"Of course, Lord Ares.My apologies.I've come to give the Queen a report of what I found during my investigation of the tower."

"The Queen is resting. However, you can report to me."

"In that case, Lord Ares," he removed a small pouch from his belt,  "will you give her this and tell her that I found it in the old watchtower?"

Xena took the pouch."I will.Where will you be?"

"I think I'll go sit with Our Lord Conqueror for a bit, before Jarrod's lessons end for the day."

"Good man, Palaemon. I'm sure the Lord Conqueror would be very honored to know that she has such loyal troops."

The beefy soldier's voice went serious."The honor is mine, Lord Ares."

Xena nodded. "I'll make sure to let the Queen know where you are."

"Thank you, Lord Ares."Palaemon bowed respectfully, then withdrew.

Xena closed the door then opened the bag, dumping the contents into her hand.Her eyes widened. "Oh no." Her hand made a fist around the small object.

*****

Nyssa could tell Jarrod's attention were not on his lessons."Do you want to talk about it?" she asked, running her fingers through his hair.

He looked at her, then dropped his eyes bashfully, shaking his head. But the tears that dropped onto the table told another story.

"I know it's hard," she offered quietly, her eyes conveying her sympathy. She poured him a glass of fresh, tart, apple juice and handed him a damp cloth for his face. "I know this is a lot for a young man to handle all at once."

"I didn't mean it," Jarrod blurted out, wiping his face.

"Mean what?" She settled back into the chair next to him and took his hands in hers.

"All the mean things I said to Xena.I told her I hated her.That I didn't love her anymore."He sniffed and took a drink of his juice."But I do love her.I was wrong, and now I may not get to tell her I'm sorry."

The young tutor studied him closely. She considered his words, but found herself at a loss as to how to comfort the boy.Nyssa was saved from the attempt when the door opened and Ares stepped into the room.

"I need to speak with the boy.Alone," the God commanded gently.

"Yes, Lord Ares, right away," Nyssa all but fled from the room.

Jarrod got up from his chair and backed away from the tall God until he hit the wall.Then he slid down it and cringed, making himself as small as possible. Ares was here to get him! To punish him for hurting his Chosen!He covered his head with his arms, peeking out between his trembling, slender elbows at the God, who still seemed distracted by the hasty retreat of his tutor.

When Xena turned to face Jarrod, it took a moment for her to remember who the lad was seeing.Her heart hurt for the boy, and whatever maternal cells remained in her body all called for her to go to him and give him a hug.But she didn't. Knowing that Ares wouldn't.Nothing like seeing your bright, freckled-face son cowering before you like you were some demon to make you feel like Centaur crap.  "It's all right, Jarrod.I'm not here to hurt you."

"I'm sorry!" he insisted from his spot on the floor."I didn't mean it!I didn't mean to hurt Xena."

Xena settled down on her knees, a few feet in front of the boy, afraid if she got any closer she'd frighten him further."How did you hurt Xena, Jarrod?"

Jarrod shook his head wildly, not wanting to answer.You already know, or else you wouldn't have come to punish me.

Jarrod was panting so hard she feared he would get sick. Tears welled in Xena's eyes and she willed them away."I'm not here to hurt you.I swear.I just came to find out what happened.Whatever it is... I'm certain that it was an accident and that Xena would forgive you."

"No! It wasn't an accident!"

"Oh Gods," Xena mumbled, growing more and more upset herself.Had her own son tried to kill her?  She would have sworn the gentle boy didn't have it in him. But if he had, it was because he thought Gabrielle needed protection, and Xena would never fault him for that. "You'd better tell me everything then, Jarrod.So we can start to work things out."

"The things I said were hateful.I... I wanted...I was so mad I wanted to hurt her."

"And," Xena prodded.

Jarrod sniffed again."And I ran out of the room and hid, and when people called for me I didn't answer."

"That's all?"Please let that be all.

Jarrod nodded miserably, his crying beginning to taper off now that he'd admitted what he'd done and it appeared that Ares really wasn't here to do something horrible to him.

Inside, Xena breathed a sigh of relief, wanting so badly to believe the boy.Outside, the God of War maintained a carefully masked demeanor.Xena reached for the pouch Palaemon had given her and dumped it upside down in her palm.A small, shiny medallion tumbled out"Jarrod, do you know what this is?"

His hand went to his neck."Xena gave it to me.I musta lost it last night."

"You did, lad.It was found near where Xena got hurt."Xena handed the boy the medallion."Now I'm gonna ask you a hard question, Jarrod.And don't bother trying to lie to me because I'll know.Did you push Xena's down the steps?Even accidentally?"

He uncurled himself, turning shocked, panicky eyes on the God.  He dug his heels into the floor trying to move sideways and away from Ares. "No, Sir!I swear!I'd never hurt Xena that way.I swear!"

"Easy. Easy.I believe you." Xena couldn't help herself.She reached out for the frightened boy and pulled him to her, wrapping him in long, muscled arms."I believe you."

*****

The Conqueror returned to their apartment to find that Gabrielle had awoken, cleaned the rest of her dinner plate, and apparently decided to take a bath.She could hear her spouse in the bathing chamber, splashing around in their tub and humming.

Xena smiled. What a difference a little rest and food can make. She removed her sword rig then the gauntlets, vest, boots, and woolen foot coverings, leaving her clad only in her  leather trousers.She gave her current body a quick glance."Me and Gabrielle in the bath with this body could be a lot of fun.Less chance of my drowning."

She chuckled to herself and moved into the bathing chamber, which was illuminated by a half a dozen large candles and smelled of honey-scented soap.  Xena took a long hard look at Gabrielle, whose back was to her and hadn't heard her come in.

Gabrielle's hair was pulled up off her shoulders in a loose knot, though a few strands had managed to escape and were clinging wetly to her slender neck. Both arms were lifted high in the air, one washing the other with a soft sponge, the soapy water trailing down the lightly muscled flesh. A gentle cloud of steam surrounded her, rendering her complexion a light rosy color.

The Conqueror's mouth went dry at the luscious sight, her body responding strongly to her beautiful mate's. Xena groaned and Gabrielle turned at the sound, looking up from her bath.

"Xena." The word turned breathless when Gabrielle took a good look at what was slowly, confidently walking towards her.Knowing that her own wife currently inhabited that body made her want Xena in ways that weren't possible before.Dear Gods, just take me now. Green eyes narrowed as she considered the thought and a heat rose to her cheeks.

Xena watched Gabrielle's gaze shift into one of total lust, knowing it was one that she, herself, mirrored."Should I be worried that you're looking at me that way?" the Conqueror asked semi-seriously, not sure how much of that look was for her and how much for the body she was now occupying.

The Queen sloshed forward through the warm water, stopping at the tub's rim. "You have absolutely nothing to worry about, Xena."She grasped the edge of the tub with wet hands and pushed herself up, standing, allowing Xena to get a good look at her through the moist air. Water cascaded down her body in rivulets, and she slowly licked her lips, inviting her lover closer. A slow burn ignited in her center at the desperately aroused look on Xena's face.

Xena wrapped her arms around Gabrielle and ducked her head for a heated, bruising kiss. There was no prelude to the clashing of hungry tongues and the roaming of anxious, seeking hands. They simply began to devour each other.Soft breasts slid up then pressed against Xena chest, hard nipples raking across sensitive skin.Xena groaned at the sensation and pulled Gabrielle closer, deepening the kiss. She ran her hands up her Queen's slick bare back.And stopped cold. Abruptly, Xena pulled away, leaving Gabrielle stunned and completely aroused.

 The blonde felt herself being turned around."Xena, what in-"

"Your back?" Xena ran her hands over the glistening, flawless skin, examining it in with round eyes. "It's completely healed," she said incredulously. "How?"

Xena gaze flicked to Gabrielle in question, and the younger woman felt her stomach drop. The blood drained from Gabrielle's face and for a moment she didn't know what to say. "Umm... well..." Oh Gods.Oh, Gods, Xena, please understand."Ares..."

Xena's face and voice went cold at the sound of the God's name, and she stepped away, leaving Gabrielle standing naked and feeling suddenly exposed."What does he have to do with this?"

Gabrielle's heart sank further.A swallow. "Xena, he healed my back."

Dark brows grew together in growing confusion. "Why would her do that?Last I heard he was furious at me for joining with you. And now he's healing you?"

Gabrielle closed her eyes as a knot formed in her stomach.She couldn't avoid telling her now.She licked her lips then slowly opened her eyes, staring unflinchingly at her lover. "You were dying.I did what I had to do to save your life, Xena."

Xena's jaw sagged slightly, disbelief coloring her face even as the realization of Gabrielle's words slammed home."No," she said softly. "No. No!" She shook her head as she said the words."I am not hearing this. I'm not!"

Gabrielle's pulse began to pound."I... I struck a deal with him. There was nothing left for me to..."

"NO! DON'T YOU TELL ME THAT!"Xena bent at the waist as if in pain. Closing her eyes, she covered her ears with her hands, pressing them tightly against her head.

"Xena." Gabrielle reached out, only to have her hand knocked away.Her heart twisted in her chest and she sucked in a pained breath. "Xena, please, let me explain," she begged, tears forming in her eyes.

"What deal?"The look on Gabrielle's face was answer enough, but morbidly, as if to draw out her own anguish, she wanted to hear Gabrielle say the words. "What kind of deal did you make with the God of War?!"Her hands shot out and grasped Gabrielle's upper arms.

Unable to look her in the eye, Gabrielle dropped her gaze, feeling chilled and sick and angry at all once. I can't lose her. I can't.Ares' words mocked her. 'She'll never forgive you, Gabrielle.'  

"Answer me!" Xena roared, unknowingly tightening her grasp.

Flashing green eyes jerked upward. "Stop it!You're hurting me!"

Xena yanked her hands back as though she'd been burned, taking several long steps backwards. Gabrielle scrambled out of the tub, following her step-for-step, water dripping from her legs as she crossed the cold, stone floor. She refused to allow Xena to move further out of reach, afraid if she did, she'd never get her back. "He was going to let you die!I offered him the only thing I had.I had no choice!"

Xena stopped retreating. "NO!" Her eyes sparked with rage and she could feel the blood pumping wildly in her veins.The urge to strike out was nearly unstoppable and her hands shaped into solid, twin fists that she rooted to her sides. She began to perspire under the strain. "You should have let me die.I would rather Hades take me than have you give yourself to him!"

"Don't you tell me that!" the younger woman raged back, repeating her lover's words. "Don't you dare stand here and say that I was supposed to idly stand by while you died before my eyes.My pride is not worth your life!" Gabrielle tore her robe from a chair that stood next to her. Slipping into it, she quickly tied the belt, her jerky movements causing her hair to tumble free from its loose knot.  Her pale skin was flushed red from the hot bath water, adrenaline, and an unreasoning fear that coursed through her. "I couldn't, Xena." Hot tears spilled over her cheeks. "That's too much to ask!"

"What?" Xena sneered. "It's too much to expect my Queen not to whore..."

SMACK!

Xena's words were halted by a vicious slap to her face. The noise echoed in the bathing chamber, its shocking sound only intruded upon by the panting breaths of both women.The Conqueror's hand moved to the reddening spot instinctively, feeling the heat from the blow to her bruised skin.

"By the Gods," Gabrielle muttered, more to herself than Xena. A fresh wave of tears streaked her cheeks and throat, disappearing behind the damp silk robe that clung to her. "I...   I didn't mean to..." She stared at her trembling hand, which stung from the force of the slap, as though it had acted without her consent.

Inexplicably, the blow seemed to pull Xena from the heat of the moment, focusing her mind on something other than her own sense of anger, betrayal, and mostly guilt. This was, she decided, ultimately her fault. Had she not been so careless in the Old Watchtower, none of this would have happened. Some of the anger behind the dark eyes melted, only to be replaced with a look of raw pain and anguish that made Gabrielle feel ill.The shorter woman wrapped her arms around her stomach, hugging herself.

Xena reached for her partner, this time consciously gentling her hands and her voice.

Gabrielle leaned into the touch, part of her fearing Xena would strike her back, another part welcoming it.

The Conqueror's jaw worked for a moment before any sound managed to escape. "But don't you see, Gabrielle?I ... I didn't, I don't...want that for you.  I wanted to take you away from a life where you had to sell yourself to survive. Not bring you to it!"

"I know," Gabrielle whispered miserably, turning away from her partner's face and the burgeoning mark on Xena's cheek.She blinked rapidly, trying in vain to clear her vision. "But I needed to help you.I just couldn't..." she tried to explain, glancing up, meeting eyes as teary as her own."I just couldn't do nothing. I love you, Xena."

Xena nodded reluctantly, admitting to herself that she'd have done no less had their positions been reversed, but hating it just the same.  She drew in a deep breath, exhaling it very slowly. "So Ares welched after you slept with him?" You bastard!I'll kill you for that.

"No. Not exactly." Gabrielle ran a hand through her damp hair. "It was going to happen, Xe.The deal had been struck.Your life for my body.But before ... well, before things could get very far, Autolycus and Morgaine showed up and interrupted us."

"So you never...?"

Gabrielle shook her head vigorously and sniffed."No."

Xena smiled weakly. "You might have mentioned that before, Gabrielle."

"You didn't give me a chance."

"I know," Xena signed. "But then why did he do this ridiculous body switch if you hadn't fulfilled your part of the deal?I don't understand."

Gabrielle rubbed her eyes frustratedly, fearing Xena would take this news even worse than that which she'd already told her. She almost lied. A big part of her wanted to. But this close to Xena, even seeing the pain and sorrow written across the unfamiliar features, she found herself unable to do anything but tell her the truth, knowing it would hurt her again, but powerless to stop it.

Xena stiffened, sensing Gabrielle's hesitation.

"He did the body switch instead of healing you outright because he caught me in some sort of semantics loophole." She chewed her lip for a moment before plunging forward. "He's only agreeing to help you at all because I swore to fulfill my part of the deal later.I still owe him, Xena."

"Like Hades you do!" the Conqueror roared.

"Xena, I promised. Gods!Why can't you see that, in the long run, my deal with Ares doesn't matter?  You alive is what matters!If I renege, you die!"

Xena whirled around, looking for something to hit, or break, or someone to fight.When nothing was immediately handy, she stomped toward the bathing chamber door, yelling in outrage.Then she focused inwards, directing her anger toward Ares, and applying her intellect to the problem. "He will never touch you again," she said after so long that Gabrielle feared she had stopped talking to her altogether.  "Not like that."

"But Xena..."

"You need to trust me, Gabrielle."

"I trust you," came the immediate answer. Relief flooded through her and she let out a quaking breath. Xena had a plan.She could feel it.They would get through this together.

"Do you remember what you told me at the reception for the satraps?"

Gabrielle looked at Xena blankly, her mind unable to wrap itself around the apparent non-sequitur.

"You said that you don't share," Xena reminded her fervently, marching back to the younger woman and cupping her chin. She ran her thumb along her Gabrielle's jaw line. "I will never share you. And I love you, too."

Gabrielle felt her heart clench, her relief at hearing those words so great that, for a moment, she felt light-headed.

Xena's voice dropped to a low growl and her eyes darkened, pupils dilating in residual anger, arousal, and fear.She pulled Gabrielle to her, drawing in a deep breath of her honey-scented skin and feeling the smaller woman's sharp intake of air.  The cool silk of the robe brushed against her chest and she spoke the words directly from her heart. "I love you, Gabrielle.Not him.You - Are - Mine!"

Gabrielle nodded. Their lips were a hairsbreadth apart, and she should feel Xena's heart pounding wildly beneath her breast and her warm breath caressing her lips. She needed to taste those lips, show Xena how much she loved her and permanently wash away any lingering doubts.She had to make her understand that no matter what had happened, or what may come to pass in the future, she was hers.  Gabrielle surged forward, crushing her mouth against Xena's and kissing her deeply. "I am yours," she vowed seriously, finally breaking away after several incredibly intense moments. She ran her hands up thick, muscled arms, laying them to rest on broad, slightly heaving shoulders.

Xena wrapped Gabrielle in a tight embrace, towering over her she leaned forward and pressed her forehead to Gabrielle's. Looking down, she searched dark green eyes for the truth she knew she'd find there. Her voice was low and husky and shot straight through her lover. "Do you like this body, Gabrielle?  Do you want me?"

"Yes, I like that body.But I love yours." Her nostrils flared. "And Gods, yes, I want you."It was an honest admission and one made without thought or hesitation. Ares was an attractive man, who had an undeniably beautiful body.But Xena was a stunning woman, whose allure struck a chord so basic to Gabrielle's being, stirred something so deep and primal within her, that she couldn't even begin to explain it.It simply was.And the fact that she was crazy in love with the woman didn't hurt either. There was never a contest between Xena and Ares.Her partner knew that.She could see it in eyes the wrong color, and in the small, slightly crooked grin working its way across Ares' face.

Xena smiled tentatively, allowing the bad feelings and fear to bleed away."This body is all I happen to have at the moment."

"Then we'll have to make do, won't we?"

Xena stared at her spouse for a long moment, then swept her into her arms, storming toward the bedchamber."You're mine," she repeated, passing in and out of the mid-day shadows on her way to their bed.Gabrielle didn't rebel or fight against her.Instead, she felt her arms slide around her neck, hot kisses working their way up the side of her throat, stopping at her ear.

"No one else's. I promise."The Queen took Xena's earlobe into her mouth and sucked it hungrily, giving it a couple of tiny bites in the process. "I love you."

Hot breath tickled the Conqueror's ear and Xena's squeezed Gabrielle to her chest, burying her nose in sweet-smelling, red-gold hair as she took her last few steps. Her partner returned the heartfelt hug that promised everything would be okay.

Xena carefully laid her bundle on the bed.Standing over her, she reached down and opened the damp robe, brushing aside the dark blue cloth with her fingertips."You are truly beautiful."

Gabrielle grinned. "Xena, I really don't want to talk anymore." She looked up at her with a sweet, youthful face that conveyed anything but innocence and cocked her head. "Do you?"

A heat flooded Xena's groin, intensifying what was already a dull ache that throbbed with every beat of her heart. "No," she answered seriously. "I don't." The Conqueror's body tingled with anticipation and the simple knowledge that Gabrielle wanted this as much as she did.

Gabrielle sat up a little and ran her hands around a firm, well-defined stomach.Stopping at the small of Xena's back, she gently guided her closer. "I want to make love with you, Xena.And don't try to tell me you can't."She chuckled affectionately and pointed."You really do think with that thing, don't you?"

Xena shook her head. "I swear it has a mind of its own."Then she watched transfixed as Gabrielle reached out and tugged down her trousers, exposing heated flesh to cool air.

"Too many clothes." Her hands trailed down Xena's legs, taking her pants with them. Once they were kicked away, and Xena stood naked and breathing heavily before her, she took her by the hand and gave a sharp yank, pulling Xena down on top of her and right between her legs.The Conqueror held herself off the body of her Queen on strong, but shaking arms. She ducked her head and kissed Gabrielle's collarbone, them moved up and captured waiting lips.

Xena groaned with unbridled desire, and Gabrielle's felt her own wetness increase.Her lips moved to a warm, recently shaven cheek and she gently brushed her lips against it.  "Nice," she murmured into the smooth skin, using her fingers to gently scratch against the short whiskers nearby.

Xena let out a long sigh. Gabrielle. "I'm kinda light headed." She licked dry lips finally admitting, "Gods this is different."

"I knew it had to be."

Her arms began to weaken, and she began lowering her weight onto her partner. "Oh yeah..." Her head dropped with the sudden contact of her aroused flesh against the baby-soft skin of Gabrielle's inner thighs. When her lover moved her hips forward, she felt her heart begin to pound as though it were coming out of her chest, and heard Gabrielle's hiss.Suddenly, she couldn't breath and she gasped for air.

Gabrielle slid her hips away. Arching up, she whispered, "Easy, love. Easy."

Xena could feel the smile against her ear and an incredible heat radiating from the woman below her.

"We don't want to waste this, now do we?" A small kiss and lick.

"No way," the Conqueror growled.  

Gabrielle slowly moved back, bringing Xena with her, and rolling her onto her back.She ran one hand down the strong body beneath, passing over a broad chest, hard stomach, navel, and coarse, dark hairs, until they found each other and became one again.The Queen groaned at the satisfying fullness, and a wicked smile played on her lips.  Settling herself, she reached over and pried Xena's white-knuckled grip from the covers, lifting the Conqueror's arms above her head, and dragging her own hands back down long arms.

Their mouths were barely touching and Xena's tongue snaked out, tasting soft lips and warm saliva. Gabrielle's tongue swirled around hers as their breath mingled, and the younger woman initiated an excruciatingly slow, torturous rhythm with her hips.She was immediately awarded with a very deep, carnal groan from her spouse.

Gabrielle could feel Xena shift her position slightly, bending her legs at the knee and sliding powerful thighs alongside Gabrielle's, giving the Conqueror the ability to join Gabrielle's rhythm with a slow, sensual thrusting action of her own.Large hands moved to languidly moving hips, increasing their tempo."Mmm... so good," the blonde grunted, as their sweat-slicked bodies slid together.

Xena's eyes rolled back at the exquisite sensation of moving in and out of her wife, throbbing inside her, being surrounded by her physically and emotionally, and merging with her as though they were one.She soaked in Gabrielle's breathy moans of pleasure, feeling her contracting around her, grasping her from within. "Gods..." She couldn't control what was happening and her body arched hard into the Queen, legs trembling, muscles tightening. Xena squeezed her eyes tightly shut, moaning loudly, hearing Gabrielle's whimpers when her lover plunged down hard to meet her final upward thrust. Xena stiffened for a second before drowning in the hot flood of her release.

They pushed into each other one last time, Gabrielle's center contracting as she groaned in pleasure, swept away by her body's response to her lover's and the feeling of Xena pulsing inside her. She dug her nails into the strong shoulders and arched, tilting her head backwards."Xena... yes..." she ground out haltingly, riding the waves of pleasure coursing through her body.

Gabrielle limply fell forward, panting as she melted in Xena.

The warrior took a deep shuddering breath, wrapping Gabrielle up securely in her arms   "I love you."

"I love you too, Xe," the Queen mumbled dreamily, still floating along and unwilling to shorten her journey. When she finally had the energy to move, Gabrielle peppered her spouse's jaw and neck with soft, tiny kisses.

They moved slowly, bodies tingling still with passion spent, until Gabrielle was at Xena's side with her head resting on a broad shoulder.  "I thought it would last longer," Xena wondered aloud. But she took it in her stride, totally blaming Ares' body for its lack of discipline.

Gabrielle giggled. "By the Gods, Xena, do you hear me complaining?"She didn't wait for an answer.Sighing happily, she snuggled closer.Green eyes blinked as Gabrielle took the time to really examine her partner's current head. "Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"Why does it look like a dog chewed on Ares' head?" She gave a little tug to the messy, short, and highly uneven hair.

"Because he's a bonehead?"

"Oh Gods," Gabrielle groaned and chuckled at the same time.  "I'm so not ready for a Conqueror with a sense of humor."

The body below hers shook with silent laughter."I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Good," she teased."See that it doesn't."

They were both teetering on the edge of a contented sleep when there was a pounding on the apartment door.Xena cursed loudly, pulling Gabrielle from her delightful fog."I am going to kill whoever is out there."

Gabrielle scowled, not wanting to let go of Xena. "Not if I do it first."

Xena got to her feet, albeit very reluctantly. Wrapping a sheet around her waist, she left the bedchamber to get the door.Gabrielle mumbled some choice words about timing and privacy and began hunting for her robe, which she found tangled with Xena's trousers at the foot of the bed.Sliding one arm into the garment, then the other, she pulled it around herself and knotted the belt, freeing her hair with one hand. Snagging Ares' pants, she trailed after Xena to see what crises had befallen the realm now.

Palaemon's eyes went wide when the Queen entered and it became quite clear in his mind what he'd interrupted. He looked back and forth between Gabrielle and Ares, hoping ridiculously that somehow he was misinterpreting the situation.Stepping in mid-conversation, the Queen laid her palm on the small of Ares' back, moving it in slow, comforting circles. The gesture was unconscious and intimate and Palaemon stared for a moment before snapping out of his daze. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, I was just informing..."

Xena put up a hand to stop him.  "Palaemon, just go back to the dungeon and make sure the prisoner is well secured.The Queen and I will be down shortly."

"As you wish, Lord Ares."The Captain bowed begrudgingly and left the room, his former good mood having evaporated.

When the door clicked closed Xena turned around and grinned."Guess who they just arrested?"

"Please don't tell me it was Autolycus."I don't have anything left to cut off!Well, that he's willing to have cut off.

Xena shook her head, laughing softly."Not yet, Gabrielle.Though that wouldn't surprise me. No one reforms overnight."

Gabrielle raised her eyebrows at the light tone of Xena's voice.Perhaps her favorite thief had unwittingly earned some points with the Conqueror by interrupting her and Ares earlier that day. She herself had by turns been upset, angry and finally grateful."Well?Who then?"

"Your favorite nut cake and mine."

"Yes!" Gabrielle pumped a victorious fist.

"My thoughts exactly."

