The inn was now packed, with villagers and guests, most of whom were scattered about in small groups chatting, and enjoying ale and cider, which they used to wash down an assortment of tidbits supplied by Cyrene's kitchen.

"Nice crowd." The innkeeper muttered to herself, leaning against the service bar, and studying the shifting groups. She spotted her daughter sitting quietly in the corner, sprawled on a heavy bench, listening to Kaleipus relating some tale or other.

Solon was sitting next to her, his legs tucked up under him on the bench, his head resting against her shoulder, and one arm wrapped around Ares, who was curled against Xena's side with his dark muzzle laying on her thigh. Cyrene smiled at the picture they made, feeling her heart twinge again at the boy's uncanny resemblance to Lyceus.

Then her mind turned to recent events. So.. She mused. That was the God of War. Her brows quirked. She'd heard rumors about her daughter's involvement with him for many years… and certainly, there had been a… mmm.. certain air of mutual.. not respect, but a kind of acknowledgment between them. He had, after all, wished her a happy birthday, and she had, somehow, talked him into saving Iolaus' life.

Interesting. She sighed, as she eyed Hecuba's still upset face. The woman was standing next to her, watching the activity with a disturbed expression. "Hecuba, will you please calm down."

Gabrielle's mother turned to her in outrage. "Cyrene.. that was the God of War."

Cyrene shrugged. "I know." She sniffed reflectively. "I dunno.. I kind of like a nice beard on a man. He's kind of cute."

Hecuba stared at her. The two women had become fairly close during Cyrene's visit to Potadeia, and Hecuba liked the innkeeper a lot, but sometimes her sense of humor was a bit.. on the startling side. "What?"

"You don't think so?" Cyrene smirked quietly. "I know his reputation.. but after all, he did save poor Iolaus."

Hecuba drummed her fingers on the counter. "But…"

"C'mon..c'mon… you didn't think he was good looking?" Cyrene coaxed.

Gabrielle's mother glanced around cautiously. "Well… " She sniffed. "That was a lovely vest he was wearing." She admitted grudgingly. "And he has interesting ears."

Cyrene's dark eyebrows arched towards her hairline. "You noticed his EARS?" A wicked smile crept across her face. "Why.. Hecuba.. I never figured you for an ear woman."

Hecuba gave her a little, stuffy sneeze. "Hmph." But her expression relaxed a little and she sighed. "I suppose I'm going to have to get used to all this." She lifted a hand and gave it a little wave, indicating the room. "It's.. just very strange."

They both turned as the door to the small room opened, and Iolaus and Gabrielle emerged, the fair haired bard supporting the still pale Iolaus as they moved slowly across the room, where he was greeted with enthusiasm by their friends. Gabrielle got him settled right next to Hercules, who leaned over and clouted him on the shoulder with rough affection. The bard watched for a minute, then patted the blond man's shoulder, and headed the short distance to where her partner was lazily sprawled.

Solon had gotten up, and was headed across the room towards them with Cait, both of them giggling as they dodged the groups of people between.

"Your grandson is quite handsome" Hecuba leaned over and mentioned to Cyrene, as they watched the two children approach.

Cyrene smiled mischievously. "Well.. Hecuba.. you do realize that after today.. he's your grandson also, right?"

Hecuba gave her a stunned look. "What?"

The innkeeper gave her a cheerful smile, and turned to greet the two. "Hi you two.. what are you up to?"

"You were right." Gabrielle sighed, as she slid onto the bench next to her partner and leaned back. "On both counts."

"Mm." Xena acknowledged, sliding an arm across her shoulders and pulling her closer. "Figures." She stretched out her long legs and crossed them at the ankles. "All right.. I'll … talk to him tomorrow.. no sense in doing it today." She reached out a hand and plucked a tidbit off the tray at her elbow, and offered it to the bard.

Gabrielle accepted the treat neatly, and chewed. "Mmm…" She opened her mouth for more and smiled around a mouthful as her partner complied. "Gods." She sighed, as she swallowed, and nestled her head against Xena's shoulder. "I gotta stop that.. I'm gonna explode before the end of the day otherwise." She plucked at her tunic. "And this doesn't have a lot of spare room."

Xena ran her eyes down the bard's body. "Hmm..no.. but it does look good on you." She dusted a few specks off the bard's sleeve. "Save some space in there for that pig mom has roasting.. I stuck my head out the door a little while ago when they were testing.. gods, that smells great."

