DISCLAIMERS:

COPYRIGHT: Xena Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Janice Covington, Melinda Pappas, and The Xena Scrolls are the property of MCA/Universal and are used here without permission. No copyright infringement implied or intended. Billie and Cat are my creations, Copyright by kd bard. The leading ladies resemble our two X:WP heroines. Any character or name resemblance to 'real' people currently living or dead is completely coincidental. Download it, print it out and pass it around if you'd like, but be sure to include the disclaimers.

SUBTEXT: This story is about two women who are committed to a caring and loving relationship. Sex is part of that relationship, but not the focus. It contains some mildly graphic sex scenes, but nothing kinky. If this type of love offends you, if you are under 18 yrs old, or if love is illegal where you live, climb aboard the anti-subtext train and get outta town.

VIOLENCE: Nope - nadda!

TIME LINE/CONTINUITY: This is the eleventh installment in a modern day Uber-Xena sequence, starting with "The 'Commitment'" and followed by "A Family in Blood", "Personal Preferences", "Fighting City Hall", "Visions in Paradise", "What's In A Name?", "Promise Me Paradise", "While I Was Gone ..." , "Unchained Memories" and "Happy Campers - NOT!". Since these stories are continuations of each other, there are events mentioned within that will not make much sense if you haven't read them all in order.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I strongly believe that love is love, regardless of how it is packaged, so please don't flame me for believing in something so wonderful. All flames will be flushed down the toilet, however, I do encourage constructive criticism. Send all feedback to warriorx@together.net. A very big thanks to those of you who took the time to find my booboo's ... you know who you are! I really appreciate it. A special thanks to Mom for your support - it means a lot to me. Finally, a big thank you to those who graciously host my stories and provide a forum for expression. kd :-)

SPECIAL NOTE: I'd like to thank Iliana Martin, the author of the beautiful poem, Come, Take My Hand, contained in Chapter IX. Iliana, you are truly a talented writer ... Please continue to share your talent with us, friend. Thanks .... kd. :-)

At Loose Ends

By: kd bard

Started 04/02/99

Finished 04/19/99

CHAPTER I

Cat rolled onto her back, brushing her sweat soaked bangs from her forehead as she went. "By the gods, Billie, that was good!" she exclaimed.

"I have many skills!" Billie replied, looking over at her wife, grinning ear to ear.

"You're pretty proud of yourself, aren't you?" Cat commented, rolling back onto her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows, her legs bent up at the knees.

Billie reached up and cupped the side of Cat's face, pulling her down for a kiss. "Yes, I am," Billie answered, placing several butterfly kisses across Cat's lips.

"You, my love, have more stamina than I know how to deal with." Cat answered as her body started to react to Billie's caresses once more.

"That's why I'm the warrior and you're the bard," Billie replied.

"The Warrior," Cat said. Tilting her head slightly to the right, she added, "Billie, have you ever wondered why we have those visions. I mean, why us? Where is the connection?"

"Cat, I really believe we are descendants of the warrior and bard. I wouldn't know how to explain the connection otherwise. I mean, during the visions, I actually saw Xena and Gabrielle. Cat, we look just like them. When Gabrielle inhabited your body on our honeymoon cruise, you actually thought I was Xena, we look that much alike. I don't think it's coincidental," Billie finished.

"Maybe we should look into this a little further," Cat said as she reached up and drew circles around Billie breast with her fingernail. "Maybe we should have a family tree done ... trace our genealogies. If you really feel we were destined to be together, maybe the same is true for our ancestors," she finished as her lips followed the trail blazed by her fingers.

Billie closed her eyes and pressed her head into the pillow. A low moan escaped her throat. "Hmmmm," she murmured, then added, "You'd better stop that or we'll never get to sleep tonight."

Cat lifted her head and looked at her wife. Grinning, she said, "Well ... I guess you're right. We both know how hard it is to get you up in the morning when you haven't had enough sleep."

Raising her eyebrows into her hairline, she asked, "Me?! I'm hard to get up in the morning? Hell, even with a good night's sleep, it takes three men and a boy to get you out of bed, my dear!"

Cat raised herself onto her knees and leaned over Billie. "Three men and a boy? Does that mean you're willing to share me?" she asked.

Billie reached up and grabbed Cat's shoulders, pulling her down and flipping them both over, all in one movement. From her vantage point above the smaller woman, Billie looked into Cat's startled green eyes and growled, "I will never share you with anyone, sweet thing. Is that clear?"

Cat smiled and placed a quick peck on Billie's lips. "Clear as a bell, love ... clear as a bell," she replied.

Grinning, Billie leaned in and kissed Cat soundly, then, rolling onto her side, she gathered the smaller woman into her arms and pulled the blanket up around them both. "Sleep well, my love," she said as she closed her own eyes.

Resting her head on Billie's shoulder and throwing her arm around her wife's waist, Cat too closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

**********

"Good Morning, Art," Billie sang out as she passed her boss' office on her way to her own. Reaching her office, she threw her briefcase on her desk and went directly to the coffee maker. After setting up the pot to brew the rich liquid, she turned on her computer, logged on to the Internet, and sat down to the task at hand. Grabbing the mouse, she directed the cursor to her bookmarks and double clicked on 'search engines'.

"Let's see now," she said to herself. "Search keywords: genealogy, family tree."

After pressing the enter button, she rose from her seat to pour herself a cup of coffee. Carrying it back over to her desk, she sat back in her chair and sipped the rich black liquid as she waited for the computer to display the requested items. Within moments, several web sites on the topic of genealogy were displayed. For the next several hours, Billie read and printed out the information she and Cat would need to begin their search.

Just before lunch, Art poked his head into Billie office. "Pastrami on rye, or ham and cheese?" he asked.

"Huh?" Billie asked, looking up from her computer screen.

"We're taking orders for lunch .... Pastrami on rye, or ham and cheese?" he asked again.

"Ham and cheese, thanks," Billie replied, turning her eyes back to the screen.

Art looked at his friend and drew his brow together. "You okay, Billie?" he asked.

Billie looked up distractedly. "Yeah ... I'm fine," she replied.

"Hold on, I'll be right back," Art said as he went to place their sandwich orders. Within minutes he was back. Entering Billie's office, he closed the door and walked over to her desk. Sitting in her visitor's chair, he leaned over the desk and cleared his voice to get her attention.

Billie looked up. "Is there something I can help you with, Art?" she asked.

"Yes ... you can tell me what's up with you. You've been secluded in this office all morning. Is everything all right, Billie? Is Cat all right? The kids?" he questioned.

Billie smiled at the look of concern on the big man's face. Reaching across the desk, she covered his hand with her own, and said, "Art, I'm fine. Cat's fine. The kids are fine. I've been 'secluded' here in my office because I am doing some research for Cat," she explained.

"Research? What kind? Maybe I can help," he volunteered.

Billie looked at Art a little uneasily. "Art," she said, "you are going to think I'm crazy, but I am researching how to do a family tree ... how to trace mine and Cat's genealogies into the distant past."

"How distant?" Art asked, a little skeptical.

