Xena hesitated, her fingers resting lightly on the door before she pushed it open, spotting Gabrielle leaning against the windowsill, just gazing out at the dark courtyard. The bard turned as she heard the door open.

Gabrielle saw the hesitant look on her partner's face, and that eased the still roiling anger in her guts. Come on, Gabrielle, let it go. This is going to be hard enough. "Hey." She said, crossing towards Xena, and reaching for her hands. "Look.. I'm.."

Xena avoided her hands, and captured her face instead. "Don't apologize… you're the only defender of my honor I have." A pause. "Such as it is." Then her hands dropped, and she turned her attention to the quietly sleeping Amazon, kneeling at the bedside, and resting a hand on the blond woman's head. "Good." She said quietly, cocking her head and listening to the Amazon's breathing. "She's fighting this off."

Gabrielle studied the kneeling form with a heartsick feeling. "Xena.."

"Yeah?" The warrior turned, and looked up at her.

"Come on over here.. let's talk for a minute, OK?" The bard said, holding out a hand to her.

Xena allowed herself to be pulled to her feet, and led towards the chair. Just short of it, she smiled quietly to herself, and stopped moving, causing the bard to be pulled off balance.

"Hey!" Gabrielle cried, softly, then sighed, as Xena slid in front of her, and dropped into the chair, pulling the bard down onto her lap. "Oh." She slid her arms around Xena's neck, and they just spent a minute gazing at each other. Then Xena very deliberately pulled her closer, and kissed her, making the contact last a while, until she felt the bard's body melt into hers, and one hand absently detach itself from around her neck as her fingertips stroked the side of Xena's face.

They let their mouths drift apart enough to meet each other's eyes, and Xena let a slow smile etch her face. "Now.. what were you saying?"

The bard's eyes were warm and dreamy. "Did you do that to distract me?"

"Uh huh." Xena confirmed.

"It worked." Gabrielle confessed, nuzzling her neck, and giving her a tiny nip.

Xena closed her eyes at the contact, and felt her breathing catch. "Thought it might."

The bard sighed. "Sorry I blew up." She played with the laces on Xena's crimson tunic "I must be getting ready to cycle or something.. that's twice today."

Xena let her hands roam down the bard's body, feeling the knots of tension, and working them with strong fingers, finally ending up at the base of her spine. "Good diagnosis." She said knowingly, as she kneaded the spot.

"Ungh." The bard mumbled. "What the Hades am I going to do without you for a few days?" She let her eyes run lazily up Xena's neckline. "I'll never survive." She laughed a little at herself. "I couldn’t even wait for you to get back the other night. I had to come tromping out in the middle of nowhere to find you."

Xena gazed lovingly at her. "That meant a lot to me, you know." She hesitated. "I'm not.. this thing.. Gabrielle, I have to do this."

The bard's brow creased. "Of course you do, love. I wish I was going with you." She touched Xena's lips with one fingertip, and smiled as the warrior caught it lightly between her teeth. "I thought.. " She stopped for a minute, then went on. "Maybe you'd look forward to something like this." A pause. "Cabin fever, and all that."

Xena's eyes were filled with a quiet sadness. "No." She answered, with a sigh. "This past month's been.. " Wonderful.. fantastic.. joyful.. "Better than I had any reasonable expectation of it being.. and.." Abruptly she fell silent, as the aching fear stole over her again. Gabrielle lifted her head, and stared at her, laying a hand flat on her chest above the heart she felt suddenly pounding.

"What's wrong?" The bard looked intently into her face, finding eyes that refused to meet her own. "Xena?"

"It's.. nothing." Came the whispered response. "Just.. me being a little dumb."

"Hey." Gabrielle's voice dropped, and went very serious. "That thing pounding in there belongs to me. " Now startled blue eyes met hers. "I've got a right to know what's going on with it."

That got her a twitching half smile, and she felt the rapid fluttering under her hand begin to slow. "That's a little better." She said softly. "Now, what's going on with you?"

Xena let her head rest against the wood of the chair, and regarded her partner. She's right. She has a right to know. "I.. never thought I'd.. ever let myself feel this way again."

Gabrielle kept silent.

"And now that I have.." Xena paused. "I get.. scared."

"Of what, love." The bard asked softly, stroking her arm with infinite gentleness.

Xena's eyes grew remote, and her face stilled. "That I'll wake up one morning, and it'll be gone."

"Oh, Xena." Gabrielle reached up and cupped her cheek. "Look at me." Blue eyes met hers. "That won't ever happen. I won't let it." The bard took a breath. "I promise you, Xena, I promise you that I will always, always be here for you." She felt tears well up and ignored them. "Always, you hear me?"

If I believe that.. I'm lost. Xena's practical mind told her. I go over the edge, and I can't ever come back.

She gazed into the green depths before her, noting, in the flickering candlelight, the barest golden sparkles scattered in the sea of mist. And knowingly, willingly, went over the edge. And believed.

Gabrielle felt it happen, saw the faint change in the crystal depths of the intelligent eyes locked on hers. Saw the leap of faith it had taken, when she herself had never had any doubts.. had always known in a deep, strong level that if she had reached out in any darkness, she'd have found Xena's steadying hand there to guide her. In the dreamscape Xena had told her that. And it had always been true, she could look back now and see it.

Now, it was her turn to give that back. To tie her soul so firmly to Xena's that there would never be an ending to this commitment she was making. To know she held not only the keys to her partner's heart and soul, but to her very sanity.

It was the easiest decision she'd ever made.

They sat quietly in a peaceful silence for a long time after that, Gabrielle with her eyes half closed just feeling this new level to their bond.

Xena let herself float, occasionally focusing her gaze on Ephiny's now peaceful face, satisfied that the Amazon was doing as well as could be expected, knowing she would have to get up shortly and get another dose of herbal medication down the woman, but content to simply sit in a dreamy fog until then.