"Where did they find the traitorous bitch?"

"She was caught in the healer's chamber, trying to kill me... eh... Ares... eh..." Xena scratched her head.

"Bacchae!" Gabrielle spat vehemently.But never mind, let's just get dressed and get down there."She practically ran back into the bedchamber to get dressed.Gods, let this all almost be over.Please.

"So much for afterglow," Xena grumbled, following her spouse. You've reached the end of your road, Callisto.

*****

Xena and Gabrielle parted company when Autolycus met them outside the dungeon and requested, in a slightly demanding tone, complete with reproachful glance at Ares, that he needed to speak with the Queen.

The Conqueror laughed to herself as Autolycus gently took Gabrielle by the arm and led her away."I thought you were a more popular God, Ares. Seems everyone knows what a bastard you are."

Xena opened the door to the dungeon and nearly gagged at the foul stench.Darkness pervaded her senses and she squinted, peering through the dim torchlight. She had to remind herself that Gods probably didn't puke.

The guard bolted from his chair, staggering slightly at his apparent dizziness from rising so quickly."Lord Ar... Ares!"

Xena affected an arrogant pose typical of the God of War as she looked down at the portly man."You were expecting Cupid?"

"No, Lord Ares, but..."

She waved a dismissive hand.  "Take me to Callisto."

"Yes, Lord Ares."

The jailer lead Xena further into the dungeon, far deeper than she'd gone in several seasons. The man hung his smoking torch on a hook that protruded from the damp, stone wall. Spitting on both hands, he planted his feet and used massive forearms and biceps to grasp the handle of the heavy door and pull, throwing his shoulders and back into the movement.The thick, wooden slab scraped slowly against the stones of the floor as it opened with a loud creak.

The odor that rushed out nearly knocked the Conqueror off her feet, her stomach roiling.She shook it off.Doing her best to breathe solely through her mouth, she stepped inside.This is where they kept the worst of the worst.It was silent and dark as death itself. Which was fitting, Xena decided, seeing as these prisoners would find themselves crucified within a few short days. Her gaze flickered across the condemned men and women. I guess I wouldn't feel much like conversing with my cellmates in here either. No wonder they never cry for mercy before being nailed to the cross.They're too happy to be free from this hideous stench!

"Last cell on the right, Lord Ares.We put her in there alone, to keep the other prisoners from killing her."

Xena grunted her acknowledgment and stuck out a waiting hand.

The guard immediately retrieved his torch and thrust it into the Conqueror's grasp.

"Leave me."

"Yes, Lord Ares." He smiled a rotten-toothed grin laced with contempt before disappearing.

"I love you too," Xena muttered to the jailer as she took long strides towards the end of the foul corridor.  Looking through the bars, she found Callisto huddled in the corner, sitting on the cold floor, hugging her knees. She had been stripped of her armor and leathers and was wearing a dirty, shapeless tunic that would be recycled upon her death. "Get up, you crazy bitch!"  Xena commanded. Pictures of Callisto with a bloody whip in her hand flooded her mind, dredging up a dark rage unsuited for a meeting where she was supposed to be Ares.She bit the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to concentrate on the tasteless task at hand.

"Ares!"The former general rushed forward to the bars of her cell, relief clearly written across her face."Get me out of here!"

Xena chuckled humorlessly. "Why would I want to do that? Especially considering your most current pastime seems to be trying to assassinate my Chosen."

Callisto tried to look contrite, but couldn't quite manage it. "I know you told me not to touch either one of them. But..."

"But nothing!" Ares said that? "Shoving her down the steps was bad enough..."

Callisto's forehead creased.  "You know very well I didn't do that. I was just trying to give the pathetic assassin a little help. Come on, Ares," she prodded. "If we were free of Xena then we'd be free of the annoying little blonde too, and I could rule the Realm!"She drew the very tip of her finger into her mouth and gave Ares her best seductive smile.

Xena's stomach lurched.When Callisto reached through the bars to caress her face it was all she could do to keep from backing way.Her nostrils flared in disgust andGeneral smiled coyly, taking it as evidence of arousal.  

"You shaved," Callisto purred, lightly stroking the skin."I like it." Brown eyes drifted to Ares' hair, then widened. She paused. "Umm... love the hair, too. It's... um... interesting."

Xena captured her hand, giving it a painful squeeze."I don't care whether you like it or not. And don't pretend like you didn't push Xena down the Old Watchtower steps!"

Callisto drew back from him, studying his face with a critical eye."Did you get hit in the head or something? You know that wasn't me.If I'd gotten that close, she'd be dead, not just dying.Oh well, I can always hope she'll survive and end up a pitiful cripple."

Never!  "She would fall on her sword first." A slight tremor shook Xena's voice.Gods, I hadn't even thought about that. Her eyes closed briefly as the thought of being a lifetime burden to her mate brought the acrid taste of bile to her throat."About that night..."

 A smile curled Callisto's lips she remembered the battle that Ares had taken her to that night."Oh, it was delicious! All that beautiful blood and carnage. Don't tell me you've already forgotten that I was your guest." Her look turned sultry. "Especially considering what we did after."

Xena cleared her throat."Of course not!" Hades! She puffed up her chest and flashed back her own sexy grin. "I wanted to hear you say it."She shrugged one shoulder. "You know how I am."

Callisto continued to eye him with a hint of wariness."Of course I do. I know you very well, Ares."

"So who is the assassin you're trying to help?" Xena asked with forced casualness.

The general threw her hands in the air. "Like I know.But whoever it was got close enough to touch her and didn't cut her throat... the idiot."She took a step backwards when the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees. Ares was running out of patience and she felt the first gnawing of panic deep in her guts.Would he actually leave her here to be crucified? "C'mon, Ares. Get me out of here.Let me finish what I started, so you and I can rule the world the way it was meant to be ruled!"

Before Xena could answer, Palaemon and three other guards entered the door at the far end of the corridor.  With long poles, they pushed opened the slender, barred windows near the top of the high ceiling.A blast of cool, fresh air flooded the dungeon and the prisoners groaned and covered their eyes at the bright light. Scented candles were spread out down the cellblock and bundles of aromatic herbs were scattered across the floor.

"Palaemon, what in Tartarus is going on?"Xena barked.

"The Queen is on her way in," he paused, giving the God what could only be described as a disgusted look, "Lord Ares."

I get the smelly dungeon and when Gabrielle comes in they air the place out and sprinkle herbs around like it's Solstice!"What in Hades name is going on here?!" she roared indignantly.

"Ares," Callisto grabbed him by the vest, "get me out of here and I'll..."

"You'll what?!" Gabrielle stormed into the dungeon."You'll come for someone in my family again? Perhaps my child or my dying wife?Or maybe even me?"She raised her left hand, comparing her joining bracelet to the long cut on Callisto's face. "I wonder if I could give you a matching set."

"You little bitch!"Callisto let go of Ares as her arms flew out between the bars.

"Now is that any way to speak to your Queen?" Gabrielle smiled, taking a tiny step backwards and putting just enough distance between herself and the cell that the tips of Callisto's fingers could barely graze her tunic.

"You're not my Queen.  I'll cut my own throat before I ever bow before you."

"Promise?!"

Xena heard the crack in her wife's voice and knew that her recent yelling escapade, meant to intimidate the satraps, had taken its toll on her voice. She turned to a guard. "Bring Queen Gabrielle and me each a cup of water."

The guard nodded, leaving to do the God's bidding.

"Guess what, Callisto?"Gabrielle took the time to wrap an arm around Ares' trim waist."You're not going to get the chance to hurt anyone I love ever, ever again.Isn't that right, Ares?"

Xena grinned happily. "That's right, my Queen."She lowered her head, catching her spouse in a tender but passionate kiss.

Palaemon looked on in surprise as Callisto howled in fury. Raging eyes glanced back and forth between the dark God and the young Queen.

Gabrielle released Xena's lips, taking great care to gently stroke Xena's face and tug on her bottom lip with her teeth before pulling away.Xena loved that and she knew it would earn her an audible whimper.Which, of course, it did. She moved a step closer to Callisto and licked her own lips very slowly, giving the former General a bright smile and saucy wink.

Callisto's looked on in horror as Ares gazed at Gabrielle adoringly.It was a look she'd never seen on his face before and one she was certain he was entirely incapable of. "You're not Ares!" she accused, shaking a finger at Xena.

The tall God pointed at himself innocently."Oh?Who am I?Zeus perhaps? Or Aphrodite?"She smirked, cocking a brow in a gesture so like Xena that, despite it's improbability, Callisto knew exactly who she was looking at.

"Xena?!"She began to cackle hysterically."Oh, this is wonderful!" She clapped her hands together. "I don't know how, or why, but..."

Gabrielle let loose a steely laugh."My, my, my," she clucked with mock sadness."It seems this dark, scary dungeon has done something to your already demented brain. Palaemon?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?" He stepped forward from his place along the wall.

"I was going to order her crucified." Gabrielle hesitated, apparently thinking the situation over. "But it's obvious that she is not in her right mind. It would be wrong to put her to death." Her eyes took on a predatory glint. "Move her to the Capital Asylum instead.And make sure she's confined with the criminally insane. I wouldn't want her to lack for company."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

Callisto retreated to the back of her cell, shrieking, cursing, and mumbling something about spells and tricks, further cementing in everyone's minds that she was utterly insane.

The jailer sent to fetch the water returned, and passed the Queen a cup. Gabrielle smiled her thanks and took a long satisfying drink, enjoying the cool liquid that slid down her throat almost as much as she was enjoying Callisto's tantrum

Next, the jailer handed a cup to Ares .

The God took a healthy swallow of the foulest liquid Xena had ever tasted.It exploded out of her mouth and she began choking.Gabrielle patted her back. "What is this?" Xenahacked out, wiping her tongue with her fingers, wishing she had sleeves.

The jailer squared his shoulders. "Water drawn from the tank, Lord Ares."

Xena threw the cup down the corridor, sending it clanking to the very end. "The tank the prisoners wash their clothes in once a month?!"

"This is the water the prisoners drink," he informed Ares coolly, steeling himself for a swift and severe punishment.

Xena sneered and took a menacing step towards the huge man, who suddenly had the other guards and Palaemon at his sides to help him if necessary.

"No, Ares," Gabrielle interrupted, hoping to keep her spouse from attacking the guard. She pressed her own cup to Xena's lips, allowing her a taste of her cool, clean water."You're dismissed, guards. Thank you."She shot Palaemon a warning look, and he quickly gathered the jailer and guards, pushing them towards the door before Ares'  temper completely snapped.

When they were well out of earshot, and Palaemon had retaken his unobtrusive spot along the wall, Gabrielle slid her hand under Ares' vest just to taunt Callisto. "This body is so delightful," she cooed for the General's benefit, only barely remembering not to add 'Xena' to the end of her sentence. "Let's go put it to good use again, shall we?"

Xena nibbled on the Queen's neck, momentarily forgetting everything except the soft silky, warm skin beneath her lips. "In so many ways, and for so long you'll beg me to stop."

"Never," she promised sincerely. After several moments of probing kisses and roaming hands, Gabrielle pulled away and blew Callisto a little kiss.She took Xena's hand and began walking down the cellblock, well aware of her partner's slightly ragged breathing and flushed skin. Gabrielle looked over her shoulder."Enjoy your new digs. You'll be there for the rest of your natural life." She smiled coldly, enjoying the moment to the fullest."Or until the other prisoners grow as tired of you as we are."

Callisto dropped to her knees, screaming.

*****

Gabrielle laughed wickedly as she and Xena made their way down the stone corridor that led back to the palace.  Xena was nearly bursting with pride. Gabrielle truly was a mate worthy of ruling the Realm at her side.Her lover's throaty, satisfied laugh made Xena proud and completely horny.She glanced down to Ares' groin."I'm glad you at least had the good taste to behave in the dungeon."

"What?" the blonde asked, giving Xena a bump with her hip, only barely having heard the words.Though she was certain it was terribly wrong of her, she felt as though she was walking on clouds. She had been particularly amused when Callisto told her if she wanted it all, she'd have to fuck Palaemon too.The poor captain had nearly fainted on the spot. And the Queen and Conqueror had immediately agreed to bump Palaemon's pay to hazardous duty status and find him a mate so that he wouldn't be so nearly so desperate next time.

"I didn't say anything," Xena protested lamely.She frowned, hating having to burst Gabrielle's happy bubble, but not wanting to put it off any longer than necessary."Gabrielle?"

"Hmm?"

"Callisto wasn't the one who pushed me down the stairs."

Gabrielle stopped dead in her tracks, her good mood scattered to the winds. "What?!But she tried to kill you.They caught her! She..."

"Yes, love, she did." Xena grasped Gabrielle's hands. "She tried to kill me today.It seems that she was with Ares the night I was pushed down the stairs."

Gabrielle pressed her palms against closed eyes, dangerously close to bursting into tears."Gods," she sighed miserably. "This was supposed to be over."I was sure Callisto was the one!

Xena pulled the smaller woman into a hug, kissing the crown of her head. "I wish it was."

"We're back at square one."

The Conqueror shook her head."Absolutely not, we've ruled out Callisto.  We also know that Malauis' suicide was a ruse, and that he was murdered by my assassin."

"'Would be' assassin, Conqueror," Gabrielle immediately corrected, daring Xena to say differently.

"Right." Xena tucked a pale strand of hair behind Gabrielle's ear."'Would be'. Anyway, hopefully, at this very moment, one of the satraps is buckling under the pressure of your wonderfully delivered threats."

Gabrielle let out a frustrated breath, kissing Xena on the collarbone before she pulled away and they resumed their trek."You're right.  We're not back at square one.We're on square one and a half."

"Gabrielle."Her name was drawn out.

"S'okay, Xena.I won't give up."

Xena grinned affectionately.  "I know.So where to now?We really can't do anything else until we give the satraps more time to mull over Antony's," her lips quirked into a sly smile, "tragic fate."

"Now we go to visit your body," Gabrielle said decisively as they rounded a corner, several guards snapping to attention as they passed. "I miss it and I want to make sure it's all right."

Xena grimaced. "Do we have to?"  The thought of seeing herself lying there like that made her kind of queasy and angry at the same time.

"I really need to, Xena. But I can go alone, if you'd rather."Please don't take me up on that.I need you there with me, convincing me that you're whole and that you're right here with me.

"Not a chance."

Gabrielle gave the hand she was holding a sympathetic squeeze, before trying to lighten the mood.The faint smell of roasting pork and fresh bread let them know that on the other side of the wall to the left of them was the palace's massive kitchens.Their stomachs growled in unison.Xena shook her head and the shorter woman chuckledwryly. "Oh... I almost forgot.You wanna know what I heard today while you were talking with Callisto?"

"Probably not." Xena smiled despite herself. "But go ahead anyway."

Gabrielle grinned back. "Rumor around the palace is that people are furious with Ares for being such a cad as to seduce their grieving queen." She stopped for a dramatic pause, draping her arm over her eyes and sighing, "who is, of course, so distraught over her dying mate she's unable to fend off his roguish advances..."

Xena rolled her eyes."Puuuuleeeez."

Gabrielle threw her head back in laughter, bringing it forward and nodding."Yup, Ares is just an old dog as far as the palace staff and your soldiers are concerned.I'm practically a widow in mourning and you're taking terrible liberties with me."

"Remind me to tell Palaemon who was on top."

"Don't you dare!"She slapped the firm bicep.  "They all think I was carved from a honeycomb, even the ones who weren't sure about me before are on my side now."

"Well, I agree with the staff. Ares is a bastard. And you are sweet as honey but have a Tartarus of a sting."

Xena sidestepped a second swat decidedly lacking in real sting. "Ouch! You know, the way you've got everybody around here wrapped around your little finger," Including me, she silently added, "and the way you've spun a tale for the satraps, makes me think that you should have been an actress or maybe even a bard."

Gabrielle snorted. "Get real, Xena. A bard?I've had enough of smelly taverns and groping soldiers to last me a lifetime."Her eyes rolled sideways, fastening on her tall, dark partner, who, despite looking very different, still felt very much like home to Gabrielle. "Well..." she amended."Most soldiers."

*****

Grimacing, Autolycus held the small, bloody pouch, as far from his body as he could. A guard pulled the conference room door open and the thief marched in, tossing the sack onto the table with an unceremonious, tiny thump."From Our Queen..." He glanced at Cleopatra."Hope you weren't fond of the right one."

The Egyptian monarch stood on shaky legs. She reached for the bag only to have her hand caught by Melosa.  "Allow me, Your Majesty." Melosa's lips turned down in distaste... for Cleopatra. "I prefer to look at the contents before you puke all over it."

Cleopatra bit back a nasty retort but nodded, leaving the gruesome duty of peeking inside the sack to the Amazon.Melosa opened the bag."It's an ear."

"Human?"Brutus asked.

"No, elephant."She stared at the open-mouthed Roman."Of course it's human, imbecile!"The Amazon passed the bag to Boadicea, who was obviously wholly unsatisfied with the discovery.She had anticipated an eyeball or at the very least a nice scrotum.This was downright disappointing.With a nod, she concurred with Melosa's identification of the body part and passed the bag to Lao Ma.

Autolycus snagged a toothpick from a bowl on the table and gnawed on the end speculatively.   "Antony must not have been listening to the Queen when she said you had three marks to tell her who made the attempt on Our Lord's life.I hope for his sake someone is listening this time."He tapped the toothpick on his chin before flicking it away."Of course, if you're not, I'm sure either one of you or Antony will see the light in the next round."He began walking away. Stopping in the doorway and not turning around, he shrugged. "Then again, maybe he won't."

*****

Even though Gabrielle knew Xena was standing behind her, safe and sound, seeing her wife's battered body lying helpless in bed made her heart ache and a solid lump rise to her throat.  "I never hurt for him the way I hurt for you," she whispered to Xena's body, her fingers gently combing through long, dark hair."And I knew him my whole life."

"Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle felt Xena moved behind her, placing large hands on her shoulders, kneading them comfortingly. She reached up and grasped one of Xena's hands and was quiet for so long Xena didn't think she was going to answer. "I was just thinking about Perdicus," she said finally."When he was killed...   I was sad because was my friend.But when I saw you... like...like this..." She looked down at Xena's body and tears sprang into her eyes so quickly she didn't have time to stop them. "I... I wanted to die." She swallowed hard.   "I couldn't imagine my life without you in it. I don't want to imagine a life without you."

"I'll find out who did this to me.  To us." The Conqueror cupped Gabrielle's chin, lifting until wet eyes looked into hers."Or I'll die trying." She winked.

Gabrielle tugged her chin away grumpily but a tiny laugh still escaped. "That is so not funny, Xena."

Xena felt an odd sensation in her belly.Oh great."I didn't mean to really upset you, Gabrielle.I..." The rest of what she was about to say was interrupted when the door to the room opened and Nyssa and Jarrod stepped into the room.

 "I'm sorry." The girl looked at Ares nervously. "We should have knocked.I didn't think anyone would be here but the guards.  They're not outside and... and... and..."

Gabrielle and Xena waited patiently for the tutor to stop rambling.It was obvious that she was uneasy in the presence of the handsome God. "Excuse me, Your Majesty.Jarrod asked to see Our Lord Conqueror.I... I... thought it would be all right. But... but..."

"Relax, Nyssa." Gabrielle smiled gently, unable to stand another second of the painfully awkward babble.  "Now is a fine time.Is Jarrod finished with his lessons for the day?"

The tutor nodded.

"Then your work day is done.Have a nice evening, Nyssa." Gabrielle smothered a laugh when the girl glanced over her shoulder on her way out of the room, her gaze landing squarely on Ares, who smiled and wiggled his fingers into a wave, causing Nyssa to run smack dab into the closed door.

"Gods... I ... I," Nyssa began to stammer, her hands moving to her reddening cheeks."I didn't..."  

"It's all right, Nyssa."Gabrielle stood up and opened the door for the girl."Ares," she warned in a low voice, feeling Xena gear up to tease the flustered girl further. The Queen turned around and silently mouthed 'Be nice!' to her laughing mate before ushering Nyssa out.

"Good... b.. bye then." The tutor darted away. Gabrielle shook her head and shut the door behind her.When she turned around again, she put her hands on her hips and gave Xena a look that meant she was in deep trouble.

The Conqueror smiled, holding up both palms face up in a gesture of complete innocence. When Gabrielle continued to glare, she grunted unhappily. "Gods, Gabrielle, I do have a reputation to uphold, you know," she whined.

Jarrod looked slightly confused, but quickly focused on the silent patient.

The Queen smiled, extending her hand to her son and effectively ignoring the troublemaker standing across the room, and stepped towards Xena's bed.She pulled him close and whispered in his ear."Tell her you love her, son.I know she'll hear you."

Jarrod looked doubtful, but his Mama coaxed him with a small shooing motion.The boy leaned over the bed, careful not to touch Xena.   He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek."I love you, Mother.Please come back to us soon."

Xena moved behind Gabrielle, pressing her lips to her wife's ear so that only she could hear the words. "She will, son. She loves you both too much to do anything else."

*****

The three of them sat together at the dining room table in the Conqueror's apartment, with Jarrod peeking at Ares from the corner of his eyes.Palaemon had explained that since Xena was Ares' Chosen, the God of War was here to help Gabrielle prevent the satraps from seizing control of the Realm while Xena was injured. But what the boy couldn't figure out was why Ares was always so close to his Mama.Why his eyes would flicker at others suspiciously, but when they landed on her they would soften and look all lovey-dovey.And even more bizarre - his Mama was doing the same thing!Only she and Xena should look at each other that way!  They were married.

Xena, sensing Jarrod's displeasure, remained mostly quiet throughout supper, watching the boy push his food around with his fork.

Gabrielle set her napkin on the table, frowning as she looked at her son's mostly untouched plate.Something was wrong.Jarrod usually was well into his second helping of everything by now. "Jarrod, sweetheart, you need to finish your dinner."She gestured to the food with her chin.

"Yes, Mama." He picked up his fork and began cutting a piece of roasted lamb.But the meat never made it to his mouth.

"Something wrong, Jarrod?"Xena asked, wondering if the boy would speak his mind.

"No, Sir."

"You're lying." The words were spoken firmly.

Jarrod's eyes widened.He had forgotten who he was talking to."I'm sorry, Sir.It's just... just..."

"Speak up, boy."

Startled eyes focused on the God.  "Ares, what are you...?"

Xena silenced her mate with a look.

Jarrod dropped his fork with a clatter, and his intense green eyes lifted to meet Ares' stare.

He was angry, Xena realized with a start.Although the lad was doing his best to hide it, his thin lipped smile and set jaw gave him away.

"I miss Xena.I want her to get better and come home so we can be a family again."

Xena lifted her cup, hiding her grin behind the wide rim."What else?"Come on, Jarrod.There's more.It doesn't take a God to see that.

Jarrod looked at his Mama then at Ares, his brows coming together."Will you be sleeping on the couch tonight?"

Gabrielle nearly spit her wine across the table but managed to hold it in with the help of her hand.Where does he come up with these things?

"Do you think that's where I should sleep?"Xena leaned forward, pushing away her plate of dry, overcooked lamb, and tasteless, mushy vegetables.Damn those spiteful servants and their petty revenge!

Jarrod nodded."Yes."

"Why?!" Xena demanded in a deep, booming voice that caused Gabrielle to jump.

The eight-year-old sprang to his feet. His knee hit the edge of the table and Gabrielle reached out just in time to grab his cup before it tipped over, spilling his milk. "She is not available!" He pointed to his mother."It's just not right!Xena's not dead yet!And I don't care if you are a God!"

"Jarrod!" Gabrielle's jaw dropped.  Her mind spun as she realized Jarrod didn't want Ares taking Xena's place in her bed and their lives.Gods, who told him he could grow up?!"Sit." She scolded her son with an intonation to her voice that had forever meant he was pushing his luck.

Glumly, he sank back into his seat, his eyes trained firmly on the table.His lower lip poked out and he shoved his hands into his pockets, grumbling under his breath.

Next, the Queen pinned her wife with a withering glare and tilted her head toward Jarrod, urging Xena to do something.

Xena looked back sheepishly, knowing she'd intentionally provoked the outburst."Okay," she mouthed silently to her Queen. She laid her palms on the table and pushed herself to her feet."You're absolutely right, lad. She's not available.And my place in on the couch."

Gabrielle's jaw dropped further. That's not what I meant! Oh, you'd better not be serious, Conqueror.

"Really?"

Xena nodded solemnly.

"Thank you," the boy said quietly.  Regaining most of his normally bright disposition almost immediately, he pulled over his plate and began digging into the food, humming around a large bite full of warm, spiced squash and juicy, roasted lamb.He would tell Palaemon and Autolycus about his success tomorrow.

*****

Gabrielle tucked Jarrod in and told him an about an evil but stupid Cyclops who captured a young village girl but was outsmarted by her wily ways.When the story was over, they remained together, snuggled safely in his bed, speaking in low, hushed tones as Gabrielle did her best to reassure him that Ares' presence wasn't a threat to their family.Rather, that he was there to help. A few sniffles and more than a few hugs accompanied Jarrod's apology for his behavior at dinner.

