sarrabi@hotmail.com.

Part 5

Running her fingers over the smooth beautifully carved oak cabinet that she was examining Lara nodded, "Yes she is. She's quite remarkable."

"Just like her Great Granddaughter."

Lara actually blushed and she never did that. "Angel, you are the only one in the world who could make me blush."

Sarah's smile brightened and she replied happily, "Good."

Lara laughed and shook her head as she opened the cabinet. Suddenly her face was full of awe, "Angel come here."

Sara walked over and looked inside her eyes widening in surprise. Inside there were bottles and bottles of 3,000 year old wine and port. All clean and immaculately kept.

"Wow!"

"Astonishing, I can't wait to try out that port," Said Lara as she put her arms around the smaller woman's waist and pulled her close to her. She leaned down and kissed the crown of her head and then lay her head on top of Sarah's.

Sarah snuggled into the taller woman sighing in contentment.

"I always dreamed of being naked in a hot tub with Champaign looking deeply into the eyes of the person I loved."

"Mm, really and what did this person look like?"

"You my sweet."

"Ahh, well I dreamt of you too. I really didn't think about till I met you but I saw your pretty face in my dreams and just looking into your eyes filled me with pure joy."

"Really?"

"Really."

Lara gently brought up the soft lips to meet her own in a deep loving kiss.

There was the joyful sound of giggles coming from the hot tub. Lara had Sarah in her lap and she was kissing her neck and playing with some pretty parts below the water line. Sarah felt like she was slowly climbing up a heavenly spiral and just as she reached it she stiffened. A flash of Apollo's temple flashed in her mind and what her imagination supplied was a picture of their adversary's horrid death.

"Lara?" She squeaked.

Lara had felt the same thing as she saw the destroyed bodies in her minds eye just as she was enjoying the pleasure of giving Sarah her release. She hugged the smaller woman and whispered in her ear, "I know love, I feel it too."

They pulled slightly apart and looked into each other's worried eyes. Sarah with trembling lips asked Lara softly, "What are we going to do?"

Lara reached up and gently put some hair behind the tiny ear and then she cupped her loves face in her hands, "I'm not going to give up making love to you my darling bride, I'll tell you that." She replied with a sweet smile.

"I don't want you to. I can't stop seeing…I can't get that place out of my mind."

"I know…But we have to change our way of thinking about it, Angel. We passed that horrid test not once but twice. Once was proof our love was true but twice had to mean something more. We were never really scarred by the test because we never saw anything. We were caught up in our own love at the time so we really didn't see them actually die, Thank God. I think we should see how lucky we were not how unlucky they were, don't you?"

Lara had captured Sarah's eyes in an intense loving gaze. As she spoke she was softly caressing her back. Sarah simply nodded as she leaned into the parted lips right in front of hers kissing the beautiful woman passionately. They explored each other happily till they ran out of air. Then Lara scooped Sarah up into her arms and carried her out of the hot tub. They gently dried each other off enjoying each caress of the towel and then put on their robes.

"Are you hungry, Angel?"

"Yes."

"Let's eat then we'll try to rid ourselves of that horrid image with a much more pleasant one. I intend for us to be rid of it forever, sound good to you?"

"Sounds perfect."

They started to work on dinner as Lara was opening a can she noticed something behind the hot tub. She put down the can and slowly approached what appeared to be a panel. She studied it carefully feeling the wall of the cave trying to figure out where the key was.

Sarah had been setting up the stove when she noticed that her wife had left her side. She walked over and watched Lara carefully examine the wall of the cave.

"Did the cave spring a leak?" She asked with a bright smile.

Lara spun around and met amused green eyes with an equally amused look. "Very cute. Look at this Angel, It looks like a panel come here and see if you can help me find the key."

Sarah came closer and tried to find any kind of clue to open the panel. She then noticed something intriguing at the bottom it was a stylized omega. She felt it and found a groove that she could easily slide her wedding band into. Then she stood up and she looked up at the other side of the panel and on the top corner saw a delta made in the same style of design.