The bard finally stirred, and laid a finger on her partner's lips. "Hey…" She heard the intimate note in her voice, and smiled. "Time to make the nasty stuff?"

Xena nodded. "I guess that means we gotta move, huh?"

"Probably a good thing. " Gabrielle gave her a rueful look. "I’m probably squishing you."

"Nuh huh." Xena disagreed, hugging her closer. "Don't feel a thing. You're light as a feather."

This got a healthy snort from the bard. "I don't think so. Not after a month here." She felt Xena's arms flex under her, and had a moment of vertigo as the warrior stood up with her firmly cradled. She sighed and put her arms around Xena's neck. "I'll learn, someday, not to egg you on into these little stunts." She drew Xena's head down and kissed her soundly, enjoying the strength she found herself wrapped in. "Ok.. now let me down." She breathed, when they parted.

"You sure?" Xena asked, with an arched eyebrow. "I can do this for a while, you know." Her voice held a jokingly cocky note.

"Xena!" The bard slapped her. "Show off."

Xena let her gently down, and straightened up . "Only for you." She said in a quiet tone, busying herself at the table.

Gabrielle rolled her eyes, and went to Ephiny's side. "Eph? " She touched the Amazon's shoulder, and was rewarded by a groggy, if tolerably coherent grunt. "Yeah, it's me again." She joked. "Time for your medicine."

The Amazon groaned, and half lifted her head, then let it back down with a thump. "Damn." She mumbled, starting to cough, which brought her over onto her side again, hanging onto the bedframe with shaking hands. "Can you just kill me, and put me out of my misery?" The Amazon asked, with a wan smile as she slumped back onto the pillow.

"No way." Gabrielle said, taking the blond woman's hand between both of hers. "We sent word out to the Village tonight."

Ephiny nodded a little. "Who.. was the commotion before?" Not too sick to be curious.

Xena stepped over, carrying a mug. "An old friend." She said before Gabrielle could comment. "Iolaus."

Ephiny's eyebrow crawled up her forehead. "Hercules' Iolaus?"

Gabrielle snickered. "I’m not sure he'd want to be referred to in just that way, but yes." That nudged her good humor back into place. "In fact, he came looking for help." Her eyes slid to Xena's face. "Xena has to go help him haul Herc out of some castle."

The warrior gave them both a look, then narrowed her eyes at her partner. "You're enjoying that, aren't you? It's a serious problem, Gabrielle… you know Iolaus wouldn't be here if it weren't."

The bard sighed. "I know." Then she turned to Ephiny. "It's this competitive thing we have." As if in explanation.

Xena almost dropped the mug. "What???" She helped Ephiny sit up and take a few swallows. "Look.. I told you.. Hercules and I don't compete with each other. What got that started??"

Gabrielle bit her lip, and took the mug, making little cooing noises at Ephiny, who stared at her. "So.. we sent Toris up to the Village.. Xena figured he'd have the best chance of explaining what was going on, and have them believe him."

"Gabrielle." Xena's voice was flat.

"Hmm?" The bard answered brightly.

"We don't compete."

Gabrielle sighed. "No.. I know that.. but.. uhm… well, Iolaus and I do." She paused, taking in Xena's bewildered stare. "On your behalf." Another pause. "Sort of." Very long pause, while Ephiny sipped her medicine, watching in fascination. "OK..ok.. we bet on you guys."

"I don't want to hear this." Xena muttered, shaking her head. "Listen, I need to go pack some stuff. " She rested a hand on Gabrielle's back. "You'll be ok here for a while?"

All traces of good humor fled from the bard's face. "Yeah, we'll be fine." She turned and started gathering up cups and dishes, preparing to tuck them away.

Xena moved towards the door, and as her hand touched the latch, it opened to reveal Cyrene's silvered head. "Come here." She said to Xena, hooking one hand in her belt and tugging.

The warrior followed her outside, and closed the door. "What?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips. "Listen, I have to go pack some things."

Cyrene gazed at her. "You're leaving tomorrow."

Xena blinked. "Yeah?"

Her mother tucked one arm in hers and walked her a little ways away from the room. "And you'll be gone.. how long?"

A shrug. "Couple weeks."

Cyrene bit her lip, then cast her eyes to the ceiling for a moment. "Honey, I'll watch over your friend in there. Why don't you go get some rest." A definite pause. "Both of you."

Xena looked at her, and saw the glint in her eyes. And blushed. "Mother!"

"What???" Cyrene gave her a look, then her gaze gentled. "Xena, please. Spend some time together. I know she'll miss you."

That hit hard, and Xena closed her eyes in acknowledgement. "All right." She glanced up. "Thanks."

They walked back to the room, and opened the door. Gabrielle had her back turned to them, and was straightening up the items on the table. Ephiny had slipped back into a light doze. The bard turned as they entered.

"Thought you were going to go pack.." She said, seeing Xena, her brow creasing.

The warrior smiled, and held a hand out to her. "Mom's taking a shift here. Come on."

Cyrene chuckled softly as the door closed behind them, and settled in to keep an eye on the sick Amazon.

"Nothing." Granella cursed softly to herself. She let her fingers sift through the fallen leaves, searching for tracks. "Damn." She stood, dusting her hands off, and peered off into the misty rain. "Come on."

They went, single file, threading through the dripping trees, heading downrange. Past their usual trapping grounds, and down through the hunting trails they all knew like the back of their hands. Granella paused, as she came to a half-hidden trail. "Wait.. let me check down there."

Her feet made no sound on the damp earth, as she carefully stepped down the rock embedded path and rounded a bend. "Hey! Down here." She called, dropping to her knees.

The rest of the search party slithered down next to her, and clustered around, watching over her shoulder as she carefully exposed the neatly packed cache, taken from their traps not long before. "They were here."

