Disclaimer: In chapter 1.

Author's Notes: I'm so sorry for keeping you all waiting! With uni over for the year, I hope I can update more regularly. I need to revise the rest of my story plan because of all the wonderful ideas I've had since I wrote it. The Murder Mystery portion of our tale comes to an end with this chapter, so I wish that you can all join me for the next little adventure we go on. For all the Xena fans out there, a small clue: The scrolls should be sung, not told. Thank you to everyone reading, reviewing, favouriting and following "Hero".

Dedication: I dedicate this chapter (as well) to Lee Thompson Young. I had named a character after Frost before this happened, but now it has a whole new meaning. He is sorely missed. Also, to my home-girl JB Fletcher, who taught me (most of) what I know.


"You're probably wondering why I have gathered you all here today," Joxer began. "Each one of you had relationship with Mannius, who was…" He trailed off when he noticed Xena's cranky look. "What?"

"I think you're being too dramatic," Emma explained.

"That's an understatement," Regina mumbled, and then cleared her throat. "I think what Miss Swan is trying to say is: Don't talk. At all. I'm sure Xena is perfectly capable of recognising a murderer."

Xena's eyes narrowed, "I'm sure we're both skilled in that arena, Regina."

Regina ignored Xena's inference, and Emma's slightly agape expression. She enjoyed stunning the Sheriff into silence. She decided she would have to try more often. This is more fun that annoying her… only slightly, she smirked to herself.

Gabrielle cleared her throat, "Let's just wait till they're all here and see how it goes."


Meg showed Barold to his usual seat at the bar with Helena in tow, who sat a few stools away in silence. The man behind the bar poured Barold a mug of ale and set it down in front of him. The stableboy appeared not long after and sat at a table near the door. Regina looked up with an expression of boredom when Xena appeared at the bottom of the stairs. However, her eyes widened and a small gasp escaped her lips when Emma came into view, dragging Nastaja by her arm, hands cuffed behind her back. She hadn't remembered that the Sheriff still had her handcuffs, but it shocked her more that seeing Emma being so authoritive would have such and effect on her.

"Oh, come on Xena, I wanted to reveal the killer," Joxer whined.

"We're not revealing anything," Emma pushed Nastaja into a seat near the bar with a little more force than necessary. "She just needed some convincing to join us."

Any remark Regina would have normally made was caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and tore her eyes away from Emma.

Xena's whistle pierced the room, "Listen up everyone, I am only going to say this once – We are going to answer the question of who killed Mannius, and no one is leaving till we do. Do I make myself clear?"

Meg nodded emphatically. She stopped when she received a harsh look from Xena.

"Let's begin. Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle nodded, stood and then cleared her throat. "Mannius was staying in this tavern with Nastaja, his wife." Helena looked at the cuffed woman with shock. "They were here to rob people, but not by any ordinary means – they were charlatans, performers, they were con artists."

"Lies!" Nastaja exclaimed. "How dare you accuse me of…"

Xena clenched Nastaja's shoulder and the woman winced. As it were, she was going to bruise where Xena had slammed her into the wall earlier.

"Their victim? Helena, the baker's wife." Gabrielle watched Barold closely. He glared into his mug, but otherwise remained still. "The plan was to convince her to take Barold's money, and meet him at the stables last night."

"It was you outside the stables?" The stableboy asked meekly.

Helena looked wide-eyed at him, and with a quick glance at Xena she finally nodded.

"But Mannius never made it to the stables; no, he was killed right outside that door!" Gabrielle pointed dramatically at the door to the alley.

Emma shared as exasperated look with Regina. As much as Emma loved her heroes, she just wanted to get this show over with so she could sit down and have a drink. Nastaja had got her in the shin when she and Xena had gone to collect the woman.

"Each of you had a motive," Gabrielle warned, "but only one of you followed through." Gabrielle paced around the tavern, making sure to look directly at each of the suspects before she continued. "Akon, the stableboy, coveted Mannius' steed – a beautiful argroline…"

"Argolic," the boy corrected.

"Right, argolic." Gabrielle smiled at him. "But did you take your equestrian love too far?"

"I was at the stables all night! I had four horses to fully groom," Akon insisted, and pointed to Helena, "She saw me!"