"Ancient Greece ... around the time of Christ," she replied.

Art's eyes grew wide. "Now what makes you think your, or Cat's genealogy originates in Ancient Greece?" he asked.

Billie looked away nervously, chewing on her bottom lip.

"Billie ... You are hiding something from me. You know I won't rest until you've spilled the beans, so you might as well just give in and talk," he said, leaning back and crossing his arms, displaying the stubborn attitude that Billie had come to love over the past several years.

Looking back at the big man, she sighed and said, "Okay .... okay, but don't say I didn't warn you."

Billie took a deep breath and stood up. Picking up her coffee cup, she refilled it, then walked over to the window. Leaning against one of the window sills, she sipped her coffee and stared into the sunlit day.

"Come on, Billie ... you know I don't play the waiting game well. Spill it," Art demanded.

"Art, do you believe in psychic connections?" Billie asked.

"Psychic connections. You mean, like mind reading?" he replied.

"Sort of," Billie said. "I'm talking more along the lines of cross-dimensional communications ... visions from the past," she explained.

"Charland, what did you put in your coffee this morning?" Art asked.

From her position at the window, Billie glanced over at her friend. "Look ... I'm sorry Art. You probably think I'm out of my mind. Let's just drop it, okay?" she said.

"No ... I don't think so, Billie. You have definitely peaked my interest. If I've learned anything over the past several years, it's that a lot of strange things are possible where you and Cat are concerned. If you tell me you are experiencing cross-dimensional communication, then I guess I have to believe you. The first thing you need to do is tell me about it, then you need to tell me how I can help." Art explained.

For the next hour, Billie explained hers and Cat's experiences with the visions. Billie watched her friend carefully during the explanation, noting the gamut of emotion that crossed his face, from disbelief to incredible awe. She told him of the visions Billie had when Cat was ill with appendicitis, and when she was raped. She told him about the experience Cat had with Gabrielle taking over her body on their honeymoon cruise. She told him about the visions she had of Xena's son Solan, who bore a remarkable resemblance to Seth. Finally, she told him about the amazing physical resemblance between her and Xena and between Cat and Gabrielle. By the time she was finished, they were both emotionally drained.

"So, you're telling me that you and Cat have a connection to these ancient Greeks," he concluded.

"Yes ... exactly," Billie said. "Cat and I have believed for a long time that we have always been destined to be together. Cat suggested that our bond is so strong that our ancestors might have also experienced it. The visions of Xena and Gabrielle together as a couple support that possibility, so here I am, doing research to see if I can tie our bloodlines back to the warrior and the bard." she concluded.

"You do realize that you have one hell of a task ahead of you, don't you?" he pointed out. "It won't be easy tracing a bloodline back 2,000 years. Heck, I don't think records even exist beyond the 1800's."

"I know, but the bond is so strong, Art, that I have to try. For both Cat and myself," Billie explained.

Art perched on the edge of Billie's desk and crossed his arms across this chest. Taking a deep breath and then letting it out, he said, "Well, call me crazy, but count me in. I'll do what I can to help."

Billie smiled and leaned over to hug her friend. "Thanks Art, I knew I could count on you," she said.

************************************************************************************************

CHAPTER II

Billie was in a very good mood when she arrived home. Seth and Stevie were playing basketball in the driveway, and stepped aside to allow her room to drive the car directly into the garage. Getting out of the car, she grabbed her briefcase and pressed the automatic garage door closer on the way out. Putting her briefcase down against the closed door, she challenged Seth and Stevie to a game of hoops elimination. For the next hour, they passed the ball between them, shooting hoops until finally, it was just Seth and Billie remaining in a one-on -one situation.

Cat and Jen watched the tall woman play hoops with the boys, from the kitchen window.

"Look at her," Cat exclaimed. "She's out there in a skirt and heels, playing basketball! Sometimes I wonder who the biggest kid is in this family," Cat finished.

"I think it's kind of cute, Cat," Jen said. "I mean, if there's one thing you can say about Billie, its that she's fun. She's not afraid to get right into it with the kids. Parents in general don't do enough of that these days," she observed.

"Yeah, I guess you're right, Jen. I should be grateful that she's such an involved parent," Cat answered. 'Oh, oh ... looks like it's come down to the wire. It's Billie and Seth, one-on-one," Cat pointed out as their attention was redirected to the game in progress in the driveway.

Seth and Stevie were standing off to the side, Billie was at the free-throw line, bouncing the ball repeatedly on the ground in front of her.

"Okay, Mom. If you make this shot, you win. Miss, and you bow down to the king, a.k.a., me!" Seth bragged.

Billie looked at Seth out of the corner of her eye and grinned. Bouncing the ball a few more times, she set herself and tossed the ball up towards the hoop. The ball hit the backboard, almost dead center and came down on the edge of the ring, bouncing back and forth, and swirling around, until it finally fell over the outside edge of the ring and onto the blacktop below.

"Aarrgghh!" Billie exclaimed as she watched Seth strut around.

"I'm the man! ... I'm the man!" Seth said proudly, as he retrieved the ball and bounced it in front of him, walking circles around his mother.

Billie stood there, arms crossed in front of her, toe tapping, a look of frustration on her face. Secretly, she was proud of the aptitude her son was developing for the game. Finally, giving up the 'poor loser' facade, she grabbed him while he strutted by like a bandy rooster, and planted a big wet kiss on his cheek.

"Aw, Mom!" he complained, wiping his cheek off as she released him.

"What?!" she exclaimed. "Can't a Mom be proud of her baby boy?" she asked.

Turning five shades of red at being called a baby in front of his friend, he complained, "Mom, do you have to call me that? Geesh! I'm almost 12, you know!"

"I know how old you are, scamp!" she replied. "But you'll always be my baby, like it or not," she teased as she walked away. "Good game, by the way. I really am proud of you, kiddo," she added.

Seth resigned himself to the praise. "Thanks, Mom," he said as he and Stevie returned to their game.

Billie retrieved her briefcase and headed for the house. Entering the kitchen, she was met by Cat, at the door. Setting her briefcase down, she took Cat into her arms and hugged her tightly, picking her up off her feet and allowing Cat to wrap her denim-clad legs around Billie's waist. Billie carried her over to the counter and sat her on the edge. Reaching up, she took Cat's face in her hands and pulled it down for a long, passionate kiss.

"Uhmmm, you taste good," Billie said, burying her face into Cat's neck after devouring her mouth.

Cat leaned her head back to allow Billie better access to her neck. "You taste pretty good yourself, my love," she replied.

"Ahem," came the sound of someone clearing their voice just a few feet away. "You two really need to get a room!"

Billie turned around in Cat's embrace and leaned her backside against the counter between Cat's legs, crossing her own legs at the ankles as she settled in. Cat leaned into the taller woman's back, wrapped her arms around her neck, and rested her chin on Billie's left shoulder. They shot identical looks of innocence at Jen.

Jen raised her eyebrows at the two women. "Oh, come on now. You can just wipe those innocent looks off your faces. Don't forget, I was there when the two of you were screaming like banshees in the campground showers not too long ago, remember?" Jen asked.

