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 –Yes, there is violence. Xena has, written into her contract, a clause that requires her to have at least one good, bloody fight every two days or so. Otherwise, all that energy gets pent up, and that's never a good thing. Xena also fights with a sword and a chakram, neither of which is a Nerf Bat. She slices, she dices, and she would probably like Julienne fries.

Subtext - Yes, there be subtext here. This story is based on the premise that it is about two women who are very much in love with each other. There is nothing more than PG-13 action, but there certainly is a lot of that. If love is illegal in your state, move. Now.

Let's see… we used Key Lime Pie last time.. so, I'll say, and if love offends you, then send me your mail address, and I’ll send you some angel food cupcakes with fudge frosting. Because if this kind of love twists your shorts, I really, really, do feel sorry for you.

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

Winter's Ending - Part 3

By Melissa Good

Silence lay on her like a blanket, and Gabrielle could clearly hear the Amazon's roughened breathing, over the snapping of the fire, and the odd thump from the kitchen on the other side of the wall. Footsteps caught her attention though, ones she recognized, and she glanced towards the door as it pushed inward, and her partner strolled in, juggling a platter and two large mugs. She closed the door behind her with one booted foot, and crossed to the bard, settling down cross-legged on the floor next to where she was sitting. She handed Gabrielle a large steaming bowl, and took one for herself. "Here." This with a grin. "It's one of my favorites."

"Oooo.." Gabrielle selected a choice tidbit from the bowl and popped it in her mouth. The bowl was filled with a mixture of steamed grains, and a variety of meats, some chicken, fish, chunks of sausage, mixed in a tangy sweet sauce that Gabrielle immediately adored. "Oh wow.. I like this." She dug in with enthusiasm, chasing down mouthfuls of the stuff with sips of hot mulled wine that Xena had also brought.

"Thought you would." Xena mumbled, concentrating on her own bowl. "Haven't had this in.. " She stopped absolutely still for an instant. "It was Lyceus' favorite too." She finished quietly, prodding the food about with her fork.

Gabrielle studied the bent head next to her, and reached out to stroke the soft dark hair sympathetically. "You miss him, don't you."

Xena nodded silently, then took a deep breath and continued eating. "Sometimes, something like this just reminds me."

The bard gave her back a gentle fingertip rub. "Wish I could go back and change that for you."

The warrior stopped eating again, and played with a piece of fish idly. "No you don't." She replied, looking up and catching Gabrielle's eyes. "And I wouldn't want that either." Her face was peaceful. "Some things are just meant to happen, Gabrielle." She speared a piece of meat, and held it up, raising an eyebrow.

Gabrielle leaned over and took it neatly in her teeth, then bit down, and found herself being kissed as Xena took the other half back. "Mmm..." She chuckled, as they broke apart and smiled at each other. "I guess they are."

"Kids are awake." Xena informed her, returning her attention to her lunch temporarily. "Cait's taking them on a tour."

"Hmm.. that could be dangerous." The bard mused, taking a long swallow from her mug. Then she studied the beverage. "I think I'm getting used to this stuff. I hardly feel it anymore."

Xena glanced at her. "I noticed." She replied quietly. "Be careful with that."

Gabrielle glanced at the mug, then glanced at her partner, and smiled. "One addiction at time, thanks. I prefer you." She paused, and cocked her head to one side. "Cute blush." She commented softly, running a fingertip up Xena's neck, and watching the small muscles just under her skin tense in reflex.

They finished lunch, and settled back to keep an eye on Ephiny. Xena waited until the bard had set their dishes aside, and settled on the floor next to her, snuggling up against her left side with a contented sigh before she spoke. "Gabrielle?"

"Huh?" The bard kept her eyes closed, and let her fingers play with a lock of Xena's dark hair.

Xena wrapped her arms around her partner and held her securely. "We need to send word to the Amazons." In her gentlest voice. "Tonight."

Gabrielle's eyes opened. "Why? I thought we were...." She stopped, and her gaze went to Ephiny's face, then up to Xena's. "But... you said.. "

"I know." The warrior replied. "But her lungs are filling up pretty bad, and I..." She paused as the bard buried her face in the fabric of Xena's shirt. "Look.. it's probably going to be ok.. I just.. they should know, Gabrielle." Silence. "Toris said he'd go.. he'll leave right away."

"I'll go." The bard whispered, clenching her fists in the fabric.

Xena stroked her face gently. "I think she'd want you to be here, love." No word about her not wanting Gabrielle out there on the road. No word about it being too dangerous. She'd learned the hard way what mattered to her partner. "Especially now."

Felt the slump in her shoulders, as the words registered and Gabrielle felt the truth of them. "Toris will get there fast.. you know him.. and by the time he gets back, everything will probably be fine." Xena hesitated. "It's just a precaution, Gabrielle... besides, you know we can't leave for a few days anyway - it's not fair to keep them worrying."

That made sense, to Gabrielle's tense mind. If it was Xena, I'd want to know. She thought about that for a minute. Of course, if it was Xena, I *would* know. "All right." She sighed, relaxing a little. "You're right...I just wasn't expecting you to say that." She let her head drop onto Xena's shoulder. "She says you give good hugs, by the way." A wicked glance up at Xena's surprised face.

