To Find the Light

by Debir

Picking up where Enter the Dark ended, Xena and Gabrielle search for Deerdra who is doing some searching of her own. Their respected journeys will impact their lives forever.

6. Chapter 6

"To Find the Light"

by

Debir

Chapter Six: "Connections"

Going on while Xena, Gabrielle, and new ally Leonius creep through the tunnel, the demon Deerdra went to destroy continues his unrelenting taunting. For the first two days his disembodied voice whispered, "You killed her." "She's dead." and "Where's the girl?" followed by a woman screaming.

But now he's upped his game. He's gotten into Deerdra's mind and now everywhere she looks, she sees a bloodied and mangled Gabrielle. Some just stand there looking at Deerdra while others reach out to her.

Deerdra is physically spent searching this labyrinth day and night for this-thing, but she's too angry to sleep. She shakes off the images and yells, "This isn't going to work! You can show me all the Gabrielle's you can, but I know the truth! It never happened! You hear me! It never happened!"

The demons' laughter reverberates throughout the cave as he sends an army of bloody Gabrielles toward Deerdra. They surround her and shuffle zombie style closer and closer until they are able to touch her. Deerdra clamps her eyes shut then whips out her shiny sword screaming, "Nooo!" as she spins around dispersing the Gabrielles who disappear in a wispy mist of a poof. "Show yourself, you coward so we can settle this once and for all!"

The demon continues to antagonize Deerdra, "Tsk, tsk. So much anger over a human who seems like such a willing partner. You know she would like a do-over with Hope, so why do you keep denying her the opportunity? Could it be that you're jealous?"

Deerdra has had enough of this one way taunt fest, "I just figured out why you haven't shown yourself. A demon who hides in the shadows and uses parlor tricks to intimidate his foes must be butt ugly and impotent. You have to talk big because you can't do anything else."

That did the trick. He roars, vibrating the cave walls and causing several stalactites to fall. Deerdra puts her hands to her ears and hunkers next to a wall until the uproar is over. The demon runs out of breath and all is silent. Deerdra springs to her feet and readies The Sword. Her senses on high alert, she starts down a foreboding tunnel. Two steps in and the hairs on her head stand on end. Someone or something is behind her. She whirls around and comes face to face with Gabrielle.

When her torch illuminates Deerdra's crazed eyes, Gabrielle raises her other hand to show that she is otherwise unarmed. She tries to talk Deerdra down, "Deerdra, it's me, Gabrielle. It's okay. Put the sword down."

Deerdra grins and evil grin then grabs Gabrielle by her wrist, violently pulling the shocked bard in front of her. Deerdra yells, "Well, you wanted her! Now come and get her!"

Xena, thinking Deerdra's lost her mind, snarls and aims her sword at Deerdra's head. Leonius stops her, "Wait. Watch."

Gabrielle struggles to break free, "What are you doing? Let me go!"

The distant Clack, Clack, Clack of hooves followed by a large shadow gets everyone's attention.

The demon steps into the light and Deerdra finally gets a look-at what's she's been trading barbs with.

Seven feet tall with the upper torso of a man and the lower torso of a buffalo with curly brown hair on top of his head and on both legs. His deep red skin and short black horns enhance the gold/yellow of his eyes as they glisten in the torchlight all of which adds to his devilish appearance.

Deerdra twirls Gabrielle, placing her safely behind her. She eyes the beast then begins, "I was right, you are butt ugly." She grins, "Is the other true as well?"

The demon roars then leaps into the air. Deerdra yells as well then jumps, meeting the demon in midair. They lock hands, the demons weight throwing the two across the cave from the other three. Landing hard with Deerdra on top, the demon is momentarily stunned. Deerdra whips her head around and yells, "Leonius!" just as the bat like creatures swarm into the cave.

Leonius uses his body to shield Gabrielle before the creatures full on attack. Xena ducks then uses her sword and chakram to slice and dice the creatures. Leonius releases Gabrielle then he too slashes but also punches at them. Gabrielle shakes off the emotional whiplash and grabs her sias to stab and slice the persistent creatures.

