Gabrielle let her head rest against the cool, damp wood, hoping to ease some of the throbbing ache that still plagued her. Along with the nausea, of course.. which combined to make her miserable and wish she was anywhere but here.

She watched quietly as the raiders went about their business, which seemed to consist of pushing and shoving each other around, and drinking. She was in favor of that.. the more they kept themselves amused, the less attention they would pay to their prisoners.

Already she’d noted that the guard on the cages wasn’t overly stringent, mostly because the raiders though their captives were either too weak or too stupid to try and escape.

Well, I’m neither weak nor stupid. Gabrielle told herself. And these girls with me are Amazons, and that kid.. if that kid’s got an ounce of his mother’s feisty attitude, we’ll be fine.

His mother. That thought brought a wistful twinge to her heart, and not only because she was in a tight spot. There was part of her now that just missed her partner’s presence, a gentle ache deep inside her that made her close her eyes and indulge herself in a long moment of wishing.

No time for that. She straightened up, and peered around the camp again. No sign of Rurik so far again.. and she was glad. She hated his condescending attitude.. and was mad with herself for not seeing through him in the first place and guessing his dangerous nature.

Should have known when he made me lose my temper, back at the inn.. she swore at herself. Damn it, Gabrielle.. start listening to yourself, all right?

On the other hand, Xena hadn’t figured him for such a louse either, so she didn’t feel so bad. Not nearly as bad as Rurik was going to feel when, not if, they got out of here and got back home, and she let Xena in on his little camp secret.

For a minute, she felt bad about feeling good about that, then she looked around, and saw the shivering, frightened looking kids in the next cage over, and decided he’d get what was coming to him. After all, she could have easily been in their place, two and a half years ago.

What would that have been like? She wondered, letting her eyes travel over her companions, who were huddled loosely around her. What would my life be like right now if Xena hadn’t happened to wander by and decide, for who knows what reason, to interfere in Draco’s plans? Would I be the same person, only in worse circumstances, or would I be an entirely different person all together?….oh well. Moot question. Gabrielle reflected. But.. now I can do for these kids here what Xena did for me. And damned if I’m not going to try.

"Well, well. Good morning, little lass.’ Rurik’s voice grated on her. "Did you sleep well? No? Too bad." He laughed. "But I have a little surprise for you.. my men hear have been hearing me tell of you being the fierce Amazon and all.. and they want a little demonstration. So… be a sweet and get up there, all right?"

Gabrielle studied him for a long moment, not moving. "What kind of demonstration?"

He laughed again. "Oh no, my lass, you’ll not be getting your hands on a blade. Just with your little stick then." He opened the cage, and reached down, grabbing her by the hair and pulling. "Come on now."

Gabrielle grimaced, and started to rise, then was startled by a small form dashing past her and throwing itself against Rurik’s chest, knocking the man off balance and causing him to lose his grip on her.

"Leave her be, you centaur dropping." Solon yelled, before Rurik’s fist caught him on the side of the head and sent him flying into Cait’s arms. The girl had also stood, and was moving towards the trader.

"Bastard." Rurik spat, then glanced at Gabrielle’s face. "You think that was funny?"

She did, but not for the reason he thought. "You sure are tough beating up little kids." The bard observed. "Cait, you keep an eye on things here, OK?" She moved past Rurik and waited for him to lock the cage door again. "I should tell you some stories I know about what happens to bullies."

The trader circled around her, and put out a hand to lift her chin up. "Oh.. really? Why don’t we go to my hut, and you can tell them to me in private then, eh lassie?"

Gabrielle felt her heart skip. Humor… maybe that would.. distract him. "I'd love to Rurik, but you’re really not my type." Oh boy.. was that ever the truth.

That got a round of muffled giggles from the girls.

"Oh?" Rurik, spared the girls a confused look, then focused on her again. "And what type would that be?" He lifted her hand. "I see you doffed your pretty ring there… was your betrothed not your type.. either?"

"Gosh.." Cait whispered to Sharra. "She’s ever brave.. and whatever did she do with that ring?"

"Shh." The other girl hushed her. "She fastened it round that dog’s neck before she sent him away."

"It’s a wolf." Cait corrected her. "And I bet I know where she sent him."

Gabrielle let him wait for a bit before she answered. "No.. just your luck, Rurik.. I took it off before we went out into the woods. " She paused, and took a breath. "What about this.. demonstration you wanted?" I feel like death warmed over.. but no point in telling him that.. maybe I can get out of this without getting too banged up.

