Sex/Subtext ~ Four women in-love. There is subtext sex though.

Copyright ~ Universal and MCA owns Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Eve, Eponin, and Hope as we know. However I claim the story line with the Hope and Eve relationship so don't touch them.

Time Frame ~ In the sixth season around "Who's Gurkan?"

Started: October 29th 2000, Sunday

Mini Series One: Thick as Blood Story: Four

If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at: redhope@redhope.net

Section 1

~*Part 1*~

Xena entered in first, followed by Eve, then Gabrielle, and lastly was Hope.

Every last man in the tavern turned their heads to the group of women. They kept their eyes locked on the women coming in.

The Warrior Princess scanned the dark inn. Her attention focused on the innkeeper behind the bar. She strolled over to the innkeeper. "We need two rooms."

The innkeeper glanced up from his mug he was cleaning. "For the night?"

"Yes," answered the warrior.

Eve turned around and studied the tavern. She noticed how there were mainly men inside.

Gabrielle shifted to stand beside her soulmate. "How much is it?"

The innkeeper corked an eyebrow. "Six dinars."

The warrior-bard nodded and extracted the money. She handed it over and waited for directions to the rooms.

Hope stood beside her soulmate. "Too many men," she whispered.

Eve nodded slowly. "I've noticed." She grinned down at her partner. "But I think we'll be fine."

The small woman chuckled deeply, dropped her head against her staff, and said, "I'd think so, between us four." She peeked up with a grin. "Definitely considering you're back in warrior mode."

Eve winked and looked away. She shifted a little in her stance still getting use to wearing armor and a sword once more. She was a warrior. She wore golden armor in certain spots of her body, a sword strapped to her back, a dark red cape, and a whip at her side. Her hair was completely pulled back out of the way. And since this transformation, she had fallen back into her emotionless frame of mind. Except when Hope came near or anybody she loved for that matter.

"Eve, Virgil is meeting us at Potidaea later, right?"

Eve nodded. "Yes, he had something to do."

Hope sighed and stared through the tavern. She was still thinking about yesterday when the group had been in Amphipolis. She had seen the side of her soulmate that was God's messenger. She'd seen Eve's power as the messenger. And it left Hope in a bit of awe.

"Okay, great." Gabrielle tapped her fist on the bar and walked off towards a set of stairs.

"Where's she going?" asked Hope.

"To the rooms," answered Xena. "Follow her."

The young soulmates nodded then followed behind Gabrielle.

Xena took up the rear and saw her partner stop at one door.

"Your room, Hope and Eve." Gabrielle grinned at the young soulmates. "Don't make to much noise tonight." She walked down the hall with Xena following her.

Hope shook her head and called down, "Yeah well its not our fault we're loud."

Gabrielle came next to door and opened it. She peered down at her daughter. "Then whose fault is it?"

Eve smirked. "Our mothers." She pushed Hope into the bedroom.

The Amazon Queen ran her tongue along her molars. "It's a conspiracy, Xen."

The Warrior Princess laughed quietly and pushed her soulmate into the room. "Let's go."

Xena pushed her seat back and leaned against the wall. She folded her hands in her lap. Slowly, her eyes scanned the dark tavern.

Gabrielle patted her lover's leg. "You never relax."

"In a tavern full of men, no," whispered the warrior. She grinned at Gabrielle.

The small woman chuckled and looked at the younger soulmates across the table. "We should make it to Potidaea by tomorrow evening."

Hope didn't make any notification of understanding.

Eve, however, asked, "How long are we staying?"

"I don't know," answered Gabrielle. She glanced at Xena then back to the other couple. "Depends on what we find."

Eve nodded faintly and glanced through the tavern, scanning it.

Hope studied her soulmate then studied Xena. She chuckled and grinned towards her mother. "Mother like daughter," she whispered.

Gabrielle snickered. "And look who that's coming from."

"Hey, I just look like you," teased Hope. "That's all."

"Uh huh," said Xena. "And carrying a scroll satchel has nothing to do with it?" Her eyes never locked with Hope.

Gabrielle's daughter chuckled. "Just a fluke thing."

"Rrright," teased the Warrior Princess. Her eyes lowered and locked on Hope.

Hope stared at the warrior then she looked away.

"Are you just jealous of bards?" asked Gabrielle with a serious face.

Xena rotated her head slowly. She corked an eyebrow at Gabrielle. "Me and bards mix quite well." She grinned. "I have a deep? weakness for them."

"Better be just for one," muttered the warrior-bard.

"You know it is," whispered the warrior.

Eve and Hope just chuckled.

There was a small boom of a mug on a table.

Eve and Hope turned their heads towards the sound. They saw two men at a table talking about something with laughs and mockery.

Xena and Gabrielle now glanced that way.

Hope tilted her head and listened carefully as did the other three women at the table.

"She was Octavius's wife."

The other man shook his head. "She was the commander of his legions in Rome."

"She did that too." The man with the mug leaned towards his friend. "She killed thousands of people and didn't care how she did it."

The other man shook his head again. "What was her name?"

"Livia or something." The man slammed his mug down. "She disappeared or something." He narrowed his eyes and said his next words low and in anger. "She was a bitch, a harlot. A ruthless commander that should be run through. The damn bitch is from Hades himself."

Hope was out of her seat instantly without even thinking twice. She forgot her staff and just walked over to the men.

Eve's eyes widened. "Hope?"

Hope came near the table and glared at the one man with the mug. "Excuse me, were you talking about Livia?"

The man peered up with cold eyes. "Yes, why?"

Hope smiled with anger and flashing eyes. "Well? I just happen to have a big fondness for her." Without warning, she punched the man hard.

The other man sat in his seat, stunned.

The man, who took the punch, moved rapidly and pulled a dagger out. He stood with it pointed at Hope.

Three chairs in the tavern loudly scraped against the floor followed by weapons unsheathing.

The man with the dagger froze.

Hope smirked and folded her arms.

The man with the dagger was stuck in place as two sword points were pressing into his neck. He breathed heavily as two sets of blue eyes stayed locked on him.

Eve poked her sword tip into the man's neck. "Don't touch her," she growled.

Gabrielle spun her sais out and straightened up. She reached out with one sai and pressed it against the man's opposite cheek. She turned the man's head towards her. "I recommend not talking about people when they're here." She grinned. "Is this clear?"

The man had a confused look but nodded faintly.

The warrior-bard pulled her sai back while saying, "Just don't talk about people," she said angrily.

The man moved his head in understanding and slipped his dagger away.

Xena and Eve lowered their swords.

"Go on, Hope," ordered the Amazon Queen.

Gabrielle's daughter nodded and sat back down at their table.

Gabrielle followed then Xena came over.

Eve examined the man one last time. She was still angry and it had nothing to do with what he said but with what he was going to do. She narrowed her eyes and walked off.

The man sighed and fell back in his seat then grabbed his mug with a shaky hand.

"Be more careful," whispered Gabrielle hotly.

Hope glanced at her mother. "And you can't tell me if they said the samething about Xena, you wouldn't do the same as I just did?" she asked with anger.

The Amazon Queen narrowed her eyes. "That's different."

"How is that different?" Hope locked eyes with her mother.

Gabrielle opened her mouth.

"Hope," Eve cut in. "It was dangerous." She started backing Gabrielle up. "And besides, he had right to say what he did."

"No he didn't," growled Hope. "That was such-"

"Truth," finished Eve. She studied her soulmate.

"Hope?"

Gabrielle's daughter turned her head towards Xena.

The Warrior Princess stared at Hope for a moment before speaking. "Then you will be slugging over a hundred people."

Hope dropped her eyes.

"Honey," said Gabrielle soothingly, "You can't fight it? you can only prove them wrong." Her eyes flickered to Eve.

Both the young soulmates nodded sadly. They knew their mothers were right considering they've dealt with this for years.

The rest of the evening was a little quieter, the women tired mainly from the day. After their dinner, they retired to their rooms.

Eve slowly took her armor off as she stood in the middle of the room.

Hope was sitting on the bed taking her boots off. "Eve," she whispered.

The taller woman glanced over. "Yeah?" she asked after finishing with her armor.

The blond untied one boot and worked on the other. She didn't look at Eve. "Sorry about earlier." She laughed in anger. "He just really?"

"I know," responded Eve solemnly. She unhooked her cape and placed it on the chair with her sword and armor. She came over and bent down in front of her partner. "But what they say is true."

"Was," corrected Hope.

The older woman sighed deeply. "Its not going to stop there. You'll hear it again."

Gabrielle's daughter growled lowly and stood up. She walked over near the door and took her boots off there. "I don't have the patience to prove these people wrong. I know the truth about you."

"Then you know what I've done," stated Eve. She came closer. "So they don't speak lies."

Hope leaned back against the door. "Eve?" She ran her fingers through her hair.