"That wasn't a hug." The warrior objected, with a scowl. Oh.. let's not get started with this….

"I love it when people tell me how lucky I am." The bard teased her, poking her ribcage gently. "And you do give good hugs."

"Gabrielle..." A low warning growl. "I am not a huggy person."

The bard let her eyes travel down her partner's body, taking in the two of them locked in a close embrace. Her eyebrow raised with stunning impact.

"You're different." Xena grumbled.

"You're a mushball." Gabrielle pleasantly informed her, tapping her chest with one finger. "You are busted, big time, and I'm not going to let you get away with that 'I'm too tough for my leathers' attitude anymore."

"I am NOT a mushball." Xena protested indignantly.

Gabrielle gazed up at her, with a little smile, and watched her partner melt. "Yes you are." She said softly, with an impish grin. "But I won't tell anyone. I promise."

"You'd better not." The warrior grumbled, but her mouth quirked. "I have a reputation to maintain, you know."

They settled down for a long watch, listening to the sounds of late afternoon activity going on next door, and hearing the rattling of the wind against the window shutters. Gabrielle found herself drifting, and burrowed deeper into Xena's warm embrace, feeling the warrior's hands start a gentle rubbing on her back that was pulling her down into a pleasant drowsy haze, her eyes falling shut against her will.

At last the only sound was three sets of breathing, and as the shadows of the gathering darkness outside deepened in the room, the firelight reflecting off two pale heads, and the steady, alert glint of deep blue eyes that stood watch. Xena kept a small bowl of water by her, and kept rinsing out a folded linen cloth, laying it on the Amazon's hot forehead. Ephiny stirred restlessly, caught in her fever, and murmured under her breath; Xena caught Phantes name and felt her heart clench a little as her other arm tightened unconsciously around Gabrielle's soundly sleeping body.

Soft footsteps and clawclicks caught her attention, and she hesitated, glancing at Gabrielle's peaceful face before she shrugged mentally, and glanced up at the door. He's my brother. And hers too now. They need to get used to seeing this. Then she turned her view inward. I need to get used to them seeing this.

It pushed open, and Toris poked his head in.

He spotted them, and barely wiped a grin off his face before he opened the door wider, letting Ares squeeze through and trot over to them. with a snuffling growl.

"Hey boy." Xena called softly, going nose to nose with him and letting him lick her face. If I'm gonna be a mushball, might as well go all the way, right? Right. "Hi." She added to Toris, who padded over and settled himself next to her. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah." He answered softly, "Any change?" His jaw jerked towards Ephiny.

Xena waggled her hand. "Fever's worse. But she's pretty tough." She ducked her free hand inside her belt pouch, and came up with something, which she handed to Toris. "Here. That'll give you free passage through Amazon territory."

He nodded, and carefully put the signet ring on, admiring it in the firelight. "I have to find Eponin, or Solari, right?" He ran his fingers through his hair. "It's getting ready to storm again, or I'd offer to take the girls back with me. They're driving mom nuts. " He leaned his head next to hers, and she caught the spicy scent of the leathers and thick wool he was wearing. "She says they're worse than we were."

Xena made a face, and they both grinned. She reached over and tugged his tunic laces, drawing them shut. "Be careful, all right?"

Toris nodded. "I will." Then his gaze dropped to Gabrielle's peacefully sleeping form wrapped around his sister and he smiled. "You'd think she'd pick something softer to use as a pillow."

Green eyes drifted open and found his for a second. "Nope.. " The bard drawled sleepily. "I like my mattresses on the firm side" She thumped Xena's belly with a softly curled fist, and closed her eyes again, snuggling closer with a blissful sigh.

Toris looked like he was thinking about making a comment, but instead bit his lip and patted his sister's shoulder. "Good luck…"

"Same to you." Xena said, as she watched him get up and move towards the door.

"Thank the gods it's dark." The short, stocky man murmured to his gray horse, as he stood in the shadows of the forest, waiting for a galloping group of mounted horsemen to pass. They were dressed in scrungy leathers and furs, and he imagined he could detect the stench of them from where he was standing. "Hang In there, fella. Not much longer now." He reassured the horse, who nuzzled his chest insistently.

He fastened his cloak, and moved carefully out into the open, pale eyes searching the horizon for more outlaws. "Hope that's the last of them." Not that he minded a good fight, of course, and in fact, under normal circumstances he'd have been glad to go up against the scrubby fellows. But not now.. not when he had somewhere he had to get to, someone he had to find. Whom he hoped fervently would help him. With a sigh, he set foot to stirrup, and pulled his tired, cold body up into the saddle, pointing his steed's head towards the road. A road that soon, he prayed, would end up in Amphipolis.

Clicking his tongue, he kneed the horse, and settled into it's uncomfortable rhythm, the beast not having the most even of strides. I hope I know what I’m doing here. He went over his thoughts for the hundredth time. Ok ok.. I need help. Right? Right. I can't do this by myself, I tried, and it just didn't work. Gotta have help. So.. who do I know who can help break into a castle? He reached up and brushed curly blond hair off his forehead, then unstopped a waterskin and took a swallow. Limited choices, right? Right. I need someone who can break into a castle, and I know a couple of guys that can do that, but I also need someone stubborner than he is.