Gabrielle smiled and wrapped an arm around her, glancing up. "Well, you worked up an appetite.. " She looked across the room to where Jessan was seated, gesturing with one fist in an animated conversation with Eponin. "You should have heard them cursing when you took off. " She snitched another tidbit and nibbled it, then plucked another and popped it into Xena's mouth. "It was funny… I mean… well, so did I… " She paused, giggling at Xena's raised eyebrow. "Take off, I mean.. not curse at you.." She bit her lip. "I grabbed my staff and jumped over that table.. and I beat Eponin AND Granella out to where you guys were." She stopped and gave Xena an impish look. "Eph's been having a really good time teasing them ever since… if they don't eat a thing tonight, it's because she's been hinting that all this lazing around is starting to slow them down a little."

Xena laughed. "Oh.. great…poor Eponin… first me, then you…" She offered the bard another snack. "Bet you felt good about that though, didn't you?" Her eyes regarded her partner with a twinkle of pride. "They'd better work harder if they want to keep up with their Queen."

The bard chuckled. "Uh huh.. and you should have heard them talking when you were taking that guy on with a piece of wood.. they went on, and on, and on.. and finally, Jessan shut them up by telling them that was nothing.. they should have seen you take on three hundred slavering wild six armed soldiers at Cirron."

Xena winced. "Three hundred? Six arms? " She groaned. "Gabrielle!!!."

"Mmm…" Gabrielle rubbed her belly gently. "Of course, they all turned to me to see if it was true or not."

"Oh.." Xena chuckled. "So… you said…?"

The bard looked up at her affectionately. "I said yes, absolutely."

The warrior gave her an outraged look and got a mischievous little giggle in return. "You're gonna get me in trouble one of these days, bard." Xena sighed, but couldn't keep a grin from appearing on her face. She looked up as footsteps approached, and gave Josclyn a quiet nod.

The village reeve settled in a chair across from them, and pulled out a stack of parchments. "Well.." He gave Xena a straightforward, but slightly shy look. "Would you like to get the paperwork out of the way now?"

Xena nodded, and straightened up, leaning her elbows on the table's surface and lacing her long fingers together. "Good idea… I think it might get a little.. " Her eyes traveled around the room. "crazy around here later."

Josclyn chuckled, and cleared his throat. "Glad to be inside today… it's worsening out there.. and I fear the night will be indeed a long one tonight.. your mother is preparing some extra pallets and things in case we have to house folks overnight here."

The warrior grunted an agreement and waited patiently for the reeve to assemble his parchments, as Gabrielle watched curiously over her shoulder.

"Aye.." He pulled out a quill and ink, and settled them, carefully sharpening the quill and dipping it precisely into its stain. He pushed a few strands of gilded silver hair out of his iron gray eyes and cleared his throat again. "Xena, I know you were born here…" He made a mark. "And you're from Potadeia, is that right, Gabrielle?"

The bard nodded. "That's right."

"Mmhmm. " The reeve made another mark. "Xena, you know your mother has named you and your brother as equal heirs to all her land holdings here, right?"

"Yes." Xena answered quietly. "Have you drawn up the document I asked you about?"

He nodded, and drew out a cleaner, newer piece of parchment, scanned through the writing once, and handed it to her. She read through the language, and gave a little nod. "Fine."

"Wait." Gabrielle put a hand on her arm. "Xena, what is that?"

Xena took a breath, and studied her hands a minute. "My will." She answered, giving her partner a brief smile. "Not that I have much… well, not that I have many possessions to leave."

The bard took the paper from her, and examined it. "You need to change this." She finally said, quietly.

The warrior's brow creased. "Gabrielle.. it's…. I have to leave this.. stuff.. to someone."

Serious green eyes met hers. "I know." She paused. "But it should be someone who's going to be around to take it." She swallowed. "Leave it to Solon."

Just like that. Matter of fact, and straightforward and it took Xena's breath away. It sent an ache through her, a sense of pain that Gabrielle had actually looked inside herself to make that decision.

What would I do? Suddenly the room closed in on her, and she closed her eyes. No question. She let her eyes open and met Joscyln's concerned gaze. "Amend it." She said in a very soft voice, as she felt Gabrielle's hand curl around hers and squeeze.