"Trust me, love? I know." Eve grasped her soulmate's shoulders. "Its not forever."

The small woman nodded and searched her soulmate's eyes. She reached up and took Eve's hands, she laced their hands together. "Eve, I'm going to make sure your reputation is fixed." She smiled sadly. "You're not Livia anymore."

Eve sighed deeply. "She's apart of who I am, I can't get away from that."

"Yeah," whispered Hope. "We have that in common."

"So it seems," said Eve quietly. "Let's see if we can rewrite these stories, huh?"

Hope grinned. "You're on."

Eve leaned down and kissed her soulmate warmly.

The small woman moaned softly and wrapped her arms around Eve. She pulled back slowly for air. "I'm glad we're taking us slow."

"Me too," agree Eve. She encircled her partner's waist. "We need to do some? exploring," she whispered deeply.

Hope raised an eyebrow. "Nothing to explore."

The older woman grinned with twinkling blue eyes. "Right," she teased. She shifted before lifting Hope up into her arms.

"Woooo," Hope laughed. "Didn't know you could do this."

"I can do amany of things." The warrior carried her soulmate towards the bed and settled her down in the middle of it. Then she crawled onto the bed and rested on her side, she peered down at Hope.

Hope reached and took her partner's hand. "Eve, we haven't talked about this one." She paused and took a confident breath. "But have you? slept with anybody?" She glimpsed up.

"Yes," replied Eve quietly. "Too many." She rubbed her thumb against her soulmate's hand. "Men and women for whatever reasons to gain power in the army or take over things."

Hope nodded. "I kind of thought so." She smiled softly. "And no, it doesn't bother me." She paused while trying to build her confidence. "I've gotta be honest, Eve." She studied her soulmate's serious face. "I've only slept with one person." She paused then took a shaky breath. "Not proud of it but it was? Ares," she whispered.

Eve's breathing picked up and her eyes went dark. "Ares?" she asked lowly.

"Yes," uttered Hope. She squeezed Eve's hand. "I'm sorry, Eve."

Eve said nothing and just tried relaxing. She closed her eyes slowly. "Why did he have to touch you?" she whispered in anger. "I'll kill him when I find him."

"It's over, Eve." She sighed. "It was my decision at the time, I'll regret it? forever."

"I know," said Eve as she opened her eyes. "I've regretted sleeping with him too." She shook her head. "He certainly gets a good laugh out of this I'm sure."

Hope grinned slowly. "I wouldn't say that?" She brought up her free hand then let her fingertips graze over her warrior's lips. "We do since we're the ones together." Her grin went into a warm smile.

Eve leaned down while Hope's hand slid down her neck. She captured her soulmate's lips in a strong kiss. She pulled her head back up a little. "Hope, I'm sorry about Ares." She paused. "I know what sleeping with him can do to a person."

"So do I," replied Hope. "We'll fix that about both of us," she stated truthfully.

"Definitely," agreed the warrior. She grinned and kissed her soulmate while whispering, "Now about that exploring," Her lips traveled down Hope's neck.

Hope sucked in a breath with a soft moan. "Broaden horizons? Especially mine."

"You'll like the? view."

Hope chuckled for a second but asked in concern, "Still slow."

Eve trailed her lips back up. "Yes," she promised. She smiled warmly at Hope. "No pushing you into anything you don't want to do." She lost her smile. "You trust me?"

The small woman smiled with love. "With my soul." She kissed Eve after saying, "I'm yours."

~*Part 2*~

Gabrielle turned her head on her soulmate's chest and studied the sun out the window. She sighed deeply. "We probably should get up and go."

"Probably," agreed the Warrior Princess.

"But we won't," finished the warrior-bard. "Considering its already noon."

"Mmm and after the? noise a few rooms down."

The Amazon Queen laughed quietly. "Not like we were quiet or anything." She kissed her lover's bare chest. "Besides, I think they were just? experimenting." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "They're taking things slow."

"Yeah," uttered the warrior. "We never did."

Gabrielle chuckled and grinned. "We had good reason not too."

"A year and a half of being friends before hand, I think you're right."

The small woman grinned and pushed herself up. She kissed her partner warmly. When she pulled back, a rich smile was on her lips. "I love you, Xena."

"I love you too." Xena smiled warmly but slowly lost the smile.

"What?" asked Gabrielle with worry.

The older woman ran her fingertips up and down her lover's bare back. "Going back might not be easy."

The warrior-bard studied her partner. "Home?"

"Yes." The dark woman brushed back some of Gabrielle's hair. "Your parents could be dead."

"And they might not be."

"I know, love." Xena lifted her head. She pressed her lips against Gabrielle's forehead. When her head settled back down on the pillow, she said, "Just hope for the best and expect the worst, that's all you can do."

Gabrielle felt a bit of a lump in her throat. "Yeah." She took a shaky breath. "Can we get going?"

The warrior nodded slowly. "We'll have to sleep a night on the road."

"Okay." The short warrior rolled off her partner's nude body.

The taller woman stayed on the bed and watched her soulmate walk away. She got out of the bed instantly. Coming up behind Gabrielle, she wrapped her arms around Gabrielle's bare waist. She pulled her partner in. "I'm here for you, Gabrielle," she whispered reassuringly.

The younger woman turned around and hugged her lover. She dug her head under Xena's chin and closed her eyes.

Xena lowered her head onto her soulmate's. She swayed their bodies together in relaxing motion. Part of her already knew the truth, knew that Gabrielle's parents were dead. And that Gabrielle wouldn't have the chance to make amends.

She propped her legs up, lifted her quill, and chewed on the tip. Her green eyes stayed focused on the scroll in her lap. She sighed and shook her head. Lowering her quill, she wrote but soon felt a warm body press into her back.

"How's the writing going?"

She dropped her head back and smiled warmly. "It's coming? I think I should asked mom for tips."

Eve chuckled deeply. "I don't think you need too." She slid her hands down Hope's arms. "Give it time."

"So I've been told." Hope grinned and rolled up the scroll. "Are we ready to go?"

"Yup," answered Eve. "The horses are ready to go."

"I'm still not riding," declared Gabrielle's daughter with a wave of her scroll. She stood and turned. She corked an eyebrow at her soulmate. "I don't mess with anything that's bigger than me."

Eve said nothing and folded her arms. She raised an eyebrow slowly in suggestion.

"Well?" Hope whispered while brushing past her warrior. "Maybe one thing I do."

Xena's daughter spun around and watched Hope head back towards the road. "Fine by me," she uttered with a grin then walked ahead.

"We'll make it to Potidaea tomorrow?"

Gabrielle nodded in answer.

"So, we're stopping for the night?"

Gabrielle nodded in answer.

"Where about's?"

Gabrielle's eyes widened and she looked up. "Xena, did I talk this much?"

The Warrior Princess peered down and grinned. "Yup," she said simply.

Hope dropped her shoulders. "Great, I'm the butt end of a joke."

The warrior-bard grinned at her daughter. "No, just teasing you." She patted Hope's back and continued walking down the road. "Don't know where."

"Oh great," whispered Eve. She stopped walking and turned to her horse.

Xena sighed, drew her sword, and placed the reins on the saddle. "Here we go."

Gabrielle did the same with her reins then stepped ahead.

Hope glanced between the other women, a smidge confused. "I'm missing something."

"Right there." Eve pointed down the road.

Hope glanced that way and saw nothing. "Don't see anything."

"You will," replied Eve as she drew her sword. "A little entertainment." She gazed over to her mother. "Six?"

"That's what I have too."

Gabrielle nodded in agreement. "Six." She folded her arms.

Hope moved near her mother. "Oh great," she repeated Eve's words when she saw the six male warriors come strolling down the road laughing. She leaned against her staff and smiled warmly. "Sweet and innocent."

Gabrielle huffed. "That's the last thing you are," she chided.

The younger blond grinned evilly.

Xena came up beside her soulmate. She smiled evilly towards the men coming. "Hey boys."

The six men smiled devilishly back and came closer. "Lovely afternoon, ladies."

"Isn't it," joked back Eve. She shifted her weight to her other foot.

The Amazon Queen peeked up at her warrior. "Six against four? pretty bad odds huh?"

"Yeah," uttered the warrior.

The six men laughed together.

"For them," added Xena.

The men glared now and drew weapons. "Alright, enough jokes."

The warrior-bard smirked. "Come on then, we're only women."

And that's when the fight began and it was a sad sight. By the end, the six men were on the ground, out cold, and the women strolling off like nothing ever happened.

Xena studied the two younger soulmates sleeping near the fire.

The group had finished dinner about a candlemark ago. And now they were settling into bed.

Gabrielle came up from behind. Her arms encircled her lover's waist. "They make a good couple," she whispered.

"They do," agreed the warrior. "They need a little more alone time though," she whispered.