Billie looked toward the floor and grinned as her face turned a lovely shade of pink.

"Busted!" came Cat's voice, muffled by the fact that her face was buried in Billie's shoulder.

"Busted is right!" Jen said. "Well, I guess I need to collect my brats and head home. Fred should have the grill going by now." Walking into the living room, she called up the stairs, "Karissa, honey. Time to go home before Daddy grills the burgers to a crisp!"

"Okay, Mom. I'll be right there," Karissa answered.

Walking back into the kitchen, Jen once again encountered her two friends cuddling on the counter top. Billie had turned back around and pulled Cat forward so that her center was pressed up against Billie's abdomen. Cat's legs were once more wrapped around Billie's waist. Their mouths were locked, tongues fighting for space within. Hands roamed freely up and down each other's backs.

Jen stopped dead in the doorway. She looked at them enviously and shook her head side to side. "Don't you two ever get enough?" she asked.

The ladies broke their kiss as Billie placed her face in Cat's shoulder, keeping her back to Jen. Cat smiled at their friend as she continued rubbing her hands up and down Billie's back. "The day we get enough, Jen, is the day you can write our obituaries," Cat said, chuckling.

"I am soooooo jealous!" Jen exclaimed. "Do me a favor and have a heart to heart with Fred, will you? If he was half as passionate as either of you, I'd never get out of bed!"

Billie's shoulders shook up and down as she chuckled at Jen's exclamation.

Jen took exception at being laughed at, and grabbed the dishtowel from the counter top. Rolling it up tightly, she quickly snapped Billie on the behind with it as Cat cringed.

"Yeow! What the hell!" Billie exclaimed, turning around sharply to look at Jen.

Jen had an evil look in her eyes as she rolled up the towel once more, ready for round two.

"You ... are a dead woman!" Billie exclaimed as her eyes darted around, looking for a weapon to use against the curly haired woman.

"Come on now, girls," Cat said, trying to diffuse the situation as she jumped off the counter and stood between her wife and her friend.

"If I were you, I'd get out of the line of fire, Cat," Jen said as she grinned and swirled the towel even tighter.

"She's right, Cat. We don't want to get blood on that nice blouse you're wearing," Billie agreed as her eyes settled on the perfect weapon.

"Okay! Okay! Have at it ... kill each other!" Cat exclaimed as she jumped back up onto the counter to sit and watch.

Billie and Jen never took their eyes off each other as they circled, sizing each other up, maneuvering for an advantage. Finally, Jen made a slight movement forward. That move was Billie cue to act. Shifting her weight quickly to the right, she reached over, turned on the cold water, and grabbed the sprayer on the sink, directing it full throttle into Jen's face.

Jen shrieked as the cold water soaked her face, hair and clothes. Cat sat on the counter, one hand over her mouth, the other one holding her stomach as hysterical laughter nearly overtook her. Billie stood, sprayer in hand, a wicked look on her face, ready to douse the flames once more should Jen decide to re-ignite. Jen started rolling up the now soaked towel once more, the look on her face even more determined than ever. A malicious grin spread across Billie's face. Just as Jen raised the towel, and Billie raised the sprayer, Karissa, Tara and Skylar entered the kitchen from the living room.

"Okay, Mom. I'm ready to go home," Karissa said, drawing Jen's attention away from the impending battle.

Jen looked from her daughter, back to her friend. Dropping the towel and leaning in, she whispered into Billie's ear, "You haven't heard the last from me yet, Oh Tall One. Watch your back ... paybacks are a bitch!" she warned before planting a kiss on Billie's cheek and then repeating the gesture on Cat. "Come on, honey," she said to Karissa. "Time to rescue our dinner from Dad. I'll see you all later!"

Cat opened her arms to Billie once more as they watched their friend leave. Billie wrapped her arms around Cat's waist and pulled her close. Cat's hands went to the sides of Billie's face. Looking down into the depths of eyes so blue they rivaled the midday sky, Cat placed tender kisses across her wife's lips, then leaned back and smiled. "Billie, you are so bad. I think you've really done it this time. I could see the wheels turning in that wicked little mind of Jen's. You'd better watch your back around her," Cat warned.

Billie just chuckled. "Have faith, woman. I have a few plans of my own for Blondie."

"Well, the plans will have to wait. Why don't you go change into something more comfortable while I clean up this mess the two of you made, huh?" Cat suggested.

"Something more comfortable? Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Charland?" Billie asked.

"Busted again!" Cat exclaimed as she claimed Billie's lips once more. "Now go ... get changed." she ordered.

"Yes, Boss," Billie replied after placing a quick kiss on Cat's mouth.

**********

After dinner, Cat and Billie relaxed on the front porch swing with a couple of ice teas as the children played croquet in the front yard. The horizon was bathed in red, promising a pleasant day tomorrow. Billie was sitting up straight, her long legs allowing her feet to rest on the deck, pushing the swing back and forth. She held her tea in her right hand as her left hand rested in her lap. Cat was sitting sideways, backed up against Billie's left side, her feet up on the swing, legs bent at the knees. Her head was tilted back and resting on Billie's shoulder, lifting it only to sip from the glass of tea she held in her right hand. Every now and then, Billie would turn her head sidewise to kiss the red headed woman on the right temple. A sense of peace and serenity pervaded the atmosphere.

"Cat?" Billie said.

Cat tilted her head back and sideways a bit to look up at her wife. "Yeah?" she replied.

"Were you serious about researching our genealogies?" Billie asked.

Cat sat up and swung her legs over the seat of the swing. Looking over to Billie, she said, "Yes ... that is, if you want to. It might be fun," Cat answered. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I spent some time doing some research on the subject today. I found a lot of material, some guidelines, some worksheets ... you know, general information on how to get started. Art gave me a hand," Billie replied.

"Art? What does he think of all this?" Cat asked.

"I had to tell him about the visions, Cat. You know how persistent he is. He wouldn't leave me alone until I told him why we were tracing our bloodlines to Ancient Greece." Billie explained.

"He must think we're nuts!" Cat remarked.

"At first, I think he did, but after I explained everything, he was ready to offer his full support. In any case, I think we have the essentials to get started, so if you're serious, then let's do it. Maybe we can get started this weekend?" Billie offered.

"This weekend?" Cat asked. "Why wait 'till then?"

"Because the first step is to research our immediate families. Considering I don't have any immediately family, we'll get started on yours, and then catch up on mine later. We'll invite ourselves over to Doc and Mom's for a cookout on Saturday, and then dump the kids on them while we comb through the attic looking for old family records. What do you think?" Billie explained.

"Sound like you've got it all planned out, but what I think, is that there's an ulterior motive behind getting me alone in the attic, Ms Tall, Dark and Dangerous,." Cat teased.

"Am I that transparent?" Billie asked, grinning ear to ear.

"As clear as glass, my love. You should know better than to try to hide a libido as big as yours, dear heart." Cat exclaimed.