Meanwhile, Deerdra and the demon engage in a test of strength. Deerdra is still on top, so right now she has the advantage. She scans his body and notices two things. One, he's not wearing any clothes. Two, he doesn't have a weapon. She adds this to her repertoire, "What, no weapons? Were you intending to fight me with words, or was all that boasting nothing but hot air?"

He grunts and pushes her backward. Getting to his...hooves and towering over her, he answers, "Big talk for such a tiny human." He holds out his arm and a mean looking sword materializes in his hand.

Deerdra isn't impressed, "Is that as real as the supposed dead Gabrielle's?"

He grins through surprisingly human teeth, "You are about to find out, human."

Deerdra readies The Sword then charges. They meet in the middle with a deafening Clang!

Maybe he isn't used to sword play or The Sword has thrown him off his game, but Deerdra is surprised at how inept he is with a sword. She has nicked him several times across his body but all he has managed to cut is wind. "You know, you were a lot more intimidating when I couldn't see you."

That ticks him off. He growls, "I'll show you, human!" and raises his sword ready to part Deerdra down the middle. In doing so, he exposes his weakness which Deerdra exploits.

She lunges forward and plunges The Sword into his stomach. Raising up with all her might she rips him all the way up to his neck, the force taking her to one knee and turning her back to him. She quickly spins around and slices horizontally across his chest. A bright light emanates from the large T and the demon screams in agony. The light envelops him, there's a blinding flash and then he's gone. With their leader gone, the bat-like creatures screech then retreat deep into the cave.

Totally wiped out, Deerdra leans on her sword for support. Not good. She's even too weak for that. Her knees buckle and she hits the ground.

Xena waits until the last creature is gone then stands up, "Is everyone okay?"

Leonius responds first, "I think so. You, Gabrielle?"

"Yeah, I'm fi- Deerdra!"

The three see her face down in the dirt and run over to her and check for injuries.

Gabrielle frantically searches Deerdra's body, "I don't see any wounds."

Xena checks Deerdra's breathing and pupils, "She's fine, probably just exhausted from listening to that thing for three days."

Leonius scoops her up in his arms, "I don't know about you two, but I've done enough spelunking for one day."

No argument from Xena or Gabrielle. Quick but cautious, they make their way out of the cave and back to the village. Night has fallen by the time they reach the hut where Deerdra and Leonius have been staying. He gently places her on the bed and Gabrielle pulls a chair up beside her, settling in for the evening.

Xena taps Leonius and nods toward the door, "We'll be right outside if you need anything."

Leonius pours her a drink and the two sit at the small dinning table. Xena takes a sip, "Good fight."

"Thanks. You weren't half bad yourself." He grins then drains his mug.

Nice smile, Xena thinks but doesn't show. "I understand I have you to thank for stopping Deerdra from killing my daughter."

"You're welcome, but she didn't need much on the convincing side."

"I find that hard to believe. My question is why? She could have spared a lot of people a ton of pain and heartbreak."

"At times, Livia could be kind and gentle. Deep, deep down she had a good heart. Deerdra knew this, all I had to do was remind her."

Xena pours herself another drink then immediately drains it. "So what changed her? What made my baby Eve turn into Livia? It couldn't have been all Augustus' doing."

Leonius shrugs, "That I don't know." While he's talking, a tiny ball of light enters the back of his head, putting a twinkle in his eyes. He continues, "But what I do know, it wasn't your fault. It's true that had you been able to raise her yourself and not have to hide her from the gods Livia wouldn't have existed. On the other hand, Eve may not have become Eve, either."

Xena contemplates this for a moment, "The past shapes the future."

"Exactly. You did what you thought was best for your child. And it probably would have worked, if it wasn't for Ares." He studies her face, looking for a reaction to his last statement.

Xena doesn't give him much of one, "Yeah," she takes a drink, "how do you know so much about Eve's past?"

He gives her a plausible answer, "Deerdra can be pretty talkative at times."

"A little too talkative for my taste."

