Torture was not fun. Iolaus had been tortured before. The broken hand he once received from a vengeful warlord, years ago now, still ached when the weather turned cool. He'd been stabbed, placed on a rack, flogged with chains and even slowly roasted over an intense open fire. These were situations he either endured or was rescued from by his best friend. So yes, he had experienced the profound agony that was torture. And he could take it again, live through it, and maybe even *learn* from it.

'Yeah', Iolaus thought with a bitter realization, 'I've gone crazy. No sane person would contemplate the merits of torture!'

Still, Iolaus probably would have been okay, preparing himself for what was to follow, accepting of the situation because there seemed no other alternative, until he saw the children. Young girls, not even teenagers, were gathered into a group. Starry-eyed and innocent, anticipating what their elders probably considered a great learning experience, they giggled together as the young always do. All those pure, naive faces ... and when he thought of brave Mieka, as she hung in mid-air, quite nearly tortured to death, and when he dwelled on Tiger, her brutality and the way she purred in his ear, whispering the horrors to come - actually enjoying the emotional and physical pain she dispensed - Iolaus could not tolerate what he, at another place and time, might have been able to accept. All of these young girls were going to be turned into monsters and if they didn't comply with their teachers, could not adapt and kill without conscience, what would happen to them?

Iolaus was jolted out of his thoughts when Panther, joyfully pulling at the strap around his neck, snarled her contempt. He really was nothing more than an errant pet to be punished. But no, Iolaus judged, that wasn't right either. If he were a pet he'd be treated much kinder.

"Hey, little man ..." Baboon, with her reedy and slightly unhinged giggle, always at his side, whispered disgusting possibilities into his other ear. Again, she could not keep her hands to herself, groping Iolaus, laughing at his flinch.

And the other women, the amazon-animals as he now thought of them, laughed gleefully at his impending torment.

Then he saw someone new. This Amazon wore a wolf-mask and held a long, black whip. She cracked it twice right in front of Iolaus, demonstrating what was awaiting his strong, tanned back.

That was when he fought.

He couldn't stop himself and didn't want to. Eventually he might end up right where he started, entertainment for a tribe of deviant amazon-animals. But he fought anyway. He had to for the memory of Mieka and for those children -- and for himself. He did not want to die and death is what Tiger and her companions had planned, despite their queen's command. His mind and body snapped instantly into warrior mode. Iolaus found himself striking out at his captors, pushing well toned bodies out of the way, attempting vengeance, rescue and escape.

In the fuzzy haze of his impossible mission, the hunter-warrior unexpectedly heard something that was both gratifying and frightening. A warrior's cry. It sounded oddly familiar. Then three unmasked women entered into the encampment at a run. Ephiny was there, using her hand to hand combat skills to perfection, and a pretty young dark haired Amazon followed, striking out with her staff at any who dare approach.

And *Gabrielle*.

As he fought his own battle the hunter could not believe what he was seeing. He had to be hallucinating! But no. She was there. They were all there ... and more were coming. In the opposite direction he saw a battalion of at least twenty Amazons, obviously all Melosans, storming the village.

Many of the amazon-animal tribe members he had been fighting left him to do battle elsewhere. Iolaus continued to kick and punch but his attention was not so riveted that he did not see the young dark haired Melosan Amazon, on of his rescuers, was in trouble. The wolf masked animal-amazon had gotten the jump on her, kicking the staff out of her hand and was preparing to stab the unprotected girl in her right side with a sharp, viscous looking dagger.

Agilely, Iolaus rolled on the ground and took the aggressor's feet from underneath her. He then spotted Trista's staff and, scooping it up, tossed it to the girl. Jumping to his feet he accepted her gratified, slightly awestruck, smile then looked over to where the children were. Some of the Melosan Amazons had taken charge of them and were now ushering the girls into the forest, rescuing them from what horrors they might never know.

"Iolaus!"

He'd know that voice anywhere. He pivoted and watched as Gabrielle, with a sei to the side of the warrior's head, dispatched the last of the amazon-animals who were challenging her. "Nice to see you again!" he called as she ran to greet him.

Their hug was warm and spoke of passions from the past.

Iolaus could have held her like this forever but he pushed her gently away and spoke lowly. First thing was first. "Gabrielle, there's an Amazon in that hut over there." He mimed to the place indicated, "She was from your tribe, I'm sure ..."

"Come on you three!" Ephiny shouted, heading in the direction of the forest, "We need to leave while it's good!" When the others didn't appear willing to leave, especially when the war seemed only half over, she reminded as she ran, "Gabrielle is our queen. Iolaus is part of what we came here for ... the others will take care of the rest. Come on!" she demanded.

*********

They ran for miles then rested in a hidden clearing when the sun began to sink low over the horizon.

As he sat cross-legged in front of her she dabbed gently at his temple with a scrap of dark cloth from her own tunic. The cut wasn't bleeding badly but even if it was Gabrielle doubted Iolaus' focus, the way he stared at her and tried to meet her eyes, would have changed. "You'll be fine." she whispered, not quite meeting his gaze.