"Sweetie, see if you can feel a groove in that delta all the way up in that high corner. Then see if you could slide the bottom half of your wedding band into it."

Lara's eyes widened as she quietly moved to the other side of the panel and reached up to feel the delta in the corner of the panel. Low and behold she found a groove and easily slid the back of her wedding band into it.

"You're a genius!" She said walking quickly back to Sarah hugging her tightly and kissing her passionately.

Then she pulled back caressing her cheek saying softly, "Your so damn smart. Did you know that?"

Sarah leaned into the caress and replied honestly, "No."

"Why ever not?"

Sarah shrugged. Lara stepped back and shook her head and said very quietly, "Angel I really don't understand. Aunt Mel and Aunt Janice loved you so much. Why do you feel so inadequate?"

Sarah lowered her head, "Um, It wasn't them."

"Who then?"

Sarah shook her head and bent it. Lara lifted her chin up gently and asked firmly, "Bloody who is it?"

"My Aunt Anna and my cousins they always made me feel…unwanted."

Lara's face suddenly became very angry, "What do you mean unwanted?" Her voice was quiet but very intense. Sarah had never heard Lara use that tone before.

"Its not important. I don't see them anymore."

"Bloody hell it isn't important. It still is affecting you to this day. Even with me and that is something I want to know about and understand."

Sarah's head lowered even more and she felt tears sting her eyes. She couldn't reply because she was upset with herself for upsetting Lara this much.

Lara took a deep breath and cursed herself within her own mind. She realized that Sarah was misunderstanding her and thinking her anger was directed at her instead of her aunt. She very gently put her finger under the quivering little chin and lifted it up till she could see the teary green eyes. She carefully dried each eye and said softly, "My Angel, I'm angry at your Aunt not you. Never you. Please love, come on and tell me what happened. Don't you trust me?"

"Yes, of course, " Sarah said leaning into the hand that was now caressing her cheek.

"Please tell me about it then you won't have to think about her again. I promise," she took her hand and led her to their bed. It was a beautiful well built bed that Xena made for the cave. It was sturdy, attractive and comfortable just like everything else the Warrior Princess ever made. They sat on the edge of the bed; Lara never let go of her hand or lost eye contact with smaller woman. Her other arm was softly rubbing her back in comfort.

"Come on Angel, talk to me."

Sarah nodded, She stared at their joined hands as if they gave her strength and took a deep breath quietly starting to speak, "I was always different. I wasn't much for dolls or clothes or parties. I wasn't too intrigued by boys either. I never talked about kissing or dating. I didn't drink or do drugs. I liked school and I never played hooky. I got excited by reading and learning about the far off places that Auntie Janice and Auntie Mel were always off to. I adored college. I went early I started my undergraduate classes at 16 years old. I belonged to all the so-called geek clubs. This didn't sit too well with my Uncle's wife and children. I wasn't socially acceptable being a nerd and all. After Auntie Janice and Auntie Mel died I was left with them," she sighed and closed her eyes tight.

"My Uncle was different he loved me and was always kind to me. But he was a busy lawyer and wasn't home much. His wife and daughters treated me like I was the ugly stepsister. They couldn't punish me financially for intruding into their lives because Auntie Janice and Auntie Mel's estates were both left completely to me. I only stayed with them because I hadn't become 18 years old and my Uncle felt I should wait till I was older before I moved into Auntie Mel's house. It was understandable you see how unworldly I am so he was trying to protect me."

"That's not how I see you Angel," Lara whispered into her ear, "go on."

Sarah nodded and went on, "They had to feel superior to me so they constantly criticized me. I lacked social skills. I was plain and boring. That it was a lucky thing for me that I had a fortune since my money was the only way I would attract any man into my life. They said that I was lucky they put up with me since I was such a bore and they only did so because of obligation to family." Sarah now started to sob against Lara's shoulder. Lara pulled her closer still and whispered quietly, "Go on," As she kissed her cheek and continued to caress her back.

