Their lunch, the stew Gabrielle had prepared in the morning, was eaten later than expected but it was filling and satisfying. Energetic and happy in each other's company, the couple decided to take a stroll, breathing in fresh air and attempting to walk off their meal. They didn't go far. Iolaus' crutches were not designed for long distance travel. However, they managed to make it to a long limb, fruit heavy tree just on the outer reaches of his land.
With Iolaus sitting beside her, Gabrielle lay back drowsily and looked up, watching as the dark leaves played peek-a-boo with the sun. She thought she must have dozed for a few minutes because the next thing she heard, through a fog, was a grunt and swishing noises. Puzzled, she opened her eyes, again looking up, and turned slightly. She spotted activity and smiled.
Iolaus was doing graceful chin ups, this time with the limb of their tree. "How do you do that?" she asked, again amazed, "How do you managed to get up and hang on like that?"
"Trade secret." Iolaus grunted with mirth and after a few moments allowed himself to gently fall to the ground near her. Carefully, he pushed over to where Gabrielle lay and relaxed, resting his head near her trim shoulder. "Do you remember the last time we were together, peaceful in heart and mind, beneath foliage like this?"
"Prometheus." Gabrielle answered without hesitation. "I take it your wound left no scar?" she asked a bit none-sensibly and warmed at his giggle.
"*That* scar healed but not the scar you left on my heart."
Gabrielle could hear the humor in his tone and rolled her eyes, "Very funny. I imagine you were able to get over our parting back then with very little heartache, Iolaus."
"If you say so --." Iolaus pouted, "but I thought about you a lot, Gabrielle."
She turned on her side then and studied at him, "Did you really?" she asked, "We never really talked about it and I ..." Gabrielle paused. What was she thinking? That was so long ago - nearly thirty years ago now - and Iolaus was just bringing it up because the apple tree brought back memories. "I thought a lot about you too, Iolaus.' she finally said.
"It's not easy when that other half of your soul parts company." he stated and looked at her honestly, hiding very liitle..
Suddenly uneasy, Gabrielle sat bolt upright and looked away, beyond the field and trees. *Soulmate*. How often had Xena used that term with her? Had it lost its meaning? There were many different forms of *soulmate*. One was when your best friend knew you and she were going to be together forever and the other was when, lost and alone, you meet the man or woman who makes you feel like ... like .... *what*?
Iolaus, now also up, placed a gentle hand on her shoulders and appeared concerned, "Did I say something?"
"No ... sort of." she whispered, bewilderment evident.
He lifted the hand and put a courtly finger underneath her chin, forcing Gabrielle to look at him. "Something isn't right. I've felt it ever since you came here, Gabrielle. You have something eating at you. Tell me about it." The gentle sincerity grew a small smile, "Please."
How to explain to him about her doubts? She, Xena and Eve ... But she really wanted to tell him ... "It's just this whole coming back to Greece after a twenty five year sleep, Iolaus. So much has changed -" Then she lamented, looking at him - " - and so much is the same. I don't know what to think or feel. Xena has found her anchor in all of this. She's got Eve and is happy, although she's sorry she missed all those wonderful years bringing up baby, but I ..." Again, Gabrielle looked lost, "I don't have *anything* really ... My sister is grown, married and has children. My Mother and Father don't even recognize me anymore. You should have seen how they looked at me when I showed up at their door, wearing these clothes and carrying this hardware." Gabrielle tapped the knives wedged in her boot holsters,. "And I don't blame them. I would probably reacted the same way. After all, they thought I was dead and ..."
"But it really has nothing to do with that, does it?" Iolaus dropped his hand and attempted to give Gabrielle the benefit of his experience. "I know how you want to *believe* and belong, Gabrielle. I've gone through it myself. But what it comes down to is you're upset with Xena and her relationship with Eve."
The warrior bard's eyes widened. "Xena is Eve's mother ..." Gabrielle started.
"And you're *not*." Iolaus interjected. He then smiled at her bafflement, "I bet Xena wants you to be a mother to Eve also but you're having, and rightly so I think, a difficult time with that concept."
Gabrielle wasn't often at a loss for words but this time she could only stare at Iolaus and listen closely, drinking in his perception.
"Xena wants you to have the same feelings for her daughter that she has but it's not going to happen. You care about Eve in your own way and will eventually grow to love her but ... in *another* way you will always carry in your heart that this person, this young warrior woman, is wedging herself in-between you and your best friend. Xena isn't yours alone anymore."
Gabrielle nodded slowly, "It's so wrong, Iolaus. I shouldn't be feeling ...."
"You'll get over it." he assured, "And so will Xena. It'll take a little time but you, all three of you, will come to an understanding. It's the way of life."
"What if we don't? What if I can't continue with them?"
"Then I'll be here." Iolaus said and startled himself with the short statement, "I mean ..." he suddenly felt a little flustered and embarrassed, having reveal probably too much too soon. "I'm your friend and I'd do anything to help ..."
"Are you *just* a friend, Iolaus?" Gabrielle asked, unexpectedly. *He did leave the door open.* she thought and saw an opportunity. "Do you want us ..." she hesitated a moment, realizing this might be something neither could go back on once it was brought out into the open, "... to be more?"