"Anxious, are you." The man laughed, his good humor restored. "All right, come on." He grabbed the back of her tunic, and shoved her towards the firepit, where a group of laughing men were standing. Gabrielle studied them as she got closer, and sighed inwardly. So much for getting let off easy.

Rurik tossed her staff to her, which she caught automatically, and motioned one of the larger of the men out. "Come on then, here she is."

The man studied her, then laughed, and picked up a long stave lying near the firepit. "So.. ye’re an Amazon, huh? Bitty thing… "

Gabrielle rocked her head back and forth, trying to ease the stiffness in her neck, and pushed the discomfort of the her still throbbing head out of her mind. Remember what Xena does.. .right? She can fight with.. oh.. probably half the bones in her body broken. And a hangnail. The thought of her partner’s familiar, determined expression made her feel better, and she worked her staff through a few warm up passes to loosen herself up. "Size isn’t everything." She replied to the raider.

The man didn’t answer, but instead rushed her, swinging his staff with a tolerable level of skill. She caught his weapon with her own, and deflected the force of the blow upward and outward, throwing him off balance, and allowing her the opportunity to reverse her motion, and catch him smartly in the ribs with the other end of her staff. Heh heh. Her mind quietly applauded. Jerk.

That got him mad, though, and he charged back at her, slamming against her defenses with his superior weight and size. But Gabrielle was used to that, and she let her legs absorb the force of his thrust, then she crouched slightly, and pushed back, glad of all those hours of sparring against Xena, who was about this guy’s size. She then went on the offensive, darting swift blows at his head and neck, which he barely deflected, then dropping suddenly to one knee and sweeping her staff in a backhanded motion that caught him in the legs and dropped him on his backside with a thump.

When he came back up, there was the glitter of a blade in one hand, and she barely had time to register that fact before her newly honed instincts took over and the next thing she knew, he was lying on his side holding his head, and the knife was halfway across the camp, having been caught by one side of her staff, while the other swung around and caught him on the side of the head.

Her eyes traveled over the circle of men. No one was laughing now.

I think I overdid it. Her mind reflected. Xena says.. never let people know just how good you are.. keep something back for a surprise when you need it. That’s kind of a scary thought, when it comes to her, you know? She backed off, and let one end of her staff drop, leaning against it and waiting.

"Damned if you aren’t an Amazon." One of the older men snorted. "All right, Rurik.. here’s your three dinars." The men gathered around Rurik, and grudgingly paid up, making the trader smirk.

He sauntered over to where Gabrielle was still standing quietly. "Ah.. now that was lovely, little lass." He wrapped a lock of her hair around one finger. "Now.. I don’t know.. it’s a pity you won’t be with us long… you could make me a pretty fortune, you could. So nice and sweet looking." He chuckled. "And underneath what a tiger."

Green eyes pinned him. "Rurik you’re not going to get away with this. You should let us all go now, before it’s too late."

He moved towards her, pushing her back against the tree they were standing under. "Threats? No no… little lass.. you don’t seem to understand here… who’s going to stop me, your warrior friend?" He chuckled. "That one’s all stories, and nothing else… we both know that.. right?" He traced her chin lightly. "Else she wouldn’t be out to pasture in that backwater."

Gabrielle’s eyebrows both rose in surprise, a reaction she didn’t bother to hide. "You’re nuts." The bard said bluntly. "She lives there because it’s where she was born. And those stories are real."

Rurik laughed. "If it makes you feel better to think so, little one, mores the better. If you think a grand rescue is coming, then you’ll behave, right? Because you know, if I think for a minute you’re going to deprive me of my fortune, I’ll take a spear and make shish kebab of your little friends over there."

Gabrielle sighed. O.K. can say I tried. She put a hand on Rurik’s shoulder. "Look, I’m only telling you this for your own good, all right? Xena is going to find us. And when she does, she’s not going to be really happy. Rurik, you don’t want to see her when she’s not happy, all right? Do you have any idea of who she really is?"

The man shrugged. "Nah, lass.. I’m not from here, as you know. Your local legends don’t impress me. I saw your cousin riding off to the north two days gone - and you’ll be out of here before she’ll get back.. it’s as simple as that. She’ll never find you, never know where you went…. Maybe she can console your betrothed for you." He seemed to find this amusing.

