Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Violence –Yep - there is violence here. If you don't want hear graphic descriptions of bones crunching, and steel cutting into various body parts, don't go no further. Nobody out there watches Xena just so they can collect Gabrielle's Handy Housekeeping Hints. Be warned.

Subtext - Subtext. Oh, heck yes, there is subtext, maintext, supertext, call it what you like. This story is about two women who are in love with each other and we're not pretending any of this best friend/sister/mother/daughter stuff. Nothing is graphic, we stick to PG13, but if it gets your shorts in a wad to think about two female persons sleeping together, please try some other stories. There are lots of really good ones - check Xeno's listings under general fanfic.

And while we're on the subject, if you do read past the above warning, and are offended by the love described in the story, email me your snail mail address, so I can send you some nice rum balls. (it's the season for it.) Cause I feel bad for you.

 Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

The Longest Night - Part 2

By Melissa Good

"This is nice." Iolaus remarked, approvingly, as he looked around the room Ephiny had led them to. The Amazon regent was leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest and a half smile on her face.

The room was a large one, a corner, and had two large glazed windows that let in the weakly filtered afternoon light, which seeped across the large bed, bringing out the rich harvest colors in the blankets, and turning the spotless wooden floors a creamy gold.

"Very nice." Hercules agreed, walking in and putting his pack down, running a finger along the top of the large wooden tub in the corner. "I like the looks of this." He turned and gave Ephiny a wry look. "Been two weeks of cold streams."

Ephiny gave him back a look of amused sympathy. "Been there, done that." She responded with a chuckle. "We have a nice big bathing room back at the village, that backs up right onto the smithy's hearth.. and boy, when you get back from a week's hunting… " She rolled her eyes and sighed. She saw the vision of a bunch of Amazons bathing go through their minds, and rolled her eyes for a different reason. Men. Then she stopped and reflected. Oh.. right, Ephiny.. and just HOW many people asked you to bribe Gabrielle into having her and Xena bathe at the village the last time? Hmm??? Don't be getting up on your high centaur, wench.

There were several large buckets nearby, the fireplace had a small shelf for heating the water, and the whole room had a pleasant scent of pine and linen.

Ephiny pushed off from the doorframe and gave them a little wave. "Why don’t you get settled.. then join us for lunch downstairs?" She offered, her eyes gently studying the both of them. Xena was right.. they could both use a break.. especially the big guy. Damn, I wanna know what happened out there that could drain a demigod like that. "Sound good?"

"Sounds great." Iolaus grinned. "Herc, you’ll love the food here." He dropped his pack to the floor, and strolled over to the wash basin, rinsing his hands and scrubbing his face in the cold water.

"Thanks." Hercules watched him in amusement for a moment, then nodded at Ephiny. "We’ll be right down.. "

The Amazon gave them another small wave, and headed down the stairs, keeping a firm hold on the rough wooden banister.

Hercules watched her go for a minute, then quietly shut the door, and let out a long breath, approaching the bed and putting a finger on it, pushing down experimentally. "Oh.. I think I’m gonna like this even better." He muttered, sitting down gingerly, then letting himself fall back against the pillow with a sigh. "I could sleep for a week." He commented to Iolaus, letting his eyes close.

Iolaus studied him covertly from the wash basin, using a piece of clean linen to dry his face off. "Why don’t you just relax then, huh?" He offered casually. "It’s safe here.. we’ve got all those Amazons downstairs.. damn if I don’t feel nice and secure… and how’d you like that alert system on the way in?"

"Yeah.." The tall demigod mumbled. "She seems nice enough."

"Who.. Ephiny?" Iolaus grunted. "Sure.. for an Amazon Queen.. and while we're on the subject, thanks a lot for telling me about Gabrielle. "

Hercules sighed. "You didn't ask." He rolled his head to one side and put one arm over his eyes.

"I didn't ask.." Iolaus looked at the ceiling in disbelief, throwing his hands up and letting them fall to his sides. "Just like I didn't ask about .. um.. them, right?"