"They were always careful not to speak like that within my Uncles hearing. He was totally unaware of it. He was really worried about me he used to talk to the only other person who loved me in that house the housekeeper Mrs. Peterson. Mrs. Peterson used work for Auntie Mel and I had to stop her from going to my Uncle with what his wife was doing to me. He couldn't understand why I spent so much time alone since there was whole household of people for me to talk to. He didn't know I was trying to escape the constant harping on my faults by living in my books. When I was almost 18 years old he died. I went to my lawyer and asked him if I could move into Auntie Mel's now since I wanted to get away from that woman. Auntie Janice and Auntie Mel came to the rescue with their will it was at my discretion I could do what I wanted to do."

Sarah stopped because she was finding it hard to breathe. She felt Lara pull her onto her lap swaying her gently in her arms like she was child. "Angel please go on, I think you need to get this out of you finally. It will bring you peace to say it out loud." Lara said quietly into her ear then she dried her tears and then lovingly rubbed her cheek against the tearstained cheek beside her.

Sarah allowed the gentle swaying to calm her as she rubbed her cheek against the soft cheek of this kind woman who she knew really loved her. She continued quietly, "My Aunt said I was an ungrateful bitch and that she will never step foot in my new home. She said I was uncouth and unworthy of her and her children's attention. She said I would never be acknowledged by society and I was not considered apart of their family anymore. I was treated like a leper from then on. If they saw me in town which was unusual because I didn't go out much and wasn't one for the type of events they went to they would look right through me. I was very lonely for a long time. I did meet some nice people in college and the charities I worked for but there was no one close. I had no one to confide in or have fun with so I began to believe that my Aunt was right…"

Lara had pulled back so she wouldn't yell in her loves ear. "The hell she was!" Then she pulled the smaller woman back into a bear hug kissing her tenderly and caressing her back. She had tears in her eyes as she pulled all the way back again but what astonished Sarah was the anger burning in them. Lara's voice was very gentle as she spoke to Sarah, "That woman wasn't your relative anyway. Your uncle was and your housekeeper but that bitch and her kids were strangers that you lived with. You are way too good for the lot of them. You're too good for that town if they don't see all the wonder that I see in you. Your beautiful, smart, creative, talented, kind, sweet, caring and…and…and utterly adorable."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm head over heals in love with you. You astound me every day and I'm so very, very proud of you." Lara pulled her close and gave her heartfelt kiss full of love and need. She immediately deepened it and rolled onto her back taking Sarah with her to the center of the large bed. She gently took off Sarah's robe ands started to explore the soft skin. Sarah removed Lara's robe stroking her strong back arching her breasts into Lara's hands. When they pulled apart Lara rolled once again till she was over her love her lips hungrily began to taste every delight they could reach. Sarah's head flew back against the pillows her hands tangling in soft black hair.

Lara kissed her way down to Sarah's apex tasting and delighting in every single inch of the beautiful body beneath her. To her delight she had so much nectar to lap up she felt like a greedy kitten. Sarah moaned and shivered at each lap of Lara's fast moving tongue. "Hurry" Sarah moaned in need.

Happily Lara complied with the sweet request and entered Sarah's apex with an eager tongue tasting exploring each delicious inch till she knew that her love was more then ready she added a finger rubbing Sarah's clit pulling back her face she began to ride Sarah's leg with same rhythm. When she knew she was about to go over she entered a second finger sending her mate spiraling into ecstasy following her a few seconds later.

Lara crawled up the hot sweating body beneath her and curled up around it. She whispered into the panting woman's ear, "I love you my Angel. You mean everything to me."

Sarah kissed the sweaty forehead and rubbed her cheek against the salty neck. She loved the scent and feel of this strong woman nestled in her arms. "I love you too with all my heart and soul. Thank you."

"For what?"

"For seeing me, the real me. No one else ever has."