Xena sat on a low, padded, leather sofa in front of the warm hearth, half-listening to their conversation, but unable to pick out more than an occasional 'I'm scared' or 'I miss her too'.  She poked at the fire with a long metal rod, adjusting the logs and stoking the glowing embers, comforted by the familiar smell of hickory and the knowledge that the people she loved most were close by.Xena was amused by Jarrod's boyish jealously and well-grounded sense of propriety.And she was proud of him.Proud of his vigorous protest in the face of a God.And glad that someone couldn't just waltz into her home and slide into her spot in her family's heart.Not without a fight.

She sniffed the bitter wine in her cup, tossing its contents into the fire.There was a loud hiss as the red liquid splashed against the glowing logs and the flame burst higher.She still couldn't believe the cook and serving woman had dared give her food and drink unfit for her worst enemy.And I thought I was hated before!her mind growled. Then her brain seized up as she realized with startling clarity that her people feared The Conqueror more than Ares himself.They would have never challenged her in this way.Her conscience nudged her and she admitted to herself that, despite how she felt about Ares, she'd done far, far worse than seduce a queen while her mate lay dying.

Xena stood and stretched, scowling as she tugged at the leather chaffing her thighs. Gods might not sweat, but Conqueror's pretending to be Gods most certainly did.Ares was never seen out of his black leathers, so she was left with little choice but to have this set cleaned.She moved to the bedchamber, quickly removed his clothes, and wrapped herself in a fine linen sheet.She gathered up the heavy leather garments and padded barefoot to the front door of the apartment.The cool, stone floor felt nice on the bottom of warm feet.When she pulled open the door, she motioned for one of the two guards that were posted at the end of the corridor.

The man hustled forward, his armor clanking, his long spear swaying from side to side as he headed over. Gilles had told him, before going on duty, that the Queen might have company this evening, and he wrinkled his nose at the God who was taking advantage of their Queen in her hour of need.The bastard."Yes, Lord Ares?"

"Send these to be cleaned," Xena ordered flatly, shoving the dark leather bundle against the guard's chest.

The soldier fumbled with the clothing for a second, keeping a woolen stocking from falling by capturing it with the edge of his spear. "Lord Ares?"

Xena exhaled tiredly. "Need I repeat myself? Have these cleaned. Oh..." She disappeared for a moment, then plopped her boots onto the pile in the guards hands. "And my boots shined."

A second guard joined the first at the Conqueror's door to see if there was a problem."I'll send these to be cleaned, Lord Ares," the first guard said.

"And make sure they're back first thing in the morning."

"You bet I will," he mumbled.

"What?"

"Of course, Lord Ares."He retreated down the hall, kicking along the stocking that had managed to fall despite his half-hearted efforts to the contrary. Xena looked at the other guard who was still standing before her. "Problem?" she inquired with an arched brow.

"No, Lord Ares.No problem with me," the man replied dutifully, though it was obvious that he didn't believe a word of what he was saying.

Although she wanted to slam the door, she didn't for fear of rousing a sleeping Jarrod.Controlling her temper, she clicked it closed quietly and stalked back to the hearth, warming her hands in front of the flames."Yes, Lord Ares.No, Lord Ares..." she grumbled sarcastically."Arrogant pieces of Centaur crap." She turned at the sound of Gabrielle's chuckle behind her. "And just what do you think is so funny?"

Xena's voice was grumpy, and Gabrielle knew her patience had been stretched to the limits.She was quite sure that, had she not intervened on multiple occasions today, several of the palace staff would be cooling their heels in the dungeon right now, or worse."Kind of the pot calling the kettle black isn't it, My Lord?" The shorter woman bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.

"Oh, very funny."Xena readjusted the sheet draped over her body."It's entirely different."

"Is it?"Gabrielle quirked a brow, her eyes roaming over Xena's attire. "You look good in that.Bet you'd look good in one of those fancy Roman numbers, too."

"Uh huh.But I'd look even better out of it."Xena wriggled her eyebrows several times.

The Queen moved forward and ran the back of her hand over Xena's prickly cheek."You need a shave."

"Well, there's four words I never thought I'd hear from a woman."

Gabrielle smiled.This was odd."Do you have any particular four you're fond of?"

"Make love to me?"

"Hear those often from women, do you?" Gabrielle teased, knowing that most of Xena's court and enemies alike would give their eyeteeth to bed the tall beauty.

"Not anymore, wife."Xena drew out the last word playfully, grinning when Gabrielle scrunched up her face and a pink tongue made an appearance.

Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Xena's neck, lacing her fingers together. "Uh huh. And how about Cleopatra?"

Brown eyes widened.Zeus!Where did that come from?"Hmm... yeah, well...that was a special case."

"Special case, my foot!"Gabrielle dropped he hands from Xena's neck. Turning on her heels, she marched out of the living room without so much as a backward glance, her smile going unseen.

Xena stood dumbfounded.Huh? She can't be mad at me?I didn't do anything! "Uhhh, just in case you're wondering, Gabrielle, I'm not real fond of those four words either."The Conqueror crossed muscular forearms. Xena tilted her head and peered through the open bedroom door, catching glimpses of Gabrielle passing in and out of the bedchamber's shadows.It was when she got hit in the face and chest with the Queen's tunic and underclothes that she grinned broadly.

"Xena?"

"Yes?"

"Make love to me."

*****

Xena stood by the side of the bed, the sheet long forgotten.Panting, she took a deep swallow of good, sweet wine, which, thankfully, Gabrielle had ordered, making sure that the servants knew it would be for her and not Ares. Xena watched transfixed as Gabrielle's sweat-slicked body moved slowly in the bed.She licked her lips and absently set her cup down on the bedside table, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, her eyes never leaving her wife.

The Conqueror had lost track of how long they'd been making love and playing. But by the Gods, did she love it!  This time around, Xena wasn't a total novice in Ares' body and she didn't let things get away from her as they had before.It took more concentration than normal, she discovered, but once she understood that her new body tended to charge full speed ahead, regardless of intentions, she was able to control herself better and have Gabrielle in exactly the ways she wanted.  The ways they both wanted.

It had been a very long time since she'd been with someone who could keep up with her sexually, and even then, it had never, ever been like this.She hadn't been capable of understanding what a difference love made in all things until that early autumn morning when she rode into Poteidaia and changed her life forever.It was freedom in its most raw and wonderful form, and she drank it in greedily.

Gabrielle looked up at her spouse with heavy-lidded eyes and smiled, white teeth glinting in the muted candlelight.Her hands were slowly, erotically gliding down her torso. And Xena's gaze followed them inch by inch, burning a path down her lithe, slightly muscular body.Gabrielle writhed against silk sheets that felt cool against her heated flesh.Her lips were slightly parted, and she hummed softly in sensual delight, her body still tingling from their last encounter. Just as her hands slid down onto upper thighs and began roaming through reddish-blonde curls, they detoured, playfully tugging up the sheet, denying her extremely aroused partner a view of exactly what she was doing.

"Oh no!" Xena growled, grabbing for the sheet.Gabrielle laughed and snatched it way, the slippery edge sliding between Xena's fingertips."

"Is this what you want, Lord Conqueror?" she asked innocently, sounding every bit like a Poteidaian farm girl, but looking at Xena with lust-filled eyes that would make Aphrodite blush.She slid the crimson sheets back just enough to reveal a smooth thigh and the edge of a hand buried in glistening curls.

Xena closed her eyes and dropped her head forward, her chest expanding with the enormous gulp of air she'd swallowed.She let it out very slowly, her erection growing painfully ridged. She was literally beginning to shake under the weight of her mounting arousal. "Yes, Gabrielle," she said between clenched teeth. "You know it is."

Gabrielle drew her fingertips along her center, moaning softly and feeling no shame in her pleasure or the pleasure her mate was receiving watching her in this way.

Xena's eyes flashed in pique. "Up!" she demanded.She needed Gabrielle now. When the younger woman didn't move quickly enough for her tastes, she leaned forward and, with a powerful hand, tore the sheet from the bed, allowing it to fall where it may once Gabrielle was fully exposed before her.Hungry eyes devoured this glorious gift.

The blonde sat up and moved to her hands and knees, slowly making her way across the bed to her lover, her movements taking on a feline-like quality. "How do you want me, Xena?" she asked in a husky voice far more subservient than normal.

A drop of perspiration rolled down the Conqueror's chest, before evaporating against impossibly hot skin, her desire multiplying with every passing second.   "That's good," Xena groaned, spinning her index finger in a small circle and motioning for Gabrielle to turn around.

The smaller woman easily complied. Thick, fair hair fell forward pooling on the sheets as she looked over her shoulder, giving her hips a little roll."Like this?" She presented herself fully."Is this how you want me?"

"Oh yeah."The Conqueror's gaze swept over her wife's beautiful body. Gabrielle stretched sensually and Xena's grin turned predatory."So beautiful."Xena skimmed her hand along the damp skin of Gabrielle's thigh, feeling soft, downy hair beneath her fingertips.Her palm moved over a firm, round buttock, then slowly slid up the length of her spine, rubbing and massaging as she went. Without warning, she grabbed Gabrielle's hips, and firmly yanked the panting woman toward her.

Xena leaned over her spouse's back, fitting her much larger body tightly against Gabrielle's, their moist skin sliding together.She threaded her hand though her messy hair and pulled back, sending Gabrielle's chin upward.

Gabrielle's senses were reeling.  She could feel her mate's more aggressive side pushing itself to the forefront, and she welcomed it, enjoying the rush of fire that pumped through her veins whenever she was taken by The Destroyer of Nations.Or the one doing the taking.Hot breath tickled her ear and she shivered at the low, husked words that tore through her.

"You're mine," Xena growled, tightening her grip in damp, pale hair.She moved the hair aside, bushing her lips against the smooth skin between Gabrielle's shoulder blades.Her hand snaked around and under the body, whose heart was beating so furiously she could feel its pounding rhythm through Gabrielle's back, against her own chest.

Gabrielle's stomach trembled and jerked in the wake of her fingers, which moved forward, finally coming to rest on a full breast.Xena squeezed, sighing at the feeling of skin so soft she wondered if it would melt in her hand.She gently grasped the warm weight.

Gabrielle whimpered, screwing her eyes tightly shut.Gods, Xena.She fought hard not to come on the spot.She wasn't near ready, though her body was screaming otherwise. When Xena took her taut nipple between a long finger and thumb and firmly rolled it, a hot trickle of moisture burned a path down the length of Gabrielle's inner thigh. "Yes," she moaned breathlessly, shifting back and trying to make the contact she so desperately wanted, offered herself to her mate completely.

Xena knew what they both wanted, but she was determined to control it.And control it she did, by ruthlessly holding Gabrielle's hips solidly in place, despite her own body's nearly insatiable need to bring her closer."This time you beg me," she husked, giving the ear near her lips a tug with sharp teeth.The Conqueror took what was hers, capturing Gabrielle's mouth in a rough kiss, which was immediately returned.

Not to be outdone, when Xena pulled away Gabrielle surged sideways, nipping Xena's throat with enough force to draw a small drop of blood.

The Conqueror gasped, and a deep, almost sinister chuckle worked its way up from her chest. "I always knew you had Bacchae tendencies, Gabrielle."Her neck burned where she had just been bitten, sweat mingling with a tiny speck of blood. The combination of arousal with just the slightest twinge of pain brought her to new heights of passion.Raising a hand, she wiped the tiny droplet away with her finger, licking it clean.Ares' blood, she foggily realized.

How different this was from when she had bitten Ares' lip only days before.She felt the power of his blood even then, but the sensation was laced with revulsion.Now, however, with Gabrielle's ragged breathing punctuating the silent night air, and their sweat-slicked bodies that smelt of sex so close, she found an act startlingly similar was as intoxicating as any wine she'd ever indulged in.It was rivaled only by the essence of her wife's passion, which she had tasted many times this night.

Her heart pounded wildly with love and admiration for this young woman who welcomed her occasional darker moments in their lovemaking with open arms, letting her express herself fully, without shame or censure. She had been delighted to discover Gabrielle gave every bit as good as she got, releasing her own darker desires in a safe haven that provided them both with unparalleled pleasure. And yet, this same gentle woman made Xena feel safe enough to crawl into her arms and cry like a child if needed, knowing that nothing that happened, be it tender or rough, needy or generous, would ever leave the privacy of this chamber.

"Down." The Conqueror placed a firm hand between Gabrielle's shoulder blades, forcing her head down to the soft feather mattress.Xena's hand traveled back to the blonde curls, feeling the warm, wet desire flooding from her spouse.She took a deep breath, bringing more of the heady scent to flaring nostrils."Do you want me in you, Gabrielle?I want you so badly it hurts."

"Yes." She could only gasp and nod as she felt Xena's hand slide between her legs, stroking slippery, hot flesh with a slow tenderness at odds with her commanding voice.

Xena positioned herself and leaned over her spouse again, asking a question whose answer was already apparent."Do you want me to take you now, Gabrielle?"

"Gods yes!"

"Beg me! Beg me to take you." Xena brought her hips forward just a hair, closing her eyes at the feeling of liquid heat against the her erection.Surrounding her."Beg me!"

Gabrielle was nearly beyond words, her own heartbeat pounding so loudly in her ears she barely heard Xena.  She pushed backwards again, but was rooted in place by strong hands.Gabrielle swallowed convulsively. "Xena, please..." she implored shamelessly."Do it!Fuck me!"

"Oh yes!"The Conqueror thrust into her mate, immediately feeling Gabrielle tighten around her, their bodies and souls merging into one.

The Queen groaned loudly with pleasure when she felt her hips being raised to meet Xena's "Ahhh... yessss..." she hissed in pure delight as the Conqueror took her. Gabrielle's belly clenched and the muscles at her center rhythmically tensed and released over and over again in response to the passion that filled her.

This round of lovemaking was truly primal and satiated a need deep within both hearts. Releasing Gabrielle's hips, Xena fell forward with her, repositioning and rolling her until Gabrielle lay on top of her, salty wet skin touching along the length of their bodies, soft breasts pressing into her hard chest. Xena thrust upward, and their eyes locked as they convulsed in unison, passion finally claiming them as they both lost themselves in a sea of emotion where lust and love collided. Gabrielle cried out hoarsely and Xena's deep, satisfied moans mingled with her voice. They soared, then slowly made their way back to earth.

Together.

*****

"Hmmm." It was a very contented sigh.Arms and legs were tangled together, but both women were too spent to bother trying to move as bodies cooled and racing hearts slowed.

The Conqueror chuckled as her mate sighed again and nuzzled her naked chest.Like a cat that had just received a good scratching, Gabrielle was happily dozing in and out of a hazy fog of pleasure.

"What's so funny?" Puffs of hot air were tickling the fair-haired woman's head, scattering damp bangs across her forehead.

"You."

"Me?"

"You," Xena repeated, recalling a conversation very much like this one, many weeks ago, during their first meal together.The thought made her smile."You seem very happy."

"I am."Spoken from the heart.

Xena's hands gently stroked the smooth skin on Gabrielle's shoulders, drawing a lazy path across her back.  "Good.I never want to see you unhappy again, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle tightened her hold on her mate, snuggling closer and feeling her lip quiver slightly as she spoke.  "As long as we're together, I won't be." We're running out of time.

"We'll always be together." Eventually.Xena closed her eyes, cuddling the smaller woman.

"We've only got two days left, Xe," Gabrielle whispered, her frustration mounting with every word.

The Conqueror nodded, feeling the sudden tension thrumming through her partner."I know, Mama Bear.But we're a lot closer to finding out who did this than we were before.We'll get there."We have to. She sighed."I hate to say this, but the more I think about it, the more I don't think the satraps are involved."

"How can you say that?" Gabrielle pushed up a bit so she could look at Xena's face. "It has to be one of them."

"No, Gabrielle. The warriors among them wouldn't have tried to take me out that way. And the rest." She quirked an eyebrow."Well... 'Antony's' ear should have been more than convincing enough for them to rat each other out."

Green eyes went round. "Rat?"

"Mmm... Many nasty, beady-eyed, little rats.They're all co-conspirators. They've formed an alliance against me..."

Gabrielle wrinkled her forehead. "How can you be sure?"

"The conference room I put them in has ears."Xena chuckled at the surprised look on her wife's face."Other than Antony's, that is."

"Ears?" Gabrielle knocked lightly on Xena's broad chest with the fist. "More please. Explain."

"Behind the walls are hidden passages where people take down notes of what's said in between the satraps.Then they leave the notes for me to collect and read later. The notes indicate they formed an alliance to keep me from conscripting their best warriors.But things could have gone farther than that outside the conference room.There's no way to be certain unless one of them confesses.But we do know for certain they were joining forces against me."

Gabrielle smiled appreciatively at the Conqueror's sneaky ways.She made a mental note never, ever to underestimate her partner. "Ooo, that's clever."

"I know.Almost as clever as trading a condemned prisoner his life for his ear, my dear."

"Yeah, well, it's not as though I had any spare body parts lying around." The Queen shrugged. "I still think since it wasn't Callisto, then one of the satraps is our next strongest suspect."

The Conqueror blew out an unhappy breath, acknowledging in her own mind that Gabrielle was right."I suppose." She tugged on a small pink ear near her chin."What part of 'Antony' are they going to get tomorrow?"

Gabrielle made a face and thought for a moment."I'm thinking his tongue."

"Hmm, be careful, Gabrielle. Cleopatra might be able to identify that."Xena chuckled until she got a hard elbow to the ribs. "Uuuf..." She groaned playfully and stole a tender kiss. "Time for me to go."

"Go?"Gabrielle's body unconsciously wormed its way closer to her bedmate.

"Back on the couch." The Conqueror refused to pout, although she felt like a child being denied its favorite toy.

"Xena!"

"I told the boy I would," she reminded firmly.

Gabrielle sighed resignedly, not at all pleased with the notion of sleeping alone."So you did." She gave her partner a sharp pinch in the belly. "That was stupid!"

"Hey," Xena laughed."It's not like I wanted to.But we don't want Jarrod thinking..."

A blonde eyebrow lifted. "That I'm sharing my bed with The God of War?"

Xena frowned and looked down at the God's body. "I don't much like that idea either."

"I know," Gabrielle agreed gently.  "I know this has been hard.I mean... we've had great fun with Ares' body.  But I... I really miss yours, Xe.  We..." The younger woman made a vague gesture with her hand, unable to get across what she was thinking.

"Fit together better," Xena hazarded, her eyes twinkling softly.As interesting as this little experiment had been, she was thinking the same thing.

"Yeah." Gabrielle smiled affectionately, patting Xena's chest."C'mon, let me go and get you some extra blankets.It's cold tonight."

Xena moved as though she was going to get up, but instead, bolted sideways, flipping Gabrielle's back onto the soft mattress, and using her body weight to pin her down. She grinned mischievously at the astonished eyes blinking up at her."It's not cold in here, Gabrielle." Her voice was a husky purr and her lips started at Gabrielle's forehead where they slowly, gently, kissed their way down to her throat.Xena laved her Adam's apple with the tip of her tongue then tenderly sucked at the fluttering pulse point.

Gabrielle gasped and green eyes slid shut in pure reflex. There was nothing she loved more than the feeling of being rooted firmly in place by her lover's body and those talented lips worshipping every inch of available skin.She wrapped her arms around strong shoulders, running her hands down Xena's back. "Gods, Xena, are you a wrestler in your spare time?"She spread her legs, allowing Xena's to settle more comfortably between them, shuddering at the feeling of naked, warm skin sliding against hers.

"No." Her kisses moved back up to Gabrielle's ear."I just have many, many skills."

Gabrielle could only nod as barely banked arousal flared back to life.

Xena did make it to the couch that night... just before dawn.

*****

Gabrielle's nose wrinkled as she looked down as Xena's feet again."I think it's your boots."

"I just had them cleaned and shined!"

The blonde woman shook her head.  "I'm telling you, Xena, that smell is coming from your boots."

Xena bent down and took a strong whiff."Hades!I'm going to kill those servants!"

She was totally serious, Gabrielle realized, and she patted her arm comfortingly. "Please don't kill the servants." She wanted to smile at her ridiculous request, but one look in angry eyes convinced her otherwise.Even this relatively mild form of disobedience was completely foreign to the Conqueror.

"What do you suggest I do?My boots won't fit on these feet. And it's not as though I can use Ares' godly powers to conjure up another pair!"

"True," Gabrielle admitted, scratching her chin. "But will killing the servants get you a useable pair of boots?"

"Depends on the size of their feet."

"Xe!'

"Fine. Fine" she groused petulantly.

"C'mon, we'll go see if Morgaine can help us out.Or you'll have to walk down wind of me all day."

"I don't believe this," Xena grumbled as they made their way into the corridor outside their apartment."The palace staff aren't slaves!They're paid workers. I can't believe they're acting this way!"

Gabrielle took Xena's hand and threaded their fingers tightly together as she descended several steps that led toward the servants and workers' wing of the palace. "You, my dear Conqueror, should be pleased they're acting this way. Not only does it show great loyalty to me, but to you as well.They're upset with Ares for trying to come between us."

The Conqueror glanced down miserably."But did they have to shrink my shorts too?"

*****

Morgaine grew quiet when Gabrielle finished explaining what she needed.It wasn't that she hadn't heard the words. Rather, she was simply too distracted by the presence before her to do much more than half listen. Ancient eyes studied the dark God from head to toe.

"Can you help us?" Gabrielle inquired, her gaze darting between Xena and Morgaine.

The aged seamstress tilted her head in the direction of her Queen's alto voice, though her eyes never left Ares.  "Of course, Your Majesty.Just one moment."The woman slipped into a back room with a grace and speed at odds with her growing years.

A shiver chased its way down Xena's spine as Morgaine turned to leave.

"Hey?" Gabrielle turned to fully face her spouse, concerned by Xena's pensive, almost confused look. "What's wrong?"

"I... I don't know."Xena's eyes were riveted on the doorway where Morgaine had disappeared. She shrugged one muscular shoulder, trying to grab hold of the odd, fleeting sensation that had coursed through her. "Huh. I just got funny feeling, that's all."

"Well, she was staring at you pretty intently." Gabrielle had wondered about that herself.But then again, it wasn't everyday a God stood in your kitchen, asking for help."That's bound to make anyone feel a little funny," she surmised sympathetically.Please don't let Morgaine be out to make Ares miserable, too.I can't stop Xena from killing everyone!

"Maybe." But the Conqueror was unconvinced. She'd known Morgaine since the earliest days of her reign. When the woman was merely old and not a fossil. But something wasn't right today.  Maybe she was afraid.Ares' body alone carried a formidable presence, no matter who was walking around inside it.

"She's a kind woman, Xena.Don't be angry with her." There was a tinge of pleading to Gabrielle's voice and eyes.She liked Morgaine, considering her a friend in a grandmotherly sort of way.Had it not been for the old woman's patient ear, and words of encouragement, she might never have found the courage to admit to herself that she had fallen in love with the Conqueror and that she could, and would, accept all that that meant.

Xena shook herself from her thoughts and gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "I won't, love." Wanting to erase the worried look on Gabrielle's face, she lifted her stocking-covered foot and made a show of wiggling her toes. They'd had to get rid of the boots.The odor was too much to bear.It was a cross between manure and some other hideous fragrance that couldn't quite be identified, but that definitely spoke of something rank and spoiled.

Morgaine emerged from the back room with a new pair of shiny, black leather boots."I made these some time ago for my husband. But the old fool never bothers to wear them.He loves his old ones so much that he insists on patching the holes."With outstretched arms, she offered them to Ares. "I think these might just do the trick."

When Xena didn't take the boots, Gabrielle covertly nudged her with her elbow.  

"Uh...thank you," Xena stammered, taking the boots.The Conqueror lifted her foot and Gabrielle wrapped a steadying arm around her waist as she slipped one on, then the other.Xena hummed appreciatively, eyeing the rich, supple leather and stroking it with her fingertips. "They fit like a glove."

Morgaine smiled. "Somehow I knew they would."She turned to Gabrielle."Is there anything else, Your Majesty?"

"No." Gabrielle grinned. "Thank you, Morgaine." Oh yeah, almost forgot. "By the way, I met your son today."

"Did you now?" she said with obvious pride. "Gilles is a good boy."

Gabrielle laughed softly.Gilles was easily ten years older than her father would have been if he were alive.  I guess we never see our own babies as grown ups."He has your eyes."

The old woman blushed and clucked at Gabrielle for embarrassing her.She pulled the young women into an unexpected, fierce hug, whispering sympathetically in her ear, "I'm sorry about the Lord Conqueror, child."

Gabrielle blinked, surprised by the intensity of the embrace and the emotion she could feel thrumming through Morgaine.But she returned it wholeheartedly.Morgaine smelled of mint tea and honey, and she found her ample arms warm soothing, as though nothing could harm her while she was there.They possessed a deep well of strength that Gabrielle instinctively drew from. "So am I." Her voice cracked slightly and she buried her face in the soft shoulder.

"You'll get through this.Don't give up."

Gabrielle shook her head. "Never," she promised solemnly.

