A/N: Let's speed this up a little, eh? Oh, and for the sake of this fanfic, let's also pretend that Xena and Gabrielle didn't get crucified and also no Eve. It's all strictly fanfic from this point on. Also, Scythia is modern day Ukraine, and one of the places that is referenced when identifying the location of the Amazons.

Scythia: Two years later.

(I)

"Oops…" Rian proclaimed innocently right after the string of beads snapped in two.

Adalei turned quickly, "Oh, Rian, look what you've done." Adalei gently scolded as she placed a hand on her hip. She glanced down at all the wooden beads that were now scattered messily across the floor. She advised Alix to not give the toddler the necklace for the very fear that something similar to this would happen, or worse, that Rian could get chocked on the small pieces. "I swear to Zeus, between you and Alix, sometimes it's a miracle that I get anything accomplished around here…"

"Addie!" Alix called from outside the cabin.

"See what I mean?" Adalei smiled as she scooped up her daughter and carried her outside to see what Alix needed. Adalei shielded her eyes from the late afternoon sun as she gazed towards the nearby creek at Alix who was on one knee tying a net around a box. "Alix, what are you doing?"

Alix proudly held up her contraption. "Look here." She pointed, "It's a fishing trap. I built the skeleton out of sticks, and then covered it with a net. See how the sticks funnel into the trap? That will allow the fish to easily enter, but it will be difficult for them to escape." Alix grinned mischievously. "I've even tied a stone to the bottom so that it's weighted and will sink under the water and stay in place."

"It doesn't look much different from other fish traps I've seen." Adalei replied casually, as she shifted Rian from one hip to the other. "My father built traps like that every season."

Alix sighed as she took a few steps towards her partner, "I miss the days when you were easily impressed."

Adalei laughed lightly, "Don't be foolish, Alix. You know that you need not to try to impress me. I'd be much happier if you'd just tell me what it is you needed, so I can go sweep up the hundred wooden beads that are scattered across our floor."

Alix glanced over at the toddler, "Did you break your necklace, pup?"

Rian clapped her hands together and shrugged, "Boke." She repeated. "It boke."

"It broke all on its own, did it?" Alix chuckled in amusement.

"She certainly has your knack for reasoning. I'm sure if she could verbalize it, she'd tell me the necklace broke not because she pulled on the string too hard, but because the string was too weak." Adalei explained.

"You're right. That sounds perfectly reasonable to me." Alix agreed. She focused her attention back on the child, "But just to be on the safe side, no more jewelry till you're a little older." She affectionately rubbed her hand across the back of Rian's head.

"What is it that you needed?" Alix asked again, keeping the subject at hand.

"Bait." Alix simply stated. "I have three more traps just like this one that I plan to set up in different parts of the creek. Do you think you could go to the market and buy some bait from one of the merchants? It will be nightfall soon, and I wanted to get these traps up before dark, but I still need to put some finishing touches on these others. I can't do it all before dark, but if I had someone's special help…." Alix's eyes softened as an added tool of manipulation.

"Alix, you know I just went to the market yesterday."

"Yes, but I didn't need the bait yesterday." Alix defended.

Realizing she was facing another type of string necklace logic, Adalei laughed to herself then quickly snatched Alix's coin purse from her waist belt. "Alright. I'll be back in a candle mark. But if I find even one bead on the floor when I return…" She pointed her finger at Alix.

Alix quickly held up her hands in defense, "You won't." Alix assured. "I'll finish my traps then sweep up every bead. I promise." She tacked on a smile for good measure.

Adalei returned the smile, "Good. Rian can stay with you. She's always such a fuss when she rides the horse." Adalei handed the toddler over into Alix's arms. "Mama will be back soon." She assured as she kissed Rian's forehead gently. She took a couple steps back and paused, "I expect you to be on your best behavior."

"Rian is always well behaved." Alixandriah smirked. "Aren't you?"

"I wasn't talking to Rian." Adalei teasingly called over her shoulder as she turned and walked away.

Half a candle mark later, Alix had finished constructing her traps and was now on her hands and knees searching for every last bead. "You see, pup," Alix spoke aloud as she reached under the table and scooped up a stray bed. "a clean home, is a happy home. Your mama works very hard to keep our home clean, and we should help her when we can."

"Mama." Rian mumbled.

Alix smiled and tossed the bead into a jar with the others, "Yes, Mama. Can you say, 'Mama is pretty?'" Rian stared at Alix for several moments without replying. "Come on. You have to at least try once. 'Mama is pretty.'"

"Mama…"

"Mama… what?" Alix encouraged as she leaned closer to Rian.

"Pwetty."

"Right. Okay, all together now…"

"Mama pwetty." Rian giggled. She was quite pleased with her short sentence, albeit a tiny bit improper.

