The experience, to Gabrielle, had been eye opening. Not the taking under the wing of another Xena wannabe. Not, the bard could have done without the insults and the fighting. In fact, her ear still ached a little from where Tara had bit it. It would heal as would some of the hard feelings she still harbored towards her lover. Xena would, she knew, always in the end would side with her bard but it still had hurt at the time to have not been taken seriously about just how much the young kid had wanted to get between them.

But that was water under the bridge, sorta speak. What had Gabrielle worried had been the look on her lover's face. Those aching blue eyes had almost caused her own green ones to let loose with a stream of tears. Having been traveling with Xena now for almost three years, she had known that look. She had known what it meant. And still, it hurt her to think that once again the warrior princess had made it clear that she was not capable of being forgiven.

That was something that Gabrielle was not going to let go so easily. In the young woman's mind, Xena had continually done enough things to at least one day be forgiven for her past sins. Whether the warrior princess could be convinced of that or not was another thing. The traveling had been silent for the most part. That was unusual because the bard always managed to have something to say or a story to relate. But her thoughts were wrapped up in how she could explain how she was feeling to her lover.

Xena had noticed the silence and it had her on edge. When they had first begun to travel together, the constant chatter of her young companion had gotten on her nerves. But over time, she had come to find it soothing. When Gabrielle had left first to the bard contest in Athens and then when she went home not sure of staying with the warrior princess, there had been an ache in the ex-warlord's heart. It was as if something had been missing.

Now the silence was of Gabrielle's own accord instead of her physical absence. That usually meant one of two things. One was that she was in some kind of physical pain, even then though she usually spoke some. Two, and the one that was worrying Xena, was when she was troubled by something. And usually the something that was bothering her was the warrior princess in some way or another.

After what had happened, Xena was not certain if it had to do with the fact that she had allowed someone else to somewhat come between them. That happened every so often by both the bard and the warrior princess. Perhaps it was to make the other jealous. Or perhaps, though they were soulmates, they still differed a lot on some things and another person was just closer to the way that they each were.

The more probable answer, Xena knew, was that her bard was worried that she had not even attempted to seek forgiveness. It wasn't so much that she hadn't sought forgiveness, she just thought that dabbing a little water on her from a sacred earn meant nothing. To others it did and if it helped Gabrielle to forgive herself for the wrongs she thought that she had committed, especially when it came to Solon and Hope that was something that made the warrior princess happy.

They traveled further in silence, the sun's descent already starting to announce the oncoming of the cool evening. A star here and there peeked out, twinkling shyly as if to ask if it was all right to join the evening sky or perhaps to ask if it was all right if their friends were to come out and play as well. The moon would soon take over the administrations of softly lighting the night sky while the clouds would continue to softly caress the sky above that was now deepening to a dark purple.

Still without a word, the traveling companions went about their usual routine. Xena took their travel necessities and put them in a spot that indicated that was to be where the fire was. Gabrielle first took her time to gather as much firewood as she could find and get a fire started. She then made a trek to the river that was not far, filling their water skins and filling a pot with water for a stew of whatever animal that the warrior princess would catch.

Xena went about first brushing and feeding Argo before she took out her bow and arrow and made her way through the forest. Meanwhile back at camp, Gabrielle had their bedrolls laid next to one another and had the pot on the fire waiting. Of course, her warrior princess could also bring back fish which would mean the frying pan. That brought back a memory of a day about a year ago. It had been a typical day only the ex-warlord had needed to get her juices flowing by ruining their only frying pan.

Gabrielle could laugh about it now, but then. The bard realized that they had come a long way since that day. Oh there were still things that irritated both about the other. And sometimes they let it get to one another. But now there was something more to their relationship. They were partners in every sense of the word and had come to understand one another on all levels. Still, understanding one another did not always make it easy to live with someone or be happy with their choices.

Usually at this time while waiting for Xena to bring back whatever it was that she was to prepare, the petite blond would prepare her scrolls. This was her time to put into words what had happened to them throughout the day or week depending on how busy it had been. Or there was her personal journal that she was attempting to keep. Finally, there were her poems and stories that she made up that weren't about the warrior princess and yet they seemed so similar to her that sometimes she wondered why she bothered.

