When We Meet Again by realstone2000©

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Nebula, pirate and Sumerian queen, watched as the last rays of the sun no longer reflected on the waters along the darkening horizon, and lowered the Dauntless' anchor. Satisfied that the ship was secured for the night, Nebula walked up the deck toward her cabin absent-mindedly rubbing her hand along the side of her ever-growing abdomen. It was a new habit, one she found herself doing more and more as the months passed.

Her face, highlighted by the rising moon, held a look of uncertainty. The course of action she was set upon could easily take from her, the half years effort to rebuild the person she had been not so long ago. Her life had become the stuff of which legends were born. A young girl of royal birth chafing under the yoke of an oppressive cultural cast system leaves home for great adventures. The young girl, now a woman, meets a man she grudgingly comes to respect and love. The same woman watches helplessly as her brother, under the influence of a powerful evil, murdered her lover. The woman hears that the man might not be dead. "That's my life alright, the bizarre." Nebula said to a sea bird flying overhead.

In her cabin, Nebula's foot pushed against a large beam causing the hammock she rested in to swing gently back in forth. With a slight grunt she was able to pull one of her throwing knives from her boot and marked off another notch on the wall. "Second full moon, we should reach our destination soon."

The wind stirring the waters against the hull of the ship reminded her of the first time she had met Iolaus and Hercules. The pirate and her crew had come to an island to bury the stolen treasure of King Zolas. The hunter-warrior Iolaus, his partner the legendary half-immortal Hercules, and several seamen had sought refuge from a furious storm.

On the island, pirates, seamen and warriors had found a danger greater than the raging storm. They found themselves facing Arachne, half-woman, half-spider. Once she had been a beautiful queen, but Zeus, king of the Olympian gods, had cursed her for the murder of her child. Battling Arachne forced the survivors to work together. After surviving that battle, Nebula had met up with Iolaus and Hercules here and there, sharing other adventures that forged a grudging respect between them all. The realization that she and Iolaus could love each other came as a surprise to both of them.

After hearing the news of Iolaus' rebirth, it had taken Nebula days of fighting the old fear that her mind would be once again lost in the darkness of madness. Reason told her there was no earthly way that Iolaus could be alive. She had watched the priest prepare his body for entombment and had stood by Hercules' side as they sealed the room where Iolaus would wait for his partner’s return from wherever his grief drove him. She had witnessed her love’s body fade into nothingness after Hercules released his soul from Dahak's control.

Nebula shifted her body, turning slowly. In the quiet she reviewed every course change and every stop needed to keep her mind from dwelling on the fact that Greece was not far away.

With only a very active unborn to keep her company during the day, and her fears during the night, Nebula slept little. Since hearing of Iolaus possible return from the dead, she had fought hard to break free of the grief and loneliness that had once blinded her to Dahak's trickery. His use of Iolaus' body to cloud her reason had her, for a time, in the shadows where her dreams became more meaningful than her daily life as a Sumerian queen. For weeks her whole world had revolved around the false Iolaus. She was lost in that smile that stole her breath and caused her heart to beat like she had run for leagues. She had lived for the weight of his arms about her and the feel of his skin against her own. The false had felt real. Satisfying at first, but deep within her she realized that the world she lived in was shadow only and not the truth.

She shifted heavily trying to get comfortable. It wasn't easy and her mind refused to help. Sleep moved farther and farther away as her body's inner clock told her that another day would soon dawn. Pushing her bulk out of the hammock, Nebula decided being in the open air might help her to relax. Standing behind the wheel looking back in the direction of Sumer, she remembered telling her advisors that she would never have a reason to return to Greece. During the months in Sumer, she had trained herself to ignore the ache inside mind and body. The loneliness she could become used to once again, but the feeling of being forever incomplete, frightened her. Absentmindedly, her hand rubbed at the place where the child slept balled up inside her seemingly unaware of the struggle within its mother.

