"Hey look at you," said Iolaus warmly as Gabrielle walked through the door. The hunter limped over to her and gave her a huge hug which nearly lifted her off the floor.

"My turn," said Hercules, and as Iolaus moved towards Xena, the demi-God embraced Gabrielle.

"You look radiant," said Hercules.

"I don't feel it at the moment," said Gabrielle.

"Let's get you sitting down," said Hercules and Iolaus took one of Gabrielle's arms each and within moments they were sitting with the Amazons.

Xena wandered into the kitchen and placed the rabbits on the table. Doris gave her a smile and carried on making the stew. Xena walked towards the bar.

"Are you OK, Mother?" she said to Cyrene who was serving behind the bar.

"I'm fine, daughter."

"Athena get away alright?"

"Yes, she did." Their eyes locked.

"I'm sorry Mother, for what I said to you, and Athena."

"You don't feel ashamed of me?"

"Not at all. I love you."

Cyrene looked away, overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. Xena smiled, and turned to look at her friends. She heard a thump, and saw Cyrene had placed a tray with a large jug full of ale and several mugs next to her. "Go and have a good time Xena," Cyrene said.

Xena picked up the tray and strode to the table. She placed it down and there was a rush to pick a mug.

"I was just telling our majesty that Joxer is currently tending Asteria's back. An injury caused by carrying her shopping." Epinon spoke seriously, but Xena could see the smirks of the other Amazons and Gabrielle trying to look innocent.

"Should have bent her knees," said Xena and sat down next to Iolaus. "So how are things?" she added as she poured her self ale and savoured the first sip.

"Saving maidens, defeating Hera's acolytes, battling dear old brother Ares, the usual," said Hercules light heartedly.

"And did any of the maidens needing saving?" asked Epinon with a twinkle in her eye. Solari chuckled but the other amazons looked irritated at the thought of women being mocked, unaware of the usual banter that existed between the friends.

"They did after meeting Iolaus," said Hercules.

"Hey," said Iolaus indignantly.

"What was her name?" asked Gabrielle.

"Lost track haven't you?" said Hercules drily.

"Well someone has to make a stand, Joxer's loved up, and-here he is," said Iolaus, very happy to change the subject.

"How's Asteria?" said Gabrielle with a hint of concern in her tone.

"She's fine, I told her to rest, and bend her knees next time," said Joxer, oblivious to Xena's smirk as he slid in next to Gabrielle and immediately started to engage her in conversation.

The group enjoyed Doris's stew, and the ale and chat continued to flow as the inn filled up and became crowded. Xena caught sight of her Mother looking slightly harassed and worn.

"Mother is there anything we can do?" she asked.

"Unbelievably it is under control," said Cyrene with chagrin. She smiled at her daughter, and leant towards Gabrielle. "Alright dear?"

The bard nodded, although she was beginning to feel tired. As Cyrene straightened up, she was struck by a thought. "There is something. I think we'll need more ale before the night is out. I have two barrels in the lock up." She handed Xena a key.

"Lead the way," said Hercules and he stood up grandly.

Xena stood up too. "I'll show you."

"Need any help?" said Selene, but withered under Iolaus, Joxer, Gabrielle and Xena's incredulous stares.

"I can manage it!" said Hercules kindly and he and Xena headed out the inn.

Xena breathed deeply in the cool night air. It was satisfying to be outside for a moment away from the bustle of the crowded inn. She turned to look at Hercules, content and happy as usual.

"Over here," she said and pointed to a small metal storage unit sealed by locked doors.

Xena pulled a key from her breastplate and started to unlock the lock. She stopped and turned round.

"What?" asked Hercules?

Xena swallowed. "Sit for a moment," she said. Hercules nodded.

"Iolaus told us about you retrieving the Oil of Lanius from the temple near Renwa," said Xena quietly.

Hercules shook his head. "That's all in the past. You're not still beating yourself up over it are you?"

Xena shrugged. "It's something I'll never forget," she said quietly. "But that's not it." She inhaled deeply. "I've visited that temple before."

The words hung in the air. Hercules looked shocked for several moments before he regained his composure.

"I-well-I-you know what that means," he said whispered?

"Yes," said Xena. "I was concerned that my father was Ares. My mother was visited by my father when he should have been at war."

Hercules made an O shape with his lips, and then gulped.

"It's not," Xena said quickly. "It was Athena."

"Athena!" said Hercules surprised. "I never knew that she had children."

"Neither did she until a little while ago," said Xena.

"Athena," repeated Hercules. He smiled broadly. "There are definitely worst parents. I've always liked Athena."

Xena nodded and smiled. Hercules gave her a sideways glance. "Come to think of it, there are similarities," he said laughing. He became serious for a moment. "Are you alright with this?"

"I'm getting there, so is Mother. I am just relieved it wasn't Ares."

"He could use this. He doesn't like to share anything and he always wants to be No1 in Zeus's eyes. How does Gabrielle feel about the in-laws?"

"Her usual supportive self," said Xena proudly. "She's ok." She added to Hercules questioning look.

"If you want anything you know where to find me."

Xena grunted her thanks and got up and opened the door.

