Will you tell that one story with the giants?"

Cyrene stood up, and waved a hand. "Not tonight… I ordered her to stay quiet. She's got a sore throat, and I’m not having her strain it." She let her fingers drop and rest on Gabrielle's shoulder, as the bard bit off a faint grin.

"Thought you looked a little pale." Hecuba eyed her appraisingly, lifting a weathered hand and feeling her daughter's forehead. "You feel a little warm."

"I knew it.. " Granella snorted softly. "Anytime you don’t eat, you're not feeling well."

"She should go to bed." Lila offered, with a concerned look. "Did you drink something hot?" They all shifted nearer, peering at the now blushing Gabrielle. "I have some drops you can suck on." Lila went on, rummaging in a pocket.

"Guys.. I'm fine.. really." The bard was caught between embarrassment and sheepish gratitude for the concern. Then the shadow of Xena's absence settled on her again, and she sighed. "But.. maybe I should go lie down." She felt a sudden urge to just be out of there, alone, where she could worry in peace, and not pretend to be sociable.

Gods. She abruptly sidetracked. I think I just got a blinding insight into that testy, grumpy routine of Xena's. "Yeah… I think I'll just go on home…my head hurts anyway."

Ephiny, who had been watching in pensive silence most of the night stood slowly, and let out a breath. "I'll walk you back."

Gabrielle hesitated, then nodded, and led the way to the inn door, pushing it open and holding it while Ephiny took careful steps through it. "Listen.. you don't have to go all the way back there.. you look a little shaky." She told the regent.

"No.. it's all right." Ephiny replied quietly. "I could use the fresh air." She paced alongside the bard, glancing up at the heavy, full moon overhead. "Nice night."

Gabrielle looked up, watching the shadowy clouds drift across the glowing face. "Yeah, it is.. I always liked being out under a full moon.. everything looks so different." She glanced off into the darkness of the surrounding trees. "My favorite thing was… is watching Xena do her sword drills on a night like this.. it's magical." She lifted a hand and waved it. "The moon shines off the metal, in little sparkles all over the place, and the light, and how she moves…" She smiled a little. "All silver light and shadows… gods, the first poem I ever wrote about her was about that."

Ephiny glanced at her. "That must have gone over well." She commented. "How'd she take to having poetry written about her?"

The bard chuckled softly. "Well.. I think it kind of freaked her out at first.. but she got used to it, after a while." A deprecating shrug. "Not like she had a choice… she was my best inspiration." She let out a soft breath. "Still is."

Ephiny bowed her head, and studied the leaf littered ground they were walking over. "I.. um… " A glance up, then back down. "I don't want you to do anything to Paladia."

Gabrielle kept her silence for a bit, considering the statement. They got to the porch of her cabin, and she indicated the two chairs on the moonlit deck. She took one, and waited for Ephiny to settle in the other, and leaned back. "All right." She finally said. "I’m glad you decided that." She watched an owl flap across the open space in front of them, and sighed. "I'll.. have Josclyn handle it.. I can swear out the complaint for myself.. we just won't involve the Amazons at all."

Ephiny shifted awkwardly, and swallowed. "Thanks." Her voice was a touch hoarse. "I know you think I’m a coward… but I just can't deal with that right now." Her eyes lifted a bit, focusing on Gabrielle's hands. "Maybe in a while."

The bard nodded a little. "I understand." She returned her gaze to the forest.

Ephiny looked at her face. "But you think I'm doing the wrong thing, don't you?"

Gabrielle rolled her head to one side. "Yes." She paused. "The longer you let it fester in there, Ephiny.. the worse it gets. I know." She exhaled. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here.. you know that, right?"

The regent leaned her head back, and shook it. "I feel like such an ungrateful bitch, Gabrielle… the two of you risked your lives to come in and rescue my sorry butt, and I go and open my mouth and spout off something that's none of my damn business."

The bard chewed her lip, watching the shifting leaves send shadows across Ephiny's face. "That's not true, Eph.. and I'm glad it's not." She finally said softly. "It's good to know I have friends who will stand behind me.. and who care about what happens to me.. I don't regret that at all."

Ephiny kicked her boot against the lower railing, and pursed her lips. "If… um.. if she doesn't come back before we leave tomorrow… tell her I'm sorry, all right?" She hesitated. "Tell her… tell her I think she's right.. I just don't have the strength right now to go through with it."

Gabrielle clasped her hands together, and studied the signet ring reflecting the silvery moonlight. "All right." She finally said. "I will."

They sat in silence for a bit. "Is she ok?" Ephiny finally asked, timidly. "I know you kind of blew everyone off when they asked.. but I mean… "

"I don't know." The bard answered, honestly. "She left right after you guys talked… I know she went in and spent some time with Argo, but then.. I don't know where she is. I think she's ok." Then she rested her head back against the chair. "You know what hurts the most?"

Ephiny tensed a little. "What?"

Weary green eyes turned to her. "That you still think the whole thing was her fault."

The regent pursed her lips. "I… I guess I can't get the memory of what you suffered those few days out of my mind, Gabrielle." She said. "She should have stayed, and helped you.."

"Eph." The bard leaned forward, and put a strong hand on her arm. "Listen to me, all right? Yes.. I was in Hades that whole time, it's true. But…" She exhaled. "I had all the Amazons around me… I had councilors trying to talk to me, you were there…I was surrounded by people who were trying to help me."

"Yeah." Ephiny agreed doubtfully. "We didn't do much good."

"She wasn't." Gabrielle replied, starkly. "She went up, into the mountains, and found some cold, lonely spot, and curled up into a ball, hurting. " The bard sucked in a breath. "No friends, no family... her only son dead, betrayed by the one person she'd trusted all the way, Ephiny… all the way, no holds barred, you understand?" Gabrielle fastened her eyes on the regent, willing her to see what she saw. "Ephiny, she gave me everything she has to give. Her heart, her soul, the identity of her only child, a home, a place… " The bard let her head sink down into her hands. "And I put my pride above all that." She whispered. "By my own free will, knowing how Xena felt about her, I sent Hope directly to where I knew Solon was."

She looked up right into Ephiny's stunned eyes. "I killed him."

"She was going to kill you." The regent shot back.

"There were moments I would have welcomed that." Gabrielle replied. "It would have hurt a lot less."

A tense silence fell. Finally, Ephiny drew breath. "How in all the levels of Hades did you ever get back from where you both were?"

Gabrielle rested her chin on her hands. "It was simpler than you'd think." She chose her words carefully. "The only way to break the cycle of hatred and violence, Ephiny, is through love, and forgiveness." She blinked. "I used to just say that. Now I live it." She paused. "But she.. had more to forgive, than I did." Another pause. "And that wasn't easy for her… because it's not how her nature is, but she did it." A final pause, and Gabrielle pulled all her belief up, and injected it into her voice. "And so can you."

Ephiny remained quiet for a time, reflecting on her friend's words. She glanced up, shaking her head a bit. "You're a remarkable person, you know that?"

"Nah." Gabrielle quickly disagreed. "I just do what I do."

A faint smile crossed Ephiny's face. "You do it very well." She looked out over the empty courtyard. "So… you gonna just… sit out here and wait?"

Gabrielle smiled back. "Probably." She tucked her legs up under her, and rested her weight on the chair arm. "How's Pony doing?"

Ephiny glanced quickly at her. "She's.. really come through for me." The regent admitted quietly. "She's not real good with emotional stuff, but she's really been there.. been supportive, and understanding.. she surprised me."

"Mm." Gabrielle murmured. "Well, Xena said she'd kick her butt if she wasn't, so.." Her eyes pinned Ephiny's. "I'm glad she is."

The regent sighed. "Gabrielle?"

"Yes?"

"I get the point." Ephiny met her gaze squarely. "I may be a clueless featherhead, but if you pound something into me long enough, I eventually figure it out."

Gabrielle smiled gently. "You're not clueless." She leaned forward. "I just want you to understand where I'm coming from." She observed the weary lines around her friend's mouth, and uncurled her body, standing up. "C'mon.. let me walk you back over there… my convalescing friend."

Ephiny stood, and allowed Gabrielle to put a gentle hold on her elbow, as the walked slowly back towards the inn. "I'd.. like it if you guys would come visit us, after a while." The regent asked in a low tone. "Last time wasn't exactly pleasant."

"Sure." Gabrielle answered. "We're supposed to go out west… I promised I'd stay over at Potadeia for a few days.. and we want to go see Jessan's kids. On the way back we can swing by.. it'll be about Festival time, right?"

"Mm." Ephiny agreed. "The Festival of Dionysus… it'd be great to have you there for that… it's a lot of fun, a lot of joinings.. a lot of parties… real low stress. " She paused. "Did I mention the joinings?"

"Yeeesss… " Gabrielle chuckled. "I'd like to be there to officiate." She darted a glance at the regent. "Like.. maybe at yours?"

"Tch." Ephiny poked her gently. "Did I say that was in the works? I'm sure I didn't…. we're not… um… well, we haven't… anyway, there are lots of others who are reserving that day." She studied the ground. "It's a nice tradition… makes everyone feel like they're part of the Nation, really.. it can.. um… enhance the entire Amazon experience." A pause. "Know what I mean?"

Gabrielle bit her lip. "Ephiny?"

"Yes?"

"I get the point." She deliberately mimicked her friend's earlier words. "I may be a clueless small town girl but if you poke me enough, I figure out you want something."

"Me?" Ephiny blinked innocently at her. "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no idea in the world what you're talking about."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "Ok..ok.."

"I was just… er… explaining our traditions." Long pause. "You know how we love those."

"O.. yeah." The bard held the inn door open for her. "Almost as much as you love parties."