"Nothing is as big as mine," Billie smiled. "You know, we could find out that I come from a long line of sexy, lecherous, characters that spend their lives seducing beautiful, young women." Billie said, wiggling her eyes brows up and down.

Cat laughed out loud. Leaning in, she kissed Billie soundly and said, "One can only hope, my love. One can only hope!"

************************************************************************************************

CHAPTER III

Two days later, Billie and Cat were sitting at Ida and Doc's kitchen table drinking coffee and planning an approach to their ancestral search.

"The first thing we need to do is to sketch out an actual family tree, as far back as we can without searching records. Mom, we'll need your help with that part of it," Billie said, addressing Ida.

"Sure, Honey. I'll give you all the help I can," Ida replied, reaching over to cover Billie's hand with her own.

"Okay. The guidelines Billie found on the 'Net suggested that we start with our immediate families, then go backward," Cat explained. "We can use this worksheet to keep track of the genealogy," she added, reaching into the folder on the table for the family tree worksheet Billie had printed out.

Picking up the pencil, Cat started writing in names as she talked. "Let's see there's Billie and I, and our kids," Cat said. Suddenly, Cat looked up at the other two women and grinned. "Boy, are the historians going to have a field day with this one years down the line ... two women in the same family tree as parents to three children. Who do you want to be Billie, the Mom or the Dad?" she asked, tongue in cheek.

"Well, let's see. I've got the androgynous name, I'm bigger, and I DID cut the cord when Sky was born .... so I guess I'll be the Dad. Works for me!" Billie exclaimed.

"Okay," said Cat. "Dad: Billie Jean Charland. Mom: Caitlain Maureen O'Grady Charland. Children: Seth Michael, Tara Marie and Skylar Jean Charland. Maternal Parents: Michael O'Grady and Ida Covington O'Grady. Maternal Grandparents, father's side: Joseph O'Grady and Martha Anderson O'Grady. Maternal Grandparents, mother's side: Janice Covington and Melinda Pappas. Matern..".

"Wait!" Billie exclaimed. "Back up a bit. Say that again," she said.

"Say what?" asked Cat.

"Maternal Grandparents, mother's side ... Say that again," Billie repeated.

Cat looked at her wife and grinned, knowing exactly what Billie was referring to. Looking her straight in the eye, she repeated what she had written on the worksheet. "Maternal Grandparents: Janice Covington and Melinda Pappas," she said.

Billie raised her eyebrows to Cat. "Two women?" she asked.

Again a grin from Cat. "Yep ... it seems that I am their living legacy," she replied.

"Cool!" exclaimed Billie. "No wonder your parents were so accepting of our relationship," she added.

"Now we couldn't very well have objected when I, too, am a product of such a union, could we?" Ida interjected, taking a sip of her coffee.

"I guess not!" exclaimed Billie. "I hope you don't mind me asking, Mom, but do you know who your real father is?"

"I'm afraid not. It was never very important to me, so I never asked. As far as I was concerned, I have two very loving parents. It didn't matter to me that they were both women. Janice is my birth mother, but Melinda is the more maternal one. I guess if either of them played the 'daddy' role, it was Janice." Ida explained. "I called Janice, Mom, and Melinda, Nona. I would sit for hours just to listen to Nona talk. She used to read bedtime stories to me in that South Carolina accent of hers. I loved her voice." Ida reminisced.

"She sounds like a wonderful person. Do you see much of them" Billie asked.

Ida shook her head. "No, not as much as I'd like to. They travel so much, it's tough to nail them down long enough for a decent visit," Ida explained. "They were in Greece when you and Caitlain were married, and couldn't make the wedding."

"Travel?" Billie inquired curiously.

"Yes. They continue to travel the archeology lecture circuit. Mom just won't give up and retire .... and Nona won't stay home without her, or so, Mom says, although I secretly think she uses that as an excuse to have Nona with her .... so, they go together." Ida explained.

"Sounds like they're very much in love," Billie observed.

"They are truly soul mates, Billie. I never thought I would see that again until my Caitlain met you," she explained.

Cat, who had been sitting there quietly with her own memories of her cherished grandmothers, smiled and reached her hand across the table to Billie, who took it in her own and squeezed it lightly.

Ida looked back and forth between her daughter and daughter-in-law. Smiling, she added, "You know, Billie, you look exactly the way Melinda did in her younger years. You could be twins, in fact."

Cat gasped. "By the gods! You are right, Mom!" Then, turning to Billie, she said, " Billie, I always knew you felt familiar to me, like I had known you all my life, but I could never figure out why. I can see it now. You DO look like Nona. No wonder I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you. I love Nona very much." Cat finished, a grin spreading broadly across her face.

**********

"Mom, are you sure you don't mind watching the kids for a few hours while Billie and I go through the old documents in the attic?" Cat asked.

Ida carried the coffee pot over to the table and refilled all three coffee cups. Returning the pot to the hot plate, she turned and leaned against the counter, facing her daughter and daughter-in-law. "Caitlain, I've already said I don't mind. Now, you and Billie take your coffee cups with you and head up stairs. I'm sure you'll find a lot of interesting information in the old trunks up there. Don't worry about the kids, your father and I have plans to take them to the movies in a little while. Knowing your father, a stop at the miniature golf course afterwards is also a strong possibility. We'll be gone for several hours, so enjoy your time alone, okay?" Ida said with a sparkle in her eyes.

Cat picked up her Mother's hidden meaning and blushed to the roots of her hair. Billie just smiled and sat contemplating her coffee cup.

"Thanks, Mom," Cat said, walking over to kiss her mother on the cheek. "Ready?" she asked, looking back at Billie.

Billie picked up her coffee cup and said, "Lead the way."

Moments later, Billie and Cat were sitting cross legged on the floor, surrounded by several dusty boxes, whose contents had been half emptied around them.

"Awwww, look at this," Billie said, handing a picture over to Cat. "You were sooooo cute!"

The picture was of Cat at nine years old, dressed in a pinafore dress with a large bow in her hair and a flower basket hooked over her left arm. She was surrounded by three other children, dressed as a lion, scarecrow and tin man. "Oh god!" Cat exclaimed. "I was in the fourth grade. We were doing a class production of the Wizard of Oz," she explained, blushing profusely.

Billie reached over and took Cat's chin in her hand. "You made a cute Dorothy, my love," she said, placing a kiss on her mouth. Pulling back, she looked deeply into Cat's eyes. Sparks flew between them. Leaning in, she kissed her again .... deeply.

Several kisses passed between them until Cat finally called a halt to the caresses. "Billie," she said breathlessly, head thrown back to give the dark haired woman access to her throat. "Billie ... we're not getting anything done here," she said.

Billie continued to reign kissed on Cat's neck. "And the point is ....?" Billie asked, not breaking her train of thought, nor action.

"Oh gods!" Cat said as she grasped two handfuls of Billie's hair and pulled her down to the floor on top of her.