The blond man shook his head. That narrows my choices. And I need someone he'll listen to. And that eliminates all but one. I just hope she'll.. Oh, don’t' be dumb. Of course she'll help. He knew the verbal babbling was mostly to keep his mind off his own gnawing worry.

Long hours of riding didn't help his thoughts. The landscape went from scrubby brush to deep forest, and that at least made him feel a trifle better for being under some kind of cover, though the sound of his mount's hoofbeats seemed to reverberate against the looming trees, louder than he thought they should be.

The horse trotted on, into a stiffening and dampening wind that cut through his cloak like it was made of open weave, and chilled him to the core. Great. Just great, it's going to rain again, and I can't afford to stop. Damn, damn damn… why can't anything ever go right? He reached under the cloak and drew his patchwork leather vest closer, tying the front closed and huddling closer to the horse's neck.

The last of the deep forest cleared, and then he was out in the open, and travelling across a landscape only fitfully slivered with moonlight as the scudding clouds overhead shifted and boiled. A thick scent of rain filled his nostrils, and he pulled the hood of his cloak firmly over his head, and urged the gray faster.

A laugh behind him, and the sound of thudding hooves. Oh Hades in a bucket. His mind groaned, as he turned in the saddle, and saw the rough group gaining on him. He glanced around him, sensing rather than seeing the onset of tilled fields now fallow, and the barest outlines of a populated territory.

"Come on, you nag." He growled, leaning forward onto the horse's withers, and giving it his heel. "We need to get a move on." He wrapped the reins around his hands, and urged the animal forward, barely hearing a hollow owl's hoot that seemed to echo in his ears. He looked back, they were still gaining, and now he could see the drawn swords in their hands. So.. they weren't just looking to steal. He jerked his gaze forward, and gave the horse a solid wallop on the side, gaining an appreciable increase in speed.

Wasn’t going to be enough, he realized, when the hoofbeats grew suddenly louder. And dammit, I can't stop - I don’t have the time, and what if I get hurt? Too much is riding on me.. He heard lash of leather on flesh as the lead riders grew near, and felt the harsh coldness as the clouds gave up their burden and the rain lashed against his face.

Xena let Gabrielle sleep until after dusk, when she had to get up and light candles, or be left in darkness. The bard gave up her warm spot reluctantly, but also rose and helped Xena mix a new dose of medicine for the restlessly feverish Ephiny.

They worked in silence, with a teamwork built over their years of living together, of knowing motion and gesture and intent so well that one could begin a motion and the other end it with scarcely a jar between them.

"C'mon, Eph." Gabrielle called softly, wiping the feverish brow. "Hey.. come on now.. we got some more of this nasty stuff for you." No response from the Amazon, and Gabrielle cast a worried look over her shoulder at her partner. "Xena.."

A hand on her shoulder, pressing gently. "I expected this." Xena's voice quietly said. "Help me get her up. We've got to get this stuff in her anyway." This time Gabrielle slid in behind Ephiny, holding the Amazon upright while Xena expertly poured small amounts of the medicine into the blond woman's mouth, then touched a point in her jaw, getting a convulsive swallow from it.

The Amazon moaned softly as they settled her back down on the pillow, and Gabrielle's jaw clenched. "Isn't there anything else we can do?" Her eyes turned to Xena, imploring.

Biting back an impatient remark, Xena busied herself making some tea, battling the frustration she always felt when her healing skills could go so far, and no further. She was wrestling with her temper when a gentle hand slipped around hers. She looked sideways at Gabrielle.

"Sorry." The bard said, giving her hand a little squeeze. "If there was anything else you'd be doing it. That was a dumb thing to ask." The bard's green eyes shone with quiet regret. "I’m just really worried about her."

Xena felt her irritation dissolve as though by magic, and she found a smile creeping onto her face. "I know." She acknowledged. "I am too.. and it's really.. it bugs me when I can't do more." Was a time.. she mused, when we'd both have bottled that up until one or the other of us exploded. I guess we've both changed, a little. Good thing too.. she reflected. Gods, those arguments really used to hurt.. more than I ever let on. Wonder if she ever realized?

"So.. whats the smile for?" The bard's voice, now assured and knowing, nudged her out of her memories. "Hmm?"

"Just thinking." Xena replied. "Let's put more salve on her, and then take a break and get some dinner. "

Gabrielle nodded quietly. "All right." She knelt at the Amazon's side, and spread the mixture across her slowly moving chest. "Xena?"

"Yes?" The warrior knelt at her side, and put an arm around her, watching her motions.

"If…" The bard let the thought trail off, turning her eyes to her partner.

Xena gave her a smile. "I go where you go."

Gabrielle's hands stilled, and she turned a surprised and wondering look on Xena. A slow smile shaped her features. "You mean that?"

One eyebrow curved up. "Yeah. Wanna make something of it??" Xena challenged, taking the jar out of the bard's hands. "Finish up." She stood and walked back over to the table, putting the jar down, and counting out her remaining herbs. I think.. I may have just crossed a line. She mused quietly to herself. And I think I liked that. "Come on - let's grab something quick. " She turned and caught the bard's concerned look. "I want to keep an eye on her."

