Chapter 9

A hero to the rescue

Milo walked up the marble stairs and through the row of Corinthian styled columns to the front door, and he sighed in relief when there was no one guarding it. Everyone counted on the tall walls and the guards patrolling outside keeping the unwanted people away, and well, according to the rumors he had heard, Hercules was strong enough to defend himself if needed. They would probably throw the intruder into jail if they caught him, though, but Milo had no time to think about it now.

His legs were shaking as he took the last few steps.

A cool breeze of air hit Milo's face as he entered the palace, and the first thing he noticed was how beautiful the building was inside (he was glad he had remembered to take his sketchbook with him). The floors and walls were covered with colorful mosaic, and two rows of columns crossed the hall, holding the roof. He also became aware of the marble statues of heroes from different eras as he almost bumped into one of them while gaping at his surroundings, which made him smile in excitement.

"Ahem."

Milo did a pirouette, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. He looked around, seeing no-one until he finally dropped his eyes to the ground. It was the same satyr whose statue he had seen in the garden, and he had crossed his arms and was tapping the floor with one of his feet, staring at Milo with furrowed brows.

"What's your business here?" the satyr demanded.

"Me?" Milo pointed at himself, laughing nervously and trying to come up with a perfect excuse for being in the palace. He should have thought about this earlier.

"Who else is there?"

"Don't you remember me? I'm…" Milo pushed up his glasses with a trembling, sweaty hand, "…I'm the reporter who was supposed to have an interview with Hercules today! I called you a few weeks earlier."

The satyr's eyes widened and he took a calendar in his hand, eyeing it through. "I haven't written down any interviews for today's schedule, Mister…?"

"M-Miles… Thacker," Milo said and wanted to punch himself for not thinking of a better cover name.

"Right. Mr. Thacker. I'll make a quick trip to my office. You can wait here, I'll be right back," the satyr said, squinted his eyes slightly and then turned around, walking into one of the corridors.

As soon as the satyr had turned his back on him, he darted into the corridor in the opposite direction. There was no way he would just wait in the hall and let the satyr realize his true identity and call the guards on him. He had to find Hercules quickly and convince him to come with him, but now that he thought about it… How would he do that? He only had the money which his university had lend him for his research, and Hercules wasn't probably even in the need of money since he owned this palace. And he most likely had hundreds of girls and boys lining up to date him, so offering him his body wasn't an option either (what on Earth was he thinking? He wouldn't sell his body even if it was the last option!).

Milo slowed down his pace to look less suspicious when he had run far enough, and on his way he nodded and smiled at three servants with matching orange tunics who were carrying food trays. The servants nodded back but stopped to stare at him after he had passed them, and Milo could still feel their eyes on him as he disappeared around a corner.

"So far no one has tried to capture me, so I guess I'm doing good. I just have to look like I belong here and know what I'm doing," he muttered to keep himself distracted from thinking about having to rot in a jail with rats or being sent to Rome to fight in the arena if he got caught.

He heard fast footsteps and yelling coming from the way he had come, and he panicked. He jumped through one of the doorways covered with red curtains and pressed himself flat against the wall, squeezing his eyes shut and hoping they wouldn't come into the room. He wouldn't have a chance against gladiators and lions.

He listened as the footsteps moved further away, and then he let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding. He wasn't sure whether the people had been looking for him or doing something else, but he wouldn't take any chances.

Milo opened his eyes and was about to peek behind the curtains if the coast was clear, but he froze in place when his eyes were met with a pair of blue ones staring at him from the steamy bath in the center of the room. He swallowed when his gaze dropped and he noticed that the man in front of him was naked; his whole body red from the hot water and blushing; and that the man was no one but Hercules himself. He looked much better in real life than the statues and the merchandise gave away.

"Um, hi," Milo coughed. He turned quickly to find some clothing to throw to Hercules so he could cover himself up, and he found a white towel resting on a stone bench (Hercules looked even gladder than him).

"T-thank you," Hercules said after he had wrapped the towel around his waist, not meeting Milo's eyes. He covered his chest with his arms as he got out of the bath, and Milo stared at the wall when Hercules put on some clothes.

"I-I'm sorry for rushing in here like that, while you were, uh, you know," Milo explained to the wall, cheeks hot from embarrassment.

"No, no, it's okay! Although I have to say that I was quite surprised," said Hercules and laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, and I'm, uh, Hercules. Nice to meet you."

"I know. I mean – " Milo blurted, " – I'm Milo. Nice to meet you too. I was just passing through, so I guess I'm just going to go now." He took a couple of steps towards the doorway, but then he remembered the reason he had come here.

"Forget something?" Hercules asked when Milo took the steps back.