"Yeah." The small warrior dropped her head against Xena's back. "They'll get it."

The Warrior Princess laughed quietly. "True." Her hands came down to rest on top of Gabrielle's hands. "How're you doing?

The Amazon Queen kissed her lover's back softly. "Well, you?"

Xena grinned. "Real good." She sighed deeply and rubbed her thumb against her lover's hands. "Tired?"

"From the traveling, yeah." The short warrior lowered her head onto Xena's back again. "Getting old."

The tall woman chuckled deeply. "Right," she whispered.

Gabrielle sighed. "Alright, I'll get the bedroll and furs."

"I'll take care of the fire." The older woman patted her soulmate's hands before they released her. She strolled over to the fire and placed a little wood in it for the night. Afterwards she peered over at the daughters and her lips creased slowly into a smile. Standing up, she walked over to them and bent down. Xena studied the young pair with Hope enveloped tightly in Eve's arms. She reached forward, took the fur, and pulled it over the younger soulmates.

Eve's eyes flew open instantly with coldness. She noticed it was her mother and smiled warmly.

"Sorry," Xena whispered. "Good instincts."

The daughter grinned. "Got them from my mother," she ushered.

The Warrior Princess grinned back and leaned forward. She kissed her daughter's forehead. "Go back to sleep."

"Goodnight, mother."

"Night, dear," whispered the warrior as she stood up. She strolled over to Gabrielle, whom was settling into bed.

Eve watched her mother briefly then closed her eyes. She drew Hope in a little closer against her body and let sleep take over again.

~*Part 3*~

Hope stood up from the log and stretched. "I'm ready."

Eve corked an eyebrow before glancing at her mother. "Are we ready?"

"Yeah," Xena peered up from her boots. "Just need to put the fire out." She nodded at the almost dead fire. It was the following morning and the group planned to make it to Potidaea by the afternoon.

"Got that covered," declared Gabrielle. She stood and glanced at her lover. "You get the horses?"

"Yup," answered the warrior while standing.

The warrior-bard went about putting the fire out.

Hope studied the sky and looked west and noticed things a little gray. She crinkled her nose. "Probably going to rain later."

Eve glanced that way and nodded. "Yup," she mumbled. "Lovely."

Hope scanned, with her eyes, around the camp in search of her staff. "Where'd my staff go?"

"Right there." Eve pointed at the tree rather near Hope.

The young blond laughed quietly. "Forgot." She lifted her right hand and narrowed her eyes.

The staff lifted from the tree and glided through the air towards Hope.

Eve's expression dropped and she stood amazed faintly. After she saw her soulmate take the staff from midair, she strolled over. Bending down, she whispered to Hope, "You failed to mention that to me."

Hope grinned evilly at her partner. "And you failed to mention your powers to me." She sauntered off towards the horses.

Gabrielle came up behind Eve and patted her back. "Next time, ask her." She smirked at the taller woman before walking briskly to her soulmate and daughter.

"I just naturally assumed she'd tell me," called Eve. She huffed and joined the group.

Hope smirked at her soulmate. "Assume makes an ass out of you and me." She chuckled and began trekking down the road for Potidaea.

Xena laughed quietly and took Argo's reins. "What comes around-"

"Goes around, I've noticed," declared Eve with a huff. She took her horse's reins and started off.

Gabrielle smiled at her soulmate. "One big happy family."

Xena laughed and stepped closer. She kissed Gabrielle warmly before walking down the road.

The warrior-bard smiled to herself, took her horse's reins, and joined the entourage.

"Xena, Gabrielle!"

The group stopped and looked back.

Gabrielle smiled. "Hey Virgil!"

The young man went running down the road and caught up. "Hello, ladies." He laughed quietly and glanced around. "Good to see you four again." He smiled warmly.

"We were wondering if we'd see you." Hope shrugged and leaned against her staff.

Virgil sighed and shifted his weight to his left foot. "I know, got caught up in a few things. But things are fine now." His hands came up and he grasped his belt. "So, we ready to hit Potidaea?"

"Yup," answered Gabrielle a little dryly. She began walking again with her horse in tow.

The others followed and saw the outskirts of Potidaea coming into view. Once in Potidaea, they stabled their horses and made their way towards Gabrielle's home.

Gabrielle felt the excitement as she walked briskly towards home. "Xena ? it's thriving. I'm gonna see if the old house is still standing." She spotted her old home as everybody followed. "It looks so run down."

Virgil shrugged. "Nothing some paint couldn't cure."

Hope mock glared at the young man.

Eve smiled warmly before saying, "All that matters is that the people inside are alright."

The Warrior Princess grasped her lover's shoulder. "Go on."

The warrior-bard took a deep breath and said, "Here goes?" She jogged towards her home.

Everybody else brought up the rear slowly and with high hopes.

Gabrielle knocked on the door with a smile. She watched the door open quickly and there stood a short, brown haired, middle aged woman. "Lila," she whispered.

Lila beamed. "Gabrielle!" She pulled her sister in for a powerful hug.

Hope glanced towards the sky briefly and caught sight of the dark clouds. "Not good," she muttered.

Eve peered up and sighed at knowing her soulmate was right.

"A merchant told us that she was in his harem. Father sold most of the farm and he and Mother and my husband went to try and buy her back."

"What happened?" asked Gabrielle.

Lila took a deep breath and looked away while replying. "He beheaded all three of them. I don't know what happened to Sarah," she whispered painfully.

Gabrielle closed her eyes briefly, her anger rose, and she stood up. She stormed out of the house and out into the black night.

Hope, Eve, and Lila were moving but Xena was out the door.

"Gabrielle! Gabrielle, wait! I'm sorry, Gabrielle."

The warrior-bard stopped and fisted up her hands. "Xena, my niece may still be in that harem."

The Warrior Princess came closer. "We'll go after her first thing in the morning. If she's there, we'll get her out."

Hope and Eve came out of the house and stood on the porch, they listened.

"Xena, this is not just a rescue mission."

The dark warrior shook her head and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I want vengeance!" yelled Gabrielle.

Hope moved but was stopped by Eve's hand.

"No," whispered Eve. "It's between them? right now."

Gabrielle's daughter sighed and stayed beside her soulmate.

Xena was breathing heavy in fear. "It will have blood, Gabrielle. Blood will have blood."

The Amazon Queen narrowed her eyes. "Don't talk to me about consequences, Xena! That man murdered my mother and father!" she yelled as the rain came pouring down. "Now I kill him!" she declared in rage before walking off.

The Warrior Princess brushed back her wet bangs and stood in the rain. She watched her soulmate stalk off in anger.

"That's it, my turn," pronounced Hope. She jumped down the stairs and went running in the rain after her mother.

Eve sighed, walked down the steps, and joined her mother. "She won't be able to do it, mother."

"I know," whispered Xena. She watched Hope disappear in the distance. "But she'll get herself killed trying."

"Mom!"

Gabrielle stopped and turned around. She said nothing and stood there fuming in the rain.

Hope came up breathing heavily. "Don't do this." She pushed back her wet bangs. "Its suicidal to go after Gurkhan."

The mother narrowed her eyes and turned away.

Hope reached out and grabbed her mother's shoulder. "Don't," she stated coldly. "I am not going to lose my mother."

The older woman sighed and faced her daughter again. "He has a price to pay, Hope. He killed my parents."

"And must he add you to his list?"

"I won't get killed," growled the small warrior.

"Like Hades you wont because you're not going."

Gabrielle took a calming breath. "Hope, either way I am getting Sarah out of there." She shook her head. "Remember? she is your cousin as much as my niece."

"I know," agreed Hope. "We'll get Sarah out but leave Gurkhan alone. Please, mom you can't go after him. Don't risk your life for vengeance." She shook her head. "He'll win then."

Gabrielle's jaw clenched and unclenched in the rain. "Prices to pay." She turned away and walked on in the dark rainy night.

Hope closed her eyes tightly. She then quietly whispered, "Mom, please? I love you."

The mother stopped in her tracks, her eyes closed and she opened them while turning around.

The younger woman had a look of desperation. "Don't risk your life, mom. I love you and can't loose you."

Gabrielle started crying suddenly and took steps closer. She pulled her daughter in tightly and held. "I love you too, Hope."

Hope dug her head into her mother's neck and cried as well.

Hope took a shaky breath, she left the house quietly.

Eve saw her soulmate leave, she narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

Gabrielle left the kitchen and came into the living room. She knelt down beside Eve. "She's going to face her past, help her," she whispered softly.

Xena's daughter stared at the warrior-bard then nodded. "I will," she ushered and stood. She left the house.

The small warrior watched Eve leave as Lila came up beside.

"I can't believe?" she trailed off.

The Amazon Queen breathed deeply and nodded without glancing to her sister. "Yeah, me too." She smiled faintly at Lila. "I have her back."

