Overall general Disclaimers: Can you guess this part? I can do it with my eyes closed . You can, too. Go ahead. Close your eyes and say it. Xena, Gabrielle, Jan, Mel, Ephiny, etc.. don't belong to me. I am borrowing them to help me out with a little tale I am telling. Candace, Taylor, Skye and Terra belong to me and I have control. AHHHHAHAHAAHA! Control I tell you! Come Igor, set the electrodes! What do you meant you got me an abnormal brain? Oh well, it happens.

Where was I....Oh yeah. X, G, yada yada belong to...you know who. I am not making any money doing this, but I am writing a novel that might one day!

Sex disclaimer: It's in there. Don't like it? Man, are you in the wrooong place! This is a story about the interaction and love between women. Just women. If this is illegal where you live, save me the grief and don't read this or even save it on disk to read later or print it out and save it on paper, in a white three ring binder, in alphabetical order, indexed and cross referenced, Kim (aka the Phantom). Please, if you are underage don't read this. I appreciate the fact that it's OK with your mom but it's not OK with me. Come back when you turn 18. I'll be waiting. No, not like that! For heaven's sake get your mind out of the gutter!

Violence Disclaimer: Yep. Xena and the gang get nasty. It is kind of graphic, so if violence offends you....why do you watch the show? Heads getting lopped off. Blood and guts flying everywhere. Women nursing babies. It's just gruesome some days! But, have no fear! There are no nursing scenes in this story.

Spoilers: Oh yeah. I mention little things all over (e.g. In the spoilers). If you don't want to know how things go in the show don't read this. Actually, it's part of the plot line, so it really sucks for you.

Thanks for reading. Tell your friends if you like this. This is my shameless plug to try to get more Xenites to read my stuff! Tell your lists, tell your friends, tell your mother.....wait, maybe not. Enjoy! Love you all.

Comments go to UgoXena@aol.com

©kg2000

Part 6

Four slightly worn travelers and two Amazon escort cut a path to Amazon country. They had been three days out on what should have been a two-day journey. Having two young women with them that were unused to travel and fascinated by the world around them, made for a slow trip. Candace and Taylor hiked and climbed often in the mountains of Colorado and so were used to the rigors of hiking and riding. Candace had been raised around horses and so was not unfamiliar with saddle soreness. Skye and Terra however were beginning to walk like, well...not Egyptians.

"Miss Gabrielle, I know this will slow us down but I don't think my butt can handle any more riding today. I need to walk."

Gabrielle scrunched up her nose and sucked in a small breath. "Terra, I know you're in pain but I think Xena wants to be to the village by nightfall. The longer we travel the more susceptible we are to not so welcome elements and dangers. When word gets out from scouts and other travelers that royalty is moving through the region, it can get nasty."

"Can I sit on a blanket or something?" The poor girl was really in pain.

"I think we can arrange that." She called up to the leader, "Yo! Xe! Can we stop for a few?"

Her wife turned to look back at her. Xena lifted an eyebrow but didn't question the reason behind the break. "Sounds like lunch anyway. Plus we can water the horses and fill the skins."

The group banded in a small area under a large shade tree. The day was slightly over cast and breezy. Skye for one was pleased for the cooler weather. She wasn't at all accustomed to heat or the glaring sun. She sat in the cool of the shade and watched the woman that had captured her heart amble slowly towards her. Terra was moving tenderly with her legs apart. Skye giggled and the blue eyed young woman turned to look at her.

"I am glad that I so amuse you, Skye." She wasn't really angry just irritable. She grimaced as she took a step towards her friend.

"I am not amused, Ter. I would say that I am sympathetic. Plus you look cute when you walk like that. Can you sit with me?" Green eyes plead sweetly and there was no way Terra could deny her.

"I can try." She made her way to the tree and slid slowly to the ground. Skye put a hand on her thigh and she felt so much better. "Hi."

Skye blushed and smiled widely at her. "Hi yourself." She leaned in and Terra took the hint placing her lips on her love's.

"Mmmm. Much better." Love was a great cure for many ills.

There was a sudden sound behind the woman and Terra was on her feet faster than the eye could follow. The soreness in her limbs was forgotten and her senses heightened. Reece rode into the area and yelled for the leader of the group.

"Xena! We've got company. Fifteen maybe twenty, and they aren't friendly."

"Where's Gabrielle?" Xena looked around for her wife and didn't find her.

Taylor pointed in the direction she had seen the regent walk. "She went to fill the skins. Stay here I'll get her." She turned and almost ran into the small blonde.

Gabrielle had her sais in hand and prepared for battle. "No need. I'm here."

Xena heard the band approaching and nodded at Taylor. " Ready?"

"Hoo Yaa, Master Chief. Let's rock." She had a feral grin plastered across her face and Candace shook her head.

*Who is this mad woman?* There was no time to answer the question before the men were upon them. She drew her sword and stepped into the fray. A large blonde man swung his sword in an arc straight down at her. She glance blocked the blow off to her left and drew a long dagger from her boot. Before the man could recover his position she stabbed him once in the kneecap. He screamed as blood spurted from the wound and he knelt to the ground. Skye, who was standing right behind her stepped swiftly forward and jabbed him quickly in the neck. He fell to the ground without another sound.