"Uh huh." Hercules agreed. "But.. Iolaus.. EVERYONE knew about that.. even Callisto." He paused. "Though I'm pretty sure Ares hasn't gotten it yet."

"Oh.. and that's supposed to make me feel better?" The blond man asked caustically. "Nooo.. I had to have Xena herself tell me.. Hercules, do you have any idea just how embarrassing that was?"

The tall demigod peeked out from under his arm, and squelched a grin. "Yeah.. that must have been tough."

"Yep, it sure was" The blond man confirmed, walking over and tugging the blanket free, then settling it over his companion. "Go on.. sack out. I’ll bring you up a turkey leg or something."

"No.. no, it’s ok.." Hercules protested, opening his eyes. "C’mon, Iolaus.. that’s not polite."

The blond man raised one sandy eyebrow. "Oh.. so, you’re ready to face the Amazon Inquisition down there? I told you what happened to me with them.. you set for a thousand questions?"

Hercules hesitated, his blue eyes going a little round. "Uh… yeah… I see your point." Besides.. I really don't want to have any extended conversations with her mother.. not until I've had a chance to talk to Xena about what else I found out about that necklace… wonder if she realized it would have been safer to have Iolaus try to get it off? Probably not. No.. I'm sure that thought never crossed her mind.

"Yeah, so stay put, all right?" Iolaus finished, giving his arm a punch. "You’ve got time enough to face them all at dinner… I’ll go try and blunt their curiosity a little, OK? Besides, you look like Hades, and if that doesn’t change by the time Xena gets back, she’s gonna chase my tail all over this inn, and .."

"All right.. all right.. all right.. " Hercules waved a hand, hitting him the chest. "Enough.. I’ll stay here." He let his eyes close again.

"Good." Iolaus sighed. We took care of that labor mine.. but he hasn’t slept a whole night since.. Zeus only knows what those dreams are. Or that burn on his chest that hasn’t healed yet, that he won’t let me look at. "See ya."

"Uh huh." Came the sleepy response.

With a small shake of his unruly head, Iolaus backed towards the door, pausing in the entrance to cast one last look at the still form, before ducking out and closing the door behind him, then moving silently down the stairs.

"So.. that’s Hercules, huh?" Eponin mused, playing with her mug idly. "You been able to find out what happened?"

Ephiny shook her head, busy chewing a mouthful of beef. "Nuh huh." She confirmed, wiping her lips and leaning back slightly. "Gabrielle was absolutely tight lipped on that.. all she’d say was that the situation was resolved."

Eponin sniffed reflectively. "You think she knows the story?"

The Amazon regent let one eyebrow arch. "Oh yeah." She chuckled. "You think she’d let Xena keep that quiet from her? Not." She shrugged. "Must have been bad, then.. otherwise.. well, I guess we’ll hear about it when we hear about it." She picked up her mug and took a swallow of cider, letting out a sigh. "Rain again." She muttered, as a roll of thunder was heard.

"Mmm." Eponin chuckled. "Hope Xena finds some place to get under cover.. hate to think of those two out in a storm." She paused. "Oh.. well, on the other hand… they do pretty well in a storm don't they..?"

They exchanged knowing glances. "Oh.. " Ephiny grinned slyly. "That they do…… " She glanced up as Iolaus entered the room and gave him a nod, smiling as he walked over and pulled up a chair. "Hi."

The blond man sighed. "Afternoon, ladies." He ignored the raised eyebrows around the table blithely. "I see we’re in for rain again.. Zeus, I’m glad we made it here. I’m darn tired of being wet all the time." He looked up as a server put a big plate of meat and steamed barley in front of him. "Oh.. thanks.. that smells great." He took a forkful and sighed happily.

"Here." Ephiny passed a wooden platter with sliced bread on it over. On the other hand… maybe I can get the story out of old Iolaus, here… he looks like a nice guy.

"Mmm.. thanks." Iolaus grinned at her. "So.. how are you feeling?" A pause. "If it's ok for me to ask, I know we've never actually met, but I kind of feel like we know each other, I mean Xena told me what happened, and all that." Nine words. She fell in the water, I pulled her out. The bard thing was definitely Gabrielle's realm.