The reeve nodded, and took the parchment from her, bending over it, and concentrating on changing the text.

"Sorry." Gabrielle whispered. "Xena, I didn't mean to… "

Xena leaned over and kissed her lightly, stopping her speech. "No explanations, Gabrielle." She answered back. "I should have thought about that, and spoken about it with you." A quiet pause. "I'm sorry."

Gabrielle remained silent for a few breaths. "You still don't believe that would be my choice, do you?" She finally asked, a note of pain in her voice.

Xena stared at the table's surface, counting the cracks in the woodgrain with infinite concentration. "I do believe that, Gabrielle. What I don’t believe is that I'm worth that decision."

The bard studied her partner's quiet profile until the parchment was ready. Then she took it from Joscyln's hands, and put it between them carefully. "You don't have to believe it, Xena. I believe in it enough for both of us."

A cock of that dark head, that allowed her a glimpse of crystal blue eyes and a hint of a smile. "I know." She replied, then took the quill from the reeve's hand, and inscribed her signature on the paper, blowing gently on the ink to dry it before handing the parchment back.

"Right." He said with a sigh, slipping the document into his leather case. "Gabrielle, do you wish to become a citizen of Amphipolis?"

The bard nodded. "Yes." They'd talked about that before today. "I.. um.. I know I don't have a lot to.." She jerked to a halt as Xena covered her mouth with a hand.

"Mark down that Amphipolis is now host to an Amazon Queen, and a published scholar of the Performing Bards Academy in Athens." She smiled at the blush she now felt coloring the bard's fair skin.

Joscyln's mouth twitched, and he glanced at Gabrielle with a look of fond amusement. "Can't slip past that one, your majesty." His gray eyes twinkled. "Gabrielle, you would have been welcome here had you been a common milkmaid, never you fear. But don't sell yourself short, lass. "

Gabrielle bit back a smile, and gazed shyly at the tabletop. "I.. know I tend to do that." Now her eyes turned to her grinning partner. "But I don't get away with it much anymore."

Xena's eyebrow rose. "Three hundred? Six arms? Fair is fair, my friend."

Josclyn laughed, and passed a short document over to Gabrielle. "Sign this, if you please." The bard did so, in her small, neat hand. Citizen of Amphipolis. She giggled quietly to herself. I like the sound of that. Then she caught sight of the gentle, wondering look on Xena's face and realized that all her worldly experience notwithstanding, her partner was as new to this process as she was.

Now the reeve's face became quietly serious, and he pulled a last document from the case, holding it in his hands as he looked Xena right in the eye. "Xena… there's a lot of water that runs under the bridges we're standing on."

Xena felt a touch of nervous tension tighten her gut. Well, I knew the past wouldn't stay buried forever. Amphipolis.. has a big claim on me.. if they want to press it. "That's true." She replied softly. Didn't think he was going to.. but… I guess I deserve it. Gabrielle must have felt her sudden worry, because the bard slid a hand to rest on her knee, and she felt the gentle pressure of her partner's thumb rubbing in a comforting motion against her skin.

Josclyn nodded. "I am the reeve of this township.. and that means I represent the law here, Xena. You know that. It falls to me to judge the claims of the law against any of the citizens here, and pursue them to justice."

Xena took a deep breath, and returned his gaze evenly. "I acknowledge that." She felt tension coil down her spine but stayed motionless. "I submit to your judgement." A razor's edge of uncertainty pressed at her, knowing by law, by the things she'd done, Josclyn could pronounce a penalty of.. anything. Even death, but she didn't think that's what he had in mind, else he wouldn't have waited until now to do so.

"Xena." Gabrielle's voice was sharp, and worried. She glanced at Josclyn in building outrage, her green eyes beginning to snap with a fiery indignation.

The reeve looked up in surprise as Gabrielle stood, and bristled, her temper beginning to flare. Xena reached up and clasped her shoulder, pressing her back into her seat. "Gabrielle.. please."

The bard subsided, but her eyes held his with unnerving sharpness, and he smiled inwardly at the Warrior Princess' unlikely champion, as he turned his attention back to the paper he was holding. "Xena… I studied the past, and reviewed the present, and thought about the future, because Amphipolis has charged me with the responsibility for that. " He paused. "It seems to me that my scales are balanced… what happened in the past is long gone, and what is happening in the present counterweights that. As for the future.. " Now he smiled at her. "I think Amphipolis does well to have you amongst us.. and my charter is well served when I set my name to this scroll that gives you right to free and clear citizenship here. "

He took a breath, and let a small silence settle, then he laid the parchment in front of her, with small, precise movements as he looked back up. "Welcome home."