The small group clustered by the fire, making last minute preparations. Granella looked up as Solari moved into the firelight, throwing back her cloak hood and exposing her dark hair. "Ready?" She asked quietly.

Granella finished tying off her dagger, and nodded. "Just about."

They looked at each other. The five other Amazons in the search party were strapping on carry bags with travel necessities in them. Water, and travel rations. Bedrolls. And in Granella's kit, a full selection of healing herbs and bandages. Gods only hoped she wouldn't need them.

"I'm headed downriver." Granella told a weary looking Solari. "They were supposed to do traps, and a fishing lesson. Maybe.." She let her eyes meet the other Amazon's. "Maybe they just got held up by the weather."

"Yeah." Solari said softly. "Look.. Gran.." She paused, and looked at the ground. "Give it two days, heading downriver, all right."

Granella nodded slowly. "All right." She paused. "And then?"

"And then." Eponin sighed, joining them under the thatch. "Let the other five keep hunting, and you.. " She paused. "You head for Amphipolis."

Granella closed her eyes in acknowledgement, wishing for a single, brief moment that she was in Amphipolis right now. Turning this problem over to Gabrielle, who would, in turn, hand it to Xena, who would wave her magic wand and just make things right.

She knew it really wasn't like that. Really. But impossible things became more possible when you were around people who came back from the dead with studied nonchalance. Gabrielle.. That brought another thought. Damn.. she and Ephiny are close. She's not going to take this news well. "Let me get going." She sighed, tightening the clasp on her cloak.

Solari gave her a quick hug, and gripped her head in both hands, forcing eye contact. "Granella, you be careful, all right? All of you? This.. is just a precaution." She forced optimism into her voice, which the dour weather and the haunting anxiety had evaporated long before. "When you find them, you tell Ephiny she owes us for this, OK?"

Granella patted her side. "I will, I promise." Artemis, grant that I have the opportunity.

The scouting party set off down the rough-hewn path that led out of the village and towards the winding high pass road.

Xena listened to the wind rising outside, and walked over to the window to look out, stretching kinks out of her spine from hours kneeling at Ephiny's bedside trying to calm the Amazon's fevered hysteria.

The blond warrior's fever had risen to the point where she was unaware of her surroundings, and had started to relive some horrible times, judging from her hoarse screams. Fights, must have been, Xena had realized, and only her strength had been able to hold the Amazon down, and kept her from doing herself damage.

She's screamed Phantes' name over and over, and struggled hard, reliving the battle that had cost the centaur his life, back in Thessaly. That had brought tears to Gabrielle's eyes, and the bard had spent a long time with Ephiny's hands clasped in her own, gently reassuring her while Xena had cradled the woman against her to keep her safe from herself.

It was draining, especially since it brought back Thessaly, and that was a night Xena tried not to think about. She stared out into the darkness, listening to the sounds in the room behind her, the shift of the linens as Gabrielle tried to make Ephiny more comfortable, and the bard's low voice as she soothed the Amazon.

The fever had broken for now, and Ephiny had blinked to hazy awareness, enough to take another dose of the herbal mixture, and make a very feeble joke or two.

Gabrielle tucked the blankets in around Ephiny's shoulders, and gave her a pat. "You relax now, Eph. You're going to be fine."

The blond Amazon peered wearily up at her. "F'all I've been doin is lying her, how come I’m so damned tired?"

The bard let a grin quirk her mouth. "Your fever went up a bit.. you were very busy reliving some great Amazon battles. Xena had to hold you down."

"Eeep." Ephiny sighed. "Sorry."

"Not your fault." Gabrielle smiled, just glad to have her talking sense. "She needed the exercise." Looking up, she saw the jerk of the shoulder blades as that got a short laugh from her partner. "You just take it easy now." She wrapped her hand around Ephiny's. "We sent word to the village."

Hazy pale eyes studied her. "Thanks… gonna get my butt kicked for this."

"Why?" Gabrielle laughed gently.

"Tried to get me not to …" Ephiny stopped to cough. "Go out."

The bard cocked her head. "Well, actually, I was going to ask you about that. What on earth were you doing out there? Couldn't Eponin or Solari, or a half dozen others have done this?"

A dark shadow fell over them, and they both looked up to see Xena's tall form backlit by the fire. "Let me guess. You got cabin fever."

Ephiny actually blushed, almost invisibly against her fever's high color. "No.. no.." She started to protest, then glanced up and saw the amused and understanding sparkle in Xena's blue eyes. "Yeah. Somethin like that." She muttered, and pulled the covers up over her head.

Xena chuckled lightly. "Be right back." She ruffled Gabrielle's hair, and moved towards the door.

"Get me something to drink too?" The bard called absently, as she wrung out the rag they'd been using for Ephiny's fever in the water for what seemed the thousandth time.

"Sure." Xena replied, as the door closed behind her.

Ephiny pulled the covers down, and gazed at her curiously. "How'd you know?"

"Know what?" Gabrielle asked, wiping her brow down.

'She was goin for a drink?" The Amazon tilted her head a little, and studied Gabrielle's face.

