"All packed?" inquired Cyrene as the bard sauntered into the inn's kitchen.

"Yeah .. I just need a few things if you can spare some .. emergency rations, you know in case of ..." she shrugged, "an emergency," and laughed.

Cyrene smiled, "I thought you would, and since Xena's packed my larders I have plenty to spare. Just what do you want?"

"Well mainly dried goods," Gabrielle told her noticing the quickly erased spark of unhappiness that gleamed for just a moment in the older woman's eyes. "Xena pretty much manages to catch what we need on a day to day basis. But there have been odd occasions when we've had to fall back on what we were carrying because of lack of game, or fish .. or just plain being too tired to hunt."

Moving across to the door to the cellar, Cyrene lit a heavy candle left there, for just this purpose, and led her daughter's friend down the steps into the store room. They rummaged through sacks and along shelves as Gabrielle picked out what she wanted, including a small wheel of cheese, some trail biscuits (that Cyrene kept in stock for travellers who needed stores for the road), a large joint of smoked ham that would be good for use in a thick soup with the pulses she had picked, or to eat with the trail biscuits, and finally the luxury of a small jar of honey and a bag of apples.

"That should keep us from starvation," grinned the bard, once they were back in the kitchen, seated at the table and drinking tea.

"Oh, I almost forgot," said the innkeeper as she caught sight of a cloth wrapped bundle. "I made some pies and pastries up for you both. They'll keep for quite a while," her eyes twinkled mischievously, "Or they will if you don't eat them all in one go!" That got a snort of protest from Gabrielle, but Cyrene continued, "I just thought you'd have something while you were travelling. I know Xena doesn't always remember to stop and eat."

"She's better than she was when we first met," conceded the younger woman a little defensively. She took a sip of her tea, well aware of the innkeeper's smirk that said she knew better. With a sigh she placed the mug on the table and added, "But you're right ... she doesn't always remember."

"And you, of course, don't always remind her," grinned Cyrene.

"Well sometimes we just don't have the time ... when we're trying to get somewhere because of an emergency .. I don't like to bother her. And we always try and eat well when we stop for the night ...." She caught the smile that the warrior's mother was unsuccessful in hiding and frowned.

Unable to restrain herself, Cyrene laughed, "Some things never change, Gabrielle. When she was little she'd go the whole day from the time she got up until the time she turned up in the evening without having eaten anything. Whenever I tried to push her on the subject, she'd get this scowl on her face, you know the one? and tell me, "There is so much stuff to do ... I don't have time to eat!'"

The bard giggled in delight, "She did that as a child too? No wonder she's so good at that look!"

The two women laughed together for a while before Cyrene finally said, "Well I better get the evening meal started ... especially if I'm going to have time for that walk with Xena when she comes back."

"Where's Mattin?" asked Gabrielle, suddenly realising that the boy wasn't anywhere in the kitchen.

"Well he'd finished his chores and we had some time before we needed to get the evening meal prepared, so I sent him into the village to the spice merchants for a few things ... it's funny, I thought he would have been back by now."

"Hmm," growled Gabrielle, a thought striking her. "Excuse me for a moment, Cyrene. I have to check on my Amazons," she said absently.

With the innkeeper nodding her agreement, her mind already on what she needed to prepare for cooking, the bard gathered up her supplies, and the extra pastries, intending to stow them with their gear before dropping in to check on how Lasca was doing.

Jade sat stiffly in a hard, straight backed chair and allowed her voice to drone on as she read to Joxer from a text written by some poet called Thucydides. The stuff bored the Amazon rigid. - Why couldn't he have picked a good war story? - she moaned silently as she continued with the flowery passages. - Better yet, why didn't I just ignore Lasca when she pleaded with me to sit in here for a couple of candlemarks? -

"Hey! Can you read that bit again?" asked Joxer suddenly.

- Damn! - thought Jade, trying to hide her scowl. - I thought he was asleep! - "Which bit?" she asked reluctantly.

"The bit just before loss of manliness," grinned the injured man.

Jade cleared her throat and checked over the page for the relevant quote.

"That's good you know? He really knows how to describe the inner feelings of a man .. of a warrior .. great warriors," Joxer babbled happily.