"Now that I know you're okay, I'll be fine." he said. It was a statement of fact, spoken tenderly. He raised a hand to gently lift a tuff of her hair. She allowed it to grow out again and he was glad. He loved Gabrielle's long hair. Still, the way he was feeling right now, she could be sitting in front of him bald and he'd think her beautiful.

Gabrielle inwardly sighed and lowered her hand, "Iolaus, what were you thinking, coming out here alone?"

"Alone was the idea. No point in putting Hercules in danger over a personal matter. While he's on Olympus trying hard to make nice with Zeus and Hera I thought I'd travel and get some fresh air."

"I see, and you just happened to wander into Amazon territory." Ephiny lifted an eyebrow as she glanced down at Iolaus, then looked again about the perimeter.

Iolaus tried to hide his smile, "Well, not exactly but alone I had my agility and quick wits."

"That was your first mistake." Gabrielle countered with a smile of her own to show she was teasing. Yet, this was no laughing matter and they both knew it. "You could have been killed." she reminded.

"Maybe but you came to my rescue. I knew knowing people in high places would get me ahead some day." Then his expression grew abruptly serious as he looked up again at the thoughtful and downcast Ephiny, "I'm sorry about Mieka. She was a brave warrior right up until the very end. Her death was such a waste." There was a respectful silence for a count of ten then Iolaus added, "She spoke a language right before she died that I didn't understand. It was very old, Older than ancient Greek, I think "

"Do you recall what she said?" Trista asked, feeling warm and giddy despite the subject matter. Iolaus had made quite an impression on the young Amazon. She smiled at him and tilted her head, a look of teenage longing in her eyes. He was so brave and had saved her life. What's more, he didn't demand praise, expecting something in return. He wasn't like any man she had ever seen before ... not that she had been around many men.

"It could be important, Iolaus." Ephiny agreed.

The hunter concentrated for a moment then, "Ifisus delnusus carpe stiseum. Queen Gabrielle, nissiuste ... Something like that."

"It is old." Ephiny agreed. I'd have to go into Mieka's books for the exact translation. She did study the languages of ancient Amazons. Roughly, I think she was asking her queen's forgiveness for what she considered ultimate betrayal and weakness. She was also cursing our enemies."

"But why would she use that tongue?" Trista wondered.

"She was desperate and hoped Iolaus would break free and come to us." Gabrielle assumed, "Maybe she was trying to tell us something. A clue perhaps to something she thinks we should know but didn't want to tip off her captors."

Ephiny nodded, unsure. If so, what had Mieka been trying to tell them? Then, noting how Iolaus continued to stare at Gabrielle and how their Amazon queen, in turn, tried to look as if she didn't notice, Ephiny half-smiled and lifted her spear. She motioned to Trista, "Why don't you go out and catch us some supper tonight while I scout our surroundings. I think we managed to get away but you just never know."

Gabrielle smiled at Ephiny's consideration. She and Iolaus really did need to talk alone. When the two women left she turned and studied him, "Iolaus, tell me why you came here."

"You really don't know?" he asked her, disappointed. "I heard about Xena." he sensitively whispered, now averting his eyes. "And I knew you were alone and in pain. Your mother said she received a parchment from you ..."

"You went to Potedia?" Gabrielle asked, abruptly amazed.

"Thought you might have went home. Lila took me aside and said you returned to your Amazon tribe."

"So you took it upon yourself to come and get me?"

"You can say that."

Gabrielle paused, thinking about this for a moment. "My family never liked that I traveled with Xena or that we had become such close friends. I could never quite figure it out. Except, of course, she took me away from them. At least that's how they saw it. Now they want things to go back the way they were. They can't accept that I'll never be the little girl they wanted me to be. Now they're getting my friends to ..."

"I didn't do it for them, Gabrielle. I did it for me." Iolaus was direct. "And you."

Apprehensive, afraid of what he might say next, but needing to know what was on his mind Gabrielle asked, "Why?"

He hesitated but only briefly, "Did that last night in Bodega mean something only to me?"

There it was.

"You know it meant more to me than words can express, Iolaus." Her voice grew weak but was honest, "It was beautiful. But we both had good reasons not to pursue our feelings." Gabrielle's head lowered again, "But I didn't forget it. I never will."

"Neither will I," Iolaus pressed, "and when I heard you were alone all those memories came back ..." Lovely memories of soft touches, stolen kisses and a passion that burned and could only grow.

Gabrielle would never forget the sensations of that evening, how the two of them - deciding it might be nice to give Hercules and Xena some time alone to rest and relax - had played and grown serious. They had picnicked by a lake, fished and frolicked in the water, and when their dinner was eaten they talked and talked.

Iolaus listened to her, really listened because he wanted to know what she was thinking. He appreciated her opinion. Gabrielle found that incredibly sexy.

Unashamed, she was the one who initiated romance, although Iolaus was obviously thinking along those same lines. Then when his kisses turned from playful to ardent she could do nothing but respond to his touch, hungering for contact, urging him to complete what they started.

