***Disclaimer*** See Chapter One :-)

"You told her!" Michael's words hissed out between gritted teeth. His disappoint evident from his stance as he loomed over the blonde goddess.

"I did, so what you gonna do about it? Nothing, because what you did was wrong!" Dite snapped at him, then quickly backed away, she was becoming nervous as Michael's rage continued to grow. She stood her ground and glared at him, hoping he would calm down a little, but that was not to be. It was time for backup she decided, before things became worse. Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on her hips before waving one hand in the air, to summon none other than Ares. Within a split second her brother appeared sporting a devilish grin.

"Oh for Hades sake!... Not you again! Ares, don't you have some war to start?"

Ares crossed his arms and leant against the cave wall. "Nope, not at the moment, thought I might drop by and see how my sister is." He pushed himself off the wall and without knowing it, flexed his chest muscles as he stared at the Archangel. "You see Michael, I believe she needs to have a word with you and from where I stand, you don't seem to want to listen."

Michael raised his eyebrows at Dite, pretending he didn't know what the God of War was suggesting. "Well, Aphrodite do you have something to say?"

Dite cleared her throat, "I have a message for you Michael, Xena said to get your feathery arse down there and speak to her, or else Ares and I are moving in to make your life hell." Ares waved at him, teasing the angel, knowing that was the last thing Michael would want. He couldn't stand either one of them, so hopefully the threat of them staying would be enough for him to give in.

"Get out of here, both of you!" Michael demanded.

"Sorry Mick, can't do." Ares stepped back, he raised a hand and snapped his fingers and before their very eyes, half his furniture from Mt Olympus materialized in front of them. Ares smiled and jumped onto his chair, well really his throne, before proceeding to pour a mug full of wine.

"So you were saying Michael?" the god of war asked.

Xena had made her way back to the beach to where the others were waiting. She'd arrived in the dead of night and found three women deep within Morpheus's realm, however her wife was nowhere to be seen. Xena wasn't worried, in fact she was pleased that Gabrielle was missing. The warrior knew that somewhere nearby, her wife would be watching those that slept, offering protection from unwelcome visitors.

As soon as stepped within striking distance of those that slept, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Turning slowly, crystal blue eyes locked onto sparkling sea green ones and her heart skipped a beat with desire. A small smile appeared on her face as she lowered her head to give her wife a long and sensual kiss. They broke apart, pressing their foreheads together and gently caress each other's cheek with soft and delicate touches. They were together, the relief evident on both women's faces. Xena's mission of finding the scrolls was a huge risk, a risk that both knew could have ended up in disaster.

Xena's mind was still racing, she had been thinking all day on what to do next. She needed Gabrielle to talk to, that much she knew. The battling bard was a great listener, the best in fact, but not only could she listen, she was also now a great strategist. Not surprising really, Xena encouraged her to learn, it was all part of being a good warrior.

It was so late, but that didn't matter, neither warrior could sleep. The final problem they faced, being Eve, weighed heavy on both their minds. Eve was in Tartarus, a place she should not have been. What to do, how to do it and when to do it, they needed to devise a new plan. A plan they hoped would work, to right the wrongs that had been done to their daughter and finally lay her to rest.

They sat for hours staring into the fire, throwing suggestions back and forth. How to get Eve out of Tartarus and find out why Najara is the way that she is. The more Xena thought about it, the more it didn't make sense. Najara's soul should be at peace, not running around like a lunatic. Something was wrong and she needed to know the full story, so for now she would wait for Michael to appear and demand to have some answers.

During their discussions that night, Xena caught up on what had been happening during her absence. Sarah was almost fully healed, even though her skin was a nice shade of black and blue, at least no bones had been broken. Her strength had returned as did her appetite, so she was well on the way to recovery.

Savis on the other hand had gone from being a troublemaker to withdrawing completely. Surprisingly her mouth had become mute and ceased her constant babble that drove Gabrielle insane. Why the sudden change? Who knew, maybe she was devising a means of escape, or the thought of Xena returning was enough to send her mute. Either way, Gabrielle welcomed the quiet, giving her ears a well deserved rest.

Dawn was approaching as both warriors rested in each other's arms. The night had been long, however productive and they were satisfied they had come up with a very good plan. Only time would tell and all they could do was wait and hope that Michael would show.

A few days had pasted since then and Xena was becoming anxious. She expected by now to have seen Michael but as yet he still hadn't shown. Time was running out, which meant leaving the island, as the boat was due to return. They weren't even sure Michael would ever show up, so there was no use in waiting around.

The late afternoon sun was starting to lose its heat as both Sarah and Gabrielle wandered back into the campsite. Both had been hunting, one from the sea and one from the land and happened to return at the same time. The taller blonde looked exhausted, she wasn't use to having to forage for food. It was totally out of character for her to volunteer to go fishing but she knew she need some time alone. Time to think of what had happened and time to gather her senses, so fishing was the perfect escape. Even though the aim was to think, she had done well and managed to catch four large fish to add to Gabrielle's kill for the day.

The bard arrived back holding two skinned and cleaned rabbits.

"Anyone hungry?"

"Oh I'm famished!" Savis said struggling to get to her feet. She'd been sitting so long her legs had gone stiff. No longer was she kept in restraints, Xena had allowed her freedom knowing she wouldn't be stupid enough to try and escape. They were on an island afterall, so logically there was nowhere to run.

Gabrielle tossed the rabbits on a clean patch of grass, her eyes bore into Savis. "You want to eat?" She produced a small hatchet that she was carrying from behind her back, her eyes never leaving the slim blonde. Savis took one look at the small axe and froze, her eyes shone bright with horror. Slowly but surely her brain kicked back into gear as she finally remembered the bard's question. With a small faint smile on her lips she began to nod. Not once, nor twice, not even three times, Savis didn't know when to stop, she just continued her nodding.