"Yes, Helena went to meet Mannius at the stables. But who could say she didn't find him after in a murderous rage, fuelled but her crushed dreams of a new life?" Gabrielle gestured wildly to the room.

"I didn't…" Helena begun, but was cut off.

"She went straight home," Barold spoke for the first time.

"How do you know?" Emma asked.

His face red, Barold answered, "I followed her last night. I knew she was up to something…" He glared into his mug again.

"So you admit to knowing her plan?" Gabrielle didn't give him a chance to confirm or deny, "Having your wife leave for another man with your money is a pretty strong motive for murder, wouldn't you say Barold?"

He shrugged. "I suppose. But if I had done it you would never have found the body. I would have shoved him in the oven and cooked the rat."

"Well, if anyone goes missing we'll be sure to check the bread," Regina rolled her eyes. Emma had to stifle a giggle.

Gabrielle chuckled quietly, but continued, "That leaves us with Nastaja, Mannius' wife and partner in crime."

"This is ridiculous." Nastaja declared. "Untie me at once!"

She tried to stand up. Tried, because Xena clamped a hand down on her shoulder and squeezed menacingly which encouraged her to sit back down.

"Nastaja and motive, means and opportunity," Gabrielle counted with three fingers.

The woman screeched, "You have no proof!"

Joxer turned, his intent to re-enact the scene with Gabrielle to prove someone of Nastaja's stature could kill a man, but instead tripped over his own feet and face-planted the floor. He lifted his head and rubbed his nose. "Hey, is that blood on your boot?"

Nastaja leapt up and made a run for the door. She was almost there when she became airborne and then landed with a dull thud. With a wicked grin, Meg withdrew her leg. She winked at Emma and then went to help up Joxer.

"Did he just…" Regina began.

"Solve the case?" Emma nodded slowly, "I guess so."


As celebrations go it was pretty good, Emma admitted. She was getting used to the tune that accompanied the unlimited verses of Joxer's heroism. Her foot tapped the floor in time with the beat. The birthday boy was up dancing with Meg's girls, a mug of ale in his hand. Gabrielle was a bit tipsy herself, but her dance moves were a bit more coordinated. Xena watched them from the bar. Although the Warrior Princess only had a small smirk, Emma could see the merriment in the blue eyes. She looked at Regina across the table and smiled warmly. Regina smiled back briefly before she averted her eyes.

Emma leant forward, "You ok?"

"Of course, Miss Swan," Regina replied curtly, but without malice.

"You just seem a bit quiet…"

"It's been a long day. Besides, there isn't much to discuss."

Emma thought for a moment. "Did you see Joxer's face when he fell in the horse shit?"

"Yes," Regina grinned wickedly. When she looked at Emma she burst into melodic laughter. Emma had imitated Joxer's expression perfectly. It then faded into a stunned look. "You can also pull off his dumb look too!"

"It wasn't… I wasn't…" Emma fumbled. "You should laugh more."

Now it was Regina's turn to be stunned, but she was more skilled in hiding it. "There aren't many reasons to laugh…"

Challenge accepted, Emma thought to herself. Her reasoning was infallible; laughter releases endorphins, endorphins make you happy, and happy people don't kill their girlfriends. She frowned to herself. That's not quite how Legally Blonde phrased it… She grabbed the pitcher and topped up Regina's and her own mugs. She raised hers, "A toast. To us," she blushed, "we make a good team."

"Don't get used to it," Regina chided, although she did clink her mug against Emma's, and there was a small twinkle in her eyes. Regina smirked into her mug at the loopy grin Emma gave back to her.

Shortly after, when Joxer began forgetting the lyrics to his own song, Meg took him by the hand and led him upstairs. The girls changed songs but kept singing as if they were born for it. Gabrielle even managed to drag Xena into the group of drunken dancers.

"I'm surprised you didn't leap to Meg's so-called honour," Regina comment with distaste. "Or maybe you're letting the buffoon have a night of pleasure before you set him straight?"

"Come off it, Regina," Emma huffed. "Last night was purely physical."

Regina rolled her eyes and turned to watch the dancing, if you could call it that.

Emma stood and leant over the table, "She's not the one I'm really attracted to."

Regina scoffed, and glared at Emma with a snide remark ready.

Emma spoke first, "And neither is Xena."

The brunette watched - lips slightly parted in a quiet gasp - as Emma walked off.