To Find Your Memories

(with thanks to Pythia for her great suggestions!)

Herc and Iolaus had not been expecting any trouble when they wandered into the village of Hellios...they had just finished dealing with a ghidra that had been terrorizing a nearby village and were headed, more or less, in the direction of home....it had been months since they had last seen Thebes, and both were tired. Hellios was just one more village on the way...a place to pass through on the road home, nothing more.

"Hey, Herc....know what we forgot to celebrate?" Iolaus smiled up at his partner, the smile that always put the sun to shame.

Hercules grinned at his partner, knowing full well what Iolaus was referring to...but unable to resist teasing him a little. "Celebrate? Why no, Iolaus, my very good friend, what did we forget to celebrate? Was it the successful resolution to yet another monster problem?"

Iolaus snickered, "Nooo....and, if you're going to give me a hard time, you shouldn't give away the punch line....my very good friend!

Herc laughed back, as he gave Iolaus a friendly clap on the shoulder, "Yeah, you're right...I never seem to get the hang of stringing along a story as well as you do...so, Happy Birthday, Iolaus!"

Iolaus laughed, "Gee, thanks, Herc...nice of you to remember! But, what I was really referring to was the day after my birthday....do you realize we met each other thirty years ago yesterday! When did we get so old?

Herc regarded Iolaus fondly, "Thirty years? It doesn't seem like that long, does it?"

"Oh, I don't know...there are days when it seems like a lot longer than that!"

Herc threw Iolaus a sideways look, not sure whether the last comment was something reasonably positive, like 'feels like we've been best friends forever' or a dig, as in 'some days, my friend, life is not easy around you'. When Iolaus snuck a look at him and started to giggle, he knew he'd been had...again. Iolaus dearly loved to pull his chain. Deciding to simply ignore him, Herc referred back to his earlier statement, "And, besides, it's not that we're old, exactly...it's just that we started so young!"

Iolaus grinned again, remembering a feisty seven-year-old and a shy and gawky five year old...who found, in one another, something they had never had before...a friend. Looking up at Hercules, Iolaus reflected, "It's been good, Herc....I don't say it often, but...being friends with you is the most important thing in my life...."

Hercules put a hand on Iolaus' shoulder and left it there as they walked a few paces in silence, then he responded quietly, "I guess I always figure we don't need to say it...because it's just who and what we are...I can't even begin to imagine what my life would have been like without you in it, Iolaus...I don't think the words have been invented to express...well, there just aren't words...it's been more than good...there's no one who means more to me than you do...."

Iolaus swallowed...boy, Herc didn't say much, but when he did, he got right to the heart of things! Wanting to lighten what was coming dangerously close to one of those overly sentimental moments, he grinned, "Well, you see, that's my point exactly...we should celebrate such a significant anniversary!"

Herc laughed, "Agreed...what did you have in mind?"

Iolaus reflected for a moment, "Well, you know, before we head right home, I was thinking that we should stop off for a couple of days at our old fort and, you know, fish..."

Hercules grinned...the two activities Iolaus liked best were fishing and festivals! But, it was a great idea...they hadn't been by that old fort in years...and it was where so many of their dreams had begun...little had they known when they'd played at slaying monsters and fighting off warlords, when they'd pretended to be heroes, what their futures would actually hold. "That's a great idea, Iolaus."

"Ah well," Iolaus replied humbly, "great ideas are just one more reason why you can't find words to express how much I have always meant to you, Herc!"

Hercules took a playful swipe at Iolaus as his friend danced ahead down the road, laughing....until they came around the curve in the road into the village of Hellios.

Both men stiffed as they came into the small village...clearly, a battle had taken place there earlier in the day...in fact, probably not all that long ago. Several wounded men were still being treated on the dusty village street and women were huddled together, weeping as if their hearts were broken.

The heroes stopped beside the first villagers they came to...a man nursing a wounded shoulder and a friend who was aiding him to stop the bleeding.

"What happened here?" Hercules asked in a concerned tone.

The villages looked at the two warriors with suspicion...their experience with strangers that day had been far from pleasant.

"Please, we'd just like to help, if we can," Iolaus assured them, recognising the wariness in their eyes. "My name is Iolaus, and this is Hercules."

Both villagers looked with awe at the taller of the two warriors. "Hercules? The Hercules?"

Herc shrugged...uncomfortable with the predictable reaction. "Uh, yeah, that would be me...so, can you tell us what happened?"

"Slavers...came through a couple of hours ago...." the man on the ground replied, bitter and angry.

"Slavers!" reacted Iolaus, "Did they take anyone?" Iolaus looked toward the crying women, waiting for the bad news he knew was coming.

"The children," whispered the other villager, his voice cracking, "They took all the children...."

"Gods..." whispered Iolaus as he looked up at his friend.

"How many of them were there...and how many children did they take?" Hercules asked.

"Must have been a dozen of them....they killed the teacher and took fifteen young ones from the school...by the time anyone was on to them, they had already set out toward the coast....most of us didn't realize....those that did...well...you can see we're not warriors... they made short work of us....killed three of the men who tried to stop them..."

The villagers could not seem to meet the eyes of the two warriors before them...they were ashamed, deeply ashamed. The slavers had taken their children...and they had been unable to stop them...unable to rescue those who most depended upon them. Herc and Iolaus recognized the reaction and understood it. Slavers were vicious...two legged monsters who preyed on those who were vulnerable...ordinary farmers and craftsmen had no chance against them. As men who had been fathers...fathers unable to save their own children....Herc and Iolaus well understood the grief and guilt these men felt.

Herc laid a hand on the shoulder of the villager closest to him, while Iolaus helped the one on the ground to stand. "There was nothing you could have done to stop them... dying does not help your families....I hope no one's rushed out after them." Hercules assured them as he tried to garner more information about the situation.

"No...no one has headed after them, yet..." sighed the wounded man. "It's all happened so fast...."

"It's alright," Iolaus responded, "It would have been crazy to go after them on your own..." Looking up at his friend, who nodded in response, Iolaus continued, "If you can manage here, we'll head out after them...if there were only a dozen, and they aren't part of a larger group, we should be able to catch them...."

The two villagers looked at them with amazed gratitude. "You'd do that...you'd just go after them....but...but some of us will go with you...."

Hercules gave them a reassuring smile. "First, you need to make sure everyone here is alright...then, if you have a good tracker who can find our trail, some of you may want to follow us to help us bring the children back....how old are the kids who were taken?"

"They range in age from five to twelve."

Both warriors looked grim. "Bastards," murmured Iolaus and Hercules nodded in silent agreement. Placing a hand on Iolaus' shoulder to turn him toward the road, Hercules looked a moment at the mothers huddled in shock and tears...his expression revealing the empathy he felt for their pain.

Turning back to the two villagers, Hercules assured them in a steady, confident tone, "Well, if they only have a couple of hours head start, and they are moving with young children, we should be able to catch them by evening...then we can determine how to get the children back, without any of them getting hurt." Turning to Iolaus, "Ready to go?"

"Right behind you, Herc," Iolaus assured him. With a nod, Hercules led the way out of the village.

Once they had cleared the village area, Iolaus took point, studying the ground for sign. It wasn't all that difficult to follow the tracks of a dozen men and fifteen or so kids. Herc and Iolaus loped along the trail for about an hour, following the tracks which had led off the main road and angled through a small forested area, then curved into a narrow, rocky cleft through a wall of stone. All the way, Iolaus had been mumbling, swearing under his breath, in anger toward the men who could be so vicious as to steal children. Suddenly, he stopped, kneeling to study the signs that showed the main party had continued through the cleft...while a few others had angled away to climb the cliff. Standing to look up toward the top of the cliff, he heard a slight sound, the shifting of stone and the fall of some pebbles. Without conscious thought, he turned, grabbed Herc's arm to push him back the way they had come.

"AMBUSH! RUN!!!!" Iolaus cried. The words had no sooner left his mouth when they heard the crash of boulders coming at them from above.

Casting a quick look up, Herc could see they were not going to make it out of the cleft before the boulders hit. He grabbed Iolaus and pushed him down, tight against the wall of the cliff, then covered his friend with his own body...protecting him from the avalanche of stone. It all happened so fast...the crash and thud of huge boulders rocketing down the mountain to land on and around them, the thickening air, filled with dust from the rockfall, the smell of their own sweat, the sound of their breathing....Iolaus felt Herc shield him from stones that pounded his buddy's body...heard Herc grunt once in surprised pain before he went limp...and then it was silent...the rock fall had ended. From high above, Iolaus heard the scrambling of feet and a nasty laugh...the slavers were confident they had stopped the men following them...no need to even check the bodies ...no one could survive that deluge of stone!

Iolaus shifted under the weight of his friend's body, "Uh, Herc...you okay?....we can get up now...."

There was no answer. Hercules remained motionless above him. Alarmed, Iolaus squirmed out from under his friend to kneel beside him...and winced at the nasty gash he saw on the side of Herc's head. "That's gotta hurt," he mumbled softly to himself as he dredged a cloth out of his carry sack and, wetting it with water from the skin he carried, he began to clean the wound. It was bleeding freely...but, that wasn't necessarily a worry...Iolaus was more concerned about the size of the lump that was forming and the continued unconsciousness of his friend. Once he'd finished cleansing the dust from the wound and had wound a bandage around Herc's head to protect the injury, Iolaus checked for other injuries, heaving a sigh of relief when he found nothing else broken.

Gently, Iolaus eased his friend onto his back, calling him softly, "C'mon, Herc, time to wake up....c'mon buddy...you're starting to scare me..." Iolaus dampened the cloth again, then cleaned the dust and sweat from Herc's face, brushing his hair back from his face. "Hercules... wake up!" he called, the worry tight in his voice.

Herc began to stir weakly, one hand moving up to tenderly test the area of his head that seemed to be the source of the merciless pounding in his skull. He blinked and squinted against the light....a distressed look suddenly capturing his face... "Sick..." he mumbled. Iolaus, understanding, quickly helped Hercules to roll to his side and held him as he lost everything in his stomach. When it was over, he again rolled Herc gently onto his back, supporting his shoulders and head, as he used the cool, damp cloth to wipe his friend's face.

"Easy, Herc," Iolaus murmured, "You took a nasty crack on the skull...you probably have a concussion...."

Hercules winced against the pain, then focused on the man kneeling beside him. "What happened....who...who are you?" he whispered.

"Oh, very funny, Herc...half the cliff was pushed down on us by those lousy, no good slavers is what happened...."

"No," Hercules murmured, cutting into Iolaus' explanation, "I'm not kidding...who are you?"

Iolaus froze...looking deeply into his friend's eyes, Iolaus saw the puzzlement, the confusion...oh gods.... "You're not kidding, are you?" he whispered softly, as he gazed with concern at his friend. "Never mind who I am...do you know who you are?" he asked.

Hercules grimaced, ready to say of course he knew he was, when he paused, looked up at Iolaus, the beginnings of panic in his eyes, "No....I don't...."

Iolaus saw the fear, "It's okay, buddy...your name is Hercules...this is probably just temporary...you've got a really huge bump on the side of your head....relax...everything's going to be fine."

Hercules groaned as he forced himself up into a sitting position, holding his head in his hands. "So...I'm Hercules...who did you say you were again?"

Iolaus supported his friend's shoulders as he responded, "I'm your best friend, Iolaus...do you really think you should be sitting up already?"

Hercules pushed Iolaus away, "Don't fuss," he growled in irritation. Iolaus sat back on his heels, surprised by the hostility. Warily, he watched his friend closely.

Hercules looked around at the boulders strewn in the narrow cleft. "Did you say slavers pushed these down on us?"

"Uh, yeah...we've been trailing a group of a dozen slavers who kidnapped fifteen kids from a nearby village...we need to keep after them...they're heading towards the coast and if they get the kids onto a ship, we'll lose them."

Hercules looked at the man beside him in horror, then looked around again. "A dozen slavers...are these our kids they took?" he asked anxiously.

"No, Herc...they are children from a village, Hellios...we were passing through...the raid had happened just a hour or so before...they can't be far ahead of us."

"Not our kids?" Iolaus shook his head. "And, we don't know these kids?" Again, Iolaus shook his head. "So, where are the others?"

"What others?"

"The villagers...the parents...why aren't they here?"

"Oh...they're following behind us...but, Herc, they aren't warriors...it's best if we handle this...."

Hercules frowned. "Wait a minute....a dozen slavers...and...two of us are going to 'handle this'... by ourselves?"

"Well, yeah...piece of cake...the only trick will be to get the kids away without any of them getting hurt."

"Piece of cake....are you crazy?"

Iolaus sighed....Hercules quite evidently didn't remember anything...not that they were friends, not that they were warriors....he needed more information.

"Hercules...the two of us have handled a dozen troublemakers...often more... many times. We are skilled warriors....and you're....well...you're the son of Zeus...you have the strength of more than ten men...you could handle a dozen all by yourself!"

Hercules stared at Iolaus for a long minute, before he responded sarcastically, "Son of Zeus, right...gods, you really are crazy."

Iolaus grinned, "You think so? Tell me, feel up to standing?"

Hercules looked at him warily, then nodded as he pushed himself up to his feet...again fending off Iolaus' attempts to help.

"Okay, big guy, you see that boulder beside you?" Hercules looked down at the boulder that must have weighed five hundred pounds. Iolaus stood back, "Pick it up."

Hercules just shook his head and sighed...this guy was nuts. "No, really, Hercules...just give it a try...if you can't, well, then we'll know I'm crazy...but, if you can...well, then we'll know I'm telling you the truth."

Hercules threw Iolaus a very irritated look, but bent to put his arms around the rock. Gripping it firmly, he straightened his legs...and was clearly surprised to find himself lifting the heavy stone...easily...it didn't even seem all that heavy. Standing there, a large boulder in his arms, he regarded Iolaus with amazement.

"Okay...you can put it down...I'm not lying to you, Herc...you really are the son of Zeus."

Hercules tossed the stone away and dusted off his hands. "Well, I agree that I'm strong...but whether that makes me a god...."

"Not a god...a demigod...your mother, Alcmene, was mortal."

"A demigod...sure...if you say so...." Clearly not yet fully convinced, Hercules looked around... "So, now what?"

"Well, if you're not dizzy or anything...we need to keep after those slavers...we can't risk losing the kids."

Hercules nodded... " And, how did you propose we stop them?"

"Don't know exactly...we need to catch up to them and evaluate the situation then."

Hercules wasn't happy with any of this. Sighing, he put his hands on his hips and bit his lip. 'Gods,' Hercules thought to himself, 'what is going on here?' Studying Iolaus, Hercules did not know whether to believe him or not. For all he knew, Iolaus could be the guy who knocked him out in the first place...or part of the group of slavers, if they even existed, who had pushed the boulders down on him. It didn't make sense...who would let strangers go after their kids and not go themselves?

Wincing, Hercules raised a hand to tentatively touch the side of his head....the pounding was vicious...and he still felt nauseated. He had to fight the panic rising within him...he didn't know who he was, where he was...couldn't remember anything. The pain, the confusion and panic all contributed to his indecision. Should he trust this man and go with him...or...or what? Go off on his own? Go where?

Iolaus was worried about his friend...but he also knew time was running out for the kids. "Look, Hercules...if you don't want to go with me, fine. Wait here for the villagers, then follow with them....I'll go after the slavers on my own."

Hercules looked the diminuative man in front of him up and down, then snorted. "You... on your own...you have got to be kidding...how could you possibly take on a dozen dangerous men?" It was ridiculous. Hercules had doubted the two of them could take on a dozen men. This little guy, on his own, didn't stand a chance. Gods, his head hurt.

Iolaus froze...Hercules had never...never in thirty years, spoken to him like that... spoken to him with a tone of contempt...made him feel small. A trace of steel in his voice, Iolaus responded, "You'd be surprised."

Herc nodded, "Yeah...I would be."

Before Iolaus could snap back an irritated response, he heard voices coming from their back trail...the villagers had caught up to them. In moments, six men came into view. When they took in the scene, and the battered appearance of the two warriors, they paused in shock...."What happened here?"

Iolaus sighed, "Just a delaying tactic...they aren't far ahead of us now....look I'm going to scout ahead...you follow as quickly as you can, but do not....I repeat, do not take any action until I get back to you...we'll need to discuss how we handle this when we catch up with them." Iolaus looked at Hercules, before continuing, "My friend took a bad hit on the head...his memory is a little scrambled...I don't want him to have to move too fast until we know what we're up against, so he's going to travel with you while I scout ahead."

Ignoring the cool look Hercules directed at him, Iolaus turned and carried on through the cleft of stone, loping along the forested trail after the slavers.

In less than an hour, Iolaus had caught up to them. They had created a makeshift temporary camp about a quarter mile from the coast, in a small clearing, deep within a forested area. Iolaus squatted behind some bushes just inside the forest to study the layout of the camp in front of him. The children had been gathered in a crude pen of woven sticks and brambles...dismayed, Iolaus realized there were many more than fifteen children in the pen...at a rough guess, it looked more like forty or fifty. Poor tykes, they were unnaturally silent, watching the men around them, pale, wide eyed and quite evidently terrified. Their captors were busy over fires, preparing the evening meal... looked like gruel from where Iolaus sat. Glancing back at the kids, he could see several sported scrapes and bruises...there was more than one black eye in the group. Some were little more than babies, dirty faces streaked with long dried tears.

Iolaus bit back his anger...he could not afford to be distracted by it right now. Letting his eyes scan the camp, he noted where each of the slavers were, what weapons they were carrying, what defences they had erected. Not much...arrogant bullies...it didn't really occur to them that anyone would come after them...that anyone would fight back. Counting the villains, Iolaus noted there were sixteen slavers in view. They were an unwholesome lot...filthy clothes, smelly, unshaven and dirty...but they looked like they might know how to use the swords and knives they carried. Other than their personal weapons, there did not appear to be any other defensive structures...no barricades, no ditches...and only two who looked like they were playing the part of lookouts. Sixteen ...he'd need Hercules to make this work. Iolaus took one last look around to get a sense of possible approaches, then turned and headed back to the others.

In less than half an hour, he had rejoined the villagers and Hercules. As he came up to them, he raised a hand to signal they should stop while he briefed them and they discussed the next steps. Squatting, Iolaus brushed away grass and twigs to clear a patch of ground. Taking one of the twigs, he drew the layout of the camp, pointing out the location of the pen holding the children, the position of the lookouts and the positions on the edge of the forest that the members of his small band needed to take. Looking up, he said, "I counted sixteen slavers...they're armed with swords and hunting knives....and, they have more than your children....there may as many as fifty kids in the pen."

"Fifty..." breathed one of the villagers, the one they had first met, whose name was Elias.

"Sixteen slavers," muttered another, "so, how do we do this?"

Iolaus bit his lip...he'd been giving careful consideration to this all the way back from the camp. He needed to keep the risks at a minimum...both for the kids and for these inexperienced men surrounding him....they weren't warriors...they would not last long in a drawn out, no holds barred, fight. He looked at each of them, inventorying their weapons...each had an old sword, all carried hunting knives...one carried a bow and a quiver of arrows. Gazing at the stranger who was Hercules, Iolaus wondered how much he could count on this man in the battle to come.

Briskly, Iolaus outlined his plan. "We need to use every advantage we have...the most important one being surprise. There is no indication that they expect any trouble...in their experience, they will not have encountered many villagers who would have the means to fight back. If we go in now, they'd quickly marshal resistance...and, we could be putting the kids at risk." He paused a moment, looking at the others, ensuring that he had their attention.

"If it was just a matter of taking out the slavers, I would suggest we go in tonight, when most of them are asleep...but, that would leave us with having to move the kids out in the dark...they're scared and exhausted...and, with so many, we'd have trouble keeping track of them all in the dark." His listeners nodded...trusting him to have a strategy that would make sense.

"So, I suggest we go in just before dawn. I'll take out the lookouts before they can give warning to the others, who will still be sleeping. You," Iolaus turned to the man with the bow, "how good are you with that?"

The man gave a slow, confident grin... "Good enough," he responded quietly.

Iolaus nodded...they might not be warriors, but men who needed to hunt their dinners usually knew how to shoot well. "What's your name?" Iolaus asked.

"Marcus."

"Okay Marcus," Iolaus pointed at his crude map, "I want you here...it will give you a line of sight straight into the camp and you'll be able to take out anyone who tries to get to the kids before we get them out....and, anyone else who takes your fancy. The position is just on the edge of the forest, on a slight rise, so you'll be above the camp...enough to have a clear view even when the action starts."

Marcus nodded, satisfied that he understood the role he was to play.

"Elias," Iolaus turned to the man he'd first met early that afternoon. Elias had impressed him then as being calm and dependable...he'd been the one assisting those who had been hurt, overseeing the aftermath of the raid. Iolaus had noted that the other villagers seemed to defer to him, so he assumed that Elias was one of the village leaders. "Once I've taken out the guards, I'll wave you in....we'll go to the pen and I'll watch your back while you begin to move the children out...I need two other volunteers to work with Elias."

Two of the others quickly raised their hands. "Your names?" Iolaus asked.

"I'm Mathias and this is Anartes," the taller of the two responded, "Our kids are in that group."

Iolaus nodded. "I want the two of you to move quietly in with Elias...some of the kids look no more than four or five years old...you may need to carry them out...your own kids will be able to reassure the others that you're the good guys!" Iolaus smiled reassuringly at them, "Don't worry...we'll get them out."

Turning to the last two villagers, Iolaus again asked their names. "Leirtes and Anais," came the quick responses. "Okay," Iolaus said, "I want the two of you here..." as he indicated a point on the map that was on the edge of the forest directly behind the pen where the children were being held. "As the others bring the children to you, you will need to keep them together, reassure them...and keep them inside the forest line...don't let any wander off." The last two men nodded, looking a bit disappointed that they would not be more actively engaged. Iolaus read their expressions easily and gave them a ghost of a grin. "Your role is to guard those children and keep any of the slavers who get past the rest of us away from the kids." Leirtes and Anais nodded, happier now that they understood they did have an important role to play.

Hercules had been standing a little aside, watching and listening. He'd been impressed with the small blond's assessment of the situation, his placement of his limited forces and the way he handled the other men. Clearly, this stranger was no fool...and so far, at least, he seemed to be telling the truth. The villagers had lost their children to slavers, had known that Hercules and Iolaus had set out after them. Well, he wasn't just going to just stand back and watch...he would help rescue the children from their captors. "What's my role in this, Iolaus?" he asked.

Iolaus looked up at Hercules and grinned, relieved that the man had asked...relieved that he was willing to participate. "You, my friend, and I, are the assault team. We'll pick up as many of the weapons as we can find on the ground before the slavers wake up. As they wake, we take them out...."

"Take them out?"

"Yeah...hopefully, we won't have to kill too many of them...maybe none of them, if this all goes perfectly. I'd prefer that we just knock them out and tie them up later...to be delivered to the nearest magistrate...killing these bastards is too easy...I want them to find out what it's like to slave in salt mines for the rest of their miserable lives for the way they've treated those kids." Iolaus' voice held a quiet ruthlessness....his anger chained, but very real.

"I don't have a weapon," Hercules observed.

Again Iolaus grinned up at him, "I've told you for years that you should carry your own sword, Hercules, but you keep telling me that a hefty tree branch has a better effect when you only want to knock someone into tomorrow!"

Hercules gazed thoughtfully at Iolaus. This guy had an answer for everything...but then, if he really was his best friend, he would have all the answers. Gods, Hercules wished he could remember something...anything. He didn't know whether to be angry or afraid. He hated it that a perfect stranger seemed to know a whole lot more about who he was than he did himself.

"So," Iolaus concluded as he looked around the faces above him, "everyone clear on what we're going to do...any questions?"

"What do we do with all the other kids?" Marcus asked.

Iolaus smiled brightly, lighting up his face. Now, this was what he liked to hear...the assumption of success...confidence was a big part of victory. "Most of them will be able to tell us who they are and where they're from...if any are too little to know, well, we can send messengers to the other villages in a twenty mile radius of here...folks will be real glad to get their children back."

There were no other questions, so Iolaus quietly deployed several of the men to hunt up food they could eat cold. He did not want to risk a fire....he did not want the slavers to have any chance of finding out they were not alone in the forest. As the hunters headed out, Iolaus stood and meandered over to Hercules' side. Looking up at the bigger man, Iolaus asked, "So, how's the head, Herc? Want me to put a clean bandage on your wound?"

Hercules studied the man before him...Iolaus was clearly determined to treat him pleasantly...to be the friend he claimed to be. Nodding finally, he went down on one knee, to make the bandage more accessible to the shorter man. Iolaus didn't say anything as he unwrapped the bandage and examined the wound. Reaching into his sack, he pulled out a clean rag and wet it from his waterskin. Hercules winced as Iolaus dabbed around the wound, cleaning the dried blood away. "Looks good, Herc...I don't think you need any stitches...your semidivine talent for healing quickly is serving you well...the wound is closed and there is no sign of infection. I think we can leave it open to the air."

Iolaus looked from the wound to Herc's eyes, "Remembering anything, Hercules?" he asked, the trace of hope clear in his tone.

Hercules looked down, shook his head, "Nothing...it's like I didn't exist until two hours ago."

Iolaus placed a hand on Herc's shoulder, "I'm sorry...it's gotta be terrible...but, we'll get your memory back, don't worry..."

Hercules gave one brisk nod, stood and stepped back, away from Iolaus' hand...he didn't want to make an issue of it, but he didn't know this man...and he was uncomfortable with the assumption of a friendship he didn't feel. "And if we don't...if my memory never comes back...?"