Tonight was going to be different. Tonight, she was going to force her big tough loving warrior into talking to her about what had happened. Hopefully Xena would not shut her out. There were so many things that they were still learning about one another, especially with the long past that her lover had. That past seemed to keep sneaking up and biting them in the butt, especially when it seemed like the warrior princess wanted to protect the bard from everything but could not.

Before she heard the rustling in the bushes, Gabrielle just sensed that Xena was on her way back. It was the connection that they had ever since the warrior princess had to take over her body to fight Velasca. Eyes that were now emerald in the dark looked up into violet eyes. There was something that was unspoken between them and they both knew that as soon as they were done with their meal, it would be time to discuss whatever it was that was on their minds.

The meal itself was good as always. Xena often reflected on how in the early days that was one of the things that she truly appreciated about her younger traveling companion. She might be an innkeeper's daughter, but the warrior princess had never really taken to cooking. That was definitely not among her many skills. Now it was just something that she had come to appreciate and rarely thanked her lover for. Gabrielle took such good care of her from tending her wounds to simply feeding her.

Xena had noticed that her bard had not gathered her stories or any of her writing materials which just reinforced the fact that they needed to talk. The warrior took out her sword to sharpen it though it had not been used in the two days since they had been in the battle alongside Tara. It had been an eerily quiet two days since then and probably the best time for the couple to talk. Yet when the raven haired warrior sharpened her sword, it was usually with the intent of avoiding talking.

A petite hand reached out and stilled the sharpening stone very carefully. Gabrielle knew that if it had been anyone else, their hand would have been broken now if not worse. But it was her and it was time. "So, you don't feel like talking about it?" The bard removed her hand and sat on their furs covering her half naked body. She was leaning against a large boulder, waiting. Waiting to see if Xena was going to say anything or continue avoiding talking, no matter the subject.

A few more gentle strokes with her sharpening stone and the tall warrior stood. She placed the tool back in the pouch that held all of her 'warrior tools', as Gabrielle liked to refer to them as. Xena hesitated only a moment before she sat down next to the smaller woman. Her feet were crossed at the ankles. The petite blond never hesitated snuggling up to her lover. A long strong arm was wrapped around the bard without even a thought.

Xena looked into the fire and tried to find the words that she knew that Gabrielle wanted her to say. But what was there to say? "I know you're still wondering, at least on some level, why I wouldn't even make an attempt at forgiveness." The warrior felt the warm breath of her bard through her shift and smiled. Too long she had denied herself the pleasure of simply being held like this, thinking that she didn't deserve it. "There's only one being that can truly grant you forgiveness."

Gabrielle too was staring into the fire. The words were meaningful. And she knew the answer. That's what made it that much more painful to see her warrior princess go through what she was. "I know. Even if the person or persons that you wronged forgive you…" She took a deep breath inhaling the scent that was her warrior princess. "It means nothing until you are ready and willing to forgive yourself. That's why I still carry the guilt over Solon. I'm not ready to forgive just yet."

That earned the bard a gentle squeeze. "You are wise." They sat there in silence. Xena knew that her soulmate was waiting for her to say something. It was hard. Not just because words were not one of her many skills, but it went beyond that. There was and always would be fear of her past coming between them. There would be things that she would keep to herself and hope that they never came to light. That was like playing with a flint and striker with a stack of hay around she knew, but it was all she could do.

The silence had gone on for too long as far as Gabrielle was concerned. That meant that she was going to have be the one to drag it out of her warrior. "I wish…" But how to put it in words so that her other half would not get upset with her. The petite blond reluctantly pulled back so that she could look into eyes of violet. "You know I'm here for you no matter what." She reached up and gently stroked the strong angular cheek feeling a touch of warmth there that was not normal. "If we can get through what we have already, death in any form, than we can get through anything. Just talk to me, please?"

For a moment, Xena let the words really sink in. There were still a few secrets that if Gabrielle knew the entire story, she might not be so sure that they could get through anything. After all, she had taken out the Amazons of the north. And what had happened in a land that was as different from any that they had ever been to. It was nothing like Chin and the secrets that she hoped were buried there would remain buried there forever.