& & &

Nebula slowly awakened as the world brightened around her. Fully awake, she opened her eyes to find the moon still sharing the sky with the rising sun; often she found it easier to sleep on deck under the watchful eye of moon and stars. She made herself comfortable against a sack of goods she had promised Marsallas she would deliver to his brother, once she reached her destination. Leaning her head back, she watched the few remaining stars fade out of view, their light eclipsed by the wan colored sun rising higher into a cloudless sky. She watched as the sun's color changed from bright yellow to orange-red as it rose higher, warming the air, signaling another day of fair weather. Standing, she lifted her arms upward and outward stretching away the remains of sleep. After tidying up the deck and checking the rigging, Nebula stood underneath the washing barrel shivering beneath the spray of water unwarmed by the sun. The chilly water was not the only reason she hurried through her bath. She felt restless, uncertain.

Bathed and dressed, Nebula prepared for her morning prayer. When she was younger a ritual show of belief was something she had rebelled against, along with most of the things her parents had tried to teach her. She had felt that the priests fostered the established beliefs only to strangle and control the people. Only now that she carried life within her, did she feel connected to something greater than those things made and said by men. The beliefs of her youth seemed important. Soon she would reach the shores of Greece and needed all the divine help she could gain. Holding a plain azure bowl out over the rolling waves, she focused her mind. Light breezes carried her words, offerings of faith to the one that blesses and protects.

"Mother Nammu, first Ocean, accept my thanksgiving, accept my humble offering. Hear my plea, you who were there at the beginning and will be till the end. In your depths, new life is teeming. All that dies shall live again."

Closing her eyes, she whispered her prayer again as she poured beer and fruit into the sea. The life inside her stirred for the first time that morning reminding her that she was not alone. Her offering completed, Nebula pulled up anchor and unfurled the sails. Standing at the wheel, she turned the Dauntless toward Greece. As the wind filled the Dauntless' sails pushing her toward Greece, Nebula's cares waned. This was the only competition Iolaus's love had for her heart. Freedom to go where she wanted, when she wanted.

& & &

Satisfied that her weapons were firmly in place, Nebula moved quickly through the narrow streets in spite of her mass. She searched for the liveliest tavern, thinking it the most likely place for the two warriors to visit if they were in town. Several yards away she found the "Hanging Horse." The clientele coming and going looked to be a mixture of seaman, warriors and a few hardy farmers. She halted just inside the doorway, surveying the room for any face she recognized as friend or enemy. After making sure no fist, flying chair, or sharp objects would be coming her way, she walked inside. A large oval candelabra hanging from the middle of the roof plus the large fireplace taking up most of the wall to her left, provided the only available light, leaving several corners poorly lit. It seemed a perfect place for her to sit and wait.

Nebula walked toward the empty table she'd spied in the darkened corner stopping long enough at the long wooden table near the doorway that served as bar. She ordered a glass of warm wine and the house specialty, which she prayed would be edible.

She squirmed in the chair as she waited for the Innkeeper to bring her order. The ache in her lower back kept her from sitting comfortably. The pain was something she chose to ignore, just as she had the court's physician’s advice before leaving Sumeria. The ancient physician had talked long trying to convince her to stay. Reminding her of the fact that the women of Nebula's family often suffered from long and difficult labor. He lectured that she should consider having someone by her side who would do what had to be done should the child show signs of belonging to the evil one.

& & &

The Innkeeper's apprentice was removing the remnants of the rather tasty stew when Nebula heard the names she had been waiting for. The Innkeeper's greeting to the two new arrivals brought her to the edge of her seat.

"Hercules, Iolaus," his voice boomed through the room. "I'm honored that you have chosen to visit my humble establishment."

"It is good to see you too, Felix." Hercules greeted the man with a strong clasp of his upper arm and a firm shake. Iolaus stood slightly behind Hercules grinning and nodded in the man's direction.

"This flea trap hasn't improved much since we last passed through." Iolaus' voice passed over and through Nebula causing small goose bumps to rise on the back of her arms. The room suddenly felt too close, too dark, too hot for the cloak she was wearing. It became an effort to breathe, to focus on the figures standing near the door.

Against her will a large smiled moved her lips. Her spirit lifted, pleased that Marsallas had spoken true. Iolaus was alive and safe. Her eyes hungrily took in everything about him, the light from the fireplace flickering across his face, the rise and fall of his chest with each breath, and that indestructible purple vest. The body standing not forty feet from her was no ghost. It was Iolaus. This was not a dream. He was even more alive than she remembered. His face carried a few more laugh lines around eyes and mouth. He seemed quieter, the youthful arrogance tempered by a quiet self-assuredness.

