The day seemed to start like any other,Iolaus and Hercules walking,travelling wherever the wind decided to take them.At the moment,though,they seemed to be stuck in an endless,vast, wasteland.Suddenly,Xena comes riding up at a breakneck pace.
Hercules:(surprised)Xena?
Xena:(slides off Argo)Hercules...Iolaus?How in the name of---
Iolaus:(grins and shrugs)Yup.It's me.Aphrodite brought me back.
Xena:Why would she---
Suddenly,there is a brillant,glittery-golden cloudburst,and Aphrodite appears before them.
Aphrodite:Isn't it a great day?
Xena:What in the name of Aretmus is going on?!
At the mention of her hated half-sister's name,Aphrodite began staring daggers at the warrior princess.Before an altercation could occur,Hercules quickly explained what had happened,including the inexplicable rescue by Ares.
Xena:Ares,hmmm?There must've been some alterior motive.
Aphrodite:Well,partly it was curiousity,and partly because he was trying to start a war with the Amazons.We were a distraction to them.
Hercules:Is there some reason you didn't tell us?
Aphrodite:(huffily)It's only been a couple of days;besides,I just found out an hour ago. (carelessly)But,I don't see what you care,anyway.
Xena:(quickly)Look,um,Aphrodite.I,uh,know we've had our differences---
Aphrodite:Differences?
Xena:Okay,maybe a little more than that.But,you know all the goings-on of Olympus.
Aphrodite:(proudly)Well,a girl's gotta keep up on her gossip!
Xena:Yes,well...have you heard anything about Gabrielle?She was captured by a god,but I don't know which one!
Aphrodite:Hefestus.
Hercules:Why would he---
Aphrodite:I don't know!Apparently,Frosty the no-man over here angered him.
Xena looks at her through narrowed eyes.
Aphrodite:(continuing,oblivious to Xena's looks)You know his temper.Besides,he's probably lonely.
Iolaus:What'd you do?
Xena:Well,he tried to get in my way about something...I---
Hercules:(in understanding)Handled it the way you always do?
Xena:Look,pleading is not my style!(turns to Aphrodite)But...you used to date---
Aphrodite:Oh,no!You can't tell a guy "good riddence",and then ask him for a favor six months later!
Xena:(an idea forming)If you don't go,what of Iolaus?
Aphrodite:Huh?
Xena:Well,suppose he knows you're dating.
Aphrodite:He does know; Cupid told me.So?What business would he have,what right---
Xena:Didn't stop him from taking Gabrielle.
Aphrodite:Okay.I'll keep an eye out.Later,sweetcheeks.(gives Iolaus a quick kiss)
Iolaus:Wait...where do we go?
Aphrodite:Um,about 10 miles that way.(points south)See ya!(pops out)
Xena smirks at Iolaus.
Iolaus:Not a word.
Flash to later,when they are in front of the cave.
Hercules:Okay,Xena,Iolaus; you guys stay here.I'll have a better chance alone.
Xena:No!
Iolaus:Oh,come on,Herc!
Hercules:(firmly)I'll be right back.(goes into cave)Hefestus!Where are you?
Hefestus:Hello,brother.Is there a problem?
Hercules:You know full well that there is!Where is she?
Hefestus:Why?
Hercules:Because you can't hold people against their will.
Hefestus:But,I'm lonely.And,Xena gave me good excuse.
Hercules:Look,I'm sorry that you're lonely.But,we really need to get Gabrielle back.
Hefestus:Why should I help you?I heard about your friend's return from the Ellysian Fields.I also heard about him and Aphrodite.
Aphrodite:(suddenly popping up)Hef,you are such a jerk!And,who I date is not your concern anymore!
Hefestus:Then how is this---
Aphrodite:You call this dating?What are you,"Phantom of the Opera" now?
Hercules & Hefestus:Who?
Aphrodite:Nevermind.Look,Iolaus and I have nothing to do with this!(points at him) Remember that!(pops out)
Suddenly,tired of waiting,Iolaus and Xena rush in.
Hefestus:(tiredly)I am not in the mood for this!
Xena:Then,relase Gabrielle!
Hefestus:One condition:You three have 24 hours to complete this quest.(hands a scroll to Hercules)Find all the items on the list by then,and she's all yours.
Later,outside the cave.
Xena:Can we really do this?Should we split up?