Ares rose from his curled spot next to the fire and nudged Gabrielle's hand. She patted him gently as she tried to come up with an answer. How did I know? I must have.. thought about how long it was since dinner, and the fact that she cleared her throat twice, and … "I have no idea.' She said quietly. "Just a hunch, I guess." But it hadn't been, and she knew it. She'd known, in that unthinking way that she'd come to associate with their connection, which wasn't something she wanted to discuss with Ephiny. Not now.

They both heard the commotion outside, and Gabrielle rose to her feet with a wince. "What the heck.." Excited voices rumbled through the wood, punctuated suddenly by Xena's strong tenor. "Be right back."

She ducked out the door, and spotted a small knot of villagers in capes around Xena's tall form. The warrior looked up as she moved into the room and their eyes met. A jerk of the head drew her closer, in time to hear the last of the lookout's report.

"There's a round dozen of them, Xena, chasing one bit of a lad in, he's making a run for it. Must know he's close in to us." This was Terrell, the village blacksmith who had a love for intrigue, and was one of her most faithful students at staff lessons. Gabrielle's brow creased as she considered the news.

"Looking for his horse, and his clothes, more than likely." Xena answered, in a grim tone. "I'll take care of this." And then she was moving towards the door, reaching for her cloak with one hand and her sword with the other, tucking the blade under her arm.

Gabrielle vaulted a bench, and got to her as she reached the door. "Cabin fever?" She halted the warrior with a hand on her forearm. Their eyes met, and she saw a faint twinkling acknowledgment there.

"Best person for the job." The warrior countered, spreading an arm out, and cocking an eyebrow at her in question.

That got a grudging smile from the bard, and a nod of agreement. "Be careful." She watched Xena head for the barn at a run, ducking inside the structure for what seemed like bare seconds, then the door swung wide again, and Argo's golden form appeared, snorting against the driving rain. Bareback.. oh gods, Xena… The warrior vaulted aboard and got her seat with an easy motion, then wrapped one hand in the mare's mane, and drew her sword with the other, tossing the scabbard neatly onto the porch of the inn.

Then in a scattering of watery hoofbeats, they were gone.

The gray horse was tiring, he could feel it under his legs, and hear it in the labored breathing, as the animal tossed its head against the stinging rain. He sighed, and crouched lower, thinking about what to do when they caught up to him. Hoofbeats grew in his ears, and he could now sense them to either side.

A quick turn of his head showed the leader not a body length behind him, and the fitful lightning outlined the long, curved blade in his hands. The man grinned in triumph, and raised the sword, maneuvering his horse closer to the laboring gray.

The sword lifted, and arced. The blond haired man prepared to duck, saw the brilliant flare of lightning off the blade.

Then a thunder of hoofbeats collided with his senses, and a wild, familiar yell sent fire up and down his spine. The leader's head jerked up, but it was too late. A slice took off his sword arm, then a second nearly cut him in half, as blood spattered over them, an ethereal sensation that mixed the hot with the cold rain.

Then the rain and mud churned frantically as the outlaw band saw what was in their midst and tried to stop. It was a nightmare of golden flanks, and dark hair, and wild blue eyes. And a sword that flickered through them, finding unerring targets.

A few of them escaped, kicking their horses for all they were worth, heading back down the road, hearing a laugh follow them.

Xena shook her head, flipping the sword around in her hand and letting it rest on her thigh as she turned to study the outlaw band's quarry. A short man, darkness shrouded, who was sitting his horse as though stunned. She kneed Argo closer, and he swept the hood of his cloak back, just a flash of lightening neatly outlined his features.

Xena blinked in surprise. "Iolaus." She leaned closer. "Damn.. what are you doing here?"

Iolaus released a long breath, and shoved the damp hair back from his eyes. "Looking for you." He sighed. "It's a really long story."

"Me?" The warrior gave him a strange look. "Why.. " Then her gaze glanced around them. "Where's Hercules?"

Silence from Iolaus.

"That's part of the long story." Xena concluded, seeing the look in his pale eyes. "All right, let's go." She motioned ahead with the sword. "Town's not far." She studied him. "You look like you could use a dry bed and a meal."

Iolaus felt an unnerving sense of relief flowing through him. "Yes, that would be nice." He glanced up at her. "By the way, thanks." His head jerked towards the huddled, dark bodies in the road.

Xena looked up from watching the rain wash the blood off her blade. "No problem." She glanced back at the road. "Usually they know better than to come in this close. Probably didn't see the town marker." She kneed Argo forward, shaking her head to clear the dark, wet hair from her eyes.

Iolaus followed, not without one last glance at the bodies. Was I crazy to come looking for her? I know.. I know.. she's changed.. but then I see her do something like that… and I realize some things just don’t' change. His eyes darted ahead, and he studied her as she rode a little before him.

Not in armor or her usual leathers, he realized, just a thick woolen tunic and leggings that made her seem.. less threatening, somehow. More.. ordinary, until that head turned, and those eyes touched his, and he remembered.. everything. I had no choice. He reminded himself. And she really is different now - she came to help us out that last time, without even being asked. Just.. there we were getting the crap kicked out of us and all of a sudden.. bam. Never thought I'd be glad to see her, but that day.. I was.

