Gabrielle watched as Wade ran for the trees, turning to Xena she said, "I'll be back" and took off after the redhead. Gabrielle heard Maggie comment on Xena's leathers and with a smile slipped out of earshot.
"Well?!" Maggie demanded as she stared up at Xena. "Well what?" asked Xena dryly. Maggie glared angrily at the warrior and growled "Where the hell are we?" Taking a step closer to the blonde Xena looked down and said, "I'd be more interested in knowing how you got here. People don't just fall from the sky for no reason. Did Ares send you? He's never been subtle about that sort of thing" Maggie looked confused "Ares? Who the hell is Ares?" The taller woman narrowed her eyes as if trying to see through Maggie "You know, Ares, God of war? Mad man bent on ruling the world with me at his side. Willing to do anything to get what he wants" Maggie grinned evilly and spat "Sure, I know someone like that, his name is Rickman." Xena took a step back and fingered the hilt of her sword "How do I know you have nothing to do with Ares?" Maggie considered her answer and opened her mouth to speak then looked confused. "Wait a minute" she said, running a hand through her blond hair "Ares?? He's a character from Greek mythology." She half looked in the direction Wade had run off in and then looked at Xena. "Do you mean to tell me we've ended up in ancient Greece?" Now it was Xena's turn to look confused "*Ancient* Greece?" She stared at Maggie who said to herself "Ancient Greece?? The timer isn't supposed to work like that? What the hell is going on?" Maggie looked up at the taller woman "Look, it's kind of hard to explain how we got here, I'm not entirely sure myself. But let me assure you we have nothing to do with anyone called Ares." "Hard to explain?" replied Xena, she smiled intimidatingly and purred "Try me." Maggie glanced at the hand resting on the hilt of that deadly looking sword, took a deep breath and tried to explain about the timer.
Gabrielle looked around the clearing and saw Wade kicking a small log to pieces. She approached the other woman slowly, wondering what to say as she laid a hand on the other womans shoulder "What did the log do?" Wade whirled round viciously, realising it wasn't Maggie she sighed and mumbled "Nothing, I just…" She stared at the bard for a minute "…I can't believe they're gone and all she cares about is the stupid timer. Doesn't she care?" and with that burst into fresh tears. Gabrielle took a step forward and embraced Wade as she cried. After a moment she led the sobbing girl over to another log and sat her down. "I'm sorry about your friends" she said quietly. Taking a deep breath to calm herself Wade looked up and said "I just can't accept it, they can't be dead. It's like a bad dream. What about getting home? What about Quinn's family? What about me? Now it's just me and her and she doesn't even…" she trailed off looking desperately at Gabrielle as if she expected the bard to know the answer. Gabby shook her head and was about to speak when Wade continued, "Now she's all I have and she doesn't even care. All she cares about is that damned timer, I wish Quinn had never invented it!!" She finished the sentence with a quick punch to the log, "Damn it!" she cursed as she looked her hand. Smiling, Gabrielle said "That's what you get for beating up an innocent log!" She looked at the blood starting to flow from between Wade's knuckles, Wade grinned slightly and Gabrielle continued, "We'd better go and get that cleaned up." She stood and reached for Wade's hand to pull her up, the slider look indecisive for a moment and then allowed the bard to help her. Wincing a little Wade clenched her fist and started back to where Xena and Maggie were.
The fire crackled loudly as Gabrielle stared at the stars, trying to absorb what Xena had just told her. "From the future?" she asked disbelievingly as she looked across the fire at Wade and Maggie. "Yup" agreed Xena "That's what she said. Kinda hard to believe isn't it." Xena glanced suspiciously at Maggie, not entirely convinced that the girl had nothing to do with Ares. The smaller one on the other hand reminded her so much of Gabrielle that it was impossible not to like her. She smiled as she recalled her lover's joy while they were setting up camp. "Oh, can you believe?" Gabrielle had cried, "On her world she was studying to be a bard!" Wade had laughed and claimed that a creative writing course was a little different than studying to be a bard but Gabrielle had been delighted nonetheless. The rumbling of the Bards stomach drew Xena away from her thoughts. Looking round the camp she said, "I think I'm going to try and catch some dinner." As Xena stood Wade looked across to Maggie who was staring quietly into the fire, Wade sighed. "Mind if you come with you?" she asked "I wouldn't mind going for a walk." Xena shrugged, "Come on then, no doubt everyone's hungry, the sooner we eat the better." Gabrielle grinned as she realised the comment was directed at her, she reached out a pinched Xena gently on the back of one well toned thigh "Watch it oh mighty warrior princess" she growled playfully "or you'll be eating yours raw!" Inwardly grinning Xena shot her bard a withering look and turned to walk out of the camp, Wade trailing slightly behind. Gabrielle watched as the warrior faded from sight and then giggled quietly at Xena's parting look. With a smile on her face she turned to the fire to start preparing the cookpot. As she did she noticed Maggie sitting by the fire, her