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.

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

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

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

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

The Longest Night - Part 3

By Melissa Good

The road unwound before them, as they came out of the forest path, and onto the familiar route leading towards Potadeia. Gabrielle kept letting her gaze slip up to her partner's face, the constant smile there sending warm shivers down her back. She'd been treated to most of a day's worth of very high spirits on Xena's part, after their somewhat late start this morning.

There had been a leisurely breakfast, of course, then she'd lived up to her promise, engaging Xena in a spirited bout of staff work, pushing herself until she really was exhausted and breathing hard. Which had hardly put a dent in her partner's almost manic energy, but Xena had put the lid on it, and picked her up, settling down on their sleeping furs and rocking her gently until her breathing calmed, and her heart stopped racing.

Then they'd worked off some of that energy another way, which was much more relaxing, and which had led to them leaving after lunch, not before. But she didn't mind, and she suspected Xena didn't much mind either.

Right now, the warrior was off investigating some collapsed huts just off the road, Ares' dark form visible next to her. Gabrielle trotted over, peering around her partner's long arm into one of the structures. "They got out, huh?"

Xena nodded. "Looks like it." She pulled away a piece of the roof, exposing the mostly empty interior. "With most of their stuff, I think." She gave the bard a satisfied look and let the roof fall back into place. "Smart folks."

"Wonder where they went?" The bard mused, letting her fingers trail over the crumbling thatch.

They resumed their walk, and Xena settled a long arm around Gabrielle's shoulders as they strolled along. "We'll be near Potadeia tonight, if we keep moving." The warrior commented, using her free hand to tighten the straps on the pack she was carrying.

Gabrielle nodded. "Yep… " She gazed up at Xena. "How are you feeling?" She tugged on a strap. "How's the back?" She'd been keeping a close eye on her partner, mostly with what she thought were subtly hidden glances. The warrior seemed fine, though, the fogginess of last night was nowhere to be found, and her body seemed to be moving along with it's customary graceful ease.

Xena looked at her, and her brow creased. "What back?" Then she looked sheepish. "Oh.. right.. uh.. " An impish grin. "I don't even feel the scratches."

The bard gave her a squeeze. "No.. you're not feeling much today, are you?"

A wry look from those blue eyes. "Um… no, not really." Xena sighed happily. "Sorry..I just.. wasn't expecting that." Never.. expected that. I still can't believe it. I probably won't believe it until it actually happens.. but… oh.. gods… "I'll try to be less.. um… " I feel like I'm floating… what an incredible sensation.

Gabrielle chuckled. "Don't apologize… I think it's great.. I've never seen you giddy like this, and it's kind of cute." She snuggled closer. "I like that."

Xena laughed softly, then surprised the bard by picking her up, and whirling around with her. "Hang on.." She warned, and took several running steps, then catapulted into the air and did a lazy flip, landing with a jaunty bounce. "Guess I'm feeling pretty good." She grinned.

"I guess you are." Gabrielle giggled, winding her arms around her partner's neck, and pulling herself up, kissing the warrior soundly. "I really like that." So much so, Xena.. that I'm not going to even ask you what I asked last night. That'll wait for some other time.

But Xena surprised her. A short time later, while they were sharing a handful of nuts the warrior had stripped from a nearby tree, she felt the deep, steady intake of a breath.

"You asked me something last night." Xena said quietly, handing the bard another nut.

Gabrielle accepted it, chewing the sweet nutmeat thoughtfully. "I did.. but you don't have to tell me, Xena. It's all right." She looked up, watching the sunlight cast rich highlights on her partner's skin. "It's not… that important."

"Well… but you have a right to know, Gabrielle." Xena replied, in a quiet voice. "It was something.. I should have told you about a long time ago. I just… kind of kept it in the back of my mind.. it .. gave me comfort when things got bad." She paused, and glanced down the road. "Especially when my past… overran me. "

Gabrielle remained silent for a moment, then leaned against her. "What happened?'

Xena considered for a bit, where to start. "You.. remember that temple of the Fates?"

The bard's brow furrowed. "The.. um.. the one where we were fighting outside, and you let that kid go?" The one where you hugged me for no reason? Oh yeah, I remember that one.. took me days to get over trying to figure out what that was all about. "I remember that."

"Mmm… that's not how it happened the first time." Xena carefully answered. "I killed that boy.' She felt Gabrielle's body stiffen, and released the bard, moving her arm away self-consciously. A familiar pang gripped her heart, for an instant, until Gabrielle grabbed her hand, and wrapped her arm back around her body. "And.. Gabrielle, it all seemed so senseless to me… I went inside the temple, and.. told them it would have been better if I hadn't ever become.. what I am."

Gabrielle's face went very still.

"So.. they said.. they could help me.. go back." Xena continued. "Make it so.. I had that choice to make all over again." A deep breath. "They put me back home.. as it would have been if I hadn't fought off Cortese and become.. a.. warlord."

The bard swallowed, but still said nothing, feeling the singing tension in Xena's body through their contact.

