By mid-afternoon of the following day Xena was able to get out of bed and Gabrielle had taken her for a leisurely walk to Caesar's own private gardens, the fresh air would do them both some good.

It still amazed Gabrielle just how comfortable she felt taking to this woman, she tried not to let Xena's past cloud her mind, she had heard many rumors, terrible rumors of no mercy and whole families dying by her hands, massacred, tortured…unthinkable things…if Gabrielle had allowed herself to dwell upon such thoughts she could not have been able to stand Xena's presence, seeing only the evil actions instead of the warm, mysterious person now before her.

Gabrielle consoled herself with the fact that that Xena no longer existed, the Xena walking with her now was ignorant to anything from her past and she could not condemn someone for something they could not even remember…

"What are you thinking?" Xena asked bringing Gabrielle out of her thoughts.

Gabrielle smiled. "I'm thinking how nice it is spending time with you." She paused. "It's been a long time since I felt…comfortable."

Xena smiled in return and nodded. "It's strange when I first awoke I thought…I was sure I knew you." She paused her eyes drawn to the many statues about her all of Roman Gods and Emperors; she noticed that Caesar face adorned many of them. "Tell me of Caesar Gabrielle." She hesitated as Gabrielle looked up at her questioningly; the young woman was unable to hide the look of disgust at her masters name. "Tell me why you don't seem to like him."

Gabrielle looked down. "He destroyed my village." She said plainly but before she could continue Caesar's words came in waves into her mind… she had given her word. "But he is a ruler, and I suppose wars must sometimes be fought." She added quickly her voice lacking conviction.

Xena nodded uncertainly. "And he took you as a servant?"

Gabrielle tried to control the embarrassed blush that threatened her cheeks, Xena did not know the extent of her 'servitude'. "Yes." She paused and glanced at the marble statue of Caesar before them, hating it. "He is known for…choosing servants." She finished flatly.

Xena nodded again but did not press anymore questions upon the matter of Caesar she could see Gabrielle was uncomfortable with the subject and tried not to dwell on the reason why.

---

By the time the two women returned it was near the hour the evening meal would be served. Gabrielle helped Xena prepare, picking out a beautiful crimson gown for her to wear. It was in the typical Roman fashion of the moment, gathered at one hip to fall in waves of material, the arms were also gathered to sit becomingly upon the edge of the shoulders and a low neckline finished off the look. Gabrielle then dressed Xena's hair into a popular style atop her head and fixed it in place with intricate golden pins.

Gabrielle stepped back to admire her work and the sight caught her breath. Xena had been beautiful before but now she seemed to shine. Xena stared at Gabrielle and shifted uncomfortably.

"What's wrong?" She asked feeling self-conscious.

Gabrielle shook he head and smiled. "Nothing, you look beautiful."

"I feel strange in this." Xena gestured to the gown with her hand. "I don't think I am used to wearing…" She trailed off.

Gabrielle tried to smile reassuringly and began to gather up the mess they had both created in dressing.

"I feel uneasy Gabrielle." She turned to the young blonde woman her expression pained.

"Uneasy?" Gabrielle furrowed her brow.

Xena gave a small nod and glanced ahead as if seeing something in the distance. "Like something isn't…right." She paused as if searching for an answer within her forgotten memories. She closed her eyes tightly as if the effort pained her. "I feel uneasy around him."

Gabrielle knew who she spoke of and fought desperately to not throw her arms around Xena and sob out a confession, but she knew if she did, not only would she be endangering herself but Xena too…Xena had shown no indications that she knew how to defend herself and if Gabrielle divulged the truth, how would Xena react, she would be furious Gabrielle felt sure of it but if she would be able to defend herself against Caesar and his guards she did not feel so confident. It was best to play along until she could untangle her disarray of thoughts.

"I'm sure it's just that you are not feeling well yet." She avoided looking into Xena's eyes, hating the lies that were once again spilling from her. "And it's natural to feel uneasy around him, he is Emperor."

Xena took a deep breath in and finally nodded slowly. "I'm sure you are right." She glanced at herself in the mirror, seeing the striking woman with cobalt eyes meet her own gaze.

---

Gabrielle departed soon after and Xena was left alone to make her way out onto the balcony were Caesar would already be awaiting her. She walked across the candlelit private chamber, past the ornate golden bed, marveling at the craftsmanship to the intricately embroidered curtains that led to the balcony. She gently pushed them aside and stepped out into the mild night air, the view was breath-taking and almost mirrored the skies many stars in its twinkerling city lights. Her gaze was drawn to Caesar who sat in a carved wooden chair at a heavily food laden table. Vases of flowers were placed upon the ledge, their aroma heady and pleasant. Caesar stood as she entered and gestured for her to take a seat opposite himself which she did graciously.

She felt Caesar's eyes lingering over her body and face, the sensation made the uneasiness she had felt before grow.

"You look beautiful." He commented with a small smile.

Xena gave him a smile and a nod in reply.

"Please eat." Caesar said gesturing to the many delicious looking foods before them. Xena did as she was bidden and began to eat the mouthwatering roasted meats and basted vegetables.

Caesar picked at the food before him, his eyes seeming to never leave her until Xena began to feel uncomfortable in his presence. She wiped her mouth and fingers upon a cloth provided and met his gaze.

"Your gaze is quite…disconcerting." She said with no shame.

For a moment Caesar was taken aback, no one dared talk to him in such a frank and direct manner but just as quickly he relaxed, that flash of blue fire had been within her eyes as she spoke those words, this was his Xena speaking.

He gave a low laugh and smiled at her trying to look bashful but not succeeding in the slightest.

"Excuse my rude manner Xena." He said smoothly. "It is hard to take my eyes from you."

Xena did not glance away as many foolish girls would have done had he made them such a flattering comment, her gaze stayed connected to his, no embarrassment marred her beautiful features.