"Then we'll build new memories...it's going to be okay...trust me, Herc." Hercules looked steadily at the other man, but did not answer. He could hear the concern, and the shadow of uncertainty, in Iolaus' voice. 'Trust me' he'd asked....it was a plea to recognise and acknowledge the friendship he claimed...but, it was too much to ask, too soon...Hercules was not sure if he would ever be able to respond in the way the other man so clearly desired. How could he trust someone he didn't know?

Looking away, Hercules only said quietly, "I need time, Iolaus....you need to give me space to figure all this out."

Iolaus swallowed, understanding the message. 'Back off...I'm not the friend you remember' Herc was saying. Iolaus rubbed a hand over his mouth and nodded, acknowledging that it was only to be expected...of course Hercules needed time to adjust to all of this....but the look in Iolaus' eyes clearly showed his own feeling of being lost....gods, what would he do if Herc never remembered him? Never remembered the life they had shared....Shaking himself mentally, Iolaus told himself to give it time...he would be there for his friend, he would help Hercules rediscover his past...his identity. They would take it a day at a time.

"Okay, Herc," he responded, "whatever you need to make this easier....Now, about tomorrow," he continued, briskly, "there are a few points I should cover with you. We don't fight alone...our style is to watch each other's back. Your fighting style is to wade in, relying on your strength...you can knock any man out with a single blow...in fact, you need to pull your punches, or you'll kill whoever you hit. You pick up enemies and throw them into the trees, knocking them out that way. When you are surrounded, you pick up one of them by the arms...or me, if I'm the only one in reach...and swing the man around in a circle, taking out the others, using him as a living club. You crack heads together, use your elbows on anyone who tries to come at you from behind...you might want to take a club in with you...it comes in handy when you're deflecting the attacks of men with swords. I didn't see any bows in the camp...but, if an arrow does come at you, you have the reflexes to catch it before it hits....Do you want to practice any moves tonight...to get a feel for how your body works in a fight?"

Hercules had listened closely to the description of his 'usual' tactics. At the offer of a sparring partner, he looked back at Iolaus, again letting his eyes move up and down, a wordless comment on the smaller man's size and the unlikelihood of his being able to hold his own with Hercules. The little guy had enough confidence for a man twice his size...but was confidence enough? Hercules had not yet come to terms with his own strength...did not know how much damage he could do. Someone so much smaller didn't stand a chance against him. "Aren't you afraid I might hurt you?"

Iolaus resisted the irritation he felt with the scrutiny and the comment. "You would never hurt me, Hercules..."

"You don't know that," the taller man responded.

"Yes," Iolaus responded quietly, "I do." To lighten the mood, Iolaus grinned up at his friend, "Besides, even if you wanted to, you'd have to land a punch...which isn't likely!"

Hearing the challenge, Hercules smiled slowly, "Yeah...wanna bet?"

Iolaus looked around the area and with his head signalled that they should move to a small clearing to their left. "Let's see what you can do, big guy!" he laughed as he led Hercules to the designated area. Turning, Iolaus went into his fighter's stance, knees slightly bent, elbows in and hands up in front of his body. The two men began to circle each other...the first time Hercules lunged at Iolaus, he found himself flat on his back, looking at the sky, wondering how he had gotten there. He heard the diminuative man giggle. "Well, that proves you really do have amnesia, Herc...you stopped trying to come at me head on almost twenty years ago."

Hercules got back up on his feet and started to circle again. Faking a move to the right, he lashed out with his left fist, only to find that Iolaus had bounced under the blow, and, continuing the motion, turned it into a sideways roll, using a leg to sweep Herc's feet out from under him. Having ignominiously found himself on the ground, again, Hercules looked up and cocked an eyebrow. He'd just learned that size wasn't everything. "Tell me, Iolaus," he enquired with a dry tone, "do I ever win these matches?"

Iolaus laughed as he reached a hand to help Hercules up, "Sometimes...." Iolaus was unprepared for Hercules taking advantage of the friendly hand up...not releasing Iolaus' hand, he pulled the smaller man toward him and lifted Iolaus over his head, tensing as if he was going to throw Iolaus across the clearing. Iolaus yelped, "Easy...don't break the guys on your own side, Herc!"

Hercules laughed as he brought Iolaus down and settled him on his feet. "I thought you said you knew I would never hurt you....."

Iolaus smirked, "Yeah, well, I know that....but, with your loss of memory...it doesn't hurt to make sure you know it, too!"

Hercules chuckled as he unconsciously put a friendly hand on Iolaus' shoulder, turning them both back toward the camp, "You're not as dumb as you look..." he commented.

"Gee, thanks, Herc..."

The sky had just begun to lighten in the east as the rescuers set out toward the slavers' camp. Once they were close, Iolaus held up a hand in a silent command to stop. Turning to Marcus, he waved him toward the knoll where Marcus was to take up his watch. The rest he signalled to wait, while he went ahead to take out the night guards. Creeping to the edge of the forest, Iolaus took the time to place the guards, two of them, on either side of the camp. Neither of them looked particularly alert...it was the end of a long, quiet night and they were over confident.

Keeping to the shadows, Iolaus eased around the camp, going first to the far side, where he quietly knocked out the first guard, laying him on the ground. He then moved through the camp to come up behind the remaining guard and, again, took him out with ease. Looking toward the forest, he could see Hercules, Elias and the others waiting for his signal. Waving them in, Iolaus turned back into the camp, where, moving like a shadow, he gathered up the weapons he could find easily to hand. Meanwhile, Hercules had taken the role of giving Elias and his fellow villagers cover as they approached the pen in which the children were caged. Herc had taken Iolaus' advice and was carrying a sturdy branch, about four feet long, that he would use as a club.

Entering the pen, and waking the children, quietly, was the most difficult and unpredictable part of the rescue mission. Iolaus moved to stand beside Elias to examine the lock on the chains holding the gate to the pen closed. Iolaus pulled out a small wire he had cached in his belt and silently broke open the lock...sometimes the skills he had learned years ago on the streets of Thebes still stood him in good stead. Carefully, he unwound the chain and eased open the wooden gate. The children were huddled in clusters on the ground, all still asleep. Stepping back, Iolaus motioned the other men into the pen while he and Hercules took up their stance as protectors.

It went better than they had any right to hope. At least eighteen of the children had been quietly awakened and led out of the pen, directed toward the forest and the guardians waiting there...the older ones understood, almost as soon as they were awake, what was going on....but the younger ones were a different story. It was only a matter of time before one reacted and called out.

It was Mathias' daughter, a little girl no more than six years old, who, when she woke to find her father kneeling over her, cried out, "Daddy....oh Daddy..." before her father could stop her excited, frightened, relieved outburst. This woke two other little ones, who, seeing strange men picking up children around them, began to cry in fright...and then they were all awake...and the men were having to reassure them, explain they were here to rescue them....it all took time, all disturbed the earlier quiet of the camp.

In moments, slavers were waking up, coming to their feet. Hercules and Iolaus were able to knock out the first five or six before they had come fully awake, sending them back into dreamland before they could get on their feet. But, there were too many...and it only took one loud shout to bring the others fully awake....scrambling for their weapons, launching themselves at the intruders. Hercules and Iolaus moved as one, back to where they were between the slavers and the villagers who were leading and carrying children out of the pen. The 'back to back' strategy could not really be actioned because they could not afford to let any of the slavers past them to the children. Side by side, giving each other room to manoeuvre, Iolaus with his sword and Herc with his club, the warriors took on the enraged slavers.

There were more than Iolaus had been able to count in his observation of the camp the afternoon before. Even after having taken out eight, there were a dozen more coming at them. Hercules made short work of the first three of his opponents, swinging his club, breaking arms that carried swords, knocking the villains across the head. Iolaus was just as successful, countering sword with sword, using his lightning, dancelike footwork to kick two into unconsciousness while sweeping the feet out from another, clipping him with the butt of his sword to knock him out. He heard the 'swip' sound of arrows streaking through the air to find their targets...Marcus took out three of the enemy in less than two minutes. But, the others were too close to Herc and Iolaus for him to get another clear shot.

Hercules threw the last challenger facing him across the camp to crash into a tree. Turning, he saw Iolaus battling with the last two...who had had the wisdom to separate enough so that one could come up on Iolaus' blind side while he engaged in sword play with the other.

"Iolaus!" Hercules cried in warning, as he saw one of the renegades slash a long knife toward Iolaus' unprotected side. Reacting to the warning, Iolaus parried the thrust of the man in front of him and started to turn...too late...he felt the burn of a blade slash deeply into his left arm, near the shoulder. Nevertheless, he continued his turn, bringing his own sword around to plunge it into his attacker's side. Meanwhile, Hercules had lunged to grab the remaining enemy, one hand on the man's sword arm and the other around his throat. His iron grip forced the other to drop his weapon and, in moments, Hercules had choked the man into unconsciousness. He felt Iolaus touch his arm, "Enough, Herc, let him go...." The calm voice cut through his battle rage, bringing him back, so that he released his victim before he had killed the man. The slaver slipped into a crumpled heap at his feet.

It was over...they had won. Iolaus waved in the others. They brought the vines he had coached them to pull from the trees on their way to the camp that morning, using them to bind up their prisoners. Four were dead...the others were not badly injured...a few broken bones, nothing more. The sun was coming up, dispelling the shadows, beginning a new day.

Iolaus slid his sword back into its scabbard on his belt before inspecting his injured arm...numb at first, it was beginning to throb. Seeing the heavy flow of blood, he raised his right hand to put pressure on the wound. He felt a strong hand on his right shoulder, steadying him...he hadn't realized he had started to sway. Looking up, he saw Herc's concerned eyes on him. "Come over here and sit down, Iolaus, while I take a look at that..." Herc said as he led the smaller man to a log. The blood was pumping out of his arm at an alarming rate, streaming down his arm, leaving a trail on the ground. Iolaus gratefully dropped onto the log, suddenly feeling lightheaded.

After one look at the gaping wound, Hercules turned and tore a strip off the shirt of one of the unconscious slavers. Using it as a tournequet, he tied it tightly just below Iolaus' shoulder. Too much blood, pumping hard and fast....an artery had been cut. "Hang in there, Iolaus," he murmured as he examined the wound...the tournequet was helping some, but the wound was too high, it could not completely cut off the bleeder.

Looking into Iolaus' face, Hercules was alarmed to see the man had gone completely white, his eyes not quite focused. Iolaus felt the world blurring around him. "Herc," he mumbled, "I don't feel so good"...and with that, Iolaus passed out, falling forward off the log. Hercules caught him and lowered him to the ground.

Elias, seeing Iolaus collapse, rushed over. "How badly is he hurt?" he asked anxiously.

"Bad enough," Hercules responded shortly as he pulled Iolaus' knife from the unconscious man's boot and moved to push it into the dying coals of the slavers' fire. "Get me some cloth...I think he has some in that bag he was carrying....there may be medicinal herbs in there as well." Elias nodded and ran to the forest edge, where Iolaus had dropped his bag before beginning the assault on the camp. Hercules applied pressure to the wound while he waited for the knife to heat.

He had turned to pull the redhot knife from the flames just as Elias returned, bag in one hand, clean rags in the other. Herc nodded to acknowledge his return, then knelt beside Iolaus and applied the blade to the wound, cauterizing it to stop the bleeding. Iolaus jerked reflexively, moaning softly at the excruciating pain, feeling it even through the anesthesia of unconsciousness. Hercules dropped the knife and took the bag from Elias, rummaging through it to find the herbs which he then placed on the wound. Taking the rags from Elias, he fashioned a crude pad to keep pressure on the wound and tied other rags around the arm, to hold the pad in place. "That'll have to do," he muttered to himself, "until we can get to a healer."

Finished, he sat back on his heels and regarded the unconscious warrior thoughtfully. The man had planned an effective strategy, fought with courage and skill...and had reacted calmly, even stoically, to his wound. For the first time, Hercules began to wonder who this man really was...what their history had been. He was aware that he had reacted instinctively, knowing that Iolaus would have the right supplies in his bag for emergency treatment....clearly, at some level, he knew this man's habits very well...or maybe it had just been a lucky guess. Hercules frowned as he became aware that he was brushing the unruly hair back from Iolaus' face...again, an unconscious, reflexive gesture that surprised him with it's unexpected intimacy. Pulling back, Herc looked up and saw that the others, and the children, had formed a silent ring around them.

"Okay," he said, "we need to give Iolaus a bit of time to come around...let's get some food together for the children...we'll eat before we take them, and the prisoners, back to the village." Taking time to really look at the children for the first time, he felt his anger grow as he saw the signs of abuse. Reining it in, he smiled at the little ones who still looked frightened by what was happening to them. Speaking softly, he reassured them, "It's okay now...you're all going home...you're alright." Reaching out, he lightly ruffled one boy's hair and then gently stroked the cheek of a little girl, winning a shy smile from each of them.

The little girl looked down at Iolaus. "Is he going to die?" she asked anxiously.

Hearing her, Iolaus opened his eyes and smiled up at her. "No, sweetheart," he answered her softly, "I'm going to be just fine...it's only a scratch...really!"

Hercules snorted. "Some scratch," he muttered, as he helped Iolaus into a sitting position, leaning his back against the log for support. "Just take your time, Iolaus...there's no rush...not now. Everything's under control."

While some put together a hasty breakfast, others buried the four dead men. The other criminals had been securely bound, then tied together with vines, so that they would form a line moving through the forest. It was the easiest way to ensure that so few could guard so many while making certain none could escape.

In the next hour, the men planned out the best options for the children and for handling the prisoners. Marcus, who knew the area well, would lead them through the forest on a more direct route back to the main road. Once there, the party would split up...most of the children would accompany the villagers back to Hellios. Elias would go with Marcus, Hercules and Iolaus to the nearby, larger village of Lestos. There was a magistrate there and a healer...they would take the prisoners and fifteen of the children who were from Lestos or the area around the village.

While this discussion was going on, Hercules was watching Iolaus who was deep in conversation with the little girl. Hercules smiled to himself, observing Iolaus' natural charm and the effect he was having on the child...who was quickly coming to the point of idolizing her new hero. He heard Iolaus ask the child her name, and saw something flash in the warrior's eyes before he smiled back, "Anya," he repeated, reaching out to stroke the child's hair, "that's my absolutely, most favorite name!" The child giggled in delight, and began to tell Iolaus all about her family and friends.

Finally, the group organized itself to move out. Men carried the smallest children to save them the exhaustion of the long walk home. Anya refused to be separated from Iolaus. Laughing, he bent and lifted her up, settling her in the crook of his right arm. He caught Herc's questioning look and responded, "I'm okay...don't worry so much."

As they marched through the woodland, Hercules couldn't help noticing the attraction Iolaus held for the children...especially the smallest ones. It wasn't long before he was surrounded...some clinging to the leather of his pants, others pushing as close as they could get to him. He entertained them with stories and simple jokes, getting them all laughing. At one point, he had them singing a series of childish nursery songs. From time to time, Iolaus would catch Herc's eye, would grin at him and give him a wink, including him in the warmth, the magic of the spell he was weaving around the children.

By the time they had reached the road, though, it was clear that Iolaus was tiring...and there was at least another hour of walking to go. As the group milled around, sorting itself out to head in different directions, Hercules lifted Anya from Iolaus' arms. "Come here, sweetie," he said, "Uncle Iolaus is getting a little tired...let's give him a bit of a rest, okay?" The child looked closely at Iolaus, then nodded as she settled in Herc's strong arms. Iolaus flashed his friend a wordless look of gratitude as he turned to the other children clustered around him, saying goodbye to those who were going in the other direction, and encouraging those who were travelling with them to begin to tell their own stories and jokes. Before parting, each of the villagers heading back to Hellios came up to Iolaus and Hercules, clasped their arms and thanked them warmly for having saved their children. The heroes nodded and smiled, appreciating the thanks, but uncomfortable with it...who wouldn't help save children from slavery?

Meanwhile, the slavers remained a sullen and hostile group. When the trek had first started, some had been bold enough to call out rude comments...but the unhesitating retaliation of a backhanded slap across the mouth and sharp warning quickly convinced them to keep their thoughts to themselves. They had taken children...the villagers really didn't care if the slavers lived or died.

The day was bright and warm. The road wound through a long valley, often curving near a fast moving river. It was spring, and the fields around them were carpeted with flowers of every colour. The road was shaded by ancient, knarled wild olive and blossoming apple trees that scented the air. In the distance, snowcapped mountains rose to meet the azure sky. They had been walking slowly, to accommodate the children, but even with the easy pace, Hercules could see that Iolaus was beginning to flag. Unobtrusively, he moved closer to the smaller man, putting out a steadying hand from time to time, when the warrior stumbled a bit.

By the time the village was in sight, Iolaus had begun to lean more heavily on Hercules, who was again concerned by the pallor of Iolaus' face...and the heat Herc could feel beginning to radiate from the smaller man as a fever started. Concerned that Iolaus was moving more and more slowly, and his breathing was beginning to get ragged, Hercules caught Elias' eye and handed Anya over to him.

Putting a gentle hand on Iolaus' right shoulder, Herc asked, "How're you doing, Iolaus....do you need to stop and rest a bit?"

Iolaus looked up at Hercules, his eyes revealing the pain that he had been concealing from the children. He had been holding his left arm with his right hand, and Herc noticed, with some alarm, that the rough bandage was soaked with blood that was again running down Iolaus' arm to drip on the road beside him. Iolaus reached his bloodstained right hand out toward Hercules, "I'm...I'm feeling a bit dizzy, Herc..." he admitted, as he started to sway. Hercules only just caught him around the waist, preventing him from collapsing to the ground in a faint.

'Damn it,' Hercules thought, as he swept Iolaus up into his arms, to carry him the rest of the way into town, 'does he always do this...push himself to the point of collapse before acknowledging he needs help?'

Hercules knew he should feel more worried about the man in his arms...if Iolaus really was his best friend, then he should feel desperate to get him to help as quickly as possible. But, he didn't feel anything but irritation that the guy had pushed himself too hard...irritation and a vague disquiet. He'd been watching Iolaus almost as if he had been waiting for the man to collapse. Sighing, Hercules didn't know if he was remembering something or if he was just reacting to what he had already learned about the man in his arms. Iolaus had already shown more than once that he didn't know when to quit. All Herc knew for sure was that Iolaus knew a whole lot more about him than he knew about Iolaus.

As they wound their way into the town, it wasn't long before they had attracted a crowd...parents relieved beyond words to see their children, other townspeople cheering, very pleased to see the slavers obviously the worse for wear...bound toward prison. Marcus called on a few acquaintances to help him lead the prisoners to the magistrate's office, while Elias guided Hercules to the healer's home, a small, thatched cottage surrounded by flowers, on the far edge of town, near the main road.

The healer was a wisened old woman, who led them without hesitation into the darkened interior of her cottage. "Put him there," she signaled to Hercules, pointing to a table in the middle of the room. Hercules gently laid the unconscious Iolaus upon the table and stood back, letting the woman unwrap the bandage and examine the wound.

"Mmm, this is nasty," she said, as she observed the depth and length of the wound...and the trail of blood pulsing from it. Bustling over to a work table by the window, she rummaged for the supplies she needed while directing Hercules to fill a bowl with hot water from a kettle over the fire. Coming back to the table, she cleansed the wound, then taking an iron spatula from the fire, she cauterized it, to again seal off the bleeder. Then, with a needle and thread, she stitched the clean edges of the knife wound together. Humming to herself, she put together a poultice, using rags she had heated in the hot water, and placed this over the wound. "Need to draw out the poisons," she mumbled... "there's some infection starting." Finishing this, she filled another large clay bowl with water from a barrel near her work table and poured a colourless liquid into it...alcohol.

Carrying this back to the table, she rested it near Iolaus' head and handed a cloth to Hercules. "Here," she said, "bathe your friend with this...we need to bring down his fever...he's too hot." Hercules took the cloth, surprised at her assumption of friendship ...surely simply carrying an injured man to help wouldn't be enough to make that assessment. Following her instructions, he wiped the sweat off Iolaus' face and neck, then stroked the cool cloth along the man's arms and fevered chest. He felt strange doing this for a man he felt he barely knew...and yet, there was also an odd sense of familiarity ...as if he had done this before.

The healer had drawn Elias aside to get the story of what had happened. As she heard the tale of the two strangers who had wandered into a village and then led the rescue of the kidnapped children, heard how the unconscious one had planned out the raid, and the courage of the two men in battling the slavers, she looked at them with approval. Good men. Not enough of them in the world.

Moving back to Hercules, she put a reassuring hand on his arm.... "Your friend is going to be alright," she assured him... "he just needs a bit of rest."

Herc smiled down at her, appreciating her concern. "The trick will be to get him to rest...it's hard to keep him down," he said with a touch of humour...then wondered how he knew.

In the two short days they spent with the healer, there was a constant stream of grateful villagers who came to make sure the man who had rescued their children was recovering ...and to thank both warriors for what they had done. Hercules watched, with some amusement, the embarrassment Iolaus seemed to experience with the outpouring of praise. The only ones he seemed completely at ease with were the children themselves, especially Anya, who scrambled up on him to give him a big hug. Iolaus' face lit up when the little girl ran into the room.

Finally, on the second day, Iolaus decided he didn't need any more rest...the fact that the healer disagreed did not make a difference.

"I'm fine," he insisted... "I promise...we'll travel slowly...but, I heal faster when I'm outside, in the fresh air...trust me...I have experience at recovering from this sort of thing!" He softed his insistance with a dazzling smile...charming the healer as he had the children. Standing, he placed his right hand on her shoulder, then leaned toward the old woman to gently kiss her cheek. "Thank you," he murmured, "I really appreciate the care you have given me..."

She reached up to cup his cheek, "You're a good boy," she said, "be a little more careful next time...the world needs brave lads like you..."

Iolaus blushed in some confusion as he turned away, "I'll be careful...I always am...right Herc?" he turned to his friend for confirmation, then stopped, "Oh, right, I forgot...you can't vouch for me, can you?"

Hercules couldn't help but chuckle at the irreverent tone as he shook his head. Herc had tried to repay the healer, offering to do any repairs she might need, but she refused, saying that they had earned whatever care or help the village could give them. Nevertheless, the day before, he had taken time to weed her herb garden, only stopping when she caught him and chased him back into the cottage.

As the two warriors headed out of town to the east, Iolaus in the lead, his left thumb hitched in his belt to give his aching arm support, Hercules turned to him, "So, where are we going?"

Iolaus had been doing some thinking about where they should go...he was increasingly worried that Herc had not yet recovered his memory. For the last two days, Hercules had been polite, helpful...but remote. There was no warmth between them...no sense of any real engagement. Iolaus was becoming uncomfortable with the man...couldn't predict how he'd react, what he'd think. It was...confusing...dislocating. He had known Hercules so long, knew how he thought, what was important to him...but this man beside him, this man was a mystery.

Iolaus had seen it before, on the battle field...men who had suffered serious head injuries who were different when they woke up...as if the injury had changed who they were, changed their personalities. Iolaus was beginning to worry that Hercules might have lost more than his memory...maybe, with or without the memories, he would never be the same man again.

Iolaus pushed that thought away. This was Hercules...he would be alright...he had to be alright. Familiar faces and places might help. Turning to look up at his friend, Iolaus replied, "We're going to find your memories, Herc...."

"My memories?" Herc repeated, mystified.

"Well, yeah...I thought if we went to a few of the places that had significance for you, well, it might help jog your memory....it's worth a try," Iolaus explained, hoping that Hercules would agree.

Herc thought about the idea for a bit, then nodded. Iolaus was right, it was worth a try...he was tired of not knowing who he was, tired of having to rely on the blond warrior beside him to fill in the gaps. While he had waited for Iolaus to recover in the healer's cottage, Hercules had found himself becoming more and more desperate for information ...he needed to know more about himself, his past. For now, Iolaus was the only source he had and Hercules didn't like, didn't want, to feel dependent on Iolaus. It would be good to meet other people who knew him...who could perhaps help him find himself. "Okay," he agreed, "so where do we start?"

"The Academy...it's where we grew up, Herc...where we became men," Iolaus responded, encouraged that his idea had been accepted so easily...might as well plunge in with his next idea. "Ah, Herc...it'll take us more than a day to get there...so...I thought I could begin to give you some background...you know...about your family...." He cast a sideways look at the taller man and caught the almost eager nod.

Encouraged, Iolaus began, "Well, let's start with your father's side of the family. Like I told you, Zeus is your father. He disguised himself as Alcmene's husband, Amphitrion, when he was away at war...poor Alcmene had had no idea she had attracted Zeus' attention...but, then Zeus always has had an eye for the most beautiful women in Greece. The real Amphitrion never did make it home....Anyway, you have a lot of relatives on the god side of the family....some you get along with...and, well, like any family...some you don't." Iolaus checked again, saw that Hercules was listening.

"Something you need to know....Hera has hated you all your life...to her, you are the living embodiment of Zeus' infidelity. She has done everything in her power to make your life as miserable as possible. Zeus has a rule that one god can't kill another, so she can't come at you directly...but, she's found ways to try to kill you many times...and...to hurt you in ways that...well, we'll get to that later. Hera's more mellow these days....but, frankly, I won't ever really trust her."

"The other major problem is Ares...you can't stand the mindless destruction of war and you fight everything Ares stands for...added to that, Ares is closely aligned with Hera... so, he's one who you've always had to be wary of...he's also tried to kill you many times ...and will likely try again."

