I DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE

By Marcia

Prologue

The brilliant blue of the outside sky and the sun's golden rays were mirrored in the eyes and hair of the compact, muscular form hanging by ropes as thin as spider webs from the ceiling of the cold, dim, damp cave. From a distance, the figure resembled an artistic cross, one of a beautifully crafted figurine or a work of art in an art museum. Closer scrutiny revealed a tormented, tortured human being--one suffering both great physical and mental anguish and pain. Beads of sweat shimmered in the slim shaft of light emanating from the solitary torch on the wall, with an occasional drop trickling down the lines misery had etched on his face. Intermittent moans shattered the suffocating silence as salty perspiration also encountered the stripes criss-crossing his back.

Any semblance of time had long since vanished as his hours, minutes, and seconds all merged into one meaningless expanse of loneliness and intolerable despair.

In one lucid moment, the forlorn figure cried out "Where am I? Why am I here? Answer me someone--anyone!" His words echoed throughout the cave, but no answer came. Just before he slipped back into that void where nothing mattered, where his world was only darkness and despair--no memory, no knowledge, and no hope--his expressive azure eyes popped open again. "I need you, Herc," resounded throughout, bouncing off the walls of his prison. Then came the comforting darkness which took him away from all pain.

********************************************

Earlier that morning, two shadowy forms hovered over the two sleeping warriors camped by the stream. "Are you sure this will work? They must pay for their interference." The evil voice hissed, drifting down as she spoke and pointed to the larger of the two men. "Especially this one."

"Positive, Hera. I've planted the idea deep in his subconscious mind as he sleeps. Right now, he's dreaming of the words and what he must do when he hears them. Believe me, he will know the action he must take when the time comes. Now, you've called in the favor I owed you. We are even, right?" Morpheus insisted.

The Queen of the Gods glowed in anticipation, "If this goes as planned, I might --and I said might--owe you one." The forms vanished as quickly as they'd appeared.

The smaller of the two warriors woke first. "Rise and shine, Herc. Time to get moving." Iolaus shook his partner. "Come on, buddy--up and at 'em," he hollered as he set about getting things ready for breakfast.

Hercules staggered over to his best friend. "I don't know what's wrong with me, Iolaus. I just couldn't wake up. I felt like someone was holding me down, forcing me to dream these weird dreams. I can't remember them, but I know they weren't normal."

"Wanna talk about them?" the hunter asked his pal.

"Nah, let's just eat and get out of here. Don't we have a festival to go to?"

Hercules grinned down at Iolaus, knowing this would most definitely steer him away from an uncomfortable subject, one which the demigod wasn't ready to talk about just yet.

Iolaus flashed a huge smile, aware of his partner's tactic, but respecting his wishes. Besides, he was right. A festival sure was more fun than dream analysis. 'He'll tell me about it when he's ready.'

********************************************

Iolaus bounded along the path a good quarter of a mile ahead of his partner, singing at the top of his lungs--just glad to be alive. The golden hunter enjoyed everything about the day--from the warmth of the sun's rays, the crisp blue of the skies, the lush green vegetation growing everywhere, the rushing waters of the mountain-fed stream bulging with the run-off from the winter's snow, the warbling of the birds--yes, even to the beetles and bugs which he usually detested. 'Yesterday, all this could have been taken from me.' Iolaus' thoughts of his and Iphicles' capture by Hera's Blue Priest--the same one who'd caused havoc at Alcmene's wedding to Jason-put a momentary damper on his happiness. Then, all the sounds of nature brought him back to the present, pushing those dark thoughts into the far corners of his mind. "That was then, this is now."

Realizing that Hercules still wasn't catching up, Iolaus stopped and leaned against a tree to wait for his partner. "Come on Herc," he shouted. "That Festival will wait for no one. Nothing will spoil my good mood today--not a close encounter with death, not even a slow friend."

The Son of Zeus finally caught up with Iolaus. "It's about time. What's the matter, too fast for you?" Hercules grinned at his partner and shook his head. Before he could speak, the hunter asked his favorite question, "What took you so long?" and reached out to slap his partner's arm.

"That's right, Iolaus. Put the blame on me," Hercules snarled, pushing Iolaus' arm away and slamming him back against the tree. "I've had enough of your clowning around. Because of you, my brother almost died yesterday. You had to rush in there even when I'd told you to wait. You never think of anyone except yourself. Now you're acting like nothing's happened. I'm tired of it, Iolaus, tired of getting you out of trouble, tired of spending my time watching out for you, tired of saving your sorry butt. You're a grown man--get a life. Stop following me around.!"

Stunned by Hercules' outburst, Iolaus stared at him in disbelief. "Come on, Herc. What's wrong with you? We're partners--I'm there for you, back to back. Remember? I just......."

Hercules interrupted, "Yeah, you just like to live a life of excitement through me. That's it---it's over. I DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE!"

"Wait a minute, Herc, you can't mean that." Iolaus pleaded with his friend. He reached his hand out again." Let me help you."

The demigod reached for the hand as if to shake the warrior's shake; instead, he twisted Iolaus' arm and sent him flying through the air to land solidly on the ground. The dazed hunter struggled to his knees and watched his lifelong friend turn and head in the opposite direction, taking the long way around to Thebes.

"Don't bother following me, Iolaus; this partnership is over. You go your way and I'll go mine. I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"

Iolaus slowly got to his feet. The center of his world had wounded him deeply, deeper than if he'd stabbed him with a knife. He couldn't believe what had just happened. "Herc, wait a minute." The hunter wanted to run after his friend, but his respect for Hercules and the harshness of the words kept him from going immediately, this and the chance of further rejection. Instead, Iolaus headed toward Thebes, ignoring the branches that tore into his flesh as he left the main road and headed deep into the woods where he could see and watch his friend but be invisible to the demigod. Something was terribly wrong and he wanted to keep a protective eye on his partner. No matter what, he'd sworn to watch Hercules' back and he intended to keep his vow. Miles later, he slowed down when unshed tears made it impossible for him to see. He sank to his knees. "Herc, we can work this out. Just stop and come back."

The hunter's thoughts were violently cut short by the appearance of a flash of blue which he saw dimly; then, total darkness enveloped him as he was struck from behind.

"My plan is working perfectly. You are the bait, Iolaus." Hera's evil laugh filled the forest, but the unconscious warrior neither heard her words nor the maniacal laughter. He knew nothing of what lay ahead for him and his partner.