"You've got it!" Alix praised. "See there, you can do anything if you set your mind to it." Alix's eye caught another bead under the stove, "Aaah.. It appears this little weasel thought he'd outsmart the fox." She reached under the stove and pulled out the bead. "I believe that's the last one." Alix dropped the bead into the jar and then placed it on a shelf. She turned back to face Rian who was sitting contently on a blanket on the floor. "We still have some time before mama returns. How about a bath, eh?"

"No bath." Rian objected.

"Ha-ha..." Alix laughed aloud, not expecting such a straightforward answer from the eighteen month old.. Not a day passed that Rian didn't do something that surprised Alix, almost always ending with her beaming with pride. "Sorry, pup, but I can't give you this one. Remember, a clean home is a happy home. A clean little girl is a happy little girl." Alix scooped the toddler up into her arms, "Off we go. I'll heat up some water for your tub."

Within a few minutes Rian stopped protesting her bath. She didn't care much for the water, but enjoyed the one on one interaction with Alix. It was worth a little soapy water to get undivided attention from one of her most favorite people. At almost the exact moment Alix changed Rian into her nightshirt, the cabin door opened and Adalei appeared with a box of bait in hand. She was surprised to see the floor spotless and Rian bathed and in her nightclothes.

"Mama!" Rian exclaimed as she reached up for the woman. Alix took the bait so that Adalei's hands would be free to pick up the child.

"Someone smells nice and clean." Adalei replied. "Wish I could say the same for myself."

"You should warm yourself some water. I'll bait my traps and then I can fix dinner." Alix suggested.

"You're being awfully pleasant this evening."

"Nonsense." Alix remarked. "I'm pleasant every evening." She added as she exited the cabin.

"Well, I won't pass up the opportunity for a warm bath and a hot meal."

"Bath…" Rain repeated. "Mama bath."

"Yes. Mama bath." Adalei smiled.

"Mama pwetty." Rian giggled.

Adalei felt a wave of heat rush to her face and knew that she was blushing, "Alix…" She whispered under her breath, knowing Alixandriah was behind the gesture. "Not as pretty as you, sweetheart." Adalei replied with a warm smile. "Come on, let's put you in your pen so you can play for a bit before dinner."

(II)

After Adalei had finished with her bath, she dried herself off and changed into her most comfortable sheath. She then walked over by the hearth to smell the delicious aroma of the roasting lamb. The meat was being cooked slowly, so that it became tender enough to practically fall off the bone. This was one of Adalei's favorite meals. Alix stood over the hearth, carefully making sure that nothing cooked for too long, especially the bread. That was a mistake she had made all too often, and there was nothing quite as unsatisfying as burnt, rock hard, bread.

"Our daughter seems to think I am pretty." Adalei stated simply, as she wrapped her arms around Alix's waist and peaked around to gaze into the fire.

Alix turned the lamb slowly on the spit, but allowed a smile to flash across her face, "She's very observant."

"Very." Adalei agreed. She tightened her grip on Alix's waist. "Thank you… for all of this."

Alix released herself from Adalei's grasp so that she could turn to face the slightly shorter woman, "Thank you for riding all the way to the market just for some bait."

"I actually enjoyed the trip. It gave me some time to think." Adalei twirled around and landed in a nearby chair. "We've been in Amazon country for the last two years and it's been wonderful, but we're so alone out here. I don't mind it much myself, but I worry about Rian. She has no other children to play with. We're so isolated here. There's no one for miles."

Alix quickly saw where the conversation was leading, "Addie, we're safe here. Rian will have plenty to do when she gets a little older. I can take her hunting and fishing… we could get a domesticated pet…"

"But interaction with other children is important for a child."

"We could take her to visit the Amazon children sometime."

Adalei sighed heavily, "Alix…"

"You really want to risk moving back into the Empire?"

"I want to be a part of a community again. I want to have friends… I want Rian to have friends. I want to be able to go to plays… and concerts… I want our daughter to have access to all the classic works. She needs culture, Alix."

"Culture." Alix repeated. The word tasted a little sour in her mouth.

"And when she's older, we'll take her to visit Gaul and Britannia so that she can truly understand where she comes from."

Alix was flattered that Adalei included Gaul in her plans, but it didn't seem as important to Alix as it once did. "Addie, I just want you both to be safe."

"We will be. I've heard rumors that Caesar is dead."

"You heard this at the market?" Alix asked suspiciously.

"Yes." Adalei replied. "I overheard a couple of merchants discussing their trading routes and one of them mentioned that the new Caesar, Augustus rules Rome now."

"And what makes you think this new Caesar is not as vengeful as the old?"

"I don't know it." Adalei admitted, "But if there was ever a hopeful chance of returning to the Empire, this is it. Please, Alix. Won't you at least consider it?"

