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*****
The boots were a shiny black leather and attractive to the eye but they were also uncomfortable and made a lot of noise.
Iolaus hated how they squeaked when he walked, how they pinched his toes. He'd take his old, worn-out brown boots any day over these embellished things. At least they were practical. However, the new boots did manage to get him where he was going, down an incline, where Iolaus knew Cloe would be waiting.
He hoped she was all right. The girl was taking a risk and he could appreciate her fear, and the strength it took to go against
Mephistopheles. Whatever it was Cloe felt she needed to tell him must have been important enough for her to risk her position, meager though it may be.
As he walked Iolaus could hear the dripping of water, the amplified snap of whips and the screams of those who were
doomed. It chilled him to the bone.
Sin said he and Gabrielle were destined for that future. Demons, forced to labor in the lower reaches of hell. Gods, what
was it they were going to do? It preyed on his mind. Iolaus wanted to believe Sin was lying but what if she wasn't? Perhaps he would be doing a service to mankind if he gave in and allowed himself ...
"Make me yours." A hand slipped out from an alcove and grasped Iolaus bare arm.
He gasped and jumped as Cloe was suddenly before him, "What?"
"Please," she begged, both hands reaching up to touch his chest. "The only way I can be promoted, never to be sent back
down there again, and keep my youth is if you take me as your mistress. Mephistopheles said it would be my reward ... for keeping you here."
Very gently, Iolaus pushed the young woman back, "Cloe," he spoke softly, "This isn't you. I know you're afraid but this is
not the way to do it. I have friends. When this is all done I might be able to help you. I might be able to get you in heaven ..."
"Am I not attractive?" Again her hands touched Iolaus, her fingers running up his smooth chest, passed the black leather
straps. "I'll do anything you want, Iolaus. *Anything*." Cloe's expression became calculating, losing its tender naiveté with every word she spoke.
Iolaus blinked. Her lips were red and luscious and she was, indeed, beautiful.
Cloe looked passed him, over Iolaus shoulder to where the main chamber was - "I'll bring you more pleasure than that little
blond snip in there ever could." she pressed, "Hours of pleasure. Your mind will reel ..." Then she began to kiss him, her hands running through his hair.
For one brief moment Iolaus allowed it but reality crept in almost as quickly as Cloe's new, uninhibited demeanor. He heard
Gabrielle, in his head, telling him to be careful, and Iolaus took Cloe by the shoulders and pushed her back, this time not so gently, once again. "It's not going to work." he said but wasn't sure if he spoke to Cloe or Sin.
"You fool!" she suddenly spat, her innocent expression crumbling entirely, "You're not a man!" she cried, "You're nothing!"
Iolaus stared at her, speechless. He unexpectedly saw the glint of mental sickness in Cloe's eyes and he grew nervous.
Filthy words spewed from the woman's lips as she cursed Iolaus strength of character. Then, as he continued to stare, she
began to grow older and older. Ancient even. The dark hair turned white and her pink skin grew pallid, wrinkled beyond all expectation. Then, with an anguished scream, she disappeared.
Iolaus leaned against the cold wall next to him, steadying himself. A test, he thought. Sin's testing me. And Gabrielle knew ...
"Don't feel too bad for her, Iolaus." Sin's voice approached him, walking up the opposite end of the incline he'd been
traveling down, "Cloe failed to tell you something important about herself. She was a child murderer. Those step son's she mentioned? They were ages three, four and six years old -- and she killed all three with a healthy dose of poison in their milk. Seems she didn't like sharing her new husband, their father, and his wealth with anyone. She was executed for the crime."
"Was everything a lie?"
"She was telling the truth about our deal. If she could seduce you, keeping you here, I would have rewarded her. But she
didn't. So, she's back down there again," Sin mimed to the pit below, "for at least another thousand years. When they do bad all my offspring are punished."
There was silence between them for a few moments when Sin suddenly smiled and asked, "Have you thought at all about
the things I've been telling you? The advantages of being at my side, Iolaus?" she took a step forward and was impressed when he did not make a move, ""You know, I could use a good second in command." She picked up the broken stone amulet around Iolaus neck and studied it, "There's no reason why that can't be you. The prestige alone is enviable but the perks ...."
"Don't." Iolaus said, simply, taking the amulet from her hand. He turned to go back up the way he'd come.