"Is he alive?" Candace looked in awe at the young woman.

"For now." Skye gave her a serious look and took off to her next victim. A stocky man with dark hair grasped her from behind. She abruptly threw out both of her elbows and dropped with all of her body weight. She slipped from his grasp. She turned on her knees and used her elbow to strike a solid blow to his groin. His dark head dropped sharply and she palmed his nose into his brain. He was not likely to get back up. Ever.

Terra saw the move from the corner of her eye but had no time to concentrate on the scene. Her right leg was swinging a fast arc at an open chest. She felt the bones under her foot give way and she followed up with a jumping left foot round house to his temple. His commission was over as well as his neck snapped like a twig. Another man descended on her and she nonchalantly punched him in the throat. He would gag for a while before he suffocated.

Xena was more than pleased with the way the group was working. She didn't have time to really contemplate the intricacies as she ran one brigand through with her sword and punched another in the face. Reece yelled and jumped behind the tall warrior just in time to block the blow that was raining down at Xena's shoulder. Xena gave the Amazon and nod and turned to fight again. She saw Taylor engaged with a tall bald man carrying daggers in his hands. She couldn't watch the scenario for the men bearing down on her. She needn't worry.

Taylor threw out the end of her chain to wrap around the wrist of her opponent and flicked it back quickly. The speed and abruptness of the move sent his dagger flying into the air. He watch its descent carry into his opponents hand. Taylor had never in her life dreamed that she could or ever would kill anyone but her instincts took over. As the hilt hit her palm she threw the knife sharply at her enemy. The blade buried itself into his forehead up to the hilt. He fell forward at her feet, dead. She stared at the body but had no time to react to the feeling before another man was upon her. He thrust his blade straight at her guts. She moved into him and side-stepped. With her forearm she blocked his sword arm out and grabbed him simultaneously. She pulled him toward her and used his own sword to stab the man behind them. Her head flew forward and she butted him, she then kneed him in the guts. As he bent she kneed him this time in the face. His sword withdrew from the man's body behind her and as he fell his intestines littered the ground. She really thought she would be sick, but now was not the time. Her focus turned to the last of the invaders going against Gabrielle.

The group stood and watched as Gabrielle masterfully blocked and parried the larger man's strikes. If she needed their help she could ask. The man delivered the wrong strike and the regent blocked the blow with the fork end of her weapons. With the blade caught in the tines, she twisted and snapped it easily. With nothing left to defend himself she took advantage of her opening . She spun the sais in her hand and used the pommel ends to strike solid arcing blows to both temples. The man crumpled and a stinging front kick sent him crashing to ground. He would live to breathe again but my goodness what a headache he would have.

Most of the men that had come against them were dead and some were soon to be. The man that Skye had struck in the neck began to spasm and the blonde girl walked up to him. She struck his neck again and he began to breathe smoothly. Just as quickly she poked him in the back and he was paralyzed. "What the fuck do you guys think you're doing! HUH?" It was the first time in her life that she had ever been able to strike back at an opponent and she was pissed. It seemed that she would take all of it out on this one man if he weren't careful.

"Xe, you wanna step in here?" Gabrielle looked at her wife expectantly.

"Nope." Xena watched the proceedings with great interest.

Skye circled the prone man on the ground while her friends observed She was almost oblivious to them. She placed another strike on a sensitive spot and yelled at him as he whimpered. "Answer the question asshole, or I'll make you wish your mother had never seen your ugly face!"

The group stood around looking at each other stupidly, shrugging and with their respective eyebrows raised as high as they would go. Who knew.

The man gasped out a whispered answer. "Creighton."

There was total deafening silence. It was as if the birds themselves had found a place to hide from the wrath of a small blonde teenager.

Skye whispered. "It can't be." She released the man from his captivity and punched him unmercifully in the face. His head hit the ground with a thud. As he hit the ground so did the blonde.

Terra rushed to her side and raised her up into her strong arms. The tall assassin lovingly cradled her soulmate and carried her to the shade of the tree. She sat them both on the ground and put her head on the crown of Skye's. The girl looked up at her mentor. "What did he mean, Xena? Is Creighton here?"

The Warrior Princess looked hard at Terra. She remembered back to the evening when Reece had told them the story of Senar's death. The two young women had been standing apart from the group and hadn't heard the name mentioned. She hadn't known at the time the significance of the name either. She looked at Gabrielle and then to Taylor and Candace. The answer was obvious.

"Yeah, Terra. I think so."

"Then we should kill him." She said it without ire or passion. She had turned cold and remote in her attitude. The chill in her voice even made Xena shiver. She knew that voice. It had been hers many years ago.

"Terra, sweetie." Candace squatted down next to the young woman and stroked her hair. The rest of the party thought she was brave to do so. "We will do what needs to be done when we find out what's going on."

Terra turned cold blue eyes on her and she had a small amount of fear looking into the deep steel of that gaze. Candace held her own and gazed warily back.

"What's going on Miss Candace, is that the animal that made me who I am, has tried to kill me, you, our friends. He was the one that made sure Skye and I were tortured, raped and beaten for no apparent reason. He enslaved an entire race of people and then destroyed the world. What more information do you think you need?"

