Iolaus ordered two ales, then glanced around the inn. Spotting the two bandits sitting in the back, he saw a table in the shadows close enough to possibly hear their conversation, but dark enough to cover him. He'd done battle with both and didn't want to risk them recognizing him just yet. He needed to find out if the rest of their gang was with them.

Looking at Nebula he nodded toward the back, then grabbing the two ales he headed to the table. Nebula hesitated only a moment, she'd seen that look in his eyes once before. In the fight back in Sumeria before he'd taken the dagger in her place. She also scanned the room as she followed him, noting that there were several unsavory looking people in town for the festival.

Settling at the table, Iolaus looked about the room. He didn't see any others from the gang, but that didn't mean that they weren't out there somewhere waiting for a signal. Watching the two he'd been following sitting there drinking and laughing, Iolaus figured they weren't going anywhere soon.

Sitting across from him, Nebula took a swig of her ale while taking in the face of her former lover. She'd missed him, his gorgeous blue eyes, sun drenched hair, and that infectious giggle. Watching him die had almost shattered her as much as it had his best friend. Nebula wasn't stupid, she knew their's would never be a happily-ever-after relationship, but she'd thought he'd cared for her enough that he would of somehow gotten in touch with her. That made her angry.

"Well?" Sarcasm dripped from that one word.

Iolaus closed his eyes a moment before finally settling his gaze on Nebula. He chose the easy conversation. "Those two over there vandalized the last village I was at. I thought they'd gotten the message but obviously they hadn't, I overheard them talking about ransacking homes tonight while Corinth is enjoying the festival."

Slowly setting her ale down, Nebula looked him straight in the eyes. "Try again."

****************************

"Nebula," Iolaus sighed, sure she wouldn't believe him, but he had to try. "We sent word to you as soon as we got to Thrace. I thought you knew."

"We?" She looked at him more closely, her heart suddenly racing. 'She'd been tricked before, but Hercules said they defeated him.' Slowly, Nebula lowered her hand to her belt and rested it on her dagger. "You needed help?"

"We," Iolaus cleared his throat, "I thought it best you received a message from Hercules, rather from someone you thought was dead."

"Oh, I see," Nebula played along, "I was to receive a message from the big man, telling me you were alive and well, is that it?"

She was making this hard, "Well, that and I was hoping you'd be coming to Greece soon."

"Oh, I just bet you were."

Before he could respond, Iolaus found himself banging against the wall with Nebula's dagger at his throat and her whispering in his ear, "You won't get away with this."

For a moment they looked eye to eye, mere inches away from each other.

"Uh, Nebula, I missed you to and as much as I do love this, certain people are beginning to notice here."

As she lowered her dagger Nebula chuckled. "It is you."

As her lips neared his, Iolaus whispered, "Yeah, it's me."

************************

Standing at the spot where they had last seen their friend, the three looked around the area. The roadway was full from all the festival goers and they were getting jostled by the crowds.

"Well? Where is he?" Jason asked impatiently while dodging a group of children running by.

"We'll find him Jason, he wouldn't of gone far." Hercules was surprised his voice sounded calm, he surely wasn't. Iolaus would've been at the dias when he said he would, had he been able to.

Iphicles leaned into the group to be heard."Let's head back toward the center of town, only this time we'll check the buildings along the way. Jason, why don't you and I take this side, Hercules can take the other."

Nodding in agreement, Hercules and Jason started toward the edges of the crowd. Iphicles followed his stepfather into the first building. It didn't take their eyes long to adjust and a quick look told them their friend wasn't patronizing this tavern. Stepping back out they headed to the next.

Hercules entered the bathhouse and glanced around the main room. It was empty. Wondering if his friend might have stopped to relax and fallen asleep, he queried from the young maid if she'd seen the blond hunter. Receiving an answer he already knew, he thanked her and headed onto the next.

********************

"Ahem," the bartender cleared his throat, trying to get the couples attention. "Excuse me but if you don't order a refill I'll have to ask you to leave."

Nebula slowly raised her head to glare at the intruder. "You have a problem?"

"I, I have customers waiting for tables."

Iolaus on the other hand, looked at the barkeep with a wide grin. "Uh, yeah sure, we'll have refills."

After their cups were full again, Nebula pulled up a chair beside Iolaus. "Now, what were you saying about vandals?"

Iolaus straightened at the reminder, mentally kicking himself for relaxing even a moment, he looked over to find the table empty. Rising the hunter grabbed up his sword.

"I have to find out where they went. Wanna help?"

"You know it." Nebula grinned at him as she stood to join him. "Just like old times, eh?"

"I've missed those." Iolaus smiled at her as they walked into the street, "I wonder which way they went."

"Looking for us little man?" A voice came from the alley.

Four shadows appeared before them. Recognizing the leader Iolaus stepped into the opening, "As a matter of fact, yeah we were."

"Good, cause I owe you one." The leader his sword drawn, sneered at the man who aided the village he'd laid claim to.

Immediately they were set upon by the four bandits, weapons drawn. The fight was on.

Iolaus and the leader parried, their swords clashing with sparks. Iolaus ducked under the next swing and turned and kicked his foe in the stomach, sending him stumbling for balance.

Nebula kicked the first to near her in the knee, dropping him down in agony. Turning to meet the next, she spied the rest of the gang advancing rapidly, blocking the opening.

"How many did you say there were?" She shouted at Iolaus as she elbowed one in the chin, then pushed him into the wall.

"Half a dozen or so, why?" The hunter shouted back as he ducked a wildly swinging arm.

Glancing over her shoulder, she turned back to look at him, "Then they've got friends."

Quickly looking to where she indicated, Iolaus saw at least six more of them entering the alley.

"Great, just great."

Shaking his head, the hunter turned back to the leader who was just rising off the ground. "What? You had to invite everybody?"