"I was actually going to ask for a favor," Milo said, looking at the ground. He waited for Hercules to punch him or throw him into the water, but when nothing happened, he raised his eyes, and the man was watching him with curiosity and kindness in his eyes. He was totally different from what Milo had imagined. He had heard about heroes who were full of themselves and glared at everyone who dared to look them in the eye even for a split second, but Hercules was… different.

"What is it?" Hercules smiled.

"My friend Kida is in danger," Milo started. He explained everything about the Underworld and Hades and the map and how Kida had stayed behind to help Megara, and Hercules' expression turned more and more serious as the story went on.

"Hades… He's always causing trouble! I've had to defend the city from his monsters so many times I've lost count. And now you're telling me he's captured innocent people? This can't go on," Hercules said, clenching his fists.

Milo's eyes brightened at Hercules' words. "Will you help me?"

Hercules looked at him, but then he turned his head away and his shoulders slumped. "I… I wish I could. But I can't." He sat on the bench, resting his hands on his knees.

"What? Why?" Milo insisted, sitting next to him. "I… I-I know it's a big favor to ask, and I'm a stranger and all, but you're my only hope."

The steamy air made Milo's glasses constantly fog up, and he had to take them off again to rub them clean with his shirt. He tried really hard not to let the frustration get to him, and he blinked a few times to make the tears go away. If Hercules declined, he would have to start all over again with nothing. He would have to go trough ancient books and try to find some kind of way to save Kida, but it would take weeks – maybe months – to find something to start with. And who knows what Hades would do to Kida during that time.

The hero sitting next to him ran a hand through his auburn hair, taking a deep breath. "You seem like a guy I can trust. To be honest, I've lost some of my powers, and I don't know how to get them back." He paused. "If the word got out about me losing my powers, every monster would take the opportunity to attack Thebes. That's why Phil – my coach, mentor and manager – has tried to keep me away from the public ever since he noticed it. He lets the other heroes take care of the monsters and disasters, and I only get to do short fan meetings. I will never be a true hero… I'm sorry."

Milo listened to Hercules' speech, and his eyes widened. He had had no idea about Hercules losing his powers. The person called Phil had managed to keep it surprisingly well-hidden from the publicity. But that's why he needed Hercules even more.

"You… You're the best hero in the world. I've read all about your stories in books and newspapers, and that's the reason I came to you for help. And now I know I can help you too. I think all you have to do to get your powers back is to actually use them again. You just need some courage to do so!" Milo smiled and put his hand on Hercules' muscular arm.

Hercules was quiet for a while until he nodded slowly and seemed to decide something in his mind right there and then. "You're right. I've been too afraid to even try them after I lost one of the battles." He got up from the bench, standing up more straight than before. "Where did you say this ship of your friends was again? I'm going to get Phil to reschedule this day."

"So you actually found the hidden island? Tell me more about it," Sinbad said with a half-empty rum bottle in his hand, leaning against the railing.

"Well, if ya insist," John Silver answered with a humble tone, but the small smile on his face told Sinbad he was actually very pleased to tell more about his adventures to someone who was interested.

Sinbad had had a lot of time to get to know him while Jim was sleeping, and the captain had turned out to be quite a nice man. Sinbad was still careful with his words around him, though, but he had a feeling they would get along just fine (or at least he would try to since Jim liked the captain so much).

Sinister dark clouds had started gathering in the sky a while ago, blocking the sunrays from reaching the earth, and the wind blew harder, making Sinbad hold his hat tightly. It was almost like the sea and the sky were getting nervous too, although he didn't know the reason.

"Are you boring Sinbad with your stories again?" Jim interrupted, making Silver guffaw at his cheekiness.

"Don't be so harsh on yer ol' man! I was just 'bout to get to the part where I meet this nosy little brat called Jimbo," Silver said, and Jim rolled his eyes.

"Any news about Milo?" asked Jim as he snatched the rum bottle from Sinbad and took a few sips from it. He certainly looked much better now after napping for three hours; his steps weren't wobbly anymore and his blue eyes were reflecting the usual adventurousness bubbling inside him.

"Not yet. I haven't heard a word from him since he left. Maybe he collapsed on some side of the road somewhere on the way to Thebes," Sinbad suggested and was about to say something else too, but something got his attention. "What is that?"

Everyone watched as a white, winged horse with blue mane and tail spun in the air, flying against the wind, and landed gracefully on the deck of Silver's ship, carrying two men and one angry-looking satyr on its back. Milo hopped off and was followed by the other two, who were arguing about something.

"Listen to me, kid! I have two words for you: This! Is! Outrageous!" the satyr roared, and he looked like he would explode if someone poked him with a needle. "Rule number 22: heroes don't help thieves, which also includes pirates! Have you already forgotten what I taught you?"

"Give it a rest, Phil," Hercules huffed. "Besides, Milo is the one who asked for help, and he's not a pirate!"

"That's not the point, kid!"

"My heart is telling me it's the right thing to do!"