He lay back heavily in the grass and looked up at the leaves as Gabrielle had done earlier, "What if I were to say *yes*, Gabrielle?" he supposed, "Would this simple farm life satisfy you? Would there never come a time when you'd long to leave your life here?" Then: "Could you live with me and *never* dream again of being on the road with your Warrior Princess?" Iolaus closed his eyes, "I don't ask to be cruel but I think you need to look ahead, for both our sakes."
The questions were simple and realistic and they tore at Gabrielle's heart. She leaned over Iolaus, tenderly touching his bare chest with the palms of her slender hands. Her own doubts were mirrored in the man before her. She moved in close, "I can't answer you, Iolaus, but I know how I feel right this moment. And I want to be with you -- here and now." and she gently covered his lips with her own.
Her nearness, the way the sunlight glinted through her hair and the gentleness of her manner ... the touch of her fingers on his shoulders, neck and face brought back feelings Iolaus thought long gone. Carefully his arms came up and enfolded her. He didn't want this precious moment to end yet ...
"So ... this is what he does when we're away." came a voice, edged with mirth.
"Yeah, poor old lonely Dad." said another, equally amused.
With a startled yelp, Gabrielle pushed herself away from Iolaus and, sitting up, looked over at the two young men. They stood a short distance away, tall and handsome, and wore their father's unmistakable grin.
"Gabrielle," Iolaus sighed, pushing himself up to sit beside her. "I'd like you to meet Imules and Asterus. My sons." he vocalized with a tired but proud sigh.
Timidly, a little self-conscious by how she and Iolaus were caught, Gabrielle greeted the boys with a small wave as they did the same. She was relieved that they didn't appear upset that their father, a man they had only ever seen with their mother, appeared to be "making out" with her. As a matter of fact, they seemed somewhat pleased by the situation. Yet, was that worry in their eyes?
"They weren't due back for another few days." Iolaus clarified to Gabrielle but peered meaningfully at the two boys. "How was the hunting?" he asked, deadpan, already knowing the answer.
The boys looked at each other, uncomfortable.
"We didn't really go hunting." Asterus said, "We - er - took a trip to see Thanis."
This answer actually did surprise Iolaus, "Thanis, the sculptor?" he straightened his back and looked from Gabrielle to his oldest son, "Explain."
"I've made a decision Dad,." Imules said before Asterus could speak, "And I'm not sure you're going to like it."
What else is new? Iolaus motioned for Asterus to pass him his crutches that were leaning against the tree. Then, as he got to his feet, Iolaus looked at his younger child, the stubborn boy who so reminded him of Marta. Okay, maybe a little of his own headstrongness was there too.
Gabrielle cleared her throat, "Umh. Perhaps I should leave and let you three talk."
"I'll go with you." Asterus said, quickly. "No need for a crowd."
"Do you mind if I stick around?"
For the first time, Iolaus and Gabrielle realized there was yet another person with them. A woman stepped from behind the apple tree. Iolaus knew her. And he suddenly knew what this was all about ....
*******
Her reflexes were always lightening fast. It was one of the many things about The Warrior Princess that astonished her opponents. She could catch arrows, leap and snatch a weapon from the hands of a would-be warlord before he or she even realized it was gone. But this was different. This was Hercules who challenged her and as much as Xena wanted to take that Chronos Stone chunk from him and destroy it, thus preventing any harm coming to her beloved daughter, Xena knew it just would not work. He was a halfgod and she wasn't. They'd faced each other before and there was no winning against the cunning of the strongest man in the world. However .... "I won't let you kill Eve, Hercules." Xena spoke lowly, defensive as she stared at him.
"If I do it won't be Eve. It will be Livia." Then, a little uneasily - "And I don't think even you could prevent it if it's going to happen, Xena. But it might *not* happen if you come with me and help prevent what she did to Jason. Will you come Xena?"
"Bastard." Xena again whispered, emotions - both lethal and heartbreaking - gripping her. How could he ask such a thing when he knew there was only one answer? Had he no feelings? Yes, of course he did. That was the problem. Hercules had many feelings but did not want to acknowledge any of them. Not to her nor anyone he loved. The only thing holding the demigod together was his obsession. He needed help but that would have to come later.
Again, Hercules fingers surrounded the shard, nearly caressing it. "If I had it in me I'd attempt to save her, Xena. You know that. But it's not up to me. She's yours. My responsibility stops with Iolaus and Jason."
Xena saw that coolness in his eyes again - an odd lack of human emotion and warmth - and although she would never say it aloud his drive and obstinacy both frightened and beguiled her. It nearly reminded Xena of herself so many years ago, after her brother had died, when she had been persuaded by no less than the warlords she detested to become a revenge seeker. Then, with a kick from Julius Caesar and the seductive powers of Ares, she became the blood thirty monster reflected in Livia.
Yet, Hercules had been there for *her* at the right moment -- when she was vulnerable. Only he had seen that spark - that need to do good - that turned Xena and made her realize the error of her ways. Only Hercules. And eventually, thank the gods or whoever else was responsible, there was Gabrielle who kept her from returning to that life of rage and destruction. "I will go with you, Hercules. I owe you that much -- and Eve too. But understand that if it comes down to saving the life of Jason or murdering Eve ..." Xena broke off, understanding how it would not make sense to him right now.