A tingle of relief ran through the party. It was about where they'd expected them to be on the first day, so that, at least had happened as planned. And they were in good shape, because Ephiny had left the dressed and skinned catch, meaning to pick it up on the way back from the lessons. So they'd gotten that far, and hadn't come back this way.

Granella took a breath. "We can stop, or we can keep looking." Her eyes scanned theirs. "Right…let's go. " She looked up. "Almost dawn.. let's stop for a minute and have a bite."

They crouched down, ignoring the rain, and unwrapped travel rations, chewing with an inward turned self absorption, each with their own thoughts.

Tomorrow dawn.. if I don't find them.. Granella mused. Gods, I don't want to have to go get Gabrielle.. I’m not even sure she'd want to come. A smile etched her face briefly, as she remembered her short visit to Amphipolis not long before. Talk about someone being obviously happy.. what a change from the last time I saw her. "All right.." She sighed, and stood. "Let's keep looking."

They moved off towards the dawn, hoping the rain would end.

Morning brought more rain. Xena stood quietly, hand on the windowsill, watching it fall for a long moment before finally turning back to the bag she was packing. Her trail kit, the medical pouch, armoring tools. She settled these in the bottom, then packed her spare shirts and extra boots on top of them.

Cyrene had.. conspired to keep the both of them idle all morning, and she couldn’t help feeling a little grateful to her mother; the time alone with each other had been sorely needed, and had helped settle some of the tension she'd felt building between them since Iolaus had gotten there the previous day.

Of course, not much packing had gotten done. She reflected, but then, she didn't have that much to pack anyway. Gabrielle had just gone to pick up a last item or two from the inn's storage supplies a few minutes ago.

Found her hands slowing again, and finally coming to rest on the leather of the bag, as she stared down into it, trying to reconcile her feelings. Her head raised, and she let her eyes range around the cabin, taking in its now familiar outline. There was a reason I didn't want this. She reminded herself ruefully. Come on, Xena.. it's just for a few weeks.

A few weeks. Her mind rolled that over. Five days each way travel time, and gods only knew how long to get this situation figured out. Straightened out. Not long at all, in the grand scheme of things… so why was her heart aching at the thought of it? Surely.. she wasn't that attached to this place already, was she? Of course not.

Of course not. Her mind mocked her. I'm in trouble. Big trouble. She admitted quietly to herself, as she slowly shucked off her sleep shirt, and slid into her old leathers, buckling the shoulder straps with hesitant fingers. She glanced down and ran a hand over the dark covering, feeling the cold surface warm as it took on her body heat. Been a while. Her eyes caught the shadowy reflection in the mirror against the wall as she quietly slid her upper arm protectors on, and fastened them, then the bracers. Routine.. right?

Except that she hadn't worn a single piece of this for over a month, and the touch of the battle hardened hide was no longer as familiar as a second skin. She held the armor in her hands for a long space before she settled it over her shoulders, and shivered a little at its cold sting against her flesh.

A slow adjusting of the buckles and straps, then her eyes fell on the reflection again. Funny.. her mind mused. I look the same. Why the Hades do I feel so damn different? She sat down on the edge of the bed, and leaned her elbows on her knees, resting her head in her hands. Come on.. snap out of it. She ordered herself quietly. Got a job to do here.

She heard footsteps, and straightened up as the door opened, and Gabrielle slipped in, carrying a package, which she put down on the table on her way across the floor. "Hey.." She said, sitting down next to Xena and putting a hand on her back. "Are you all right?" Green eyes studied her carefully. "You look really out of it."

The warrior took a breath, and nodded. "Yeah.. yeah.. I'm fine." She ran her fingers through her hair and looked around. "Just.. getting some stuff packed up." Standing up, she started putting things in the bag again, mechanically. She had just put a sleep shirt in when she found Gabrielle's hand on her wrist. "Hmm?"

"Not that one." The bard said quietly. "Please?"

Xena stared at the folded fabric, then smiled and pulled it back out, handing it to the bard. "My favorite one." She said softly, with a grave twinkle in her eyes.

"Mine too." Gabrielle responded, hugging it to her. "And it's going to be hard enough sleeping without you here, so… "

A quiet nod from the warrior. "Yeah.. tell me about it." She absently put another shirt in the bag. "Ground's going to be quite a shock after a month of lazing around in that nice sot bed with you." She tucked her leather repair kit in the side of the bag. "Ares will keep you company, though, right boy?"

This to the wolf, who was curled up on the bearskin.

"Roo." Ares stated, in a gruff tone.

"Oh yeah." Gabrielle pondered, nodding. "His conversation sometimes even equals yours." She expected a raised eyebrow stare, and studied her partner closer when she didn't get one. Xena's hands just paused, then went on. "Xena?" She moved closer to the warrior, and put the shirt she was holding down, then very gently grasped Xena's arms and turned her around. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Xena sighed. "Yes." A pause. "I don't know." She finally said, sitting down on the bed. "I'm just… " She raised both hands and let them fall, giving Gabrielle a sheepish look. "I just feel weird."

"Weird." Gabrielle repeated. "Weird?? Like in .. "

"Strange." Xena muttered. "Just.. "

"You mean strange… in this? " Gabrielle's hands touched the leathers and armor.

Xena thought about that for a minute. "Yeah." She gave the bard a half smile. "I think. I'll get used to it again but… " She broke off and just shook her head. "How can I feel like that after only a month?" She reached up and tugged on an armor bit. "At first I thought I just had the fit wrong " Now her smile turned wry. "After all, it's not like I've been doing drills regularly, and I've put on quite a few pounds.. so…" A shrug. "But.. no.. the armor fits fine. It just feels.. strange."

Gabrielle studied her seriously for a long moment. "Good." She finally said, with a satisfied grin, and leaned over, to capture her lips.

