The Cabin

Part 1

Disclaimer 1: The characters Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Hercules and Iolaus are owned by MCA/Universal and they own all rights to them. I only borrowed them for this story. The rest of the story is mine. Comments can be sent to me at [email protected].

Disclaimer 2: This story contains explicit, graphic scenes of two women making love to each other. If this offends you, run, don’t walk, away from this story. There is also scenes of physical and emotional violence. Just so you’re warned.

Gabrielle's story, 'Poseidon and The Lovers', was used by permission and can be found in the XWP fanfic story "Breaking Bread" by L.N. James.

Please enjoy. This was my first attempt at Xena fiction.

"Well, at least the ground is dry and soft." Xena muttered as she laid out her bedroll. She shivered against the cool night air. "I hope it doesn’t get much colder. I won’t be able to sleep." She threw more logs onto the fire.

"Xena, I have an idea." Gabrielle said. "Why don’t we sleep together? Our body heat will help to keep us warm." She stood and dragged her bedroll over next to Xena’s.

"Why don’t I just make the fire larger?" Xena said. She didn’t feel comfortable being so close to Gabrielle lately.

"No need for that. Come on, let’s get some sleep." Gabrielle laid down and patted the area next to her. Knowing there was no way to avoid it, Xena removed her armor and crawled in next to her.

Gabrielle quickly curled up around her and fell asleep. Xena laid there, wide awake, feeling her body react to the warm skin next to it. Her feelings toward the bard had changed over time, from being a protector to being a friend. Now she wasn’t quite sure what her feelings were. The thought of losing Gabrielle was too much for her to bear, but she wasn’t sure if she could contain her desires for much longer.

"Mmm." The bard murmured as she draped her arm across Xena’s body. The warrior reached down and covered Gabrielle’s hand with her own, gently stroking the storyteller’s fingers. A now familiar ache began within Xena. Gabrielle squeezed tighter, pulling her body closer to her dark haired friend.

"Gabrielle, I think it’s getting too warm. I’ll go lay somewhere else." Xena said as she tried to move the bard’s arm. The arm instantly stiffened, holding Xena still.

"No." Gabrielle said, raising her head to look at the warrior. "Stay with me. Don’t be afraid." The bards fingers started to stroke Xena’s belly through the thin material of the shift.

"I don’t think this is a good idea, Gabrielle." Xena said, rolling her body out of reach of the bard. She stood up and headed for the fire, absently tossing sticks into the flame.

"Xena, did I do something wrong?" Gabrielle propped herself up on her elbows and looked at the warrior. How she longed to break down the walls that Xena had put up around herself.

"No. I have to tend to the fire. Go to sleep, Gabrielle." Xena’s eyes never left the fire. The bard sighed and rolled over, realizing that this was going to be another night of Xena holding back.

They set out the next morning for Permious, a small village nearby. Xena rode on Argo while Gabrielle walked alongside.

"Gabrielle, I’d like to get there before sunset."

"You know I don’t like to ride."

"I know, but we really don’t want to lose any more time." Xena held her hand out, reaching for the bard. Reluctantly, Gabrielle allowed herself to be pulled up onto the horse. She settled in behind the warrior, wrapping her arms around Xena’s waist for support. She noticed that Xena was sitting straight up, rigid. She wondered if the warrior was still sore from last week’s battle.

It took all of Xena’s willpower not to lean back against the bard. Her skin burned where the soft hands were wrapped around her. She was acutely aware of Gabrielle’s thighs against hers, as well as the younger woman’s stomach against her back. Thoughts that were uncommon to the warrior in the light of day surfaced. She tried to push them from her mind.

Permious was like many villages that they had passed through. The usual procedure was to wait for Xena to check out the tavern, then Gabrielle would wait there for Xena to return from stabling Argo. This time, however, Xena headed straight for the stable.

"Why aren’t we going to the tavern first?" Gabrielle asked as she slid down from Argo’s back.

