"Iolaus?" She half-yawned. She sat up quickly. "Where's Xena?"
"She's just over there, talking to Hercules and from what I can hear, Ares too." Iolaus replied, looking to Gabrielle who seemed disoriented. "Are you alright?"
"Just a head rush." She laughed it off. "When did you get here?" She asked.
"Late last night. Herc and I came to help." Iolaus replied.
"That's so sweet." Gabrielle beamed. "That prophecy's got me worried. I'd like all the help we can get."
He turned to face her properly. "Nothing will happen to Xena. Even if we weren't here, she'd the most capable woman I've ever met."
"I don't know what I'd do without her." Gabrielle confessed, shaking her head at the thought of it.
"You're stronger than you think." Iolaus answered with a smile.
"Sure, compared to defenceless villagers." She laughed.
"No, really. You've changed so much since I last saw you. You're fighting beside Xena now, and you seem more confident. What happened?" Iolaus asked.
"Well, a while back we helped some Amazons and Centaurs under threat. I befriended one, but she was murdered. Before she died, she forced me to accept her Right of Cast." Gabrielle explained.
"So, you're an Amazon?" Iolaus almost gaped.
"Amazon princess, actually." She smirked. "Me of all people."
"Well, I'm happy for you. Your highness." He teased and Gabrielle playfully nudged him. Suddenly, a fireball could be seen through the trees. Gabrielle jumped, getting to her feet. "I wouldn't worry about it," Iolaus advised. "Herc and Ares have some old issues."
Cautiously, Gabrielle sat down beside Iolaus again, trusting his decision to not get involved. "So, what about you? What's new?" Gabrielle asked, returning her attention to him.
"not much really. I still travel with Herc and I'm just trying to make a difference in the world." He replied, shrugging as if it were nothing.
"You have such a good heart." Gabrielle basked in his beautiful face for a moment. "And a pure soul. Do you know how rare that is nowadays?"
"Yes I do." He replied. "And I still recognise it in you."
She blushed, hiding a smile. She missed Iolaus. She hadn't thought about him that much, but now that he was here, in front of her, she found herself missing the time she could have spent with him. "Have you had breakfast?"
"No, I didn't want you to wake up alone and wonder where everyone was." He replied, taking a moment to gaze at her stunning smile. For some time, he got lost in her eyes and she felt herself completely comfortable in his company. He broke his gaze, aware he was staring. "I, er, saw some quail's eggs in a tree over there last night. We could have those. It's still early for breakfast, but we'll probably need all the energy we can get."
"Sounds good. I'll come with you." Gabrielle replied, both of them getting to their feet. Gabrielle stumbled on a twig and felt herself falling backwards, but was caught by Iolaus' strong grip. Their eyes met briefly, before they struggled back to their feet. Gabrielle cleared her throat, embarrassed by her obvious blushing. "Thanks."
"No problem." He smiled.
"So, that way?" She pointed and Iolaus positively nodded.
Before they'd even taken more than two steps, Hercules trampled through the trees followed by Xena, neither of them looking particularly happy.
"We have to go." Hercules gave Iolaus a hard stare, of which Iolaus immediately understood.
"So you told him about the prophecy part I left out?" He whispered to Xena.
"Sort of." She replied, looking gloomy.
"We have to go now, before the sun rises." Hercules repeated, not making eye contact with Xena.
"Actually, Gabrielle and I were just going to get some breakfast." Iolaus said.
"Fine, we'll scout ahead, catch up with us later." Hercules suggested. Before anyone could object, Hercules was already on the move.
"Gabrielle, be careful." Xena cautioned, a caring hand on her arm.
"You too." Gabrielle smiled as Xena parted, picking up her chakram and sword. Once they were out of earshot, Gabrielle turned to Iolaus. "What was the cold shoulder about?"
"Herc hates being lied to, especially when it concerns people he cares a lot about." Iolaus explained, sighing. "He'll be over it in a few days, but it'll be hell to pay for me for lying." He chuckled.
"You guys sound really close." Gabrielle observed.
"He's my best friend." Iolaus shrugged, grabbing the eggs out of the nest. "Sunny side up or scrambled?"
"Scrambled." She smiled. They made their way back to the fire.
As Iolaus cooked, Gabrielle watched him using his hands, heard him tell stories of his travels with Hercules, laughing; she found herself captivated by the sound of his voice, unaware of how much time had passed.
"Iolaus, I know it's none of my business, but haven't you ever wanted to settle down and have a family? You seem like that type of man." Gabrielle said, regretting she said it as soon as the words left her mouth.
"Well I was engaged once." He confessed. "I was ready to start a family with her, I thought she was the one."
"What happened?" Gabrielle asked, aware she was overstepping the privacy boundary but unable to stop herself.
"Well, she ran off with another man." Iolaus laughed.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Gabrielle said sincerely.
"It's alright, it was a long time ago. The truth is I would have missed this. Saving people, everyday is an adventure." Iolaus explained.
"I can relate." Gabrielle smiled. "But sometimes I worry that I'll get in the way, or distract Xena and get her hurt. And now with this prophecy, I just feel a little helpless. Useless." She looked to the floor.
"Gabrielle," Iolaus lifted her chin with his finger. "You are anything but useless. You are the strongest, purest, most beautiful person I know. Without you, Xena would not be the person she is today."
She smiled, comforted by his words. He stroked her cheek, keeping eye contact for a few moments. She leaned into his embrace, feeling his soft gentle lips upon hers, intertwining so perfectly. Slowly, they broke apart, smiling to each other.
They glanced east, suddenly worried by what they saw – or rather, what they didn't see. The sun hadn't come up.