Xena eased the inn door open so that Hercules could walk through. With a barrel of ale on each shoulder he turned sideways and slipped through and they both made their way through the packed crowd. If anything it had grown in size. Hercules placed the barrels behind the counter, eliciting cheers from the crowd and a smile of gratitude from Cyrene. He spun around and saw that Xena was transfixed by the bard on stage. It was Gabrielle.

They made their way back through to the crowd to their table, garnishing several irritated stares. They sat down and Xena continued to watch Gabrielle intently, looking for any sign the bard was flagging. She found it hard to listen to stories about herself, and as the story was of her and Hercules rescue of Prometheus, she shot the demi god a sly look. He was as uncomfortable as she was, and she smiled to herself at that thought. However, soon the torture was over as Gabrielle finished up her story. The crowd were vocal in their appreciation and called for her to do another, but Gabrielle shook her head and headed off the stage. Xena watched her progress slowly through the crowd as so many people wanted to talk to her and press money into her hand. As she neared the table, a voice could be heard, "My dear, how you've developed as a bard. I assume you are entering the festival in fact you must enter the festival and I will sponsor you. Tell me have you thought about putting your works onto scrolls. I know a printer in Thessaly and I am sure that he can do us a good deal."

"Oh no," said Iolaus, Hercules and Xena simultaneously.

"What?" asked Solari seriously and Epinon and Selene stood up in order to get a better view of their queen.

"Trouble," said Iolaus, and put his head on the table.

"Hold onto your money," said Hercules, quietly.

"Salmoneus, what a surprise," said Xena as Gabrielle and Salmoneus approached their table.

"I should have known," said Hercules and smiled sweetly at Salmoneus.

Iolaus lifted his head up slightly. "Did I dream it?" he asked. Gabrielle ruffled his hair and his face dropped down on the table again.

"Hello, hello, hello to you all. Xena, Xena, Xena, why did you not come back and try to win the title? Why did you withdraw and deny your public of a year of being a light in their lives, a beauty to marvel at?"

Xena was waving her hands to stop while Gabrielle was trying hard, and failing to contain her laughter.

"What?" asked Epinon?

"Oh didn't Xena tell you. Well she is a modest little thing really. Xena entered and won Miss Known World. So fetching she looked in her costumes too. But she gave it up. In fact it would have been good to have had Gabrielle next year but I can see she has been a little busy. I hope you are rubbing oil on your stretch marks my dear, don't want to spoil that flawless skin. By the way, I have some contacts and I can get you some of the best baby products at a fraction of the price that you would pay at the markets."

Xena too had put her head on the table, while Epinon was crying with laughter. Hercules and Joxer were also laughing at the stricken warrior.

"So…You mean to tell me… Xena won a beauty contest," wheezed Epinon, trying to still her quivering mouth. "Oh what a gift, what a gift."

Hercules managed to get control of his face and turned to Salmoneus. "So what does bring you here?"

"Well I am pleased you have asked, Hercules. I am putting on a wonderful production of Homer's work. It has the best actors, scenery, and writing this side of Athens. It'll be a hit!"

Gabrielle exchanged a look with Xena who had raised her face inches from the table. Xena rolled her eyes.

"So where are your acting troupe, and when is it on?"

"All will be revealed tomorrow," said Salmoneus with a smile. "Is there a seat for me?" And he grabbed a mug and started to pour ale into it.

Xena looked at Gabrielle who nodded her head towards their bedroom. "You can have mine, we're off to bed." With that Xena rose and wrapping an arm around Gabrielle they walked to their room.

Gabrielle walked to their bed and dropped on it and closed her eyes. Xena smiled, shut the door and perched on the bed next to Gabrielle. She took one of the bard's legs, and started to undo her boots.

"I haven't been this tired since," Gabrielle opened her eyes as she thought. "Since I first started out with you. My feet used to ache so much, and my blisters had blisters."

Xena laughed. "I remember. I was so impressed you could keep up. At first I was trying to look for an excuse to leave you. Then one day, I realised I had stopped thinking that at all. I just wanted you with me."

Xena pulled the other leg across her lap and started to remove that boot too.

"How are you doing?"

Xena removed Gabrielle's boot and started to massage her foot and calf. "OK. "

"Really?" said Gabrielle.

"Yes really. Mother is happy. What happened to her was a good thing, not-"Xena's hands stilled and she looked at Gabrielle.

"I'm pleased too," said Gabrielle hoarsely. "You were conceived through love, by two people who adored each other. That's how it should be."

There was silence, and then Xena continued to massage Gabrielle's legs. "I told Hercules. He was very relaxed about it."

"I suppose you are related now, "said Gabrielle more brightly.

"Suppose," said Xena and drifted off in thought for a moment. "I'm not sure how active a role Athena would like to take. Or if she expects anything from me."

"We'll see," said Gabrielle. "I have a feeling she will visit Cyrene a little more often."

Xena chuckled.

"How tired are you?" said Gabrielle. Xena stilled her hands again and used one of them to rake through Gabrielle's hair.

"I'm fine but you are shattered," said Xena and she gasped as Gabrielle started to put her hand under her shoulder strap and pull it down.

"I suddenly feel very fine. It's not like we have to stand up," said Gabrielle and her hand continued her assault, moving beneath Xena's leathers.

Xena whimpered. "Well there was that time in-"

"Just kiss me," said Gabrielle.

"Oh yes, your high- "uttered Xena before her mouth was called into action.