"You have very valid points Terra, but there may be things we need to do before we can follow our emotions. Time has been altered and it's necessary to find out what he has to do with it. Then I promise we will take care of him. One way or the other. Patience, Terra. Wait for it. It will come."

"I will only wait so long, Miss Candace. Then I will hunt down and kill the bastard with my bare hands. And THAT is a promise." She turned her head away and kissed Skye's forehead.

Candace frowned and stood up. Terra was one pissed off ex-slave with skills to do away with an entire culture if she so pleased. She was thinking that anger management was a definitely a good idea in the case of the two young women.

"You guys alright?" Gabrielle spoke to Candace and primarily to Taylor. She knew Taylor was going to need to talk about this. Losing ones blood innocence was never an easy thing. It might take some time to sink in but she would feel it soon enough.

Candace nodded and looked at her lover. Taylor was pale and drawn. She looked around at the carnage and began to shake. The firefighter had seen this before but that time it hadn't come from her hand. She had killed not one but three men. She had killed. She had.

"Honestly, I think I need to puke." She turned and ran into the bushes and lost all that she had in her stomach and then some things she had no idea she had eaten. Candace allowed her the time to collect her self and then walked calmly up to her.

"Taylor, I am so sorry." She put a sweet arm around her partner and squeezed slightly.

"I'll be alright. I just didn't think I would really kill anyone. Hurt them maybe, cripple them at worst but kill them. Uh uh." Her eyes stared off into the distance and she contemplated her own being. It was fragile as she had proven just moments before.

"You know you didn't have much of a choice. If you don't kill them they kill you. I didn't have the chance to freak out when I killed Pracmore's men in the battle over water rights. I was too busy trying to die. I did think about it afterward and it hurt deeply, but eventually I saw the necessity of it. You were protecting us. Protecting me. I love you, Miss Taylor."

"I would never let anything happen to you if I could help it."

"Of course you wouldn't, Junior. You did well today. I am proud of you." Xena patted Taylor on the shoulder and put an arm around Candace's waist. She gave the small blonde a squeeze and Candace hugged her in return. Taylor smiled at her with a slight smirk.

"Xe, what do you do with the bodies?" Taylor wasn't sure she wanted to spend the rest of the day digging graves.

"We leave them. The ones left alive will report to their camp and they'll send men back to strip the bodies and burn them. See anything you need or want?"

"Not really. I don't need trophies for killing." Taylor walked away toward the stream to wash the blood from her hands.

"She's a good woman, Candace."

"Oh yeah. She's more than I could have hoped for after you." She squeezed Xena again.

Gabrielle caught Xena on the other side and gave her a loving hug. "What are you two talking about?"

"We're admiring my girlfriend." Candace released Xena and switched her attention to Gabrielle.

"Really? Huh, I didn't think she was quite your type, honey." Gab ribbed her wife and laughed.

"Oh Ha ha. Honestly, she's got it all, good looking, brave, good heart, morals. More than I could ever hope to be." Both women looked at her to see if she was serious. When they saw that she was, they both shook their heads.

"Uh Xe. She's exactly what you are. You're the original." Candace let go her hold on Gabrielle and headed off to find Taylor while Xena thought about what she had just said. *She never gives herself enough credit.*

Candace found her girlfriend washing the stains from her shirt. "Hey Tay, you really should try to wear something or people like me could try to take advantage of you."

Taylor's blue eyes looked up from her task and took in the words that Candace had said as if trying to make sense of them. She was in shock, that much was obvious.

"Taylor, are you OK?" Candace was really concerned.

These words the firefighter understood. "No."

"What can I do?"

"Can you make it so I didn't really kill three men?" She stood for a moment looking at the woman that meant more to her than life itself. She felt as if she had decreased in her green eyes and she didn't think she could ever begin to live with that feeling. A sudden emptiness over whelmed her, tears filled her eyes and she crumpled to her knees in the middle of the stream. She started pounding her fist into the water screaming out her frustration.

Candace allowed her soulmate to vent some of her anger and frustration. When Taylor ceased her wailing and slowed the violent outburst, the blonde approached her bent form and knelt beside her in the shallow water. Tears streamed down her reddened face in torrents. The small regent took her in her arms and rocked her as she sobbed out in her grief.

"God, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I never meant to kill anyone." Taylor whispered through her tears.

Candace was silent. She knew Taylor wasn't speaking to her. Her firefighter had very deep convictions and was seeking a forgivness she couldn't give her. She continued to rock the tall woman until Taylor had ceased her petitions. Her tears dried and her movements stopped. She clung to Candace tightly seeking a solid foundation. Her world was reeling and Candace and her God were the only things that were going to let her stand again.

"Taylor, I need to say this and I want you to listen." Candace felt her head nod and she continued, "What you did today was very brave and very necessary. I know you don't see it that way now and maybe you never will, but we are in a time when some things become necessary to survive. I can't make you feel any better about what you did, but I am very proud of you. I love you very much." She kissed her crown. "Thank you."

"Thank me? For what." She tried not to sound bitter. It didn't work.

