For a few moments Hercules just stood there his mouth opening and closinglike a fish. Xena looked at him a worried look lining her beautiful features.

"I don't understand", Hercuels finally stuttered. Xena closed her eyes and slowly counted to ten. When she opened them Hercules was looking at her witha look that comprised to shock and disbelief. Before she had a chance to say anything else Hercules cut her off.

"Who? When? What? How?", the single worded questions tumbled out of the demi-god's mouth. In spite of herself Xena had to laugh.

"Slowly down! One at a time!", Xena chided him jokingly, "Okay, number one, YOU'RE the father." At this Hecules immediately flopped to the ground inshock. Xena just shook her head and continued, "Number two, a few weeks agoI met up with in Pharsalus. A few days after we parted ways I discovered Iwas pregnant. As for what and how...I think you know." Hercules stared up at Xena from his position on the ground in stunned silence.

Chapter 5

It was Xena's turn to stare at her lover in shock. Hercules lifted a hand to gently stroke Xena's cheek with the back of his hand and waited patiently for Xena's answer. Xena bit her lip and looked down at their clasped hands. She felt herself pressed close to Hercules' body. Slowly she looked up.

"I...I don't know", Xena finally stuttered out. For the first time in a long while Xena felt unsure of herself. She felt like she was being torn in two. Part of her wanted so much to say yes and the other half was calmly listing reasons why a marriage between her and the demi-god would not work. Hercules smiled in reassurance and Xena found herself smiling back.

"Think about it...please", Hercules told her as if he could read her mind.Slowly Xena reached up and cupped his chin before gently lowering his lips to hers in a tender kiss.

*****

Gabrielle wandered through the garden enjoying the spectacular arrangement of assorted floral life. Picking a huge pick blossom Gabrielle sniffed its strong, musky fragrance.

"Alcemene sure knows how to look after a garden", she commented to herself. Gabrielle had slept soundly for at least half an hour after the servant dumped her in her room muttering apologies about the rough trip. No doubt Xena had threatened him with a nasty death. Gabrielle hadn't really listenedto him, all she wanted to do was sleep off that ride. Now that she was finally rested she was desperate to talk to Xena. One way or another she would find out what Xena was up to. Passing some more flowers Gabrielle suddenly mentally noted that most of the flowers around her were herbal. I wonder if Xena knows about this place. Twirling the pink blossom in her hand she continued her search for Xena. It didn't take her long to find her best friend, for just up ahead was Xena...in a heated lip lock with Hercules.

*****

Xena's eyes snapped open. Someone was watching them! Pulling away from Hercules quickly Xena looked around, her practised blue eyes scanning her surroundings. Suddenly she spotted a strawberry blonde head. Breathing asigh of relief she noticed that her intruder was none other than Gabrielle. Lifting a hand she gestured for Gabrielle to join Hercules and herself. Gabrielle approached the couple tentatively with a look on her face that said, okay-what-have-you-two-been-doing? If the situation hadn't been so serious Xena might have laughed at the expression on her face. "Gabrielle, there's something we have to tell you", Xena told her friend. Gabrielle started at Xena's use of the word 'we'. Xena paused for breath before continuing,

"We're staying here for a little while, there are somethings that Hercules and I have to sort out." Gabrielle looked confused but nodded slowly.

"Thankyou", Xena whispered and kissed Gabrielle gently on the forehead, "You're the best friend anyone could ask for."

TO BE CONTINUED...