"Lyceus was alive." Xena said quietly. "He'd grown up.. into a wonderful man." She paused. "Mother was dead, though.. and things were… different." A breath. "The Fates told me.. I'd stay in this timeline forever.. just as long as I never took a life.. again." She blinked. "I thought I could do that… find peace.. even with things being the way they were."

"What happened?" Gabrielle asked quietly. Knowing in her heart, in her bones what the answer was.

"I wasn't.. there, obviously, to prevent you from being taken by slavers, Gabrielle..and you were.. taken." Xena's voice was gentle, and sad, remembering those haunted eyes.

"Did I meet you there?" The bard whispered.

"Yes." Came the inevitable answer. "You did… but you were.. a very angry, and very bitter person.. they'd done.. horrible things to you."

"Did I know you?" Another whisper. Gabrielle was trying to imagine what it would have been like..

Xena remained silent for a moment. "Know me? No.. but… there was a connection between us.. even then, I could feel it." Painful truth. "Maybe in time… I don't know… you were not.. a happy person." The harsh sound of Gabrielle saying she hated her.. the bitter, angry look in those familiar green eyes… Xena sighed as she felt the hurt, and the misery of the moment all over again. She'd realized, at that moment, when she no longer had it just how much she'd come to depend on Gabrielle's friendship.

"So.." Gabrielle looked up. "What did you do?"

"There was a fight… Lyceus was begging me to help them.. I wouldn't." Xena's eyes drifted in memory. "But then I saw something that made me understand that there were some things beyond price, and I picked up a sword, and gutted the next man I saw." And remembered the sweet feeling of relief, as the world righted itself around her, with a friendly flash of green eyes, and a glimpse of Gabrielle's open, honest smile.

"And everything went back… Lyceus died… all of that?" Gabrielle said quietly.

"Yes." She turned to her partner. "And I have never, ever regretted doing that. Not for one single second." And whenever she let the past roll over her, the thought of this one, small thing.. that she had been able to prevent from happening.. this one, tiny bit of history she'd had control of, that had changed the life of one, very young, innocent girl..

"What did you see, Xena?" The bard stopped walking, and turned to face the warrior.

Hands cupped her face gently. "I saw you lose your soul, Gabrielle." Xena told her in a very quiet voice. "To.. to hatred, and anger, and violence. " She gazed into the bard's syes. " And that… was something I just couldn't live with."

A shaking breath. "So you traded your own soul, and Lyceus' life, for that?" A bare whisper. "For me?"

"In a heartbeat." Was the answer. "And I would again, without a second thought." One young, innocent girl.. who now walks beside me, her life inescapably intertwined with mine… in possession of my heart, my soul… I look back at that moment and thank the gods I had the strength to take what was, then.. the darker path. I had no idea what it would lead to.

Gabrielle felt a wave of dizziness pass over her, and she wavered, feeling strong hands grasp her shoulders, and ease her gently down on a boulder nearby. I never knew.. I never even guessed… I knew she was.. a little distant for a while right after that.. but it was more preoccupied than anything else. "Xena… I.. don't know what to say.." What do you say when someone admits to giving up.. peace.. a brother.. a whole new life.. just… for you? "Other than.. thank you.. "

The warrior seated herself cross-legged on the musty brown grass next to they boulder, and rested her elbows on her knees. She plucked a bit of the grass up, and twirled it around in her fingers, studying it closely. A hand touched her head, and she looked up, as the bard ran her fingers through her hair. "It's.. something I just… kept tucked away, for those times when I thought… anyway, it was proof, to me, at least, that something.. good had come out of everything I'd done.. everything I'd been through." She took a breath. "Right place, right time."

Gabrielle's fingers brushed her cheek. "Right person." She sighed gently. "Xena.. I.. wish you would have told me about that then."

"Why?" Xena asked, her eyes searching the bard's curiously. "I didn't want you to think.. you were.. " She lifted a hand and let it drop. "Indebted to me, in any way."

"I just wish you had." Came the quiet answer. Thinking of one decision, at least, that it would have changed. "But I'm glad you told me now." Gabrielle took in a breath of the cold sunlit air, and smiled. "You know.. for the longest time, I thought you just.. gods.. put up with me for reasons.. I couldn’t begin to understand, Xena. I thought… did you know my worst fear.. for a really long time was that I'd wake up one morning, back home.. because you'd finally gotten tired of having me around."

Xena blinked hard at the grass. "Did you really think I'd do that?"

Gabrielle let out a short laugh. "I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why you.. hadn't.. sometimes…"

The warrior rested her head against Gabrielle's thigh, and gazed up at her. "I wouldn't have done that. " She gave a light shrug. "Even if I did think it was… probably the best thing for me to do sometimes." A lot of times.

"Why?" Gabrielle echoed her tone from moments before. "I kept.. " She shook her head a little. "trying to pull myself away from you because I thought… I could at least make it my decision.. and not yours."