The next hour found the ladies engrossed in some intensive personal research of their own. Finally, satisfied, and quite pleased with themselves, they laid there together amidst dozens of photographs, old letters and newspaper articles, Billie laying completely on top of Cat, propped up on her elbows on either side of Cat's chest, Cat's arms flung up and around Billie's neck. Billie continued to place butterfly kisses on Cat's throat.

"I love you, Billie," Cat said between gasps.

"Hhhmmmm," came the muffled reply. "Love you ... Wait a minute!" Billie exclaimed, breaking her declaration of love in mid stream. Extending her arm, she reached out over Cat's head and grabbed a yellowed copy of a very old newspaper article. Abandoning her position over a very startled Cat, she pulled herself into a sitting position and held the paper in front of her.

Cat followed Billie's lead and also rose into a sitting position. "Billie, what is it?" she asked.

"Cat, look!" Billie exclaimed excitedly, holding the newspaper for Cat to see.

There, across the headlines, in bold Gothic print, lay the words "Local Heroes Locate Xena Scrolls!" Under the headline, was a large black and white photograph of a light haired woman dressed in khaki pants, leather bomber jacket and, knee-high leather boots, her hair in disarray under a tattered hat, a cigar clamped between her teeth. Standing beside her was a tall, slim, elegant dark haired woman dressed in a form fitting skirt, matching jacket and hat, high heels and cat eye glasses, her hair tied neatly into a bun at the nape of her neck. The caption under the photo read, "Local archeologists, Janice Covington (right) and Melinda Pappas return home from Greece after successfully locating the Xena scrolls in the Tomb of Ares, Greek God of War, in Macedonia." The article was dated May 30, 1940.

Cat grabbed the paper out of Billie's hands. "Local archeologist, Janice Covington, and her partner, interpreter Melinda Pappas, made the find of the century as they uncovered the legendary Xena Scrolls in the Tomb of Ares in Macedonia, Greece. The scrolls, rumored to be authored by Gabrielle, bard of Poteidia and companion to the infamous ex-warlord Xena, Warrior Princess, are estimated to be dated around the time of Christ. Covington and Pappas discovered the scrolls after Covington decided to complete the work her father, the late Harry Covington, had started several years earlier," she read. Pausing to look up at Billie, she exclaimed, "Here's the connection, Billie! Here's the connection between us and Xena!"

Billie grabbed Cat's shaking hands and held them still. "No Cat. Here's the connection between YOU and Gabrielle's scrolls ... through Janice. This is not proof that you are a descendant of Gabrielle's, nor does it explain MY connection to Xena." Billie explained.

Cat held Billie's gaze, realizing that she was right. Frowning, she lowered her eyes and nodded her head. "You're right ... you're right." she said, disappointment dripping from her voice.

Feeling bad that she had dashed her wife's hopes, she took the article out of Cat's hands and set it aside. Opening her arms, she said, "C'mere," talking Cat willingly into them and holding her close. "I'm sorry," she said, stroking the red-blonde head resting against her breastbone. "I don't mean to sound pessimistic, love. You are right, this article does explain a lot. It's a start, but I think we need to talk to your grandmothers at some point. Maybe they can fill in the blanks for us."

Cat nodded her head, then pulled away and wiped the tear that had rolled down her cheek. Reaching over to pick up the discarded article once more, she carefully studied the picture. Looking back up at Billie, she smiled through teary eyes and said, "You DO look like her, you know."

Billie leaned back in to look at the faded photograph one more time. "You think so?" she asked.

"Yes, I do," Cat replied.

Billie chuckled. "Well, love, then we have a problem." she joked.

"Huh?" Cat said, confused.

"Yeah ... You are in love with, and routinely make love to, someone who reminds you of your grandmother. You, my love, need serious counseling!" she said, grinning from ear to ear.

Billie suddenly found herself buried under a mound of old and dusty photographs as Cat grabbed her clothes and stomped away.

************************************************************************************************CHAPTER IV

Later that evening, after they had come home from Doc and Ida's and the children were fast asleep, Billie once more teased Cat about having 'thing' for her grandmother. Once again, Cat stomped off, leaving Billie alone, chuckling, in the family room. After she had waited what she considered an appropriate amount of time for Cat to cool down, Billie approached the door to her bedroom. Reaching for the handle, she found it to be locked.

"Sweetheart, can I come in?"

Silence ...

"Please?"

Silence ...

"Cat, honey, please. I'm sorry. I was only teasing."

Silence ...

"Cat?"

Silence ...

Billie dropped her chin to her chest and sighed. Turning around, she took one step away before the door opened and she felt herself pulled into the bedroom by her collar. Suddenly, the door shut and she found herself pressed up against it, face against the door.

"Don't move, grandma." said the sultry voice.

Slim hands found their way around Billie's waist, coming to rest on her abdomen. A firm body pushed her harder into the door from behind, her face and hands pressed up against the cold wood as the hands started to roam. Billie's eyes closed as a wicked desire ignited deep within her core and spread through her entire being, following the path that the small hands were trailing up and down her body. Knees weakened under the onslaught as the hands found their way up to cup full breasts.

"My, what firm breasts you have, grandma," a raspy voice said in her ear.

"All the more to please you with," came the reply from the now overheated Billie.

The hands were on the move once more, trailing a path of fire from breasts to hips. Together, they rubbed up and down from mid-thigh to hip, up and down, burning her skin through the denim material of her jeans. She felt nimble fingers snake around to the front to release the catch at her waist, followed by the lowering of her zipper. All Billie could do was moan in a deep throaty voice into the wood paneling on the door.

Suddenly, the hands were at her waist band, sliding down, inside the edge of her jeans. Pushing further, they found their way around the back to cup firm cheeks, sliding the denim and silk off as they massaged the succulent flesh.

"My, what firm cheeks you have, grandma," came the voice once more.

Again, Billie answered, "All the more to please you with, wolf."

The reference to wolf drew a deep chuckle from the disembodied voice behind her.

Moments later, the jeans and panties lay in a heap around Billie's ankles. "Kick them off," the voice whispered into her ear, sending shivers of desire coursing through her entire being. Doing as she was told, the jeans were soon in a pile against the wall.

Next, the hands moved under the front of Billie's T-shirt. Palms flat against her flesh, they moved up, messaging her breasts before moving around to the back, kneading the firm muscles across her shoulders, clenched taunt by desire. Slipping inside the sleeves of the shirt from the inside, the hands urged Billie to free herself from their captivity. Pulling her arms down, they easily slid out of the sleeves, allowing the hands to push the cotton material upward over Billie's head. It soon joined the pile of denim against the wall a few feet away. Grabbing the tall woman's wrists the unseen force pressed Billie's hands against the door once more, before trailing a path of desire up and down her biceps.

"My, what strong arms you have, grandma," the sultry voice said again from over her shoulder.

Billie's eyes were squeezed shut. Taking a deep breath, she said shakily, "All the more to pl ..... Oh gods!" she cried as she felt teeth sink into the taut muscle stretched across her shoulder blade. "Gods!" she said again, her knees buckling.