Her brain finally registered that her lungs weren’t sending regular bursts of fresh air in its direction and her mouth opened taking in a deep breath. Everything happened at once. Her arms and legs pushed her swollen body back further into the darkness, her lungs released the stale air she'd been holding, and the young one began to kick her already abused kidneys. Oh no you don't, not right now. Nebula sent thoughts of comfort toward the baby. Come on little one, let us make a deal. You stay put for the next few weeks and I promise to be someplace safe for your delivery. The child must have agreed, for it quieted.

Greetings done, Felix led Hercules and Iolaus to a table near the fireplace. The table was soon crowded with curious well-wishers and hero-worshiping groupies. The two men seemed to bare the intrusions gracefully. It was Felix that decided enough was enough and shooed people back toward their tables. "Let ‘em eat in peace," he pushed the remaining stragglers away. "What can I get you gents?"

Nebula watched the scene, eyes locked on the back of Iolaus' sun bleached head. Her mind's eye moved from the smoked filled room to the last time she'd seen Iolaus, tied to the temple alter. She had watched in growing dismay as the color of his eyes switched back and forth between the calm sea blue she loved and the blood red she had come to fear. His face was pinched and gray from Dahak's fight to keep control against Hercules’ love for his friend. She had relived those images each night for months afterwards.

Iolaus' laugher echoed about the room bringing her out of her trance. The sound was as alluring as she remembered and her heart began to beat faster. Her hands wiped at something annoying on her face. She stared at the moisture resting on the back of her hand. Brutally she ground the heels of her hands across her eyes trying to stop the offending moisture only to make it worse. A whimper of defeat escaped her lips as her hands fell away from her face in surrender. She lifted her gaze as another peal of laughter came from Iolaus and found herself staring into the eyes of Hercules. For a brief moment she imagined that he had recognized her. Moving further back into the dark corner she relaxed a little as his eyes passed on to a table nearby. Warily, she pulled her cloak closer about her and lifted the hood to hide more of her face.

Nebula had almost made up her mind to leave when a flash of movement drew her attention. A tall, gawky figure walked past her table to where Iolaus was sitting, quietly stirring in the plate before him. The walk told Nebula the man was youngish in age, but the scars and sun damage to his skin told a different story. He sat across the table in front of Iolaus ignoring Felix's protest.

"So is it true. You've return from the dead?" His voice cut through the rumble of individual conversations happening around the room. Head bowed, Iolaus said nothing for a few moments. When he finally spoke, the words were soft and barely heard.

"What happened to me is of little importance. There are greater men and deeds to be spoken of."

"Ah, a modest man." The stranger pointed to Iolaus as he looked around the room drawing more attention to himself. "Does being raised from the dead excuse you from your responsibilities to those you hurt during your time as the all-powerful prophet of light and love?" The man's voice increased in volume with each word.

Nebula watched a frown form on Hercules' face, her own anger rising at the man's unkindness. But the man ignored the glare from Hercules and began to bang his mug on the table demanding that Iolaus speak up. A few others joined in half-heartedly. Most just watched the scene for what Hercules might do next.

"Tell us, great Iolaus. Others were not as blessed as you. They died, and now rot away. Let us in on your secret."

Hercules, knowing how difficult it was for Iolaus to talk of those days, stood bringing an end to the noise of steel beating against wood.

"Go home. You've had all the entertainment you're going to." Hercules' hand rested on top of the stranger's cup, pressed downward and the sound of crumpling metal could be heard. Hercules pinned the man with a meaningful glare until he rose from the table and left out the door.

A war waged inside Nebula as she watched Hercules reach out, his hand rested gently on Iolaus' shoulder. Their bond long ago established, unbreakable by anything mortal or immortal. Her head told her that even though she loved Iolaus, wanted him as a mate and father for her child, their destinies were not permanently linked. The reality of the past year asserted itself, penetrating the wall of her possibilities. He would never be completely her own and the idea of sitting at home being the dutiful little wife and mother while he and Hercules traveled the world, grated on her nerves, erasing what few thoughts she had of domestic bliss. She needed her freedom to travel at wind and will. Looking at both men again, she came to terms with what would be necessary to keep her and the child safe.