Xena's lips tightened. "It.. was always your decision, Gabrielle." A quiet, simple truth.

The bard gazed at her, letting her fingers tangle absently in the dark hair. "It was?" She asked, in a wondering tone.

Xena nodded, gazing idly out into the surrounding forest. "It was a pretty big shock for me.."

A thump, and the bard was sitting on the turf next to her, their eyes almost on a level, Gabrielle's hands wrapping around hers. "What was?"

The warrior remained silent for a moment, then took a slow breath in. "When I woke up one morning.. and… realized just how shallow.. and how empty my life had been before." Blue eyes met green. "And just how much I… needed.. you." She glanced down. "I always… knew.. you'd leave someday, but…I never would have made you."

Silence from the bard, as a thousand little things suddenly settled into place. Xena always putting up with her babbling. With her arguments, and questions.. always rescuing her from whatever mess she'd gotten into . Always gently supporting her choices.. letting her go when she felt the need. Welcoming her back when she returned. Never asking anything of her.

Xena smiled a little and shrugged. "So.. you really never had anything to worry about,." A hint of wry amusement touched her face. "Um.. if we've had enough of me baring my soul for now.. I think we'd better get going." She glanced up. "If you want to make Potadeia by tomorrow morning." She gazed at the turf, a faintly embarrassed look on her face. "Sorry.. um..I've never been really good at this."

"Xena?" Gabrielle crooned softly.

"Mmm?" The warrior answered, resting her chin on one hand.

"You just made the last three years of my life make sense." The bard leaned over and kissed her soundly. 'Thank you."

Xena grinned. "You're welcome.' She stood, and offered a hand up to her partner. "C'mon." She grabbed Gabrielle's hand and tugged, pulling the bard up onto her feet and giving her a playful slap on the behind. "We can only extend this little jaunt so long."

"Hey.. " The bard backhanded her in the gut as they started walking. "Watch where you're hitting folks."

Xena snorted. "Look who's talking?" She bumped Gabrielle with an elbow, sending the bard reeling a step. "Tch tch… you're losing it, my friend."

Gabrielle regained her balance, and walked backwards a few steps, balling her fists and planting them firmly on her hips. "You'd better watch out.. don't you make me mad, now."

The warrior snorted. "Or… what?" Her blue eyes danced playfully.

A glower from the bard. "You'd better start running, Warrior Princess of snide comments."

Xena's eyebrows rose. "Like you could catch me." A devilish grin confronted Gabrielle, then Xena bolted forward, and dodged her defensively raised arms, giving her another good swat on the behind, and taking off, with Ares right behind her.

'You'd better run…" The bard growled, and gave chase, taking short digging steps until she was at full speed, and feeling the wind whip her hair back off her forehead. The dried grasses tickled her knees even through her leggings, and she threw herself forward, keeping a determined eye on the tall, dark haired form bounding along ahead of her. She's right. Her mind sighed ruefully. I don't have a snowball's chance in Tartarus of ever catching her… the brat.. she's barely giving it any effort. Still, she kept at it, feeling a welcome pull of effort against recently unused muscles, and soon realized her partner was deliberately slowing her pace, allowing her to catch up.

"Hey." She reached out and slapped Xena's arm as she drew even with her. "No fair.. you let me catch you."

"Roo!" Ares agreed, jumping over a log next to the path. "Arrrgggrroooo.. "

Xena gazed fondly at her. "Nah.. I'm just getting old… can't keep a pace like I used to." She paused and grinned at Gabrielle's rolling eyes. "Not buying that, huh?" A snort from her partner. "Ok.. ok.. how are you doing?" Her face sobered. "Ribs giving you any trouble?"

Gabrielle thought about that as she ran. "No.. they kind of ache a little bit.. if I breathe real deep, or I move the wrong way, but they're mostly all right." She paused and considered. "It feels good .. haven't done a lot of this lately."

Xena gave her an understanding smile. "Want to keep going for a little while? We'll make up some time… if it's not too much for you."

The bard tentatively checked her reserves, pleased at what she found. "Yeah, that sounds good." She agreed, matching strides with her taller partner.

It was less than a candlemark later when they saw the dark, oily smoke rising over the horizon, just to the left of where the road was taking them. They exchanged glances, and as though one mind moved, them, headed off the beaten surface and into the grass.

I think I just figured out why we get into so much trouble. Gabrielle reflected, as she dodged Ares's bounding form. It's simple.. really.. most people avoid situations like this. We go looking for them. With a sigh, and shake of her head, she kept on running.

"How's the head?" Ephiny asked, in a mock solicitous tone as she entered the inn's main room, buckling the belt closed on her new shirt, and dusting an errant fuzzball off the sleeve.

Eponin grinned, and held up a mug. "Fine.. Cyrene fixed me up."

The Amazon regent felt her brows contract, as she leaned over the table, and peered into the container. "Don't tell me she gave you more of that ale." She was vaguely surprised at the innkeeper.