Jason. A great man. Once an excellent king. Hercules step father. Next to Iolaus he was Hercules best friend.
Livia/Eve. An evil, treacherous and power hungry monster. Yet, a young woman destined for great things, as was her mother. A mother who loved her as much as ... as ... Gabrielle had loved Hope.
No, dear gods, she could not go there. Not now.
Hercules held the shard out in his palm, a trusting gesture, and waited for Xena's fingers to lift and touch the stone.
When she did, there was a flash and the barest sensation of movement.
They were moving back in time.
********
She was a woman in her fifties but time had not touched the beauty of her spirit or the lovely sparkle in those attractive gray eyes. She wore a heavy shawl over her shoulders and her walk was not as spry as Iolaus recalled, especially when her ire was peaked, but Daniella was still the same woman he had admired, so many years ago now, when he and Hercules found themselves attempting to rescue her father from the wrath of Proteus. Not to mention a few rather ridiculous villagers and a system of law that needed a good, swift kick in the rear. It was because of heroes, and his daughter's urging, that Thanis - now a very old man - continued to paint and sculpt.
Daniella glanced over at Iolaus, who was staring at her, as they walked back to his home. She smiled tenderly.
Gabrielle caught the look between them and did not feel comforted. Obviously there had been something there at one time. Maybe there still was.
In the barn, a loud whinny was heard from Xanya.
"I'll take a look." Asterus said and smiled when Gabrielle joined him, walking with the young man to the barn. Like his father, he truly appreciated the presence of an attractive woman. Unconsciously, he pulled down on his tunic and straightened out a few wrinkles as they walked. He couldn't believe this was Gabrielle, the woman his father and Uncle Herc had talked about not long ago. The friend to Xena, Warrior Princess. This was too great and, in his adolescent opinion, she was gorgeous!
When they stepped into the house Iolaus moved to his wheelchair and sat. He then told Imules to bring over some tea for their guest.
Quietly, Daniella positioned herself on the sofa in front of the hearth and watched as Iolaus rolled over to join her, "You know that my father is getting on, Iolaus." She said, launching into what she knew was on his mind, "He's not going to be around forever and he never had any sons to carry on with his work." She smiled at Imules and he carried over a plate and three steaming mugs. "He's very fond of your son and has always thought Imules one of the most talented artisans he's ever seen."
"Marta and I always encouraged Imules." Iolaus glanced up at his nervous son as he stood before them, "He loves to draw and work with his hands." Iolaus conceded.
"Thanis is looking for an apprentice." Daniella announced, looked from the boy to his father then into the small fire before them, "Imules proved himself to my father when he visited us ... He wants him to come live with him, to learn his trade."
"What of your own children, Daniella?" Iolaus asked, recalling the two lovely girls she and Hestus, her dearly departed, produced.
"Neither have the talent or interest." Daniella spoke honestly.
There was a long pause before Iolaus said, "He's only fourteen." He also looked into the fire, a sign of hurt in his expression. "Imules has school. I can't let him go."
Imules gulped and passed a glance of pleading to Daniella.
"We have schools in our village, Iolaus. And you can come and see him at any time."
Slightly panicked, seeing the indecisiveness in his father, the boy fell to his knees in front of Iolaus, "Please, it's what I really want to do, Dad. You know I've always dreamed of becoming a successful artist and an opportunity like this ... Dad, I can't pass it up. I just can't!"
"Maybe in a few years when you're older ..."
"Dad!"
"Iolaus," Daniella reached across and touched his hand, "He's not kidding when he says he can't wait. Thanis, at the most, has only a couple of good years left before he'll have to stop his work. If Imules is to learn anything from him it will be now, when my father can teach and Imules can learn."
Iolaus closed his eyes. Asterus was leaving for the Academy in three months and now he, their loving father, was being asked to give over his other son. He knew it would have to happen some day, when Imules was on the verge of becoming a man, but why now? Taking a deep breath, Iolaus opened his eyes again and looked down at the round, fair face in front of him. He lifted a hand and allowed his fingers to gently toss the boy reddish hair - "You really, really want this?" he asked, to be certain.
"More than anything." Imules assured, "I'll make you proud, Dad. Honest."
"You already make me proud." Iolaus assured. He paused a moment, considering then sighed, "Okay. You can go -- "
Imules jumped to his feet and cried out in jubilation.
" -- but you must continue to go to school. I owe your mother's memory that much!"
"I will! I will!" Imules giggled.
Iolaus looked at Daniella, "So, when does Thanis need him?"
"The sooner the better. We're leaving tomorrow morning."
Iolaus nearly felt his heart stop. "So soon?"
In the barn, Gabrielle sat on a fresh water barrel and watched Asterus feed and pet Xanya. It was obvious the boy didn't quite have the way his father did with the horse but Xanya seem to accept the oat offering with little fuss.
"So, Imules really is going to become and artist, hunh?" Gabrielle asked, latching on to an earlier conversation she had with the boy.
"Yeah, if Dad allows him to stay with Thanis."
"And you're going to Cheron's Academy? The same school that taught your father and Hercules how to be warriors?"