Xena sat there and let the words roll over her, unsure of how to respond having never remotely considered the possibility of hearing them. Her eyes tracked to the parchment, seeing not only Joscyln's name, but the elder council's as well. Most of who had good reason to know her crimes firsthand. I can't believe this. Her mind whispered. It can't be happening. This all must be a dream.

Gabrielle's cheek pressed against her shoulder, and she felt bard's grasp tighten on her, anchoring her in a swirling sea of glad chaos. . Oh.. gods.. if it is a dream.. please.. don't let me ever wake up. She sent a silent, heartfelt plea up, then managed to regain control of her voice. "Thank you."

Josclyn nodded quietly. "You're welcome." There had been.. far less debate than he had thought there might be.. even from the elders, who certainly remembered what she'd cost them. In fact, he'd detected a very faint, well-hidden streak of half-guilty pride in her that had.. surprised him. And most of them had newer memories to consider… of her saving them from Draco.. and again.. of Xena's tireless efforts to feed the village this winter.. and her dauntless courage in defending them, especially that dark night when two outlaw bands had descended on them.

She'd stood out in that courtyard, armed with nothing but her blade and a thin tunic, and stood off all of them, fighting like nothing they'd ever seen. Or would again, he hoped. Never stopping until the last ragtag of them ran like weasels from the village, leaving behind injured comrades and frightened horses.

Never once touching her. And she'd picked up the outlaw leader, and shook him like a dog. "This is my home." She'd told him. "And nobody comes in here. Nobody. Got me?"

From that day forward, no one had.

And it had been what one of the outlying farmers had told a visiting merchant at the bar. "Sure.. she's dangerous, that one. She's a right terror, no doubt about it." He'd said. "But she's our terror."

That had about said it all. In a dangerous world, you took what safety and security you found and were glad of them. And he was glad of her. "If you citizens are ready, I'll get me things together, and we can put the ceremony behind us, so I can start taking part of yer mother's fine ale."

Xena smiled, and studied her hands, then glanced towards Gabrielle. "You ready?"

Her answer was a laugh. "Am I ever."

"Is it still snowing?" Hercules asked, peering cautiously outside the kitchen door.

A slithering sound greeted him, and he yelped as a pile of snow cascaded off the roof and landed on his head.

Cyrene turned, from where she was poking a cautious prong into the ground. "Yes." She deadpanned; gazing in startled amusement at the snow covered demigod, who was licking the frosty stuff off his nose. "Here." She walked over, and used a piece of linen to wipe the ice crystals off his head. "Don't suppose you want to help me get this pig out, huh?"

Hercules gave her an easy smile. "As a matter of fact, that's why I'm here." He brushed the snow off his muscular arms and sighed. "Xena said you probably could use a hand.. though..I think she's just kind of trying to get everyone out of the way in there."

"Hi." Jessan popped his head out.

The demigod glanced over his shoulder. "You get sent out here too?"

The forest dweller grinned. "I think we're too big… " He eased out the door. "It's getting a little close in there."

"I bet I know who'll end up out here next." Hercules laughed gently, shaking himself to rid his thickly clad shoulders of incessantly falling snow.

"Bet you don't" Xena's dry voice cut through the weather. The tall warrior slipped outside the door, and joined them. "Oh..mother.. um… " Xena glanced over her shoulder, then back at Cyrene. "Just..what.. were they supposed to be doing with that cake frosting?"

Cyrene straightened up with a jerk. "What?"

The warrior solemnly licked off a thumb. "And how did you get it that color?"

The innkeeper brushed by her, giving her daughter a slap on the leg. "They'd better not have dropped that bowl." She paused, and tugged on Jessan's tunic. "Give me a hand for a minute, will you?"

Jessan gave Xena an amused glance, then followed her inside, leaving the two of them quietly looking out at the falling snow.

An awkward pause fell, then Hercules cleared his throat. "You holding up ok? It's.. kind of crazy in there." He gave her a tentative smile. "I know how much you love crowds."

Xena leaned back against the wall of the inn, and crossed her arms. "Yeah… just needed a little fresh air I guess." She studied him. "How are you doing?"