- Gods spare me! - Jade swore silently while plastering a false smile on her face. - I wonder if I could get away with killing him a little bit? I could claim justifiable homicide. Justifiable because he's driving me absolutely crazy! -

"Read some more, would ya?" asked the object of her homicidal fantasies.

Lifting the parchment, the Amazon glared at the patient over the top of the scroll before seeking out her place and continuing her recitation. - If Lasca doesn't get her butt back here soon, I am personally gonna kick it all around the practice field just as soon as we get home! -

She managed to read some more before she was interrupted once again, "Go over that bit once more," Joxer requested.

Jade couldn't stop her heavy sigh, but the wannabe took it as one of enthusiastic enjoyment for the writings. Gathering up her fraying temper, the Amazon re-read the piece.

"Kind of like Xena, you think?" he asked staring up at the ceiling and not seeing Jade clench her fists to stop herself from reaching for her belt knife.

- Arrrhhhhhh! - she screamed in her mind. - How much longer is Lasca going to be! -

Joxer sighed contentedly. "Hey!" Joxer looked at her with a perplexed frown on his face.

"Um yeah?" answered the Amazon trying to keep the annoyance from her tone.

"There's a scroll over there of love poems written by some Roman guy called Virgil ... Greek translations of course. Wanna read some of them?" he grinned.

- No! - she yelled silently as she pushed a gritted smile onto her glowering features. - How about I ram these scrolls where the sun don't shine, buster? I'm a warrior not a nursemaid! - she demanded mentally, although what she actually said was, "If you want."

"Hey?" he said again as she stood to collect the required scroll.

Jade turned and said through clenched teeth, "Yes?"

"If you'd rather stick with the scroll ya got, I don't mind .. you seemed to be enjoying it, and it was kind of selfish of me to want to change," he apologised.

Jade counted slowly to ten before daring to answer her patient, "Whatever you want, Joxer .. just let me know." He smiled, a big goofy grin that always appeared so boyish, "Well in that case the Virgil, I think ... unless," he stopped short as the door opened, both acts which saved him from the likelihood of more broken bones! "Oh hiya, Gabby ... it's good to seeya!"

"Joxer, I was only in here a few candlemarks ago," the bard told him patiently looking from him to his Amazon attendant, and scowling when she realised it was Jade there and not Lasca. "I thought I gave instructions for Lasca to be attending to Joxer," she said keeping her annoyance in check by dint of willpower.

"Um yeah," agreed Jade wondering just what she'd got into now. "She asked me to sit in for her for a few candlemarks ... no biggie."

"Did she happen to mention that I told her specifically that she was to remain within this room, or Eponin's, until you all left for Themiscyra? Except for mealtimes, of course."

Jade shifted uncomfortably under the firm, green eyed stare of her queen. - Lasca .. I'm gonna get you for this! - she promised herself. "Um .. actually .. no, she didn't."

"I see," said the bard, a touch of anger colouring her tone. She softened her voice a little as she said to the Amazon, "Would you mind staying here just a little longer, Jade? I need to find Lasca and remind her of the duty she owes the Queen's command, and I really would like someone here to keep Joxer company."

"Certainly, my Queen," agreed Jade with a knowing smirk, certain that Lasca was about to get her butt roasted.

"Thank you," smiled Gabrielle icily before turning to leave the room.

"See ya Gabby," called Joxer hopefully.

"Later," agreed the bard with a wave of her hand, closing the door after her.

- Oh yeah, Sprout! Paybacks are a bitch! - smirked the Amazon at the thought of the dressing down her young friend was going to receive.

"Ah .. if it's okay," called Joxer, drawing her attention, "Can we have the Virgil?"

- But I'm still gonna kick your scrawny ass when we get home! - Jade promised as she reached for the requested scroll.