Employing his half-god powers of speed, Hercules raced toward Thebes--frenzied and unaware of anything or anyone he passed. As he neared his hometown, his anger gradually subsided and he paused at the path, which led to his best friend's home, realizing that his partner wasn't with him.

"Where are you, Iolaus?" He remembered the previous day's events when he had rescued Iphicles and Iolaus from the Sofia caves.

"Another of your plans foiled, Hera," he chortled with a broad grin on his face. That grin soon faded when he remembered Iolaus wasn't there to hear his remarks. I know you were with me when we left Corinth this morning--where are you?" Nothing seemed to make any sense and the lapse of memory elicited a feeling of concern in the warrior

Hearing shouts and laughter coming from the inn down the road, he decided that was the best place to sort things out and inquire about his best friend.

"Hercules, good to see you. Where's Iolaus?" the bartender inquired as the Son of Zeus headed for his usual table.

"You mean he hasn't been here?" Hercules shouted, growing more concerned every minute. "I thought for sure I'd find him here waiting for me."

A group of local young people approached the half-god. "Hercules, Iolaus promised us some of his new adventure stories. When will he be here?"

Each question about Iolaus heightened a fear growing within him.

"Why can't I remember?"

Cletus touched his friend's shoulder. "We expected you and Iolaus long ago. He is never late for a festival. What took you so long?"

Hercules turned and grabbed his friend, shaking him roughly and twisting his arm, ignoring the expressions of pain on the man's face and from his lips. It took six men to pull him off Cletus and they were able to do so only after the demigod had broken the man's arm. Hercules broke away from his captors and tore out of the inn, leaving a stunned audience behind.

Instinct took him to the safest place he knew--his mother's home. He sat there in the dark, gradually suppressing his feelings of anger and rage. "Why did I attack Cletus? What's wrong with me? By the gods, Mother, I wish you were here. You always knew just what to do." From the recesses of his memory, he heard her voice speaking to him as she'd given him advice so many times before.

'Think things through, son; when did this all begin? Had anything unusual happened before it? Who was the first to feel your rage? There has to be a logical explanation--take time and think, Hercules.' Alcmene's voice sounded as though she were right there in the room with him.

The Son of Zeus paced the living room floor, mulling Alcmene's words. He stopped to pick up a blue glass vase that he'd given her.

"I can see you standing there arranging flowers from the garden. I can even smell the roses. By the gods, I miss you."

He found himself outside the door to his room-the place where she'd taught him so much, told him stories-even comforted him when he was taunted by other children for not having a father. As he entered his safe haven, he saw that she had kept it untouched and always ready for him, even though his visits home were few and far between. On his bed still was the quilt she'd made from his baby clothes. Hercules picked it up and held it to his face, rubbing it against his cheek, bringing Alcmene closer to him again.

"I remember when you put these in here," the demigod exclaimed as he touched a dried flower arrangement on the mantle. "It was the last time I was home." A dried leaf crumpled to dust in his hand and floated down to the floor, bringing him back to the present and the understanding that the past, though gone, is never forgotten.

"So many good memories here, but why do they have to hurt so much?" His eyes then focused on the second bed in the room-the one Iolaus used whenever he was there.

The Son of Zeus took a deep breath and began to put things in their proper perspective and time frame. "I remember those horrible nightmares from last night. I couldn't see faces, but I remember shouting and hitting someone over and over again. This morning, I felt as though someone or something were holding me down; I couldn't get up or get moving. Even when I finally did, my feet just wouldn't let me move fast. Poor Iolaus, he was in such a good mood and anxious to get to Thebes. I just held him back. I finally caught up with him and I remember he was concerned about my actions. What was it he said? Oh yeah, 'What took you so long?' "

The appalling events of that encounter with Iolaus flashed through his mind--all of it. "Nooooo! I remember hitting Iolaus several times; he never fought back. He just looked at me with the same love and concern he always shows and I hit him again. Oh gods, I remember more. I said such horrible things to him. How could I have told him he just used me, that I didn't need him any more, that our friendship and partnership was over? He is the core of my existence--the center of my universe." Hercules put his head between his hands and groaned as the image of Iolaus' hurt look reflected in his own eyes.

"No wonder he isn't with me. I sent my hero away! I must have been out of my mind."

The warrior recalled the most recent events in the inn. "Cletus asked me the same question. 'What took you so long?' That has to be the key to this rage and violent behavior, but why does it affect me this way?"

The traumatized warrior continued, "Iolaus was so happy about the upcoming festival. Where could....." The sentence was never completed for something tickled his arm--a peacock feather.

"Damn you, Hera. Where is Iolaus?" Hercules bellowed as he picked up the feather from the floor and heard the inane laughter of his stepmother. The Son of Zeus felt a chill creep over his body; he knew Iolaus was in trouble--something bad was happening and Hera was to blame.

"Hang in there, buddy, I'll find you." The demigod promised. "Thank you, Mother!"

*********************************************

The flickering torch provided a focal point for Iolaus as he drifted in and out of consciousness. "Thank the gods there is some light in here. Don't think I could take total darkness right now." The agonized warrior's thoughts were flooded with the sights and sounds of a flashback from a time long ago. Skouras and two fellow generals sat at the dinner table in Iolaus' home, along with the 12-year-old son of one of the men, waiting for dinner to be served. Eager to please his father, Iolaus had asked if he could carry in the pot of stew. As he approached the table, the malicious younger guest stuck out his foot and tripped the server, flashing an evil grin hidden from his own father and the others. Iolaus fell forward, spilling the meal all over the three soldiers.

"Why you clumsy, no good excuse for a son. How dare you embarrass me in front of my friends! Can't you do anything right?" Skouras screamed at his son.

The humiliated boy tried to explain, "But he..."

"That's right, put the blame on someone else. Get outside, now!" Skouras shoved the shuddering boy through the door out into the yard where he slapped him and punched him until Iolaus sank to his knees. After a few kicks to the boy's ribs, he yanked him upright, the boy gasping for breath.

"You need to be punished and I know just the place for it."

Iolaus tried to pull away, but the general held him in a tight grip and dragged him to an underground structure that doubled as a family escape from marauding barbarians who might attack when Skorous was away and as a place the general went to be alone whenever he was home. Fortunately, no attack had ever occurred, so the family had never had to use it. Iolaus had been forbidden entrance to this room and he'd heard much about it. Several times he almost risked punishment to open the door and see for himself exactly what was in there that was so bad. He was extremely curious, but stopped short of opening the door even when his fingers had curled around the handle in an attempt to pull it open. His father's words brought each attempted adventure to an end.