"I don’t want you left there alone." Xena turned and put her hand on the bard’s shoulder. "Gabrielle, I want you to stay within my sight at all times while we’re here, do you understand?" Gabrielle looked into the depths of Xena’s blue eyes, searching for an answer. What she saw surprised the young bard. There was concern, of course, but there was also something else, something unreadable.

"Xena, you know I can take care of-"

"I mean it, Gabrielle." Xena’s voice was stern, silencing any protests from her. Xena turned around and walked over to the stable boy to make arrangements for Argo. Gabrielle set about to remove their bedrolls and saddlebags from the war-horse.

Despite the appearance on the outside, the tavern was clean and well lit inside. Xena entered first, scanning the room for signs of trouble. Seeing none, she motioned for Gabrielle to enter.

"Get us a table, I’ll make arrangements for dinner and a room."

"Okay." Gabrielle said as she made her way toward the back. She knew that Xena preferred to have her back to a wall so she could study the entire room. She settled down at a small table in the back and waited for Xena to join her.

"What’s a purdy little thing like you doing out here all alone?" A large, stinking bulk of a man said lecherously to the bard. She almost lost her appetite at the smell of his breath. Instinctively, her hands wrapped around her staff, readying it for action. He reached out to grab at her, but a blur of motion wrapped his arm up behind his back.

"Say you’re sorry for bothering her." The soft voice hissed. Gabrielle looked up, expecting Xena to be there. She was surprised to see another woman coming to her rescue. This woman was as tall as Xena, with a similar build. She had short, sandy brown hair and grey eyes.

"S-Sorry." He yelped at the woman pushed his arm up harder. With a satisfied grin, she let him go. He immediately took off toward the door. A soft hand rested on Gabrielle’s shoulder. She didn’t need to look up to know it was Xena.

"Thank you." The bard said, looking at the woman.

"You are welcome." The woman looked at Gabrielle, then at Xena. "I am Drax. I saw him lumbering over toward you and I thought you might need a hand."

"Thank you again, Drax. I am Gabrielle and this is-"

"Xena. It’s been a long time." Drax said. From Gabrielle’s vantage, she couldn’t see the cold stare that Xena was giving the other woman.

"Drax." Xena coolly answered as she increased her grip on Gabrielle’s shoulder.

"Well, if you will excuse me. It was nice meeting you, Gabrielle." Drax said as she straightened up. She nodded to Xena, then walked away.

"You know her?" Gabrielle asked as Xena sat down next to her. Xena took a large swallow of port before answering.

"I know her." Was all she said. Gabrielle knew from the tone in the warrior’s voice that part of the conversation was over.

"Were you able to get us a room?"

"Yes, upstairs, end of the hall." Xena answered. A young woman brought the trays of food to their table. Gabrielle’s eyes widened when she saw the loaf of nutbread.

"Xena!"

"I knew you’d like that." Xena said. She smiled as she watched Gabrielle break off a large piece. It never ceased to amaze the warrior how Gabrielle reacted to the slightest act of kindness from her. "Try not to eat it all at once." She added, remembering how nutbread affects the bard. They ate in silence. Gabrielle was enjoying the food too much to notice that Xena’s eyes were fixed on one person in the room, Drax.

"Xena, how do you know Drax?" Gabrielle asked as she was getting ready for bed. The room was small, just enough room for the pallet that they shared. Xena was already in bed. She propped herself up on one elbow and looked at the bard.

"I know her from before."

"You mean from when you were a warlord."

"Gabrielle, can’t we talk about something else?" Xena didn’t want this line of questioning to continue.

"Fine. Some strange woman comes to my rescue before you do and you don’t want to talk about it. You hardly said two words all through dinner. You don’t like her, do you?"

"No." Came the terse reply. "Gabrielle, come to bed. We’ll talk about this more some other time." Xena rolled over, facing away from the bard.

"Sure we will." Gabrielle said sarcastically as she climbed into bed. She was asleep within minutes. Xena slept very little during the night. Her mind was on Gabrielle, and the warrior with the grey eyes.

"Gabrielle." Xena gently shook her shoulder. "Gabrielle, come on, it’s time to get up." She shook harder.