"Oh Angel that was easy.

Afterwards they jumped into the tub while their food cooked and then ate dinner. They went back to the panel and studied it. "Sweetie, can you reach that Delta easily or would you like a chair?"

Lara smiled, she was really beginning to like being called that by Sarah. She did wonder how she would react if anyone else heard it though, "Yep it's no problem. Shall we?"

Sarah nodded and placed her left hand over the omega and patiently waited for Lara to do the same with the delta. Lara nodded and they both applied pressure at the same time pushing their rings on the back of their fingers into the fitted grove. At first there was no reaction to it then slowly the wall began to shudder and groan slowly gliding to the side like it was on ball bearings.

Lara carefully inspected the floor of the cave and wall and shook her head. "I'll be damned if I know how that was done."

Sarah was looking into the new opening with a non-plussed expression on her face. Lara looked into the opening and gulped. There suspended in air above two pillars were objects seemingly floating in midair.

They both slowly entered as if in a trance. Sarah walked to one pedestal and Lara to the other. Simultaneously they reached out and touched the dancing objects. They're whole bodies seem to be hit by an electrical force but they kept going as if it didn't even phase them. They were still completely in sync with each other though they never looked at each other they're focus was totally absorbed by the pedestals.

Sarah reached out and took the Sais that was dancing together above the pedestal holding them in a fighting stance. She was in awe because she knew them.

At the same time Lara took the elegant sword bringing it in arch over head and down her back and then arched it back up into a battle ready stance as well. A sound was at the bottom of her throat that she knew very well so she allowed it burst out of her. The well-known battle cry echoed through out the ancient cave. Both women moved till they were back to back as if they were expecting trouble.

"Hello Xena," Said a very familiar deep voice that sent chills down both their backs.

Blue eyes met the black seductive eyes of the God of War with a cold iciness, "Aries," it was Lara's mouth moving but the voice and facial expression was pure Xena.

"It seems Apollo took out my operatives rather easily so I had to come finish the job myself. I should have known you and the battling bard would be all prepared." Aries said with an amused smirk.

"You sent that rogue tomb raider after the girls?" Said Gabrielle's angry voice through Sarah's sweet mouth.

"Yep, I sure did. I knew your little decedents were close so I thought I might just be able to stop them through your Great Granddaughter Gabrielle, she seemed really weak to me. I misjudged you so I guess I should have known better, huh?" He asked looking into the angry green eyes with a wicked smirk. He was leaning against the door to the living area of the cave. He was unarmed but they knew that would probably change quickly.

"What the hell do you want!?" Xena asked angrily advancing on the God of War like a tiger.

"Hey, Hold it Warrior Princess. I'm unarmed and your not in your own body…"

"This body is in exquisite shape. My Great Granddaughter is a lot like me. Except she's never been lured to her dark side by you and she never will be."

"Not that I haven't tried," he replied with a chuckle. "But yeah, Xena you're right she can't be lured that's why I ordered Peterson to kill her. Unfortunately she never got a chance your granddaughter is too damn good. So she failed and then Apollo took them both out. How did he do that by the way?"

Lara's face smiled wickedly, "The ethers."

"Clever, Whose idea was that?" Aries asked with a slight grimace.

Sarah walked closer to Lara her sais in the ready position as Gabrielle's voice said, "Your sister, our friend."

"Figures. She is such a sentimental slob."

"That's why we like her. Aries, you once claimed to be in love with me. Several time in fact, this is a nice way of showing it."

"Xena, Xena, Xena you know I never mix business with pleasure."

Xena's laugh echoed around the cave as Lara's face showed her contempt for the total lie. She again advanced on the God of War, the sword coming up into the ready position.

"Xena you're not seriously considering fighting with me yet again?" Asked Aries with an amused chuckle.

Xena's battle cry suddenly came out of Lara's throat as she flipped through the air landing right in front of Aries with the sword at his throat and a wild gleam in her eyes, "Yep."