'If I catch you opening this door, boy, you won't be able to sit down for a week!' Thoughts of his father's threat were all it ever took to make the boy withdraw his hand and back off.

"You'll love it in here, boy; it's nice and dark, smells to high Olympus, and gives you all kinds of bugs for companionship. Skorous knew his son's dislike of all type of bugs and insects and played upon that fear. A day in here will make you see the error of your ways and give you time to reflect on what you did. A good soldier would never be so clumsy."

"But father,"--a sharp slap stopped the explanation and left the boy with blood streaming from a split lip. The last thing Iolaus saw before the general slammed the door shut was the smirking, taunting face of the boy who'd caused the whole catastrophe. The young lad feared nothing he could see, but thoughts of what other living things shared the cold, musty smelling room worked his imagination overtime. Iolaus carefully backed down the steps using the wall for support. His left hand quickly left the safety of the wall when something sticky wound around his fingers as he encountered just the tip of the iceberg of the hundreds of spider webs that had been formed in the darkness of the cellar. His right hand instinctively recoiled from the wall as though it had encountered a hot poker. All kinds of things flowed through the frightened young boy's mind, not the least of which was the spider that must have made this web. Iolaus cringed-spiders and creepy bugs were the only things he despised. His fears proved to be real when he felt something crawling up his arm. He shook the intruder off and sat down on the steps, not wanting to go any farther. The hours dragged by for what seemed like an eternity. He had no way of telling time-just like now. The innocent victim remained in his tomb until his mother released him the next morning after Skorous and his friends had gone.

"I waited, hoping he'd fall asleep so I could come out to you, but he never even came to bed. He and his friends sat and talked all night. The boy slept though, your father put him in your bed. I'm so sorry I couldn't get to you," she said, taking him into her arms.

"He didn't even care enough to see if I were okay, did he Mom?" Iolaus asked as he squinted from the brilliant sun that was his to enjoy again.

The golden warrior remembered, "That was one of the worst time of my life. For hours there was no light, no fresh air--nothing of what I loved." In a whisper he reflected, "Why couldn't you have heard my side, Dad? Just once, why couldn't you believe me?"

Iolaus had never told this story to anyone--not even Hercules--even though it would have provided a logical explanation for his dread of dark, confined places. "If I get out of this Herc, you're going to know why you've had to calm me after one of my nightmares when I dreamed of total darkness. No more postponing, you have a right to know--if you are even interested and want to see me again, that is."

Suddenly, total darkness filled the hunter's prison as the torch flickered one last time and then went out, leaving Iolaus alone with his ultimate fear. Unheard by the warrior, an evil laugh floated throughout the upper atmosphere of the cave.

"Glad I could provide your worst fear, Iolaus." the Queen of the gods whispered.

"Nooooooo! Why now?" the compact warrior shouted; then the nagging physical and mental pain mercifully took him away from the visible darkness into that of his own dark, safe haven--temporarily, at least.

************************************************************

The vivid, graphic representation of Iolaus suspended from the ceiling of a cave repeatedly flashed into Hercules' mind, bringing him the continued sensation of great pain his friend was suffering and impending danger he was facing.

"Where would that witch take you, my friend? I see a cave--the Sofia caves? She'd know I would go to the ends of the planet to find you. You are the bait once again, my friend so she'd want you in a place she would be sure I'd come for you. Those caves are near Thebes--that's a good place to start. The warrior raced toward the caves which held both pleasant and very unpleasant memories for him. He and Iolaus had often disobeyed the instructions of their mothers and ventured over the large sand dunes when they were kids just to play in the maze of caves found near the dunes. They were just too enticing for the two adventuresome boys and things usually worked out well on their excursions there. It was only much later that Alcmene learned of the boys' adventures. Hercules shuddered when he remembered the last visit he'd made to those caves. Iolaus had fought Hera's fire enforcer and refused to reveal the whereabouts of his friend. The demigod could see the hunter's broken body as he died in his arms after warning Hercules of the new enforcer's threat to kill the half-god on Hera's orders.

"Thank the gods Hades worked with me on that one. I do remember the close call Mother, Jason, the water enforcer and I had in these Sofia caves. I sure had been wrong about bringing the Hera's ex-creation along."

Hercules had reached the top of a high dune when another vision flashed into his mind.

"I'm almost there, buddy. Wait! That doesn't look like the Sofia caves to me. There's a steep climb to get to the entrance where you are and that's not the entrance to the caves near Thebes. Hera has sent me on a wild goose chase, making me waste precious time. If she's caused you more pain by doing this, I'll.." His words were interrupted by a quick flash of a temple high above the ground-one rising above Iolaus' prison.

"That's the temple I destroyed right after you killed my family, you heartless, murdering witch. Leave it to you to take Iolaus there. You get your spiteful revenge on two fronts:on me for destroying the temple and on Iolaus for remaining loyal to me."

The sand smoked from the speed and friction of Hercules' feet pounding, pounding against it as he reversed direction and practically flew back over the sand dunes, through town, and toward the wooded path which would take him to Hera's temple. It would take a normal person two days to make the trip, but Hercules was not normal. Not only was he a demigod, but now he was a man obsessed with reaching his partner-his best friend-and heart brother before his dastardly, vindictive stepmother would cause irreparable damage to the golden hunter-the center of his world. Thoughts of Hera harming Iolaus

even more made Hercules increase his speed, calling upon the godly powers he so infrequently reverted to. Like a whirlwind, he flew toward his destination

******************************************************

The amused goddess intently listened to the mortal trapped below as he poured out his thoughts--giving her more than she'd expected. She spoke freely, knowing he couldn't hear her until she wanted him too.

"That's it, Iolaus. Let it all out. Do you think that torch went out all by itself? You impudent little runt, you've given me another way to punish that bastard stepson of mine. Darkness is your worst fear and your enemy--oh, how I can make use of that!"

Her laughter filled the cave, bouncing off the walls loud enough to shoot pain through the warrior's ears. His grimaces confirmed that fact. It stopped as quickly as it had begun and the hunter forced open his eyes just in time to have a brilliant blue light temporarily blind him. He blinked repeatedly, trying to adjust to the light and hoping to see whoever was there. Hera laughed again, mocking his attempt to free himself from the ropes. No need to see now; that maniacal laughter could only come from one source.

"What's the matter, Hera? Zeus leave you alone again to seek pleasure elsewhere? Not enough fun for you on your high mountain so you have to get your thrills torturing me again, you pathetic, despicable excuse for a goddess?" In the light from the torch Hera had rekindled with the flick of her finger, Iolaus saw the Queen of the Gods' countenance immediately switch from one of a euphoric, confident spirit back to her normal sadistic, unsatisfied malicious self.