Hercules shook his head. He had wanted information but this was incredible...how could he believe this stuff? It was like some children's story about heroes and monsters. It couldn't be true. "Iolaus, explain to me how I've managed to survive if two gods have been actively trying to kill me all my life...."

Iolaus could hear the disbelief...almost a tone of mockery behind Herc's words. It was hard to let it go...he wasn't used to having Hercules doubt him....doubt his word. To the contrary, he thought, ever since they had first met, one of the strongest bonds between them had been their perfect trust in one another.

Iolaus sighed, "I know it's hard to take in....and that it sounds incredible...but, Herc, you are incredible...you have to understand...what you stand for...your integrity, your strength and determination...your courage...has always allowed you to best them." Iolaus turned to face the man beside him. "Some of this you're just going to have to take on trust until you can verify what I am telling you with other people...people you'll meet as we travel over the next couple of weeks....Hercules....I just want to help you...."

Iolaus seemed so sincere. Could all this really be true? Well, he could at least listen, get what information he could from the stories Iolaus was telling him. Avoiding Iolaus' eyes, Hercules merely nodded, a silent encouragement to continue.

"Okay, well, there are others who are reasonably friendly...I say 'reasonably' because we've learned that gods and goddesses always have their own agenda, are completely self absorbed and can never be trusted or relied upon...especially when you need them most. Sometimes they come through...and sometimes they don't. Anyway, your sister, Aphrodite is probably the one you are friendliest with..." Iolaus smiled when he thought of 'Dite...personally, he really liked her, even though he was still angry about the stunt she and her sisters had pulled a few weeks ago. "Aphrodite can be a bit ditzy...but she hasn't got a mean bone in her body...she's really kinda sweet...not to mention, absolutely gorgeous!" Iolaus didn't see the cutting look Hercules shot at him, as if to say, 'Like you would know a goddess....'

Ambling down the road, Iolaus continued, "Hephaestus is the other god who is usually friendly...you got to know him first when we were at the Academy...he's not a bad guy...a bit reclusive...and he builds really deadly weapons....but, sometimes, he's been a friend. You also get along reasonably well with Artemis and Athena...we see less of them, but, Artemis especially, has helped out on occasion...." Iolaus didn't see any need to share the information that Artemis referred to him as her Golden Hunter.

Hercules was having enough trouble believing he was related to these gods and goddesses, let alone believe that he, or this man beside him, had any contact with them. Herc had to intervene, "'We see'....are you telling me that you actually know these gods and goddesses?"

Iolaus swallowed...he wasn't going to take much more of this crap. "Yes," he replied shortly, "I've met them all on many occasions...it would have been hard to have been your best friend for thirty years without getting to know your family."

Hercules heard the irritation and backed off a bit. He might not like being dependent on Iolaus for information...but dependent he was, and it wouldn't help anything to alienate the man at this point. "Okay," he conceded, "anyone else on that side of the family I should know about?"

"Well, there's Hades and Persephone...and Demeter. You arranged the deal between them whereby Persephone spends half the year with each of them...so, each of them tends to be more friendly, than unfriendly, especially Persephone....and, I have to admit, a number of times, Hades has done us both very big favours. Poseidon seems to like you...he's been a real help on a couple of occasions....Discord, on the other hand, is an irritating bitch."

Iolaus walked on for a few minutes before making his last comment on the gods... wondering if he should, but realizing that Hercules needed to know about the important relationships in his life. "I guess I should also explain that you don't have a great relationship with Zeus...when you were a kid, he didn't pay any attention to you...never once came to see you...and that hurt. Over the years, he has been more present...but, you're very angry with him most of the time...he's let you down badly on too many occasions....not too long ago, you had a really severe falling out with him...but, it seems to be patched up now. Still, for what it's worth, I believe he really loves you....."

Iolaus had evaded the full truth...he really didn't know how to tell this man that he had killed his own father. Since Zeus had been resurrected, through the power of the Rainbow Crystal Iolaus had found and brought to Olympus...with the result that all the gods were no longer trying to kill Herc...he decided it wasn't necessary to go into all the little details.

They walked on for awhile in silence. Hercules was pondering the information Iolaus had given him about his relationships with the gods and goddesses. It was confusing and complicated...and somewhat alarming. If what Iolaus was telling him was true, it seemed he couldn't trust anyone in his family...and some of them wanted him dead. Great. Just great.

Meanwhile, although Iolaus wasn't complaining, but his arm was bothering him...nothing serious...it was just sore, but it took the edge off his natural exuberance. He was also finding this conversation heavy going. He was used to Hercules being quiet...but this guy set a whole new standard. It felt like he was talking to a wall. Iolaus gave himself a mental shake...he was beginning to think of 'this guy' as someone else, someone other than his best friend...he had to stop that. Herc needed him to be there, more than ever...even if he didn't realize it.

"So, to continue...on your mother's side..." a sweet smile graced Iolaus' face as he thought about Alcmene. "Herc, your mother was the most wonderful person....she was sweet and gentle...strong and determined...generous and kind...she was beautiful in every way. For a lot of years, it wasn't easy for her....her parents and Amphitrion's parents shunned her after you were born, believing she'd been unfaithful. The people in the town could be cruel, too. But, she never, ever let it get to her...she kept her head up, lived true to her principles and values...and, whatever is good about either of us, came from her."

"She's dead?"

"Yeah...I'm sorry...she died four years ago....her heart just gave out. You were there...and she told you how proud she had always been of you...how much she had always loved you. She didn't suffer, Herc...she believed it was her time....as usual, she made is as easy as possible for the rest of us...." Thinking back to that day, Iolaus had to stop. Turning his face away, he blinked back tears. He had loved Alcmene so much....he would have died for her, gladly. For so much of his childhood, she was the only adult who had ever shown him love...who had made him believe he was worth loving. He missed her so much it hurt.

Hercules had heard the crack in Iolaus' voice, the telltale sniff as Iolaus surrepticiously rubbed the back of his hand across his eyes. Gods, it was frustrating. In the place of grief, Hercules began to feel anger. He couldn't feel anything about his mother's death and this stranger was almost crying over her memory. Hercules came close to hating Iolaus for being able to grieve for his mother, for being able to remember her love, when Hercules could not. Struggling to contain his emotions, Hercules said nothing.

Oblivious to the reactions he was generating in Hercules, Iolaus pulled himself together took a deep breath, and continued, "You have an older brother, Iphicles, son of Amphitrion. Iph lived with his grandparents for much of your childhood...when you were a kid, you missed him...almost idolized him...but Iph, well, Iph wasn't very comfortable around us...and, as you grew up, the two of you drifted quite far apart. In the last few years, though, you've gotten a lot closer again. By the way, Iphicles is the King of Corinth."

"When you say he wasn't comfortable around 'us', does that mean he was jealous of you?"

Iolaus shook his head...this guy might not say much, but whenever he did, he got right to the point. "Yeah, he was...for a long time...but, we're friends now."

"So, my father is a god and my brother is a king...some family."

Iolaus chuckled, "Yeah...and your step father was the former King of Corinth...Jason and your mother got married a few years back and, since she was a commoner, Jason had to abdicate...he chose Iphicles to replace him." Iolaus decided it wouldn't help anything at this point to let Hercules know that Jason had asked him first.

Having gone through the geneology, Iolaus decided to add a bit of colour commentary by telling Hercules stories of their childhood and youth....Hercules wasn't really listening... every once in a while he'd catch a phrase... "we played at being heroes...vowed we'd go out back to back!".... "never forget the time you and Jason taught me how to swim".... "other kids were nervous of your strength..."

Hercules just let the words roll past him. Gods, this guy never stopped...on and on and on...for hours...laughing at his own jokes...and couldn't he just walk like normal people...he was always moving around, waving his good arm, turning to walk sideways or backwards, skipping ahead...more and more irritating with every bouncing step he took. Hercules just wanted to have some space, some time to think about everything Iolaus had already told him...but, Iolaus didn't stop talking, never seemed to run out of steam.

"Enough!" Hercules muttered, his patience at an end.

Iolaus paused, turned toward his friend, caught by the angry tone. "What? What did I say?"

"Who cares? Iolaus...don't you ever stop talking? Gods....you go on and on and on...making it sound like we're so close, you're practically family...all the most insignificant little details...it's enough to drive a person crazy...are you like this all the time?"

Iolaus felt as if he had been slapped...his face lost all expression, but he couldn't keep the hurt out of his eyes. He took a deep breath as he turned away. "Sorry," he mumbled, "I didn't realize I was annoying you...."

'Great, now he's offended,' Hercules huffed to himself. Instead of dancing down the road, Iolaus' shoulders were slumped, his pace dragging. 'Well...at least he's finally quiet.'

At first, Hercules was glad of the silence. He wanted to put some of the pieces together, reach inside of himself with the new information and find connections... emotions, feelings of familiarity, something that would begin to give him balance, give him hope that he would get it all back, that it was only a matter of time. But, there was only a void...a great, endless, limitless emptiness. Hercules felt overwhelmed by the nothingness inside of himself and he had to fight the panic that threatened to engulf him. It had been days...shouldn't he be starting to remember? Was this void always going to be all he had in place of all he had been?

Iolaus did not say another word until it was time to stop for the night. Herc's words kept playing themselves over and over in his mind. It was becoming increasingly, unavoidably, clear that this Hercules not only could not recall their friendship...that they had been family to one another...but that...Herc didn't even like him. There was a lump in his throat that he couldn't swallow...and an ache in his chest. Dear gods...what was he going to do if Herc never remembered....if he had lost the one person who meant everything to him? Iolaus had to almost physically beat back the desperation ...the feeling of panic...that was starting to build within him.

At dusk, they had made camp near a small stream, in a clearing not far from the road, but sheltered by trees. Iolaus had caught a couple of rabbits while Hercules built the fire. Iolaus had skinned the animals, and cooked them in the flames. He was acutely conscious of the fact that Hercules did not seem to be enjoying the meal...the silence had become a wall between them. Sighing, Iolaus knew he had to break through it...or they wouldn't be able to go on. For Herc's sake, and his own, he had to keep trying to get through to his friend...to build back the relationship they'd had.

"I'm sorry, Herc...I was never a great cook," he said with a tentative smile, "you always seem to have better luck with herbs and seasonings than I do...."

"Maybe it's because I use them," Hercules mumbled as he tossed away the last bone. His head had started to ache again...and, for the life of him, he could not figure out why he and Iolaus were supposedly such great friends. Irritated with everything in general, Hercules snapped at the man across the fire. "So...I don't keep you around for your cooking...and, it's painfully clear that you can't carry a tune...so it must be because you're a half decent warrior and hunter...."

Iolaus had had it. "Look, let's be clear about a few things...you 'don't keep me around'...as if I was some kind of demigod groupie.... We have been friends for thirty years because we have chosen to be friends...because we have always respected one another, trusted one another....liked one another." Iolaus took a breath, trying to calm down, trying to let the irritation go. "Neither of us is perfect, Hercules ...and, the gods know, there are times when we irritate each other...but that's only human. Our friendship...our friendship has been one of the most important parts of both of our lives for virtually all of our lives."

"Iolaus, that's your story...and I'll even grant this may be how you really feel...but, frankly, I'm having trouble imagining this great friendship you describe...it doesn't seem that we have anything in common...for all I know, you're taking advantage of a situation to...I don't know...to get an in with the gods, maybe. How do I know that we've been friends for thirty years...how do I know you are telling me the truth...how can I believe that you are almost a part of my family?" The tone of Hercules' voice made it very clear he didn't think much of the scruffy, small man on the other side of the fire.

Iolaus had been poking the flames with a stick. Standing, he threw it into the fire, turned and stalked away from the camp, into the dark beyond the flickering circle of firelight, to the stream not far away. He leaned against a tree, arms crossed, head down....fighting his anger. Gods, he wanted to slug this guy....sanctimonious, arrogant, insulting...just plain nasty, miserable...taking slow deep breaths, Iolaus brought his anger under control. Rubbing his aching arm, he ironically registered that this jerk hadn't even asked how it was...if he needed help changing the dressing ...nothing...no concern...just hostility. 'Gods, Hercules...I miss you....' he thought.

Iolaus took another deep breath...staying mad wouldn't help anything. Turning, he returned to the fire. "Hercules," Iolaus began in a placating tone of voice, "I understand better than you know what you're going through...."

But, Hercules wasn't ready to be reasonable. He was frustrated, and angry...and scared. "Yeah, sure you do," he cut into Iolaus' words, his tone angry and sarcastic, "I'm sure you know exactly what it's like to lose your memory...to not have any idea of who you are! To have to rely on some stranger to tell you everything that has ever happened to you..."

"I know," Iolaus cut into the rant, "because, a few years ago, my memory was taken from me....I woke up beside a campfire and didn't know who or where I was...I couldn't remember anything from after I'd been a kid. After about a week, you found me, and went on and on about what great friends we were...I...well, I didn't know whether to be scared of you or to hate you. You wanted something from me that I couldn't give...you claimed a friendship I didn't feel. You were a stranger who knew more about me than I knew about myself."

Iolaus stopped, holding the eyes of his friend. "Hercules, I know exactly how you feel...about your situation...and about me....but, understand this...you're stuck with me for the next week or so. I'll do all I can to help you reclaim the pieces of your life...to help you put the puzzle of your memory back together....but, if after I've done what I can...if you still don't remember...us...our friendship...I'll leave you alone...I won't keep imposing a friendship that you no longer feel."

In spite of himself, Hercules was caught by the emotion in Iolaus' voice...it cut through his frustration and despair. Iolaus did know what it was like...Iolaus really did understand. "How was your memory 'taken' from you?"

Iolaus sat down again by the fire, turning his face aside...gods...did he really have to go into this? Looking up at Hercules, he realized that he did...that he had to share everything he could to help his friend put the pieces of his life together...Iolaus would still be lost in that other life, still wouldn't know who he was, if Herc had not come for him....had not pulled him back.

"We'd just left a village," he started, looking back into the fire, "when we heard a woman scream. We ran to help...and when we got there, we found a woman halfway along a suspension bridge over a river chasm...the bridge was falling apart and she was holding onto one side...frozen in terror. Her husband was clinging to the side of the cliff... slipping. You went after him...and I went after her. I had just taken her hand when the boards she had been standing on collapsed...I...tried to hold her...but, she kept struggling, twisting...screaming....gods, Herc," Iolaus breathed, looking up into his friend's eyes, remembered tears glistening in his eyes, his voice tight, "the poor woman was so scared...she kept begging me to not let her fall."

Iolaus looked back into the flames, swallowed hard, took a deep breath. "I couldn't get a good grip...she kept slipping...and slipping...I couldn't hold her....I...I'll never forget the look on her face...the sounds of her screams...as she fell." Iolaus paused, put his face into his hands, trying to block out the memory, the sick feeling inside. He pushed his hands through his unruly curls, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "After that, I...I felt I needed to get away...I didn't trust myself to be able to help anyone again...I felt as if I had killed her...that if I hadn't've been there...you would have saved her."

Iolaus stared for a moment into the flames, before continuing, "So, I went off on my own...that night, Fortune found me...offered to take the memories away...but, she ended up taking away all of my memories of you...which pretty much means that she took all the memories of my whole life...if you hadn't've found me, and made her reverse the spell....well, I'd either be a criminal or dead by now...with no idea of who I had been, or of all the good we had done together." Iolaus looked back up at Hercules, "I'll...I'll always owe you for giving me my life back...then...and several other times...."

Hercules was silent for a few moments as he absorbed Iolaus' words...gods, what a terrible, tragic story. "I'm sorry," Herc said, "I didn't know...."

"Yeah, well, I guess that's the point, isn't it, you don't remember...but, I do...and even if this is the end of everything...I always will remember...and I always will be there whenever you need me. Herc, you can't help how you feel...I know it's tough...but, I gotta say, this time is even worse than the last time you lost your memory..." Iolaus paused a moment, grinning in memory, "but then, maybe not...that time, you just kept knocking me out whenever I tried to remind you of who you are! Maybe it's just your nature to be really hard to get along with whenever you can't remember anything."

"The last time?" Herc looked up in surprise, a trace of hope in his voice. If this had happened before, and he had recovered, maybe it was only a matter of time before his memories returned this time.

Iolaus grinned, nodded, "Hera made a tree fall on you, then one of her followers tried to convince you that you were a long lost prince...tried to get you to swear allegiance to Hera...." Iolaus chuckled softly in memory, "By the way, does the colour 'purple' mean anything to you?"

"Purple?"

"Well, you see, I'd been at a festival and," looking up, catching Hercules' bewildered look, Iolaus stopped, "nevermind...it's not important."

"How...how did I get my memory back that time?"

"The woman who had been forced to pretend to be your wife couldn't go on with the deception...she...she had learned to care about you. Between us, we reminded you of...of something very important to you, and it pulled you back."

Hercules had caught the uncharacteristic pause...Iolaus usually just blurted out the details of his life...what was Iolaus not telling him? "What, Iolaus...what did you remind me of?"

Hercules saw the haunted look in Iolaus' eyes and felt a chill along his spine. This was going to be bad. Iolaus looked away, trying to marshall his thoughts. Gods, how do I tell him this...tell him about his family?

"Herc," Iolaus began, "you were married...to a wonderful woman named Deianaera.... She...she was the most magnificent, incredible woman...and...the two of you loved each other desperately...completely. You had three really terrific kids, two boys and a sweet little girl...." Iolaus' voice cracked...he couldn't have loved those kids any more if they had been his own. "One night," he continued, his voice little more than a whisper, "Hera killed them...she....killed them." Iolaus took a deep breath, steadying his voice. "It was the worst thing that has ever happened to you...you almost went crazy with anger and grief....I'm sorry, Herc...I'm really sorry...." Iolaus brushed his eyes with the back of his hand.

Hercules sat silent, in shock...hearing the horror and grief in Iolaus' voice...hearing about the loss of a family he couldn't remember. How could he not remember this? How could he ever forget...? "That's why you said you would never trust Hera..." Iolaus nodded. "And, this is one of the reasons that I'm angry with my father...because he didn't save them...."

Iolaus nodded again, holding his friend's eyes... "I'm so sorry, Herc..."

Again, Hercules felt the anger burn inside of him. Anger at what the gods had done to his family... anger that he quite evidently had not been able to save them....but, the most bitter anger was because he couldn't remember them...couldn't even feel the pain of their loss. He pushed his hands through his hair, "Gods," he whispered, "I can't stand this...."

Iolaus didn't know what to say, how to make any of it easier. His heart ached for his friend. Hercules stared into the fire...he needed to find something else to talk about, something else to think about. "Iolaus," he started, remembering the morning in the slavers' camp, "Who is Anya?"

Puzzled, Iolaus looked up, "You mean that cute, little kid back in Lestos?"

"No...I mean the Anya who made her name your 'absolutely, most favourite' name."

"Oh....you heard that," Iolaus sighed softly, "....Anya was my wife. She died a long time ago, giving birth to our son."

"You have a son?"

"Not anymore...he died before he was three...he got sick and...and I couldn't save him."

Iolaus' voice was tight, and, for the first time, Hercules heard a note of despair, of anguish, held in rigid control. His own anger and frustration began to dissipate in the face of Iolaus' loss. It was hard to stay angry with someone who had shared similar losses, who understood the emptiness.

"I'm sorry, Iolaus," Hercules murmured. Iolaus nodded his acknowledgement of the empathy but remained silent. "Gods, Iolaus," Hercules whispered, "We're a sorry pair...has anything good ever happened to us?"

Iolaus smiled softly, "Oh, yeah....lots, Herc." Looking up at the bigger man, Iolaus couldn't resist adding, "If you'd been listening to me this morning, you would have heard some it."

Hercules took the shot, realized he deserved it. He'd been irritable and hard to get along with ever since that boulder had knocked him out...stolen his sense of self. But, he acknowledged to himself, finally, Iolaus didn't deserve to be the target of his anger and frustration. Iolaus had done nothing but try to help him, had been patient, had taken a lot of undeserved shots....Hercules sighed, letting the rest of the anger go. "I'm sorry, Iolaus... I've haven't been very good company...no...I've...I've been worse than that....I've been insulting and hostile...you deserve better. I've just felt so helpless...I guess, if I'm honest, I'd admit that I'm scared...and I've taken it out on you. I'm sorry."

Iolaus smiled...now, this sounded more like his old friend. "It's okay, Herc...I know it's hard. But, there's one thing I need to say...about your suggestion that maybe I hang around with you to be able to have access to the gods.....you couldn't be more wrong. The gods, all of them, have brought us nothing but trouble...and I wouldn't care if I never saw another one of those relatives of your's again."

The words were no sooner out of Iolaus' mouth when a swirling pink light lit up their campsite and resolved itself into the vision of eternal loveliness that was Aphrodite, Goddess of Love.

Iolaus took her appearance in stride, but Hercules was astounded... quite simply, he could not believe what he was seeing. He had been astonished when Aphrodite had materialized in front of them...having no memory that this was her usual behaviour...and her usual skimpy attire. At first, not realizing who she was, he had a normal reaction to the sight of a thinly clothed, devastatingly beautiful woman...then blushed furiously, and looked away, as soon as he realized he had been staring at his sister.

As usual, 'Dite wasted no time on formalities, but jumped right into the conversation.

"Whoa, Sweetcheeks! Now, that's going a bit far, doncha think? First you tell him none of us can be trusted, then you tell him I'm 'ditzy'... puleeze! and now, you're telling him that all of us are nothing but trouble!!!! Hey, Curly, I thought we were friends.....this really hurts!"

Iolaus sighed...but wasn't going to give an inch. "I thought we were friends, too, Aphrodite...I thought you were different from the rest...until last month...but now...I don't think I can ever trust you, or Artemis, again."

"Ah gee, Iolaus," Aphrodite wheedled, biting on her lip, "you know I didn't want to do it....if it had been up to me, we would have just asked you..."

"And, you were right. I would have done it for you....I would have done almost anything you might have asked of me, 'Dite..." Iolaus broke off as he glanced at Hercules, " especially this...because of what it meant to ...well, you know....but, not now...maybe not ever again....what the three of you did...to Herc...to me...." Hercules was completely lost...what were they talking about?

"Ahhh, Curly....don't say that....," 'Dite pouted in her prettiest, most alluring way...but, Iolaus wasn't buying it...shaking his head, crossing his arms, he looked away...ignoring the pout and the pleading tone. "Geez, Iolaus, you don't forgive easily, do you...." stamping one delicate foot, Aphrodite harrumphed, putting her hands on her hips, pretending frustration.

"How would you know? You've never asked me to forgive you...you've never even had the decency to apologize for what you did!" Iolaus spoke sharply, with a trace of bitterness in his voice.

Aphrodite narrowed her eyes...she liked Iolaus, but no mortal ever talked to her like that...no gods either, for that matter. "Careful, Iolaus...you're really starting to push the limits..."

That did it....Iolaus was on his feet, toe to toe with the goddess, furious, "I'm pushing the limits? Aphrodite...the three of you poisoned Herc...made me believe he was going to die....sent me on a quest for a crystal that you knew would kill me... without making that clear up front...just to manipulate me into doing what you wanted... I'm pushing the limits? ...gods, 'Dite," Iolaus' voice trembled, "how do gods define 'betrayal'?" Iolaus held her eyes for a long moment, then continued in a harsh, bitter rasp, "What you did, no friend would ever do to another..."

Iolaus held her eyes for a moment more, shaking his head. Finally, he finished in a quieter, wounded tone, "'Dite...do you have any idea how much what you did, hurts? If it had been Hera, or Ares...or even Athena on her own...I wouldn't care as much...I expect them to be completely ruthless....I just never expected you to use me that way...the whole experience made it very clear, Aphrodite, that I'm just another expendable mortal...even to you."

Hercules watched the astonishing drama play out before him. There was no doubt Aphrodite and Iolaus knew each other well, very well indeed...there was no standing on ceremony on either part...she had even flirted with him! 'Sweetcheeks'? What was that about? Iolaus had shouted at her about having sent him to be killed...castigated her about betrayal...and was obviously hurt by being treated by her as an expendable mortal.

And, he had doubted that Iolaus would know the gods....it was only too plain at this moment that he knew this goddess at least on a personal basis...very personal.

Aphrodite's hauteur had melted before the onslaught of Iolaus' honest rage...she wanted to be angry with him...wanted to blast him like she never had before...but, Iolaus had been right earlier that day...Aphrodite didn't have a mean bone in her body. She wasn't a fighter...and she liked this crazy mortal...always had. By the time he had finished, there were tears in her eyes. She'd known it was a mistake from the beginning...she'd known that he would have done it for Herc...for her...even for the world, without having to be lied to, or tricked...she had felt terrible about what they had done...and, he was right ...afterwards, she had not seen him....hadn't seen him again, in fact, until now.

The silence lengthened between them. Iolaus had turned aside after his outburst, to stare into the flames, no longer angry...just sad. He just couldn't get past what they'd done. What he hated most, if he admitted it to himself, was that, after all of these years, they still hadn't trusted him to act honourably...to do the right thing, regardless of the personal risks involved. Gradually, he realized that the silence had gone on too long... 'Dite was never this quiet. Looking back at her, he saw tears streaming down her face.... she was just standing there, biting her finger nail, looking like a lost child who's best friend had just died.

Iolaus couldn't stand it. Turning to her, he took her into his arms and hugged her, rocking her a little, as if he were, indeed, comforting a child. "Ah, 'Dite...don't cry...."