Lasca had not appreciated being singled out for extra duty serving as the healer's assistant .. in fact she didn't appreciate being, to all intents and purposes, confined to the two recovery rooms. - I'm an Amazon Warrior, by Artemis' bow ... not some kid that needs tucking up at night! I'm old enough to decide things for myself! - She grinned smugly, - So it's a good thing that Mattin and me made our arrangements before I left the ship. Now all I gotta do is get Jade to cover for me for a candlemark or so. -

Arrangements had been easy enough to make. Jade owed her for taking her turns at attending to Argo on the trip to Amphipolis ... for some reason her Amazon sister and the warhorse did not get on. It wasn't anything nasty .. it just seemed that the mare enjoyed playing tricks on Jade .. - Like that evening she knocked her into the river, - the young warrior remembered with a chuckle. So for the promise of a future favour, Lasca had taken over Jade's turn at caring for Argo. A favour she fully intended in calling in here.

So with a little grumbling on her friend's part, Lasca was able to slip out of the window and down to the stable to meet with Mattin for a little experimental education in the lust department.

Mattin, for his part, eagerly accepted the task of a trip to the spice merchant knowing that he'd have no trouble in persuading Fersan to go in his stead. The other boy had known of his assignation with Lasca for when they next met and was happy enough to help his friend anyway he could envying him his good fortune in a friendly way.

The boy handed over the list of spices and the pouch of dinars to his friend and said with a wide grin, "Thanks Fersy, I'll do the same for you some time." He didn't bother watching the other boy trot off out of the yard, he had something far more important on his mind and eagerly headed for the stable where he hoped to find his Amazon Warrior.

The two met inside the doors and suddenly became shy in each other's company. The offered each other nervous smiles and felt awkward as their tongues seemed to cleave to the rooves of their mouths and they struggled with something .. anything, to say to each other.

"Um ... hi," Mattin finally got out, as he dragged the toe of his boot across the dirt floor of the building.

"H .. hi," Lasca almost squeaked in return. Then grasping her warrior courage she said in a rush, "I'mgladyoucame."

He grinned at her, "Me too." He leaned forward to kiss her, but she turned her head at the last moment so they ended up banging foreheads with a painful crunch.

"OW!" they said in unison before bursting into uncertain giggles.

"Can we try that again?" asked Mattin, not looking the Amazon in the eye, fearful of rejection.

"I'm willing if you are," she said softly as she leaned forward, her eyes drifting closed as she waited for his lips to meet hers.

Wiping sweaty hands on his tunic, the boy licked his suddenly dry lips and then, screwing his courage to the sticking place, he leaned forward to press his lips to hers.

The silky feel of her soft skin sent a startling buzz through his body, his mouth opened in a silent "Oh!" and a warm tongue invaded bringing with it a taste of spices and femininity that he was sure he wanted more of.

Lasca's hands reached up to his head as the kiss deepened and Mattin counter attacked pushing his questing tongue into her mouth, running it along her teeth, greedily exploring as his body reacted with an untutored naturalness and his hands began to wander across her body.

Gasping for breath, the Amazon broke the kiss and stepped away from the young man. Her eyes were smoky and her voice husky as she gasped, "Not here."

Confused and desperate to renew contact, Mattin stammered, "Wha .. um ... huh?"

"Not here," repeated Lasca firmly, if a little breathlessly. Then she took pity on him and pointed to the hayloft, "Up there," she told him.

"Up there?" he asked, struggling to unscramble his brain which seemed to have disconnected during that kiss.

"Uh huh," agreed the Amazon, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the ladder. "No one will see us should they come into the stable then."

"Oh gods," the boy mumbled as he followed the insistent tug of his hand.

Once into the hayloft the pair made a nest in the hay and after several moments of hesitation, they resumed their investigation of each other's mouths, finding that their hands soon joined in the exploration of the other's body and each felt flushed with fevered fumbling.

It can remain uncertain as to just how far their youthful lusts would have taken them, if it hadn't been for the creak of the stable door. It was enough to interrupt their frantic groping and a nervous peep over the edge of the loft was enough to quiet their raging passions. Being caught by the Warrior Princess was the last thing they wanted.

Flushed from desire, they were forced to curb their raging hormones, knowing that Xena's legendary hearing would be sure to pick up even the softest of their groans. It was frustrating, but as their senses cooled they were able to think logically and, their heads told them it was for the best. They waited until they could hear Xena start grooming her horse then, cautiously settled back in each other's arms, content with gentle kisses and the comfort of each other's embrace.