Ephiny chuckled, and extended a forearm. "Sure.. sure.. hello, Iolaus. I've heard a lot about you, too." She nodded. "Eponin, Raina, Ellis, and Marta." The Amazons grinned at Iolaus, he smiled a trifle nervously back. Ephiny leaned back and waggled her hand. "And in answer to your question…so so.. it’s been.. " She sighed. "Kind of rough.. what with all the excitement and all."

Iolaus stopped chewing, and glanced up at her. "What excitement?" He looked at all of them then focused back on Ephiny. "What'd we miss?"

Ephiny’s eyes glinted as an idea formed. . "Oh.. what with Gabrielle being kidnapped.." She trailed off. "You know."

Iolaus’ eyes popped. "What? What happened?" Kidnapped? Gods.. it's only been two weeks.. how could she have gotten kidnapped in what… the three.. four.. days Xena was gone?

The Amazon regent took a long sip of cider, and eyed him speculatively. "Tell you what, Iolaus.. I’ll trade you stories." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Eponin’s hastily smothered grin. "With all the trouble.. we didn’t get to hear what happened to you all… "

"Oh." Iolaus chewed his lip, curiosity eating at him. "Well, ok.. sure… " He glanced around. "Just.. keep it quiet.. Hercules is not real happy about it, OK?" It's gonna come out sooner or later.. better they hear it from a good source.. right? Right. "I'll trade."

Ephiny patted his arm gently. "You can trust us, Iolaus." She cleared her throat, and the other Amazons pulled their chairs in to enjoy the tale. "Well, it started the day after you left… Gabrielle took the girls out for a walk, and didn't come back.

Iolaus blinked. "You're kidding, right? Not only Gabrielle, but all those.. um… Amazonettes?"

Raised eyebrows around the table. "Well.. yes." Eponin grunted. "You could call them that, but most folks wouldn't."

Silence. "Sorry." Iolaus muttered. "Where did they go?"

When she finished, the blond man was sitting, holding his fork with a stunned expression on his face. He held his silence for a minute, then sighed. "Well.. I'm glad things turned out all right.. relatively all right, I mean. It's too bad Gabrielle got hurt and all." Damn… she could have died.. poor kid.

"Mmm." Ephiny agreed, studying her hands thoughtfully. "Your turn." She looked up, her pale eyes catching his. Unnoticed by Iolaus, Cyrene had silently entered, seating herself at the next table, and listening quietly.

"Oh." Iolaus let out a breath. "Right.. uh.. ok. Well, we left here, and traveled to the mountain, to a village just outside the mines where.. Hercules was."

Ephiny put a gentle hand on his wrist. "Iolaus, what was he doing there? What was wrong?"

A long silence. Finally Iolaus swallowed and licked his lips. "He was.. um… there was something wrong with him.. he.. " He sucked in a breath. "He was providing a service to the prince working them mines.. he was.. a jailkeeper."

Deathly silence this time. "He was.. punishing.. people who didn't do what the prince wanted them to do." Iolaus finished quietly, his eyes pinned on the table top.

Ephiny felt her heart lurch hard. No wonder.. Her mind sighed. No wonder Gabrielle wanted this kept quiet.. gods… I should have respected that. "Iolaus.." She said softly, patting his hand. "I'm sorry.. that must have been horrible for you."

He sighed. "It.. was. I didn't.. I tried to get him to snap out of it.. tried. But he didn't even know who I was. He.. " The blond man looked away, then back. "It was like he was someone else." Iolaus pursed his lips. "So.. when that didn't work, I knew I had to get help.. I needed someone who could help me break back into the fortress, who knew.. Hercules.. well enough to know this wasn't really him, and would be willing to help.. and.. um..I needed someone who could.. if nothing worked.. stop him."