"I’m up, I’m up." Gabrielle muttered as she rolled over.

"I have to go look in on Argo. I want you to stay here in the tavern. Do you understand? No roaming around the village."

"Why?" Gabrielle sat up, fully awake. Xena never forbid her to look around a village before.

"Gabrielle, I mean it. Stay here." Xena said in a commanding tone that had more anger to it than she meant.

"Fine, I’ll stay here like a prisoner." Gabrielle muttered.

"You’re not a prisoner. I just want you to stay here."

"Whatever you say, master."

"Gabrielle!" Xena’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Sorry." The bard mumbled. Xena turned, then left. As soon as the door closed, Gabrielle threw a pillow at it and yelled "You big dumb warrior." Xena chuckled all the way down the hall.

Gabrielle went downstairs and ordered breakfast. She headed toward the table in the back. A strong hand on her shoulder stopped her. Gripping her staff, the bard turned and saw Drax standing there.

"Would you care to join me for breakfast?" The warrior asked. Drax had already seen Xena leave earlier. "You appear to be alone. If you sit with me, I’m sure none of these thugs will even think of bothering you."

"Thank you." Gabrielle said as she allowed Drax to lead her to a table. "So how do you know Xena?" The bard asked as she sat down. Gabrielle was always curious about the people in Xena’s past. There was so much that she didn’t know about her traveling companion, so much that Xena couldn’t or wouldn’t tell her.

"Xena and I met years ago when we were in the same army."

"Were you friends?"

"I don’t think that Xena has ever had any ‘friends’. We knew each other, that’s all. So tell me, what is a beautiful woman such as yourself doing riding around with a warlord?" Drax’s eyes were traveling around the room, keeping an eye out for Xena.

"Xena is not a warlord anymore. I am a bard. I follow her and tell stories."

"Very interesting." Drax said. Gabrielle couldn’t tell if the comment was directed at what she said. She suddenly felt uneasy.

"W-What is?"

"You are, bard." Drax said, letting her voice drop to a lower tone. "Would you like to go for a walk? I know some great sites around here."

"I’m sorry, I have to wait for Xena to return." Gabrielle said, silently grateful that Xena had instructed her to remain at the tavern.

"I thought you were an adult, capable of doing what you pleased." Drax taunted. "She saw fit to leave you here alone. She must trust you to take care of yourself."

"She trusts me to stay here until she returns." Gabrielle answered, refusing to pick up the bait that Drax had laid out for her.

"Suit yourself, little bard." Drax said as she stood. "Keep following that warlord around long enough and you’ll see the truth."

"What do you mean?" Gabrielle rose and grabbed Drax’s arm. "What truth?" The warrior turned and smiled at her. The smile was anything but friendly.

"I mean that you’ll end up paying for her mistakes if you keep hanging around her." Drax turned and walked out the door, planning her next move.

Xena returned to the inn a short time later. "I’m glad you’ve finished your breakfast. Do you want to go purchase some supplies?"

"That sounds good." Gabrielle answered. "I need more ink and parchment." She decided not to mention her meeting with Drax.

As they walked around town, the grey eyes followed their every move. Xena felt a sense of danger, but was unable to pinpoint it. Reflexively, she entered every store first, looking for signs of trouble, before letting Gabrielle in.

"What’s going on, Xena?" Gabrielle finally asked. "You’re being more overprotective than usual. Is something bothering you?"

"No. I just want to make sure that you’re safe, that’s all. Sorry if it seems like I’m being too protective." Xena lied.

"Well you are. I am an adult, I can make my own decisions. You can trust me to take care of myself, Xena." Gabrielle was letting some of her anger through. She didn’t know why the warrior felt it so necessary to protect her from the world.

"Fine, do what you want." Xena said quietly. She turned and walked away from Gabrielle, not allowing the young bard to see the hurt on her face.

"Fine, I will." Gabrielle muttered before heading back toward the tavern. The grey eyes watched the scene carefully, then headed into the tavern.