Aphrodite's quiet tears became very loud sobs. "I'm...I'm sssorry, Iolaus....I wwwish you cccould understand...yyyyou're not jjjust some mmortal...you were the only mmmortal who hhhad any chchance of success....and it was sooo important...they were aaafraid to rrrrisk asking you in cccase you rrrefused..." Aphrodite was stuttering in her distress.

"Shhh, 'Dite, it's okay....it's okay....but, next time....just ask...no more tricks...no more lies, okay?" Iolaus' voice was low.

Aphrodite calmed down, delicately dabbing the tears from her face so as to not smudge her make up. "'kay, Iolaus..." she sighed, sniffed "I just bet I look more like horse face Hera than the Goddess of Love...."

Iolaus grinned. "'Dite, 'Dite....you don't need to fish for compliments....the sparkle of tears only add to your allure...." he assured her, with only the slightest tone of teasing... she was devastating, there was no denying that!

"Really?" Aphrodite trilled, "Oh, Sweetcheeks, you always know how to make a girl feel better!" and batting her eyelashes at him, playfully flirting outrageously, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Iolaus broke up, laughing as he stepped back to a safe distance. "Now, none of that, Aphrodite! The last thing I need is Hephaestus taking exception to our friendship! Behave yourself, before you get me killed!"

"Ohhh, Hephie wouldn't kill you....but, yeah...he might hurt you a little!" Aphrodite beamed at her Sweetcheeks, he'd restored their 'friendship'. She actually blushed a little as she said, very softly, "Thank you, Curly...for everything...." And then, quick as lightning, Aphrodite whirled on Hercules, stalked toward him, shouting, "And, YOU, you big lout, how dare you treat your best friend like dirt....you have been insufferably rude, and quite unnecessarily cruel, ever since you got hit on the head!"

Hercules was stunned at the outburst, didn't know how to respond...being quietly swallowed up by the earth didn't seem to be an option. "Ummm, I just apologized..."

"Well, I would think you would, you big oaf! After all he's done for you...all the times he has died for you...."

"'Dite! STOP!" Iolaus cut in, "He doesn't know...he doesn't remember...."

"Yeah, well, he lost his memory...not his manners...you should have decked him!" Aphrodite was in a towering snit.

Iolaus snickered, "Yeah, right....like I'm going to 'deck' a guy who could break me in half!" Shaking his head, he continued, "Let it go...it doesn't matter...."

"Oh, Iolaus," Aphrodite wailed, "it does matter. I was watching...I could see that he hurt you...."

"Let it go...please...he doesn't remember me...it's not his fault...he's been hurt, 'Dite...he needs our help...yelling at him won't make anything better...." Iolaus was tired...Herc's words had hurt...and, it hurt desperately that Hercules didn't remember him....might never remember him. But, pushing him would only drive him away...and Iolaus didn't want that.

Aphrodite huffed, making a face... "Well, alright," she relented, then turned back to Hercules, "Iolaus is right, bro...I wish I could help you get your memory back...it must be kinda scary....but, just don't be so mean to him...trust me...you'll be really sorry when you remember everything later...and you already have too much tendency to guilt out...lighten up a little...it'll be okay."

Hercules nodded, "Okay," seemed like the best response in the circumstances. Aphrodite flashed him a brilliant smile, "All right! Well, guess I gotta go...Later!" and she was gone.

Seeing the look of absolute consternation on Herc's face, Iolaus broke into giggles. "She's really something, isn't she, Herc!"

Hercules half smiled, half frowned, "What was that all about? I didn't understand anything of what the two of you were talking about....fighting about. What did she, Artemis and Athena do to us that made you so...so furious?"

Iolaus waved a negligent hand, "Oh, there was all this flac going on up on Olympus...the gods were thinking of going to war....our favourite goddesses figured out how to shift the balance of power back to a peacable level, but it needed someone to get the thing that would restore the balance...it was a crystal. Anyway, they decided they wanted me to do it, but rather than just ask, they poisoned you so that they could force me to do what they wanted in return for saving your life....It was stupid and unnecessary...they should know me well enough by now...they should have just asked. It was insulting....I'm not really mad...I just don't think it should be that easy to get away with irresponsible behaviour just because they're divine."

"Iolaus, what did you mean that they knew it would kill you?" Herc asked softly.

Iolaus ran a hand through his hair, then sat down beside the fire. "It's not important now, Herc...it all worked out...everybody's fine...or at least we were, until that rock landed on your head."

"What did she mean, 'all the times he's died for you'? Iolaus...I don't understand." Herc was becoming alarmed again....how much did he not know about this man on the other side of the fire? about the past they had shared?

Iolaus smiled gently, "I know you don't, Herc...but, it's too much to go into tonight...we have the rest of our lives to catch up with all the stories...if you decide you want to hear them all. Look...you've had to take in a lot today...let's call it a night. Tomorrow, we'll arrive at the Academy...and you'll meet Jason and Lilith...they're very old, very good friends...."

Hercules gazed at Iolaus...Hercules didn't know what to make of him...he didn't seem to fit into any kind of category...and he couldn't begin to predict what he might learn next about this man who was already beginning to seem larger than life...for all of his small stature. Maybe...maybe he really was the best friend he claimed to be....and tomorrow, gods, tomorrow he had to meet more strangers who would claim friendship...who would have memories he no longer shared. Herc nodded slightly, to acknowledge Iolaus' suggestion that they turn in....laying down, he stared up at the stars...and wondered if he would ever get himself back.

"Iolaus?"

"Mmmm?"

"Why does she call you 'sweetcheeks'?"

Herc smiled when he heard the giggle erupt on the other side of the fire. "Would you believe it's because she likes my smile?"

Hercules snorted, "Yeah...sure, if you say so....g'night, Iolaus."

"'Night, Herc."

The nightmares began that night. Shards of colour and memory, disturbing images... violence...feelings of guilt...of grief. Hercules tossed in his sleep, tortured by visions that he did not understand. Faces of women, faces radiating love...and sadness. Children's voices playing, calling him. Iolaus in his arms....Iolaus broken and bleeding. Monsters he did not recognise...something with many heads....something breathing fire...the images whirled, the sounds blended in confusion....a woman's cruel laugh...a peacock feather.... Endless nightmares haunting him through the long hours until dawn.

The next morning, Hercules awoke with a headache, feeling more exhausted than when he went to sleep. Iolaus noted the haggard look, not surprised given the tossing, turning and mumbling he had observed during the night. "You had a rough night," he said. "Nightmares?"

Herc looked over at the blond....heaved a heavy sigh as he pushed his hands through his hair. "Yeah...faces, voices...monsters...all mixed up."

"Memories, Herc....memories trying to be recognized...believe it or not...the nightmares are probably a good sign."

"Great," grumbled Hercules, "just great."

Iolaus grinned.... "Well, don't worry about it now...here, I found some fruit for you...you like it better than rabbit for breakfast!"

Herc found he couldn't resist the grin...and he appreciated the thoughtfulness. "Thanks," he said... "It's a good thing you know what I like...otherwise, I could be in real trouble."

Iolaus chuckled, "Well, that's what friends are for...to know what you like...and what you need...even when you've forgotten..."

Hercules nodded, for the first time acknowledging the friendship Iolaus claimed. Gazing at the blond warrior, Hercules noticed him rub his left arm absently as he went about clearing their camp. The bandage was roughly tied, slipping a little. With a pang of shame, Hercules realized he had never once asked Iolaus how he was feeling after they had left the healer's cottage the day before.

"Uh, Iolaus, how's your arm this morning? Would you like me to change the dressing?"

Iolaus stopped stuffing his blanket into his bag, looked up in surprise...then smiled tentatively. "It's a little sore, actually...and, yeah, it would be a good idea to fix the bandage....I changed the dressing earlier, but I couldn't really wrap it properly myself....I'd appreciate the help."

"Why didn't you just ask for help?" Hercules asked as he stood beside the warrior, unwrapped the bandage, checked the wound before rewrapping it securely.

Iolaus hadn't answered...what could he say? 'I didn't ask because it was pretty clear you didn't care...' sounded petulant and childish...even if it was the reason he hadn't asked.

Noticing the silence, Hercules looked into the face of the man beside him...a face that was half turned away. "You didn't ask for help after you were hurt either...or when you were ready to collapse outside the village....Iolaus....you have to tell me when you need help...." Iolaus nodded, but, he only murmured, "Thanks," as he looked up into his friend's eyes. Was there a trace of concern there? Or did he only imagine it because he wanted his friend back so badly.

They resumed their journey shortly after. They had been passing through gently rolling hills, covered with olive trees, twisted and ancient...with the odd austere cypress standing with a certain elegant majesty on the sides of the hills. The ground around them was carpetted with flowers of every colour and description...Hercules found he liked the flaming scarlet of the wild poppies the best. The sky was a deep azure, broken by billowing white clouds, scudding before the light wind. It was peaceful and, gradually, Hercules felt his headache ease. He tried to recall the images from the night before. So many of them had been of him carrying Iolaus, holding Iolaus close to his chest.... pictures, but no emotions, no sense of what any of the images meant.

"Iolaus," Herc enquired tentatively, not sure if he wanted to ask the question...but deciding he needed to know, "can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Herc...anything."

"Are we...are we...were we...uh...more than friends?"

"Well, yeah...we were closer than brothers, Herc." Iolaus noticed that he had used the past tense...and it bothered him.

"I...ah...I meant closer than that...."

Iolaus stopped and looked up at his taller friend, his puzzlement clear on his face. "Herc, I don't know what you mean...what are you asking?"

Hercules rolled his shoulders in the oh so familiar gesture that always signalled that he was embarrassed, uncomfortable with having to say something he didn't want to say... but, had to say.

Iolaus couldn't help but grin...he knew this routine so well. "C'mon, Herc, spit it out...I can't answer if I don't know the question."

Hercules sighed, looked away toward the horizon, asked in a carefully toneless voice, "Iolaus, are we...lovers?"

Shocked, Iolaus' mouth dropped open.... Where had that come from? Then he started to laugh. Herc might not remember anything about who he was, but he was still uncomfortable talking about anything 'personal'. Underneath it all, he was still Hercules. Slightly hysterical, Iolaus couldn't stop laughing...holding his sides until he finally got himself under control. Wiping his eyes, trying to suppress the giggles that were still threatening, he shook his head "No, Herc," was all he said before he turned away and resumed walking.

Hercules didn't quite understand what had been so funny. It wasn't as if men didn't...his mind shied away from the picture that was forming there...and it wasn't like either of them was all that ugly...and, if they'd been that close for thirty years....was Iolaus telling him the truth?

"Would you tell me if we were....?"

"No," Iolaus replied, giggling and kept walking. Finally, realizing Hercules had not been kidding around and was really bothered about this, he slowed down, sighing as he turned to look up at Hercules. It was only too clear that Herc did not want to hear that they had been more than friends...that he needed to hear that there was nothing else between them. "No, Herc, if we were...lovers...I wouldn't tell you now, it wouldn't be fair...it would only be more pressure than you need...but you should know that lots of people wonder...or just assume we are...but, we aren't ....Herc...why did you ask?"

"Last night, in the nightmares, I kept seeing myself...holding you...carrying you...."

Iolaus snickered. "Yeah, well...you have had to carry me a time or two. Hercules...we have spent our lives battling monsters and warlords and mean, nasty gods....I'm only mortal...sometimes I've gotten hurt...like I did in the slavers' camp. Whenever that's happened, you have always taken care of me....that's what you were seeing in your dreams."

"Don't I ever get hurt?"

"Yeah, sure you do...like when half that mountain fell on you three days ago...and when you get hurt, I take care of you...it's what we do....we watch each others' back...we take care of one another."

Hercules nodded, beginning to understand some of what their friendship was about. "Okay," he said, with some relief, "thanks for sorting out that memory! So, who are Jason and Lilith?"

Iolaus turned back to the road and resumed walking. "When we met Jason, he was already a cadet at Chiron's Academy...he's a couple of years older than me...and, at the time, he was the Prince of Corinth. Despite all the differences between us...him a prince, you a demigod and me a thief," (Iolaus did not notice the surprised look Herc threw at him at that unconscious revelation) "we became fast friends...almost inseparable. Jason is a great guy...honest, direct...brave. After the Academy, he led a voyage on his ship, the Argo, to recover the Golden Fleece...he's the best sea captain in the world! After that, he went through a really bad time...it was terrible, Herc...his wife went mad and killed their children...it nearly destroyed Jason..."

Herc was beginning to wonder if he knew anyone who didn't have a tragic history. Gods, it was depressing...the hero business seemed to be about learning to live with sorrow and pain.

Iolaus paused, remembering those years, still regretting that they had not been better friends to Jason when he had needed them most...had not reached out to help him until he'd suffered alone too long. Iolaus sighed, "Jason had started drinking pretty hard...and had almost lost his kingdom when Hera's minions stole the Golden Fleece. Together, and with the other Argonauts, we went to get it back...he seemed to find himself again on that voyage....Anyway," Iolaus giggled, remembering, "one day, a few years back, your mother told us she was going to marry Jason." Iolaus had to laugh at the memory. Looking up at his buddy, he recounted with some glee, "You were some upset, my friend....You didn't want to think about your mother and Jason 'together'....sorry, Herc, but it was pretty funny."

Hercules threw Iolaus a poisoned look. "Iolaus...it's not fair to make fun of me when I can't defend myself...this is too one sided...and, I'm beginning to notice that you're not telling me anything 'amusing' about yourself!"

Iolaus just laughed.... "Yeah, you're right, Herc...and I'm loving every minute of it! It's not often that I have you at any disadvantage!" Giggling, he danced out of the way of a playful swipe that Herc took at him.

"You know, Iolaus....I'm beginning to suspect that you take an unholy glee in teasing me..."

Iolaus nodded and chuckled as he continued to walk... "Herc, it sounds like you're beginning to remember...."

"No...I'm just getting to know you...all over again." Hercules allowed himself a smile...well, maybe their history hadn't been only about tragedy and loss.

Iolaus smiled...they were making progress. "The wedding was quite an event...it was there that Jason announced Iphicles as his successor...and then, the ceremony was interrupted by a REALLY big, ugly, mean sea serpant...you, of course, had to jump right into it's mouth after it swallowed Jason and tear it apart from inside....all things considered, it was a very memorable day!"

Iolaus sobered as he turned back to Hercules, saying softly, "They were very happy together, Herc....I think Jason had loved your mother for a very long time...he cherished her...."

"And, then, there's Lilith...how do I describe Lilith? She was the first girl who ever entered the Academy as a cadet....she'd come after her family, and most of her village, had been destroyed by a warlord's army. Lilith never wanted to be defenceless, unable to help those she loved, again. She was the most feisty little blond you could ever imagine."

Herc cocked an amused eyebrow as he considered the small blond beside him, "Feistier than you?"

Iolaus grinned up at Herc... "Well, she had to be something to survive in an all guy battle Academy....we all got to be great friends...better friends, as it turns out, than you or I realized at the time. Jason and Lilith had a brief....liaison....and, unbeknownst to Jason, he and Lilith had a daughter, Seska. Jason only found this out a year ago."

Iolaus paused...he had not been there himself...he'd still been 'in the Light'... but, Herc had told him the story. "Jason was lost after your mother died...he didn't know what to do with himself...anyway, the short version of the story is that you asked him to take over the Academy...Seska was there as a cadet...Lilith thought it was time to tell him about her...and, well, now, most of us are hoping that he and Lilith will finally make an honest woman of her..." Iolaus gave his friend an impish grin, "DON'T tell her I said that...she'd beat me up!"

Hercules chuckled. He had to admit, Iolaus was a good story teller....the people came to life...their relationships and personalities. He was grateful...he would not feel so awkward when he met them later today.

Iolaus lapsed into silence. They were getting along better today...but he didn't want to push it by 'babbling' on too much. It all felt so fragile...he was afraid to take any chances of blowing away hope of a new friendship if the old one could never be recovered. As the silence lengthened, Hercules could not help but notice it...and realize that Iolaus was still worried about his inexcusable remarks the day before.

"Iolaus?"

"Hmmm?"

"Iolaus, I'm sorry...I was way out of line yesterday...I should have never said those things...I was just...just so ANGRY with everything, so overwhelmed with everything, your cheerfulness was driving me crazy... but, that was my problem...not your's...."

Iolaus listened as he walked, nodding slightly as he turned to face Hercules. "Thanks Herc...I understand how difficult all this is for you....but, Herc, it isn't just 'your' problem ...this is 'our' problem...and if...if I'm doing something that bothers you....I want you to tell me." He smiled slightly as he continued, "Even when we were getting along perfectly, you'd occasionally accuse me...unfairly I always thought...of babbling...and sometimes, especially if you weren't feeling well...you'd tell me to button up for a while...it's okay to say what you think...what you feel...it's not okay to wait until you're ready to explode."

Herc gazed thoughtfully at this man who was not quite a stranger...but not yet a friend. "I'll make you a deal," Herc offered.

Iolaus wondered what was coming. "A deal? What kind of deal?" he asked, feigning suspicion.

"I'll tell you what I'm thinking...feeling...if you will tell me when you're hurt... when you need help...before you're ready to collapse."

Iolaus turned away to hide his grin. This was a very good sign....Herc was anticipating that they would continue to need one another. "Well," he responded thoughtfully, as if he was mulling it over, "I'm not sure...that's a pretty hard bargain, Herc...half the time, I'm not paying enough attention to know I'm in trouble...I usually realize it right about the time my face hits the ground! Except, that is, when you're close enough to catch me!"

Hercules tried to maintain a straight face. "Take it or leave it, Iolaus...I'm not prepared to negotiate this."

Iolaus grimaced, acting as if this was a really tough decision, finally looking up at his friend with a dazzling smile and dancing eyes, "Okay...it's a deal!" Hercules laughed and draped a friendly arm around Iolaus' shoulders as they walked along the dusty road.

"So, tell me Iolaus, are you still a thief?"

Startled, Iolaus looked sharply up at his friend, and caught the twinkle in the eyes looking at him fondly. Relieved, he giggled, "Well, not unless there's no other choice...like when we're trying to break into some warlord's stronghold to steal away a captive or two!"

Hercules laughed and patted Iolaus on the shoulder. "Seriously, Iolaus...a while ago, you said you'd been a thief...I don't know you all that well...but you seem like a pretty honest guy to me...what was that all about?"

Iolaus looked away, scuffed his feet as he sauntered along the road...half glad that Herc was asking questions, wanting to know about his life...half chagrined that he had asked about the time in his life of which Iolaus was most ashamed.

"Iolaus...shouldn't I have asked..."

Iolaus looked up, quickly reassuring his friend, "No, Herc...I want you to ask for any information you want...and, if I know the answer, I promise...I'll tell you...it's not like you don't know all of this...I mean...well, you know what I mean...if you didn't have amnesia....I'm babbling, aren't I?"

"Uh huh."

Iolaus sighed. "Herc, I...I didn't have the easiest childhood. My father...well, at one point, I just had to leave home....When I hit the streets, I had nowhere to go...no money... no food...I fell in with some street kids...we stole to survive."

"Didn't we know each other then, Iolaus?"

"Uh, yeah, sure...we've been friends since you were five years old...."

"Well, then, why didn't you come to me and my mother...you said we were like family..."

Iolaus shivered unconsciously. After all these years, now, when he didn't remember anything, Herc asked the one question he'd never asked all that long time ago. At the time, he'd just been mystified, and hurt, that Iolaus had seemed to turn on him...pushing him away. But, he'd never asked why...and Iolaus had never told him.

He'd just finished telling Herc to ask anything he wanted...he'd promised to answer honestly....damn.

"Iolaus...what's wrong?"

Iolaus stretched suddenly tense muscles, rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand, as he looked into the distance. "I never told you this before, Herc...my father threatened to hurt your mother if I ever ran there for help again. He...he was kinda crazy in those days...he hated me, hated you...hated your mother 'cause she was good to me. My own mother had had to learn not to stick up for me...poor woman, it was a lot of years and a lot of bruises before she learned that lesson."

Iolaus paused, then continued in such a soft voice that Hercules had to strain to hear him. "He'd beaten me really bad that night...I couldn't stay there any longer...I knew he was going to kill me...so...I ran away...I couldn't go to you...I didn't want to risk him hurting Alcmene...and, I knew if he ever touched her...you'd kill him. I was just trouble, nothing but trouble, Herc...I had to push you away to protect you. You and your Mom had always been so good to me...I couldn't take the risk of either of you getting hurt because of me."

Iolaus turned to look at Hercules, the old pain shadowing his eyes. "I knew I'd hurt you when I pushed you away...and, after a while, I knew you thought I'd gone bad...it was the hardest..." Iolaus had to stop, pressing his lips together to stop their trembling, swallowing against the lump in his throat.

Looking away, Iolaus whispered, "But your Mom never did give up on me. When I finally got caught, she worked the deal with the magistrate to have me sent to the Academy...to give me a chance to redeem myself...to be with you again...." Iolaus turned away as his voice cracked. "Alcmene saved me, Hercules....no one had ever believed in me like she did....I spent the rest of her life trying to be the man she believed I could be, to make her proud of me...to let her know she hadn't made a mistake about me. I would have done anything for her, Herc...anything." Iolaus' shoulders shook with the ancient, deep shame and grief...and gratitude to a woman he'd loved beyond life.

Hercules had listened with an aching sorrow. Gods, what had this man suffered in his life? Iolaus faced the world with an irrepressible cheerfulness, with courage and generosity...and all the time, this pain was inside. Herc didn't know what to say. Silently, he moved close to Iolaus, put a hand on his shoulder and gently tried to pull the smaller man around to face him. Iolaus resisted...there were very few times when Herc had ever seen him cry...when anyone ever saw him cry....but, Hercules was not to be denied. When Iolaus would not turn to face him, Herc moved to stand before him, putting a hand on Iolaus' shoulder to keep him from turning away. "I'm sorry, Iolaus...gods, I'm so sorry...." and he pulled Iolaus into a tight hug...to give the comfort that had been owed so long ago.

Gradually, Iolaus pulled himself together and stepped away, out of Herc's arms. Rubbing the tears from his face, he muttered, "Sorry, Herc..."

"Why? What are you sorry for?"

Iolaus took a steadying breath. "I...uh...don't usually fall apart like that...."

"It's nothing to be sorry about...there's nothing wrong with crying Iolaus...."

Iolaus stretched his back, looked up toward the clouds, hands on his hips.... "You don't understand, Herc..." he murmured.

"Then, explain it to me."

Iolaus shook his head, faced Hercules. "My father was ashamed of me from the day I was born...called me a runt...he...slapped me around quite a bit...." Iolaus took a deep breath. "He used to taunt me...call me a crybaby...told me I'd never amount to anything...told me I was weak, that men don't cry....so, I learned, Herc...I learned not to cry."

"Iolaus....your father was a monster." Iolaus just looked away. No child deserved to be treated with such brutality. Hercules couldn't believe that he had just stood back and watched it all happen. "Did I know this, Iolaus...did I know how he treated you?"

Iolaus shook his head, murmured, "No...."

Disgusted by what he had heard, Hercules growled, "I would have beaten him until I had madehim cry...."

Iolaus snorted, a wry smile on his face as he turned back to his friend. "I know...and that's why I couldn't tell you...or you would have been the one in front of a magistrate, for assault and battery!"

Hercules smiled sadly at his companion, "Iolaus...Iolaus....have you spent your whole life protecting me?"

Iolaus flashed him his trademark impish grin, "Yeah, Herc, pretty much...." then giggled, as he carried on, "and, if you believe that, I've got some prime real estate in Atlantis to sell you...like the son of Zeus ever needed my protection!"

Herc let Iolaus deflect the discussion, let their good spirits be restored, but he began to wonder just how much Iolaus had sacrificed on his behalf...Aphrodite's words still haunted him...and so did the images from his nightmares. As, they continued on their way to the Academy, Herc would look at Iolaus from time to time, wondering, 'what did I ever do to deserve a friend like this?'

They wandered into the village of Akro around lunch time, and, spotting a tavern, Iolaus suggested they stop for lunch. Remembering Iolaus' cooking from the evening before, Hercules was only too happy to agree.

The village wasn't much...a few mean buildings around the town well. Children played in the dust of the road, running and chasing one another, whispering and giggling in their own secret language. Iolaus smiled at them as he and Herc ambled past...caught a ball that had flown over the head of one of the kids and, laughing, tossed it back to them. Herc noticed that more than one woman eyed his companion and gave him a sidelong smile. "How do you do it, Iolaus?" Herc mused.

"Do what?"

"Attract every woman within a mile radius?" Herc explained with an amused tone.

Iolaus shrugged, "It's a gift, Herc...what can I say?"

Hercules snorted and Iolaus burst into giggles...Hercules shook his head as he regarded the blond warrior...the guy was like a kid...irrepressible.

The interior of the tavern was dark and smoky from the hearth. Several rough men were standing at the bar, others were playing cards around a battered table. They all looked up with curiosity when the strangers walked in.

Iolaus and Hercules moved to the bar, neither friendly nor unfriendly in their stance and expression...Iolaus had learned that it's often best to get a sense of a strange village before being too friendly...and Herc was just naturally reserved. The man behind the bar was middleaged and looked like he ate too much of his own cooking...drank too much of his own ale. But, his round, florid face carried a welcoming smile as he asked them what he could get them.