Lila smiled warmly. "Seems odd." She lost her smile. "She looks like you when you left here so long ago."

"Innocent," whispered Gabrielle.

Hope folded her arms against her chest as she neared the barn. The lightening, from the prior storm, flashed brightly. She sighed and opened the barn doors then refolded her arms. She stared at the inside of the rigid barn. She heard the grounding sound of the mill's stones inside. Lightening flashed and she saw the inside of the barn, it hadn't changed. The wind blew slightly as the lightening flashed again and lit up the world. Hope's eyes widened, for she thought she saw a figure inside of the barn.

"Hope," whispered Eve. She neared.

The small woman sighed in relief and glanced back to her soulmate. "Hey."

The warrior stood beside her partner. "Old barn huh?"

"Yeah," whispered Hope. She stared once more inside of the barn. "Just a barn," she ushered.

"Just a barn with a few memories," added Eve. She peered down at her partner. "What are the memories?"

The younger woman dropped her head and stared at the ground. "They're in the past, where they should be."

"But that doesn't mean they don't still attack you."

Gabrielle's daughter shook her head and turned away.

The warrior shifted instantly and grabbed her soulmate's hands. "But that doesn't mean you can't fight them back."

Hope locked eyes with her partner. "This was where I realized the truth about who I was." She glanced sidelong at the barn. "When I laid dying in my son's arms."

Eve sighed and knelt down and locked eyes. "Those days are over, Hope." She squeezed her soulmate's small hands. "You're not the same."

"I know," whispered Hope. "I've been told." She shook her head. "But Dahak is still in me, Eve." She narrowed her eyes. "And so is a portion of loyalty to him." She dropped her eyes. "Not even loyalty? more like attachment." She laughed bitterly.

"And it is the same for me with darkness, Hope." Eve paused. "We both can fight our inner enemies. And together." She took a deep breath. "What is it exactly about this barn?"

The small woman looked away. "Just my epiphany I had? I wanted to change but it was to late since I was dying." Her eyes focused on Eve. "And I didn't have the chance to tell Gabrielle? not even apologize for who I was."

"But look at where you are now." Eve smiled warmly. "You're here, a second chance, and Gabrielle as your mother. Gabrielle doesn't look at you the same way."

"Thank god," whispered Hope.

"Thank yourself," corrected Eve. She paused momentarily. "You got yourself away from Dahak, Gabrielle just gave you a good shove."

Hope laughed quietly. "Thank mom then." She smiled faintly. "I never imagined being here, being this person."

"Its no dream," whispered Eve.

The small woman nodded and lost her smile. "I was happy my son died too? the Destroyer." She huffed. "He was too loyal to Dahak." She rubbed her thumb against Eve's hands. "Despite I've always loved him." She chuckled. "Only a face a mother could love."

Eve rose up. She studied her soulmate then said seriously, "You're beautiful."

Hope grinned. "In what context?"

"In every context." The warrior lowered her head with a loving smile. "Mind, body, and soul." She kissed Hope softly.

The younger woman opened her eyes slowly when Eve pulled away. "One thing I do know is? I'm not going back to him."

Eve grinned. "No because you're mine."

~*Part 4*~

Hope walked silently along side her mother down the dock. "Don't do this," she whispered when they came near the ship.

"Sorry, Hope." Gabrielle faced her daughter with hard eyes. "I have to do this."

The younger woman sighed deeply and dropped her head. "Do this? get yourself killed?" She peered up with concern. "This? this?"

The mother grasped her daughter's shoulder. "This is right."

"Have you really questioned yourself if it is right?" asked Hope. Her eyes bore into the Amazon Queen's.

The small warrior was hesitant about replying but finally said, "No," honestly.

"Then just get Sarah out," demanded Hope. "And come back here? he'll pay for his crimes."

Gabrielle squeezed her daughter's shoulder then pulled her in for a hug. "I'll be back," she ushered.

Hope held tight.

Eve sighed at seeing her soulmate hugging her mother. She peered up to her own mother. "What you planning?"

Xena stopped walking down the dock. "I don't know? yet." She stared at her soulmate. "I'm just glad you and Hope are not coming." She glimpsed at her daughter. "You two don't need to get caught up in this."

Eve nodded briefly and held her hands behind her back. "I think Hope and I need to? fly from the nest."

The Warrior Princess chuckled deeply. "Yes well, the mother birds need a little alone time too." She folded her arms. "Just wish it was under better circumstances."

The daughter nodded in agreement. "I'm glad at least Virgil is going."

"Yeah," agreed the older warrior. "He'll be useful."

Eve chuckled and started walking down the dock more. "Be careful, mother. I don't like this."

"That makes two of us." Xena came to the gangplank and turned to her daughter. "We'll see you in a few weeks."

Eve corked an eyebrow. "A few weeks?" She grinned. "So a month huh?"

The Warrior Princess laughed deeply. "Could be? depends on how much trouble finds us."

"That won't be hard," muttered the daughter.

"We'll probably have the same problem, Eve," teased Hope, whom shifted and stood beside Eve.

Gabrielle reappeared next to Xena. She folded her arms. "Be careful you two." Her eyes flickered between the younger women. "You two will be targets."

"We know," mumbled Hope. She sighed. "We're big girls."

The Amazon Queen nodded and glimpsed up. "Ready?"

Xena nodded. "Yup," she said quietly.

Hope furrowed her eyebrows. "Where's Virgil?"

"He's on already," answered Gabrielle. "We'll see you both soon." She stepped forward and pulled Eve in for a long hug.

Hope studied Xena for a second then moved closer. "Xena?"

The Warrior Princess corked an eyebrow.

"Don't let her do it," whispered Hope. "Don't let her cross that line."

Xena smiled warmly. "She can't." She watched Gabrielle and Eve pull away. "Don't worry."

Hope nodded and smiled. "Thank you," she uttered.

The warrior nodded then found herself enveloped by a hug from Eve.

The Amazon Queen gave another long hug to Hope and whispered, "I love you, Hope."

Hope squeezed back tightly. "I love you too, mom."

Gabrielle pulled away slowly and kissed her daughter's forehead. "Take care, see you when we get back."

"I better," said Hope sternly.

The short warrior nodded and grasped her soulmate's arm. "Let's go."

Xena nodded and led the way up the gangplank. When on board, she noticed the ship already preparing to sail. She went to the rail with her partner.

Hope leaned against her staff as she stood beside Eve. She smiled up at the older soulmates.

The merchant ship dropped her sails, brought aboard her lines, and hauled her gangplank on board.

"Bye mom!" called Hope.

"Good luck, mother!" yelled Eve with a grin.

Xena shook her head and just waved.

Gabrielle folded her arms and smiled. "Behave you two!"

"Right!" replied Hope. "You know us."

"That's what your mom is saying," teased Xena. She laughed quietly. "Be careful you both."

"Do you feel like five?" asked Eve quietly.

Hope snickered and nodded. "Yup," she replied. "And considering I missed that stage in my life, I like it."

Eve chuckled and nodded. "Agreed." She saw the ship leave the slip and head out into the mouth of the cove. "Bye Gabrielle and mother!"

The older soulmates waved with warm smile.

"See you soon mom and Xena!" Hope waved and watched the ship disappear out the cove. She sighed deeply while watching the stern of the ship head out into the sea. "Well? we're on our own."

"Yup," replied Eve stoically. "Know how to cook?"

Hope's eyes widened. "Oh Hades!"

"I just forgot!" yelled Hope as she glanced over her shoulder to her partner. She turned her attention back to the fire.

"How could you forget to ask your mother how to cook?" growled Eve. "This rabbit is going to be a little bloody."

The smaller woman sighed as she tried to relax. "Hey, I just assumed you knew how to cook since you were apart of an army."

The pair in the late morning had left the port after seeing their parents leave. So they had traveled for most of the day and now made camp. The only battle they fought now was cooking a rabbit.

The warrior stalked close to her soulmate. She knelt down and held up rabbit by the legs. It dangled in mid air in Hope's face. "I can but it'll be one crispy critter," said Eve lowly.

Hope's eyes widened as she tried not to laugh. "Well, we can not cook it. The meat will be a little? raw."

"A little raw," mocked Eve. She moved the rabbit out of the way and locked eyes. "Try very raw."

The smaller woman corked an eyebrow slowly. She wanted her soulmate to relax. "Maybe it won't taste so bad."

Eve narrowed her eyes.

"Hey," Hope said defensively, "How was I suppose to know I was the cook?"

"Because I assumed it," growled Eve.

The blond leaned towards Eve so that their noses touched. "Guess what?"

"What?" said Eve deeply.

"Assume just made an ass out of you and me."

The warrior's expression didn't shift and she said nothing.

Hope grinned evilly.

Eve closed her eyes and started laughing hard. She fell back on her butt and she propped her legs up.