Gabrielle was sitting at the back table with a glass of cider in her hand. Drax strolled up next to her and sat down with two large mugs filled with port. "Good afternoon. Care to join me for a drink?" Drax said nicely.

"I don’t usually drink port." Gabrielle answered.

"Because you don’t like it or because Xena won’t let you?" Drax taunted.

"I can do what I want."

"Well then, if you won’t allow me the pleasure of your company for a drink, then at least take the drink as my apology for disturbing you." Drax said as she pushed the mug of port in front of the young bard. Gabrielle didn’t really want the drink, but she also didn’t want to get into an argument with this imposing woman.

"I suppose one drink won’t hurt me." She said as she abandoned her cider and reached for the mug of port. Drax smiled inwardly as the coppery haired woman drank the laced port.

Drax had managed to talk Gabrielle into another mug of port, which she made sure to spike before giving it to her. She was convinced that the young bard was thoroughly drugged and was just about to put her plan into action when she felt the presence next to her. She didn’t have to look up, she could feel the anger from the warrior’s eyes bearing down at her.

"What did you do to her?" Xena seethed.

"Nothing. I merely asked her to join me for a drink. Does she need your permission for that?" Drax asked as she stood up to face Xena. Gabrielle was too drugged up to follow any of the conversation around her. She was doing all she could not to pass out at the table. The two warriors looked at each other, sizing each other up.

"Stay away from her, Drax." Xena said, anger and hatred dripping off of each word.

"I think it’s up to the young bard to decide who she wants to be near, warlord. Unless you wish to make that decision for her?" Drax made no attempt to hide the offer of a battle.

"Gabrielle can make her own decisions, Drax. But for the sake of your health, stay away from her." Xena said, returning her own threat. She turned away from Drax and put a hand on Gabrielle’s arm. "Gabrielle, let’s go. You’ve had enough to drink for one day." She helped the bard up and headed upstairs to their room. Xena didn’t have to look behind her to know that the grey eyes of Drax followed them.

"Where are we going?" Gabrielle said as her eyes slowly opened. She realized that it was just after sunrise. Xena had all their belongings packed.

"We have to leave this village. It’s too dangerous." Xena said quietly. Gabrielle looked into Xena’s eyes and realized that Xena was most likely understating the danger. She quickly sat up and got dressed. As she tied her boots, she said "Xena, this danger, it has to do with Drax, doesn’t it?"

"Yes." was all that Xena would say. She couldn’t tell Gabrielle just how much danger there was. She was exhausted from not sleeping. She had spent the entire night holding the young bard in her arms, afraid of letting go. She couldn’t tell Gabrielle that she feared for her life.

They were in the stable. Xena was feeding Argo and Gabrielle was attaching the saddlebags. Xena sensed the danger too late. She turned around and saw Drax.

"Move and she dies, warlord." Drax said as she pointed the crossbow at Gabrielle’s ear.

"Gabrielle, don’t move." Xena warned. The bard remained still, her eyes full of fear. Xena knew that the fear was reflected in her own eyes as well. "Drax, let her go. The matter between us is none of her concern."

"Ah, but it is her concern, warlord." Drax pressed the point of the bow against Gabrielle’s ear, causing small drops of blood to run. "She chose to be with you, to follow you. Now she will see what happens to people who dare to be near you."

"Drax, let her go. It’s me you want." Xena was doing everything in her power to keep her dark side down and the fear out of her voice.

"No, I like it better this way. I believe that she means more to you than you admit. It will bring me great pleasure to watch you suffer, warlord." Her words dripped with venom. "If you try anything, I will kill her." With that, Drax wrapped a strong arm around Gabrielle’s throat and roughly pulled her out of the stable, causing Gabrielle to drop her staff. Still holding the crossbow too close to Gabrielle for Xena to do anything, she forced the bard onto a horse. "Get on your horse, Xena. Ride alongside us. I’m sure you don’t want to let your precious bard out of your sight." Drax laughed cruelly.