"Yeah, I guess." Asterus tossed his long blond hair behind blue clad shoulders, "I don't know." He studied a piece of leather twine in his hands, "Maybe I shouldn't."
Gabrielle craned her neck and looked at the boy a little closer, "Don't you want to go? Your father made it sound like you were looking forward to it."
"I am but ..." Asterus grimaced, "... with Imules leaving ... I just can't leave him alone. Dad, I mean. I know he can take care of himself and everything but, I don't know."
"You don't want him to be lonesome." Gabrielle nodded and admired the boy even more.
Asterus nodded. "When Mom died I didn't think he'd ever recover. He was really in love with her. He hasn't even looked at another woman in the three years since she's been gone." Then he smiled and glanced at Gabrielle, "He needs someone. Everyone can see it. That is, those who stop by." Asterus dropped the leather and turned to look directly at Gabrielle, "Sometimes I just think what happened to him - what Zeus did - is so unfair. Uncle Herc tries to help but ... Well, anyway, I was really glad to see Dad with you ..."
Gabrielle blushed and looked away, a bit embarrassed.
"He's a good man and doesn't deserve to be abandoned."
With a sigh, Gabrielle looked back at Asterus, "It would hurt him to know you decided to give up on your Academy dream for him." she reminded. "Besides, he may not be alone after you leave."
Puzzled, the boy's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?"
"I just may be sticking around here for awhile."
Asterus face lit up, "Really?" He approached her, "You're not just pulling my leg, are you? I mean, I know about you and Xena and how you two travel the world like my Dad and Uncle Hercules did. How can you give that up?"
A look of regret appeared briefly then passed, "A lot of things have happened, Asterus. People change." With a sigh of resignation, Gabrielle slipped off the barrel and slowly walked to the barn door, "Sometimes we just have to make a decision and stick with it, even if we're unsure we've made the *right* decision."
Asterus stared after her, confused by Gabrielle's tone - a mixture of sadness and pleasure - but pleasantly surprised never the less.
********
"There we are." Hercules leaned forward and nearly stumbled as he watched. From a curtained alcove they spied the figures of himself and a graying Jason. They were being presented with the Chronos Stone shard from Augustus Caesar.
Xena, standing beside the tall demigod, a little to his rear, put a hand on Hercules shoulder to steady him. If he lost it now, revealing himself too soon, they might not get what they were coming for. As it was things were pretty dicey.
She marveled, looking at Caesar, remembering her friend Octavius. Even here, twenty years after she and Gabrielle were restrained by Ares, she could see the inherent hardness of the ruler. It was difficult to believe he had been such a peace-minded, dream-seeking, and inexperienced boy-king once.
They watched as Jason and Hercules bowed respectfully before Caesar, thanking him for the loan. Hercules could hear his own voice promising to return the shard once he was finished with his mission. Both Xena and Hercules also noticed and heard something strange in his vocal delivery.
Augustus smiled, "Rome loves Greece, Hercules. We would do anything to please its heroes. We would do anything to have her," - a pause - , "friendship."
"What do you think he meant by that?" Xena asked Hercules in a whisper, an alarm going off in her head.
"Probably nothing." Hercules said almost too quickly, as if he knew or suspected something but didn't have time to dwell on the topic, "Let's go."
The couple moved along the inner palace wall until they came to balcony, it's marble halfwall and metal gate were encrusted with gold leafing. It gave them a perfect view of what lay below . They could see the courtyard, the area where Hercules knew he and Jason would appear any minute now. Xena looked over the stone wall surrounding the yard and could see a female rider in the distance, along with her entourage. Eve, or no, Livia.
"Come on." Hercules said and startled Xena by making a dramatic leap over the halfwall to land on his feet on a lower platform, just on the inside of the courtyard protector.
With a shrug, she did the same - adding a flip - and dropped anchor right beside him on the scaffold.
"Show off." Hercules whispered with a small edge of humor, momentarily reminding them both of their fondness for one another and of a playful rivalry they shared.
"Let's go." Xena made another vault, finding herself right in the middle of the courtyard. She ran for the front gates, hoping to cut off Livia before the warrior got inside the palace enclosure.
Meanwhile, Hercules spotting himself and Jason just walking from the immense doors of the palace into the courtyard did some fancy footwork of his own. He recalled being so over-whelmed by the soldiers who fought him as Livia attacked Jason that he could not spring free to save his friend. He was going to narrow those odds. Working the inside perimeter, he punched his way through three Roman guards who never had a clue what hit them and nearly polished off a fourth when the soldier, more in shocked than Hercules, exploded and disappeared into thin air. "How ...?"
"Well, if it isn't my little brother, here in Rome to interfere and annoy as always ..."
Stunned, Hercules turned and looked at Ares who, his arms casually crossed over his black semi-clad chest, was leaning into the stone wall.
"But how's this possible?" Ares asked in mock sincerity, looking down into the courtyard - "I see Jerkules and one of his irritating mortal friends right over there ..."
"Ares, don't ..." Hercules warned, a near-growl in his voice.