Xena silently studied the intimate exchange with great interest.When Morgaine pulled away from Gabrielle, the Conqueror released the breath she'd been unconsciously holding. When it looked as though their conversation was over, she pushed away from the heavy, wooden table she'd been leaning against and slowly moved toward her wife.

 The seamstress gave her queen a sympathetic smile and rubbed her hands up and down the arms of Gabrielle's bright green tunic in a motherly fashion.

A small smile curved Gabrielle's lips."Thank you again," she said with a hint of startlement.She felt more at peace than she had since this whole mess began. "For everything."

"You're welcome," Morgaine intoned earnestly. "Anything for you or the Realm, My Queen."She bowed her silvered head dutifully when Ares brushed by her and gently took Gabrielle by the arm. Looking up, she could clearly see the bond between them, the sparkling tether of the Fates' threads that linked one soul to another.She watched as the couple disappeared, their footsteps falling in unison, heads already tilted towards one another in quiet conversation.

When they left, Morgaine flopped down on a slightly rickety chair with a loud thump, wincing as her old bones made contact with the wood."Ares!What have you done?"Her thoughts shifted back to the young Queen. Hang on, Gabrielle.Not much longer now.

*****

Autolycus gingerly handed Gabrielle a small box, wiping his hands on his trousers the second it left his fingertips.She started to open it but he laid a hand on hers."Don't go there."He grimaced.  "It's not pretty."

She drew a deep breath, clutching the box."I'll take your word for it."

"Are they gathered in the council room?"Xena asked impatiently.

"You mean you don't know, Lord Ares?" the thief challenged sarcastically, raising an impudent eyebrow.

Xena's hand went to her sword, thick fingers tapping its hilt nervously.Cold eyes fastened on Autolycus' smug face.Someone is going to push me too far today!"I asked you a perfectly simple question, you worthless..."

"'Simple' seems to be the only kind you know," Autolycus shot back, albeit under his breath.

"What was that?!"

Ares' face reddened, and he began advancing on the man. Gabrielle watched in horror as Autolycus picked the worst possible moment in his cowardly life to grow a spine and stand his ground. The blonde threw herself between the men, hearing the loud 'shiiiing' of metal as Xena's sword flew free of its scabbard."ALL RIGHT, ENOUGH!" Gabrielle roared, laying a forestalling hand on Ares' broad chest, feeling his pounding heartbeat.She held him back with a stiff arm, shooting Autolycus a supremely annoyed look."Please! All of this is hard enough without you two bickering."

Gabrielle's gaze swung back to her wife."Because of the 'rules' you've set forth, I have to figure out who injured your Chosen, and I need his help to do it."She studied Xena intently, and when she was reasonably certain Xena wouldn't lop his head off, Gabrielle whirled around to the thief and pointed at him."And I don't need you..."

"I know, Your Majesty," Autolycus blushed slightly."I'm... well... I suppose..."

"You're sorry?"Gabrielle put her hands on her hips, while Xena rested her chin on her shoulder.

The Conqueror graced Autolycus with the biggest if-it-weren't-for-her-you'd-be-dead look she could muster, knowing her proximity to Gabrielle was irritating him even more.

Autolycus' jaw clenched, and he stroked his mustache, seriously considering doing something even more stupid than he already had.

"Well?" Gabrielle prompted angrily. "Ares," she suddenly growled, dragging out the name menacingly.She could only imagine the look her mate was giving Autolycus behind her back.Green eyes rolled. Hades!I already have one eight-year-old!

"I'm sorry," the thief finally apologized with mock sincerity."I should have realized there were conditions that I wasn't aware of." Then his voice grew serious and his eyes pinned Gabrielle's. "You and Our Lord have my total loyalty."

Xena quirked an only mildly impressed brow while Gabrielle turned to her and smiled."Thank you, Autolycus," she gloated.

As the trio approached the conference room doors, Autolycus peeled off leaving Xena and Gabrielle to their visit with the satraps.The couple heard the dignitaries grumbling before they saw them.

"Have you noticed how odd Ares has been acting?"Brutus inquired. His words were met with a chorus of murmurs.

"Our little Queen must be quite a hellcat between the sheets to have captivated not only Our Lord, but the God of War as well," Cleopatra laughed, but even without seeing her face Xena could read the envy.

Gabrielle chuckled."Here comes the slut."She drew in a deep breath before bursting into the room, forcing Ares to lengthen his stride to keep pace with her regal gait.She didn't wait for anything else to be said.  "There you go." Setting the small wooden box on the edge of the table, she gave it a little push, noting that all eyes watched it slide into the center of the large, polished, wooden slab. "The next piece of the Antony puzzle.Too bad for you I don't really care for puzzles. Or your games!"

The blonde's voice was devoid of any warmth, and her icy gaze bore into each satrap in turn. "I've just ordered the crosses built.There won't be a third warning.Next time," she pointed at Boadicea, "I come for you. You're the first to be nailed to a cross.  I start at sun-up tomorrow and take another every hour until my problem solves itself."

"And we don't stop with you," Ares sneered, his eyes glittering with barely controlled rage."Next, we lay waste to your lands. And I will show no mercy!" A large fist slammed into the table and everyone in the room, including Gabrielle and Autolycus jumped.

After a dramatic pause, Gabrielle offered her hand to Ares, who brought it to his lips, giving it a gentle kiss. Gods. Good one Xena. "Guard!" Gabrielle shouted, pleased that Gilles was in the room with his sword drawn before she'd even finished saying the word.She pointed to the hearth. "Extinguish the fire.Remove those." Her finger gestured toward a table holding several decanters of wine."And there is to be no food or drink of any kind delivered to these prisoners until you hear differently." She eyed the man. "From me personally."

He bowed his head, a tiny smile edging its way onto his lips."Yes, My Queen."He looked up at the satraps and grinned broadly."My pleasure!"

Gabrielle turned back to the speechless group. "Enjoy your day," she said blandly. Tossing her hair over one shoulder, she marched out of the room.

*****

"You are one mean bitch."Xena chuckled."Gods, I love you!"

Gabrielle laughed with her partner as she wrapped her hand around Xena's muscular forearm, leaning towards her a little as they strolled across the courtyard.She gave a bittersweet smile before sighing ruefully. "I didn't know I had it in me." Her mouth pulled into a frown."No, that's a lie.I knew I had it in me.I just don't like the fact that I do."

"Gabrielle," Xena sighed."It was necessary in this instance.My Queen, you've got nothing to be ashamed of."

"Mmm... Maybe." The shorter woman rubbing her fingers over Xena's pink, chilled skin."You need a cloak," she said firmly, her breath sending a cloud of fog around her face.

"But..."

"Don't bother." Gabrielle held up a hand."I don't care whether Ares wears one. He's starting today. You're cold."

Xena opened her mouth to argue, then let it click shut.She was cold.  "You're right.We'll pick one up next time we're back in our apartment."

Gabrielle nodded.She would have preferred they went to fetch one now... But Xena didn't respond well to 'henpecked', and her lover's patience was already dangerously close to snapping.   She snuggled closer, hoping to share a little body heat as they trudged through the thick carpet of wet leaves, kicking up the lush, earthy scent of moist soil.They went up a small hill and made their way onto one of several stone paths that crisscrossed the enormous courtyard.

Xena abruptly stopped walking, jerking Gabrielle off balance for a moment. "Whoa."

Dark eyes fixed themselves on the tall, foreboding structure. "I need to go back in there."

Gabrielle swallowed hard, easily recalling the pungent odor of blood that lingered at thebottom of the Old Watchtower steps.Xena's blood.She let go of Xena, wrapping her arms around her stomach as she pushed away a sudden bout of queasiness. "All right.Let's go."

"Gab..."

"Don't even say it.I'm not letting you go back in there alone.  Even if it is daylight."

Seeing the determined glint in Gabrielle's eyes, Xena nodded reluctantly.As they made their way to the tower, the warrior focused her mind, trying to recapture the mood and events of that night.The memories were so vivid it was as though they were burned behind her eyes for all time. She let herself relive them again, hoping to recall something important.Something she'd overlooked.There was fear for Jarrod, the disillusion written across his freckled face as she tumbled from her pedestal with a momentous crash.Her own shame. Guilt.Anger.The horror of seeing herself through Jarrod's eyes at that very moment.And knowing in her heart she was far scarier than his childish mind could truly conceive of.

Pushing the door open, they entered the cold, rank building.Someone was upstairs.They could hear the faint echo of footsteps.Xena drew her heavy, razor-sharp sword just as Gabrielle plucked her daggers from her boots, and they began a quiet climb up the stairs.

Once at the top, Xena silently rushed around the corner, prepared to do battle. A dark-haired man was on the floor on his hands and knees.He appeared to be searching for something.Xena pressed the point of her blade to the base of his skull. "Lose something?"

"Ahhh... Lord Ares?"The man held his head perfectly still, recognizing the voice. Oh boy."Please don't."

Gabrielle's heard Xena's words and ran the last few steps.Her pulse was pounding from the vigorous climb and a light coating of perspiration covered her face and neck.Her heart threatened to stop when she saw Xena and... Autolycus?"What in the name of Hades?!"

"Looks like the criminal returns to the scene of the crime," Xena growled, stamping on Autolycus' back with her booted foot and sending him sprawling onto his belly.

"I was looking for another passage!" he mumbled against the wet stones, spitting out a mouthful of dirt and slimy moss.

"We know there aren't any passages up here!"Gabrielle stormed past Xena around to the thief's head.Grabbing a handful of his hair, she pressed one of her daggers to his throat.  "You tried to kill Xena?"

"No!There is a passage, Gabrielle!Look!"He pounded the floor, weakly."If there's not, I'll stand here quietly and not make another protest while Ares lops my head off, but please look first. Please."

"Get up!"Xena and Gabrielle shouted at the same time.

Once the thief was out of their way, they examined the floor.Xena's hands worked around the floor until her fingertips found a groove.Gabrielle followed up by digging the dirt out of the groove until it was clear.Xena then took the tip of her sword and pried the trapdoor open.They leaned over, looking down into a long, pitch-black shaft.

"Well I'll be damned."Xena scratched her cheek with the point of the sword.

Autolycus dropped to his knees, relief flooding through him."See." He pointed at the stones. "I know what this was used for.See that arrangement of pulleys, levers and ropes?" He picked his torch up off the floor and held it into the shaft. "Soldiers use this to send up weapons and supplies in times of battle."

Gabrielle and Xena just stared.

"Hey!" he snorted indignantly.  "I'm a thief.Not stupid."

Gabrielle peered into the darkness. "So someone could have entered from the bottom.Used the system to bring themselves up to the platform, shoved Xena, and made their escape, never leaving a footprint because they were standing on the retractable floor."

"Right!" the thief piped up.

"Maybe," Xena said, still not completely convinced."Close the floor."

"Killjoy."Autolycus hoisted himself up and carefully closed the trapdoor.  Xena looked back and forth again, taking three steps down. "Autolycus stand on top of the retractable floor."

He moved into position, testing his weight on it with one foot before stepping completely on top.

Xena turned her back."Shove me, without taking a step forward."

Autolycus looked at the distance between them.He raised his hand, then let it fall."I can't reach you."

Gabrielle looked at the floor.  "So they couldn't have used this?  It means nothing?" She scanned the floor, desperately hoping they'd missed something.A sinking sensation filled her and she felt the first stirrings of panic that had been just below the surface for the last two days.They had to be missing something!Gentle fingers on her chin drew her from her thoughts and she glanced up into soft, concerned eyes.

"Not nothing," Xena disagreed.  "I think we just need to start looking beyond the obvious."She regarded her partner seriously. "Gab?"

"I'm okay," Gabrielle insisted, her voice breaking.She blinked away unexpected tears and, the next thing she knew, her vision was blocked by a tall dark figure and she was pulled into strong arms.

Xena gently guided her forward, out of Autolycus' torch light and into the shadows that offered them as much privacy as they could get under the circumstances.She wrapped her arms tightly around Gabrielle.  

"I'm sorry, Xena.I... I..."

"Shhh... I know."Xena knew something was going to give soon... While Gabrielle was by no means a wallflower, she wasn't used to ordering crosses to be built for execution, or delivering body parts to foreign dignitaries either.

After several silent moments, Autolycus cleared his throat and tilted his head toward the steps.He, for one, was more than anxious to leave this nasty place, but, given the Conqueror's initial reaction to him being here, he didn't think it was a wise move to up and disappear.

Xena looked down at Gabrielle.  "Ready?" She wiped tear-stained cheeks with cool fingertips.

Gabrielle closed her eyes at the tender touch and nodded. "Ready."

Xena moved forward in front of Autolycus and began to descend the steps.She stopped on the third step, looking down at the path her body had fallen.There was just one thing she wanted to test."Put your hand in the small of my back, Gabrielle."

"Ares..."

"Do it, Gabrielle."

The blonde took a step forward.  She briskly rubbed her hands together to warm them, even though she'd be touching Ares' vest not his skin, then hesitantly placed her hand on Xena's back.

"Lower."

She moved her hand lower until it rested right in the middle of the small of Xena's back"There?"

"Yeah," Xena said quietly.She closed her eyes and focused hard, remembering every sensation from the night of the fall."A little pressure."

"Ares..."

Xena could hear the fear in her voice.But this was important."Please, Gabrielle..."

The Queen let out an explosive breath.This reenactment was doing nothing for her already frazzled nerves and slightly queasy stomach.

"Okay."Xena sighed, reaching around to take Gabrielle's hand."Let's get out of here and look around outside."We know how they didn't get in, we need to figure out how they did get in."

The trio made their way back down the winding steps.Xena's pulse pounded as she recalled the excruciating fall. She heard her own cries and the sound of snapping bones and tearing flesh.At the bottom she stopped and knelt down, running her fingers over a patch of dried blood.She straightened and wiped her fingers on the wet, mossy walls. "Let's go."

Outside they all took a deep breath of the cool afternoon air, squinting as their eyes adjusted to the brilliant blue sky and bright sunlight.Xena turned to Gabrielle and nodded toward the tower."When all this is over remind me to have this torn down."

"No problem."She wouldn't be going back in there again.Ever.  

They were about to make their way around the outside of the tower when Palaemonrode into the courtyard with Jarrod's black pony in tow.The trio stopped.Gabrielle eyed the young captain, blocking the sun with her hand.  "Riding lesson today, Palaemon?"

"Yes, Your Majesty.I hope that's all right.I thought it would be best to try and keep His Highnesses' schedule the same or at least as normal as possible."

She gave the beefy man a pat on the leg."Of course it is.  I'm grateful for the attention that you and Nyssa have been able to give him.We'll stop by the ring later to see him."

"Of course, Your Majesty.Should I bring Cinnamon out and have him saddled?"He smiled good naturedly, even offering Gabrielle a ghost of a wink.

His answer was a sharp poke in the thigh and Gabrielle's sticking out the tip of a pink tongue.But she was glad for his attempt at humor and that, at last, he wasn't treating her with so much formality that they'd never get to be friends."I think it's safe to assume my riding lessons can be forgotten for the moment."

"You'll be wanting to wait for the Conqueror to personally offer her assistance then?"He wasn't joking, and it showed in the resolute set of his jaw and unwavering look in deep hazel eyes.

It was belief pure and simple, and Gabrielle couldn't stop the smile that shaped her lips anymore than she could stop the sun from shining.She needed to hear it put that plainly. That simply.And as strange as it sounded, she needed to hear it from someone other than Xena. She knew her mate would say nearly anything to spare her pain, and she loved her dearly for it.Although it sometimes meant she got a slightly colored version of events.

And even Morgaine's words had been directed toward Gabrielle and how she felt. Settling her with the knowledge that no matter what happened, she would muddle through it.She would survive.But Palaemon's voice was full of hope for Xena. And that's what she wanted to hear. His unyielding confidence bolstered her own.

"Very well, Your Majesty."He returned his Queen's smile and kicked his mare into aslow canter, the clippity-clop of hooves on stone fading into the wind as he headed towards the stables and a waiting Jarrod.

*****

Xena, Autolycus, and Gabrielle had been looking around the outside of the Old Watchtower for anything out of the ordinary when a shrill alarm rang out."Aww, Hades!" Xena scrubbed Ares' short hair with both hands.

"What's going on!?"Gabrielle could hear shouts and the low rumble of pounding boots that sounded like rolling thunder.Soldiers poured into the courtyard, settling to positions along the wall and toward the front gates.Green eyes widened at the moving, chaotic mass that resembled ants pulsing on their hill.

"Someone is launching an attack on the palace."

"Oh, of course!"Autolycus threw his hands in the air."I'm going to get killed here one way or the other, aren't I?"

"Probably," Xena said in a bored tone.

"Jarrod!" An unreasoning fear transformed Gabrielle's features. "Jarrod is riding with Palaemon."Xena grabbed Gabrielle's arm as the blonde tried to bolt toward the stables.

She grabbed the thief with her other hand and gave his arm a hard shake."Take Gabrielle and get her to safety."

"But..." The Queen started to protest only to be simultaneous pushed by Xena and pulled by Autolycus.Xena grabbed a nearby horse and roughly pushed the man from the saddle. Mounting it with a powerful leap she galloped forward toward the stables.

Gabrielle allowed herself to be pulled along for all of ten paces before she dug in her heels and began to fight.  "Get you hands off me, Autolycus!  I need to get my son."

"Ares will get him, Gabrielle!  You need to be..."

The clamor of the courtyard increased to a dull roar and she shouted over the ensuing mayhem,"I need to be with my son!"With a hard yank, she wrenched her wrists free, darting for the stables at a full run as she dodged the frantically moving soldiers, carts heavy with arrows and vats of Greek fire, snorting horses that danced nervously in the bedlam.

"Damn, damn, damn!"The thief tried to follow but lost her in the crowd of dark purple and black uniforms that continued to flood into the courtyard.

*****

Xena's eyes darted around wildly as she watched the invaders push her men back at the gate.She drew her sword, still moving at full gallop for the last place she knew her son was supposed to be.Xena jumped from the stallion, slapping it on the rump and sending it back towards the gate.There was a body between her and the door she needed to go through.She roughly grabbed it by the arm and whirled it around, blade held high, poised to deliver a fatal blow.

"Nyssa? Are you out of your mind!?" the Conqueror hissed. A shiver chased down her spine and she lowered the sword with a shaky hand.

"Lord Ares... I... I just left the boy for his riding lesson.I was going back for him!"

Xena dragged the startled woman behind her into the stables, a shower of arrows impaling themselves against the tall wooden door just as Xena pulled it closed.They found Palaemon sitting on a bale of hay with his sword in one hand and his other arm wrapped tightly around Jarrod.  The boys had his face pressed against Palaemon's chest and his hands covering his ears.

Xena practically ripped him from the soldier's arms, and gave him a quick kiss on the temple murmuring,"Thanks the Gods you're all right, son." 

He looked up at the God as though Ares' had lost his mind butXena just thrust him into Nyssa's arms."Get back behind those bales and stay here until the all clear sounds!"

"Yes, Lord Ares."Nyssa took her charge and ran for the back of the stables.

Xena looked at Palaemon."I want two squadrons of soldiers protecting this structure.Kill anyone who comes near it!" she barked as they briskly headed back into the courtyard. Suddenly she stopped and pinned Palaemon with dark, menacing eyes."No one comes near my son!"

The words were a dangerous growl and the fair-haired Captain fought the urge to step backwards in retreat.Confusion colored his face. "Your...?"

Xena cursed her loose tongue but didn't have time to offer much of an explanation."My Chosen's son is like my own.Now move!"She slapped him hard on the back, and he bolted into action faster than the stallion she'd dismounted only a moment before.

Palaemon rushed forward and intercepted a group of twenty or so men and women who were dressed in full armor and double timing it toward the eastern most battlement.He pointed to various strategic locations around the stable and riding ring.The soldiers sprinted into place, several climbing to the roof with bow and quivers strapped to their backs.

Xena could hear it before she see it."Incoming!" she boomed.A loud whistle of rocks coated with Greek fire cut through the air, smashing against the building alongside the stable. Thick black sludge coated the walls and began smoking, sending an acrid odor through the air.But the recent rain kept the building from bursting into flames and the boiling liquid only smoldered against the wet surface.

She ran for the steps leading up to the top of the battlement and bounded onto a slim walkway that circled the upper edge of the entire stronghold.Xena really didn't need to see, but she wanted to be sure.She wanted to know who was insane enough to attack the stronghold.Their life was already forfeit, and she salivated at the thought of driving her blade into their heart and twisting it slowly.

The Conqueror wasn't surprised to see Britons storming her walls.Most were cut down before they even reached the massive stone barriers, the dead lying in heaps at the foot of the wall.But from her bird's eye position she could see that several platoons of soldiers had broken through her defenses and were snaking into the palace grounds from two different locations.She glanced around looking for the Amazons, knowing that if they joined with the Britons her losses would be heavy.There was never a question that she would ultimately prevail.It was just a matter of what the death toll would be. "Damn!"

She twisted her body and turned just in time to capture the arrow that was directed at her chest.She gave it a quick examination.Not Amazon.Good.Though Boadicea might want company on the cross next to hers."That's one point in your favor, Melosa."She turned and dashed down the battlement steps, taking them three at a time.A large group of soldiers stood in the center of the courtyard receiving last second instructions from their shouting officers.

The lines parted as Ares strode right into the center of the mass, jumping up on a cart that had been overturned in the confusion.Another arrow whizzed by and was effortlessly plucked out of the sky before it could find its way to Palaemon's throat.

Xena's face was the picture of wild fury and she allowed the fire racing through her veins to seep into her voice and mannerisms.  She was wrath itself."We're going to go out there and we are going to cut down every last soldier!Our enemies.Enemies of the Realm!"The soldiers cheered and stamped their feet, the fog from the heaving chests mixing with the black, smoky tendrils from the Greek fire.

Ares raised his arm high above his head, muscles standing out in vivid relief against flushed skin as he hefted his long blade."KILL THEM ALL!" he roared, and the troops roared back, drumming their approval on their shields with their swords and pounding the ground with spears."No warrior lifting a weapon against the Realm, Your Lord Conqueror in her time of need, Your Queen in her time of mourning or against the GOD OF WAR is to be left alive!"

More savage howls pierced the air.  The roar was deafening and it made the Conqueror's blood boil. She drew in a deep breath, her nostrils flaring and pulse pounding at the heady scent of smoke and blood, sweat and soil.It was a heady mix and every bit as intoxicating as the sensuous aroma of her wife's passion-slicked skin.It elicited the same primal thrill in Xena, setting her ablaze from within.Nothing else compared to it.She closed her eyes briefly, relishing the feeling.Nothing else ever could.A feral, dark energy pervaded her very essence as she ran through the troops, vaulting into the saddle of her gelding that Palaemon had retrieved from the stables.

She shifted in her seat, pressing muscular thighs tightly against the beast, who responded to her untamed aura more than her body language itself."Open the gates!"

*****

The battle lasted well into the early evening.The end, however, had been written well before the first arrow sailed through the sky or the first drop of blood soaked the soil.

The gates were reopened and a victorious Conqueror rode back into the stronghold with her troops behind her.  It made no difference to her that they thought they were following Ares into battle.She had led them and she had won. Splattered blood covered her chest and arms and dripped in a slow coagulating stream from the blade that hung loosely at her side.

When she had charged out the gate several hours earlier, it was clear that the Amazons had decided to align themselves with Greece.And their sharp arrows struck down the Britons from behind as Xena assaulted them from the front.Not a single invading soldier was left standing by the day's end.

Xena dismounted her horse and moved toward a makeshift first aid station.Her eyes swept over the dead and wounded, but her heart was pulling her towards the stables and refused to be ignored. She found Palaemon first.The captain had sustained a nasty wound to his left arm.He looked pale, dirty and tired, but he was still on his feet, assisting the more seriously injured soldiers.

"Palaemon!Go to Xena's healer and have that looked at," she ordered, inwardly breathing a huge sigh of relief.He'd stayed to guard the stables.If he were alive, then so was Jarrod.She knew the officer would have given his life before allowing anyone through the stable doors.

"Yes, Lord Ares.But," he swallowed hard,"with your permission, my men are hurt and I need to stay with them for now.The Conqueror always said...."

Ares nodded.She would have done no less herself.Palaemon was not destined to remain a Captain for long."Enough said.  Just make sure to get a field dressing on it." Her voice grew serious."And soon."

"Yes, Lord Ares."

Xena sheathed her blade with a scowl.The ground was littered with bodies.More Britons had made it into the stronghold than she'd thought."And Jarrod?"

"Nyssa is taking him back to the royal apartment right now, Lord Ares.The lad's frightened but unharmed."

"Thank you."She turned on her heels, offering small waves to the men who greeted her with, "Lord Ares!"Despite the carnage around them, most were in good spirits.It's amazing what staying alive will do for your mood, she thought wryly. Xena was tempted to order food and spirits brought out to the men but feared that if she did the ordering, she would finish what Boadicea started.

Her gaze traveled to a small walkway between the stables and the next building over, and time ground to a halt.  An agonizing cry from a small, kneeling form reached her ears, seeping into her consciousness in slow motion."Mama, nooooo!"Her heart threatened to pound out of her chest before she could take her first steps.