Leonius doesn't want to cause any more trouble between the two women,"Hey now, it was my fault. I asked he why Livia was now going by Eve and what her connection to you was."

Xena is a little skeptical, "Why would you care? You didn't even like her."

He leans in close, "I wanted to know more about the woman behind the myth that is Xena."

Xena flirts back, "And has your curiosity been satisfied?"

He leans in even closer, "Not yet," and moves in for a kiss. He doesn't get one. Xena backs away from his waiting lips. Not receiving what her wanted, he clears his throat and moves on. "It looks like we're sleeping outside tonight. I'll go start a fire and set up camp next to that pond we passed coming in."

Xena thinks about it, "No, I want to stay near Gabrielle, just in case."

Leonius does some arm twisting, "Aww, come on. Don't make a guy sleep out there all by himself. Let the two of them have a little privacy. Beside, you know you'd hear her call for you even if you were up on Olympus and she were down here."

"That's true," Xena says in her head. "You go on ahead. I'll be there in a minute."

Leonius teases, "Don't go waking them up, now " He has a twinkle in his eye and a grin on his face as he struts away from her.

A thought zips through he mind, "That walk looks familiar," but doesn't stay long enough to cause Xena alarm. She tip-toes into the hut and peeks in on Gabrielle. She's in the chair leaning over and softly caressing Deerdra's face. A loving scene that Xena has been on the receiving end of. "Right." She stiffens up and proceeds to join Leonius at the pond.

Once there, she finds the fire burning bright and two bedrolls laying side by side but no Leonius. She hears splashing nearby and assuming he's gone for a midnight swim, peeks through the bushes to get a look-see. In no time she gets an eye full. He swims over to the shallow end and stands, the moonlight glistening off his taught, perfectly chiseled body. Xena likes what she sees, but is unsure if she should act on her desire. She glances back at the hut then looks over at Leonius. A mischievous grin spreads across her face. She strips then dives in, resurfacing directly in front of him. She purrs, "So, you've been wanting to learn more about me?"

His smile is as big as the moon is bright, "You have no idea."

Gabrielle and Deerdra will be the only ones getting any sleep tonight.

Morning arrives bringing with it clear heads and fresh starts. The suns rays find a opening in the huts roof and find Deerdra's eyes, waking her. She rolls over and into someone. "Who?" She peels back the covers and is pleased to find Gabrielle fast asleep. (The Bard got tired of sitting in the chair. Her butt kept falling asleep). Deerdra sighs and shakes her head, "Gabrielle. What am I going to do with you?"

Gabrielle stirs, mumbling "Hmm?"

Deerdra jiggles the bed, "I said, Rise and Shine!"

Gabrielle's still a little groggy, "Oh." Then she realizes who's talking, "Hey, you're awake! How do you feel?"

"Refreshed, renewed, and a little upset. You shouldn't have came here."

"Don't lay there and tell me you're surprised we came. Besides, after that note you left me, where else would I be?"

Deerdra moves in close, "Right here."

Their kiss is bursting with lust and passion. They spend the rest of the daylight hours making up for lost time.

The sun's set and the moon's rise finds the renewed lovers still in bed.

Gabrielle runs her fingers through Deerdra's hair, "So, do you still want me to leave?"

Deerdra takes Gabrielle's hand and gives it a tinder kiss, "I don't want you going anywhere."

They come together and kiss. Gabrielle runs her hand down and across Deerdra's breasts, but doesn't receive the response she expects. Deerdra flinches, breaking their lip lock.

Alarmed, Gabrielle whispers, "What?"

"It's nothing. You hit my sweet spot, that's all."

Gabrielle snickers, "It's up here, huh?" She runs her fingers around Deerdra's breasts and once again, Deerdra flinches. Gabrielle frowns, "You didn't mean sweet as in pleasure, did you?"

"No sweetheart, I didn't." Deerdra rolls over onto her back to allow the firelight to illuminate her breasts. "See that scar over my heart? That's where I was run through by the sword that killed me. We immortals call it our death scar, and yes, to this day it's still tender to the touch."