You know what? Gabrielle mused. I gotta start thinking that guys are just clueless. First Ares, then Iolaus, now him. Even Callisto got it on the first try. "Rurik, I don’t have a betrothed. That ring is Xena’s." She sighed. "And it doesn’t matter where you send us. She’ll follow."

Rurik stared at her in silence. Then he burst out laughing. "Oh.. that’s good. You’ll say anything to put me off then, won’t you?" He tugged her hair. "So.. what’s she got that I don’t? Hmm???"

Manners, class, looks, my heart and soul… "That’s not your business." The bard responded. "But if you ignore that warning, you’re dumber than I think you are."

He swung, she moved. His hand hit the tree with stunning force, knocking a large chunk of bark free, and showering Gabrielle’s body with fibrous shreds. Her hands moved in an automatic defensive motion and slammed her staff against his chest, knocking him backwards.

"Bitch." He snarled, and threw himself at her. Which proved her point, as she dodged out of his way, and ducked past him, letting him slam head on full into the tree. He slumped to the ground without a sound, and after a moment of stunned silence, the men loosely gathered near started to laugh. Wisps of the campfire’s sloppy smoke passed among them, bringing the scent of old cooking, and the smell of the hot stones that ringed it.

Three of them took hold of Rurik’s body and carried it to a nearby hut, two others drew swords, and glanced at her warily. "Put the stick down now, OK?" He poked at her with the weapon, and if the whole situation hadn’t been so grave, the bard would have collapsed in a fit of the giggles. Experimentally, she gave him a look. He backed off. "Put it down now, or the kids get it." He warned her, moving towards the cage.

"All right." Gabrielle agreed soberly, laying the staff down on the ground, and walking quietly over the cage, waiting for him to let her back in. Nervously, he did so, standing well back from her as she entered the enclosure, then slamming the door behind her.

Solon ran over and hugged her, and the girls gathered round, with grinning faces. "That was just super." Cait enthused, patting her arm.

Gabrielle ran her fingers through her pale hair, and sighed, walking over to the bars and sliding down them. Now that the excitement was over, she felt sick, the throbbing in her head had gotten worse, and her stomach was twisted in knots. She felt a hand on her arm, and looked up into several pairs of concerned eyes.

"Are you all right?" Sharra asked softly.

What would Xena do? Ok.. one I’m too tough for my Amazon War staff attitude coming up. "Yeah, I’m fine." The bard mustered a smile for them. "My head just still hurts." She glanced around the cage. "OK.. so.. I think it’s time for some stories, right?" She took a deep breath, and tried to settle her thoughts. "Right… have I told you the one where Xena defeats Poseidon.. twice?"

Xena turned her back on the bars, and walked around the perimeter of the cell, watching the silent inhabitants huddle away from her. She stopped, as one tried to move out of her way but couldn't, and knelt down.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked, with polite bluntness.

For an answer, the figure held out one arm, which they were holding with the other. Xena lifted the sleeve over it with gentle fingers, and looked beneath. Her eyes closed briefly. Fractured, just above the elbow. "How did this happen?" She asked quietly, taking hold of the arm, and reaching to the figure's neck. "Hold still…" Two swift jabs, and the arm was numbed, and she could straightened it.

"Iolaus, get me two pieces of wood off that plank over there." She waited for Iolaus to bring the wood over, then set the pieces gently against the arm. "I'm going to bind this up… then release the pressure points. It'll hurt.. but you'll be able to move it, OK?" She did so. "What happened?" She asked again, when she finished tying up the arm.

"Adjuster… decided I was slacking off." The muffled voice responded, and Xena realized it was a woman.

"He did this to you?" Xena's voice went dangerous. "For no reason?"

"Aye." Came the simple answer.

This can’t be. Her mind refused to believe Hercules was capable of this thing.. Hades, even in her worst days as a warlord.. this.. would have been beyond her. To have killed someone.. yes. She was capable of that. To injure one who had done her harm.. yes. But to maliciously maim a harmless innocent? No. And if I couldn’t have, me the Destroyer of Nations… her mental eyes rolled, as they always did on thinking of that particular little title, then this gentle giant, this man who had taken a chance and given her one.. surely couldn’t have done this. She turned and found Iolaus’ bleak eyes. "Are you sure…"

The blond man’s eyes closed, and Xena could see the pain on his face. She sighed, and stood. "All right.. anyone else need tending? Come on.. I haven’t got any supplies, but I’ll do what I can."