Gods no!Don't you do this to me!Not now that I've figured it all out. With every strike and parry during the battle, her mind had puzzled out the mystery of her murder attempt.At several points she disengaged from her body completely, cutting a bloody swath through the enemy troops while working to identify her assassin.

Xena's boots felt as though they were full of lead as she navigated the sea of wounded men and crying horses.  Then, as though breaking free from some unknown force, she took off in a full charge.Rocks and twigs crunched loudly under her feet as she tore along the short path to the stables.

She turned a corner, her arms out from her side to balance her as she did, and her world began to crash down around her ears.Jarrod's body was thrown across his mother's prone form, an arrow protruding from her chest.  The left side.Her heart.

Bile rose in her throat and she choked back tears.Several more long strides and she was at their side, dropping to her knees. She heard Palaemon's low curse in the distance and the thudding of his heavy footsteps but didn't turn her head to look. Gabrielle.You were supposed to stay with Autolycus!

Xena gently pulled Jarrod into her arms, but her eyes were locked on Gabrielle's ashen face. With a trembling hand she reached out and ran her fingers through reddish-blonde hair, across a cold, windburned cheek, and down a slender throat where she searched for a heartbeat.

Nothing.

Panic welled within her, squeezing her chest until she could barely breath.She tried again. This time more desperately.  

Still nothing.

Xena's own heart stopped, and she probed deeper with her fingertips, her gaze dropping to her lover's still chest. C'mon, Mama Bear!I know you're still in there!

The boy looked up into the God's face."You can make her better! Help her!"He tugged on Ares' vest, mindless of the sticky blood that now covered them both.

"I can't," Xena admitted brokenly, nearly passing out from relief when she felt a weak, thready pulse."Hang on, Gabrielle."Teary eyes swung toward Nyssa who emerged from the shadows where she had been silently watching.Xena gently removed Jarrod from her lap and settled him next to her.Then she carefully wrapped Gabrielle's soft cloak around her shoulders as she scooped her up into strong arms."I'll come get you if you make me, Gabrielle." She kissed her closed eyelids then her lips. "I swear I will."

Palaemon drew up alongside the small group. He groaned softly at the sight of the young Queen and her blood-soaked tunic, and pulled Jarrod against his hip with his good arm.

Xena stood directly in front of the young tutor, eyes flashing."Come with me, Nyssa.I know the truth now!" she spat, marching up and leaning forward until their faces were only inches apart."And you're going to fix this!" When the tutor remained silent, Xena prodded threateningly, "Aren't you?!"  

It was not a question.

Nyssa's pale eyes studied Xena for a long moment before she made her decision and bowed her head."I'll do what I can."

"Or I'll cut you into so many pieces they'll be picking you up for days!" Xena roared, her fear momentarily overtaking her.  

Jarrod clung tightly to Palaemon, tears streaking his smooth cheeks.The boy sniffed loudly and Xena's head jerked in his direction.He was petrified and she was making it worse. The Conqueror consciously softened her voice."Son, this is all going to get very confusing for you but I need you to trust me.Okay?"

"Okay," he cried reaching up for his Mama's limp hand and tangling his fingers with hers."I can't lose her too."His stared off toward the courtyard and whispered, "That would leave nobody.First my Papa, then Xena, now my Mama..." Jarrod choked on a sob and Palaemon snuggled the boy tighter against him, at a loss as to what he could say. He looked up at the God who felt every bit as helpless as her world spun out of control.

"Come on, son.We're going to save your mother."

*****

Palaemon had taken great care to clear their path, with only a few soldiers seeing them as they entered the palace.For now the Realm was in certain danger.With both Xena and Gabrielle unable to rule, it was ripe for challenge from within. The Conqueror, with Jarrod, Nyssa, and Palaemon all trailing behind her, had carried her Queen back to the healer's rooms, where her own body lay sleeping.She had carefully settled Gabrielle down on the cot next to Xena's.After hesitantly moving away, she barked an order to the guards who were posted around her body.

"Yes, Lord Ares!"Three guards left to fetch the old seamstress and bring her to the God.

Xena looked on as the men strolled leisurely down the hall.She plucked a knife from her belt and sent it sailing at them.It whizzed between their heads, grazing one man's ear before impaling itself in a wooden door just beyond them.   Startled eyes looked back at the dark God."Hurry!" Xena bellowed, sending the guards scurrying down the corridor in a panic.

The Captain wondered why Ares had sent for the aged seamstress.He looked over at his Lord's fallen body and then at the Queen's.If Morgaine had anything to do with this tragedy he would see to it that her death was quick and clean in deference to her age... but she'd still be paying Charon's toll.

Jarrod watched as Ares dressed his Mama's wound, leaving the arrow in her body, and tenderly ran his fingers through her hair.Part of him hated him for it. And the boy found himself with an almost unstoppable urge to lash out.To scream and fight.But even as he did his best to suppress those feelings, he found himself glued to Ares' ministrations.Xena touched his mother in that very same way when she'd gotten a cold not long after arriving at the palace.He cocked his head to the side and regarded the God carefully.

After a moment of serious contemplation, the boy looked at Nyssa, who still held his small hand."I need to be with my mothers now."He gently tugged his hand away and knelt between the two beds, facing the God who still peered at his Mama.He tapped Ares on the knee, absently noting that the leather of his trousers was softer and cooler than he thought it would be.

Ares blinked, then their eyes locked and a slow, almost timid smile worked its way across Jarrod's face.  "I'm not afraid," the boy whispered softly.

"Good," Xena answered quietly.

"I know you'll make it better... Mother."

Xena closed her eyes tightly, trying not to burst into frustrated tears. She didn't bother disputing his claim. "I'm going to try, son."

"I know."He reached out and took Ares' large, callused hand in his.  He squeezed it in a comforting gesture so reminiscent of his mother that the hot tears spilled over onto Ares' cheeks before he could stop them."I love you."

Glistening brown eyes fixed themselves on Jarrod's soft green."I love you too."Before any more could be said, the guards interrupted by bringing a fussing Morgaine into the room.Xena wiped her face with the back of her hands and sprang to her feet, pushing the men out of the room and closing the door behind them. She stood facing the carved oak slab for several seconds, composing herself, before she spun around and leveled a hard glare at the seamstress.She crossed thick arms over her chest. "Who are you and what have you done with Morgaine?"

"A better question is..." Morgaine straightened, her aged frame seeming to become younger and stronger with each word. "Why has the God of War swapped bodies with his Chosen?"

"He had his reasons," Xena ground out."That's all you need to know."

"Then so do I," she replied stubbornly.

Getting nowhere fast and too impatient to wait, Xena turned to Nyssa next and pointed an angry finger."Who are you?"

"Nyssa, Lord Ares.Tutor to..."

"Enough of your half truths and lies!" Xena stomped forward and Palaemon found himself wanting to step between Ares and the lovely young tutor.But his survival instinct kicked in, and he remained where he was, hoping she wasn't about to run her through.Xena drew a deep breath, reining in her temper.She decided to give Nyssa one last opportunity to come clean before she wrung her skinny neck. "I want you to tell me which God or Goddess you're both working for.And why you tried to kill me."

Morgaine spoke up, correctly sensing impending bloodshed."I never tried to kill you, Xena.You should know better than that."

"I don't know anything anymore!"

Morgaine smiled knowingly."Of course you do."

"But..." Xena's words trailed off and her mouth remained open as she watched in amazement as the old woman's appearance began to shift and transform right before her eyes.Silver hair lengthened and curled, turning to a golden blonde.Drooping breasts lifted, enlarged, and were reshaped.Deep lines in creased ancient cheeks disappeared, leaving behind smooth flawless skin.A pink see-through nightie, matching wonder bra, and pink high heels adorned with a fluffy tuft of pink feathers on the toe replaced Morgaine's modest beige tunic.

"By the Gods!" Palaemon exclaimed.

Xena blinked. "Aphrodite?"

The Goddess flashed a brilliant smile. "Like, in the flesh, Warrior Babe.And I'm obviously not the killing type." She wrinkled her nose as if smelling something dreadful. "That is just so... so... unlovelike, you know?"

Xena's mind had a hard time wrapping around what she was seeing.She had suspected some minion of the Gods or a pitiful, annoying, lesser-type God or Goddess like Discord or Strife.But not a Goddess herself."How did you come to be here?This palace is dedicated to Ares.Major Gods aren't allowed to interfere..."

Aphrodite stamped her foot petulantly to interrupt the Conqueror.She hated it when mortals went on a rant."No, but we are allowed to be near and protect our own Chosen."She grinned again and adjusted her bodice, glad to be back in her own perky breasts. "That's all what I'm doing, tall, dark and sexy." She gave Xena a little wink.

Xena was truly confused now. Her brows drew together and she scratched her bristly cheek, frowning."Your Chosen lives behind the walls of my palace?" The warrior searched her mind for anyone sappy enough for Aphrodite to hook up with.There were some gossipy fishwives who worked in the kitchens and were forever trying to fix up the single soldiers with the ugly scouring women.It had to be one of them.

The Goddess giggled as she read the Conqueror's mind."Oh babe, you are so wrong.Not that I don't have fun with them.Who doesn't love to dish?" she pointed out. "But true love is a serious matter and I wouldn't favor just any mortal with the honor of being my Chosen.She would have to be loyal.Capable of the most tender emotions. Pretty but not stuck on herself." She tapped her cheek, then began counting off on her fingers. "Kind, but not a wuss. Know how to accessorize in all seasons. And...

 "Get to the point," Xena interrupted, rolling her eyes.

Aphrodite's gaze narrowed."How she stands someone as grumpy as you, I'll never know.Duh, Conqueror, My Chosen is your wife and soul mate."She tilted her head toward the cot where Gabrielle lay.

"Gabrielle?"

"You only have one soul mate, Xena.And one wife." Her expression suddenly clouded. "At least I hope for your sake you only have one wife.If not... lose her quick." She jerked a thumb toward Gabrielle. "Miss I-could-take-out-a-flea-at-twenty-paces-with-my-knife has a jealous streak a mile wide."

Xena's eyes widened. "If she's your Chosen, you can heal her!"

"I can."

"Do it!What are you waiting for?" she yelled frustratedly, glancing back at Gabrielle. She couldn't have much time left.  

Aphrodite didn't say a word, apparently waiting for something that still hadn't been said.

"You want me to beg?" Xena asked desperately."Is that it?" She fell to her knees. "Fine. I'll give you anything you want. I'll do anything you want."

Aphrodite arched a critical eyebrow. "Anything?"

"By the Gods!Anything!"

"Would you give all this up, Xena?" Aphrodite made a broad gesture."Would you walk away from this?From the wealth and the power?Would you take your wife and son back to a small village and run an inn for the rest of your days?Never again knowing the glory of battle or the thrill of conquest." She regarded the warrior closely, not bothering to ask for her life.She knew Xena would offer that in a heartbeat.No.She wanted more for her Chosen than a hero.She wanted a true partner willing to make a sacrifice worthy of an epic love.

"Yes."There was not a single second of hesitation.If the Goddess would heal Gabrielle, she would do all those things and more.Of course, Ares would probably see her dead first.But she would worry about him later."My life. My kingdom. My sword.My Soul.Anything," she pledged solemnly, her eyes radiating her sincerity."Just bring her back safe and sound."

Aphrodite nodded, clearly impressed."Oh, Conqueror. Now that's the love groove I was going for." She held up a finger. "Back in a flash."

*****

Aphrodite entered Morpheus' realm.  She looked around at the furnishings and gloomy atmosphere."Ewww," she exclaimed. "Like, this place totally sucks."Shaking her head, she marched over to her brother who was lying back with his arms crossed behind his head on a bed of soft, black silk pillows, viewing Xena's dreams as if they were a continuously showing play for an audience of one.  The Goddess peeked into the portal and smiled."They are so fab together!I so totally rock!"

"Ohhh yeah!"Ares chuckled lecherously, too interested in the hot and heavy scene playing out before him to really notice who he was talking to. This dream was a particular favorite and after seeing if a half dozen times consecutively he wanted the blonde more than ever.

Aphrodite turned away from the portal and perched delicately on Ares' bed. "Bro, you are such a pig.The part that's coming up is private!"Of course, she only knew that because she happened to choose that moment to check in on Gabrielle.But that was an accident!

His head snapped sideways and he flashed his sister an irritated smile. "Me?"He pointed to himself, affecting a hurt, innocent expression. "Is it my fault she dreams about it? And I mean dreams!" he groaned and bit his lip, his eye caught by the events in the portal once again. He and Aphrodite tilted their heads in unison as they watched the woman tangle into a particularly interesting position.

Aphrodite chuckled appreciatively and nodded her head."Good one, ladies."

Ares brows knitted and he laced his fingers together over his belly as he watched. "You'd think they'd black out doing that for too long."

The Goddess ignored her brother's comment, finally getting to the point."Why did you trade bodies with Xena?"

He shrugged."The blonde and I made a deal."

"Deal?"

"I help Xena and she makes me a very, very happy God," he said matter-of-factly, although he was quite pleased with himself.She was going to be fantastic he just knew it.

"You are like..." Aphrodite waved her hands in the air."Totally sick!"

"I thought it was pretty good plan myself."Ares sighed and snapped his fingers, shutting down the portal."I can watch that again later.When I'm alone."He raised a significant eyebrow."What are you doing here, by the way?Don't you have some poor soldier's life to ruin by hooking him up with an incessantly nagging wife?"

"Later.Right now I'm trying to get My Chosen back together with Your Chosen."

"Excuse me!" Ares rose from the bed and shook his head wildly. "You're not telling me what I think you're telling me." He scowled. "Are you?"

Aphrodite blew on her knuckles and polished them against her sheer nightie."Hear it and weep, bro."

"Are you nuts?The Chosen of the God of War and the Chosen of the Goddess of Love? Together? Ohhhhhh." His face brightened. "I know... I know...  they got married and all, but this is just a lust thing.They'll get sick of each other pretty soon, right?"

"Like, haven't you been paying attention?They're fated.  This goes beyond us."

"Those Fate bitches!" he roared.  Was it necessary for them to continuously thwart his plans?Was it even fair?  No!

"You've been so busy enjoying Xena's dreams you haven't even popped in to see what they've been doing to your body, have you?" She waggled a chastising finger, loving the startled look on Ares' face.

"Huh?What do you mean 'doing' to my body?Do you mean...?"He thrust his hips forward and lifted his eyebrows up and down.

"Oooo, I was thinking more along the lines that Gab didn't like that scratchy beard so Xena got rid of most of it."

"She what?!"His hands instinctively went to his cheeks.

"Yeah," the Goddess laughed cruelly, "and most of the hair too."

His eyes widened and he looked down.

"On your head, Ares."

"Oh yeah.I knew that," he lied."But that doesn't change the fact that I'm going to kill her!"

Aphrodite smacked his leg and he winced, rubbing the reddening mark. "No, you won't!Your Chosen is all wrapped up in My Chosen and, unlike you, I actually do right by my people.

"Hey!" he yelled indignantly.

"So you're going to go back there and..."

"Kick what's left of her ass!"  And with that the dark God was gone.

Aphrodite blew an errant blonde curl from her forehead. "Men!"She snapped her fingers and disappeared.

Ares looked around the room, waiting as patiently as possible for Aphrodite to return so that she could remove the spell that kept everyone motionless.He had reclaimed his body, so he was free to move around. And since Aphrodite was the one who cast the spell, only she could remove it. He tapped his foot impatiently, wondering what was keeping the ditzy Goddess.

Ares reached up and scratched his head. Brown eyes widened as he frantically ran his fingers through his black, crookedly cut locks."Xena!What have you done?"

He drew his blade and turned his head from side to side, speculatively studying his face and head in the shiny blade. He gave it a moment's consideration before he shrugged, deciding he kind of liked the new goatee.He frowned. The hair, however, was unacceptable. With a snap of his fingers it evened up. It was still short, but at least it didn't look like he'd been attacked by a dull knife.Besides, he grinned, if the little blonde liked it, he could live with it for a bit longer. Ares glanced over at Gabrielle and winced at the arrow buried deep in her chest."That's gonna leave a mark."

"No, it's not."Aphrodite popped into existence next to her brother."Just like Xena's little tumble down the steps isn't going to leave any marks either, because we're going to heal them."She knelt down beside Gabrielle's head.With a steady hand, she touched the arrow, causing it to disappear.  Then she laid her palm on the woman's forehead.She glared, snapping her fingers and pointing to a spot on the floor by Xena's head."They're soulmates and to heal their spirit they need both of us." When Ares looked wholly unimpressed, she added, "Don't make me come get you. Like, there are things I could do to all your big nasty warriors which would make you cry."

Ares dropped to his knees with a snort and placed his hand on Xena's forehead.He rolled his eyes dramatically, secretly more than a little unhappy with his sister's threat. "Okay, let's get this over with."

Aphrodite extended her hand to Ares."Sure, like nooooow you're in a big rush."

"You just want to hold my hand."

"I'm worried about you," she snapped, as she reluctantly took his hand."You need professional help."

"What about them?" Ares' glanced at Nyssa, Jarrod and Palaemon who were still frozen in time.

The Goddess shrugged. "They'll keep."

Both deities closed their eyes and bowed their heads, projecting a warm flood of healing energy into the bodies of their Chosen.Gabrielle moaned first, moving her head just slightly as she sucked in a deep breath.

Xena's eyes moved rhythmically beneath closed eyelids, and her body began to stir.When blue eyes suddenly popped open, she immediately tried to sit up, getting dizzy in the process. "Whoa."

"That's my girl."Ares grinned, standing up and offering the Conqueror a hand, perversely pleased that she was roused before his sister's Chosen."C'mon, Warrior Princess, vacation is over, back on your feet."

Xena blinked, slightly confused. She hadn't been called 'Warrior Princess' since she was a teenager and raising her first army.Her eyes quickly focused and confusion shifted to annoyance. Knowing the dark turn her life had taken soon after she received that battlefield title only made the nickname a reminder of days that Xena would just as soon forget. "Vacation, my ass!" she growled, smacking his outstretched hand away and hoisting herself up onto very unsteady feet.

Angrily, she ripped bandages from her body, getting caught up in a tangle of gauze.By the time she was finished tearing the strips of cloth from her body, she was left completely naked in the cool, late autumn air.Ares smirked appreciatively and in response Xena snatched a blanket from the bed, wrapping it around her body. "Gods, I hate you," she grumbled.

Blue eyes quickly scanned the room for... "Gabrielle?" She scrambled over her bed and scooped her lover into her arms, hugging her tightly.Releasing her slightly, she stroked Gabrielle's cheek, nearly crying at its healthy warmth and light pink color."C'mon, Mama Bear." Her voice was a fervent whisper as she rubbed the downy cheek a little more vigorously. "Open your eyes!"

Gabrielle took another shuddering breath, exhaling with a deep moan, her eyes fluttering open."Xena..."

"Yeah, sweetheart.It's me."She pulled Gabrielle into another fierce embrace and was rewarded with weak arms wrapping around and squeezing her, their strength increasing with every passing second.She brushed her lips across Gabrielle's temple, feeling a scattering of warm, salty tears splash against her bare shoulder.

Aphrodite and Ares watched the embrace.Xena and Gabrielle seemed oblivious to their presence... just as it should be during reunions of the heart.Aphrodite sniffed and dabbed her eyes. "I am like... sooooo totally awesome!"

Ares could only grunt.

She nudged her brother."You see it, don't you?" Aphrodite gestured quickly between Xena and Gabrielle.   "The Fates' thread binding their souls?"

Ares crossed his arms and defiantly said, "Maybe."

Now it was Aphrodite's turn to snort."Even the Conqueror needs someone to love... who truly loves her back."

Ares tried to scowl, but it came off looking more like a pout."Love makes you weak."

"Get real, bro!" she scoffed.  "Try telling that to the dead Britons inside and outside the palace walls.She didn't seem weak when she was out there chopping them down for raising a hand against the Realm."

Ares' mouth dropped open."I missed that...?!"

"While you were watching Xena and Gabrielle porn," she finished, her tone chastising but still amused."And it was tooooootally gross. Arrows and fire and gore..."

The God of War bit his lip and whimpered, imagining Xena in her dark, bloody, glory, embracing the part of her that was his... and, despite the annoying little blonde, always would be.

"I personally think her love for Gabrielle and Jarrod gives her two more reasons to stay the bad ass warrior you want her to be.She's got something to fight for."

Ares just shook his head. "Women," he mumbled."I'll never understand them."

"True," Aphrodite agreed flippantly. "But at least you're smart enough to realize that sometimes the best man for the job is a woman.That's why Xena rules the world."

"SO!"Ares boomed, breaking up the lovefest.He couldn't handle another second of his sister's gloating and made mental note to make sure that one of her temples was right in the path of a pillaging army during the next battle he oversaw. "Did you figure it out, Xena?"

Xena kissed Gabrielle again before turning to face the tall God."Yeah, we figured it out."She got to her feet. Looking around the room she realized that no one was moving except for the four of them."Fix them." She pointed at Jarrod, Nyssa and Palaemon.

Gabrielle's grip on Xena tightened when saw her son standing like a statue. Her pulse jumped."Is he...?"

"He's fine," Xena assured. She pinned Ares with a sharp look."I'm not explaining a Gods be damned thing until Jarrod and Palaemon are cared for and I can confront those traitorous satraps as well. So you'll just have to wait for your explanation."

*****

The door burst open and everyone in the room jumped, their eyes growing wide with surprise and fear as Xena strode in, shoulders squared, chin up, long ebony hair flowing over her shoulders, bouncing lightly with each purposeful step. Gabrielle was hot on her heels, her face showing every bit as much determination as her partner's. Next came the God of War, glad to be back in his own body where he could swagger to his heart's content. Several seconds after him, a woman in a see-through pink nightie strolled in. Aphrodite was barely through the doorway when two guards bustled in behind her. They were flanking a grim-looking, chestnut-haired, young woman whose eyes remained downcast as she walked. While she wasn't shackled, it was clear that she was in the custody of the guards.

"I have good news and bad news." Xena walked up to Brutus and snatched the chair out from under his butt, sending him crashing to the floor with a mighty thud. She glared at Lao Ma, who was sitting at the head of the table. The Asian woman wordlessly rose to her feet, obediently moving a seat down, and allowing Xena to kick away the empty seat and slam down the chair that was in her hands. She straddled it, continuing to study the satraps. The Conqueror had to admit they were a miserable looking bunch. Dark circles ringed their eyes, and their hair looked oily and unkempt. Gabrielle had done a good job keeping them off balance.

"The good news is I'm back." She let a slow feral grin spread across her face. "The bad news is... I'm back."

"Impossible!" Brutus declared. "You should be dead!"

"Rumors of my death were greatly exaggerated," she offered drolly. Deciding that she liked to pace as she spoke, Xena rose to her feet. "And I'm pissed." She tapped her chin academically, her voice icy but calm. "You see... I resent it when people try to kill me and form alliances against me."

Lao Mao gasped.

Xena stared at the older woman, anger warring with disappointment. Of all the satraps, Lao Mao was the closest thing to a true ally that she had. She shook her head sadly. "You of all people, Lao Mao, should have realized that such plans couldn't be kept from me for long."

The Asian woman ducked her head in acknowledgment, neither refuting nor admitting to the deceit.

Xena turned back to her larger audience. "You should allknow that about me!" She sucked in a deep breath and reached up to rub throbbing temples. "Where to start?" Then she felt a small, warm hand press against the small of her back and begin a gentle rubbing motion. Xena fought hard not to close her eyes at the sensation and greedily absorbed the wordless comfort that somehow still managed to speak volumes. Gods, I love you too, Gabrielle.

Clearing her throat slightly, and setting aside the sudden and unexpected welling of emotion brought on by her lover's touch, Xena said, "Well, let's start with what I know for certain. I know that none of you traitorous fools were stupid enough to try and kill me. At least not by yourselves."

"Then Antony...?" Cleopatra questioned in alarm.

"Is fine..." Gabrielle interrupted then grinned wickedly, adding, "mostly..." It sucks to wonder and worry about your lover, doesn't it, you back-stabbing bitch. Serves you right...

Xena stepped aside as several servants brought in food and wine, placing it on the table. She was pleased to see that none of the satraps had the bad sense to reach for it. Xena could see their gazes were fixed on the steaming plates. Aromatic vegetables were piled atop seasoned meat, and the gentle fragrance of fresh flat bread instantly filled the room.Several stomachs growled in response.Oh yeah. They're hungry.

Ares led Gabrielle to a seat, and a plate was fixed for her by a servant, along with a tall glass of sweet red wine. She dug in eagerly, her eyes rolling back with hedonistic pleasure as she devoured the first meal she'd been free to truly enjoy in days.

Even Ares popped a small, rare slice of venison in his mouth, nodding his appreciation at its bold, gamy flavor. He poured a cup of dark wine and quirked a brow in the direction of his Chosen, holding up his cup in question.