"For upholding the trust that was placed in you. You are a leader in this group second only to Xena. She trusts you to do what it takes to insure the safety of the people in her charge. You did well."

Taylor thought for a long moment. As much as she hated the facts, Candace was right. "I'm second to Xena, huh?"

"Yeah. She wouldn't have taught the things to you that she did if she didn't expect you to take her place should the need arise. You have a very special place with her and you proved yourself worthy."

"But it's not the person I am, Candace. I am not a killer like Terra." She didn't add Xena's name because she didn't see the warrior in that light.

"No sweetheart, you're not a killer like Terra. You are someone who had to kill. Believe it or not there is a difference. Answer this for me, if anyone of those guys had come close to killing me what would you have done?" Her soft eyes plead with Taylor to understand the implication of her query.

"I'd have ripped them apart." Her face contorted into an angry grimace.

"Well, that's exactly what you did. If you hadn't done exactly what you did one of those men may have killed one of us. Do you see?" Taylor nodded. "Come on. Let's get out of these wet clothes. We need to get a move on so we can make the village by nightfall."

Candace helped her partner to her feet and draped the wet shirt around her shoulders. It would have to do until they could get her a change of clothes from the packs.

Taylor was shivering as much from the cold as from the emotions still running through her. If it were not for the love of the woman supporting her right now she doubted she could make it through. She was lucky to have this love and she had come to cherish it all the more in the past half-hour. *It's no wonder Xena never got over you.* Taylor looked down at Candace while the blonde navigated the rocks. The serious look on her normally smiling face displayed to her the depth of person with whom she had fallen in love.

They found the group assembled a distance away from the site of the conflict. To their great relief a fire had been built and the two soaked women huddled around it. Gabrielle tended to the wounded men. It was truly like the bard no doubt. She didn't coddle them but she made sure that they wouldn't die from their wounds.

Candace and Taylor changed their clothes and hung the wet up by the fire to dry for a bit. Xena handed them both a cup of steaming liquid she then put a protective arm around Taylor's shoulder. She pulled her close and Taylor leaned into the hug placing a weary head on Xena's shoulder. The warrior whispered something in her ear that no one else heard and Taylor shook her head. They had a very quiet one way conversation with Xena imparting her wisdom to a very fragile woman. Xena kissed her forehead and continued to hold her.

It was a very private moment and the blonde singer moved to where Gabrielle was attending to their enemies. Candace watched the bard for a few more moments then approached her. "Can I help you with anything, Gab?"

"Nah. I'm about finished here. Is she going to be alright?" Gabrielle stood up and wiped off her hands. She glanced over at Taylor and noted that the firefighter was red eyed and withdrawn.

"I think so. It was tough though. It's against her nature and her convictions to kill, but I think she is beginning to see the necessity in this case. It'll take her time to reconcile it all, but she is tough and her heart is pure." The blonde sighed and dropped her head. She didn't know what to do for Taylor. Gabrielle was about to tell her.

"She needs you, Candace. Love her tonight like there is no tomorrow. Make her feel the life. Do you understand?" The regents green eyes sought Candace's.

"Yes. I understand." She nodded her understanding. Gabrielle walked away and Candace stared at the firefighter. Taylor needed to be brought back to where life exists and that place was a sacred gift that they had been given. It was the safe haven in the unity of their souls.

=/~~~~~~~~~~~~~>

The very quiet group would soon gain the out skirts of the lands of the Amazons. Terra once again shared a saddle behind Candace. She had been in a nasty mood since earlier that afternoon when she had discovered the presence of the demon of her time with them in the present. Skye was not much better off but her anger was subsiding to a dull edge. Candace decided that they needed some kind of distraction. She asked Terra to hand her the small instrument swinging on the side of the saddle. Candace strummed it and checked the tuning. Taylor looked at her warily. She didn't want to hear anything rambunctious right now. Candace nodded at her not to worry. She sang softly to the group letting them know how she felt about them all:

She continued to sing her heart and the mood in the group slowly lifted with the notes and lyrics to the song. They all knew that they were there for each other and if that meant protecting one another at any cost then so be it. It was perfect.

Reece rode back with word that she had requested royal escort and that they would be joining them shortly. Xena nodded and solemnly contemplated the reason they had made the trip in the first place. If they couldn't find a way to set the time line straight, Senar would be truly dead .

"Did you tell them that Candace was with us?"

"Not exactly. I just told them that you and the Regent were traveling with some very special guests. The watch commander tried to argue protocol with me about only allowing Amazons to the funeral. Commander Julisa overrode her and dispatched an armed escort immediately. Seems she already knows who we have in our midst but she kept the secret to herself and made it a, what did Janice call it?..top secret. She made Giva keep silent about it. Even Queen Ephiny doesn't know. That was a feat in that camp, with the way word gets around."

Taylor's ears perked up. "Janice? You mean Mel and Janice?"

Candace heard the names and was up with the lead in no time. "What about Mel and Jan?"

"To answer your question Taylor, I couldn't tell you if there is a Mel or not, but there is a Janice. She is an older woman with a mouth on her like pirate gone bad." She grinned and laughed at the memory.

Candace and Taylor both smiled and Candace stated, "Yep. That's our Dr. Jan."