A supreme irony, she later thought, after working for several candlemarks setting fractures, and easing what pains she could. Their faces when Iolaus had looked over from where he was settling a man with a broken leg and called her name. Silence had fell, and all eyes had focused on her in startled surprise. "The Warrior Princess??" Had come one, quiet, shocked voice from a dark corner.

"Some call me that." Xena had answered, not looking up from the dislocated finger she was putting back into place.

"But her friends just call her Xena." Iolaus had chirped up from his corner, earning himself a wry look from glinting blue eyes. He grinned at her unrepentantly, no longer quite so intimidated.

"To think I would have lived to see this." The old woman she was working on said softly. "To have my body crippled by a man I always heard was a hero, and be healed by one the stories name… " She hesitated.

Xena patted her hand. "A ruthless warlord and killer." She sighed. "It’s all right. The stories are true. " She paused. "Both sets." She stood and dusted her hands off, and went to the edge of the cage, staring out across the hallway, lost in thought a moment. Finally she turned and faced them, putting her hands on her hips and nodding a little. "He won’t hurt you anymore. " A long pause, while she studied them, and they here. "One way or another."

Iolaus captured the picture before him, of this dark, damp and stinking dungeon, with it’s oily sputtering torches outlining Xena’s tall, muscular from in red highlights and inky shadows, the menace she exuded with effortless nonchalance in incredible balance against the fact that she was taking the part of the light in this.

Xena sighed, and sat down with her back against the bars, trying to ignore the stench and the draft of the place. She probed gently at the anxiety coming from Gabrielle, mildly relieved that it had gotten no worse. Worried, yes. Scared.. the bard was that, too. Hang in there.. she closed her eyes and thought hard in her partner’s direction.

Footsteps coming down the long hall, heavy boots that rang against the stone flooring with unhurried power. Xena turned slowly, and leaned up against the bars with one shoulder, crossing her legs at the ankles and focusing her eyes on the door. She felt her breathing quicken, and her battle nerves shiver into wakefulness, making her nape hairs prickle, and sending a rolling tension through her body.

The door opened with a negligent shove, and a tall, broad shouldered muscular man swaggered in, his body draped in black leather and furs, his hair unkempt, and a three days growth of beard gracing his face. He glanced into the dungeons holding cell with uninterested eyes, then stopped, and gazed at the leather clad woman looking guardedly at him.

For a moment, his brow creased, as though in thought, then his expression cleared, and he felt his chin, and let a smirk shape his mouth. "Where the Hades did they dig up something like you?"

"Nothing." Lida slumped down into the chair next to where Ephiny was huddled. "Not a damn sign, nothing." She looked up at the Queen, who was looking more miserable every minute. "Look.. Ephiny.. why don’t you go lie down?"

"No." She sighed hoarsely. "I’d just be there staring at the ceiling.. at least here I have something else to think about." She looked up as the rest of the Amazons, and a few villagers straggled in, moving over to warm themselves by the fire.

It was mid morning, and they’d had parties out all night searching with no results. Not a twig, not a branch out of place. Ephiny wracked her mind uselessly. What did Gabrielle think she was doing? She was a careful traveler, sure.. but to make her trail invisible from other Amazons? No.. she didn’t have that kind of skill, no matter how long she’d been traveling with Xena, who could, and sometimes had covered her tracks successfully from them.

That brought a bleak smile.. remembering half the nation chasing around the forest searching for the elusive warrior, who’d been asked by the one of the teaching instructors to provide a challenge for a group of students.

Now, as the sun passed mid day, and yet another group of exhausted looking searchers entered, Ephiny rolled her head to one side, and regarded Lida and Granella, who had just arrived. "We gotta find them." She looked up as Cyrene padded over, collapsing in a seat and handing her a cup of broth. "Cyrene.. you should get some rest. You look terrible."

"Look who’s talking." The older woman shot back, giving her a familiar raised eyebrowed look. "How can I rest when those children are out there?"

"Gabrielle can take care of herself, you know." Granella spoke up quietly. "I’m sure they’re fine." She settled her elbows on her knees, and rested her head in her hands. "I just can’t figure out why we haven’t found a sign of them anywhere."

The door opened, and Toris stumbled in. "I just saw Ares." He scrubbed his face with one hand, and they could hear the rasp of his hand against the dark stubble of his burgeoning beard.