Eponin snorted lightly. "G'wan, Eph." She took a sip from the mug. "This is some mixture she claims Xena swears by."

"Hmph." Ephiny removed the cup from the weapons master's hand, and sniffed. "Oh.. well, maybe…" She cocked an eyebrow at it. "Smells like.."

The burly Amazon gave her a dour look through her dark lashes. "Must you?"

Ephiny rubbed her nose, and let out a small grin. "All right.. all right.." She glanced up as bootsteps sounded on the stairs. "Good morning, Iolaus." She greeted the blond man cordially.

"Hi." Iolaus sighed, pulling out a chair next to Eponin and sitting down, letting his chin rest on his hands.

The two Amazons exchanged looks. "Are.. you all right?" Ephiny hazarded, seating herself next to him. "Iolaus?" She gently prodded when he didn't answer.

"What? Oh… " Iolaus jerked his attention back to the present. "I'm really sorry.. " He gave her a wan smile. "I think I had a little too much fun last night."

Another exchanged look between the two women. Eponin pushed her mug over in front of him. "Here." She gave him a nod. "It helps."

The blond man gingerly pulled the cup over, and sniffed its contents. "Ugh. That smells right." He sighed, and took a swig, then a second. He closed his eyes, and made a face. "My tongue feels furry."

Eponin's dark eyebrows shot up. "Well.. no offense.. but that's more information than I really needed." She leaned back, and stretched, wincing and reaching over to knead her right shoulder. "Ephiny, the next time I get the bright idea to challenge Xena to an arm wrestling contest, just shoot me with a crossbow, all right?"

The regent snorted softly. "I told you not to.. but no.. you can't resist a challenge and neither can she. Two peas in a pod." She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Iolaus. "Better?" She glanced up as Eustase bustled into the room, and beamed at them. "Morning." Ephiny greeted her.

"Lovely one, isn't it?" Eustase agreed cheerfully. "Would you like some cereal?" She brought over a small pot and some bowls. "Word's all over the village about those folks who came in last night.. is it true our Xena saved them?"

Our Xena? Ephiny mused inwardly. My, how things have changed. "We don't know, but Toris seems to think so." She shrugged. "Wouldn't surprise me."

"Me either." Iolaus mumbled, spooning cereal into a bowl. "When do we want to leave, by the way?" He started eating, as his glance darted from one Amazon to the other.

A small silence fell, as they remembered why they were journeying out. "Well.." Ephiny took her own cereal, and ate a spoonful thoughtfully. "Soon."

Iolaus nodded grimly. "Ok.. " He put some breakfast into a bowl, and took a spoon, along with a mug of hot cider. "I'll go get Herc." He ambled off, and disappeared up the stairs, leaving the two Amazons to their own breakfast.

Eponin regarded him thoughtfully, then turned her dark head and met Ephiny's pale eyes. "Breakfast in bed? Must be nice to be a hero." Her eyes took on a glint of amusement. "Wonder if Xena gets that treatment." She amused herself for a minute imagining just such a scene.

Ephiny snorted. "I doubt it." She shot a glance after Iolaus. "She'd never let Gabrielle get away with that.. you know how she is." Although.. lately… I wonder.. she's pretty indulgent with our queen.. Gabrielle's got her wrapped around her little finger, that's for sure.

The Weapons Master smiled s bit. "Oh..I dunno… even the toughest sort might like some coddling once in a while."

The regent propped her chin up on her hand, and let a tiny half smile twitch her lips. "Really?"

Eponin opened her mouth to answer, then felt a blush coming on and scowled instead. "It's just a theory." She grabbed the cereal pot, and dumped a portion in a bowl, concentrating her attention on the food. "Good stuff, huh?"

Ephiny ate a spoonful thoughtfully, sucking on the bowl of the spoon and biting off a grin. "Very." She agreed. "Listen.. I'm going to get my gear together… can I get you an extra shirt? It's pretty chilly outside."

"Nah" The dark haired Amazon waved her off. "I'm fine."

The Amazon regent glanced at the ceiling and counted to ten. "Well, you don't want to get what I had.. it's no fun, trust me." She leaned over the table, and captured Eponin's hand, forcing her to look up. "I'm pulling rank on you, Pony. You'll wear a extra shirt, and like it."

Carmel colored eyes gazed into hers for a minute. "All right, your Majesty." Eponin answered quietly. "If you put it that way."

Ephiny straightened up. "Meet you outside in half a candlemark." She turned and walked back to her room, very aware of the eyes on her back.

The room was quiet when Iolaus gently eased back into it, and set the cereal down by the fire to keep warm. Hercules was still asleep, his breathing deep and even, and Iolaus was loath to wake him up until it was absolutely necessary.

He paused, thinking. Was it necessary to wake him at all? It wasn't as if this was an especially dangerous, or even interesting little jaunt.. they'd just go down the river a bit, and make sure… what, that Xena and Gabrielle hadn't been washed ashore somewhere?