Iolaus smiled back. "Two ales, if you please, my friend...and, could I ask what might be on the menu today?"

"Two ales it is...and we have a fine boar stew with fresh baked bread." Iolaus' grin broadened, "Great!" he responded, "two servings!" The man nodded as he put two mugs of ale on the bar. "Why don't the two of you have a seat and I'll bring your food right over." Iolaus nodded concurrance as he handed one of the mugs of ale to Hercules and, picking up the other, he turned to walk behind Hercules to an empty table in the corner. He was only about halfway across the room when the insults began.

"Cute, ain't he...all dressed up like a real warrior," murmured one lout to the delighted snickers of his cohorts.

"Yeah...the big guy must like his pretty little friend to look tough!"

Iolaus stiffened a bit, but kept walking. He was really hungry and he'd rather eat before the brawl...too often, they didn't get fed if they fought first. Hercules had caught the insults, but was watching to see how Iolaus wanted to handle it. Iolaus caught his eye, gave a slight shake of his head, took a long swallow from his ale, then sat on the stool across the table from Hercules.

The taunts were getting braver...and louder. "Well, might dress like a warrior, but sure acts like a coward!"

Iolaus sighed as he gave Hercules a long suffering look. "Everywhere we go, village idiots abound...I find it's usually best to ignore them...most of the time, they end up killing themselves laughing over what passes for humour in their empty little heads."

Hercules winced...he had a feeling that the situation was about to deteriorate rapidly. These clowns were begging for a fight and Iolaus seemed only too willing to oblige.

The taunts from the bar were turning into angry and insulted tones. "Big mouth for such a shrimp...guess he figures his big bodyguard'll protect him." Someone snickered. Hercules sighed. They really were beginning to get annoying. Iolaus shrugged. He was determined to ignore them until he had had something to eat.

The taverner brought their bowls of stew to the table...the bread might have been 'fresh' the week before...and the greasy mess in the bowls had a peculiar odor...not the savoury aroma of a well seasoned boar stew that Iolaus had been hoping to enjoy. "Here you are, boys! Enjoy!" said the man amiably as he turned back to the bar. Hercules looked at the 'stew', then looked back up at Iolaus, one eyebrow raised as much as to say, 'Do you think it's fit for human consumption?' Iolaus shrugged, picked up his spoon, took a bite...and screwed up his face. "Uuucchhh," he muttered, "I wouldn't if I were you...." as he washed the taste from his mouth with a gulp of ale.

Hercules picked up a chunk of bread and tapped it on the table...gently, lest he damage the table. "Worse than your cooking?" he asked, as if this was almost inconceivable.

"Oh yeah...trust me, Herc...you don't want to do this to your stomach. Drink up and let's get out of here."

A shadow loomed over them as a voice rumbled, "What, our food ain't good enough for your delicate tastes?"

Hercules looked up at the oaf. "Look, friend, we don't want any trouble..."

"I'm not your 'friend'... and I don't much care what you want."

Iolaus gave a long, theatrical sigh. "You see, Herc," he explained, "in small, out of the way places like this...well....let's just say people marry too many of their own close relatives...and then, it's just so boring every day that the least little thing gives them amusement. You have to understand...they're just too dumb to know better."

With an enraged roar, the oaf grabbed Iolaus by his vest, intending to pull him up and then deck him...only to find the little guy jabbed sharp elbows onto his arms, breaking his grip, then the 'shrimp' whirled, one foot coming up to connect with the side of his head...and that was the last thing the oaf knew for a good hour afterwards. His eyes rolled up into his head as he sank like a stone at Iolaus' feet. Hercules had surged to his feet as soon as the guy had reached for Iolaus, thinking his small companion might need some help. He now stood quietly beside Iolaus, waiting to see what would happen next.

Iolaus threw a couple of dinars onto the table, tugged at his vest, as if to straighten it from the rough treatment the oaf had given it and turned to face the room. Iolaus held his arms out, palms up, "Anyone else want to dance?" he asked mildly.

There was a pause while everyone stood still...and then the fight was on! The men at the bar, and the men at the table, all rushed forward toward the strangers at the same time...only to mostly collide with one another before they had even gotten to their targets. It was toooo funny.

Iolaus giggled as he stood waiting for the thugs to sort themselves out...and then, as they came at him, he was in motion. With a 'whoop' he used a stool to launch himself at the nearest attacker, landing his feet solidly on the man's chest, knocking him backwards into the three men behind him...they all fell in a confused heap, taking out a table on the way. Landing with a roll, he swept out the feet of the next guy coming at them...and the goon was on the ground...two others had come up on the side...Herc grabbed them by their shirts and slammed their heads together...and both went 'bye-bye' for the afternoon. After that, it all happened too fast to really follow...at one point, Iolaus was perched on one man's shoulders, slamming both fists into the sides of his ride's head...Herc had thrown a couple of guys across the room into the bar...and in minutes, only Herc and Iolaus were standing.

Iolaus laughed as he slapped Herc on the back.... "Well, buddy, you haven't forgotten how to fight!" Herc lifted his eyebrows and looked around the bar with a slightly bemused expression. "Does this happen often, Iolaus?"

"'Fraid so," Iolaus chuckled, "sometimes I think we must have a sign on our backs begging idiots to tackle us..." By then, the taverner had emerged from behind the bar where he had taken refuge, to regard the scene around him with dismay. "Who's going to pay for all this damage?" he whined plaintively.

Iolaus looked around and shrugged. "Actually, it's only a couple of broken tables...not bad, considering....Your friends landed on them...get them to fix them." Without another word, Iolaus headed toward the door, Hercules right behind him.

As they emerged into the sunlight, Iolaus murmured, "Well, that was a pleasant little diversion...but, I'm still hungry."

Hercules chuckled.... "Don't tell me...you're going to cook again?"

"If you hate it that much, Herc...you can do the cooking. C'mon...let's see what we can find outside of town."

As they left the village behind, Iolaus turned to Hercules. "Um...back there in the tavern, when the first guy came at me...you were going to 'rescue' me, weren't you?"

Hercules shrugged, "Maybe...but you didn't seem to need much help."

Iolaus nodded. "Herc...please don't fight my battles for me...it just lets the bullies think I'm fair game...and, it makes it look like you don't think I can take care of myself."

Hercules considered his words for a minute, "Okay...I can understand that...but, how will I know if you really need help?"

Iolaus grinned, "Oh, I'm sure you'll figure it out...you always seem to know when I really need you...I have faith in you, Herc!"

About an hour out of town, they came upon a slow moving stream. Iolaus pulled a couple of hooks and fishing line from his bag and they settled down to catch their lunch. Hercules could not help but notice the contented look on Iolaus' face as he leaned back against a tree, closed his eyes and basked in the sunshine.

"You enjoy this, don't you, Iolaus?"

Iolaus opened one eye to regard his friend. "Yeah...fishing and festivals are my two favourite pasttimes, Herc." Smiling, he closed the eye and leaned back to enjoy the experience of the sun on his face, the sound of the stream and the wind in the trees, the scent of the flowers...and the peace of the afternoon. Watching him, Hercules felt as if they had done this many times before...it felt right somehow, even if he could not, for the life of him, remember when or where.

It was late afternoon by the time they topped the hill looking down on the Academy. They paused there, looking out across the valley. The Academy's grey stone walls blended into the rolling terrain of forested meadows. In the distance, they could make out the glint of the river, sparkling with the reflection of the afternoon sunlight.

"Here we are, Herc...Chiron's Academy...we had some good times here...and we learned a lot...more, I think, than Chiron thought that I, at any rate, would learn!" Iolaus chuckled softly as he led the way down the grassy slope. "I wasn't much of a student, I'm afraid."

"Who is Chiron?"

Iolaus looked back at his friend with some surprise. "Sorry, Herc...I keep forgetting...of course you don't remember...Chiron was the wisest, calmest...scariest centaur I've ever known....scary 'cause he always knew what we were up to...always seemed to know what we were thinking, before we knew ourselves. He taught us when and how to fight... and he taught us that fighting is the last option...not the first....The two of you, especially, had a close relationship...he was kind of like the father you never had."

"Was...he's gone now, too?" There was a wistful note of regret in Hercules' voice...all of these people who had been so important to the man he had been...people who he would never have a chance to meet now.

"Yeah...he died almost ten years ago...."

In minutes they had reached the Academy gates. Entering, they were accosted by a cadet. "Can I help you gentlemen?" the lad asked formally.

Iolaus grinned, "We're here to see Jason and Lilith....I'm Iolaus and this is Hercules."

The cadet's eyes widened...but he was disciplined enough not to succumb to the usual display of awe in the presence of the legendary demigod. Iolaus grinned at his friend's evident embarassment but didn't say anything. "Uh, yes sir...right this way, sir..." the cadet mumbled as he turned to lead them to the main building.

They had not quite reached the steps up to the entrance when Jason emerged, startled at first to see them there so unexpectedly, then delight shone from his face in welcome. "Hercules...Iolaus...welcome! We weren't expecting you...this is a wonderful surprise!" Turning back to the doorway he had just exited, he called, "Lilith! Come out here...we have company!"

Bounding down the steps, Jason embraced his friends. Iolaus chuckled as he stood back to give Jason a once over. "Jason, I swear you look younger every time I see you...you're certainly in better shape," Iolaus snickered as he playfully slapped Jason's stomach. Jason was looking good, he thought...bronzed, relaxed...happy. Just then, a blond whirlwind danced out of the building and down the steps to welcome them enthusiastically, with hugs and kisses. "What brings the two of you this way?" Lilith asked, delighted to see them. If either of them had noticed Hercules was more reticent than usual, neither of them commented.

Iolaus glanced up at Herc before answering, "We're on a sort of quest, Lilith....is there someplace we can talk?"

Jason caught the underlying seriousness in Iolaus' light response, "Certainly, Iolaus...let's head over to the staff canteen...there won't be anyone in there right now and we can catch up over a mug of ale."

"Sounds good, Jase...lead the way!"

Minutes later, they were settled around a table in a comfortable room furnished in wood and leather. Leaning back in his chair, Jason levelled his eyes at his friends, "Alright, why don't you explain what is going on....something's bothering the two of you...what is it?"

Iolaus grinned in good humour, "Never could hide anything from you, could we, Jason?"

"No...so don't ever try!" Jason growled playfully.

Iolaus nodded, his smile fading a little as he looked at Hercules, then back at Jason and Lilith. "A few days ago, Herc and I were ambushed by slavers...they pushed a mountain of stone down on us and, well, you know Herc...he sheltered me and took the hit himself. Unfortunately, he took quite a blow to the head and...well....he woke up with amnesia."

Iolaus paused while Jason and Lilith took this in...dismayed looks on their faces, they turned to Hercules. Jason asked softly, "So that's it...I wondered when you seemed to pull back when we greeted you...you don't remember us, do you?"

Hercules shook his head, "I'm sorry....no, I don't remember anything." He sighed before continuing, "Iolaus has been filling me in on my family history...and thought that visiting familiar places...meeting old friends...might help bring everything back."

"Oh, Hercules," Lilith murmured in sympathy, "I'm sorry...it must be so hard...."

Hercules smiled at her, warmed by her concern. "I'm getting used to it...but, it's disconcerting...things will seem familiar and I'll reach toward the feeling and it's gone...it's frustrating."

Iolaus gazed fondly at his friend, his eyes shadowed with concern for him. "Herc hasn't complained...much...but, I think he must be getting sick of the sound of my voice...so, I'm going to leave the three of you for awhile to catch up...I want to look around the old place." He pushed back his chair.

Herc looked up with a shadow of alarm...he was used to Iolaus...now he was being left with two old friends who were strangers. Iolaus smiled at him gently, "I'll be back in a little while."

Jason had known these two men for twenty years...Hercules was both friend and stepson. He had caught the message in Iolaus' words...Hercules needed a break from Iolaus...and this worried him. He caught Iolaus' eye as the smaller man turned away. Iolaus gave one short shake of his head, to stave off any questions, and then was out the door. There was a short, uncomfortable silence as each wondered what to say. Then, Jason began.

"It isn't easy, is it, Hercules?...to be surrounded by people who know you...when you don't know anything about them...."

Herc sighed, appreciating the understanding and acceptance of his situation. "No, Jason, it isn't." Hercules looked toward the door Iolaus had just passed through, "I know we're supposed to be best friends...and I know this is hard on him...but," looking back at Jason, "I don't know anything much about him...or anything else...."

Hercules paused a moment, then decided to ask the questions Iolaus had evaded the night before...and had carefully not referred to at any time during the day. "Last night, Aphrodite showed up... she and Iolaus had a big fight about something that happened a month or so ago.... whatever, it was, it must have been very dangerous for him...and then she said something really strange to me...she said Iolaus had died for me...more than once. He won't explain ... can you tell me what that was all about?"

Jason rubbed his hand over the back of his head as he looked at Lilith. "He has a right to know, Jason." Jason blew out a breath and nodded.

"It's a long story, Hercules...." he began. For the next two hours, Jason told Hercules about his relationship with Iolaus...most specifically, about all the times Iolaus had died. The first time, when an Amazon had stabbed Iolaus, Hercules had begged Zeus to turn back time...even Lilith had not known about that one. The time Iolaus had been turned to stone by the SheDemon, trying to help a village when Hercules was unavailable. The time Iolaus had been viciously beaten by the fire enforcer, and Hercules had made a deal with Hades to bring Iolaus back. The time when Hercules had had to kill Iolaus himself, give Iolaus the gift of peace, to free him from Hera's torment...four gods had helped to bring Iolaus back that time. The story of how Iolaus had raised Hera's curse on the Spirit Healer, by dying for her. The evil of Dahok...Iolaus' death in Sumeria, with a dagger in his heart...the possession of his body by the evil god...the final triumph over Dahok...but the loss of Iolaus to the 'Light'. How Iolaus had risked his soul to warn Herc of the Four Horsemen. And, the last time, only a month before, when Iolaus had died as a result of bringing the Rainbow Crystal to Olympus... to save Herc's life...and to bring Zeus back from the dead. With each story, Jason told Hercules of the love Iolaus had for him...and of the devastation Hercules had felt at his loss.

"I've never known any two people who are closer than you and Iolaus, Hercules...your mother used to say that the two of you shared the same soul. He's gone back in time to save Alcmene and your life...before you were ever born. He's faced down gods for you...Zeus, Hera...Ares...Strife...Discord. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for you... and nothing you wouldn't do for him...each of you would gladly die for the other. I think Iolaus is what keeps you grounded...it's his humanity which anchors your's. Frankly, Hercules, you aren't quite sane when you lose him. Neither of you are quite whole without the other."

Hercules listened in stunned amazement. It all sounded so incredible...impossible. How could one man give so much? How could he die so often, and yet still live? "He must be immortal," Hercules murmured to himself.

"No, Hercules...he is as mortal as I am...but there is something about him...some destiny that he has, that the gods allow him to return again and again...even the power beyond our Olympian gods, the 'Light', first made him a guardian and then let him return. None of us understand it...and Iolaus will never even discuss it...but there is something more than special about him...it's as if he embodies the best of all humanity...as if he has to be here, to be a model for the rest of us...I don't know, Hercules...it's a mystery...it's like he's some kind of miracle...a blessing in our lives. Whatever it is, his mission here is not yet done."

"How did he get back the last time?" Herc asked.

"As I understand it, you begged Zeus for his life...and Zeus granted it."

Hercules thought about that...thought about what Iolaus had told him about his relationship with Zeus...what it meant to beg that god for anything. "You said that Zeus had been killed...I thought he was the King of the Gods...how could he be killed."

"Any god can be killed with the right weapon, Hercules...."

"Who would dare to kill Zeus? Another god?"

"No, Hercules...you killed him...protecting the lives of a friend and her baby."

Hercules was thunderstruck. He couldn't imagine it...it was too incredible...too horrifying. Gods, surely this wasn't who he was...a man who could kill his own father? Why hadn't Iolaus told him this? He didn't want to hear this...didn't want to think about it...didn't want to know...and then he understood. Iolaus had been protecting him from this reality of what he had been...of what he had done. What else hadn't Iolaus told him?

Jason finished the story. "Iolaus helped you through it all, Hercules...he was the one you went to, afterwards...the one person you knew would always accept you unconditionally. In resurrecting Zeus, Iolaus saved you twice over...once from the poison you had been given, and also by lifting the death sentence all of the gods had imposed upon you."

"I...don't know what to say," Hercules looked up at Jason, a haunted look in his eyes, "I owe him so much...and I can't remember any of it....I can't remember him..." Would he ever remember? The feelings of fear and desperation, that he had thought he had begun to master, resurfaced with a vengeance.

Lilith had listened to it all...and had watched Hercules...his reactions. She could tell that he'd heard enough for now...he was overwhelmed. Laying a comforting hand on his arm, she soothed, "It's alright, Hercules...it'll come... give it time." He wished he could be so sure.

Lilith stretched and looked around...they had lost track of time. Dusk had come and gone. "Well, enough storytelling for now...Hercules...why don't you help me rustle up something for us to eat. Jason...go find Iolaus...he's been gone too long." Jason nodded, accepting her wisdom...it was time to take a break. The three of them stood, Lilith leading Hercules to the kitchen...and Jason heading out into the night to find Iolaus.

Iolaus was on the walkway around the top of the Academy walls, leaning on the palisade, his hands clasped in front of him on the wall, looking out across the moonlit countryside. He didn't turn when he heard Jason come up the steps behind him.

"I thought I might find you up here..."

"How's he doing, Jason?" Iolaus asked, his voice tired.

"He's overwhelmed with information...and with his inability to remember anything...you already know that."

Iolaus nodded. "So...what did you tell him?"

"He wanted to know what you and Aphrodite were talking about last night....so, I explained it all to him."

Iolaus bowed his head. "I'm not sure you should have told him...I don't want him to feel as if he owes me something...I don't want him to feel guilty because he can't remember who we were...."

Jason put a comforting hand on Iolaus' shoulder, "It's his life, Iolaus...as much as it is your's...he has a right to know about it." Iolaus shivered a little, but otherwise did not respond. "How are you doing, my friend?"

Iolaus turned his head away, looked up toward the stars. "It's hard, Jason...really hard to know that...that I'm a stranger to him...to look in his eyes and know that he doesn't have a clue who I am....At first, he was so angry...and he resented me....today...well, it's been a bit better....but...I'm afraid, Jason...afraid he won't ever remember...." Iolaus paused a moment, swallowed. "I'm afraid I've lost him...."

Iolaus leaned his head forward to rest on his clasped hands. He felt so helpless...he didn't know how to make this right...he had to constantly fight a sense of panic... "What will I do, Jason..." he whispered, "I... can't imagine a life without Hercules in it...but, I can't force myself on him forever...and I worry about what will happen to him, if I'm not there...he doesn't remember who the bad guys are....ah, Jason...I don't know what to do...."

Jason quietly rubbed his friend's back, feeling the tension, hearing the heartbreak in his voice. "You keep doing what you're doing, Iolaus...and you keep being his friend."

Iolaus nodded, and after a moment, he straightened. "You're right...one day at a time."

Jason clapped him on the shoulder. "It's late...Lilith and Hercules will have dinner ready...let's go in." Together, the two old friends turned, headed back toward the light.

They spent the next two days at the Academy, sharing memories of their youth...laughing and kidding each other. Jason and Iolaus had reduced Hercules and Lilith to hysterics with their stories about the time Artemis had exchanged Iolaus' mind and body with that of a deer...his reaction when he saw his reflection in the water...how the deer in Iolaus' body had hopped around, munching on leaves and grass. Then, there was the story of how Hercules and Jason had taught Iolaus how to swim...stories about Orpheus and Euridice...of the Bacchii...of Kora's Place. There was the time, before they had taught Iolaus how to swim, when Jason had thrown Iolaus into a lake to force Hercules back to his senses...to save Iolaus from drowning...Jason hadn't realized that Iolaus really had been drowning! The time Ares had trapped Lilith and Hercules in a cave...tried to get Lilith to help kill Hercules. Then, there was the time that Ares and Hercules had fought in the boat...had disappeared and they had thought Ares had killed Hercules. The story of Medea and the first ghidra they had conquered. Story after story...keeping it light and adventurous.

Iolaus watched Hercules...could see him make the effort...trying so hard to appear at ease. Laughing with them...but, Iolaus could see the despair lurking in Herc's eyes...the fear that this was all his past would ever be to him...just stories that someone else told him, emotions that other people felt. Herc looked tired, too...Iolaus suspected he was still suffering from the nightmares. This wasn't working. It was time to move on. Iolaus had sent word to two very good friends to meet them in a village on the road to Corinth, where they would eventually go to visit with Iphicles. But, he thought they might stop by to see another couple on the way.

Early on the third morning, they took their leave of Jason and Lilith. Jason patted Herc's shoulder and Lilith gave him a big hug, whispering to him, "It will be alright, Hercules...relax...don't try so hard to remember...just let it come." He hugged her back, grateful for her confidence...for the hope she held out to him. Hope was the only thing that was keeping the demons of fear and despair at bay. Meanwhile, Jason had gone to stand by Iolaus.

Talking quietly, Jason said, "I'm sorry, Iolaus...I'd hoped....well....I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Let us know if there is ever anything we can do." Iolaus nodded, gave Jason a hug then moved to turn away. Jason held him a moment more, hands on Iolaus' shoulders, "Iolaus...if it doesn't work...come back here, to us." Iolaus swallowed hard. "Thanks, Jase," he murmured before he turned to give Lilith a tight hug...and a bright smile. Jason shook his head...he'd never known anyone who could 'fake it' the way Iolaus could...how he managed a smile brighter than the sun in the midst of his sorrow and desperation was beyond understanding.

The two warriors headed out through the gates, continuing the trek east. "So, where are we going now, Iolaus?" Hercules asked.

Iolaus grinned up at his friend, "We are going to see the most unusual couple we know...they live about a day's walk from here."

Hercules studied Iolaus...he was getting to know him well enough to know when Iolaus had something up his sleeve...or under his gauntlet, since he didn't have sleeves. "And, just who are these very unusual people?"

Iolaus snickered. "Well, let's see, how do I describe them?" he wondered aloud, drawing out the suspence, the sense of mystery.

Hercules was learning how to play this game...he could drive Iolaus crazy if he didn't bite...just carried on as if he could wait forever for whatever information Iolaus was withholding. So, Hercules ignored him...sauntering along the road, enjoying the bright, glorious day, humming slightly under his breath...counting the seconds until Iolaus gave up trying to tease him, relented and started talking.

"Alright, Herc...I wish you wouldn't beg so much for me to tell you stuff...it's embarrassing!" Hercules just threw his friend an amused look and carried on as if he could wait forever.

"Fine...be like that...maybe I won't tell you...maybe, I'll just let it be a surprise."

"Fine, Iolaus...whatever you want..." Herc kept his tone light, unconcerned...hid his smile.

Iolaus plodded on for a few more steps before he gave in, muttering that Herc was getting too good at this...he was taking all the fun out of teasing him.

"Did you say something, Iolaus?" enquired Hercules, all innocence.

Iolaus looked up at his friend, caught the sparkle of teasing in Herc's eye and laughed. "You win this one, Hercules...I give up! We're going to visit Echidna and Typhon."

"And they would be...."

"Typhon is a giant and Echidna is the Mother of All Monsters."

"What?" Hercules exclaimed. "The mother of all what???"

"Monsters, Herc," giggled Iolaus. "Echidna is part woman, part serpant. She and Typhon live in a cave. Hera used to kidnap all of Echidna's children, torment them until they had tasted human blood...at which point, they were monsters, beyond rescue. You should know that the first couple of times you met Echidna, you weren't on friendly terms...you, ah, had killed a lot of those monsters...I'd helped you kill some of them."

"And these people are friends?" Herc asked in a highly skeptical voice.

"Uh huh...you rescued her last child, Obie, before he could be ruined. So, she has forgiven us for what we had to do to stop the others. Recently, they got a couple of their other kids back...the monsters were transformed by Artemis' bow...so, now they have three. Obie is a big kid, very friendly....when we walk in, be ready for him to jump up on you...he forgets that he's bigger than I am at this point...and that all of his tentacles can be an armful!" Iolaus giggled at Herc's look of consternation...tentacles? "The other two kids are a beautiful white swan and a golden puppy...it's disconcerting to hear them talk...but you get used to it."

" They talk?"

Iolaus snickered, relenting, "No...I'm just teasing you...they sorta project their thoughts...not sure how it works, really...I just know that it's pretty easy to understand them."

Hercules just shook his head...one thing about Iolaus...hanging around with him wasn't boring!

They had been walking for a couple of hours through the rolling country side...high enough now that they could catch the occasional glimpse of the incredible deep blue of the Bay of Corinth in the distance. Hercules had been mulling over all that he had heard during their stay at the Academy. He had a headache...what he wouldn't give for a simple night's undisturbed sleep.

Iolaus could tell Herc was preoccupied, so he left him alone, to think in silence, while Iolaus did his own thinking. It had been days since Herc had lost his memory...more than a week. Sooner or later, Iolaus knew he had to face the possibility that Herc might never get his memories back...and then he had to consider what that would mean for the future. He had to get used to the idea that he might be nearing the end of the road with Hercules...that he might have to say goodbye...but, everytime he thought about it, he'd get this lump in his throat, this aching feeling in his chest....Not yet, he couldn't face that possibility yet. Stealing a sideways glance at the demigod, Iolaus wondered what Hercules would do if their positions were reversed...and, then, the answer was easy. Herc wouldn't give up...he'd keep trying until something worked...he'd find a way.