But everything always seemed to come back to haunt her. Even some minor things from Gabrielle's past had come back for them to deal with. Not on the level that the warrior princess' past had, but still it had been something for them to deal with. And they had, together. So it was time to talk so that they could keep doing that, right? "There are things in my past that you don't know about. There are things I hope that you never find out about."

Once again there was a long moment of silence as Gabrielle took in her lover's words. With most people, words were just something you said attempting to maybe convey how you were feeling. But with the warrior princess, she used her words as a weapon meaning that she would use them to either cut you to the quick or defend you to the end. It was almost always about others and not about herself. "I know you have a deep past, Xena. But what would be so wrong with thinking about forgiveness?"

A sigh escaped the warrior. Even after losing her blood innocence, Gabrielle just could not understand the difference between what she had done and what the warrior had done. The times that she had taken a life, two to be exact, had been in defense of others. During her darkest years, the lives that the warrior princess had taken were for power, for money or for the pure pleasure of watching someone's life drain away. How can she possibly even think about forgiveness from anyone let alone herself?

"It's not that simple." Xena wanted to pull away, but as usual the smaller but determined bard would not let her. There were several times over their travels already that the petite blond had shown her own strength. It was always to protect someone else and rarely to protect herself. Gabrielle was doing that now or so she thought. She figured she was protecting the warrior from her inner demons. "The things I've done, there can be no forgiveness for. I can save innocent lives, do for the greater good but it still doesn't change how blood stained my hands truly are."

Gabrielle sighed knowing that no matter what she said; there was no changing how her warrior felt. Still, she had to try. That was one thing that the bard hoped that would never happen to her. She prayed to whatever Gods were listening that she would never lose that fight that she had to always do for others, especially for best friend and her soulmate. "That is all in your mind." Once again, Xena was attempting to pull away and this time succeeded. "Xena!"

The bard scrambled after her soulmate. A small hand was on her shoulder but it was shrugged off. Gabrielle knew that if Xena really wanted to get away from her she could in the blink of an eye. Having made her way over to where Argo was and beginning to stroke the soft blond of the mare was actually a good sign. "I admit that I don't have a clue as to what you are going through. I've only taken a couple of lives." The warrior princess shuddered at those words. "But Hades be damned if I'm going to let you keep punishing yourself for the rest of your life."

Xena spun around so fast that it almost made the bard lose her balance. In fact, strong sure hands reached out to steady her. "I love you." With that, the warrior princess leaned in and kissed her soulmate soundly. "I will always love you and for many reasons. But there is something you have to understand. It's not so much about punishing myself. If I were truly doing that, then I would not allow the love you have for me and I would send you away."

Green eyes blinked never having thought of it like that before. If her warrior princess were to be truly punishing herself, she would deny herself anything good. Praise from those that she helped had always been difficult to accept. At first the bard had thought that it was because Xena was not used to doing good and therefore receiving compliments was hard for her to accept. It never dawned on her that it was because she never truly thought she would or could ever be worthy of it.

Since things were so tension filled now, Gabrielle decided it was time to lighten things up. And it was time to move on. There was no way she was going to win this discussion. Her warrior could be and was extremely stubborn. Fortunately, so was the bard. "You know…" She made sure that her tone was very soft, even seductive. Slowly she wrapped her hands around her soulmate's neck getting a dark eyebrow raised in question. "I would have just kept coming after you. No matter what, I would have followed you. I always will."

That got a genuine laugh out of the tall warrior. Xena pulled the bard tightly against her. She knew that it was true. No matter what, Gabrielle would have kept coming after her. Even in the beginning, there was a pull that seemed to lead the petite blond to be near and to follow the warrior princess. It was like that still for both of them now. "And I would always let you into my camp. If not also let you in my bedroll." There was a wink telling two things. One, she was grateful of the subject change. Two, she would always share a bedroll with her.

And with a foxlike move, Xena took her bard into her arms. Their eyes met and carefully the warrior princess made her way back over to the fire and more importantly to their bedrolls. With utmost care, she placed her precious package on the bedrolls and carefully joined her. They then snuggled together for the night. More adventures awaited them. Some would bring joy. Some would bring pain. But the most important thing of all was the fact that they would be together.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Xena stood in full armament. She could feel that tickling and new that Ares was around. The warrior princess had told the God to leave her alone, but he was a god. It was not like he was going to listen to a mortal, not even one that was his former chosen. There was also a different feeling. It was stronger and more certain of itself and in that moment the warrior princess knew who it was. She was standing outside of the small encampment. Waiting.