Gabrielle leans across Deerdra, putting a hand on either side for support, "I can't believe I never noticed it before." She runs a finger beside the vertical line then grins, "Do you want me to kiss it and make it better?"

Deerdra smiles, "Kisses make everything better."

So Gabrielle works her way down, making everything better.

Quite some time later, but still night time, the ladies lay beside each other, basking in the afterglow.

"Deerdra, do you feel like talking about what happened at Margret's house and the village?"

Deerdra is blunt, "No."

Gabrielle's curiosity takes hold of common sense, "I'm not trying to upset you. There was just so much damage and those poles-."

"I need to find a bush. Excuse me." Deerdra grabs her clothes and walks out.

"Deerdra, I'm sorry!" She flops back onto her pillow, "Brilliant, Gabrielle. Take a hint why don't you."

Fully clothed and her bladder empty, Deerdra whispers into the night air, "Michael, may I talk with you for a few moments?"

A bright flash and the Archangel appears in all his winged glory, "I see they found you."

That's a surprise, "You told them where to find me? You said I was to walk this journey alone. What changed?"

Michael frowns, "Margret happened. You should not be alone right now."

"Well, Gabrielle is just what the doctor ordered. Which brings me to why I called on you. If she's going to be traveling with me, she needs to be able to defend herself against these demons." She takes a deep breath, "I would like her to have the Dagger of Helios."

Michael crosses his arms, "Continue."

Deerdra gives him her best argument, "You told me that if I gave each fight my all, I wouldn't loose. Well, I can't do that if I'm worrying about Gabrielle. Yes, she has the Hind's Dagger, but the Dagger of Helios is way more powerful. It would increase her odds of winning while keeping her safe and give me peace of mind."

Michael remains silent, weighing the merits of her argument.

Deerdra takes this as a sign to keep pleading her case, "Michael, you've asked the world of me and I haven't demanded anything in return. If you do this, I give you my word that I will not ask anything else from you, no matter how tempting it would be."

Before he has a chance to give her his answer Gabrielle joins their pow-wow.

"Deerdra, I'm sorr- Oh, Michael." Gabrielle isn't sure she likes this. She still doesn't trust him. "Something going on I should know about?"

Michael knows he has to win her over. He takes the first step, "We were just discussing a gift for you as a commemoration of your reunion." He holds out his hands and the Dagger of Helios appears. "To ensure your safety while you partake on this journey with Deerdra. Use it wisely."

Gabrielle is flabbergasted, "The Dagger of Helios. I'm honored, but I though Ares destroyed it."

Michael scoffs at the idea, "Your lesser gods cannot destroy that which Heaven has created."

"Obviously not. Thank you, Michael." Nope, she still doesn't trust him. Experience dictates caution.

Deerdra, on the other hand has no reason to be suspicious, yet. Right now she's just appreciative, "Yes, thank you, Michael."

"You are very welcome. Safe journey." A bright flash and he's gone.

Gabrielle turns the dagger over in her hands, "This was your idea, wasn't it?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does if you had to promise him something in return. He may be an Archangel, but he has is own agenda."

"Don't worry, sweetheart. It's all good. Ready to get some shut-eye?"

"Not yet. I know you don't want to talk about Margret's village, but I need to know something. Did she find a way to rid you of your nightmares?"

"Yep. That and a way for me to keep control when I'm angry."

Gabrielle perks up, "Really? How?"

Deerdra doesn't feel like going into detail so she plays it coy, "Let's just say that there'll be Hell to pay if I harm or disobey you."

"You have to do what I say, huh?" A mischievous grin spreads across her face.

Deerdra eyeballs her, leery of what she wants, "Yeahhh. What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

Gabrielle grabs Deerdra by the hand, "You'll see."

She drags Deerdra back into the hut then locks the door.

Meanwhile, in another part of the forest:

Xena's and Leonius are laying next to each other, asleep near the pond. Xena wakes first, a little sore from their extra curricular activities, but otherwise at peace with herself. She props up on one arm and admires this fine-looking man beside her. His golden hair, his barreled chest, his ripped abs. She considers waking him, then changes her mind.