"Me?" The demigod shrugged, and crossed his own arms, leaning back next to her and gazing out at the snow. "Fine.. fine… why?"

Her cool, analytical gaze swept over him. "You flinch every time you look at Iolaus."

He looked down at the ground, and pushed a clump of snow around with his boot. "I.. um… " He closed his eyes. "Remembered.. what I did." His speech halted. "To him."

The warrior sighed. "After the fight?" She hazarded a guess, remembering the sudden wave of horror that had swept over his face.

He nodded. "Yeah… when he was lying there, in his own blood." The demigod slowly shook his head. "Xena, I can't look him in the eye.. what am I going to do? For the sake of the gods, he's my best friend."

Xena pursed her lips, and considered the problem. "He.. told Gabrielle this morning." She said slowly. "And.. she said.. he was more worried about how you'd take it than what had happened." She put a hand on his shoulder. "He's a good friend, Hercules… he knows that wasn't you.. that it wasn't your fault." She paused, then went on carefully, picking her way with caution. "It.. could have been a lot worse."

"Yeah? How?" Hercules asked shortly, letting out a heavy breath. "How could I possibly top beating, than caging someone who's supposed to be a close friend of mine?"

The warrior rolled her head to one side, and regarded him. "If you don't cut that self pitying crap out, I'm gonna havta knock you around a little, Herc." She spoke the threat with casual menace. "You could have done.. a lot worse to him.. and to those others. What you did… nothing was.. permanent, all right? It was.. nasty, sure… uncomfortable.. but.. you didn't kill anyone, and everything you did was fixable."

Hercules' gaze turned as frosty as the weather. "As opposed to what?"

Now Xena turned to face him, and captured his gaze with her own, leaning forward and letting the wolf loose at will. "As opposed to what I.. would have done. " She stepped closer, poking his chest with a long finger. "You're a good person, Hercules. Nothing can change that.. even in the worst of circumstances.. so don't you forget it." She let her voice drop. "It's over… it happened, but it's over.. Iolaus forgives you.. he understands what happened. If you let this come between you..if you let it destroy your friendship, then you'll hurt him a whole lot more than anything you could do to him physically, got me?"

Hercules remained silent, his face tense.

Damn. Xena cursed silently. I am not good at this. "Look.. he cares about you, Hercules. That hasn't changed."

Now the demigod's eyes lifted and met hers. "I know.. " He clenched his jaw. "That's a problem too."

Xena's eyebrow rose. "What?" I knew there was something else going on with them….

"It's.." He lifted his hands and let them drop against his sides. "People assume things, Xena. You.. should know that better than most."

Now her eyebrows contracted. "Well.. um.. sure… I do know that.. but.. " Where is he going with this???

"No buts." Hercules said with a sigh. "Idle talk.. but it's gotten back to both of us.. that the rumors are.. uh…. " He stopped, and his face colored.

Xena wiped a grin off her face. "That you two are lovers?" She asked quietly.

His face now turned brick red. "We're not."

The warrior put a calming hand on his arm. "Relax. It never crossed my mind.." She smiled at him "You two.. are really not.. um… each other's type." She finished kindly. They're both cute, but they have as much chemistry together as a duck and a pig would. No.. sparks.. there.

He peeked at her. "Really?" He cleared his throat. "I mean, of course not." He waved his hands. "But it's… " He sighed. "Xena, I envy you."

An eyebrow curved back up. "Me?" Xena pointed at her own chest.

He nodded. "Yeah..look.. you're tough.. you're mean.. nobody in his or her right mind would look at you cross-eyed and live… but you can just.. " He stopped and gazed unhappily at her.

Ah.. I see his problem. She stroked his arm gently. "I can do that."

Hercules nodded. "Yeah.. and not have to worry about your image."

"Mm." Xena considered this. "It's a girl thing, Herc."

He sighed. "I know." Now he tramped around in the still falling snow, shaking his tawny head to clear the flakes. "But it's getting us both paranoid.. it bugs me, and I know it bugs him.. it's gotten so that I don't even go near him without us both getting this uncomfortable…." He paused. "And it's not… damn, Xena! Friends should be able to.. " He put a hand on the warrior's shoulder, and squeezed it. "Do that, without feeling guilty.. or ashamed.. or.."