"Please," Xena intoned hospitably. "Now where was I? Oh yes. The fool who tried to kill me." She moved towards Nyssa, smoothly taking the wine from Ares just as his lips grazed the rim of the cool, pewter cup. She laughed inwardly at his suddenly grumpy expression and took a deep swallow, savoring the taste. She regarded Nyssa carefully, finding it difficult to view her as the deadly scorpion she knew she was.

Nyssa lowered her eyes in shame. One look at Xena and Gabrielle and she knew she had been wrong about the Conqueror. She'd been horribly used.She had been told her actions would be saving the Realm, saving the Queen and her young son from an abusive tyrant who had to be stopped. Gods.Nyssa shuddered thinking about what almost happened... what did happen.

"You were the one who tried to kill me."It wasn't a question."But you don't work for any mortal in this room do you?"

"No, Lord Conqueror." Nyssa shook her head and her shoulders slumped forward in defeat. "My allegiance was not to anyone in this room."

Gabrielle gasped.Standing, she pushed back her chair and took a threatening step towards the young tutor. "By the Gods! I trusted you with our son! You little harpy!"

"I... I... Bu... " Nyssa stuttered, surprised by the Queen's sudden venom and not knowing what she could say in her own defense. She'd been tricked, to be sure, but that excuse wouldn't save her now. "I never hurt the boy! I swear it." Her eyes begged Gabrielle to believe her.

"You hurt him by trying to kill his mother!" A crimson flush rose to her cheeks and she couldn't understand why Xena hadn't lopped off the girl's head yet. She wanted to hate her, but the girl looked so pitiful and confused that she found herself having difficulty. She turned confused eyes on her wife. "How did you know?"

"It was during the battle that I first started making sense of it all." Gabrielle looked a little doubtful, so Xena added, "You'd be surprised at what pops into my head during a good life-or-death struggle.I realized that when I'm around Nyssa I get very close to that same creepy feeling I get when Ares shows up."

"Creepy?" Ares shouted indignantly.

Xena ignored him and continued to address Gabrielle. "It's not exactly the same but it was close enough to get me thinking.That was the feeling I got when someone pushed me... and that's what was missing when we recreated the scene."

Gabrielle's eyes widened with realization.She backed up and bonelessly dropped into her chair. Palaemon had interviewed the prospective tutors, and the first time that Xena had seen Nyssa face-to-face was when she was in Ares' body.

Xena tapped her chin as she spoke.  "When I had you put your hand on my back in the Old Watchtower to recreate that night... I knew something was different.I just wasn't sure what it was.But after seeing Nyssa a couple of other times, the feeling made sense.And it fit with one of the other big pieces of the puzzle.  The one that was the most confusing"

"The footprints!" Gabrielle blurted.

"Exactly.Any mortal would have left them.So that leaves immortals. But other Gods can't directly touch me."  Xena looked expectantly at Ares, who began to fume.

Ares' face twisted with rage. "But nothing would prevent them from passing on a few powers to help a mortal get the job done!That might be enough for the Conqueror to get her little," he made a face, "'creepy' vibe.  Parlor tricks are all they could really be. But levitation is always a handy one."

"Totally no way!"Aphrodite looked shocked.

Ares threw his hands up in disgust."It's cheating...I know... I know... And Dad would never approve... but um... well, it can be done," he finished in a rush, deciding it wasn't necessary to mention the fact that he'd done it several times himself in the past.

The tutor scowled unbecomingly. 

"So Nyssa's allegiance is to a Godly being." Xena retook control of the conversation.

Though she was sure Nyssa was nothing more than a pawn for the Gods, she didn't trust herself to stand too close to the girl without cracking her skull, so she took a few steps backwards. Xena leaned against the edge of the table where the satraps sat, crossing her booted feet at the ankles. "What I haven't figured out yet is 'which' God or Goddess sent you. And why they would want me dead."

Boadicea sniggered loudly, wondering who wouldn't want the Conqueror dead.

Gabrielle jaw worked silently as she eyed the tall redhead, her face set in granite. She was sorely tempted to have her crucified this very minute... instead of later today as she and Xena had discussed on the way to the conference room.

"I think I can help you there, Warrior Babe." Aphrodite stepped forward, taking Xena's cup just as it touched the Conqueror's parted lips. She took a delicate sip, humming in her approval before handing it back with a wink. "Rumor on Mount Olympus is that like... some of the grumpier Gods aren't too happy with big brother over there."

Aphrodite turned to her bother, ready to give him his due, but hating that she would undoubtedly increase the already enormous size of his swollen head. "They seem to think you have too much power."

"Tough!" he snorted, filling his cup to the brim. "This is nothing more than a typical case of Ares envy."

Xena choked on her wine.She opened her mouth to speak but Gabrielle jumped up and clamped her hand over Xena's lips. "I know it's easy... but just don't."

"If any of them had the brains to make Xena their Chosen they'd have the power now." Ares chuckled. "Too bad for them she's mine."

"I beg to differ," Gabrielle inserted, throwing a withering glare at the God. "She's mine." The preciously enunciated, possessive words were bit out slowly, increasing their impact.

Aphrodite squealed with delight. "You go, Gabrielle!"

"Listen, Queenie..." Ares sneered, marching up to the blonde and planting his fists on the table as he leaned forward, pushing his face right up into hers. "I don't care what..."

"Can you two discuss my ownership later please," Xena whispered loudly, jerking her head toward the avidly watching satraps.

Ares and Gabrielle were immediately contrite and their gazes dropped to their boots. This was not the place or time for this little discussion and they both knew it. "Of course," they said in unison, causing Xena and Aphrodite's eyebrows to shoot skyward.

The Queen and God looked at one another in surprise, each face painted with mutual disgust. They both took a large step away from one another.

Aphrodite began again. "Aaaaaanyhoowwww, that's why somebody tried to off the Conqueror here. She's Ares' Chosen, and while your," she pointed at Ares', "temples are thriving and followers are increasing because of her, theirs are falling into ruin. And what are Gods or Goddess without followers?"A taunting grin curled the Goddess' lips. "Seems that once again, behind every great man is a woman."

Ares rolled his eyes.

"And behind that woman is where you need to be if you're going to bury a knife in her back... or push her down two hundred feet of stairs, isn't that right, Nyssa?" Xena questioned sarcastically, pushing away from the table and back towards the tutor. "I can narrow down who you don't work for. You don't work for Zeus, Poseidon, or Hades. They'd never let you get away with the sloppy job you did. You'd already be dead."

Nyssa's attitude turned belligerent, fear and immaturity overriding good sense. "If it weren't for that meddlesome thief, Autolycus, you would have succumbed to your injuries. Celesta was surely on her way."

Xena looked totally unimpressed by the knowledge. She'd stoodup Celesta on several occasions in the past, and fully intended to do it a few more times before Hades claimed her for good and she was separated from Gabrielle. "You're not working for Artemis either."

"How do you know that?" Nyssa lifted her chin.

"Because when Boadicea's troops attacked the palace, Melosa's troops fought with Greece. Had Artemis had a hand in the attempt, she would have allied the Amazon forces with the Britons."

"And..." Gabrielle jumped in, easily continuing with her wife's line of reasoning. "Malaius' suicide note said that he had been offered a position in a competing court if he would only betray Xena." Green eyes swung toward Melosa. "Queen Melosa, how many men do you have serving Amazon royalty?"

The dark-haired Amazon snorted. "None that serve in a capacity Malaius would have been well-suited for."

Xena burst out laughing, despite the tense situation. She shook her head to rid it of the mildly hysterical image of Malaius as an Amazon stud.

"What has become of my remaining troops?" Boadicea finally found the courage to inquire. She'd seen most of the battle from the conference room window and already knew that her losses would be heavy.

"What remaining troops?" Gabrielle asked incredulously. "You sent them on a suicide mission! Every last man or woman who fought on your behalf is dead," she ground out, nearly choking on the bitter taste of the words. Her eyes filled with unshed tears for the inexcusable waste of human life, and for the carnage she'd witnessed, not having truly understood its horrible extent until she asked Xena where she was keeping the prisoners. Her question had been greeted with a long, pensive silence, before her wife simply said there were no prisoners.The thought made Gabrielle physically ill.

The blonde woman's gaze bore into Boadicea."While you're languishing on a cross... I hope you think of all the lives cut short by your stupidity. Of all the families you destroyed."The building pressure of keeping her anger at Nyssa and Boadicea under control became too much, and the volume of her voice rose to almost a painful level. "Our Lord Conqueror and the God of War stand here before you and you believe you have remaining troops?!" She laughed harshly, without a trace of humor. "By the Gods, woman, you are arrogant!"

Ares watched Gabrielle with growing desire, captivated by the flame burning brightly behind glassy green eyes. Oh yes, Xena... so very nice... so much more than she appears.I can't wait to collect on your wife's debt.

The Conqueror moved to Gabrielle's side and gently cupped her chin with one hand. The shorter woman's first impulse was to jerk her chin away in anger, her body rebelling against the soothing touch so at odds with how she felt.But with great effort she didn't. Instead, she leaned into the long, tapered fingers that felt cool against her flushed cheeks.

Xena bent down, whispering softly into the younger woman's ear, "Easy, My Queen. We'll settle our debt with Britannia all in good time." The Conqueror straightened, but slid her hand up slightly, letting her palm linger on her bride's pink cheek.

Gabrielle's eyes fastened on the brilliant blue that she'd so missed over the past few days.She let out a slightly ragged breath and stilled her shaking hands.Then Xena smiled a full, always rare smile that was for her alone, and, quite without permission, Gabrielle felt her own tentative grin forming in response.The room, and the satraps, and even the Gods faded away, and for a good long moment there was only each other.Gabrielle gave a quick nod.She was all right.

With a soundless sigh, the Conqueror returned her attention to Nyssa. "My guess is you are an underling to either Hera or Athena. And your attempt on my life was made at their order."

Nyssa was about to reply when a soldier entered the room.He looked around the room nervously before approaching the Conqueror and handing her a note.

Xena took a moment to read it.  Her eyes fluttered closed.When she opened them again, she leveled a glare at Nyssa."Come with me.  This is your chance to redeem yourself and to keep me from turning you over to Ares."

The Conqueror extended her hand to Gabrielle."C'mon.A friend needs our help."She turned back to the group. "I'm not done with you yet.  Don't get comfortable." She motioned toward the food."But please feel free to enjoy your last meal."On the way out the room, she couldn't help but notice the satraps seemed to have suddenly lost their appetites.

*****

They entered the infirmary.Healers and assistants were tending to wounded soldiers, and the smell of medical herbs and poultices hung heavily in the air.Xena and Gabrielle moved into a back room where a single bed had been placed.Ares and Aphrodite popped into existence right behind them with Nyssa in tow.

Palaemon stood near the window; his arm had been treated and was in a sling, which was bound tightly to his mid-section. He stepped forward, bowing to the Lord Conqueror and her Queen."We just found him. His body was tossed behind some bushes on the west wall of the stable not far from where you were..." He stopped not wanting to discuss Gabrielle's non-existent wound."He almost made it to you."

The Queen turned to the bed to find Autolycus.The thief had been badly beaten.His face was bruised and bloodied, and a thick bandage covered his left eye and that entire side of his face.Unbidden, tears sprang to her eyes as she took a seat next to her friend, with Xena standing close behind her. She ran her fingers through his thick hair."Autolycus?"

He slowly licked dry lips and cracked open one eye, peering at her fuzzily.A tiny, relieved smile tried to find its way to his lips."Gabrielle...You're okay? I saw you and I tried to follow but..."

"Shhh..." she cooed softly, her fingertips grazing crisp white linen bandages and then cool skin."I'm good."She smiled a gentle, sympathetically smile."You don't look so good though."

He barked out a tiny laugh."Umm... I'm thinking no."Weakly, he reached out and grasped her hand."About that pardon.I think I'd rather stay here.You and the Conqueror... Always in so much trouble... You need someone to look out for you."

Ares was about to speak up that his Chosen didn't need a two-bit thief looking out for her, when Aphrodite silenced him with a look.

Xena stepped around Gabrielle and kneeled by the dark-haired man's bedside."You'll stay, Autolycus, but you'll stay as a free man and a security advisor to the Realm."

His look of startlement was evident even under the pile of wrappings covering most of his face. "Thank you, My Lord."He shifted his head slowly towards Gabrielle."I lost my eye."

Gabrielle bent down and brushed her lips softly against the spot on his cheek that looked appeared to be the least bruised."I figured." The bandage over his eye looked heavy with blood. "I'm so sorry," she whispered brokenly.

"Made them keep it, though, in case you need it for something."He grinned.

The Queen smiled and wiped the corner of her eyes, an unexpected laugh escaping her throat."Before this is over, I'll be known as Gabrielle, Cannibal of Poteidaia."

The thief coughed."Nahhh... I think something along the lines of 'Defender of the Realm' would be much nicer."He coughed again, wincing at the obvious pain the movement caused his ribs. His eye slid closed under the effects of the herbs."'Course there'll be those that'll just call you bitch," he mumbled just before sleep claimed him.

The Queen nodded, watching her friend enter Morpheus' Realm. "Rest well."She pulled the blanket over him, fussing a little with the edges and tucking them under the thin straw-filled mattress.When she stood, her eyes found the healer."Make sure he lacks for nothing.He is to be treated as if he were my flesh and blood. The moment he's well enough, I want him taken to the private chambers where Our Lord was treated so we can be close by."

Xena grunted her approval of the idea.

"Yes, My Queen."The healer bowed his head.

"My Queen?"Xena touched Gabrielle's arm lightly."Would you like Nyssa to help him?"She glared at the woman."I'm sure she'll do what she can.Since it may be the only thing that could save her miserable life."

"No." Gabrielle shook her head wildly. "She tried to kill you. I don't want her near anyone I care about.  As a matter of fact, I want her as far away from my sight as soon as possible."

"And she will be, but first I want to know which God she was working for."Xena turned to Nyssa."It was Athena, wasn't it?"

Nyssa's gaze dropped, confirming Xena's suspicion.The Conqueror just nodded.

"Why Athena?"Gabrielle questioned.

Aphrodite stepped forward, wrapping her arm around Gabrielle's shoulder."See, the problem is, all of the temples that tall, dark and erotic here had built were for Ares.Xena has pretty much let the others fall into disrepair or let them be converted for my Bro.Petty jealousy is an ugly thing, and it causes a lot of problems.I should know this better than anyone."She rolled her eyes in disgust."Athena's a little more aggressive than the others... Even Hera has a certain respect for her children's Chosen.Most of my siblings don't feel the same way."

"You don't seem to be bothered by Ares' prominence," Xena said pointedly, crossing her arms.

Aphrodite grinned broadly.She marched up to Xena and pinched her cheek much in the manner of an adoring aunt."Ooooo.... You are so suspicious.No wonder big brother has got such a thing for you.He secretly loves that," she confided.  

Xena pulled away grumpily, rubbing her cheek.

"Temples are nice, babe.Don't get me wrong. But my power comes from here."She placed her hand over Gabrielle's heart."No matter what happens to my temples... I'll always have that." She took the time and gazed deeply into Gabrielle's eyes, stroking the Queen's cheek with a finger in an intimate gesture."Even you believed that."The Goddess cupped Gabrielle's cheek tenderly."All the time you were scratching away in your little village, despite the life you were forced to lead, you always held out hope for real love.In your heart... you believed." She winked. "And whether you know it or not, that's a direct prayer from you to me.

"But...?"

"You're wondering why I choose you," she read her mind matter of factly."That's the reason, Little One."Aphrodite leaned forward placing a gentle, chaste kiss on the Queen's lips.

Twin sets of dark eyebrows shot up as Ares and Xena watched the intimate scene unfold before them. Xena was tempted to knock Aphrodite into next week for that little stunt. But somehow she knew that interfering with a Goddess and her Chosen would be a very bad thing. It's a... she drew in a deep breath, ...complicated relationship.And Aphrodite's obvious affection for her wife was more of a blessing than anything else.  The Goddess had chosen well, and Gabrielle would be better off for it.

When the tender kiss was over, Gabrielle blinked.Now that was something she wasn't expecting.

Aphrodite turned to Nyssa."So, under the command of Athena, you waited until Xena was vulnerable and you popped up behind her while she was in the Old Watchtower and gave her a helping hand down the steps..."

"Then," Gabrielle spat, her emotions ping-ponging from one extreme to the other.Gods, she needed a vacation."You went to Malaius' quarters and faked his suicide.You believed we would think he was the one who tried to kill Xena and the investigation would be over."

"No!I wouldn't do that!I mean... I helped by writing the suicide note.But he really did kill himself."Nyssa began to sob."Athena approached me about killing Malaius, but I refused.He was a good man. Not evil like..." her voice trailed off.

"Athena has no power here!She couldn't have done it.Who else?" Xena demanded.

"She enlisted the Furies, who owed her a favor.It didn't take them more than five minutes with Malaius before they'd convinced him that demons were after him and suicide was the only way out. I... I wrote the note at Athena's insistence to help cover my tracks for what I'd done to Our Lord Conqueror.  We never expected you to look so closely.I didn't realize anyone loved her enough to dig that deeply into her death.I swear... I..." Her sobs intensified."Athena tricked me... I actually believed it would come as a great relief to everyone involved when she was dead."

"You were WRONG!"Gabrielle charged the young woman but was stopped just before she reached her when Xena caught her around the waist.

"Don't, Mama Bear." She brought her spouse into a warm embrace."She works for the Gods, and we don't know what little tricks she can do.She may be able to hurt you."Her eyes warmed. "And we've been hurt enough.  We'll let 'our' Gods deal with her now.  We're together.We solved the mystery.Now all that's left for us to do is deal with the satraps and get on with our life.Together."

Ares raised his hand, waggling his finger."Ah, ah, ah.  There's one liiiitle detail that Gabrielle and I have to settle up on first." He stroked his goatee and leered openly at the young blonde.

Xena pushed her spouse behind her with one arm and drew her sword."Try it!Try and touch her and I'll find a way to kill you, I swear I will!"

Ares blinked. "You told her?!"

"Of course she told me!" The Conqueror pointed the tip of the blade towards Ares."I am her wife!"

"Xena," Gabrielle swallowed hard.  "I did make a deal."

 "Yeah." Ares crossed his muscular bare arms. "And bargains made with the Gods are binding."

"So they are," Xena agreed, suddenly amiable as an idea solidified in her mind. "And Gabrielle fulfilled her end of the deal," the Conqueror informed him smugly, sliding her sword back into its scabbard.

"Huh?"Ares shook his head."No, she didn't." Crudely he thrust his hips forward several times in rapid succession causing Aphrodite and Gabrielle to groan in disgust. "That was the subject of our agreement, Xena!"

"And, umm," Xena licked her lips in smug satisfaction."She did.Several times."Xena took a step forward, placed her arm over Ares' shoulders and patted him squarely on the chest."And it was wonderful." She smiled with mock sympathy. "Too bad you weren't home at the time."

"Oh no!" he complained loudly. "No way!It doesn't work that way Xena!"

"Uh... Bro..." Aphrodite moved forward."I think you should know that Xena and I have a deal too.And if you make good on yours," she gave him a pouty face, "I'll make good on mine.And while their love is strong enough to survive your nasty little deal, you'll never survive if I call in my marker from your Chosen."

Ares' face turned bright red, and his body literally shook with frustration. Releasing an explosive breath, he stalked over to Gabrielle, rolling his eyes when Xena reached for her sword.  "So..." He wiggled his eyebrows, puffing up his chest proudly."How was I?" he asked eagerly.

Gabrielle looked him over from head to toe in an appraising motion that caused him to square his shoulders despite himself.She lifted a single pale brow and said seriously, "YOU were adequate." The Queen jerked a thumb at the Conqueror and smiled saucily."SHE, on the other hand, was spectacular."

Ares' hands balled into fists.  "I hate women!"His yell could be heard for several seconds after he disappeared.

"Only because we're smarter than you," Aphrodite called after him, as she took Nyssa by the hand."I'll take care of her.Later, Babes."With a happy wave, the Goddess and Nyssa disappeared.

*****

Xena decided to let the satraps stew in their own juices for another day.She had far more important things to attend to.After making sure Autolycus and Palaemon were being well cared for, she and Gabrielle headed directly for their apartment, where Palaemon had taken Jarrod before he'd received word about Autolycus.

They opened the heavy wooden door to find Jarrod playing with a wooden puzzle box Palaemon had fashioned for him.The fireplace had been lit and the room was toasty warm and smelled of hickory. His back was against the couch and he sat on a braided rug, idly fingering the puzzle but not really playing with it.

"Hey, Tiger."Xena knelt down and opened her arms.

His head shot up and he scrambled to his feet, throwing himself into Xena's arms with so much force that she nearly fell backwards.But years of riding and sword drills allowed for strong thighs to compensate for his momentum, and she recovered with barely more than a hobble, pulling the boy into a tight, heartfelt hug.Xena felt a tap on her shoulder and without looking over her shoulder, she spread one arm out wide, allowing Gabrielle to be enfolded in the loving embrace.

The Conqueror actually felt weak at the knees as she let it soak in that this nightmare was finally over. Never in all her life, even after the worst battles of her life, had Xena felt so much relief as she did at this very moment.

They made their evening meal more like a picnic, on the floor in front of the fireplace.Xena and Jarrod wrestled and played, while Gabrielle did her level best to keep them from making a mess. But she joined in often enough herself, and by the evening's end they were all in considerably better spirits.

Jarrod barely managed to get his clothes changed, climb into bed, and mumble a sleepy good night to his mothers before he was sound asleep.Gabrielle added an extra blanket to his bed while Xena checked the fire in his room.

Xena pulled the door to his room closed after guiding Gabrielle out.

"Well, Xena, you certainly wore him out."

"Part of my plan." The Conqueror scooped up her Queen in her arms.Zeus!This was a lot easier in Ares' body.  "You're next."

"Gonna wrestle me to exhaustion, are you?" Gabrielle inquired impishly, already hunting for the warm skin under Xena's tunic.

"You can call it that if you want."Xena caught her spouse's lips in a passionate kiss, which lasted without interruption for the duration of her slow walk to their bedchamber.

The blonde opened her eyes slowly when she felt herself placed in the lower center of the large bed, her legs dangling over its foot.She signed happily."By the Gods, Xena. You're trying to kill me," Gabrielle managed to pant, when the Conqueror's lips finally left hers and she was able to draw in a badly needed breath.She allowed her arms to fall limply to her sides."But what a way to go."

"I can only think of a couple of ways I'd like better.In fact... let's discuss those." Xena laughed as she smiled down at her lovely wife and began removing her own clothes."Woman, why are you still dressed?" She affected a mock stern look."Don't make me cut you out of your clothes."

"Like you'd take the time to cut when tearing is so much faster," Gabrielle chuckled, even as she pulled her tunic from her own shoulders. A shift of light and shadows and she was distracted to the point where her hands froze in place as she watched Xena's tunic drop limply to the floor.She licked her lips, trying not to blink."Oh yeah, that's muuuuch better."

The Queen had apparently taken a little too much time appreciating her partner's body, because the next thing she knew her boots where being yanked from her feet.The left one came free quite easily, ending up against the far wall with a solid thud.But the right one was so stubborn that Xena spun around and pulled Gabrielle's leg between her own, as she wrestled with the stiff leather, cursing the entire time. The shorter woman burst into helpless laughter.Her entire body shook, making Xena's job that much harder.  

"A little help here please!"  Xena said with a hint of exasperation.  "Quit curling your toes."She stopped and stared at Gabrielle's impudent foot then laughed when she realized she was being played with. "God! You'll be the death of me!" She shook her head ruefully.Ever notice that we're always wrestling with our boots?Shoes only from now on."

"I can help," the younger woman giggled, placing her bare foot on Xena's backside and pushing."Come on, Xena, you can Conquer the world, but you can't get a boot off your wife."

"If it doesn't," she gave a yank, "come," another yank, "soon. I'll just have to cut your foot off." Xena's gaze flickered around the room. "Now where did I leave my sword?" Suddenly the Conqueror felt herself stumbling forward as the boot came free.She crashed to the floor face first, sprawled on her belly like a drunk. Getting quickly to her feet, Xena spun around with an outraged look on her face.

One look into those wide blue eyes and Gabrielle burst into another round of helpless laughter, wrapping her arms around herself and shaking the bed.   "Gods, I needed this." She beamed at her partner."Thank you.I love you, Xena."

"Yeah... well..." Much to the Conqueror's dismay she found herself blushing without knowing why.

"Well, whaddya know." Gabrielle wiggled her freed toes happily.With great effort she managed to uncurl one arm from around her stomach and wipe away the laughter-induced tears. A large body, backlit by the glowing embers of their fireplace, rose up and launched itself onto the bed, and the next thing she knew, her entire body was being jostled as six feet of overly playful Conqueror landed next to her on the center of the bed.

She wasted no time in climbing on top of The Conqueror.Sitting up very straight and looking down, her hands roamed lightly, slowly over bronzed skin, eliciting gooseflesh and short moans of pleasure."Oooo, you like that, do ya?"The Queen leaned over and placed the tiniest of kisses on the Conqueror's lips before pulling back just slightly, their breath still mingling. 