"No, we've been gone long enough. Besides, they've had plenty of time to get reacquainted." As quietly as she can, she get up and puts her clothes on.

She's not as stealthy as she things. Leonius rouses from his slumber, "Where are you off to?"

"I want to check on Gabrielle."

Leonius is still groggy, "Oh, come on, Xena. Gabrielle has a good head on her shoulders. She can take care of herself. You don't need to hold her hand."

"Normally I'd agree with you, but when it comes to Deerdra, all reason goes out the door."

"Hold on then," Leonius stands up, "I'm coming too."

Back in the hut, Gabrielle and Deerdra are laying in bed among some very crumpled sheets. Deerdra is splayed out on her stomach, fast asleep. Gabrielle is wide awake laying on her back with her hands behind her head.

She looks over at Deerdra and sees a vertical white line near her left shoulder. It's the other side of her Death Scar. To Gabrielle, it's more than a scar, it represents all of the physical and emotional pain the woman she loves has endured over her lifetime. She lightly traces the line with a fingertip and whispers, "So much pain," then leans over and gives it a gentle kiss.

Deerdra stirs, mumbling into her pillow, "Gabrielle, you're going to wear me out."

Gabrielle chuckles, "Is that even possible?"

Deerdra rolls over, "I don't know, but it would be fun to find out."

Gabrielle giggles, "That's not why I woke you up."

"Uh, oh. I feel a talk coming on. Do I get a good morning kiss first?"

The bard grins, "Of course."

A slow, loving kiss later and Gabrielle tells Deerdra what's on her mind. "It's just occurred to me that we haven't seen or heard from Xena or Leonius since the three of us brought you back to this hut."

Deerdra says an insinuating, "Oh?" then wriggles her eyebrows up and down.

"You don't think they...Nah."

"Why not? Neither one of them is lacking in the hotness department and they do have, ahem, needs."

"Well, that's true, but it is Xena we're talking about. Trouble does seem to have a knack for finding her."

"Okay. Well get up and go look for them...provided I can still walk after last night."

Gabrielle looks down at her and just smiles.

They eventually do get up and dressed and just as the last lace is tied, in walk Xena and Leonius.

Gabrielle exclaims, "There you two are! We were about to go looking for you. Is everything alright?"

Xena and Leonius look at each other then down at the floor.

Deerdra's turn to exclaim, "Ha! I knew it!"

Leonius blushes, "Uh, Deerdra, we need to talk...now."

Xena doesn't blush, but concurs, "Yeah, Gabrielle. We need to talk as well."

Gabrielle has a flush of worry, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Come on." Xena grabs her and pulls her outside. Gabrielle snatches The Dagger off the table as she thrust out the door.

Leonius watches and waits until they are out of ear range. He runs his fingers through his hair while he quick-steps pacing around the hut.

Deerdra grows impatient with him, "Well, spill it."

Leonius is nervous, "Okay. Here it goes. Something happened between between Xena and me. Something really, really good and something really, really confusing."

"Really?" Deerdra chuckles.

"Deerdra. This is serious."

Deerdra keeps teasing him, "She does have many skills, doesn't she?"

"Deerdra."

"Okay, okay. Go on."

"Right, okay. You know-well you don't know- but, okay. I'm no slouch in the sack, but I just had two days of the best sex of my entire life."

Deerdra was expecting something dire, "And that's a problem?"

"No, the problem was that while we were, you know, it felt like someone else was controlling my body and I was on the outside looking in."

"Someone...Oh, by the gods! He did it! He finally did it! That dog!"

Not quite the reaction Leonius was expecting, "Who did what?"

"Ares." Deerdra chuckles, "After all these years of trying, lying and seducing, he finally hit on a way to get Xena into the sack. Man, this is too funny. Has she figured it out yet?"

"I don't think so, but she should know the truth."

"Not if you want to make children one day. She doesn't like to be tricked, especially by Ares."

"But I don't want to lie to her, not if we're going to build a life together. You have to have trust if-"

"Wait. It's that serious between you two?"