"Uh oh, wrong choice of words. Herc keeps telling me my big mouth will be my downfall."

Hera snarled at the hunter, backhanding him with a flash of energy that struck with the full power of a sledgehammer, driving Iolaus' head back hard against the stone wall. "You can't begin to imagine what I'm capable of doing to you, you insignificant, bothersome, expendable bug. If I didn't need you to be the bait in my plans to punish Hercules, you would have been burnt toast long before this!"

Iolaus saw Hera's right eyebrow arch-then, the ropes burst and he flew backward until his back came in contact with the cave wall, not enough to cause much damage-but enough to temporarily stun the warrior. His arms were immediately encircled by metallic manacles made by Hephaestus and pulled upward; his tongue felt a new cut on his lip and tasted the blood coming from it. The cold dampness of the cave walls soothed his burning back and helped alleviate the intense heat radiating from the flaming, hate-filled eyes of the Queen of the Gods.

"Hit the nail on the head, didn't I? You hate Hercules because he represents something Zeus never gave you-the product of a loving relationship, a man full of decency and compassion and love. Your jealousy over Almcmene and Hercules doesn't become you, Hera," Iolaus sarcastically admonished the goddess.

Standing less than two inches away from Iolaus' face, Hera shrieked, "Before this night is over, you will come to hate both of them, curse them, and regret ever knowing them."

"In your dreams, you ugly bitch. Nothing could ever make me hate the gentle, kind woman who was like a mother to me or the man who is my sword brother, my soulmate, and the center of my universe. Hate them? NEVER!! Your name isn't fit to be mentioned in the same breath as theirs--it's you I pity and hate."

The sneer returned to Hera's face as she ominously threatened her victim, "I don't need anybody's pity. We'll see, Iolaus, we'll see. Just mark my words, you will hate them." In a flash, she was gone as quickly as she had appeared. Six muscular thugs dressed all in black with Hera's emblem emblazoned on their shirts stood in her place.

"He's all yours, just remember that killing him will be my pleasure and mine alone. Have your fun, but save the last fun for me." the goddess' words floated down from above.

"Just remember, Iolaus, keep this one fact in mind. Everything that happens to you from this point on happens because of your closeness to that harlot Alcmene and her bastard son." The laughter pierced Iolaus' ears again and his torment began once more.

Two of Hera's thugs grabbed Iolaus' arms and held him securely in place as the others prepared for their next assault on the already battered warrior. Confident that the hunter wouldn't be capable of initiating an attack of his own on them nor be able to ward off their newest attack, three of them advanced led by one goon strutting cockily toward the hero, waving his sword and taunting the trapped man as he neared him.

"Now for some more fun before we have to turn this runt over to Hera. Little man, you can't imagine the pleasure this gives us."

That did it. Those words raised the hair on Iolaus' arms and his blood pressure too, providing him the adrenaline necessary to stop the attack before a blow could be struck.

"Nobody calls me little man and gets away with it!" The warrior twisted the arms of his two captors and propelled them directly into the advancing pompous thug, knocking all three of them senseless to the ground. Quickly grabbing the sword that had fallen at his feet, Iolaus jumped over the bodies and faced the three remaining goons.

"Come on. One at a time or all at once, makes no difference to me." The hunter boldly challenged Hera's startled thugs, but inside he questioned his own brashness. 'Not sure I can deliver what I just said. If they come together, maybe I can take out one, but three? Your big mouth has gotten you into a mess this time, Iolaus."

Hiding the gasps he was taking for breaths just to survive, Iolaus assumed a fighting stance, daring the thugs to attack. He didn't have long to wait.

The three attacked simultaneously, but from three different directions.

"Uh oh, they're smarter than I thought," the warrior wheezed as he leaped forward, catching the thug coming from his left in the chest with his feet, knocking him backward. The effort took its toll-contact with the thug's body sent Iolaus staggering breathlessly into the wall. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the thug coming from his right, turned facing the approaching man, and at the last minute stepped aside causing the thug to crash head-on into the wall right where the hunter had been standing. Both Iolaus and the thug went down--the thug to the floor from his contact with the wall and Iolaus to his knees from lack of breath.

The last thug saw his opportunity and hurried to catch Iolaus before the golden tornado could rise and strike again.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, you runt," he shouted as he raised his sword to deliver a blow that would be fatal.

"You've disobeyed me. I said he was mine for the kill." Hera materialized and pointed her finger at her audacious thug. In an instant, flames incinerated the man, leaving a pile of ashes at Iolaus' side. She then turned her attention to the other five unconscious men, pointed her finger at them one at a time, causing each to disappear.

"Now, you are all mine." Hera stared at Iolaus and pointed that same magical, deadly finger at the warrior who had struggled to his feet so he could see her face to face.

'So this is how it will end. I won't even see Hercules to tell him my death isn't his fault.'

Glaring at the evil Queen of the Gods, Iolaus ordered her,

"Take your best shot. but know this. I'll die loving Hercules and Alcmene, so you've lost, you evil bitch."

Hera moved the finger and Iolaus flew backwards against the wall where the manacles tightened around his wrists again, pulling him upward until his feet were just off the floor. Shaking the cobwebs from his brain, the hunter opened his eyes and appraised his situation, feeling the strain in his shoulders.

"You didn't think your death would be that easy, did you Iolaus? No, you have more to do for me before that happens. Hercules will watch you die and he'll suffer every day for the rest of his life knowing you died because of him."

Iolaus watched Hera's eyes and saw the joy she was feeling expressed in them and knew a way to remove that joy.

"You are wrong, Hera, I will not die because of Hercules, I will gladly die for him. So you'll lose again."

The hunter could feel the heat coming from the fuming body before him as she absorbed his meaning.

"Watch this and see if you still feel the same way. A mirror to the outside opened and Iolaus saw Hercules reach the top of the mountain, physically spent in spite of his half-godly powers because of the obstacles Hera had added to the treacherous climb. The Son of Zeus stopped there, panting, moisture pouring down his body like a melting winter snow heading to join the spring flows down the mountainside. Beads of salty sweat joined unshed tears as the demigod paused to gather the strength he knew he'd need to rescue his best friend.

Hera pulled back her arm and threw a fireball aimed directly at her stepson.

"Hercules, watch your back!" Iolaus screamed. The demigod heard his partner's voice and heeded his words, rolling to the side and avoiding Hera's gift.