"Must have something to do with that Chronos Stone chunk you have on the inside of your tunic ... A trip from the future I take it?" Then Ares looked down again at the men in the courtyard, "But you also have one there too." and this time he did look a little confused, "You got it from Caesar? How did Caesar end up with a Chronos Stone shard?" Then Ares stood straight, hearing a distant cry he hadn't heard in nearly twenty years.
"Yiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiyi ....!"
"Not possible. Xena ..." he whispered, with astonished pleasure. He focused on Hercules again, "Somehow you've brought her back. I always knew you had a thing for her. How did you find her? When I sealed she and her irritating little playmate away ..."
"Ares, I don't have time for this ...." Hercules stated honestly and cut through all preamble by punching his half brother hard in the face, knocking him out of harms way, not that he deserved it.
Hercules then moved forward, hopping on crates and anything he could find before landing on the flat stones on the courtyard ground before him.
The front gates suddenly crashed open and there he saw Livia, her sword raised. Xena, with all her might, was holding onto her horse's saddle, being dragged by the young warrior. Xena was telling her daughter she had to understand, that she could not do what she might because there would be horrible consequences. It could end her life!
"You stupid ..." Livia lifted a heavy, booted foot and kicked Xena squarely in the chest, knocking her back into a stack of splintered wooden boxes and dirty bags. She raised her sword higher, "I don't know who you think you are but your foolishness will be your death and ..." Then her eyes caught sight of the Chronos Stone in Jason's hands. She barely saw Hercules, didn't know or care who he was, standing near his friend and definitely did not see the second Hercules as he watched what was unfolding before him. "Get them all! Kill them!" she screamed to her soldiers and move toward Jason as chaos erupted.
Panicked, Hercules saw his other self move off to fend the soldiers away while Jason - now older and not as sure of himself - backed away and tentatively lifted the sword from his scabbard. Hercules moved forward to stop what was getting ready to happen when a furious Ares grabbed him by the shoulder and swung him around.
"You don't get away with this that easily, you mongrel!" Ares struck out at Hercules and watched as he crashed against the courtyard wall.
Xena, meanwhile had gotten up from where she fell and also attempted to move where Jason was standing and Livia was advancing, "No, Eve, no!" she cried. Xena's own progression was hampered by three soldiers who ran at her with gusto. Xena had no choice but to draw her sword and fight them.
"Give that to me!" Livia growled menacingly to the old man, "It doesn't belong to you. It's Caesar's. You stole it!"
"No," Jason lifted his sword with one hand and clutched onto the stone hard with the other. Anyone who knew anything about Rome had heard of Livia and what a demon she was. Such a young and pretty woman to be known as "the gargoyle" in Greece. "Caesar has lent it to us. We'll return it. We need it to help a friend."
"You'll return it sooner than you think, old fool!" Livia struck out with her sword.
She was surprised to feel the old man deflect her blow. He was skilled despite his age.
"Who are you?" she asked, a bit amused. "I always like to know the name of my victims before I kill them."
Jason twirled deftly, dropping the shard and clutching the sword with both hands. He managed to slice the warrior woman across her shoulder, one of the few unprotected areas on Livia's body. "My name is Jason and I was taught by the best." he called.
"Well Jason ..." Livia grimaced through her pain then, with a lightening fast skill no one could ever have anticipated, kicked out at his stomach then his jaw. She then watched the man drop backward. Livia placed her sword on his chest as Jason lay before her, his eyes wide with shock. "My name is Livia ... and you are now a dead man." She pushed forward, silencing Jason - one time King of Corinth and friend to all - forever.
"Noooooo!"
Three shouts were heard. Two from Hercules, both men fighting their assailants as they witnessed the horror, and one from a horrified Xena, who now pushed away the soldier she'd been forced to kill.
As if she heard no one, Livia walked over to where the Chronos Stone shard lay. If Caesar didn't think enough of her to hold onto her gift then he did not deserve it. Her sword slammed down on the stone, crumbling it, destroying it for all time.
Xena ran to Livia.
Hercules, who gave a beaten Ares one last punch for affect, also ran to the woman. His other self was still battling two of the soldiers that plagued him.
"She's dead, Xena! Do you hear me?!" Hercules shouted maniacally, grief stricken all over again and loosing that last shred of sanity that made him the hero the known world knew and loved. He scooped up a sword that lay in the out-stretched hand of a dead soldier and approached at a run.
Xena, getting to Livia two seconds before the demigod, pushed the woman out of the way and collided swords with her friend -- "No Hercules, no! It's too late! Killing her will solve nothing!" Xena pleaded.
"Get out of my way!" Hercules shouted again, his voice hoarse and tears running down his face. "Jason's dead, Xena, and this was Iolaus last hope ... I failed them both but there will be revenge. I swear it! I'll kill her and ..."
"No!"
Hercules and Xena's swords struck again as he attempted to take a swipe at the fallen Livia who, confused, was trying to get onto her feet again.
"Hercules, stop it!" Xena commanded just as he tried again to break through her defense.
Then, without warning, a flash of light engulfed them both. There was movement underneath their feet.
The next thing both heroes knew, they were back on the road they had started on, just before jumping to the past. They had returned to their own time, in Greece, where nothing had changed. Jason was still gone and Iolaus, both knew, was still without the use of his legs.