"It could be. I do care about her. I honestly do."

"Then you definitely can't tell her, not yet at least."

"I don't know. Deceiving her this early in the relationship doesn't seem right."

"Look. She had to have been attracted to you before the sex to even consider sleeping with you, right? So forget about Ares and just be yourself." She goes back to teasing him, "Then if it turns out she feels the same way, she may not even care that she had sex with two men at the same time." She nudges him, "Who knows, the sex could get even better."

"I don't know. With her temper. It could be risky."

"Oh, come on, Leonius! After all that we've been through, don't you think we deserve to be happy, even for a little while? I don't know how long my relationship with Gabrielle is going to last, but I'm going to make damn sure I enjoy every single moment of it for as long as she'll have me."

He looks at her and makes his eyebrows dance.

She gives him a playful shove, "Oh, get your mind out of the gutter."

"It doesn't sound like you expect your relationship to last. I thought you were in love with Gabrielle."

"I am. I just don't know for sure how she feels. If this is just a fling or if it's something more. We haven't stopped and talked about it." She glances at the ground.

He grins, "You've been a bit busy, huh? You need to find out. If it is long term, how is she going to feel if only one of you get old?"

All good cheer leaves her voice, "Maybe I don't want to know."

Now Leonius regrets bringing it up. He changes gears and revisits her first point, "Hey, maybe you're right. Why ruin a good thing before it even begins?" He smiles , "Even better sex, huh?"

Deerdra does some gutter-walling herself, "Yeah, just think about it. You and Ares working together. Man, you'll be peeling Xena off of the ceiling. Oh, and Ares. If you're hearing me, that is the only time you're to take control of Leonius. And keep in mind that if you hurt her, you'll not only have to answer to Gabrielle, but to me as well." She lowers her voice to a threatening tone, "And you don't want that. Now," she slaps his back, "Let's go find our girls and get out of here."

They start for the door, but Deerdra stops, "By the way, Ares. How are you here and not in the spirit world?"

Leonius' eyes glow a light blue as Ares takes over. "They granted me a conditional release. Stay way from Xena and I can continue on as God of War. Do me a favor, Dee. Keep blondie away. I'm having way too much fun for her to come back and ruin it."

Deerdra grins, "Ditto for Xena and it's a deal."

Ares/Leonius smiles a big toothy grin, "Oh, yeah."

While Deerdra and Leonius have their talk, Xena and Gabrielle have one of their own.

The warrior and the bard have stopped at the tree line near the pond. Xena starts to speak, but stops herself. She begins pacing in an attempt to find the right words.

Gabrielle, on the other hand finds the whole situation amusing. She can't resist teasing Xena, "So, you and Leonius, huh? Not bad. It's about time you let a good man get under your skin."

Xena glances at the hut. Does she tell Gabrielle her suspicions or doesn't she? She opts to keep them to her self for the time being, "I'm not here to discuss my love life."

"Well, we're not going to discuss mine."

"In a way, we are." Xena puts her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders and looks into her eyes, "Are you sure about Deerdra? You're happy?"

Gabrielle isn't too surprised at the questions, "Yes to both. I've never been more sure about someone-other than you, of course. Why? Wait a minute. Are you considering going off with him?"

Xena straightens up, "Yeah, I'm thinking about it. You don't need me hanging around while you're starting your new life with Deerdra." She's back to looking into Gabrielle's eyes, "But I'll only go if I know you'll be safe. A life with her won't be easy."

Gabrielle places her hands on Xena's cheeks, "I will be, I promise. Don't worry, okay. Deerdra will not hurt me. Plus, I have this." She unsheathes The Dagger.

Xena can't hide her surprise, "The Dagger of Helios? Where in the known world did you get that?"

Gabrielle grins, please to have surprised her unflappable friend, "Michael. He gave it to me last night. He doesn't seem to have a problem with me being with Deerdra."

"Oh, well then. If Michael approves, everything will be hunky dory. What could I possibly have to worry about?" Her words drip with sarcasm.

