Xena adjusted the pack sitting on her shoulders. Her back ached. Her feet ached. It was the curse of new boots and no horse. She missed Gabrielle but that rankled. There would be choice words exchanged when she caught up to her partner.

She glanced to her side and was glad for Eve's company. They had walked in a comfortable silence, words unnecessary. Eve had grown far from the warrior she had once been. Once calloused sword hands had softened and a smile no longer rested awkwardly on her face. Livia had been left behind in every step of her sandaled feet through Indus and Chin. She had truly become the Messenger of Peace in person and deed. Eve became aware of her mother's study.

"What is it?"

Xena shrugged, guilt settling on her shoulders like a familiar blanket. "Feels like I missed a lot whilst I was gone."

Eve stopped short and reached a hand to Xena's arm. She suddenly remembered saying farewell to her mother in the Amazon camp years before. She had never imagined then that it would be for the last time.

"Don't do that to yourself. For all the important things – you were there," Eve insisted. "You're here now."

"Yes," Xena admitted. "Thanks to Eli's God. Don't suppose he told you why he did it?"

"It wasn't your time," Eve said vehemently.

Xena nodded but remained unconvinced. Eve had been keeping something from her she was certain. Experience had taught her that there was always a price. The last time the "God of Love" had stepped in and raised her from the dead she had become his weapon of destruction for the Greek Gods. Now here she was about to ask for their help.

"There it is," Xena said.

"Let's pick up the pace," Eve agreed.

Aphrodite's temple sat on the bluff overlooking the sea. The path was smooth and well travelled. Despite its location many still came to pay tribute. Love never went out of fashion, it seemed.

"What in the world happened here?"

Eve looked at her mother who stood with hands on hips gazing at the array of smashed vases, torn curtaining and damaged statues. It looked like a herd of animals had run amok. This was not what she had expected. Xena sniffed the air. The scent of alcohol remained on the air and the reek of something only part human. Satyrs.

"Someone been at the wine I think," Xena offered. "Aphrodite?" There was no response. "Aphrodite?"

"I thought God's didn't drink," Eve said.

"Depends who you ask," Xena replied. "Aphrodite doesn'tand if she isn't here this mess can only mean one thing." She raised her voice and finally shouted. "Cupid?"

"Hey cool it! Not so loud," Cupid protested as he staggered more than shimmered into being. He clutched his dishevelled blond head in his hands.

"Cupid," Xena acknowledged. "Beach party get out of hand?"

"What are you my mom?"

"Hardly," Xena said, "Where is she?"

"Not here," Cupid said straightening with difficulty and finding his wings incredibly difficult to co-ordinate. "I'm filling in." His eyes widened suddenly as he focused on Xena. "Wait a sec, aren't you dead?"

"Apparently not. Now where's Aphrodite? I need a word with her."

"Holiday," Cupid replied scratching absently at his stubble. "Incommunicado. Dig?" He glanced at Eve. "Should you even be in here?"

Xena bit down her frustration. Trying to get Aphrodite to listen to her could be a trial at times and she hadn't bargained on Cupid being worse. She didn't have Gabrielle's touch or patience.

"Look I need to talk to her. It's important." Xena hesitated over the word but said it through gritted teeth anyway. "Please."

Still seemingly distracted Cupid finally managed to flap his wings in unison and grinned as he rose a few feet from the floor. He looked down at Xena as he landed and his expression softened. He had been listening.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yes."

"They're in Egypt," Cupid said as if the answer had been obvious, "But there's no way I'm going to go bust up Mom's vacation. You'll have to get there on your own. Now if you're done shooting the breeze I'm real busy."

He flashed away leaving Xena subdued. A small part of her had hoped for a quicker reunion and although Aphrodite may have been amenable to simply popping her to Egypt Cupid owed her nothing. Just for once she wished her life could have been a little simpler. Eve came to her side. The disappointment had clearly shown in her face after all.

"At least we know where she is now," Eve said.

"Yes," Xena agreed and then more brightly. "Yes, we do."

They would just have to get to Egypt the old fashioned way. She was closer than before. It was just a matter of time. I'm coming for you Gabrielle, count on it.

. . . . . .

The Roman troops parted before Sekhmet in a sea of scarlet cloaks. Such was their tradition they would not abandon the heavy trappings of their heavy chest plates even in this scorching land. They eyed her warily. Some of the men had whispered tales of seeing Mars in this desert but none had ever witnessed one of the ancient Egyptian deities. It was certainly not a myth that walked amongst them now and whose very aura demanded their obedience.

Sekhmet had donned her full battle gear; a light chain mesh clinging over her bodice, a golden headress that masked her upper face and was crafted to resemble a lioness and yet she wore only the smallest dagger at her hip. She walked directly to the crumpled figure of a curly haired Roman officer resting in the shade of the oasis; cradling his arm.

"You are Nero. The Centurion the Greek maimed," she said.

The man glanced up slowly and blinked; a strange sensation washing over him. His strongly featured face had been blistered by the sun and his forehead was littered with bruising. In his thirtieth year he must have been a skilled fighter to have survived in Rome's army this long. At least until he chased down that Amazon his lord Mars had warned him about.

Sekhmet reached down and took his mangled hand in her own. Her lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes and she dug her nails sharply into his ruined palm. He cried out in pain but was unable to tear free from her iron grip. A fierce searing heat erupted from the centre of his hand; a blood coloured glow consuming his limb and casting its red light onto Sekhmet's helmet. After a moment the pain receded and the glow faded. The Goddess released his hand.

He blinked at his fist in wonder, curling and stretching his fingers in excitement. The Greek woman had most certainly destroyed his sword hand but now incredibly he was healed.

"You know me now," she told him; her ancient eyes sparking with a strange red light. "Don't you, Nero?"

"Yes, my Goddess," he replied, "Mighty Sekhmet, the Lion of Egypt. I am yours to command."

"Yes you are," Sekhmet said. "Find the Amazon Gabrielle and bring her to my temple at Memphis. My militia will be here soon to restore your numbers and you must prepare your troops to receive a new commander to lead them against Cambyses."

Nero rose to his feet, saluting her across his chest. Sekhmet sensed his hesitation.

"Something worries you Nero?"

"My lady, this Amazon, I am uncertain of ensuring her defeat. My tactics were sound before but she has a weapon that can…"

"Not anymore," Sekhmet said as the chakram materialized neatly in her upturned palm. "Without this she has no ranged defence and will be helpless against your archers but please take as many men as you need to satisfy your vengeance."

Nero nodded and something unpleasant shifted behind his eyes.

"It will be done."

The first genuine smile crossed Sekhmet's thin dark lips. It had been a long time since she had waged war in the mortal world. The last time the sands had run red with blood. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed the taste.