Gabrielle remained in that position, dangerously close to the soft crimson lips that were calling to her. She knew she was playing a dangerous game and it could get her bitten.But instead she was graced with a bright smile.My, my.Someone's learning that they don't have to be in control every second.

Xena ran her hands up and down Gabrielle's back. "You feel good," she said earnestly."I can't tell you how good it feels to touch you with my own hands."

"It feels good to be touched by your hands, Xena."Unable to stop herself, the blonde leaned forward and brushed tender kiss against Xena's lips, while her hands snaked between them and found firm, lush breasts.Kneading gently, she watched intently as Xena's eyelids fluttered shut, a slow sexy grin crawling across her face.

A low rumble of satisfaction worked its way from Xena's chest.

Gabrielle's eyes darkened with desire as she took in the sight of the Conqueror writhing beneath her and let the sounds of Xena's deliciously contented moans seep deep inside her. "Feel different?" she asked curiously.

Xena nodded."Much."

"How?"

"Better." She squirmed under Gabrielle's inquisitive hands and fingers. "More feeling... more power... more love... more everything."Xena lifted her head a little to share several of her own tender kisses."Everything is perfect now."

Once.Twice.Three times. Their lips melted together... slowly.When they parted for the last time, Gabrielle sighed happily and turned her head, placing her mouth next to Xena's ear where she began to nibble."It's very, very close to perfect, Xe."

The Conqueror rolled over gently so they were both on their sides, facing each other.She let her hand trail down the soft skin from Gabrielle's shoulder to her waist. She tugged on her trousers."Could be a lot closer."A grin pulled at her lips."I mean, here I am, all naked and vulnerable." She offered what she hoped was a vulnerable face, then winked. "And ready to play." Long fingers reached out and tugged affectionately on a lock on pale hair.

There was just something about the way Xena said 'vulnerable' that Gabrielle found amusing.If there was one person in this world who wasn't vulnerable, it was her mate."Play, huh?Hmm, I'll bet we could have lots of fun."

"I'll take some of that bet."  Xena gave Gabrielle's tummy a little pinch."And anything else you're willing to give me."

"For you, my love, I'll give you the world."The Queen moved from the bed and finished undressing while Xena moved into the middle, tucking several pillows behind her to prop herself up against the headboard.Gabrielle returned to the bed, straddling her wife. "Tell me... where should I start playing?"Her smile was mischievous and her mossy green eyes twinkled in the firelight.

Xena pretended to consider the question."Well, I've always found north to south a fun way to go."

"This is true," the Queen agreed, running a solitary fingertip from north to south. "But," the same finger traveled from one erect nipple to the other."East to west could be nice too."

Xena groaned softly and bit her lip at the sensation."It is." Her voice had dropped an octave and the effect on her wife was instantaneous.

Gabrielle's nostrils flared as she sucked in a deep breath. A low burn started at her center,slowly creeping outward.

"You can touch me anywhere you like, Gabrielle."Eyes that looked more silver than blue in the muted, glowing light fastened on the pale-haired woman's face.Never breaking her gaze, she rubbed her hands up and down Gabrielle's thighs, leaving goosebumps in the wake of her tender, arousing touch."As long as you don't stop."

Without another word, Gabrielle ducked her head, running her tongue from points east to west, her hands roaming freely over warm flesh.She massaging everywhere she could reach as her mouth worshipped hypersensitive skin.Gabrielle hummed with pleasure, her own ache making itself known, as her tongue tenderly wrapped around her mate's nipple and she began to suckle in earnest. She could feel her lover's strong pulse beneath her lips as she tasted sweet skin, inhaling the scent of honey soap with a hint of wood smoke, clean sweat, and taller woman's own unique aroma with a quiet satisfaction.She savored Xena's unhurried, knowing touch in return.

The connection they had shared while Xena was in Ares' body was about pleasure, sex and power.Tonight was about desire, love and understanding.Each form of expression had a place in this bedchamber, and, using a primal link between them that extended far beyond the five senses, each had the knowledge and commitment to be what the other needed... when the other needed it. One look, or touch, or a few murmured words of heartfelt love or blinding passion and the stage was set, often before their lips had even met for the first time.

The Conqueror sat up slowly; reaching behind Gabrielle's thighs, she pulled her tighter to her, spreading the legs straddling her just a bit farther.They were face to face now, breasts and stomachs touching, skin moving gently as ribs expanding and breaths were exhaled. Eyes slid shut and their mouths came together in a kiss that was playful and teasing at first, but slowly mounted in intensity. Xena gently sucked Gabrielle's lower lip into her mouth, running her tongue lightly over the delicate, wet skin and skimming across white teeth.  

The young Queen's response was affectionate and fierce at the same time, speaking of the unbridled passion and endless love she felt for her partner.Small hands threaded through thick hair as her grip took hold and she hungrily deepened the kiss.

A happy growl escaped Xena's throat, and she wrapped long arms tighter around the blonde, one crossing over her back, pulling her close and tight, the other finding the soft nape of Gabrielle's neck, holding her firmly into the kiss.

It was Gabrielle who began moving her hips against her partner's hard stomach.She wrapped her legs around Xena so tightly she actually had to back off a bit when she felt her flinch."Sorry..." she panted, without missing a stroke in her slow grind.

Xena nodded absently as she kissed her way around to Gabrielle's neck and ear.Coaxing her head to the side with the slight pressure of one hand, Xena licked and nipped the tender skin of her throat, enjoying its salty tang, and the flutter of movement that accompanied every heartbeat."So good..." the Conqueror murmured, sweeping aside red-gold hair and nibbling her way up to a perfectly shaped ear.

"Oh yeah..." the Queen moaned, feeling the wonderful sensations take root within her body.Her lover was in no rush, and she relaxed under her touch even as her excitement slowly mounted. They were going to make love and it was going to take a long time.

Using the strength in her stomach and back, Xena slowly leaned back and twisted until Gabrielle was lying under her.  She tried to lift herself from her mate's body, but Gabrielle refused to relinquish her hold, keeping her legs firmly wrapped around Xena's waist.

"No," she protested breathlessly.  "Stay."

Her name was drawn out in a low, throaty voice that Xena used to show her mock annoyance. "Gabriellllle..."

"Yes, Xena?"The smaller woman gave her legs a little tug, drawing Xena closer."Did you want something?" Her suggestive words were said in a sultry tone, butGabrielle's face was the picture of youthful innocence.It was designed solely to spark her partner's desire and good humor. And it did.

Xena chuckled.Gods, she plays me like a lyre sometimes.  "If you release me from the thighs of doom, I'll make it worth your while," she teased, swooping down and giving a quick, playful lick to a taut nipple that was attached to a very aroused wife. "I promise."

Slowly Gabrielle released her spouse.It wasn't that she didn't trust Xena to make good on her word.She did.Gabrielle simply couldn't help herself.She placed her hands on broad shoulders and made a breathless, one-word request that burned through Xena's veins and settled between her legs like liquid fire. "Down."

Xena wanted to nod, but she found herself so focused on loving Gabrielle that the gesture got lost amidst a sea of other things she found much more important. With extreme care and thoroughness, she began giving her Queen the royal treatment she knew in her heart that she deserved; paying homage to her body with lips, teeth, tongue, fingers and hands, Gabrielle's soft whimpers and moans of pleasure urging her on.

The blonde felt Xena tap the inside of her thighs and she shifted, allowing her mate to settle between her legs.All the air in Gabrielle's lungs was expelled when she let out an unexpected hiss as she felt Xena nip the tender skin of her inner thigh, then lick the spot she had just bitten. Her hips thrust forward of their own volition, her breath short and quick."Xena... stop teasing."

There was no verbal response, just a slow shaking of a dark head as her tongue traced a path up one slightly trembling thigh. Her lips would stop every couple of inches, offering small kisses and sucking gently.Xena took in a deep breath as her lips grazed across glistening, golden curls, and then began traveling down the other thigh, repeating the erotic torture.

"Xena!"Gabrielle's muscles were twitching from the pressure building inside her."Not nice..." she rasped in frustration.The slight tremor of her lover's laughter caused green eyes to turn to slits. "Not funny..." she insisted once again. Reaching down, she threaded one hand into ebony locks and placed it on the side of Xena's face, guiding the older woman to exactly where she needed her most.

Having run out of patience herself, the Conqueror happily settled there. Her mouth was already watering when she extended her tongue and proceeded to languidly lick up one side then down the other of the passion-swollen folds.The Queen moaned long and loud, her entire body convulsing at the first sensual, almost delicate touch.She had to consciously relax her grip on her partner's hair or risk taking it out by the roots.Gabrielle forced heavy-lidded eyes to open as she glanced down, only to have another wave of white hot pleasure sweep over her, Xena's gentle touch taking her higher than she thought possible.   "Gods!"

Xena felt her partner's impending climax, she wrapped her arms around Gabrielle's shaking legs, holding her hips firmly in place as she continued her slow, methodical movement, wanting nothing more than to bring her wife ultimate pleasure.Her own desires intensified as Gabrielle responded to her every touch with abandon. Xena shifted slightly, her own slicked thighs sliding together.

Gabrielle's cries of passion touched her very soul and she moaned softly into the hot, wet flesh.She heard her name called out in a strangled, throaty voice, and looked up to see passion incarnate.Gabrielle's back was arched, throwing firm, succulent breasts into prominence and accentuating her well-defined abdomen as its muscles bunched and released with each labored breath.Her head was thrown back with pale, slightly damp hair spilling over her shoulders. Eyes dilated with desire were visible for just a flash before rolling back and disappearing beneath lids screwed tightly shut.  Full lips were slightly parted and flawless; glistening skin glowed as firelight danced across it.

Xena's eyes were riveted to the ravishing sight, but she never moved from her position, never slowed or speeded up her maddening caresses.

Gabrielle was immediate propelled into another powerful climax.Her body quaked andher chest heaved as she gasped for air, but Xena continued through her whimpers and finally near screams as she came yet again.Finally, whimpering, she begged her lover to stop, gently tugged the determined dark head from its task.

Slowly, teasingly, kissing every possible spot of skin between where she was and that tempting, tasty mouth, Xena worked her way up, her hands leading the way as they slid along Gabriele's belly then between her breasts and over her shoulders.She smiled down into the face of her best friend, who was lying there, arm thrown over her eyes, a contented smile peeking out from beneath her bicep. "Oh, you look happy," Xena murmured against a flushed, moist cheek.

"I am happy." Her voice was slightly raspy but undeniably blissful. "I am very happy."She smiled, and lowered her arm, never opening her eyes.  "I'm happy about five times over." A deep growl escaped her chest."Oh yeah... It should be illegal to be this happy."

"Hmm," Xena kissed her wife.  "Glad to be of assistance."

"Oh, sweetheart..." The Queen's arms wrapped around the Conqueror pulling her down on top of her own body.  "You have no idea."She kissed her partner's ear."No idea, but I'll be happy to try and help you grasp the concept."

"I think I'd like that.You know they say warriors... even conquerors benefit from guidance from time to time."

Gabrielle pushed on her spouse's shoulders, flipping her onto her back and once again straddling Xena's hips.  She gave an evil grin as she ran her hands through Xena's long hair."Gods, Xena." She licked her lips, tasting herself. "You are so damn sexy.  Thinking about you too long in the middle of the day is bad for me."

A dark brow rose."Really?"

Gabrielle nodded."Absolutely.Because I want to find you and take you out of what meeting you're in or what training your giving," she ducked her head to her partner's ear, pressing her lips lightly against the sensitive organ, "and take you somewhere and just do things to your body that..."

"Gods!"Xena's eyes snapped shut at the sexy, mildly raunchy, fantastic words."This is one the advantages of being married to Aphrodite's Chosen, I think.Your voice does wonderful things to me."She opened her eyes and seriously regarded her partner.  "It was the sound of your voice, you know."

Xena rubbed Gabrielle's thighs, which were on either side of her waist, with a firm circular motion.She was content to spend time talking and reconnecting.Even though they hadn't been apart, some part of her missed this intimacy with this woman.  When she was in Ares' body, they had never even considered taking time to be with each other like this.It wouldn't have been the same, and if they'd been interested in trying, there simply hadn't been the time.Now, however, they had all the time in the world.And she wasn't going to waste a single second of it.

"What did you say?"Gabrielle reached for a small bottle of scented oil.She poured the fragrant liquid into the palm of her hand and warmed it before applying it to Xena's skin, alternating between soft touches and a deeper muscle massage.

"Hmmm? Oh, that's nice."The Conqueror hummed, bringing her hands up behind her head and interlacing her fingers.She crossed her legs at the ankles and just lay there ready to enjoy the massage.

"I asked you a question."Gabrielle teased, giving Xena's nipple a tweak and eliciting a high pitched squeak in response."Try not to get too distracted."Uh huh. Like you could have done that, Gabrielle. Fat chance.

"Oh yeah, right." Xena was able to recall through her haze of pleasure."It was the sound of..." she paused, "a little lower if you don't...oh yeah, right there, that's nice. It was the sound of your voice... I think... that I first fell in love with." Sable brows furrowed in sudden concentration."In fact, the moment you spoke to me, I felt like I had been struck squarely in the chest by Cupid's arrow."

The Queen gave her a long luxurious rub from shoulders to stomach, using her thumbs and fingers to pay special attention to round breasts and tender nipples.She smiled when she felt Xena arch into her warm palms."Well, who knows, maybe you were."She raised a fair eyebrow."You know... that could be part of this whole Chosen thing," she wondered aloud, pouring another pool of oil into her cupped hand.  "I don't think the fact that you were brought to me was an accident, Xena.I never did.Even before I knew about Aphrodite."

"Me?Brought to you?"

"Sure.You ... brought to me... like a Solstice gift... only taller." She laughed at Xena's puzzled look."You did come to me, you know."

Xena hadn't really considered the whole thing since it had happened.But now that she thought about it, and especially in light of the events of the past few days, it all made sense.She had thought she was crazy to fall in love so quickly.But she couldn't stop herself.Not that I really tried, she admitted privately.

In the early autumn, she'd had the unexpected and unstoppable urge to flee the Stronghold.To start riding and not stop. But what if it wasn't that she was running away from something, but towards it?Towards her.

Xena had teasingly told Gabrielle it was the first place her horse wanted to stop, but the truth of the matter was, it was the first place she wanted to stop.Something there called to her, and now, as she looked up into warm eyes full of love and devotion and trust, her missing word nearly broke from the happy ache.Here was the other half of her soul she unknowingly had gone searching for.A brilliant smile creased her cheeks and brought sparkling, unshed tears to her eyes.The search is over.

Xena let out a satisfied exhale as her lover crawled down her body, leaving a path of blazing kisses as she went.The Conqueror relaxed and entrusted everything she had to this young woman.

Her mind, heart, body, and soul.

Gabrielle had given her back the life that being Ares' Chosen had taken from her. She drifted in a state of total bliss when the sensual jolt shot brought her careening back into the moment, her body lifting itself up off the bed as Gabrielle's name was rent from her chest. Pleasure and love washed over her, and after several long moments she fell bonelessly back onto the feather-filled mattress and sheets which felt nearly cold against her superheated skin. She gasped for air, hearing only her blood racing in her ears and the sounds of her own ragged pants. Gabrielle was in her, on her, around her, and with her in every way. Her scent, her touch, her taste... and finally the sound of the younger woman's contented sigh and soft words of love. Her Queen was simply everywhere.

While she tried to catch her breath, Gabrielle settled alongside her on the bed, opening her arms to her lover. Xena responded without hesitation, fingertips tenderly pushing back wet bangs and lips grazing the newly exposed skin.Blue eyes slid closed and Xena felt the soft quilt being pulled around their joined bodies as high as her waist.There were no more words as they both tumbled helplessly into slumber.  This was the one place in the Known World that The Conqueror, The Destroyer of Nations, felt safe.

*****

Gabrielle rolled over when the door to the bedchamber opened.She pulled the sheet up over her body.She was still groggy and it took a moment before she realized it was a servant that had disturbed her sleep and that Xena was gone from the bed.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty.I thought you'd be up and about by now..." the old woman stammered and began backing out.

"No... please, it's okay," she yawned, waving the matronly servant back in.She rubbed her sleepy eyes as she continued. "Do you know where Our Lord Conqueror has snuck off to this morning?"

"No, Your Majesty.But I believe she left you a note."Bending down and picking up some of the Conqueror's clothing, the white-haired woman gestured a pointy chin to the blood-red rose and scrap of parchment that sat on the nightstand next to the bed.

Gabrielle tried to maintain some kind of Queenlike bearing as she pulled the sheet over her body and scampered across the bed to read Xena's note and sniff the fragrant flower.Wonder where in the world she found a rose this time of year?A carefree smiled tugged at her lips.Like I care.  The note was definitely written by her mate's hand.Gabrielle read the words, a pink blush making itself first visible on her cheeks.Biting her lip, then deciding to deny herself nothing, she read the note again.... several times.Oh Xena, her heart sighed.

The washerwoman laughed, clucking slightly at the Queen's smitten appearance.

To Gabrielle's only slight dismay, the blush began creeping over her entire body.She took a deep breath and flipped over on her back, smiling as she pressed the delicate petals to her nostrils and deeply inhaled the spicy-sweet fragrance. Her giddy feeling bubbled over and she giggled in delight.

"Ahh... to be young and in love," the old woman mumbled tolerantly as she closed the bedchamber door behind her.She had half a mind to hunt down that randy blacksmith who'd been eyeing her for the past three moons.

After wallowing in bed for a while longer, the memories of the previous night's activities maintaining the flush on Gabrielle's skin, she rose from the bed and shrugged into her robe as she headed for the living room. She checked Jarrod's room, to find his bed unmade and empty.We're going to have a little talk about this, Jarrod.  The boy was very fast becoming accustomed to having someone waiting on him hand and foot. Not that it was a hard thing to fall into.It isn't, she admitted somewhat ruefully.   But she didn't want him forgetting what it was like to work from sunrise past sunset, falling into bed with a sore body but a determined spirit.He was Xena's heir, and someday, when he ruled Greece, he would know and understand how her people really lived.Gabrielle would make sure of it.

The blonde woman couldn't believe she had been left to sleep in and rest.Why, the last time that had happened.... She stopped dead in her tracks and blinked.Was never!  And what surprised her even more was that she hadn't woken when Xena left.That had never happened either.But then again it had been a very tiring three days.

After calling for a bath to be drawn, she settled down for a little of the morning meal that had been left for her.She could tell by the table that Xena and Jarrod had eaten together.Gods, they were messy people when left to their own devices.  She shook her head as she leaned back in her chair and propped her feet up on Xena's chair, spreading thick, white cheese on a roll.

*****

Xena escorted Jarrod to see Palaemon in the infirmary.The soldier was delighted to see his little charge and greeted him with a warm, one-armed hug, ruffling his dark blond hair for good measure.Xena glanced over at the pallet that held the thief, clearly surprised to still see him there.

"How is he?He should have been moved to my private healer's chambers by now." Her voice held a note of anger.

"He's badly beaten, My Lord.  The healer says he'll live but didn't want to move him until he could be sure Autolycus wasn't bleeding inside."

She nodded.The healer was being careful.She approved of that, and wouldn't run him through for disobeying the Queen, after all."And how are you, Palaemon?"

The beefy soldier smiled proudly.  "I'm fine, My Lord.I promise you I'll be back to duty status in a few days."

"You take you're time to rest and heal.I have plans for you and I need you in top form."

"Plans, My Lord?"

"I need a second-in-command, Palaemon," she said casually, trying not to laugh when the fair-haired man's hazel eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Buu...bu..." he stammered.

Mercifully, she broke in."You're not ready yet.But you will be.I'd like you to continue on as Jarrod's mentor for at least the next few seasons.  At least until he's twelve or thirteen.  During that time," she gave his back a strong pat, and he did his best not to wince at the painful jolt that sent through his arm, "I'll be mentoring you but will make certain you'll have more than enough time to work with the lad." A dark eyebrow lifted and she couldn't resist the tease.She was in far too good a mood this wonderful morning to pass it up. "Can I assume, by your open-mouthed stare, that you're at least tentatively interested in being my second in command?"

"Buu...bu," he stammered again, despite his best efforts.

Xena laughed and that uncharacteristic action made Palaemon's eyes go even wider."I'll take that as a yes.Good man."She extended her arm and they exchanged a brisk but decidedly warm warrior's handshake."Thank you, Commander," she said with a wink.  Xena turned to her son who was giggling at Palaemon's shocked face.She rolled her eyes."C'mon, Jarrod.  We need to let Palaemon rest."And check his trousers.

The boy was reluctant to leave his friend's side.

"Actually, My Lord," Palaemon held up his good hand,"I wouldn't mind if he stayed with me.I'll actually be leaving here in a bit and would like to have his company today."

Xena looked at the pair.They had bonded like brothers and she could see that neither was eager to be apart from the other."That'll be fine, Commander.Bring him back to the residence when you need to rest."

"Yes, My Lord."

The Conqueror turned to leave, but Palaemon stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm.She turned around to find his eyes suddenly intense and his expression serious.

"I... I um... I just wanted to thank you, My Lord.And let you know that if I had to choose between taking over the command position now or spending the next few seasons teaching His Highness, I would have turned down your offer."

Xena cocked her head slightly to the side, a knowing smile slowly forming."I know, Palaemon.And that's why you're perfect for the job."

*****

Gabrielle met Xena in the hall as she was walking toward the conference room that held the satraps.The Queen was dressed in an outfit that complemented Xena's own and showed her as a woman deservedly taking her position at Xena's side - as a ruler.  

Sky blue eyes went round as saucers when Xena got a look at her partner.She gestured to the leather pants that where laced up the side and showed a rather impressive view of royal skin."Those are, uhhhh, interesting." Gods, am I actually drooling?!

I love it when she drools... for me.Gabrielle pushed her lover into a darkened corner. Pressing her against the cool, stone wall, she leaned into her until they were touching all along their lengths."I'm taking advantage of this unexpectedly warm day, Xe.You," she gave Xena's collarbone a little kiss, "don't," another tiny kiss, "approve?" This kiss was followed up with a slight nip.

"I didn't say that," Xena growled, wrapping her arms around Gabrielle and kissing her for all she was worth.

A long time later, with Gabrielle still fiddling with her hastily fastened clothing, they strolled into the conference as if nothing had happened.Xena and Gabrielle wrinkled their noses, realizing their 'guests' had been held in the room for several days.And they were more than just a little ripe.

Xena crossed the room and threw open the small window before turning back to the satraps. "You will all be taken, under guard, back to your quarters.You will bathe." She paused, hearing her mate grumble, 'Praise Hestia!' and had to clear her throat to disguise the chuckle that burst forth when her eyes fastened on Gabrielle's 'innocent' face. Lifting her chin, she added, "You will change into proper attire and be brought to the gallery where we will deal with this coup you tried to effect against the Realm." Her voice was calm and flat, devoid of any emotion.

The satraps felt dread swell within them.They had all seen her rage but had learned to fear the calm before the storm even more. Xena snapped her fingers and suddenly the room was full of guards.She issued the orders and watched with a great deal of satisfaction as each of them was led away.

"Xena?"Gabrielle moved to her partner.

"Yes?"

"What are you going to do with them?You're not going to kill all of them are you?"Although she wasn't at all certain that wasn't exactly what they deserved.

"Not all at once."Xena rubbed her cheek, giving serious thought to her plan. "I'm going to let them do each other in."

*****

Gabrielle stood before Morgaine, arms extended straight out to the sides as she was being fitted for a dress.  The seamstress smiled."You're going to have to tell her soon, child.  She's bound to notice.I can't keep letting your clothes out forever."

The Queen's eyes widened."How did you know?I just came back from the healer this morning."Her eyes narrowed and she studied the creased face carefully."Aphrodite?"

"Oh no, My Queen, it's me.While I was happy to allow the Goddess to use these tired old bones to bring you and Our Lord together, I haven't been visited by her since."The woman tugged on the sleeves of the Queen's new gown, then tossed a scattering of pins into a flat woven basket."And let me tell you, my boy, Gilles, is more than grateful that Cupid hasn't been back."The old woman chuckled."He was sore for days after that naughty God found the local brothel and went hog wild."

Gabrielle covered her mouth with her hand, but her shoulders still shook as she laughed.

"Hush," Morgaine scolded, but began laughing as well.

"I'm glad to have you both back." Gabrielle smiled affectionately at the woman she'd come to think of as a grandmother or second mother."How did you know?" she asked a little insecurely.Gods, I'm barely showing.

"I know the look."She slipped the gown from Gabrielle's body and handed her the brown tunic she had worn previously."Your trousers are tighter too."

"Wonderful." Gabrielle pulled her tunic on.

Morgaine frowned at Gabrielle's less than thrilled expression."Are you all right, My Queen?"

The blonde woman patted Morgaine's hand, idly noting its softness and the blue, ropy veins that lined the back. "I'm fine," she assured."It's just... just... I don't know how Xena..."

"Ahhh..." Realization broke out across the ancient face."This is the product of a rather unique experience, I understand," she probed gently, having a good idea what had happened after she and Autolycus sat gossiping one evening over a tray of warm cookies.

Gabrielle nodded miserably and her voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't lose her. I can't.But I could never..."