"Was this part of your plan? "Xena teased gently, feeling the upset in her dissolving slowly. "To keep us in Amphipolis?"

"Uh huh." The bard answered, feeling Xena's arm slip around her and draw them both down onto the soft blankets. "Umm.." Then her senses fell into a warm, sensual pool as she felt the warrior's hands slip under her clothes and move unerringly to the most sensitive spots. "Guess you're going to get more practice putting this armor on." She breathed, as her fingers found familiar buckles.

Xena chuckled. "Guess I am."

Iolaus felt the morning light on his face, and squinted one eye open, disoriented. Then the events of yesterday came back to him with a rush, and he rolled over, stretching luxuriously in the comfortable bed. His gaze went to the window. "Ugh." He sighed, seeing the lightly falling rain. "Not more rain. Zeus, I'm tired of being wet all the time."

He spent a few minutes just lying there, studying the room he was in with mildly surprised pleasure. So.. this is Xena's mom's place. Herc won't believe it. His mood sobered. If he can ever remember any of this at all, that is. He laced his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. Will Xena be able to do anything? Would anyone?

He wished Gabrielle was going along with them.. the thought of spending the next few days solely in the Warrior Princesses' company was getting him a little nervous. Ok, a lot nervous, and he would have welcomed the bard as a cheerful buffer. Poor kid. He shook his head in silence. Stuck on her like that. Talk about a hopeless situation. It almost made him mad at Xena, for letting the kid develop an attachment like that, and not letting her out to find a life of her own. Maybe… Iolaus's chivalric mind slowly shaped a plan. Maybe he could talk some sense into Xena on the trip there.

With that thought rattling around, he rolled off the bed and stood, walking to the basin of water and washing himself, then slipping on the far too large tunic he'd been given last night and belting it, making it more of a long surcoat than anything else. Well.. it's warm he concluded, as he padded downstairs barefoot to reclaim his clothes and boots.

"Hello." A piping voice met him as he crossed the floor, and he stopped, startled, and looked over to see a table full of.. girls.

Young girls, in fact, who were all looking at him with an air of proprietary interest. "Hello." He answered, giving them his best smile. "Who do we have here?" He walked over and put his fingertips on the table, leaning forward a bit.

The tallest, a very pale blond pointed her spoon around the table. "That's Megan, and Lista, and Elianas, and Sharra." She went back to her plate, then looked up, as Megan poked her. "Oh.. sorry. I'm Cait."

"Well, hello, girls." Iolaus smiled at them. "My name's Iolaus, and.."

He got no further. "What.. the one who goes about with Hercules?" Megan piped up, cheerfully.

"Super!" Sharra said, patting the bench next to her. "Have breakfast with us?"

"Uhm.. yes." Iolaus said, slowly sitting down. What have I gotten myself into… "Nice to meet you all."

Lista passed him a bowl of cereal, and several large slices of warm bread. "Here."

"Thanks." Iolaus said, picking up a spoon, and taking a mouthful, raising his eyebrows at the sweet, nutty taste.

"So." Elianas said, propping her chin on one hand and studying him. "Are the stories about how good he is in bed true?"

Iolaus spit his mouthful back into the bowl. "ArguhthWHAT?" He coughed.

A chorus of giggles surrounded him. "Yes, and what about those leather pants?" Sharra asked, leaning closer. "Is it true he did it with a Gorgon?"

"NO!" Iolaus shouted, then looked around, mortified. "Where do you hear this stuff?"

"Oh." Megan laughed. "Everybody knows." She studied him. "You're kind of cute."

Another round of giggles, which broke off abruptly as the pack of Amazons looked over his shoulder and got real quiet, with bashful little smiles.

A hand on his shoulder, warm and strong, and then he was turning to look up into sharp blue eyes that had an amused edge to them. "Morning, Iolaus." She was dressed in her familiar dark leathers, but had a heavy wool tunic thrown on over them.

"Hi Xena." He sighed. Boy.. am I glad to see you. "Didja get any rest?"

A wild round of giggles from the girls. "What?" Iolaus asked, bewildered, glancing up at Xena, who was giving the girls a sharply raised eyebrow. "Did I miss something here?"

"Come on." Xena sighed, pulling him by the back of his tunic. "We need to talk before we leave." She walked across the inn to a rear table, and settled into a chair, watching him drop into the one facing her with a look of relief.

"Who are those girls?" He hissed, jabbing a thumb over his shoulder.

Xena chuckled. "Amazons." She looked up as Cyrene appeared as if by magic, carrying a large plate of food. "Mom.. I had.."

"Oh, and I'm sure you'll be by a nice inn for dinner. Right?" Cyrene said, putting the plate down and giving her a stern look. She put a plate down in front of Iolaus as well. "Good morning, Iolaus."

"Hi!" Iolaus grinned. "Thanks.. that looks wonderful." He traded his spoon for a fork and dug in, giving Xena encouraging little smiles.

She sighed, and picked up her own fork, stabbing a bit of meat and putting it in her mouth, then glaring at Cyrene. "OK?" Her mother pursed her lips, then winked at her and left them to their meal. Xena rolled her eyes. "Damn."

The blond man bit down a slightly hysterical laugh. "Hey… it's really good food, Xena."

The warrior plowed steadily ahead with her own plate. "You don't need to tell me that." She mumbled, darting glances around the room. "The outer watch just reported our healer coming back.. so we'll be out of here before lunch.."

Iolaus nodded. "All right by me.. I hate to travel in this weather.." His eyes lifted and found hers. "But.. " He hesitated, then leaned forward a little. "I’m really worried, Xena."

Her gaze softened. "I know. So am I." Then she glanced around and back to him. "Look.. we'll find way to fix this. I know we will.. you can't just change who people are, like that." She snapped long fingers. "He's in there. We've just got to find him."