Turning her eyes away from the table, Nebula noticed that it was becoming lighter inside. Sunlight was finding little cracks to shine through brightening the room. She looked about and saw that the crowd had thinned considerably. It was time that she, too left before she was noticed. Leave before she had to think up lies about her condition. Leave before she had to face... Dropping coins on the table for the Innkeeper, she moved as quietly as possible toward what she hoped was the kitchen and a back exit. Outside she walked the streets, mind turned inward. Well you found him.

& & &

Hercules watched Nebula disappear. Why didn't she come over? Hercules tapped Iolaus on the shoulder. "Time to go."

"I haven't finished." Iolaus looked from the spoon in his hand to Hercules. "What is the rush?"

Hercules stopped to shake Felix's hand. Leaning against the bar, he called back to Iolaus. "Your turn to pay."

Iolaus stopped in mid-rise. "My turn...pay what? You're the one that was hungry. Herc..." Iolaus looked down at his pants, his hands patting frantically around his lower body. His hand moved upward pausing at the bottom of his vest. Yes! He pulled several coins from his hidden pouch.

"You know, no decent friend would leave another in this predicament." Iolaus looked up to find he was talking to empty space. Taking one last bite he walked to where Felix stood. "Until next time."

"Aye friend, until next time." Felix replied.

Iolaus found Hercules waiting for him near a clothier setting up his stand at the edge of the farmers' market.

"Okay, what's the big mystery?"

"I thought I saw an old friend."

"Does this friend have a name and have I met him before and I'm I going to wish I was still back at the tavern eating the rest of my dinner?"

Hercules’ smile dimmed slightly as he looked down at his friend. He wasn't sure how Iolaus would feel about seeing Nebula. He'd only mentioned her once since his return. He knew Iolaus still carried a lot of guilt about his part in Dahak's mistreatment of the woman. His friend might fall in love easily, but it was with his whole heart. There was still unfinished business between the two and maybe seeing Nebula would allow him to put the past behind him.

"Yes, 'she' has a name. Yes, you have met her before. As for trouble, we'll see." The back of Hercules' hand thumped Iolaus in the middle of his chest. "Come on."

Iolaus' answer was a surprised, "umph."

& & &

The young one began to kick at a furious pace and Nebula stopped, leaning against a building, more shack that building, to rub her hurting side. "Rest, it's not far to the Dauntless." As if in agreement, the vigorous kicking became a slow stretch. Taking a deep breath and a few seconds to regain her strength, Nebula focused on the rigging of the Dauntless. A nagging suspicion caused her to look back the way she had come, instinct warning her that she was being followed. Recognizing no one, she turned back toward the Dauntless. A fluttering started in her chest and she stopped again, something was wrong. Changing direction, she began to move horizontal to the Dauntless' position. Stepping around several large barrels, Nebula bumped into a wall of hard masculine flesh. She knew instantly that destiny was at work against her.

"If I remember right, this is how we first met." Hercules said with a smile in his voice.

"Hercules, Iolaus." Nebula backed up, she hoped that her face and voice did not show the apprehension she felt inside. Her hands ran down the front of her cloak checking to make sure it was still secured.

"I was wondering when we'd run into you again." Hercules reached out to hug her.

Nebula stepped back avoiding the gesture. "I've been busy." She was annoyed at the anger in her voice. She snapped her mouth shut taking seconds to regroup. If she was to carry off her plan then she needed to appear and sound a lot calmer than she felt. She avoided looking at Iolaus, who now stood shoulder to shoulder with Hercules. Putting a smile in her tone, she continued. "The world is big and the gods lead us in strange ways. What have you two been up to?"

Iolaus spoke up for the first time. "Being reborn." He didn't say more so Hercules took over.

"We just returned from visiting Jason and thought we would stay here for a night before moving on. How are you?"

Nebula watched Iolaus move closer, his face mirroring the confusion and joy warring inside of her. "You're still so beautiful." His hand lifted to touch the side of her face. "I've thought of you often."

Nebula inched away from the outstretched fingers, finally looking Iolaus in the eyes. "Often enough to send word that you were alive? Somehow I missed the messenger."

"What is your problem?" The bitterness in Nebula's words made his tone sharper than he intended.

Nebula suddenly wanted nothing more than to lie down and pretend she was at sea. And unless she wanted Hercules and Iolaus to see her spewing her dinner into the street, she needed to get moving. "Nothing the open sea can't cure. I've finished my business here and I'm eager to leave."