The mirror opened for Hercules and he shuddered as he saw his partner's battered appearance and Hera standing before Iolaus.

"What's the matter, Hercules? Iolaus just told me he'd gladly die for you, not because of you. What do you think, is there a difference?"

"Don't listen to her, Herc; she's only trying to put a guilt trip on you. Whatever happens, it's not your fault."

Infuriated by the hunter's words, Hera zapped Iolaus with a bolt of fire to the shoulder bringing an animal-like cry from his lips before they were silenced by his unconscious state. His vest bore the results of the fire-singed threads still smoldering around the hole made by the bolt. Hercules groaned when he saw his friend's shoulder, already blistering from the searing heat.

"You're wrong, Iolaus, it is my fault. Everything that's happened to you is my fault. How can you suffer so much because of me and still choose to stay at my side?"

Hera laughed more sadistically than ever as she watched the double anguish she had caused-her stepson's mental pain knowing Iolaus was suffering because of him and Iolaus' physic

The quiet of the surroundings amplified the pounding, thumping, hammering of Hercules' heart as the sound of Hera's evil laughter crackled in his ears. He covered them with his hands, trying to block out the sound, but with no luck and her obnoxious voice continued to reverberate throughout his body.

"I'll ram that laughter back down your throat, Hera," the incensed hero bellowed.

Looking down through the rock, Hera chortled at the misery her laughter caused Hercules and snickered at his words as she increased the speed, volume and intensity of her mirth.

Iolaus' tortured cry had given rise to an urgency deep within his soul to reach the hunter as quickly as possible. Hera's sarcastic, deriding laughter further strengthened this need and compulsion to be with his partner.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get to you, Iolaus--walk on fire or ice, fight whatever demons Hera throws my way--nothing will stop me, no matter what the cost. Do you hear that, Hera? You'd better leave the premises or face the consequences. Zeus and his protection order be damned. If you're still there when I get there, get ready for the fight of your life."

The demigod struck the boulders blocking the entrance to the temple as though he was hitting a stream of water, sending tiny pieces of rock flying everywhere, not caring that they landed on him, adding more cuts to his body. He brushed them off and wiped the blood caused by new cuts over his brows away from his eyes as he rushed in to find Iolaus.

The eyes of the Queen of the Gods sparkled and flashed as she her Hercules' words and realized the golden opportunity he was giving her. The thunderous sound of breaking rock heightened her excitement. "How DARE you order me around, Hercules. You called it--a fight to the end instigated by you, releasing me from the conditions of Zeus' order, and absolving me from any harm you might receive. Bring it on!"

Hercules rushed into the cave and predictably headed toward the most important person in his life. Hera could wait--Iolaus came first. Before he could reach the hunter's side, Hera disrupted his progress, making him sidestep and evade her fireballs. He picked his route carefully, darting from post to wall so no errant fireball would hit his defenseless partner. One or two came close, striking the wall next to Iolaus.

"You're only toying with me, aren't you Hera?" Hercules soon realized that at this point in time, she was having too much fun teasing and tormenting him. If she had really meant business, both he and Iolaus would have been history by now.

"You'll get your chance at me, Hera, just as soon as I make sure Iolaus will be okay,"

the Son of Zeus promised his stepmother as he reached his partner.

Taking Iolaus' face in his hands, Hercules gently touched the bruised lips. Then his eyes made a mental inventory of every wound on his heart-brother's body, wounds caused either directly or indirectly by Hera.

"You'll pay for each one of these, you evil bitch."

"Come on, buddy, open those eyes; let me know you'll be okay. Talk to me, Iolaus," the warrior half begged and half insisted.

With a shudder and a sigh, Iolaus opened those expressive azure eyes, smiled at his soul mate, and questioned, "What took you so long, Herc?"

Hercules felt the rage building up inside of him like a pressure cooker about to explode. No matter how he tried to push the feelings away, he couldn't. He grabbed Iolaus and began to shake him violently. Then he twisted the manacles, making them chew into the hunter's wrists.

"Stop it, Hercules. You're hurting me!" Iolaus caught his friends' eyes and stared into them, the disbelief and pain reflected in his own. He saw the confusion and guilt in those of the demigod.

"It's okay, Herc. See, no damage done," Iolaus moaned.

Hercules wasn't buying it. Iolaus' look and moan had snapped him out of the rage and he wrapped his arms around his partner in a protective hug.

"Ouch, Herc, take it easy, will you?" Regretting that he'd caused Iolaus even one more second of pain, Hercules pulled his arms away.

"Those five words do it, Iolaus; every time I hear them something snaps and I can't control the rage I feel. By the gods, Iolaus, I am so sorry. Let's get you out of these chains".

Hercules pulled, yanked, twisted--trying to snap the chains. Nothing happened. Then he began to concentrate on the manacles, attempting to snap them open--same result, nothing.

"These chains should have broken long ago, Iolaus." Hercules looked into his partner's face, staring into those familiar blue orbs that were fixed upon the bracelets. Hercules' eyes followed his friends' to a steady stream of blood flowing down each arm. All Hercules' attempts to free Iolaus had done was to bring him more pain.

The demigod's moment of guilt was interrupted by Hera's sarcastic outburst. "Zeus himself couldn't have broken free from those chains. They were made especially for this temple by Hephaestus. Go on, try to break them again. I'm sure Iolaus doesn't mind the pain." Then came more laughter as Hera saw how helpless Hercules was and how guilty he felt.

"Don't let her get to you, Herc." Iolaus tried to get his partner's mind off his feelings of helplessness and guilt.

"Sorry, Iolaus. I have to take care of some unfinished business with a crazy god, Will you be okay?"

Iolaus softly muttered, "Sure, I'll just be hanging around," a wry half smile momentarily

flickering across those bloodied, cut lips and leaving him gasping for breath.

"How touching! Too bad you two won't be around long enough to enjoy more quality time together." Hera snapped her fingers and twelve hefty sword carrying red beings filled the space between Hera and Hercules as he advanced toward her.

"I might have known you'd have someone else do your dirty work. You gods are all alike when it comes to one-on-one combat. Come on you goons, the quicker you're disposed of, the sooner I can get my hands on Hera. My Stepmother and I have some business only she and I can settle."

The Son of Zeus picked up an old, long-handled shovel left by some previous occupant. He quickly broke the handle away from the base.