The small woman sighed in victory and moved forward. She kissed her soulmate softly. "Sorry I didn't ask," she uttered at the end of the kiss.

The warrior smiled warmly. "Not your fault." Her free hand came up and brushed back Hope's hair. "We'll figure something out."

"Okay." Hope paused and took a deep breath trying to think. "How about? you?" Her eyes flickered to the rabbit off to the left. "Skin the rabbit." Her attention came back on Eve. "And I'll try to cook it. Alright?"

The dark woman corked an eyebrow.

"I know," sighed Gabrielle's daughter. "Key words? I'll try." She grinned.

"I'm sure it'll come out better than me doing it," joked the older woman.

"You're probably right," teased Hope but she smiled warmly. "Come on, my stomach is growling." She kissed her warrior warmly again.

Eve pulled back from the kiss slowly. "So is mine but for?" she stopped and stood up.

Hope narrowed her eyes at her partner. "Uh huh." She stood and strutted over to the horse.

The taller woman laughed deeply and disappeared into the forest to clean the rabbit.

"Hey Eve?" yelled Hope from the horse's side. She was sifting through the supplies in the saddlebags.

"Yeah?" called Eve from the woods.

"Have you named the horse?"

The warrior furrowed her eyebrows while continuing to skin the rabbit. "No," she answered.

"You need too," replied the smaller woman as she pulled out some herbs. "You just can't go around calling him? the horse." She chuckled.

The bay glanced at Hope and huffed.

"Yeah I agree," whispered Hope.

"What's wrong with? the horse?" teased Eve. She bent down to clean her dagger.

The small woman turned away from the horse with the spices in hand. "Well, can I call you the warrior for now on?"

Eve reappeared from the woods with the skinned rabbit in one hand and a green tree limb for skewering in the other hand. "You may have a point there." She grinned.

Hope chuckled and shook her head. "Call him something like? Jester." She shrugged while walking over to the fire.

"Jester?" The tall woman shook her head. "Jester? like a court jester of jokes?" She walked near her partner.

The blond glared at her soulmate. "No, Jester like in Jester."

"Love, Jester is not a horse name," stated the warrior.

"Whatever," mumbled the younger woman. "I don't care," grumbled the smaller woman. "You could just call him Dipstick for all I care."

Eve laughed while skewering the rabbit. "I'm going to go saddle up Dipstick," she teased in mockery.

Hope glared at her soulmate. "Give me the damn rabbit."

The warrior chuckled and handed over the rabbit.

The small woman took it and dabbed the spices on carefully.

"Mmm I could name him after you? Optimism."

Hope wagged the skewered, spiced, and skinned rabbit at her partner. "Hardy har har." She smirked. "Just call him Adam."

Eve didn't respond as she thought about the name. "Adam huh?"

Gabrielle's daughter laughed quietly. She bent down and placed the rabbit over the fire.

The warrior glimpsed over towards the horse. "Hey Adam?"

The horse's ears perked up and he whined.

Hope rose up slowly.

Eve turned her head quickly to her partner. "No, Adam doesn't sound right."

The horse pouted and dropped his ears. He just wanted an apple from Eve.

The young woman shrugged. "Then call him Dipstick." Hope smirked and strolled off to get her scroll satchel.

"Maybe we should just call him the horse. " Eve shrugged.

"You ride him, not me." Hope put the spices away and removed her scroll satchel. "The horse with no name." She chuckled. Turning around, she strolled back towards the fire. "How about Shamrock?" She shrugged. "Then you can call him Shamy too."

The warrior considered the name as she studied the brown horse. "Shamrock?" she asked the horse.

The horse whined and bobbed his head up and down. He stamped his right hoof on the ground.

"Huh, he likes it," said Eve softly.

"So call him Shamrock," declared Hope when she came beside her partner.

Eve smiled and leaned down. She kissed her soulmate strongly.

The smaller woman moaned softly while grasping the warrior's hips. She pulled back reluctantly. "Alright, I don't feel like burning the food."

The older woman grinned and kissed her soulmate's forehead. "Later," she whispered and walked over to Shamrock.

The soulmates had eaten dinner and were soon resting in each other's arms in front of the fire. They gradually let sleep come after them as they relaxed together.

"So, we don't even know where we're going?" asked Hope.

Eve chuckled deeply while tightening her arms around her soulmate. "We're headed northeast right now."

"Then where?"

"Wherever."

The small woman shook her head. "This must be what our mothers did."

"Uh huh." Eve propped her legs up. She'd take her armor off and weapons. She only wore her leather top and skirt that stayed hidden under the bronze gold like armor. "Tell me about your telekinesis."

Hope shrugged and rested back into her partner's body. "Nothing to tell." She paused. "I can just lift things mentally."

"And why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"Don't know," muttered the small woman.

Xena's daughter sighed deeply. "Maybe because you were worried about my? reaction?"

"Something like that," muttered Hope again.

"Wanna know my reaction?" asked Eve seriously.

"Yes," whispered Hope

The warrior tilted her soulmate's head back, she leaned down, and sealed her lips over Hope's in a loving kiss.

Hope smiled warmly at the end of the kiss. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I love you."

"I love you too, Hope." Eve finished her words with another kiss.

The small woman pulled away from the kiss slowly. "You know, I am still awed by your powers."

The dark female laughed deeply. "Nothing special here."

"Mmmm, my eyes see differently," said Hope seriously.

Eve grinned devilishly. "And things are getting a little hot around here."

"The fire," guessed Hope.

"I don't think so." The warrior went serious and stood up with her partner in her arms.

"I do have legs that let me walk."

The taller woman laughed. "Alright, I don't have to carry you in my arms? close to my body."

"Not that I don't like it or anything," retorted Hope hastily.

"Thought so," Xena's daughter teased. She carried Hope near the bedrolls and lowered her down on the bedroll carefully. She strolled back to the fire to get the weapons.

Hope rolled onto her side to watch her partner. "I love the fact we sleep with each other? and our weapons," she said dryly.

The tall woman grinned and came over. "Sorry, but it'll save our lives." She knelt down putting the staff on the opposite side and her sword with whip down on her side.

"I know," huffed the small woman. She reached down to pull the fur over and held it up as Eve lay down. She tugged the fur over top of their bodies.

"Come here," said Eve softly. She pulled her soulmate on top of her body so that Hope's back pressed into her body. She adjusted the fur and wrapped her arms around Hope's stomach. "Look up."

Slowly green eyes focused straight up to the dark sky. Then the sparkles and twinkles of the stars began to reappear to Hope. "They're beautiful."

"Uh huh." The warrior's fingertips trailed up and down Hope's warm stomach under the blanket. "I tried often to sleep under the stars when I was leading the Roman legions."

"I can see why," whispered Hope. Her head stayed resting on Eve's chest while she studied the stars. "There are so many of them." She turned her head a little. "Huh, I wonder if they represent everybody's dreams in the world? considering how many there are."

Eve chuckled deeply and smiled to herself. "Maybe." She brought one hand out from under the furs. She pointed up. "See those stars?"

"Yeah."

"Looks like a dipper huh?" The tall woman slipped her hand back under the furs.

Hope furrowed her eyebrows and looked harder. "No? looks like a bear."

"What?" Eve quietly laughed. "How do you get a bear out of a dipper?"

The small woman sighed and now slipped her hand out from the furs. She pointed at the various stars. "See, it looks like a bear."

"No, it's a dipper."

"Bear."

"Dipper."

"Bear."

"Dipper."

"It's a damn bear," growled Hope.

Eve closed her eyes and rolled into laughter.

Gabrielle's daughter sighed deeply and her lips played an amused smile. Her hand snaked back under the fur. "Some imagination you have if you're seeing dippers," she teased.

The older woman calmed down from her laughing. "Not very big huh?"

"Nah," whispered the small woman. She turned over onto her stomach. "I wouldn't have thought of a dipper."

"So you do see it then?" The warrior grinned evilly.

Hope groaned. "Yes," she mumbled when she dropped her head into Eve's neck.

"Good," said Eve confidently. "Glad we agree on something."

The small woman chuckled and lifted her head. "You see the bear?"

"No," deadpanned Eve.

Hope narrowed her eyes. "Fine we're not having star discussion? sharing time anymore."

The dark woman laughed quietly but smiled warmly. "I see the bear too."

"I'd hope so," whispered the blond. She lowered her head and kissed Eve lovingly.

When Hope pulled back, Eve grinned. "So, this means we still have star sharing time?"

"I guess so." Hope grinned back.

The older woman laughed and pressed her lips against her soulmate's forehead. "Let's get some sleep huh? Been a long day."

"Yeah." The small woman sighed and lowered the side of her head on Eve's chest. "You know, I already miss them."

"Me too," whispered Eve. "But I'm sure they're fine."