Now it was their turn for silence. Rapid-fire glances raced around the table. "So.. you came and got Xena." Ephiny said, calmly. "Well, that makes sense. Good choice." She gave Iolaus an encouraging grin, hiding her surprise and unease. What made him think she could stop a demigod? Damn.. Xena's good, we all know that, but… that's asking too much, even from her. She could have been killed, if he really didn't know what was going on.

Iolaus gave her a weak smile back. "Thanks. " He sighed a little, more relaxed now that the hard part was over. "Anyway.. we got back into the mines…and Xena made sure we were taken to the punishment cell. "

"I bet." Eponin snorted quietly. "How many people did she take with her?"

Iolaus smiled. "I stopped counting." He shook his head. "So.. she kind of got in his face.. and he took her out for punishment.. and they fought." His mouth quirked. "She won."

"Sheeeesh." Ellis wheezed.

"Yeah.. and I lost 50 dinars to Gabrielle." Iolaus muttered, then shook his head. "Well, that was money well spent, anyway.. so she discovered this necklace around his neck.."

"A necklace?" Eponin asked, studying him quietly.

"Yeah.." Iolaus sighed. "Big.. golden chain.. had a ruby in it.. kind of.. overdone." He shrugged. "That was it.. she got it off him, and when he finally came to.. he was back."

"Just like that?" Ephiny breathed, fascinated. "How did she get it off him?"

But Iolaus just shook his head. "I don't know.. she sent me out of the room for that.. made me lock the door… " He hesitated. "Um..I think she was worried about what it might do to her."

"But it didn't do anything." Ephiny clarified. "Right?"

The blond man shook his head. "No.. but I think it took a lot.. she looked pretty shook up when I got back in there." He paused. "So.. then Ares showed up."

"The wolf?" Ephiny asked, her brows creasing.

"The God." Iolaus corrected her. "And, to be completely honest, it's the first time I was almost, sort of, maybe just a little bit glad to see him."

Ephiny exchanged glances with Eponin. "Really?"

"Really." Iolaus sighed heavily. "Xena asked him, point blank, if he was behind the necklace.. and he said no.. that it had just shown up.. and they, meaning the other gods, were worried about it. He.. thanked Xena for taking care of it… and to show his appreciation, he moved our horses to the closest exit and got rid of the guards for us."

"Really." That was Eponin and Ephiny in perfect chorus.

Iolaus nodded. "Yes… and then Xena took us to a cave nearby she knew.. so we could rest a bit.. and to give Herc a chance to recover a little.. he was pretty shook up by the whole thing." He sighed. "Then she took off.. said she had stuff to take care of.. now I know what that stuff was."

Ephiny's brow creased. "But she couldn't have known.. she… "

Iolaus was shaking his head solemnly. "She knew." He studied his hands. "The night above the castle.. something changed..I noticed it, but I thought it was just.. I don't know. She got really on edge.. and anxious to get things finished." He lifted his hands and let them drop. "Don't ask me how, don't ask me why, but she knew."

The Amazon regent settled back, and lifted a hand of her own. "Iolaus, that's impossible."

"No." Cyrene's voice drifted over, and they all turned to gaze at the innkeeper, who was leaning on the table, and sipping from a tall mug. "It's not.. I've seen it happen." Her eyes flicked to Ephiny. "So have you."

Ephiny stared at her, then her mouth twitched. "Damn… you're right… but I've never heard of anything like that before." She turned to Eponin. "Have you?"

The older Amazon was staring off over Ephiny's shoulder, apparently studying the rain hitting the inn window, at last she turned and met Ephiny's pale eyes. "Maybe." She smiled a little. "I'll have to think about it."

Ephiny's eyebrows rose, and she leaned closer. "You all right?"

A chuckle. "Fine." Xena.. you and I gotta have a little talk when you get back… Eponin poked her nose into her mug, and kept it there until Ephiny turned her attention back to Iolaus.

Then the roar of rain hitting the inn startled all of them, even Cyrene.. and they jerked around in surprise, half rising as the door exploded inward, but relaxing when a dark clad form staggered in and slammed the portal closed behind him.