Nah. He scoffed. He knew both of them better than that.. Xena was a very strong swimmer.. and the bard wasn't that far behind. They'd just end up getting out into the fresh air for a little while.. and he'd had enough of that on the way in here.

He gazed at his friend's face. Better to leave him here, let him get some rest.. Zeus, he needs it. With a nod, he made his decision, scrawling a note on a scrap of parchment, which he tucked gently into the dozing demigod's hand.

Whose fingers caught and held his. "What are you doing?" One blue eye under an arched fair eyebrow regarded him. "Trying to sneak out on me, buddy?"

Iolaus sighed, and sat down on the edge of the bed, giving him a scowl. "I just figured you could use a little extra shuteye.. not go wandering around the countryside all morning, that's all.. "

Hercules opened his other eye and rolled both of them. "Iolaus, I'm not an invalid, so quit treating me like one, all right?" He tossed the piece of parchment his friend, hitting him the chest. "I swear, you're turning into a nanny goat."

Iolaus stood up, and walked to the window, putting his hands on the wooden frame and gazing out. "Yeah, you're right.. sorry about that. I don't know what I was thinking." He turned around with a bright smile. "Besides, it's a great day outside. " He nodded towards the fire. "Brought up some food for ya.. we're probably gonna be leaving pretty soon."

The demigod sat up, and swung his legs off the bed, then stood and stretched his large frame. "Thanks.. " He gave Iolaus a wryly apologetic look. "Sorry I snapped at you."

The blond man waved him off. "Don't worry about it." He went to their packs, and knelt down beside his own, rummaging in it. "Looks like Ephiny's coming along with us… " He glanced up.and grinned. "Though.. I'm not sure that's not just a case of cabin fever."

Hercules looked up from his breakfast, his blue eyes twinkling. "Oh, I'd say that’s a pretty good guess.. being she's an Amazon and all."

Iolaus rested his arm on his knee and took a breath. "You don't really think anything happened.. to them.. do you?"

The taller man ate several spoonfuls of cereal in silence before he answered. "Nah." He waved his spoon at Iolaus. "It would take more than a little flooding to get the best of Xena."

"Yeah.. you're right." Iolaus smiled. "Y'know, I'm really glad for her and Gabrielle." He pulled a belt with a carved horn hilted knife on it out, and strapped it around his waist. "It's a kick to see them both so wrapped up in each other."

Hercules laughed. "I'm looking forward to seeing that… I think I can get away with teasing her about it, too."

Iolaus snorted. "An advantage to being half god.. I wouldn't try it."

The taller man's brow creased, and he lifted a hand to touch his jaw. "Didn't help me much last time." He mused quietly. "I wonder how much of that was that necklace, and how much… was just her?"

"What?" The blond man walked over, and sat down in the chair facing Hercules. "I don't get it… I thought it was.. I mean, didn't she…"

Hercules gazed thoughtfully at him. "I don't know, Iolaus.. it kind of makes sense.. but if that's what it was, then that necklace didn't affect my strength until she got there."

Iolaus felt his chest tighten. "I thought you didn't remember what happened?" His voice was tense.

A bleak look. "Parts.. are starting to come back to me." The demigod admitted quietly. "I remember fighting with her.. and what it felt like when she hit me." He fiddled with the spoon idly. "Probably was the necklace." He concluded. The alternative was.. unnerving. "This is pretty good." He indicated the bowl. "Did you get some?"

"Yeah." Iolaus replied absentmindedly. Zeus.. what am I going to do if he remembers.. everything? "Um… you ready to go?" Briefly, he wished Xena was back, and made a note to tell the ex warlord exactly what had happened.. see if she had any good ideas as to what he could do as soon as he saw her.

Hercules finished the last of the cereal, and stood up, walking over and pulling out a fresh set of clothing. "Be just a minute."

Iolaus walked to the window, and leaned against it… feeling the sunlight gild his features, until a hand fell on his shoulder, and he turned. "Ready?"

Hercules gazed at him, a serious expression on his face. "Iolaus, I really do appreciate the fact that you c.. that you're concerned about me."

That got a hesitant smile from the blond man. "Hey.. that's what friends are for, right?"

The taller man took a breath. "Right." He looked like he wanted to say more, but just nodded instead. "Let's go."

They heard the flames before they saw them, and Gabrielle grimly increased her pace, watching her partner do likewise as they headed down through a stand of dry grasses, towards the inkily rising smoke.

Xena cleared the grass first, and bounced to a halt, throwing an arm out to halt the bard's progress as she assessed the scene. It had been.. a small village. Now, it was a collection of charred lumps, as the heavy smoke drifted through the town, and obscured the features of the remaining villagers who were scurrying around trying to salvage bits of their shattered lives.

Bodies were flung about, some charred, some brutally butchered. Xena spotted at least one that was missing a head, and she winced, then took a deep breath. "Let's see what we can do to help.''

Gabrielle nodded, and followed her into the center of the town, then grabbed Xena's arm and pointed. "There…" She called, over the ripping sound of the flames.