Hercules sword was raised above Xena and she waited, posed for impact but not striking out on her own. The look in his eyes was still demented but now also infused with an iota of understanding, and a deep crippling grief.
Finally, crushed, he dropped the sword beside Xena and fell onto the ground, crying bitterly. "I failed ... I failed ...." he wailed like a small, hurt animal.
Xena dropped her sword also and fell into a crouch beside him, "It's not your fault." she soothed, taking him in her arms and gently kissing the back of his chestnut colored head as she might with her own child. "It couldn't be helped Hercules. Some things can't be helped. I'm so sorry ... but it's nothing you or I did ..." but she could feel the tears springing to her own eyes as she soothed her friend and one time lover. "You tried. You really did." She felt him fall deeper into her embrace, drinking in her care and love. Perhaps even feeling her own guilt. "But there's got to be another way Hercules. Maybe we can use the stone to ..."
"We can't go back again." he murmured, "You can only use a shard once to go back then bring you to the present. And you can go to the future once -- but the future can't do anything for us. We can't ..."
"I know." Xena gently patted the back of his head, his forehead resting on her shoulder. "I know, Hercules."
**
She wished she had some words of wisdom and solace for him. Anything that might ease the ache in his enormous, immortal heart. But there was nothing she could add to what she'd already said. The only thing Xena could do was sit by his side in this clearing, comforting him only with her presence, and look with him into the evening campfire.
Hercules was concentrating, very deep in thought, as he stared into the fire, playing with a small tree branch between his fingers. He looked as if he were in another world, thinking thoughts no normal human being should dwell upon. And he looked conquered.
As she watched him Xena wondered if she shouldn't apologize once more for Eve. Or, if not beg his forgiveness, attempt to further explain her daughter's actions and why the girl was what she was at this time of her life. Yet, he knew part of the answer. He had seen Ares. What would Ares be doing in Rome if it wasn't to manipulate and encourage its greatest and most lethal warrior? With The God of War around no one was safe, especially those who were easily handled and craved power.
How could it be, Xena thought a bit carelessly, that the hope of her life had caused the people around her, those she loved the most, so much incredible grief? Gabrielle was still stunned and a little afraid of Eve. Xena could sense it every time her best friend looked at the girl. And there seemed to be uncertainty as well. She had come to terms with Joxer's death by Eve but, never the less, Gabrielle was experiencing an inner turmoil Xena could understand but until Gabrielle opened up to her she would not be able to help.
And Hercules. Xena shook her head with remembrance. Eve didn't know who he was but the things she had done to him .... Zeus, Jason -- nearly the entire godsly side of the demigod's family -- all gone because of Eve. And even Iolaus predicament was partly as a result of Hercules doing something for Eve. So many lives lost or broken.
Yet, she was "the way", both Michael and Calisto had told Xena. And a disturbing thought came to the warrior woman even when she was initially told who the father of her child was ... If Dahak had come to them in the disguise of beauty, with spirits that appeared to be angels on either side of him, would she and Gabrielle have been duped? What was this Light that was convincing her that all she was doing, despite Eve's past, was right?
So confusing. So very confusing.
Hercules tossed his stick into the fire and looked over at his companion, "Are you all right?" he asked.
The question startled her for a few seconds. Was she all right?
"I was so wrapped up in my own problems I never stopped to ask you if seeing Eve, back when she was at her worst, had hurt you."
Xena blinked then looked down at her hands, "It was like seeing me at that age. Angry. Bitter. Hateful. Horrible." She looked up again at the flickering fire, "I think that's why I'm so determined to do for her what you did for me."
"What did I do for you?" Hercules asked, genuinely curious.
"You saved my soul."
Hercules chuckled ever so slightly, "I think the saving of your soul has far more to do with the inner you and Gabrielle's influence than me."
"But you started me out on the right path." With a thoughtful smile, Xena turned to look at him in the firelight, "But you're right. I don't know what I'd do without Gabrielle. Especially now. I can't give to Eve what Gabrielle has given to me. I don't have the temperament or patience. I'm really not very good at sensitive chats."
"You could have fooled me."
This time they both laughed softly.
"So, what do you do now, Hercules? Go back to the Cabiri and ask for another way?"
Hercules brought the shard out from his tunic and looked at it sadly, "No, my business with the Cabiri is done. The price it asks is too great. I'll just have to keep going on my own."
"Hercules," Xena turned herself a bit toward him, her eyes searching his face as well as taking in the shard - "What was the price you paid originally to get this shard from King Gingus? What did the Cabiri ask of you?"
"A future debt ..." Hercules said lowly, haunted, not revealing as much as he could. "I was desperate and foolish. I wasn't thinking clearly." he closed his eyes regretfully, "I was drunk."
"You don't drink." Xena stated the obvious and immediately saw just how much Hercules had been emotionally scarred by Iolaus affliction, Jason's murder and - yes - the death of his father. A god who never really looked at him but whom he loved, and admitted he loved, in the end.
"I guess you can say I fell off the ...." A sudden spark ignited Hercules eyes, "The future." he uttered an unclear notion. He looked down at the shard, moving it so that it's green sparkle was caught by the firelight. "Xena, I have an idea."