Alix paused briefly, allowing herself a few moments to respond. As she was about to open her mouth and reply, she suddenly smelled the burning bread behind her, "Damn it!" Alix shouted as she spun around quickly and jerked open the oven door. She promptly pulled out the burning bread and dropped the hot pan on a nearby table, causing a loud bang. The loaf was black as coal and completely unsalvageable. Startled by the sudden commotions and loud noises, Rain began crying from her playpen. Adalei hurried over to sooth the frightened child. Alix removed the lamb from the spit and set it on the stove to cool. She glanced over at Adalei who was rocking Rian gently in her arms. Slowly the crying faded to a whimper. "I'm sorry, pup." Alix expressed sincerely as she carefully crossed the room and placed her hand on Rian's back. "

"It's all right, Alix." Adalei reassured. "She's just tired and hungry."

"I think we all are." Alix agreed. "At least we have some fresh vegetables to eat with the lamb."

"With any luck, we'll have fresh fish tomorrow evening." Adalei smirked as she handed Rian over to Alix and began preparing plates of food for each of them. Rian wrapped her arms around Alix's neck and laid her head on her shoulder. Alix appreciated the gesture and slowly began patting Rian's back. Adalei caught this tender moment out of the corner of her eye. "She's always so content with you." Adalei proudly noted. "You should hold her more often."

After dinner, Rian fell asleep quickly. Adalei cleaned up the table, while Alix took a quick bath and soon both women were comfortably relaxing in their bed. They both lay on their back, gazing up at the ceiling. They stayed in this position for several minutes before Alix finally broke the silence.

"It's nice to sleep in a real bed instead of the ground… but the view isn't as eye catching." Alix folded her arms behind her head. "It will take weeks to get back to Greece. Do you think Rian would be okay on such a long trip?"

Adalei turned over on her side so that she was facing her lover, "I think she'd be cranky at first… but she'd adjust."

"We would need supplies… I haven't earned any extra coin in a while."

"Well, if we sell the cabin…"

"Sell?" Alix rose up in the bed, "Addie, I have no intentions of selling this cabin."

A perplexed look crossed Adalei's face, "But well have no use for it."

"We may need this cabin again some day. Until then, we can rent it to one of the merchants at the market. He can use it for storage in return for upkeep."

"Alix, it's so far out of the way."

"Far enough to be safe." Alix countered. "Don't worry, I can earn the extra coin in a week or two. We'll have to pack light though; our wagon isn't very big or sturdy. I'd be surprised if it isn't in pieces by the time we get to the Empire."

"So, then we're going to do it? We're going to go back?" Adalei's tone heightened with excitement.

"If it's what will make you happy…" Alix reached out and held Adalei's hand. "If it's what's best for Rian…"

Adalei felt her heart swell, "What about you? Will you be happy?"

"Of course." Alix replied cheerfully. "It's not where that makes me happy, it's who. I could be in the middle of a desert or on the corner of the most crowded street in Athens, but as long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter. Home isn't always a place, sometimes it's a person."

Influenced by the romantic notion of it all, Adalei sailed on top of Alix, pinning her to the bed. Smiling mischievously, she lowered herself closer to Alix and whispered seductively in her ear, "Then what do you say to a welcome home party?"

(III)

Spartan countryside:

The comforting sounds of the crackling fire soothed Gabrielle after a long day. She rolled out her furs and collapsed carelessly onto her bedroll, thrilled that the day had finally come to an end. She and Xena had spent the several days patrolling and securing a large area of farmland that was being targeted by a few thugs and mercenaries. A couple of the homesteads were raided, and entire season's worth of crops destroyed. It was nothing short of an attempt to clear out the area of any profit or prosperity in order to force the owners to evacuate. "Land control." Xena called it. An attempt to devalue the land, or make it such a risk factor, that farmers would up and leave; thus, allowing anyone with ulterior plans to swoop in and take over.

Xena approached the campsite and gently kicked the heal of Gabrielle's foot, "Argo needs brushing… do you mind cooking the rabbit?"

Gabrielle sighed heavily as she sat up in her bedroll, "How much longer before they leave the farmlands? I'd give up already if I were them…" Gabrielle reluctantly grabbed the rabbit and began to prepare it for the spit. "I mean, we've bloodied their noses every day for the last week… Aside from the fact that it's becoming boring, I'm exhausted."

Xena reached into her pack for her brush and began grooming Argo, "This farmland is very valuable. It connects to the Avaya River. It's a primary trade route. It's worth a little extra effort to them."

"How many dinars are we getting paid again?" Gabrielle asked.

"Enough." Xena replied with a smirk. "Sound's like you're out of practice…"

"Out of breath is more like it." Gabrielle redefined. "I'm starting to despise the extra daily exercise."

Xena laughed lightly, "After this how about we take a vacation?"

Gabrielle's head snapped up from the fire pit, "A vacation? Really?"