"I hope so." Hope closed her eyes. "I'm worried about mom."

"I know." The warrior tightened her arms around her soulmate. "I'm sure mother will keep her from getting hurt."

"Yeah, that's your mother."

Eve chuckled and closed her eyes. "Go to sleep huh?"

"Yes ma'am," teased Hope. "Sleep well, love."

"I love you," whispered Eve.

Hope felt her control on staying awake slipping so she just mumbled out, "I love you forever," before falling asleep.

Eve fell asleep with a warm smile.

~*Part 5*~

"Are you ready, yet?" asked Eve stoically.

Hope corked an eyebrow while pulling the scroll satchel strap across her head. She adjusted the strap accordingly and leaned against her staff. She stared at her soulmate standing in the sunrise light. "Why'd you wake me up so early?"

"Because we need to get going," drew out the warrior. She turned around and took Shamrock's reins. "Let's go."

The small woman grinned. "Hold your horses? horse." She chuckled and straightened up.

Eve sighed and glanced back at her partner. "What?" She put her hands on her hips. "I'd really like to get going."

"Just a second." The younger woman strolled up with a grin. "There's something I still need to do."

The tall woman raised an eyebrow.

Hope chuckled, came close, dropped her staff against Shamrock, and reached up. Slowly, she pulled Eve's head down. Sealing their lips, she kissed Eve slowly and warmly.

The warrior moaned quietly, dropped the reins, and encircled Hope's waist.

Hope ended the kiss carefully and smiled at her partner. "Now, that's how I like to start my day," she whispered affectionately. Her hands stayed behind Eve's neck.

"Me too," agreed the warrior. She grinned. "You're just trying to get me to drop my act."

"Sssh, you're not suppose to figure that part out," uttered the small woman. She was still smiling warmly. "I love you."

"And I love you," Eve whispered as she finished the distance. She kissed Hope sensually.

"Mmmm," moaned Hope when she ended the kiss. "We better start moving now."

"Afraid of what I might do to you?" teased the warrior.

The younger woman smirked and shifted out of Eve's embrace. She grabbed her staff and began walking while saying, "No, more afraid of what I'll do to you."

Xena's daughter laughed deeply and took the reins. She walked briskly and caught up with her soulmate. "Nothing I wouldn't enjoy."

"That makes two of us," muttered Hope with a grin.

"What's this stuff again?" asked Hope, who was poking the foreign object with her fork. She sat in a seat in the corner of a small tavern.

Eve lifted her eyes. "Its Roman."

The small woman dropped her shoulders and peered up. "What is it, Eve?" She studied the object on her plate again, the supposed food. "It looks alive still." She squinted.

The warrior grinned. "It's a rare delicacy in Rome." She studied the 'food' on Hope's plate then looked at her soulmate again. "Try it." She was just holding back her wild grin.

"Not till I know what it is," stated the small woman.

"It is a glis," told Eve. She tilted her head. "Won't kill you."

"A glis?" Gabrielle's daughter peered up. "Define."

"More like translate."

"Alright," drew out Hope as she poked at the glis more. "Translate."

"Glis is Latin for?" Eve studied the glis with a grin. "Dormouse."

Hope's eyes widen and she jumped up from her seat. She dropped her fork in mid-motion. "Oh gods!" she yelled and stared at the glis on her plate. "A mouse?" She shivered.

The older woman laughed hard and shook her head. "Basically."

The small woman shook her head, staring at the dormouse, and shivering. "No never again, I am not letting you recommend my meals."

The warrior snickered and relaxed back in her seat. "Try it, it's quite popular among the aristocracy of Rome."

"That's? that's okay." Hope grabbed her seat and carried it near Eve. She sat down beside her soulmate. "I'll get you for this." She glared at her warrior.

Eve grinned back. "You're not going to eat it now?"

"No," growled Hope. "Why don't you?"

"I have," revealed the dark woman.

The blond's eyes widened.

The warrior chuckled and folded her hands in her lap. "But I spit it back out once I knew what it was."

"Good," whispered Hope. She glanced over at the glis and actually could see that it once was a mouse. "That is ssso sick." She shivered again.

Xena's daughter laughed quietly and studied the tavern. "It wouldn't have killed you."

"Yeah right." Hope shook her head. "Think about where that things been?" She leaned back in her chair. "Couldn't even pay me."

Eve grinned and caught sight of their barmaid when she came near. She smiled. "Can we get? a different platter here for this young? miss." She smirked at her partner.

Hope glared. Quickly she looked up to the barmaid. "Not that I don't like? dormice but I'm trying to quit." She smiled forcefully.

The barmaid laughed and took the plate. "What would you like?"

"Something? normal? chicken."

The barmaid nodded and disappeared.

The small woman shook her head, stretched out her legs, and dropped her laced hands in her lap. "I still can't believe you did that."

Eve sighed and patted her soulmate's leg. "You'll live." She grinned evilly. "Was a great joke."

"Wait till I get you back."

"That will be? interesting." She scanned around in the tavern. "Are you going to go sit back on your side?"

"Why?" Hope teased, "Don't want me here?"

The older woman grinned and stretched her legs out momentarily. "The closer the better."

"Yeah?" Gabrielle's daughter shifted her face into a smug look. "So, can I sit in your lap?"

"I don't think so." The warrior had a stoic expression.

"Uh huh." The small woman leaned towards her partner. "I know you'd just love me in your lap with my hands-"

"Hope," growled Eve. She gave a stern look. She lifted her eyes to the tavern.

Hope stood up, grasped her chair but leaned over. She whispered, "Cut back on the warrior attitude." She paused with a serious look and demanding eyes. "Trust me, two can do that game." She straightened up and walked back on her side with the chair.

And that had been the better part of their lunch that midday.

Hope leaned against her staff, waiting outside of the stable. She studied the people going by in the small town. Lunch had just ended and she and her partner were getting ready to travel on the road again. She sighed and dropped her head against the staff. It was time for her to be a hard ass. "Eve, are you ready?" she asked deeply. Her ears filled with the clip clop of the Shamrock coming out of the stables.

Eve towed her horse out and came along side her soulmate. "Yeah, let's move."

"Good," stated Hope. She straightened up and led the way through the village.

The warrior narrowed her eyes and sighed. She followed behind.

The small woman studied the people around. Then she exited out of the village on the main road.

Eve was still following with an emotionless attitude. But she heard a sword unsheathing. "Hope?" she whispered in warning.

"What?" growled the small woman.

"Hope!" yelled Eve as she dropped her reins at seeing a man jump out of the trees after her partner. She sprung forward, pushed Hope out of the way, and was sent on the ground by the attacker.

Shamrock whined and jumped up followed by stamping backwards out of the way.

Hope whirled around with her staff raised.

The warrior growled at the man on top of her.

The thug grinned as he held his blade across the woman's throat. "You damn bitch."

Eve laughed. "I love it when I'm called that." She narrowed her eyes suddenly and rolled. She came on top of the man with her hands on his sword blade. She started pressing his sword down towards his neck.

Hope's eyes were wide and she stepped back. She never knew, for a man came up behind her and grabbed her staff. Before she could react, there was an arm across her stomach and sword against her neck.

"Alright woman, get off him or she'll be breathing out of her neck soon," ordered Hope's attacker.

Eve stayed on top of the man, staring into his eyes. She narrowed her eyes and stood up. She stepped back with her hands up. "Alright boys, no harm done." She smiled with anger. "Let her go."

The first thug stood up with his sword pointed at Eve. "I doubt that."

Hope's tongue ran along her molars. I hate being the captive, she thought. I'm just not a nice person either, she added with an inward grin. She raised her right arm just a little and her eyes locked with Eve.

Eve tilted her head in question at Hope. "What you want?"

The first thug grinned. "Her and your life? and any money."

Hope grinned to her soulmate as her elbow came up just a little more. Without notice, she rammed her right elbow into her captor's stomach.

The captor yelped and found small hands pushing his sword away.

The first thug was surprised.

The warrior drew her sword, punched the first thug, and punched Hope's captor.

By that time, Hope was free and stumbling back. She went after her staff and found her captor after her again.

Eve saw her partner starting to fight the second thug. So she returned her attention to the first thug. He was coming around and she took him on.

By the end of it, the two thugs were stumbling towards each other almost beat. That's when they decided it was better to flee today and fight tomorrow. So they went sprinting off in retreat but one stopped before disappearing. He reached to his belt and extracted a dagger. He growled and threw it towards Eve.

Eve lifted her hands.

"I don't think so." Hope narrowed her eyes and focused her mind on the flying dagger.

The dagger stopped in midair, spun around, and went reeling back towards its owner.

The thug ducked as the dagger slammed into a tree. He looked at Hope with fear then ran away.

The small woman chuckled. "I should have done that sooner."

Eve sheathed her sword. "Are you alright?"

