Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. Just playing with the characters for a while.

A/N: This goes with my as yet unfinished story Love Story and follows Iolaus and Melina through a rough day in their marriage. Takes place during the episode Pride comes Before a Brawl. I used some of the lines and situations from it. They belong to Ren Pictures and the writers. I always liked that episode, but thought Iolaus should have known the girl he rescued a bit better than just some random damsel in distress. Please Read and Review! Enjoy!

"Tell me about the man you're traveling with," Nemesis said. She knew all to well who he was traveling with. She also knew what her orders were, but she wanted to hear about him from Hercules.

"He's a great guy. Courageous, fearless, loyal, good company. Best friend a man could have," he smiled.

"Why did you split up then?"

"He got angry because I helped him out in a brawl this morning, then we argued about the road to Thrace. So, he took off his way and since both he and Mellie have been in a foul mood all morning, I decided to let them go. Maybe the walk will cool them off," he said. "Anyway, he bet me a hundred dinars that they'd make it Thrace first. He has a lot of pride."

"Well, you know what they say. Pride goes before a fall," she smirked.

"Oh, he won't fall. He's too smart for that. But, not smart enough to win a hundred dinars from me."

"What's his name?" She asked.

"Iolaus."

She looked down for a minute. She had hoped. Of course. It would be him. Hera couldn't attack Hercules directly, so she went after those around him.

"What?"

"Iolaus is the name of the man I've come to kill," she admitted.

"Are you sure he's the right guy?" He demanded.

"Yes."

"What's his crime?"

"Pride. Pride, arrogance, and ego," she answered.

"Pride, arrogance, and ego are virtues among the Gods." He shot back. "What's his punishment?"

"The penalty is his life," she replied with a smile, still not getting how serious he was.

"What?!"

"Hercules, it's not my decision," she snapped. She never understood why he cared so much about mere mortals.

"Make it your decision. Don't do it. Go back and say you couldn't find him!"

"You know I can't do that," she said. "It's out of my hands."

"What do you mean?"

"Pride comes before a fall," she repeated. "I only set it up for the mortal to bring divine retribution on himself. That's what the brawl on the bridge was all about."

"Who gave the orders?"

"I'm not telling you that." Nemesis was sorry for this side trip now. She'd already revealed too much.

"Then give me the scroll."

She shook her head. "Uh-huh."

"Give me the parchment."

She sighed and handed it over. "I never could say no to you," she giggled.

"Hera." He slapped the parchment back in her hand. "She can't kill me so she orders you to kill my family. That's the tyrants you work for and you still want to tell me how its justice?"

"It's too late. Its already started. Even you can't deny the will of the Gods. There is nothing you can do."

"That's where you're wrong." Hercules doubled his efforts to reach the shore. He could backtrack through the woods and find Iolaus and Mellie before anything happened.

"Hunting dogs? Really?" Mellie sighed, hearing the baying in the distance.

"Quick. Roll in the mud with me," Iolaus said.

"What? Are you crazy?" She questioned. They should be running.

"Animals can smell humans from a mile away. If those dogs get our scent they'll tear us apart. The mud will cover our scent. Uncle Flatus taught me this years ago." He explained.

Melina groaned but did as he asked. Flatus had been a hunter for years. He would know. "We're out in the open, won't they see us?"

"No. They'll be too busy beating the bushes where the dogs lead them to look this way. Just be still. Don't breath. Trust me," he whispered.

"I've heard that before." She held her breathe and squeezed her eyes shut, praying the dogs would pass them over, but not really hopeful for it.

After a a few minutes that seemed like an eternity the sounds of barking faded into the distance. Mellie opened her eyes cautiously. Seeing that they were alone, she let her breathe out in a rush.

"It worked! I can't believe that worked. You're terrific." She kissed him.

"I know," Iolaus grinned before kissing her again. "I have always thought you were cute with mud on your nose."