Gabrielle was enjoying the moment just as much as Xena. Her wife was watching on as she tended to the horses, making sure they were fed and watered.

She silently chuckled... Oh Gabrielle, I thought I was the only one that could intimidate, well done my love.

Gabrielle stood there for a moment watching the woman who was struck down by fear in front of her. She felt a small pang within her chest and realized straight away she felt sorry for Savis. Her heart revealed the truth within, that this woman that continued to nod was broken, just like her mother was. Gabrielle looked down at the ground, no longer could she lay eyes upon the poor woman that trembled in front. Guilt and shame overcame her senses, as she realized what she had done. Over the past few days she had treated Savis in such a cruel way that it was hard for her to come to terms with.

Her soul felt dirty for what she had felt, what she had done and what she had said to Savis during Xena's absence. It was appalling and she knew she should have known better.

Gabrielle swallowed hard trying to find her voice as her eye's softened as she gazed at her once fellow healer. "Could you please start a fire Savis?" She raised the hatchet and handed it to her, giving a small smile as she did so. "Go and collect some wood." Her voice was smooth and gentle.

Xena wandered over, her heart also heavy from watching the exchange and placed her arm around Gabrielle's shoulder. "Have to hand it to you love, you have a heart of gold."

"Gods! I can be such a jerk sometimes. Xe the way I treated her while you were gone was so wrong. Not once did I think that she was just like her mother." Gabrielle kicked a pebble sending it skittering through the underbrush before being pulled in for a hug from her wife.

"Naaaah Gabrielle, you're not a jerk." She held her tight and kissed the top of her head. "You just don't see people through rose coloured glasses anymore love." She shifted her body and threw her arm around her shoulders, "besides I'm a bigger jerk than you." Xena squeezed her trying to lighten the mood.

That comment caused an elbow in the ribs from the bard, as she began to grin. "Can't help it love, I had a good teacher." She turned and winked at her wife before attending to the rabbits once more.

"I said no way!"

"Fine I'll stay longer, remember Michael I'm immortal too so I'll stay here till eternity."

That was enough for the archangel to disappear. Area's smiled at his sister. "Gee sis, I don't think he likes me."

"Well bro, you do have an unusual manner." The goddess giggled, before playfully thumping his arm. "Thanks again Ares for helping, I didn't know how I was going to get Michael to speak with Xena."

"My dear sister, for Xena I would do anything, you know that." He gulped down the last of his wine and jumped out of his chair stretching before waving his hand causing his furniture to disappear. "Now if you have no need of me, I have a war to start, so I'll catch you around some other time Sis." He winked at her before a flash of blue light blasted through the cave and he was gone.

Scorching hot flames continued to roar from the belly of Tartarus as Eve sheltered within a deep crevasse, hoping that she would be hidden from Lucifer. The warrior demon was now so scared, she looked around at her surroundings and felt so alone and vulnerable. She had no idea why, never before had she felt like this, like a small child that is lost in the wilderness. The feeling was awful, she needed to escape, but where to she wasn't sure. Tears were streaming down her face, as she started to wail with pain in her heart. Her voice strained and pathetic as she struggled to cry out for her friend, the lady in pink was her savior.

"Xena! You dare tell Ares to invade my realm!" Michael appeared his sword drawn, ready for a fight with whoever stood in his way.

"Michael!" The warrior yelled out and jump to her feet, her own sword being drawn at lightning speed.

The rest of the women reeled back in shock from the sudden intrusion and watched on as both began to circle each another.

"You bastard" Xena hissed, "You're nothing but a liar. You call yourself a man of God, how could you!"

"All for the greater good Xena, that's what it's all about! Eve needed to be sacrificed to contain the rift."

Xena felt like striking him but knew she had to keep cool if her plan was to succeed. Glancing over at Gabrielle, her expression slightly softened as her eye's pleaded for some help.

"Michael!" Gabrielle's voice was strong and demanding. She patted Xena on her shoulder and gently pushed her aside. She slowly approach the angry angel, with hands raised showing that she was only wanting to talk and that weapons were to be lowered.

"Don't you think Michael, enough damage has been done? Xena and I both know what you did, however we don't know why you did it." Gabrielle lowered her hands and sighed, as he lowered his sword in defeat.

Michael's posture was no longer threatening, his shoulders had slumped, his sword now on the ground as he held his head in shame. Gabrielle glanced behind, nodding to Xena, giving the signal for her to take over. "No love" Xena's said quietly "you do the sensitive chats remember?" a small smile gracing her face as she gazed into her eyes. Gabrielle bought her small hand to the warriors face and cupped her cheek lightly acknowledging the fact that Xena was right.

The bard turned to face Michael, her mind quickly deciding on the best way to approach the problem. Xena's act of aggression had proven not to work so she opted for the total opposite. With this in mind she decided to make him feel guilty, attacking him with soft tears and the heartache of a mother whose child had been stolen.

"Michael, we need to talk, we need to understand and most of all we need to save Eve." Silent tears streamed down the bards cheeks as her eyes locked onto his. "Please Michael, let us help you. I can see you hold shame in your heart. Let Xena and I help release that shame and have your God believe in you once more. For now Michael, he surely knows that you have done wrong. We can help you to fix this, please let us try."

Michael's body began to shake as his eyes welled up with tears. He continued to look at Gabrielle and gave a very small nod.

Gabrielle wiped at her tears. "Let's start from the beginning Michael, please tell us why you stole our little girl's soul?"

A/N: Hope you enjoyed another chapter. Two more chapters to go and it's finished, however in a few weeks I'm going on holidays and I doubt I will be posting another chapter before I go. So sorry guys, the story is on hold for say 2 months till I get back. Catch you then, take care