"Damn." Toris gasped, blinking his stinging eyes, and wiping the dark hair back off his forehead. "It's evil out there, folks." He turned to Cyrene. "River's rising. Looks like it'll be up over its banks by suppertime." He took off his cloak, and left it's dripping length by the door, crossing over to the fire's warmth gratefully.

"Oh.. sorry.. " He detoured when he realized there was a stranger at the table. "You must be Iolaus."

The blond man glanced up, and offered a forearm, his eyes studying the tall dark haired man curiously. "And you must be Toris."

A familiar smile answered him, and pale blue eyes searched his. "Let me guess… family resemblance?"

Iolaus laughed. "Something like that, yes." He released the taller man's arm. "We didn't get to meet last time.. but an old shirt of yours about saved my life."

Toris chuckled, as he lowered himself into a chair next to the fire, and leaned back. "Glad it got some use finally.. it's been too small for me for a while." He looked up as Cyrene handed him a steaming mug. "Thanks, mom." He toasted the window. "Hope you're under cover, sis."

Cyrene snorted. "She will be… not for her sake, but…"

Smiles around the room.

Xena rested her head lightly against her folded cloak, gazing peacefully out at the sheeting rain, idly contrasting the cold, wet air from the outside with the cheerful warmth of the fire, which popped at irregular intervals, and sent the occasional spark drifting towards the dimly seen roof of the cavern.

Gabrielle was drowsing lightly, her body curled around her partner's, the rhythmic drumming of the rain insistently lulling them both into a lazy, golden warmth it was just easier to sink into and not try to get out of. This.. Xena mused to herself Is becoming a habit.

She thought about that for a minute, turning the idea over, and examining it carefully from all sides. What a nice habit. She eventually decided. I think I'll keep it. A yawn cut off her thoughts, and she relaxed into it, sliding her arms around Gabrielle and snuggling closer, reveling in the tingle of their skin on skin contact, and chuckling when the bard half woke, and started nibbling her chest. "You still hungry?" She teased gently. They’d recently finished a leisurely lunch, and had settled down to relax as the weather rolled in.

"Mmm…" Gabrielle nibbled further. "Still raining?"

"Yep." Xena informed her. "Coming down in cartloads."

"Good." Was the answer, as the bard's gentle attentions wandered across her partner's ribcage. "Sorry..I know we have some place to get to.." She rested her cheek lightly on Xena's belly, gazing up at her. "But I'm not going to lie and say I'm not enjoying every minute of this." She idly traced a fingertip down Xena's ribs, feeling the dips and hollows between them., letting her touch linger over the thin scar that ran down one side.

Fingers covered hers, and she looked up into warm blue eyes. "Me too." Xena answered softly, releasing the bard's hand and stroking her cheek, feeling Gabrielle smile under her touch, and gently outlining the curve of her lips. And that simple smile peeled away yet another layer of the darkness embedded in her, and sent it scattering before the cool wind. She felt it go.. driven before the rush of love in those green eyes. "It can rain all day for all I care." She let a smile curve her own lips. "There is no place else I'd rather be."

Xena felt the gentle warmth as Gabrielle exhaled, and felt the motion as the bard smiled against the soft skin on her stomach. "Me either." Her partner admitted, with a lazy chuckle, as she quietly worked her way back up Xena's body until their lips met, and the warrior slipped her hands down around the bard's waist, and lifted her up, settling her comfortably sprawled.

"Hey.. " Gabrielle mumbled, pulling back a space. "Gonna squish you.."

Xena snorted lightly, circling her arms across the small of the bard's back and squeezing "Not a chance… you overestimate yourself, my bard."

Got a snort back. "You just love showing off, don’t you?" Gabrielle gazed fondly at her.

"Aww.. " Xena purred. "That's not showing off." A devilish grin etched her features as she slid her hands further down and settled them on Gabrielle's hips, then pressed straight up, lifting the bard and grinning at her squawk. She lowered her slowly, and held her up just inches from her own chest before letting her gently down. "Now.. that.. was showing off."

"It certainly was." Gabrielle giggled, shaking her head and sighing, as she turned her head and idly watched the rain. "Gods.. that is quite a storm.. you think the river’s flooded yet?"