Iolaus stopped eating, and stared at his plate, idly moving a few pieces of food around it. "Xena?"

"Hmm?" The warrior responded, glancing up at him.

"There's another reason why I came to find you." The blond man's voice was very quiet. He took a breath, and looked up, meeting her eyes. "And you have a right to know what it is."

Xena folded her hands on the table, and sighed. "Because if he's not, someone has to stop him." She paused. "And you think I can."

Iolaus dropped his gaze. "Yes." He almost whispered.

"He's half god, Iolaus." The warrior replied, in a flat voice. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Gabrielle lifted her quill, and used her writing hand to brush an errant lock of pale hair from her eyes. She was sprawled on the bearskin in front of the fireplace, working on several small pieces of parchment, which she was scribing on with a small, neat hand. Ares lay curled up behind her knees, his gentle breathing pressing against her calves, resting his chin on her ankle.

She reached back and let her fingers run through his fur, feeling him sigh at the touch. "Glad you're staying here to keep me company, Ares."

"Argoroo?" The wolf inquired, lifting his head, and giving her hand a lick. "Grrrr." He added, as he closed his jaws gently on her tunic sleeve, and tugged a little.

"Yeah, I love you." The bard answered, giving his belly a good rub. He rolled over, and grinned as she scratched his chest, wagging his tail a little with gentle thumps against her back. "Uh huh…if your mom had a tail, she'd do that too when I did this to her."

The sudden mental picture made her laugh silently to herself, and she shook her head, and went back to her pieces of parchment. Each small square got several lines, on both sides, then she set the to dry, blowing gently on them Folding them carefully around small stones when she finished, she tied them with scraps of fabric, then stood up, and walked over to where Xena's leather saddlebags were still resting.

Judiciously, she studied the bag, and carefully stowed the small bundles in different spots, finally tucking the last one in with the medical supplies with a satisfied look. Frivolous little nothings.. she chastised herself. Like she needs to see these things… But having them there.. thinking of Xena just happening on them during her trip brought a smile to her face. Not, she reflected, like the first time.

Gabrielle smiled quietly to herself, remembering. No, it certainly was different now.. she composed poems about her reticent partner all the time… and Xena had even gotten used to hearing her recite them. But that first one… The bard shook her head a little. "Let's go find mommy, ok boy? " She directed her question to the alertly watching Ares. "Almost time for her to go.. you wanna say goodbye, right?" And felt an unexpected hand grip her heart. "Right." She sighed to herself, slipping her cloak over her shoulders, and moving out the door, Ares a dark shadow at her heels.

Cyrene looked up, as Johan entered the kitchen, and put a small leather bag down on the counter. "Here's what you asked for." He commented, perching on a small stool near where she was working. "That's a nice little package there."

The innkeeper smiled, and tucked in the last bit of wrapping. "I know my daughter. She'll keep going all day long just to prove she's tougher than that little man, and end up not eating, then staying up all night to watch for brigands or something."

Johan bit off a grin. "She seems a bit..." He considered for a minute "old for that kind of motherhenning.. no?"

Cyrene opened her mouth to make a stinging retort, then paused, and glanced quietly down at her hands. "I missed a lot of time with her. Maybe I'm just trying to get a little of that back."

Johan stood, and walked over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Aye, my friend. That's all right then. She's none the worse for it."

The innkeeper smirked a little. "Are you kidding? Under all that eye rolling she sucks it up like a sea sponge." She smoothed the wrapping down. "She was always like that. So much wanted to be independent of anyone's help." A light shake of the head. "And there were times when I should have pushed through that.. I know that now. Maybe it would have made a difference."

"Lass, no point in what ifs." Johan reminded her gently. "That's way downriver."

"I know.' Cyrene sighed. "But I'm not going to make that mistake now."

They both looked up as the door swung open, and Gabrielle poked her fair head inside. "Hi." She said, slipping in the door followed by a curious Ares. "I was just.. " Her eyes fell on the package, and she smothered a grin. "Want me to slip that in her bag too?"

Cyrene laughed, and hefted the parcel and tossed it to the bard. "If you would, Gabrielle." She glanced at Johan. "That way I can avoid the exasperated looks." Then she studied the bard's face. "What about you? Want some breakfast?"

Gabrielle took a breath, and let it out slowly, trying to force the queasy feeling in her gut down. "No.. um.. thanks. I'm fine." She swallowed. "I just stopped by to..um..."

Cyrene bit her lip. "To find my daughter, and spend as much time as possible with her before she leaves." She paused. "Right?"

The bard blushed. "Am I that transparent?" She complained, giving Cyrene a jokingly piteous look.

"Oh, honey." Cyrene laughed, putting an arm around her. "Your eyes give it away every time." She steered her out the door, ignoring her mild groan. "I think it's adorable."

She moved out into the inn, looking across the long open room, lit by warm candlelight against the chilly gloom outside. Ares spotted Xena, and trotted over standing up on his hind legs and putting his front paws on her lap.

The warrior looked up as they walked over, and settled an arm around the furry shoulders. "Hey." Then realized Iolaus's eyes were bugging out. "What?"

The blond man pointed at the animal. "Xena, that's a wolf."

"And your point is?" Gabrielle asked, as she came even with them, and dropped into the chair next to Xena's, pulling her plate over and starting to consume the remainder of the warrior's breakfast. She was still a little miffed at Iolaus, and wasn't ready to let him forget it yet.

Iolaus gave her a strange look, glancing at the plate, then at her face, his brow contracting. "Uhm...no point. Is he yours?"

Xena scratched the dark ears. "Hey boy.." She spared a look at Iolaus. "I found him not far from here.. panther got his mother." She felt the warm gust as the wolf sniffed her ear, and gave it a tiny lick. "Hey.. stop that."