Xena ran her fingers through her hair, scattering snowflakes around her body. "Have you talked to him about it?" That seems like a reasonable thing to ask… but boy, oh boy, am I out of my depth here.

The pale eyes blinked at her. "Talk to him?" His voice rose in amazement. "About this?"

Xena walked over and tucked her arm into his. "Let's go inside before we freeze into statues.. and yeah, talk to him. " She paused with her hand on the door. "You guys do talk to each other, right?"

Oh.. this is rich.. me giving him a lecture on communication. Gabrielle would be rolling in the snow if she'd heard me. "Right?"

"Uh." Hercules gazed at her, an embarrassed look on his handsome face. "Not.. exactly." And found himself gazing into appraising blue eyes. "Well… I… Xena, it's a guy thing. We just don’t' talk about stuff like that."

She opened the door, then remembered something, and paused, pushing him gently against the frame. "Hold on." She said quietly, unlacing the collar on his tunic, and pulling the fabric aside.

"Xena I…" He fell silent as she hissed under her breath. "Yeah.. I.. it…"

The warrior rolled her eyes. "Come on." She tugged his arm. "This'll only take a minute, and I wanted some fresh air anyway." She headed away from the inn, leaning forward and moving with determined steps through the thigh high drifts towards their cabin.

"So.. you having fun?" Gabrielle asked, as she slid herself down into a seat next to her sister. "Elaini's pretty neat, huh?"

Lila grinned. "I was.. kind of intimidated at first… gods, Br.. Gabrielle.. " She got no further, as her sister, laid a hand on her arm."What?"

A shrug. "You can call me Bree if you want to, Lila." The bard sighed. "It's all right."

Her hazel eyes met Gabrielle's mist green ones. "But you said you don't like it." She paused. "Xena never calls you that."

Gabrielle studied her hands. "No.. she doesn't.. she.. asked me if I wanted her to, and I just said.. no. " A glance at Lila. "I just like my whole name better.. "

Her sister smiled. "Especially the way she says it… gods… you guys don't have nicknames for each other, do you?"

The bard shook her head. "No.. sometimes when she wants to be extra irritating, she calls me Red. But… otherwise.. no.. " She paused, and grinned. "And yeah.. I love listening to her talk. I've got these.. scrolls, in another language, that she translates for me.. and just sitting there listening to her.. " A dreamy grin crossed her face. "I just love it."

Lila smiled at her "You've really got it bad, don't you?" She gave her head a minute shake. "What a goofy look."

Gabrielle leaned her head back against the wood of the chair and let out a happy sigh. "Yeah, I know." She laughingly admitted, as she selected a tiny sandwich from a tray resting near Lila's elbow and munched on it, reaching down with her free hand to tickle Ares' ears, as the wolf curled up around her feet. "Hi, Ares.. where'd your mom go?"

"Roo." The wolf lifted his head and licked her knee. "Arrggrrrr." He eyed her with a hopeful look, and wagged his tail when she offered him the end of her sandwich. "Grrr." He delicately took it with his teeth, and swallowed it down without chewing.

She laughed gently at him, then glanced up at her sister's indulgent look. "He's cute, isn't he?"

Lila smirked. "Yeah, he's cute…and he's got you wrapped around his little paws."

The bard snorted. "Me?" She indicated herself with a finger. "Oh no.. you should see him with Xena. He gets about half of every meal she eats out of her." She looked down at the shaggily dark wolf whose ears had perked up at the sound of Xena's name. "Yeah, you know who I'm talking about, don't you?"

"Grrrrrr.." Ares replied, settling his muzzle down on her foot with a little sigh. Gabrielle eyed him a minute longer, then looked up to meet her sister's appraising eyes. "So… how was the freak out level when Ares the Elder showed up?" She asked wryly.

Her sister waggled her hand. "Weeel… Da was all right with it.. he just kind of crept up in back of me and sort of watched with that kind of 'I'm interested but pretending not to be' kind of look." She replied slowly. "Mom.. almost passed out, but Cyrene took hold of her and dragged her off somewhere." She took a breath. "I was…kind of .." She pursed her lips. "He scared me."

Gabrielle nodded solemnly. "He scares me too." She fiddled with her belt clasp. "He even scares Xena."

Lila raised an eyebrow. "Couldn’t tell."