"Shhhh..." Morgaine squeezed the young woman's shoulders in a gesture that promised everything would be okay.

Gabrielle absorbed the wordless comfort, relieved that at least one person knew what she'd been suspecting for the past couple of moons."Thank you for tea and the fitting.Although I don't think I'll be wearing this gown anytime soon." She made a show of tugging on the waist of her snug pants."I need to get going.Today is Jarrod's birthday and..."

"Oh yes, speaking of which."  The old woman handed her a package.  "This is for Jarrod."

The Queen's smile made a reappearance. "Thank you."

Gabrielle tucked the small package under her arm and left the seamstress' quarters.She ran her hand over her stomach.So much had happen in the time since the attempt on Xena's life.  She had prayed things would start getting back to normal... even though she still wasn't quite sure what 'normal' was in the palace.But this...  This could change everything.Her fingertips brushed her belly once again and she smiled hopefully.Even with the potential for trouble with her mate, Gabrielle couldn't bring herself to think of a new life as anything other than a blessing.

As she made her way back to the royal apartment, she recalled the Conqueror's unique brand of justice when it came to the people who had betrayed her.

Boadicea had, indeed, been put on the cross.It took the stubborn bitch four days to die. And Gabrielle hadn't shed a tear on her behalf.

Then Brutus had been told he would return to Britannia with her body, to rule in her stead.Xena, Palaemon, and several other officers still had a pool going on how long it would take before he was assassinated by a pissed off Briton.Boadicea was a bitch of the highest order, but a respected, if not beloved, ruler on her own soil.Brutus, the pompous, was dead. He just didn't know it yet.

Cleopatra and Antony were reunited... for all of fifteen minutes before Xena explained that Antony was being sent back to Rome to take over from Brutus.Xena had sent a young and notoriously ambitious officer named Octavius back with him.Antony had smiled down at her from atop his horse as he departed the Stronghold, arrogantly proclaiming that the Conqueror was smart and wholly right in sparing him. The Conqueror had nodded silently, but Gabrielle had seen the glint in her partner's eyes that told her there was a plan afoot.She wasn't sure what was up, but suspected Antony would not be of this world for very long and that Pluto was already making room for one more traitor.

Cleopatra was sent back to Egypt with orders to stay away from Antony and Rome.Xena made sure the woman understood that she would know if her order was disobeyed and that the Queen would pay with her life if it happened.  As soon as Cleopatra was out of Greece, one of Xena's spies informed her that the Egyptian was already conversing with Antony by messenger and that they were planning to rendezvous. Xena's package arrived in Alexandria the same week that Cleopatra did.It was Gabrielle's measured opinion that the snake that bit her got the short end of the bargain.

Lao Ma had been sent back to Chin with a very firm warning from Xena that she would not tolerate further insurrection.As Gabrielle watched them, she wondered for just a moment if her jealousy had been directed towards the wrong satrap.They shared a bond that was plain to her eyes.Then her gaze drifted to her joining bracelet and she realized it really didn't matter.She was the one who owned the Conqueror's heart and she always would.

Melosa was allowed to return to her village and her people.Her request for more land had been denied and her sister Terries had been conscripted into the Conqueror's troops at the palace.Just as a precautionary measure, Xena had assured with a smirk.

Gabrielle's thoughts were interrupted by her arrival at the apartment.With a start, she realized she'd been thinking so hard she had paid no attention whatsoever to where she was going.Lucky I didn't end up in the dungeons.  She sucked in a nervous breath as she slowly padded into her chambers, the butterflies dancing in her belly making her slightly nauseous.Morgaine was right; she had to tell Xena soon.Now that she'd gone to see the healer, the palace gossip mill would begin to grind.

The Queen placed the package for Jarrod on the table alongside several other gifts.She had made it clear that Jarrod would only accept gifts from people he knew.It was already hard enough for the boy to adjust without exposing him to the royal butt kissing such occasions would undoubtedly spur.It appeared that no one was home, so Gabrielle grabbed her cloak from a hook by the door and settled it around her shoulders, fastening it at the neck. She pulled back the heavy gates and then the doors to the balcony and stepped out into the cold winter air.Her eyes were drawn to the corner of the courtyard, where Autolycus and Palaemon chased around with the dozen or so children that were celebrating Jarrod's birthday with him.

She felt a pang in her chest when she saw her lover standing by awkwardly.Even from this distance she could see by Xena's pose that the tall woman wanted to join in but wasn't sure how.Then the Conqueror was hit on the head with a snowball thrown by Autolycus.Gabrielle laughed as the man lifted his hands, making sure Xena knew exactly who did it.She couldn't hear what he was saying. But Gabrielle was sure he was bragging about having no thumbs and only one eye and still being able to hit his target.

Having been directly challenged, Xena shrugged off the formality that was a product of years alone and years of conquest and joined the others in their play, focusing on a certain and now suddenly contrite thief.You get a big kiss for that one, Autolycus. Gabrielle smiled.Xena had come a long way.But the Conqueror still had a long way to go.They all did.  

Seated near the laughing children, and keeping hot tea at the ready, was Nyssa.Aphrodite had assured Gabrielle that the young woman's memory had been wiped clean of Athena's influence and the only thing she remembered was her dedication to being Jarrod's tutor.That alone hadn't been nearly enough to convince Gabrielle or Xena that Nyssa should be spared.Not after what they'd been through. But when Aphrodite explained the extent of Athena's involvement, and the many moons of cruel mind games she'd played on Nyssa in order to gain her consent, neither she nor Xena could find it in their hearts to hold a grudge.The young woman had been Athena's pawn and never held Xena any malice on her own.

Since it appeared that Nyssa was going to be a permanent fixture in their lives for many seasons to come, Aphrodite couldn't resist doing just a little more meddling.Gabrielle was looking forward to Palaemon and Nyssa's wedding in the spring.

Gabrielle waved when Xena looked up at the balcony.The Conqueror returned the wave and, excusing herself from the games, made her way to the side of the building.She studied the wall, the tip of her tongue appearing between her teeth as she formulated a plan of attack in her mind.Then, with a running start, she launched herself against the stones and grabbed onto the thick layers of vines that ran down the stone walls.She maneuvered back and forth, avoiding the places where the vines appeared weak or their coverage patchy until, finally, she hoisted herself over the edge of the balcony and stood before her Queen.

"Hi, beautiful."Xena smiled and began fussing with her wife's cloak. "Remind me to order those vines cut tomorrow." Her smiled faded and she cupped Gabrielle's cold cheeks."Why are standing out here in the cold?"

Gabrielle hugged her solicitous partner, pointedly not mentioning that everyone else happened to be playing out in the cold right now."I only did it so you'd come over here and keep me warm."She snuggled closer.

"It worked.By the Gods, if I'd only had access to your devious mind earlier..."

"You'd rule the world?" Gabrielle teased.

Xena chuckled and kissed the top of her wife's head. "Something like that," she agreed amiably.

Gabrielle looked up into her wife's face."Xe, I need to talk to you. Let's go inside."She took Xena by the hand, leading her inside and closing the doors and gates to the balcony.

Gabrielle removed Xena's cloak, led her over to the fire, and gestured to the couch.With slightly trembling hands, she poured a cup of what she knew was Xena's favorite wine, handing the cup down to the Conqueror."Here. You may want this."

Dark brows came together and Xena's heart gave a double thump."Gabrielle." The words got stuck in her throat and she paused, swallowing before saying, "What's wrong?"

Gabrielle stood by the fire, her back to the taller woman as she stared into the flames.Desperately, her mind searched for the right words.Gods, now I know how you felt the night you proposed.  She scratched her cheek as the best approach continued to elude her.Finally, feeling the tension in the air, she took pity on her partner and just started talking."Xena?"

"Yes?"Her tone was guarded and Gabrielle winced inwardly at the strain that showed clearly in just one word.

"I was wondering, umm, well..."

Xena jumped to feet and joined the blonde at the fire, pulling Gabrielle's forgotten cloak from her shoulders, tossing it onto a nearby chair. "Sweetheart, has something happened." He mind raced for what could possibly be upsetting her Queen. She was fine last night!"I mean...."

Gabrielle sucked in a deep and blurted out,"I'm pregnant."  She glanced up, waiting with bated breath for a response.When Xena didn't say anything, she felt her heart stop beating. Hades!

"How long?"Xena finally asked neutrally.

Gabrielle frowned a little.When did she think this happened?! "You, me, Ares' body on loan... Ring a bell?!"Gabrielle felt her ire rise."I would never betray your trust with someone else.I would never..."

Xena nodded furiously. "Of course not. I know.I know," she blathered. "So the baby will be here by summer?"

"Yeeeeessss," Gabrielle drew out the word cautiously.Xena didn't look so good.Her skin wasn't always this pale, was it?This was not the reaction she expected.Happiness or anger she could deal with.But Xena looked like she'd been hit between the eyes with a board.She stared at the curious expression, yelping when she was suddenly pulled into long, strong arms and lifted off her feet as Xena whooped with joy.She laughed from a relief so profound that she actually felt dizzy.Then her eyes went unfocused.Okay, that wasn't relief; Xena was spinning her around like top.Lips found hers and she was kissed senseless.

"Gods! Gabrielle, that's wonderful!We're going to have a baby."Xena placed her hands on the Queen's stomach and her eyes widened to an almost comical extent. She licked dry lips and wonder colored her voice."A baby."

Tears welled in soft green eyes as Gabrielle realized that this was what she'd been hoping for. The reaction was just unconventional, like Xena herself.She let out an explosive, pathetically grateful breath.Her stomach had been in knots, fearing that Xena would view this more as Ares' child than her own, no matter that Xena had been in his body at the time of conception.She shook her head in amazement. Obviously that wasn't the case.

"Hey, hey what's wrong?"Xena was quick to embrace her spouse."Gabrielle, don't you want this baby?"The Conqueror clutched the smaller woman tighter, praying to the Gods that that wasn't the case.

"No... I mean yes," the blonde answered quickly."I was afraid you wouldn't want it." She leaned back, still in Xena's warm embrace and wiped the happy tears from her cheeks. "It... I mean... Ares..." She began to stutter and Xena pressed two warm fingers against her rapidly moving lips.

"It might have been his body.  But there was no one in our bedchamber that night but you and me, Gabrielle.This is our baby.Yours and mine."  Her grin widened, showing off sparkling white teeth.And she dropped to her knees, pressing her lips against Gabrielle's stomach.

The younger woman's hands sank into the dark hair.As Xena gently kissing her abdomen and Gabrielle tilted her head skyward, closing her eyes and offering a prayer of thanks of her own.

*****

The carriage stopped in the middle of the road.Gabrielle and Jarrod's pale heads poked out of its windows, trying to figure out why they had stopped.When they couldn't see anything, they settled back into their seats.Gabrielle looked at Nyssa, who turned her palms upward and gave a quick shrug. A few seconds later the door opened and Xena climbed in, closing the door behind her.Blue eyes scanned the small interior and Xena tossed the blanket that was lying next to Gabrielle across to Jarrod and Nyssa, knowing that once she snuggled in next to her partner she wouldn't lack for body heat. Xena happily wedged herself between Gabrielle and the carriage wall, her hand immediately coming to rest on her wife's swollen mid-section.

The Queen quirked a questioning brow.

"I thought I'd ride back here with my family.Palaemon reminded me that there wasn't a rule that said the Conqueror can't ride in the Queen's carriage."

"Not without paying the price," Gabrielle teased before shifting for a kiss.

Jarrod groaned and rolled his eyes, flushing at his parents' behavior.Of course, he was getting pretty used it.

Xena broke the gentle kiss reluctantly.She turned and gave her son a playful shove with her boot earning a giggle from him and his mother."One of these days, my boy, you will understand.Won't he, Nyssa?"

The young woman's blush matched Jarrod's. Her own wedding to Palaemon was only a few days away, and both the Lord Conqueror and the Queen took every opportunity to engage in a little good-natured teasing.She truly felt sorry for her betrothed, though.The Conqueror was downright merciless with him."Yes, My Lord, he will."She put her arm around the boy and pulled him close.

"So, My Queen." Xena returned her attention to Gabrielle."Do you think the village of Potadeia is ready for our return?"

"I doubt it." Gabrielle laughed, laying her hand on Xena's, which was, of course, still on her belly."I don't think anyone is ever really ready for you to ride into town.I know I wasn't."She placed a tender kiss on the cheek before her."But I'm glad you did."

"Will we be staying at the inn?"  Jarrod questioned, wondering if his friends would still be out and about town.Some of the boys had tormented him over his height and the fact that his mother worked at the tavern.He couldn't wait for them to see him now.It wasn't showing off... exactly.Besides, he wanted to tell everyone he was going to be somebody's brother!

"No, lad.I had a house built for us near a certain apple orchard I know to be your and your Mama's favorite spot.We're going to stay there for a while, so your Mama can be close to your grandmother and Aunt Lila when your brother or sister is born."

"I can't wait to see grandma again.I've missed her."

"So have I," Gabrielle agreed.  She was disappointed that her mother and sister had insisted on living in the village, even when Xena had offered them a palace apartment.But her mother had assured her it was simply because the village was home.   Gabrielle couldn't dispute that fact.She'd found a home in her partner.

*****

The house was modest compared to the palace but still spacious and beautiful, already appointed with servants hired from the village, who were eager for the steady employment and the prestige of working directly for the Lord Conqueror herself.In fact, it seemed that the entire community was enjoying a new peace and prosperity now that one of its own had become Queen to the Lord Conqueror.And they welcomed Gabrielle and her son back with open, if somewhat awestruck, arms.Times were good, and even the small towns scattered across the countryside seemed to have found new blood.

The winter had been mild, and the Conqueror's troops hadn't been involved in anything more than squashing an ambitious warlord or two since the attack on the palace last autumn.   Peace was good for the land and her people.

Gabrielle speculated that most of that had to do with the Xena's order that a number of small temples, whose upkeep would be paid for out of the national coffers, be built in honor of Gods other than Ares.And to avoid problems with the God of War, Xena made sure that the new temples were always smaller and less adored than his, while still being well maintained.To Gabrielle's relief, Greece took the hint and temples never lacked for worshippers.

The blonde woman's jaw dropped as she stared at the lovely home, trusting that Xena wouldn't let her fall as she clumsily stumbled out the carriage door. "Xena, it's beautiful."She'd caught a glimpse from the road, but it simply didn't do the place justice.She wrapped her arm around Xena's waist, her fingers gently stroking her lover's supple, black leather vest.

"I'm glad you approve, love." Xena sighed in relief.She would reward the architect handsomely for putting that beautiful smile on her wife's face. "I just want you to be happy and comfortable when the baby comes."

"Oh, do I have any choice?"Gabrielle grinned cheekily, standing on tiptoes to kiss her mate in their doorway."You were right, Xena."

A raised eyebrow.

"You have indeed spoiled me like an old woman's cat."Gabrielle's smile was unrepentant."And I do love it."

*****

Xena, Gabrielle, and Autolycus stood by quietly with a few other members of the court and honored villagers while the priest performed the marriage rites for Palaemon and Nyssa.

The sunrise over the pond was beautiful and Xena truly hoped that her second-in-command and his young bride would find as much happiness here as she had.She wrapped her arms around Gabrielle, feeling a strong kick beneath one arm.   "I love you, Mama Bear," she whispered, watching Jarrod pass Palaemon the ring he had chosen for Nyssa."You think they'll be as happy as we are?"

"Is Palaemon as messy as your are?" Gabrielle teased, her low spoken words far too quiet for anyone other than Xena to hear.

"Just as bad, from what his barrackmates say," the Conqueror played along.

"Well...then so long as Nyssa is as patient and wonderful as I am, they should be in Elysia."

A sharp tickle to her ribs caused Gabrielle to burst out laughing.

Xena clamped her palm over the Queen's mouth and shot the scowling priest a look of wide-eyed innocence. "It's the baby," she lied smoothly, filling the awkward silence that had taken over."She kicks My Queen as though she were a gladiator in training."

The priest nodded skeptically and continued with the ceremony.

"She?" Gabrielle gave Xena's hand a little nibble as it left her mouth.

"I am the Conqueror, you know. My instincts are impeccable."

"And yesterday when the baby was a boy?"

Xena smiled, unable to think of a snappy comeback.In fact, she considered, she smiled a lot now."I love you, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle felt the arms around her tighten and she glanced over her shoulder, wanting to see Xena's face."I love you, too."

The look that greeted Gabrielle was contemplative.  "You gave me back my life, you know.  And the strength to continue to rule."

"You had it all along, Xena." Gabrielle tumbled helplessly under the spell of pale blue eyes, the wedding and the sound of the priest melting away. "I told you that when we first met."

Xena nodded."You did.I just wasn't sure I believed it."

Gabrielle turned in Xena's arms, leaning forward and pushing upward until her forehead was pressed lightly against silky, dark bangs.She smiled."It's a good thing that I did then, isn't it?"

"Yes, Ma'am."Xena laughed softly, tilting her head for a kiss.

*****

Palaemon and Autolycus elbowed each other and laughed as Xena and Jarrod both paced back and forth outside the window of the room where Gabrielle was currently in labor.

Palaemon and Nyssa had been roused very early in the morning by a very flustered Conqueror beating on the door of their small cottage, which sat about a quarter mile behind the main house.  She had sent Palaemon to fetch Hecuba so the Queen's mother would be with her daughter during labor, and she'd enlisted a wide-eyed Nyssa to sit with the Queen herself.

Xena had been so nervous and full of energy that it hadn't taken long for Gabrielle to order her out of the house, telling her not to return until the child's six birthday.  Xena knew she was only kidding.At least she hoped so.But she didn't take the shoe that had sailed over her shoulder and crashed into the wall in front of her as a good sign. Now she and her son walked back and forth in endless circles, passing each other as they did, waiting to be called back into the house.They both would stop and grimace or moan in sympathy when a particularly loud cry of pain could be heard from the house.

The Conqueror looked down at the very worried Jarrod.She stopped walking and offered her open arms to him.He quickly wrapped his hands around her neck."Is she okay?"His voice cracked with emotion.

"She's fine, son." She's fine... She's fine.... She's fine. "Babies just take a lot of time to get here," a grim memory of Solon's birth surfaced and she pushed it away, "and unfortunately, it's painful.But she's fine. Otherwise the healer would have said something, right?"

Jarrod looked at her blankly.

Her head snapped toward Palaemon and Autolycus."Right?!" she barked at the men, whose heads immediately bobbed up and down.

"Right! Absolutely," they confirmed in unison, each taking a large step away from Xena.

"That's what I thought," Xena muttered, willing herself to believe it.She glanced back down at the freckle-faced boy."Everything is fine and very soon you'll have that little brother or sister you wanted."

It wasn't long after that the silence outside was broken by the loud cry of a newborn baby.Xena kissed the top of Jarrod's heard and thrust the boy at Palaemon, nearly tripping as she ran for the front door.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door of the bedchamber, not wanting to just rush right in.She mentally prepared herself to duck a shoe or anything else Gabrielle might find within reach.  The door opened and Nyssa smiled, wordlessly slipping out past the Conqueror.Lila, who also was sporting a happy grin, followed the tutor.Xena's neck craned as she tried to peer beyond the door and into the room. She was painfully aware that she hadn't been invited in yet and was just about ready to march in despite that fact when she heard footsteps.

The healer came to the door, drying his hands on a rough-hewn cloth. "Please, My Lord, come in and see your wife and baby."

That was all it took.Xena bolted across the room to Gabrielle's bedside as though her feet were on fire.

Gabrielle looked tired and a little pale, but very, very happy.

Xena let out a shuddering breath, and knelt. Taking her spouse's hand, she watched anxiously as Hecuba carefully bundled up a pale-haired, wrinkled-skinned, squirming baby and brought it to the bed, placing it in Gabrielle's arms.

"I'll have someone bring you some broth, sweetheart."Hecuba kissed her daughter on the forehead and smoothed away wet bangs.  Then she looked at Xena. "Congratulations, My Lord," she said, stubbornly ignoring her daughter's multiple requests that she call her Xena when they were not in public.The older woman bent at the waist and gave Xena a soft kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Xena gaze dropped to Gabrielle and the now gurgling baby.

"Would you like to hold your son after his meal?" the Queen offered gently, absorbing the look of pure pleasure transforming her wife's face.

"A boy?"

"A boy," Gabrielle confirmed with a tired grin, taking a moment to shift in the bed so she could offer the child her breast.He began suckling immediately enjoying his mother's rich, warm milk.   She closed her eyes and sighed. "So, what are we going to name him?"

Xena ran her hands through her hair, taking in the sight before her.Every other name she had considered over these past months flew right out the window.She cupped his small head, his tuft of blonde hair tickling her palm."I think Leander is a very appropriate name given that first cry.He certainly sounded like a lion."

Gabrielle nodded.His lusty howl had nearly caused her to jump right out of her skin.Leander: like a lion.She chuckled softly.That was quite a roar.  "Leander it is."She peered down into sleepy dark eyes."He's perfect, Xena."

"Of course, he is." Xena felt the beginnings of tears. "You're his mother."

*****

Xena held her son close to her as Gabrielle slept. A familiar tingle chased up and down her spine and she shook her head."Life was going along too perfectly for it to last for long."

The God of War materialized right in front of her.  "So," Ares glanced nonchalantly at the bundle in Xena's arms, frowning at the blonde hair but grinning stupidly when dark brown eyes peered back at him. "That's the little poop machine, huh?"

"No, this is my son." She placed a tender kiss on the baby's forehead. "And don't
you forget it, Ares."

"Oh, I won't. But don't I even get a little credit," he pouted. "I mean... come on! It was my body..."

Xena held up a hand to forestall what she could see was fast turning into a rant. "Okay, okay.You're right." She made a face when his pout turned into a smug smile.  "I guess that does sort of make you the Godfather."

The muscular God rolled his eyes. "So, Xena, how was it, being in command of all this?" He gestured to himself."You have to admit, there are advantages to being male."

"Peeing standing up."

"Is a big one," he agreed instantly.

"What makes you think I don't do that now?" she said drolly, beaming as Leander gripped her finger tightly and began shaking her hand.

Ares sighed dramatically."You may be the Conqueror, Xena." He bit his lip as his gaze drifted down her lanky form, lingering on his favorite parts.  "But you're all woman."

"Give it up, Ares."

"Never."

She narrowed her eyes and her grin turned wicked.  "I did enjoy making him," she taunted, knowing full well that Ares' attention had slid over to her beautiful, slumbering wife.

Ares looked back and needlessly tugged up his tight leather pants. "Listen, if you decide you ever want to take another crack at the baby thing, I'll be happy..."

"Only if you loan your body to Gabrielle."

"Oh, please," he scoffed loudly, rolling his eyes yet again. "She couldn't handle this body."

Xena burst out laughing, cradling the suddenly startled baby. "Wanna bet?"

*****

Xena lay back on the lush grass under a tall, shady tree as she contentedly listened to Gabrielle and Jarrod splashing around in the pond.A light breeze blew her hair and the mid-day sun was still far from being uncomfortably hot.She laughed at Leander's antics on the blanket spread out next to her.He was clapping and squealing every time his toes touched the prickly green grass at the blanket's edge. And whenever he'd start crawling for his mama and brother, Xena would reach out and drag him back, causing him to laugh and squeal even more.

And, oh, he was a devious ten-moon-old.He would happily crawl across her chest, giving her a sloppy wet kiss as a means of distraction, while he tried to scramble off of her body and make his way to Gabrielle.Xena had already determined that he would be a world class tactician in no time, and was planning on giving him a gentle nudge in that direction. With Jarrod's natural charm they would make an unstoppable team.

"C'mere, little man," she growled playfully, grabbing after a tiny, squirming, bare foot. Over the past few days he had started to try and push himself up to walk.Xena knew it wouldn't be much longer, and she relished the thought of seeing him take those first steps. She had been blessed with a second chance at motherhood.And she was determined not to waste it.

These trips back to the village in the springtime appeared as though they were going to become a family tradition.And she wanted to talk to Gabrielle about staying for more than a week or so at a time. The thought of actually having family traditions warmed her from within.She scooped her son up in her arms, laughing when he grabbed her face and tried to bite her nose."Be nice," she chastised, kissing his tiny snub nose.

The Queen joined them, panting slightly from her dash over, and drying her hair with a thick towel."What's he doing now?" she looked back at Jarrod who was still trying to master Xena's fishing technique.

Xena let her son stand between her legs as she tossed her wife a robe."He thinks my nose is a teething toy." She rubbed the body part in question.

Gabrielle slipped her robe on and gestured to her son, coaxing him to let go of Xena and come to her."Come on, honey." She knelt and held out her arms. "Come to Mama. Come on."

Leander looked to Xena and gurgled, then his head swung back to Gabrielle.With a loud yell he pushed off Xena's knees and took three very wobbly first steps right into Gabrielle's arms.

A brilliant smile broke across the faces of two very proud mothers as Gabrielle hugged the boy tightly against her damp chest.

Yes, the Conqueror considered again, family traditions by this pond where going to be a very good thing.

And Gods willing, there would be many more of them for countless seasons to come.

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