With swords ready, the first two creatures charged, ready to inflict whatever damage they could. Hercules swung the stick into the attackers, sending them spinning backwards into the next two advancing behind them. The four fell like a line of dominoes, leaving just eight to go. Before another assault could be launched, Hercules whirled toward the bunch and swung the stick toward the ankles of the two closest thugs, knocking their legs out from under them and dropping them to the floor. He grabbed the closest thug by the ankles, lifted him, and swung him around and around into Hera's four approaching goons.

One of the two remaining thugs seized the opportunity while Hercules was preoccupied with the others and rushed Hercules, but the half god had heard him coming and was ready for him. A swift right fist to the jaw sent him spiraling backward right into Iolaus who kicked out, connecting with his right leg to the goon's skull. He lay right where he fell, out like a light.

"Nice move, Herc! Send me another one," the hunter gasped. His partner obliged, sending the last thug backward, again right into Iolaus' foot.

"That does it, partner, all twelve down, present and accounted for," Hercules assured his friend, turning his back on the defeated thugs to thank Iolaus.

Two foolish redmen arose, regained their balance, and took another try at their boss' foe. "Behind you, Herc," Iolaus cried out as he saw the goons coming toward Hercules.

"Foolish move. You guys should have quit while you were ahead," the demigod taunted as the two took the full force of Hercules' powerful punch and disappeared into thin air. One by one, each remaining goon tried and each suffered the same fate. Hercules' punches resulted in the disappearance of all twelve thugs. Only Hercules and Hera were left standing in the center of the area, with Iolaus still chained to the ceiling.

"Now it's your turn, Hera, just you and me."

The goddess drew back her left hand ready for business.

"You take one step closer to me, Hercules, and you will need a new partner."

Hera's threat was real and not to be ignored--Hercules backed off.

"That's more like it, you miserable thorn in my side, you visible evidence of my husband's unfaithfulness. It seems as though we have a dilemma. I want you dead and you want me dead. You want Iolaus alive and I don't care one way or the other. I'd kind of miss having the little runt around to punish for your interference, but it wouldn't bother me to see him die because of you." Hera paused to see the reaction between Hercules and Iolaus. If she expected words, she was disappointed. They didn't have to speak--their eyes told it all.

"What will it be, Hercules--your friend's life or his death? You hold the answer. Only you have the means to free him and let him live. How far will you go to save his life? Iolaus was ready and willing to die for you, Hercules, would you do the same for him?" Hera taunted.

Hercules glanced at Iolaus and saw the loyalty, love, compassion and understanding in his friend's blue eyes and the smile on his face. Hercules returned the smile, then turned to Hera.

"In a heartbeat!"

Enraged by Hercules' adamant, heartfelt, unequivocal response, Hera immediately pointed her hand at her stepson ready to respond and oblige by fulfilling his stated time limit.

"You are ready to die, so be it."

"Noooooooo, stop!" The emphatic outburst from Iolaus served its purpose as Hera withdrew her hand, lowering it to her side.

"For once we agree, Iolaus but not for the same reason. That would be too quick, too easy Hercules. What difference if I send you to Hades now or later? I want to watch you squirm as Iolaus realizes my words will come true. He will hate you before this night is over."

Iolaus' shout rang out loud and clear, "NEVER!"

Before Hercules could respond to the words of Hera or Iolaus, the malevolent deity cast a sizzling bolt of fire aimed directly at the manacle encircling the hunter's left wrist--a bolt that set off a violent reaction upon impact with the bracelet. The warrior's body jerked, recoiling from the intense, fiery intrusion as it began its journey down the length of his arm, adding to the pain he already experienced.

"That's just the beginning, Iolaus. When it reaches the center of your Central Nervous System, the pain will spread to every inch of your body. Then we'll see if your feelings for Hercules remain the same."

Iolaus was in too much pain to speak, but his eyes sent Hera a message she couldn't mistake. Hercules rushed to his friend's side, tormented by his helplessness. He could do nothing to free his friend or to ease his pain.

"I can't just stand here and watch you suffer, Iolaus."

Placing his hands on his writhing partner's shoulders, the demigod experienced the heat emanating from his Iolaus' body. Looking into the hunter's eloquent blue eyes, he felt his best friend's plea. He knew what the hunter was asking, but he just couldn't do it, not even to free Iolaus from the pain consuming his body.

'There has to be another way. Life without you would be a useless one for me.'

"No, Iolaus, please don't ask me to do that!"

Hera watched the visual exchange between the two friends and heard Hercules' strong emphatic statement, wondering just what it was Iolaus had asked of the demigod.

"Whatever he asked of you will never happen. Your pathetic actions bore me-both of you. I wanted to watch you both beg ME to let the other live, to stop the suffering, not console each other. You're no fun anymore. The diversion is over for me so why prolong the inevitable?

"It's time for you to join your family and that slut Alcmene, Hercules; give her my regards. The little runt won't be far behind you. You two deserve each other."

"My mother hasn't earned that slur, Hera; my father tricked her-what has been your excuse all those times? Put the title where it belongs-with you! Hercules stepped away from Iolaus to prevent anything his volatile, fuming stepmother would hurl at him endangering his partner.

"Come on, take your best shot."

Before the venomous Queen of the Gods could follow through on her statement and release the fury bubbling over within her, a blinding light filled the cave and a strong masculine voice admonished the startled goddess.

"You've gone too far! Those manacles and chains were made only to confine an individual. They were never meant to be weapons or instruments of torture. You knew that when I made them for you," Hephaestus berated Hera.

"You've no right sticking your nose in my business, Hera screamed. "No other god can interfere with the personal matters of another. That's Zeus' law, not mine."

The arrival of a shimmering pink cloud momentarily broke her train of thought.

"Why are you and your over-endowed blond wife here?" Hera shrieked at the blacksmith of the gods and his wife, the goddess of love.

"Just a minute, Horseface Hera, watch what you say to us. I've already told Big Daddy what you've been up to and we are here with his blessing. I'd watch my words and actions if I were you! I'm not sure of the full extent of my powers-never had a reason to find out before.Remember the Titans?" Aphrodite cautioned, standing nose to nose with the enraged Queen of the Gods-who might be her father's wife, but definitely not her mother. Sharing Hercules' feelings for the deity standing before her, the confident goddess left the implication and interpretation of her warning up to Hera.

Hephaestus picked up the attack. "You lied to me, Hera. I made those restraints for you in good faith to be used for the purpose you stated and what did you do? You violated my trust in you and used them as a weapon to inflict agony on Iolaus. No wonder mortals say gods can't be trusted. You give us all a bad name," Hephaestus bellowed.