Xena considered the question, her hand moving in gentle circles on the bard’s back. "Mmm.. maybe, but probably not till dark sometime.. " Her lips twitched. "And I’m certainly not risking you out there in this weather… so I guess we’re stuck here until it’s over."

"Shucks." Gabrielle drawled. "I don’t know…" She yawned and stretched, sliding a hand down Xena’s warm body. "I’m starting to think this was planned."

Xena reached up and gently tickled her ribs. "By who, me? Nah.." She tickled the bard again, making her squirm. "I think you’re getting more ticklish." She grinned, using both hands this time.

"Augh." Gabrielle grabbed her hands, and leaned hard, trying to keep them from her sensitive skin. "Stop that…" One hand escaped. "Xena!! Aaaagggggghhh…"

Several minutes later, the bard finally collapsed, and groaned. "I surrender… " She gasped, trying to catch her breath. "Gods.." She let her head fall against Xena’s shoulder and waited for her heart to stop pounding.

Xena sighed softly and rubbed her back. "Shhh.. take it easy.. I shouldn’t have been so rough on you." She studied Gabrielle with a tiny, worried frown. "Your ribs ok? I didn’t hurt you, did I?"

Like I would admit it if you had. Gabrielle mused to herself. Like you need more guilt to carry around, right? "Don’t be goofy." She gave her partner a little slap. "Of course you didn’t." She took a deep breath, and snuggled up tight against Xena’s side. "I’m just out of breath.. all that lying around since I got hurt really caught up with me." She felt Xena’s hands start a light massage on her back, and sighed. "And you’re such a bad influence."

"Uh huh." Xena agreed amiably, feeling the bard’s body relax. "We could get up and do some sparring, if you’d rather do that."

Gabrielle thought about that. But not for long. "I should… " She sighed, already letting the warmth start to ease through her. "Maybe after dinner, huh?"

"Sure." Xena smiled wryly. "Just take it easy.. your body needs the rest, Gabrielle." She brushed her lips over the bard’s fair hair. "Healing is hard work."

"Hypocrite." Gabrielle mumbled, opening one green eye accusingly. "That’s double standards, Xena."

The warrior hugged her. "Yep, it sure is." She agreed cheerfully. "Sorry.. I reserve the right to take better care of you than I do of myself."

The bard gazed thoughtfully at her, then finally smiled. "Xena, there’s no point in your taking care of me if you don’t take care of yourself." She looked up into startled blue eyes, which widened slightly as she lifted a hand and traced her partner’s features. "Please.. take care of yourself.. for my sake." She paused. "All right?"

She felt Xena take a breath, and let it out slowly, then watched as the warrior let a rueful smile creep across her face. "I think… you got me." Her eyes glinted. "Very clever, Gabrielle."

"Yesss…." The bard chortled, triumphant. "You will, right?"

A moment of hesitant silence. "Yeah."

"Promise?" Gabrielle asked instantly.

"I promise." Came the solemn reply. Xena riffled her fingers through the bard’s hair and let out a tiny, satisfied sigh. About time I started doing that anyway… before it all starts catching up with me..right? It’s been nice not hurting in the morning.. hasn’t it?

Gabrielle settled her head down comfortably and smiled, closing her eyes and letting herself sink back down into a pleasantly sleepy haze, listening to the slow, inevitable synchronizing of their heartbeats.. of their breathing.. until she drifted off.

"Damn." Xena tugged the belt closed on her tunic, and wandered over near the opening to the cave, staring out at the rain. "You can’t even hardly see the river."

Gabrielle joined her, winding an arm around Xena’s waist and blinking out at the weather. "Wow…" She breathed, watching the trees bend under the force of the wind, glad they were in a protected niche. The air was icy cold, and she could hear the pattering of the rain as it turned to ice and broke itself against the rock walls around them.

"Feel sorry for anyone out in this." The warrior mused, shaking her head a little.

"Remember that storm.." Gabrielle began, then saw Xena's smile. "You do."