Gabrielle had awoke in a lot better state of mind than she had been in the previous day. The warrior princess wondered if it was because finally she had faced the fact that she had, up until the return of the ex-warlord, been attempting suicide in a way. Going after the army in Japa, not eating properly, not tending her wounds and just being plain reckless in battle had been the way that she had been silently hoping that it would result in her death.

And if it had not been for Aphrodite, her soulmate may very well have succeeded. Would they have been reunited in the Elysian Fields? Perhaps. Xena would have liked to think so as the life that her bard had lived had been one of love, kindness, understanding and helping those that needed it. The only time she had truly taken a life in anger, up until the warrior princess' death, was when the ex-warlord had been injured and could not defend herself.

But with there being only two Greek Gods left, it made her wonder how Tartarus or the Elysian Fields even existed anymore. Hades was long gone. The one time his helmet of invisibility had been taken, there had been chaos in the underworld that Xena had to set straight along with an old love. The memory caused her to cringe. Not at the battle or the love that she felt for Marcus. It was for the way she had disrespected Gabrielle even as a friend.

There were a few times in her past, even recent past that she had done that to the bard and she hated it. Nothing she could do now except to never do it again. She was brought out of her thoughts by the noise below. Eve was getting her followers ready to go to Rome. Gabrielle was still in further negotiations with Mesmos. Overall, it was shaping up just the way that they had planned. Of course if what she was sensing was to come about, there might just be Hades to pay.

Xena turned around. Most would have been shocked to see two Gods standing there. Unfortunately for the warrior princess, gods had become an almost every day occurrence in her life. Usually it was not for the better when she met them. Still, she knew that her choices in the last twenty four hours would not be appreciated and she would have to be kind to the Goddess at least. A dark head bowed as it turned to the female Goddess that had a crown upon her head. "Neith."

The female Goddess smiled. In fact, she held out a hand that Xena never hesitated in taking. There was something that flowed between them. The warrior princess wondered if it was because they were of kindred spirits. There was the barest of winks by the Goddess and she wondered if she had actually seen it or if it was in her imagination. It was Ares that spoke. "Xena, what do you think you are doing. Sending Eve back to Rome? Making nice with the Egyptians? I thought you realized you owed Neith here a war."

The warrior princess shook her head. "Same song, Ares. You still sing it way out of tune." That got a dark eyebrow raised on the male God of War's face. Xena turned and once again bowed her head to the female Goddess of War. "You on the other hand…" When they had shook hands, there had been something about the Goddess. "I think you think in a grander scheme of things than simply war. I don't mean to overstep, but if I'm right you are actually quite pleased with what I and my partner have accomplished."

Ares began to laugh only to have fireball hit him in the chest. The incredulous look upon his face almost caused the warrior princess to burst out laughing. It was rare that the God of War was made a fool of and this time he was doing it to himself. It made it even more priceless. "She is right." The voice was stronger than Xena had anticipated and found herself actually in awe for a moment. That rarely if ever happened, whether God or mortal. "While I prize a good fight or war, the fact remains that it's not about the fight or at least it should not be."

The God of War was brushing himself off from the fireball that had hit him. His first instinct had been to throw one back. But even he wasn't stupid enough to think that he was stronger than the female Goddess standing before him. She still had a strong following among her Egyptian worshipers unlike the Greeks who had all but abandoned the two Gods that remained. Ares put his finger to his ear and wriggled it around like he was trying to clean out water in it. "Excuse me, did I just hear you correctly. We are Gods of War! What's the point if not war?!"

Neith stood to her fullest height which actually was taller than both the warrior princess and the God of War. She came up and stood within inches of the shorter God. "The point is that war can solve things like disputes over land and over love. However, there is the potential for loss of life. Any God should know that loss of life means loss of followers. Besides, I'm also a Goddess of Wisdom as many of my counterparts are. I respect the warrior as much as I respect the philosopher. That is why I respect Xena and her partner as they are both warrior and philosopher. And their daughter is the same. And one day we hope that their son will be too."