"Ar, Would you give it a rest!" Said Aphrodite from above them. "Get the hell out of here and let the girls finish their mission."

"No way, to make these scrolls even more famous and me more deviled, Nuh-huh, no way!"

"Look at it this way it will make your name known again, " Said Gabrielle's voice as Sarah's body walked behind Lara. "After all most people today think of Aries as a sign in the zodiac to look up to see what their horoscope is." Gabrielle's and Lara's laughter was heard again at the thought.

"Hm, That is true. Not bad, Bard. I'll tell you what I'll get lost for now but if I feel even a teensy weensy bit slighted by those stupid scrolls I will be back with a vengeance. Then watch out!" And he was gone.

Aphrodite shook her head winked at her friends and said, "Later." Then she vanished in sparkle of pink.

"Gabrielle lets bring the girls into the living quarters. You know how their bodies will react when we leave them and I want them to be comfortable."

They walked toward the bed when Gabrielle asked, "Xena, Do you think the girls would mind if we kiss? I miss feeling you against me in the physical world and we haven't in such a long time…"

"No Love, I don't think they will mind at all. They are both such loving women they will understand. Let's sit on the bed because after we kiss we will leave their bodies."

Sarah's head nodded, they both put the weapons on the ground beneath the bed. Then Lara pulled Sarah onto her lap close to her Xena's voice whispered, "I love you my bard."

"I love you too my warrior."

They kissed deeply and passionately holding each other tightly feeling the soft skin beneath their fingers. When they ran out of air the warrior and her bard left their descendants bodies. When Lara and Sarah's eyes opened they were still kissing distance apart and they couldn't resist falling back into a deep well-connected kiss. They finished the kiss with loving looks in their eyes they parted only a few inches as Sarah in her own voice the southern accent firmly back in place asked, "Did what I think just happened really happen?"

"I think so, Angel," Said Lara her rich clipped British tone back she looked down at the ancient weapons below them. They were both astonished by how they felt when they even looked at them.

"Lara…I know how to use these…but I don't know how I do." Sarah said very confused.

Lara nodded, "I know how to use this too," She said as she lifted the ancient sword and admired it. It felt like such an old friend.

Sarah tilted her head and asked surprised, "Didn't you already know how to?"

"No, I never learned how to use such a big sword, I was trained on the foil. I feel this…this is…um, apart of me." Lara said her voice full of awe.

Sarah nodded and said, "That's how I feel about this too. I don't really understand I have never held a weapon before but I know I could use these. In fact I feel I could use them well. How could they have given us this…um, knowledge?"

Lara shrugged, "I guess they left us the knowledge. I have no idea how."

"How did Aries know about any of this? How did our Grandmother's predict he would and be here to meet him and protect us?"

"Angel, I don't have any idea either," she said putting the sword back down on the floor and said sleepily, "I am exhausted suddenly. Come on lets get some sleep we have a very, very long day tomorrow."

Sarah yawned and nodded putting the Sais with Lara's sword. She cuddled close to the taller woman as Lara pulled up the covers up over them.

"Good night, my Angel."

"Goodnight, my sweet."

They fell into a deep-exhausted sleep nestled comfortingly in each other's warm embrace.

Lara woke up with the most heavenly weight on her chest and shoulder. Just the feel of her skin against Sarah's against her made her smile. She opened her eyes and looked at the head comfortably nestled against her shoulder. She bent down and gently kissed the forehead then she stretched her arms out and yawned quietly.

Her eyes fell on the bronze box on the table next to their bed and narrowed. She didn't remember her or Sarah taking it out of Sarah's nap sack. She pulled it over and opened it. She pulled out the unreadable scroll and tried once again to decipher the strange puzzle and blinked. Then she suddenly sat up straight as an arrow.

"Sarah, wake up Angel. Come on it's very important," she murmured into the little ear next to her. Sarah's eyes fluttered open and she muttered, "Mmm?"