"Well, there's lots of those during the Festival too." Ephiny added, as they reached the door to her small room. "Listen, Gabrielle… "

A hand clasped her shoulder, warm and strong. "I know. I'll see what I can do about being there." The bard said gently. "Go to bed."

She watched Ephiny square her shoulders and enter the room, closing the door behind her, then she turned and made her way out of the inn, through the few, idle patrons that were left, and exited out into the courtyard again, strolling in silence back to the cabin. Ares came bounding up from wherever his night hunt had lead him, and galloped around her, dropping down onto his front paws, and growling.

She paused at the cabin door, and pushed it open, slipping inside, and closing it behind her.

Damn, the place was so.. Her eyes searched the familiar, candlelit interior. So empty without Xena in it. Normally, that was ok… she knew the warrior was either around, or gone for a time or..whatever. But now, she was painfully aware of every creak of the floorboards, and whisper of the leaves against the outer walls.

Xena, where in Hades are you?

For a very long moment, she stood, indecisive, then took a deep breath, and nodded to herself. "All right, Ares… you want to go for a little walk?"

"Roo?" The wolf sat down on his haunches, and peered up at her, head cocked. "Arrrggrrr."

"C'mon." Gabrielle took her light cloak down from the peg it hung on, and slipped it over her shoulders, then grabbed her staff, hefting it's familiar weight with something close to pleasure, and strode back out into the moonlight.

Yes, believe it or not, there is a part 9. Because otherwise, this last part is too big for most smaller browsers. So -

CONCLUDED… (for sure) in Part 9

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 – Violence - yes, there will be violence of a moderately graphic nature in this story. Xena is easily bored, and when she gets bored, she likes to hit people. It's just one of those things.

Subtext - As in all my stories, this one is based on the premise of two people who are very much in love with each other. They happen to both be women. There is no graphically depicted action here.. but if the thought of this gives you a problem, find a different story to read. There are lots of very good general fiction Xena stories that can be found everywhere.

If you read the above, and then persist in reading the story, which won't be a short one, cause they never are, and then you're STILL offended by love… send me your address, and I'll send you some kumquats. It'll be perfect for you, trust me.

ON the other hand, if you kinda like the stuff, send me your address, and I'll pass along some of my favorite snack foods, white raisins, dipped in fresh milk chocolate.

Oh - and this is, actually, truly, really, the conclusion. Honest.

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

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Leap of Faith - Part 9

By Melissa Good

It was a caterpillar that finally did the trick, Xena realized, as she blinked her very startled eyes open, to see silvery moonlight spilling all over her like a soft edged blanket. The creeping bug had ended up tickling her knuckles, and she stared at it in fuzzy bewilderment before she knocked her hand lightly against the bark of the tree and sent the bug tumbling into a patch of leaves.

Oh… Xena let several colorful curse words fall from her lips, as her eyes found the moon's position in the sky. I can't believe I did that. I can't believe I DID THAT!!!!! She caught a branch over her head and pulled her body upright, running a hand through her hair to move it out of her eyes, and taking a moment to collect herself. She balanced on a thick limb, letting the sleep drain out of her, and making sure her sense of balance was present and intact.

Then it was a simple matter of dropping from branch to branch, stepping from the lowest one and landing with a startlingly loud thump against the vine-covered soil. The night was very quiet, just the faint sounds of small hunting animals rustling around, accompanied by a staggered round of crickets who stilled as she passed, and took up their rattle after her soft footsteps no longer disturbed the knee high grasses she was walking through. Once she'd cleared the ridge, she broke into a powerful lope, her body sliding through the underbrush as ferns tickled her bare arms, and dew moistened her clothing.

One thought echoed to the sounds of her steps. Gabrielle.. is gonna kill me. Xena berated herself out over and over again, in utter disbelief that she'd actually just gone up there and FALLEN ASLEEP… Softly hissed curses startled a night feeding deer, who jumped out of her way, and caused an owl to take off, flapping over her head and stirring her hair with his passage.

It took several minutes more to reach the ravine, and she slowed her steps, looking for a good place to cross it. She was about to launch herself towards a vine, when the moon came out from behind the clouds and painted the overgrown creek bed in silver and sharp, black shadows.

Outlining a small, huddled form next to the tall tree overhanging the ravine, the sight of which grabbed Xena's heart, and just wrung it. Oh.. damn it all to Hades… She cursed softly, then wasted no more time in finding a solid vine and swinging across. She landed gently not far from the tree bole, and trotted over, startling the sleeping Ares, who popped his dark head up, and stared at her with round, yellow eyes. "Arhggrrrrrooooo." He growled.

"Shhh.. " Xena dropped to her knees, and gently, carefully put a hand on her dozing soulmate's cloaked shoulder. "Hey… " She resisted the almost unstoppable urge she had to scoop the bard up, and cuddle her. "Gabrielle?"

"Mmmm.. " The bard stirred, lifting her head, and struggling to open her eyes. "Oh… " A smile tugged at her lips. "There you are." She lifted a hand and rubbed her eyelids, pushing herself away from the tree she'd been sheltering against, and towards her partner. "Glad you're ok."

Xena collapsed cross-legged onto the leafy floor, and groaned. "No.. I'm not ok.. I'm a an idiot.. I can't believe I… Gabrielle, I'm sorry."

The bard sat up, and settled next to her, mimicking her posture. "Hey.. it's ok… I know you need time by yourself.. I was just kinda… " She looked around. "Kinda worried, that's all." She gave her soulmate an apologetic look. "I didn't know where you were."

The warrior lowered her head into her hands, and groaned again, alarming Gabrielle, who leaned forward and tipped her head up, peering worriedly at her. "Hey.. are you all right?" She pushed Xena's dark hair back, and felt her forehead, then checked her for obvious wounds. "You don't look hurt… what's wrong?"

A long, gusting sigh. "What's wrong is… I .. went out to a.. to an old haunt of mine.. and like a damn, irresponsible kid, I damn it all to Hades FELL ASLEEP." The warrior burst out, shaking her head violently, and clutching it. "I can't believe I did that."

Gabrielle giggled softly. "Hey.. hey.. relax… " She captured her partner's hands and pulled them towards her, kissing them lightly. "Take it easy, will you? We all survived.. nothing burned down, there were no floods, no renegades, no cows in distress.. you took the afternoon off. No big deal, Xena…. "

"And left you to wait here, alone, in the middle of the forest." The warrior concluded bitterly.

"Hey!" Gabrielle's voice turned serious. "That was my choice to do, ok? I could be comfortably curled up in bed.. but I just…" She shrugged. "I.. um… " Her eyes looked around. "Ok, so I'm kinda crazy.. " She turned a plaintive gaze on the warrior's stormy face. "Would you just take it easy?" A pat on the warrior's chest. "I'm just glad you're here."

Xena scowled. Not one of her "I'm a warrior and you're not' ones, but one of her adolescent, full face, "I want stuffed grape leaves, and I want them now" kind of scowls that Gabrielle was actually kind of fond of. It was so cute she leaned over and kissed the pouting lips, winding a hand around Xena's neck, and pulling her closer. "C'mere, you."

Xena really wanted to remain disgusted with herself. Really. But she responded to the gentle touch with reluctant pleasure, finally giving in to her desire to get her arms around the bard and feel Gabrielle's body warm against her own.

It felt so.. damn.. good.. The bard's hands immediately took possession of her, moving restlessly against her skin as they ended up tangled together in the ferns.

"I knew I was waiting here for a reason." Gabrielle teased, pulling back a little and smiling. "And that was certainly worth the wait."

She got a grudging half grin back, and settled onto her side, propping herself up on an elbow. "So… you missed a dinner's worth of 'no centaur poop, I was there!' in Potadeia stories." She informed her soulmate, snagging her finger into the straps on Xena's gambeson and tugging, unobtrusively watching the shadowed, somewhat grumpy face opposing her. "C'mon, Xena… let it go already… the world didn't end because you took a nap." She curled her fingers around the warrior's wrist. "You had a pretty stressful morning.. and all that partying last night didn't help.. I mean look.. I fell asleep here in the middle of the forest waiting for you."

Xena poked her lower lip out, and scowled, then released a weighty sigh and rolled over onto her back, gazing up at the leafy canopy. After a moment of contemplation, she eyed her partner in resignation. "Wanna see where I went?"

Gabrielle perked up, an intrigued expression crossing her face. "Sure." She looked around. "It's a great night for a walk."

First, they had to get over the ravine, and Gabrielle decided to just keep her eyes closed and hold on, as Xena jumped, grabbing a vine and lifting them both over. She was only aware of the air brushing by her, and then the impact as her feet hit the far edge. They walked in companionable silence through the trees, hand in hand, until they reached the open plateau, where Gabreille stopped, and drew in breath at the lovely, moonlit scene that greeted her eyes. "Wow." She breathed, a smile etching her lips. "Nice view."

The starry sky stretched overhead, meeting the long, dark line of trees in the distance, and the moon reflected off the river that flowed to meet the horizon. The entire plateau was bathed in silver light, and the breeze, which blew up from the lower valley, carried tantalizing hints of night blossoming flowers.

Xena stopped under the tree, and looked up, then looked at her. "My childhood refuge."

Gabrielle tipped her head back, and gazed upward. A faint giggle worked it's way up through her throat. "It figures." She said, giving her partner a wry roll of her eyes. Then a determined look crossed her face, as she circled the tree. "Is there a route up?"

Xena's eyebrows rose. "You don't…um… have to go up there, you know." She watched the bard's slim form maneuver around the trunk, the tip of her tongue appearing as she studied the problem. "But I guess you want to, huh?"