"Iolaus," Herc's voice broke into his thoughts.

"Uh huh?"

"What happens when you die?"

"Well, Herc, that all depends on what kind of life you live....screw up and you could end up like Sisyphus, pushing a boulder uphill for all eternity in Tartarus...live right, be decent to people and you go to the Asphodel Meadows....be a hero...courageous, selfless, loyal, compassionate...and you end up in the Elysium Fields....but, that's only if you die in Greece...and I heard Amazons go somewhere else entirely. It seems that...."

Herc cut off what looked like could be along dissertation on the various forms of afterlife. "No, Iolaus, I meant, what happens to you when you die...."

"Oh," said Iolaus, somewhat at a loss for words. If there was anything he really hated to talk about, it was being dead.

"Iolaus?"

Keeping his eyes on the road ahead, his voice level, almost toneless, Iolaus began, "Well, Herc, it wasn't always the same....sometimes I've ended up in the Elysium Fields and I've gotten a chance to see our families...which is okay...in some ways, it's wonderful... sometimes I've only made it to the dock where Charon and I argue about whether or not he'll take me when I don't have the dinar fare...or if it's worth effort, since I never seem to stay long....He's one ugly guy, I gotta tell you...but, we're starting to understand one another....Once, I was in Asphodel Meadows, waiting for you to deal with Hera's enforcer....When Dahok was using me, I was in this void for part of the time....he'd make the environment around me anything he felt like...and, the Light, well, it's something else...beautiful, perfect....peaceful...paradise." Iolaus could have put more feeling into reciting a laundry list than he had in listing the various places he had been.

"What's it like to be dead?"

Iolaus sighed...he really did not want to talk about this. "Depends on where you are...someplaces are more pleasant than others."

"I mean, what does it feel like?"

"It feels like being dead," Iolaus spoke sharply, uncomfortable with the discussion. He'd never had to talk about this much because Hercules hated to think about Iolaus being dead and would avoid the subject like the plague.

"Are you afraid to die? I mean...since you know what to expect, does it make it less frightening?"

"It's not the dying I've ever been afraid of, Herc...." Iolaus responded softly. He never had been afraid to die...even before he had known what would happen to his soul. Dying was a part of living...part of being mortal. Someday, it happened to everyone...it was just another step along the journey through eternity.

"Then, what are you afraid of?"

Iolaus walked on in silence for so long that Hercules had begun to think he had found a question that Iolaus would not answer. Iolaus slowed to a stop, turned toward his friend, staring at the ground as he struggled to find the words...the words to be honest, without placing a burden on Hercules. "I'm afraid of letting down the people who count on me...I'm afraid of being trapped in tight, dark, closed, locked places...of being helpless...I'm afraid of hurting the people I care about...I'm afraid of not being worthy of the trust you have always given me...I'm afraid of the day when I won't be able to be at your side anymore... when I won't be able to keep up...I'm afraid of not being there when you need me...I'm afraid of not being able to help you now...." Iolaus had avoided Hercules' eyes and, when he finished, he turned and continued down the road.

"Aren't you ever afraid for yourself?"

Iolaus shook his head and kept walking. Iolaus had had to learn how to thrust away fear for his own wellbeing, a very long time ago...if he hadn't been able to do that, his childhood would have destroyed him, instead of simply making him stronger. But, then, he realized this wasn't entirely true...he wasn't afraid to die...but... "Actually, I guess there is one thing that frightens me...I don't care if I get killed...but I never want to be helpless...be a burden...." he murmured.

"Iolaus...."

"Herc," Iolaus cut in, "do you think we could change the subject?"

Hercules walked in silence for a few minutes, before he resumed speaking. "I'm sorry, Iolaus....I can tell this is hard to talk about...but, Jason told me how many times...you've sacrificed your life for mine....I don't understand why you would do that...."

Iolaus smiled sadly, "Well, that's an easy question, Herc....and, again, if you had your memory, you would know the answer....you've never wanted me to take those risks, pay that price...you've even tried forbidding me to...." Iolaus laughed softly, like Herc could forbid him to do anything, let alone forbid him to stand between Herc and any threat. "I did what I needed to do...what I would not hesitate to do again....I love you, Hercules... no life is more important to me than your's....not even my own...I'd rather be dead myself, than live knowing I could have saved your life and failed to do so."

Hercules studied the sturdy warrior walking along beside him...he said these things so matter of factly, as if there could be no question...as sure of how he felt as he was sure the sun would rise every morning. "Iolaus...I wish I could remember....I owe you so much..."

Iolaus turned on Herc, his eyes flashing, "You owe me nothing Hercules! If anything, I owe you...for an extraordinary life...for a chance to make a real difference...to help people. We have shared more, done more...than most ever get to experience. Because of you, my life has had worth...and meaning. Don't you ever start thinking, worrying, that somehow you are obliged to me for anything. Gods, Hercules, I wish you could understand....You are such an extraordinary being...you inspire people, you stand for everything that is good in this world, you put yourself on the line everyday...not for yourself, but for others....Your humility does not change the fact that you are the best thing that has ever happened to this world...you embody everything that it means to be a hero...and you...you chose me to be your friend...I will always be grateful for that."

Hercules felt overwhelmed by the words, the passion in Iolaus' voice...he didn't know what to say. "Iolaus, I think you must be over stating it a little...."

Iolaus chuckled softly as he turned back toward the road, "I'm not overstating anything, Herc....you may not have your memories, but your sense of humility is intact!"

"Dammit, Iolaus...I know, from what Jason told me, that you're every bit the hero you claim I am....talk about humility!"

Iolaus giggled, "Just second hand stories, Herc...baseless rumours....you can't believe everything you hear....unless, of course, you get the information from me!"

Hercules just shook his head, frustrated that he could not access the memories which he was certain would refute Iolaus' cavalier diminishment of his own heroics. They had walked for about fifteen minutes in silence, when Iolaus began conversationally, "By the way, Herc, you should probably know that we've got company...about six hangers on... shy types, hanging about in the trees on either side of the road...but, it looks like they may be working up their courage to say hello."

Hercules casually glanced to either side of the road and picked out two or three...Iolaus must be able to see through trees to be able to pick out the others. "Iolaus, you have a real knack for attracting new friends," Hercules teased.

"Me? Nah....it's you people always want to meet...the legendary demigod...son of Zeus...the great Hercules, slayer of monsters, champion of men...."

Hercules snorted in amusement. The were about to be attacked by bandits and Iolaus was carrying on as if they were doing nothing more exciting than taking a stroll in a park. "So, Iolaus, how did you want to welcome our new friends?"

"Oh, I always like to give them a chance to introduce themselves before we overwhelm them with our own enthusiastic greetings!" Hercules chuckled. This should be interesting.

It was only a few minutes later when the bandits emerged from the woods, surrounding them, brandishing swords in a menacing manner which they evidently expected would intimidate these two unwary travellers. They looked like out of work mercenaries, mean and ill tempered.

"Hey, guys!" Iolaus greeted them with a warm smile, "You from around here? Nice of you to take the time to say hello!"

"Shut up, Shorty...give us your money and maybe we'll let you live," threatened the lead thug.

Iolaus shook his head in a sorrowful manner as he turned to Hercules, "Why is it, Herc, that it's always the same routine...no one ever notices that I'm a spiffy dresser...or my Adonis like good looks....and then, its the usual, 'give us your valuables or we'll kill you' line... I wish, just once, we'd run into a gang of thugs with a little more finesse, a little imagination."

Hercules gave Iolaus a regretful look as he replied in a conspiratorial whisper, "And you know, I'll bet they won't be happy when they find out we haven't got a dinar between us....it's too bad, too, because they look like they could use a handout...."

"Oh, you guys are real clowns...think you're real funny, don't ya?"

Iolaus gave the man a cheeky grin, "Well, we're not as funny as you guys, pretending to be scary...why don't you just go away before we hurt you?"

"Ouch," Hercules murmured, "I wish you would take more care not to bruise their fragile egos, Iolaus...I'm always having to tell you to be nice to strangers."

Iolaus chuckled, "Nah, can't hurt these egos, Herc....these guys are already as low as you can go....besides...they insulted me first."

Hercules gave Iolaus an exaggerated look of surprise. "Really? I didn't hear an insult...a description, maybe....afterall, you aren't exactly a tall man, Iolaus."

"Hey, careful...don't you start!" Iolaus shot back in pretended outrage.

The outlaws had been thrown off balance, disconcerted by the way their victims were ignoring them...usually the people they attacked either gave them their valuables, at which point they would be killed, or would fight back, be killed and have their valuables taken from their dead bodies. Nobody just stood around insulting them...it wasn't normal...maybe these guys were crazy. Not that it mattered...they would be just as dead.

Out of patience with the nonsense, the lead thug growled, "Get them!"

"This is where I'm supposed to be enthusiastic, right?" Hercules quipped with Iolaus as he decked the first man who came within reach.

"Absolutely....don't hold anything back!" Iolaus laughed as he leapt into a flying kick, taking out a guy twice his size. Iolaus ducked under a sword that had been slashing toward his head and swept the feet out from under his attacker...Hercules had just thrown two goons back into the forest from which they had come, while Iolaus played a game of 'tag me if you can' with the leader of the group, who was swinging his sword with increasing frustration as Iolaus ducked and weaved, dancing close then out of reach, taunting him. Hercules stood back, crossed his arms, whistled idly as if he was bored, before calling out, "C'mon, Iolaus, quit playing around...finish him off...."

Iolaus whined, "Aw, gee, do I have to....it's just starting to be fun!"

"Now, Iolaus...we can't be wasting the afternoon here...we have places to go, things to do...."

"People to see..." Iolaus finished the phrase as he spun under the sword, kicking it from the outlaw's hand before he took a leap and seemed to be walking up the man's body as one foot hit his chest while the other clipped him across the head, then Iolaus spun to land in a roll that took him back to his feet...standing over the now inert body of the lead mercenary. Iolaus dusted off his hands as he turned toward Hercules, "Your wish is my command, oh great legendary hero, son of Zeus, slayer of monsters...."

"Shut up, Iolaus and help me tie these guys up," Hercules softened the words with the grin he shot at his partner. Chuckling, Iolaus pulled some lengths of rope from his sack, threw some at Herc, and bent to tie the wrists of the man at his feet. By the time Hercules had hauled the two he'd thrown out of the forest, and all were securely tied, the bandits had started to wake up.

"Tell me, Iolaus," Herc asked, as he finished the knots on the last thug, "since I've known you, we have walked through one village...and ended up going after slavers, tried to have a meal in another village, and been attacked by the village idiots, walked down a quiet country road and have been set upon by thieves....is this what our life is always like?"

Iolaus snickered, "Yeah, pretty much...you forgot to mention the ghidra we killed the day before in another village...oh, sorry, I forgot you forgot...." Hercules snorted as he dragged their captives to their feet. Ridiculous, but he felt happier than he had felt in days. He still couldn't remember anything...but he was beginning to be comfortable with Iolaus...more than that, he was beginning to be comfortable again inside of himself.

The two warriors herded their charges into the nearest village, which luckily had a magistrate with whom they could leave the outlaws. As they headed out of the village, Herc cast a speculative look at Iolaus. "You really don't appreciate comments about your height, do you Iolaus?"

Iolaus cast a wary look at his companion...was this a simple question, or was Herc setting him up for some smart crack. "Herc, just because I hang around with you, and I might point out you are much taller than the average person, people have the mistaken impression that I am somehow less than an average stature...and they invariably seem to make their observations somewhat insulting...."

"Iolaus...what ever gave you the idea that you are 'average' anything?" Hercules chuckled.

Iolaus opened his mouth, closed it...was that a shot or not? "Well, I'm glad you're finally noticing that I am extraordinary in every way..."

"Oh, I doubt many people 'over look' you...." Herc responded, idly studying a spot just above Iolaus' head.

There he went again.... "Herc, are you teasing me?" Iolaus asked.

Hercules grinned, "Well, maybe just a 'little'."

"Herc, my friend, you are trodding on dangerous ground...." Iolaus pretended to threaten.

"Ah, Iolaus...it's just that so often, you seem to sell yourself short." Hercules said with a sad sigh of regret.

Iolaus couldn't help it...he started to giggle, then laugh. It had been so long since Herc had teased him....he hadn't realized how much he'd missed it.

Watching him, Hercules shook his head, "Iolaus, I can't imagine what you find so funny...I was just making a tiny observation about your minuscule ego!"

Gasping, Iolaus sputtered, "Stop, Herc...."

Hercules grinned, "It really does just take the smallest thing to make you happy, doesn't it?"

Holding his side, Iolaus finally brought his giggles under control. He wiped the tears of laughter from his face.... "Only you, Herc," he chuckled, "only you are allowed to get away with 'short' jokes...and that's only because I know you are my biggest fan."

Hercules threw his hands up in mock horror, "Oh no, what have I started?"

"It was a huge mistake to start something you can't finish, big guy...just because you are a larger than life demigod...never forget that I'm the expert in telling talltales!" Iolaus chirped.

Laughing, Hercules put an arm around Iolaus' shoulder as they continued down the road, "I give up, Iolaus, I haven't the teeniest idea on how to best you in a contest of words!"

In high spirits, the two men continued on their journey. They had been taking their time, enjoying the warm spring afternoon, so it was almost dusk by the time they arrived at the cavern dwelling of Typhon and Echidna.

Iolaus led the way into the cavern, calling out as they entered, "Hello! Anyone home?"

The ground trembled beneath their feet. Herc, thinking it was the start of an earthquake, cast a wary eye at the ceiling as he started to pull Iolaus from the cave.

"Hey, what's the matter, Herc?" Iolaus protested, resisting the pull.

"Earthquake...can't you feel it?"

Iolaus giggled... "Relax, Herc...that's just Typhon coming to meet us!" Iolaus turned as Typhon came into sight, called out, "Watch your..oww...too late," Iolaus winced in sympathy as Typhon cracked his head on the lower ceiling by the entrance. "Typhon, maybe we should raise the ceiling a bit...what do you think?"

Typhon grinned down at his friends as he rubbed the top of his head, "That's a good idea, Iolaus...we should think about doing that! Hey, it's great to see you...and you, Hercules... come in...come in...wait'll Echidna sees you're here!"

Striding ahead, Typhon crooned at the top of his lungs, "Sweetie Pie, wait 'til you see who's here!!!"

Hercules had been following along in Iolaus' wake, his eyebrows up toward his hairline as he took in the unlikely aspect of a romantic teddy bear as big as a mountain. Coming into the main cavern, he was almost knocked over when Iolaus ducked Obie's launch into his arms...leaving Herc to catch the squirming bundle of tentacles. "Obie, I presume...." he smiled at the huge 'kid' in his arms. Carrying the delighted child, Hercules continued into the cavern where he could hear an unusual voice giving Iolaus a delighted welcome, stopping short as he entered and saw Iolaus being enthusiastically hugged tight, wrapped in the tentacles of the most amazing...person....this must be Echidna...Mother of all Monsters. Herc whistled soundlessly as he recovered himself and continued into the large hall.

Echidna looked over the curly blond head that could barely be seen cuddled under her chin, exclaiming with delight, "Herculessss, it isss wonderfulll to seeee youuuu. Lasttt, timmme E-O-Lausssss was here, yourrrr lifffe wassss innn dannngerrrrr. Commmme innnn, my friendddd, commmme innnn!"

Smiling as convincingly as he could, Hercules came fully into the room...taking care not to stumble over the swan who was waddling across the floor, being pursued by a playful golden puppy. Iolaus had been right....this was the most unusual family he had ever seen.

Echidna gently set a giggling Iolaus back down on his feet. "Sitttt dowwnnnnn...Obieee, leave Uncllle Herculessss alonnne!" Obie made such a sorrowful sound as he eased himself down to the floor, Hercules grinned at him, stroking his head... "It's nice to see you, too, Obie...." The young one chirrupted more happily as he moved off to play with his siblings.

Iolaus and Hercules had arrived just in time to partake in a delicious meal...remembering Echidna's cooking, Iolaus' timing of their arrival had been no accident. Over the meal, Iolaus explained that Hercules had been injured, and had lost his memory while protecting Iolaus from a rockslide caused by slavers...which led into the story of the kidnapped children. Herc was glad to be able to participate in the telling...at least, this was one story he actually could remember.

Later, during the evening, even though Iolaus had tried to discourage them, Echidna and Typhon recounted what they knew of his adventure in getting the Rainbow Crystal to Mount Olympus...Echidna described how they had gone to Middle Earth, how Iolaus had crawled through tight places, faced monsters and turned them back into her darling children (Hercules threw Iolaus a quick look....Iolaus had not said he'd been the one to recover the children...with Artemis' bow!), how Iolaus had collapsed, covered in blood, exhausted already by the power of the crystals, how even Typhon had felt it's power and had wondered how Iolaus could possibly climb up Mount Olympus, in the dark and rain, being drained of strength by the energy of the crystal....and they exclaimed over what they'd heard...that Ares had blasted him not long after he had finally made it to the top of the mountain...how Iolaus had struggled to survive long enough to deliver the crystal and thereby save Hercules....

Throughout it all, Iolaus squished lower and lower into his chair, turning a brighter and brighter red. "They exaggerate," he whispered desperately to Hercules at one point, who only gave him a speculative look as he turned back to listen to the rest of the story. 'I'm afraid of being trapped in tight, dark, closed...places....' Iolaus had told him earlier that day...gods...and he'd done it, knowing, ultimately, the crystal would kill him....to save his best friend's life...when Hercules again looked toward Iolaus, there was a trace of awe in his eyes.

Iolaus finally got them off the story of his adventure and onto the story of how Hercules had first met Typhon and then rescued Obie from Hera's clutches. Iolaus watched his friend while Typhon recounted the adventure...and he could see that, while Hercules was listening with interest, it was only a story to him...it wasn't helping him to remember. Iolaus sighed...well, it had been worth a try.

Iolaus and Hercules left early the next morning, still heading east. "Who are we meeting next, Iolaus?" Hercules enquired as they ambled down the dirt road through the hills. Iolaus remembered this road from the first time they had climbed it to rescue Alcmene... Herc had been so badly injured, so weak....it had been the first time Iolaus had demanded the rights of family, insisted upon being a part of Alcmene's rescue. Sadly, Iolaus knew there was no point in recounting the story...it would only make Hercules feel worse about what he couldn't remember about his mother. Lost in thought, he hadn't heard Herc's question.

"Iolaus? Earth to Iolaus..." Herc teased, drawing his comrade's attention back, "Where did you go?"

Iolaus just shrugged, "Doesn't matter, Herc...."

Hercules noted that Iolaus seemed....distracted? no....sad, maybe? "Iolaus, is there something wrong?"

Iolaus shrugged again as he continued walking. It wasn't working....Herc's memory wasn't coming back...even the nightmares seem to have stopped...at least, Herc wasn't complaining about them anymore. Iolaus looked up through the trees to the sky, his mind whispering a silent prayer to whoever might be listening.... 'Please,' he pleaded, 'please, someone, help us....'

"Iolaus...if I have to tell you what I'm thinking and feeling...then shouldn't you have to tell me when something's bothering you?"

Iolaus looked over his shoulder at Hercules, the ghost of a grin playing around his lips, "Uh uh...the deal was that I'm supposed to tell you when I'm hurt...don't worry, Herc, nothing's wrong...I'm just a little tired, is all."

Hercules wasn't sure he believed that, but accepted that Iolaus was not going to tell him what was on his mind. Returning to his original question, Hercules repeated it, "Okay...so who are we going to meet today?"

"Today we meet a couple of fellow heroes...except, they're heroines...Xena and Gabrielle. I asked them to meet us in a little village down in the valley, about a half day's walk from here....we should be there by lunchtime. I'm looking forward to seeing Xena's little baby, Eve..." Suddenly, Iolaus wondered if this had been such a good idea....he hadn't considered that Hercules had killed Zeus protecting Xena and her child....this wasn't the sort of memory he had been trying to invoke.

"And, I know these people because...."

Iolaus pursed his lips as he considered the question. "Well, Herc, it's another long story. To be brief, when we first met Xena, she was a warlord who pretended to be a wronged, virtuous, courageous young woman fighting against tyranny and evil, which was the line she used to seduce me so that I would come to hate you and try to kill you to supposedly protect her, but she didn't think I would be good enough and her real objective was to force you to kill me in self defence so that she could then kill you because you'd be so upset by what you'd done to me that you'd be defenceless...and it almost worked because I thought I had fallen in love with her and I wasn't thinking straight and so we got into this fight, except I couldn't kill you...and you couldn't kill me, so she took off...and then later, she changed...you changed her...she stopped being evil and I found the two of you together and I kinda felt betrayed for awhile, but it's alright now...she's a friend...and the two of you saved humanity by rescuing Prometheus and returning fire to the earth...and Gabrielle is her best friend, kind of a sidekick like I am, and we've all done a lot together and they are really good friends."

Needing to breathe, Iolaus lapsed into silence. When he finally looked up at Hercules and saw the bemused look, the eyebrows that could not go any higher, but still managing a slight frown....and he chuckled. "Sorry, Herc...I hate the early parts of how we all met....so I tend to just rush right through them...I guess it all sounds sort of ...oh, I don't know...like some kind of Greek Tragedy, a mythic story of how love almost destroys and then redeems our heroes...."

At first, as Iolaus had babbled his way through the uncomfortable history as fast as he could, Hercules had listened with disbelief...the story was incredible...and, yet, he found that he did believe it...he would believe anything Iolaus told him. Somewhere along the line, he had come to trust Iolaus...to know that, whether he ever remembered his past or not, he could believe this man...and rely upon him.

Finally, reflecting upon their friendship, and upon what Iolaus had just told him about Xena, Hercules said quietly, "Despite what Aphrodite said the other night, you must be awfully good at forgiving people, Iolaus...."

"Ah, what's past is past....Xena has really changed....it wouldn't be right to hold the past against her now."

'Or against me,' Hercules realized....he had betrayed Iolaus...and had also been forgiven.

Iolaus recounted Xena and Gabrielle stories as they wandered along the trail. Consequently, the time passed quickly and, almost before they knew it, they were entering the village where they were to meet the two women. Leading the way through the prosperous settlement, Iolaus headed directly toward the tavern where he'd suggested they meet. He smiled as he saw Argo, Xena's horse, hitched at the rail outside the establishment. They were here, waiting for them.

Iolaus' eyes scanned the crowd in the tavern, quickly lighting on the two women. He called to them happily as he and Hercules moved to join them at a table near the bar. "You made it...thank you." Iolaus said as he came up to them, hugged them both warmly, then fussed over the baby, giving Hercules time to study them briefly before they turned to him. The exotic one in the leather, with the long black hair had to be Xena...he could see how she could hold an attraction...there was an energy, a force, about her...the air almost crackled. The other, smaller woman, Gabrielle, had short blond hair and radiated kindness as strongly as Xena radiated power. No doubt about...his former self had known some very interesting people. Maybe it went with the hero business.

In the crush and noise of the crowded bar, it was hard to hold much of a conversation. Iolaus took charge, getting lunch and ales for everyone, laughing, joking, entertaining ... he would have fooled anyone but the three people sitting with him. Hercules had observed him enough to recognise a slight brittleness in his eyes and on the edges of his glorious smile whenever he was being charming to avoid having to talk about anything he wanted to avoid talking about. Xena could see that he was more manic than usual...which usually meant he was upset about something. Gabrielle could simply see right through him...it was in his eyes...his heart was breaking. As a result, no one wanted to linger over lunch...as soon as they had finished eating, they stood and headed out into the afternoon sunlight.

Squinting against the sudden brightness, they paused for a moment in the doorway. "So, Iolaus," Xena began, "when are you going to get to the point? Why did you want to meet us so urgently?"

"Let's head a little ways out of town....there's a pretty spot beside the river, where we will be able to talk more comfortably than standing here in the street." Iolaus responded.

Xena held his eyes for a moment, "Alright," she responded, "lead the way." Xena was carrying Eve in a cloth contraption that held the baby against the front of her body, but left her arms free. She unhitched Argo and the four of them headed out of town.

Once they had cleared the outskirts of the village, Iolaus began to explain, "Xena, Gabrielle, I asked you to meet us...." Iolaus was surprised when Hercules cut in, interrupting him.

"Iolaus, why don't you let me explain this time...you must be getting a bit tired of having to keep going over it...." Herc offered in a quiet voice. Iolaus gave him a small smile of gratitude. This little exchange had served to get the attention of both women, who now focused their attention on Hercules.

His eyes on Iolaus, Hercules began, "Ten days ago, Iolaus and I were passing through a village that had just been hit by slavers...they'd taken all the children...don't worry, we eventually got them all...and more....back....but, when we first went after them, they must have realized we were following them so they had set up an ambush in a narrow cleft of stone. They pushed an avalanche of rock down upon us...I took a bad hit to the head...and, well, I've had amnesia ever since."

"Amnesia?" repeated Xena.

"Can you remember anything from before the injury?" Gabrielle asked.

With a sidelong glance at Hercules, Iolaus murmured, "Well, he seems to have forgotten that he sheltered me from the stone and saved my life...."

Herc caught the look and grinned back at him, "Details...details...." Iolaus snorted in response.

Hercules turned to Gabrielle, "No, I can't remember anything....it's all just...gone. I do have nightmares almost every night...they were worse at the beginning...but I still get some. Disjointed images of people, and monsters, sounds, children's voices...playing, calling my name...feathers....nothing that makes any sense...nothing that I recognise... well, except for Iolaus, of course."