Ephiny felt her heart clench. "What? What was HE doing here?" Her mind started spinning, adding interference from Olympus into her calculations.

"No no no no no.. " Toris waved a hand. "Our Ares.. the wolf." He pointed north. "He took off that way."

Everyone looked at him. "The way Xena went?" Cyrene asked, her face going very still. "He went with Gabrielle when she left with the girls. I saw him go."

"Gods." That was Lida’s quiet voice. "She sent him, I’ll bet anything."

"For help?" Ephiny wondered. That would be like Gabrielle.. if she was in trouble, the first person she’d think of was Xena. "Now.. we’ve gotta find her. It’s going to take days for Xena to get back here, even if Ares can catch up with her." She took a breath, and that brought on a coughing spell. Hands gripped her, and rubbed her back gently and she gave Granella and Lida grateful looks. "Thanks." She took a sip of her broth, and welcomed the heat down her sore throat. "If I ever think about going out again in this weather, I want to be tied down and gagged." She looked at them severely. "Understand?"

Granella smiled, and rubbed her arm lightly. "We got you."

Ephiny sighed. "All right.. everyone should get a little rest, then we’ll start expanding our search area. " She took another sip, then gazed at Cyrene. "This is great.. thanks."

The dark haired woman smiled wearily. "We’d better make our rest fast - the weather’s going to Tartarus again."

Xena searched every inch of the man’s face before answering. Her heart sunk as she let the evidence of her eyes and ears convince her of the fact that this person, however unlikely, was indeed Hercules. "Right place, right time." She finally answered, in a quiet voice.

"Oh. Great. Yet another smartass." Hercules rolled his eyes. "So what’d you do?"

"Punched a guard." Came the laconic answer.

"Why?" Hercules asked, crossing his huge arms over his chest.

"He looked at me funny." Xena answered, letting a challenging little smile cross her face. I can't believe this is the same person.. what could have happened? A head injury? The poison?

Hercules’ pale eyes slitted. "Oh.. I’m gonna enjoy ripping you apart, you smart mouthed little brat." He unlocked the cell door. "Get over here."

Xena pushed off from her spot on the bars, and sauntered over, giving Iolaus a glance as she passed him and a wry little smile. "Wish me luck" She muttered, and saw him grimace.

"You back again, you little stinking squirt?" Hercules noticed Iolaus pressed against the wall. "All right.. you next then.."

He waited for Xena’s body to clear the door, then he slammed it behind her, taking a moment to walk all the way around her, then he hooked one finger in the collar she still had fastened around her neck and pulled her behind him to his lair.

She let the anger start to build, reaching down deep into that part of her that belonged to Ares, and stirring it. "You look like Tartarus, Hercules." She commented, as he let the collar go and spun around.

"I don’t know you." He said, with a snort. "Don’t pretend I do. Everyone seems to do that." He put a hand on her chest, and shoved her backwards, then went still when she didn’t move under his hand. Slowly, she backed up a step, and leaned against his favorite torture rack.

"You’re wrong." The warrior said softly. "You do know me. And I know you… I don’t know why, or how you’ve forgotten.. but it’s true." Easy..easy now…maybe I can try a little talking… never hurts to try, right?

"Oh yeah?" He uncoiled a whip from his table, and turned suddenly, cracking it at her with frightening speed.

She caught the edge of it, and jerked hard, surprising him, and pulling the leather whip out of his hands. Guess not. "Hercules, don’t do this." Xena could feel the wolf starting to uncoil within her, and she pushed it down temporarily. "I don't want to fight with you."

Suddenly, her eyes caught on an odd necklace the tall man was wearing. It was.. she concentrated A ruby stone in a golden setting, but she could have sworn there was more light coming from the stone than reflection could account for. What in Tartarus is that?

"You don't have a choice." He swung at her, and she ducked, sliding around him and moving to a cleared space in the center of the floor. "Bitch.. " He growled, and swung again, reaching for a grip on her, and slamming her hard against one shoulder.

She went with the blow, and rolled, coming up onto her feet near the fur covered platform she supposed he used for a bed. It stank. "We all have a choice… why are you doing this?"

He slammed a fist against her head, and tried to grab her arm, but she evaded him again, and danced out of his grasp. Well, he’s stronger than I am.. but I'm faster than he is.. he knows how to fight.. but he's not what I am. "Hercules, can we just stop a minute?" .