Xena sighed, and stroked Gabrielle's hair. "Damn..I was lucky you decided to come hunt me down.. probably would have half bled to death." She shook her head, then peered out. "Hey.. look upriver…"

They both saw it at the same time.. a brown speck traveling down the river, swirling in the dangerous current. "What.." Xena’s brow furrowed, as she focused her vision on it, feeling Gabrielle grab her arm in a sudden contrast of warm hands on her chilled flesh. "It’s a wagon."

The bard was silent for a moment, then a breath exploded out of her. "There’s someone in it."

Xena cursed, and hurled herself out of the cave, warding off the stinging sleet with one arm as she headed down the twisting path to the river. The cold blast hit her as she cleared the cliff, and only then did she realized Gabrielle was right behind her.

And.. somehow.. though she knew she should feel different.. that felt, right. "Careful… " She warned "Stay close." She felt a hand fasten on her tunic, and slid down the path, trying to shield the bard’s body as much as possible from the wind driven ice.

They were almost to the river, and now Xena could see the wagon more clearly, see the three frightened faces peering over the edge, as the wooden structure bobbed against the current. "Hang on!!" She yelled, seeing a pile of hastily discarded junk near the river, obviously abandoned or thrown up by the water. "Rope." A terse instruction, and Gabrielle was helping her loose the tangle of hemp snarled around the pile.

She tied a loop into one end, and slipped it over her shoulder, tightening it around her chest. Turning, she handed the other end to Gabrielle. "Tie this around that tree." She paused. "Tight."

A timeless meeting of glances, a soundless exchange, then the warrior was turning and launching herself into the dark coldness of the water, taking powerful strokes against the crosscurrent on an intercept path with the wagon.

The water was icy, and drove through her like iron spikes, tearing the breath from her lungs, and sending her heart racing. Gasping, she ducked her head, and forced her arms to move, dodging the floating debris as she pulled closer to the center of the river, wincing as a large branch sloughed across her back.

The wagon came closer, and now she could see the faces clearly.. one adult woman and two children, all frightened. She turned directly into the current, and pulled hard against it, feeling her teeth begin to chatter, as the cold cramped her muscles. Damn.

The wagon careened closer, and she gathered herself, letting the current take her sideways, then lunged as the wood came within a body length of her, and grabbed onto a wheel spoke, holding on for dear life as the cart bucked and surged under her weight.

The woman screamed, and grabbed the children, ducking down into the cart as Xena held on with one arm grimly, using the other to strip the rope off her shoulders, and slide the loop over the wheel hub, tightening it with a jerk. "Hold on.." She yelled, grabbing the edge of the wheel as the current sent the wagon heeling over on its side.

Then the rope came taut, and the wagon spun, wrenching Xena's hold loose and sending the warrior flying upstream. The racing water slammed into her body with shocking force, pushing her vision to the edge of blackness. The current took her, and she was helpless against it as she frantically tried to keep her head above the water, flinching as the surge threw her against a half submerged rock, and rolling over in the water, putting her arm up to guard her head.

She got a half lungful of air before she was sucked down again, this time feeling a weight roll over her shoulders as a downed limb pressed her deeper, the wiry branches tangling with her body, and raking sharp edges across her neck and the back of her head. Damn.. she cursed inwardly, struggling against the racing water, whose icy edge was rapidly leeching her strength and numbing her skin.

Then a hand grabbed her shoulder, and pulled the branch free, tugging her collar up and above the waterline, and she managed another gasp of air, coughing as it came with a mouthful of the freezing liquid.

"Xena!" Gabrielle's voice was colored with tense fear. The warrior felt warm hands grab her shoulders, and she slid onto her back, letting the current carry them, and taking hold of Gabrielle's shivering body.

A thousand things raced through her mind as she shook the wet hair from her eyes and met the bard's anxious gaze. Later, she decided. Let's just get out of here. "Thanks." She choked out, seeing the answering relief in her partner's eyes. "Gotta get out." She coughed again, expelling the river water she'd half breathed, half swallowed, and looked in front of them, seeing a current veering shoreward, towards Ares' anxiously racing form, and shoved them both into it.