A cot had collapsed under the weight of it's own charred timbers, and a group of villagers were trying to lift the roof up, to get to it's trapped occupants. Xena nodded and broke into a run towards them, with Gabrielle closely following. They reached the hut, and the warrior put a hand on the shoulder of one older man. "Let me."

The struggling villager turned his head abruptly, then jerked in surprise, and backed off, leaving her space to get her hands on the rough hewn timbers. Xena crouched down, and took a solid grip on the wood, getting her legs well under her and taking a deep breath. "Get em out fast, I won't be able to hold this long." She muttered to Gabrielle, who nodded in understanding, and got herself ready.

One solid, powerful shove, and the roof lifted, as Xena got her body under it, and braced her legs against the strain. She closed her eyes, and willed her body to stillness, hoping the bard had taken her at her word.

"Come on." Gabrielle scrambled under the roof, followed by two of the villagers, and found three people trapped, a family, she guessed. She gently pulled the small boy out from under the remains of the table, and passed his feebly moving form to the villager behind her. "Here.. get him out of here.." She crawled further, glancing back at the powerful form backlit by hazy daylight. Hang on, love. She silently encouraged her partner, as she tugged the frightened woman near her free. "Can you move?"

The woman nodded shakily. "My husband.. " Her shivering arm pointed to a soot covered body in the corner. "He tried to put it out…"

Gabrielle put a gentle hand on her arm. "Go on.. I'll get him."

Xena swallowed, feeling the strain in her back and legs increasing, and she tapped her reserves, relieved when a wash of energy responded. C'mon, Gabrielle… I'm not Hercules, remember? She heard the villager's scramble backward, and shifted her grip, hearing her partner's voice faintly from within.

Gabrielle helped the woman to her knees, and pushed her towards the waiting helper, then turned her attention to the still form in the corner.

Her eyes closed in reaction, as she saw what was left of his face, and was almost relieved when a gentle touch confirmed that he was dead. Feeling sick, she scrambled away from the body, and gave the villager remaining a shake of her head. Reluctantly, he nodded, and backed out.

Gabrielle moved quickly after him, swinging around Xena's sturdy form and putting a hand against the warrior's back. "Go." She said, and felt her partner's body surge, as she pushed off against the charred wood, and backed up, letting it fall against the crumbling remains of the wall again.

It smelled of burned wood and grass, and the distinctly sickening smell of flesh, and Gabrielle swallowed hard to keep from throwing up. The thick smoke clung greasily to her lungs, and she blinked hard against it's cloying effects, ducking her head briefly against Xena's cloak as the warrior straightened up with a wince.

"You all right?" Xena rubbed the bard's neck gently, and watched the woman and child being quietly taken to a spot upwind. "Let's go see if we can help them, OK?" She walked over to where a small knot of discouraged looking men and women were gathered, most sitting on the ground with their heads in their hands.

"What happened?" The warrior asked quietly, crouching down next to one of the older men. "Who did this?"

"Bastards." The man croaked, wearily. "We didn't have what they wanted.. so they burned us out." He glanced up and met Xena's pale blue gaze. "Who was it? Who the Hades knows. Some damn bastard warlord or another.. there's no difference between em." He gazed at his arm, which was bleeding from a long gash. "To Tartarus with all of them."

Xena sat down cross legged next to him, sighing softly. "Did they have any identifying marks.. badges, anything like that?" She unclipped her pack from her back, and felt it lifted from her, as Gabrielle settled quietly at her side. "Thanks." She gave her partner a smile, as she pulled her healer's kit from the pack.

"Na.. " The man groaned, as he watched her take hold of his arm, and start cleaning the gash. "Just a rabble of them.. no order, no… just one thing. They wanted coin.. we had none. We offered food, supplies, cloth.. no. All the damn bastards wanted was coin." He spat on the grass. "I hope they all rot.. they're just animals."

Xena felt a quiet hand slip under her cloak, and rub in gentle circles on her back. She always knows… when I need that. The warrior mused gratefully. But I never would have done.. this.

"You folks.. merchants?" The man asked, curiously, now that Xena had finished tending his arm, and was motioning for another wounded woman to move closer. He studied her face in quiet inquiry.

Gabrielle felt her brow raising, then she gave Xena a sideways glance, and realized that, with her cloak draped over her longsword, and her armor covered in woolen cloth, her partner really did come across as anything other than the fierce ex warlord she was. The villager obviously had no idea who it was he was sitting across from, and the rest of the victims were gazing at them with a mixture of gratitude and pathetic hope.

"Um.. no.. not exactly. " The bard finally replied. "We live in Amphipolis." She chewed her lip. "We're headed towards Potadeia.. I've got family there, that I'm kind of worried about."

The name of their home town circled amongst the villagers with a sense of excitement. The man leaned forward. "I hear that's a safe place.. that these bastards don’t' go there. Is that true?"

Gabrielle considered the question. "Well.. yes.. I guess that's true. We… keep a good watch.. and.. they do generally stay clear of us." She smiled at the boy they'd pulled out of the hut, who had regained his senses, and was blinking at her in quiet awe.