They arrived several hours later at a small castle. Drax continued to hold Gabrielle at bowpoint and led her inside, motioning for Xena to follow. As soon as they entered, several men surrounded Xena.

"Drop all your weapons, warlord."

"Let her go." Xena said, her hands never leaving her chakram. If only she could get Gabrielle away from Drax, but the weapon was too close. Drax moved the bow downward along the bard’s face, drawing blood.

"Drop the weapons, warlord!" Drax commanded again. Slowly, Xena lowered her weapons. "Tie her up. I have plans for the both of them." Drax said as she pulled Gabrielle out of the room. The men tied Xena up carefully, making sure that the knots were strong. They took advantage of the situation and pummeled the warrior into unconsciousness.

Drax dumped a bucket of water on the warrior, bringing her back to consciousness. Xena opened her swollen eyes and looked in horror at her surroundings. Gabrielle was manacled to the wall, facing away from her, totally defenseless. Xena tried to pull free of her bonds, but she was tied tightly to the chair. She was helpless to protect Gabrielle.

"She chose to follow you, warlord. Now you can watch as she receives her punishment." Drax uncoiled a whip.

"NO!" Xena screamed, jerking against her bonds. Drax pulled her arm back and let loose a vicious crack of the whip. It landed squarely on Gabrielle’s back, causing the young woman to scream. Gabrielle knew that Xena was behind her, but she couldn’t see her. Drax struck again. The bard’s body jerked at the impact of the whip. The pain on her back was unbearable. She struggled to not scream, but failed. She didn’t want Xena to know just how afraid she really was. Drax continued to punish Gabrielle’s back with the whip, reducing the bard to a whimpering, bloody mess. Xena’s wrists were raw and bloodied from struggling against her bonds.

"Admit that you were wrong to follow her, bard!" Drax hissed. "Admit that the warlord Xena is beyond redemption."

"N-Never." The half-conscious woman replied. Gabrielle refused to give up on Xena, no matter how bad the situation was. Drax cursed and brought her fist up, connecting solidly with Gabrielle’s face.

"Admit it!" Drax screamed. Gabrielle turned her head to look at Drax. Xena stared on, afraid that Gabrielle wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer against such torture. The bard narrowed her eyes, let the blood pool in her mouth, then spit it directly into the face of her tormentor. Drax let out a curse and slammed the bard’s head against the wall, sending the young woman into unconsciousness.

"Gabrielle!" Xena screamed. Drax turned her attention back to the warrior.

"Well, it seems as though the mighty Xena has a soft spot after all." She sneered. "Don’t worry, she’s not dead....yet." Drax pulled back the whip and struck Xena soundly across the face. "I intend to make you suffer, warlord. You and your little bard." She kicked Xena’s chest with all her strength, sending the warrior and chair toppling over. Xena was sure that several of her ribs were cracked. As she fought to regain the air that had been knocked out of her lungs, Drax roughly lifted Xena and the chair back to an upright position. "You took what I loved, now I’ll take what you love." Drax hissed before raising her arm up and striking Xena again and again until darkness fell over the warrior.

Hercules and Iolaus entered the village and headed for the stable. Both were exhausted after their last battle. As they entered the stable, Iolaus spotted the staff on the ground. "Herc, isn’t this Gabrielle’s staff?"

"It sure looks like it." Hercules said as he took it from Iolaus. He looked at the ground. "Here’s Argo’s tracks."

"Herc," He said with his voice full of concern. "She wouldn’t leave her staff behind." Iolaus remounted his steed.

"Agreed, let’s follow the tracks." Hercules said. They swiftly rode out of the village, both praying that their friends were all right.

Xena’s eyes were so swollen that she couldn’t see, but she could still hear the piercing screams from Gabrielle as Drax continued to whip her. Each time, Drax would whip Gabrielle to near unconsciousness, then order her to admit that she was wrong to follow Xena. Each time, Gabrielle refused. The bard believed in her love for Xena, and Xena’s love for her. She knew that to say that she was wrong to follow would break Xena’s heart. That’s what Drax wanted and Gabrielle would go to Hades before she’d say it. She loved Xena too much to hurt her like that, despite the tremendous pain she was in.