It took all her warrior strength to stand after hearing what the Goddess had to say. While she and Gabrielle had an inkling that one of them might just be pregnant, until that moment she had not been sure. The pictures and the feelings that she had…It was not shocking to find out just almost made her happier than she could say. They would have a child together. And this time they would have a chance to raise it together as they had hoped to raise their daughter together. She just hoped Eve would be happy for them.

"What in Hades good name!" Ares closed the gap and now the two Gods were standing toe to toe. "How can you preach that there are other things good other than war?" The God of War was now seething as things were getting out of control. "I came to you with the understanding that you would help me bring her back. At first you refused to bother yourself with one insignificant mortal. Then you change your mind and you say sure. Why?"

Xena just stood back and watched the exchange. It wasn't often that she got to see two Gods arguing. Even then she wouldn't call it an argument. No, it was Ares being a stubborn God. His plan was once again backfiring on him. He had wanted to bring the warrior princess back so that she would be his. If he could not have that, at least he would have a warrior around. But that wasn't working out either as she had told him repeatedly that she was done with fighting.

"Why would I or my fellow Goddesses bring back the other half of a pair of soulmates?" Neith was not in the least intimidated by the leather clad God. In fact, she was anything but intimidated. "First because they are soulmates and deserve to live their lives out together fully so we righted a wrong. Secondly, the world needs more warriors such as Gabrielle and Xena. Ones that aren't so quick to draw their sword or weapon of choice. They would both rather use their words than have to draw blood."

Just as Ares was going to say something, there was a flash of light and there stood the pink clad Goddess of Love. She somehow worked her way in between her brother and the other Goddess standing there calm. Or at least Neith was appearing all calm. Xena knew from past experience that whether it was God or mortal, looks could very well be deceiving. "Time out here." She shoved her brother away from the other Goddess. "What in Zeus' name are you doing?"

Daggers were still being shot at the Goddess of War. It was as if Ares had wanted to go after the much more powerful Goddess but lucky for him his sister was holding him back. Finally the leather clad God took in his sister and the anger he had faded just a little. "I thought we had a deal." The God of War began pacing slowly. His hand went to his goatee and stroked it a couple of times. "I mean, it worked out for both sides. I got Xena back. They got a good fight. Plus it spared Gabrielle which for some reason all of these chick Goddesses, including my own sister, seem so Hades bent on."

"For me, Sweet Pea is my friend." Ares snorted at the comment. None of the Gods had sensed when Gabrielle had come up to stand next to her partner. Xena took her hand and they just watched as the Gods had their little spat. "But for most people, it's because she, even with everything that she has been through, holds the key to the known world. The key has and always will be hope. She lost it for a little while when her soulmate was unfairly taken from her. But now that they are reunited, she can once again keep spreading how she and Xena have fought the good fight and not always with weapons."

"Mankind." Ares grumbled. "Who cares about mankind other than what they can do for the Gods?" His pacing came to a stop and he was standing about a foot away from his sister. "I mean it. The only thing that they are good for is to worship us and to do our bidding. In my case, that would be to wage war!" He shouted the last word over the shoulder of his sister. His gaze never left the Goddess of War as she just stood there her arms at her side seemingly either truly relaxed or truly amused or maybe a little of both.

Neith had had enough. "You are not worthy of our time. You sought something that could not be gained and now you are angry with everyone but yourself." The Goddess slowly made her way over to the couple that finally Ares and Aphrodite realized were standing there. "As for you two, I and the other Gods of Egypt give you our blessing. You have proven on numerous times to be wise beyond normal mortals. We have gifted you with the ultimate gift."

Xena stiffened just a little if only because her natural instinct was to protect her bard with her very life. When anyone, especially a Goddess came at her, she went into full warrior mode. Somehow she managed to relax herself as Neith placed a hand on the exposed belly of the petite blond. "You are now almost a month along, little one." The green eyes grew in surprise but quickly there was a smile upon her face. "The boy will be strong. He will be a warrior like you both. But he will also be a philosopher like you both and like his older sister. Please, develop both of his abilities. The world may need him someday. I hope not, but with mortals…one just never knows."