Saw her mistake almost immediately, but had no time to correct it, as the racing water drove them directly towards a half sunken tree trunk, it's near edge being undercut by the rising river. Gabrielle's eye's widened, and she started to duck, but Xena wrenched them both around at the last minute, wrapping her arms around the bard and turning to take the impact of the tree on her own body.

It never came, as the torrent of water washed both of them down, under the emerging roots and slammed them both against a rapidly eroding earthen wall, with the river rising under them.

And the tree's bulk above them, trapping them helpless against the force of the incoming river.

The level rose, as they stared in stunned disbelief, the force of the water pinning them against bank, too strong for even Xena to make headway against it.

Xena cursed violently, eyes darting around their prison until she saw the faintest opening near the far edge, and lunged towards it, dragging Gabrielle with her. She shoved the bard against the root filled wall, and stood behind her, bracing her arms up against the bulk of the tree above them.

"Go on.. I'll.. push.. " She managed to get out, knowing by the sudden tension in the bard's shoulders that she'd been heard. "You should have just enough room to get clear.. but.. only for a second." A faint chance, but a possible one, if Gabrielle was lucky, and her strength up to it.

Gabrielle turned, and grabbed her shoulders, the water swirling around their waists. "What about you?" She yelled.

Silence was it's own answer.

"If.. " Xena finally said. "Only one of us can make it.. better for the world it be you, love." A jerk of her head. "Get ready." She shut her mind to anything.. everything.. else, gathering her strength.

Hands on her face, and she was forced to look, forced to meet those mist green eyes for what she knew was the last time. Now the water touched her elbows, and she released one hand from the roots to gently caress her partner's face. "No regrets, Gabrielle."

Unable to understand the complex look of sadness and joy, horror and relief that was in Gabrielle's eyes. "No." The bard whispered, clasping her arms around Xena's neck and hanging on. "Where you go.. I go."

The icy cold water, the roar, the aching numbness in her limbs faded back, until all she could feel was the pressure of Gabrielle's arms around her, and the warmth of the bard's body against her own. And the quiet, peacefulness of their souls settling together, hand in hand. She knew she should be arguing.. should be forcing the bard to get out. To escape. To live.

But she released her other hand, and turned to put her back against the earthen bank, as the water rose halfway up her arms and she clasped Gabrielle to her with all her remaining strength. Felt the bard return the pressure.

"No regrets, Xena." Came the quiet whisper in her ear. "Not one moment of it."

The water touched her shoulders, and she felt the numbness spread. She took a deep breath, and stared Death in the face, feeling no fear, only a quiet acceptance. She felt Gabrielle's arms tighten, and she rubbed the bard's back, resting her head against her partner's and feeling Gabrielle's breathing increase.

"I love you." Gabrielle uttered, her breath sending a tiny tingle of warmth through Xena's chilled flesh. "I always have.. from the minute I saw you.. and that's made it all worth it, you understand?"

A nod, as the water swirled to her chin. "Gabrielle.. I love you with everything that I am…and I always will.. no matter what happens now.. you remember that, all right?" Her voice broke. 'No matter what happens… promise me?"

"I promise." The bard gasped, as the water touched her neck. "But this isn't going to separate us, Xena. I won't let it." She clutched tighter. "Nothing ever will." She paused. "Promise me you believe that."

"I promise." Xena slid a hand up her partner's neck, feeling for the sensitive pressure points. The roaring increased, and the river poured into their prison faster, undercutting the bank, and sending a mud filled swirl around them. Her hands touched familiar places, and she waited a second more, before she put Gabrielle out, refusing to subject the bard to the icy terror of drowning.

One last moment, as she memorized the feel of her, and let her heart open wide, soaking in the gut deep warmth of their connection that defied the coldness of the water, and of the darkness. That would have to last her… forever.

Then the water exploded inward, driven by the relentless flood, roaring through the roots, and over the banks, as it claimed back the land with a mud filled surge., sucking the earth from under the tree.