The young woman nodded. "Yeah, you?"

"Fine." The warrior went near Shamrock and took his reins. "You ready?"

"Um? yeah," whispered Hope. She began traveling again along side her partner like nothing ever happened.

Hope sighed deeply. She lifted her eyes from the scroll and stared across the small river. She sat on a large rock along the shore and behind her not too far was the camp. It was late in the day with the sun preparing to set soon. Her eyes lowered back to the parchment and she reread her work?

I was so lost,

Before you stepped,

Into my life,

I was so lost.

Since the day,

My eyes locked with yours,

I haven't returned,

From this world of love,

And I never will.

So won't you join,

Me here?

In this blessed,

World of love's perfection,

Where we can become,

One,

So won't you join,

Me here?

Hope sighed again and looked up. Will you join me, Eve? She asked herself while staring at the sun's setting rays reflect off the river. Because you're busy being a warrior again. Now she felt her body warming up and she knew why. Warm hands grasped her shoulders.

Eve stared at the sunset on the river. "Beautiful," she whispered.

The small woman nodded simply. "What we doing about dinner?"

"Same partnership on the idea. I catch, you cook?"

"Sure," answered the young woman. She rolled up her scroll but kept it in her lap with the quill. "Why don't you go get it now?" she asked a little coldly.

The warrior even flinched. She squeezed her soulmate's shoulders. "If that's what you want." She released her partner's shoulders and walked off.

Hope closed her eyes tightly. "Eve?" she whispered.

The tall woman stood near the edge of the forest. "Yes?" she replied without looking back.

"That's? not what I want."

Her head turned sidelong. "Then what is it that you desire, Hope?"

Hope turned her head towards Eve. Her eyes were filled with a mix of love and pain. "You."

Eve faced her soulmate. She studied Hope then walked towards her without breaking eye contact.

Gabrielle's daughter could feel her stomach turning in fear.

The warrior grasped her partner's sides and peered down into warm but worried green eyes. She smiled tenderly and leaned down. Her lips carefully pressed against Hope's then she deepened the kiss slowly.

Hope moaned softly and held onto her warrior's arms.

Eve pulled back but kept her eyes locked. "You have me," she promised with her heart. She smiled with love.

Hope shook her head a little. "But you're falling into your warrior side so much. And I know its going to get stronger."

The warrior chuckled faintly. "Don't worry, love." She brushed back some stray blond bangs. "Just give me one of your smiles and I'll fall to my knees." She went serious. "I'll be more careful." She leaned in and kissed her soulmate's forehead.

The small woman smiled happily. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "I love warriors but not all the time."

Eve grinned devilishly. "You like a little emotions now and again?"

Hope corked an eyebrow. "Yes," she responded.

The tall woman laughed deeply. "I'll try? no promises for now? and no sensitive chats."

The young woman grinned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Right," Eve answer with sarcasm. "You're the queen of sensitive chats."

"Ha!" Hope shook her head. "Mom is."

"Alright, you're the princess," the warrior teased.

"That? I can't go against." Hope lost her smile.

The older woman picked up her partner's scroll and quill. She placed them on the ground then returned her attention to Hope. "Come here."

Hope moved into her soulmate's arms.

Eve pulled her other half in close and held.

The small woman buried her head into Eve's chest and closed her eyes. "I love you, Eve," she whispered.

"I love you," replied back Eve.

"You couldn't have caught that!" yelled Hope. She shook her head and stared at the fire. She checked the quail again.

"Yes I could have," stated Eve for the fifth time. She turned around and stared at her partner's back in the dark camp.

"Well? I have to exercise my telekinesis."

"Uh huh," responded the warrior. She strolled over. "You just wanted to show off."

"Me?" said Hope hotly. She jumped up and spun around. She pointed a finger at her soulmate. "And you wanted to catch it? That's not showing off?"

Eve smirked and folded her arms while leaning on one foot. "Nope, Hope."

The small woman glared. "Alright? weavie Evie."

The warrior's jaw clenched and unclenched. "Look Hope, just cope."

"No," declared the young woman with a smirk. "Because I wanna peeve Eve."

"You're doing a damn good job of it."

Hope snickered and rested her hands on her soulmate's waist. "Gee Eve, can't you handle a joke?"

The tall woman sighed and rolled her eyes. "Alright? alright you win."

The young woman went on tiptoes then kissed her soulmate apologetically. She fell back on her heels at the end of the kiss. "Sorry, couldn't help it."

"I deserved it considering I started it." Eve unfolded her arms and encircled the other woman's waist. "I could have caught it."

"No you couldn't have."

"Yes I could have," growled the warrior.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yesss."

"Nooo."

"Yes, damn it," growled Eve again.

Hope sighed. "Alright, let's make a bet?"

"Oh, this'll be good."

The small woman laughed quietly and thought. "If you catch three daggers I'll? tack up Shamrock for three days straight."

"If I miss one dagger, you win, and I'll let you sleep in for three days straight." The warrior raised an eyebrow. "Deal?"

"Deal," declared Hope and she sealed the pack with a kiss. "Let's do it now," she said at the end of the kiss.

"In the dark!?" yelled Eve.

Lifting the dagger, Hope raised an eyebrow. "Are you ready?"

Eve rolled her eyes. "Yes." She stood next to the fire in the night. "Just throw it."

The small woman pulled her arm back but never threw. "Eve, you sure about this?"

"Yes," growled the warrior.

"But what if you miss?"

"I won't," stated Xena's daughter. "I'll catch it."

Hope tilted her head. "You promise?"

"Yes," responded Eve with frustration. "Just throw it."

"Okay," whispered Hope. She breathed calmly and threw the dagger hard.

Eve narrowed her eyes and let all her senses come to life.

The dagger flew towards Eve, closing in, then it stopped in midair suddenly.

"Hope!" roared the warrior.

The dagger hovered in the air scant inches from Eve.

"I can't do it," revealed the younger woman. Hope kept her mind focused on the dagger. "What if you miss? You'll have a dagger sticking out of your side." She mentally backed up the dagger and plucked it out of the air.

"Hope, look at me?"

The small woman locked eyes across the camp.

"I won't miss, I swear." Eve smiled warmly. "You do trust me, right?"

Hope sighed. "Yes of course just?"

"Don't worry, just think of how you'll get to mother me if I get a dagger in me." She chuckled.

The younger woman narrowed her eyes. "That's not funny."

Eve sighed. "Come on, just throw it. I'll catch it." She grinned with evil. "I am not about to let you sleep in during the mornings."

Hope narrowed her eyes. "We'll see?"

"We won't if you don't throw it," jibed the warrior. "So throw it!"

Hope growled and threw the dagger hard.

Eve grinned, leaned to her right, and her left hand swooped up to pluck the dagger out of midair. She smirked and waved the dagger at her soulmate.

Hope huffed. "Lucky."

"Right," teased Eve with a deep voice. "Its called skill." She tossed the dagger towards her partner.

The small woman narrowed her eyes as the dagger came at her. She mentally stopped the dagger and slowly lowered it. She grabbed it out of the air by the blade. "Alright, let's try the other side."

"Bring it on," challenged the warrior.

The young woman pulled back her hand and threw the dagger.

Eve repeated the process but the opposite way. She leaned to her left as her right hand shot up and grabbed the dagger by the handle. She had a smug look while tossing the dagger in the air and catching it again. "Yup yup? two caught and one left." She grinned and threw the dagger at Hope again.

Hope stopped it in midair and snatched it out of the air. "Ready for this?" She grinned.

The warrior nodded and closed her eyes. "Go."

"Eve-"

"Go," growled the older woman.

The small woman shook her head and threw the dagger hard.

Eve heightened all her senses and waited for the dagger to enter her zone.

Hope raised her right hand and did a circle in midair with her index finger.

The dagger flipped around and closed in by the handle first.

The warrior felt the dagger close and in fluent motion she raised her right hand quickly. Her hand wrapped around the end of the handle. She opened her eyes and smirked. "Three in a row." She glanced over at her bay. "Shamrock, Hope will tack up tomorrow and the next two days."

The horse whined and stamped his foot in laughter.

Hope put her hands on her hips, stared at her soulmate, and ran her tongue along her molars. She bit back her huge grin at knowing what she had done. "Well?"

Eve grinned and strolled to her soulmate. "Need I prove myself further?"

"Nope." The young woman folded her arms. "You won the bet."

"Hmmm." The warrior grinned while lifting the dagger. She pressed it against her lips as her eyes twinkled.

Hope laughed deeply and shook her head. "Alright alright?" She shrugged and walked off. "Sorry I was looking after your well being earlier today."

Eve chuckled and came up behind her partner. "Its okay, my pride was hurt? I'll admit."

"I'm sure its fine now," teased Hope.