"You know, even if you aren't considering yourself you might want to think about Gabrielle."
Iolaus paused in his walk, his back straightening.
Good. Sin smirked, finding his weak spot. With a wave of her hand a window to lower hell was opened, "This is where you
and she will be going. Nice, isn't it?"
Iolaus eyes widened as he saw the demonic creatures fighting one another, ripping at each other's flesh. The weak were
being pummeled into submission while the strong, those who knew how to fight with body and mind, dominated.
"Think of sweet little Gabrielle here, living in a deeply insane torment for the rest of her existence. All because of a moment
of madness, Iolaus. One small error in judgment. Her beauty forever turned vile. Picture her, handsome hunter, in mental and physical agony. Forever."
Iolaus teeth clenched and his eyes closed. He attempted, all in vain, to block out the very image Sin was shoving into his
brain. He could see her, as she was when kidnapped by demons at an earlier time. So cruel and heartless. Not Gabrielle at all. "You bastard ..." Iolaus whispered. His fingers balled into fists, a deeply felt fury boiling inside of him.
"All you need to do is agree to my terms and she will be saved. You can live with her in paradise if you wish. I want you as
my number one man. I respect you ...'
"You respect no one!" Iolaus felt Sin's fingertips on his hair patting his mane as she might a cherished pet. "It's the thought of
having Hercules best friend as your lap dog that thrills you."
Iolaus pulled away and returned to his trek up the incline.
Sin giggled and disappeared.
(4)
He had slipped off both of her black spike-heeled shoes and was now gently massaging her feet. "Feels good, Mistress?" he
asked, his eyes peeking up at her underneath red, curly bangs.
Gabrielle gazed down at her comely servant and smiled sadly. What did you do to get here? He was young, no more than
eighteen, bare chested and remarkably brawny for his youth. He was also eager to please and, if they had been anywhere but in hell, she might have been flattered and even amused by the lad's enthusiasm. But here, where everything was a deception, she could not find it in her heart to be genuinely pleased.
With a sigh, at least grateful for the momentary comfort the foot rub was giving her, Gabrielle leaned her head back and
closed her eyes, allowing herself to be lulled by his warm hands and comforting touch.
Drifting, the bard wondered how Iolaus was doing with Cloe. He was smitten with the girl, she knew. Yet, maybe what she
thought was an attraction and a male's perchance to be easily drawn to a pretty face (and deceived) was merely sympathy. Gabrielle sometimes hated how jaded she'd become. There was a time when she was innocent and believed in the goodness of mankind. However, the older she got and the longer and further she traveled with Xena the more Gabrielle came to realize how truly cruel the world could be.
Why was it Iolaus didn't seem as outwardly overused as she? 'Because he had never been crucified.' her mind supplied.
Still, he had barely changed since she last saw him. Well yes, he did seem secretive and not wanting to open up to her but there was probably a good reason for that. No, she had changed ... and in so many ways. It was true. She could not deny it. And it all started with .... Hope. More specifically, with the cult of Dahak. She had spilt blood and her own life had never been the same. She even murdered her own child and found good reason to do it. Maybe that really was the start of her downfall and it would eventually become worse until it was not Xena who had to worry about a 'dark side' but Gabrielle herself ....
"Penny for your thoughts." a voice spoke beside Gabrielle. Sin sat on the sofa right next to the bard, stretching out languidly
and motioning to the young man kneeling before them. "I keep this one around just for this purpose." Sin drawled, enjoying the same foot massage the bard had received. "Yummy, isn't he?" she commented, leaning forward and ruffling the boy's bright hair. "I call him Rover."
Gabrielle said nothing, attempting to ignore Sin. She looked across the chamber, at the musicians playing their instruments.
"You can have him if you want." Sin offered. Then, with a mischievous smile, she leaned forward and whispered into
Gabrielle's ear: "Or that singer there, or that musician there or that dancer there or ..."
Gabrielle breathed out in frustration and moved a bit away from Sin, "Is that all you think about?" she asked, irritably.
"Just incentives, dear. And no, it's not the only thing ..." Sin leaned back on the sofa once again, "I think a lot about you and
Iolaus and how much I admire you both. You're quite remarkable and I can offer you and he so much. See, even I like a challenge and I really want you to be my friend ...and partner. How would you like to be my second in command, Gabrielle?"