Suddenly, in one movement, she felt the clasp of her bra release as her breasts were freed from their prison. At the same time, the hands grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, forcing her back into the door. Billie opened her eyes and looked deep into the passion filled depths of Cat's smoldering green eyes, realizing for the first time that the smaller woman was totally naked. Neither could look away.

Chest rising up and down rapidly, Cat rasped out, "Could I do this to my grandmother, Billie?" as she took Billie's breast into her mouth and clamped down on the nipple until Billie cried out in ecstasy. Billie was helpless, paralyzed by desire where she stood. Cat let her hands freely roam around Billie's body, pushing her closer and closer to the edge of oblivion, before finally invading the very depths of her core with such abandon, that Billie literally sank to the floor in a boneless puddle of flesh, her body wracked with spasms. Cat lay with her, holding her close and whispering words of endearment as she slowly returned to reality. Several silent moments passed before Cat could convince Billie to rise from the floor and move to the bed. Several more moments passed before Billie could speak. Reaching out to Cat, she pulled her in close and held her tight.

"Cat, I have never felt so complete and fulfilled in my life. Just when I think I know you inside and out, you do this to me. I love you with everything I am, even if I do remind you of your grandmother," Billie said, chuckling at the personal joke. "Let me love you, Cat. I want to make you feel as good as I do right now ... please." she added.

Cat raised herself up onto her knees and leaned over Billie. Moving forward, she placed kisses along her breastbone to the dark haired woman's neck, working her way up her throat to her left ear. "I love you," she whispered before clamping down on Billie's earlobe with her teeth.

"Oh gods!" Billie exclaimed, thrusting her chest upwards and wrapping her arms around Cat's slim waist at the same time, drawing her in close. "Cat, do you know what you're doing to me?" she asked. "I'm supposed to be making love to you!"

"I can't get enough of you, Billie," the smaller woman said, while positioning herself on top of her partner. Laying nose to nose, breast to breast, and resting her elbows on either side of Billie's head, she leaned in and placed several kisses on her mouth, gently exploring Billie's lips and finally demanding entrance into the cavern within. Billie's hands roamed up and down Cat's naked back as their tongues danced in exploration, entwining, probing, thrusting, tasting .... evoking a raging tide of emotions within both women.

Soon, the battle escalated from passionate kissing to vigorous caresses. Hands roamed freely and aggressively over bare skin. Cat's nails raked in a crisscrossing pattern over the broad expanse of Billie's back, leaving slightly raised welts in their wake. Bolts of desire followed Cat's nails across Billie's back, settling in her groin, and driving her mad with need. Locking their legs together, Billie flipped them over until she was lying on top of the red haired woman.

"My turn," Billie said before diving into Cat's mouth, shoving her tongue deep into Cat's throat, trying desperately to swallow her essence whole, while Cat squirmed with desire beneath her.

"Billie ... Billie, please ... I need you," Cat pleaded between kisses. Cat had entwined her hands in Billie's long black hair, and held her head close.

Billie moved her caresses to Cat's neck, nipping and biting, leaving marks that would surely result in bruises the next day. With each bite, Cat moaned out loud, praising any god that would listen, for bringing her this remarkable woman she called wife.

Moving downward, Billie stopped to savor Cat's perfectly shaped breasts, teasing and nipping, until the nipples were standing at attention. Cat squealed with desire as Billie pinched and suckled each one between her teeth, pulling at them until the pain exceeded the point of comfortable tolerance. Cat cried out as the pain became too intense to bear, providing Billie with the signal she needed to back off. Releasing the swollen nub suddenly, Billie watched as the now red nipple throbbed and pulsed in time with Cat's ragged breathing. By the time she had repeated the process on both breasts, Cat was beside herself with need and longing. Her own seduction of Billie, combined with the assault she was presently undergoing from the taller woman, was pushing her to the limits of endurance. She was about to go over the edge, with or without Billie's help.

"Billie," she exclaimed between breaths, her hands on Billie's shoulders, pushing her down toward her throbbing center. "Oh gods, Billie, please take me. I can't wait any longer!"

Billie looked into Cat's face and smiled. "Patience my love. I will make you mine ... soon," she teased before returning to place a trail of kisses down Cat's abdomen.

Cat wiggled her hips, thrusting them upwards toward Billie, begging for fulfillment. Billie glanced up once more at Cat's face and saw the desire clearly written there. Cat's head was thrown back into the pillows, hands clutching the bed sheets on both sides of her hips, chest thrust upward, eyes closed, lips moist and parted, brow creased with the effort to contain the desire that threatened to overcome her.

Billie was awestruck at the site before her eyes. The pure seductive nature of Cat's appearance nearly pushed Billie over the edge. Unable to control herself any longer, Billie dove into Cat, tasting, biting, caressing, and feasting on the uniqueness that could only be described as Cat. Cat screamed out Billie's name over and over as desire built in her loins, growing with intensity and spreading throughout her entire being until it nearly overwhelmed her senses. Finally, when Billie sensed that Cat could not withstand any more, she filled her core with an intensity that surprised them both.

The sudden, unexpected invasion pushed Cat completely over the edge. The frenzy that had started in her loins, suddenly exploded into a multimedia light show inside Cat's brain. Billie continued her ministrations as spasms uncontrollably wracked Cat's body, sending her into sensory overload, and causing her to momentarily lose consciousness. Retracting her talented digits, Billie gathered Cat in her arms and held her tenderly as the smaller woman came back to earth and slowly returned to reality.

As Billie held Cat close, she could feel a wetness on her shoulder, where Cat had rested her head. Arching her head back, she placed two fingers under Cat's chin and lifted her face upward, to see tears in the younger woman's eyes. Suddenly alarmed, Billie asked in a voice filled with worrisome concern, "Cat, what is it? Did I hurt you?"

Cat shuddered slightly in Billie's arms. Taking a deep breath, she answered. "No, love. You could never hurt me. I am just so overwhelmed by what I feel for you right now, that I can't contain it. Billie, I love you like I have never loved another soul. Promise me that we will always be together. You complete me, Billie. I love you with everything I am."

Billie looked down into her wife's face with tears in her own eyes. Lowering her head, she placed gentle kisses across her lips. "Cat, never in my life could I possibly voice my love for you in such an eloquent way. You have spoken my own heart with your words. I love you too, little one, and I promise you that I will never leave you. I can't exist without you Cat. You are the other half of my soul." Billie voiced passionately.

Cat reached up shakily and pulled Billie down for another kiss. Pulling back a bit, Billie looked into Cat's eyes and smiled, then once again, gathered her up in her arms. "Sleep, my love." Billie said as she pulled the sheet up around them both.

"Are you convinced now that I don't think of my grandmother when I make love to you?" Cat asked.

"Grandmother? What grandmother?" Billie answered with a slight chuckle in her voice before drifting off to sleep.

************************************************************************************************

CHAPTER V

The next morning found Billie and Cat sitting at their kitchen table, going over the notes they had taken from information found in Doc and Ida's attic.