The man slowly nodded. "That's what we heard.. though.. " He smiled wearily. "We also heard they've got better protection than that.. that the local trash is scared spitless of someone who lives there." He gazed at the bard. "That true, too?"

Gabrielle bit off a grin, and gave the silent Xena a sidelong glance. "You know how these stories get started… they get chased off by a few villagers with sticks, the next thing you know, it was really a giant, or some great warrior or… " She gave a light shrug. "My name's Gabrielle, by the way." She extended a forearm to him.

"Melachan." The man replied, taking it, and giving it a good squeeze. "You'd be the bard we'd heard of, then."

Now it was Xena's turn to give her partner an impish grin. "Yep.. she's the famous bard, all right." The warrior drawled, pausing in her wrapping of a nasty burn. "Careful with that.." She cautioned the woman. "Don't keep the bandage on.. you have to let air at it, OK?"

The woman nodded, and gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you.. for everything." Her eyes darted towards the collapsed hut. "Are you the healer, there, in Amphipolis?"

Xena shrugged. "Sometimes." She gave Gabrielle a warning look. "I do a little of everything."

Melachan gave her a look, then turned his attention back to Gabrielle. "Can we..offer you both anything? It's not often we get to meet decent folks like yourselves.. I know we don't have much, but.. and are you heading on alone? It's very dangerous… are you sure you want to do that?"

Gabrielle patted his arm. "Glad we could help.. " She let her eyes travel to Xena's quiet form and then looked back at Melachan. "I'm sure… it's.. " Her lips quirked. "Safer than it seems… my partner, here, makes sure of that."

The man gazed at the dark haired woman in surprise. "Are you a warrior?" He had no idea why both women found that funny. Certainly the tall, quiet healer was strong, gods yes, to have lifted that roof that way, but… he studied her out of the corner of his eye. She looked like.. he shrugged to himself. One of us.. except she's got some nice features on her.. beautiful eyes.. Then his gaze dropped to her hands, and he stopped there. They rested quietly together, fingers interlaced, but the powerful strength of them was undeniable.

And the wrists they were attached to were thick, and corded with tendon and sinew, and now with her sleeves pushed back a bit, he could see the thick leather bracers that covered her forearms. I guess she is… His mind jerked to a halt, as he slowly processed the fact that here was the Bard Gabrielle, who was very well known to travel with a certain Warrior Princess. Who was, most definitely,. both a woman and warrior.

He took an uneven breath. "You're Xena, aren't you?" He felt the shock run through the battered, and weary bodies around him.

Eyes of the palest, ice blue met his own. "Yes."

Xena waited for the inevitable response, feeling Gabrielle's hand curl comfortingly around her arm. Well, I used to be one of the damn bastards who did this to them.. and even if I walk the world for the rest of my life, trying to help people, that fact will always be true.

Melachan leaned forward, and gave her a shy smile. "You saved my brother's life, down south of here, a few months back." He held out a hand. "I owe you twice, now."

It was.. Xena mused, as she took the man's grasp and returned it. A very sweet moment. The faces around her reflected not fear and disgust, but weary excitement, and wonder. She felt Gabrielle squeeze her arm, and just let herself enjoy the sensation. "Glad I was able to help." She replied quietly to Melachan. "You folks better get under cover… I don’t trust this weather. " She lifted a hand and pointed. "There's a bunch of caves about a half day's walk from here, you can shelter there until you decide what to do."

They helped the villagers gather up their belongings, and watched them start the first steps down a long and exhausting road. Gabrielle leaned against her partner, and gave her a gentle nibble on the arm. "Bet that felt really good, didn't it?"

Xena arched an eyebrow at her. "What.. you munching on me?" She teased, then relented when Gabrielle gave her a look. "Yeah, it really did." She smiled, the sobered. "But.. it doesn't make sense, Gabrielle."

The bard's brow puckered. "What doesn’t'?" She moved away from the still smoldering ruins, patting her leg to call Ares to her. "C'mere, boy.. stay out of that place."

The wolf trotted over, and sniffed her kneecap, rubbing against her leg, and growling a little.

"If you're looking to raid.. "Xena explained. "You take what you can.. and leave them alone to build up more.. so it's there when you came back." She gestured back towards the village. "You don't just burn a place for no reason…it's a waste."

Gabrielle cocked her head. "Maybe they were just frustrated."

Xena shook her head. "Doesn't make sense.. it's like they did it just to do it - for the sake of just killing, and destroying." She pondered. "Evil.. like… " That necklace. Her mind finished. Something was going on, her mind decided. And I think we'd better find these raiders, and figure out what it is.

"Where are you going?" Cyrene asked quietly, coming up behind Toris where the tall dark haired man was slipping a few things into a pack. "The lot of you?"

Toris turned, and leaned back against the worktable, regarding his mother thoughtfully. Tell her? Or not. "The folks who came in last night… were pulled out of the river by someone who sounds suspiciously like Xena."