She stood by his side and was please for the first time in a long time to see something resembling warmth and humanity enter into his expression. He wasn't quite smiling but he was inspired and that was good enough for her. "Where are we going?" Xena asked.
"This time I have to go it alone." He returned the Chronos Stone shard inside his tunic then turned to her, placing both hands on her shoulders, "Xena, go to Iolaus house and wait for me there. I shouldn't be long. A night and day at the most."
"It will take that long just to walk to Corinth." Xena reminded, "Where are you going?"
"To the future."
Xena's eyes enlarged, "Hercules, if you go to the future you won't be able to come back. Remember what you told me? The shard of a Chronos Stone doesn't have the power of the full stone. It can take you to the past and bring you back and it can take you to the future but can't ..."
"It's all right." he squeezed her shoulders gently, "If I meet who I intend to meet in the future, I won't need the shard to get back."
"And this is going to help Iolaus?"
"Yeah, it is."
**********
He reached over and picked up his leather pants from where they had fallen beside the bed. Slowly and carefully, he slid into them then he rolled off the bed, catching the arm of his wheelchair, and glided gracefully into the seat. Silently, he rolled around the bed to its opposite side.
Once there, he leaned over and gave her sleep warm cheek a very soft kiss. Then he rolled out of the bedroom.
Neither of them had planned on it. It just happened. He had no regrets, especially when he recalled her perfect kisses, her giving nature and the way her firm, soft body reached for his in the dark. Warmth, love and desire ... and sadness.
In the living room, Iolaus concentrated hard on the long pole right above his head then - possessing an energy and dexterity some said he should not have - he made a mighty leap from where he sat and held hard. Nimbly, he went through his morning paces.
Yet, as he exercised, he could not stop thinking about the day before.
Yesterday morning his two boys and Daniella were preparing to leave. Iolaus heart was incredibly heavy as he watched his youngest stuff a fabric bag with his clothes and childhood momentos
"It's not as if we aren't going to see each other again." Imules assured, not looking at his father. "I'll come home during the Solstice holidays and you can come up and see me any time you want, just like Miss Daniella said."
Iolaus could see that his youngest was attempting to hide sentiment. As much as he wanted to be the apprentice of renown sculptor Thanis, he would really miss his Dad. The boy was trying to convince himself, as well as Iolaus, that this was not only good for him but natural. His father was warmed and saddened by this. "And you're going to be great, Imules. I know you are. You have a determination that's so much like your mother ..."
The boy sighed and took in a breath, "I wish Mom were here to see this ..."
"She'd just cry." Iolaus chuckled halfheartedly, raising a hand to touch Imules back.
Imules finally did weep. He turned, leaned down and allowed his father to give him a huge hug. "Love ya, Dad."
"Love ya back."
When they came from the bedroom Iolaus could hear Daniella thanking Asterus for accompanying she and Imules back to her father's home. It was dangerous on the road and as protected as she felt with Imules around it didn't hurt to have another man, one who was Academy bound, to cover their rear in case of a highwayman attack.
Gabrielle was also standing there. She and Daniella had spend the night in the boys room, taking their single beds while he and the boys slept in his room on the big bed he and Marta had once shared. Gabrielle would have giggled if she saw them, Iolaus thought. Two hulking kids with their rather compact father all on one bed. But, in a way, it was significant. The boys were turning into men and this would really be the last night he would spend with them as children.
"Time to go." Daniella called. She nodded her goodbye to both Iolaus and Gabrielle and walked from the house to wait for the boys outside.
"You both be careful and watch out for Daniella. Don't walk too fast and leave her behind." Iolaus reminded in a typical fatherly fashion.
"Dad, she walked with us here." Asterus reminded, "And I think she can out-run us both."
Iolaus nodded indulgently and took his oldest child in his arms for a squeeze, "Be good, son. Come back soon. I want us to make the most of these last three months together."
For a split second Asterus recalled what he had told Gabrielle in the barn the day before. He also remembered the wisdom of her words. Iolaus and Marta had been saving up for years so that he could go to the academy. As much as his Dad would hate to see his eldest leave, he was as anxious as Asterus was to see it happen. No father could be prouder.
Then Asterus moved from Iolaus to give Gabrielle a gentle hug, "Thanks for everything." he told her, "And a word to the wise --" he began, whispering in Gabrielle's ear. "If you play any competitive games with Dad he loves to win and ... it brings up his spirits like you wouldn't believe."
Gabrielle nearly laughed out loud but, instead, hugged the boy tighter. "Thanks."
Afterwards there was a whirl-wind of good-byes as they all walked to the door together. The boys, with their traveling packs, ran after Danielle and looked behind them to wave again at Iolaus and Gabrielle.
From the corner of her eye, Gabrielle saw Iolaus waving hand fall to his lap with a melancholy little thump. He continued to stare out into the wooded area where his children were walking even a few minutes after they had disappeared from view.
"Iolaus," Gabrielle spoke lowly, "I'm in the mood for a game. Do you have any ideas?"
The rest of the day had passed in an odd series of competitions between he and Gabrielle. They told each other stories, trying to one up each other, and chopped wood, Iolaus being declared the fastest chopper. They also retrieved water from a well Hercules had helped him build ages ago and raced each other to the house to do lunch dishes. Any number of little things that were designed, it later dawned on Iolaus, to get his mind off his losses.