Gabrielle gives her a playful shove, "Stop. I'll be fine." She re-sheaths The Dagger, "You know, I did learn from the best. You're not the only one with special skills, you know. We may be going our separate ways, but eventually we'll find our way back to each other. We always have."

Xena's almost convinced. She knows this is Gabrielle's journey and she has to let her go, "And we always will. I'm going to miss you, Battling Bard."

"And I'm going to miss you, Warrior Princess."

A quick kiss then they hug, clinging to each other like a vine to a tree.

"I love you, Xena."

Xena can't get the words out. There seems to be a lump stuck in he throat. She whispers, "Just come back to me, okay?"

Gabrielle squeaks out an, "Okay."

Footsteps and the two part. Deerdra and Leonius come walking up along with the horses.

Deerdra surveys the situation, "Is everything alright?"

Gabrielle dabs at her eyes, "Yeah, everything's fine. Ready to go?"

The horses' reigns aren't the only thing Deerdra's holding. Jealousy is trying to break loose. She gets a firm grip then answers, "Ready, willing, and eager."

Xena marches over to Deerdra and stops mere inches from her face. She's dead serious, "You had better take good care of her or else-."

"You'll hunt me down, rip out my innards, then shove them down my throat. Got it. Don't worry, you have my word."

Xena takes a step back, "Good."

Gabrielle wags a finger at Leonius, "And you, mister-."

"I know. I know. Deerdra's already given my the lecture."

"Good." Gabrielle extends her hand, "Leonius, it's been a pleasure and an honor to meet you."

Leonius shakes her hand, "The honor has been all mine. Safe journey, Gabrielle."

Deerdra brakes up the honor a-thon, "Okay, enough with the mush. Where are you two off to?"

Xena hops onto Argo, "I'm not sure. Where does that road lead?"

Deerdra looks to her left, "I have no idea."

"Perfect." She gives Argo a gentle nudge, "Coming, Leonius?"

Leonius sits tall in his saddle, "Right behind you."

Gabrielle waves and says, "Goodbye."

Deerdra adds, "Have fun you two." Her chuckle is loud enough for Leonius to hear. He turns and shoots her a dirty look.

Gabrielle sees him, "What was that about?"

Deerdra feigns ignorance, "What was what about?"

Gabrielle doesn't buy her innocent act, "Your chuckle and his look."

"Oh," she laughs, "Okay. Don't get angry, but Ares has figured out a way to take control of Leonius' body when he and Xena have sex."

Gabrielle wasn't expecting that answer, "What? I thought Ares was banished to the Higuchi spirit world."

"He was, but the spirits let him come back...on one condition. He as to stay away from Xena. I guess taking over another man's body doesn't count."

"I doubt they know. Wow! After all of his lying and scheming, he finally found a way to get her. She's going to be pretty ticked when she finds out."

"Gabrielle, this is Xena. What are the odd she doesn't already suspect something is going on?"

Gabrielle concedes that point, "Slim to none."

"Exactly. Neither Leonius nor Ares is going to tell her and if she does thing something funny is going on... well, could be she's just toying with them and having some, ahem, fun in the process. The ball is in her court, so to speak."

Gabrielle giggles, "You're bad."

Deerdra pulls Gabrielle to her, "Don't you know it."

A quick smooch then Deerdra asks, "By the way. Where did you get the nifty shoulder scabbard?"

"Oh, this,?" Gabrielle holds the tanned leather holder out in front of her, "It was on the table when we got up this morning. Didn't you put it there?"

"Nope. Michael must have."

"Huh." Gabrielle sets it down then holds Deerdra's hands, "So, where to from here?"

Deerdra thinks for a moment. She smiles, "Have you ever been to Lutetia Parisiorum in West Francia?"

"Hmm, can't say that I have. It has a pretty name, though."

Deerdra's feeling romantic, "It's beauty is only second to your own."

Gabrielle laughs, "You're a nut."

Deerdra takes pride in that. She puffs up, "Yep. So, Parisiorum it is!"

And off they go to start the next chapter in their renewed, yet never boring lives.

*CONTINUED*