Hercules:Nah.Three things are not too bad.Besides,I don't think that splitting up is such a good idea,
Iolaus:(looks at scroll)You really think we can get these things by tomorrow?
Hercules:(points to bottom item)A golden apple.You got one of those once.
Iolaus:If you'll recall,your sister gave it to me on the day we met,and it caused nothing but trouble!
Xena looks at him questioningly.
Iolaus:Long story.
Xena:(raises her brows)Ah.
Iolaus:Y-yeah,well,anyway,I don't know how else to get one.
Hercules:(top of his lungs)Aphrodite!Get down here!
Aphrodite:(appears with her hands over her ears)Geez,what's with the volume,bro?I'm not deaf,dude.
Hercules:Sorry.We need your help.
Aphrodite:I know.I was easdropping.
Xena:Well?
Aphrodite:No can do.Hef placed a curse on the scroll.
Iolaus:(drops it quickly)What kind of curse?
Aphrodite:Relax,babycakes.It's cool.I'm just powerless to help you on this one.But,you guys can do it.I'll see ya after,kay?
Flash to a lovely garden,full of golden apple-trees.
Xena:Wow.This should be a cinch.
Suddenly,they felt the ground shaking,and they hear a rumbling.
Atlas:(coming from behind the trees)Who dares enter my garden?
Hercules:(tenatively)Um,hi,Uncle Atlas.
Atlas:(smiles)Hercules!Good to see you my boy!Is there something I can help you with?
Hercules quickly explains the situation with Hefestus.
Atlas:A simple enough request.(plucks a large apple from the nearest tree.
Hercules:Thanks.
Atlas:Anytime.Come back and see me soon!
Flash to the next morning.The trio are outside of the cave with all of the items in a bag:the apple,a mermaid's scale,and a Kalihada's whisker.They are weary,and a bit battered from their journey.Hefestus steps out of the cave and Xena mutely hands him the bag.
Hefestus:(examining the contents)(relunctantly)You have done well.I suppose I should fufill my end,too.
Hefestus pops out,and Gabrielle almost immediately runs out of the cave.She rushes to Xena and gives her a hug.She sees Hercules next,and does the same to him.Then,she notices Iolaus.
Gabrielle:(in shocked awe)Iolaus?Is that really you?
Iolaus:Who else is it gonna be?(explaining)Aphrodite brought me back.
Gabrielle:Oh,thank goodness!(she flings her arms around him and gives him a quick kiss)
Suddenly,Aphrodite appears in a thunderous cloud staring at Gabrielle with venomous fire in her usually soft blue eyes.
Hercules:(apprehensively)Aphrodite---
Aphrodite:(walks towards Gabrielle as if mesmerized)Get away from my man,you Tarateran tramp!
Iolaus:(grasps Aphrodite's hands in his own)(gently)Calm down.
Aphrodite:(breaks out of her trance at the golden hunter's touch)But...(accusingly)they would do something like that on purpose,just to spite me!
Iolaus:(consolingly)She didn't know.She was just excited to see me alive.
Gabrielle:I'm sorry to have upset you,Aphrodite.I didn't know you were a couple now.Heck,I didn't even know Iolaus was alive!
Aphrodite:(lays her head on his shoulder and takes one hand to fluff his silky hair)Well,I guess I'll let it slide this time.
Xena:Well,thank you all.Gab,we should be going.The horses are thataway.
Gabrielle:Yes.Thanks again!(follows Xena)
Hercules and Iolaus watch as they ride off.
Hercules:That was kind of nice,huh?
Aphrodite:What?
Hercules:As much as you don't like them,you helped find Gabrielle.And you didn't hurt her now like you really seemed to want to.You held your temper good.
Aphrodite:Aw,you guys did all the work!Besides,I guess I could learn to be a little more trusting.
Hercules:Maybe.But,you were a big help.We'd've never found her without you.And,you do have a good heart.
Aphrodite:(gives him a big hug)You're so cool sometimes!
Hercules:(hugging her back)Yeah,well...
Iolaus:Well,now that we're through here,let's go party!
Hercules:(chuckles)Is that all you ever---(stops short and starts laughing hard)
Iolaus:(puzzled)What?
Hercules:I think I may have just realized how perfect you two really are for one another.
Iolaus:(grins)Oh.
They walk off into the sunset together,knowing greatfully that their renewed bonds could never be broken again.
*The End*
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