Hercules frowned, Nebula didn't sound right. "Are you in trouble?"

"No. I promised a friend I'd meet him." She placed what she hoped was the right amount of emphasis on the word ‘him’. "Now, gentlemen, it was good seeing you both again, but if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way."

 "No." Iolaus stepped in front of Nebula cutting off her retreat. He lifted his hands to grab her arm, hoping to stop her. Nebula always on the defensive, lifted her hand to block him and the action parted her cloak giving a clear view of her swollen body. His eyes lingered hungrily at the shirtwaist straining to contain the parts of her that had grown almost as much as her ripening midriff, then shifted downward.

"You're pregnant?"

"No, horse pucky, Aristotle." Nebula's drawl made the words sound harsh to Hercules, who now understood the strange vibes he'd felt from her.

Iolaus stepped back hurt by her tone, his face growing hard. "I'm having a hard time keeping myself from shaking some sense into that thick head of yours. You barely acknowledge that I'm standing in front of you. What's wrong? It's not like you to act this way."

Hercules stepped forward his hand resting on Iolaus' shoulder. "Considering Nebula's condition, I'm sure you two can discuss this civilly. Let's just do it somewhere less public."

Nebula opened her mouth to tell Hercules what he could do with his suggestion, but a couple of kicks and a feeling of nausea convinced her otherwise and unless she wanted Hercules and Iolaus to watch her spewing her dinner onto the street, she needed to get moving.

"I don't have time for this." She brushed past the two men, hoping to blend into the crowd before the two were aware enough to follow her. Most of the populace were farmers and merchants setting up for the day's market. Pushing herself to move faster, Nebula was soon close enough to see the ramp leading to the deck of the Dauntless. When the pain hit, it stayed. A living creature churning deep in her lower belly.

& & &

Iolaus looked at Hercules, anger distorting his normally clam features. He crossed, uncrossed and crossed his arms. "I don't understand why she's being so stubborn. I thought we had a good beginning."

"Iolaus." Hercules tried to break through Iolaus' ramblings to get him to focus on the real issue - the fact that Nebula had successfully distracted them from asking about her pregnancy.

"Herc, I realize we might not be able to start as if nothing has happened. But, I'd hoped something was still there."

"Iolaus."

Iolaus kicked at a pebble near his foot. "I hurt her. Maybe she can't get past that?"

"No. Iolaus, you didn't." Hercules moved into Iolaus' personal space. So close Iolaus' nose brushed the material of Hercules' shirt. "Dahak alone is responsible, not you."

"She found someone else."

"No, I don't belief so. I saw how much she was in love with you. After the exorcism it was a long time before she could leave the temple. Even longer before she would let anyone else close."

"She’s pregnant."

"Surprised, huh?"

"Yeah." Iolaus sighed deeply. "We won't find her standing here." He moved brusquely through the crowd, leaving hastily added, "excuse me’s" in his wake.

"Iolaus slow down!"

"What?"

"We might be more successful if we headed..."

"To the ship."

They would have bypassed Nebula if Iolaus had not caught the sound of a low moan near a large stack of bales. He backtracked to find Nebula kneeling arms wrapped tightly around her stomach. Pulling her into his arms, he held her tightly until her trembling lessened.

"Herc, help me take her to a healer."

"No," Nebula panted through another wave of pain. "I have to get to the Dauntless. We'll be safe there."

"What do you mean safe?" Iolaus looked around for an unseen enemy.

"Back home the healer gave me everything I will need."

"Are you sure? A town this size must have a midwife."

Her head bobbed tiredly against Iolaus' neck and he smiled. It felt right that she was here in his arms. He looked down at the mound of her stomach half hidden by her cloak and knew that sometime soon he was about to have the family he'd always wanted that the gods had refused him in the past. The thought fled from his mind as her hand tightened on his shoulder and her body stiffened in pain.

"Hercules!" Iolaus called.

Hercules took Nebula from Iolaus cradling her against his chest. He nodded at Iolaus who made a path through the crowd. Hercules glanced down as Nebula folded in on herself and little mummers of pain escaped her tightly clasp lips.

"Breathe, Nebula, you've got to breathe." Hercules shifted her as gently as possible moving his hand until it rested against her back at the base of her spine. His fingers massaged the tense muscles.