"Not when I'm having this much fun." He laughed. "They haven't sent me anyone that's even remotely been a challenge for weeks."

A punch thrown at her. She blocked it, then slid under his arm and gave him a jolt in the ribs with her elbow. "Hercules.. you really don’t want to do this." He looked startled at the blow, and gave her a crack against her side, which she took, then returned with a roundhouse kick that sent him crashing against the torture rack. "Still having fun? Wanna keep going?

"Oh, yes I do." He ground out, picking up a spiked club, and swinging, catching her in the upper arm as she rolled out of the way. He swung the club again, smashing it down on her back, and that.. snapped something.

Xena felt it go. All right. Playtime's over.. Gabrielle, I tried talking. You'd have been proud of me. She went with the force of the blow, and took a dive for the floor, falling into a forward somersault and coming back up onto her feet. When she turned and looked at him, he should have seen the difference, in the now icy glitter of her eyes, and the sudden, dark, feral smile.

"I’m gonna squash you like a bug, you miserable piece of… " Hercules leaped toward her, swinging his club at her head.

A low laugh answered him, and this time Xena didn’t duck out of the way. She waited until his hands were on her, then grabbed his leather harness, and dropped onto her back, getting her feet up into his ribcage, and shoving hard, sending him flying over her head against the torture rack. "I don't squash easy." She warned, flipping easily up to her feet. Her side hurt from where he'd hit her, but she ignored it.

He was up, and that club was whistling towards her. She ducked it, then stepped in and slammed into his chest with both elbows, knocking him over backwards. Leverage. Her mind chuckled. Bigger they are… well, you know the rest.

The scrape of steel against leather, and then the whole scene changed, as he faced her with bared steel. "Oh.. you made me mad, lady.. let me put you right in your place.. maybe if I cut your tongue out, you’ll be nice and quiet, like a woman should be."

"What’s the matter, can’t take strong women??" Xena taunted, bouncing out of his reach with a low flip, then ducking around him and kicking him hard in the pants, sending him stumbling forward.

"You think you're tough?" He rasped, now really mad, as he turned, and glared at her. "I'm gonna break every bone in your body."

Xena stopped, and looked at him. "Guess we’ll find out, huh?" Whatever this is certainly brought out the worst in him… "As hard as you're breathing, I hope you don't pass out first."

He laughed. "You’re gonna find out something, all right." He swept his sword up, and came at her.

"Amateur." Xena spat, then moved, and this time it was with all the power and all the anger she’d been holding back. She stepped in, and blocked his sword arm with her own, deflecting the weapon away from her. "Lemme show you how we do this." She wrenched the sword out of his hands, and twirled it in one of her own, letting out a low laugh.

Then saw an opening, and hurled herself forward, whipping her fist around with all the strength she had, feeling the sharp jolt as she made contact with his jaw.

Expecting… to maybe slow him down a bit. Not expecting him to drop in his tracks like a felled sheep, his head making a sodden thunk as it impacted the floor. She stood in shock for a long minute, feeling a guilty grin shaping her face. Just like THAT??? She flexed her hand, and examined it. No way. Whatever is wrong with him must be affecting his strength. Right.

She knelt, and peered at the necklace, now seeing clearly the inner glow in the gem. That's the strangest thing I've seen in a long time…One hand reached out and touched it.

Darkness. A roiling rage that surged up in her so strongly, it washed everything else out of her conscious mind. With a gasp, she jerked her hand back, sitting down hard on the ground and grabbing her head in her hands. Gods.. what is that?

"Xena!!" Iolaus’ voice sounded from far away, and she took several deep breaths before she looked up. He was standing, with the rest of the cell’s occupants, at the bars, staring anxiously at her.

She raised a shaking hand. "Think I found the problem." Slowly, she stood up, and moved over to the cell door, unlocking it and swinging it open. "Hurry." She pointed towards the hallway door. "Out.. all of you."

They hobbled past her, most turning their heads to make eye contact with her.. a few braver ones actually reaching out to touch her arm or her hand as they went by. When the last one left, she turned and caught Iolaus’ eye. "You too."

He jerked, surprised. "What? No way.. Xena, I’m not leaving.. I belong here." He had no idea why this statement drew a sweet, wistful smile from the warrior but he hurried on. "What did you find out.. and by the way, that’s quite a punch you’ve got there."