"You don't give up." Gabrielle stated plainly, insulted and unbelieving.
"Would it be so terrible, living here ... with Iolaus as your lover?" Sin was pleased to see the girl's reaction to the suggestion.
Her back had straightened much like Iolaus did when she had confronted him on the incline. Good. "I'd much rather have both of you living happily in my realm, as my favorites, then see you in lower hell, as demons."
"Enough." Gabrielle finally turned and looked directly at Sin, "You keep saying the same thing over and over. It has as little
meaning now as it did before. I know I've done wrong. Hope was my biggest regret. She murdered Solan - the son of my dearest most beloved friend - then I was forced to ..."
"You poisoned her, Gabrielle." Sin said with a proud smile, "And it was masterfully done. It's too bad Xena couldn't
appreciate your sacrifice." She then looked about the bard's body, as if searching for something. "I'm surprised you didn't retain any scars from that little horse-drag Xena put you through. I have to admit it was one of her finest moments."
With a short steadying breath, Gabrielle ignored the comment and continued: "And even though Hope came back I will
always remember her drinking the poison and me watching her, doing nothing, as she fell to the ground and ... died. But it's in the past ...'
"Yes, then you got to watch her die again. Both she and your grandson." Sin mentioned, warming to the topic, "Tell me, did
Xena shed a tear for you then?"
Gabrielle felt her heart suddenly tighten but merely sad, "She forgave me and I did the same with her. We were both
forgiven by The Light. Subject closed."
"But, you see, it will always be a part of you, Gabrielle. In my opinion, it's not up to Xena or any other power to tell you
what you have done is right or wrong. You've tortured yourself with guilt," Both of Sin's hands now rested on Gabrielle's shoulders as she leaned forward. "and it's so unnecessary." Sin was gratified when the bard didn't move away, "Iolaus is the same way. Beating himself up over something that was so grand, elevating him higher than he had ever been in his life. Iolaus past sins are a part of him as well. A magnificent part of him!"
"Iolaus would never have done the mindless, foolish things I did."
"Oh, but he did, dear Gabrielle. You two are far more connected than you may believe. You may have been raped and
gave birth to Dahak's child but Iolaus *was* Dahak. And it was of his own free will!"
Gabrielle's eye grew wide and her head snapped to look at Serena's double.
"While you and Xena were in India, Greece was in a horrible state."
"We heard but ..."
"Dahak had been reborn and it didn't take Hope's child to bring it about. It merely took a willing being, a hero's heart -- and
Dahak was reborn. Iolaus gave in to Dahak and brought him to the world." The smile faded from Sin's face, "And then Hercules showed up and ruined it all. Such beautiful carnage. Truly a sight to behold. It's too bad you and Xena missed it, really."
"I don't believe you. Iolaus would never give in to Dahak." Gabrielle could feel her heart thudding in her chest, "He would
know ... He wouldn't ..." So many questions and fears intruded in the bard's mind. Iolaus giving in to Dahak? Never!
"He died. Did you know that?"
"Yes." Gabrielle snapped, nearly squealing, "And he told me the archangel Michael brought him back after he and Hercules
rid the world of The Four Horseman."
"Did he tell you how he died?"
"He ... he said it happened in Sumeria."
"But he never went into detail, did he? You think it's because it was a painful memory but the reason he never told you
about it is because once he died he became desperate. He wanted life and Hercules was taking his time with a rescue. Then ... Dahak called to him, offering Iolaus life and power if he would just open his heart to him ... and he did!"
"It's not true!" Gabrielle cried, "Iolaus would never give in to such evil."
"Go ask him." Sin suggested, "Tell him your story and listen to his. Learn the truth."
Gabrielle felt her shoes being slipped back onto her feet. Then she stood, looking both at the young man with the now
troubled expression and a smirking Sin. She hated to give the ruler of this purgatory the satisfaction of her own uncertainty but Gabrielle suddenly felt that if she didn't confront Iolaus with what she'd just been told ... and if she didn't hear it was a lie from his own lips, she'd go insane. "You're lying." Gabrielle repeated before leaving.
Following the bard's retreating form with her eyes, Sin once again leaned back on the sofa and smiled with satisfaction. She
then looked down at Rover who stared up at her, nearly disaproving. "Did I tell you to stop?" she asked, flexing her right foot.
He immediately returned to his duty
"Good boy."
********
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