The bard gave her a half grin. "She's got that "I'm too tough for my leathers' routine down pretty pat." But I know every twitch.. every breath that's out of place now…

Her sister thought about that for a minute. "So.. that's all an act?"

Gabrielle eyed her. "Well.. no, not really. She really isn't afraid of a whole lot… but she knows people expect her to act a certain way, so she does, most of the time." They stopped to watch Josclyn start to clear a small area near the fireplace, and put out his scrolls, along with a strip of very white linen, and some other small items they couldn't distinguish. "Guess it's almost time." She took a steadying breath. "Um… you ok here? You need a drink.. or more of this stuff?" She indicated the sandwich platter.

Her sister rolled her eyes, and gave Gabrielle a rueful look. "I have one question."

Gabrielle cocked her head inquiringly. "Yeah?"

"You've been here for.. what..over two months?" Lila asked.

Her sister nodded, puzzled. "Um.. yeah.. " She selected another sandwich and bit into it. "What's your point?"

"My point is.. with all this great cooking around here.. I want to know what the Hades you do to stay so skinny." Lila cocked an accusing eyebrow at her. "Don't tell me that life on the road story, sis… cause you're not out there now."

Gabrielle blushed lightly, then glanced up at Lila, and gave her a little, crooked grin. "Do you have any idea just how much energy it takes to keep up with my partner?" She laughed gently. "Seriously.. I do put on a couple now and then.. it just never sticks… we're just constantly getting involved in stuff.. and then I have to fight just to stay even." She yawned and leaned back. "And Xena's worse… " She closed her eyes and imagined her partner's sleek, muscular body, and felt an appreciative grin tugging at her lips, along with a gentle warmth tingling up her spine. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and turned her head to face Lila. "We just keep busy."

Lila sighed. "I'm jealous." She shook her head. "You're disgusting."

The bard snorted. "Thanks." But they grinned at each other.

Lila leaned forward. "I know she gave you that ring… you going to give her one?" She asked, curious, watching Gabrielle's expressive face. "You are.. aren't you?"

The bard dug into the small pouch attached to her belt, and came up with something, which she studied, before opening her hand fully and extending it towards her sister. "Yeah." She bit her lip as Lila gently took it in a thumb and forefinger and brought it closer to her eyes for an inspection.

"Oh.. my gods….. " Lila breathed, staring at the glittering piece. At it's interlaced and woven gold, which cradled two brilliant diamonds, bracketing a richly blue sapphire. "Gabrielle, that's gorgeous." She looked up at her sister, astounded. "Where in the world did you get it.. and gods, it must have cost the earth!"

Gabrielle folded her arms across her chest and gave her a tight smile. "Yeah.. took a long time, and a lot of saving up from telling stories across half of Greece for that.. but… I think I picked one that she'll like." She let out a long breath. "It was a really hard decision.. cause she doesn't go in for jewelry at all."

Lila carefully put the ring back into her sister's palm. "If she doesn’t… she's crazier than I think she is." Then she looked up, impishly. "So.. what else did you get her?"

The bard tucked the ring away and laughed. "Oh.. a whole bunch of little stuff.. practical things.. stuff I know she needs.. you know."

Lila nodded. "Yeah.. Lennat and I exchanged ours before we left… he got me a bunch of new.." She rolled her eyes and stroked her belly gently. "Bigger tunics and things… stuff like that. I got him new work clothes, and a new leather apron." Her eyes examined Gabrielle curiously. "Is that a new outfit??" She grinned. "It looks really good on you."

One hand drifted down and touched the soft, woolen material. "Yeah.. one of my early Solstice presents from Xena." She grinned impishly. "She hates waiting."

Lila's face lit up. "Oh really? What else did you get?" She scooted forward, and leaned towards her sister, glad for this chance to exchange normal sibling talk.

"Mmm… well, stuff I needed.. lots of parchment, and quills.. a little kind of lap board so I can sit out in the grass and write.. if this weather ever clears up.. " She rolled her eyes. "Um… and a surprise she pulled on me last night.. " With an embarrassed blush, she pulled out the much folded piece of parchment Xena had handed her and gave it to Lila, playing idly with Ares fur until she heard her sister gasp.

"You brat!!!" Lila squealed, giving her a slap. "Da!" She called, spotting their father crossing the room in search of a hot mug of something. He detoured and paused by them, resting his hands on the back of Lila's chair. "I can't believe you've been sitting on this all day and didn't show anyone." The dark haired girl groaned in exasperation, as she handed their father the parchment. "Da, will you look at what this little brat has been hiding?"

