Disclaimer: In chapter 1.

Author's Notes: I can't believe it's been so long since my last update. I'm sorry! Life has been crazy busy: work has been insane, but don't worry I resigned yesterday, assignments due, etc… I'm going back to an old job which I was good at, so hopefully that'll free up some mental capacity to balance uni and "Hero". Thank you to everyone reading, reviewing, favouriting and following "Hero".

Dedication: I dedicate this chapter to Lee Thompson Young, who tragically passed away this week. He stole my heart, and the hearts of many, in his role of Det. Barry Frost is Rizzoli & Isles. I had actually named a character after Frost before this happened, but now it has a whole new meaning. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and fans. He will be sorely missed.

"… and then I swooped in and saved the day." Joxer continued to tell Emma and Regina about the times he had saved Xena and Gabrielle. "I should add God Killer to my name…"

"I thought that Xena was the one that killed Bacchus?" Emma was getting annoyed. She remembered that episode quite clearly.

Joxer looked stunned for a second, "That's just what Xena wants people to think. I operate covertly. The silent hero."

Emma rolled her eyes and glanced at Regina to share an exasperated look, but Regina's features was beyond exasperated, she was downright furious. As Emma focused she noticed a balled fist and a tense jaw. She reached out and slipped her hand into Regina's unclenched one with an empathetic smile. Regina looked at the joined hands and then at her. Emma panicked at the blank look on the brunette's face and let go. I forgot the no touching rule… When did it become a rule?

Regina stared at Emma, stunned. Normally she would yell at the Sheriff for making physical contact, as she found the flutter in her heart a betrayal to Daniel and her mission to destroy Snow's happiness. How dare her heart feel anything without her permission, right? She supposed that the time spent not fighting today had had a corrosive effect to her resolve to keep Emma Swan at a safe distance. It seems not arguing has undesirable consequences as well… The touch had been surprisingly gentle, and the warmth lingered and pulsated in time with the erratic beats of her heart. She shook her head to clear the unwelcome but increasing persistent thoughts. She also didn't want to be caught staring.

Emma was so fixated on staring straight ahead that she was startled when Joxer turned to face them while walking backwards. He was still talking. She gradually worked out that he was talking about Callisto.

"It's amazing how often those two get into trouble," he laughed. He got a brief nod from Emma but Regina seemed to be ignoring him. He would be offended if she didn't scare him. He turned back around to lead them through the town. Before he realised that his foot had caught on a stone the jutted out of the pathway, he was airborne one second and face first into manure the next. A further second of silence passed before Emma burst out into laughter. He picked himself off the ground and saw that Regina tried to stifle her own amusement.

Gabrielle was confident that she and Xena were on the same wavelength. They often were. But when Xena headed towards the docks she was confused. She could have sworn they were going to ask Barold subtly where Helena was and then go from there, although it shouldn't surprise her that Xena somehow new where to find the baker's wife.

"Xena?"

Xena waited. She knew it was just a matter of time before…

"Why are we going this way?"

"Most people would want their bread as early as they can, but sailors work at all hours so they would have another delivery for the night crew," Xena explained. Being a pirate had crossed her mind on one or two occasions, but the love of the land and horse riding had always kept her grounded.

"Oh. Well that makes sense!" Gabrielle exclaimed with cheer.

Xena smiled at her friend. Sometimes she forgot what it was like not to know things, and sometimes she wished could forget it all. She looked at her friend again and marvelled are the wonder on the delicate features. Oh, to still be innocent… Xena, always aware of her surroundings, saw Helena talking with the harbour master. She also noticed Joxer, followed not so closely by Emma and Regina.

"What in Hades are they doing here?" Xena growled.

"Who?"

Xena pointed. At least they were closer than the trio. Still, she would need to act quickly. "Gabrielle, go distract them while I talk to Helena."

Gabrielle nodded, "I'm on it."

"Hey guys!" Gabrielle called cheerily from behind the others. "What are you doing here? I thought you were checking out the tavern for more clues?"

"We were, but…"

Joxer cut Emma off, "The butler did it!"

"Baker."

"Baker," Joxer shrugged. "We're going to interrogate his wife."

"Regina thought she's probably at the docks at this time in the afternoon because of the sailors doing night work," Emma explained with a nod to Regina.

"That's funny, because Xena had the same idea." Gabrielle realised her mistake immediately.

"Of course she did…" Regina muttered.

Emma's eyes went wide, and then narrowed. "You're the distraction, aren't you?"

Gabrielle tried to look innocent, but when Regina crossed her arms she gave up. "Yeah."

"Not cool pistachio." Emma shook her head in disappointment.

"So you were waiting for him by the stables this morning?" Xena rephrased for confirmation.

"Yes. And he never came, the bastard. Just another man breaking another promise," Helena huffed.

"At least they're mortal," Xena winked, trying to employ some of Gabrielle's tactics, "Easier to fix that way."

Helena laughed, "Oh, yes. If only it were that easy. Although then there would only be women," she added, "except for the Gods."

Xena hid her snarl at the mention of the immortals. "So, you didn't go to the tavern on the south side of town last night?"

"Megs?" Helena waited for Xena to nod. "Why would I? I only go there to deliver bread."

"But that's where Mannius was staying."

Helena frowned. "He said he was staying outside of town... Was everything he told me a lie? By the Gods, I pray that Hades takes him soon."

"He's already dead."

"What?"

"His body was found this morning."

"Where?"

"Meg's tavern."

Helena paled.

"Do you remember something?"

"My husband drinks there some time, the lecherous pig," Helena spat. "I was looking forward to taking his dinars and running off. The thought of his…" she shuddered.

Xena waited with a barely contained sympathetic expression.

"He didn't come home last night. I assumed he was baking early… When I asked Barold about it this morning he said he couldn't sleep. I went back after Mannius didn't meet me at the stables." Helena tilted her head, "Now that I think about it, I felt someone watching me yesterday. I couldn't see anyone, but it's something you just know, instinctually. Do you think Barold found out about Mannius? Did he kill him?"

"We'll find out soon enough." Xena said with a wicked glint in her eyes.