So they did.. Xena leaping up and catching a hold, then extending a careful arm down to pull her soulmate up, as they worked their way to the top of the tree, where she lifted Gabrielle over and into the cuplike depression she'd so recently been resting in. "There you go."

Gabrielle leaned back against the bark and crossed her arms, taking a deep breath of the sweet air and enjoying the sights. "It's beautiful here." She looked down. "Climbing this tree was an interesting experience… it was scary, and it was hard, but you end up in a nice, secure place with a great view." She paused, and lifted her eyes to Xena's. "It's kind of what getting to know you has been like."

Xena blinked at her, vaguely startled.

Gabrielle sighed, and moved closer. "I meant, the result is more than well worth the effort it took."

"Oh." Xena muttered, with a relieved look. "Yeah, it is kinda nice up here."

The bard leaned against her, and smiled. "Ephiny stopped by.. I think I guiltified her enough to make her feathers wilt."

The warrior shrugged. "You didn't have to do that… it wasn't a big deal, Gabrielle.. "

"Hey." The bard poked her. "Save that 'I don't care what other people think' routine for someone who doesn’t know you like I do, ok?" She gave her partner a stern look. "Anyway.. she apologized.. and wanted me to tell you that in case you didn't get back before she left."

Xena nodded, but looked sad. "Yeah." She sucked in a breath. "Maybe I'll just… arrange not to be around tomorrow morning. Might make it easier."

Gabrielle gave her a warning look. "Xena, it's not going to be like that." She said. "She admitted you were right.. she just didn't think she could face Paladia right now."

The warrior nodded a little, then sprawled across the branches again, watching the moon's progress in morose silence.

The bard sighed inwardly, sitting down next to her and throwing her arm over the broad shoulders. "I am their Queen." An idea niggled at her, borne from Ephiny's nagging.

"I know." Xena said. "Sorry…they're good people, Gabrielle.. it's just gonna take a while." Her posture slumped a little, though, as she reached out, and fingered a few of the leaves that were surrounding them.

"Mm.." Gabrielle snuggled up next to her, and rested her chin on Xena's shoulder, taking a steadying breath as she thought out her words. "I'd… um…" She hesitated. "Y'know… I was reading all that stuff they left me.. about the Amazon rules, and laws. .and all that gunk."

Xena turned her head, watching her partner's face with idle interest. "Uh huh?"

Gabrielle nodded, feeling a nervous clenching in her stomach. "They have some interesting customs." She temporized, feeling blue eyes sharpen and intently study her. "There's.. one or two I.. I think I'd like to get to know on a.. um.. a personal level."

She sensed Xena's breathing change, and felt the nervous skip of her heartbeat, perceptible under the bard's fingers, which rested on the warrior's neck. Gabrielle looked up, uncertainly, and saw the swift shuttering of wary shields going up in her soulmate's eyes and realized how Xena might have interpreted what she'd just said.

Damn. She silently cursed. Does she still think there's a chance I'd choose the Amazons over her? Looking up into Xena's tense face brought it's own answer, and it saddened her. I guess she does.

"Sure… Gabrielle.. stands.. I guess it stands to reason you want find out more about them.. I mean.." Xena's voice was steady. "I can understand that."

"Good." The bard replied. "Will you be my Consort, then?" She felt the breath come out of her partner as her jaw dropped a little, and just waited, watching a dozen different emotions flash across Xena's face. Chiefly shock, followed by disbelief.

"M.. Me?" Xena managed to squeak out.

Oo… she's so cute when she's flustered. Gabrielle bit her lower lip, suppressing a smile. "Well… you're the only soulmate I have, so… yeah, you."

"But… but that would make me… "

"An Amazon, yeah." Gabrielle acknowledged, feeling very proud of herself. "Dyed in the.. um… feathers.. so to speak." She read the doubt in Xena's eyes with a pang. "Unless you.. don't want to be.. that.. for me."

A silence dropped between them, until Xena drew in breath, and lifted a hand to her cheek, tilting her head so their eyes met. "I… I… Gabrielle, I don't deserve that honor." Her voice shook. "The Amazons look on me as a.. half crazed, bloodthirsty.. " She stopped, then went on. "killer."

Gabrielle gently kissed her hand, then covered it with her own. "I know." She answered honestly. "But if you said yes.. then you'd be THEIR half crazed, bloodthirsty killer.. and that would make all the difference to them."

The warrior blinked at her, shocked at her brutally practical analysis. She took a breath, then let it out slowly. "You're right… I… I guess it's a good idea."

The bard nuzzled her neck. "Thanks.. but that's not why I asked you."

Xena was totally off balance, and it showed. "I… it's .. it's not?" She stammered softly.

"No." Gabrielle answered gently. "It's a very beautiful ceremony, and it's something I really want to share with you."

A faint, trembling smile tugged at Xena's lips. "All right… I.. I'd love that."

The bard grinned. "Yesssssss…. " She chortled softly. "This is gonna be awesome." She claimed Xena's lips for a long, delightful moment, then laid her cheek against the warrior's. "I love you."

The warrior looked like she was struggling between a big grin and a worried frown, and just gave up, letting a broad smile just take over her face. "I love you too." She let out a huge sigh of relief. "Ephiny's gonna go nuts."

"Nah." The bard shook her head. "She was hinting so hard she almost swallowed her boar's tooth necklace." She threw her arms around her partner and hugged her as tightly as she could. "Mmmmphh… it's going to be great." She sighed happily, gazing up at the stars. "Hey.. what kinda tree is this?"

Xena looked up a little dazedly. "Huh?? Oh… um.. it's a real old apple tree.. but it hardly ever bore fruit.. I think I only remember eating one of it's apples once.. maybe twice.. they were great, but.. " She followed Gabrielle's pointing finger, which had identified a hanging fruit with unerring accuracy. "Oh… yeah, lookit that." She gave her partner a knowing look, then cocked her head. "Let me guess.. you missed dinner?"

Guilty green eyes peeked up at her from under pale lashes. "I was too worried to eat." She admitted sheepishly. "I played with it so long mom took it away and said she was going to have Johan cast it as sculpture."

Xena laughed wryly. "My fault." She stood, and leaped up onto the next branch, which swayed dangerously under her weight, then leaned out over the dipping limb, and snagged the fruit, twisting it sharply and securing it with a quick hand. "Got it.. " She muttered, as she dropped off the bending branch she was balanced on, and ended up at the bard's side once more. "Here you go."

Gabrielle removed her hands which had been hiding her view and examined her prize, which was a soft golden color, streaked through with rich red veins, and larger than her closed fist. "Mmmm…. " She sniffed it appreciatively, and took a bite. "Wofffww.." The juice exploded from it, and trickled down her chin, as she chewed and swallowed. "That's great." The apple was sweet, and very crunchy, and just the right temperature, cooled by the night breeze.

She bit off a large chunk, and sat there, eyebrows raised. "Wffnt smef?"

Xena laughed, and ducked her head, closing her teeth around the offering, and gently biting it free. The fruit was curiously familiar in taste, and she savored it, munching bits slowly, and stopping as her teeth encountered the round shape of a seed. "Hmm… " She separated the bit out, and removed the flesh, rolling the seed around in her mouth. "Appleseed."

"Hey." Gabrielle finished her own mouthful, and hastily swallowed. "No pegging lizards, remember? Gimme that seed."

It was a curious, tickling feeling, that Xena put down to her body's normal reaction to her soulmate, as she gently captured Gabrielle's face, and met her lips, tasting the apple on them and taking her time in exploring the bard's mouth, almost chuckling as her partner skillfully removed the seed from her mouth with her tongue.

She felt the seed pass out of her mouth, and with that, a deep, rich, warm wave flooded over her, as their connection took control and brought them closer than skin would allow, to a place where she could swear she felt Gabrielle's heart beating in her own chest, and felt the bard's breath in her lungs, more solid, and more real than any other experience she'd ever had in her life.

It lasted half a lifetime, and when they finally took a moment to breathe, it was to look into each other's eyes in gentle awe. "Wow." It was barely a sound, more a shaped breath from Gabrielle's throat. "That felt pretty awesome."

Xena gazed at her, running a finger down her jawline in absent pleasure. "Yeah.. it sure did." She mumbled, as they stared at each other. "Where'd the seed go?" The warrior finally asked, in absent curiosity.

Gabrielle felt around inside her mouth, then shrugged. "I guess I swallowed it… " She glanced doubtfully at her soulmate. "It won't hurt me will it?"

The warrior watched the moonlight gild her skin, glistening off the fair down that covered her cheeks. "No… don't make a habit of it.. but one is ok." She was barely cognizant of what she was saying, as she tried to settle a body still tingling with the power of their last kiss. Slowly, she raised a hand to her ear, touching it, then looking at Gabrielle. "Did you just hear a bell?"

The bard laughed. "Are you kidding? My heart's still pounding so hard I couldn't hear our rooster if he let off right next to me." She put down the apple core, and slid her hands over her soulmate's body, breathing in her scent with a soft, sensual growl. "Must have been a lost goat." She added, nudging Xena's chin up and exploring the warrior's throat with her lips. "Mmm… you smell great." She mumbled, feeling the muscles work under her touch.

"I… I've been running around… sweating all day.." The warrior protested faintly, as she slipped into a more comfortable position, and pulled the bard up against her. "Not very appealing."

"Heh… " Gabrielle let off a low, throaty chuckle. "You are sooooo wrong." She slid up, and captured her soulmate's lips again, and returned to the warm haze that insinuated itself into every nook and cranny of her consciousness, winding it's way through her, and through Xena.