"Just what I always wanted," Iolaus mumbled, "a starring role in my best friend's nightmares...."

"What does the monster look like?" asked Xena. Gabrielle threw her a look that very clearly stated, 'what does it matter...a monster is a monster'.

Herc frowned, trying to pull back the distorted image of the dream. "Long necks....lots of heads...?"

Iolaus smirked, "The hydra...it's the first monster we ever killed."

"What kind of feathers?" Xena continued.

Herc looked at her, then his eyes went out of focus as he again searched his mind for the fragment of colour...colours.... "Peacock feathers."

"Hera's trademark!" Gabrielle and Iolaus chimed together.

By then, they had reached the turnoff to the sheltered clearing on the river that Iolaus was leading them toward. They had to follow a narrow path through a dense forest for about fifteen minutes...so narrow, they were walking single file.

"Keep going, Hercules....what faces do you see...describe them to us." Xena persisted.

Herc sighed....this would be harder. "Well, Iolaus, of course....a woman who is smiling at me, kinda sadly....fair haired....blue eyes...not young...not old...lovely..." He looked ahead to those in front of him...the women shrugged and looked toward Iolaus who turned from leading them to catch Herc's eyes with his own, "Alcmene, Herc...your mother." Herc gave his friend a half smile and swallowed...so that was what his mother had looked like.

"Anyone else?" Gabrielle asked, beginning to understand what Xena had been doing. If these were the only memories his mind was sharing with him, his friends could at least help Hercules recognise them.

Herc looked at the ground, frowned. "Another woman....startlingly beautiful, riotous hair...she's reaching toward me...." again, Hercules looked forward to Iolaus, who had stopped leading them through the forest, to listen to what Herc could remember. Iolaus was smiling at him, "Deianaera...your wife."

Holding Iolaus' eyes, Hercules felt a lump form in his throat, "and, a little blond girl picking flowers in a meadow...." "Ilea," Iolaus said in hardly more than a whisper, "your daughter, Herc." Iolaus had to blink hard, look away for a moment.

"And, the voices of children playing...boys...." Herc looked at Iolaus, who responded, "Probably your sons, Herc."

"More?" demanded Xena. Herc thought... "I know there's more, but I can't get it...the images, the sounds...are just too mixed up."

Iolaus turned and continued to lead them through the woodland, until they finally came into a sunlit space of soft grass and flowers, a sparkling, whispering river, stately pines that swayed in the gentle afternoon breeze. It was a place of peace...an atmosphere of sanctuary. Gabrielle smiled unconsciously as she absorbed the beauty around her.

Xena looped Argo's reins over a branch, then went to sit beside Gabrielle on a log, not far from the river's edge. Looking up at Hercules, she asked, "So, at least you remember some things, some people...." her words drifted to a halt at the look on Hercules' face. He was watching Iolaus, who was turned away from him. Iolaus had seen it in his eyes. Gabrielle looked from one man to the other...and understood.

"They are just pictures, aren't they...no more than that....no feelings, no stories to go with the pictures...."

Hercules looked at her, surprised at her intuition. He nodded, "But, at least I know what they looked like now...it's more than I had before," he said, trying to be positive.

Xena sighed, "Well, maybe more will come, now that you have recognised that much...it's a beginning."

Herc flashed her a half smile, "Right...it's a beginning! So, Iolaus, what now?"

Iolaus turned back to the group, having gotten the feelings of despair that had threatened to swamp him, under control. "Now," he grinned, "we get our bard to tell us stories of the adventures we have all shared!" Iolaus turned to Gabrielle, an expectant look on his face, for all the world like a child waiting with bated breath. His antics provoked the others to laughter, which helped cut the tension in the quiet meadow.

Gabrielle caught his eye, understood he needed her to take their focus, to give him time. Nodding, she took up the challenge, turned to Hercules and Xena, and began with the story of Prometheus...the first time the four of them had worked together on a common objective. She told a story well...holding her audience spellbound...not an easy feat, when at least two of the three remembered the details of having been there as well as she did. When she had finished the first story, she went to the next, when she and Xena had come to help Hercules and Iolaus clear Hercules of the murder of his wife Serena. Xena looked at her oddly as she told the story, Iolaus regarded her with awe. For Hercules, it was a story of how a hero gave up his godgiven strength to be with the woman he loved, then had been framed by a god for her murder.

When it was over, Xena complimented Gabrielle, "I think that's one of the best fictional stories you have ever crafted Gabrielle...sad, but real somehow."

"It was real," Iolaus breathed, "but how could you ever have known, Gabrielle...the timeline has shifted, it never happened in your past..."

Gabrielle smiled gently at Iolaus, "I'm not sure, Iolaus, where all the stories come from... but, I'm not surprised that some that come in a dream have some truth within them."

Hercules had been listening, interested from the perspective that this was another piece of his past, but disengaged....it was a story...he didn't feel the loss, the grief...he was wondering if he ever would. Glancing at him, Iolaus could read the look...and he wondered the same thing. He had to move, do something...he couldn't just keep sitting here, watching hopeless efforts to unlock his friend's mind. Standing, Iolaus turned to the others, "Well, I'm going to hunt up a bit of dinner for us," he smiled at Xena and Gabrielle, "keep entertaining our friend with the mythological adventures of his past! Maybe remind him of his twelve labours!" Iolaus was trying to appear cheerful, but he didn't look at Hercules before he turned and left the camp.

Iolaus caught a pheasant, a partridge and two rabbits. He dug up some root vegetables that were growing wild, gathered some sprigs of the herbs he knew Herc liked and picked apples for dessert. It was a handful getting everything back to the camp, but he managed... and the others were very appreciative of his bounty. Herc smiled softly when he recognised the herbs.

"Well, I caught the food, so that means I don't have to cook it," Iolaus informed them, then shot a fake glare at Hercules, pretending to snap at his friend, "and, no smart comments from you, my friend, on the quality of my cooking!"

As intended, he won a laugh. It was getting on towards dusk so he gathered the wood they'd need for the night and built the fire while the others prepared the dinner. Finished, he sat quietly and watched the others at their work...joking with one another, comfortable. There was a peculiar poignancy in it for Iolaus...he wondered if they would ever be together like this again. Shaking off his mood, he joined into the banter, and kept the others well entertained until it was time to call it a night.

The nightmares were back in force that night...the voices were clamouring to be heard.

The next morning, Iolaus was up early. He moved a distance along the river, then began fishing for their breakfast. He'd pick fruit on the way back. He hadn't been alone long when he heard someone coming quietly through the bush from the direction of the campsite. In moments, Gabrielle had appeared at his side.

"Need any help?" she enquired.

He smiled, "No, not just now, but you can help me pick some fruit on the way back later."

"So, I can assume, then, that I'm invited to keep you company until you've caught enough fish?"

Iolaus grinned and nodded, turning back to watch the river. Gabrielle sat quietly beside him, studying his profile. After a while, he glanced sideways at her, "Such an intent look, Gabrielle...what are you seeing?"

Gabrielle looked at her friend with great tenderness. "Iolaus, I see a man whose heart is breaking...and who won't tell anyone how much it hurts."

Her words were like a lance that flew straight into his heart, cutting through all of his defences, all of the pretense, knocking the breath right out of him. His lips trembled, his eyes blurred...he struggled to find the control he had been holding like a shield...but it had abandoned him. He curled his right hand into a fist, brought it up against his lips, as if to hold back the sobs that were gathering in his throat. He started to tremble and he couldn't hold the pain in any more....Gabrielle reached out to him, hugged him close as he sobbed quietly in her arms. "It's alright, Iolaus," she whispered, "Let it out...."

Long minutes passed before he had regained sufficient control to whisper through his tears, "He's gone, Gabrielle....I don't know where to find him....I don't know....what else to do....." She held him tighter, feeling the depth of his despair, his loneliness and fear. Feeling his sense of helplessness. Finally, the sobs died away, the trembling eased. Iolaus took a deep breath, slowly pulled away from her arms, wiped his eyes and face with the back of his hand, blinked back the tears that still threatened.

"He's not gone, Iolaus....he's back there in the camp...he still needs you," Gabrielle whispered to him.

"Maybe," Iolaus said, "I'm not sure....the last few days have been a lot better...he's been more relaxed....but," Iolaus looked up at Gabrielle, "I can't force myself on him...I at least need to give him some space...some time...to decide what he wants to do with the rest of his life....and whether....he wants....." Iolaus still couldn't say it, as if by saying it, 'he wants to be on his own', would somehow make it real.

"What are you going to do?"

"Later this morning, we're going to head out to Corinth...we should be able to make it before the end of the day....I'll introduce Herc to his brother Iphicles....and, then, tomorrow, I'm going to head back to my place in Thebes, give Herc a chance to get to know his brother again." Iolaus sniffed, looked out toward the river....Water was always moving....always changing....just like the lives we live....nothing ever stayed the same...not forever. He took a deep breath, turned back to Gabrielle. "Thank you, Gabrielle...I...I needed to let it out....thank you."

Gabrielle gave him a quick, tight hug...whispered in his ear, "I'll always be there for you, Iolaus...that's what friends are for...." She kissed him lightly on the cheek before she pulled back. "Now, I'm going to go gather some of that fruit you mentioned...if you don't soon catch a fish, it might be the only breakfast we get!" Standing, she smiled down at him for a moment, couldn't resist ruffling his hair...and with a giggle, she was gone....Iolaus looked back at the river, lost in his thoughts.

Iolaus caught two fish, and with the fruit Gabrielle had gathered, it was enough to break their fast. Iolaus led them back through the woodland to the main road, where they took their leave of one another. Gabrielle and Xena were heading across the hills to catch the ferry across the Bay of Corinth, before heading further north to Kalambaka. Iolaus hugged them both with enthusiasm, Herc with more restraint, but no less sincerely. As Iolaus and Hercules stood a moment, watching them head out across the fields, Hercules murmured, almost to himself. "It was her, wasn't it....Zeus was trying to kill her and her child."

Iolaus looked up at him, "Yeah....it was Xena...how did you...oh....Jason told you about Zeus...."

Hercules nodded, then pulled himself back to look down at Iolaus with an air of expectancy. "Alright, my fearless leader, where are we headed today?"

Iolaus grinned, "Today, my valiant hero, we are headed to Corinth, to visit with your brother, the King Iphicles...and to be pampered as royal guests in the palace."

Hercules smiled, tilted his head down the road, "East?" he enquired.

"East it is, Herc...then, a little north. The city is on the Bay of Corinth, just before the isthmus into the mainland of Greece."

Iolaus led them along a path that took them down out of the hills to skirt the shores of the Bay of Corinth. It was a perfect day....brilliant sun sparkled and danced on the water, the breeze brought the clean salt scent of the sea...gulls frolicked in the air currents, dropping like stones from time to time, then rising again, a prize in their beaks. The foam capped waves broke gently against the white pebbled beach. The light but steady wind off the water blew the hair back from their faces...two strong men, bronzed by the sun, in the prime of their lives. Iolaus walked with his friend along the shore...drinking it in, imprinting the memory of this day in his mind...in his heart.

Hercules was conscious that Iolaus had been uncharacteristically silent for the last two hours. He missed the chatter, and the laughter....a far cry from the miserable creature from a week ago who had wanted this kind of silence.

"Iolaus?"

"Uh huh."

"You're awfully quiet...."

Iolaus turned to look at his friend, a ghost of a smile on his lips, "I'm just enjoying the day, Herc....I've always loved the water...it's peaceful...eternal."

Hercules studied his comrade's eyes, saw a sadness in their depths. "What's wrong, Iolaus...we made a deal, remember....you're supposed to tell me when you hurt...."

Iolaus sighed as he nodded. They had to talk about it sometime...better now, here, than in the palace. He cocked his head a little as he looked up at his friend, "A little more than a week ago, Herc, I promised to do all I could to bring back your memory...but, if it didn't happen, I also promised to give you space...and time."

Iolaus turned his head away, looked out across the water, to the horizon far beyond. "It hasn't worked...we're all still strangers to you...the past just interesting stories....nothing's connected...made the link..." Iolaus sighed, then turned back to Hercules, "It's time to keep the second part of my promise, Herc....you can stay with Iph for awhile...reconnect with your brother. Tomorrow, I'm heading back home, to Thebes."

"You don't have to do that, Iolaus," Herc began, but Iolaus cut him off.

"Yeah, Herc, I do...for both of our sakes...you need to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life...and I need to figure out the same thing."

"Iolaus...why can't we just carry on doing what we've always done?"

Iolaus studied his friend, wondering if he should say it, put in words what he knew his best friend was feeling, "Because, Hercules, inside you still resent that you have to depend on a stranger for your memories...you're still angry that I can remember the people you loved, and who loved you...but you cannot. If I don't give you the space you need, you will grow to hate me...and I couldn't stand that."

"You're not a stranger, Iolaus....you're the one person who I know I can trust..."

Iolaus smiled gratefully at that, maybe...maybe, given time, they could recover something of the friendship they had shared. "Thanks, Herc...it means a lot to me to know that you trust me....But, you still don't really remember who I am...who we were...and, maybe you never will. We both have to learn how to live with that, Hercules....I'm so sorry....I wish I knew how to help you....but, I don't....I'm all out of ideas....." Iolaus stopped before his voice cracked. He turned back into the wind, continued the trek along the shore.

Hercules stood and watched him for a moment, then followed after him.

They had reached Corinth by midafternoon, the palace shortly after that. The guards, recognizing Hercules, the King's brother, and Iolaus, his friend, let them pass unchallenged. A servant, having spotted them coming through the gate, had run to inform the King that he had guests. Iphicles was there to greet them, as they reached the inner courtyard of the palace grounds. Smiling, arms wide, Iphicles welcomed them warmly and ushered them inside. Within minutes, he had them comfortably settled in a cosy chamber, wine goblets in their hands, fruit at their fingertips. The hospitality was warm and sincere.

Once everyone was settled, he turned to them, "I'm glad to see you, of course...but this is an unexpected visit....so, you'll understand my curiosity. What has brought the two greatest heroes in Greece to Corinth?"

Iolaus snickered at the slightly sardonic compliment. "Well, hero," he said, turning to Hercules, "will you explain or shall I?"

Herc leaned forward, elbows on the arms of his chair, wine goblet cradled in his hands, "I'll start...and you can fill in any gaps," Iolaus nodded and sat back, taking a healthy swig of his wine.

Hercules turned to Iphicles, "Iph...a couple of weeks ago, as a result of a run in with a band of slavers, I've ended up with amnesia...everything from before the attack is just a blank. Iolaus and I have been visiting familiar places, like the Academy, and talking with old friends, like Jason and Xena, to try to shake some memories loose...but," Hercules shook his head as he gazed sadly at Iolaus, "nothing's worked."

Iphicles had listened in a shocked silence, "Gods, Hercules....that's terrible...I...what can I do to help?"

Iolaus responded, "It would be good for Hercules to spend time here, with you, Iph...give the both of you a chance to reconnect...he needs to be with family, who care about him, now...it's only been a couple of weeks...it's entirely possible that Herc's memory will return eventually."

Iphicles gave Iolaus a puzzled look. There were a wealth of messages in that brief wordless exchange. Iolaus was more brother to Hercules than he had ever been, and Iph knew it...if Herc needed to be with family...that meant Iolaus...so, why was Iolaus so anxious for him to be here? 'Family who care about him'...that must be it...Iolaus was afraid of Herc's vulnerability...from the other side of his family. He was safer in the palace, surrounded by a King's guard, while he took the time necessary to recover, than wandering around, possibly on his own. Iphicles nodded and Iolaus smiled. Message given and received. Hercules had watched the interplay, knowing the two had some shared understanding...but, he didn't know what it could be.

Iolaus stretched, rubbed the back of his neck. "You know, Iph, if you don't mind, I could really use a bath before dinner."

Iph smiled, "Of course, Iolaus, make yourself at home....you know how to find your usual chamber." Iolaus nodded, gave them each a smile, and sauntered off down the hall.

Iolaus rejoined the brothers for dinner, played his usual effervescent, charming role of raconteur and clown throughout the meal, pleaded exhaustion as they left the table and retired early. Closing the door to his chamber, he leaned back against it, closed his eyes. Gods, this was hard...but, he didn't want Hercules to feel bad....it wasn't his fault he couldn't remember...it wasn't anyone's fault...so, Iolaus kept up the front that everything was going to be alright. But, it wasn't all right. It was awful. Iolaus pushed himself up off the door and started pacing the room, waiting until the palace was asleep.

It was late when Iolaus quietly left the palace precinct, nodding to the night guards as he passed them at the gate. It was cowardly, to leave without saying goodbye...but, if he didn't say it, maybe he could still pretend that Herc was just visiting his brother...and that, in a week or two, they'd be off on another adventure...Iolaus was ashamed of himself...of his need to engage in this level of self delusion....but, he just could not face saying goodbye...he just couldn't. Without Hercules, he didn't have a life.

Pausing at the city limits, Iolaus took one last long look back at the palace, casting a silent question toward Hercules, 'Will you ever remember me, my friend?' Then, hitching his ever present bag over his shoulder, he set out cross country, jogging toward home.

The next morning, when Herc went down for breakfast, he poured a glass of water, and took some fruit from the side board, before sitting down. He noticed only two places were set and frowned. Iphicles joined him a few minutes later.

"Good morning, Hercules....I hope you slept well."

"Hi, Iph...not bad....I've been having some nightmares...but, I'm getting used to them...they're not so bad anymore."

Iphicles looked concerned... "Would like to see my palace healer...he could probably give you something to help you sleep."

"No, thanks...I'm fine....Iph...where's Iolaus? I went by his chamber but he wasn't there...."

Iphicles hesitated a moment, then replied, "Iolaus is gone, Hercules."

"What do you mean, gone?"

"The guards tell me he left in the middle of the night...headed in the direction of Thebes. I assume he's headed on home."

Hercules felt stunned, "He left without a word...without saying goodbye?" Hercules was surprised at how abandoned he felt.

"Maybe he didn't know how to say goodbye, Hercules....it's hard for you, not being able to remember....I suspect it's harder for him, because he can. Don't worry, Thebes isn't far...we'll head out in a day or two, give you a chance to visit the old homestead...and to see how Iolaus is doing." Herc nodded and looked away. Iolaus had left him...without saying goodbye...how could he have done that? Why did that leave him feeling so empty?

It was midmorning by the time Iolaus was close to home. He was tired after having walked all night, tired from pushing away all the questions that whirled in his mind. What would he do without Hercules? Would Herc be okay? Was there any chance that he might still get better? And on. And on. He didn't want to think about them anymore...he didn't have any answers. Weary, he ignored the warning tingle between his shoulder blades as he climbed the last quarter mile, up the long hill toward his house on its crest.

Iolaus came around the corner of his house, and froze. Ares was leaning against the door lintel, arms crossed, the usual smirk on his face. "Well, finally, I didn't think you were ever going to get here....you're getting old, Iolaus, slowing down."

Iolaus sighed in annoyance, "Ares, I'm really not in the mood...say what you have to say and go away."

"Tut tut, such poor hospitality...ah well," Ares murmured, purring almost like a cat as he stood away from the wall and sauntered toward Iolaus, for all the world giving the impression of a lion, stalking its prey. Iolaus narrowed his eyes, cast a quick look around, but held his ground. Ares stopped about two feet away...too close for comfort...Iolaus had to tilt his head up to watch his face.

"Iolaus, I hear my brother, my dear half mortal brother, has lost his memory...and that he doesn't love you anymore....that's very sad, Iolaus, very sad," Ares had always enjoyed taunting Iolaus...somethings never did change.

Iolaus gave the God of War a bored look, "Your point being...."

"Ah, Iolaus, always in a hurry....alright....my point? Well, I'd like to conduct a little experiment...see whether my little brother really has lost interest in your welfare. Might be interesting, don't you think?" A slow smile danced on Ares' lips.

Iolaus couldn't resist a soft grunt of wry amusement, "You're wasting your time, Ares...Herc doesn't remember anything about...anything....it's all gone....I was a helpful tour guide for the past week....but, that's all. He won't miss me...out of sight, out of mind." Iolaus was careful not to mention where Herc was...if Ares didn't know, Iolaus wasn't going to tell him.

Ares narrowed his eyes as he stared down at the blond warrior, getting to his real grievance. "You destroyed my chance to be King of the Gods, Iolaus....I'm not happy about that."

Iolaus shrugged and looked away. He could hear the sound of hoofbeats coming across the valley behind him, coming toward them.

"Look, Ares, if that's all, I'm tired...." Iolaus started forward, as if to push past the god. Ares negligantly put a hand out to lay an iron grip on Iolaus' shoulder, holding him where he stood. Iolaus looked up at him, "There's something else?"

Ares smirked, "As a matter of fact, there is. One of my warlords, has been a very, very good boy lately....and he deserves a reward....I think you know him, Iolaus.... Xertes.... I'm sure you remember him...you infiltrated his gang several years ago... and testified against him, sending him to prison?" Ares smiled coldly, "I'm sure he'll be very happy to see you again." Ares chuckled softly.

Iolaus really needed this today....lose a best friend, have a reunion with an old, very sadistic, enemy. Great. Just great. He could hear the pounding of the hoofbeats getting closer...he needed to get away....and soon. "Ares, much as I would like to renew old acquaintances, I think I'll take a pass...maybe another time...."

Ares laughed. "You always were amusing, Iolaus...brash, fearless, quite the little scrapper. But, since Xertes is almost here, it would be a shame to send him away without seeing him...don't you think?"

"Nope...gotta go!" Iolaus pretended to pull back, forcing Ares to grip him more tightly...and then he dipped his knees, using Ares' own strength and momentum as he grabbed Ares' belt and flipped him up and over Iolaus' shoulder. The pounding of the hoofbeats loud in his ears, Iolaus ran around the forge and headed down the hill on the other side, trying to make it to the trees before they caught him. He heard Ares' roar, "Get the little runt!" as he ran over the rocky ground.

He could hear the horses gaining on him, one sounded like it was about to run him down. Iolaus dodged to the side, but he hadn't counted on the determination or the ruthlessness of the men hunting him. He felt the spear catch him behind the right shoulder, having been thrown with such force that it passed through muscle and bone, the sharp, jagged tip coming through the front of his shoulder. The pain burst through his body as the momentum of his run, and the force of the spear, carried him to the ground. He tried to roll, but the spear had caught in the earth between the rocks. The ground trembled with the pounding of the hoofbeats as the horses charged around...and over him. He grunted as the hoof of one of the great warhorses crushed his ribs into the rocks below him and passed out when another hoof landed in the middle of his spine...the snap was the last thing he heard.

The riders pulled up their mounts and milled around. Xertes dismounted beside the crumpled, crushed body, pulled the spear out of Iolaus' back and tossed it aside. Ares appeared in their midst, looking down with disgust upon the body at their feet, before using his foot to flip Iolaus over. His face was smeared with dirt, blood was spilling from his shoulder to soak the soil beneath him...his body lay at an awkward angle. Hearing the rasping breath, Ares grunted, "Well, at least he's still alive...although probably not for long. Take him back to your camp. If Hercules is going to come after him, he should be there by tomorrow." Ares looked back up at Xertes. "You have the arrows I gave you, the ones crafted by Hephaestus?"

Xertes nodded, "Of course, Lord Ares....and I know what to do with them if Hercules shows up."

Ares nodded as he looked down again at Iolaus' unconscious form. "Do what you want to this one...I'd like him to suffer as much as possible before he dies....to pay for his interference on Olympus."

Xertes' lips curled in a cruel smile, "That will be my pleasure, Lord Ares....I, too, owe him a debt of remembrance." Snapping his fingers and gesturing impatiently at two of his warriors, Xertes continued, "Pick him up and throw him over a horse...we're heading back to camp." No one noticed, as they manhandled Iolaus' body onto the horse, his medallion slipped over his head, landing in the pool of blood on the ground below him.

Xertes turned to Ares, bowing his head as he said, "Serving you is always a pleasure, as well as a privilege, Lord Ares."

Ares nodded with satisfaction, murmuring, "Yeah, well, have a good time." Then, the God of War disappeared in a flash of light. Ares was off to do a little selective bragging about having given Iolaus as a toy to one of his warlords...he was certain that Aphrodite would not be able to resist letting Hercules know his little pet mortal was in trouble.

Hercules had been staring out of one of the palace windows, out toward the hills between the city and the isthmus leading into the rest of Greece. He had been restless all morning, unable to shake off the feeling that something was wrong. He thought back to his conversation with Iphicles at breakfast that morning. Iph had just told him that Iolaus had left during the night.....

Hercules had set aside the feeling of abandonment and loss. Looking back up at Iphicles, he asked, "Last night, you and Iolaus seemed to come to some sort of understanding... what was that about?"

Iphicles studied his brother for a moment, wondering if he should explain. To buy time, he countered with a question of his own. "Hercules, last night, you said you'd been to the Academy...where else did you stay on your way here?"

Hercules was puzzled by the shift in conversation, but answered readily enough. "The night after we left the Academy, we stayed with Typhon and Echidna...the night after that, we were with Xena and Gabrielle."

Iphicles nodded as he thought about this information. "Hercules, Iolaus made certain that you stayed in safe places, with people who could help you if there was trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Herc asked, mystified.