I'm going to kill her. Gabrielle sighed inwardly. I didn't want him to… oh well. Slowly, she looked up, feeling her gut twist as she studied his quietly inexpressive face, suddenly wanting her partner's comforting presence as she felt her mouth go dry.

Herodotus read through the document several times, as she herself had, then glanced down at her, folding the parchment and handing it back to Lila. "Go show this to your mother." He said in a gruff voice.

Lila gave him a wary, suddenly uneasy look, but stood and edged around the chair, her eyes catching Gabrielle's in silent apology.

The bard closed her eyes briefly in acknowledgement, and jerked her head a little, letting her eyes follow her sister as she gently eased through the gathering crowd towards the kitchen. Then she swiveled her head, and met her father's gaze.

They examined each other for a long, silent moment, while the happy din of the room rose like a curtain around them, and the fires subtle popping seemed to sharpen.

Herodotus rubbed the side of his nose, then studied his interlaced his fingers thoughtfully. "You look very nice today." He commented dryly.

Gabrielle studied the floor. "Thanks." She replied quietly. "Are you having a good time?"

Her father nodded shortly. "Some very interesting people here." He glanced around. "They all have a very high regard for you."

Yeah… and how far away from home did I have to go to find people who did? "They're… all good friends." She replied in an even tone.

Her father sighed softly, and regarded his thumbs. "And I'm not a friend… I know that."

She didn't answer, just watched him, her guard firmly up. Under her drifting fingers, Ares lifted his head, and stared at Herodotus, his ruff puffing up as he sensed the roiling emotions just under her tightly held reserve. The wolf's lip curled, exposing his white, sharp teeth as an almost soundless growl vibrated his body.

Herodotus studied the wolf in silence. Then he grunted. "He think he's your protector?"

Gabrielle stroked the wolf's coat soothingly. "He takes after his mom." Now she looked up, meeting his gaze squarely.

He nodded slowly. "She made that pretty clear." His voice was calm. "Gabrielle, I'm not going to bother apologizing to you.. because that really wouldn't mean anything.. I did what I did, and I can't change that." He cocked his head at her. "To say I would have.. is probably not the truth, and we both know that."

The bard regarded him quietly. "I don't want an apology from you."

He sighed. "This isn't.. the life I would have chosen for you.. but you know that." He swallowed. "I've.. come to terms with the fact that, for better or worse, you've chosen a hard.. dangerous path.. one that puts you in harms way for reasons I can't begin to understand."

Gabrielle ducked her head in quiet acceptance. "I… don't expect you to understand it."

The sound of his intake of breath, and the soft scrape as he rubbed his hands together. "What you've become.. is your own doing, and none of mine." He stated quietly. "But.. regardless of that.. and of the unhappiness that sits between us and probably always will, I find myself.. to be very.. " He hesitated, and waited until she glanced up, until their eyes were fastened on each other. "Very proud of you." His mouth twitched. "I'm.. glad you asked us to be here.. and that I've had an opportunity to get a glimpse of your life."

She sat, hardly breathing, unable to believe what she was hearing. What she'd wanted to hear for so long she couldn't…

He sighed. "You're a remarkable person, Gabrielle. I wish I could take some kind of credit for that, but I can't.. all I can do is regret a lot of things.. and hope that one day, maybe, you'll look at me and not see only a person who hurt you."

Gabrielle absorbed the words, as she looked down and riffled her fingers through Ares thick fur. The only way to break the cycle of hatred and violence is through love..and forgiveness. Isn't that what I said to Xena? Isn't it? She took a deep breath, and looked up, right into his warily guarded eyes. "I already do." Her Solstice gift, in a way. "You're my father, and I love you."

She caught him by surprise, she knew… his jaw sagged quite outside his control, and she could see the startled, blinking reflex as his eyes widened. She almost would have giggled if the situation hadn't been so deathly serious. "I need to go talk to Josclyn.. " She stood and pressed a hand against his shoulder. "Thanks."

And she walked away from him, giving him space, and a chance to collect himself, and to think about what had just happened. Because she needed that too.. needed a moment's peace to settle her thoughts and to savor the quiet sense of redemption his words had given her. Solstice.. she reflected quietly Was a good time for that.