Did they go too far? Maybe, but Gabrielle did not regret it. Yet, their parting had been so painful ...

"I love you, Gabrielle." he stated bluntly, "I want us to be together. If you tell me you don't love me in return and we have no future together, I'll understand. But I have to know."

Her eyes had gone wide, her companion's words jolting the bard into the present. By the time the last few words were spoken her soul was twisting with emotion. "Iolaus," she spoke barely above a whisper, "you know you have a place in my heart. Bodega was a revelation, " Gabrielle wavered.

"I sense a "but" coming up."

"It's just, I can't be certain if you're doing this right now out of desperation, because you don't want me to get away, or if you're really ready for the commitment. If we got together, Iolaus, if we got married it would mean you would have to stop traveling with Hercules. We both know it's true. It won't work any other way."

"I've already thought about that ..." he started but paused as she continued.

"Are you honestly ready to give up your freedom, not to mention all those future adventures, for a retired Amazon bard? Are you sure you're really in love, Iolaus?"

He nearly laughed but stopped himself. "Would I have come all this way, braved all these dangers, if it wasn't love, Gabrielle?"

"Yes Iolaus, I think you would. You're reckless that way, always wanting to prove a point. You're brave and honorable and I know you think you love me but ..."

"Be honest." Iolaus growled abruptly, cutting her off before Gabrielle could continue. He had heard enough and now he wanted to speak, "It's not me. This has nothing to do with whether I'd be good husband material. It's **you**. You're confused. You don't know if **you** want to commit." Then gently, he took her hand, "Believe me, I know what you're going through. I've been there more than once."

She put her hand over his, "I do care for you. There was a time not long ago when I thought we'd be the perfect couple, Iolaus, but so much has happened over the last few years. If we were to wed it might be for all the wrong reasons. I couldn't do that to you."

"There's the difference between us." Iolaus took a deep breath. His expression was impassive, the eyes holding pain. "I know how I feel and what I want. **You** don't."

From anyone else Gabrielle might have felt offended but she couldn't find fault with Iolaus statement. She just could not be certain he was wrong. What's more, she had rejected him. Plain and simple. That had to hurt. Still, he had done a bit of assuming and not all of the blame could be thrusts upon her shoulders, "Iolaus, you came here on your own. You hunted me up without taking into consideration I might have a good reason for move on." Then her voice grew tender, "I'm flattered beyond all measure but," She sought the right words, "the Amazons need me right now and I need them. They'll help me ..."

"What, to hide you from the world?" Iolaus unintentionally snapped, not realizing just how close he had come to the truth. Then, in apology, he lifted a hand, touching her bare upper arm. "That's unfair, I know." he relented, "I'm sorry, Gabrielle. You are where you want to be. I was wrong. We're not on the same scroll. I just have to get over it." Then, focusing his vision on the woods about them, attempting to be strong but feeling an inevitable misery, "Now we have other things to do."

Gabrielle continued to stare at him. The warmth of his fingers on her arm brought back lovely memories and a feeling of uncertainty. A niggling thought came to her as he spoke. Were they really **not** on the same scroll and were the Amazons **really** what she needed?

Iolaus abruptly changed the subject to hide the hurt and disappointment he felt inside. "I have to go back to that Amazon camp." he said.

"Go back? Why?" Gabrielle asked, stricken.

"There's another man there. A prisoner like I was. I promised him an escape and to help him find his daughter."

"Tamara and the other Amazons probably already have him safely away, Iolaus."

"Maybe but I have to be certain. If we return to your Amazon village and he wasn't rescued, it may be too late for a future rescue. Those women were planning on getting rid of him soon ..." He looked into her eyes, "Gabrielle, those were not any ordinary renegade Amazons. They're not **normal**."

"They're tough, I know but ..."

"It's more than that, Gabrielle. I saw them up close. Those Amazons ... I don't think they are completely human."

It suddenly came to Gabrielle what Iolaus was saying, "You mean they're ..."

" ... partly animal. Those masks aren't really masks at all."

Something Tamara had told her when they first met, about the enemy tribe being inhuman, came back to Gabrielle. The gods were playing their strangely obscene tricks once again, Gabrielle thought with disdain. 'How typical.' She focused on Iolaus' intent expression and nodded, "Okay, if you think it's that important then go -- but I'm going with you. And we better set out now before Ephiny or Trista return. They'll try to talk us out of it."

"Gabrielle ..."

"No argument. I'm going, Iolaus." she stood and started a brisk walk in the direction from where they came.

A small part of Iolaus wanted to tell her no, under no circumstance should she walk into possible danger, as she had before. But he couldn't get it out. In all honesty, and knowing Gabrielle's abilities, he wanted her with him. It might be the last time they ever got to spend time together. They may as well be together while doing something common to their natures.

Unknown to either of the warriors, Artemis watched them from a branch way up in the heavy foliage above their heads. She smiled down, watching her hunter and the spunky Amazon, travel. "Go my friends, go with the blessing of your patron ..."

*********