Iolaus turned to find Hercules and Nebula lagging behind him. He walked back to them. "What's wrong?"

Hercules smiled at his friend. "Nothing, I'm just giving her a moment. If her labor is anything like Denera’s we've got a long wait." Hercules' smile faded at the bittersweet thoughts of his deceased wife and children.

"Okay." Iolaus moved closer. "Nebula, which ship?"

"The Dauntless."

& & &

Below deck Hercules busied himself at the opposite end of the cabin as Iolaus helped Nebula undress and step into a large rectangular wooden tub. Iolaus held her as she slowly lowered herself into the tepid water until her body was covered from throat to toe. They had followed the healer's written instructions in preparing the herb-laden water.

"Are you sure this is safe?"

Nebula's only answer was a deep sigh as she drifted toward sleep, the aroma from the water relaxing her. The pain has eased to only a vague reminder in her lower back. Iolaus kept watch, as her eyes closed and the lines of pain eased.

"Herc." Iolaus called softly.

Hercules moved closer. "How is she?"

"Does it always have to be this hard? I'm not sure this is right. So many things can go wrong." Iolaus moved several wet strands of hair plastered to the side of her face.

"This is what she wants. I walked the floor for a day and a night with Denera. If need be, I will find you a midwife."

"I just wish there was more to do than wait."

Hercules patted Iolaus' shoulder.

"Uh, Herc."

"What, Iolaus?"

"Do you think the baby is mine?"

"You have doubts?"

"Dahak."

"Don't, Iolaus. He used your body. Your child."

& & &

Twelve hours later and no baby. The only change was that Nebula was resting less and less between each contraction and Iolaus was more nervous. He paced a small circle in front of the tub to give his back and knees a respite. He'd knelt by the tub rubbing her back, legs, and arms for the past several hours. Keeping business even though Hercules had assured him there was little they could do to make her more comfortable.

"Why don't you take a break up on deck? The fresh air will help."

Iolaus left reluctantly. After several minutes, he found himself pacing the deck in the same pattern he had in the cabin. His eyes registered the bustle of departing ships and their crews, the beauty of the setting sun, but his mind was locked on the struggle below him. He returned to find Hercules awkwardly hanging over the side of the tub with Nebula's hands gripping the front of his shirt. From the top of the stairs he heard Hercules murmuring words of comfort to the struggling woman.

"Looks like you're busy."

"Yeah." Hercules gently pried open the fingers from his shirt. "Feel like stepping in?"

"Thanks buddy." Iolaus exchanged places with Hercules who stood shaking his legs to speed up the returning circulation.

"We are going to need more light in here soon. I'll check for extra lanterns and oil."

Iolaus smiled his thanks. He lowered his mouth close to Nebula's ear. "I'm here," he whispered.

"Tired."

"I know. How can I help?" Worry made his voice break.

"Do this...for me." Nebula's hands gripped the top of the tub, her eyes squeezed together as she concentrated on surviving the waves of pain. Her teeth ground together so hard Iolaus winced at the sound.

Rubbing his hand up and down her arms, he tried to establish a rhythm. As her groans lessened he rested his hand on top of her stomach. The child moved restlessly beneath his fingers.

"Nebula?"

"Not now." Nebula panted from the exertion.

"Is this my child?"

Nebula shook her head back and forth, her chin resting on her chest. Her thoughts were muddled. The voice she heard evoked memories of the false Iolaus and self preservation made her shake her head no. Another wave of pain rode first her back then her stomach. She sat forward to take the strain off her back. Soon that position too became uncomfortable and she leaned against the back of the tub. The weight against the tender skin of her stomach added to her discomfort and she lifted her hand to push it away.

Hercules returned, arms filled with three lanterns and a large oil jar. He watched as Iolaus gently stroked Nebula's face.

Iolaus waited until Nebula's breathing had calmed before pressing his cause again. "Nebula, I need to know. Am I this baby's father?"

"I...ugh. Please. I can't do this."

"Am I?"

"No."

"I don't believe you."

"Don't care," she panted.

"It's my baby, isn't it?"

Nebula's eyes opened in concern. "The Blessing."

"Blessing?"

Nebula now in the final stages of birth, lived in a sea of pain. There was no part of her that did not hurt and that deep into the pain, it was easy for the old fears to resurface. Before her stood the grinning cruel face of Dahak. He was once again teasing and taunting her behind the face of her beloved. You are mine. You will always be mine. What you bear will be mine.