And it was then that Iolaus began to see Gabrielle in a clear light.
At the end of the day, he watched the warrior-bard deftly ride Xanya and was again reminded how accomplished she was with a horse. One of the stories Gabrielle told him that morning had to do with the lovely animal she adopted right before Xena told them all she was pregnant with Eve. A lovely stallion that took to her right away. Argo never had, even when she and the horse were on the best of terms.
But that wasn't all he saw. Gabrielle was a woman now. No mere girl. She had doubts and fear like every human being but she was also beautiful and passionate, with a maturity he hadn't seen since they got together after his return from The Light. Gods, how long ago had that been? Even then, they had told each other stories about similar experiences and he was awed by her foresight and acceptance of all that would eventually come to she and Xena. Their future, she had said, was wide open.
Perhaps he was falling in love with her even then? Iolaus couldn't be sure but he had always felt a connection to the pretty bard. Who knew that bond would eventually flower - twenty five years later - into something deep and compelling.
Gabrielle watched him from the bedroom doorway, wondering if she should interrupt. She held the comfortable blanket from his bed snugly around her shoulders and stared at him, much like she had a couple nights before, while he worked out. He knew that she knew about this ritual but a part of her still wondered if she should leave him in peace. This really was his time. Somehow it mended and centered him, and made it possible for Iolaus to carry on through another day. It might even be spiritually significant in some way she didn't understand. Iolaus had did some studying in the east, Gabrielle recalled. Whatever the case, she decided to leave him to it.
Silently, she shut the door and returned to his bed.
What a strange and beautiful night, she considered with a drowsy smile. Her head fit pleasantly into the pillow behind it.
It really had been just a bad dream last night. There was she and Xena, fighting off harpies while Eve, without warrior gear, stood to the side. She was weak and incapacitated. This one time Roman warrior was so much like a little girl, afraid and hardly able to lift her sword. Gabrielle stared at her as Eve, having been struck by the claw of one of the ferocious harpies, lifted pleading arms to her. "Help me, Gabrielle!" she cried, "Help me find the way!" Then Gabrielle awoke, upset and nervous. Senseless, she reached to her left side, thinking she was in the great outdoors, where she and Xena usually slept. The dream had meant something. They always did.
Gabrielle then sat up in bed and remembered where she was. She was sleeping in Asterus bed and she was alone. She didn't want to be alone. Naked underneath the blanket, she wrapping it around her body carefully, Gabrielle trekked to Iolaus bedroom and quietly let herself in. "Iolaus," she whispered in the dark, "can I sleep with you tonight? I know it sounds absurd but I'm a little afraid to be by myself."
There was no sound in the dark for a moment and Gabrielle thought him either a deep sleeper or reluctant. Then she heard him say: 'Come on. Right side."
She realized his chair was probably on the left and appreciated that Iolaus didn't want her to run into it. Gabrielle felt along the mattresses edge and finally tumbled in feeling, for the briefest moment, his naked shoulder against hers. "Thanks." Gabrielle whispered.
"No problem." Iolaus whispered back, "It's funny in a way. You've never really slept alone. There was always your sister, Perdicus or Xena ..."
Perdicus. Now, there was a name she hadn't thought about for a long time. They spent less than a week together as man and wife, before Calisto had killed him, but what a wonderful young man he had been. Gabrielle missed him still but, oddly, with a detached sort of grief. Perhaps the two of them were never really meant to be even though, at the time, she was so sure Perdicus was her one true soulmate. Of course, she had thought that about Iolaus at one time too.
"Have you ever slept alone, Iolaus?" Gabrielle asked then could have kicked herself. Of course he had! His wife had been dead for three years. What a foolish question!
"In my heart, no."
Gabrielle hesitated, concentrating on the small comment. It really needed no further explanation, "That's lovely, Iolaus. You carry her in your heart."
"And Hercules."
This time Gabrielle turned over in the bed and looked in the area where she knew he lay. It was pitch black but her eyes were slowly getting used to the dark. She could vaguely make out the line of his face and hair. "I keep forgetting how many years you and Hercules were partners. Helping people, saving lives and sleeping next to each other around the same campfire. What an incredible bond you two have."
"The same bond you have with Xena, I think."
Or did have, Gabrielle thought but said nothing.
There was silence between them for awhile.
"Are you still sad, Gabrielle?" Iolaus asked, gently.
Sad, worried and afraid Gabrielle thought but said, "No, just a little lonely."
"Lonely." he whispered as if knowing something of the subject.
Gabrielle's heart melted for him at that moment and partly for Iolaus and mostly for herself she began to cry.
"Sh." Iolaus soothed and touched her in the dark, gently stroking his hand across her hair, down to cup her cheek in his hand. His thumb brushed away a teardrop.
She could not prevent what she did next. Her hands reached for him and, before she realized what she was doing, Gabrielle was pushing Iolaus back against the mattress and her lips sought his. He didn't fight her. He welcomed her embrace and his love was gentle, passionate and sweetly satisfying.
Gabrielle couldn't leave him now if she wanted to.
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