Gabrielle turned to Candace. "I take it you know this woman."

"Oh yeah. She is a dear friend of ours. She and her partner Melinda helped us through a very difficult time, me especially. It was when I very first returned home. Taylor had your scroll and they were the only ones who could translate it. You know Tay, I have a feeling that Mel must be here as well. I can't imagine that we would all be here as couples and that Jan would be here alone. The thought plickens."

Xena looked at Taylor in confusion while Gabrielle laughed in reply to the bad joke. "Indeed it does my friend. Indeed it does."

Xena whispered to Taylor, "The thought plickens. What's that?"

"It's a very bad play on words. The plot thickens."

"I got that but.....never mind." She spoke to the group. "Almost home kids. Just think, a warm bed and a soft woman or is that a warm woman and a soft bed."

The rest of the crew answered in unison. "Both!"

The thought of either of them made Skye blush. Again. She really needed to get over that.

Within the half hour six ornately clad warriors fell into line with the group. It was an interesting study for the new additions. Six women that all matched in appearance. Xena and Gabrielle were of course familiar to all of them. Three of them were not known to any of the escort, but the one small blonde was known to some and they were shocked to see her.

"Regent Candace? Is that really you?"

"Mishre. How's it goin"?" She smiled at the soldier. Mishre had helped in the counter-intelligence during the Kayla incident as it was now called.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Mishre suddenly remembered who she was talking to and changed her attitude in a hurry. She bowed her head, "Forgive me. I mean no disrespect at all your Highness."

Both of Taylor's brows shot up. She came to a late epiphany that this was real and she was the companion of royalty. She had better find out quickly what was expected of her. She trotted Mugs to Xena's side wishing she had asked much sooner. She wouldn't be taken by surprise again.

While Candace and Gabrielle spoke with the guards and Taylor and Xena discussed Taylor's role as Candace's chaperon, the two girls looked at the women surrounding them. One of the younger escorts caught the gaze of Skye and the blonde saw the look in her eyes was one of interest. Her heart raced and she looked away. Terra saw the exchange and jealousy raced through her limbs. She was not one to keep her thoughts to herself. She jumped down off the horse she was sharing with Candace. The regent looked after her with curiosity. "Terra, where...."

"Excuse me." Terra addressed the offending party.

The soldier looked down at her with a haughty air. "What."

Gabrielle stepped in with vengeance. "Soldier! You will address all persons in this caravan with respect. Do I make myself clear?"

Sufficiently cowed she replied. "Yes, your Highness." She turned to Taylor with politeness in her voice but attitude in her eyes. "I am sorry. What can I do for you?"

Taylor made note of the look but ignored it for now. "I see you have taken notice of Skye."

"What? The sky? It's almost dark. I can't see the sky." She thought the girl was not all there.

"Not the sky. The blonde woman there." She pointed to Xena's companion. "Her name is Skye."

"Thank you for letting me know. She is quite beautiful." She smiled in the direction of the golden hair.

The five women in the group ceased their discussions to listen in on the conversation taking place just a few meters away. Xena signaled for a stop so that this situation could be resolved. The Amazon warrior would soon learn a lesson if she didn't back down.

"Yes she is and she's very.....uh...what's the word. Gabrielle?" She looked to her frined for help.

"Taken?" The regent gave it her best shot.

"That's not what I was thinking,"

"Your girlfriend?" Taylor suggested.

"Well, yes she is but that's not it either."

"She's your hot babe." All eyes turned to Candace. "It was just an idea. Sheesh."

"Terra, she is spoken for." The warrior princess came up with it.

"Exactly! She is spoken for, so I would suggest that you keep your leering glances to yourself." Terra's voice was very low but extremely pointed. She was not disguising her meaning.

The warrior looked up at the rest of the group and wasn't sure how to react. They looked back at her expectantly. She decided not to pursue the issue at this moment. "I apologize. You are a lucky woman." She still held a hint of aggravation in her voice.

"You bet your ass I am. Now back off." She turned with a frightening quickness and vaulted easily to her place at Candace's back. "Sorry, Xena. Shall we?"

"By all means." She smirked slightly and glanced over at Taylor. That was interesting.

Gabrielle guided her horse to the soldiers side. "Do you have a name warrior?"

"Yes, your Highness. It's Lissa." She wasn't really sure she wanted to be under the scrutiny of the blonde leader.

"Let me give you some advice, Lissa. Not two candle marks ago that woman killed four heavily armed men with nothing but her hands and her feet, and she didn't even feel bad about it. I would suggest that you not even think about Skye let alone look at her. Understand?" As a member of the reigning monarchy she felt it her duty to try to keep the subjects safe. She hoped it sunk through that thick Amazon pride. If not she would surely learn the hard way. She rode away without knowing if the Amazon understood the danger she was in.