"Okay, Billie," Cat said, looking at the crude sketch on the table in front of her. We know that my genealogy at least connects my family to the Xena Scrolls through the work done by my Grandma Jan and my great grandfather, Harry Covington. Mom didn't have any records beyond Grandma, so we'll have to start researching other things like church and military records as well as death and marriage certificates, immigration records and social security records. Harry was an archeologist, just like Grandma, so there may also be some information about him in the Library archeology section." Cat said.

"We could also talk to your grandmothers, Cat," Billie commented.

"That's a good idea, Billie. We'll have to find out when they'll be home next. They haven't been back in the states for a couple of years now. Mom talks to them by phone every week though, so I'll have her ask them," Cat said.

Billie smiled. "All right ... sounds fair to me. In the meantime, why don't we head over to the Hall of Records at the Court House and see what we can dig up about your great grandfather. Maybe we can start the search on my family at the same time." Billie suggested.

"All right. I'll gather up the kids. I understand the library is having a two hour children's Read-a-thon starting at 10 am. We can drop them off at the reading room while we do our research." Cat suggested.

**********

"Covington, Harrison P .... Born January, 1887, Norfolk, Virginia. Died, May 1938 in a cave-in in Macedonia, Greece while excavating an archeological dig site. Occupation: Archeologist, New York University. Field of Study, Ancient Greece. Married to Helen Folstoy, September 4, 1917. One child, Janice, born February 15, 1920. Parents, unknown. No military records ..... Great! ... This is just great!" Cat exclaimed after reading Harry's statistics out loud to Billie.

"What?" Billie asked.

"Parents, unknown," Cat said. "I don't think we'll find anything more on my family here, Billie. Why don't we start on yours?" Cat suggested.

"All right. My parents names were Daniel P. Waterman and Eleanor D. Waterman," Billie said, grabbing a clean piece of scrap paper and a pencil. "They died in the car accident nearly 10 years ago, so my dad would have been .... let's see, 76 today, and my mom would have been 75. So that means, dad was born in 1923, and mom in 1924." Billie explained. "You know, Cat, without any living relatives, it's going to be tough building a family tree," she observed.

"Billie, do you have any personal papers or family bibles that your parents owned?" Cat asked. "That might be the easiest place to start."

"Actually, no. When my parents died, I had the gruesome task of cleaning out their house, and interestingly enough, they had very few records at all. I thought it was a little peculiar at the time, but my mom was a neat freak and threw everything away before it had a chance to pile up, so I didn't give it another thought," Billie said.

"Did they leave a will, or a marriage certificate, or even birth certificates .... theirs or yours?" Cat asked.

Billie frowned. "Cat, there was nothing in the house ... nothing except photo albums of me as a child and a few random documents," Billie explained again.

"Billie, I find that kind of odd, don't you? I mean ... no records at all? Doesn't that make you a little suspicious?" Cat inquired.

Billie was getting angry. "Just what are you implying, Cat? That my parents had something to hide?" she said sharply.

Cat covered Billie's hand with her own. "Sweetheart, please don't be angry with me. I'm just saying that it's a little odd ... and it certainly makes our job harder. We'll just have to start with their death certificates and work backwards, okay?" Cat said, hoping to soothe Billie's anger.

Billie sat back in her chair and stretched her long legs out under the table. Frowning, she stared at the pencil in her hands as she twirled it around in circles. She knew she shouldn't be angry with Cat's observations but she couldn't help it. For some reason, she felt like she had to defend her parents' actions. In fact, she had been very protective of them all her life. Mostly because they were a lot older than her friend's parents, by about 20 years. Her parents had told her that they had resigned themselves to not having children, however desperately they wanted some. Then she came into their lives. They called her their little miracle. Yes, they were older, but they loved her and protected her in every way possible, lavishing her with all the privileges they could. Their love and attention was the primary reason Billie stayed married to Brian for so long. Brian had evidence of her preference for women, and used it to blackmail her into staying with him, even though he regularly beat and abused her. She just couldn't let him break her parent's hearts. Knowledge of her lesbian nature would have devastated them.

"Billie ... Billie," Cat said, breaking Billie's chain of thought.

"Huh? I'm sorry, Cat. What were you saying?" she asked.

"I said we'll have to start with their death certificates and work backwards. Okay?" Cat suggested again.

"Oh, sure, Cat. That's a good idea," Billie said.

Cat looked at her watch. "Damn!" she exclaimed. It's nearly noon. The Read-a-thon will be over in a few minutes. Look, why don't I pick the kids up and you can continue the research," Cat suggested.

"No, I think I've had enough for today," Billie said, rising to her feet, not really in the mood to continue after the disturbing thoughts about her parents had emerged. "Why don't we pick the kids up and treat them to McDonald's for lunch, then go home. I'll dig my parents' photo albums out of the basement and we'll go through them. Maybe we'll find some clues there," Billie said.

Cat smiled at her wife. Standing on tip toe, she placed a tender kiss on her lips, drawing a frown from the clerk at the information desk. "Sounds like a plan to me, love. Let's go," Cat said.

Billie had caught the dirty look from the clerk. "Not until I do this," she said, grabbing Cat and bending her over backward in a long and passionate kiss. Billie looked up in time to make eye contact with a very agitated, red faced clerk. Billie grinned as the clerk scurried away.

"Wow! Please let me know what I did to deserve that, so I'll make sure to do it again!" Cat exclaimed.

Billie looked down into Cat's eyes and smiled. Leaning down, she placed one more, lighter kiss on the smaller woman's lips. "Can't a woman kiss her favorite girl now and then?" she asked innocently.

Cat grabbed Billie by the front of the shirt and pulled her down to face level. "I'd better be your only girl!" she warned before planting a light kiss of her own and walking away.

**********

The kids were ecstatic that they were going to McDonald's for lunch. Eating as fast as they could, they excused themselves from the table to play in the indoor playground that was attached to the dining room, as Cat and Billie ate their lunch at a more leisurely pace.

"Billie, maybe there will be something helpful in that box of albums and old documents from your parents' house, do you think?" Cat asked, pushing a french fry into her mouth.

Billie was chasing her salad around the plate. She really wasn't in the mood for eating at the moment.

Noticing Billie's lack of enthusiasm and her failure to answer the question, she reached out and took the taller woman's hand in hers. "Billie, do you feel all right?" she asked, placing her free hand on Billie's forehead, feeling for fever.

Billie shook off her hand. "Cat, I'm fine. Really. I'm just a little preoccupied right now," she said.

"Wanna talk about it?" questioned Cat.

Billie opened her mouth to speak, then closed it and looked back down at her salad. Cat waited patiently for her to say something. Looking back up at Cat, Billie's faced contorted with confusion. "Cat, the whole family tree thing is making me uncomfortable," she said.

"Why?" asked Cat.

"I don't know. I just have this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach ... like something bad is going to happen. I can't shake it!" Billie explained.

"Billie, didn't you tell me once that you had absolutely no living relatives?" Cat asked.

"That's right. Both of my parents were the last survivors of their families, and I was an only child. Now that they're gone, there is no one left, except me," Billie answered.

"Did either of your parents have brothers or sisters?" came the next question from Cat.

"Mom had a sister, but she died when she was young, and according to Dad, he was an only child." Billie replied.