knees pulled protectively up to her chest. She had been sitting like that for the past few hours and hadn't uttered a word, Gabrielle was starting to worry so she walked around the fire and sat down next to the taller woman. "Are you alright?" Maggie raised her chin from her knees and looked around. Satisfied that Wade was no where around she looked at the bard and said "I miss him." Maggie sighed as she pulled her knees closer to her chest and shivered slightly. "I never told him, he thought I loved him you know. And I did, but only as a brother. Nothing would have happened. I wish I'd just come out and told him the truth, now… now it's too late." Maggie rested her chin back down on her knees and stared into the fire again. Gabrielle looked at her for a moment and that draped a friendly arm over the hunched shoulders. "I'm sure he knew" she said quietly. Maggie looked up and said "I hope so, I didn't want to hurt him. That's why I never said anything. I just let him go on thinking I felt the same way, he, he seemed so happy. I didn't want to disappoint him." A slight sob escaped from her throat as she continued "Did I do the right thing? I only wanted to protect him, I didn't want hurt him." Gabrielle looked into the fire for a moment and said "I don't know if it was the right thing or not. But I know it's difficult to tell people something you know will hurt them" Maggie looked her "I had a friend called Perdicas, he told me he was in love with me, I didn't want to hurt him." Gabrielle sighed as the memory of Perdicas tugged at her heart. "Eventually we got married, I don't why I let it go that far, but I did. Perdicas seemed happy and he tried to make me happy. He was killed shortly after our wedding and I've always regretted not being able to tell him how much his friendship meant to me. And I've always regretted not being honest with him, I should have told him I loved someone else. But I know that he was happy with me and what we had, or rather what he thought we had. And sometimes I think that maybe I did the right thing by not telling him. At least I know he… that he died a happy man." Maggie looked up and the bard saw tears in her eyes, "Maybe" said Maggie quietly as the tears began to fall and with that she rested her head on Gabrielle's shoulder and mourned the death of her friend.
Wade watched as Xena strode into the icy water, "What exactly is it that you're doing?" she asked. Xena smiled as she plunged her arms in up to the elbows and came up with a large trout "Catching dinner" she replied with a smile, the trout landed at Wade's feet. The redhead stared at it for a moment and looked to Xena "Interesting way of catching fish!" Xena grinned broadly as the second trout caught Wade smack in the middle of the chest, with a small shriek of disgust Wade leapt back. She watched as the warrior pulled trout after trout out of the water, throwing each one onto the bank until there was a small, wriggling pile of six fish on the ground. Climbing from the stream Xena reached for the basket to put the fish in, her wet shift clinging to her body, she looked up as the towel hit her in the face, a grinning Wade stood there and trying not laugh said "You'd better get yourself dried off." "Thanks" said Xena with a smile as she towelled off her long, tanned legs. God, she's beautiful thought Wade as she stared at the ex-warlord, She seems so passionate and she obviously cares about Gabrielle even though she tries not show it, I wish… Xena looked up at the distinct impression of being watched and saw Wade blush and avert her gaze. The raven-haired woman smiled inwardly and thought to herself I'd better not tell Gabby her new friend has a crush on me, she'd get all jealous and protective! Throwing the towel back to Wade she stood and gathered up the basket "Come on, let's get back to camp, they're probably wondering where we are." Had she not already turned to leave she might have seen Wade's frown at the mention of returning but she didn't and walked off, confident that the younger woman would follow.
On Mount Olympus Aphrodite watched the scenes below with interest. This is perfect, she thought back to the argument she'd had with Cupid a few days before. Even now she could hear him saying, in that smug tone of voice "C'mon mom, even the gods can't destroy true love. Face it, that's one thing you can never take away from these mortals. They always believe in it, I mean look at Orpheus and that chick Eurydice." Even thinking about it made Aphrodite angry "I'll show you son!" she said. "Show me what?" Cupid said as he appeared behind her. "That the Goddess of love can take as well as give!" she said lightly. "Mother" Cupid chided "Do you have to be so cruel? Hera's tits, you're the Goddess of Love, the way you act anyone would think you're after Ares' job." Aphrodite smiled sweetly, "C'mon Cupe, where's your sense of fun? Xena thinks she's so powerful she can deny us, let's show her what happens when she messes with me." With a snort of disgust Cupid said "You won't be able to, their love is too strong for that." And with that turned and disappeared. Aphrodite laughed "They're to strong for that." She said mockingly, "Ha, Cupe, you have too little faith in me, I'll show you what the goddess of love can do when she puts her mind to it!" Turning to look down at Xena she smiled "And you, miss high and mighty "I don't need the gods" warrior princess, are in for an interesting time!! Let's see just how much you trust little miss Gabby goody-two shoes!"