It could be an ominous prediction or it could be just that the way things in the world, one wrong word by another could launch a war that could last hundreds of years. And in the same token, one right word after fighting for so long could finally heal so many hurt feelings. What both Xena and Gabrielle chose to take out of the words was that their son could either be a warrior or philosopher to end a war or to prevent one. Either way, he would continue to follow in their footsteps as well as his sister's.

Gabrielle was still sporting the smile. "Thank you. We will do the best that we can to teach him not only how to use a weapon but how to avoid using one." She bowed her head to the Goddess of War. "I honestly don't know what to say beyond thank you. A few short months ago, I thought I'd lost the other half of my soul. I didn't know when or if we would be reunited. Now, I have her back. And now we have another joining of our two souls in a son. How can we repay you?"

That got a raised eyebrow out of the warrior princess. She was not in the habit of offering to owe a god anything. The last time she did that, well that was something that she still had to discuss with her soulmate. It was something that could complicate things should her better half want to be joined. And yet, she would most likely do it all over again if only because she had done it seeking out a lover, a soulmate and a woman that she could not live without ever again.

A tiny bit of guilt hit the warrior princess as she thought about that only half listening as the Goddess said so to simply be happy and to live. It was just another reminder of the choice that she had made and forced Gabrielle to go along with so many months ago had been so wrong. Had she truly taken into account everything, would she have done it again the same way? This time she could easily answer that she would allow and even encourage her bard to place the ashes in the mystical waters.

"We will, I promise you." Gabrielle being Gabrielle went up and hugged the slightly surprised Goddess of War. "I hope that this treaty between the Greeks, the Romans and the Egyptians is as profitable as it seems on paper. I also hope that there is no one that will want to break it." Her green eyes made their way to the God of War who was still seething. She knew that he was the one that could very well get someone to do what they chose not to and that was to break the treaty.

"I'll say this." Neith turned away from the soulmates and walked up to the God of War. "If anyone breaks this treaty, there will be, as you Greeks say, Hades to pay. Remember something, puny God." Ares actually growled at the description. "You only have yourself and the Goddess of Love left to fight all my fellow Gods. And you are both in a weakened state. This is not a threat. A threat would be for me to show you what I'm truly capable of. This is just friendly advice. Now, if you will all excuse me." The Goddess turned back to the mortals and nodded who returned the gesture of respect. With that, she was gone.

Ares was now almost whimpering in frustration. It was almost like he was mortal once again. He was truly feeling powerless at the moment. The God needed someone to take his frustrations out on and that would be the mortals standing before him. "You two!" He raised his hand to throw a fireball at them when he felt a strong grip on his arm. "What in the…" Holding his arm was his sister. Her eyes were ones of defiance. "Oh not you too, Sis."

"Ares, let's go." When he refused to put his arm down or extinguish the fireball that was still slowly building in his hand, she decided that a direct approach was the best way to get his attention. "Brother, the Egyptian Gods were not the only ones that used you." Ares' hand came down and the fireball disappeared as he stared at his sister in disbelief. "I saw what Gabrielle was doing to herself. I knew that without the help of stronger Gods, I would be powerless to do anything to help her. I did all I could just watching over her at night."

"Has the entire world gone insane?!" Ares pulled his arm roughly from his sister's grasp. "What is it about one irritating blond that has everyone's panties in an uproar?" The God was now beyond words and could not even think. To him, it felt like the furies were once again messing with his mind but he knew that Xena had killed them when she still had the power to kill Gods. Finally he turned towards the soulmates standing there. "You." He had has hands like he was going to strangle her.

A sword was drawn, sias were pulled and a pink clad Goddess was standing between the soulmates and her brother. "Before I continue, no offense to you Xena." She looked over her shoulder and winked before turning her full attention back to her brother. "But what is it about one raven haired warrior mortal? Sure she can kick ass like no one in the known world. Sure she's one hot babe. But what makes her so special? You even gave up your immortality so that her daughter and soulmate could live. Remember that? Giving up everything just so one irritating blond could live and why? To please Xena."