"Iolaus.." Xena walked him over, and knelt down again by the fallen Hercules. "This necklace.. it’s evil. I can feel it reaching.. out. When I touch it." She looked up at him. "I’m going to try and take it off.. but when I… " She faltered, then went on. "Look… I don’t know what it’s going to do to me.. if I’m going to be.. " She hesitated. "I don’t want to have to worry about hurting you.. if it goes bad, all right?"

"But.." Iolaus started to object.

"It did this to him, and he’s a good person, Iolaus.. " Xena’s voice took on a harsh tone. "You know.. there’s a very dark part of me.. now.. hurry. Go out that door, and lock it."

The blond man knelt down next to her. "I can’t let you do that." He said quietly. "Let me take it off."

"You can’t afford me not to." The warrior replied. "Out, Iolaus.. hurry.. he’ll be coming around any second. " She gave him a look and pointed. "It’s not going to fit over his head, Iolaus… I’ll have to break that chain. Do you think you can do that?"

"Xena…" Stubbornly.

"Out, or I pick you up and throw you out." Xena snapped.

With a curse, he stood and stormed through the door, slamming it closed after him.

Xena sat quietly for a second, regarding the necklace. Then she closed her eyes and looked inside. Gabrielle.. I hope you don’t feel this.. I know you’re out there, and something’s wrong.. and I’m coming, love - as fast as I ever can.. but I have to do this thing first.. and I don’t know what it’s going to do to me. Unconsciously, she reached up and closed her hand around Gabrielle's pendant.

Then she took a deep breath, and opened her eyes, and reached out a steady hand and grabbed the necklace.

Feeling a dark need reach out for her, searching for and finding a familiarity in that part of her that lived for fighting and killing. She felt herself responding, and fought it frantically. I am not that person. She tightened her grip on the necklace and pulled, feeling the links under her hands begin to give.

The only one who ever believed that was Gabrielle. Who saw.. something in you that you.. don’t think is really there.. it's just that she wants it to be there so much that somehow you just.. end up being.. what she sees. An image formed in her mind.

She turned her back, and walked out of that dark place, and closed the door behind her, and chose to believe, not in herself, but in Gabrielle’s belief in her.

She steeled herself, and wrapped the chain around her hand, and pulled. A sudden surge, and the chain broke in her hand, and she was flinging the necklace across the chamber, hearing it shatter against the far wall.

A dark flash.. and a smell of rotting meat followed, as she let herself collapse on the floor next to the feebly stirring Hercules. The cold stone felt wonderful against her pounding head, and she pressed her body against the surface, as her heart slowly returned to its normal rhythm.

Tentatively, she gently felt for that part of her mind she’d come to associate with the connection between her and Gabrielle, and almost felt tears start when she sensed the warmth still there. Saved me again, didn’t you? She just let herself experience that for a long moment, clung to it as thought she was drowning and that a bit of floating wood. That was too close…way too close… if it hadn’t been for Gabrielle… I don’t want to think about what would have happened. What would I do without her? Gods.. I hope I never have to find out.

Slowly, she sat up, pushing her body off the stones with still shaking arms. Hercules was still out cold, more from hitting his head when falling than from her blow, she decided, so she sat there quietly for a minute, trying to figure out what to do. She spent a long aching moment just wishing Gabrielle was there… needing the bard's gentle touch to chase away the horror still clinging around the fringes of her thoughts. It was silly, she knew, but right now, what she craved more than anything else was to feel the bard's arms around her, and hear her gentle voice.

Hesitantly, she reached inside her small belt pouch, and felt the smoothness of one of the remaining packets she'd dug out, and removed it, feeling the parchment warm under her fingers. Almost hypnotically, she unwrapped it, and felt a tiny smile forming at the speckled blue stone it contained. She knew where that one came from.. their favorite swimming spot. She tucked the stone inside her hand, and studied the small bit of paper. .

The words went suddenly blurry, and Xena had to blink a few times to clear her vision. She drew in breath, then turned the sheet over, and smiled.

Xena folded up the parchment gently, and closed it in her hand, then propped her elbows on her knees, and rested her head against her closed fists for a moment, feeling her balance returning. What can you give me, Gabrielle? Gods… she shook her head.

She raised her head, as she heard the faint snick of the door lock working, and gazed at the portal as it inched open, revealing a pair of pale, worried eyes. "It’s all right." She called. "Come on in."

Iolaus pushed the door open cautiously and entered, walking on hesitant feet towards her. "Are you…" His eyes searched hers anxiously. "All right?"