"You said your Dad was in the army. Maybe we can find some trace of family mentioned in his service records." Cat suggested.

Billie's eyes brightened at the idea. "That's not a bad idea, Cat," she said, her interest in pursuing the search suddenly renewed.

"I do get them occasionally .... good ideas, that is," Cat stated in her best straight-man voice, causing Billie to throw her head back and laugh out loud.

Finally, lunch was over and Cat gathered the children together to leave. As they were picking up their mess to throw away, a couple of elderly women stopped by their table and complimented them on how beautiful and well behaved their children were. Cat and Billie accepted the compliments graciously, until one of them added, "Your husbands must be proud of them too!"

The grin on Billie's face was immediately replaced by a scowl, followed by a curled up lip and a low growl emitting from her throat.

Cat laughed nervously as she took the elderly ladies by the arms and led them to the door. "Here, let me get that for you," she said, as she held the door open for them. "Have a nice day ladies!" she called, as they hurriedly left, casting worried looks back at Billie.

Cat turned back to Billie and gave her the sternest look she could muster, given an overwhelming urge to laugh. "Billie ... you are bad!" she accused. "You nearly gave them heart attacks with that growl."

"Serves them right." she quipped. "Come on, we've got a tree to plant," she said, taking Skylar's hand and leading her little entourage out the door.

**********

When they got home, Billie immediately went to the basement to retrieve the box of albums and papers from her parents' house, while Cat sorted the laundry and threw a load into the washer. Bringing it upstairs, she sat on the living room floor and spread the contents out around her. Before long, Cat joined her and they began sorting and cataloging each item.

"Hey neighbors!" came the call from the kitchen.

"We're in here, Jen," Billie called from the living room.

"Put some coffee on while you're in there, Jen," Cat piped in.

Moments later, Jen popped into the living room. she asked Cat. "Put on the coffee .... Geesh! You'd think I lived here or something!" she exclaimed.

"Oh stop your bitching and get down here," Cat said, reaching up to pull Jen down onto the floor next to her and Billie.

"Whatcha doin'?" she asked.

"We've decided to trace our roots back to ancient Greece, and ..." Billie began.

"So, you two have finally gone over the top, huh? Finally bought one way tickets to the loony bin!" Jen joked. "Do you really believe there is something in this so-called connection you have with Xena and Gabrielle?"

Cat cringed at Jen's attitude toward their quest. She knew it would rub sparks off Billie.

"Loony bin?" she asked, eyebrows high. "Jen, the visions and dreams are real. Don't ever doubt that." Billie said seriously. "Beside, we have already taken Cat's genealogy part way there. We have determined that her material grandmother was the one who discovered The Xena Scrolls." Billie explained.

Now it was Jen's turn to be impressed. "Really?" she asked in all seriousness, then added, " ..... so, what the hell are The Xena Scrolls?" she asked.

Billie rolled her eyes as if to say, "Duh! You dumb blonde!", but before she could get the words out, Cat intervened.

"Jen, The Xena Scrolls are the chronicles of Gabrielle and Xena's lives. There were written by Gabrielle, and they basically document all of the adventures the warrior and bard had together. They are written in the form of short stories that Gabrielle would recite in taverns, to earn money, and to spread the word that Xena had mended her ways and was working on the side of good." Cat explained.

"So, you're saying that Gabrielle was the breadwinner in the family so to speak," Jen concluded.

Cat looked over at Billie and saw her jaw clench in anger. Looking back to Jen, she said, "Well, I guess you could say that, except Xena earned money by trading furs, and ... and ... Wait!" Cat said. "What difference does it make who earned the money. Damn! How did we get off on that tangent?" she said, exasperated.

"Ha!" Jen yelled. "Gotcha! You are just too easy, Cat," she explained.

Cat took a deep breath to compose herself as Billie said, "Jen, are you going to keep running your mouth, or give us a hand with this stuff?"

Jen scooted over next to Billie and started going through a photo album. Without looking up, she said to Cat, "Cream, one sugar."

"Make mine black," Billie added.

It took a few moments for Cat to realize they were talking to her and giving her coffee orders. "Do I look like your personal maid?" Cat said in her best Jen imitation.

Jen and Billie looked up from their work, looked at each other, then looked back at Cat. "Yep!" they said together, rolling over laughing as Cat stomped off into the kitchen.

Cat, Jen and Billie worked late into the afternoon searching through the contents of the box. After a tremendous amount of fuss over Billie's childhood pictures (yes, she was tall as a child. yes, here eyes were always that impossibly sexy shade of blue - even as a child. yes, she did look cute in a tutu), the women finally sat back and looked at what they had catalogued.

"Well," Cat commented. "Except for these incredibly cute pictures of you, which we will definitely save for later torment, there really isn't anything useful here to use for research. I mean, there are no birth certificates, for your parents, nor you .... no wedding license. The only things we have here are pictures, your baptism certificate, and your first communion record ... any by the way, you looked really cute in the virginal white dress and veil in your first communion photograph, Sweetheart," Cat commented.

"Probably the only time you could justify wearing white, hey Billie?" Jen teased, earning her a smack in the arm from Billie. "Ow! What was that for?" asked Jen, rubbing her arm.

Billie just scowled at Jen.

"Damn! Can't take a joke, can you?" Jen asked.

"That's enough, you two," Cat scolded.

"Cat, maybe we can use the baptism and first communion records to research church files for more information. I know my parents were devout Catholics and were intimately involved in the church," Billie suggested.

"That's a good idea, love," Cat said.

"Billie, are these the only photos your parents had in the house?" Jen asked.

"Yes. Outside of the family portrait we had taken when I was about Sky's age, which by the way, is hanging on the wall over there, and Dad's military photograph over there on the mantel, these albums are the only ones they had," Billie replied.

"That's strange," Jen commented.

"What is?" Billie asked, feeling her defenses rise again.

"Look," Jen said, taking the photo album and thumbing through it quickly. "There are no pictures in here prior to your birth, Billie. No family pictures, no pictures of your mom and dad together. Are you sure there are no other albums around?" Jen asked again.

"I said there were no other pictures, Jen. I went through everything when Mom and Dad died. This is it," she said, lifting the empty box up and shaking it.

Suddenly, they heard a sound inside the box. Lowering it so they could all see inside, they noticed a small key that had obviously been lodged under a flap, and had shaken loose when Billie picked up the box and shook it. Cat reached in and picked the key up, turning it over in her hand to read any identifying marks.

"What does it say, Cat?" asked Billie.

"It has the number '21' etched into it ... nothing else. I wonder what it goes to?" mused Cat out loud.

"Maybe a locker ... or a safe deposit box?" Jen suggested.

"Maybe," Cat said as she turned the key over once more.

"Here, let me have it," Jen said. "Tomorrow is Monday. I'll bring it to the locksmith in the morning and have him check it out. He should at least be able to tell us what type of key it is, then we'll go from there. Okay?" Jen asked.

"All right," Cat said, handing the key over to Jen, who slipped it into her pocket.

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