"No," Nebula moaned. "Get away from me, you're dead." Through narrowed eyes Nebula lashed out in Iolaus' direction. Tears of fear flowed down her face. "Iolaus loved me and you took him away; I will always hate you for that. The healer cleansed the child and me of your poison. She will do great things. The blessing will bring her into the world whole, complete."

Iolaus finally registered that Nebula believed him to be Dahak. He took her face in his hands. "Nebula. I am the real Iolaus. See me. This is the real me. Dahak is gone. Nebula, do you hear me? I am your Iolaus."

"I saw you in the tavern."

"Yes, Nebula. Whole and well."

"You left me alone. Why didn't you send word?"

Iolaus looked over to Hercules. "I wanted...I can't change my past mistakes or explain to you what I don't understand. I can only tell you that in this now, I will be there when you need me," he grinned, "and even when you don't."

The urge to push narrowed Nebula's world until she could hear nothing but a roar of indisguishable sounds. "Mother Nammu, Dah! (Help me)." Nebula groaned through clinched teeth.

"What did she say?" Hercules asked as he handed Iolaus some of the items he decided they would need.

"I'm not sure." Iolaus looked down at the stuff in his hands unsure of what to do next.

Nebula opened her eyes for a brief moment totally free from pain. "Hi, Goldilocks. Long time, no see."

"Hi, back at ya." Iolaus glanced at Hercules who shrugged his shoulders.

"Nebula, you said a Blessing was required to help the child."

"It provides safe passage for the child and mother in this world or the next."

Iolaus started to argue, but Hercules shook his head, no. Nebula needed to reserve her strength and arguing was mute as this point in the process.

"The healer wrote it in Sumerian and Greek. It's on the table. They wanted me to stay, but I had to find out for myself if the rumors were true."

"I'll get it." Hercules turned away from the two. A large smiled covered his face as he thought of how untraditional their home life would be. He could not see Nebula as the obedient little wife, nor Iolaus as the gentlemen farmer. His eyes settled on the scroll near the end behind a jar of dried herbs. Hercules handed the parchment to Iolaus.

"I have it." Iolaus unrolled the scroll on the floor where he could see it. He placed one hand on her stomach; the other held one of her hands in a tight grip. "Whoever wrote this should be sent back to school, this handwriting is bad."

"Iolaus!" Nebula grounded out.

"An, the sky and Ki, the mountain made love and An filled her womb with seed. To release her offspring Ki sought the help of Nammu, the sea, the first Ocean."

A pain gripped the bottom of Nebula's stomach and traveled slowly around her body to settle deep in her back. She gripped Iolaus' hand harder. "The baby." Nebula hissed and the water surrounding her became a murky red.

"Hercules?" Iolaus' face grew paler as the water became redder.

Hercules patted Iolaus on the shoulder. "Looks like you'll be a father soon."

Nebula's breathing changed to a fast pant. Her whole body tensed and a loud grunt exploded through her lips.

"Hercules! I need your help." Iolaus pushed the scroll to Hercules, who knelt next to the tub and began to read.

"Before all Befores, love bound them and a generation was formed, as yet unnamed, as yet unborn."

Iolaus couldn't see clearly through the red tinged water, but his hand moved down into the water to rest between Nebula's legs. His fingers felt the smooth roundness and small features of the emerging baby.

"As the seed struggled to free itself, An said. 'Blessing to you who belong to the deep. As you are within, so without. All is revealed for you to know."

With a grunt and low growl Nebula called on all her remaining strength. The tub began to rock with her efforts and Iolaus felt the shoulders slip free. Seconds later Iolaus pulled his child from the water. The tiny body squirmed in his arms crying with all its energy. Iolaus began to laugh, pride filling his heart. "Nebula, it's a boy. A health baby boy."

Nebula tiredly raised her head at Iolaus words. "No!" she whispered. "The healer said that it was to be a female." Silent tears streamed down her face as the feeling that she had failed her child and given Dahak another entrance into the world filled her haunted mind. Suddenly all thought was vanquished by another wave of breath stealing pain.

"Hercules." Iolaus handed the baby to Hercules who hurriedly wrapped the child in a robe. He watched as Iolaus reached to the water once more.

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