Gabrielle awoke to find the campsite mostly packed up, Xena was nowhere to be found, but Krellus was still sleeping up against the tree. "Xena?" she asked in a sleepy voice. She heard someone walking up, and grabbed her staff, making her way to her feet.

"Relax Gabrielle, it's just me," Xena's voice chimed from behind her.

"What are you doing?" Gabrielle asked, trying to find where her voice was coming from.

"I did a little hunting, we're going to need a good meal before today's journey." She came out of the woods and smiled at the amazing sight of the young woman up and alive in front of her. "How'd you sleep?"

"Pretty good surprisingly. How 'bout you Xena?"

She let a little smile creep onto her face, "Ok thanks." She rekindled the fire they had from the night before and pulled out the cook wear. "Would you mind?" she asked Gabrielle, holding out a rabbit.

"Not at all," she replied with a smile.

As Gabrielle cooked the rabbit, Xena rolled up the rest of camp, sure not to leave anything behind. She made her way over to Krellus and kicked his foot, "Rise and shine."

He opened his eyes, seemingly trying to figure out where he was. He grunted, "I wouldn't recommend sleeping like this to anyone, feels like I've been run over by a heard of centaurs."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said sarcastically as she began untying the rope that was confining him to the tree. She helped him to his feet and decided to tie the rope around his waist and attach it to herself.

"What are you doing?" he asked, confused with her action.

"As long as you're tied to me, I'm not too worried. Don't you want a break from having your hands and feet bound?"

"That'd be great," he said relieved.

"Food's ready," Gabrielle interrupted.

"Alright, just one minute," she said, releasing Krellus as promised. She shifted her sword onto her belt and scooted her chakram more towards her front, convincing herself that this way he wouldn't be able to get a hold of any of her weapons.

They all sat down and enjoyed a feast of rabbit, bread and some soup that Gabrielle concocted with the remains of the critter. After they had finished, Xena licked her lips, "That was excellent, thank you."

"Thanks," Gabrielle smiled, always happy to get any form of compliment from the raven haired beauty.

"Well, we'd better get started, it's going to be a long day." Krellus stood up with her, knowing there was only about four feet of rope between them. Xena turned to face him, "if you try anything funny you're getting the same travel arrangements you got yesterday." He simply nodded.

As they started on their way, Xena grabbed her healing ointment from one of Argo's saddle bags and gently applied it to her neck. After she'd finished, she put it back where she'd found it and turned to Gabrielle, "How's your head?"

"It's much better today, thanks. Your neck is looking a little better today too, not as dark as it was before."

"That's good, this healing ointment normally speeds up the healing process, that's why I swear by it."

"Sounds like a good thing to have around, especially when there's someone like you around." She sent a playful smile in the warrior's direction.

"Gee thanks," Xena commented, smiling at the woman's fun-loving attitude.

As the sun began to make its way into the western sky, Xena turned to Krellus, "About how much further is this place?"

He looked up for the first time all day, "After the sun sets another two inches we should be there. The cave is only a few yards from where we got the girl. From what I understand, it's not far from her home either."

"How will I find this cave?"

"You can't miss it, it's the only mountain nearby. The entrance is on the northern face."

"Thank you, that's very useful," she faced back forward, "there's a village coming up soon, we'll take a break there."

"Sounds great," Gabrielle said, "My head is starting to hurt more, a break would probably help."

It didn't take long to reach the village and Gabrielle picked a tavern for them to rest and rejuvenate in. Xena unfastened the rope from her torso and tied it to the leg of the table, "I'll be right back."

"Xena, where are you going?" Gabrielle asked.

"I'm going to go buy a new whip," she said putting a reassuring hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, "I won't be long."

"Ok," Gabrielle tried to hide her worry about Xena leaving her alone with the warlord as she walked away.

"So," Krellus finally seemed to be living in the moment, "just you and me now."

"So I see."

"Why don't you tell me what it is you're doing with this mad woman? A young, innocent girl like you should be out farming or at home cooking, not fighting off warlords and their thugs."

"That's not the life for me," she said bluntly, "I'd much rather be with Xena."

"I'm sure you would," he said. Just as he was about to inquire more into Gabrielle, a large man grabbed his shoulders and pulled him to his feet. "What's the meaning of this?!"

The large man had a very deep, authoritative voice, "You're under arrest until you can be tried for your crimes, Krellus."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Nope," Xena said as she walked up, "you need to pay for your crimes. So, instead of me having to deal with you, you'll be tried by your peers."

"I'd rather take my chances with you. I thought you were once a ruthless warlord, why can you not challenge me as such? Let the best man win...or woman."

"I'm not that ruthless warlord anymore Krellus, this is the new Xena. Enjoy your time in the dungeon. Let's go Gabrielle."

"XENA! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!" he yelled at them as he was dragged from the tavern.

A crooked smile formed on Xena's face at the empty threat, "So," she asked Gabrielle, "you ready to go? After all, we've got an innocent to find."

Gabrielle looked back at Krellus one last time, "I'm ready."

"Good." Xena walked over to Argo and untied her from her post. "How you doin' girl?" she asked running her hand down the horses snout. Argo whinnied and nodded her head. "Great," she said excitedly putting her left foot in the stirrup. As she swung her right leg over the saddle and situated herself, she looked down at Gabrielle, "If we ride it will take a lot less time."

Looking disappointed, Gabrielle reached up for Xena's hand, "You know I hate riding these things."

Xena smiled and grabbed her hand, pulling her up, "Oh I know."