Iphicles half shook his head before responding. Looking up at his brother, he asked, "Do you know about the Rainbow Crystal?" he asked. When Hercules nodded, Iphicles continued, "When Iolaus brought the crystal to Olympus, he stopped the war between the gods...the war for power and control. Some were not happy with the outcome, not happy to have Zeus back. It's only a matter of time before one or another decides to exact their revenge...they haven't so far because it would be too obvious to Zeus...who might not appreciate their displeasure at his return."

"They? Who's 'they'?" Hercules demanded.

"Ares, most likely...perhaps Hades," Iphicles responded with a sigh. "Added to that, you have any number of old enemies wandering around, enemies you will no longer recognise. Iolaus wanted to be sure that you were someplace safe until you had your memory back...and could recognise friend from foe. He thought it would be better for you to be here," Iphicles gestured at the palace around them, "with my guards, than with him out in the open."

Hercules stared at his brother as he thought about this....then he frowned. "If it's not safe for me...then what about Iolaus? He's the one who brought Zeus back...why is it safe for him to be out there, if it isn't safe for me?"

Iphicles sighed, "I don't know whether he is in danger or not...the gods are...hard to predict."

Hercules stiffened, alarmed by this information, alarmed at the danger Iolaus might be facing...alone. "I have to go after him, Iphicles....it's crazy for him to be on his own right now...."

Iphicles shook his head. "If Iolaus wanted protection, he would have stayed here...and if he had wanted you with him, he would not have left without you. Iolaus can take care of himself, Hercules....you both need to take some time...."

Hercules had not been happy about it, but he had let it go for the moment. Now, the more time that passed, the more he realized that he needed to go after Iolaus...whether he could remember or not, he knew Iolaus was his best friend...and Herc realized he missed him. Hercules also knew Iolaus would never leave him alone, not if there was any kind of risk. He was beginning to suspect that Iolaus had left to draw away any danger, draw the fury of the gods upon himself, rather than place Hercules at risk.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, he felt a sense of overwhelming danger. Scanning the horizon, he could see nothing of concern, no threat. The impending sense of danger passed, leaving him feeling cold...Iolaus...something had happened to Iolaus...he knew it...could feel it.

Pushing back from the window frame, Hercules turned and ran toward the throne room where Iphicles was holding attendance with subjects seeking justice. He tore down through the long corridors, dodging servants and guards, sliding around corners, until he burst into the throne room itself. The crowd of villagers and farmers looked up in surprise at his abrupt entrance. Filled with anxiety, Hercules turned toward the throne at the end of the room, and moved quickly up to face his brother.

Iphicles had noted Hercules' arrival with the same surprise as his subjects. As Herc got closer, Iphicles could see he was pale and tense. Waving away the two haggling craftsmen in front of him, Iphicles left his throne and moved to meet Hercules. "What is it, Hercules, what's wrong?"

"It's Iolaus...something's happened to him...." Hercules replied, trying to keep his voice calm and steady. "I don't know how to explain it, Iphicles....but, he's in trouble. I need to go after him now...right now."

Iphicles studied his brother. This was not the first time one or the other had sensed when their friend had been in grave danger. Iphicles did not pretend to understand the connection between these two men, but he never doubted it. Nodding, he turned to the guard at his side. "Gather the troops and have horses saddled for us....we are leaving immediately." The guard saluted smartly, turned on his heel and raced from the chamber.

"Thank you," murmured Hercules, relieved that his brother accepted the danger...and was prepared to help him. Iphicles placed a hand on his brother's shoulder to turn him and lead him from the room.

"Iolaus is my friend, too, Hercules...if he is in trouble, I want to be there."

It took five hours of hard riding to reach Iolaus' cabin on the hill. As they rode across the valley toward the hill, the trackers in the lead wheeled about and rode up to the King. "There were many horses, sire, probably at least a dozen...and from the sign, it looks like they were warhorses...large, and heavy. They came from the west and headed up the hill...." Iphicles nodded and they continued up to the buildings on the crest. There, they dismounted. Hercules went to check the house and the forge while the scouts examined the ground.

When Hercules came back to where Iphicles was standing, Iph informed him, "It looks like there was some kind of scuffle here...and then someone ran off past the forge, heading down the hill. From the boot prints, it looks like it might have been Iolaus." Hercules nodded grimly, then they all set out to follow the trail.

They had not gone far down the hill, when they spotted the bag Iolaus always carried over his shoulder, abandoned not far ahead of them. When they reached the site, they saw the trampled earth. Kneeling, Herc found the talisman...and he could still feel the dampness of the earth, and see the stain of blood on the rocks. There was a strickened look in his eyes when he looked back up at Iphicles.

"We'll find him, Hercules," Iphicles promised. He just hoped Iolaus would still be alive when they did. The men mounted the horses they had been leading and set out, following the trail of the gang who had taken Iolaus.

Xertes had made a camp in the hollow of the hills, on the edge of a forest. The men had erected a scaffold of sorts in the centre of the camp...two vertical timbers connected by a third placed horizontally between them. Naked, Iolaus was hanging by his arms from the horizontal bar...his wrists tied to the wooden beam with rawhide strips. His belongings had been thrown in a pile at his feet. He was barely conscious, his breathing laboured, blood bubbling on his lips. Ironically, Xertes had kept him alive by stringing him up the way he had...having his arms raised above his head allowed his lungs maximum expansion...which, they increasingly needed as his chest filled with blood from lungs lacerated by shattered ribs.

When Iolaus had first regained consciousness, he had realized he could not feel his legs, could not move them. Swallowing his despair, along with the blood clogging his throat, Iolaus realized his spine had been shattered...that he was paralysed. Once Xertes had realized he was conscious, Xertes had unfurled the whip he carried on his belt as he looked up into the face of his victim.

"So, sleeping beauty awakes. Welcome to my humble camp, Iolaus...I've waited a long time to see you again," Xertes growled in menacing tones. Iolaus looked him over with contempt, then looked away, as if considering Xertes, or his words, was not worth Iolaus' time or attention. Xertes snarled as he drove his fist into Iolaus' abdomen, winning a groan from his prisoner. "I'll teach you not to ignore me, Iolaus..." he whispered as he snapped out the length of the whip. Iolaus caught his breath, then spit in Xertes' face. Xertes backhanded him, making Iolaus' head snap to the left, then walked behind the injured man, shaking out the whip. Turning, Xertes lashed out, cutting a cruel line across Iolaus' naked back. Then again. And again. And again. Xertes smiled as he whipped the man who had sent him to prison, revelling in having Iolaus in his power. Finally, Iolaus collapsed into unconsciousness....never having uttered a sound...never giving any satisfaction to his tormentor.

Now, conscious again, aware of the excruciating pain in his chest and back, aware that breathing was becoming increasingly difficult, Iolaus knew he was dying. His thoughts turned to Hercules, and he wondered if his friend would ever know what had happened to him...wondered if Hercules would ever remember what they had shared. Swallowing, Iolaus thought that, maybe, the amnesia was not such a bad thing after all...if Herc never really remembered him, losing Iolaus would not cause him pain. It wouldn't be long now...Iolaus knew he could not last the night.

Iolaus lifted his eyes to the hills, to take in the beauty of this, his home countryside, as he searched for the centre of peace within his soul. As he scanned the horizon, he saw the horsemen come over the hill...recognized Iphicles' standard, realized that, once again, for one last time, Hercules was coming for him...and he smiled. Regardless of all that had happened...regardless of the loss of memories, of not really feeling the friendship between them, somehow, Herc had known Iolaus needed him...and had come for him. Iolaus would have the chance to see him one last time...it was more than he had dared to hope.

As they came over the hill, and could see the camp below them, they could also see the man hanging from the scaffold in the centre of the encampment. Hercules swore under his breath. There was no time for subtlety, no time to develop a strategy. They could see the mercenaries in the camp below, could see that they had been spotted and that the defence had begun. Iphicles raised his arm over his head, then pointed it at the camp below... "Take them!" he commanded....and his troop of fifty warriors surged forward, racing down the hill, swords in hand, shouting and screaming their challenge at the villains below.

Arrows sang over their heads, one of the royal guard falling wounded from his horse, as the rest charged into the camp, stampeding over those who stood before them, swinging swords, dropping to the ground to grapple hand to hand. Hercules ignored it all, jumping his mount over men who stumbled before him, he headed straight for Iolaus, where he slid from his horse, and ran toward his friend.

Close up, he could see the damage. Dried blood clotted around the ugly wound below Iolaus' right shoulder, his chest looked sunken...blood bubbled from his lips with each painful, rasping, shallow breath. But, his eyes were bright and alert, warm with the love he felt for the tall man who stood before him.

"Gods, Iolaus...what have they done to you?" Hercules murmured as he moved to take his friend in his arms, to support him while Herc broke the thin ropes that bound Iolaus to the beam above him.

"Careful, Herc!" Iolaus breathed. "My ribs...are shattered." Looking away from the horror he saw in Herc's eyes, looking past his friend's shoulder, his eyes widened and he gasped as he gave a breathy shout, "Duck Herc, NOW!"

Hercules didn't stop to think...his reaction was automatic as he dropped to his knees, swiveled around to face the threat behind him. Iolaus gasped at the impact, smothered a cry. Hercules, not seeing anyone threatening in the immediate vicinity, let his eyes scan the camp, the milling warriors and mercenaries, grappling in face to face combat, swords clagging, wounded screaming. Then, Herc saw the archer. Xertes had just pulled another arrow from his quiver and had started to notch it in the crossbow when he was hit by an arrow shot by Iphicles. Xertes stood a moment, the bow dropping from his nerveless fingers, before he sagged to the ground. As Hercules stood, he felt a sense of dawning horror. Turning, he felt sick at what he saw.

"Gods, Iolaus..." he whispered, as he looked from the arrow buried deep in his friend's chest up into Iolaus' eyes, clouded with so much pain, but still trying to convey reassurance.

"It's...alright...Herc," Iolaus gasped. "I...I'm dead anyway...." As Herc looked helplessly into his friend's eyes, he heard again Iolaus' words, 'No life is more important to me than your's....not even my own...I'd rather be dead myself, than live knowing I could have saved your life and failed to do so...' Herc's eyes misted as he realized Iolaus had done it again...hanging from a scaffold, grievously injured, helpless...he had still managed to save Herc's life...taking an arrow that had been meant for Hercules' back.

"We have to get him down, Hercules," Iphicles' voice cut into his thoughts.

Still holding Iolaus' eyes, nodding, Herc said to Iolaus, "I'll have to break the arrow."

Iolaus sighed, "I know...."

Hercules grasped the shaft between his powerful hands and tried to snap it, just above the point where it entered Iolaus' body. It would not break...Hercules realized it must have been crafted by Hephaestus. Leaving the arrow, reaching up to snap the bindings, Hercules said to Iphicles, "Support him while I free him...careful, his chest is crushed...." Iphicles swallowed back his own tears when he realized what the injuries meant....the sound of Iolaus' laboured breaths made it abundantly clear that he didn't have much time left. Holding him gently, Iphicles took the smaller man's weight when Hercules broke the bindings. Then, Herc took Iolaus from his brother and gently lowered him to the ground.

Iolaus was having difficulty staving off the blackness that was crowding his vision. "How...how did you...get here...so...fast?" he gasped.

Iphicles responded, "Hercules knew you were in trouble, Iolaus....he insisted we ride flat out until we found you."

A ghost of a grin played around Iolaus' lips as he looked up at Hercules, his eyes still shining with life. "You always know...when I...need you....Herc," he murmured. Hercules looked desperately at Iphicles, who called for the healer who had travelled with them. The man was already headed in their direction and, in moments, was kneeling beside them, examining Iolaus.

"No use..." murmured Iolaus, "ribs...crushed...spine, too....paralyzed...." Iolaus took a few moments just to breathe...it was so hard...it hurt so much. The healer looked up at Iphicles and sadly shook his head. There was nothing he could do.

"Nooo," moaned Hercules.

Hearing him, Iolaus focused again...something he had to do... "'S alright, Herc..." he whispered, as he once again sought his friend's eyes, "better...this way." Iolaus had to fight to get enough breath to speak. "Want to...go...to our....fort..." he rasped. He could see the confusion in Herc's eyes and knew Hercules did not know what he meant. Struggling to be understood, Iolaus cast his eyes about to find Iphicles. "Iph," he gasped, to the man standing beside them. Iphicles knelt, to lean forward, to hear him better. "Iph...take us...to the ...old fort...by the lake....remember...when we...were kids?" Iolaus had a pleading look in his eyes.

Iph laid a gentle hand on Iolaus' shoulder, "I remember, Iolaus...alright, I'll take you there." Standing, he called to one of his men, sent him off to bring up the wagon Iphicles had spotted at the side of the camp. Turning, he entered one of the nearby tents, then emerged with blankets in his hands. By then, the guard had returned, sitting high on an old wagon that was drawn by two horses. Iphicles laid one of the blankets in the wagon bed, then turned back to Hercules. "Hercules, put Iolaus in the wagon." Numb, Hercules gently picked up the broken body of his friend, fighting off the flashes of memory from his nightmares. Carefully, he placed Iolaus on the blanket on the floor of the wagon, then climbed up beside him, again lifting Iolaus gently in his arms, holding his head and shoulders up to help him breathe. Iphicles threw Iolaus' belongings into the wagon, laid a blanket over Iolaus, then turned and mounted his own horse. The battle was over, the mercenaries were all dead. They were heading home.

Hercules cradled Iolaus in his arms, trying to soften the bumps and lurches of the wagon as it travelled over the uneven ground. Iolaus drifted in and out of consciousness, moaning softly when a wagonwheel dipped sharply after rolling over a rough stone. The sound of his laboured, painful breathing tore at Hercules' heart. At one point, Iolaus started coughing, drowning in his own blood. Hercules held his shoulders higher, supporting him against his chest, wiped the blood from his lips when the coughing subsided.

His eyes blurred with tears, Herc ached with his grief. He didn't need to remember this man to know he had become a friend...to know he had always been a friend. Iolaus was his foundation....the link with the past, yes, but more than that. What kind of future would he have without this brave, gallant man by his side? Hercules held Iolaus tightly against his chest, willing him to keep breathing....wishing there was some way to give him strength...to give him life.

Iolaus felt a tear hit his cheek. Pulling himself back into full consciousness, he looked up at Hercules, saw the grief and the pain in Herc's eyes. Weakly, Iolaus reached up to brush the tears from Herc's face. Herc caught his hand and held it. "Herc...don't....it shouldn't....hurt you...this much....."

"Shhh, Iolaus, don't talk," Hercules murmured, "Just breathe, okay?"

Iolaus summoned a grin for his friend. "Is this...where...I'm supposed...to admit...I'm hurt?" he teased, recalling the deal they had made.

Herc swallowed around the lump in his throat, blinked back the tears. "I don't want to lose you, Iolaus...I need you...." he whispered.

"Naw...you'll...be...fine...." Iolaus rasped in reply.

Hercules held Iolaus as tightly as he dared, as he shook his head, "I...don't know how to do this without you...."

Iolaus fought the darkness, the cold that was stealing over his body. He gripped Herc's hand as hard as he could. "Listen...to me..." he gasped, "You're...Hercules....people... need you...promise me....promise...you'll go on...helping them...." Iolaus knew Hercules needed a mission, a reason to go on...to find himself...to create a future for himself. "Promise....me...." he breathed.

Herc nodded, "I promise, Iolaus...I promise." Iolaus's eyes blazed with love, expressing all that he had not the breath to voice.

It wasn't long after that Iphicles called, "We're here."

The wagon stopped. Hercules had not paid any attention to their surroundings. He was focused upon Iolaus, who had again lost consciousness, willing him to keep breathing. Iphicles came to the back of the wagon and helped Hercules ease Iolaus out of it, holding him cradled gently in his arms. The movement revived Iolaus who looked around. Weak, having difficulty focusing, he still smiled, that same glorious smile, when he saw the old fort beside the lake and the tree that shaded it. "Take me...to the tree...." he whispered to Hercules.

For the first time, Hercules looked around him, to find the tree Iolaus wanted. The surroundings hit him like a lightning bolt. The tumbledown children's fort, the tree that was perfect for climbing, the lake shimmering in the early evening light. It was a place he had seen in the nightmares...he could hear again the children's voices, playing and laughing...their voices. One bright voice calling his name...Iolaus' voice. He'd been dreaming about this...this place where it had all begun. Their friendship...their dreams. It all poured back, overwhelming him....all the memories cascading into his mind. He gasped softly and shuddered with the power of the experience.

Iolaus felt Herc shudder and then grip him more tightly. "Herc...are you...alright?" he rasped, looking anxiously up at his friend's face. Herc turned his eyes back to find Iolaus', held the brilliant blue with his own. Tears filled his eyes and his lips trembled. He had thought it had hurt contemplating the loss of this man when he had felt like little more than a stranger....now, the full magnitude of what was happening hit him. Iolaus was dying.

"Oh, gods, Iolaus," he murmured, clenching his teeth against the sobs lurking in his chest. He held Iolaus close against him, then carried him to the shade of the tree. Leaning back against the ancient trunk, Herc eased himself and his tender burden to the ground, rested his chin for a moment on the top of Iolaus' head, before pulling back so that he could again look into Iolaus' eyes.

"You...remember...." Iolaus whispered, not sure whether to be sorry, knowing the pain Hercules must now be feeling...or joyful, that this man who meant more than life to him, remembered him...remembered all they had done, all they had been to one another. Iolaus could not hold back his own tears. "Gods, Herc....I...missed...you...."

"Iolaus," Herc choked out, past the lump in his throat, "I can't do this....I can't lose you again.....I can't...." Looking up, trying to pull back some control, Hercules saw Iphicles standing not far away, the soldiers still on their horses, behind the wagon. "Iph...would you....wait for me...at our old house?" he asked. Iphicles, understanding, nodded and turned away. Mounting, he led his escort away.

Looking out across the lake, Hercules explained, "It was the fort...I realized the children's voices in my dreams were our voices...your voice...calling me....calling me home." He took a deep breath, fighting the grief that threatened to overwhelm him, looked back down at Iolaus and was staggered to see Iolaus smiling up at him...a soft, gentle smile of understanding and compassion.

"Happy....anniversary...Herc...." Iolaus breathed. This is where they had been heading, back here to the fort, to celebrate their thirty years of friendship....this was their destination the day they had wandered into Hellios. They had finally made it home.

Hercules shook with the tears he tried to hold back. Cradling Iolaus against his chest, he whispered, "I love you, Iolaus....I don't want to lose you...."

"I know," breathed Iolaus, knowing his strength was fading away. "Herc...take the...arrow...out...please...."

Herc gritted his teeth...how could he do this, cause his friend even more pain by tearing that thing out of his body. "Please," Iolaus whispered again, explaining, "It'll let...some of the...blood in...my chest...escape....let me...breathe easier...."

Hercules nodded and, grasping the arrow firmly, held Iolaus' eyes while he pulled it out in one smooth motion. Iolaus lurched with the pain, smothering a groan. The blood poured from the wound, like water bursting from a holed dam.

Gasping, Iolaus fought the new pain, mastered it, rested his head back against Herc's strong arm. Gradually, his breathing did ease...but, he also became weaker as his life blood flowed from the wound. He felt the darkness gather around him...felt the cold settle in his body. "Sorry....Herc....can't...stay with...you.....Just hold me...okay?"

"Okay, Iolaus," Herc murmured as he pulled the blanket up around Iolaus, trying to warm his friend. Hercules could feel Iolaus growing cold against him...knew they didn't have much time left. "Rest, Iolaus...I've got you...I won't let you go...just rest, my friend...." Hercules watched Iolaus eyes dim as he lost consciousness, watched them close as Iolaus drifted further away from him. He held Iolaus cradled against his body, his left hand moved to hold Iolaus' head and press it against his shoulder. Bowing his own head, to rest his cheek against Iolaus' hair, Herc let his grief flow with the tears that poured down his cheeks. "Oh gods, Iolaus....I don't want to lose you...."

The afternoon drifted toward dusk. Gradually, Hercules' sobs had ended and his tears had dried on his face. He had let his mind drift, remembering all Iolaus had been... laughing, daring, irrepressible...brave, selfless...generous, compassionate. Hercules smiled sadly down upon his friend's face...he had been lucky to have known Iolaus, to have been chosen to be his best friend. Herc knew he would not be the man he was today if he had not had Iolaus' constant example of integrity and courage...and sheer love of life...to inspire him. Holding his friend close, listening to his ragged breathing, Hercules wondered if he could keep his promise to Iolaus...to go on helping people. Brushing Iolaus' hair back, Herc thought it might be the only thing he could do, to honour Iolaus' memory...to be the man Iolaus wanted him to be.

For a long time, Hercules just listened to Iolaus breathe, just held him...dreading the silence he knew could not be far away. Gradually, he became aware Iolaus' breathing had changed...it was stronger, easier. Herc studied his friend's face...the pallor was gone, the lines of pain were gone...and Hercules suddenly realized that Iolaus was no longer cold...his skin held the warmth of life. Pushing back the blanket, Hercules could scarcely believe his eyes...the wounds in Iolaus' shoulder and chest were gone...as if they had never been. Running his hand lightly over Iolaus' chest, Herc could feel that the ribs were whole, unbroken.

His face alight with the joy of the miracle he was seeing, Hercules brushed Iolaus' hair back, softly called his name. Iolaus stirred, shifted in Herc's arms...his legs moved. Herc didn't know whether to shout with joy or sob with relief...Iolaus was whole...he wasn't going to die.

"Iolaus," Herc called his friend back to him, "Come on, buddy...time to wake up...."

"'Kay," mumbled Iolaus, before he was fully awake...and then his eyes popped open, a look of astonishment on his face as he gazed up at Hercules. "I'm...not dead?" Hercules could only grin at him, speechless with relief, and wonder, at what was happening.

Iolaus felt his chest, wiggled his toes, a grin breaking out as he realized his injuries were gone. Mystified, he looked up at Hercules, "What happened? Not that I'm complaining ...but how come I'm not dead?"

Hercules could only shrug, his happiness bubbling in his voice, "I don't know, Iolaus...."

"Well, duh," crooned a disembodied voice, "obviously someone intervened..." and then Aphrodite materialized before them, glowing with self satisfaction, "whaddya think? Do I do good work, or what?"

"'Dite! You did this?" Iolaus was beaming at her.

"Yup!" Aphrodite crowed, "aren't I great!"

Iolaus laughed while Herc shook his head in amazement. "Don't get me wrong, Sis," he said, "but why did you wait so long...?"

Aphrodite's face fell, "Well, yah, I know...I would have liked to have done something sooner...but the rules...."

"Rules?" Hercules repeated, with an expression that said what he thought about gods and their rules.

"Don't look at me like that...I didn't make them!" Aphrodite huffed, "Sheesh, I try to be grateful, do something good...and all you can do is complain about the rules!"

Hercules protested with a chuckle, "Believe me, 'Dite, I'm not complaining....I'm just trying to understand."

"Oh, well alright, then," allowed Aphrodite, mollified, "Well, it's all Ares' fault...if he hadn't waited so long to brag to me about how he had gotten his revenge on Iolaus for, you know, screwing up his chance to be King, I could have done something sooner...but I only just found out that it was all about the Rainbow Crystal."

Seeing their confusion, Aphrodite gave them a wide eyed look, "Well, think about it...if it was just some old enemy who had done this, then it would have been too bad, so sad... but,because it was all a revenge gig on Ares' part, and because I had never rewarded you for getting the crystal for us, I got to play the 'grateful goddess' who restores the hero's life..."

Aphrodite had been carrying on in her usual empty headed manner, but, briefly, she dropped the pose and knelt beside Iolaus, gently touching his face, "And, I am grateful, Iolaus..." she murmured.

And, then she was up and back in character, eyes wide, voice ingenuous, one hand giving it's lazy, 'what's a girl to do' gesture, "Besides, I could hardly let Hades get his hands on you...he's not much happier than Ares about the crystal! It would be just like him to lose you in Tartarus somewhere...and, anyway, Curly, you're just too cute to waste!" Hercules laughed at her antics, especially since he could tell Iolaus didn't know whether to preen or blush.

'Dite giggled, as she continued, "Just think of it as a 'get out of Elysium free' card in the game of life...and, if Artemis and Athena want to get in the game, you might even have two more free passes left...but, I wouldn't really be in any hurry to find out, if ya know what I mean!"

Aphrodite popped out...only to pop immediately back, "Not so ditzy now, eh?" she said with a smug look of satisfaction...and then she was gone.

Iolaus laughed, as he called after her, "I promise, Aphrodite," I will never call you 'ditzy' again!" Looking back at Herc, he mused, "Hmm, two 'get out of Elysium free' cards ...do you really think...."

"Don't, Iolaus," interjected Hercules, sternly, "don't even go there...dying is getting to be too much a habit for you as it is!"

Irrepressible as ever, Iolaus just chuckled, "Yeah, yeah...but, it'll be interesting to find out if..."

"IOLAUS!" Herc didn't know whether to shake him or laugh.

"What, Herc?" enquired Iolaus, all innocence.

"Happy Anniversary, Iolaus," Herc said with a smile, "and best wishes for a thousand more!"

Iolaus grinned up at his best friend, "Happy Anniversary, Herc...and, maybe, if I could figure out how to get a few more of those cards...maybe we could go for two thousand!"

As Iolaus giggled at the possibilities this conjured up, Hercules just smiled, shook his head and looked up at the sky. 'Thank you, Aphrodite' he whispered in his mind, 'thank you for giving him back to me....'

Finis

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