She knew it - she could feel the warrior opening up to her in a way that had always been rare between them, and she willingly followed where Xena was leading her, forgetting where she was, ignoring the rough bark that brushed against her skin, and only foggily aware of the cool night air that now lifted the fine hairs on her now bare back.

Xena felt wave after wave of chills, as she pulled off Gabrielle's tunic, and was aware of the bard's hands impatiently working the buckles on her gambeson, sliding it aside as they moved together, and she experienced the sensual shock of their bodies connecting all down their lengths. It was easily the most intense thing she'd ever experienced, and she felt her control slipping, dissolving away as every inch of her demanded her soulmate's touch and she let loose all her doubts, and the restraints she usually kept on her passion, and just…

Let go.

It was a pending explosion that built so fast all she could do was hold on, and let it swallow her senses whole, feeling Gabrielle moving with her in tandem as their souls matched, and joined and became a single point of light, leaving them both shaking, and spent, resting in each other's arms in foggy contentment.

Love surrounded her. Gabrielle was aware of breathing it in, and letting it seep though every crack, every raw spot still left unhealed deep in her heart. It was a gift she'd never expected, so it overwhelmed her, and she let it. Every beat of her heart pulsed that wonderful warmth through her again, and again, and as she felt the twinned beats slow, the feeling of connection grew until it almost rivaled those few, exhilarating moments when she'd stayed spectator in her own body as Xena took her over to fight Velasca.

It felt so good.

It felt so right, it brought tears to her eyes, and she silently let them fall against Xena's slowly moving chest, to trickle through the soft down that covered the warrior's body. Long arms securely held her, and she indulged herself happily in the sweet comfort of knowing her soulmate was beside her, drawing slow, even patterns against her skin in idle peace.

She looked up, to see Xena regarding the night sky, a half smile on her face as the small muscles just under her skin twitched, her eyes moving lightly from point to point above them. "Whatcha thinking about?" Gabrielle broke the silence gently.

"I can remember… this one night… " Xena answered, her voice a note higher than usual. "I had… just the best day… I'd finally managed to ride this stallion that nobody else could.. I'd been working and working on him.. and he finally .. finally trusted me, came up, took a carrot outta my hand, and let me get on him."

"Mm… sounds… special." Gabrielle agreed amiably, not sharing her partner's passion for horses.

Xena smiled. "I know you think I'm nuts.. but.. anyway, I felt great.. and I came up here, there was no moon that night, and I managed to get down four new patterns of stars that I'd never seen before."

"You did star chasing before?" The bard asked, mildly delighted.

"Yeah… " Her partner gave her a relaxed grin. "I managed to forget that until I met you." She sighed. "Anyway… I can remember just sitting here, hands behind my head, looking up… and looking forward to the future, wondering what it held.. thinking of all the great things I'd do."

Gabrielle let her fingers stroke the soft skin under her, trying to think of something to say.

"Gabrielle?" Xena uttered her name as though it were a prayer.

"Right here, love." The bard answered.

"I just felt that way again." The warrior's voice was full of wonder. "It was the most amazing thing."

Gabrielle wrapped that whole moment up in gossamer, and tucked it away down deep, in the special place she reserved for things that she knew she'd look back on one day as having changed her life. Things like her first meeting with Xena.

Marrying Perdicus, and watching him die.

Her defense of Terris.

Xena's death, and rebirth.

Meridian and Krafstar.

Hope and Dahok

Being asked to scratch a nose in a filthy dungeon in Chin.

Standing over Xena's slumped body in a damp cavern, and refusing to let hurt and anger get the better of her.

Choosing love over hate.

Choosing life over death.

"That's beautiful." Was what she said, as she smiled up into blue eyes that glinted silver in the moonlight, and saw a strange look there, that she hardly recognized.

Peace.

She felt it too, a delicious calm that wrapped itself around her heart, ejecting her fears and concerns as though they'd never been there. It felt wonderful.

Gabrielle turned her eyes towards the stars, and ran a hand slowly up the midline of her soulmate's stomach,. "Think that looks like a boat?" She pointed.

"Nu uh." Xena shook her head a fraction. "A cat."

"Tch." The bard smiled widely. "A cat?" She tilted her head. "No way.. how about a teapot?"

"A teapot??" Xena chuckled. "You gotta be kidding… " She looked again. "All right.. a fish."

Gabrielle giggled. "Only if you stand on your head… well.. maybe an octopus."

An eyebrow quirked. "Thought you were partial to squid." Xena gave the soft skin under her fingertips a tickle, and was rewarded by a delighted squeal as they went after each other mercilessly, under a thickly sown canopy of twinkling stars.

 Ephiny stood in the silence of the room, hearing Gabrielle's footsteps recede. She was alone, and the creaks of the inn settling around her seemed unnaturally loud as she crossed the floor, and leaned both hands on the windowsill, looking out.

The back yard of the inn was quiet, and the scent of Cyrene's herb garden floated in to her, with a half-spicy, half-pungent aroma. Behind her, she knew, their stuff was packed up, lacking only the small bundle of things they'd use overnight as Eponin precisely obeyed her request to leave at first light.

Damn. Ephiny turned away from the window, and dropped into a chair. Gabrielle had a way of winding words around your head, where they'd kind of sit there, niggling at you until you had to pay attention to them, or get drunk enough to make them go away.

With a head wound, getting drunk was right out of the question. So here she was, hearing those gentle, precise tones, and being driven out of her mind by the knowledge that the bard was very probably telling her a truth she really didn't want to listen to.

As if Gabrielle didn't have enough to deal with on her own, right? She hadn't been fooling anyone at dinner tonight, everyone including Ares the wolf had realized the bard was a thousand leagues away, so preoccupied that she hardly paid attention when her name was called.

She loves her so much. Ephiny shook her head in bemusement. How in Hades did that survive, through the deaths of two children? How would I have felt if it had been Xenon.. would I have been able to forgive?

She thought about that. Damn. A slow exhale. Is it possible to love someone so much that you could get past that? I guess it must be, but damned if I know how.

The door creaked open, and Eponin poked her dark head in, spotting Ephiny and giving her a tense, if genuine grin. "You're back."

"Nah." Ephiny leaned her head against the chair back. "I'm still wandering in the woods somewhere."

That got a more relaxed smile from her lover, who edged into the room, and perched on the other chair. "You get Gabrielle settled?"

"No." The regent replied honestly. "Only one thing's gonna do that, and it sure ain't me." She sighed. "On the other hand, she managed to get me pretty unsettled." Ephiny admitted.

"You… um.. you think we should go out and try to find her? Xena, I mean?" Eponin broached the idea with a healthy dose of trepidation. She had no desire to find the warrior if the warrior was determined not to be found. "What if something happened to her?"

A faint shake of Ephiny's golden curls. "Gabrielle would know.. and she says she thinks she's ok, she's just… I don't know, worried, I guess."

"Mm." Eponin considered the statement. "What's up with that, anyway?"

"What?"

"That… "Gabrielle would know" stuff." The weapon's master probed gently.

"Oh." Ephiny scratched her nose. "Hades if I know.. she just does…they've got some kind of mutual babysitting service on each other or something." She shrugged. "Kinda like.. you remember Iatha and Genis?"

"The twins?" Eponin perked up. "Sure..they were two real nice Amazons.. I was sorry to see them go when they left for Thebes."

"Right… well, they were kinda like that.. one always finishing the other's sentences, they got sick at the same time, always knew when the other was in trouble.. that kinda thing." Ephiny had been quite proud of herself for figuring the whole thing out, only trouble was….

"But Xena and Gabrielle aren't twins." Eponin objected. "Right?"

"Not that I noticed." Ephiny replied dryly. "But I think it works kinda the same way."

"Oh." The dark haired Amazon digested this. "That's pretty damn all right."

"Mm." Ephiny agreed absently. "Yeah, it is."

They looked at each other for a long moment, then Ephiny lifted her hands, and let them drop on the chair arms. "I can't stand it."

"Huh?" Pony blinked.

"God's be damned Queen put a centaur pooping idea in my head and now it won't stop." Ephiny gritted her teeth. "Hades." She stood, and went to their gear, rummaging around in it, then pulling out a small bag. "I'm not gonna have a peaceful moment until I do this."

"Do what?" Pony asked, nervously, as she watched Ephiny grab a cup and start to stalk out of the room. "Whoa.. Eph!" She bounced up and caught the regent's arm. "Where're you going?"

"To have a talk with Paladia." Ephiny squared her shoulders. "I'm an Amazon, damn it, and I don't back down from anything… much less some pissant half grown pig farmer with an attitude." She stalked out, leaving Eponin standing there with her jaw on the ground.

"Wow." The weapon's master ran a hand through her dark hair. "Gotta get the Queen to teach me how she does that." This was said to the empty room, which echoed back to her, and she shook her head as she followed Ephiny's hastily mustered bravado out the door.

Paladia rested her head against the dirt wall, half awake, and half slipping into a fitful doze. It had been a very long, very boring day, chiefly spent in Cait's aggravating presence, once Gabrielle had her taken back to the cellar.

She'd thought about what the fair haired bard had said, and decided she really didn't hate her anymore. Actually, she kinda pitied her more than anything.. she had the stupidest ideas of what people were like that she'd ever heard.

Well, at least if she had to have someone deciding on how to punish her, better for her that it was sweet, kind hearted Gabrielle. Paladia smirked a little. I lucked out.. she coulda left it up to that curly headed bitch I…

The door slammed open, and shut again, letting in a flare of torchlight for a brief second, then plunging her back into darkness. She could feel her heart racing, as she realized there was someone in the cellar with her.

Someone fairly breathing hostility.