As time passed they began to feel a little anxious. It was quite likely that someone would miss them at some point and the longer they remained in the stable, the more certain that likelihood became. Yet while Xena remained brushing Argo, there was no way they could leave undetected.

It was something of a relief, as well as a shock when the warrior suddenly appeared behind them and said in that low dangerous voice of hers, "I think it's time you two got back to the inn."

The pair of them shot to their feet in surprised confusion, wondering how in Tartarus, she'd known they were there. They gaped at her not knowing what to do or say, and saw her cock her head to one side as if listening to something that only she could hear.

"I'd say that you're both about to get a serious lecture from my bard. I'd get out of here," she said whilst plucking some loose hay from their hair, "before she finds you in incriminating circumstances." They looked at her like startled chickens, totally unsure of what they should do. "Move!" she growled and was rewarded with the sight of the pair of them scrambling down the ladder and out of the stable.

Glancing out of the hayloft door, she saw Gabrielle standing by the well in the yard, pinning Fersan against the wall with a glare. The boy was holding a package out defensively and was grateful when the bard looked away from him as she saw Mattin and Lasca come scuttling out of the stable like the hounds of Hades were after them.

Xena chuckled as she heard her friend order all three youths into the kitchen, obviously primed and ready to give them a ringing lecture about duty, responsibility and control. She shook her head at the luckless trio, but was glad that they were going to keep her bardic friend occupied for a while.

"Kids, huh?" said a voice from behind her.

She knew he was there. She'd tracked the sounds of his stealthy movements as he'd swung easily into the hayloft before the kids in question were halfway down the ladder. She'd followed his movements across the loft, not with her hearing, for he made no sound, but her other senses had followed him and she could have pinpointed his exact location at any given time since he entered the building.

Smoothing the smile from her face, she turned slowly, almost seductively, to find him standing just inches from her, as she had known he would be. "We were all kids once," she told him softly, gently, her demeanour far from that of the hard, deadly, ice warrior of legend.

"No," he breathed .. his voice almost a whisper as he allowed the unique scent that was her infuse his thoughts and wrap around his desire. "I believe you're all woman and always have been."

She was tempted to laugh at him, but there was a vulnerability in his brown eyes that told her that to do so would have been a mistake. Instead she smiled a little hesitantly and shook her head and told him seriously, "You're wrong ... I'm just the same as everyone else. I was born, I stumbled through childhood and into adulthood, just like those two were doing. I've made terrible mistakes and done worse acts, but have been lucky enough to get a second chance at life. I'm not a fantasy woman, Autolycus. My life has been real, hard and bloody, so look somewhere else if you're looking for the perfect woman."

Brown eyes stared into blue as he searched for the words to tell her what was in his heart. "Xena, I have spent almost my entire lifetime in pursuit of the most beautiful and perfect." He laid a finger on her lips to stop her from speaking. "I have looted temples, stolen from gods, kings and the wealthy not only for the sake of money .. well that had a lot to do with it," he admitted honestly due to the look she gave him, "but also because I wanted to own this so called beauty and perfection ... and you know what?" he asked, continuing when she shook her head, "I've never found perfection. Everything, gem, statue, work of art .. everything always has some flaw ... and I think that's true of people too. I gave up looking for perfection a long while ago. What matters to me now, when I hold something beautiful is simply that it is beautiful .. flaws and all ... like you are beautiful."

"Autolycus ..." she started to protest.

"No," he stopped her. "Let me finish ... I've been trying to say this for a long time .. almost since we first met, even if you did sucker me," he grinned wryly.

"Autol ...."

"Hear me out," he pleaded and waited for her nod of agreement before continuing. "I love you Xena ... I think I always have," he said softly. "Even before we met, it was like I was waiting for the right woman to come into my life. You're that woman. I know that I'm no Hercules .. or even a Draco or Caesar." He saw her grimace at the last name. "I'm a thief ... the best there is," he said with no false modesty, "probably not a real match for a Warrior Princess. But I know I could make you happy .. if you'd let me. And I'm determined to woo you .. to win your heart, as you have already won mine," he told her with a sincerity that left her speechless .. defenceless, before him.