Iolaus smiled, and reached across the table, offering his fingers for inspection. Ares sniffed them then licked his chops. "He's pretty cute. What's his name?" He stretched his arm, and tickled the wolf's ears.

"Ares." Xena said, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Iolaus's hand froze, and he turned a pathetic gaze on her. "You're kidding, right?" Seeing the solemnly shaking heads. "Oh, for.. Xena, how could you do that to a poor animal?"

Xena shrugged. "Seemed like a good idea at the time." She gently gripped the wolf's jaw, and turned it from side to side. "Looks like him, don't you think? See the sideburns?" She fluffed out Ares's fluffy whiskers.

The blond man sat back with a scowl. "How can you even joke about that? What's he going to do with you if he finds out?"

"Oh.." Gabrielle mumbled, chewing on a biscuit. "He already knows." She gave Xena a sidelong glance. "He was ok with it, right?"

Xena leaned back, and let Ares tug on her sleeve. "Yeah, he's fine. It was something to see them nose to nose." She looked up and caught Iolaus' stunned expression. "Sorry, Iolaus.. I know you guys have a bad time with him, and we do too, but..." She shrugged "We still talk sometimes." No sense in hiding that... he'd better realize he's not dealing with Hercules here.

The blond man nodded slowly. "I'd.. I didn't think... " He's the enemy. And she talks to him. What the Hades did I think I was doing in coming here? "Well, you have to do what you have to do, I guess." He put on a forced smile. "I guess I'm going to go get dressed.. and get my stuff ready. " He stood up and walked away without a further word.

They sat in companionable silence for a while, as Gabrielle cleaned her plate and Xena propped her chin on her fists and gazed out across the room. Finally, the bard scooted her chair closer, and rested her head against Xena's wool covered shoulder. "He didn't like that much." She commented, sliding her hand through Xena's arm and closing her eyes.

"Mm.. no." Xena agreed, letting her head rest against the bard's. "Can't help it.. I'm not going to lie about that. I know.. I.. don't have the same relationship with Ares anymore, but.. there's still.. " She paused, considering. "a connection there." It was an uneasy admission.

The bard hugged her arm closer. "I know that." She opened her eyes and looked directly up at her partner. "But he's got some pretty stiff competition here." Her green eyes sparkled with an edgy fire.

Xena smiled. "He's already lost that fight." She brushed her lips across the bard's forehead. "And he knows it." She glanced down at the table. "Thanks for finishing that up for me.." This with a sly grin and a tickle at the bard's ribs.

"Stop that.'" Gabrielle growled, giggling when Ares echoed her with a cocked head, then poking the warrior in the side.

"Gabrielle?" Xena said suddenly, in a very low voice.

"Yeah?' The bard answered, gazing up at her with a fond smile.

"We have an audience." This said with a full compliment of embarrassed chagrin.

Green eyes darted towards the other end of the room, where the table full of Amazons were watching with undisguised fascination. "Oh.. Hades codpiece." She groaned, and felt Xena's body shifting slightly under her arm.

"Let's give them something to look at then." The warrior softly chuckled, and turned her head, capturing the bard's lips for a long, intense moment. So much for not believing in public displays, right? Her mind sighed in resignation. Oh, to Hades with it. I don't care. She put her mind into the kissing, and when they finally broke off, both of them were breathing hard, and the bard was giving her a tiny shake of her head.

"I'm gonna kill you for that" She muttered. "And you're just going to go off an leave now, right? She darted a glance at the other table, and almost fell off the chair at the wide-eyed, raptly goggling eyeballs looking back at her. Whoops. Her mind blushed, along with the rest of her. I can just imagine what that looked like. What were we thinking? Ah.. she sighed inwardly. We weren't thinking.

"Sorry." Xena murmured, with a gentle twinkle in her eyes.

Gabrielle let her head drop to rest again against Xena's shoulder. "I'm really going to miss you." She answered, in a small voice, and felt a hand capture hers under the table, and fold around it in a strong grip. "I feel really dumb saying that, because you're only going for a little while.. but I can't help it."

"It's all right." Xena let out a long breath. "I can't either. I'll miss you too." She paused, then gave the bard's hand a squeeze. "Come on..let's check in on Ephiny, then I've got to get Argo ready." She stood, pulling Gabrielle up with her.

"Will Argo be ok? " The bard asked, as they made their way across the room, ignoring the whispers from the juvenile table "I mean.. if she's.. well, you know."

Xena laughed. "Oh.. sure." She eyed the bard. "A horse's birthing period is longer than yours would be, my bard."

"Really?" Gabrielle asked curiously. "I had no idea... how long?"

The warrior shrugged. "340.. to 360 days."

"Wow." The bard breathed, impressed, as she pushed the door to Ephiny's room open. "I don't think I'd like to be pregnant that long."

Xena snorted, as she knelt by the quiet form lying on the bed. "It's not a lot of fun."

Ephiny stirred, hearing a familiar voice, and forced her eyes open. "Wha issnt?" She mumbled, blinking blearily at them.

"Being pregnant." Xena answered, sharing a wry look with her.

Ephiny looked at her, then looked right at Gabrielle. "Don't go there." She advised hoarsely.

The bard knelt at Xena's side, and leaned against her. "I'm not in any danger." She advised the Amazon, with a quiet smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Lousy." Ephiny responded, coughing weakly. "Got some water down before." She winced, and rubbed her stomach. "Coughing hurts."

Gabrielle squeezed her shoulder. "Hang in there... I'm just going to help Xena get ready to leave, then I"ll be back to try and distract you a little."

"Ooohhhh..." Ephiny gave a ghostly laugh. "I get stories...I pick?"

The bard smiled widely. "Sure."

Xena laid a hand on her arm. "Our healer's on the way in. He knows all about this, Eph.. and I left herb mixtures and instructions for him."