A candle flared, and a pair of fire tinged hazel eyes bored into her, as cold as a winter's day.

Oh… crap. Paladia swallowed hard. It was the middle of the night, no one else was around, and this really mad looking Amazon was conspicuously armed. A long, wicked looking dagger was slung at her waist, and she carried at her belt a pair of short clubs.

Very slowly, she eased herself back, hugging her injured arm to her in a faint hope of protection, as she endured the silent, frightening evaluation from Ephiny's expressionless gaze. "Guess our roles are reversed now, huh?" She hazarded weakly.

Ephiny smiled. It was not a reassuring expression. She dripped wax on the shelving, and set the candle down in it, holding it until she was sure of it's sturdiness, then releasing it as she took a step to stand over Paladia.

The candle's flickering light threw shadows over the Amazon's face. "Guess it's time to find out who's the bigger bitch, you or me." Ephiny's voice was low, and controlled. She removed a chobo from her belt and flipped it, catching the wooden handle with a faint, rhythmic slap. "What odds you wanta lay?"

Paladia lay there, trying to control her breathing, which suddenly seemed to want to run away with her. Ephiny was radiating menace, and abruptly all the stories she'd ever heard about the bloodthirsty Amazons crowded into her skull, yammering for attention. "N.. not much of a challenge." She lifted her arm. "Xena took care of that."

Ephiny smiled again. "Not well enough." She slipped the chobo back into place, and knelt where she'd dropped a small bag. Removing several types of herbs, she dusted them into the cup she was carrying, and poured water from the skin near the door over them. Then she stood, and sauntered over to the injured renegade, mixing the substance up with a lazy finger. "Do you know what it's like to feel helpless?"

Paladia swallowed, her eyes fixed on the cup.

"Hmm? What it's like to have someone else controlling you.. doing things to you that you have no way of stopping?" Ephiny's voice took on an angry edge. "No?" She knelt, and grabbed the renegade's jaw in powerful fingers, wrenching it open. "You will."

Paladia tried to struggle, but her arm made it too awkward, and Ephiny, even still injured, was strong and knew how to subdue someone. She slammed the renegade's head back, holding her in place with bodyweight, and poured the mixture into her mouth, pinching her neck until she swallowed convulsively.

It was bitter, and stung going down, and Paladia felt her heart stutter almost double time, as panic forced a whimper from her throat. Another dose, and she almost threw up from the taste, but Ephiny wasn't having any of that. She forced her mouth closed, and held it. "Oh no… it's going down and staying down, or you'll drown in it." The Amazon rasped, setting her teeth on edge.

She had no choice. Tense moments passed as Ephiny waited, and she stared at the Amazon, her eyes finding the fading bruises and cuts that liberally covered her face and head. I'm gonna look worse. She realized, as a low, eerie buzz started just under her consciousness. She blinked, and watched as Ephiny grabbed her jaw, and turned her face so their eyes met.

She couldn't stop her.

"Not a nice feeling is it?" The Amazon asked.

Paladia dropped her gaze, unable to meet Ephiny's eyes. Her panic started to grow again, as the sounds of the room began to echo weirdly.

"I could make you do anything." Came the growling voice. "I could make you cut yourself.. I could give you enough of this to make you a helpless baby for the rest of your life."

Lights started to fade in and out of her eyesight, and she realized just how disgusting this feeling really was. She hated it. It ripped at her guts, and tore away all the self confidence she'd managed to drag together after she'd lost the rest of her family. Something snapped.

"Don’t hurt me." That wasn't her voice. Was it?

"What?" Came the sharp, echoing answer. "I don’t' think so… I'm gonna make you feel just like I did, you pitiful piece of horse crap."

"Please."

A roaring filled her ears, and she thought she remembered yelling, and the sound of flames, and a fear so overwhelming it simply took her over, and made her curl up into a little ball, hoping against hope that she would somehow survive.

The noise subsided, and she became aware of the soft, subtle sounds of her prison. The creak of the wood, and the scent of dirt. Slowly, she opened her eyes, to see Ephiny sitting on the small stool, calmly watching her.

"W…wh… " Paladia looked around, bewildered. The fuzziness was gone, along with most of the pain in her arm. "Wh…what.."

"Painkiller." Ephiny rested her arms on her knees, and idly studied a chobo. "With a little something extra. Won't kill you."

The renegade stared at her in disbelief. "You tricked me." The words trickled out. "You wanted me to see what it was like."

A pale eyebrow rose. "You're not as stupid as I thought." Ephiny replied, bluntly. "How'd you like it?"

"It sucked." Paladia answered listlessly.

"Yeah, it sure does." The Amazon agreed quietly. "I felt like total crap." She told her. "And I still do… I can't even look my friends in the face I feel so lousy about it."

The renegade blinked tiredly at the floor, and gave up. Keeping up the front wasn't worth the energy anymore. "M'sorry." She mumbled, just like she used to, when Ma got on her about the pigs. "Didn't know any other way to get someone to be with me."

She missed the sudden, startled widening of Ephiny's eyes, and the look of surprise on her face. It was gone by the time she lifted her gaze and found those bits of hazel studying her in silence. Even with the bruises, she glumly thought, the Amazon was pretty. One finger began tracing a pattern in the dirt absentmindedly. "Ma.. told me it wouldn't be much good for me in that area… she told me I'd better find me some nice, sturdy guy who wanted a strong arm, and not much else."

"Paladia… " Ephiny cleared her throat a little. "They tell me love is blind.. you just have to go looking in the right place for it."

"Easy for you to say, ain't it?" The renegade replied. "Any of you."

The Amazon's lips thinned. "I don't know.. I guess from Phantes point of view, I was pretty damn ugly." She answered quietly. "He didn't much care."

Paladia blinked. "Forgot about that." She mumbled.

Ephiny studied her, and felt her anger drain slowly, replaced by a wash of pity and disgust. This wasn't a monster.. it was a pathetic, troubled adolescent minded kid. She sighed. I don't want to kill her anymore. She mulled the thought over. I just want to slap her upside the head for being so damn clueless.

With a sigh, she stood up, and brushed herself off. "Goodnight."

Paladia looked up, startled. "You're not gonna beat me up?"

Ephiny gave her a pitying look. "No. I was never really much in the bitch department." She paused with her hand on the door, then shook her head, and left, leaving the candle to flutter agitatedly in her passing.

"The sun's coming up." Gabrielle commented, as she nestled contentedly against Xena's shoulder.

"Mmhmm." The warrior agreed, with a tiny yawn. "Guess we'd better get back.. say goodbye to the Amazons…all that stuff." The warrior's blue eyes were gray in the pre dawn light, as she watched the thin clouds drifting across the dark sky with interest. The moon had set some time ago, and they were huddled under Gabrielle's cloak against the damp cool.

"Y'know… if someone would have told me yesterday that I'd be spending the night with you in a tree.. I'd have had to have laughed." The bard informed her. "But, gods.. I'm glad that's exactly where I ended up… Xena, that was.. incredible."

The warrior cocked an eyebrow at her smugly. "Well.. I aim to please."

Gabrielle snorted softly, and slapped her. "Not that.. " She paused. 'Well… yeah, actually, that was incredible too… but I mean the whole thing.. coming out here.. the moon.. the view… the apple.. "Another pause. "That reminds me. I'm hungry."

Xena burst out laughing. "How did I know that was coming?" She addressed the tree, then peered at her soulmate. "Well.. you used up a lot of energy last night." She nibbled the bard's ear, and grinned when that got her a giggle. "C'mon, partner.. let's get outta this place, and go home."

The bard let out a long, trembling breath. "Xena…. we are home."

It came right from her soul, and went right to her partners, as she heard the catch in Xena's breathing, and the arms that cradled her tightened to an almost unbearable degree.

She felt… whole. For the first time, in what seemed like forever. And so she smiled against the soft skin she was lying on, and let herself absorb the warmth and the emotion she could sense coming from her soulmate. "That feels so wonderful." She sighed happily.

"Yeah, it sure does." Xena agreed readily. "Can I just do this for the rest of the day?"

Gabrielle hummed in delight. "How about for the rest of our lives?"

"That works." The warrior replied amiably. She kept the squeeze on for a few minutes, then reluctantly let the bard loose. "But… I guess we'd better go say goodbye." She arranged the bard's bangs with idle fingers. "They'll be worried."

Gabrielle rested her chin on her partner's breastbone, and considered the problem. "Oh.. all right." She mock sighed. "Can we come back here sometimes?"

Xena smiled at her. "Sure." She paused, stroking the bard's hair gently. "You're the first person I ever brought to this place." A quiet nod. "I 'm glad I did."

They floated in each other's eyes for a few breaths, then reluctantly got up, laughing as they arranged oddly fastened clothing, and folded up Gabrielle's cloak.

"Ugh." Gabrielle peeked down. "Oh!" She clapped a hand over her mouth. "Poor Ares."

Xena leaned over, spotting the wolf curled up in a resentful ball at the foot of the tree. "Oh.. Hades… he's gonna be miffed." She winced. "I thought he'd just go home…. Musta found a way around the ravine."

"Eek." The bard squeaked. "Well.. let's get down there.. " She regarded the branch with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. "How come it's higher now than it was last night?"

The warrior laughed gently, and put an arm around the bard's shoulders, lifting her knees with her other arm and cradling her. "No problem."

"Oh.. Xena.. no.. " Gabrielle protested. "I can climb down.. c'mon now.. you're gonna hurt yourself."

The warrior assumed a profoundly hurt expression.

"Xena!" Her soulmate groaned. "Not that face.. c'mon now. .."

Sad, puppy dog blue eyes regarded her mournfully. A lower lip poked out.