Taking his chance, he drew her unresisting body into a loving embrace and leaned in for a passion filled kiss that was crammed with the intensity of his emotions. Within a heartbeat she was responding to him and the embrace deepened, intensifying and making them both feel giddy with need.

With slow gentleness, he broke their contact and stepped back. The heat of desire and something more was in her cheeks, as it was in his own. He could almost hear the blood pounding through their veins as their hearts pumped to a rising crescendo. But he didn't want to seduce her. He wanted more ... that's what the flowers had been for and the poems he'd laboured over. He was determined to win her heart and her hand and, to that end, he was willing to wait.

"I love you, and want you, more than I can ever tell you, Xena. Just tell me that it's not hopeless, that I have a chance of one day winning you. I want more than a quick roll in the hay," he said gesturing to their surroundings. "I want you, heart, soul and body ... I want to marry you ... but I can wait until you are ready."

She looked at him, willing her heart to stop beating so rapidly. His kiss had touched her deeply, stirring feelings of an intensity she had never felt before. She took a deep breath and sighed, "Autolycus, I may never be able to give you what you want .. I may never be ready to settle down."

"But you might. Just tell me that I am not without hope," he pleaded softly.

She turned her back on him, looking out into the yard where she had played in her childhood, where she had fought against Cortese's men in her youth and had matured from child to woman baptised in hot crimson blood. She was silent for a long while .. long enough to make him doubt her answer. But finally she told him, "You are not without hope ... I can promise nothing, but should a time come ...."

"That's all I need to know," he assured her. "I can wait until you are ready."

"You deserve more ... better," she said turning back to him, a world of hurt and pain in her eyes.

He stilled her voice with another burning, breathless kiss, clutching her to him in an embrace that promised her his protection forever, comforting her in a way she had rarely experienced. "You are what I want ... nothing more. Nothing less."

She relaxed into his arms, happy to remain there for the short while they had.

The next day dawned clear and bright. Gabrielle waited patiently for Xena and Argo to join her at the front of the inn. Toris and Cyrene stood on the step, their goodbyes had been said, and the time they took with each other the previous afternoon had made sure that the worries and concerns had been addressed, and Xena's promise to return home as often as she could had allayed many of Cyrene's fears.

It was hard for Toris to see his sister, and the woman he was attracted to, leave while he sank back into the obscurity of being a small town innkeeper. Xena's quiet words, praising his help and bravery on their behalf had gone a long way to healing old wounds, and it had been good to realise that his strong, many skilled sister had appreciated his efforts.

Gabrielle had also been fulsome with her praise and had even gifted the tall innkeeper's son with a gentle kiss that had made him tingle from the inside out. He sighed inwardly and wished that he had the courage to tell the bard exactly how he felt about her .... But he could be patient .. there would be time in the future, he hoped. Finally Xena appeared. Tight hugs were shared as they made their final farewells and the warrior brushed away a tear as it fell down her mother's cheek. "Don't cry .. we'll be back before you know it," she promised.

"I know, little one," sniffed the innkeeper. "Forgive me."

The raven haired woman quirked that lopsided grin of hers and said quietly, "There's nothing to forgive." She threw a glance at Toris. "Take care of him, don't let him get into any trouble."

"You just make sure you keep clear of Romans, brat!" he responded to her jibe.

She laughed and turned to the bard, "Time to go Gabrielle," she smiled, looking forward to the comfortable solitude of just the two of them .. although part of her yearned to return to a thief's embrace.

They waved to Cyrene and Toris and headed out of town, turning their backs to the rising sun and headed west into the mountains. The two women walking side by side with the great warhorse trailing behind them.

"Where are we heading?"

"I thought we could make our way down to Potidaea. Your parents must have heard the rumours about us by now .. I thought you might want to put their minds at rest."

"Thank you," smiled the bard. "I'd like to look in on an old friend while we’re there. Before this thing with Caesar came up, her parents sent me a letter saying they were worried about her." "Oh yeah?" returned the warrior, "What's her name."

"Seraphin."