"I should have known you can't be trusted. Look what you did to me because I wasn't the perfect child you expected. You lied to everyone, but who was it did you come running to when you needed those chains! This stops right now." Hephaestus cast his eyes toward Iolaus and with a nod of his head, the bracelets opened, freeing the hunter who fell into his partner's waiting arms.

"Hefie, give that witch Zeus' warning and get her out of here before I lose my cool. Her ugly face makes me sick." The blond goddess then turned back to Hercules and Iolaus.

"Sweetcheeks, you'll be okay now that the bracelets are off your wrists. We're so sorry that you of all people suffered from something Hefie made. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be together. We'll make it up to you somehow."

Hephaetus smiled at his wife's words. Nothing would give him more pleasure than telling Hera words she didn't want to hear. Finally, he could make her life as miserable as she had first made his.

"Zeus is extremely displeased with your conduct here; he has called a council meeting to discuss what you've done and to set your punishment. You are to go to Olympus immediately."

Hera's confidence took a sudden turn toward concern, but hatred still smoldered within her and she stared at Hercules and Iolaus--desperately wanting to finish what she had started.

"If I'm going to be punished, I might as well give them something to punish me for." A resentful Hera readied her finger for one last bolt of fire.

Stepping between Hera and her victims, Hephaetus grabbed Hera's hand, chastised her and cautioned her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Zeus suspected you'd make some last minute move and told us to take care of you right here if you tried."

"Still want to try? Curly is in no shape to avenge what you've put him through, but I can. Come on, make my day. Just give me a reason to do it!" Aphrodite added.

A weak voice joined the taunting, "Just so you know, Hera, you failed. You'd never make me hate Hercules or Alcmene. Now you--that's another story." Iolaus' smile lit up everything in the cave except for the dark, evil looks sent his way by the defeated, disgraced Hera.

"There will be other times. This isn't over yet." Seeing Aphrodite and Hephaestus make a move toward her, Hera took the easy way out. In a flash, she disappeared.

Watching his mother swirl away, Hephaestus surprised his wife and the others, "I think I'd better go to Olympus and make sure she goes directly there. Meet you in Corinth with Aesclepius, Dite."

Aphrodite nodded her agreement to her husband as she watched him leave.

"The air sure smells a lot better in here now that she's gone," the blond goddess giggled.

Hercules turned his attention to his partner. "How are you feeling? Has the burning sensation stopped?"

Wincing as his injured ribs made breathing difficult, the hunter wheezed, "Yeah, that's stopped--- feel a little bit better---not up to running a race --- entertaining a lady---sorry, Dite, not even you."

Aphrodite motioned to Hercules, pulling him aside while Iolaus rested.

"Bro, you're never going to get Curly back down this mountain without doing him more harm. He's in no shape to do any climbing, and no way can you carry him. How about letting me transport you to the Iphicles' palace in Corinth. Aesclepius can help him there. We owe him that much."

"Good idea, Sis I have a feeling we'll need to get Iolaus there quickly before any more infection sets in those cuts and whip marks. It's almost been too long already."

"By the way, Herkie, Morpheus came to me with a sad tale of woe when he was having a few problems in the love department. I swapped favors with him---I restored his love life and he lifted the spell Hera had him put on you. How's that grab you? Those words are free and clear now," Aphrodite promised.

Remembering what had happened twice before when he had said those five words, and not sure he'd heard Aphrodite right just now, Iolaus asked, "You-- mean I-- can say, --What took." He just couldn't say the other three words!

"It's okay, Curly, the curse really has been lifted."

"So what--- took you so--- long, Herc?" Iolaus grinned, then began coughing, groaning as each cough aggravated his already painfully bruised ribs.

"That's it-no more talking for you my friend," Hercules insisted.

Before Iolaus could respond, Hercules gently picked the hunter up and stood next to his sister. The movement surprised his friend so much that he never had time to complain about being carried. In the blink of an eye, they were at the gate of Iphicles" palace in Corinth, a journey that would have taken at least two grueling days in the best of circumstances. With an injured Iolaus, the time needed was indeterminable.

Hephaestus and Iphicles were waiting when the three arrived.

"Thanks,-- Dite," Iolaus gasped, holding his ribs;--"I owe-- you --and Hef-big-- time for-this-- one," the visibly hurting Iolaus sighed, ready to let the healer relieve his pain and help him begin the long journey back to good health.

As the hunter smiled at Aphrodite, the blond leaned down and kissed his forehead. "You don't owe us a thing--all debts are cancelled. Just get well soon."

The two gods then disappeared in a floating cloud of pink. "Bye, Curly," drifted earthward from the glimpse of pink high in the sky, but fell on deaf ears-the hunter was unconscious.

"Hercules, Aesclepius is waiting in your room." The demigod needed to hear nothing more. He gently and carefully carried the wounded warrior to the room they used whenever they were in Corinth and put Iolaus on his own bed by the window.

"Okay young man, let's see what's wrong with you this time." Aesclepius had been called upon many times over the years to treat both Hercules and Iolaus; knowing that danger and injury were part of their lives, he often wondered just how much their bodies could stand.

"Everyone but Hercules and Iphicles, out of the room. NOW! You two, help me get these clothes off him." Iphicles held Iolaus' upper torso up while his vest and amulet were removed.

"Take off his boots, Iph, while I get these leather pants and codpiece off," Hercules snapped the order to the king.

"Now, both of you over there out of my way until I call for you, " Aesclepius instructed.

"But I need." Hercules attempted to say.

"You need to get out of the way if you want me to care for Iolaus. I will ask for help when I need it. Now GO!"

The healer looked at Iolaus, not believing the mutilation he saw. 'I've seen you in bad shape before, but this is the worst.' Injuries covered most of his upper body, but the most painful--the ones needing immediate attention-- were the infected whip marks and the burn on his shoulder. 'How many strokes of the whip did you take, Iolaus. Your back looks like a puzzle board. So many infected places. And the cuts and lacerations. How did you stand those beatings! So much infection. We'll have to watch those carefully.'

Alsclepius gently probed the area of the burn, bringing a groan from his patient.

"Now this I recognize. Hera has been at it again. She really got you good with that fireball. You will feel that for quite some time, but I have aloe and other herbs that will take care of it. By the gods, look at your wrists. It looks like they've been burned, but there are lacerations too. What did she do to you, my boy?"