Hercules tapped the sentry on the shoulder. When he turned around, the sentry was greeted by the demi-god’s fist. "One down, fifty more to go." Hercules said as he worked his way into the castle. Iolaus had spotted Argo tied to a tree nearby. Hercules only hoped that he was in time.

Gabrielle had been whipped so much that her clothes had been torn away. Her body was covered with red criss cross marks where the whip had torn away her flesh. Between the blows that Xena received and the lack of food or water, the warrior was utterly defenseless. Drax had been right that torturing Gabrielle would bring Xena to her knees. After three days, Xena’s will had been broken and she started to beg for Gabrielle’s life.

"Please..." Xena’s voice was weak and raspy. "Let her go...she can’t take any more...please."

"How the mighty have fallen." Drax said with an air of victory to her voice. "I suppose you think I’m going to just let her walk out of here? That’s not my plan, warlord. My husband died because of you. Now you can watch the bard die!" Drax pulled back the whip, readying it for another attack on Gabrielle’s raw back. "Ahhh!" Drax screamed as an arrow entered her arm, forcing her to drop the whip. Iolaus was crouched at the window and smiled when he saw that his aim was true. Drax called for her guards, but realized from the noise outside that they were all too busy in a battle to come to her aid. The window was too small for Iolaus to squeeze through. Drax grabbed her whip with her good arm and readied it for another attack. Hercules broke through the door, causing her to turn around to face the new threat. At the same time, Iolaus released his arrow, piercing Drax through the heart. She was dead before she hit the floor.

Iolaus ran around the building and entered the cell. He stood there, nauseated, as he took in the scene. From his vantage at the window, he was unable to see the bloodied mess that was Gabrielle. Now he saw just how brutally she was whipped. Xena looked as though she had been in a fight with a titan and lost. Both eyes were swollen shut, blood streamed from her mouth, and several bones appeared to be broken. She appeared to be unaware of the rescue. Iolaus couldn’t control his stomach anymore and ran to a corner.

"Iolaus, give me your shirt." Hercules said as he pulled his own off and tore it into strips. Iolaus slowly regained his composure and handed over his shirt.

"Gab..." Xena mumbled. "Please...no more..." Hercules walked over to her.

"Xena, it’s me, Hercules. Don’t worry, Iolaus and I will get you and Gabrielle out of here." He reached over and removed the bonds that held Xena to the chair and grabbed her as she slumped forward toward the ground. "Easy now, I’ve got you." He helped her to the floor. "Keep an eye on her." He said to Iolaus. The young man nodded as Herc walked over to Gabrielle. He reached up and tore the chains from the wall. The semi-conscious girl cried out from the pain of both the release of the restraints and the pressure on her back when she fell into his arms. Immediately Xena tried to crawl over to where she had heard the cries.

"Got..to help...Gabrielle..." She said as she tried to move closer. Hercules took Iolaus’s shirt and wrapped it around Gabrielle, using it as both a bandage and a cover. Gabrielle cried out again before passing out from the pain.

"Well, at least she won’t feel anything for a while." Hercules said as he passed the unconscious bard into Iolaus’s arms. "Take her out and put her across my horse. I’ll bring Xena." He reached down and picked up the wounded warrior. "Well, this is one way to get you back into my arms." He said, trying to lighten the deep mood. She didn’t know whose arms she was in and started to weakly struggle. "Xena, I’m not fighting with you all the way to safety." He said before raising his fist and gently knocking her unconscious. "I’m sorry, Xena. It will be easier this way."

Outside, Hercules noticed that Iolaus had secured Gabrielle to the horse. Herc laid Xena across Argo’s back and used the strips of his shirt to secure her to the horse.

"Where are we taking them?" Iolaus asked as he mounted his horse.

"Up to my camp. They’ll be safest there." Hercules said as he grabbed the reins of both his horse and Argo. "If we travel all night, we can reach it by late tomorrow. I don’t think either of them are going to mind."