Xena took a deep breath, and nodded. "Yeah." She jerked her chin towards the wall. "I got..rid of that thing." She looked down at Hercules’ neck, which had a red, angry ring around it where the necklace had lain, almost a burn. She touched it with one fingertip, and winced. "We gotta get him out of here." Her eyes roamed around the room. "I don’t suppose there’s a back way out..I really don’t want to have to fight my way out of here through all those goons."

Iolaus gave her a tentative smile. "Now that you mention it… I just happened to find a tunnel leading down when I was loitering out there in the hallway." He touched Hercules’ face, where a large bruise was forming. "Hey.. don’t ever let me get you mad, all right?"

Xena gazed quietly at him, still feeling the effects of her fight with the dark. "Thought I told you to get out of here." She smiled. "You and Gabrielle must be related."

The blond man grinned. "I’ll take that as a compliment." Then his expression sobered. "Do you think.. he’ll be… um.. all right?"

The warrior shrugged. "I don’t know.. I’ve never seen anything like that before… " Abruptly, she stopped speaking, and glanced swiftly around. "All right… get out here." Her voice was rough and impatient.

A flash of blue light, and a quiet laugh followed. "Well..well.. well… if it’s not one of my favorite people.. helping two of my unfavorite ones." Ares kneeled down, and regarded his half brother with a grin. Then he reached up and patted Xena’s cheek. "That’s my girl."

Xena gave him a look, put one booted foot against his knee and pushed. Ares lost his balance, and fell back on his rear with a grunt. "Temper temper…" But it didn’t diminish his good mood, and he just settled himself cross-legged next to her. "Listen… you just did me two big, big favors, so I’m going to return one."

"Ares, I really don’t…" Xena started, then sighed. "Was that necklace one of your little tricks?"

The God of War shook his dark head. "Nope.. that’s one of the big favors. That showed up around here not long ago.. it’s… something outside our experience."

"That’s a first." Iolaus muttered.

"Quiet, shorty." Ares shot back. "Just be glad you’re with her, OK?" He turned his pale gaze back to Xena. "Anyway, it’s strong enough to affect us.. as you’ve seen." He nodded at Hercules’ form. "Not that he’s anything but a demi.. but you don’t want to be taking chances, you know?"

"Right." Xena replied sarcastically. "What’s the point, Ares?"

"Ooo..you’re in a mood." Ares patted her knee. "So thanks.. for getting rid of it for us." He chuckled. "Not that it hasn’t been fun watching old Mr. Light and Sunshine here break arms, but I suppose I’ll live." He paused. "You did all right with it… but then you’ve got a strong will, don’t you." He chuckled, and patted her cheek again. "Much stronger than his."

"You’re sick." Xena snorted, shaking her head. "Look.. I’d love to sit around in this stinking dungeon chatting with you, but we gotta get out of here." She pushed herself to her feet, and dusted herself off.

Ares looked up at her, then quirked an eyebrow. Xena sighed, and offered him a hand up, which he took cheerfully and stood. "Thanks." He glanced around. "Yeah, it is a pit, isn’t it? I thought he’d have more class.. oh well." He sighed. "As shorty there says, there’s a door outside, leads down to a cavern that opens up onto the forest. I.. " He grinned. "Took the liberty of transporting your lovely horses and gear there." He buffed his nails. "And I cleared the guards out of this part of the stronghold.

That got a grudging smile from Xena. "Thanks." Then she peered at him. "You said I did you two favors?"

The God of War chuckled deep in his throat, and leaned close to her, his beard brushing her ear. "I just won big off Old Musclebrain’s daddy on that little fight of yours…good work." He bit her earlobe and made her jump. "Not that I had any doubts." He gave her a pat on the side, and winked.

She slapped his chest. "Ares, that wasn’t for your benefit." Then she stopped and gazed at him. "You didn’t want me to let that thing win, did you?" Her eyes narrowed. "Would what I would have become been too much for you?"

Ares backed off, and tugged his beard, letting his eyes run over her several times. "You look good, Xena. I think retirement’s agreeing with you." Then he laughed, and was gone.

Xena shook her head, and sighed. "I hate it when he does that." She studied the prone form with a grimace. "Well, let’s get going." Between them, they hoisted Hercules to his feet, and slung one huge arm over each of their shoulders, and maneuvered out the door.

Continued in Part 6