Xena was actually internally laughing at all that Aphrodite had said about her. It was all true but to have it said like it had…The raven haired warrior could not help but shake her head in slight amusement. Of course she was still on full alert though what she could do anymore against a God if he so choose to do anything to her, she was not sure. Looking into Ares eyes, she saw something she never thought she would ever see from her former mentor. Defeat.

The God of War simply grunted and then snapped his fingers and disappeared. Aphrodite turned to her friends standing there still with weapons drawn. In a mocking manner, she put her hands up in surrender. Both the bard and the warrior put their weapons away. Slowly she made her way to stand in front of the two soulmates. "So, do you two want a lift out of here or do you two want to travel the traditional way like your daughter is."

Gabrielle looked up at her warrior and when their eyes met, she just knew. "Thanks for the offer. But I think we have some catching up to do. Not that we couldn't do that if you just sent us back." It was just that, this was how they traveled. They traveled by boat, not the bard's favorite. They traveled by horse which she had actually learned to appreciate. They traveled rarely by wagon. And they traveled by foot. But the most important thing was they traveled together. "Thank you. I knew you had a part in this, but I didn't know you actually tricked your own brother."

"Puleez!" Aphrodite laughed. "It doesn't matter whether they are mortal or a God, I know how men think and I know how to get them to do what I want them to do." Her face got a sickening look on it. "OK. Eww. Images! I didn't mean like that." Both the bard and the warrior laughed. "It's just that all men think one way. Usually it's with their little brain and Ares is no different. He's always had a thing for the warrior princess here, not that I can blame him. Anyhoo, just give a holler should you need me."

There was a bright flash of light and the Goddess of Love was gone. Xena and Gabrielle joined hands as they walked back to the camp or what was left of it. Their tent had already been taken down and their belongings were sitting next to the shelter of trees that had been used as a makeshift stable. Argo II and another horse, a small brown and white patched one, were waiting for the soulmates. To their surprise, Eve was standing there as well.

The contingent of men and women that were to escort her to Rome were standing waiting patiently. Gabrielle pulled her daughter into her arms. When she released her she said, "You were right. Seems I was an oracle or maybe it was the Gods giving me something to hold onto besides maybe being reunited with your mother." She patted her bare stomach gently. "You're going to have a brother in about eight months. I hope that you will join us to welcome him into the world."

Eve looked at her mom. Gabrielle had changed so much in the past few months. It was almost scary how she had gone from wanting to join her mother to now being so full of life to even carry her brother. "I can't promise I'll make it back to Greece for the birth, but I will come to visit if not stay for a while." She looked away for a moment thinking about how her two moms might just want some time alone together with their new son. "If you want me there that is."

Xena pulled her daughter into a bear hug holding on for the longest of moments. It was different than the last time that they had said goodbye. Eve was on her way to the lands of the east to spread the word of Eli and there was never a definite time when they would possibly see one another again. This time, she would be coming back even if it was in a year or so. "You'll always be welcomed to stay as long as you want. We're going to the old farm, the one that my grandparents had just outside of Amphipolis."

The messenger's face beamed at the thought. "That's wonderful!" This time there was a group hug and some tears were beginning to form. "If I have no problems with the treaty, then I'll be there hopefully in six months. I would like to stay somewhere for a little while. Traveling is an adventure but it gets tiresome." Her eyes got lost for a moment. "Especially when you have no one special to share it with like you two do."

"That we both understand." Gabrielle wiped a tear from her eye. Another round of hugs and then they were watching as Eve made her way to her followers. "Perhaps they'll come and settle around Amphipolis too." The couple watched until their daughter was out of sight before they turned to pack their gear on their horses. "I know it's quite a ways off, but I'd like to take the long way home and stop by and see how Lila and Sarah are doing."

"I'd already planned on it." Xena easily mounted Argo as she had a thousand times before. "This may sound silly, but I almost miss you riding behind me." There was a shyness in the way that she said it that charmed Gabrielle to her very core. "Maybe we can…" The bard's smile and brushing of her arm told her the answer. The petite blond took a hold of the reins to her horse. The warrior princess held out a hand and pulled her soulmate behind her. It was just like the beginning. Which in a way it was. This was the start of their new life together. Forever.