The Amazon nodded a little, and found Xena's eyes. "Hey.. be careful, OK?" She said softly, darting a glance at Gabrielle, who had stood and moved over to the table.

Saw sober understanding there. "I will be." The warrior answered in low voice. "Take it easy, Eph.. you're going to be fine. It's just going to take a while."

A resigned nod. "Needed a vacation." She joked weakly. "Not what I had in mind though."

Xena gave her shoulder a pat, and stood. "See you in a few weeks." She glanced around the room, and took a breath. "Gabrielle?"

The bard turned from the table, and put a smile on her face. "Ready." She said, crossing the room and joining the warrior at the door.

They walked across the courtyard, snugging their cloaks tight to keep the misty rain out. "I really.. wish you weren't.." Gabrielle started, then stopped. "Scratch that.. sorry."

Xena slipped a long arm around her, and pulled her closer. "I wish I wasn't either." She admitted. "I'd rather spend the day inside with you.. if you'd like to know the truth."

Gabrielle mulled over that for a while, as they reached the barn, and Xena opened the door for her to enter. "Really?" She finally asked, shaking her cloak to scatter the water droplets on the straw. Ares stood behind them, shaking himself vigorously to do the same.

"Really." Xena confirmed, putting her cloak aside, and crossing over to where Argo was contentedly chewing. "And I bet she's going to be none to happy either." Indeed, the horse gave her a reproachful look as she lifted the saddle blanket and settled it over the mare's back.

"Yeah, yeah..I know.." Xena muttered to her, fastening the chest strap on the soft blanket, and snugging the belly strap tight. "But we gotta, Argo."

"I"ll run next door and get your kit." Gabrielle said, ducking out the door before Xena could protest. She looked at the closed door for a long minute, then sighed and went back to saddling Argo. "Come here." She muttered, slipping the bridle over the mare's head, and settling the bit between her teeth. "Stop that.." As the mare nibbled her fingers, then lipped her tunic.

She walked to the stall divider, and captured the stirrups in her left hand, then lifted the saddle up and swung it over onto Argo's tall back, settling the fit with knowing hands, and drawing the girth strap under the mare's body and cinching it tight.

Stepping back, she studied the mare critically, then chuckled, and gave her a slap on the shoulder. "I think we'll both be a little sore the first few days, girl.. you've been living pretty soft too, haven't you?" She looked up as the door opened, and Gabrielle slipped back inside, carrying her saddlebags. "Gabrielle.. you didn't have to do that."

"Excuse me.." The bard snorted. "*I'm* not the one whose going to spend days in the rain.. thought I'd give you a last few dry minutes." She walked closer, and dropped the bags at her partner's feet, then moved into her embrace unapologetically. "Besides, I wanted to do it."

Xena wrapped her arms around the bard's body, and just held her, allowing the seductive warmth of their connection seep through her and hold her soul captive, trying to memorize what it felt like as a guard against their coming separation. She buried her face in Gabrielle's hair and sighed, feeling the bard nestle closer and tighten her grip.

She felt, very briefly, as though she were drowning, and she loosened all her resistance to it, and just let it happen, breathing in the warm familiar scent of her partner, mixed with the ghost of late summer rising from the clean, dried hay. The light drumming of the rain overhead lulled her into a haze, and she felt Gabrielle swallow hard against her chest as she felt it too. Finally, reluctantly, she loosened her hold and felt Gabrielle do the same, until they were gazing at each other, still loosely linked in each other's arms.

"Wow." The bard smiled at her. "I think that was the best hug ever.." She considered thoughtfully. "Except one."

Xena quirked a grin. "Was that one in the rain?"

Gabrielle nodded slowly. "You got that right." She reached up and moved the dark hair out of Xena's eyes. "Guess you got to get ready, huh?" She sighed. "I saw the healer heading into the inn when I was coming back here."

"Yeah.. I guess." Xena replied, letting out a deep breath. "Stay out of trouble, OK?" At least I won't have to worry about her this trip... "Don't start any wars or anything while I'm gone, huh?"

Gabrielle smiled, and butted her in the chest with her head. "Look who's talking? You stay out of trouble too." Her eyes went serious. "And be careful." A pause. "Please??"

Xena nodded, lacing her fingers behind the bard's neck and letting her thumb trace Gabrielle's firm jawline. "I promise you I will be." She hesitated, then gave her a wry smile. "I wish you were coming along."

That got a dazzling smile from her partner. "Hey.. Warrior Princess.. that's one of the nicest things you ever said to me." Gabrielle moved closer, and slid her arms up around Xena's neck. "I think I'm in love with you."

Very raised eyebrow. "You think?"

The bard flexed her arms, and pulled herself up, laughing as she felt Xena's grip tighten on her and lift her easily, until their lips met, and she let herself spend a long time in a mutual exploration, only stopping when Xena released one arm and started a long trail of gentle touches down her body that sent sparks all over her. "OK." She spoke, on a very irregular breath. "That convinced me."

"Good." The warrior breathed in her ear, sending a new set of sparks down her spine. "Don't want you to forget me."

Gabrielle gave her a low laugh. "As if I ever could."

They looked at each other for a long time. Then Xena idly ran her fingers through the bard's hair and sighed. "You know.. I don't have anything of yours to hang on to."

The bard colored gently. "You.. want something?" With a little laugh. How's that for unexpected?

Xena shrugged, giving her an embarrassed grin. "Well.. I don't... I mean... " She hesitated. "Never mind." What was I thinking? Come on, Xena...you're not a kid for Zeus's sake. What a dumb thing to ask.

Gabrielle studied her face intently, seriously, her brow furrowing in thought. Then her expression cleared, and she gently reached up, slipping her hands around Xena's neck again, and worked for a minute, unfastening the catch that held on her crystal lifebond necklace, feeling Xena's breath catch as she realized what the bard was doing.

