“storytext”> 

There was never any real decision to be made. They both knew
they were going to accept whatever help was available for their
friends. The two heroes didn't even need to discuss it.

In a blue flash the deal was struck and the mortals were
gone.

Xena found herself outside on a country road. The sun was
shining and she was walking alongside Argo – the First. Her mind
raced to figure out where they were. When they were would be more
appropriate she thought. Gabrielle was walking ahead a few paces,
happily chatting to no one in particular. Xena immediately noticed
her appearence. This had to be some three or four years ago –
Gabrielle’s hair was still long and she wore her green top
and brown skirt that had been her favorite outfit for two years…
Before I turned that shirt into a rope! Xena smiled at the
memory.

So this was probably their third year together, but when
specifically? And where the heck were the guys? Hercules and Iolaus
must be somewhere around here. The Fates promised a chance and they
do keep their word. But honestly, Xena had just assumed
they’d be sent back to a time when they were already together
– she didn’t think she’d have to look for them!

“Gabrielle,” Xena called. The bard turned back to
her best friend. Xena knew she had to play this carefully.
“When was the last time we saw Hercules?”

Gabrielle stood thoughtful for a minute. “I don’t
know. It’s been too long. Almost a year I guess. Why, you
getting excited?”

“Excited? No, why should I be?”

“Well we are right outside his hometown. Aren’t we
gonna stop by and say hello?”

The journey to Thrace! Xena remembered. Of course! This
was the time she and Gabrielle had taken a side trip to visit
Hercules – there had been some talk of him and a golden hind… No,
she couldn’t remember now. Funny, she thought, of all the
times we were together they chose this one? We’d only seen
each other for a day and then moved on. There must be something
here that the Fates saw. A chance we missed.

Hercules was a little less tactful. "So where's
Xena?"

"Xena?" Iolaus said with his mouth still full.
"Zeus, how should I know?" The half-god had found himself
shot back to an inn where he and Iolaus had been having lunch. This
could be anytime in the past thirty years, Hercules noted.