The warrior had sensed Wade's distress at going back to the camp when she realised the girl hadn't followed her as promptly as she expected. Xena assumed the distress was due to the loss of her friends, her Gabrielle might be able to help Wade sort out her feelings. A smile of fondness appeared on Xena's face as she remembered the times Gabrielle had comforted her. Xena looked over at Wade as they strode back to camp. Spending time with the girl had made her miss her bard, she was acutely aware of the similarities between Wade and Gabrielle and as if to prove it Wade had kept up a stream of chatter most of the way back. As they approached the camp Xena saw Gabrielle sitting next to Maggie, she smiled at the thought of lover reaching out to Maggie the same way she had reached out when Xena was lost in the darkness. The smile was quickly replaced by a frown as Xena watched Maggie hug the bard. The warrior felt a flash of jealousy and suddenly found herself wondering if she was about to be replaced in Gabrielle's affection by someone with a less troubled past. She became aware of the hand that Wade had laid on her shoulder, the taller woman relaxed without realising she'd been tense and started towards the fire. As she did a look of anger crossed Wade's delicate features, Doesn't she realise?? Thought Wade, These women are trying to help us and all she's doing is causing a rift between them. She pushed down an unexpected pang of longing as she wished she'd been the one to be there for Maggie, with a shake of her head she started after Xena.
Gabrielle looked up as the basket of fish was deposited at her feet; she wondered why Xena looked so annoyed. Sighing she began preparing the dinner.
She sat down so close to the warrior she was practically in her lap, with a smile she reached out and gave Xena's knee a squeeze, "Cut it out Gabrielle. I'm trying to eat." "Hey?" asked the bard "What's up with you?" Xena continued staring at the fish so Gabrielle reached out to poke the stoic warrior in the ribs. "Gabrielle" Xena warned. "Ah, come on," said Gabrielle playfully "What's up?" Seeing Xena's glance at Maggie Gabrielle continued "Jealous? Oh come on Xena, it was just a quick roll in the blankets" she giggled. Xena's expression darkened and she glared at the tall blond sitting across the fire. Aware of the scrutiny, Maggie looked up and glared defiantly back at the warrior. Gabrielle stood and grabbed Xena's hand, pulling her towards Argo she said, "We need to talk!" Reluctantly Xena stood and followed her lover.
Wade watched them leave and then shifted her gaze to Maggie, "Oh, good one." She said sarcastically. "*What*?" snapped Maggie. "They're trying to help us and all you're doing is antagonising Xena," spat Wade. Maggie stood and strode angrily over to the redhead, "Oh, that's rich" quipped Maggie "And you don't think making eyes at Xena across the fire is going to piss Gabrielle off?" Wade jumped to her feet, "Excuse me? I don't think so!" "Oh Xena," mocked Maggie "I'll come with you, I'll help you, Oh Xena, let me lick your boots!" Wade glared at her, "At least I'M making an effort, not just sitting there expecting people to wait on me hand and foot!" she snapped. Maggie ran a hand through her hair and sighed in exasperation, "God," she said "Why you? Even Rickman would have been better, but no, I have to get stuck with Wade "oh I'm so perfect and you're not" Wells." Wade looked hurt for a moment and then snapped "Well at last I wasn't the one pretending to be in love with Quinn because I was too scared to tell the truth!" and with that she turned to walk off. "Bitch" said Maggie. Wade turned to face her "HA! Coming from you? I don't think so!" "What is that supposed to mean?" growled Maggie. Wade scowled, "Oh no my friends are gone, never mind, I'd better just find the timer." "Hey" snapped Maggie but Wade continued, "God forbid anyone should think I'm human. Oh no, we can't have people thinking the mighty Maggie has feelings." A look of shock came across Wade's face as Maggie slapped her, "Bitch!" she cried as she threw a punch at the taller woman.
Absently running a hand down Argo's side Gabrielle looked at Xena, "C'mon Hon, what's up?" she asked. Xena looked down at her feet and mumbled. Gabrielle reached up and gently took Xena's chin in her hand, forcing the warrior to look her in the eyes. "Xena," she began quietly, "I was joking before, nothing happened, you know I love you… don't you?" Xena saw the pain in the little bard's expression and sighed, "Of course I do," she said as she hugged the smaller woman; "I just can't help myself sometimes." Gabrielle pulled back and stared into those impossibly blue eyes "I understand" she whispered as she leaned forward and captured Xena's lips with her own. Xena parted her lips and slipped her tongue into Gabrielle's mouth, as the bard ran her hands longingly down Xena's back, over her firm cheeks and left her hands there, her fingers gently grazing Xena's athletic thighs. The dark-haired woman moaned, cupping Gabrielle's soft, round breast before turning her attention to the laces on her lover's top. Suddenly she pulled back and said, "What was that?" "Who cares?" asked Gabrielle as she reached for her warrior, then she heard what sounded like fighting at the campsite, "Wade?" exclaimed Xena as Gabrielle said "Maggie?" Both women looked at each for a moment and then took off at a run for the campsite.
Standing behind the line of trees Aphrodite laughed quietly to herself while Cupid shook his head sadly. He had hoped that he was right but it looked like his mother's plan was working.
To be Continued…