It was a fairly quiet, rain swept ride in, and he was very glad to see the fluttering, shielded torches that marked the boundary of the village. They pulled to a stop next to a snug looking inn, and he recognized Gabrielle's sturdy form in the small group waiting for them. Her eyes lit on him as he mounted the stairs, and brightened with surprise.

"Iolaus!" The bard half laughed, half spoke, moving through the crowd to give him a hug. "What are you doing here?" She pulled him inside the building, along with the small crowd of villagers. "Hold on a second."

He watched her cross, with graceful, confident steps over to where Xena was standing, talking to two of the village watchmen. The bard moved them aside gently, and went up face to face with the tall warrior, poking her sodden chest with an emphatic finger. He expected Xena to give her that familiar exasperated look. Expected the warrior to put her aside, with the rough but accepted touch he'd seen between them before.

He didn't expect the look of meek chagrin on Xena's well-defined features, or the gentle tweak she gave the bard's nose, as she turned and left the inn. He studied Gabrielle as she walked back over, and steered him to a seat near the fire. "We'll get you some dry clothes, Iolaus. You must be freezing."

"Thanks." Iolaus stripped off his cloak, and turned towards the fire, rubbing his numbed hands. "It was a long ride." He looked around. "Nice place." His pale eyes found hers. "So.. how have you been?"

Gabrielle scratched the side of her nose, and smiled. "Well, fine, thanks. And um.. things have been.. great." Her eyes glinted with hidden amusement. "How about you?"

"Oh." He said. "Can't complain." Well, I could, because here I am in the middle of the backwoods in a rainstorm begging for help. "A monster here, an ogre there, you know how it is with us."

She nodded slowly at him. "So.. how's Herc?" Getting right to the point, as she usually did. She looked around the room. "He saving damsels in distress somewhere?"

Iolaus took a deep breath, and chanced a look at her. Found her green eyes studying him intently, seeing past his bluffing. My gods, she's grown up. He suddenly realized. Her face had acquired leaner planes, and the gentle tracing of experience around her eyes and brow. When did that happen? "Well.. that's kind of why I’m here. But I'd rather wait to tell you when Xena gets back.. that way I only have to say it once."

Gabrielle bit her lip. "All right." She finally said. "She went to stable the horses, and get some dry clothes on. " Her eyes lifted past him. "Hi mom."

Iolaus turned and looked over his shoulder, startled. Mom? He saw a woman of middle height, with dark hair and light eyes who was holding a bundle of warm looking clothes.

"Here, lad." The woman said, handing him the clothes. "They'll be a bit long on you, but they're dry."

Gabrielle smiled. "Iolaus, meet Cyrene, Xena's mother. Cyrene, this is Iolaus, a very good friend of Hercules."

"Uhm.. thanks." Iolaus said, reaching out and taking the clothes. "I really appreciate that.. and uh.. it's nice to meet you."

Cyrene chuckled. "Nice to meet you too, Iolaus. Any friend of my daughter's is welcome here." Then she turned her attention to Gabrielle. "There's some soup stoking in the kitchen." She gave the bard's arm a pat, then bustled off.

Iolaus turned to Gabrielle, a thousand questions whirling in his head. First things first, though. "Mom??"

The bard's eyes took on a gentle gleam. "She kind of.. adopted me." Then she glanced down. "This is her inn.. she lives here, and so does Xena's brother Toris, whose clothes those probably are."

"Oh." Iolaus said, turning the fabric over in his hands. "I didn't know she had any family." He looked up and grinned, then stood and stripped off his leather vest, which Gabrielle took from him and hung near the fire. The he pulled a warm tunic over his head, and sighed gratefully. "Oh boy, that feels great." He glanced at the length. "Wow.."

Gabrielle laughed. "Yeah, he's pretty tall.. a little taller than she is, really." She twitched the fabric. "And I've worn her shirts, so I know how that feels."

It was an innocent statement, but the tone of her voice caught his attention, and he looked more closely at her. "Well… the quiet life seems to be agreeing with you. " He turned her towards the fire with a friendly grin. "You look really great."

That got a bashful smile from the bard. "Thanks.. it's been nice to be home for while." Then she tugged his arm. "Sit down and take those boots off. I can hear you squishing from here."

He did, wincing at the pain of his cold stiffened feet. "Ouch." He sighed.

"Now the trousers." Gabrielle persisted, with a tiny twinkle in her eyes. "Come on.. that's a long shirt, I can't see anything."

He glared at her, but acquiesced, with a mumble.

"There.. now doesn't that feel better?' She asked, giving him a tolerant look. " I swear, you fighters are all alike. Stubborn as the day is long."

"Hey!" Iolaus objected, settling himself down at the table, and really enjoying the heat of the fire at his back. "Don't be lumping me in with everyone else." He waited for her to settle down across from him, then watched as her attention was caught by something behind him. He saw the corners of her mouth twitch, and her eyes grow warm, and he turned to see what she was looking at. The door had opened, and Xena was making her way back towards them, carrying three large mugs with her usual display of negligent strength. He darted a glance back at Gabrielle's face, and his brow creased.