"Should we stop in a village and see a healer?"

"No, I’m sure there’s more of Drax’s men at the village. There’s medicine at the cabin. I don’t think one more day is going to hurt them anymore than they already are. We need to get there before the first snow."

"Okay." Iolaus readied his bow and took the lead. Hercules walked behind him, carrying the reins of the horses that held the fallen women.

They arrived at the cabin around midday. Xena had regained consciousness briefly and had tried to get off of Argo, but Hercules tapped her again. He knew that both women’s bodies need time to rest and heal and he didn’t feel like fighting with Xena about where they were headed. Hercules carried both women in and set them down on the large pallet. Iolaus carried in the saddlebags.

"What do we do now?" Iolaus asked as he headed for a large chair to sit down.

"Well, the first thing we need to do is find out the complete extent of their injuries. I’m nowhere near as good a healer as Xena, but I know enough. Despite the condition of Gabrielle’s back, I think Xena took a worse beating. From what I can tell, she has several cracked ribs as well as a broken leg. I can set them, but she’s going to need some time to heal. That’s why I brought them up here."

"Xe-Xena?" Gabrielle’s raspy voice interrupted them. Both men immediately went to her side.

"Gabrielle? It’s me, Hercules. Iolaus is here too. How are you feeling?"

"Um." She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Her eyes focused on the dark haired warrior lying next to her.

"It’s okay, Gabrielle, she’s just resting." Iolaus said. "You two have been through a rough time of it."

"She looks so helpless." The bard cried.

"Gabrielle, you need food and drink. Do you think you can sit up?" Hercules went over to the saddlebags and came back with a wineskin. Gabrielle winced and pulled herself into a sitting position, her eyes never leaving Xena. As she drank, Iolaus heated up some food for them. While they ate, Hercules and Iolaus filled her in on what they knew of what had happened. Xena woke up later on in the evening, but could do little more than take a few spoonfuls of soup from Gabrielle before falling back to unconsciousness again.

"There, that should do it. Not as good as Xena’s stitches, but they’ll do the job." Iolaus said as he finished sewing up the wounds on Gabrielle’s back. She pulled on the clean shift and turned around to look at him.

"Iolaus, I want to thank you and Hercules for all your help. You know we never-"

"Don’t worry about it. Just remember that you both owe us a favor."

"Gabrielle, do you think we can talk for a moment?" Hercules said as he entered the cabin.

"Sure." She said. The three of them sat around the table.

"Gabrielle, we need to get going soon. Once the snows start, you’ll be stuck up here for the next four moons. Iolaus will go down to the village and get the supplies that you need if you can make him a list. There’s enough hay and oats in the stable to keep Argo happy for at least five moons, so concentrate on what the two of you need." It didn’t take too long for Gabrielle to come up with a list of items. She handed Iolaus the last of their dinars along with the list. Iolaus nodded and went out to the stable. Hercules followed him.

"Iolaus, hang on." Herc walked over to a back wall and pulled away a board, revealing several bags of dinars. He pulled two bags out and handed them to Iolaus. "Let me see what she has on the list." Iolaus handed Herc the list and he studied it for a moment. "She made a very practical list. How many dinars did she give you?"

"Fifty."

"That’s why. Get three times whatever she has on this list, as well as a few more things." He proceeded to run off a litany of other things for Iolaus to pick up.

"Herc! With all that stuff, I’ll need two horses and I still won’t have any room to ride."

"That’s okay, you could use the exercise." Hercules said, gently swatting the younger man on the rump. "Take Argo and my horse. They’ll be able to handle all the extra weight."

"Okay, but why this other stuff? They don’t need these things to survive."

"Iolaus, they’ve both been through a very traumatic experience. They’re going to be stuck with each other for the next four moons up here. I think the other items will end up coming in rather handy." He gave the blonde man a wink.

"I hope you know what you’re doing." Iolaus said as he climbed up on Argo. "I’m not sure I want to be around when Xena realizes that she’s stuck in one place for four moons."

"Me either." Hercules mumbled as he watched his friend ride away.