Brought her hands down, and put the ends of the chains between her teeth to hold it, while she took off her own necklace, then looked up into Xena's eyes.

In silence, because she was holding her partner's pendant in her mouth, she lifted her hands, and fastened her chain around Xena's neck, watching the muscles of her throat work as she swallowed hard. Then she took Xena's pendant, and fastened it around her own neck.

"There." She said. "Now you have something."

Xena reached up and touched the crystal, still warm from Gabrielle's body, and then let her hand fall, as a slow smile shaped her lips. "Thanks." Almost a whisper.

Gabrielle let herself fall forward, and wrapped her arms around her partner's neck again, drawing her head down, and losing herself into a long, peaceful building of sensation, until she could feel her knees starting to give way, and then she stopped, and let her head drop against Xena's chest, trying to control her labored breathing. "We'd better stop.. or you aren't going anywhere soon."

"Mmm." Came the humming response in her ear, which sent more pleasant skitterings down her spine. "I guess you're right." Xena rubbed her back gently. "Besides, Iolaus is heading this way." She gave the bard's ear a nibble. "He thinks you have a crush on me."

Gabrielle burst into giggles. "Oh, you're kidding me." Felt Xena shake her head no. "Oh gods." She thought for a minute. "We could have fun with this."

"Gabrielle." Xena's voice was jokingly severe. "Not nice."

The bard subsided, letting her fingers run idly over her partner's neck. "All right." She sighed. "But let me tell you, Xena.. I do NOT want him wandering all over the countryside thinking I'm this pitiful lovesick kid hanging on your stirrup leathers, because I'm not" she paused, and grinned impishly. "At least anymore."

Xena kissed her on the nose. "I'll take care of him."

"OK." She relented, as she heard the door start to open. "And I promise I won't tell Ephiny any of the really neat stories your mom's been telling me about you."

Blue eyes widened. "What???"

"Oh, hi Iolaus." The bard chirped, strolling forward and giving Argo a pat. "Rotten weather."

'Yeah." Iolaus agreed, giving her a tentative smile. He was once more dressed in his patchwork vest and trousers, but he'd kept the long tunic, and now plucked at it with a nervous grin. "Your.. uh.. mother made me keep this."

"Figures." Xena let out a short chuckle. "Good thing though - it's damn cold out there." She hoisted her saddlebags aboard Argo, and strapped them down, running the leathers through the mare's saddle rings and securing them firmly, while Gabrielle helped Iolaus get his gray saddled and ready.

Finally, it was done, and they were walking the horses to the barn door. "Wait." Xena said, and dropped Argo's reins. She walked aside a few steps and knelt in the straw, taking Ares' head in her hands and looking into his golden eyes. "You stay here, boy. OK?" Ears drooped pathetically. "Ares… I need you to take care of your other mom for me, all right?" Intelligent eyes flicked towards Gabrielle then back to hers. "That's right. You watch over her for me, OK?" A wolfish sigh, but he nuzzled her face and licked her nose with delicate precision. "Good boy." Xena smiled, and ruffled his fur. Then she stood and resumed her walk to the door, feeling Gabrielle slip in next to her and put a hand on her back. "Hey." She said, studying the shadowed profile.

But the bard just pursed her lips in a determined smile and kept walking in silence. They exited the barn into the cold dampness of the day, each instinctively reaching for cloak fastenings to shut out the sharp drafts and icy rain. "Here." Gabrielle said, very gently striking aside Xena's hands, and reaching up to fasten her cloak securely herself, then pulling her hood up to cover her dark hair.

"Thanks." Xena said softly, smiling at her.

Gabrielle put a hand on her arm, then walked over to where Iolaus was fiddling with his horse's gear. "Listen… " She said, waiting for him to turn, and he did. "I'm really sorry about going off on you yesterday."

He gave her a fond smile. "It's all right, Gabrielle.' His eyes flickered to Xena's tall, shrouded form then back to her. "I understand." This with a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

Oh.. sweet Iolaus. Her mind sighed. You don't understand a thing, do you? Shaking her head, she pulled him into a hug, Remembering the last time she'd done so, and closing her eyes against the memory. "You take care of yourself, all right?" She said softly, staring earnestly into his pale eyes. "And don’t' worry.. Xena will find a way to get Herc out of whatever thing he's fallen into."

Iolaus mustered up a faint smile. "You think so?"

She nodded. "I know so." She stepped back and watched him mount, then walked around to Argo's other side and faced Xena, taking a long moment to study her from head to foot, as though committing her to memory. Then she moved forward and into a pair of strong arms, that cradled her briefly then let go. "Don't take too long." Was her comment, in a very low voice. "I don't think I can stand it." That a whisper, which Xena's sharp ears caught easily.

"Quick as I can." The warrior responded, brushing her head with a pair of already chilled lips. She hesitated, then suddenly her arms tightened around the bard. "Oh gods… I'll miss you." Her voice caught and broke, and Gabrielle could feel the shudder that went through her breathing.

One last squeeze, and they parted, with Xena giving the bard's hair a playful ruffle. "Keep an eye on Ephiny.. " She advised her partner. "I know they'll send a bunch down when Toris gets there… if you want, have them escort you back, and I'll join you."

Gabrielle nodded, as she watched Xena vault up onto Argo's back and settle herself. "All right." She answered quietly, stepping forward and giving the warrior's calf a little pat.

One last look, one last touch on her head, a hand laid in benediction, then Argo's golden form was moving off down the mud covered road into the driving rain, followed by Iolaus' gray. Gabrielle stood huddled in her cloak, watching until the horses and their riders disappeared into the cold mist, then took a deep breath, and released it. Then she turned and walked towards the inn, with a sturdy purposeful stride.