The sun was fully down when the group finally rode into the Amazon compound. Candace looked around and took in the sight. It was almost exactly as she had left it. Most of the women would be in the dining hall right about now. She eyes scanned the center of the camp and saw the funeral pyre set in the center of the area. She dismounted and untied her packs. She let go the reigns and her horse was led to the stables. The regent wandered to the pyre and bowed her head. Her heart grieved for her friend. Senar had done so much for her and had stood in support of her more times than she could count. Of the three women, she had been the closest to the mighty warrior. Her pain was deep but she had an inner conviction that all was not as it appeared. This was wrong, the bad thing about it was that if things were set right her queen would die in Senar's place. *This really sucks!*

"Candace!"

The blonde turned to the voice calling to her. A broad grin hit her face. "Mel!"

"Hello, sweet girl. How ah you!" The two women embraced.

"Well, except for the reason we are here, I'm good! We heard Jan was here, I just knew you would be as well." Candace tucked her shorter frame under Mel's protective arm. The two women strolled to where the rest of the group was unloading the horses.

"Is my favorite fiahfightah with you?" Mel looked into the semi darkness to see if she could get a glimpse of Taylor.

"Well of course. Tay! Look who I have!"

"Hey, Professor. Good to see you." She looked around. "Strange but good. Where's Jan?"

"She'll be along shortly. She can't wait to meet Xena. I sweah she's goin' to have a heart attack."

The remainder of the women watched with interest as Melinda approached the group and Xena was floored by the appearance of the tall elegant woman. She was distracted by an elbow to the ribs.

"Xe, if you look like that when you grow up, we are sure to have a great time for many years to come. My goodness. She's beautiful." Gabrielle stared unashamedly at the older woman.

Melinda's blue eyes settled on the face of the woman who would be her ancestor. There was no mistaking the immediate connection. Xena drew in a sharp breath. The tall professor strolled to the Warrior Princess and offered her hand.

"I am Melinda Pappas. It is my pleasuah to meet you." Mel held Xena's gaze.

For some reason the mighty warrior was unsettled by this woman. "I am Xena and the pleasure is mine."

"And YOU must be Gabrielle. Beautiful!"

"Thank you." Gabrielle didn't often blush but for whatever reason she blushed deeply.

"No need to thank me for statin' the obvious." She coined a phrase Cyrene was quite fond of.

"And you two." She turned her body to face the two young women. She walked up to Skye and gave her a gentle hug. Skye's eyes widened in wonder. Mel then turned her attention to Terra and placed her in a sweet embrace as well. Terra returned the hug with sweet surrender. She liked this woman. Mel didn't know it but she was right then and there adopted into the young woman's personal charge. Nothing would harm her as long as Terra had a say in it.

"HOT DAMN!!" A loud yell ricocheted off of the surrounding buildings.

Candace and Taylor both grinned and spun in the direction of the voice. "JAN!" They cried in unison.

The short woman bounded toward them as fast as she could go. She pulled them to her. "Shit! It's good to see you two."

"Janice, could you puhlease keep the swearin' to a dull rorah." She smiled affectionately at her lover.

"C'mon Belle, lighten up. Our girls are here! And woodja look at that!" Here eyes planted themselves on Xena and didn't waver as she approached the tall warrior. "Mel! Look at this!" She grasped Xena by the arms and spun her around. "Check out this scabbard. Wow. The intricate work. Ours is so old and decayed. This has all the details right here." Jan stopped her detailed analysis of the scabbard and grasped the warrior's greaves and held up the dark woman's arms.

Xena watched in total confusion as the short woman scurried around her making numerous observations. The woman would grab this thing or that and make a comment on it as if she weren't even a part of the picture. Candace and Gabrielle stifled laughs as Taylor turned her head to hide her amusement. Terra and Skye were eyeing the stranger warily. If she made one false move the would move in. There was no need.

"Jan."

"Mmm?" She was in a deep close up study of Xena's breast plate.

"Jan, deah."

"Mm?"

"Look up."

As she did she was met with the deepest set of inquiring blue eyes she had ever seen gazing down on her.

"Can I help you find something?" She used her deepest voice on this interesting person. Xena was sure she would get the full story later about what this woman was doing and why.

"Uhhhh I umm. No." Jan stepped back sheepishly.

"Someone make a mahk on the calandah. Jan is speechless!" Mel was highly amused by the entire scene. Leave it to her partner to relish the relics when the real McCoy was right in front of her.

"Haha Mel. I'm Janice Covington. It's an honor to meet you." She nodded her head and offered her hand.

The dark haired woman accepted the hand. "Xena. The honor is mine, Doctor Covington. This is my wife Gabrielle and this is Terra and Skye. I gather you already know Candace and Taylor. She smiled at the doctor tolerantly. She turned to her posse. "I don't know about the rest of you but I am hungry and need some rest. I am going to eat anyone to join me?"

"I'm famished." Taylor piped in her vote.

"I am sure we could eat." Terra answered for both of them.

"Your Highnesses?" Xena nodded at the two women who in turn looked at each other.

"You four go ahead and eat. We need to see Ephiny first. Jan, Mel, will you please keep an eye on them?" Candace kissed her lover on the cheek and waited for Gabrielle to do the same with her wife.

The bard reassured them, "We won't be long."

"We'll be sure they save you a plate.....or five." Taylor thought herself funny but was met with harsh stares from the regents. "What?"

Instead of dignifying the answer, they spun on dainty heels and headed for the queens hut.