One thing the two soulmates didn't have in common was Sarah's total reluctance to get up in the morning. Lara found it strangely endearing but right now she needed her to get up.

"Angel, I need you to wake up all the way. Come on, right now." She said as she gently bestowed a string of tiny kisses around the pretty sleepy face.

That worked, Sarah's arms suddenly wrapped around Lara's neck pulling the dark woman into a deep kiss. They enjoyed exploring each other till Lara remembered the scroll and tried to pull away from her affectionate mate.

"Come on Sweetheart, I need you to look…"

Sarah opened her eyes and pulled Lara back to her kissing her passionately. That ignited Lara's fire and not only did she fall into the kiss her hands began to explore other avenues of luscious body above her. She removed Sarah's robe and began to feel her way to very aroused breasts. Soon they were tasting and grinding into each other lost to everything but each other and their shared passion. They reached the pinnacle together falling over the edge their screams echoing in the large cave.

Cuddling and stroking each other Lara said in breathy voice, "Did you know you could be quite distracting, Angel?"

"Didn't you enjoy it?" Sarah asked seductively fingers caressing the breastbone and tracing the line to long neck making her love purr in contentment.

"Oh yeah…but…a….Ohhh…" Lara lost her grip as the small mouth began to suckle her breast hungrily. Lara's hands slipped down the beautiful body till she reached Sarah's breast kneading them with both hands matching the rhythm created by Sarah's hot mouth. Lara suddenly removed her hands and Sarah stopped what she was doing in surprise. Then Lara moved down so she could ride Sarah's leg and gently put hand against the now soaking wet apex. She took her fingers and tangled them in the wet hair making Sarah slam back into her pillow. Then Lara brought the fingers to the opening not entering but skimming the surface making the blonde moan with need.

"Lara…please…?"

"Anything you wish my love," Said Lara as she now entered the warm chamber creating a rhythm with her finger that she began to match with her body against the soft strong leg she rode. They both flew up the spiral of ecstasy together suddenly stiffening and falling over the edge crying out their loves name simultaneously. Lara crawled back up Sarah's body and curled herself around her love like a cat cuddling close. They were both panting and Lara kissed Sarah's cheek and gently brought the blonde head against her shoulder. Lara ran her fingers through the soft blonde hair while she waited for their breathing to get back to normal.

Once they were both breathing normally again Lara said quietly, "Angel, You can be a wicked one every once in a while. Did you know that?" She asked her love kissing her neck softly.

"Mmm, You bring it out in me. I feel so alive when I'm with you." She purred as she enjoyed the tender attention.

Lara lifted her head and smiled into the shining eyes beside her, "Good, lets keep it that way for a long, long time."

"Sweetie, wasn't there something you wanted to tell me?"

Lara suddenly sat straight up pulling the blonde with her, "Shit! Yes, I almost completely forgot…Here sit all the way up Angel," She said as she helped the smaller woman sit up against the pillows behind them. "Ok look at the scroll its readable now. Everything but the last paragraph."

"What?" Sarah took the scroll from Lara and her eyes grew larger and larger as she read it. "It's their will. They are saying that the possessor of certain objects are their rightful heirs…."

"Which according to that we have 4out of the 5 objects," said Lara quietly nodding her head.

"Everything except the Chakram. It's the last item listed too. Maybe it's at this next marker?"

Lara smiled and shrugged, "I guess. It could be in their tomb too, we'll just have to wait and see. What do you make of that last paragraph?"

"Its like the rest was before unreadable…except…um I think…Uh…"

"What?"

"I think it says what the heirs will receive from their estates. See here in this sentence it seems to lead you there and then you lose the words. It makes it hard to be sure."

"A bit frustrating, huh?"

Sarah nodded handing it back to Lara then she leaned against the pillow and looked agitated.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm terrified of the climb today."

"Don't worry Angel I'm an expert and I will watch over you each inch of the way."

"How?"

"I am just like my Great Grandmother, I have many skills."

To be continued…