Gabrielle sighed, and slipped her arms around her soulmate's neck, holding on tight. "I give up."

Xena grinned, and stepped up onto the rim of her little crow's nest, then launched herself off into the air, landing on the next lowest branch with jaunty skill. "Ok?" She glanced at Gabrielle's face, seeing the bard's tightly closed eyes. "Good girl." She walked a few paces on the limb, then dropped down to the next, feeling it bend ominously under their combined weight. Uh oh.. watch it, Xena..you're not a skinny adolescent anymore, remember? The next two branches were navigated without trouble, though and she bounced on one final limb before the ground, flipping them both into a lazy somersault before landing in the grass, where Ares rushed forward, and greeted them in high indignation.

"You can let go now, and open your eyes." Xena told her partner, who cracked one green orb open and regarded her solemnly.

"And.. just why.. would I want to do that?" The bard inquired, nuzzling her shoulder. "I am.. perfectly, perfectly comfortable."

"Because Ares is about to bite your butt." The warrior informed her, as the wolf leaped up, and nearly knocked them both over. "Ares!"

Gabrielle laughed, but let go, dropping her feet to the ground, and patting the wolf vigorously. "Did you follow us, huh?" She kissed Ares' dark nose. "Good boy."

"Roooo!!!!!!" He danced from paw to paw, shaking his head. "Grrrrrrrrrrrr"

They walked home arm in arm, with Ares rambling on ahead of them.

Cyrene paused, as she was about to enter the kitchen, peering into the inn bemusedly. She changed her direction, going towards the back table, where a slim, lone figure sat quietly, watching the silver gray light of dawn take on a pink hue. "Ephiny?"

The figure turned, and raised a hand. "Morning."

The innkeeper drew closer, taking in the quietly exhausted look around the Amazon regent's eyes, and settled down on the bench next to her. "You're up early."

Ephiny shrugged, cradling her hands around a wooden cup. "Couldn't sleep." She admitted. "I was just… "Her gaze lifted out the window, and brightened suddenly. "Artemis… thank the gods."

Cyrene half stood, and peered out, through the early morning fog that curled over the wet ground, wreathing the inn's courtyard in white, clinging tendrils. The fog billowed aside as two familiar forms paced through it, arm in arm, perfectly in step with each other. She chuckled. "Well, I guess things worked out all right last night."

Ephiny let a long sigh wind the tension out of her body. "I guess so." She murmured, knowing that neither the bard nor her partner had been home at all. She'd gone there after her little encounter, to find an empty cabin, with Gabrielle's tracks leading away towards the forest.

The porch outside sounded with dull echoes as two pairs of boots hit it, then the door swung open, and Gabrielle entered, followed by her taller companion. "Hey!" Her eyes fell on them. " Looks like we're not the only ones up early." Her high spirits were immediately evident, and her infectious grin got a smiling response from the two women.

"Well, good morning to you, too, cutie." Cyrene chuckled, then stood. "I'm going to get things started.. "She laid an eye on her daughter. "C'mere and bring back a pot of tea for yourselves.. save me a trip, hmm?"

Xena agreed amiably. "Sure." She followed her mother into the kitchen, leaving Gabrielle and Ephiny to look at each other across the wooden surface of the table.

"So." Ephiny fiddled with her cup. "Things OK?"

Gabrielle gave her a dazzling smile. "More than ok." She sighed happily. "I had the most incredible night."

"Uh huh." The Amazon rested her chin on her hand, and regarded her friend. "You don't usually give commentary on that, Gabrielle."

"Huh?" The bard gazed at her, puzzled. "Oh… tch… " She clucked, and rolled her eyes. "That's NOT what I meant… " She considered. "Mostly." A rakish grin claimed her lips for a brief second. "No.. we went to this place Xena used to hang out at when she was a kid."

Ephiny blinked. "Really?" She asked curiously. "What.. some cave or something you guys spent the night in? You weren't home.. I checked."

Gabrielle's lips twitched. "We spend the night there, yeah… " She propped her chin up with both hands. "It wasn't a cave.. more like.. um… well, a tree."

The Amazon put the cup down carefully, and peered at her. "A tree? You spent the night under a tree?"

"No." Gabrielle shook her head.

"That's good.. I was a little worried for a minute there." Ephiny chuckled.

"In a tree." The bard supplied. "In this little nestie kind of thing at the top."

Ephiny just stared a her, and rubbed her temples. "Gabrielle, I didn't just hear you say that."

"It was great." Her friend laughed "We watched the stars.. and it's a great view.. there was this one apple on the tree, so we ate it.. and… "Here she blushed, a startling flow of color up her neck and across her face. "Um.. anyway, it's Xena's old hideout.. there are little toys and stuff up there.. it's really cool."

"Gabrielle?" Ephiny gazed at her.

"Yeah?" The bard grinned, turning her face to capture the first, rich warmth of the sun as it peeked into the window, lighting her face with a golden glow.

"You're babbling." The Amazon said, but very gently, as she watched the bard close her eyes and drink in the light. For some reason, the sight brought tears stinging to her eyes. "Are you all right?"

A nod. "Gods.. am I ever." Gabrielle turned another dazzling smile on her, unable to contain it. "I'm sorry.. I guess I'm not making much sense. "

"No." Ephiny chuckled a little. "You're not.. what happened to you last night? You look… " She hesitated, trying to find the word for it. "All bubbly and stuff."

The bard sighed in contentment, enjoying the sunlight. "I know.. it's just… I can't explain it. We just had a really good night.. that's all. For starters.. " She grinned mischievously. "You'll get your wish… if the Amazons can stand having a party to celebrate their Queen taking a consort."

The Amazon blinked. "No centaur poop, for real?"

Another big grin. "Yep."

"All right! Way to go, Gabrielle!" Ephiny laughed, for the first tine in what seemed like weeks. "That is great news… and, oh.. what a party that'll be." She reached over and clasped the bard's hand. "It's a good decision… I think.. . it'll make some things a lot easier."

A direct stare. "I'm counting on that." Gabrielle replied. Their eyes met, then Ephiny's dropped.

"I… " The regent looked up, into mist green orbs that seemed, today, to be shining with an inner fire she hadn't seen there for quite some time. "I had a talk with.. . Paladia.. last night."

The fingers clasped with hers tightened. "I knew you could do it." Gabrielle said, softly.

Ephiny took a deep breath in. "Yeah, well… " She reflected soberly on the table's wooden surface. "She's a stupid, scared kid, Gabrielle."

"I know." The bard replied, in a quiet tone. "I don't think…I think it was … I don’t think she had many friends… before… and… she's really screwed up."

A long, contemplative silence dropped between them.

"I'm going to take her back to the Amazons with me." Ephiny finally said, squaring her shoulders, and lifting her chin. "I'm not going to leave this mess on your doorstep."

The bard's brows contracted. "You.. don't have to do that, Eph… we can handle it here." Privately, however, she rejoiced, seeing a double sided solution to the problem, with the Amazons getting a potential, if reluctant warrior, and Paladia getting a chance at friendship among equals. "Though… she might just be cantankerous enough to make an Amazon."

Ephiny gave her a wry look. "Oh.. thanks, Gabrielle." She commented sarcastically, but grinned anyway. "I guess you fit right in, then, huh?"

Gabrielle smiled. "Sometimes." She agreed. "What does Pony think of bringing her back?"

Ephiny rubbed the side of her nose. "Weeeel…. I thought she was gonna flip her feathers all over the place, but after she thought about it a minute, she sort of did one of her 'hey, that wouldn't be so bad' grunts. Kinda surprised me.. " Her lips twitched. "Then she asks if that means Paladia will have to go through weapons training, and I realize she has these happy little daydreams of using the girl as a pell during staffwork."

The bard snorted, then clapped a hand over her mouth. "That's not funny."

Ephiny's blond curls flew as she shook her head. "Nope, not at all."

They both looked at each other and snickered. "Amazons." Gabrielle sighed. "Gotta love em."

The regent laughed gently. "Oh yeah."

Gabrielle looked up, then pushed herself to her feet. "I'd better go rescue my best friend from her mother." She sniffed reflectively. "She's probably getting chewed out for running off and sulking like a kid."

Ephiny took a breath. "Yeah… send her out. I need to talk to her for a few minutes."

The bard patted her hand. "Don't worry.. she's in a great mood." She headed towards the kitchen with a jaunty stride.

The regent watched her affectionately. "Sure.. she spent all night out in a tree with you.. what's not to be in a good mood about?" She commented to the empty air.

Xena followed Cyrene into the kitchen, humming.

Her mother turned as the door closed, and eyed her thoughtfully. "You're in a good mood."

Blue eyes blinked at her, then Xena smiled. "I guess I am." She perched on the corner of the worktable. "Sorry about last night."

The innkeeper put a pot of water on to heat, and turned to face her, crossing her arms over her chest. "You should apologize…keeping Gabrielle in knots all night like that.. for shame, Xena."

Unexpectedly, a relaxed grin appeared on the warrior's face. "I made up for it with her." She assured her mother. "But… yeah.. I didn't mean to do that.. I went out to that old place of mine.. and I um.. " A shrug. "Took a nap."

Cyrene stared at her, then burst out laughing. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Nope.. " Her daughter sheepishly admitted. "So when I woke up.. I headed back in here.. but Gabrielle was waiting for me on the path, so I took her back there to see the place." She sighed peacefully. "We ended up just staying there."

"Wait." Cyrene put a hand out. "That's not that… tree.. thing, is it?"

A nod.

"Xena! You are not telling me you kept that poor girl up in a tree all night long!" Cyrene accused. "She had a sore throat… you're asking for her to get sick.. how… I can't…. gods, Xena, how irresponsible can you possibly be!"