"Hercules, will you help me bathe him before I apply the medicine to those infected wounds and that nasty burn?" Between the two of them, they gently cleansed Iolaus' damaged back. As careful as they were, the touch of the cloth on the whip marks drew gasps from the hunter,

"Sorry, buddy, this has to be done," Hercules sighed, looking into those expressive eyes now clouded by pain. The healer applied his salves and bandages; then they turned Iolaus over to treat the burn which was nauseating by this time. As the healer applied a cleansing solution, Iolaus seized Hercules' arm, digging in with his nails as he fought back the scream that was so close to the surface.

"Let it out if you need to, Iolaus," Hercules encouraged his friend.

Iolaus dug Hercules' arm harder, but a groan escaped his lips that time.

Hercules had looked at Iolaus back at Hera's temple, but he had not seen his friend.

'You are the bravest man I know, my friend. You took all of this punishment without caving in to Hera. So many wounds-how long did they whip you and beat you? I know

you had to suffer when that fireball hit you, yet you never gave her the satisfaction of knowing your pain. That fiery path down your arm from the manacles-how that must have hurt.' Hercules gently touched Iolaus' arm. "You really are something else, Iolaus.

How many times have you suffered like this because of me!" Then the demigod saw something he hadn't noticed while Iolaus' vest was on. The hunter's left side was full of discoloration with one place resembling the toe of a boot. He touched the spot and Iolaus pulled away and let out a cry and sank back into his safe place where the pain wasn't felt.

"Let me see that, Hercules." Aesclepius gingerly felt the area. "I don't think any ribs are broken, but he has some nasty bruised ones. Help me bind the area with this tape. That's the best medicine for bruised or cracked ribs, and he probably has both."

Iphicles had been sitting in a chair by the door, watching and listening to what was happening. 'Iolaus, you might not be our brother by blood, but you are our brother in every other way. Hercules knows, and so do I, that once again you've suffered because of your friendship with him. Time after time this happens to you, but you come right back to his side. I've never told you this, but you are the best thing that ever happened to my brother and I'm glad you are there for him. Don't ever change. He couldn't take it if you weren't by his side. Get well, my brother. Stay here until you are well enough to return to him.'

Iolaus began to stir, at first just moving his lips, then his eyes opened. He saw Hercules and a smile came to those bruised lips. He tried to reach the bandages on his shoulder, but the motion brought a sharp pain to the bruised area on his left side. He looked at Hercules, his eyes full of the questions his body was too sore to ask.

"Take it easy, buddy. Aesclepius has patched you up."

"No, Herc-I need-to-- say this-- now." Hercules tried to silence his friend, but Iolaus was determined to speak. Hercules looked at Aesclepius who nodded his agreement; an agitated Iolaus wouldn't be a good thing right now. Each word Iolaus spoke came out a separate declaration of pain, but he wouldn't be silenced.

"Just want to-thank you. I knew---you would come." A half grin was all the hunter could manage, but it was enough for Hercules to see.

"Iolaus, you have a few bruised or cracked ribs, a badly infected burn in your shoulder, burns and lacerations on your wrists, cuts and lacerations everywhere, and numerous infected whip marks on your back. Other than that, you're in good shape," Aesclepius snickered. "Sleep and rest are the best medicine for you right now.

The hunter thought a moment, "Guess I-won't be-dancing soon, will I?" Each word came out an uneasy exhalation of breath. Pain and hesitation made subsequent sentences come out in short, choppy grunts.

Iphicles, Aesclepius, and Hercules laughed-a good thing, letting go of the tension.

Iolaus tried to join them-"Don't make-me laugh-it hurts!" he groaned.

"Okay, I am all finished, Iolaus. Now you can relax. Before I leave, I will give you something to help you sleep and leave more with Hercules to use when you need it. Don't be afraid to ask for more if the pain gets too bad. You don't need to be a hero in this room. Rest easy, my friend. Even a hero needs that once in awhile."

Hercules walked Iphicles and the healer to the bedroom door. "Thanks, Iph," he told his brother, hugging the king. Then he turned to the healer, full of questions.

"Hercules, he's going to be fine. He needs a lot of rest and he will be sore for quite awhile, but thanks to your quick trip, nothing is life-threatening. We got the infection in time, but we still need to keep an eye on it, especially in that burn. We'll need to irrigate it often at first. If you hadn't gotten here quickly, it would have been another story. I know you'll stay with him, but make sure he takes this liquid and that he sleeps. I'm in Iphicles' healer's quarters--call if you need me. Oh, yes, I am sending an assistant, Leanna, up to be here in case you need help with him." Knowing that Hercules had put off thinking about his own wounds until he knew Iolaus was okay, the healer instructed, "Let her tend to your cuts and bruises too, -now it's your turn"

Hercules thanked the healer and went back to Iolaus. "Here, drink this now." Hercules carefully lifted Iolaus up enough to comfortably swallow the liquid.

"Yuk! That's-vile-- tasting stuff-- but I'll-fin--ish it."

"Promise me one thing, Iolaus. Don't be so hard of head that you resist asking for more medicine when the pain gets bad, okay?"

"Who, me? Would-- I do-- that?" An attempted familiar giggle warmed the demigod's heart.

"Gods, Iolaus, it's so good to hear that laugh again."

Someone knocked. Iolaus held up a bandaged hand and motioned for Hercules to get the door.

"Yes, your lordship, anything else?" Hercules joked. Iolaus tried to laugh, but paid for the attempt with another sharp pain in his left side.

Hercules ushered a lovely young red-haired girl over to the side of the bed. A smile covered Iolaus' face when he saw her.

"Hi, I'm Leanna. I'm here to help take care of you."

The hunter beamed, responding to the girl's voice; his pain suddenly lessened and not sure if it was the medicine kicking in or the presence of the attractive young female, he thought he'd better speak while he still could.

"I'm Iolaus --so glad-you're here. Could you-help-- me fluff-- these pillows?"

The hunter relished the chance to experience the scent of the girl's perfume and feel her warmth as she leaned across to reach the other pillow. 'Yes, things definitely are looking good.'

Iolaus glanced over at Hercules who was watching the whole scene, grinning from ear to ear. Again, their eyes told the whole story, but this time Iolaus had one verbal addition for Hercules.

" It looks-like-- I don't-need-- you anymore."

Seeing Hercules' downcast expression as he remembered those hurtful, painful words he'd snarled at Iolaus, the hunter quickly added, "Just-kid--ding, Herc, -- need you!"

"And I need you-a soul needs both its parts," Hercules vowed as he looked into Iolaus' eloquent eyes full of love and loyalty before they closed and the hunter drifted off for a much needed and well-earned rest.

Finis

Marcia (maranje2003nz@yahoo.com)