“storytext”> 

Iolaus and
Gabrielle headed straight for the river and were chatting
happily.

"I'm
really glad to see you again," the hunter admitted, as he
helped Gabrielle with her rod. She smiled in agreement.

"I know,
it seems like we never have much time before one of us is called
away."

"Maybe you
and Xena could stick around for awhile this time?"

“storytext”>"Maybe," she smiled thoughtfully. "I
hope so." She turned and looked back at the house. "So
what's with the new house? Is Hercules planning on settling
down?"

"He says
so, but I kind of doubt it. Even when Deianeira and the kids were
still alive he never did stay still for too long."

"I wish
I'd known him then. What was she like?"

“storytext”>"Deianeira?" Gabrielle nodded. "She was
just – the perfect match for Hercules. She was beautiful but very
strong and independant. Also very understanding of how often her
husband got called away."

"There is
something to be said for that," Gabrielle nodded as she cast
her line and sat next to Iolaus. "If I ever got married
it'd have to be with someone who truly understands that I'd
still be called away every now and then."

"Maybe
he'd go with you?"

"Yeah,
maybe. Well, it's a ways away. I don't plan on getting
married anytime soon."

"Me
either," he agreed.

Xena stood
watching the pair from the window. Hercules came up behind her and
they both smiled at the couple who were sitting very close
together, enjoying each other's company. "This might be
very easy," Hercules observed. Xena's smile
fell.

"I
wouldn't celebrate just yet. We can't even hear what
they're saying."

"Well it
doesn't look like they're fighting," he
teased.

"No, but
let's not take anything for granted. We've got to keep an
eye on things." With that the Warrior Princess turned and went
to go change her clothes. Hercules rolled his eyes and turned back
to watch his friend.

“storytext”> 

"So you
two had a productive afternoon," Xena observed as she passed
the plate full of fish to Hercules.

“storytext”>"Gabrielle's a great fisherman," Iolaus
said. "I was impressed."

"She's
learned from the best," Xena teased.

"So what
did you two do all day?" Gabrielle asked.

"Not much.
I was working on the fence and Xena – what did you do, Xena?"
Herc asked.

"I spent
the day with Argo. We went for a walk in the woods. It's
beautiful country around here."

"Oh I see.
We all work while you took a walk?" Gabrielle
asked.

“storytext”>"Yep."

"Maybe you
two should go for one tomorrow?" Hercules suggested
enthusiastically. Gabrielle and Iolaus exchanged glances and Xena
gave him a Look.

"I'd
say they both earned a reward for catching all the fish this
afternoon,"Xena said, trying to cover. "And Gabrielle for
cooking them too."

"She's
a great cook,"Hercules observed. "She'd make a
wonderful -"Xena kicked him hard beneath the table.
"OUCH!"

"Something
going on here?" Iolaus asked as he watched Hercules clench his
teeth in pain.

“storytext”>"Nothing," Hercules said.

"Did you
kick him?" Iolaus asked.

“storytext”>"Maybe."

"I'd
make a wonderful what?" Gabrielle asked.

“storytext”>"Cook,"Hercules said quickly, trying to
recover.Xena was totally right to kick him, he'd definately
gone too far. "She's such a good cook I think she could
open her own tavern someday if she wanted to."

"Oh.
Thanks, Hercules," Gabrielle said, flattered but confused.
"Why did you kick him?" she asked Xena.

"My foot
slipped."

"Oh."
Gabrielle was satisfied. Iolaus didn't buy it, but decided
against pursuing the subject further. Not long after he was the
first to retire. Gabrielle went to bed not long after. The two
heroes stayed behind and talked very quietly.

"I'm
sorry I kicked you."

"No
you're not. I deserved it. It's just things looked like
they're going so well I started to get carried
away."

"It does
look like it's going well," Xena agreed. "But
we've got to come up with some sort of plan."

"Careful,
Xena. You know we can't interfere."

"I know –
I know. That's what I mean. I think if we stay around them we
run a bigger risk of saying something we shouldn't. Maybe we
should get lost for a few days."

"Oh, you
mean leave them alone together?" he asked. Xena nodded.
"Good idea. But what are we gonna tell them?"

"I
don't know. Say some mission came up. I'll tell Gabrielle
she's staying and you tell Iolaus-"

"I tell
Iolaus what? Gabrielle may just accept being left behind, but
Iolaus…"

“storytext”>"You're the son of a God, Hercules. Be
creative."

“storytext”>"Thanks." Xena patted his shoulder then stood
up and went to go lay down for the night. Hercules stayed up for a
long while trying to think of what he could say that would not
raise the hunter's suspicions.