Xena's response was unexpected. She smiled gently at her mother. "Yep.. it sure was irresponsible." She admitted readily. "But she's all right.. she had a cloak, and I made sure she stayed nice and warm."

Cyrene's jaw dropped, and she walked over, sitting herself down next to her tall daughter. "Are you all right?" She put a hand up and tested the tanned forehead. "You're acting very strange."

"Oh yeah." The warrior assured her. "I feel great." She closed her eyes, and let the memories of what she and Gabrielle had shared flow through her. "Really great." She mumbled softly, reluctantly opening her eyes again to see her mother's bewildered expression. "Um… sorry." She cleared her throat. "Were you asking me something?"

Cyrene just shook her head. "I swear, the two of you are like moonstruck teenagers sometimes. "

Xena felt a blush coming on, and stood, riffling her hair to disguise it. "Yeah.. well… Gabrielle didn't have a great childhood, and mine was kinda cut short.. so.. " She shrugged. "Sometimes.. if we get a chance… we just kind of play with each other a little." She paused and gazed pensively out the window. "Hasn't been much of that lately."

Her mother turned a contritely compassionate look on her. "Honey, I'm sorry.. I was just teasing." She put a hand on her daughter's back, rubbing it gently. "I think it's wonderful that Gabrielle brings out the kid in you."

The door creaked open, and bright green eyes peered in. "Someone mention my name?" The bard slipped in, and let the door close behind her.

"It's ok." Xena drawled. "She's done yelling." She gave her mother a look. "And you didn't tell me you didn't feel well last night."

Gabrielle walked over and leaned against her partner. "I didn't tell anyone I didn't feel well last night.. all I said was my throat was sore, because I didn't feel like telling stories." She corrected her with a grin. "Everyone just kinda took it from there."

"Imp." Cyrene rolled her eyes, and went to fix the tea.

"She thinks we're acting like kids." Xena informed her soulmate soberly. "Irresponsible."

"Nah.. that's not irresponsible." The bard objected, then suddenly launched herself up, depending on Xena's reflexes to catch her.

Which the warrior did, with widened eyes, as Gabrielle wrapped her arms around her neck, and smiled. "Now.. THAT was irresponsible." She pulled Xena's head down, and kissed her, ignoring the snort of startlement from Cyrene. "And so was that." She whispered, as they parted, and gazed into each other's eyes.

"Y'know.. I can remember when you used to be mortally embarrassed to think of my mother seeing us just sleeping in bed together." Xena commented, amused, hearing Cyrene's wry chuckle behind her.

Gabrielle snorted softly. "I think I got over that." She ripped her gaze from Xena's, and peeked over the warrior's shoulder. "Hi mom."

Cyrene walked over, swirling a thick pottery jug of tea which steamed fragrantly, and studied the bard nestled securely in Xena's strong arms. The sun was filtering in the window and drenching both of them, and she shook her head. "Cutie, you're something else." She smiled at the bard, who looked unusually radiant in the light. "Get down from there and come have some breakfast."

"Oo." Gabrielle gave her partner a hug as she was released. "Sounds great… hey.. " Here she turned to Xena. "Go say hi to Eph."

Xena sighed. "Ah. Ok."

The bard rolled her eyes. "Just let her get it over with, will you? She's taking Paladia back with her. .. they talked last night. " She paused. "Ooops.. guess I should have told you that first, huh?"

The warrior's eyes closed, and she relaxed. "Yeah." She straightened, then patted her soulmate on the cheek. "I"ll be back." She walked out, stiffarming the door and letting it swing closed behind her.

Cyrene set the pitcher down, then went to the pantry, and pulled out a loaf of spiced fruit bread, and some soft goat's cheese. "Problems?" She asked quietly, setting the items down, and pressing the bard's shoulder down with them.

Gabrielle neatly sliced off a few pieces of the bread, and handed one to Cyrene, spreading the sweetly savory cheese on her own and taking a big bite. "Mmmm.. " She chewed for a minute before answering the innkeeper's question. "Sort of." She allowed. "More of a misunderstanding.. I guess… " She accepted the cup of tea Cyrene was offering her. "Thanks.. but it's straightened out now.. things are working out pretty well."

"Mm." Cyrene slowly broke off a corner of her bread, and nibbled it. "Your mother… is very… anxious.. about you, honey."

The bard took a sip of the tea. "I know." She answered calmly. "I'm going to spend a few days with her when we head out to see Jessan's new kids." She chewed her bread. "I don't think she ever expected me to grow up."

The innkeeper gave her a wry smile. "No… I never expected Xena to, either." She confessed, then chuckled. "Sometimes I still look at her, and my eyes see a little girl, usually covered in mud, scowling back at me."

"She was a terror, huh? " Gabrielle giggled. "I can just see it."

"Oh.. honey, you don’t know the half of it." Cyrene sighed, then paused, and worried a splinter out of the wood under her hands. "Listen.. Gabrielle.. would you do me a favor?"

"Sure." The bard replied. "Anything.. you name it."

"All right.. " Cyrene leaned forward. "I want you to write this story…. "

Ephiny heard the door open, and turned her head to see Xena making her way back across the room. She had rehearsed her little speech a few times in the intervening minutes, but the words dropped away from her as she watched the tall warrior's powerful, smooth strides moving towards her, which carried Xena through bars of early morning light that painted her in rose and pearl gray. Before she knew it, the pale blue eyes were a bare body length from her, and she found herself unable to muster up even a greeting under that steady, even stare.

Xena realized Ephiny's discomfort, and she glanced around, dropping into the chair next to her, and hooking a leg over the arm of it, trying for casual nonchalance. "How're you feeling?" There.. that's a pretty reasonable opening.. right?

The Amazon peered at her. "Like a total piece of dried centaur poop." She replied quietly. "For being a spiteful harpy to someone who really, really didn't deserve it." She dropped her gaze to the tabletop. "You were trying to help, and you were right, and I was a jerk."

Well. Xena mused to herself. "I've been known to be a jerk on more than one occasion myself." She answered. "You didn't say anything that wasn't true, Eph."

"Yeah.. " Ephiny rested her chin on one fist. "But it wasn't the whole truth… I was only looking at one side of the coin.. I forgot there were two."

Xena nodded a little, accepting that. "Water under the bridge." She lifted a hand and let it drop against the table. "No hard feelings… you were under a lot of stress."

The Amazon sighed. "We'll leave it at that then.. maybe when you guys come visit, we'll get drunk together, huh?"

The warrior smiled quietly. "Sure."

An awkward silence settled over them. Ephiny swallowed a few times, then looked up, studying Xena's shadowed face, and the guarded look to her eyes, and realized this wasn't something she was going to be able to patch up in a few, casual minutes.

If ever.

Damn, why did everything have to be so complicated? "I guess you heard we're taking.. Paladia back with us." She commented softly.

"Gabrielle said, yeah." Xena replied. "You all right with that?"

Ephiny rubbed her temples. "It was my idea, so I'd better be, huh?" She looked up, exhaling. "Yes.. I think I can get past this… I um… " She chewed her lip. "Pony told me she went to you for help… I guess I didn't realize how she was… I must have been… pretty bad."

"Yeeahh…. " A soft chuckle. "The two of us having a sensitive chat, you shoulda been there." Now Xena's eyes took on a hint of amusement. "She's a good person, Ephiny…and she cares an awful lot about you."

The regent smiled, at last. "Damned if I know how that happened."

Xena gave her a reluctant grin. "Sneaks up on you, huh?"

They looked at each other, and chuckled a little. "Time to get going." Ephiny finally said, after a second awkward silence, as she heard the door behind them open, and spotted Eponin's familiar form carrying their gear. "Let me go find Cait.. she was pretty miffed at me for taking Paladia back with us.. I think she wants to use her as target practice or something."

Xena rose, and held up a hand to stall her. "I'll get her." She exchanged a nod with Gabrielle, who had trotted out of the kitchen bearing a platter and jug. "You guys get something hot to drink." And with that, she was gone, slipping out the door with a smooth economy of motion that all watching frankly envied.

Gabrielle set her burden down, and eyed Ephiny thoughtfully. "You and Xena ok now?"

The regent studied the cup the bard handed her and sighed. "No.. but maybe someday we will be." She gave Gabrielle a wry look. "Put in a good word for me, all right?"

The rest of the Amazons were gathering now, along with a sleepy looking Granella, who had pulled a woven shawl over her shoulders, and settled her hands on Ephiny's, rubbing gently against the tension visible to all of them. "Eph.. next time, just visit, huh? No catastrophic events."

The regent gave her a look. "Next time, I’m gonna take an escort of a dozen featherheads, and have them carry me here wrapped in lamb's wool."

They finished up the tea and bread, and assembled outside, where a young boy was standing uncertainly, with the reins to a dun gelding clutched in his hands. "Ma'am's?" He warbled, hesitantly.

Seven pairs of skeptical eyebrows rose as they looked back at him, and he blushed. "This'n's for you all." He pushed the reins towards Ephiny. "Xena said."

Ephiny opened her mouth to protest, but Eponin stepped in front of her, and neatly captured the strips of leather. "Thanks." The weapon's master spared him a rakish smile. "Just what we needed."

"If you think.. for one chicken plucking minute that I’m riding that thing, you're nuts." Ephiny leaned over, and muttered in her ear.

"Aw..c'mon, Eph… " Pony muttered back. "You told me yourself how much your head still hurt this morning.. and that you still were kinda fuzzy in the eye department… give it a rest."

"Not on your life." The regent replied, then started, as a warm hand curled around her forearm. "Oh.. hi Gabrielle."