Xena shot Taylor a look through her bangs. "One of these days you'll learn."

"Whaaaaat?"

"Look Tay, they're girls, yeah I know what I called them, but they are. You can't tease them about their eating habits. Only they can do that. Am I right, Melinda?"

"My sweet doctor here has never been sensitive in that way really, only when it suits her to be, but I have to agree with you Xena. You can't comment on their eating and you CAN'T call them girls."

"Not to their face anyway." Jan was all over it.

Skye could hold it back no longer. "You DO call them girls! Oooooh wait until I tell them!" She stomped off in the direction she saw some of the other Amazons heading. Fortunately for her it was the dining hall.

Terra went after her but was shrugged off in disdain. "But, Skye it isn't me. I don't do that! Will you wait?" Skye kept walking leaving the rest of the women in the dust. All Terra could do was stare after her.

Xena and the rest caught up to Terra. "We are in sooo much trouble."

A passing form caught up to Skye and began to speak with her and escort her into the large room. Terra just about jumped out of her skin in anger. "That wench." She recognized Lissa's shape and started to go after them.

Xena caught her just in time. "Terra, there will be no killing the Amazons. Do I make myself clear."

"Yes." She paused in thought. "Can I hurt her really bad?" She was serious.

Xena shook her head. "Not unless she challenges you."

"Damn. But what about Skye?" There was desperation in her tenor.

Janice spoke up. "In my never to be humble opinion, if you want to keep her at your side, make her think you can find someone else. Ya know, green eyed monster." She wagged her eyebrows.

Melinda gently swatted her lover's arm." Janice, I sweah. That is the worst thing I have evah heard you say. She is too naive to understand jealousy like that. She will think that Terra doesn't love her and she will be lost to her. Terra, let her go. She loves you. She'll be back."

"Miss Melinda, what makes you think she loves me. Look at her. She's already off with another woman and we just got here. I'm not hungry. You go ahead." Terra split off and walked away. She hurt all over her body.

They watched her walk toward the tree line and decided she needed to work this out in her own way. Three tall dark haired, blue eyed women and one shorter blonde with green eyes caused an interesting hush to fall over the diners in the hall. They had heard the rumors and had seen Jan and Mel but here they were and it was strange to say the least.

Lissa turned to look at what was capturing the attention of her fellows. She noted that Terra wasn't in the group and she smiled. *Perfect.*

"So tell me Skye, are you and Terra lovers then?" She smiled down at the young woman in a very seductive fashion.

Skye couldn't even look at the woman. *Creighto,n but she was getting personal.* "No."

"No? Odd. She said that you were spoken for. Is that not correct? Are you to be married or not?"

"Marriage?" Skye panicked. "Oh No! We aren't getting married." She didn't understand the concept really. Even the Owners didn't marry. She had heard of the practice but had never considered it for herself.

"Then you are available."

They walked together down the food line. Lissa nodded at the woman across the line and winked at her. The girl blushed and then noted with displeasure the soldier's companion was quite lovely. *Typical Lissa. Winking at me while she's hitting on someone else. Gods!*

"Available? I don't understand." Skye was oblivious as to what this woman was getting at.

"You are available to see other people. You know date. Hold hands with someone else. Maybe kiss them. Humm?"

Skye suddenly knew what this person was after. It seemed to her that as nice as Lissa seemed she had no respect for other people's relationships. Terra had spoken for her and that to Skye told her everything she needed to know about how Terra felt about her. There was nothing she would do to let her soulmate down. She didn't yet realize that she already had.

"No Lissa, I am not available. Terra has spoken for me and I love her. Sorry." She took her plate and looked for her friends.

They were in line behind her watching the interaction with great interest. Xena and Jan about burst out laughing when Skye had walked away from the Amazon. The look on Lissa's face was priceless. Her jaw literally hung open and she was stunned. Taylor shook her head and almost felt bad for the woman who had tried to wedge herself between a connection that had no openings.

"Where's Terra?" Skye was surprised that her love wasn't with the rest of the women.

"Uhuuuuu. She....uh. I uh. Tay?" Xena wasn't sure what to say.

"She's walking." More informative but still vague.

"Walking. After today she's out walking. I don't think so." She turned to Janice. If she were anything like Candace and Gabrielle she would give her a straight answer. "Janice?"

"Huh? Who me? Oh ummm. It's like Taylor said, she went for a walk." Good job Jan.

Skye frowned at the older woman. *Well, one thing is for sure she is nothing like either Candace or Gabrielle.*

Melinda looked at her companions in frustrated amusement. "Honey, she was upset that you were angry with her and then she saw you with the attractive soldier theah." She nodded her head in Lissa's direction. "She didn't feel much like eatin' or watchin' you with anothah woman." She looked at her other friends. "Remind me to have you three checked for mental disorders later."

"Here take my plate." She handed her food to Jan whose eyes lit up. "Which way did she go?" She realized she had much to learn about how to behave toward her girlfriend. She had messed up and wanted to make it right as soon as she could.

"She went that way, toward the tree line." Taylor pointed the way and much to Lissa's chagrin, Skye took out after her.