She picked up a goblet of wine and sipped at it, her eyes still fully holding him, studying him.

"There is something about you." She stated more to herself than him, she then gave him a half smile. "Like I already know you."

Caesar smiled smugly in return. "And what do you know of me?"

Xena narrowed her eyes as if trying to find the words she wished to speak. "My mind tells me not to trust you…that something lurks within you, something that is dangerous."

Caesar smiled once again, memories may fade but feeling did not it seemed. "I am Emperor, you will have known of me, perhaps that is why you feel you know me." He smirked. "And they say no man of power can be trusted."

Xena sipped a little more of her wine. "Perhaps." She commented.

"Are you finished with your food?" He asked rising from his seat. Xena nodded and he extended his hand out to her. "Then come walk with me in the gardens."

Xena looked at him with suspicion. "I walked in the gardens today with Gabrielle." She stated hoping that she could somehow end this meeting early.

Caesar smirked. "Not those gardens, my own gardens."

Xena glanced up at him and then at his hand, knowing she could not really refuse the man who had saved her life. She placed her hand into his and he guided her onto her feet.

He gave her an amused look and walked briskly to the side of the balcony where he pushed a stone wall and it creaked open, the wall was no wall at all but plaster cleverly painted to look like any other part of the balcony. Steps led down a steep incline and Caesar took her down them. When they emerged a beautiful walled garden meet her eyes. Flowers were in blown all around her, the scent almost making her feel dizzy with pleasure. A small apple and cherry tree shaded an ornately stone carved bench and in front of that a beautiful marble fountain flowed freely.

Caesar gestured for her to take a seat upon the bench which Xena did still awed by the delightful surroundings. Caesar sat down beside her and watched her intently as her gaze took in all the splendor of the little garden.

"Do you like it?" He asked bringing her captivating eyes to his face once more.

"It's…" She struggled to find words. "very beautiful." She finished.

Caesar nodded and glanced around. "It is isn't it." His honeyed gaze found her eyes. "I have never shown anyone this before, it is my own place, no one knows of it."

Xena seemed a little taken aback. "Why show it to me?" She asked eyeing him warily.

Caesar sighed. "I can not stop thinking about you Xena." He paused moving closer to enclose her hand in his. "Can't you feel destiny guiding us towards each other?"

Xena glanced down at his hand, his touch sent a strange shiver of pleasure through her skin. "I know nothing of destiny." She whispered, his face was so close to hers she could clearly see the dark flame of desire burning within the depths of his eyes. Caesar held her gaze knowing that she could break the hold that kept them both transfixed no more than he himself could.

"Each event in our life is part of a great plan. There are no accidents, only destiny." He spoke slowly, purposefully his eyes full of hidden meaning.

Xena felt a strange sensation at his words, they thrilled her as if she'd heard them once before spoken to her by someone she loved, someone she desired. Before she could reply his lips touched hers in a soft, reverent kiss, his tongue artfully smoothing over hers, tasting her. His arms encircled her waist and urged her closer. The feel of her lips, the taste of her mouth sent a surge of desire through him…she was almost his.

He let his hands slid up the material that covered her legs, around the contours of her hips to her shoulders. His mouth left hers to travel down her throat, kiss her collarbone. He heard her gasp softly at the sensations he was causing, felt her fingers in his hair, beckoning him to her, urging him onwards.

Xena felt the trail of kisses as if they were tiny paths of fire burning across her skin, the emotion he caused to well within her was unbearable, she didn't want him to stop, even though her mind warned her of him and the uneasiness he caused, this desire seemed to consume her, she wanted him. But it wasn't right, she knew that what she did now, for some strange reason she could not grasp, was a danger to herself, that he was dangerous, that he could not be trusted. She had to stop him before they reached the point of no return and that would soon come by the way his hands were sliding across her form, making her want to gasp in pleasure.

Roughly she pulled away, her breathing heavy from the desire he had awakened within her.

"Stop." She managed.

Caesar studied her, his breathing also labored and his desire apparent. "What is it?" annoyance tinged his voice.

"I am unsure." Xena narrowed her eyes, and studied his face, her gaze falling over his lips, his magnetic eyes and she quickly stood from her seat knowing that to stay near him was temptation in its rawest form, she did not trust herself.

"Unsure of what?" Caesar too now stood, his brow furrowed. "Do you not feel it?" He grasped her shoulders bringing her to face him.

Xena was once again pulled to those strangely familiar eyes and the impulsive to throw herself back into the passion they had both been cultivating was so very tempting.

"Unsure of my feelings." She breathed her blood pumping a little faster as his hands slide down her arms his eyes now hungrily racking over the tops of her breasts. "Unsure of you."

His gaze again found hers as Xena tried to grasp something from him, to read him. He was handsome, she could not imagine anyone being so striking and he had an animalistic quality to him, something lurking within his eyes that told in heated whispers of lust, desire and power.

"Xena." Caesar whispered her name close to her ear, his lips softly brushing her cheek. "Trust me."

Xena's eyes narrowed further becoming blue slits. "You've given me no reason to."

"And I've given you no reason not to." He pulled back so his face was again before hers. "Tell me you don't feel what I am feeling and I will leave." He paused seeing her eyes hesitate, look away as if he had cornered her. "Tell me to leave and I will." He repeated.

Xena fought the urge to wrap her arms around him and took a few steps backwards, taking herself from his reach. She regarded him with a cold air.

"There is no need for you to leave." She said with a strange harshness. "I will." Giving him no chance to reply or stop her Xena turned and quickly made her way back up the steps.

Caesar watched her with a brooding look clouding his features. He was now sure that he could win her over, she had feelings for him still and whether they stemmed from hate or desire he would twist them into what he wished.