"Hi." The bard put an arm around her shoulders and walked her a little away from the group. "I.. well, you know, I don't much like horses either."

"Damn straight." Ephiny nodded. "Give me my own two feet any day."

"Mm." Gabrielle agreed. "But.. I've learned, over the years… that when Xena tells me to do something.. it's usually for a good reason." She paused. "Not always, but usually." Her eyes met Ephiny's. "It would make me feel a lot better if I knew you weren't overstraining yourself on the way home. " A pause. "Please?"

Ephiny glowered at her. "This is what you do to Xena, isn't it? You charm her into total submission."

The bard smiled, charmingly.

"Not gonna work on me, Gabrielle." Ephiny assured her.

A twinkled appeared in the clear green eyes, as the bard gazed into hers.

"Oh… split centaur hooves." The regent cursed. "Fine.. fine….I'll do it." She shook her head at her friend. "You are too much."

Gabrielle laughed gently. "Thank you." She hugged Ephiny. "Don't worry about Xena, ok?" She whispered in the regent's ear. "I think she really does like the Amazons.. it's just that act she has to put on, you know?"

Ephiny returned the hug fiercely, amazed, as always, at the wiry strength in the bard's body. "I know." She replied. "You take care of her, ok?"

"I will." Came the solid, sure answer. "You let Pony take care of you, ok?"

The regent released her, and assumed a tough look. "I'm an Amazon warrior, Gabrielle.. I can take care of myself." She announced, putting her hands on her hips. Then she let a grin break her expression. "But I suppose I can make a small exception for a request from my Queen." She tilted her head, and regarded the emerging sun, which painted the courtyard in ruddy light. "I'm looking forward to the Festival, your Majesty."

The bard laughed. "Oh.. well.. me too… and.. " She lowered her voice with a wicked twinkle. "I'll get to see those Amazon leathers on Xena, again."

The regent waggled her eyebrows. "Mmmm…. Good point."

They walked back over to the dun gelding, who was standing patiently where they'd left him, occasionally craning his head to watch Eponin, who was loading their gear on his broad back. Solari and Theena came up, with a dazed, and disheveled looking Paladia between them, the shackles bound firmly around both wrists despite her injured arm.

Ephiny's shoulders squared, and her head lifted, as she regarded their prisoner. "If you behave, I might decide to untie one arm." She advised the renegade, then she stalked to the gelding's side, and put her hands up, gripping his mane and saddle, and launching herself onto his back in one smooth, powerful move. She settled her knees, and took the reins in one hand, then cocked her head towards Gabrielle. "Don't tell me Cait managed to elude the greatest tracker in the inhabited world."

Gabrielle's face creased into a gentle smile. "They'll be here shortly. "

It was an easy find, Xena mused, as she followed the faint, almost invisible traces of Cait's passing, to a small, half hidden glade that overlooked the outrace from the small mill that Amphipolis boasted. Here, among the moss covered rocks, and the old wood covered in musky green algae, she found the slim girl curled up, tossing pebbles in the burbling stream.

"Hi." The warrior dropped herself down onto the next boulder, and picked up a flat stone, examining it, then tossing it with a quick, sideways flick of her wrist. It skittered across the water, and bounced off, ending up on the other side, perched precariously.

"Hello." Cait answered, tucking her knees up under her chin, and wrapping an arm around them. "I'm quite ticked off."

"So I gathered." Xena replied, drawing her own booted foot up and resting her forearm against it. "Why?"

The girl gave her a look that could have rivaled one of her own. "That pig is going to get right off… it's not fair, Xena.. it's not fair, and it's not right."

The warrior considered that. "Just because she's going back to the village.. doesn't mean she's getting off, Cait…I think Ephiny's got something in mind for that."

"But it's not fair!" Cait insisted. "She did those awful things.. she ought to be made to pay!" She scuttled around and faced Xena, her expression very serious. "Where's the justice? After what she did to Ephiny, she should be beaten until she's fairly bloody, Xena."

Xena sucked in a deep breath. "Cait… she's been hurt.. that arm'll give her trouble for a long time to come.. maybe she'll learn something from the whole mess."

A snort. "I doubt it." Cait scowled. "That kind never changes… we'll just end up having to do something with her later on."

The warrior glanced down at her hands. "You don't think she's got a chance to redeem herself?"

"No." Cait replied, positively. "She's rot, Xena… I think she ought to be stoned and left for the vultures."

Xena nodded slowly, then lifted her head, to capture Cait's eyes with her own, using their piercing power to hold the girl's utter attention. "If Gabrielle thought the way you do.. I'd be in Tartarus right now."

It was the last thing Cait had expected, and she gasped, blinking in confusion. "But you're not.. "

The warrior surged forward, pressing Cait's shoulders back against the boulder with gentle, but inflexible hands. "Oh.. yes I am, Cait… I am so much worse that poor, stupid Paladia ever could be. " She whispered. "I have killed thousands of people, and hurt more than that…and right now, this minute, I'd be in torment, on a cross in Tartarus except for one.. small.. insignificant thing."

Cait took rapid, shallow breaths, trying not to shake. "W…what was that?"

"Someone believed in me. And in my ability to change who I was, and atone for what I did." Xena replied, very gently. "So don't you ever just give up on people, Cait… yes, Paladia did some bad things, but she deserves a second chance. "

"A.. second chance?" Cait asked softly.

"Yeah." Xena released her, and patted her shoulder gently. "Sometimes all it takes is one friend."

The pale gray eyes stared at her. "You can't mean me."

A faint smile tugged at the warrior's lips. "That's up to you."

Cait chewed her lip. "Gosh, Xena.. I think I can just about manage to promise I won't kill her." She paused, thoughtfully. "Not right away, anyhow.. but …" She looked up into the sad blue eyes. "But.. but… " A gusty sigh exploded from her. "Oh, all right… bother. " She scowled. "No promises beyond not killing her."

Xena smiled. "Thanks."

A bigger scowl. "We are NOT going to be friends."

The warrior's eyes twinkled a little. "All right… just do your best." She stood, and offered Cait a hand up, which the girl took with surprising grace, laughing a little as Xena lifted her up easily. "G'wan.. we can't depend on those Amazons to keep Ephiny safe, right?"

"They don’t' do a good job of it, no." Cait replied, practically. "But she doesn't help much.. you know?"

Xena put a hand on her back, and guided her towards the inn. "Well…just keep an eye on her for me, ok?"

That got her a big smile. "Right."

Xena smiled back, and slipped an arm over her shoulders, pulling her closer as they walked. "Tell you what.. we're coming by for the Harvest Festival. If you still think she deserves more punishment by then, you tell me when I get there, and I'll take care of it for you. Ok?"

Cait was too busy reveling in the unexpected warmth of a Xena hug to even hear what she said. "OK." She answered dreamily, reflecting for the hundredth time on just how lucky Queen Gabrielle really was. She wrapped her arms around the warrior's body, and hugged her back, as they walked along in silence, breaking out of the thick forest into the cleared area in the back of the inn, and rounding the corner to find the Amazon party waiting for them.

Xena gave her one final squeeze, and brushed the top of her pale head with her lips. "G'wan… " She patted her on the back as she released her hold, and the girl trotted off, not without a single, shyly devoted look darted in Xena's direction.

Gabrielle joined her, winding an arm around her waist and waving with her other hand. "Have a great trip."

Cait took up her place next to their prisoner, not without a martyred look in Xena's direction, and took hold of one of the leads they'd fastened to her. "One nasty comment, and I'll.." Cait stopped, and sighed. "Bother… just be nice, all right?"

Paladia's brows contracted, then she gazed over at Xena and Gabrielle. "This is your revenge, right?" She asked morosely. "I gotta listen that forever?"

Cait jerked the lead. "You address her as.. "Your Majesty."

Solari very obviously bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"Well.. someone's got to teach you to be a proper Amazon." The girl reasoned. "We've got lots of time." She tugged the lead as they started off. "First off, stop slouching."

Paladia groaned, and stumbled, as she tried to get some slack in her lead.

"Next, watch where you're going.. you can't be tripping all over everywhere." Cait instructed, her voice fading as the Amazons moved off. "Gosh.. pick your feet up, can't you?"

Gabrielle laughed softly, as she leaned against her partner, and put a hand down to scratch the ears of Ares, who had just come trotting up. "That's gonna be a torture of it's own." She looked up at Xena's face. "You think that was fair of us?"

Xena smiled into the distance. "I think it'll turn out all right." She turned and regarded her partner. "Shall we go have breakfast?"

"Oh yeah.. " Gabrielle agreed enthusiastically. "My folks are inside.. let's go play with our nephew." She tugged her soulmate towards the door. "My mother thinks my clothes are sadly lacking.. she calls my usual stuff harlotware, and was scandalized by the fact that I love wearing your shirts."

"Harlotware?" Xena burst into laughter. "Oh.. brother."

"Yeah.. " The bard sighed, as they trooped up the stairs, followed by Ares. "She's busy making me a skirt."

"One of those long ones, huh?" Xena remarked, grabbing the door pull and hauling it towards her.

"Yeah.. with kittens on it." Gabrielle's eyes rolled. "I think I'm gonna use it as a story prop."

"As what?" Xena asked, smiling as the smell of warm spiced bread hit her.

"A tent.": The bard answered, with a grin. "I have this great new story……and I think you're gonna love it."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah.. it's all about this really brave little girl… and it has horses, and a flood… and a pebble.. and a brother… and it goes kinda like this… "

The Actual, for real, End.

For now. The sequel to this is Promises Kept, and it'll start pretty much where this one leaves off.