Cyrene studied him. "And?" Her pale eyes analyzed the information.

A breath. "And.. they didn't see them again." Toris rubbed his jaw. "I know.. she's more than capable to taking care of herself, of me, of you, of Amphipolis, and half of Greece."

His mother bit off a smile. "But.. she's your sister." She put a hand on his arm. "And you're worried about her."

He sighed. "Something like that. yeah." He glanced up. "Am I being silly?" He lifted a hand and let it drop. "I don't know.. since she's been home.. I mean, my brain knows how much stronger and more capable she is than I am, for the gods sake.. " He sighed again. "But.. " He let that trail off.

Cyrene nodded slowly. "But.. you've gotten to see a very vulnerable side to her, and that makes a difference." She paused. "Right?"

A lift of his hands. "Something like that.. yeah." He admitted again.

She patted his chest gently. "Me too." A small silence fell between them. "I'm sure they're fine.. but you all go on - it'll get me some peace and quiet around here for a day anyway."

He grinned, and slung the pack onto his back, giving her a quick hug on his way to the door. "We'll be back before nightfall.. we're just going to check upriver a little… maybe we'll check out how bad the flooding was." He called back over his shoulder, giving her a wave.

Cyrene crossed her arms, and leaned back against the table as the door closed, letting out a held breath. She exchanged glances with Eustase, who was quietly kneading a knob of dough in the corner. "For a while there, Eustase, I thought I was over being a doting mother." The dark haired woman sighed in wry amusement.

The cook smiled at her. "You've got a pair of lovely children, ma'am." She skillfully wrapped the dough into a knot, and set it on a clean cloth to rise. "You must be very proud of them."

Cyrene smiled quietly to herself. Life's a funny thing, isn't it? "Yes, I am." She admitted cheerfully, as she turned to her task of counting supplies.

"Ready?" Toris asked, as he let the door to the inn close behind him. "Oh.. hi." This to Granella, who was standing just outside the door. Ephiny and Eponin were a few bodylengths away, their heads bent together over a parchment, and Hercules and Iolaus were leaning against the hitching post. The day had remained very fair, and the sun was now pouring down into the courtyard, bleaching the still drying village and bringing out the musky smell of mud, and damp thatch.

Ephiny looked up, and nodded. "Let's go.. Toris, you're our native guide." The regent folded up the parchment she'd been studying, and bent to retrieve her pack.

Only to have her hands slapped aside by Granella, who slung the bag onto her own back, with a raised eyebrow. "I don't think so." The slim dark haired Amazon gave her a look, and exchanged glances with Eponin.

The regent rolled her eyes. "Gods." She sighed. "All right.. shall we?"

They started off down the road, ambling along in relative silence for a while, until Iolaus sighed, and moved his body into the center of the group, intent on playing social director. "So.. " He gave Granella a smile. "Have you heard the story about the talking Horse?"

"The what?" Granella almost tripped over a rock.

"The what?" Eponin asked, poking her head from around Ephiny's shoulder.

"Talking who?" Hercules chimed in.

"Oh yeah.. " Iolaus rubbed his hands together. "It's true.. I saw it. It was a couple of years ago, and I was…"

Ephiny let the story buzz past her ears, as she concentrated on getting her body accustomed to moving around after almost three weeks of very little activity. She felt a little lightheaded, and a touch shaky, but concentrated on keeping that fact from showing, as it would mean an immediate return to the inn by her solicitous companions.

And.. she was enjoying the fresh air.. even if it was tainted with the drying dampness, and the cloying earthy smell of mud. She took a cautiously deep breath, pleased at the lack of the dry, heavy pressure she'd been suffering from since her accident, and glanced ahead, to where the road angled downward towards the river.

A hand on her back, and she turned her head to gaze into Eponin's guarded eyes. "Yeah?"

The weapon's master shifted her gaze from Ephiny's face. "You look kind of pale. You doing all right?"

Damn.. damn.. to Hades with her.. "Of course I am." She answered briskly. "It feels really good to get out and move around… after all that time just sitting on my backside not doing anything." She put a little more energy into her strides, and forced a mild wave of dizziness down.

"Uh huh." Eponin grunted, then turned her attention back to Iolaus' amusing story.

The road edged it's way closer to the river, and they began to be able to hear the rolling crash of it's overfull passage.

"Damn.. look at that." Ephiny breathed, slowing her steps as they journeyed closer to the water. The road went to the edge of a new slope here, where the water had undercut the soil, and had almost taken out a section of the packed dirt road. They moved to the edge, and peered over.

"Wow." Iolaus snorted, gazing down at the dark mud left by the slightly receding river. "Look at that.. whooaa!!!!" His foot slipped, and he waved his arms wildly, trying to catch his balance, but the ground was far too wet and he dropped down the bank in a slithering slide with a startled yelp.

Landing with a resounding splat, as he fell into the dark, clinging, odorous mud left by the cresting river.