Outside Skye turned in the direction that Taylor had pointed and slowly searched for the woman she loved so very much. She paused and listened for a sound but there was nothing to be heard but the breeze rustling through the lush trees. Then she felt it; a burning in her chest that guided her steps. She followed the feeling within her and soon her eyes found an outlined shadow in the soft moonlight.

She approached her quietly even though Terra knew she was there.

"Hey, Ter." Skye reached out a hand to touch a strong shoulder. It twitched under her touch and she removed it.

Terra looked up and wiped the tears from her face. She wished Skye hadn't found her like this. "Hi, Skye. What brings you all the way out here? Shouldn't you be with your new friend?" Her voice was neither bitter nor angry just sad.

"No. I should be with you. And that is why I am here."

Her voice was so soft and full of love Terra felt the power of it to the marrow of her soul. She turned around to face the blonde woman that had come to the rescue of her being. She reached out a large hand to caress the face that stared up at her. The skin beneath her hands was soft and smooth. The feel of it made her hand tingle at the touch. She bent her head slowly to Skye and captured the lips that called her name in the dark. The sweet feel of the kiss caused the taller woman to moan softly.

The sound sent tingles of electricity skipping through Skye. She reached her arm behind Terra's neck and pressed for more contact. Terra's arms wrapped around her small companion and she lifted the small blonde off the ground. Instinctively Skye's legs encircled themselves tightly around the slim waist of her captor. Mouths opened in invitation to love and desire and their tongues danced hotly against each other. Skye's breath became halting and she didn't know if she could hold back her passion much longer. The love she had for Terra combined with the kiss and the contact at her center was driving her over an edge she wasn't sure she was ready for. It didn't matter, she couldn't deny her passion. She pushed into Terra's stomach with hot desire.

Terra felt Skye's desire pressing against her body. Her hands moved down to hold the blonde's tight behind in her large hands. With her grip firm she slowed Skye's frantic movements to a passion filled grind. The kiss was broken as Skye lost her ability to concentrate on much more than the power between her legs. Her head laid on Terra's shoulder.

"I love you, Skye. More than anything in this world or any other." Terra whispered words of love to the woman in her arms. They continued to move together and Skye's legs shook with the anticipation of her delivery.

"Oh Terra. Ohdon'tstop....I didn't think any....thing.......uuuuh. could feel........Oh yeah oh." Her lips were once more taken by her lover. The power of the kiss sent her reeling. She screamed into Terra's mouth with her hands entwined in her raven locks. Skye rocked against the tight body that drew her. Power inundated her loins and she let go all the years at the hands of torture to be released to the hands of love.

Sky gripped the dark woman's hair tightly but the she didn't complain. Her heart was being locked up for life, convicted of a love everlasting. She was lost.

The power of her orgasm shook Skye to her bones. She had never really hoped to share this with anyone let alone the woman she loved more than anything. It was so fast and so overwhelming, tears overtook her and she couldn't control them. She buried her head in Terra's neck and sobbed.

The tall girl frowned in confusion and fear. "Did I hurt you, Skye? I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you."

Through tears she reassured Terra. "No. You didn't hurt me. That was the most wonderful thing I have ever felt."

Terra carried Skye, who was now clinging to her, to a fallen log and sat down with her. Skye moved her legs around and sat on Terra's lap leaning her head on the strongest shoulder she had ever touched.

"Why the tears then, Skye? Why are you crying?" She felt so close to the precious girl now that she didn't think that she could ever let her go again. She kissed a smooth forehead softly.

"I don't know." Her hands were all over Terra's face, memorizing all the details of her features. She held the strong face in both of her small hands. " I love you Terra. I love you. I have known all my life that I belonged with you. I didn't believe it until we came here. But after all the things that happened to me all the.......well you know." Her hands and her head dropped.

"Yeah baby, I know."

"I just thought you wouldn't......that you thought I was. I don't know." She avoided Terra's gaze and looked over her shoulder.

"That I wouldn't want you." She touched Skye under her chin and drew her green eyes to meet hers. Her voice was so soft that it was almost not even heard.

"Yeah. Do you, Terra? Do you want me?" Her eyes plead with Terra for an acceptance she didn't know she had in abundance. She looked down at and couldn't believe the boldness with which she had spoken.

"Oh Skye. You are all I want in this life or the next. And yes...look at me." Shining eyes peered into her very soul. "I want you. I want to touch you and hold you and kiss you on every single part of your body." She kissed Skye again and the small girls stomach protested. They both laughed.

"I love you, Miss Terra." The blonde placed a quick kiss on Terra's strong cheek..

"I love you, Miss Skye. Let's get some food in you before they accuse me of starving you." She placed Skye on her feet and began to walk toward the compound. She felt a gentle tug on her hand and stopped to look back to see what her companion wanted.

"Will you sleep with me tonight?" It was a sincere and shy request.

"Are you sure?" Terra's heart pounded fast and hard.

"I have never been so sure of anything in my life." She gave Terra a look of total openness. She had no doubts left in her mind.

"You do know that I won't be able to keep my hands off of you." She was still giving Skye and out.

Skye didn't take it. "I'm counting on it."

She started to walk leaving the tall woman gasping for air.

=/~~~~~~~~~~~~~>

Continued in Part 7.