Gabrielle had always.. well, he'd put it down to hero worship, given that she'd picked a rather odd hero to worship, that is. Her steadfast devotion to the dour ex warlord had been the subject of many late evening discussions between himself and Hercules, when they'd run out of mythological tales to talk about. Purely for research, of course, since Zeus only knew what they'd get thrown at them next. Certainly, heroes of their caliber didn't indulge in idle gossip. No.

The girl had been undeniably shattered at Xena's death, even he'd seen that, right through her protestations that she'd be 'fine'. And Herc had looked.. thoughtful.. when he'd caught back up to him and passed on the bad news. Hadn't even looked particularly surprised when she turned back up again, which he'd been too busy to comment on then.

But this look now.. Iolaus was no expert, no, not by any stretch, but…if he didn't know any better, if he didn't know both of them, and their history, and how they traveled around together, he'd have sworn that… Nah. Iolaus, you're imagining things. It's been a long day, and you're overtired. This is Xena and Gabrielle here, remember? He looked up as the warrior took a seat next to the bard, and shoved a mug of steaming something or other at him.

"Here." She said, in her typically gruff style. Then her blue eyes traveled his length and a quirky smile crossed her face. "Well, it looks better on you than on Toris." She turned her face towards Gabrielle. "Mom's keeping an eye on Eph."

The smell coming from the mug distracted him, and he accepted the spoon Gabrielle handed over and spent some minutes just inhaling the contents. "Zeus, that's good stuff." He finally sighed, wiping his mouth. "Thanks, I didn't realize just how hungry I was…"

Gabrielle laughed. "Another new devotee to mom's cooking." This with a poke at Xena's shoulder. That got her a look back, and a return poke. "So.. " Gabrielle now turned her eyes to him, her face going serious. "What's up?"

Iolaus folded his strong hands on the table, and sighed. Now that it came right down to telling the story, he felt strangely reluctant, as though by telling it, that made it somehow more real. Finally, he looked up, focusing on Gabrielle's eyes, much easier to bear than Xena's ice blue ones. "We were… it was yet another monster, right? A three headed dragon that was attacking these villages about four, five days walk from here."

Xena nodded. "I'd heard something like that, and that you guys were involved."

"You did?" Iolaus stopped, and gave her a look. "Wow. I guess news travels fast around here."

The warrior glanced down at the table, and studied her hands. "I try to keep an ear out for you two.. my sources know that."

"Oh." The blond man said, nonplussed. "Well, anyway. We got rid of the dragon, but Herc got bitten.. and then we got chased by this crowd of .. oh, I don't know what they were… but we ended up in a ravine.. and by that time whatever it was that the dragon poisoned Herc with took effect, and.. well, I couldn’t hold all of them off. They knocked me out, and took him. "

"Only him?" Xena questioned carefully, her eyes sharp.

Iolaus nodded. "Yeah, they left me there.. took my gear. I was out.. I don't know, a couple of candlemarks, not that long." He cleared his throat. "Sorry."

Xena stood, and walked away, and he waited, giving Gabrielle a puzzled look. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No." The bard said, resting her chin on one hand. "She's probably gone to get you a drink." Sure enough, Xena ambled back over with three mugs of ale, and put them down, then resettled herself in her chair, and cocked her head, waiting.

"Thanks." Iolaus took a hesitant sip, then his eyes widened. "Hey, this is good stuff." He gave them both a look. "I can see why you like staying here." He took another deep swallow, and then put the mug down. This was the hard part. "All right. So I followed them." He traced a line in the woodgrain with a fingernail. "To this castle, right? Where I figured they were holding him hostage."

"So.. you went in to find out." Gabrielle said, absorbing the tale.

"Sure." Iolaus shrugged. "It's that sidekick thing, right?" This got a grin, and a little chuckle from Gabrielle, and a snort from Xena. "Yeah, so I got in there, and I found him all right." He stopped, and looked at his hands. "He… " His eyes rose, and met theirs, or more specifically, Gabrielle's. "It must be the poison." His head shook slowly back and forth. "He wasn't being held.. he .. he told me he'd finally found where he'd belonged."

He felt Gabrielle's hand reach out and encircle his own. "He didn't even know who I was." His eyes bored into the bard's heartsick. "And he was doing things.. horrible things.. Gabrielle, he was torturing people, using his strength."

"What??" Xena asked, leaning forward and capturing his attention fully. "Are you telling me he was hurting innocent people?" Her head shook violently. "Iolaus, that's impossible."

His light eyes clouded with sad concern. "I thought so to. But I saw it, Xena. I saw him break this woman's arm."

Xena leaned back her chair, visibly upset. "Damn." The ex warlord cursed.. "Wonder who's behind this little disaster."

Iolaus sighed in minor relief. "You think the gods are behind it?" Please.. Xena.. tell me you do.. tell me you don't think its just..

The warrior snorted. "Damn straight I do. That's not Hercules. Not the one I know, and not the one you know, Iolaus. You two have been friends for years."

The blond man nodded. "That's what I thought too. That's why I came here…" He looked right at her now, still aware of Gabrielle's warm hand in his. "I needed.. someone who understood that.. and who would.. help me get him out of there."

Xena leaned back and studied him. She'd known that request was coming for some minutes now, and knew there was only one answer to it. By the pressure of Gabrielle's hand on her knee, the bard knew it too. No way for her to say no to Iolaus, to Hercules, who had triggered something in her that was only coming to it's full potential.