"Definitely, it's normal again." Xena's daughter chuckled and neared her bay. She sheathed the dagger inside of the saddlebag. "But I'll wager?" she spun around and faced her partner. "That your pride has been pricked."

Hope said nothing and just corked an eyebrow. "Maybe."

"Maybe," repeated Eve. She smiled and closed in the distance. "I think so." She grasped her soulmate's hips. "Sorry," she whispered in a sincere tone.

"It's not a big deal," replied the younger woman. Her right hand came forward then pressed against Eve's stomach. "I'm rather glad to know you can catch daggers? if I couldn't stop them with a thought." She grinned.

The warrior lowered her head with a soft smile. She felt the tiny heat spot at her stomach where Hope's hand pressed. "Thank you for stopping the dagger earlier today."

"Yeah well?" Hope shrugged with her own smile. "Did it because I love you. Have to protect what's mine." Her hands moved to hold Eve around the waist.

"I know what you mean," uttered Eve. She lowered her head more and pressed her lips against warmer lush lips.

Hope, in an instant, deepened the kiss and poured her passion into the kiss. For her body was tingling like she'd been hit by thousands of love's needles. She pulled away breathing heavily and dark eyes. "Eve," she whispered sensual.

"Bedrolls, that way," teased Eve a little.

"Oh, this is a slow paced relationship? so we'll take a slow pace making it to the bedroll," teased back the small woman with passion swirled eyes. "Because this'll be a wild ride."

"Is that a challenge?" questioned the warrior when her eyes went dark. "I love a good challenge."

"Good," whispered Hope. "Let's see who will win." She pulled her soulmate's head down and kissed her roughly.

The warrior pulled back slowly but didn't grin only smiled softly. "We said slow." She kissed her partner gently this time while murmuring, "And loving? passion later? please."

Hope melted into the warm words. "Gentle it is then? for now," she teased.

Eve chuckled and lowered her lips down. She kissed Hope's neck softly.

"Besides," Hope whispered between her moan. "I wouldn't know? what to do."

"Anything natural," replied the warrior as her soft lips trailed across the hot skin.

The small woman moan louder, brought her hands threw thick black hair.

Eve's hands slid up Hope's warm stomach to the bottom of the green halter-top. Then her lips trailed down Hope's chest towards the top of her chest. Then her head came back instantly and captured Hope's lips in a strong kiss. Her hands came up and began unlacing the halter-top.

The younger woman's hands came up and helped Eve unlace the top.

Within a couple or so seconds the halter-top was being removed.

Hope brought her arms back, taking the top green top off, and this made her breasts come out.

The warrior leaned back in for a long sensual kiss and her hands moved to massage perfectly round breasts.

The smaller woman groaned into the kiss and she held tight onto Eve's hips.

Eve ended the kiss by releasing slowly Hope's lower lip from sucking. She knelt down a little and leaned in with her mouth covering an erect nipple. She sucked carefully to start while her other hand took care of the other breast.

Hope moaned deeply and grasped Eve's shoulders. "Eve," she whispered in a plea.

The warrior grinned into her teasing of the breast. She gave bite to the nipple and heard Hope suck in a breath. Her tongue snaked out and swirled around the nipple then around the breast. She gave more sucking and teeth grazing over the heated skin before switching breasts.

Hope arched her back, which in turn pressed her breasts more into her soulmate's touch.

Eve grasped her partner's skirt by the belt with one hand. Her fingertips slid under the belt.

The small woman let go of her warrior's shoulder and brought that hand to her belt. She was soon pushing her skirt down with her soulmate's help.

Eve lowered herself to her knees, and glided her hot lips over Hope's warm stomach. Her tongue came out slightly and left a wet trail down the sweaty stomach. Both her hands grasped the sides of her soulmate's skirt. She pulled the skirt down.

Hope helped some but grasped Eve's shoulders again. But stepped out of the skirt. She looked down and watched her warrior's lush lips covered her mound. The fire exploded inside on contact. Her eyes drifted shut but she felt Eve's hand signal for her to spread. Hope widen her legs open and brought her right hand down to spread open her folds.

Eve ran her tongue along the wet clit and through the folds. Her left hand held onto Hope's waist while her right pressed against Hope's lower abdomen.

"Oh gods," Hope uttered and dug her nails into her soulmate's shoulder.

The warrior continued to roll her tongue through folds and graze the clit. She let her two forefingers of her right hand tease the tips of the folds.

The fire swept through Hope and the beads of sweat rolled down her body. She pushed her hips into her soulmate's mouth.

Eve nipped at Hope's clit and ran tongue through the soft flesh, letting the increasing sweet juice slid into her mouth. Then her tongue began moving faster. She gave another bite, then slipped her forefingers between the folds and rubbed hard and quickly.

The small woman's breathing was matching the pace of her soulmate's fingers. Her right hand was back on Eve's shoulder with nails digging more into Eve's shoulder.

The warrior sped up her pace so the small orgasm would follow soon.

Hope felt her body wash over with passion and the heat screamed. So she dropped her head back and yelled," Eve!" After the passion passed through her lips, she fell forward against Eve.

Eve wrapped her arms around her soulmate and rose up. She drew her partner in closely and held tightly.

Hope's eyes were closed, her head dug into hot breasts as she tried to breathe normally again. She had her hands holding onto Eve's hips. "That was? nice."

Eve grinned and lowered her lips close to Hope's ear. "It's just started."

"Oh god?" whispered Hope. "What else is there?"

"A lot more," purred the warrior. She picked up her soulmate and carried her to the bedrolls.

~*Part 6*~

"Hope, wake up," whispered Eve. She brushed back blond bangs while kneeling beside the bedroll.

"Not? yyyet," mumbled the small woman.

Eve shook her head with a grin. "Shamrock needs to be tacked up," she teased.

"You tack? him up," uttered Hope as she rolled away.

The warrior grinned. "But remember, I won the bet."

"Ooooh Hell," growled the small woman sleepily. "What time is it?"

"Late." Eve bent down and whispered to Hope, "We both won the bet? since you flipped the last dagger in midair last night." She paused and let it sink in with Hope. "You sleep in and tack up Shamrock." She patted her lover's shoulder and rose up.

"Damn," murmured the blond and opened her eyes. She rolled onto her back. "How'd you know?"

The dark woman strolled over to the fire. "Because I anticipated catching it by the tip of the handle but I caught it by the end of the handle."

"Double damn," huffed the small woman. She sighed and brushed back her bangs. "I just couldn't?"

"I know," answered Eve. "That's why I'll let you sleep in for the next three days? but you have to tack up Shamrock."

"Alright." Hope grinned and stood up in the nude. "Where'd my clothes get to last night?"

"Over there." Eve pointed.

"Right," murmured the small woman. She collected her skirt, put it on and followed it with her green halter-top.

The warrior put the fire out and came up behind her lover. Her arms snaked around the warm stomach. "So, how you feel after last night?"

Hope chuckled and continued lacing her top up. "As good as you do." She smiled softly.

"Good," whispered the taller woman. She kissed Hope's neck. "No regrets?"

"Definitely not," whispered Hope. She finished lacing her top and she leaned back into Eve. "You?"

"No." The warrior held onto her soulmate for a few moments. She then said, "Don't forget to tack up-"

"Yeah, yeah? you know how to ruin a moment."

Eve chuckled and kissed Hope's shoulder. "You'll live." She released the smaller woman.

Hope sighed before strolling over to Shamrock. "Alright." She grabbed the face tack off the tree's branch. She stared at it with furrowed eyebrows. She glanced over to her lover. "Eve?"

"Yeah?"

"How you tack a horse up?"

Hope gazed around the area. She continued traveling along side her soulmate, whom rode Shamrock. She studied the surrounding forest and noticed the road came out of the forest now. The rolling hills came into view and it made Hope shiver. "Eve," she whispered.

Eve glanced down and noticed her partner was walking closer to her horse. "What's wrong?" She stopped Shamrock.

"Can? I ride with you?" asked the small woman with tinted fear.

The warrior held her hand down. "Come on." She felt her breathing pick up faintly at seeing this fear. She lifted Hope up into the front of the saddle. She wrapped one arm around Hope's waist and pulled her in. "What is it?"

The small woman breathed calmly, trying to relax. "We're near Dahak's temple." She held tight to her staff in her right hand. "I can just feel him from here," she uttered.

"Where's the temple?"

Hope pointed northwest. "In that direction? probably three candlemarks walk." She lowered her hand then grasped the saddle horn. "Eve, I don't like this."

"Alright, we're going the other way." Eve tugged on Shamrock's reins and kicked him. She headed southeast. She held tight to her soulmate. Her back was ridged and her senses at their peak. Why was she so worried? Dahak was gone and couldn't enter this world without Hope. So, what's there to worry about? That's what had Eve worried, those questions. And the small prickles she felt on her back.