"Have you seen a blond man about so high?" Jason inquired of the barkeep holding his hand at about the height of Iolaus.

The barkeep laughed, "Have I? He and his woman friend just left here no more than five minutes ago. About time to I needed the table."

"I knew it." Jason grumbled.

"Thank you." Iphicles stifled his smile at the look on Jason's face. "Maybe we can catch up with them."

"And when we do...." Jason didn't finish the sentence. Looking at his successor to the throne laughing at him, the former king joined him. "I know, I know. He's Iolaus."

"Whoa!!" A body flew in front of the two men.

Running around the corner of the alley, they saw a disheveled Iolaus fighting two men and a beautiful women in battle with a man twice her size. Three more were still advancing on them. Iphicles drew his sword and challenged the nearest one. Jason picked up a board and tapped one of the ruffians on the shoulder, knocking him out when he turned.

"Hey Jason, Iphicles where's Herc?" Iolaus asked as he rolled away from one trying to kick him in the head. Jumping up, he twirled and swiped the guys feet out from under him in one smooth motion.

Hercules had spotted the two entering the alley and followed. Seeing the ensuing fight, the Demi-God grabbed the first bandit he came across and tossed him into two others.

"Iolaus!"

Ducking as the leader flew over his head, Iolaus shouted, "Never mind. Hey Herc about time."

The rest of the gang was trying to scramble away from the skirmish as fast as their feet would take them. Unfortunately for them, they had to get past the five warriors who were now blocking the opening to the alley.

"Iphicles, these are the bandits I encountered at Thessaly, I also overheard the leader and that one talking about ransacking homes during the festival."

"I see. Jason wasn't that a squadron of the guard we passed?"

"I'll get them."

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

Nebula stretched her legs languidly, looking at the hunter sleeping beside her. His blond hair glowed in the rising suns rays. She smiled as she remembered last night.

They'd captured the bandits, then the five of them went back to the tavern to have drinks. She'd met Hercules half brother and stepfather before, had fought with them. They hadn't recognized her at first as she'd changed with the responsibility of ruling a Kingdom. The group enjoyed some good drinks and there was a lot of reminiscing of old times. When the establishment was closing, Hercules and Jason wanted them to go back to the palace, she'd refused, said she had to watch her ship. Iolaus hadn't said much to that, she sensed he wanted to talk, to explain. Then Iphicles had offered her and Iolaus the use of the boathouse. There hadn't been much talking last night.

She was still smiling when Iolaus eyes fluttered open. "Hi there."

"Hi yourself, Goldilocks." Nebula pushed a strand of his bangs back. She wanted this to last as long as possible.

"Iolaus?"

"Hmmm." His eyes opened to take in the beauty of this woman. He pulled her into his embrace.

"If you sent word, what do you suppose happened to the message?"

"Nebula, I sent word immediately. I needed to.."

The pirate turned queen interrupted him. "I believe you. I just wondered who intercepted it."

"Who would need to?"

"I don't know." Nebula sighed. "I thought about you a lot you know."

"You're all I've thought about. Before I'd go to sleep, when I'd wake up. We never had a chance to finish what we began."

They lay there in comfortable silence for a moment. Nebula rose on one elbow and looked down at him, "I have to leave in a few hours."

"What?"

She sat on the side of the bed, "I have a commitment to rule Sumeria, Iolaus. I have to return."

"So soon?" Was all he could say all the while thinking 'not when we've just found each other again'.

"I didn't plan on this, I sailed to Greece for official business and had some time to kill. Had I known...."

Iolaus wrapped his arms around her. "I know."

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

Iolaus stood on the dock watching Nebula board her ship. The Queen of Sumeria turned one last time and looked at the man that stole her heart. Then turned to issue commands to her crew.

They both knew that he would never be able to return to Sumeria, at least not in the near future. He and Hercules had a destiny to protect the people of Greece, just as hers was to help her people. That didn't make this easier.

Hercules found his friend still staring out to the sea long after the Leviathan was a mere speck. He silently stood beside Iolaus for a few moments.

Sighing, the hunter spoke, "It's gonna be a long six months until she returns."

"Not as long as you think."