"Of course I'll help." Xena said, watching his shoulders relax imperceptibly. "But what makes you think he'll listen to me, if he won't to you, Iolaus? You and he are like brothers."

Iolaus looked away for a long minute. Here was the dangerous part, because if she took offense…but she deserved an answer. "He's.. in a very dark place right now." The blond man answered very carefully. "And.. "

"And I understand that better than anyone else does." Xena finished, leveling a stare at him.

Iolaus couldn’t look at her. "Something like that." He finally dared to look up, and met first Xena's eyes, which had a look of resigned acceptance. Then he shifted over to Gabrielle's, and was shocked to see dark anger there. The green eyes had gone icy cool, and she withdrew her hand from his. He was startled, and watched as she coiled herself up and took breath to speak.

A hand descended on her arm, and she paused, and looked over at Xena. "He's right." The warrior said gently. "It's OK."

"He is NOT right." Gabrielle fired back. "And it's NOT Ok." The two matched stares for an endless moment, then the bard's shoulders sagged, and her voice turned sad. "It's not." She said quietly.

Iolaus just sat there watching, hiding his confusion and waiting for this bewildering argument to end. He had no idea what was going on here, but he knew a disagreement when he saw one, and was just glad Gabrielle had turned her anger on Xena, and not on him. Finally, the bard turned and looked at him, chewing on her lip in some agitation.

"I.. didn't meant to.." Iolaus started, reaching out a hesitant hand to pat hers. "I meant no offense.. to either of you.. I just.. I know you've seen a lot of the darker sides of things, Xena, and you know better than anyone else how the gods work."

Xena nodded. "You're right, I do." She acknowledged, taking a long swallow of her ale. "I have a patient here.. I can't leave until our healer gets back sometime tomorrow. After that, we can head out."

Iolaus gazed at her. "A patient?"

"She occasionally does things other than butcher people." Gabrielle snapped, her temper obviously still high. "People always conveniently forget that." She stood and pushed her chair back. "I’m going to go check on Ephiny. I'll see you all later."

They watched her go, and Iolaus spread his hands wide in innocent bewilderment. "What did I do?"

Xena sighed deeply, and slung one leg over the arm of her chair, lifting her mug and taking a swallow. She gazed at him over the rim. "Gabrielle.. sometimes forgets what I am, Iolaus." The warrior leaned her head back against the wood. "And she'd like everyone else to forget it too. I'm sorry she snapped at you like that.. it's not your fault."

The blond man leaned forward. "I know you're not the way you were before, believe me."

"Aren't I?" Xena asked softly. "You just saw me cut down five people in less than a couple of breaths, Iolaus." Her eyes took on a feral look. "It's that side of me that you're looking to tap into, isn't' it? To understand what's going on with Herc?" She saw his increased breathing, and the sudden flutter at his pulse point. "You afraid of me, Iolaus?"

He looked at her for a long moment. "Yes."

Now the blue eyes held only sadness, and she nodded. "I'll do what I can for him." She sighed. "Don't worry about Gabrielle.. she'll calm down after a bit. She's also upset because she can't go with us.. because my patient is Ephiny, the Amazon Queen." She saw his blank look. "Gods.. don't tell me we never told you."

"Told me.. what?" Iolaus felt at sea. "What does Gabrielle have to do with the Amazons?"

Xena laughed wearily. "She's.. well, Ephiny's actually the Amazon regent. Gabrielle is the rightful Queen."

Iolaus' jaw dropped. "No centaur poop."

The warrior nodded. "Yep. She sure is."

"Damn." The blond man breathed. "So.. why isn't she… what's she doing…" Abruptly his mind put together Gabrielle's strange reactions, the fact that she was here, her gentle looks, and the steadfast devotion and came up with an answer. A wrong one, as it happened, but an answer. He felt quite sorry for the kid.. it must be very hard. "She's got a crush on you, right?" The words were out before he could stop them, before he thought about who it was he was asking this of.

Xena almost spit her mouthful of ale at him. She closed her eyes, and concentrated on swallowing, then put the cup down carefully, and leaned forward, resting her muscular forearms on the table, and gazing at him. "Umm.. no." She played with the mug for a minute. "That's.. no, Iolaus. She doesn't."

"Aw, c'mon Xena." The man propped his head on his hand. "It's pretty obvious."

"Iolaus, drop it." Xena's voice became serious. "You don't know what you're talking about." Abruptly she stood, and drained her mug. "Mom has a room for you. Get some sleep - we'll leave as soon as the healer gets back tomorrow."

"Ok.. ok..' Iolaus raised his hands in defense. "I can tell when a subject's off limits." He gave her a knowing grin. "Thanks for everything, Xena. I mean that."

She nodded at him. "Anytime, Iolaus." Then walked through the inn, towards a small door set in the rear that he hadn't even noticed when he came in. He drained his cup, and looked around, seeing an older man, who was looking expectantly at him. Setting the cup down, he walked over to him and the man gestured upstairs.

"Iolaus, is it? " The older man said, in a deep voice. "My name's Johan. Follow me to yer room,."