"Sure." Xena replied as she continued to brush her horse, making sure Argo's coat was smooth and shiny. "We could head down to the island of Crete… spend some time there…"

"A vacation in Crete? As lovely as that sounds, we simply can't afford it." Gabrielle's attention fell back onto her cooking.

"We'll be able to after we're paid from this job." Xena reminded. She turned and faced Gabrielle. "I was able to save up some extra coin over winter as well."

"Xena, we shouldn't waste our pay on…"

"It's not a waste." Xena interrupted. "Time away will be good for us both."

The idea of spending some relaxing alone time with Xena was very alluring. Their relationship had grown in leaps and bounds since two winters before and Gabrielle knew it was only a matter of time before they took the next step. The idea alone excited Gabrielle immensely and she felt the sensation of the excitement begin at the pit of her stomach and rocket straight to her head. Satisfied with Argo's appearance, Xena tossed the brush back into her pack and stepped over beside Gabrielle. "Here, I'll finish that." She took over the cooking, allowing Gabrielle to return to her bedroll. Gabrielle folded her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on her arms. She watched the warrior, contently, for several minutes. Happy to be resting, happy to be in a peaceful setting with her most valued companion.

After dinner, Xena quickly cleaned up camp, while Gabrielle headed down to the nearby stream to wash off before bed. Xena followed closely behind. Gabrielle removed her boots and top, leaving on only her skirt, waded into the cool water. She cupped the water in her hands and rinsed it over her body. Xena, only in her leathers, was now in the stream as well.

"In Crete, there will be hot baths." Xena reminded as she stepped closer to the bard. She kneeled down into the water, and used her soap to wash her legs and arms.

"Mmm… that's enough to convince me." Gabrielle replied as she rubbed her neck, and kneeled closer to the water as well. "Hot baths are so wonderful for the aching body." Xena smirked, she had assumed Gabrielle was sore, but had neglected to admit it. She didn't want Xena to think she had gone soft. Minutes later, the couple was back camp, preparing for bed. Xena rolled out her bedroll evenly next to Gabrielle's, creating a larger bed for the two to lie in together, an idea that had become very popular over the last several weeks.

"They'll give up in a few days. They're due to run out of resources soon." Xena stated aloud in reference to the mercenaries. She threw a couple extra pieces of wood on the fire before retiring to the bedrolls.

"What's to stop them from coming back later? When they have more resources?" Gabrielle asked.

Xena shrugged, "That could very well happen. The farmers will have to pull together and come up with a defense strategy... something more long lasting and effective than the two of us out here bullying around these oafs."

Gabrielle laid face down on her bedroll, using her arms as a pillow. "I'll give you my share of today's dinars for a back rub."

"That desperate are you?" Xena teased, as she happily obliged to the bard's request. Slowly, Xena worked her hands over Gabrielle's muscles, beginning with her neck and working her way down to her waist. Gabrielle moaned softly every few seconds, allowing Xena to know which muscles needed the most attention. When Xena came upon a knot in the middle of Gabrielle's shoulders, the blonde arched up in response. "Oh, right there is good… really, really good."

"I can definitely feel it." Xena replied casually. "This knot has been here for days. You should have said something sooner."

"And have you think I've gone soft? Never." Gabrielle mumbled.

Xena grinned and continued to work out the knot. Within minutes she felt the pressure under the skin ease and the tightness unwind. She returned to her spot beside Gabrielle and lay down her back, starring carelessly up towards the sky.

Gabrielle inhaled deeply, and turned over on her back as well, "That was worth every dinar."

"Keep your dinars." Xena remarked, her eyes slowly drifting over. "Let's just say you owe me one."

"Deal." Gabrielle smiled as she closed her eyes.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to touch a star?" Xena asked. Her gaze refocused on the sky above.

"I don't think you can." Gabrielle replied. "They're much bigger than they look from down here. And I imagine they're very hot, like the sun."

"Do you think it's possible to even get that close? To even get that high off the ground?"

"For the Gods, perhaps. Why, you're not thinking of trying to reach one are you?" Gabrielle teased, her eyes still closed tightly.

Xena rolled over on her side, now facing the younger woman, "No, I have a fallen star right here within my grasp."

Gabrielle's eyes flickered open, "Xena, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard you say." She smiled and moved closer to the warrior, allowing them to lie face to face, only inches a part. "You've been so thoughtful, lately. Thank you." She reached out and gently touched Xena's cheek. She admired the woman's beauty, now more than ever. Her piercing blue eyes, her tanned skinned, her dark hair… it was all breathtaking and perfect. She appreciated Xena, and everything about her, in a way no one else ever could.

Xena pulled the bard closer, enveloping her into arms. "Rest now." She whispered softly. "We have a full day of farm guarding tomorrow."

Gabrielle sighed contently and smiled, her head now rested perfectly on Xena's shoulder. This was how she hoped every night of the rest of her life would end.