"You..!" Phil's face reddened, but then he sighed. "I'm telling you: this is a bad, bad idea."

"I've already made up my mind. Hades will know about me sooner or later, and I'd rather it be sooner. I'm tired of hiding," Hercules said and turned towards the pirates.

Silver was the first one to react, and he took his hat off, bowing slightly with a sly grin. "Ain't this an honour to have a hero on me ship! You must be Hercules. An' comin' here like a knight on a white horse!"

"H-hello," Hercules greeted, not really knowing how to react. "Yes, uh, that's me. And these are Phil and Pegasus."

"I already explained the situation to him, and he promised to get Kida and the map back," Milo told them, and Hercules confirmed it with a nod.

"I sent Hades a fire message. He's going to meet me here," Hercules said.

"That's great, but," Sinbad, who had been following their conversation with raised eyebrows, started, stepping forward, "how exactly are you going to get him to give us what we want? He's not the type to discuss the matter peacefully over a cup of tea, you know. If he even shows up."

Hercules tensed, and he let out a slightly nervous chuckle. "Believe me, he will come. I made him an offer he wouldn't refuse."

"An offer? Whaddya mean?" Phil demanded, but his question was ignored by Hercules turning his back on him and asking Silver to take him somewhere where he could get prepared for facing Hades. Silver showed him the way to his cabin, and when Phil tried to follow them, Hercules, sht the wooden door straight in his face. The satyr just gaped at the closed door like he couldn't believe Hercules' behavior, and then he stomped away almost knocking one of Silver's men on the ground on his way.

At first Jim had snorted at the satyr's almost comical look, but seeing him so upset made him feel kind of bad about laughing at him. He tugged the hem of Sinbad's shirt and nodded away from the others, getting him to follow him so they could talk in private.

"What do you make out of all this?" Jim asked with a lowered tone.

Sinbad shrugged, turning his head to look at the door of Silver's cabin. "To be honest? I don't know what kind of an offer he made to Hades, but he's our only chance of getting the map back, and we're running out of time here."

"Running out of time?"

"Yeah. When I went back to the harbor to see if my crew was okay, they told me a word about military ships coming here had gotten out, and they didn't seem to be that far away anymore. The oncoming storm will probably slow them down a bit, but we can't count on that," Sinbad sighed.

Jim's heart skipped a beat at the thought of the military ships coming to rescue him, but whether it was from happiness or from being disappointed, he wasn't sure.

"I thought you'd be happier after I told you that," Sinbad said and punched Jim gently on his shoulder.

"I am," said Jim and massaged the spot Sinbad had punched. "Eric is probably with them."

Sinbad's grin faltered, but he quickly recovered his smile to show he was definitely not affected by his words. "Oh, you mean the guy with a killer smile and blue eyes? I remember him. What about him? I thought you two weren't together."

Jim snickered. "Now who's jealous?"

"I'm not –!" Sinbad started but realized he had already lost this battle. "Fine, you got me there. I admit it: I am jealous of him."

Jim's mind went completely blank. He had only been joking, but now that Sinbad had actually admitted it, he didn't know what to say. He wasn't even sure where he stood with him, but this had to mean something, right? The more he thought about it, the faster his heart beat, and the tingling feeling he always felt in the bottom of his stomach while talking to Sinbad started spreading to his whole body.

They stared into each other's eyes, and before Jim knew what was happening Sinbad lowered his head and kissed him. And for five seconds it was just them in the world; Sinbad's soft lips on Jim's, and his rough hands finding their way around his body, pulling him closer. A shiver ran through Jim as he noticed he wasn't the only one whose heart was drumming crazily.

It was over as fast as it had started, but it left both of them breathless and their lips burning with something that had always been there between them. No one seemed to have noticed their shared moment, but Sinbad's eyes widened when the euphoria faded and the realization of what he had just done struck him.

"I have to go," Sinbad muttered, stumbling away from Jim and pushing past Silver's crewmen to get to the land. Jim was left there standing, not really believing either what had happened. The kiss had been nice, really nice for that matter, but he didn't understand why Sinbad had panicked like that after it.

"Fuck." Jim covered his lips with his hand. Things had just gotten way too complicated.

A/N: Guys, guys! I'm finally back after a two-month (unplanned) hiatus, which I'm really sorry for. I actually wrote half of this chapter at the beginning of June, but I've been so exhausted after work that I just didn't have the energy to finish it until now. There goes my plan on finishing this fic during the summer… Never trust a writer to meet their deadline. Anyway, there's finally some development between Jim and Sinbad, so I hope it was worth the wait. I'll seriously try harder to make the time between the updates shorter, but I can't promise anything.

I'd like to say thanks to the readers who have been here with me since the beginning of this fic (has it already been 8 months?), and I'd also like to welcome the new readers who have somehow discovered it and decided to read it! Your comments and support always make my day and motivate me to continue writing.